Weylyn had been thinking hard ever since they had destoryed the Spire of Dhuroscht. Specifically about the sheer number of cultists there had been and he highly doubted they had gotten them all. Without extra knowledge he wouldn't even have an idea of what to look for and that worried him more than the cultists themselves. As such he decided to consult the one Docent who could be considered an expert on the topics of dark knowledge, and so it was the door to Poppy's room that he rapted on twice in rapid sucession. "Poppy-san. Might I speak with you?"
Weylyn nodded his thanks and sat down, his tail curling around his hip to lay beside him. "I was wondering would you be willing to go over some of the..." He paused hunting for the right word before settling on one. "Basics of darker magic. After all that's happening it's become increasingly clear that I have little or no knowledge of what is going on. With the recent incident with the spire it seems as though it would be a wise precaution to know something of what they are capable of." he told her
Poppy nodded after listening carefully to the Ulf. "To be honest I am very surprised a spire spawned here and I am bit sad I missed it be fascinating to see on in person." She said shaking her head. "So I would assume with its occurrence you would like to know more about the pit, Dhuroscht, his followers and spire them self?" she said making a small nod towards the ulf. "Since the dark arts even in a basic sense can be quite broad topic."
Weylyn nodded "That is the immediant concern, yes. However considering the sheer number of situations we as adventurers find ourselves in, I feel it would be foolish to limit myself to that one subject if you have the time and are willing to go over them all in some detail." he told her.
"And I believe I could write a report on the things we saw in the tower for you if it would help." he offered.
Poppy nodded. "Yes I would greatly appreciated that report." The fae said taking her seat back at her desk. "Now where to start. Mhmmm I guess with the big baddie himself. Dhuroscht, the Herald of Twilight was created by Etejeril as one of the seven deaths." "His goal you could say was to wipe about all light. Tales say that he and Lemsin fought in Tarkalsys where Lemsin tore out his heart. The heart then became the Stone of Twilight and is rumored to still exist in Orn" she said leaning back in her chair gazing at the ceiling. " And this Weylyn is what is followers are looking for. With this heart they hope to restore him to his full strength so that he must once again be able to end all life and all things light and pure. " "Since the Herald of Twilight is against the light and what is pure his followers will often blind themself in a ritual. Through this ritual, The Dark Birth, the renounce all that is light and good and is in exchanged gifted the Heralds blessing and 'true sight' " "Following so far? and feel free me to elaborate on any parts you'd like to know more about. This is a broad topic." She paused to say before continuing.
Poppy raised an eyebrow at Weylyn comment sitting up for a moment. " Would depend on the nature of this rock, if It is in reference to the spire then, I would say yes." The fae said a spark of curiosity in her eye. "Which of course would explain how you found the spire perhaps?" she asked.
"The spires are also interesting phenomena which is why I find it odd it spawned in town." She said flatly trying to find her words. "For spire to appear the ground has to be defiled by pit related magic, and from what I know there are no members of town who have made packs with the pit for there magic." "For you see the spire are not built but summoned."She said chewing at he nails a little in thought.
Weylyn nodded "Yes you are partially correct. I'll give you the full details in the report I promised, but as for the basics... well the spire was plain as... well not day. It seemed to produced a miasma that dimmed all light around it for miles. We could see the spire easily. When we got close all we could see was one bit of writing... something about true sight revealing the entrance. I have the exact wording written down somewhere." he told her before continuing. "As for it being summoned there were a lot of cultists, so it's possible others came to down. And I suspect that they weren't all outsiders." he added.
Poppy seemed to laugh and shake her head. "Wow, well then." She said running her fingers through her red hair. "Well, I believe I know who you are alluding." She said clearing her throat. An uneasiness came over the fae face for a moment as she struggled with a way to approach something. "So, when guess this a good place to talk about the pit itself as a realm. So if you make a deal with the pit or are a shitty person all around, your soul gets turned into damned in which you are tormented until you become a fiend yourself. So all of those cultist you just killed you may very well fight again." she said with a warily smile.
"Sorry, I was just thinking. It makes one wonder if that's would actually be a good use of pale ivory... of course then you must ask is oblivion better than eternal torment..." he said before shaking his head "I didn't mean to sidetrack you though, please continue." he offered letting to continue with the explaination.
"Mhmm that is true, though the nature of pale ivory still leaves a lot of questions. " The fae said standing to grab a piece that happened to be laying at her enchanting table. "Imbued with energy of the Nether, While it does seem to take the life force of dying creatures. Reapers often carry scythes made of the stuff." She said rolling it her hands. "Which of course reapers have no need to destroy souls, they wish to take them to the gates. So I wonder if it is more of a teleport location for such a thing" She said with a warm laugh. "But of course I have not yet been able to confirm such things..."
"... But um yes I am getting side tracked. Back to the pit and it's fiends." She said returning the bone to its place. "Now, warlocks and the pit have an interesting relationship. To gain our magic we often have to make deals with the pit or nether. Though it is worth noting Dhuroscht is not the only immortal that lies within the Pit." She said pausing. "I made it with the Nether for clarification." Poppy said tapping her arm armor with the inverse moon burnt into it. "But those who make it with the Pit are referred to as the Diablerie users. They typically make packet with the fiend lord or the immortal of the Pit for their power. " She said pausing lighty laughing for a moment. " Hell, I have heard of people supposedly mixing their blood with that of a fiend. The success of such things are muddled however." "Ones who have practiced it for long periods of time have been know to sprout horns, fangs and their skin to change to a reddish hue." She said making fake horns with her fingers while flashing her own fangs. "Which of course gives you more signs to look for I suppose" "Of course these things can be reversed as well." She said with a light nod.
"And it could potentially be misleading as in the case of Cambions." he added more to show he was following than anything else.
Weylyn tilted his head to the side in an expression of confusion "Reversed? I'm assuming you just mean in respect to the alterations via having corrupted blood in your veins... I doubt it's as easy to get a fiend to release your soul once it has a grip on it."
"Mhmm? yes of course that is a possibly. Factors correlating does not mean a confirmation. "She said with a soft smile.
She let out a soft chuckle at the Ulf reaction. "Well, yes and no." "The effects that are side effect of the dark magic on mind and soul are easily reversed, The person has to stop using the magic it gained from the deal." "Now, When they die my friend that is when things get interesting. So for a soul to get to the Pit it is thought it must go through the Gates. It is said that at these Gates no immortals have sway over where a soul goes, it is our actions that are the determining factor."
The unseelie said with sly grin. "So here is the problem you have acreature, who makes a deal with a fiend for power, But then find the light blah blah maybe devote the rest of your days in the name of Lemisin or whatever and one day finally die. Where do you go? Does your original deal trump your reformation or have you earned enough brownies point to go to the Prime?" She said pausing for a moment her eyebrows knitting together "I am sure you acquainted with The Gates Of Judgment, correct? I forgot to ask before starting this tangent otherwise I am sure this sounds like nonsense jargon."
She paused shaking her head refocusing again. "But regardless, it may be possible that you can slip your soul out of the grip of a fiend. Easy however? Well an ice elemental would have a easier time making it in Sirison." She said with a hardy laugh.
Poppy jumps at the sound of knocking at the door shifting some of the writing she was working on at her desk. "Hold on just a second" She said her tone sounding a bit frazzled. She placed the papers within the books she was taking notes before closing it and placing them in the top corner of the desk. She raised from her desk opening the door and placing a door stopper in place to hold it open. The inside of the room was surprisingly neat and warm. Along the walls grew thick vines that had large pitcher plants and venus fly plants weaving there way in an out of them. Next to her work desk was an enchanter alter that had mana chunks and various bones laying across it. Lastly in the corner sat a small bed covered with thick fur blankets. "Come in Weylyn, take a seat." She said making a motion to the bed. "What did you want to talk to me about?"