Dionysus You can see three spots of void from this angle. One to the north. One to the east. One to the southeast. The eastern one is closest. You can't make out details from this distance on any of them, but they are all within the city.

Sue All the same size?

Dionysus As far as you cant ell from this distnace, which means that any differrence would be negligible.

• Sue will head for the closest one.

Dionysus As you approach, you realize it's a jewel stuck into the side of a building encrusted with black jewels Whoever built this structure probably didn't realize this onyx amongst the dozens of onyxes was infused.

Sue Does it appear to be decorative or structural?

Dionysus Decorative.

Sue Easy to remove?

Dionysus Do you try?

• Sue will inspect it closely, give it a poke.

Dionysus It seems like ti could be pried out with a simple tool, like a screwdriver or a strong knife.

Sue Is there anyone around?

Dionysus Roll awareness.

Sue Oh, better question. Can void be extracted from stone without damaging it?

Dionysus Not from the stone, no. If this were something edible, you could suck it out. But it's been made part of the stone.

Sue awa 16 21 23

Dionysus There's a woman--probably a siren from the look of her--idly watching from her window across the street.

• Sue gives her a nod, then starts looking through his belongings for a few moments.

Dionysus She smiles back, clearly curious, but stays in her little shop.

Dionysus After a few moments, she vanishes from view.

• Sue considers using the dagger for a moment, but decides against it. He goes over to the shop and looks for the woman. If he finds her, he says, "Do you know who owns that wall?"

Dionysus She's in there.

Dionysus "That's my wall. It's my building, too. Why?"

Dionysus Her voice is melodious.

Sue "One of the onyxes embedded in it is void-infused."

Sue Actually, how much void is in it?

Dionysus On a scale of 1-25, probably about a 13.

Dionysus So decent stuff.

Sue What would I need to stop a two-ton cannonball?

Dionysus 22.

Dionysus If you're thinking of launching yourself to the moon, 25.

Sue So that's, what, a dozen of these fused together?

Dionysus And channeled properly.

Dionysus Which is harder to do.

Sue "Would you be willing to sell it?"

Dionysus She frowns, thinking.

Dionysus "Hmm," she hums softly to herself.

Dionysus "I'd have to replace that stone. If you can get me a replacement, we'll call it even."

Sue "Do you know where I could find one?"

Dionysus She looks around, "Watch the skies?" She laughs, like that was a joke you should get.

• Sue actually looks up for an instant before the laugh registers. "I'll be back by tomorrow."

Dionysus She stops lauhging awkwardly if you don't laugh, too, then says, "Wait. There's plenty of stone sellers at market!"

Sue "Ah! Which way is that?" He then goes there if given directions.

Dionysus She gives them & says, "Tell them Wivena sent you. The stone merchants like me."

Dionysus She pauses, then starts to follow.

Dionysus "Are you... an athak?"

Sue "Yes. I'm also a composer. My name is Sue."

Dionysus She smiles & extends her hand. "I'm Wivena, of course. I'm a singer." She sounds a little excited. "How about you just write me a song for the stone?"

• Sue peers at her for a moment. "You ... are you a siren? I wrote a song, 'Stone Siren'."

Dionysus "Yes, I am. Has anyone else seen it?"

Sue "You're in the contest too!"

Sue "I'm sorry, but it's already been played before an audience. I could write you another one, though."

Dionysus She blushes. "Yes. I am. So... What's the moon like?"

• Sue 's eyes widen at the thought. "I've never seen it, but the legends say ... ! Oh. I'm very sorry. I'm from underground."

Dionysus She blinks, "Underground?"

Sue "Actually, this onyx is part of a project to reach the moon. I know a gnome with an airtight carriage, and another with a giant cannon ... yes, my people live in a series of caves beneath the surface empire of Akazad."

Dionysus She frowns, "So your song would do me no good..." She sighs. "But you know of a way to reach the moons?"

Sue "I have an idea, yes. The problem is keeping a multi-ton object fired out of a cannon from impacting on the surface with lethal force. But I may be able to build a void brake to slow us down at the end."

Sue "It will take a lot of void to stop the carriage, you see."

Dionysus She frowns, "I'm afraid that means very little to me. But it sounds like you are saying that you have some ideas, but have not got a way just yet?"

• Sue nods. "It's a lot of work."

Dionysus She hums as she thinsk, "if I give you this stone, will you bring me with you when you go to the moons?"

• Sue thinks on that a moment. "There are two other void-stones in this city. Can you secure them as well?"

Dionysus She shrugs, "I am very wealthy. Where are they?"

• Sue points out the void-onyx on Wivena's wall. "This is the first one. The others are that way and that way."

Dionysus "This stone looks like any other to me. How can I know the others when I see them? Can you find their locations for me, exactly? For a ride to the moon, I will get you these stones & more."

Dionysus She soundspretty intense when she asks this.

• Sue nods. "Of course. I just have to get a bit closer. They seem like far-off torch-lights from here."

Dionysus She frowns, but nods. "Go find them & tell me where they are. Give me til morning, & I will have your stones for you. But you must promise to take me with you."

• Sue agrees and finds the exact locations of the stones and gives her instructions on how to contact him through Maraddon.

Dionysus When you give her the locations, she gives you a small shell wrapped in velvet. "I have heard that velvet keeps your kind from nullifying the spells in our shells. Have someone speak my name into this when you are ready to leave."

• Sue accepts it. "I'll be covering a lot of ground before then, but we'll need all the void we can find."
• Sue goes back to find the group.

Sue Actually,

Sue "Do you have a song from Maraddon yet? Would you be willing to trade?"

Dionysus "I have one from Myrmexia, & one from Akazad, & one from Belthine, but no, not Maraddon. Why? Do you know a noble of Maraddon?"

Dionysus I was wondering when you' think of that

Sue "Yes, there's one in our band. Would you like to meet him?"

Dionysus [You're one, hon.]

Dionysus [Remember?]

Sue Hmm, that's true.

Dionysus Up to you if Sue thinks of that part.

Sue "Yes, there's one in our band." He pauses. "Actually, we all are, now that I think of it. I suppose I can help you out after all."

Dionysus She blinks. A pause. "You speak truly?"

Dionysus She seems suspicious.

Sue "I ... I think it was meant to be a kind of punishment. The nobles of Maraddon are servants. But, yes, I am officially 'Baron' Subiquim Ixioj."

Dionysus She frowns, then hums as she thinks. "I suppose the Ticket will know. I will trade songs with you, but if you are cheating me..." She leaves the threat hanging.

• Sue nods. "I understand. I'll submit mine first, and you can let the ticket decide."

Dionysus She smiles.

Dionysus For record, I rolled to see how evil she was & got an 8--good for you. What song do you give her?

Sue Fast Train to Zue hasn't been played yet, but it's meant to be played with an antivox. "I actually wrote a song about the cannon-ride. Will it do?"

Dionysus "Let me see it?"

• Sue shows it.

Dionysus She pulls out her goldne sheet of paper.

Dionysus It glows as she looks at the song. "Clever. I can convert this, but it will be a challenge."

Dionysus "But fair is fair. A song from me. Come this way."

Dionysus She leads you into her house.

• Sue follows.

Dionysus She digs about through strange stone boxes, until she finds one with strange etchings on it. She pulls out three tablets & hands them over.

Sue Shall I roll composition to rate them?

Dionysus "The Eleven Voices of Gold," yes, do.

Sue or reading?

Sue Oh, it's just one song?

Dionysus Yes.

Dionysus But it's pretty good. She's a skilled songwriter. But it's all for voice.

Sue ... do I have the ticket?

Dionysus Eleven voices.

Dionysus No, I think Aurelia does.

• Sue accepts it. "There aren't eleven people in our band, but I think I can work around that. This is good. Thank you."

Dionysus She smiles & nods. "And thank you. Remember to call me when you've found a way to the moons, Baron Ixioj."

Sue "I certainly will."