A Handful of Dust Session 61

[07:58.27] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 61 - Shining Runes - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU，
[07:59.36] <DM> So we begin.
[08:00.03] <DM> With a heavy hand on Repriever's shoulder, Dolomite force-marches him down the stairs, towards the exit, and the Reme's hangar.
[08:00.32] * Repriever goes without more conflict.
[08:01.57] <DM> The golden, glimmering shards of Tangent lie on the ground, shining in the reflection of the glowing runes upon the sphere's dark ceiling, winking in and out of reality.
[08:02.20] <DM> Before the silent panel of the Council of Wardens.
[08:02.52] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:03.31] <Thesis> "Our Reliquary is a place of sacred speech, not disrespect. A place of truth."
[08:03.58] <Thesis> "We will deliberate on your quest and render a judgment tomorrow, at dawn."
[08:04.46] <Thesis> "Regardless of the outcome, we will not interfere in the Key's current ownership, if Shala proves a wise custodian."
[08:04.57] <Thesis> "Nothing further."
[08:05.05] <Thesis> "You may go."
[08:05.16] * Shala hangs her head to hide what she's feeling
[08:06.11] * Kir silently fumes
[08:06.46] * Shala takes Kir's hand and leaves briskly, from where they came, anywhere she can speak freely
[08:06.58] <+Shala> "Let's go, before I say or do something I regret"
[08:07.00] * Shala whispers
[08:07.13] * Penumbra takes a breath and steps forward, announcing in a clear voice
[08:07.20] <+Penumbra> "I, Penumbra of Atrament, would like to address the Council  of the White Tower."
[08:07.32] * You are now known as DM
[08:07.39] <DM> The heads of the Wardens turn to each other.
[08:07.44] <DM> Some quiet conferring.
[08:08.18] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:08.32] <Thesis> "You may."
[08:08.41] <+Penumbra> "I offer an apology to the Council and to the Citadel for the words and actions of my comrade, Repriever."
[08:08.46] * You are now known as Dolomite
[08:08.59] * Penumbra looks up into the council, sitting on high
[08:09.04] * Dolomite stops marching Repriever, near the exit, allowing him a chance to hear Penumbra's speech from afar.
[08:09.11] * You are now known as DM
[08:09.16] * Repriever does so.
[08:09.47] <+Penumbra> "His disregard and disrespect for the ancient laws and traditions of your institution were truly... shocking."
[08:10.12] <+Penumbra> "I understand your actions were response to his own, and although I regret it has come to this..."
[08:10.25] * You are now known as Praxis
[08:10.27] * Penumbra she looks down towards the exit, but doesn't see Repriever in the distance
[08:10.31] <Praxis> "He bears a grudge."
[08:10.39] * You are now known as Gnosis
[08:11.04] <+Penumbra> "I respect them and accept them."
[08:11.05] * Penumbra nods
[08:11.56] * Penumbra 's voice shifts in tone, to one of sincerity
[08:11.57] <+Penumbra> "Before I continue, I wish to express gratitude towards the Council and the Citadel for your work in preserving the soul of Atris with the Seal of Atrament"
[08:12.45] <+Penumbra> "as well as that required for these Rings of Shadow Preservation gifted to Madei and Me for our visit."
[08:12.55] <+Penumbra> "I recognize each of these gifts represent intensive craftsmanship and care at the very boundaries of abjuration - and I am highly grateful to accept your aid. "
[08:13.16] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:13.32] * Kir follows Shala's pull
[08:13.44] <Thesis> "We did not wish to hurt you or the Madei creature."
[08:13.49] * Thesis 's tone softens slightly.
[08:14.04] * Penumbra smiles softly
[08:14.08] * Repriever feels a pang at the word creature.
[08:14.40] <+Penumbra> "Centuries ago, the sacred Laws that bound the Towers were upheld in trust by all."
[08:14.55] * Penumbra steps to the side as she continues
[08:15.06] * Penumbra her stance looks different, more authoritative
[08:15.31] <+Penumbra> " I have, as Count Palatine of the Katadei, worked with the Artadei of those times. I knew the Citadel then, as now, to be honorable and just, to hold great foresight,"
[08:15.53] <+Penumbra> "and to place their hope in upholding laws and institutions."
[08:16.01] * Penumbra looks up once more
[08:16.13] <+Penumbra> "For though individuals may die, disappear, or fade away, the institutions they built may withstand the test of time, and the laws they championed may bind societies for centuries to come."
[08:16.50] * Penumbra pauses a moment, then adds
[08:17.40] <+Penumbra> "I was in error, those centuries ago, in drawing the Katadei upon myself and my life and my death, instead of letting it live on, beyond me."
[08:18.10] <+Penumbra> "And today, we see..."
[08:18.13] * Penumbra looks down
[08:18.37] <+Penumbra> "...individuals make a mockery of these laws."
[08:19.17] <+Penumbra> "One of whom is Repriever. He has interrupted proceedings, threatened the opposing councilor, and drawn a naked blade after verballing assaulting the ideals of this very Citadel. "
[08:19.52] <+Penumbra> "Aggravated or not..."
[08:20.01] <+Penumbra> "These actions erode tradition and dismantle institutions."
[08:20.05] * Penumbra looks up and with conviction
[08:20.13] <+Penumbra> "These actions were wrong."
[08:20.46] <+Penumbra> "Honorable Councilors,"
[08:20.53] * Penumbra surveys the five sitting above her
[08:21.06] <+Penumbra> "I would ask you to reconsider the aggravation of Repriever."
[08:21.34] * Penumbra raises a hand, a finger
[08:21.52] <+Penumbra> "For today, there is another individual who has made a mockery of your laws -"
[08:22.04] <+Penumbra> "Velciter"
[08:22.22] * Penumbra 's hand and finger falls, like the blade of an executioner
[08:22.40] <+Penumbra> "He has called a trial with no intent of victory, but for the sole purpose of attacking Repriever’s psyche from a protected position."
[08:22.57] <+Penumbra> "Instead of seeking the law to pursue justice, he sought to turn your institution into nothing..."
[08:23.13] <+Penumbra> "...but a shield for his mockery of justice."
[08:23.48] * Penumbra puts her finger away, her other hand raising, outstretched, before her
[08:23.51] <+Penumbra> "Honorable Councilors,"
[08:24.01] <+Penumbra> "I would ask you to consider understanding Repriever’s outrage, as I have strove to understand yours."
[08:24.15] <+Penumbra> "For centuries he has hid from the world,"
[08:24.24] <+Penumbra> "for centuries he has hid with his Divine."
[08:24.56] <+Penumbra> "He has never sought out the Citadel... for he has died at the request of its last First Warden."
[08:25.14] <+Penumbra> "His journey with the Six begun, but he remained sure in avoiding the Tower of Towers. "
[08:25.22] * Penumbra clenches her hand, into a fist
[08:25.43] <+Penumbra> This changed when Azri Bel Azimel stole his his only constant companion for three centuries..."
[08:25.53] <+Penumbra> "His Goddess."
[08:26.21] * Penumbra swings her fist away
[08:26.37] <+Penumbra> "The so called “High Athtar” has taken everything from him "
[08:26.54] <+Penumbra> *softer* "except hope..."
[08:26.59] <+Penumbra> "to take her back."
[08:27.27] * Penumbra 's voice becomes less hollow and more flowing, lively
[08:27.30] <+Penumbra> "He accepted the offer given mere days ago in Tetraea - come to the Citadel, and live again."
[08:27.43] <+Penumbra> "He saw in the Citadel what it has always represented for centuries..."
[08:27.46] * Penumbra pauses
[08:28.08] <+Penumbra> "a hope of potential safety. Hope to recover and to rise against the challenges that faces him - "
[08:28.17] <+Penumbra> "nay, faces us all. "
[08:28.47] * Penumbra raises her hand, one a fist, the other outstretched
[08:28.50] * Thesis changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 61 - Shining Runes - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgnymT1TKLo，
[08:28.53] <+Penumbra> "Honorable Councilors..."
[08:29.07] * Penumbra raises the outstretched hand
[08:29.12] <+Penumbra> "I hope you can understand that this hope..."
[08:29.16] * Penumbra smashes it with the fist
[08:29.27] <+Penumbra> "was destroyed by Velciter’s ambush trial."
[08:29.45] * Penumbra lets both hands fall limp
[08:29.52] <+Penumbra> "And from the death of this hope..."
[08:30.03] <+Penumbra> "from the mouth of the conjuror... "
[08:30.22] * Penumbra pauses and looks at them with renewed focus, and interest
[08:30.24] <+Penumbra> "grew the rage misdirected so recently against your persons and your institution."
[08:31.12] <+Penumbra> "Honorable Councilors... that is all I wish to say for my apology."
[08:31.59] * You are now known as Praxis
[08:32.08] <Praxis> "Ho,"
[08:32.26] <Praxis> "So the Shrouded Knight is as noble as they say."
[08:32.45] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:33.03] <Thesis> "Count Penumbra of the Katadei, thank you."
[08:33.40] <Thesis> "We will give your words...and your leadership, however formed, the consideration it deserves."
[08:33.58] <Thesis> "Just one thing."
[08:34.30] <Thesis> "As far as the record states, the High Warden acted alone in his strategy for Azhedat."
[08:35.03] <Thesis> "We did not know until after Repriever was dead, what he had sacrificed."
[08:35.23] <Thesis> "And we did not know he lived until your appearance."
[08:35.52] <Thesis> "Had you come to us before, Repriever..."
[08:35.57] <Thesis> "We would have helped you."
[08:36.19] <Thesis> "But now."
[08:36.43] <Thesis> "Azri Bel Azimel holds two of the very Divines in the palm of his hand."
[08:37.13] <Thesis> "We have seen the barrier around the Isles."
[08:37.17] * Repriever listens from the far end, standing beside Dolomite.
[08:37.29] <Thesis> "He is mad."
[08:37.35] <Thesis> "And he has driven you half-mad."
[08:37.56] <Thesis> "In a war between madmen, the only winning strategy is not to fight."
[08:38.11] <Thesis> "Does he have the power to destroy all life itself, now?"
[08:38.25] <+Penumbra> "This is a greater war than between men, Thesis."
[08:38.36] <+Penumbra> "But of man's relationship to the divines."
[08:39.16] <+Penumbra> "I will never ask for suicide..."
[08:39.38] <+Penumbra> "But I will ask for conviction. In justice."
[08:40.19] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:40.33] <Parsimony> "Whatever our convictions, you have our admiration, Penumbra."
[08:40.45] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:41.28] <Thesis> "Our ancestors severed ties with the Black Tower for their abominations..."
[08:41.36] <Thesis> "And now their fruit, Apastron, may be our undoing."
[08:42.01] * Repriever speaks up.
[08:42.19] <+Repriever> "He does hold that power, to end all things."
[08:43.01] <+Repriever> "But he won't."
[08:43.02] * You are now known as Gnosis
[08:43.08] <Gnosis> "How do you know?"
[08:43.35] <+Repriever> "I'll kill him before he can."
[08:43.47] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:43.49] * Thesis sighs.
[08:44.30] <Thesis> "Thank you for your words."
[08:44.40] <+Repriever> "He is delusional, a mad-man, addicted to more than he understands. So long as the pieces that feed his addiction are in play, he won't end this world."
[08:45.14] <+Repriever> "It'll be his undoing."
[08:45.52] * Repriever looks to Dolomite, and sighs, then heads out of the building.
[08:45.57] <Thesis> "We must discuss, and decide, on this matter, as a tower. As an army."
[08:46.07] * Penumbra nods and accepts this
[08:46.25] <Thesis> "If you have need of anything, inform Dolomite."
[08:47.45] * You are now known as Praxis
[08:47.54] <Praxis> "Boy had a good speech."
[08:48.02] * You are now known as Gnosis
[08:48.05] <Gnosis> "You could understand it?"
[08:48.10] * You are now known as DM
[08:48.33] <DM> As the wardens discuss amongst themselves...and as you all walk to the thin line of light at the edge of the darkness of the Reliquary...
[08:48.36] <+Penumbra> [I guess we're all leaving?]
[08:48.47] <+Penumbra> [derp]
[08:49.07] <DM> There is a small, metallic rattle.
[08:49.19] <DM> And then it grows.
[08:49.39] <DM> The shards of Tangent, on the ground before the Wardens' dais...
[08:49.58] <DM> Begin to rattle.
[08:50.47] <DM> Praxis leaps onto the table and levels his sword at the shards, a shining shield of force humming into existence on his forearm.
[08:51.17] <DM> But they all, one by one, zip away from the shocked Council of Wardens...
[08:52.06] <DM> And begin to hover, in mid air, forming a glowing circle.
[08:52.15] <DM> Which begins to rotate, humming.
[08:52.32] <DM> And as this happens, the glowing runes of gold from the ceiling...
[08:52.41] <DM> Some of them seem to detach.
[08:53.09] <DM> And one by one, shining, flickering words of ancient Kasathic float into the center of the ring, a shifting dictionary of whispered alien language.
[08:53.19] <DM> And then the words are made flesh.
[08:53.32] <DM> The gold takes the shape of a human form.
[08:53.34] * Akvan readies some sort of action if this goes bad
[08:54.04] <DM> And the form gently, slowly, floats to the ground, in Her temple.
[08:54.19] <DM> And opens her multicolored eyes.
[08:54.38] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:54.40] * Melchior is now known as Mellakarta
[08:54.42] <+Mellakarta> �Karam sejo astejan.�
[08:54.54] * Thesis breathes
[08:55.00] <Thesis> "...Arta?"
[08:55.12] * Mellakarta takes a sidelong look.
[08:55.25] * You are now known as Fiduciary
[08:55.34] * Fiduciary , who has been silent, tries to stand and stumbles back into his chair.
[08:55.35] <+Mellakarta> "In more a manner than we should likely see in this age, yes."
[08:55.51] * You are now known as DM
[08:56.14] <DM> The Wardens' floating platform veritably crashes to the ground with a grinding of stone.
[08:56.41] * Mellakarta looks around to inspect her surroundings.
[08:56.44] <DM> And the five of them rush forward to prostrate themselves at her feet.
[08:56.55] <+Mellakarta> ?roll 1d20+6
[08:56.55] <%tBot> Mellakarta: 10 ([4] +6)
[08:56.59] <DM> Outside, in the frosty air, Dolomite turns.
[08:57.14] <DM> "God is here," he rumbles.
[08:57.21] <+Mellakarta> "That's not at all necesary. We are in the White Tower, are we not?"
[08:57.30] <DM> Looking back towards the Reliquary.
[08:57.38] * Repriever turns with the construct.
[08:57.50] * Repriever rushes back inside.
[08:57.52] * You are now known as Thesis
[08:57.58] <Thesis> "...we are..."
[08:58.00] * Mellakarta wears a worker's cloak and garb, but as she moves, highlights of gold are seen hidden in layers within.
[08:58.16] <Thesis> "Are you..."
[08:58.21] <Thesis> "Were you...the Akasha?"
[08:58.25] * Penumbra sees them turn, turns as well
[08:59.06] <+Shala> [im just going ot assume we came back in at some point :p ]
[08:59.11] <+Mellakarta> "By some accounts, yes."
[08:59.23] <+Repriever> [pretty sure you guys stopped at the exit]
[08:59.45] <+Mellakarta> "I traveled here with my friends, but found myself separated in time and space as we drew close to your citadel."
[08:59.58] * Thesis changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 61 - Shining Runes - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtYPnCsWzo，
[09:00.07] * Repriever clusters up with the rest of the party.
[09:00.44] * Thesis leaves small dots of tears on the black stone as he raises his head to gaze upon Mellakarta.
[09:00.53] <+Mellakarta> "I have been through a long journey, but now I am back. I am told that I am the world seeking to know itself."
[09:01.06] <Thesis> "Forgive us, divine..."
[09:01.15] <Thesis> "We did not know...of your true being."
[09:01.33] <+Mellakarta> "I know of nothing yet I've got to forgive."
[09:01.45] <+Mellakarta> "But I am just your guest, and I bid you consider me no greater or lesser than any other who comes before you."
[09:02.07] * Thesis rises to a kneeling position. And then slowly, stands.
[09:02.08] * Shala feels a shock of confusion, throwing water on her rage
[09:02.44] <Thesis> "You...became one with our wards..."
[09:02.51] <Thesis> "And they cast you back towards their source..."
[09:02.54] <Thesis> "In the past."
[09:03.03] <+Mellakarta> "That's what I suspected."
[09:03.45] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:03.50] <+Mellakarta> "I went back, far back, to the desolate ages after the Kasatha... and there I found a land I had once known."
[09:04.36] <+Mellakarta> "I found the essence, with the aid of a friend, and lifted from the earth the walls of Kesh."
[09:04.55] <+Mellakarta> "And now, I see... that it's all tied every one of us back to here."
[09:05.07] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:05.12] <Thesis> "Forgive us..."
[09:05.20] <Thesis> "We failed to protect your Essence."
[09:05.25] * Mellakarta smiles and shakes her head.
[09:05.35] <+Mellakarta> "Please!"
[09:06.14] <+Mellakarta> "I have found myself drawn to many places, but I have not known any of you in a manner that could have wronged me."
[09:06.30] * Repriever takes a few steps from the group, toward Mellakarta, considering the oddities from afar.
[09:06.38] * You are now known as Gnosis
[09:06.45] <Gnosis> "You are the magic that binds this place."
[09:07.05] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:07.07] <+Mellakarta> "My friends and I seek the essences, so that we might *protect* the world from those who seeks its domination of undoing, so that we may complete the ritual and make right the world upon which we tread."
[09:07.25] <Parsimony> "Lord Arta!"
[09:07.28] <+Mellakarta> "The magic that binds this place is far greater than just the woman who speaks to you."
[09:07.38] * Parsimony steps forward, then looking shocked by her impudence.
[09:07.58] <Parsimony> "Will...you lay hands upon us, and give us your blessing?"
[09:08.20] * You are now known as Fiduciary
[09:08.31] <Fiduciary> "That we might tell our children..."
[09:08.33] <+Mellakarta> "It has already been blessed, since long before I came to this place."
[09:09.09] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:09.12] <Parsimony> "We beg you."
[09:09.13] * Mellakarta takes another slow look around, spotting her party.
[09:09.53] * You are now known as DM
[09:10.04] <DM> The Wardens all ask you to bless them, imploring you even.
[09:10.13] <+Mellakarta> "How might I do such a thing? I know that Arta and I are bonded to one, but... I am just a human, born of man and woman."
[09:10.58] * Repriever speaks up at last, from a distance.
[09:11.00] <+Mellakarta> "But I will wish upon you all the strength and stalwartness for which the white tower has ever stood."
[09:11.17] <+Repriever> "Know what you are, and be it."
[09:11.31] <+Mellakarta> "We stand upon a rock in a storming sea."
[09:12.14] * Mellakarta feels a bit embarassed and put on the spot by the adulation.
[09:12.41] * Mellakarta heeds Repriever's words and sits down cross legged, feeling the floor beneath her.
[09:12.58] <+Repriever> <<Believe.>>
[09:13.11] <DM> The shards of Tangent still surround her, a circle of guiding lights.
[09:13.43] * Mellakarta reaches out into the strings tying to this place, and from her brown cloak pulls out a skull.
[09:14.18] * Repriever seems in awe himself, much soothed from earlier--perhaps from the presence of more than flame.
[09:15.34] * Mellakarta holds the skull on her lap, and reaches back, to see that connection, refresh it. The continuity of identity between Arta, her sister, her self.
[09:16.03] * Mellakarta feels the power coming through her, and allows it to wash over her.
[09:16.23] <DM> The Arta who was and the Arta who is now are coexistent, not a linear thread ending and another beginning...but like parallel lines, passing through time and space.
[09:16.45] <+Mellakarta> Not a confused knot... but rather, intricate knotwork.
[09:17.33] <DM> The shards of Tangent spin around Mellakarta, faster and faster, forming a blur, and then a great wave of golden light washes out from her, and over the Wardens, who are bathed in awe and holy power.
[09:19.40] <+Mellakarta> ?roll 5d6
[09:19.40] <%tBot> Mellakarta: 19 [6 5 3 3 2]
[09:20.07] <DM> You felt that power before, Repriever.
[09:20.13] <DM> When Aridai stood upon the field.
[09:20.18] <DM> And Penumbra, for that matter.
[09:20.55] * Repriever is bathed in Mel's radiation.
[09:21.22] <DM> Although Penumbra is insulated by her ring from its now-deadly (or undeadly) effects.
[09:21.48] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:22.07] <Thesis> "You are the living avatar of Arta..."
[09:22.32] <Thesis> "And this ritual is meant to secure your ascension."
[09:23.15] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:23.22] <Dolomite> "I'll die for that."
[09:23.46] * Mellakarta tightens her lips.
[09:23.51] <+Mellakarta> "I will not ask that of anyone."
[09:23.53] <Dolomite> The large, empty armored suit rumbles with conviction, its runework glowing bright gold in echo of Mellakarta's.
[09:24.12] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:24.20] <Praxis> "But it will be a War of the Towers, now."
[09:24.33] <Praxis> "And ours stands with you."
[09:24.34] <+Mellakarta> "It became such a war as soon as Azri seized a divine."
[09:24.56] * Mellakarta bows to the assembled, from her sitting position.
[09:24.59] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:25.06] <Dolomite> "He will not seize our divine."
[09:25.47] * Kir stays to the sidelines and watches these proceedings, interested
[09:25.58] * Mellakarta nods.
[09:26.13] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:26.24] <Thesis> "This is what we have been waiting for."
[09:26.29] <Thesis> "You..."
[09:26.33] * Repriever looks to Penumbra, who stands not far away.
[09:26.36] <Thesis> "Are our High Warden."
[09:26.50] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:26.52] <Dolomite> "No."
[09:26.55] <Dolomite> "First Warden."
[09:26.58] <+Akvan> [one sec, switching computers]
[09:27.10] * Akvan is now known as thomasberubeg
[09:27.20] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:27.22] <Thesis> "First Warden."
[09:27.26] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:27.31] <Praxis> "First Warden."
[09:27.37] * You are now known as Gnosis
[09:27.43] <Gnosis> "...First Warden."
[09:27.49] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:27.52] <Parsimony> "First Warden!"
[09:27.59] * You are now known as Fiduciary
[09:28.05] <Fiduciary> "First Warden."
[09:28.31] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:28.47] <Thesis> "I commit this tower to your ends, Arta."
[09:28.52] <Thesis> "We all do."
[09:29.07] <+Mellakarta> "Thank you."
[09:29.07] * Akvan (49ccc0c0@ircip2.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[09:29.20] * Thesis sets mode +v Akvan for #nesdnd
[09:29.30] <+Mellakarta> "Now, forgive me for asking, but I am not sure how much time has passed, and I don't know what has transpired with my party in my absence."
[09:29.37] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[09:29.39] * Repriever gives Penumbra a thankful look for the words she said.
[09:29.46] <+Mellakarta> "Would you forgive us a moment to confer?"
[09:30.05] <Thesis> "Of course!"
[09:30.15] <Thesis> "More than that, we will give you a tower for your personal use."
[09:30.43] * Repriever mumbles "suck ups" under his breath.
[09:30.55] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:31.03] <Praxis> "This will take some explaining to all our people."
[09:31.14] <Praxis> "If you'll leave us to it, First."
[09:31.30] <+Mellakarta> "What would you wish to tell them?"
[09:32.07] <Praxis> "...our God is alive, in human flesh, and commands us to serve the Ritual, as our ancestors did."
[09:32.45] <+Repriever> "That is unwise, Wardens."
[09:32.54] <+Mellakarta> "I do not command, but I do hope that we shall work towards the ritual."
[09:33.24] <+Mellakarta> "But I would defer to Repriever, for he knows more than any of us of how one might approach speaking of such things."
[09:33.38] * You are now known as DM
[09:33.50] <DM> The Wardens look absolutely dumbfounded at the idea of deferring to Repriever.
[09:34.19] * Penumbra nods in agreement
[09:34.22] <+Shala> [ayy what about me then lmao]
[09:34.24] * Mellakarta attempts to read the atmosphere of the room.
[09:34.34] * Repriever laughs, loudly.
[09:34.40] * Akvan is standing aside as these delibrations happen
[09:34.41] * Repriever can't not laugh.
[09:34.42] <DM> [you're the last elementalist, remember ;)]
[09:35.00] <DM> [the last hairbender]
[09:35.22] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:35.32] * Thesis maintains his composure
[09:35.37] * Repriever laughs at the absurdity of it all.
[09:35.46] * You are now known as DM
[09:35.56] <+Mellakarta> "I feel like I'm missing context here."
[09:36.14] <+Mellakarta> "Repriever, what's absurd here?"
[09:36.18] * Mellakarta says, more quietly.
[09:36.26] * Mellakarta looks to the rest of the group for a hint.
[09:36.31] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:36.50] <Thesis> "The Conjurers demanded a trial of Shala, for stealing the Key."
[09:37.07] <+Mellakarta> "Do you answer to the conjurers?"
[09:37.15] * Repriever slowly winnows his laugh down to a quiet chuckle, rubbing tears from his eyes.
[09:37.19] * Thesis shrinks into his armor.
[09:37.25] <+Shala> "Only this one, now"
[09:37.34] * Shala smiles, eyes aflame
[09:37.39] <Thesis> "No...no, but we have, ah, had...a treaty..."
[09:38.24] <Thesis> "And Azri...is Azri."
[09:38.56] <+Kir> "We won case"
[09:38.59] * Kir chuckles
[09:39.15] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:39.18] <Dolomite> "The boy spoke well."
[09:39.22] * Dolomite slaps Kir on the back.
[09:39.25] * You are now known as DM
[09:39.27] * Repriever rakes his hair, helm under his arm.
[09:39.29] <DM> Fort save, Kir.
[09:39.38] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:39.46] <Thesis> "Repriever grew angry...insulted our Tower..."
[09:39.53] <Thesis> "Things escalated."
[09:40.18] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+3
[09:40.18] <%tBot> Kir: 9 ([6] +3)
[09:40.19] * Repriever approaches Mellakarta casually.
[09:40.34] <+Mellakarta> "Much weighs on him."
[09:40.39] <Thesis> Failed, Kir. :p
[09:40.40] * Mellakarta has a sympathetic expression.
[09:40.49] <+Repriever> "I found your room empty, but I kept it from your women. How long were you gone?"
[09:41.04] * Kir stumbles forward a step, trying to regain balance, but ends up being thrown to the ground by the hit
[09:41.11] * Repriever speaks normally, the laughter seeming to have washed away some of his disappointment.
[09:41.13] <+Mellakarta> "He has been wounded in many ways, and we hope that you may help with some."
[09:41.16] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:41.17] <Dolomite> "Sorry."
[09:41.22] <+Kir> "GHAHhugh"
[09:41.23] * Dolomite offers a hand to help him up.
[09:41.24] * Mellakarta looks to Repriever and has a sudden thousand yard stare.
[09:41.33] <+Kir> "No problem"
[09:41.44] * Kir 's breath is knocked out
[09:41.46] * Mellakarta says quietly. "Maaaaaany years. I built a goddamned city and taught people to live in it."
[09:41.57] <+Repriever> "Hours, here."
[09:42.12] * Mellakarta takes a quick look back to make sure Kir's fine.
[09:42.30] <+Repriever> "Everything is in order. I'm glad you made it back to us."
[09:42.32] <+Mellakarta> "Well, that's for the best then. Started human civilization and got back in an afternoon."
[09:42.33] * Shala (chatzilla@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[09:42.49] * Repriever lowers his voice, "I wouldn't stand losing you too."
[09:42.50] <+Akvan> "Which civilization?"
[09:42.56] <+Akvan> "Which people?"
[09:43.03] <+Mellakarta> "Kesh."
[09:43.14] * Shala (chatzilla@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[09:43.17] <+Mellakarta> "I can speak of it in more detail later, if you'd like."
[09:43.26] <+Akvan> "Did you learn anything interesting?"
[09:43.38] <Dolomite> The ancient city that the sword spoke of.
[09:43.43] * You are now known as DM
[09:43.54] <Shala> "I quit trying to keep up a long time ago, M."
[09:44.00] <+Mellakarta> "I saw its rise, Ka Tar saw its fall."
[09:44.01] <Shala> [im asuming she's talking ot the party]
[09:44.06] <Shala> [disregard if not]
[09:44.18] <+Repriever> [she is]
[09:44.20] <+Mellakarta> "I'll catch you up on it too."
[09:44.29] * Mellakarta says to Shala.
[09:45.00] * Repriever looks sadly at the Wardens so recently awestruck.
[09:46.08] <+Repriever> "This information is vital to our survival as a species, to this world's survival. I didn't share it with you, or my companions, because some knowledge is too sacred."
[09:46.28] * Mellakarta turns her attention back to the assembled council.
[09:46.29] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:46.40] <Thesis> "But Arta reborn...this news would give the whole world hope."
[09:46.47] <+Repriever> "And our enemies a target."
[09:46.50] <+Mellakarta> "And grant fuel to our enemies."
[09:46.56] * Repriever nods to Mel.
[09:47.00] * Mellakarta speaks simultaneously with Repriever.
[09:47.41] <+Repriever> "You spoke as if you knew me, but in turn you know very little. But the Penumbra has spoken for me, and I won't cross her word."
[09:47.54] <Thesis> "We have to forge a coalition against...not just the Apastron, but the Conjurers..."
[09:48.11] <Thesis> "But if it is your will...our council will keep your identity secret."
[09:49.28] * Repriever allows Mel to decide her name's fate here.
[09:50.35] * Thesis sets mode +v Shala for #nesdnd
[09:50.55] <+Mellakarta> "If you believe that speaking of what has happened here will do good, then you should do so."
[09:51.44] <+Mellakarta> "Even if we kept silent, suspicions would doubtlessly point our foes towards our location, and I have already spent much time living under assumed names."
[09:52.09] <+Mellakarta> "Akasha, as you mentioned before."
[09:52.17] * Mellakarta nods, calling back something quite a bit earlier in the conversation.
[09:52.29] <Thesis> "Even if we announce you openly as Arta, your quest will continue under disguise, of course."
[09:52.49] <Thesis> "Nowhere is safe for you, now."
[09:53.01] <Thesis> "And if you die..."
[09:53.06] * You are now known as Dolomite
[09:53.09] <Dolomite> "Don't die."
[09:53.30] <+Mellakarta> "We've already been through things going wrong at least once."
[09:53.49] <+Repriever> "I won't let her die."
[09:54.47] <+Mellakarta> "I'll use my every ability to see that things do not go wrong once more, and I have alongside me a group of friends, each a mighty stalwart of our cause."
[09:55.48] <+Repriever> "I sent refugees here, where are they kept now?"
[09:56.02] * Akvan nods
[09:56.14] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:56.19] <+Repriever> "Consider our prior engagement forgiven."
[09:56.40] * Repriever means the drawn blades.
[09:56.45] <Praxis> "Put them in one of the old barracks, until we could furnish something else."
[09:56.49] * You are now known as Thesis
[09:56.54] <Thesis> "Our thanks, Repriever."
[09:56.58] * Thesis says, through tight lips.
[09:57.12] <+Repriever> "If that tower rat shows his face, kill him."
[09:58.01] <Thesis> "We will not ask your true name, and we do not expect it."
[09:58.34] <+Repriever> [mel's?]
[09:58.38] <Thesis> [yes]
[09:58.46] * You are now known as Praxis
[09:59.04] <Praxis> "Are we murdering insulting ambassadors now?"
[09:59.12] <Praxis> "Might as well do the lizard in as well."
[09:59.32] <Praxis> "Not you." [to Akvan]
[09:59.37] <Praxis> "The red one."
[09:59.39] <+Repriever> "He hasn't done anything to us. Yet."
[10:00.01] <+Repriever> "Much as you might expect it, I'm not cold blooded like it is."
[10:00.26] * You are now known as Thesis
[10:00.52] <+Mellakarta> "Killing ambassadors won't serve anyone's ends... and besides, that's not the kind of world we're hoping to build."
[10:00.56] <+Akvan> "Lets not murder anyone yet."
[10:01.24] <Thesis> "We felt the heavens tremble three months ago...when the flames fell from the sky."
[10:01.38] <Thesis> "Now the earth rises to meet it."
[10:01.39] * Shala shrugs
[10:01.47] <+Shala> [to akvan's words lol]
[10:01.57] <+Repriever> "That is not something we should discuss at the moment."
[10:02.43] <+Repriever> "Try getting used to one divine, then we'll talk of the others."
[10:03.03] <Thesis> "Very well."
[10:03.58] <+Repriever> "I locked your door," he says to Mel. "I hope you have a key."
[10:04.35] <+Mellakarta> "Shala's got one, we're good."
[10:04.59] <Thesis> "The Tower of the Elydians once held your kind...and it has a stone courtyard large enough for your ship."
[10:05.02] <+Mellakarta> "Uh... but in all seriousness my key was with my clothes, it's probably locked inside the room."
[10:05.23] <Thesis> "Dolomite will direct you."
[10:05.28] <+Repriever> "Your women think you overslept."
[10:05.41] <Thesis> "May we...withdraw, Arta?"
[10:06.02] <+Mellakarta> "By all means."
[10:06.30] * You are now known as Parsimony
[10:06.37] <Parsimony> "We're on your orders."
[10:06.48] <Parsimony> "And we'll give you what intelligence we can, if you seek our counsel."
[10:06.58] <+Repriever> "Try not to grovel, it's unbecoming."
[10:07.01] * Repriever sighs.
[10:07.15] <Parsimony> "Let me clarify."
[10:07.23] <Parsimony> "We're on her orders."
[10:07.57] <+Repriever> "Point of advice is all."
[10:08.03] * Repriever shrugs, but what does he know about divines.
[10:08.16] <+Mellakarta> "Thank you for your hospitality."
[10:08.31] <Parsimony> "All of this is yours, Akasha."
[10:08.34] * You are now known as Gnosis
[10:08.42] <Gnosis> "And in time, we will unlock its greatest secrets for you."
[10:09.06] * Repriever leaves them to rejoin the party.
[10:09.12] * You are now known as DM
[10:09.24] <+Mellakarta> "I suspect we'll be working together more than once in the future."
[10:09.36] <DM> The Council of Wardens withdraws to their (slightly damaged) obsidian platform, which hovers up back towards a distant alcove.
[10:09.39] * Mellakarta gives a small bow and wave of farewell, and departs with the party.
[10:10.15] * Shala departs without another consideration of the wardens
[10:10.39] <DM> Dolomite trundles alongside you, and walks you back outside towards your ship.
[10:11.01] <+Repriever> "You'd think they'd never seen a divine."
[10:11.06] * Repriever says lightly, almost joking.
[10:11.34] <+Mellakarta> "Not everyone's quite got your experience Ducky."
[10:11.49] <+Repriever> "They'd die of exhaustion with my experience, if that's how they act."
[10:11.57] * Repriever chuckles.
[10:12.01] <+Shala> "The never...the galll....I just...."
[10:12.04] * Shala mutters
[10:12.26] <+Repriever> "Your arrival saved us a lot of headaches, Akasha."
[10:12.28] <+Mellakarta> "It seems that you were having a somewhat more tense meeting before I arrived. I hope I didn't interrupt anything that shouldn't have been interrupted."
[10:12.32] <+Mellakarta> "Phew."
[10:12.46] * You are now known as Dolomite
[10:12.49] <Dolomite> "Interesting day."
[10:12.51] * Repriever flexes his now chilled out energy arm.
[10:13.30] <+Repriever> "I let the mancer get the better of me, and my temper. And they disrespected us all, in small ways."
[10:13.34] <+Shala> "They think they have jurisdiction over a ritual artifact. It's no wonder this civilization has decayed as it has!"
[10:13.53] <+Mellakarta> "It sounds like they felt cowed by Azri."
[10:13.57] <Dolomite> "I'm decaying right in front of you, Conjurer."
[10:14.00] <+Mellakarta> "Is that the case?"
[10:14.03] <+Repriever> "Nevermind what they said, you're under my protection," he says to Shala.
[10:14.17] * Mellakarta turns to Dolomite.
[10:14.35] <+Mellakarta> "If you don't mind me asking, are you soulbound armour?"
[10:14.52] <Dolomite> "I am, divine."
[10:15.17] * Shala nods to Repriever, absentmindedly
[10:15.20] <+Mellakarta> "Neat."
[10:15.22] <+Shala> [brb bathroom]
[10:15.37] <+Repriever> "Without the essence he'll eventually wither to nothing."
[10:15.40] <+Repriever> "Is that right?"
[10:15.44] <Dolomite> "It would be an honor to be worn by you in battle."
[10:15.55] <+Mellakarta> "I have encountered soulblades, but not animate armour."
[10:16.05] <+Mellakarta> "Were you human before?"
[10:16.11] <Dolomite> "Yes."
[10:16.13] <Dolomite> "And yes."
[10:16.16] <Dolomite> "But..."
[10:16.35] <Dolomite> "My lord Arta, you possess the same power as the Essence, if lesser."
[10:16.43] <Dolomite> "You could awaken many of my sleeping brothers and sisters..."
[10:16.50] <Dolomite> "Worn down for long eons, lacking power."
[10:17.13] * Repriever shows Dolomite his energy arm as an example of Arta's power.
[10:17.14] <+Mellakarta> "An army of the citadel... there is a great force of undead led by the Apastron..."
[10:17.19] <Dolomite> "We have Towers of them."
[10:17.30] <+Mellakarta> "A battle of souls without bodies fighting bodies without souls..."
[10:17.42] <+Mellakarta> "What grisly poetry."
[10:18.09] <Dolomite> "Fitting."
[10:18.13] <+Repriever> "Even from here I can sense the Black Tower. We'll need more than the numbers Parsimony spoke of."
[10:18.40] <+Mellakarta> "Every ally is a step in the right direction."
[10:18.46] <+Mellakarta> "We too may yet turn tides."
[10:18.49] <+Repriever> "Perhaps."
[10:19.16] * Mellakarta has a momentarily stupid grin on her face.
[10:19.17] * Mellakarta nods.
[10:19.18] <+Repriever> "Though the wardens continue to disrespect me, and my fallen friends."
[10:19.45] <+Repriever> "Don't confuse their surrender to your authority as friendship or trust."
[10:19.53] <+Mellakarta> "You'll have to fill me in. Do you have a history, or is this more new?"
[10:20.32] <+Repriever> "With these wardens? No history, but to them my history with the Citadel is unimportant."
[10:20.52] <+Repriever> "My sacrifice for the first Ritual, for Aridai, is only a disappointment in their eyes."
[10:21.13] <+Mellakarta> "How so?"
[10:21.14] <+Mellakarta> "In that the ritual was not a success?"
[10:21.15] <+Repriever> "Without you, they would've turned us away at the slightest provocation. And, well, mine wasn't so slight."
[10:21.20] <+Shala> [back]
[10:21.39] <+Mellakarta> "How many death threats did you make in my absence?"
[10:21.49] <+Repriever> "Considering Arta died, their champion died, and they lost Tangent to me... yeah."
[10:22.01] <+Repriever> "Only thousands."
[10:22.03] * Repriever smirks.
[10:22.16] <+Shala> "Millions"
[10:22.32] * Repriever accepts that.
[10:22.53] <+Shala> "I wanted to see the lizards first, let the record show."
[10:23.07] <Dolomite> "May I board your ship, to show you to your lodging."
[10:23.14] <+Repriever> "They had no desire to save the world, and it does show that, Sha."
[10:23.36] <+Mellakarta> "What lizards are here? Ssethkar?"
[10:23.46] * Dolomite says, as you re-enter the hangar.
[10:24.00] <+Repriever> "A representative for the Red."
[10:24.02] <Dolomite> Mellakarta, the hangar is filled with rows of long, shining golden isoceles triangles in what look like energy-charging pods.
[10:24.17] <+Repriever> "The father himself."
[10:24.34] <+Mellakarta> [ah, the infamous nachos]
[10:25.13] <+Repriever> "Had you not arrived so dramatically, I feel the Wardens would've let the world die to save their image as justices of ancient law."
[10:25.18] * Mellakarta observes their energy flows.
[10:25.21] <+Penumbra> "Is the new docking location also safe for the Reme from the wards?"
[10:25.38] <+Mellakarta> "Were they not willing to help restore you?"
[10:25.54] <+Repriever> "We never got that far. We were ambushed by a trial."
[10:25.55] <Dolomite> "There are five velcirath as well, and perhaps fifty ssethkar."
[10:26.06] <Dolomite> "Yes, Penumbra."
[10:26.24] <+Repriever> "I wasn't about to reveal you, or any of our secrets. Not for my own health."
[10:26.49] <+Repriever> "They tried to take the Key, and I would have fought them all to stop that."
[10:27.26] <+Mellakarta> "Oh boy. Well, I would like to believe their willingness to help to be genuine."
[10:27.37] <+Repriever> "It is a deep reverence."
[10:27.52] <+Repriever> "I doubt they'll cross you."
[10:27.54] * Penumbra nods
[10:28.05] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Clap on! , Clap off! Clap@#&$NO CARRIER)
[10:28.12] <Dolomite> "Now that we are within the walls, one of our magi will lift the ship using our energy."
[10:28.32] <Dolomite> "Much is controlled in this place from afar."
[10:28.59] * You are now known as DM
[10:29.01] * Repriever speaks softer.
[10:29.25] <+Repriever> "I need to be better about this. My anger won't save Her if I allow it to consume me."
[10:30.00] <+Repriever> "And that is exactly what Azri wants."
[10:30.18] * Penumbra places her hand on his shoulder
[10:30.24] <+Penumbra> "She isn't here. But we are."
[10:31.14] * Repriever embraces Penumbra now that we're away from the Wardens.
[10:31.18] <+Mellakarta> "We shall leave here strengthened, and hopefully with more allies who might aid the war with the Calcissi, and we can proceed in our quest for the essences."
[10:31.35] <+Repriever> "Thank you."
[10:31.39] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 61 - Shining Runes - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFbVhFlqt3k，
[10:32.01] <DM> Once you are all on board the Reme, Dolomite touches a fist to his chest and the ship is bathed in golden light, which gently rises out of the dock.
[10:32.23] <+Repriever> "It could take some time to heal my soul."
[10:32.27] * Repriever says a little while later.
[10:33.00] * Mellakarta nods.
[10:33.26] <DM> Mel, you can see the incredible panorama of the Citadel of Abjuration for the first time: Thousands of white towers of varying heights, vast bridges and parapets spanning them, along with frosted gardens and austere, bright courtyards, with occasional individuals gliding between the buildings, and a glacial river splashing down from one of the mountains through a guided watercourse before plunging down and away.
[10:33.59] <+Mellakarta> "...I never knew."
[10:34.04] <+Mellakarta> "I always just assumed it was one."
[10:34.19] <+Mellakarta> "It's a whole city... nah, a country."
[10:34.19] <DM> Behind you, the windowless marble sphere flanked by two tall identical towers and a large bridge: The Reliquary where you saw the Wardens just now.
[10:34.52] <+Repriever> "It's hauntingly quiet."
[10:35.01] <+Repriever> "There should be far more people here."
[10:35.01] <DM> None of them look up, as the Reme remains cloaked.
[10:35.36] * Mellakarta whistles.
[10:35.45] <+Shala> "It looks like one of our very fancy cemeteries...."
[10:35.57] <+Mellakarta> "/nick Melchior
[10:36.02] <+Repriever> "That's what it is."
[10:36.06] * Mellakarta is now known as Melchior
[10:36.16] <+Repriever> "A bone yard for lingering wardens."
[10:36.21] <+Melchior> "What's your tower like, Shala?"
[10:36.54] <+Shala> "It's...well, it's quite large."
[10:37.06] * Repriever leaves these two to their conversation, having things to attend below deck.
[10:37.40] <+Shala> "It is a mishmash enough, to defy simple explanation, but every possible imposition of architectural hierarchy is represented."
[10:37.47] * Shala rambles
[10:39.48] <+Melchior> "I never really saw much in the way of architecture that was still in use... in some ways it still feels like people living in museums..."
[10:40.00] <+Melchior> "But at the same time... I have seen a lot of it... just at different times."
[10:42.22] * Shala shrugs
[10:42.30] <+Shala> "We'll see it up close and personal soon"
[10:42.34] <+Shala> "You can compare notes!"
[10:42.48] * Melchior chuckles.
[10:43.11] <+Melchior> "You know... every time I go... I really miss you guys."
[10:43.50] <+Melchior> "I know it's only been part of a day for you. But I always feel bad knowing that you're somewhere I can't reach, and I don't know for how long."
[10:44.28] <+Melchior> "And sometimes, it gets very lonesome. I'm lucky that there was a bit of company where I appeared."
[10:44.43] <+Melchior> "But I'm glad to be back."
[10:45.36] * Shala sighs
[10:45.40] <+Shala> "It doesnt feel right without you"
[10:46.14] <+Melchior> "I'm glad I wasn't gone for too long. One of the biggest things I fear is that one day I just... never come back."
[10:46.22] <+Melchior> "I know there are other places I haven't been back to."
[10:46.27] <+Akvan> "we'd get you back."
[10:46.57] <+Melchior> "Maybe when I return to them, only a few hours will have passed."
[10:46.58] <DM> Until ascension.
[10:47.00] <+Melchior> "I'll need to find some sort of way to communicate."
[10:48.50] * Melchior ponders quietly.
[10:49.32] * Repriever seeks out Madei in the underbelly of the Reme.
[10:50.24] <DM> Madei is playing with some toys in the chapel, little shadow-dolls that Hin helped make for her.
[10:50.41] <+Shala> "Carcephon' technology?"
[10:50.51] <+Shala> "Whatever she uses...I wonder if it would suffice..."
[10:51.00] <DM> She has a little hut made out of black sticks. One of the Knights watches from the entryway.
[10:51.22] * Repriever sits with Madei, asking if he can join her for a while.
[10:51.23] * You are now known as Madei
[10:51.32] <Madei> "Hi, papa."
[10:51.40] <Madei> "Do you want to play pretends?"
[10:51.44] <+Melchior> "Carcephon's emissaries are party tricks."
[10:51.49] <+Repriever> "I do."
[10:51.54] <+Melchior> "Communicating across vast time is harder."
[10:51.58] * Repriever plays with Madei for a while.
[10:52.14] <Madei> "This is the part where...cow falls in love with the lady."
[10:52.20] <+Akvan> "you could leave notes in places you know we'll be."
[10:52.30] <Madei> "he says, lady, you are very special."
[10:52.34] <+Repriever> "Cow?"
[10:52.43] <Madei> "yeps, this one is cow."
[10:52.48] * Madei points to a little yarn spider.
[10:53.04] <+Repriever> "...and the Lady?"
[10:53.14] <Madei> "that's just the lady!"
[10:53.20] <Madei> "it's pretends."
[10:53.46] * You are now known as DM
[10:53.52] <+Melchior> "There's a thought Akvan."
[10:53.54] <DM> True, Akvan, unless she goes into the future.
[10:54.06] <+Melchior> "Though I'd have to be careful to not leave notes that we'd see too early."
[10:54.13] <+Melchior> "Although that'd explain a lot of weirdness that's happened."
[10:54.18] * Repriever plays along, now very curious about who these individuals are.
[10:54.51] <+Akvan> "It's also hard to guarantee the notes wil survive the test of time."
[10:55.40] <+Melchior> "Lethe is bound to me, so I can't really use her as an intermediary directly."
[10:55.57] <+Melchior> "Though I could potentially communicate through her agents and sacred places."
[11:00.49] <+Shala> "Mmhm"
[11:01.12] <+Shala> "Perhaps. Or perhaps the ones with best knowledge of this problem died centuries ago."
[11:01.27] <+Melchior> "Who would those be?"
[11:01.37] <DM> The Reme now glides in close to one of the towers, quite large, although not in proportion to the forest of others surrounding it. It has a distinct series of curved arches and long, slender columns that appear to be classic Elydian style, and is topped with a silver dome with pale blue accents.
[11:01.43] <+Shala> "The ancient ones Azri slew with his own hands."
[11:01.54] <+Shala> "They lived in a massive complex underneath the Conjuration Tower."
[11:02.00] * Shala looks at their incredulous faces
[11:02.05] <+Melchior> "What did they do?"
[11:02.06] <+Shala> "I told you, it's a BIG place!"
[11:02.26] <+Shala> "Well...experimented. With time and space, travel, materialization, that sort of...thing."
[11:03.34] <+Melchior> "I would have loved to learn more about that formally."
[11:03.38] <+Melchior> "Maybe I still will."
[11:03.51] <+Shala> "Do your jumps ever go backwards?"
[11:04.24] <+Shala> "You'll need to go...pretty far."
[11:04.27] * Shala thinks
[11:05.03] <+Shala> "Let's hope you won't! But drop a line if you do. Try not to become their god though, if you can."
[11:05.05] * Shala smiles
[11:05.18] <+Melchior> "If I would I already have."
[11:05.20] * Melchior winks.
[11:05.31] <+Melchior> "Well, I went back a few thousand in this last jump."
[11:05.44] <+Melchior> "It was after the Kasatha, but before the first cities... well, first human ones that I know of."
[11:06.14] <+Melchior> "The Kieli were from the time before, but they were driven out of their lands by a chilling climate."
[11:06.55] <DM> She jumped to a time before the Tower was founded...
[11:07.01] <DM> Although perhaps not the complex beneath it.
[11:07.11] <DM> Azri mentioned it being older than the tower itself.
[11:07.16] <+Melchior> "I followed the path they trod, and apparently built the city that later became known as Kesh, and ended up apparently being responsible for Arta's name, if not her existence."
[11:09.30] <+Melchior> "Mellakarta, Melek, Arta."
[11:11.33] <+Shala> "Many-armed...you truly have a talent."
[11:12.10] <+Melchior> "Or dumb luck, or I get talented later on and pull all of the weird cosmic strings to make this happen."
[11:12.27] <+Melchior> "Sometimes you just have to roll with a bunch of people kneeling before you and begging for blessings."
[11:12.48] <+Melchior> "...didn't know that I could channel though. That's new."
[11:15.24] <+Shala> "Well, I personally think it's rather unfair...as soon as I catch up to you in skill, you poof away and gain another dozen!"
[11:16.17] <+Melchior> "Shala, you can do stupendous things. When I hold that key, I can only use it like a hammer."
[11:16.30] <+Melchior> "You use it like a conductor."
[11:17.03] <+Melchior> "It's stupendous, and... honestly you're possibly the most impressive mage I've ever met."
[11:18.16] <+Shala> "Well, perhaps."
[11:18.18] * Shala shrugs
[11:18.28] <+Shala> "But you've managed to avoid death"
[11:18.41] * thomasberubeg is now known as thomasberubeg_
[11:19.04] <+Melchior> "I cheated it, just like you did, just like Repriever did."
[11:19.33] <+Shala> "In our line of work, it's the only way to play"
[11:19.50] <+Melchior> "Well, what's cheating but finding a new set of rules."
[11:20.25] <+Melchior> "Occultists are all about saying 'there are no rules, no schools, let's do whatever the hell we want."
[11:20.57] <+Shala> "Well, there's a danger to no attachments"
[11:21.05] <+Shala> "Almost as great as too many"
[11:21.08] * Shala sighs
[11:21.12] <+Melchior> "That's the purpose of these."
[11:21.16] * Melchior gestures to her implements.
[11:21.37] <+Melchior> "You seem down. Is something wrong, beyond what our hosts tried to do before I showed up?"
[11:21.46] * Akvan (49ccc0c0@ircip2.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[11:21.59] <+Shala> "That's the majority of it. The rest is too...bundled up, to think about individually."
[11:22.05] * thomasberubeg_ is now known as Akvan
[11:22.08] <+Shala> "Life has been a rush for a while now."
[11:22.15] <+Shala> "I think I need a meal."
[11:22.37] <+Akvan> "I could eat."
[11:22.39] <+Melchior> "I had a lot of time to think... but me too. I hadn't eaten for a while before I jumped, and I'm famished."
[11:22.47] * You are now known as Hin
[11:22.57] <Hin> "I can prepare a meal for you all. However, Repriever..."
[11:23.00] <+Kir> "I cook?"
[11:23.10] <Hin> "His people are here."
[11:23.14] * You are now known as DM
[11:23.44] <+Repriever> "We'll talk later, okay," he says to Madei as he gets up.
[11:24.16] * You are now known as Madei
[11:24.18] <+Repriever> [assuming he spoke to all of us]
[11:24.32] * Madei sits for a while, in silence, in the chapel, after Repriever leaves, thinking about things.
[11:24.45] <Madei> Then she starts to play with her toys again.
[11:24.48] * You are now known as DM
[11:25.01] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[11:25.19] <+Melchior> "Whose people are here?"
[11:25.32] * Kir secures himself in his room for a while
[11:25.34] <DM> "The Elydians of Tetraea."
[11:25.39] <DM> replies Hin.
[11:25.49] <+Melchior> "Ahh."
[11:26.07] <+Melchior> "Yes, perhaps you should see them, after you've eaten."
[11:26.24] * Repriever climbs the decks to the party.
[11:26.43] <DM> The Reme lands on an open eyrie-like court which is painted in faded Elydian frescoes.
[11:27.14] * Kir leaves and pokes around some hallways, looking for the talky people
[11:27.16] <+Repriever> "Glad you're feeling better."
[11:27.18] * Repriever winks at Mel.
[11:27.20] <+Kir> [where are they?]
[11:27.29] <DM> Tall, imperious portraits of Astara and various vanished figures, equestrian satraps and knights, moving through fruit trees of chipped paint.
[11:27.33] <+Repriever> [on the deck]
[11:28.08] * Repriever closes his eyes at the sight of the Astaran artwork.
[11:28.30] <DM> The Elydians are crowded in this open-air court within the tower, which the Reme has landed on, and they're right outside the ship, a bit too nervous to board.
[11:28.38] <DM> They are an interesting looking people.
[11:28.47] * Kir arrives on deck during the final approach
[11:29.09] * Kir uses message towards Mel
[11:29.20] <+Kir> "Kesh - before Bel?"
[11:29.29] <DM> Mostly dark of hair and eye, clad in sturdy trowsers, and flowing, heavy robes over the upper body. Men and women dress slightly differently, but fairly similar overall.
[11:29.46] <DM> Many of the men wear daggers or short swords strapped at their legs.
[11:29.49] * Kir sounds to Mel as if he whispered, but he is across the deck
[11:29.51] <DM> There are a lot of children as well.
[11:30.14] <DM> They are proud-looking, but afraid. Mostly shades of lavender and indigo, as well as dark blue.
[11:30.21] <DM> In their clothing.
[11:30.39] * Repriever descends the plank.
[11:30.42] <DM> All in all, there are perhaps seven hundred of them, crowded into this large space, belongings behind them.
[11:30.48] <DM> They look at Repriever.
[11:31.26] <+Repriever> "Welcome to your new sanctuary."
[11:32.09] <+Repriever> "Hopefully, this'll be temporary until other arrangements can be made. Have they treated you well here?"
[11:32.22] <DM> The crowd parts, and two lines of seven small boys slowly walk up to Repriever.
[11:32.34] <DM> Each of them hands him, silently, a sprig of white lavender.
[11:32.46] * Repriever takes them with a sad smile.
[11:32.48] <+Melchior> "Kesh was after Bel, I believe."
[11:32.55] * Melchior considers the timeline.
[11:33.01] <DM> That's correct, Mel.
[11:33.25] * Repriever puts them onto his armor for safe keeping.
[11:33.46] <+Repriever> "I'm sorry you had to leave your homes."
[11:33.59] <+Repriever> "But times are changing, and the world is not as it was."
[11:34.03] * Kir remains across the deck, with a finger pointed at Mel
[11:34.10] <+Kir> "Interesting"
[11:34.46] * Repriever is concerned no one is speaking back to him.
[11:35.01] <+Repriever> "You may speak, please. I need to know you."
[11:36.02] <DM> They continue to look at you, in silent awe.
[11:36.07] * Melchior messages Kir back.
[11:36.18] <+Melchior> "Wait, since when have you known message?"
[11:36.34] <+Repriever> "I am the Count Palatine of the Setadei-that-was, the Repriever of Calcis, and the Keeper of the Stars. But I am not your superior."
[11:36.41] <+Repriever> "I am your friend and companion in this journey."
[11:36.50] <+Kir> "Some reading mentions it.."
[11:36.56] <+Repriever> "If there is anything you need, merely ask."
[11:37.03] <+Kir> "And now I come on deck, and I want to ask..."
[11:37.11] <+Kir> "I do not know?"
[11:37.43] <DM> A man steps forward.
[11:37.45] <DM> He is old.
[11:38.18] <+Melchior> "Hmm."
[11:38.20] <DM> The oldest man in this crowd of Elydians. His eyes are completely covered in cataracts, rendering him blind, and he walks with a stick.
[11:38.24] * Repriever faces him.
[11:38.27] * Melchior ponders, then turns her attention to the old man.
[11:38.30] <DM> He slowly comes forwards to Repriever, then even closer.
[11:38.47] <DM> Then he reaches out to touch his face with his fingers.
[11:39.18] <DM> The stern men and sterner women all look on, silent, holding onto their children.
[11:39.25] * Repriever places his hand in turn on the old man's hands, and lays hands on him.
[11:39.36] <+Kir> "Shala told me, a while ago, how it feels to.. do magic"
[11:39.54] <+Kir> "I think, that now I understand"
[11:40.38] <+Repriever> "Stars above protect you."
[11:40.48] <+Melchior> "It's a... well, it's a skill, and for some it's a knack. But many people can be trained to do at least a little."
[11:42.41] <DM> The man stands straighter, and taller, and his eyes clear, rendering them clear and brown.
[11:43.04] <DM> "There are no words," he says, softly.
[11:43.07] * Repriever smiles back to the man, as his old eyes clear.
[11:43.12] <DM> "For what you are, to all of us."
[11:43.37] <+Repriever> "I am a friend, nothing more. Speak of what you need and it'll be done."
[11:43.58] <DM> "Elydia."
[11:44.09] <DM> "We are all that is left."
[11:44.27] <DM> "Of those millions."
[11:44.38] <+Kir> "Heh"
[11:44.41] <+Kir> "I hope so"
[11:44.48] <+Repriever> "And what would you have me do?"
[11:45.07] <+Kir> "They tell me, that my destiny - Bel"
[11:45.14] <+Kir> "Or Kallos"
[11:45.31] <+Kir> "So I suppose, to me necessary to cast"
[11:45.34] <+Melchior> "Both mighty figures."
[11:45.36] <+Kir> "Little bit"
[11:45.46] <DM> "Show us the way to the promised land."
[11:45.52] <DM> "Our forgotten country..."
[11:46.02] * Melchior quietly avoids being recognized as Malkara, if that is at all a likely thing.
[11:46.11] <DM> "We will die to restore it."
[11:46.36] <+Repriever> "A new Elydia and the clear night sky."
[11:46.57] <+Repriever> "All that is mine is yours."
[11:47.32] <DM> "And lo, there will come a time when the world is covered in darkness, and the great body of the faithful will pass away."
[11:48.06] <DM> "In that time a man will come to you to whom the stars speak, and he will restore Her everlasting glory."
[11:48.38] <DM> "You are the restorer of our destiny."
[11:48.51] * Repriever makes a small correction.
[11:48.56] <DM> The old man quotes scripture.
[11:49.06] <+Repriever> "Not one man, but Six."
[11:49.13] <+Repriever> "Allow me to introduce you to my companions."
[11:49.38] <+Repriever> "Though, I suspect you already know who they are. They stand for the stars as much as I do."
[11:49.53] <DM> The Elydians look to the others with guarded expressions. Both the men and women look sturdy and effective, not as tall as the Calcissi, but very solid.
[11:50.27] <+Repriever> "Akasha, come."
[11:50.38] * Repriever motions for Mel, and whoever else is waiting in the wings to step up.
[11:51.21] * Melchior follows.
[11:51.23] <+Repriever> "Elydia was not built by one man, neither shall the New Elydia be."
[11:51.48] * Repriever introduces Mel, then one by one the others. Though they should already know the names.
[11:52.00] * Melchior smiles and nods.
[11:52.52] * Kir looks out. He does not smile, but does not have a fierce expression
[11:53.10] <DM> "By the stars themselves, each of us have pledged ourselves to the Parhelion."
[11:53.25] <DM> "The Undying of Azhedat."
[11:53.46] <+Repriever> "We will go forward in unity."
[11:53.54] <DM> "Every man, woman, and child has scarred himself with his own blade, and made of it a testament to Her restoration."
[11:54.01] <DM> "None of us, will waver."
[11:54.23] <DM> "Ever."
[11:54.27] * Repriever glances over the gathered crowd.
[11:54.40] <DM> The coldness in the eyes of the Elydians gazes back at you. Even the children.
[11:54.58] <+Repriever> "For Elydia."
[11:55.26] * Kir tries to analyze whether this is a coldness of apprehension and uncertainty, or of resolve
[11:55.30] <DM> "For Astara," they echo.
[11:55.35] <DM> It's resolve, Kir.
[11:55.40] <DM> Intense resolve.
[11:56.03] * Repriever exhales in relief.
[11:56.05] <+Kir> [saleel al-sawarim, nasheed al-ughah....]
[11:57.00] <+Repriever> "Though we cannot see them, the stars ever shine. She will guide us as She always has, to a better tomorrow."
[11:57.19] <DM> "I am Jari Sharosai," says the old man whose sight you restored.
[11:57.57] <DM> "The keeper of the final holy books, and the Imperial chronicle."
[11:58.13] <+Repriever> "A priest?"
[11:58.19] <DM> He nods.
[11:58.49] <+Repriever> "I haven't spoken to one in a long time, Jari, but I feel we'll have plenty to discuss."
[11:59.11] <DM> "Neither have I."
[11:59.18] <DM> He smiles, slowly, creakily.
[11:59.23] <+Repriever> "Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's see that your new home is warm and welcome."
[12:00.57] * You are now known as Jari
[12:01.11] <Jari> "All of us are free, oh Undying."
[12:01.19] <Jari> "We chose to come here."
[12:01.28] <Jari> "And we will follow you of our own free will."
[12:01.49] <+Repriever> "There is no other way."
[12:01.55] <Jari> "Until our final darkness, we will fight."
[12:02.23] <+Repriever> "Until then... Shala!"
[12:02.30] * Jari draws a blade from under his robes, and holds it in the air.
[12:02.40] * Repriever barks out for Shala's attention.
[12:02.45] <Jari> All of the other Elydians do it, and hold it in the air.
[12:02.51] * Shala turns her head
[12:03.05] <+Shala> "What is it, Repriever?"
[12:03.08] <Jari> And then they all slowly start to sing.
[12:03.17] <+Repriever> "You're on kid duty," he whispers.
[12:03.35] * Shala grimaces
[12:03.39] <Jari> It isn't a song with any words.
[12:03.40] * Repriever turns back to the singing mass.
[12:03.44] <+Kir> [serious dune flashbacks]
[12:04.09] <Jari> Just a lilting old melody of the fields and rivers of Elydia, the bright sun and the shade beneath the palms.
[12:04.20] <Jari> It has had a thousand verses.
[12:04.29] <Jari> But all the places it describes are now buried under miles of ice.
[12:04.37] <Jari> But the hymn remains.
[12:04.56] <Jari> As you disembark from the Reme, a late spring snow begins to fall over the towers.
[12:05.00] <Jari> White, on white.
[12:05.11] <Jari> End session.