To Tibati (in Dærini):
"Fascinating! I don't suppose you can recall the features of the one who came a week ago?"
To Tibati (in Dærini):
"Fascinating! I don't suppose you can recall the features of the one who came a week ago?"** spoiler omitted **
Tibati in response to Toranindracar - "He was rather severe in nature with a cautious attitude and eyes that seemed to say he knew too much but revealed little. His manner and posture were rather rigid, of a life lead of heavy discipline. He was middle aged, of olive skin and dark eyes and spoke in crisp speech. More I am not sure I can describe."
Brogdar merely looks to you, a long expression of concern and worry on his face and nods his head.
Tibati smiles at Aegwyn and rises from her seat, the many folds of her dress and robes swirling around her, extends her hand to Aegwyn and says: ”If you will follow me, I will read for you the signs and portents and tell you what we have seen. You may ask me three questions, which I will petition the gods for knowledge of your queries.”
Tibati wanders back through the many alcoves and arches of Tor Cruimther , although this time the path seems much faster and clearer, toward the alter set up against the very roots of the ancient tree Giúsáesta itself. As you all follow there is a feeling of disorientation at the edges of your vision, although the path in front of you is clear and straight.
As Tibati walks she stops at a small cage, set on top of a short wooden wardrobe and very carefully and with great reverence opens the door to the cage and inserts her hand. In the most delicate manner, all the while speaking soft soothing words, she takes hold of a white dove, and slowly caresses it with her fingers as she maintains it firmly in the grip of her hand. She removes her hand and the dove and with her other hand fastens back the door of the cage. She makes her way to the alter, holding the bird in both hands to her chest, and continues to address the bird in soft and soothing tones. The dove makes no sign of resistance and when she arrives at the alter Tibati lays the bird on its back where it lays perfectly still, eyes already half closed. Tibati removes some leaves from one of the long strings which crisscross the room and lay them upon braziers of hot coals on either side of the alter, their leaves releasing a pungent acrid smell. She sweeps her hand across the alter and collects in her palm a handful of sand which she sprinkles across the bird and then throws up into the air above the alter. You can just make out the low drone of a chant as she takes her left hand and holds the head of the white dove while with her right she slowly and purposefully picks up an ornate ritual knife from the alters white marble top. With deft movements borne of years of practice she inserts the blade into the throat of the bird and you see its life force quickly and almost painlessly leave its pristine white body. The knife edges down and she opens up the body of the bird, removing its entrails and with her other hand removes them and begins slowly reading the auguries and portents.
Loud and powerfully, still facing the alter and the blood soaked roots of Giúsáesta she calls out:
”I see a coiled serpent dancing in the darkness. A forbidden fortress, high up in the mountains, the smell of sea on the wind which blows from the south. Grey, bleak, and deadly. A black falcon circles overhead. In the snow an inky black imprint of a hand. I see a man, dangerous in every aspect. Powerful. Frightening! He is calm and terrifying. I see the face of an old man, wicked and cruel, hardened by age. A dark furred wolf hunts in the snowy forests near the edge of the world. It is hunting an unsuspecting spider. An enormous gleaming tower. Broken! Rolling plains and savannah. A fortressed city. Home and more mysteries. A knight in silver white bars your way but gives aid. Ancient halls of the dætholayn shrouded in darkness. A small band of people hidden in a cave, clinging to one another for protection. One of you will guide them. A howling wind blows to the north and the dead long to be free!
The Shadowlands!
Agggh! They have returned!
She turns to you all, almost transformed, her eyes half rolled back in her head and speaks calmly:
”What petition would you ask of the gods in service of your quest?”
I pull out a sheet of paper as quietly and quickly as possible, scribbling down the words uttered by Tibati.
At her finish, eyes wide, I shiver once at the sight of her otherworldly face, then swallow and look to the others.
(1) The "white-robed Brother" who visited a week ago: I am assuming this description (including the olive skin & dark eyes) technically fits either Nâvaya Shimáon OR Ratush Avarius. Is that the case? If so, I have a guess as to which is more likely, but is there some obvious characteristic (like hair color) I could ask about, that would rule out one or the other?
(2) Of the various images described by Tibati in her vision, do I recognize any as symbols of gods or factions? (i.e. coiled serpent = Ialdabaoth? Black falcon = ?)
Knowledge(religion):
Knowledge(arcana):
Knowledge(local):
I pull out a sheet of paper as quietly and quickly as possible, scribbling down the words uttered by Tibati.
At her finish, eyes wide, I shiver once at the sight of her otherworldly face, then swallow and look to the others.
** spoiler omitted **
Varan watches the exchange, quiet for the moment, though he watches Tibati closely as she augurs. He glances to the two Brotherhood members when she asks about petitioning the gods for the quest, and then he looks back to the priestess.
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I remain at the back of the group, watching the interchange of strange talk amongst even stranger people. The mention of Kal'ishal perks my ears up for a moment. I exchanges a look with Varan, and shrug my shoulders.
She sees a coiled serpent dancing in the darkness. I see my commission for finding Kal'ishal evaporating in the wind.
This mystical mumbo-jumbo is beyond my comprehension. For now I will observe, but keep my mouth shut.
Aegwyn studies the ritual carefully
Aegwyn looks directly into the eyes of Tibati and asks:
"What did the three in Brotherhood robes who came to Dubdind 3 days ago seek in the caves beneath Dubdind?"
Tibati, eyes rolled up in her head, responds in a hoarse and husky voice - "They sought to enter Dyfængarel".
Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (local)
Knowledge(geography):
Knowledge(local=Mtol Daerine):
Bijannar lets out a little sigh and says, "The Khthonoi...."
Aeqwyn raises an eyebrow at Bijannar but continues her questioning.
"Of those who came to Dubdind in the past two weeks, which have practiced mentalism at any point?"
Toranindracar pales slightly at Tibati's answer, then nods grimly at Bijannar.
Brogdar blanches at the mention of the khthonoi and shudders.
Tibati continues, her voice and tenor picking up in momentum, her breath at first raspy as her body stiffens and she arches her back, "A man! Light in aspect but dark as night. Cold without but a seething fire within. Such hatred! I see dancing serpents, all of one body, their heads snapping beasts, cloaked around him. He was among the three that came in search of the Place of Tyranny." She lets out a breath as she comes off the arches of her feet and stands flat, although her eyes still flutter in her head.
Varan runs a hand back through his hair, frowning slightly at the mention of the Khthonoi. His hand strays to the holy symbol that hangs around his neck, and he traces the muzzle of Ialdabaōth’s golden lion with the side of his thumb. His customary expression of quietly self-assured bravado wavers, ever so slightly, and he continues to watch the proceedings.
Knowledge (religion)
Knowledge(religion):
Knowledge(religion):
Knowledge(religion):
(1)The khthonoi are deeply tied and devoted to the deity Makish, the Lord of Tyranny, the Face of Flame.
(2)The description that Tibati gave of the man cloaked with the many serpents from one body with the heads of beasts (like that of a hydra) is associated with the deity Saklas (and the cult of Saklas), the Eater of Souls, Lord of Chaos, Serpent of Confusion. It is likely that this mentalist is a worshiper of Saklas.
(3)Ialdabaōth is religiously at odds with both deities and in fact the other two religions are at odds with each other (tyranny and chaos don't mix well) ideologically also. It seems extremely weird that a mentalist worshiper of the Lord of Chaos would go seeking a khthonoi city devoted to the Lord of Tyranny.
Varan spits some particularly unflattering curse in his native Dardish, and then reverts to the more common tongue of Mtol Dærask. “Damned Saklasi. Thrice-damned Khthonoi.” He cracks a humorless grin. “Our mission grows more interesting by the moment…”
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I look at each person present, who all seem to be intently focused on the strange lady with hidden eyes, and silently move away a few steps.
Stealth:
Perception:
All of this mystic prattle has me skittish, and I have decided that I will let the others figure it out. I am clearly out of my league here. As I look around the room, are there any objects or items that I might be interested in "borrowing" while the others are focused on Tibati?
Also, and feel free to PM me, I'd just like to get a sense of how Thomi interprets his alignment. What does it mean for him to be Chaotic Good, how does he interpret the chaotic part and the good part?
"How did the men who went beneath Dubdind wearing Brotherhood robes 3 days ago kill Kal'ishal? "
Tibati arches her back, draws in a breath and in a deep voice speaks: "So many involved. So many faces, so many places, a pawn in a stratagem although not innocent. Three attackers present, but so many others standing in the wings, assisting his demise, a long plot. In the shadows I see many signs - a black hand, a dark falcon. I see a knight wearing a lions head with a mane of snakes, a great citadel with a sky-piercing tower and many inside that would see Kal'ishal dead for a great secret. A golden throne preparing for war. A terrible and great warrior, in a great fortress high in the mountains, his head wreathed in dancing snakes, pulling puppet strings. Something, something, something ELSE!
Three men enter the apartment, his mind assailed, restrained, the mental onslaught is relentless and Dark Powers are called upon to fulfill a great plan. Dead, he is dead!"
Tibati's eyes burst open, her voice still deep, "Seek the south! The fortress! There are two who will offer aid. One nearby, the other...", for a moment Tibati speaks in her own voice, "Oh gods! Can it be one of the Great Ones?!" Her voice drops again,"...watches from a distance, but gives aid. Already. Waiting. Waiting. For you."
Tibati shudders, exhausted, and nearly collapses to the floor, catching herself on the alter. "I have done what I could...I...I...". She breathes deeply and stands up, looking to you with concern.
"What will you do?" she asks, uneasily.
"What will we do? Think. We must think, rather than act rashly."
Toranindracar takes his eyes from Tibati and his quill from his notes. His eyes unfocus as he ponders the words.
"Tibati ... What did you mean when you said 'one of the Great Ones'?"
Tibati looks at you almost pleadingly. "I...I don't know. The figure was so powerful, I can't describe it. His, if it was a he, presence was almost overwhelming. It felt like what I imagine being in the presence of an elder god might feel like. I felt two of them, two different ones. But this one, the second one, seemed, ...I don't know how to describe it, "friendly", if such a word can be used, although I know it is not the right one."
"Friends, if I can call you that now, so intimate was this experience. I have a strange and worrisome feeling about this night and I feel, I feel as if this divination, this revelation, was watched, although I cannot say by whom. That is simply how I felt. How I feel. Something great is watching all of this transpire."
Brogdar mutters under his breath, "And may even have had a hand in its coming to pass."
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Basically, Thomi isn’t a cruel person (the good), and he values his personal freedom more than anything (the chaotic). He doesn’t like to hurt people, he just thinks that some have way more valuables than they really need. He also knows what it is like to be downtrodden, to scrabble for your existence, as indicated in his motivations. He prefers to help folks anonymously, without calling attention to himself. Anything lying around that would be a mechanical device or tool he doesn’t have that would enhance his ability to pop locks or disarm hazardous mechanisms would be nearly irresistible, as outlined in some of his instincts. As indicated by his equipment list, he is also quite the pack rat. Shiny trinkets are wonderful!
So, I describe him as chaotic good. He’s a thief, and he steals, but sometimes he gives his unlawful earnings to help the unfortunates in the world. Unlike someone like Robin Hood, he seeks no recognition for any acts of charity, as that may bring attention to his activities from the wrong quarters.
From Thomi’s Character Background:
While the chaotic nature of his personality drives his penchant for placing the valuables of others in his own pockets, he prefers to obtain such riches using stealth and misdirection rather than the brute force tactics of the common street thug.
From Thomi’s Motivations:
Personal freedom is the greatest treasure above all others. I am ultimately beholden to no one but myself for attainment of life’s pleasures and satisfactions.
The elite powers wage covert battles to gain political advantage, and commoners are defenseless pawns. I do what I can to discretely help someone improve their lot in life. Using sleight of hand to drop a few Solins into the pocket of the laborer who can’t feed his children is the least I can do. I think my charity at the temple is also worthwhile, because I know they do good work helping the downtrodden. Perhaps others feel the way I do, but I’m not about to shout it on the street and attract the wrong attention, if you know what I mean.
From Thomi’s Instincts:
Always fascinated by mechanical devices and puzzles. There is always the urge to take them apart to discover the cleverness of their construction.
Always worried that he will not have the correct tools to safely accomplish a job. This results in having pockets, pack and belt stuffed with “one of everything” (see his equipment list).
** spoiler omitted **...
What specifically is he looking to steal?
** spoiler omitted **
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To All:
"I keep hearing references to a 'Black Hand.' Surely those allude to that infamous criminal organization. I'm a little mystified by the references to a dark falcon and a snake with many heads. What do the rest of you think?"
Here's a Knowledge (local) to see if anything else pops into my head.