The Leya Quest

The Leya Quest - The First Commune

"We began our quest in the Rose Garden of Hearthstone Manor with some spells for our protection, and in quiet meditation to our respective dieties asking for their blessing on our journey. Venturing outside of the town walls of Wehnimer's Landing, we quickly followed the paths to the shrine of the, Kai, the god of strength, prowess and athletics - also the father of the goddess we sought - Leya. Kneeling, the followers of Leya bowed thier heads in prayer and beseeched the goddess for some sign of recognition.

Below are the actual events recorded to the best of my ability.

[In the Shrine of Heroes]
Snow white vultite walls tower high overhead in this eight-sided room, their enormous size dwarfing only slightly the magnificent granite statue that stands in the center of the structure. Softly colored light filters in from huge stained glass windows set into each wall, creating a kaleidoscope of color dancing across the rich grey slate floors.
Kneeling with me before the statue was Lord Kinshack, Lady Cinabar, Lady Kiora, Lady Myste, Lady Sylanae, Lady Deepspring, Lady Morgaine, Mistress Jorrdan, Lady Kythyn, Lady Deavon, and Lady Rali.

Kinshack bowed his head and murmured a few quiet prayers to Lord Kai. "I brought an offering to my lord," he said while removing a vruul skin from inside his black leather cloak. He laid it beneath the statue. "Tis to show that i still fight for him, and fight hard." Kythyn beseeched the gods for mercy and guidance, as Rali rubbed her golden Leya medallion, deep in meditation. Myste recited: "Lord Kai hear our prayers to you this eve," and began muttering soft sounds, the exact words we could not discern. Jorrdan, Kiora, Kinshack, Cinabar, Morgaine, Sylanae, and Deepspring (caressing her purple Leya sash) knelt in gentle prayer. I quietly offered my own prayers to the Greater Gods, as Rali and Kiora embraced their Leya figurines. Deavon recited "Lord Kai, warriors all, we come to you and honor you with our devotion for you and your daughter, Leya."

I glanced at the statue, noting it's appearance. "A warrior of magnificent size and strength stands proudly in the center of the room. The heroic figure, carved from a single block of pale grey granite, towers to a height of nearly twenty breathtaking feet. Though his face is youthful, his gaze is that of one who has unflinchingly confronted even the mightiest of foes. One mighty hand clutches a Dir-wood spear tipped with gleaming adamantine, raised warily against some unseen foe. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this granite god is his left hand. Clenched in a tight fist that betrays both stern inner resolve as well as intense ferocity, you can almost imagine it crushing the last breath out of any enemy."

Kinshack breathed deeply, slipping into a meditative trance, a prayer to Kai on his lips as Deavon finished speaking and softly touched her white Leya medallion. Myste recited "Please help us Lord Kai in our quest this night we humbly ask you." Rali prayed for Leya to reveal herself to the quest on this night.

A strange fog seeps in.

Myste recited: "Lord Kai we seek your guidence," then gazed up at the magnificent granite statue and heavenward.

The mist swirls around the temple, moving with no sign of any wind.

Deavon says, "Lord Kai, we seek to honor your daughter, let us show you our devotion to her!" Morgaine and Kiora both gazed at the wonders around them, Kinshack smiling in devotion around the words of his prayer. I quietly sat back, folding my legs neatly beneath me, taking out my quill and tome to record and reflect upon the events as they unfurled. Myste recites: "Lord Kai please help us this night," again soft sounds emerged from her lip, Sylanae's soft whispers of prayer, mingling.

A voice, scarcely more than a whisper, echoes "Who calls me from my slumber?"

Myste says, "Lord Kai I have called you on behalf of the warriors traveling with me, we seek to honor your daughter Leya." Deavon touched her battle-worn silvery hexagonal vultite shield engraved with the image of the goddess Leya bravely challenging a towering dragon, as the voice surrounded them.

A hollow laugh sounds, bouncing off the stone of the chamber.

I glanced slowly around the shrine, watching, hearing as Deavon recited "Lord Kai, your daughter inspires many among the lands." Myste says, "Lord Kai, we humbly wish to pay both you and your daughter tribute."

The voice trembles, fading in and out of hearing. "Why call do you call me by that name?"

Morgaine's face turned slightly pale, I interrupted, asking, 'What name shall we call ye by?" Kinshack replied, "Because tis here at your shrine that we come to pray," as he gazed towards the statue. Myste answers the far-off voice, "This is your shrine M'Lord Kai." Deavon whispered to Myste "Who is it that we commune with then?", as I paused my quill in midair.

The laugh sounds again, rising in pitch and malevolence. The fog thickens, turning a deeper shade until the room is almost too dark to see beyond a few feet.

Kinshack's grin faded into a sealed-lipped visage, and retrieved his offering, while I blinked a few times to allow her eyes to adjust to the change in light. Deavon asked: "Who do we have the honor of addressing on this eve?" with Myste echoing, "M'Lord what would you have us call you?" I began to furiously scribble some more notes in my journal. Rali addressed the group, "Mayhaps it is Leya herself come ta our call?" Kinshack spouted, "I'll not offer the tokens of my battles to any other than my Lord or his daughter!"

The voice sounds again, this time possessing a raspy, feminine pitch. "Ye mortals, you are so confident of your ability to summon whom you wish!"

Deavon looked over at Myste, "Do ye think we have the honor of addressing the patroness Leya herself?" Kinshack surmises, "We assume location affects the beckoning." Morgaine answers to heavens, "Nae Lady, we were only hoping, not presuming." Deavon responds as well: "Nay, tis not our confidence, but our desire to honor those we worship!" Rali chimed in: "If tis you Leya... we wish to show our loyalty only."

Thunder echoes off the walls of the chamber.

Deepspring adds her voice: "No, we would not so presume. We only seek knowledge and to pay tribute!" Kinshack said, "I'll not kneel before a dark goddess," as he stands. Myste smiled, hoping they are speaking with Leya herself.

Lightening suddenly flashes, striking at Kinshack's feet!

Kinshack stared straight ahead, as Deavon glanced at him. Rali believed her loyalty is being tested and remained prone. Kinshack said, "Smite me if you will, I'll not kneel," removing his black vultite greatsword from inside his battle harness. Cinabar looked anxiously at him as Kiora playfully admonished, "Kinshack, if she wanted to smite yah she woulda already done so."

Static electricity runs up the walls of the room, creating a strange, blue halo around the walls.

Myste said, "Lady Leya, if it is you to whom we are speaking, we would seek your shrine so that we may show devotion to you." I quietly murmured words of apology to her Master Fash'lo'nae, fearing what the commune has done to the Arkati's collective hold on the veil, then whispers to Myste, "I have a feelin' this isna' yer Goddess." Unfailingly, Deavon touched her white Leya medallion, her grasp firm as she continued to offer prayer to her goddess. Kinshack turned with a warrior's pride and left the shrine. Deavon asked bravely aloud: "Reveal yourself then! What are you afraid of?"

The voice echoes out of a rumble of thunder, "Why have you summoned me?"

Morgaine glanced at Deavon as Jorrdan cringed and Cinabar cowered. Myste responded to the thunder, "We seek Leya's shrine to pay her homage" Deavon continued her challenge: "Certainly not a group of women who seek to honor Leya?" Kiora pleaded, "We seek knowledge great one, the knowledge of the location of Leya's shrine" as Rali stated, "We wish to find a place to pay homage to Leya." Myste asked, "Will you help us in our quest?", as I quietly watched the happenings, my quill scribbling hastily over the parchment.

A peel of ghostly laughter rings out, echoing off the walls in eerie repetitions.

Deavon closed her eyes and concentrated on the vision of Leya she sought, hearing as Myste requested, "Would you tell us you name?" and Morgaine asked, "Are you laughing at us? We only seek to learn, to pay homage..." Kiora focused on a vision of Leya that she remembers from stories.

The voice sounds again, "Do you deem yourselves worthy to kneel at her shrine if you have not the resolution to honor her by finding it?"

Myste sighed as she thought that Leya would never laugh at those looking to serve her, Rali glanced at Deavon and Kiora, both entranced, and added her vision of Leya. Deavon frowned slightly confused, wondering what God toys with them then. Wanton arrived and knelt down in reverent prayer. Myste, summoning strength added, "We seek guidance only that we may begin the search anew." Deavon attempted one more time: "M'Lady, we have sought the lands for your tomes, and tried to find your shrine." I bit at my lips, carefully transcribing the words of the astral voice. Rali agreed, "Aye... I have looked high and low." Deepspring asked: "May we have some clue as to where to search? And more knowledge of the Goddess Leya herself?"

The voice softens somewhat, making a noticeable contrast albeit varying little in degree. "I am not the one you seek, gentle Myste. I merely serve her."

Deavon pleaded: "It is in desperation that we have come to your father's shrine to seek his aide, and to grant our one wish... " Rali inquired, "Can you tell us where to begin our search?" Myste chimed in: "Will you help us then, that we may serve her also?" I licked the tip of the quill to moisten the ink, continuing to record this holy event.

The voice fades almost to nothing, yet continues, "I am not given to reveal that, nor you to ask it of me. But remain resolute and your answers will be the fitting tribute to her."

Deepspring bowed her head in acceptance, as Rali hung the golden Leya medallion around her neck. I nodded slowly, gazing around for a moment, before concentrating on my parchment again. Myste asked, "Is there a task she would require of us in our quest to serve her?" Deavon pleaded "Will you convey our wishes to her Lady for the women that seek to honor her?"

Thunder echoes through the chamber again, making your bones seem to shake in response to it.

Morgaine shivered and Sylanae flinched, yet Deavon straightened proudly and unafraid, trusting in her god. Cinabar swoons, those nearby attend to her. Kiora nodded slowly in agreement as the words still echoed. Deavon pledged, "I will perform whatever task she asks of me..."

Lightning flashes, striking before Myste and illuminating her with blue light.

Kythyn replies, "Aye, so shall we all!"and raised her vultite claidhmore in a triumphant salute! Myste smiles beatifically as the light surrounds her. I paused from delving into a pouch, producing some fine powder to dust it over the parchment to help dry the ink. Again, Deavon clasped her Leya medallion to her breast, as Kiora embrassed her Leya figurine. Myste responded humbly, "We will gladly accept whatever tasks Lady Leya would ask of us." Deavon softly whispered, "We will find her shrine and clear it of the weeds and decay that have kept it hidden from those who adore her." Kinshack returned and stood near the back of the shrine, observing this change overcoming Myste.

The voice whispers, "What task do you deem worthy of her? The best answer is often found within, gentle Myste."

Deavon asked gently, "What does your heart tell you, Myste?"

The fog gathers around Myste, almost obscuring her form.

Wanton quietly watched Myste, a speculative look in her eyes as Deavon smiled warmly at Myste, tears filling her eyes. Morgaine contemplated what we knew of Leya, wondering what would be a fitting tribute. I carefully noted the activity surrounding me, my quill moving briskly over the pages. Deavon bowed her head, focusing on Myste, strengthening her meditation.

The fog rolls around the temple like a restless sea of white.

I set my quill down, to quickly skim through another parchment. Rali spoke, "All I can say for meself is that I am an Amazon warrior within my heart. I am searching for a place to show my loyalty to my goddess." Myste replies, "Perhaps to defend the weak as the Amazons once did in the past, but this would be an ongoing service," as Deavon adds, "Perhaps if we continue to follow Leya, by example...", nodding towards Myste. Wanton agreed, "Worshipping is always an ongoing service." as Myste continued, "As is defense of the young and innocent." Deavon nodded to Myste again, voicing, "Defending the lands and always using our might for just causes..." Deepspring thought to herself "To defend my sisters, and those less fortunate, to heal those wounded in battle. All these are in my heart." Myste smiled warmly as the women sought their task eagerly.

The voice whispers, "You have answered your own questions. Surely this is a tribute to your courageous Goddess."

Kiora piped up, "I have died and will die for those that fight beside me in combat." Deavon smiled happily as the voice fills her with serenity. Cinabar sobbed with joy. Kiora offered more prayers. The group all expressed their joy in one way or another, as Myste replied, "We will continue to do our best to help those in need and defend the weak and innocent."

The fog curls around Myste's form, strangely highlighting her in a ghostly light. A pendant appears at Myste's feet.

Myste asked, barely aware of the miracle, "Is there a way in which the goddess Leya might appear to us, that our mortal eyes would see?" Deepspring smiled softly to herself, glad that she has been paying tribute to her Goddess as Myste slowly picked up the shining dagger pendant suspended on a crystal chain. Jorrdan, Deavon, and Rali blinked with awe. Deavon sighed, "Oh Myste..." as Cinabar gasped. Kiora smiled, fulfilled and Sylanae gazed in wonder at her surroundings. Cinabar whispered, "That's lovely." Deavon hugged Myste tightly as she beamed with joy, returning the embrace, "Tis truly an honor, Myste" "How beautiful," Myste exclaims softly, staring at the pendant. Kiora agreed, "Ye have been blessed" Deepspring nodded to Myste, adding her smile to the many. Jorrdan consented, "Indeed." Myste asked quietly, "Will this aid us in our quest to serve the goddess? Truly I am honored and overjoyed."

The voice almost fades into obscurity, whispering, "I go. Do not summon me again until you are truely worthy to kneel at my Lady's altar." The fog seeps away, almost unnoticeably.

Wanton spoke up, "Somehow, I never doubted that all would live through this experience." The women all turned their attention on Myste. Deavon asked, "Myste...what does the medallion look like?" Kiora requested, "Show us the pendant ye have been graced with." Myste displayed a shining dagger pendant suspended on a crystal chain.

Just before the fog fades into invisibility, a thunderclap sounds.

Deavon sighed, "That was so... so... moving..." as Kinshack winced at the noise.

Suddenly, the fog envelopes Kinshack, leaving him senseless.

Deavon mouthed "Thank you, Leya!" Kiora smiles at Myste, "Well yah know, I seen Myste get stone creatures, but dis is the first time I seen her get pendants." I examined the pendant, "While this bears nae spell I can see, I've yet t'find any recording o' Leya's symbol. I b'lieve ye've been graced with her symbol yerself." Myste proudly proclaimed, "We have her symbol!" Wanton nodded and added, "That will give tribute to Leya.. and then, perhaps, she will come the next time you seek her."

After taking a few moments to gather their thoughts and calming the pounding of their hearts, the worshippers offered a silent prayer to thier goddess, and we all left the temple to head back to the Landing. Appreciation and determination flushed some of the faces of the pilgrims of this religious journey, while others were bathed in the soft glow of serene peace.

Once settled back in the Rose Garden of Hearthstone Manor, we began to discuss the events of the evening. Kerrithan was invited to come and lore-sing to Myste's artifact. This is what I noted, and what Kerrithan related to me...

Kerrithan sings:

"Tell me pendant, crystal sharp, Answer to my questing harp. Sing and tell me all you share, Answer to the ones who care."

She felt a faint resonating vibration from the crystal pendant in her hand, and she learned something about it... This is a small item, under a pound. In your best estimation, it's worth around 1000 silvers.

Kerrithan sings:

"Tell me pendant, we seek to learn,
With what magic do you churn.
Sing to us of thy purpose here,
We ask these questions without fear."

She felt a faint resonating vibration from the crystal pendant in her hand, and she learned something about it... From the pitch of the vibration she determined that the purpose of the pendant is as a decorative one, perhaps. She is not exactly sure.

Kerrithan sings:

"Tell me pendant of thy glow,
I feel your magic and wish to know.
Tell us of thy purpose bright,
Lead us through the darkest night."

The pendant pulses once then fades to normalacy.

Kerrithan sings:

"Pendant, I seek thy secrets to know,
Will you to us thy magic show?
I feel thy spell and feel thy power,
Will you answer us this hour?"

A voice whispers, "Ye cannae know my powers Bard."

Kerrithan says, "It's whispering to me..." and gazes in awe at the crystal pendant in her hand.

It's believed that Myste will be the only one to exactly determine if the pendant, the symbol of Leya, will be the key in any future interactions with the Goddess. While discussing their desires to obtain objects akin to the newfound symbol of Leya, a blue glow emitted from above, bathing Rali in a holy light, thus blessing her. Needless to say, she was estatic.

The worshippers discussed the situation more, promising to do everything in their power to earn the right to kneel before Leya's shrine, worthy of the great goddesses attention.

By my hand,
Laranna MacRoy-Raevhaz
Scribe, House Illistim

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The Leya Quest content within this section is used by the gracious permission of Dame Deavon Laeren and is © 1997 Marsha H. Levine.Permission to use/reprint must be obtained from Dame Deavon and attributed to the (GemStone III) Leya Quest.