Treasures of the Abtu-Kahn - Chapter 3
From Duels Content
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[edit] Quest Text
Once again, you are following Sekim Defender Kel through the squalor of Beggar's Row. As you make your way among the hopeless and destitute, you ask Kel who it is you are tracking. Kel snarls.
"Let me tell you about the Zealots of Corveyne."
"As you probably know by now, we Abtu-Kahn have a unique relationship with our Gods. Rather than something to fear and worship, our Gods, Corveyne and Djena are lost and need our help." Kel ducks, narrowly avoiding a low-flying owl.
"We are trying to call them back with the energy of our people. Through Missionary work and improving the world. The Zealots are also trying to bring Corveyne and Djena back. However, they believe that peaceful Missionary work will not be enough. They believe that the Gods demand blood. Sacrifice. They believe that only the screams of chaos, pain and misery are loud enough to pierce the veil of the cosmos and call the Gods home.
[edit] Activated by
Complete Treasures of the Abtu-Kahn - Chapter 2
[edit] Act 1 - Descent
Kel stops in front of what appear to be the ruins of a temple, long abandoned by whichever of Phrra's myriad extraterrestrial of religions constructed it. He draws his weapon and looks at you.
"Whatever is going on in there probably won't be pleasant, but if we can stop this now, before the Zealots can get a foothold in Phyrra, we can save a lot of lives."
You push the temple door open with a creak and are confronted by a spiral stone staircase leading below the ground. Weapon drawn, you make your way downward. In the dim, shadowy light, you catch glimpses of small things with too many limbs skittering away into the cracks in the stone.
As you continue your descent the air grows warmer and humid. Thick moss grows on the stone and the steps are slick with green slime. You keep moving downward, as the heat causes you to break out in an open sweat. The air is thick with the smell of living things rotting.
Now you can see faint illumination coming from below and you can make out faint voices. You are nearing the bottom of the staircase and now you can make out specific voices. Some are chanting, some are signing, while others are weeping. Occasionally a piercing scream will cut through the air like an icepick.
You reach the bottom and peer around the corner. The room is set up much like the abandoned temple you came from, but now lit up in full, terrible glory. Another stone altar dominates the room. A Human woman is lying upon the altar, unbound and staring at the ceiling. Above the dais, an effigy of a black cat's head has been constructed from what looks like crow's feathers, fires burning in place of its eyes, and dagger teeth bared.
Around the altar, masked figures chant, dance and whoop, while, all along the walls, ragged Phyrran citizens huddle together, some weeping, some staring ahead in dumb-struck shock.
You look back at Kel, who has already drawn his weapon then step out into the room. The Zealots stop and stare.
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Act 2 - Cuthu Calls
The Civilians have been evacuated. The floor is littered with the bodies of townspeople and Zealots alike. Kel wipes his blade on a downed Zealot's crimson robes, then joins you. The young Woman is still lying on the altar, staring at nothing. As you move toward her, a larger than average Abtu-Kahn steps through the flames. His robes are ornate, covered in gold, a Jackal's head resting on his shoulder. He is carrying a glowing, golden staff, twirling it in the air with a thick swooshing sound.
"You cannot have this one, Kel." He says it amiably, like discussing the price of fruit. "Even when you deliver me to Qa-Zed, she will not go. The veil of flesh has been pulled back for her. She knows the truth of pain and death. She knows the wonders that they hold." Kel approaches the Zealot, blade drawn.
"I cannot let you leave here Cuthu. I will not allow your Order to infest this land as you have our home." The Zealot smiles a pitying smile.
"I never intended to leave here, Kel. It may be time for me to become part of the great psychic scream. It is just too bad that you won't be the one to bring me there."
Without a sound, Kel leaps for Cuthu. Before he can reach his target, his eyes go wide. He crashes to the ground, and curls into a fetal position.
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Act 3 - Mewling into the Void
Kel is still lying on the floor, twitching slightly and mumbling to himself. As he appears to be alive, you approach the young woman lying on the altar. Her breathing is slow and regular. You wave your hand in front of her open eyes. She blinks, looks up at you and smiles.
"I see it now." Though she is looking at you and smiling, there is something terrible in her eyes. They flicker with a madness you have never seen before.
"We live our little lives, oblivious to the truth. Afraid of the very pain that holds the answers for us." She sits up and picks a large golden dagger up from the altar.
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Conclusion
The young Woman falls backward and is consumed by the encroaching flames. The fire has reached the immobile Kel and has begun to singe his fur. With no small effort, you lift his limp body and carry him out of the temple.
NEXT WEEK: 'I, Reanimated'.
[edit] Reward
- 250 [Experience]
- 50 [Gold]
- 200 [Tokens]
[edit] Hints
By completing this you get to go on to Chapter 4 - I, Reanimated
