Ashnabis session 46

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Session

Session date: January 31, 2021
Fair Cycle date:

Introduction

<AshnabisNarrator> In Kaskind and the Sestapor but also through the isles, and along the coastal villages, the voices of the riverfolk who sail the sea and plunder Ombesh ships can often be heard joined in harmony, at twilight or at dawn.
<AshnabisNarrator> All across the Niineha Bay, songs such as this one spread across the waves as a reminder of their constant presence: https://youtu.be/ZfYT5zPjL_E
<AshnabisNarrator> The end of the year grows close, and with it, preparations for the Abas Feast are in earnest now, with foreign silks and foodstuffs coming into port and the river traffic just as active.
<AshnabisNarrator> In the northern parts of the former Empire, the Abas Feast marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, a time to honor the Ancestors with offerings. Here, it is in the middle of the growing season, but nonetheless the locals are eager celebrants.
<AshnabisNarrator> But you have other things on your mind than feasting. Having returned from the strange island of Sednidze not only with the treasure you sought, but information on the location of the pirate Yeggun and indeed, his niece Kayibir in tow, you now must decide what to do next.

The group discuss the treasures they found

<AshnabisNarrator> You can gather together, along with Lutsi, to make decisions as to your next steps.
<AshnabisNarrator> The total goods you retrieved from Sednidze are as follows:
<AshnabisNarrator> large two-handled bowl with green spiral decorations.
<AshnabisNarrator> low, flat vessels full of what look to be semi-precious stones.
<AshnabisNarrator> long ebony staff with solar and lunar markings along it leans up against a crevice in the stone.
<AshnabisNarrator> bone tools finely incised and carved with naturalistic scenes.
<AshnabisNarrator> ornamented mace or scepter of gold, steel, and lithus.
<AshnabisNarrator> 3 marble figurines of creatures, with what look to be the heads of hith and the bodies of sea creatures.
<AshnabisNarrator> 8 rune-engraved reptile bones
<AshnabisNarrator> form-fitting shirt made of scales of a giant snake
<AshnabisNarrator> scaly belt with a buckle in the form of a serpent's head
<Junan> (magical? and if so Identified?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (the last 3 items, and not identified yet)
<Junan> (lets Identify them then... dont we have casters?)
* Katenzhi will attempt to identify them
<Junan> (they can use the fos from the trip stock)
* Llillilli is still arguing for the hith items to be returned to the People.
<Jimba> (Who would we talk to about that?)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 17 ].
<Llillilli> (tha hith ambassador guy, and/or THelef)
<Katenzhi> (Oof, luckily it's 1st level)
<AshnabisNarrator> (yup, anything other than a 1 is fine)
<Katenzhi> (So I roll spellcraft with a +10, right?)
<Junan> (no spellcraft so K:arcane?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (yes though it's actually K:arcana)
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+28
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+28 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 28 ] totals [ 47 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> that seems ... fine.
<AshnabisNarrator> The engraved bones are a kind of focus for fortune-telling and divination magic.
<AshnabisNarrator> The scaly shirt / tunic provides protection, makes the wearer more agile in battle, and also less vulnerable to poison.
<AshnabisNarrator> The belt also protects against poison, but upon command comes alive and acts as a snake.
* Lutsi looks over the giant pile of stuff, impressed.
<Lutsi> So ... what comes next?
<Junan> So staff and carvings set aside to be potentially returned to the Hith
<Lutsi> Now hold on here. Don't we have to take this all to Ghendalt?
<Junan> I suggest we get some history on them if we can
<Jimba> And the mace, I assume.
<Junan> a good use of our trip fos supply if its something you can pull off Kat?
<Llillilli> I can show them to Shulilae
<Jimba> Though I'm less convinced they should go back to the People at this point.
<Katenzhi> I can give it a shot. Those bones are a divination focus of some kind, so that might even be able to help.
<Llillilli> Why?
* Llillilli frowns at Jimba.
<Lutsi> It's not like 'the hith' are just one thing. Like, which hith?
<Lutsi> Are all humans entitled to everything made by a human?
<Llillilli> Returning them to the court could help with... political relations.
<Jimba> Because they were gifts from the People to, essentially, early hithkindred, and it sounds like the court isn't exactly in an "honoring humans" mood.
<Jimba> If anyone here has a claim to them, it's you, Llillilli, so if you want to return them, fine, it's your choice.
<Veznara> In exchange for what?
<Jimba> But I'm just not convinced it's a worthwhile gesture right now.
<Llillilli> We don't know if they were left by the hith or made by the People who lived here.
<Veznara> Well, perhaps we can find out before doing anything with them?
<Llillilli> Some human items were left as offerings to those who sacrificed themselves to protect Lloeluth's children.
<Llillilli> THese are not human items, though.
<Lutsi> Maybe we should just take it all to Ghendalt. He has people who can sort it out, right? And ... this does kind of all belong to him, in a way?
<Llillilli> Not if these are religious artifacts.
* Llillilli bristles
<Jimba> I mean, the sword was sacred, and we made [name, I forget right this moment] pay for it...
<Junan> As the funder for the expedition, he is entilted to cost recovery and a percentage of all profits
* Veznara smiles grimly.
<Llillilli> THat man was not about to go to war with us.
<Llillilli> With the humans.
* Llillilli corrects
<Katenzhi> Let me see what I can find out about them first. Then we can figure out what to do. It will take a few hours.
<Jimba> They don't even know about these.
<Llillilli> Fine.
* Llillilli crosses her arms.
<Jimba> And the threat of violence doesn't make me inclined towards them.
<Llillilli> Should I lie about them?
<Llillilli> Should I keep them a secret from my husband?
<Llillilli> You understand nothing, Jimba.
* Llillilli snaps
<Jimba> What's your plan? Capitulation *might
* buy some consideration from the court?
<Llillilli> It would give the king leeway.
<Llillilli> At the moment he is being pressed by the solars.
<AshnabisNarrator> Katenzhi, you can do legend lore on whichever items you want.
* Jimba sighs.
* Katenzhi will start with the bones themselves.
<Jimba> Fair enough.
<Junan> There are definetly tensions, but would not the guesture carry more weight coming from the colony leaders?
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 20 ].
* Jimba points to Junan and nods.
<AshnabisNarrator> (ok which item?)
<Katenzhi> (The bones)
<AshnabisNarrator> (oh sorry, the bones)
<AshnabisNarrator> (you mean the magic engraved bones?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (or the bone tools?)
<Katenzhi> (Sorry, the magic engraved ones)
<Llillilli> The colony leaders cannot breathe underwater.
<Daifan> would the senator care to involve himself in such things, over profot?
<Daifan> no, but they can go to Thelef, or the ambassador
<Jimba> There are channels for this sort of thing.
<Llillilli> Thulle, yes.
<Veznara> I think it's fine to return them, *if
* we can be sure of getting something in return.
<Jimba> Sister Veznara, I don't like it, but Llillilli is right that preventing a war *is
* getting something in return.
<Llillilli> Is 'not war' not enough for you??
<Veznara> Are we sure that's what would happen?
<AshnabisNarrator> These carved bones were once owned by a shaman of great power of a tribe now long-forgotten. They were used to foresee the tribe's defeat, during which the owner was grievously wounded in battle.
<Llillilli> I have been to court. Things are bad.
<Llillilli> And I have seen... things
<Llillilli> Visions
<Katenzhi> (No information on which tribe?)
<Llillilli> Which I've tried to ignore.
<Daifan> May I suggest a compromise here?
<Llillilli> War between the humans and the People
<Junan> Its not hard to work out a way for everyone to be happy with this.
<Jimba> Please, Daifan.
<AshnabisNarrator> (that was all that was revealed)
* Katenzhi will relay the information she gleaned to the others when she can.
<Veznara> A human tribe?
<Daifan> I tikn that Junan is right - it would be very different for *yu
* to return the items, versus how meaningful it would be to come as a grander gesture from the human leadership. I think we can perhaps... put some pressure on them to do this
* Veznara nods
* Katenzhi shrugs.
<Daifan> If we return the to Gendalt, and give him, saym the gist f ths situation
<Daifan> and if you *do* tell Thelef that he should go to speak to the senator
<Daifan> then we will have opened the door
<Jimba> I think we can be pretty persuasive.
<Daifan> and the humans will be in a place to make their own fate
* Daifan nods
<AshnabisNarrator> (Katenzhi, your impression is that it was a human tribe, yes)
<Veznara> If we want this to help stave off a war, then humans should indeed get credit for giving these things back.
<Daifan> The senator ikes Junan and trusts his assessments. he is a political mn
<Junan> The Senator can present them to the rulling council as a means to gain soothe tensions and rekindl negotiations
<Daifan> He will understand
<Llillilli> I don't know this Ghendalt.
* Llillilli says suspiciously
<Katenzhi> (Oh, then nevermind the shrug. She will say that.)
<Jimba> Junan does.
<Junan> you know me and I trust he would be willing to do this
* Llillilli frowns sourly but nods.
<Llillilli> Fine.
<Daifan> you could come with Thelef, even, to meet with him.
<Llillilli> Maybe.
<Veznara> He's part of the colony leadership?
<Junan> Now nothing in this world is free, so we can earn some compensation for the items from the council to help with the senator's profits for the trip and cover our shares of what if anything we keep.
<AshnabisNarrator> (Veznara, you would know that he is the representative to the colony's council from Daligash)
<AshnabisNarrator> (the advisory council that the General put together from each nation of the Empire)
<AshnabisNarrator> (anyway, moving along - Katenzhi are you doing more legend lores or no?)
<Veznara> (Right. I believe he wanted Junan to approach me about coordinating with Zeba, way back when. :P )
<Katenzhi> (Yeah, I can spend the return trip doing that if Jimba can captain)
<AshnabisNarrator> (ok, pick an item and make a roll then)
* Llillilli keeps to herself with the baby turtle the rest of the voyage.
<AshnabisNarrator> (we should be moving along to actual scenes if we want to actually get our shit done today)
<Junan> that way its win all around, the Hith get thier relics, the colony gets help soothing tensions, and we still earn something for our efforts
<Katenzhi> (I'll do the belt next and then the shirt )
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 27 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+15
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 32 ].
<Jimba> Seems solid to me.
<Veznara> I know the Taizi representative to the council. If Ghendalt proves less amenable than we'd like, perhaps I could ask her to talk to him.
* Daifan will attempt to hang with Sunshine in companionable silence a bit
<AshnabisNarrator> The belt and shirt were both owned by a human warrior, Shavrava. She was killed in a fight with the hith during a troubled time.
* Katenzhi will relay that to folks.
<Veznara> ...better not mention that, then. :/
<Katenzhi> Yeah, I'm not sure knowing these things' histories will really help much.
<Veznara> Well, it can help us determine whether the Hith will be interested in them to begin with.
* Lutsi nods.
<Lutsi> So we're agreed, Junan will take these all to Ghendalt, and then we'll go from there?
<Veznara> Is he going to lay claim to all of them?
<Jimba> It was his expedition.
* Llillilli is less 'agreed' than 'angrily resigned'
* Lutsi nods.
<Lutsi> All right then.

Junan returns to report to Ghendalt

<AshnabisNarrator> Junan, your task is to take the material you retrieved from Sednidze to Ghendalt for his appraisal. The Senator was thrilled to hear of your successful return and has eagerly invited you to dinner to have a closer look at what you've found.
<AshnabisNarrator> You arrive in the evening, and a servant escorts you into the dining room where plates of roast pork, wild ferns and berries, and sweet potatoes are being laid down for you.
* Lutsi is now known as Ghendalt
* Ghendalt is wearing a long gown of green with gold and bronze threads and a wide leather belt across the waist. His beard is neatly trimmed and he is wearing several ornate rings on his fingers.
<Ghendalt> Junan! Good to see you!
<Junan> and you! I've missed good wine.
* Ghendalt laughs.
<Ghendalt> We'll have to take care of that, then.
* Ghendalt waves his hand at the appropriate servant.
<Junan> not to imply that your company has not bee missed
* Ghendalt laughs.
<Ghendalt> Of course, of course. Sit, sit! Tell me all about the trip, son. The story will surely be part of the sale, for the sorts of buyers I'm imagining.
<Junan> It involves all the best details, evading a dangerous pirate, navigating haunted caves, and a face off with a giant turtle.
<Ghendalt> A pirate, you say?
<Junan> The most infamous.
<Junan> the rumors being true where he has been covering his tail
<Ghendalt> So the Cormorant is at Sednidze?
<Junan> much to our surprise
<Junan> at least it was when we left
<Ghendalt> Did they spot you?
<Junan> as far as we know, they did not.
* Ghendalt nods.
<Ghendalt> Good, good.
* Ghendalt takes a drink of wine.
<Ghendalt> Well, the General will be interested in that news.
<Ghendalt> And Sednidze itself, was it everything that your young friend Lutsi promised?
<Junan> more so, cursed and haunted for sure.
* Ghendalt claps gleefully.
<Ghendalt> All the better.
<Junan> helps to have a Hand with the haunts, thats for sure
<Ghendalt> At home they all believe the whole swamp is haunted anyway.
<Junan> but we did recover several items.
* Ghendalt smiles with great interest.
<Junan> a few may be of hith antiquety, which presents an opportunity politically
<Ghendalt> Indeed, and after dinner, I will be very eager to see them all.
<Junan> of course
<AshnabisNarrator> You enjoy one of the best meals you have had in months, and then go to Ghendalt's study where you can lay out the various items.
* Junan will pass along what they were able to figure out about them
* Ghendalt examines them all with great excitement.
<Ghendalt> These are astonishing. You and your team have outdone yourself. Far more than I could have imagined, really.
<Ghendalt> These bone tools here, they're far more valuable to promote the rest of it. There'll be folks desperate to get some of these treasures but who can't afford the big items, but they can buy an incised awl or something like that.
* Ghendalt picks up an awl, twirling it around between two fingers.
<Ghendalt> And to bring more colonists too - as the Senate is trying to increase its presence here.
* Junan seperates the scepter and figurines
<Ghendalt> The gemstones, I think we'll keep them with the vessels, intact as a group. Otherwise who's to say that they're old or have anything special about them?
<Ghendalt> But together, as a set, they will be very nice, I think.
<Ghendalt> These marble figurines will have value because of the imagery. Most folks in Daligash have never seen a hith and this will make an impression.
<Junan> These are of hith origination.
<Ghendalt> Yes, I think so. They could be human-made, of course, but your assessment seems right.
<Junan> thier antiquity makes them ideal for political collateral with negotiations
<Junan> especially if they were to come from the colony leadership
<Ghendalt> Hmm ... perhaps.
<Ghendalt> I'm not sure though.
<Ghendalt> Are they from Sulise?
<Junan> (are they?)
<Junan> (did we bother legend loring them?)
<AshnabisNarrator> (I mean, you sort of guess not. They're old, and also from a long way away from this area. But you don't really know for sure, not being an expert on the hith)
<AshnabisNarrator> (you only did LL on the magic things)
<Junan> I really do not know
<Junan> I'm sure there are ways to learn more about them
<Junan> I know there are
<Ghendalt> Well ... these are fascinating, regardless. I can talk to the General, see if she wants to purchase them to use as part of some bargain.
<Junan> She could consult with the ambassador to learn if they would be of any use in that regard
* Ghendalt nods.
<Junan> these three are magical in nature.
* Ghendalt picks up the carved bones.
<Ghendalt> Interesting - have you looked into them?
<Junan> I know I personally am facinated with the shirt, and would be willing to reduce my share to retain it.
* Junan will explain what they learned about them
* Ghendalt considers for a moment.
<Ghendalt> Strange that both the pearl from before and this artifact are related to increasing the power of fos. It suggests that for these people, fos, and magic, was very important.
<Junan> Yes, the Manifest in the expedition was interested in retaining the bones for that reason.
<Junan> which I agreed to help negotiate
<Ghendalt> Well, how much are they willing to pay for them? Because I bet I can get four thousand for them.
<Junan> in the end it comes down to how much the whole lot is worth and the shares really afterward.
<Ghendalt> Sure, of course. But I need to sell it to someone before I know that. Unless you want me to just hang onto this one object in case the other stuff is worth more?
<Ghendalt> We're talking ... I mean ... all of this has to be worth ten, twelve, fifteen, maybe more? It's a major find, Junan. Enough that you and your friends can do what you want here in the colony.
<Ghendalt> And I can tell you right now that while the General does have funds, it's nothing compared to the sorts of buyers I have back home.
<Junan> hold the stones, I'll keep the shirt and compensate afterwards based on how things go on the sales, and I'll let her know how much she would need to cover the stones. its not like the stones will not always have amarkent.
<Ghendalt> The Daligashi elites, they're desperate for this stuff.
<Junan> (always have a market)
<Ghendalt> The problem with that is, how do I know how much these are really worth until I try to sell them?
<Ghendalt> This shirt and these stones have some value to you, I understand that, but you have to understand, I leave these back and then, what, I don't ever try to sell them to some over-moneyed collector back home who will probably pay twice what it's worth to you?
<Junan> you do spin a hard tale for coin, as is our way...
<Ghendalt> I know how it is. You risk yourself for something, you get attached to it. But these aren't yours to hold or keep just because they're pretty or even useful.
<Junan> but the colony is not Daligash. These items did not come without risk. Me and my friends have taken several risk.
<Ghendalt> And your risk will come with a great reward. We agreed what that reward would be up front - didn't we?
<Junan> Its hard to not expect some re-negotiation when the scale of success is much higher than expected.
<Ghendalt> Life is hard. But an enormous cash bounty is not the sort of thing I'd expect you to describe as 'hard'.
<Ghendalt> I promise you, son, I am not out to betray your trust. I want a good price for these things, same as you do.
<Ghendalt> But holding things back hurts all of us, keeps us from sharing in our venture.
<Junan> where could you purchase those stones if you had the coin?
* Junan points
<Ghendalt> Nowhere, they're unique. The mystics back home will see that immediately.
<Ghendalt> Look, you want to hold back the stones for now, I get that. I'm not happy about that, but I'll agree to that, to give you a chance to have your manifest put together some sort of offer.
<Ghendalt> As for the rest of it, I think we should get it to market as soon as we can?
<Ghendalt> If that is amenable to you.
* Ghendalt frowns slightly.
<Junan> just send it all to market
* Junan drinks his wine
<Ghendalt> You won't be disappointed at the results.
<Ghendalt> I promise.
* Ghendalt smiles.
<Ghendalt> I'm here to take good care of you. Of all of us.
<Ghendalt> I know you're looking out for your people too. You're good that way. But this is the best way to look after all of us, equitably.
<Ghendalt> I'll be in touch as soon as I know more.
* Junan nods
<AshnabisNarrator> (all right, you can have a lovely conversation with Ghendalt after dinner)

Bivizmi's sister Selt talks to Katenzhi and Bivizmi about the offer for their fos

<AshnabisNarrator> Katenzhi, the one thing about being on the trip was that you and Bivizmi weren't worried about some crazy cult killing you while you were away. By the trip home, though, Bivizmi was getting pretty sick of the quiet and getting a little annoyingly antsy to get back to work.
* NPC1 is now known as Bivizmi
<AshnabisNarrator> You head with her back to the Pindevuzi shop, where the two of you are immediately greeted by one of her sisters - Selt, the oldest one, you remember her, she's the one who came to tell you when Bivizmi was killed.
* Ghendalt is now known as Selt
* Selt is a woman in her later thirties, perhaps, slender with wavy brown hair.
<Selt> You're back. Good. We need to talk. All of us, it seems.
<Katenzhi> Oh, uh... ok?
<Bivizmi> Why, is something wrong?
<Katenzhi> What happened?
<Selt> You had a visitor here at the shop while you were away. Sulazh Ichos. Of all people.
<Bivizmi> Ah... she approached you?
<Selt> She wanted to know if you had had time to consider her offer. We weren't aware you had an offer. I wasn't even aware that your new project had even resulted in sellable product yet.
<Katenzhi> We're still working on it.
* Selt nods.
<Bivizmi> What did she say?
<Bivizmi> Or, more importantly, what did you tell her?
<Selt> She said she was offering seven hundred for your crop, and five thousand more for all the rights.
<Selt> Five thousand horns is an awful lot of money for the rights to a plot of land. I'm surprised you hadn't already agreed to it.
* Bivizmi sighs.
<Katenzhi> With all due respect, Selt, that's between us and Sulazh.
<Bivizmi> This strain of fos only grows in a few limited areas. There's no guarantee we'd be able to find another suitable plot.
<Bivizmi> So we'd be selling away not just this year's crop, but every future crop too.
<Selt> I understand that you have a partnership, apart from the family business. But it's never totally apart from the family.
<Selt> You're very good, my dear sister, but you are but one among many of us. Our work is not only for us, but for Father back home, and ultimately for the Ancestors. This is our shop, and we work it together.
<Bivizmi> Yes, but then don't we have a responsibility to make it the best shop we can?
<Selt> Of course.
<Bivizmi> If we are the exclusive suppliers of a new strain of fos, people come to our shop just to get that, but they buy other things as well. They speak our name over the whole colony, and back home as well. If we sell it to Sulazh Ichos, she'll get the credit for our work.
<Selt> Look, I didn't tell Sulazh anything. Really, she's a competitor. I told her I wasn't in a position to speak for you. Which is true.
<Katenzhi> Thank you for that.
<Selt> And because honestly, I don't know nearly enough about your new product or what your plans are for it. You've been very cagey about the whole thing.
<Selt> Perhaps it is time for that to stop.
<Katenzhi> Your sister has put her blood into this project. It's hers and mine. And my deal is with her, not your family.
* Bivizmi gives you a little smile at that.
<Selt> I have no quarrel with you, Katenzhi. You're more than entitled to your share.
<Katenzhi> And so is your sister.
<Katenzhi> If you havea quarrel with her, then you have one with me.
<Selt> I don't really want to quarrel with either one of you.
<Katenzhi> Good. We don't either.
<Bivizmi> It's a unique strain of fos that has benefits for divination magic. You need less of it to achieve more powerful spells. I can tell you that, anyway.
* Selt nods.
<Selt> That's very interesting.
<Katenzhi> We're trying to keep it under our hat because if we play this right it could be big.
<Selt> This plot that the two of you have together, it only grows there?
<Katenzhi> We don't know yet for sure. But that's the only place we've found it.
<Bivizmi> It might grow a few other places, but it seems to have a very narrow range of conditions it prefers.
* Selt considers that.
<Katenzhi> Besides, she wants our entire stock. If we sell out to her we have nothing left to plant in the future.
<Bivizmi> there's no guarantee if we sold this plot, that we could find another suitable place where it grows wild to start over again.
<Selt> Five thousand is ... pretty big, though. Or you're thinking of asking for more?
<Bivizmi> It is big. But I think over time, we can do better than that.
<Katenzhi> It's a lot, but it's a short term gain for a longterm loss.
<Bivizmi> And if she buys it, she'll just take it back to Khutu and no one here will even know of it - and no one back there is going to come to our shop because they heard of us.
<Bivizmi> It doesn't help me, and it doesn't help our overall business.
* Selt nods.
<Selt> Look, I don't know enough about it to know whether it's a good offer. And I have no love of Sulazh and her kin.
<Selt> But this new product, you've been using our shop to process it, probably will be using our shop to sell it, and so I do think the family is entitled to - at the very least - know about it.
<Selt> This isn't just about the two of you, it really isn't.
* Katenzhi sighs.
<Selt> And ... and I worry about you, Biv.
<Selt> You haven't been all the way the same.
<Bivizmi> I'm fine.
* Bivizmi says stubbornly.
* Selt softens a little.
<Katenzhi> Listen, Selt, I want you to know that I respect your family very much. You're all very good at what you do. The last thing I want to do is disrespect you.
<Selt> It's not about your talent. Everyone knows you're good. The best.
* Bivizmi glances over at you.
<Bivizmi> maybe we could reach a deal with her of some kind. Not to sell everything, but some of it.
<Katenzhi> Biv... Maybe we should think about it. I mean we don't have to sell her everything. And maybe we can find a new plot. With Oignestros to help I'm sure we could still make it work.
<Selt> Who is Oignestros?
<Katenzhi> Oh... our... gardener...
<Bivizmi> He's the farmer we hired to manage the plot.
<Katenzhi> He gardens.
* Bivizmi nods
<Selt> What kind of name is that?
<Bivizmi> He's very good. I honestly think half of the crop's success is because of his skill, so as long as we retained his services, moving to another plot might not be the worst.
<Bivizmi> Uh... I'm not really sure. He's local.
<Katenzhi> Yeah, he's... unique.
<Selt> All right. I mean, no offense to your friend, but give yourself some credit, Biv.
<Selt> Your talent is more important than you have weeding your fields.
<Katenzhi> You are the best. I keep telling you that.
<Bivizmi> thanks...
<Katenzhi> We can do this together.
<Bivizmi> what if we offer her the plot, and a third of our crop. We'd still have a good amount to sell in the shop, we'd have some left over to try planting it elsewhere, and we could use the funds to get another plot somewhere else, and see if Oignestros would still work for us there.
<Katenzhi> I think that would be the best for everyone.
* Bivizmi looks over at Selt.
<Katenzhi> Everyone will still know that it's your product. She can't compete with us here if she's going to take it all back to Khutu
<Bivizmi> Would that be acceptable to everyone else?
<Selt> If you're selling it here, under the family seal, that's fine. You're entitled to your profits from your work, but the name, that's what matters here.
<Bivizmi> I was never going to sell it anywhere else.... I just wanted to make sure it was ready.
* Selt smiles.
<Selt> Always the perfectionist.
<Bivizmi> Do you want to take that offer to Sulazh? She might take it more seriously coming from you.
<Katenzhi> I'll talk to Sulazh and let her know.
* Selt smiles.
<Selt> All right. And Biv? Just try to keep me informed a little bit? I don't like surprise visits from competitors.

Jimba speaks with Kayibir about her future

<AshnabisGM> Jimba, since you returned you have had Kayibir to deal with - you do seem to keep accumulating strays somehow!
<AshnabisGM> Since the effects of the island's strange mists wore off, she has been rather surly and cross, rather than morose and gloomy.
<AshnabisGM> When she found out that Aptan and Ulutse were also staying in your warehouse, she was at first confused, then relieved that they were still alive, then angry as she realized that they must have left the Cormorant fleet of their own accord.
<Jimba> (I mean, I suppose that's to be expected.)
<AshnabisGM> When Aptan pointed out that she was here too, she reacted by storming out of the warehouse but, not really having far to go, wound up just pacing on the dock, where you were easily able to catch up with her.
* Bivizmi is now known as Kayibir
<Jimba> Fang for your thoughts?
<Kayibir> I don't know, are you just... going to keep me here too? Stuck in a warehouse with a couple of traitors?
<Jimba> I'm not keeping anyone anywhere, and they're not...well, 'traitor' is a harsh term.
<Kayibir> It's not like I have anywhere else I can go.
<Jimba> That's not my doing.
<Kayibir> My family, other than my uncle, are all in Naguur, and if I go back there, everyone will know what I've done. I'd be putting them at risk :/
<Jimba> At risk of?
<Kayibir> You don't just *leave
* the Cormorant fleet... not alive anyway.
<Jimba> Even though you're family?
* Kayibir shrugs.
<Kayibir> It would depend what he believed about why I left.
<Kayibir> But my uncle *will
* track me down sooner or later. I could tell him you kidnapped me, maybe he'd believe that.
<Kayibir> Maybe you did. If I'd been in my right mind back on that stupid island, I wouldn't have left. Did you people cast a spell on me or something?
<Jimba> (let me check back :p)
<Jimba> Well, Kat did a spell to help you with the effect of the island, yes, but, in general, we were just trying to help.
<Jimba> Did you really want to stay?
<Kayibir> I don't know. I hated being stuck there. I was afraid of what might happen. But Uncle Yeggun always said it would be fine, and he'd get us back up to where we were before, and rebuild the fleet and everything...
<Kayibir> If things had been good, I wouldn't have left. But they weren't. Everything was shitty.
<Jimba> I'm not sure Yeggun can get back to where he was.
<Jimba> And I'm not sure that was a good place to be, in any event.
<Kayibir> that island? it definitely wasn't.
<Jimba> That's not what I mean.
<Jimba> Kayibir...he killed children. Or ordered it, one of the two. I mean, piracy is not a kind profession, but that's crossing a line.
<Jimba> Were you really okay with all that?
<Kayibir> I didn't know before it happened. After, I thought... things got out of hand, maybe it wasn't on purpose.
<Jimba> I'm not sure it's a thing that can really happen in the moment.
<Jimba> Especially not on that scale.
<Kayibir> I don't know what to do now.
* Kayibir says miserably.
<Kayibir> If he's as bad as you say, then he'll definitely kill me if he finds me again.
<Jimba> Well, you have, roughly, three options: run, hide, or fight.
<Jimba> I'll do my best to help with any of the three.
<Kayibir> Why would you help me?
* Jimba shrugs.
<Jimba> Character defect.
<Jimba> I try to help people when I can.
<Jimba> You seem like a decent sort.
* Kayibir looks at you like you're crazy
<Jimba> I know, it's weird, right?
<Jimba> Can't seem to help myself.
<Kayibir> so... you would let me stay here?
<Jimba> Sure, if that's what you want.
<Kayibir> well... at least for now. I don't have any money or anywhere else to go. If I go wandering around in town, someone might recognize me. I'm probably wanted by the Fort or something.
* Kayibir perks up slightly at the idea of being a wanted criminal.
* Jimba smiles at that.
<Jimba> You're welcome here as long as you want, as long as you can pull your weight and get along with everyone.
<Jimba> Or at least not start fights. I know Aptan and Ulutse aren't always the easiest to get along with.
<Kayibir> I always felt kind of bad for Aptan. Ulutse's just a ... well. There's words for the kind of girls who wind up on pirate ships just because there's free booze :p
<Kayibir> But I guess she probably had her reasons too.
* Kayibir says with a shrug.
<Kayibir> Anyway, I won't start fights if they don't.
<Jimba> That's good enough for me.
* Jimba smiles encouragingly.
* Kayibir gives a quick wary smile in return

Veznara receives a visit from Bitsaar, who has lost his job

<AshnabisNarrator> Veznara, your return from Sednidze has been relatively muted. Dezmali hasn't said anything to you about Voice Tegus speaking to her, and doesn't appear to be behaving to you as if she knows what you did on the Auggi.
<AshnabisNarrator> That's good - but you know it would be wise to keep your head down and hands clean for the next while, at least. You can't stop thinking about what you learned, though - and what more there may still be to learn.
<AshnabisNarrator> The day after your return, you are at the temple getting the bubun to carry goods for the Abas Feast when you see a familiar face walking quickly towards you. It is Bitsaar.
* Selt is now known as Bitsaar
* Bitsaar is dressed in an ordinary brown dashi, not the ordinary black robes typical of Voice priests. He looks like he hasn't eaten well in quite some time.
* Veznara stops
<Veznara> Bitsaar!
<Bitsaar> Veznara. I've been looking for you. You've been away.
* Bitsaar says neutrally, though he seems tightly wound.
<Veznara> Yes... I'm sorry, I had no idea.
<Bitsaar> I ... I worried that you had been sent home to Taizi, that I would never see you again.
* Bitsaar says, a hint of emotion breaking through his facade.
<Veznara> Oh... no, no. I'm alright. But what about you?
* Bitsaar frowns, pausing to compose his thoughts.
<Bitsaar> After our last meeting, Voice Witis expelled me from the Auggi. I am no longer welcome there.
<Veznara> Oh, Bitsaar! I'm so sorry.
<Veznara> What can I do to help?
<Bitsaar> I don't know. I'm trying to figure out - a lot of things.
<Veznara> Well. Let me finish my delivery, and then perhaps we can go somewhere to talk over a meal.
* Bitsaar nods.
<Bitsaar> All right.
* Veznara quickly completes her duty, and returns. She takes him to a decent restaurant - but one where he won't be tossed out for being too scruffy. Or buys food from a street vendor, if need be...
<Bitsaar> I guess the first thing that confuses me is that - well, all that happened to me was losing my position. No further action has been taken by my Order, though. I don't know why.
<Veznara> I'm so sorry.
<Bitsaar> Yeah.
<Veznara> Are you... were you expelled from the Voice entirely, or from the position at the Auggi?
* Bitsaar shakes his head.
<Bitsaar> Just from the temple at the Auggi. Not expelled from the Voice. I don't even know who else knows.
<Bitsaar> It could be everyone ... or no one.
<Veznara> I think it's more likely no-one. Or at least, very few.
<Bitsaar> At first, I thought I would go to Shuggep, to my family there. But I couldn't do it. To return in shame, what could I even tell them? How could I explain what we did?
<Veznara> Oh, Bitsaar. I am sorry. I don't think *you
* have anything to be ashamed of.
* Bitsaar looks at you quizzically.
<Bitsaar> I thought of blaming you. I have wanted to blame you for everything. To play the fool, the idiot seduced by a wily noblewoman. But that isn't fair, is it? It makes me seem far stupider than I have been - and I've been stupid enough already.
<Veznara> That's kind of you. I'm afraid I do deserve that blame, though. A fair share of it.
<Bitsaar> You didn't force me to do anything.
<Bitsaar> I did what I did - I did it for you.
<Veznara> I know. I am grateful... and I'm sorry that it came at such cost.
<Bitsaar> I don't know what I'm going to do now. I have no home, no position, nothing.
<Veznara> Are you staying anywhere right now? I can at least help with that.
* Bitsaar shakes his head.
<Bitsaar> We never needed money at the temple. I don't have any.
<Veznara> That's the first thing, then. I have some set aside; don't worry about that.
* Bitsaar nods.
<Bitsaar> Thank you.
<Bitsaar> But I need answers more than that. I need to understand what it was that I sacrificed everything for. What it was that I learned, how it makes sense. I have tried to make it make sense but I can't.
<Veznara> That Voice Wilis reacted so harshly?
<Bitsaar> No ... what the ancestor told me.
<Veznara> You started to explain that, but...
<Bitsaar> The stoneguard found a religion, or a cult, here, like the Voice ... and they took its revered ancestor? Why would they do that?
* Veznara frowns anxiously
<Bitsaar> And there was so much death - I didn't see everything, we were interrupted by Witis, but ... who was this stoneguard really? And what about the other Ancestors in the room?
<Veznara> I... oh, Bitsaar. I'm not sure. I only have suspicions, but... I think it involves a secret that the Voice is desperate to keep.
* Veznara will make sure they're alone, so nobody can overhear...
<AshnabisNarrator> (you appear to be alone)
<Veznara> Did Izhozh of the Rodimulba say exactly who was responsible for his death?
<Bitsaar> No, we never asked him about that.
* Veznara sighs
<Veznara> I think it may have been the Voice themselves.
<Bitsaar> The Voice killed the Stoneguard? Why?
<Veznara> Because this new cult they adopted represented a heresy - a particularly dangerous heresy.
<Bitsaar> What heresy?
<Veznara> Are you sure you want to know? If I'm right, they killed in the past to cover it up; and they are at least willing to destroy people's careers to conceal it now. I don't want to withhold anything from you; I think you have a right to know, if you really want to. But that could just make things worse...
* Bitsaar looks at you blankly.
<Bitsaar> You knew.
<Bitsaar> You knew what you were looking for that day, didn't you?
<Veznara> I suspected.
<Bitsaar> And you knew that if you told me what you were looking for, I wouldn't have done it.
<Veznara> I don't know.
* Kayibir is now known as Ughiva
<Bitsaar> You knew that if the Ancestor answered my questions then I would be burdened with this knowledge.
<Bitsaar> You knew what we were doing was seeking forbidden knowledge, something that only Witis knows. Knowledge that, as you say, is dangerous to possess.
<Bitsaar> You did this all, knowingly.
<Veznara> I didn't mean to do this to you, Bitsaar. Wouldn't this have come to you eventually? I didn't think it would result in... this.
<Bitsaar> Maybe. I don't know.
<Bitsaar> But I think that now I'm entitled to know. Because even though I don't know enough - they don't know what I do or don't know.
<Bitsaar> All they know is that I spoke to an Ancestor who has dangerous knowledge.
<Veznara> I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I thought that if there were any trouble, it would come to *me*. You're a member of the Voice, they shouldn't have punished *you*... I'm sorry.
<Bitsaar> And that's just it. If this knowledge is so dangerous, why haven't you been punished?
<Veznara> Perhaps they are afraid of having to explain it to my superiors in the Hand, who would actually punish me.
<Bitsaar> I'm entitled to know.
<Veznara> I agree, you have a right to know. But knowing might make them angrier with you, whether that is just or not. Are you sure that's what you want?
<Bitsaar> If you don't tell me, I can never forgive you.
<Veznara> If I do tell you, you might never be redeemed in their eyes. I want you to forgive me; but not to do you further harm.
<Bitsaar> They already believe I know. And they believe you know. That's why they're not punishing us more than they are, at least formally.
<Bitsaar> They already believe that I have this dangerous knowledge, and that's why they simply removed me from further access to it, but then left me alone.
<Veznara> I... and I suppose there's no way you can persuade them otherwise.
<Bitsaar> Who were those stoneguards, and who was in the fifth ossuary, Veznara?
<Veznara> I.. very well, Bitsaar. I will tell you, and only you. And hope you can indeed forgive me.
<Bitsaar> All right.
<Veznara> I don't know exactly who was in the fifth ossuary. But I think this heresy has to do with the legend of the Rushultagri.
<Bitsaar> I don't even know, what is that?
<Veznara> There is a story that the holy Prophetess Zunuga had a child.
* Bitsaar just stares at you in disbelief.
<Veznara> I know.
<Veznara> It is widely dismissed as... ridiculous. A distasteful and heretical myth.
<Bitsaar> And these stoneguards were ... what?
<Veznara> I think they must have come across someone who they came to believe was a direct line descendant of the Prophetess. This Ruzuldaar.
<Veznara> I think the Voice of the time came to fear that this was true, or at least that others would come to believe it was true.
<Veznara> And I think they were willing to go to such great lengths to prevent that from happening.
<Bitsaar> But why would anyone care now? That was three hundred years ago!
<Bitsaar> Do we really care about what some Voice priests did to some Stoneguard heretics during the war?
<Veznara> Yes. That doesn't make any sense...
<Veznara> ...unless there is more to the secret that they are desperate to keep, even now.
* Bitsaar shakes his head.
<Bitsaar> I believe you, but I don't, at the same time. It doesn't make sense.
<Veznara> I don't know what to tell you, Bitsaar.
<Veznara> Frankly, I'm afraid to try to get to the bottom of it.
<Bitsaar> All right. All right. Thank you for telling me.
<Veznara> I trust you. And I owe it to you, to explain... I'm so sorry.
<Bitsaar> I should go. I need some time. But also ... I need some money, if you have it.
<Veznara> Of course. I can't make up for everything, but I will gladly help you.
<Veznara> I know people here, I can help you get settled. Or in Timiil. Or... well, here.
* Veznara gives him a generous amount of money.
<Bitsaar> Here. I'm safer where no one knows me.
* Veznara nods.
<Veznara> As you wish, then.
<Veznara> I'm so sorry, Bitsaar.
<Bitsaar> Goodbye. We may speak again.

Llillilli brings her new baby back to Thelef and also talks with Liwhis

<AshnabisNarrator> Lllillilli, you have returned from your trip to Sednidze with at least some sense of new purpose, after your second encounter with the great turtle Loeluth, and bearing with you one of her offspring to care for.
<Veznara> Of course. If I can help, let me know. I don't want you to starve or suffer further because of me.
* Ughiva is now known as Thelef
<AshnabisNarrator> But you have many more questions to answer, regarding the People, and their relations to humans, and how to resolve the mounting tensions between Hith and HIthkindred.
<AshnabisNarrator> You return home to your dear husband.
* Thelef looks visibly relieved upon seeing your safe return.
<Thelef> Ah... what is this?
* Thelef asks, on seeing the baby turtle.
<Llillilli> This is... uh
<Llillilli> THis is a child of Loeluth.
* Thelef 's eyes widen
<Llillilli> SHe entrusted it to me.
<Thelef> How amazing - you are truly fortunate!
<Llillilli> It was an indescribable experience. I never thought I would see Loeluth in such a place.
<Thelef> I've never heard of someone raising such a mighty creature. Although... you aren't very mighty yet, are you, little one?
* Thelef says, with a smile
<Llillilli> All of their siblings swam away, but this one stayed behind...
* Thelef nods
<Thelef> Incredible. I think you were chosen to be there at the right time and place for this blessing.
<Llillilli> Maybe...
* Llillilli cradles the small(ish) turtle
<Llillilli> Loeluth said... that the people need me.
<Llillilli> I don't know what to do with that.
<Thelef> That sounds like a lot of responsibility. Maybe it's something you need to dwell with for a time, to understand its full meaning.
<Thelef> In the meantime, since you were away I've talked to my aunt. Kiklatsa agreed to take Liwhis in at the lineage house, at least for the time being. He'll be safe there. I've been in touch with Sileshu over in Pashas - he knows what's gone on, of course.
* Llillilli nods.
<Thelef> It doesn't seem like there will be any movement on the part of the King right now. Whuthe was forced into a difficult position. They can't afford to show too much weakness to the solars.
<Thelef> But there has been a cost for the solars too. By punishing all hithkindred for the actions of one, Fellis has angered not only folks on Pashas but many of the People who know and respect us.
<Llillilli> There is something that might help, depending...
<Thelef> Oh?
<Llillilli> On that island, we found some things, Things of the people... Some sculptures and a lithus sceptre.
* Thelef looks intrigued
<Thelef> It's quite far from here, is it not? I wonder if it was this or another group's territory at one point.
<Llillilli> Junan said he would try to get Ghendalt to bring them to the ambassador, or you. Something like that.
<Llillilli> Well. Once, there were humans there, and hith, who guarded Loeluth's children.
* Thelef nods
<Thelef> Together? That's fascinating.
<Llillilli> ot at the same time, if I understood it right... but they did share the duties.
<Llillilli> Something terrible happened to the humans who were left there...
<Thelef> oh?
<Llillilli> They went mad... they even ate each other.
* Thelef looks horrified
<Llillilli> But stil they did not let anything happen to the eggs.
<Thelef> That's awful. Those poor people.
* Llillilli nods.
<Thelef> Such a sacrifice...
<Llillilli> Loeluth told me that sometimes some of the people would bring human things to the island, as sort of offerings to them.
<Llillilli> IT was a very sad, and lonely place... But then it was also a place where new life came forth, thanks in great part to them -_-
* Thelef nods
<Llillilli> Loeluth said she didn't think we would see each other again.
<Thelef> Through suffering and hardship, hope for the future is born.
* Bitsaar is now known as Liwhis
<Llillilli> I'm not certain anyone will see her again... But her children have survived, to return to the sea.
* Liwhis opens the door and comes in.
* Llillilli looks up and smiles fleetingly
<Liwhis> Hello, Selleluf. I heard you had returned.
* Liwhis seems relaxed, or moreso than when you saw him last, in a plain light-colored dashi that you think may have been borrowed from Thelef.
<Llillilli> Yes, just now.
<Liwhis> I wanted to speak to you ... to thank you, again, for everything. You have been very kind. I am trying ... to learn to be better.
<Llillilli> So are we all...
<Thelef> We aren't alone in this, as well. Is your friend still with you, Liwhis? They have chosen to remain?
<Liwhis> Silloeth has come, yes. They didn't have to, but they did.
<Thelef> You're fortunate to have such a good friend.
<Liwhis> There is hope still, that we can save the People from the tyranny of the solars. I truly believe that. There is much good still, there, in Sulise.
<Liwhis> We just have to be willing to fight for it.
<Thelef> The People will not be held hostage to the actions of a few bigoted priests. Not for long. But we can't afford to be idle. The King will not be able to publicly support us or take a stand - but if we act forcefully, he will not oppose us either.
<Llillilli> They can't all be so filled with hate, can they? The solars, I mean,
<Liwhis> Not all.
<Thelef> Maybe we can find allies among them, who don't believe as the others do.
<Llillilli> There is Laelaesi...
* Thelef nods
<Llillilli> At any rate... Maybe you should go talk to this Ghendalt person about those items.
<Thelef> I will see what I can do. And perhaps you're right that Laelaesi would be a good person to talk to as well.
<Llillilli> I haven't seen them since the pfullaes... I hope they are well.
<Thelef> In the meantime, this little one will need care...and we are going to need a name for it as well. To go along with the tail-name for our other little one, I suppose.
<Liwhis> That is ... that is a baby?
<Llillilli> Yes... I feel a little intimidated, or unworthy... to name a child of Loeluth though :o
<Thelef> We should go to see them, once you've had a chance to rest for a few moments.
* Llillilli nods.
* Llillilli will show Liwhis the turtle though :>
* Liwhis seems quite taken with the little one

Daifan and Ughiva cast a spell to determine Galdai's plans for the baby

<AshnabisGM> Daifan, you have secured some of Katenzhi and Bivizmi's special fos in order that Ughiva and the other folfi can cast a spell to try and discern Galdai's plans.
* Ughiva seems intrigued by the unusual pale fos, but doesn't ask too many questions about where it came from.
<Ughiva> So this will help make divination easier?
<Daifan> yes.
<Ughiva> That's good.
<Daifan> but only Divination type spells
* Ughiva nods
<Ughiva> The spell I'm thinking of, Prognostication, will take a long time to cast. All day, in fact. But it will let us see up to a year and a day into the future. Hopefully that's far enough.
<Ughiva> The answer it provides could be unclear... mysterious... Trying to understand the future is hard enough when it's only a short span of time, but over a year means there is a great deal of opportunity for fluctuation.
* Ughiva waves her hand in the air vaguely.
<Daifan> I understand
<Ughiva> We need to be careful how we frame the question. If we ask something too broad or that is unclear in itself, the information we receive in return may be likewise unclear.
* Daifan nods
<Ughiva> So, what exactly do we want to ask?
<Daifan> Perhaps.... how does Fuska's sid factor into her plans?
<Ughiva> What is Galdai's plan for Fuska's sid?
* Ughiva suggests
<Daifan> yes
<Ughiva> Very well. I think that's clear enough. All we can do is try!
* Daifan smiles thinly
<AshnabisGM> The group gathers in the barn the next morning to begin the process of casting the spell. At this time of year, the barn is actually in use for its intended purpose, drying fos, and the smell of the plant is everywhere, seeming to infuse the very air.
<AshnabisGM> The folfi make themselves comfortable on the floor, knowing that the spell will take many hours to cast.
* Daifan will bring snacks to share
* Ughiva explains the process, and then will take a seat herself.
* Ughiva leads the group in joining hands, each consuming some of the pale fos. The power of the web flows through each of you, as she begins to cast the spell.
<AshnabisGM> The time seems to stretch on and on, but it isn't boring - you can sense the presence of the other members of the group and the energy of the source itself, and before you know it, the hours have passed by, the sun outside is setting, and the spell is finally complete.
* Ughiva poses the question: What is Galdai's plan for Fuska's sid?
* Ughiva speaks, the words coming from somewhere beyond her mortal knowledge.
<Ughiva> "The child will serve as a safe harbour for the old spirit when it leaves its current body, allowing it to grow into still greater power."
* Ughiva shakes her head as if to clear it, and stretches stiff muscles after sitting for so long.
<Daifan> ...what old spirit. Hers?
* Daifan sounds horrified
<Daifan> she is going to uput her spirit into the child? Steal its life?
<Ughiva> I suppose so. I'm not sure what other spirit it might mean.
<Daifan> we can't allow this
<Ughiva> Well. It's obvious what we need to do. We have to kill her before she can do that.
* Daifan nods
<Ughiva> Or at least, get rid of her somehow.
<Daifan> and protect the child.
* Ughiva nods
<Ughiva> But we can make our task easier for ourselves. First, we need to curse her.
* Daifan nods
<Ughiva> There's a cursesmith in this town, isn't there? I haven't spoken to him myself, but I've heard of his reputation.
<Ughiva> We want nothing but the very best for this, I think.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> yes, he is very good
<Daifan> Rooster
<Daifan> should we tell him everything?
<Ughiva> Would you be willing to ask him for this? I'm a newcomer here and not well liked... I think he'd be more likely to help you.
<Daifan> yes.
<Daifan> Of course I will
<Daifan> what kind of curse?
<Ughiva> I think ... why not? I don't think it poses any risk to him, and maybe he'll be more likely to take the job if he understands fully what she's trying to do.
<Ughiva> And... anything that would weaken her defenses? An illness, maybe, or something to make her more vulnerable to further spells, if we try to attack her that way? He might have some ideas of his own.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> he is quite clever with pengi
<Ughiva> Good, good.
<Ughiva> In the meantime, I'll give some thought to how we can use our magic against her, in ways that won't be traced back to us.
<Daifan> Okay. I have other contacts who can help as well...
<Ughiva> All right. We want to keep this quiet, or it may blow back on us, but if you trust them, then fine.
<Daifan> I do, absolutely. But I'll start with Rooster.
<Ughiva> All right.
<Daifan> and the hand.... to whome she will likely turn to try adnhave it removed
<Ughiva> Only if she knows it exists... maybe an illness is the wrong approach, too evident. Something she won't realize until it's too late might be best.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> maybe that her spirit should have the strength of her morals :p
* Ughiva gives a short, harsh laugh at that.
<Ughiva> It would be fitting.
<Daifan> Mmmmhmm.
* Daifan will give Ughiva some wine, since she is probably parched after that
* Ughiva accepts it gladly
<Daifan> SOmethin else to pass around the web...

Solos

Daifan requests a curse on Galdai from Gustavir

* Daifan will seek out Rooster at one of his regular haunts - possibly the Mudbug?
* Gustavir can be found at the Mudbug at some point in every day, sure
* Daifan will buy a bottle of, uh... drink, and go join him
* Gustavir is sipping a beer, and wipes suds off his long scraggly beard.
<Daifan> Hey Rooster, how's it crowing?
* Daifan will pour themself a drink because they coudl really use one, tbh
<Gustavir> Ah, ho ho, Smiley Smiles, feet and miles!
<Gustavir> Buy me a drink!
* Gustavir says, finishing his.
<Daifan> beat you to it
* Daifan will pour him one form the bottle
<Gustavir> Ah what fine nectar. Nectar! I just met her!
* Gustavir laughs uproariously.
* Daifan pauses mid pour with a smirt
<Daifan> are you sure you need more? ;)
<Daifan> (smirk)
<Gustavir> By your look I see that you have come with a need? So, when you need, I need. Needs must, as they say.
* Daifan pours him a generous portion
<Daifan> Indeed - i have a need.
<Daifan> What do you want to know first - the target or the offense?
<Gustavir> The curse is a gift - and all gifts begin in the heart. What brings your heart here this day? Have you considered just splashing some mud on their boots?
<Daifan> I've considered burying my boot in their heart, but I'm not sure I coud find it.
<Gustavir> Such anger! So who has wounded your heart so?
<Daifan> oh, not just my heart. She's a plague on our people. Galdai Ebesnata
* Gustavir nods.
<Gustavir> Not the first, but perhaps the last, to set a beer at the rooster's trough, with that name.
<Daifan> that is the hope.
<Daifan> you've cursed her before?
<Gustavir> Many have asked. Some of our visitors from Taizi have ... feelings.
<Gustavir> But feelings and wantings do not lead to doings.
<Daifan> Mmhmm.
<Gustavir> Why now?
* Gustavir pulls out a pouch of ash, and pours it on the table, tracing his finger through it, seemingly without purpose.
<Daifan> Because she needs killing, and a curse will make that easier.
<Gustavir> What you are asking, it carries great risk. To you, to me, to whatever peace we have in this place.
<Daifan> I understand.
<Gustavir> The princess in her tower of Source is no mere cuckold's bane or pig-thief.
<Daifan> I know
<Daifan> She's ploting still to get ahold of Fuska's sid.
<Daifan> She kidapped and...mind-raped an entire aizer to get herslf a budal-born baby, from folfi.
<Daifan> do you know what she wants to do with it?
<Gustavir> Tell me a tale.
<Daifan> We did a spell - a powerful divination. Prognostication. Spoons led us.
<Daifan> We asked what her plan was for the sid
<Daifan> She's going to put her soul into it when she dies, and steal its life.
<Gustavir> And still they tell *us
* to cry Zozh! What strange times.
<Daifan> Mmhmm.
<Gustavir> And so death is the prescription.
<Daifan> yes.
<Gustavir> No pengi brings death, you know that, Smiles. I have only my own life to trade, and no interest in striking that bargain.
<Daifan> NO.
<Daifan> (err...)
<Daifan> (No.)
<Daifan> I know that
<Daifan> Something to weaken her power.... to make her more susceptible to our retaliation
* Gustavir smiles, taking a drink.
<Daifan> someting like... may her spirit have the strength of her morals :p
* Gustavir laughs.
<Daifan> That was my best idea - but you are the expert
* Daifan raises thier glass to him
* Gustavir traces his finger in the ash, working a spidery pattern.
* Daifan watches idly
<Gustavir> Who else knows of this cunning-craft?
<Gustavir> You, Spoons, ...?
<Daifan> which part? The spell was a large enough web
<Daifan> (Though I don't know how many ppl)
<Daifan> the plan... I talked to Spoons, and you, so far.
* Gustavir nods.
<Gustavir> Let it be spoken no further.
<Gustavir> Anyone who knows your heart risks it being ripped out.
* Gustavir thrusts his finger in a line towards you.
<Daifan> My heart is read easily enough... but I can keep my mouth shut.
<Gustavir> The pengi you seek, it is a good choice for this one. A gentle breeze stirs few leaves. Perhaps she will never know what has been done to her.
<Gustavir> This is the peril of vengeance - the revenger wants the victim to know who struck the blow.
<Daifan> Maybe she'll know in the end, when it is struck.... and maybe not. I care that she is dead at a time outside of her power and choice.
<Gustavir> This is why I turned away the others. Bleeding eyeballs and wasting hunger turn angry eyes to the curse-smith.
<Daifan> I'll take the satisfaction of spitting on her grave
<Gustavir> Waste of good spit.
<Daifan> what about a nice shit then :p
<Gustavir> I leave your leavings to you.
* Gustavir traces a circle around the ash, then another.
<Daifan> when will it be done?
<Gustavir> There is still the matter of the cost.
<Daifan> yes
<Gustavir> Your heart's dark desire will be matched by my own desire, whatever I desire, whenever I desire it. Just once, to be paid in full upon request.
<Gustavir> If I ask you to kill, you kill. If I ask you to sing, you sing. If I ask for a spatchcock roasted over coals, it will be a fine rooster dinner for Rooster.
<Daifan> okay.
* Daifan says, after brief consideration
<Gustavir> Galdai Ebesnata.
* Gustavir says, placing his thumb in the center of the ash pattern.
<Gustavir> There, it is done.
* Daifan smiles in satisfaction
<Daifan> I will bear your debt with gratitude.
<Gustavir> Your gratitude is of no consequence. Your silence is.
* Daifan nods
* Gustavir spills his beer across the ash pattern.
<Gustavir> Ah, how foolish of me! Now no one will know what we have done.
<Daifan> Mmhmm.
* Daifan will give him a top up
* Gustavir nods.
<Daifan> I'll let you get back to your drinking
<Gustavir> And I'll let you get back to your stinking! Hahahaha!
* Daifan grins and sill maybe go find someone to have a bath with :V