The Father of Waters

Game Master Fighting Chicken

Each death causes us much grief as we are the last of our peoples as far as we know. Oios says sadly We must be cautious. Well guarded delegations travelling between our camp and your city i ndaylight should be done to keep the lines of communications open, but no more than that.

Istiel guffaws at Orix's question, the first sound and movement she has made throughout the entire proceeding. "No. The Three Peoples are not safe here. Until your Hidden Enemy is dead we should both protect our own." She states simply, casting her piercing hazel eyes upward to the Speaker.

Orix's meaty hands grip the rail above you, the beastling's shaggy head bearing down on you, his frown plain to see. "Our hidden enemy is your hidden enemy as well. But there may be prudence to what you say. Still..."

"These beasts, like the plague-beast you fought, they seem to come frequently to our shores, more so than usual since the drought began. Perhaps they thirst for the waters in our bodies."

"And there is the matter of the Stormreaders. It seems you did not make friends. I'm worried that as our people grow more weary of them, we both may suffer their wrath. Perhaps there are other ways that we can aid each other from their wasplings, stormbird, and magic?"

Each death causes us much grief as we are the last of our peoples as far as we know. Oios says sadly We must be cautious. Well guarded delegations travelling between our camp and your city i ndaylight should be done to keep the lines of communications open, but no more than that.

"We will send a well-guarded delegation, as you suggest, daily, with any important information we have. Likewise, I suggest you do the same."

"Experience tells me you should expect a coming coup. A night of knives and poison, where those of your Senate not corrupted are murdered, allowing the ones not killed to take power. Expect this when it becomes harder for them to corrupt the pure hearted who remain."

A murmur arises in the Senate, quick voices of rising concern that take minutes for Orix to squash.

"You truly think this hidden enemy is the same as yours? Could this contagion spread? These are dark times indeed. Damballah's guidance must be sought. Neeri, call upon our diviners."

A thin, ibex-billed beastling sitting to Orix's right nods.

Imix bows slightly "I would suggest the Senate pass a motion that condemns any senators who survive such a trial to die. This will negate the benefit to the Enemy of doing it in the first place, and give you time to move. Certainly I personally would assume any such survivor is a traitor to your people, and a danger to ours."

Advice given, he steps back.

The murmur Imix's previous statement is nothing to the ruckus of his suggestion, and it takes a full ten minutes to bring the Senate back to order.

The otterling is the first to address the Suriname directly. "Suriname, tell me. Would you have suggested this course of action for your people? What if you did, and things still went as they did? Knowing that you are innocent, would you still end your life, if you were part of the compact?"

Imix considers "I would indeed have suggested this course of action for my people. Had I done so perhaps the coup that toppled my own empire might have never happened. Had I been a leader at such a time I would have assumed death was inevitable and sold my life as dearly as possible. Should I have succeeded in stopping the coup..." he considers for a moment "I see. An interesting dilemma. Once a coup is launched, logically the only two options available to the innocent are to either accept one's death and try to die fighting, or to abandon one's allies and join the enemy. I believe I know what my choice would be, but I had not considered the problem in this light; if the enemy believes enough of the senate will be swayed to choose to change sides, this action would not only be unlikely to prevent a coup, but instead actively makes it easier to succeed and therefore makes the action more likely - indeed may even precipitate the very coup it is intended to prevent."

Imix bows to the otterling, lower than he has before "I see your wisdom. I have ever had a weakness with politics - this is normally considered an asset in a Suriname, but now it has led me to advise incorrectly. I hypothesise this is one of the reasons the Suriname are forbidden to do anything but advise, except in very narrow circumstances."

"While I still believe that the enemy has infiltrated your ranks - especially given that your city is built on their old stronghold - I can see now that there is no easy solution at hand. The best I could reasonably promise is that if, after investigation, I truly believe that survivors of a coup were instigators I would seek to kill them - a threat so full of caveats it would be better not to make it."

"Bluntly, I had considered your Senate to be inferior to a hereditary monarchy. I see now I have judged it unfairly - I now see the benefit of your system over pure autocracy. It is yourselves; the senators."

"Your senators appear to have been schooled in intrigue and politics beyond anything I had ever expected to encounter outside the very highest level of the imperial courts. Your cunning and insight into exploiting human weakness make you more than just an asset in this fight against the Enemy. It makes you essential."

"Again and again the Enemy has misled us. Tricked us. Fooled us. Betrayed us. They have whittled away all but those whose own forthright, honest nature left them unable to anticipate such attacks. I had believed that this was the will of the Gods, saving those who put others above themselves, but perhaps not."

"Hamfatten was the worst of us. A scheming politician willing to do anything to survive. His death leaves us far poorer. All we truly have now is Oios; an investigator prepared to accept a death sentence in order to do his duty to his people. While his knowledge of the darker half of human nature is expansive, he himself is, unfortunately, a veritable beacon of honour and light."

"I am now convinced we must give to your Senate all the information, all the minutiae, that we have encountered - not simply our interpretation. Perhaps your experience will enable you to spot some pattern we do not, before that pattern comes to some terrible conclusion."

"I ask the Senate to consider our problems, and create a task force of those most gifted at intrigue, ensure such a task force is free from the Enemy, and set them to anticipate our Enemy's actions."

"Additionally: should our immediate problems be resolved, I would ask the Senate to consider a proposal that I be trained in politics and intrigue, in order to avoid giving such poor advice in the future."

Eventually, the next Suriname-caused uproar dies down, and Orix speaks, his gravelly voice booming around the chamber.

"Thank you for the kind words, Suriname. Our people are naturally inclined to politics, for better and worse. It goes back to our bretheren that live in tainted waters beyond the enclave. Their tribal politics are shifting and their alliances and enemies numerous. What we've built here resembles the games our brothers play at times, with the guilds standing in for tribal allegiances."

"We will take your recommendation for a task force under consideration."

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Imix, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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A group of beastlings, lead by Latha, and anyone you'd like along set out the morning of the 28th. The beginnings of summer are here, and this unusally hot and humid land is noticibly so: even the acclimated beastlings complain of the oppressive heat.

By mid-morning you're back in the cave. The beastlings begin by removing the rest of the dead, and they cut the snake up and take it, in smaller chunks, out the cave entrance. The water, to your relief, remains clear of taint, and upon application of enough light, is remarkably clear as well, with visibility of about five feet from any point of light. Schools of blind fish swim nonplussed through the lake. Life is here, in abundance.

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Exhausted by the day of corpse removal, Latha and her laborers retire to the island's beach, and spend the Ayida-Wedu's last lights constructing shelters amid the treeline.

"We'll camp here tonight and explore the cave in the morning," Latha says, steadying a branch over her constructed lean-to. "Is there anything in particular you'd like us to accomplish?"

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Oios finds to his dismay Latha is gone - apparently to the island - the morning of the 28th. The Shadow however has little trouble wrangling a meeting with Speaker Orix, and by mid-afternoon he sits with the Speaker in the darkened Senate chambers, any official business for the day apparently included. A small plate of pan-roasted vegetables tossed with swamp chives and vinegar sits in front of the speaker. Gesturing to the plate, Orix takes a palm heart for himself and munches, closing his eyes as he chews.

The openness of the room, with its ceilings high above you, provide a welcome respite to the heat and humidity of the island the Flight calls home.

"What can I do for you, Leader Oios? Is that your proper title? I find this chamber to be one of the most pleasant in the Enclave - when it is not filled with Senators."

The furry-headed beastling's mouth turns up a bit at his joke, but his eyes watch you, probing. Politics it seems, must always be put before pleasure.

Senate
"I would be honoured." Imix nods his head politely. 'They seem willing to listen to good advice, as well as give it.'

"However you came by your skill and wisdom, it is good that you have done so. I confess I was surprised to find any bastion of civilisation here, in a land we thought full of barbarians. The more time I spend amongst your people, the more civilised I realise you are." Imix's praise is genuine.

"Of course, my first task will be to return to the site of the murder and secure it. Perhaps we can find answers there."
"You may question the other Suriname, if you wish, until I return."

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Imix, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Imix is no stranger to hard work, setting to moving the snake-corpse with a will.
That night around the fire he nods in response to Latha's question. "Our primary objective, however, should be to avoid fatalities. The relationship between our peoples is in enough turmoil already."
He indicates the cave with his fish kebab. "We must do our best to avoid polluting the water. I would like to discover what the source is. It may be that this is simply a rain-store, and it may be that this is fed from an aquifer. The best possible option is that there is a clue within to something to keep the water pure -this would explain why the snake creature has not impacted the quality."
"I can explain what the other Suriname and I have discovered about the difference between the two waters. Additionally Istiel and myself should discuss combat tactics with you and your people. my magic, especially, can intimidate the unfamiliar."

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Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Even with the Beastling's animal statures, Istiel kept up with or bested most of them in terms of strength and endurance. She moved the biggest snake chunks, often insisting on doing it single-handedly. By the end of the day she was sweaty and exhausted, but if anyone questioned her fitness they were disconnected from reality.

In turn, she eats about twice as much as the rest, as fish and vegetables disappear beneath her veil while they put up shelters, eat, and rest. "You can free yourself from the Storm Readers." She states before taking a long draw from her newly filled waterskin. "Use this pool. Do not give them more tribute. Do not give them more people. They only seek to use you." It was quite clear that Istiel did not trust the Storm Readers, and would gladly test her mettle against their Seer if given the chance.

"We can move the flight here." The monk suggests to Imix as she rolls up her veil and begins re-buckling her mask. "We can protect the water. Farm the fish. Share with the Beastlings."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Senate

Orix nods, his shaggy head of hair bobbing willy-nilly. "Don't be surprised. Our tribal cousins have a deep and rich culture, though they waste their energies on the worship of plagues and diseases, as if it will keep them safe..."

"It was the other Suriname that started our people down Damballah's current, and our natural inclinations have proven us quick learners."

Island

Latha listens, intently, to Imix. "The plaguebeast is gone, the water should be safe. It seems as if a great amount of taint would be necessary to foul it, given that the snake did not. But, we shall keep as much from the cave as possible."

Turning to the other beastling, Latha barks orders, her tone commanding. Clearly, the harbormaster may not be a Senator, but she is respected.

"I've instructed them to bathe in the river each morning, and then let the water air dry before we enter the cave. We'll work tomorrow on creating some frond brushes, and we can wipe the dirt and dust from our bodies as well."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7, continued
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The subject of combat, and freedom, is particularly interesting to the foxling.

"Our seers have magic, but we're not a strong peoples in that way. We do have strong craftsfolk, and we fight well from the shadows, though we avoid a direct fight when possible."

Turning to Istiel, Latha raises an eyebrow. "Our people don't trust the Stormreaders, despite the platitudes our Senate gives them. No one has volunteered as a dreamer for months, and no one tells if they do dream - or asks their friends either."

"The water is the key to our freedom - if it will last until the drought breaks. But if there is enough there...

Latha trails off, a human-enough look of worry crossing her face. "It will be difficult to convince the Senate to give you the island. Perhaps a share of some sort can be arranged. We'll need to have a presence here, regardless."

Orix

I have not thought much about my proper title Oios replies gruffly. When our Flight finds a home I will be rid of it in any case.

As for our purpose he continues I thank you for assigning Latha to be our guide, she is thoughtful and generous, but her responsibilies are not such that allow for answering the kind of questions I have. My purpose is to find a safe place for my peoples to settle and recover, and rebuild. I had hope that this would be that place but.... your advice would be appreciated.

Oios leans his chin on his staff. The... spirited discussion.. that you were kind enough to allow us to witness in this room was illuminating. Can I know why some of your peoples are so adamanat about us existing here at all? Is it ought to do with the worship of Damballah that Harambe introduced to these lands? Speaking of, we seem to have been unwittingly following his trail. What do you know of him? Why did he come here? What did he do? Where did he go? What is his purpose?

I apologize for the barrage of questions Oios ends shrugging Until very recently I was an inquisitor, not a politician. But it is imperative I know why some of your peoples are welcoming hosts while others are decidedly not. Blood has been shed already over this and my peoples have precious little of it left.

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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The speaker shrugs. "I will simply call you Speaker then. You have guided your people through a weaver's needle in a storm, and you should not abandon your title, whatever it may one day be."

"Some of our people are wary of you, as strangers must be. Some of our Senators fear that you will attack us, especially if resources become scarcer. Though we have numbers, your people are obviously strong fighters and desperate - a dangerous combination. I suspect that some fear loss of influence, or have other personal motivations for opposing your presence. Perhaps others still worship our cousins' gods and resent Damballah, though that is just speculation."

Taking a sip of mate, Orix continues. "As for Harambe, he is a friend of our peoples, which certainly has bought your Flight good will, though I suspect the Suriname's motivations for helping us are more selfish than he lets on. He studies the origins of the cataclysm that happened here, and travels for similar reasons, as I understand it. He comes and goes as he deems fit, and was last here, probably two years past? Sometimes he is gone for mere months, sometimes for years. When he is here, Harambe spends his time in a tower to the south, and comes and goes from our Enclave. He also visits the old Library, spending days there, and other buildings in the city."

"I am, of course, always happy to meet, Speaker Oios. Visit as you need - leaders can learn much from other leaders."

Orix rises and then hesitates, before continuing "Perhaps you have made other friends among my people, friends that you could turn to for more - as we say - out of the chamber advice?"

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 8
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The day is spent, as Latha mentioned the previous evening, prepping for a more considerate approach to surveying the lake. As night approaches and the campfires are lit, a woven mat has been laid at the cave's entrance and through the tunnel to the lake, and frond brushes sit at the lake's shore.

That evening, a group of five of the laborers approach Istiel, clearly nervous. One beastling, a sucker-headed aquatic-looking creature resembling nothing the monk has ever seen, stumbles through some very rough and accented Takoya.

"Us smash rocks and big bushes like you helmet-face?"

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 9 - 11
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Finally, days later, the outer limits have been surveyed, and the general properties of the lake defined.

The lake and the cave it is in is substantial, covering a full 3.5 acres underground. Its ecosystem is also surprising. Small freshwater crawfish feed off of fungus and algae, neither of which seems to require light, and is abundant on the lakebed, which is rarely deeper than five feet. There are fish that feed off of the crawfish, blind but quick-moving, suggesting they have some other way to sense prey than sight. And they are plentiful within the lake, suggesting they have little in the way of natural predators.

The source of the water is still unknown, though it is discovered that the lakebed is consists of porous limestone. Imix theorizes that the lake's water slowly filters through the stone, perhaps eventually mingling with the tainted Cheya, which must also lie within the island's stony base.

The sucker-headed beastling, named Ganton, proves to be a capable swimmer and explorer, and on the 11th discovers a small, winding fissure within the lakebed that leads into the darkness. The beastlings decide that he will lead a small team of their best divers in the morning into the fissure.

The torchbearers holding their lights above the surveyors will not be helpful in the fissure, so a messenger is dispatched to the enclave for a seer to provide magical, waterproof light, and the camp settles in for the night, excited chatter drifting across the cookfires...

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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"Likely you are correct, and my precautions paranoia. Still, this lake may be the saviour of our peoples - a little extra precaution seems no great hardship."

"'Give' seems the wrong term. The water herein is needed by all, were we to seek to take it for ourselves, your Senate would be right to deny it. I believe what Istiel is suggesting is that we guard it, for the good of all." he looks around "Did not some of your people know of this place, and keep it for themselves even as their brothers and sisters parched and suffered? Did not some of yours kill those who found it? Who knows what forces will be launched to take back control of such a place."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 9 - 11
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"No need!" Imix assures the others, uncloaking his shield to let the magical light within shine forth. "That said, we should absolutely provide a written report, with at least a pair of messengers to provide escort. In it I would add that I have encountered a water-spirit nearby, one of the lesser immortals. Asking her to take residence here before she is corrupted seems wise - though this I would open to wider debate."

Imix turns to the sucker-headed, near-amphibious beastling who made the discovery "You are Ganton? Ganton - you have found us a clue with your competence and bravery. I would be delighted to accompany you further."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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"Yes." Istiel intones simply as Imix provides a better explanation of her idea. "We guard it. Live here. Protect. The water is for all of Damballah's children. It is a clear blessing." She glances at the srroundings- the withered trees, the fetid waters of the Cheya. Even the sky seemed to hold some kind of taint, evidenced by the swarms of mosquitoes constnatly menancing everyone and only kept at bay by their smokey campfires. "The Flight may not stay anyway. This is not a land we are used to."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 8
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Istiel had found a excellent rock to train on after their survey of the island. A boulder of limestone sticking through the ground, yellowed and smoothed from years of wind and rain. She smashed her fist into it over and over, and was making much better progress at actually destroying the outcropping than the harder stone she had found earlier. Bits of bone-white rock chips fly off as she punches the rock, and by the time sucker-headed beastling approaches her with a group the monk has made a very noticable dent in the limestone, a white pocket that was tinged red with her blood. You are close. Focus. You must focus! One of hte voices in her head encourages her. focus. just as the master taught you. your ki must flow perfectly. Another says as the unneeded advice flows from all the voies in her head like the Cheya after a heavy rain.

Turning as the beastlings approach, Istiel takes a moment to actually understand what he... she... it...? Was saying. "You want to be strong?" She asks simply, trying to communciate. "Or you want to fight?" Istiel shifts her posture, now facing them completely and tucking her hands within the sleeves of her robes. "Or both?"

Hazel eyes briefly size up the laborers. She had wanted to know how tough these beastlings were since first encountering them. Oios' sister was a poor sparring partner and required intense instruction, though she was learning quickly and could soon be trusted with a real spear.

"Come." She says to the sucker-fish, posture unchanging. "Try to hit me. Spar. I will judge if you can be taught."

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 9 - 11
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"We should bring the water-spirit here." Istiel agrees with the Suriname's sentiments. "Such a child of Damballah will be welcome in these blessed waters." With a tilt of her head, she inquires. [b]"Is this the one that used the magic to let us breathe in water? I would like that magic now. I wish to join Ganton in exploring."{/b]

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Imix & Istiel, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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"Yes." Latha says, her voice flat, her expression dark. "Some of my people did hide it, and kill for it. Now that the Senate knows, I hope we can work together to steward this very valuable resource. I for one agree with you."

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 8
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The beastling laborers prove to be poor combatants by Istiel's rigid standards, though they prove themselves to have a cunning side to their skirmishing, almost as if the feral natures of their non-human ancestries exact an influence as they fight.

Ultimately, Istiel leaves the laborers dissastifyingly unbeaten, being that they have hard days of work in front of them. Still, the warrior-monk can see something there. Perhaps, with enough training, the beastlings, Anayda, and some others could be forged into a new monk's order?

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 11 and 12
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The aid of the Wavewhisperers procured, Imix, Istiel, Keethero the priest, and a small group of divers led by Ganton squeeze into the rift in the cave's shore. They emerge into a smaller cave, sightless fish swimming placidly in the darkness, feeding on a lichen that covers the cave's walls. The lichen collects the light from Imix's shield as its brilliance passes over; the light stays almost sparkling on the lichens tendrils for seconds until it fades into darkness.

The whole effect is dizzying and almost mystical.

Ganton points to a section of the cave wall and begins clearing the lichen, and with tools - spears and beaten metal spades - the beastlings pick at the exposed section, and after hours have cleared centuries of accumulated mud and dirt. The cave is actually an underground chamber, not natural at all. It seems as if the "island" you are within is in reality a building, long covered over by the elements and passage of time.

The next day, you again enter the cave, and the laborers this time work at the floor - soon, you've discovered a depression. Clearing the mud reveals a 15 foot diameter bowl about three feet deep in the center. Istiel brushes aside some rubble and then holds it up - masonry, carved in an elaborate design, once an elegant humanoid arm, no doubt part of a larger sculpture long worn away.

The water hear feels particularly cold, and it brushes against you with some force, as if being expelled from the bowl. Working in tandem, excitement replacing tiredness, you clear more mud and masonry, and then, a particularly heavy slab of stone moved from the center of the bowl, the water pushes forcefully, unimpeded for the first time in ages.

You're standing in the bowl of a fountain. And the fountain pushes water around you, clear, cold, pure and obviously magical. Istiel's words from a week before ring in your ears. It is a clear blessing.

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Oios nods at Orix as he leaves, it is a deep nod, but not quite a bow, as befits a meeting between equals.

Taking the wise one's advice Oios does what he can to arrange a meeting with the mysterious beastling who contacted him in the dead of night before the latest bout of excitement

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 11 and 12
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The underwater explorations were exhausting for Istiel, who was the least suited of the group to be swimming in the pure, cold waters for extended periods of time. Anyone less stubborn would have given up after an hour in the frigid waters, but Istiel said nothing and pressed on, sometimes barely able to feel her fingers as she helped to scrape aside dirt and moss and lift stones.

As they discover the bowl she is the one to first grab the slab of masonry and heave it upward, assisted by the flow of water from below. The monk loses her footing as the impeded water blasts forth, and for a brief moment she is listlessly spinning upward in the water, bouyed by its power. Though unseen behind her mask, a rare look of wonder crosses Istiel's face.

"Praise Damballah!" She bubbles loudly while frantically trying to right herself, swimming downward towards the source. "We can survive here. Flourish." Istiel looks to Imix, her eyes bright with excitement. "We must keep this from The Flame. We must guard it. This is for the Children of Damballah alone."

Imix's mind stops for a moment in childlike wonder at the miracle that is the bowl.

At Istiel's words his focus snaps back. "Yes. We must keep it from the Flame." 'If the Flame is from another world, is this water? Does the magic here parallel that used to bring the monsters it uses here? Could it be used to summon a creature of Life, rather than of [b]Death?'[/i]

He does his best to take Latha and Istiel aside.
"Latha: this is more valuable than I had thought. This water can be drunk, and those who drink it will produce water that can in turn be used on crops. If it can be replicated, perhaps we can flood the death-water in your lands with the water of life, and restore these areas to what they once were."

"It must be guarded. Now. How will your Senate act?"

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
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Then next morning, a group of beastling soldiers arrive with a member of the Senate, who asks in broken common for an update on how things go on the island. Any more news about the killers of Hamfatten and his people? How is the flight settling in? That sort of thing.

As the beastlings take a quick tour of the island, a beastling presses a small scrap of vellum into your hand. Later, unfolding the scrap, you find a scrawled note in your native tongue: Tonight, after your Flight sleeps. Where we met before. Alone

And so you find yourself standing near the glade where you met before, and standing. And waiting. And standing. Eventually, the underbrush rustles and the same cloaked beastling, face again hidden, enters the clearing.

"Hello leader Oios. How are things with your people? I hope that they have put the murders behind them. We work to settle tensions in the Enclave."

"Why do we meet this evening, Leader Oios?"

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 11 and 12
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"It is very valuable," Latha says, taking a long drink from the lake, a long grin crossing the beastling's snout. "Our Senate will want us to have a presence here, to guard the lake. But truthfully, we have enough soldiers to provide safety for the Enclave and our farms, and little more. This is an opportunity to bind our peoples further together, and to break the hold that the Stormreaders have over us!"

"I cannot say what our Senate would offer, but I can make suggestions to them. A token force of our people here, laborers during the day to build fortifications, the knowledge of our weapons. In return, you provide security here too, and we use the great boats you have to ferry water to our farmlands and the Enclave until a more permanent solution can be put into place?

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 11 and 12
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"Yes." Istiel agrees with Latha's assessment of the situation. "The three peoples will stay here. At Damballah's Gift." She looks to Imix. "We will guard it from the Flame. Start over here. When the flame has burned out above we will climb again. Take back our homes."

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Imix & Istiel, Erastus 11 and 12
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"Can we guard it?" Imix asks "Perhaps. If we make a firebreak. Cleans the population. Encourage the Flame to burn hot, and fast."

"The decision is not mine. This is not my Purpose. We must tell Oios, and the Senate. But for now..." unusually, Imix trails off, then nods "Yes, for now we guard."

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Erastus 12 - 30
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It takes a few days to relocate the Flight to Damballah's Gift, but everyone relocates without complaint - the promise of fresh water, seemingly unending, more than enough to convince everyone to break down their meager shelters.

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The island proves tricky for the Flight's larger boats, as the current is quick on the sides and top of the island, and muddy beach nonexistent on the bottom, southeast end. A peculiar geological formation is noted, where Imix theorizes the island will "swim" northwest over time, as the current deposits silt and debri on the north side, while eroding the south end. Luckily, the Suriname concludes that the water source is years - and perhaps generations - away from being threatened.

Soon the engineers and laborers are hard at work, building a makeshift wing dike from the northeast end of the island, calming the water to the south of it. Next, construction begins on the island's pier, and before the end of the month, trees have been hewed and honed and attached to the river bed south of the dike, and rise from the water like great wooden teeth. A walkway will be stretched across the mooring posts in the coming month, but for now it is enough. The keelboats can be tied to the mooring posts, and bob gently in the placid waters created by the wing dike.

On the island, the small settlement of Damballah's Gift begins to take shape. The beach and gentle sloping hill nearest the pier is cleared and graded, and numerous wooden houses are in the process of being erected, the largest of which, of course, belongs to the Lady Bellet, who has commandeered her soldiers and some laborers to build her home, with the promise that they can live on the bottom floor.

The center of the town is shaping up to be a small stone plaza, created from rounded river stones foraged from the island and other places nearby. The plaza is where - for now - religious ceremonies are held, and Nat, Issy, and Telowo make good use of it, holding daily ceremonies with each of Ayida Wedu's new births.

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A small contingent of beastling soldiers, ten in all and commanded by Latha, make their home on the island as well. They get to work on constructing a squat wooden tower, a miniture version of the ruined ones that their people inhabit in the Enclave, smaller in both size and beauty.

They oversee a daily shipment of water to the enclave aboard one of the Flight's keelboats, with the once-fisherwoman Korya Kolta at the helm.

With the assistance of the Wavewhisper tribe of Locanths (who have taken to living within the cave and pure water as its spiritual and physical guardians), Imix and the Suriname children continue their studies of the magical fountain, and with daily visits to the library, by the end of the month the Suriname feel confident that they can speak to the fountain's functioning as this:

Water is pulled from a place beyond into the fountain, and then pushed into this world, birthed almost like one of Damballah's children. The water was likely a (or the) holy water source for the Elderith city that once stood here. It was a gift then, and is a gift now, many ages later.

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Arodus 1
==================

The first day of Arodus is hot and humid, bringing with it sweat and botflies, which swarm about the placid area of the Gift's dock waters, blanketing the keelboats, canoes (and people) there.

The sounds of construction start soon after breakfast, the frames of homes being covered with thatch roofing, or for those with more expertise or help, wooden shingles. Others, the fishers and boaters mostly, who have not been working the tainted waters and sleeping aboard their boats, begin hauling felled trees to the dock for sawing and planing - the covering of the dock's walkway will begin soon!

A contingent of beastlings arrives before lunch; they are interested in exploring a way to better move water between the settlements. Without rain, the beastling's needs are great, as nearly 1000 souls call the Enclave home. The underground lake however provides easily, and seems little changed from the first day that you encountered it, either in water level or purity.

Tex and Telia, the engineer, find you and ask you to meet with the beastlings. As you approach the dock, one of the keelboats shudders, as if alive - and then you hear an audible crunch as wood splinters and the boat begins to take on water.

A scream emanates from a nearby mooring post where a second ago there was one of the Flight's laborers, measuring the distance between posts, and you just catch the splash as the laborer hits the water...

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
'Why is meeting with Texikuk is so awkward? Does she still feel anger at me? Surely by now she has seen the logic of the situation?' Mind caught between thinking of Tex and aqueduct designs, Imix writes off the chaos at the end of the dock as hijinks or accident. Someone closer will throw him a rope.' he decides.

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
=================

In some sensees we have put the murders behind us. In other senses we will never do so. Oios says. We are few and we saw this place as a haven but has proven to have daggers aimed at our throats from the shadows.

Oios makes a placating gesture. We are wary for now but trust will be built again, especially if those who commanded the murders are dragged into the light. We have made fast friends here and we do not forget that either. I wish to gain your insight into the nature of those of your people who work against you, who inflame tensions, rather then settle them. The two Councilmembers who spoke most against us, forgive me I do not know their names, the... otter.. and the snake... Why do they hate our presence? Do we get in the way of their plans? Are they beholden to other powers? Do they just fear the Wasps above all? What can we do to aid your shadow-work?

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Arodus 1
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There is a tentacle! A large beast assaults! We must move! Drazan! To the laborer that fell!

Oios moves to the end of the dock and draws his branched spear.

Round 1

Though Oios calls for Drazan to help the person that fell, the Man from Fire Peaks is not sworn to protect the Three Peoples- but Istiel is.

With little regard for the longboat that was being crushed by some strange and huge beast (which certainly catches her interest despite the fact it is not a dragon) the monk sprints down the length of the dock in a matter of seconds before leaping into the air.

During the moment of free-fall she throws her arms out in front of her in an attempt to cut through the water. The black blob of her robes sink into the cursed depths of the Selen as she tries to spot the person in the slow, but muddy flow.

Imix curses to himself that his magic is once again tied up in creating food, and looks around - only to see istiel bound from pole to pole.
'No. Not in armour. The water, for me.'
Growling a little, Imix lets his nature wash over him in preparation to dive into the water.

Round 2

Imix shifts while Oios and Istiel sprint towards the water-submerged beast, Oios stopping at the edge of dock, while Istiel dives into the water.

Just as the monk submerges, the creature launches itself from the water, its great bulk flying over Oios, droplets of riverwater falling from the beast and soaking the Shadow.

The creature is the largest freshwater squid that you've ever seen, larger even than your keelboats, and it is now effectively beached on the Gift's muddy shore. The broken body of the Flight's laborer still ensnared in one of the creature's tentacles, the other tentacles wave, one coming down with force on a nearby canoe, and another slams into Oios's stomach, leaving the Shadow breathless.

So close to the creature, Oios can see that while in life it was greatly diseased, the squid is now in fact quite dead, its hide savaged with long-coagulated wounds, its eyes clouded and unseeing. A horrific scent pervades the beast, turning Oios's stomach, but that is not the worst part. Carved into the creature's hide in Takoyan is the following message: Meddle not in our affairs!

The laborers on the dock scatter, screaming for help, and commotion erupts further up the island, in Damballah's Gift.

Tex looks to Imix and -confusion playing across her face- yells/asks "Should we fight?"

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
=================

The hooded beastling's voice emanates from beneath its cowl. "The Senators are named Keltha and Wreegith. They fear little but the loss of their influence, as they are both powerful Senators, the leaders of the Farmer's Guild and the Weaponsmith's Guild, respectively. They lead a faction of the Senate that wants you to leave.

"We all fear the Wasplings, and their masters the Stormreaders. Keltha and Wreegith also caution us to be supine to the Stormreaders. They worry - as do I frankly - that you'll pull us into war with the Seers."

The beastling pauses for awhile, its posture indicating that it is thinking heavily. "Your choice of words - shadow-work - is interesting. Do you know of those among your people that were - or are - Shadows?"

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Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
=================
Oios shrugs. Shadows are ephemeral and cannot be pinned down. That is their nature and their strength. They were not enough to save our peoples from disaster though as the strength and judgment of the people casting them were found wanting. A lesson for us all I think. He drums his fingers. Fearing the wasps is sensible. They control great magicks. But that fear can so easily be twisted towards evil. If our peoples are made to fear each other for example, then the outcome would be disaster. Thank you for your counsel. It has given me much to think about.

=================
Oios, Combat.
=================

The staff blazes forth and the first hit from it slices through the beasts defenses, driven by the wrath of Oios' gods. The second is not nearly as strong.

Round 2

The bubbles around Istiel, and the naturally muddy nature of the water, leaves Istiel briefly confused as she thrashes about for any sign of the creature that attacked the keelboat. After a few moments she kicks upward and breeches the surface in a much less dramatic version of the squid doing the same.

Rivelets of cursed water run down her lacquered mask and into her eyes, but she can tell with her ears the fighting has moved to the shore- without hesitation she kicks forward through the water, and within seconds is crawling along the mud of the beach, head just above the water.

It would be difficult to notice amongst the chaos, but Istiel was briefly swimming in slow motion- a small moment of localized interference with the flow of time takes place as she taps into the powers of her mask and her Master's blessing. Water droplets are kicked into the air and lazily fall down behind her, while the waves she makes are as melodramatic and drawn-out as some of the most popular theatre Cornucopia ever experienced.

Looking as much of a deadly creature herself, the muddy, dripping monk launches herself from all fours out of the shallows with a predatory cry with incredible speed. Time snaps back like a willow sapling in an effort to catch up, and Istiel seems to move quicker than the eye can percieve.

Round 2 cont.

Istiel scrambles from the water and covered in mud, moves with increased alacrity with every step - but still gets caught with the flailing of a tentacle - which feels more like a rock at the speed that the monk collides with it.

Imix freezes for a moment at Tex's words. Most of the leadership of the Flight are in this one place.
"You must stay safe." he answers "Take charge."

With that he lets his transformed body fall into the water, and a moment later speeds his way towards the creature.

=================
Oios, Sarenith 28 - Erastus 7
=================

The cowled beastling nods. "Shadows are a great tool for guiding our peoples. We call ours 'Whispers.' Harambe taught us the basics, but we could learn much about our craft from those that know it."

Again the beastling pauses, before starting again, with emphasis. "If you know any Shadows, of course..."

Release the Kraken! Round 3

Oios's spear rakes along the bottom of the undead monstrousity as it passes overhead, but fails to pierce the creature's blubbery hide. His staff, however, does more damage, seeming guided by Damballah's unseen hand - the squid shudders under its supernatural impact.

As Imix readies a channel, he finds a familiar face standing next to him - the Wavewhisperer leader, Keethero. The locanath leader clasps his hands together and begins humming, warm light spreading from the creature's body.

The remaining townfolk and beastlings flee the scene. Latha's voice travels over the sounds of smashing wood, the beastling screaming in her own tongue, pointing to a section of high ground, on a slope above the undead squid. Tex runs, yelling as she goes. "Guards! Guards! Where is Sarre? Aktuk!?"

The squid lashes out indiscriminately, and the tentacle encircling the nearest keelboat finishes the watercraft: wood crunches and the hull of the boat crashes in on itself.

Another tentacle flies at Istiel, and another at Oios. Istiel manages to slide under the creature's attack, but Oios suffers a bell-ringing slam to his head.

Damballah's warmth floods over the combatants, knitting cracked bones and envigorating Oios and Istiel...

Imix grits his teeth, slowly steps froward, and turns his focus from the healing power of Damballah to the vengeance of Damballah. Water is the force of life; but water is also strong enough to wear away stone. The creature they face is the antithesis of life - and Damballah's power can dissolve that antithesis.

It is strange, channeling the power so close to another channeler. Almost Imix can hear... echoes. Ripples of power moving from one source to another. Like two streams fighting each other at a confluence, much of the energy turning against itself.

Oios's swing with the staff bounces off the creature's foul hide. Snorting with disgust Oios steps back to get away from the creature's tentacles in order to bring down the blessings of Damballah rather than test his tired muscles again.

Round 3

Istiel is smashed across the chest with a blow that would have crushed any regular human being into an unrecognizable mass of gore. But as she feels the undead arm strike her and knows she cannot possibly push back, she does something no regular human being would do; the monk lets herself fall backward into the mud, her heels acting as a lever.

She hits the bank with a loud SPLAT, mud erupting all around and over her body as she is forced into the beach. All the air was knocked out of her lungs, and there was a least two broken ribs in her chest, but she was alive and staring up at the cloudless sky.

Istiel sees a brief vision of herself struck by the tentacle in another time, where she tries to push back. She is immediately folded in two and launched halfway across the island, dead on impact.

Healing energies wash over her prone body, and she picks herself with a sucking sound while leaving behind a monk-shaped cavity in the surf. Covered in mud from mask to feet, she lumbers forward and ducks under an errant tentacle swing, lifting her fist and smashing it into the undead's rubbery hide. Like lightning Istiel strikes again and again at the creature, borrowing both her own lifeforce and time from the future to power an incredible series of blows.

Release the Kraken! Round 3

Imix's magic explodes outwards while Latha's archers loose a volley of arrows at the beast, but it is Istiel's fists that do the most damage, the wet sounds of dead flesh and crunching cartilage echoing around the dock.

The dead kraken turns towards its most pressing foe, letting the destroyed ship go. The keelboat starts sinking immediately into the Cheya, even as the kraken's tentacles batter the monk, lashing and brusing.

Another channel bursts from Keethero, washing over the heroes and salving Istiel's bruised body.

Brandishing Telowo's staff Oios calls on Damballah and Marinette to guide Isitel's attack against the foul undead foe and then steps in to attack again, delivering their wrath in a more direct fashion.

Round 4

Istiel pounds at the creature's hide, opening pustulant and sending giblets flying all around her. Her fists are slicked with the oils of rotting fats, and at one point she punches so hard she ends up elbow-deep in the swuid-thing, retracting her arm with a fistful of organs ripped from its depths.

Understandably, the creature turns its clouded eye towards her. Though no one else but the undead and Istiel shared the moment, a smile blooms behind her mask as she stares back at that huge man-sized globe, basking in the glory of being recognized by such a formidible foe.

The strikes come quickly, and while the monk is unable to step out of the way in time, she still knocks two of the three blows to the ground at the cost of rattling blows to her forearms. The third tentacle hits her right in the head, a blow that would have separated her neck from the rest of her body had she not leaned back before it struck. The glancing blow claps her left ear, but she only staggers briefly before powering through the pain and stepping back towards the huge undead.

With a rallying cry Istiel sinks her fists back into her foe, punching with such strength its entire hide quivers with every blow.

Imix considers 'It may be better to keep Istiel in the fight than try to destroy the thing myself - but Keethero seems to have that in hand...'
Once again he calls upon the Powers to cleanse the tainted filth in front of him.