Nemnosti session 47

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Session

Session date: May 24, 2026

Negili Reckoning date: IE 769, Pesme

Prologue

[Nemnosti-GM] Greetings, acolytes! ... And also, greetings to you newcomers, acolytes-to-be! For many, many years now, it has been the Lady's practice to choose Her acolytes carefully, but always with a mind towards the whole community, never the single individual. And moreover, to ensure that there is continuity, so that new acolytes and more seasoned ones overlap. That means, for those of you who are more accustomed to this place, you have a new duty, even as you are preparing for your Nameways examination. A duty of care, a duty of education, a duty of preparation. Even as others guided you, you will spend much time over the months to come preparing these others for the Courses ahead. Do not be afraid, neophytes ... Ahh, apologies, I see you are confused - a neophyte is a novice, a newcomer. And that makes the rest of these veterans around the fire ... paleophytes? That seems wrong somehow. Better to think about it not in terms of old acolytes and new, hul-alelu and rosh-alelu, but, as She would have us think about it, ongoing and beginning, alelunai and alelugai. Those of you who are alelu-gai, beginning as acolytes, do not yet know where your journey will go. But don't worry - neither do the rest of us! For now, let us sing around the fire, and celebrate this warm spring night!
[Nemnosti-GM] Earlier ...

Marga talks to Meze and learns that Usle is Saza’s secret daughter, kept in Hong Sogo all these years by Tocha

[Nemnosti-GM] Marga, you are still processing everything that happened up at Momichas. The suralai ritual was strange enough, with the crater lake turning blood red and everyone turning to revelry and mating. Come to think of it, you wonder who Meze was mating with ... or Lijun.
[Nemnosti-GM] And then Ushukuna took you down to the strange place at the bottom of the lake, to see the stone husk of the first of the ammonites, spiraling down to see the First 'spiral ancestor' with a growing crack inside Her? Ushukuna has trusted you with so much. You really need to talk to Jevai about that, and probably Nemnu too.
[Nemnosti-GM] And then, on top of all of that, Ushukuna took you and Rechegoko out and ... married you? With feathers? And ... took your unwanted names away? You are really not sure that names work like that, but both your Mothers seem to think they do, so ... I guess?
[Nemnosti-GM] And if that wasn't enough, Meze came back from a trip away from the suralai with this girl, Usle Zipizmo, who is supposed to be a new acolyte. All Meze told you before your trip was "Her mother is a Gago. And her father is one of your father's men." She looks so much like you. It is all so confusing.
[Nemnosti-GM] You will have so many things to tell everyone, now that you think about it! And then you have to go back to being ... assistant warden, or whatever your new job title is, at the ulajeta. Which is ... it'll be nice to be back, but not nearly as exciting as this trip. Whatever could be?
[Nemnosti-GM] You're hoofing it back through the southern Ghengom, making adjustments continually to avoid burdening young Usle with the trip.
* Usle is a tall, dark-skinned girl with short-cropped hair in need of a wash. Her height suggests she's older but something in the face tells you she may not be any older than twelve, thirteen at the most.
* Meze is walking behind you all, bringing up the rear. There isn't much danger this time of year, but she seems very alert and intent.
[Nemnosti-GM] (give me a sense motive please)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+2
* lan-werk2 rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+2 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 2 ] totals [ 10 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] (Meze definitely seems off but you don't know what's up at all - just more alert than you'd expect her to be given the circumstances)
* Marga glances back at her from time to time...
* Meze makes the hand signal for you to come back to her.
* Marga casually slows her pace to drop back to where MEze is.
[Marga] (q) something wrong?
[Meze] (q) I guess I can tell you now. I wasn't supposed to, until we got back.
[Marga] (q) uh-huh?
[Meze] Have you talked to the girl at all?
[Marga] (q) Just a bit... she's not real chatty.
* Meze chuckles
[Meze] That's for sure. She's been through a lot and she doesn't really understand what's happening to her.
[Meze] I mean, she knows she's going to Nemnosti to be an acolyte - she just doesn't understand what that is, or why she's going.
[Marga] oh well, neither did I really.
* Meze nods.
[Meze] I was thinking about that earlier.
[Meze] About the same age too.
* Marga nods
[Meze] No letters, no civilization, and being pulled away from all the people in the village.
[Marga] Civilization's a bit overrated
* Meze chuckles.
[Meze] You had a good suralai, it seems. Judging from your face.
[Marga] It was awesome!
* Meze nods.
[Meze] Good.
[Meze] Anyway ... the girl.
[Marga] I think it's the most interesting thing I've ever been to.
* Meze nods.
[Marga] Yeah, the girl!
[Meze] What do you make of her?
[Marga] Well... she seems real scared. More scared than I was.
[Marga] And she looks a lot like my father.
* Meze nods.
[Marga] Like, a LOT.
[Marga] You said her dad was one of his men, but...
[Meze] It's not what you're thinking.
[Marga] What is it then?
* Meze shakes her head.
[Meze] She's your cousin.
[Marga] SAZA??
* Meze nods.
* Marga claps her hand over her mouth.
[Marga] (q) someone had SEX with SAZA?
[Meze] (very q) Not your "cousin" in the Omban sense, but your [old Ravre word you don't quite remember]. Your father's sister's child.
[Marga] (q) yeah... so Saza just left her at Hong Sogo? this whole time?
[Marga] (q) and we're... getting her so she doesn't take her to the Writhing?
* Meze shakes her head.
[Meze] It's worse than that.
[Meze] She doesn't know the child is alive.
[Marga] uh...
[Marga] I'm gonna need some more info there
[Marga] How? why?
[Nemnosti-GM] (i'll just assume you're both being relatively quiet and discreet from this point onward. At least, so Usle can't hear)
[Marga] (yeah)
[Meze] Saza showed up at the village with a baby, twelve years ago. Said it was hers. No one knew otherwise. Now we can see that she was, for once, speaking the truth.
[Meze] Just from the look of her.
[Meze] Brought the kid to your iftibal, to her brother, told him to take care of it.
[Marga] so someone told her the baby died?
[Marga] oh wow, that's a choice
[Meze] Well I think she assumed that either Tocha would just kill it, or send it off to the corpseborn.
[Meze] But your dad ... he's a strange one. I don't need to tell you.
[Marga] Did he keep her in a dog kennel or something?? I never even knew she existed.
[Meze] Well she would have been basically a baby when you left. And you haven't been back much since then.
[Meze] But no, as far as anyone knows, her mother is your "aunt" Jeraja Gago, and her father was Dardi Zipizmo, one of the Snapping Dog's pack.
[Nemnosti-GM] Dardi you remember well.
[Nemnosti-GM] Like Bazuz, one of the nastier types around the village. Dead now.
[Marga] He died though
[Marga] What happened after that?
[Meze] I think he figured, if the kid looked like Saza, having a Gago mother made the most sense. And he's the hengi - he can adopt whoever he wants, if he wanted. But having a new Gago would look suspicious - Saza would notice that.
[Meze] So he basically has been hiding her in plain sight, keeping an eye on her, all this time.
[Marga] Does he know we took her? :x
* Meze nods.
[Meze] So this is the tricky part. Yes, he knows.
[Marga] Okay...
[Marga] but?
[Meze] I'm sorry we couldn't tell you earlier. We ... discussed it. And decided it was best not to.
[Marga] Who's we?
* Marga scrunches up her face in confusion.
[Meze] Me and Nemnu.
[Marga] Oh, right.
[Marga] So what's the tricky part?
[Meze] So, the infiltrator you killed, Fikefol of the Naznaz. One of these Writhing sorts.
[Marga] Yeah?
[Meze] Tocha was getting worried that if the Naznaz were infiltrating, that Saza would somehow find out. Because he knows even less about the Writhing than we do.
[Meze] He was worried that he had already found out. He couldn't tell you to ask, because ... well, he didn't want you to know about Usle, I guess.
[Marga] Why is it such a big deal if she does? Because *then* she might try to take her?
* Meze nods.
[Marga] ok, NOW I understand.
[Marga] Whew.
[Meze] Tocha was worried about that, yeah. But also - we don't know who the father is.
[Marga] Ooh, yeah.
[Marga] We don't know how long she's been... with the Writhing
[Meze] And ... I mean, it seems unlikely, but ... if it's not someone from the village ... what if it was someone from the high hills?
[Meze] Exactly.
[Marga] Gosh.
* Marga glances at Usle.
[Meze] So he contacted me, asked for an ... extraction.
[Marga] We'll keep her safe.
[Meze] We will. Absolutely.
[Marga] I hope the other kids can help her feel at home :)
[Marga] She looks so scared.
* Meze nods.
[Meze] I hope you'll help her too. Maybe Fultukhari can help?
[Marga] Yeah!
[Meze] And you understand - she doesn't know any of this. Can't, and shouldn't, know any of this.
* Marga nods solemnly.
[Marga] Ok.
[Meze] For all we know she'd run off and find Saza, write her a letter or some fool thing, once we teach her her letters.
[Marga] Maybe when she's older
[Marga] Or when all this stuff is done with...
[Meze] We don't know her yet, not really, but we know she's been living up in Hong Sogo with her parents all this time. Not knowing the truth.
[Marga] Who are her 'parents'?
[Nemnosti-GM] (she told you above, Jeraja Gago and Dardi Zipizmo)
[Marga] Just her mom you mean?
[Marga] 'Cause Dardi died... I forget how long ago
[Meze] Yeah, a few years ago.
[Meze] I don't think Jeraja remarried.
[Marga] *nods*
[Marga] (do I know Jeraja? if so what's she like?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (Loud, boorish, given to drink, but basically a decent person.)
[Marga] Well, Daddy could have picked a lot worse I guess.
[Meze] Voice Sumasi, he's of the Zipizmo, he's the only other one who probably knows enough of all this to piece it together. There are others who know she's adopted, of course. I think a lot of people are happy to assume she's Tocha's. Tocha would probably try that line with Saza, if she found out Usle was around. We don't think that would work.
[Meze] Anyway ... Tocha reached out to me, asked me to extract her. But he didn't want to be around when it happened, and he wants (we think) to plausibly be really angry about it, with the villagers.
[Marga] Makes sense.
[Meze] So we timed things in with the suralai, once we knew that was happening.
[Marga] Right.
[Meze] So I have to ask - are you planning to tell Jevai about this? Cause I think She would prefer that you didn't.
[Marga] About Usle?
* Meze nods.
[Marga] I won't
[Meze] I know she has to deal with Saza quite a bit. Their relationship is pretty complicated.
[Marga] That's an understatement...
[Meze] You high hills Ravre are all a little weird. Give me Akapa Sogo drama anyday.
* Meze is joking, you think.
* Marga laughs.
[Marga] Weird keeps things interesting!
[Meze] Seriously, though, your dad is a seriously weird man. I despise him, but there's a weird sense in which he cares for his family so much that he'll do all this for them.
[Marga] Yeah... he's... complicated too.
[Meze] Anyway ... now you know everything, I think. Sorry.
[Marga] You don't gotta be sorry, I'm not upset!
[Marga] Things are just strange sometimes, it is what it is
[Marga] :)
[Meze] You must have had a good suralai indeed!
* Marga laughs again.

Alai speaks to the blind scholar-smith Bantomis Hono about Fracture, the Vashmala, and the Disc of Tethers, and removes his Unkind blindness with Abyssal magic

[Nemnosti-GM] Alai, you travel out into the city of Ardukh to find this scholar of the Vashmala, Bantomis Hono.
[Nemnosti-GM] You really didn't spend much time in the city itself during your stay here, and it is a winding, confusing, ancient place, but with a little luck and a little magical assistance, you find your way there.
[Nemnosti-GM] The Hono iftibal is made of heavy granite bricks stained with soot. It has a substantial forge attached to it, confirming (as you already suspected) that they are a craft lineage of smiths.
[Nemnosti-GM] You go to the young girl sitting outside as a kind of doorkeeper, and mention Bantomis. She looks at you oddly, but then ushers you in.
[Nemnosti-GM] After a time, a man comes out to greet you.
* Bantomis is about forty, with dark skin, tending towards pudgy, seemingly once muscular but now fairly round and with a big belly, and a full beard. But more immediately apparent, he seems to be completely blind - he walks with a cane and feels his way around.
[Bantomis] Can I help you?
[Alai] Bantomis Hono, I am Orient Alai Vegru. Is good you have agreed to speak with me. I am grateful.
[Bantomis] All right. Ahh ... what is this concerning?
[Alai] I was reading Legends of the Five Apprentices and I had questions.
[Bantomis] Oh! Uhh, yes, of course. It's been a while. But I could talk. Ahh, would you like some tea?
[Alai] Yes of course. Thank you.
* Bantomis leads you into a side room and sits. He's comfortably familiar with this place so his blindness is not too much of a problem in the iftibal.
[Nemnosti-GM] Looking around, you see more bubunne than you would expect, in an iftibal. In fact, a bubun comes and brings your tea, a short time later.
[Alai] Is curious there are so many bubunne.
[Bantomis] Oh - we use them a lot around the smithy. Very useful for that kind of work. I tend not even to think about it much anymore.
[Bantomis] The Hono are not as numerous as we once were. The bubunne let the work carry on.
[Bantomis] So what is your interest in my work?
[Alai] Yes, well that is not what brought me here, although discussions on forging did. In Appendix 3, you discussed forging as it relates to Unfolding and spells used to bind or tether folding... how did you learn of such things and can you elaborate on such techniques?
* Bantomis pauses.
[Nemnosti-GM] (give me a sense motive, why not?)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+0
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+0 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 0 ] totals [ 18 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] Bantomis appears to be overcome with emotions - a strange mix of joy and sadness.
[Bantomis] I learned of it from the last of the Vashmala.
[Bantomis] Much to my sorrow.
[Alai] The last? I had impression they were a mutable group.
[Bantomis] They were. But eventually they faded away. As far as I know, there aren't any who use that name, anymore.
[Bantomis] Because I already had smithcraft, from my family - I've been at the forge since I was a child - I think she was much freer with her tongue than she might have been otherwise.
[Bantomis] Raizai Meghungi, her name was. Or the name that she gave me, anyway.
[Alai] (I assume nobody I have heard of?)
[Nemnosti-GM] (fine, give me a K:arcana, then, I can't taunt you and then not let you roll)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+18
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 26 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] (Just a name, really - you think a mystic trained at the Academy at Ardukh, but this would have been many decades ago)
[Alai] The name is of a mystic. If that was really she? Who can say, eh?
[Bantomis] The techniques I learned from her ... at that time, I saw myself as aiming to join the Vashmala. She was certainly a powerful mystic, and good with metal. That cannot have been false.
[Bantomis] I learned a spell from her, that she says she learned from the Disc of Tethers. Have you heard of it?
[Alai] The Disk of Tethers?
* Alai feighns considering
[Alai] What I've heard of it is that it is lost. Apparently not as lost as I was lead to believe.
[Bantomis] Well - if it does still exist, it's in Onighus, that much I know. That was where she said she learned the spell. But I learned it from her copy of just the single spell.
[Bantomis] It is supposed to be a text with a chain linking several aisamonne together, providing the magical force behind what is described in the text.
[Bantomis] But I never saw the text, and I never saw any of the other spells either.
[Alai] This spell is for folding... creating patterns and channels as you described?
[Bantomis] Folding, binding and un-binding. Yes.
[Alai] un-binding... removing qualities of an object, or of undoing established bindings?
[Bantomis] I don't know, because I never saw the text itself of the Disc, just the spell. Much to my regret.
[Bantomis] I am the way I am because of what happened.
[Alai] You sight was a cost of attempting this spell?
[Bantomis] There is something about this magic ... blindness was a way to immediately put my research to a halt. A blind man cannot safely forge a sword.
[Nemnosti-GM] You are reminded of Ifa, who also turned herself blind with an unsafe (for her) spell.
[Alai] (exactly)
[Alai] I am sure others have examined your affliction before. I would like to as well, if you would permit me. It reminds me of something I have encountered before.
[Bantomis] All right...
[Alai] (I will cast Analyze Aura, to see if I can see any similarity)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 34 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] Oh yes, definitely some weird Unkind/Abyssal nonsense is going on here.
* Alai hums to herself
[Alai] Have you done any more searching for the Disc of Tethers, since it spells were the cause of your current condition?
[Bantomis] Well ... not really. There is a copy here at the Academy, but it is very partial, with pages missing, and does not have any spells attached.
[Bantomis] I did learn something, though, about it.
[Alai] Oh?
[Bantomis] It had been expurgated, had a page removed, by officers of the Emperor, during the Itineration of Eluli.
[Nemnosti-GM] (If you want you can make a K:history to know about the Itineration)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] (https://rocksfall.org/wiki/Itineration_of_Eluli)
[Bantomis] This is all coming from Uldibura, mind you. But she was in charge of the library, even back then.
[Bantomis] Apparently one of the Conduits, a young man named Zinar, came to the library with an imperial order to view the copy of the Disc.
[Alai] and removed the referencing pages?
[Bantomis] I believe just one page. The text was already only partial, and corrupt. As I say, of no use to anyone. But apparently whatever was on that page was deemed unsuitable.
[Bantomis] Uldibura says they offered to take it out of circulation entirely. We of course have many secret texts. It's not as if just anyone could come up and present themselves at the Academy and demand to see it.
[Bantomis] But apparently this Zinar, or really, as Uldibura put it, "surely the Emperor Himself" was insistent.
[Alai] Curious to leave the text without the page... to what end I wonder.
[Bantomis] I assume the fact that they knew what to look for, and what was undesirable, suggests that they have a full copy.
[Bantomis] Anyway, there was nothing for me there. The Disc we have here is definitely real, but so imperfect and partial that it is of no use.
[Alai] That is unsurprising to me. Is a tool to watch for the curious perhapse?
[Bantomis] I don't know. At the time, I was hoping to find a cure for my blindness. Now, after so many years ... well. It is what it is.
[Alai] I appreciate your openess with me, as such I will admit I have seen your condition before, and I was able to rectify it. Please wait... I offer no guarantees as the time between affliction and removal was minutes. I cannot predict how deep into you, this has become since it has been so long, as such how effective my technique would be, but I am willing to try since you have been so open.
[Bantomis] ... I don't know what to say except ... is there any risk? It's not like I can go ... blinder, I suppose.
[Alai] It is powerful magic so there is always risk. I do not wish to inflict any more harm on you that you have already dealt with.
[Bantomis] All right, go ahead.
[Alai] On question first. What do you know of Fracture?
[Alai] (one)
[Bantomis] Fracture? I think nothing other than what I have written.
[Alai] Very well.
[Alai] (I will try the Withdraw Affliction spell like I used on Ifa)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+16
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 34 ].
* Bantomis blinks, and looks up, seeing you, and begins to weep.
[Nemnosti-GM] You withdraw the same kind of black goo as you did previously, with Ifa.
* Alai will gather the black mass and deposite it into a container for further study.
[Nemnosti-GM] In so doing, your Dark Half takes over.
[Bantomis] You have been ... touched by it, too.
* Alai stands over Bantomis, towering despite her small stature
[Alai] Are you pleased by my gift to you?
[Bantomis] Ahhh ... yes, thank you!
* Bantomis is just overwhelmed with emotions right now.
[Alai] (how private is the chamber?)
[Bantomis] (private enough - the noise from the forges is considerable)
* Alai will ward the room so we are not disturbed.
[Alai] (with some sort of spell... arcane lock or whatever)
[Alai] I will see how thankful you are, if you can please me enough.
[Nemnosti-GM] (give me an intimidate, then, with a +2 bonus)
[Nemnosti-GM] (that is one of the few Charisma/Intelligence-based skills you can use while in Dark Half)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+21)
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ Error. The syntax is !d20 x d x + x. ].
[Alai] !roll 1d20+21
* lan-werk2 rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 33 ].
[Bantomis] I will do whatever you ask of me.

Marga talks to Jevai about her trip into the lake at Momichas, the ancestral ammonite, and the crack – oh yeah, and she’s married; Jevai tells her about getting Eng-dur back

* Marga will come find Jevai soon after she comes back to Nemnosti.
* Jevai can be found in the reasiest of 'where's jevai' places this time - her roo
[Jevai] Marga! I'm glad to see you
[Jevai] (room)
[Jevai] how was your...trip?
[Marga] It was SO MUCH and I have to tell you about ONE THING before I forget
[Marga] But you can't tell anyone. like A_NY_ONE.
[Marga] well, I'm gonna tell Nemnu so that doesn't count.
[Marga] But anyone else.
* Jevai perts on her serious face
[Jevai] of course, marga. what is it?
[Marga] Okay, so.
[Marga] Mother showed me this thing, at the bottom of Momichas crater.
[Marga] Jevai, it was the FIRST ANCESTOR of all the ammonites
* Jevai brings you in her room for this chat, since it involves Secrets
[Marga] But wait, there's more
[Jevai] ...first ancestor, the way that Ushukuna is the First Ancestor of the Vultures?
[Marga] Yeah.
[Jevai] Hmm.
[Marga] So that lake... it used to be part of a big ocean that covered... everything. But where that is, there's... a hole. A conduit, She said? to other oceans. deeper ones.
[Jevai] ...the abyss?
[Marga] And that Ancestor... and ALL OF THAT KIND... turned to stone to block it.
[Jevai] oh....
[Marga] THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
[Marga] but now there's a crack in it. In the fossil
[Marga] so things can get out. or in.
* Jevai nods
[Marga] And the Writhing are trying to make it bigger.
[Jevai] ....does She know why?
[Marga] Or wait, no, It's the unkind stone making it bigger
[Marga] but the Writhing WANT it to get bigger.
[Jevai] Hmm.
[Marga] Wish you could have seen it.
[Jevai] Did it communicate with you at all?
[Marga] You can't though... I only could because Mother showed it to me.
[Marga] No... it's dead.
[Jevai] is it dead, or is it stone?
[Marga] It glowed a little and that's all :/
[Marga] I think dead? I asked about it dying and She didn't correct me
[Jevai] Hmmm.
[Jevai] I've known something of this - not of the Ancestor, not *why* the ammonites were stone. But I have been.... not to see the First Ancestor, but in a similar place, perhaps
[Marga] I knew you'd want to know.
[Jevai] I hve seen other manifestations, perhaps, of the Crack. But her insights are valuable, thank you.
[Marga] You're welcome!
[Marga] I'm just glad if I can help at all with smart people things
[Jevai] I've been considering... trying to wake one of these ancestors, to see if I can speak to them. But I dn't want to make things worse, if their sacrifice was for this reason
[Jevai] you've been a big help, but you always are :)
[Marga] Ohhh... yeah.
[Marga] Aw thanks :3
[Jevai] but I'm not to share this with anyone, not even Alai?
* Jevai is thinking more now
[Marga] Yeah.
[Marga] I mean once I tell Nemnu She might want to and that's above my pay grade
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] Do you remember what happened with Kuspir and the sword?
[Marga] I don't know the details, I heard he got... sucked in? to his sword?
[Jevai] he was taken to this other place to trty and rescue a...vision, or maybe a piece of me, from Gunuremai
[Marga] She took a PIECE of you? Was it when she stabbed you that time?
* Jevai can describe the place, with the updside downness and the spirals and the standng stones and such
[Marga] it's always spirals
[Jevai] no... I think it was from when I went to that place the first time. I have been told that.... going there causes a kind of fracturing
[Jevai] it is
[Marga] HOw did she get it then?
* Marga frowns
[Jevai] Ugh, I need to try and... paint this, maybe, how these ...spaces relate to each other, to the world of the unfolding
[Jevai] that I don't know
[Marga] Sorry if this was all in the meeting, I'm not gonna lie I tune out when it gets too smart people-y
[Jevai] I dn't know the extent to which it was real at all
[Jevai] though I think the fracturing described is true.
[Jevai] but does it sound liek the same ... king of place?
[Jevai] (kind)
[Marga] I dunno... I was literally underwater
[Jevai] yes
[Marga] Like we had to swim to get there
[Marga] It was a real place
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] when I went, we passed through water. it was a real place as well, but the pasth was... I don't know
[Jevai] I hope it is the path I took that caused the fracturing, though
[Nemnosti-GM] (I'll let you make a check to remember something, Marga ... uhh, let me just think what)
[Jevai] though I expect a frsction of you is much more capable of taking care of herself than anyone else :)
[Marga] I mean we didn't cross into the other place.
[Nemnosti-GM] (K:geography please)
[Nemnosti-GM] (or K:nature)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+9
[Marga] (welp 11)
[Nemnosti-GM] You remember that it seemed weird to you at the time that Ushukuna did not take a straight path down to the bottom of the lake.
[Marga] Though... I guess She did circle around a few times...
[Marga] I thought it was just a vulture thing. I mean, we circle.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] spirals again?
[Marga] ... Yeah.
[Jevai] hmm.
[Jevai] I'l have to think about this more
[Jevai] Do you want to hear my big news?
[Marga] OH yeah! Sure!
[Jevai] I brought Eng Dur back.
[Jevai] or - Downward did, I suppose.
[Marga] W... what?
[Marga] Like as a revenant?
[Jevai] no.
[Marga] ... how?
[Jevai] ge'd been trapped in that... shadow place, the pocket f the folding, like where Gunuremai sent me when she stabbed me
[Marga] :O
[Marga] Well that's sure a thing
[Marga] Is... is he ok?
[Jevai] Downward was able to pull him out using one of the standing stones, once we understood them a little better
[Jevai] He seems to be
[Jevai] .... well, no.
[Jevai] His body is changed.
[Marga] Changed how? like... more fingers?
[Jevai] his organs are all on the other side from where one miht expect, and he no longer eats...normal food
[Marga] uhhh
[Marga] that seems bad
[Jevai] its strange.
[Marga] are you SURE it's actually him?
[Jevai] if its not him, he still knows things that no one but him coud
[Jevai] I still don't fully understand how he got there, what that travel did to him
[Marga] Well... be careful
[Jevai] thank you, I will.
[Marga] So is Saza ... around now?
[Jevai] no.
[Jevai] I suspect she has goen travelling in that place. That' what she wanted, I believe
[Jevai] But it does seem like going there, leave the bounds of the unfolding, is,,, transformative. in vaerious ways
[Jevai] I'm glad you were with your Mother
[Marga] So you think Saza is... more changed?
[Jevai] I don't know.
[Jevai] Possible the path we learned of is safter than whatever aeng Dur tried.
[Jevai] (Eng Dur)
[Marga] why was HE trying to go there??
[Jevai] I don't think that was what he was trying to do at all. he was ill, and I don't think he entirely understood what he was doing
[Marga] okay...
[Jevai] he *was* trying to transform himself. I don't really understand it either.
[Jevai] but, that's my news :)
[Jevai] he has been staying here, but he is visitng wuth nakka
[Marga] Well... I hope that'll be good then!
[Marga] Oh also I'm sort of vulture married now and also I gave Mother my name.
[Marga] My father's name
[Jevai] oh!
* Jevai smiles
[Jevai] congratulations!
[Marga] Thanks! :D
[Jevai] so you are Marga now, not Marga of the Gago?
[Jevai] I will have to get you a marriage present
[Marga] Yep, just Marga.
[Jevai] I'll rember that. We should celebrate - or is your husband too shy?
[Jevai] to come and have some drinks and a meal with friends?
[Marga] Well... he isn't ready to be real married :/
[Marga] He says there's something he has to do first.
[Marga] So it's not even vulture-official.
[Jevai] well, alright - but congratulatoins, anyway, and when you are 'real' married, then we will celebrate that :)
[Marga] For sure! :D

Izu gets a visit from Voice Nalazh and young Nefinozh Sanari, who is joining the ulajeta as an acolyte

[Nemnosti-GM] Izu, you have not figured out yet quite how to deal with ... whatever is going on in the minds of your brother Voice Kailas. You understand Faifir's call for caution, even as you see the reason in Rupun's desire to meet Lurusiru Ula after so long caring for Them in silence.
[Nemnosti-GM] But Kailas seems unable to get past the indignity of having been told about this by you (perhaps?) Or that this may be counterevidence for his theory of Dwindling (perhaps?) Or that Ingo never even told him They were still sleeping (perhaps?). But Kailas isn't speaking to you much now, except in scowls.
[Nemnosti-GM] In the absence of answers, you turn to work left behind. Over the past few days, you've been working on the project that Ajemika commissioned of you at the time of her accession, but that was left behind when Sanar Ula awakened. A great piece of statuary, something to symbolize unity, something ... great.
[Nemnosti-GM] (You should think about what you want your statue to look like)
[Nemnosti-GM] You wish Junu were here to advise or at least to chat. But then, perhaps it is better that he is not here - so that whatever you sculpt may be truly your own.
[Nemnosti-GM] You are lost in thoughts of modelling clay when there is a knock at the door of the little workshop you've carved out for yourself here at the temple.
[Izu] (Ah yes, I had been planning on a model of Ulajeta with the temple hinged to open up into different scene as it unfolds, I believe)
* Izu will wipe his hands on a cloth and go to open the door.
[Nemnosti-GM] (ooh, thematic and difficult!)
[Nemnosti-GM] It is Voice Nalazh, along with a young man.
[Nalazh] Ah, Izu, good, they said you were in here.
[Nalazh] This is Nefinozh Sanari, my, ahh, kinsman.
[Izu] Greetings Brother, I apologize for my shabby state. You caught me in the middle of molding. Please, both of you come in.
* Izu will get some glasses and a bottle of wine from the cabinet.
[Nefinozh] Ah, good morning Voice Izu I am Nefinozh Sanari it is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance sir.
* Nefinozh says, all in one breath.
* Izu simles. "Good morning, Nefinozh of the Sanari. I believe I have seen you around the Ulajeta."
* Nalazh nods.
[Izu] How are you getting on here?
* Nefinozh looks at you with terror, as if asked a question he does not have a rehearsed answer for.
[Nefinozh] Uhh ... good?
* Izu smiles, hopefully reassuringly, although he's never quite sure if he's doing it right.
[Izu] Good. I am glad we are able to meet finally.
[Izu] How are you doing Nalazh?
[Nalazh] Nefinozh will be starting as an acolyte, and also will be taking vows and joining our order.
[Nalazh] Nemnu mentioned to me that She has a need for more Voices. And what Nemnu wants, She gets, am I right?
[Nemnosti-GM] Izu, it irks you that Nalazh just uses Her name so casually. There's nothing forbidden about it, but it's just not how people around here usually talk. You try to remind yourself that Nalazh is new here, and an honoured visitor, not just an annoying prick.
[Izu] Really? That's excellent to hear. We do indeed need more help, especially of the younger generation. We have much experience and wisdom among our voices but few so far to succeed them.
[Nalazh] Nefinozh here will be a good and faithful servant.
* Nefinozh looks at you both and smiles politely.
[Nalazh] Is Voice Kailas well?
[Izu] I am sure he will be an excellent voice, if that is his desire.
[Izu] Kailas is fine, as far as I am aware. Why?
[Nalazh] Oh ... I hope I did not overstep.
[Nalazh] He seemed out of sorts when I spoke to him about your whereabouts when I arrived, just now.
[Nalazh] He called you ... well ...
[Nefinozh] Fearless leader.
* Izu laughs
[Nalazh] Yes, ahh .. followed by "in his secret cave" by which I suppose he means this workshop.
[Izu] Kailas is a bit cross with me, but nothing to worry about. We all have disagreements from time to time. It's nothing to worry about.
[Nalazh] I will admit I was worried, when I met him first. He has this idea of Dwindling, right?
[Nalazh] And Sanar Ula would tend to ... well, if not refute it precisely, to provide evidence against it, or at least, make him seem foolish to persist in making the case.
[Izu] Well, one counterexample does not mean the entire idea is wrong, although it is also possible that these things move in waves and that we are no seeing a resurgence. I'm afraid it is far beyong my knowledge to say for sure. It's an interesting idea, though.
[Izu] (Now)
[Izu] I cannot fault his research, certainly.
[Nalazh] I was never much of a scholar.
[Nalazh] I am relieved, in a way, to learn that there is some small personal matter between you two. I was worried it was about me.
[Izu] Oh? Why did you think that?
[Nalazh] Well, because I do not think he likes having the Sanari around. I think he sees it as dangerous - which I can understand, but also, what else are we supposed to do?
[Nalazh] You invited us here - you and your sister, especially - to keep us safe, and we came. It is just hard. But we cannot control others' emotions - except of course Sanar Herself.
* Izu pauses slightly at that last statement.
[Izu] I see. Change is always hard for some. The mere presence of newcomers at the ulajeta will take some getting used to for some, but I hope that you havfe been treated well here. If not, I would hope you would let myself or my sister know.
* Izu looks at Nefinozh as well.
[Nalazh] We have been treated well enough. Limping Hall is not large or comfortable, but it has what we need. And of course we do have access to the ulajeta more broadly.
[Nalazh] There are some who feel more aggrieved, but I would say a minority.
[Izu] What are their grievences?
[Izu] I should like to make everyone as comfortable as possible
[Nalazh] Well, the inclusion of Nefinozh will go some way towards that, we hope. It's mostly about feeling excluded.
[Nalazh] The man who lost his hand after Sanar's Bliss and Rapture, I think there is some blame that goes around and falls on us, fairly or unfairly.
[Nalazh] I was wondering whether Kailas was affected somehow by that.
[Izu] Ah. I cannot speak for Kailas, but I can promise you that I do not blame you or your people for that... unfortunate incident. And I will do everything in my power to ensure that Nefinozh will be treated as an equal among acolytes.
* Nalazh nods.
* Izu turns to Nefinozh.
[Izu] Have you begun your courses yet?
[Nefinozh] Umm, no, not yet, sir. The lesbians who run the school met with me, though.
* Nefinozh uses a slightly off-colour word for 'lesbian' there.
[Izu] The... huh.
[Izu] Perhaps it would be best not to use that term openly here.
[Nefinozh] Oh, ahh, right.
[Izu] Words have power. They can be used to help or to hurt. It is important to know which you are doing.
* Izu regards the boy with a critical eye.
[Nemnosti-GM] He's young, and definitely has had a rough upbringing - maybe commoner, maybe country lineage. Definitely out of his depth here.
[Nefinozh] I ... I'll remember that, sir.
[Izu] When you begin your courses, come and see me. I imagine you will need help getting caught up on the teaching as you are beginning so late. I'd like to help you with that if you wouldn't mind.
[Nalazh] Hear that, boy? I told you, Nemnu picks her Voices with great care. She'll take good care of you here.
* Izu smiles at the boy.
[Izu] I'll make sure you have every chance to succeed here. The rest is up to you.
[Nefinozh] Right, I, ahh .. won't let you both down.
[Izu] And please, if you ever have any concerns or questions, I am always around this place somewhere. My door is open to you.

Ifa greets Hand Sejin on her pilgrimage, along with new acolytes Kabarun, Rogra, and Lorone; they catch up on how things are going in Zhustir

[Nemnosti-GM] Ifa, you have been so busy accounting for and accommodating all the newly arriving acolytes that you have hardly had any time to process. True, the manual labor can all be done by bubunne, and the ulajeta is always ready for guests, but acolytes are a different matter.
[Nemnosti-GM] You've hardly had time to think about your strange conversation with Lona Tinef and her husband Zomorde Keronaf the other week. You haven't forgotten it - you've just been busy with other things. Which could be used to describe your past year, honestly.
[Nemnosti-GM] Today you are expecting the arrival of a group of - you think, three new acolytes from Zhustir. You are at the West Gate with various sorts of intake forms and other materials for you to fill out.
[Nemnosti-GM] The caravan rounds the final turn along the River Road and stops before the West Gate. Out steps Hand Sejin, much to your surprise, along with the three youths.
* Sejin looks much less harried than during the time you spent at the temple in Zhustir, perhaps unsurprisingly.
* Ifa smiles and waves at her.
* Sejin sees you and lets out a little squeal of joy and comes over to embrace you.
[Sejin] Ifa!
* Ifa hugs back with a pleased laugh.
[Ifa] Sejin, it's good to see you.
[Ifa] I hope the trip wasn't too terrible?
[Sejin] Not at all. We stopped last night at Naftusa and visited the sisters at great Birgoje temple. The children were spoiled by the elders there.
[Ifa] I'm glad to hear it.
[Ifa] Also glad to see you were able to take some time away to bring the new acolytes.
[Sejin] Yes, me too. That was the hardest part of the trip, getting permission.
[Sejin] I requested, and was granted, leave to come here on a pilgrimage. After all, it is worthy of any Hand to do so. And you spoke so warmly of this place, in Zhustir. So when I had the chance to bring the new acolytes, I took it.
[Ifa] Then I am doubly happy to be able to offer you the hospitality of Nemnosti.
[Sejin] I have with me here - Lorone Izmoghir, Rogra Gaigen, and Kabarun Cheskai. Lorone I think you've met, and Kabarun I know you have, at the temple.
* Lorone is a girl of perhaps fourteen or so, tall, dark of complexion. She is wearing a green-grey altala, along with various jewelry made of vumuri shells
* Rogra is short and stocky. Her unadorned clothes look at least a season too small for her - you believe she's around the same age as Lorone. She looks around alertly, taking everything in.
* Kabarun is a little older than the girls, perhaps fifteen. He is even more poorly dressed than Rogra, wearing a buru that clearly belonged to a much larger man at one point.
[Ifa] Nice to see you again. I hope we can make you feel welcomed here.
[Rogra] Uhh, madam Hand, m-m-ma'am? I, I, I'm supposed to present myself to Je-je ... je ... Jevai Nadenigh. Where do I f-f-find her?
[Ifa] (Is the paperwork I need to fill out stuff with them, or just about them? As in, should I send her on to Jevai, or do I need to finish this stuff before she goes?)
[Nemnosti-GM] You are supposed to fill out these intake forms for each of the new acolytes, and after that, typically, you would get them settled in rooms. You do usually have them there to talk to, if you have questions or make notes : dietary restrictions or other things like that.
[Ifa] I can take you to Jevai when we're done with the initial intake. I just need to get down some basic info and show you to your rooms first. :)
* Rogra nods and smiles.
[Rogra] O-of course.
[Sejin] All right, run along just for a moment. I need to talk to Hand Ifa here.
[Nemnosti-GM] The acolytes-to-be do as they're told, although Lorone seems to roll her eyes a bit.
[Sejin] I don't know what's going on with that one, truth be told. Or what her business is with your friend.
[Ifa] How do you mean?
[Sejin] She's someone the Izmoghirs sent along, and you folks accepted her, for whatever reason. Nice girl, I just don't know why she's here.
[Ifa] I'm not entirely clear on why they sponsored her, but she seems eager.
[Sejin] As for Kabarun, I haven't told him much yet about ... our plan. But the way I see it, even if your hengi meets him and doesn't care for him, he'll benefit so much from being an acolyte.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] I think Ajemika is eager as well, but we'll see. Give them some time to get to know one another.
[Sejin] As for Lorone, I know she will be speaking to Ajemika soon. Regarding the betrothal offer.
[Ifa] Right. Has she said anything about it?
* Sejin shakes her head.
[Sejin] Not to me.
[Ifa] Well, she seems perhaps not the most forthcoming.
[Ifa] But it's early yet.
[Ifa] So, tell me about your trip. How are things in Zhustir?
[Sejin] Things are good, as far as I can tell. The Vabaseli have some into a lot of wealth out of whatever deal they struck, and that kind of wealth among the common folk always creates jealousies and petty drama.
[Sejin] Overall I think the work at Gil Pirtu is going well - I'm not part of that, of course. But there are various blessings and so on to be done, and of course the plan is that there will be a small Hand temple in the new ulajeta.
[Sejin] I'm supposed to take notes here.
[Ifa] Oh?
[Sejin] I think just about how things work here, what kind of space you need, that kind of thing.
[Sejin] Eventually the new High Priestess will arrive, I'm sure. They won't leave me in charge.
[Ifa] Are you saying that because you don't want the position, or because you don't think they'll allow it?
[Sejin] The latter.
[Sejin] Everyone is very jealous.
* Ifa gives a curious look to encourage her to expound on that.
[Sejin] I mean, a new saint, a new temple, everything is new and exciting. What Hand priestess wouldn't be envious of the opportunity?
[Ifa] But you have experience, you know the people and the area. I think you should at least be a candidate.
[Sejin] I'm just a lowly village Hand, who just happened into this world. Not so different from Voice Nalazh, although we're very different people.
[Sejin] I barely have my letters, really.
[Ifa] We have some books that could help, if you like. I don't want to push you or anything, but I'd be glad to help however I can if you do want to pursue it.
[Sejin] You're so kind.
[Sejin] You're also probably right. I do want this, Ifa. I feel like, I don't know, Nemnu has this school here for Her acolytes, and while it would be different, what if I had that?
[Sejin] I've been doing that all along, helping children.
* Ifa smiles.
[Ifa] Would you like me to see if I can get you an audience with Her? She'd have some insight, I'm sure.
[Sejin] Is that even possible?
[Ifa] We'll never know unless we try. :)
* Sejin squeals again, then composes herself to try to have some dignity in front of the children.
* Ifa laughs good-naturedly.
[Ifa] Why don't we get you and the kids settled, and we can discuss it some more?
[Sejin] Thank you so, so much, Ifa.
* Sejin runs along to help the children and then you can move things along, as you do so capably.

Kuspir is summoned by Ajemika to meet with Lorone Izmoghir; they discuss the prospect, with many cautions, of her marrying Rugu

[Nemnosti-GM] Kuspir, you have been spending extra time practicing the greatsword. Not always with Fracture - but you can hardly do all your training on another sword, as Fracture has a distinctive weight to it (him? them? Them?).
[Nemnosti-GM] You're trying your best to think of this as a sacrifice you are called to make in defense of the ulajeta, shelving your beloved pole weapons for the time being.
[Nemnosti-GM] You do admit that Fracture is a remarkable blade, and not too talkative when you're practicing. It's as if it knows that you are doing this to defend Jevai and Nemnu, and mainly talks to offer suggestions.
[Nemnosti-GM] Irdomila has been well-behaved - perhaps Alai sent her some work to do - and Rugu has been busy hanging around with the new acolytes. You remind him regularly not to be too proud of his Nemni status when talking to the newcomers. But all of that has left you with time for yourself, and for practice.
[Nemnosti-GM] You are just finishing up your progression of stances, which are entirely different for the greatsword, when one of the Nemni children comes up to you with a message to go see Ajemika in the iftibal and to 'dress nice'. No other details.
* Kuspir is puzzled but will clean up, get whatever passes for his respectable clothing on, and go to see Ajemika.
[Nemnosti-GM] You arrive and are escorted into Ajemika's waiting room where the hengi is sitting, along with Lorone Izmoghir.
[Ajemika] Ah, Kuspir, I'm glad you're here.
* Kuspir bows politely
[Ajemika] Come in, then, while you're here.
* Kuspir politely doesn't say 'you summoned me' :p
[Ajemika] This is Lorone Izmoghir. I think you met?
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] It's good to see you again.
[Lorone] Hello.
* Lorone seems distinctly uncomfortable.
[Ajemika] As you probably know, Lorone is coming here to study as an acolyte with the new class.
[Kuspir] Yes. I hope you have been settling in well.
[Lorone] Very well, thank you.
[Ajemika] It's been a long long while since the Izmoghir sent any of their noble line here. They're quite unaccustomed to the place, but we're glad to have Lorone here, no matter how long it has been.
* Kuspir nods
[Lorone] It will be my pleasure to serve Her however I am needed, my lady.
[Ajemika] And of course, our beloved Rugu will be beginning his Courses as well.
[Kuspir] Yes, he's looking forward to it.
* Lorone tries not to look uncomfortable.
* Ajemika stares her down, then looks over to Kuspir as if seeking affirmation on something, before proceeding. Then she proceeds regardless of how you react.
[Ajemika] You will find much here to benefit your development. Your fellow acolytes, to be sure. But the Courses are preparation for a life of purpose, whatever your destination may be.
[Lorone] Perhaps you could tell me a bit about Rugu?
[Kuspir] (is she asking me or Ajemika that?)
* Lorone seems to be asking the room in general, or Ajemika, but Ajemika is not inclined to answer; she looks at you to respond.
[Kuspir] Rugu is energetic and active. He wants to train more with weapons and learn their techniques, but he also likes to draw. He can have a bit of a temper, though mostly when his sister provokes him. He is kind and caring and tries hard at anything he does.
[Lorone] I see. And what does he intend to do with himself, once he is done the Courses?
[Kuspir] He's young yet to make that decision. I think once he begins his studies, he will know more of what options lie before him. If he chose to be a Stoneguard, I would be proud of him, but I don't know if that is where his path lies.
[Ajemika] Lorone, we try not to judge too quickly, here, what anyone's path may be. Often it turns out that one's path is quite different than one imagined. I never imagined I would be hengi, after all.
* Ajemika looks over at you as if to say "don't contradict me, you meathead"
* Lorone nods.
[Ajemika] Lorone, I know that this betrothal business must weigh on you. We have received all the material that was sent. The offer is appealing. But it is all preliminary. Not only is no one getting married anytime soon, no one is getting betrothed until we are ready.
[Ajemika] I made that very clear to your parents.
[Ajemika] But I also know that the expectations on you are high - on your behaviour, your comportment, and on carrying forward your family's plans. Believe me, I know a few things about familial expectations.
[Ajemika] For now, what I would advise you is to get to know Rugu as a person. You will be spending many hours a day with him. He is quite young - if he were not a Nemni and already here, he'd surely have to wait another year. But you will both grow, together, during your time here.
* Lorone nods.
[Kuspir] Rugu also feels this pressure, as you do, so I've tried to make it clear to him that there is no guarantee that this match will proceed. All we can ask is for you both to give one another a chance to get to know each other and become friends if you are so inclined.
[Ajemika] Well said, Kuspir.
[Ajemika] Any other words of advice for Lorone?
[Kuspir] Don't let your concerns about marriage distract you from your studies. What you learn here is going to continue to serve you well for the rest of your life, and you should focus on that above all else. If a marriage follows, then that is good fortune, but if it does not, you don't want to feel as if your time here was wasted, because it is not everyone who has this opportunity.
* Kuspir says as though he paid attention to his studies instead of his girlfriend ].]
[Lorone] I will try to benefit from this good counsel.
[Ajemika] All right then, Lorone, if there is nothing else, I have matters to discuss with Kuspir - so you are welcome to stay in the iftibal and enjoy its hospitality, or to return to your quarters in Carver's Hall, at your preference.
[Lorone] Thank you, my lady.
* Kuspir will bid her farewell
* Lorone departs, leaving you with Ajemika in her waiting room.
* Ajemika sits back.
[Ajemika] Drink?
[Kuspir] That would be appreciated.
[Kuspir] They're so young... it feels unfair to put these expectations on them so quickly.
* Ajemika pours you one that will be appreciated - Regivus has clearly been stepping up the alcohol game around here since Ajemika took over.
* Kuspir accepts it gratefully
[Ajemika] I know. But this is part of this place.
[Ajemika] The money, the networks of power. All of it.
[Ajemika] It doesn't come out of nothing.
* Kuspir sighs
[Kuspir] Rugu also wanted to know what she was like. I suppose they'll meet soon enough.
* Ajemika laughs.
[Ajemika] They'll have two years to fall in love, or hate each other, or anything in between.
* Ajemika takes a drink of hers.
[Ajemika] Anyway I didn't really need you for anything. But it was very important to me that you not appear to be my servant who simply comes and does what I say. Hence my little ruse at your entry, and this at the end.
[Kuspir] Just be glad I didn't tell her that learning will last forever and marriages can be temporary ;p
* Ajemika snorts out part of her drink.
[Kuspir] I thought about it but it seemed like perhaps....impolitic.
[Ajemika] That sounds like Jorota. Ironic, since she met her own wife as an acolyte.
[Ajemika] How is Rugu, really?
[Ajemika] Is this all too much for him? I've been treating him like a little version of you - tough enough to deal with almost anything. But that's not fair. Just because his parents are two of the toughest people I know.
[Kuspir] He's been stressed by all of this, I think. Acting up a bit. Nothing terrible, but I can see he's feeling the pressure of it all. I've been trying to make sure he has all the support he can, and plenty of exercise to burn off his worries so he can rest easier, but I wish he could go about this at his own pace.
[Ajemika] Well, that was the other purpose of this meeting, of course. In the end, she knows it's my decision. And I know you know that too. But it's one thing for Lorone and Rugu to know that in principle, and quite another in practice.
* Kuspir nods
[Ajemika] You have my word that there will be no marriage barring the right marriage. For him or for her.
[Ajemika] We can't control what happens when they're adults, but for now, at least - I am taking this all very seriously.
[Kuspir] Thank you. I appreciate that. I don't want either of them to feel like they have no choice in this matter.
[Ajemika] Besides, maybe she'll decide she likes wild children better and Fultukhari will be in the spotlight.
* Kuspir chuckles at that
[Kuspir] Maybe so.
[Ajemika] As for you and me, our job is to seem like we're in charge in front of the children, even when we have absolutely no fucking clue.
[Kuspir] Is this how our elders and teachers felt when we were that age? surely they knew what they were doing :p
* Kuspir says with a touch of sarcasm
* Ajemika laughs.
[Ajemika] I ... damn.
[Ajemika] I have nothing to say to that.
[Ajemika] All right, do you think we talked long enough to make it seem like we had important business?
[Kuspir] Maybe, unless you want to pour another drink ;)
* Ajemika pours another one.
[Ajemika] Clearly the security of the ulajeta requires more time.
[Kuspir] You're right, as usual.
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, you can enjoy another drink, and then by that point, it's too late to get back to more practice.

Jevai investigates folklore and finds an ancient epic poem, the Rinimuldu, with a story reminiscent of Eng-dur’s return

[Nemnosti-GM] Jevai, you have been busy working alongside your Aunt Naka trying to figure out, firstly, what it means to be inverted, and secondly, what kinds of dirt and rock are most appealing to a middle-aged inverted man. (The answer is turquoise, with garnet a close second.) Which is not how you had anticipated spending your days, but there you go.
[Nemnosti-GM] You've convinced Eng-dur he needs to stay here at the ulajeta, and have arranged for Faja-dur to come see him instead; he's spending the day with her at the ulajeta, always with a watchful eye somewhere on him.
[Nemnosti-GM] Tell me a little bit about what you think Jevai is doing / what her research looks like into this whole thing.
[Jevai] (reading some, both some on revenants and folklore (including Hulti folklore) and probably I will talk to ozh and see if she knows any useful stories
[Nemnosti-GM] All right, I'll have you make a K: religion, a K: local, and a K:arcana (in that order).
[Jevai] !roll 1d20+13
* lan-werk2 rolls for Jevai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 15 ].
[Jevai] (lol)
[Jevai] !roll 1d20+14
* lan-werk2 rolls for Jevai: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 31 ].
[Jevai] !roll 1d20+17
* lan-werk2 rolls for Jevai: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 22 ].
[Nemnosti-GM] All right! Your investigations into Hulti things and the theology of revenants comes up with nothing. You do note to yourself though that the temple library may have texts that Izu could access and understand that you could not.
[Nemnosti-GM] Similarly, this does not appear to be an issue where magical theory will help you much. If there were, probably Nemnu, Jorota, or someone more adept at scholarly things would have already found it.
* Jevai makes a note to talk to Izu, whi may just know more without her havign toresearch this...
[Nemnosti-GM] You do have some more insights from looking into local folklore and legends. It occurs to you that people disappear all the time and are never seen again out in the Ghengom. And there are of course haunts - or things described as haunts - everywhere, although again, not all of them turn out to be actual dead people.
[Nemnosti-GM] So you have a collection of stories of people who disappeared, most of whom probably just fell in a hole and got eaten by vultures.
* Jevai hs probably visited loads of these in the past years, lookign for clues
* Jevai really wants stories of people who came BACK though
[Nemnosti-GM] (i'm getting there, hold on)
[Jevai] (Some of this is probably revisiting old research with a new context)
[Nemnosti-GM] You do however find a very interesting epic poem called the Rinimuldu, so old that it's written in Old Ombesh. Fortunately you studied that language for a time, as an acolyte.
[Nemnosti-GM] It is about a man, Rinim, who was thought dead, but who comes back and (notably, for you) drinks only wine to sustain him.
[Nemnosti-GM] What is said about him is cryptic, but it is, to your reading, like he experienced time differently than ordinary people.
[Nemnosti-GM] "A year like unto a century, and a century like unto a year" - what could that mean?
[Nemnosti-GM] You just have this one old book, and it's very interesting, but you don't know what to make of it all.
[Jevai] (Where was this set? do we have any schoalrship on the book?)
[Nemnosti-GM] It's set mythically, pre-Imperial, with placenames that no one knows anymore, if indeed they're real.
[Nemnosti-GM] Helombesh has not been spoken for a long time, by this point, so it's very old indeed.
[Nemnosti-GM] As for scholarship, you're just getting started - it's not like nine-hundred-year-old poems are a common subject of inquiry.

Jevai meets her new Pebble-to-be(?), Rogra, Dalbi’s great-niece

[Nemnosti-GM] You're in the midst of making notes when there is a knock on the door of the library you're in.
[Nemnosti-GM] That's a little unusual since normally people would just enter.
[Jevai] hello?
[Nemnosti-GM] The door opens up a crack, to reveal a girl who you don't know.
[Rogra] A-a-are you Jevai N-n-n ... N-n-na ...
[Rogra] Nadenigh?
[Jevai] That's me, yes.
* Rogra seems incredibly relieved to have found you.
[Rogra] I am ... am ... am Rogra Gaigen.
[Rogra] Lady Jevai, m-my great-uncle Dalbi asked me to present these papers to you and to nobody else.
* Rogra speaks as if she has been practicing that line for hours.
* Jevai will stand and receive them
[Jevai] Thank you, Rogra
[Jevai] How is your great uncle?
[Rogra] He's well.
[Rogra] He ... he sent a letter.
[Jevai] and I am no lady. jevai is fine, or hestur, or some of my friends here call me Sifri
* Rogra nods.
* Jevai nods, and will look it over
[Jevai] Did he send you here for training?
[Nemnosti-GM] The letter is written in an unsteady hand. It reads: Deer Jevai - This is Dalbi of the GS. As I have no leters I cald my frend to help. My lady of the Izmoghir dose not know this. This is Rogra also of the GS, my grate neese. I send her to you cause she is cleaver and will lurn good things at Nem. I tolled the Izmoghir she wood serve thier dotter but that is not her porpis. If she wants to lurn yore art and you are wiling then pleese help. If not maybe she can be a hand. I also send sum traceing I mad of gliffs frum old parts of Gil Pirtu. I hop this is not a birden on you and that I have not maid a big misteak.
* Rogra nods.
[Nemnosti-GM] The rest of the papers are, as promised, tracings of glyphs, inscriptions, and pictograms. Dalbi may not have letters but he is a strong artist.
[Jevai] wonderful.
[Jevai] I'm please to meet you
* Jevai ushers her in to the library
[Jevai] Did he tell you who I am?
* Rogra comes in, looking around in wonderment.
[Rogra] Uhh ... no ... not exactly.
[Jevai] what did he tell you?
* Jevai gestures for her to grab a chair
[Rogra] That y-y-you are a s-s-sigillant. A Ravre scholar?
* Jevai nods.
[Jevai] yes, that's correct. is that somethig that interests you?
[Rogra] I'm not Ravre.
[Jevai] Mmmm.....
[Jevai] Your family was, once
[Rogra] I ... I have heard that. The old t-t-town.
* Jevai nods
[Rogra] Th-that was a long time ago.
[Jevai] Your great uncle spoke to me of this - he has a great respect for the art
[Jevai] But the way the world unfolds is not always as expected.
* Jevai shrugs
[Rogra] I am h-h-here to learn.
[Jevai] is it somethign that interests you?
[Jevai] You will have opportunities to learn many things, while you are here.
[Rogra] Lady Jevai ... j=j-jevai ... I have never, n-n-never learned before.
[Rogra] I don't ... know w-w-where to start.
[Jevai] what did you do when you were home?
* Rogra seems confused.
[Rogra] Chores?
[Jevai] and you simple manifested the knowledge of how they were to be done? Born knowing how to do the washing?
[Rogra] No ...
* Rogra still seems confused.
[Jevai] then you have learned before
[Rogra] To do chores?
[Jevai] Other things too, I'm sure
[Rogra] I-I-I understand.
[Jevai] I'm glad.
[Rogra] I will l-learn whatever you need me to.
[Jevai] This letter says you were sent to serve the Izmoghir girl, but acolytes don't get to have personal servants.
* Rogra nods.
[Rogra] Sh-sh-sh ... Lorone knew there was s-s-something weird.
[Jevai] So, if you were allowed to come, are you an acolyte yourself?
* Rogra nods.
[Rogra] Yes, la ... Jevai.
* Jevai smiles
[Jevai] That's wonderful - you will have many people to support you, myself among them
* Rogra smiles.
[Rogra] Thank you.
[Jevai] As for learning my art, that is something you should think on more, and that I will need to make some more arrangements to see through
* Rogra nods.
[Rogra] I will be a good acolyte.
* Rogra says, as if they are words of self-affirmation.
[Jevai] But it might be useful for us to get to know each other more, and I can help you with some things you will need to learn, like your letters, meanwhile
[Rogra] I would l-like that.
* Rogra smiles.
[Nemnosti-GM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!