Evervigilant 67

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> "Do away with the burdens of corrupt worldly possession," the message echoes several times over.
<Vigilant_GM> "Find the Emperor's light in simplicity, in purity of faith."
<Velam> "I assume that's a rule that's not going to be followed?" He asks Lord Guljian.
* Baird raises an eyebrow at Velam. "No Tabarius. In this den of corruption going unarmed would be unwise."
<Almarax> "Forsaking the gifts of the Omnissiah is not something easily forgiven."
* Velam chuckles to himself heartily before resuming his furious recording of all the details of the place. The rhythmic tapping on his data slate calming him as usual.
<Vigilant_GM> Two of the blind men in habits approach, slowly, as though sensing your presence in the air.
* Almarax glazes over momentarily taking readings on his internal auspex before his eyes refocus.
<Claire> "Strange..."
<Vigilant_GM> "You enter without invitation, your possessions a blasphemy to this sanctuary."
* Davos tries to peer into the warp and senses nothing.
<Baird> "Your possession of foul abominations is a blasphemy to the Emperor, now stand aside."
<Vigilant_GM> Without reply, more of the blindmen approach, standing in a line abreast as to obstruct your passage further.
* Baird clenches and unclenches his hands. "In the Emperor's name move aside." Baird doing his best to control his temper.
<Vigilant_GM> "The Emperor's name," whispers one, immediately echoed by the rest in a neat pattern across the line of men.
<Vigilant_GM> All but the one standing in the middle begin to step back, lining against the walls.
<Vigilant_GM> He raises an accusative finger at Baird. "You speak for Him above?"
<Baird> "I have been granted such authority to speak in his name in this regard."
<Vigilant_GM> "Then your fate is with the Seer," he says, turning around to walk deeper down the hall towards an archway on the far side.
<Baird> "Let's go."
* Almarax follows the acolyte remaining close to the front of the party.
<Velam> sticks to Baird's side in case he is needed.
* Karpath follows Baird sticking back behind him.
* Thesse follows along with the party.
* Davos follows along.
* Claire follows behind looking behind her for a moment
<Vigilant_GM> A sudden wave of uniform chant begins to fill the hall, carrying through its various corridors. Hymns of low tones, and overlapping harmony. The scent of stale air masked with little success by burning incense fills your senses as you enter a dark cloister chamber.
<Vigilant_GM> On the far side, turning away from a massive tome, a robed figure with all features obscured turns to you.
<Vigilant_GM> "What strand of fate has brought two such opposite figures in service to the Emperor together?" he says in a whisper which carries with surprising ease and power across the chamber.
* Velam slows his tapping, so as to not generate more noise than necessary as the man speaks.
<Baird> "I remain unconvinced you serve. Everything I've seen leads me to believe the contrary."
<Vigilant_GM> "It is you who defiles this sanctuary with all the effects of those who corrupt ancient Juno."
<Baird> "A necessity for our work in his service. Surely you don't claim the same about the abominations we encountered on our journey here."
<Vigilant_GM> "We may be outcasts, yet we are not simpletons. Your arrival, and those of your men brought about the beasts once more."
* Claire flips off the Psyocculum
<Velam> A connection between the unbound creatures and technology? He thinks to himself as he records, most perturbatory.
<Baird> "You claim our instruments and weaponry brings about these beasts."
* Almarax glances at his weaponry and mutters "These tools brought about banishment..."
<Velam> "I can only wonder upon the evidence for such a thing." Velam comments, in all seriousness, in a whisper after Baird's comment.
<Vigilant_GM> "Like others of your ilk," he says with a dismissive wave of his robe-covered hand, "the instruments tempt your feeble wills to utilize them. To massacre the lost wanderers... to call up the darkest of energies, the manifestations of beasts and horrors."
<Baird> "It is likely enough that this individual set them loose upon us Tabarius."
<Velam> "That may be, hmmmmm I wonder."
<Baird> "Well regardless of your misguided thoughts towards the...'lost wanderers', we've come to find the truth of why you condemn the nobles of this planet. Aside from their..material possessions."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will say no more, defiler," he shakes his head and turns to one side to continue reading from the tome.
<Vigilant_GM> The hymns now become accusatory. Speaking of noble blood tainting the purity of man.
<Claire> "My Lord you got a moment?"
* Baird looks towards Claire and steps over to her. "Yes Claire?" Baird is careful to not allow his voice to carry.
* Claire in a hushed voice
<Claire> "These walls hide secrets unseen to our eyes, I have seen it."
<Vigilant_GM> "Come, Sophia. Don't be shy," the man's whisper fills the chamber once more.
<Vigilant_GM> A young child walks around you, towards the hooded man.
<Claire> "This place and it's energies are still here yet muted, yet still linger here."
<Baird> "You claim we draw them here but you call one by name to your side."
<Vigilant_GM> The man takes a knee as the child whispers something to him.
* Baird slowly drops his hand towards his sidearm
<Vigilant_GM> In a swift motion, the Seer picks up the child, and turns to put himself between Baird's weapon and the innocent. Only his back now visible to the Throne Agents.
* Davos casts telekine dome.
* Thesse takes a defensive stance with her storm shield.
* Claire flips her Psyocculum and moves up seeing the tension moves up to view the child
<Claire> ++Steady yourselves.++
* Velam stows his dataslate in his pack, and looks up and around frantically.
<Claire> "She is not one of them."
<Claire> "Seer try and calm yourself, are wary of those of tainted below."
<Baird> "Seer, drop the child and surrender yourself for questioning by order of the Inquisition!"
<Vigilant_GM> The Inquisition.
<Vigilant_GM>  It cuts through all hymns, it fills the halls. It lingers in the air where absolute silence otherwise reigns.
<Almarax> Almarax moves to tackle the seer.
<Almarax> At high speed
<Almarax> And is very heavy
* Karpath kicks his right leg out to try and stop Almarax.
* Almarax stumbles and awkwardly ends up standing next to the seer.
<Vigilant_GM> "We..." his whispering voice trembles, as he slowly lowers the child.
<Vigilant_GM> "We have beseeched you. Decades, met with silence," he says, turning.
* Almarax glowers.
* Thesse lowers her shield.
* Davos uncasts his telekine dome.
* Karpath moves his right leg back in.
* Claire moves up around to get a better look
<Baird> "I won't speak for those who proceeded me. But I will have the information I seek."
<Baird> "A private place, where we can discuss what is happening here."
<Vigilant_GM> "I understand now why you are here," he reaches to up behind him to undo several metal hinges. Holding a thick length of rope, he pulls hard, collapsing a facade, kicking up dust that fills and rushes across the chamber.
* Claire checks on the child
<Vigilant_GM> High above the wall, carved in a deep obsidian stone with veins of gold to create texturing details, is the Inquisition's symbol, sturdy and engrossing.
<Velam> "Most perturbatory."
<Davos> "Well then."
<Karpath> "Yea this is a interesting turn of events."
<Baird> Baird's eyes land on the symbol briefly before returning his gaze to the Seer, repeating himself. "A private place to discuss these events, Seer."
<Davos> "Seems like we got a lot of work ahead of us."
<Vigilant_GM> "This chamber, I cannot leave. That is my solemn vow."
<Baird> "Then make it private." Baird glances at the pilgrims and the child.
* Almarax still angry states "I'll get the spectators out of the neighbouring room." marches into the neighbouring chamber "Follow me if you do not wish to receive the Omnissiah's wrath!"
<Vigilant_GM> Without a need to follow up on that request, the lurking eyes clear away.
* Claire offers to help the child get on her way
* Almarax makes sure that nobody remains within earshot of the chamber before returning and standing by the entrance.
<Baird> Once the room is clear Baird advances closer to the Seer. Once up close Baird engages him in conversation. "I will allow a chance to explain the situation as you see it before I begin my questioning."
<Claire> +I will be with the others, if you have need of me.+
* Davos goes along with the others.
* Thesse follows along.
* Karpath steps back to the be by the entrance to the room.
<Vigilant_GM> "When I found it, so many years ago, it was for want of shelter. In truth I was in delirium, having no water or respite from the elements for days. When my mind permitted it, I knew at once what the importance of this hallowed place was. I waited, yet none came. I vowed to become its most devoted servant and protector, aiding those who required assistance."
* Almarax is sure to have the optical mechanderite recording lest he capture a confession or worse.
<Velam> "Fascinating, fascinating." He murmurs as he brings his dataslate back out.
<Baird> "The unsanctioned psykers? The abominations that masquerade as children? What of those?"
* Karpath looks at Almarax, "Sorry about tripping you up, but after Claire said to hold, and once Baird said who we are along with the seer's response, something felt off about the situation we were in."
<Almarax> "Capturing him would of had the same result. It is of no matter now."
<Vigilant_GM> "They," he emphasizes the word with disgust, "bring them here. By the hundreds. Those not far-gone on arrival become rabbid monsters in short order. For sport or to conceal their sins, they cull the population, unaware of the hideous effects such sacrifices bring."
<Vigilant_GM> He looks up solemnly at the Inquisition's icon.
<Vigilant_GM> "In here, we are mercifully warded from such horrors. In here, his faithful may find safety and respite."
<Karpath> "True enough."
<Baird> "I see. This place must be warded in some way if those...things...won't enter."
<Baird> "Now for my questions unless you have something to add before we begin."
<Vigilant_GM> "I am ever the Inquisition's servant, if that is His will."
* Baird nods. "First things first I would know your identity."
<Vigilant_GM> "The only identity that means anything is Seer. Hive authorities have seen to it that I have otherwise never existed. Myself, and these people. Exiled. Erased."
<Vigilant_GM> "In short order, if the Arch-Cardinal's influence wanes, he too will suffer this fate. Of that I am sure."
* Baird shakes his head. "I am afraid I will need your old name. I need as much information as possible regarding this. The powers involved reach to the highest of levels. I cannot leave a singular stone unturned. Even something that seems trivial or inconsequential."
<Vigilant_GM> "No record will have survived of that life," he pauses to allow passing memories. "I was Stephanus Maturin, once. But no longer."
* Baird nods. "Now then. Why do you preach against the highborn? I heard you mention that they deposit the unsanctioned here and cause the warp manifestations with their cullings. Is this the ultimate cause? Or is there more?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Corruption, excess, open contempt for the teachings of the Ecclesiarchy, fraternization with and patronization of mystics. Debauchery that deepens with every year my Lord. Surely, the very reasons why you have come to reclaim this Inquisitorial stronghold. I know not the cyphers necessary to access its depths, and I swear to the Master of humanity never to have attempted it. But it
<Vigilant_GM> gives me great comfort to know you have at last arrived."
<Baird> "This stronghold will certainly aid in our endeavors. Once we take your statements we will attempt to unlock it. But the amount of time that has passed...there will be no guarantees." Baird turns to the awaiting throne agents. +Form up on me.+
* Almarax steps out of the way of the door to allow the other throne agents back in.
* Thesse walks in to meet up with Baird.
* Karpath moves from the entrance and makes his way back to Baird.
* Davos follows behind Baird.
* Claire is at the door frame and waves to the child, as she turns around to Almarax
* Claire Slaps Almarax
<Claire> "Please don't scare the child next time.."
* Velam forms around Baird. "What now, Lord Guljian?"
<Baird> As the agents gather, Baird addresses them, snapping his fingers. "Enough! Tabarius attend the Seer and take down every atrocity the highborn have committed that he can remember."
* Almarax blocks the slap.
* Claire Sighs and breaks off to join up with Baird before Al
* Baird turns back to the Seer. "Provide my savant with every detail. I will persecute them to the fullest extent. However before you begin dictation provide the location of the cyphered portal that leads further inside."
<Velam> "Should be quite long of list, I'm sure."
<Velam> "Do not be afraid to go into detail, my friend. I am quite able and competent." He smiles, his eyes alight with the hunger for knowledge.
<Vigilant_GM> "No panel, my Lord," he says hovering an open palm over the gilded runes inscribed on the lower horizontal of the Inquisitorial icon. In doing so, they react with a low glow.
<Baird> "Interesting.." Baird slides on Mortem's signet ring and then waves his hand over the same area.
<Vigilant_GM> Where the Seer's palms resulted in a low amber glow, Baird's elicits a powerful violet.
<Vigilant_GM> It, however, like the first, resides after a short duration.
<Baird> "Hmmmm...Reclaimator, Tabarius. I require your minds for a moment."
* Almarax steps over.
<Almarax> "Sequential lock, runes likely need to be activated in the correct order."
<Velam> "It seems our friend has the right of it."
<Baird> "Understood. Tabarius, bend your mind towards the code."
<Davos> "I believe I can assist with the code."
* Velam moves closer, putting his dataslate away as he examines. "Ahhhhhh very old cipher this." He tuts and hms, and makes another noises as his brain goes into overdrive. "One moment, Lord Guljian." He pulls his dataslate out and types out a quick sentence, in full caps 'THE SINS OF OUR PREDECESSORS.' He shows it to Baird. "Most perturbatory, hmm?"
* Claire looks over the door then looks to Baird
* Claire then to Davos
<Claire> "Zim could you do me a quick favor?"
<Baird> "Knowing what we do of what happened here in the past yes Tabarius, as you would say, most perturbatory."
<Davos> "Maybe."
* Baird activates the runes in order spelled out by Velam
<Claire> "Can you sense the door?"
<Davos> "Yes."
<Davos> "What I sense I am not sure."
<Vigilant_GM> Once the right sequence is activated, the entire outline of the icon glows in a deep violet hue. Parting with a sharp line between the halves, the wall gives in the shape of a double-door, turning inward.
<Baird> "We advance."
<Davos> "Aye sir."