Nemnosti session 17
Summary
Session
- Session date: November 10, 2024
- Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Fult
Prologue
[NemnostiGM] Greetings, acolytes! Now that the heat of the day is well past us, we can enjoy a fire - but I promise, a small one. Here, in the middle of Fult, it feels unnecessary, but the fire is about more than warmth - it is where we gather to reflect on the events of the day. And what a day! It is not every day that we hear the good news of the betrothal of two of our own. So we celebrate the hengi's son Momuzai and Afra of the Sortusai. I know some of you count them among your close kin. Now, I know I spoke to you all some time ago about finding one another at the ulajeta, as acolytes learning the Courses. So I will not bore you with the same talk. No, this is not about the states of our organs but rather how our community comes together, again and again. Sometimes, it is about young love. The stomach and the larynx pair their passions, nothing can possibly be wrong. But other times, love is older, warmer, as the brain and liver take over and prepare you for ... well, for just about anything. Life is about the anything that happens when you are ready for what Unfolds next. I have told you before that I met my own wife here, but she did not grow up here at all, but in the great capital of the old Empire, Omba itself. We came together as two brooks of different colours, stemming from different mountain springs, who just happened to pass the same way at the right time. Some will call it mere chance, and I do not disclaim it. It is arrogance to assert that anything that has happened is not part of the Unfolding. But I ask you to be ready for when you meet your own streams.
Fultukhari and Lovosa tell Marga about Azolte, who she finds behaving strangely around the Great Well, digging at the stones with her hands and shouting ‘Ishikande’
[NemnostiGM] Marga, it is a good morning! You do not have any special duties today, and although you're feeling in top shape due to recent calisthenic activity, you know the importance of keeping your strong body limber. A clumsy vulture quickly becomes carrion.
[NemnostiGM] So you are out, just past dawn, well before the summer heat would make it intolerable, doing some exercises with your weapons, near the North Wall against the high cliff faces of the Pardopasu.
[NemnostiGM] (somewhere near #11 at https://rocksfall.org/wiki/Nemnosti_map)
[NemnostiGM] You're just getting into the routine when you see two figures approaching you slowly from the south, arguing with one another.
[NemnostiGM] You recognize one of the voices, your young friend Fultukhari Nemni. The other one is a young woman about the same age, who you think you've seen around but you don't know her name.
[Fultukhari] I'm telling you, she can help. She's smart!
[A_Girl] That makes one of you.
[Fultukhari] Hi Marga!
* Fultukhari calls over and waves.
[Marga] Mornin' :)
[Fultukhari] Uhh ... do you know about the lady digging at the well?
[Marga] (do I?)
[NemnostiGM] (nope)
[Fultukhari] I don't know her, she's hobbling around though, like her leg is hurt? And being weird.
[A_Girl] Look, don't bother her, Bramble, it's not her job. Either she's meant to be there, or the stoneguards will take care of it.
[Marga] the what? uh, no?
[Fultukhari] Everyone knows, if the well fails, the ulajeta fails. You're new here, Labs, you wouldn't understand.
[A_Girl] I apologize for my friend here. He's a little slow.
[Marga] He's not slow... who are *you*, anyway?
[A_Girl] I am Lovosa of the Halunemni.
* A_Girl is now known as Lovosa
[Marga] Right, well... Should probably at least ask what she's doing 'cause I'm pretty sure she is *not* supposed to be doing that
[Fultukhari] See, I told you!
[Fultukhari] Come on, I'll show you.
[NemnostiGM] You head over to the Great Well, which sits near the southern wall of the ulajeta, where you see her. It's that woman Azolte who you carried back in stone form from the Unkind Stone.
* Azolte is wearing a simple plain buru, cinched at the waist with a leather belt. Best as you can tell, she's digging with her hands at the flagstones at the base of the Great Well, mumbling to herself.
* Marga coughs loudly
[Azolte] mumblemumblemumble
* Azolte does not respond.
[NemnostiGM] Looking a little more closely, you see that somehow, with just her bare hands, she seems to be pulling away layers of the flagstone, or really, almost melting them away. She's made a fair-sized impression in the stone.
* Fultukhari and Lovosa are here with you, but are keeping a distance, at least twenty paces away.
[Marga] Uhhhh.. whatcha doin?
[Azolte] Ishikande!
* Azolte utters a word. You don't know what it means.
[Marga] (w to Fultukhari) UH, I think you better get Kuspir
[Marga] Yeah okay but what are you *doing*?
[Fultukhari] OK, and you will stay here with her?
* Marga nods to him
* Fultukhari runs off to the West Gate, leaving Lovosa here with you, looking upon this scene dubiously.
[NemnostiGM] The woman looks at you and snarls. You see that the skin on her arms looks dark grey - not pallid, like a bubun, but something else. Her eyes bear no sign of recognition, even though you were there when they brought her back from stone.
[Marga] Oh crap on a cracker.
[Marga] Lovosa get out out of here. Something's really wrong.
[Lovosa] I don't take orders from you.
[Marga] Well if you get turned into a rock zombie like her that's on you I guess.
* Lovosa backs up a distance further, though still in the courtyard looking on the scene.
* Marga draws her weapon and gets closer to the coo coo woman
[Azolte] Yes, I hear your walls humming. Ishikande!
[Marga] Get out of there, crazy. ]:(
[Marga] (is anyone else nearby)
[NemnostiGM] It's still early in the morning and so the ulajeta is still pretty quiet. And where you are, over by the well, there's nobody nearby, although obviously there would be folks awake in various places: the gardens, the temple, and of course the stoneguards.
[Marga] (and is there, idk, like an alarm we use? a special signal? make a sound like a dying giraffe?)
[NemnostiGM] (you can call out an alarm, yes, if you wish.)
* Marga will call out whatever that entails then
Kuspir is alerted about Azolte, and comes to join Marga, and they fight Azolte who attacks them with acidic fists; they kill her and Kuspir lays her to rest, which injures him further
[NemnostiGM] All right, over to Kuspir for a minute.
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you are just starting your shift when you see young Fultukhari, Amasa's boy, running up across the courtyard in some haste towards you.
[Fultukhari] Kuspir! Kuspir! Ahh .. there's a lady at the well and she's digging the stones and Marga said I should get you and I wasn't doing anything I promise!
[Kuspir] Hm?
[Fultukhari] There's a lady at the well and she's digging the stones at the well with her hands and I think she's crazy and Marga is there and Lovosa also and I promise this time it wasn't me!
[Kuspir] All right, I'll go see what's happening.
* Fultukhari spits it all out in a single breath.
[Kuspir] Don't worry, you aren't in trouble.
* Fultukhari seems doubtful about that, but follows you back.
* Kuspir will go to the courtyard
[NemnostiGM] All right, Kuspir, you arrive at the courtyard as quickly as you can, with Fultukhari running ahead. There, you see Marga, her weapon drawn, and Azolte Rumnoska clawing at the stones right next to the Great Well with her bare hands.
* Kuspir picks up the pace and will run over once he sees what's happening
[Azolte] I am inside you now. Ishikande!
[Marga] Kuspir she is *fucked*
[Kuspir] Move away from the well!
* Kuspir orders her
[Kuspir] Fucked how?
* Kuspir asks Marga
[Marga] Look at her arms!
[Marga] And there's... there's nobody really *in* there
* Kuspir looks at her arms
[NemnostiGM] You see what Marga is pointing out, that her arms are kind of grey. You also see that whatever she's doing with her hands, it is causing damage to the stones.
[Kuspir] I won't ask again. Move back.
* Kuspir tells her (can I roll intimidate or something?)
[NemnostiGM] (sure, you can roll an Intimidate)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+17
* Jevai rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 32 ].
* Azolte looks at you and pauses, but doesn't move.
[Kuspir] (ok I'm going to just go and grab her and physically stop her, if I can. Not attacking with my weapon yet, I just want to try and move her away from what she's doing.)
[NemnostiGM] (All right, make a Will save)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+5
* Jevai rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+5 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 5 ] totals [ 18 ].
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you move in, and then find yourself, not physically blocked exactly, but you find yourself unable to bring yourself to lay your hands on Azolte. She looks at you angrily.
* Kuspir will ready his weapon, then
[NemnostiGM] Marga, are you doing anything here while Kuspir does this?
[Kuspir] Go get others! Get a magic user if you can!
* Kuspir calls to ... I guess Fultukhari, if he's still nearby
[Fultukhari] Sure thing!
* Fultukhari scurries off to find a random Source user or something.
[Marga] (covering him, basically)
* Marga trains her weapon on Azolte (readying an action I guess, if she makes any sudden or aggressive moves)
[NemnostiGM] (ok no problem - do folks want to go over to roll20 then?)
[Kuspir] (sure, should we get on voice?)
[NemnostiGM] (sure)
[Azolte] ISHIKAAANDE!
* Azolte falls to the ground with several wounds, after striking Kuspir with acid fists.
[Marga] D: D: D:
[Marga] WHAT THE FUCK MAN
* Azolte is now known as Jorota
* Jorota arrives along with Fultukhari, her son.
* Kuspir touches his weapon to her and lays her to rest, permanently.
[Marga] (what is lovosa doing, haha)
* Lovosa is definitely freaking out quiet a lot, but is not fleeing, but rather, trying to take in the scene.
[Lovosa] (quite)
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, make a Will save please.
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+7
* Jevai rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 10 ].
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you touch your weapon to the body and you feel a rush of dark energy run up the shaft. You take 12 points of damage, not from acid though.
[NemnostiGM] You do believe you have laid Azolte to rest, but you can't be sure, since this power is new to you.
* Kuspir will step back and just work on removing his armor in case it's still acidified and maybe causing more damage
[NemnostiGM] Your armor basically falls to pieces (it's not magical or anything, right?)
[Kuspir] (it was +1 but I think that just means masterwork, I assume)
[NemnostiGM] You can basically peel it off in gooey metal strips.
* Marga looks on, horrified
[Kuspir] (does the acid seem to be affecting things other than metal? like is it also eating away my whatever clothing I have on etc or just the metal?)
[NemnostiGM] (yes, metal, clothing, skin, it's dissolving everything)
[Kuspir] (ok taking my shirt off too then I guess. or whatever's left of it.)
[Marga] Shit!!
* Marga scrambles to get some water from the well
Jorota arrives to assist on the scene, and they deal with the two children who had just witnessed the terrifying scene
[Jorota] Kuspir. Marga. Explain this.
[Marga] GIVE ME A MINUTE
* Jorota looks like she has just been awakened.
* Marga throws water on Kuspir
[NemnostiGM] Fortunately, Kuspir, whatever damage is done seems to be done. Your shirt and the whole top half of your armor are destroyed.
[Marga] (and wet)
[Marga] She.. she was digging up the stones by the well. Melting them. WIth her hands
[Marga] There was something really *wrong* with her hands..
[Jorota] What do you mean, wrong?
[Kuspir] They were melting the stone.
[Marga] They were grey, kind of...
* Marga nods to Kuspir
[Marga] She looked *crazy*. And she kept saying this word I didn't understand.... 'Ishikande'
[Jorota] I don't know what that means either.
[Jorota] It sounds like the name of something or someone.
[Marga] She said she could hear something humming in the walls.
[Marga] Or someone?
[Kuspir] We tried to stop her without hurting her, but she wasn't responding. I don't think she was in her right mind.
[Marga] She tried to melt Kuspir!
[Marga] I mean... Look at him!!
* Jorota nods.
[Jorota] You did the right thing. Whatever this thing was affecting her is clearly very dangerous.
[Kuspir] Even after she was dead, it still caused damage. People should be careful even touching her body.
[Marga] We should get... Ifa? Izu? Jevai? Alai? All of them?
* Kuspir nods
[Jorota] For now, I want to move the body with as little fanfare as possible.
* Jorota turns to Fultukhari and (you think, especially) Lovosa.
[Marga] Right.
[Jorota] This is an INTERNAL MATTER. You are not to discuss this with ANYONE other than me.
[Fultukhari] Ok, mom, I get it.
* Fultukhari rolls his eyes, but seems suitably cowed.
[Lovosa] That woman. You just killed her.
* Lovosa is definitely not ok, and in comparison to her earlier facade of nonchalance, clearly seems more a child than an adult right now.
[Kuspir] I know. It was not what we wanted to do, but the situation was dangerous. I'm sorry you had to see it. You did right telling us.
[Marga] I *told* you to leave...
* Kuspir tries to be comforting to the extent that he can while bleeding from his injuries. but he does have a daughter her age and I think he would be sympathetic.
* Jorota casts a spell and the body lifts up from the ground.
[Jorota] There, we can move her without touching her.
* Jorota casts another spell, a minor illusion, so it looks like she is moving boxes, rather than a corpse.
[Jorota] It will have to do for now. Kuspir, Marga, you are with me.
[Marga] Yes 'm.
[Kuspir] (can she put my armor on the 'boxes' so it isn't just left lying in the courtyard)
[Jorota] (sure, she can do that)
[Jorota] Fultukhari ... son ... you and Lovosa need to have as normal a day as you can. Your studies, the usual things.
* Jorota almost smiles, as warmly as you have ever seen her do.
[Jorota] I will speak to you more later, and Amasa too.
[Jorota] All right, let's get this to the temple.
They all go to the temple of the Voice where Izu helps with Azolte’s body, and Ifa helps with Kuspir’s body
[NemnostiGM] You accompany Jorota to the temple, where you run into Izu, who is doing his morning prayers before heading off to serve Nemnu.
[Izu] What... what happened?
[Marga] NOTHING
* Marga says really loudly
[Marga] just moving some BOXES
[NemnostiGM] (Kuspir is shirtless and bleeding, that is only so plausible)
[Izu] Kuspir, you're hurt.
[Jorota] We need a place to deposit a body.
[Kuspir] Correct.
[Izu] A body? What body?
[Marga] Uhhh just come along ].]
[Izu] Is this something... sensitive?
* Marga nods emphatically
[Izu] ...
[Izu] I know some of the less used alcoves of the caves. I'll show you.
[Izu] But afterwards, I'm getting my healing kit and tending to those wounds.
[NemnostiGM] All right, Izu can lead you here and there through the temple to a modest little secluded area. You can place the body there for now, at least.
* Kuspir nods
* Jorota releases the illusion, and Izu, you see the thoroughly skewered body of Azolte Rumnoska.
[Izu] Ancestors...
[Izu] What happened?
[Marga] Wellll
* Marga will relate it again
[Kuspir] She tried to dig her way into the well... Her hands were melting the stone and she didn't seem to be herself - or not in her right mind, anyway.
[Izu] Melting the stone?
[Kuspir] Also my armor.
[Izu] I see.
* Kuspir gestures to his stomach
[Marga] ANd his stomach
[Izu] Right. I'll be back in a moment. Stay here.
* Izu will go gather some bandages and healing salves
* Izu will return soon and start bandaging up Kuspir.
[Izu] !roll 1d20+14
* Jevai rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 29 ].
[Izu] (Heal)
* Izu will also return with Ifa in tow.
* Ifa will rush over to examine/help Kuspir.
[Kuspir] It's not that bad...
* Kuspir says while badly injured
[Izu] You skin is melted.
[Marga] It's not great!!
[Ifa] What they said.
[Ifa] How did this happen, exactly? Izu said Azolte did this?
* Kuspir nods
* Ifa will help with bandaging. (But I can't really beat Tuck's Heal roll, so I'm not doing anything extra, I guess)
[Kuspir] If I knew how it happened exactly, I'd tell you. She was trying to do something to the well. Her hands were melting the stone and she didn't respond to us trying to talk to her, so we attacked, at first just to try and make her move away and not harm her seriously, but then once she attacked back, we didn't have much choice.
[Ifa] Did she say anything?
[Ifa] (Does this sound like anything we'd have heard of before?)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+10
* Jevai rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 30 ].
[Ifa] (Or I could roll a nat 20 .)
[NemnostiGM] All right, Kuspir, you feel much better when Ifa lays her hands on you.
* Kuspir relaxes visibly
[Kuspir] She said a lot of things. It mostly sounded crazy - something about being inside the walls, or hearing the walls. And a name, I guess. Ishikande.
[Izu] (Does that name ring any bells?)
[Jorota] Do you need me further here? I feel I should apprise Nemnu of this right away. And then look to the children. I do have my ordinary duties to the acolytes.
[NemnostiGM] You don't think you've ever heard that name. It definitely does sound like an Ombesh name though.
[Izu] Yes, The Lady should know immediately.
[Ifa] Ishikande? Not a name I know.
[Ifa] Wait, she said something was inside the walls?
[Kuspir] I think she was saying *she* was inside the walls. But she also seemed crazy so it's a bit unclear.
* Kuspir looks over to Marga
[Kuspir] You heard more of what she was saying, before I got there. Is that what you heard?
[Marga] She said she heard the walls humming
[Marga] I think?
[Izu] That's concerning.
[Ifa] I'll say.
[Marga] More concerning than the melting things with her hands and the oozing black goo?
[Marga] Or about the same?
[Ifa] More it's all of a thing.
[Izu] I'm honestly not sure.
[Izu] Don't worry, I'm sure this is all unrelated to everything else.
* Izu says drily.
[Ifa] (Are we still right near her body?)
* Ifa will look over to see if she sees anything strange about it with her weird sight.
[Kuspir] (I imagine we are still in the temple so probably close enough to it that you could go look at it easily)
[NemnostiGM] (so Ifa, you're looking at Azolte's body?)
[Ifa] (Yeah)
[NemnostiGM] It looks totally normal. No smoke, no weird grey lines, nothing.
* Ifa frowns.
* Ifa will go take a closer look, especially at her hands which were apparently melting things.
* Ifa won't touch anything just yet, though.
[NemnostiGM] Other than her injuries, her body appears totally normal. Her hands look ordinary.
* Izu will take a rock and drop in into her hand.
[NemnostiGM] The rock hits Azolte's hand gently, then rolls out onto the floor. You pick it up and it appears to be unaffected.
[Izu] Whatever it was seems to be gone.
[Kuspir] I laid her to rest.
* Izu nods
* Kuspir says from wherever he's sitting.
[Ifa] That's probably for the best.
[Marga] Definitely.
[Kuspir] But maybe ... no.
* Kuspir considers for a moment.
[Ifa] What?
[Kuspir] Izu, you could try to talk with her. Maybe as an ancestor she would be able to explain what happened.
[Kuspir] It could be dangerous, though.
* Ifa frowns at that.
[Izu] I could try. If something had possessed her, then she may have no memories of it.
[Kuspir] Like what happened to Ghevra.
[Ifa] That would still be data, though.
* Izu sighs.
[Ifa] But you should be careful.
[Izu] I will. Just... catch me if I fall.
[Ifa] We don't want any of you melted, either.
* Ifa nods.
Izu speaks with Azolte as an Ancestor, and learns that her true name is Ishikande Sarguni
* Izu will try to speak with dead.
[NemnostiGM] All right, Izu, you reach out and touch the spirit of the deceased Azolte. It feels ... intact, at least. You may ask questions.
[Izu] Azolte Rumnoska, what is the last thing you remember?
[Azolte] I remember being touched by the black stone, in the valley. And then nothing.
* Izu looks at the others.
[Marga] So she was dead that whole time...
[Izu] Or at least somewhere else.
[Ifa] Hmm.
[Izu] That is... truly disturbing.
[Ifa] That would imply the unkinding...isn't.
[Ifa] Or is temporary?
[Ifa] This doesn't make sense.
[Marga] Yeah.. you lost me...
[Kuspir] What was she doing there?
* Kuspir asks Izue
[Kuspir] (Izu)
[Izu] Why were you there in the valley?
[Azolte] I was seeking the presence of my lost ula, Sargunel.
[Kuspir] maybe ask if the name Ishikande means anything to her?
* Kuspir suggests
[Izu] Have you heard of the name Ishikande, and if so, who or what is it?
[Azolte] I am Ishikande Sarguni. That is my true name.
[NemnostiGM] The connection with Azolte's spirit fades away.
[Kuspir] ...
[Marga] Now I *really* don't get it
[Ifa] Yeah...
[Kuspir] Whatever was talking through her was something else. It was something that was inside her - using her. It could know her real name when she hadn't told it to anyone here.
[Kuspir] we need to tell Alai and Jevai about this.
[Izu] And Her
* Ifa nods.
[Marga] But why would it just be yelling her name?
[Izu] Maybe she was named after someone or something else?
[Kuspir] I don't know.
* Kuspir shrugs, then winces
[Kuspir] I am going to go find another shirt. Maybe we can gather again after someone finds out where Jevai and Alai are.
[Izu] You should stay off your feet for a while.
[Izu] But I know you won't.
[Kuspir] Not an option. Until feet fail, after all.
* Ifa frowns at Kuspir.
[Ifa] At least try to get some rest.
[Kuspir] I'll try.
[Izu] I'll go look for Jevai and Alai. Let's meet in Kuspir's house then, that way he can rest.
The team gathers to discuss Azolte’s strange behavior, and what to do next
[NemnostiGM] Later, you can gather everyone together in Kuspir's house to discuss what you have learned and decide on next steps.
[Jevai] ahh, so.... what happened?
[Jevai] (Is Kuspir still obviosuly injured?)
[NemnostiGM] (yes, definitely)
[Alai] That's quite a series of events.
[Alai] (assuming someone gives a summary to Jevai and Alai)
[Kuspir] (yes, we can summarize)
* Jorota is now known as Naka
* Lovosa is now known as Afra
[Alai] Is it too much of an imposition if I could examine your injury with magic?
[Kuspir] No, that would be fine.
[Kuspir] (I assume I can, idk, undo the bandages or whatever, Izu can tell me off if he wants ;)
* Izu can help with that
[Izu] Just please be careful.
[Alai] of course
* Alai will cast Analyze Aura
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 21 ].
[Alai] (so what is Kuspir's current dispositon and attitude towards everyone here?)
[Alai] (ill check his health/magic/and then emotional auras just to be sure)
[Kuspir] (oh man. uhh.)
[Kuspir] (He's worried about everyone - about their safety and involvement in this situation, and he feels responsible for protecting them. His feelings in that regard towards Ifa are stronger than anyone else's, even though he's just as related to Izu for instance. He has a strong affection for her, moreso than the others. He also feels guilty about feeling that way towards Ifa, though.)
[Alai] (and the GM can fill me in on the health and any lingering magical auras)
[Jevai] where was Azolte staying?
[Jevai] Did anyone notice when this madness overtook her?
[Jevai] she seemed to be wekl enough herself initially
[Kuspir] Maybe we can find out who was the last to speak with her before this happened.
[NemnostiGM] (Kuspir's health is that he's actually surprisingly fine despite the seriousness of the injury. There are no lingering magical auras)
[Kuspir] She must have had someone bringing her food or tending to her injuries for instance.
* Ifa nods.
[Jevai] did the acolytes who found her say how long they had been observing her?
[Alai] Good news, nothing lingering from the attack made on you, and you can still wrestle an ox if you needed to.
[Kuspir] Marga, did they say anything to you?
[Kuspir] Thank you.
* Kuspir says to Alai.
[Izu] Do not tell him ehtat.
[Izu] that
[Kuspir] See, I'm fine.
* Kuspir says as he's getting rebandaged.
[Kuspir] Alai says so.
[Izu] I say when you're fine.
* Ifa pokes him (gently) near a wound.
[Kuspir] Ow :(
[Ifa] Fine, huh?
[Kuspir] Mm.
[Kuspir] Mostly fine.
[Ifa] Hmph.
[Jevai] he can wrestle an ox, he will just have more regrets
[Ifa] Well, he can *safely* wrestle an ox once he's fully healed.
[Alai] Lets leave the wrestling discussions for later. Ifa can hogtie him if he doesn't settle down.
[Ifa] For now, let's avoid bovine fisticuffs.
[Kuspir] What did the ox ever do to me? I have no grudge against it.
[Ifa] All the more reason not to bother it.
[Alai] Izu, when you contacted Azolte, it WAS her you spoke to?
[Izu] I believe so, but I suppose I can't be completely sure.
[Jevai] Is it possible you could do whatever you did to Azolte to Ghevra?
* Jevai asks Kuspir
[Kuspir] I can try it.
[Kuspir] I have to touch the body with my weapon.
[Izu] That may be a problem.
[Jevai] but even she seems fine, like a normal ancestor, after she was first de-petrified
[Jevai] I was able to touch her body with no problems
[Kuspir] Why a problem?
* Kuspir asks Izu
[Alai] It hasn't been long, I may be able to see what happened in Azolte's chambers this morning.
* Jevai nods
[Izu] I believe Voice Ingo wishes to limit anyone interacting with the body.
[Ifa] Certainly these strange circumstances warrant an exception.
[Izu] But perhaps he will allow us to try
[Jevai] yes, but if this has the potential to bring her to rest properly I am sure he will be in favour
[Izu] True
[Izu] Especially if it means her family can communicate with her again.
[Jevai] I also think that it may be better to try it sooner rather than later
* Kuspir nods
[Izu] We should find him, then.
[Alai] I'll head to Azolte's chamber and meet back with you after
[Kuspir] Don't go alone - in case something happens.
[Alai] volunteers?
[Jevai] I'll go
* Alai nodsw
[Izu] I'll find Voice Ingo.
[Izu] Marga, would you come with me?
* Ifa glances at Izu.
* Izu studiously ignores her glance.
[Marga] UH sure?
* Izu will head out with Marga in tow, then.
* Ifa frowns as they step out.
Ifa and Kuspir stay behind so she can tend to his bandages and they can talk, or not talk, about feelings
* Ifa turns to Kuspir.
[Ifa] You're really okay?
[Kuspir] I'm ... *sigh* I'm hurt but I'm not an invalid.
[Kuspir] It was bad, but I'll recover.
[Ifa] It would be nice if we could stop getting injured.
* Ifa gives a half-smile.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] It would be nice if things calmed down a little. Just for a while.
* Ifa will check his bandages, just to be sure.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] I do prefer the quiet life.
* Kuspir smiles a little at that.
[Kuspir] I did feel better when you got there. Izu is very good at healing, of course, but... it was different once you were helping.
[Kuspir] Everything just hurt less.
* Ifa smiles, perhaps blushing a little.
[Ifa] When he found me and said you were hurt...
[Ifa] I was very worried. I should have known you're too tough to be *that* injured.
[Kuspir] I think Marga was more alarmed than I was. At the time I just wanted to make sure she couldn't do any damage to the well, or anything else.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] I wonder what she was doing. Or what whatever was in her was doing.
[Ifa] I really don't like this whole thing of not knowing if there's someone or some*thing* inside the ulajeta.
[Kuspir] It was like she was trying to dig into the well. I don't know what she would have done if she'd actually managed it. Maybe there's something in there that is ... important, somehow? Or maybe it was to sabotage the water supply for the ulajeta.
[Ifa] The latter was my concern, but maybe we can look into the former?
* Kuspir nods
[Ifa] There might be something written somewhere if there is, or Alai and Jevai can try to look magically. Failing anything else, I guess we could give someone waterbreathing and have them go take a look.
[Ifa] Alai's a really good swimmer. :)
* Kuspir chuckles at that, then winces because chuckling probably hurts.
* Ifa instinctively puts a hand on his bandage.
[Ifa] Let's try not to injure you further, hmm?
[Kuspir] Mm... I'll try.
* Kuspir looks away for a moment
[Kuspir] (perhaps trying to compose himself)
* Ifa notices her hand and pulls it away.
[Ifa] Maybe I should...let you rest.
[Kuspir] ...
* Ifa pauses awkwardly, about to take a step away.
[Kuspir] Ifa... I want you to stay. I want that so much.
* Kuspir says in a rush
[Kuspir] But I ... I know it's wrong.
[Ifa] No, I mean, I'm happy to keep you company...
* Kuspir sighs
[Kuspir] Yes, all right. If you keep me company, that would be good. I'll try to rest.
[Ifa] Why...why would it be wrong?
* Ifa doesn't make eye contact as she asks.
[Kuspir] Oh... I'm sure I'm keeping you from more important things.
* Ifa looks up.
[Ifa] Oh, no, you're, uh, this is important.
[Ifa] I'm happy to stay and make sure you're all right.
[Ifa] I don't know what we'd do if something happened to you.
[Kuspir] we?
[Kuspir] I think you are all doing fine with this. They could replace me with another stoneguard and you'd be all right.
[Ifa] Don't even joke.
* Ifa gives a faux scowl.
[Kuspir] I'm just here to take the damage. I did my job today, at least.
[Ifa] I prefer to think your job is *preventing* damage.
[Ifa] But I'm glad you were there to help.
[Kuspir] On a good day.
[Ifa] And I'm sorry you had to do said job.
[Kuspir] I hope the kids are okay. I would rather they hadn't had to see that.
[Ifa] Fultukhari and Lovosa? I'm sorry they saw that, but...maybe they need to understand bad things like that can happen. They can both be a bit reckless.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] They can, but it has to have been scary for them. I hope they don't tell Irdomila until I have a chance to talk to her.
[Kuspir] I mean, they were told not to talk to anyone, but... kids.
* Kuspir sighs and will lie back so he's ostensibly resting more.
[Ifa] You rest. I'll go get you something to eat and drink, and then we can grumble more about kids. :)
[Kuspir] All right.
* Ifa smiles at Kuspir and heads out, stopping right after she's out the door to take a big breath and compose herself.
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes...
Jevai and Alai meet to discuss Abyssal magic, reach out to contact any Unkind entities, and Jevai makes contact with a dark and cryptic voice
* Jevai will make plans to meet with Alai
* Alai will have reserved a private study/research room that she frequently uses.
* Jevai had brough some basic things with her for lodying, and prepared a few glyphs in advance (Which I should probably roll ror :p)
[Jevai] !roll 1d20+12
[Jevai] wait
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 25 ]
[Jevai] (That was see beyond)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 25 ]
[NemnostiGM] (no nat 20 this time)
[Jevai] (investigative mind)
* Alai is wearing a cream Altala with a loose and poofy bodice, and shoulders, tight sleeves, and a straight skirt that hugs her hips but opens for an easy stride, with an array of tight fitting bracelets. Her hair is up and pinned with bone pins.
[Jevai] (I think those were on the perceotions rolls? maybe not though I forget)
[Jevai] (Contact entity 2)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 21 ]
[NemnostiGM] (you decided on level 2 not 3?)
* Jevai is dressed in her normal style but if anything she hasine been payig at much attention to syle - hair pilled back out of her face simply
[Jevai] (I guess I coul try 5 - that's within my reach, just hard)
[NemnostiGM] (whatever you prefer, it's fine)
[Jevai] (try 3, which is a 5th lvl spell ;)
[Jevai] (let's say 3 - idk if it will be enough anyway)
[Jevai] (Do you want me to re-roll it? I think that's a roll on the minor table)
[NemnostiGM] (I was really just making sure it wasn't a typo when you said 2)
[NemnostiGM] (no need to reroll, if you will take the minor backlash)
[Jevai] (yup)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d100 ] getting [ 60 ]
[Jevai] (yeha stunned for one round earlier this am)
* Jevai lays out some stones when she joins Alai
[Jevai] I feel like we have a lot to go over.
[Jevai] Have you heard about Ghevra? The bubun we recovered who'd been petrified?
[Alai] I did not hear anything specific about the bubun, no. Elighten me.
[Jevai] the Voice were unable to contact her as an ancestor.
[Jevai] When they tried, they were violently thrown back from her
[Jevai] I looked at her - there is the same... unkind...manifestation about her body. There is a source of it that is emanating towards her form the cave system of the inner caves and collecting in her skull.
[Alai] I don't suppose you were fortunate enough to trace the exact location of the source?
[Jevai] in a sense...
[Jevai] I was notified late the other night of a strange manifestation in the Nadenigh caves - it is a crack into the void, definitely connected to unkindness.
[Jevai] it is emanating such an energy
[Alai] Not a comforting feeling that this entity influence is spreading.
[Jevai] no
[Jevai] but also... I was able to, in some sense, comunicate with it briefly
[Alai] my momentary contact was not fruitful in gleaning much useful information. How was yours?
[Jevai] it told me that it was void
[Jevai] (sorry - NOthing, not Void)
[Jevai] that's all
[Alai] its grasp of paradoxical concepts feels weak
[Jevai] but we should be able to contact it, if it has some kind of consciousness?
[Jevai] I would like to try - 'm not sure if my magic is powerful enough
[Alai] its been successfully contacted twice so I feel little reason why you should not be able to again.
[Alai] Since you are coming here, you have thoughts on what you want to learn from it if you succeed in connecting?
[Jevai] I'm still thinking that through
[Jevai] does it have desires? what are they?
[Jevai] I can't compel it to answer me
[Jevai] what do you think we should try to learn?
[Alai] I agree learning its current motivations would be of value, assuming it even understands what they are.
[Jevai] there are other questions that are more... metaphysical?
[Jevai] Where does it come from?
[Jevai] what has happened to ghevra's lemu?
[Jevai] can it be retrieved?
[Jevai] There is also this...
[Alai] That last one seems more immediately pertinent
* Jevai pulls out the stone arm
[Alai] is that from the bubun?
[Jevai] no. It was in storage - Kuspir found a reference to it in old records. It was found on its own, btu may have come form the area of the unkind stone
[Jevai] there's also the question of Azolte
[Jevai] whether she has been infected in some way...
[Jevai] but I think there are others better suited to investigating the living
[Jevai] I think Ifa was going to try and look in on her, or Kuspir
* Alai nods
[Alai] if they find any lingering effects that might fall in our area of expertise we can assess them then.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] Should I go ahead and try this, then?
* Alai considers
[Alai] Between the two of us I think we can manage the task. More information is good.
[Alai] How do you intend to proceed?
[Jevai] I had researched a soell, that I have lodged - contact entity. But again - I don't know if my magic is powerful enough.
* Jevai will do see beyond first though, and then the other one
[Alai] Let me cast at least some protection for ourselves
[Jevai] Its possible we should take this outside the ulajeta
[Alai] That may be safest as well
[Alai] Do you have what you need?
* Jevai picks up her stones
[Jevai] yes.
* Alai will quickly cast endure elements on herself and they can head out into the day away from the ulajeta
* Jevai can take us to a place she knows that's close to the caves but above ground
[Jevai] let me know when you are ready
* Jevai will settle down somewhere comfortably
* Alai will cast Thaumaturgic Circle versus "unkind"
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 30 ].
[Alai] we have some warding against it at least. How effective, hard to say, but some is better than none.
* Jevai nods
* Jevai will dislodge the contact entity
* Alai will cast Arcane Sight before she does
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 24 ].
[Jevai] you shoudl also try see beyond
[Jevai] I know what it did ti Ifa.... btu I think that is how I was able to communicate with it before
* Alai will cast see invisible as well
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 16 ].
[Alai] I am ready
[Jevai] (cool)
[Jevai] I've dislodged it... but it is more of an invitation than a compulsion
[Alai] we shall see
[Jevai] meanwhile - is there anything you have learned i your studies about this?
[Alai] that this "unkindness" has power to sustain effects. By the Source, or like the Source, I haven't delved into enough to make any conclusions.
[Jevai] To me it seems like.... un-creation
[Jevai] the unforlding is source made into reality
[Jevai] but this is more than just unmaking kinds
[Jevai] its a disruption of some kind
[Jevai] I don't understand the association with stone but it is no accident that stone holds Source
[Jevai] what about... Abyss?
[Alai] Nemni claimed to have created or at least tapped into the "unkindness". That must have been through the Source though.
[Jevai] yes. I don't know if she completely understands what she had done or not
[Alai] As the Abyss... I have delved that as well.
* Jevai nods
[Alai] They are similar I guess, but not the same. "Unkindness is Abyss"
[Alai] But the Abyss is not Unkindness
[Alai] That is what my delvings have brought me
[Jevai] is it drawing on unkindness in some... filtered way?
[Alai] The Abyss is power through chaos... so the Unkindness is the same... a disruption. But that does not make the Abyss the same as thing as the Unkindness.
[Alai] That is one interpretion of the divinations.
[Alai] I feel its the best I have with what I know.
* Jevai thinks, then nods
[Jevai] I think that what I am looking at is something beyond unkindness itself
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you feel a pulse of energy, as if the world ripples.
* Jevai sits up staight
[Jevai] its here
[NemnostiGM] You hear a voice in your head: AGAIN.
[Jevai] again what?
[Dark_Voice] YOU CALL ME, AGAIN.
[Jevai] When did I call you before?
[Dark_Voice] YOU ASKED: WHAT ARE YOU
[Dark_Voice] I AM NOTHING, STILL.
[Jevai] I did.
[Dark_Voice] I AM NOTHING, STILL.
[Jevai] What is 'Nothing'?
* Jevai winces a little because this thing can only YELL apparenlty
[Dark_Voice] NO THING. NO KIND. UN KIND.
[NemnostiGM] It's not exactly yelling, Jevai, but it is definitely overwhelming. It's like a deep resonant pulse in your gut, every time it speaks.
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you definitely are getting a familiar sensation from Jevai, but you can't hear this directly at the moment.
[Jevai] what do you want?
[Dark_Voice] YOU CALLED ME.
* Alai is examining any aura present or anthing else she can observe.
[Jevai] YOu were already present, weren't you?
[Dark_Voice] WHAT IS PRESENT?
[Jevai] Manifest in the place of kindness.
[NemnostiGM] (Alai, you have cast Arcane Sight and See Invisible, right?)
[Jevai] in Ghevra - who was stone, and is not an Ancestor
[Alai] (yes)
[NemnostiGM] (oh wait, I see, also thaumaturgic circle, let me check that for one second)
[Alai] (it just gives us a resistance bonus and ac bonus and stops it from being able to dominate us)
[NemnostiGM] (yeah I see that)
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you think that whatever is going on here, it is happening through Jevai, but that whatever entity this is is not actually physically present in this space, at least not in the ordinary sense.
[NemnostiGM] Jevai is neither possessed by or in the presence of Abyss / Unkind / whatever - it is simply communicating from a distance, in your judgement.
[Dark_Voice] DO YOU WISH TO BRING ME IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOU?
[Jevai] I don't know what that means
[Jevai] what would it mean to be in conjunction with you?
[Dark_Voice] I DO NOT UNDER-STAND. I STAND-UNDER.
[Jevai] (I will assume that my questions can be voiced aloud at least)
[NemnostiGM] (yes I was assuming that, and you can convey its answers to Alai - it's just that you cast the Contact Entity spell)
[Jevai] Are there others like you?
[Jevai] (yeah)
[Dark_Voice] ALL THINGS ARE LIKE ALL OTHER THINGS.
[Jevai] how is kind like un-kind?
[Jevai] How is thing like no-thing?
[Dark_Voice] NOW YOU ARE READY.
[Jevai] ready?
[Jevai] for what?
[Dark_Voice] BE READY FOR WHEN LIGHT MEETS DARK.
[NemnostiGM] At that time, the voice dissipates, and you feel like you can breathe freely again.
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, it feels like the absence of nothing, and things rush in around you. And then it is over.
* Jevai takes a deep breath
[Jevai] its gone
[Jevai] it said 'be ready for when light meeets dark'
[Alai] nothing manifested here. Just that which was brought by your magic.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I dn't know if that answered anythign at al
[Alai] its communication lacks context. Its very new at this, at least.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] but it did answer
[Jevai] I meant to ask it why
[Alai] curiosity? It wants to reach out? Conjuction, connection to better understand?
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I don't know if conjunction is a goal it has or... I just don't know
[Alai] Your spell worked, so the Source can touch it. We reversed Azolte's petrification. Whatever it is, its not untouchable at least. Powerful for sure.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] it believes there is some commonality between us... in some sense
[Jevai] I have so many questions for Her about this
[Alai] We will have to see how forthcoming She is.
[Alai] Lets head back. We won't learn more here.
* Jevai nods and stands
[Alai] See if Azolte is willing to disclose more of her experience.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] We could see if anyone has talked to her yet?
[Alai] I agree
[Jevai] (I guess we can go back and see if we can find Ifa or Kuspir and join the others?)
Ifa talks to Afra about her impending marriage and childbirth, and Afra asks Ifa to help her deal with Tairasta, Hojon’s estranged wife
[NemnostiGM] Ifa, this evening, you've been tasked by Hand Jesa with attending to elder bubun, those in the last year of their jugoras. At this stage in their service, they tend to slow down and it gets harder to get them to do complex tasks.
[NemnostiGM] You're in the stables area just storing them away when your mother's effigy Ghoko ducks in through the door.
[Ghoko] Hello, Hand Ifa. I come at the sending of your worthy mother.
[Ifa] Hello Ghoko. Does my mother need something?
[Ghoko] She does. She would like you to join her in her infirmary.
[Ifa] (Can I step away from my current duties?)
[Ifa] (Without incident, I mean)
[NemnostiGM] (yes, absolutely, the bubunne will be fine)
[Ifa] Of course. Is everything all right?
* Ifa will head out with Ghoko.
[Ghoko] I believe so, yes.
* Ghoko escorts you through the hallways until you arrive at your mother's small work area. You enter, and find her there with Afra Sortusai.
[Ifa] Oh, hey Afra! :) Mother, you sent for me?
[Naka] Hello, dear. Yes, well, it's not urgent. But I'm glad you were able to come.
[Naka] You know, Afra's getting very close to her time.
* Afra smiles warmly.
[Afra] Should only be a matter of a week or two now. Hi Ifa!
* Ifa smiles back.
* Afra is wearing a great silk gown that was clearly sent to her by her noble family, probably imported from Omba or Daligash or someplace like that. You used to see the noblewomen in Onighus in stuff like this when they were nearing birth, although it would be typical for them to be relatively secluded in this state.
[Naka] Baby will be here soon. He's big. Maybe as much as ten pounds. Just ... like his father.
[Ifa] I imagine you'll be excited to get this over with, and move on to entirely new types of tired. ;)
[Afra] That's for sure.
[Afra] How have you been?
[Ifa] As well as can be, with everything going on around here. More importantly, how are *you* doing?
[Afra] Good!
[Naka] Ghoko, with me. We'll need some more of these mosses before I can finish. Ifa, you won't mind keeping an eye on things here while I'm out gathering?
[Ifa] Of course.
[NemnostiGM] (you can give me a Sense motive if you like)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+11
* Jevai rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 30 ].
[NemnostiGM] Yeah there's pretty much no chance that your mom randomly needed to leave the room to collect moss. Whatever this is, it's a pretense.
[Ifa] (*nod*)
[Ghoko] Yes, of course.
* Ifa gives her mom a weird look as she and Ghoko exit.
* Ghoko obeys, naturally, and follows Naka out of the infirmary.
* Afra smiles.
[Afra] You've been busy.
[Ifa] I have...
[Ifa] Everything okay?
[Afra] You mean with all the lies?
[Ifa] Well, that's certainly a concern.
[Afra] You didn't grow up in my family. Lying about family matters is basically what Sortusais do.
[Ifa] I grew up around this but I'm not an herbalist. We're not necessarily our families.
[Ifa] And that's not an answer.
[Afra] I've been meaning to thank you. Cousin Pomirabe tells me how you spoke up for me. You didn't have to ... but I appreciate it anyway.
[Afra] It's good to know I have you on my side still.
[Ifa] Always.
[Ifa] I mean, I try to advocate for everyone, but...I care about you. I want you to be happy.
* Afra smiles.
[Afra] Still. I know why you're concerned, because this is all ... unseemly, and weird.
[Ifa] It's a *bit* weird, yes.
[Ifa] But if you're happy with it, weirdness doesn't really matter.
[Afra] Happy is a strange word. I don't know about happy. But I'm satisfied. I get a marriage that I get to control. I get to stay here where my child will be a Nemni. And as weird as you may think it - Hojon is very kind to me. He's not the way that he is when he has to be hengi.
[Ifa] I will take your word for it.
[Ifa] And satisfied is better than the alternative.
* Ifa smiles.
[Afra] If I weren't willing, I assure you I'd have told you. Is it perfect? No, but so few things are in this world.
[Afra] The Sortusai are deeply imperfect, so much more than this place, which means so much to me. All the people here ... you included, of course.
[Ifa] That's kind of you.
[Ifa] We would be poorer if you had to leave.
[Afra] The only other option, well, it would have been more awkward. To adopt me into the Nemni, but Hojon would not hear of it, and then my child, it would be the child of incest. Or else we would have needed another father to step up.
[Ifa] There are options, I'm sure, but I thought you were set on your current course.
[Afra] I am! It is for the best.
[Afra] And you will be kin to my child, and I know you will be a caring and loving auntie.
[Ifa] (Sense motive?)
[Afra] (sure go ahead)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+11
* Jevai rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 18 ].
* Afra seems to believe what she is saying, although possibly in the way that she's just told herself that so many times that she believes it now. Definitely she's not being deceptive.
* Ifa tries not to let her face betray her, and will put an arm around Afra's shoulders.
[Ifa] Of course I will.
[Afra] There is one thing you can do to help, maybe.
[Ifa] Name it.
[Afra] Hojon is worried about his wife. Tairasta.
[Ifa] What about her?
[Afra] Her son married to her husband's mistress, raising a child as her grandchild who has no tie to her at all. It's a lot.
[Ifa] You're not wrong, of course.
[Afra] Their marriage was never one of love, and they've been estranged for so long.
* Ifa nods.
[Afra] But I worry that she might mean ill, for me, or the child.
[Ifa] I take it you haven't spoke to her about all this. Has Hojon?
[Afra] No, because he is being avoidant, and because, well, Tairasta isn't a nice woman, surely you know that too. She doesn't love this place, she was never an acolyte.
* Ifa takes a deep breath and gives a long sigh.
[Afra] I would have no place to talk to her, even if she were here in front of me, and I certainly can't travel to Naftusa in this condition.
[Afra] But Hojon, he is still her husband. She is still the hengi's wife.
[Ifa] Are you asking me to talk to her for you?
[Afra] She will be at the wedding, of course, because it is her son's wedding, after all.
[Afra] And I worry that she would cause a disturbance.
[Afra] But she is very religious. I'm sure she would have to listen to you.
* Ifa sighs again and nods.
[Ifa] I'll make sure she doesn't cause a scene.
[Afra] I appreciate it. Hojon supports me, he really does, but he has so many other obligations.
[Ifa] He's a very important man.
[Ifa] I'm glad he supports you and makes you happy.
* Afra smiles.
[Afra] Momuzai is a good man too. He just, he's had to live in the shadow of important people his whole life.
[Afra] He'll be a good husband, and of course I don't have to worry about anyone providing for me.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] You'll always have a place here.
* Afra smiles.
[Afra] You're the best.
Alai uses Retrocognition in Azolte’s chambers to hear her talking about a monster within the walls, and her desperate cry ‘I am Ishikande’
* Alai arrives in Azolte's chambers and will cast Retrocognition
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 23 ].
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you cast your spell and then draw yourself back into the past of Azolte's chamber. Of course, over the most recent few hours, nothing has taken place at all. But then you see it, from early this morning, an hour or two before dawn.
[NemnostiGM] Azolte is sitting upright on her bed, her broken leg outstretched. She is weeping.
[NemnostiGM] You hear her cry out "Who is inside this place? What monster lies within these walls?"
[NemnostiGM] She turns her hands over to look at her palms, eyes wide open in terror, tears flowing down her cheeks.
[NemnostiGM] Then she speaks again, "No, no! It is not me! I am Ishikande! Ishikande!"
[NemnostiGM] (Alai, make a Concentration check please)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+10
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 15 ].
[Alai] (ill destiny just cause)
[NemnostiGM] (ok)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+10
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 14 ].
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you are overwhelmed at the grief, but even moreso by the sense that something very dark and very powerful happened here, inside Azolte herself.
[NemnostiGM] Whatever transformation happened here is too much for you to bear, and the scene breaks off, pulling you back into the present.
[Jevai] Alai?
* Alai shakes her head trying to bring her thoughts together
[Alai] Something happened here.. she was here this morning.
* Alai will cast greater detect magic
[Jevai] as herself?
[Alai] !roll 1d20+13
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+13 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 13 ] totals [ 24 ].
[Alai] yes
[Jevai] (I assume there is nothing to see here with See Beyond at this point
[Jevai] ort ar least, in her own mind...
[NemnostiGM] Alai, there is a familiar and powerful set of auras, the kind that you have felt before at Unkind things, transmutation and necromancy, though not a specific spell.
[NemnostiGM] In addition, there is a lingering aura unlike those, something divinatory in nature.
[NemnostiGM] (please make a K:arcana check)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Jevai rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 17 ].
[NemnostiGM] You don't know the source of it exactly, but it is not related to the other, darker magic.
[Alai] traces of unkind magic... that is likely the cause, but also divination of some kind, unrelated.
[Alai] I can't piece together the exact magic, my head is still abuzz, but I would intuit as some sort of scrying magic.
* Alai will describe the image she saw with retrocognition to Jevai
* Jevai will try a detect magic and see if she can see any of this lingering stuff
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 18 ]
[NemnostiGM] (you definitely can get a sense of the necromantic/transmutation Unkind thing, but not the divination)
[Jevai] I don't see it, but I trust you.
[Jevai] maybe someone could have activated what happened to her from afar?
[Jevai] it sounded like she was talking to or hearing someone?
[Jevai] or something
[Alai] you should check the body to see if there is any lingering connections, like the bubun.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] Izu was able to talk to her, it suggests that there is not
[Jevai] there wasn’t anything initially with Ghevra though
[Jevai] but maybe she was 'activated' in the same way.
[Alai] which is worrisome if there is a lingering trace like a disease that corrupts.
[Alai] My magic should have revealed if such was present in Kuspir
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I don't think it is the same - they were in contact with and transformed the by the stone
Solos
Izu has dinner with Voice Ingo and Junu; they admire Junu’s new alabaster sculpture and talk about the possible vacancies among the Emperor’s Conduits
[NemnostiGM] Izu, you've had a lot on your mind lately, and so when Voice Ingo invited you over to his chambers this evening for what he described as a pleasant dinner with you and Junu, you were happy to accept.
[NemnostiGM] It's always a little awkward since you have to avoid discussing any secret Voice matters around Junu, and surely now, with the business with Ghevra, even more so. But even though Ingo is a great mentor to you, you have to admit he's a lot more fun whenever Junu is around.
[NemnostiGM] As suitable to the high priest of an important temple. Ingo has a large set of chambers located in the temple, not as large as Nemnu's own chambers, of course, but certainly as big as Hojon's private quarters in the iftibal.
* Ingo is wearing a finely-tailored vestment, typical of him.
* Junu is wearing what you can only describe as an outlandish vest decorated with tiny stone beads, and a braided sotogos sash whose threads are made to look like a seam of alabaster.
* Izu is wearing his usual robes, but freshly washed and with a a few decorative stone and jewel bracelets and anklets, which is about as close as he ever gets to dressing up.
[Junu] Hello, Izu! It's been too long!
* Izu will bring a bottle of wine with him from his brother's tavern.
[Izu] Junu! A pleasure as always. How has the carving been?
[Junu] Well. I have something to show you. A new piece.
[Izu] Oh?
[Junu] But what's this, a bottle you say? Well that's always nice.
* Izu seems genuinely interested
* Izu will hand it off to Junu for serving.
* Ingo wanders in and smiles.
[Ingo] He's been talking about it for months and only finally now seems happy to show it off.
* Izu smiles.
[Junu] Well, it wasn't ready!
[Izu] We stonecarvers are perfectionists. The smallest flaw will draw the eye in marble.
[Junu] Yes, although of course this is alabaster.
[Junu] Come, then. It's on the dining room table.
* Izu will follow.
* Junu leads you in, with Ingo trailing behind.
[NemnostiGM] In the center of the dining table is a centerpiece made of polished and cured red-gold alabaster, perhaps eighteen inches high. It depicts a running child, perhaps six or seven years old, carrying a strange oversized goblet with a broad opening.
* Junu opens your bottle of wine.
[Junu] It is called "Downfall". Here, put some wine in it.
[Izu] In the statue?
[Junu] In the goblet, yes.
* Junu smiles, nodding.
* Junu hands you back the bottle.
* Izu will do so with a look as though he is about to waste good wine.
[Junu] No, more than that. Fill it up.
* Izu will keep pouring.
[NemnostiGM] You pour some in, and just as it gets close to full, the wine rapidly begins to disappear, until, a moment later, the goblet is entirely empty.
* Izu furrows his brow.
[Izu] What...
* Junu laughs.
[Junu] It is meant to be an allegory for caution and moderation, of course. You can have nice things, but only to the extent that you do not seek too much.
* Izu laughs.
[Izu] Where does it go?
[Junu] There's a tiny channel that flows down into the base of the foot, and then see ... you just unstop it and it pours out from this end.
* Junu pulls on the foot, revealing a cork, with wine pouring out from the foot into a clay flagon, which he puts below it.
[Izu] Remarkable!
[Izu] Junu, this is truly spectacular.
[Izu] Will you show me how it's done?
[Junu] Sure, of course. It's not magic or anything. It just relies on the fluid to pull itself through the channel at the bottom, and then down into the base.
* Izu will examine it more closely to try to see the channel.
[Junu] The Imperials used the same principle sometimes to move water around. But there isn't much use for it, practically.
[Junu] It's stable, right up until it isn't, and then when you get past that point, whooosh, down it goes.
[Izu] It is, of course, beautiful as well. Who is the subject?
[Junu] No one in particular. Just an allegorical figure.
[Ingo] Months, I tell you, months he has been on this thing.
[Izu] Something like this would take most carvers years, if they could do it at all.
[Junu] Well, thank you, I'm glad you like it.
[Ingo] Come, then, sit, let's put this wine to use instead of just pouring out of a young boy.
[Izu] Maybe now that it's done we will get to see you more often. Or are you already onto your next project?
[Junu] Well, there's never any shortage of work in caskets and columns, around here
[Junu] But nothing like this, no. Probably this one will sell in the city. I imagine She has enough of my pieces already.
[Junu] And 'Downfall' is not the lightest of themes.
[Izu] True, though it is a lesson that many need.
* Junu nods.
[Junu] So, your cousin Momuzai is getting married. That is a bit of a surprise.
[Izu] Yes, it is a surprise to many.
[Junu] Well, good for them, I suppose.
[Ingo] Don't be nosy, Jagu. Izu probably doesn't know any more than the rest of us.
[Izu] BI tend to be ignorant of social goings on. That is more my sister's domain.
[Izu] (I)
[Ingo] And you have the good sense to keep your silence on matters not your own.
[Izu] The world would be a better place if people only spoke about things they know. Though, perhaps a duller one.
* Junu serves some bread and fresh loza berry paste.
[Izu] It is very good to see you both. I've needed a distraction from all the excitement lately.
* Junu looks over at Ingo, as if asking permission for something.
* Ingo shakes his head.
[NemnostiGM] There is a definite pause in the conversation.
[Izu] Ah... how is your cousin Jegos?
[Junu] Oh, you know. Nervous, because he's a revenant. People are scared, even though whoever it was doing those things hasn't been active for a while.
[Ingo] To our knowledge.
[Izu] It is worrying.
[Junu] Well, other than that, he only thinks about business. Wants me to sell more in Onighus.
[Izu] You don't wish to?
[Junu] It's not that, it's just that ... sometimes you have a calling and you don't care about the other stuff.
[Junu] Jegos was an acolyte here, just as we all were, but he doesn't have the same attachment to this place.
[Izu] That, I understand.
* Junu and Ingo exchange a Glance.
* Ingo nods.
[Ingo] Lots of news from Onighus these days.
[Ingo] Rumor has it that two Conduits may retire within the year.
[Izu] Two at once? That is rare.
[Ingo] Zubisil, we suspected for a while - he's nearly ninety. But Shishaz is barely seventy.
[Ingo] He's the one who was appointed when Zinar was excommunicated, and that was only ... ahh, shit, nearly twenty years ago, now that I think about it.
[NemnostiGM] (you can give me a K:religion to know what he's talking about)
[Izu] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 14 ].
* Lan-home rolls for Izu: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 32 ].
[NemnostiGM] Izu, you think you remember something about that. It was a long time ago - Zinar was a Conduit who decided to marry for love and was excommunicated.
[Izu] I think I remember hearing of that. Messy business, yes?
[Ingo] Indeed.
[Ingo] Two vacancies in a year at the Mausoleum. Makes you think.
[Junu] Don't think too hard. I like it here.
* Izu seems surprised by that remark.
[Izu] Do you think there is a chance you might be called?
[Ingo] If the One calls, how could I deny Him?
[Ingo] And of course, Onighus was home, for a long time.
[Izu] That is... something to think about.
[Junu] She would be sad to lose you.
[Ingo] Imas and Kailas wouldn't be sad at all.
[Junu] Sure, until they murdered one another!
[Ingo] Oh, come on now, Storm, it's not that bad. They have intellectual disagreements that get a little loud sometimes, that's all.
* Junu snorts.
[Junu] That's one way to describe it.
[Izu] You would assuredly be missed.
[Ingo] Thank you, Izu. That's kind of you. But I assure you that Nemnu would have ample service here still, even if it were to happen.
[Izu] But this is all theoretical... right?
[Ingo] For now, yes.
[Izu] If it did come to pass, Junu, I am sure you could visit here often. You will always have a place here, of course.
[Junu] Look at you, talking as if you run the place! Maybe Izu can be in charge instead of those buffoons! He's a Nemni.
* Izu blushes.
[Ingo] Imas is no buffoon. He's just ill-tempered.
[Izu] I... I didn't mean...
* Junu laughs.
[Junu] It's all right, you're a Nemni. This is your home no matter what.
[Junu] I know my place.
[Izu] I... find myself torn between wanting to wish you luck in an appointment and a selfish hope that you stay on here.
[Ingo] Well, nothing is certain, and regardless, there is no vacancy yet.
[Izu] True.
[Ingo] With all that we have going on right now, I can hope that we can settle it before anything happens at the Mausoleum.
[Ingo] And if it should pass, then She will have an ally there with Eluli Ula Himself.
[Izu] Indeed. We live in interesting times.
[Izu] I can only say that He would be a fool not to appoint you, and he is no fool.
[Junu] Very tactful, Izu.
[Junu] Well, let me get dinner out, then.
* Junu serves up a delicious goat dish, and you spend a pleasant rest of the evening not talking about matters of importance.
Kuspir talks to his Pillar, Fezef Takovenga, about the strange stone arm found and brought to Nemnosti during his service
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, you have had a very busy week. But among the duties you have not forgotten is the responsibility to talk to your Pillar, Fezef, about the stone arm that Nemnu has been keeping in her treasury for over a century.
[NemnostiGM] You have made the arrangements with Voice Ingo to meet him to speak to the Ancestor.
* Nary will go at the appropriate time
* Nary is now known as Kuspir
* Kuspir will go at the appropriate time
[Ingo] Hello, Medimur.
[Kuspir] Hello. Thank you for your help with this matter.
[Ingo] Come with me, let's head into the Captain's resting place.
[Ingo] Few speak to him anymore other than you and we Voices; there are not so many Takovengas around.
* Kuspir nods
* Ingo leads you through the Inner Caves to a locked chamber and then in from there to a fine alabaster casket.
[Ingo] You ready?
[Kuspir] I think so, yes.
* Ingo opens the casket and begins the death dialogue with the ancestral stoneguard.
* Ingo speaks, and you hear the change in his voice instantly, though you know that it is not truly Fezef's voice you are hearing.
* Junu is now known as Fezef
[Fezef] Who are you?
[Kuspir] I am Kuspir of the Vabaseli, a Stoneguard.
[Fezef] Do you serve the Lady, then?
[Kuspir] I do.
[Fezef] Is the ulajeta yet secure?
[Kuspir] It is .... but there are troubles.
[Fezef] What troubles? Tell me of them.
[Kuspir] There have been attacks against members of the community who are shororre. We think a Hulti shaman works in secret to attack them. The Lady feels threatened by this person, or group if it is a group, that they might harm others in Her protection, or even Herself.
[Fezef] For six decades, I worked to protect the ulajeta. But we knew not to mistake quiet for absence. The Old Folk have always resented Her.
[Kuspir] There are also a lineage called the Rumnoska, or the Sarguni, who come seeking their ula who is... gone? missing? I am not certain, only that their arrival coincides with these other problems, and one of their number was recently found turned to stone by a strange black ... substance.
[Kuspir] This substance also struck a bubun and that was also turned to stone, and once we brought them both back, other strange things have occurred with them.
[Fezef] Does Nemnu think this missing ula is also due to the Hulti?
[Kuspir] I am not sure. It might be? But the Sarguni, or whatever they call themselves, are secretive and don't seem to want to tell us much.
[Fezef] And She does not wish a firmer hand to interrogate them? Or is that why you are seeking my guidance?
[Fezef] I have always been known for my skill in that regard.
[Kuspir] I have questions about the people turned into stone. One of us was able to turn the bubun back to flesh, but the ancestor could not be communicated with in a normal fashion - it harmed the Voice who tried to contact her. Then also, the woman of the Sarguni who was transformed was also restored to flesh, but then a short while later seemed to go mad, attacking the stones of the ulajeta
[Kuspir] itself, the well, and even us when we approached her. We were forced to kill her in self-defense.
[Fezef] That is very disturbing to hear, young soldier.
[Kuspir] I looked in the Register of Patrols and found that you also had discovered a stone person, or rather, a stone arm. The arm remains in safekeeping here. But the note was quite short. I wondered if you know more than what was written down about this, in case it could be related.
[Fezef] Ah yes! I remember it well.
[Fezef] The black substance you mentioned. Was it at the ulajeta?
* Fezef asks, as if recalling something.
[Kuspir] No, it was in the Ghengom, near a site that was once a Hulti temple. There was an earthquake and strange happenings there, so we went to investigate, and found it was as if the land had turned to water, or not water, but this black liquid.
[Fezef] Up near Musune, and Gil Hargush.
[Fezef] That is a dark place.
[Kuspir] That's right.
[Fezef] The arm, when it was found, was downriver from there.
[Fezef] It was just at the end of the fos blight. The ulajeta was as closed and anxious as it had been in a long time. As much as I had ever seen it.
[Fezef] Naturally, I took it to the Voices, thinking that they would keep it, as they do with other remains that are not whole enough to become an ancestor.
[Fezef] But She intervened.
[Kuspir] Did She say anything about why?
[Fezef] We spoke on the matter. She told me it was a relic from the Purge times. I could well believe it. The arm was not fresh; the stone showed signs of having been worn down.
[Fezef] It is not my place to assign emotions to Her. But if I were to do so, I would say what I sensed from Her was shame, or guilt.
[Kuspir] I think I understand.
[Kuspir] So She wanted the arm kept in safekeeping?
[Fezef] She did. But for it to be forwarded to storage in the treasury, as a product of magic. Which, I assume, it is.
[Fezef] If there had been more of a body, I would like to think that I would have insisted, even to Her.
[Fezef] I even spoke to the hengi of the Laigrunuf, whose lands and rights are in that area.
[Fezef] To see, you understand, if there had been other parts found.
[Kuspir] Was She worried that someone could try to talk to this ancestor, if there were other parts found?
[Fezef] She did not say so. And it would have been inappropriate of me to ask Her that same question. But it did occur to me.
[Kuspir] But no other parts were found?
[Fezef] Never, to my knowledge.
[Fezef] That is not to say that none exist. But if they do, I wonder whether they rest with the Old Folk still.
[Fezef] That area had Hulti still during the Purge times, though not in my day, and I am imagining, not in yours either.
[Kuspir] Not that I know. If there is one or more lurking around, I do not think they are in that place, or at least, not permanently - they must move around.
[Fezef] I did wonder whether the Laigrunuf knew more than they were saying. They were Hulti, not in my day, but more recently than most. Perhaps still during the Purge times.
[Fezef] In your day, is it still remembered that they are Ravre?
[NemnostiGM] (you can roll K:local)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+7
* Lan-werk rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 22 ].
* Lan-home rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 16 ].
[NemnostiGM] You recall that yes, they were Ravre who resettled from their original lands near Musune and Gil Hargush to become 'civilized' country folk in the town of Bemnes (along the Khujai river, between there and Nemnosti). They still hold rights over their traditional lands but they all live in town now.
[Kuspir] Yes, to some it is still remembered.
[Fezef] I cannot say that after it was stored away, I ever gave the arm much more thought.
[Kuspir] I understand.
[Kuspir] Still, what you have told me may be useful. Thank you.
[Fezef] I am proud to see that the stoneguards of Nemnosti still serve with such dignity.
[Fezef] Until feet fail, young soldier.
[Kuspir] Thank you, Captain.
[Kuspir] Until feet fail.
* Ingo returns Fezef to his rest.
[Ingo] I hope you were able to learn what you needed.
[Kuspir] It was useful, yes. Or, it may be. I will have to do some more looking, but it gave me some ideas.
[Kuspir] Now, did you wish for me to try and lay to rest the ancestor Ghevra? I don't know if it will help but I feel I should try.
[Ingo] Certainly, although it is unorthodox ... this whole matter is unorthodoz.
* Kuspir nods
[Kuspir] It is a strange situation, to be sure. If it can bring her, or her family, some peace, then it seems worth it to attempt.
* Ingo takes you around the corner and to the little chamber where Ghevra is being kept.
* Kuspir will get his weapon out and touch it to her remains and try to lay her to rest.
[NemnostiGM] All right, please make a Will save.
[Kuspir] (I assume this area also counts as hallowed)
[NemnostiGM] (definitely)
[Kuspir] !roll 1d20+7
* Lan-werk rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 27 ].
* Lan-home rolls for Kuspir: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 26 ].
[NemnostiGM] You feel a surge of that same energy, but you are able to process it, perhaps even to understand it better. It is as if there was a bubble of void or nothingness inside Ghevra, that when popped, releases its power. It dissipates, and is gone.
[Kuspir] I feel like... that did something. Do you want to try and talk to her now? I will be right here in case it doesn't go well.
[NemnostiGM] You feel strong - despite your injuries, not yet fully healed - and a sense of calm comes over you.
* Ingo nods.
[Ingo] I will do so.
* Kuspir nods
* Ingo reaches out, somewhat tentatively, surely wary of being blasted with dark energy, to communicate with the Ancestor.
* Ingo comes out of his trance a few moments later, smiles, and nods.
[Ingo] I do not claim to understand it, but whatever you have done here, Medimur, has restored her. She is an ordinary Ancestor.
* Kuspir sighs with relief
[Kuspir] I'm glad to hear that.
[Ingo] I am thankful to not have to deceive the Gorgas any further.
[Kuspir] Yes. I hope that this will bring them comfort.
[Kuspir] Thank you for all your help today.
[Ingo] Likewise.
* Kuspir will go off and maybe lie down for a nap.
