Cleric Quests/Eluned

From DRSecrets

3rd Circle Quest:

Given by: Esuin

The guild leader smiles at you, eyes dancing. "You have pleased Tamsine with your presence, and been graced to sit by her fire. Now you must greet another, but not by a fireside, oh, no...." Esuin's leans forward, close to your ear. "You must make a long journey -- to the north of the village of Kaerna is a shrine to the goddess of the waters, Eluned. There you must find a way to enter the Crystal Cavern and from there you must seek out waters deeper than you would normally go." He brushes away an errant strand of hair fallen over his silver eye. "I advise that you meditate deeply before entering Eluned's cavern.

"This is all I can say on the matter. Gods go with thee, and bring you back to us again."

Location

Head to the bridge past Stone Clan but before Reavers. On the southern end of the bridge there is a path to the east. Follow this to the end, and then go into the pool.

Log:

[Silvery Pool]
Moonlight dances over the pool like a thousand stars among the dark ripples. The cool water laps against your skin in a soothing repetitive rhythm, relaxing your muscles and drawing you out of the shallows. Beneath your feet the pure white sand is smooth and clear of weeds. A lulling, meditative aura settles over the water.
Obvious paths: out.

meditate
You close your eyes and begin to meditate on the nature of Eluned, goddess of the seas and water, master of arcane and ancient wisdom, patron of learning and knowledge.

The omnipotent presence of a higher consciousness wells within you as you are consumed with the sensation of other-worldly approval and indulgence.

A blinding light flares dramatically, then winks out of existence, taking with it the last fleeting sparks of your Gnome consciousness, and leaving you disoriented, in the form of a simple fish.

Frail, sparkling bubbles rise into the water above you as you swim contentedly in the cool currents of this silvery pool.

A crevice in the rock draws your attention and compels you to explore its shadowy depths. You swim quickly through, only to emerge into another pool.

You sense that you are as pure of spirit as you can be, and you are ready for whatever rituals might face you.

You feel that your gods have smiled upon you for your attempts to please them.

[Crystal Cavern]
This tiny cavern inside the stone outcropping is alive with the sparkle of a thousand tiny crystals embedded into every facet of rock. The deep, cool waters of the hidden pool surround you, brushing against your skin and lapping at the base of a polished limestone statue of a dolphin emerging from the water. The pleasant echo of dripping water rolls through the cave. You also see some deeper water.
Obvious exits: none.

Your simple world explodes into a torrent of color, sound, memories and ideas. As you attempt to absorb so many sensations at once, you almost don't register your body once again changing and reforming into your Gnome form.

dive deeper water
You take a deep breath and dive into the deeper water.

[Crystal Cavern, Some Deeper Water]
The waters are cold and deep, lightless as the heart of the earth. It surrounds you and cradles you, sustaining your senses, if not your lungs.
Obvious exits: none.

swim down

You swim further into the water.

swim down

You swim further into the water.

Bubbles pass you as you swim through the thick waters. Chilly and dark, you feel a thrill of fear run through you when you realize you can no longer see the surface above you....

...and the waters are dragging you down.

You swim further and further down, pushed by the invisible tide and the strain in your lungs. Pressure builds in your ears, behind your eyes. Part of you longs to gasp for air, but the rational part says that to do this will only speed you into death....

...and still, the waters are dragging you down.

All around you the world begins to grow darker, and you can feel your consciousness slipping tenuously out of your grasp. You no longer feel cold, only numb. Your limbs feel heavy as you sink....

...and the waters drag you down to the bottom at last.

Beyond the darkness you see a glimmer of something -- light. Shining through the deep waters, it glances off kelp and flashing schools of fish, glittering sands and the glittering predatorial eyes of the hunters of the sea.

Slowly, the light moves over to you and coalesces into a graceful silver dolphin.

The dolphin gazes down at you, then speaks in a high-pitched voice. "Greetings, pilgrim. You rest now in Eluned's domain. Have no fear for your life -- Eluned protects those who seek knowledge, and you would not have come here if you were not hunting information."

The dolphin swims about, flipping its tail. "My mistress is named Eluned, goddess of the oceans and the knowledge of the lands. She has a bright aspect -- that of Lemicus -- and a darker one, that of the god Drogor. All are masters of the ocean, and possessors of knowledge beyond mortal ken. It is believed that Meraud and Eluned are sister and brother in the respect that both greatly prize knowledge." The dolphin makes an odd, clucking noise that you would swear is chuckling.

"The symbols of each aspect correlate to what they are. Eluned's is a dolphin, Lemicus -- she of the fresh waters -- is an albatross, and Drogor -- he of hurricanes and angry oceans -- is a shark." The dolphin flips its tail, as if agitated.

"Now," it continues when it has calmed down, "you have come here seeking knowledge. So shall I instruct you. Protection I have given you while you remained here, so protection can you give unto yourself. Simply wave holy incense at yourself and then commune. If pure you be, and in favor with the gods, then you shall receive my lady's protection. Else...." the dolphin swims about silently.

The dolphin swims closer and peers at you with its laughing eyes. "I hope you have learned well, young Thirum, for you cannot return here ever again. I see within you the fires of Tamsine; this is good. Now know the cool waters of Eluned, and all that they can quench and succor."

As the dolphin finishes, a giant air bubble enfolds you and begins to lift you upward. Cool shades of green and blue pass you as you continue up, and finally you see the promise of light, and the glancing, flashing glow of crystal....

The air bubble collapses with a *POP* and you find yourself dumped onto the ground at the feet of the dolphin statue. There is a rush as sweet air fills your lungs, and you gasp it in with relish.

[Crystal Cavern]
This tiny cavern inside the stone outcropping is alive with the sparkle of a thousand tiny crystals embedded into every facet of rock. The deep, cool waters of the hidden pool surround you, brushing against your skin and lapping at the base of a polished limestone statue of a dolphin emerging from the water. The pleasant echo of dripping water rolls through the cave. You also see some deeper water.
Obvious exits: none.

meditate

You meditate further on the nature of Eluned.

The omnipotent presence of a higher consciousness wells within you as you are consumed with the sensation of other-worldly approval and indulgence.

A blinding light flares dramatically, then winks out of existence, taking with it the last fleeting sparks of your Gnome consciousness, and leaving you disoriented, in the form of a simple fish.

Frail, sparkling bubbles rise into the water above you as you swim contentedly in the cool currents of this silvery pool.

A crevice in the rock draws your attention and compels you to explore its shadowy depths. You swim quickly through, only to emerge into another pool.

[Silvery Pool]
Moonlight dances over the pool like a thousand stars among the dark ripples. The cool water laps against your skin in a soothing repetitive rhythm, relaxing your muscles and drawing you out of the shallows. Beneath your feet the pure white sand is smooth and clear of weeds. A lulling, meditative aura settles over the water.
Obvious paths: out.

Your simple world explodes into a torrent of color, sound, memories and ideas. As you attempt to absorb so many sensations at once, you almost don't register your body once again changing and reforming into your Gnome form.

Commune

Gives an defensive bonus to yourself or another. To Invoke: wave lit incense at yourself or the other person and commune.