[Lost Souls Event] "Memories of Light" (Faith, Pad, Rovy, Gem)

[Oracle]

117th of Vhalar

They had appeared at dusk early in Vhalar; the ghosts of the Stormlands. No one could guess what they really were, but many who saw them took to calling them the “Lost Souls of Rharne” They looked as if they needed help, waving and trying to garner the attention of the living but they had been unable to speak or move far from where they appeared.

Tonight was different...very different.

The “Lost Souls” had nearly all appeared in one place. They were gathered around the entrance to the fabled Westwind Ruins as if waiting for something to happen. Hundreds of pale blue figures huddled together out near the edge of the old ruined town. Men, women, and children all stood together as if they were there in anticipation of some event.

That’s when the portals started appearing. All across Rharne portals appeared. They showed up in back alleys, pubs and all across the wide open spaces of the Stormlands. Dozens upon dozens of them and they seemed to be seeking out certain individuals in particular.



The portals you find yourself faced with are pale and silvery, seeming to be made of liquid moonlight. Within the portal you can see the distant outlines of tall spruce trees surrounding a cluster of ruins. At the stone entrance of the ruined town stands hundreds of bright and shining figures. They are the same ghostly entities that have appeared in Rharne earlier in the season.

They beckon you through, waving at you to step through the portal.

You have a choice, wherever you are, you must choose whether or not to step through and help them. Whoever you are ,you have clearly been chosen for a reason. There is a purpose behind the appearance of the portals and that cannot be denied. Perhaps now someone can find out the mystery behind the Lost Souls of Rharne.

!

Message from: Oracle

Hello and welcome to the Lost Souls Event! The only participants in this event should be Faith, Pad, Rovy, and Gem. There is no posting order. Once I post you may reply in any order you choose! I will be giving required and bonus objectives at the bottom of my posts from time to time. Bonus objectives are optional and will merit an extra reward at the end. Required Objectives are obviously required and will merit a negative effect if they are not completed. Required Objectives 1. You must explain where you found your portal and make a choice to jump through or not. They will appear anywhere across the lands of Rharne or in any city. They can appear in odd and strange places and will often frighten people. 2. Make sure to note what supplies you will have with you. Bonus Objective .Have your portal appear in an embarrassing or inconvenient place. Area Map

[Faith Augustin]

Faith Augstin crept quietly through the house she shared with her family, trying her very best to be as silent as possible. It was vital that she didn't let anyone know she was coming, because in this circumstance, she knew. One slip up and she'd be done for.

Waiting for a moment, she glanced at the mirror into the living room and she was fairly sure that she could see a stick being swung around madly. That was good, it meant that Cyrus and Katie were keeping them distracted. Faith adjusted her furry hood and made sure that her ears were sticking up. Then, she shouted into the living room where Padraig, the children and her parents-in-law were.

"Where's my honey!?" Faith shouted as she appeared, jumping into view in the living room doorway. "My tummy is rumbling, and I need to dance!!!!" It had grown up over the course of seasons, this ridiculous game that they played. But the children loved it. Faith, dressed as a bear, wanted her honey. Padraig, meanwhile was dressed up in his own outfit and, when they met, they would scoop up a child each and dance. But first, they had to meet and so, Faith stomped into the living room where Madison and Noah were sitting on the floor - which had a big green blanket on it because it was the forest of course - with Cyrus and Katie. All four of them were, again for reasons which had made sense at some point and was probably to do with the honey, dressed as bees.

Unfortunately for all the adults in the house, Faith's children loved dressing up and Faith was very good at sewing.

There was no escape.

"There are the bees!! Where's my honey!?" By this point, Madison was laughing hysterically, sitting on Katie's lap, waving around a child-sized walking stick that, later, they'd dance with, and Noah, equally predictably to their parents, was looking at Faith with a slight, almost laughing smile. It always went the same way, Faith came in, did a bit of roaring and "searching" for her honey and then, Padraig jumped out from behind a piece of furniture - resplendent in his own costume. They'd be funny, run around a bit, then dance.

And that was exactly how it was going.

But no. No, Faith realized that it wasn't just dates that were cursed for the two of them. Oh, no, that would be too easy. It was him. As Padraig leaped out from behind the couch with a marvelous shout all of his own, a strange silvery rip in reality opened up, directly in his way, and he literally disappeared from view. Faith blinked, twice and then moved."Oh! We've found a magic portal!" in the middle of their living room. "I'm going to stalk in there!! Make honey, little bees!!" Cyrus and Katie grabbed the children and continued to make buzzing swirling, dancing games. The children, thankfully, we too wrapped up in the game to notice anything different and really, they thought that Papa had just done something very clever. "I can see him. I'll be right back,"

And so, stopping only to grab two swords, she charged straight after him. She could see him there, turning around to look. She saw other things there too, and she sighed slightly. He didn't like souls and dead stuff. It unnerved him.

"Come on, PB," she said to the chalk outline of a bunny which had once only ever been in her dreams but now showed itself to her as a death diri, granted to her by Vri for her service.

And so it was that, through the portal came Faith Augustin. Champion of Famula and very serious person. Philanthropist, medic, and many other things. Dressed as a bear, carrying two swords and looking at her husband with a despairing expression.

"I hope you know, this is all your fault," she said with a soft smile, holding out a sword for him.

PB, who had manifested on her shoulder looked at him, guffawed and said. "Nice outfit, Paddyrags!".

Biting back a smile, Faith turned to the nearest soul and said, very calmly. "Hello. I'm Faith. Do you need help?"

[Padraig]

Never in all his arcs had Padraig anticipated that at some point during his life, he'd have found himself outfitted in a ridiculous costume without complaint, or rather with some complaining but not much, and playacting for the sake of his children. And not just playacting either, but over the top playacting of the sort that he hoped none of his scholarly connections found out about. Padraig would, and had maintained that he didn't do camp. But so far as the twins were concerned, the campier the better.

What was even more unlikelier was that his grandfather would be caught dead in a costume and then doing much the same as him. But there they were. Cyrus dressed as a bee from head to toe and seeming to enjoy it. And him? Well in spite of his grandfather's suggestion, he'd rejected the idea of waddling around their living room dressed as an over-sized honey pot complete with a lid on his head, worn like a hot. But no, Padraig had gone in another direction. An alchemist, that's what he was complete with wildly teased hair, goggles on his head and a smudged face arising from some sort of mishap or other. The same one that had caused the burned holes in his shirt and trousers that Faith had so carefully worked into the costume.

He held a large beaker full of a golden liquid in his gloved left hand, with wisps of cotton that spilled out the top as if it was smoke or steam. There were fabricated bees, small ones, attached to his hat and shoulders so that they appeared to be buzzing all around him. They bounced and weaved every time he moved. Sticking out of his pockets were a number of the ingredients that would go into a good honey. Like bunches of clover, orange blossoms, and other unidentifiable things. And courtesy Cyrus, who'd chuckled madly as he hung the thing around Padraig's neck, there was a hand shaped sign resting on his shoulder that read 'Hunny', and pointed towards the beaker in his hand.

The point was that at just the right time, he was supposed to spring out from behind the chair, and shout "Here! Here is your honey miss bear! And not a trill too late!" But then he never got the chance. As soon as he stood up, a portal opened before his eyes. So close that it was only an inch or so away from his nose. It all happened within the blink of an eye. There were spirits, ghosts on the other side, calling to him. Under ordinary circumstances, given his druthers, Padraig would have responded, "No thank you very much." In spite of Faith's connection with the spirit world, Padraig could honestly say that he wasn't as enamored with it as she was.

But he didn't get the time to say that either, or even to step back. Later, he might accuse Cyrus of having pushed him through that portal, no matter that Faith might eventually have talked him into going through on his own. But certainly, not while he was dressed in a mad alchemist's outfit, with bees buzzing around him and wearing a giant pointing hand bearing the word Hunny. And without a weapon in sight. Lucky for him however, Faith was right behind him, trailed by the chalk bunny that he still hadn't got used to seeing in her wake almost everywhere that she went.

She was still dressed as a bear, but at least she'd brought weapons. Shaking his head, as much as a commentary on the sight they must make as on their current circumstances, he smiled and strapped the sword on. "I'm going to find a way to pin this one on Cyrus," he said. Then turning to PB, he added dryly, "Good one, PB. An eraser could always be arranged, you know." Not that he'd do it, even if he could. Still, it warranted being said. And that said, like Faith, he turned to the nearest spirit and quirked a brow. As much a question as if he'd said it aloud. There must be a reason after all, a portal in their living room, but perhaps not in others.

[Oracle]

Faith and Padraig had both been in the middle of a wonderful family night. The children had been squealing with delight at their parents dressed in costume when the portal had appeared. The season of Vhalar was known for its strangeness but this was certainly not to be expected.

It was good fortune that Faith was wise enough and strong enough to put on a brave face in front of the children. They didn’t need to be worried or concerned about their mother and father, not when they were having such a lovely time.

The interior of the lakeside home vanished as they both passed through the silvery rippling surface. The portal blinked out of existence as they came through, removing any hope of returning by it again.

A field of waist high grass surrounded Faith and Pad, in the distance to the north lay rolling hills and distant mountains that were framed by spruce forests. Even given the curious circumstances it was indeed a beautiful evening. Fireflies danced over the rippling field of greenery around them and the stars were peaking out overhead. However, ahead of them was something most would find unsettling. Pale rather transparent figures had their dim ghostly eyes fixed on Faith and Padraig.

Many of them seemed...out of focus, just as many of their eyes seemed lost in a fog. However there was one ghost who's image seemed far clearer than the others. It was a woman with shining pallid blonde locks that flowed down to her mid-back. She wore a dress that must have once been beautiful. It was torn and shredded at the shoulder and along the length of the skirt, but she stood with poise and intelligence as she approached both newcomers.

“You came…” she said, her voice soft and barely audible. The ghost seemed to be looking past them while at the same time meeting their eyes.

“I am…..” her voice choked for a trill before he could continue. “I was called Diana before….and my father...he was the miller.” her words fell to silence and she shuddered, seeming to struggle with a difficult memory. Her shining ivory eyes seemed to grow clouded.

“It’s hard to..remember. He….the man….his box…he won’t let us go.” The last words came out in a rush. Her gaze grew panicked like a doe who had abruptly made the realization that she was being stalked by a hunter.

The wind grew still within that moment, the waving stems of grass around them became motionless and the air seemed to grow terribly cold. Faith and Pad would suddenly feel as if something was watched them from afar.

Something in the north.

“He sees us. I can’t stay.” Diana said, clutching at her chest in fear. “Find Westwind, find my father’s house. You’ll see too.”

The ghosts in the distance began blinking out, their inner light vanishing. However now revealed by their absences was the ruins of a town perhaps a couple hundred yards away. It was quite old, made of local river stone and was laden with signs of disuse. The plants had all been blackened and nothing grew within the boundaries of the settlement. At the front of the ruins, near the squat cobblestone gate stood a creaking windmill. Within the top window flickered the silhouette of a woman who seemed to be watching the pair.

!	Message from: Oracle
	So sorry for the immense delay everyone. I'll be doing my best to reply quickly. Required Objectives 1. Make your way into the town and be clear in what you investigate. Bonus Objective None Rewards Bonus Objective Complete (Faith and Pad) - There will be an extra reward at the end. Area Map

[Faith Augustin]

"Pinning it on Cyrus seems less than fair," Faith said, pulling off her hat and divesting herself of the gloves with stuffed bear claws. Her misty silver eyes showed her amusement at the thought, though, and she didn't suggest he should not do so. Strapping her sword around her waist, she bit back a smile at the exchange between her husband and the spirit of death which was her constant companion. "Awww, c'mon Paddyrags, you know you love me," PB crooned. A glance from Faith, however, shushed him although the chalk-outline bunny stuck his tongue out at Padraig and, with a wiggle of his chalk-puffy-ball tail, he jumped up on to Faith's shoulder. For her part, Faith looked at Padraig and gave a slight, almost apologetic smile. But then, as she had to, she turned her attention to the ghosts, not yet aware that Padraig could see them too.

The woman, apparently called Diana, spoke and Faith frowned and listened, nodding her head. Turning, then, to Padraig Faith was about to tell him what the woman had said when she realised just how he was looking. She did a sort of strange double-take of him and Diana and then quirked an eyebrow. "Must be the outfit. Maybe it's a magic hunny pot?" With a frown towards the area where the mist had cleared, Faith ran over what Diana had said once more in her head and then she turned to Padraig. "I feel like we're being watched. We need to get these people back to where they're going and whoever has a box and is stopping them from moving over needs a stern glare." She was unnerved, but she straightened her back and lifted her eyes to meet his. "I think we should just take a few moments. Ghosts don't leave tracks. Feet do. You look for physical clues, I'll search for anchors and other assorted weirdness?"

It would be easy to just tromp forward, but Faith wanted to have more of an idea of what they were facing here and so, Famula's champion examined the area but with her focus on the Souls. She searched for Anchors, for any reason she could find which meant they were out of focus. Then, she tried to communicate with any which were not Diana, looked at the amount of ectoplasm there. Turning to PB, she asked quite seriously, if her chalk-bunny friend could see anything odd here, sense anything.

Then, once Padraig had told her what he found, whatever it was, Faith sighed slightly. She shared her findings with him and then motioned to the windmill. "I suggest we keep checking, check the ground for tracks, the walls for secret hiding places, anything new. Newly dug up or newly dislodged. This place seems... what?" Stopping, she looked at him and a rueful grin crossed her face. "I know you know. I'm not telling you, I'm just reminding us." Her hand slipped into his and she entwined her fingers around his, briefly. "I made sure that the children weren't frightened. Cyrus and Katie were dancing with them. Buzzing."

But then, that was what they needed to do and, unless Padraig had a different idea, Faith would move forward with him, carefully examining the surrounding area, exploring as they made their way. Her vote for where they went, of course, was the windmill. Because there was someone there and, while she thought it was more than likely to be Diana, a thorough search might just reveal something. Either way, that sense of being watched came from the north and, once they had exhausted all they could about where they were, that was where she would suggest they went.

[Padraig]

"Why?" Padraig argued, in spite of their strange surroundings, when Faith wondered if it was unfair to blame Cyrus for what had occurred. "He might not have orchestrated it, but you can't tell me he won't be crowing about it later, and at least implying the credit was due him." It was the way his grandfather operated. Always had been. It had taken arcs, well into his adult life, for Padraig to come to the point of appreciating Cyrus' unique sense of humor.

Only she, Faith could get by with calling him Paddyrags, he reminded the chalk bunny that could be so easily erased with one swipe of a cosmic sponge. Even if he wasn't particularly fond of the lighthearted moniker. And yes, he did realize that the thing was in essence a reflection of Faith. Or at least a part of her. And at least in this case, he saw the ghosts as clearly as Faith did. If not in sharp contrast, for they seemed a bit hazy after all. "We came," he responded quietly to the blonde, though Padraig was feeling more on guard, than actually pleased about it. They hadn't come in on their own steam, after all. They'd been as good as brought.


So she was trapped here, she and her father? "Box?" he asked curiously. He'd almost forgotten about his appearance. It wasn't easy being taken seriously, dressed in the way that he was. Clearly though the spirit was afraid, like a doe desperately evading the hunter. And then she was gone. All of them in the blink of an eye, leaving a ruined village behind them. He agreed with Faith. No doubt they were being watched. Even stalked. He smiled though when Faith mentioned the children, and he squeezed her hand. "I know, and by the time we return, Katie and Cyrus will have spoiled them rotten."

If they were going to return though, they needed to move forward. The windmill, he thought, the mill, it seemed the most natural place to start. And yet in going straight there, they might pass by and overlook a half dozen other important things. And all the while he kept his weapons close at hand, and kept a keen eye out for trouble. Still, every move was being observed, no doubt. He'd noticed the figure at the top of the mill after all. So with that in mind, they moved that way. Tracks, animal or human, recently overturned stones, disturbed dust on floors...all of it was of interest as he looked for anything that could suggest someone more solid was nearby. And all the while, they moved towards the mill.

[Geminius Rose]

Of course, stepping through the portal wasn't what Gem had expected to be doing when he'd gone to work that trial. If anything, he'd wanted to get through it as best he could and go home to rest. Or, further traverse Emea, but that was a different story and now unrelated to the plight he currently had to endure. For whatever strange reason, he'd been chosen to be part of this...thing. Along with two others who were terribly calm about the whole thing. He did know one of them, though. The small woman...dressed as a bear was no doubt Faith Augustin. He'd heard quite a bit about her, and if he were being honest, it didn't strike him as odd that she was dressed as a bear. He'd made no moves to introduce himself; speaking to someone of such celebrity right off the bat had a kind of intimidation to it. What did count as odd was the ghost woman that began to speak to the trio, and the fact that he was involved in all of this. But that was no matter because now he had a job to do.

The pair were quick to figure out what needed to be done. Huh - experienced. That was why they were so calm in a situation like this. His internal freaking out was likely something they would have a good laugh at, and thus he didn't try mentioning it. Or voicing any sort of confusion. Another no-no. "Uh, so is there anything I can do?" He - it wasn't a frown. It was more a nervous little twitch of the lips as he followed after the couple, awaiting their direction. Because obviously it would be smarter to follow those who knew what they were doing.

[Oracle]

There was something tugging at Faith when she began searching for spiritual anchors within the area. For as many ghosts were haunting this place...there should have been dozens if not hundreds of separate things holding each of them for various reasons, however there was only one singular Anchor that she could feel. Ghosts anchored themselves often to other people when they died but there was no one else here except for Gem, Faith, and Pad. However there was a single Anchor, and it burned strongly within Faith’s mind. Whatever it was seemed to be up ahead toward where Diana had been pushing them towards.

Westwind….or whatever she had called the place.

None of the other ghosts rose to speak with Faith. It was as if her contact with them was cut off...like there was something somehow in the way. Though through her power as a champion she could feel them just on the other side of that barrier, it was like they were crying out for help.

PB the little chalk bunny on the other hand did find something. He started bounding toward the direction of the ruined town that outlined the horizon. The immense presence of death was drawing the spirit towards it.

Padraig was the first to set off, immediately setting his sights on the creaking distant windmill with the figure of the woman hovering in the window. As the group neared what most certainly must be the forgotten town of Westwind other structures came into view.

There was a squat wall around the town itself that could easily be stepped over. Inside and to the right was the massive mill. There was a shattered door barring the entrance to it’s interior but that could be easily removed with a few well aimed swings of a sword. Inside, there was a dark interior along with a stone stair that wrapped around the tower of the mill itself before reaching the room at the top where the woman was.

Or where the woman had been….she had vanished once the group was within a few yards of the building.

To the left of the mill was a softly dripping roofed Well. There was water inside and a familiar blue light glowed softly from within, begging to be investigated.

Then there was an inn between the two, surrounded in untended brambles and stray bits wood and shingles that had fallen due to the partially collapsed roof. Between the exposed rafters another blue light glimmered before seeming to dart further into the interior and out of view.

The trio had a choice as to which areas they would investigate. The mill, the well, or the inn. Each had their mysteries and each had their dangers.

!	Message from: Oracle
	I'm back at this finally. I'm setting a hard date on my reply to ensure that this keeps moving. I plan on replying on March the 1st. Required Objectives 1. Choose an area to investigate Bonus Objective Find something interesting along the way that can fit in your pocket. Rewards . Area Map

[Faith Augustin]

"You and he are so alike, you know." Faith said to Padraig, on the topic of his grandfather, but she left it at that. Now probably wasn't the time to mess about. She glanced at PB and her left eyebrow raised, just a touch. "A'right, A'right. I'm very sorry Professor Paddyrags," he said and then, simply, he disappeared. Faith turned to the small diri and frowned, but then she recognised that there was another mortal soul there with them and she smiled to him. "Hello," the short young woman spoke, her expression friendly as she looked at Gem. "I'm Faith, this is Padraig. I think the best things we can do," she said, considering that this young man seemed nervous enough that they should look after him, "is make our way together?" Doing her best to be reassuring, Faith couldn't quite manage it as she frowned thoughtfully.

Quietly, she watched what was happening for a few moments, then spoke again. "Alright, they are being odd. Every ghost, across all of Idalos, is held to this place by what we call an anchor. Something, someone, some.. place, which was of importance to them when they were alive. An emotional attachment." Gesturing to the ghosts here, she shook her head. "There should be as many anchors as there are ghosts, but there's just one. And they are all anchored to it. Something isn't right here, that much is certain." She breathed in and turned to look at Padraig and Gem. "And I can't communicate with the others. They are... there's something blocking it. Between me and them. " Her glance to Padraig was enough to tell him just how unhappy she was about that. "I can hear them, just. They're crying out for help."

The small chalk-drawn bunny bounded off, and Faith nodded to follow him. "He's sensing death. A lot of it."

As they made their way, Faith kept her eyes on their surroundings, looking for the small details, or clues. Anything which might help them find out what was going on here. Her eyes landed on something and Faith stepped off to the side, for a moment, then knelt down and picked something up. Coming back, she held out a small, quartz-like stone. "Bottled lightning, they call this. Look, it's glowing." She smiled at Padraig ~ when they'd been here before, staying in the Order of the Adunih, she'd bought him some of this. Three small pieces had lain on the ground so she handed one to Gem, one to Padraig and kept one for herself. "Who knows when you might want a little bit of light in your pocket?"

Eventually, though, they got to where they were going and there, they were faced with a choice. Faith looked at all three places and she glanced at Padraig. Was there even a point suggesting splitting up, she wondered. Probably not, she decided. And, in fairness, he was probably right. So, with narrowed eyes, Faith motioned to the Inn. "We seem to be faced with high up, low down and on the ground. Lets start in the middle?" Looking at Gem, because it needed to be said since they were not alone together, "Ghosts are sort of my thing. I'm blessed by Famula, and it's my job, duty and privilege to help them cross. Padraig and I have worked together a lot of times," her hand reached out and touched the fingers of her husband's hand. "I suggest we all stay together, stay alert and keep communication open."

Assuming they were all happy to go the same way, Faith suggestion was just that. Remain together, explore the Inn room by room. Track down the blue light, talk to who they needed to talk to. For her, it was straightforward. "Whatever's not right here, we need to fix it." Careful, cautious and thorough exploration was her vote - in the Inn.

[Geminius Rose]

“‘m Gem.” Not the most riveting introduction, but there was still that nervousness making his stomach flip as Faith spoke to him. Someone who very clearly knew what they were doing. He nodded, following after the pair as they walked. He wasn’t sure if he should step up to be walking with them just yet. But maybe soon. There was a lot of ghost talk. Which made sense given their current situation.

In a ghost town.

Full of ghosts.

Qythraldi didn’t seem entirely pleased with that prospect. They were supposed to be looking around and he had begun to do just that. Taking in his surroundings for the most part, before Faith was calling his attention again.

Bottled Lightning. He’d never had the stone before, but he’d heard quite a bit about it. He uttered a soft thanks as he pocketed the item. His other pocket, though - that felt heavier. Perhaps Qythraldi had flown into it, uneasy with the environment they were now in. But the buzz of her wings made it apparent that such was not the case. She was still just by his shoulder, hiding behind him.

Gem figured he might as well check it. There were ghosts about and maybe they had snuck something in there. Fur grazed his fingers, and he jerked his hand away. A soft mew sounded and the little head of a kitten peered up at him, eyes big and fur a swirl of black and orange. He wasn’t sure when it’d hopped in, but maybe that had been while he was nervously introducing himself. Nothing he could really do about it now.

It wasn’t like he could just let the thing loose...here. Surrounded by ghosts. Faith made it clear that it was her thing. Her calling card, so to speak. He nodded once, letting that information settle in. The mixed blood didn’t know much about Famula, but if that was it - then that was it. But the explanations were done, for now, and it seemed that they were really getting down to business.

“The Inn does seem like a good idea. Lot more to find. If the ghosts were all residents they might have left something behind there.” It was just a comment to contribute, despite how minute a contribution it was.