I looked at the others. Each nodded in turn. I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing. We still had to go into the temple. If this was some undead that was weak to sunlight, then it would just attack us when we were least expecting it. No doubt there were plenty of shadowy places in the temple, even with the opening in the roof. Plenty of places that a wraith or the like could strike from.
On the other hand, if we managed to get one of the temple’s current residents on side with us, then we could get a great deal of information about the temple, and whatever defenses it might have remaining. Oh, sure, this was a temple, and not dragon’s lair, but there would be defenses in place. They could not have left the security of the relics under their care to just the barrier. And that wasn’t even talking about any monsters that might be here with us.
Frostmane’s strength was of no use pulling the door closed, lacking hands as he did. However, this door, while heavy, was still made for mortals to open. When I pulled on the door, I was surprised by how easily it swung shut. Even I, with my relatively average strength, could move it easily. The craftsmanship of the temple astounded once again.
“Good. I was hoping that you wouldn’t be as stupid as I used to be.”
Rising up from the pile of corpses, a spectral figure rose up. She was an orc, dressed in a breastplate, with leathers underneath. In her hand she held a spectral katana, the blade glowing black. War paint covered her translucent face, marking her ghostly skin in orcish runes.
Melinda’s Knowledge (Religion) check: 1d20+9 = 24
Ghostly was right. The figure in front of me had to be a ghost. And, if the look of her was correct, then it was clearly a ghost of one of the orcs who had attacked the temple all those years ago, during the Second Orc War. A black-bladed katana, though, that could only be one thing, the artifact, Soul’s Violation, that I had been told about. And that meant…
“Your name is Brathik Ruinsoul, is it not?”
“Hmph. And how would someone know that name, after so long? I did not exactly go out and make history, as far as I know. Just another warrior of a failed war.”
“I wouldn’t have known it, but for magic. While we were fighting threats in the forest, those who were left behind used what divinations they could to get as much information about what we would be facing as they could. In that way, they helped our fight, even if they could not join us in battle directly.”
I paused for a moment, and then said, “As for the reason I could guess your name, that sword you bear, even in death, is distinctive. A katana is a rarity in these lands, since they are said to come from another continent across the Great Sea. Surely, then, there could not be two black-bladed katanas in so small an area?”
The specter looked down at the blade in her hand. “Yes, I guess my name would be attached to the tale of this blade, even if I only wielded it for a short time. If you are a Twice-Born, as you say, then do you intend to take up this blade, and its destiny?”
“I could lie, and tell you that I had no thoughts of such a thing, but I could be the most eloquent bard in all the land, and we would both know the truth of such words. I think the power of that weapon would serve me well, as I achieve my own goals, but I would rather not have to fight you for it, not when I’m already facing what is likely to be the toughest fight of my life. The Huntlord needs to be brought to heel, above all else.”
“Well said. Giving up on something you desire to achieve the larger goal is good. I can tell you that only three remain from the wolves that invaded this temple, each corrupted by the same demonic taint that twisted my clan before we came to this forest. They are working to get to the altar, and shatter the last of the temple’s defenses, so that they can finally desecrate and corrupt this temple, as they always wished.”
“Your clan was turned into demons, like these werewolves were?”
“Yes, the Hunter of Men came to us, and offered power, enough power to wipe out all who stood before us. The warriors agreed, foolishly, and the Beastlord consumed their souls. Only a very few of us thought better of it, myself and the priests of Gruumsh One-Eye. But we could not stop the majority of the clan. And, so, we descended upon this Moonwood.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“I see. What killed you, if you do not mind my asking?”
“It is no secret. The ones erecting the barrier were too reckless in their haste. Their barrier stole the lives and souls of everyone it touched, trapping them inside the barrier, their bodies dead, but undecaying, their souls forced to remain, and turn into undead, instead of moving on. And so, we have remained, from that day to this.”
“Are all the undead willing to talk, like you?”
The ghost laughed. “Oh, no. You’ll have to fight your way through them. But you’ll find they are less… coherent than I am, as well.”
“That is troublesome. Do you know anything about how we can stop these Malarites? I’ll admit that our knowledge of what is inside the temple is limited, at best.”
“Heh. You’re cleverer than those wolves, at least. They did not even bother to wait until I spoke, before just charging through the doors. Such a rush to get to their goal, that they got caught in the Temple’s trap.”
The ghost paused for effect, grinning at me. “The inner defenses were designed in such a way that none could simply charge the altar and capture the temple. A second barrier exists there, one that can only be taken down by concentrated moonlight.”
“That could be a problem. It will be some hours until nightfall. And, even then, it will be some hours more before the moon rises high enough for it to be of use to us, I’d wager. We could wait, but I doubt the restless dead would just leave us be in that time.”
“And you would be right. If you don’t want to tire yourself with hours of fighting, then you will need to start by going into the catacombs of the temple. There, you will be able to find a statue. When the other spirits were more lucid, they said that a Key in the Founder’s Crypt would unlock the moon’s light, even in brightest daylight. No doubt, there is more to it than that, but that will help you, at least somewhat.
“Once the moon’s light is released, you will need to fight your way to the upper floor, where two silver mirrors are set. Use them to focus the moonlight upon Selune’s face, and the barrier will fall. But until that time, do not pass inside the boundary of the columns in the central chamber, or you shall become sealed, as the wolves have been.”
“So, turn on the moonlight, use the mirrors to focus it, and the inner defenses go down, likely releasing the werewolves at that moment, meaning we’ll have to hurry to stop them. Great.”
“And any undead you haven’t dispatched or freed from this curse will likely swarm the altar, and attack anything living at that point.”
I sighed. “I was afraid of that. Is there anything we can do to help you move on? I know ghosts can’t be ‘destroyed’, they can only be put to rest, so I’d really rather not have to have you trying to kill us along with the rest. I’m not looking for extra trouble in the main event.”
“Hah! Well said. And yes, there is something you can do for me. I am bound here so long as Naevys Enynore remains. She was the priestess who was in charge of setting up the barrier. Her actions have trapped us here. Now, she resides in the catacombs. Unlike those of us who were attacking, the Priestess and her followers retained their physical forms. You’ll find her in the crypt she’s taken as her own. Just be careful, she hasn’t had a proper neck to feed on since her turning.”
I winced at that imagery. “So, how many vampires are we talking about here? It is vampires, right? Other than you, how many undead are there here?”
“Naevys had three acolytes, who turned with her, and five warriors who rose as wights, though they have lost much of their martial prowess. In truth, the wights are not likely to be as large a threat to you as the vampires. But ignoring them would be foolhardy, since a couple lucky hits could bring you down to their level. Quite literally, in fact.
“Then, you have the fallen from the clan. For most, their spirits were too corrupted by the demonic powers they’d fused with their souls to be as complete as I was, but they linger as wraiths. Two dozen of them remain, the rest destroyed over time by the vampires. You’ll find them lurking in the dark corners, where the sun won’t reach them.”
“And will killing this Naevys allow us to avoid having to fight all the wraiths?”
“Yes. With Naevys dead and the barrier down, what is left of their souls will be ripped away to their true master. They will not be able to linger here, once that debt is able to be called into account. And, if that were not incentive enough, if you slay the Priestess, I will gift you my possessions, and show you how to bind yourself to Soul’s Violation.”
“I accept this task, then, in the spirit with which it is offered.”
“Excellent. I will draw the wraiths in the temple proper away. The distraction will not last long, but, if you are quick, you should be able to make it to the stairs leading down into the Catacombs. After that, the task will be up to you.”
I looked at the others. They all looked as ready as they could be. Turning back to the spirit, I nodded. “All right.”
The ghost nodded in return, looking pleased with our response. “Excellent. That is how warriors should look in the moment before battle. You’ll find the stairs down to the right side. I look forward to seeing your work.” Then, she turned, and raised her blade in both spectral hands. As she did so, a shadowy shield formed before her. With a fierce grin, she charged through the silver inner doors, and I quickly understood the nature of her ‘distraction’.
“GO!”
Frostmane shouldered open the doors to the temple and paused. We all did, our eyes wide as we saw the splendors there. The sun shone through a circular hole in the ceiling, just over the altar. A crystal shattered the sunlight into a rainbow of colors across the second floor. And, in the distance, I saw a massive statue that could only be Selune, with scepter in one hand and a moon in the other, standing at least forty feet tall.
In front of the statue was the altar, flanked by two braziers that lit with flames that seemed frozen in time. Much of the rest of the open space was taken up either by the four columns that held up the balcony, or the three pools that glistened in the light. Two smaller pools, further back, bore glowing glyphs for the newborn moon and the waning moon, while a larger one, in the middle, bore the symbol of the full moon. Three pools, for the three phases of the moon goddess, the child, the maiden, and the crone.
Sounds of battle roused me from my shock. I noticed that, just inside the perimeter of the columns, three werewolves stood, frozen like the flames in the braziers. That is what the ghost meant about them being sealed, then. A barrier that slowed, or even stopped, time. Not something I wanted to be caught in.
I reached out to shake Frostmane’s shoulder. “Enough gawking, wolf. We have killing to do. Let’s get to work!”
Frostmane chuffed. “As you say, little bird.” And then we were off, careful to stay inside the boundary of the temple, as we headed towards the stairs leading downward.