Polux simply lays there for the remainder of the night - his sleep is calm, and his breathing relaxed. Apparently whatever assaulted his mind before has receeded now.
Similarly, after some half an hour the muscles in his body return to normal, and he resumes his usual, less bestial look.
After another hour, she checks on him again. With a faint sigh, she says in Osiriani "Thera, stay here and watch him for just a few moments. I'll be right back." This isn't going to be the most restful of nights, but he did request I stay. Hopefully he will wake with a clear head.
She returns to her own room to grab a pillow and blanket. Returning to Polux's room, she settles into the chair and tries to get some sleep.
When Polux wakes up, he's on the hard wooden floor but can't remember why. Seeing Kito sleeping there he relaxes somewhat, as his mind tries to puzzle back what has happened the night before - "Kito, are you awake?" - he speaks softly without getting up - "Did it work?"
At the sound of Polux's voice, Kito gently awakens. Thera nudges her a little.
Looking at Polux, she asks "What did you say?"
After he repeats himself, she answers "My notes are there..." she says, pointing at a couple of pieces of paper on the end table next to her. "As for if it worked, I suspect you will consider it at least a partial success."
"You became much stronger. Strong enough to break the ropes." She points to where she had set aside the rope fragments. "Mentally though, you were confused. Raw power is not useful without an intellect to guide it. I would suggest you write down what you remember of last night before reading my notes."
Getting up, she motions for Thera to hop on her shoulder. Grabbing her blanket and pillow, she says "We can discus the results in more detail after you've had a chance to record your own impressions."
With a nod goodbye, she leaves saying "Perhaps later today? Until then, take care of yourself, Polux. Sorry I left you on the floor, but I wasn't certain I could safely lift you up on the bed."
Closing the door behind her, she then goes to her own room and tries to get a little more rest. It will be interesting finding out what he remembers. Right now though, my bed is calling.
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Nodding, Ok I will ask her.
Grinning over a Harmose, So we know what the three of us are wearing and they all show a delightful amount of skin. Harmose what about you?
"That's ok Kito - thanks for sticking around" - Polux stands up to look at the snapped ropes, and overall disarray in the room - "Seems it wasn't all peaceful, huh?" - he chuckles - "I'm still kinda hazy, and it feels like a took a beating" - he adds, rubbing his back - "I'm gonna crash, and will add what I can tomorrow" - all the while his eyes are perusing Kito's notes - "Thank you for this also... Wow"
He still manages to drag himself away from the notes to walk Kito to the door - "Yes, let us talk more later today. I would like that" - and bid her farewell.
the plan was to get back to bed, but it doesn't happen - in spite of the physical weariness, Polux cannot sleep, and instead spends the next couple of hours noting down what he categorizes as hallucinations, or repressed memories, digressing somewhat on the matter at hand.
As he writes, the haze improves, and little by little he is able to puzzle which events from last night were real and which were memory and fantasy - "It worked" - his smile is a huge one after his notes are mostly done, and he is finally able to crawl back to bed.
----
The next morning he does not wake up as early as he would like, and in spite of the splitting hunger that has suddenly assaulted him, he does not go down for breakfast until he manages to brew another dose of the 'Titan Brew', and securely place it on his bandoleer. Then he is ready to go downstairs and meet the others.
Heck, he realizes that maybe he actually wouldn't mind a shopping trip.
"Yes, we still need to get everyone properly attired. Can't attract any undue attention, for he wrong reasons."
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You do a lot of shopping and hanging out with people, both together and separately, bonding as a group, touching base with your contacts, preparing for the party tomorrow, honing your personal abilities... as a whole, Day 11 is a pretty nice day. Turns out it was the calm before the storm.
Day 12 begins with chaos. With the previous two sites -- the Tomb of Akhentepi and the House of Pentheru -- you needed to go to the Grand Mausoleum (the temple of Pharasma) to initiate contact with the clergy. This time, a messenger is sent to come and get you. The single messenger is sent to wherever the largest concentration of the group is housed (Tooth and Hookah probably). It requests the presence of any one member of the group, and whoever is downstairs to meet the messenger first (the first one of you to have the time to make a post can assume you're the first one up) gets told the following:
"There's an issue with your next assigned exploration site. The priests request that you get your team together and come to the Grand Mausoleum as quickly as you are able."
The messenger is clearly just a messenger, and if you question him further, he doesn't know what this is about. He's just some guy who was given a few coppers to deliver this message.
Those of you who are housed somewhere else than the majority of the group do not get separate messengers, so the group will have to take care of getting the information to them.
It's maybe fifteen to thirty minutes past sunrise, and the city is still in its waking phase. Markets are being assembled, stands being set up, cafés are opening up and the smell of early coffees and teas is wafting through the streets.
At the Tooth and Hookah, Farhaan is still working on the breakfast spread. Much of the hot food is still in the process of being made, but you'll be able to grab some bread buns from yesterday and some cheese and whatever is conveniently available, but a full breakfast spread is not yet available at the Tooth and Hookah. However, some of the stands along the streets (ones with early bird owners) will offer some hot food already if you want to grab and eat while making your way to the Grand Mausoleum.
Polux doesn't even think twice about the fact that Sigrun may be having dinner with her companions - as he sees Aleris go, he just pulls up a chair and sits down - "You have no idea how crazy last night was" - he speaks in her ear.
If they have a chance to talk in private, he will recount all about the crazy 'dreams' and 'hallucinations' which assaulted him - "I don't know why the heck I went to dig all of that up again" - he ponders mid conversation, then continues about his experiment with the Mutagen, but without going into much detail.
He is in a good mood, so more talkative than usual. Stopping short after a while, he looks straight at her - "What about you? How has your last incursion worked out?"
"I guess it is time to go" - Polux nods to the others, grabbing his gear, and getting ready to move out.
Thoroughly enjoying the rest of the day spent shopping These city people take forever to get anything done! But I suppose there are worse ways to spend the day then getting a pretty dress. Once done with shopping Deseri heads over to the Naahns. Practically jumping on Sehhosep in her excitement. You were right! I was apparently over reacting.
Happily babbling at them for a little while about spending her day getting a pretty dress for some party Harmose is taking the group to. Giddy at the idea of wearing it she is quick to offer to try it on. Their opinion matters to her after all. Is it to much?
Opting to spend the night at the Tooth and Hooka on the off chance that she has another night terror she would not be a bother to the patient Nahhn's. Plus she wants to make sure she as chance to ask Kito some questions.
Curling up in her rented bed and sleeping peacefully though the night. Actually taking time to ready herself for the day instead of the annoyingly chaotic manner she has had to deal with recently.
Meandering down to see Polux talking with someone Deseri collects her first meal of the day and waits for the others. Once seeing Kito she quickly waves her down, Kito I was told to ask you, so I have a question assuming you don't mind. Assuming that Kito is willing to answer her, Why is the word hot used to describe someone who is attractive? That does not make much sense to me.
Once everyone is there she willingly falls in line to head to the Grand Mausoleum.
Turel waits until Harmose returns from his shopping trip with the ladies before calling him over to his side. "Forgive me for not accompanying you on your expedition but I was fulfilling a favor bestowed upon me." He unpacks the black leather outfit and holds it up for Harmose to appraise. "What is your opinion of this outfit, my brother? It fits my body well and is also comfortable for me to wear but as it is your party I wanted to get your input here."
Turel moves swiftly to answer the call of the priests of Pharasma. "When I talked with them earlier there was no sense of urgency concerning our next site. This must be serious."
Once seeing Kito she quickly waves her down, Kito I was told to ask you, so I have a question assuming you don't mind. Assuming that Kito is willing to answer her, Why is the word hot used to describe someone who is attractive? That does not make much sense to me.Once everyone is there she willingly falls in line to head to the Grand Mausoleum.
Kito had come down expecting to have time to eat a calm meal. Such was not the case. Instead, she asks for a slice of bread heavy with honey and some fruit that she can eat while walking.
Licking some honey from her fingers, she turns to Deseri. In a detached voice, she says "You perhaps have seen people blush when embarrassed? They might try to say they are just flush from the heat." She quickly adjusts her grip on the bread, so more honey doesn't dribble off. "Some people say they feel hot for a person. They mean that they have a rush of emotion, often claiming they can't help it."
At this point, she takes another bite of her bread.
Let's see if that is said plainly enough. It is sort of difficult when I haven't really felt that way about anyone.
Smiling broadly at Kito, That makes sense. You are so smart, thank you.
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Day 11
Qari returns to the inn carrying her new dress. Obviously, she wants Faarhan to see it and give his honest commentary on it. "What do you think? Harmose and the ladies all liked it! I'm sure it would look better on, but I don't wa t it to get rumpled before the party. So tell me, have you ever seen anything like it? I love it!"
Relation roll
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Harmose blinks. "It's an... attractive outfit. A month ago, if I had seen you in it, I might have immediately tried to talk you out of it. It would be great for a party at the Tooth and Hookah, and it would be sure to be a hit with the ladies around here. But..." He pauses biting his lip. "We'll need a slightly different style for this party. Come with me, and I'll help you find something comfortable, simple and elegant. I promise."
"Come, brother. We'll grab Polux and Ra, and we'll get you outfitted. However... you have to promise me that you'll wear the leather outfit at least once at the Tooth and Hookah where Des and Qari can see you. They won't be able to take their eyes off you!"
Harmose kisses Aleris awake then laughs as Wenet leaps on them both. "You crazy rabbit!" As soon as her eyes flutter open, he grins and kisses her again. "Good morning beautiful. You're terrible for me, you know. I keep wanting to sleep in instead of rise early, but I can hear Polux and Turel calling downstairs. Shall we join them and find out what the fuss is about?"
A brief look of confusion crosses Turel's face as Harmose offers his explanation but as he goes through in further detail Turel nods slowly in understanding. "I must confess, my brother, I do not understand why it is that way...but I can accept that it is indeed the way of those who profess to know of such things." As Harmose mentions wearing the leather outfit at a future time, he pauses and rubs his bald head. "I...was hoping to at least get the chance to do that. Thank you."
Of course that is what I fear as well...
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You make your way to the Grand Mausoleum, where Turel's friend Bal Themm is waiting on the steps, and hurriedly ushers you down a few hallways to the priests, not answering anything herself. Once you're with the priests, however, they will explain everything.
"There is a serious problem. We had an...altercation this morning, when we posted the list of third exploration sites. Your site is an abandoned temple of Nethys called the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye. Another group...ahem, 'took issue' with the assignment...they wished your assignment for themselves."
"But that is quite impossible, you see", another priest continues. "We do not select the sites at random. They are given to us by Pharasma herself through a series of highly technical divinations. Pharasma weaves a complex tapestry of fate, and she has decreed that your group is fated to explore the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye, not these others."
"When we told them that it was quite impossible to trade sites as if they were cards or money, they...well, they were quite confrontational, I'm afraid to say."
"Yes, I must say they said some quite offensive things."
"Most hurtful, brother."
"One of them told Pharasma to...to...I can't even say it!"
"But the point is, there is another group that seems to challenge Pharasma's decree and commit blasphemy by entering the site assigned to you. If you worship Pharasma, as we do, then we plead you to see her will done. And if you do not, then we appeal to your more earthly desires -- the Ruby Prince has deemed the contents of the Sanctum yours, and these interlopers thus intend to loot your rightful property."
The priests aren't familiar enough with all the groups to tell you which group it was.
Could you tell us what they looked like?
And what is wrong with their site?
"Velriana" - Polux chuckles - "Lovely as always" - he adds - "Though... I don't like the fact that she is stepping on our toes like that, so maybe she needs more than words to be 'captivated'
"So, are the they in the necropolis now?" Kito asks with concern in her voice. I really don't want to fight another group.
On hearing the words from the priests, Turel is silent as he contemplates the words spoken by them. Of particular concern is the revelation that the Lady of Graves has decreed his group to be the one to explore the Sanctum.
This sheds a new light upon events, and why the Ruby Prince may have opened the Necropolis to exploration. I must meditate further on this...
"Very well, we shall deal with these interlopers as you decree. While I do not wish bloodshed on them, we will take the steps necessary to safeguard the treasures to be found there."
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Just to be clear, I didn't mean it in the sense that your group is somehow fated to be special to explore the Sanctum -- just that *all* the group names and exploration sites get drawn at random from the proverbial hat, and since it's up to random chance, i.e. "fate", the priests consider all the group-site pairings to be chosen by Pharasma.
Harmose sighs. What a mess this all is!
"I would have gladly traded sites with the Scorched Hand in order to avoid this sort of conflict. If this is how Pharasma wills it, we'll proceed... but I'm not happy about how this was handled. I'm not one to interfere with a prophecy -- I just wished you had notified us the moment that Velriana got upset. Maybe we could have talked things over. Offered to explore the site jointly, or shared notes. But now? She's likely dug in her heels and won't listen to reason."
He turns to the priests. "While I know that you saw us in your prophecy... Velriana and her fellows are devoted to Nethys! They likely feel slighted, since I know that no other site in the Necropolis interested them! They view themselves as divinely appointed, and you see us as divinely appointed... I cannot see how this will go well."
He looks to Polux. "I know that you've been courting Velriana. How do you want to approach her?"
"I'm sorry. You did what you could." Harmose says, trying to not let his anger at this mishandling spill over on to the priests. "Velriana Hypaxes is... strong-willed. Intense. Fierce."
And the first time we met, she suggested that all the interfering priests of Pharasma could go die in a fire... Perhaps it would be better to not say that part out loud.
"I suppose it's time to head out now and see what kind of mood she's in." Turning to the others, Harmose asks, "Does anyone know where we can get some salt? If Velriana is going to roast my nuts, I want to come prepared!"
He looks to Polux. "I know that you've been courting Velriana. How do you want to approach her?"
"I don't think the 'courting' was reciprocal" - Polux ponders - "For a moment there it seemed that... Maybe. But if there was a minimal amount of respect, she would have not turned the table on us like this" - he sneers - "We can listen to their reasons, but they need to bail out of our site - simple"
"Yes, they jumped our claim without even speaking to us," Harmose says regretfully. "Alright, let's get this over with."
Turning to the priests, Kito asks "As the ones responsible for exploring the site, are we allowed to recruit others for aid?"
Looking to Harmose, she says "If you want to avoid conflict, you might be able to get their group to back down a little by enlisting their aid in the exploration. They would need to make it a fair exchange though. Like them sharing some of what is at their assigned site."
Pausing a moment, she admits "That only works if they are not already exploring the site though."
"Okay, so that's an option at least," Harmose says thoughtfully. "This... this was so unneccessary. When I first met Velriana, I suggested that she talk with whatever group got assigned the temple and arrange a joint expedition. So she knew that option was on the table, but I can still remind her of it."
He runs his hands through his hair, unhappily. "Unfortunately, right now I don't trust her at all. She didn't come to us. Aleris, when we go to talk to her... I'll need your read on the situation. You have so much a better sense of people than I do. If we do offer a joint expedition, I want to make sure she doesn't stab us in the back."
Qari wasn't sure about this other group. She chose to rely on Polux's read on the situation, as he had much more knowledge of the leader than she. "Approaching her is probably the best option. Polux would probably be helpful in the discussions as well, since he has some sort of relationship with her, no matter how limited. If she won't listen to reason, well, we have our assignment, so we will have no choice but to follow the will of the gods!"
Deseri stands quietly watching the back and forth discussion. It is a little to generous of an offer in my mind but it might be the less violent option.
Harmose nods. "We approach, we make the offer of sharing our site if she'll share hers. If not... We'll deal with that problem when it comes. Let's proceed to the site." Then he turns to the priests. "Do you have any details on this site before we go in? I usually take time to research the sites I enter before I go in. This time, we'll be rushing in blind, which is not my style."