Nemnosti session 28

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Session

Session date: August 3, 2025

Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Munudend

Prologue

[NemnostiGM] That evening ...
[NemnostiGM] All right, acolytes, it will be a little different tonight, understandably. I want to tell you about my big cousin Hojon, our Lady's Taishukh, and Osper here at the iftibal. But of course he was not always those things. Before he was hengi, before he was a father, before he was even an acolyte, he was my kinsman. Just a boy. My mother and his father were brother and sister, and as you know, I was raised here. He was nine years older than me - just enough so that we were never close, but always close at hand. When I was small, he was the kind of lad who always had hard honey candies for his little cousins, even as my mother tried to keep them out of my mouth, usually without much success. I learned from him how to wedge them in my cheek so they couldn't be seen. My most powerful memory of him was at his sister's funeral. This man-boy, just finished his time as an acolyte, just a little older than you. Weeping, weeping. I was seven, but it impacted me so much. And as someone with children of my own, I think about that time often. After that, he was hard. He needed to be, I imagine. And then, during the Daghuri Plague, when he was only twenty-five, perhaps. No one was unaffected. I lost my uncle Zhinozh, my aunt Saisti. And so many little ones. It was then that he started to lead us, even though it would be years before he would assume the iftijasi. And then, after the plague had passed, and we all thought ourselves safe, his son Basobu, just a baby, again, lost. Hardness upon hardness, sedimenting as layers upon bedrock. I know, now that he is gone, you will all have known him only as the grumpy old man who speaks at Romokh. But to me, tonight, I remember the taste of honey candies, and a young man's smile.

Kuspir takes Zaren to the East Tower to interrogate him, and learns how Hojon’s dead twin Oldoka bound Zaren to aid Hojon in death

[NemnostiGM] Immediately where we left off ...
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, along with Pomirabe, you have taken your father-in-law to the East Tower directly from the iftibal. You do not know what is going on, but his invocation as he stood over the body of his dead friend and kinsman is non-negotiable.
[Pomirabe] All right, what do you need from me?
[Pomirabe] I could stay out here outside the tower.
[Pomirabe] Make sure no one comes in?
[Pomirabe] Or you want me with you?
[Kuspir] Wait outside for now. I need to speak with him alone.
* Zaren is highly agitated, tears running down his cheeks. He's barely holding himself up, and of course he is covered in his hengi's blood.
* Pomirabe nods.
[Pomirabe] I will.
* Kuspir nods and will help Zaren into the tower room.
[NemnostiGM] You take Zaren up to a holding cell on the third floor of the hexagonal tower, overlooking the Goat's Stairs and the Pardopasu.
[NemnostiGM] It's a room with chains affixed to the wall with rings, a table and chairs, but mostly this room is used for storage of supplies. There are boxes up against the northwest wall, and a small window to the southeast.
* Kuspir will guide him to sit down on one of the chairs
[NemnostiGM] There definitely is at least one other stoneguard on duty downstairs. Today, it's Rubo.
[NemnostiGM] But here, you will not be interrupted or overheard ordinarily.
* Kuspir will give him a few moments to try and collect himself, and look around for a cloth and perhaps some water that he could use to clean his hands
[NemnostiGM] Sure, you can take a minute or two to get that, although you'd need to leave him alone in the room to do it yourself, but you can get Rubo to handle it.
[Zaren] I'm sorry to have put you through this.
* Zaren is shaking, but stable, as he sits on the chair gingerly.
[Kuspir] Don't worry about me.
[Kuspir] Can you tell me what happened?
[Zaren] How much are you willing to know?
[Kuspir] Anything you can tell me. I assume you would not have invoked the code word if there was not a a good reason for it, so. Tell me what it is you wanted me to understand.
* Kuspir sits down with him.
[Zaren] The simple story, the one that will be told, is that we argued, then we fought, then I killed him. That is all true.
[Zaren] But the full story, it goes back decades. And if I tell it to you, you must swear not to tell anyone. This is you, and me. To give you understanding.
[Zaren] All the rest would be a betrayal.
[Kuspir] I will keep your confidence.
[Zaren] Good lad.
[Zaren] All right ...
* Zaren stands alert, as if decades fall off him as he sits there.
[Zaren] How much do you know about Oldoka, and her death?
[NemnostiGM] (you can make a K:local)
[NemnostiGM] (it is Nemni business)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+10
[Kuspir] (24)
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you know of course that Oldoka was Hojon's twin sister. She died when they were about 16 or so, and there was an attempt to revive her but it was unsuccessful. It is a very dark time in Nemni history and Hojon was very sensitive about it all.
[Kuspir] I know what I suppose everyone here knows, that she died when they were young and there was an unsuccessful attempt to revive her. Most people don't speak about it much, as it is a sensitive topic.
* Zaren nods.
[Zaren] That it is.
[Zaren] It was ... well, we were both sixteen. So nearly forty years ago.
[Zaren] We had finished as acolytes, figuring out what we were going to do with the rest of our lives.
* Zaren is sitting forward a little now, more animated, but as if reliving a dark time.
[Zaren] This was still when Ajemika was Osper, the first one, I mean.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] You know that Hojon and I were always close, being of the same age. And then when Ingo arrived from the city, the three of us, together, were inseparable.
[Zaren] I know you know a little of that kind of friendship.
[Zaren] It is partly why I called for you, among anyone.
[Zaren] We even thought Oldoka was going to be betrothed to Ingo, for a while. I mean, that was never Ingo's path, but still, nobles like him don't always get to choose.
* Zaren chuckles.
[Zaren] Oh, ancestors, someone is going to need to write to ... Conduit Ingo.
* Zaren becomes sombre again.
[Kuspir] I can make sure that is done.
* Zaren nods.
[Kuspir] If there is anything beyond the obvious that you want to make sure he knows, you can tell me.
[Zaren] When she died, like I say, she was sixteen. She was sick for months. It was so cruel, but so ordinary. She wasted, and then she was gone.
[Zaren] This was before the Daghuri Plague, and I think we were all just ... surprised.
[Zaren] Now, this is the part you don't know. I almost told you, once, before. And you must swear to me not to tell anyone. Not the children. No one.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I promise.
[Zaren] The official proclamation was that the hemeshor ritual failed. As it does, sometimes. But that was not the case. It did work.
[Zaren] Hojon knew that something was wrong. No one else could tell, but he knew, instantly.
[Zaren] They were twins, you know how it is with twins.
[Kuspir] What was wrong?
[Zaren] Her larynx had withered. The words were the right words, but there was nothing but a void where any hint of kindness would reside.
[Zaren] She came upon us, she attacked us. And in the end ... we killed her. We had to, or she would have killed us.
[Kuspir] You and Hojon? or others as well?
[Zaren] And Ingo.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] What happened then?
[Zaren] Ajemika Osper, in those days, was old but still very sharp. A great leader.
[Kuspir] Some others must have known - the priest who did the ritual? her other family? but perhaps all others who knew are dead now?
[Zaren] Most are dead. Others know pieces of it.
[Zaren] Deghonaina, Hojon's mother, surely, knows a lot.
[Zaren] Perhaps Kailas, though he was lost in his books, even then.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] Lots of people know a little. But as to who knows the whole truth? Very few.
[Zaren] Nemnu was supportive, in Her way. Certainly in terms of ensuring that no great consequence came upon us.
[Zaren] Since that time, though, we swore to support one another, in every way. We swore it.
* Zaren repeats, with stress.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] He was never the same after that. He was always terrified of his own death.
[Zaren] I am afraid to say that, after Zurusha died, that only became worse.
[Zaren] He became convinced that the three of us were cursed by what we had done. That it was unforgivable, a stain on the lineage. And he was terrified that when he died, the lineage was going to bring him back.
[Zaren] That was the first time I almost told you.
[Kuspir] I see... but you said there was no choice - it was kill or be killed. It is awful, but not unforgivable. At least, so it seems to me.
[Zaren] I believe that still.
[Zaren] And so did Ajemika, and Nemnu. Or else we would not be here speaking, surely.
[Zaren] It is not about what I believe, but about what he believed.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] When I asked you for advice, what was it, two or three months ago now? Things were getting bad with him.
[Zaren] He knew, he has known for a while, that this could not go on.
[Kuspir] He was not well, it was clear.
[Zaren] He was mistaking people for Oldoka. Seeing her in the faces of his own daughters and kinswomen.
[Kuspir] Ah.
[Zaren] He was getting so afraid that he was going to say the wrong thing, and the whole nasty business would be dredged up.
[Zaren] He's so proud ... was so proud.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] Zurusha, when she ... she asked so many of us to kill her, in those early days. You remember.
[Zaren] As if it would not be a life worth living.
[Kuspir] I remember.
[Zaren] So, today, he asked me to do it. To do it, and then lay him to rest.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] I fought him off, for a while. We argued.
[Kuspir] But ... surely he could have left some word, some sign, that this was something he asked of you. So that you would not bear the burden of this crime - as it will be seen.
[Zaren] As an ancestor, he can tell that part of the tale.
* Kuspir sighs
[Zaren] I called him a coward. Some of the last words I had for him, I called him a coward for not being willing to do it himself.
* Zaren begins to weep again.
[Zaren] I refused, again and again.
[Kuspir] I see... I mean, I understand why you did it, and why it transpired as it did. I am sorry that he forced your hand like this.
[Zaren] And eventually, he did what he knew I would have to respond to. He came at me. Just as she had.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] I did my duty. I gave aid to my brother. I did as he asked. I laid him to rest. And then when it was done, I called for you.
[Kuspir] What do you need me to do for you now? I will make sure you're guarded and looked after here, of course. If there are messages you need delivered - to Naka, or anyone else - I can take care of that. Do you want me to .... to speak up on your behalf, to Nemnu or anyone else?
[Zaren] Tell my family only what you need to. I don't want them doing anything stupid on my behalf.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] What I need is for you to help avoid the wrong questions being asked. Of Hojon, or anyone else.
[Zaren] I'm not sure if Izu will do the questioning, during the derdis.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] If they try to resurrect him, it will not work, but that is not so strange.
[Zaren] That should not inspire any additional attention.
[Kuspir] Would they try? I mean... without disrespect, he was unwell, and not young.
[Kuspir] But I will not say anything, of course, about that, if they do try.
[Zaren] He thought they would.
[Zaren] I am not so sure, now.
[Zaren] But I am fulfilling his wishes, even now.
* Kuspir nods
* Zaren looks over to the chains on the wall.
[Zaren] You will need to use those.
[Kuspir] I suppose.
[Zaren] It would be unseemly otherwise.
* Kuspir will chain him, reluctantly.
[Kuspir] He could have killed himself, and asked you to lay him to rest afterwards. He didn't have to do it this way. I know that you did what you felt you had to do, and I don't blame you for this. I blame him.
[Zaren] In the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
[Zaren] I don't disagree, son ... it's just that we are sworn to one another, and bound by a life taken.
[Kuspir] I will do whatever I can to make sure you are not held responsible for this, without revealing your confidences as you asked. It might be, though, that without revealing some of this information, others will not understand.
[Zaren] I was trapped between his cowardice and my honour.
* Kuspir nods
[Zaren] I know you will do what you can. That is all I can ask.
[Kuspir] I will do my best for you, father. Please... don't do anything foolish while you are here. If you take your own life, I will have to explain that to your children and I don't want to do that. I would like to keep you alive and well for as long as we can.
* Zaren nods.
[Zaren] This is a dark day. But I am not of the same organs as Hojon.
[Zaren] With my lungs and heart, I swear that you will find me here in good condition.
* Kuspir puts a hand on his shoulder to embrace him.
* Zaren trembles as he accepts your embrace.
* Kuspir will then leave, with instructions for Rubo to guard the room and make sure he has proper care - food, water, etc. as needed.
[Kuspir] (and I guess ask Pomirabe to send for the reckoner, if they haven't already done that)

Ifa works to restore order at the iftibal along with Sakasa and Ajemika

[NemnostiGM] Meanwhile, back at the iftibal ...
[NemnostiGM] Ifa, you are standing in the hengi's chambers over the dead body of your kinsman and leader, Hojon.
[NemnostiGM] Various of the Nemni are around: Sakasa, of course, who came with you. Detevus is standing guard outside the door, preventing anyone from coming in. From around the corner you can see young Fultukhari peeping inside, as if trying to figure out how to get in there. Deghonaina, Hojon's elderly mother, is weeping in the corner. And then there is little baby Multur, in his mother Afra's arms.
[NemnostiGM] Naturally, more people are beginning to congregate and you know it will not be long before this place will be a madhouse. What do you do?
[Ifa] (Where is Ajemika?)
[NemnostiGM] (Unknown)
[Ifa] Fultukhari!
* Pomirabe is now known as Fultukhari
[Fultukhari] Yes?
[Ifa] Go find Ajemika and bring her here.
[Fultukhari] Right! Got it!
* Fultukhari scampers off to do so.
[Ifa] Sakasa, we need to try to calm people down, and keep them from coming in here.
* Zaren is now known as Sakasa
[Sakasa] All right, I can help with that.
[Ifa] Afra, Deghonaina, perhaps it would be best if you didn't stay in here with him for the moment.
* Ifa tries to say as compassionately as possible.
[Sakasa] All right, everyone. What we need right now is for everyone to stay calm and not start spreading rumours.
[Sakasa] This is all going to be chaotic here, and I'm not going to lie, right now I kind of want to throw up.
[Sakasa] But what we need is for us to be Nemni, to remember that we serve Her, and that She will need us to keep up the strength of the ifti.
* Ifa nods solemnly at that.
[Ifa] (Who all else is around?)
[NemnostiGM] (other than the people I mentioned, well, other Nemni are starting to trickle into the iftibal but there isn't anyone else in the immediate vicinity.
* Sakasa will go out into the main hall to try to calm nerves, and is largely successful in doing so.
[Ifa] (I need to send for other folks if there are people who I can trust to go get them.)
* Ajemika comes in a few moments later. Her face falls as she sees her father's dead body.
[Ajemika] Ifa ... Father ...
[Ajemika] What happened?
* Ifa puts her hands on Ajemika's shoulders for a moment.
[Ifa] I'm not entirely sure, but we need to get control of the situation as best we can. **You** need to take control of the situation. Do you understand me?
[Ajemika] I understand.
* Ajemika nods, through tears.
[Ifa] I am so very sorry, and we will take the time to deal with everything, but right now, the lineage needs to see you taking charge.
[Ajemika] Right.
[Ifa] All I know right now is my father was involved somehow, and Kuspir took him into custody.
[Ifa] We need to send for Jesa, at the least, to see to...Hojon.
* Ajemika nods.
[Ifa] I would recommend sending for Alai, as I trust her investigative magics more than anyone's, but you're the...one who should make the decisions.
[Ajemika] And the Voices will need to attend to the body.
* Ajemika nods.
* Ajemika goes out into the main hall.
[Ajemika] This chamber is barred from entry. No one in or out, unless I speak it so.
* Ajemika says, pointing at the door to Hojon's chamber.
[Ajemika] Alai Vegru. Bring her here. And someone get to the temple and tell the Voice.
[Ajemika] And, bring food and watered wine. We will all need it.

Alai arrives at the scene of Hojon’s death and uses Blood Biography and Retrocognition to obtain information, and is taken over by Abyss

[NemnostiGM] All right, Alai, you are working away at your studies when you are interrupted by an acolyte who tells you that your presence is demanded at the Nemni iftibal right away.
[NemnostiGM] (in the meantime, is there anything else Ifa is doing, now that Sakasa and Ajemika have got the crowd sort of in order?)
* Alai will go, curious to the source of the summons.
[Ifa] (checking on Afra and Deghonaina, taking a look at the scene to see if there's anything strange(r that what's already happened.))
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you arrive and are hustled into the iftibal and through to the hengi's chamber. You are very rarely here, not being a Nemni yourself, as only family have unlimited privileges to be here.
[NemnostiGM] There is a strange hush across the main hall as you are brought through; it is full of sad faces and quiet weeping. You are brought through into Hojon's chamber, where Ifa is there, standing over his body.
[Ifa] Alai, thank goodness.
[Ifa] Can you tell us anything about what happened here?
* Alai looks at the body.
[Alai] There are ways, but would it not be simpler to use a Voice to just speak with him? Is there something you are concerned about?
[Ifa] I was hoping to get, shall we say, a second opinion.
[Ifa] Just to be sure.
[Alai] I will do what I can, but it will take a minute or two.
[Ifa] I'm concerned about magical influence or something similiar, that would make my father do something like this.
* Alai will start with casting detect magic greater, for signs of anything still lingering on the body.
[Ifa] To Hojon, that could appear simply as his old friend attacking him.
[NemnostiGM] (ok go ahead and roll)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 21 ].
[NemnostiGM] He has a magic belt and a pouch with some magic in it. There are no spell effects or anything like that, that you can detect.
[Alai] There is no lingering magical affects on him, although his belt is enchanted, and so is somthing in that pouch.
* Alai points
* Alai will then cast Blood Biography.
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Ifa] (Are Afra and Deghonaina still in the room?)
[Alai] (that spell takes 1 minute to cast, so I'll be busy for a little bit)
[NemnostiGM] (no they're out in the main hall)
[NemnostiGM] All right, you cast the spell and get the answers to the four questions.
[NemnostiGM] I am Hojon Nemni. I am hengi of my clan. My blood was shed by my kinsman Zaren when I attacked him. My blood was shed within the past hour.
* Alai passes that information on to Ifa.
[Alai] If I can be taken to where this happened, since it is so recent, I will be able to glimpse more details of the specific event.
[Ifa] It happened here, so far as we know.
[Ifa] (mostly to herself) Why would Hojon attack my dad?
[Alai] Lets see what I can learn.
* Alai will cast Retrocognition
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 17 ].
[Alai] (ill destiny that)
[NemnostiGM] (ok)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 32 ].
[NemnostiGM] All right, Alai, as you do that, you feel the Abyss coming into you, taking you over, against your will.
[NemnostiGM] In your effort to draw on the magical power, you manage to tap a reserve inside you you did not think was there, and overcome what otherwise would have been an awful failure
* Fultukhari is now known as Abyss
[Abyss] A crack, a crevice, a cradle ... crying.
[NemnostiGM] (you're pretty sure that voice was only in your head ... not 100% though)
[Abyss] You will be consumed, in the end.
[NemnostiGM] And as quickly as that, it's gone.
[NemnostiGM] It is, however, as if you are manifesting your dark half.
[NemnostiGM] Ifa, you definitely see a change come over Alai as she casts the spell.
[Ifa] Are you okay?
* Alai eyes go black and her skin seems to have ripples flow through it, like a waters surface.
[Ifa] Holy shit! Alai?
* Alai does not respond as she finishes the spell
* Ifa reaches out hesitantly to touch Alai's arm.
[Alai] (I'm going to look back as far as I can assuming anything worth seeing happens)
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you see a powerful impression. Two men, Zaren and Hojon, quarrelling. They love one another, and are fighting over something that is both in the past, and the present. Hojon longs for death. Zaren calls him weak. They fight and Zaren draws his ancient sword and kills him, then touches his hand to his friend's forehead, weeping, and speaks a prayer.
[NemnostiGM] (you can look back further but would need to make a concentration check to do so, DC 20)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 16 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Alai] (and do I know what it means when the stoneguard does that prayer?)
[NemnostiGM] (make a K:religion)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+11
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 13 ].
[NemnostiGM] (nope, crazy Corps people all have a bunch of prayers anyway)
[Alai] (so true)
[NemnostiGM] Going back further, Hojon is pacing, calling out to someone, a dead relative. Weeping. He is, perhaps, seeing the past. He calls out for Zaren, summoning him to him.
[NemnostiGM] (that's pretty much the extent of it)
* Alai slumps from the exertion from the spell and appearance returns to normal
* Ifa steadies her.
[Ifa] What was that? Are you all right?
* Alai describes the images she saw (as above)
[Ifa] Can you relay what you've found to Ajemika?
[Alai] I will be fine. Is not easy to peer back like I did. Much power, a little risk.
[Ifa] A little?
* Ifa looks skeptical.
[Alai] You have the answers you sought, yes?
[Ifa] I believe so, yes.
[Ifa] Thank you.
* Ifa definitely doesn't look like she's feeling any better about things, though.
[Alai] Is messy business for Nemni. I wish you best in navigating this squall.
[Ifa] Thank you.

Izu is summoned to the scene where he talks to Alai and Ifa about what transpired

[NemnostiGM] Meanwhile, at the temple...
[NemnostiGM] Izu, you are in the great temple library, in one of the tables abutting a great marble column, centuries old and bearing the graffiti of centuries of bored priests before you. Surely somewhere your own mark lies, though you'd be hard-pressed to remember it.
[NemnostiGM] You are reading up on the various positions of Voices Imas and Kailas, although truth be told, you see neither one of them as a likely future leader here. But it is good to know more about this. You'll make your recommendations to Her tomorrow, you're sure.
[NemnostiGM] You are interrupted from your studies by Voice Verga, who comes in in a rush.
* Abyss is now known as Verga
[Verga] Izu! You need to get to the iftibal right away.
[Verga] Someone killed Hojon.
* Izu will rush over to the iftibal, leaving his books where they are.
[Izu] Here I was hoping things would be relatively quiet for a while.
[NemnostiGM] You head over and run into Sakasa at the front entrance. The envoy has put on her cap and is apparently guarding the gates.
[Izu] Sakasa, what is going on?
[Sakasa] Hojon is dead. Killed by ... well, by your father. I'm sorry, Izu.
[Izu] By... what? Why?
[Sakasa] No one is sure.
[Izu] I need to be in there.
[Izu] Where is Ifa?
[Sakasa] She's in with the body.
[Sakasa] It's fine. Go in.
* Izu will run past her into the iftibal
[Izu] Ifa!
[Ifa] Izu?
* Ifa will go hug her brother when he enters.
* Izu will hug his sister.
[Izu] Are you alright?
[Ifa] Not in the slightest, but there's nothing to be done for that.
[Izu] When did it happen? And why?
[Ifa] Not long ago. Kuspir has father in custody. Alai says Hojon attacked him, trying to get dad to kill him.
[Ifa] We'll need to ask Hojon to verify.
[Izu] He attacked father? Was he truly that far gone?
[Izu] Is Father ok?
[Izu] was he injured?
[Ifa] Not that I saw.
* Izu nods and takes a breath.
[Alai] (am I still there?)
* Izu hugs her again.
[Izu] Has She been notified?
[NemnostiGM] (sure, you can still be there Alai)
[NemnostiGM] (and Ifa, as far as you know, no one has specifically told Nemnu yet)
* Alai waves at Izu
* Izu will notice Alai there for the first time.
[Ifa] Not yet. Do you want to tell Her?
[Izu] No, but it is my duty. Before she hears from someone else.
* Izu will put hand on Alai's shoulder.
[Izu] Are you ok? You look... unwell.
[Alai] Is just a little tired after a magic. So touching that you are concerned.
* Izu will hug her too, spontaneously.
* Alai leans into him
[Alai] [w] I know you are busy... stop by later if you want to check on me.
* Izu nods and kisses her forehead.
[Izu] Ifa.. do you need any help here? I'm so sorry you had to be the one to find this.
[Ifa] We weren't exactly first on the scene.
[Izu] Who was?
[Ifa] I think we have it under control for now, though.
[Alai] You both have much ahead, is certain. Ifa, you need any more help from me?
[Ifa] I don't think so, Alai, if you can tell Ajemika all you told me.
[Alai] I will do so.
[Ifa] (Tuck, I misspoke; I think we were first in the room, if I'm reading the previous log right)
[Izu] Alai, you saw what happened in your spells? Would you accompany me to see Her after we talk to Ajemika? She will want to know what you know.
[Alai] I can, of course.
[Izu] Thank you.
[Izu] Sister, I will return as soon as she gives me leave to.
* Ifa nods.
* Izu will put a hand on Ifa's shoulder.
* Izu will take Alai out of the iftibal.

Izu and Alai inform Nemnu of Hojon’s death

[NemnostiGM] You can go update Ajemika, and then Izu and Alai can go to see Nemnu Ula in Her chambers. Izu, you wheel her out so she can meet with the two of you.
* Nemnu is dressed simply, as you haven't had time to arrange Her more properly for a meeting.
[Izu] My apologies for the interruption, My Lady. There has been a... an incident. Hengi Hojon has died.
[Nemnu] What sort of incident?
[Izu] I wasn't there, but from what I understand he attacked Zaren and... Zaren slew him in self defense.
[Izu] Alai has investigated magically.
* Alai nods
[Alai] Hengi Hojon longed for death and provoked Zaren into taking action to end his life.
* Nemnu pauses (which Izu can tell, although Alai just sees Her sitting there)
[Nemnu] I see. That is deeply unfortunate.
[Nemnu] I mourn the loss of my Taishukh, even as I know that his last years have not been easy.
[Izu] My sister and Ajemika are at the Iftibal. They are containing things for now and calming the clan.
[Nemnu] That is a great comfort, both to me and to them.
[Nemnu] Where is Zaren now?
* Izu will look to Alai.
[Alai] I assume held somewhere. Ifa did not say specifically.
[Alai] (would I have seen her and Kuspir arriving?)
[NemnostiGM] (I guess so, yeah, probably that counts as a part of the event that would leave an impression)
[NemnostiGM] (Ifa did say that Kuspir has Zaren in custody, you were both there)
[Izu] (Oh, ok, my bad)
[Alai] Is likely with Kupir, who was has him in custody
[Nemnu] I see.
[Nemnu] For now, then, you should speak to Kuspir, learn what you can.
[Nemnu] As for Zaren-who-is-Ronu, we will consider what to do next.
[Izu] Of course. I will find him.
[Izu] Shall I bring him to you?
[Nemnu] Speak to him, and if he needs to speak with me, then yes, of course.
[Izu] Yes, My Lady.
* Izu will head off to do so, if She seems to be done with me.
[NemnostiGM] (yes, unless you had anything else for her, which I don't think you do)

Kuspir, Ifa, and Izu meet to discuss what happened and some of what Zaren told Kuspir

* Kuspir will look for Ifa and Izu once he's finished speaking with Zaren and making any necessary arrangements for his care
* Izu will also be looking for Kuspir after leaving Nemnu. Presumably they can both find Ifa back at the Iftibal?
[Ifa] (works for me)
* Kuspir gives each of the twins a hug when he finds them
[Izu] She knows. I told her what I could.
[Ifa] That's good, I suppose. What did She say?
[Izu] She said to speak to you, to find out what more there is to the story, if anything. Has Father said anything?
[Ifa] I haven't spoken to him yet.
[Kuspir] Yes, I've spoken with him.
* Ifa looks to Kuspir.
[Izu] (Sorry, for some reason I thought it was Kuspir talking :P)
[Izu] (My brains is weird)
[Kuspir] He told me that Hojon attacked him, and he was forced to defend himself. He was very upset and I tried to help make him comfortable as much as I could, under the circumstances.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Alai said much the same from her divinations.
[Izu] She said he wanted death. That bastard. To force our father to do that...
[Ifa] I think he was...tired. Scared.
[Kuspir] They were old friends. I think he trusted him to carry out what he could not bring himself to do on his own. But... it's difficult to say.
* Ifa sighs.
[Kuspir] We all know that Hojon was not in his right mind for some time now. His thoughts were clouded.
[Izu] Indeed.
* Ifa nods.
[Izu] I'm sorry...
[Izu] It's just.. a shock for all of us.
[Ifa] There'll be a lot of speculation.
* Kuspir nods
[Izu] Ajemika will need to head off some of that. As will we.
[Ifa] I think she will.
[Ifa] I-I told her the lineage needs to see her lead right now.
* Izu nods.
[Izu] It's hard, but true. She needs to step up now more than ever.
[Kuspir] I will do what I can if my word can be of some use. I believe that the reckoner from Naftusa has already been sent for.
[Ifa] That's good. Or as good as things can be right now.
[Izu] I assume Hojon will be questioned. I don't know if I will be recused from doing so with... how close I am to things. But I assume his answers will coinside with what Alai saw.
[Kuspir] Do you think you can be the one to question him?
* Kuspir asks Izu
[Ifa] It should probably be someone else, no?
[Kuspir] If you could, it might help things go smoother.
[Kuspir] But I don't know if they'll allow it.
[Ifa] Or even two different sessions?
[Izu] I don't know. It will probably depend on Nemnu. I will if she asks.
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] They won't try to resurrect him, will they? it seems... cruel.
[Ifa] People were concerned about a power play. We need to support Ajemika, and be seen showing said support.
[Ifa] Hmm? Well, it does seem against his wishes...
[Ifa] Perhaps he can be asked if he wants us to try?
[Izu] I doubt it. Even if the situation was different, he was old and sick.
[Kuspir] Your father said he did not want it. I suppose if they ask him after death, he would say the same.
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] He also asks that someone write to Conduit Ingo to tell him.
[Izu] I... I will.
[Kuspir] I assume they would anyway, but I told him I would pass along the request.
[Izu] I know they were friends.
* Kuspir nods
[Izu] Did Hojon show any signs of this before it happened? We should ask if anyone saw him acting out of character. Or... well... more out of character than normal.
[Ifa] That's the problem. He was already erratic.
[Izu] Yes.
[Kuspir] I think he had been planning this, or seeking it, for some time. Your father seemed to know already of his wishes, and I think some months ago Hojon must have tried something similar, or at least talked to him about it.
[Izu] But perhaps he told someone what he was planning. It's worth checking.
[Ifa] Months ago?
[Kuspir] I don't know exact details but your father was not surprised by this action, other than perhaps by the exact form it took.
[Izu] Why did Father not say anything?
[Kuspir] There was a time a few months back when he spoke to me about his concerns about Hojon's condition worsening. He didn't say exactly, but I think it's possible at that time Hojon had already told him he wanted to die.
[Kuspir] He talked to me but I think, to preserve Hojon's pride, he didn't tell me all the details.
* Izu nods.
* Ifa huffs.
[Ifa] Hojon's pride.
[Ifa] -.-
* Ifa shakes her head.
[Izu] Even in death he has to be a nuisance.
[Ifa] He was sick.
[Ifa] Even as mad as I am at him, and I am *furious*...he's still one of us.
* Izu sighs and nods.
[Izu] You are right. It was the sickness.
[Ifa] Just...agh! Stubborn old man.
* Ifa nods.
* Kuspir sighs
[Kuspir] It is unfortunate that it came to this.
[Kuspir] We need to let Dadim and Zurusha know too, before word reaches them some other way.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] I'll see if I can catch someone heading to Naftusa, or send someone.
[Ifa] Will you write to Zurusha?
[Kuspir] Yes, I can do that.
[Kuspir] How about your mother? Have you spoken with her yet?
[Ifa] Fuck, no.
[Ifa] (to Izu) We should probably talk to her together?
[Izu] Yes...
[Izu] I will... consecrate the body and find someone to take it for preparation. Then we will go find her.
[Ifa] I'll stay with you until then.
* Izu will begin Gentle Repose on Hojon's body and find someone to send for another voice to take it away for preparations.
[Kuspir] I can talk to Irdomila and Rugu...
* Ifa looks sympathetic.
[Ifa] It won't be easy, I'm sure. Do you want...anyone there?
* Kuspir will draw Ifa aside for a moment while Izu is casting and dealing with the body
[Kuspir] If you are able to be there, I would welcome it, but I understand if you can't.
[Ifa] I will do my best. I'm not sure exactly what I'll be needed for in the immediate future, but I will try.
[Kuspir] [q] But if you are able, can you come see me later, after things quiet down? I would like to talk to you.
* Kuspir nods
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] Only if you have time.
* Kuspir gives her another hug and will let them go take care of what they need to do, and will write his letter to Zurusha.

Kuspir talks to Ifa to process what has happened, and about Hojon and Zaren’s long friendship

* Kuspir is sitting up late in the evening
* Ifa will knock on the door( or frame, depending)
[Ifa] I thought you might still be up.
* Kuspir comes to the door
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I was hoping you might be resting. Sorry.
[Ifa] No such luck, I'm afraid.
* Kuspir welcomes you in
[Kuspir] can I get you anything? a drink? some food?
[Ifa] I ate with mom to make sure she would, but I wouldn't mind something to drink.
* Kuspir will find some alcohol somewhere and pour each of us a cup.
[Kuspir] How is she doing?
[Ifa] About how you expect. Worried. Kind of dazed. But trying to keep it together.
[Ifa] A bit like all of us, I guess.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] How about you?
* Ifa lets out a big sigh.
[Ifa] I don't even know.
* Kuspir puts his hand on your back, rubbing it gently
[Ifa] I'm in shock, I'm worried about my dad, my mom, the rest of my family, the lineage, Ajemika, Afra, the ulajeta...
[Ifa] Everything and everyone, I guess.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I want you to know, your father... he did not do this of his own inclination. He felt bound by his long friendship and duty to Hojon, and Hojon, who was not well, pressed him into this position. He didn't want it to go this way, I'm certain.
[Ifa] I know.
[Kuspir] He spoke to me at length, about his friendship with Hojon and their youth together, and I know he was very grieved by this turn of events.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Intellectually, I can understand both of their actions. Viscerally, I am so mad at both of them.
* Ifa sighs again.
* Kuspir nods
[Ifa] Why did Hojon do this? Why was he fighting so hard about being hengi when he was this sick, this hurt?
* Kuspir sighs
[Kuspir] I don't really know. Pride, a sense that it was his responsibility, arrogance...
* Ifa shakes her head.
[Ifa] It feels so pointless now.
[Kuspir] I guess so. I think that it didn't need to come to this, but people are complicated.
[Ifa] Too much so.
[Ifa] (Is anyone else around?)
[Kuspir] (hm I guess it's possible the kids are here, or possible they're at the iftibal? if they're here I assume they're asleep)
[NemnostiGM] (yeah Irdomila is only sporadically at home. Rugu, you probably sent him off to be cared for by someone at the iftibal, although at least one of your usual babysitters is sitting in chains)
[Kuspir] (ok)
* Ifa leans into Kuspir if able.
* Kuspir hugs you closer
[Kuspir] do you want to stay here? I promise I'll let you rest if that's what you want.
[Ifa] I very much want to, but I also don't want to get us further mired in scandal. :/
[Ifa] Maybe I should let you keep your virtue for the night. ;)
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] Then, if you want to stay and sit with me a little longer, or if you need to leave, either is fine. I can provide a little distraction at least.
* Ifa smiles tiredly.
[Ifa] I would like to sit a little longer, at least.
[Ifa] It's...quieter here.
[Ifa] And safe.
* Kuspir nods
* Kuspir will keep his arm around you and hold you close so you can lean against him

Marga talks to Fultukhari who was there when Hojon was killed, and he tells her about his new relationship with Lovosa

[NemnostiGM] Marga, this afternoon you are in the Pardopasu, checking for areas where there might be a rockslide, when you see a figure come down the Goat's Stairs towards the river. Looking a little more closely, it is Fultukhari.
[Marga] Oh hi!!!
* Marga waves enthusiastically
[NemnostiGM] As he approaches, you see that he has been crying.
* Sakasa is now known as Fultukhari
[Marga] Oh... oh! D: What's going on?
[Fultukhari] Zaren Nemni killed the hengi. I was there.
[Marga] Hhhwhaaaat?
* Marga 's eyes go wide
* Fultukhari nods.
[Fultukhari] At the iftibal.
[Fultukhari] They were yelling and screaming.
[Fultukhari] I was there and I looked in.
[Marga] Just, straight up killed him?
[Fultukhari] Well, they were yelling for a LONG time
[Marga] You.. you saw him do it?
[Fultukhari] Well ... some of it. I saw him standing over him, all bloody, crying.
[Marga] Oh Fultukhari... I'm so sorry
[Marga] ;_;
* Marga straight up hugs him
[Fultukhari] I'm sorry.
[Marga] Why are *you* sorry?
[Fultukhari] I don't know.
[Fultukhari] I just usually have to apologize.
[Marga] You didn't do anything wrong...
[Fultukhari] Yeah. This time.
[Marga] *I'm* sorry people are crap to you.
[Fultukhari] It's ok. I haven't talked to my moms yet about it, but they are going to be pretty busy, I think.
[Marga] People used to treat me like I was dumb all the time, when I was your age. And well, I am kind of dumb, but it's not nice
[Fultukhari] You're not dumb!
[Marga] Aw, thanks, but we're not talking about me.
[Marga] Listen buddy... I'll make time for you, any time you want, ok?
[Fultukhari] Will you teach me to be a vulture? And also introduce me to Ushukuna?
[Marga] I... I would LOVE to! Oh wow, yay, okay!
[Marga] Being a vulture is GREAT.
* Fultukhari nods eagerly.
[Fultukhari] I don't think my moms will be happy though.
[Marga] Well, they can suck eggs
[Marga] This is gonna be awesome.
[Fultukhari] Oh yeah also, I forgot to tell you!
[Fultukhari] I promised I would.
[Marga] Tell me what?
[Fultukhari] I had sex with Lovosa.
[Marga] Congrats!
[Marga] (do we high five here)
[Fultukhari] (sure, why not)
* Marga high fives him
[Fultukhari] Vulture slap, awesome!
[Marga] yeah!! :D
[Marga] I don't need details but is it a one time thing or are you guys together?
[Fultukhari] I have absolutely no idea!
[Fultukhari] How would I know?
[Marga] Well, asking her is probably the easiest I guess.
[Fultukhari] I mean, I don't think I overwhelmed her with my dongular prowess.
[Fultukhari] Does that matter?
[Fultukhari] ('dongular' is a word you've never heard before; some sort of new Ombesh coinage the kids must be using)
[Marga] Pretty much nobody is good at something right away.
[Marga] If she likes you, then she has an interest in helping you get better ;)
[Fultukhari] Oh, shit, I just remembered something!
* Fultukhari looks very guilty.
[Marga] What?
[Fultukhari] Oooh ... I'm not supposed to say, I think.
[Fultukhari] Shit.
[Marga] Uhh... Is it about Lovosa or something else?
[Fultukhari] Kinda about her, and her family.
[Marga] Ohhh.. Well, I won't make you tell me something if you don't want to.
[Fultukhari] Yeah ... I'm sorry, I better not. Are vultures allowed to keep secrets?
[Marga] I can keep a secret as long as it's not going to get somebody hurt. Like, not telling someone their food is poison or whatever.
[Fultukhari] Right, well no, this isn't anything like that.
* Marga nods.
[Marga] Well, if you do decide you wanna tell me, I'll keep my mouth shut
[Fultukhari] You're the best, Marga.
[Fultukhari] And I'll talk to Lovosa, see whether she wants to do it more.
[Marga] Good luck!

Jevai talks to Nemnu about the growing sentience at the crack in the Fingerprint

[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you missed much of the excitement at the ulajeta, having spent significant time up at the Fingerprint attempting to understand what it is that has attached (?) itself to you, and the wall.
[NemnostiGM] So far your efforts have not met with too much success.
[NemnostiGM] You do manage to hear about Hojon's death at third-hand, from some of the children talking about it out in the courtyard.
[NemnostiGM] You have arranged to see Nemnu to talk about your findings, and what to do next.
[NemnostiGM] Voice Izu being unavailable, Nemnu has put herself in the body of her Vessel, Veruve, instead.
* Jevai tried to figure out what her findings even are -_-
* Nemnu smiles. It is so strange to see Nemnu's smile on Veruve's body.
[Nemnu] Hello, Hestur. You have come at a sad time.
[Jevai] Yes, I'm sorry for your loss.
[Nemnu] It is a sad day. Such is Unfolding; even as it cares nothing for us, it impacts us all deeply.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] as much as I am loathe to do so, especially at this time, I've come to add another vein of instability
[Nemnu] There is never a good time. But delay will do no good. What is it, my child?
[Jevai] You know of the fingerprint yes?
[Nemnu] Yes, of course.
[Nemnu] You told me of the crack that grew there
* Jevai nods, looking a bit relieved that we have some ground to work form here
[Jevai] It's....
[Jevai] It reached out?
[Nemnu] How do you mean?
[Jevai] Dijur had told me people had been hearing voices, so I went to see and it... or something... spoke to me.
[Nemnu] So, without any magic or other intervention?
[Jevai] yes
[Jevai] It was difficult to bear, so I reached out to it was a spell, the some one Alai and I had used before....
* Jevai probably doesn't look super well
[Nemnu] What was the result?
[Jevai] (I took like 20/40 hp)
[Jevai] I think... it is looking to be born. to create some kind of conjunctions between what is and is not
[Nemnu] Fascinating.
[Jevai] It.... after I cast the spell, it... brought itself into.... I don't kno how to explain. The spells was accompanied with sounds, its like it used that to... attune itself. To me.
[Jevai] It called me mother. I think.
[Jevai] I don't know what this is
[Nemnu] You never struck me as the maternal type. But then, the same could be said of me, and look at where I am.
* Jevai huffs something like a laugh at that, but she's pretty stressed
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I'd like to bring Alai there.
[Nemnu] Mmm, I see. Well, I would offer to come along, but I suppose that is too risky.
[Nemnu] Alai will do.
[Jevai] you could, like this...
[Jevai] but yes, it could be dangerous
[Nemnu] Well ... I do not risk my Vessel trivially.
[Jevai] or Yourself.
* Nemnu nods.
[Nemnu] What do you want Alai to do, up there?
[Jevai] I thought, maybe, she would have some insight, from her connection to the Abyss, or else, she could use her magic to draw out some answers about what is happening.
[Nemnu] If this entity does think of you as its mother, what do you think that entails?
[Jevai] I think.... I might have asked for this? or it thinks i did
[Jevai] before, it....or something very like it, told me to be ready for when light meets dark
[Nemnu] And you think that is what is happening?
[Jevai] I think it needs a conduit, at least
[Jevai] the crack isn't enough
[Jevai] what do you think?
[Nemnu] If it needs more energy, of some sort?
[Nemnu] I don't know, I really don't. It is a wonderful mystery.
[Nemnu] But I am all too keenly aware of the dangers of Unkindness.
[Nemnu] And when I am in this body, I experience emotions more viscerally. It is hard to resist the spleen.
[Nemnu] Still, it seems worth the risk. And your clan, I presume you will not be telling them of this excursion up to your holiest of places?
[Jevai] ....no. Though I will have to tell them of the increased danger
[Nemnu] Of course.
[Nemnu] What you learn, may well help me shape our response to the broader threat. The Hulti, but more importantly, the Unkind Stone.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I am still trying to understand the connections
[Nemnu] The most important thing is to not put yourself in undue danger. But I believe, more than ever, that not knowing what is going on with this anomaly puts us all in danger.
[Jevai] yes.
[Jevai] Shal we go?
* Nemnu smiles.
[Nemnu] I would be honoured to join you.
[Jevai] Thank you.
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!