The Beginning
I was swimming in the <i>loveliest</I> pool. It was cool and dark, and stillÂ… Hidden among the trees in one of the quiet glades deep in <i>Arborea.</i> *Her expression becomes wistful.*
A mortal was watching me. *She smiles, though it is a smile of sadness.* I knew he was there. Hiding and watching.
*She laughs.* I knew he was there. I. . . Well, I suppose I was teasing him a little. Not cruelly! Never that! I just. . . *She looks away.* I could fly away any time, right? Where was the harm? I would just tease him and let him chase me. *She smiles remembering a time <i>before</I>* Maybe. . . maybe I would even let him catch me. For a little while.
When I got out of the water, he showed himself. He was not handsome, exactly. His skin was black as the darkest night sky, and his back was stooped. But he was funny and charming. We talked. We. . . *She trails off, not quite blushing, but there is definitely a hint of breathlessness to her mein.*
*She shrugs and sighs.* When it was time for me to leave, I could not find my cloak. He had taken it!
He told me that he would return it to me. . .in exchange for a kiss. *She shifts uncomfortably, looking down at her hands. Her voice becomes a low murmur punctuated by the crackle of the fire.* I kissed him. He laughed and said that it didn't count because I didn't <I>mean</I> it. He made me kiss him again. And again, and again. . .
After a while, he became <i>angry</i>. He said that he was leaving.
I needed my cloak back! I chased him. . . Through the forests and beyond the pools. . .into the twilight and darkness. He was always just ahead of me. I could hear him. . .
After a while there was wind. . .and colors. . .and. . .and I wasn't running <i>after</I> him anymore. I was running <I>from</I> him. *She looks up.* He chased me and caught me, and took me to a tower where he. . .he <i>kept</I> me.
For ten years.
He made me call him <i>husband.</I> He said that he loved me, but. . .but I think that what he loved was the <i>idea</I> of me. *Her expression becomes earnest.* I begged him to free me. Sometimes he would be wonderful and charming, but other times he was capricious and cruel. It was. . . *She shudders and looks away.*
One day, my brother arrived.
<I>Wilmn.</i>
I am not sure how he found me. He had. . .changed. . .in ten years. He was angry. He and Cooger fought. Cooger used magic. . . Fire, and lightning, and wind. . . *She sounds frightened.* At one point, a shining door opened. I...I don't think he meant to do it. But I saw my opportunity, and I ran while my brother and my <i>husband</I> fought. I came out in the common room of the Foul Olde Spirit.
*She shrugs.* I met Selina a few days later.
* * * * * *
My gift from Fionnghuala. *She looks ashamed.* The feathered cloak that gives swanmays our true shape. I have lost mine, and while Sises now holds it for me, I will not take it up again until I have <I>earned</I> it.
*She looks incredulous.* You do not know of swanmays, or of Fionnghuala?
Fionnghuala is of the Seelie Court, though she is often away, hunting the Unseelie. The swanmays are her devotees. As a sign of her favor, we are given a magical cloak which enable us to assume the shape of swans.
Pen Anserinae
-
*Ravel's Heart
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
On Mora
((An OOC post as a reference until I can get it cleaned up into an IC format.
As I said above, this insane idea was inspired by things I've been RPing for a while. Pen obsessed over the stones and the rest cave for a good while.
Eventually, this led to a small two person event with Pen and Selina. They rappelled down into the depths of the cave and discovered a ruined fortress. Ultimately, they learned that the area surrounding the cave had once been a green valley with a river running through it. The river teemed with fish, and a village there grew propserous.
Over time, the village became the city of Mora, a multicultural city-state. (Think a planar version of Illefarn.) The city was protected by a mythal, forged by the combined magic of various races and schools of magi.
In the hills outside Mora, the mountain man lived, and worshipped dark gods, and generally were up to no good. (Edit: Much later, these "Dark Men of the Mountain" were identified as the Men of Eluria.) Ultimately, the mountain men made a deal with fiends of one stripe or another, opening a portal into the Abyss. Demons poured in and overwhelmed the mountain men. In the end, Mora was besieged.
(Edit: I believe that the men agreed to the demons help for a set number of generations after which the demons were freed from their agreement, and, presumably, from their constraints.)
As the demons dominated more and more of the area, they were able to shift the plane into the Abyss.
The rest cave (and the small, difficult-to-reach fortress beneath it) are all that remain of ancient Mora. The cave is invisible to fiends because it is protected by the illusory magic of the mythal, which still functions, though it is weak and unstable.
Late in the siege, the magi of Mora altered the mythal. They knew they couldn't fight back against the infinite hordes of the Abyss, so instead they adapted the mythal to hide the existence of their last stronghold. Even that would not have been enough. The constant press of evil on the outside of the mythal would have created too much stress for the mythal to hold.
So, the magi hit upon a solution that seemed like it would buy them enough time to come up with something better.
The constant "pressure of evil" against the mythal was slowly crushing it. So the Mora magi "vented" it by opening a portal into a more hospitable plane: Brux. The standing stones in Brux are the outlet for vent. As an unforeseen consequence of this vent, the portion of Brux nearest the standing stones seems to attract only the darker fey (the Unseelie), rather than the variety one might expect in the Beastlands.
When Pen was a hag, Selina was able to tap into the Mythal. It augmented her magic to the point that she could break Sises Men Pen's curse and return her to her more usual form (Sises Men Pen being an anagram for "Pen's Nemesis"...I was struggling to think of a name! :P )
Initially, Pen and Selina swore to tell no one of Mora's existence. Pen broke this oath when a PC (whose name I do not recall) fell into the depths of the rest cave.
Since then, she has told several people about Mora and its significance including Lucelle, Auric, and Janeth.
Much more on the Mora mythal to follow.
(Edit: None of this is Sigil-canon. But it's the explanation for the rest cave in Pen's version of the multiverse. :lol: )
((An OOC post as a reference until I can get it cleaned up into an IC format.
As I said above, this insane idea was inspired by things I've been RPing for a while. Pen obsessed over the stones and the rest cave for a good while.
Eventually, this led to a small two person event with Pen and Selina. They rappelled down into the depths of the cave and discovered a ruined fortress. Ultimately, they learned that the area surrounding the cave had once been a green valley with a river running through it. The river teemed with fish, and a village there grew propserous.
Over time, the village became the city of Mora, a multicultural city-state. (Think a planar version of Illefarn.) The city was protected by a mythal, forged by the combined magic of various races and schools of magi.
In the hills outside Mora, the mountain man lived, and worshipped dark gods, and generally were up to no good. (Edit: Much later, these "Dark Men of the Mountain" were identified as the Men of Eluria.) Ultimately, the mountain men made a deal with fiends of one stripe or another, opening a portal into the Abyss. Demons poured in and overwhelmed the mountain men. In the end, Mora was besieged.
(Edit: I believe that the men agreed to the demons help for a set number of generations after which the demons were freed from their agreement, and, presumably, from their constraints.)
As the demons dominated more and more of the area, they were able to shift the plane into the Abyss.
The rest cave (and the small, difficult-to-reach fortress beneath it) are all that remain of ancient Mora. The cave is invisible to fiends because it is protected by the illusory magic of the mythal, which still functions, though it is weak and unstable.
Late in the siege, the magi of Mora altered the mythal. They knew they couldn't fight back against the infinite hordes of the Abyss, so instead they adapted the mythal to hide the existence of their last stronghold. Even that would not have been enough. The constant press of evil on the outside of the mythal would have created too much stress for the mythal to hold.
So, the magi hit upon a solution that seemed like it would buy them enough time to come up with something better.
The constant "pressure of evil" against the mythal was slowly crushing it. So the Mora magi "vented" it by opening a portal into a more hospitable plane: Brux. The standing stones in Brux are the outlet for vent. As an unforeseen consequence of this vent, the portion of Brux nearest the standing stones seems to attract only the darker fey (the Unseelie), rather than the variety one might expect in the Beastlands.
When Pen was a hag, Selina was able to tap into the Mythal. It augmented her magic to the point that she could break Sises Men Pen's curse and return her to her more usual form (Sises Men Pen being an anagram for "Pen's Nemesis"...I was struggling to think of a name! :P )
Initially, Pen and Selina swore to tell no one of Mora's existence. Pen broke this oath when a PC (whose name I do not recall) fell into the depths of the rest cave.
Since then, she has told several people about Mora and its significance including Lucelle, Auric, and Janeth.
Much more on the Mora mythal to follow.
(Edit: None of this is Sigil-canon. But it's the explanation for the rest cave in Pen's version of the multiverse. :lol: )
-
*Ravel's Heart
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((More OOC Notes. 18 pages long... Not bad for one night's RP! :lol:
Pen Anserinae: *She completes her arrangement of a small bundle of yellow flowers, setting it beside her, then looks up at Ferras.*
Pen Anserinae: Why didn't you stay?
Ferras Maljiin: Stay where?
Pen Anserinae: You walked up to where Charae and I were standing, then turned and walked away again.
Pen Anserinae: I called out to you... Did you not hear?
Ferras Maljiin: I did stay. I just did not join the conversation.
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: I didn't see you...
Ferras Maljiin: *sorts the contents of a pouch, flicking ceramic coins away as she finds them* I did not intend you to.
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: You did not intend for <I>me</I> to see you? Or Charae?
Ferras Maljiin: Either.
Pen Anserinae: Ah.
Pen Anserinae: Why not?
Ferras Maljiin: Does there need to be a reason?
Pen Anserinae: I suppose not. *She props her foot up on the seat, wrapping an arm around her knee.* Still... You don't especially seem the type to do things without one.
Ferras Maljiin: I wondered if you spoke to others as you speak to me. Erecting a maze of words.
Pen Anserinae: Do I?
Pen Anserinae: Charae seems to think so... *She turns to look back towards the Lady's Ward.* It seems odd to me.
Ferras Maljiin: You speak <i>around</i> things.
Pen Anserinae: *She walks over, then plops down next to her.* Sometimes I do, yes.
Ferras Maljiin: What I do not know is if you do it to be condescending, if you do it to confuse, or if it's only because your mind is like a gnat, buzzing here and there with no pattern.
Pen Anserinae: *She laughs.* Probably the latter two!
Ferras Maljiin: I suspect it is all three. I think you underestimate people.
Pen Anserinae: Though to be fair...I <I>do</I> have an awful lot <I>on</I> my mind, most days.
Pen Anserinae: Do I?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks surprised.*
Pen Anserinae: What makes you say that? *Turning to face Ferras.*
Ferras Maljiin: You look at me, what do you see? A large woman, a little brutish by the standards of this place. So you are surprised when I see things plainly.
Ferras Maljiin: Like at the fire-lake, with Auric. You were shocked that I saw the heart of his problem, when he spoke it himself.
Pen Anserinae: I was not surprised that you <I>could</I> see, Ferras. I was surprised that you bothered to <I>look.
Pen Anserinae: *Turning again to look out at the bazaar in general.*
Pen Anserinae: In my defense, you do not project an overwhelming amount of <I>empathy.
Ferras Maljiin: *lifts a brow* His words made it plain. Had he done to me as he did to the other woman, I would have nothing but contempt for him.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* Funny how it is clear to everyone except to him, isn't it?
Ferras Maljiin: You people, all of you, make things more complex than they are.
Pen Anserinae: How so?
Ferras Maljiin: *digs toward the bottom of her pouch, spilling out a handful of leaden beads and letting them fall to the cobbles* Auric looked at everything but the truth, seeking a differant solution. Something more complicated. Something he could <i>fix.
Pen Anserinae: I'm not sure how much of that is "making things more complicated."
Pen Anserinae: Introspection is...new to him, I think.
Ferras Maljiin: Sometimes when a thing breaks, you leave it in your dust.
Pen Anserinae: *Somberly.* Very true, Ferras of the Silts. <I>Very true.
Pen Anserinae: Speaking of which...
Pen Anserinae: ...What will you do now that the Templar is no longer in the City of Doors?
Ferras Maljiin: I don't know yet. I have thought of killing you, instead. For taking him from me.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Really?</I> *Seeming disappointed.*
Pen Anserinae: I hope not...
Ferras Maljiin: If I do, I will tell you. I haven't decided yet.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Thank you.</I> *Quietly.*
Jeanay Ridgar: "A very tautological statement..."
Pen Anserinae: In the meantime...may I offer an alternative?
Ferras Maljiin: You want me to save your little world.
Pen Anserinae: *She leans back, careful not to brush the dabus' robes.*
Pen Anserinae: Perhaps... Mora, or some other.
Ferras Maljiin: Why should I?
Pen Anserinae: There is no shortage of downtrodden who could use a champion, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the woman, and her dark eyes blaze with intensity.* <C=Gray>[Whisper] There are slaves suffering under the lash... Starving women and children... Men willing to fight their tormentors...but who lack the capacity.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] It's a life that I think would appeal to you. *She hesitates.* ...And seeing you as I have, I think you would be good at it.
Kai: That make you feel a bit empty inside?
Ferras Maljiin: ...This is what I spoke of earlier. You speak in mazes...and now you make of your words a lash.
Pen Anserinae: No maze, Ferras...
Ferras Maljiin: No. Just the lash.
Pen Anserinae: No. *She stands.* The lash says, "Do...or die." What I am asking you is...die or live?
Ferras Maljiin: My choice was made long ago.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* So you say.
Pen Anserinae: It's your choice, Ferras of the Silts. <I>Always.
Pen Anserinae: But if you are interested, I would welcome your help.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Why? Why are you such a fool?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks back.* I ask myself that question <I>daily.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks up, angry* I told you, I may <i>kill</i> you, so you ask me for help/.
Ferras Maljiin: ?
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] The difference between you and Charae, Ferras of the Silts, is that I <I>believe</I> what you say.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] So you judge the risk low. Because I will not kill you before telling you.
<color=cyan>DMFI Dice Roll for: Spot Mod: 24 TOTAL: 28</color>
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] You are as dangerous a woman as there is in the planes. But I think your word means something.
Pen Anserinae: *She sighs.*
Ferras Maljiin: *nods slightly, still clearly irritated, but slightly mollified*
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] So... Would you rather be angry with <I>me?</I>
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] Or spend your wrath on people who <I>deserve it?
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...I will hear you out. I promise nothing else.
Pen Anserinae: *A wide, slow smile creases her face.*
Pen Anserinae: Whenever you are ready.
Pen Anserinae: Hello, Licca.
Ferras Maljiin: *glowers up, annoyed at the grin* Now is as good a time as any.
Licca Lyricia: Eh?
Licca Lyricia: *jumps*
Pen Anserinae: Good to <I>see</I> you.
Licca Lyricia: Oh, hey Pen. *slightly distracted*
Pen Anserinae: *She smiles, then looks back at Ferras.*
Pen Anserinae: How well do you see in the dark?
Ferras Maljiin: As well as any human. Worse than an elf.
Pen Anserinae: Shall we talk as we walk?
Licca Lyricia: *orders a glass of sparkling wine, and takes it outside the bar*
Ferras Maljiin: Fine.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the sorceress.* Yes, Licca? *Folding her hands.*
Licca Lyricia: By the way, Pen... I'll have the first part of your jewelry ready next week. Grinding blue diamonds is rather time consuming when done properly. *smiles*
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: <I>Wonderful!
Licca Lyricia: I think you and Selina will love these rings. *smiles and sips her wine*
Pen Anserinae: I'm sure we will. *She glances at Ferras.* Licca, do you know Ferras of the Silts?
Licca Lyricia: Yes, I've seen her around. She does have a rather dry wit, and has witnessed some of my bumblings.
Jeanay Ridgar: *he smiled to Aedriel* "And this lovely woman is my enabler." *he gave her a sly wink*
Pen Anserinae: A "dry wit"... That she does.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Dry. Yes, very amusing.
Pen Anserinae: *Glancing to her left.* <I>Itmen?!
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] But Licca would probably join us for Mora stuff. Although, she would probably be interested in malaugrym, too.
Pen Anserinae: Oh...
Pen Anserinae: I...I guess it wasn't <I>him.
Pen Anserinae: *The tips of her ears turn pink in embarassment.*
Licca Lyricia: *finishes her wine, and goes to return the glass to the bartender*
Pen Anserinae: Well, Ferras and I were just about to head to Undersigil, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: Oh? To where?
Licca Lyricia: *in Undersigil?
Pen Anserinae: A dormant portal.
Ferras Maljiin: ...That makes no sense.
Pen Anserinae: A small piece of the Mora puzzle.
Pen Anserinae: And near where the malaugrym were last seen.
Licca Lyricia: Let me help you two out with some spells, then.
Ferras Maljiin: No.
Licca Lyricia: I would come along, except I'm a bit... preoccupied with some things.
Pen Anserinae: *Smiling.* I noticed.
Pen Anserinae: Problems with Tomar?
Licca Lyricia: No, Tomar isn't the problem... it's a bit deeper than that.
Licca Lyricia: For one thing, my older sister has been seen in Sigil, as reported by Auric.
Pen Anserinae: Has she?
Pen Anserinae: I still have the note you gave me for her.
Pen Anserinae: Would you like it back?
Licca Lyricia: However, she's blocking my scrying attempts, which means that she doesn't want me to find her.
Pen Anserinae: Mmm... Yes.
Pen Anserinae: I've been meaning to discuss that with you...
Licca Lyricia: I'll go ahead and have the letter back.
Pen Anserinae: Though perhaps now is not the time.
Licca Lyricia: Of course not. I've learned to not look for her when she's blocking my scrying attempts.
Pen Anserinae: *She pulls a creased letter from her pocket and returns it to Licca.*
Licca Lyricia: *puts the letter into her pack*
Licca Lyricia: The last time I went to look for her after blocked scrying, I ended up in the middle of a necromancer fortress that she was infiltrating.
Licca Lyricia: She had to bail me out and gave me a lecture for interrupting a military operation.
Pen Anserinae: So perhaps it is not you <I>specifically</I> she is trying to block?
Kai: Cutters are usually called out for some sort of resourcefulness.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Not sure. Could be a one on one quest some night, maybe.
Kai: *Leans in on the table again*
Licca Lyricia: The fact she's doing this means that she's doing something based on military orders, and doesn't want me to meddle.
Pen Anserinae: In that case, probably best that you do not.
Licca Lyricia: In any case... I shouldn't detain the two of you much further. I'm going to sit down and work on the dress for you two. *smiles*
Pen Anserinae: Thank you, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: *takes out her sewing kit and the bodice she was working on yesterday*
Pen Anserinae: Meet me at the entrance to Undersigil in...say...half an hour?
Pen Anserinae: I have something I should get before we go. *Hurrying off.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...Fine.
Pen Anserinae: I am sorry for the delay.
Ferras Maljiin: *shrugs* I had time to get the last of the lead beads thrown away.
Pen Anserinae: Lead beads?
Pen Anserinae: *Flipping the heavy grate open.*
Ferras Maljiin: Athasian money. Like your green coins.
Pen Anserinae: Ah... Rather worthless here, I suppose. *She slips into the darkness.*
Ferras Maljiin joins the party.
Ferras Maljiin: Very worthless. My
Ferras Maljiin: My ceramic was worthless, as well.
Pen Anserinae: Is <I>that</I> what those buttons were that you were sorting through?
Ferras Maljiin: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: I had wondered.
Pen Anserinae: Have you ever heard of malaugrym?
Ferras Maljiin: No. Who is he?
Pen Anserinae: It's not a person.
Ferras Maljiin: Then <i>what</i>?
Pen Anserinae: They are creatures. They frequently dwell on the plane of shadow, though I am told that they do not originate there.
Ferras Maljiin: Shadow? Like the Black?
Pen Anserinae: They're shapeshifters.
Pen Anserinae: The Black?
Ferras Maljiin: A place of unlife. Cold.
Pen Anserinae: Ah. *Nodding.* Similar, perhaps..
Pen Anserinae: I'm no philosopher... But it is a place of...well...shadowns.
Pen Anserinae: *She gestures to Ferras' shadow on the ground.* Imagine that if it had <I>depth.
Ferras Maljiin: I have seen a shadow that kills.
Pen Anserinae: Then you understand. *Gliding down the stairs.* In any event, the malaugrym are shapeshifters. But they are also <I>sorcerors.
Pen Anserinae: Apparently, they live forever unless something kills them.
Ferras Maljiin: *purses her lips* So why do you seek their death?
Pen Anserinae: They seek to dominate prime planes for their own purposes, enslaving those who dwell there.
Ferras Maljiin: Primes. Like Athas, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Yes. *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: Why?
Pen Anserinae: Avarice and a lust for power, I suppose.
Ferras Maljiin: *snorts* Always the way.
Pen Anserinae: That is conjecture on my part, as I have never asked one.
Ferras Maljiin: Surprising.
Pen Anserinae: But it fits with what I have seen of them.
Pen Anserinae: Surprising? *Suspiciously.* How do you mean?
Ferras Maljiin: A serpent you'll crush without lectures? I did not expect that of you.
Pen Anserinae: *She smiles as she turns.* I thought that was what you meant.
Pen Anserinae: Your question was a good one, though, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Why</I> people do things is often as important as what they do.
Pen Anserinae: After you... Watch for ambushes
Ferras Maljiin: *nods*
Ferras Maljiin: How is it important?
Pen Anserinae: Well... Imagine something like what nearly happened with you and Quorrit.
Ferras Maljiin: *purses her lips, scowling*
Pen Anserinae: If you had killed him, your action would have been to murder a Preserver... A good man, and one who has dedicated himself to doing the right thing.
Pen Anserinae: It would be easy for me to condemn that.
Pen Anserinae: But understanding <I>why</I> you wanted him dead changes my perception.
Pen Anserinae: *She looks around cautiously.*
Ferras Maljiin: I don't understand.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] We had best be careful here... This is Red Claw territory.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...What is Red Claw?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] The fanatical army of a red dradon named Fearflame.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] They began to quietly take control of buildings here a few months back.
Ferras Maljiin: *snaps her attention to Pen, scowling* y>[Whisper] <i>Dragon</i> or drake?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] <I>Dragon.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...Dragons. <i>Here?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] There are a fair number in Sigil. Though I do not think that Fearflame dwells within the Cage.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] She is fighting a war with a bronze dragon named Brightwing.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] They fight through intermediaries. Brightwing has his own army of sentient animals.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] You let <i>dragons</i> walk the streets, as well? *incredulous*
Pen Anserinae: *Drily.* <I>Believe</I> me... It's not <I>my</I> idea.
Ferras Maljiin: If anything should be killed, it is <i>them. *spits the words vehemently*
Pen Anserinae: You haven't met Yssernthus? Daudhir? Ve'ga'rius?
Pen Anserinae: They all spend a fair amount of time in the bazaar...
Ferras Maljiin: I have never <i>met</i> a dragon.
Pen Anserinae: No?
Pen Anserinae: Then why do you want them dead?
Ferras Maljiin: The only one that flew...the scar of it's flight is still etched clear across the Tablelands.
Pen Anserinae: So...all dragons should be killed because of the actions of one?
Pen Anserinae: I don't understand.
Ferras Maljiin: There was <i>only</i> the one.
Pen Anserinae: Ah. I understand now.
Pen Anserinae: Well... There are more than that in Sigil.
Pen Anserinae: They're...a bit like people, I suppose.
Ferras Maljiin: ...You have an odd way of defining <i>people.
Pen Anserinae: Some would argue that they <I>are</I> people... *Sounding a bit incredulous herself.* ...but what I mean is that there are some good and some bad, and lots who are in between.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks at Pen with disbelief* You believe that?
Pen Anserinae: I... I guess I <I>do.</I> *Shaking her head.* Incredibly enough.
Pen Anserinae: I've...known some dragons.
Pen Anserinae: One...held me captive.
Ferras Maljiin: You live.
Pen Anserinae: *She shifts unhappily.* I was rescued by my brother...
Pen Anserinae: The dragon still lives.
Ferras Maljiin: If the dragon of Tyr had held you, all that would remain is a dessicated corpse. *snorts* It must have been a drake.
Pen Anserinae: *She grunts, not bothering to argue.*
Pen Anserinae: I have also known a silver dragon who was...well...she has done some very, very good things.
Player joins: Sinjeinll
Pen Anserinae: Twice she risked her life to save Selina's.
Ferras Maljiin: I think the things you call dragons are what I know as drakes.
Ferras Maljiin: Because a dragon would not save anyone. It knows only hunger and destruction. It's flight is <i>abnegation.
Pen Anserinae: I've seen Drakes... About the size of a wagon?
Ferras Maljiin: Some larger. Once, from a distance, I saw one. It was the size of a house.
Pen Anserinae: Be careful what you say about dragons, Ferras, especially in the bazaar.
Ferras Maljiin: Why?
Pen Anserinae: There are several that walk in the guise of other races. They frequent Khazeet's.
Ferras Maljiin: They walk among you? Does it make you feel sick?
Ferras Maljiin: *leans forward, intensely*
Pen Anserinae: Not as much as it used to.
Ferras Maljiin: Your skin, it prickles, painful?
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] What's that?
Ferras Maljiin: Do the plants wilt to ash beneath their tread?
Pen Anserinae: Well, one feels a little <I>cold</I>, but I would not go <I>that</I> far. And no...
Pen Anserinae: She keeps a garden...
Pen Anserinae: ...but not a very good one, as I understand it.
Ferras Maljiin: *relaxes, returning her posture to normal* Not dragons, then.
Pen Anserinae: If you say so...
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the portal.* Have you been through here before?
Ferras Maljiin: No. Where does it go?
Pen Anserinae: The Gray Waste
Pen Anserinae: Near a town called "Death of Innocence".
Pen Anserinae: It is a <I>bleak</I> place.
Ferras Maljiin: Auric told me of it. The place near the sewers. There, I have been.
Pen Anserinae: A different part of the same plane...
Pen Anserinae: More dangerous, but inhabited.
Ferras Maljiin: *nods, looking somewhat relieved*
Pen Anserinae: The portal key is an imp's skull...
Pen Anserinae: You can get one from Mniiitivaak... Layla's son.
Ferras Maljiin: *nodsa again*
Ferras Maljiin: The fat stuttering slug-man, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Shall we?
Ferras Maljiin: And beyond? Grey, numbness, and undead?
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* Yes.
Ferras Maljiin: Very well.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns around slowly.*
Ferras Maljiin: *shudders*
Verdant Waves: [Tell] But no, I meant as in the roll, hehe
Pen Anserinae: I lived in the village for a while. *Gesturing back behind her.* In Undersigil Village.
Pen Anserinae: I was hiding from Cooger.
Ferras Maljiin: Who is that?
Pen Anserinae: The shadow dragon I mentioned.
Ferras Maljiin: What are these worms?
Pen Anserinae: *She points at the larva.* Souls...
Ferras Maljiin: They have...faces.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Condemned</I> souls.
Examine detail for creature Larva (8001A5B6): Spirits of particularly selfish and malicious mortals
that come to Hades become a special fonn of petitiontr
called a larva. Larvae appear as Medium-size worms with
heads th3t resemble the heads on their mortal bodies.
[NB: Fix this description because...sheesh!]
Ferras Maljiin: Condemned by what?
Pen Anserinae: *She stomps the larvae.* By their deities, I suppose.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Did you find her?
Pen Anserinae: This... *Gesturing around her.* ...is part of the Hells.
Ferras Maljiin: Deity. That is a word for gods, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: Do the Athasians believe in an afterlife?
Ferras Maljiin: No.
Ferras Maljiin: Life itself is bad enough. Why would we want to live again?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks incredulous.* Do you <I>believe</I> that?
Ferras Maljiin: I have seen the things that cling to life beyond life. The men and women who surrender to the Black.
Pen Anserinae: Undead, you mean?
Ferras Maljiin: I would rather die in agony, in <i>chains</i> than become like them. Like that...specter.
Pen Anserinae: Yes... *She nods.* ...Far wiser, on the whole.
Pen Anserinae: *Stopping, she points to the city looming on the horizon.*
Pen Anserinae: There it is...
Pen Anserinae: Death of Innocence.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Why do people live here?
Ferras Maljiin: Already I feel numb. Tired.
Pen Anserinae: Because they have no choice, I suspect. Some are desperate...others insane.
Pen Anserinae: Some are like the larvae we saw...already dead.
Ferras Maljiin: Why do you believe in gods if this is what they prepare for you?
Ferras Maljiin: Even the sorcerer-kings, who pretend to be gods, give the illusion of peace, the facade of comfort.
Pen Anserinae: I think that this place is a punishment, rather than what most aspire to. Most do not <I>intend</I> to be here.
Pen Anserinae: Others trade for power during life, knowing that this awaits them later.
Ferras Maljiin: Why follow one who would punish?
Ferras Maljiin: How is it any differant than slavery?
Pen Anserinae: Why choose <I>death?
Pen Anserinae: Desperation, Ferras of the Silts.
Pen Anserinae: But not <I>everyone</I> who dwells here is being punished...
Pen Anserinae: There are also those who <I>prey</I> on the denizens of this place.
Pen Anserinae: Both.
Pen Anserinae: Devils subside on souls and suffering.
Ferras Maljiin: *snorts* Sounds familiar.
Pen Anserinae: The malaugrym is at home here...
Pen Anserinae: *She begins to make her way down the path.*
Pen Anserinae: *She falls silent for a time as they walk. After a while, she speaks again.*
Pen Anserinae: While I was hiding from Cooger, some women took me in. They gave me a place to stay.
Pen Anserinae: Working girls...
Pen Anserinae: <I>Jinkskirts.
Ferras Maljiin: *turns to give Pen a blank look*
Pen Anserinae: Women who trade sex for money, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: Ah. Whores. I see.
Pen Anserinae: *She grunts what might be a harsh laugh.*
Ferras Maljiin: Go on.
Pen Anserinae: Two of them turned up dead. They used to work in the shadows of the gear that we entered the plane through.
Pen Anserinae: Later, Selina learned that the malaugrym were entering Sigil though that portal.
Ferras Maljiin: Your ...maul-a-grim? killed them?
Pen Anserinae: I don't know. But I <I>think</I> so. It <I>feels</I> right.
Pen Anserinae: Ma-lau-grym.
Ferras Maljiin: ...For someone who rebuked me for trying to kill a man I'd never met, you are quick to condemn on feeling.
Pen Anserinae: I would <I>love</I> to learn Alis' fate for certain. But that trail has long since grown cold.
Pen Anserinae: I <I>do</I> know that the malaugrym tried to enslave an entire prime empire known as the Rokugan.
Ferras Maljiin: What makes your vengence more right than mine? *tiredly, completely lacking the vehemence one would expect*
Pen Anserinae: Selina, Auric, Tomar, and Lucelle stopped them. *Turning to look at Ferras.* The difference is that these malaugrym <I>did</I> murder and rape...
Pen Anserinae: Whereas Quorrit...did <i>not.
Ferras Maljiin: Do you know, or is it a feeling?
Pen Anserinae: Oh, <I>no...</I> *Grimly.* I know it for a fact.
Laera Delaria: [Tell] (How's Pen doing? Licca and Laera are finally talking now)
Pen Anserinae: I was with the others in Rokugan. I saw what they did. *She shrugs.* I suppose I helped. A little.
Pen Anserinae: There were six of them...
Ferras Maljiin: ...You want me to have an open mind, Pen. So I am trying to understand. I <i>know</i> Templars are vile.
Pen Anserinae: They had murdered the royal family and were masquerading in their place.
Pen Anserinae: We got five of them... But one remains.
Pen Anserinae: *Looking back at the gate town.* I think he went back to ground. <I>Here.
Ferras Maljiin: But you can't find it.
Pen Anserinae: *Shaking her head.* No.
Ferras Maljiin: You think I can?
Pen Anserinae: Selina has been looking... But it is smart and cautious.
Pen Anserinae: I don't know if you can or not, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks speculatively at the water, at the shoreline* ...There is a possibility.
Pen Anserinae: The question is...do you want to <I>try?
Pen Anserinae: *Nodding.* Go on.
Ferras Maljiin: I am Ferras of the <i>Silts</i>.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Good. I think she has Ferras on her side...
Ferras Maljiin: This bridge, is it the only way in?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at the water, then up at Ferras.* I don't know... It's the only way I know of.
Ferras Maljiin: ...There is a way, maybe. <i>Maybe.
Pen Anserinae: *She folds her hands.* What is it, Ferras?
Ferras Maljiin: If there is a spirit of the silts there, and I can commune with it...
Ferras Maljiin: *scowls, shaking her head* But I don't know what to ask.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] I need three minutes to set up my laptop.
Ferras Maljiin: Further it could take <i>time.</i> Time spent here.
Player leaves: Sinjeinll
Ferras Maljiin: ...And I would have to trust you to protect me. If I were to attempt this, I would be unable to defend myself. *looks searchingly in Pen's eyes* I would be easy prey.
Pen Anserinae: *She meets Ferras' eyes unblinkingly.*
Pen Anserinae: I will defend you, Ferras. Whatever comes...
Ferras Maljiin: I don't know how long it will take. I don't know if there even <i>is</i> a spirit to contact.
Pen Anserinae: *She gestures to the bubbles surrounding them.* This will last for several hours. After that, our will will begin to sap rapidly.
Ferras Maljiin: That may not be long enough.
Pen Anserinae: Is there any danger if I should interrupt you after a few hours?
Ferras Maljiin: Only that the time spent will be wasted.
Pen Anserinae: I am willing... If you are.
Ferras Maljiin: You have given me your reasons. Tell me why I should -but choose your words with care. I am not a kank, for you to goad in the direction of your choosing. Convince me without the lash.
Pen Anserinae: Your reasons must be your own, Ferras. *She folds her hands.* I am here neither to goad, nor to lash, nor to entice. Only to <I>ask.
Pen Anserinae: And I <I>do</I> ask that you try. *She inclines her head.*
Ferras Maljiin: *tilts her head, curiously* That's it, then?
Pen Anserinae: *Smiling, she shrugs apologetically.* Sorry.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Fine.
Pen Anserinae: *She stands back, watching.*
Ferras Maljiin: *ties the thong around her forehead, over the headband, situatingit in the center* Silt-stone. The Ssurran say it is made from the bones of the lizard-men, who drowned when Oronis turned the sea into silt.
Ferras Maljiin: The water - is it safe?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at it doubtfully.* What do <I>you</I> think?
Ferras Maljiin: *sniffs the air and shrugs* I think it doesn't smell of alkaline, and I don't think it's poisoned. At least with any poison I know.
Pen Anserinae: Yes, but... This is the hells.
Pen Anserinae: It could be a tributary of Styx...or Lethe. *She grimaces.* Sorry... I should know more about this place, but I <I>don't.
Pen Anserinae: Best to assume the worst.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Then we now run the risk that the spirit, if there is one, will be twisted and malevolent. *digs in her pouch, pulling forth a rope that looks suspiciously like thick, braided hair and deftly weaves a harness at one end*
Ferras Maljiin: If it is, then likely we will both die. *slips the harness around her waist and over her shoulders, handing the free end to Pen* Last chance to back out.
Pen Anserinae: *She watches the weaving, then takes the free end.* There is no one else. *Simply.*
Pen Anserinae: *She braces her weight against the rope.*
Ferras Maljiin: *the rope, now in Pen's hand, is definitely hair, but thicker than any human or elven hair*
Pen Anserinae: *She walks to the bridge, looping the rope around the lamppost a few times before cinching it around her waist.
Ferras Maljiin: *kneels at the edge of the water, and after a moment's hesitation, plunges her hands wrist-deep into the silt at the edge, taking a few rapid breaths and clearing her mind, preperatory for entering a meditative trance*
Pen Anserinae: *She watches.*
Ferras Maljiin: *whispers her own name under her breath over and over, mindlessly repeating it, centering her self, her identity, as she lets everything else recede, everything but the silt in her fists*
Silt Elemental: *A sloppy, sloggy, dusty travesty pulls itself out of the water.*
Ferras Maljiin: *opens her eyes, fists still buried in silt* I am Ferras of the Silts. By our compact, I call. By the agreement we made, I ask for communion.
Silt Elemental: *Burbles.* <i>Granted....
Ferras Maljiin: *lets out a slow breath* I ask of one who may have crossed this bride. A being of shadow and malevolence, a form-changer, a <i>defiler</i> of worlds.
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>Suddenly, Ferras feels herself grasped somewhere around the midsection. She feels herself jerked down an endless tunnel...streaking at unimaginable speeds.
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>The harness tightens around her...and she lands... Right where she started. Though Pen is gone, and the elemental is more...real.
Ferras Maljiin: *gasps, looking about, bewildered, the self-imposed calm shattered*
Silt Elemental: Ferras of the Storm Claw... *The voice is far loo loud in her head.* ...you are far from the Drylands. But once you are of the silt...of the silt you remain...
Silt Elemental: <I>Asssssssk...
Ferras Maljiin: I ask of a thing called Malaugrym. If it has crossed the span, if it dwells in the city of the damned.
Ferras Maljiin: The silt and dust are yours, and that which they touch, you know.
Silt Elemental: *The water roils sluggishly, churning and rolling.* It does... Though it comes and goes by means other than the bridge.
Ferras Maljiin: The Malaugrym is <i>prey</i>. I ask your council. How can I hunt a thing of formless shadow?
Silt Elemental: Lure it to the <I>liiiight...
Ferras Maljiin: The trap must be baited.
Silt Elemental: *The form drops almost to a puddle, then regains coherence, drawing closer to her.* One question remains... <I>Ask!
Ferras Maljiin: *frowns, thinking furiously* In the Drylands, is there a sorcerer-king who Preserves?
Player joins: Sinjeinll
Silt Elemental: *Sloshing, gurgling, <I>oozing.* Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees....
Silt Elemental: *The elemental dashes forward, colliding with Ferras befoe she can move...<I>inundating her.*
Ferras Maljiin: *looks up, shocked, almost recovers when she's engulfed*
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>The feeling of being pulled down a tunnel reverses itself. Ferras re-appears where she was, feeling damp, gritty, and somehow <I>elevated.
Pen Anserinae: *She completes her shriek, then falls backwards as the tension on the rope suddenly vanishes.*
Ferras Maljiin: *after a long moment, pulls her hands free of the silt with a sucking noise and stands unsteadily*
Pen Anserinae: *She lands on her backside with a small <I>Whumpf!*
Pen Anserinae: What <I>happened?
Ferras Maljiin: <i>Communion.
Ferras Maljiin: *covered in grit, she moves back up the bank, unknotting the harness as she comes
Pen Anserinae: What does <I>that</I> mean?
Ferras Maljiin: Your Malaugrym is there.
Ferras Maljiin: ...And your Templar told the truth.
Pen Anserinae: *She stands and dusts herself off.* What <I>happened?
Pen Anserinae: The rope pulled taut... I barely had time to scream...and then it let up again.
Ferras Maljiin: I think it pulled me closer to it's realm.
Ferras Maljiin: ...I suspect it's further from here than it is from Athas.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks Pen over for a moment, coiling her hair-rope neatly before tucking it back in her bag, then reaches for Pen, touching a finger to her forehead and uttering a word*
Pen Anserinae: I...see. *Clearly she doesn't, really.*
Pen Anserinae: Thank you...
Pen Anserinae: It winked out right as you vanished.
Ferras Maljiin: Thank you for not killing me.
Pen Anserinae: *Grinning.* Thank <I>you</I> for not killing <I>me.
Ferras Maljiin: Your Malaugrym must be trapped. For the trap, we will need bait.
Player joins: jdlunsford
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: And <i>light.
Pen Anserinae: If we are going to plan... Let's get back to Sigil.
Ferras Maljiin: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: *She rubs her eyes and stifles a yawn.*
Pen Anserinae: That was strangely <I>exhausting.
Ferras Maljiin: *shrugs* I am fine. Better, now that I am away from the grey place.
Pen Anserinae: Ferras...
Ferras Maljiin: What?
Pen Anserinae: *Stepping closer, she places her hand on the woman's upper arm.*
Pen Anserinae: <I>Thank you.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks at Pen's hand, then her face, and jerks her arm away* You need not <i>touch</i> me to thank me.
Pen Anserinae: I understand.
Pen Anserinae: I will refrain in the future.
Ferras Maljiin: Good.
Pen Anserinae: If we are to plan, it might be best to tell the others what you learned at the same time that...
Pen Anserinae: *She trails off, watching the rat.*
Ferras Maljiin: A bold rat.
Pen Anserinae: Come on... Hurry!
Ferras Maljiin: ...What?
Pen Anserinae: *She dashes after the rat.* Hey! <I>Hey!
Ferras Maljiin: Are you hungry, is that what this is?
Rat: <i>The rat, being noticed, scurries faster.
Pen Anserinae: Hey! Wait!
Rat: <i>The rat hides under the table.
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle!
Pen Anserinae: <I>Rat!
Pen Anserinae: *She points*
Rat: <i>It scrabbles onto the underside of a chair and holds on.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle hadn't yet noticed the rodent, as she was setting out her books. She looked to Pen, a brow rising. "Did you just call me a-...?"
Pen Anserinae: It ran out of the sewers and to your table!
Pen Anserinae: Did it say anything to you?
Ferras Maljiin: *trails behind Pen, coated in a layer of slimy grit, a little confused*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle blinks, looking about her table.
Pen Anserinae: *Dropping to a knee to look beneath the table.*
Pen Anserinae: Hey! It's alright... I'm not going to hurt you...
Pen Anserinae: I just want to ask you some questions.
Ferras Maljiin: ...It's a rat, Pen.
Rat: <i>A rat with tiny glasses and a satchel peeks back at Pen.
Pen Anserinae: It's wearing <I>glasses</i> and carrying a bag of holding, Ferras.
Rat: <i>It squeeks in resignation.
Ferras Maljiin: ...*shakes her head* I give up. Faster, I think, to just go mad now.
Pen Anserinae: He's one of... *She looks around.* ...one of <I>his</I> I think.
Pen Anserinae: Remember what I told you?
Rat: <i>It scrabbles onto the table and salutes Lucelle.
Ferras Maljiin: ...You tell me many things. Half of them I ignore, the other half you don't finish because you see something shiny and forget.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: The elf offers a gentle nod to the rodent in return, setting out the last of her books.
Rat: <i>It pulls out a small quill and parchment from the satchel, and writes a quick note in Draconic, in tiny handwriting.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: She offers a soft smile, then eases herself down into her chair. "Is there something you require, aside from safe harbor?"
Pen Anserinae: I think it's the same one we saw in the Earth Plane a few days ago... Right before you arrived, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: The one with the <I>map.
Rat: <i>The rodent nibbles on the parchment a little before handing it to Lucelle.
Pen Anserinae: What is it saying, Lucelle?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: The elf takes up the parchment, careful as not to harm the rodents' little paws in the acquisition thereof, then cants her head gently aside as she attempts to read it.
Pen Anserinae: *She opens her mouth impatiently, then sighs, takes a deep breath, and folds her hands, adopting a waiting posture.*
Rat: <i>The rat watches Lucelle with patience, and perhaps a small amount of reverence as well.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle blinks and looks to the rodent. She offers another gentle bow of her head. "Be there a means through which I might speak to those who sent you. Admittedly, I don't enjoy being in a position whereupon I've attracted such ire."
Rat: <i>The rat hands her the tiny quill, and another piece of parchment.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If at all possible, I would learn what they know of the circumstances that have arisen. Likewise I would offer my thanks for the warning."
Ferras Maljiin: *just waits, watching the other women with the vaguely skeptical look one would give an animal that just might be foaming at the mouth - she's also completely covered in a thin layer of gritty scum, like she'd just rolled around on a riverbank*
Pen Anserinae: *Blurts.* <I>Warning?
Licca Lyricia: Oh, good evening, everyone. I have my room in the inn back finally.
Rat: <i>A rat with tiny glasses and a satchel stands on one of Lucelle's books, looking at her expectantly.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle looks to Pen and offers a look to convey that she would explain soon enough. Her gaze returned to the roden as she waited patiently.
Pen Anserinae: Hello, Licca.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle leans forward, her gaze falling upon the tiny letters the rat had scrawled.
Ferras Maljiin: *Ferras is damp and dirty*
Licca Lyricia: Lucelle, I got a letter from my older sister. She left it with the bartender here.
Licca Lyricia: I'll need to talk to you privately at your convenience.
Licca Lyricia: *walks back up to the inn*
Charae: Charae ordered a cup of mushroom wine.
Yssernthus: *Actually unarmed*
Pen Anserinae: *She moves aside, giving the giant...well...<I>giant</i> a wide berth.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...Bigger than a half-giant.
Yssernthus: *Not holding a sword, polymorphed critters can't unequip them manually*
Yssernthus: Your biggest serving of your strongest, bartender! *booms*
Ferras Maljiin: *Ferras is damp, coated in grit, looks like she rolled on a riverbank for a bit*
Rat: <i>The rat once again tries to hand Lucelle a tiny quill and a new piece of parchment.
Pen Anserinae: I think it wants you to take that feather, Lucelle.
Pen Anserinae: *She looks interestedly at the quill.*
Ferras Maljiin: *gives the books a mistrustful glance*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle nods, then takes up the tiny quill and tries to carefully put it to use. She scrawls a simple little message, then hands it back.
Licca Lyricia: EEP!
Ferras Maljiin: ...Right in my ear.
Licca Lyricia: What's this giant doing here?
Ferras Maljiin: Drinking, fool.
Yssernthus: *Washes down some of the drink*
Licca Lyricia: Oh.
Ferras Maljiin: *rubs her ear, wincing as the grit scrapes delicate flesh*
Rat: <i>The rat nods, and neatly folds the letter before placing it in the satchel. After replacing the quill as well, the rat dashes off into a tent in the bazaar.
Pen Anserinae: Well?
Pen Anserinae: What did it say?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle looks to Pen, then sighs. "It seems that Fearflame is actively moving her forces about the Plane of Earth, likewise it seems I've somehow aroused her ire."
Pen Anserinae: *Plopping into the chair.*
Ferras Maljiin: *leans on the wall*
Pen Anserinae: I thought as much... The rat had a map, but I never got to investigate it.
Pen Anserinae: *She pushes several of the books aside, lifting <I>The Ancient Tongues: Draconic</I> from the table and opening it.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "You spoke of a recent journey to the Plane of Earth a moment ago, did you not?"
Player joins: jdlunsford
Pen Anserinae: Yes. And we came across a kobold there... *Almost idly, as she peruses the book.*
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle... can I borrow this?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If you wish, though I believe Miss Licca had specifically requested it."
Pen Anserinae: Oh. *She hands the book over.*
Pen Anserinae: Here you are, then, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: Oh, good. Just what I was wanting.
Licca Lyricia: *starts flipping through the tome and begins to read*
Pen Anserinae: So you intend to meet with Brightwing?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If you wish, Pen, I'll aquire another copy for you, or you can take it from Licca when she's done."
Pen Anserinae: *She shifts in her chair, reddening slightly.* Alright...
Pen Anserinae: I'm just tired of being the only person in the entire Cage who doesn't understand a word of draconic.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "At present, I've no means of doing so, Pen. I've conveyed a message, but it'll likely be a while before it reaches anyone of importance. Truthfully, I had thought to learn why Fearflame is displeased with me."
Pen Anserinae: Maybe...her name was on the <I>list?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "Possible, but I suppose the only way to learn would be to seek her out, or one of her lieutenants."
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...I thought we came to speak of the trap, not rats.
Pen Anserinae: I was getting to that, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: Good.
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle, do you know where Auric is? Ferras discovered the location of the last maluagrym?
Pen Anserinae: *Turning to Licca.* Have you seen Tomar? We could use his help, again.
Licca Lyricia: I have... not seen Tomar for a week.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "Auric and I have not been speaking, Pen. He'll not speak to me with an civility, nor will he try to reign in his tongue, so I've cut ties with him."
Pen Anserinae: *She sits back.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "As for Tomar, last I saw of him was... perhaps a tenday ago?"
Ferras Maljiin: *gives an amused snort*
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at Ferras levelly, then turns back to Lucelle.*
Player joins: Fenrir Grey
Pen Anserinae: I will simply remind you, Lucelle, that the malaugrym saw us. *Standing.*
Pen Anserinae: <I>All</I> of us.
Charae: Charae sipped her wine, looking through a small notebook.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I do recall, though the three Malaugrym that were present in Rokugan were slain, we saw to that."
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If there were more, they did not reveal themselves."
Ferras Maljiin: There is one.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods in agreement with Ferras.*
Player leaves: Fenrir Grey
Pen Anserinae: Selina has been trying to track him down.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "So what would you have of me, Pen? Furthermore, what do you believe its' intentions to be?"
Pen Anserinae: I don't think its goals have changed, Lucelle. Only its target.
Ferras Maljiin: *pulls a cloth from her bag and starts wiping her face, arms, and chest down. Once finished, she folds the cloth carefully and stows it, and it's burden of silty mud, in her bag*
Pen Anserinae: As for what I'd like, Lucelle... Well, I'd like to stop it, if I can.
Pen Anserinae: And... *She looks away.* ...And I would like your aid.
Pen Anserinae: *After a moment, she makes to leave Khazeet's.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I shall try to provide it, Pen." Lucelle moves to rise and follow.
Pen Anserinae: I'm going to find Selina...
Pen Anserinae: We'll meet in her office in...say...six hours? ((Which really means whenever we are all online again. Which probably will not be before Monday because of my work schedule
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle nods gently, then turns back to her seat. "Very well. When you with to act or if you come into any new information, do tell me."
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I'd imagine that I've something of a reputation amidst the Brood of Malaug after our last encounter."
Pen Anserinae: I will...
Pen Anserinae: *She completes her arrangement of a small bundle of yellow flowers, setting it beside her, then looks up at Ferras.*
Pen Anserinae: Why didn't you stay?
Ferras Maljiin: Stay where?
Pen Anserinae: You walked up to where Charae and I were standing, then turned and walked away again.
Pen Anserinae: I called out to you... Did you not hear?
Ferras Maljiin: I did stay. I just did not join the conversation.
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: I didn't see you...
Ferras Maljiin: *sorts the contents of a pouch, flicking ceramic coins away as she finds them* I did not intend you to.
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: You did not intend for <I>me</I> to see you? Or Charae?
Ferras Maljiin: Either.
Pen Anserinae: Ah.
Pen Anserinae: Why not?
Ferras Maljiin: Does there need to be a reason?
Pen Anserinae: I suppose not. *She props her foot up on the seat, wrapping an arm around her knee.* Still... You don't especially seem the type to do things without one.
Ferras Maljiin: I wondered if you spoke to others as you speak to me. Erecting a maze of words.
Pen Anserinae: Do I?
Pen Anserinae: Charae seems to think so... *She turns to look back towards the Lady's Ward.* It seems odd to me.
Ferras Maljiin: You speak <i>around</i> things.
Pen Anserinae: *She walks over, then plops down next to her.* Sometimes I do, yes.
Ferras Maljiin: What I do not know is if you do it to be condescending, if you do it to confuse, or if it's only because your mind is like a gnat, buzzing here and there with no pattern.
Pen Anserinae: *She laughs.* Probably the latter two!
Ferras Maljiin: I suspect it is all three. I think you underestimate people.
Pen Anserinae: Though to be fair...I <I>do</I> have an awful lot <I>on</I> my mind, most days.
Pen Anserinae: Do I?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks surprised.*
Pen Anserinae: What makes you say that? *Turning to face Ferras.*
Ferras Maljiin: You look at me, what do you see? A large woman, a little brutish by the standards of this place. So you are surprised when I see things plainly.
Ferras Maljiin: Like at the fire-lake, with Auric. You were shocked that I saw the heart of his problem, when he spoke it himself.
Pen Anserinae: I was not surprised that you <I>could</I> see, Ferras. I was surprised that you bothered to <I>look.
Pen Anserinae: *Turning again to look out at the bazaar in general.*
Pen Anserinae: In my defense, you do not project an overwhelming amount of <I>empathy.
Ferras Maljiin: *lifts a brow* His words made it plain. Had he done to me as he did to the other woman, I would have nothing but contempt for him.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* Funny how it is clear to everyone except to him, isn't it?
Ferras Maljiin: You people, all of you, make things more complex than they are.
Pen Anserinae: How so?
Ferras Maljiin: *digs toward the bottom of her pouch, spilling out a handful of leaden beads and letting them fall to the cobbles* Auric looked at everything but the truth, seeking a differant solution. Something more complicated. Something he could <i>fix.
Pen Anserinae: I'm not sure how much of that is "making things more complicated."
Pen Anserinae: Introspection is...new to him, I think.
Ferras Maljiin: Sometimes when a thing breaks, you leave it in your dust.
Pen Anserinae: *Somberly.* Very true, Ferras of the Silts. <I>Very true.
Pen Anserinae: Speaking of which...
Pen Anserinae: ...What will you do now that the Templar is no longer in the City of Doors?
Ferras Maljiin: I don't know yet. I have thought of killing you, instead. For taking him from me.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Really?</I> *Seeming disappointed.*
Pen Anserinae: I hope not...
Ferras Maljiin: If I do, I will tell you. I haven't decided yet.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Thank you.</I> *Quietly.*
Jeanay Ridgar: "A very tautological statement..."
Pen Anserinae: In the meantime...may I offer an alternative?
Ferras Maljiin: You want me to save your little world.
Pen Anserinae: *She leans back, careful not to brush the dabus' robes.*
Pen Anserinae: Perhaps... Mora, or some other.
Ferras Maljiin: Why should I?
Pen Anserinae: There is no shortage of downtrodden who could use a champion, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the woman, and her dark eyes blaze with intensity.* <C=Gray>[Whisper] There are slaves suffering under the lash... Starving women and children... Men willing to fight their tormentors...but who lack the capacity.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] It's a life that I think would appeal to you. *She hesitates.* ...And seeing you as I have, I think you would be good at it.
Kai: That make you feel a bit empty inside?
Ferras Maljiin: ...This is what I spoke of earlier. You speak in mazes...and now you make of your words a lash.
Pen Anserinae: No maze, Ferras...
Ferras Maljiin: No. Just the lash.
Pen Anserinae: No. *She stands.* The lash says, "Do...or die." What I am asking you is...die or live?
Ferras Maljiin: My choice was made long ago.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* So you say.
Pen Anserinae: It's your choice, Ferras of the Silts. <I>Always.
Pen Anserinae: But if you are interested, I would welcome your help.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Why? Why are you such a fool?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks back.* I ask myself that question <I>daily.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks up, angry* I told you, I may <i>kill</i> you, so you ask me for help/.
Ferras Maljiin: ?
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] The difference between you and Charae, Ferras of the Silts, is that I <I>believe</I> what you say.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] So you judge the risk low. Because I will not kill you before telling you.
<color=cyan>DMFI Dice Roll for: Spot Mod: 24 TOTAL: 28</color>
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] You are as dangerous a woman as there is in the planes. But I think your word means something.
Pen Anserinae: *She sighs.*
Ferras Maljiin: *nods slightly, still clearly irritated, but slightly mollified*
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] So... Would you rather be angry with <I>me?</I>
Pen Anserinae: [Whisper] Or spend your wrath on people who <I>deserve it?
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...I will hear you out. I promise nothing else.
Pen Anserinae: *A wide, slow smile creases her face.*
Pen Anserinae: Whenever you are ready.
Pen Anserinae: Hello, Licca.
Ferras Maljiin: *glowers up, annoyed at the grin* Now is as good a time as any.
Licca Lyricia: Eh?
Licca Lyricia: *jumps*
Pen Anserinae: Good to <I>see</I> you.
Licca Lyricia: Oh, hey Pen. *slightly distracted*
Pen Anserinae: *She smiles, then looks back at Ferras.*
Pen Anserinae: How well do you see in the dark?
Ferras Maljiin: As well as any human. Worse than an elf.
Pen Anserinae: Shall we talk as we walk?
Licca Lyricia: *orders a glass of sparkling wine, and takes it outside the bar*
Ferras Maljiin: Fine.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the sorceress.* Yes, Licca? *Folding her hands.*
Licca Lyricia: By the way, Pen... I'll have the first part of your jewelry ready next week. Grinding blue diamonds is rather time consuming when done properly. *smiles*
Pen Anserinae: Oh?
Pen Anserinae: <I>Wonderful!
Licca Lyricia: I think you and Selina will love these rings. *smiles and sips her wine*
Pen Anserinae: I'm sure we will. *She glances at Ferras.* Licca, do you know Ferras of the Silts?
Licca Lyricia: Yes, I've seen her around. She does have a rather dry wit, and has witnessed some of my bumblings.
Jeanay Ridgar: *he smiled to Aedriel* "And this lovely woman is my enabler." *he gave her a sly wink*
Pen Anserinae: A "dry wit"... That she does.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Dry. Yes, very amusing.
Pen Anserinae: *Glancing to her left.* <I>Itmen?!
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] But Licca would probably join us for Mora stuff. Although, she would probably be interested in malaugrym, too.
Pen Anserinae: Oh...
Pen Anserinae: I...I guess it wasn't <I>him.
Pen Anserinae: *The tips of her ears turn pink in embarassment.*
Licca Lyricia: *finishes her wine, and goes to return the glass to the bartender*
Pen Anserinae: Well, Ferras and I were just about to head to Undersigil, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: Oh? To where?
Licca Lyricia: *in Undersigil?
Pen Anserinae: A dormant portal.
Ferras Maljiin: ...That makes no sense.
Pen Anserinae: A small piece of the Mora puzzle.
Pen Anserinae: And near where the malaugrym were last seen.
Licca Lyricia: Let me help you two out with some spells, then.
Ferras Maljiin: No.
Licca Lyricia: I would come along, except I'm a bit... preoccupied with some things.
Pen Anserinae: *Smiling.* I noticed.
Pen Anserinae: Problems with Tomar?
Licca Lyricia: No, Tomar isn't the problem... it's a bit deeper than that.
Licca Lyricia: For one thing, my older sister has been seen in Sigil, as reported by Auric.
Pen Anserinae: Has she?
Pen Anserinae: I still have the note you gave me for her.
Pen Anserinae: Would you like it back?
Licca Lyricia: However, she's blocking my scrying attempts, which means that she doesn't want me to find her.
Pen Anserinae: Mmm... Yes.
Pen Anserinae: I've been meaning to discuss that with you...
Licca Lyricia: I'll go ahead and have the letter back.
Pen Anserinae: Though perhaps now is not the time.
Licca Lyricia: Of course not. I've learned to not look for her when she's blocking my scrying attempts.
Pen Anserinae: *She pulls a creased letter from her pocket and returns it to Licca.*
Licca Lyricia: *puts the letter into her pack*
Licca Lyricia: The last time I went to look for her after blocked scrying, I ended up in the middle of a necromancer fortress that she was infiltrating.
Licca Lyricia: She had to bail me out and gave me a lecture for interrupting a military operation.
Pen Anserinae: So perhaps it is not you <I>specifically</I> she is trying to block?
Kai: Cutters are usually called out for some sort of resourcefulness.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Not sure. Could be a one on one quest some night, maybe.
Kai: *Leans in on the table again*
Licca Lyricia: The fact she's doing this means that she's doing something based on military orders, and doesn't want me to meddle.
Pen Anserinae: In that case, probably best that you do not.
Licca Lyricia: In any case... I shouldn't detain the two of you much further. I'm going to sit down and work on the dress for you two. *smiles*
Pen Anserinae: Thank you, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: *takes out her sewing kit and the bodice she was working on yesterday*
Pen Anserinae: Meet me at the entrance to Undersigil in...say...half an hour?
Pen Anserinae: I have something I should get before we go. *Hurrying off.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...Fine.
Pen Anserinae: I am sorry for the delay.
Ferras Maljiin: *shrugs* I had time to get the last of the lead beads thrown away.
Pen Anserinae: Lead beads?
Pen Anserinae: *Flipping the heavy grate open.*
Ferras Maljiin: Athasian money. Like your green coins.
Pen Anserinae: Ah... Rather worthless here, I suppose. *She slips into the darkness.*
Ferras Maljiin joins the party.
Ferras Maljiin: Very worthless. My
Ferras Maljiin: My ceramic was worthless, as well.
Pen Anserinae: Is <I>that</I> what those buttons were that you were sorting through?
Ferras Maljiin: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: I had wondered.
Pen Anserinae: Have you ever heard of malaugrym?
Ferras Maljiin: No. Who is he?
Pen Anserinae: It's not a person.
Ferras Maljiin: Then <i>what</i>?
Pen Anserinae: They are creatures. They frequently dwell on the plane of shadow, though I am told that they do not originate there.
Ferras Maljiin: Shadow? Like the Black?
Pen Anserinae: They're shapeshifters.
Pen Anserinae: The Black?
Ferras Maljiin: A place of unlife. Cold.
Pen Anserinae: Ah. *Nodding.* Similar, perhaps..
Pen Anserinae: I'm no philosopher... But it is a place of...well...shadowns.
Pen Anserinae: *She gestures to Ferras' shadow on the ground.* Imagine that if it had <I>depth.
Ferras Maljiin: I have seen a shadow that kills.
Pen Anserinae: Then you understand. *Gliding down the stairs.* In any event, the malaugrym are shapeshifters. But they are also <I>sorcerors.
Pen Anserinae: Apparently, they live forever unless something kills them.
Ferras Maljiin: *purses her lips* So why do you seek their death?
Pen Anserinae: They seek to dominate prime planes for their own purposes, enslaving those who dwell there.
Ferras Maljiin: Primes. Like Athas, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Yes. *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: Why?
Pen Anserinae: Avarice and a lust for power, I suppose.
Ferras Maljiin: *snorts* Always the way.
Pen Anserinae: That is conjecture on my part, as I have never asked one.
Ferras Maljiin: Surprising.
Pen Anserinae: But it fits with what I have seen of them.
Pen Anserinae: Surprising? *Suspiciously.* How do you mean?
Ferras Maljiin: A serpent you'll crush without lectures? I did not expect that of you.
Pen Anserinae: *She smiles as she turns.* I thought that was what you meant.
Pen Anserinae: Your question was a good one, though, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Why</I> people do things is often as important as what they do.
Pen Anserinae: After you... Watch for ambushes
Ferras Maljiin: *nods*
Ferras Maljiin: How is it important?
Pen Anserinae: Well... Imagine something like what nearly happened with you and Quorrit.
Ferras Maljiin: *purses her lips, scowling*
Pen Anserinae: If you had killed him, your action would have been to murder a Preserver... A good man, and one who has dedicated himself to doing the right thing.
Pen Anserinae: It would be easy for me to condemn that.
Pen Anserinae: But understanding <I>why</I> you wanted him dead changes my perception.
Pen Anserinae: *She looks around cautiously.*
Ferras Maljiin: I don't understand.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] We had best be careful here... This is Red Claw territory.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...What is Red Claw?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] The fanatical army of a red dradon named Fearflame.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] They began to quietly take control of buildings here a few months back.
Ferras Maljiin: *snaps her attention to Pen, scowling* y>[Whisper] <i>Dragon</i> or drake?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] <I>Dragon.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] ...Dragons. <i>Here?
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] There are a fair number in Sigil. Though I do not think that Fearflame dwells within the Cage.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] She is fighting a war with a bronze dragon named Brightwing.
Pen Anserinae: <C=Gray>[Whisper] They fight through intermediaries. Brightwing has his own army of sentient animals.
Ferras Maljiin: [Whisper] You let <i>dragons</i> walk the streets, as well? *incredulous*
Pen Anserinae: *Drily.* <I>Believe</I> me... It's not <I>my</I> idea.
Ferras Maljiin: If anything should be killed, it is <i>them. *spits the words vehemently*
Pen Anserinae: You haven't met Yssernthus? Daudhir? Ve'ga'rius?
Pen Anserinae: They all spend a fair amount of time in the bazaar...
Ferras Maljiin: I have never <i>met</i> a dragon.
Pen Anserinae: No?
Pen Anserinae: Then why do you want them dead?
Ferras Maljiin: The only one that flew...the scar of it's flight is still etched clear across the Tablelands.
Pen Anserinae: So...all dragons should be killed because of the actions of one?
Pen Anserinae: I don't understand.
Ferras Maljiin: There was <i>only</i> the one.
Pen Anserinae: Ah. I understand now.
Pen Anserinae: Well... There are more than that in Sigil.
Pen Anserinae: They're...a bit like people, I suppose.
Ferras Maljiin: ...You have an odd way of defining <i>people.
Pen Anserinae: Some would argue that they <I>are</I> people... *Sounding a bit incredulous herself.* ...but what I mean is that there are some good and some bad, and lots who are in between.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks at Pen with disbelief* You believe that?
Pen Anserinae: I... I guess I <I>do.</I> *Shaking her head.* Incredibly enough.
Pen Anserinae: I've...known some dragons.
Pen Anserinae: One...held me captive.
Ferras Maljiin: You live.
Pen Anserinae: *She shifts unhappily.* I was rescued by my brother...
Pen Anserinae: The dragon still lives.
Ferras Maljiin: If the dragon of Tyr had held you, all that would remain is a dessicated corpse. *snorts* It must have been a drake.
Pen Anserinae: *She grunts, not bothering to argue.*
Pen Anserinae: I have also known a silver dragon who was...well...she has done some very, very good things.
Player joins: Sinjeinll
Pen Anserinae: Twice she risked her life to save Selina's.
Ferras Maljiin: I think the things you call dragons are what I know as drakes.
Ferras Maljiin: Because a dragon would not save anyone. It knows only hunger and destruction. It's flight is <i>abnegation.
Pen Anserinae: I've seen Drakes... About the size of a wagon?
Ferras Maljiin: Some larger. Once, from a distance, I saw one. It was the size of a house.
Pen Anserinae: Be careful what you say about dragons, Ferras, especially in the bazaar.
Ferras Maljiin: Why?
Pen Anserinae: There are several that walk in the guise of other races. They frequent Khazeet's.
Ferras Maljiin: They walk among you? Does it make you feel sick?
Ferras Maljiin: *leans forward, intensely*
Pen Anserinae: Not as much as it used to.
Ferras Maljiin: Your skin, it prickles, painful?
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] What's that?
Ferras Maljiin: Do the plants wilt to ash beneath their tread?
Pen Anserinae: Well, one feels a little <I>cold</I>, but I would not go <I>that</I> far. And no...
Pen Anserinae: She keeps a garden...
Pen Anserinae: ...but not a very good one, as I understand it.
Ferras Maljiin: *relaxes, returning her posture to normal* Not dragons, then.
Pen Anserinae: If you say so...
Pen Anserinae: *She turns to face the portal.* Have you been through here before?
Ferras Maljiin: No. Where does it go?
Pen Anserinae: The Gray Waste
Pen Anserinae: Near a town called "Death of Innocence".
Pen Anserinae: It is a <I>bleak</I> place.
Ferras Maljiin: Auric told me of it. The place near the sewers. There, I have been.
Pen Anserinae: A different part of the same plane...
Pen Anserinae: More dangerous, but inhabited.
Ferras Maljiin: *nods, looking somewhat relieved*
Pen Anserinae: The portal key is an imp's skull...
Pen Anserinae: You can get one from Mniiitivaak... Layla's son.
Ferras Maljiin: *nodsa again*
Ferras Maljiin: The fat stuttering slug-man, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Shall we?
Ferras Maljiin: And beyond? Grey, numbness, and undead?
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.* Yes.
Ferras Maljiin: Very well.
Pen Anserinae: *She turns around slowly.*
Ferras Maljiin: *shudders*
Verdant Waves: [Tell] But no, I meant as in the roll, hehe
Pen Anserinae: I lived in the village for a while. *Gesturing back behind her.* In Undersigil Village.
Pen Anserinae: I was hiding from Cooger.
Ferras Maljiin: Who is that?
Pen Anserinae: The shadow dragon I mentioned.
Ferras Maljiin: What are these worms?
Pen Anserinae: *She points at the larva.* Souls...
Ferras Maljiin: They have...faces.
Pen Anserinae: <I>Condemned</I> souls.
Examine detail for creature Larva (8001A5B6): Spirits of particularly selfish and malicious mortals
that come to Hades become a special fonn of petitiontr
called a larva. Larvae appear as Medium-size worms with
heads th3t resemble the heads on their mortal bodies.
[NB: Fix this description because...sheesh!]
Ferras Maljiin: Condemned by what?
Pen Anserinae: *She stomps the larvae.* By their deities, I suppose.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Did you find her?
Pen Anserinae: This... *Gesturing around her.* ...is part of the Hells.
Ferras Maljiin: Deity. That is a word for gods, yes?
Pen Anserinae: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: Do the Athasians believe in an afterlife?
Ferras Maljiin: No.
Ferras Maljiin: Life itself is bad enough. Why would we want to live again?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks incredulous.* Do you <I>believe</I> that?
Ferras Maljiin: I have seen the things that cling to life beyond life. The men and women who surrender to the Black.
Pen Anserinae: Undead, you mean?
Ferras Maljiin: I would rather die in agony, in <i>chains</i> than become like them. Like that...specter.
Pen Anserinae: Yes... *She nods.* ...Far wiser, on the whole.
Pen Anserinae: *Stopping, she points to the city looming on the horizon.*
Pen Anserinae: There it is...
Pen Anserinae: Death of Innocence.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Why do people live here?
Ferras Maljiin: Already I feel numb. Tired.
Pen Anserinae: Because they have no choice, I suspect. Some are desperate...others insane.
Pen Anserinae: Some are like the larvae we saw...already dead.
Ferras Maljiin: Why do you believe in gods if this is what they prepare for you?
Ferras Maljiin: Even the sorcerer-kings, who pretend to be gods, give the illusion of peace, the facade of comfort.
Pen Anserinae: I think that this place is a punishment, rather than what most aspire to. Most do not <I>intend</I> to be here.
Pen Anserinae: Others trade for power during life, knowing that this awaits them later.
Ferras Maljiin: Why follow one who would punish?
Ferras Maljiin: How is it any differant than slavery?
Pen Anserinae: Why choose <I>death?
Pen Anserinae: Desperation, Ferras of the Silts.
Pen Anserinae: But not <I>everyone</I> who dwells here is being punished...
Pen Anserinae: There are also those who <I>prey</I> on the denizens of this place.
Pen Anserinae: Both.
Pen Anserinae: Devils subside on souls and suffering.
Ferras Maljiin: *snorts* Sounds familiar.
Pen Anserinae: The malaugrym is at home here...
Pen Anserinae: *She begins to make her way down the path.*
Pen Anserinae: *She falls silent for a time as they walk. After a while, she speaks again.*
Pen Anserinae: While I was hiding from Cooger, some women took me in. They gave me a place to stay.
Pen Anserinae: Working girls...
Pen Anserinae: <I>Jinkskirts.
Ferras Maljiin: *turns to give Pen a blank look*
Pen Anserinae: Women who trade sex for money, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: Ah. Whores. I see.
Pen Anserinae: *She grunts what might be a harsh laugh.*
Ferras Maljiin: Go on.
Pen Anserinae: Two of them turned up dead. They used to work in the shadows of the gear that we entered the plane through.
Pen Anserinae: Later, Selina learned that the malaugrym were entering Sigil though that portal.
Ferras Maljiin: Your ...maul-a-grim? killed them?
Pen Anserinae: I don't know. But I <I>think</I> so. It <I>feels</I> right.
Pen Anserinae: Ma-lau-grym.
Ferras Maljiin: ...For someone who rebuked me for trying to kill a man I'd never met, you are quick to condemn on feeling.
Pen Anserinae: I would <I>love</I> to learn Alis' fate for certain. But that trail has long since grown cold.
Pen Anserinae: I <I>do</I> know that the malaugrym tried to enslave an entire prime empire known as the Rokugan.
Ferras Maljiin: What makes your vengence more right than mine? *tiredly, completely lacking the vehemence one would expect*
Pen Anserinae: Selina, Auric, Tomar, and Lucelle stopped them. *Turning to look at Ferras.* The difference is that these malaugrym <I>did</I> murder and rape...
Pen Anserinae: Whereas Quorrit...did <i>not.
Ferras Maljiin: Do you know, or is it a feeling?
Pen Anserinae: Oh, <I>no...</I> *Grimly.* I know it for a fact.
Laera Delaria: [Tell] (How's Pen doing? Licca and Laera are finally talking now)
Pen Anserinae: I was with the others in Rokugan. I saw what they did. *She shrugs.* I suppose I helped. A little.
Pen Anserinae: There were six of them...
Ferras Maljiin: ...You want me to have an open mind, Pen. So I am trying to understand. I <i>know</i> Templars are vile.
Pen Anserinae: They had murdered the royal family and were masquerading in their place.
Pen Anserinae: We got five of them... But one remains.
Pen Anserinae: *Looking back at the gate town.* I think he went back to ground. <I>Here.
Ferras Maljiin: But you can't find it.
Pen Anserinae: *Shaking her head.* No.
Ferras Maljiin: You think I can?
Pen Anserinae: Selina has been looking... But it is smart and cautious.
Pen Anserinae: I don't know if you can or not, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks speculatively at the water, at the shoreline* ...There is a possibility.
Pen Anserinae: The question is...do you want to <I>try?
Pen Anserinae: *Nodding.* Go on.
Ferras Maljiin: I am Ferras of the <i>Silts</i>.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] Good. I think she has Ferras on her side...
Ferras Maljiin: This bridge, is it the only way in?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at the water, then up at Ferras.* I don't know... It's the only way I know of.
Ferras Maljiin: ...There is a way, maybe. <i>Maybe.
Pen Anserinae: *She folds her hands.* What is it, Ferras?
Ferras Maljiin: If there is a spirit of the silts there, and I can commune with it...
Ferras Maljiin: *scowls, shaking her head* But I don't know what to ask.
Pen Anserinae: [Tell] I need three minutes to set up my laptop.
Ferras Maljiin: Further it could take <i>time.</i> Time spent here.
Player leaves: Sinjeinll
Ferras Maljiin: ...And I would have to trust you to protect me. If I were to attempt this, I would be unable to defend myself. *looks searchingly in Pen's eyes* I would be easy prey.
Pen Anserinae: *She meets Ferras' eyes unblinkingly.*
Pen Anserinae: I will defend you, Ferras. Whatever comes...
Ferras Maljiin: I don't know how long it will take. I don't know if there even <i>is</i> a spirit to contact.
Pen Anserinae: *She gestures to the bubbles surrounding them.* This will last for several hours. After that, our will will begin to sap rapidly.
Ferras Maljiin: That may not be long enough.
Pen Anserinae: Is there any danger if I should interrupt you after a few hours?
Ferras Maljiin: Only that the time spent will be wasted.
Pen Anserinae: I am willing... If you are.
Ferras Maljiin: You have given me your reasons. Tell me why I should -but choose your words with care. I am not a kank, for you to goad in the direction of your choosing. Convince me without the lash.
Pen Anserinae: Your reasons must be your own, Ferras. *She folds her hands.* I am here neither to goad, nor to lash, nor to entice. Only to <I>ask.
Pen Anserinae: And I <I>do</I> ask that you try. *She inclines her head.*
Ferras Maljiin: *tilts her head, curiously* That's it, then?
Pen Anserinae: *Smiling, she shrugs apologetically.* Sorry.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Fine.
Pen Anserinae: *She stands back, watching.*
Ferras Maljiin: *ties the thong around her forehead, over the headband, situatingit in the center* Silt-stone. The Ssurran say it is made from the bones of the lizard-men, who drowned when Oronis turned the sea into silt.
Ferras Maljiin: The water - is it safe?
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at it doubtfully.* What do <I>you</I> think?
Ferras Maljiin: *sniffs the air and shrugs* I think it doesn't smell of alkaline, and I don't think it's poisoned. At least with any poison I know.
Pen Anserinae: Yes, but... This is the hells.
Pen Anserinae: It could be a tributary of Styx...or Lethe. *She grimaces.* Sorry... I should know more about this place, but I <I>don't.
Pen Anserinae: Best to assume the worst.
Ferras Maljiin: ...Then we now run the risk that the spirit, if there is one, will be twisted and malevolent. *digs in her pouch, pulling forth a rope that looks suspiciously like thick, braided hair and deftly weaves a harness at one end*
Ferras Maljiin: If it is, then likely we will both die. *slips the harness around her waist and over her shoulders, handing the free end to Pen* Last chance to back out.
Pen Anserinae: *She watches the weaving, then takes the free end.* There is no one else. *Simply.*
Pen Anserinae: *She braces her weight against the rope.*
Ferras Maljiin: *the rope, now in Pen's hand, is definitely hair, but thicker than any human or elven hair*
Pen Anserinae: *She walks to the bridge, looping the rope around the lamppost a few times before cinching it around her waist.
Ferras Maljiin: *kneels at the edge of the water, and after a moment's hesitation, plunges her hands wrist-deep into the silt at the edge, taking a few rapid breaths and clearing her mind, preperatory for entering a meditative trance*
Pen Anserinae: *She watches.*
Ferras Maljiin: *whispers her own name under her breath over and over, mindlessly repeating it, centering her self, her identity, as she lets everything else recede, everything but the silt in her fists*
Silt Elemental: *A sloppy, sloggy, dusty travesty pulls itself out of the water.*
Ferras Maljiin: *opens her eyes, fists still buried in silt* I am Ferras of the Silts. By our compact, I call. By the agreement we made, I ask for communion.
Silt Elemental: *Burbles.* <i>Granted....
Ferras Maljiin: *lets out a slow breath* I ask of one who may have crossed this bride. A being of shadow and malevolence, a form-changer, a <i>defiler</i> of worlds.
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>Suddenly, Ferras feels herself grasped somewhere around the midsection. She feels herself jerked down an endless tunnel...streaking at unimaginable speeds.
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>The harness tightens around her...and she lands... Right where she started. Though Pen is gone, and the elemental is more...real.
Ferras Maljiin: *gasps, looking about, bewildered, the self-imposed calm shattered*
Silt Elemental: Ferras of the Storm Claw... *The voice is far loo loud in her head.* ...you are far from the Drylands. But once you are of the silt...of the silt you remain...
Silt Elemental: <I>Asssssssk...
Ferras Maljiin: I ask of a thing called Malaugrym. If it has crossed the span, if it dwells in the city of the damned.
Ferras Maljiin: The silt and dust are yours, and that which they touch, you know.
Silt Elemental: *The water roils sluggishly, churning and rolling.* It does... Though it comes and goes by means other than the bridge.
Ferras Maljiin: The Malaugrym is <i>prey</i>. I ask your council. How can I hunt a thing of formless shadow?
Silt Elemental: Lure it to the <I>liiiight...
Ferras Maljiin: The trap must be baited.
Silt Elemental: *The form drops almost to a puddle, then regains coherence, drawing closer to her.* One question remains... <I>Ask!
Ferras Maljiin: *frowns, thinking furiously* In the Drylands, is there a sorcerer-king who Preserves?
Player joins: Sinjeinll
Silt Elemental: *Sloshing, gurgling, <I>oozing.* Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees....
Silt Elemental: *The elemental dashes forward, colliding with Ferras befoe she can move...<I>inundating her.*
Ferras Maljiin: *looks up, shocked, almost recovers when she's engulfed*
[DM] Ravel: <C=Cyan>The feeling of being pulled down a tunnel reverses itself. Ferras re-appears where she was, feeling damp, gritty, and somehow <I>elevated.
Pen Anserinae: *She completes her shriek, then falls backwards as the tension on the rope suddenly vanishes.*
Ferras Maljiin: *after a long moment, pulls her hands free of the silt with a sucking noise and stands unsteadily*
Pen Anserinae: *She lands on her backside with a small <I>Whumpf!*
Pen Anserinae: What <I>happened?
Ferras Maljiin: <i>Communion.
Ferras Maljiin: *covered in grit, she moves back up the bank, unknotting the harness as she comes
Pen Anserinae: What does <I>that</I> mean?
Ferras Maljiin: Your Malaugrym is there.
Ferras Maljiin: ...And your Templar told the truth.
Pen Anserinae: *She stands and dusts herself off.* What <I>happened?
Pen Anserinae: The rope pulled taut... I barely had time to scream...and then it let up again.
Ferras Maljiin: I think it pulled me closer to it's realm.
Ferras Maljiin: ...I suspect it's further from here than it is from Athas.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks Pen over for a moment, coiling her hair-rope neatly before tucking it back in her bag, then reaches for Pen, touching a finger to her forehead and uttering a word*
Pen Anserinae: I...see. *Clearly she doesn't, really.*
Pen Anserinae: Thank you...
Pen Anserinae: It winked out right as you vanished.
Ferras Maljiin: Thank you for not killing me.
Pen Anserinae: *Grinning.* Thank <I>you</I> for not killing <I>me.
Ferras Maljiin: Your Malaugrym must be trapped. For the trap, we will need bait.
Player joins: jdlunsford
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: And <i>light.
Pen Anserinae: If we are going to plan... Let's get back to Sigil.
Ferras Maljiin: Yes.
Pen Anserinae: *She rubs her eyes and stifles a yawn.*
Pen Anserinae: That was strangely <I>exhausting.
Ferras Maljiin: *shrugs* I am fine. Better, now that I am away from the grey place.
Pen Anserinae: Ferras...
Ferras Maljiin: What?
Pen Anserinae: *Stepping closer, she places her hand on the woman's upper arm.*
Pen Anserinae: <I>Thank you.
Ferras Maljiin: *looks at Pen's hand, then her face, and jerks her arm away* You need not <i>touch</i> me to thank me.
Pen Anserinae: I understand.
Pen Anserinae: I will refrain in the future.
Ferras Maljiin: Good.
Pen Anserinae: If we are to plan, it might be best to tell the others what you learned at the same time that...
Pen Anserinae: *She trails off, watching the rat.*
Ferras Maljiin: A bold rat.
Pen Anserinae: Come on... Hurry!
Ferras Maljiin: ...What?
Pen Anserinae: *She dashes after the rat.* Hey! <I>Hey!
Ferras Maljiin: Are you hungry, is that what this is?
Rat: <i>The rat, being noticed, scurries faster.
Pen Anserinae: Hey! Wait!
Rat: <i>The rat hides under the table.
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle!
Pen Anserinae: <I>Rat!
Pen Anserinae: *She points*
Rat: <i>It scrabbles onto the underside of a chair and holds on.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle hadn't yet noticed the rodent, as she was setting out her books. She looked to Pen, a brow rising. "Did you just call me a-...?"
Pen Anserinae: It ran out of the sewers and to your table!
Pen Anserinae: Did it say anything to you?
Ferras Maljiin: *trails behind Pen, coated in a layer of slimy grit, a little confused*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle blinks, looking about her table.
Pen Anserinae: *Dropping to a knee to look beneath the table.*
Pen Anserinae: Hey! It's alright... I'm not going to hurt you...
Pen Anserinae: I just want to ask you some questions.
Ferras Maljiin: ...It's a rat, Pen.
Rat: <i>A rat with tiny glasses and a satchel peeks back at Pen.
Pen Anserinae: It's wearing <I>glasses</i> and carrying a bag of holding, Ferras.
Rat: <i>It squeeks in resignation.
Ferras Maljiin: ...*shakes her head* I give up. Faster, I think, to just go mad now.
Pen Anserinae: He's one of... *She looks around.* ...one of <I>his</I> I think.
Pen Anserinae: Remember what I told you?
Rat: <i>It scrabbles onto the table and salutes Lucelle.
Ferras Maljiin: ...You tell me many things. Half of them I ignore, the other half you don't finish because you see something shiny and forget.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: The elf offers a gentle nod to the rodent in return, setting out the last of her books.
Rat: <i>It pulls out a small quill and parchment from the satchel, and writes a quick note in Draconic, in tiny handwriting.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: She offers a soft smile, then eases herself down into her chair. "Is there something you require, aside from safe harbor?"
Pen Anserinae: I think it's the same one we saw in the Earth Plane a few days ago... Right before you arrived, Ferras.
Pen Anserinae: The one with the <I>map.
Rat: <i>The rodent nibbles on the parchment a little before handing it to Lucelle.
Pen Anserinae: What is it saying, Lucelle?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: The elf takes up the parchment, careful as not to harm the rodents' little paws in the acquisition thereof, then cants her head gently aside as she attempts to read it.
Pen Anserinae: *She opens her mouth impatiently, then sighs, takes a deep breath, and folds her hands, adopting a waiting posture.*
Rat: <i>The rat watches Lucelle with patience, and perhaps a small amount of reverence as well.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle blinks and looks to the rodent. She offers another gentle bow of her head. "Be there a means through which I might speak to those who sent you. Admittedly, I don't enjoy being in a position whereupon I've attracted such ire."
Rat: <i>The rat hands her the tiny quill, and another piece of parchment.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If at all possible, I would learn what they know of the circumstances that have arisen. Likewise I would offer my thanks for the warning."
Ferras Maljiin: *just waits, watching the other women with the vaguely skeptical look one would give an animal that just might be foaming at the mouth - she's also completely covered in a thin layer of gritty scum, like she'd just rolled around on a riverbank*
Pen Anserinae: *Blurts.* <I>Warning?
Licca Lyricia: Oh, good evening, everyone. I have my room in the inn back finally.
Rat: <i>A rat with tiny glasses and a satchel stands on one of Lucelle's books, looking at her expectantly.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle looks to Pen and offers a look to convey that she would explain soon enough. Her gaze returned to the roden as she waited patiently.
Pen Anserinae: Hello, Licca.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle leans forward, her gaze falling upon the tiny letters the rat had scrawled.
Ferras Maljiin: *Ferras is damp and dirty*
Licca Lyricia: Lucelle, I got a letter from my older sister. She left it with the bartender here.
Licca Lyricia: I'll need to talk to you privately at your convenience.
Licca Lyricia: *walks back up to the inn*
Charae: Charae ordered a cup of mushroom wine.
Yssernthus: *Actually unarmed*
Pen Anserinae: *She moves aside, giving the giant...well...<I>giant</i> a wide berth.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...Bigger than a half-giant.
Yssernthus: *Not holding a sword, polymorphed critters can't unequip them manually*
Yssernthus: Your biggest serving of your strongest, bartender! *booms*
Ferras Maljiin: *Ferras is damp, coated in grit, looks like she rolled on a riverbank for a bit*
Rat: <i>The rat once again tries to hand Lucelle a tiny quill and a new piece of parchment.
Pen Anserinae: I think it wants you to take that feather, Lucelle.
Pen Anserinae: *She looks interestedly at the quill.*
Ferras Maljiin: *gives the books a mistrustful glance*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle nods, then takes up the tiny quill and tries to carefully put it to use. She scrawls a simple little message, then hands it back.
Licca Lyricia: EEP!
Ferras Maljiin: ...Right in my ear.
Licca Lyricia: What's this giant doing here?
Ferras Maljiin: Drinking, fool.
Yssernthus: *Washes down some of the drink*
Licca Lyricia: Oh.
Ferras Maljiin: *rubs her ear, wincing as the grit scrapes delicate flesh*
Rat: <i>The rat nods, and neatly folds the letter before placing it in the satchel. After replacing the quill as well, the rat dashes off into a tent in the bazaar.
Pen Anserinae: Well?
Pen Anserinae: What did it say?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle looks to Pen, then sighs. "It seems that Fearflame is actively moving her forces about the Plane of Earth, likewise it seems I've somehow aroused her ire."
Pen Anserinae: *Plopping into the chair.*
Ferras Maljiin: *leans on the wall*
Pen Anserinae: I thought as much... The rat had a map, but I never got to investigate it.
Pen Anserinae: *She pushes several of the books aside, lifting <I>The Ancient Tongues: Draconic</I> from the table and opening it.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "You spoke of a recent journey to the Plane of Earth a moment ago, did you not?"
Player joins: jdlunsford
Pen Anserinae: Yes. And we came across a kobold there... *Almost idly, as she peruses the book.*
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle... can I borrow this?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If you wish, though I believe Miss Licca had specifically requested it."
Pen Anserinae: Oh. *She hands the book over.*
Pen Anserinae: Here you are, then, Licca.
Licca Lyricia: Oh, good. Just what I was wanting.
Licca Lyricia: *starts flipping through the tome and begins to read*
Pen Anserinae: So you intend to meet with Brightwing?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If you wish, Pen, I'll aquire another copy for you, or you can take it from Licca when she's done."
Pen Anserinae: *She shifts in her chair, reddening slightly.* Alright...
Pen Anserinae: I'm just tired of being the only person in the entire Cage who doesn't understand a word of draconic.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "At present, I've no means of doing so, Pen. I've conveyed a message, but it'll likely be a while before it reaches anyone of importance. Truthfully, I had thought to learn why Fearflame is displeased with me."
Pen Anserinae: Maybe...her name was on the <I>list?
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "Possible, but I suppose the only way to learn would be to seek her out, or one of her lieutenants."
Pen Anserinae: *She nods.*
Ferras Maljiin: ...I thought we came to speak of the trap, not rats.
Pen Anserinae: I was getting to that, Ferras.
Ferras Maljiin: Good.
Pen Anserinae: Lucelle, do you know where Auric is? Ferras discovered the location of the last maluagrym?
Pen Anserinae: *Turning to Licca.* Have you seen Tomar? We could use his help, again.
Licca Lyricia: I have... not seen Tomar for a week.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "Auric and I have not been speaking, Pen. He'll not speak to me with an civility, nor will he try to reign in his tongue, so I've cut ties with him."
Pen Anserinae: *She sits back.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "As for Tomar, last I saw of him was... perhaps a tenday ago?"
Ferras Maljiin: *gives an amused snort*
Pen Anserinae: *She looks at Ferras levelly, then turns back to Lucelle.*
Player joins: Fenrir Grey
Pen Anserinae: I will simply remind you, Lucelle, that the malaugrym saw us. *Standing.*
Pen Anserinae: <I>All</I> of us.
Charae: Charae sipped her wine, looking through a small notebook.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I do recall, though the three Malaugrym that were present in Rokugan were slain, we saw to that."
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "If there were more, they did not reveal themselves."
Ferras Maljiin: There is one.
Pen Anserinae: *She nods in agreement with Ferras.*
Player leaves: Fenrir Grey
Pen Anserinae: Selina has been trying to track him down.
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "So what would you have of me, Pen? Furthermore, what do you believe its' intentions to be?"
Pen Anserinae: I don't think its goals have changed, Lucelle. Only its target.
Ferras Maljiin: *pulls a cloth from her bag and starts wiping her face, arms, and chest down. Once finished, she folds the cloth carefully and stows it, and it's burden of silty mud, in her bag*
Pen Anserinae: As for what I'd like, Lucelle... Well, I'd like to stop it, if I can.
Pen Anserinae: And... *She looks away.* ...And I would like your aid.
Pen Anserinae: *After a moment, she makes to leave Khazeet's.*
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I shall try to provide it, Pen." Lucelle moves to rise and follow.
Pen Anserinae: I'm going to find Selina...
Pen Anserinae: We'll meet in her office in...say...six hours? ((Which really means whenever we are all online again. Which probably will not be before Monday because of my work schedule
Lucelle Vand'hovar: Lucelle nods gently, then turns back to her seat. "Very well. When you with to act or if you come into any new information, do tell me."
Lucelle Vand'hovar: "I'd imagine that I've something of a reputation amidst the Brood of Malaug after our last encounter."
Pen Anserinae: I will...