ralph_dnd | Pool Healing through Liandra's Eyes

Notes: I don't take detailed notes, as cellio does, but I'm feeling inspired, so here goes. Some details may be wrong or missing entirely, but Liandra has a one-track mind during a ritual like this, so I think that's okay. I also embellished the pre-fight scenes. Finally, I am leaving a hook for Viggo to join us if that's what happens.

This is a page from Liandra's Secret Journal, which is written in Druidic Cant, so snooping is impossible for most people ;-)

We arrived at Jorvik's camp without any problems, and had a quick word with him and Caitlyn about what we were planning to do. Jorvik said that the monsters were really on the rise again, and that a healing could only do good. We said we'd do our best. We did let him know about Garrett's current fate.

We then had Jorvik send for Tobin. I am constantly amazed by what he has become. He is a fine healer now and a good cleric. How different he is from the frightened boy we met so long ago. He was able to make the glass encasing Weeping Wounds whole again for us. This makes me slightly less worried about having that anathema in our possession.

We then went to the sanctum, and greeted our friends there. Of course, I was happiest to see Viggo. While I was greeting him, Kyle said "Hey Viggo -- can you still taste the mummy rot on her lips? She cheated on you with a mummy, you know."

I looked at him and whispered "Castle Blood...I was unaffected, praise Ehlonna."

Viggo just grinned at Kyle and said "I'm not worried. Lian has better taste than that." But I saw the worried look in his eyes for a moment.

We then told all of our friends in the sanctum about our fight with Garrett, and the cleaning out we've done so far at Castle Blood. I still think that place should be burned to the ground, but at least we rendered those filthy labs unusable.

We showed them Weeping Wounds, and Brennan examined it and said the glass shell looked the same as it had been. Delyan gave a dour glare and said "It's not magical anymore." Before we leave, we will have to see if there are any protective magics we can put on the shell...anything to make it safer.

Larissa and I explained our ideas for the ritual, and Brennan agreed that it was the best we could do. We also showed him the crystallized music we'd brought from Laryn, and he thought that would help too.

We then made ready to go down to the pool. Viggo got his arrows and said "I'm coming with you." I could not disagree with him.

I grew my wings and Larissa and I cast several spells to aid our success.

When we arrived in the cavern, it was filled with monsters. There was a swarm of squid-like creatures that ate magic, and at least two other beasts when we arrived. I didn't get a good look because I was beginning to concentrate on the ritual. Viggo whispered to me "Let us get the swarm out of the way," and I waited until it wasn't blocking my path to the pool, but as soon as I saw a clear path, I went to the pool and began. I'm not sure who cleared the swarm, or how...I've learned to concentrate only on opening myself to Ehlonna's grace, and letting the healing light of nature shine through me. While I was flying to the pool, I heard the unmistakable sound of Kyle breaking the crystallized music from Laryn. Its clear, pure sound washed over me, and I felt even greater clarity as I approached the pool.

First, I bowed to Agondre, and said "I have come to try to allay your suffering, noble one." Instead of being insensible from pain, I noticed that this time he was watching me. The music was having the effect we had hoped for.

I began by saying "By the grace of Ehlonna, I come bearing you healing, balance and restoration. By my humble efforts, may this place be purified." and circled to the North.

At the North, I bent and dipped the healing chalice into the murky, fetid water.

"By the grace of Ehlonna, may disease leave your body."

I raised my arms high, holding up the silver healing chalice above the pool, then poured the water back into the pool and said "I bring you health."

I then circled to the East, dimly aware that there were monsters fairly close. Again I bent and dipped the chalice into the pool. It seemed to be roiling with half-formed creatures that could take form at any time. Noticing this gave special significance to my words.

"May nature's balance be restored to this water, with the Lady's help."

At this moment, I felt a foul touch of poison go stinging through my body, but with Ehlonna's constant help, I stood strong. I lifted my arms high, holding up the chalice and said "I bring you balance and restoration." Again I poured the water back into the pool.

Somehow, Larissa had made her way to the pool's side and with Sunrise blazing in her hand, she was fighting off the thing that had touched me.

I circled to the South. Once more I dipped the chalice into the pool.

"With Ehlonna's help, this toxin permeating the living water is neutralized."

Lifting my arms high, I raised the chalice again and said "I bring you purification." and poured the water out again.

I went to circle to the West, but two monsters were in my path. I couldn't break my concentration enough to identify them, but I delayed moving there until Viggo shot one of them dead. Larissa tried something too -- I could feel the flow of energy pass me, but I'm not sure what she did. But when one of the two dropped, I continued to the West.

I dipped the chalice for a fourth time, and noted the water was clearing somewhat. Were it that I could clear it forever!

"May Ehlonna bring vital energy and health back to this living place."

For a fourth time, I lifted the chalice high and poured the water back into the pool and said "I bring you strength."

I then returned the chalice to its pouch on my belt, and took out my ritual knife. I flew over the pool's center and lifted my arms high over my head in supplication, holding the knife aloft.

"By the grace of Ehlonna, I declare this sacred ground. Let none defile this sacred place in nature. By my blood I make it so!"

I cut my palm along the thin, white scar left from the last time I'd performed this ritual, and let my blood drip into the pool. Once again, I felt the dizzying union with the land. But this time, to my surprise, Agondre bowed his head in thanks! Tears welled up in my eyes as I continued the ritual.

I turned to see where Larissa was...she was battling one of the monsters the pool had spewed out. I called to her to join me when she could, to begin her part of the ritual.

I also noticed that Viggo and Turok were facing the same foul undead thing that had attempted to poison me. Turok looked awful...his infection by Weeping Wounds is gnawing at him each day, and he can't withstand wounds the way he usually could. He was laying on the ground when I looked at him. I was able to send some healing to them, and included the foul thing in the circle...the same healing light that aids us is a bane to the undead.

Larissa joined me hovering over the pool, but before we could begin the next phase of the ritual, a wave of exhaustion hit both of us. Another of the horrid monsters the pool had sent forth had attacked us. Thankfully, I kept my focus and so did Larissa.

Larissa drew Weeping Wounds, and held Sunrise in her other hand. Sunrise glowed so brightly that Larissa's every feature was illuminated. She appeared to be glowing herself, the light was so bright. I drew my hands together, and let a ball of healing energy form between them, glowing brightly also. I then held this energy out to Agondre and said "By the grace of Ehlonna, may you be healed of every affliction." and laid my hands on his head.

I flew away a bit to hover near Larissa again, and surrounded by Sunrise's brilliant light, she said "With the instrument of your injury, I transfer your affliction from you to me." Immediately, I saw the effects. Larissa's eyes appeared to sink slightly in her face, and she looked drawn and pale, but was smiling bravely, consumed by her own love of Pelor, Agondre and all that is good.

Agondre bowed his head in gratitude to Larissa. Kyle and Turok came to the edge of the pool, and somehow Viggo had made his way to be right beside me. I could see concern on his face, and he gently put an arm out to steady me. This made me realize how terribly tired I was feeling, but I continued to try and channel as much healing energy as I could to Agondre.

Then Agondre did something that amazed us all. He gently reached out a muscled foreleg, and held Larissa to steady her. He seemed to be restraining her from doing more for him. Then his blazing eyes took on a red glow, and we saw the Dragon's Heart reflected in them, and felt a palpable longing for the Heart to be returned to him. Larissa was offering to do more for Agondre, but my own weariness was threatening to swallow me up and I do not remember her words. I was about to attempt to channel more healing to Agondre, but he stopped me with a sympathetic look, and I somehow knew that he wanted me to save my last energies of this day for my friends.

It was just as well. A black fog was beginning to invade my consciousness, and I suddenly realized that I could barely stand erect...it was as if my armor was too heavy for me. The strength seemed to have left my body. Viggo was helping me to the side of the pool. Somehow, Slade had come down also. But before I would surrender to the pool of exhaustion I was sinking into, I went to Turok's side. He was badly hurt -- worse than I had realized. I touched him with the wand of restoration and channeled some more healing into him. When I woke some hours later, Viggo gave me some tea and bade me go back to sleep. I tasted Valerian in the tea and realized that he wasn't taking any chances on my disagreement. I didn't wake again until sunrise of the next day. Everyone else, including Viggo, was still sleeping peacefully. I rose quietly with a wink at Brennan and Karameikos, went outside, and then spent a long time in grateful prayer to Ehlonna.

Now I am breaking my fast with some tea and bread and putting this all to paper before I forget what has happened. We still haven't completely healed Agondre and the land. But the progress we've made feels very good...good enough that I don't mind that I am still feeling fairly fatigued today.