A Small Problem, Solved

"Shard, I find Myself possessed of a bit of a problem." murmurs a voice just over your shoulder. A hot,
acrid puff of smoke blows past your ear, but as you glance about, nobody seems to be smoking nearby.

You blink.

look

The Pool of Stars.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Meeting in the radiant heart of New Celest,
the broad city streets come together in a large, open plaza of marbled stone. Rising in the centre of
the plaza is a structure of noble and luminescent pillars which suspend a round, ring-shaped platform
twenty feet above the light-studded surface of the pool below. The atmosphere within the structure and
around the pool bristles with a warm, electrical energy, giving a slightly disorienting sense of
dizziness and euphoria. A gradually ascending stairway winds its way about the inside of the pillars,
leading towards the upper level of the structure and offering a bird's eye view of the pool. A lounger
sprawls here, hints of purple emerging from a weave of kelp green ribbons. An enormously wide circular
pool, as dark as the night sky, glitters softly between the columns. His form suffused with soft light,
the Keeper of the Pool of Stars stands here attentively. There are 15 cavaliers of the Light here.
There are 15 archons of Eternal Light here. An imposing sword of radiant white metal has been driven
deep into the ground in a silent statement of intent. A solstice stocking has been hung here. A mosaic
tiled chest stands here, ready to share donations given. A statue of Meleris, Keeper of the Pool of
Stars stands here, memorialising his noble spirit. There are 15 Kusalas of the Tahtetso here. A golden
retriever is here, panting quietly.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, and up
(open door).

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "Well, I might be able to provide some measure of
assistance, depending on the nature of this problem of Yours."

"You see...here I am, standing around in My fulcrux, sipping at something new, and I find Myself jabbed
in the toe by a needle. A needle bearing your mark." murmurs the voice, which seems to circle around
you as it speaks.

You ponder the situation.

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "I did, indeed, leave such a needle in Your fulcrux. I
wasn't expecting it to be an inconvenience..."

"Being somewhat of an opportunist, I picked it up and sharpened it a bit, stashing it away in My
headscarf. It seems I ground off whatever it was you had carved on it." murmurs the voice, which
coalesces into the form of Kalikai, the Crimson Eye.

Kalikai frowns at a sword-like needle.
look
The Pool of Stars.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Meeting in the radiant heart of New Celest,
the broad city streets come together in a large, open plaza of marbled stone. Rising in the centre of
the plaza is a structure of noble and luminescent pillars which suspend a round, ring-shaped platform
twenty feet above the light-studded surface of the pool below. The atmosphere within the structure and
around the pool bristles with a warm, electrical energy, giving a slightly disorienting sense of
dizziness and euphoria. A gradually ascending stairway winds its way about the inside of the pillars,
leading towards the upper level of the structure and offering a bird's eye view of the pool. A lounger
sprawls here, hints of purple emerging from a weave of kelp green ribbons. An enormously wide circular
pool, as dark as the night sky, glitters softly between the columns. His form suffused with soft light,
the Keeper of the Pool of Stars stands here attentively. There are 15 cavaliers of the Light here.
There are 15 archons of Eternal Light here. An imposing sword of radiant white metal has been driven
deep into the ground in a silent statement of intent. A solstice stocking has been hung here. A mosaic
tiled chest stands here, ready to share donations given. A statue of Meleris, Keeper of the Pool of
Stars stands here, memorialising his noble spirit. There are 15 Kusalas of the Tahtetso here. A golden
retriever is here, panting quietly. Kalikai, the Crimson Eye stands here casually, leaning against the
wall.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, and up
(open door).

Continuing the hunt for his dark mate, Father Sun presses forward in his journey, lowering himself in
the sky yet still casting even, full light upon the land.

Faragan, riding an exalted ivory and gold dragon, floats in from the up, spheres of dawn-kissed light
bobbing about him in a languid dance.
Arriving amid salubrious ivory light, an exalted dragon majestically strides in.
With life-like enthusiasm, a majestic sable husky trots in, its tongue lolled from one side of its
mouth.
Meleris, Keeper of the Pool of Stars bows his head reverently and traces a holy pentacle in the air
before Faragan, one point for each Supernal.
Meleris, Keeper of the Pool of Stars says, "Blessed be, Chosen One."

Faragan bows respectfully to Kalikai.

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "Well, if You like, I can re-engrave it... or I can just
tell You what it said, if You wish to do the work Yourself."

A wry smile spreads across Kalikai's face.

Kalikai removes a sword-like needle.

Kalikai gives a sword-like needle to you.

Kalikai nods Her head at Faragan.

You engrave a sword-like needle with the words, "For Solving Small Problems"

p needle

Made from polished steel and gold to resemble a tiny longsword, this
needle looks capable of piercing through most objects or body parts that
it might be applied to. The 'blade' of the needle is only sharpened
along the last third of its length, tapering down to a point that makes
producing differently sized holes with the same implement a matter of
simply pushing it further along. There is also a hilt made of gold,
complete with grip, crossguard, and tiny pommel, which have all been
given a rough texture to help prevent slippage.
Engraved on it are the words:
For Solving Small Problems
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It is a priceless item that cannot be traded.
It bears the distinctive mark of Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters.
It has the following aliases: needle.

You give a sword-like needle to Kalikai, the Crimson Eye.

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "There we are, freshly engraved."

Kalikai glances at the needle before nodding at you. "That was it. Thank you, shard."

Kalikai slips into a sword-like needle.


Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "If I ever find Myself in need of stabbing a very small, very dangerous
Half-Formed, I may yet use your gift."

A quiet kitten's mew sounds out nearby.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye has bestowed Her divine truefavour upon you. It will last for 7 months.

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Faragan, riding an exalted ivory and gold dragon, glides serenely to the up, the spheres of light about
him fluctuating brightly as they swirl about.
The ivory radiance is dimmed as an exalted dragon departs with majestic elegance.
Bounding out to the up, a majestic sable husky barks before departing.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye looks thoughtful and says, "Surely Mother created some sort of dangerous rat
or lizard."

Kalikai takes a long draught of whiskey.

Kalikai puts Her hands on Her hips and goes "Hmmm!"

Kalikai gives a war shrine of Terentia a respectful salute.

Threads of fiery aether coalesce around Kalikai, enshrouding Her form whole before bursting in an
explosion of jittery sparks and fading from view.

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "Personally I used to find Squibbles somewhat suspect,
but I doubt a Soulless hamster would have gotten drunk off of a single shot glass of Bloodshot."

You peer about yourself unscrupulously.

Backed by the sound of gentle waves, you say, "Well, I'm sure She heard me. Not like I was being
particularly quiet."