Schrodinger's Lament (Inactive)

Game Master BastianQuinn

Gul grabs some ceremonial furs she'd seen earlier. She grabs the last of the wine from a villager who was in mid tug. The orc gives the villager a scowl that says 'say something. I dare you.' Gul gives Imazael her hand, and let's the dhampir lead her.

Gul knew the woodcutter was mercurial. Her moods often slip from hot to cold and cold to hot. It was part of her charm. Something about Imazael's cold blood also contained a fire that Gul found fascinating.

However, the half vampire did nothing without satisfying some personal need. The idea that Imazael might have an ulterior motive did not bother the orc. Gul only cared that she was able to spend time with her.

Reaching the tower, Gul lays the furs for a comfortable bed. The orc lounges in the fur and slowly shakes the bottle at Emma.

Stories? Gul smiles and invites her into her arms for a snuggle and chat. I have stories. Do you remember when we fought those devil trees that tormented your brother's indentured servants? The farmer's daughter was driven to suicide. Your brother offered to turn the girl, and you nearly took off his head.

You were full of righteous anger that day. Rhistel and I fought with you. It was the first battle for both of us. do you remember us tending to each others wounds that night?

Imazael has the party's supply of bread. Unless she objects, I'm reducing that item for Kyrillosr's snack. Someone will have to either go without, or forage for ceremonial potted meats. -or Gul could ask daddy...

Oh my papa
Before leaving, Gul asks her father. Papa. Can you spare a loaf for your only daughter?

The timing of events blurs. Some folk seem to be having many different conversations simultaneously, exchanging items and using them in ways that defy chronology.

Imazael and Phraanz look over the padded white fabric of the gambison. Clavarius, despite his surname, chose to clad himself in white. He was just the meticulous, facetious sort to have something like the Imaculate Gambison made. It's said any creature who's blood stains this garment will become upset and obsess about getting the garment cleaned.

Lemongrass gives his daughter a plaintive smile. "I 'spoze I can see aboot makin' off with a bit of dat der bacon we brought. It may be easier and cause less of a hubub down da line doe if ye'd take lil' Myxis under yer wing. At least so long as we're oot and aboot, ya know? She's alright as foragers go, but she's a bit too focused on the mycology if you catch m'drift." Your father makes a gesture that you're sure is exceedingly rude and suggests the gnomette does a lot of drugs. "I'm sure she'd be glad to share her lunch with you."

I've decided gnomes are Canadian. Myxis is a Lanky, Impulsive, Gnomish Forager who is a bit more trouble than she's worth, and keeping her alive might pose a challenge. On the other hand, if Gul dies, I'll see to it Myxis has some XP or control of Ginger if you take on her character. Alternatively, having your father sneak the food might cause some internal friction later.

"Do we even remember what the village was called‽" This outburst from an older woman among the villagers, flagging the air in frustration with her kerchief. One of the other villagers tries to console and/or quiet her, but she won't have it. "No. It's hopeless. We don't even know if our village is still out there. It could have been burnt to the ground or worse..."

You may each name a location that can be found in the village as well as any details about that location you'd like to include.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wavy lines of parent-meeting (Really recent) Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She would be happy to take the little one Imazael says to Gul's father, extending a hand and smiling at Myxis Good, an addict, weak, easily maniulated. a good source, if you use her right the voice says, unbidden. "Even When I'm trying to be kind" She thinks "Maybe I'm just in it for myself"..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wavy lines of nowitude!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That does sound familiar She says, dropping her hood You know, I never wanted this, the fangs, the eyes, the name, the voice. It feels different, everything does now. she says, the vampire spirit screaming out in her be silent, fool! Leave her in your web! Let her think you are a victim, a lost soul, some poor being to be comforted. Do not reveal your secrets to prey! She decides to go forward, just to damn the voice, and prove to herself that she's still human. Listen, Gul, before we go any further, and I think I want to, you should know something. Ever since the... incident with Borak, there's been something wrong with me. Well, there's been a lot wrong with me, but I mean something seriously, terrifyingly wrong. I've had this voice, the voice of a monster, in my head. maybe all dhampir's have it, maybe it's why Phraanz is... Phraanz, I never could get a straight answer out of him. or maybe it means I'm something else. It's been getting stronger, harder to ignore, and I don't know what to do, or what that means. If you leave, just cut and run, I understand. she says, barely pausing for breath.

I'll put up a description of the woods surrounding the village soon

Gul cocks her head and says, Doesn't Midas fill gold with his inner glow?

"Not exactly, but that's close enough. Why do ya think it's so bad for most things?" He sighs as he takes the lid and the oculus. "Ya know, ya tell someone somethin's filled wi' a god's power, and they start thinkin' it's all safe an' wonderful or that it's vile an' awful. If we were talkin' artifacts, they might have a point."

More overtly, she turns to the Dwarf. I really do need that necklace... Especially if there's vampire activity around here.

After making sure she hands over the candelabra she showed earlier, he hands her the icon, now stripped of the gold that was flaking off it earlier to reveal the wooden icon beneath. "Ya'd be the one ta know about that stuff." He snorts derisively. Funny that the fanger is afraid'a vamps. What, big grudge in the family when she stabbed 'er cousin or somethin'? Means she wasn't jus' worried about the gold, though. There's somethin' goin' on there. Maybe it's somethin' to do wi' 'er so called 'brother'.

When Phraanz actually shows up, he's met with a scowl from Muirkhom. It's going to be hard getting him to give up that damn hammer.

More at another time. Just trying to respond to the people that have addressed me.

As Imazael finishes her analysis and wanders off, Phraanz says goodbye in his way. "Ya, well, do not be getting anyones blood on eidder your clothez or mine den 'cause dat is bad und not good, ya!"

Then he finds a corner and sits down, seeking solitude.

He takes out the golden hammer and sets his gaze upon it.

'Well old man, what have we here? Is this what Alanna died for? Is that bat-crazy dwarf on to something? Of course we know that the Invisible Hand of the Market is real. That's without doubt. Adam Smith settled that issue eons ago. But magic has entered the world now, ever since the crash of the EarthDawn. We've got Horrors stalking the world and gnomes baking bread and vampires...being vampires.

So, has the internal magic of the Invisible Hand somehow...manifested itself into something more?'

He stares at the hammer, daring it to answer.

Spout Lore: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (3, 4) + 0 = 7

Phraanz (SL:7+0) -- Deemed an unnecessary roll, treated as a 10+.

Muirkhom Convo

Pyrite. Interesting. Gul had lived long enough to know that everyone had internal logic. There were always reasons for what they do. Even if those reasons seemed delusional, the delusion still had internal logic. She needed to find out more,

Tell me master. Wouldn't be easier to give out pyrite as a sacrament, thus freeing the innocent from madness?

Imazael and Papa Convo

The orc sighs heavily at the additional weight of responsibility on her back. Another pet of Imazael that I'll have to feed and love

Come along Myxis. The orc grabs the gnome and places her on Ginger. We're heading to the bell tower. Trust Ginger's senses.

Foraging: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Imazael Alone Convo

Gul looks at Emma with sadness at her obvious suffering. Sweetheart, your suffering is whats keeping your soul alive. I wish that I could take your burden, but all I can offer is my love.

"Ya know, I actually tried that. A few times even." He sighed. "People jus' refuse to take the stuff. Didn't cost 'em a single silver, and yet every time I try ta give it out I get insulted an' assaulted. I've tried in so many towns, an' I've only ever had three takers."

"Pyrite absorbs the power gold lets off. It takes the brunt so ya don't have ta yerself. Midas made it when 'e saw what gold did ta folks, an' ev'ry follower'a Midas that ain't a dwarf or somethin' gets some, so they don't have ta worry about the madness. But as I said - the power'a the gods is addictive. And the pyrite cuts ya off from it. To nigh ev'ryone touched by gold, they find the stuff repulsive till they've spent a little time gettin' the effects'a the gold outta their system. But nearly nobody's willin' ta do that."

"If ya can find a way ta get people ta take the stuff, tell me. Ain't met a soul yet that hasn't felt jus' a little better for gettin' the gold's power outta 'em. I could get people ta take it, wear it, I'd be handin' it out non-stop. But I can't, so I don't. I had a ton of it when I came 'ere and set up the casino, an' I tried passin' it out as a welcome gift wi' as much luck as usual. But I don't have a clue where it's gotten ta, or I'd have given ya some already and then ya wouldn't need ta worry about gold."

Muirkhom Convo

Yeah, I can't see people wanting to carry a rock in their pocket. However, maybe set it in jewelry. Maybe a necklace. Maybe create a symbol of Midas out of it. And as it hangs on their neck, it will show they are blessed by Midas.

Muirkhom just looks even more frustrated. "...I had icons. About a dozen of 'em. Had to pay to get 'em made, and eatin' was a bit rough a while after. Thought it'd be appreciated - somethin' they could wear, so it'd be easy ta bring about. Jus' like the ones followers have."
"The few that took decided they wanted rocks instead. It was great that they took some at all, but when ya spend a few weeks wi' little to eat to make someone else's life easier, when they tell ya they'd prefer the rock ya kinda wonder if the hungry nights were worth it."

Sounds just like a test a god might give. I wonder what lesson Midas was trying to teach you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wavy lines of talking to Muirkhom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why Am I afraid of vampires? she thinks, eyes gradually turning from blue to green. Vampires are preternaturally fast and strong, often augmented with other supernatural powers, such as shape shifting, necromancy, or mind control, as well as a known tendencies to surround themselves with fanatically loyal thralls, addicted to and empowered by their thralls. and to top it off, they are obligate killers, they have no choice but to kill people to continue their own parasitic existence. If you aren't scared of them, you're a fool.

she takes a breath, and calms herself Phraanz and I, that's complicated... His mother was bitten, very near when she gave birth to him. That's how Dhampir's usually happen. I'm a little bit of a different case, I grew up human, and was improperly sired less than a year ago. She says, slipping the symbol over her neck would have sworn there was gold on this The bastard that attacked his mother was the same one that nearly killed me. in his head, this makes him my brother. as to why he insists on referring to me in a familial, masculine way, your guess is as good as my own. Especially given the lingering looks he gives when he thinks I'm not looking. She finishes

What about you? What's your whole compulsion with gold? She asks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wavy lines of oh-my-god-am-I-playing-monsterhearts-I-think-I-might-be~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wait, what! Hold up, she what?! her thoughts go a mile a minute. She remembers a lot more than me, maybe we did have something. I need someone to keep me me. she puts her arms around Gul I hope that will be enough she whispers.

Myxis settles onto Ginger’s back. Her demeanor more the spider than miss Muffet. A wide-brimmed woven hat pushes her wild tangle of violet hair over a pair of circular glasses. She and the deadly predator lope into the higher beams of the tower, nosing around the dusty beams and the smoke-laced evening air.
Gulirk plays hard to get and earns +1xp.
She commands Ginger to search with her keen senses and the aid of a skilled forager. 10+1+2=13
When they return, Ginger has the bell’s clapper (2-handed(Close), +1 damage, messy, gold?, 2wt) in her mouth, and Myxis hands over a cunning paper lantern filled with fire bugs (3 uses, burning, live). The heat they give off keeps the paper craft afloat, teathered by a string. “Dry air… ‘s not good for caps. These are perfectly edible... Cook themselves as they die... Really existential…” She mumbles something else about burning as much going down as coming out, whatever that means. She’s always going to come back with something Perfectly Edible in adition to whatever else you find. That was technically a DR. Do you want more valuable or useful stuff? You have two more questions Imazael’s strays can answer from the discern realities list.
• What happened here recently?
• What is about to happen?
• What should I be on the lookout for?
• What here is useful or valuable to me?
• Who’s really in control here?
• What here is not what it appears to be?

and +1 for Wis. That's a bad ass forage machine, thanks man.

The clapper looks like alot of fun.

I'll take 2 rations and level again

One ration to Emma so she can level too.

What here is not what it appears to be?
What should I be on the lookout for?

That was your WIS, although I'll bet wis is Myxis' highest stat. I'm treating her as a hireling that adds Perfectly Edible food to loot she helps gather.

The gnome watches Gulirk dig in. Her expression is hard to read. "Them being out... the fire must be burning down... like morels..." +1 to acting on the state of the fire

At closer inspection, the metal of the bell's hammer has a dark, greenish cast to it. Of course, being inhabited by some followers of Midas, you were bound to find some pyrite somewhere. You're not sure how such a brittle metal effects it as a weapon. +1 to a move involving the clapper

Sounds just like a test a god might give. I wonder what lesson Midas was trying to teach you.

"Huh. I never thought'a that. Goin' ta have ta now. Thanks, Gul." Muirkhom smiles. Guess I've a little more ta work on. I don't know 'ow Gul manages to 'it 'ome wi' these things so much, but I'm pretty glad to have 'er around right about now.

Why Am I afraid of vampires? she thinks, eyes gradually turning from blue to green. Vampires are preternaturally fast and strong, often augmented with other supernatural powers, such as shape shifting, necromancy, or mind control, as well as a known tendencies to surround themselves with fanatically loyal thralls, addicted to and empowered by their thralls. And to top it off, they are obligate killers, they have no choice but to kill people to continue their own parasitic existence. If you aren't scared of them, you're a fool.

"Ya know, I get that, but it ain't jus' that, is it? Easy ta say a vamp's dangerous, but most folks ain't goin' to ever deal wi' one. One thin' I've had ta learn is that most folks ain't willin' ta think a thin' is dangerous to 'em till they see some proof they can't pass off as somethin' else. And besides that, yer part of that family, ain'tcha? So that's why I have ta wonder what happened that ya couldn't ignore."

She takes a breath, and calms herself. Phraanz and I, that's complicated...His mother was bitten, very near when she gave birth to him. That's how Dhampirs usually happen. I'm a little bit of a different case, I grew up human, and was improperly sired less than a year ago. She says, slipping the symbol over her neck would have sworn there was gold on this The bastard that attacked his mother was the same one that nearly killed me. In his head, this makes him my brother. As to why he insists on referring to me in a familial, masculine way, your guess is as good as my own. Especially given the lingering looks he gives when he thinks I'm not looking. She finishes.

Man, Phraanz is more messed up than I thought. "I don't think I want ta guess what goes on in 'is 'ead. I get the feelin' there's somethin' very, very wrong happenin' there, and that's wi'out the gold."

What about you? What's your whole compulsion with gold? She asks.

"Compulsion? Ya think this is jus' some mad delusion? Ya wouldn't be the first." Muirkhom shakes his head. "I jus' told Gul, but I'll say again. Gold's powerful. The stuff leaks the power'a the gods. An' godly power is addictive, and changes folks jus' due to its nature. So folks get warped inta awful, gold mad thin's if they spend too long wi' it. That's one reason. The other is that this stuff is what will make Midas's body in this land once we can get enough'a it together. He made it wi' power, an' ta channel power - it makes the perfect thin' for a god ta inhabit in the land. Frankly, it'd be silly if the thin' a god makes to form 'is body ain't suited to 'andle 'im."

Unless there are objections, I'm going to try and wrap up so that we can camp

Muirkhom Convo

May I suggest that the necklace icons you created, are for those here and now. I would wear one. I'm sure the gnomes would. I'm sure Imazael would if only to ease your mind. She said. I just wonder if I'm feeding his delusion, or he is feeding mine.

Imazael Alone Convo

Gul comforts Imazael in her arms. She sings to her while rocking her.

We better get back, before they send a search party. With that, they return to camp

[BEAT]

Gulirk, Imazael, their protege, Myxis, and Ginger, their pet maneater stroll back through the makeshift guard post, eyes watering, and noses dripping, but generally in good spirits.

Kyrillosr meets them as they return, asking after a cup.

Phraanz is ruminating in one of the darkened alcoves, gazing at his golden hammer with unfocused eyes.

3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 5) = 11 3d30 ⇒ (23, 9, 16) = 48 2d13 ⇒ (4, 12) = 16 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (3, 1) - 2 = 2 1d4 ⇒ 1 2d100 ⇒ (46, 75) = 121
3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) = 13 3d30 ⇒ (16, 18, 6) = 40 2d13 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (2, 2) - 2 = 2 2d100 ⇒ (15, 48) = 63
3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) = 8 3d30 ⇒ (3, 17, 16) = 36 2d13 ⇒ (9, 6) = 15 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (1, 2) - 2 = 1 1d4 ⇒ 2 2d100 ⇒ (78, 89) = 167
Krenin has seen remarkable fortune in among the villagers, and has come out with a number of devoted followers: a plodding, butch gnomette trapper (3HP), a helpful, suave satyress prostitute (4HP), and a shrewd, flamboyant elven beggar (2HP). They've taken to calling themselves the Nameless. Feel free to ask them to do stuff for you, Krenin, and expect them to follow through. Success will be at my discretion, but if you explain how it has something to do with their old job, they'll likely succeed. They have 2 knives (Hand), a snare trap (1wt), perfume cologne, and 1 coin in a beggar's collection bowl.

3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) = 10 3d30 ⇒ (29, 13, 22) = 64 2d13 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (1, 3) - 2 = 2 3d100 ⇒ (34, 82, 28) = 144 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Muirkhom has had somewhat less luck. The vocal, drow tanner, Umlur (3HP), that has offered to help seems to be hanging around for reasons other than Midas' message. She has a knife and 6 animal hides.

The meal winds down, the villagers have had enough wine to have eased their nerves, but not so much that they'd need a nap. Fires are put out, equipment is gathered, and the party prepares to enter the crypt that contains the elemental that was promised to the gnomes. The heavy(!) stone door still blocks the way.

Imazael hands Kyril the goblet, while quietly looking over the assebled posses of the dwarf and drow. A failure, girl, you only watch as other gather followers to themselves.

As the fire has died down (Assuming it is was just a forest fire, in whic case it should have died out overnight... I think) I am of the opinion that we should leave the cathedral. Whatever you thought was in here is clearly gone, and there is a village nearby, some people might have survived the fire, they might need help. she says examining the crowd before saying Gul and Myxis, I would appreciate your company. Kyrill, If you would lie to come as well, I would not mind it, and maybe... she finishes scanning the crowd, and picks out a few people (Hopefully) who seem competent

SL on the village: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
DR on someone useful: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7

My dice are trying to kill me, that's the only explanation

You're right about the fire and the village, but we are inches away from capturing a elemental. A boon that we should not ignore. The orc walks to the stone door with the pyrite clapper in hand. She tells the others to stand back as she takes swing after swing at the obstruction.

Whack a door: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

+1 to acting on the state of the fire

Almost forgot about a village building request

Lontash Magistrate Residence/Office

The granite building is ornate and expensive. The source of such wealth for the village is never talked of, even in private, as if the villagers are keeping some dark secret. In the foyer, a pair of marble stair cases curl up to a landing on the second floor opposite the entrance. The vaulted ceiling ending in a windowed dome gives a person the sense of culture and importance. The floor black onyx tile reflects the light like a mirror.

The first floor is filled with rooms for administrative and dignitary functions. The second floor is residence for Lontash's family and thralls.

Kyrillosr accepts the goblet from Imazael.

"If there still is a fire, at least there's a river nearby. The water should help extinguish it," Kyrillosr says. "Of course, with total respect to its inhabitants," he adds, looking at Gulirk to make sure she was listening.

He begins the pour the liquid from the chalice into his lips, ready to find out what would happen once he swallowed it.

Kyrillosr becomes a hippocampus, which in this context is something like an aquatic kangaroo. They are known for their barbed spurs, rapid travel over land and water, and mesmerizing voices. What does it look like for a mermaid to change forms?

@Gul: Not +1 to acting on the clapper?
Gulirk shoulders the heavy metal rod, bears back, and strikes the center of the door. The stone cracks, there is a flash of light, and a distant scream. The halves of the door roll aside. It is dark(!) in the corridor beyond.

LASaROS peeks out from behind Krenin's silvery hair. "Okay, cool. No one's home. Let's leave then."

Lemongrass' tone is friendly, but firm. "Hey der, friend. I seem to remember dat der bread was a down payment on an elemental." Myxis and the Nameless gnome both nod.

I was treating the short rest as sort of a carousal. There isn't any need for a roll. I'll be glad to generate another villager. Krenin got three because he made such a dramatic display.
3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 5) = 15 3d30 ⇒ (17, 21, 12) = 50 2d13 ⇒ (8, 10) = 18 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (3, 1) - 2 = 2 3d100 ⇒ (57, 81, 62) = 200
A one-eared catfolk line cook named Zelloris (4HP) beckons Imazael to one side. She has a spatula (close, clumsy), shoes (non-slip, 1wt), fried chicken (2 uses).

Gul concentrates and throws her hand out and a bright orb winks into existence and sails down the corridor. It comes to a soft rest and hovers.

SM: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8
• You draw unwelcome attention or put yourself in a spot. The GM will tell you how.
• The spell has undesired effects, or effects much more or much less than desired.

Just for fun
Gnome Works

The massive granite building is often thought to be an old temple re-purposed by the gnomes. Lemongrass theorizes that the buildings purpose was a museum, now stripped bare. Inside is a massive workshop with gnome sized permanent scaffolding surrounding the perimeter. The center full of tools massive and small waiting for creative hands. And resources waiting for imagination.

Justification

Taking the lesson of the bell tower conjuration of LASaROS into mind, Gul imagines of ball of light being formed. Having full faith and belief in its manifestation, Gul's hand extends and throws.

Kyrillosr's arms begin to become skinnier, until they finally stabilize as paws. At the same time, his head starts taking on more and more marsupial features, until his tail finally becomes less scaly. LaSaROS jumps off his head before resettling once the transition is completed.

With his new, mesmerizing hippocampus voice, he says, "I can probably now reach the village quickly to check the state of things over there. I can also keep out an eye for elementals."

Zelloris, mon Chatelaine she says quietly, eyes alighting on the steward, before pulling her somewhat further off. I have become quite aware of the situation, though I would appreciate being filled in on any further information you may have. We can handle this on the road. I will have Myxis and Gul scout ahead. I advise you become friendly with Myxis, she may become a part of this. she whispers, constantly checking if others have noticed their absence.

Well, I must say, I was not expecting that Imazael says, returning in time to watch Kyrill shapeshift Sounds like a good plan, return to us with any relevant intelligence. please do not place yourself in danger. You're no good to us dead, and furthermore I have grown somewhat fond of you She says, her cold, clinical tone returned, after it's brief absence.

[i]Only one more problem before we leave[/b] the voice tells her. it isn't wrong, she needs to insure Myxis' health and safety (Well, Gul seems set on something as well, but that is her errand, and she seems to have it well in hand.) She walks over, and kneels down, placing a hand on he gnomette's shoulder A word, if you would.

after she has led the girl off, she takes a seat next to her I understand you are fond of mushrooms. Don't deny it, don't act ashamed, I don't especially care about your choices. I promise you, half the people in this room are addicts, they just chose more acceptable addictions, The lovers to their partners, the dwarf to his gold, his flock to his god. she gestures to people for emphasis, while not breaking eye contact with the young Gnome But, your addiction can be incapacitating, and so I must ask, will you be able to make it to the village without the mushrooms? green eyes stare into the Gnomette;s soul as she finishes.

In the veneration room, Gulirk uses the residual energy in the air to form a mote of light and send it into the darkened room beyond. The mote is unstable and glows in irratic bursts of light, like a candle that's burned down low.

The inside of the crypt is a long tiled hall with six doors and six statues. At the end of the hall is a low dais. Midway down the hall, Gulirk's orb of light flashes, burning the tortured faces of the statues into the retinae of those watching intently. The runes engraved in the walls seem to soak up the energy, feeding it along channels in the floor and into the dais. The light rises, shifting into fire, and from the parting flames emerges a distantly familiar face. I'm picturing Jason Momoa, but whatever. Bronze arms cross over a bare chest, flames trailing past the naval as well as forming a wild mane of hair. His nails are sharp and black. His eyes shine like obsidian. The ifrit floats a few inches off the dais, a predatory smile actively breaking the hearts of the women of the village. "My lady Ketodur. I can see we have both done quite well for our selves in this new world." The ifrit makes no move toward the party.

Gul examines the statues, but does not know enough about human religion or history to ascertain their significance. She judges the ifrit with squinted eyes and a defiant stance. You're certainly well informed for someone trapped in a vault. It makes one think that you are not trapped at all. It also makes one think you are responsible for the fire outside. As you seem to know me, It seems only fair that you tell me who you are.

A situation that begs for a DR roll

DR: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6

The figures pinned against the wall are dhampir. Infamous criminal dhampir. The deeper vaults may be filled with ancient human remains, but this surface chamber has been used, as so many dhampir crypts are, as a prison. Gulirk passes the mote of light through the hall to get a better look at each face, but the details of their crimes escape her recollection.

It also seems like the ifrit is confined to the dais, or at least, what you see is being projected by the dais. "Gully, you wound me. Were it not for you, I would still be pushing the Wheel... Kreza. My name is Kreza, and I won't remind you again, dove." (+1 xp to Gul) Kreza does not react to your exploration of the room.

Gul looks at Papa with ashamed eyes then back to Kreza. She remembers the first machine that the gnomes built for the village. A terraforming mechana designed to create and maintain aqueducts, roads and farms. The dhampirs were beyond such considerations, but the living needed the infrastructure to not only survive but thrive.

The mechana was powered by a battery carried by the refugees of the gnome-orc war of attrition. The pilots complained the mechana would act on its own intermittently. Gul had wondered, or more precisely worried, that the battery had a suffering conscience entity within it.

One night, under the cloak of dark, Gul did something to end her concern. She stole the battery and broke open it's seals in the deep forest. She readied her pet and weapon. Kreza and Gul first meet, and a slave is freed. She kept silent, as rumors and speculation buzz about thieves and enemies among the gnomes.

She looks back at LASaROS. You trapped a conscience elemental. What is wrong with you?!? Free him immediately!

Assuming that the dias has a pentagram type holding magic

May I suggest that the necklace icons you created, are for those here and now. I would wear one. I'm sure the gnomes would. I'm sure Imazael would if only to ease your mind.

"Have to find 'em first...but I'm holdin' ya ta that."

---------

Not another one eyeing up the gold...I can't blame 'er, but now I've gotta watch 'er in case she puts 'erself in danger wi' 'er fixation...let alone someone else.
Muirkhom keeps a careful eye on Umlur. Until she could get a pyrite-detox and he could properly gauge her without any gold-taint, she needed treating like the lot that followed him and started hijacking the casino effort for their gain.
Hopefully, I won't end up wi' more...'property', again. Why Gul won't let me get rid of that debt, I've no clue.

"Listen up, Umlur. Before ya can be properly recognised, we're goin' ta need ta get ya a pyrite symbol. I 'ad a few, but wi' all this goin' on, they've gone missin' and I can't find 'em. They'll be 'ere somewhere, I bet. Any ideas?"

---------

There's a few things going on admittedly, but Muirkhom's attention stays with Gulirk, mostly. Her, and "Kreza". Apparently, this was the elemental they'd been looking for. But he wasn't some kind of criminal Lassiter had helped capture in exchange for the bread, if his attitude was anything to go by. Only thing he might be guilty of is stealing hearts. He seemed alright.
But then, what was going on here? The gnomes wanted him for some reason. Pushing the wheel...he'd been made to work, and Gul stopped it? Seemed like he was friends with Gul anyway, and that was definitely a point in his favour.

Thinking on it, LASaROS tried to divert away from the room with the elemental. Well, he didn't want to go there, at least. And didn't that gnome call the bread a payment for an elemental? And Gul was shouting how this was bad an it should stop too! That Kreza should be free!
...Muirkhom had always been gullible. The amount of stupid mistakes Garnyl had to rescue him from was beyond counting. But he wasn't a complete idiot, and an inkling of what might be happening was forming in his mind.
He had to be sure though. It didn't make sense! If this was anything like the idea that was forming in his mind, why trap this guy in the first place? Maybe LASaROS was just afraid of Kreza because he didn't want to know what he'd do to him for trapping him? Why couldn't this be simple?
He had to check, he just had to.

Muirkhom walks into the room. He looks about a bit, finds a spot with something interesting that he could seem to be investigating close to the dais, and starts rummaging through the collection of golden items. Something that could potentially break Kreza free if things called for it.
"Hey. Ya said yer name was Kreza? Muirkhom. Don't know if ya know me - our memories are all shot right now. Hope I 'aven't done anythin' bad to ya I don't remember."
"What the 'ell is goin' on 'ere? Why do the gnomes want ya so bad? Why'd ya get locked up 'ere?"

"Actually, doesn't matter, Gul's right. I'm gettin' ya free. I'd heard rumours'a gnomes bein' a race'a slavers, but I never understood why anyone said that till now."

Funny you should mention that. Imazael smiles. I like you, Myxis, but I'm afraid that the mushrooms might cause you to be a liability. Imzael opens her wrish, catching the falling blood in a stone cup (Which she doesn't remember picking up) before she licks it closed and hands it over What if I told you there was something that made you feel better than those, and would make you faster, and stronger? she asks

Pushing Pawns: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11

Not sure if this should be PP or DD+ Cha

Imazael has 2 hold on Myxis who will stake life and limb toward earning another sip. Myxis is always up to try new things, and it would seem this instinct is rewarded. Also, thanks for spilling fresh blood down the hall from starving vampires, I'ma just give that to the next beat to travel at the speed of smell.

In the crypt, LASaROS shrugs his tentacles at Gulirk. "It's out of my hands now, though they are many."

To Muirkhom, and over the octopus' words, Kerza speaks. "You were the newcomer. No one took you in because they had been tricked by a similar tale before. You were in the cathedral when they chased me here. Graverobbing, I believe."

Still in his hippocampus state, Kyrillosr heads towards the door to check out the village. When on the way there, he hears some loud conversation; but he doesn't make out the elemental, so he doesn't turn back so as to make his trip as quick as possible. He gallops to the village to see from afar if the fire is still raging, and if he can spot an elemental.

If necessary: Discern Realities: 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2) - 1 = 5

You can take that roll as your Existential Crisis(7) or take the fail on the Discern Reality(5). Either way, I may need a second roll. In any case...
[Disturbingly Apropos Ambiance Music]

Kyrillosr takes off, up and out of the cathedral. Leaving the front double doors, the air hits his aquatic skin like an oven. Outside, the world is covered in ankle-deep ash. Kyrillosr orients by the sun, cresting the bare horizon to the east, a soft glow behind the black and red haze of the edges of the fire. The hippocampus kicks up the ash behind him as he tears through the dessolation, the broken lattice-work of the forest passing in a blur. Forms move in the distance, too far to judge their height. There is no sound but the pound-pound thump of hooves and tail, and Kyrillosr can feel the threads of reality fraying around him.

Then, he’s arrived. At least, as near as he can get. The merfolk stands at the precipice of a crater, like a black pit. The Gnomish Works hangs in the air, a protected arm of the grander superstructure the villagers have been squatting in for, in some cases, centuries. Dunkleheim was once a prestigious castle, miles across. It had its start in many smaller buildings that grew into a singular structure over time. Now, it contains miles of halls, thousands of rooms, but the village really only kept a few dozen wings in operation. Now, half of the massive castle is gone. The east wall lays in blackened ruin.

I'm going to take up the offer of using that as my roll for my survival and redoing the discern realities move.

Reroll (Wisdom): 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) = 11 now at 12
Discern Realities (new modifier): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Though he had never intended to stay long, the heat was made him want more than ever to make the trip as quick as possible. On his way over, Kyrillosr begins to feel a bit wiser. Once he reaches the crater, he lifts up his eyes and examines his surroundings anew. The sight of Dunkleheim reminded him of its place in the village and its past. He continues to look around him for any useful information.

What happened here recently?

The easy answer is that it done got blowed up. More than that, though, is what you can tell from how vivid the area is still. In the places between and away from people, your surroundings have been repetitive or simple. Here, your mind isn't filling in the blanks. This is more than a scar in the world, it's a scar on someone's mind. Someone would have to be actively obsessing over this location and what happened here in order to maintain it in such detail.

The crater is scorched black, and the fire marks out a straight line between the village and the cathedral. At a guess, Kerza detonated something under the Gnome Works, then made a run for the cathedral before getting locked in the crypt. +1 Forward to acting on the persistence of the destruction of Dunkelheim.

"When folks leave dangerous stuff in the ground, it needs cleanin' up." Muirkhom didn't even think about the response - Garnyl had just drilled it into him to the point it came out automatically as he looked for something to set Kreza free. An idea occurs to him while he works. "Say, are ya any good wi' metal? Smeltin' an' shapin'? Cos' when I get enough gold together, I need ta start work on the Vessel'a Midas. Ya seem ta be friendly wi' Gul, so ya can't be that bad. Can ya help me make the body when it comes ta it? Ya'd be workin' wi' a lot'a gold, least 'nough ta make a body as big as yerself, but I'm not so worried as I'd be wi' most folks. Figure someone like ya won't be driven crazy like most folks, bein' raw stuff'a creation an' all."

The stink of undeath, vampire stink specifically, reaches her as she holds the gnommette Not necessary, but it is good to reinforce the bond as it forms. the voice instructs her. Her eyes flare brilliant emerald, and she pushes the gnommette to her feet. Your guardian has just unearthed a vampire... and we both reek of blood. she pushes the girl toward a bit of rubble Get down below here, and wear this round your neck she says, giving the girl her symbol of ibris, before getting behind the door, hiding in the shadows and using the girl as bait.

Defy Danger +dex: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 1 = 12

Ya'd be workin' wi' a lot'a gold, least 'nough ta make a body as big as yerself,

Or much, much, much bigger. Thinks Gul.

He's no longer pure, boss. Suffering has robbed him of his innocence. Gul looked at Kreza with compassion. What exactly is your relationship with Lassiter?

[BEAT]

Umlur arches a silvery eyebrow. “I’ve no interest in gold, and I’ve no idea what pyrite is, but I’ve seen a lot of shackles in my time, and those certainly look like gold.” Standing behind Muirkohm, her arm passes a few inches from his ear as she places a slender finger on one of the shackles (pyrite, 1wt) holding the frozen dhampir in place. Notably, they don’t smell of gold. There are twenty four shackles. They’re just… occupied.

Kreza is taken aback. He peels his eyes away from Muirkohm’s careless traversal of the tiled floor to meet the dwarf eye to eye. “I’d have to be careful not to…” He sucks air through his teeth and tips his head to one side. “See--like you said--it’s the stuff of creation, I’m the stuff of creation. It could get… well… Anyway, I’d doubt the imps would even consider-”

Lemongrass breaks out of a rather furious conniption. “Now, see here, Gulirk Ketodur, dat one dere is a walking, talking crime. Namely arson, eh? They all are! It’s just better if they’re put to use.”

Kreza’s lip curls. “Tell you what, bub. You see me out of here? I’ll make all the people you’d like.” He pauses again, and turns to Gul, the flames around him growing. “Wayland? He’s the craven milksop that locked me in here. You seen him?”

Muirkohm feels the weight on his shoulders lighten. Then, the dhampir inches in front of the devout dwarf lurches to life. He sucks in air through his nose and arches his back, straining weakly against the shackles. Kreza reaches out instinctively, his fires growing low. (One of the women in the crowd of villagers feints.) “Watch your step!”

Funny you should ask. You see the squid on our dwarven friend? He's imitating a god these days. Gul and Ginger slowly walk down the hall. All while avoiding the shackled prisoners. Gul gets very close to Kreza ear. Forcing herself to ignore the searing heat, She whispers into the ifrit's fiery ear.

Gulirk, I'm going to need you to defy the danger of the acid trap tiles you're crossing. I mean... nothing personal. ;)

DD: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

I've been trying to trigger KoC for a bit now. Am I goofing up how I'm doing it, or is it just other circumstances not letting me grab something?

I've been waiting for you to rummage around in the basket. "When you take a few moments to dig through your collection for something useful" Did you want a different narrative trigger? -or did I miss something?

I've been doing it as I talked. I walk in and find a nearby spot, start rummaging through, and talk to Kreza as I do.

Muirkhom walks into the room. He looks about a bit, finds a spot with something interesting that he could seem to be investigating close to the dais, and starts rummaging through the collection of golden items. Something that could potentially break Kreza free if things called for it.