Diablotin 2 session 60

Diablotin 2 session logs Previous Session 60 Next

Session

Session date:

Diablotin date:

Prologue

[DiablotinNarrator] It is the beginning of Sixth-month, the start of summer in Diablotin, but the weather is anything but summery at present. It has been rainy and gloomy, the temperatures cooler than usual.

[DiablotinNarrator] Despite the weather, rebuilding efforts have begun on the Market Bridge, and continue in the fire-ravaged sections of the Place d'Iena.

[DiablotinNarrator] The Emperor has also selected a new Chief Sorceror, replacing the late Lyra Hartzell. He has bestowed the position on Loick Silveira, the youthful Duke of Brissarthe.

[DiablotinNarrator] This is a controversial choice for several reasons - because of the relatively young age of the gentleman, and because he had formerly, and against tradition, suggested himself as a candidate for Emperor, though he was not permitted to run in the end.

[DiablotinNarrator] Still, his politics are a matter of rather dubious speculation, and some whisper that if he wished to, he could bring the reign of the Cat one step closer with a wave of his hand, now that he is so close to the throne.

Guillame and Portia

[DiablotinNarrator] Guillame, it is also the month of your wedding - now just a little over two weeks away. Portia has been taking care of most of the arrangements, especially since your mother's death. She still needs to consult with you on occasion, though...

• Guillame tries to be as useful as possible
• Portia meets you for dinner one evening early in the month.

[Guillame] (Keen)

[Portia] We really ought to sort out the titles before the wedding - it will save headaches after.

• Portia says without preamble.

[Guillame] I was thinking much the same thing

[Portia] Good.

[Portia] What were your thoughts on the matter?

[Guillame] Well... initially I didn't have much of an opinion, but as I took the time to think about it, I find it's important to me to maintain the work my Father did to create a place for House Rat among the noble families.

• Portia nods, listening.

[Guillame] But I see two options to fulfil that requirement - either I retain the title and you adopt it, or I pass it directly to my sister. Which I would like to think wouldn't be a problem be she... has a lot to learn

[Guillame] . o (And her own matters to deal with)

[Portia] Yes. She's still underage, however, isn't she?

[Guillame] Yes.

[Portia] So it would be reasonable for you to continue to act as her guardian until she's fifteen - there isn't really anyone else to do it, is there?

[Guillame] No, that's true also.

[Portia] So really it would be you managing the estates, doing the day-to-day work - she would still have two years to learn the responsibilities of a Duchess.

[Guillame] If I'm honest, there are some... problems that Silvia has, which I'm not sure of how they'll resolve. She could grow out of them, or they could become permanent.

[Portia] Hm... that's rather more worrying, I agree.

[Guillame] I suppose the best solution would be that, as you suggest, I pass the title to her, act as guardian, and then we'll re-evaluate as we see how she develops.

• Portia thinks for a moment.

[Portia] The only other option I can imagine is that we could - well, you could - arrange to have the title held in trust for her when she reaches the age of adulthood. You could say it's because she's studying in the church now, if you don't want to raise any questions about her ...problems, as you say.

[Portia] If in the meanwhile we had a child, then when the time came, if you felt Silvia wasn't suited to the role, you could perhaps pass the title to our child instead.

[Portia] I don't know if that's strictly speaking legal - it would have to be approved by the Chancellor, of course.

[Guillame] That's an intriguing option - and Silvia still seems content to follow her church teachings, so it's not impossible that she'll decide to adopt that life. I'll make an appointment with the Chancellor to get her opinion on that idea.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] If she decided to pursue a career in the church and ever rose to a high rank there, she would have to give up her title in any case.

[Guillame] Yes, exactly.

[Portia] Either way, it would give us a few years to see how things go.

[Guillame] I'm so glad you made this proposal to me, Portia. You're a great friend, and I think we'll do well as a married couple - I certainly will try to be a good husband.

• Portia smiles at that.

[Portia] I know you will. And I appreciate your willingness to give this a try.

[Portia] I do think, if this works, that we should begin to try for a child immediately after. In case it takes some time...

[Portia] I know we had said we could wait, but it seems imprudent if we might have to make this decision in less than two years.

• Guillame gulps, but nods

[Guillame] That makes sense, yes.

• Portia puts a hand over yours.

[Portia] After the wedding, then, you'll make arrangements with the Lapidary - she's aware of the situation already, and she's quite happy to help us with our... situation.

[Guillame] Certainly, yes - I can make those arrangements

[Portia] Good - of course, I can't, it would sort of defeat the goal, so I'm glad you don't mind doing it yourself.

[Guillame] I don't mind at all

[Guillame] It's still a good plan

[Portia] I hope so.

• Portia seems a little tense, but smiles.

[Portia] You're... you're a good friend, Guillame. I hope we'll be happy together, however unconventional this marriage may be.

[Guillame] I'm surprisingly optimistic about it... my biggest worry is whether it will end up hurting Aden.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] He and Mlle. Rademacher will have to come to their own arrangements. I would be more concerned about her, in truth.

[Guillame] Well, yes... I'd actually been hearing similar concerns, to be honest..

[Guillame] But I meant rather that I hope he really is comfortable with the kind of life we'll all be living. As you say, it's unconventional.

• Portia nods again.

[Portia] Not unprecedented, but unusual, yes.

[Guillame] I... I'd ask you to be cautious for a while, Portia. Make sure our wedding has good security arrangments, for example.

[Portia] We can't predict what the future will bring for any of us, all of us. But if we're honest with each other, then I hope it will work out well for all concerned.

• Guillame changes the subject

[Portia] Oh.. security. I ... of course, I understand your concern.

[Guillame] I still don't know why my family were attacked.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] We'll take all the precautions we can, then.

• Guillame nods
• Portia will turn the conversation to wedding plans, then.
• Guillame will try and take it all in

Ilphere and Ruchard

[DiablotinNarrator] Ilphere, you fall asleep beside Menard, and immediately, it seems, you find yourself in Ruchard's garden, outside his house.

• Ilphere takes a second to get her bearings, then approaches the house.
• Ruchard opens the door for you, as though you were expected.

[Ruchard] Ilphere! :)

[Ilphere] Hello...!

• Ilphere waves hello.

[Ruchard] Please, come in.

• Ilphere steps inside.

[Ilphere] Thank you... how have you been...?

[Ruchard] Busy.. reading extensively. And yourself?

[Ilphere] Very busy, yes... I have had some interesting dreams, or visions, which have expanded my investigations...

[Ruchard] Oh?

• Ilphere will tell him about Thaleus...
• Ruchard listens with great interest.

[Ruchard] Fascinating! This may connect with the research I've been doing... we'll have to see.

[Ruchard] Where are my manners... can I offer you anything... a drink, or..? Forgive me, I'm not used to having visitors.

[Ilphere] Oh...! Some tea might be lovely... :)

• Ruchard leads you into the kitchen, then, and puts on some water for tea.

[Ruchard] I always knew there was something unusual about our family.

[Ruchard] I didn't expect this, I must admit.

[Ilphere] No indeed...!

• Ruchard looks as if he's considering how to begin.

[Ruchard] I was fifteen when my father told me about the Serpent and the Rat.

[Ilphere] (who was his father?)

[Ilphere] What did he say...?

[Ruchard] (someone Rademacher? you can make a K:nob roll if you like)

[Ilphere] (19)

[Ruchard] (you think his name was Tobin Rademacher)

[Ruchard] He said that the gods we worshipped weren't the only ones - that there were others that were lost.

[Ruchard] But that the knowledge of them had been handed down through our family since the time of the Founding.

[Ruchard] And that one day, they would return.

• Ilphere nods, listening raptly...

[Ruchard] I thought he was mad, but he showed me things - books, artifacts - that seemed like he might be right. Or at least, that it wasn't his own private insanity, but one he shared with his father, and his grandfather, and so on...

[Ruchard] That was before the dreams started, though.

[Ruchard] He didn't want me to go through with the testing, but I insisted. After I did, the dreams became stronger.

[Ruchard] I learned to control them - to protect myself.

[Ilphere] Your studies at the Castalia...

• Ruchard nods.

[Ruchard] This place... once I came here, I knew it was safe.

[Ruchard] There's an Arch here, of course - there is one on every plane. But somehow, it felt different here.

[Ruchard] Would you like me to show you?

[Ilphere] Oh yes... please!

• Ruchard smiles.
• Ruchard puts the tea in to steep, and then takes you out into the garden behind his home.

[DiablotinNarrator] The garden looks like autumn, with red leaves on the trees and ground, only a few flowers remaining.

[DiablotinNarrator] But at the far end of the garden, there is an arched trellis, covered with white flowers.

[DiablotinNarrator] A light breeze lifts their gentle scent to you.

[Ruchard] You see what I mean?

• Ilphere breathes deeply...

[Ilphere] Yes.... incredible...!

[Ilphere] Is there another part to it?

[Ruchard] Yes, underground.

• Ilphere nods.

[Ruchard] The roots of the plant, or at least that's how they appear.

[Ruchard] It blossoms even through the winter.

• Ruchard admires it for a moment longer, then turns to you.

[Ruchard] Our tea is probably ready by now...

• Ilphere nods.

[Ilphere] Yes, of course...

• Ilphere tears her eyes away from the trellis.

[Ruchard] Your dream provides more information about this ... this knowledge that seems to have descended through our family.

• Ruchard says as you walk back into the house.

[Ruchard] At least, that seems the most likely explanation.

[Ilphere] Some of my associates have suggested that the jug I saw in my dream may reference an actual artifact... we are going to try and find it, if it exists, and use a bardic spell to gather more information...

[Ruchard] Hm, interesting. I would be curious to hear what you learn, if you're successful.

[Ruchard] But it could as easily be symbolic.

[Ilphere] Well, if we do find anything I will certainly share it...! :)

[Ruchard] A vessel for blood - a person... a family.

[Ruchard] So, it seems there was a bargain made in the earliest days of the city, before it could even reasonably call itself an Empire.

[Ruchard] Made with, I can only presume, our ancestor.

[Ilphere] Yes... Laeken.

• Ruchard nods.

[Ruchard] And for a time, the knowledge of the Serpent and the Rat must have been widespread, but after a time - perhaps about the time of Patriarch Thaleus - it vanished, or became confined only to our family.

[Ruchard] Perhaps the worship was passed down too, but by my day, it had become .. an academic knowledge only, at least as far as I know.

[Ruchard] After I ... left, I don't know who the knowledge was passed to.

[Ruchard] Perhaps no one, I'm not sure. Perhaps it died out with me... :/

[Ilphere] There are those who wish to restore the serpent...

[Ruchard] From our family?

[Ilphere] Mostly not, no...

• Ruchard seems a bit puzzled.

[Ruchard] If the terms of the bargain were no longer upheld, I wonder what the consequences would be.

[Ilphere] Most of them are descended from the group that moved the Arch some ... 50 years ago?

[Ruchard] Hm.

• Ruchard sips his tea.

[Ilphere] Do you know what the terms were...?

[Ilphere] I tried to ask Thaleus in my dream, but it was... not entirely helpful.

[Ruchard] Well, you said Thaleus told you it was "to preserve what little could be saved, within a human bloodline", is that correct?

[Ruchard] So perhaps it was this knowledge, which we carried down through the centuries.

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] But to what end..?

[Ruchard] The Serpent had been ... trapped? attacked, perhaps harmed...

[Ruchard] Perhaps it was our responsibility to keep its name alive, until it returned.

[Ilphere] Perhaps...

• Ilphere mulls...

[Ilphere] But in the meantime it seems to have become unbalanced...

• Ruchard nods.

[Ruchard] I sensed that when I passed through the Arch. This ... entity seemed different than I had expected.

[Ruchard] Threatening.

[Ruchard] And I felt as though it had... gotten inside me, somehow, after that.

[Ilphere] Those in the group I spoke of hope to restore its balance.

• Ruchard nods.

[Ilphere] Perhaps... perhaps the true blood has a role to play in that?

[Ruchard] Perhaps so.

[Ruchard] But by now, the bloodline must be so diffuse...

[Ruchard] I don't know.

[Ilphere] Nor I do...

[Ilphere] (do I)

[Ilphere] I do know that I felt... different after drinking from the vessel...

[Ruchard] Different? How?

• Ilphere thinks for a moment...

[Ilphere] (while I check something :p)

[Ilphere] I'm not sure...

[Ilphere] Just that... something has changed within me.

[Ruchard] I felt something like that, after passing through the Arch. I don't know if it's the same or not.

[Ruchard] Be careful, in any case, Ilphere.

[Ruchard] You are dealing with matters that may be beyond human knowledge...

[Ilphere] I will...

[Ilphere] there is one other thing I wanted to mention...

[Ruchard] Yes?

[Ilphere] A group of us are considering returning to Imraen's dream, to speak to her about some of these matters...

[Ruchard] Ah... yes?

[Ilphere] We are of course, concerned about the loss of self that happened the last time.

• Ruchard says warily.

[Ruchard] Indeed... while you might be all right, as your skills have grown since then, I would be concerned about your companions.

[Ilphere] I am more confident in my own ability to retain my faculties... yes, exactly.

[Ilphere] I wondered if perhaps you might have any advice... or be if you might even be able to help guide a small party, if we were to meet in a less hostile dream environment...

[Ruchard] If you decide to go, please tell me - I'll accompany you there, and perhaps I can assist if anything goes amiss.

• Ruchard nods.

[Ruchard] Perhaps meeting here might be safe.

[Ruchard] If you can bring them... I don't know.

• Ruchard ponders.

[Ilphere] It was a thought I had just now... I will think on it further.

[Ruchard] As will I - I do believe that if I was with you, I might be able to shield your companions from the influence of her will.

[Ilphere] Would it be possible for you to find us in the dreams of one of my companions, were I to cast Dream Walk on them?

[Ruchard] Yes, perhaps - if I knew who I was looking for.

• Ilphere nods thouhghtfully.

[Ilphere] I will speak to them soon, then...

[Ruchard] Very well.

[Ilphere] Thank you very kindly...!

[Ruchard] She's powerful within her own realm, but my powers extend between dream-worlds, so I think I can handle her if she tries to cause trouble.

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] That is very reassuring..!

[Ruchard] Thank you as well, Ilphere - you've given me much to think about.

• Ruchard bids you farewell, then.

[Ilphere] We will speak again soon...!

• Ilphere will be off, then.

[Ruchard] I hope so.

Alme and Reverend Father Theron

• Reverend_Father receives you at the appointed time, Alma.
• Alma has brought Danyel to the team meeting ^_^

[Alma] Good morning, Reverend Father :)

[Reverend_Father] Good morning, Sister Alma, Ser Danyel.

• Reverend_Father seems older than the last time you saw him, more drawn.

[Alma] I hope you're doing well. We were both very sorry to hear about your loss. :(

[Reverend_Father] Thank you. I'm as well as can be expected, I suppose.

• Alma nods.

[Alma] Well, you are in our prayers. :)

[Reverend_Father] Thank you - I appreciate it.

• Alma will sum up some of her earlier reports, in case he has any questions: meeting with Adrius, and Corwen; briefly the story of Brother Phineas' murder, though it's not entirely church affairs.
• Reverend_Father listens, makes notes as appropriate, etc.
• Alma will also mention that the others made contact with the Shadar-kai, and those details.

[Alma] I also recently chose to Commune with Owl, to mixed results, of my own fault.

• Alma provides a copy of the questions and answers.

[Alma] I have asked Vianca Belden to arrange a meeting with Rab to tell him.

[Reverend_Father] Communing is always difficult - it's often only after you've asked the question that you realize it wasn't really what you needed to ask.

[Alma] (tell him about X results, forgot I didn' explicitly sum up the Belden part)

[Alma] I hope he takes it well...

• Reverend_Father nods.

[Alma] You may be surprised by the last two questions...

[Alma] I was recently informed by Ms Ysabeau Chanuier that an acquaintance of hers among the Revelators told her about four fiends who were living among us...

• Reverend_Father listens attentively.
• Alma tells him of the four. "... the last one alleged to be the mistress of Reverend Mother Esmena."

[Reverend_Father] ...

[Alma] I attempted True Seeing at the celebration for the new Hall of Worthies, and was only able to confirm that Rouillard is in fact a succubus.

[Alma] So I attempted to confirm this information during my Communion, but the responses are ... ambiguous.

[Reverend_Father] The Reverend Mother is a private person - I have never met her... mistress, as you say.

• Reverend_Father seems a little discomfited by the idea that she *has* a mistress, in fact.

[Alma] I have no idea whether the allegations are true in any way...

[Alma] The responses could mean that she is not a fiend, even if she is her ... acquaintance. Or that if she does know a fiend that it is for ... research...

• Reverend_Father nods slowly.

[Alma] I felt it was time to bring this to your attention, since I have confirmed the allegation with regards to Rouillard, and I'm ... not sure how to investigate this "Diamond", as True Seeing cannot pass through a Scry...

• Alma is as awkward as the Reverend Father.

[Reverend_Father] ...

[Reverend_Father] Well, certainly it would be inappropriate for you to .. engage her services in order to examine her.

[Alma] .oO( He did not seriously say that out loud. )

• Reverend_Father totally did, but looks horribly awkward.

[Alma] I will continue to look into the remaining three as I think of ways to do so.

[Reverend_Father] Perhaps someone trusted... I don't know who that might be.

• Alma nods.
• Alma also mentions the plane-touched bit for Nash, Belden and Deverara.

[Reverend_Father] This Evalier Moncaire, he was employed by the late Chief Sorceror?

[Alma] Yes, I had hoped to see him at the celebration... and I wasn't able to free up time in the wake of her passing to try to get into the late Chief Sorceror's offices to attempt True Seeing.

• Reverend_Father nods.

[Reverend_Father] I had wondered about her death - surely if anyone was able to escape that... disaster, it would have been her.

[Alma] I admit that with how everything seems to be so interconnected these days, that I had considered the same.

[Reverend_Father] Now I worry that perhaps he was involved somehow.

[Reverend_Father] If that is the case, it may be difficult to locate him now.

[Alma] I don't see how it would benefit, necessarily, unless she found out somehow.

[Reverend_Father] It depends on her place in the larger picture, I suppose.

[Alma] I would like to volunteer, if the Church choses to take action against Rouillard. I'm not sure if that would be handled by us, or passed on?

[Reverend_Father] If removing her was useful for some reason - because of something she knew, or because it would allow her position to be filled by another... I don't know.

[Reverend_Father] I will bear that in mind, Sister. Your offer is appreciated.

[Alma] (sec phone)

• Alma reports on what Earric said about Angels.

[Alma] Whether or not that's true...

[DiablotinNarrator] (sorry, what exactly?)

[Alma] (I'll have to go look and see what Sanadhil told me)

[Alma] (sec)

[Alma] (([Sanadhil] he calimed that those that were not destroyed by the gods were forced out of the center, where they were captured by the forces of... hell, I suppose? And transformed into deaemons, either by choice or force.))

[Alma] Mr. Orecalo asked me if they could be "fixed" in some way.

[Reverend_Father] How could they be?

[Alma] It's suggested that Kavreshar was once an angel.

[Alma] I'm not sure, but if they were once corrupted, could they not be redeemed?

[Reverend_Father] Even if they could be, it would be the gods' choice, not ours.

[Alma] Perhaps... but it may still start with some... long hidden desire for their old life?

[Alma] Anyhow, I was not able to ask that question during my communion, as Mr. Orecalo had hoped...

[Reverend_Father] Desire is not enough to make up for years, centuries of evil.

• Alma nods.

[Alma] I imagine they would not want forgiveness from the Seven, anyhow.

[Reverend_Father] Perhaps not, no.

[Alma] If it's not all a tale for Mr. Orecalo's benefit

• Reverend_Father nods.

[Alma] The last thing I wanted to mention was that we have confirmed that it is Theonée who is The One that they are looking for, as the final piece of that omen has been solved.

[Reverend_Father] How so?

[Alma] Reverend Father Velten has asked me to keep the identity in confidence, but we have identified the child of Butler Belden and Theonée Deverara.

[Reverend_Father] I see...

[Alma] Martan Olivier is the one reborn, Althea the one failed, Tristane the one chosen.

[Reverend_Father] (Kizer?)

[Alma] Sorry, Martan Kizer.

• Reverend_Father nods.

[Alma] I think that's everything ... -_-

[Reverend_Father] Thank you for your information, Sister, it's very valuable. I will keep you informed if we decide to move against the entities you have mentioned.

[Alma] You're welcome, Reverend Father.

[Alma] It's possible that Earric or even Rouillard might have more information about the what happened...

• Alma also asks about the expedition -_-

Ysabeau and Tiphaigne

• Tiphaigne is doing some work in the Society's library one day, Ysabeau, if you want to talk to him.

[Ysabeau] (sec, trying to find the name etc.)

[DiablotinNarrator] (http://wiki.rocksfall.org/rocksfallwiki/Diablotin_2_session_56#Ysabeau.2C_Alma_and_Danyel)

[DiablotinNarrator] (I assume is what you're looking for)

[Ysabeau] (thanks)

• Ysabeau greets Tiphaigne cheerfully.

[Tiphaigne] Ah, good afternoon, Mlle. Chanuier :)

[Ysabeau] Hello M. Deverara. How are you?

• Tiphaigne is a rather fat, brown-haired man of around 30 years of age or so.

[Tiphaigne] Oh, quite busy. Not to busy to talk to a young lady, though ;)

• Ysabeau laughs.

[Ysabeau] What are you working on?

• Ysabeau asks brightly.

[Tiphaigne] A new play...

[Tiphaigne] well, I hope it will turn into one, at any rate.

[Ysabeau] Oooooh - any singing parts?

[Tiphaigne] There might be - are you interested? :)

[Ysabeau] Always. I love the stage. :)

[Ysabeau] And the bouquets from admirers after the performance. ;D

• Tiphaigne chuckles at that.

[Tiphaigne] Well, I might be persuaded to put a singing part in just for you, then.

[Ysabeau] Don't feel obliged if it changes your play too much.

[Tiphaigne] There's hardly any play there yet. Mostly just notes.

[Ysabeau] I'm a performer though - got to keep my eyes and ears open for any opportunities that may come up.

• Tiphaigne nods.

[Ysabeau] Oh, it's in the very early stages then?

• Ysabeau will ask what he's thinking it might be about.

[Tiphaigne] Yes, still doing the background research really.

[Tiphaigne] Something about Empress Temoura. Such a fascinating character...

[Ysabeau] (K:H and/or K:N - who's she?)

[Ysabeau] ( and what is she famous for?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (http://wiki.rocksfall.org/rocksfallwiki/Temoura_Wrenn)

[Ysabeau] Oh yes, she is pretty interesting, isn't she? A strong woman.

• Tiphaigne nods enthusiastically.

[Tiphaigne] And of course, as she lived so long ago and we know fairly little about her personally, I'm free to make up whatever seems most interesting ;)

• Ysabeau laughs again.

[Ysabeau] Clever playwright.

• Ysabeau will indulge his interest in Temoura for a while, conversing brightly about her.
• Ysabeau will go on to Rosyvor once he seems to be done.

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok... go ahead)

[Ysabeau] Oh, say, have you ever been to Rosyvor?

• Ysabeau asks during a lull in the conversation.

[Tiphaigne] Certainly - my family's estate is near there. I've been many times.

[Tiphaigne] Why do you ask?

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] I've been trying to track down a fellow named Renald Underdown... my last lead on his whereabouts said he might be a servant there.

• Tiphaigne smiles.
• Ysabeau will SM from here on in since I've been forewarned about Tiphaigne possibly being hazardous.

[Tiphaigne] I hope he didn't break your heart and then run off :)

[Ysabeau] No, nothing like that.

[Ysabeau] (28, just to watch his body language etc and make sure he’s not getting shifty on me)

• Ysabeau smiles.
• Tiphaigne is more flirty than shifty, you think.

[Ysabeau] (for now! ;) )

[Ysabeau] No... my sister's friend left some things in our keeping, then got her throat slit, about a year ago.

[Tiphaigne] Oh, how awful.

[Ysabeau] I've been trying to track down her living relatives to pass her things on to them.

• Tiphaigne nods.

[Ysabeau] He's the only one I've got left, if he's even alive.

[Tiphaigne] I seem to recall there was a fellow named Renald who worked in my family's stables when I was young. I'm afraid I don't recall his last name, though, and I'm not sure if he's still there.

[Ysabeau] Oh, that's too bad. :/

[Ysabeau] Is there any way you could find out for me?

[Tiphaigne] Certainly - my father's factor there should know all the staff, I can drop him a line and ask.

[Ysabeau] Thank you *so* much! I really appreciate this.

[Ysabeau] I'll be so relieved when I've discharged my obligations to her family.

[Tiphaigne] Not in the least. Perhaps, as thanks, you might join me for dinner :)

[Ysabeau] (Dinner and bed, as usual?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (well, that could be the implication, yes...)

[DiablotinNarrator] (but maybe he just means dinner)

• Ysabeau smiles charmingly.

[Ysabeau] I'm afraid that my beau might take exception to me going out with other men.

[Tiphaigne] Ah, that's quite understandable.

[Tiphaigne] Another time, perhaps :)

[Ysabeau] Perhaps.

• Ysabeau smiles again.

[Ysabeau] As a thank you, though - my quartet and I could possibly play for a party if you're planning one sometime in the near future?

[Tiphaigne] That might be a lovely idea - I'll certainly keep it in mind.

[Tiphaigne] I'll let you know once I hear back from Rosyvor, then, Mlle. Chanuier.

[Ysabeau] Thank you, M. Deverara. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

• Tiphaigne nods politely.
• Tiphaigne goes back to his research, then.
• Ysabeau will go look up Deverara genealogies.

[DiablotinNarrator] (anything in particular you're looking for?)

[Ysabeau] (Althea Deverara... Martan Olivier DOES look suspiciously like Martan Kizer. But I know who both of his parents are, and who Theonee's mother is, and to a certain extent, whose Butler's are. Althea is the mysterious one.)

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok, I can send you info about that in an email most easily I think)

[Ysabeau] (thanks)

[Ysabeau] (I'll look for Theonee's father's identity while I'm at it, because I don't have it... sorry)

Sanadhil and Earric

[DiablotinNarrator] San, you drop by Phedre's place for a chat with Earric...

• Sanadhil has backup plans to use the library if he isn't being coperative ;)
• Earric is lounging in the library, in fact.

[Sanadhil] (Is phedre home, as far as I know)

[Sanadhil] (?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (no, she's out atm)

[Sanadhil] Good afternoon...

[Earric] Oh, hello.

[Sanadhil] pleasant to see you as well.

• Earric looks bored, but perks up a bit when he sees you.
• Earric tosses aside the book he was looking at.
• Sanadhil smiles somewhat guardedly

[Earric] What brings you here?

[Sanadhil] I was hoping I might have an opportunity to ask you a few things.

[Earric] Oh, certainly. I'm always happy to entertain you.

[Sanadhil] You don't seem to be terribly otherwise engaged at the moment, in any case.

• Sanadhil smirks.

[Sanadhil] Indeed.

[Sanadhil] I know Phedre has already asked you about Emkatheon

• Earric gestures to the armchair across from the one in which he sprawls.

[Earric] Mm-hmm.

• Sanadhil sits
• Sanadhil is dressed elf casual today, for the record, in black trouseres and a long rich blue shirt that closes in the front with a series of frog clasps

[Sanadhil] I'm still curious to hear what you knew about it - him?

• Earric shrugs at that.

[Earric] It, him, her... those terms don't really apply.

• Sanadhil nods

[Earric] I suppose Emkathon was more often female, but only because that's what humans seemed to expect from her.

• Sanadhil nods

[Earric] Mercy - it's such a female sort of thing, you know.

• Earric says with a little smirk.

[Sanadhil] So they say.

[Sanadhil] She, then, for simplicity's sake... She was some kind of counterpart to kavreshar?

• Earric nods.

[Sanadhil] Were there only the two - justice and mercy?

[Earric] They were the most ... exalted. There were others, but lesser ones.

[Sanadhil] what was their relationship to each other?

[Earric] They were the co-created, firstborn... you could think of them as twins, if you like, it's as good a term as any.

[Sanadhil] I've heard it hypothesize that they were meant to balance each other

[Earric] If you can say that one side of a coin balances the other.

• Sanadhil looks thoughtful for a moment

[Sanadhil] some might argue that they balance the coin.

[Earric] Yes, that's it.

• Earric looks pleased with you.

[Sanadhil] So with Emkathon destroyed.... Vrag is unbalanced?

[Sanadhil] or do they have any effect on the serpent?

[Earric] It could be.

• Earric 's fingers lazily stroke the leather of the chair arm.

[Sanadhil] Hmm.

[Sanadhil] Do you know if Emkathon played any role in Am?

[Earric] She was busy elsewhere.

• Earric says with a little smile.

[Sanadhil] oh?

• Earric pats the arm of his chair.

[Earric] Come sit at my feet and I'll tell you where she was.

• Sanadhil sighs/frowns

[Sanadhil] How was she seen by the Shadar Kai here?

[Earric] As a weakness.

[Sanadhil] and Kavreshar?

[Earric] As a threat.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Sanadhil] Do you think he was changed at all, after Am?

[Earric] Kavreshar? I don't think it troubled him, if that's what you mean.

[Sanadhil] Not troubled, no. Maybe.... encouraged?

• Earric considers, still idly patting the arm of his chair.

[Earric] It was his task. I suppose it might have been... satisfying for him.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] What did they think of the demonic onfluence on the Shadar kai worship?

[Earric] I can't imagine they approved.

[Sanadhil] but they didn't interfere.

[Earric] They used words, first. If there had been more time, they might have resorted to other methods.

[Sanadhil] but the Gods took things into their own hands before then.

• Earric nods.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Sanadhil] did they target Emkathon? Or was Kavreshar harder for them to catch?

• Earric waits, tapping his fingers.

[Sanadhil] fine.

[Sanadhil] if you want to bargain, then...

[Earric] I do enjoy it.

[Sanadhil] If you answer my questions today, I will show you something that i'm sure you will be excited by.

[Earric] Oh?

• Earric looks intrigued at that.
• Sanadhil just smiles

[Earric] Is it something I just get to see, or is there more than that?

• Sanadhil considers

[Sanadhil] We'll see how cooperative you are.

• Earric chuckles.

[Earric] You do so love being in control, don't you.

[Sanadhil] Don't you?

[Sanadhil] Where was Emkathon when Am was destroyed?

[Earric] She was at Gsran - for those who survived.

[Sanadhil] but you don't know what they did to merit retribution?

[Earric] One thing I do know - they divided their attention.

[Sanadhil] between what?

[Earric] Between their god and their ancestors.

[Sanadhil] the totems?

• Earric nods.

[Earric] I don't think that alone was enough, though. I don't know what the last straw was.

[Sanadhil] Did they give them power?

• Earric nods again.

[Sanadhil] or did they have it in and of themselves?

[Sanadhil] I see.

[Earric] They imbued them... fed them... I don't know how to describe it.

[Sanadhil] drew the power from the stars...

• Sanadhil says half to himself

[Sanadhil] and After Am, the tottems came and challened what they found and overtook the Center...

[Earric] The Serpent was... weaker. They grew stronger.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] what do you know of other demons in the city?

[Earric] We don't have a social club or exchange correspondence, but I know they're there.

[Sanadhil] do you know if any of them are involved.... in the cult, or with Kavreshar?

[Earric] Not with the cult directly. Peripherally, though...

[Sanadhil] what does that mean?

[Earric] Involved with people who are involved? Like me, say.

[Sanadhil] who are they?

[Earric] Esmena has a ... friend, a young lady.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Sanadhil] . o O (You said you didn't know about her....)

• Sanadhil loks as though something has just occured to him
• Earric arches a curious eyebrow.

[Sanadhil] Is there something in the ritual that Phedre performs that prevents those who join the cult from being bound to you? Or are they?

[Sanadhil] The others.

[Earric] That's something I have to do myself.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] Wwell then.

[Sanadhil] Do any of these others share your particular heritage?

[Earric] Not that I'm aware of.

[Earric] But I wouldn't necessarily know...

• Sanadhil nods

[Earric] So when do I get my reward for all of this valuable chitchat?

[Sanadhil] do you know if any of them have any links to Kavreshar?

[Earric] Mmm.. they could. He probably also has the ability to summon up extra help as needed, though.

[Sanadhil] hmm

[Sanadhil] *(sec looking something up)

• Sanadhil regards Earric to decide if he is being less cooperative to be petulant or if he doesn't really know, or is just lying

[Sanadhil] (I assume he is as inscrutable as ever though)

• Earric might be waiting on a answer to his question about when he gets paid ;)

[Sanadhil] (yeah that was what I meant ;)

[Sanadhil] After I'm through with this line of questioning.

[Earric] (he could def. be withholding until he gets an answer)

[Earric] Then yes - I think some of them are.

[Sanadhil] which ones?

[Earric] I don't know what names they're using here - the one who looks like a scribe or some such, at least. The redhead is most likely working to his own goals, though I'm sure Kavreshar could call on him for help if need be.... they'd come to some sort of arrangement, anyway.

[Earric] As for the pretty girl... I couldn't say. She might be independent.

• Earric says with a slight smile.

[Sanadhil] Those are not the most helpful descriptions.

• Sanadhil says dryly

[Sanadhil] the pretty girl is the revrand's companion?

[Earric] I do apologize. As I said, we don't normally get together for tea.

• Earric looks puzzled at that.

[Earric] I was thinking of the one at the palace - the musician.

[Sanadhil] ahhh....

[Sanadhil] of course

[Earric] I suppose there are a great number of pretty girls. I apologize.

• Earric says more sincerely.
• Sanadhil just nods

[Sanadhil] are any of the others likely to be ...contextually dangerous?

• Earric chuckles.

[Earric] 'Contextually dangerous'?

[Earric] Any of them could probably kill you - or make a good effort at it, anyway.

[Earric] They'd have to have a good reason to, though.

[Earric] Under cover like this, they won't want to ruin it unless they have to.

[Earric] Worry more about the ones you don't know.

[Sanadhil] I was thnking more about whether they would care to involve, or risk, themselves in regard to the matters of kavreshar or the Serpent, should there be any real conflict

• Earric shrugs.

[Sanadhil] right.

[Earric] I suspect that most of them would stay out of it, unless they saw some profit to joining in... even then, though, loyalty isn't our strong suit ;)

[Sanadhil] you don't say.

• Sanadhil says dryly.
• Earric just smiles.

[Sanadhil] alright then.

• Earric perks up a little.
• Sanadhil will try to maintain his air of confidence as he starts to undo the first couple clasps of his shirt

[Earric] Good start, anyway.

[Sanadhil] mm-hmm.

• Sanadhil will undo it about half-way, and show off his gift from Dozilva
• Earric sits up straighter, leans in to look.

[Earric] You little tart.

• Earric says admiringly.
• Sanadhil will let him look clos*er*

[Earric] When did you get that?

[Sanadhil] A month or so ago.

[Sanadhil] maybe two?

• Earric reaches out a hand to touch it.
• Sanadhil narrows his eyes slightly but will allow it for now.

[Earric] Did you do it yourself? or did someone do it for you...

• Earric says, giving it a little flick.
• Sanadhil straightens his shirt

[Sanadhil] That's not any of your concern.

[Earric] I just want to know how to picture it. If you won't tell me, I'll imagine you doing it to yourself ;)

[Sanadhil] whatever you like.

• Earric slides his hand down your torso to your waist.

[Sanadhil] That's enough.

[Earric] Enough for you, maybe.

• Sanadhil sits back a little further, removing Earric's hand

[Sanadhil] (or trying anyway)

• Earric takes his hand off, but stands and comes over to you.
• Sanadhil stands also, then and starts to do up the clasps

[Earric] Not yet.

• Earric half-orders, half-begs.

[Sanadhil] You don't have limits. I can hardly use your desire of a gauge of ...fairness.

[Earric] So give me everything, and we don't have to play this game anymore.

[Sanadhil] No?

• Earric smiles.

[Sanadhil] Maybe I like the game.

• Earric laughs softly.

[Earric] Do you like it because it lets you feel like you've won?

• Earric slides his hand under your shirt again.

[Sanadhil] It is a pleasant -

• Sanadhil grabs his hand.

[Sanadhil] illusion ]:|

[Earric] One of these days, I might not feel like playing any longer.

• Earric grabs you by the back of the neck, pulling you close.
• Sanadhil freezes when he says that, and tries to slip away

[Earric] (what's your Str? ;)

[Sanadhil] (8 :p)

[Sanadhil] (but my dex is 12!)

[Sanadhil] (I lie - dex is 16)

[Earric] (you can slip out of his grip - but you think he might have let you go)

[Earric] Did you have any more questions for me today?

• Earric says, casual once more.
• Sanadhil takes a moment to compose himself, and finish fixing his shirt

[Sanadhil] Do you think I'm only playing against you?

[Earric] You're playing against the entire world.

[Sanadhil] I think we're through for the day. Thank you, M. Boyne.

• Earric waves a hand dismissively.
• Sanadhil will aim for a graceful exit
• Earric turns and walks over to look out the window, so he probably doesn't see it.

[Sanadhil] (fine with me :x)

Seth and Cornelia

• Cornelia will receive Seth in her office.
• Seth is generally clean, clean-shaven, and dressed according to his station these days, today being no exception.

[Seth] Good afternoon, Warlord.

[Seth] I thank you for your forebearance, and apologize for not having spoken to you sooner.

[Seth] Much has happened these past two months.

[Cornelia] Indeed - we've all been busy.

[Seth] I wanted to report to you on my findings, both with Raimar Langevin and with ... another excursion of some significance.

[Cornelia] Certainly. Have a seat, and tell me what you've learned.

• Seth sits.

[Seth] I spoke to Raimar a short time after meeting with you, perhaps a week or so, and he told me some things of great interest ... including things about you.

[Cornelia] Oh?

• Cornelia looks intrigued at that.

[Seth] He told me that at the time of Empress Tristane's seclusion, none of the three candidates were marked by the Arch, and that you chose Tristane from among the three of them.

[Seth] Can this be true?

• Cornelia laughs.

[Cornelia] Just because he couldn't see the mark, doesn't mean it wasn't there.

[Seth] That isn't an answer.

[Cornelia] I assure you, she was marked.

[Seth] Fair enough.

[Seth] We also had a very interesting discussion about Althea's pregnancy.

[Seth] He doesn't know, or claims not to know, who the father is.

[Cornelia] If *she* didn't know, I don't know why he would.

[Seth] Do you know?

[Cornelia] No. Not my concern.

[Seth] I suppose it is irrelevant to the questions that interest you, but given the interest in Theonee now, it would seem like a relevant fact.

[Cornelia] It might be relevant, or might not.

[Seth] (is she being evasive?)

[Seth] (sm 29)

[Cornelia] As I have no way of learning the answer, short of opening Althea's legitimization file, I try not to worry about it.

[Seth] There is a file?

[Seth] Who keeps it?

[Cornelia] The Chancellor, of course. She is in charge of all matters related to the inheritance of titles, the legitimization of heirs, and so forth. So you can see why no one's gained access to it.

[Cornelia] If it would potentially disinherit her, she has every reason to keep it tightly hidden. If she hasn't destroyed it, that is.

[Seth] Hm. Well, that is a strange irony. Do you have any reason to think that she is doing so? Certainly Chancellors before her have said no such thing.

[Cornelia] Why is it strange?

[Seth] Strange that of all the people who would be chosen as Chancellor, it would be she.

[Cornelia] Heh. Well, perhaps so.

[Seth] In any case, I will follow up with Raimar in the future, but since then, I have been party to a much stranger discussion.

[Cornelia] And what was that?

[Seth] I and some of my compatriots recently met with a scholar from the Shadow Plane, an expert on matters relating to the Shadar-kai and their history.

[Cornelia] Oh? Very interesting.

[Seth] It seems that the Shadar-kai arch, known to them as the Well, has been damaged for over two thousand years, and was the original motivation for the invasion of this world.

[Cornelia] The fact that their own such device was damaged?

[Seth] Yes, perhaps.

[Seth] The damage was apparently done by a group of anti-theists, who felt that the power of their deity was too great and unknowable.

[Cornelia] Interesting...

• Cornelia chuckles at that.

[Seth] These anti-theists are apparently numerically vastly predominant today, although there are still a handful who hold to the old faith, or a version of it.

• Cornelia nods.

[Seth] Strange parallel, don't you think - here, the arch is damaged by theists, but similarly, to effect political change.

[Seth] In Sarasagel, like in Diablotin, the Well was a source of power in terms of monarchic succession.

[Cornelia] There are always those who are afraid of things they don't understand - or who think they can control things they don't understand.

[Seth] Are we not so ourselves, Warlord?

[Cornelia] Indubitably so.

[Cornelia] At least, one or the other. Perhaps both - I don't know about you.

[Seth] I feel that I understand so little about this - angels and demons, Serpents and totem spirits, Arches and wells damaged and destroyed.

[Seth] And yet I know vastly more than virtually everyone else in the city.

[Seth] So what does that say about anyone else?

[Cornelia] Well, almost everyone else isn't involved in this.

[Cornelia] So their ignorance is likely to have little impact.

[Seth] What are your feelings about the gods, Warlord? Do we serve them, ultimately, or the Center? Or can we even make that distinction any longer?

[Cornelia] We, you and I? We, this entire society?

[Cornelia] We, humanity?

[Seth] You and I. Everyone else, right now, is on their own.

[Cornelia] I can really only speak for myself. I don't serve the gods. I serve the Centre. I believe there's a difference between the two, but ... it can be difficult to perceive, at times.

[Seth] Can what the gods want be wrong? They wanted the Reverend Mother Pasith to do what she did fifty years ago, but now we seek to reverse it.

[Cornelia] The gods are entities - not like us, but with motives and desires of their own nevertheless. And yes, I think that what they want can be wrong, by absolute standards.

[Seth] So perhaps you are also an antitheist, only one seeking the restoration of the Arch, not its destruction.

• Cornelia smiles at that.

[Cornelia] Perhaps I am, at that.

[Seth] It seems, at any rate, that the dreaming Queen Imraen was an antitheist, brough as an infant from Saraknyel to the Shadow Plane. Her name, taken at adulthood, means 'devoted to the void, sacred to the void'

[Seth] Or so it is said.

• Cornelia nods, listening.

[Seth] How that relates to what happened here, at the time when humans of the tribes conquered, I cannot say. I am not a historian of that period. But my compatriots and I are thinking of two further expeditions to clarify the matter.

[Seth] First, we are thinking of going to visit the tombs of the founders, given some information that might shed some light on our deep history.

[Cornelia] I see...

[Seth] And also the grave of the Patriarch Thaleus. I am not certain of all the details, but the knowledge we seek is to help us resolve some of these thorny issues.

[Cornelia] Well, if you learn anything of import, you will let me know, I trust?

[Seth] Obviously we would formally seek Imperial consent before embarking on such a task.

[Cornelia] Certainly.

[Seth] And of course, Warlord, I share what I learn with you, because you have not yet given me reason not to.

[Cornelia] You probably also need church approval, at least for the Patriarch's tomb.

[Seth] I believe that Sister Alma is already seeking such permission.

• Cornelia nods.

[Cornelia] Very good, then.

[Seth] The second expedition is potentially even more revelatory - a second trip to the Shadow Plane.

[Seth] I for one would like to know, not only if we can discern the location of the Shadar-kai Well, but also, I have not forgotten my interest in the golems of the city, and their possible whereabouts.

[Cornelia] I think examining this 'Well', if it can be located, would be most useful.

[Seth] Indeed, we might learn more about it than we did at Gsran.

[Cornelia] Its condition might inform our own Arch's.

[Seth] Perhaps so.

[Cornelia] If it was damaged similarly... was anything trapped inside it?

[Seth] I do not know, although the tale our scholar told us was complex and filled with material about factions, demons, and other entities. I would not rule it out.

[Seth] Certainly if we go, we will not go undefended!

[Cornelia] Very prudent.

[Cornelia] I wished to inform you of some progress on a matter we had discussed earlier as well.

[Seth] Oh?

[Cornelia] The issue of securing a demon to interrogate.

[Seth] Ah! What have you learned?

[Cornelia] I have several options - I'm considering which would be least ...disruptive.

[Seth] Where is your demon? And who is your demon?

[Cornelia] Well, there is of course Earric Boyne - his .. wife, patron, whatever you wish to call her, might cause trouble if he was taken. So I was pleased to learn of another option - a creature disguised as a musician here at the palace.

[Seth] Really?

[Cornelia] Indeed - going under the name 'Maryse Rouillard

[Seth] How interesting ... although how exactly a position as a court musician would serve a demon's interests is not clear to me.

[Cornelia] She is entangled with one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, but the relationship doesn't seem to be serious as of yet.

[Cornelia] So he might not make a fuss if she were no longer ...available.

[Seth] Well, that is a problem that seems to be well under control, then.

[Cornelia] We'll see.

[Cornelia] Would you be willing to observe the creature for a time, see if there is anything we need to know before taking her out?

[Seth] Of course, as long as it does not interfere with my other research.

[Cornelia] At your leisure, M. Argo.

[Seth] Oh, there was one last thing I had been meaning to ask you.

[Cornelia] Yes?

[Seth] Have your eyes always been ... the way they are, even when you were a child?

[Cornelia] No... that particular trait was acquired later. At the time of the Arch's removal from the palace.

[Seth] A ... parting gift?

[Cornelia] Perhaps. Perhaps just an indication of things humans aren't meant to see.

[Seth] Do they allow you to see such things?

[Cornelia] Fortunately not!

[Seth] It would seem to attract unwanted attention, especially when you were so young.

[Cornelia] It's usually only visible in dim lighting, and I took to wearing spectacles just as a precaution.

[Seth] I see. Well, I apologize for the intrusion into what is obviously a private matter.

[Seth] I will trouble you about it no longer.

[Cornelia] No offense taken.

[Seth] Was there anything further?

[Cornelia] I don't believe so. Please inform me if you gather any useful information about "Mlle. Rouillard", or in the Shadow Plane.

[Seth] Thank you for your time, Warlord.

• Seth lingers just a moment, then prepares to depart.

[Cornelia] You're welcome, thank you Seth.

• Seth leaves.