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Something clicks in Brother's mind.
That's one of the books that we found in Count Lowl's personal study! I know exactly where two copies are. One's here in your bag and the other is....
With that, Brother concentrates to disappear back to the realm of the "real" world.
This place is dangerous Fearless, You shouldn't stay here too long.
******
Oh Mariner! Oh Cats! Have I got a surprise for you! Does anyone know if Fearless has boobytrapped his bag of holding? There's notes inside a book in his bag....
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”Well, there he goes.” The Yellow King’s mouth forms a crooked sardonic smile as Brother Butterfly forces himself awake and fades from the Dreamland. ”Not even a bon voyage, goodbye, farewell, pleasure to meet you, or so long and thanks for all the fish! Perhaps he should add manners to the list of things he has forgotten.” He sighs and turns to Fearless. ”Though he is on the right trail. If you have the library of tomes from Iris Hill then I suggest you peruse them for any mention of gifts he may have come across in his research.” He pauses to gaze upon the landscape paintings on the walls. ”I feel like these are somehow significant as well, but... alas, the knowledge escapes me.”
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Fearless, not quite able to see the paintings climbs up on the desk as he stands on his tippy toes to look at them. "Significant huh?"
Seeing the Yellow King turn around on him he smiles. "Well don't want to be rude like the fat, bald man so...." He looks around awkwardly and extends his arms out for a hug. His arms stay outstretched as he jerks his hands inward. "Come in here. Bring it in."
After the hug if the Yellow King has nothing left to offer Fearless will return to the boat to begin pouring over the books.
Cats may not be awake yet, but can be scruffed up to listen to what Brother is babbling about.
”Slow the cat down. Did you have a nightmare or somecat?” Cats waits for a better explanation. ”And where is Catless? He’ll want to hear this too.”
The Mariner isn't sure what to make of Brother's groggy pantomime of something that resembles a dolphin begging for tuna. Seriously looking around the closest gunwhale, ”Where's a belaying pin when you need one”.
Fearless examines paintings but can not determine anything of note.
The Yellow King accepts the hug and gives Fearless a tender pat on the head. ”It’s too bad I can’t recall more. I feel we must have been very good friends.”
***
Fearless wakes in the Cabin of the Sellen Starling to the sounds of Brother Butterfly’s epiphany ongoing outside.
Indeed, the rotund priest seems to have deduced correctly about Lowl’s books, and within a short time some notes are found scribbled in the marginalia in an otherwise unremarkable linguistics reference packed among the parcel of books and notes taken from Iris Hill - titled Dichotomous Translations of Aklo Syntax.
This list details seven unusual gifts which must be obtained by further dream quests into the Dreamlands.
The Gifts:
Viscount’s signet ring
Feline tail (blue and purple mottled fur)
Skull of ghoul royalty
Green stone idol of a water lizard
Night hag ambassador’s heartstone
Captain’s tricorne
Red webbed foot
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Fearless returns to the world of the non-dreamers. "Well that was weird enough." He looks around and realizes that he is alone. he can hear brother Butterfly yelling outside the room and completely ignores it as he riffles through his bag for the book. Finding the list he lays everything out and gets to reading. "What the f+$$ is half this stuff?"
Fearless feels his eyes droop. After all he had went off to the dream realm in the middle of the night. He twirls his ring of sustenance on his finger as he flips through the pages. "I'll take a nap soon after I am done with this one."
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The Mariner admonishes the pair for the suicidal escapade; although truly embarrassed that he himself was none the wiser. With a frown, he walks over to the bulkhead where a dusty old tricorne hangs, put there ages ago when he had hair. He puts it on for one last time, remembering that he bought it some queer village celebration they called Medieval Faire with overpriced turkey legs and dwarf dunking. He takes the hat off and tosses it into the gift pile, "There. That's my contribution."
Cats rolls his eyes as he hears that the halfling and half-crazed have gone to the dream realm without the party. However, since they both didn’t die, he doesn’t feel as bad.
”So...you’re saying that you need to do more research and also, we have to cat back to Iris Hill for stuff there? I’m just catfused, I think,” Cats tries to blink his mind awake.
”What should I be doing now? Are we going cat?”
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Mariner admonishes The pair Fearless, and Brother joins him in the tongue lashing.
That was a terrible choice on your part Fearless. Going there all alone?! What were you thinking? You can't go that anymore. You need to give a promise on Desna's name.
When Mariner loops Brother as a guilty party... he defends himself.
Ah Mariner, I totally understand how you think I was also a rogue rider into Dreamland. We didn't understand how the magic of the staircase worked. Because of Fearless's antics, we at least know more.I was caught in it's slipstream. With the ritual done in the same room, I went to a quasi-transition state and woke up. I looked for you all before proceeding- but the Boat was empty in this way station.
Know this- I value my skin and my brains, and my perfect smile far too much to go without my meat shield and my arrow.
Brother does some research on his own. Keying in on topics like viscount Ring and Skull of Ghoul Royalty. Those are topics that motivate him.
+8 planes. +7 religion. + library bonus.
Fearless jumps as the others burst into the room, noticing he was back. He slams the book shut. "GAH DAMMIT!" He clutches his chest. "Trying to give me a heart attack?"
he stands up, wiping his hands on his filty clothes. "Someone had to do it. And I wasn't gonna let anymore get hurt."
”So...you’re saying that you need to do more research and also, we have to cat back to Iris Hill for stuff there? I’m just catfused, I think,”
Fearless jabs his finger at the books. "Should all be in here." We just have to figure out what all these items are and where they could be."[/b]
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Pointing a meaty, sausage sized finger at Fearless Don't you go playing the victim part now. As it is written, By Desna's teaching, you travel as fast as the work animal you hitch up. If you hitch some mules, you'll go slow. If you hitch some stallions, you'll go fast.
It is written.
Now YOU went and tried to buck out on us with a sneaky dog sled.
The Mariner should be RIGHT and ANGRY with you. Shouldn't you Mariner? Your Captain of this ship and his lame-brained idea of scouting the Dreamlands should have been run by The Captain of the ship!
Brother is fully trying to manipulate the others into putting some shame into Fearless. Working the Peer Pressure. Trying to put Fearless back in his place in the pecking order of what Brother Butterfly feels should be amongst the group. Him at top, and head Grand master controller.
He's not about to let some upstart Fearless -who really did have a great idea and level of courage that BB admires - get too big for his britches. Mr. Underhill has a fractured mind, and BB wants to keep that adroit mind off kilter.
Cats listens to Brother’s roiling remarks, trying to find any purchase on logic or sanity in the diatribe, but mostly he doesn’t understand the swirling language or metaphors or just plain crosstalk.
”So...anyone going to answer my question? Do we have to go cat now? Are we returning?”
"SHUT IT!!! YOU BOTH ARE GROUNDED!" the Mariner slams the door to the cabin so none of the other crew can hear. "The destination is still Lowl's ship. And what gifts do we have, so we don't have to go back? And what's this about hugs and kisses?!"
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Brother looks totally exasperated. Like an innocent man just got convicted of murder.
He opens his mouth to verbally protest, but when Mariner says to Shut It, BB will partially comply.
His mouth still moves, but he doesn't dare issue any volume. He mouths the words,
For Desna's Sake.
and rolls his eyes.
Opening the research material about Ghoul Royalty.
And what gifts do we have, so we don't have to go back?
To which Brother again mouths a soundless answer but points his fingers to the Tricorn.
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Fearless snickers to himself as brother Butterfly gets berated. though it only lasts for a moment before it comes back on him. "Fine then go and get ripped apart by the s#~+ monster again next time!" He yells at the door, though in his heart he doesn't mean it.
Fearless' jaw drops as BB points out the tricorn. He snatches it and shoves it in his bag. "I'll study that tomorrow!" he grows excited at the prospect of learning something new. With each book it feels like his memories return ever so slightly.
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Cats mouth opens, sitting agape, as he stares at each of the party in turn.
"I still don't know what the cat is going on. Should I be catting something? You guys are yelling a lot and it's very catfusing!" Cats open his hands pleading for a clear explanation.
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Fearless shuts his book. "If you keep interrupting me then I can't figure that out!" He grows irritated, but is now set to explain everything he knows. "I went back into the Dream realm while you were all sleeping to see what else is there. I found a man called the Yellow King. He told me that if we want to know what Lowls is up to then we need to follow his past tracks through the Dream Realm." Fearless flips open the book to show the list of items. "Researching these will give us the clues on what we need and should also get us our memories back."
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”But...but...*why* would you want your memories back, Catless? We...we...we weren’t exactly good people before. Why would you want to do this?” Cats asks, still confused as to the why of the plan. ”I don’t know that I want to go cat.”
Cats feels a sinking pit in his stomach.
”I can’t go back to killing people, Catless. I can’t. I won’t. Maybe we should just let a sleeping cat lie.”
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"Because...." His voice grows quiet. "It is all I have left." His eyes fall to the ground. "Plus it seems as getting out memories back is the only way to figure out what Lowls is up to." Fearless stands and places a hand on Cat's arm. "You don't have to go back to killing people. We are all different now."
Even with the clues presented, delving into the research is an arduous process. Most academics are organized and meticulous, but Lowls notes and journals are undisciplined, scattered, incomplete, or spiral off into long-winded tangents or dead ends. It takes a week for Fearless to learn that the items he needs can not be found in the real world.
Meanwhile, the Sellen Starling sails further along the coast of Razmiran.
Razmiran is a nation filled with dangerous fanatics and thugs masquerading as agents of the local faith, and Skywin suggests avoiding most Razmiri cities, but supplies dwindle, and eventually the ship must stop to restore them. About a month after leaving Thrushmoor the city of Xer comes into view and the Starling is turned toward the docks. As it nears a handful of figures stand waiting, two masked priests at their head. One short and stocky and dressed in dark robes, the other slender and female and adorned in white.
Having allowed the mysterious nature of her strange new Captain go unchallenged, Skywin approaches him as the ship tacks in. ”I have a list of what we need, Captain. I can be in and out in about an hour. Should I assume we will deal with the priests of Razmir at the harbor in the usual way? Extra docking fees and special tithes?”
A flash of memory comes to you. A beautiful woman half-naked on a bed of silk sheets. A golden mask rests upon white robes.
”Jasper..”
Cats seems excited to finally reach a place that wasn’t a stinking boat with its stinking smells and poor places to sleep.
”So...this is Catzmir, huh?” Cats asks Butterfly. ”What’s the deal with this place? You know?” He turns to look at Fearless, then Skywin. ”Catless? Do you know? What’s the deal with the masks? Catwin? Anyone?”
Fearless tries to think back on all he knows about Razmiran. He has been out of the loop for some time.
"Uhm...You see." He goes on to explain, not in as great a detail as Brother Butterfly would but more in a short and straight to the point sort of way.
Though Fearless would certainly like to stick to the books, spending more than a week on the boat definitely has his legs feeling wobbly. He is quite eager for some dry land and a decent meal. "It will be nice to finally walk into a city where strange things aren't aiming to kill us or my sanity at every moment. That yellow fog is far behind us."
"It will be nice to finally walk into a city where strange things aren't aiming to kill us-"
”-Who do you think these goons are?”, the Mariner answers Fearless with a question. But since I have no memory on dealings with Xer's toll-men. ”Aye, pay them off, no questions nor answers”.
He ponders a upon what Cats said on the boat about not wanting old memories back. It made a heck of a lot of sense. The Mariner was sure that he didn't want to return to what he was; he wasn't sure killing was out of his blood. Then a new voice whispers in the back of his mind that leaves him trembling in silence, You didn't kill for Lowl... You killed for yourself.
”Let's meet back here in an hour”, he tells Skywin, ”Less time here is best.”
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Well, Razmiran is a place that requires the worship of only one god. All of Desna's worshipers are underground here.
I have a distinct feeling I've been here before, but obviously I can't remember. I also don't understand how I did so being such a fervent follower of The Great Traveler.
*******
You don't have to go back to killing people. We are all different now."
When Fearless and Cats have their heart to heart about wanting to "return to the old life", Brother does have something he needs to get off his chest.
Like everyone, I don't know exactly who I was prior to getting my memories taken. But, I have had flashbacks of sorts. I am certain that I was a planted agent by the Temple or the Royal Accusers.I'm certain that my fall from grace and employment at Count Lowls was at least partially staged. I was originally at The Manor to dig up dirt on Lowls.
If that's the case, I certainly want my memories back. I want to know if my addiction to the booze was just a facade or a real sickness.
Cats listens about the Razmirians from Butterfly and Fearless.
”Sounds like this place needs more Catrenrae, amirite?” Cats asks, wondering about doing some street preaching. After all, he does have a pretty good story of redemption to tell.
GM Tyranius, is there anything to add from their rolls or Skywin?
”Sounds like this place needs more Catrenrae, amirite?”
"Maybe you can stand on a soapbox on teh corner of the street and preach like some Doomsayer!" Fearless snickers.
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Yes, you have a wonderful idea! Soapbox preaching. It worked wonders in the cheerful city of Thrushmoor when the Doomsayer did it.
Oh no, he wasn't thought of as an irritating loon. Oh no. Not at all.
Laying the sarcasm on thick.
Now, if you want lessons in evangelizing, *I* can help you with that. You want a good testimony, but you also need the receiving audience.
Brother tries to think of a receptive audience for a guy that talks endlessly on about cats... maybe a mousers guild?
that last part actually being vocalized in a quasiwhisper.
Where can you find a mousers guild?
Fearless knows the most about Razmiran and can relay the following:
Razmiran is a realm devoted to its tyrannical ruler, Razmir, who claims he is a living god. He asserts that he achieved his divinity by passing the Test of the Starstone and now claims Razmiran as his own.
Priests of Razmiran come from all walks of life: some are fierce warriors, while others are powerful wizards. As they are all dressed identically, most citizens obey them without question; many are vicious sadists with a lust for power, looking for an excuse to victimize the downtrodden.
The inhabitants of Razmiran live much like any other peasants slaving beneath a tyrant's harsh rule. The only difference is that those who speak ill of Razmir are not executed as traitors, but instead burned as heretics and heathens. Religion plays a larger role in daily life than it does in most states, as it is the state's main tool of control. The worship of any god other than Razmir is banned, and few dare to tempt the wrath of his faithful by criticizing this policy
"You really think that is going to stop you?" Fearless looks to Brother Butterfly with a smile. "Might even convert a few. Start a Chapel here in your honor. Raise a statue as big as an Inn. your bald head gleaming in the sun, constantly being scrubbed of the pigeon s#$@." Fearless paints his own picture.
So.... no preaching Desna in THIS city.
"Oh really, o-cat fine," Cats sulks, thinking that this would be a great opportunity to share thoughts about his redemption. "But I think the people here might really benefit from a good sermon from Catrenrae. I think it might do them good."
Cats crosses his arms, somewhat annoyed to have a completely Sarenrae-free city yet being unable to convert anyone.
"Well, are we going ashore to buy supplies and see the Catistrians or what?" Cats asks, again forgetting about other religions not being allowed in the city.
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Hey Fearless, do you have a couple of those "patients charts" from Briarstone? I'm going to need them for this city.
*********
Brother also goes to Skywin, and talks to her. If BB gets the opinion that Skywin won't do anything without Mariner's blessing, he loops Mariner into the conversation.
Skywin, I'd like to solicit the skills of one of your crew members.
I'm looking for someone to forge doctor's orders. Juuuussst in case there's trouble here in this city, I'd like to have some forged documents that make it appear that Kast is some escaped lunatic from the Briarstone asylum and needs to be returned. I have some of the doctor's handwriting to allow someone t mimic. Do you have anyone with *diverse* skills as a crew member aboard The Starling? If we have to "bribe and tithe", I want some official looking paperwork to go along with it.
Brother pulls out some of his special inks and paints, to aid in the process of drafting a few forgeries. One for Kast, Mr. Underhill, and one for himself. The last he gives to Skywin, just in case something bad happens to him. He doesn't make one for Mariner, as he's a well known captain of the ship.
Fearless digs around in his sack and finds the patient records, mostly their own and hands them to Brother Butterfly. "What you got in mind?"
Hearing the plan fearless turns to Skywin. "So we only staying an hour while you collect supplies?"
Absentmindedly, the Mariner answers Brother as he still keeps a silent eye on the two overwatch figures whom Skywin is dealing with, "Yea good idea, make the crazy official."
He turns on his heels and heads back into his quarters. Grabbing the usual suspects - broadsword, shield and armor - he joins the others back on deck. "I think we all go for a stroll" On second thought, he returns to the quarters and grabs the unusual suspects - seax, lucerne hammer, warhammer, throwing axes. There - I feel so much better.
”Yeah, we should go for a stroll...on the catwalk,” Cats says something that he feels certain is right, but wrong. ”I would like to stretch my legs and maybe get some fresh food too. Ain’t nothing bad about the food on your boat, Catiner, but it’s still not fine dining.”
He gets his stuff and is ready to follow Mariner into the city. He anxious for it, really.
”Forging papers requires a certain delicate skill with both writing and language.” Skywin says to Brother Butterfly. ”I’m no artist, and most of this crew signed their contracts with an X. I’ve always found that a good story, and a little gold, is more reliable.”
As the Sellen Starling ties up at a dock and the Watchmen move to disembark, they find the priests and their entourage at the bottom of the gangplank. The masked woman calls across.
”You’ve really let yourself go, Jasper.”
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Being trained in the clergy has it's benefits. That training gets almost subconscious, so even without his past memories, the training does kick in.
Long hours in classes where he'd have to give sermons with staged crying babies. With noisescell phones and events being staged so the students get used to "the unexpected" and not have it knock them off their game as spiritual leader and focus of attention.
Brother Smiles. His grin coming easy to his face. He shows pearly white teeth.
Ah, yes. You are so very right. The drink has done my body wrong, but my brain and conscious right. There must be something in wine, and lots of it for extended hours, that has made the stomach bulge and the brain pickle.
He puts his hand to his curled mustache and twists the end. Twists, twists for dramatic pause.
So, I give you a truth in return for your candid remark. After such a long while, those biting words are the first you impart onto me?
While my specialty is flattery, your skill is with the sharp quip.
The Mariner turns silently to Brother, a little surprised that he is the focus of their attention.
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Fearless' mouth stands agape as his eyes go from the masked woman to Brother Butterfly and back to the masked woman. Not even realizing he says outloud. "How the f@!+ does he keep getting all these women?"
Cats looks at the woman, then at Brother, and then back to the woman.
Wow. How did that happen? She must be into making mistakes. Maybe she wants to make another.
With confidence buoyed by logic, Cats sidles up to Brother.
"Hey Catterfly, you still working...uh, that?" Cats nods to the masked woman. "Because if you're done, maybe I could give it a cat, you know? If you're done there."
"Power of the mustache."
”You flatter yourself if you think you’ll get off that easy.” Though there is a hint of menace in her voice behind the silver mask she wears, the woman‘s reply also contains a touch of flirtatiousness to Brother Butterfly’s well-composed reply. ”But such things are not up to me. It is Vision Falluk whom you must appease. Whatever took you away from Xer so suddenly can be explained to him.”
The woman gestures for Brother Butterfly to accompany her, but seems to have no interest in the rest of the crew.
Razmir's faithful are strictly ordered by their loyalty to Razmir, and by what they have been able to accomplish in his name. These orders are referred to as Steps, and correspond to the number of steps one is allowed to climb in a temple to approach the Living God. Each congregant is given a robe and mask that denotes his or her Step, which are delineated as follows:
* Acolyte of the First Step, white robe and iron mask
* Priest of the Third Step, gray robe and iron mask
* Herald of the Eighth Step, black robe and iron mask
* Mask of the Twelfth Step, blue robe and silver mask
* Vision of the Fifteenth Step, red robe and gold mask
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Also, what is Vex? A City? Can I ask the others if they know and I don’t?
The Vision has always had capable devotees in the right positions of authority. Being of the Twelfth Step, I commend you on your dedication to Razmir. I know how important position and enthusiasm can be.
Brother does his best to give jussstt the right amount of sexual inuendo. If she’s going to flirt with him, he’ll flirt back.
He looks to Cats and Fearless. In a commanding voice Alright lunatics, follow me as we are escorted to the great and powerful Vision in the Gold Mask. A person so well regarded, that I find it impossible to remember the name of anyone in higher authority. Then he looks to Mariner, giving deference. Captain, would you please join us to help keep these crazies in line for such an important meeting?
Brother says the above to try and pass on to the others how much trouble he is possibly in.
He turns back to the Silver Masked lady.
There must be great confusion, for I didn’t
Should the Silver Mask pause or put up a protest, Brother will signal that he’d like to pull out documents from his backpack, and show her two patient files (not of Cats or Fearless) from Briarstone.
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Cats agrees to whatever Brother needs. He’s quite confused and trusts the bald, crazy lothario to lead him to women or a good bath.
”Whatever you catting need, Brother.” Cats follows.
Fearless follows behind, playing the diligent lunatic. "How the f@~! did I get drug into this now?"
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Mariner nods quietly back to Brother, If this turns into a dockside orgy - I'm out.
The masked priests turn their faces towards the other Watchmen, but it’s bearly impossible to read their feelings on a sudden entourage.
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Cats boards the crazytrain to Masktown, next stop BDSMville.
”Following your cat, Catterfly,” Cats says, waiting to be lead on.