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[20:33:51] Mholmes: Returning his attention to the vision of the eye, Archelaus sees beyond this benighted world, and into the one he came from. He can see all about the White Wood, wherever the yellow aura touches.
[20:49:09] Mholmes: Outside the aura, things dim quickly and are hard, very hard, to see.
[21:17:42] Mholmes: It occurs to Archelaus that, by manipulating the mathematical structure of he eye's emanations, he could manipulate the aura.

[20:10:07] Sebastian: Sebastian approaches Egani's house idly browsing through Alexander's journal as he walks toward the door.
[20:10:37] Sebastian: When he reaches the door he knocks with one hand while continuing to peruse the journal in the other.
[20:13:03] Egani: Marcia answers the door, looking a little less together than usual, but still, cheerful enough. "Hi, please come in."
[20:13:52] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles graciously, "Thank you." As he steps in he closes the journal and carefully puts it away. "How are you today, Marcia?"
[20:15:03] Egani: "I'm...it's good having Egani back, I was beginning to fret. He's in the shed, now but he said he'd be right back."
[20:15:16] Egani: "What brings you?"
[20:16:09] Sebastian: "Oh, nothing special. I just wanted to speak with him for a bit. If he's coming right back I could wait-- Is that tea I smell?"
[20:17:26] Egani: Smiling, Marcia responds, "You know I always have tea and butter cakes. Just a sec."
[20:18:40] Sebastian: Sebastian sits in a nearby chair. "Tell me Marcia, how has Egani seemed since he got back? Is he alright?"
[20:19:41] Egani: "Well it's been a such a short time, but he seems normal. Why? He hasn't had time to tell me much about the trip...just that Archelaus may be lost somewhere."
[20:19:54] Egani: Soon after, Egani comes in the front door with volumes of leaf-litter on his shirtsleeves. "Hello Sebastian! I wanted to talk to you about that thing."
[20:20:30] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, almost fondly, "Which thing is that, Egani?"
[20:21:15] Egani: "Oh, the elf."
[20:21:34] Egani: "I asked you about bringing someone here. Do you remember?"
[20:22:14] Egani: "He's been asking after me and the captain...um, what'shisname, I'm so bad...he said that this elf was looking for me."
[20:22:27] Sebastian: "Ah, yes... What about it?"
[20:23:18] Egani: "You said you might know some people who could arrange to have him, um, escorted out here. But you were busy and then I was and...you know how it goes."
[20:24:07] Egani: Aaron has to duck very low to fit over the threshold, but once inside the high ceilings allow him to almost sand upright.
[20:25:14] Sebastian: "Well, hello, Aaron. How was your trip?"
[20:27:37] Mholmes: "The excursion was highly educational, Sebastian," he responds without mirth.
[20:28:06] Sebastian: "Good, what about for you Egani? Did you learn much?"
[20:32:06] Egani: "Sadly little. I think we're sure that the yellow mist is coming because of a dimensional discontinuity. Archelaus would know more."
[20:33:48] Sebastian: "Where is he, anyway?"
[20:35:14] Egani: "He's on another world, one of immense alien power ruled by psychotic godlings that still somehow need his help. Under the right circumstances I can open a gate to it and we could consult with him but I can't, in good concience, tell you that it's altogether safe."
[20:36:09] Sebastian: Sebastian turns to Aaron, "Is that your assessment as well?"
[20:37:58] Mholmes: "The worlds in which we have traveled should be investigated," says Aaron as if it were a walk in the park. "With the right preparations, it should be safe."
[20:39:07] Egani: "Maybe. They were not overtly hostile..."
[20:39:33] Sebastian: "Hmm... I'll have to think on that. Anyway, Egani, what about your companions? Tell me your impressions now that you've travelled with them?"
[20:39:55] Egani: "Who?"
[20:40:37] Sebastian: Sebastian opens the journal again and skims a couple of pages... "Ah, here we are. You may remember that you travelled to the White Wood with a number of others...?"
[20:40:53] Egani: "They left my donkey."
[20:41:16] Egani: "I guess they were OK. What are you really asking?"
[20:41:34] Sebastian: Sebastian cocks his head to the side. "Honestly?"
[20:41:52] Egani: "Yeah, it's so much easier that way."
[20:43:06] Sebastian: "It's a complex, multi-tiered question. I'm asking you for your basic impressions and evaluations of the other people you travelled with. I'll take your thoughts and compare them with my own observations in order to gain a more insightful view of the people in question. Further it will highlight some of your own thought patterns, so I'll be learning about you as well..."
[20:46:19] Egani: "Oh...neat! If you could list them off, it might help. Honestly, they were mostly inconsequential. Okhfels was useful, but I don't always agree with him. Archie is interesting and useful. Archie's wife gives me the creeps. That Alexander guy has something not entirely savory going on. Who else?"
[20:46:50] Mholmes: "Okhfels is a danger to the colony," says Aaron unsolicited.
[20:47:11] Egani: "Pardon?"
[20:49:34] Mholmes: "Okhfels is a danger to the colony," says Aaron unsolicited.
[20:51:24] Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head and makes a mental note to question Aaron on the subject later. "Moving on... Egani, you were also accompanied by Serema, Elle, and Haikain if I recall correctly."
[20:52:21] Egani: "They didn't do anything interesting."
[20:52:30] Mholmes: Egani can tell that something is...wrong...with Aaron. He wouldn't normally say something like that. It's not *his* feeling.
[20:53:28] Egani: "Let's take this coversation to the workshop, OK?" and Egani heads outside.
[20:54:41] Sebastian: Sebastian finishes his tead and hands the cup to Marcia. "Thank you. It was a taste of home, as always." He then follows Egani.
[20:55:03] Egani: "Come on Aaron."
[20:57:31] Mholmes: Aaron follows dutifully.
[20:57:38] Egani: When they arrive in Egani's workshop, Egani directs Aaron to lie down on the massive table where he was built.
[20:58:24] Egani: Egani begins to tinker passively while talking to Sebastian. "So, about that elf..."
[20:59:16] Sebastian: "Yes... what precisely do you want with him?"
[20:59:41] Egani: "He's looking for me. I'd like him to find me under circumstances of my choosing."
[21:00:11] * Egani locks Aaron's body to the work table with powerful clamps at several points.
[21:00:51] Sebastian: "I believe I can arrange something. But I'll need to know what he looks like, or when he's arriving. Preferrably both."
[21:03:42] Egani: "The elf was last seen in Kaitain, looking for me. If he could be aprehended there and brought here, it might save everone some time."
[21:04:01] * Egani peers into the essence world, trying to diagnose Aaron's malfunction.
[21:08:21] Mholmes: There's a knock at the door, and Lessos steps in. The merchant smiles and says, "Hello. I heard that you were on the expedition?"
[21:08:32] Mholmes: He seems to be addressing Egani directly.
[21:09:23] Mholmes: His beard and shabby cloak make him seem somewhat on the skids. He usually has a somewhat better appearance.
[21:09:59] Egani: "Um, yeah? Here, hold this" Egani hands him a large reflector.
[21:11:22] Mholmes: He takes it, uncertain. "I hear you may have lost some things. I'm going to be heading back to Kaitaine overland, and perhaps I could return with some things for you?"
[21:12:11] * Egani continues tinkering with Aaron, consulting his precise drawings, large tomes, cages of birds and poking around in his innards.
[21:12:23] Egani: "When'll you be back?"
[21:15:47] Sebastian: Sebastian steps outside unobtrusively, haeding back to the camp while the two continue their discussion.
[21:23:04] Mholmes: "Well it's pretty far," he says. "But I can probably make it in a couple of months depending on what I have to bring back."
[21:24:25] Egani: "Yeah, bring me back a really excellent donkey. Other stuff is less important. W Hat ? else can you bring?"
[21:25:51] Mholmes: "It's Kaitaine. I can get anything. Assuming you give me something to get it with," says Lessos.
[21:26:42] Egani: "Go talk to Okhfels or Isadora for cash, they lost my stuff. Do you know how much you'll need?"
[21:29:16] Mholmes: "I'll do that," says Lessos with a smile and heads out.
[21:29:33] Mholmes: Looking at Aaron, Egani now sees the problem.
[21:30:08] Mholmes: He's been reprogrammed in some subtle ways. And it has to have been deliberate. But it's worse than that.
[21:32:50] Mholmes: The essence has been ingeniously modified so that with but a command, Aaron would build up a feedback field of energy. Allowed to grow it would soon be uncontainable. The energy unleashed...well it's hard to say what it would do, but it would surely be destructive.
[21:36:10] * Egani jots down notes on the problem -- enough so that a proper monograph can be fleshed out later. After an hour or so of that, he gets to work preparing a crystaline containment device to prevent such tampering in the future. Then final step will be to retune the essense back to a more stable phase. This isn't child's play -- he'll have to take it slowly.

[20:07:22] * Isadora hasn't been seen much outside of her tent since her return, and reportedly has been too surly to be worth bothering often. She soon gets the news of Okhfels' return, though, and sends a soldier to bring him to her.
[20:08:56] Okhfels: Okhfels receives the soldier with a little agitation. "Well you took your ashen time!"
[20:09:03] Okhfels: He hurries to Isadora's tent.
[20:10:32] Okhfels: Okhfels pushes through the tent opening. "Isadora?"
[20:10:45] * Isadora is pacing in the far end of the "office" part of the tent, which is a little on the dim and stuffy side compared to normal. "You made it back," she says quietly.
[20:11:56] Okhfels: "Yes! And I heard you took care of Salast, too!" He strides up to her excitedly.
[20:13:40] * Isadora barks a short, bitter laugh. "Not much of a secret, I take it." She looks angry for a second, then shrugs it off. "We... thought you weren't coming back."
[20:14:21] Okhfels: "Neither did I, for a bit. It was touch and go, there, for a while. But I made it, and you made it..."
[20:14:32] Okhfels: It starts to sink into Okhfels skull that something might be wrong.
[20:14:38] Okhfels: "What's wrong?"
[20:16:33] Isadora: "Nothing. I'll take care of it," Isadora says with a brief smile. She reaches with unusual hesitancy to touch his arm. "Better, now that I know you came back alive. What happened out there?"
[20:19:00] Okhfels: Okhfels takes her hand in his. He shakes his head. "It's... it's like another world in there. There's no direction, no way to find your way out... it draws you in, deeper and deeper..." he looks into her eyes... "Endles..."
[20:19:38] Okhfels: "Inside, we found this gate... Egani and Archelaus opened it... it led... into a nightmare. Archelaus never came back."
[20:20:31] Okhfels: "I'm sorry... I failed... You told me to keep the wizards out of trouble, and I failed."
[20:20:36] Isadora: "And inside?" She leaves her hand in his.
[20:20:51] Isadora: "It was an impossible order, I think."
[20:21:26] Okhfels: He squeezes her hand. "A nightmare. Bones, demons... a... god... I think Archelaus meant to go there the whole time. He pledged himself to it."
[20:22:07] Okhfels: "I got everyone else out before things got worse."
[20:22:35] Isadora: "Maybe he'll tell it that we're full up on gods, around here." She sounds bitter again, but brightens a bit as he continues. "One casualty, for the White Wood? That's practically legendary."
[20:23:13] Okhfels: "Egani is the one that saved us. He opened a door of his own, that brought us back most of the way here."
[20:24:55] Isadora: "Was it worth it?"
[20:25:55] Mholmes: Somewhere in the back of his mind, Okhfels can still feel a faint ghost of Archelaus' mind.
[20:25:57] Okhfels: "The whole mission? I don't know. I don't think we made a difference, honestly."
[20:27:33] Isadora: "The plague seems to be fading, so who can say? I won't ask you to waste your life like that again, though."
[20:28:52] Okhfels: "Isadora..." He looks into her eyes again, more intently this time. "I..."
[20:29:19] Okhfels: "I want you to know, that it was you that kept me going, when everything was at stake."
[20:32:05] Isadora: "Don't say that!" She sounds almost angry. "It was a stupid risk I asked you to take, to help a colony that's built on a lie and now crumbling back into dust! I can't keep asking for your loyalty with a straight face, Okhfels. My hypocrisy goes only so far."
[20:32:59] Okhfels: "Then don't ask me for loyalty."
[20:33:05] Okhfels: "I'll give it anyways."
[20:34:42] Okhfels: His lips say "loyalty" but his eyes say something else.
[20:35:04] Isadora: "I don't know what's going to happen. Salast was trying to stir some power out of the lake for Marvars. I could have patched that up, maybe, but I lost my temper and now there's no talking around it. Marvars will know as soon as the airship returns, then..." Her hand clenches and unclenches in his, as if she's trying to pull away but can't quite do it.
[20:36:27] Okhfels: "Then... what? He'll send someone to kill you, and take your place?""
[20:37:35] Isadora: "Maybe. I have some magical rock from Salast, haven't figured out what to do with it. I'm no good at this magic business, dammit." She sighs. "But... I don't think I'll be able to go home."
[20:37:46] * Isadora slumps down in a chair, having said the words for the first time.
[20:39:08] Okhfels: Okfels kneels down next to her, refusing to let go of her hand.
[20:40:00] Mholmes: There is a knock on the post outside the tent.
[20:40:14] Okhfels: "All I know about magic is ..." he turns towards the sound.
[20:40:48] * Isadora squeezes then lets go of his hand, rising to meet the noise. "Yes?"
[20:42:08] Mholmes: Narbin sticks his head in the tent. "A quick update on the other Rhiani tribe, M'lady. Pallos says that they're still being obstinate, and the Rhiani scouts don't have any new information on what the goblins are up to. Given that they refuse to impinge on their cousin's territory."
[20:42:34] Mholmes: "I'm sure Sebastian can update you on how our tribe is feeling about that," he concludes.
[20:42:53] Isadora: "If Pallos said a Rhiani tribe was being other than obstinate, I'd worry. Thank you for the news." She nods, a little impatiently.
[20:44:02] Mholmes: Narbin retreats back out of the tent.
[20:44:06] Okhfels: Okhfels stands up.
[20:44:54] Okhfels: "Those other Riani... they're Blue Bear tribe, aren't they?"
[20:45:46] Isadora: "What? Yes, they are. What does that mean to you?"
[20:46:20] Okhfels: Okhfels looks down at the floor. "This may not make any sense...but I think they're after me."
[20:46:49] * Isadora actually laughs, a bit of tension leaving her. "Do tell. You make friends everywhere."
[20:46:53] Okhfels: "They're the ones who wiped out the company I was with before I came here."
[20:47:10] Okhfels: "They're the ones who killed every friend I had... until I met you."
[20:47:44] Isadora: "What happened, that they would care so much? That doesn't sound like just business."
[20:48:28] Okhfels: Okhfels shakes his head. "I don't know. Our company was out looking for goblins... the Riani ambushed us, out of nowhere."
[20:48:54] Okhfels: "I think they want to finish the job."
[20:49:17] Okhfels: "I'm a danger to the colony."
[20:50:27] Isadora: "I hope you won't do me the insult of suggesting I won't defend you all the way."
[20:52:09] Okhfels: "Isadora, come with me. We'll take the ship, have him drop us off in Teth. They... they need me, and you don't, not here... there are people there who can help you with the crystal who know about magic..."
[20:52:25] Okhfels: "Leave the Riani and the lake and the wizards to rot."
[20:53:15] Okhfels: "I got word that they're having trouble with the goblins, up in Teth... more than usual."
[20:54:15] Isadora: "I... I want to. I need to think." Hope fights with doubt in her expression.
[20:54:23] Okhfels: "I know."
[20:54:41] Okhfels: "Do you... want me to go? I mean, to let you think."
[20:55:11] Isadora: "For a little while. Sometimes it's hard for me to think when you're around."
[20:55:40] Okhfels: Okhfels chuckles briefly. "I know what you mean. I'll... I'll be at the forge. I need to go bang on something hot."
[20:55:47] Okhfels: Okhfels turns and leaves the tent.

[21:01:26] Mholmes: Later, as Isadora sits in her tent, there's another knock.
[21:02:03] Isadora: "What now?"
[21:02:20] Isadora: As gracious as ever, she calls the greeting from her desk.
[21:03:55] Mholmes: Speckler steps in. "I have the supply report for you, Isadora."
[21:04:18] Mholmes: He holds out a parchment with his scrawl all over it.
[21:04:58] Isadora: "Goody. And how have the stores been, these last few days?" She is, just possibly, maybe a little drunk. But just a bit.
[21:07:36] Mholmes: "Well, not too good. And, worse, I suspect that the aura may have diverted the last supply ship," he says.
[21:08:36] Isadora: "Do tell. How bad is it?" She doesn't sound as upset as might be normally expected.
[21:10:27] Mholmes: "Well, if the next ship doesn't come we're going to be left to eating what the Rhiani can provide for us," he says. "And, I'm sure you've noticed, but the Rhiani seem less friendly than ever."
[21:12:47] Isadora: "How soon is that next ship due?"
[21:14:52] Mholmes: "Three days," he says, with a look of self-pity. As though this is a personal affront to him.
[21:15:58] Isadora: "Well, that's time enough to make a plan. Don't worry, we'll get it worked out." She takes another drink.
[21:25:06] Mholmes: Speckler looks dubious. Looking at the sheets, Isadora notes (and perhaps the drink is somehow helping her here) that there seem to be some irregularities in the recordkeeping.
[21:26:20] Isadora: "Hum. Before you go, could you explain this bit here to a simple camp commander?" She points at an odd-looking spot.
[21:28:04] Mholmes: "Ah, that, you really should leave this to me, you have more important things to do, and aren't really trained in supply," he says. "You're just not seeing the balance down here. I have to check some things, so I'll be going, if that's all right?"
[21:29:13] Isadora: "Of course," Isadora says, waving one hand in a graceful dismissal but keeping the other planted firmly on the record sheet.
[21:30:35] Mholmes: Speckler takes his leave reluctantly.

[21:49:47] Sebastian: There's a knock at Isadora's tent.
[21:51:48] Isadora: "Who's that?" Isadora's voice sounds a little irritable.
[21:52:36] Sebastian: Sebastian sticks his head inside the tent. "This is a bad time, isn't it?"
[21:54:54] Isadora: "It's a terrible time. Come in." She waves her arm expansively.
[21:56:09] Sebastian: Sebastian steps inside. "Good, I'd hate to think I was going to waste this." He pulls a small blue glass bottle from his pocket.
[21:57:09] * Isadora squints at it. "What's that? I haven't even told you my troubles yet."
[21:59:06] Sebastian: "It's trulas liquor. It's really very pleasant. Laura said you probably needed some. And if you want company..." Sebastian shrugs, picks up a glass lying on a nearby table and pours a small amount of the liquor before offering it to Isadora.
[22:00:02] Isadora: "Thank her for me," Isadora says as she takes the glass and drinks. "Of course I want company."
[22:00:11] Isadora: "How is she?" she adds.
[22:02:25] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles distantly, "Recovering slowly. She'll be happy to know you asked. Now, contrary to my usual methods I'm going to forgo asking questions. We'll just sit here and drink, and if you want to talk about something feel free." He pauses and his voice softens, "That's what friends are for after all..."
[22:04:19] Isadora: "Tell me if there's anything I can do for her," Isadora says, then props her elbows on her desk and cradles her head in her hands. "I have no end of troubles. We're on the verge of starvation, my quartermaster is probably crooked, and I think I might be in love."
[22:04:37] Mholmes: Yet another knocks at the tent entrance.
[22:05:24] Sebastian: Sebastian stands up and gestures for Isadora to remain seated.
[22:05:39] Sebastian: He walks over to the tent entrance and flips it open. "Yes?"
[22:05:59] * Isadora complies, and helps herself to another drink.
[22:06:09] Mholmes: Dhazari stands patiently waiting. "Could I speak with Isadora? And yourself?"
[22:07:23] Sebastian: Sebastian considers. "Concerning what?"
[22:07:42] Mholmes: One of his hunting charms made of worn wood catches the sunlight on it's polished surface. "Matters of alliance."
[22:08:39] Sebastian: Sebastian stands silent for a moment. "How urgent is it, can it wait a few hours?"
[22:10:30] Mholmes: "It can wait that long. But we should speak soon. Great things are afoot," he says.
[22:11:14] Sebastian: Sebastian nods, "I'll find you this evening." He then steps back inside the tent and sits down.
[22:12:04] Isadora: "I'm thinking of taking that post out," Isadora says peevishly.
[22:13:18] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, "It wouldn't help really. The only sure-fire way to get rid of all these annoyances would be to leave the camp altogether." Sebastian sips at his drink, "So, in love perhaps?"
[22:14:52] Isadora: "Could be." She sighs. "I think we're at a crossroads. This whole camp... it's unstable, and will get worse when Marvars gets news."
[22:15:29] Sebastian: "What news?"
[22:17:42] Isadora: "The Salast thing." She waves a hand irritably. "He has to give some kind of reaction--I would. Removing his servant is too much to ignore completely." She frowns into her drink. "So what do you think of Okhfels?"
[22:18:44] Sebastian: Sebastian pulls the journal from his pocket and sits it on his knee. He stares at it reflectively for a couple of moments before speaking.
[22:21:01] Sebastian: "I am not entirely sure. He is a simple, yet complex man. A natural leader, but lacking in vision. A man who knows how to direct, but seeks direction for himself. There are many contradictions there." Sebastian blinks and looks up. "Are you saying... Okhfels...?" Sebastian sounds surprised, not upset. He seems to have been taken off guard.
[22:23:55] Isadora: "I don't know. Maybe. Yes. What of it?" She looks at Sebastian as if daring him to say something.
[22:25:31] Sebastian: Sebastian takes a long drink before answering. "What about Fazeris?"
[22:26:58] Isadora: That caught her off guard a bit, but she recovers quickly. "Even if I trusted him, he'll return to Kaitaine soon. He belongs there."
[22:28:06] Sebastian: Sebastian sets his glass down and slides a sheet of paper out, folding it with exaggerated care. "And what of you? Where do you belong?"
[22:29:20] Isadora: "I don't know," Isadora admits quietly.
[22:30:45] Sebastian: Sebastian completes an elegant paper flower and sets it on the table. He pulls out another piece of paper and continues folding. "Where do you _want_ to belong?"
[22:32:30] Isadora: "Kaitaine, until recently. I thought I was working to go home, but I found myself avoiding every chance to get there. I tell myself that the troops here need me, but they'll probably be recalled when this Salast thing blows open."
[22:36:39] Sebastian: Sebastian looks directly at Isadora. "You should know that you will always have a place in Sel-Kai." He finishes the second piece of origami, it is an ornate abstract piece. He fits the flower into the newly folded base seamlessly. "Home. It's a difficult thing is it not?" He smiles briefly.
[22:38:11] * Isadora matches his smile with a warmer one. "Your offer does me great honor, but I'm as badly suited for Sel-Kai as Kaitaine, these days. Besides, you're not rushing back."
[22:39:29] Sebastian: "True. Unfortunately Sel-Kai is a bit hostile to me at the moment..." He takes another sip, Sebastian's words are beginning to slur a bit. "So, what is it about Okhfels, anyway?"
[22:44:51] Isadora: Isadora, smile lingering, settles back in her chair. "He's strong, he's direct, he's loyal, and he... he comforts me." She takes another healthy drink. "And, well, have you seen him at the forge?"
[22:46:24] Sebastian: Sebastian shakes his head, he seems more than a bit tipsy.
[22:46:39] Sebastian: "Well, that's worth something. Maybe more than a little something..."
[22:47:42] Isadora: "'Sworth a lot. But I don't know what to do, so I'm miserable--a telling sign that it might be love." Isadora is waxing positively philosophical.
[22:48:01] Sebastian: Sebastian looks up a bit uncertainly. "Would you like some advice?"
[22:48:31] Isadora: "Course. I might ignore it, but that's the risk you run." She waves a hand for him to go on.
[22:50:53] Sebastian: Sebastian takes a deep breath. "I think it might be wise to let things settle down, or to at least take some time away, before making any decisions. You're under a lot of pressure right now (through no fault of your own, I might add), and it would be unfortunate to make a decision you regret later because of that pressure..." Sebastian trails off, "Or something like that, anyway..."
[22:52:26] Isadora: "Time away." Isadora smiles a bit. "I might be able to do that." She squints at him a little suspiciously. "Or something like that? What does that mean?"
[22:53:10] Sebastian: Sebastian looks more than a little disoriented. "Huh? What does what mean?"
[22:55:35] Isadora: "I'm... not sure, really. Thanks for the advice, anyway." She sips. "I owe you one, Sebastian. You're a good listener."
[22:57:31] Sebastian: Sebastian smiles crookedly, "Hey, that's what you pay me for, remember?" He sets the half-empty bottle on the desk next to his origami construction. "And now, I really should go meet with Dhazari... Sleep well, my Lady. And I hope you find peace..." He stands up and walks very carefully out of the tent.
[22:59:00] Sebastian: As soon as the tent flap falls closed behind him Sebastian stands up straight, his eyes clear, and he strides purposefully toward the Rhianni camp appearing completely sober.

[21:34:55] Mholmes: Okhfels is hammering away at the forge, when a Rhiani comes along. He has several charms and fetishes (more than the average Rhiani) about himself that seem mostly made from bone and such. He stares at Okhfels with a dead expression.
[21:36:21] Okhfels: Okhfels doesn't pause. He glances up, then goes back to work. He's no blacksmith... he's just smashing a piece of red-hot iron into a roughly cubic shape.
[21:36:53] Mholmes: "I would like to see your drum," says the man laconically.
[21:38:10] Okhfels: "Get in line. I'll warn you, there's a troll ahead of you, it may be a while before you get your turn."
[21:39:01] Mholmes: The Rhiani frowns, "Are you saying that you will not show it to me?"
[21:40:51] Okhfels: Okfhels stops and plunges his little project into the water barrel, releasing a huge cloud of steam. "I'm saying that I won't show it to you just because you say you want to."
[21:42:14] Mholmes: The man seems to ponder this for a while. Then, "What do I need to do to see the Drum?"
[21:44:42] Okhfels: "If I knew what I wanted from you, I'd be the one asking for things."
[21:46:51] Mholmes: The Rhiani cocks his head a little, "I am the keeper of the dead of my people, and I deal in spirits. The drum has a spirit, and if my people are to deal with it, I should know this spirit. Does that help with your decision?"
[21:47:29] Okhfels: Okhfels sighs.
[21:48:18] Okhfels: Okhfels sets aside his project and wipes his hands on his grimy kilt.
[21:49:43] Okhfels: "Tell you what..." he says, "I need some help with some magic business. I'll let you look at the drum, you tell me what you think anyone can do to get rid of that yellow fog."
[21:50:53] Mholmes: The shaman looks up at the aura and says, "It is alien to me. But there may be something we can do about it. I agree to your deal."
[21:51:35] Okhfels: "Come on." Okhfels leads the shaman to the drum.
[21:52:02] Mholmes: Fahd follows.
[21:54:16] Okhfels: Under one of the few trees in the area, the drum sits, quietly, guarded by a couple of Okhfels' men.
[21:54:41] Okhfels: Okhfels says, "Here you go."
[21:58:30] Mholmes: Fahd examines the drum, not even touching it at first. This goes on for quite a while. Then he begins speaking to it in the Rhiani tongue.
[21:59:05] Okhfels: Okhfels motions to the guards, that they shouldn't worry about all this.
[22:00:52] Mholmes: After a long while, Fahd turns to Okhfels and says simply, "It is a good spirit. How did you come across it?"
[22:01:32] Okhfels: "My company had it when I joined up with them."
[22:02:27] Mholmes: "Then why is it not with them?" he asks.
[22:02:35] Okhfels: "I'm the last."
[22:02:43] Okhfels: "It *IS* with the company."
[22:03:58] Mholmes: "Ah," says Fahd, satisfied. "Did you bury them?"
[22:04:55] Okhfels: Okhfels sighs. "No. I lost track of them in the battle... and then I got lost."
[22:05:19] Mholmes: "I see," says Fahd, concerned. "Who was your enemy?"
[22:06:11] Okhfels: "You mean the one we were seeking, or the one that attacked us?"
[22:08:12] Mholmes: "The one that killed your brethren," he clarifies.
[22:08:24] Okhfels: "The Blue Bear tribe ambushed us. I don't know why... I was just an ordinary trooper then."
[22:09:37] Mholmes: His eyebrows go up momentarily, "I see. Then your men are buried, assuming the Blue Bear held the field. But their spirits may still be restless."
[22:10:27] Okhfels: Okhfels nods.
[22:11:13] Mholmes: "Now, for my part, I can show you how, perhaps, we can throw off the abysmal aura," he relates. "Can you come with me?"
[22:11:24] Okhfels: "Lead the way."
[22:11:42] Okhfels: Okhfels gives his men a high-sign.
[22:12:47] Mholmes: The shaman leads Okhfels along the shore north past the Rhiani camp. The ground grows high here, and the lake spreads out to the west.
[22:14:17] Mholmes: At one point, Fahd seems to be avoiding a strange copse of trees ahead. Then he slows to near a stop and motions for Okhfels to do the same.
[22:15:24] Mholmes: "There's someone in the Damned Grove," he says indicating the trees. There's something familiar about those trees to Okhfels - like they are kin of the White Wood.
[22:16:23] Okhfels: "Making the yellow fog?"
[22:18:14] Mholmes: "No," he says. "But must be up to no good."
[22:18:41] Okhfels: "Noone goes into those woods with good in mind."
[22:19:28] Mholmes: Fahd nods. "Should we investigate, or get more people to..."
[22:19:42] Mholmes: He looks at Okhfels, and then, "Should we investigate?"
[22:19:46] Okhfels: "The last time I led a whole crowd into those trees, it was bad."
[22:20:55] Okhfels: "And if it's anything like the white wood, having a whole bunch of people won't help any. I would like to bring one person, though."
[22:21:14] Mholmes: "Who?" he asks.
[22:21:35] Okhfels: "Egani... he's the one who saved us from the White Wood."
[22:26:04] Mholmes: A bit later, Egani has joined the pair as they peer back into the Cursed Grove.
[22:26:45] Mholmes: Fahd looks at Okhfels expectantly.
[22:27:11] Okhfels: "What do you say, Egani? Ready to have at it again... and maybe win this time?"
[22:28:22] Egani: "Uh, sure, what's going on?"
[22:29:00] Okhfels: "Fahd says that someone's up to no good in there. Might be related to this yellow fog."
[22:29:43] Mholmes: Fahd, not wanting to wait any longer, starts sneaking up on the copse.
[22:29:50] * Egani follows along.
[22:30:25] Okhfels: Okhfels gives a quiet, "Good man," and takes up the rear, his improvised homemade iron hammer hanging from his belt.
[22:31:46] Mholmes: As the three enter the ring of trees, there's somewhat of that cool feeling again as when they entered the White Wood. But the world does not fade, and they can still see it behind them. They then note a figure in the midst of an opening in the trees, working about a strange bent over tree.
[22:32:29] Okhfels: Okhfels looks around for any sign of spider-things lurking in the trees.
[22:34:22] Aysha: Beneath the trees Aysha has erected a ring of burning ash-wood stakes. The stakes bear lines of strange glyphs up and down the sides, and it is from these that lurid green flames issue. In the midst of the ring Aysha is dancing like a fiend, circling around the gnarled tree.
[22:35:02] Okhfels: Okhfels asks, to Fahd and Egani both, "What's she doing?"
[22:35:04] Aysha: There are many snakes on the ground, and Aysha is draped with them, long sleek things coiling around her arms, her legs, her entire body.
[22:35:11] Aysha: They shake and wave as she capers.
[22:36:57] Aysha: As she dances and raves, Aysha calls out in a strange high-pitched tongue. Each time she does, one of the snakes detatches itself from her, and slithers off in to follow her pointing finger:
[22:37:33] Mholmes: Fahd shrugs his shoulders indicating he doesn't have any idea what this is about.
[22:37:56] Aysha: Up to the wizend evil tree they go, one at a time, and slither down the throat of Serama, who is bound by the ankles and wrists to it's rotting surface.
[22:38:28] Aysha: Serama's eyes bug out. She's obviously not enjoying this very much. But she doesn't seem to be actively fighting, either.
[22:38:46] Okhfels: Okhfels notices Serama... there must have been something hypnotic about Aysha's dancing for him to have missed this incredibly important detail.
[22:38:57] Okhfels: "Aysha!"
[22:40:20] * Aysha whirls and bounces, paying no mind to the approaching interlopers
[22:40:31] * Egani opens a large tome and begins reading aloud and gesturing toward the ring.
[22:40:56] Okhfels: Okhfels looks to Fahd, to see his reaction, and then starts striding purposefully towards Aysha.
[22:41:33] Mholmes: Fahd returns the look, still not certain, but follows Okhfels into the circle of trees.
[22:47:09] Mholmes: A feeling of something impending crackling in he air suddenly is notable by its absence.
[22:48:20] * Aysha turns and centers her atention on the newcomers for the first time.
[22:48:25] Aysha: "YOU FOOLS!" she shrieks!
[22:48:48] Aysha: "You have broken the ritual my masters gave me!"
[22:48:51] Okhfels: Okhfels draws his hammer.
[22:49:00] Okhfels: "I'll break more than that."
[22:49:08] * Aysha raises both hands and points them at Egani
[22:49:36] Aysha: "You will not keep Marek from me, sorcerer! What foulness to think that I had esteemed you!"
[22:49:40] * Egani begins chanting the incantation to find the local spirits, more concerned with what Aysha was up to than what she's doing now.
[22:49:43] Aysha: As one, the remaining snakes move in on Egani
[23:03:51] Mholmes: Egani's attempt to capture the essence of the charging snakes powerfully puts them off. But this causes them to get under Okhfels feet and he stumbles right into Fahd. Fortunately for them, however, Aysha begins to dance away and is disrupted in her attempts to do so. The snake dissapear as she looses concentration.
[23:04:04] Mholmes: Okhfels manages to push Fahd off with ease, and thus gets to Aysha before she can recover. Aysha moves to get her dagger loose, but never manages to do so.
[23:04:29] Mholmes: So in a matter of moments, Okhfels has managed to wrap up his quarry.
[23:05:12] Mholmes: Serama seems to snap out of some sort of trance. "Aysha! Not again!"
[23:05:30] * Egani goes to Serama, checking her health.
[23:05:48] Okhfels: Okhfels says to Fahd, "Get her free..." He tries to get Aysha into an armlock that will keep her under control until he can get her back to the camp.
[23:06:32] Okhfels: He says, quietly, to Aysha, "This was never about the yellow fog, was it?"
[23:06:43] Mholmes: Serama watches him with Rhiani-like attention as he investigates her. But she allows him to do so, as Fahd frees her as instructed by Okhfels.
[23:08:54] * Aysha glares at Okhfels
[23:09:05] Aysha: "Your ability to state the obvious astonishes one and all, blacksmith."
[23:09:18] Okhfels: "I'll take that as a yes."

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