DMDM's Hells Rebels

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

"I might be in the minority, I don't really care whether you wear a mask or not, so long as you want to continue assisting in our general cause - but I do tend to agree in part with the rest of my companions, its a little concerning that we don't know anything about you, and yet you would wish to borrow the use of one of these potions. While I have no problem giving one up, I'd prefer knowing who I'm giving it up to." Sera responds carefully.

BUMP for Kestral Response, sent a PM. Sorry for the delay I am still here working through RL s&!~ as best I can.

Although most of her face is covered, the change in the shape of Kestrel's eyes shows she is smiling.

"You want me to trade my greatest protection for something much less in the name of trust? The potion is useful, but not that useful. I don't mean to speak ill of you, but it isn't my responsibility to make a sacrifice to justify after the fact your extending what you call trust to me."

"I would say it isn't about trust at all. I may trust your intentions, but can you guarantee that under torture, or enchantment, or scrying, I can know you would keep my secret?"

"We have goals in common. Even if all of us might name different greatest monsters, we all agree who the monsters in Kintargo are. I don't doubt we'll cross paths again, and more than once. You can judge me by my deeds when it happens and decide what you think then."

"So good evening to you all Ladies. I wish you health and an uncomplicated journey back to your safe haven."

Kestrel gives the group of women a casual wave goodbye, and walks away.

Very sorry! I lost track of who was waiting for what to happen.

Stirica watches Kestrel go and shrugs That is two people in Kintargo that know of us and could cause us trouble if they wished. I suppose it was too much to hope that we could be as ghosts as we start to fight against the Dottari. Let us head back. We have to plan our next move.

Zeldana sighed as she shrugged. "Nothing we can do about it now. We just have to hope that she doesn't turn us in." She pointed out as she made sure everything was gathered up and stood. "I agree with Stricia, lets head back."

Kadwyn levels an unimpressed gaze at Kestral as she speaks. "I just wanted to know who to console when the Dottari catch you. Your odds of that happening only increase the more you isolate yourself."

Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffeehouse

The four Ladies' arrive back at the Coffeehouse with none crossing their paths.

As they enter through the front some of the patrons smile and wave seeing them as regulars others are too focused on their own cups or perhaps their own misery to acknowledge anyone. The morale of the city appears the same. Half the city seems to be getting along ok, or at least acting like it while the other half clearly are disturbed by the heavy hand of Barzillai Thrune and you can see it in their faces and body language.

By the time you reach the back room, you see Sholti with Rexus poring through the documentation located in the old Silver Ravens lair.

He looks up at you all and turns to Sholti, "Like I was saying, I had a break through this morning and... welcome my dears! You are just in time, listen".

"The Silver Ravens were established in 4606 AR in the wake of the chaos that swept over Cheliax after Aroden’s death to help protect the city of Kintargo from oppression.

The Silver Ravens maintained their main headquarters in and below the Kintargo Opera House; unfortunately, no information in the documents indicates any other safe houses the group may have maintained. Not even the one we found!"

"There is still a bit more to learn, even some spells within that are quite interesting if any of you are spellcasters.

Your thoughts on my ideas or the revelations?"

I agree. We already have two individuals who know what we are doing. I do not wish to have more yet.

"I agree with laying low for a bit. It will give me time to focus on the shop and go shopping for Stricia some new clothes!" Zeldana said with a smile as she looked an arm around Stricia's neck. "I don't mind her barrowing my clothes, but she may feel more comfortable in her own clothes." smiling at the monk Zeldana added "What do you say? My treat?

"Also there us the fact I have to cook dinner for Dalth... I just remembered that..."

Ah yes, perhaps something less revealing Zeldana? Stricia says fidding with the straps of the top with a far more revealing cut then she's used to I would be in your debt

"Of course! You're the one who will pick them out my friend." Zeldana smiled. "I'll leave the shops in Sera's and Kadwyn's hands and we can get you some new clothes tomorrow morning!" Zeldana said before she looked to the two of them "If you're both okay with that?"

"I guess I'm ok, although I don't really know much about your shop, and it isn't really my area of expertise" Sera responds, shooting Zeldana a questionable glance.

"I can give you a sheet to make what everything cost. The flowershop is easier than the goods stop." Zeldana said with a shrug. "If you'd like I could give you the coin for Stricia's outfits and you could go with her." She offered.

Sholti asks the returning women "did you find anything of interest at the Silver Star?" since they didn't mention it themselves.

"No no, enjoy yourselves shopping, and I'll hold down the flowership but if you see something nice, would you get something for me as well?" Sera remarks hopefully,

Zeldana passed on the box they had found among the ashes so that Sholti could look through it. "Sadly there wasn't much more than that." Zeldana explained.

They half-elven woman's eyes lit up as she smiled at Sera. "Oh of course! What are your sizes? Is there a color you like? Do you prefer gold or silver?" After she got done she looked to Kadwyn and asked "Is there anything you wish for me to pick up?"

"Nothing too expensive, in that I can punch someone if I need to without ruining it, but ideally something that makes me look attractive and fashionable. I don't even mind much if it draws the eye, I'm capable at handling myself fairly easily, and I'm not particularly married to a color". Sera rattles off, trying to help Zeldana out.

Kadwyn forcefully lightens her demeanor when Zeldana addresses her. "Clothes are one of the few things I have left, so I'll decline, though I do appreciate the offer."

Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffeehouse

Rexus sighs, "Hmmm. Well, I suppose shopping is more interesting than what Ive found so far. There is a bit more to translate so maybe i the next week or so..." He continues to drone on a bit.

The tension with Sholti and Zel is still there, perhaps time will heal the wound?

Two Weeks Pass

Kintargo

Despite the breakout from earlier in the month, the Dottari security has become more lax. The people appear to be adjusting to this "new normal" well enough.

Even with that, a few new recruits have joined the cause, mostly in assistance capacity in offering to share supplies and keep the mercenary "force" of Forvian Crowe outside of the city provisioned.

Except for him showing up in full HellKnight armor,Zel's date is successful. Dalth is respectful and speaks of no further "incidents".

Sera, Stricia, and Kadwyn are easily able to assist Zel with the day to day of her businesses, no one even questions who the new help are or where they came from. So that seems a victory as well.

Kestral manages to meet a few members of this group, Tiel and Irisa while prowling the alleys and rooftops at night.

Sholti spends more time at the Coffee House with Rexus who has been trying like crazy to break through the last few items to be translated in the documentation found in the Silver Ravens last hideout.

---

The Blooming Butterfly - Zel, Sera, Stricia, and Kadwyn

Business is a bit slow this particular afternoon and who should happen to walk in but Tiel, a close companion of Zel's. She stops and locks the front door, "Ladies, can we speak, in private?"

---

the Long Roads Coffeehouse - Sholti

Rexus is a bit weary as the afternoon draws on, "I'm so close Sholti, so close..."

His concentration is snapped when there is a loud banging sound from the front of the shop.

Laria speaks loudly, as if to speak over the din but clearly to warn of danger, [larger]"What a pleasant surprise. Always happy to have the Dottari come by for a visit. How can I help you Gentleman and uh Lady?" [/larger]

Actions?

"Then shopping we go!!" Zeldana said joyfully. The next day she went with Stricia clothes shopping and picked up a few outfits. One she mainly for Sera because she though it would look good on her and the other was for more everyday use but the skirts from the first could be matched with this one to make different outfits.

When is came to Stricia, after all she was the main reason they where here, she suggest three outfits. One for everyday use that she believed would look nice on her, another for when working, and lastly one for any outing they had.

Finally she picked something up for herself, to hide her hair during their secret outing.

---------------------------------------------

The Blooming Butterfly
"Tiel!" Zeldana said with a smile. "What brings you by?"

Stirica, used to a quite plain existence, lets Zeldana take the lead when it comes to clothes shopping. It's a new thing for the monk and while she's not quite sure about the, to her, daring cuts of the outfit they settle on she does enjoy the experience overall. The new clothes also don't restrain or restrict her movements.

She bows towards the witch. I thank you for this. They are lovely.

She retains her old yellow and red robes for her early morning training.

****

Stricia looks up from her sweeping and glances at Zel. Should I close the shop? she asks. Luckily the store is empty at the moment.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

When she hears Laria projecting an alert from the front, Sholti immediately gathers papers and stuffs them back into their container. She pushes them toward Rexus.

"Take these and get to the Wasp's Nest! I'll stall them if they want to look around!"

She stands up and closes her eyes to think for a moment. Need to be innocently distracting... got it.

Sholti squares her shoulders and thinks about her best mother impersonation. Then she walks into the front of the coffee house. She begins talking right before she enter the room.

"Madame Longroads, what again is your daily baking capacity with the current ovens, and how much would the installation of one more increase the total?"

Sholti speaks in a loud, decisive way, like someone quite used to be listened to with deference.

Sera has still been struggling along with 'assisting' in the business but privately thinks she is just getting in the way, has no idea really in how to handle customers and promote goods, but does what she can and helps with what she comes naturally to her.

Its with a little bit of relief then when a distraction in the form of Tal comes by, with Sera observing with a look of interest in the problem.

DOTTARI AT THE COFFEEHOUSE

There are three dottari -- two ordinary guards, and a stern looking woman in impressive armor.

"These premises are under suspicion of questionable activity and unsavory practices. We are here to conduct a thorough search!"

You have a number of options here. You can try to bribe them (Knowledge: local check to see if that's a good idea), try to sweet-talk them (Diplomacy, but they don't look friendly, so likely a highish DC), try to scare them off (Intimidate), try some convincing lie (Bluff), attack them, or... something else.

Elsewhen:

Zeldana wakes from troubled dreams. Someone -- her mother? -- was reciting an old hymn to the Goddess:

"Guard us from the she-wolf and the wolf,
and guard us from the thief, O Night,
and so be good for us to pass."

Normally she would find this comforting. This morning the words lie heavy on her mind, portentous, vaguely threatening.

She splashes some water on her face, picks up the darkwood box with the cards in it. Their weight is familiar, comforting. She goes out to the coffeeshop, locking the door behind.

[this is not taking place at the same time as the confrontation with the dottari, above]

Zeldana: you enter the coffee shop. It's busy with the morning crowd. It's warm and it smells comfortable and familiar. Except...

...someone is sitting at the far end of the shop. A woman -- human? looks so -- in rich clothing: black trousers, a green shirt, a red tunic with complex embroidery. A scarf holds back a mass of dark, curly hair.

Here, let me roll a couple of dice for you.

1d20 ⇒ 1

...pffft. A different roll:

1d20 ⇒ 3

Hm, maybe you should roll your own dice from now on. Okay, well, you do notice that the scarf is a kapenia -- a Varisian scarf that is unique to each clan, like a tartan. You can't tell much about it from across the room, though.

The woman locks eyes with you. Then she raises one finger in a beckoning gesture -- sharp, peremptory. Two empty chairs are seated across from her at her table.

-- Okay, I go over there.
-- I don't like being gestured at in a peremptory manner. I ain't moving.
-- Smells like a trap. Run!
-- Other.

Zeldana blinked a few times as she noticed the varisian woman. Seeing her beckoning, the young half-breed made her way to the table. "Hello, is there something you need?" Zeldana askdd.

Zeldana blinked a few times as she noticed the varisian woman. Seeing her beckoning, the young half-breed made her way to the table.

Up close, you're less sure she's Varisian. Or, she's... Varisian, but off. Her clothes are a little too fine? Something.

On the other hand, she looks Varisian enough. Skin a bit light, perhaps, and the green eyes are unusual. She looks human, perhaps... mid to late thirties? Hard to say. Medium height. Huge mass of rather wild curly hair. And that's definitely a kapenia. You don't recognize the clan, but it looks complicated. It's signaling high status, which is confusing, because she doesn't look old enough to be wearing something like that.

But there's something about her that's very... intense. Once you look at her, it's strangely hard to look away.

"Hello, is there something you need?" Zeldana askdd.

The woman stares at you for a long moment. You notice that she has a rather expensive looking cloak. Beside her, leaning against the chair, is a rather worn and beaten looking rucksack. A small satchel sits on the table in front of her.

Finally, as the silence is growing uncomfortable, she speaks. "You? Really? You're the Bearer?" Her face is expressionless, but her voice drips with disappointment. Whatever a Bearer is, it's quite clear she doesn't think you're up to the job.

(Oh, and she's speaking in Varisian, completely accentless. Good thing you speak Varisian, hey?)

"Bearer? Bearer of what?" Zeldana asked with a shrug as she took a seat. "Do we know each other?"

"Bearer? Bearer of what?"

"The cards, of course."

"Do we know each other?"

"You don't know me. I know everything I need to know about you." The strange woman is frowning at you now. It's a small frown, but the force of her personality makes it somehow more intimidating than a snarl or a glare. "The cards are all there...? Intact...? You believe they are. All right." She taps the table with one finger. (Her nails are red and she wears a great many bracelets. At her wrist you get a glimpse of something, henna or a complex tattoo.) "Let's see them."

-- Yes, ma'am.
-- Hell, no!
-- Can we talk about this?
-- It's a trap. Run!
-- Other.

Zeldana found her hands moving to her cards, but when she had them between her hands she looked up to the woman. "Why do you want to see my Harrow cards? Are you looking for a reading?"

"Why do you want to see my Harrow cards? Are you looking for a reading?"

She makes a small huffing noise. "Pft. You read for me? I think not." You have the impression she is slightly offended, but also slightly amused.

"I'm here today for a... business meeting... with an old acquaintance. I thought I might take the opportunity to look in on the current Bearer of the Fifth. I've been away for some little while, so I didn't think it would be Zeldana Eutropia any more. Still, you can imagine my surprise when the cards showed me you'd be here today. Coincidence is the secret thread that binds the world together."

"Anyway. I'm a busy woman, and my acquaintance will be here momentarily. We've already established that you are far too trusting and almost entirely lacking in discipline. Do not add presumption and wasting my time to your growing list of offenses. The cards, please."

Zeldana Eutropia was your great-grandmother. She died a few years before you were born. You never knew the details, but it was something vaguely heroic.

Zeldana set the deck of her prized positions upon the table before them and hesitantly released the deck so that the woman could see them. "Are you telling me you knew my great-greandmother?" Zeldana asked. "Forgive me but you seem rather... young to have know her for too long." She explained as she kept her hands close to her Harrow deck. "Also What do you mean by, Bearer of the Fifth? Fifth of what?"

Zeldana set the deck of her prized positions upon the table before them and hesitantly released the deck so that the woman could see them. "Are you telling me you knew my great-greandmother?" Zeldana asked. "Forgive me but you seem rather... young to have know her for too long." She explained as she kept her hands close to her Harrow deck. "Also What do you mean by, Bearer of the Fifth? Fifth of what?"

"Of all the many infirmities and follies your kind are prey too, naivete is probably the hardest to understand." She says this conversationally, while reaching into the rucksack. "It makes sense, of course, but it's just so difficult to..." she makes a frustrated gesture with one hand, as if trying to grasp at something intangible.

"Well. Obviously the chain of instruction was broken. It puts me in a slightly awkward position, really." She looks at you with that little frown again. "Option the first, walk away and ignore it. But that would be... netaŭga." [Here she uses a Varisian word that means something like "inappropriate" or perhaps "unprofessional".] "Option the second, the simplest solution would be to remove you, take the deck, and give it to someone who would be a more worthy Bearer." [Here she uses a word for "remove you" -- forigivin -- that has a very unpleasant connotation. It's the word one uses for pulling weeds out of a garden, or ticks off a dog. She says it in the exact slightly annoyed tone you might use to discuss weeding a garden or deticking a dog.] "But the decks are not without agency. This I know! To do this might be considered... meddling. Even I would hesitate."

"Well. Time passes. I suppose I am left with the rather unsatisfactory option of telling you... something. But this is also awkward. I am not your instructor. You would not wish to be my apprentice, trust me. Ugh," she scowles in irritation, "you people!"

"Well, then." In a moment she has composed herself. She was reaching into the rucksack. Now she pulls out a flat box, bound in some sort of pale golden leather. She places it on the table, lifts off the cover.

There are cards inside, a Harrow deck.

She turns over the top card: the Paladin. Your breath huffs out in surprise. This deck is identical to yours!

Except wait, no, it's not. The card was obviously drawn by the same artist and it's almost, almost identical. But there's something subtly different about the Paladin's stance. You always thought your card's illustration looked proud, slightly pompous, even a little bit silly. This one is very similar, but somehow gives a subtle impression of melancholy instead.

Also, while the deck has the exact same design on the back -- a fountain over waters, a ship volant, and a rose below -- it's made of something different. Your cards are made of some green metallic substance with a very fine crystalline structure. Hers are some sort of red metal: not copper, but a real deep red, like a rose.

"I am not letting go of my grandmother's cards." Zeldana stated bluntly. "But... I will say this, the tales around my great-grandmother's passing are... heroic but never specific. Was there something she was suppose to pass onto my grandmother?" Zeldana asked as she found her hands moving moving to busy herself with the cards.

"There is power in these cards aren't there? Something more than what I pull out when I cast magic with them."

However the young witch did watch the older woman as she pulled out her own deck and turned the top card in a flash. "That deck... it could almost be my deck's twin..."

"I am not letting go of my grandmother's cards." Zeldana stated bluntly. "But... I will say this, the tales around my great-grandmother's passing are... heroic but never specific. Was there something she was suppose to pass onto my grandmother?"

"Oh, likely she died well enough. She did not lack for fiero." [Untranslatable Varisian word meaning something like "spirit", "moxie", "gumption", or "energetic pride in self". A quality much admired by the Varisi.] "And they're not your grandmother's cards, silly child, any more than they are yours. You don't own them. You Bear them."

"There is power in these cards aren't there? Something more than what I pull out when I cast magic with them."

This gets you a long look: wordless, cool, green, and ironic.

"The very basics, then." She reaches across the table, takes the top card of your deck, and turns it over. (Remarkably, it is also the Paladin.) She taps the card with one red fingernail.

"First, its substance. It is not of this world. It is the metal the Azlant called noqual. It is light and strong, but most difficult to work."

"Second, its provenance. The Varisi believe the Five were inscribed by Vyush'Baro. This is nonsense. The Varisi are superstitious fools who attribute everything interesting in the world to Vyush'Baro. The Cunning Wolf had nothing to do with this." You find yourself flushing a little. Vyush'Baro is the legendary primordial savior, Trickster, and liberator of the Varisi. He's not worshipped, exactly, but he's revered, and many consider him an emissary or avatar of Desna. You're Varisian enough that it shocks you to hear his name spoken with anything but love and respect.

"The truth is likely lost forever, but I believe it was Severian the Great who was responsible. It is known that in the depths of time, when the sky fell over Numeria, he confronted the Machine That Could Think Like A Man, Only Faster. Some say that he fought the Machine. Another version is that it was dying, broken by its fall from forever, and he granted its dying wish. Whatever the truth, I believe that he took its bones, of five different sorts of skymetal, and carved them into the Five."

Knowledge (something) check! 1d20 ⇒ 12 Severian the who? Machine that did a what? You have no idea what she's talking about.

"Noqual? I've never heard of it before." Zeldana admitted. "Also you said I am the Bearer that I don't own them... yet these cards have been in my family for generations. Does that mean my family are the bearers and I've just been picked from them?" Zeldana asked. "Do they have a name?"

"Noqual? I've never heard of it before." Zeldana admitted. "Also you said I am the Bearer that I don't own them... yet these cards have been in my family for generations. Does that mean my family are the bearers and I've just been picked from them?"

"Possibly. Or perhaps it simply chose some ancestor of yours, because that was the simplest way to pass itself down to some suitable Bearer, generations removed." She shrugs. "With one... well, two possible exceptions, I know more of these matters than anyone. But I do not pretend to comprehend the ways of the Five. Let us say they have agency, and leave it at that."

Zeldana asked. "Do they have a name?"

"Yes, it has a name."

"Your deck is the Fifth, younger sister to my own. The last created, though not the least. Of the others, the Deck of Division was destroyed long ago, though a single card may perhaps survive. The Deck of Passage has not been seen for centuries, but all divinations have been inconclusive. Perhaps it is lost, perhaps not. The Deck of Yearning, most perilous to its Bearer, is held at a monastery deep in the desert of Osirion."

"That leaves two decks currently at large: mine, the First, the Deck of Time, and --" she reaches across the table to tap your deck again with one red fingernail " -- and yours, the Fifth, the Deck of Unbinding."

Bedtime in Eastern Europe. More tomorrow!

...."Madame Longroads, what again is your daily baking capacity with the current ovens, and how much would the installation of one more increase the total?"

Sholti cuts the rest short as she comes completely into the room. She stops walking and looks at the three dottari as the leader of the group completes her pronouncement.

When the woman in charge has finished, Sholti looks toward Laria and says "I thought we had covered all of the business fundamentals already. Is there more we still need to discuss?" There is irritated surprise in Sholti's voice.

Sholti then turns to the dottari and walks briskly to them, shoulders back, head high, the picture of confidence. She puts on her warmest, most welcoming smile and stops in front of the commander. Sholti gives a very shallow, but sincere bow.

"Good day to you and your troops. I am Sholti bint Khatijah Amalasand al-Amalasand Kintargo." Sholti pauses, then adds "for your records if needed" by way of explanation.

"I am presently engaged in negotiation with Madame Longroad about the possibility of my investment in the Longroads Coffee House, as a silent partner."

"You are speaking of 'questionable activity' and 'unsavory practices' here? This is very concerning to me. I need to have a complete understanding of a business before making a financial decision of such importance. Please tell me more specifically what these activities and practices involve, and where the accusations originated?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

I'm going with a bluff. The idea is to slow and distract long enough for Rexus to get himself and the papers down into the Wasp's Nest. Sholti has faith in Laria's expertise in hiding things like secret rooms. With her Bellflower past Laria knows the business better than Sholti for sure.

"The Deck of Unbinding?" Zeldana asked with a raised brow. "Unbinding of what if I many know?" She asked. So many question filled the young woman's mind but... one at a time else none would be answered.

Sera swiftly intercedes herself between the dottari. "Now really, I'm sure we can be as accommodating as possible, but you make it sound like this is a gambling den or gentlemen's club. 'Questionable Activity' indeed" Sera titters for a moment, busying herself around the shop.

"Maam, sirs, couldn't we discuss or postpone this for some other time, as you can see, we are in the middle of a sensitive business deal and well, we wouldn't want our loyal customers, patrons, or possible financial backers to be scared off over what I am sure is merely a simply misunderstanding. Its tricky enough to run a small business without having to turf out any customers during a search. If we could come to a sort of agreement or arrangement I would be ever so grateful." the alchemist responds.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

In this particular case, the normal DC for moving a creature from Unfriendly to Neutral/Indifferent is 20 + Cha modifier. For most dottari on ordinary business that's 0. However, the presence of an NCO adds +4 to the DC, so it's 24, and they're on a specific assignment which adds another +2, so it's 26. So that means that Sera... just makes it!

The suspicious dottari commander nods slightly. "I understand your concerns, citizen. Investigations must be carried out thoroughly and efficiently, but we have no wish to interfere in commerce. Go about your business. You may appoint an employee to accompany us while we examine the premises." By dottari standards, this is EXTREMELY reasonable.

Also, it means there are a couple of minutes' delay while the dottari sergeant talks to Sera. During this time, someone can attempt to slip unnoticed downstairs to secure the basement and/or the Wasp's Nest. (Rexus is down there already, but Rexus is not exactly a master of stealth and misdirection.) Note that this is not without risk; if the dottari see someone trying to slip away unnoticed, they may not take it well.

Bluff: I'll give you +2 for "we're in the middle of a business deal here". So, 24. Okay, then:

"Under Special Regulation 7, we can examine any business premises upon being informed of suspicious activity. We have been so informed." Sera has made them Indifferent, so... let's flip a coin. 1d2 ⇒ 1 Huh, okay.

The sergeant holds out a document for you to (briefly) examine.

Under the city's current, Lawful Evil legal structure, there's no such thing as a search warrant. The dottari do require some justification for searches, but that justification can consist of an anonymous tip, as long as the tip is either (1) from an informant who has proven himself a reliable source, or (2) is from an informant who might one day become a reliable source, or (3) is written neatly with correct spelling.

The document is an anonymous letter accusing the coffeehouse of... questionable activities and unsavory practices. Exactly that. Those phrases are repeated again and again, without detail, for three paragraphs. Yes, it's strange.

The handwriting is small, almost crabbed, but very neat.

"The Deck of Unbinding?" Zeldana asked with a raised brow. "Unbinding of what if I many know?"

"As you Bear, so may you Wield. The limits are set by yourself -- by your wit, your will, and your mastery of your craft. In your case..." her lips purse into a thin line of disapproval, "it's as if... a great weapon, a sharp and bloody battle-axe, has been sitting for years unnoticed in the nursery of a small child. Now the child discovers it! What will happen?" She shrugs. "The child is unlikely to accomplish anything of use or interest, and quite probably will injure herself, perhaps fatally."

Stricia stays quiet, holding onto her broom. Not sure how to react to this sudden intrusion. Truth be told they had probably gotten slack with their vigilance over the last few weeks of calm.