Nemnosti session 23

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Session

Session date: April 13 and 27, 2025

Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Gamodend

Prologue

[NemnostiGM] Greetings, acolytes! I received a gift this morning from one of the little ones. Someday he may join the ranks of the acolytes, but for now, he is happy to learn and play on the flagstones of the ulajeta, to sit in the shade of Hul Hai, and to eat loza berries by the riverbank while dipping his feet in the Pasu. Do you want to see it? Ahh, no mind, I'm going to share it regardless.

• NemnostiGM pulls out a broad oval leaf that has been folded deftly into the shape of a lizard.

[NemnostiGM] When he handed it to me, at first I was startled, thinking it to be an actual animal! I shrieked - but then felt very foolish. Not a Kind, just a folded thing, built into the shape of life. And then, upon taking it, I realized from its weight that something was inside it. I unfolded the little lizard to reveal a hazelnut.
* NemnostiGM pulls out the nut out of the 'mouth' of the creature and holds it up to you.
[NemnostiGM] And then it struck me that the leaf itself was from the hazel tree, one of the ones that grows down in the river valley, and sheds both its leaves and its nuts in autumn. This little gift contains quite a treasure, potential new life, obscured by the shape it was forced into. And within this wrinkled shell, covered with its own evidence of Unfolding, lies life itself.
* NemnostiGM holds the hazelnut in her hands, running her finger along the ridges.
[NemnostiGM] And that is how the Lady encourages you, and I encourage you, to see others in the world. We are all built into one shape or another, but the treasures that lie within are quite different, and often unexpected. Neither our Kind nor our form shapes our Unfolding.

Marga brings the body back to the ulajeta and Kuspir helps her take it to the temple for preparation

[NemnostiGM] Marga, you have brought back a great treasure to the ulajeta! Okay ... you are bringing back the dead body of a guy you killed so that you and your friends can defile his religion by talking to him as an ancestor. But he probably deserved it!
[NemnostiGM] Honestly the great thing about trying to carry a corpse back through the Ghengom unassisted is that there are so many little logistical things to sort out that you can clear your head of all those complicated things and just get on with the task at hand.
[NemnostiGM] The echoes of your father's pride and joy are definitely still staying with you, though.
[NemnostiGM] Hopefully your friends feel the same way.
[NemnostiGM] So, how are you going to handle things once you get back to the ulajeta?
[Longpig] (uhhh... who's like, at the entrance?)
[NemnostiGM] (let's say that you can meet Kuspir there)
[Kuspir] (are you just carrying the body along on your back?)
[NemnostiGM] (because you definitely can't carry this in bird form)
[Longpig] OH good Kuspir, you're here!!
[Longpig] (I had a like... sledge thing iirc)
[Kuspir] (ok)
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, Marga arrives, covered in blood and viscera, dragging a corpse on a sledge out from the Ghengom.
* Marga is filthy and wild eyed
[Kuspir] Marga... are you all right? :o
[Marga] Haha! I'm great thanks for asking!!
[Marga] I have, I found, I mean. There was! Daddy says this is a Hulti spy.
[Kuspir] Uh... okay!
[Kuspir] Do you need a hand with that?
[Marga] Oh, yes please.
* Kuspir will help drag the sledge into the ulajeta
[Kuspir] What happened?
[Marga] He tried to come to Hong Sogo, but they found out he was with the Naznaz...
[Kuspir] Why would he try to come there? Well I suppose you might not know...
[Kuspir] What do you plan to, uh, do with him?
[Marga] Oh, *I* don't want him.
[Marga] But I thought people could ask him things?
[Kuspir] Take him to the Voice, then?
[Marga] Voice people. Those things! Yes.
* Kuspir will call for someone else to take over guarding the entrance

Kuspir and Marga take the body to Voice Verga and ultimately Voice Kailas for attention

[NemnostiGM] All right, you can do that no problem Kuspir, and so you can take the body to the temple.
[NemnostiGM] The two of you run into Voice Verga almost immediately.
[Kuspir] (what kind of condition does the body look like it's in, other than 'dead for a few days'? like injuries, anything else obvious about clothing or health or whatever?)
[NemnostiGM] Definitely there is a stab wound in the neck, but also signs of having been beaten/tortured before death.
* Verga sees you and starts.
[Verga] Oh!
[Kuspir] Sorry to bring this to your door...
[Verga] I, uh, who is this?
[Marga] uh.. .
[Marga] My father caught him in Hong Sogo.
[Verga] I see. And why is he here?
[Marga] He says he is from the high hills, from the Naznaz..
[Verga] All right, I suppose that makes sense, that's where you found him.
* Verga still seems very confused.
[Verga] Let me get Voice Kailas.
[Marga] He told me to bring him here, to see if youcould talk to him
* Verga nods.
[Verga] All right. Kailas can help.
[Kuspir] Is there someplace we can put this that is less... obvious?
[Verga] Ahh ... yes. Come with me.
* Verga leads you back from the main temple complex to the rooms where bodies are dressed and treated.
[Verga] Stay here - I'll go get Kailas.
* Kuspir will bring the body to the morgue ;p
* Verga scurries off hastily, and then returns a few minutes later with a very-cranky looking Kailas.
[Kuspir] (can I talk to Marga briefly first before they get back?)
[NemnostiGM] (oh, sure)
[NemnostiGM] (they'll be a few minutes)
[Kuspir] Marga, I think this is helpful, and may yield valuable information, but we need to proceed carefully. The Voice will know whatever we ask of this man, so we ought to be cautious. Do you want me to get anyone else? Alai or Jevai or someone, who might know better what sort of things we should ask?
[Marga] Yes.. .Alai, Jevai, the smart people!
* Marga nods too quickly.
[Kuspir] And... do you need to take some time to clean up, have some food and drink? You must be tired.
* Kuspir asks gently
[Marga] Oh. Yes...
* Marga looks down at her hands
[Marga] That might e a good idea, haha.
[Kuspir] All right.
[Kuspir] You did a good job bringing it back, it's okay to rest now - we can question him after you're taken care of.
* Kuspir pats her awkwardly on the shoulder.
[Marga] Okay, okay...
* Marga nods some more
[Kuspir] (now Kailas and Verga can show up if you want ;)
[Marga] Like now now?
[Kuspir] Yes, now.
* Kailas comes out somewhat crankily, with Verga in tow, with a look on his face as if he thinks he's being pranked. That quickly turns to dismay as he sees the body laid out.
[Kailas] What is all this, now?
[Kuspir] Thank you for coming.
[Kuspir] Marga brought back this body of a suspected Hulti spy from Hong Sogo. We need to talk to him, but we also need a little while to prepare and allow Marga a chance to rest.
[Kailas] All right ...
* Kailas says, taking that all in with a sigh of 'this is not in my job description'
[Kailas] We can lay this Ancestor to repose, at least.
* Kuspir nods
[Kailas] But then you are suggesting that you wish him to be consecrated, to have a conversation.
[Kuspir] Yes, please.
* Kailas seems dubious.
[Kailas] You are aware that the Old Folk would consider that a blasphemy to the body?
[Marga] Well, it's up to you!
* Marga says cheerfully
[Kailas] Not if you want to talk to him, it's not.
[Kuspir] I'm aware, but it could be of great importance.
[Kailas] I will need to bring this to the attention of Voice Ingo.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I understand. Can we leave the body here safely while we make other preparations, and give you time to talk to Voice Ingo?
[Kailas] Yes, it will be secure here.
[Kuspir] Thank you.
[Kailas] Verga, you can place the body in repose. But for now, do not discuss anything that Medimur and Ivis have said with anyone else.

Kuspir convenes the team to let them know what has happened, and to make a plan

* Kuspir will make sure Marga gets to go get cleaned up and have some food, and will go and let Alai, Jevai, and Ifa (and Izu but I assume I can't find him or whatever?) about the situation.
* Marga is going to scrape off a layer of skin and then passout
[NemnostiGM] (do you actually want to assemble them and talk, or just let them know what has happened?)
[Kuspir] (I guess talk, at least briefly? unless that will take time away from stuff you want to get done ;)
[NemnostiGM] (no it's fine, you can assemble folks. Including Marga? They'll have questions for her)
[Kuspir] (well Marga is going to sleep I think, but if we want to talk after she wakes up that's ok? I just wanted to update them on the situation)
[NemnostiGM] (ok sounds good, you can do that)
* Kuspir will get them together and summarize the situation, basically.
[Kuspir] Marga brought back a dead body of a possible Hulti spy from Hong Sogo, we are going to try to talk to the ancestor, but it's a bit complicated.
[Alai] How did Marga get a dead body?
[Kuspir] Well... I suspect her father made it dead. Or someone else among his people.
[Jevai] (is this with marga here or not?)
[Jevai] Hmm
* Alai nods agreeing
[Kuspir] (I am assuming not)
[Jevai] this is someone her father identified as a spy?
[Kuspir] It seems so.
[Alai] Is dirty task to make her carry here.
[Kuspir] You'll have to wait until Marga wakes up to ask her about that, I guess. I wanted to get a head start on thinking about what we should ask this person - what we *can* ask this person that might be helpful.
* Jevai frowns, thinking about Marga's dad
[Jevai] Are we asking the deceased three questions?
[Jevai] or more?
[Kuspir] It's not certain yet. I guess it will be up to Voice Ingo what we might be able to do.
[Kuspir] Assuming they even let us...
[Jevai] would they not?
* Kuspir shrugs
[Kuspir] They seemed to have some compunctions about doing this with a Hulti.
[Kuspir] but I hope that I was able to convey the importance of the request.
[Jevai] well. We would need to establish that he is hulti, rather than assume it, I expect
[Alai] seems odd to feel reservations about thier religous autonomy after trying to wipe them out.
* Kuspir shrugs
* Kuspir looks to Ifa to see what she thinks about all of this
[Kuspir] Well, I just wanted to let you know what is going on, and give you some time to think about how to proceed. I think we can probably wait until tomorrow - Marga's exhausted.
* Jevai nods
* Ifa nods, frowning.
[Ifa] Who else knows about this?
[Kuspir] Verga, Kailas, presumably Ingo by now. Perhaps anyone else who saw Marga drag a dead body up to the gate, although they would not know the details.
[Ifa] Perhaps Pavavi can provide some perspective. I don't want to violate this person's wishes, but it does seem like we need more information.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] good idea
[NemnostiGM] (all right, you going as a group to Pavavi then?)
[Kuspir] (sure, anyone who wants to go)
[Jevai] (sure)

Ifa, Kuspir, and Jevai talk to Pavavi about the ethics of retaining a dead Hulti as an ancestor and talking to them

[NemnostiGM] All right, Pavavi is not too hard to find
* Verga is now known as Pavavi
[Pavavi] Hello! Mmm ... I see from your faces that this is not a happy conversation we're about to have.
[Kuspir] Good day, I'm afraid you're right.
[Ifa] Sorry about that.
* Pavavi sighs
[Pavavi] I've become accustomed to it lately
[Kuspir] Marga brought a body back from her visit to Hong Sogo and it is suspected to be that of a hulti spy. It's in the temple currently, with the other bodies.
* Ifa tries to look sympathetic.
[Pavavi] Hmmm.
[Pavavi] What does that mean, 'brought a body back'?
[Ifa] Carried it back, is my understanding.
[Kuspir] Dragged it in on a sledge, but yes.
[Pavavi] That is not what I meant.
[Pavavi] I mean ... how did the body come to be a body, and to be suspected to be a spy?
[Kuspir] I think that her father killed the man. Or else someone in his entourage.
[Kuspir] Marga didn't give a lot of information, and she's resting at the moment.
* Jevai gives tat little frown again
[Pavavi] I don't know her father, or indeed much of Ravre business.
[Pavavi] He is a hengi, though, if I remember?
[Jevai] Her father is a powerful, cruel, madman
[Ifa] That's...accurate.
[Pavavi] Oh. Ohhh .... I did not know that.
[Jevai] but he's also a powerful vulture who instills great lot=yalty and has a network of loyal people
[Pavavi] I have never had much opportunity to talk to her, over the years. We have very different foci.
[Jevai] They have been on the lookout for Hulti spies
[Kuspir] She said he - the dead man - tried to come to Hong Sogo, and was accused of being a spy. She said he is from the Naznaz. He looked like he had been beaten, tortured maybe, before his death.
[Jevai] that sounds like him
[Ifa] Obviously we'd like to find out more, but there are concerns.
[Pavavi] Well, I do not know much about the Naznaz either, only what I have been told by Herself recently. But they are a kind of Ravre who still follow the truth-journey, is that so?
[Jevai] I believe so
[Pavavi] So, how can I help?
* Pavavi asks, still frowning
[Ifa] Would you be willing to help us talk to him?
[Pavavi] I'm not sure how I could possibly help.
[Kuspir] Or have thoughts about what would make sense to ask him about? What kinds of things he might reasonably know?
[Pavavi] Hmm, well, obviously, at whose behest and with what goal he came to Hong Sogo in the first place.
[Pavavi] Given our recent encounter with Kibai, the term 'spy' also seems open to question. Would we call her a spy?
* Kuspir nods
* Jevai nods
[Pavavi] If not, a Hulti who happens to be in Hong Sogo, and who does not use his name or reveal his faith, might seem to fit that label, but I would be cautious, especially if we are taking the word of a butcher on this.
[Kuspir] I see your meaning, and no, I would not. This man might have been in the wrong place to receive a welcome, but that doesn't mean he was a spy.
[Ifa] Yes, our definition of 'spy' and Marga's father's likely differ.
[Pavavi] Are you concerned about anything else?
[Jevai] what should we do with him, after we known?
[Kuspir] The Voice seemed uncertain about communicating with him. I understand it would be against the Hulti's beliefs, so is there anything we could do to reduce those concerns? Perhaps something we do after, to make sure his body is disposed of as he would have wished?
[Pavavi] In a net-bag strung up in the Pardopasu? That would be highly unusual.
[Kuspir] well, I suppose...
[Kuspir] but keeping it here would also not be suitable, I imagine?
* Ifa nods.
[Pavavi] In the past, it was common to interrogate Hulti spies after their deaths. And then, many of them were rendered, to serve the greater goals of the ulajeta.
[Ifa] That was in the past.
[Ifa] And we still don't know if he was actually a spy.
[Pavavi] Or if he was actually Hulti.
* Ifa nods.
* Pavavi sighs.
[Pavavi] Look, I will not tell you there is an easy answer. I think if he turns out to be truly working against our interests, then we would probably retain the body.
[Pavavi] An ancestor is an ancestor, regardless of their faith.
* Kuspir nods
[Pavavi] If this man was an innocent, then I cannot say.
[Kuspir] I suppose we can make that decision once we know what he has to say.
* Pavavi nods.
[Pavavi] I trust that you, guided by Voice Ingo's wisdom, will find a good path.
[Kuspir] Thank you
[Kuspir] (I guess we can go ahead to the next day or whenever Marga wakes up?)
[Kuspir] (unless anyone had anything else to add?)

The group convenes with Voice Ingo to interview the dead Hulti, Fikefol Naznaz, a member of a group called the Writhing

[NemnostiGM] All right, the next day you can convene as a group, once Marga has had a chance to get clean and get some sleep.
[Jevai] (unless there is some way I can talk to Rechegoko first but I don't think there is :p)
[Jevai] (I would actaully liek to ask marag whether she wants to be here for the questioning)
[NemnostiGM] (he's up at his campsite / love shack)
[Jevai] (yeah, I don't know about that)
[Jevai] (So just ask Marga is she wants to be here for this.)
[Jevai] (idk if that's a full scebe though - hazel?)
[Marga] (no thanks hahahaha)
[Jevai] (okay)
[NemnostiGM] (all right, Ifa, Jevai, Alai, and Kuspir, then, will convene with Voice Ingo)
* Pavavi is now known as Ingo
* Ingo greets you all at the temple.
[Ingo] Hello! Voice Kailas has given me the general sense of why you are here. Why don't we head back to the consecration chambers and talk more there.
[Jevai] Thank you, Voice Ingo.
* Ingo leads you back to where the body has been laid out and cleaned up.
[Ingo] Voice Verga has taken care of the preliminary matters yesterday.
[Ingo] Based on your desire to speak with this Ancestor, I had him consecrated as well.
[Ingo] I am always uncomfortable where the ancestor is known to not be of our faith. But for cases like this, where there is so much we do not know, it is essential to consecrate.
* Ifa still looks a bit uncomfortable, but nods.
[Ingo] I will be able to convey answers through the Ancestor in the usual way.
[Ingo] Are there specific things you would like to share or that I should be sure to ask?
[Kuspir] Where he came from, and what his purpose was at Hong Sogo?
* Kuspir suggests as a starting point
* Jevai nods
[Kuspir] That might allow us to decide what we need to ask about from there...
[Jevai] yes.
[Ingo] All right, then.
[Kuspir] his name, as well
[Ingo] Of course.
[Kuspir] He can't lie in this state, right? Can he omit or evade things?
[Ingo] He cannot lie but he need not speak matters about which we do not ask. So yes, omissions are easy.
[Ingo] Ancestors do not possess the capacity to be evasive intentionally. But evasions happen because of our poor questioning.
[Kuspir] I mean, he could be evasive or misleading if we don't phrase things carefully?
* Kuspir nods
* Ingo goes over to the Ancestor and begins the dialogue.
[Kuspir] What is your name and where did you come from?
[Fikefol] I am Fikefol of the Naznaz. I come from Hong Sogo.
[Kuspir] What was your purpose in Hong Sogo?
[Fikefol] To keep an eye on the Snapping Dog.
[Kuspir] Keep an eye for who?
[Marga] thank fuck lmao
[Marga] (ww!!)
[Fikefol] I was asked by my hengi, Aizhanefer. But I believe his interest relates to Saza of the Gago.
[Kuspir] How long had you been keeping an eye there?
[Fikefol] For around two months.
[Kuspir] Had you passed any information back to your hengi in that time?
* Jevai makes a face at the mention of Saxa
[Jevai] (Saza)
[Fikefol] Yes, but nothing of any real significance.
* Kuspir looks to the others to see if they have any burning questions
[Ifa] How did you communicate with your hengi during this time?
[Alai] Perhapse if they know why the Snapping Dog earned thier attention?
[Fikefol] I am of the Writhing, and so I have that capacity.
[Jevai] ....What is the Writhing?
[Fikefol] We are the black worms who thread the Chain of the truth journey, and provide truth out of our movements.
* Ifa looks to the others.
[Ifa] Does that make sense to anyone?
[NemnostiGM] (I'll let you all roll a K: religion if you want, it won't be easy though)
[Jevai] ...what is the Chain?
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+6
* Lan-werk rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+6 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 26 ].
[Alai] !roll 1d20+11
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 31 ].
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 23 ]
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+10
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 22 ].
[NemnostiGM] All right, Jevai and Ifa, you know very little. Ifa, given your religious expertise, you think the Chain is some sort of Hulti history, something like Unfolding.
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you do know that term, from the Register of Patrols. It's rare, but it has been used to describe some kind of order of Hulti warriors who were a concern of stoneguards a long time ago.
[Kuspir] Some sort of Hulti warrior order...
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you would describe them, from your knowledge, more like mystic spies. You know that back in the times of the Blue Storm, the Luetkans would sometimes have dealings with them, to get information about the activities of the Omban fleets.
[Fikefol] The Chain is our history, the record of our past, present, and future.
[Kuspir] Are there others of your Writhing who are watching in Nemnosti?
[Fikefol] I don't know.
[Alai] So now again, comes to the why? Why watch the Snapping Dog?
[Fikefol] I believe that Saza of the Gago wished to keep eyes on her brother's activities. But I was never told why.
[Ifa] Saza tasked you with your mission? Or at least got someone to assign you?
[Fikefol] I do not obey nonbelievers. But Aizhanefer, yes, I follow his commands.
[Jevai] who are Aizhanefer's allies?
[Fikefol] Aside from the Naznaz, he has many ties to the truth-followers throughout the world, as far as Malfan.
[Jevai] Who are his local allies?
[Fikefol] The shaman Gunuremai has been living in this area for some time, although she is not from here.
[Alai] The Writhing, from what I am aware, are mystic spies... hence thier means of communication, and have been employed as such by many from time to time.
[Kuspir] Where is Gunuremai?
[NemnostiGM] (there was some confusion above with the order of the questions)
[Fikefol] I don't know where she is at present. Perhaps in Musune?
[Jevai] What do you know about Musune?
[Fikefol] It is an ancient forest, a region of cliffs and wild lands, full of strange things of centuries gone by.
[Jevai] -_-
[Jevai] What do you know if the Hulti who live there?
[Fikefol] No Hulti live there anymore.
[Alai] What are Aizhanefer's goals here?
[Fikefol] I would think that his main goal is revenge against Nemnu Ula.
[Fikefol] But I am not privy to all his thoughts.
[Alai] At least we know of another pillar of resources out foe has. Is hard not to think that they would try and infiltrate here as well.
[Kuspir] How does he communicate with Gunuremai?
[Fikefol] Gunuremai is a shaman and has many capacities. I do not believe they speak often to one another directly.
[Ifa] Do you know any of what Gunuremai's plans are here?
[Fikefol] I am not privy to her secrets. But they surely differ from ours. She is foreign to this land, and the bearer of the Gunuremai mask. Her goals come from abroad, and to my mind, simply coincide with ours here in some ways.
[Kuspir] Where is Azhainefer located?
[Fikefol] The iftibal is in the high hills, on the far side of Momichas.
[Kuspir] .... Who killed you?
[Jevai] No.
[Ifa] Huh?
* Jevai looks at him
[Jevai] (Kuspir that is)
* Kuspir looks back at you
[Jevai] That's not important.
[Ifa] It might be.
[Jevai] How?
* Ingo looks over at you, waiting before asking the question for you to sort it out.
[Kuspir] Because that could affect how they - this man's people - respond to this, once they know about it.
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] If someone is going to be at risk.
* Kuspir says, carefully not naming Marga specifically
[Jevai] :|
[Jevai] How woudl they know?
[Kuspir] They clearly have means of gaining information, same as we do.
[Jevai] I suppose :|
[Ifa] Were you able to communicate that you had been compromised?
[Fikefol] Sadly, I was not.
[Jevai] and will they care who killed you, as opposed to who had it donw
[Jevai] (done)
[Fikefol] I don't know if they will care. The daughter seemed pretty happy to do it, though.
[Kuspir] :|
[Kuspir] I think my questions are done for now. Does anyone have anything further at this time?
[Ifa] No, I...think I'm good.
* Alai shakes her head no
* Ingo exits the death dialogue, and the corpse is at rest.
[Kuspir] Thank you, Voice Ingo. I ask that this ancestor be kept secure, so that if we do need to question him further, we can do so, but no others can. Is that acceptable?
[Ingo] Yes, of course. That is ... that was the practice in the past, with Hulti spies.
* Kuspir nods
[Jevai] thank you.
[Ingo] I had heard the term Writhing before, from one of those ancient Ancestors still housed here. But I was not aware they still existed.
[Ingo] The Carver will want to know all of this. Will you tell her, or shall I?
[Jevai] well... we at least learned that
[Jevai] I don't see any reason that it needs to be us.
[Jevai] I'll tell Marga what we learned
[Ingo] I suppose, given the state we found her in, it was a small surprise only that Marga struck the killing blow?
[Kuspir] If you can tell her, then we can continue our work, and She can talk to us if need be?
[Ingo] Of course.
[Kuspir] Marga was in a state that worried me, so it doesn't shock me. I am concerned for her, her safety as well as her own well-being.
[Kuspir] Someone should be with her - to see if she is all right.
[Ingo] All right, well. Leave this to me and I will leave you to handle your friend.
[Jevai] I'll check on her
[Ifa] Thank you, Ingo.
* Jevai looks to see if Alai wants to come
* Alai will go with Jevai
* Ifa watches them go with concern.
[Jevai] (cool, Cna I have liek 5 min to finish laundrying and also get a food tho)
[Kuspir] (I can talk with Ifa maybe, while the girl squad talks in here?)
[Kuspir] (I mean unless Steve had other plans for us)
[NemnostiGM] (sure, that would be fine, I do have other scenes)
[NemnostiGM] (there's a scene that will involve Ifa and Kuspir, would also have involved Izu, I could do that next)
[Kuspir] (ok)
[NemnostiGM] I also have a scene for Jevai and there's more for Alai, but Jevai and Alai also (?) are making plans
[NemnostiGM] (so why don't I take Kuspir and Ifa in main, and then Jevai and Alai can talk to Marga in 2, and then whenever they're done with her, can talk about their own stuff)

Alai and Jevai talk to Marga about how Fikefol died and whether she is okay

* Alai joins Jevai on the way to check on thier friend.
[Jevai] she's just goign to insist she's fine.... Soem distraction perhaps?
[Jevai] something to do?
[Alai] Is good idea. Not sure she would be interested, but is not about what we do, is it.
[Jevai] we could set to planning our trip back to the Musune maybe
* Alai nods
[Jevai] well, we'll see how she is
[Alai] Lets
* Jevai will have brought some things we can share to eat as well
[Jevai] Marga?
* Jevai will call out
[Marga] Oh! Jevai??
[Jevai] And Alai
* Marga will come to the door.
[Marga] And Alai!
[Jevai] can we come in? I brought some lunch
* Marga is clean but looks a bit manic still.
[Marga] Oh, food, yes please!
[Alai] I suggested we hunt something, but Jevai pointed that eating before sunset is good.
[Jevai] we can go out though, after
[Jevai] if you want
[Marga] Um, sure! I didn't think you liked hunting and stuff though, Alai...
[Jevai] There's lots of kinds of hunting.
[Jevai] here
* Jevai will fins a spot in marga's room and dole out lunchables
[Marga] Wow, thanks!! I haven't had food since... a while!
* Marga starts stuffing them in her face
* Alai finds a bit to nibble on
[Jevai] I figured, that must have been quite a trip down from Hong Sogo
[Jevai] We did question the spy earlier - he really was one
[Alai] So how you end up walking in with a dead man? Does not sound like happy story.
[Marga] Oh he was? Oh good, of course, of course he was, haha.
[Marga] Well, he was too heavy to fly with.
[Alai] Is true, unless you get much bigger.
[Alai] Still could not be easy.
[Marga] That won't be for a while yet!
[Jevai] true
* Jevai sighs
[Jevai] Do you want to talk about... did your father call you up there, to hong sogo, just for this?
[Marga] Yeah, Bazuz came down to find me.
[Marga] I don't know how they figured out who the guy was, but... well!
[Jevai] he's been spying on them for some months, apparently. Maybe he just got careless
[Marga] Daddy wanted to show me, tell me he believes me now about Saza and stuff. Said it was... a present
[Jevai] for you?
* Marga stares blankly for a second then shoves another piece of charcuterie in her mouth.
[Marga] Yeah!
[Jevai] its just us, marga
[Marga] What d'you mean?
[Jevai] Ohh... I don't know. You don't have to be afraid of what we'll think, that s all.
[Marga] About what?
* Jevai smiles
[Jevai] anything. But - it did come out, in the questioning, who killed him.
[Jevai] I'm sure that was part of the gift, hmm?
* Marga hesitates for a split second before nodding.
[Jevai] Kuspir was worried that the naznaz might retaliate, but it doesn't seem very likely, from his answers
[Marga] oh, that's great!
[Jevai] do hyou want to know what else he told us?
[Marga] Oh, sure, yes!
[Jevai] well. he said that he was working for the Naznaz Hengi, but he may have been influence by Downward
[Marga] Auntie Saza?
[Jevai] yes
[Jevai] Gunuremai mentioned her to me as well - she seems deeply involved at this point
[Marga] Yeah... I guess so.
[Alai] Is sad there is so much family mess in this. All mine do is try to marry me off.
[Jevai] Mmm.
[Jevai] :/
[Jevai] well at least mine know better than to try that.
[Alai] but you are so cute
* Jevai smirks
[Jevai] well so are you, and that doesn't incline you to jump into these machinations
[Jevai] anyway, this ancestor also told us about a group of hulti spies called the Writhing
[Jevai] he said they were... black worms?
[Jevai] it was certainly evocative
[Marga] Yuck.
[Marga] I'm glad I brought him back then!
[Alai] Is true he is best in not continuing his vocation.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] are you done with that flatbread?
* Alai and Jevai will have a jovial discussion with Marga. Afterward the Alai and Jevai can discuss thier trip.

Alai and Jevai plan their trip back to the Crease

[Alai] Have you had chance to plan how we can do this?
[Alai] I have thought how I will need to be best prepared.
[Jevai] I have had some thoughts
[Jevai] I can lodge echoing spells, but the teleportation, hmm, I can do it, but it will be challenging for me.
[Jevai] if I can get it lodged, then I thik we will be in good form
[Jevai] if I can lodge that, the rest is simpler - you'd just have to focus on your divination
[Alai] I can teleport us there, assuming there is no wards against it. The Legend Lore will take sufficient time that I can replenish my source.
[Jevai] okay
[Jevai] then i can focus on things to keep us protected while we are there
[Alai] It is the escape that I will be limited.
[Jevai] yes
[Jevai] I can take care of that, I think.... How many can you bring? I will probably be more limited
[Alai] I cannot hold enough source for the Lore and to teleport out... and the divination will fatigue me, even if successful.
[Alai] Two others, that is all. So you and one other defender.
[Jevai] Marga? or Kuspir?
[Alai] I think Marga's keen senses would serve us better.
[Alai] The intent is not to battle to win, but to hide and flee.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I think so
[Alai] So you will conceal us as long as you can... we will go in with protections for concealing as well, I will cover us both, as well as ward myself to detect scrying.
[Alai] It may give us a some pre-warning.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] yes.... though aren't I supposed to be the abjurer ;)
[Jevai] but this makes sense. I will need to lodge what I can for protection while we are there
[Alai] Is easier for me to provide the lower power enchantments, and save your lodgings for those protections we will need when there.

Ifa and Kuspir go to dinner with Ifa s parents, and they discuss Dadim s prospects, and the true extent and cause of Hojon s illness

[NemnostiGM] It's been a while since the family has all been together at one table. Well ... Zurusha, of course, is always away.
[NemnostiGM] But with Kuspir busy in the defense of the ulajeta, Ifa and Izu with their various duties, Irdomila training as an acolyte, not to mention Zaren and Naka themselves, this is probably the first or second time this year that the so-called "Little Nemni" branch has gathered for dinner.
[NemnostiGM] Naka was the instigator, you think. At least, you're pretty sure that Zaren would go along with whatever was suggested, but is hardly likely to take the initiative.
[NemnostiGM] Their quarters are in the iftibal, of course, although these are not the quarters they had when you were all kids growing up. They were moved out of there after all you kids had grown to adulthood, when Zurusha married Kuspir and Ifa went to Onighus.
[NemnostiGM] But still, this area is quite nice, as appropriate for a senior man of the lineage and one of the hengi's good friends.
* Ingo is now known as Naka
* Naka is dressed up as nicely as she ever gets, but still very much looks as if she could go out picking herbs at a moment's notice. Ghoko is around somewhere; they mostly take care of themself.
* Fikefol is now known as Zaren
* Zaren has taken, of late, to wearing the sorts of light and fairly tight-fitting clothes that the modern stoneguards wear under their armor, distinguished but definitely not fancy.
* Ifa will take care to dress nicely if we're doing a whole family dinner thing.
* Kuspir will make sure he is presentable, beard trimmed and in his good clothing
[Naka] Well, at least one of the four of you came, I suppose I should be thankful for that.
* Naka remarks, not sounding super thankful.
[Zaren] Kuspir, my man. Good to see you.
[Ifa] That's unfair; Izu's the only real deadbeat here. ;)
[Kuspir] It's good to see everyone.
[Naka] Well, I suppose Dadim was just here at Romokh. Still ...
[Zaren] And Kuspir is here to represent his branch.
[Ifa] Represent?
[Naka] After the business with Alai, which surely is for the best anyway, I imagine he is nonetheless a little beaten up about the whole matter.
* Kuspir nods steadfastly
[Ifa] I'm sure he'll find ways to console himself. ;)
[Kuspir] Dadim has never been one to mope for too long.
* Zaren laughs.
[Zaren] That's a fair assessment if I've ever heard one.
[Zaren] And we haven't given up on his prospects, not yet anyway.
[Kuspir] Does he know that?
[Zaren] He's a smart fellow, he knows.
* Kuspir nods
[Naka] How is Irdomila's remediation going?
* Naka asks to either one of you, since Ifa's in charge and presumably Kuspir has to hear about it.
* Kuspir sighs slightly, looking to Ifa
[Ifa] (How is it going?)
[NemnostiGM] It's going much better with Irdomila than it is with Fultukhari, mostly because Irdomila is feeling very ashamed while Fultukhari is ... not.
[Kuspir] I think it's a tough blow to her, but probably for the best. It doesn't do to be overconfident, and if she learns now that she too is capable of being wrong, hopefully she will carry that lesson forward in her life.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] She's a good kid, she's mostly just embarrassed.
[Ifa] She's smart, and she knows it, and just...really dropped the ball, I guess.
[Ifa] Like Kuspir said, hopefully it'll be a learning experience.
[Zaren] Good for her. Toughen her up.
[Naka] All right, dinner is served. We have some things to talk about.
[Ifa] Oh?
* Kuspir will take a seat for dinner
* Ifa will do the same.
* Naka leads you over to the table where a zacheraza is served on a platter, surrounded by goosefoot and greens, along with a dish of lejum mushrooms.
* Naka serves up the food along with some local beska beer.
[Naka] So ... how is Afra and little Multur, Ifa?
[Ifa] Well, last I saw them.
[Zaren] How is Momuzai taking to fatherhood?
[Ifa] In truth, I don't know that I've seen him with them much, but things have been pretty busy.
* Naka exchanges a glance with her husband.
[Ifa] What?
[Zaren] When was the last time you spoke with Hojon?
[Ifa] When I last saw Afra and Multur. There was a...disagreement about the baby's name.
[Naka] How was Hojon?
[Ifa] He was...agitated. A bit out of sorts.
[Ifa] As he has been more and more, of late.
* Zaren nods.
[Zaren] You, ah, remember the talk we had the other day, Kuspir?
[Kuspir] I do, yes sir.
[Zaren] Well ...
[Zaren] That was about Hojon.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I wondered if that was the case.
[Naka] Yes, well ... it's not what you think.
[Ifa] How do you mean?
[Naka] Hojon is not falling into senility. The family has none of that in its history, in any case.
[Naka] He has something called bardagai. It's a wasting disease that begins with the twitching of the limbs, especially the arms. Not noticeable at first, but Hojon began to report symptoms almost a year ago, after he would exercise.
[Kuspir] Is it going to keep getting worse?
[Ifa] (Can I roll Heal or something to see what I would know about that?)
[Naka] It is treatable. There is an herb, and a recipe, that they use in Malfan, which is where bardagai is most common. I have been giving it to him for several months now.
[NemnostiGM] (sure go ahead)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+11
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 15 ].
[NemnostiGM] (nope)
[Ifa] (kk)
[Naka] But its effects on the memory are variable. For some, perhaps just a lapse now and then. Here, though ... well. Hojon is clearly compromised.
[Naka] But without this treatment, the disease will progress, he will lose control of his arms, then his legs, and then - well, it is not a pretty death.
* Kuspir frowns, looking grim
[Ifa] So he loses his body or he loses his mind? That's horrible.
[Kuspir] Will he step aside, if this is the case?
* Zaren shakes his head.
[Zaren] I don't think he's inclined to. He's in denial about his mind.
[Kuspir] Either way, he deserves to be able to deal with this in what peace and comfort he can have, and not in the full view of everyone.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Have you talked with him about that possibility?
[Naka] It puts us in a difficult position.
[Zaren] About stepping aside? No. No. .... No.
[Zaren] There is every risk that he would perceive it as a threat, from our branch of the family.
[Ifa] Right...
[Kuspir] What, as if Dadim or someone might take over?
* Kuspir looks a bit dubious at that
* Ifa chuckles darkly at that.
* Zaren laughs.
[Zaren] He'd definitely need to get married then.
[Ifa] If Hojon can't or won't step down, and he can't stop his treatment...do we need to bring this to Nemnu Ula?
[Naka] I've thought about it.
[Naka] We do usually keep the business of the iftibal separate from Her - not out of concealing anything, but just because such matters are beneath Her.
[Naka] But this is different.
[Zaren] Especially at a time when the whole ulajeta is at risk.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] That was my thought as well.
[Naka] Ajemika knows, of course. She works harder than anyone to protect him. And it is surely the case that others suspect that something is wrong, those closest to him. I do not think that Tairasta knows, nor any of the other children.
[Kuspir] Could Ajemika convince him it would be in his best interest to step down?
[Ifa] I talked to Ajemika about it once. I said she should try to convince him to step down, but she didn't think it would look good if she did it, and her brother certainly isn't ready.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] Well if his own family can't do it, and we can't, then who could? Do we need to get his ex wife here to lecture some sense into him?
[Ifa] I'd be happy to try if we think that'd work.
[Zaren] That would be ... chaotic, I think.
[Kuspir] Who else?
[Zaren] Well, after I talked to you, Kuspir, I thought on that.
[Zaren] Ajemika needs our guidance more than Hojon does, at this point.
[Zaren] Perhaps she needs to see that she could be a leader, like her namesake was.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] What're you thinking?
[Naka] Well, in a perfect world, it would be Zurusha. They are still close, despite her seclusion. They always have been.
[Zaren] She used to say that it was Ajemika's doing that you ended up with her.
* Kuspir smiles a little at that
[Ifa] We could write to her, and have her write to Ajemika.
* Kuspir nods
[Naka] And if either of you felt you could talk to her, not in the spirit of replacing her, but perhaps in supporting her?
[Kuspir] I could certainly try.
[Ifa] Likewise.
[Zaren] And of course Regivus might be able to nudge her along as well.
[Naka] If there were any other way out, for Hojon, some other treatment, I would never ask any of this of you.
[Naka] To interfere in the politics of the iftibal ... it is very unnatural to me.
[Kuspir] I understand.
[Ifa] I'm sorry you're in this situation.
[Ifa] Honestly, I'm sorry any of us are.
[Ifa] But we all serve as necessary.
[Zaren] We do.
[Zaren] Well, let's fill our stomachs to get out of this low mood. And perhaps talk of happier things!
* Ifa will force a nice smile and dig in.
* Kuspir will try to enjoy the food, which at least he didn't have to cook
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!

Solos

Jevai meets with Ukhuri Kaisastelovis, who wishes Jevai to serve as her Downward for sigillant training

[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you travel to Naftusa to visit Ukhuri Kaisastelovis. Eneronde has made arrangements for the two of you to meet at her studio, a neutral place where Ukhuri frequents and where your presence would not be noted.
[NemnostiGM] You're not enthusiastic, to be sure. Then again, maybe that's part of the job of being a Downward, constant disappointment at being stuck training this pebble.
[NemnostiGM] Eneronde has a small house made of river-rocks and mortar, with a thatched grass roof, sitting on the outskirts of the town proper. Here, she crafts her mosaics, tends an herb garden, and presumably, still, sometimes, does the work of a sigillant, for the many Ravre who now live in Naftusa and the environs.
* Eneronde is working in the garden as you arrive.
[Eneronde] Hello, Jevai! I'm so glad you made it.
[Jevai] hello.
[Eneronde] Ukhuri is looking forward to meeting you.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] what did you tell her?
* Eneronde shrugs.
[Eneronde] Not much. She knows who you are, in general terms. That you're an acolyte, naturally.
* Jevai nods
[Eneronde] If you're ready, let's go inside, she's waiting there.
[Jevai] ready enough, anyway.
* Jevai nakes an 'after you' gesture
* Eneronde leads you into the cottage.
* NPC-1 is now known as Ukhuri
* Ukhuri is a tall, thin woman of middle years, perhaps your mother's age? She is dressed in a long, conservative grey-green altala with a white mebel headscarf concealing a mostly-still-black head of hair. There are several gold fefrir and a couple of vumuri beads on a chain around her neck, but no other jewelry.
[Eneronde] Ukhuri, this is Jevai of the Nadenigh. Jevai, Ukhuri of the Kaisastelovis.
* Ukhuri smiles warmly, rising to meet you.
[Ukhuri] It is my honour.
* Jevai is dressed in her usual way, especially if she had to travel, in leather pants and a loose tunic, with minimal jewelery and all of that either stone, or shall things that Alai made her
[Jevai] Hello.
[Eneronde] Well, ahhh ... unless you need anything, I'll leave the two of you to talk.
* Jevai nods to her
* Eneronde stands kind of uncomfortably near the door.
[Jevai] thank you, Eneronde
[Jevai] . o O (yeah you probably don't want to be here. ]:|)
* Eneronde steps out and goes back to her gardening.
[Jevai] I understand that you're looking for someone to serve as your downward.
[Ukhuri] I would not presume to have earned that privilege.
[Ukhuri] But in general, I have sought Eneronde's wisdom regarding the path of the tekrur, and helped me to understand the need of every pebble to have an Upward and Downward. The one cannot exist without the other.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] but it is a path you have already stepped on to, I understand
[Ukhuri] Perhaps placed the first foot along it. But I know it is not a journey I am entitled to.
[Jevai] Indeed.
[Jevai] Then what are you after?
* Ukhuri exhales heavily.
[Ukhuri] Please, sit, I have made some tea, if you will.
* Jevai can sit
[Ukhuri] I need you to understand that I am serious in this matter. This is not a trifle to me. It is - really - something that has mattered to me, since childhood.
[Ukhuri] You know that I was born into privilege. My father, the Lion, provided me everything I could ever want. Except purpose.
[Ukhuri] I grew up near Bemnes, and there, as a girl, I used to wander up into the hills. My father always felt that it was good to be trained physically.
[Ukhuri] I used to marvel at the ancient glyphs that the Ravre had made, and to draw my own false emulations in the heavy sands of the Khujai River.
[Ukhuri] But I never had the strength to follow his path as a warrior, nor my sister Keruna's depth of faith, and I did not have the opportunity to study the Courses.
* Ukhuri pauses, as if there is more to that story.
[Ukhuri] I ... ahh ... well.
[Ukhuri] And so my course was to get married, and bear noble children for my noble husband, and to have responsibilities for the care of the estates.
[Ukhuri] And for a time, that was enough. But now here I am, nearly fifty, and I am without purpose. Or, rather, I was. Eneronde has given me a different vision.
[Jevai] and what vision is that?
[Ukhuri] I do not wish to make it seem ... mystical. It is more of a sense that paths carved for me decades ago have become my prison. And I would overflow their banks, and take different paths, while there is still time.
* Ukhuri sips her tea.
[Jevai] So, you're bored, and want to go back to playing with out things like you're a child again.
[Ukhuri] For a time, I told myself the same thing.
[Ukhuri] That I was being foolish, that I was ungrateful for the gifts of wealth and privilege I had had my entire life.
[Ukhuri] I know I must seem like a mad woman, going through her change, and unhappy with her husband or something of the sort.
[Ukhuri] And it is true, I am a child, in the ways of sigillants.
[Ukhuri] But I would be more.
[Jevai] its still purely personal. You have no community to serve.
[Jevai] It's selfish
* Ukhuri considers that.
[Ukhuri] It is true that, after a life spent in sacrifice first to my father's clan, then my husband's, that I am looking for something that is my own achievement.
[Ukhuri] I want to be able to serve others, through my own choosing.
[Ukhuri] I need you to understand that I am very serious about this. This is not a casual matter for me. And I am prepared to make the sacrifices required.
[Jevai] what sacrifices?
[Ukhuri] I understand that I cannot simply dabble in this. That it is time, and energy, and life, and devotion.
* Jevai frowns
[Jevai] You understant that its what you are also asking of those who would teach you? And more.
[Ukhuri] I understand.
[Jevai] Do you?
[Ukhuri] And if it were in my ordinary life, I would promise anything as a reward for those who would teach me.
[Ukhuri] But I am sure that no treasure, no promise of wealth or influence or land, would be accepted. And so I offer none, although if you asked it of me, I would gladly grant it.
[Ukhuri] I am a fool, but not so much a fool as to think that one can bribe one of the jasinamme.
* Jevai can't help making a face at that, because she is still feeling some kind of way about nemnu asking her to do this
[Jevai] Well, youre right. I don't want anything from you.
[Ukhuri] I know that I don't deserve this. But I would ask you to consider it.
[Jevai] why would I?
[Ukhuri] I don't know. Why did your own Downward choose you?
[Jevai] Sadism.
* Ukhuri nods.
[Jevai] and Ego.
[Ukhuri] Saza of the Gago, that is who we are speaking of, yes?
[Jevai] yes
* Ukhuri nods.
[Ukhuri] I hope you will not blame me for seeking you out, instead of her.
[Jevai] You'd be welcome to try, but I wouldn't recommend it
[Ukhuri] She has had a reputation for a long time.
[Jevai] Mm.
* Ukhuri sips her tea.
[Jevai] Well. If that's all, then.
[Ukhuri] I admit that there is probably no way to convince you otherwise, because I do not truly understand the path yet.
[Ukhuri] I don't intend to insult you, but neither do I intend to give up.
[Ukhuri] So there may be no more words for today.
[Jevai] If you understood the path, you would know that it isn't for you. So, thank you for the invitation.
* Jevai will stand
[Jevai] have a good day.
[Ukhuri] You also.
* Ukhuri says, her voice firm, without resignation.
* Jevai will nod to her, and go
[NemnostiGM] You go out, and Eneronde catches you before you depart.
[Eneronde] She has a strong stomach and pancreas.
[Jevai] Good for her.
[Eneronde] She knew well not to expect much of this meeting.
[Jevai] Well, I'm glad our expectations were both met, then
[Eneronde] Are you ... angry?
[Jevai] a little, maybe.
* Jevai considers
[Eneronde] With her? With me?
[Jevai] I'm sure you have your reasons for pursuing this
[Eneronde] I do.
[Jevai] If it satisfies you, its not my buisness, I suppose.
[Eneronde] I have some sympathy for someone who finds themselves wanting something different in life.
* Jevai mentally revises several mean things she could say, and just nods
[Eneronde] I am sorry if you feel I wasted your time.
[Jevai] It's fine. It's a lovely day to visit the market.
[Eneronde] It is.
[Eneronde] Well ... I will let you consider all of this, but I promise you, I will not inflate Ukhuri's expectations.
[Jevai] thank you.
[Jevai] Good day then, and good luck.

Izu talks to Voice Kailas who asks whether Izu would take on the duties of high priest if Ingo were promoted

[NemnostiGM] Izu, you've been busy with various duties around the temple. Of course by now you are aware of the special Hulti ancestor who Marga brought back from the high hills.
[NemnostiGM] Today you are going through your annual check of the inscriptions on the temple walls, seeing where light repairs might be needed, when Voice Kailas approaches you.
* Ukhuri is now known as Kailas
* Kailas sidles up next to you.
[Kailas] How is the work going, cousin?
[Izu] Ah, Hello Kailas. It goes well, all things considered. How are you?
* Izu is in the middle of chiselling out limescale that has built up in some of the carvings.
[Kailas] Well enough, despite the other day's excitement. It took the bubun hours to clean up the mess.
[Izu] I was not there for that, though I heard. Was it that bad?
[Kailas] It was a disruptive annoyance.
[Izu] Where you there when they came in?
[Kailas] I was, yes.
[Kailas] Though Voice Ingo alone spoke to the body, and will not tell me much of what was said.
[Izu] Mmm. He is cautious. Rightfully so these days.
[Kailas] How do you mean?
[Izu] Just that these are strange times.
[Izu] Everyone is cautious
[Kailas] Yes, yes, right, of course.
[Kailas] I was thinking of something else.
[Izu] Oh?
[Kailas] I don't know if Ingo has told you at all. That there is a chance that he will be called to Onighus, to serve as one of His Conduits.
[Izu] Ah yes, he has. I wasn't sure who else he had told.
[Izu] But it is not certain yet, from what I know.
[Kailas] Well, a lot of it is rumours and speculation.
[Izu] Only a fool trusts rumors, but only a fool ignores them.
[Kailas] If it were to happen, I think there would be some discussion of who would lead the temple.
[Izu] Certainly. There are many capable candidates.
[Kailas] I think that at this point, Voice Faifir is too old to want the role.
* Izu smiles.
[Izu] Perhaps Imas? He is very wise.
* Kailas frowns.
[Kailas] He is very clever. There is a difference.
[Izu] That is true
[Izu] Why, who would you prefer?
[Kailas] I was thinking that the temple would be well led by one of our family.
* Izu pauses in his work and turns to regard Kailas.
[Izu] I wouldn't think you would want such a position?
[Kailas] Well, I admit that there are too many people involved in running the temple.
[Kailas] But to keep Imas out, I would accept it if needed.
[Kailas] As, I would hope, would other candidates.
[Izu] Ah.
[Izu] Surely I am too young for such a role?
[Kailas] You are young. But you are also much beloved and trusted, here at the ulajeta.
[Kailas] It would, of course, be the Lady's choice. So I suppose the question is, if offered, would you accept Her gift?
[Izu] It is not something I had considered.
* Izu contemplates for a moment.
[Izu] I will do what My Lady asks of me. Though, I have no pretentions to being worthy of such a post.
[Izu] I think it is probably a moot point.
[Izu] There are many "ifs" involved.
[Kailas] Surely, surely.
[Kailas] Not the least of which, Ingo has not been called upon to serve, yet.
[Izu] Exactly so.
[Kailas] Well ... I'm glad we talked.
[Izu] I am... glad you think me worthy of such an honor.
[Izu] You have given me much to think about.
[Kailas] We can talk again soon.
[Kailas] Now I should let you get back to your work.
[Izu] Yes, we should have dinner sometime. I've been meaning to ask you some questions about our family lineage from several centuries back. I am thinking of a carving that might incorporate it.
* Kailas perks up.
[Kailas] That would be very exciting!
* Izu smiles.
[Izu] Than we shall speak again soon.

Marga talks to Rechegoko about his relative who she killed, and how her family is a bit screwed up

[NemnostiGM] Marga, because everything is Just Fine, you definitely have time to go hang out with Rechegoko at his encampment. He seems much happier since he's moved up there from the ulajeta, and you have to admit, it's pretty fun to go up there!
[NemnostiGM] This afternoon it's actually raining, unusually for the season, although it's getting a bit later in fall so the winter rains will be upon you soon.
* Kailas is now known as Rechegoko
* Rechegoko is building a rough enclosure of some sort with large stones as you arrive.
* Marga brought snacks, cured meat, cheese, dried fruit kinda stuff
* Rechegoko smiles as he sees you, and sets down the rock he was moving.
[Marga] HIiiii!
* Marga waves enthusiastically
[Marga] What're you making?
[Rechegoko] I was thinking I could get some chickens up here.
[Marga] oh, nice!
[Rechegoko] Would be nice to have some eggs.
[Rechegoko] I was hoping you might come up today.
* Rechegoko smiles.
[Marga] Well, here I am! I brought snacks!
[Rechegoko] You're the best.
[Rechegoko] So, ahh ... there was a thing I meant to talk to you about.
* Rechegoko says, as he lays out your picnic stuff.
[Marga] Oh? What thing? :)
[Rechegoko] Well ... so, I really like all the things we do together when you come up here.
[Rechegoko] I just thought maybe we should talk about ... you know, uhh ... whether you have like, whatever herbs or whatever you need.
[Marga] Oh, for babies? Yeah, I do.
[Rechegoko] Oh good.
[Marga] I am not.. I mean, babies aren't a good idea for me, haha
[Rechegoko] I mean, I don't know how all of those work, but I just wanted to make sure, cause .... well like, we don't want any surprises, right?
* Marga nods emphatically
[Marga] Definitely not.
[Rechegoko] This meat is good.
* Rechegoko says, cramming it into his face.
[Marga] Right? I love the spicy kind.
* Marga grabs some too.
[Rechegoko] Has there been any more excitement at Nemnosti?
[Marga] Uhhh..
* Marga pauses with her mouth full
[Marga] K.. kinda
[Rechegoko] Oh?
[Marga] There was a Hulti spy caught by Hong Sogo and
[Marga] I
[Marga] brought him back to the ulajeta
* Marga speaks haltingly, punctuated with brief blips of staring into nothing
* Rechegoko looks at you confused.
[Marga] so they could ask him things. He was dead
[Rechegoko] Oh, I get it.
[Rechegoko] What was he doing up in Hong Sogo, I wonder?
[Marga] Watching. Spying on my father, I guess, that's what Jevai told me
[Marga] For my auntie Saza I imagine
[Marga] He
[Marga] was a Naznaz
[Rechegoko] Ohh ... which one, do you know?
[Marga] Fi... Fikefol
* Rechegoko nods slowly.
[Rechegoko] He would have volunteered. He would not have been forced to go to Hong Sogo. He would have been eager.
[Marga] oh... oh good.
[Marga] I mean. not good. but. good
* Marga presses her knuckles against the sides of her head
[Rechegoko] I guess I need to make peace with all this. Like, I left them, I made my choice, and now we're on opposite sides.
[Marga] I'm. I'm sorry...
[Rechegoko] Why?
* Marga suddenly throws her arms around his waist and squeezes herself against him.
[Marga] For you... having to do this
[Marga] For me doing it.
[Rechegoko] What are you talking about? I made my choices, you didn't do anything.
[Marga] I
[Marga] When I got to Hong Sogo... he was dead
[Marga] Daddy told me to kill him. But he was already dead
* Rechegoko looks at you, confused.
[Rechegoko] Then why did your father say that?
[Marga] He just was still alive
[Rechegoko] You said he was dead.
[Marga] But he was dead as soon as Daddy found him
[Marga] He was. on a pole, so bloody already.
[Rechegoko] Okay, well ... I mean, your dad is ... well, he is not a kind man to his enemies.
[Marga] I.. Rechegoko
[Marga] (very quiet) There's something wrong with my family
[Rechegoko] Yeah.
* Marga bursts into loud tears
[Rechegoko] No, no, no! That's not what I ... I'm sorry!
* Rechegoko paces around, his voice rising in distress
* Marga takes a coupld of deep breaths and pulls herself together uncannily quickly
[Marga] Haha, I never said that out loud before.
[Marga] WOw.
[Rechegoko] I didn't mean to upset you.
[Marga] You didn't... I'm fine, now.
[Rechegoko] Are you?
[Rechegoko] It's hard for me to tell these things sometimes.
* Marga stands there for a sec, wiping her eyes.
[Marga] Well. Better.
[Rechegoko] You know, both of our familes are pretty messed up.
[Rechegoko] That doesn't mean we're doomed.
[Marga] Yeah... yeah!
[Marga] I'm so glad that.. that you understand
[Rechegoko] I'm sorry that you had to see Fikefol like that.
[Rechegoko] But he made his choices.
* Marga nods
[Rechegoko] Well, look. I'm just about done this, and then maybe we can find some way to pass the time :)
[Marga] I'd like that :3
[Marga] I'll help with the rocks!
[NemnostiGM] All right, you help put the rocks on, and then get the rocks off :D

Ifa talks to Ajemika to offer her support for her to replace her father as the Nemni hengi

[NemnostiGM] Ifa, if you were worried before, you're definitely more worried about Hojon now, after your conversation with your parents.
[Ifa] (That's definitely true)
[NemnostiGM] You can have written to Zurusha about it, if you like - she's certainly closer to Ajemika than you, or she was when you were younger, anyway.
[NemnostiGM] But ultimately you are a Hand of the Dead, you are the one involved in the daily life of the ulajeta, and so you have to take charge of this, at least with Ajemika, to help her come around.
[Ifa] (I'll try to catch her some time in private, away from her dad.)
[NemnostiGM] You can definitely do that.
* Rechegoko is now known as Ajemika
* Ajemika is going over account books for the iftibal, one of her more important roles here in the lineage.
* Ifa will knock.
[Ajemika] Yes?
[Ifa] Hey, do you have a minute to talk?
[Ajemika] Yeah, sure.
* Ajemika places a marker in her accounts-book, which she then closes.
[Ifa] How are you doing?
[Ajemika] All right.
[Ajemika] Never enough money, after Romokh.
[Ajemika] We can always call upon Nemnu but I hate to impose even more on Her, given the extra security expenses.
* Ifa nods.
[Ajemika] And all the new acolytes. Who knew that acolytes ate so much?
[Ifa] It's funny you mention security. I was hoping to talk to you about some...concerns.
[Ifa] It's not just security, but it is the most pressing.
[Ajemika] Okay - is this about the dead Hulti?
[Ifa] Oh, no, that's...a whole other thing.
[Ifa] Ajemika...I don't really have a polite way to broach this so I'm just going to address it head on.
[Ifa] Your father is not well, and it is going to become dangerous to the lineage and the ulajeta. We need you to step up.
* Ajemika stares at you for a moment, then sighs.
[Ajemika] There's some hope.
* Ajemika says, unconvincingly.
[Ifa] There's plenty of hope for him to carry on, but not as hengi.
[Ajemika] He would reject that view.
[Ifa] You know his view is clouded. Are you willing to sacrifice people's lives for his pride?
[Ajemika] You overestimate my influence over him.
[Ifa] I'm trying to preserve his dignity. However much standing down may hurt, it will be many times worse if it continues as it has.
[Ifa] I have faith in your capabilities. That's why I'm talking to you.
[Ajemika] And when he steps down, everyone comes for the scraps. That could be more damaging still.
[Ifa] Not if there aren't scraps. If we have a strong leader, who already has experience, ready and willing to take his place.
[Ifa] You have support. People like you. They see how much you do.
[Ajemika] I am not my great-aunt, just her namesake.
[Ifa] You're young yet. ;)
[Ajemika] You know as well as any that women have a poorer claim to rule.
[Ifa] Yet you just mentioned one who lead us before. And we follow a woman saint, also of our lineage.
[Ajemika] That's different.
[Ifa] Is it?
[Ifa] Forget about claims; the right to rule comes from doing it well.
[Ifa] You already shoulder half that burden, if not more.
[Ajemika] A saint is a saint. I'm just a woman, and more, a woman who has not given birth to a son.
[Ifa] There's still time for that, should it be a concern.
[Ifa] I'm concerned about now.
[Ajemika] Well then what of those who see me as my father's tool?
[Ifa] The people who respect your father will take comfort in your support of him, and you'll have the opportunity to show others you are your own woman.
[Ajemika] But when I betray my father, and he rages against me publicly, will I still have that support?
[Ifa] There are people who can talk to him, try to help him see this is not a betrayal.
[Ajemika] People like who? You?
[Ifa] Me, certainly, though I know his and my relationship is fraught. But also people like you, like my father, like Afra, I would imagine.
* Ajemika slumps over the desk, hands in her face.
[Ajemika] I know this can't go on.
[Ajemika] I just don't know what to do about it.
[Ifa] I know it's difficult. That it will be difficult. But you have support. I know you want what's best for your father, and the lineage, and the ulajeta.
[Ajemika] What are you proposing then?
[Ifa] First, let me verify: Are you willing to take your father's place?
[Ajemika] If I am called to do so, then ... yes, I am.
[Ifa] Okay. You have my family's support. Who else would you need to feel secure in taking this to your father?
[Ajemika] I don't know.
[Ajemika] I would want to get a sense of what other claimants there might be.
[Ifa] (Would I have any idea?)
[NemnostiGM] (sure, give me a K:local)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+13
[Jevai] (try again)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 26 ].
[NemnostiGM] The closest adult male relatives would be: Hojon's sons (Momuzai, who is an idiot, and Sepen, who is not even a Nemni anymore); Hojon's brother Jaivu (who lives in Onighus, not here); his cousin Detevus (a stoneguard here), or someone like Dadim (ha!).
[NemnostiGM] In terms of female candidates, Ajemika is by far the most plausible; although there are folks like Amasa (Hojon's cousin).
[NemnostiGM] There are people like your dad but you know for a certainty that he doesn't want that job.
[NemnostiGM] There are more remote people but those would be unlikely.
[Ifa] I would think the only other serious candidate would be Detevus, but I think you're the better choice, and I would imagine there's a good chance he could be convinced to support you.
* Ajemika nods.
[Ajemika] I never asked for any of this.
[Ifa] I know. I'm sorry.
[Ifa] If I thought there was another way, for your sake, I would pursue that.
[Ajemika] I will need to talk to my mother, also.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Of course.
[Ajemika] You think your branch of the family would stand by me?
[Ifa] I do.
[Ifa] My father is concerned about your father, as a friend, and he agrees you're our best hope.
[Ajemika] That trust means a lot. As does yours.
* Ifa gives her an encouraging smile.
[Ifa] What can I say? I have faith.
[Ajemika] You're going to need that and more, if this gets nasty.
[Ifa] We've faced plenty, and will continue to do so.
* Ajemika smiles.
[Ajemika] Well, I better make sure to get these books in order, then.
[Ifa] Yes ma'am. I won't take up any more of your time...for now. ;)