Back to Phase Two Sessions

• [20:04:37] Mholmes: As each steps through, the endurance draining madness of the white wood is replaced by a night just as alien, with light from a strange source unidentifiable that gives hint to the monsterous fortress before them. From somewhere high up on it, a voice sings out calling with a beautifully compelling nature.
• [20:06:27] Sebastian: Alexander makes another note in his notebook. "Hmmm... I'm not really sure that this is an improvement..."
• [20:07:19] Mholmes: From the archway full of smoke a small form darts out and lands on Archelaus' shoulder. It is the bird idol returned to it's miniature state.
• [20:07:30] Okhfels: Okhfels takes a deep breath. "No, it isn't."
• [20:11:47] Mholmes: The voice is low for a woman and it seems to reverberate heavily through the body. Powerful, not light and etherial.
• [20:12:17] Mholmes: Alexander's visage seems to glaze over somewhat.
• [20:21:25] Mholmes: Okhfels momentarily feels the pull of the voice - he can almost imagine the woman singing. But he manages to resist it, remembering Isadora and why he's here.
• [20:23:35] Mholmes: Egani starts walking towards the fortress.
• [20:24:13] Okhfels: Okhfels follows him, concentrating to keep his wits about him, sword drawn.
• [20:24:17] Egani: "Marcia?"
• [20:29:43] Mholmes: Elle looks at Okhfels and begins to follow him. Most of the others fall into line.
• [20:30:15] * Archelaus pulls a small circular chime from beneath his robes and strikes it with a tiny silver hammer. A shimmering glow encases his body.
• [20:32:45] Archelaus: Then, still holding his wife's hand, he follows Okhfels towards the castle.
• [20:34:14] Mholmes: As they head to the fortress, it becomes apparent just how impossibly huge it is. It takes a while to approach, and as they do, it looms high in the night sky blotting out the stars.
• [20:39:21] Mholmes: As Archelaus looks up, he sees certain constellations. Suddenly tiltiing his head, they all become familiar. There's The Marashta, and the Tresh. And all of the others. Moreover, Archelaus has such a good fix on his location, that he can even pinpoint where they are standing. This fortress must be a gateway to the Shan Highlands.
• [20:39:28] Mholmes: Home of Tlathog Ashtael.
• [20:40:04] Mholmes: Which puts them solidly on the first pale of the voidal dimensions.
• [20:40:44] Okhfels: Okhfels catches Archelaus looking up at the sky. "At least the sky is familiar."
• [20:41:19] Mholmes: The problematic nature of this is ever so slightly ameliorated for Archelaus in that he knows that he will forever be able to navigate this place with perfect accuracy...
• [20:42:23] Mholmes: Something from atop one of the adamantine spires of the fortress is descending towards everyone. The bones of some gigantic beast of unknown nature lie nearby offering some slight potential shelter to those who might fear it.
• [20:43:41] Okhfels: Okhfels shoves Egani into the protection of the bones, and turns to face whatever monster it is.
• [20:43:58] * Archelaus speaks through the red mask that, in the excitment of returning to human form, he neglected to remove...
• [20:44:21] Mholmes: Elle stands beside Okhfels, ready for anything.
• [20:44:26] Archelaus: "You are farther from home than you think, warrior."
• [20:45:46] Okhfels: "Can it wait until after we're in the middle of being attacked?"
• [20:46:37] Mholmes: Egani sticks his head out from between some drying portions of the beast's anatomy, and looks high up on yet another spire, and somehow makes out the form of a woman dressed in black armor.
• [20:52:23] Mholmes: As the thing descends it is almost pleasantly normal for a demon. Just somwhat batlike, though also insectile in some ways with some sort of long stinger looking protrusion. Fahja recognizes it, "this is one of the things that destroyed Sherezak. I saw them with my own eyes!"
• [20:52:42] Mholmes: His sword is drawn, and glows slightly with a red luster.
• [20:53:55] Mholmes: The thing comes for him first, and impales Fahja as it lands on him. Fahja gives a gurgling sound as he keels over unable to move.
• [20:54:03] * Archelaus steps forward, the gold and blue aura that surrounds him shot through with bight tiny tendrals of red, that seem almost to be leaking from the mask on his face.
• [20:54:21] Okhfels: Okhfels advances on the demon, swinging savagely.
• [20:55:02] * Egani attempts to read the essence of the demon and the castle, comparing it to that of the woods.
• [20:56:30] Mholmes: Amestris tries to hold Archelaus back whispering in his ear, "This is a servant of this place. Surely it is not our enemy?"
• [21:00:49] Mholmes: Egani, looking at the essence here, sees that it's odd nature is exactly the source of the White Wood. This is the center, or something inside this place. In fact, he can sense exactly where the source is, though not precisely what it is...
• [21:04:06] * Egani ignores the battle and the beast and moves to help Fahja.
• [21:06:48] Mholmes: The thing turns to dodge Okhfels goals only to find itself largely surrounded as it pumps something into Fahja. Reacting not with something like instinct, but with some other reasoning all it's own, it turns to fly off. But Okhfels manages to knock it over into the dust and off of Fahja.
• [21:07:15] Mholmes: Apparently they are quite unbalanced things and can't keep their "feet" on the ground.
• [21:11:28] Mholmes: Egani tries to concentrate on the source of the essence here, but his visage keeps getting drawn to the singing woman...
• [21:23:19] Mholmes: Gennadi, who moments ago was helping in the fight, now gets the same glazed look as Alexander, and starts heading towards the black castle.
• [21:23:45] * Egani climbs up to the buckboard of his wagon and directs Hilda to continue up the road to the castle.
• [21:25:54] Mholmes: Aaron comes over to Archelaus and proceeds with a display of logic, "What is here is what powers me. It is far more potent than we. We should follow it."
• [21:27:13] Mholmes: The demon-thing rights itself awkwardly and then flolops to a slightly safer position. It seems to be waiting for something.
• [21:27:35] Mholmes: Fahja moans in severe pain, his flesh turning purple in spots.
• [21:27:45] Archelaus: "Follow it as in 'follow it into the bar for drinks and snacks' or follow it as in 'through the gates of Hell in eternal servitude'?"
• [21:28:07] Okhfels: "Archelaus! Stop arguing and see what you can do for Fahja."
• [21:28:27] Mholmes: Aaron replies, "Follow as in worship for power. Of course."
• [21:29:18] Archelaus: "Thanks for the clarification."
• [21:30:12] Okhfels: Archelaus stands at guard, ready to strike at the demon if it puts one claw out of line.
• [21:31:30] Mholmes: "Aaugh!" Fahja loses his last meal.
• [21:32:04] Sebastian: Alexander dances back a bit to avoid getting any messes on his clothes.
• [21:32:15] Archelaus: "I'm sorry Okhfels, I'm not much of a doctor at the best of times, and while I have this mask on, I'd be more likely to animate his body with a host demon, as do anything else."
• [21:33:42] Mholmes: Serama stops Egani's cart holding the reigns. "Egani, Fahja needs help!"
• [21:34:40] Okhfels: Okhfels takes out his frustrations on the demon. "What did he do to you, demon?"
• [21:35:11] Egani: "I...can't help. She needs me."
• [21:35:41] * Egani continues toward the castle's front gate.
• [21:37:03] Sebastian: Alexander jogs after Egani, "Wait for me old man!"
• [21:39:18] Mholmes: Serama shouts, "Eganiiii!"
• [21:40:30] Mholmes: Archelaus studies the substance coursing through Fahja, and notes that it is a cognate of blood. Blood carries much essence. So does this substance - just the very different essence of this world.
• [21:41:41] Mholmes: Fahja coughs, and stands back up. Okhfels notes that his eyes are now solid purple color. But he picks up his sword from the ground, and proceeds to follow Egani without a word.
• [21:43:29] Okhfels: "Oh, wonderful."
• [21:44:07] Okhfels: Okhfels backs away from the demon, following along with the puppets.
• [21:44:17] Mholmes: As Okhfels turns, he sees the Trilithion now in the distance, smoke still coming from it.
• [21:44:54] Mholmes: The thing flings itself into the dark sky, and flaps back towards the castle.
• [21:44:58] * Archelaus goes with Okhfels.

• [21:47:01] Mholmes: A bit later, or maybe an aeon (for it's obvious that it's night her forever), the expedition stands at a great gate. As they approach it over a bridge carved from the living obsidian that spans a chasm of infinite depth below, the huge portal door lowers into the ground. It has the definite feeling of a mouth opening up.
• [21:47:37] Sebastian: Alexander pauses and listens for the singing voice.
• [21:48:05] * Egani doesn't pause long enough to blink.
• [21:49:09] Okhfels: Okhfels grimly walks to his doom
• [21:49:24] Mholmes: Inside, the black lady awaits, standing, looking tiny in the midst of a monsterous chamber so tall that it's single source of light far above cannot be seen.
• [21:50:11] Mholmes: To her left, upon a dais, is a figure, titanic in size, with a tiny head, wearing a monsterous robe covered in sigils.
• [21:50:22] Mholmes: Elle braces herself near Okhfels.
• [21:51:05] Okhfels: "Alright, you've brought us here," says Okhfels. "What do you want?"
• [21:51:18] * Archelaus very deliberately peels the red mask from off his face.
• [21:51:23] Mholmes: She ceases singing, and everyone returns to their senses. "Father, we have visitors."
• [21:52:20] Mholmes: Fahja walks towards the dais.
• [21:52:39] Archelaus: The mask seems to cling to his skin as it pulls away, leaving, for a moment, dark red tendrals attached to his skin.
• [21:53:07] * Archelaus looks longingly at the mask then lowers it to his side, still in his hand.
• [21:53:49] * Egani shakes his head a bit and for some reason keeps an eye on Aysha as the scene plays out.
• [21:54:02] Mholmes: Gennadi, suddenly bold, shouts, "I'm here for my sister, return her to me!"
• [21:54:16] Mholmes: Elle seemingly moved by this waits her turn.
• [21:54:19] Sebastian: Alexander's eyes dart around and his hand sketches page after page into his notebook.
• [21:55:47] Archelaus: "Father! You have called us here and I have come, though long ago I turned away from your sevice and your ways. By what right do you summon me back."
• [21:57:18] Mholmes: In everyone's mind, they can hear the small headed figure speak, "By right of power. I offer you the position of high-priest of my followers. Power beyond imagination. Do you accept my offer?"
• [21:57:52] Mholmes: Amestris, eyes bright, smiles with fire in her eyes. "You must say yes, Archelaus. Do not be a fool!"
• [21:58:03] Egani: "Better him than Salast..."
• [21:58:34] Sebastian: Alexander speaks up a bit timidly, "Uh, what's that power going to cost us...?"
• [21:58:58] Mholmes: Somehow through the crystaline roof of the edifice, the stars shine down. One of them is not of this world, Archelaus realizes. He is not entirely separated from the other stars he knows.
• [21:59:34] Mholmes: "Archelaus is preordained. It is his to take," says the voice.
• [22:01:00] Okhfels: Okhfels watches Archelaus. Clearly, the voice is talking to him...
• [22:02:58] Archelaus: "I have tasted that power before, great one, and I loved it, loved it more than I have loved women, or life, or hope."
• [22:05:57] Mholmes: The woman in black, her armor like the walls of this dark place, smiles at his words.
• [22:06:07] * Egani breaks from his paralysis and, ignoring the tension in the air, approaches the armored woman for a closer examination.
• [22:07:10] Mholmes: She speaks to Egani in his mind. "You can feel my power. Would you like to have bodies and essence aplenty to work on. Will you too, join us?"
• [22:09:03] Archelaus: "And I felt it again, through this." Archelaus raises the mask and holds it out in front of him.
• [22:10:16] Mholmes: "Yes," says the voice emotionlessly.
• [22:12:18] Archelaus: "However, I have also known a single point of perfect light a sort of knowledge, a true wisdom that was always veiled behind your power's strength and temptation."
• [22:12:53] Okhfels: Okhfels watches Archelaus carefully. He stands about six feet away.
• [22:14:38] Archelaus: I have stood within that circle whose circumfrance is nowhere, but its centre, everywhere."
• [22:15:52] Mholmes: The being on the dais seems to rise somewhat.
• [22:16:48] Mholmes: "Speak not of the perfections of forms!" says the voice.
• [22:17:56] Archelaus: "I ask this one thing, release my wife from your service, let her see the calcuable wisdom that is Valris, let her join the Harmony of the Spheres..."
• [22:18:31] Archelaus: "And I will be your priest."
• [22:19:36] Mholmes: "No, I want to stand beside you!" she says. "I too shall have the power!"
• [22:19:51] Mholmes: But even as she says this, her normal intensity seems to start to fade.
• [22:20:06] Mholmes: "Your offer has been granted," the voice says.
• [22:20:34] Okhfels: Okhfels watches all this warily.
• [22:20:38] Mholmes: Amestris falls to the floor as if exhausted.
• [22:20:56] * Egani watches the essence around here and particularly in Archie.
• [22:21:11] Sebastian: Alexander steps over toe Amestris. He kneels beside her and looks up at Archelaus.
• [22:21:27] Mholmes: Egani sees the essence in Archelaus beginning to start a slow change.
• [22:21:45] Mholmes: Archelaus starts to feel himself being filled with the power of the sorcerer of the black castle.
• [22:22:29] Mholmes: "Come, stand by my side," it says, "and judge these others."
• [22:22:43] Egani: "What about the woods? What about the yellow fog? The plague?"
• [22:23:19] Mholmes: Elle points, at something, and Okhfels sees that a tentacle has accidentally snaked it's way out under the giant robe.
• [22:24:04] * Archelaus still has enough of his old self to run to his wife, to make certain that she will ultimately be well.
• [22:24:40] Mholmes: "Will you take my daughter's offer?" says the voice to Egani. "Will you take on the mantle of maintaining our army of the dead? If so, we might be able to grant your request."
• [22:25:00] Okhfels: "Alright, this has gone far enough."
• [22:25:29] Egani: "I will not. But we came to heal a rift."
• [22:26:07] Mholmes: The head, actually large for a man (the body being truely large) turns towards Okhfels ignoring Egani.
• [22:27:37] Mholmes: "The one who stands next to you desires you," it says to Okhfels. "I will return her sister if you, too, serve me."
• [22:27:39] Okhfels: Okhfels addresses Egani and Haikain. "I came along to make sure you guys didn't get into trouble. This officially counts as TROUBLE."
• [22:28:09] Okhfels: "Forget it. We're leaving." He doesn't face the big menacing guy.
• [22:28:21] Mholmes: Looking over at Elle after making his statement and absorbing what the sorcerer is saying, he notes a fire of passion in Elle's eyes.
• [22:28:44] Mholmes: She can't hide that she has fallen for a warrior man.
• [22:28:53] Okhfels: "Isadora is my Captain. Talk to her if you want to buy my contract."
• [22:29:01] Okhfels: "Come on, we're leaving."
• [22:29:14] Egani: "Archelaus!"
• [22:29:19] Okhfels: Okhfels moves to grab Okhfels and Egani.
• [22:29:27] Okhfels: *Haikain and Egani.
• [22:29:39] Mholmes: Elle stands her ground with Gennadi. "We came for our family members. We can't leave without them."
• [22:30:06] Mholmes: Haikain retreats with Okhfels in abject fear.
• [22:30:09] Okhfels: "We can and we will."
• [22:32:00] Okhfels: If Haikain appears to be willing to leave under his own power, he'll go for Elle as well.
• [22:32:37] * Egani is being difficult. "Go ahead, I'll catch up."
• [22:32:59] Mholmes: As Archelaus looks at his wife, he sees only what the sorcerer wants him to see, flesh useful for future plans - insane plans.
• [22:33:53] Egani: "Archelaus! Archie...the yellow fog. The swamp sickness. What can you do?"
• [22:35:14] * Archelaus raises the red mask to his face in one swift motion.
• [22:35:55] Archelaus: "All of you, STOP! This is your master now."
• [22:36:41] Okhfels: "Elle, Gennadi... the price this... THING... asks you is too high. You would not just be sacrificing yourself, you would be giving it an ally. It gains two, you gain one!"
• [22:46:28] Mholmes: Very slowly and reluctantly everyone starts making their way back out of the back chamber.
• [22:46:44] Mholmes: Some are less reluctant than others.
• [22:48:03] Egani: "Archie! Remember the yellow mist. Remember your obligations."
• [22:48:29] Okhfels: Okhfels herds them out, leaving last.
• [22:48:30] Archelaus: Okhfels hears a small voice in his head>>Take her with you, get her away. Please.<<
• [22:48:50] Mholmes: The head comes off of the robe, and starts to fly at the expedition.
• [22:49:44] Mholmes: "Stay out of the lake!" it tells them mentally. "And keep all others out, too! Or desolation shall be thine!"
• [22:50:24] Okhfels: "A warning from you? I'll take that as a command!"
• [22:50:25] Mholmes: The robe shifts off it's contents, and a roiling mound of tentacles that was under it starts to flail about the chamber.
• [22:51:10] Sebastian: Alexander ushers people toward the door. "Now might be a _very_ opportune time to leave..."
• [22:51:23] Mholmes: The lady in black, beautiful as she does so, opens her mouth and let's out a terrible noise that makes thinking clearly very hard.
• [22:51:36] Okhfels: Okhfels takes the rearguard, ready to chop at anything unnatural that comes close.
• [22:52:44] * Egani inserts rubber plugs into his ears.
• [22:52:55] Mholmes: The head spins around the room and it's voice laughs maniacally. The tentacles seem to fill the massive chamber almost just as everyone leaves the portal.
• [22:53:10] * Archelaus stands up tall and raises his arms wide and high. The surface of the mask swirls then convulses and thousands of tiny mouths can be seen on its surface, all of them screaming.
• [22:55:09] Mholmes: Back on the bridge most of the expedition breaks into a run from the castle.

• [20:07:49] Sebastian: Clouds skitter across the night sky. Sebastian looks at Elahra. "Well, we're here, where is your priestess?"
• [20:09:11] * Isadora stands silent in the background, letting Sebastian handle things.
• [20:12:38] Sebastian: Sebastian steps closer to Elahra. "Well? You promised proof that your leader was innocent, I'm eager to see that proof..."
• [20:13:19] Mholmes: "We can meet her tonight at her shrine. I will lead you to her," Elahra says defiantly.
• [20:14:21] *** Archelaus has joined #Indie_nar2.
• [20:16:06] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, almost like he used to. He pats Elahra kindly on the arm. "Thank you my dear, that will be most appreciated."
• [20:18:05] * Isadora keeps an eye on Sebastian. He has a funny look about him, tonight.
• [20:20:19] Sebastian: Sebastian walks off slowly, then abruptly turns to Dhazari. "I don't trust Zoora, who else in camp might know something about spiritual matters? It's probably wise to consult with them before our meeting tonight."
• [20:24:16] Mholmes: Dhazari says, "Best to consult with Fahd. He knows spirits."
• [20:24:53] Sebastian: Sebastian nods shortly and strides off in search of Fahd.

• [20:34:53] Sebastian: Sebastian strides purposefully through the Rhianni half of the camp, eyes darting around dangerously. A few of the Rhianni children that he has befriended start toward him but slink back when they see his face. He spots Fahd and strides a bit faster in his direction.
• [20:38:17] Fahd_Yazid: Fahd, eyes crossed and face contorted, mumbles softly to himself as he bores an awl through what seems to be a human tooth.
• [20:38:54] Fahd_Yazid: The children, clearly, give him a wide birth.
• [20:39:39] Sebastian: Sebastian approaches quietly. He stops in front of the shaman and speaks softly. "Fahd, yes?"
• [20:41:35] Fahd_Yazid: Fahd continues mumbling to himself for a few moments before his body seems caught in a series of spasms. Slowly, his eyes focus and he looks up at Sebastian.
• [20:42:12] Sebastian: Sebastian looks back, waiting.
• [20:42:31] Fahd_Yazid: "...Yes. Yes. What do you want man of Sel-Kai?"
• [20:43:12] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles coldly, "I seek knowledge, specific knowledge."
• [20:43:19] Isadora: Isadora, starting to get a faint idea that this could turn into a diplomatic disaster, moves up to stand just barely behind Sebastian and to his side.
• [20:43:51] Fahd_Yazid: "There are many kinds of knowledge. What is this specific knowledge that you seek?"
• [20:44:47] Sebastian: "I seek knowledge of the cat priestess Zoora, and more specifically of one of her disciples."
• [20:45:07] Isadora: "Two of her disciples."
• [20:49:04] Fahd_Yazid: Fahd gives Sebastian a cold, dead glare and whispers, softly so you must lean in closely to hear, "And you think the dead have the knowledge you seek?"
• [20:49:57] Sebastian: "It is entirely possible, though the living may also have the knowledge. I have learned to seek answers in many places, for all knowledge is held by someone."
• [20:49:59] Fahd_Yazid: The tattoos that spider across Fahd's face seem to writhe menacingly.
• [20:52:07] Sebastian: Sebastian studies them with some interest.
• [20:52:19] Fahd_Yazid: "I am dead, man of Sel-Kai, and speak for the dead. If you want word of the living, you must seek elsewhere. So what is this knowledge of two disciples of the cat priestess that you seek? Perhaps the dead can help you. If you offer the right price."
• [20:56:27] Isadora: Isadora, with no sagacious image to maintain, is free to ask. "What sort of price do the dead want?"
• [20:57:35] Fahd_Yazid: "The dead want what all men want. Food, wealth, a strong steed and a sharp sword."
• [20:58:14] Fahd_Yazid: "If your gift is pleasing, they will help. If it is not, they will be angry."
• [20:58:20] Fahd_Yazid: Fahd shudders.
• ---
• [21:22:29] Sebastian: Fahd leads Sebastian and Isadora toward the Rhianni burial ground. On the way Sebastian carefully folds a simple, but elegant paper flower, trusting Isadora not to let him run into anything too hard as he walks.
• [21:24:02] * Isadora gently nudges him once or twice to avoid an obstacle, but otherwise stays quiet. She glances over at Fahd as they walk, wondering what new magical trouble he brings.
• [21:25:00] * Fahd_Yazid Fahd walks with an odd, broken gait, stepping over things that are not apparent or walking around things unseen.
• [21:26:31] Sebastian: The group comes to stop and Sebastian looks up. There's something oppressive about the burial ground. It's away from the main campand it seems almost as if there are fewer colors there than in the rest of the world. The wind blows in complete silence. Sebastian shudders slightly at the unnaturalness of it all, and looks down to put the final crease in the flower in his hand.
• [21:26:50] Isadora: Isadora's own stride is a little stiff, thanks to the still-healing wound on her leg, but that looks practically normal while walking next to Fahd.
• [21:28:37] Fahd_Yazid: Shaking his necklace of human and horse teeth, Fahd murmurs to himself and kneels. He begins to apply white paint to his face, creating a death's head through which his spidery facial tattoos seem to emanate.
• [21:29:43] Sebastian: Sebastian looks up at Fahd. "I am ready to present my offering to the spirits..." He holds up the flower, it has a strange appearance to it. Each folded line somehow evokes a sense of devotion if you look at it closely.
• [21:40:26] * Fahd_Yazid rises from his kneeling position in a fluid, cat-like motion -- almost as if someone else is within his body. He throws back his head, and begins to sing in a deep, sepulchral voice as he dances in a circle widdershins, shaking his Seven Bone Lance. As he dances, he scrapes the blade of his Seven Bone Lance against his arms and chest, shaking blood to the spot on which he dances. The blood pools momentarily and then disappears, as if it has
• [21:42:01] * Fahd_Yazid has been drunk.
• [21:43:24] * Isadora watches with folded arms. Her face remains calm, but her fingers tap faster and faster against her arm as the dance goes on.
• [21:44:47] Sebastian: Sebastian doesn't really seem to be paying attention to the dancing, his eyes seem to be looking at the paper flower in his hand without seeing it. A sad smile flickers across his face.
• [22:01:09] Mholmes: Through the haze of the setting sun, a figure rises up from one of the mounds that seems to have had more care taken in it's construction. It sits astride it's horse, and bears the regalia of a chieftain. "Who calls the Morak, guardian of this realm of the dead?"
• [22:01:47] Sebastian: Sebastian looks to Fahd.
• [22:09:21] Fahd_Yazid: "Morak! Chieftain of this sky hall of the Hidden Bonefields, I seek your aid and guidance in the name of Rozgar!"
• [22:10:13] Fahd_Yazid: "Ask your question, man of Sel-Kai, and if he deigns, Morak will answer!"
• [22:10:44] Sebastian: "I seek a woman named Laura, she was a disciple of Zoora."
• [22:13:25] Sebastian: Sebastian holds up the paper flower, "Perhaps you can see her in this...?"
• [22:14:13] Mholmes: The being looks at the flower, and after a long time nods. "The one you seek I have seen about to enter the realm of the dead," says the chieftain spirit. "But she is not yet with us. Her spirit is harmed, however. Seek her out in a pit hidden beneath the shrine of the cat interlopers."
• [22:15:17] Mholmes: The thing turns towards Fahd, "And you, you I task with ridding us of the cats. You are honored amongst the dead who have not been properly visited in a long time. If you do this, a reward shall be yours."
• [22:15:53] * Fahd_Yazid bows his head before the Morak.
• [22:16:18] Fahd_Yazid: "It shall be as you ask honored ancestor."
• [22:17:13] Sebastian: Sebastian also gives a little bow as his fist wraps tightly around the flower in his hand. "My thanks as well, honored one." He turns and sprints away.
• [22:18:17] Isadora: "Oop." Isadora bows deeply to the spirit, touches her forehead in a gesture of thanks to Fahd, then runs after Sebastian.

• [22:26:53] Isadora: Isadora comes to find Fahd after the more urgent business has been taken care of. She's a tall, serious-looking woman wearing practical but expensive clothing and a rapier swinging at her waist. She begins by saying, "Thank you for helping Sebastian."
• [22:27:33] * Fahd_Yazid quirks an eyebrow.
• [22:27:56] Fahd_Yazid: "I helped the dead. The Morak helped your Sebastian."
• [22:29:11] Isadora: "You provided the path, when you could have blocked it." She pauses a moment, then says, "Will you give me your counsel about matters of the dead?"
• [22:29:57] Fahd_Yazid: "If you are willing to listen, the dead will speak through me for you."
• [22:31:04] * Isadora frowns. "For all I know, my questions will fall outside your... domain. They're worth asking, though. The first: some of my men have died, here, far from home. Can you tell if their spirits are at peace?"
• [22:31:59] * Fahd_Yazid furrows his brow.
• [22:32:41] Fahd_Yazid: "The way is strange and the road is long. It could be done, perhaps. Though their spirits are foreign to me."
• [22:32:46] Fahd_Yazid: "Where do they rest?"
• [22:35:10] Isadora: "We have a little space for graves in our own camp. My other question is more urgent." She frowns and pauses again, ordering her thoughts. "There is a magician troubling me, hiding in the swamp and plotting against both camps. I want to find him to end his life, but I need magic to defend me against his. Is this something you could do?"
• [22:39:59] Fahd_Yazid: "You speak of the beast Salast? He disturbs the rest of my people. I would gladly help send him on his way."
• [22:41:14] Fahd_Yazid: "But there is a price for my aid, Isadora of Kaitaine."
• [22:41:49] * Isadora flashes her teeth in a sudden, swift smile. "What price?"
• [22:43:51] Fahd_Yazid: "Your people did not deal honestly with the Rhiani when you established this camp. And Salast is the burden that we both bear for it! I want a pledge. A pledge from you personally that you will deal with my people in an honest and forthright manner from this day forward."
• [22:44:39] Fahd_Yazid: "And I will hold you to that pledge, Isadora of Kaitaine. I will hold you to it personally. From this side of the world or the other."
• [22:47:38] Isadora: "I can promise my honesty, but I cannot vouch for the honor of my masters--something it does me great shame to say. I can say that, if I find that they have lied to my people and yours, I will work to make it right. Is that enough?"
• [22:48:59] Fahd_Yazid: "If you are honest and forthright with us, no matter the cost, then we shall never fear duplicity and ignoble behavior on behalf of your masters, for you will leech their poison before it ever harms us."
• [22:50:00] Fahd_Yazid: "Do I have your word, Isadora of Kaitaine? Shall we hunt this filthy sorcerer together?"
• [22:55:33] Isadora: Leech it by taking it into her own body, Isadora thinks but does not say. "Then I will promise it. On my honor as Isadora, daughter of Vitalion and Aspasia, commander of this Kaitaine camp, I pledge my honesty. And good hunting to us."
• [22:56:31] Fahd_Yazid: "Then let us seal this pledge between the living and the dead. May Rozgar oversee it!"
• [22:57:03] * Fahd_Yazid slashes a bone dagger across his hand and lets the blood seep between his fingers to the earth. He looks at Isadora expectantly.
• [22:58:01] * Isadora clenches her hand around the dagger and twists with a grimace, and blood drips down her own fingers.
• [22:59:05] Fahd_Yazid: Careful not to actually touch Isadora, Fahd lets his blood mingle with hers while he sings to the Crow of the Dead.
• [22:59:13] Fahd_Yazid: "It is done!"
• [23:01:07] Fahd_Yazid: "We are bound in a brotherhood of vengeance now, Isadora of Kaitaine. The Spirits and the Dead shall guide our hunt."

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