Sue No. I need a hooded cloak first. Velvet. But once I have that, I'll collect my harp and antivox and go to the elevator, and from there the next train to Uodzupuul.

• Dionysus & Magnum, at the airship, ask if you want company.

Sue "It will be dangerous. Besides, you" pointing at Magnum "will stick up like a bent nail."

Dionysus He nods, "Just making sure."

• Dionysus nods, "Will we meet you back here, or in Maraddon?"

Sue "Can you be back here in a week?"

Dionysus He nods, "I'll tell Arlie."

Sue "Thank you."

Dionysus You can take the void-express if yer alone.

Sue Low ceilings?

Dionysus And immense void energies.

Sue Interesting.

Dionysus Also, lower price for you, higher price for non-void creatures.

Sue What's the city like when I get there?

Dionysus A day & a half on the train takes you to the underground city, awash with color to your void senses. The train station is extremely busy, with all sorts of races going to & fro, but mostly athaks. You note there are tensions in the air, & there's a small protest here against the non-athaks using this terminal.

Sue Is it a secular or religious protest?

Dionysus Mostly secular, with a few religious references thrown in--but more to justify the protest than to indicate support from the church.

• Sue makes note of it.
• Sue moves past, though.

Sue Do I have any trouble getting to the church?

Dionysus No one pays you much heed. Those who do see you don't have much interest in you--they're focused on their own affairs, tense, worried, uninterested in a stranger.

Sue But no open warfare. That's good.

Dionysus The church itself is alight, raucous. Like the last time you were here, but worse: this is where you find the battle going on.

Sue Worse how? What's happening?

Dionysus There's a seam split down the side of the temple, a savage opening where something ripped the wall apart. Athaks have split into two sides, one proclaiming loyalty to Quaigor, the other for the Never. A small faction exists that likes both, but they're not very vocal or powerful, tucked away outside in tents. Inside, it looks like they've put a line down the center of the cathedral & said 'this side is ours

Dionysus , that side yours.' They have pews facing opposite each other, & barricades blocking off each side. Only the center aisle is neutral.

Sue Are people giving sermons or speeches? Are they debating or fighting? Or just ignoring each other?

Dionysus They've entrenched themselves on the opposites sides & have weapons out, wathcing each other.

Sue Guns, knives, swords, polearms?

Dionysus Short athak polearms, staves, void-laden knives, one or two guns, & each side has a small void-device weapon: one has some sort of gun, the other a void-tech sword.

Sue Are they talking among themselves?

Dionysus A bit.

• Sue will go over to the void side, careful to keep his eyes hidden, and ask, "Is anyone giving services?"
• Sue keeps his voice low.

Dionysus A young acolyte looks at you skeptically, but says, "The High Priest gives them nightly," which is odd. The High Priest usually isn't even at this temple.

Sue "Is that safe? This room looks like a battlefield."

Dionysus "He is untouchable in the sanctum," he says with unathaklike passion

Sue "That's a relief. How is it going? I see they still won't leave, but ... there are so many weapons here ..."

Dionysus He glances over at them, "The heretics have taken part of our temple, but we are working on expelling them. Many of the... weak willed have left."

Sue "You look evenly matched to me. I think you need an edge. When does the High Priest arrive?"

Dionysus He looks uncertain, "What is your name, brother?"

• Sue lowers his head a degree. "I'll be back after nightfall. Expect me. Until then, think on this: what is the one devotion we can make to the Void Father that /none of them/ can make to the Father of Nothingness?"
• Sue turns and leaves.

Dionysus He frowns. Where do you go?

• Sue finds a room and rests there.

Dionysus There's a little trouble finding one, but if you persist, you can. There's a lot of people in the city right now.

Sue "Why so packed? Is there a convention?"

Dionysus The roomkeeper says, "There was a sighting of some sort of prophet here. It has become a pilgirmage site, a crux fro the conflict."

Sue "Oh, really? A prophet for which side?"

Dionysus He hesitates, "Who are you, mister? How do you not know this?"

Sue "I'm from Maraddon. I've been away a long time."

Dionysus He frowns, "And which side are /you/ on?"

Sue "Well, I don't really know. Like I said, I've been away. I don't know much about this new god. But it seems to me that the Void Father has always treated us right."

Dionysus He nods, "The Prophet was a wanderer who was once from our nation, but had seen the world. He came & spoke in the temple, inciting a riot. They say he bore the Void-Father, was his avatar."

Sue "I see. I hope the fighting ends soon."

• Sue stays in his room until a couple hours after nightfall, then goes back to the temple.

Dionysus He nods, "Well, it's been good for business, but this tension is driving us all mad."

Dionysus The temple is loud now, full of shouts, as the two sides give sermons at once.

• Sue stays on his feet, listening, but looking for that young acolyte.

Dionysus The acolyte is at the edge of the void side, cheering fervently for the High Priest.

• Sue taps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear. "Did you figure it out?"

Dionysus He looks to you...

• Sue lowers his head.

Dionysus Then frowns, "I have given it thought, but no answer has come to me."

Sue "Remember the words of the prophet: the name. The Never has no name."

Dionysus He frowns, then his eyes narrow in your void vision, "You suggest... But that's... Would that not be blasphemous?"

Sue "Just as we struggle with the Never's followers here, so too does our Father struggle with the Never in the void. It will not leave the void, just as these heretics will not leave our temple. His struggle and our struggle is one and the same."

Dionysus He glances at the heretics. "What... What happens?"

Sue "Tell the High Priest. Tell him everything I have said. He will know what to do."

• Sue turns and goes to the back of the temple hall and sits.

Dionysus The acolyte rushes up the High Priest, struggling to be heard. The noise of the crowd, the High Priests' preoccupation, they keep him unable to tell him...

Dionysus He glances back at you, confused.

• Sue extracts the antivox. When the acolyte looks, he nods and momentarily raises his hand in a lifting motion.
• Sue begins to play, controlling the noise level. An athak lullaby.
• Sue allows the acolyte and high priests to continue their sermons without interruption.

Dionysus The acolyte shouts over the now quieted noise, "Revered Father, the traveler there says that the Never has no name! If we wish to help the Void-Father, we must invoke his name! The heretics cannot follow suit!"

Dionysus The High Priest stares at you, then proclaims, "Followers, our Master, the One Who Is Void, needs our devotion! With all your hearts, give yourselves to him! Speak the name!"

• Sue lifts his fingers, letting the antivox go silent and the noise return.

Dionysus "Quaigor!" "Q-Quaigor!" "Quaigor!" "Quaigor!" Shouted, whispered, spoken, stuttered.

• Sue calls it too, "Quaigor!"

Dionysus One by one, the athaks begin to emit void power. The High Priest shouts, "Thanks be to the Prophet, Avatar of Void!" Pointing to you.

• Sue looks to the heretics fearfully.

Dionysus The athak with the void gun says, Sunya quietly, then stands to face the athak on the other side with the void-tech sword. The other heretics bring out their weapons, desperate now, about to charge.

Dionysus The void-tech sword swings at the voidgunner, but his weapon fizzles out of power before he strikes, the energy sabre vanishing into thin air. The high priest hurls a wave of void at the heretics that is nothing like void you've seen, Sue. It makes the enemy sizzle & boil, dying.

• Sue stares in horror. Are the heretics making noise?

Dionysus Warcries, prayers, taunts, yes.

• Sue bends their words into the closest approximation of Sunya that he can manage.

Dionysus Those that were making noise stop rigidly. Some pass out, some cease to be, & some turn to fight their brethren.

Dionysus The void followers attack with ferocity, with weapons, with void, & some sacrifice themselves to null matter itself, destroying heretics.

Dionysus The heretics fight back with their weapons, none now speaking.

Dionysus The athak with the void gun blasts a path through the heretics.

Dionysus By the time he fires, the heretics are either entrhalled or dead.

• Sue just steps back until he reaches the wall, waiting for it to end.

Dionysus As the dust & void energies settle, the High Priest says, "Thus to all heretics! Servants of the Void-Father, we have been brought salvation by the Prophet! Hail, Prophet!"

• Sue is used to being cheered. The battle over, he goes to stand with the High Priest. "Brothers and sisters," he begins, "your courage and devotion have won the day. But the war is not over. Our enemy still lurks in our Father's house, our world remains in peril, and our ways misunderstood."

Dionysus They all listen.

Sue "I will see to the Never. It is my burden, and I bear it proudly. But we must stand together with our ancient enemies until the greater danger has passed, and then become their teachers, until the truth of Void is known by all. Those few of you who can travel, who are strong and have no family commitments, I must ask something of you, for the greater service to our father."

• Sue hesitates.

Sue "I sought evil recently - the truth of evil. And I learned that there are those who think void is evil. They are wrong."

Sue "But they are a different kind of enemy than we faced today. They are not evil, or ambitious - they are simply ignorant. They do not know our wonders. They can not share in them. I ask you to help them. Too long have we hidden in our underground kingdoms, a mystery to the surface. I ask that we end this mystery."

Dionysus They hold onto very word, a hum of excitement & awe rolling through them

Sue "Our families and our nation come first, but I ask that those of you who can, make a pilgrimage to the surface. Bring our glories to the people of Maraddon, of Myrmexia, of Kren'atan, and yes, even to Berellia, where they simply do not realize that void, too, is a force of nature."

Sue "The surface is a dark place. Please enlighten it."

Dionysus A cheer goes up amongst them, & several say they will make the pilgrimage. Others say they will spread word to others they know who can go.

Dionysus The High Priest just basks in your glory.

• Sue steps down and goes to the train station.

Dionysus A few follow you, acting as guards.

Sue If they follow to the ticket desk, Sue stops there. "Do you have train fare?"

Dionysus Some of them do, others just indicate they were protecting you just this far.

• Sue just buys a ticket for himself, then.

Sue If anyone follows me on to the train, Sue asks their names.

Dionysus Tonoxi Murlat, the acolyte, is one of them, & the other that follows you is Untaque Virizane, once a poet. They're heading to the surface to do as you bid.

Sue "Oh, a writer? We should all collaborate on a hymn."

Sue They have been added to Sue's inventory.

Dionysus He considers, & agrees to help with a hymn.

• Sue realizes on the train, "Oh. I should have named the underwater empires as well. I've surrounded by surfacers so long, I forgot we can all go there if we choose."

Dionysus Tonoxi says, "I will tell others about the seas."

Sue That night, Sue speaks to Quaigor. . o O ( The athaks of Shem are learning not to fear your name. I thought that I might meet my end in that temple. )

Dionysus It is good, for now, that they are empowered to fight my nemesis. But it would not do to make this a permanent way of being.

Sue . o O ( Why not? I saw what happened to the ones that said your name against their will. They became your servants or died. If the world called your name, would that not deliver it in to your power? )

Dionysus The name of the Father of Celebration has lost all potency, because everyone speaks it.

Sue . o O ( Yes. I thought that was curious, and I wrote it into a song. Now I am writing a song for you. The first of many, no doubt. )

Sue . o O ( I will leave your name out of the lyrics, of course. And when this is over, I will return to Uodzupuul to remind them that your name is not to be taken lightly. )

Dionysus Well done, my child.

Sue . o O ( Void-Father, if I were to fail you, or disagree with you, would you destroy me? )

Dionysus Failure means that either you or I will already be dead. So long as we exist, we can succeed. Disagreement...

Dionysus A pause.

Dionysus This depends on the disagreement.

Dionysus But I, unlike most others, am a rational being.

Dionysus I would first resort to debate.

• Sue begins weeping. Months of tension and fear rise into his throat.
• Sue has always loved Quaigor, but feared and distrusted him until that night. He believes that void can do anything, and that everyone touched by it is enriched. He knows the rites from childhood and will begin performing them with a new understanding of their meaning. He is honored to be called Voice or Avatar, and will do everything he can to live up to that name.
• Sue doesn't say or do anything else that night unless he's addressed.

Dionysus You hear, on the train, the chirping of frogs.

Dionysus It gets awfully loud, preventing sleep, preventing /thought/. It is incessant.

Sue Sorry, I was just updating motivations.

• Sue sits up. "What is that ribbiting?"
• Sue goes to find it, still sleepy.

Dionysus Tonoxi looks around, & Unqague frowns. "I've never heard such noise."

Dionysus As you step from your cabin into the hallway, you sense something down the hall, some intense shadow on the void scale. A person.

Dionysus You alos notice /warmth/.

• Sue mutters. "Jack was always talking about frogs, what is it about frogs."
• Sue pauses, looking at it from where he is.

Dionysus Behind you, it's very cold, of a sudden.

Dionysus Within you, you sense Quaigor's caution.

• Sue looks toward the cold, and glances at his followers.

Dionysus They look confused, & you sense two tiny blots from the cold, also dark on the void scale.

Dionysus The figure down the hall is tall, man-sized, barely able to fit in this car. It is approaching.

• Sue is waking up. He looks for exits. To his followers, he says, "Be ready."

Dionysus On the normal scale, you recognize her as a ka'ar of some sort. She is wearing red, tight fitting robes, & has a pair of burning brass daggers in her hands.

Dionysus "It was foolish of you to separate from the band, Voice of the Void."

Sue "Who are you?"

Dionysus She is tense, poised. Her hairless features flicker in the shadows, showing her fiery aura. "The Loather's Assassin."

Sue Did I catch sight of any exits?

Dionysus The blips behind you are large, football sized blue frogs. If you can run past them, you can skip to the next car over, but the train is in movement, so getting off of it would be difficult. There's also windows here, but that's... insane at this speed.

Sue Ah, right, I'm on the express.

• Sue prays silently for protection, then turns and starts running, hoping that the low ceiling will slow her enough for him to escape.
• Sue is praying and/or running to the next car.

Dionysus You feel a thin aura of powerful void form around you, protectively.

Dionysus The frogs leap into your way, tripping you up, preventing you from escaping further

Dionysus The assassin holds, but Untague leaps at her, & she slices him with burning blades, killing him by opening his side wide open. Tonoxi prays, but the effects are not seen.

Dionysus The assassin says, "I didn't know athaks came in shades of yellow."

• Sue stops and looks the other way, seeing the carnage, stunned. "No!"

Dionysus The frogs begin to gllow blue, making the floor a slick, icy path.

Dionysus Her burning blades burn away his black blood, leaving them brassy bright & clean.

Dionysus Tonoxi backs toward the compartment door. Sue?

• Sue screams at the assassin. "Wilt and die!" He hurls void at her.

Dionysus The blast washes over her, but her blades flicker away their magical flames. She instantly strikes toward you.

Dionysus Her blade skitters on the floor next to you, & she leaps up again after her stooping attack, trying to move around you.

Dionysus The frogs leap onto the walls, latching on, waiting. The assassin says, "Wanna try that again, inkblot?"

• Sue tries to stall her for a moment. "I'm likely to die here, huh? You're strong. Fast, too. I can't hope to beat you in a physical contest."
• Sue is trying to stall her long enough to pray, silently, for greater skill in void psionics, since it's currently ranked at a 7.

Dionysus "Your fate was sealed when you left the band. Strike me again." She says thirstily, "Be brave, little one, & I will end you quickly."

Dionysus Tonoxi utters a prayer silently, & this time, you notice the slight void aura indicating he is now protected a little.

Dionysus She says, "Afraid to take a shot at me, little one?"

Dionysus Your go.

Sue "There's no need."

Sue Voiding her knowledge of me.

Dionysus She blinks, then looks around, "What the--? You!" She points at Ton, "I am seeking a band! The Colour of Sound: Jack Crane, Aurelia Lucent, Arland Battisto, James Peltier, Arsul Toutant, Dionysus Berrywight, & one called Avery Colzayre. Have you heard of them?"

Dionysus Ton looks to Sue, bewildered, "No?"

Dionysus She scowls, then looks to you, Sue, but stops, "Frogs? What are they--what's going on?"

• Sue glances at the frogs. "They appeared here suddenly."

Sue Does it look like I can get behind her.

Sue ?

Dionysus She frowns, "Then the band is probably close by. I was tracking one of them with--they were leading me."

Dionysus You can probably do so, yes.

Dionysus She stares at the dead Untague, then at her daggers. "Frogs, I wish to depart."

Dionysus One of them leaps onto the other, snapping its neck, & she & the frog vanish.

• Sue frowns. "That is why we should fear the frogs."
• Sue goes to inspect the body.

Dionysus Untague has a massive wound in his side, his major internal organs near there sliced in half.

• Sue kneels next to the body and hangs his head, ashamed and angry. "Don't be a hero, Ton."

Dionysus Tonoxi nods. "She only attacked when attacked. Did you notice?"

• Sue looks up. "You're right. An article of her faith? A personal limitation?"

Dionysus He shrugs, "I am unfamiliar with such things."

Sue "Ton, listen, if you're going to travel with me, you'll need a way to protect yourself. Do you know how to enter a meditative trance?"

Dionysus He frowns, "I've done a little of that."

• Sue attempts to teach him the basics of void psionics.

Dionysus He's a slow student, but he starts to get the basics. You can tell Quaigor aides him.

Sue "Good. Keep practicing. Today was the second time I'd used it. We'll both need to get better."

Dionysus He nods.

Dionysus He's exhausted by the end of the training, & passes out in the cabin. Do you do anything for Untague's body?

Sue What's the athak tradition?

Dionysus Underground, entombment in caves.

Sue "Did he have any family?"

Dionysus Ton shakes his head, "Not anywhere nearby. They were from far off, some isolated colony."

Sue "Hmm. Well, we were attacked on the train, maybe the train company will send him back to Uodzupuul."

Dionysus He shrugs, "We can ask. They're stingy, though. It may be built buy us, but the gnomes own the tracks."

Dionysus If you do ask, they get a full report on what happened, & tell you that if it's not your kin, they'll give the body to the government to deal with.

Sue "What will they do?"

Sue "He was ... I was responsible for him."

Sue "But not kin."

Dionysus "If you wish to take responsibility for the disposal, you may. Otherwise, he goes to the municipal morgue until his family is notified."

• Sue sags. "Ton, would you please stay with the body until this is sorted out? The least we can do is have the remains sent back with an explanation."

Dionysus Ton nods, "Yes, Prophet."

Sue "I need to go find the Whipporwill before they leave." Which he does.

Dionysus You've been gone three days at this point. Four to waste til they get back.

Sue Oh, never mind, then.

Dionysus Do you stay with the body or...?

Sue Yes. With the morgue people's help, I write a letter explaining what happened, arrange a coffin, express transport to Uodzupuul once the body has been properly prepared, and any cash I have left over for any temple expenses the family may have.

Dionysus The morgue dwarves are impressed with your dedication, & a little off put by your follower's dedication to you at this point. He seems nervous outside athak society.

Sue The inevtable consequence of generations of separationism.

Dionysus Indeed. He manages, though. Everyone in athak cities are taught dwarven, since they run the empire.

Sue "By the way, Ton, my name is Sue. Prophet sounds so ... pious."

Dionysus He nods, "Yes... Sue."

Dionysus He pauses, "Is piety bad, then?"

Sue "When you're addressing me, yes."

• Sue smirks. "I'm a musician. Avatarship is my avocational passion."
• Sue is eager to get back to the band.

Dionysus He nods, "So your work is separate?"

Sue "Mostly. It overlaps. Just keep in mind that I slept in rat-infested inns and gutters until I said His name."

Dionysus He nods, "He exalted you?"

Sue "Well ... no. Not directly. That event coincided with the beginning of the war. That's when we started working with Maraddon, and they made me a Baron. And Avery started getting help from the church of wealth. I'm still unclear on how that works."

Dionysus He frowns, "Is your band... dedicated to the Void-Father?"

• Sue laughs. "Hardly. One of them is a mage, and another is descended from the Messiah of Light. But they're all potent, in their own way."

Dionysus He considers, "So there is a place for that which is not void?"

Sue "Absolutely. In fact, that should be a cornerstone of our faith. For example, look at Science. It is incompatible with magic and faith, but becomes stronger together with Void. Our moonship is based on principles of both."

Dionysus He nods, "This is interesting. They do not teach this in the temple."

Sue "Many in the temple are blinded by fear. The Void Father does not fear. He reasons. He has told me that mana and void are both natural forces, neither good nor evil. They are to be employed or controlled however they may best serve us."

Dionysus He nods, "I will spread this holy word... Sue."

Sue "I regret now not saying so before, in the temple. The pilgrims must come to understand this in order to survive on the surface."

Dionysus He nods. "I will tell those I meet."

Sue "Good."

Sue What's the time/space delta like between me and the band?

Dionysus They're about the same day as you.

Dionysus When you finish the morgue, where do you go, Sue?

Sue Check the landing site for the Whipporwill, check with Aurelia's family. Try to stay in public places, try not to get noticed too much.

Sue Train in void psionics.

Dionysus Aurelia's mother is gone, her house locked up.

Dionysus Training goes well. Quaigor aides you.

Dionysus If you spend all the days waiting training, you can be up to a 10 by the time they return.

Sue Cool.

Dionysus With Quiagor's help.

Sue Oh, can I teach Ton to understand languages?

Dionysus It's difficult, but he can gain a lesser version of your power. Quaigor seems to have favored you more strongly than the others, or perhaps, the spreading of the name has lessened his direct control.

Sue Okay. So he can understand common languages?

Sue Or understand but not speak?

Dionysus He just doesn't get perfect understanding. He misses some words, gets some things confused. Idioms don't get perfect translation. That sort of thing.

Sue ok

Dionysus Do you stay at an inn?

Sue A different one every night, yes.

Sue Or at a void temple if one is available.

Dionysus Not in this area, no. A different inn each night is not hard.

Dionysus Do you play for lodging?

Sue Um. Now that you mention it, I guess I have to, since I sent all my loose cash with the coffin.

Dionysus Roll for the four nights.

Dionysus There's not a night the innkeepers aren't happy to give you a room for your playing. Even the nightingales love it.

• Sue is sure to keep his hood down after the first night.

Sue Er, up. Hood up, eyes down.

Dionysus What name do you give for your performances?

Sue Stuart Pilgrim

Dionysus Good name. And close enough that if anyone calls you Sue, & you respond, you can claim to think they said "Stu"

Sue Heh.

Dionysus I approve all over.

Dionysus A few musical connosieurs comment on the quality of your harp, asking where you got it.

Sue "Keary, of course. No place like it for harping."

Dionysus "/You/ went to Berellia?"

Sue "The harp is everything to me."

Dionysus The yooung connosieur nods, impressed. "I'm a pianist myself."

Sue "Have you ever played the inns?"

Dionysus "Some. It's hard to find ones with keys. If I have to bring my own, it means lots of heavy lifting." He grins

Sue "Sure. I started in the concert halls, but I learned to love the smaller harps once I took to the road. Maybe you could team up with an ogre - they're wicked drummers."

Dionysus He grins, "But their appetites might get the best of them. I was thinking of finding a pachydermion or rhineman or giff."

Dionysus "Did they let you play in Berellia?"

Sue "Things are different there. I had to pull a lot of strings, if you'll excuse the expression, just to get in. So I had to leave right away. I did get to see a performance though. Like I said, no place like Keary for harping."

Dionysus He grins, "Where's good for the keys?"

Sue "Well ... here, I imagine."

Dionysus He nods, "It's all right. But nightingales prefer to sing, & the muses only let you in with them if you're a pretty boy."

Sue "What about the dwarves?"

Dionysus He snorts, "They can build 'em, but they're so dreary or drunk. Never any finesse to their playing."

Sue "Maybe the elves?"

Dionysus "Too much style, not substance. Opposite of the dwarves really."

• Sue stops playing to sneeze. "Oh. Excuse me." He resumes immediately.

Dionysus The man looks confused by an athak's sneeze, then says, "I wonder if pachydermions play piano."

Sue "Do they have those in Myrmexia?"

Dionysus He shrugs, "Who knows? But I don't see why not."

Sue "Maybe you could get a gnome to invent a portable one and take the empire by storm."