Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session 35

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Summary

May and Induriel prepare a copy of Kirku Ilūtu, the Scroll of the Gods, for Lady Morelos. Induriel brings it to her in his dream, and she gives him a box for May. When he attempts to examine it, he is blinded. He informs May and Saḫḫiru. Meanwhile at the fort, Kraaz checks in with Laris and proposes a plan for their forces to learn from each other. At the Hrieffen ritual site, Korivan is given a vision of Nachtur by Bane during the ceremony to honour the ancestors. Laris and Dianthea talk some about the Kai Do Arat.

Session

Session date: 2015-05-12

In Game date: a few days after the previous session (beginning month 8)

May and Induriel prepare the book for Lady Morelos

<YOAW_Narrator> Induriel and May, I believe you were planning on trying to do something with the book to see if you could use it as a focus for scrying on Morelos?
<Induriel> And I just increased my Will and ritual casting! :D
<Induriel> So yes, why don't we look into that?
<May> Yeah, and I wanted to make sure there's nothing magically unusual about it
<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, why don't we start with some Awareness rolls, then.
<May> !roll 3d6
* Lan-werk rolls for May: [ 3d6 ] getting [ 5 6 4 ] for a total of [ 15 ].
<Induriel> !roll 2d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 2d6 ] getting [ 1 6 ] for a total of [ 7 ].
<Induriel> (Unless "Base 8" adds something?)
<YOAW_Narrator> No, that's just your passive score, essentially.
<Induriel> (Alas.)
<YOAW_Narrator> May, the book radiates a faint aura of conjuration and abjuration, but that's far from unusual in your collection. It's pretty standard from Turathi texts.
<May> There's some faint traces of magic on it, but nothing that would make it out of the ordinary.
<May> But it might make hiding our focus magic easier.
<Induriel> Yes.
<Induriel> (What materials is it made of - anything about the cover, or the parchment?)
<YOAW_Narrator> The book is fairly plain by Turathi standards. Leather (which you're pretty sure didn't even come from a sentient being) and paper.
<Induriel> Hmmm. Nothing unusual in the materials, either.
<May> Yes. I don't see any reason to not let her have it.
<May> Although it means I'll have to find a replacement -_-
<Induriel> I believe Sahhiru had one of your scribes start a copy as soon as I brought the matter to is attention.
<Induriel> (his)
<May> Excellent. Then we should get started on researching a way to use it to spy on her.
<YOAW_Narrator> On that note, roll me Knowledge checks, please.
<May> !roll 7d6
* Lan-werk rolls for May: [ 7d6 ] getting [ 6 3 1 5 5 5 6 ] for a total of [ 31 ].
<May> 27
<Induriel> !roll 4d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 4d6 ] getting [ 1 5 4 2 ] for a total of [ 12 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> Out of curiosity, is that including the +1 die you get from your library?
<May> (Oh, it is not!)
<May> !roll 1d6
* Lan-werk rolls for May: [ 1d6 ] getting [ 3 ].
<May> 30
<Induriel> :O
<Induriel> (I can feel your brain working!)
<YOAW_Narrator> Theoretically Induriel would also get that die, but he can't beat 30, so we're good.
* Induriel nods sagely as May expounds, pretending he thought of it too. :P
<YOAW_Narrator> May, it's good that Sahhiru had that copy commissioned. It'll be a good focus for scrying work, like to like. Turath was at the forefront of this sort of magic, so you're able to find a good ritual for this sort of work. It's not even going to involve bargaining with something this time.
<May> (Yay!)
<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, Will (Rituals) roll time.
<May> !roll 6d6
* Lan-werk rolls for May: [ 6d6 ] getting [ 2 4 5 4 5 6 ] for a total of [ 26 ].
<May> 20
<Induriel> (So it's Will 5 + 4 Rituals = 9 for me, right?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, roll 9 dice, keep 5)
<May> (Five and subtract the lowest 4)
<May> (nine, sorry)
<Induriel> (And if I don't beat May this time, I'm resigning... :P )
<May> (hee)
<Induriel> (Hah, nice try, May! :P)
<Induriel> !roll 9d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 9d6 ] getting [ 4 5 6 2 4 6 3 5 5 ] for a total of [ 40 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> 27?
<May> (Nice!)
<Induriel> Yep, 27
<Induriel> (Still the master! :P )
* Induriel will try to weave the magic especially subtly, as there is so little to hide it in the book itself...
<YOAW_Narrator> Induriel may not have come up with the spell, but you wouldn't think that as he helps prepare, making some adjustments to the "formula." After a few hours of ritual work, the two of you are able to bind the two books together. They should provide a conduit across the planar boundary, and the magical signature is practically indistinguishable from the book's original aura.
<May> That was beautiful. I can't even tell there's a spell on it.
* Induriel breathes a sigh of relief
* Induriel smiles
<Induriel> Thank you, Winyamo. I can only hope it is equally invisible to... her.
<May> I guess there's only one way to find out.
<Induriel> Yes. Time to test it, I suppose...
<Induriel> I shall give it to her this night, then.
<May> When you give it to her, be deferential. Let her think she has you under her control.
<Induriel> Of course.
<May> I trust you, Istyar. You'll need to be my agent in this.
<Induriel> I will do my best, Mamitu.
<Induriel> I am not used to such intrigues.
<May> I know. I'm not either. Just be careful.
* Induriel nods

Induriel takes the book to Lady Morelos and receives a gift in return

<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, so I suppose Induriel is off to sleep then?
<Induriel> (I guess so!)
* Induriel retires to his chambers, and lies down with the book in his arms...
<YOAW_Narrator> I imagine it might take a little while to actually fall asleep, given what you know is on the other side, but you eventually nod off, finding yourself in the same (you assume) thorned garden as before, facing Huinemait, Morelos' insect-elduar looking majordomo.
* Huinemait (webchat@9.ranchwireless.com) has joined #gnomeland
<Huinemait> Lord Induriel. The lady has been expecting you.
* Induriel nods
* Huinemait gestures for Induriel to follow.
<Induriel> I am here.
* Induriel follows
* Huinemait leads the way.
<YOAW_Narrator> While the garden seems darker than before, you feel as though you are able to make out more of it. Here and there amidst the vines, you see vaguely humanoid shapes in the foliage. You take them for bizarre topiary at first, but you see one twitch, and you're fairly sure you hear a groan from one of them. Huinemait pays them no mind.
* Induriel sincerely hopes he won't end up as one of them
* Lady_Morelos (webchat@9.ranchwireless.com) has joined #gnomeland
* Lady_Morelos , as before, sits at a table set for tea.
<Huinemait> Lady Morelos, Ambassador Induriel has arrived.
* Induriel bows
<Lady_Morelos> Yes, thank you Huinemait. That will be all.
* Lady_Morelos gestures for Induriel to sit.
<Lady_Morelos> Be welcome here, Induriel of House Antalanon.
<Induriel> Thank you, Lady Morelos
* Induriel approaches the table with the book in hand
<Lady_Morelos> Is that for me?
* Induriel nods
<Induriel> You tasked me with obtaining it for you, my lady. I have done so.
* Induriel does not sound happy
* lan_phone (uid135102@id-135102.brockwell.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
<Induriel> I hope and trust that this satisfies our agreement - the boon you required of me.
<Lady_Morelos> Possibly.
* Lady_Morelos reaches out to take the book.
* Induriel hands it over to her
* Lady_Morelos flips idly through the book.
<Lady_Morelos> How did you come by this?
<Induriel> I obtained it from Heri Mamitu's own library, as you specified.
* Lady_Morelos nods.
<Lady_Morelos> By her leave?
* Induriel raises an eyebrow
<Induriel> Does it matter, your ladyship?
<Lady_Morelos> Significantly.
<Induriel> How so?
<Lady_Morelos> That is between us monarchs, dear boy. Now answer the question.
<Induriel> Then yes. I asked it of her as a favour for my past services, and she granted it.
* Lady_Morelos smiles.
<Lady_Morelos> That wasn't so difficult, now was it?
<Induriel> No indeed, my lady. You are a mistress whom it is a pleasure to serve.
* Induriel says, perhaps being more diplomatic than sincere.
<Induriel> I confess, I wondered at your interest in it.
* Lady_Morelos chuckles.
<Lady_Morelos> Few of my servants would agree with you, I think, but you speak pretty enough.
<Lady_Morelos> My interest is largely sentimental, if you must know. The author was...a friend.
<Induriel> I see. Then you are satisfied, and my boon to you has been performed.
* Lady_Morelos nods.
* Induriel bows
<Lady_Morelos> Your boon, yes, though information is still owed, on an ongoing basis, much as your working has had an ongoing effect on my people and lands.
<Induriel> As you say, my lady.
<Lady_Morelos> Tea?
<Induriel> Thank you, my lady.
* Induriel nods and joins her.
* Lady_Morelos will pour tea for Induriel. It's a fine tea, like you'd get back home in Aethrennar.
<Lady_Morelos> Tell me about Siru Lalu.
* Induriel looks grim
<Induriel> There was an attempt on her life.
<Lady_Morelos> Oh?
<Induriel> (Sorry, looking it up... which log number was it? :P )
<May> I think the one before last?
<Lady_Morelos> (Should only be like two session ago or so?)
<May> (Sorry, ww)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, session 33)
<Induriel> As she was returning to the city after her victory, an assassin came aboard her flagship and attacked.
<Lady_Morelos> How dreadful. I trust she was uninjured?
<Induriel> Thankfully, yes. The attempt was unsuccessful.
<Induriel> She was ably defended by those who were with her.
<Lady_Morelos> The assassin was duly punished, I hope.
<Induriel> The assassin was killed.
<Lady_Morelos> that's all?
<Induriel> It was fortunate enough to be slain in its attempt, before it could be taken for questioning.
* Induriel watches Lady Morelos carefully for her reaction
<Lady_Morelos> I should think questions could be asked of its spirit.
<Lady_Morelos> Should questions need answers.
<Induriel> A worthy suggestion, my lady.
* Lady_Morelos nods graciously.
<Lady_Morelos> News is good, but that was not the intent of my question.
<Lady_Morelos> What is the lady of Nesu Abamatu like?
<Lady_Morelos> What are her intentions for the city?
<Induriel> Well, she is young. Very intelligent.
* Induriel says with some pride in his student
<Induriel> She wishes to be a good ruler, and bring prosperity to Nesu Abamatu.
<Lady_Morelos> To Nesu Abamatu, or House Lalu?
<Induriel> To both, I suppose - would you not consider them the same?
<Lady_Morelos> Altruism among the Turathi is as rare as hen's teeth. I've seen few enough who cared for their subjects as more than chattel.
<Induriel> Well, as I say, she is young.
<Induriel> But even so, prosperity of her subjects is not incompatible with her own enlightened self-interest, I should think.
<Lady_Morelos> Truly, the mouthpiece of your queen.
* Lady_Morelos smiles.
<Lady_Morelos> I wonder if you would be so kind as to do me a favor, Lord Antalanon.
<Induriel> My lady?
* Lady_Morelos reaches across the table to grab a small metal box you're positive wasn't there a moment ago. It is made of a green metal you don't recognize, slightly pitted.
<Lady_Morelos> Would you be so kind as to deliver this to Siru Lalu for me? A token of my esteem.
* Induriel eyes it, hesitating
<Induriel> What shall I tell her?
<Lady_Morelos> That I wish her well, one ruler to another, and that this belongs with her people.
* Induriel nods slowly, and reaches out to accept the box
<Lady_Morelos> I must warn you, it is for her alone.
<Induriel> Very well, my lady.
<Lady_Morelos> Thank you.
* Induriel stands and bows
<Lady_Morelos> Always a pleasure, Ambassador.
<Induriel> My lady.
* Induriel bows again, and takes his leave (by waking up?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yes, essentially)
* Induriel looks at the pitted green metal box that has doubtless now replaced the book he fell asleep with
<YOAW_Narrator> It's a small chest, it's edges oddly sharp.
<YOAW_Narrator> (its, rather)
<Induriel> . o O (I will have to test this thoroughly before it gets anywhere near Mamitu...)
<Induriel> . o O (What is Lady Morelos up to?)
<YOAW_Narrator> Roll Awareness
<Induriel> !roll 2d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 2d6 ] getting [ 6 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> The box doesn't seem to radiate any sort of magical aura. It's almost a negative space to your magical senses.
<Induriel> (Can I do some sort of external divination magic to figure out what it is, or what's inside it?)
<Induriel> (Like, not trying to see inside it directly, but maybe seeing what will happen in the future if it's opened?)
<YOAW_Narrator> That's difficult, but you could try. Roll Will (Rituals).
<Induriel> !roll 9d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 9d6 ] getting [ 2 1 1 4 1 4 1 5 5 ] for a total of [ 24 ].
<Induriel> (Bah! Still 20)
<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, roll me Will again.
<YOAW_Narrator> Just Will.
<Induriel> !roll 5d6
* Lan-werk rolls for Induriel: [ 5d6 ] getting [ 2 2 2 4 4 ] for a total of [ 14 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> (brb)
<Induriel> (Dammit.)
<Induriel> (About the low roll, I mean.)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Back, sorry)
<Induriel> (np)
<Induriel> (I rolled poorly. :'( )
<YOAW_Narrator> You see a vision of May with the box, tentatively opening it. There is a bright flash and an agonizing pain, you smell brimstone, and you no longer see anything.
<Induriel> :O
<Induriel> (Like, I'm physically blinded? :O )
<Induriel> (Or is that simply the end of the vision?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yes, you currently can't see)
<Induriel> (I'm still conscious, then?)
<YOAW_Narrator> It'll take a moment to come back to yourself, and you'll probably hear someone enter the room.
* Mifflepon (webchat@9.ranchwireless.com) has joined #gnomeland
<Mifflepon> Lord Antalanon!
* Induriel looks up without seeing
<Induriel> Mifflepon.
<YOAW_Narrator> You feel small hands trying to steady you as you pick yourself up from the floor.
<Induriel> (Am I still holding the box?)
<YOAW_Narrator> You are not.
<Mifflepon> My lord, your eyes...
<Mifflepon> What happened?
<Induriel> Mifflepon, do you see a box? Do not open it if so!
<Mifflepon> Yes, my lord. Here on the ground near you.
* Mifflepon will guide your hand to the box.
* Induriel breathes a sigh of relief.
<Induriel> We must put this somewhere safe.
<Mifflepon> Of course, my lord.
<Induriel> But what about my eyes?
<Mifflepon> They are...black.
<Mifflepon> With veins of red.
<Mifflepon> You are bleeding, or were.
* Mifflepon dabs at the edges of your eyes.
* Induriel reaches up gingerly with his other hand to touch his own face.
<Induriel> ...
<Induriel> I see.
* Induriel suddenly laughs at the irony
<Induriel> Ah, forgive me. I am... not quite myself.
<Induriel> Put this box somewhere safe - lock it in a chest.
<Induriel> And then, take me to Mamitu.
<Induriel> Or, no, to Sahhiru first.
* Mifflepon will get you situated reasonably comfortably, then go to put the box away.
* Mifflepon returns shortly to take you to Sahhiru.
* Huinemait is now known as Sahhiru
* Induriel insists on holding the key to the chest himself

A blinded Induriel goes to Saḫḫiru and May

<Sahhiru> Induriel!
* Sahhiru shouts when he sees you.
<Sahhiru> By the Nine, what happened?
* Sahhiru guides you to a seat.
* Induriel feels for the seat and sits down
* Sahhiru seems to be examining you.
<Induriel> I have given the Kirku Ilutu to Lady Morelos. In return, she gave me a pitted green metal box to present to Mamitu.
<Induriel> She warned me it was for Mamitu only. So I did not open it.
<Sahhiru> Mifflepon, go get Mamitu, Temu, and Kalu.
<Sahhiru> Tell them to wait outside until I ask for them.
<Induriel> However, naturally, I wished to ensure it was not dangerous. So I attempted to see what would happen in the future if Mamitu opened it.
<Induriel> This was the result.
<Sahhiru> Induriel...
* Sahhiru cups Induriel's cheek.
<Sahhiru> That was...noble of you.
* Induriel leans into his hand
* Induriel smiles
* Sahhiru stands and kisses Induriel's forehead.
<Induriel> You know I would never put her in danger. Either of you.
<Sahhiru> Foolish, but noble.
* Sahhiru you can hear the smile in his voice at that.
<Sahhiru> We'll heal this, I'm sure.
<Induriel> I perhaps had too much confidence in my own abilities.
<Sahhiru> A pitfall of being so talented.
* Induriel sighs
<Sahhiru> Tell me about this box.
<Induriel> I have had Mifflepon secure it for now. It is a pitted green metal box, about so big...
* Induriel gestures with his hands
<Sahhiru> Pitted green metal...
<Sahhiru> Hmm.
<Induriel> WIth sharp edges.
<Induriel> She said it was a token of her esteem, and asked me to bring it to Mamitu.
<Sahhiru> Did she say anything else about it?
<Induriel> She said to say that she wishes Mamitu well, one ruler to another, and that this gift belongs "with her people".
<Induriel> She warned me that it was for Mamitu alone.
* May will come running down the hall and probably smack her horns on the doorframe in her haste do get in.
<May> Ow! Induriel! What happened!
* Induriel looks up at the noise
<Sahhiru> May! Be careful.
* May will look at his eyes and gasp.
<Induriel> Ah, mixed success, I'm afraid.
<Induriel> This was not the Lady's doing. Well, not directly...
* Induriel summarizes what happened.
<Sahhiru> An unfortunate incident, to say the least.
<Sahhiru> Induriel, this happened immediately upon seeing May open the box in your vision?
<Induriel> Better me than Mamitu!
<May> Don't say that. We'll get you healed. We'll fix this.
<May> It's possible the box was magically trapped against scrying.
* Sahhiru frowns, but Induriel can't see that.
<Induriel> Yes - I saw her opening the box slowly and carefully, and then there was a bright flash and pain, with the smell of brimstone.
<May> brimstone...
<Sahhiru> Brimstone, and a green metal box.
<Induriel> So my scrying did succeed in part.
<May> (Does that mean anything magically significant to me?)
<Sahhiru> (Roll Knowledge)
<May> (Education specialty?)
<Induriel> If it was not trapped against scrying, then whatever is in that box was powerful enough to affect me even through a vision.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, I'd count that)
<May> !roll 6d6
* Lan-werk rolls for May: [ 6d6 ] getting [ 6 4 3 6 2 1 ] for a total of [ 22 ].
<May> 21
<Induriel> I took her warning seriously, of course - but I never imagined it would work across a vision...
* Induriel is babbling a bit...
<May> It's ok... just try to relax. You did very well, Istyar.
* May will ask a servant to bring wine for him.
<YOAW_Narrator> What Induriel describes sounds like the box is made of a substance referred to as "green steel" by the Turathi. It's a subtance from the Nine Hells and is occasionally used for the armor or weapons of some devils (gods for you. :p).
* Sahhiru will keep a reassuring hand on Induriel's shoulder, at least.
* Induriel will reach up and keep one hand on that hand. :P
<May> (What properties does it have?)
<YOAW_Narrator> Green steel, among other things, has some inherent anti-magic properties, and reacts oddly with the mortal realm.
* May will look at Sahirru.
<May> The box sounds like green steel. I don't think that could have caused this, but it isn't a veryy stable substance in this realm.
* Sahhiru nods.
<May> So it's possible, I suppose.
<Sahhiru> I would imagine its contents caused this.
<May> Yes.
<Sahhiru> Something powerful, and divine.
<May> I want very much to know what those contents are.
* Sahhiru sighs.
<Sahhiru> I do as well.
<Induriel> But surely it is dangerous!
<Sahhiru> Undoubtedly.
<May> But also powerful.
<Sahhiru> But May is of the blood.
<May> The blood? Lalu blood?
<May> Or... oh. Yes.
<Sahhiru> Baatezu blood. The blood of the gods.
<May> Of course.
<Induriel> She did say it was for you alone.
<Induriel> But I still do not trust it. She was asking about you, what you were like...
<May> What did she want to know?
<Induriel> What you are like, what your intentions are for the city.
<Induriel> I said that you are young and intelligent, and that you want the city to prosper.
* May smiles.
<May> Where is the box now?
<Induriel> Locked in a chest in my apartments. I have the key.
* May nods.
* May realizes that Induriel can't see her nod.
<May> Good.
<May> May I have the key?
<Induriel> Mamitu, I do not want to expose you to this danger! Let us at least find out whether the damage can be undone first...
<Induriel> What could it be?
<May> I will not open the box until we know more. I promise. But I don't want anyone else to do so either.
* Induriel purses his lips
<Induriel> You promise?
<May> I give you my word.
* Sahhiru frowns.
* Induriel slowly takes the key out of his pocket
* May will gently take it from him if he allows her.
* Induriel holds on to it for a second
<Induriel> Not until we know *everything
* about it, mind.
* Sahhiru squeezes Induriel's shoulder.
<May> Not until we know *enough
* about it.
<Induriel> Obviously we must assume malevolent intent, until proven otherwise.
<May> Of course. I will be careful.
* Induriel reluctantly lets her take the key.
<Sahhiru> Now, let's get the healers in to see you.
* Induriel nods
<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, we'll leave off there for now. :)
<YOAW_Narrator> Julie or Heather, do y'all have a preference for who goes next?
<Laris> doesn't matter to me
* May will have the chest moved to our most secure room and work on putting up some magical barriers to entry on it for now.