Alright. The assembly hall was large, not large enough to dominate the city, but large enough to hold a conclave of psions. Everyone was there, discussing politics outside the main hall. Some of them were for reforms for homosexuals -- so they could be more open. Others were for doing something about the necropolis and it's undead infestation. Some wanted to create more freedoms for the people, and usually these were elves that sought the freedom. Others wanted to ban the use of the Mind Seed power.
They were all in their finest clothes. Each one in a himaton or chiton and himaton. Some wanted to build a new theater, others wanted to funds to build a new gymnasium.
"Fortunately, I came out in my good clothes today. Had to talk to a man about a prospective job"
"I could have worn what I do when bull leaping. That might make people more, or less, likely to talk to us, and generate some scandal."replies Vianna with a sly wink as the group approaches the assembly hall. Then seeing the number of people milling around, adds "Does anyone know how to get to speak to one of the oligarchs, or anyone in authority?"
Anueke tries to remember what would be the right approach to notify the council of an urgent emergency
That covers Nobility. 1 higher for Arcana or Local
Anueke, you suddenly got the idea for the right approach. You can notify the local Strategos.
"Guys, I think that it is the strategos that we need to talk to, not the whole council. Lets go see him"
With that, she heads off to see the Strategos, hoping that the others will follow her
"Sounds reasonable."replies Vianna as she follows Anueke.
You find the Strategos in the Council Hall speaking to his officers. He doesn't seem to be anything but a boy. Aged sixteen, he's the youngest Strategos that has been appointed. He wears a bronze panoply and is always talking to his officers.
Anueke approaches the Strategos and waits until he acknowledges her presence, clearing her throat after a minute or so if he doesn't look up by then.
"Sir, I apologize for interrupting but we have a matter of great significance to report. There is grave danger to the city that you need to be made aware of"
"What great danger?" asked the Strategos.
"We have observed several puppeteers in the market. Strange worm things that can take people over. We have captured one if you'd like to see it and to make sure that we're not some crazy fools. We don't know how far they've spread"
AFTER this speech, she suddenly realizes that ANYBODY could be infected and tries to see if the Strategos has a slug sized bump under his clothing
Vianna's thought are moving in the same disturbing direction as Aneuke's and she too searches the Strategos for signs of a puppeteer.
"We have observed several puppeteers in the market. Strange worm things that can take people over. We have captured one if you'd like to see it and to make sure that we're not some crazy fools. We don't know how far they've spread"
AFTER this speech, she suddenly realizes that ANYBODY could be infected and tries to see if the Strategos has a slug sized bump under his clothing
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
If he does, you can't see a thing on his neck.
"Puppeteers, in the city?" he says. "Do you know the source of the infestation?"
"No we don't unfortunately. This one was controlling somebody in the Agora. And we saw other puppeteers on people's necks there. We captured one and thought we should bring the matter to the attention of somebody in authority immediately." replies Vianna, her voice showing her concern at these events.
"So, he's back," said the Strategos. "Although he originally appeared before my time. A worm that walks that can take over people's bodies with bits of himself. Somebody needs to find him and defeat him."
"Who is "he"? And don't you have people far more powerful and wise than us to do this kind of thing? We're just normal people who happened to stumble on this"
"It strikes me that if these puppeteers are part of a larger threat that it is even more imperative that the matter be brought to the attention of those in authority as a matter of urgency. Do you not agree sir?" adds Vianna.
"I do agree, although you have the proof, right?" said the Strategos.
"As I said, we have one of the worms. Is that sufficient proof or do you want something more?"
"I'll bring this forward to the general assembly. A psionic threat is pretty dire," says the Strategos.
"Thank you sir. Is anything else required of us Strategos? Will we be needed to give testimony to the Psionic Oligarchy? And could you tell us about this worm that walks which you believe is behind these puppeteers threatening Phaeselis?"
[b]"You will be required to give testimony to the Assembly about the threat. The Worm that Walks was composed of those creatures. Although you'll find that the Assembly would like to have proof that he's back."
"May I say interject," says a councilman. "You say he's back?"
"Yes, our old enemy is back. The worm-that-walks is back and controlling people in the docks."
"Well, then, lets exterminate the beast," says the Councilman. "I have here a psionic ring that will exterminate the beast. It protects you from being taken over." The councilman shows you a bronze ring that feels like it has power.
"you want us to face this worm that walks? Can one ring protect all of us?"
Zoe listened carefully. Though all the intricacies behind walking worms and the like was well beyond the understanding of a simple entertainer like herself, she was now well aware of the threat her home was facing.
"You need two rings," said the councilman. "You can get another from the psionic smith in the Hellenic Quarter."
"Uh, ok. Can you please give us a letter to give to him?"
The councilman gives you a letter to present to the crystal smith. It has his signature on it as well as a small message. He wrote it on the spot, taking some time to actually write it. "I normally do this at my office, because that is where I keep my writing materials."
"Thank you for taking the time to hear us councilman. Will these rings protect people who are not wearing them from the Worm that Walks? Do the rings harm the Worm that Walks or just provide protection? Finally, should we return to speak to the Psionic Oligarchy and if so when?" asks Vianna, who is fairly obviously a little hesitant at speaking to such an important person.
"It should protect you from the Worm-that-Walks. It will also protect you from the leaches that are composed of him. The rings are effective as salt to the leaches, at least that's what I've been told. And yes, we like to hear of your progress."
"Well thank you sir. We will head to the Hellenic Quarter to get the second ring. Although won't we need three as there are three of us? And report back when we manage to track down the Worm Who Walks." I hope! think Vianna as she finishes her speech, not being as confident as she is trying to sound.