A Handful of Dust Session 48

[06:58.26] <DM> The invocation of Queen Tercis rings out across the airy audience chamber of Calcis' court, which seems to float miles above the countryside of the Isles.
[06:58.37] <DM> "Find Kallos Bellan. And bring him home."
[06:58.47] <DM> For a moment, there is a stunned silence from the crowd.
[06:59.16] <DM> And then, before you respond, a massive wave of cheering and applause breaks over you, as the Queen's quest is revealed to the people.
[06:59.37] * Akvan glances at Preev, perplexed and a bit concerned
[06:59.49] * Repriever sets his jaw, stealing a slow look at the audience.
[06:59.52] <DM> Nobles and commoners alike get to their feet, cheering and clapping at the obvious climax of her speech.
[07:00.07] * Shala sets a hand on her hip and furrows her brow
[07:00.29] * You are now known as Queen_Tercis_II
[07:00.38] * Repriever tips his head slightly for Shala or Penumbra, to lead the reply.
[07:00.38] * Tasham chews thoughtfully.
[07:00.47] <Queen_Tercis_II> "You need not answer now, friends, merely consider."
[07:01.20] <Queen_Tercis_II> "But for today, we would have all of the people of this Queendom celebrate the victory you have won."
[07:01.30] * Repriever squeezes the shield in his hand, balancing it on its edge on the floor.
[07:01.49] * Shala smiles and bows considerately
[07:02.23] <+Shala> "Thank you, your majesty."
[07:02.25] <Queen_Tercis_II> "For the people of Tetraea, there will be a feast in my gardens, and the doors of every temple in the city will be thrown open to distribute bread and wine to the poor."
[07:02.26] * Repriever looks down at the steps of the dais in what might be mistaken for a bow of his head.
[07:02.45] * Queen_Tercis_II gestures to the crowd, and lets their adoration wash over her with another round of applause.
[07:03.12] * Kir_Suhav gazes out upon the crowd and fingers the disk in a pocket
[07:03.17] * Kir_Suhav is now known as Kir
[07:03.43] <Queen_Tercis_II> "As for you all, would that you would join me personally, for a supper and a ball, in your honor."
[07:04.15] * Queen_Tercis_II stands, and begins to descend down the marble steps from her throne.
[07:04.36] <Queen_Tercis_II> "And tomorrow, a glorious parade, that all my Queendom might see the faces of their saviors."
[07:04.36] * Tasham (Iggy@184.151.231.152) Quit (Connection closed)
[07:04.42] * Iggy (Iggy@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:04.43] * Repriever stands straighter.
[07:04.49] * Queen_Tercis_II sets mode +v Iggy for #nesdnd
[07:05.32] * Queen_Tercis_II murmurs something at Plainchant's much taller, armored shoulder as she decends.
[07:05.35] * Penumbra accepts the applause gracefully and takes cues whether the Queen would walk though or along the assembled five to the tables
[07:05.38] * You are now known as Plainchant
[07:05.45] * Lord_Iggy (IceChat78@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:05.48] * Lord_Iggy is now known as Tash
[07:05.53] * Tash is now known as Tasham
[07:06.11] * Iggy (Iggy@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) Quit (Quit: Bye)
[07:06.17] <+Repriever> [settled?]
[07:06.25] <Tasham> [at home now, hello]
[07:06.33] * Tasham watches her compatriots.
[07:06.34] * Plainchant sets mode +v Tasham for #nesdnd
[07:06.50] <Plainchant> "Unless any shall object, this assembly of the people of Calcis is hereby dismissed!"
[07:06.58] * Plainchant calls out, her voice stern and magically amplified.
[07:06.59] * Repriever does not speak, as it is not a man's place to do so here.
[07:07.11] * You are now known as DM
[07:07.23] * Shala says nothing
[07:07.29] <DM> The crowd cries out various forms of no, in what is obviously a ceremonial nod to the Calcissi's old democratic roots.
[07:07.37] <+Penumbra> ?roll 1d20+6
[07:07.37] <%tBot> Penumbra: 25 ([19] +6)
[07:07.41] <+Penumbra> [sense motive on preev :3]
[07:07.54] <+Repriever> You sense great unease and sadness.
[07:07.56] * Kir stays silent, thinking
[07:08.05] <+Penumbra> [Ah, the usually, carry on]
[07:09.04] * You are now known as Plainchant
[07:09.09] <+Repriever> "So this is what we came for?" he whispers to the party.
[07:09.18] <Plainchant> "One final cheer for the Six of the Stars, and be dismissed!"
[07:09.30] * You are now known as DM
[07:09.37] <+Shala> "Apparently. Are any of your old friends actually dead?"
[07:09.48] <DM> The crowd obliges. "The Six of the Stars!"
[07:09.54] * Repriever tightens his grip on the shield's edge.
[07:10.03] <+Repriever> "Doesn't seem so."
[07:10.37] * Shala flips her hair in stylish appreciation of the crowd's attentions, though obviously a tad bit distracted
[07:10.43] <DM> The queen passes her guards, and moves quickly but gracefully down the steps, in a beautiful gown of blue and silver that looks like it might have cost an empire, woven of shining thread.
[07:11.05] <DM> The crystal crown on her brow looks quite familiar.
[07:11.33] <+Shala> [lol it's not the one from the story is it]
[07:11.37] <DM> As she descends to face level with you, you realize she's actually quite short, shorter than everyone except Tasham, who sits with Madei still, in the now milling and dispersing crowds.
[07:11.48] * Repriever instinctively steps aside so she may pass as she draws nearer.
[07:12.12] * Shala resists the urge to squat and make herself shorter
[07:12.17] <DM> [no, it's not, Shala, but you've seen Melchior holding the very same crown, or a copy of it]
[07:12.24] * You are now known as Queen_Tercis_II
[07:12.31] <+Shala> [phew, good :p ]
[07:13.10] <Queen_Tercis_II> Taller than all but Tasham's original form, I would clarify.
[07:13.16] <Queen_Tercis_II> Whoever that is.
[07:13.24] <+Tasham> [kek]
[07:13.27] * Queen_Tercis_II pauses, and looks up at Repriever.
[07:13.30] * Repriever averts his eyes to other things.
[07:13.55] * Queen_Tercis_II has her hair in dark ringlets, framing her face perfectly, and stares with enormous, bright blue eyes.
[07:14.13] <Queen_Tercis_II> "Will you let me take your arm?"
[07:14.16] * Queen_Tercis_II says, softly.
[07:14.37] <Queen_Tercis_II> "I'll take you to the banquet hall."
[07:14.40] <+Repriever> "As you command, your majesty."
[07:14.54] * Repriever replies as softly, and a bit raspy.
[07:15.17] <Queen_Tercis_II> "Please, Tercis."
[07:15.37] <Queen_Tercis_II> "Your bodyguard will be brought along shortly."
[07:15.37] * Repriever gives a single nod of understanding.
[07:15.46] * You are now known as Madei
[07:16.03] * Madei climbs on her chair to whisper in Mel's ear.
[07:16.12] <Madei> "are we going to the beefs now?"
[07:16.30] * Repriever radiates discomfort to those who know him.
[07:16.57] * Kir chills and quiets
[07:17.13] * You are now known as DM
[07:17.54] <DM> One of Plainchant's white-robed knights, rose emblazoned on her armor, quickly makes their way through the crowd to secure Tasham and Madei.
[07:17.57] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+16+1d6
[07:17.57] <%tBot> Tasham: 25 ([4] [5] +16)
[07:18.15] * You are now known as Queen_Tercis_II
[07:18.48] <Queen_Tercis_II> "Come, join me."
[07:19.05] <Queen_Tercis_II> "The wards are stronger in my private chambers."
[07:19.18] <Queen_Tercis_II> "You can speak freely."
[07:19.31] * Penumbra turns to leave as the Queen leads
[07:19.49] * Shala takes a deep breath
[07:20.03] * Repriever falters a single moment with a slight quake in his arm within Tercis'.
[07:20.14] * Queen_Tercis_II leads Repriever, and by extension the rest of you, to an area of empty space off to the side of the throne room, that appears to be empty air looking out over the distant purple mountains of the fading day.
[07:20.44] <Queen_Tercis_II> She grabs what appears to be a doorknob, and suddenly the empty air becomes a door into a dimly lit, golden hallway.
[07:21.12] <Queen_Tercis_II> Several white-robed guardsmen quietly and efficiently separating you from the dispersing crowd, Plainchant watching them.
[07:21.34] * Repriever is actually impressed at the illusions.
[07:21.43] * Penumbra senses if the interloper noticed their egress from the throne room
[07:21.57] <+Shala> "Social niceties, with my favorite people"
[07:21.58] <+Penumbra> ?roll 1d20+5
[07:21.58] <%tBot> Penumbra: 11 ([6] +5)
[07:22.20] * Shala scans the rooms as she enters them, feeling paranoid
[07:22.29] <+Repriever> "Everything tastes different when you come back."
[07:22.47] * Kir inspects the new surroundings
[07:22.49] <+Kir> perception
[07:22.56] <+Shala> "I'm counting on it"
[07:23.13] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+10
[07:23.13] <%tBot> Kir: 22 ([12] +10)
[07:23.36] <+Shala> "So, should I just lead with, "I've died and come back to life" whenever I am harassed tonight?"
[07:23.39] * Shala says nervously
[07:23.42] <+Kir> [sorry that should be 24]
[07:23.58] * Queen_Tercis_II herself, visibly relaxes as the door closes.
[07:24.00] * You are now known as DM
[07:24.02] <+Repriever> "Just remind them you're the most powerful mancer in town."
[07:24.09] <+Kir> "Funny way to introduce yourself"
[07:24.14] * Repriever tries to distract himself from the queen on his arm.
[07:24.22] <DM> Kir, you're in a hallway lined with gold brocade, and intricate geometric patterns on the walls.
[07:24.39] <DM> It seems to lead into an elegant sitting room beyond.
[07:25.13] <+Shala> [fwiw, ill be using diplo rolls to determine the uh...confidence of my dialogue with the conjurers :p ]
[07:25.29] <+Penumbra> [how long is THIS hallway ;)]
[07:26.09] * You are now known as Queen_Tercis_II
[07:26.21] <Queen_Tercis_II> "I'm sorry for that show."
[07:26.35] <Queen_Tercis_II> "The people need confidence that I know none of us feel."
[07:26.44] <Queen_Tercis_II> "But it's better if they think we do."
[07:27.09] <+Repriever> "A wise judgment."
[07:27.47] * Queen_Tercis_II squeezes Repriever's arm, slightly.
[07:28.00] <+Repriever> "Is there wine?"
[07:28.11] <Queen_Tercis_II> "There is always wine."
[07:28.26] <Queen_Tercis_II> "Do you wish to sit before we go on?"
[07:28.36] * Queen_Tercis_II sounds the model of polite concern.
[07:28.39] * Kir shrugs
[07:28.55] <+Repriever> "How many are in the rooms beyond?"
[07:29.27] <Queen_Tercis_II> She says this, as you enter the sitting room, which has several beautiful couches and divans made out of carved mahogany with golden cushions.
[07:29.35] * Repriever keeps his voice low and uncertain. It is oddly youthful and lacking confidence.
[07:29.38] <Queen_Tercis_II> A few elegant paintings of classic battles from the past hang on the walls.
[07:29.42] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+14+1d6
[07:29.42] <%tBot> Tasham: 32 ([16] [2] +14)
[07:30.25] <Queen_Tercis_II> "The banquet is intimate. Only the upper nobility, so perhaps fifty."
[07:30.42] <+Repriever> [do I recognize the battles in the art?]
[07:30.44] <+Shala> "Oh...so enough that we are expected to talk with all of them."
[07:30.46] <+Shala> " :/
[07:30.48] <+Shala> "
[07:31.02] <Queen_Tercis_II> "There will be...Plainchant, how many will there be at the ball?"
[07:31.10] * Queen_Tercis_II says, to Plainchant, who has been silently following.
[07:31.15] * You are now known as Plainchant
[07:31.21] <Plainchant> "Some hundreds, my queen."
[07:31.42] * Repriever sighs, but catches it before it drags on too long.
[07:32.43] <+Repriever> "Better than thousands."
[07:33.13] * You are now known as Tercis
[07:33.51] * Tercis takes a bottle of wine from a side table, and pours it into a few crystal glasses, then hands one to Repriever.
[07:34.04] <Tercis> "You're the Six."
[07:34.20] <Tercis> "You can do anything you want. You can tell my entire court to go to hell."
[07:34.27] * Repriever takes it cautiously, then sips at it.
[07:34.29] <Tercis> "Although I would prefer you not."
[07:34.33] <Tercis> "Anyone else?"
[07:34.37] * Tercis holds a wineglass.
[07:34.42] * Shala motions for one, eagerly
[07:34.53] * Penumbra with holds for now
[07:35.10] <Tercis> Repriever, they appear to be ancient, chariots and phalanxes. Not the battles of your time.
[07:35.16] <Tercis> In the artwork, that is.
[07:35.19] * Kir produces a hand
[07:35.22] * Repriever steps away when he has a moment of freedom to nurse his wine and look at the art.
[07:35.38] <Tercis> There is a woman, holding a khopesh that is oddly similar to the one Melchior carries.
[07:35.53] * Kir puts a hand on Repriever's shoulder and whispers something in his ear
[07:36.00] <Tercis> She wears a white and yellow veil, and holds fire in her other hand, urging her troops onward as they smash through a line of armored men.
[07:36.32] * Repriever nods at Kir's words.
[07:36.52] * Kir sees Repriever nod, meets his eyes with a heavy stare for a moment, then returns to the others
[07:36.57] * Repriever is not furtive in his glancing after Tasham when he sees the art.
[07:37.55] <Tercis> "You're all so very quiet."
[07:37.58] * Tercis says, almost sadly.
[07:38.10] * Tercis passes wine to Shala.
[07:38.28] <Tercis> "Have I failed to earn your trust so completely, then."
[07:38.46] <+Repriever> "Forgive me. I've spent a very long time in isolation."
[07:39.21] * Repriever smiles sadly, then drinks while moving on to other paintings.
[07:39.34] <Tercis> "This is all a show, you understand."
[07:39.34] <+Kir> "When you march and walk from place to place so long.. more time with yourself than others."
[07:39.43] <Tercis> "All of it."
[07:39.43] <+Akvan> "This is all too rich for my blood."
[07:39.50] <+Shala> "I'm just a bit nervous. The wine should help."
[07:40.06] <Tercis> "The city, the court...even the queendom."
[07:40.07] * Kir chuckles at this
[07:40.19] <+Kir> "Wine - like water"
[07:40.32] <+Repriever> "It's always been a show, radiance. How you direct it is all that matters."
[07:40.39] <+Kir> "Drink of royalty, of secluded folk, of show"
[07:40.51] <+Kir> "You want to build confidence you drink stronger things"
[07:40.56] * Tercis knocks back her wine and pours another glass.
[07:41.00] * Kir continues chuckling as he says this
[07:41.10] <+Shala> "Of mages who'd rather not blow up the Queen's ballroom in furious anger"
[07:41.17] <Tercis> "It's a puppet show, in particular. Did they have those under the ground, Kir?"
[07:41.37] <+Kir> "Puppet?"
[07:41.47] <Tercis> "A little doll, dancing on strings."
[07:41.57] <+Kir> "Hmm."
[07:42.17] <+Kir> "Childrens' games always running, exploring, some toys"
[07:42.25] <+Kir> "Groups and cliques and wars and states"
[07:42.27] * Penumbra narrows eyes in thought
[07:42.31] <+Penumbra> ?roll 1d20+6
[07:42.31] <%tBot> Penumbra: 19 ([13] +6)
[07:42.43] <Tercis> "And you know who are pulling the strings."
[07:42.53] * Tercis says, as she meets Shala's eyes, topping off her wine.
[07:42.53] <+Kir> "Nobles? Gods?"
[07:43.00] <Tercis> "Conjurers."
[07:43.03] * Kir follows the queen's gaze
[07:43.07] <+Repriever> "We had no emperor in the final days of Elydia. The masters decided it was better that way."
[07:43.12] <+Kir> "Mmm"
[07:43.14] * Shala makes scary hands
[07:43.21] * Repriever hears the mention of towers and quiets again.
[07:43.23] * Tercis laughs, for once.
[07:43.28] <Tercis> "Ah! How un-queenly."
[07:43.32] <+Kir> "Something stronger than wine?
[07:43.34] <+Kir> "
[07:43.35] <Tercis> "I know you aren't one of them, Shala."
[07:43.43] <Tercis> "At least, so Plainchant has told me."
[07:43.47] <Tercis> "And Martin."
[07:44.01] <+Shala> "Well, I am, is the problem. You can't leave quite so easily."
[07:44.37] <+Shala> "But I would be surprised if they have a grand plan for the Apastron anymore than the Queen does."
[07:44.39] * Repriever snerks into his wine.
[07:45.04] <Tercis> "I'm sure they mean to use him, as everything else."
[07:45.09] <+Kir> "Judging by one conjurer I meet"
[07:45.22] <+Kir> "They think they can use him, think they use him now"
[07:45.35] <+Kir> "Of course they do not, probably"
[07:45.39] <Tercis> "But you and I have the same master, Shala."
[07:45.54] <+Repriever> "They plan and plan, but eventually their luck runs out."
[07:46.02] <Tercis> "He holds our essence. Which means he holds Calcis."
[07:46.21] <Tercis> "Do you understand, now?"
[07:46.36] <Tercis> "We exist at their pleasure."
[07:46.42] * Repriever returns to pour himself more wine.
[07:46.55] <+Shala> "The world is awful, isnt it?"
[07:47.23] <+Shala> "Would that someone did something about it."
[07:47.27] * Shala swirls her wine in her glass
[07:47.32] * Tercis sits.
[07:47.39] <Tercis> "We actually do need to discuss this."
[07:47.48] <Tercis> "I heard of Hell's demands."
[07:48.08] <+Shala> [remind me, does Shala know them at this point?]
[07:48.15] * Repriever feels a lingering void throb in his heart.
[07:48.19] <Tercis> [I believe you were told]
[07:48.45] <+Shala> "Hell asks to move Heaven and Earth."
[07:49.12] <+Shala> "What's your concern specifically"
[07:49.23] <Tercis> "Three souls, two of them Conjurers."
[07:49.43] <+Shala> "What, you don't think I can do it?"
[07:49.54] * Repriever finally sits on his own divan.
[07:50.28] <+Repriever> "She wants something."
[07:50.32] <Tercis> "Murder your own master, the greatest mage to have ever lived, and the first to unify multiple Towers in over eight hundred years?"
[07:50.41] <Tercis> "Kill Azri Bel Azimel?"
[07:51.09] <+Shala> "It's really simpler when you don't think of all that"
[07:51.15] <Tercis> "Well, perhaps not ever lived...but one of the greatest."
[07:51.19] * Shala shies away a bit
[07:51.22] <Tercis> "I do wonder."
[07:51.33] <Tercis> "You're the only one who didn't promise to do it."
[07:51.40] <Tercis> "They promised it for you."
[07:51.46] <Tercis> "Including Maria."
[07:51.50] <+Repriever> "I don't wonder."
[07:51.56] <+Shala> "His path will inevitably conflict with ours"
[07:51.59] <+Penumbra> "In the end, people die."
[07:52.06] <Tercis> "Through her, I am tied up in this now."
[07:52.06] * Shala raises a dismissive hand
[07:52.35] <Tercis> "If the Conjurers even suspect we are plotting against them, they will level this place."
[07:52.54] <Tercis> "Win or lose, they need wave a hand and this entire palace comes crashing down."
[07:52.59] * Repriever motions for Tasham to come have a seat and some wine.
[07:53.02] <+Shala> "Well, who is going to give them reason to suspect?"
[07:53.37] * Tercis laughs.
[07:53.48] <Tercis> "You are obviously new to the world of keeping secrets."
[07:54.09] <Tercis> "I have to deal with the consequences of heroism, you see."
[07:54.15] <+Akvan> "Unless their towers come down first."
[07:54.27] * Repriever grins at that.
[07:54.30] <+Tasham> [wait, have I arrived yet?]
[07:54.36] <+Repriever> [you should be in here?]
[07:54.38] <Tercis> [not yet, Tasham, let me introduce you]
[07:54.44] * You are now known as DM
[07:54.49] <+Repriever> [oh, I thought she was brought in with us]
[07:54.56] <DM> Steelsong eventually walks down the hallway with Tasham and Madei.
[07:55.02] * You are now known as Steelsong
[07:55.14] <Steelsong> "Begging your pardon, I caught these two going the wrong way, with the commoners!"
[07:55.19] * Repriever now motions for Tasham to get some wine and sit on a divan.
[07:55.21] * Steelsong still looks slightly out of breath.
[07:55.28] <Steelsong> "Quite an effort to get 'em back. Your majesties."
[07:55.31] * Steelsong bows out.
[07:55.34] <+Tasham> "Aw shucks, it only seemed appropriate."
[07:55.39] * Tasham bows with Madei.
[07:55.46] * You are now known as Madei
[07:55.53] <Madei> "tanks, lady"
[07:55.54] * Kir takes a second glass of wine
[07:55.59] <+Kir> "Hello!"
[07:56.00] * Shala marvels at her commitment to the bit
[07:56.43] * You are now known as Tercis
[07:56.46] <+Repriever> "Not to speak against your country, but in Elydia the towers had no such sway. We took knees to no one."
[07:56.57] <+Penumbra> "Can you explain further, the relation between holding an essence and its goddess?"
[07:57.01] * Tercis purses her lips.
[07:57.04] * Repriever drinks as if to say, "what did we know?"
[07:57.23] * Tasham sees Repriever's gesture, and quietly walks to join the table near him.
[07:57.26] <Tercis> "Elydia, from what I have read, also did not challenge their dominance in matters arcane. Or any other matters."
[07:57.46] <Tercis> "But let me set that aside."
[07:58.06] <Tercis> "The existence of the Essences is a closely guarded secret."
[07:58.39] <+Repriever> "Very."
[07:58.55] <+Repriever> "I knew nothing of them until the Diviners told us."
[07:59.00] <Tercis> "But...from what I can understand, the majority of the power of the Divines was wrought into them by Bel."
[07:59.30] <+Repriever> "But things I don't know only kill me once..." he murmurs.
[07:59.49] <Tercis> "The Essences *are* the gods. Or at least, much of them."
[08:00.12] <Tercis> "To take a universal deity, and to tie it to one world, to one item..."
[08:00.23] <Tercis> "It is a terrible thing that Bel did."
[08:00.24] * Tasham pours herself some wine.
[08:00.34] <Tercis> "But it saved humanity, or so they say. Who knows."
[08:00.48] * Repriever clinks his glass on Tasham's, oozing melancholy.
[08:01.00] <Tercis> "But the point, great Lord Atris."
[08:01.23] * Tasham clinks it back and downs it.
[08:01.28] <Tercis> "Is that the god of the Essence is the complete and total puppet of its holder."
[08:01.34] <Tercis> "And we mortals?"
[08:01.40] <Tercis> "The ants crushed beneath their dancing feet."
[08:02.04] <Tercis> "This is what I live with; my rule is not my own."
[08:02.13] <Tercis> "And why I was helpless to save Pyleth."
[08:02.37] * Repriever makes a silent gesture to the opulent dressings.
[08:03.05] <+Shala> "The real puppetmasters have many arms"
[08:03.08] * Shala says idly
[08:03.11] <Tercis> "Calcis ruled simply. Her palace was not so grand in her time."
[08:03.18] <Tercis> "Or yours, Melkir."
[08:03.23] <Tercis> "Or either of yours.""
[08:03.29] * Tercis looks to Penumbra and Repriever.
[08:03.40] * Repriever shakes his head.
[08:03.42] <Tercis> "All gifts from the Conjurers, gifts I am unable to refuse."
[08:03.55] <+Repriever> "My palaces were ragged tents in the mud."
[08:04.03] * Tercis smiles.
[08:04.04] <+Repriever> "But you know all of that, as Plainchant does."
[08:04.13] <Tercis> "I would trade my life for yours."
[08:04.18] <Tercis> "At least you had freedom once."
[08:04.25] * Tercis smiles.
[08:04.31] <Tercis> "But we must do what we can with what we have."
[08:04.40] <+Repriever> "Once..."
[08:04.44] * Tasham looks around at the surroundings, then back to Repriever, mouthing 'do I keep the disguise then?'
[08:05.13] * Repriever smiles half-heartedly after Astara's invisible flutterings.
[08:05.51] * Repriever shrugs to Tasham, but she knows his answer is the one of least deception.
[08:05.54] <Tercis> "It is a sad base of support that I offer you."
[08:06.02] <Tercis> "Infiltrated by the dead, under the thumb of the Towers."
[08:06.18] <Tercis> "Obviously I hope you can aid me in removing these influences, but I do not want my people to get killed in the process."
[08:06.31] <+Penumbra> "... Does the holder control all action, or are they guided, coralled, to the holder's desired actions?"
[08:06.55] <Tercis> "I have never seen him compel Calcis myself."
[08:07.08] <Tercis> "Azri, or the Athtars who held the jewel before him."
[08:08.00] <Tercis> "I believe that the divines can still carry out free actions, as I have seen Calcis use her power without them."
[08:08.12] <+Repriever> "It's impossible to chain a lioness without getting bit."
[08:08.36] <Tercis> "The Essences are immense weapons, and powerful tools, but they are reins."
[08:09.02] <Tercis> "The holder is immune to the power of that goddess, and he can control her as tightly or loosely as he pleases."
[08:09.11] <Tercis> "They are...difficult to control, however. As you say."
[08:09.28] <Tercis> "It takes an immense and iron will. They are known to destroy their masters."
[08:09.42] * Repriever actually grins at that.
[08:10.04] <Tercis> "And then there is the matter of this Key."
[08:10.27] * Shala grips it at a mention
[08:10.37] <Tercis> "I want you to be able to neutralize Azri and take his Essence, of course. Or negotiate it away from him."
[08:10.48] <Tercis> "Although that will be more difficult...if he is to be killed."
[08:11.11] <Tercis> "The Key was made, designed, to rule all other Essences."
[08:11.26] <Tercis> "It is possible, Shala, that you could defeat him with it."
[08:11.33] <Tercis> "But he held it before you."
[08:11.43] <Tercis> "You might lose. And we all lose, everything."
[08:12.16] <Tercis> "This is the true reason I asked you to find Kallos."
[08:12.28] * Repriever drinks down the rest of his wine.
[08:12.45] * Tasham pours Repriever some more wine.
[08:12.46] <Tercis> "It's another gamble. Perhaps even worse."
[08:13.02] <+Penumbra> "I don't believe we would be forced into an act we won't be able to accomplish. But we must accomplish them in the end."
[08:13.31] <+Shala> "Why ARE we bothering with Kallos? Because seven is better than six?"
[08:13.52] <Tercis> "Because he's the only mage strong enough to defy the Towers."
[08:13.57] <Tercis> "Do you understand that Key?"
[08:14.04] <Tercis> "How to use it?"
[08:14.07] <+Tasham> "Allies ain't easy to come by, it's worth a shot."
[08:14.13] <+Repriever> "Because he is better than us, of course."
[08:14.24] <Tercis> "Will you beat Azri with it, or will he beat you?"
[08:14.31] <Tercis> "If the duel were held today, who would win?"
[08:14.32] <+Shala> "I've been defying the Towers by my mere existence, I'll have you know"
[08:14.34] * Shala shrugs
[08:14.45] <+Shala> "Impossible to say how our confrontation will sort out."
[08:14.45] <Tercis> "Tell me the truth, Shala Tell Ashara."
[08:14.54] <Tercis> "My people's lives depend on the outcome."
[08:15.08] <Tercis> "Would you win, or not?"
[08:15.20] <+Shala> "There are things you don't know about him, spices in the soup that complicate things."
[08:15.25] <+Shala> "Today? Not a chance."
[08:15.39] <+Shala> "But I would last longer than I would have a month ago!"
[08:15.44] * Tercis smiles.
[08:15.48] <Tercis> "I appreciate your spirit."
[08:15.55] <Tercis> "But a hard-fought loss is just as bad as a quick one."
[08:16.10] <Tercis> "Kallos helped us. Helped build this place."
[08:16.19] <Tercis> "And I know for a fact that he hated the Towers."
[08:16.40] <+Kir> "What did he build, of this city?"
[08:16.49] <Tercis> "You need his Essence, anyway."
[08:17.02] <Tercis> "There were once...machines, carriages that moved without horses."
[08:17.06] * Repriever smiles at Madei, then drinks, then stares at his feet.
[08:17.10] <Tercis> "They are long since broken."
[08:17.21] <Tercis> "There were ships that moved without sail."
[08:17.22] <+Kir> "Sounds like home"
[08:17.25] * Kir chuckles
[08:17.46] <+Kir> "But truly, what did he build in this city?"
[08:18.06] <+Kir> "Which towers, which statues?"
[08:18.10] <Tercis> "His greatest contribution was the glass gardens, which feed us even now."
[08:18.10] <+Kir> "Which sewers?"
[08:18.40] <Tercis> "The great statue of Calcis in the harbor is his, as is the Exchange, once his workshop."
[08:18.45] <Tercis> "And much else."
[08:19.04] <+Kir> "Exchange?"
[08:19.14] <Tercis> "It's a market, now."
[08:19.21] <Tercis> "The great egg by the sea."
[08:19.25] <+Kir> "What was it?"
[08:19.37] <Tercis> "A workshop, as I said."
[08:19.42] <Tercis> "He would repair parts of the titans there."
[08:19.53] <+Kir> "Hmm.'
[08:20.05] <Tercis> "When he left, he took much. And what we were left with, we did not understand well."
[08:20.13] <+Kir> "Any books left?"
[08:20.23] <+Kir> "Guides, texts, what have you"
[08:20.34] <Tercis> "We once had some..."
[08:20.56] <Tercis> "But...his agents, removed most of them."
[08:21.02] <+Kir> "You say most"
[08:21.23] <Tercis> "There are still a few texts, but mostly simple works of engineering and mathematics."
[08:21.47] <+Kir> "Hmm'
[08:22.00] <+Kir> "Kallosi agents - common?"
[08:22.17] <Tercis> "No."
[08:22.36] <Tercis> "A few confirmed sightings, over decades."
[08:23.06] <Tercis> "As for Kallos..."
[08:23.15] <Tercis> "Your quest, as hers, as his..."
[08:23.26] <Tercis> "You must reunite the Essences anyway."
[08:23.37] <Tercis> "There is no other way, is there not?"
[08:24.11] <+Repriever> "No."
[08:24.54] <Tercis> "Melkir."
[08:24.58] <Tercis> "Or do you prefer...Tasham?"
[08:25.28] <+Tasham> "Should I even be wearing this?"
[08:25.36] * Tercis smiles.
[08:25.38] * Tasham gestures to herself, with a silly expression.
[08:25.46] <Tercis> "Once you leave this room, it will be essential."
[08:26.00] <Tercis> "The nobility do not know."
[08:26.08] <Tercis> "But you are welcome to be yourself right now."
[08:26.09] <+Shala> [brb, heating up DINNER]
[08:26.37] <+Repriever> "They don't know most things, it seems."
[08:26.42] * Tasham dismisses her enchantment, and reappears as Melchior, in an ill-fitting gown.
[08:26.43] <+Repriever> "So why does this even matter?"
[08:26.48] * Tasham is now known as Melchior
[08:27.01] <+Melchior> "Ah. Hmm."
[08:27.05] * Tercis smiles.
[08:27.07] * Repriever watches Mel reappear beside him.
[08:27.21] <+Melchior> "Mel will do."
[08:27.31] <Tercis> "The deception, you mean?"
[08:27.35] * Melchior shifts around in her seat and adjusts the gown.
[08:27.41] <+Repriever> "Any of it."
[08:27.51] <+Melchior> "I prefer not to deceive, but I know when it helps our cause."
[08:27.57] <Tercis> "I don't know what you mean, Repriever."
[08:28.28] <+Repriever> "We're no ones here. She is made a liar to protect your country, when the truth would have settled this centuries ago."
[08:29.07] <+Repriever> "But it's hard to escape the lies when you've never told the truth."
[08:29.13] <+Shala> [back]
[08:29.28] * Tercis takes a long sigh.
[08:29.35] <Tercis> "I..."
[08:30.12] <Tercis> "...believe my goddess wishes to address this with you personally."
[08:30.24] <+Melchior> "Lies have their place. For now, it's best that I keep a disguise, to avoid causing too much of a rumpus."
[08:30.28] <+Melchior> "But yes, let's hear it."
[08:30.32] <Tercis> "Tonight, after the ball."
[08:30.33] * Shala ＋http://i.imgur.com/6v8rt.gif，
[08:30.56] * Repriever stutters, then chugs his wine. He falls silent.
[08:31.09] <Tercis> "There is a natural hot spring, near the outer edge of the gardens."
[08:31.24] <Tercis> "It predates this place."
[08:32.01] <Tercis> "It was once sacred to Lethe, and her protection will watch over us there."
[08:32.04] <+Melchior> "Earth and water..."
[08:32.05] * Melchior muses.
[08:32.18] <Tercis> "The Conjurers will not be able to reach into Calcis mind...and by extension, mine..."
[08:32.38] <+Repriever> "I understand."
[08:32.57] * Repriever sets his cup down and allows Madei to sit on his leg, reprieving Melchior of toddler woes.
[08:33.56] <Tercis> "I suspect you will need your ship."
[08:34.32] <+Melchior> "To reach the sealed cities?"
[08:34.39] <Tercis> "As much as it might look like one, the statue in the harbor is just a statue."
[08:34.48] <Tercis> "Yes."
[08:34.51] <Tercis> "Well."
[08:34.51] <+Melchior> "I scried into them once and got summarily kidnapped. We could do that again."
[08:35.17] <Tercis> "Venturing overland is difficult."
[08:35.27] <+Akvan> "How do we guarantee they kidnap all of us, not just you?"
[08:35.41] <Tercis> "We have tried to reach them before."
[08:36.04] <+Repriever> "We kidnap them."
[08:36.11] <Tercis> "The surface of the Land of Walking Titans is farmland, for hundreds and hundreds of miles."
[08:36.19] <Tercis> "Empty of people."
[08:36.26] <Tercis> "We know this much."
[08:37.01] <+Penumbra> "Maintained farmland?"
[08:37.06] <Tercis> "The Titans wander over its surface. Any who draw close are threatened first, and killed if they do not turn back."
[08:37.09] <Tercis> "Yes..."
[08:37.13] <Tercis> "Maintained, somehow."
[08:37.17] <Tercis> "Although there are no people."
[08:37.26] <+Kir> "No bother"
[08:37.29] <+Kir> "I have way in"
[08:37.38] <Tercis> "Martin believes he uses machines."
[08:37.51] <Tercis> "To collect the crops, and bring them below, through some secret way."
[08:38.03] <+Kir> "Maybe spheres"
[08:38.07] <Tercis> "But any who draw close are destroyed."
[08:38.10] <+Kir> "Easier than machines I think"
[08:38.13] <Tercis> "So we cannot get good intelligence on how it all works."
[08:38.36] <+Kir> "I say again"
[08:38.45] <+Kir> "I think I can get in from here"
[08:38.53] <+Kir> "Maybe with you all as well"
[08:39.13] <+Repriever> "I believe he can."
[08:39.18] <+Shala> "Or at least just me"
[08:39.23] * Shala flutters her eyelashes
[08:39.27] <Tercis> "Don't tell me your secrets."
[08:39.28] * Kir smirks
[08:39.34] <Tercis> "They could take them from me if they wanted."
[08:39.49] <+Kir> "Land of Walking Titans - where?"
[08:39.54] <+Kir> "Geographically"
[08:40.31] <Tercis> "A few hundred leagues west of the Isles."
[08:40.40] <+Kir> "Hmm."
[08:40.47] <+Akvan> "Might be easier to teleport in, if we could figure out. I don't fancy wrangling with many titans."
[08:40.49] <Tercis> "The farmland begins at the shore and stretches as far as the eye can see."
[08:41.14] <+Kir> "Any charts of land from before Kallos?"
[08:41.17] <Tercis> "There have even been sightings of the titans walking on the floor of the ocean."
[08:41.27] <+Kir> "Akvan, don't worry"
[08:42.19] <Tercis> "Well..."
[08:42.25] <Tercis> "I have told you all I can, for now."
[08:42.34] <Tercis> "We should not keep our guests waiting, I think."
[08:42.40] <+Kir> "I want to visit statue, in morning"
[08:42.44] <+Kir> "And exchange"
[08:42.58] * Repriever stands with Madei.
[08:43.00] <+Kir> "And any Kallosi built sections of palace, if accessible"
[08:43.19] <Tercis> "Martin has offered to have illusions of you all stand in the parade tomorrow, for security."
[08:43.37] <Tercis> "It is your choice if you wish to attend, or not."
[08:43.41] <+Kir> "More freedom of schedule, anyway"
[08:43.45] <+Repriever> "Afraid the dead will move on us?"
[08:44.07] <Tercis> "Or envoys of Kharvalath."
[08:44.19] <Tercis> "Or the Towers."
[08:44.33] <Tercis> "You are valuable prizes."
[08:44.35] <+Repriever> "I will stand in the parade."
[08:44.54] <+Shala> "I...will see how the night develops"
[08:45.14] <+Repriever> "If someone wishes to make an attempt on my life, they can join the countless others who failed."
[08:45.41] * Repriever plays with Madei.
[08:45.48] <Tercis> "You're more valuable alive than dead."
[08:45.54] <+Kir> "I want to explore, I think"
[08:46.12] <Tercis> "I am, sorry."
[08:46.17] <Tercis> "That I cannot offer you security here."
[08:47.00] <+Repriever> "Plainchant's women should stand guard for Shala at all hours."
[08:47.16] <Tercis> "I am doing all I can to help forge an alliance against the Apastron."
[08:47.21] <+Repriever> "At the very least."
[08:47.42] <+Penumbra> "Anything we should know of the guests before we join them?"
[08:48.16] <+Melchior> "Well, if Repriever's on parade, Tasham would be with him."
[08:48.55] <Tercis> "The great and the good of the realm, Lord Atris."
[08:48.58] <Tercis> "Some greater than others."
[08:49.00] * Tercis smiles.
[08:49.30] <+Penumbra> "So they have, in part, earned their titles?"
[08:49.40] * Penumbra nods in approval and in contemplation
[08:49.45] <+Repriever> "You don't need to," he says to Mel. "Better if its an illusion. In case of assassins."
[08:49.47] <Tercis> "She will be guarded, constantly."
[08:49.51] <+Penumbra> [also, consider that a statement rather than interrogative]
[08:49.56] <Tercis> "As will you all."
[08:50.34] <Tercis> "And for the most part, my nobles serve well."
[08:50.43] <Tercis> "They hate each other, but they are loyal to me."
[08:51.14] <+Repriever> "Trust no one, Tercis."
[08:51.44] * You are now known as Plainchant
[08:51.55] <Plainchant> "My I speak, my Queen?"
[08:52.02] * You are now known as Tercis
[08:52.06] <Tercis> "Of course, Maria."
[08:52.11] * You are now known as Plainchant
[08:52.37] <Plainchant> "We really want to help you restore your arm."
[08:53.26] <Plainchant> "...but we understand, if you don't trust us. After everything."
[08:54.16] <+Repriever> "I..."
[08:54.27] <+Melchior> "We have discussed ideas."
[08:54.33] <Plainchant> "You lost it defending us."
[08:55.06] <+Shala> "I'm still fond of the tentacle idea"
[08:55.12] <+Repriever> "I lost it defending my squire."
[08:55.39] <+Melchior> "He doesn't want a tentacle, Shala."
[08:55.44] <+Melchior> "Nor does he want a weapon."
[08:55.47] <Plainchant> "We have resources, and components, at Marcelian, as well as books."
[08:55.55] <Plainchant> "And Whitelay has studied at the Citadel."
[08:56.04] <+Akvan> "A hand is a hand."
[08:56.09] <+Repriever> "If the hand cannot hold the rose, what use is it to me?"
[08:56.15] <Plainchant> "His expertise, and our resources, are at your disposal."
[08:56.32] <+Shala> "A tentacle is tactile!"
[08:56.40] * You are now known as Tercis
[08:56.42] * Tercis smiles
[08:56.57] <Tercis> "It's nice that you're all friends."
[08:57.19] <Tercis> "She...admires you all."
[08:57.41] * Melchior is somewhat quiet.
[08:58.00] * Repriever exhales.
[08:58.28] <+Repriever> "Let's see the players on their gilded stage, then."
[08:58.34] * Repriever nods toward the exit.
[08:58.49] <Tercis> "I'll see you tonight."
[08:58.55] * Tercis stands.
[08:59.09] <+Repriever> "Let's get this over with."
[08:59.39] <Tercis> "Follow me."
[08:59.48] * Tercis changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 48 - Thunderous Applause - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diCDiU7gGHc，
[08:59.57] * Melchior puts on Kallias' amulet, once again asserting Tasham's illusion.
[09:00.06] <+Melchior> Once again, her gown is rather ill-fitting.
[09:00.14] * Melchior looks over to Shala.
[09:00.17] <+Melchior> "I didn't think this out."
[09:00.28] * Shala laughs
[09:00.40] <+Shala> "Have you seen mine?"
[09:00.44] * Shala whispers
[09:00.47] <+Shala> "It's beautiful"
[09:00.58] <+Repriever> "Are you ready to show off how cute you are, Madei?"
[09:01.01] * You are now known as Madei
[09:01.07] <+Akvan> "The CUTEST!"
[09:01.16] <Madei> "I'm aw ways cute."
[09:01.31] * You are now known as Tercis
[09:01.35] <+Akvan> "Almost always."
[09:01.36] * Tercis laughs, out loud.
[09:01.40] * Penumbra smiles
[09:01.43] <Tercis> "Yes you are, aren't you!"
[09:01.53] * Melchior smiles back to Shala, fits everything to Tasham's proportions, and then follows Repriever out.
[09:02.28] * Repriever keeps Madei on his hip as he follows Tercis out.
[09:02.32] <Tercis> "Almost enough for me to ask Zari to start trying for an heir."
[09:02.55] <Tercis> "But I'd prefer to sort out this matter of the fate of the world first."
[09:03.12] <+Repriever> "Start now, before it's too late."
[09:03.15] <+Melchior> [someone's not playing enough CK2. ALWAYS GO FOR AN HEIR]
[09:03.18] * You are now known as Plainchant
[09:03.19] <+Repriever> "Word of advice."
[09:03.42] * Plainchant clears her throat loudly and opens the door, leading to an arched golden staircase that leads downward in an arch to a marbled hall.
[09:04.01] * You are now known as Madei
[09:04.08] <Madei> "She has lops of hair."
[09:04.11] * Madei says skeptically.
[09:04.37] <+Repriever> "So did I, once."
[09:04.53] * Repriever grins at Madei.
[09:05.05] <Madei> "you hab...some."
[09:05.11] * Madei pats it gently.
[09:05.40] <+Repriever> "It was down to here," he says, nodding to his shoulders, "and the same as your ama's."
[09:05.42] <+Melchior> "He had some, he's handsome."
[09:05.43] <Madei> ?roll 1d4
[09:05.43] <%tBot> Madei: 3 [3]
[09:05.47] <+Melchior> "Both fit well enough."
[09:05.47] <Madei> (take 3 damage)
[09:05.52] <Madei> (she didn't pat you very hard)
[09:05.57] * Melchior is now known as Tasham
[09:06.00] <+Penumbra> [through the glove?]
[09:06.16] <+Repriever> [-16 D:]
[09:06.21] <Madei> (I diminished it from 2d6)
[09:06.40] <Madei> (she's getting stronk)
[09:06.42] * Repriever is tough enough to shrug that off.
[09:06.59] * You are now known as DM
[09:07.04] <+Repriever> "I was a pretty thing if you can believe it. Shala knows."
[09:07.07] * Repriever winks at Shala.
[09:07.19] <DM> Here there are blue-cloaked guards, the normal ones, rather than the white cloaks of the Roseguard.
[09:07.26] <+Shala> "Many...many years ago."
[09:07.35] <+Shala> "So many"
[09:07.41] * Repriever laughs.
[09:07.52] <DM> And they open two pale white doors with gold leaf, as Plainchant strides before you, her white cloak billowing.
[09:08.39] <DM> Beyond is a long table in an intimate but beautiful feasting hall, lined with glittering nobles who all stand.
[09:09.10] <DM> As Plainchant cries out, "The Queen and the Six!"
[09:09.17] * Repriever allows Shala and Penumbra to go ahead of him.
[09:09.40] <DM> There are six places, for you all to sit next to each other, near the middle of the table, and the Queen sits at the end.
[09:09.41] * Tasham mumbles to herself "And Tasham and Madei."
[09:09.46] * Penumbra does so
[09:09.54] <+Tasham> "So do we... go somewhere else?"
[09:10.04] <+Repriever> "My guard will stay with me."
[09:10.18] * You are now known as Plainchant
[09:10.32] <Plainchant> "Your need for security is understandable."
[09:10.53] <Plainchant> "Your bodyguard is invited to sit at the high table, as she is your food taster, naturally."
[09:11.01] * Plainchant half-smiles.
[09:11.14] <+Shala> "There's going to be someone eating my food??"
[09:11.17] <+Tasham> "Nom."
[09:11.29] <+Repriever> "I should be hers," he laughs.
[09:11.46] * Repriever mimes eating while holding Madei.
[09:11.52] <+Repriever> "Yup, it's poison."
[09:11.55] * You are now known as Madei
[09:11.56] * Repriever makes a face at Madei.
[09:12.07] <Madei> "Is this where the beefs is?"
[09:12.26] <+Repriever> "The best beefs."
[09:12.37] <Madei> Each of the nobles bow as you pass them, before you take your places.
[09:12.38] * You are now known as DM
[09:12.43] <DM> And there are some familiar faces, in fact.
[09:13.01] <DM> Delia is here, sitting next to a wizened, ancient-looking woman who, ye gods, must be her mother.
[09:13.19] <DM> And, looking somewhat out of place in formal dress armor, is Ironrose.
[09:13.24] * Shala makes a note to beeline for Delia if things get hairy
[09:13.44] <DM> There are no mage-types in here though, only nobility, unless they're dressing the part.
[09:13.48] <+Repriever> "Don't bow to any of them," he whispers. "You are their superiors."
[09:14.22] <+Kir> [is there music?]
[09:14.33] * Akvan surveys the assembled nobles with an impassive face
[09:15.06] <DM> Yes, Kir, a gentle combination of violin and flute lays down a quiet melody.
[09:15.23] * Repriever gives Ironrose a brief look that demands attention. It says, "we need to talk."
[09:15.41] <DM> She grimaces, and then gives a tiny nod.
[09:16.16] * Repriever takes a seat between Penumbra and Tasham.
[09:16.16] * You are now known as Queen_Tercis
[09:16.22] <Queen_Tercis> "Thank you all for your patience."
[09:16.58] <Queen_Tercis> "You are the pillars of our realm, Circlets and high lords all."
[09:17.17] <Queen_Tercis> "Let us give thanks to Calcis for the loyalty of your lines, now and forevermore."
[09:17.21] * Akvan crosses his arms, the crimson of his robes creasing over the blue lining
[09:18.16] <Queen_Tercis> "With her blessings, may we secure victory over the Apastron and all the forces of darkness. And so we shall, with the Six at our side."
[09:18.41] <Queen_Tercis> "Strong Calcis, Wise Calcis, Kind Calcis, bless this food and this hearth..."
[09:19.03] <Queen_Tercis> "...and protect us from Melkir forevermore."
[09:19.10] <Queen_Tercis> "So say we all."
[09:19.15] * Repriever gives a sad smile to Tasham, apologizing for this.
[09:19.32] * Queen_Tercis also gives it.
[09:19.40] * You are now known as DM
[09:19.53] <DM> "So say we all," echo the nobles heartily.
[09:19.54] <+Tasham> "So says we all."
[09:20.09] <+Tasham> "Alright, let's see if Melkir's poisoned your food."
[09:20.22] * You are now known as Ancient_Noble
[09:20.24] * Tasham looks across the table.
[09:20.30] <Ancient_Noble> "Ha!"
[09:20.43] <Ancient_Noble> "More like those dirty foreigners, polluting our halls."
[09:20.45] * You are now known as Delia
[09:21.06] <+Repriever> "May the stars shine endlessly on this house," he adds, to break the xenophobia of old people.
[09:21.12] <Delia> "Calcis, mother, we're at a royal *mumbled swear* banquet."
[09:21.29] * Repriever is a xenophobic old person.
[09:21.31] * You are now known as Ancient_Noble
[09:21.59] <Ancient_Noble> "Bah! I'm the Queen's most trusted counselor because I say what I mean."
[09:22.09] * Shala 's eyes brighten to see Delia embarassed by someone ELSE'S candor
[09:22.29] <+Tasham> "I can check his food too, I suppose."
[09:22.32] * Tasham says quietly.
[09:22.44] <+Repriever> "And so now I see where you daughters found their strength and beauty."
[09:23.08] * Ancient_Noble considers Repriever with slightly offset eyes.
[09:23.11] * Repriever will never let Tasham have his food.
[09:23.22] * Repriever means never, ever.
[09:23.28] <Ancient_Noble> "Zirecia Celtari. Mother of this house."
[09:23.45] * Ancient_Noble reaches across the table to shake his hand.
[09:23.54] <Ancient_Noble> "You're a man, but you fight like a woman."
[09:24.03] <+Repriever> "Thank you."
[09:24.04] <Ancient_Noble> "I suppose that's what it comes to now."
[09:24.20] * Repriever mouths, "or not" to Tasham.
[09:24.32] <Ancient_Noble> "You're good at it, and you saved my daughter."
[09:24.40] <Ancient_Noble> "So thank you."
[09:24.45] * Ancient_Noble slumps back into her chair.
[09:24.58] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:24.59] <+Repriever> "She saved herself. I merely distracted the Apastron with my right arm."
[09:25.06] <+Repriever> "I assure you."
[09:25.20] <Zirecia> "And the Penumbra fought him off, then!"
[09:25.32] <Zirecia> "Lucky she's there to guide you fools."
[09:25.39] <Zirecia> "A true hero of the past."
[09:25.50] * You are now known as Delia
[09:25.57] <Delia> "Look mother, it's salad."
[09:26.00] * Delia deadpans.
[09:26.08] * You are now known as DM
[09:26.31] <DM> Indeed, salad has arrived, garnished with tiny pink eggs and lettuce in bright colors that you have never seen before.
[09:26.31] * Penumbra takes the compliment
[09:26.36] * Tasham is totally keeping a straight face and cracking up inside.
[09:27.05] * Shala samples an egg, after instructing her bodyguard to try one first
[09:27.17] <DM> It has a creamy, raspberry-flavored dressing, and as you crunch down on the pink leaves, you find that the flavor of raspberry has somehow been infused into the lettuce itself.
[09:27.20] * Repriever eats a pink egg.
[09:27.35] * Kir picks at it, finds it tasty, and digs in
[09:27.52] <DM> The pink eggs have a delicate and tender flavor, more complex than regular eggs.
[09:27.59] * Tasham uses future gaze on the salad.
[09:28.02] * Repriever knows he can't feed Madei, so lets her scramble into Penumbra's lap.
[09:28.06] <DM> Lol.
[09:28.19] <DM> The salad is poisoned by the Apastron and you all die.
[09:28.22] <DM> Just kidding, it's fine.
[09:29.02] * Kir feels a bit out of place in the opulence
[09:29.09] * Penumbra eats lightly and slowly, tasting (if she can) before feeding Madei as well, and explaining for requesting explanation of a dish as necessary
[09:29.17] * Akvan eats as delicatly as someone with no refined upbringing can
[09:29.24] * Akvan eats without asking
[09:29.27] <+Tasham> "My keen senses tell me that this salad is SAFE."
[09:29.31] <+Tasham> "But just in case..."
[09:29.39] * Tasham steals a bit of salad from those nearby.
[09:29.47] <+Repriever> "You'd steal from a one-armed man?"
[09:30.03] * Shala quickly adapts to having someone to order around at the dinner table
[09:30.03] <+Tasham> "We'll getcha a new one. Need me to help feed you?"
[09:30.04] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:30.16] <+Repriever> "What dark times we live in."
[09:30.19] <Zirecia> "Now, you've probably never seen a Conjurer before, but you're going to, so let me tell you..."
[09:30.25] <Zirecia> "They are a disgusting people."
[09:30.29] * Repriever eats fine himself as if to show Tasham he's perfectly adroit.
[09:30.41] <Zirecia> "Drunk on power like pigs on truffles."
[09:30.47] * Zirecia whispers
[09:30.51] <Zirecia> "I say we kill them in their sleep."
[09:30.57] <+Repriever> "Oh, I've seen my share of them."
[09:30.59] <+Kir> "Pigs get drunk on truffles?"
[09:31.11] * Kir gives an incredulous stare
[09:31.12] * Shala nods in agreement at the noble
[09:31.16] <+Tasham> [Is he adroit, or is he a gauche?]
[09:31.20] <+Repriever> "Better to gut them while they squirm, eh?"
[09:31.28] <+Tasham> [hon hon hon]
[09:31.40] <+Akvan> "I've seen a few conjurers, each as revolting as the last."
[09:31.42] <+Repriever> [lol]
[09:31.48] * Zirecia looks at Repriever, then gives a squalk of a laugh.
[09:32.12] * Zirecia gestures to Repriever with a salad fork as she whispers loudly to Delia
[09:32.23] <Zirecia> "I'd beat my husband if he talked like he does."
[09:32.31] <Zirecia> "But he's dead, poor man, bless his soul."
[09:32.36] * You are now known as Delia
[09:32.40] <Delia> "Yep, good old dad."
[09:33.08] <+Akvan> "What are truffles?"
[09:33.12] * Akvan whispers to Kir
[09:33.24] <+Akvan> "what kind of drink?"
[09:33.27] <+Repriever> "I enjoy a good beating from time to time, radiance."
[09:33.28] <+Kir> "Rich and tasty mushrooms"
[09:33.32] <+Kir> "Very rare"
[09:33.32] * You are now known as A_Noble
[09:33.38] <+Akvan> "How does one get drunk on them?"
[09:33.39] <A_Noble> "My lady Atris, you are a true glory to behold."
[09:33.42] <+Repriever> "Keeps my head below the clouds."
[09:33.49] <+Kir> "This - what I ask.."
[09:33.55] <A_Noble> "Did Umbrea send you back from heaven to save us?"
[09:34.26] <+Akvan> "Nobody answers."
[09:34.37] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:34.43] <+Repriever> "No such luck, was just some silly boy falling to his death."
[09:34.45] <Zirecia> "They're mushrooms, boy!"
[09:35.02] <Zirecia> "They don't have mushrooms in dragonland?"
[09:35.17] <+Kir> [I imagine Zirecia has the voice of an old crone from a Miyazaki movie]
[09:35.27] <+Kir> [like one of the spirited away witches]
[09:35.28] * Repriever chews some lettuce.
[09:35.29] <+Penumbra> "Umbrea has a plan for us."
[09:35.42] * Penumbra includes Madei and remains general
[09:36.13] * You are now known as A_Noble
[09:36.13] * Repriever feels the throb of shadows in his veins.
[09:37.23] * Tasham finds some wine on the table and pours it.
[09:37.31] <A_Noble> "I know you have great duties from the gods, but if you would visit my home in Sequentia, my wife, Lord Tacrat, is dying of a disease no scholar or knight can cure."
[09:37.40] * Kir asks for a glass
[09:37.40] <+Penumbra> "Did you like the egg, Madei?"
[09:37.40] * Kir also looks for anything *stronger*
[09:37.40] <+Kir> drunk perception
[09:37.41] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+12
[09:37.41] <%tBot> Kir: 21 ([9] +12)
[09:37.57] <A_Noble> "Excuse my manners, I am her consort, Decian Tacrat."
[09:38.13] <+Kir> [do I get a bonus for not getting hungover those few times earlier in the campaign on this grand quest for boooooze?]
[09:38.17] * Repriever looks at Penumbra, while speaking up.
[09:38.17] * You are now known as DM
[09:38.20] <+Repriever> "What disease?"
[09:38.31] * Repriever chews over his query.
[09:38.48] <DM> "A wasting illness. She will not eat or drink, and cloudlight itself pains her."
[09:39.16] * Repriever inhales and finds some wine of his own.
[09:39.17] <DM> "The people of Sequentia need her guidance."
[09:39.20] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:39.30] <+Penumbra> [Sequentia is a whiles away?]
[09:39.36] <+Repriever> [another island]
[09:39.39] <Zirecia> "Hah! Tacrat couldn't guide Sequentia out of a leaky crate. I'll tell you!"
[09:39.45] * You are now known as Delia
[09:39.49] <Delia> "Shut up, mother."
[09:39.51] * Delia says, pleasantly.
[09:40.07] <+Repriever> "There is nothing the Lord Penumbra cannot cure."
[09:40.13] <+Repriever> "We'll see to it."
[09:40.46] * You are now known as Decian_Tacrat
[09:41.04] <Decian_Tacrat> "It would be a great honor to my household. We have ancient treasures of the old world, and all would be yours if you saved her."
[09:41.23] <Decian_Tacrat> "I came to the capital to beseech Lord Plainchant for a miracle, but I was denied..."
[09:41.31] <Decian_Tacrat> "...for good reason, I do not doubt."
[09:41.34] * Shala_ (chatzilla@75-111-128-177.com.sta.suddenlink.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[09:41.42] <+Penumbra> "May our path lead though Sequentia soon."
[09:41.57] <+Repriever> "Plainchant is conservative for the right reasons."
[09:42.04] * Decian_Tacrat sets mode +v Shala_ for #nesdnd
[09:42.13] <Decian_Tacrat> "As you say."
[09:42.20] * You are now known as DM
[09:42.34] <+Repriever> [sense motive on him, btw]
[09:42.39] * Shala (chatzilla@75-111-128-177.com.sta.suddenlink.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[09:42.39] <DM> The next course arrives. It is little birds, fried crispy and served with two sauces on either side, red and green.
[09:42.44] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+7
[09:42.44] <%tBot> Repriever: 25 ([18] +7)
[09:42.47] * Shala_ is now known as Shala
[09:42.57] <DM> There are five of them on each plate.
[09:43.09] <DM> They smell ridiculously mouth-watering.
[09:43.12] * Akvan dips my bird in each sauce
[09:43.15] * Akvan double dips
[09:43.18] * Akvan is a savage
[09:43.38] <DM> The nobles politely ignore your grievous breach of sauce etiquette.
[09:43.47] * Repriever eats the little birds whole, chewing the bones.
[09:44.04] * Shala asks her tester the proper way to eat the birds, then does it slightly incorrectly on purpose
[09:44.12] * Akvan delicalty picks the meat of the bones with his claws
[09:44.25] * Kir tenderly bites into a bird, then grows more eager as he chews
[09:44.26] <DM> The flesh is tender, not at all gamey, although there is not much to each one, encouraging you to eat multiple.
[09:44.47] <DM> They are bread in a crispy pungent sauce that had some kind of rich alcohol cooked off.
[09:44.49] * Penumbra wonders exactly how she should clean the void-inflused gloves as she helps Madei eat
[09:45.07] <DM> Also, Kir, you are served several liquors of various flavors after querying the servants.
[09:45.19] <+Penumbra> [did he ask for a truffle wine?]
[09:45.23] <+Tasham> Cwispy.
[09:45.24] <DM> Some more of the amaretto-flavored one you tried before, and several cordials, as well as a strong brandy.
[09:45.26] <+Penumbra> [truffle... potato wine?]
[09:45.29] * Tasham enjoys.
[09:46.15] * Kir shows the liquors to Tasham
[09:46.27] <+Kir> "You want some fire for the table?"
[09:46.28] * Penumbra asks Madei what she thought of the food so far, and asks a server discretely if they'll serve beef of any kind tonight
[09:46.43] <+Repriever> "The Celtari estates must be lovely this time of year."
[09:46.52] * Repriever says at the mama Celtari.
[09:47.02] <DM> Madei thought that the raspberry salad was a little strange, but she really liked the birds.
[09:47.11] * Kir remembers a traditional song in Gora Miri and bobs his head to the imagined melody
[09:47.13] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:47.22] <Zirecia> "Mmm. We're just starting the spring planting."
[09:47.28] <+Tasham> "Ooh, these look niiiiice."
[09:47.38] <+Kir> "Brandy - strong."
[09:47.47] <Zirecia> "Mines are turning up well, and we're forging good steel for the army."
[09:47.47] <+Repriever> "I would love to visit them, should I make it back to these parts with a suitable escort, of course."
[09:47.55] <+Tasham> "Let's give 'im a go."
[09:47.57] <+Kir> "Cordials, amaretta, weaker but tasty"
[09:48.00] <Zirecia> "Hmm."
[09:48.13] * Kir fills a shot of brandy for himself and Tasham
[09:48.19] <Zirecia> "Could use a man around the house."
[09:48.30] * Kir if possible links arms before downing it
[09:48.50] <+Repriever> "S'what Delia kept telling me in Pyleth."
[09:49.20] <+Repriever> "Who knew Celtari women were so forward and strong?"
[09:49.22] * Repriever shrugs.
[09:49.27] * Akvan is intrigued by a clear yellowish liquor, which, when ice is added, turns a cloudy white.
[09:49.30] * You are now known as Delia
[09:49.37] <Delia> "Oh, I'm the shy one alright."
[09:49.38] * Akvan drinks it, and enjoys the burn
[09:50.15] <+Repriever> "You're divine models of womanhood."
[09:50.27] <Delia> The servants inform Penumbra that a beef course is being inserted into the menu.
[09:50.37] <Delia> [cut to scene of panicked slaughtering of a cow]
[09:50.38] <+Repriever> "I hardly know what to do with myself around the Penumbra, let alone the rest of you."
[09:51.00] * You are now known as Zirecia
[09:51.02] * Penumbra smiles and says that her daughter would be delighted
[09:51.10] <+Repriever> "It's comforting."
[09:51.23] <Zirecia> "I've got a pretty strong bullshit detector, boy."
[09:51.54] <+Repriever> "Not strong enough for this pile, Lord Celtari."
[09:51.54] <Zirecia> "Didn't get this far without one."
[09:52.05] <Zirecia> "Mmmm."
[09:52.21] * Repriever tries some of the liquor Kir is hoarding.
[09:52.47] <+Kir> "Good stuff, Old Man."
[09:52.55] * Repriever takes a shot.
[09:52.56] <+Kir> "Some fire to clear these curtains
[09:52.58] <+Kir> "
[09:53.04] <+Repriever> "Mm, doesn't burn."
[09:53.08] * Kir gestures around, meaning the court
[09:53.17] <Zirecia> The next to arrive is a fish with glimmering rainbow scales, and a flesh that is a pale, pale purple. It is garnished with purple potatoes and buttered carrots.
[09:53.31] * Kir likes the potatoes
[09:54.00] <+Tasham> [ ＋https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71DdmXAXVvL.jpg， ]
[09:54.07] <+Repriever> "My fish is purple."
[09:54.23] <+Tasham> "Need me t'check it?"
[09:54.38] <+Repriever> "Not on your life."
[09:54.43] * Repriever eats it anyway.
[09:54.53] <+Repriever> "Where'd they find a purple fish?"
[09:55.22] * You are now known as A_Noble
[09:55.37] <A_Noble> "Those are deep ocean lurkers, my lord."
[09:55.44] <+Akvan> "How did you catch it?"
[09:56.08] <A_Noble> "They hunt a smaller fish, which we use on long lines as bait."
[09:56.24] <A_Noble> "Those are monster waters, but the catches can be worth the risk."
[09:56.47] * Repriever nods and hmms.
[09:57.00] <+Akvan> [is it raw?]
[09:57.18] * You are now known as DM
[09:57.19] <+Repriever> [where is ironrose relative to us?]
[09:57.23] <DM> No, it has been cooked, lightly poached
[09:57.38] <DM> Ironrose is sitting next to the queen, befitting her ceremonial status as a member of the guard.
[09:57.49] <+Repriever> [out of convo range then?]
[09:58.00] <DM> She's far down the table, next to Plainchant and another woman who bears resemblance to an older Tyris Kalhata.
[09:58.11] * Kir enjoys the fish as well
[09:58.18] * Akvan enjoys the fish.
[09:58.23] * Akvan has not had much fish in his life
[09:58.27] * Akvan likes water things
[09:58.32] <+Kir> [is it like swordfish and meaty and thick, or more coddy or tunalike?]
[09:58.34] * Repriever finishes the entire plate of this course as well, and leans back, looking at the Celtaris across from him.
[09:59.11] <DM> [It's kind of light, like orange ruffey, but with a bit of spicyness to it]
[09:59.12] * Penumbra tastes the dish and helps Madei with it as well, slowly getting used to eating and tasting and... "digesting"
[09:59.24] * Shala has eaten a lot of fish recently
[09:59.41] <DM> It is a very mechanical process, Penumbra. You have to give your body the commands to keep it from falling through you.
[10:00.05] <DM> But as long as you stay focused, you can shadowify the food and absorb it into you, although you aren't sure if it *does* anything.
[10:00.56] <+Penumbra> [doesn't plop on the seat like a soggy, masticated mess, that's what]
[10:01.10] <+Repriever> "There's a ball after this?" he asks Delia.
[10:01.33] <DM> Then, finally, the next course comes, and it is a roasted rack of beef ribs with a side of barbeque sauce, served on long wooden planks.
[10:01.50] <DM> Although you're starting to get full, it smells pretty heavenly.
[10:02.12] * Repriever has not had beef in a long time.
[10:02.24] * You are now known as Madei
[10:02.30] * Madei hops up and down in Penumbra's lap.
[10:02.35] <Madei> "mmmmmmm"
[10:02.50] * Kir has never been one for ribs but eats a little anyway
[10:03.10] * Akvan hasn't had ribs since the village
[10:03.18] <+Tasham> "Ahm nam nam nam."
[10:03.20] * Penumbra smiles at her enthusiasm
[10:03.20] * Kir thinks beef pairs well with brandy anyway
[10:03.21] * Tasham says to Madei.
[10:03.36] <+Repriever> "And does the general of the Silver Army dance?"
[10:03.40] * Repriever again asks Delia.
[10:03.44] * Akvan savors the flavor, eating slowly, thinking about the last ribs he had, and how different they were
[10:03.53] * You are now known as Delia
[10:03.56] <Delia> "Unfortunately."
[10:04.28] <+Repriever> "Duty to your house."
[10:04.46] * Repriever feigns joviality.
[10:05.10] <Delia> "Well, I'm legally obliged to follow my commanding officer into battle."
[10:05.19] <Delia> "Might step on your toes, though."
[10:05.51] <+Repriever> "Isn't that what this whole place is?"
[10:06.04] * Repriever tips his glass to Delia.
[10:06.55] <Delia> "Yeah, how dare they throw a banquet in your honor and give you a priceless shield."
[10:06.58] <Delia> "Poor Repriever."
[10:07.01] <Delia> "Woe is you."
[10:07.06] * Penumbra helps Madei manage a first rib by cutting it up for her
[10:07.12] * Kir offers a bottle of.... something.... to Shala
[10:07.33] <Delia> Madei tries to fit the entire rib into her mouth sideways, and then adjusts to the new reality.
[10:07.34] * Shala squints and motions for the tester to try it first
[10:07.35] * You are now known as DM
[10:07.38] <+Repriever> "Yeah, woe is me. It's funny how someone can see something as valuable, while another sees only dust."
[10:08.01] * Repriever quietly returns to eating.
[10:09.06] * Penumbra elbows Preev so he can see Madei's rib face
[10:09.36] * Repriever goes from somber to smiling as he watches Madei chow down.
[10:10.36] <+Repriever> "Is it good?"
[10:10.47] * You are now known as Zirecia
[10:11.01] <Zirecia> "I can see why you aren't interested, sweetie. He's cute, but very depressing."
[10:11.20] * You are now known as Delia
[10:11.29] <Delia> "Look at you, making sense for the first time all night."
[10:12.32] * Repriever ignores that, but accepts the reality.
[10:12.33] * Akvan nods
[10:12.38] * Akvan starts
[10:12.44] * Akvan looks around, then goes back to eating
[10:13.06] <Delia> Finally, the dessert course comes.
[10:13.09] * You are now known as DM
[10:13.29] <DM> Little silver trays, each with tiny silver bowls, and a circle of different colored sorbets on each.
[10:14.11] <+Tasham> "Oh my goodness! It's this stuff from earlier!"
[10:14.15] <+Tasham> "Fruitier though."
[10:14.27] <DM> There's a pale white lemon, a vibrant bright blue, a gentle pink, a deep forest green, and an orange.
[10:14.31] * Tasham has a frozen dessert for the second time in her life.
[10:14.32] <+Repriever> "Where's the bread?"
[10:14.51] <+Repriever> "Do they expect us to eat it without bread?"
[10:14.54] * Kir picks at this stuff, decides, like before, that it's tasty, and eats
[10:15.03] * You are now known as Zirecia
[10:15.09] <Zirecia> "You eat it with spoons, you barbarian."
[10:15.19] <Zirecia> "Bread is for the creamier one."
[10:15.25] <+Repriever> "Try it with crackers and you'll never go back."
[10:15.25] * Shala nods in agreement
[10:15.26] * Akvan samples them
[10:15.31] <+Akvan> "What are these tastes?"
[10:16.10] * Repriever thinks abotu the bright blue one, but looks at Akvan and decides to not go there.
[10:16.13] <+Repriever> [about]
[10:16.30] * Penumbra asks Madei which one she wants to taste first
[10:16.37] * Repriever takes the white lemon.
[10:16.41] <Zirecia> She points at the pink one.
[10:16.56] * You are now known as A_Noble
[10:17.39] * Shala shrugs and tries the green
[10:17.46] * Penumbra takes it, tastes a bite, slowly assimilating it's texture and flavor and matter, before giving it to Madei
[10:17.57] <A_Noble> "That one is rosewater, then there is lemon, orange, a strain of blue strawberries developed by Kallos himself, and this one is moss."
[10:18.02] <A_Noble> "The moss is my favorite."
[10:18.03] * Akvan drinks the liquid that has melted at the bottom
[10:18.07] <+Akvan> of his bowl
[10:18.11] <+Akvan> not the serving bowls
[10:18.17] <A_Noble> Shala, the moss is an acquired taste.
[10:18.20] * You are now known as DM
[10:18.29] <+Akvan> [What does moss taste like?]
[10:18.37] <+Akvan> [I'm picturing something like fiddleheads]
[10:18.37] <+Repriever> [green]
[10:19.07] <DM> [Something like that, Akvan, probably with an element of pureed spinach]
[10:19.45] * Repriever gobbles it down.
[10:19.47] * Shala reddens
[10:20.01] <+Shala> "Oh...I'm sure it is. I can't wait to acquire...it"
[10:20.10] * Shala looks at her taster like, "YOU DID THIS"
[10:20.26] * Repriever notes the lack of plums.
[10:21.44] * You are now known as Tercis
[10:21.48] * Tercis rises.
[10:22.03] <Tercis> "I have enjoyed this meal with you all. But it is time for us to dance."
[10:22.16] * Tasham finishes off another drink.
[10:22.20] <Tercis> The table rises as well, following the Queen.
[10:22.25] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+9
[10:22.25] <%tBot> Tasham: 25 ([16] +9)
[10:22.34] <+Tasham> [Apparently Tasham can hold her drank]
[10:22.38] * Repriever takes some of Tasham's liquor for himself.
[10:22.45] <Tercis> "Please join me in greeting our other guests."
[10:22.55] <+Tasham> "I'll allow it, only 'cause you let me take the salad."
[10:23.11] <Tercis> "Foreign though they may be, the support of all humans is needed in these troubled times."
[10:23.18] * Kir takes another swig, offers to Shala, then follows the herd
[10:23.33] * Shala takes a hearty drink
[10:23.34] <Tercis> "And the lesser nobles look to your example."
[10:23.35] <+Repriever> "Devils before angels, eh?"
[10:23.40] * Repriever says softly.
[10:24.02] * Repriever drinks as much as he can for the next part.
[10:24.09] * Akvan stands
[10:24.20] <Tercis> "Thank you all for your counsel. I will retire to see the prince consort after we enter."
[10:24.44] * Penumbra places Madei down and rises
[10:25.09] * Repriever stands and brushes crumbs off his pants.
[10:26.01] * You are now known as DM
[10:26.40] <DM> The guards open a large set of double doors at the end of the feasting hall, and you enter a grand, airy gallery with vast windows looking down on the gardens below.
[10:27.21] <DM> The sun is setting behind the clouds, and the mountains in the distance are fading with the light.
[10:27.43] * Tasham takes a look around at the crowd.
[10:27.45] <+Tasham> Aura sense.
[10:28.18] <DM> The crowd is gathered at an area where the gallery enters into a cul-de-sac.
[10:28.50] <DM> And Tasham, as you probe outwards with your aura sense, you feel your efforts pushed back and redirected, not painfully but somewhat brusquely, into your own body.
[10:29.08] <DM> There are other magic users in the crowd who deflected your scrying.
[10:29.51] <+Repriever> [so this area has more people?]
[10:30.05] <DM> In the cul-de-sac area, a larger group of nobles, several military officers in high dress, and those who appear to be other Calcissi officials, are milling about as some dance, although they all kneel or bow as the Queen approaches.
[10:30.38] <DM> And you with the nobles behind her.
[10:31.26] * Repriever keeps an eye open for mancer attire. They're easier to spot than flowers in the wastes.
[10:31.43] <DM> A vast painting hangs between the windows, of the Battle of Nirynia, the great human victory over the dragons during the War.
[10:32.19] <+Repriever> [is this similar to the one at pellic?]
[10:32.22] <DM> Another one shows the building of the Great Tower of Conjuration as it pierces the clouds. The massive tower, even depicted in painting, seems huge beyond belief, as does the scaffolding supporting it.
[10:32.38] <DM> [the one at Pellic was a tapestry, this is a detailed oil painting, but it shows the same scene]
[10:32.47] <+Repriever> [so aridai with tangent?]
[10:32.51] <DM> [yes]
[10:33.08] * Shala feels a pang of nostalgia
[10:33.22] * You are now known as Tercis
[10:33.26] * Repriever takes a stronger posture as he follows.
[10:33.29] <Tercis> "Thank you, one and all!"
[10:33.42] <+Shala> [well, more like homesickness and despondence]
[10:34.00] <+Tasham> "We've got some arcanists in the crowd."
[10:34.03] <Tercis> "I must retire to other duties, but please enjoy the ball."
[10:34.05] * Tasham whispers into Repriever's ear.
[10:34.28] <+Repriever> "So we do. Have my back if any try us?"
[10:34.32] <Tercis> "Respect the privacy of the Six, and allow them the opportunity to dance! They are our most favored guests."
[10:34.38] * Repriever smiles hopefully at the prospect of a brawl.
[10:35.13] * Tercis changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 48 - Thunderous Applause - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tEj6gXA_eA，
[10:35.25] <Tercis> Indeed, there are at least three very distinctive figures who you believe to be mages.
[10:35.29] * You are now known as DM
[10:35.53] * Repriever cracks his knuckles with a flexing of his fingers.
[10:35.58] <DM> They are all men, in the midst of the mostly-female crowd of nobles, merchants and officers.
[10:36.09] * Kir scans the crowd
[10:36.09] <+Repriever> "Shall we mingle?"
[10:36.14] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+12
[10:36.14] <%tBot> Kir: 28 ([16] +12)
[10:36.29] <+Tasham> "Shoooore."
[10:36.30] <+Kir> [especially for suspicious things or people
[10:36.31] <+Kir> ]
[10:36.58] <+Repriever> "Hope your legs aren't too long to dance with."
[10:37.03] <DM> There is an older man in a vast and high-collared black cloak lined with deep purple, and the image of a closed eye on his forehead.
[10:37.27] <DM> Strikingly, his face and his hands are covered in Kasathic inscriptions and sigils.
[10:37.37] <DM> They seem to be tattooed.
[10:38.07] * Kir tries to read these with his rudimentary grasp of the language from... tutoring..
[10:38.25] <DM> His cloak also appears to be covered in various charms and scraps, attached to him in various places.
[10:38.42] <+Tasham> "Well, we'll figure if I can't dance 8 inches shorter, this can't really be much worse."
[10:38.44] <DM> And a circle is inscribed on the back of his cloak.
[10:39.21] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6
[10:39.21] <%tBot> Akvan: 9 ([3] +6)
[10:39.23] <+Akvan> knowledge religion
[10:39.25] <+Repriever> "Save a dance for me, but first," he turns to Penumbra and Madei. "A dance, Lady Madei?"
[10:39.27] <DM> The second man in dressed in a rich red suit, more modern looking, with a slender golden chain at his waistcoat. He is young and handsome, with dirty blonde hair spiked upwards, the tips bright crimson.
[10:39.36] * Repriever bows his head to Madei.
[10:39.50] <DM> Shala, you realize with a start that you saw this man before.
[10:39.56] <DM> He is a Conjurer.
[10:40.13] <DM> He's tall, muscular, and engaged in animated conversation with two young women in sparkling gowns and jewels.
[10:40.27] <DM> They all laugh together at something obviously hilarious, and he shines a mouth of bright white teeth.
[10:40.54] <+Kir> [what of the third?]
[10:41.34] <DM> The third man is wearing all white, with a white shawl around his shoulders.
[10:41.51] <DM> Outside of a gold chain, he is otherwise unadorned.
[10:42.00] <+Shala> "Oh, the cocks are out and about tonight arent they?" she says under her breath
[10:43.04] * Kir mutters something in her general direction
[10:43.04] * You are now known as Madei
[10:43.06] <Madei> "Otey."
[10:43.34] * Madei grabs Repriever's hand in her glove and toddles onto the dance floor, as a stately waltz is struck up.
[10:43.36] * Repriever takes her and spins off to the dancing area, allowing Penumbra some time to think, and himself, too.
[10:43.58] * You are now known as A_Noble
[10:44.38] <+Shala> "If we dance, Kir, they can't bother us"
[10:44.40] * A_Noble walks up to Penumbra and kneels before her, wearing dress armor that clanks as she takes a knee.
[10:44.46] * Kir offers a hand
[10:44.49] * Shala takes his hand
[10:44.58] <+Kir> "So we dance"
[10:45.07] <A_Noble> "My Lord Commander. Ilya Mantria, commander of the city guard."
[10:45.16] * Kir adopts the shiteating grin of Kallos
[10:45.25] * Kir then steps off
[10:45.25] <+Tasham> "Hmm, Akvan?"
[10:46.15] <A_Noble> "My daughter was among the soldiers you returned to the city. I saw her last night after believing her dead, or turned."
[10:46.31] <A_Noble> "I can never repay this debt of gratitude."
[10:47.15] * Akvan bows his head
[10:47.46] * You are now known as DM
[10:48.09] <DM> "My," says a voice behind Akvan, as Penumbra, Kir, Shala, and Repriever begin to dance.
[10:48.22] <DM> "Is it transmutation?"
[10:48.49] <DM> The voice is rather high pitched, curious, and inflected with a strange accent.
[10:49.11] <DM> It is the mage with the complex facial tattos.
[10:49.13] <DM> tattoos*
[10:49.20] <DM> Which, by the way, you were not able to decipher a lick of, Kir.
[10:50.06] <DM> The mage is tall, Akvan, taller than you, and the dark purple tattoos continue up onto his bald scalp.
[10:50.07] * Repriever dances carefully with Madei, teaching her simple steps without giving a damn about disrupting the other dancers.
[10:50.25] <DM> "Your transformation. It is astounding," he continues, looking at you.
[10:50.27] <+Penumbra> "Rise, Ilya. Your daughter did well protecting others at Pyleth. I hope you can visit her soon."
[10:50.41] <+Akvan> "I'm not sure how I did it."
[10:50.45] <+Akvan> "But I did"
[10:51.14] <DM> He pauses for a moment, then bursts out in brash laughter.
[10:51.25] * Akvan raises an eyebrow
[10:51.27] <DM> "You were a human, then? Before."
[10:51.38] <+Akvan> "Yes, completly."
[10:52.30] <DM> "Katchari Ba'al Quique, Ambassador of the Tower of Transmutation."
[10:52.38] <DM> "A pleasure to see you up close."
[10:52.46] <+Akvan> "And my body intrigues you?"
[10:52.55] <+Shala> [ ;) ]
[10:53.05] <+Akvan> [ ;) ]
[10:53.08] <DM> As he says this, the eye on his forehead pops open, and you realize that it's not a symbol, but an actual eye.
[10:53.15] <DM> "Oh indeed."
[10:53.23] * Akvan aims the eye of carcephone at his third eye
[10:53.31] <+Akvan> "And you? human through and through?"
[10:53.33] <DM> "We have so much in common."
[10:53.49] <DM> "Humanity...is a baseline."
[10:53.58] <DM> "We are all somewhat more than what we started as."
[10:54.07] <+Akvan> "Isn't that what life is, though?"
[10:54.20] <+Akvan> "for everyone? Not just those of us who have changed thier bodies?"
[10:54.22] * You are now known as Katchari
[10:54.30] * Katchari grins, showing very sharp teeth.
[10:54.35] <+Akvan> "Growth, development, becoming more than the beginning?"
[10:54.47] <Katchari> "Just so. Change is a facet of reality, and embracing it the only true means of living life."
[10:55.00] <Katchari> "You are an ideal candidate for a Transmuter, my friend."
[10:55.06] <+Akvan> "What are the towers like?"
[10:55.11] * Akvan smiles a bit
[10:55.20] <+Akvan> "Thank you, that is an honor coming from you.?
[10:55.24] <+Akvan> " *
[10:55.50] <Katchari> "They are beyond this existence. Pleasures, pains, and opportunities beyond those available to those who dwell in the waste."
[10:55.52] <+Tasham> "Lord Repriever, a dance?"
[10:56.16] <Katchari> "I would love to have you as my honored guest."
[10:56.20] * Repriever moves awkwardly, but adorably, with Madei, as Tasham asks.
[10:56.31] <+Repriever> "What do you think, Madei? Ready to share?"
[10:56.45] <+Akvan> "In time, I would love to take advantage of your invitation, and hope it remains open."
[10:56.53] <+Akvan> "Though my path leads me elsewhere for now."
[10:57.03] <Katchari> "Yes, yes..."
[10:57.15] * Repriever gets Penumbra to take Madei, then takes up Tasham on the dance.
[10:57.17] <Katchari> "And against that brute the Apastron."
[10:57.30] <Katchari> “It seems he has some of my old colleagues from the Tower of Necromancy dancing on strings like little meat puppets.”
[10:57.46] * Penumbra dances with Madei
[10:57.47] <+Akvan> "He took their tower by storm... After they invited him in, it seems"
[10:57.56] <+Akvan> "Pride... Hubris."
[10:58.04] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+8
[10:58.04] <%tBot> Tasham: 12 ([4] +8)
[10:58.15] <+Tasham> {Wew}
[10:58.16] <Katchari> "The Black Tower has always been blinded by their arrogance."
[10:58.26] <Katchari> "Still, it is sad to see them fall."
[10:58.35] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+6
[10:58.35] <%tBot> Repriever: 11 ([5] +6)
[10:58.39] <+Repriever> [>.>]
[10:58.55] * Repriever talks while dancing with Tasham.
[10:58.57] <+Akvan> "In all honesty, those few from the towers have tended towards that characteristic. The Conjurers, the Diviners, both in thier own way."
[10:59.13] <+Akvan> "What purpose does this eye serve, if I may ask?
[10:59.14] <+Akvan> "
[10:59.18] * Tasham does a little badly-coordinated dance with Repriever.
[10:59.20] <Katchari> "Mine?"
[10:59.23] * Katchari chuckles.
[10:59.33] <+Tasham> "So, when's the last time you were at a party like this, ducky?"
[10:59.35] <Katchari> "It allows me to see...beyondmortal ken."
[10:59.41] <Katchari> [add a space]
[10:59.41] <+Akvan> "Oh?"
[10:59.44] <+Repriever> "I've never been to one."
[10:59.56] <+Akvan> "Other planes? Spiritual energy?"
[10:59.56] <+Tasham> "Not once?"
[11:00.01] <+Repriever> "Not once."
[11:00.05] <Katchari> "Auras and spells are made clear to me, enchantments as obvious as garish cloth."
[11:00.13] <+Akvan> "This is a fascinating subject... much of it beyond my understanding, of course."
[11:00.17] <+Akvan> "But I am learning. Studying"
[11:00.19] <+Repriever> "Trained for them, but never had a court to spin my heels in."
[11:00.20] <Katchari> "Yes."
[11:00.27] <+Tasham> "I think I might have, but the memories get all twisted. First time for me though."
[11:00.33] <+Repriever> "Mostly dancing with drunk palatines in some far flung field."
[11:00.47] * Akvan tries to make eye contact with Tasham
[11:00.52] * Tasham does a little spin with Repriever's hand in hers.
[11:00.53] <Katchari> "To study...and be studied."
[11:00.57] <Katchari> "The great gifts of our art."
[11:01.00] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+8
[11:01.00] <%tBot> Tasham: 9 ([1] +8)
[11:01.02] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+4
[11:01.02] <%tBot> Kir: 19 ([15] +4)
[11:01.03] <+Tasham> XD
[11:01.05] <+Repriever> [lol]
[11:01.13] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+6
[11:01.13] <%tBot> Repriever: 23 ([17] +6)
[11:01.19] * Repriever catches her before she slips to the floor.
[11:01.21] * Tasham loses her footing.
[11:01.26] <+Akvan> "What do you see as the pinnacle of your art?"
[11:01.30] * Tasham laughs brightly.
[11:01.37] <+Repriever> "Careful now, a little long in the legs?"
[11:01.45] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20+3
[11:01.45] <%tBot> Shala: 16 ([13] +3)
[11:01.45] <Katchari> "Perfection is anathema."
[11:01.46] <+Akvan> "Is it the changing of the self towards perfection?"
[11:01.56] <+Akvan> "Or... I have misunderstood you completly."
[11:01.57] <+Shala> [a perfectly acceptable dance number D: ]
[11:02.00] <+Akvan> "it seems."
[11:02.03] <Katchari> "No, no, perfection is a fever dream, never to be attained."
[11:02.09] <+Tasham> "Like a fawn in heels."
[11:02.24] <Katchari> "Perpetual change and experimentation is the height of our art."
[11:02.25] * Akvan again tries to make eye contact with Tasham, or Preev
[11:02.29] <+Repriever> "I'm sorry you have to hide yourself. They should be bending over backwards for you, the real you."
[11:02.33] <Katchari> "To experience joy, and suffering, in ever new ways."
[11:02.34] <+Repriever> "It's not right."
[11:02.46] <+Akvan> "Because one cannot exist without the other?"
[11:03.00] <Katchari> "If you seek it, I will provide you an eye, to see joy like a color, and suffering like a rain."
[11:03.04] <+Tasham> "Well, all in due time. I'd hardly wanna kick off a war in my name just as we're looking for friends."
[11:03.21] <+Repriever> "What better place than the dance floor, right?"
[11:03.24] <+Akvan> "In due time I will come looking for you. But it is not that time, yet."
[11:03.27] <Katchari> "The pageantry of our tower lies ever open to you, Akvan."
[11:03.28] * Repriever spins her.
[11:03.39] <Katchari> "We will welcome you with open arms."
[11:03.41] <+Tasham> "My dear, are you proposing that we do something rash?"
[11:03.42] * Tasham spins
[11:03.43] <+Akvan> "And one day I hope that I will learn from you."
[11:03.45] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+8
[11:03.45] <%tBot> Tasham: 13 ([5] +8)
[11:03.52] <Katchari> "You will."
[11:03.52] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+6
[11:03.53] <%tBot> Repriever: 8 ([2] +6)
[11:03.53] * Tasham might be getting the hang of this?
[11:03.55] <Katchari> "I've seen it."
[11:03.58] * Katchari glides off.
[11:04.01] * Akvan nods
[11:04.03] * Repriever is a bit one-handed.
[11:04.05] * Akvan shivers
[11:04.19] * Akvan wanders around, looking for a drink
[11:04.41] * Tasham catches herself, and finishes up a dance, kissing Repriever on the hand.
[11:04.45] <+Tasham> "Lovely!"
[11:04.56] * Kir is warm with liquor, light, and the dance
[11:04.57] <+Repriever> "Had it my way? A little flourish and the devil'd appear."
[11:04.59] * Repriever bows his head.
[11:05.18] <+Tasham> "I think that's a bit of a showstopper."
[11:05.25] <+Repriever> "A little much, you think?"
[11:05.42] <Katchari> Kir, you feel a tap on your shoulder.
[11:05.43] <+Tasham> "Perhaps six glasses of wine and two of brandy were a bit much."
[11:05.45] * You are now known as DM
[11:05.59] * Akvan downs a shot of some clear brown liquid
[11:06.14] * Tasham sneakly shifts her eyes back to heterochromia and winks at Repriever.
[11:06.27] <+Repriever> "How devilish."
[11:06.43] <DM> The tall, muscular conjurer, bright in red, with a red and black cape, stares down at you with a diamond-white smile.
[11:06.47] <+Kir> "Mmm?"
[11:06.49] <DM> "Mind if I cut in?"
[11:06.58] * Kir looks to Shala for approval
[11:07.09] <+Kir> "Why you want to do that?"
[11:07.13] <DM> "Thank you, tunnel boy."
[11:07.24] <DM> He takes Shala's hand.
[11:07.24] <+Tasham> "Hey now, show some sympathy for that maligned soul." :P
[11:07.35] * Shala winks at Kir, "It's fine"
[11:07.40] * Akvan wanders over to Kir, who presumably is far away
[11:07.45] <+Repriever> [is this near us?]
[11:07.49] <+Akvan> "Keep an eye on that. Can't trust him."
[11:07.53] * Akvan whispers
[11:07.54] <DM> [A bit far away]
[11:07.58] * Kir smolders at the last remark
[11:08.02] * Shala 's heart is actually pounding
[11:08.02] <+Akvan> after Kir has left the pair
[11:08.10] <DM> "Well, the Rows must be proud, then."
[11:08.30] * Kir imagines the beautiful sight of the conjurer's innards in his hands, a sphereblade gash across his belly
[11:08.41] * Kir narrows his eyes and turns away
[11:08.43] <+Shala> "They should be"
[11:08.48] <DM> "I don't think we were ever introduced. I was above you in school."
[11:09.02] <DM> "Varduk Bel Zimmalek."
[11:09.21] * Tasham peoplewatches with Repriever.
[11:09.24] * Repriever uses this reprieve to fetch more alcohol for himself and Tasham.
[11:09.26] <+Shala> "Shala Tell Ashara. The greatest Conjurer of the age, as Azri Bel Azimel will tell you himself."
[11:09.34] * You are now known as Varduk
[11:09.36] * Varduk effortlessly glides onto the dance floor with her.
[11:10.00] <Varduk> "Yes, of course. The famous fugitive, turned hero of the new coalition."
[11:10.00] * Tasham and Repriever share some whispered words.
[11:10.02] * Tasham giggles.
[11:10.08] <Varduk> "A necessary deception, of course."
[11:10.12] * Varduk spins her.
[11:10.20] * Varduk is dripping with sarcasm.
[11:10.29] <Varduk> "How clever of you to plan it all out like that with Azri."
[11:10.31] * Kir finds something and drinks it, not really bothering to find out what it is until it's already in his mouth
[11:10.51] * Shala giggles
[11:10.54] * Repriever keeps a brighter countenance.
[11:11.26] <+Shala> "It wasnt HIS plan"
[11:11.34] <+Shala> "Though he might have allowed it, who knows."
[11:11.43] <+Shala> "Maybe it's destiny? Some of us have one."
[11:11.59] <Varduk> Repriever, you see Shala and the conjurer dance by you as the waltz turns.
[11:12.04] <+Shala> "Others, they find solace in...the mundanities of life"
[11:12.05] * Akvan approaches the noble girl Varduk was speaking to before
[11:12.08] * Akvan bows
[11:12.11] <+Akvan> "I'm Akvan."
[11:12.19] <+Akvan> "May I dance with you?"
[11:12.19] * Repriever takes Tasham's hand and pulls her into a dance behind Shala.
[11:12.22] <Varduk> She giggles, covering her mouth with her hands.
[11:12.32] <Varduk> "Taris. I'd love to."
[11:12.40] <+Shala> "But it IS a nice party, I'll say that."
[11:12.47] * Akvan flashes a smile at her, and takes her hand, leading her out onto the floor
[11:12.58] <Varduk> She has short brown hair and light brown eyes, high cheekboned and quite pretty.
[11:13.05] * Shala tries to regain the lead in the dance
[11:13.10] * Varduk allows her.
[11:13.20] <+Shala> [as is the Calcissi way :p ]
[11:13.25] * Repriever leads the dance to keep Tasham with him at pace behind Shala and her man.
[11:13.52] <Varduk> "I have a message from Azri for you, in fact."
[11:14.01] * Akvan whispers to Taris
[11:14.12] <+Shala> "And why wouldnt he send it himself? He seems fond of the spectacle."
[11:14.20] <+Akvan> "I haven't danced much. You'll have to forgive my clusmy steps... or teach me better yourself."
[11:14.24] <+Tasham> [prescience preroll]
[11:14.26] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20
[11:14.26] <%tBot> Tasham: 6 [6]
[11:14.29] <+Akvan> "if you don't mind."
[11:14.35] <Varduk> "He's High Athtar now. Ruler of the magical world. You have to delegate."
[11:14.46] <Varduk> "Especially in sensitive diplomatic crises."
[11:14.49] <+Tasham> That's a 6 on an untranced dance roll.
[11:15.00] * You are now known as Taris
[11:15.02] * Tasham tries to do the dippy thing with Repriever.
[11:15.07] <+Shala> "What does the High Athtar say, then."
[11:15.08] <Taris> "Here, it's quite fine. Let me show you how to spin."
[11:15.17] * Akvan follows along
[11:15.21] <+Akvan> [Want me to roll?]
[11:15.27] * Repriever does the dippy thing.
[11:15.35] <Taris> [yes]
[11:15.41] * You are now known as Varduk
[11:15.42] <+Akvan> acrobatics? or just a d20
[11:15.42] <+Akvan> ?
[11:15.47] <Varduk> "He wants to know if you've thought about dinner."
[11:16.00] <Varduk> "I'm simply the messenger, I don't know the context."
[11:16.11] * Varduk watches her eyes.
[11:16.18] <+Akvan> [or dex?]
[11:16.22] <+Repriever> [diplo]
[11:16.30] <+Kir> [I rolled dex?]
[11:16.32] <Varduk> [just roll dex]
[11:16.39] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+3
[11:16.39] <%tBot> Akvan: 8 ([5] +3)
[11:16.47] <+Akvan> (I mean, I'd be HAPPY to roll diplo)
[11:17.06] <+Shala> "And that's your part in this. Thank you for the delivery"
[11:17.07] <Varduk> The height difference makes her spinning you a bit awkward, she's rather short for a Calcissi, but she laughs it off and puts her hands on your chest as she does so.
[11:17.20] * You are now known as Taris
[11:17.24] <Taris> "That was a good first try!"
[11:17.29] * You are now known as Varduk
[11:17.33] <Varduk> "Do you have a reply?"
[11:17.48] * Akvan smiles
[11:17.53] <+Akvan> "let's try again!"
[11:18.52] <+Shala> "Of course"
[11:18.58] <Varduk> "And?"
[11:18.58] <+Shala> "That's my reply, by the way"
[11:19.11] * Varduk grins a slightly exasperated smile.
[11:19.24] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+6
[11:19.24] <%tBot> Tasham: 19 ([13] +6)
[11:19.25] * Repriever stumbles through a dip as Tasham pulls him off balance, throwing himself into Varduk's back.
[11:19.33] <Varduk> "You had a reputation as a-"
[11:19.35] <+Tasham> "Oops!"
[11:19.47] <Varduk> "Unf!"
[11:19.51] <+Repriever> "Augh!"
[11:19.55] <+Shala> "Oh!"
[11:20.09] * Varduk stumbles slightly as he breaks his hold on Shala.
[11:20.14] * Tasham goes for the save. ACROBATICS.
[11:20.21] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+6
[11:20.21] <%tBot> Tasham: 22 ([16] +6)
[11:20.32] <Varduk> You're trying to save Varduk, am I right?
[11:20.38] <+Tasham> [aye]
[11:20.53] <Varduk> You manage to grab him by the arm and stabilize him as he starts to tumble.
[11:21.03] * Tasham swings him up and resumes dancing.
[11:21.14] <+Tasham> "Why fancy running into you, fine sir."
[11:21.16] * Akvan tries something ambitious
[11:21.21] <+Akvan> "Taris... let's try this!"
[11:21.26] * Akvan tries to spin HER
[11:21.31] <+Shala> "Oh my, maybe you two should have a dance?"
[11:21.33] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+3
[11:21.33] <%tBot> Akvan: 21 ([18] +3)
[11:21.36] * Repriever spins into Shala, dancing off with her.
[11:21.48] <Varduk> "I think it's that Warden who wanted to dance with me."
[11:22.04] * Shala waves goodbye at Varduk
[11:22.04] <Varduk> "Sadly, I don't reciprocate that type of amorous interest."
[11:22.11] * Repriever stumbles before really dancing with Shala.
[11:22.27] * Repriever cheer falls from his face, suddenly grave.
[11:22.31] <+Repriever> "I'm not a warden."
[11:22.54] * Tasham laughs.
[11:23.01] * Varduk arches his eyebrows and smiles at Shala and Repriever as they spin away.
[11:23.31] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+9
[11:23.31] <%tBot> Repriever: 22 ([13] +9)
[11:23.39] <+Tasham> "So, where d'you come from good sir?"
[11:23.41] <+Shala> [what's that one]
[11:23.45] <Varduk> "Me?"
[11:23.50] * Akvan and taris dance, off to the side
[11:23.52] * Repriever softens and smiles, dancing with Shala. [that was a will save]
[11:23.58] * Akvan has EXPERTLY spun her
[11:24.10] <Varduk> "The center of the world. Have you heard of it?"
[11:24.12] <+Repriever> "I've found you, mancer. How nice. Dance?"
[11:24.15] * Repriever and so on.
[11:24.27] <+Tasham> "Which center, I've been to a couple!"
[11:24.48] <Varduk> "The greatest source of knowledge, power, and culture in human history. The Great Tower of Conjuration."
[11:25.05] <Varduk> "And you are..."
[11:25.11] <+Tasham> "Ooh! I've seen it before, never been close."
[11:25.22] <Varduk> "A poorly illused bodyguard."
[11:25.31] * Varduk sneers.
[11:25.36] * Tasham grins.
[11:25.37] <Varduk> "I think I'll be having some punch."
[11:25.59] <+Tasham> "Careful you don't get it from Repriever, he'll hand it out liberally and literally."
[11:26.19] * Kir has found the punch by this point and nurses a cup
[11:26.23] <Varduk> "I'm a diplomat, my dear."
[11:26.26] <+Repriever> [damn]
[11:26.36] <+Tasham> "Oh, as if that's ever stopped him."
[11:26.39] <Varduk> "Handling egregious stupidity from barbarians is quite literally my job."
[11:27.18] <+Akvan> "So, Taris... what is life in the great capital like?"
[11:27.27] <+Tasham> "Oh, you'd get along with him swimmingly!"
[11:27.48] <+Tasham> "So what diplomatic mission brings you to Tetraea?"
[11:28.06] <Varduk> "The Tower maintains a permanent embassy to the Queendom of the Calcissi."
[11:28.24] <+Tasham> "And you are the permanent diplomat? Or simply visiting, for the time?"
[11:28.34] <Varduk> "In return for payment, we have the right to select apprentices, if need be, from the apt among the populace."
[11:28.54] <Varduk> "They are often useful at the Tower in various minor occupations."
[11:29.01] <+Tasham> "Interesting seeing that from the Calcissi. These folks are none to warm towards the magically inclined."
[11:29.08] <Varduk> "I am the deputy ambassador."
[11:29.24] <Varduk> "Yes, we often encounter resistance from the common folk."
[11:29.38] <Varduk> "Which is why this position is necessary."
[11:29.51] * You are now known as Taris
[11:30.10] <Taris> "Well, it's honestly boring a lot of the time. There haven't been many good parties since the stupid war started."
[11:30.11] <+Tasham> "Ah, the wand and sword, aside the quill."
[11:30.33] <+Akvan> "Isn't there some fun besides parties?"
[11:30.49] <+Akvan> "I... grew up out in a small village. I don't know cities."
[11:30.56] <+Akvan> "Honestly, this is a bit overwhelming."
[11:31.00] <Taris> "Well, there's hunting, but I don't really like hunting."
[11:31.20] <Taris> "And there's gambling, but that's really a great way to become poor very quickly."
[11:32.12] <+Akvan> "No hunting? What don't you like about it?"
[11:32.30] <Taris> "It's just...a little dirty for me."
[11:32.53] <Taris> "Reading is interesting. I...don't tell anyone this, but I actually like fantasy stories."
[11:33.13] <Taris> "They don't really write them anymore, but there are a lot of old ones in the libraries."
[11:33.23] <Taris> "Not like fairy tales, more mature."
[11:33.26] <+Akvan> "Fantasy Stories?"
[11:33.36] <+Akvan> "What do you mean?"
[11:33.39] <Taris> "You know, stories of machines and alchemists? Impossible things."
[11:33.49] <+Akvan> "I won't tell anyone... if you don't tell anyone that I'm just now learning to read."
[11:33.52] <+Akvan> "It's pretty hard."
[11:33.52] <+Tasham> "Well, it's been a pleasure, Regent Ambassador! And do have a chat with the Palatine, I think it would be a blast."
[11:34.01] * Tasham dances off.
[11:34.14] <Taris> "Yes, good luck with your ...progress."
[11:34.16] <+Akvan> "Machines and alchemists... what's your favorite story?"
[11:34.18] <Taris> says Varduk.
[11:34.27] <+Tasham> "Progress goes as progress goes!"
[11:34.30] * Repriever makes an effort to help Shala's dancing improve.
[11:34.33] * Tasham calls off, fading into the crowd.
[11:35.00] * Shala laughs, visibly enjoying herself
[11:35.03] * Penumbra (chatzilla@cpe-173-90-134-133.neo.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[11:35.11] <Taris> "Well, my favorite one is called Iron Stallions. It has some romance in it as well, but mostly it's about a brilliant alchemist who creates horses that run on coal."
[11:36.07] <+Repriever> "And his name is?" he asks Shala.
[11:36.11] <Taris> "Reading is fun. Although the stupid warrior brats will always mock you for it."
[11:36.18] <+Akvan> "Eh, what do they know?"
[11:36.22] <+Akvan> "Right?"
[11:36.29] <+Akvan> "Do you want to sit down?"
[11:36.39] <Taris> She laughs, and lays her hand on your arm.
[11:36.45] <+Akvan> "I'd love to hear more about these books?"
[11:36.54] <+Shala> "Vardunk or something like that"
[11:37.00] <Taris> "Yes. Thank you. Are all the velcirath as polite as you? They haven't been allowed since the war."
[11:37.31] <+Akvan> "I'm not a velcirath, actually. Human, though... I made some mistakes, and some choices that I don't think are mistakes but others say are."
[11:37.42] <+Akvan> "what do THEY know?"
[11:37.53] <Taris> "Hm! "
[11:38.20] <+Akvan> "To tell you the truth... some of it probably was a bad idea... But I thought I was doing it all for a good reason."
[11:38.27] <Taris> "You're a chosen hero and thousands of people know your name. You could probably get free food anywhere in the city!"
[11:38.32] <Taris> "So, you know."
[11:38.39] <Taris> "It turned out okay for you."
[11:38.39] * Repriever finishes a dance with Shala, and sends her off to find her boyfriend before he kills someone.
[11:38.59] <Taris> "You believed in your choices, even if other people would say that they're strange."
[11:39.04] <+Akvan> "I'm not sure it did. All my people are... gone."
[11:39.16] <+Akvan> "Thank you, Taris. That's really sweet of you."
[11:39.20] <Taris> "Before I met you, I would have never thought that someone like you could even be human. But you don't feel the same as the mages do."
[11:39.31] <+Akvan> "They make me feel greasy"
[11:39.37] <Taris> "I know."
[11:39.45] <Taris> "It'll be a great day when we can finally kill them all, right?"
[11:39.46] <+Akvan> "Met an aboleth once... kind of the same feeling."
[11:39.53] <+Akvan> "it does."
[11:39.58] <+Akvan> will*
[11:40.00] * Taris sips her punch.
[11:40.11] * Akvan is a bit uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
[11:40.18] <+Tasham> "Oooooooooh..."
[11:40.22] * Tasham slides in.
[11:40.26] <+Tasham> "Aboleths are a bad time."
[11:40.44] <+Akvan> "So, you say that these books you read... nobody writes them anymore?"
[11:40.52] * Akvan shoots a sidelong glance at Tasham
[11:41.06] <Taris> "Oh, gosh, I think my friend is too drunk to stand anymore. "
[11:41.17] <Taris> "And I want to get her away from that filthy Conjurer."
[11:41.22] * Akvan nods
[11:41.24] <+Tasham> "Where?"
[11:41.29] <+Tasham> "I'll save 'er!"
[11:41.34] <+Tasham> "Or him."
[11:41.36] <+Tasham> "Whomever."
[11:41.39] <+Akvan> "Them!"
[11:41.41] * You are now known as DM
[11:41.42] <+Akvan> "lets"
[11:41.44] <+Tasham> "Theys!"
[11:41.57] <DM> She's leaning against a window as Varduk stares down at her, making her laugh with some comment.
[11:42.05] <DM> But is obviously extremely drunk.
[11:42.10] * Tasham grabs another glass of wine.
[11:42.27] * Akvan takes Taris's hand
[11:42.32] * Repriever prowls by as Tasham spots her prey.
[11:42.34] <+Akvan> "Let's go save your friend."
[11:42.37] <DM> Repriever, the man in the pale white dress with the white shawl approaches you and Shala after breaking off from his dance partner.
[11:42.38] <+Repriever> "Perhaps not the best plan."
[11:42.45] <+Repriever> [oh]
[11:42.52] <DM> "My lord Repriever."
[11:42.54] <+Akvan> "Or at least watch Tasham go to town. This could be fun.
[11:42.55] <+Akvan> "
[11:43.08] <+Akvan> "Taris... if no one writes those books anymore... why don't you?"
[11:43.08] * Repriever turns to the newcomer.
[11:43.16] <+Repriever> "Yes?"
[11:43.18] * Tasham approaches Taris' friend with Taris.
[11:43.26] <DM> "Do you know what I am?"
[11:43.54] * Repriever is no longer smiling.
[11:44.15] <+Repriever> "What do you want?"
[11:44.41] <DM> "I'm from the Citadel."
[11:44.53] <DM> "We want to negotiate with the Six."
[11:45.12] <+Repriever> "We're a little preoccupied."
[11:45.23] <DM> "Naturally."
[11:45.37] <DM> "The Apastron came out of our tower."
[11:45.50] <+Repriever> "And I didn't."
[11:45.54] <DM> "When the time comes to move against him, we would like to coordinate."
[11:45.56] * Repriever grabs some wine.
[11:46.10] <DM> "The time for arrogance is past. We didn't see an opening until now,."
[11:46.16] <DM> "But you provide it."
[11:46.35] * You are now known as Taris
[11:46.40] <+Repriever> "I imagine you hold many secrets even now."
[11:46.46] <Taris> "Huh...I never really thought I could be a writer."
[11:46.57] <+Repriever> "Secrets that could have prevented this."
[11:47.03] * Repriever drinks.
[11:47.10] <Taris> "Perhaps we do."
[11:47.17] <Taris> says the Abjurer.
[11:47.21] * You are now known as DM
[11:47.26] <DM> "I am the Fiduciary."
[11:47.54] <DM> "Regardless, the time for doubt and regret is long past."
[11:48.05] <DM> "Please come to the Citadel to negotiate an alliance at your convenience."
[11:48.07] <+Akvan> "Why not? I've only just met you, but you seem like a smart, creative girl."
[11:48.17] * You are now known as Varduk
[11:48.20] <+Repriever> "You will find nothing else here, I'm afraid. And why would I?"
[11:48.24] <+Kir> [＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPImqZo0D74]，
[11:48.27] * Varduk looks up at Tasham, Akvan and Taris
[11:48.30] <Varduk> "Yes?"
[11:48.49] <+Tasham> "Do you fancy novels?"
[11:49.08] <Varduk> "I enjoy a good page-turner."
[11:49.44] <+Tasham> "We're jus' talking about writing 'em!"
[11:49.51] <Varduk> "Oh I see."
[11:50.08] <Varduk> "I enjoy historical analysis."
[11:50.31] <Varduk> "Something about the struggle to impose one's will is quite alluring."
[11:50.46] <+Tasham> "Ooh, history's always fun. Like myths, but true. They're even more unbelievable that way."
[11:50.50] * Repriever spies the group across the hall talking, as he semi-ignores the Abjurer.
[11:51.04] * You are now known as Fiduciary
[11:51.15] * Kir rises from the slump of the punch and walks over to Tasham and co.
[11:51.18] <Fiduciary> "The Apastron's forces are vast, and you'll need a coalition to defeat him."
[11:51.34] <Fiduciary> "By all means, I won't trouble you further. Simply seek us out when you're ready, if you choose."
[11:51.41] <Fiduciary> "We have the largest force of palatines left on this planet."
[11:51.45] <+Repriever> "So the White Tower comes gutter diving for palatines?"
[11:52.29] * Akvan whispers to Taris
[11:52.33] <+Akvan> "What's your friend's name?
[11:52.35] <+Akvan> "
[11:52.38] <Fiduciary> "You come with quite the allies."
[11:53.20] * You are now known as Taris
[11:53.34] <Taris> "Syrine...
[11:53.35] <Taris> "
[11:53.51] * Taris whispers back
[11:53.51] * Akvan waits for Varduk to be distracted by Tasham
[11:54.04] * You are now known as Varduk
[11:54.13] <+Repriever> "And they are my friends, not pawns for your machinations."
[11:54.20] <Varduk> "I'm quite a fan of Urgrench II, myself. Are you familiar with her exploits?"
[11:54.29] <+Akvan> "Syrine! There you are! Come on! we're just about to head out... to look at the clouds! The way they move!"
[11:54.36] <+Tasham> "I don't get to see too many books out in the eastern wastes."
[11:54.37] * Kir approaches Tasham from behind
[11:54.38] <+Akvan> "It's... romantic!"
[11:54.42] <Varduk> "Right, right."
[11:54.49] <+Tasham> "That one was a Kanetic King, wasn't it?"
[11:54.59] <Varduk> "Something of the sort."
[11:55.01] <+Kir> "Tasham!"
[11:55.15] <+Kir> "Did not expect to see you over by window"
[11:55.19] <+Tasham> "Or Queen. Hmm, not sure if it was a man or a woman, actually, can't really tell with those names- Oh, what is it Kir?"
[11:55.19] <Varduk> "I find that all of the best books are *sealed* away."
[11:55.30] * Akvan takes Syrines arm, subtly trying to maneuver her towards taris
[11:55.31] <+Akvan> and away
[11:55.57] <+Tasham> "Well, looks like all of our group are headed to a sealed place soon enough. Maybe we'll get to see a bit."
[11:56.02] <Varduk> "Good luck finding one out there in the waste."
[11:56.11] <Varduk> "I'm sure it'll be an amusing story...oh."
[11:56.15] <+Tasham> "Don't the towers have great libraries? I've heard quite a bit."
[11:56.17] * Repriever puts his cup down, and says, in passing:
[11:56.19] <Varduk> "It seems my other companion is gone."
[11:56.29] <+Repriever> "I carried your sword for three hundred years, I'm not carrying it anymore."
[11:56.35] * Repriever walks off to join the party.
[11:56.38] * Tasham looks around.
[11:56.48] <Varduk> "Yes, the Great Tower of Conjuration has over three million volumes, some of which are not even physically or philosophically possible."
[11:56.56] <+Shala> "Fun guy"
[11:56.57] <+Tasham> "Now how's that work?"
[11:56.59] * Shala says to Repriever
[11:57.01] <Varduk> "I'm sure you'd find it quite an edifying experience."
[11:57.13] <Varduk> "It's a bit difficult to explain over punch."
[11:57.38] <Varduk> "Perhaps you could visit some time. Visiting dignitaries are often allowed tours of our majestic facilities."
[11:57.48] <Varduk> "Bring your Warden friend."
[11:57.50] * Repriever brings Shala with him.
[11:57.53] <+Tasham> "Well, fair enough. You're under no obligation to tell me."
[11:58.09] <+Tasham> "Ooh, Repriever. Yeah, he loves being a visiting dignitary all right!"
[11:58.23] <+Kir> "Nothing more in world for him"
[11:58.28] <+Tasham> "Us nomad types are great at it, as you can well tell."
[11:58.35] <Varduk> "Alternate universes with alternate systems of function, essentially."
[11:58.40] * Tasham drinks some more of her wine.
[11:58.46] <Varduk> "Would be the easiest way to describe it, to a nomad with little education."
[11:59.02] <+Kir> "Let alone "tunnel boy""
[11:59.06] <+Tasham> "I've heard things from the others."
[11:59.11] * Kir says with a grin
[11:59.14] <+Tasham> "Planes and hells and such."
[11:59.17] <Varduk> "Although such books aren't useful, or safe."
[11:59.32] <Varduk> "Stick to the alphabet for starters."
[11:59.42] * Tasham laughs.
[12:00.17] <+Tasham> "You know they have a whole different alphabet where he lives?"
[12:00.41] <Varduk> "Really. Fascinating."
[12:01.03] <Varduk> "I would love to hear more, but I believe we both have appointments."
[12:01.10] * Tasham looks around.
[12:01.23] <+Tasham> "Well it's been a pleasure!"
[12:01.40] <Varduk> "Truly."
[12:01.43] <+Tasham> "Good night to ye, fine lord diplomatic of the conjurer's spire!"
[12:01.43] <+Kir> "Truly"
[12:01.46] * Tasham stumbles off with Kir.
[12:01.58] <Varduk> "Gods, that was inane."
[12:02.05] * Repriever arrives on cue to gather with Tasham and Kir, bringing Shala.
[12:02.10] <+Kir> "He took Shala from me to dance and called me tunnel boy"
[12:02.13] * Kir says to Tasham
[12:02.30] * Varduk adjusts  his cloak and strides out of the dance hall.
[12:02.31] <+Kir> "I'll show him tunnels right through his gut, you watch"
[12:02.35] * Kir chuckles
[12:02.40] <+Kir> "Someday"
[12:02.41] * You are now known as DM
[12:02.59] <DM> You see him stalk by, black-lined red cape flowing as he handsomely exits.
[12:03.26] <+Repriever> "We have more to worry about than conjurers."
[12:03.30] * Repriever says as he joins them.
[12:04.17] <+Kir> "Mm?"
[12:04.34] <+Repriever> "Be careful how you speak, and to whom. Mancers are one thing, but wardens are another."
[12:04.57] <+Repriever> "You don't want to see what palatines can do if they don't like you very much."
[12:05.49] * Repriever then remembers he's missing an arm, and they have seen.
[12:05.59] <+Repriever> "Right..."
[12:06.29] <DM> Plainchant appears again, striding down the hall, as the nobles begin to disperse, all of them thanking you one by one.
[12:07.03] <DM> Katchari Ba'al Quique smiles at your group as he strides out of the dancing hall, the sun now having totally set, as magical lamps begin to glow white along the walls.
[12:07.28] <DM> "Until the Tower of Transmutation, my friends."
[12:07.41] <DM> His third eye blinks at you as he smiles.
[12:07.56] * You are now known as Plainchant
[12:07.56] * Repriever glares.
[12:08.08] * Plainchant looks at him with thinly-veiled disgust as she approaches you.
[12:08.32] <Plainchant> "I'm glad I took a holy vow against dancing."
[12:08.43] <+Tasham> "Oh, it ain't that bad."
[12:08.48] * Tasham dances with herself.
[12:08.50] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20
[12:08.50] <%tBot> Tasham: 6 [6]
[12:09.01] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+16
[12:09.01] <%tBot> Akvan: 28 ([12] +16)
[12:09.01] <+Tasham> [dexterity was the roll]
[12:10.10] <+Repriever> [assuming she stumbles drunkenly]
[12:10.12] * Tasham hums a song and twirls.
[12:10.21] <+Repriever> "Appears my guard's drunk."
[12:10.28] <+Tasham> "A drunken master!"
[12:10.33] * Tasham strikes a fighting pose.
[12:10.38] <+Repriever> "I've never felt safer."
[12:10.39] * Akvan walks back into the ballroom with a smile
[12:10.43] <Plainchant> "What a day this has been."
[12:10.46] <+Tasham> "Thy assailants will never know what hit them!"
[12:10.51] <Plainchant> "I believe you've all done quite well."
[12:11.03] <+Repriever> "No blood on the dance floor."
[12:11.06] <+Repriever> "Yet."
[12:11.21] <Plainchant> "If you aren't too tired, I'll take you to the sacred grotto now."
[12:11.25] * Akvan nods
[12:11.29] <Plainchant> "The Queen is preparing for her transformation."
[12:11.30] <+Tasham> "I daresay we managed this all without any violence. What a pleasant few days this has been."
[12:11.31] <+Akvan> "let's do this!"
[12:11.39] <+Akvan> "It has been, hasn't it?"
[12:11.41] <+Repriever> "Oh..."
[12:11.47] <Plainchant> "Do you want me to send a message through to your ship?"
[12:11.47] * Akvan smiles at Tasham
[12:11.52] <+Tasham> "Certainly."
[12:12.00] <Plainchant> "I think we actually might be able to bring it through the pool...it's big enough."
[12:12.09] <Plainchant> "From what Ironrose tells me of the dimensions."
[12:12.39] <+Repriever> "Tell Ironrose I'd like to see her in the morning, if I'm able."
[12:12.43] <+Repriever> "Though..."
[12:12.45] <Plainchant> "Although getting it out of the temple poses a certain engineering challenge...we're working on it."
[12:12.49] * Repriever looks at Tasham.
[12:12.59] <+Repriever> "I might not be fit for conversation come morning."
[12:13.11] <Plainchant> "Ironrose is staying where you are."
[12:13.26] <Plainchant> "You'll be able to find her easily when you're ready."
[12:13.54] <+Repriever> "I have a bad feeling this won't be at all relaxing."
[12:13.56] <+Tasham> "Just partake of the healing waters of Lethe, and all inebriation shall be HEALED."
[12:14.11] <+Kir> "Why would you want that?"
[12:14.21] <+Repriever> "You lead me to the waters, and I'll drink."
[12:14.27] * Repriever winks.
[12:15.13] <+Repriever> "We should probably join the queen before we... before I start a war."
[12:15.24] <+Akvan> "But tonight was really nice!"
[12:15.30] <+Akvan> "No wars to start here!"
[12:15.43] * Akvan has forgotten all about the greasy transmuters
[12:15.51] <+Akvan> transmuter*
[12:15.58] <+Repriever> "Well, aren't you sparkling?"
[12:16.11] * Repriever smiles at the poor guy.
[12:17.40] <Plainchant> "Would you like to see one of the many amazing features of Calcis' palace?"
[12:17.47] * Plainchant smiles.
[12:17.48] <+Tasham> "Elevators?"
[12:17.53] <Plainchant> "Something like that."
[12:17.56] <+Repriever> "Wine fountains?"
[12:17.59] * Plainchant opens the window.
[12:18.05] <+Tasham> "Maybe a combination of both."
[12:18.07] <Plainchant> "Follow me."
[12:18.12] * Plainchant jumps out of the window.
[12:18.14] <+Repriever> "Are we committing suicide? Good idea."
[12:18.31] * Tasham kicks Repriever out the window.
[12:18.39] <+Tasham> ?roll 1d20+12
[12:18.39] <%tBot> Tasham: 26 ([14] +12)
[12:18.40] * Repriever has no reflexes.
[12:18.45] <+Kir> "Flying?"
[12:18.45] * Repriever goes face first.
[12:18.46] <+Tasham> combat maneuver
[12:18.52] * Tasham jumps out after.
[12:18.55] <Plainchant> Haha, you succeed, Tasham.
[12:18.57] * Kir says this as he calmly steps into the air
[12:19.13] <+Shala> "Oh, how I love illusions..."
[12:19.28] <Plainchant> As you step out into the air, you immediately realize that the air spells enchanted into this place have made it impossible to fall from high heights.
[12:19.47] <Plainchant> The air thickens, and cushions your fall, essentially like a mass feather fall  enchanted over the entire palace.
[12:19.55] * Repriever feels the cushioning air and rolls onto his back, watching the others follow.
[12:20.00] <Plainchant> The great silver bulk of the dome retreats in the sky as you gently float down into the gardens.
[12:20.01] * Tasham laughs on the way down.
[12:20.16] * Akvan rolls his eyes and leaps out the window after them
[12:20.29] * Akvan activates his wings of flame
[12:20.41] <+Akvan> ready to dive down to save them if Tasham ACTUALLY fucked up
[12:20.53] <+Repriever> "You're gonna be the death of me, Tasham!"
[12:20.56] * Akvan keeps them on, even when realizing that he doesn't need to
[12:20.57] <Plainchant> Several drunk peasants lounging in the gardens scream "dragon!" and topple over their chairs before running away.
[12:21.14] * Akvan lands majestically, wings of lame angelic behind him
[12:21.18] <+Akvan> flame*
[12:21.22] <Plainchant> [lol wings of lame]
[12:21.27] <+Kir> [wings of lame ;)]
[12:21.31] <Plainchant> [no, they're really quite cool]
[12:21.33] <+Tasham> "Better the devil you know."
[12:21.35] <Plainchant> [don't be so hard on yourself]
[12:21.51] * Repriever forgets to turn to his feet and lands on his back in the gardens.
[12:21.56] * Plainchant stands, legs spread, guarding the path.
[12:22.13] <Plainchant> You land in a pleasant lawn, near a stone-lined gravel pathway.
[12:22.30] <Plainchant> "Are you all ready?"
[12:22.36] <Plainchant> "The Queen is waiting."
[12:22.53] * Tasham takes off the amulet, allowing her illusion to be suppressed.
[12:23.05] * Repriever lays there and breathes in deeply a few, meditative times.
[12:23.16] * Shala puts a hand on her hip, expectantly
[12:23.17] <Plainchant> Darkness has fallen over the land, and here and there the chirps of a few crickets break the nighttime silence.
[12:23.24] <+Tasham> "See, this is the problem with disguises that don't include the clothes."
[12:23.53] <+Repriever> [awkwardly fitting?]
[12:23.54] * Tasham loosens the gown, and hikes it up so she doesn't drag the fabric on the ground.
[12:24.15] <+Tasham> [going from a 6'0" scarecrow to a fairly curvy 5'4"]
[12:24.23] * Repriever chuckles to himself, obviously nervous, but rolls over and up to his feet.
[12:24.44] <Plainchant> ""This way."
[12:24.49] * You are now known as DM
[12:25.04] <+Repriever> "Whatever's said... just don't think less of me."
[12:25.16] <DM> Your feet crunch on the gravel pathway. As you move deeper into the garden, it stops looking as ornamental and sculpted and more...natural. Like a wilderness with some order imposed on it.
[12:25.17] <+Akvan> "Never..."
[12:25.42] <DM> Here and there are massive boulders, with moss growing on them, like eggs dropped thousands of years ago by some great stone bird.
[12:25.44] * Tasham is now known as Mel
[12:25.55] <DM> Half buried in the ground.
[12:26.28] <DM> There are small lanterns, glowing inside with twinkling lights.
[12:26.42] * Akvan is struck by the beauty
[12:26.50] * Akvan realizes it must be meant o emulate the stars
[12:27.12] * Mel whispers "Earth and Water."
[12:27.40] <+Repriever> "Stars above."
[12:28.16] <DM> As you walk onward, the vast bulk of the egg-shaped stones grow closer together, and a steamy pool lies between them, curving around the bend. The steam rises, obscuring the view.
[12:28.41] <DM> And beyond the curtain of steam, the figure of a woman reclines in the water.
[12:28.52] <DM> End session.