Log:Hod's Darkness: The Offer

2021/10/07 	 Artemis He says then The first head Zephyr

1

An immense dome covers the entirety of the White Marsh Battlefield. It sparkles like the universe's largest black opal. To those with special senses, it seems to drink in all energy that strikes it. To those with magick or spirit senses, it drinks in those powers as well. It cannot be pierced by clairvoyance and, if drones are sent in, they display phantamorgical images for a moment before losing contact. Right now, police are trying to block the roads leading into the area.

An immense dome covers the entirety of the White Marsh Battlefield. It sparkles like the universe's largest black opal. To those with special senses, it seems to drink in all energy that strikes it. To those with magick or spirit senses, it drinks in those powers as well. It cannot be pierced by clairvoyance and, if drones are sent in, they display phantamorgical images for a moment before losing contact. Right now, police are trying to block the roads leading into the area.

Engelicus, now wearing his armor, flies over to the battlefield. He lands lightly on the ground, and his wings dissipate as he takes a few more steps forward, looking at the dome.

Artemis heard the alarm after work and eagerly changed into her battle gear before flying out to investigate this mysterious calling. She sees the dome, and a familiar figure. She swoops down and lands near Engelicus' left. "Hail, Engelicus. Ye did hear the Divine Speech as well?"

An immense dome covers the entirety of the White Marsh Battlefield. It sparkles like the universe's largest black opal. To those with special senses, it seems to drink in all energy that strikes it. To those with magick or spirit senses, it drinks in those powers as well. It cannot be pierced by clairvoyance and, if drones are sent in, they display phantamorgical images for a moment before losing contact. Right now, police are trying to block the roads leading into the area.

The Godflora are all present near one edge of the barrier. By merest chance it seems, it seems all those who are not quite normal, converge at that one point.

Norman N. Pearsons, Teachers Aide Extraordinare senses somehting- hearing words in his mind that he did not put there.

His eyes widen. "Strange portents." He murmurs as he excuses himself from the reference stacks at the college.

Once he's out of sight he assumes his Ascendant form and then wills himself along his Bloodbound Bond to his noble Sister.

"Ah- so this is what I sensed." He says to his Sister. He leans forward and gives Engelicus a familiar greeting.

Lennox walks up in tee, trench, jeans, and boots. "Huh."

Engelicus nods to Artemis. "I did. I am not sure what to make of it."

Zephyr enters from Sky Above Harrisburg.

An Adonis-like alien youth steps out of a autocab nearby and gather his walking robe around him. Dialydd appraoches the four of you slowly, his gaze on the dome.

Lennox sidles towards some of his best customers. "One of your type?" he asks the Godflora.

Zephyr receives the message, just like everyone else, and flies out to the old battlefield to investigate.

An immense dome covers the entirety of the White Marsh Battlefield. It sparkles like the universe's largest black opal. To those with special senses, it seems to drink in all energy that strikes it. To those with magick or spirit senses, it drinks in those powers as well. It cannot be pierced by clairvoyance and, if drones are sent in, they display phantamorgical images for a moment before losing contact. Right now, police are trying to block the roads leading into the area.

Lennox walks up in tee, trench, jeans, and boots. "Huh."

Lennox sidles towards some of his best customers. "One of your type?" he asks the Godflora.

By purest chance it seems, all of you are gathered at one spot. Its like Fate has brought you to this place.

"Hail Ancient One." NNS says to Lennox as he arrives.

"Aye. This one is Engelicus. Urth's Newest Godflora." He answers as he gazes up at the massive dome before them.

"So shall we attempt to breach this sorcery?" He inquires to all present.

Lennox puts the fist of his right hand into the palm of his left: a spot of something glints on the back of his left hand, and he is suddenly possessed of his armor and weaponry.

Artemis studies the dome and then curses, "Hod's Darkness." She looks to Lennox at his approach. "In some manner, but this be not our divine work. This feels like the work of the Shadow of Hod."

Lennox looks over at Artemis, then nods. "Glad I got my things on first, then," he states -- and then steps blithely into the shadow.

Zephyr says, "Certainly we must." She walks up to the dome and attempts to reach into it.

Engelicus nods slowly and walks over toward the dome to inspect it.

As Lennox steps through the field, it is unutterably dark for a step or two, silent as the shadow between the stars. Then he hears...carnival music, the calliope wailing like a lost soul as it plays 'To the Surprise of Miss Irene', then the smell of sawdust, of cotton candy, of panic and despair, of hopes and dreams, and of a barker saying, 'See the lovely ladies!'. The the immortal steps into a carnival grounds like Ray Bradbury only imagined.

To the rest of you, Lennox stepped forward and vanished utterly.

If Zephyr feels no resistance, she will also step through.

As Zephyr reaches in, she feels a hand grab hers. It does not tug, but pulls gently, as a voice whispers in her mind, "Come one, come all, to the Monstrous Faire!"

The Ascendant NNS attempts to fly through lest the Tauborn get all of the Glory!

Engelicus furrows his brow, and steps through as well.

ANyone who enters the dome sees and hears and feels the same sensations as Lennox did. And, oddly enoughl. you all end up next to each other, just moments apart. If anyone looks behind sees that surroinding the carnival is a immense corn maze...formed of galaxies it seems.

Artemis walks along, thinking back to the Shadow of Hod's first appearance. She walks through without much concern of what will be on the other side. What she sees surprises her. "This...be not what I expected of Hod's Darkness."

"Nor I, Sister." NNS says as he turns and looks at the cornfield from which they came. "Nor did I expect the path home to be so far... afield." He shrugs. He's already multiple infinities away from home what is a few more to a Godflora?

"Let us find the source of this devilry and render it smote." He says as he floats backwards, turning after a few moments to catch up to Artemis.

"And what would you expect of his Monstrosity, little lady," says a demon dressed as a carnival barker. Or at least, your classic looking demon: red skin, horns, more teeth than the Osmond family, wicked claws, all topped by a straw boater under a banner that says 'Tickets For Sale' with prices listed in dollars, blood, and souls.

You all note that Dialydd is not with you.

The amounts in blood are 'Drop - 1 ticket, Thimbleful - 10 tickets, Mouthful -100 tickets, All of It - 100o Tickets, All of Your Companions - Unlimted Time Pass'

Artemis looks around and notices Dialydd isn't here. Maybe he didn't decide to breach the dome. She looks to the demon addressing her. "Not a place of merriment and amusement," she replies.

"These prices seem oddly... affordable." NNS says as he looks about.

"Why not? Is not Hod the epitome of submission? And a carnival of such delights as ours, the epitime of freedom?" smiles the Demon Barker toothily in responce to Artemis.

"And of course, we want all beings to enjoy themselves while they are our guests. Our Lord and Master commands it."

Lennox settles his hands in his coat pockets. "Oh, there are hidden costs," he says. "Be sure of it." He strolls up to the barker and asks, "How many tickets can I get with all of /your/ blood?"

The price in dollars is 'I ticker = 10 cents, 10 tickets - 50 cents, 1OO tickets - 4 dolalrs, 1000 tickets - 20 dollars, Unlimited Time Pass - Dead Man's Gold

Engelicus takes a deep breath, and looks around. "And what does a single ticket buy you exactly?"

The Demon Barker looks at Lennox, its gaze flat and vacant for a moment, then it laughs...if boulders grating could be called a laugh. "I like you! You must be the Immortal!" He, for well, like many medieval paintings, it's painfully obvious his gender, then says to Lennox, "Normally, I eat your soul. But, this is a place of merriment and joy, not that /I/ wouldn't find it joyful. So, here is your Golden Pass, Immortal, courtesy of Hod's Darkness."

The Demon Barker looks over at Engelicus as he holds out a paper pass to Lennox. "1 ticket gets one ride or one tent, Godflora. Usually. Some, like the Seer or the House of Mirrors are more costly. And, of course, you can use them to pay for games. "

Artemis frowns. "Where be thy master in all fo this, then?"

The Demon Barker then looks to Lennox. "The Golden Pass allows unlimited rides, visits to all tents, save the Seer and House of Mirrors, and, of course, Exit. Food and drinks not included save for pomegranate seeds.

Zephyr says, "Stay away from the pomegranate seeds, or any other food or drink."

Zephyr asks the barker, "How many tickets to Exit?"

Another head sprouts to talk to Artemis with a disgusting amount of blood and gore. "My truest Master? He resides down among the shades and asphodel fields. I'm on vacation. My temporary Lord is in the carnival. He awaits you...somewhere."

"Usually, my tasty mortal, your kind never exits," says the first head to Zephyr. "But, sadly for we who work here, you also get a Golden Pass," it says with disgust. "Such a waste of a good soul." He holds out the paper pass to Zephyr.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx grins. "Finally! Something to do with all of this..." He says, reaching into his boots and pulling out the money he has earned as a Hu-man. "I shall have 5000 tickets... I believe that is enough for my party who do not have a ticket of gold." He holds out a random amount of money to the Barker, not bothering to count it.

Lennox has yet to take his Golden ticket. "That is not the question she asked. The ticket price for 'exit'?"

"Ah, but the passes are already paid for, Godflora! But, I'll gladly take your money. You can pay for food with them after all." He snakes out an arm to take NNS' cash.

Zephyr accepts the proffered paper, and examines it closely.

The first head says to Lennox. "To Exit? One faces...contests in the Monstrous Faire. Some obvious, some not." He smiles toothily then shakes a head as his smile fades. "But for all of you. The Exit Price is already paid. Hod's Darkness paid it for you."

The fine print on the ticket wiggles and changes from one alien script to another then settles into English under Zephyr's gaze. "I have already paid the Price. Pray for me and weep for I am Lost.' is all it reads.

"Fine. I am tired of stuffing my boots with the worthless paper. I do not know why the Tauborn are so obcessed with it. They hardly use fire anymore." He shrugs as its taken before raising an eyebrow.

"Ah- well, I suppose I had not considered it for anything more than it was..." He waves arounds, his hand lingering on the barker. "And obvious trap. There's nothing to do but to spring it now." He says as if there is no doubt they'll emerge on the otherside. Easy to say for one such as him.

Artemis frowns at the demon's second head. "So...we must explore to find thy Master and deal with this manifestation. Very well." She accepts her golden ticket.

It sprouts three more arms in which it holds three more Golden Passes and 5000 tickets in one. "Take them! May you choke on cotton candy! And have a magickal time at the Monstrous Faire!" he concludes with an insincere smile.

Zephyr examines the other side of the ticket.

The other side of the ticket is a weeping face under the words 'Monstrous Faire!' 'Like No Where Anywhere!'

Lennox looks at the ticket -- and fine print -- and his lips press together. He finally takes his, then takes a good long look at the demon before turning and walking forward through the gates and into the Monstrous Faire.

As you walk away, the Demon Barker shakes all over and turns into a monstrous three headed hound which settles to the ground to watch the Gate in front of your group.

Engelicus raises a brow. "Most odd. I am not quite sure what to make of all of this."

Artemis says aside to Engelicus, "This be a mimicry of a place of amusement and merriment for the mortals here. A mortal I court hath shown me of a place similar, but no price of blood."

A woman dressed all in white, her face veiled stands at the entrance gate. "Ticket's please. Tickets. Cannot get in without a ticket."

"Enjoy yourself, Lawkeeper." NNS says willing tickets to hand. "But guard thine spirit and those of these Tauborn and we shall sure find the right string to pull to see all this unraveled." He steps towards the woman in white to offer some of the many tickets he's gotten.

"Sir, you have a Golden Pass, so I don't need your ticket. But, if you wish to gift me one..." says the woman in white.

"The Godflora are nothing if not generous." NNS says ripping 5 tickets off and handing them to the WiW. He is savvy enough to keep the golden ticket for himself though.

The woman in white seems amazed at the gift. She gives a unbeliving laugh, reaches out a now skeletal hand for the tickets, then collapses into dust. One can see the spirit of young Hispanic woman holding an infant for a moment before one ancient copper coin falls to the ground.

out to each of you. Paid for by Hod's Darkness."

"The Godflora are nothing if not generous." NNS says ripping 5 tickets off and handing them to the WiW. He is savvy enough to keep the golden ticket for himself though.

The woman in white seems amazed at the gift. She gives a unbeliving laugh, reaches out a now skeletal hand for the tickets, then collapses into dust. One can see the spirit of young Hispanic woman holding an infant for a moment before one ancient copper coin falls to the ground.

e ghostly specter after the thing turns to dust. "Mayhaps the gift of tickets paid for their exit," she says solemnly.

Engelicus nods. "Taht would...make some sense, I suppose."

Lennox mmms. "An obol," he says, glancing at the coin. His eyes shift back to the coachman; hah. Never trust a coachman; always trust his tales. "How many of you are there?" he asks the woman's replacement.

"Ach, as many souls as lie unshriven, me lord," says the Coachman. "We're not quite endless and we're not all that common and some of us cannae be freed."

"That all sounds correct to me, Zephyr." NNS says as he inspects the coin and stands to offer it to Engelicus.

"And what of yourself?" Zephyr asks the Coachman.

"I am Damned, me lady. But, this, this is far far better than the Pit," replies the Coachman with a wink and a smile.

"I believe, that was 'La Llorona', a spirit known to many hu-mans." NNS elaborates as he indicates to the pile of dust and coin simultanously. "Let us hope she has found peace." He says before turning to Zephyr & the Coachman as he isn't sure who it is before them.

Zephyr says, "Could you be redeemed?"

Lennox looks at the Coachman -- there is definitely a difference between unshriven and Damned -- then turns and walks back towards the Spotted one. "Hey. Bloodhound. I want to buy a ticket ... or a few."

"Would I like a ticket to the Last Judgment?" The Coachman shakes his head. "No, I can wait, me lady, but thankee."

The eyes roll on the hounds various faces then it stands, shakes, and is the Demon Barker again. "Dollars, blood, souls, Federation credits?" he says as takes a roll of tickets out of nothingness. "You're just send them on. Not all will thank you, you know," he remarks with a yawn.

"Be there a difference in the type of tickets? What doth one get with a ticket of souls?" Artemis asks.

Lennox smiles toothily at the Barker -- har har. "One drop, one ticket. If you'll bring them before me for the asking -- I'll give you your very own pint. Or all the collected obols; your choice. Just like they should at least get a choice." He seems /utterly/ unconcerned as to how long this might take.

The Demon Barker sprouts two more heads at Artemis' words. "Ah, but you have nothing to bargain with, Godflora. You have no mortal soul to trade." He glances out at the galaxy corn maze. "But, if you bring the Owner a mortal soul, you can take any soul you wish. A trade for a trade. Or you can a have Sivler Pass: good for one full moon with one trip each to the Seer and Hall of Mirrors included." He then smiles widely, all his teeth a gleam, "And give us the soul of race? Well, then you can meet the owner and join the Faire!"

Engelicus takes all of this in, just listening, rather than asking questions.

The Demon Barker regards Lennox. "I'll have to ask the Owner, Immortal. After all, you have all the blood you need, right? And, well, He's not a demon to be bound by contracts aeons old," says the Demon Barker. "Bide. But remember: a moment here is a moment everywhere."

Lennox mmmmms, but nods to the tri-headed transmogrofied canine. "You would be surprised at how many people break that little law all the time; it's becoming actively annoying," he mutters.

The Demon Barker pulls up a sign that says, "Back in a Moment. Please Wait." then turns and seems to step through a curtain of space and time.

Lennox makes a gesture with his hand towards the 'curtain' which, with the expression on his face, is if to say, 'See? This is what I mean!!'

Artemis frowns at the Demon Barker. "Be the Silver Pass already paid for as with the Golden ticket? I will not trade in mortal souls. "

Lennox turns back. "I think you get one Silver Pass if you bring them a soul -- so yes, that's something of a non-starter."

"I do not think these prices are quite so affordable now." NNS murmurs.

"Ah, he's gone to the Owner, me lady," says the Coachman. "But I can answer yuir query. The Golden Pass be passing rare, being paid for by another for you. So, a soul's already been paid for it, well, a passel of souls fur each Pass, as it were, me lady. So, no more souls can be taken with it. Sorry, me ladyship. We don often get heroes here."

Zephyr says, "How many since Herakles?"

"Well, tha was before my time, me lady," the Coachman says to Zephyr. (Aside to Engelicus: lie)

"But precious few know that tickets can be given as gifts to those here. It nae redeems us, but does send us Onward. Where

...where'er that might be, me lady."

"What mean thee by a moment her is a moment everywhere? Doth time pass different in this realm?" Artemis asks.

Engelicus narrows his eyes, and shakes his head, "That was not before your time. That is deception."

Zephyr takes another look at the Coachman on hearing Engelicus, "Do you always drive a coach, or is it sometimes...a boat?

"Nae, the Barker means that time passes here as it does in the realm of the quick, me lady. I think the beast was gving the Immortal noti..." He breaks off then Engelicus accuses him of lying. The Coachman stares at the Godflora for a moment, then laughs, as hie form changes to an angelic man dressed in a white Greek chiton liberally streaked with dried blood. His form is fair as fair can be, but his eyes are blackened pits.

He says then says to Zephyr with a mocking bow, "No, I am Charon in any if his guises, little cousin. I am Moros. Or rather, a mere portion of he who is Doom."

Zephyr says, "Then come, cousin, embrace me and give me a kiss." She turns her cheek to him.

NNS watches the back and forth carefully, now not feeling so free to chaotically work his way to providence with mortal souls in the balance.

Engelicus nods again as he listens, clearly finding no fault with the further statements by Moros.

Moros smiles brightly. "Gladly will I embrace you, little cousin. So few mortal descendants of my brethern willingly kiss me."

Dialydd moves to kiss Zephyr's cheek.

Artemis looks surprised at Zephyr. "Ye are but a Mortal?"

Moros gently kisses Zephyr's cheek then steps back. "Turn away, child," Moros says to Zephyr as a vision at the hands of the dead fills her mind for a moment. "This place is not for you."

Zephyr says, "No, it is not. Not yet, though I still carry your gift. And there are others whose time has not yet come."

The good of Doom looks at all of you then counts off for Zephyr. "Godflora, beyond the mortal realms," as he gestures at Engelicus, NNS, and Artems. "Immortal as a mortal can be," he says pointing at Lennox. "

"And thou, little cousin, counted as a mortal still," Moros continues. "You are brought here for purpose. But not mine. I am but a, hah, humble worker here. Pass trough if you will" He gestures to the entrance gate, flags brightly shining in a constant breeze.

Lennox looks over ruefully at Moros. "You should go back to your other guise," he suggests to the Greek demi-primordial. "Driver."

"Yes, Immortal, who better to drive Man to his Fate than a Coachman?" And indeed, Moros transforms back inot the Coachman. "Have a good visit, me lords and ladies! Take care, ye ken?"

Lennox's teeth show white in the dark skin. "You as well, young one," he says softly.

Engelicus nods. "Well, let's head inside, shall we?"

Artemis smiles at Engelicus' suggestion. "Aye. Let us delay no longer," she says. She has her ticket, so she heads on in.