Nemnosti session 29
Summary
Session
- Session date: August 17, 2025
- Negili Reckoning date: IE 768, Munudend
Prologue
[NemnostiGM] Greetings, acolytes! After the funeral today, it is always tempting to feel weak in the lungs and stomach. None of us may feel much like eating or singing. But I have brought some loza berries from the gardens, probably some of the last fresh ones we'll have till spring, to share. And I thought I would sing for you, and you can sing along if you like. It's about home, and autumn, and about more than that too, so pay attention. It's a song my mother taught to me and I thought you might like to reflect on it too.
Sweet samara, golden brown
Spin upon the breeze
Come to rest your head and husk
Amid the homeward trees.
Sweet samara, falling down
Journey at its end
Lay your soles in autumn leaves
And sleep beside your friend.
Sweet samara, seedling-crown
Twirling with your twin
Spiral coursing groundward
You shed your paper-skin.
Sweet samara, golden brown
Sleep in winter's loam
Then in spring, emergent, find
Your ever-rooty home.
Kuspir is interviewed by Emno Migantonos, the reckoner, about Hojon’s death and Zaren’s involvement
[NemnostiGM] Kuspir, inevitably your days have been occupied with much strain. Zaren remains secluded in the East Tower, well-cared-for, of course, but essentially a prisoner.
[NemnostiGM] Today you had the privilege of welcoming a long caravan of guests from Naftusa for the funeral. Hojon's family, including his son Sepen, daughter Mususi, and of course his widow Tairasta, have all arrived and settled in. Ifa is taking care of most of that, you think, although you haven't seen much of her the past few days.
[NemnostiGM] These days, he seems to be as much a puppet of the Council, with their various Dendorfis and Kaisastelovises and Sortusais and just a Ninderulai or two. A reckoner quite unlike those who live here.
[NemnostiGM] He has arranged a meeting with you this afternoon, after the funeral. You have to say it does not feel like an invitation you can refuse.
[NemnostiGM] If indeed it is an invitation at all.
[NemnostiGM] (You can meet with him wherever you choose, though, as long as it's private.)
[NemnostiGM] More significantly for you, Emno Migantonos has come with the caravan, sent by the Council in town. You've known Emno off and on for years, of course; he's an acolyte from long ago, but somewhat removed from the life of the ulajeta.
* Kuspir will meet him in my house I guess, that's private.
* Emno is a tall man, probably around the same age as Hojon, to be honest, with long straight hair down to mid-shoulders and a well-trimmed goatee. Though a commoner, he is well-dressed in green silks from the city.
[Emno] Good afternoon. It was a lovely service, don't you think?
[Kuspir] Yes, it was. Can I offer you anything? a drink or some other refreshment?
[Emno] I'm afraid you do not have anything to my tastes, but thank you. Water, I suppose.
* Kuspir will get him some water.
[Emno] Thank you.
[Emno] I will try to make this as painless as possible. But you understand, it must be done.
[Kuspir] I understand.
* Emno sighs and opens up a notebook, already full of notes and scribbles.
[Emno] I should let you know that I will not be binding you to truth. I will, rather, be doing so with others who I question.
[Kuspir] May I ask why not?
[Emno] It is simply beyond my power.
[Kuspir] Ah, well. I will tell the truth as I understand it nevertheless.
[Emno] Of that, I am certain.
[Emno] So, tell me in your own words what happened that day.
[Kuspir] I was summoned to the chamber where I found Hojon dead and Zaren alive but bloodied and weeping. I took charge of the situation to prevent others from entering as much as possible. Ifa and I examined the scene. Zaren stated at that point that he killed Hojon because it was necessary. He invoked my aid to protect him, and I did so, taking him to be confined safely.
[Kuspir] After that, I spoke to him privately.
* Emno nods.
[Emno] What did you ask him, and what did he say?
[Kuspir] He told me that for some time Hojon had been ill, which I knew - it was impossible to not have seen his deterioration over the past several months. He said that Hojon asked him to put him to rest, but he was reluctant, due to their long friendship. So Hojon attacked him, forcing his hand so that he would need to defend himself. He also ensured that Hojon could not be resurrected, following
[Kuspir] Hojon's own wishes on that subject.
[Emno] Tell me about Hojon's condition, from your perspective. What changes had you seen in him?
[Kuspir] He seemed confused, as if he was sometimes uncertain who he was speaking to or what the circumstances were in the present day. He did not seem like he was thinking rationally much of the time. He also was sometimes violent - for instance, I know that he struck Ifa in the face for stating that he ought to step down for the good of the lineage.
[Kuspir] So the idea that he could have attacked Zaren did not seem unlikely to me.
[Emno] So the idea of him stepping down, it had been broached by Ifa? Was that public?
[Kuspir] Well, public among the Nemni at least. I suppose probably others heard about it, though, it was the subject of much conversation.
[Emno] Had others given him the same advice?
[Kuspir] I think Zaren also had, earlier, and it's possible Ajemika did also.
[Emno] Mmm.
[Kuspir] If others did, I'm not sure.
[Emno] So your position is that Hojon was not in his right mind at the time of his death?
[Kuspir] Yes.
[Kuspir] I think he was well enough that he knew he would be provoking Zaren, and that he wanted to end his own life, but I think that for some time he had not been thinking clearly.
* Emno makes some notes.
[Emno] There are some who have wondered about the motive. Whether it might be to replace the hengi. What do you say to that?
[Kuspir] I don't think so. Zaren was concerned about the lineage, to be sure, but he would not have taken such a drastic action of his own accord.
[Emno] While Hojon and Zaren were friends ,their two branches of the family have not always been in accord.
[Emno] There could be a contender from among the Little Nemni.
[Kuspir] It's possible, but I don't think that was Zaren's motivation. He is a loyal man, not an ambitious one.
[Emno] Not Zaren himself, perhaps.
[Kuspir] And surely if he wanted to clear the way for a new hengi, it would only harm his family if he is thought to have killed the previous hengi on their behalf.
[Emno] But his daughter. You mentioned yourself, she had already confronted Hojon, and he had struck her.
[Emno] If someone had struck my daughter, I would not be happy.
[Kuspir] No, I'm sure, but I think he would have to have known that taking this kind of action would harm his family, not help them.
[Emno] Mmmm.
* Emno makes more notes.
[Kuspir] Even leaving aside any feelings of friendship or loyalty to Hojon, it would not be a sensible path to take if that was his goal.
[Kuspir] Especially not in so public a fashion.
[Emno] Perhaps he was agitated, incited into it?
[Kuspir] I do think he was agitated and incited - by Hojon.
* Emno nods.
[Emno] So you believe this was a form of suicide, using one's close friend of decades as the instrument.
[Kuspir] Yes. I think Hojon, for whatever reason, could not or would not complete the deed himself, so he chose this manner of death. I think consulting him as an ancestor would likely reveal this, if someone has not done so already.
* Emno nods.
* Longpig (~Longpiglns5-pool7-088.adsl.user.start.ca) has joined #nemnosti
[Emno] One of the goals of my questioning is to ensure that the Voices have the right questions to ask.
* Kuspir nods
[Emno] If you were to ask questions of Hojon, what would you ask him?
* Kuspir considers that for a moment
[Kuspir] I would ask about his last hours, I suppose. About whether he provoked Zaren deliberately to try and end his own life. Perhaps about why he did not take some other means to either step down or end his own life, although that is more my own personal curiosity.
[Emno] You have been leading the investigation now for some months, into the murder of revenants, is that not so?
[Kuspir] Zaren said it was his own pride and cowardice that combined to mean he could not do it himself, and he knew Hojon better than almost anyone.
[Kuspir] Yes.
[Emno] Is it possible that this is related? For instance, to replace Hojon with a weaker leader?
[Kuspir] I think that is unlikely. I suppose I cannot completely rule it out, but it would be a strange course of action, and I do not know how the ones responsible for those killings could have engineered this situation.
[Emno] Well, that is the question.
* Emno writes something down.
[Emno] You know, I am a revenant myself.
[Emno] We are all worried.
* Kuspir nods
[Emno] Whether this is just the first step in some larger action, by Hulti or some other enemy.
[Kuspir] I understand. My wife also is a revenant, and I have every wish to see the ones responsible are stopped from causing any more harm.
[Kuspir] After the death, Alai Vegru examined the scene to look for any traces of magic that might have influenced the two men, but there were no signs that she could detect. I don't know enough about magical matters to say if there are things that might have been undetectable, but I know Alai is very skilled and I trust her verdict on that.
[Emno] Was Hojon involved in that effort? Your investigation, I mean.
[Kuspir] Well, I am certain he was aware of it, but he wasn't the one who instigated it. I think we operated with his understanding but not his personal direction.
[Emno] Mmm.
[Emno] Who do you think should be the next hengi?
[Kuspir] I think Ajemika is the most suited candidate who actually has an interest in holding the position.
[Emno] Why did Zaren ask for your assistance, after he had killed Hojon?
[Kuspir] There was a crowd of people outside, mostly Hojon's relatives. I think he quite reasonably was afraid of what might happen to him. And he was distraught with the events that had just taken place. He also wanted me to ensure his family didn't do anything foolish on his behalf.
[Emno] And at the scene, Ifa was in charge?
[Kuspir] I suppose, if anyone was. She and I arrived almost at the same time.
[Emno] I see.
[Emno] You understand, do you not, that from the outside, having the killer's daughter and son-in-law handling the scene, it raises suspicions among some.
[Kuspir] I can understand that, certainly.
[Kuspir] Pomirabe was also there for much of the time, he could attest to my actions.
[Emno] I am sure I will be speaking with him. And it is not your actions that are in question.
[Emno] Not by me, surely.
[Kuspir] I was with him when the word came, and he accompanied me to the scene, and then thereafter to take Zaren to the holding cell.
[Emno] Not everyone in Naftusa understands how things work here at the ulajeta.
* Kuspir nods
[Emno] I do - I was an acolyte here, and am only a couple of years younger than Hojon and Zaren.
[Emno] Hojon gave me my name, actually.
[Kuspir] He did have a way with words.
[Emno] Is there anything else pertinent you would like to share?
* Kuspir thinks about that for a moment
[Kuspir] I don't think so. If there is anything else you have to ask me, though, you will certainly be able to find me.
[Emno] Thank you, Stoneguard.
[Kuspir] Thank you. I trust your inquest will reveal the truth of the matters here.
Ifa meets with Ajemika and her mother Tairasta regarding the succession and Ajemika’s desire to be hengi
[NemnostiGM] Ifa, it has been a difficult week. Today's funeral was merely the culmination of days of dealing with visitors, finding room for folks of various classes and families, and of course, many Nemni from afar, returned to pay their respects.
[NemnostiGM] Some folks are willing to sleep in their caravans, but many others, including the nobles of the province, demand a certain level of treatment.
* Ifa will do her best to coordinate all the competing demands.
[NemnostiGM] Particularly awkward is the arrival of Tairasta, as well as her children Sepen and Mususi, from Naftusa. The estranged widow is, of course, a person of honour here, in one sense. But she was not an acolyte, is not a Nemni, and of course, Afra and young Multur are also around.
[NemnostiGM] Right after the funeral, Tairasta indicated to you that she would like to meet with you and Ajemika later today.
* Ifa will be sure to be there, wherever and whenever it is.
[NemnostiGM] Ajemika suggests meeting at the little Hand chapel, as a kind of neutral territory, as Tairasta is treated awkwardly within the Nemni iftibal.
[Ifa] (works for me)
[Tairasta] Thank you, Ifa, for all you have done these past days.
[Tairasta] Your service to the family goes beyond what is asked.
* Ifa nods, but doesn't look particularly convinced.
[Ifa] That is kind of you to say.
[Ajemika] It's true, though, Ifa, there are things you can do and say, that we can't.
[Tairasta] I know this is a difficult time for all of us. Despite everything, I will miss him.
[Ifa] I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for...quite a bit, at this point.
[Ajemika] We all know that your father did what he did out of love. That he was forced into it.
* Ifa sighs.
[Ifa] I believe that to be the case, but it is going to make trouble for a lot of people, I think.
[Tairasta] We do all know that, but the Naftusan nobility does not. The Chimney and the Lion, in particular, are convinced otherwise.
* Ifa nods.
[NemnostiGM] (You would know, Ifa, that she means Rosem Dendorfi and Rembes Kaisastelovis)
[Tairasta] The hengge are upset, naturally, as they thought there was much time to make their play.
[Tairasta] On the other hand, they are happy, at least, that Momuzai is not a credible candidate, so the Sortusai have seen their own timing disrupted.
[Ifa] They were hoping they had more time to position some pawn or another for the role?
* Ajemika nods.
[Tairasta] Nemni who want to be hengi and hold their own power have the good sense to marry commoners. As Hojon did, and his father.
* Ifa nods.
[Tairasta] The noble matches are tempting, as they come with rewards, but there is a price.
[Ifa] The nobles see only gain, when our lineage's independence is vital to the province.
* Ajemika nods.
[Ifa] I suppose I cannot blame them, per se; it is their way.
[Ajemika] There has already been a ... proposal.
[Ifa] Oh?
[Ajemika] To have me divorce Regivus, and marry Verga of the Dendorfi.
* Ajemika chuckles to herself.
[Ifa] o.O
[Ifa] That's...bold.
[Ajemika] Yes, well. I think they imagine that I like my husband less than I do.
[Ajemika] It comes with a very large bridewealth.
[Ifa] I'm sure it does.
[Tairasta] But still, of course, it is just silliness.
* Ajemika shifts uncomfortably.
[Ifa] What is it?
[NemnostiGM] (make a SM check)
[Ajemika] Nothing.
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-home rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 28 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 29 ].
[NemnostiGM] (there definitely is something else that Ajemika is not saying)
[NemnostiGM] (you get the sense that whatever it is is deeply personal, rather than something about the deal itself)
[Ifa] (I'll let it go for the moment, then, and try to talk to her after.)
[Tairasta] In any event, now the task ahead of us is clear. Make Ajemika the obvious candidate. Now, Ifa, I understand that outwardly you must profess a certain neutrality with regard to all this.
[Tairasta] But you understand, I am sure, the importance of the next hengi being a person of competence and character.
[Ifa] I'll do my best, but I think people know my feelings on the matter. Other than the ones convinced I'm somehow angling for the position myself. -_-
[Tairasta] I have already talked to my various children and they have agreed to stand behind Ajemika.
* Ifa nods.
[Tairasta] She is the eldest, and most experienced.
[Ajemika] I think people know that in many ways, I have already served in the role.
[Tairasta] I have heard that Detevus means to put himself forward. He has a kind of case to make, in terms of age. And a stoneguard is of course very respectable.
[Ifa] Right.
[Ifa] A stoneguard, yes, but Detevus...
[Ifa] Certainly he can't have much support within the lineage.
[Ifa] (Would I have any sense of how much he might have?)
[NemnostiGM] (make a K:local)
[Ifa] !roll 1d20+14
* Lan-home rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 25 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for Ifa: [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 32 ].
[NemnostiGM] Your sense is that his support would be substantially less. But he is a middle-aged man, and there is definitely a bit of a patriarchal preference to these things, of course.
[Ifa] (gotcha)
[Ajemika] Uncle Jaivu has made it clear that he's not interested in the role, at least.
[Tairasta] Well, there is that, although he can hardly have been credible, living so far away for so long.
[NemnostiGM] (that's Hojon's much-younger brother)
* Ifa nods.
[Tairasta] I have heard a little piece of gossip, although I can hardly think it matters to the present discussion.
[Ifa] What is it?
[Tairasta] Kufun of the Halunemni has been talking about coming to the ulajeta, seeking adoption for himself, presumably also his children.
[Ifa] That's certainly interesting.
[Ifa] Where did you hear that?
[Tairasta] Well, of course, the Halunemni iftibal is in Naftusa. It's not such a big town - one hears things.
[Ifa] But it's public enough it got to you?
[Tairasta] Well, the party who Kufun told it to, in confidence, was smart enough to know I would be interested.
* Ifa nods.
[Ifa] When did you learn of it?
[Tairasta] Before Hojon died. Some weeks ago, I suppose.
[Ifa] Hmm.
[Tairasta] I cannot imagine that his wife will have endorsed this plan.
[Tairasta] She hates you all.
[Ifa] (Would it be the hengi who would actually formalize an adoption?)
[NemnostiGM] (Kind of ... definitely the hengi, but really Nemnu has a lot of authority to decide who can be a Nemni)
[NemnostiGM] (in an ordinary lineage, yes, the hengi would be basically in charge)
[Ifa] (Okie doke)
[Ifa] I suppose there could be some play there, but now...I can't see how he could accomplish anything, at least not until the current hengi question is resolved.
[Ajemika] Right.
[Ajemika] Well, the decision will not be made instantly, but surely Nemnu will not allow this void in leadership to persist.
* Ifa nods.
[Tairasta] It will be nice to feel that I can return now and again, without needing to ask permission.
[Ifa] A bit of silver lining, that. I'm sorry it hasn't been the case prior.
[Tairasta] Well, then. We are in agreement, it seems.
[Ifa] I believe so, yes.
[Ajemika] Thank you, Ifa. For everything.
[Ajemika] I will not forget all this.
[Ifa] That is...really not necessary.
[Ifa] I will continue to do my best to serve the lineage, hopefully with you as hengi.
Jevai takes Alai and Nemnu up to the Fingerprint to look at the strange crack and speak to the voice
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, after your last conversation with Nemnu, you have decided to take Alai into your confidence regarding the secrets of the Fingerprint.
[NemnostiGM] The plan, as I understand it, is to coordinate a trip where the two of you will accompany Nemnu Herself, in her Vessel, to examine the site.
[Jevai] (well, some of them, anyway ].])
[Jevai] (yes!)
[NemnostiGM] All right, you can gather them together in Nemnu's chambers to fill them in (Nemnu will be in her own body for this part) before the trip.
* Jevai would have liked to prepare a few things in advance, including a teleport, because veen if she is with some powerful mystics.... theres' weird shit and I'd rather be prepapred
[NemnostiGM] (Ok, sure, what would you like to lodge?)
[Jevai] (teleport to start, and Contact Entity, and Arcane Sight)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 22 ]
[Jevai] (CE 3 again)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 13 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 27 ]
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 17 ]
[Jevai] (I think that's a fail by 1 on arcane sight)
[Jevai] (the others are okay)
[NemnostiGM] (yeah, I think you exactly made Teleport, were fine on CE3, and failed by 1 on arcane sight)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d100 ] getting [ 99 ]
[NemnostiGM] (99 you say ... ok, off to 2B you go)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d100 ] getting [ 70 ]
[NemnostiGM] !roll 3d10
* Jevai rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 3d10 ] getting [ 3 5 1 ] for a total of [ 9 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 3d10 ] getting [ 7 5 5 ] for a total of [ 17 ].
[NemnostiGM] (luckily we'll be taking the first roll, so it's only 9 points of damage - still not comfortable! )
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you will have some heavy bruising around your eyes.
[Jevai] (has it been at least oen night since my encounter at the crack where it was damaging me to communicate initially)
[NemnostiGM] (yup)
[Jevai] are we all ready?
* Alai nods yes
[Nemnu] I will need to get my Vessel, but she knows I will need her.
[Nemnu] Are there any cautions you would share with us, before we go?
[Jevai] 9Oh I did want one more spell - see beyond)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 24 ]
[Jevai] (That's fine)
[NemnostiGM] (ok, you still have room for that one?)
[NemnostiGM] (I just did the math, you are still ok)
[Jevai] let me lead the way, there are defense I will need to manage to pass safely
[Nemnu] We will be taking the Viper's Cave path, presumably?
[Jevai] I know I have already said so, but please respect that whatever else is happening this is a sacred place for my lineage.
* Jevai nods
[Nemnu] I understand. I will not do anything to break the long trust I have had with the Nadenigh.
[Jevai] The path itself, is, of course, a highly guarded secret.
* Jevai is saying this *mostly* for Alai
[Jevai] Thank you, Lady
[Jevai] The entity or... presence, or whatever it is, was able to communicate woth me directly initially, but it was a panful, out of synch process.
[Jevai] The Contact Entity spells allowed me to communicate with it more clearly, irts possible that there are other spells that woudl allow it as well
[Jevai] Telepathy, perhaps
[Jevai] But I think we just need to learn what all we can abotu what it is, ideally without antagonizing it
[Nemnu] I agree.
* Jevai looks to Alai
[Alai] I have thoughts... but will need to see or experience the pressence to have a clear course.
* Jevai slaps Jevai around a bit with a large trout
[Jevai] (LOL what did I even hit)
[Jevai] Of course
[Jevai] then, let's go
[NemnostiGM] All right, Nemnu arranges with Veruve to get into her Vessel, and then you can head up.
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you were aware of the Viper's Cave, leading north from the high north cliff face of the ulajeta, but you had thought that it was simply an old cave complex to house Ancestors, but as it turns out, Jevai has known about this all along.
[NemnostiGM] It is a thin, winding, and very old cave path, past the first few turns.
* Nemnu is always a bit uncomfortable navigating physical spaces, having been confined to her body for so long, but she manages.
* Nemnu has brought along an enormous pouch of fos, far more than you could ever possibly imagine someone needing.
* Jevai really doens't even use it much but is a bit _, especially knowing how little mystics need from seeing Alai work
[NemnostiGM] Eventually, you wend your way up and around, until you are at the back (south) end of Akapa Sogo, and the cave complex of the Nadenigh lineage.
[NemnostiGM] Jevai does something, and you pass through into a spacious natural cave chamber on which there is a great mural, right where you just walked.
[NemnostiGM] (https://rocksfall.org/wiki/File:Fingerprint.jpeg)
[NemnostiGM] And next to it, a strange crack that you can all recognize as having the properties of Unkindness.
[NemnostiGM] (https://rocksfall.org/wiki/File:Cavecrack.jpeg)
* Nemnu stares at the whole scene, taking it in.
[Nemnu] It's so beautiful, Hestur.
[Jevai] I know :3
[Alai] how long has this been here?
[Nemnu] As long as I have, and more.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] well. The crack is more recent, of course
[Nemnu] Of course, as you say. At the time when we had Azolte and Ghevra in the ulajeta.
* Jevai nods again
[Alai] I assume you have already examined the cracks magically at lenght?
[Jevai] yes, as best I could, but I know you and Our Lady are more powerful in such regards
[NemnostiGM] (Everyone please make a K:arcana check)
* Alai nods
[Alai] !roll 1d20+17
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 23 ].
[Jevai] (I'd liek to activate that arcane sight as well)
[NemnostiGM] (OK you can dislodge that)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+16 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 16 ] totals [ 22 ]
[Nemnu] !roll 1d20+31
* Lan-werk rolls for Nemnu: [ 1d20+31 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 31 ] totals [ 37 ].
[Nemnu] It truly is alive. In some way.
[NemnostiGM] You can all feel, to some degree, a kind of thrum, a low, resonant heartbeat, almost, from the crack, as if it senses your presence.
[Jevai] yes
[Nemnu] What would you have us do, Hestur?
[NemnostiGM] It feels very strange, Jevai, for Nemnu to be deferential to you. You appreciate it, and know why, but still it is strange.
[Jevai] Can You tell me if this is liek Unkindness as you know it, or different some how?
[Jevai] or like Abyss?
[Nemnu] It is, very much similar, but not identical, to the Unkind Stones of my creation.
[Jevai] I can try and contact it again
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you can feel it pulling toward you, as if there is something reaching out to the Abyss inside you, a sense of kinship or familiarity.
* Nemnu nods.
[Nemnu] I think it is clear that we must ... engage with it.
[Alai] Let me make a bond between our minds, so we can monitor your efforts easier.
* Jevai nods
[Alai] or protect eachother.
* Alai will cast Telepathic Bond
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 21 ].
* Jevai will go up to the crack and reach out to it, and see it it will respond without magic
[NemnostiGM] (and just to be clear: this is just the three of you, not including the crack itself, Alai?)
[Alai] (no not the crack)
[Jevai] Are you...present?
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you feel it pulse against you. It recognizes your presence.
* Alai will be ready to cast Intellect Fortress (likely II) in case
* Jevai will dislodge the CEIII then
[Alai] :you were right to bring me... I can sense a familarity, like that of the Abyss:
[Jevai] :I thought so:
[Jevai] :I can feel that it recognizes me:
[Jevai] I've btought some others to meet you
[Voice] YOU RETURN.
[Jevai] (brought)
[Voice] WHY
* Jevai flinches slightly at the loudness even though (I assume) it's not painful
[Jevai] To try and understand you better
* Jevai hopes that will stand whether it was asking why she returned, why she brought people, or both)
[Voice] WHO
[NemnostiGM] There is a powerful force that extends from the crack, as if it is looking to prod you and the newcomers. Make Fortitude saves please.
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+5 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 5 ] totals [ 16 ]
[Alai] !roll 1d20+7
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 11 ].
[Jevai] Alai, of the Vegru, who has a connection to... the Abyss. Something like you, I think. And..
[Nemnu] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for Nemnu: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 21 ].
* Jevai looks at Nemnu
[Jevai] :It wants to know who you are:
[Voice] !roll 2d8
* Lan-werk rolls for Voice: [ 2d8 ] getting [ 7 8 ] for a total of [ 15 ].
[NemnostiGM] Jevai and Alai, it hits you hard, 15 points each. Nemnu Herself is even affected.
[Voice] EXALTED.
[Jevai] You're hurting us
[Jevai] yes
[Alai] (how did it feel? was it a mental force or physical?)
[Jevai] :Can you hear it?:
[Alai] (can we?)
[NemnostiGM] Alai, it is like a wave of pure sensation. Sight, sound, touch. It's like it is reaching out to you and the contact, in all modalities, is foreign to you.
* Jevai wipes blood from her nose
[NemnostiGM] (Yes, you can all hear it now. It's made some sort of connection)
[Nemnu] Yes, I am Nemnu Ula. I come to understand you better.
[Voice] Hurt. Mother?
[Jevai] whatever you did to know us, yes, that hurt
[Voice] Help. How.
[NemnostiGM] Its voice is quieter now, more muted, and while you still sense it, it is less overwhelming and painful.
[Jevai] :Did it do anythig to change us? or can you tell anything of whatever connection it forged?:
[Jevai] I don't know. It's better, now that we are connected. What did you do?
[Alai] (I'm assuming its some sort of telepathic connection... can I figure it out?)
[Jevai] :Lady, did you ever commmunicate with the Unkind Stone?:
[NemnostiGM] Sure, make another K:arcana, Alai.
[Jevai] (I still have AS goign too, IDK if that wudl have given me any insight)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+17
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 37 ].
[Jevai] (Nice!)
[Nemnu] :I did not, as such. It did not have consciousness, per se.:
[Nemnu] :Or at least, not when I created it.:
[NemnostiGM] Alai, it is not quite telepathic, no. It is as if it is making the whole area resonate around you, at different speeds, creating a kind of word-like imagery. But it is actually a physical effect. You will need to think about that more and research it.
[Nemnu] What do you want of us? How can we help you?
[Voice] Up. Down.
[Voice] Mother. Noise. Song.
[Alai] (so some sort of Sonic protection might shield us?)
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you will of course remember that it said these things to you last time.
* Jevai nods
[Jevai] I thought you meant the sound that accmpanied my spell last time, but is it something else?
[Jevai] :It said that last time:
[Nemnu] :I assume that 'mother' is you? Or is it me?:
[Jevai] :I'm not sure. Last time, I thought me:
[Jevai] Am I Mother?
[Voice] Mother. Song.
[Nemnu] :I think it wants ... a song.:
[Alai] :but what is a song to it? a real song?:
[Nemnu] :I don't know:
[Jevai] What do you mean by song?
[Jevai] Do you want me to sing?
[Voice] Song. Song.
Jevai’s song allows Jevai and Alai access into a strange Abyssal realm where the entity exists and tells them more about its existence
* Jevai can try singing a little bit of an old lulabye or some ravre song
[NemnostiGM] (ok, make a Perform check)
[Nemnu] :Here, let me help.:
* Nemnu casts a spell on you.
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+1 ] getting [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ 1 ] totals [ 6 ]
[Jevai] (oh man, I may destiny that, oof)
[NemnostiGM] (ok)
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+1 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 1 ] totals [ 5 ]
[Jevai] (nope, can't carry a tune in a basket, maybe it eould be better if I wasn't at les than half hit points -_-)
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, as you could have told anyone, you are not musically gifted. Nonetheless whatever you are doing, aided by Nemnu's magic, seems to have an effect on it.
[NemnostiGM] Everyone please make a Fortitude save.
* Jevai rolls [ 1d20+5 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 5 ] totals [ 22 ]
[Nemnu] !roll 1d20+12
* Lan-werk rolls for Nemnu: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 23 ].
[Alai] !roll 1d20+7
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+7 ] getting [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 7 ] totals [ 18 ].
[Voice] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Voice: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 22 ].
[NemnostiGM] All right, Alai and Jevai ...
[NemnostiGM] You find yourself falling, but as if upwards, not downwards. You slide away from the familiar strangeness of the Fingerprint and into an inky cold wetness, the consistency of thin syrup. It pulls against your skin as you ascend.
[NemnostiGM] Then, as if an hourglass has turned on its head, you continue to fall, but now down rather than up. You find yourself descending through the unfamiliar water, if indeed that's what it is. Any sunlight is gone, but in its place, you see a deep violet light towards your feet, in the direction you're travelling.
[NemnostiGM] Below you - or is it above? - there is the floor of some strange body of water. There are four sigillant stones whose glyphs shine with the strange light. And in the center, a flat stone inscribed with a complex spiral.
[NemnostiGM] Worryingly, though, around the stones are black, inky tentacles - not like a living thing, or no Kind you know of. Rather, you see that these are Unkind tendrils, and have the same sharp-yet-fluid texture as the Unkindness that petrified Azolte.
[NemnostiGM] (briefly, please go to roll20)
[NemnostiGM] (we shouldn't need to go on voice though)
[NemnostiGM] Also, your telepathy has broken with Nemnu, although you are still in contact with one another.
[Alai] :it has pulled us in to its existance:
[Jevai] :I think so, yes - though the resonance?:
* Jevai will try and speak aloud
[Jevai] 9Also are any of these stones familiar to me?)\
[NemnostiGM] (no these are not familiar, although they are clearly sigillant stones and thus, with enough time, you could learn about them)
[NemnostiGM] You can speak, although it is not air, but this thick liquid that is the medium. You are floating in it, well above the stones.
[Jevai] Hello? Are you here?
[Voice] Hello. I accept your gift of song, mother.
* Alai will start consuming some fos if I can
[NemnostiGM] (sure, alai, you can do that)
[Jevai] (Can I tell what is talkign to me?)
[Jevai] What is this... place?
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you believe it is the great Unkind entity itself that is speaking to you, the tendrilous thing below (above?) and before you.
[Voice] This is my home.
[Voice] Or, it is a place that I call home.
[Jevai] :is this the Abyss?"
[Jevai] What are you?
[Alai] (good question... if feels familiar but different?)
[Voice] I am made of Abyss. Abyss is Coherence here.
[NemnostiGM] Alai, it definitely feels familiar here. Cool, but welcoming, as if water is flowing over you like a waterfall or river's course.
[Jevai] Why did you bring us here?
[Alai] :is very smilar... water like river instead of sea:
[Jevai] Where is Nemnu Ula?
[Voice] Up. Down.
[Voice] It is hard to explain.
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you almost think that 'Up. Down.' means something to it, more than it means to you. It is not merely 'up and down'.
[Alai] The other side of this existence. I think I glimps what you mean.
[Voice] You are like me. This is your home too.
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you think it was addressing you there.
[Alai] Although the question remains, why bring us here? What do you want or need from us?
[Voice] I can speak to you here. More than there.
[Jevai] I see.
[Voice] I still understand so little. I am a child.
[Jevai] Is it that where we came from is... more structured? Sturctured wrong? for you? that it os... cohered differently?
[Voice] Yes, I think so.
* Jevai nods, relieved to be able to make sense of something
[Jevai] Is it a matter of resonance?
[Voice] Yes, that makes sense to me.
[Voice] I am sorry that I hurt you.
[Jevai] I know you didn't mean to
[Jevai] Do hyou know how you came to be?
[Voice] I travelled and then found a nest, where you found me.
[Voice] But I was so small and new.
[Voice] I don't understand it all.
[NemnostiGM] (Alai, are you doing anything with that fos you took?)
[Alai] You travelled in this place? or some other existance?
[Jevai] I think through Alzote, and Ghevra
[Alai] (trying to figure that out now that I don't think we are in immediate danger, but I want to guess how I can pull us out of this (plane shift?)
[NemnostiGM] (yeah, that is a conundrum since officially, other planes don't exist and there aren't spells to travel between planes)
[Jevai] we brought a piece of... something, back with us, in their bodies
[Jevai] from the Unkind Stone
[Jevai] What is a Nest?
[Voice] A Nest is where you found me. This is a kind of nest too.
[NemnostiGM] (Alai, you do wonder whether some Abyssal magic might help here, given the nature of this place. But it is beyond what ordinary magical theory predicts should be possible)
[Jevai] is it the stones?
* Jevai gestures to them
[Voice] The stones and the signs.
[Voice] The signs build the nest.
[Alai] (Do I think I could contact this entity directly now that I know more about it and its 'residence'?)
[Jevai] is that what they arr for? To be a nest for hyou? or is just a good place for oen to be?
[NemnostiGM] (you think you could, again, using Abyssal magic)
[Voice] Is that why you made them?
[Jevai] I don't know.
[Jevai] I don't think I made them, or know who did.
[Alai] It is possible you could learn who?
[Voice] Maybe it is just a suitable place, a place that gives me stability, in your place.
* Alai nods
* Jevai nods as well
[Jevai] What do you want from us?
[Alai] :I feel I can contact this Child again, directly if we need to:
[Voice] I want to know, to understand, to learn.
[Jevai] I think we all do
[Alai] We can try and help you with that, but we cannot stay here.
[Jevai] :Okay, good, I think:
[Voice] I understand.
[Jevai] We can... come bacK. certainly speak more.
[Voice] Thank you, Mother.
[Alai] (I'm gonna try to open a poral/or shift us back)
[Jevai] Can you send us back?
[Jevai] Do i need to sing again?
[Jevai] (or maybe Alai can do it :V)
[NemnostiGM] (OK, Alai, you can do a magic roll)
[Alai] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Alai: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 20 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 35 ].
[NemnostiGM] (oh wow)
[NemnostiGM] Alai, you feel the power of the Abyss, which was all around you, rush in, as if you are a sponge, absorbing it all.
[NemnostiGM] You feel your eyes, your veins, your tongue, all turning black with its power. It is ineffable, enormous.
[NemnostiGM] Neither good nor evil, but like a sense of ultimate satiety, fullness.
[NemnostiGM] You are Abyss. Unkindness is Abyss. Whatever lives in this Coherence is now part of you.
[NemnostiGM] Your working, a strange working, an impossibility, has become possible. And you find yourself returned to the cave with the Fingerprint shining dully over you.
[NemnostiGM] You feel a sense of enormous sadness, as if you have left a place that has something you've always wanted to have access to.
[NemnostiGM] It's still inside you - as if you yourself now don't fully belong here.
[Jevai] (did she manage to bring me as well tho :x)
[NemnostiGM] Jevai, you aren't sure what just happened, but one moment you were in the abyssal realm and then ... home.
[NemnostiGM] Next to where you appear, Nemnu is sitting against the cave wall, weeping.
[Nemnu] I tried ... I tried
[Jevai] Lady!
* Alai rises slowly
[Jevai] (Am I still with Alai?)
[Nemnu] Hestur ... Hestur.
* Nemnu embraces you, weeping.
[Jevai] We're here, we're safe....
[NemnostiGM] (yes, Alai is here too)
* Jevai hugs her back
[Nemnu] Oh, my Hestur, my Ozel, I thought I had lost you.
[Nemnu] So much is within my power, but it was like ... you were gone.
[Jevai] We were gone.... some other place. The Abyss, or part of it.
* Jevai looks at Alai
[Jevai] I don't know how we left.
[Alai] It was the Abyss... so different, so familar.
[Alai] I brought us back... I wanted to know I could.
* Nemnu tries to compose herself, but being in a body with hormones and neurotransmitters is clearly overwhelming her.
[Nemnu] We should .... go.
[Jevai] We shoudl get you back, yes
[Alai] Yes, so much to consider.
[Jevai] Come here.
* Jevai can teleport us back to the Ulajeta and get Nemnu home to her dead body
* Nemnu comes to Jevai, and holds onto her.
[Jevai] (all three of us, not gonna ditch Alai ;p)
[NemnostiGM] (right of course)
Marga re-encounters Shas Chuchuru in the Ghengom tracking her; they fight, and Saza intervenes, but Marga escapes with the unconscious Shas back to Nemnosti
[NemnostiGM] Marga, it's not that you don't understand that people are sad when someone dies. But you're pretty confident from what you've heard that Hojon was not a great guy. So it's a little hard to feel too bad about all this.
[NemnostiGM] Besides, there's a lot of work to be done. Lately you've been thinking about how to train Fultukhari, now that you have kind of semi-officially taken him on as your apprentice vulture.
[NemnostiGM] And of course whenever you can you spend time with Rechegoko, who really seems to like the solitary life up in Lurusiru Osti.
[NemnostiGM] Today, though, you're out doing your regular rounds, perhaps a bit further afield than usual, up in the Ghengom.
[NemnostiGM] (Please make a Survival or Perception, whichever you prefer)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 24 ].
[NemnostiGM] You definitely get the sense that someone or something is following you. Human, you believe, from the scent, but masked or hidden.
* Marga tries to let on she hasn't noticed, while also varying her pace and route to see if she can catch a glimpse
[NemnostiGM] (OK, make a Perception, again)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 21 ].
[NemnostiGM] !roll 1d20+12
[Marga] (destiny because that is balls)
* Lan-werk rolls for NemnostiGM: [ 1d20+12 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 12 ] totals [ 31 ].
[Marga] !roll 1d20+15
* Lan-werk rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 27 ].
[Marga] (I'm gonna guess not enough anyway :p)
[NemnostiGM] (OK, you feel that sense of being followed still, but don't see anything)
[Marga] (if that was their roll)
* Marga doesn't have a lot of patience, alas.
[NemnostiGM] Whatever it is, it's neither approaching you, nor losing ground, but keeping pace.
[Marga] Why don'tcha come on out?
* Marga calls out to no-one.
[Marga] I know you're back there...
[NemnostiGM] (are you still moving forward, or stopped in place)
[Marga] (stopped)
[NemnostiGM] All right, as if out of nowhere, that woman Shas Chuchuru who you encountered a few weeks ago, but miles from here, appears.
[Marga] Oh! It's you!
[Shas] Last time I checked.
* Marga is on guard now.
[Marga] What do you want? Why are you following me?
[Shas] Our mutual friend asked me to.
[Marga] Who are you really?
* Shas rubs her wrist absentmindedly.
[Marga] (is there something on it? wasm
[NemnostiGM] (make a SM, actually)
[Marga] (wasn't she doing that last time too)
[Marga] !roll 1d20+2
* Lan-werk rolls for Marga: [ 1d20+2 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 2 ] totals [ 9 ].
[NemnostiGM] (you don't notice anything)
[Marga] I know you aren't Chuchuru...
[Shas] You know a lot, then, for someone who has so many questions.
[Shas] If you want to know more, I can take you to where you can learn more.
[Marga] I bet you can... But are you gonna let me leave?
[Shas] That seems unlikely.
[Marga] Yeah, that's what I thought.
[Marga] So maybe, I shouldn't let *you* leave...
* Shas shrugs.
[Shas] That also seems unlikely. Although I have heard you like to kill.
[Marga] Like's not the word I'd use but I am good at it.
* Marga grips her weapon.
[Shas] Go on, then.
[Marga] (I guess I will attempt to subdue her ].])
[NemnostiGM] (OK, describe what you are doing)
[Marga] (are there any raptors within my empathic link range,first of all)
[NemnostiGM] (we'll say yes, there is one raptor within a mile)
[Marga] (so I can communitcate my basic desire that they please try to get someone from Nemnosti? :x)
[Marga] (and I will try to sweep her legs out from under her with my hammer and then bash her in the head; the goal being to knock her unconscious)
[NemnostiGM] (sure, absolutely - of course it's quite a ways away, so that's not instant help)
[NemnostiGM] (All right, we can move to roll20)
[Marga] (at least it's as the vulture flies :v)
[NemnostiGM] (it could be useful to go on voice for this)
[NemnostiGM] Marga, you defeat Shas, despite her ability to undo some of your attacks even after they struck you. You subdue her and knock her unconscious. Saza arrives, as if out of nowhere, and attempts a spell on you, but you succeed in escaping in vulture form, prisoner in tow (well, technically in 'toes').
[NemnostiGM] You return to Nemnosti with your prey, alive (barely).
[NemnostiGM] Until next we gather by the firelight, young acolytes!
