[Quest] Video (To Seelie, Hermione-Net, Rin's Networks, & Alyosha-Net) Trouble at the Pool of Souls

[oathshackledbird]

[If Diarmuid counts them all, he has something like half a dozen different communication devices.  He stares at them in distaste.  He should not have to go to so much trouble to contact those he cares about safely, but this madness is what the courts have forced on them.  One-by-one, he sends the same short video message over each device.  First his locket, then the brooch Hermione enchanted for him, next the necklace Rin enchanted for him, and then the compass network Rin made for those most trusted by Alyosha.  Finally, he looks at the ring that is keyed to the commanders of the Red Hand.  He could send the message to John and Javik through it as well, but he has a feeling they will probably see it in one of the other ways as well.  The only device he doesn't consider using is the mirror given to him by Faolan.  The spymaster is the one who gave him the quest after all, and Faolan has already told him all he knows.

It is a lot of work, but Diarmuid needs information, and he has never been one who does things by half measures.

He is sorry to those who get the message more than once, though...]

Greetings everyone.  I know right now the focus of many of us must be battle preparations, but it has been brought to my attention that something strange is going on at the Pool of Souls.  This place is a place of peace and healing and cannot be allowed to be defiled.  As such, I am asking anyone who sees this and knows anything about the area--be it rumors you have heard or travels you have made there--to share that information with me.  I do not want to go into this unprepared for there are many dangerous groups who play this game with us, and I have no wish to become their prey.

[The possibility that this disturbance is being caused by an Unseelie has crossed Diarmuid's mind, but he finds it a lot more likely an outside group like the Cult of the Fox is involved.  If not the Cult of the Fox, it is just as likely to be one of the other cults that have sprung up since the Void started moving so much closer.]

No piece of information is too small, so please don't hesitate to share.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

compass, audio;

[babbylon]

The Pool of Souls...

[Ah, that certainly takes Gilgamesh back. He didn't visit as often as he would like, but for Gilgamesh, the place was sacred ground—a sanctuary of respite from a battle that nearly claimed his life. He has only the highest respect for it, as reverent as he could ever be about anything.

And that extended to this man who speaks with concern now. It's his duty as his King to offer aid.]

The waters there are holy, friend to all. Anyone who would seek to corrupt them does so at their own peril; I will wreak vengeance upon them myself.

compass, audio;

[oathshackledbird]

I don't know if they seek to corrupt the waters or if they are looking for someone or something that might be nearby. I intend to find out, though.

[His memories of the place are not as fond as his king's since it is where Diarmuid finally learned of his Fate in the 4th Holy Grail War, but the time he spent there both with Gilgamesh and then alone afterwards did help heal his mind so that he could move forward more quickly. The last thing he is going to allow is another to deny that kind of healing to those who need it.]

Do you know much of the animals or other creatures that make their homes there? I have heard tell that the naiads and dryads are much distressed by what is going on, but I wonder what other creatures may be finding themselves made uneasy.

[babbylon]

Those of the Sisterhood are tied to the fate of the land around them. They are the ideal place to start your search.

[Gilgamesh was no master of the wood, but he could make some educated guesses based on what he knew of this world. The Gate was, after all, a compendium of knowledge before anything else. Even if he was no longer the strongest Servant, he was without a doubt the wisest.]

As for any other creatures... the only way to confirm it would be to undertake a direct survey of your own. To that end, if you have need of me, I will accompany you. Together I've no doubts we can dispatch whatever danger that may come our way.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods in agreement. He hopes they might be able to get some information from the dryads and naiads, but with as upset as they are, he is not going to count on it.]

I was already planning on that. I just hope they will speak to shardbearers considering how...not great our relationships with them are now.

[But it doesn't hurt to try.]

I would be glad to have you come along. You know I am always happy to fight at my king's side.

compass ; video

[waterbearer]

[ Kaldur may or may not be showing Diarmuid his picture in the locket as well, before shutting it. ]

The currents that flow towards the pool were calm and untroubled enough when I swam passed last month, though my focus had been more upon helping the banshees at the time.

[ He rolls his shoulders, and gives Dia a muted grin. ]

Looking for trouble, are you?

compass ; video

[oathshackledbird]

[Sorry for the duplicate messages, bro.]

I didn't notice anything amiss when I was there last month either.

[Other than the banshees, of course.

For a moment, a small grin appears on his face before he falls serious again.]

When am I not looking for trouble? Especially if it is trouble that is in need of being taken care of?

compass ; video

[waterbearer]

It is one thing to keep an eye for trouble to deal with it when it arises. It is entirely another to go actively seeking it. [ GUESS WHICH ONE YOU DO. ] But, as with all other troubles you seek out, I am always willing to help you in whatever manner necessary.

compass ; video

[oathshackledbird]

[He has NO idea what you are talking about.]

I would be glad to have your assistance. Merida and my king are also going to help us. There is one more I wish to contact, a woman I highly respect by the name of Lagertha. Between the five of us, whoever is causing the trouble has little chance of escaping.

Video

[dyingisnotdead]

Why, exactly can't the place be defiled?

[Yeah a certain someone hasn't ever heard of it. So might as well learn about it.]

Video

[oathshackledbird]

Greetings, Lord Loras, it has been a while. I hope you and those in the city are doing well.

[Gathering information goes hand in hand with sharing it. Diarmuid sees no problem enlightening Loras about the situation.]

Aside from it being the home of many dryads, naiads, and other creatures, the pool's water itself it known for its healing properties. That is why it cannot be allowed to be messed with. Healing is something we all need at times.

[And it is not something that should be controlled by one court or the other either.]

Video

[dyingisnotdead]

[Well, that is a succinct answer. He can't deny the logic, either.]

Cothromach is doing well enough, thank you.

And...yes, that gives it reason to be protected. For Seelie purposes, at least.

Video

[oathshackledbird]

[Were he not so worried about the pool and what was going on there, he might not be so abrupt. As it is, Diarmuid feels like time is against him somewhat here. If there really is something going on, the longer he takes to get started, the more damage that may be done.]

I do not like the idea of a group like the Cult of the Fox or one of those other, newer, cults taking control of such a place. Can you imagine the trouble it would cause?

[He ever so agilely tiptoes around mentioning Unseelie. If they needed healing, he would not deny them the right to use the pool either, but that is not something he will say out loud over an open channel such as this one.]

compass; audio

[notyetlegend]

[There's a frown in her voice when she speaks. Though she's flown Angus over the Pool of Souls several times, she's only actually landed him there twice. All the times she's caught people defiling shrines and chased them off or fixed them up, Merida herself is getting tired of people destroying places of worship. Even if the Pool of Souls isn't such a place, it makes her furious nonetheless.

Fury is better than drowning in grief.]

Why would someone wish to desecrate such a place?

compass; audio

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid has to admit he is happy to hear from Merida. He is going to need people to go with him and she could use a distraction from what she has recently lost. Maybe helping to save something for others will be just what she needs?

If nothing else, should they find those who are causing the trouble, it will give her someone to focus her anger and frustration on.]

I don't know, but I fully intend to find out. Want to come with me?

compass; audio

[notyetlegend]

Yes.

[It's breathed out, a slight sigh of relief behind it. She's tired of being somewhere between grief and pure misery, tired of people asking if she's okay. This would make her feel better she's sure, and if she gets to beat someone up, even better. Merida ponders over what to bring, as she asks him.]

When do we leave?

compass; audio

[oathshackledbird]

[That's his girl! He knew he could count on her.]

One day tops. I want time to gather a little more information, but I don't want to give them long enough to do more damage or complete whatever plan they have in mind.

[Diarmuid pauses a moment and then a thought strikes him.]

Can you bring a pup or two? We are going to be covering a lot of ground.

[And the more noses, the better.]

video;

[cinnamoned]

[Ideally, the Pool and its healing powers would be used by anyone and in neutral territory. That neither would harm or disrupt the area. But this is a war and sometimes there are some that would seek to sabotage. She's seen it with the shrines, at the very least. That was heartbreaking enough to see. Let alone hearing about this.]

What's happening to it, exactly? I've been there once before to investigate it. To see if the water's powers could enact at a distance, if the powers were accurate. They are but it cannot be used away from the pool itself. I didn't stay in the area long though, so I'm afraid I can't help a lot more otherwise.

video;

[oathshackledbird]

Greetings, Lady. Please don't worry about how much information you have. Any little bit is helpful and you already have told me something I didn't know.

[Diarmuid bows his head respectfully and then straightens.]

The details I have currently are vague, but what they amount to is that there are people who don't belong there hanging around and causing enough trouble that the naiads and dryads are quite unsettled and upset. I don't take it as a good sign when the very spirits of the land are so distressed.

Re: video;

[cinnamoned]

Oh, of course. Snow.

[But there's a nod in return as she listens and he attempts to reassure her even that much is not something he was aware of prior. She's not really spoken to anyone about her trip there. Perhaps besides Wan, and the one who initially sent her there. She hadn't wanted to encourage those who might be curious and potentially get hurt or killed in the attempt to investigate themselves, given it is in Unseelie territory.]

People who don't belong? Like us, the shardbearers brought here or others possibly attempting to affect it's magic somehow?

[Either way doesn't exactly bode well with all of this as it stands, no.]

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[ex_halberd259]

I've no information to offer, but I can have our people look into it quietly. In the meantime, it sounds like you could use someone to stand beside you in the shield wall.

( She's coming along. No ifs, ands or buts. )

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[oathshackledbird]

[Fortunately for Diarmuid's continued survival, he has no thoughts at all of denying her.]

I would love more than anything to have you there. I was going to contact you, in fact.

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[ex_halberd259]

( He is a wiser man than many! )

I can do no other than stand beside you in battle, or hunt when you catch wind of prey. Have you greater detail to give as to what we may face?

If not, I will simply have to wear my full set of armour. I've not been able to wear it in some time.

( From the sound of it, she's greatly hoping she has the opportunity. )

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[skjalf]

( She smiles at him warmly, gladdened more than she might express to see him again. )

You seem to be doing rather well! Have you been eating and resting oft enough, as you should be?

( Bess continues to smile for a moment before it fades abruptly, and she sighs. )

I was there not long past. A banshee decided to wail at me as I attempted to sleep. But I have not heard aught else from there, my friend.

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[oathshackledbird]

[Her warm smile and questions cause Diarmuid to blink since it is not what he is expecting when he answers. After the surprise passes, though, he smiles and laughs softly at his surprise.]

I am doing better than I did in the past. Thank you. How are you doing?

[His smile fades a little when hers does, but he can understand why when she mentions the banshees.]

My king and I helped a banshee there as well. I guess I should not be surprised that a place of healing drew in so many troubled souls.

» video/compass

[skjalf]

That is good to hear! I am most gladdened by the news. I.. as those from the future call it, it has been a "mixed bag" of sorts. My health is good, and I am happy. And I have found a purpose to which I might set myself.

But I had a relation here, one I have not seen nor heard from in some time. I fear what may have become of him.

( She continues to frown, even as she nods her head. )

Indeed. And it is threatened, you say? By what?