Ashnabis session 64
Summary
Session
Session date: November 21, 2021
Fair Cycle date:
Introduction
<AshnabisNarrator> Death!
<AshnabisNarrator> Death will come for us all, but for some, sooner than others. And for a pirate, death is always at hand. Today, along the Sestapor coast, in Kaskind harbor, that principle will play itself out in the ancient dance of the Duel-at-Masts.
<AshnabisNarrator> Two men, Jimba and Yeggun, aboard the Fortune, the ship Jimba stole from Yeggun, will confront one another in a fatal duel that will resolve their dispute forever. By ancient Aummesh custom and law, this matter will be settled by blood, one way or another.
<AshnabisNarrator> Yeggun arrived to great fanfare a short time ago one fine afternoon late in Shosolda, and preparations are now rapidly afoot for the event, supervised by the celebrated Aummesh reckoner, Hishkobal.
<AshnabisNarrator> But death comes in many forms, and in Banei, matters of death are also at hand. The all-but-dead Nezha and the not-yet-dead Galdai, tangled in a web of death and lies and soul-magic beyond what ought to be.
<AshnabisNarrator> And with the help of the once-dead Brother Bones, Veznara and Daifan, that unlikely pair, seek to right once went wrong - even if doing so carries its own moral hazard in the form of an infant child.
<AshnabisNarrator> All of which is a reminder that even in a world where death need not be the end, matters of death stalk us all, until our own end, and perhaps beyond.
Jimba prepares for his duel with Yeggun by talking with his family first
<AshnabisNarrator> Jimba, the west end of the Kaskind harbour is teeming with onlookers, none of whom have surely seen this event, a Duel-at-masts, the stuff mainly of children's stories, or if practiced at all, far at sea with only pirates as witness.
<AshnabisNarrator> Not here, in the center of Kaskind, at the heart of Imperial control over the swamp and the west country of Ashnabis. How like Yeggun, though, to aim for such a dramatic moment. If someone is going to die - and it seems almost sure that someone will - it will be a new story, told to children yet unborn.
<AshnabisNarrator> For their part, the Sentinels have done nothing to interfere as yet. You see two or three of them milling about, but they seem more concerned with pickpockets than whose blood will be shed aboard your ship. But you're not so far away from the Fort - more could be here in minutes.
<AshnabisNarrator> Sizhif Suster, the harbourmaster, gives you a glance as if to say "You know what you're doing, boy?" before shaking her head and trying to ensure that any chaos is limited to the Fortune.
<AshnabisNarrator> Speaking of that fine ship, she has been docked at the river port of Timiil, not here in Kaskind. So given the terms of the challenge, you must await her arrival. Fortunately for you, Liraula, who always seems to know of these things sooner than could ever be possible, is bringing her around to Kaskind.
<AshnabisNarrator> Soon enough, the Fortune rounds the bend with a crew of Black Stork sailors, most of whom you recognize, of course. Hishkobal is not with them - he has walked overland with Bohin, who rarely comes to Kaskind but seems willing to make an exception for this event.
<AshnabisNarrator> You are a bit uneasy about holding the duel here, in front of the entire colony, but Yeggun seems to have forced your hand with his pretentious speech from the Cormorant. Speaking of that great flagship, she has come here with a full crew, and seems ready to depart as soon as this is all over - if not sooner.
<AshnabisNarrator> Katenzhi and Llillilli, it doesn't take long for word to spread to you - Jimba is well-known and Kaskind is not yet so large that the rumor mill takes long. You hurry down to the harbour to see whether, for the second time in a month, Jimba is about to make a rash and irrevocable decision.
<Llillilli> He has a death wish.
<AshnabisNarrator> Jimba, if you need to talk to anyone - relatives, friends, etc. before the duel, now is the time
* Katenzhi_ just sighs grimly.
* Katenzhi_ is now known as Katenzhi
<Jimba> (They can find me at the docks, I would assume.)
<Jimba> (I feel like there's a fair bit of folks Jimba would talk to, but I don't want to take up too much of the game.)
* Katenzhi will make her way down to him (Presumably with Llillilli)
<AshnabisNarrator> Hey, it's your big scene :) Talk to who you want to talk to, if it starts to get too long we'll let you know (and can always move some things to solos later if need be)
* Jimba will be at the warehouse, putting on his armor, sharpening his machete, etc.
<Katenzhi> There's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?
<Jimba> (Petting his doggos)
<Llillilli> THe whole town has come to gawk.
<Jimba> No, but I suppose we've learned I can't stop you from taking the decision away from me somehow.
<Jimba> That they have, sister.
* Llillilli scowls.
<Katenzhi> The decision to kill yourself?
<Jimba> I'd hate to deprive them.
<Jimba> You think that little of me, huh?
<Katenzhi> I think you think to little of yourself.
<Llillilli> I heard it was Yeggun who made the challenge
* Jimba continues his prep.
<Jimba> He did.
<Llillilli> Hm.
<Llillilli> Well *I
* think Jimba will win
<Jimba> Thank you.
<Jimba> It's certainly the outcome I'm going for.
<Katenzhi> So do I.
<Llillilli> Do you need a second?
<Jimba> I don't think it works that way.
<Jimba> Though, can I ask a favor?
<Llillilli> I wouldn't know.
<Llillilli> What?
<Jimba> If he does manage to kill me, I need you two to kill him.
<Llillilli> That will happen, I swear it.
<Jimba> The only reason I'm doing this is I don't think it's safe for Kaskind to have Yeggun running around.
<Jimba> If there was some other way to mitigate this whole thing, believe me, I would take it.
<Katenzhi> Would you?
<Jimba> But I believe he needs to die for everyone's sake, and he happened to give me the opportunity.
* Jimba sighs.
<Jimba> Kat... it was only about a year ago that he and I were, if not friends, friendly.
<Katenzhi> Jimba, I'm not going to stop you. I could. Believe me when I say that. But I won't. Just... tell me that you know what you're doing.
<Llillilli> Jimba will win.
<Jimba> He was rougher than some other pirates, sure, but not the psychopath he is today. At least, I didn't think so.
* Llillilli says again
<Jimba> I know what I'm doing, Kat.
* Katenzhi nods.
* Katenzhi will grab him and hug him tightly.
* Jimba hugs back.
<Katenzhi> Fuck him up.
* Jimba laughs.
* Llillilli will squeeze the life out of you
<Llillilli> You will be great.
Jimba and Liraula speak before the duel
<Jimba> (I figure I should probably talk to Liraula before the thing starts, if possible.)
<AshnabisNarrator> Sure, that can be arranged.
<Jimba> (I figure that was good for the family talk?)
* Liraula is at the Fortune
* Jimba will head that way to meet with her.
<Liraula> Well, the day has come.
* Jimba sighs.
<Jimba> So it has.
<Jimba> Any advice?
<Liraula> He'll try to throw you off balance with flashy moves and insults - try not to let him get to you.
<Liraula> He's arrogant and wants all eyes to be on him, so maybe you can use that to your advantage.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> Here's hoping.
<Liraula> I have faith in you. It won't be an easy fight, but you can do this.
<Jimba> If I don't...
<Jimba> I need you to look after my family.
<Jimba> And Yeggun can't be allowed to run free.
* Liraula nods
<Liraula> I'm surprised he came right into town like this - I don't think I'd be the only one prepared to stop him from leaving, if it comes to that.
<Jimba> So keep an eye out. Maybe he's got bigger plans.
<Jimba> I've kind of got a lot on my plate at the moment. ;)
<Liraula> And your family will be under my protection, always.
* Jimba smiles for a moment then nods solemnly.
<Jimba> Thank you, Liraula. For everything.
* Jimba extends his hand to shake.
<Liraula> You're a brave man, Jimba. Good fortune be with you.
* Liraula shakes your hand but then pulls you in for a hug as well.
* Jimba looks around at the ship for a moment.
<Jimba> It already is.
* Jimba hugs back.
<Jimba> (Think I'm good there)
<AshnabisNarrator> (ok - any further talk that needs doing?)
<Jimba> (Nothing that I think needs an actual scene. Jimba'd talk to Sizhif and her kids, and arrange with Mayiru to take Washteppo if necessary. Maybe talk to Dekhesh if he happens to be around, but I don't know if he would be.)
<AshnabisNarrator> I feel like if he's there it will be at the back of the crowd, but we could assume he can make it there in the time it takes for the ship to arrive and things to get set up.
<Jimba> (If Daifan's around, presumably he could come up with them?)
<AshnabisNarrator> yeah, that would be reasonable - word would have to get to Banei and then they'd have to come over, but I think there's time for that.
Jimba has a moment with Dekhesh
* Jimba will approach them.
* Dekhesh looks worried
<Dekhesh> What are you doing???
<Jimba> That's...a complicated question.
<Jimba> I guess the simple answer is fighting a duel. Hopefully ending Yeggun's threat.
<Jimba> Unless you were referring to something else?
<Dekhesh> No, no, that was the main thing.
<Dekhesh> What happens if you win? Are you the pirate captain then?
* Jimba chuckles.
<Jimba> If only it was that easy.
<Jimba> No, if I win, I think the Cormorant start devouring itself for a while until it reaches a new equilibrium.
* Dekhesh makes a 'yikes' face
<Dekhesh> I guess that's some sort of victory...
<Dekhesh> I really wish I'd known about this sooner. I would have ... I don't know.
* Jimba smiles sadly.
<Dekhesh> Probably not talked you out of it, I'm guessing, but maybe I would have done things differently.
<Jimba> I feel like I should have done more. Said more...
* Jimba sighs.
<Dekhesh> Look... I don't want to think about you dying. So I'm going to assume you'll win, and we'll have lots of time left to say those things and do whatever it was we feel like we missed out on.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> (Where is this conversation, do you think? Out in the open?)
<AshnabisNarrator> I guess it could be inside the warehouse, if you want a bit more privacy. You could have easily taken him in there to talk.
<AshnabisNarrator> But up to you.
<Jimba> (inside the warehouse works, then)
* Jimba steps forward to kiss Dekhesh.
<Jimba> All the more incentive for me to win.
* Dekhesh kisses you back, holding you close for a few more moments.
Hishkobal announces the terms of the duel
<AshnabisNarrator> You make your way to the deck of the Fortune, then.
* Hishkobal is wearing a long robe of grey and red braided cords sewn onto a white gown, with tiny corals around the neck and cuffs. It is a glorious garment, unlike any you have seen, and it sits just a little too loosely on his thin frame, as if it were not originally made for him. He steps carefully aboard the Fortune, holding a great gnarled staff banded in bronze.
<Hishkobal> In accordance with the ancient custom of the Lords of the Bay, we are here today to bear witness to a Duel-at-Masts.
* Hishkobal strikes his staff against the deck.
<Hishkobal> Be warned! This is no trivial matter to be invoked at will, for slights best handled through lesser means.
* Hishkobal stamps his staff twice more, resoundingly.
<Hishkobal> These two parties, Yimma of the Hoggep, known as Jimba, and Yeggun of the Shotser, have come to me as arbiter today to settle by blood what cannot be settled by words or by drink.
* Hishkobal extends his staff in turn to each of the two men, and then across the gathered throng.
<Hishkobal> I affirm that the challenge has been fairly laid and accepted. Let none interfere with its course under pain of death.
Llillilli and Katenzhi notice some unusual activity in the gathered crowd
<AshnabisNarrator> Llillilli and Katenzhi, you have both, in your own time, been just as headstrong as your dear kinsman Jimba. Whether it is in your bloodline or your upbringing, all three of you are pretty accustomed to seeing one of you going off and doing something incredibly stupid or stubborn.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can't remember the last time one of you duelled to the death, though, mainly because that has never happened. But it was probably bound to, although frankly, Lllillilli, you thought it would be you ahead of Jimba.
<AshnabisNarrator> But regardless, here we are. You have an excellent vantage to possibly watch Jimba slay the greatest tyrant of the Niineha Bay. That, or be hacked apart on his own ship. Who can say?
<AshnabisNarrator> There are many gathered here who you recognize - guests from your weddings, folks you've had dealings with. Katenzhi, you don't see your parents, which isn't to say they aren't here, though. Though whether you would want them to be is a different matter.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you watch Hishkobal intone the ancient rites of the Duel-at-masts, you look throughout the crowd at all these faces, and more.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can both make a Perception check
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+18
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 36 ].
* @Lan-werk rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 32 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+17
* @Lan-werk rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 32 ].
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 19 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> (I'll go with the Lan-werk rolls, since that's our usual one)
<AshnabisNarrator> You can both also make a Sense Motive check
<Katenzhi> (hahahahaha)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+1
* @Lan-werk rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+1 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 1 ] totals [ 13 ].
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+13
* @Lan-werk rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 33 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> A short way from you, tucked in next to a warehouse building, you see a trio of folks. The first two are young men who clearly look like Yeggun's sort - not that the Cormorants openly pledge their allegiance, but they're certainly not local sailors, and they are heavily armed.
<AshnabisNarrator> The third is a woman, clad in a white robe, and in fact the white robe of a Hand of the Dead, a careful pattern of blue and green sewn into the center panel. She is dark of complexion and rail-thin.
<AshnabisNarrator> And she looks very, very nervous. At her feet sits a carved box of ebony, perhaps two feet long and a foot wide.
* Llillilli elbows Katenzhi
<AshnabisNarrator> Llillilli, you especially think it's odd. If you're not mistaken - and you could be, but you don't think so, not this time - you'd say the two men are watching her far more carefully than they are the battle about to begin.
<Katenzhi> What do you suppose that's about?
<Llillilli> (q) I don't like that
<Katenzhi> (q) Let's go see.
<Llillilli> (q) she is afraid of them
* Llillilli strolls up to the three.
* Dekhesh is now known as Pirate
* Hishkobal is now known as Priestess
* Katenzhi will back her up.
* Pirate glares threateningly at you as you approach
<Pirate> What're you looking at?
<Llillilli> You, clearly
<Llillilli> You seem to be bothering this woman.
* Priestess looks down at the box at her feet.
<Katenzhi> What's in the box?
<Pirate> It's none of your concern.
<Katenzhi> I'm making it my concern.
* Priestess looks up.
<Priestess> Please just go away. Please.
* Priestess asks, her eyes filled with terror.
<Llillilli> I don't think I will
<Katenzhi> What's wrong? What are they doing here?
<Llillilli> CHeating, is what I think.
* Pirate raises his weapon
<Pirate> You'll back off if you know what's good for you.
* Llillilli nudges the box with her foot
<Katenzhi> Do you know who we are?
<Llillilli> No, you leave.
<Priestess> You're the kin.
<Llillilli> And we will keep your box.
<AshnabisNarrator> The pirate will move to try and attack you, Llillilli - we can roll init.
<Katenzhi> Yeah. We are the kin. And we beat worse things than you to a pulp for our job. What do you think we'll do when it's family you're threatening?
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+3
* @Lan-werk rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Llillilli> (13, I rolled in roll20)
<AshnabisNarrator> (yeah we can move to roll20 for this, although it might be over quickly ;)
<AshnabisGM> The bearded pirate falls to the ground, withered, bleeding, but still breathing. The priestess is around the corner, where you can see her easily.
<Llillilli> You!
* Katenzhi will draw her spear and hold it up to Frosty the snowman's neck.
<Llillilli> What's in the box??
* Llillilli points at her with a bloody pfethe
<Priestess> Aidastu .... S....spirits.
<Llillilli> :| what's that?
<Llillilli> (I assume I do not know(
<AshnabisGM> (what's your Knowledge: religion? lol)
<Llillilli> (goose egg)
<AshnabisGM> (just to check, you letting beardy bleed out on the dock?)
<Llillilli> (oh I *guess
* I can stabilize him ;)
<AshnabisGM> (up to you)
<Priestess> Spirits of the dead ... brought here from far far away.
<Llillilli> What were you going to do with them?
* Llillilli crouches over the pirate to stop him bleeding to death
<Priestess> Please. My name is Auba Reshmari. These men are holding me hostage. They are going to kill my parents.
* Priestess is now known as Auba
* Llillilli frowns
<Llillilli> WHere are your parents?
<Auba> They live up the coast, in a small port. He ... he found them. He told me I had to do it.
<Llillilli> But he does not have them now?
<Auba> I mean ... he's right over there.
* Auba points at the Fortune.
<Auba> But his men do.
<Llillilli> Well. He will die today.
<Llillilli> We will find your parents.
* Llillilli looks to Katenzhi.
<Katenzhi> We'll help you find your parents.
<Llillilli> WHich ship are they on?
<Auba> I don't know.
* Auba is shaking uncontrollably.
<Llillilli> One of these might.
<Auba> Please. If I don't release these spirits, he'll have them killed.
* Katenzhi pokes braidy lightly with the spear.
<Llillilli> Make him talk, Katenzhi.
<Llillilli> (is beardy awake)
<Katenzhi> Where are they?
<AshnabisGM> (oh no, he's still quite unconscious)
<Llillilli> What are these spirits supposed to *do*?
* Pirate (braidy) is trapped but can speak I guess?
<Katenzhi> Talk. And do not fuck with me today. You would not believe the mood I'm in right now.
<Auba> To go onto ... onto your brother.
<Llillilli> Yeggun is no priest. Kat may be able to create an illusion that will trick him.
<Katenzhi> Where are her parents?
<Pirate> I don't know where her parents are. I was just supposed to keep her here and make sure she did her thing with the box.
<Llillilli> (SM)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+13
* @Lan-werk rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 33 ].
* Pirate really doesn't seem to know
* Llillilli scowls.
<Llillilli> He is telling the truth.
<Katenzhi> Fuck.
<Pirate> The ... spirits in there, or whatever, if they don't get released, someone will take word back to deal with her parents, but it wouldn't be right away.
<Llillilli> We will try our best to save them, but you will not release these things.
* Llillilli picks up the box.
<AshnabisNarrator> Okay - you have the box under your control, and the pirate subdued. You could either just keep watch on them, or get some of the waiting Sentinels to take them into custody, as you prefer.
<AshnabisNarrator> (pirates, sorry)
<Katenzhi> (Let's get them into custody, I think)
<Llillilli> (take them to the sentinels and the box to Veznara I guess)
<Katenzhi> (Yeah)
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok - that will take a bit, so we'll switch back over to Jimba, but I will remember that's happening.
Jimba and Yeggun each have an opportunity to speak before the duel begins
* Hishkobal continues to speak to the gathered crowd, and to the two combatants.
<Hishkobal> This ship, called by some Fortune, shall be the battlefield. No blood may be shed beyond its decks, or their claim is forfeit. None but these two shall be aboard her.
<Hishkobal> Before blood is shed, each of you shall be permitted to speak some final words to these witnesses, so that your words may outlive your corpse.
* Jimba nods.
<Hishkobal> The battle will continue until one or the other shall fall and fail to rise. Mercy or slaughter may be enacted upon the breathing fallen. The breathless shall be returned to their kin.
<Hishkobal> Jimba, do you swear to be so bound by these terms?
<Jimba> I so swear.
<Hishkobal> Yeggun, do you swear to be so bound by these terms?
<Yeggun> I so swear.
<Hishkobal> Very well, the terms being settled, I pronounce this Duel-at-masts in order. Yeggun, you are the challenged, so you may choose first your mast, bow or stern.
<Yeggun> Bow.
<Hishkobal> Very well, Lords, stand by your masts.
* Jimba takes his place.
* Yeggun goes to stand by the bow mast.
<Hishkobal> Jimba, you are the challenger, so you may speak first to these witnesses, any words, kind or ill.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> I didn't want it to come to this. Any of you who know me know the truth of that.
<Jimba> I once counted Yeggun a friend, but his actions have made reconcilliation impossible.
<Jimba> For that, I am immensely sorry.
<Jimba> Now, I hope only for justice.
<Jimba> (That's it, short and sweet. :P )
<Hishkobal> Yeggun, in turn, now you may speak to these witnesses, any words, kind or ill.
* Yeggun stands at the mast, a long, sharp trident in hand, and begins to speak to the crowd in his rich country Aummesh, untainted by Imperial influence.
<Yeggun> People of Kaskiin, people of Timiil, people of Ruur, people of all the ports on river and bay, I do not expect that you love me.
<Yeggun> Perhaps you fear me. And if it is so, well enough. I have spilled enough blood to turn the Kaskos red in my day.
<Yeggun> Perhaps you think that the charges laid against me must be true. And if it is so, well enough. My crimes are many.
<Yeggun> But this man, under cloak of respectability and friendly demeanor, he is a phantasm.
<Yeggun> His voice, his kind face, conceal beneath them a distaste, even disrespect, for our ways. The ways of kin, the ways of men here on the Bay, these hundreds of years.
<Yeggun> And how could he not be? For he can never be one of us. He is a taker, just as all these Imperial bastards are takers, in their guts, in their lungs.
<Yeggun> He has taken my kin, against the order of things, away from clan and family.
<Yeggun> He has taken my ship, the very ship on which I now stand, and called it by the name Fortune, as if luck, not malice, brought it here.
<Yeggun> He has taken my crew - stolen aboard my very ship the Cormorant to snatch them away.
<Yeggun> Jimba of the Ghughife, Taker I name you. And for those of you who think that they will not come for you, for your lands, for your ships, for your fos - remember this day.
<Yeggun> For if I fall, I fall, but another will rise tall above me. And if I triumph, I triumph, but the Fort rises larger and taller every year.
<Yeggun> The takers remain.
* Yeggun steps back.
* Jimba chuckles.
<Hishkobal> Very well, the niceties have been taken care of. All is in order. Commence!
<AshnabisNarrator> (we'll move to roll20 for duel time!)
* Jimba has to visibly stop himself from laughing harder.
Katenzhi and Llillilli take the box of cannibal ghosts to Veznara, but they decide not to release them
<AshnabisNarrator> Llillili and Kat, you can find Veznara in the crowd, with your box of ghosts.
<Katenzhi> Vez!
* Veznara looks up
<Veznara> Kat!
* Veznara sounds worried
<Llillilli> We have a box of... things
<Veznara> ...things?
<Llillilli> Yeggun was going to use them on Jimba
* Llillilli galnces worriedly back at the boat
<Katenzhi> It a haunt. Or haunts.
<Llillilli> Spirits.
<Veznara> Oh? Oh!
* Veznara will Perceive haunt on the box, if she may...
<Katenzhi> (Are there people around us?)
<Llillilli> He has the priestess' parents...
<AshnabisGM> (yes, absolutely, a crowd)
* Katenzhi will pull the two of them off to the side then
<Veznara> (Is the priestess with them?)
<AshnabisGM> (yes I believe so?)
<AshnabisGM> (she's certainly staying close by)
<Veznara> What?
* Auba isn't straying too far - who knows who else could be out here looking for her.
<Veznara> They... took one of my sisters' parents as hostages, to force her to send haunts on Jimba?
<Llillilli> Yes.
<Katenzhi> Yes.
* Veznara frowns angrily (and perhaps a bit guiltily)
<Veznara> They would dare!
<Veznara> (At this point, we've seen Jimba be hit?)
<AshnabisGM> (yes)
<Veznara> Well... it only seems fair to do to them what they would do to Jimba, no?
* Katenzhi hesitates.
<Katenzhi> No.
<Llillilli> He... would not want us to
<Katenzhi> He wants a fair fight.
<Katenzhi> We owe him that much.
<Llillilli> if he falls... then do it >:(
* Veznara frowns, but nods
<Veznara> You're right. He wouldn't want that.
<Veznara> This priestess' parents, though... we have to recover them.
<Llillilli> Yes.
* Llillilli nods.
<Katenzhi> Yeah.
<Llillilli> Before Yeggun can order them killed.
<Veznara> Where are they?
<Llillilli> We aren't sure...
<Llillilli> Maybe someone could use a spell to talk to them.
<Katenzhi> I don't know them or I would be able to find them.
<Veznara> *She* knows them.
<Veznara> Can you read her mind, and use her images of them to find them?
<Katenzhi> I... don't know. I've never tried that before.
<Katenzhi> (Would that work?)
<Veznara> We could just give her fos to do it herself... but fear might make her use it against us.
<AshnabisNarrator> (we're not going to do a 'find the parents' mission in the middle of the fight, sorry. we're too busy with other stuff.)
<Veznara> Or.. what about the white oracle? That helps with divination, no? Could it be useful for something like this?
<Katenzhi> (No worries, I figured)
Yeggun and Jimba duel!
* Yeggun steps forward and then spins his trident around impressively, looking out towards the crowd, then back at Jimba.
[They circle one another, dodging and feinting at one another. Jimba is dealt a heavy blow by Yeggun, but also strikes him in return. Daifan surreptitiously aids Jimba by sometimes giving him Fortune and sometimes Misfortune on Yeggun. Eventually, Yeggun is grievously wounded from multiple nasty injuries. He withdraws as his action. Jimba pursues him, jumping acrobatically from the higher deck to the lower deck, and closes in for his attack.]
<Jimba> A bit strange you name me "Taker", no? You are a pirate, after all.
* Yeggun looks up at you -trembling
<Yeggun> Are you going to finish me, then?
<Jimba> You could always surrender.
<Yeggun> Still ignorant of our traditions, after all this time. This is to the death.
<Jimba> I'm pretty sure that's not what Hishkobal said. "'The battle will continue until one or the other shall fall and fail to rise. Mercy or slaughter may be enacted upon the breathing fallen.'"
<Yeggun> I ask for no mercy! And I am not fallen! I am Yeggun of the Shotser, Lord of the Cormorant!
<Jimba> Then let me grant you this final wish, 'my lord.' [he strikes him one final time]
* Yeggun falls to the ground, bloody and unconscious.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can coup de grace him if you wish, or you can leave him to bleed out.
<AshnabisGM> Or you can try to stabilize him of course.
<AshnabisNarrator> yes sure, that's also an option
* Jimba just shakes his head and walks towards the gangplank.
* Katenzhi will run up to help Jimba down.
<AshnabisNarrator> Jimba, seriously injured, will be helped off the Fortune by his family.
* Jimba probably looks a little shell-shocked.
<Llillilli> (q) I knew you would win
Daifan and Veznara get Brother Bones and the other necessary components together
<AshnabisNarrator> Veznara and Daifan, despite it all, the matter of Galdai cannot wait. So you have to leave your friends in Kaskind and head up to Banei, where you need Brother Bones to assist you in, you hope, restoring Nezha and dealing with the problem of Galdai.
<AshnabisNarrator> If your belief that Galdai's self and spirit are contained within the infant child now kept by Hevraz and Udasta, there are few palatable options, but allowing Galdai to go unchecked is the worst of all of those. And so here you are.
<Veznara> What shall we do?
<Daifan> I will bring the child here
<Veznara> Has Brother Bones been able to figure out what to do with everything?
<Daifan> let's hope so
<Daifan> but I can ask
* Daifan does have that thing that will let them communicate
<Veznara> I think we should, before bringing everything to him.
<Daifan> (or at least I can talk to him and ask him)
<Veznara> And the child... she is still Galdai.
<Daifan> I know
<Daifan> but she can't work magic without fos, and a child can't handle enough to be trouble
<Veznara> She may have somehow gathered fos. We must be careful... put her to sleep, or something.
<Daifan> Much trouble >.>
<Daifan> But yes, I thought of thqt
<Daifan> there's lots of ways to put babies to sleep
<Veznara> Well, let us ask Brother Bones before anything else.
<Daifan> Mmhmm
<AshnabisNarrator> So you want to send a message to Brother Bones.
<Veznara> (I mean, we wouldn't go to all this trouble until we know he can fix things, right?)
* Daifan has that figurine thing, so yes
* Daifan will blow on it
<Daifan> Brother Bones, its Daifan. Are you ready, if I bring her? Should we go to you, or you come here?
<AshnabisGM> A moment passes, then another, then a response.
<Brother_Bones> I will come to you in Banei. I have a solution ... and a proposition.
<Daifan> ...okay
* Daifan relays that to Veznara
<Veznara> Is he coming now? Should we wait for him, or bring everything here?
<Daifan> wellm he says he has a proposition so.... I think he meant now?
Brother Bones explains the spell he proposes to use, to erase Galdai's memories of herself
<AshnabisGM> Some time later, you feel an ill wind from outside, and momentarily, Brother Bones is at your door.
* Brother_Bones looks tired, as if he has been studying all day and all night.
<Daifan> please, come in
<Daifan> would you care for some tea?
* Brother_Bones looks up and ... maybe even smiles.
<Brother_Bones> Thank you, I would. Do you know how long it has been since I have been offered the comforts of home, by anyone?
* Veznara nods in greeting
<Daifan> No one making you tea out in the woods, hmm ;)
* Daifan can getv that though
<Brother_Bones> I bring good news, and bad.
<Brother_Bones> I have read the notes and tablets you provided me, Veznara. Very interesting. It would take years to unravel it all. But enough, I can now say.
<Brother_Bones> I believe I understand the spell Galdai used to make the exchange. In fact, if I am not mistaken, it was a twofold incantation. First, upon her death, to exchange her body with Nezha's, placing the woman's soul, if we budal truly have souls, of course, heheheh ... into the gem.
* Daifan rolls their eyes
* Veznara nods grimly
<Brother_Bones> So at that point, Galdai thrust herself into Nezha's body, and Nezha's spirit went into the brooch. Galdai's body became an empty husk.
<Veznara> That fits with what we thought.
<Brother_Bones> I believe it was done so out of urgency - that Galdai did not expect to die at that moment, and so she needed to use this ... vessel ... on a temporary basis. Because the babe was not at hand, you see, the final goal required a second step. Otherwise, she may not have needed to involve Nezha at all.
<Veznara> She could not know exactly when she would die - it makes sense.
* Brother_Bones nods.
<Brother_Bones> So she kept Nezha and the brooch close at hand.
<Brother_Bones> But her ultimate goal was not to become Nezha, of course.
<Brother_Bones> And so that second step was with Nezha's body. Galdai transferred herself into the child, and the child into Nezha's body, noose around neck.
<Brother_Bones> Nezha appears to be just a dead corpseborn, and Galdai inserts herself into the child she chose for the role.
* Daifan scowls deeply
<Brother_Bones> As a corpseborn, no one would treat her as an ancestor or inquire too deeply.
<Daifan> that is what we had guessed
<Veznara> She did give instructions to her steward in town to retrieve the body...
<Veznara> Did she perhaps intend to be sure it was burned, in order to prevent this horrible soul-switching from ever being undone?
<Brother_Bones> I don't know. Perhaps. I'm not sure it can be so easily undone. But more on that momentarily.
* Veznara nods
<Brother_Bones> I believe that, although difficult, I can restore Nezha's spirit to her body - as we have them both here. I will not claim to know what all the consequences of that will be, though. Will she be as a revenant - will I have a companion in my corpseborn death-beyond-death?
<Brother_Bones> Or will something else befall her?
<Brother_Bones> This is high magic, the sort that comes out of the eldest libraries, in Dundures, in Imperial Omba herself.
* Daifan nods
<Brother_Bones> But I think I can do it. My power matches Galdai's, I am sure of it.
<Veznara> It would nod surprise me if that were where Galdai first researched it.
* Brother_Bones nods.
<Brother_Bones> Who can say? In any event, that is the good news.
<Daifan> and the bad?
<Brother_Bones> The question of what to do about the baby, I'm afraid, is substantially more complicated, because as far as I can tell, it is ... gone. Neither in Nezha's body nor Galdai's, nor its own, nor in this gem. It has gone to be an Ancestor, yet one unreachable, because its own body is breathing and warm.
<Brother_Bones> Not that an infant Ancestor is normally much for conversation, in any case.
* Daifan frowns
<Brother_Bones> She has, in effect, killed it, in this ritual.
<Veznara> It must still be tied to Nezha's body, though.
<Brother_Bones> It may be.
<Brother_Bones> I cannot say.
<Brother_Bones> But I do not know how to restore it.
<Daifan> ah.
<Daifan> it would not be the same as removing Nezha form the broach?
<Brother_Bones> If it has a tie to this world I do not know how to untie it, or re-tie it.
<Veznara> Perhaps Nezha knows, though. Or has some further idea of how to find out.
<Brother_Bones> I don't know how she would. Why would she?
<Daifan> I don't know how she would
<Brother_Bones> So if you truly wish to be rid of Galdai, well ... the obvious way would make you both murderers and abductors, in the eyes of the law. By ... slaughter. Trying to explain all ... this ... to a Choradani magistrate at the Fort is not going to be easy. And I cannot tell you that I recommend such a course of action.
<Veznara> She was Galdai's servant... I don't know.
<Brother_Bones> I am not a monster, despite my name.
<Daifan> could we put her in the baby instead? >.>
<Brother_Bones> put Nezha in the baby?
<Veznara> Nezha?
<Daifan> yes
<Brother_Bones> I ... don't know. But that would be ... deeply unnatural.
<Daifan> hen nevemind
<Brother_Bones> I couldn't do that today ... perhaps not ever.
<Daifan> what was your solution
<Veznara> I... I don't know. But killing a baby... no. No. I can't do that.
* Brother_Bones nods.
<Brother_Bones> Me neither, Sister.
<Brother_Bones> I have been thinking of another way - a way that might, if it works, leave the child alive, but not Galdai. But one with risks.
<Veznara> Then that is the way we must attempt.
<Brother_Bones> Late in my time in Daligash, when I was at the height of my power and renown, as Tevez, I learned of an exceptionally powerful and rare incantation: the Damnation of Memory.
<Brother_Bones> Few would dare it, but then, I always was a daring one. How could I not be?
<Brother_Bones> It was ... it is ... beautiful. I am not one to step into the eternal quarrel of mystics and manifests, the book-learned and the natural, but still. There are those who criticize the mystics as keeping lore from the masses, but they forget that these same mystics created that lore. The Damnation is a gift from antiquity.
* Daifan nods
<Brother_Bones> It causes all memory of some person, place, thing, event, location, to be wiped from the minds of all those in the area. Permanently. Those memories are stored, instead, in some precious jewel, never to be released until it is destroyed.
* Brother_Bones looks over at the brooch.
<Brother_Bones> I used it, more than once, in those final days in Lunduso, to wipe the name of Tevez from minds unsuited. A Senator of great renown, for instance, who knew too much of who I was and who I had been, though I could say the same of him.
* Brother_Bones looks over at Daifan with an inscrutable glance.
<Brother_Bones> But I did not become the mystic I once was and perhaps still am by thinking only in lines and circles. No, knots and braids and twists. And so it occurs to me that, this babe, what if we were to cause her to forget Galdai?
<Veznara> ...would that work?
<Brother_Bones> The child has no memory of its own now anyway. It could be returned to its adoptive kin, perhaps even, in time, transferred to the care of Ziftu. Or you could drop it at the Temple of the Hand - a foundling encountered in the streets - and no one would suspect a crime.
<Veznara> You could simply erase Galdai? :O
* Brother_Bones nods.
<Brother_Bones> It would be as it is, to its parents, to everyone, and perhaps - I believe it would be so - even unto itself. Unless the gem were carelessly destroyed or dispelled, Galdai would not exist, and this child could grow up into itself, whoever that might be.
<Daifan> it would be causing her to forget herslrf, woudl it not?
<Daifan> can this spell be undone once it is cast?
<Brother_Bones> But in that gem would be all that she is, that she was, that she knew. Dispelling it would be of grave difficulty. It could perhaps be undone. Destroying it, similarly, would end the spell.
<Daifan> I see
<Brother_Bones> The Damnation is permanent ... but only as permanent as the jewel.
<Brother_Bones> But you could bury it far beneath the earth.
<Brother_Bones> Toss it into the sea.
<Brother_Bones> Or keep it close to your own heart and never speak of it to anyone.
<Veznara> What kind of jewel must it be?
<Brother_Bones> It is ... as I say ... a gift.
<Brother_Bones> It cannot be any simple trifle.
<Brother_Bones> One of great value, surely. But I suggest to you that you already have one.
<Veznara> The brooch, of course.
<Brother_Bones> Any jewel that can hold a soul can surely hold the memory of a soul ... by the ancient law of Extension.
* Daifan looks at it
<Veznara> So you restore Nezha to her body, and then place all memories of Galdai in the brooch?
<Daifan> you're supposed to give it back, right?
<Daifan> all the baby's memories of her...
<Brother_Bones> Not all memories ... just the memories that Galdai had of herself - or anyone else who stood close by, except me. If you stood close, you too would be affected by the Damnation.
<Brother_Bones> Others, of course, will remember her name and her deeds. Galdai will, in effect, still be in the child - just unable to remember that fact.
<Veznara> So she would in effect become the infant she appears to be, and grow normally.
<Daifan> unless the gem is destroyed
<Veznara> Not the same child, but *a* child.
<Brother_Bones> Right. A child with Galdai's soul.
<Veznara> And would the brooch be... safe?
<Brother_Bones> When she becomes an ancestor, in turn, she will be Galdai, I assume.
<Daifan> that depends
<Veznara> But still with no memory of Galdai?
<Brother_Bones> I am no theologian, Sister. I cannot speak of matters of souls.
<Veznara> Well, no matter... we can leave the metaphysical speculation for later.
<Brother_Bones> The Damnation is not necromancy or soul-magic - not like this thing that Galdai did. It is an enchantment of the mind - in this case, the mind of the person, to forget their own self, their own deeds.
<Veznara> But would the brooch be safe? I would not want to return it to the Princess if Galdai can replace her soul, or something...
<Brother_Bones> As long as the gem is not dispelled or destroyed, then yes, it is safe.
<Veznara> So all her memories of herself would be locked away.
<Daifan> i woudl say it will be safe enough for now, and better for you to see it returned
<Daifan> what happens to it after that...
* Daifan shrugs
* Daifan says, already planning to ask Balinteze to help them steal it
<Veznara> The only concern then would be if it were somehow damaged... which seems unlikely... or if someone loyal to Galdai realizes what happened.
<Veznara> (How much do I think the brooch cost?)
<Daifan> It doesn't seem liek they coud have been fully aware of her plans
<Brother_Bones> (you have no idea - you could Appraise I suppose?)
<Veznara> (Yeah, not really. I can try...)
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+3
* @Lan-werk rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Brother_Bones> (one *million* gold horns ... no, you don't have any idea)
<Veznara> I would be careful about assuming anything. She did instruct Ghegis to gather Nezha's body...
<Veznara> But I suppose there's no reason for him to realize that this has happened. From what you say, Brother Bones, hardly anyone even knows such a spell exists.
<Veznara> And I expect I would be in a good position to keep an eye on it..
* Veznara sighs
<Veznara> I had hoped we could restore that poor baby to its body.
<Veznara> But if that is not possible... this may be all we can do.
<Brother_Bones> Shall I, then, attempt to restore Nezha to herself? So that we have this gem available?
<Veznara> Oh, yes... here.
* Veznara takes out the brooch
* Brother_Bones holds it in his hands almost tenderly, reverently.
<Brother_Bones> This is deeply forbidden magic. There are those among the mystics who would kill those who use it - and others who would spend their fortunes to acquire it.
<Brother_Bones> And it is my task to end it.
* Veznara shudders
<Brother_Bones> All right, sister Wolf, let us see what we can do about your predicament.
* Brother_Bones pulls out the notes and what seems like an absolutely massive quantity of fos, which he consumes.
<Brother_Bones> (you are estimating 20 doses. It takes him a while)
* Brother_Bones pulls out the tablets and notes, just in case he needs them, and in his dark staccato, begins to whisper.
<Brother_Bones> !roll 1d20+23
* @Lan-werk rolls for Brother_Bones: [ 1d20+23 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 23 ] totals [ 27 ].
* Daifan will go and sit beside Nezha's body and take her hand
* Brother_Bones seems to go on forever - it can't be longer than 10 minutes though - and finally he slumps back.
Nezha is brought back to life
* Nezha groans and stirs, looking around in confusion
<Veznara> . o O (She's alive!)
<Nezha> what...?
<Nezha> what happened?
<Daifan> Nezha!
<Veznara> Nezha!
* Daifan will check her over
<Daifan> It is a long story but the short version is Galdai... tried to kill you >.>
<Veznara> What do you remember?
<Daifan> !roll 1d20+19
* @Lan-werk rolls for Daifan: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 28 ].
<Nezha> I... don't know. I'm home now?
<Daifan> yes. but things are very complicated
* Nezha seems confused and dazed, but not physically harmed/unwell, as far as you can tell, Daifan.
* Daifan will get her some tea as well
* Nezha will take it carefully, still a bit unsteady, as if her hands are stiff or asleep perhaps.
* Brother_Bones stands up, and looks at the gem in his hands.
<Daifan> When you are ready, I can tell you the whole truth
That night, Daifan kidnaps a baby
<AshnabisNarrator> OK - we'll assume you can tend to Nezha, but Daifan will need to go kidnap a baby. How do you want to do that, Daifan?
<Daifan> if I can wait until night, I'll make libera use of some sleep spells
<AshnabisNarrator> OK - remember that 'baby' Galdai may still have Regular Galdai's hp/saves/etc. so while you can use them on her 'family', you might need something stronger than just a basic Sleep on her.
<Daifan> (I mean even if I can't I guess it wouls still work)
<Daifan> 9I'm planning to use her baby body agains her and sneak up on her the old fashioned was and just giver her some good old baby night night juice >.>)]
<AshnabisNarrator> ok, what is that? I mean are you giving her baby booze? a sleeping potion of some kind?
<AshnabisNarrator> I just need to know in terms of what kind of save or other thing I might need to figure out :)
<Daifan> (Yes. Some kind of babye sleepin draught that may or may not have drugs in it includng alcohol ;)
<Daifan> (Baby's first(?) Opioids ;p)
<AshnabisNarrator> OK. Well, let's have you go and do your sneaking/stealing first.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can indeed wait until night if you want, so you can sneak into the house hopefully more easily.
<AshnabisNarrator> Are you walking there? teleporting?
<Daifan> (let's plan to walk there, teleport back)
<AshnabisNarrator> ok
<AshnabisNarrator> Daifan, you travel to the small goat farm outside the city proper where Hevraz and Udasta, and their little one, make their home. It is a modest sort of one-room place, honestly one that wouldn't seem lavish in Banei, but warm, cozy almost.
<AshnabisNarrator> The fire is unlit and the goats all appear to be firmly penned, and you can hear no noise from within.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can make a Stealth check to slip inside.
<Daifan> (On pfft, teleport has to be willing creatures, so maybe the other way around)
<Daifan> (I will cast deep slumber first - I assume that shoudl catch anyone inside?)
<Daifan> (55 foot burst)
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, you can do that.
<Daifan> (that will catch up to 10 HD of creatures)
<Daifan> (And then I will sneak in)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 12 ]
<AshnabisNarrator> Inside, the home is well-kept. The baby is asleep on a bed of straw next to its mother.
<Daifan> 9That was a magicroll, 3rd lvl spell so fail by 4 :p)
<Daifan> (I think?)
<Daifan> (Unless you wanna handwave it )
<Brother_Bones> (fail by 4, it goes off, but we have to roll)
<Brother_Bones> (table 2a)
<Daifan> !roll 1d100
* @Lan-werk rolls for Daifan: [ 1d100 ] getting [ 47 ].
<Daifan> !roll 1d100
* @Lan-werk rolls for Daifan: [ 1d100 ] getting [ 12 ].
<Daifan> (sound seems counter intuitive so I'll go for thirsty and steal some ...whatever they have to drink)
<Veznara> (Just don't drink the baby night juice!)
<Daifan> (Or food, or somethig little pantry raid, anyway)
<Daifan> (LOL)
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok. You can pick up a drink while you're in there, and get ready to steal the baby.
<AshnabisNarrator> Everyone seems soundly asleep.
* Daifan will sneak i and find little baby Galdai
<Daifan> !roll 1d20+14
* @Lan-werk rolls for Daifan: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 32 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> You can pick up the baby from where it's sleeping next to its mother, and make your exit.
<Daifan> (cool - that was stealth btw)
<AshnabisNarrator> kk
<AshnabisNarrator> You want to drug the baby, then?
<Daifan> (Yes)
<AshnabisNarrator> You can pour a bit of the liquid into the baby's mouth and manage (you think) to get it to swallow.
* Daifan will cast Fly then
<Daifan> !roll 1d20+10
* @Lan-werk rolls for Daifan: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 24 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, you manage to fly without having a major catastrophe.
<AshnabisNarrator> You return to Nezha's house where the others wait, with the baby still sleeping.
<Veznara> You're back... thank the Ancestors!
<Daifan> shoulw we make sure its her?
<Veznara> Brother Bones?
<Brother_Bones> How are you going to do that?
<Daifan> ....there's no good way I suppose. Speak to her mind maybebut who would want to >.>
<Veznara> Reading her mind, or something? What did you have in mind, Daifan?
<Daifan> reading her mind might work
<Daifan> though she is asleep
<Veznara> (Can I quickly cast Detect Thoughts or something, then?)
<Daifan> (yasss)
<AshnabisNarrator> Sure, you can
<Veznara> (Fine. I'll Hallow to give myself a bonus, and then cast.)
<Veznara> !roll 1d20+18
* @Lan-werk rolls for Veznara: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 21 ].
<AshnabisGM> (ok that succeeds)
<AshnabisGM> (round 1: there is one (1) mind
<Veznara> There's one mind...
<AshnabisGM> (round 2: it has a 24 Intelligence - or whatever that means in game terms. It is thinking of complex Source equations and patterns in the universe.)
<AshnabisGM> (do you need any more than that?)
<Veznara> It's her.
<Veznara> She's dreaming of the complex secrets of the universe... equations, pattern analysis.
<Daifan> mmmhmm
* Daifan looks to BB
<Brother_Bones> Well then. This takes about an hour. We're agreed then, this is the way?
* Veznara nods
<Brother_Bones> Don't suppose there's anything you can do to help me out, eh Daifan?
<Daifan> I gave all my blessings of fortube to Jimba during his stupid duel...
<Daifan> Bt I can bring yout into a fos web
<Veznara> What about Nezha?
<Daifan> that shoudl be a new experience for you
<Brother_Bones> Are you willing?
<Daifan> Nezha can join us if she s=feels up to it
<Daifan> Yes, for this
<Daifan> I coud bring some others, but I dn't know how much time we want to take here
<Veznara> And I... will pray to the Ancestors.
<Brother_Bones> Very well.
* Brother_Bones pulls out another big bag of fos and passes it around to you and Nezha
* Veznara watches, anxious but also interested
<Daifan> YOu shoudl go, Veznara
<Daifan> I'll come ad find you once it is done, and bring you the gem.
<Brother_Bones> Far. Not close.
<Brother_Bones> Maybe to Kaskind?
<Veznara> Oh... yes. I suppose so. I'll, ah, go take a walk...
<Veznara> If there's nothing else you need me for.
<Veznara> I'll just go home, and wait for news.
* Veznara leaves, then
Veznara departs and Brother Bones, Daifan, and Nezha perform the spell to erase the memory of Galdai
* Brother_Bones begins the incantation along with his two budal assistants.
<AshnabisGM> Throughout it all, Galdai sleeps soundly. You think.
<AshnabisGM> The spell is enormously complex. You sense that Brother Bones is in his element here, as if the years have fallen off him, and he is suffused with power beyond what almost anyone can control.
<AshnabisGM> You can remember little of it yourself - just a snippet here and there, but you feel a common purpose surging through you. Your strength, and Nezha's, flow into the one who was once Tevez.
<AshnabisGM> The gem in the brooch glows, then dulls, then glows again.
<Brother_Bones> !roll 1d20+23
* @Lan-werk rolls for Brother_Bones: [ 1d20+23 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 23 ] totals [ 26 ].
<Daifan> (WHY)
<AshnabisNarrator> (+3 more)
<Veznara> (Can Nezha have used Fortune?)
<Veznara> (That was what I originally meant.)
* Nezha can Misfortune the baby, for good measure
<Brother_Bones> !roll 1d20+8
* @Lan-werk rolls for Brother_Bones: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 9 ].
<AshnabisGM> The spell concludes, and Brother Bones looks at the gem, then waves his hand over it.
<Brother_Bones> There are memories stored in the gem. The spell functioned.
* Daifan breathes a sigh of relief
<Daifan> Thank you
<Daifan> I shuld bring her home, then
<AshnabisNarrator> Ok, you want to take the baby back to the foster parents?
<Daifan> (Yes)
<AshnabisNarrator> OK - we'll assume you can do that safely, as it's already 5:30 and I don't have the energy for more rolls right now.
<AshnabisNarrator> They never even have to know it was gone.
<Daifan> (Cool - it would just be the same thing in revserse, but yeah)
Solos
Daifan lets Veznara know what happened, and returns the brooch
* Daifan will come find Veznara in the map room early the next morning
* Veznara looks up, and some tension leaves her shoulders
<Veznara> Daifan. Thank goodness.
<Daifan> good morning
<Veznara> Good morning.
* Daifan seems calm, anyway
* Veznara closes the door so they can talk in private
<Veznara> So... did everything, ah, go well?
<Daifan> yes, all is well
* Veznara nods, and sighs lightly in relief without realizing it
<Veznara> So it worked
<Daifan> yes
<Veznara> And, ah, you have something for me?
<Daifan> Yes
* Daifan will pull it out and pass it to her
* Veznara takes is quickly, then pauses and looks at it.
<Veznara> It looks just the same...
<Veznara> But you're *sure
* it worked.
<Daifan> yes.
<Daifan> YOu can sense tha magic on it, and the babie is less... devious >.>
* Veznara nods
<Veznara> I could read her mind again to be sure. Maybe I will, from time to time, in the future, just to be sure...
<Veznara> Ah. The future.
<Veznara> That will be... well. Did our friend have any advice?
<Daifan> not really
<Daifan> keep an eye on her, try and keep her from getting into magic
<Veznara> Ah. That... well. I don't know.
<Daifan> she'll keep forgettimg who her grandmother is
<Daifan> maybe that will help
<Veznara> Well, her great-grandmother. One of her great-grandmothers.
<Veznara> And I suppose people won't expect her to have a natural talent for it.
<Veznara> But still... she may have forgotten she's herself, but she's still... herself.
<Veznara> This will be quite a responsibility.
* Daifan shrugs
<Daifan> Its better
<Veznara> Well, yes.
<Daifan> Thank you.
<Daifan> I hope this works out better for your brother, and you, too
<Veznara> Me? I only did what I thought was right.
<Veznara> But thank you. I hope it will be better as well.
<Veznara> She had such intelligence... *has
* such intelligence.
<Veznara> What will it be like if she can be brought up to do good, this time?
<Daifan> maybe this time she won't use it to be such a cunt
<Veznara> Ah.... I'll, ah, try to see that she doesn't. :/
<Veznara> I just hope she doesn't still have the same pride.
<Veznara> But I suppose that's less of a natural talent, and more learned...
<Daifan> hopefully
<Daifan> you ever wonder if that was the first time?
<Veznara> I did wonder about that, but only briefly... there's been too much going on to think about it too much.
<Daifan> yeah... still too much
<Daifan> but I'll take one thing less
<Veznara> I tend to think it was the first time. The very idea took tremendous ambition, and tremendous resources. I don't think it's possible she could have arranged to put her soul in the body of an infant Princess, so many years ago..
<Veznara> Not unless she was already in the body of someone of similar rank...
* Veznara furrows her brow
<Veznara> Maybe I'll have a chance to look into that. I suppose I have a plausible excuse, or can easily come up with one.
<Veznara> What a horrible thought, though.
<Daifan> its probably not worth it, t would have been so long ago...
<Veznara> I won't make it a priority.. too much else to do. But if I get the chance... well, we'll see.
<Daifan> mmhmm
<Veznara> And now, I suppose, our friend is able to fulfill his promise to Kewustwiin.
<Daifan> Yes.
<Daifan> He seemed to look forward to the new opportunity
<Veznara> I hope it brings him happiness, then.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> and doens't cause too much trouble for the rest of us eh? ;)
* Veznara smiles
<Veznara> I was thinking that too loudly, was I?
<Veznara> Well, better him than Jimba, at any rate.
<Veznara> And *not* because Jimba would cause trouble. Though he certainly might.
<Daifan> oh, Jimba would definitely be trouble
* Daifan grins
<Daifan> did you see him yesterday?
<Daifan> I should go see how he is doing, really
<Veznara> Yes, I suppose so. Please send him my best wishes. I'll stop by myself at some point.
<Daifan> of course.
<Veznara> Thank you. For that, and... for everything.
<Veznara> I think we may have done a very good thing here.
<Veznara> And at least, prevented something very bad.
<Daifan> yes, thank fate
<Veznara> Thank the Ancestors.
* Veznara says automatically
<Veznara> Yes, thank the Ancestors.
* Veznara looks at the brooch again, then carefully puts it away safely on her person
