Nemnosti session 40
Summary
Session
- Session date: February 15, 2026
- Negili Reckoning date: IE 769, Fikho
Prologue
[Nemnosti-GM] Good morning, acolytes! I wouldn't normally get you all together so early, but of course tonight we won't be having our usual firelight chat because we'll be holding a celebration for the arrival of our new Sanari friends. And it seems cruel of me to foist more talk on you, when there will be dancing and berry liquor and whatever it is that you acolytes will get up to, not that I know anything about that.
* Nemnosti-GM tries not to look too hard at Fultukhari.
[Nemnosti-GM] This is an adjustment for us, but of course even more for them, and we are going to do everything we can to ... to ...
* Nemnosti-GM pauses, and looks around at the group of acolytes.
Oh ... oh ... you feel that, don't you ... it's ... so beautiful. Rembes, where are you ... ohh ... yes, well ... that is certainly ... something. That's all for today...
Marga talks to Lijun about what is wrong with her inside; he takes her to Achoreza’s death’s nest and conveys wisdom about people and their choices
[Nemnosti-GM] Marga, since your return you've been avoiding people. Well, moreso.
[Nemnosti-GM] If anyone were to ask around the ulajeta, you have been there, at least, a couple of times. People have seen you. But you've been spending your time out on the Ghengom, avoiding other people, avoiding thinking about your last conversation with Rechegoko, avoiding ... stuff.
[Nemnosti-GM] The hills won't judge you for what you have done.
[Nemnosti-GM] You've got yourself set up with a little campfire, a bit east and south of Akapa Sogo, behind the high ridges of the Pardopasu in one of the little tributaries that is normally dry, but flows high at this time of year, especially in this rainy season.
[Nemnosti-GM] The rain is falling, and you've got a little shelter to keep things warm and your fire burning, as you eat a scrap of rabbit that you caught yesterday.
[Nemnosti-GM] (make a Perception check please)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 20 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] You hear the visitor just a few seconds before he emerges; the rain having covered up any of his more intrusive noises.
[Marga] Lijun?
* Lijun turns the corner and sighs in relief as he sees you.
[Lijun] Marga.
[Lijun] Jorota sent me out after you. Says you missed a meetup with Fultukhari.
[Marga] I did?? Oh, fuck.
[Lijun] It's fine. She wasn't worried about *him*.
[Marga] Tell her, uh.. tell her I'm sorry; I'll make it up to him.
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] Something tells me that wasn't your worst fuckup this week.
[Lijun] And I say that as someone who knows something about fuckups.
[Marga] Man, who's counting.
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] Counting never helps, though.
[Marga] GOod thing I'm bad at math then.
[Lijun] I was always good at arithmetic, as an acolyte. Didn't help.
* Lijun sits down in your shelter cross-legged, next to your fire.
* Lijun just sits for a while ... waiting? Just being in your presence?
[Lijun] So.
* Lijun interjects after an eternity or two.
[Marga] Yeah?
[Lijun] Tell me.
[Marga] Do I have to
[Lijun] I can't make you do anything.
[Lijun] You know I used to be really stupid, right? After my first death, before my second.
[Lijun] So whatever stupid you've got going on ... it can't compare.
[Marga] Uh... how stupid we talking here
[Lijun] Well, I used to fuck a lot of women. And I don't even like women. There was a lot of drama.
[Lijun] And violence.
[Marga] Lijun I don't know if I can. If I can tell you.
[Lijun] All right.
[Lijun] I won't make you.
[Marga] It's just. I'm sick.
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] I used to be sick. Still am, in a way.
[Marga] There's something rotten in me. It won't ever go away.
[Marga] Maybe if I died, I dunno.
[Lijun] I don't recommend it.
[Lijun] Maybe start with what it's about, in general.
[Marga] My father.. Rechegoko
[Lijun] All right. Your dad is a piece of work. But you're not your dad.
[Marga] No, but...
[Marga] Whatever's wrong with him, it's in me too.
* Lijun pauses, then leans forward.
[Lijun] After I died the first time, there were some dark years. Things that I'm not proud of. Violence that I'm not proud of.
[Lijun] I had a ... girlfriend, I guess? And I used to get so angry, when I couldn't get it up for her. I blamed her ... it was not pretty.
[Lijun] I can never ask for her forgiveness.
[Lijun] I was useless, then.
[Lijun] Thought I was broken.
* Lijun pauses, and then has an idea.
[Lijun] You up for a hike?
[Lijun] Or a fly, if you prefer.
[Marga] Sure, either way...
[Lijun] Fly, it's faster.
[Marga] Alright...
[Nemnosti-GM] You turn into vultures and Lijun heads out with you, east across the river, over the town of Naftusa, and then into the rough mountains of the Turtu. He lands in a flat valley, where you can see fist-sized rocks have been laid out in a kind of cluster, maybe six feet wide and roughly circular.
[Lijun] You know what this is, or no?
[Marga] (do I?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (nope)
[Marga] Nope.
[Lijun] You know Achoreza, the albino?
[Marga] Oh, yeah!
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] Each of these stones was brought here by one of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, probably even more greats than that.
[Marga] Why?
[Lijun] This is her death's nest, where she will be celebrated by her descendants when she dies. Which will not be long now. To prepare her for her suralai.
[Marga] Oh...
[Nemnosti-GM] That term is familiar to you, it is the cycle of reincarnation that is a kind of strange belief in reincarnation that many vultures believe alongside the Corps.
[Lijun] See, she was born human. But her mates, all birds. Her children, all birds. So on, so on.
[Marga] ... Really??
* Lijun nods.
[Marga] Wow...
[Lijun] She told me once she was a failed human, but a damn good bird.
[Marga] So she just... stayed a bird, forever?
[Lijun] I mean, she can change of course. She still does, when she needs to talk to humans.
[Lijun] But ... yeah, basically.
[Marga] Huh.
[Marga] How come?
[Lijun] I don't know all of it, but it's because her life as a human, well, it had a lot of bad in it. Much of it from her.
[Lijun] And so she made a choice, to be different. I think that Mother surely played a role in it.
* Marga nods slowly.
[Lijun] Point is, Marga, she made a choice. To be a different person. As a human who can change into a bird, the idea that you're just trapped in whatever you were, once, whatever you lived through, once, well, that seems contradictory.
[Marga] I dunno...
[Marga] You had to die to change. She stayed a bird her whole life.
[Lijun] She didn't change to a bird to escape. She changed, and she had a family, and a family's family, and on and on. Now she's at her end and every one of these stones is a result of that choice. Those birds wouldn't exist without it.
[Lijun] And now she's going to change again, and be reborn in the great cycle, even as she stays as an Ancestor. That part confuses me still, I've never understood it.
[Marga] Then why did she? She just... decided not to be a human, for no reason?
* Lijun shakes his head.
[Lijun] That's ... not my story to tell. Like I say, it was due to a lot of badness.
[Marga] That she wanted to get away from?
[Lijun] More like, she needed to change herself to get away from where she was going to be headed.
[Lijun] I'm not saying it's easy. I know you've seen things, up there in Hong Sogo, your father's people. I don't want to know it all. But you are not stuck.
[Marga] It's in my blood, Lijun
[Marga] Maybe like, literally.
[Marga] Everyone knows about my family.
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] Gagos are real pieces of shit, huh?
[Marga] Not just that...
[Marga] There's something *wrong*
[Lijun] I don't think Mother thinks there's something wrong with you. In fact, a lot of us are jealous of how She sees you.
[Lijun] You and me, and a few others, we're lucky cause we got two Mothers who see something in us. Mother Nemnu, and Mother Ushukuna.
[Lijun] Even if our blood family doesn't see it that way.
[Lijun] Nemnu, She loves you so much, She gave you the name of Ivis the Duskwatcher, who protected Her not through killing ,but through vigilance, through loyalty.
[Lijun] And Ushukuna ... well. She loves us all, but maybe She sees in you more than in others, huh?
[Marga] I dunno. And I sure don't know why.
* Lijun shrugs.
[Marga] Rupun says Lurusiri can't marry someone who's a killer
[Lijun] ... sorry, what?
[Lijun] I missed something.
[Lijun] What does Rupun have to do with anything?
[Marga] Rechegoko... he's getting adopted, converting
[Lijun] Okay ... so, he's a killer, you're a killer, I'm a killer.
[Marga] We were supposed to get married. But my father wants him to kill his uncle before he'll allow it.
* Lijun pauses at that.
[Lijun] Well, his uncle is also a piece of shit, right?
[Marga] Doesn't matter, I guess
[Lijun] Wonder what your dad is so afraid of.
[Lijun] You do know that right, that your dad is a coward?
[Marga] I dunno, I just thought he liked to cause problems on purpose.
[Marga] What do you mean?
[Lijun] Sends other people to do the work he's too afraid to do. "Kill this person." That way he doesn't have to do it himself.
[Lijun] Take some fucking responsibility, asshole.
[Marga] Huh...
[Marga] Well, I never thought of that.
[Marga] I mean, I've seen him kill people.
[Lijun] Sure, when there was no risk to himself, probably.
[Marga] Maybe...
[Lijun] Tell me this. Achoreza, do you know what lineage she is from?
[Marga] ... no?
[Lijun] Neither do I.
[Lijun] It only matters if it matters.
[Lijun] So you need your dad's permission because, what, he's the boss Gago, the hengi, and he tells the Gagos what they can do?
[Marga] Rechegoko thinks he does.
[Lijun] But Rechegoko is leaving his lineage because his kin are shit.
[Marga] He says he's a crappy Hulti.
[Lijun] Well, if you ask me, I think you're a crappy Gago.
[Marga] Heh
[Marga] Well if we're lucky, I'll be the last Gago.
* Lijun nods.
[Lijun] Could be.
[Lijun] Doesn't mean there won't be rocks in your death's nest.
* Lijun stands up.
[Lijun] You know how to get back from here?
[Marga] Yeah,
[Lijun] All right. You are on duty tomorrow, so ... be there.
[Marga] Ok.
* Lijun turns into a bird and flies off, leaving you at the death's nest site to reflect and collect yourself.
Alai is playing uluugar with Vimne Zakha in the statue garden when they are struck by Sanar’s Bliss, and Vimne goes off to follow it
[Nemnosti-GM] Alai, you are in the Statue Garden, in behind the Voice Temple at the ulajeta. Today, you are sitting across a small stone table from Vimne Zakha, playing a game of uluugar, a strategy game of stacking pyramid-shaped game pieces, commonly played in Luetka and the northern islands, and sometimes known as Peaks and Hollows.
[Nemnosti-GM] Vimne is of course the only other person at the ulajeta who is fluent in Luetkan, or at least mostly so, giving you a chance to help her practice your native tongue. Right now, she is beating you handily at the game, much to your dismay.
[Vimne] You're unstable there. Going to fill that in or let me have that whole corner of the board?
* Vimne points at where you made an early mistake.
[Alai] Being helpfull just grinds in the humilation. Are you purposely vexing me?
[Vimne] Is it working?
* Alai slams her piece down, harder than she intended.
[Alai] Obviously not.
[Nemnosti-GM] Your internal rage begins to subside but just as that happens, it is replaced with another feeling. A wave of emotion strikes you, almost palpably. It is utter joy, a sense of being loved, and a sense of warmth that cuts through the cool spring morning.
[Nemnosti-GM] (Make a Will save please)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+11
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 13 ].
[Alai] (I'll destiny since I don't like being fucked with)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+11
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 17 ].
[Alai] (and destiny is not with me today)
[Nemnosti-GM] (not so much)
[Nemnosti-GM] !roll 1d10
* lan-werk2 rolls for Nemnosti-GM: [ 1d10 ] getting [ 9 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Alai, you are absolutely overwhelmed. The board, the statue garden, the ulajeta, all fades from significance, replaced with a feeling of utter awe and adoration. You can feel it, to the east of where you are.
[Nemnosti-GM] But you can't move, really, except to tremble and shudder as the wave strikes you again and again.
* Vimne is similarly affected, and then stands up.
[Vimne] I ... have to go.
* Vimne runs off towards the east.
* Alai lets it wash through her, riding the waves as best she can.
[Nemnosti-GM] By the time you come out of it, Vimne is well and truly gone.
* Alai doesn't even acknowledge her
Kuspir is hanging out with Rugu when they are struck by Sanar’s Bliss; he asks Rugu to fetch Ifa while he goes out into the courtyard to investigate
[Nemnosti-GM] Kuspir, you are at home with Rugu this morning - you have a couple hours with him before you have to report for your shift. Irdomila is already out with the other acolytes in training, or at least you imagine that she is.
[Nemnosti-GM] What are you doing with Rugu during this precious time?
[Kuspir] (maybe some lessons? not like book lessons but like teaching him some craft stuff - leatherworking or caring for weapons/armor or something like that)
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you can teach him how to care for boots properly.
[Nemnosti-GM] You're showing him how to oil up and lace up heavy boots and prepare them against the conditions.
* Rugu is happily working away at his new boots that you brought back from Zhustir for him.
[Nemnosti-GM] As you are sitting there, working on your own boots (which hardly need the attention, not that that is the point), you feel a wave of powerful positive emotion come across you.
[Rugu] Dad? What is ... ?
[Nemnosti-GM] Please make a Will save, Kuspir.
[Kuspir] (am I supposed to roll a save or something here?)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+8
* lan-werk2 rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 14 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] !roll 1d10
* lan-werk2 rolls for Nemnosti-GM: [ 1d10 ] getting [ 9 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Kuspir, you're also overwhelmed by emotion. You find yourself unable to move or do anything except let it wash over you.
[Rugu] Dad, Dad! What's wrong?
[Kuspir] (can I even talk?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (yes, haltingly)
[Kuspir] Get... Ifa
* Rugu pauses, unsure what to do, then grabs his little spear and sets out into the courtyard.
[Nemnosti-GM] Kuspir, from out in the courtyard, you hear a lot of commotion, voices and people congregating.
[Kuspir] (well I can't do anything)
[Nemnosti-GM] By the time you come to your senses, Rugu is gone, but you can still hear the commotion out in the courtyard.
[Nemnosti-GM] You're not quite sure how long it has been.
[Nemnosti-GM] A minute? Maybe more?
[Kuspir] (can I move again?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (Yes, you can now move and act normally)
* Kuspir will go to the courtyard to see what's going on
Kuspir and Alai attempt to calm down the crowd of those affected by Sanar’s Bliss, assisting Detevus at Ozo’s Gate trying to prevent them from reaching Her
[Nemnosti-GM] You come out of your house, which is at the back end of the ulajeta behind the buildings themselves. To the east, where Ozo's Gate leads out into the garden, you can hear a commotion and see some people running over that way. Then you hear a man's loud scream.
[Nemnosti-GM] Alai, around the same time, you emerge from your daze. You do hear commotion to the east, but from where you are it's hard to identify.
[Alai] (we both able to do something now?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (yes)
* Alai will cast greater heroism on herself, to try and ward herself from further effects, then head east towards the commotion.
[Kuspir] (where do I think the scream came from? I'll head there)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 22 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] (all right, no problem for your spell)
[Nemnosti-GM] Kuspir, you surely don't have armor on but could easily grab weapons if you wanted. What are you going to do?
* Alai hikes up her skirt and huffs it, her bracelets jangling the entire time.
[Kuspir] (I guess I can grab a hammer but I'm also worried about mind control making me hit people ;p)
[Kuspir] (but as i said, if I can estimate where the scream came from, I'll head that way)
[Nemnosti-GM] The scream definitely came from over by Ozo's Gate, at the northeast
* Kuspir will head that way, hammer in hand
* Kuspir will also be keeping an eye out for his kids and Ifa or Izu if he sees any of them
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, as you do so, you see Vimne Zakha running behind you.
[Nemnosti-GM] No sign of the kids or Ifa or Izu.
[Nemnosti-GM] Alai, you are running in that direction, but it will take you a bit since you were dazed and are way off to the west.
[Alai] (just let me know when I get there)
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Kuspir you arrive to a scene of chaos.
[Nemnosti-GM] A group of people is gathered at Ozo's Gate, demanding access through into the orchards.
[Nemnosti-GM] Standing against them is your stoneguard brother, Detevus Nemni, wielding a sword.
[Nemnosti-GM] You see among the crowd Rembes Sortusai, Ozh Laigrunuf, and Ailal Takovenga.
[Kuspir] (is he actually attacking them or just keeping them at bay?)
[Nemnosti-GM] But most alarmingly, on the ground, Avrubai Dusmanis, who is clearly the source of the scream, is clutching his arm, which is bleeding heavily all over the courtyard.
[Detevus] Get back! You can't come through!
[Kuspir] what's going on here?
[Detevus] Kuspir! They've gone crazy, they're trying to get to Her!
[Nemnosti-GM] Indeed, the crowd, which includes those people, as well as others, is pushing up against Detevus, trying to force their way through.
* Kuspir will try to get to the gate and keep them back I guess (just by yelling/ordering them now, not attacking)
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, I'll let you make an Intimidate
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+20
* lan-werk2 rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+20 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 20 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, it definitely has an effect but only momentarily.
[Kuspir] Everyone get back! control yourselves! Rembes, go get a healer.
* Rembes punches you, or attempts to.
[Kuspir] come on now.
[Nemnosti-GM] !roll 1d20+3
* lan-werk2 rolls for Nemnosti-GM: [ 1d20+3 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 3 ] totals [ 14 ].
* Kuspir will say, mildly annoyed
* Rembes tries to push by you and get through Detevus
[Kuspir] none of that
* Kuspir will hold his hand out to keep the boy from doing anything stupid9
[Kuspir] (stupidER)
[Nemnosti-GM] Alai, you see Vimne ahead of you. She casts a spell and then flies over the wall.
[Nemnosti-GM] Kuspir, you see this too, Vimne has basically flown over the commotion
[Nemnosti-GM] (there, i moved you up Alai)
[Kuspir] (what is the gate status - is it open, closed, locked, or what?)
[Nemnosti-GM] It's closed, but you don't know whether it is locked. Because it's internal to the ulajeta, locking it is not always the most important thing.
* Kuspir will try to get to the gate
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, the people are unarmed, so it's not too hard for you to push your way through. You do take a couple of light blows as you are lightly jostled, but of course, being huge and immovable, that doesn't impact you much.
* Alai will follow Vimne by caster her own fly spell
[Nemnosti-GM] (You can move yourself to where you want to be Kuspir)
[Nemnosti-GM] (all right Alai, go ahead and make that roll, shouldn't be hard)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 20 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] From here, you can now see that Avrubai's right hand has been almost completely severed, it's just hanging on by a flap of skin.
[Detevus] What do we do? These people are crazy!
[Kuspir] Just try to keep them back as much as we can without hurting them
* Detevus looks involuntarily over at the injured Avrubai, then forward at those remaining.
[Kuspir] Nothing to do about that right now
[Nemnosti-GM] The crowd rushes towards you, trying to push by. Make a Strength check.
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+5
* lan-werk2 rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+5 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 5 ] totals [ 16 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you have got yourself positioned where they can't really get through you as long as you're conscious.
[Rembes] We need to see Her!
[Kuspir] (ok then just stand there and let them punch me, that's not going to do anything. if someone has a weapon then maybe I'll get worried)
* Rembes punches you again, ineffectively.
Alai flies over the Limping Hall following Vimne, and stops her from entering and gains control using an antimagic field
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Alai, Vimne is of course ahead of you, and lands on the other side, amidst the orchard.
[Kuspir] c'mon now.
[Kuspir] Don't be doing that.
* Alai follows her calling out to get her attention
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you can fly up and over the Limping Hall (#24), where you see her trying to get entrance. She pulls on the door, but it's barred or blocked.
* Vimne takes some fos and is preparing to cast a spell
* Alai will try and cast a simple spell, suppress charms and compulsions, on her before Vimne can get her spell off.
[Nemnosti-GM] (go ahead)
[Vimne] !roll 1d20+14
* lan-werk2 rolls for Vimne: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 15 ].
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 35 ].
[Alai] (the supression version lasts only rounds... so if it works it will be short lived)
[Nemnosti-GM] !roll 1d20+7
* lan-werk2 rolls for Nemnosti-GM: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 24 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] Alas, she resists the effect.
[Nemnosti-GM] !roll 1d100
* lan-werk2 rolls for Nemnosti-GM: [ 1d100 ] getting [ 62 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] Her spell does go off, a knock spell which bursts the door open.
[Nemnosti-GM] You see behind the door terrified Sanari, including Kuspir's mom who is standing there behind the now-broken door to the Limping Hall.
* Vimne attempts to fly through and somehow get past the people.
* Alai will try and dispel her fly
[Alai] (Move to take the fos, standard to cast)
[Nemnosti-GM] (ok)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 30 ].
[Alai] (now the caster level check)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+9
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+9 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 9 ] totals [ 23 ].
[Alai] (so caster level 12)
* Vimne falls to the floor
* Heru (Kuspir's mom) tackles her to the ground.
* Alai will start consuming more fos... I need like a full round to build up enough source
[Alai] (am I knowledgeable enough to know if an Antimagic field will be enough to stop this effect, even if it came from a Saint?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (make me a quick K:arcana)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+18
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 31 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] Yes, you believe that in principle, that's possible.
* Alai will attempt the spell once I get close enough to Vimne and have enough source built up
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Heru can hold her down long enough for you to do that. Of course Heru (and others) will also be within the field, which is a 10' radius.
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 33 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, your spell goes off, and so effectively anyone in your immediate vicinity is within it, including Vimne)
[Vimne] ... Alai?
[Alai] Stay close... I've suppressed whatever this effect is.
[Vimne] I can't move, she's on me.
[Heru] You're damn right I am!
[Alai] Please let her up, I need to bring her with me to stop the others at the gate.
[Vimne] I needed to go to Her. She was ... calling to me.
* Heru looks at you uncertainly.
[Heru] All right.
* Heru lets her up.
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, so you're planning on walking with Vimne out and around to the gate?
* Alai grabs Vimne's hand and hauls her out with her marching towards the gate where Kuspir stands guard, keeping an eye out for other strays.
[Nemnosti-GM] (got it)
[Alai] (yep)
Alai comes back to Ozo’s Gate to aid Kuspir, with her antimagic field calming those affected, and Ifa arriving to assist
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you come around. The group immediately is calmed, or at least, those in the vicinity are.
[Rembes] Sir, sir! Oh, I'm so sorry!
* Rembes says to Kuspir.
[Kuspir] It's all right
[Kuspir] Not your fault
[Alai] The magic is suppressed only around me. Stay close.
* Alai says to those freed from the effect.
* Kuspir gestures to Avrubai
[Kuspir] Can someone help him?
[Nemnosti-GM] Sister Hush, Ailal, goes over to him and begins to care for him.
[Nemnosti-GM] At this point, you see Rugu running over towards you, Ifa in tow.
* Ifa will rush over to help Avrubai.
[Ifa] What happened?
[Alai] Is fortunate this did not affect whole ulajeta.
[Detevus] I was on guard, they rushed me.
[Ifa] Why?
[Kuspir] I think the emotion power from Sanar Ula was affecting people. THey were trying to get to her and couldn't be reasoned with.
[Ifa] How many did it affect?
[Kuspir] I felt it for a bit but I managed to shake it off and came here because I heard the commotion, I don't know beyond those here - I guess it spread at least as far as my house.
[Ifa] Is anyone else injured?
* Rembes is rubbing his hand where he punched Kuspir, but seems uninjured.
[Kuspir] not here anyway. I don't know about beyond, in the Limping Hall.
[Alai] Vimne and I were in the stone garden and also felt it.
[Kuspir] Good job, Rugu, thank you.
* Kuspir tells his son.
[Nemnosti-GM] Ifa, it didn't seem to go through the walls of the actual ulajeta buildings, or if it did, you didn't notice or feel it.
* Rugu smiles proudly.
[Rugu] Thanks, Dad. Until feet fail!
* Kuspir smiles a little at tht
[Ifa] Are the Sanari all right?
[Kuspir] Maybe you should go find your grandmother now and stay with her until things calm down.
[Alai] A little shaken, but I assume ok.
Kuspir, Alai, and Ifa check on the Sanari in the Limping Hall and they talk to Heru about what happened
[Nemnosti-GM] You can check in on them. Other than the door to the Limping Hall being broken down, and people being a little shaken up, the folks in the Limping Hall seem fine.
[Ifa] And Sanar Ula? Does anyone know what might have prompted this?
* Detevus shrugs.
[Kuspir] No idea...
[Alai] Is good to find out, no?
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] Someone should let the LAdy know too
[Kuspir] if She doesn't already
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] (Would they let us talk to Sanar Ula? Or do they have any idea about what happened?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (who do you mean by 'us'?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (probably not, right now, honestly, like, they are not letting people in right after such an event)
[Ifa] (Are any of them up to talking? Kuspir's mom, maybe?)
[Kuspir] (I could try to talk to her or go with you?)
[Kuspir] (assuming things are calmed down here)
[Ifa] (Either way. Do you think she'd be more inclined to talk to you alone?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (sure, you can talk to Heru. Are you going to do that with all these other people standing in the circle? Kuspir could go off and talk to her now)
[Nemnosti-GM] (I'm kind of assuming that since you don't know how long the effect lasts, Alai is not taking any risks in letting affected people leave the circle)
[Kuspir] (I think Alai should stay here but maybe we can try Ifa going with me? if she starts to act weird I can bring her back)
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, Ifa and Kuspir, you can go talk to Heru.
[Kuspir] Are you all right? What happened?
[Heru] We felt Her Bliss. But we weren't affected other than for a few minutes, in here. Not like, drawn to Her.
[Heru] We weren't doing anything with Her at the time. I think She was on Her own.
[Ifa] Her 'Bliss'?
[Heru] It's what we use to describe Her effect.
[Heru] This was, obviously, a bit different.
[Heru] She isn't in control of it.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Has anyone spoken to Her just now?
[Heru] Not to my knowledge.
[Ifa] Perhaps someone should check on Her?
* Heru nods over towards Zasko, who goes to do so.
[Heru] How are things out there?
* Heru sort of nods in the direction of the courtyard.
[Kuspir] Messy but Alai is keeping them under control
[Ifa] What did Alai do, exactly?
[Kuspir] I'm not quite sure, I assume some spell?
[Heru] The woman was flying in here, Alai dropped her to the floor, I tackled her. Then she did another thing that broke the woman out of it.
[Ifa] I wonder if it's something we could have going as a preventative measure.
[Kuspir] it seems like it's centered on Alai so I'm not sure. something to ask her and Jevai about, maybe.
* Heru nods.
* Ifa nods.
[Heru] For now, seems like we're sorted. I'll talk to the Sanari. But someone needs to explain this to the Nemni.
[Ifa] We can do that.
[Kuspir] Can you try to keep Her from doing that again? I realize She is still learning about her abilities and how to control them but this is a problem.
* Heru looks at you the way she used to when you were young and stupid.
[Heru] How would I do that?
[Kuspir] People will get hurt, and She could also be at risk of danger too.
[Kuspir] Talk to Her?
[Heru] I understand. But I don't control Her, and She doesn't control Her powers.
[Kuspir] I realize you can't literally stop Her, but if She understands the risks maybe it will help.
[Heru] She is a child, Kuspir.
[Kuspir] I know
[Kuspir] But a child who can cause great harm if She doesn't learn to control Her strength.
[Heru] Look, for now ... I'll talk to Her. Just don't expect something that She can't give.
[Ifa] I think it's important not to scare her in explaining this.
* Kuspir nods
[Ifa] We don't want another wave of...whatever the negative version of Bliss would be.
* Heru nods.
[Ifa] We know She's doing Her best. We just don't want anyone else getting hurt.
[Heru] All right. You go take care of yours, I'll take care of mine.
[Kuspir] Thank you, mom.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Thank you.
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you can emerge. Definitely by this point the crisis has passed, and the effect has worn off.
[Nemnosti-GM] Avrubai has been taken away to be cared for - he was not looking great.
* Kuspir will try to make sure things are calming down and people are looked after as necessary
* Ifa will do the same.
Jevai talks to Naka about her experiments with altering Kinds, including how she might use the vessel of Unkindness from Gil Pirtu
[Nemnosti-GM] Jevai, you weren't involved or even initially aware of the incident until much later. You've been engrossed in study about Unkindness and thinking more about what Voice Asomon told you about the connection between song and stone.
[Nemnosti-GM] But you also have an important task assigned to you by Nemnu, which is to talk to your Aunt Naka about all of this, to share your concerns and your findings.
[Nemnosti-GM] You can find her in her small laboratory, working alongside Ghoko.
[Nemnosti-GM] (Let's say this is the day after the incident)
* Jevai will knock
[Naka] Yes?
[Jevai] good morning Auntie
[Naka] Oh, Jevai. Ghoko, go let her in.
* Ghoko opens the door, revealing your aunt working away on something complicated-looking.
* Jevai looks it over as she passes in
[Jevai] what is this?
[Naka] This is ... probably a failure.
[Naka] I've been working on ... well.
[Naka] Ghoko, clean this up, please. And let's have some tea for Jevai and me.
[Naka] I've been expecting you.
[Jevai] oh?
* Naka washes her hands in a basin.
[Naka] After She gave me the vessel you found in Gil Pirtu ... it was just a matter of time.
[Naka] Are you here to tell me not to toy with forces beyond human capacity or comprehension?
[Jevai] no.
[Jevai] Should I?
[Naka] Probably. Not that it will stop me.
[Naka] How much do you know about the history of my profession?
[Jevai] is it all beyond human capacity and comprehension?
[Jevai] well... not so much
[Naka] No, it's not. But that should scare us still.
* Naka nods.
[Naka] There are many names for the power I seek to master.
[Naka] In my training, they teach it almost as a lost mystery, something that used to be trivial, but now is impossible.
[Naka] Among other names, I learned it as the Essential End.
* Jevai listens
[Naka] The ability to transform Kinds.
[Naka] Not just to change their external form, which is in some ways trivial.
[Naka] But to truly alter their essence. It is more towards Coherence than it is towards Unfolding.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] Essential end - is that....the end of essence? something else?
[Naka] Not exactdly. More like, the end of the path within my profession.
[Naka] The amnir are a kind of Kind. This ... goes further.
* Jevai nods
[Naka] In principle, it would allow one to transform a saint into ... a different Kind.
[Naka] At least temporarily.
[Jevai] its not a permanent change?
[Naka] Well, I haven't succeeded yet.
[Naka] I am relying on old reports but as you might imagine, the knowledge of how to transform a Saint into something else is not something one simply writes down in a book.
[Naka] But changes of Kind within humans are not so hard to understand. Death transforms you from a person to an ancestor, permanently.
[Naka] And priests can create bubunne and shororre.
* Jevai nods
[Naka] The change from person to vulture - if that even is a change of Kind.
[Jevai] do you know why She has asked you to study this?
[Naka] I do not, though I can guess.
[Jevai] what is your guess?
[Naka] The Emperor.
* Jevai nods
[Naka] If He is seeking this power, then we must also.
[Jevai] do you think the vessel could have been made by someone of your profession?
* Naka nods.
[Naka] I believe it was. Though the contents, perhaps not.
[Jevai] something that can Contain unkindness would definitely have uses
[Jevai] but the contents themselves....
[Naka] Are they the same as what you found up in the Ghengom?
[Jevai] I'm not sure
[Jevai] we were never abe to approach closely
[Naka] There is so much power here. Transformative, utter power.
[Naka] Power that could heal. Power that could change.
[Jevai] that was the same, but it seemed to have the same effect on any who were in direct contact
[Naka] Imagine that we could treat a revenant by restoring them into people.
[Jevai] the superficial transformation into stone and some other kind of lingering connection
* Naka lingers on her thought, though the implications are clear.
[Jevai] do you think.... that it would...fix them?
[Naka] Imagine that we could change male to female, or the reverse.
[Naka] 'Fix' is exactly the right word. It could ... attach them, affix them, to the world, differently.
[Jevai] hmm
[Naka] And while I am sure that my dear Geme would like to be fixed, I am thinking also of my sweet Izu, my kind little boy.
[Naka] I do not know what is possible with this, Jevai. But I know that it is the closest I have ever been to understanding.
[Jevai] I worry that the posisbilities of transformation this offers are more constrained, or differently constrained, than what mayb be achievable through your craft
[Naka] It definitely is not the same.
[Naka] But it might provide a way to think about it differently.
[Jevai] possibly.
[Jevai] Just... consider what happened to Azolte when she was transformed into stone, and then restored
[Naka] I have not forgotten. Even if I had, She has reminded me very clearly.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] what about Eng-Dur?
* Naka nods.
[Jevai] where we don't understand what he is at all
[Naka] I do not know what he is, so I cannot say what he could become.
[Naka] But yes, in principle.
[Jevai] hmm.
[Jevai] well, if I tell him you are on the case, I am sure he will be relieved, regardless
* Naka laughs.
[Naka] I suppose he will.
[Jevai] How can I help your studies?
[Naka] I don't know for certain.
[Naka] I wish I had a better sense of this material in the vessel.
[Naka] There is so little here, and it is, as you say, not necessarily the same as what is in the Ghengom.
[Naka] She calls it all Unkindness, but I have so little understanding of it still.
[Jevai] I think even She does not fullyunderstand it
* Naka nods.
[Naka] If you wanted to assist me here, I would not object.
[Jevai] I would be happy to
* Naka smiles.
[Jevai] i will help me thinkg about... source, and thr potential for change, perhaps, to see another approach
[Naka] Well, wash up, then, we can't have you with grubby hands!
* Jevai will go ahead and scrub up!
Izu is asked by Nalazh to attend Sanar Ula, who reports to him how her Bliss episode was motivated by hearing a singer from the caves
[Nemnosti-GM] Izu, the day after the incident at Ozo's Gate, Voice Nalazh comes to you in the temple.
[Nalazh] Voice Izu, I have a request.
[Izu] Voice Nalazh, of course. What can I do for you?
[Nalazh] I come on behalf of Sanar Ula. She wishes to speak with you, privately.
* Nalazh doesn't seem real pleased about this, to be honest.
[Izu] I see. Did she mention the reason?
[Nalazh] I believe it is about yesterday.
[Izu] I see. Thank you. I will attend immediately, of course.
* Izu will head over to see the new saint.
[Nemnosti-GM] They let you in, but not without at least a little bit of anxiety and trepidation. You are escorted in, and soon find yourself in a quiet but plain room, facing Sanar Ula.
[Sanar] Izu, thanks for coming.
[Izu] Greetings Sanar Ula. How may I assist You?
[Sanar] Well ... I don't know. A couple of things, I guess.
[Sanar] I'm meant to be meeting with Nemnu Ula in a day or two, presuming that She will still see me.
[Izu] She will. I have been seeing to the arrangements.
[Sanar] Can you please convey to Her, and to everyone, how sorry I am for all the harm I have caused?
[Izu] Of course. I don't think she believes any harm to be intentional. However, if it is not too much of a presumption on my part... may I ask what exactly happened?
[Sanar] It's all right ... I guess I am trying to understand it myself.
[Sanar] I think there were two things.
[Sanar] First, there was the thing that they call Bliss.
[Sanar] Which is like, a song that I sing, or send out into the world. I don't know.
[Sanar] That was outside my control.
[Sanar] But then ... there was a singer, singing back to me. From far away, quiet, distant, muffled. As if from inside a cave. I don't know.
* Izu feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at that statement.
[Sanar] They were so confused.
[Izu] What did they say?
[Sanar] It's so hard to understand.
[Sanar] It was like my singing woke them up.
[Sanar] And then the second thing happened, the thing that they are calling Rapture.
[Sanar] To pull people towards me.
[Sanar] Seizing them, bringing them close.
[Sanar] But the singer, they couldn't come.
[Izu] Do you know where they were? What direction?
[Izu] Did they say a name? Anything that might be a clue as to who they were?
[Sanar] I don't know, I'm sorry. In the direction of the ulajeta, to the west. Somewhere.
[Izu] The west... you are sure?
[Sanar] I'm sorry, I don't know the layout of the place very well.
[Sanar] Not in the building, maybe, but in darkness.
[Izu] It's ok. Don't worry. You are not in trouble. Please. Tell me everything. What did they sing to you?
[Sanar] They were singing, it sounded like a very old song.
[Sanar] They seemed so lonely.
[Sanar] And I think I ... maybe ... called them to me. But instead this was what happened.
[Sanar] And now I've made everyone angry, and caused injury.
[Sanar] Perhaps this was all a mistake, coming here.
[Sanar] If I'm not safe for you, then I don't belong here.
[Izu] Sanar, you did not know. You could not have known. I promise you, you did nothing wrong. I cannot explain right now but... please. You must promise me you will stay here and not do anything rash or use your song. I must go speak to The Lady immediately. I believe she will want to speak with you... sooner rather than later. But please trust me that you are not in trouble. Do you understand?
[Sanar] No.
* Sanar says, sounding very small.
[Sanar] I don't understand.
[Izu] No. I suppose not. To be truthful neither do I. But it will be alright.
[Izu] I promise.
[Sanar] All right.
* Izu considers for a second, then briefly puts his hand on top of hers and squeezes it reassuringly.
[Izu] I will be back soon.
[Nemnosti-GM] (OK, where are you going?)
* Izu will go find Nalazh very quickly.
* Nalazh is basically right outside the door.
[Izu] Voice Nalazh. I will return soon. Make sure no one is allowed inside until I return. And be ready. We may need to transport her to Carver's Hall very soon.
[Nalazh] What is this about?
[Izu] I'll explain later. I must go speak to The Lady.
[Nalazh] Fine.
* Nalazh says, sounding resigned and frustrated.
* Izu won't wait around to care about his ego but instead rushes off to Nemnu.
Izu goes to Nemnu and reports what Sanar told him, and they speculate that it may have been Lurusiru Ula
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, She's right where you left her earlier.
[Izu] My Lady! Please forgive the interruption but it may be urgent.
[Nemnu] What is it, Farai?
* Izu will relay what Sanar told him as best as he can.
[Nemnu] Oh.
[Izu] My Lady... I can think of only one place due west from here...
[Nemnu] You are thinking of the Inner Caves?
[Izu] You know who I am thinking of.
[Izu] Is it possible?
[Izu] Could She be awakening?
[Izu] Or possibly... calling out?
[Nemnu] We had wondered why the effect did not touch the ulajeta buildings proper, but mainly the statue garden, the houses behind the ulajeta, and that area. But, when you describe it that way, it does make a straight line.
[Nemnu] You think that my sweet Cedar is awakening from Their slumber?
[Izu] I... I don't know. But it may be a possibility. I think perhaps it would behoove us to expedite your first meeting with Sanar Ula.
[Nemnu] All right, but to what end? What am I supposed to say to Her about Them?
* Izu sighs.
[Izu] I don't know but perhaps she has more to tell us. Perhaps with more details you could recognize if it is Them or not.
[Nemnu] I called to Them, I wept at Them, for years, for decades.
[Nemnu] And now They answer Her?
[Izu] Perhaps... perhaps the time was not right? Things are in motion now that have not been so in a long time. And it is not yet certain.
[Nemnu] I cannot tell Sanar about Lurusiru. Not yet.
[Nemnu] Anything I say to Her can get out.
[Nemnu] If this is true, Lurusiru would be in great danger.
[Izu] You do not have to, but we must tell her something. Sanar Ula is scared. She thinks you are angry for what happened. She may be a saint, but She is also a child. If nothing else, you should reassure her that You are not angry at Her. Tha She is not... in trouble. That is something I cannot do.
[Nemnu] That, I can do.
[Nemnu] Make the arrangements, I'll see Sanar tomorrow, and put this to rest as best I can.
* Izu nods.
[Izu] Thank you, My Lady. I will arrange it. And I would like permission to go to Lurusiru. Just in case.
[Nemnu] Yes, I concur.
[Nemnosti-GM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!
