Diablotin 2 session 41

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Session

Session date:

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All the PCs

[DiablotinNarrator] Having recovered, at least slightly, from your experiences in the Shadow Plane, you gather together at the Society's meeting hall to discuss what happened to you, and try and piece together what you have learned.

• Nycaise is at the hall, copying over her notes from the excursion, if you happen to need to talk to her.
• Danyel is also there, at Alma's request.
• Ysabeau has walked over with Dominik.
• Guillame is having second thoughts about reliving his dream...
• Sanadhil arrives, looking well and nicely dressed, if a little tired.
• Dominik is out of his heavy armor and wearing his chain shirt again. The only weapons he carries is his longsword and dagger. He has trimmed his hair, leaving only the top a little long.
• Alma arrives in her carriage, looking a little haggard.
• Seth arrives, still looking somewhat in shock.
• Sanadhil looks to see if everyone else has arrived before beginning
• Ysabeau looks pretty calm, really. Nothing in her dream could be very interesting to the others, she figures.
• Ysabeau is mostly curious to hear what the others have to say.
• Sanadhil looks around

[Sanadhil] I believe we are still waiting for Mlle de Quessenet?

[Alma] Good afternoon everyone.

• Guillame nods to Alma
• Ysabeau hides a smile. what *could* be delaying Ilphere? Tee hee.
• Ilphere waltzes in at a fashionable time.
• Sanadhil nods to her and settles in to his seat

[Ilphere] Hello everyone...!

[Ysabeau] Good morning, Ilphere.

• Ilphere chooses a seat by Sanadhil.
• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] (Afternoon i think?)

[Ysabeau] (Maybe I am teasing Ilphere.)

• Sanadhil loks around at the assembled, seeming quite calm himself, if a little thoughtful

[Sanadhil] ('k)

[Sanadhil] Before we begin...

• Alma nods politely to Ilphere

[Sanadhil] I think it would be helpful to reinforce that any useful discussion today should be focused on what we can learn from our experience that is relevant to our contemporary situation here in Diablotin, and any historicak fact we have learned that may be pertinent to those events.

[Ysabeau] Before we go on, might I remind you that what we experienced was a dream, and any 'historical fact' may not actually be a fact.

[Sanadhil] Personal experiences of dream personnages are not, generally speaking, relevant, and I don't believe they require any particular attention.

• Seth nods.

[Sanadhil] that is a point worth addressing, Mlle Chanuier.

[Sanadhil] perhaps we can begin out discussion there.

[Seth] What precisely do you mean by historical fact? Facts from history relevant to our experiences, or facts from the history of our experiences in Saraknyel?

[Sanadhil] the first, certainly - also, perhaps facts of the history of Andusk that may have some relevance to our own world, such as the vision in the arch.

• Guillame sits quietly, but looks relieved that we're not going to be talking about our... experiences

[Guillame] . o O (Did I learn anything historical? That wasn't horribly twisted interpretations of Rat's lore...?)

[Guillame] . o O (Maybe something that Raina said...)

[Sanadhil] that even in particular seems to relate to events that woulf have occured prior to the creationg of the dream realm

[Seth] Agreed. It must also be remembered that some of us in the room do not have all of the knowledge that others of us might, regarding events and theories that arose before we went to Andusk.

• Seth waves vaguely in the direction of Nycaise and Danyel.
• Sanadhil nods

[Ysabeau] I'd even go so far as to say that there are more than a couple of people in this room who don't, Seth.

[Alma] That is vague enough I'm not sure if I'm missing something myself...

[Sanadhil] Would you care to elaborate, then, M. Argo?

[Seth] Hmm ... my questions, such as they are, would be directed chiefly at Mlle. de Quessenet.

• Sanadhil looks to her

[Seth] I, for one, am perturbed that we did not know the nature of the enterprise into which we were entering prior to our penetrating the dream-world.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ilphere] Hm...?

• Ilphere looks innocent.

[Seth] And the nature of that world, indeed, seems to me to be a question of core concern for all of us.

[Seth] We are *trying* to determine, Ilphere, the ontological status of the dream-world, and given your assurances prior to our entry, I assume you know more about it than the rest of us.

[Ilphere] Are you implying that I deceived you...?

• Ilphere blinks.

[Sanadhil] I thought it seemed clear that the spell did not work precisely as it shoud have

[Sanadhil] Our own consciousnesses were subsumed much more thoroughly than they should have been

[Ilphere] Yes, Sanadhil, that is correct.

[Ysabeau] Do you have any idea why?

[Sanadhil] Possibly this is becuse there were already alternate reflections of our'selves' operating with a much richer history in the dream, to which we were joined when we entered.

[Seth] This would presume that this dream-world possesses a significant degree of reality apart from ourselves.

[Ilphere] It is my opinion that what did begin as a dream evolved to this degree of complexity over thousands of years.

[Sanadhil] I think the questions posed of the outer planes, and indeed the experience of death toward the end of the shared dream experience, cements that there is some existing ties to these... shadow people... as well.

[Ilphere] Its connection to us through the Arch may also be a factor...

• Sanadhil nods to her

[Alma] Last night, I spent time in Communion with Owl.

• Sanadhil turns his attention to the Countess

[Alma] I sought answers to a number of questions, and one confirms M. Orecalo's suggestion.

[Sanadhil] oh?

[Alma] The world is real, not illusory. The entities we experienced have souls, and they are linked to their counterparts in this world.

[Ilphere] So it is true...!

[Ysabeau] ...

[Sanadhil] fascinating.

[Ilphere] Did you ask how it had become so?

[Alma] Additionally, I can add that the conversation with Matriarch Passeth, and the after-death experience were also true.

[Ilphere] Or does the communion not allow for such specificity...?

[Ysabeau] So... what happened to them when we left, I wonder.

• Ysabeau looks troubled.

[Alma] Responses are generally limited...

[Seth] We clearly have an obligation to that which we left behind, given this information.

[Alma] That, actually, was my primary concern.

[Alma] I was told that I need not concern myself with their souls.

[Seth] Hmm.

• Alma uses her priest voice for that bit.

[Ilphere] Meaning what...?

[Seth] Clearly the meaning of 'soul' is very different than the traditional theological interpretation we were taught as children.

[Seth] Leonien Kizer is dead there, and his soul passed beyond, whereas here, he lives.

[Seth] Among many others.

[Alma] The nature of the link is still unknown...

• Guillame tries to wrap his mind around these religio-metaphysical concepts...

[Guillame] . o O (Maybe I should ask Silvia?)

[Seth] But clearly, whatever happens when one passes through the Arch is similar both to individuals in this world and Andusk.

• Alma turns to Ilphere... "Unfortunately I don't have the reason... it could be that there are already forces at work there, or

that the problem is simply too big for me, or us.

[Seth] As evidenced by the Matriarch's information from within the Arch.

• Sanadhil nods

[Alma] For example, if Cornelia is indeed a force for good within the dream-plane...

[Seth] What do you know about Nash's activities here? Have you been apprised?

• Seth looks to San and Ilphere
• Alma /also/ looks to Sanadhil and Ilphere
• Sanadhil shakes his head.

[Sanadhil] I thought it best to respect your desire for discretion until there was something... anything... more substantial known

[Seth] I appreciate that, M. Orecalo.

[Seth] Now, I think, is that time.

[Sanadhil] Indeed

• Ysabeau looks towards Seth.

[Seth] We have reason to believe that Mme. Nash is planning to rebuild the Arch, to somehow, re-integrate its power.

[Seth] She has spoken to me about this matter.

[Alma] What, and turn it into a... soul-eating monstrosity again?

[Ysabeau] And imprison Rat or some other god in there again? o_O

[Seth] It is not clear.

[Sanadhil] Hmmm...

[Ysabeau] Fabulous.

• Ysabeau says, although her tone says quite the opposite, of course.

[Sanadhil] I don't think it is clear that this is the essential purpose of the arch, rather than being something to which is has be subverted by The Serpent.

[Alma] Do we think it safe to consider the dreams which ... the others were having in the dream-plane represent this world accurately?

[Sanadhil] (to which it has been)

[Alma] Such as Cornelia.

[Seth] Cornelia is special, that much is clear.

[Sanadhil] I don't know if that si something we can confirm

[Seth] Whether special like us, or special in a different way, I do not know.

• Sanadhil says to Alma

[Sanadhil] There is one link that may be worth pursuing, however

[Sanadhil] and safer than confronting Nash at this point

• Sanadhil looks to Guillame

[Seth] Oh?

[Sanadhil] M. Rionet.... do you know who Raina is?

[Guillame] Here?

• Sanadhil nods
• Guillame shakes his head

[Sanadhil] that is in itself curious - unless anyone else knows her?

[Guillame] I want to find out, but I don't even know where to start...

[Ysabeau] Maybe she died here, long ago.

[Sanadhil] that's possible, but she was human there, and not so old.

[Ysabeau] Old people don’t have a monopoly on death.

• Ysabeau thinks of Dessa.

[Guillame] I find it more "curious" that we *do* know most of the important people in Saraknyel

[Alma] Most humans were approximately the age of their analogues.

• Sanadhil nods to Alma

[Guillame] But I thought maybe the Rat temple would be a good place to look

[Sanadhil] Indeed. If you could...

• Guillame nods

[Sanadhil] the fact that she spoke of the 'other Raina' - and to her, if that was more than madness, suggests she may be useful

[Seth] I agree that this is an interesting line of inquiry.

• Ilphere nods.

[Alma] Cornelia's dream... dream, was particularly accurate.

[Sanadhil] Well, thank you, M. Rionet - please tell us if you do learn anything. As for Nash...

[Sanadhil] I think it is likley that her connection to the Arch here is the same, or at least similar, as in the dream

[Alma] It seems incredibly unwise to allow Nash to proceed unchecked with her plan.

[Seth] I don't believe she can.

[Seth] She approached me, seeking information about the construction of the Arch.

[Seth] But there is more ...

• Sanadhil nods for Seth to continue

[Seth] There is some reason to think that Nash may be, or may once have been, a guardian of the Arch, fifty years ago when it lost its efficacy.

[Ysabeau] What?

[Ysabeau] What did the Arch need a guardian for?

[Alma] So you're aware of further corroboration of her dream, then, in this world?

• Ysabeau looks puzzled.

[Alma] How did you come by this? o_o

[Sanadhil] Indeed - there is an account, by Chancellor Kalman vak Andras, recounting an encounter with a guardian - a young girl who would now be Nash's age...

• Ilphere nods.

[Ilphere] I have seen it.

[Sanadhil] But we previously had no evidence linking the two securely

• Sanadhil nods to her

[Seth] This seems highly suggestive, at least.

[Alma] So then Cornelia Nash is thousands of years old?

[Sanadhil] those involved in that encounter were the sams as those listed my Mother passeth... or pasith Belden, in the Arch

[Sanadhil] no - this was some fifty years past

[Seth] No, that does not seem to be the implication, Sister. She may merely be the last in a long line of guardians.

[Sanadhil] (by not my)

• Sanadhil nods to Seth
• Alma considers

[Alma] My memory is...

[Seth] We could use some genealogical information about Nash, though.

• Alma rubs her forehead

[Sanadhil] I've looked in to it some

[Sanadhil] but there is not much

• Sanadhil consults his notes

[Sanadhil] her father died young, her mother was a court musician..

[Sanadhil] but there is little more known about them

[Sanadhil] she has no siblings

[Sanadhil] She was largely raised in the palace

[Sanadhil] (Julie do I actually have the names of her parents, or just the brief descriptions?)

[Sanadhil] According to any of the reports I've found, she was born in the city also, but I haven't had the opportunity to sek further confirmation

[DiablotinNarrator] (um... lemme just check)

[DiablotinNarrator] (Her mother's name was Ildea... no father's name available in what you consulted)

[Alma] What do we hope to learn from her history? Whether her family could also be charged with this same duty?

[Sanadhil] (okay - Ildea nash?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (presumably?)

[Sanadhil] ('k)

• Sanadhil will give the mom's name, anyway, in his account

[Sanadhil] possibly

[Sanadhil] we don't know how this guardianship is ... granted?

• Alma nods...

[Seth] Not in the least, although it seems very crucial that we should.

• Sanadhil nods
• Sanadhil looks to Ilphere

[Sanadhil] We may have another avenue for learning more....

[Alma] Oh?

[Sanadhil] Madame Belden has been trying to contact her father in law on out behalf

[Sanadhil] he may know something of the matter

[Sanadhil] (err not father in law)

[Alma] Pardon me?

[Alma] Oh... oh Vianca

[Sanadhil] (wrong relation)

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] her... husband's uncle, rather

[Ilphere] Rab Belden.

[Sanadhil] (bah, brain fail)

[Sanadhil] yes.

• Sanadhil sighs

[Seth] Who is Rab Belden?

[DiablotinNarrator] (brother-in-law)

[DiablotinNarrator] (is the term you're looking for ;)

[Sanadhil] (by marriage)

[Ilphere] Pasith Belden's husband...

[Sanadhil] (yes, ugh)

[Sanadhil] her brother in law by marriage.

• Sanadhil finally sorts it out in his head

[Alma] What did you hope to learn from the Matriarch's husband?

[Sanadhil] he was involved in the enevts concerning the movement of the arch

[Sanadhil] (events)

[Sanadhil] and may know more about the guardian

[Seth] Is he living still?

• Ilphere nods.

[Sanadhil] He may not speak to us directly, but madame Belden has offered to speak to him for is, at the least.

[Sanadhil] I understand is he something of a recluse.

[Seth] But he was not one of the ones who went through the Arch and whose soul was trapped there?

[Sanadhil] Apparently not.

[Sanadhil] he may have more detailed secondary knowledge, however

[Sanadhil] It is certainly worth pursuing.

[Seth] Indeed.

[Ysabeau] So... what is the purpose of trying to learn all this?

[Ysabeau] Why should this Rab tell you anything?

• Alma nods at the first bit

[Ilphere] Mme. Belden seemed to think he would be inclined to help.

[Ysabeau] Help us accomplish what?

[Ilphere] Perhaps because of his previous involvement, as Sanadhil mentioned.

[Sanadhil] the more we understand about the arch and its history, the better we can understand what might be involved in its restoration, under any corcumstances, and what we can do to prevent it

[Ilphere] Discover what Cornelia is.

• Sanadhil nods

[Ysabeau] So you want to prevent the Arch from being reactivated. Sounds good.

[Ysabeau] What if others want it to be activated?

[Sanadhil] we need to understand its purpose

[Sanadhil] clearly we don't want it to be used as it was before, here, or as it was in Andusk....

[Seth] Indeed, understanding its origins and purpose, and the intentions of all the interested parties, is foremost among my concerns.

[Alma] You'll be keeping in touch with Nash?

[Sanadhil] however I am beginning to suspect it serves some other purpose unrelated to the serpent

[Seth] Nash will surely be keeping in touch with me.

[Seth] Her interest in me was that she felt I might learn about the arch while in the Shadow Plane.

[Ilphere] Are you going to tell her...?

[Seth] I indicated to her my willingness to share information with her - indeed, how could I have said otherwise? But no, it would be highly imprudent at present to share information, until I know its implications.

• Ilphere nods...

[Sanadhil] hmmmm....

[Sanadhil] You could tell her you learned of its uses a as a portal of sacrifice

[Sanadhil] and judge her reaction from there

[Seth] I am not certain I should tell anyone anything. For the truth of it, I am wary even now, speaking in front of all of you.

[Ysabeau] Seth... in the dream, Cornelia wanted the Arch destroyed to reduce Vrag's power. Here she wants it restored...?

[Ysabeau] Aren't those somewhat opposing viewpoints? Or am I missing something?

[Seth] I do not know. And I hesitate to assume that anyone in the dream-world is a mere inversion of themselves here. I certainly was not ... And yet, we were all different.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] as i said - i believe the arch is *intended* to serve some other purpose

[Sanadhil] nash, if she is its guardian, may know what that is

[Seth] We do not know with any confidence whether it was created by the Shadar-kai, and indeed we have reason to think it was not.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] It is telling that they came here to create it

[Alma] What purpose do you suggest, Mr. Orecalo?

[Sanadhil] I'm not sure yet

[Ilphere] It is a portal...

[Ilphere] or a prison...

[Ysabeau] Maybe it just exists to bind all the worlds together.

• Ilphere muses.
• Sanadhil nods

[Ysabeau] Maybe that's all it is. A knot.

[Sanadhil] in some way, perhaps.... it links some worlds

[Ysabeau] Well... I wouldn't be surprised if all the worlds Pher- Ilphere - whoever saw when she died had their own version of the Arch.

[Sanadhil] We saw that they did, in fact

• Ysabeau nods.

[Alma] Owl confirmed that this vision was truth.

[Sanadhil] but we don't know how they are connected

[Alma] All of it...even the end.

• Alma looks at Ilphere

[Sanadhil] her experience, and the discussion with Passeth Belden in the arch, implies hat there are other worlds *like* the Shadow dream, where connected souls exist

• Sanadhil considers

[Sanadhil] her experience - of not only being Ilphere, and Pheria, but others, also, implies as much

[Ysabeau] Well there is no reason to believe there isn't a version of you, of me, in all those worlds in the vision.

[Sanadhil] p[recisely

[Seth] Indeed, there clearly would be.

[Ilphere] Fascinating...!

[Alma] The other planes we saw may not be similar, dream-planes or demi-planes... they may be alternate material planes with less connection to our own than the dream-plane.

[Sanadhil] And the Arches are another shared link between those worlds

• Sanadhil nods to Alma

[Sanadhil] alternate...realities, perhaps?

[Ysabeau] We might have died in some, not in others. Somewhere I might still have my parents. I might never have come to Diablotin.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Ysabeau] In a way, it's comforting...

[Seth] And in each reality, you have a soul.

[Alma] The dream-plane may simply be a fluke.

[Guillame] If there are versions of us in each world, does that mean that Matriarch Belden entered the arch in *all the worlds?

[Ysabeau] Or we have one soul that spreads to every reality.

[Sanadhil] not necessarily, M. Rionet.

[Sanadhil] only the two she spoke of

[Seth] Or that the dream-world is specially connected to our reality, and not to others?

[Sanadhil] perhaps

[Ilphere] It seemed that way, from what I saw.

[Ilphere] There was only one direct connection.

[Alma] It did appear to be connected only to one plane?

• Sanadhil nods

[Seth] Many arches, one arch per world, but the dream links only to Diablotin.

[Seth] That's the only way it makes sense: why else would Nash's dreams, and others, be of Diablotin?

[Alma] Still via an Arch though...

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Ysabeau] Well... how did all those other realities come into being?

[Alma] Which is... striking?

[Ysabeau] Maybe they all started as one, and things happened to make new ones.

[Sanadhil] I think it is related to your gods

[Ysabeau] Maybe the dream is a new one that is still... maturing.

[Ilphere] Yes... at the centre, I sensed powerful entities...

[Ysabeau] How many?

[Ysabeau] Could you tell?

[Dominik] Does it really matter how it came to be? Does it make a difference? WE are trying to learn about the stuff we are dealing with. The dragon? The cults?

[Alma] For that matter, do we feel that we have learned what the Shadar-kai ghost commanded us to learn?

[Alma] I do not feel particularly enlightened.

[Sanadhil] It is related, I believe, M. Rademacher.

• Sanadhil looks to Alma

[Ysabeau] It matters... somehow, it really does. We just don't know enough to figure it all out yet.

[Alma] .oO( Laeken... )

• Ysabeau says in reply to Dom.

[Sanadhil] That depends on the first question Mlle. Chanuier posed - can we trust that what we learned of history *there* appliecs equally here

• Ysabeau nods.

[Sanadhil] if so, we at least earned how Imraen came to be tal-Antar

[Guillame] Speaking of Rademacher... how does that guy, Ruchard, fit in? Who *is* he?

[Ysabeau] We don't even know that the ghost meant for us to climb around in the Sleeping Queen's psyche.

[Ysabeau] I mean, that's really quite a leap of logic, don't you think?

[Ilphere] Ruchard Rademacher was once an Emperor. He escaped madness by creating a dream-realm for himself.

[Sanadhil] They don't seem to have minded.

[Alma] I quite think the ghost had no idea we'd do any such thing.

[Ysabeau] "Learn the truth." Oh, let's go into someone's dreams, because dreams are so truthful.

[Sanadhil] we've already proven that there were truths to be discovered there

[Ilphere] I truly regret that I was not able to soeak with Imraen after I regained some of my own consciousness...

[Ysabeau] I think we've just barely begun to scratch the truth.

[Ysabeau] For that matter, we don't even know what truth the ghost wanted us to learn.

[Sanadhil] whether they are the ones the Shadar Kai gjosts hoped we would learn is another matter, and possibly irelevant.

[Alma] She was hardly a pleasant woman.

[Ysabeau] Maybe it's that everything is connected.

[Alma] I doubt after thousands of years of living as a Queen she's inclined to be helpful.

[Sanadhil] I want to look further into the founding of the city here.

[Alma] We enter the dream, trapped in the minds of others, and she treated their actions as if they were our own.

[Ysabeau] I think that's a good idea.

[Ilphere] She seemed intrigued at first... If things had not become so disruptive to her reality I think it might have been a possibility... but no matter now...!

[Sanadhil] There may not be records of use here, but there may be among modern Shadar-Kai populations

[Ysabeau] Are there any?

• Ilphere nods eagerly at Sanadhil.

[Sanadhil] modern Shadar-kai?

[Ysabeau] Here? In the Empire?

[Ysabeau] Somewhere beyond its borders?

[Sanadhil] Not i this world.

[Sanadhil] that I am aware

[Sanadhil] But they certainly exist on the Shadow Plane

• Sanadhil loks to Nycaise
• Nycaise is working away.

[Sanadhil] I accidentally visited one of their libraries

[Alma] If the tal Antar's dream is ...

• Sanadhil smiles slightly

[Sanadhil] ad I'd like to do so again.

[Ilphere] They avoid the city where we found the queen...

[Ilphere] They think it is cursed.

• Sanadhil nods

[Alma] What else do you know about them?

[Sanadhil] not too much

[Seth] What do we make of the ghost's pronouncement to me prior to our entering the dream? It called me ... or I think it did ... 'Eldest-leader'.

[Sanadhil] However, I believe the group that founded Andusk was a splinter population even in their own time

[Sanadhil] they seemed to be poilitcially isolated

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Ysabeau] Oh, right. You have some Shadar-kai blood. I had almost forgotten in all the other excitement.

[Alma] And you learned this from books?

[Seth] I don't believe that is evident, Mlle. Chanuier, or at least, that is an interpretation that is not necessarily consonant with everything else we learned.

[Sanadhil] To some extent. Mlle L'Averti is a greater authority on the modern Shadar kai, however.

• Alma looks to her...
• Nycaise is absorbed in her work.

[Alma] Mlle L'Averti?

[Nycaise] Yes, Sister?

[Alma] In the tal Antar's dream, the Shadar-Kai worshipped Vrag, offered him living sacrifices...

[Alma] Is this what we should expect from the Shadar-Kai of the Shadow Plane?

• Dominik stands and gets himself a drink
• Ilphere shakes her head...

[Nycaise] Not in the slightest. The present-day Shadar-kai venerate no gods, as far as I am aware.

[Sanadhil] Vrag is a human god. the name just means Serpent

[Sanadhil] Like.. ox, or rat, or owl

[Alma] What?

[Sanadhil] As I said....

[Sanadhil] I suppose have no proof of the theory, though perhaps you could ask Owl?

[Alma] Well where does this 'theory' of yours come from?

[Sanadhil] observation

[Sanadhil] at the very least - the Serpent is a god tied to *this* world

[Alma] I see no sense to such a leap.

[Alma] How so?

[Sanadhil] his worship has always been concentrated here

[Alma] Nothing we observed indicated the Gods do not span through and beyond the worlds linked by the Arch

[Alma] How do you know this?

[Alma] Worship of Vrag vanished with the founding of Diablotin, more thoroughly than that of Rat

[Sanadhil] The historical evidence concerning easly experiences with human, and other, populations in this area, for one

[Alma] (SM )

[Alma] Where did you conduct this research?

[Ysabeau] What 'historical' evidence?

• Sanadhil sighs

[Sanadhil] (... I'm not lying but possibly being a little cagey)

• Sanadhil will name some texts, some cozovide, some rare books fromt eh athenaeum, mrelating the rise of the Ayevrone empire

[Alma] (Are they real texts?)

[Sanadhil] (yes)

[Sanadhil] (I'm basing this on the research san id for the paper he gave)

[Seth] I believe we're getting off course here. There are more pressing issues.

[Sanadhil] We can discuss it later if you like, Countess.

[Alma] I don't see any more pressing issue than Vrag and his servant Kavreshar.

[Seth] The theological implications, though, are both beyond our ken and our immediate concern. [Alma] Regardless, material plane research isolating Vrag cult activity to the area of the Arch does not mean it was limited to THIS world.

[Sanadhil] certainly not

[Ysabeau] Or that it stems from humanity.

[Sanadhil] But I thing the serpent is linked in the same way as your other gods to the worlds we all saw

[Sanadhil] as far as its connections to humanity....

[Alma] Worlds.

[Alma] You said "this world"

[Sanadhil] In the dream plane, s an example.... there was no *space8 for other nations

[Sanadhil] the only 'real' place was Andusk.

[Alma] You're certain of this?

[Sanadhil] yes.

[Alma] And how did you come by this?

[Sanadhil] The size of her dream was constrained to the city

[Sanadhil] anything that happened outsde of it was more...ephemeral. Real in the mind, but no more

[Alma] I ... was under the impression from the ... memories I have, that I experienced what y ou all did.

[Alma] I must be mistaken, if something you observed leads you to believe that.

[Ysabeau] Ysstvelt only ever knew the city.

[Ysabeau] I don't remember her coming from somewhere outside of it, like I did.

[Alma] I've never been to Psyra but yet I know it exists.

[Ysabeau] I know, i'm just saying I have no memories to draw on that could help support Sanadhil's claim.

[Sanadhil] I have been to psyra... and Cozovodë

[Sanadhil] Sendhel had memories of it....

[Sanadhil] but Imraen's deam was only her city

[Alma] How do you know this?

• Seth listens intently, as if this is very important to him (us?)

[Sanadhil] I don't think it is possible for one, for her dream to have that scope

[Ysabeau] Why not?

[Sanadhil] in terms of supportable demi planes

[Alma] So it is conjecture, or are you saying this is something you know?

[Sanadhil] I'm saying this based on my understanding of the theories involved.

[Ysabeau] The mind is limitless.

• Sanadhil looks to Ilphere

[Sanadhil] It was *physically smaller*

[Sanadhil] than the other worlds we all saw, also

• Ilphere nods in agreement.

[Sanadhil] there was simply no space for it

[Alma] That sort of comparison would be difficult to make... the view was brief, and small.

[Alma] Space may not even scale the same

[Sanadhil] yet the world we saw was the one we had the closest experience with

[Sanadhil] fr the others to appear more vast...

[Alma] This world is vast, this empire is vast.

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Sanadhil] the dream worls was *not*

[Sanadhil] peoples and places outside of Andusk were not *real*

[Dominik] Unless you're planning on taking a tour or vacation there, I don't see how this discussion matter.

[Sanadhil] the only people of Cozovode heritage in the entre city were ones I know who are present here, in Diablotin.

[Alma] You're right. It doesn't.

[Sanadhil] My point is that the connection is through the human gods

[Alma] However it would be best if such conjecture were expressed as such, not as fact.

[Sanadhil] That is why it is important

[Seth] More pressing, I would think, are the numerous connections between the dream world and our world through humans and non- humans alike.

[Alma] So you believe the Arch is of human construction?

[Sanadhil] No...

[Dominik] wouldnt it make more sense if it was built by the gods?

[Sanadhil] I believe that ti is related to your gods.

[Seth] Nash, here in this world, believes it to be of Shadow Plane construction - although she did not say Shadar-kai. And I do not know if she is right.

[Sanadhil] that is possible, yes

[Sanadhil] the building material is similar, at least?

• Sanadhil looks to Seth for confirmation there

[Seth] (is it? I thought not so much)

[DiablotinNarrator] (the upper arch is black - shadow plane stone is white and glowy)

[Ysabeau] ...

[Seth] (right, that's what I thought)

[Seth] Not particularly, no.

[Seth] I wouldn't rule it out, especially since it was built here, but it doesn't immediately strike me as a piece of Shadar-kai work.

[Ysabeau] Maybe each arch is made half of material from one world it links, the other half from material of the other world

[Seth] Remember that the Arch does not particularly link our world to the Shadow Plane, though.

[Alma] No... I think that the Arch links all worlds through itself.

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Alma] All Arches are the Arch

[Dominik] hence my explaination.

[Ilphere] That seems more likely to me as well...!

• Sanadhil nods to Dom

[Seth] Now let us consider the various linkages between the dream world and our own.

[Dominik] So the Serpent used to live in the Arch with Rat when it was broken, and when it was but back together again... they both got out?

[Alma] Yes.

[Dominik] but before that... just the serpent was in it?

[Dominik] before it was broken the first time?

[Sanadhil] I believe so... but when and how it arrived there, and why, we don't know

[Alma] Well, when the city was Sarakynel, they worshiped Vrag... much like in the dream-plane. Nash's plan there was to split it, and trap Vrag, which leads me to think that Vrag was not within the Arch before it was first split here?

[Sanadhil] her plan there was to destroy the arch

[Sanadhil] and vrag with it

[Sanadhil] I thought.

[Alma] I was certain she said "trap" and thus rob his priests of power.

[Dominik] so vrag is lounging in the arch, eating souls and handing out power.

[Dominik] using it like a doorway

[Dominik] Destroying the door would certainly trap something inside.

[Sanadhil] the souls, or portions of them, that it consumes apparently remain within it

[Alma] We don't know how the Gods can use the Arch as a doorway. We don't know to what, even, it might be a doorway to.

[Ysabeau] Maybe Vrag IS the Arch, in some way we can't comprehend.

[Ysabeau] We talk of people being 'fed' to the Arch

[Ysabeau] Inside the Arch Char found them

[Ysabeau] Like food in a serpent's belly.

[Dominik] they why isnt Vrag having a nice chow down on those cultists?

[Sanadhil] he's not in the arch at present

[Dominik] Why free his little helper

[Sanadhil] its been.... empty? broken?

[Alma] It's not "active"

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Alma] Not like the Arch in the dream-plane.

[Sanadhil] The serpent needs to be restored to it forthat to happen

[Ysabeau] Maybe he's pretty pissed off that he's not in our Arch at the moment because it would be like one of us having our soul separated from our body.

[Ysabeau] Maybe.

[Sanadhil] Hm.

[Ysabeau] I don't know. I'm not a god, nor will I ever be. Who knows what they are really or why they do what they do.

[Sanadhil] They want your souls, just as much as Vrag does - they just take them differently

[Dominik] so someone's working to put vrag back inside? To what gain? It's not like the city is gonna let anyone start sacrificing people to it again.

[Seth] I don't think we know enough about anyone's real motivations, not Vrag (or Kavreshar), not Nash, not the OBD, not Martan Kizer, not Ruchard, not anyone.

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Seth] We are sitting about speculating about theology, to no end.

[Seth] Instead of focusing on the real evidence we have before us, from our journey into the dream world.

[Alma] M. Orecalo!

[Alma] It is an unacceptable insult to compare living sacrifice to willing worship!

[Ysabeau] Cultural differences, Sister...

• Sanadhil looks calm

[Alma] One would expect M. Orecalo to have more TACT.

• Ilphere raises an eyebrow ...

[Sanadhil] I don't think you properly took my point, Countess, but this is perhaps off topic

[Seth] Sister Alma! Please! The purpose of this meeting is being subverted by these distractions!

[Alma] While I will not pretend to know the motives of the Gods, I certainly would not insult the people around me by implying that their beliefs are equivalent to the worship of VRAG.

[Alma] What IS the purpose of this meeting, Mr. Argo?

[Ysabeau] If you really listen to what he's saying, that the gods belong to the humans and no one else, and if they are what Pheria-Ilphere spoke with at the center, what seem to have created all the worlds, then he's kind of relegating anything non-human to a secondary sort of status, so he's insulting himself as well.

[Sanadhil] ....

[Sanadhil] That was not my implication

[Sanadhil] but, as M. Argo has siad, we are getting distacted.

[Sanadhil] No one here is interested in seeing vrag restored.

[Sanadhil] We need to learn more about those who seem to be working towards the restoration of the arch

[Sanadhil] we need to lear more of its purpose

[Sanadhil] These are the essential questions hat have been raised - we shoudl focus on how we can answer them

[Seth] In the dream-world, the figure who identified himself as Martan - was he the same as the man you met, M. Rionet?

[Sanadhil] I am not convinced that nash and the Order of the Black Down have the same goals in mind

[Alma] ...what?

[Ilphere] No, not necessarily at least.

[Ilphere] They are looking for her, though...

• Sanadhil also bliks at the sudden topic shift, but blinks

[Guillame] ( I believe so, although I don't think it was ever explicitly stated?)

[Sanadhil] possibly.

[DiablotinNarrator] (his appearance is similar enough that you believe so, Guillame)

• Sanadhil says as an asside to Ilphere

[Guillame] I think he was - he looked the same.

• Seth nods.

[Seth] That is important.

[Seth] Because Martan, in the dream-world, knew something of the existence of multiple worlds, and saw himself as ... something other than ordinary.

[Seth] Perhaps the same is true of the Martan you met.

[Seth] If this Raina had some connection between the worlds, then by extension, others might as well.

[Guillame] Yeah...

[Seth] And, if he is the same as the man in the locket ... in the portrait ... then that is ... significant, although it doesn't answer all that we might want to know.

[Alma] Ilphere: The Order are looking for Nash?

[Sanadhil] In the dream, he claimed he was ony using that guise to make some kind of point.... perhaps the same is true here?

[Seth] Perhaps so.

[Seth] Regardless of whether he *is* Martan Kizer (and let's face facts, Kizer the man here was a notorious liar, so we may never know), he is clearly significant.

[Ilphere] POssibly...

[Seth] The Kizers, in turn, have many connections to the Rademachers, which raises the various issues to which we were concerned prior to our departure about that family.

[Alma] Ilphere: Possibly?

[Sanadhil] They are looking for someone 'who will die and be reborn again'

[Seth] They, being, the Order?

[Alma] ...

[Sanadhil] we dont' know enough about the position of the guardian if the arch to know if that is what they mean, or something else

[Sanadhil] yes

[Seth] Kizer, similarly, has died and been reborn, at least potentially.

[Sanadhil] I suspect it is related to your reincarnation cycles, somehow....

• Sanadhil nods to Seth

[Sanadhil] but he is not at the palace, and is not a woman

[Alma] Seth: So you knew about the man in the portrait?

[Sanadhil] We know those two criteria, at least.

[Ysabeau] It could be Ilphere now, too.

[Ilphere] I do not live at the palace.

[Ysabeau] Yet.

[Alma] So not only that, it's someone who is at the palace?

[Ilphere] What they seek is there already, as far as they are concerned.

[Sanadhil] nor has *she* died, though she shard Pheria's experience of it

• Alma looks to Sanadhil.

[Sanadhil] that is what I said....

[Seth] I do think that, without wanting to raise ANY theology whatsoever, that that might count.

[Sanadhil] the person they seek is a woman, at the palace.

[Ilphere] Through her, Vrag's power will be made manifest -- so they say...!

[Alma] What?

[Sanadhil] Hmmm...

• Alma looks at Sanadhil again, with some alarm.
• Sanadhil eyes Alma.

[Sanadhil] yes?

[Alma] How long have you known this?

[Sanadhil] It was Mlle. de Quessenet who learned of it...

[Alma] And how long ago did you become aware of it?

• Alma looks at Ilphere

[Ilphere] There was a vision, whether true or illusion created by magic...

[Seth] SISTER ALMA!

[Ilphere] At one of the meetings.

• Seth shouts loud enough to be heard over everyone.
• Ysabeau jumps and stares hard at Seth.

[Alma] What is the meaning of that, Mr. Argo?

[Seth] I grow extremely weary of your accusations. We are not working under the assumption that everyone must immediately, upon learning any fact of the least importance, run to tell you. You are not our leader. And rather than spending this time moaning about not having been told things instantly, perhaps you could, with the grace and wisdom of Owl, recognize that WE ARE NOW TELLING YOU THEM.

[Alma] I hadn't stopped to consider your graciousness, Mr. Argo.

• Ilphere sighs, sits back in her seat, and resists the urge to roll her eyes.

[Seth] Then I presume you will now provide us with a concrete suggestion as to how to proceed?

[Alma] Perhaps I was under the mistaken assumption that withholding information about criminals was something you just don't do.

[Ysabeau] Can I suggest we take a brief recess to recollect our thoughts and cool our heels a bit?

• Danyel looks cross at Seth.

[Ysabeau] My head, for one, is quite reeling.

[Alma] You were aware that someone might be walking about, having RESURRECTED.

[Alma] And you chose to tell no one pertinent.

[Ilphere] There is no proof of that.

[Alma] Proof is for the law or the Church to find.

[Ilphere] Oh for goodness' sake.

[Ilphere] I agree with Ysabeau, I think I have had quite enough.

[Alma] M. Orecalo and Ms. deQuessenet appear to be withholding very, very important information about the activities of the ORder of the Black down

[Alma] M. Orecalo can't even be bothered to reply to my question.

[Seth] No, that is exactly what they do NOT appear to be doing. If they were, you would have no cause to feel as if you had been excluded.

• Sanadhil sighs slightly

[Ysabeau] I'm going to get a drink across the street. Care to join me, Ilphere?

[Guillame] Yeah, it's not as if anybody's been sending me letters saying "oh, I think I found something weird, maybe."

[Alma] Mr. Argo, do you not understand the importance of what we are learning?

[Guillame] Isn't that what we're here to do, try and put the bits we each know together?

[Alma] The fact that we have roaming about the empire, a shape-shifting servant of the God that made the dream-plane what it is.

• Ilphere is torn between the desire to get away from Alma and the desire not to miss anything...!

[Alma] Can you not understand my frustration when I find that the people I must do my best to trust are hiding things from the Church?

• Ilphere bites her lip and resists Alma's bait... this time...!

[Seth] Please bear in mind, Sister, that we are now sharing this information from you, when we learned it only shortly before our trip began.

[Seth] It may seem to you as if it has been many weeks that information has been concealed.

[Seth] In fact, in this world, it has not been nearly so long.

[Ysabeau] Fine, if no one wants to take a break to cool their brows, might I suggest we set aside our differences for now, please for the love of the Gods, and just get on with the information sharing?

[Ysabeau] We can take each other to task later.

[Ysabeau] I've started going to Revelators meetings.

• Sanadhil blinks

[Ysabeau] Not because I agree with what they say about the Church, because I DON'T but because I want to know what they know about demons.

[Ysabeau] I've only been to one so far. I spoke with M. Dryden.

[Ysabeau] He believes that no one in the inner council is a demon but that some of them are under the influence of a demon or demons.

[Ysabeau] I intend to continue going to find out more.

[Dominik] did anyone run into his counterpart in the dreamscape?

• Alma does not appear to trust Seth's assurance that the information is that new.

[Ysabeau] I also intend to mention to them that I am as sure as I can be without True Sight that Earric is a demon and maybe the cult isn't as harmless as the Revelators think.

[Ilphere] Well Earric is definitely not of this world.

[Ysabeau] Because while they do think that the cult is mostly harmless, they also think that demons are our biggest threat.

[Sanadhil] what do you think they will do?

[Ysabeau] I want to ask M. Stavenger about the numbers of demons. M. Dryden said he thought they had been increasing. I asked if he thought the in crease had only begun about years ago because I was curious whether it had something to do with the Arch.

[Ysabeau] He could not answer but I will keep looking into it.

[Seth] Yes, Earric ... that is a point of linkage that we should be very concerned about, I agree. Although I am not so sure as you, Mlle. Chanuier, that the Revelators are our best hope of dealing with the problem.

[Ysabeau] Did anyone mention to anyone else that Thea whom Dominik and I found dead on the Downs is a member of the Hush? I honestly can't remember anymore.

[Alma] That sort of thing would simply bolster their claims.

[Sanadhil] Indeed, no - i believe the Church will, in fact be the most effective in that regard

• Seth seems a bit startled at that, but remains silent.

[Ysabeau] And that the Hush were after the portrait of Martan and that is one possible way he could have been resurrected, if indeed that is what he is?

[Sanadhil] ...

[Sanadhil] YOu can't be ressurected via a portrait

[Ysabeau] It's a locket

[Ilphere] The locket probably contained hair.

[Ysabeau] We have reason to believe it carried a lock of hair.

[Sanadhil] Hmmm.

[Ysabeau] Which could have been used for a spell.

[Sanadhil] It would rewuire more than one spell...

• Seth nods.

[Ysabeau] Furthermore, some of us are aware, I think, that the Hush is split...?

[Sanadhil] a simple requrrectyion would not make him youthful

[Ysabeau] There seem to be two factions wresting for control.

[Sanadhil] (ressurection)

[Ysabeau] I don't know how but I think everything is connected.

[Seth] But we saw or knew of no locket in Saraknyel, is that so?

[Ysabeau] I am SO frustrated, not being able to make the connections.

[Sanadhil] I think Nash is the primary connection, on that front.

[Ysabeau] Because people keep things to themselves.

[Sanadhil] she must be...

[Seth] What link, though, between Nash and Martan?

[Ysabeau] Is there anyway we can come to an agreement to be more forthcoming with one another from hereon in, please? I think we are all agreed that this is bigger than us, that's what I have heard throughout this meeting. I am glad that we are sharing information now and I think that this needs - that it MUST continue.

[Sanadhil] Other than the Hush itself...?

[Guillame] . o O (Just who am I involved with, here?)

• Ysabeau seems to have finished her rant for now.

[Seth] Well, we are assuming that Nash's portion of the Hush is the portion interested in the locket. But that is perplexing in that we are also assuming that Nash's control is opposed by Maze Olivier's control. And Olivier is the one who has Martan with him. Correct?

[Sanadhil] what is the basis for the first assumption?

[Seth] None - that's my point. If the first half is wrong, there is no direct connection between Nash and Martan.

[Sanadhil] other than their involvement in the Hush

[Sanadhil] no.

[Guillame] Yeah, he was with Lord Grey.

[Seth] Perhaps we should seek out this Martan directly. Find him and talk to him.

[Guillame] I'm... more ok with that than before, given that the other Martan seemed to have good motives, but I guess that wasn't really a good indicator of other people in both worlds.

[Dominik] if Martin and Nash are opposed, wouldnt the other be annoyed by doing that?

[Alma] If the individual you saw, who looks like Martan, is not truly Martan, then perhaps True Seeing would reveal this.

[Sanadhil] We hardly have to share our plans with *them*.

[Guillame] Well - I don't know Mme Nash, so maybe I could go and meet Martan.

[Sanadhil] Does anyone here have access to true Seeing?

[Guillame] I met him before.

• Sanadhil nods to Guillame'

[Guillame] No, I don't.

[Alma] Yes.

[Sanadhil] I think martan, earric, and nash are al candicates for it, in that case.

[Sanadhil] (all)

[Alma] I may also chose to confirm that Earric is a demon in this plane as well.

• Sanadhil nods

[Seth] Certainly I will not go and speak to Martan, although I wish to, because, M. Rademacher, you are quite right, we should not do anything to offend the other. And I, obviously, will speak to Nash, because she will surely be seeking me out sooner rather than later.

[Sanadhil] I would very much liek to know what you see - i strongly suspect he is the same as in the other plane

• Sanadhil says to Alma
• Alma barely acknowledges Sanadhil.

[Ysabeau] Sister Alma, if you do that, could you please let me know?

[Alma] For Earric?

[Ysabeau] I would hold off mentioning it to Mssrs Dryden and Stavenger until I know for sure whether he is, here.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Alma] I am not sure it is a good idea to inform Mr. Stavenger at all.

• Sanadhil watches Alma, looking thoughtful.

[Alma] Mr. Stavenger believes that in a drug fuelled hallucination the Gods revealed the truth to him.

[Ysabeau] Sister, I understand your reluctance to share anything with the Revelators. That is why you won't be. I will do it.

[Alma] It is not a matter of association, Ysabeau.

[Ysabeau] I think what must be recognized here is that our city, the way we know things, seems to be under some sort of threat.

[Ysabeau] And we may have to look for allies in strange places in order to end this.

[Alma] Mr. Stavenger may just use this as some sort of evidence that the city and the church are filled with demons in disguise.

[Ysabeau] And if he does? So what? Have any of his followers done anything to the Church so far other than insult it?

[Ysabeau] You give him too much credit if you think he has the power to raise the city in a revolution against the Church. It is a gamble, I agree, but I have to earn their trust before I can find out what other demons they know about.

[Ysabeau] Information which I think might be important to this whole issue.

[Sanadhil] if they know of any...

[Alma] I don't see what you hope to gain from informing Mr. Stavenger at all.

[Sanadhil] the fact that they dismissed the church is somewhat telling in that regard

[Sanadhil] the order rather

• Sanadhil shakes his head

[Alma] We can talk about it later, Ysabeau.

[Seth] Mlle. Chanuier, I do not disagree that we are in need of allies and that M. Dryden might be a useful one. My concern is that you exercise caution not to give too much information, lest that endanger others of us. And if M. Dryden asks for evidence, I do not know what you could tell him that would not endanger us.

[Ysabeau] I understand your concerns, Seth and have been giving some thought to how I could impart this information without endangering anyone but myself.

• Seth nods.

[Ysabeau] I promise you that the last thing I want is for any of you to suffer because of something I did, or something I failed to do.

[Seth] I am certain that that is true.

[Ysabeau] All I can ask is that you trust me.

[Seth] I think that is quite reasonable.

[Seth] I also have information to share.

• Sanadhil listens

[Seth] As you know, while in Saraknyel, I possessed a certain ... union, with the city and its stonework.

[Seth] Since our return, and indeed, now that I think about it more deeply, perhaps even *before* our departure, I had some similar sense of union, with Diablotin.

[Seth] I do not think this is just a lingering effect. It represents something real, that links me to that other, Seth, or Char, or what have you.

[Sanadhil] fascinating....

[Sanadhil] perhaps That is related somehow to the comments made by the Shadar Kai ghosts....

[Seth] And Schesutte ... let us not forget that it was Schesutte that first brought us to the Shadow Plane, and to find her in a dream ... and for her to have knowledge of Diablotin ... I do not know what to make of it.

[Seth] I agree, M. Orecalo. But Char was fully human, as far as can be told.

• Sanadhil nods

[Seth] One would think, given that some humans here were part Shadar-kai in Saraknyel, that I might also have done so, if I were truly part Shadar-kai.

[Seth] I do not deny it is possible, but it also occurs to me that perhaps there is a connection, a different connection ... with the human Laeken.

[Sanadhil] possibly - I don't know that we can make that distinction, however

[Seth] Otherwise, why would the Arch have shown me that scene?

[Sanadhil] There was no noting among thwe ghosts that *I* had any relation to hem, and i was the only one in ther dream with dclear AShadar-kain heritage

[Seth] I agree ... I have thought about this, with no obvious conclusion. But if Char was connected to the Shadar-kai Saraknyel, and I am connected to the human Diablotin, perhaps blood has little to do with it.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] a notable point

[Seth] Perhaps the link is different, I do not know. But I wished to share the fact of this connection with you all, regardless, at the earliest possible moment.

[Sanadhil] but on what basis do you posit a conection with laeken?

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] Thank you.

[Seth] Supposition, I grant. But I cannot conceive that the Arch would have shown me irrelevancies. For that matter, there is the question of the arch scene as well.

[Sanadhil] do you think the scene was relevant to our own history?

[Alma] Wasn't there an implication that a human faction had perhaps lead to the Shadar-Kai victory?

[Sanadhil] or scened, i should say

[Sanadhil] that they happened in our own past?

[Seth] Possibly. I think we should be alert to the possibility.

• Seth says to San
• Sanadhil nods

[Alma] In theory, our histories should only diverge following the destruction of Sarasagel.

[Seth] If we presume that the queen's dream reflects her lived history up to that point, then yes, I agree.

[Sanadhil] that was my thought also.

[Sanadhil] perhaps the scenes are relevant somehow to that divergent history?

[Sanadhil] the creation of Imraen as tal-antar clearly is...

[Sanadhil] Laeken we know... nothing? about.

• Sanadhil loks to the others for confirmation on that point

[Seth] No ... but it is something we should investigate.

[Alma] He was one of the founders of Diablotin... House Wolf.

[Seth] And in Saraknyel, he would thus be ... nothing.

[Ysabeau] What is it with Wolves? They seem to be coming out of the walls these days.

[Sanadhil] we know that?

• Sanadhil asks Alma

[Alma] Yes, one would assume he had no role in the dream of the tal-Antar

• Sanadhil makes a note to check the du Champ notes again

[Alma] Sanadhil: Know what?

[Sanadhil] that laeken was one of the founders of diablotin, and of House Wolf?

• Sanadhil leafs through sme of the notes that he brought with hm again, and then jots something down

[Alma] Yes.

[Sanadhil] So much to process...

[Sanadhil] I can't remember if I've sen that before

[Seth] I did not know that. Thank you for sharing it with us, Sister.

[Sanadhil] what else do we now of him, then?

[Sanadhil] is there a source?

[DiablotinNarrator] (basically nothing other than the name)

[Alma] I'm not sure where I came across it...

[Alma] I just recall the name, and his house.

[Sanadhil] I'll have to look

[Alma] Perhaps there is something here in the library, or at the Castalia.

• Sanadhil nods

[Seth] Who among us shall research that, then?

[Sanadhil] I would like to - it is related so some of my other work

[Ysabeau] How soon would you like to have it?

[Ysabeau] Oh, never mind, then.

[Sanadhil] Time is, of course an issue... there never seems to be enough when you need it

[Ysabeau] Yes, I'm too busy until after the opera.

[Ysabeau] So it's best if you do it, Sanadhil.

[DiablotinNarrator] (half hour left... time to maybe run through any last questions and divide up who's going to tackle what)

[Seth] There is also the question of Ruchard Rademacher - Ilphere, I know you are very busy, but does anything that we learned in Saraknyel suggest further lines of inquiry on that front for you?

• Ilphere purses her lips...

[Ilphere] Not about Ruchard himself... These experiences did not reveal anything I had not already guessed.

[Seth] Which is?

[Ilphere] That it is the same Ruchard Rademacher who once ruled the Empire, the one who researched the spell we used to travel to the dream realm.

[Seth] And his role in the dream-world?

[Ilphere] In Imraen's?

[Ilphere] He was merely a visitor...

[Ilphere] She called him the Dreamwalker.

[Ysabeau] how did he get there from his dream world?

[Seth] Exactly.

[Ilphere] He wrote a *thesis* on Dream Travel, Ysabeau.

[Dominik] assuming he was an emperor, wouldn't that mean he went through the arch? Does that make a difference?

[Alma] Seth? Are you considering repeating what Char did, entering the Arch?

[Ysabeau] I wonder if Imraen ever goes to Ruchard's world.

[Sanadhil] hmmmm

[Ysabeau] Or whether either of them could come here.

[Sanadhil] Do we know why he trapped himself in his dream realm?

[Ilphere] I think not. Not to the waking world.

• Sanadhil asks ilphere

[Ilphere] He said it was to escape madness.

[Sanadhil] his own?

[Ysabeau] *Escape* madness?

[Ysabeau] That's a novel way of looking at it...

[Ilphere] I did not get the chance to pursue the question.

[Sanadhil] it may be worth investigating

[Ilphere] I agree... but it easier said than done...!

[Sanadhil] the fact that he has passed through the arch may be meaningful, indeed...

• Ilphere nods.

[Sanadhil] we know that emperors were not wholly consumed by it

[Ilphere] Perhaps it was that fate he sought to evade...?

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] he may know more, then

[Ilphere] If I could find his realm again...

• Ilphere muses...

[Sanadhil] Couldn't you use the spell?

[Sanadhil] if it is a dream?

[Sanadhil] although I suppose it might be hard to find his, specifically

[Alma] Those who went through the Arch were sometimes driven mad...

[Dominik] maybe you need a connection... someone of family who is also experiencing visions.

• Ysabeau glances at Dominik and smiles.

[Ysabeau] Interesting idea...

[Dominik] There is a Rademarche family tradition of occaisonal eccentricities... a legacy of Rauchards escape?

[Ysabeau] Ilphere do you think that might work?

[Ilphere] Or perhaps he was merely part of the legacy.

[Ilphere] Not unless the other person is also dreaming of Ruchard.

[Dominik] The only way to find out is to ast Theron.

[Ilphere] In any case, I would prefer to find him in my own dream, not THeron's...

[Ilphere] I don't intend to cast the spell on Theron,

[Ilphere] ...

[Sanadhil] ...indeed.

[Ysabeau] Is there something we ought to know about him?

• Ysabeau directs her question to Ilphere and Sanadhil.

[Ilphere] Theron?

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] Why are you both wary of him?

[Ilphere] ... No?

[Dominik] Other than the fact he has strange dreams and visions, sometimes painful?

[Ysabeau] Ok, just making sure.

[Ysabeau] Which brings me back to what I brought up earlier:

[Ysabeau] Can we, as a group, come to some sort of agreement for information sharing int he future?

[Ysabeau] At least for pertinent information.

[Ysabeau] I don't need to know what you ate for supper last week, nor the top-secret thing you're studying for your next presentation to the Society, unless it has something to do with this rather large mystery we are trying to solve.

[Ysabeau] But a small thing tied into something one of us learns, might open up new avenues for investigation.

[Seth] I suppose that's the difficulty: the mystery is quite large indeed, and we have no idea what might be relevant. And to be frank, we are not a formal group of any sort, nor, until now, have we had any sense of a common experience or purpose. But I agree that formalizing this situation might now be prudent.

[Ysabeau] Maybe it would be as simple as agreeing to weekly meetings like this one.

[Ysabeau] Where we can keep one another abreast of new developments.

[Sanadhil] I thik our c=time can be better spent, though certainly sharing ifornation with those conducting related investigatins would be of use

[Ilphere] . o O ( D: D: D: )

[Ilphere] I will likely not be able to commit to a weekly meeting any time soon...!

[Sanadhil] if we have substantial contribution to this mystery, as you put it, *then* perhaps such a mass meeting may be of merit

[Ilphere] My schedule is going to be quite hectic I am afraid...!

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Ysabeau] Biweekly then? I'll bring cookies.

[Sanadhil] I'm surprised that you would have time for such a thing, honestly, Mlle. Chanuier...

[Ysabeau] Well, I doubt the meetings would be as long as this one has been.

[Alma] M. Orecalo, wouldn't you agree that more and more they are all looking to be related investigations?

[Ysabeau] Presumably we won't have learned as much in two weeks as we have learnt in the many months preceding this meeting.

• Sanadhil nods to Alma.

[Sanadhil] Some, cetainly, butI think we are still quite confused as to the connections.

[Ysabeau] Could just tack the meeting on to a regular Society meeting.

[Alma] All the more reason not to retreat to our desks.

[Sanadhil] That is not what I am suggesting at all, countesss...

[Sanadhil] rather than unles we have somethign substantial to contribute, more informal liknks may suffice.

[Sanadhil] and draw less attention

[Alma] Mmhmm.

[Ysabeau] Well then meeting every couple weeks after a Society meeting would be perfect.

[Ysabeau] We could just be going out for drinks like chums.

[Ysabeau] Who'd suspect, Sanadhil?

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok, wrap it up, guys :)

[Sanadhil] ....you think it wise to discuss these matters in public?

• Ilphere grimaces slightly.

[Seth] I do think we need to be careful about who knows about the degree to which we are linked.

• Sanadhil nods to Seth

[Ysabeau] Well, we *say* we're going out for drinks but we go somewhere else not public.

[Seth] Given that we do not know who might oppose us, or what their intentions might be.

[Alma] I would suspect that is too late.

[Alma] We have participated in two extraplanar expeditions together, which are not private within the Society.

[Sanadhil] nash certainly knows we have some interest in this, and she *is8 connectd to the Hush....

[Alma] The same organisation from which the necklace was taken.

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Ysabeau] Let's put it to a vote: regular meetings, interval to be decided upon, or, just when someone thinks they have something important to share?

• Sanadhil gives ysabeau an odd look

[Seth] A vote of whom, exactly?

[Ysabeau] We, gathered here today, vote on regular meetings or meeting only when someone thinks they've got something. That's all I'm proposing.

[Ysabeau] There are nine of us so there can't be a tie unless someone abstains.

[Dominik] we meet at the regular society meeting and decide then of we need to get togehter, sounds simple to me.

[Sanadhil] That sounds a resonable comprimise., M. rademacher

[Seth] Ser Danyel is not presently a member of the Society, is he?

[Sanadhil] if it is necessary, we can spread the word

[Danyel] No, I am not.

[Dominik] sign up then.

[Guillame] Yeah, that sounds good. We can let people know when we're getting snacks?

[Danyel] ... All right?

• Sanadhil nods
• Danyel glances to Alma.

[Seth] Very well, that seems reasonable.

[Guillame] Aren't you Sister Alma's bodyguard? That's a pretty good reason to be here...?

[Ysabeau] Is everyone in agreement about this?

• Alma looks at Danyel, somewhat exasperated.

[Ysabeau] I admit I have some reservations, seeing as different people may have different ideas about what is important, but perhaps they are unfounded.

[DiablotinNarrator] (please conclude with a quick run-down of who is looking into what, for my benefit)

[Seth] Honestly, Mlle Chanuier, if one thing is clear, it is that, vote or no vote, people are going to decide what is important on their own. As indeed they should.

[Alma] .oO( That's painfully obvious. )

[Sanadhil] very well, then.

[Ysabeau] Be that as it may, my preference is for regular meetings. However, if the majority agree to Dominik's proposal then I rest my case.

[Ilphere] I'm fine with Dominik's idea. Are we done now...?

[Guillame] So... I'm going to try and meet Martan, and see if he knows something? And I'm trying to find Raina. Did I forget anything?

• Seth nods.

[Guillame] . o O (And I need to start talking to Aden... he needs to know about some of this...)

[Ysabeau] I'm going to the Revelator's to cautiously try to learn what I can from them about demons.

[Dominik] I'll give you a hand on that Guillame, since they're bugging my family already, it may open some doors.

[Guillame] Whose bugging your family, Dominik? The Kizers?

• Dominik nods

[Guillame] Ok. I think I can probably meet him again through the friends I met him through before, but if not...?

[Sanadhil] I believe that was all... I'll continue my ongoing investigations, and se if I can find more information on Laeken and the early empire

[Seth] That sounds reasonable. And I will speak to Nash - cautiously, but bearing in mind that she may in fact be able to help us. I will also be continuing my work researching the Arch, the golem Schesutte, and related topics.

[Ilphere] I shall continue my research into Ruchard, along with my other interests.

[Ysabeau] M. Dryden, by the way, does have True Seeing, and has identified some demons, but was reluctant to share what he knows with me until he knows me better.

[Ysabeau] That's why I'm persisting...

[Ilphere] (full version: I will continue my research into early/ancient Rademachers & any connections with the arch I guess... where the name came from, etc... Wheelmakers and Wheelbreakers... also Laeken :V)

• Sanadhil glances casually at the others

[Sanadhil] is that all, then?

• Sanadhil nods into the silence

[Alma] It appears so.

[Seth] Well, there still is the issue of the others who were with the Matriarch.

[Seth] Particularly Kalman and Loch.

[Seth] But that, I do not know how to investigate further, given that they are both dead here.

[Alma] What in particular do you hope to learn?

[Sanadhil] they may have left more writings - i'll see about looking in to that

[Ysabeau] There must be reports, locked away some where

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Ysabeau] Inless someone saw fit to destroy them.

[Sanadhil] We found one, there may be others

[Ysabeau] I mean... if they moved the Arch the details must be noted somewhere.

[Sanadhil] I'll speak to my contacts at the Athenaeum

[Alma] ...

[Sanadhil] and se if anything further can be uncovered.

[Seth] Very well.

[Sanadhil] Countess...

[Sanadhil] Perhaps you might be able to speak to Butler Belden?

[Sanadhil] His dreams also seem to reflect the realities of this world

[Sanadhil] and his assistance may be important, regarldless

[Sanadhil] . o O ( ...hm )

[Alma] What do you suggest I ask him?

[Sanadhil] at the least - perhaps he may know more of his mother's experiences?

[Alma] Very well, I will see if he is available.

• Sanadhil nods
• Alma doesn't look like she thinks it's a particularly useful expenditure of her time.

[Sanadhil] thank you.

Solos

• Sanadhil will pack up his notes after the meeting, watching the others depart with a distracted look
• Sanadhil looks up as he finishes, finiding himself alone with a most unimpressed looking Alma.
• Alma has steeled herself in preparation for confronting Sanadhil with a hushed conversation with Daniel.
• Alma nods politely as he takes his leave.
• Alma will walk over within polite conversational distance of Sanadhil.

[Sanadhil] Yes Countess?

• Sanadhil straightenes, focusing his attention, though he sounds a little tired

[Alma] M. Orecalo, I am concerned with the way this evening went. [Sanadhil] Ahh, well, I don't think you're alone in that. [Alma] I understand that you are an outsider to Diablotin, in more than one sense. However, I don't consider it appropriate for you, as a visitor, to malign the Church that has been at the core of this empire for thousands of years. [Sanadhil] My intention was not to malign the church, countess. [Sanadhil] This is in relaion to my comments about the serpent being a human god? [Alma] M. Orecalo, you are a observant man, I cannot believe that you would honestly assume that a comparison between the gods of Aveyrone and *Vrag*, the God we saw worshipped in the dream, would be taken in any way except as an insult. [Alma] And yes, in part, your unfounded allegation that somehow Vrag is a human god, despite clear connection between Vrag and the Shadar-Kai. [Sanadhil] You're taking it too personally, Coutess. I think it is a relevant matter. [Alma] Were it anything but baseless, it might be. [Alma] There is no historical or scriptural connection. [Sanadhil] There's no scriptural mentions of the rat either, are there? [Sanadhil] As for historical connections, I believe they do exist - gven the time I think I could present the argument more convincingly [Alma] Then do so. [Alma] Do so FIRST, before you spread that around. [Alma] Your own thesis spoke of the Shadar-Kai as the "people of the serpent" was it? [Sanadhil] It isn't a matter I plan to 'spread around', sister - i brought it up because I believe that it is relevant to our investigations [Alma] How?

• Sanadhil sighs a little and sits back down in the nearest chair.

[Sanadhil] There is a lot that i need to revise from that paper, given what we now know of matters. [Alma] Perhaps I am underestimating the toll of our excursion on you, but I do not see you as someone who would first suggest that our Gods simply want for our souls as Vrag does, and then, following my obvious agitation, continue on to suggest that not only are our Gods selfish, but Vrag numbers among them, without some sort of expectation of FURTHER issue. [Sanadhil] I would not say that your gods wish you for your souls *as vrag does*, rather that their interst is also in your sols. Their interests in them is different [Sanadhil] Clearly. [Sanadhil] That is the point that was misunderstood. [Alma] No, it was not "misunderstood" [Alma] You clearly said they *want* our souls, they simply take them differently. [Sanadhil] What do you think their interest is, then? [Sanadhil] Your own gifts allow you to sense their claim on you. [Alma] I believe the Gods seek to create a world for us which allows us to live our lives, as the Wheel turns, and find our way to the Centre. [Sanadhil] and what then? [Alma] Must there be something else? [Alma] While my gifts show that we may be within their "dominion," so to speak, the Gods do not force anyone to do anything. A life destined for the void will reach it. [Alma] You seek to compare this to sacrifice through the Arch? [Alma] Are you familiar with any Church practice which creates the spiritual fragments within the Arch? [Alma] Will my obedience to Owl ever lead me to such a place? [Sanadhil] I think the relationship between vrag and the arch is unclear, at best. [Alma] You're quite willing to make other controversial leaps, why not this one, which has far more supporting evidence? [Sanadhil] Clearly vrag does not simply consume souls,or they wouldn't be left trapped there, in whole or in part [Alma] Unless the Arch is a vessel to which he is bound, and draws power or sustenance! [Alma] It's still irresponsible, and insulting, to suggest that our gods are merely predatory in a different fashion. [Sanadhil] It is irresponsible and insulting to be told that it is irresponsible and insulting not to be able to speak of my own beliefs, Countess. [Alma] Your beliefs are unfounded, M. Orecalo. [Alma] You spout what would be heresies, were you not an outsider. [Alma] Without any sort of backing. [Sanadhil] My beliefs are not unfounded, nor are they without backing. [Alma] Then provide basis! [Alma] Can you show me where I have been tricked into giving up my soul to a greedy monster? [Alma] What documents do you have that link pre-historic worship of Vrag to humans before the arrival of the Shadar-kai. [Sanadhil] I'm unforetualy ill-furnished with religious tracts on the teachings of Jahrom, sister [Alma] (Jahrom?) [Sanadhil] But there are many Cozovodë priests who would tell you just that [Sanadhil] (I dunno if you have ever heard of him ;p) [Alma] (He's in your speech) [Sanadhil] (well, other than that ;) [Alma] Well perhaps you ought to carry some around. [Alma] M. Orecalo, when I saw that, despite your human blood, you were outside the house system, I chose to accept that you would find your own path, that you would look to the Cozovode for answers for the health of your spirit. [Alma] I gave you that courtesy, and it is repaid with an insult. [Alma] Are you honestly surprised that I am insulted, M. Orecalo? [Sanadhil] It is a matter of culture, Countess. I don't see that it can be resolved without insult on either side. [Alma] It can be inferred then, that you knew such a statement would insult me. [Sanadhil] My people do not keep faith with any gods. [Alma] And yet you made it anyway. [Sanadhil] Insulting or not, sister - it was true, and relevant. [Alma] It was not relevant. [Alma] I challenge you to show me how it was. [Sanadhil] Then give me time. [Alma] If you haven't indication it is relevant NOW, then it was not relevant in our discussion. [Alma] And you brought it up ... apparently to be inflammatory. [Alma] Well you succeeded. [Sanadhil] To what purpose? [Sanadhil] The interest in souls shared by vrag and the other gods is relevant. [Alma] I am not a mind-reader. Perhaps you can tell me why you chose to insult the faith of Aveyrone. [Alma] There is no indication any souls are shared. [Sanadhil] Like so many other matters inthis investiagtion, I am not yet certain of the linkages [Sanadhil] the *interest* is shared...

• Sanadhil sighs

[Alma] And do the gods not have interest in you? [Sanadhil] I'd certainly prefer not. [Alma] I have no idea what you truly believe, M. Orecalo, and perhaps your path leads to disaster. If it does, I certainly hope someone IS watching out for you.

• Sanadhil smiles slightly

[Alma] This is counterproductive. [Sanadhil] if I meet with disaster, it will be one of my own making, at least. [Sanadhil] it is. [Alma] I would prefer, in the future, that you not pepper our meetings with inflammatory expressions of your scorn. [Sanadhil] If you are personally insulted, Countess, then i offer apologies for that [Sanadhil] i will not apologize for holding beliefs that conflict wth your own. [Alma] If something is truly relevant, then mention it, and demonstrate its relevance. [Alma] Did I, at any point, ask you to? [Alma] (SM on your apology) [Sanadhil] (he is somewhat contrite, but mostly kind of tired and frustrated at this point) [Sanadhil] You did say that it was insulting, I believe. [Alma] It is insulting, when brought up without context or necessity. [Sanadhil] Granted, that is not the same. [Sanadhil] The relevance is the presence in the various ...alternate reralities... in which all of these gods, Vrag included, have some influence, and which are connected through the arch.

• Alma appears not to particularly believe you are sorry.

[Alma] What you said bears no resemblance to "they all want your souls, Vrag just gets them differently" [Sanadhil] Honestly, Countess, I can't even recall the context of the comment at this point, other than to reinforce the link between vrag and the other human gods. [Alma] M. Orecalo, you are making no sense. [Sanadhil] If the arch exists for some purpose other that sacrifice to vrag, the it is *entirely* relevant [Alma] Are you suggesting it exists for sacrifices to ALL the Gods?

• Sanadhil blinks

[Sanadhil] no. [Alma] Then HOW is it relevant!? [Sanadhil] I think that vrag is an impatient selfish god that craves quick power, and has subverted it to that purpose somehow [Alma] How do you not see that you gratuitously implied that my entire life is a lie? [Sanadhil] The relevance is in understanding nash's goals in seeing it restored [Sanadhil] .... [Sanadhil] The path that your gods have created serves their own ends - that doens't make your life, or your experience of that path, a lie

• Alma looks, frankly, confused.

[Sanadhil] It just means you're understimating what they get of it

• Sanadhil regards you and collects himself

[Sanadhil] we're jumping between topics - it doesn't lead to a productve conversation. [Sanadhil] What do you want me to explain?

• Sanadhil says, more patiently, still tired, but a little more kindly

[Sanadhil] (more kindly --] less defensive) [Alma] At this point, M. Orecalo, I find myself completely unable to understand how to found your inflammatory statements relevant, or even equivalent to what you've tried to say today. And apparently there we are at an impasse. [Sanadhil] I'll try to explain. [Sanadhil] The arch exists in all the worlds we saw. Possibly, it connects them in some deeper way. [Sanadhil] I think that vrag has, wher he can, subverted it to his own purpose, to feed and empower himself, but that this is not its original purpose [Sanadhil] nash's actions in the dream real as its guardian suggest this

• Alma listens patiently.

[Sanadhil] I *do* believe that your gods draw some power from you, as you follow the path that they have set for you. vrag lacks the patience for this, and seeks more power - he is at odds with the others. [Sanadhil] But I believe they havea common origin. [Sanadhil] I believe that if I can research here further, I can better demonstrate the ties between vrag and this world. [Sanadhil] However, I also hope to visit the Shadar kai library, as I mentioned before, and can seek further corroboration there. [Sanadhil] These are ideas i have only arroved at since we returned, and I have not had the time to consider them further as yet. [Sanadhil] is that more clear? [Alma] And you believe that what you said earlier implies any of this? [Alma] For that matter, why must Vrag be a human God in order for this to be truth? [Alma] Vrag has the Shadar-Kai. [Sanadhil] yes - because I believe that your gods draw power from your souls, as I said - that is one connection. They have established a gentler system. [Alma] It would require a tremendous leap to jump from what you said earlier to what you said just now. [Sanadhil] The earlier meeting was hardly a condusive format for expressing clear and concise thought, countess. [Alma] Which is why I suggested you be more careful in the future. [Alma] What you said then was NOT what you said here. [Sanadhil] I honestly hope to be involved in few such... lengthy, disorganized, heated exchanges [Sanadhil] The difference is in the details. [Alma] Do you not see how you helped create that situation? [Alma] By flinging out... half-thoughts, with no context, or basis? [Sanadhil] The comment was perhaps made too blithely, but I was given no opportunity to elaborate. [Sanadhil] they did not lack context or basis - simply the oppostunity to share them. [Alma] Context is rarely effective in retrospect, M. Orecalo. [Alma] (That ... sounds dumb, but maybe you see what I mean.) [Alma] It appears to me that you had a thesis brewing in your head, and you chose to utter the two most fanciful and inflammatory elements. [Sanadhil] Well perhaps next time i will be given the opportunity to provide it? [Alma] Perhaps next time you will provide the context first. [Sanadhil] I will endeavour to do so, Countess. [Alma] (shit SM, )

• Alma sighs.

[Sanadhil] (Tired, contrite, respectful) [Alma] As an aside, M. Orecalo, if you truly value your independance so much, then I cannot see how you would truly consider a false path taken by choice to be a comforting thing. I don't suggest you use that in future discussions. [Alma] I would take no solace in walking through a field of lies simply because it was my choice to stroll there. [Sanadhil] I am not an expert in theology, Countess - I know that our beliefs in that matter conflict, and there is not true diplomatic manner to resove that conflict, or to speak of it differently. [Alma] I am quite capable of speaking of my beliefs in a detached manner, M. Orecalo. [Sanadhil] (Is alma still right royally pissed at me?) [Alma] (She's not pleased.) [Alma] ... have you managed to acquire a possession of Earric's? [Alma] Or should I proceed to try to determine his origins myself.

• Sanadhil regards you, tring to determine if you are pressing this on him now because you now he is tired and are hoping to wear him down further, or if you thik it is just a natural follow up conversation o_O
• Sanadhil can't really tell and rubs his temples

[Alma] (It's clearly a tangent for her.) [Sanadhil] I have not, though I am quite convinced that he is as he appeared in the dream - a Succubus. [Alma] (But there's totally an element of "since you don't take this seriously") [Alma] I require confirmation. [Sanadhil] of course. [Alma] Would it be easiest for me to go about this myself, then? [Sanadhil] I will continue to try to secure something of his - however I am also interested in what you might discover. [Alma] If I proceed, it may not be necessary for you do continue trying to acquire a possession, as that might be unsafe. [Sanadhil] Perhaps I am reading too much in to the dream experience, but I am also questioning my earlier assumptions as regards Ms. Lozada Boyne's involvement

• Sanadhil looks around.
• Sanadhil looks at you.
• Alma looks a bit like she wants to escape.

[Alma] I thought you were disinterested in extrapolating things from the events in the dream world.

• Sanadhil sighs

[Sanadhil] Honestly, I am very tired, and I'm not certain i'm thinking clearly on the matter whatsoever. [Sanadhil] Perhaps it would be best to resume this discussion another time? [Alma] It might be best. [Sanadhil] . o O ( arrrgh you brought it up -_- ) [Alma] (I did not.) [Alma] I would appreciate if you could provide me, or one of the research assistants, with the materials you believe indicate Vrag is connected to the human race. [Sanadhil] If it is possible, I will do so.

• Alma looks perturbed by that.

[Alma] Very well. [Alma] Have a good afternoon. [Sanadhil] You as well, countess.

• Sanadhil will try to arrange to see Ilphere at the society, or somwehere we can be ensured of a little privacy, but if there is no other option for miss I'm busy being engaged to a Prince, I can come to her house :x
• Sanadhil will be waiting for you in the library, and we can move to a private room from there
• Sanadhil rises when he sees you

[Sanadhil] Good afternoon, Ilphère [Ilphere] Hello Sanadil...!

• Ilphere says brightly.

[Sanadhil] Thank you for making time for this - I realize you have been quite busy.

• Sanadhil will escort you to a room, and then close the door behind us

[Sanadhil] ...But some things have happened that i was not certain was worth sharing with the others [Ilphere] Oh...? [Sanadhil] Yes... [Sanadhil] Earric came to see me the night that we returned from the Shadow plane [Ilphere] Earric...? Why?

• Sanadhil smiles sort of smugly

[Sanadhil] because he doesn't want to be killed by the church. [Ilphere] Well who does...? [Ilphere] WHy specifically? [Sanadhil] He told me that Phedre has bound him to her, so that he cannot leave. [Sanadhil] He wants me to help him get free of her power [Ilphere] ... Why is he suddenly confiding all of this to you...? [Sanadhil] He knows some of what happened in the dream [Ilphere] How ...?!

• Ilphere asks, surprised.

[Sanadhil] Do you remember the first meeting we atteneded? [Ilphere] Of course... [Sanadhil] And Earric kissed you, and there a coppery taste, and a sense of... closeness? [Sanadhil] It was part of an enduring ritual [Ilphere] Yes... I assumed it was merely an enchantment...

• Sanadhil shakes his head
• Ilphere frowns.

[Sanadhil] he can sense us wherever we are on this plane [Ilphere] That... does not please me, Sanadhil...! [Sanadhil] of course not. [Sanadhil] I suspected there was more to it, but couldn't find any evidence, nas I was reasearching the wrong things... [Sanadhil] It is not a matter of him being a succubus- which he is - but something else.

• Ilphere nods...

[Sanadhil] In any case, as he said in the dream - he recognized us, and knew us there. [Sanadhil] and when that 'earric' returned, apparently he was rejoined with himself... [Sanadhil] I don't know what all he knows [Sanadhil] but he was aware of us while we were gone. [Ilphere] Why did he choose to visit you, then...? [Sanadhil] I think he consideres you too....distracted... for his purposes. [Sanadhil] Also, I'm more likely to have the kind of contact with Phedre necessary to achieve what he wants [Sanadhil] Apparently it is her necklace that controls the bond. [Ilphere] I don't know whether I should be insulted or relieved...!

• Ilphere huffs.
• Sanadhil smiles a little

[Sanadhil] possibly both? [Ilphere] Possibly...! [Ilphere] You seem to attract all the interesting things...

• Ilphere sighs...

[Sanadhil] *I*'m not the one receiving visions and dreaming of dead emperors!

• Sanadhil smiles again

[Ilphere] They don't seem to matter to anyone but me... [Sanadhil] And i'm not certain you'd want to repeat all of my experiences, in any case [Sanadhil] others aren't paying attention. [Sanadhil] Phedre is certainly interested in you on that account [Ilphere] Well... what does he want you to do... release him..?| [Sanadhil] Aside from you and Theron, all the visions experienced at the meetings have been illusory

• Sanadhil nods

[Ilphere] In exchange for what...? [Sanadhil] He wants to be released. He says he will leave if he does - the only reason I have to beleie him on that count is that he has much more to lose by staying, and little to gain. So far he has been quite willing to share information with me - some of it useful, some not. [Ilphere] Will he release us from his... bond...? [Ilphere] What has he told you...? [Sanadhil] if he leaves the plane, he can't exert it [Sanadhil] I don't know if it can be reversed [Sanadhil] possbly by a wish spell? [Sanadhil] as for what he has told me...

• Sanadhil will give you a symopsis of stuff, but I was silly and didn't review the log -_-

[Ilphere] (and I haven't read it all :V) [Sanadhil] The most significant of the information is, i think, what he said about the allies of the cult [Sanadhil] he named Martine Sathin among them [Sanadhil] and another woman on the council of reverends, though he gave me no name [Sanadhil] I.... am starting to wonder. [Sanadhil] Phedre is the daughter of pavo Aresnios [Ilphere] And Sathin... [Sanadhil] martine sathin... yes, i see you follow [Sanadhil] Bulter belden... by my calculations, his mother was pregnant when she went through the arch [Ilphere] Truly...! [Ilphere] In the dream... [Ilphere] He said that he dreamed of a woman who knew him before he was born. [Sanadhil] I don't know if there is any relevance - possibly they are sinply childhood friends, as their parents were all related

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] part of his soul may have been trapped in the Arch, aong wth his mother's... [Sanadhil] and of course, we have also the Chancellor

• Ilphere nods...

[Sanadhil] I am planning to go and speak to Phedre directly [Ilphere] What will you say to her...? [Sanadhil] I want to ask her about Vrag - I think I can keep it within context of the cult [Sanadhil] but ask how she came to know of him.. what she does know of him.. [Ilphere] About its nature...? [Sanadhil] indeed

• Ilphere nods...

[Sanadhil] and history [Ilphere] I am sure that will be a fascinating discussion... [Sanadhil] I will let you now when it is arranged - of you can come, you are welcome

• Ilphere nods eagerly...!

[Sanadhil] [but... julie said you'll be busy ;p] [Sanadhil] [and by that point, probably fretting about your dad] [Ilphere] (possibly the two are connected :V) [Sanadhil] (indeed!) [Sanadhil] There is another matter [Ilphere] Oh...? [Sanadhil] I am plannig to investigate the underarch [Sanadhil] I don't know that there is anything ther of relevance, but we shall see. [Ilphere] You know how to access it...? [Sanadhil] In a sense... [Sanadhil] the bond with Earric allows hm to... share his innate abilities, if he allows it [Sanadhil] Through that link, I am for the moment able to teleport [Ilphere] How generous... [Sanadhil] He's generous because he wants something. [Sanadhil] In any case - I should be able to access the chamber [Ilphere] ...Alone? [Sanadhil] in a sense..... [Sanadhil] Do you remember, in the dream, the shadow being that followed Sendhel? [Ilphere] Yes. [Sanadhil] it, or something like is, came with me from there [Ilphere] Ah... I see... [Ilphere] How curious... [Sanadhil] indeed [Sanadhil] I realize it is a poentially dangerous undertaking, but I am preparing for it as best I can [Sanadhil] I don't know what other opportunities we might have [Ilphere] Well... I confess I am unsure it is wise for you to go with only that creature as accompaniment... [Ilphere] If something should happen to you down there, it is unlikely anyone will be able to get to you...! [Ilphere] I hate to bring up the statue, but... [Sanadhil] indeed... [Sanadhil] that is one reason I am telling you in advance [Sanadhil] But I trust my in my magics, as well.

• Ilphere nods but seems a bit uncertain, or something.

[Sanadhil] You can't tell me you think it is better not to investigate? [Ilphere] No... no not at all...!

• Ilphere says quickly.

[Sanadhil] but? [Sanadhil] (20 for sm)\ [Ilphere] (20 for bluff) [Sanadhil] 9I think that means you win) [Ilphere] Nothing... I am just worried about you...! [Sanadhil] Ahh.... Thank you for your concern, I only hope to prove it misplaced. [Ilphere] Please do let me know when you are going... [Sanadhil] I will [Sanadhil] If anything does go awry, I will have my shadow seek you out. It can't communicate with byou, but that shoudl be signal enough.

• Ilphere nods.

[Sanadhil] How are the wedding preparations proceeding? [Ilphere] Oh it seems like they will never end...!

• Sanadhil will chat about more mundane things for a bit then?