Having spent the past few weeks scouring the temple libraries for information regarding the Nine Hells, meditating, and continuing his nearly exhaustive physical regime, Varlen says, "I guess that I am as ready as I will ever be for such a trip."
"Occa, if transportational magics do not work, how will we travel to Hell?" John asks. "Is it possible that your friend can open a portal with his mind?" John asks, referring to Darian's psionic abilities.
Occa says, "Raz can send us. He must be connected to the forces here in Mestom, though, since my wish didn't work. That means that we should expect trouble or a trap wherever he does send us."
Fores asks, "What about that book that the store keeper open up? I thought that it could open portals to other planes?"
"Just to the abyss. Behind it is a big demon or demon lord. We can deal with it later, but right now it just isn't very safe."
Occa says, "Okay, Shall we go find Raz and have him transport us to hell? I am done with my spell."
"Any other outstanding issues?"
"Well, I'm all set. Did ya need a magic weapon, too, Occa?" asks Niko.
Occa says, "Well, I guess so. I don't plan on ever being in hand to hand, but it could happen."
You notice a change in Darian over the weeks. Subtle, but there seems to be an extra spring in his step, more confidence in his bearing.
Funny, but you notice just the opposite in Occa. He seems to be much older than before. His once unadorned face now has a long grey beard. If anything he moves about a bit more slowly. He also mutters to himself a lot more.
"Folks, I'd like to make a small announcement. Thanks to Occa, I've been introduced to his patron. Her name is Hectate, the goddess of magic. For some reason I'm unable to fathom, she's taken an interest in me and has done a great deal through Occa to help me overcome my limitations without becoming a drow."
"Occa's been quite busy enhancing my strength, intellect and my psionics. I think we still have work to do, but I am quite a bit stronger than I was a few weeks ago."
Niko frowns. "Well, I guess that's good news. I just wonder if the bad news has to do something with what she'll want from you later."
"She wants me to worship her, just like any God."
Niko shrugs. "'Tis a princely gift for her to convert a follower."
Darian shrugs as well. "That's what I thought. But, Occa assures me that she wishes to help. Perhaps she hopes I'll become an arch-mage someday."
Niko nods and grins. "Then you are one damn lucky elf! I can only pray and hope Aerdie and Poseidon shine their grace upon me later in life."
Jesse looks at Darian in shock and disbelief. A tear comes to her eye as he tells everyone about this. She turns away from the elf and then looks at Occa,
"Why?" is all she says.
Occa looks hurt, but doesn't answer.
"Jesse, what's the matter? I thought you'd be thrilled for me! Have I done something wrong?"
Jesse blinks away her tears, "Old tales." the bard says, "One who lives by the song, dies by the song sometimes Darian dear." She looks at her friend Occa, and adds, "In time all will come to understand, for better or worse."
"What might be bothering her is that your friend Occa seems to ally himself with an evil deity. Hectate, while a goddess of magic, has an evil streak in her and Jesse may not be too happy that you have now linked yourself to an evil power," John replies before Jesse can. "Occa, be careful, the power of magic is not worth the price of your soul," he warns the arch mage.
Darian looks at Occa, shock and hurt registering in his face.
"Evil? Occa, you didn't mention that! You told me that both you and Stiff had Hectate as a patron. How could you both worship and evil goddess?!"
Occa says, "What makes you think she is evil? She is a goddess of magic. I don't know whether she is good or evil, but that she is a patron to those who use magic."
"Darian, many mages as well as clerics worship evil patrons for power. While they themselves may not be evil, the quick path to power is usually granted by evil," John responds.
Jesse looks at John. "What would a new novice, still wet behind the ears from his temple, understand about sacrifice and power?" she asks in a chilly tone.
"Little on both counts, I only know from what I have read and experienced from this very city and its government . As a bard, you should know the perils of power granted and used. Is not the adage true of 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'?" John counters to Jesse.
Jesse shakes her head sadly, "Live and learn John, and then try to throw adages at me. When you have seen and experienced more of life, I suspect you will understand."
Darian cocks his head and asks, "John, Occa is helping me overcome my limitations by increasing my strength and intelligence. This will allow me to continue training. How is this considered power, corrupting or otherwise?"
"After all, if I was a drow elf instead of a wood elf, I wouldn't be having this problem. And not all drow are evil, just like not all wood elves are good."
"I am not passing judgement, just mentioning what I know. Evidently, I have much to experience, which I agree with." He says humbly.
"John, I wasn't criticizing you. I wished to understand your point, that's all."
"Ok, all I was saying is that trafficking with evil deities, NOT saying now that Hectate is, can lead to one's damnation. That is why I thought Jesse was upset. That's all. I meant no disrespect or offense to anyone," John replies.
Jesse laughs, "You have no idea of how I think or what is important to me John. The reasons I was upset are my own," she says. "Please do not presume to know what I am thinking again."
"Jesse, I never did understand your reaction to my announcement. What are you afraid of?"
"Nothing that I plan to talk about in from of everyone," the bard replies. "Later, you, Occa and I can talk about my fears."
Darian nods. "Say the word, my love, and we can do it now. And what about power corrupting people?"
"It is more of an innocence lost, once introduced to power, one changes, for better or for worse. So, if it is the introduction of power from a source of evil, then there is a good chance that the power will corrupt," John says.
Darian nods. "I see. Well, Occa's the one making the wishes on my behalf. He's not evil, so what's the result for me? Speculate based on the assumption that Hectate is evil, although I don't believe that."
"If I am correct, wishes are granted by the patron not the one wishing, so it is the patron's influence that would affect the wishee. So, IF she were an evil deity, despite its good natured outcome, it could be detrimental to you. Being that she is a neutral or good deity, if it works to her ends and you agree with those ends, it should be a win/win situation. What I have learned is that gods are like people, never doing something for nothing," John extrapolates.
Darian nods. "Interesting conjecture. Thank you, John."
John nods to Darian.
Darian shakes his head. "I can't believe that Occa and Stiff would do that. And I certainly didn't wish to."
Occa just shakes his head in disgust.
"Forgive me Occa, for doubting you, or misunderstanding you," the bard says, "As I have said, I live in legands, and perhaps they are not all deserving in the light of day."
Occa turns to John and says, "How dare you question me? Or make recommendations to me? You are hardly wet behind the ears and you offer advice?"
"No offense, Occa, just my studies have taught me of most of the major deities in the world and Hectate is one of them. While she is powerful in magic, she would not be classified as a goodly goddess akin to Zeus or Apollo. She is more aligned with Ares and Pluto," John says matter of factly.
Occa calms down a bit and says, "I do not know much about the gods, nor care. I do know magic. I also know what is in my heart. Normally, I don't care about the affairs of men, but I have grown to care since joining this group. On more than one occassion, I have given my life battling the forces of evil...a battle that we have won again and again, thanks to Hecate.
"Finally, without her help, we would have never gotten this far. We would have never have found the ship, or have been raised when Jesse blasted us to kingdom come. She has helped us in order to save this world."
He seems very pissed at this point.
"I will not deny that, all I am saying is that Hectate's orientation may be why Jesse got upset, nothing less, nothing more. If I have upset you, I apologize, I neither condone or condemn your choice in worship, as long as you are fulfilled in your beliefs, that is a wonderful thing," John says, trying to calm the archmage.
Occa nods and says, "I apologize for my reaction." He takes a long sigh and says, "I have given much for this group to win. I have given years of my life that I can never get back. I have lost everything I have had on more than one occassion. Needless to say the effort has been great. To be questioned and accused has struck a bad cord with me." He shakes his head. "I am getting too old for this type of thing."
"I am hesitant to give advice to you John, but this conversation almost compels me to," Emm asserts. "John, if it is enlightment or knowledge that you seek, perhaps you will gain it faster by keeping your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Like all educators, experience cannot teach you much if you are talking."
"My job is also to teach, but I agree, silence is advised in order to learn. But to truly learn,one must be willing to share as well." John replies.
Jesse wailks to Occa and puts her hand on his shoulder. She sighs heavily. "I know you are a good man Occa, I was surprised that is all. Aside from what John has said, I have heard stories, those that Bards tell of the gods. Perhaps they are not always right. I am sorry if I have hurt you, you have always been a friend to me." She kisses the old man on the forehead, and softly says, "Thank you for helping Darian, my friend."
Occa says, "I know. I am just getting edgy. I guess it is all the work lately. I feel old and tired. I shouldn't take it out on you guys."
Jesse sighs, "It was my fault for bringing it up. For that I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt your feelings or make you mad. I hope you can forgive me." the bard says contritely.
"Of course, I do. I am not one to hold a grudge."
He turns to John and says, "Despite your lack of experience, you spoke your mind. I apologize for snapping at you....this has been a long two years and I took it out on you. You should be commended for acting on what you thought was right."
"Occa, any luck in finding a potion of youth or figuring out how to transfer the aging to me? After all, being an elf, my life expectancy is longer than yours. I hate to see you aging so much..."
"I don't think that is possible."
Darian sighs. "Any way to allow me to ask for the wish? Or a wish to make yourself younger? How do Ray Jay and Stiff do it?"
"I am a rather inexperienced magi, so I can't say."
Darian sighs and nods. "Then perhaps you should hold off on any more wishes until we can confer with Ray Jay or Stiff. I don't want to see you age any more."
"Oh, and a suggestion to increasing my psionics. Try increasing my wisdom or my charisma. It'll take fewer wishes to push my abilities higher."
"I guess two more wishes won't hurt. We will have to do it in transit, though. One for each, assuming they aren't very high already."
"No, I've never been very wise or very attractive. I always wonder why Jesse's attracted to me."
"Personality, I would guess."
Darian smiles. "That's a very nice thing to say, Occa. Thank you."
"Darian and Occa, did you want to make some bombs that morning, too?"
"Varlen, why don't you enlighten us on what you've learned about the Nine Hells? With the exception of Occa, I doubt any of have been there before or know much about that plane or the devils that inhabit it."
Varlen, however, remains silent.