Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: Haikain and Okhfels stand still waiting for the rest of the people to gather for the expedition. The day is wasting away, the sun already high in the sky. Archelaus stands not far away with his wife and Aysha. Okhfels: Okhfels has been ready for at least two hours now, as have his men and anyone who would listen to him. Okhfels: Okhfels prowls around. "What's the holdup here?" Mike_Holmes: Dhazari approaches Okhfels with some of the other hunters. "Okhfels, Haikain, a word with you? We want to do something for you before you leave."

• Haikain pores over some parchment, deciding to make the most of the delay
• Haikain looks up. "Hrm? For us?"

Okhfels: Okhfels shrugs and goes with Dhazari.

• Haikain gets up and follows

Mike_Holmes: Dhazari stops them there in the clearing and addresses them both solemnly, "You, Okhfels have let our hunters - and some warriors as well - join with your drum spirit to help with defense. And you, Haikain - our shaman says that you have good spirits. We would miss either of you not returning."

• Egani finishes explaining to Isadora how the sauna should be built while the expedition is away and comes looking for the others. He's been ready to leave for two weeks.

Mike_Holmes: "In order to protect you," he continues, "on your foolhardy expedition..." Okhfels: Okhfels chuckles. Mike_Holmes: He pauses here to try once more to convince them not to go with a look. Okhfels: Okhfels is shakes his head as if to say, "Don't bother me with the facts, my mind is made up." Mike_Holmes: "In order to protect you as well as we can, we'd like to have you join with the desert fox spirit of our band," he finishes. Mike_Holmes: "It would be our honor if you joined."

• Haikain looks surprised

Okhfels: Okhfels draws a deep breath through his nose. He's impressed. "What do we need to know?" Mike_Holmes: "Well, we'll have to quickly give you the knowledge you need to speak to the fox. But we feel that it shouldn't be a problem. Men of such mein will not be denied by the clever fox," claims Dhazari. Okhfels: Okhfels smiles, eyes bright with pride and gratitude. If he's being buttered up, he shows no sign he knows it. "I'm ready." Haikain: "I...need a second." Mike_Holmes: Haikain reaches out to the spirits around him, and feels their response to the idea of this desert fox spirit. They are apprehensive at first, but that's not unsusual. After a little, Haikain can see that there will be no conflict here.

• Haikain smiles. "My spirits accept. I accept."

Mike_Holmes: Dhazari smiles. "One more thing, however. Your...partner, this Archelaus...what more can you tell us of him?" Haikain: "Well, he's certainly not my partner!" Mike_Holmes: "You would travel with him into peril. He is...something to you," he says. "But can he be trusted?" Haikain: "He certainly is wise. But he attaches too much importance to the ephemera, and not enough to the real world." Haikain: "I don't think that he means anyone ill." Mike_Holmes: "His observations, and the woman who claims to be his wife, and his appearance from nowhere - it's all just not right. The shaman says to take care with this one," Dhazari says. Okhfels: Okhfels nods sagely. Okhfels: "Don't need a wise man to tell you that."

• Haikain shrugs. "I always take care."

Mike_Holmes: "Well, I was hoping...we were hoping that you might dig deeper into his motives. For everyone's sake," Dhazari says. "Would you do that?"

• Haikain looks to Okhfels
• Okhfels shrugs.
• Haikain shrugs

Haikain: "I'll keep an eye on him." Mike_Holmes: Dhazari's look darkens for a moment. Then he brightens up, "I'll take what I can get. You are honorable. Let us quickly induct you." Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: Archelaus and Egani are standing in the sun with the rest of the gathering crowd. Serama is speaking to Elle, when suddenly she collapses. For Egani and Archelaus, the world turns suddenly dark, and the people seem far away somehow. It all seems to be emanating from the bauble on Serama's chest. The thing speaks to the both of them. "Take me from this silly girl; take me and allow me to make you powerful!"

• Egani shares a sideways glance with Archelaus.
• Egani rushes to the fallen girl, checking her vital signs.
• Archelaus looks at the amulet and questions it, "Are you of the sky?"

Mike_Holmes: "I am from beyond the sky and stars, beyond the ken of men. I am power!" the voice beckons. "Take me!" Mike_Holmes: Egani feels that something in this scene is out of place, but can't put his finger on it. Mike_Holmes: There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with Serama, outside of her lack of consiousness.

• Egani gingerly removes the amulet so that he can better assess the patient's health.

Mike_Holmes: Egani hears a voice seeming to come from Serama's pendant. Though also seemingly as though from far, far away. Archelaus: "I think I might be somewhat better qualified to examine that...trinket."

• Egani drops it into Archie's hand. "I thought it might wait for her recovery, but have at it."

Archelaus: "I imagine it holds the key to her condition" Mike_Holmes: The voice now sounds in Archelaus' head, again so, so distant.

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Mike_Holmes: As he examines the amulet, the voice sounds so irresistable, so enchanting, so distantly beautiful... Egani: After concluding that Serama is fine, Egani joins Archelaus in inspecting the possessed bauble. Mike_Holmes: Egani can see strange dark essence, like the hands of a lady, reaching from the amulet slowly trying to grab Archelaus. Egani: "Archie, are you OK?" Egani will help him maintain mastery of himself. Mike_Holmes: This interference, and Archelaus' magic fend off the smoky hands. Holding it at a distance, where the voice it almost too small to hear, Archelaus feels safer about it now. Mike_Holmes: The crisis has passed - for now. Mike_Holmes: The world returns to it's normal state, and the amulet ceases to call to them. It seems as though much time has passed since the colors of the world shifted. But nobody seems to have noticed their having been gone. Elle holds Serama tightly. Mike_Holmes: She is still out. Mike_Holmes: "One of her fits. She'll awaken soon," says Elle uncertainly. Egani: "These are common?" Sebastian: Alexander approaches with a canteen of water. He silently offers it to Elle. Mike_Holmes: "Well, they've become more common of late. At first it was just once a month or so," she replies. Egani: "When she wakes, mix this with water and have her drink it." Egani hands across a small folded paper with some white granules inside. Hopefully they'll stop now. Okhfels: Okhfels comes back, notes the knot of people, around the fallen. He waves over a couple of men, and sends them to bring a stretcher. Egani: "Let's go!"

• Haikain follows Okhfels, wiping the sweat off his face. He sees the hubbub. "What happened?"

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Okhfels: "I don't know." Egani: "She collapsed. Her friend has indicated that it's a growing trend." Mike_Holmes: Archelaus performs some mytical gestures and makes some incantations that seem to have something to do with numbers, and holds the amulet to the sky. Blue magic works it's way up from his head to the amulet, but then is violently rejected by a spike of darkness from the amulet. Archelaus drops to his knees with a cry of pain. His head reels with images smashed to millions of pieces. Okhfels: "Hmph. Magic." Egani: "Archie, are you OK?" Haikain: "Oh dear." Okhfels: Okhfels leaves the fools to their trinkets, and tries to have the fallen woman brought somewhere more comfortable. Mike_Holmes: Elle says, "I'll leave her with the old Rhiani woman we're staying with. I'm not going to fail to reach my sister in the woods. Serama or no."

• Archelaus struggles slowly to his feet. His body gently waves back and forth as he finds his balance.
• Haikain offers his arm. "The stars not as friendly today?"

Archelaus: "I think I will most likely survive, but my vision is somewhat blurry. Still I'm sure it will pass." Mike_Holmes: Amestris, not too far off, shakes her head in disgust. Archelaus: "I think I had best keep this for further study" mutters Archelaus, almost under his breath.

• Archelaus quietly slips the bauble into the folds of his robe.
• Egani notices where he places it.

Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: Sebastian sits by the side of his tent as Alexander approaches cautiously. Sebastian: Sebastian looks up with a professional smile. "Ah, Alexander, I was hoping to speak with you... Have a seat."

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Sebastian: Alexander moves carefully and sits, making sure not to get any mud on his coat. He turns to Sebastian attentively. Mike_Holmes: Startlingly, as apparently he arrived very quietly in broad daylight, a tallish Ikaiti stands by Sebastian. "I have word for you from a friend in the swamp. Can we talk privately?" Mike_Holmes: His words are directed towards Sebastian. Sebastian: Sebastian hands Alexander a neatly folded paper crane, "I shall find you later then." He turns to the Ikaiti, "Of course, why don't we retire to the shade of my tent?" Mike_Holmes: Sebasitan recognizes the man as Avarnast, one of Salast's flunkies. As they head into the tent, he seems somewhat shakey. "Salast wants to make a deal with you." Sebastian: Sebastian cocks his head in a "tell me more" gesture. Mike_Holmes: "Salast is about to become a very, very powerful man. Power beyond reckoning. But he needs more time. Meaning that he needs the colony to stay a while longer," he explains. Sebastian: "... what precisely does he need my help for if he's so powerful?" Mike_Holmes: "Well, we have to have food and such until the power comes...we need to keep pilfering off the colony to keep going," he says. "He'd like you to convince the Ullizi that everything is fine here. That they should keep sending supplies by skyship." Sebastian: "Ah, and what is it that I get out of this arrangement?" Mike_Holmes: "In return, mighty Salast will share in the power with you," he finishes the proposal. Sebastian: Sebastian blinks in surprise. "What? What kind of offer is that? Who do you think you're dealing with? I know how the political game is played. If Salast really is going to gain such power there is no way he would share it with me because there is nothing that will force him to do so." Mike_Holmes: "As a gesture of good faith, I'm authorized to hand over something to you. If you're interested," Avarnast says. Sebastian: Sebastian barely represses an undiplomatic sigh, "What is it?" Mike_Holmes: "Salast dropped something at his tent, and it's not there. We figure that you might know where it is. Anyhow, It fits in this," Avarnast produces a forarm bracer. "See this - this is where the stone fits." Mike_Holmes: There is, on the bracer a space for the stone which Sebastian found to fit. Sebastian: Sebastian waits for him to continue. Mike_Holmes: "This bracer can prevent enemies from striking the user," he says. "One simply puts it up in front of them, and it blocks the blow." Sebastian: "Well, that's fascinating and all, but I still don't see how this addresses my concerns about Salast sharing this 'utlimate power' with me..." Mike_Holmes: "What would it take to convince you? Salast feels that you're a practical man, and not given to sentiment. Make an offer?" he looks appraisingly at Sebastian. Sebastian: Sebastian rolls his eyes slightly. "In order to make an appropriate request, I'll have to know a bit more about this power that Salast plans to obtain. What is its nature, how did he discover it, what will he be able to do once he has it?" Mike_Holmes: "Oh, I can only say so much about it, of course," he replies. "In fact I only know so much about it. But there are some things in the lake that he plans to capture. " Mike_Holmes: "Surely there is something you need done, or found, or created? De can do all these things!" Sebastian: Sebastian thinks for a bit... "Hmm... He can do them now, or he can do them when he obtains this power?" Mike_Holmes: "He can do some now, and more later. Ask, and perhaps I can find out!" he seems agitated. Sebastian: "Well, let's set a test then shall we. Something trivial, something that does not commit either one of us to the other..." Sebastian: "Does that seem reasonable to you?" Mike_Holmes: "What is the test?" he responds. Sebastian: "Something suitably inane... Hmm... There was a Sel-kai woman in the camp: Laura. No one has seen her recently. Can Salast find someone no one else can find? That would be useful to a man in my position..." Mike_Holmes: "Divination?" says Avarnast. "Perhaps, perhaps. I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, do you promise to delay the bankers? At least for the current outging ship?" Sebastian: Sebastian pauses a moment and the smiles ironically. "'I'll see what I can do' as well." Mike_Holmes: Avarnast nods, seeing his point, and makes his way out of the tent, looking carefully before he goes. Mike_Holmes: Alexander enters the tent after Avarnast leaves. Sebastian: "Most of the instructions I have for you are in the note, but some things are better said in person." Sebastian pauses in thought. "I believe it is time for you to truly test yourself. I want you to accompany the expedition into the White Wood, assist where you may do so safely, but your primary purpose is to learn all you can of everyone involved without appearing to do so. Keep a journal. When you return we'll see about ra Sebastian: When you return we'll see about raising your pay." Sebastian smiles. Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: *

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Mike_Holmes: As the group travels along around the north end of the lake, Narbin points out the ruins once again. "You know, there is a domed hall still intact in the center of the ruins. I found some of the things that I came back with near it. But I didn't penetrate it. I couldn't get past a strong metal door that still stands after all these years." Okhfels: Okhfels sighs. "You and those ruins again. They'll keep, Narbin. Anything there has waited a long time to be found. It can wait a little longer."

• Egani looks wistfully at the passing ruins, but follows Okfels' lead.

Archelaus: For a moment Archelaus almost loks like he's pouting, but the moment passes and he, to, moves on.

• Haikain furiously takes notes as the group travels farther on, narrowly missing many collisions with his fellow travellers
• Okhfels marches at the head of the column, eyes sharp even though the woods are still a ways off... there are still goblins about.

Sebastian: Alexander walks along seemingly distracted. He is making notes in his journal as he walks.

• Aysha tugs on Archelaus sleeve.
• Egani scans the woods every few minutes, searching for any Essential links between the woods and the yellow 'mist' -- or anything else, really.

Aysha: "Perhaps we should investigate these ruins. My daughter could be there. What does your wife say?"

• Archelaus walks towards the woods only through the guidance of his apprentice. The Adept's eyes, as usual, are on the stars.

Mike_Holmes: As the group closes on the woods they are oppressively huge. Each tree daunts the soul. Egani sees clearly that the yellow haze and the trees are bound inextricably somehow. RPG Serv: Notice: <Roll for Egani [1d20]: 3> Mike_Holmes: Further, the lines of essence are somehow then bound into the mysteriously sultry Rhiani woman who is with them, and speakihng about her children. Somehow she, too, is linked to the woods.

• Egani makes a point of talking to Aysha more during the course of the next few hours...all in the interests of science.
• Archelaus seems more adrift than usual as he walks under the forst canopy, unable to see the sky clearly.

Mike_Holmes: Haikain approaches an obelisk somewhat off the track, obviously an outlying ruin. He notes that there is something written on it. Archelaus: He looks down and a bit startled by Aysha's proximity.

• Haikain finds a scrap of clean parchment and a stub of charcoal and makes rubbing of the inscription

Haikain: once he has a copy, he takes an actual look at it Okhfels: One of Okhfels' men comes up to Haikain. He's been ordered to make sure people don't go straggling off. "Sir?" Mike_Holmes: Something about the position of the obelisk seems to make it a guardian of the ruins against the woods beyond. But a tiny, ancient guardian that seems woefully inadequate. Archelaus: "I'm not sure what my wife would say. We don't share convictions the way we used to." Archelaus: "Should I ask her for you?" Haikain: Frowning at the writing, Haikain merges back with the group, nodding politely to the man. Okhfels: The warrior escorts Haikain back to the group, then takes up his rearguard position again. Okhfels: Okhfels notices this, gives the man an encouraging nod, and then returns to his duties as "point man". Mike_Holmes: Egani notes that Narbin has stopped, and is looking north away from the swamp, and towards the mountains in the distance. As though he's picking something out from amongst the trees in that direction. Mike_Holmes: Something registers in Okhfels mind. The paper that Haikain is holding - there are symbols on it. Somehow familiar symbols. Aysha: "Please do, Archelaus!"

• Egani follows Narbin's gaze, trying to pick out the subject.

Mike_Holmes: Egani can't make out what the tracker might be looking for. Narbin however seems to have figured something out, and walks over to Okhfels with more than his regular metered pace, "There are Rhiani in the distance following us. Not the tribe that our friends are from, but another. I'm not sure what it means." Okhfels: Okhfels scowls. "Will they catch up to us before we reach the trees?"

• Archelaus calls over to his wife. "What do you think dear? This young lady was wondering if we should look more closely at the ruins."

Mike_Holmes: "Well, not if we run for it," says Narbin. "That assumes that they'd chase us." Mike_Holmes: He gets a suspicious look on his face, "They have a blue bear on their tentpacks. Does that mean anything to you?" Okhfels: "We can't run for it with this crowd. Can you tell how many?" Mike_Holmes: Amestris responds, "I suppose we should take it up with Okhfels. But I think it's probably a dead end." Mike_Holmes: Narbin responds to Okhfels' query, "More than a dozen riders. See, if you watch that ridge between those beech trees you'll catch a glimpse." Archelaus: "He seems to prefer continued forward motion."

• Egani butts in, "Maybe we should just greet them?"

Okhfels: "I'll take your word for it. Keep your eye on them, Narbin, and let me know if they look like they're moving in. If they're on horseback, they could have caught us hours ago if they had wanted to... they didn't." Okhfels: "For now, we'll go on as if we didn't see them."

• Aysha talks to Amestris

Mike_Holmes: "They've only just started watching us, Okhfels," says Narbin. "Oh, and this is odd. Watch that gap again." Okhfels: Okhfels watches. Aysha: "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I don't think Okhfels likes me. Perhaps just the three of us could go?"

• Egani watches too, but probably the wrong gap.

Mike_Holmes: A terrible yet familiar figure comes striding across the gap momentarily. The troll shaman that once had a drum that belonged to Okhfels, feathers and all. Okhfels: "Oh, that's not good." Mike_Holmes: It notes Okhfels noting it, and calls to it's friends. The Rhiani start heading for the group. Okhfels: "Make for the trees. They won't follow us in, I wager." Okhfels calls to his men and moves to the back of the group. He encourages everyone to make best possible speed for the forest. Mike_Holmes: "We might be able to make the woods if we run," says Narbin. "But the ruins are closer...our friendly Rhiani won't go in there. These might not pursue either. What do you think?" Okhfels: "And there's that intact dome." Okhfels: "Alright. Ruins it is."

• Egani turns Hilda around and heads for the ruins with as much haste as possible.

Okhfels: Okhfels assigns one of his men to each of the slowest of the scholar types, to make sure they make it to the ruins. Okhfels: Okhfels thinks to himself, "Narbin, if you're behind this in some way... I'll eat your eyes." Archelaus: Tehu turns Archelaus around and heads for the ruins with as much haste as possible. Mike_Holmes: As they progress into the ruins, fortunately Narbin seems to know his way well enough that the group doesn't end up in any deep water. But everyone gets wet to some extent. Mike_Holmes: As the group progresses, the ruins become, somewhat incongruously, more intact. The Rhiani do seem to stop at the edge of the ruins. Mike_Holmes: At the end of their dash, the dome in question looms before them. Okhfels sees that a symbol on the door is similar to one used in Teth hold to mean "Mind." Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: * Mike_Holmes: *