The Spirean Archives.
Glistening columns of the darkest ebony marble spiral several stories upward, meeting with a perfectly vaulted ceiling of snow white tile. Sparkling like twilight, the enormous columns make even the largest Troll feel small and insignificant in comparison. The Northern wall is draped with an ancient tapestry, preserved in pristine condition by the cool, dry halls of the Citadel. Depicted within the large tapestry, which hangs from ceiling to floor, is a bloody scene of war. Mounts and Masters alike lay slain amongst crimson pools of blood soaking warmly into ivory snow. Steam flows from their wounds, creating a brilliantly embroidered fog of struggle and despair. Each consecutive wall is lined with massive shelves of white limestone. Every shelf holds a silver plaque in the center of its base, naming the categories of the many books and scrolls that lie soundly within. Torches of bound and dried branches are fixed onto the columns by elegantly forged iron fixtures. Blue flames fill the hall with clear, bright light. A brilliant mosaic of ivory and ebony seems to emanate from the center of the floor, flowing outward into a circular pattern of smoky hues that at first will deceive the eye. Two long reading tables, carved directly out of a mass of obsidian, run from the eastern end to the west. Silver lamps sit solemnly along the length of each table, hissing softly with the sounds of burning oil. On either side run large benches of oak, worn down by the passage of countless students and scholars alike. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.
see the following people here:
Caiti, Kwalu

She is a healthy Atavian vampire and appears on the brink of womanhood.  She appears but young, thirteen or fourteen perhaps, though her poise and the beginnings of lines of her face suggest otherwise upon close inspection.  She has some weight to her, though she is not overweight and many would likely find her appealing nonetheless.  Her form is not particularly curvy, though she seems to have more than ample bosom, to go with her weight, perhaps.  Deep yellow eyes are set in her face, a most unusual feature, though they are sometimes shaded by her hip-length, coarse black hair.  She seems to carry herself with a wild sort of discipline, seeming to be carefree and wild, and at the same time deeply intellectual and calculating.  Large black wings loom over her, completing the image of dark regality, while a tail that is most unnatural to atavians - thick and segmented such as a scorpion's - trails behind her, though somehow it seems completely natural for her form. She is wearing:
a veined band of midnight blue stalactite
a secure brass keyring
a ring of swirling sand
a imbrued platinum iris and scintilily ring
a collar of domination
a opulent, black velvet longcoat
a Year 250 medallion
3 Hearts of Darkness ring
an exquisite starstone engagement ring
a simple onyx pack
a simple necklace with an angel pendant
a Year 250 ring

The following citizens of Spinesreach are in the realm:
Citizen        Rank                     Position            Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Areka          Tutor                    Ambassador
Tina           Student
Kwalu          Layman
Kaed           Layman
Neytiri        Laywoman

You conjure up your illusion.

She would see: An unseen presence whispers in your ear, "Welcome to the Archives of Spinesreach, friend."

You dispel all illusion magics that were woven about yourself.

You gag a bit as you inhale your own stink.

The Spirean Archives.
A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.

You are:

You blink.

You stare at the ground.

...The hell?

You peer about yourself suspiciously.

You gag a bit as you inhale your own stink.

You peer at Caiti suspiciously.

(Spinesreach): You say, "...This woman and myself suddenly stink."

You have emoted: Kwalu covers his nose and backs out of the room, staring at Caiti.

You slip away successfully and evade your pursuers.

Moving, moving. Kwalu runs off and takes a bath. Later,

The Inner Gate of Spinesreach. (road)
---------- v11708 -----------
      |       |       |
 [S]-[ ]     [ ]     [ ]-[S]
    /   \     |     /
 [S]      \   |   /
            \ | /
             [ ]     [<]
              |
             [+] [ ]-[>]
                \     |
     [ ]     [ ]  \   |
        \   /       \ |
     [ ]-[ ]-[ ] [ ] [ ]-[ ]
          |       | /       \
         [ ]- - -[ ] [H]-[ ]-
          |
---------- 0:-8:0 -----------
The bright sun shines down, blanketing you with its life-giving warmth. Standing near the inner gate of Spinesreach, a portcullis hangs from either side, clearly for use in times when the inner Citadel is threatened. To the sides, the walls are somewhat bowed inwards, and it is clear that each is part of the towers that sit on either side of the gate. The west wall is smooth, and even at this close distance the seams between the rocks cannot be made out. The east wall, on the other hand, has been engraved with a dizzying array of arcane symbols, seemingly chaotically inscribed from this view. To the north the main courtyard of the Citadel opens, while the expanse of the outer city is to the south. A black marble pedestal has been knocked over, cracking the bowl that once rested upon it. The Inner Gate of Spinesreach looms high overhead here. Quiet and unmoving as stone, a lupine Atabahi stands guard here. A stout donkey stands patiently by, waiting for a burden. A naturally finished, low-backed cherrywood bench sits here. There are 3 Magus guards here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A fiery Jaziran mare trots impatiently in circles here. There are 2 cabalists of jherza here. Lady Areka Morrog is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. Kaed Auvryven is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. He wields an iron-tipped whip in his left hand and a tower shield in his right.
You see exits leading north, southeast, and down.
You see the following people here:
Areka, Kaed, Kwalu

Areka nods her head emphatically.

You remove a dark green bandana.

You gag a bit as Areka's stink wafts over you.

You have emoted: Kwalu covers his nose with a dark green bandana and says, "Ugh! Both of you! To the bath house, quick!"

"Heh heh heh," Kaed chuckles.

You gag a bit as Areka's stink wafts over you.

Kaed Auvryven says to you, "Another advantage of being undead.  Really no sense of smell!"

You gag a bit as Areka's stink wafts over you.

You have emoted: Kwalu looks sidelong at Kaed and mutters, "...You sure that's really something to be proud of?"

The bright sun shines down upon you.

The corners of Kaed's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

You gag a bit as Areka's stink wafts over you.

Kaed Auvryven says, "I'm sure as hell not missing much."

Kaed snickers under his breath.

Without warning, you gag almost unconsciously.

Kaed Auvryven says, "You could always drag their asses out of here if they're being problematic."

You have emoted: His eyes watering, Kwalu whines, "It's awful! How am I supposed to study in this cloud!"

You snarl to Kaed, "Who is it? I'll kill them!"

Areka smiles wryly.

"Heh heh heh," Kaed chuckles.

Kaed pats you in a friendly manner.

You pull an iron-tipped whip from your weaponbelt fluidly.
You begin to wield an iron-tipped whip in your left hand.

You gag a bit as Kaed's stink wafts over you.

pull a needle-pointed dirk from your weaponbelt fluidly.
You begin to wield a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You gag a bit as Areka's stink wafts over you.

Areka simply shrugs and draws another mouthful of rum. "Grew up surrounded by this, it's kind of like being home." her gravelly alto voice comments.

Kaed Auvryven says to you, "The rage won't do you much good.  Calm brings efficiency. Efficiency brings killing."

You have emoted: Kwalu begins spitting an embarrassment of venom all over his weapons.

Kaed Auvryven says, "Calm yourself, kid."

You have emoted: Kwalu takes a deep breath...

Kaed Auvryven says, "Or I'll give pyou a doze of delphinium to calm you."

The corners of Kaed's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

You have emoted: With calm but forceful inflection, Kwalu asks, "Who. Who is. Doing. This?"

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Maybe the sewers are a bit overrun?"

Kaed Auvryven asks, "Better.  Now.  Doing what?"

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

Kaed Auvryven says, "Oh.  I smell bad now, too."

Kaed shrugs helplessly.

You exclaim, "Everyone!"

Kaed utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Lady Areka Morrog says to Kaed Auvryven, "You were stinky when I came to the Gate."

You nod your head affirmatively.

You gag a bit as Kaed's stink wafts over you.

You say, "Seemed to hit everyone at once..."


Kaed Auvryven says to you, "Let's wash up.  Then you go back to the library and study in solitude."

Kaed leaves to the southeast.

Areka shrugs helplessly.

Areka leaves to the southeast.

You whine, "There's a smelly woman with a tail in there."

They run off and bathe.

Areka arrives from the southeast.

The bright sun shines down upon you.

Areka wrings out the excess water from her hair, before pulling the top half back and pinning it within her silver feather and pin. She then begins to part the underlying hair into sections, then starts working upon her usual handful of thick braids.

You give a pained sigh.

Wrinkling his nose, you say to Areka, "Is there some elementalist's spell that could be used on the tail'd woman in the Archives? She seems to be unconscious... but she smells something awful."

Lin swiftly gallops in from the north.

Lin blurs with speed as her mount gallops her away to the southeast.

Dark brows raising, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Tailed woman?"

You nod your head affirmatively.

You say to Areka, "A vampire. Atavian. But... she has a tail."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "...this I have got to see."

Areka begins to follow you.

You nod your head emphatically.

We be runnin', runnin', runnin'.

The Spirean Archives.
Glistening columns of the darkest ebony marble spiral several stories upward, meeting with a perfectly vaulted ceiling of snow white tile. Sparkling like twilight, the enormous columns make even the largest Troll feel small and insignificant in comparison. The Northern wall is draped with an ancient tapestry, preserved in pristine condition by the cool, dry halls of the Citadel. Depicted within the large tapestry, which hangs from ceiling to floor, is a bloody scene of war. Mounts and Masters alike lay slain amongst crimson pools of blood soaking warmly into ivory snow. Steam flows from their wounds, creating a brilliantly embroidered fog of struggle and despair. Each consecutive wall is lined with massive shelves of white limestone. Every shelf holds a silver plaque in the center of its base, naming the categories of the many books and scrolls that lie soundly within. Torches of bound and dried branches are fixed onto the columns by elegantly forged iron fixtures. Blue flames fill the hall with clear, bright light. A brilliant mosaic of ivory and ebony seems to emanate from the center of the floor, flowing outward into a circular pattern of smoky hues that at first will deceive the eye. Two long reading tables, carved directly out of a mass of obsidian, run from the eastern end to the west. Silver lamps sit solemnly along the length of each table, hissing softly with the sounds of burning oil. On either side run large benches of oak, worn down by the passage of countless students and scholars alike. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see the following people here:
Caiti, Areka, Kwalu

You nod your head at Caiti.

The following members of the Syssin are in the realm:
Member         Rank                          Position       Class
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metagaming            Defender of the Inner Gate    Secretary      Syssin
Is          Archer                                       Syssin
a           Messenger                     Novice Aide    Syssin
no-no.          Runner                        Novice         Syssin

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Dashya has escaped Slaver's Isle and entered the realm of Aetolia.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

You tell Lady Areka Morrog, "Perhaps we could offer her some cosmetic surgery to remove it?"

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "I have an axe."

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "Hold the thing still and I'll take a swing."

You have emoted: "Something a little more surgical, perhaps?" Kwalu offers in a whisper.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Being careful not to poison yourself, you wipe off all the venoms from a needle-pointed dirk.

Frowning, Lady Areka Morrog says, "But it's a very nice axe."

You have emoted: "I'm very good with this, if you can steralize it," Kwalu whispers, holding up his dirk.

You cease to wield an iron-tipped whip in your left hand, securing it conveniently on your weaponbelt.

Areka's lips purse into a deeper frown as she looks between the dirk to her rum. "Let's fine some fire. I'm not wasting my booze on that." She emphasizes 'that' with a nod of her head towards the oddity of a vampire.

You think for a moment before nodding slowly at Areka.

Moving.

You dispel all illusion magics that were woven about yourself.

Attaining her fullest glory, the shining sun sits upon her throne at the apex of her daily trek through the firmament.

(Spinesreach): You say, "Could a fellow Spirian who can conjure fire come help us in the Archives for a surgical procedure?"

We go back. Why did we leave?

The Spirean Archives.
A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.
see the following people here:
Caiti, Areka, Kwalu

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

You say to Areka, "I think... we won't need to put her under, eithor. She seems to be senseless."

She is a healthy Atavian vampire and appears on the brink of womanhood.  She appears but young, thirteen or fourteen perhaps, though her poise and the beginnings of lines of her face suggest otherwise upon close inspection.  She has some weight to her, though she is not overweight and many would likely find her appealing nonetheless.  Her form is not particularly curvy, though she seems to have more than ample bosom, to go with her weight, perhaps.  Deep yellow eyes are set in her face, a most unusual feature, though they are sometimes shaded by her hip-length, coarse black hair.  She seems to carry herself with a wild sort of discipline, seeming to be carefree and wild, and at the same time deeply intellectual and calculating.  Large black wings loom over her, completing the image of dark regality, while a tail that is most unnatural to atavians - thick and segmented such as a scorpion's - trails behind her, though somehow it seems completely natural for her form. She is wearing:
a veined band of midnight blue stalactite
a secure brass keyring
a ring of swirling sand
a imbrued platinum iris and scintilily ring
a collar of domination
a opulent, black velvet longcoat
a Year 250 medallion
3 Hearts of Darkness ring
an exquisite starstone engagement ring
a simple onyx pack
a simple necklace with an angel pendant
a Year 250 ring

One wonders how she manages to stay upright.

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "Maybe a bit of curare mixed with some delphinium? To encourage the drousiness and make cuts less noticeable?"

You exclaim to Areka, "Ooh, good idea, miss!"

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

You have emoted: Kwalu begins spitting some venom on his dirk, carefully monitoring the levels.

You secrete a layer of curare onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You secrete a layer of delphinium onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You secrete a layer of curare onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You secrete a layer of delphinium onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You say, "Two layers each ought to do..."

Josephine has been bludgeoned to death by a Spellshaper Adept.

You have emoted: Kwalu blows on his dirk, drying the venoms into a rainbow sheen on the metal.

You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Mm. Maybe a syringe and inject it directly under her skin as well? An anesthesia."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Since I don't know enough about plants to brew one up."

You say to Areka, "The undead are partial to such methods, are they not?"

Areka nods her head emphatically.

Areka slowly walks around the oddity, chewing upon her lower lip as she contemplates. "We should probably restrain her, just to be safe." she adds.

You ask Areka, "You can bind, yes?"

Lady Areka Morrog says, "No, not as well as a Syssin. I have rope though."

Smiling appologetically, you say to Areka, "I had the method briefly, but the knowledge has faded from my mind with lord Severn's blessing."

Comprehension flashes across Areka's face.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Well. We'll just have to do the best we can."

You nod your head in agreement.

You say, "I'll ask Miss Tina if she could help with the conjured fire."

You ask, "She's a sorceress, right?"

You tell Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis, "Miss?"

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Wouldn't know."

Ashayth, the Roaming Savant purses her lips in thought, looking briefly around the room before scribing something in her notebook.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Mm. I wonder if she'll take offense to our willing assistance."

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

You have emoted: Waving that idea away, Kwalu exclaims "Of course not! Such a disfigurement can't be helpful to daily life."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I agree, although she does seem rather old, and has done nothing about it. Maybe it has sentimental value?"

Slightly nudging the vampire with her foot, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Though I also don't know many vampires that are particularly useful, so maybe it does not truly hinder."

have emoted: Looking upon Caiti with pity, Kwalu murmurs, "Why, the poor woman must have been ostracised her entire life".

Curiously, you ask Areka, "You don't think it's some syptom of undeath, do you?"

You ask, "Some sort of... mutation?"

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Hmm. We should ask Kaed."

Tina tells you, "Yes?"

You take a crimson red book entitled, "The notes of Kwalu et Beni" from a plain grey pack.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I don't know much of Undeath. It isn't my preference, and my mate may be of Bloodloch, but is living, an Azudim."

You have emoted: Kwalu begins scribbling notes in his book, occasionally glancing up at Caiti. "Fascinating," he mutters.

You tell Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis, "Miss, are you able to assist us in the removal of an unsightly tail from this poor atavian woman in the archives?"

You tell Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis, "We need someone who is able to conjure fire to steralize my dirk."

Tina tells you, "I think I can give you something to help with that."

You beam broadly.

You say, "Miss Tina says she is able to help us."

Tina tells you, "Though one of the city's laboratories might be better suited for that than a library."

You tell Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis, "That's a good point!!"

Nodding, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Good good. I am seeing if Kaed will join us as well, to ask about Undeath matters."

A beam of prismatic light suddenly shoots into the room.

Kaed suddenly appears, having travelled down the beam of prismatic light.

Kaed inclines his head politely to those around him.

A swirling portal of chaos opens, spits out an ethereal firelord, then vanishes.

An ethereal firelord begins to follow you.

You say, "Also... she suggests one of the cities' laboratories. A much better site for surgery than the Archives."

The Spirean Archives.

A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. The shimmering form of a soulmaster floats in the air. An ethereal firelord hovers here, wreathed in elemental flames. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis is here, shrouded. She wields a chipped bone dagger in her left hand and a runed shield in her right. Lady Areka Morrog is here. Kaed Auvryven is here. He wields an iron-tipped whip in his left hand and a tower shield in his right. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.

You grin mischievously at an ethereal firelord.

Areka nods to Kaed and Tina, then steps to the side so that the odd tailed Atavian is in full view.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says to you, "You can use him on loan, should be able to handle any fire stuff you want."

You say, "Yes, very nice... this will do."

You bow respectfully to Tina.

Breezily, you say, "I think I should be able to summon her to a laboratory. She's already senseless, so we need not put her under."

You ask Tina, "Care to guide us?"

Areka begins to follow you.

Tina tells you, "Sure, if you want."

You begin to follow Tina.

Kaed Auvryven asks Lady Areka Morrog, "What's going on, now?"

Tina nods her head emphatically.

You nod your head at Caiti.

You say to Kaed, "That woman has a mutation. We meed to perform cosmetic surgery on her."

Lady Areka Morrog says to Kaed Auvryven, "Well. I've never seen such a thing, and it can't possibly be useful. We're going to try to remove the...mutation."

You follow Tina to...

Bloody laboratory.
A large metal slab lies in the middle of this room, once used to examine patients and study the arts of medicine. In the middle of the table a small hole has been cut to allow proper bleeding of patients, and to enable the blood to be collected for further study. A number of medical instruments hang on the walls around the room within easy grasp. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground.
You see a single exit leading south.

You feel that you cannot focus on Caiti enough to summon her.

Tina nods her head emphatically.

You snap your fingers.
Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "This place is handy for procedures where there will be blood."

You frown and say, "Cloak tattoo."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Can you hypnotize her?"

Looking embarrased, you say, "I... have yet to begin learning much on hypnotism... I can try, but I will surely fail."


Lady Areka Morrog says, "Hmm. I don't know many who are so talented, let alone awake."

You tell Kaed Auvryven, "You are better versed with hypnotism, are you not?"

You say, "Perhaps miss Lyl or Villi could help us."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "I can force her to follow me."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "If she can walk."

Kaed tells you, "I am, however I am not fully here I am afraid."

You grin and nod at Tina.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Can't summon her cause of monoliths."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Alright then."

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "We should probably clear this with a Dhasan, as she has not..conesented, but also voiced no objections."

You give a pained sigh.

Wearily, you say, "Procedure should be followed... of course."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis asks, "Is the person a citizen?"

A deep, resonant note echoes from all throughout the corridors of the Citadel, creating a tremulous sound that seems to rattle the sky itself. In its wake, a chill wind bellows across the firmament, embracing the twilight of a new dusk.


Lady Areka Morrog says, "No, but may be considered a guest."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "I suppose safer to ask then.  Least you know where this is now."

You have emoted: Kwalu smiles and nods at Tina.

You say to Tina, "Thank you for your help, Miss Tina."

You cease to follow Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis.

The following citizens of Spinesreach are in the realm:
Citizen        Rank                     Position            Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Villi          Philosopher              Dhasan
Areka          Tutor                    Ambassador
Tina           Student
Kwalu          Layman
Kaed           Layman
Neytiri        Laywoman

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "Ma'am?"

Villi tells you, "Yes?"

Tina nods her head emphatically.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Any time."

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "Asking Dhasan Villi of it now."

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "There is a woman here in Spinesreach. An atavian woman with an unsightly mutation. Miss Areka and myself have taken it upon ourselves to give the poor woman the benefit of cosmetic surgery."

You struggle to stay awake as your eyelids shut repeatedly of their own accord.

You say, "Already talking to her."

You rub your eyes tiredly.

You remove 1 cohosh, bringing the total in the cache to 88.

Villi tells you, "What sort of mutation?"

You eat a black cohosh root.
You suddenly feel incapable of falling asleep.

Tina slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.


Tina utters a short incantation, her body slowly fading from sight. Only her laboured breathing warns you of her presence, and in seconds even this grows muffled and silent.

tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "She has an ugly, segmented tail."

You remove 1 kola, bringing the total in the cache to 91.
You eat a kola nut.
An instant feeling of excitement and edginess overcomes you.

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "Surely, the poor woman has been ostrisized her entire life... it would be a charity to remove it for her."

Villi tells you, "Very well. No objections from the city. Carry on."

The stars wink into existence, familiar constellations illuminating the night with tales of myth and legend.

You grin and nod.

You say, "Miss Villi approves."

Areka nods her head emphatically.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "If we cannot get her down here, maybe we can..orchestrate a workspace up there?"

You possess the following abilities in Subterfuge:
Signs                Knowledge of the secret hand language.
Hide                 Conceal yourself from view.
Illusion             Create an illusion of your choosing.
Warding              Pray to your comrades to protect you from harm.
Evade                Misleading your pursuer.
Shadow               Shadowing a target in order to track them.
Flay                 Flay the anti-venom sileris coatings from your enemies.
Waiting              Awaiting a target to be shadowed.
Pacing               The ability to anticipate and keep pace with others.
Recuperating         Heal your wounds in the safety of Spinesreach.
Scaling              Agily climb over an icewall.
Block                Obstructing departure with your body.
Swinging             Swinging up into the treetops.
Secret               Give someone an item without their knowledge.
Forge                Seal a letter with a fake sigil.
Shrugging            Shrug off the effects of certain venoms.
Scan                 Scanning the forest floor from the treetops.
Lightwall            Create a palpable wall of light.
Colours              Dye your arrows to categorize them.
Bowmanship           Use of the valued projectile weapon.
Seize                Grabbing unwary victims from the forest floor.
Shove                Sending a hapless victim crashing to the forest floor.
Garrote              Choke the life out of a target with your whip.
Shadowsight          Focus your vision on those hiding within the shadows.
Noose                Covert and deadly assassination from the trees.
Aiming               Increase your accuracy in shooting.
Listen               Detect action and conversations nearby.
Bowstance            Wield bows fluidly.
Dispel               Rid your environment of illusions.
Lipread              The ability to understand what is said while deaf.
Eavesdrop            Listen even through closed doors.
Slit                 Cut the throat of a helpless victim.
Wind                 Further increase your accuracy through wind compensation.
Echo                 Detect presences through wormholes.
Ghost                Give yourself a ghostly appearance.
Warp                 Open and enter a dimensional wormhole.
Seek                 Sense for dimensional wormholes.
Crossbows            A powerful projectile weapon.
Doublestab           Quickly administer two venoms to a target with your dirk.
Cloak                Hide your actions from others.
Dash                 Sprint in a particular direction.
Artifice             Double your illusions.
Resonance            Allow sounds to resonate through a distant wormhole.
Darkbows             Using the infamous darkbows of lore.
Appraise             Quickly measure your foe's offensive capability.
Splice               Create a dimensional wormhole.
Darkflood            Flood your location with magical darkness.
Channel              Hurl an object through a dimensional wormhole.
Binding              Hog-tie an unconscious or sleeping opponent.
Sources              Sense out all dimensional wormholes.
Garrotelock          Death by asphyxiation.
Weaving              Twist and dodge to avoid attacks.
Yank                 Use a whip to pull an opponent into your room.
Vortex               Suck an unwilling target into a wormhole.
Bedazzle             Distract your opponent into losing his thoughts.
Snipe                The ability to sharpshoot.
Cancel               Destroy a wormhole.
Phase                Alter your status in space-time itself.
Abduct               Abduct a victim into phase-time.
Type AB SUBTERFUGE <ability> to gain more information on an ability.

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I can bring in some wood and fit together a table to work on."

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "Could you help us move her to the laboratory?"

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "She can't be summoned, and she's quite insensiate at the moment. I lack the skill with my whip to move her myself, nor the skill to hypnotise her into following."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Like I said, I can bring her down if she can walk."

You nod your head at Tina.

Areka nods her head emphatically.

You say, "She can, I'm sure."

You begin to follow Tina.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "That would be ideal."

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis asks, "Who is it?"

You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Villi tells you, "Where would you like her?"

You struggle to stay awake as your eyelids shut repeatedly of their own accord.

You tell Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "The laboratory on the second level of the city."

Areka follows you to...

The Spirean Archives.

A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Ashayth, the Roaming Savant is here, her fingertips caressing the spine of a book. A cord of azure silk hangs down from the ceiling high above. The scroll being held by Habbak in the painting over the mantel gives off an inviting, cream-coloured light. Depicting visions of bloodshed, a painting of the Second Ankyrean War hangs here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. Leaning calmly on his staff, a Guardian of the Master Crystals stands here. Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth is here, giving off a truly ghastly stench. She wields a shadowy blade in her hands. Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor is here. She wields an iron-tipped whip in her left hand and a needle-pointed dirk in her right. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and west.
see the following people here:
Caiti, Tina, Villi, Areka, Kwalu

"Aha!" you exclaim.

"Heh heh heh," you chuckle.

You beckon Villi to you.

Villi snaps her fingers in front of Caiti.

Caiti appears confused for a moment.

Clapping his hands appreciatively, you say, "That's our Dhasen! Already on top of things!"

Villi begins to follow you.

Areka, Caiti, and Villi follow you to...
Bloody laboratory.

see the following people here:
Caiti, Tina, Villi, Areka, Kwalu

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Villi snaps her fingers in front of Caiti.

Caiti appears confused for a moment.
Caiti begins to follow you.

You have emoted: Kwalu extends a finger to Caiti's forehead, pushing her over and onto the table.

You have emoted: Kwalu dusts off his hands.

You mutter, "There we go..."

Being careful not to poison yourself, you wipe off all the venoms from a needle-pointed dirk.

The firelord is a creature sired in the very bowels of the sun, and exists only to give birth to more of that which raised it.  The precise form of the firelord itself is impossible to make out clearly due to the cascading rings of fire that serve as both clothing and armour, but you fancy you can make out a slight blackened figure at the centre.
An ethereal firelord does not look particularly dangerous.

Villi crosses her arms across her chest as she flicks her eyes over the scene, saying, "Not a very delicate operation, hmm?"

You ponder an ethereal firelord's profile, deep in consideration.

Areka moves to the other side of the table and helps guide Caiti back onto it, then gingerly shifts the female so that her back and tail are more exposed. "We'll need to move her wings out of the way," she muses.

You say to Villi, "Don't worry. I plan to be -very- careful and proper."

Lady Areka Morrog says to Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor, "Well, I did suggest use using my axe, make it quick, but he seems to think that it requires a bit more delicacy."

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

You struggle to stay awake as your eyelids shut repeatedly of their own accord.

Your exhausted mind can stay awake no longer, and you fall into a deep sleep.

You open your eyes and yawn mightily.
You have cured asleep.

You give a pained sigh.

You say, "Moment."

You slip away successfully and evade your pursuers.

Go sleep, come back, yadda.

You stretch languidly.

You nod your head emphatically.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 5th of Variach, year 340 of the Midnight Age.

A violent shriek of steam escapes from within the Citadel, streaming into the night sky and signalling the coming of midnight.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Villi "Snake Eyes" Selannor says, "Well, tails are generally an extension of the spinal cord, so some delicacy is appropriate, particularly when dealing with unknown anatomy."

The firelord is a creature sired in the very bowels of the sun, and exists only to give birth to more of that which raised it.  The precise form of the firelord itself is impossible to make out clearly due to the cascading rings of fire that serve as both clothing and armour, but you fancy you can make out a slight blackened figure at the centre.
An ethereal firelord does not look particularly dangerous.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Pursing her ruddy lips, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Yes, I suppose. However, it seems to be more of an exoskeleton, if like a scorpion's, so outer bone and inner muscle. Her spinal cord should not be tangled in it."

You have emoted: Kwalu considers his dirk for a long, pensive moment before holding it as close to the firelord's form as he is able.

You have emoted: Eyes watering, Kwalu withdraws his hand and quickly flips his dirk to the other before thrusting it towards the entity once more.

Villi nods her head emphatically.

Villi leaves to the south.

You have emoted: Satisfied, Kwalu quickly withdraws his hand again, stomping and hissing in pain as he shakes his singed hands out.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "The easiest method is likely to be working along where the plates meet her back."

She is a healthy Atavian vampire and appears on the brink of womanhood.  She appears but young, thirteen or fourteen perhaps, though her poise and the beginnings of lines of her face suggest otherwise upon close inspection.  She has some weight to her, though she is not overweight and many would likely find her appealing nonetheless.  Her form is not particularly curvy, though she seems to have more than ample bosom, to go with her weight, perhaps.  Deep yellow eyes are set in her face, a most unusual feature, though they are sometimes shaded by her hip-length, coarse black hair.  She seems to carry herself with a wild sort of discipline, seeming to be carefree and wild, and at the same time deeply intellectual and calculating.  Large black wings loom over her, completing the image of dark regality, while a tail that is most unnatural to atavians - thick and segmented such as a scorpion's - trails behind her, though somehow it seems completely natural for her form. She is wearing:
a veined band of midnight blue stalactite
a secure brass keyring
a ring of swirling sand
a imbrued platinum iris and scintilily ring
a collar of domination
a opulent, black velvet longcoat
a Year 250 medallion
3 Hearts of Darkness ring
an exquisite starstone engagement ring
a simple onyx pack
a simple necklace with an angel pendant
a Year 250 ring

Villi tells you, "Tell me how it goes."

You exclaim, "How lucky we are that she's essentially naked, save a longcoat!"

Areka peels back the Atavian's longcoat, giving a nod, and then pulls out a yard of cloth to use as a secondary covering. She frowns, trying not to gag as she positions it over more delicate places, clearly not things she wishes to be seeing.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

You have emoted: Kwalu spits some venoms onto his dirk, the mixtures hissing and rapidly cooling the metal.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

You secrete a layer of curare onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.


You secrete a layer of delphinium onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You secrete a layer of curare onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

You secrete a layer of delphinium onto a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand.

Deftly working materials together, Areka sews together a a crude cotton handkerchief.

Areka cuts out a rough square to work with, and begins to probe through the fabric, along the upper edge of the tail and where it meets the Atavian's back.

(Market): Victoria says, "Credits for sale."

You have emoted: Kwalu nods and takes a firm grasp on the abberant appendage and pulls it taunt, applying his dirk to the base of Caiti's spine, right above the coccyx. Delicatly, he pieces her skin, opening a slit down to Caiti's bone.

(Market): Villi says, "Seeking chess opponents and accepting wagers on games."

Frowning, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Be careful with the bone. I think it best to work along the muscle, and just pry along the edges here first. It is rather foreign."

Neytiri sprints in from the south.

Neytiri lopes south, with lustrous white fur.

Areka wads the handkerchief and dabs it along the opened wound, enough to keep it somewhat clean for view.

You have emoted: Sticking two fingers right on in, Kwalu gingerly pulls the opening wider. "Thank you... let's see..."

Areka repositions herself so that she can take a firmer hold of the appendage, keeping it taught and out of the way, to allow you better use of your hands.

A vibrant note echoes through the air, emanating from the central spire. Brief seconds later, a cold gust of wind bellows in, heralding the arrival of dawn's waking breath.

You have emoted: Kwalu begins to cut away at the meat surrounding Caiti's tail, working under the skin as much as he is able to delicately sever the muscliture padding the thing.

Riding her chariot of light, the great life-giver rises from her long sleep and shoots a timorous ray over the horizon.

You have emoted: "If I make an incision here... and cut around the base of the tail, that should give us just the right amount of skin to close the wound, eh?" Kwalu mutters, cutting up the tail and following his own advice as he speaks.

Tina lazily tosses the card to the ground, and a thin veil of golden motes rises up to cover her skin.

Areka cranes around so she can keep as good a watch on your progress as she can. Occasionally, she shifts the tail so that the muscle you works upon is relaxed, making it a bit easier to cut through. "What does it look like in there? Can you see if her spine continues through?" She nods as well, and adds, "Yes, and if we need to cautarize it, I think that should be easy enough."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I think you will need to be careful with nerve endings though, though those should be more central towards the core."

Jabbing at the appropriate points with his dirk as he speaks, you say, "Looks like her coccyx just... continues. I think we can cut at -this- ligament -here- without doing any real damage..."

Beads of sweat gather on your brow as you cautiously glance at Caiti.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "It's the bone you need to be careful of. Lower severing should be fine, but if her spinal cord continues through, we could paralyze her."

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

Braiza has been sliced apart by a menacing black rojalli.

You have emoted: "Let's see..." Kwalu murmers, working the tip of his dagger through a seam in the bone. When Caiti's back jerks and spasms, Kwalu quickly withdraws and nods. "You're right," he says. "Perhaps lower... about -here-... aha!"

The body of Serentius appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Serentius leaves to the south.

Areka re-uses her same wadded handkerchief to dab away any loose slime or fluids that may pump through the vampire's body, keeping the incisions as clean as she can. She frowns at the reaction to the probing of the dirk and quickly says, "Yes, will need to cauterize it, it will kill the nerve endings off as well. If the firelord can come closer, can use his assistance." With that, she tosses the handkerchief to the floor, and takes a swig of rum, for good measure.

Your need for sustenance is becoming serious. You must find food soon or you will begin to suffer harm.

You just received message #28 from Areka.

Message #28    Sent By: Areka           Received On: 8/15/2011/18:22
"OOC: Any chance you are logging this? Should probably pastebin at least a summary and send it to her so she can be aware of what went on while she was afk."

You nod your head emphatically.

You beckon an ethereal firelord to you.

You have emoted: As Kwalu whispers instructions to the firelord, the creature nods. "On my count, understand?".

Areka says, "Now, when you sever past the bone, he needs to directly apply the heat to keep it from jolting her. Burn off the nerve endings." She nods, and adjusts her grip on the tail to be both out of the way, and ready to pull it free once the remaining tissue and bone is severed.

You have emoted: Kwalu shifts his grip on the dirk, preparing to sever the bone completely. "One..."

You say, "Ready?"

You say, "...Two..."

You have emoted: Kwalu looks up at Areka for confirmation, the last digit hanging on his tongue.

Areka shifts her stance, muscles tensing as she listens to the count, breaths coming in time with it. "Go." she says.

You have emoted: "THREE!" Kwalu cries and jams the dirk into the cord of Caiti's tail, severing the final connection it had to her spine completely. Immidiatly, the firelord covers the wound with it's hand, the smell of burning meat and greasy smoke filling the room.

You exclaim to an ethereal firelord, "...Alright, that's enough!"

As the spine is severed, Areka lurches back and pulls the tail free, then discards it to the ground. She grabs her bottle of rum and takes a swig before spitting it upon the bared wound, adding an additional sterilization once the firelord distances itself from the table. "Good, good." she says, examining the opened back. "I think the skin will regrow if we bandage some poultice to her."

You have emoted: With an almost reluctant look, an ethereal firelord removes it's hand at Kwalu's command and rejoins Tina at the edge of the room.

You beam broadly.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Maybe some Orbis and Oculi."

Attaining her fullest glory, the shining sun sits upon her throne at the apex of her daily trek through the firmament.

You have emoted: "Well done, team," Kwalu says beaming at Areka and Tina. "My first surgery! And not a hitch!"

You clap your hands together merrily.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "She's a vampire.  Their bodies have a way of restoring themselves to how they were unless extreme measures are taken."

Tina slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Tina utters a short incantation, her body slowly fading from sight. Only her laboured breathing warns you of her presence, and in seconds even this grows muffled and silent.

Areka wipes her hands off on a fresh handkerchief, then offers one to you. Hands relatively clean, she proceeds to strip some bandages from a length of linen.

You ask Tina, "Do you think the mutation might grow back?"

Areka gives a crude cotton handkerchief to you.

Deftly working materials together, Areka sews together a a hastily fashioned linen bandage.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "If her blood has decided it should be part of her body.  It's why they don't age.  It restores everything to how it thinks the body's natural state should be."

Lady Areka Morrog says to Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis, "Any ideas on how to prevent it? Or at least retard its growth?"

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "Maybe some hepafarin to thin the blood, so it won't repair as quickly?"

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "I don't know.  You'd almost have to insert something foreign so it couldn't grow back."

You give a crude cotton handkerchief to Areka.

They would see: Kwalu wipes the blood and gore from his hands with a grateful nod to Areka before handing a crude cotton handkerchief back. Removing a dark green bandana, he mops his brow.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Or stunt it long enough the blood forgets about it."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "..something foreign..hmm."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I have a flame sigil we could sew in there."

"Oooo!" you enthuse.

You ask Tina, "What do you think?"

Tina shrugs helplessly.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "I'm not a doctor.  Might work."

You think for a moment before nodding slowly.

With a shrug, you say to Areka, "I'm willing to try it. Seems safe enough to me."

Areka gives a flame-shaped sigil to you.

You ponder a flame-shaped sigil's profile, deep in consideration.

You ponder Caiti's profile, deep in consideration.

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "We might need to shape the sigil a bit to get it to fit more naturally."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I think if we affixed it to the base of her spine where the incision was made, that might be best. Also close it off more."

You have emoted: "Good point," Kwalu agrees and begins whittling at the sigil with his dirk, working it into an elliptical shape.

Crafted into the stylized shape of a flame, this sigil is glowing a soft red.
It has 147 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Lady Kerryn Cardinalis-Arcan, Blood Maiden.

The sun begins her downward journey towards eventual sleep, casting even, full light upon the land.

Areka wiggles a finger against the woman's spine, giving an approving nod as the pressure and contact causes a leg to twitch. "Doesn't look like she's paralyzed, so that's good too." she adds.

Areka clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth, then begins to array a series of organ slices and begins to mince them into the bandage she had cut. She mixes together some lung, and squeezes a bit of bone marrow juice onto the mix. "Should at least help keep things as they are for now." she says, then steps back so you can affix the sigil. "Ready when you are."

You have emoted: "I wish we'd thought of this before we cauterized the wound," Kwalu sighs as he uses his dirk to reopen the incision. Taking a deep breath and holding it, he slips the sigil under the meat, placing it right on the nub where the tail used to protrude.

Your legs begin to tremble with weakness and you feel light-headed and dizzy. The thought of food looms foremost in your mind.

You say, "I'm... surprisingly hungry after all that."

Your mental equilibrium is disturbed by overpowering thoughts of food.

You execute a respectful bow.

"Be right back!" you cry.

Areka shrugs and begins to wrap the bandage around the woman's waist and hips, making certain that the segments with the organ pulp is pressed into the wound. She waits until you retracts your hand, then finishes with the binding, keeping it snug.

Your legs collapse from under you and consciousness leaves you as you pass out from extreme hunger.

Fail.

You regain consciousness with a start.

You stand up and run after some food

La-la-la, nothing to see here!

You give a pained sigh.

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "You alright?"

Smiling ruefully, you say, "Needs of the body, eh? That was... intense."

(Market): Mariena says, "Credits for sale at 4000 each! That is below average sale price! Go forth, give me your gold."


You cease to wield a needle-pointed dirk in your right hand, securing it conveniently on your weaponbelt.

Eyeing Caiti, Lady Areka Morrog says, "She seems fine enough. Going to unbind her."

You nod your head emphatically.

Areka begins a slow rotation around the table, using the edge of her waist-secured axe to sever the rope and let the woman rest more naturally against the table. "Should probably clean up a bit more though. At least wipe the table clean." she says as she cuts a fresh handkerchief.

You say, "That'd be the polite thing to do. No good leaving a messy laboratory behind, eh?"

A deep, resonant note echoes from all throughout the corridors of the Citadel, creating a tremulous sound that seems to rattle the sky itself. In its wake, a chill wind bellows across the firmament, embracing the twilight of a new dusk.

Areka begins to wipe the table down, edging around the woman carefully. "Yes. The scholars already lost their Institute, don't want to leave their few workspaces a mess." she says, spilling a bit of rum onto the metallic surface before continuing to wipe it clean.

You have emoted: The deed done, Kwalu prudently covers Caiti with her longcoat before working around her, assisting with the cleanup.

The body of Caiti appears in a flash and her soul descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Oh, awesome.

Caiti touches a cloak tattoo.

Caiti touches a mindseye tattoo.

Areka wrings out the square of cloth, once the table and space is clean, then moves to retrieve the tail. "What should we do with it?" she asks you.

You have emoted: Kwalu shrugs. "Give it to her as a keepsake once she wakes?"

You say, "Or burn the thing."

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "I trust there is a good reason I awake to a place other then where I rested."

You gag a bit as Caiti's stink wafts over you.

Areka coughs and lays the scorpion-like tail on the table beside Caiti, then slowly edges towards the southern exit.

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "If there is, the time would be now."

Areka murmurs to you, "I'll let you explain."

Beaming, you say to Caiti, "Welcome to your new life, my friend! We've removed your mutation for you."

The stars wink into existence, familiar constellations illuminating the night with tales of myth and legend.

You say to Caiti, "Now, you will want to rest easily for a few months. Give your body time to accept the sigil we emplanted at the base of the coccyx, and for the wound to finish healing completely."

You nod your head sagely.

Areka nods her head emphatically.

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

Caiti peers at a soulmaster suspiciously.

A grook girl enters from the south, dragging a rucksack behind her.

Neytiri arrives from the south.

Neytiri leaves to the south.

A grook girl, tugging on her rucksack, exits to the south.

Champion of Corruption, Tina Cardinalis says, "Well in short, you were find in a comatose state in the library, that lasted for a long time.  There were concerns about your health, and after a general consensus, it was found that your tail looked odd and a mutation and might be causing it.  So you were brought here, they removed it, and a flame sigil was planted under your skin in its place."

Areka nods her head at Tina.

You have emoted: The lab around Caiti is covered in blood. The table she rests on looks recently and sloppily cleaned. And there is a persistent burning sensation where her tail used to be. Kwalu's hands are still flecked with blood, and his face is split in an expression of joyful charity.

You smile with a wink and say to Caiti, "The flame sigil will keep the aberation from growing back, you see."

Sitting up, Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "No sigil no power of this plane could undo what is my pure and natural form, child."

Areka stands slightly to your side, though a bit closer to the exit than you may be. She seems both smug, pleased, and a sheepish, awkward, white-toothed grin remains fixed to her face, albeit occasionally hidden by the raising of her triangular bottle.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "There's nothing natural about that."

Areka tells you, "Poor thing must be so used to it that she's simply accepted it."

You nod your head affirmatively at Areka.

Areka tells you, "At least we tried. Maybe she likes being..well..I don't even know a word at this point in time."

Areka shrugs, then turns to you and says, "I'm starved. Want to go find some pies or kebabs or something? Lot of work."

You have emoted: Stepping gingerly towards Caiti, Kwalu places a hand on her shoulder. "I know change can be... difficult to accept. And you may have grown attached to that thing."

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 6th of Variach, year 340 of the Midnight Age.

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "Many would say the same of Father's blessing, Undeath, and they would be equally ignorant."

A violent shriek of steam escapes from within the Citadel, streaming into the night sky and signalling the coming of midnight.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "It's more natural than an Atavian with that...thing."

You nod your head in agreement.

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

You have emoted: His eyes watering, Kwalu covers his nose with a dark greed bandana. "Why don't you avail yourself of Spinesreach's fabled bathouse while you get used to your new, improved form, madam? Give yourself some time to think it over".

Areka nods her head emphatically.

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "This is not a philosophical debate.  This is you explaining in no uncertain terms why your life such as it is should not be forfeit for an assault upon my person."

You have emoted: Kwalu shares a look with Areka.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I figure if it was an assault upon your person, you would have objected."

You nod your head in agreement.

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "Gee, I wonder what I could be doing now."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "As it were, we discussed the matter thoroughly within your presence."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "And you were quite compliant with coming down here, and there was no objection or protest to when we prepped you for the removal."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Now. It was done with good will, and, while you now seem to not like the change, as you have said it is a 'natural part of your form', and miss Tina assured us that Vampires are able to restore their bodies of their own. A minor inconvenience, if you are so pressed."

Absent minded, you say, "You would, of course, need to remove the sigil first."

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "Yes that is true."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Thankfully for you, the wound is only recently tressed and such should not be a challenge."

Caiti glances to her hand with a flicker of an emotion, something between malice and a smile, as the ring of swirling sand slowly expands up her arm for a moment before suddenly snapping back to the form of the ring.


Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "Do not think to toy with me, child."

Areka raises an eyebrow questioningly.

You shrug helplessly at Areka.

You have emoted: "Irrational and suicidal aggression," Kwalu whispers to Areka. "I've heard this can happen sometimes after a life-changing event."

Areka nods her head emphatically.

Areka murmurs to you, "Let us give her some time to adjust alone."

You have emoted: Turning to Caiti, Kwalu bows and says, "We'll leave you to your thoughts, ma'am".

Areka begins to follow you.

Canonness Caiti Dar'sroth says, "Yes, I suggest you leave."

You toss a sparkling cloud of dust over yourself and as it settles you shimmer into invisibility.

You project a net of light about yourself until your image becomes faded and ghostly.

You toss a sparkling cloud of dust over Areka, who vanishes into invisibility as it settles over her.

Moving.

The Phoenix Roost Cafe.
A set of heavy double doors of dark oak lead into this pleasantly warm room. Upon entry, a long glass display case filled with a large variety of sweets and treats greets incoming visitors, attached to a long bar counter that runs across the southern side of the room. Behind the counter lies a long shelf that occupies most of the wall, containing numerous bottles filled with different types of alcohol. The atmosphere of the place appears inviting and relaxing, the walls painted a neutral, sandy yellow with the bottom halves covered with dark wooden paneling. The floor is covered entirely by square tiles of black marble with the exception of the area near the door where a small carpet has been laid overtop of the stone to prevent excess mud and dirt from being tracked into the establishment. Much of the floorspace has been filled with tables and chairs, though the seating areas closest to the walls have been outfitted with longer tables and couches to seat larger groups. The room remains lit at all times of day largely in thanks to glass-covered sconces mounted on the walls though up above, an iron chandelier bedecked with candles and light-scattering crystals aid in the endeavor as well. A large firplace occupying the northern wall provides much of the room's warmth, a roaring fire kept well-stoked and constantly fed by the pile of logs sitting next to it. Massive windows of paned glass sit within the east and west walls - on the east side the windows open up to the Citadel courtyard, while to the west, the view reveals part of the Tarean mountain range. A basic iron table is here, 6 basic iron chairs placed at it. Affixed to the wall is an iron liquor shelf. Glass cover gleaming, an iron display cabinet sits here. An obsidian podium stands here authoritatively. There are 3 rickety bar stools here. A Syssin defender waits nearby, her image flickering in and out. An obsidian, iron-grilled fireplace is here, a royal red couch placed at it. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A red and gold banner bearing a phoenix hangs here proudly. A set of red velvet curtains has been hung here. A granite-topped bar is here, a round serving tray of dark wood atop it. A tapestry hangs here, depicting a man being consumed by flames from the sky. You see a sign here instructing you that WARES is the command to see what is for sale.
You see exits leading east (open pine door) and down (closed pine door).
see the following people here:
Areka, Kwalu

You dispel all illusion magics that were woven about yourself.

You point a finger at Areka to dispel all her illusions.

You have emoted: Exausted, Kwalu collapses into a nearby couch.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Well that was..hmm. Strange. Would think she would have protested sooner."

You shrug helplessly at Areka.

Frowning, Lady Areka Morrog says, "Though I have heard that Vampires can be fickle and undecided like this."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "A plight of the Houses or somesuch."

Areka gets some gold sovereigns from a belt-hung pouch with subtle embroidery.

You think for a moment before nodding slowly.

Areka buys a roast beef sandwich.

Areka buys a cheese and bacon pie.

Areka puts some gold sovereigns in a belt-hung pouch with subtle embroidery.

Areka seats herself on an iron chair and sets her sandwich and pie out upon the table, eyes shifting from one to the other.

Lady Areka Morrog says to you, "All the same, you did good work."

A vibrant note echoes through the air, emanating from the central spire. Brief seconds later, a cold gust of wind bellows in, heralding the arrival of dawn's waking breath.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "I would not trust myself with such a procedure, not unless it were a vital matter. Takes too much concentration to be so precise."

Areka drains the last dregs of rum from a bottle.

Areka quickly devours a roast beef sandwich.

You have emoted: Kwalu gives Areka a weary smile and leans back into the couch, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

You have emoted: "And I managed with no medical training whatsoever," Kwalu whispers, a triumphant grin on his face.

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Don't often need medical training for things. Just a bit of logic and some patience."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "And to know a bit about the body, at least."

Lady Areka Morrog says, "Most of it's fairly...straight forward."

Areka shrugs helplessly.

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

You get 4111 gold sovereigns from a plain grey pack.

You pay 250 sovereigns and receive a heavy, hexagonal drinking glass with maple whiskey.

You put 3861 gold sovereigns in a plain grey pack.

You take a sip of whiskey, the strong alcohol burning your throat and filling your mouth with maple flavor.

Areka takes a long draught of rum.

You fold your hands casually behind your head and regard the world with a relaxed smile.