Nemnosti session 30
Summary
Session
- Session date: August 31, 2025
- Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Munudend
Prologue
[NemnostiGM] Greetings, acolytes! I am sure, by now, you know that every lineage has a hengi, but only the Nemni have an Osper. Since the days long ago when the ulajeta was founded, we have had an Osper to guide us, to serve as the figurehead and speaker for those of us who serve Nemnu. And so although there are many here in various roles, there is no greater honour than to be kin to Nemnu Herself. You should recall, if your studies of the history of the ulajeta were good, that the iftibal was founded by the first Osper, son of Nemnu Herself and Her beloved Elujen, the Channel. It is hard for any of us to imagine what the Pardopasu must have looked like back then, at the founding, when the old Emperors still ruled from Omba. How foreign this place was, when a wife and son came here, grieving the loss of the person Nemnu, exalting Her new-sainted form. And so, in turn, each hengi has taken the name Osper, in honour of a son's protection, and the family bond between the two.
Marga returns with her prisoner, Shas Chuchuru, and summons help
[NemnostiGM] Marga, we pick up shortly from after your return to the ulajeta, with the figure "Shas Chuchuru" unconscious in your giant talons.
* Marga craas loudly for Kuspir
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, from across the ulajeta you hear a mighty CRAAA.
[NemnostiGM] It sounds louder than usual.
* Kuspir looks around and wonders why a bird is yelling at him
* Kuspir will go find out
* Marga remembers Kuspir doesn't speak bird, drops the prisoner and returns to human form.
[Marga] KUSPIR
[Marga] JEVAI
* Marga can yell REALLY loudly.
[NemnostiGM] Not everyone is within yelling distance, even so.
[Kuspir] What's going on?
[Marga] (well someone will figure it out)
* Jevai is probably not, but can be summoned probably
* Kuspir asks as he jogs up
[Marga] This person!!
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, being on duty, can easily come over onto the flagstones near Hul Hai.
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you see an unconscious and brutally beaten woman, short of stature and maybe in her twenties, lying bloodied on the ground.
[Marga] She tried to spell me into gonig away with her.
[Kuspir] She looks like she's had a bad time.
[Marga] She used... she used some kind of UN-folding on me
* Kuspir frowns
[Marga] To try and make me not have hit her.
[Marga] and then when I beat her up SAZA CAME.
[Kuspir] I take it that didn't work, by the look of her.
[Marga] and SHE tried to make me go with her.
* Kuspir looks puzzled at that.
[Marga] No I guess she isn't very good at it.
[Kuspir] All right. Let's get her inside and have someone look to her injuries so we don't wind up with you having dragged another corpse back here, and once she's awake, we can question her.
[Marga] They're from the hills, the Hulti, Saza's been with the Naznaz and the.. the thingies...
[Marga] the writhing.
* Marga shoulders the body.
[Kuspir] Should we get the others?
[Marga] Yes please, we need smart people
[Marga] uh. not that you aren't smart
[Marga] Magic smart people.
[Kuspir] I'm not smart enough to deal with this alone. So yes, smart magic people.
[Kuspir] (can I have some nearby kid or other person go fetch the others?)
[NemnostiGM] (sure, that's fine)
[NemnostiGM] Where are you going to take the prisoner? I can just have you all assemble there
[Kuspir] (well do we have other cells in the tower where my father-in-law is being held? if so, there seems good)
[NemnostiGM] All right, you can take the prisoner across the courtyard to the East Tower where she can be held safely.
[NemnostiGM] A short time later, you can have assembled your team (minus Alai, who is off studying somewhere) there.
[Kuspir] (I'd also have the messenger tell them to bring some bandages and the like, that someone is injured.)
[NemnostiGM] All right, you are all in a cell up in the East Tower. With all of you there, plus the prisoner, it's cramped, but the area is quiet and secluded and you do all fit in, if barely.
[Marga] This is the person who tried to tell me she was from Eng-dur's lineage
* Marga tells Jevai.
[Jevai] Right.
[Jevai] an interesting choice of lies
* Ifa will see to the prisoner's wounds.
* Kuspir can stand near the door or outside if necessary
[Marga] Right??
[Izu] Marga, Is this kind of thing going to happen every time you go out on the pardopasu?
[Ifa] If so, it's kind of invaluable intelligence, isn't it?
[Marga] Uhh... not *every* time surely
[Marga] they REALLY want me to go wherever they are though.
[Jevai] what happened?
[NemnostiGM] (someone can make a Heal check, to apply the bandages / poultices)
[Marga] So yeah she tried to make me go with her, and then she tried to MAKE me go with her, and we fought... ANd she was using some sort of... un kind magic, like un-folding. A few times, I hit her, and I KNOW I hit her, I saw it... but then I just, didn't hit her.
[Izu] !roll 1d20+16
* Jevai rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 19 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 18 ].
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+12
* Jevai rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 30 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 32 ].
[Ifa] (I'll aid Izu, since he rolled first.)
[Marga] and then once she showed up, Auntie Saza came, and SHE tried to make me go with her, and I'm not smart but I'm not THAT not smart, so I grabbed this lady and flew back.
[Izu] Are you saying she like... rewrote what happened?
[Marga] (s/showed up/was knocked out; not sure what happened between my brain and m fingers there)
[Marga] (to Izu) yeah, but like, AS it was happening.
[NemnostiGM] Izu, you manage to get it done, with Ifa's help. This person has been really brutally beaten (by Marga); you're hopeful that there are no major internal injuries.
[Ifa] Did you have a memory of both hitting her and not, or of hitting her and then the effects of it just weren't present?
* Marga scrunches up her face. MOre the first, I think.
[Ifa] Interesting.
[Ifa] So like a personal unfolding of cause and effect.
[Marga] I hit her, but then I also hadn't hit her
[Marga] That's what I said! She UN-folded me.
[Ifa] I know, I'm just trying to figure out how that works.
[Izu] That shouldn't be possible
[Marga] Well, I think they are doing some WACKY STUFF up there in the hills.
[Ifa] We've seen people do several things that shouldn't be possible at this point.
[Jevai] So many things are possible _
* Ifa nods towards Marga.
[Marga] (to J) that's the whole thing isn't it...
[Jevai] Yes.
[Jevai] INteresting that they are able to manifest it like that
[Jevai] but perhaps not surprising
[Jevai] but she coudln't "un-fold" your entire fight, just a blow as it struck?
[Kuspir] (is the prisoner still unconscious at this point?)
[Marga] (to J) Yeah.
[NemnostiGM] She's still apparently unconscious.
[Ifa] I wonder if it's specifically reactive, then.
[Jevai] good to know. But if she can aply this power to other scenarios, we will have to guard her very carefully
[Marga] I dunno, maybe someone more powerful could have.
* Jevai nods to Ifa
[Kuspir] Maybe wait to talk about all this when we're not in front of her. In case she's more awake than she seems.
* Kuspir suggests.
[Jevai] Mm, true
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Well, she's as stable as she's going to be.
[Izu] She's pretty beat up
[Izu] But she'll live
[NemnostiGM] OK, so what's the plan?
[Jevai] if it is safe to leave her here for the moment, perhaps we shoudl move somewhere where we can speak more freely?
[Kuspir] So restrain her, then wake her up so you can ask her what you need to ask her?
[Marga] Yeah, she's SNEAKY.
[Izu] We should leave a guard at least.
[Jevai] I'm not prepared to deal with an interrogation - it would take me some time
[Kuspir] I can stay to watch her.
[Kuspir] And we'll bind her hands and feet. Do you think she needs a gag too?
[Marga] Couldn't hurt.
* Kuspir will do that, then, and let the others go discuss whatever they need to discuss, or prepare whatever they need to prepare, for an interrogation.
[Jevai] is there anyone else we should inform of this?
[Izu] I should let Her know.
[Jevai] we coudl have someone send for another stoneguard
* Jevai nods
[Ifa] Anyone else will find out soon enough, I'm sure.
[Jevai] I'll go make some preparations, then
[NemnostiGM] All right, Kuspir, you can ensure that the prisoner is properly guarded. Izu, you can go tell Nemnu. And Jevai, you can go make preparations for the interrogation.
[NemnostiGM] (does anyone need to play any of that out?)
[NemnostiGM] (I guess Jevai you need to make rolls)
[Izu] (Nah, I'm good)
[Jevai] (I need to pick spells, open to suggestions_
[Izu] (Fireball)
[Jevai] (going for: persistent detect thoughts, persistent suggestion, persistent zone of truth)
[Jevai] (rthose are all lvl 2 with a lvl 2 metamagic)
[NemnostiGM] (suggestion is definitely 3)
[Jevai] (Oh yeah I misread!)
[Jevai] (so diff 20, 22, 20?)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 20 ]
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 15 ]
[NemnostiGM] (yes I think that's right)
[Jevai] (D:)
[NemnostiGM] (so a nat 1 on the hardest check eh?)
[Jevai] (let's... destiny that one?)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 29 ]
[Jevai] (better)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 16 ]
[Jevai] (fail on that one but by 4 so it still works, but gotta roll)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d100 ] getting [ 36 ]
[Jevai] (nauseated for a round)
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you're nauseated but presumably you can just vomit in a nearby receptacle and carry on.
[NemnostiGM] All right, that excitement being done, you can reconvene with the prisoner.
[NemnostiGM] Detevus Nemni has been guarding for the last little while.
[Marga] I really want to know what they wanted with me.
* Detevus sort of vaguely scowls at you all.
[Detevus] Prisoner's awake.
[Jevai] thank you
[Kuspir] You can go now.
[Detevus] Medimur, want me to stay here while you're doing it, just to keep away any lookers-on?
[Detevus] You expecting to be loud?
[Kuspir] Hm, just stay at the bottom of the tower, so no one comes in.
[Detevus] Mmm. Sure.
* Detevus heads off then, leaving you alone with the prisoner.
The team interrogates Shas, who uses her Writhing powers to evade much of Jevai’s magic
* Shas looks very much the worse for wear, with heavy bruising all over her.
[Kuspir] I assume you need her ungagged to talk to her.
[Jevai] yes but one moment please
* Kuspir nods
* Jevai will unlodge her detect thoughts and suggestion, in turn
[NemnostiGM] (OK what's my save DCs on those?)
[Jevai] (17 for DT, 18 for suggestion I believe)
[NemnostiGM] (first for the detect thoughts then)
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Jevai rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 21 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 24 ].
[NemnostiGM] (now for the suggestion)
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Jevai rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 16 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 29 ].
[NemnostiGM] (now she can reroll the failed Suggestion)
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 25 ].
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 19 ].
[NemnostiGM] (all right, well, you're not sure what did or did not work, go ahead with your interrogation)
[NemnostiGM] The prisoner looks at you, eyes glinting cunningly.
[NemnostiGM] She is still gagged and of course, bound.
* Jevai will let someone else ungag her
* Kuspir can do that
[Jevai] What is your name?
* Marga stands ready to beat her some more if need be.
[Shas] My name is Shaskomo Chuchuru.
[Marga] The fuck it is...
* Jevai looks at her, and will try unlodging the Zone of Truth
[Jevai] (also DC 17 :/)
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 19 ].
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+19
* Lan-werk rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 16 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 35 ].
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 15 ].
[NemnostiGM] (ok so she has failed so far, with the persistence, now she gets a redo)
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 23 ].
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 23 ].
[Jevai] Do you understand why I doubt that?
[Shas] If you didn't, I would think even less of you than I do.
[Ifa] Of her specifically, or all of us?
[Ifa] Just good to clarify.
[Shas] I'm just interested in what your endgame is here. Keep me prisoner forever? Kill me and interrogate me as an ancestor?
[Jevai] Perhaps your answers here will help us determine that.
[Jevai] Why did you want to take Marga away?
[Marga] maybe the second one though
[Shas] Marga knows that I personally have no interest in her.
[Shas] But others definitely do.
[Jevai] like Who?
* Shas chuckles.
[Shas] Widdershins, of course, Jevai of the Nadenigh.
[Marga] Auntie Saza and her new boyfriend
[Jevai] Why?
[Shas] Believe it or not, as stupid as she is, she is apparently important.
[Jevai] Of course she is.
[Jevai] why is she believed to be important?
[Shas] You'd have to ask Saza.
[Jevai] why are you doing Downward's bidding?
[Shas] Better question is why are you not? I'm the upgrade.
* Marga snorts
[Ifa] [q] I mean, you're the prisoner here...
[Jevai] Upgrade of what?
[Shas] Of you, of course.
[Jevai] What a fascinating claim. Where were you planning to take Marga?
[Shas] I was planning to take her to Saza. Better question is where was Saza planning to take her.
[Jevai] Saza was, apparently, to hand, so it seems she asked you to put yourself in quite a lot of danger for a very short trip.
[Shas] I will admit, it is fascinating how it has turned out. I assumed I would win.
[Jevai] But she never has had much confidence, or put much value, in her apprentices.
[Jevai] she apparenlty did not.
[Jevai] Do you even know what she wanted woth marga?
[Shas] I know the pieces I need to know, to play my role.
[Jevai] are you a member of the Writhing?
[Shas] If I lied to you and said no, you wouldn't believe me. So I may as well tell you yes, and then let you decide whether you believe *that*.
[Jevai] Fascinating answer.
[Jevai] so you are a part of the Writhing?
[Shas] I am Writhing.
[Jevai] Is Downward working with the Shaman Gunuremai?
[Shas] If you don't know the answer to that, you are not ready to ask the next question.
[Izu] Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?
[Jevai] Well, Marga almost killed her too, so I wondered how closely in contact they were, for Downward to have sent you after her.
[Shas] Once you successfully start killing people, maybe she'll start being more worried.
[Shas] Are you going to kill me?
[Ifa] You really seem to want us to.
[Shas] Unlike most things, I don't think I can affect that outcome, if you decide it.
[Ifa] Oh, that's interesting. Why not?
[Izu] You could start by being nicer.
[Marga] 'Cause I already whooped her ass once
[Shas] If you were nicer, you could untie me, then I would comply.
[Ifa] No, no, I don't doubt we *could* kill her if we decided to. I'm curious as to why she thinks she can't influence that decision.
[Ifa] Comply with what, specifically?
[Shas] She already killed one of us, with no more than a moment's thought. She's a killer. Admirable, in its way.
[Shas] If you untie me, perhaps I'll be more cooperative.
[Ifa] 'Perhaps' is not an encouraging word.
[Jevai] You're starting to contradict yourself
[Shas] And you're starting to pay attention.
* Ifa chuckles.
[Ifa] Did you practice this beforehand?
[Shas] "Practice" is an interesting word for it. I played out multiple realities, in advance.
[Ifa] So you prepared for being caught?
[Ifa] That doesn't speak well of your evaluation of your own abilities.
[Shas] If you want me to sit here and claim that I am perfect, and then criticize me for being imperfect, you will be waiting a long time.
[Marga] you played out multiple realities and *this* was the one you picked? And *I'm* the dumb one?
[Ifa] Exactly.
[Ifa] You continue to insult our capabilities, but you specifically planned for when Marga beat you?
[Shas] A hammer to the jaw is an effective deterrent.
[Izu] How... how do you do... what it is you do?
[Shas] You must be the smart twin. Izu, is that right?
[Ifa] She's going to say we're too dumb to understand.
[Izu] I'm Izu.
[Ifa] And yes, he is the smart one. :)
[Shas] Well, your question was the first good one so far.
[Shas] But I'm not going to answer it.
[Izu] You're enjoying this.
[Jevai] that's fine. I think that this is a waste of our time.
[Shas] That's fine. What sorts of amenities do your prisoners get? Beds? Are you going to untie me at all? Leave me gagged?
* Jevai says to the others
[Jevai] there's no need to respond to her further
[NemnostiGM] (All right, are you leaving it there, then?)
[Jevai] (well I am)
[Jevai] (I'll leave it to Kuspir how she shodul be left)
[Kuspir] (restrained and guarded I guess?)
[Ifa] Again, to clarify, can I ask *why* you won't answer Izu's good question?
[Shas] Because you wouldn't believe me.
[Ifa] Interesting. Why do you think that?
[Izu] I promise you, I am capable of believing many strange things.
[Shas] It takes years of training to really understand what it is that I do. And he's smart, but not that smart.
[Marga] JEvai is.
[Ifa] So you've been training for years?
[Marga] She's smarter than Saza.
[Ifa] Also, it takes years of training to understand what you do, or it takes years of training to *do* what you do?
[Shas] I alter the many paths of what you call Unfolding, but which I simply call reality.
[Shas] That is a simplification, naturally.
* Jevai smiles a little at that, but doesn't actually believe it
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Do you alter them, or see them and choose your preferred one?
* Shas nods.
[Shas] Another good question.
[Shas] More the latter.
[Izu] How do you process all information from the many branching paths? The amount of concentration and willpower that would require seems... infinite.
[Shas] Oh, yes, I'm absolutely extraordinarily gifted, Izu.
* Shas says, without a hint of irony.
[Izu] Mmm.
[Ifa] And so humble. :)
[Shas] Would you be humble, if you were me?
[Ifa] Probably not. We really need to introduce you to Alai when she's available.
[Shas] Ah, the Abyssalist, yes.
[Jevai] What does that mean to you, Abyssalist?
[Shas] It means access to a power greater than choice.
[Izu] Greater than yours?
[Shas] Does she frighten you? She should.
[Ifa] Okay, so you really don't know her.
[Shas] As for whether her power is greater than mine, I do not know. But whether the power of Abyss is greater ... I think you know that is so.
[Ifa] *Of course* she frightens us, or at least me. It's great. :)
[Jevai] what do you know about it? The Abyss.
* Marga is starting to look a lil lost here
[Shas] Very little, which is why I would like to learn more.
[Shas] Only enough to be properly frightened.
[Jevai] does Downward know more about it?
[Shas] Presumably. You'd need to ask her.
[Ifa] Have you asked her?
[Marga] can't you just unfold some stuff and find out
[Shas] One must know what to unfold, to use your terms. As your clever friend notes, to assess every outcome is an impossibility.
[Izu] I see. Interesting.
[Ifa] I'm just curious, if she knows more, and you *want* to know more, why hasn't she told you?
[Shas] Because she knows better than to tell me everything, I presume.
[Ifa] What makes you assume good, or at least wise, intent on her part?
* Shas laughs.
[Shas] Jevai, would you like to answer that or shall I?
[Ifa] Did I misinterpret "she knows better"?
[Shas] I have many gifts, but I'm not a mind-reader.
[Ifa] But you're trusting her judgement to keep information from you?
[Shas] I have very little choice.
[Izu] I thought you were all about having choice?
[Ifa] And you just said "she knows better". Do you believe that, or is it just you have no choice?
* Shas nods.
[Shas] Yes.
[Ifa] Interesting.
[NemnostiGM] (OK, if you're done for now, what state are you leaving her in?)
[Marga] (same as we found her I assume, tied up and shut up)
[NemnostiGM] (OK, you will need to make provisions for food and care, Kuspir)
[Kuspir] (yeah, I'll make sure the room is guarded, and warn whoever is guarding her that she is dangerous so don't talk to her, touch her, etc. bring food and water and leave it where she can reach it, watch her while she eats it, then leave.)
Izu and Ingo talk to Hojon as an ancestor
[NemnostiGM] Izu, with all the insanity around here it's been a wild few weeks. Your father is still being held pending the results of Emno's investigation, and of course, the Nemni lineage is in chaos with various folks angling for position.
[NemnostiGM] The one calming influence is that yesterday, Conduit Ingo returned from Onighus, only briefly, but to pay his respects to his longtime friend Hojon.
[NemnostiGM] Even though he's only been gone a month or so, it's still strange to have him back, in his new role.
* Izu will make sure to attempt to get to visit with him if he has the time while he is back.
[Ingo] Izu, my dear boy, how are you?
[Izu] Master Ingo! It is a pleasure to see you again so soon!
* Ingo seems somehow older and wiser.
[Izu] Things have been... strange here.
[Ingo] Yes, you too, although I regret the circumstances.
[Izu] Yes.
[Ingo] My throat grew tight when I heard the news.
[Izu] I am very sorry. I know you were close.
[Ingo] How is your father?
[Izu] As well as can be expected. I don't know how much you know about the situation.
[Ingo] I know more than I would care to.
* Izu nods.
[Izu] Will you visit him? I'm sure he would appreciate it.
[Izu] But I understand if you cannot.
[Ingo] I will absolutely visit him. More than that, I intend to repair the situation.
[Ingo] I have already taken the first steps.
[Izu] Thank you. Please, if I can help at all...
[Ingo] Izu, you have not forgotten that I am a Conduit, have you?
[Izu] Of course not, but... I know that politics can be complicated.
[Izu] It is good to see you again.
[Ingo] I have the power to pardon any crime, by His Imperial authority.
[Ingo] If I so choose.
[Izu] Ingo... perhaps that is not wise in this case. Perhaps it is best to let things play out for now. If you were to pardon him before any trial or inquiry, it might raise questions. I believe he will be cleared on his own merit.
* Ingo nods.
[Ingo] I understand. I am going to talk to Emno, who of course I have also known for many, many years.
* Izu nods.
[Ingo] I will ... explain. Cajole, perhaps.
[Ingo] He will make the decision, and it will be the correct one.
[Izu] I have no doubt of that.
[Ingo] I simply want to put your mind at ease, that the result is already decided. Merely the means is at question.
[Izu] I appreciate that.
[Izu] And I'm sure my father does as well.
[Ingo] I will visit him as soon as feasible.
[Ingo] But we have one more visit to accomplish first.
[Ingo] Again, while I could do so, I would not speak to an Ancestor without consulting you first.
[Ingo] As I am not a Nemni, I have no right other than my status as Conduit to speak to Hojon.
[Izu] Ah. I see. Yes, of course.
[Ingo] Will you join me, then?
[Izu] Certainly. We will go now.
[Ingo] I do not mind, and in fact ... well, I could use the company. It has been hard news.
[Izu] Are you ok?
* Ingo pauses, and looks at you seriously.
[Ingo] This role, it carries so many burdens. I was just beginning to shoulder their weight, when the news came.
[Ingo] Your father, Hojon, and I, we are as close as brothers.
[Ingo] I should have been here. I should not have left.
* Ingo sobs quietly.
* Izu will put a hand on his shoulder.
[Izu] I'm so sorry.
[Izu] You could not have prevented this, even if you had been here.
[Izu] Hojon was stubborn. When he put his mind to something...
[Ingo] Yes. Exactly.
[Ingo] You have not spoken to Hojon yet, as I understand?
[Izu] No, I have not. I wasn't sure if I should. Not without another Voice at least. It might not seem proper.
[Ingo] Wise. Well, then, now we are two. Would you wish to do the death dialogue, then? I do not ... trust myself to do it alone, either.
[Izu] I can perform the ritual.
[Ingo] Very well, let's go.
* Izu will lead his friend to where the body is.
[Izu] Please, take all the time you need before we begin.
[Ingo] I've had lots of time to get ready.
* Izu nods.
* Izu will begin preparing the ritual, then.
* Izu will cast Death Dialogue
[NemnostiGM] You travel down to the Inner Caves where Hojon is at rest. Construction has already begun on the elaborate coffin that will eventually hold him forever.
[NemnostiGM] You make contact with Hojon's spirit, and may ask questions.
[Izu] Hojon Nemni, how is it that you came to die?
[Hojon] I died at the hand of my dear friend and brother Zaren, who cared for me to the very end.
[Izu] Why did Zaren kill you?
[Hojon] He killed me because I begged it of him. I do not deserve such worthy friends.
[Izu] (To INgo) It is as my father said, then.
[Hojon] Ah, you must be Izu.
[Izu] I am.
[Hojon] I always felt a kinship with you.
[Hojon] Did you know that I always suspected you were a boy?
[Izu] I... did not.
[Hojon] You knew that I had a twin sister,though?
[Izu] Yes, I did.
[Hojon] When you were born, I told your father, one of these is surely a boy. He laughed at the time, and I suppose that makes sense, since it was at least half a joke.
[Hojon] But I was not surprised.
* Izu feels his eyes growing wet despite himself.
[Hojon] Tell me, Izu, if your sister were to die, how do you think you would be, afterwards?
[Izu] I don't know. I expect it would be as though a piece of myself was missing.
[Hojon] Exactly so.
[Hojon] Missing, ripped away from you, taken.
[Izu] I am sorry. I cannot imagine such pain. I hope I never feel it.
[Hojon] I would never wish it on anyone.
[Hojon] So, now that I am dead, what has become of my dear Zaren?
[Hojon] Is he ...?
[Izu] He is alive and well. The investigation is ongoing. That is why we are here. To ascertain the truth of what happened.
[Hojon] Very well, you have more questions then?
[Izu] I have only one more.
[Izu] At the end... did you attack my father? Force his hand? Or did he do as you asked by choice?
[Hojon] I would not have hurt him.
[Hojon] But I did come at him.
[Izu] Thank you.
[Hojon] I needed him to act.
[Izu] Ingo? Do you have any questions?
[Hojon] Ingo is here? Oh, my friend, my friend ...
[Hojon] It is so different, now.
* Ingo is clearly emotional, trying to keep it together.
* Izu will take his hand for support.
[Ingo] I don't know ... it seemed, when I heard the news, that I had so many.
[Ingo] Did you purposely wait until I had left, before doing this?
[NemnostiGM] (I'll just presume that you forward his questions exactly as asked, since he can't speak directly to Hojon. But if you are changing any of Ingo's questions, let me know)
[Izu] (Cool)
[Hojon] I am ashamed to say that I did. I feared that with the two of you, it would be too much.
[Hojon] I knew what needed to happen, and did not have the strength myself to enact it.
[Hojon] I thought that if Zaren had you to ask, or to support ... it would not have worked out.
[Ingo] Oh, my friend, my friend ... I have learned so many dark things since leaving, but I think that is the darkest.
* Ingo pauses, considering.
[Ingo] I always have loved you, my dear Taishukh.
[Ingo] All I wish to know is that, despite it all, whether you still feel the same.
[Hojon] Of course, my beloved Vestor. Always.
[Hojon] All those days and nights we have together, in simpler times, they are with me always.
[Ingo] Then that is all I need, to carry on.
* Izu starts crying quietly as he channels.
[Ingo] (to Izu) If you have more questions, of course, ask them. But I have none further.
[Izu] No... I am satisfied. Thank you, Osper.
[Hojon] Take care of your sister, Voice Izu. You need her more than you can imagine.
[Izu] I will. Rest now.
[NemnostiGM] The connection ends, and Ingo slumps to the floor, back against the cave wall, slumped, arms wrapped around his face.
[Izu] I'm sorry...
* Izu sits next to him against the walll and wraps an arm around him.
[Ingo] It's so hard ... it's so hard, Izu.
[Ingo] All these things I have had to learn, to know ... and then, then *this* happens.
[Izu] This was not your fault.
[Ingo] And yet if I had not left, it would not have happened.
[Izu] You could not have seen that the unfolding would lead here. No one could have.
* Izu finds his mind wandering back to Shas for a moment....
[Ingo] And still, I find myself here weeping.
[Izu] There is no shame in weeping.
[Ingo] Thank you, Izu.
* Ingo just lets you hold him there for a minute.
Kuspir talks to Zurusha through the intermediary of Naka’s effigy Ghoko, and they come to an agreement about his relationship with Ifa
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you have been waiting with some trepidation to get a message from your dear Geme. It has not been so long, but still, the waiting is impossible.
[NemnostiGM] You have immersed yourself in work, of which there is fortunately plenty, including taking charge of the ulajeta's prisoners, of which there now at least two.
[NemnostiGM] Early in the morning after your interrogation of Shas Chuchuru, you get a visit from Naka. Your mother-in-law has an unusual and cryptic look on her face.
[Kuspir] Good morning, Naka.
[Naka] Good morning.
[Naka] I have something for you. A message? A gift? Something of both.
[Kuspir] Oh?
[Naka] I have heard from Geme. She wishes to speak to you.
[Kuspir] Oh... in person?
[Naka] Well ... of a sort.
[Naka] We know of course, that you cannot be ... physically present. Nor is distance enough alone - magic does not prevent her discomfort.
[Naka] But she and I have been ... exploring options.
* Kuspir nods
[Naka] What we know, of her condition, is of course, limited.
[Naka] But it appears we have learned a partial solution.
[Kuspir] What do you mean?
[Naka] Ghoko.
[Naka] He is not a person, nor any human Kind.
[Kuspir] all right... but how can he help? by passing messages back and forth or something?
[Naka] Yes, to have a kind of conversation. Instead of by letter.
[Naka] I will admit, when we first discussed it, she and I, we did not see much appeal.
[Naka] Unlike a letter, whatever you would share with her would be known at least to Ghoko, and while they are discreet ... well, it is not an embrace, or even the soft words of their voice.
[Naka] Ghoko is wonderful but they do not have the range of emotions that we do.
* Kuspir nods
[Naka] Anyway ...
[Naka] Geme has known for some time that this was, in principle, possible.
[Naka] But she has asked me, based on some recent correspondence you have had, to enlist Ghoko's help today.
[Naka] I don't suppose you care to tell me what this is all about. She said it was not about her father, "or not really", she said.
[Naka] Are the children well?
[Kuspir] Yes, they're well. It's between me and her - I cannot discuss it.
[Naka] And you understand that if I really wanted to, I could find out whatever Ghoko says between the two of you?
[Kuspir] If she accepts this, then I do.
[Naka] All right, then I am happy to assist.
[Kuspir] Thank you.
[NemnostiGM] All right, Naka will arrange for Ghoko to come to you shortly, to play this strange game.
[Ghoko] Hello!
[Kuspir] Hello, Ghoko.
[Ghoko] Mother has explained this all to me. I am to convey your wife's words exactly, as best as I can.
[Ghoko] Do you want me to emulate her voice?
[Kuspir] No, that's fine. Just her words.
[Ghoko] All right. I'm ready.
[Kuspir] Start please.
* Ghoko scurries off and returns.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Hello, my dear husband. This is all so strange. But it will work; Ghoko's presence is at best, mildly disquieting. I wish I could hear your voice, touch your cheeks. Have you kept the beard? I hope so.
[Kuspir] Yes, I have. I wish I could see you as well.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] It's all right, I've been drawing your picture, keeping it close to me at night. But that is not what you wish to talk about. First I suppose I need to ask what is going on with Father. Mother tells me it all looks promising but I think she tells me what she hopes, sometimes. So I ask you to tell me honestly, how is the investigation, really?
[Kuspir] I think it is going to be all right. It's difficult for him, he is grieving the loss of his friend, but he keeps well and is safe, and now Voice Ingo has returned, at least for the moment, and I think that will help him too, to have a friend who can understand his pain. I trust that in the end it will be found that he did not commit any crime, and will be released.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] It is hard, because he is not allowed to write me, but I do understand. Tell him, from one prisoner to another, that he has all my love. But I do not wish to delay the issue further. None of this is the news you want to discuss. So I will ask you now, to tell me, truthfully, and as fully as you can, how this business with Ifa came about.
[Kuspir] We have been working together on the investigation, and we became closer because of it. I tried for a long time to ignore the idea that I had feelings for her beyond the affection I already held her in, and I think she did much the same. Neither of us spoke about it for many months. When she went blind, I think it was then I realized it was more than just the care I felt for a sibling.
[Kuspir] But still I did nothing, and said nothing about it to her.
[Kuspir] After Hojon struck her, we spoke a bit more frankly - I told her that if I had been there, I might not have been able to prevent myself from retaliating, and the conversation moved on to the feelings we had. We admitted we had feelings for one another. Later that evening she came to speak more privately, and we talked further - about the difficulties and complexities of the situation and what we should do. Then she stayed the night.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Well, of course, I will be comparing your answers dutifully, to ensure that you are both being truthful with me. But I wonder, are you hearing these words right now and trying to discern whether I am smiling or weeping as I speak them? To see if my kidneys are full or empty, whether I am prepared to give you this gift? Or whether I sit aghast at your weak pancreas, so unlike the Medimur I thought I knew. Well, I will tell you, young Meddy, you are perhaps once again to be astonished and amazed at your fortune, at having such a wonderful wife. I will leave you in no suspense, to say that when I heard this news, my first reaction was to pen a letter to Ifa. I have not sent it yet, because I wished to talk to you first. But my first thought was not of me, or of you, but of her. After all, I have known her much longer than I have known you. And my thoughts have been much of her happiness.
[Kuspir] It doesn't surprise me that you would think of her first. I also was concerned that she would regret this, and wanted to ensure that she would not be disappointed in my limitations - my inability to marry her, give her a family, or any of that. If she had doubts - or even if today she came to me and told me that she had changed her mind and regretted what happened - I would accept that.
[Kuspir] I want to ensure that she is happy, as much as I can.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Well, of course, I have always admired her faith, the strength in her liver that we are told, as acolytes, is accessible to any of us, but which so few of us actually aspire to. She could clearly go so far, if she wished, in politics, if not in theology. But I get the sense that she could never really leave Nemnosti forever, which means, naturally, for her to find purpose here, in the ulajeta. When I first came back, I worried, about both the twins, about them feeling that they needed to leave their calling to pursue a family, a marriage, since I was so broken. I urged them to stay, not wishing to be the one to pull either of them away from the Corps, even if it was not my intention. But I have always felt a certain sadness, that they would not marry or have children. As it is, well, I have a husband who is proving his loyalty by keeping his wife's sister from straying in her faith. What more could I ask for?
[Kuspir] I am sure you could ask for much more than you have, Zurusha. I am sorry for so much - for not being able to be with you, for bringing about this physical separation because I could not endure a more permanent one. I hope that you can find it in your kidneys to forgive me for my weakness and my failings. I do not deserve you.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] My sweet, sweet boy. I had thought of our separation in a new way since receiving your last letter. Don't you see that this opens up so many new possibilities? So here is my gift to you. Do you remember that thing, that gentle moment where I would take my first two fingers, and run it down you, below your plums, towards your dark hole, and then in, just like so? I know you cannot reach it yourself. And I know you would not have asked this of Ifa, not yet. Well, in the letter sitting on my desk, waiting, unsent, I have for her most exquisite instructions, of just exactly how to exploit your "weakness", as you call it. And every time she does it, you will remember that it is only through my careful instruction that she has learned it, and you will think of me, just unto your release. What do you make of that?
[Kuspir] I... will trust that you know what you're doing. I miss you so much, and Ifa is not a substitute for you. At first I feared that maybe my feelings for her were only because she reminded me of you in some ways, but I don't think that is the case - not truly. There are ways she looks like you, or her voice reminds me of you, but it isn't you, and I know that. The feelings I have for her are different - we do not have the shared past, the times when we were young together and trying things for the first time. We are older and sadder and it isn't the same, but it's good anyway.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Oh yes, I have heard all about the new grey hairs in your beard. I shall have her pluck them for you, if you do not quit speaking of yourself as if you had fallen into decrepitude already. By my reckoning you have decades until those feet of yours fall off, or whatever it is you imagine is meant by 'fail'. And have no fear, I am sure that you remember those places where she is smaller than me, more angular than me, harder than me. Think of it like a new sparring partner who needs to be broken in. I am confident, based on what she told me of her time in Onighus, that she is already well-versed, and just needs a little prompting.
[Kuspir] I'll take your word for it. I think you're going to turn more of my hair grey if you keep this up, girl.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Then go with my blessing, save only this one restriction. No matter what, you may not marry her, nor accept any offer for her to leave her calling for you. Because I know, too, your own repertoire of tricks and contrivances, which, though you would deny it, would be enough to convince many a woman to surrender herself to whatever fate befalls her. I will hear none of it. Those are my terms, take them or leave them, Kuspir of the Vabaseli.
[Kuspir] I accept that, and would not presume to go against either your or Ifa's wishes.
[Zurusha-Ghoko] Very well, then I think our work here is done. Give my love to the children, and I'll look forward to your next letter.
* Kuspir will wish her well, send her his love, and go home to think about that in private :p
[Ghoko] That was fun!
[Ghoko] I just have one question.
[Ghoko] What are 'plums'?
[Kuspir] You're a plant, don't you know? :p
[Ghoko] Uh ... sure! OK, well, I'll get back to Naka now.
* Ghoko scurries away
Rechegoko visits Marga to inform her of his intention to visit Hong Sogo to ask her father’s permission to marry her!
[NemnostiGM] All right, Marga.
[NemnostiGM] You're at the ulajeta, just doing some training, when you see Rechegoko, heading from the West Gate towards you, smiling.
* Marga smiles and waves enthusiastically
[Rechegoko] Hello!
[Marga] Hi!
* Rechegoko is wearing travel gear, as well as hunting equipment.
[Marga] Going somewhere?
[Rechegoko] Yes, I wanted to let you know.
[Rechegoko] I'm going on a trip, hopefully just a couple of days.
[Marga] Where to?
[Rechegoko] I'm going to Hong Sogo. To talk to your father.
[Marga] Uh... whyyy?
[Rechegoko] Well ... to ask him for permission to marry you!
[Marga] Oh! Well that's! That's! great! MaybeIshouldgowithyou
[Rechegoko] No, no! I mean ... I mean ... I always like your company, but I think maybe ... he would respect it more if I went directly to him. Maybe?
* Rechegoko sounds uncertain now.
[Marga] Well... do you know what yuo're going to say to him?
[Rechegoko] Yes, I've been practicing the words.
[Rechegoko] It's hard because I don't like talking, but remember, I was raised by people like him.
[Marga] Can you tell me?
[Marga] I guess that's true.,,
[Marga] He is. Well. I mean. You know.
[Rechegoko] I know.
[Rechegoko] I intend to say something like: Tocha of the Gago, I am Rechegoko of the Naznaz, warrior and vulture. I love your daughter Marga, who is one of the strongest and noblest of us all. I have earned her heart, and thus I come to you, her hengi and her father, because I aim to marry her.
[Marga] You're probably right about going on your own. I think?
* Marga takes both of his hands. "But if you're not back in like 2 days I'm coming up there."
[Rechegoko] I understand. I'll be fine.
[Marga] Okay. You better be!!
* Marga gives him a crushing hug.
[Marga] I love you.
[Rechegoko] Oh! I love you too!
[Rechegoko] How about this? I'll make sure a vulture is with me when I go, so that if anything goes wrong, they can let you know.
[Rechegoko] They can keep a distance.
[Marga] That's perfect!
[Rechegoko] All right, then. I'll be back as soon as I have an answer.
[Marga] All right!
* Marga smiles as hard as she can
Ifa is visited by Lovosa of the Halunemni and her father Kufun, about his intention to seek adoption into the Nemni and to be considered for hengi
[NemnostiGM] All right, Ifa.
[NemnostiGM] You are at work, sorting out some papers, when there is a knock at your door.
[NemnostiGM] (you have not received any letters yet, we'll say)
* Ifa will go to answer it.
[NemnostiGM] It's Lovosa Halunemni, with a middle-aged man, who you don't immediately recognize.
[Lovosa] Hello, Hand Ifa. Are we interrupting?
[Ifa] Hello. May I help you?
[Lovosa] This is my father, Kufun.
[Kufun] Hand Ifa. It is my pleasure.
* Kufun is looking around uncomfortably, as if half-expecting to be struck down or something.
[Ifa] Ah, welcome. Would you like to come in? I was just sorting out some paperwork.
[Kufun] Thank you, yes.
[Kufun] Hand Ifa, I'll get to the point. I have come to seek two things.
* Ifa will step aside to allow them in.
[Ifa] All right. What might those be?
[Kufun] First, I come, in the wake of your kinsman Hojon's death, to seek adoption into the Nemni lineage for myself and those of my kin who seek it. I do so on the basis of my descent, through the Sopori lineage, of Nemnu's own blood, through Her own daughter Haluma. And I do so on the basis of my descent, through the Nemni lineage itself, traced back to Sulaisum Osper Nemni.
* Ifa nods.
[Kufun] I know that is not a thing you can grant trivially, nor you alone. But Lovosa has spoken to me of the esteem in which you are held, and as a Hand, it is within your power.
[Ifa] (It is?!)
[NemnostiGM] Well, the Hand covers matters like births/marriages/adoptions. So yes, it's an area of concern. You're more like the ... registrar of such things, than the decision-maker. But yes, Hands do have significant authority to make recommendations in these domains.
[Ifa] (Ah, okay, cool. I knew we handled adoptions, but for a sec I thought he was saying I had the decision making power)
[Ifa] Why do you seek this? And why now? I don't mean to be impolite, but you must know it is a difficult time for the lineage at present.
[Kufun] Well, that is the second thing. I wish to be considered as a candidate for the hengi of this lineage. In this, I have the support of many voices in Naftusa. As a hengi already, I know what is required. What I ask, in fact, is for the restoration of what is natural, which is that the Nemni and Halunemni be rejoined, so that all of Nemnu's kin may be under one house.
* Ifa nods.
[Kufun] I know that, while Hojon lived, this was all unthinkable. He was brave, bold, but also sometimes intransigent. So, too, was my grandmother, who raised me. So was I raised. But the time for this chaos is over.
[Ifa] And if you were to be adopted but not chosen as hengi?
[Kufun] Then I accept that decision. How could I not?
[Ifa] You understand why there may be concerns.
[Kufun] I do. Of course.
[Kufun] I would wish to speak to Nemnu Herself as soon as feasible, if She is amenable.
[Ifa] How many of your kin seek adoption?
[Kufun] To my knowledge, nine have expressed such a desire, presuming that my adoption is accepted. If not, then I presume none.
[Ifa] What if your adoption were accepted but your candidacy was not?
[Kufun] I cannot say.
[Ifa] What about for yourself?
[Kufun] What about it?
[Kufun] I would accept whatever is decided.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Very well. Would you like me to take this to the lineage, or to make the case yourself? As to our Lady, I will try to get you an audience as soon as is feasible. Would you like to stay at the ulajeta in the meantime?
[Kufun] I would like to stay here, yes, and as for the lineage ... I would hope to be able to make the case myself, if it is amenable.
[Kufun] I am perhaps arrogant, but I assure you I am no fool, and understand exactly how awkward this all is.
* Ifa smiles.
[Ifa] Reconciliation often is.
[Ifa] I'm sure I can find appropriate lodging for you, and we can arrange for you to speak to everyone.
[Kufun] Thank you for your time and courtesy.
[Ifa] Guests are always welcome here, and, perhaps, you will soon instead be family.
* Kufun smiles.
[Kufun] I hope for nothing more.
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!
