The Collectors 3
>She sits on the ground inside Cache, staring at the 2 Collectors perched regally on the pedestal in the center of the sacred alcove. The Collectors glow oddly, emitting odd vibrations against each other ... as if to send out a warning ... She opens her tattered journal and begins taking notes, a wandering thought passing her mind as quill touches parchment
A Study of the Collectors Three
Tithe of Disciples ~ A shimmering container with a quotation etched upon it ~
"What is the nature of essence and what powers are held within? To understand this is but a first step in learning things lost." ~Prelate~
Claim of the Hoarde ~ A vessel of eerie luminescence, be speckled with glimmers of light ... Turning it slowly, an etching is seen ~
"All are due their rightful reward."
Ambient Essence ~ A talisman of pulsating powers ~
"The true meaning of Ambience and Essence, few comprehend even though they are the foundation of the DreamState. Yet it is the faith and belief that give reason to exist."
Notes:
When touched (while lying on the ground), one becomes aware of the number of Essences placed inside and the strength held within each. The Collectors were affected by the Talisman storm of late, during which nothing was learned by touching them, as was with all other Talismans. The Collectors are returned to their usual state and `seem' unaffected by this .... storm.
After applying available arts to the Collectors, most did not affect them in any way. Recharge failed, cannot be Rewoven, etc, but the Collectors can be Drained of their strength.
Without hands-on knowledge of the former House Prime Artifacts, I am led to believe the Collectors act similarly. One picks up a Collector, touches it carefully and the Collector finds and consumes all NightMare Essences into its crucible. Dreamer Essences are not consumed as well as some varieties of Dark Mare and Datoke essences. Unlike House Primes, though, the Strength can and has been used by the Protectors and the Kabal for the production of Talismans, and personal strength of the Protectors. The Protectors seem to have an intense need for the Collectors to be safely inside Cache, and with them out of their sanctity, the "Brothers" as they call themselves, are weakened and unable to perform the expansions they seek to achieve. As of late, only Zeid has been able to attain enough strength to achieve form to Dream.
>She shudders suddenly as she remembers the message Zeid brought of the danger surrounding her, looks around the sacred Cache and breathes a bit easier.
Defined Names
Claim of the Hoarde: (A demand for something due) of the (hidden accumulation).
Tithe of Disciples: (A 10th part paid or given especially given for support of something sacred) of (those who accept and help spread the teachings of another or loyal supporter).
Ambient Essence: (Surrounding) (a substance distilled or extracted from another substance and having the special qualities of the original substance).
>She feels her mind blur and fog, a sense of dread or misfortune, she sees a strong male face seemingly growing weakened as if by some outside force, shakes her head clear of the thoughts and continues, her handwriting becoming strained as if pressed for time.
Physical Findings
When I first happened upon the Hoarde, I experienced a great surge of power, not the power over something else...but a power over me. Hidden quickly, my senses regained their integrity. I have watched others who have held the Collectors, and noticed similar reactions as well as some ill effects.
The Dream came where I was confronted by Prelate to prove my faith. I responded in kind, retrieved the Hoarde from its secured location and brought it to the Cache in Evernight. I watched in amazement as the Lock was placed over the waterfall. I was mesmerized with the Key I was handed. I placed the strange crucible inside the Cache and watched as it glowed delightfully having found its sanctity.
The Tithe was soon placed inside the Ossuary's Cache, and then the Ambient Essence was found and placed into the Cache of the Lost Caves.
The City seemed to show a faint glimmer of satisfaction and began to bustle and thrive. Plans were discussed for a Fortress, a place of sanctity and beauty. We had no idea of what we would find, but the Collectors were safe, secure and in place. We brought the Essences, we stood tall against the backwash of criticism and moved forward as best we could. No Fortress was uncovered, but the fringes of a long lost ring of old, The Citadel had been unearthed.
The Caches themselves are very unique places in the City. Cache is sacred. The ones, which are locked, are sanctified and able to safely house a single Collector. It is not clear what harm has befallen the Caches since being vandalized, but having the Collectors inside the Cache seems to heal the Cache, as the Cache seems to heal the Collector. Three Collectors, three sealed Caches. Each Cache has a Protector. Idris, Rahib and Zeid are charged with the insurmountable responsibility of keeping the Cache safe from harm, against the marauding invasions of the ignorant, the curious, and the power hungry.
>She seems distracted from her journal by the deafening vibrations of the 2 Collectors sitting on the pedestal, she covers her ears a moment and tries to refocus. She walks over to the pedestal and moves the Collectors closer to eachother, the Collectors scream with an ear piercing reverberation. She is hurled backwards against the wall and crawls forward, pushing the Hoarde away from the Tithe and Staggers back to the wall, sits down and pants in exhaustion.
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