Nemnosti session 22
Summary
Session
- Session date: March 16, 2025
- Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Gamodend
Prologue
[NemnostiGM] Greetings, acolytes. It's so nice to see you all around the fire again, now that things have settled down and your Fifths are behind you. These times we spend together are among the richest of my day. I always say I learn as much from you as you do from me. And as the nights grow longer and cooler, as Kerai gives way to Gamodend, the fire comes increasingly into our service. So, while we're here around the fire, let me tell you a story, or rather, let me tell you a story that I myself was told. I was talking to Master Lijun yesterday. He was out hunting, and he found a small grey goose, a female, with a leg trapped under a rock. Now, I know what you are thinking: goose for dinner! And that was Master Lijun's first instinct too. But, he told me, he let it go. Why did he do so, I asked him. Why such an act of mercy? Three reasons, he told me. First, a female goose that age, here in the height of midsummer, is likely caring for a young brood. And to kill the mother would lead the entire brood to die, or at least, to be at risk. Second, he noted, he is a vulture, and so he has kin who are birds. So he remembered that he was, in some way, kin to this mother goose. And while we do not believe here at Nemnosti that every kindness or wickedness begets another - that is naive, as pleasant as it sounds - we absolutely are attentive for recurrences. Finally, he said, I had goose for dinner last night. So, he concluded, hunt fox when you are hungry for fox, and leave the goose for another day. Now, I leave it to each of you to decide whether there is some greater wisdom in this little parable. But as you begin your next set of Courses towards your Tenths, think about how you would like to behave when you are the goose - or the hunter.
The team meets with Nemnu in the Initial Library to talk about Kibai, Gunuremai, the Crease, and the daggers
[NemnostiGM] The month of Kerai has been mostly quiet, after the hurly-burly of Romokh, not to mention the chaos in Musune that immediately preceded it.
[NemnostiGM] Last night, though, you received a request to meet with Nemnu Herself this morning, on matters related to those events.
[NemnostiGM] Izu and Kuspir, you have a very good idea of what this is about, based on the events just a few days ago, although the Lady swore you, and everyone else present (Jorota, Bura, Rembes, and Kibai herself) to utter confidence.
[NemnostiGM] Izu, Nemnu has had you set up the Initial Library on the fourth floor of Carver's Hall for this meeting. This small rectangular library is sometimes believed by the unwise to derive its name from the fact that it was the first library at the ulajeta.
[NemnostiGM] But that can't be true; the fourth floor of Carver's Hall is all of later design anyway, at least two centuries after the ulajeta was founded. In fact, it takes its name from the initials carved on thin alabaster trim around the bookshelves.
[NemnostiGM] These initials represent the names of Nemnu's apprentices over the years, each carved by the person in question at the conclusion of their apprenticeship. The initials, written in the old style, lineage name first, serve as an organizational framework for the collection of ancient volumes.
[NemnostiGM] Somewhere here you could find the VA section, where not too long ago, Alai Vegru carved her name.
[NemnostiGM] Nemnu is seated in a great chair where Izu, of course, had set her up earlier, in advance of the meeting.
[Nemnu] Hello, my acolytes. We have much to discuss, I think.
[Nemnu] We have not talked since you travelled to Musune, about your experiences there. I have heard enough to know what transpired, but I would seek your guidance so that I may decide out next course of action.
[Nemnu] But before that, we have other matters.
[Nemnu] My dear Farai and Medimur were part of a hearing, three days ago.
[Nemnu] I had asked them, and the other participants, to keep silent on the matter, for a short time.
[Nemnu] But it is clear that you all will need to know what happened.
* Jevai listens
[Nemnu] Why don't I let them tell you what was said at the hearing.
* Nemnu would turn to Izu and Kuspir, if She could turn.
* Vess is now known as Alai
* Kuspir looks to Izu
* Marga whispers to Ifa. "There was a hearing?"
[Izu] There were some... irregularities... on Kibai's tests. We discovered some heretical teachings mixed into her answers. It is a long story, but through our inquiries we discovered that her name was not actually Kibai Pelting. It was Heruna Egruchai. She was raised as Hulti.
[Jevai] then.... why is she here?
[Jevai] and what's happened to her?
* Ifa frowns deeply.
[Izu] She came here seeking refuge. By Our Ladies grace she has been given leave to continue her studies here, and her new ladies name is Kibai, in order to avoid unpleasantries.
[Izu] She took the name Kibai from a girl she knew.
[Marga] Well that's... something
[Ifa] What happened to the original Kibai?
[Alai] She could be font of useful knowledge.
[Kuspir] The actual Kibai died in the forest and this girl was unable to help her. I think she took the name to hide her identity, but also out of respect.
[Izu] I believe her story. It was given under oath from a reckoner.
[Ifa] What was she doing there?
[Ifa] And from what is she seeking refuge?
[Kuspir] Her family, it seems.
[Izu] She mentioned they would seek retribution if she betrayed them, but we did not press further as to why she left.
[Izu] She was very scared at the time. I thought it best not to.
[Izu] But we may need to dig deeper soon.
* Ifa looks deeply troubled.
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] Someone will need to talk to her, but I think it will be intimidating for her if a large group of us descend on her to ask intrusive questions. Perhaps just one or two of us might talk to her with more success.
[Izu] Sister, would you be willing? You are good with people.
[Ifa] Am I?
[Ifa] I didn't have a sense of any of this.
* Ifa sighs.
[Ifa] I'll need to talk to her for my own peace of mind anyway.
[Izu] I understand if you are uncomfortable. I'm just not sure I have the... delicacy... for this.
[Kuspir] Perhaps you could both go.
* Ifa nods.
[Nemnu] None of us had that sense. There was so much unfolding, and so much of it putting us ill-at-ease.
[Alai] And if that doesn't work, there are other means to gleen what she might know. Not a first choice of course.
[Ifa] (to Izu) You were always better at seeing through people than I am.
[Nemnu] You should not blame yourself.
[Izu] (To Ifa) Yes, but you are much better at communicating. Perhaps it makes sense to go together.
* Jevai just listens, frowning
[Nemnu] She seems penitent, and to wish to learn the Courses. That is why I made the decision to give her the name Kibai.
[Jevai] The timing is quite extraordinary
[Nemnu] To give her a chance to live.
* Jevai did not mean to interrupt nemnu and quiets quickly
[Nemnu] But I agree with those who urge caution. The Old Folk are deceptive, it is in their nature.
* Jevai nods
* Marga looks uncomfortable
[Nemnu] For now, I have her remediating her exams under the care of Pavavi. He, more than anyone here, knows what she has gone through.
[Nemnu] And is more alert than anyone for potential risks that may still exist.
[Kuspir] If she is to be allowed to stay here, we should treat her as we would any other acolyte.
[Ifa] That makes sense.
[Nemnu] Giving her the name Kibai, the name of the girl who died so she could adopt her identity, seemed to be a path to treating her normally.
[Jevai] the other acolytes don't know about this?
[Nemnu] The only people who know are those at the hearing: Jorota, Bura, Izu, and Kuspir, as well as one of the girl's friends, Rembes Sortusai.
[Nemnu] I believe that he will keep it to himself, understanding the consequences for Kibai should it be revealed.
[Izu] We allowed Rembes to be there for Kibai's mental well being.
[Kuspir] He's a sensible boy, he won't blab about it.
* Jevai nods
[Ifa] ...He might tell Irdomila if pressed.
[Ifa] I agree that he's unlikely to speak widely of it, but she's curious and he's smitten.
[Alai] Even if he did, she is so tied to this place would she go against the Lady's wishes?
[Ifa] I wouldn't think so, but it's something to be aware of.
[Alai] She is to apprentice under me, it will be easy to watch for.
* Ifa nods.
[Nemnu] I am also confident that Jorota has told Amasa much about what is going on. As would be necessary, since they both care closely for the acolytes.
[Nemnu] And, of course, now Pavavi knows.
[Kuspir] People know of his origins, and he still has the trust and affection of people here, so perhaps in time it can be the same for her.
[Ifa] Let us hope so.
[Izu] I hope so, but perhaps now is not the time for such an admission.
[Nemnu] I must also ask, while I have you here, for your interpretation of the events that took place at what you have called the Crease.
[Nemnu] It cannot be unrelated, given that you found Kibai in Musune.
[Jevai] no.
[Jevai] Gunuremai contacted me, magically, to ask me to ally with her against the unkind stone.... I think there is more to that than you have told us, or perhaps that you know. I have been thinking on this....
[Nemnu] What have you thought?
[Jevai] we agreed to go and meet her. She had my brother, as a hostage, for good behaviour, and had charmed him.
* Jevai glances at Marga
[Jevai] Do you want to tell your dream?
[Marga] Ushukuna came to me.
[Marga] She told me there was a spike driven into the crack
[Marga] That it was getting bigger.
[Marga] That your um. Folly. Moves mountains.
[Marga] And that the children of Lai, Gru and Nuf cannot be trusted.
[Nemnu] I would never disregard your Mother's words. And I am pleased that she has chosen you as messenger, when she wishes to call me fool.
[Nemnu] And so this Crease, you described it as a cliff with two holes for spikes or daggers ... much like the one you found previously.
* Jevai smiles briefly at that.
[Jevai] yes.
[Jevai] She wanted the other one, the set.
[Jevai] Instead, I... broke her hold on my brother. And I took the other one.
[Nemnu] And who has them now?
[Jevai] I do.
[Nemnu] That is good. Guard them close, and do not share with others that you have them.
* Jevai nods
[Nemnu] Of course, Gunuremai will know that one of you has them. Although she may assume that I would keep them locked in my vaults.
[Jevai] I've been trying to keep myself protected from her prying.
[Nemnu] Ozel, I know you have examined them, or at least, the first one. Are they affected by your style of Source?
[NemnostiGM] (when you identified the first one it didn't have anything unusual, just weak enchantment and moderate transmutation, for the anchoring)
[Nemnu] They are certainly not anything I created, or know about, in relation to Unkindness or the Unkind Stone.
[Alai] I've examined them and there was detectable enchantments, but nothing vastly unexpected.
[Alai] At least the first dagger. I have not examined the second.
[Jevai] I think the stabilization they force act as a sort of key.
[Nemnu] Hmm, there are items that have power greater in combination than alone. But also, it is possible that these are just some sort of key and that the real power is in the Crease itself.
* Jevai smiles
[Jevai] (maybe a little proud of herself there)
[Jevai] yes.
[Alai] Do not preclude something in the material as well.
* Jevai nods to Alai
[Alai] The Crease when I examined it had extreme conjuration and abjuration auras... but it was not Unkind.
[Nemnu] I do not like the feeling of being constantly in reaction to events outside my knowledge or control.
[Jevai] I think its like...
* Jevai takes the hem of her shirt and folds it
[Jevai] (folds it over on itself
[Jevai] This is the crease.
[Jevai] and then the daggers...
[Jevai] without them...
* Jevai runs her finsers along the fabric, which unfolds the fabric straight
[Jevai] snd then twith them
* Jevai re- folds it, then holds it in poace with two finers, and sticks another into the little pocket that's created
[Jevai] its liek that
[Jevai] I think
[Jevai] With the unfolding
[Nemnu] I do not normally expect my Courses to be taken quite so literally. But I see your point.
[Marga] So what's in the hole?
[Jevai] The Hulti
[Ifa] Or some of them, at least.
[Jevai] a whole other place....
[Jevai] I think Gunumerai, at least, can create these little folds. Thats' where she took me
[Marga] Ohhhhh
[Marga] Neat :o
[Nemnu] Ozel, perhaps this is a matter of arcane theory that you could investigate. Hestur ... I have a different task for you.
[Alai] That implies the dagger are keys to the "hole" as you describe it... feels foolish for them to have misplaced one like they did.
[Jevai] I have thoughts on that but... yes lady?
[Jevai] (Lady)
[Nemnu] I will need to speak to you privately, after this, but, I understand you are planning a trip to Naftusa, and I would speak to you about it.
* Jevai nods
[Nemnu] Are there further matters you need to discuss with me?
[Jevai] Lady, what do you know about the spirals?
[Nemnu] There are many stories told about them.
[Nemnu] Wiser scholars than I on the matter supposed that they are a transformation after death, of creatures of the sea.
* Jevai nods and gives Alai a meaningful look
[Jevai] After death?
[Nemnu] That they are turned to stone, yes.
[Nemnu] much as the Unkind Stone does.
[Jevai] yes.
[Jevai] But that's... not *after* death
[Nemnu] Well the scholars did not know about Unkindness.
[Nemnu] It is not especially unusual, in certain kinds of stone, to find things that look like shell or bone or limbs of some creature.
[Nemnu] And of course there are many spiral creatures that live still.
[Jevai] Ushukuna called them Spiral Ancestors
[Jevai] The amonites, I mean.
[Jevai] The spirals at the crease, and others I have seen, turn in the other way.
[Jevai] (I think that's right yes?)
[Nemnu] (yup)
[Jevai] This whole land, before the mountains rose, used to be deep under the seas... so the stone lore says.
[Nemnu] It is a theory.
[Jevai] I think it's important.
[Nemnu] Well, I will let you sort that out amongst yourselves.
[Nemnu] Perhaps you can write a paper on the topic.
[Jevai] Perhaps, Lady.
[Nemnu] I will dismiss you then, although Hestur, I will keep you for a short time.
* Jevai nods
* Alai nods and will get up to leave
* Ifa does the same.
* Kuspir will leave as well
Nemnu talks to Jevai to try to convince her to take on Ukhuri Kaisastelovis as her Pebble
* Nemnu resumes speaking after the others leave.
[Nemnu] My dear Hestur, I am compelled to ask a favour of you.
[Nemnu] It has come to my knowledge that over Romokh, you had a visit here from Eneronde of the Pekai. And that she asked a favour of you.
* Jevai tries not to sigh
[Jevai] yes lady?
[Nemnu] What was your impression?
[Jevai] of... the favour?
[Nemnu] Of the request, yes.
[Jevai] so you know of this?
[Nemnu] You were not the first to be asked about this.
[Nemnu] Eneronde talked to Khizmo about the matter.
[Nemnu] He shared it with me.
[Jevai] what did he say?
[Nemnu] That he wanted nothing to do with it, and recommended you.
[Jevai] -_-
[Nemnu] It has long been my practice not to tamper with the affairs of the jasinamme. I have had dealings with your order for nearly five centuries now, and few indeed are the times when I have had to violate that principle. Even if it is one set for myself, I do not take for granted the sigillants who serve me.
[Jevai] and now?
[Nemnu] It is my hope that you will meet with Ukhuri, and, I hope, take her on as your Pebble.
[Nemnu] I still will compel nothing of you.
[Jevai] why do you want this?
[Jevai] Why do you want me to do this?
[Nemnu] Ukhuri is someone who is exceptionally well connected - the daughter of one noble hengi, the wife of another, kin to a third.
[Nemnu] The ulajeta does not exist outside the world, outside the desires and interests of the lineages who have been here since the early Empire, who founded Naftusa.
[Nemnu] Money, acolytes, connections to the broader world - these are things I want to shield Nemnosti from, as much as possible.
[Nemnu] But to do so, sometimes one needs to make a compromise to build a new alliance.
[Jevai] an alliance?
[Nemnu] Voice Verga's time here is surely almost done. Ukhuri, his mother, played a role in ensuring he came here at all. The Dendorfi have rarely sent any acolytes here, ever. I need that to change.
[Nemnu] And Ukhuri, while a Kaisastelovis, is the mother and now, grandmother, to many Dendorfi. Her husband Rosem is intractable to me, but not to her.
[Nemnu] I know you do not concern yourself with mundane matters like the finances of the ulajeta, and it is my hope that you never will have to.
[Nemnu] But the leisure to study free of such concerns comes with a price in gold.
[Jevai] That is not what you are asking me to pay, lady.
[Nemnu] I am not. I know this.
[Nemnu] I will not order or compel you to take her on as your pebble. But I ask you to bear in mind that doing so would benefit the ulajeta. At a time when we need all the friends we can get.
[Jevai] If you think that having me act as her downward will incline her to this place... you may wish to reconsider.
[Nemnu] It is a hard path. But also, I tell you this, knowing the woman. She is hard too.
[Jevai] Thank you, Lady. I will consider what you have asked.
[Nemnu] That is all, then.
* Jevai will nod and go
Marga is summoned to Hong Sogo by her father, who gives her a gift of a Naznaz prisoner for her to kill for future interrogation
[NemnostiGM] Marga, you are enjoying a little extra time to yourself, since right now your young trainee Fultukhari is spending extra time being tutored by Ifa, so he can retake his Fifths after a disastrous failure.
[NemnostiGM] Today, you're out in the Pardopasu, checking for any wild beehives out among the high trees of the valleyside. You don't have to collect them yourself, but you mark their location down so that it's easy for someone else to retrieve them.
[NemnostiGM] You are just about done for the morning when you see a vulture flying towards you. It is familiar, you think, but not one of the local vultures from around here.
[NemnostiGM] The bird lands and squawks, and then you figure out who it is. It's Bazuz Takovenga, son of the deceased Surgu, and lieutenant to your father Tocha.
* Nemnu is now known as Bazuz
* Bazuz is, in vulture form, a large animal with grey-black wings and a flash of red-orange below the beak that looks like a bloodstain, though it is clearly just plumage.
[Bazuz] Hello, sister.
[Marga] Oh hi!
[Bazuz] Your father wishes you to accompany me back to the den. He has something to show you.
[Marga] Oh, okay, that sounds nice!
[NemnostiGM] You travel with Bazuz up to Hong Sogo. At this time of year, the lake is low, and so the Snapping Dog's iftibal is well up from the shore.
[NemnostiGM] Everything is normal except for one thing - outside the iftibal, a great log has been thrust into the ground, and bound to it is a half-unconscious man, his face bloodied and beaten.
[NemnostiGM] Your father comes out to greet you, his great studded club in hand.
* NPC-2 is now known as Tocha
[Tocha] Hello, little one. Bazuz found you quickly, I see.
[Marga] (do I know who the beaten guy is?)
[NemnostiGM] (absolutely no idea)
[Marga] Hi Daddy!
[Tocha] It has been too long since you were here.
[Marga] Yes!
[Marga] Bazuz said you had something to show me.
[Tocha] Indeed! Well, here it is.
* Tocha gestures in the direction of the groaning man lashed to the pole.
[Tocha] A Hulti spy.
[Marga] Ohhhh :O
[Marga] Where did you find him?
[Marga] What was he doing?
[Tocha] He came looking for work in the pastures. Fifo, he called himself. Said he was from Ojon Sogo.
[Tocha] But now, under my kind ministrations, he has given me another name.
[Tocha] Fikefol Naznaz.
[Marga] Oh wow.
[Tocha] A Naznaz. From the high hills. A myth and legend, come down to us here in the village by the lake.
[Tocha] And so I have got him here as a gift for you.
* Tocha says proudly.
* Marga 's eyes get big.
[Marga] Oh... Thanks! Should I take him back with me?
* Bazuz chuckles.
[Tocha] Well, let's discuss that.
[Tocha] I do remember our last conversation. You told me of the Hulti in the high hills. And of my sister, having dealings with them.
[Tocha] And then, lo, this one presents himself looking for farm labour, and I am foolish enough to take him in - for a time.
[Tocha] Anyway. Whatever he is, he is clearly tough. I had to beat him this much just to get that name out of him, and I'm not even sure that is right.
[Tocha] So then, the question was, what do I do with him now?
[Tocha] Of course my first reaction was just to kill him.
* Tocha says, as if that's the most obvious thing.
* Marga nods, because of course it is
[Tocha] But I did not forget that my little girl had an interest in him, so before I killed him, I thought I would give you a chance.
* Tocha pulls out a dagger and extends it, hilt-first, in your direction.
[Marga] To um, do what?
[Tocha] Kill him, of course.
[Tocha] Once he's dead, it will be impossible for him to lie. The Hulti are notorious liars, we can't trust anything they say.
[Marga] That's what Nemnu said too
[Tocha] Saints are very wise.
[Tocha] And how splendid to turn a Hulti into an ancestor ... and then a bubun, don't you think?
* Tocha pokes at the man with his club.
[Tocha] Yes, that's right, you heard me. Or perhaps we'll revive you, so that you can experience the horror of being a blasphemy to your own people.
[Marga] are there spells that could *make* him tell the truth? like Reckoner stuff?
* Tocha shrugs.
* Marga flips the knife around in her hand by the handle
[Tocha] Surely, yes.
[Tocha] This just seemed simpler.
[Marga] Simple...
[Tocha] If you would like to take the corpse back to Nemnosti with you, I have no objection.
[Tocha] It is, as I say, a gift.
* Marga nods.
* Marga goes up to the guy and pulls his head up to look at him, without really seeing him
* Marga is sweating and cold.
[NemnostiGM] He doesn't look much like Rechegoko - tall but thin, and a heavy beard.
[Marga] (Does he look like his uncle :p)
[NemnostiGM] He's much thinner than Aizhanefer, but yes, more like that.
* Marga stabs him in the neck, hoping somewhere inside her that he dies very quickly
[NemnostiGM] The man dies, and as you say, you do it swiftly and without too much fuss, although there is a mess of blood on you, of course.
* Tocha does a happy little jig, almost.
* Marga stands there dripping for a sec.
[Marga] ... Do you want the knife back? :)))
[Tocha] Take that! That's what you get for coming at the Snapping Dog and his mighty daughter!
* Tocha stands and watches the man's life drain out of him.
[Tocha] Oh ... you can keep it.
[Marga] Alrighty then!
* Marga tucks it away
[Tocha] Bazuz, get him off that thing.
* Bazuz does as instructed.
[Tocha] Bazuz really wanted to kill him. After all, they killed his father.
[Marga] Oh... Sorry, Bazuz.
[Bazuz] It's ... fine.
[Bazuz] I got my blows in.
[Tocha] I didn't believe you at first, when you told me about Saza and the Hulti and all that.
[Tocha] But I believe you now!
[Marga] Oh good! There's a lot going on!
[Marga] I should take this guy back
[Tocha] Do you want some kind of bag or net?
[Marga] Oh, sure! That'd be great :))
[Tocha] Would you wish to stay for dinner, as the guest of honor? Or ... I suppose you need to get the corpse back.
* Tocha looks at the corpse on the ground, as Bazuz goes to get a fishing net.
[Marga] I'm a lil afraid he'll fall apart if he stays out too long
[Tocha] Good thinking.
[Tocha] Well, now that you have your bird form, you can come up here quickly, anytime you like.
[Marga] That's right! :D
[Tocha] Well, it was great seeing you Marga.
[Tocha] Don't be a stranger!
[Marga] You too Daddy! I'll see you soon! :D
* Marga starts dragging away her shameful burden I guess
Ifa and Izu talk to Kibai, supervised by Pavavi, about her past, Hulti ties, family, and history
[NemnostiGM] Ifa and Izu, you head down to the third floor of Carver's Hall, where Nemnu's treasures are kept in good order by the Curator, Tamandu Sempi, of course known to you all as Pavavi.
[NemnostiGM] The Curator's rooms are best described as organized clutter - there is absolutely a system in place here, but it's not at all clear to an outsider.
[NemnostiGM] Today Pavavi has set up a long table that he's cleared of its previous inhabitants, a set of gem-encrusted scepters belonging to previous ospers of the Nemni, to make room for you to sit down with Kibai.
* Ifa is probably a bit more subdued than normal.
* Bazuz is now known as Pavavi
* Jevai is now known as Kibai
[Pavavi] Good afternoon, young acolytes.
[Izu] Hello Pavavi.
[Pavavi] I understand the Lady has asked you to speak with my very special treasure.
* Pavavi smiles.
* Kibai also seems subdued and nervous
[Izu] If she is willing. No tribunal, this time, Kibai. We just want to talk for a while.
* Kibai nods
[Ifa] Are you all right?
[Pavavi] Kibai, I assure you that after all you have been through, talking to Voice Izu and Hand Ifa will be easy.
* Kibai sits up straight, more liek the defiant young girl you first met
[Kibai] I'm fine.
[Ifa] Would you prefer we use your Lady's name, or your real name?
[Kibai] Kibai.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] Kibai, we need you to tell us how you came to be here.
[Ifa] The whole of it.
[Kibai] Haven't I told you enough?
* Ifa sighs.
[Kibai] Here is the truth, if that is what you want...
[Ifa] Kibai, we're not going to harm you. I think we've demonstrated that. I hope Pavavi's presence here proves that to be the case even with us knowing who you truly are. You *are* welcome here, and we're not going to kick you out or anything. You have a place here as long as you desire one.
[Ifa] But, yes, we need as much as you can tell us about where you came from.
[Ifa] Please.
[Kibai] I don't want to think about it, or talk about it. I want to put it behind me, and forget, and I.... worry that if I say the wrong thing, you'll decide you can't trust me affter all.
[Ifa] I can understand that worry, but I will do my best to allay those fears.
[Ifa] And I'm sorry if this is painful to remember and talk about, but we are working in the dark, and we think you may be able to provide some light.
[Izu] Anything you can tell us might help.
[Kibai] "anything" is...
* Kibai gestures vaguely
* Tocha is now known as Zaren
[Izu] Can you tell us about your parents? Your family?
[Izu] Why you left?
[Kibai] how will that help anything?
[Ifa] We only know so much about your people, and our lack of knowledge is making people here vulnerable.
[Pavavi] Kibai, now, now. It is important that we open our hearts fully, here at Nemnosti.
[Kibai] My heart, like anyone else's, will be full of blood if you open it.... but not for long
[Izu] It is the spilling of blood that we are trying to prevent.
* Ifa nods.
[Kibai] asking about my family won't matter, then.
[Ifa] How do you mean?
[Kibai] I mean - they aren't important to anything like that.
[Ifa] What do you mean by "anything like that"?
[Izu] You seem very scared of their retribution, yet you don't believe they mean anyone harm?
[Kibai] Wait - are you worried about *me*?
[Ifa] Among others, but yes. Did you not realize that?
[Kibai] ].]
[Kibai] I thought you wanted to protect the Ulajeta.
[Ifa] Kibai, you're *part* of the ulajeta.
[Izu] That includes you, now.
[Kibai] The more I tell you, the angrier they would be...
[Kibai] If they knew I was here, had been discovered.... *and* that I had spilled all of their secrets?
[Ifa] What would they do?
[Kibai] The first two - that is personal, that's one thing. They would kill me, for certain, if they could
[Kibai] I know, there are elements that have committed to hostilities.
[Izu] Do they know of these... elements?
[Kibai] I don't want that to escalate because of me.
[Ifa] Would it?
[Kibai] Do who, my parents?
[Izu] Yes
[Ifa] Why?
* Kibai looks between them
[Kibai] I think, everyone knows *about* them. There's not so many of... Hulti.
[Izu] Kibai, we need to know if your family is part of those elements. Or if you have knowledge of them.
[Ifa] Hostilities are already escalating. We're trying to prepare for it.
[Kibai] They are united in hating you. But acting is not something everyone can do easily, no
[Kibai] I don't think my family would be part of that, not directly, but they could appeal to them.
[Kibai] They could retaliate more specifically. They know how to send a message, I'm sure hyou have seen that.
* Ifa nods.
[Izu] (Can I roll sense motive to see if all this rings true or?)
[Pavavi] (sure)
[Ifa] (I suppose I should do the same)
[Izu] !roll 1d20+17
* Lan-werk rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 34 ].
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+14
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 16 ].
[Ifa] (Come on...)
[NemnostiGM] Ifa, this all checks out to you.
[Kibai] 9i have no idea what my non-acolyte stats look like, so I will leave that to Steve)
[NemnostiGM] Izu, definitely there are things in this that are vague half-answers, that lead you to think that there's much more that Kibai knows and isn't sharing.
[NemnostiGM] You definitely get a sense of something being amiss.
[Izu] What are you not telling us, Kibai? What is so awful they would kill their own child to protect it?
[Kibai] no no, you're not understanding.
[Pavavi] Kibai, child, I know what it is to be afraid of retribution.
[Kibai] They let me go. They hurt me but they did let me go.
[Kibai] But to betray our..their... people?
[Kibai] That would be unforgiveable.
[Izu] Kibai, why did you leave?
* Kibai looks to Pavavi to see if he might back her up on that at least
[Pavavi] I think perhaps we should end for today.
[Pavavi] Voice Izu, I hear the concern in your voice.
[Pavavi] I share it.
* Izu looks at his sister.
[Izu] I'm sorry. Perhaps I pushed too hard.
[Izu] I was... afraid of that.
[Pavavi] But we are healers, here. We are healing Kibai's relationship with the world and other people.
[Pavavi] That doesn't happen in one conversation.
[Ifa] Kibai, I am sorry for all that has happened to you, and that you felt you were unable to be open with us.
[Izu] My apologies, Kibai.
[Ifa] I know this must have been difficult, and will likely continue to be.
[Pavavi] Here ... let me walk the two of you out. Kibai, carry on with chapter five.
* Kibai nods and closes her eyes
[Ifa] I hope you can find your place here.
[Kibai] Thank you.
* Izu will nod goodbye to Kibai and follow Pavavi.
* Ifa follows as well.
[Pavavi] This is very hard for her.
* Pavavi says, once you're out of earshot
[Pavavi] She has been through so much. There is so much to unlearn.
* Izu nods.
[Pavavi] She will have been taught that Hands and Voices will torture to get what they want.
[Pavavi] Which, of course, has been true, at times, in the past.
[Pavavi] Izu, I know that you share my concern, that there are things she is not telling us.
[Izu] I only worry that we do not have the time for her to unlearn at her own pace.
* Pavavi nods.
[Ifa] I can't imagine what she's been through.
[Pavavi] I agree that it is different than when I came here. I had the same fears as her, but the ulajeta was not under threat by Hulti at that time.
[Ifa] And I'm loathe to put her through more, but she may have information we desperately need.
* Pavavi nods.
[Pavavi] There would of course be magical ways to extract more information. But I have been asked, for now at least, not to be invasive.
* Ifa nods.
[Pavavi] The Lady knows that to earn Kibai's trust, we must not be seen to simply take what we wish from her.
[Izu] Yes, that might only make things worse
[Pavavi] And if it turned out there was nothing to learn, or something of little value - well, we would lose her forever, with no benefit.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] We can only do what we are doing: show her she has a place here and ask what she is willing to give.
[Pavavi] I agree.
[Pavavi] But even an eager acolyte, just arriving, has to learn that.
[Pavavi] And given her Fifths tests overall ... she has a lot to learn.
[Izu] Indeed.
[Ifa] Of course.
[Pavavi] For now, then ... can we agree to leave it with me, to take the soft path?
[Pavavi] I will push, whenever the opportunity arises.
[Izu] Very well. But do see that she studies as well. Do you know she referred to the Ulajeta as "Nemutsi" in one part of her test?
* Pavavi laughs.
* Ifa smiles despite herself.
[Pavavi] I did not know that. But she is, after all, new to the written word.
[Pavavi] I am not a great teacher, but I do have patience.
* Izu smiles and nods to Pavavi.
[Izu] I have faith that if anyone can reach her it is you.
Zaren talks to Kuspir with an ethical dilemma about a friend who is sick and won’t get the needed help
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, things have settled down quite a bit. There's even talk of sending the sentinels back home to Naftusa, and while it would be sad to see Pomirabe return home, it would not be the worst thing to have a little space around here.
[NemnostiGM] This evening you're tidying up around the East Tower, mostly organizing, while your father-in-law Zaren is sitting and doing paperwork.
* Tocha is now known as Zaren
[Zaren] Kuspir, son ... can I ask you a question?
[Kuspir] Of course.
[Zaren] It's more of an ethical dilemma.
[Kuspir] All right...?
[Zaren] If you have a friend who is suffering, but they don't want anyone to know - how do you think one should deal with that?
* Kuspir considers that for a moment
[Kuspir] I think it would depend on whether their suffering is hurting anyone other than themselves. If they aren't hurting anyone else, I suppose it's their right to choose to suffer alone. But if their suffering hurts others, even indirectly - then I think as a friend, it would be your responsibility to try and encourage them to let the others know about it.
[Kuspir] Like... if a man has an injury, he can deal with that by himself, if he so chooses. But if he's a soldier, and hiding his injury puts other people at risk, then that isn't right.
[Zaren] Yes. You're right in that regard.
* Zaren pauses, as if composing his thoughts.
[Zaren] And if the friend still decided not to share their injury, despite all that?
[Kuspir] Then I suppose that decision will be something they - and the one who knew but didn't act - have to live with, if it comes about that others are harmed by their choice.
[Zaren] When I was first injured, I became very bitter, for a while.
[Zaren] But I had Naka to help me see reason. To see that my life was still worth living.
* Kuspir nods, listening
[Zaren] I am worried that my friend does not have anyone to guide them well.
[Kuspir] They would not listen to you, as a friend?
[Zaren] It is hard to raise, because. Well ...
[Zaren] If the injury were like mine, a back that wouldn't work anymore. Well, that is obvious.
[Zaren] It is just there.
[Zaren] But not all injuries are of that form.
[Kuspir] This is something that isn't visible to others?
* Zaren nods.
[Zaren] Exactly.
[Kuspir] I suppose I would counsel my friend to understand that hiding their affliction means not only that no one can help them with it, but that it puts others at risk, if that was the case.
* Zaren sighs.
[Zaren] Yes.
[Zaren] I'm sorry to be so cryptic about all this, son.
[Zaren] You've had your own share of grief and I don't mean to burden you with mine, not least because to share it in its totality would break a confidence.
[Kuspir] What is their reason for wanting to hide it? Embarrassment? Fearing looking weak? Do they think that revealing it will hurt others as much or more than keeping it secret?
[Zaren] All of those, surely, but fear of looking weak.
[Zaren] It is unmanly.
[Kuspir] Hm.
[Kuspir] Is there a way to make it appear less so? For instance... perhaps by telling of this problem, he will better protect his family, his loved ones, his reputation as a man.
[Zaren] I don't know.
[Kuspir] No one can be strong all the time, even the greatest man eventually grows old and must rely on others to help him.
[Zaren] Don't I know it?
* Zaren chuckles.
[Zaren] Not that I was ever so great.
[Kuspir] It's not shameful to reach an age where you are no longer physically as strong. Hopefully in exchange you gain wisdom with your years.
[Zaren] I will talk to Naka on this. She will help me find the right path.
[Zaren] But you have helped so much.
[Zaren] I think it may be time to have the family for dinner.
[Kuspir] I'm glad I could help, I suppose. I am not as clever as many others, but I hope I've been of some use.
[Zaren] You're only dumb in comparison to your wife. Trust me, I know what it's like.
* Kuspir smiles at that
Kuspir and Ifa talk about Kibai, and about the discussion Kuspir had with Zaren about his sick friend
* Kibai is now known as Jevai
* Kuspir will go find Ifa in the evening after that conversation with Zaren
* Ifa is probably sitting somewhere around the ulajeta, knitting.
[Ifa] (Well, nalbinding :) )
[Kuspir] Good evening...
[Ifa] Oh, hi Kuspir.
[Kuspir] Am I interrupting? Don't want to make you lose count.
* Ifa looks a bit down, but makes sure there's enough room for Kuspir to sit down if he wants.
* Kuspir will come sit with you.
[Ifa] No, I'm mostly just trying to keep my mind occupied. Talking's just as good. :)
[Kuspir] Is something on your mind?
[Ifa] Kibai.
[Kuspir] Ah, yeah. A difficult situation there.
[Kuspir] How did it go?
[Ifa] About as well as can be expected, I think.
[Ifa] If I follow my heart, look at it from her perspective, I'm impressed she managed to fit in here as much as she has.
* Kuspir nods
[Ifa] We're the boogey men of her people's tales.
[Ifa] She must have been terrified.
[Kuspir] I can only imagine.
[Ifa] At the same time, I think "What if she *had* had sinister motives"?
[Ifa] I want to trust people, I want to think the best of them, offer aid when we can, but...
[Ifa] What if someone gets hurt because I didn't see a lie for what it was?
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] Then that is the fault of the one who lied, not you. All any of us can do is our best, and we might not always succeed. It's not a slight against you or your talents for someone else to deceive you, any more than it would mean I am at fault if someone attacks me and overcomes me.
[Ifa] You're telling me if you fought someone and they beat you, it wouldn't also hurt your pride a little bit? ;)
[Kuspir] well... yes.
* Ifa bumps her shoulder against Kuspir's jovially.
[Kuspir] But I just mean.. it isn't your fault. And you would tell me the same if I fell to an opponent who fought me, I think.
* Ifa pouts.
[Ifa] Did you need to come all the way out here and be right at me right now?
* Kuspir smiles at that
[Kuspir] I didn't.... I meant to talk about something your father said to me earlier, that has been weighing on my mind.
[Ifa] Oh? What did he have to say?
[Kuspir] He asked what I would do if I had a friend who was suffering from some ... invisible affliction, but who didn't want to admit this affliction to anyone. I could only imagine he was talking about Hojon.
* Ifa sighs.
[Ifa] He's getting worse.
[Ifa] More and more people are seeing it, but no one seems willing or able to do anything about it.
[Kuspir] Bad enough that people will notice whether he wants to admit it or not, I imagine.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] There must be something that can be done. If his friends, his close friends I mean, were to talk to him about it, maybe it would get through to him that it's better to step aside now and have some reputation left, than to remain in his position until he's a liability and a laughingstock.
[Ifa] Maybe...
[Ifa] Now is not the time for the Nemni to have a hengi who is...impaired.
[Kuspir] Do you think you could convince your father to talk to him? I tried to suggest as much but I don't know that it got through, because he wouldn't openly say what he was talking about.
[Ifa] I could give it a try.
[Kuspir] They are close friends from long ago, I just hope it might have some impact where the words of others haven't.
[Ifa] I can't guarantee he'll listen, but if he already came to you about it, even obliquely...
* Kuspir nods
[Ifa] Yeah, it's probably worth the attempt, at least.
[Kuspir] It was clearly troubling him.
[Ifa] I've sort of sideways talked about it with Ajemika, but I think she feels she needs to defend her father.
[Kuspir] It's difficult with family, I imagine. Especially since it might diminish her own influence.
[Ifa] Well, I kind of suggested maybe she should take his place.
[Ifa] Can't be worse.
[Kuspir] I suppose.
[Kuspir] It could be awkward for her, at least - to tell him to step aside so that she could take over.
[Ifa] But their line would still be in charge. I thought maybe that'd feel less...usurp-y.
[Kuspir] looks too ambitious, too greedy. He might not believe her motivations are for the good of the lineage, rather than for her own interests.
* Ifa nods.
[Kuspir] I just thought if someone who doesn't have that ... baggage attached... were to talk to him, it might have more effect.
[Ifa] Yeah, that makes sense.
* Ifa sighs.
[Ifa] It's all so much.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] I'm glad I can talk to you about it.
* Ifa smiles.
[Ifa] I'm not sure how I'd deal with all this if you weren't here.
* Kuspir blushes a little bit at that, though looks away, trying to not be obvious about it.
[Ifa] I guess I'd have to rely on Izu more. Can you imagine? ;)
* Kuspir gives a little laugh at that.
[Kuspir] Izu is wonderful, for some things.
[Ifa] I suppose so.
[Kuspir] I don't know if I could be quite as open with him about my worries. It would stress him out too much.
* Ifa laughs.
[Ifa] Well, don't want to put him out.
[Ifa] I'm always here if you need me.
[Kuspir] .... thank you
* Ifa smiles.
[Kuspir] I suppose I should stop interrupting your work.
* Kuspir does not display an immediate inclination to leave, though
[Ifa] You're not, but don't let me keep you if you have other business. I'm happy with the company, though.
* Kuspir will stay and keep Ifa company for a while longer, then
Alai and Jevai investigate the magical properties of the two iron daggers as keys to the Crease’s powers of travel, and start making plans to go to Musune
[NemnostiGM] Alai and Jevai, you have two daggers in hand, a Crease at Musune's end with its strange imagery, and many, many unanswered questions.
[Jevai] (are the daggers physically distinct?)
[NemnostiGM] The daggers are effectively identical in manufacture. The one that you found underground definitely shows some signs of the time it spent beneath the earth, but of course magical weapons are much more resistant to wear, so it is really just that the two are visibly distinct in colour by this point.
[NemnostiGM] Other than that, though, they're clearly a pair.
[Alai] (start with Identify to compare magical enchantments then)
[NemnostiGM] (ok go ahead)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+14
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 27 ].
[Alai] (assume that just gives +10 to k:arcane, then)
[NemnostiGM] (yeah)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+26
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+26 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 26 ] totals [ 36 ].
* Jevai can assist but really that doesn't seem super necessary, so she will wait for Alai to have a close look
[NemnostiGM] The second dagger's magical properties are the same as the first. But you definitely can tell, now that the two are together, that they have an affinity. What exactly that is, you can't say for certain from an identify.
[NemnostiGM] (weak enchantment, moderate transmutation, for the record - anchoring power)
[Alai] They have same magical aura, weak enchantment, moderate transmutation for the anchoring capability, and some unknown affinity that the spell cannot identify
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] probably that relates to the crease and their positions there
[Jevai] what do you think about the ammonites?
[Alai] There are stronger divination magics that are likely to effective, if these daggers are, as you believe, keys to controlling or accessing the capabilities of the crease.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I trust your judgement in how to go about this - you're the divining expert
[Alai] hmm... the ammonites is something I had not considered... stones and thier patterns are more a Sigillant focus, although I can appreciate the potential commonalities.
[Jevai] could they be Abyss?
[Jevai] YOu sid - unkind is abyss
[Jevai] (said)
[Jevai] there is... some kind of link, I think
[Alai] I did not sense thier influence at the Crease. I can tell its touch.
[Jevai] if this truly once was under the sea.
[Jevai] hmmm
[Alai] Could be more like imprints, or reminants of the Abyss... transformed over time, but accessed like the Source.
[Jevai] I hadn't considered that, as a source of power
[Jevai] the way you speak of the Abyss, I thiught it was more than that.
[Alai] It is... but what makes the Abyss what it is, just isnt here.
* Alai stops her foot for effect
[Alai] And it wasn't at the Crease.
[Jevai] not now, anyway.
[Alai] I don't fathom the age of such a presence, or how time might affect it.
[Alai] Did our Lady create the Unkind, or just find it? And by discovery effectively create it?
[Jevai] she gave it the form it has, at least
[Alai] very true
[Jevai] But it is the petrification that intrigues me
[Jevai] whether or not it could be undone, what it means to be a stone ancestor
[Jevai] Whether it is something liek a Saint, to be aalive and trapped in your own... shell.
[Jevai] anyway, I'm just musing
[Alai] I find the idea abhorent.... trapped...
* Alai shudders
[Jevai] yes, I have thought about that. our Lady is lucky, to be able to take a vessel.
[Alai] So to the daggers and lets see if they are the keys to the hole the Hulti have made for themselves
[Alai] This will take a few minutes...
* Jevai nods
* Alai will consume fos and cast Legend Lore on the daggers
[NemnostiGM] (ok go ahead)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+14
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Alai] !roll 1d4
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d4 ] getting [ 4 ].
[Alai] (so 40 minutes if I read the spell right)
[NemnostiGM] (yes, that is correct)
* Jevai will doodle some designs and maybe outline her thoughts to try and make them more coherent
[NemnostiGM] These daggers were once a pair used to govern access to the Crease. Individually, they allow access to it as a megalithic door, to access other sigillant doors, instead of a password.
[NemnostiGM] When the Hulti were forced to leave the province, the lineages staying faithful to the Old Folk kept one, while those following the Corps kept the other.
[NemnostiGM] But together, both in place, they cause the Crease to become more - a means of accessing places that no one is able to ordinarily.
* Alai reveals what the divination learned to Jevai
[Alai] Seems you were correct about the Crease, at least in one aspect.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I would very badly like to know what is there, in that other place
[Alai] A similar divination at the Crease may reveal something of what you are interested. I suspect such effort may prove risky.
[Jevai] yes. We can't move freely in Musune without being watched.
[Jevai] we would need to teleport, there, and back, and do your rite...
[Alai] I can do it from here, with what we know, but it will take much longer and may prove less informative.
[Alai] It is a risk... it would be a great opportunity for us to be assulted, or captured.
[Alai] Directly teleporting limits the help we can bring.
[Jevai] yes. if we could carefully prepare though.... shield ourselves in other ways before we left
[Alai] Are you capable of bringing others with you if you crafted a Word of Recall rune?
[Jevai] it woudl be easier to lodge a teleportation spell... but I could bring I thikn two others?
[Alai] lets plan this out well, to ensure success
[Jevai] yes.
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!
