Click Here to Play "The Final Challenge"

(located at mud.finalchallenge.net port 4000)

Heartless No More: The Restoration of Silonch

Some of you may have been present when I set a quest upon the Chosen. Others may have been asked to provide aid, later in the quest. Three tasks were laid, with no explanation or reason. Two have been accomplished, with no questions.
One task remains.

At this time, I wished to give a bit of background as to WHY I set my folk to these tasks... Several years ago, a young woman, through dangerous magics, set her heart into a letter. She then gave the letter to a powerful mage, whom she cared for deeply. This act caught the attention of one of the most powerful sorcerers in the Realm - Baron Marel. The Baron sought out the woman bold enough to write her heart into a letter, and, upon finding her, was convinced that this was a reincarnation of his wife, whom he had sacrificed in his quest for immortality. He was determined to have her back.

Working with great subtlety, the Baron caused a number of events to occur. A spell of coldness here, a spell of disease there, and a spell of ill-luck at the right time. The Arch Mage, working out of a kindness the Baron expected, gave up his belongings into the safekeeping of another, and went into danger, thinking them safe.

This was the moment the Baron was waiting for...

Baron Morel lashed the guardian with a spell of ill-health, and one of minor confusion, so that when the lad stumbled back to his temple, he destroyed the Arch Mage's belongings... and the bag containing the heart...

The Baron's power reached out, seeking the heart, seeing his prize at last found... but one was waiting to prevent this, for She had seen the Baron's lust, and was ready to act, faster than he.

The heart She gently removed from the letter, and separated both heart and letter into three pieces, hiding them throughout the Realm, so that the Baron could not find it. But why not simply return the heart to the lass, and have done with it? The answer lay in the spells already wrought by the dark lord, Morel. The heart was tainted by his magic, and needed cleansing before being returned. Then there was the small matter of Morel himself.

Time was needed, and so She hid the pieces of the heart and letter throughout the Realm so that she would have time to work certain magics upon the woman's Pattern, and her place within the Tapestry.

The Lady knew she could not act against Morel directly, but with his spells at a critical stage, now was the time to act - swiftly and brutally, shattering his focus. Thus, when Her Pattern-working was done, and the lass's Thread strengthened enough to survive the sorceries involved, the Lady set her folk into motion...

Two of the three tasks are complete: The Baron has been slain, and, upon returning his flesh to his spirit, will need time to recover his strength and continue the search for the heart and letter. But the heart has already been regained - the three pieces gathered. Only the letter remains.

When the three letters are regained, all will be ready.

I will need the aid of any Chosen present, as well as the lass, Silonch, when the heart and letter are returned. Others, too, who are close to her heart, must be present as well.

The magics involved are not dangerous, but it may well be draining to all present, so when the time comes that I call, let any available make their way to the Amphitheatre well rested and their bodies and spirits nourished for the task at hand.

Cordir

The Storytelling Amphitheater [Exits: west]
You are in a small amphitheater. Several rows of curved marble benches curl comfortably around a raised dais. The high ceiling and polished stone walls are shaped to reflect the voice of the speaker at the dais, letting them be heard throughout the room. An open archway to the west leads out into a small courtyard.
( 4) A delicious magic mushroom is here.
(Purple Aura) Layla is here.
(Red Aura) Silonch is here.
Skynyrd is here.
(Purple Aura) Talmud is resting here.
(Invis) Tripper is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Mireya is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Palin is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Kennet is resting here.

Cordir ftells, 'whomever has the dress... give it to silonch.'

Cordir says, 'Friends, please rest and fall quiet.'

Palin gives a simple white dress to Silonch. Palin smiles happily.

Silonch blushes.

Cordir says, 'Silonch, would you wear that, please?'
Silonch stops using a stoney breastplate.
Silonch wears a simple white dress on her body.

Cordir says, 'I know I'm being rather mysterious, but...'
Cordir says, 'I ask you to trust me.'
Cordir smiles quietly.

### Helati has connected.
Helati arrives from the west.
Helati rests.

Silonch is rather lost.
Kennet beams a smile at Silonch.

Cordir gossips, 'Would the Stormreaver please come to the Storytelling Amphitheater at his earliest convenience?'

Silonch beams a smile at Kennet.
Silonch blushes as she sees Skynyrd here.

Cordir says, 'Gentle folk... please ... from this point forward, no eating, drinking, spells, or other interruptions.'
Cordir says, 'If you must do so, please leave.'
Cordir says, 'Spell triggers and food triggers OFF.'

Cordir waits a moment for folks to settle.

[A momentary pause as everyone is checked for and cured of disease.]

Cordir gossips, 'Would the Stormreaver please come to the Storytelling Amphitheater at his earliest convenience?'

Malin tells Cordir (in common), 'i dont see him on?'
Cordir tells Malin, 'thank you.'

Cordir says, 'Thank you.'

Silonch nods.

Plane tells Cordir (in common), 'i don't think he is on.'
Cordir tells Plane, 'thank you.'

[All of the Chosen present depart the ritual for a moment, and return a few minutes later.]

Cordir says, 'Silonch...'

Silonch says (in common), 'Yes my lady?'
Silonch stands up.
Silonch curtseys gracefully.

Cordir says, 'This gathering is of your friends and folk...'

Silonch says (in common), 'Yes my lady?'

Cordir says, 'In an effort to return something... lost.'
Cordir says, 'But this can only be done with your consent.'

Silonch says (in common), 'my consent?'

Cordir says, 'Aye.'

Silonch nods.

Silonch says (in common), 'what must I do my lady? I am not sure what you are asking.'

Cordir smiles quietly.
Cordir says, 'I would like to undertake the restoration of your heart...'
Cordir says, 'but sorcerous workings of such an intricate nature do not work without the full consent of the person involved.'
Cordir says, 'Is it your will that this be done?'

Silonch says (in common), 'Yes my lady.'
Cordir nods.

Silonch says (in common), 'it has been a most tragic loss.'

Cordir smiles quietly.
Cordir says, 'I think we would all...'
Cordir gestures around the room.
Cordir says, 'Like to see its return.'

Mireya comforts Silonch.
Mireya nods.

look:
The Storytelling Amphitheater [Exits: west]
You are in a small amphitheater. Several rows of curved marble benches curl comfortably around a raised dais. The high ceiling and polished stone walls are shaped to reflect the voice of the speaker at the dais, letting them be heard throughout the room. An open archway to the west leads out into a small courtyard.
( 3) A delicious magic mushroom is here.
(Red Aura) Silonch is here.
(Purple Aura) Kennet is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Mireya is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Talmud is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Palin is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Natalie is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Helati is resting here.
(Purple Aura) Layla is resting here.
Tripper is resting here.
Skynyrd is resting here.

time
It is 10pm on Rishanae the 28th, the month of the Lifegiving, in the year 2373.
TFC started up at Sat Oct 2 19:25:29 1999 The system time is Sun Oct 3 20:23:01 1999

Cordir says, 'Then....'
Cordir says, 'when everyone gets settled...'

A delicious magic mushroom leaves east.

Natalie beams a smile at Kennet.
Natalie curtseys gracefully.

Silonch says (in common), 'I wish .'

Natalie says (in common), 'um.'
Natalie says (in common), 'a mushroom just left.'

Silonch giggles.

Skynyrd says (in common), 'I saw that.'

Tripper giggles.
Layla giggles.

A delicious magic mushroom arrives from the east.

Layla snickers softly.

Cordir says, 'Lets ignore any outside distractions..'
Cordir says, 'Silonch, please continue.'

Silonch says (in common), 'I wish that I might have a heart my lady.'

Cordir smiles quietly. Cordir says, 'well, then....'

Cordir says, 'are all present who should be?'

Silonch says (in common), 'no, but not all could join us it seems.'

Cordir nods. Cordir says, 'Some could.'
Cordir says, 'Some could not.'

Silonch nods.

Cordir says, 'once this place is purified...'
Cordir says, 'No one else can enter.'
Cordir says, 'And none should leave.'

Mireya nods.
Natalie rests.

Cordir says, 'Is everyone ready?'

Talmud nods.
Layla nods.
Palin nods.
Helati nods.
Kennet ftells, '*nod*.'
Skynyrd nods.
Mireya nods.
Tripper nods.

Cordir says quietly, "The first step of any magical or spiritual rite is the cleansing..."

Cordir says quietly, "The space and implements used, and the spirits of all particpants..."

Cordir says quietly, "These must be purified and consecrated to the task at hand by that which is sacred."

Cordir steps to the center of the amphitheater, and takes a deep, slow breath.

She gestures, and flames flicker at the edges of your sight. 'By Fire.'
She gestures a second time, and cool breezes caress you. 'By Air.'
She gestures a third time, and the ground trembles. 'By Earth.'
She gestures a fourth time, and a gentle mist falls. 'By Water.'
She gestures a final time, and you feel your soul stir. 'And by the fifth sacred thing, Spirit..'

Cordir says quietly, ' Let this place, these implements, and these persons be consecrated.'

Cordir releases the breath, and gazes about the Amphitheater.

The Immortal lady before you smiles at each present in turn. "The second step of any magical or spiritual rite is a declaration of purpose."

Cordir says, 'We are here to restore the heart and spirit of the maid, Silonch.'
Cordir says, 'Are there any here who would thwart this goal? If so, let them depart now.'

Cordir pauses a moment, then nods.
Cordir says, 'All present here know that some time ago, the lady Silonch cast her heart into a letter...'

Cordir says, 'That letter was entrusted to he whom she cared for, and was tended for a long time.'

Cordir says, 'Through the hitherto unknown actions of a sorcerer who sought the Lady for himself... the letter was thought lost.'

Silonch bows her head sadly.

Cordir says, 'In this, I am NOT referring to the Vortex Mage...'
Cordir says, 'But rather one... other...'
Cordir shivers in distaste. 'Known as Morel.'
Cordir says, 'This sorcerer believed Silonch to be the reincarnation of his wife, whom he sacrificed for immortality.'

A delicious magic mushroom stares down at its stem sadly.

Cordir frowns at the mushroom.
Cordir looks at it more closely.
Cordir nods.

Cordir says, 'As I was saying...'

Cordir says, 'This sorcerer believed Silonch to be the reincarnation of his wife, whom he sacrificed for immortality.'

Cordir says, 'But... at the time when the Sorcerer sought to gain the letter and thus the heart....'

Cordir says, 'Fate stepped in. The letter was captured, and the heart taken from it. .'

A delicious magic mushroom nods.

Cordir says, 'The sorcerer was instantaneous in his efforts to once more regain his prize, so, for safety... the heart and letter were split into three sections....'

Natalie raises an eyebrow.

Cordir says, 'Tonight, we restore them to one, and return them to she to whom they belong.'

Cordir smiles at Silonch.

Silonch smiles at Cordir.

Cordir says, 'Are there any questions thus far?'

Mireya shakes her head.

Cordir says, 'Then.... to the first part...'
Cordir says, 'Would those who bear the letter fragments please step forward.'

Palin steps forward.
Silonch beams a smile at Palin.

Mireya steps forward.

Helati disappears into the void. Skynyrd disappears into the void.

Talmud nods. Talmud bows deeply.

Helati has returned from the void. Skynyrd has returned from the void.

Talmud steps forward.

Cordir says, 'Very good.'
Cordir says, 'Palin, would you give the fragment to Skynyrd.'

Palin nods.

Cordir says, 'Talmud, yours to Tripper.'

Silonch blushes as she sees Tripper here.

Tripper beams a smile at Silonch.

Cordir says, 'and Mireya, yours to Layla.'

Talmud slowly hands over a dirty letter to Tripper.

Palin gives a love letter to Skynyrd.

Silonch looks at the love letter.

Cordir says, 'Mireya?'

Silonch lowers her eyes to the floor.

Cordir says, 'it appears that the seriousness of the rite may have overwhelmed her...'

steal letter mireya
Ok.

Cordir gives a crinkled letter to Natalie.
Natalie gives a crinkled letter to Layla.

Cordir smiles quietly.
Cordir turns to Layla, Tripper and Skynyrd.
Cordir says, 'It is only through will and faith that such magics can be worked...'

Cordir says, 'If you would, please, would the three of you whisper in your hearts your pledge of friendship and trust of Silonch...'

Mireya sighs loudly.

Cordir says, 'And then return the letters to those who gave them to you?'

Tripper bows his head over the dirty letter, he lips move silently.

Skynyrd relaxes and begins to meditate.

Layla closes her eyes.

Skynyrd gives a love letter to Palin.
Tripper give the dirty letter to Talmud.
Layla gives the letter back to Natalie.

Palin bows before Skynyrd.

Cordir smiles quietly.
Cordir nods.

Talmud eats a Magic Mushroom.

Palin turns toward Cordir.

Cordir says, 'Silonch... these articles have been blessed by those who hold you in their heart...'

Cordir says, 'but such powerful magics as you cast cannot be truly sundered without your will and blood.'

Silonch nods.

Cordir says, 'You have stated your will...'
Cordir says, 'It requires yet your blood.'

Silonch raises her head and nods.

Cordir says, 'If you would, please.... .'
Cordir says, 'Your hand...'

Silonch holds out her hand.
Silonch cuts her hand with a blade.

Blood wells up in her cupped hand.

Cordir nods. Cordir says, 'Chosen... the letters, please...'

Talmud gives a dirty letter to Cordir. Talmud bows deeply.
Silonch curtseys gracefully to Talmud.

Palin hands a love letter to Cordir. Palin bows deeply.
Silonch curtseys gracefully to Palin.

Natalie gives a crinkled letter to Cordir.
Silonch curtseys gracefully to Natalie.

Cordir lays the dirty letter across Silonch's palm.
Cordir lays the crinkled letter across Silonch's palm.
Cordir lays the third and final letter, the love letter, across Silonch's palm.

The pages absorb the blood completely, stained crimson.

Cordir nods.
Cordir says, 'By blood, the spell was wrought...'
Cordir says, 'and now, by blood, unmade.'

Helati has returned from the void.

Cordir says, 'Now, the heart...'

Palin gets a necklace of a briar-wrapped heart from a girdle of many pouches.

Cordir gestures, and the letters seem to fade into a vapour which hangs still in the air above Silonch's hand.

Cordir says, 'The first...'

Cordir says, 'The key to it all.....'

Kennet gives the key of heart to Silonch.

Cordir nods.
Cordir says, 'Next, the outer wrapping...'

Helati hands a heart-shaped locket to Silonch.

Cordir nods.
Cordir says, 'And the last...'
Cordir says, 'the heart with protections wound about it...'
Cordir says, 'to ward, and keep it safe, once returned.'

Palin beams a smile at Silonch.
Palin gives a necklace of a briar-wrapped heart to Silonch.
Palin bows before Silonch.

Silonch holds all three items in her bloodstained hands.

Cordir lays her hands lightly over the three objects in Silonch's hands.

A delicious magic mushroom looks worried.

A crimson glow rises up, and intertwines with the vapour.

Cordir closes her eyes.

A glimmering appears in the air... a pale rose Thread...

The pale rose swirls into the crimson glow and the misty vapour.

Cordir murmurs an arcane phrase in ancient Thoras. The glow intensifies.

Cordir gestures, and the heart shaped locket vanishes.
Cordir gestures, and the key of heart vanishes.
Cordir gestures, and the three glows sink into the briar-wrapped heart.

Silonch stops using the antique sapphire amulet.
Silonch wears a necklace of a briar-wrapped heart around her neck.

Cordir opens her eyes.

A delicious magic mushroom cheers wildly.

Cordir gestures, and the necklace bonds with Silonch, becoming one with her.
Cordir says, 'Now and always...'
Cordir says, 'Returned to where it belongs....'

Natalie smiles happily.

Cordir says, 'Congratulations, Silonch....'
Cordir says, 'Heartless no more.'

Silonch says (in common), 'my lady, I don't know how to thank you.'

Natalie smiles happily.
Mireya beams a smile at Silonch.
Palin smiles happily.
Natalie is so excited that she cheers just for the hell of it.
Layla hugs Silonch.
Talmud beams a smile at Silonch.
Helati beams a smile at Silonch.
Tripper hugs Silonch.
Skynyrd parties like its 1999

Natalie looks at the strange mushroom.

Silonch wipes a tear from her cheek.

Layla giggles.

A delicious magic mushroom explodes!
Vecna appears out of nowhere.
Vecna bows.
Vecna says (in common), 'May that heart not be lost again.'
Vecna smiles at Silonch.
Vecna says (in common), 'I must go now though.'
Vecna bows.
Vecna fades out of existence.

Kennet smiles happily.
Palin gets a Magic Mushroom.
Natalie smiles happily.
Silonch smiles happily.
Palin eats a Magic Mushroom.

Skynyrd hugs Silonch.

Palin says (in common), 'yummy.'

Talmud grins neutrally at Palin.

Tripper stands up. Tripper utters the words, 'detect invis.'

Talmud hugs Silonch.

Natalie chuckles, evidently amused.
Cordir says, 'Quite the skills of disguise, the Vortex Mage has...'

Silonch hugs Talmud.
Helati curtseys gracefully to Silonch.

Layla looks at Silonch.

Silonch says (in common), 'You can say that again.'
Silonch blushes.

Silonch beams a smile at Layla.

Cordir chuckles, evidently amused.
Kennet chuckles, evidently amused.

Cordir says, 'I believe he wished to be present, but not a ...distraction.'

Silonch hugs Skynyrd.
Silonch hugs Tripper.
Silonch hugs Talmud.

Tripper snickers softly.

Cordir smiles softly and winks at Silonch.

Helati looks at Silonch.
Silonch hugs Kennet.

Mireya says (in common), 'He makes quite a lively mushroom.'

Silonch hugs Palin.
Tripper snickers softly.
Palin hugs Silonch.
Tripper looks at Silonch.

Silonch curtseys gracefully to Mireya. Silonch smiles happily.

Silonch hugs Helati.
Silonch says (in common), 'I feel so much better.'

Talmud gets a Magic Mushroom from a small pouch.
Talmud looks strangely at the mushroom.
Talmud eats a Magic Mushroom.

Palin smiles happily.
Tripper smiles warmly at Silonch.

Cordir says, 'We were delighted to assist in restoring what was yours...'
Mireya nods.

Cordir says, 'but realize, the danger is not over.'

Talmud beams a smile at Silonch.
Tripper winks at Silonch.
Talmud nods.

Silonch smiles happily.

Silonch stops using a black velvet choker.
Silonch wears a necklace of a briar-wrapped heart around her neck.

Natalie winces. Ouch!

Helati says (in common), 'Silonch, may I say that I am deeply honored to have been a part of this grand event!'

Talmud raises an eyebrow.
Cordir says, 'There is still the matter of the Baron.'

Mireya says quietly, 'even if all I did was sit here'

Natalie comforts Mireya.
Talmud beams a smile at Mireya.

Cordir says, 'Morel will need to be repeatedly ... distracted.'
Cordir says, 'We have done so already.'

Silonch disappears suddenly.

Natalie frowns.
Talmud blinks.
Palin blinks.
Natalie says (in common), 'where'd she go?'
Tripper raises a questioning eyebrow.
Layla gasps in astonishment.
Palin says (in common), 'Uh oh.'

Cordir says, 'I hope.. it was not Morel...'

Skynyrd says (in common), 'jagger gunner.'

Natalie says (in common), 'the lich?'
Layla says (in common), 'did she get summoned?'

Talmud utters the words, 'shield.' Talmud is surrounded by a force shield.

Palin says (in common), 'No summon room.'

Natalie says (in common), 'Morel?'
Palin says (in common), 'It was a higher power...'
Natalie frowns.
Layla says (in common), 'oh..ok.'
Kennet nods.
Skynyrd says (in common), 'ok.'

Cordir says, 'Perhaps Morel...'

Tripper sighs loudly.
Palin says (in common), 'My money is on the Lich...'
Skynyrd sheaths his sword.

Talmud nods in recognition to Natalie.
Cordir says, 'I am blocked from seeing her....'

Somone yells, 'I will return Silonch in a moment.'
Maimer yells (in common), 'ok.'

Silonch arrives suddenly.

l silonch
You see nothing special about her.
Silonch has a special twinkle in her eye.
Silonch is standing only by an act of will.

Silonch is using:
<used as light> (Glowing) a war banner
<worn on finger> (Magical) the curious lapis lazuli ring
<worn on finger> (Magical) the glorious hematite ring
<worn around neck> (Magical) a necklace of a briar-wrapped heart
<worn around neck> (Magical) a black velvet choker
<worn on body> a simple white dress
<worn on head> (Magical) a leather cap
<worn on legs> (Magical) elven leggings
<worn on feet> (Magical) a pair of reinforced leather shoes
<worn on hands> (Magical) a pair of fur gloves
<worn on arms> (Magical) a set of dragon scale sleeves
<worn about body> a small pouch
<worn about waist> (Magical) a red dragon scale belt
<worn around wrist> (Magical) an animal hide bracer
<worn around wrist> (Magical) a leather wrist guard
<held> (Magical) a black bone staff
<worn with pride> a Crest of Malenest
<worn with pride> a banded-brown owl feather

Tripper looks at Silonch.
Kennet checks on Silonch's health.
Talmud looks at Silonch.

Palin beams a smile at Silonch.

Silonch blushes.

Kennet frowns.

Cordir ftells, 'anyone who can, heal her.'

Mireya stands up.

Palin looks at Silonch.
Silonch says (in common), 'it's very beautiful .'

Mireya utters the words, 'cure light.'

Palin winces. Ouch!
Palin says (in common), 'What is?'

Mireya utters the words, 'cure light.'
Mireya utters the words, 'cure light.'
Mireya utters the words, 'cure light.'

Silonch says (in common), 'i am okay thank you.'

Cordir says, 'thank you, Mireya.'

Mireya looks at Silonch.
Tripper checks on Silonch's health.

Tripper looks at Silonch.

Silonch tells Cordir (in common), 'thank you .'

Cordir says, 'Congratulations, young Milady Silonch...'

Silonch says (in common), 'I am in your debt my lady.'
Silonch curtseys gracefully.

Cordir says, 'Please keep better care of it this time...'
Cordir smiles at Silonch.

Tripper raises a questioning eyebrow.

Cordir says, 'One thing remains, friends.'

Tripper nods.

Mireya says (in common), 'Glad to be of some help, which I could do more.'
Mireya smiles happily.

Cordir says, 'the dismissal of the powers that sanctified this place.'

Cordir says, 'Hail and farewell, powers of Air. Thank you for attending this rite and sanctifying this place.'
Cordir says, 'Hail and farewell, powers of Fire. Thank you for attending this rite and sanctifying this place.'
Cordir says, 'Hail and farewell, powers of Water. Thank you for attending this rite and sanctifying this place.'
Cordir says, 'Hail and farewell, powers of Earth. Thank you for attending this rite and sanctifying this place.'

Cordir nods solemnly.

Cordir says, 'This rite has ended.'

Gregar arrives from the west.

Silonch curtseys gracefully for Cordir.

Tripper bows before Cordir.

Cordir says, 'Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.'

Gregar screams loudly!

Silonch says (in common), 'my lady if I might.'

Cordir says, 'Of course, Silonch.'

Gregar passes out from soul sense overload.

Cordir says, 'This is your rite... not mine.'

Gregar utters the words, 'soul sense.'

Kennet ftells, 'if that's you please keep the screaming to a minimum, this is a happy occasion :).'

Gregar hugs Tripper.

Silonch takes Cordir's hand and bows low.

Tripper peeks upward.

Cordir tells Kennet, 'thank you.'

Silonch says (in common), 'may women always unite to join hearts and keep them where they belong.'

Cordir smiles at Silonch. Cordir says, 'So mote it be!'
Cordir chuckles softly.
Silonch smiles at Cordir.
Silonch tells Cordir (in common), '*grin*.'

Cordir says, 'And may the Three watch over you always...'
Cordir says, 'And may Lord Nash guide your steps.'
Cordir says, 'Be well, Silonch....'

Silonch tells Cordir (in common), 'I am in your debt my lady.'
Cordir shakes her head.
Silonch says (in common), 'and you as well.'
Cordir says, 'Nay, Silonch.'
Cordir says, 'There is no debt between friends.'
Cordir hugs Silonch.

Silonch smiles happily. Silonch hugs Cordir.

Cordir says, 'Thank you all for attending.'
Cordir says, 'Your energy and will and focus helped much.'
Cordir says, 'Depart in peace if you will.'
Cordir says, 'Or stay, if you'd rather.'

(End Scene)

Click here to return to timeline