[18:04] [Dionysus] Are you free to RP for a bit before we get fully started?

[18:05] [Aldo] sure

[18:05] [Dionysus] It's the first day of the council.

[18:05] [Dionysus] And you get a message from Lyllandra.

[18:05] [Dionysus] Asking you to attend her.

[18:06] [Aldo] I go see what's up.

[18:07] [Dionysus] She's looking a lot better this morning.

[18:07] * Aldo tells her so.

[18:07] [Dionysus] She smiles as you enter. "Please, Reverend, come & sit."

[18:08] [Dionysus] "It's all thanks to you, you know."

[18:08] * Aldo waves a dismissive hand. "Thank the mother."

[18:09] [Dionysus] "I do, every night. I received a package from your brother Dakhan, for you. I understand Maurd told himt o send it."

[18:10] [Aldo] Which one is Dakhan?

[18:10] [Dionysus] The blacksmith.

[18:10] [Dionysus] She gestures to a large trunk in the room.

[18:11] [Aldo] . o 0 ( Groan! Not more giftsteel! )

[18:11] * Aldo opens it.

[18:12] [Dionysus] Mithril chainmail.

[18:12] * Aldo whistles low.

[18:12] [Aldo] Is there a note or anything?

[18:13] [Dionysus] Lyllandra says, "Very nice." Yes a letter

[18:13] [Dionysus] "Dear Aldo, Maurd made us pull this out of the Imperial armory & refit it for you. Says it had to be fit for an Emperor. Don't mention to anyone where you got it, though, as we didn't aks permission first. Signed, Dakhan."

[18:14] [Dionysus] Lyllandra says, "Who do you intend to speak for with the council, Reverend?"

[18:15] [Aldo] "Well, I can see this empire is getting off to a good start! Hm? Er, the only contender I really know is Albert."

[18:16] [Dionysus] "Do you think he will try for the throne?"

[18:17] [Aldo] "I can't say. He's a leader in his bones, but he's ... ah, deferential."

[18:17] [Dionysus] "So you think he could be a good ruler?"

[18:19] * Aldo shrugs, then giggles. "No worse a ruler than I would be."

[18:20] [Dionysus] She laughs, slightly, then laughs hard.

[18:20] [Dionysus] She kisses your forehead. "You dear old man."

[18:23] * Aldo raises his eyebrows a hair, then relaxes his face contemplatively. "He risked a lot for his rebellious principles, as a red cloak. Yet he works well with principled nobles. He's a man of perspectives."

[18:24] [Dionysus] "He is loved by people I highly respect, that I know. He is also loved by some I don't trust."

[18:25] [Aldo] "Then again, he has no experience working in the government ... oh? Who's that?"

[18:26] [Dionysus] She smiles, "Most of the Red Cloaks, for a start. Surely there were more yellow cloaks infiltrating them than just that snakeman."

[18:27] [Aldo] "So you think that some of his supporters are insincere?"

[18:28] [Dionysus] "I would not be surprised if some were outright traitors. But more than that, yes, I fear many who would support him to the council are just seeking to use him. Can he play the game of politics? Can h see who wishes to manipulate him?"

[18:30] [Aldo] "Well ... I don't know."

[18:31] [Dionysus] "It's not something I'd risk an Empire on. He'll listen to advice?"

[18:31] [Aldo] "I think so. Why, do you have some for him?"

[18:33] [Dionysus] "No, but Damon might. If Albert takes the throne, he will need someone who can keep him afloat. Kimber Maraddon & Irving Wallace would run circles around him if he doesn't have help."

[18:40] [Aldo] "Heh. I don't suppose another protest song will get him out of that."

[18:43] [Dionysus] She smiles, "Probably not. I shall perhaps find him & speak with him. I would like to know his feelings on relations with Akazad."

[18:54] [Aldo] "Hmm. It would be difficult for Akazad to influence the succession without an acting government."

[18:55] [Dionysus] "Well, we won't have much time for that. Each faction will have its say, it seems. But if we move, we must move as if we know we will succeed."

[18:56] [Aldo] Are there other life priests in the city?

[18:57] [Dionysus] Yes, including Gaspar Tove, the high priest

[18:57] [Aldo] oh. is the church taking a position on the succession?

[18:58] [Dionysus] Gaspar supports Marilyna.

[19:21] [Aldo] I pretty much laid out what I wanted to do during the council last week, so unless something comes up, I'm not going to do anything special.

[19:22] [Dionysus] Yeah, actually, one sec & we can RP out your meeting with the council.

[19:32] [Aldo] so the red cloaks are a recognized faction, then? it's not a coincidence that there's one on the council?

[19:33] [Dionysus] No, they're recognized at this point.

[19:44] [Aldo] it's also known that Albert was with the red cloaks?

[19:44] [Dionysus] Yes

[20:13] [Aldo] does Miles Carter have a stiffy for Aldo?

[20:13] [Dionysus] He wants control of the rails. If a Maraddonian not in employ of the rails repaired them, he might be able to play legal tricks to get them

[20:14] [Aldo] heh. Aldo is such a noob when it comes to this stuff.

[20:15] [Dionysus] It'll be fun to make him an Emperor

[21:01] [Dionysus] On the third day, you get a message that Princess Marilyna wishes to see you.

[21:02] [Aldo] I'll go see her.

[21:02] [Dionysus] She is sitting quietly in her quarters, alone. She has her body turned so her good side is the only one visible.

[21:02] [Dionysus] When you enter she whispers, "Close the door, please."

[21:02] * Aldo checks outside and then closes the door.

[21:04] [Dionysus] "Could you... ask the Silver Mother if anyone else is listening tous?"

[21:05] * Aldo touches his cross. "Silver Mother, reveal the presence of the living within these walls and without, amen."

[21:06] [Dionysus] No one is near.

[21:06] [Aldo] "There's no one close enough."

[21:06] [Dionysus] She nods. "I must tell you a secret, Reverend. I... the Fool's attack has..." She begins to cry. "I am barren."

[21:08] * Aldo 's face softens. "Ah, don't cry. I will pray for you."

[21:09] [Dionysus] "/Please."

[21:09] [Dionysus] "/Please/.

[21:09] [Dionysus] She glows faintly silver.

[21:09] [Dionysus] Do you karma the roll?

[21:10] * Aldo prays for her to become fertile.

[21:10] [Aldo] hmm

[21:10] [Aldo] should i?

[21:12] [Dionysus] You'll be getting karma at the end of tonight, so you might as well.

[21:12] [Aldo] ok then

[21:16] [Dionysus] Good. She gasps & holds her belly, then weeps joy. "Thank you, Reverend. You don't know how much that means to me."

[21:18] * Aldo smiles warmly. "The mother's blessing is great."

[21:19] [Dionysus] "I must find a husband, Reverend."

[21:20] * Aldo 's smile widens. "Heh, well, there's a whole other church for that ..."

[21:21] [Dionysus] She smiles. "I mean, politically, I must have a husband. I... I am afraid, Reverend. I want to bear a child, but I fear she will be..." She pauses, then gestures to her bad side.

[21:24] * Aldo tugs at his beard gently. "You fear the fool's work will harm your child somehow?"

[21:24] [Dionysus] She nods. "He did it to Lyllandra."

[21:26] * Aldo opens his eyes wider and drops his hand. "Well, er, that was a bit different ... hmm. May I inspect your soul?"

[21:27] [Dionysus] She looks at you, showing the full disfigurement of her left side, then nods.

[21:28] [Dionysus] Her soul is beautiful. Untarnished. Innocent.

[21:31] [Aldo] "There's no damage. Not even ... well, it's quite fine." He pauses, blinking away the sight. "At this point, I can attempt to restore your appearance, ensure a safe delivery, or ... do what I did for Lyllandra."

[21:32] [Dionysus] "I... I... Can it wait? Til after the council? My appearance I mean? I would... like the blessing of a safe delivery. Err, what did you do for Lyllandra?"

[21:33] [Aldo] "Her fetus was cursed with chaos. I exorcised it."

[21:33] [Dionysus] She nods. "I bear no child just yet. But when I do... I will ask you to make sure it is safe."

[21:36] * Aldo nods. "Of course. Erm, is there anything else I can do for you this morning?"

[21:36] [Dionysus] She sighs & shakes her head. "Only tlel me how I may repay you, Reverend."

[21:38] [Aldo] "I ask for no repayment for the Silver Mother's blessing, but that you honor her."

[21:39] [Dionysus] She nods. "I will. Thank you, Reverend."

[21:39] * Aldo smiles again. "May you live an age, Highness." He leaves and goes to find Lyllandra.

[21:39] [Dionysus] She's at her inn.

[21:40] [Dionysus] "Come in, Reverend. What can I do for you?"

[21:41] [Aldo] "I have a question. In politics, is it an advantage to be utterly without sin?"

[21:44] [Dionysus] She blinks, "That's... hard to say. Is it an advantage to be without sin, or incapable of sin?"

[21:45] [Aldo] "Well, let's assume that the capability exists."

[21:45] [Dionysus] "Then there's no true disadvantage, I don't suppose. It also depends on what you feel a sin is."

[21:46] [Aldo] "But you don't see any advantage?"

[21:47] [Dionysus] "I can't see one, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

[21:48] * Aldo frowns and nods. "All right. Thank you."

[21:48] [Aldo] Now I go looking for Paul.

[21:49] [Dionysus] A'ight. We'll wait til this is done in the main chat.

[21:51] [Aldo] Actually, I guess I'd wait until after Marilyna is done with her meeting and I've spoken to her again before seeking Paul.

[21:51] [Dionysus] Oh, all right.

[21:53] [Aldo] I was thinking that the council might be interested in the effects of the staff as used on a completely innocent person.

[21:53] [Dionysus] Heh.

[21:53] [Dionysus] Wanna know what'd happen?

[21:54] [Aldo] But I don't think they'd care, really. Also, there are mechanisms by which a soul can be cleansed ... ok, sure.

[21:55] [Dionysus] Gift. vs. Gift to see if ti cured her disfiguration

[21:55] [Aldo] that's kinda what i figured

[21:57] [Aldo] Is an artificially-purified soul recognizable?

[21:59] [Dionysus] Not if it's done right.

[21:59] [Dionysus] Hers was either natural or done right

[23:11] [Dionysus] Join #redflag, please

[23:49] [Dionysus] One more faith point & road point.

[00:07] [Aldo] locate Marilyna

[00:07] [Dionysus] She's in Ienova.

[00:07] [Aldo] is that where we left her?

[00:07] [Dionysus] Yep

[00:14] [Dionysus] Ishtar takes you aside & says, "You're... different."

[00:14] [Aldo] "Aye."

[00:15] [Dionysus] "You have Makersteel. It's impressive."

[00:16] [Dionysus] "I... You remember when we were... together?"

[00:16] [Aldo] "Yes, of course."

[00:16] [Dionysus] "Well... When I left, I said it was to study magic, you see."

[00:16] [Dionysus] "I... that was only partly true."

[00:17] [Dionysus] She sighs, "I wanted to be... to live forever, Aldo. I still do. And I've found a way. But I need your help."

[00:17] [Aldo] "Oh?"

[00:21] [Dionysus] "I need you to move my soul."

[00:21] [Dionysus] She holds up an opal. "I know that if you move it into this, it will help your Hammer."

[00:22] * Aldo stares at her for a moment. "You ... want to be a rock?"

[00:22] [Aldo] Is it a good sphere opal?

[00:22] [Dionysus] Healing.

[00:22] [Dionysus] She sighs, "No, I want my soul in a rock. So I cannot be killed."

[00:23] * Aldo hesitates. "I can't say what will happen to the opal when I die. The steel will become unforged."

[00:24] [Dionysus] She nods. "Not until your wife dies. I can tell."

[00:24] [Dionysus] "But that makes no matter. The stone should survive."

[00:25] * Aldo 's eyelids open slightly wider. "I ... I see. You'd entrust your soul to us, then? In exchange for the use of the opal?"

[00:25] [Dionysus] "In exchange for eternal life, yes."

[00:27] * Aldo grins a bit. "I'll move your soul and keep the stone safe, but I don't even understand how this is supposed to work."

[00:27] [Dionysus] "It's a magician thing. I've... arranged the stone already. Just move the soul."

[00:28] [Aldo] "Right." He clasps his hands around hers, the one holding the opal, and prays.

[00:29] [Dionysus] She glows silver, gasps, then the opal glows pale blue.

[00:29] [Dionysus] Then you feel something powerful, & the opal glows silver briefly, then just glows the color it is.

[00:29] [Dionysus] She falls to her knees, then stands, & her eyes are glowing blue. Thank you, Aldo.

[00:30] [Dionysus] You put the opal in?

[00:30] * Aldo waits a moment for her to recover, then lets go of her hands, pulls out Balthazaar, and shows her the socket. "Here."

[00:30] [Dionysus] She nods. "Put it in."

[00:31] [Dionysus] s/"/_/

[00:31] * Aldo inserts it.

[00:31] [Dionysus] Your whole body increases in power. You feel your mind sharpen, your muscles get looser, your reflexes return--you feel /younger/.

[00:32] [Dionysus] +3 wound, ath, wil, awa, & reaction

[00:33] * Aldo gasps, clutching his sides as his tissues regenerate, then straightens again, inhaling deeply. "I didn't expect that," he mumbles, looking at his hands.

[00:33] [Dionysus] She says You have done more than you know. I will see you on the other side, Aldo. She walks away, though a wall.

[00:34] [Dionysus] You go back to the group?

[00:34] [Aldo] am i, in fact, younger?

[00:34] [Dionysus] Yes.

[00:35] [Dionysus] You return to the group?

[00:38] [Aldo] ... it doesn't do anything to her?

[00:38] [Dionysus] Hold on

[00:46] [Aldo] what's this stone called?

[00:46] [Dionysus] Soul Opal

[00:48] [Aldo] what are the stats on the mithril armor?

[00:48] [Dionysus] +9/+9

[00:55] [Aldo] is Daisy going with the rest of us?

[00:55] [Dionysus] Yes.

[00:55] [Dionysus] She gathers up her bow & arrows.

[00:55] [Dionysus] She blesses them.

[00:55] [Aldo] heh

[00:55] [Dionysus] She also blesses her clothing to make it protect her.