Freeing the Magdalene
We arrive in St. Marie de la Mer, and head inland to the Monastery of St. Maximin that is alluded to in Witege’s Underwater Monument to Failure, Treachery and Resignation. We ask the monks about the Magdalene, and they mention that the crypts are chock full of Basilisks. We go in with a bunch of animals and bugs who all get stoned instantly. We fight blindfolded for a bit, making or failing a poison save for each hit, all with fatal poison. After we run out of anti-venom spells we Teleport out. A short rest period later we are back, and this time we take out the two Greater Basilisks as well as a Dracolisk. Then Harald notices a guy hiding in shadows. We corner him, and he says his name is Olympiodoros. He's here for knowledge, since that often leads to treasure. He says he has been here before, and that there is a Fiery Angel in the next room. We invite him to show us, and he does after some prodding. Indeed, there is an Angel, looking a bit wet, with a fiery sword. He tells us that we cannot enter, and that he will protect this door in the name of Abraham, Arrianus, and Mohammed. This seems like a weird triology, but we figure it out later. He seems kind of pissy, so we fight him. Olympiodoros runs away during the fight. He gets his ass kicked royally, much to everyone's surprise. Mamoun manages to sever an arm and a leg, which must be rather embarressing for an Angel. We avoid a deadly invisible flower over the door, and enter a lush garden chamber. At the end there is a defaced casket with a jar near it, and a big vine growing out. Ailyll Speaks with Plants, and the vine is indeed the Magdalene. The spell runs out before we can talk much, and we rest.
Our rest is rudely interrupted by Ogrid the Alebrewer, a big guy with two badass swords and an iron crown. He calls out Mamoun as a Muslim, and accuses Harald of worshipping Loki. He speaks Norse well, and says he is from Denmark. We end up fighting, and man is he tough. Finally Olympiodoros backstabs him, and he disappears. Olympiodors fills us in on Ogrid's background. It seems he was a companion of Charlemagne, and later became a pirate. He was then enscrolled by a magical woman on an island to the West, and he slept for hundreds of years. The lady kissed his eyes, granting him sight into the hearts of men. He recently came back to France, and now serves as [Hugh Capet]]'s champion. He wields Theodoric's sword. We later scryed on him, and saw him resting on a beach.
We finish resting, and then The Magdalene Speaks. Harald follows the Magdalene's advice and sticks his hands in the jar full of bloody earth from the crucifiction. He has visions that confirm the Magdalene's words, and he feels strongly that this is the truth. Overcome by this revelation he makes everyone else do likewise, and then brings the monks to try it. Everyone is moved, though many are confused. Harald renounces Loki and embraces Chrsit. He is confessed and baptised, and the party sticks around until the entire monastery has tried it. The abbot agrees to admit anyone Harald sends to the monastery into the Magdalene's chamber, to feel the truth for themselves. We leave in our boat, off to more adventures, but with a feeling of great satisfaction and accomplishment.
