obtaining first grimoire

The rumors of great and dangerous power always draw forth the bravest, or insane. But the allure of this power, a bounded exerpt of the Leanoeaus Grimoire held by one of the twelve great felinae villages has drawn Mars and her company to trek through thickets of forest.

The path they follow is ancient, paved in broken stone and overgrown. Their map is spotty at best with only a few landmarks that have successfully kept them on the straight and narrow.

But they are nearly there, they simply need to stay on the path. It can't be much more until they come across it.

[This is a CoD event. Lose 50 vit, and you are in danger of death. You can use a single healing elixer, or surgery to heal a temp. Injuries can be tanked once per encounter.]
[Narrate]

It was always meant to be.

That no matter the dangers that would be before them, they would still be searching for such a thing as Leonaus Grimoire; for they intended to make the Wonders unseen before, the Wonders that could very well shape and change the landscape of Esshar as a whole. But..

With that comes risk, does it not?

"We'll have to keep going."

"But tread carefully. Do not underestimate whatever dangers may be ahead of us- for back when I faced Vro'diark, some of us almost died. Including myself."

A detail that he doesn't always say, if only because he was actually inches away from death.. and had it been yet another injury upon his weakened body, he was certain that he would find death in that old, decayed tomb of old Ilburg. So instead..

"Just.. watch out."

For now, however, he advances. This won't get done on its own.
(Basil)

There is only a couple more trees to chop through until the village is in sight- a compact yet densely populated sprawl of huts and larger buildings. They're a short distance away, and already they can make out a large number of people.

There are farmers out in their fields, children playing in the streets, and a varity of other jobs being preformed. There is a powerful amount of peace flowing through this place, as if it has been untouched by strife for a long time.

There are some guards, but they seem about as relaxed as everyone else. There is no gate, but a road leading to the center of the village where a large congregation of people are.

Just as Mars expects, almost everyone looks to be a felinae. This has to be the place.

But they're too far away to make out any more detail, they'd have to move closer to inspect the location.
[Narrate]

These pages would be guarded.

And the village next to it is something that should be expected. Although, seeing that there's no strife.. perhaps, with them distancing away from the rest of the world, it came about as something which means they would not be bothered often, if at all. There's certain beauty found in all of this.. but where he advances closer, there's but a hum.

Perhaps, he'll find the answers for his star in here as well.

And perhaps, these answers could lead him to a better connection, better surge of strength all the same.. the strength that he knows would be needed in these trying times to come - for there's always trouble about that could very well end in his death, should he avoid being careful.

"These are your people, Mars."

"You should make first contact. They might not take kindly to strangers approaching otherwise."
(Basil)

Mars may have made one single mistake with her words to what was a large crowd of felinae. It was not any sort of issue of respect, or some sort of cultural difference-

She just spoke too quietly in the middle of a market.

However, a large and burly felinae hauling multiple casks of an unknown liquid hears her plea to help, and attempts to wave them all down.

"Hey!"

He walks up, large enough to carry a single cask under each arm.

"I've got twenty barrels that need to be loaded onto this cart- I'll give you two Stars if you-"

He squints at the rest of the party besides Mars. This felinae's clothing, like the others in the village, was simple. White and grey cloths that covered a majority of his skin, tied aroud the waste with a brown rope. If one were perceptive, they could see a tattoo of a constellation on his right shoulder. It was hardly visible in daylight, though.

"...anyway- Two stars for each of you if you can help me load all this in an hour."

His offer stands to each of them.
[Narrate]

Sometimes, being too nice gets you nowhere.

And as much as he wouldn't mind to help, if only because carrying barrels like that is something that ought to be very easy for them to handle, but.. at the same time, he knows that they could end up wasting their time like this.

So instead, his gaze turns towards Mars.

"I think you should explain what exactly we're looking for - or I will." A pause, to which his gaze turns towards the Felinae that approached them.

"We aren't exactly... here to load barrels."

As much as being helpful is good, he's more than certain that they have gruelling tasks ahead of them, and this is something that would only waste their time. Unless, of course, the Felinae actually knew something.

"But we were actually wondering if you can answer few questions, yeah."
(Basil)

"Of course!"

The larger felinae man leads them to his stall, where the various casks of what can now be smelled as wine were waiting to be put into a cart. His stall read,

"MUSHROOM WINE: VERMILLION VINTAGE"

In all honesty, the casks smelled absolutely wonderful. They were rich, full-bodied wines with flavors of apple and pear.

"You must not be from around here. We usually get a trader or two every couple of months, but you all look like fine people. Stars are like-"

He pauses, trying to get the words out right.

"Well, you throw them into the well at tonight's gathering, and you might get picked to communicate with Leanoeaus tonight! It's a real special thing to get picked."

The workload was incredibly short with the amount of people and magical prowess they had, and just as they finished, the larger felinae counted out two stars for each of them.

The 'stars' were shaped like sandollars, made of iron and imprinted with a constellation of Leanoeaus.

"Thanks again! I hope you stick around later, getting to see the ceremony is a treat in itself."

With that, he begins hauling his cart out of the village and towards the farmland. There are still plenty of people in the square doing their own work, though a couple have begun to take notice of the party.
[Narrate]

The scents, the sights, the beauty of this place..

It was undeniable, and for the time being, Basil didn't mind staying; although, as far as he could tell, it's the fact that they were given those stars and the fact that they could be picked out to communicate with Leonaus which would mean that they might get in there; as far as he can tell, this might as well be useful.

Or so it seems.

"I see.."

Were they being fooled, though? Probably not. At least, they could tell that much based on the results that they'd get from other people - if they all were going to give them these 'stars', it can't possibly mean that it's fake, or otherwise non-existent currency. After all, if everyone has it..

Means it's legitimate, right?

For the time being, Basil busies himself with the work; it doesn't take long, nor it takes much effort, for their magical prowess makes it rather easy. If only when the man begins to wheel away, he speaks out to the rest.

"Seems like we'll be on the errand run to get those stars."
(Basil)

The combination of a flash of light, along with the further asking of help startles the croud somewhat. Now, all of their eyes were on them. Mothers hushed their children inside, and some of the guards had their laser-focus on them all.

The tension was split, however, by an elderly felinae splitting the crowd, acompanied by two younger priestly-looking felinae.

He spoke, eyeing Mars the entire time. "Everyone, please return to your duties. There is nothing to worry about."

Many of the others began to go back to their duties, though somewhat hesitant of sticking around the foreigners. The elder motions to the group to follow, leading them towards a larger hut overlooking the others on a hill.

"Please, come along. I believe I can answer your questions without a public scene."
[Narrate]

There's no reason not to follow this, if only because of the fact that it's exactly what they were looking for. And so, where the elderly Felinae beckons them forth to come along with them, the Rhoynish only offers a nod.

With everyone being a little startled like that, however? It's somewhat expected.. if only because they're strangers that arrived into town like this.

"Let's get going, in that case."

For he imagines that there's no reason why they should wait otherwise.
(Basil)

The hut that the elder occupies is one of simplistic comfort- a single room with a bed, a table full of various local objects of worship for Leonaus, and a table for them all to sit at. When they were all inside, he motioned to his two followers.

"Leave us, make sure the crowd doesn't get too worked up."

When they go, he sets his gaze on the six of them, before allowing a gentle aura of starlight to wash over him. It's weak, incredibly weak.

As if something had happened.

"I am glad that I reached you before you began to ask too many questions aloud. The people here are easily frightened of outsiders displaying their magic like you did in public. They have-"

He looks down.

"...they have not seen such displays naturally for some time. In any case, I will answer your questions. You may be able to help me solve our greatest issue at the moment."
[Narrate]

A brief look around is given.

There seems to be nothing really special about the church.. but he didn't expect there anything to be - for in his mind, the faith can be beautiful yet simple at the same time, and the place seemed to embody that well enough. Although, while he follows after the elder and sees two followers leave, eventually he hears out the rest of the words he had to say.

The issues?

He imagines that something had gone terribly wrong.. especially considering the starlight that was covering his frame was incredibly weak. Perhaps, their relics have gone a lot weaker, or perhaps someone damaged them.. or maybe, a sinister force occupies the place?

There are many theories. It's better to ask.

"What's the issue?"

"And how it happened?"
(Basil)

The elder pauses at Del's question.

"...I will have to explain from the beginning, I believe."

"Without a doubt, you have heard that we are the guardians of a powerful artifact. This is sacred to us, enough that we have isolated ourselves from the outside world and other villages."

"Years ago, we had an outsider be absorbed into the village. An Osronan, who was an ordinary magi like the rest of us. He was a devout follower, but he was careless."

A hand grips on the table, even such an output of cosmic magic was enough to tire out the old man.

"Our connection to our star has been fading ever since he was chosen during our ceremony. Even worse, those who are chosen since then have come out..."

"...without their connection to the Star, or their magics at all."

Their situation was beyond dire, and at this point, the help of an outsider was needed.

"The people believe this to be divine punishment, and have since grown hesitant of these magical displays you have shown."

"Under the village are the Starlight caves. Those who are chosen go down, and are blessed with Leonaus' divine light. But I cannot just send you down- it would incite a riot with the townsfolk. You will need to all be chosen in tonights ceremony. It is imperative that I keep my village safe."

"Please- help us reconnect with our Star. The future of our village depends on this."
[Narrate]

Osronans.

The sheer fact that it's someone from Osrona causes him to frown already- if only because of the fact that he knows too well that majority of Osronans do not mean well at all.. and while there are few exceptions from Osrona like Del that have ever shown kindness to him, that have actually apologized for the actions of the past..

The majority of them?
There's a heavy dislike.

"An Osronan.."

"Why am I not surprised that they're out there fucking up everyone's life again?"

Truthfully, there's a hint of irritation.. of hidden anger to them as a whole. This almost gains Basil's sympathy to the elder's plight immediately, if only because he's all too familiar with this. If only of one thing..

"I'll help you, because I know how it's like."

"Caleb Pelleaux, supposedly blessed of Three Major Houses, also destroyed my home in the ages of the past. Him and his knights.. they butchered entire clan, even as they tried to sacrifice their own people to stave off the dark."

"To stave off the horde of ravaging spirits, Nethradin, and Dark Lord Vro'diark from destroying Esshar."

This is something that Basil felt strongly about. And whereas the elder remarks of that, he speaks out to him.

"I will speak to your people, if I must. I already fixed the gate that would otherwise lead to Helheim - one of Osrona's greatest sins."

"But this sin is no less, and I'd help find justice to it as well."

A pause.

"If you have better suggestion to win tonight's ceremony, do let us know."
(Basil)

The elder looks away at the mention of brute-forcing this ritual. There was somerthing on his mind, and yet-

He was hesitant to reveal an aspect.

"We do not- choose at all. It is the will of our Star to choose. Those of our village would not take kindly to any sort of cheating of this system, as it is the celebrated ritual we have."

"When the stars reflect the well, those who wish for a blessing cast their stars into the water. The stars sink, but those who are chosen float and reflect their own inner mana. Those coins will glow with celestial mana, reflecting who cast it."

"Most of the villagers gather many to increase their chances- all I ask is that you do not disrupt the day-to-day living of our village during the ritual. This is all I can tell you."
[Narrate]

While the others had their own share of opinion on this matter, that the Osronan had perhaps not actually done anything in particular, there's only an audible, displeased grumble given in response- he wasn't going to start a long argument about it either, but..

It seems that his opinion isn't swayed.
The Osronan definitely had ill intent.

"We won't disrupt your day to day life."

"Your lives have already been damaged enough, and adding more oil to the fire isn't needed at all."

Although, when he instructs them of the fact that the stars are needed to be cast down the well, and only then the stars would select them, he only nods. A brief pause, to which he exclaims.

"Then it seems we can't waste any time."

"We ought to get going and try to earn our stars. Maybe someone else wants our help."
(Basil)

The elder looks to Mars, "Those are the people who have been chosen. I have not been able to figure out what that tattoo means to their mana, but you might."

He gives one final address, "There is about 4 hours until the festival begins. Limit the amount of magic you put out, and just try to get as many as you can. You are our only hope right now."

With that, the elder stands, motioning to open the door. There are four hours left in the day, and the group must work quickly.

(Each person can roll a d10 to see how many stars they collect in these next four hours.)
[Narrate]

"Thanks for your advice."

But with that said, Basil is on his way to try and earn as many stars as he can; in particular, while he doesn't really perform that well.. he doesn't perform bad either, perhaps spending too much time on the particular tasks that are given to him. Although..

This is intended for them to gather as much as they can, right?

While he takes his time, eventually, he converges on the point with the rest- to the festival, to the well that would be no doubt present there in order to throw in as many stars as they can.

And earn this favour.

"Let's hope it works.."
(Basil)

Time passes, and their collection of stars grows. That, and the members of the village begin to warm up to the sight of them. Helpful work, friendly conversation, and overall pleasentry removes some of the xenophobia as the time for the ceremony begins.

Tables are set all around the well, stations for bodypaint and food are set up, and the wine flows. It seems more like a party than a religious celebration. There are stations catering to every person- stalls of grilled mushrooms and fish, elaborate bodypaints, and toystalls for the children.

There's about an hour of pre-celebration, before the village elder reaches the well and gathers attention. A few of his attendants begin to hand out strings to tie their stars together.

With a wave of his hand, the crowd quiets. It's during this time, however, that the group may prepare their stars for the occasion. The elder gives a glance and a subtle nod to the group.

If any of them want to alter their stars, now is the time. Anything to get their chances up.
[Narrate]

The festival was one of beauty..

And perhaps, this is something that he takes in account- if only due to the fact that they were meaning to do one of their own soon enough. While Basil remains patient for the most part and awaits for the stars to be thrown into well.. he doesn't really alter them in any way.

Nor he attempts to steal, or do anything like that- they promised that they would not disrupt the daily life, and he won't do that.

A nod is returned to the elder, and he patiently awaits. Hopefully, this would work out.
(Basil)

"We are gathered today to celebrate Life, and our wishes for the future. Today we are joined by outsiders. Outsiders, who have not only come seeking work, but have helped us in some way."

All who carry stars are motioned forward, including the group. The elder continues. "They have shown themselves to follow our path, to obey our culture and rules, and so have been rewarded with the chance for a blessing."

There are many in the crowd with amicable expressions, including the rather large wineseller. One by one, the bands of stars are deposited in the lake. It would be up to fate to see if this group has been chosen.

(Everyone, roll a d20. The amount of stars you have will help your rolls.)
[Narrate]

The stars are thrown into the well, and all in attendance hold their breaths. With the amount of stars thrown in by this group alone, they almost outnumber the small amounts thrown in by the other villagers.

There is nothing for a while, until...

Multiple rings of stars bubble to the surface, glowing in light. Owyn's is first, glowing the most brilliant. Next is Tiernay's, sparkling brilliantly in the water. Mars and Basil flow up at the same time with slightly dimished light.

Del's return to the surface is much duller than the others, but Urizen's?

His returns last, but very dim. Only barely succeeding with the amount he has thrown in.

The crowd roars in delight, that these people have been chosen for their deeds today. The elder smiles, though wiping a considerable amount of sweat from his brow.

"Please, come to the icon here, friends."

They are all instructed to a stone carving of the patron star in front of the well. Multiple felinae move to the side, preparing to turn wenches to lower the sigil. The elder accompanies them, waving to the crowd to gain their attention.

"I shall guide them to be blessed, my brothers and sisters. Let all who shine be blessed!"

The crowd's cheers slowly drown out, as they are lowered into the cavern...
[Narrate]

There's a bated breath while he awaits for the results..

And once he sees his own come up, he sighs in relief; thankfully, the rest have managed to make it through as well, albeit with different light. But no matter.. none of this would matter soon enough - so long as they could actually succeed with their goal here.

Which isn't only to obtain pages of Grimoire..
But also to fix the sins done in here.

It's not a strange thing for basil to do that- after all, it's only natural that he would seek to repair something like this, to mend the wrongs that have been done to the stars; for his own star calls him to..

Alph, the Star of Judgment.

More often than not, he represents that star rather close. With the elder instructing them to follow, there's but a nod given to that, if only to follow along- the cheers given by the crowd, however, cause for a smile to appear.

"Lead the way."
(Basil)

They are lowered into a water cavern, where faint blue light was beaming from the water. There was a rocky path that lead them up, to a set of bright lights.

"I cannot follow you through your blessing as I don't believe I am strong enough to survive whatever is next, but I believe in your strength. If you see something that does not seem right, do not be afraid."

He simply waits by the elevator, a hand on a wooden staff.

"Do not be afraid, my friends."

There is only a short path to what would be the source of the "blessing". A massive bronze statue, both hands extending out as it sat in front of a decaying underground temple. As the party approached, it's eyes roared to life with fire.

"Kneel with Honor. Present what burdens you. Let it fade into the Starlight."

It had a massive amount of cosmic energy radiating from it's core, and its' hands were extended out. What could it want?
[Narrate]

There is always bits of anxiety before this..

For he knows that dungeons like this tend to be filled with uncertainty and danger, the endeavour in which he could find himself all too caught up without noticing that he's too far gone; for he hanged on a thread of life before, so very close to death.. and he knows better now to avoid that - if only because of the fact that his spark of life could've been extinguished..

At the very least, several times by now.

"We won't fail."

A hopeful sentence, perhaps.. but he was still confident in their success. Where he walks to the statue, and where he looks up to it, the eyes on fire.. he can't help but remember on the words of the elder - to offer just a bit of magic, to limit yourselves. But.. it was meant to be more than just that, wasn't it?

"Very well."

He isn't a stranger to such rituals. The Rhoynish culture is full of such, and where he extends a tiny bit of stardust as his magic to the statue, harmless in nature, and merely intended to extend his will upon statue, as if to let it peer as he kneels down..

His concerns are of his future.
Of Alabastre and those with it.
Of his people and dying Rhoynish culture.
Of his own family, and whether he can keep them safe.

And his own purpose in life. That of Njorun's guardian- that of the guardian against the dark, the slayer of Hel spawn and more; for while he would remain vigilant against the encroaching threat of the dark, he had othe duties as well. But, the question is..

How could he persevere through it all?
(Basil)

"The lives you hold are held in strife and conflict."

The statue turns to Basil, who gives an offering of mana. What lurked in the statue stirred- such in a way that might be visible to those who could see how mana flowed.

It's eyes stayed locked on the one who offered his mana, and the hand creeps closer.

"The world beyond these walls will destroy you. You will never be satisfied until you give what you hold most."

What stirred in this vessel could barely contain it's need.

"Give unto me your mana, and be freed from the curse of this wretched world."

The hand would now, attempt to lightly grasp onto Basil's head.
[Narrate]

"..?"

"What are you saying..?"

It seems that what confuses him most is the fact that instead of urging him to find his path, or a way for him to succeed in any manner.. he's instead told that he would be destroyed, that there's no way for him to persevere - that he would never be satisfied. And instead..

"The stars do not teach this."

"Neither does Njorun."

It went against all of the belief. All of which he held sacred, all of which he believed to be right- the mere suggestion that Rhoynish were supposed to just give up like this, to hand over the gift of mana and be 'freed' from the curse of this wretched world..

"--You're a fucking fake, aren't you, huh."

It almost seems as if the mana burns brighter. But instead of being offered towards the statue - it turns into an assaulting push, intended tonot only knock the hand away, but perhaps sear it as well. Quite frankly, there's one thing about Basil..

At times, he doesn't care about cultures, traditions or what's 'acceptable', even if they're on the grounds of the Felinae - for the moment that his belief is challenged like this, and it's pushed upon in such manner..

He pushes back.
Full force.

"Pretender."

"Die."
(Basil)

The statue's entire form is set alight at Basil's rejection. None so far had the strength to break the grip of the golem, and now it would preform it's other function.

The golem was to crush all those who rejected a life of placidity, and bring their bodies inside the ziggurat.

"All who resist shall be damned."

It's fists were flame, it's heart pumping out celestial fire hot enough to scorch the stones under it.

It would now be a fight.
(Bronze Statue)

It might be as well the reason as to why they were connected less.

That perhaps this creature taking all mana from the residents was the very reason as to why they could not hear the stars as well anymore- where the flames are set ablaze, there's an immediate attempt to overcome the golem by fuelling his own flames with stardust, to cascade it into surge of impossible light..

One that could as well try and explode it.

"You were damned the moment you thought you can play us like this."

And Basil isn't going to surrender himself to this. Even if the promise of placidity was to live the life without any worry.. would he actually ever take it?

No. He would not.
(Basil)

An explosion later, Basil is freed from the hand of the bronze giant. The damage is minimal, but the ire of whatever controlling force has been raised.

"Give-Give-Give-"

It slams it's fists down into the earth, a orb of darkness building up into it's right hand. It was intending on slamming it into Basil, in the fury of such arrogance.

"GIVE ME YOUR MANA!"

The final utterance was guttural, and full of hate.
(Bronze Statue)

[THE GROUP DEFEATS THE GOLEM]

The power of the golem is not to be trifled with- the force behind every dash and every strike is enough to shake the cavern. Whatever power to siphon and rip at the very magic of his enemies, it aids in the being's role in crushing these invaders.

But as the battle goes on, and as the resistance grows bolder, the dark energies implanted in this once noble and pacifistic giant grow ever more erratic. Wounds sealing with a dripping black ichor that sizzles against the ground, the fire growing even hotter-

There was a power at work that demanded it continue, and it only fades when the golem is physically unable to continue moving. When the final blow is delivered, it breaks apart.

The inner workings of the mechanical giant exposed, and the rich material used to shape it open for the pickings. Inside the ziggurat, the same malign energies can be felt that mimic the Golem's.

The true source of this evil, and the power they have searched for is there.
(Bronze Statue)

It's a lot to handle.

But it doesn't make him back away, not in the slightest; if anything, despite the golem's strength that had shown itself to be a rather troublesome endeavour, there's something about it that he almost loathed too much.. something about the corruption it carried becoming too infuriating for him.

It is there that he dares to overcharge himself with cosmic mana.

A rushed decision, perhaps.. for the way how golem's hand reached out to siphon Basil's mana seems to impair him momentarily, damaging the circuitry beneath- yet there's only a roar in return, followed by the powerful explosion that immediately blasts the golem back.

The Rhoynish war cry.
A terrifying, blood-chilling shout.

Much like expected out of Njorun's warrior, the relentless flurry of explosions, coupled with the cosmic stardust that explodes into fuel for the flames, they seek to overwhelm and banish away the golem in a manner that would no doubt prove itself all too difficult to resist. After all..

No matter how durable, there's only so much it can endure.

Until it's left weakened enough, the fuel of the cosmic stardust charging his own flames intended to bring about the destruction upon golem that would see its end - if only for the explosions, along with the efforts of the rest, putting an end to it at last.

"..We're done with this one."

"Now we have to move deeper and finish this."

When the Rhoynish gets going, there's truly nothing to stop his boiling blood. Instead, he only walks past the golem, heading to the heart of this place..

He intends to finish this.
(Basil)

The Ziggeraut was open, and it wasn't a large building. It was but a simple room, with a slab in the center. The room was dark, and the only light was to the slab.

On it, a felinae with it's guts exposed. Sacrificed by something within. Something, or someone.

All who enter the darkness feel something watching them, but it has not exposed itself yet.

But they all feel it. Eyes, upon, eyes.

What hungers in the dark, that drove this golem to madness?
[Narrate]

Despicable.

The mere fact that they have to face this only caused him to frown.. and whereas he looks upon the light that descends down upon the slab, his gaze turns towards the Felinae, slaughtered in the manner most brutal like this.

It reminds him of what he's seen beneath Ilburg.
Of countless Rhoynish dead.. even children..

"COME OUT!"

He's confrontational. And quite frankly, when he's convinced that the killer, that the one responsible for all of this is about, he wouldn't really care to wait.. if anything, he would intend to sear away any dark that permeates the existence in here, that poisons the well-being of this community.

For he knows how it's like to have his home ruined.

"I know you're in there, you rotten scumbag."

"Come out. I will burn you alive."

He paces forth. The stardust flutters around his frame, threatening to explode just about any moment, the flames already appearing around his frame.. no doubt the cosmic mana fuelling him, even now.

For now, he proceeds to search the room. If that thing- something or someone- wouldn't come out to him..

Then he'll come for it.
(Basil)

"Couldn't leave us alone, could you?"

The doors shut instantly, and the attempts at removing the shadow work all except on a specific spot. A dark shade that moves towards them, carrying a malign intent.

"You could have just left. Given up that life of yours and worked up there with the idiots. But no, you have to make me do something."

Whispers of endless nothing fill the room. They fill the spot where the shadow lingered, shaping into a man. Upon him clung countless miles of mana-circuitry, wrapped so tightly around his skin that it resembled flesh. His entire body was cloaked in shadow, besides the tattered garments and white hair.

That, and the soul-stealing etherial eyes behind him, and a tome that's shine was cloaked in the same shadow as his body.

"When I take your magics, I'll finally be ready to set out to Zal'Garub and the Whisperpeeks. I'll fill this -enlightening- tome with the magics of every person I meet, and I will NEVER be a nobody ever again."

A hand urges them to come closer, as the lines on his right arm buzz to life. Electricity pooling and sparking from that shadowy appendage.
[Narrate]

"No."

Truthfully, there's no reason to leave him behind and let him do all the work like this.. and he isn't all too pompous about the speech either; instead, he recognizes the dark, malignant energies, and already he knows that it is something he would have to perform as the warrior of Njorun..

Something he would have to fight against.

"You have poisoned this place for the last time."

Already it seems that the flickering stardust only gathers further.. the flames that threaten to spill over in cascading roar of violence sustained only by Basil's will, as they remain so ever consuming, threatening to lash out against the man that came out to them.

Threatening to explode with the stardust fuelling these flames.

"Zal'Garub.. so a service to one of the dark lords, I see." There's only a furrowing brow. "I already put down one of these in the past. The name's Vro'diark."

"Now? Nothingness. Destroyed, purged from this world by my flames and my star. You will join him soon. And now-"

"You were a nobody, and you will die a nobody."

No further words are spoken. Instead..

That follows is the immense wave of explosive stardust, overcharging Basil whole, a symphony of destruction rolled forth to eviscerate the man right where he stands.
(Basil)

The shadowy apparition moves from person to person, striking and slashing at each of them.

Tiernay, however, is picked out from the rest of them. A shadowy claw plunges through the surface of his chest, swiping at his very mana.

It's not deep enough to do much damage, but when he is driven back?

The projectiles that were shredding him apart begin to be absorbed, the very mana drained with the same technique he was using.

The lightning dissipates, as Virgil shifts his fighting style to that of who he mimics.
(Virgil, Voice of the Dark)

Virgil, who had brough himself low with the knowledge of the grimoire, is himself brought low by those who seeked to defend it. Every line of mana circuitry that was stolen blitzed to push back these invaders, and every spell he was never able to learn was used.

But the Light, the wretched Light that was behind all of them pierces his core, forcing the book to fall to the ground. His knowledge, his new life- it was all bound between those pages.

It was all ripped away, once again.

He cried out, screaming as the power faded from him. Physically crumbling, his last moments were not in repentance, but in dire attempt to bring the shadow back into him.

In a final, ichor-filled gurgle, he fades. All that is left is the book, and the silence of the ziggurat. The exerpt of the Tome of Stars falls to the floor, and it's pages hum with celestial energies.

The same book that drove this man mad now is in their possession.
[Narrate]

It's rage, fury and flames incarnate.

The way that the Rhoynish fights is envisioned by the image that Njorun had for them.. ones of fierce warriors that do not hesitate to charge in and perform to their heart's content, with the fluttering cosmic mana and the flames that constantly surrounded him. Where the creature of the dark fought back with the lifeforce stolen from so many..

He fought valiantly, enough to push back the encroaching dark that would otherwise engulf them all.

It's light..
So much light.

But it isn't righteous light; it isn't the comforting, soothing light, no.. what comes down upon the servant of the dark is the judging, burning fire, fuelled with the stardust that permeates the entirety of Rhoynish, that seemingly becomes enough to engulf him whole, time and time again..

For as much as he could flee and hide behind the borrowed lifeforce, there's only so much of it that would truly work.

An explosion. One intended to tear off the limbs of the man, and while Basil is struck down with lightning, what follows in return is a war cry, one that allows him to persevere on against all odds. Here, where the terrible explosions occur, the channelling cosmic magic enough to destroy, eviscerate and purge just about anything..

"--I told you that you would die."

"Now, face judgment."

The judgment in the face of Alph. A surge of cosmic mana, intended to obliterate the man; a combined effort with the rest, but.. when it's all over? There's no chance for him to survive. There's no way he could've survived a blast like that, no..

The soul of the guilty has been sent to the stars. A sigh.. tired and exhausted.

"...It's over."
(Basil)