Dionysus The house is in shambles.
- Avery expected nothing less, but it still shocks him. he sighs softly, sadly, and approaches. How much, if any, is still standing?
Dionysus A half a back wall, a servant house out back, and part of a carriage.
- Avery then picks his way through the rubble to roughly where his room once was, whatever floor it was on, kneels as he can and leaves the flowers there. "...I'm sorry, Mother...I wish I could tell you. I wish I could tell you it wasn't me...the force behind the blow wasn't me...I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come back...I always meant to, but...well. things never seemed to go right until now."
Avery "I hope you're at peace, wherever you are now. I love you." and with that he gets up and turns to go.
Dionysus You sense him as soon as you start to move away.
Dionysus Jack the Diamond, approaching from a distance.
- Avery goes stock still, looking towards him. "Father...?"
Dionysus "My son." His voice is weak.
- Avery goes from eager to worried almost instantly. "Are you alright? Your injury...is it still bothering you?"
Dionysus "I'm recovering slowly. I've been hiding out here for some time."
- Avery sighs softly, relieved, and cocks his head. "Why here?"
Dionysus "I thought you'd come here eventually."
- Avery smiles faintly, with more than a touch of sadness. "I've been meaning to...I just...there was never an opportunity until now. But I had to say goodbye."
Dionysus He nods, "He took my sword. I was going to give it to you."
- Avery looks surprised. "I barely know what to do with one."
Avery "They're teaching me archery now."
Dionysus "Well, if you see him, get it back for me." He smiles, weakly, "Arcerhy's a good skill. How are you holding up?"
Avery "Better than I have been, honestly...A lot's happened since Madziar. I've...learned a lot about myself, what I can do. but there's a long way to go yet. I don't know how to lead..."
Dionysus He nods, "Me either." A pause. "I'm no help am I? Is there anything you need?"
- Avery chuckles softly. "Probably. there usually is. But seeing you again has done wonders for my spirits, I can tell you that much...I was worried." suddenly reminded, he holds up the wrist with the bracer. "Thank you, by the way...Damon Argent said you'd sent it to him for me."
Dionysus He nods, "I found it and thought you could use it."
- Avery nods. "It's come in handy, on the moons."
Dionysus He smiles, "Well, I tell you what. If there's aught you need that I can provide, leave a note here and I will see it."
- Avery nods, then is struck by a thought. "actually...I don't know if you can help, but...well...the band is preparing for the Contest, we've got all our songs, and it was suggested that magical weapons and instruments would come in handy...except I have no idea how to find the good stuff, because you have to know the right people. and I don't."
Dionysus He pauses, then grins, "Where are you all based right now?"
- Avery starts to smile himself. "Maraddon City, special forces compound."
Dionysus "In a few days, a man will be there wanting to talk to you."
- Avery grins. "Thank you, Father..."
Dionysus He bows, "Thank you, my son."
- Avery looks surprised. "For what...?"
Dionysus He smiles, "For walking your path."
- Avery blushes faintly, not quite able to hide his pleasure at the statement. he hesitates, then hugs his father tentatively, unsure of what the reaction will be.
Dionysus He hugs back. He feels very... odd. Like he's both metal and flesh.
- Avery is slightly confused by this but doesn't much mind it. "...I'll see you again."
Dionysus He nods, "And I you. Good luck, son."
- Avery nods, then turns and gives the wreckage and flowers one last look before heading back to Maraddon, rather bouncier than he was when he left.
Dionysus End this scene for now, then.
Dionysus After Arlie grew up, one thing happened to Avery worth noting: he felt part of the wall break away and a power emerge--he sensed his knowledge of playing pennywhistle increased
Dionysus +3 pennywhistle
Avery damn. Sweet. I have to ask, what did he do that triggered that?
Dionysus He helped lead in the list making, etc.
Avery Nifty. *pleased8
Dionysus So, you were supposed to meet with magical items dealers later that week
Avery Yeah. Avery's dad said someone would come asking for him in a couple days, I recall.
Dionysus A servant comes to you after practice, telling you three men have come up to the palace asking for you
- Avery pauses a moment, then goes to see them.
Dionysus When you go out to the street, you see three men with strange carts trailing behind them. Each cart is worth a staggering amount, laden with valuable items, and the men themselves are quite valuable.
Dionysus They each bow to you as you approach
- Avery nearly does stagger, not having been quite prepared for that - he does start in surprise - and returns the bows. "Gentlemen."
Dionysus "Your Highness. We were told you were interested in some of our wares."
Avery "I and my friends, yes. Thank you for coming."
Dionysus "It is but an honor to us. Come, have a look at our wares."
- Avery moves to take a look, keeping his senses alert for anything that would be of use to the band...for what good that will be.
Dionysus There are weapons worth much, instruments of great value, armors of fine make, normal items of all varieties--ropes, candles, lanterns, pens, etc that might be useful
Dionysus But worth more than anything here is a small, triple pronged key in a small box at the bottom of a shelf on one of the carts.
- Avery is automatically drawn to that, out of curiosity. "...what is this?"
Dionysus "That?"
Dionysus One of the men hesitates, looks to the other two.
Dionysus "Well..."
- Avery nods, glancing up at them.
Dionysus "That is a small trinket."
Avery "It makes a very intriguing trinket...I've not run across something like it before."
Dionysus "You find it interesting?"
- Avery smiles wryly. "It's rare to find something so small that's worth so much."
Dionysus "Ahh, well, what is worth?" he sounds nervous.
- Avery cocks his head at the nervous tone. "If you'll forgive my curiosity, what does this key unlock?"
Dionysus "Well, now, who can say? Hey?"
Avery "And why hide it at the bottom of a shelf? If it's truly just a small trinket, what's the harm in showing it openly?"
Dionysus "Oh, the good merchandise, it gets the best spots. The useless stuff is left on the bottom shelf. That is all. Hey?"
- Avery chuckles. "Of course. I've little mind for business, as odd as it may sound." he glances back at the key, and inquires about a couple other items - a trumpet and one of the more interesting armors - before he asks about the key again, what the price would be for it.
Avery [especially if they have a non-steel type of armor. he's on the lookout for those.]
Dionysus "A full suit of sunsteel. No iron, your Highness."
- Avery looks at it, sorely tempted, and makes note of it.
Dionysus "They key?" he frowns when you ask. "You're going to insist?"
Avery "It intrigues me, as I said before...is there some problem with it?"
Dionysus He sighs, "It is... dangerous. But also rewarding."
Avery "Dangerous how?"
Dionysus He looks at his brothers, "For starters, everyone will want it. Many will do anything to get a hold of it.
Dionysus The second brother says, "Secondly, to get to the Vault, you must face much danger. It is not in a safe location.
- Avery nods, his attention caught further by mention of 'the Vault'.
Dionysus And the third says, "And lastly, the Vault is vast. Important things sometimes get lost there."
- Avery nods slowly. "Important things...things already there, or things brought in with you?"
Dionysus He considers you, "That's a risk you must take. And the price for that key might be more than you can bear."
Avery "What is it?"
Dionysus "Your monetary wealth, and its renewal, will be ours," says the first. "Your favorite song that you wrote will vanish from your memory and enter ours," says the second. "And your memories of your mother will be ours," the third says.
Dionysus "But."
Dionysus "The Triple Vault holds three of almost everything. The resources there will benefit you and your band perhaps beyond imagining, if you are clever."
- Avery is silent for a long moment, then shakes his head. "The first two I wouldn't mind. Songs can be replaced, and I barely use my own money anyway. But I will not part with those memories for any price." he turns to look at the other wares, going back to the sunsteel armor.
Dionysus The brother laughs, scornfully, "So be it. Take the armor. A nice consolation prize for a sentimental fool."
- Avery shakes some hair out of his face, ignoring the scorn. he will try to find one thing for each member of the band.
Dionysus Pick from a category: armor, weapon, item, instrument for each that you look for for the band members
Avery Instrument for Arlie, item for Jack, item for Sue, armor or instrument for Leia, item for Leonas, weapon or armor for Tomerane, item for Dionysus, item or instrument for Magnum, item for Aurelia, armor or item for Bartleby, and armor or instrument for Valara. He doesn't really thnk Arsul needs much, but he'll look for an item for him regardless.
Dionysus One sec
Avery kay
Dionysus A crystal pendant for Aurelia, one depicting a tiny bird that moves, enchanted somehow. The vendors tell you it improves the arts.
Avery ..that's perfect for her.
Dionysus A brass trumpet ofr Arlie, enchanted to sound clear and loud, for Arlie?
Avery Sounds good to me.
Dionysus A bracelet that makes the wearer... magnificent for Jack?
Dionysus ?
Avery Sorry, belatedly listing. I like it.
Dionysus A vial of empowering void dragon blood for Sue?
Avery Yay! Avery was kind of worried there wouldn't be something for him.
Dionysus A musically enchanted cello bow for Arsul?
Avery that's /perfect/
Dionysus A set of drums that are empowered by thunder and lightning for Magnum?
Avery Oooh. Stage presence ahoy.
Dionysus A finely woven dark purple cloak of night for Bartleby?
Avery What's it do?
Dionysus Makes him hard to see
Avery Nice.
Dionysus Old but serviceable armor and helmet of sea dragon scale for Leia, fitted for a slender female?
Avery Yes!
Dionysus A vision-enchanted bow for Tomerane?
Avery Excellent
Dionysus And a cup of courage for Leonas?
Avery Oh could he use it.
Dionysus And the suit of sunsteel for you?
Avery Yep.
Dionysus +7/+7.
Quothar You mentioned prowess and toughness at one point, and quick learning.
Arlie_B quick learning would be a priority.
Quothar The trial for that is thus: you are put in a room with a desk and a small pamphlet, a box of random game pieces, and a man in the corner with a stopwatch. You are told to read the booklet, then do as it says.
Quothar The booklet has a series of instructions on how to play certain games or do certain tasks: tie a complex knot, do a math equation, etc.
Quothar The quicker you finish, the better
Arlie_B a what equation?
Quothar Probably the quadratic equation, applied properly.
Arlie_B ok, Arlie tries to follow the tasks, following the instructions, putting a note that "This isn't how my wife says to tie this knot."
Arlie_B awareness?
Quothar Yes
Quothar Six times, one for each part of it
Quothar You get most of them in good time, but the knot one you blow through like lightning.
Quothar In a matter of a mere half hour, you finish the test.
Arlie_B "The only way I remember that square equation stuff, it's actually a good story."
Quothar The timekeeper stops his watch, looks through the test, then smiles, "Congratulations, your Grace. A perfect score, and an acceptable time. Almost too quick, but still within range. Your ring will be prepared by the end of the week. Is there any style or appearance you prefer?"
- Arlie_B pauses at that, then adds, "I have a pink elephant codpiece."
Arlie_B "Any style will do. Nothing iron if you can help it."
Quothar He blinks, "I'll relay that to the ringmakers."
Arlie_B "Thank you."
Arlie_B (one sec, brb)
Quothar The ring, when it arrives, is a pale pink stone, wtih runes etched on the inside. Quick learner edge, +1 awa. You will learn things in half the time or quicker most of the time, complex stuff in about three fourths of the time it normally takes, and extremely simple things in a fourth of the time it takes. However, you'll still have to pass AWA rolls to get them for the most part.
Arlie_B ok
Arlie_B (getting more food.)
Arlie_B ok, eaten, and trying to figure out the next trial
Quothar Prowess and toughness were mentioned before by you, but I'm easy. Anything you want.
Arlie_B Arlie would do prowess and toughness, asking, "Do I do this with or without my sword and armor?"
Quothar "That's up to you."
Quothar "We /do/ take armor and weapon into account in the trials, though, and if you kill anyone, you'll not be allowed the ring, so be careful if you bring your weapon."
Arlie_B "Without the sword and armor then. You never know what could happen."
Quothar See main channel briefly
Quothar Join #dunmanifestin for the prowess trial.
Arlie_B "Sometimes a branch has to be good enough, and sometimes your armmor turns to stone."
Quothar The soldier smiles, "So we've heard."
Dionysus You arrive in your hometown with your sisters and brother-in-law after about an hour and a half of flight.
Dionysus The people to the town come out to stare at the Whippoorwill
Jack_C alright.
Dionysus Gisela and Jimmy are not in the crownd
Dionysus crowd
Jack_C r crowd read 15+3
Jack_C for practice
Dionysus The crowd is... terrified, awed, and curious. None of them are a threat.
Jack_C "Not the best way to arrive anywhere, just the fastest."
Dionysus Rubella laughs, but Kansy and Artur are just stoic about it, trying not to be too shaken by such things.
Dionysus Ruby says, "This place hasn't changed much. Is that Johnny Cartwell?"
Jack_C "My gods, I used to live here, didn't I?"
Jack_C do I see anyone I know?
Dionysus A few.
- Jack_C waves to the ones who would have friendly memories of me.
Dionysus Some wave back, some just stare.
Jack_C at the bottom of the gangplank, I say, "We're here to see family."
Dionysus They all just nod, and Kansy says, weakly, "The old house is back that way." She points off to your right, and you see it on the edge of town.
Jack_C we go that way.
Dionysus The house is a little more rundown than you remember, and a lot smaller.
- Jack_C starts to knock, hesitates, then does.
Dionysus A moment later
Dionysus A woman answers.
Dionysus At first, you don't recognize her
Dionysus Her face is marked by old pox scars
Dionysus Her body is stooped
Dionysus She's had a rough life
Dionysus But it's Gisella
- Jack_C stares, then smiles. "Hello, Gisela."
Dionysus "Jackie?" she rasps. "So good of you to come."
Dionysus She opens the door and sees the other two, then she gasps, "Oh..."
Dionysus "Oh, come in, all of you."
Jack_C "It's been a while."
Jack_C as we all come in.
Dionysus Ruby and Kansy look around, and you can see the memories flow over them.
Dionysus Artur wipes his feet, removes his hat, and steps in
Jack_C "How's Jimmy?"
Dionysus She gestures to a slightly ajar door, "Old."
Jack_C "Would he want to see us?"
Dionysus "I don't see why not. But he's bedridden, so don't get him too excited."
- Jack_C nods, and goes in to see his big brother.
Dionysus He looks a lot like your dad, but older than you ever saw your dad get.
Dionysus He's older than he should be, really, but he mighta lead a rough life.
Jack_C "Hey, Jimmy."
Dionysus "Jack? Is that you?"
Jack_C "Yeah. It is."
Jack_C "Ruby and Kansy and her husband are out there too."
Dionysus "Well, I'll be. Wonders never cease."
Jack_C "How have things been since we've been gone?"
Dionysus He blinks, then laughs, "Jack, it's been years."
Jack_C "Yeah. It has. You want news from out in the world?"
Dionysus He sits up a bit, "Sure, tell me everything, Jack."
- Jack_C catches him up on what all is going on, and why he's getting the sisters back together.
Jack_C and our lineage, etc.
Dionysus Jimmy listens, half dozing it seems, sometimes, but when you finish, he says, "Cranes are either instigators or peacemakers, it's true."
Jack_C "I been an instigator for long enough."
Dionysus "Gonna be a peacemaker now?"
Jack_C "Tryin'." offers his hand to shake.
Dionysus He shakes it.
Dionysus "You were always trouble as a kid, Jack, but you weren't so bad. Rubella was the real terror.:"
Dionysus He smiles.
- Jack_C chuckles. "Well she's here now, and she's made a bigger turn than I did."
Jack_C "Want me to get them?"
Dionysus He smiles, "Certainly."
Jack_C I go get the others.
Jack_C oh, and included in his update was the news that the King of Thorns got Cyril.
Dionysus He was sad to hear it.
Dionysus The others are all making dinner.
Dionysus Good humored fighting over who does what is going on
- Jack_C quietly lets them know that Jimmy wants to see them when they're ready.
Dionysus They stop immediately, "Oh, well, right away then." "Oh, good."
Dionysus And they all start to flow into his room
Dionysus Gisela waits in the kitchen, though
Jack_C I make sure nothing burns.
Jack_C or help her.
Dionysus Artur sits on a chair quietly, minding his own business
Jack_C and take that opportunity to get her caught up. All the same spiel.
Jack_C and I introduce her to Little Wing.
Dionysus She listens, and greets LW with a smile, and talks about life in the town after she got the pox and came home.
Jack_C How does she respond to the description of the contest and its implications?
Dionysus "It sounds like you're an important man now."
Jack_C "And the champion of music said I needed to find you."
Dionysus She blinks, "I'm not sure why she would."
>Arsul< yo
- Jack_C nods. "Even if nothin' else, I'm glad to have seen home again."
Jack_C "And Jimmy."
Jack_C "And all of us."
Dionysus "You say Cyril died?"
Jack_C "If nothin' else, I'm glad to make peace with my past."
Jack_C "Yeah."
Jack_C "The King of THorns murdered him."
Dionysus She looks sad, then says, "He was a good boy."
Jack_C "Mom's influence. I didn't know him very long before I left."
Dionysus She smiles, "He grew up to be a messenger. He ran messages in the war, you know."
Jack_C "Yeah."
Jack_C "Listen, be careful. The King of Thorns is after everyone connected to us."
Dionysus She looks to you, and you see steel in her eyes, "Let him try, Jack. I've faced down angry mobs. I've faced dark cultists. I've faced those damnable weird frogs. And I faced the Yellow Cloaked monsters. When Jimmy got the Yellow Plague, I forced it out of him with my shout. No thorny king scares me."
- Jack_C smirks. "That's the Gisela I remember."
Jack_C "Uh...now, about those frogs. They still around?"
Dionysus "I sent them packing."
Dionysus One sec
- Jack_C nods. "Good. Frogs are kill-on-sight among the band."
Dionysus She smiles, "They were killing my garden."
Jack_C at some point, Jack will go visit the grave of his parents, as one thing he has to do to make peace.
Dionysus It's a little worn, but the stone marking both graves is there.
- Jack_C sits silently for a moment, and then says, "Sorry, Dad. I never did shut up, and I can't now. Too much goin' on. But I'll be quiet and remember you now and then."
Jack_C "I passed on some of your wisdom to Avery. He's like a little brother to me."
Jack_C "Maybe one day you'll meet all of us again."
Dionysus Can you juggle this and a convo with Sue?
Jack_C yes.
Dionysus A'ight, go on then. Here and main chat
Jack_C Jack spends a few more minutes in silence, then goes back to the house.
Jack_C so once we've spent a day or so with Jimmy and Gisella, I suggest going back to Marraddon city.
Dionysus Toward the end of the day, after everyone has had a simple meal, Rubella says, "So. Jack. Have you thought more about proving devotion?"
Jack_C "See, I once heard someone say, it's not what you do, it's what you become."
Jack_C "I started a transformation process, but it's not complete. There's more to do. I need to /be/ something. But I don't know what."
Jack_C "There's somethin' in this, I don't know how, about me becoming the music, or the faith of it."
Jack_C "Bein' a part of it. absorbed in it."
Jack_C "That make sense?"
Dionysus She nods. "Go on?"
Jack_C "I don't know how."
Jack_C "I don't even know what the end result looks like."
Dionysus "If you wanted to prove your devotion to a woman, how would you do it?"
Jack_C "I'd refuse the advances of anyone else."
Dionysus She chuckles, "Not the marrying kind, then?"
Jack_C "Absolutely. I'm plannin' on proposin' to Venuvea."
Dionysus "And is that not a sign of devotion?"
Jack_C "A sign, yeah. but see, this is what I'm not gettin'. To me, the real devotion is in the actions."
Jack_C "Yeah, I can go through the ceremonies, but what's more devoted? that, or real palpable stuff?"
Jack_C "I could tell Avery I care if he lives or dies, but he only believes it because I tried to carry him away from demons once."
Jack_C "That's worth more to him than anything i say."
Dionysus "It's not about the ceremony. It's the action taken in the ceremony. One very real action taken in the ceremony."
Jack_C "Oh?"
- Jack_C is interested in this.
Dionysus "What is the key moment of the ceremony, Jack?"
Jack_C "The vows."
Dionysus She nods, "Such an action is potent not just because it expresses your devotion, but because if the ceremony is done with divine witness, it entwines your souls."
Jack_C "I need to offer myself to the mother of music."
Dionysus Gisella, Kansella both look surprised.
- Jack_C looks miffed. "You know what I mean. I need to take vows. become a vessel of some sort."
Dionysus "I just never thought of you as the deeply religious sort," Gisella says.
Jack_C "Well I haven't been until lately."
Dionysus Kansy says, "You did write a song that wasn't entirely respectful of a rather unpleasant goddess once, Jack."
Jack_C "Life was rough, I told the gods to stick it, then I started to feel bad about the way things were--Not respectful?!"
Jack_C "What do you think that song is about?!"
Jack_C "I knew I was deep in debt! I still am!"
Jack_C "It's not about a dead goddess, it's about /me!/"
Dionysus She chuckles, "Well, it didn't follow the... etiquette. No one should speak a god's name, unless they really mean it."
- Jack_C curls down a bit. "I thought that one was safe enough."
Jack_C "Of course, at the time, I did get a bit of a kick out of the folks who were offended. That just dug me in deeper."
Jack_C "Ain't that funny? I knew I was bad, but I still got off on it."
Dionysus Rubella and Gisella exchange a look, and Kansella blushes, "Oh, we know how that is." They all laugh
- Jack_C laughs. "Yeah. forgot where I was."
Dionysus Rubella says, "There's a few ways to arrange vows to the Mother, but they're all a bit... lip service right now. As things stand, she's not as able to extend her potency."
Jack_C "If I'm really devoted, that doesn't matter."
Dionysus "It is if she needs to bear witness to the vow. The vow must be... more potent, or... special."
Jack_C "What do you reccommend?"
Dionysus "That depends on how far you wish to go:
Dionysus "You can make a profound sacrifice in her honor, offering up some treasure, in a special ceremony.
Dionysus "You can dedicate some great song to her, in a powerful ceremony, with you, perhaps some mass concert.
Dionysus "You can invoke her greatest saints in a ceremony and hope they listen.
- Jack_C nods. "That one's right up my alley. A benefit concert."
Dionysus "You can place your life into her arms, throwing yourself into sound itself.
Dionysus "Or you can say her name."
- Jack_C nods. "I think the benefit concert is more my thing."
Dionysus "Then you arrange the crowd, the venue, and the music, and I will arrange the befitting ceremony."
- Jack_C nods. "Alright. I will."
Dionysus Gisella says, "Jackie boy, you have to have a message."
Jack_C "I do. It's time to make peace between the people and the gods."
Jack_C "It's time to reconcile."
Dionysus She smiles, "A worthy message."
Dionysus Kansella says, "Jackie, this is all hard for me to cred--" there's a knock at the door.
Jack_C for the record, Jack would not be armored in the house, but would have his rings.
Dionysus Gisella goes to answer it. As she cracks the door, she cries, "Mary!"
Dionysus So do the other two
Dionysus Mary is younger, still fresh of face and body. Sweet, with a tinge of red to her blonde hair
Dionysus "Gisella! Ruby! Kansy! Jack!"
Dionysus She steps inside, "The crazy children knew what they were talking about. I'm glad I found you all."
Jack_C "Crazy children?"
Dionysus "Albert Renkarr's wards."
Jack_C "Ahh."
- Jack_C gets Mary caught up.
Jack_C this is like the fifth time Jack has told these tales, and it may be starting to show.
Jack_C and introduces Little Wing.
Dionysus She listens, then stops you shortly in, "You mentioned this in the letter. Hi, Little Wing."
Jack_C "Right. I did."
Jack_C "Sorry."
Jack_C "Anyway, what do you think?"
Dionysus roll awareness
Dionysus "I think you should hold my hand, and don't let go."
Jack_C "Okay..."
- Jack_C takes her hand. <Get in my pocket.>
Dionysus LW does.
Dionysus Roll will as soon as she has your hand
Jack_C r wp 12+4
Dionysus You feel... your essence start to shift, then stops, as she takes your hand. Her eyes gleam green.
- Jack_C squints and belts out Avalon Winter.
Dionysus Roll will
Dionysus She flinches, and begins to flee
Jack_C "...He got Mary."
Jack_C "We have to warn Albert Renkaar."
Dionysus Gisella flashes angry, "Don't stand there! Go kill the freak!"
Dionysus She reaches beneath her cabinets and pulls out a rifle.
Jack_C "My weapon is back on the ship!"
Dionysus "Then find another!"
Dionysus Rubella pulls out a thin knife.
Jack_C "And I'm not good with it anyway! In case you haven't noticed, I'm not the bar brawler I used to be!"
Dionysus Kansy looks to Artur, who looks about& grabs a household hammer
Dionysus They all ignore your protests and march outside.
Jack_C I follow. I may not be much use in the fight, but I can keep them from getting killed.
Dionysus The doppleganger is running, and the others chasing after. Regardless of their being between her and the doppleganger, Gisella fires her rifle at the fleeing figure.
Jack_C <Get airborne and track her for us!>
Dionysus Little Wing takes flight and follows.
Jack_C <And stay clear of the gunfire!>
Dionysus The others are quickly outpaced by the doppleganger, and Gisella's aim isn't what it used to be, but when it looks hopeless, Rubella belts out a note of pure defiance, and the doppleganger drops, stunned.
Dionysus You arrive to a prone figure, surrounded by angry relatives of yours
Jack_C "Tie her up. I'm takin' her back to Marraddon city."
Jack_C I move to do so.
Dionysus They help.
Jack_C <It's okay. Come back down.>
Jack_C "Dammit. He got Mary."
Dionysus LW returns, and as you cart the 'doppleganger', its form shifts from Mary's to some young man of about 16.
Dionysus A young man, about 16, dazed, bound, eyes blue.
Jack_C Anyone I know?
Dionysus Not at all
Jack_C "He can shapeshift. We'll have to be careful."
Dionysus Gisella says, "Either he's magical somehow, or he ain't a doppleganger."
Jack_C "Can someone send a message to where Mary worked?"
Dionysus Rubella says, "I will."
Jack_C "His eyes werer green."
Dionysus "And now they aren't. No doppleganger can change their eye color."
Jack_C "This is not good."
Jack_C "We need to leave as soon as possible. I'll take care of this on board the whippoorwill."
Dionysus Gisella indicates she can't leave.
Jack_C "It's alright. I'll come back when all this settles down."
Jack_C "It was good to see you again."
Dionysus "You, too, Jackie boy. Give 'em hell for us."
Dionysus Rubella joins you, but Kansella and Artur opt to stay.
- Jack_C smirks. "That I can do."
Jack_C "Alright. I'll see you later then. Take care."
Dionysus What do you do on the airship?
Jack_C I arrange stupid levels of security for this prisoner and order flight back to M-city post haste.
Dionysus They make good time.
Dionysus You return to the city in less than an hour
Jack_C I send word ahead that I'm bringing a prisoner.
Jack_C a high security prisoner.
Jack_C as soon as I land, I mean.
Dionysus Damon comes to you one night
Dionysus "Baron, may I request your services?"
Arsul "Of course. How can I help?"
Dionysus He pauses, "I'm worried about my children."
Arsul "You'd like me to see how they're doing?"
Dionysus He nods, "Please."
Dionysus One sec
Dionysus You see Datuna in her home, safe & sound. You see Roald on the Island Bridge, riding out a winter storm, but safe, in his fortress. You see Matrim listening intently to a report from angels, then giving commands to a group of lost saints, in the midst of the planar war, but alive and well. You see Viollca with her mother in New Anlir, wathcing over her children. And one of her children, you see a strange
Dionysus shadow over.
Arsul What is the shadow over Damon's grandchild?
Dionysus You see his path, the child's, and it is a dark one, full of death and necromancy
- Arsul pulls out of his trance
Dionysus Damon is waiting patientlyu
Arsul "Datuna is in her home. Roald is in his fortress. There is a storm but he's fine. Matrim is well but at war, as you know. And Viollca is with your wife and your grandchildren."
Arsul "Is there anything else you'd like me to seek? Any further questios about their safety?"
Dionysus Damon frowns, "Well, I don't know why, but I have this nagging feeling that something is wrong with one of them. Something... threatens one of them."
Arsul "Just a moment."
Arsul Are one of Damon's children being threatened?
Dionysus Matrim is in the midst of a war with the Wrongness, despised personally by the forces of evil, and a political figure in Maraddon. Viollca is not just a political figure, but some nightmare shaper hates her personally, as do extremist religious sorts of varying sects. Roald is a military man who is politically powerful withall the troubel that comes with. Datuna is hated by forces of nightmare and politic
Dionysus al enemies.
Arsul Are there any new threats to his children?
Dionysus Hmm
Dionysus The nightmare threats are relatively new
Dionysus Other than that, no.
Dionysus Damon waits patiently
Arsul "Your daughters are hated by agents of Nightmare. Otherwise the threats to your children are fairly easy to assume."
Arsul "Matrim's at war, your daughters are in politics, and your other son is in the military. Viollca is disliked by some sects as well for what she is and how she worships."
Dionysus Damon nods, "Nightmare." He sighs, "Thank you. That gives me something to go on." He pauses. "Do you require payment?"
Arsul "Of course not."
Arsul "Any time you'd like."
Dionysus He smiles, "Thank you. Oh." He pauses, "Word came from the Roma tribes. Aladar says they've arranged some exchange of information between tribes, and he should know soon more about your children."
Arsul "Should I speak with someone?"
Arsul oh I didn't see 'soon'
Arsul withdraw that
Arsul "THank you."
Dionysus He nods, "Thank you."
Dionysus Slowly but surely
Dionysus More and more people start coming to you for visions
Dionysus Strangers, friends of friends, all sorts of people
Dionysus do you turn any away?
Arsul It depends on what I find as to wether I give them answers. But I don't turn people away. I do ask how they came to me.
Dionysus The trail seems to lead back to Nylissa, really, for most of them
Arsul ok
Dionysus Eventually, anyway
Dionysus Most are "from the man in the bar"
Dionysus Or "my uncle"
Dionysus Or whatever
Arsul that's fine
Dionysus You made me wait all this time for a together party just to ask if it was okay to use the airship?
Dionysus I'm gonna strangle you,.
Dionysus So you go to Azet on the appointed date?
Arsul yes
Dionysus You are landed in a desert field outside an ancient city where not Atanaxan ever steps
Dionysus The buildings are all ziggurats and temples, vast adobe structures draped in sand.
Dionysus Men in beige robes wander the streets, people warily watch you as you pass.
Dionysus Beggars line the roads.
Dionysus The air is full of the smell of animal dung, spices, and sand
Dionysus The weather is hot
Dionysus The ground is gritty sand.
Dionysus And you know to go to the center of the city
- Arsul walks toward the center
Dionysus You hear the vibrant speech of an ancient desert tongue as you travel.
Dionysus Men hawking wares, women singing as they work, children playing, animals making noise.
Dionysus Your feet touch cold stone when they reach the central temple.
- Arsul listens but is focused on his destination
Dionysus You climb steps up the temple to a strange area where you sense three people.
Arsul are they all women?
Dionysus One, an old woman, speaks in a raspy voice, rough Maraddonic, "Prophet Toutant."
Dionysus No, the other two are men. One is Muhab
Arsul (what was the title for the high priestess?)
Dionysus Eyeless Mother of Fate
Arsul "Eyeless Mother."
Dionysus "I offer you three answers. Have you three questions?"
Arsul "Yes."
Dionysus "Ask."
Arsul "What unknown information will be most valuable in my path ahead?"
Dionysus One sec
Dionysus "Your Sight will be useless in the Winter Lands."
Arsul "What are the Devil's plans regarding myself, my band, and our quest to save the Mother of Music?"
Dionysus "To make it seem as if he is hindering you when in fact he is egging you on. A dead client tells no tells, and you will slay many clients of his, cleaning up a dirty path he'd rather not leave out in the open."
Arsul Who will be my biggest challenge ahead and how can I gain the upper hand in the confrontation?
Arsul What
Arsul not Who
Dionysus "None outshine the King of Thorns. You must be prepared, for the Song will both harm and empower him. That is the most I can say."
Arsul "Is there anything you or the Father would have of me Mother?"
Dionysus She pauses, "A fourth question, trying to be an offer. Merely walk your path, child."
Arsul "I did not mean to offend. Thank you Mother." he bows his head slightly
Dionysus "No offense was taken. It was your lot."
Arsul bowing his head once more, he turns to leave
Dionysus Up for the Night Watch gallery?
Aurelia Ok. I haven't prepared anything though.
Dionysus What do you mean?
Aurelia As far as what she'd prepare to say.
Dionysus Tell me about the various paintings
Aurelia Diana, bleeding in the grass and Aurelia standing over her, back to the 'camera' and face to the sun breaking over the falls, savage, bloodthirsty delight just starting to turn to awe, a shadow of guilt on the horizon.
Aurelia Aurelia's first time playing with Bartleby:
Aurelia Aurelia and Bartleby in the inn room, her awe and exhileration at being shown a new world of playing, with an undertone of shame and self-loathing, deepset like a bone-ache, the world outside visible through the window, also new, full of beauty and possibility, but also inspiring of trepidation.
Dionysus Damn. Go on
Aurelia Damn?
Dionysus Aw4esome
Aurelia Aah, good.
Aurelia The pentaclops:
Aurelia H'leeth, asleep and helpless, Cherry chained and drained of vitality at the foot of the stone table. Arlie, angry and determined, just failing to stop Aurelia, lost in furious, vengeful bloodlust from tearing open the pentaclops' throat.
Dionysus Disturbing. Nice
Aurelia The Ogre:
Aurelia His bedchamber. He lounges in bed, powerful, demanding, lustful, naked and aroused, and just starting to feel the surprise and pain. Aurelia kneels before him, lost, full of self loathing and helpless, hopeless anger, hands on the Emperor as commanded, and beginning to Wound.
Dionysus Poor Night Watch. They're going to be scarred. Go on
Aurelia The Empress:
Aurelia Her bedchamber. Marilyna holds a sobbing Aurelia, the latter still lost and self-hating, but now hopeful above those, beginning to see a glimmer of reason to carry on, the former beautiful, wise, graceful, caring, sympathetic, forgiving.
Dionysus Nice. Go on.
Aurelia The Reever King:
Aurelia The hold. Laird stands over Kansallus's body, demonic, potent. Aurelia charges him in golden armor, Grimdancer poised to strike, in righteous fury like a gale pounding over a sea of love, confusion, and sudden, sharp loss.
Dionysus Wow
Aurelia Really? I thought that one mediocre.
Dionysus It's the gale simile that caught me
Aurelia Well thanks.
Aurelia Love:
Aurelia A ship's cabin, Aurelia half-out of her dress, male, besotten, self-conscious in a way that borders on terror but is beginning to give way to joy as Bartleby holds and kisses her, loving, accepting, strong.
Dionysus Wow
Dionysus That's a pretty intimate scene
Aurelia It was an important moment.
Dionysus Indeed
Aurelia Nightmare:
Aurelia Almost abstract next to the others, at least in terms of the unstable, unclear location. Aurelia, helpless, terrified, hurting, degraded as Nightmare uses her. His form is dark and amorphorous, but solid, real, and what he is doing to her is clear. He feels nothing, but is painted of pure terror. Under Aurelia's emotional tumult, a small, but enduring core of acceptance, resolve, willingness and hope of good to come of this.
Dionysus Demented
Dionysus Go on
Aurelia Jinkies.
Dionysus Jinkies?
Aurelia A fullgrown Little Wing.
Dionysus Yeah, he'll be some good
Aurelia You mean nigh-deiffic?
Dionysus He'll lack the knowledge a simurgh usually attains
Dionysus Just have some of the powers
Aurelia Fair enough. Still. Awesome.
Aurelia (Next one's long. Getting toward done.)
Dionysus Noted
Aurelia Ok.
Aurelia The Circus:
Aurelia A large painting, and something of a montage. In a panel in an upper corner, Aurelia kneels to a being as ambiguous as Nightmare, but composed of Strength rather than Fear. She feels lost, helpless, weak, fearful for someone not pictured, resigned and resolved toward the god. Across from it she stands alone, stronger but still helpless, uncertain of her place, fearful of the future. Central, taking up most of the canvas and part
Aurelia she holds to his chest. Here she fears a new burden, responsibility, but accepts it as necessary to achieve her goal. She's confident.
Dionysus Central, taking up most of the canvas and part
Dionysus Aurelia she holds to his chest
Dionysus I think something is missing
Aurelia Ah.
Aurelia Central, taking up most of the canvas and partially surrounding the smaller panels, the big top. She faces the Champion, a cruel creature of mad wrongness. She's nearly naked, gravid, fearful for and protective of Kashaji and the flower-clad Diana, injured behind her, and of her child, also hopeful, determined, the end of a trial in sight.
Aurelia Bottom, center, the Father of Order kneels in front of her, not quite as amorphorous as Nightmare or Might, but painted with the same solidity and singularity of feeling, as is the white sword she holds to his chest. Here she fears a new burden, responsibility, but accepts it as necessary to achieve her goal. She's confident.
Dionysus Interesting.
Aurelia Does that sound right?
Dionysus I can't say because it's her p.o.v. It sounds awesome.
Aurelia Appropriate might be a better word than 'right'.
Aurelia Last painting: Duet.
Dionysus do tell
Aurelia Aurelia and Bartleby's Duet, simple in depiction - the two of them on that small stage amidst the firey roses, friends and family in attendance. But it competes with Nightmare for emotional potence, carrying everything that the song carried in terms of feelings for and of each other, and the promise of lives joined forever.
Dionysus Nice
Dionysus Any others?
Aurelia Hmm. Healing Valara might merit a painting.
Aurelia Civitello's tower.
Dionysus Both are good ones.
Aurelia Kren'Atan and the rebirth are both significant, but don't quite feel right for paintings.
Dionysus kren'atan?
Aurelia Using Avery's name against Kansallus on the belief he was her mother's rapist.
Aurelia Specifically
Dionysus ahh
Aurelia The Island:
Aurelia In two parts, one upper left, one lower right, the transition indistinct. In the upper, Aurelia cuts Civitello with Grimdancer, cruel, entranced by his helplessness, hurting him just for the pleasure of his pain. In the lower, Avery lies eyeless and in pain, screaming. The panels are linked, the one an unintended cause of the other.
Dionysus She's baring her soul
Aurelia She was asked to tell them about the choices and events that brought her where she is as a person.
Dionysus Indeed
Dionysus She didn't quite know what she was getting into
Aurelia When she agreed, she was agreeing to show them everything. Otherwise it would be a lie.
Dionysus Fair enough
Dionysus So will there be others?
Aurelia Aurelia's home, beautiful, where comfortable security and fragile tension teeter in perpetual conflicting balance. Aurelia plays the Oboe for and with her mother, loving and devoted, seeds of grateful awe beginning to grow as the broken pieces of Valara begin to mend.
Aurelia I think Valara is the last, unless you can think of anything I can't that merits one.
Dionysus Kashaji's appearance, the Devil's curse, or the crystal palaces of the moons?
Aurelia The palaces were beautiful, but didn't really define her identity.
Dionysus They'd knock the Night Watch over, though. The rebirth?
Aurelia True, and they might merit a painting later, but the gallery isn't to impress the Watch.
Aurelia The rebirth... probably should have one.
Dionysus It really is a rather important moment
Aurelia Difficult to depict.
Aurelia Rebirth:
Dionysus Do tell
Dionysus ?
Aurelia Another dual painting, though almost without border. She paints her death at the urging of a bright red stone at the hollow of her throat, clear focus overwhelming faint echos of frustration, anger, desire to please, no fear or concern despite the flames around her, flesh burning from bone. At the same time she walks out of the flame, nude, new, changed, the cower cradled in her arms. She's dazed, but peaceful with faint echoes o
Dionysus with faint echoes o
Aurelia She's dazed, but peaceful with faint echoes of love.
Dionysus Any silverflame?
Aurelia Dying behind the new Aurelia, flickers of it lingering on her skin.
Dionysus What do you paint that with?
Aurelia Vitality.
Dionysus It shines with it.
Aurelia Nice.
Dionysus It actuall feels warm, and flickers, alive on the canvas
Aurelia Wow.
- Aurelia brings it out a little more, makes it a bit more focal of the second half of the painting.
Dionysus Nice
Aurelia I think that's all the paintings.
Dionysus The day of the gallery showing and speech comes.
Dionysus Marilyna tells you it is at midnight in a little used part of the palace.
Dionysus She gives you a key to the room and tells you you can set up whenever you like before hand.
Dionysus And however yo wish to set it up
Dionysus The hall is a medium sized ballroom with a decent sized stage.
Dionysus The hangings and curtains here are a little rundown, dusty
Dionysus But there's room for people and paintings, and there's plenty of subtle passages for those who do not wish to be noticed arriving
- Aurelia places the paintings in simple shallow crescent, chronologically ordered, each covered with cloth.
Aurelia Onstage.
Dionysus At about 1130, people start to trickle in.
Dionysus A few you recognize as Marilyna's ladies.
Dionysus One is Rubella, Jack's sister.
Dionysus One is Lucilla.
Aurelia No other preparations. Aurelia waits, wearing her armor and swords, with Kashaji.
Dionysus Many seem to be commoner girls.
- Aurelia waits off to the side, watching the entering women a touch nervously.
Dionysus Urchins, waifs, middle class kids, rebellious teenagers, timid church goers, lonely quiet girls, tough tomboys, fierce lesbians, keen merchant women, schoolgirls, barmaids, prostitutes, soldiers, artists, a few magic students, a few special forces women.
- Aurelia chews the corner of her lip as the crowd grows.
Dionysus Leia arrives sometime during all this, and Magnum's wife.
Dionysus Finally, Marilyna arrives with two other women: one is a felinian, white furred,
Tainted with the sin of pride, more felinian than any felinian you've ever felt. On her other side is Emily Brand.
- Aurelia smiles weakly at Marilyna when she enters, before biting her lip again.
Dionysus Marilyna smiles vibrantly back. Emily feels encouragement. The felinian regards you casually.
- Aurelia smiles weakly at Emily as well, and blinks at the felinian.
Dionysus She doesn't feel just confidence, this felinian. She feels... a blend of superiority, control, and an inner feralness that is only barely contained. And purpose. Driven purpose.
Dionysus Marilyna steps toward the stage, gestures for you to wait on it with her.
- Aurelia stands and moves to join her.
Dionysus "Ladies. Girls. Women. I have asked you here tonight to hear from a dear friend of mine, one who has proven time and again that she is as much as any man in this world, who has struggled with the darkest sins of the patriarchal structures that guide our world, and has been as victorious as she has been defeated. She bears the scars of this man's world as much as she bears the strength of her womanhood.
Dionysus She has walked the line of these worlds, and she is an inspiration to us all. Please, give a kind welcome and a respectful ear to my friend, Duchess Aurelia Lucent."
Dionysus The crowd claps, and feels a mix of expectation, pride, honor, and respect, as well as a few who are just tired, bored, jealous...
Dionysus The felinian feels curious.
Dionysus Marilyna steps back to let you speak, or whatever you wish to do.
Dionysus Oh
Dionysus One note
Dionysus The felinian has a Ring that feels vitality as well.
- Aurelia looks to Marilyna and, barring negation, walks slowly out on the stage, guiding Kashaji and partially supporting herself with a hand on his shoulder. She stands by the first painting, and says as quietly as the accoustics will allow, "Words fail... to describe the contents of a life." She gestures around the crescent. "My path."
Dionysus They look at the cloth covered paintings
Aurelia "Diana." She pulls off the first cover. In a rhythmic cadence, somewhere between poetry and song, "Birth from sheltered womb into awe, into hate, into faith..."
Dionysus The crowd watches, curious, expectant, seeking understanding
- Aurelia goes on, describing vaguely the terms of the painting, the context, in spoken verse to the lyrical pattern of 'Blue Walker's Eye', trusting in the painting itself, the emotions Painted into it, to convey the meaning of the moment. When the verse ends, she moves to the next painting, calling its name as she lifts the cover, and begins the next verse. Then again, working through the crescent.
Dionysus The paintings sometimes shock the crowd, send tremors of fear, a touch of disgust, strong sympathy, anger at you or at others, awe, love, understanding, and sometimes, confusion. A pocket of boredom here or there from younger viewers. A few inspired ones. Marilyna is proud. Emily is in tears of awe. The felinian is... curious, still, but also a little impressed, and feeling interest.
Dionysus When you finish the paintings, the crowd waits a moment, uncertain if there's more.
- Aurelia focuses on the lyrics, the performance, keeping her balance as she moves from picture to picture, bearing her heart and soul to the crowd. "...songs joined in duet eternal." She stands beside the last painting, looking up at the crowd, uncertain, biting the corner of her lip. After a moment she curtsies.
Dionysus They applaud.
- Aurelia blushes a little, looking around. She waves Kashaji to her side, puts a hand on his shoulder, and leaves the stage.
Dionysus A mix of emotions, from confusion to satisfaction to disappointment to striving for understanding to awe to disgust to love to fear to hope to gratitude to inspiration to pure catharsis. Marilyna feels strong love. Emily a bit of comfort for you, compassion. The felinian now simply feels patience, waiting to sate a deep curiosity about you.
- Aurelia smiles weakly at Marilyna and Emily again, then starts toward them, unsure where she's supposed to be now.
Dionysus Marilyna smiles to you and whispers for you to wait with Emily. She takes the stage again.
- Aurelia waits with Emily.
Dionysus "Thank you, Aurelia. You've done in art and poetry what many have failed to do in books and speeches. You have shown us the story of a life. I know it's a tough act to follow, your Grace," she looks to the felinian, "But I would be honored if you would take a moment to speak."
Dionysus The felinian looks around. Aurelia feels a moment of distaste for this, but also a strong determination--this is a necessary evil in her mind, almost. She'd rather not, but she feels it important to do. She's buying the favor of a person she could crush with her bare hands or enslave almost with a thought, because she knows it's the best way.
- Aurelia watches her with wide, curious eyes.
Dionysus The felinian takes the stage and, instead of looking at the audience, looks over the paintings for a good long while.
Dionysus She's thinking, calculating, but also appreciating them. She walks up to rebirth and touches the silver flames.
Dionysus When she pulls her hand away, you don't see, but you can feel some of the living painting on her fingers. She licks it off her finger tips.
Dionysus She turns slowly to the audience.
Dionysus Her voice is quiet, but it carries. You note sudden understanding flood her, and if you're sharp, you notice she put her hand on the hilt of one of the two swords she wears. She says in perfect, unaccented Maraddonian, "I am... " She pauses.
Dionysus What title/name would she use as an emperess?
Aurelia One sec.
Aurelia Enyina-Emwe.
Aurelia Translates somewhat to 'Mother of Many'.
Dionysus "I am Enyina-Emwe," she says, after a moment. She seems to have rolled in that moment through an inner dictionary, finding the right words out of millions. "I am here because I am seeking peace in our world of strife.
Dionysus "You are here because you are seeking the same, in your own ways.
Dionysus "Your Emperess knows me. She knows what I have done, who I am. When I was young...
Dionysus "I was trapped by forces greater than I was, but not greater than I became. Those forces hurt me, in ways much like many of you have been hurt.
- Aurelia touches her throat lightly for a moment.
Dionysus "I... was angry. Very angry. Not just with those who hurt me, but with the world for allowing that to happen. I sought strength, and in this world, I sought the greatest strength I could think of.
Dionysus She pauses, then slowly draws a Sword.
Dionysus A tongue overlaid on three swords crossed is the symbol on the base of the blade.
Dionysus "I found strength, but... It was not the strength I needed. In seeking this and other Gifts, I...
Dionysus "I once used a Gift to force another to do something. I," she looks down, "Betrayed myself."
- Aurelia tilts her head, watching.
Dionysus "That haunted me for a long time. I devoted my life to fighting that which hurt me, and the hurt I created myself, in my own ways.
Dionysus "I saw those who hurt me die. I fought those that would hurt others like I was hurt.
Dionysus "I walked the halls of the greatest powers.
Dionysus "And I became truly powerful myself.
Dionysus "But it was not until many, many years later that I discovered the truth.
Dionysus "The powers I found," she gestures the Sword of Swords, "Was largely... external. Either it was given to me, or I found it, but the strength I needed was not from without. It was from within.
Dionysus "The most vicious rapist this world has ever known sought to destroy me.
Dionysus "He was... undescribably rapacious. He was hatred of women, of weakness, of himself, of others personified.
Dionysus "And to defeat him, I had to find my inner strength. Yes, I wielded a Gifted Sword to fell him, but if it had not been for the strength within me, I could never have Mastered the Blade. I could never have made it take the life of that which I faced.
- Aurelia frowns faintly, glancing at her ring.
Dionysus "You all are as strong as I am.
Dionysus "Inside of you is strength unimaginable.
Dionysus "You can all defeat the pain, the hurt, the darkness, the hate. You can be the Master of the powers around you.
Dionysus "But you must look inside of you and find it.
Dionysus "And for each of us, that path is different. Some might never find it.
Dionysus "But those who do will change the world."
Dionysus She pauses, then sheathes her Sword. She gives a slight bow, then walks off stage to applause.
Dionysus Marilyna walks up on stage, then as the applause stops, she says, "Thank you, ladies, women, friends. We will recess for a short while now, and meet again in thirty minutes, for those of you who wish to stay."
Dionysus And the crowd loosens up, splits into cliques and such.
Dionysus A few leave.
- Aurelia waits with Emily.
Dionysus Marilyna walks back toward you, but the felinian steps up to you first, "Your Grace?" she asks quietly.
- Aurelia looks at her curiously.
Dionysus "May I speak with you privately?"
Dionysus She starts to step aside, assuming you will follow.
- Aurelia looks to Marilyna, then Emily, then follows.
Dionysus Matrilyna and Emily step into the crowd
Dionysus The felinian takes you to a quiet corner.
Dionysus "I have lived for more years than you can count, Duchess, and never have I seen a female ender."
Dionysus She feels curious.
- Aurelia blinks and bites the corner of her lip. After a moment she turns to point toward Nightmare.
Dionysus She glances, "Of my many talents, one is to see the essence of an individual. There are few secrets you can keep from me. But I do not wish to... intrude. I simply wished to understand."
Aurelia "What knowledge do you wish?"
Dionysus "You answered my first question," she glances back at the painting, "Now, I wish to know what you intend to do about /Him/."
- Aurelia blinks.
- Aurelia touches her Belly again. "I will protect her."
Dionysus "I have been a mother. And I have killed a God before."
- Aurelia touches the hilt of the white sword for a second before asking, "How?"
Dionysus She looks around, then slightly pulls a black bladed Sword with a skull on the base of the blade. "This, once Mastered, will kill almost anything."
- Aurelia stares at it a moment, then nods slightly.
Dionysus "All Gifts can be Mastered, to bring them to the will of the wielder, to find new and greater powers. Here is a secret not even the greatest Gift scholars knows:
Dionysus "The true strength of a Gift comes from the wielder."
- Aurelia looks up at the felinian again, listening.
Dionysus "Your inner strength... I sense you have it, but you do not wield it to empower yourself. You use it to build walls."
Dionysus "Take down the walls. Your strength has been made unimaginable. Wield it like a sword, not a shield, and nothing will stand in your way. You have goals?"
- Aurelia considers the question for a moment. "Yes." Then, "How?"
Dionysus She looks out over the crowd, then says, "The one who helped me was Ca--the Mother of Hope. She talked to me. Find someone, and talk to them about it. If they don't help you, find someone smarter, wiser. It's something not magic, not void, not faith can do. It's something only you can do, but it doesn't hurt to have a guide."
- Aurelia bites the corner of her lip, then nods.
Dionysus She glances at the paintings, the last one, "He might be a good start." She means Bartleby
- Aurelia blushes a touch and smiles.
Dionysus She smiles, "When your child is born, leave her at the nearest Church of the Dragon. She will be safe."
- Aurelia blinks up at her, then nods slowly. "Thank you."
Dionysus She looks to the Nightmare painting, her emotions level and determined, "It will be.." a sadistic flourish, "A pleasure to balk that one."
- Aurelia smiles slightly at the flourish.
Dionysus "If, while you are on Shem, you ever find yourself facing that which you cannot defeat, say the name 'Balkis Windsong,' and I will come," she whispers, and you feel her secretive emotions urge you to keep that private.
- Aurelia blinks up at her, head canting slightly, then nods solemnly.
Dionysus "Tell Jarikir I will see him soon."
- Aurelia blinks again, looking around, then nods again, slowly.
Dionysus When you look around, she vanishes
- Aurelia stares at where she was for a moment, half expecting to see cinders or something, then turns to head toward Marilyna.
Dionysus Marilyna is feeling slight weariness as she laughs a little at something she doesn't find funny
- Aurelia hesitates at the periphery, then moves to her side.
Dionysus She looks to you and her happiness turns genuine, "Thank you, Aurelia."
- Aurelia blinks, then blushes and shakes her head a touch.
Dionysus Marilyna says, "Unless you wish to spend a few hours going over personal stories with our neophytes or discussing clandestine logistics with our veterans, you should probably retire. I would if I could." She offers out of concern.
Aurelia Would she prefer I stay?
Dionysus Her strongest emotion is her own preference to leave herself, but she would feel equally happy to know you are resting as she would if you stayed to support her. Whatever you do, she will assume it is the best for you, and that will soothe her.
Aurelia "I will stay." She hesitates. Is anyone else in earshot, or is this aside?
Dionysus The vapid baroness is engaged in awkward conversation with a street urchin nearby, so no one will notice what you say.
- Aurelia touches her stomach lightly and looks up at the Emperess. "Will you give to her your name?"
Dionysus She blinks, confused a moment, then understanding is followed instantly by honor and happiness. She leans in a hugs you lightly, kissing your cheek, "With all my heart, Aurelia."
- Aurelia smiles, delighted, and hugs back.
Dionysus "What did Enyina-Emwe say to you?"
Aurelia "She asked of me, and of Nightmare, and spoke of the death of gods."
Dionysus She looks around, making sure no one is listening, "She is a legend. The Queen of Cats."
Aurelia "Yes."
Dionysus "Only you, I, and Damon know who she is. In the palace, anyway. I think she has some other allies around. But it's a secret to be kept closely."
- Aurelia tilts her head slightly, then nods.
Dionysus Marilyna glances around, then smiles, "I have to go organize these women into groups now."
- Aurelia smiles back and touches Marilyna's arm lightly, then retreats with Kashaji to the room's fringe.
Dionysus The gathering turns into two groups: Emily doing what amounts to an AA meeting for wannabe female vigilantes, and Marilyna doing a quiet Mafia-gatheringesque meeting of veteran vigilantes.
- Aurelia does not join either, content to watch until and unless needed.
Dionysus She probably gets tired before the meetings are over. They last til dawn, and she probably used a lot of energy that day.
Aurelia Fair enough. After a while of not being needed, Aurelia slips out to find her rooms and crawl into bed.
Dionysus You dream:
Dionysus You stand in the Gallery, but this time, there are more
Dionysus Every moment of your life is a painting in this gallery
Dionysus And you are standing on a mirror
Dionysus And in the mirror, you can see each painting as what would have happened if you had made a different decision
- Aurelia looks around, wide eyed, then down, staring into the reflection.
Dionysus You see yourself as ender, empath, black ender, venomir, silver empath, then several silhouettes of untold forms.
Dionysus You hear footsteps.
- Aurelia looks up, startled.
Dionysus It's Diana.
Dionysus Her gallery floats with her, and beneath her, you see the same effects.
- Aurelia glances over the pictures in her gallery and its reflection, eyes flicking between them and Diana.
Dionysus "Aurelia," she says, softly.
Aurelia "Diana."
Dionysus "I forgave you a long time ago."
- Aurelia watches her, unsure what to say.
Dionysus "You need to forgive yourself."
Aurelia "The lesson of guilt is necessary."
Dionysus "Keep the lesson. Lose the guilt."
Dionysus "If you have learned your lesson, then you have paid your price."
Aurelia "Lessons bare of barbs can fade."
Dionysus She shakes her head, "If you rely on the barbs, soon, the lessons fade, and all you have left are the barbs."
Dionysus "When you put your hand to a flame,
- Aurelia considers this silently.
Dionysus "You feel pain. And you learn that it's hot, don't touch it.
Dionysus "But soon the pain fades.
Dionysus "And you still remember not to touch it."
- Aurelia tilts her head slightly. "The moth loves the flame. Unhindered she will return, always closer, until she burns."
Dionysus "You're not a moth. You're a person. You are capable of reason, which complements emotion. Live by both, not one or the other."
Aurelia "Knowledge guards the mind, pain, the heart. Both are necessary."
Dionysus "Pain does not guard the heart. It weakens it. Love, hope, confidence, inspiration, honor... those guard the heart."
- Aurelia nods slightly, not agreeing so much as acknowledging in the face of lack of words to dispute.
Dionysus "Let go of your pain, Aurelia."
Aurelia "How?"
Dionysus "Ask yourself, 'how would a person without this pain act?'and act accordingly. It will take time, but one day, you will find the pain no longer there."
- Aurelia nods uncertainly.
Dionysus "Ask yourself, without the pain, who are you? Be that person, until you no longer are the one with the pain."
Dionysus And you wake up.
Dionysus The stuff Sue needed to take care of included the slaves he shipped over (perhaps they were arriving late?), what he's doing with nanotech, any further meditative stuff (or did we finish that?), and anything he intended to do with Mux or his pilgrims or empire.
Sue I think there will be more meditations later on.
Dionysus Any ideas for that?
Sue for one thing, Sue has gift-level wound resistance, but he can still be stunned. So at some point he'll be KOed probably and then he'll nullify his stun vulnerability.
Dionysus Oh, so after some action happens, which may or may not be before the contest?
Sue right
Dionysus We'll cross those bridges when we come to them, then.
Dionysus Did you want to do anything with Mux's song?
Sue i also want to nullify vulnerability to playing music badly, but i'm not sure how to justify it in character. it doesn't seem like something that should be nullifiable, except maybe antivox
Dionysus That'd be a really, really difficult one to do.
Sue music in general, or antivox in particular?
Dionysus The former. The latter would be a bit easier, but not actually easy
- Sue shows Mux's song to the rest of the band at some point.
Dionysus Do you touch it up any on your own?
Sue What was its rating?
Dionysus It's 17. I looked it up.
Sue I'll give it a shot.
Dionysus Roll
- Sue concludes that while it's not going to be legendary, it's a solid piece as it is.
Dionysus About 20 weeks in, the Brethren tell you on one of your visits that they've had a few recent requests for songs brought to their attention.
Sue Huh.
Sue Who's making the requests?
Sue I mean, anyone of note?
Dionysus They describe one as a 'dark' figure who causes lunar plants to bend to her, another as a star elf who has found a way to their empire, and one as a 'dark' figure who seems untouchable. Each has been reported to authorities in distant provinces asking locals for songs.
Sue I'll go see them.
Dionysus In a bordertown near the wilderness areas, the first figure can be found.
Dionysus She's staying amidst a small 'forest' of lunar mushrooms (not weki-mold) outside of the town.
Dionysus If you view her through normal light, she appears to be a druidess in green robes made of roots. She has vines draped all over her, too, and her skin is nut-brown, her ears slightly pointed. She is probably a dryad."
- Sue approaches as a lesser athak. "Hello. You are in the contest, I hear."
Dionysus She glances at you, "I am, fellow Shemling. I take it you are as well?"
Sue "I am, but I come to you today as a representative of Uur Sodzul, to negotiate the terms of your song."
Sue s/song/song commission/
Dionysus Her tawny eyes light up, "You are of this moon? But musn't you be a greater athak?"
- Sue nods slowly. "I am from Shem, but for service to the Void-Father and to the empire, I've been honored with a high position in the Sodzulian government."
Dionysus "And you are in the Contest. My name is Pomilla, and I am a green piper of Berellia. What is your name, sir?"
Sue "I am Subiquim Ixioj, harpist and composer."
Sue If she doesn't show any recognition, Sue goes on. "First, may I ask what your intentions are, should you win the contest?"
Dionysus She bows slightly, but shows no recognition, "To save my Goddess, the Mother of Flora, and her companions."
Sue "Ah, that's right. She is a Summer Goddess, isn't she?"
- Sue nods. "Very good. Can you tell me a bit about your quest so far?"
Dionysus She pauses, then shrugs, "I suppose it cannot hurt: I left Berellia over a year ago, after gaining a song from my master. I went first to Kren'atan, where I used my herbal knowledge to heal a noble and gain a song.
Dionysus "Then to Myrmexia I went, where I captured a band of dangerous cannibals via the jungle itself, and there won a song from a local hexocrat. North, then, to Maraddon, where I was attacked by monsters in the jungle and forced to hide for some time. Using my powers over plants, again, I acquired a song in exchange for a service.
- Sue listens with great interest.
Dionysus "In Akazad, I easily got one by brewing a potent liquor. In Madziar, I took a detour to see the World Tree, and then went to see the shemir, where I bought a song with seeds from the Tree. Then, I bought also plants to help me breathe beneath the waves.
Dionysus "I went to Belthine and faced a great trial in finding a songwriter. Eventually, I met a fellow contestant, and he and I exchanged songs. In Mesoine, I used my powers to help a farming community, and earned a song from their local entertainer.
Dionysus "And then to Dalurine, where I was captured and nearly killed in sacrifice. Sea elves saved me and bid me leave while I could. The deep ones marshalled for war against Mesoine, and all outsiders were now easily found and usually killed. But I persisted until I found a blind deep one who believed my impressions of their voices.
Dionysus "He penned me a hymn, one I am loathe to play. But I will. I surfaced near Tamarnthek, where I made my way to the Night Wood. There, I used the evil trees against each other and against the ogrish musician I found until he was forced to give me a song or die.
Dionysus "Then, I went to the Reever Sea. That journey was long, arduous, and when I reached there, they tried to kill me. I had to seduce a reever boy named Eric, who gave me a song, and set me free." She blushes. "Then I sought a way up here. I climbed the World Tree and broke off a leaf, then sailed it.
Dionysus "And as I did, I noticed my Ticket lost its Tamarnthek entry. It is now Mwyr Aeld, and I must get a new song. And three lunar ones."
Sue "You sailed through space on a leaf? Are you a mage?"
Dionysus "I am a druidess."
Dionysus "The World Tree gave me a leaf."
- Sue nods lightly. "I see. I'm satisfied with your story. We can negotiate. I must consult on your payment, however. Do you have any suggestions? And in the meantime, may I offer you any supplies or hospitality?"
Dionysus "My goddess, weak though she might be, provides in her own way for me. I am in need of nothing, save a song. I am, as I said, a skilled herbalist. Anything within the world of plants is mine to wield. If there is some botanical article I can help with, I will."
- Sue bows. "Then I will determine our request for you and return within a day."
- Sue goes to the Brethren to see if there is any plant-related service the empire would benefit from, and then to Arsul.
Dionysus "We have few plants here, and those are all either void-plants--meaning we have mastered them--or magical--meaning we cannot use them. Unless she knows of mundane plants that would grow here, we cannot think of anything."
- Sue thanks them and returns to the planet to find Arsul.
Dionysus You return to her?
- Sue obtains the information on simurghs, then goes back to Pomilla. "Hello again. I have a friend who has adopted a young simurgh, and I have learned of a type of seed which can accelerate a simurgh's growth. Can you provide this?"
Dionysus She seems almost about to say no, but sighs, then says, "I have haoma seeds, yes."
Dionysus She hesitates again, then says, "Before I hand them over, I would... know the quality of your work."
- Sue tilts his head thoughtfully. "Is the haoma seed magical in nature?"
Dionysus She pauses, "It is, yes."
Sue "Then I won't be able to transport them myself anyway. Tell me, is it hard for you to get these seeds when you are on the planet?"
Dionysus "They are the most rare seeds in all the world. I have nine of them, and they are each to me as precious as a Gift."
Sue "Is it possible for a non-dryad to obtain them?"
Dionysus She nods, "Yes, but it's also possible for a normal man to obtain the Sword of Light. That doesn't mean it likely to happen. They must either be coaxed from the coat of a simurgh--one that lives in the World Tree--or found in the Forest of Genesis. Few fall to the ground, and fewer still do not become something."
- Sue grins slowly. "All right. Since they are so dear, then I propose the following: when you return to the planet, go to Maraddon City and find Jack Crane. Tell him that you have the seeds and what they mean to a young Simurgh. Hear whatever offer he can make for the seeds. I will write you a song, or commission one from a greater athak. Tell me where you expect to be in one week, and I will deliver it to you."
Sue s/I will write/In the meantime, I will write/
Dionysus She says, "I will do this. I will be here in a week. I have no intention of leaving without a song or a path to a song."
- Sue bows and goes to find the second contestant.
Dionysus The star elven woman sits at a small campsite with a flock of crystal butterflies floating around her. She is heating some strange food with powdered crystals which give off heat and light
Sue "Hello. Do you seek a song of Uur Sodzul?"
Dionysus She considers you for a moment, "Of what import is that to you, stranger?"
Sue "I have come on behalf of the empire to negotate with you for a commission."
Dionysus She arches her eyebrows, her glittering pink skin not showing any worry lines as she does. Her pointe dears lift slightly, the only other part of her reacting to your statement. She then bows slightly, "I am Glimmena of the Reaches."
- Sue bows back. "I am Subiquim Ixioj, harpist of the Sound and Fury, and Brethren of the Vast. I would begin by asking your intentions, should you win the contest."
Dionysus "To acquire the Song, of course, and bring it back to my Empire."
- Sue raises his brow. "Just that? You have no stake in the conflict?"
Dionysus She considers you, "Do you have a stake in the conflict?"
Sue "Yes. My band intends to use the Song to reverse the damage done to the Summer Country and its deities by the Immortal Rebels."
Dionysus She watches you a moment, then nods, "You are bold to announce which side you are on without knowing which I am on. But as fortune has it, we are on the same."
Dionysus "When I win, I will be the key to unlock the Summer Gods, in the name of the Cosmic Order."
Sue "Then it behooves me to ensure that you are prepared to compete. You serve the Father of the Cosmos?"
Dionysus "With all my heart and soul."
- Sue paces a little. "The Gith are a nuisance to space travel. Can you offer any useful information about them? A secret to defeating their patrols, perhaps, or a reliable method to engage their leaders diplomatically?"
Dionysus She frowns, "I am afraid I am not privy to such information. I am a devout follower of the Starfather, and a skilled musician, and a fair archer. But I am not involved in the affairs of the gith or my Empire's government even. I came here to your moon through ancient magic I found."
Sue "How fair is your archery?"
Sue Oh, and what's her instrument? Can I see it?
Dionysus She has some sort of horn nearby
Dionysus "On my own, I am as good as a common bowman in her Majesty's army. With my bow here, though, I am more than a fair marksman."
- Sue frowns, considering. "Are you a mage?"
Dionysus "My uncle was, but I do not have the temperament for it."
Sue "Perhaps if you told us what you traded for your other songs?"
Sue Or we could abstract if there isn't going to be anything better than an archery trainer for Avery.
Dionysus She says, "I've only two songs so far: one was a present from my brother's fiance, the other from Lunaria, where I slew a drunken moon giantess who was rampaging through a village."
Sue "I have a friend who is training to be an archer. Can you train him?"
Dionysus She considers, "That would likely take much time, and I would rather not take spend so much."
Sue "I will consult on your commission and return here within 24 hours. In the meantime, can I offer you any supplies or hospitality?"
Dionysus "I am well here. Thank you."
- Sue visits the brethren first. Do they have any use for a cosmos-faithful star elven archer and horn player?
Dionysus "As a matter of fact, Avatar, we might. If she could give us information on her Empire's culture..."
Sue "What sort of information?"
Dionysus "Any at all. The more we understand our neighbors, the better, or so your teachings seem to suggest."
Sue "Yes, this is an excellent suggestion. I will interview her to this end."
Dionysus You return and grill her on her culture?
Sue yes
Dionysus That we can abstract unless you wish otherwise
Dionysus Afterward, she asks, "And this is all I need do for a song?"
Sue I don't mind abstracting, unless there's something of interest. Do I learn that they drove out the Gith from their ancestral home?
Dionysus You learn that the star elves drove out the githic thieves and raiders from the star elven ancestral lands.
Sue "Yes. It's just a token, but we do need all the information we can get about other cultures. Uur Sodzul is understandably isolationist, but I am trying to change that."
Dionysus She seems skeptical of this, but accepts it.
Sue "You might ask for me in Maraddon City, if you go there. I keep a residence and have contacts among musicians there. As for this song, I will have it for you within a week and can deliver it to you wherever you will be."
Dionysus She gives a location far from here as her future location.
Sue "I will meet you there."
Sue On the white moon?
Sue In any case, I'll look for the third contestant now.
Dionysus On this moon, yes
Dionysus The third is in a city jail.
- Sue goes to the authorities first. <Is this the song contestant? What happened?>
Dionysus <He is a danger to us. His essence is anathema.>
Sue <Has anyone been harmed?>
Dionysus <A few children were frightened badly, but fortunately, none were physically damaged.>
Sue <I see. Well caught. I may ask that he be released if he is peaceful, but I will assign a knight to ensure that he does not cause any harm.>
- Sue goes to see the contestant if there is no resistance.
Dionysus There is none
Dionysus The prisoner is sitting quietly reading a book by a small light he carries.
Dionysus He glances up at you when you enter, but says nothing.
Sue "Hello. I'm Subiquim Ixioj. Are you seeking a song of Uur Sodzul?"
Dionysus He looks surprised, "You speak! Yes! I am Vol Telloan, Child of Peace. I seek a song, so I might save my grandmother."
Sue Can I read him?
- Sue furrows his brow. "You ... do you mean to say that you are the grandchild of the Mother of Peace?"
Dionysus You can read him, yes.
Dionysus "I am."
- Sue smiles slowly, snickers, then begins to laugh. After he recovers, "Forgive me. I must apologize for your treatment. This ... oh, it's too perfect! Please wait here, Mr. Telloan, and I will have you released shortly."
Dionysus He is utterly serene, save that spot of surprise.
Dionysus "Thank you."
- Sue keys back to the stronghold and gets a knight of black velvet for escort duty.
Sue Has that order been established?
Dionysus Yes.
Dionysus They are in the unruly beginnings of their existence, but there's a few decent sorts there
- Sue explains, <A municipal police force has imprisoned a grandchild of the Mother of Peace. I'd like someone to act as his escort while he is here.>
Dionysus <Yes, Avatar.> They assign a competent guard
- Sue gets a translator for the knight and one for Vol, and a velvet cloak a suitable size for Vol, and takes them back to the jail, where he asks the police to turn Vol over to the knight, and gives Vol the translator and cloak. "Here. This will allow you to speak and understand our language, and this will ... will make you stick out less."
Dionysus He takes both, bows, "Thank you, Subiquim Ixioj."
- Sue leads them outside. "Are you aware that most Sodzulians have never seen magic? I understand you badly frightened a few children."
Dionysus "I am deeply ashamed to have done so. I made the unfortunate choice to trust a gnome with my transportation here, and ended up landing in the middle of a busy schoolyard."
Dionysus "I will try not to offend their sensibilities. You, ahh, mentioned a song earlier, Subiquim Ixioj?"
Dionysus His language, by the way, is dwarven, accented strangely.
Sue "I think I know a way you can make amends, and also earn a song of Uur Sodzul. It is my wish that the greater athaks might learn to ... to understand the potential danger of magic, yes, but also to learn not to fear it. To make peace with it, in the interest of a greater good for all. Do you think you can help me achieve that goal?"
- Sue leads them to a transit station, with the stronghold as the ultimate destination.
Dionysus "Perhaps. I am a drummer by trade, but I am imbued with potent magic. My mother was a talent, and I am a great talent as such."
Sue "Of course. We will educate ourselves on the details of magical theory and practice with the help of trained mages. What I would like from you is an example ... a case study, if you will. After the contest is over, the conflict in the summer country resolved, and the rebels defeated, I would like you to return here and speak, perform music, answer questions. Show my people that you are a friend. Are you wil
Sue ling?"
Dionysus "Afterward? Happily. Is there nothing I can do for you now, though?"
Sue "Accept our hospitality while we prepare your song, and meet the other knights of black velvet. The knights are a task force of theoretical mages and anti-magical specialists. I am sure they will have much to ask you."
Dionysus "I will endeavor to be of use."
- Sue takes him to the stronghold and to the knights, explaining that he is our guest, and at their disposal while here. How do they receive him?
Dionysus With "Your will, Avatar."
Sue Are they interested in him?
Dionysus Yes, they take an interest as soon as they start to piece things together about him.
Sue Okay. Next I will go track down the children that were frightened by the crash.
Sue By the way, does Uur Sodzul have a lot of laws about magic?
Dionysus There are a three of them, at the school, in what amounts to the nurse's offices.
Dionysus Just one: it's forbidden.
- Sue becomes a greater athak before going there. He approaches the nurse. <Hello. May I speak to the children?>
Sue Nurse-equivalen.
Sue t
Dionysus <Your will, Avatar.>
- Sue goes inside and sits with the children. <Hello. Do you know who I am?>
Dionysus The children nod in awe.
Sue <You're all here because you saw something strange happen earlier. Is that right?>
- Sue studies their emotional cues carefully while speaking to them.
Dionysus They nod. They're in awe of you, a little afraid, showing signs of shaking off an earlier trauma
Sue <Who can tell me about it?>
Dionysus A pause, then one of them speaks up. He tells you haltingly of the shadowy figure that landed near him.
Sue <The man was very dark, right? Who can tell me what that means?>
Dionysus <He was not void. He was... /magical/.> It's a bad word he just said, or so he thinks.
Sue <That's right. Did you know that magical people see us the same way we see them? As deep shadows. Aliens. And they fear us. Who knows why?>
Dionysus None of them answer. They all seem confused
- Sue grins a little, or analog thereof. <Void nullifies magic. And it will do so without any machine or science. Nullifying magic is the simplest thing that void can do.> Do they react to that?
Dionysus They watch you cautiously, and one of them says, <But the shadow was... so strong.>
- Sue nods. <His name is Vol Telloan, and he is the grandchild of the Mother of Peace. He is indeed strong in magic, because he is a great talent, the strongest kind of talent. He landed here because he foolishly entrusted his transport to gnomes, and became badly lost. I rescued him from jail to serve me for a time. Who knows of the contest? Or of the planet Shem?>
Dionysus One says, <What contest?> And another says, <Shem is in the sky.>
Sue <My first home was Uodzupuul, home of the lesser athaks, in a place called Akazad, on Shem. That was before I was chosen by the Void Father and found my way here. On Shem I was a traveling musician. I played music at inns in exchange for food and shelter. In my travels, I learned of a contest ...> and he explains the contest and the conflict. <Vol Telloan is also in the contest. In serving his grandmother,
Sue he seeks the same thing I do in service to the Void-Father: to defeat the Immortal Rebels and restore the Summer Country. The question is, should I destroy Vol because he is magic, or should I help him so that he can help me in my quest?>
Dionysus A moment of hesitation, then one says, <Help him, then destroy him?>
Sue <That would be clever, but there would be a price. My wrath would be remembered. His family would never trust me. His allies might seek vengeance. What do I gain by destroying him?>
Dionysus <You make him not scary.> one says
Sue <I think it's possible to do that without destroying him.> He watches their reaction to this closely.
Dionysus One of them seems confused, another like he doesn't understand but pretends he does, and the third is just watching you closely.
Dionysus <How?> the third says
Sue <In short? By coming to terms. As I said before, I have taken him into service. He is already benefiting us by telling us things about his kind. This will make it easier to benefit from his kind in the future, or to destroy them if it becomes necessary. I have provided him with the means to speak in our way. If you would like, he will answer your questions as well.>
Dionysus <Like the snappers!> the third says. The other two look at her.
Sue <Tell me about the snappers.>
Dionysus She says, <Papa says that snappers can hurt you, but if you make them your friend, then they can help you. He says they like to be friends because they get good food, and we get to ride them.>
- Sue smiles slightly. <Is a snapper a kind of animal? Or a kind of person?>
Dionysus You saw them before. Lizard-like things that are ridden like horses by athaks. Like a small, armless t-rex with no eyes.
Dionysus She explains them
Sue <Yes, I've seen them. The Shemmish have many animals that work for them. This is a little different because Vol is a person, but our main reason for coming to terms is the same: mutual benefit.>
Dionysus The kids all seem to understand, as they nod
- Sue takes out a notebook and takes their names, then thanks them for their time and goes to the school authorities to track down the parents of the third child.
Dionysus You are directed to a small ranch outside of the city.
- Sue goes there and asks after the parents.
Dionysus You are brought to an older man overseeing snapper herding
Sue Are the snappers magic, mundane, or void?
Dionysus Void
Sue <Hello. I'm Subiquim Ixioj. I'm here about your daughter. Some children were frightened today when a magical being, a talent, landed accidentally in the schoolyard. Of the three children who were present, she seems to have dealt with it best. I think she may have an aptitude for coping with magic and I'd like to take her to speak with the talent in person. With your permission.>
Dionysus <Your will, Avatar.> he says, awed and terrified.
- Sue bows. <Thank you.> He goes back to the school and has the nurse pull the child out to speak with me. <Would you like to meet Vol?>
Dionysus She's clearly scared, but she nods.
- Sue keys into the knights's offices and brings her along.
Dionysus She... nearly faints after seeing the Void, but recovers.
- Sue finds Vol and explains, <This is one of the children who saw your landing. I would like you to tell her your story and answer any questions she may have.>
- Sue pulls one of the theoretical mages aside and says, <Of the three, she recovered the fastest. Please interview her and let me know if you think she has aptitude for study of magic.>
Dionysus He looks to her serenely, then speaks through the translator, easily coaxing her out of her shyness and fear.
Dionysus His presence seems to calm her, as she is young and not void strong enough to resist his magical nature
Sue Who makes the law in Uur Sodzul?
Dionysus You, the Brethren, the Vast, the church. In that order.
Sue Do the Brethren have scheduled meetings?
Dionysus Err, switch the Brethren and the Vast, and yes, they do
Sue I'll start with the Vast, then. I approach their swirling globe and say, <Hello. I have a question about one of our laws.>
Sue Also, is magic forbidden in Uodzupuul?
Dionysus Yes, but it isn't enforced under the dwarven control.
Sue Okay.
Dionysus <Ask, Avatar, and we shall answer.>
Sue <Regarding magic, our only law is that it is forbidden. Is it possible to take a more nuanced approach?>
Dionysus <If that is His will.>
Sue <Void-Father, in the interest of exploiting and controlling magical power, knowledge, and creatures, and to eradicate fear of magic among athak-kind, I seek Your blessing to expand the laws of the empire concerning magic.>
Dionysus
So be it, my son.
Sue <I have asked Him, and He has agreed.>
Sue Basically I want to make it legal to use magic with a license, or a magical visa.
Dionysus There's some clear opposition to it, but none can gainsay your direct line to God, so the opposition has no leg to stand on. The laws are decreed, the forms and such created.
Sue Nonmagical zones can be designated by the owner, where the licenses/visas don't apply.
Sue The knights are given the first licenses, and Vol is given the first visa.
- Sue signs up for one too, just because.
Dionysus Indeed.
Sue They are expensive as hell, probably.
Dionysus Vol is delighted. And I bet.
Sue And now I have to write three songs.
Dionysus Do tell
Sue Detail: any of the brethren can sign an order overriding a nonmagical zone, except for church grounds, where magic can only be allowed on the decision of the head priest.
Sue ok, as long as I'm not keeping you up
Dionysus Well, you keep me /up/, if you follow me.
Dionysus And the Vast can override the Brethren?
Sue Well yeah. The Vast can do what they want.
Sue An order from a Brethren is the easiest way, probably, to get an order to override a nonmagical zone.
Sue But an order from a Vast would do it too.
Dionysus Any other tweaks to the law?
Sue The third song will be called "Sunspot" and it's about a conflict between two forces represented by two drums. In the first half of the song, the forces fight, and then in the second half, they come into harmony.
Dionysus And the first two songs?
Sue The second song is called "Rising Star", and it's meant to evoke an ascension to the heavens. It begins low, slow, and brooding, gradually becoming higher, faster, and more energetic, with a serene coda.
Dionysus Go on
Sue And the first song is called "Milk". It's a song of fulfillment. Sue resides in the Void while writing it. The themes are gentleness, peace, and warmth. It is meant to satisfy a troubled heart.
Sue Rename the second song "Look Up".
Dionysus What are the inspirations for these? And do you have a purpose for them in mind?
Sue First song goes to Pomilla, third to Vol.
Dionysus Ahh
Sue Oh, right. The first song is inspired by the struggle between magic and void, the second by the trip to the moon, and the first by an athak's relationship to the void.
Sue er, third, second, first
Dionysus Right
Dionysus What's your goal for "boxes" on these?
Sue My first goal is to finish them all within a week. My second goal is to get them up to 19s.
Sue I guess I'll spend a full day on each one, and then a full day on touch-ups.
Dionysus Just roll vs. the target
Dionysus I'm being lazy
Sue How many times?
Dionysus So the first day you get them to 16, 22, 18
Sue I'll deliver the 22. That one is awesome.
Dionysus You can decide which song gets it
Sue Are we done? Should I roll again to keep working on the others?
Dionysus Roll again for the touch ups.
Dionysus 22, 17
Sue Sunspot and Rising Star are 22s, Milk is 17. Or 18?
Sue Rename "Milk" to "Simurgh Feather" btw
Dionysus If he ignores the touch ups, it reverts to 18
Sue updated
http://merukis.net/wiki/index.php/Shem/SubiquimCompositions
Sue They are instrumental, like all of Sue's compositions which aren't operas.
Dionysus Nice
Sue Operas or folk songs.
Sue Or that one modified hymn. Actually never mind. But these three are all instrumental.
Sue When I deliver the songs, is there any development?
Sue Idea: after the contest, I think Sue might ask Aldo for Uodzupuul.
Dionysus Vol thanks you politely, then goes back to talking to the little girl. Glimmena is in a vast chamber under the mountains in a clearly magical circle carved by what must have been tsukikuma long ago judging by the writings. She thanks you, and then vanishes into the circle. Pomilla agrees that the song is amazing and says she will deliver the seeeds. Remind me of that
Sue How is the girl doing?
Dionysus She's still nervous, but she's starting to enjoy learning this.
Sue Ixchel?
Sue She could use a name.
Sue What do the knights think of her?
Dionysus Ixchel is a good name
Dionysus Most of them find her promising as an acolyte
Sue Nickname Chel, like the lady from Portal. Excellent. Is there anything the knights want from the planet?
Dionysus Translated books, mostly
Sue That's tough. We don't have a void-translator for the written word. Is there a void-camera? Is there one that operates on the visible spectrum?
Dionysus You can develop them with stuff from the Champion
Sue Hmm. So I can bring them one? Okay. Can they learn to use it to read books?
Dionysus Yes, slowly but surely
Dionysus Anything else?
Sue If they request a specific book and offer payment, will the Maraddonians at the island bridge base obtain and sell it to them?
Dionysus If it's possible and not one full of state secrets or something
Sue Okay, so we'll arrange a budget for that.
Dionysus Nice.
Dionysus I think we stop here.
Dionysus One night, Gruvum returns.
Arlie_B interesting. Arlie had hired some people to fix that sewer.
Arlie_B "Mr Toadbucket! It's good to see you back!"
Dionysus "What did you do to the yard?"
Dionysus He sounds... curious, not upset.
Arlie_B "Ah, Martony had some buried treasure about, so I tried to find metal.. Did you know sewers are metal? Anyway, I had someone come out a and fix it, it stunk for a bit."
Arlie_B "I think Martony had a thing with Annavera, if you can believe it. I'll show you the letters. Want a coffee?"
Dionysus "Well, it's all better now, it seems. I just need to fix the yard."
Dionysus "Coffee? Oh, I'll get it, don't you get up."
Arlie_B "How was the trip back? Sorry to cut things short, I had a prophet check where was the best place to send it."
Dionysus "The trip was relaxing, your Grace."
Dionysus "Troubles from abroad coming home, eh, your Grace?"
Dionysus He makes coffee
Arlie_B "Something like that, the guy who is currently eating the Goddess of Music has sent assassins after all the kin of the competitors."
Dionysus He blinks, then chuckles, "I never know what to believe in your tales, your Grace, but I find it best to just let it lie. Here you go, just as you like it."
Dionysus He hands you coffee
- Arlie_B sips. "How in the Hells do you get it nutty like that? I did the exact same thing and never got it tasting like that."
Dionysus "Cyanide," he says.
Arlie_B r read 15
Arlie_B what color are his eyes?
Dionysus His eyes are the same muddy black they ever were
Dionysus And he's joking
- Arlie_B laughs. "I recognize that flavor now. Mom used to feed me something like it when I was 3."
Arlie_B 'The short story is, I'd spend most of the time in the compound if I were you, at least until we go commando in the plains."
Arlie_B "So tell me about your trip, what did you go see?"
Dionysus He sighs, "Well, I always knew that was a possibility. I'll get my things together tonight." And he begins to talk about his trip:
Dionysus He went to the mountains and relaxed in the wilderness. Camped. Fished
Dionysus Did a little trapping, roughed it a bit
Dionysus He gathers his things and makes for the barracks that night
Dionysus Before he goes, he thanks you for the warning
Arlie_B ah, one last thing
Arlie_B before he goes.
Arlie_B "Gruvum, you like history, right?"
Dionysus He pauses, "Yes, sir."
Arlie_B "I've got a bit of a problem, Perival wants me to write a book in exchange for some enchantment work I'm doing."
Arlie_B "You've read more history than I've lived, and you know about the family better than any of us,"
Dionysus He suppresses a grin.
Arlie_B "Would you help me compile something for the records?"
Dionysus "I shall endeavor to be of servic.e"
Arlie_B "Thanks, mate. C'mon, I have to go back to the compounds for something anyway. I'll take the bags, it's more interesting than working out. We can talk on the way."
Dionysus He reluctantly lets you play servant
Dionysus Late, late into the 26 weeks, a letter arrives for you
Dionysus "Dearest Jack, my love,
Dionysus I am writing this because I will not see you before the contest, and this is the only time I will be able to say anything.
Dionysus When you next see me, I may be on the arm of another man, but it will merely be as his guide, nothing more. I serve my goddess by leading him to the Contest.
Dionysus It is you I love and you I adore.
Dionysus Your voice warms my heart, and I cannot wait to hear it again.
Dionysus Know this: she who has created this Contest values cunning. Rules are made to be bent, if not broken, but only if you don't get caught. Show no one that I told you this.
Dionysus Love,
Dionysus Venuvea"
Jack_C "Damn. That means I gotta burn this letter." does so.
Jack_C the night before his ordination concert, Jack goes out and buys the ring to go with the music box he got for her.
GrandGuignol
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