Thanara had been silent, mainly due to her discomfort at their surroundings. Seeing an out, though, she finally spoke up. ”Councilor Eopal. Got it. Thank you so much for the information. We should probably not waste too much more of this things time, right? It seems very busy.”
It is late at night by the time you arrive at Councilor Eopal's home. He answers your knock on his door, a petitioner with pearlescent skin covered with lines of script. "Yes? How may I help you?"
Once you explain your purpose for visiting, he sighs. "Oh, dear. I think you'd better come inside." He invites you into his comfortably appointed living room, insisting on pouring tea for each of you. He makes small talk for a few minutes, though obviously something is weighing on him. Eventually, he grows quiet for a few moments before sighing.
"You are wondering why I resigned from the council. I resigned because of this." He produces a letter bearing a broken yellow wax seal stamped with an eye and holds it in his lap. "I began receiving immoral offers of money in exchange for my voting a certain way. I refused, of course, but soon after, the requests became demands, which became threats. The day before I resigned, I received this letter, threatening the lives of many of my friends unless I either quietly complied or resigned without comment. I chose the latter option.
"Only one candidate has stepped up to take my seat, a medusa named Tsemani, and I'm worried for Sayashto. Someone saw her receive a letter sealed with the same yellow eye. There are some district policies that require a majority vote and others that require a unanimous council vote, so I can't be sure whether any other councilors are under these coercive operatives' sway or if the group just needs a single dissenting vote ready for nefarious purposes. Tsemani has always seemed like a good person, but I fear the district is at risk if she wins the interim election."
He looks up at you. "Perhaps... One of you could run for the office. The Councilor of Gates is restricted to any inhabitant who has lived on Axis for fewer than 20 years. You likely don't have the allies or resources here that Tsemani does, but I can serve as an adviser and help you fill out the requisite paperwork. If you're willing to rise to the occasion, we can prevent disaster from befalling this district."
"If we can track down the source of this threatening letter, put an end to the threats, and ensure the safety of you and your friends, would you run for office again? I believe my colleague Katria here can sometimes divine the past history of objects, which may help us."
"But if the election happens before we can eliminate the threat, we would need a candidate."
Liam looks to Amelia.
"Councilor of Gates, Amelia Reed? What do you think?"
"Yes, I would happily seek my position again if the threats were to be neutralized," Councilor Eopal says. "The vote is set to take place at the end of this week."
Katria, a senatorial hopeful back home in Taldor, can't help but look a little crushed as Liam turns to Amelia. Maybe she would be a better choice, but Katria's worked so hard.
Still, maybe they can eliminate this threat instead. That certainly seems more urgent than running for an office. Plus what would they do if Amelia wins and she has to stay here?
She reaches for the letter, hoping she can determine something about it.
"Do you recognize this symbol? Does it mean anything?" she asks Eopal.
"I had never seen it before. I do not know its significance," Eopal says, shaking his head.
With no useful guidance from the petitioner, Katria tries to read the letter.
Amelia looks at Liam, her mouth agape.
"Well... I mean I could do it, but frankly I tend to colour outside the lines a little too much for Axis." Laughing quietly she continues, "Besides, most of my skill comes down to partying, lobbying, and many other forms of entertainment that really gets people riled up." She waves at the resident of the plane, "No offense of course."
Amelia relents somewhat, "I'll do it of course, but I think we are better at eliminating the threat. Even if I were to run, there is no guarantee that they will seek me down and not just hit others. We need action..."
Thanara holds up her hands. ”Don’t look at me. I have absolutely NO intention of being here long enough to consider holding any sort of office!”
"If you could find and eliminate the threat before week's end, it would obviate the need for the election," Eopal says. "The choice is yours. My only concern is the safety of my friends."
"I think it is best for Axis if we can remove the threat and help you regain your position. So let us work on that."
"It is late now; we have another task tomorrow, but then will follow up with this as quickly as we are able."
Unfortunately, Katria's attempt at reading the letter's psychic impressions doesn't reveal much. She only gets a glimpse of Councilor Eopal's frightened expression as he reads over its contents. If you could find a similar letter that was sent more recently, perhaps she could learn more about who sent it.
”So, are we calling it a night on this little scavenger hunt for now? It’d be nice to have a glass of wine and a nice meal while we got to know one another a bit. Well, at least I get to know you guys a bit. I would wager you are all well acquainted with one another to varying degrees?” Thanara asked.
"Yes, it is late. We should call it a night, although as you say a meal and glass of wine would be appreciated.
I have worked longest with Katria - we were both at Exaltation Day."
"Amelia joined us when we worked in Stachys."
Liam will talk with Thanara as the party walks.
"I am originally from the city of Kozan, where my family are minor nobility. They were clergy of Aroden for many centuries. Most of them have shifted their worship to the Inheritor, although I felt more of a calling to her sister-goddess, Milani the Everbloom. At times, our work has called for more subtle skills that are more in keeping with Milani's approach than Iomedae's."
"Oh, yes, though I was running a little late. I still was there in time for the massacre, unfortunately. That was horrible!" Katria says, reminiscing. She remembers the trauma of trying to get out of the basement with Doritan and Bernal and Maya. She hoped they were all doing well.
She fills in her story as well: "I'm the daughter of Lord Driany and Lady Sabel Delaval, though they were often too busy to do much real parenting. Then, when they sent me to Oppara, I found the universities and scholarship (not the husband they were hoping for) and ... well, the rest I guess is history. I realized Eutropia is our best chance to save Taldor from what it's becoming ... become ... and I've been doing my best to support her."
Thanara listens interestedly as they talk while they walk. ”My father is a minor Lord as well. Never knew my mother. And my father never missed a moment to remind me of my fault for it.”
Amelia listened, "So many lords and ladies it seems." She looked out toward the distance before turning to Thanara, "Not so lucky over here... At least not at the roulette of birth."
She pulls out a coin and twirls it idly, "I grew up on the streets, and if it wasn't for this noblewoman who needed a young girl to tailor and clean, I would probably be dead in a gutter somewhere." The pretender straightens up her posture, "Nobility can be learned anyway, that's basically what I did. Studied and gambled until I had enough money to strike out on my own."
Her laugh is full of mirth, "Truly though, no one has ever called me on my gambit. What nobles actually want to go out to the countryside and see if my 'ancestral' estate even exists?" She pockets the coin and reveals an empty hand, "None."
"We did pretend to be different nobles back in Stachys and were in fact called out on it, although thankfully Baroness Voinum was on our side," Liam remarks. "So there are some who will be curious."
"It is true, Amelia. Most of us are nobles by birth, as is Princess Eutropia. Aristocracy will be a part of Taldor for some time to come, though I hope it becomes less relevant as the years pass. Exaltation Day was only ever a feeble pretense that the class system allowed for any mobility.
As it is, we need Princess Eutropia. She and her noble supporters - who command extensive military forces - will not entirely surrender their ancestral privileges. They will not agree to abolishing the aristocracy, but perhaps they can allow for greater promotion of skilled non-nobles into important positions such as priests, generals, and governors."
"My own father is a tepid reformer, a Loyalist a few degrees less eager for change than Princess Eutropia, but closer to her than to Pythareus. She can pull along those like him. Had he been a Senator, he would have been on her side and been slaughtered at Exaltation Day.
My father did sponsor my sojourn to Andoran, and I think he was hoping I would come back with a less positive view of Common Rule. He had heard from some of the same skeptics as Princess Eutropia has, noting how democracy can fall to corruption. Overstating, I believe, the importance of groups like the Lumber Consortium. Not that Andoran is perfect, but many tend to overstate its flaws.
So where I differ from my father (and Princess Eutropia, possibly) is that I see Common Rule as a viable destination for Taldor, although I agree that there is no path towards Taldor adopting it overnight. Andoran's nearly-bloodless revolution abolishing the aristocracy is held up by many of my faith as an ideal. I think Taldor is capable of making a similar journey over a period of decades."
”How about some stuff about you that doesn’t revolve around Princess Eutropia? What do you like? Who do you like? What is your idea of fun?” she asks as they pass a small dancing hall. She looks to the others and says ”Come on, we already said we weren’t going to get any further tonight. Let’s have some fun before turning in!” as she takes a tentative step towards the entrance, wondering if the others will join.
Liam laughs.
"Yes, it does feel all business all the time.
I spent much of my 'spare time' poring over bylaws for town councils, trying to bring a measure of Common Rule to local affairs.
And even my socializing seems for political gain. I shared a glass of port with a defeated foe, hoping to soothe hurt feelings and win an ally.
I discussed poetry with a young noblewoman to win her family's favor.
And I danced to advance our position in Stachys, although Katria won that contest."
He turns to Katria. "Do you think they do the Dance of the Phalanx here in Axis?"
"Other than that, when I do gamble, I prefer games of skill where deception and awareness are valued, rather than games of pure luck."
He will join Thanara in the dance hall, wondering what passes for dancing in Axis.
The dance hall is divided into two rooms. The main room is filled with several dozen petitioners, lined up in orderly rows. As a band plays elegant music, they move in unison, performing motions that seem elaborately choreographed and precise. The second room, though, seems to be set aside for those interested in more of a freestyle performance. The music here is livelier, with the handful of dancers simply swaying or shaking to the rhythm. In both rooms, servers move about distributing drinks and snacks.
"I can go for a dance, its been a while since I've relaxed but lets see how they treat that idea here."
She eyes up the place, hoping to get some drink and heads over to the second room. She wasn't good enough to improvise.
Thanara immediately heads for the second room upon learning of its existence. With Liam having been the first to follow, she takes his hand and leads him out onto the dance floor.
”Alright, Sir. Let’s see what you can do,” she says with a coy smile as she waits for him to take the lead.
Liam shakes his head ruefully, but gives it his best shot.
"I have no training at all in this, but I will try."
He's not bad for an amateur, but clearly has not had the chance to just enjoy himself in quite a long while.
She gives his shoulder a squeeze and adds ”You should relax more often. Life doesn’t always have to be moving from one mission to the next. In fact, without a little fun mixed in, what’s the point?”
It is customary for clergy of my faith to fight in one revolution and then to enjoy the fruits of freedom. To take time to smell the roses, you might say. There are some for whom life is a never-ending crusade, but I am not one of those. If I can bring a greater measure of freedom to Taldor, and survive, then I do look forward to enjoying life afterwards."
Thanara did not offer a reply to Liam’s comment, finishing their dance and curtsying to him after before turning to the other two women in their group. ”Well? Either of you fancy a dance?” she asked.
Amelia wants to take her up on the offer, but her head has found something far more enjoyable. The chatter of people.
She figures she could do both at once.
"Sure."
The dandy is distracted somewhat, the allure of hearing gossip gives her an idea. "I wonder if I would be able to draw our foe out with a well placed word or two." She maintains a fairly hardy stance the entire time, not unlike a well muscled cat on a savannah. "This place can't be that much different than the material plane."
A plan begins to hatch in her head until she stumbles a bit, "Blades are much easier to handle."
Thanara danced with Amelia, but the second dance partner in a row seeming to lack the ability to disconnect even for a brief moment has gotten under her skin.
She finishes the song and then makes her way to the bar. She requests a drink. She glanced back over her shoulder and studies the room herself.
Amelia realizes something is amiss, and heads over to the bar, "You have to understand, this has always been work for me. I was never given anything. The smiles, the dancing, the parties, merriment, it is all work." She grabs a drink for Thanara, "Facades within facades."
"I have nowhere to go back to; no one waiting for me." The pretender takes a quick drink, "Everything I have I have earned through blood, sweat and tears... Sometimes literally."
With almost a wry laugh the dandy puts her drink down, "Don't misunderstand, I can have a good time, but those survival instincts you get from growing up a refugee and an urchin, they don't just go away with a fancy coat on."
Her eyes drill into Thanara, "But if you're serious about what we're doing, know that my skills in battle are no forgery; and I will let no harm come to my allies." She gives a smile, and turns to face the room.
”And being born into it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows either, hun,” Thanara says as she accepts the drink. She turns on the stool towards Amelia and crosses her legs as she sips it down. ”The expectations. The assumptions. The forced smiles and veiled meanings. You know as well as I that it’s all just as deadly as a blade in the Great Game,” Thanara mused. ”And none of it is made easier in Taldor when you can do this,” she adds, lifting a hand up and a small orb of lightning forms and dances in the palm of her hand, arcs frolicking along her fingertips and forearm. ”If you learn the talent, it’s all well and good. But if you are born into it, Taldan Nobility tend to treat you a freak. Interesting then, that they feel being born into nobility is fine but you can work hard all your life to better the country and never be allowed to advance to ur station? They hypocrisies in this country are astounding, and I am victim to most of them.”
She sips back her drink the rest of the way then smiles conspiratorially. ”But what’s the point if you can’t live a little through it all? A person wasn’t born into this world to be a beast of burden, toiling away from one objective to the next! Life is for the living, and I don’t intend to wait until I’m old and feeble to enjoy my time on this…well…on our world. Life is too short,” she says as she gives the girl an appraising look.
Liam thanks Thanara for the dance, but does seem aware he has offended her.
Work hard for a few years and then have a lifetime to smell the roses. That's all I want. I suppose she sees things differently.
He waits until his companions are ready to leave.
It would probably be safe enough to travel back to our inn by myself, but why take chances?
Katria prefers to keep to the edges of the room. Sure, she can dance and certainly appreciates the historical aspects, but a good treatise makes for far more enjoyment. If only she'd thought to bring a copy of The Porthmos Map: An Examination of How the Tarrasque Laid Waste to the Nation and Laid the Groundwork for its Future Greatness with her, but she hasn't had time to read anything solely for pleasure in a while .
Hopefully their new colleague wouldn't get drunk and cause trouble. They had a full day ahead of them tomorrow.
Amelia shrugs, "I suppose." The answer was simple and to the point, "Unchecked hedonism has its time and place, I love a good warm bath like the best of them, but right now there is work to be done and we are in a strange place with a war bubbling underneath our feet." Taking a moment, she looks at Liam and Katria, "I came on here as a hatchetman of sorts, but I've come to believe in Eutropia and what she can change. It may not be lifetime but it will happen, those hypocrisies can be snuffed."
I refuse to let more bloodshed create more children like myself. Born with a dagger in hand, always looking over my back.
"I'll tell you what though, when we get back to the inn how about I show you a game we used to play? I should have a set somewhere in my pack." Downing the drink she continues, "I promise I won't use my talents as well." A glint of light shines over her expression, "Just don't expect to win."
”No, by all means, feel free to try to use whatever talents you feel necessary,” Thanara counters mischievously as she finishes her drink and stands from her seat.
After resting for the night, you return to Nabil the following morning. The astronomer provides Liam with several mathematical star maps, which allow him to focus on the Lion Knight's location in the Astral Plane as he casts his plane shift spell. The city of Sayashto fades away around you as you slip into another dimension, finding yourselves floating in a seemingly endless expanse of silver mist. A few miles in the distance, you can see the twinkling lights that make up the constellation.
"There it is. Let's go!" Nabil says. The doll begins floating in the direction of the distant stars, but turns back to you after a moment. "This is your first time here, isn't it? The Astral Plane has subjective gravity. You just have to imagine which way is 'down' and you'll just kind of fall in that direction."
If you have a fly speed, you can move through the Astral Plane normally.
Liam casts Extended Good Hope to aid the party's navigation, using the party's Lesser Extend Metamagic Rod. Thanks to the magic of the Astral Plane, it takes only the briefest of moments to cast this spell.
The cleric then begins falling in the direction of Nabil.
It is a little disorienting, but he gets the hang of it.
"Whoa!" Katria exclaims as she stars falling. She can't help looking around, as excited as when she was a little girl opening her first book, at the newness of everything. Of course, the Astral Plane was ancient, but it was new to her!
As she sees the others start to move, she ... remains exactly where she is. A moment later, however, she starts to fall in the desired direction.
Thanara floated in place alongside Katria, and then Katria started moving.
Well…this is awkward…
Then she finally started floating too, following the others.
After a bit of experimentation, you start to get the hang of moving about the void. Silvery clouds streak by you as you "fall" at high speed towards the distant constellation. Soon, you find yourself among the motes of light that stretch out over about three square miles.
A few asteroids float among the stars, and from the dust of one nearby, a terrible creature emerges. Vaguely humanoid in shape, this gaunt fiend has the face of a hideous fish and a body of lanky limbs and writhing tendrils. It seems to swim through the clouds towards you, and a scratchy mental voice sounds in your minds.
"Leave this place at once, or I will feast on your souls!"
Astradaemons are immune to acid, death effects, disease and poison. They resist cold, electricity, fire, and most spells.
"An Astradaemon!" Katria explains, before dropping as much knowledge as she knows about them: "They were probably created by the Four Horsemen, to find souls to harvest. Their touch will drain your life force, and ... try not to die near one!"
She pauses as she thinks for a second.
"Oh, and they're immune to acid, death effects, disease and poison. They resist cold, electricity, fire, and most spells, too!"
She turns back to the creature.
"You're going to probably try to do that regardless!" she tells it. "We're looking for something and will leave as soon as we can."
"None shall interfere with the Sisters' schemes!" the fiend shrieks as it prepares to attack!
Thanara says ”Come now, don’t be so hasty! We can all be friends here,” Thanara says as she throws a spell and a wink at the hideous thing.
Thanara's magic pierces the daemon's resistance, and it suddenly relaxes. "Ah. My apologies. I must have forgotten what a good friend you are to me!"
Nice. Now…the awkward part.
Thanara tried floating the things direction, but again was slow to do so. Eventually she started moving, though. As she drew closer, she asked the thing ”Can you help me fly around here? You know me, always floundering about. You are so good at it anyway.”
As she floated up alongside of it, she gently ran her hand across the side of this things face and said ”It’s been a long time, friend. What have you been up to? Anything new? These Sisters…I don’t recall them…can you tell me more about them?”
She then turns to the others and says ”Oh! And these are my new friends, Mariah, Vanessa, Robert, and Dolland,” pointing out Katria, Amelia, Liam, and Nabil in turn.
Amelia tries to float around, This is awkward...
Sadly she gets stopped by the astradeamon and Katria screaming out about it in her fashion.
Before even drawing her weapon, Thanara is able to hold its mind.
The piscine daemon's skin is slimy under Thanara's hand. It gently wraps its arms around her as it swims through the Astral void, carrying her closer to the stars of the constellation. "I was called here as a guardian by a coven of night hags. The Sisters of Indulgent Dreams. They had plans with this astral legend, this Lion Knight, but I was not privy to them. I was paid handsomely in stolen souls for the job. I was supposed to stop anybody from investigating, but for you, my friend, I shall make an exception."