Of course ;)
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Great news! Time to take a breath. Hope you have some time to spend
Really stuck on her apropos. Will brainstorm and try to figure it out before we're back. If you can't think of anything I will create something for Dounia. Don't overthink it. This won't be the only opportunity for weird stuff. Also, you have lots of time.
I set teamwork/flare/ingenuity/grit/efficiency/subtlety at x/60 points for each challenge. Of that 60 pnts I made teamwork only worth 10. Their 32 points came mostly out of flare/ingenuity/grit and Ric'cassa got a 0 on teamwork.
Top three teams: The Adherents of Aurelius 575pnts
We just came off a short break but with spotty wifi issues and family emergencies let's pause the game until April 1st. If you like, feel free to post but I won't add anything that demands a response until we officially start up again. A little accounting:
Also, here's the score for The Adherents on the Portcullis challenge: Challenge (day 5): The Portcullis Gate 87/150pnts - total to date 575pnts
Tandyraman approached Dounia, "Dounia Ghali. It's time for you to choose your appropos. With the [i]surprise tonight., there may not be time later. Have you chosen? Will you take an apology, a promise, or a possession?" ~ Tandyraman led Dounia away with the promise to return her in half a song's time.
Arnie and Mar weren't in the tents. A large metal plater covered in a white cloth was soaked in blood. Hundreds of shards of glass were on the cloth. They were here and probably not too long ago.
"Tell me when it's over." Prem was grim as he wrapped her with one of his wings, "It won't be long now." His ear was course as leather and warm as a little hearth. The crowd was raucous as the battle drew near the end. Prem, "You and Cairee, Tymythy and Dounia. You will be the only thing I'll regret forgetting about, but I'd gladly remember it all if it meant I would remember my new friends. Yes, you also, Yoy'ya." Yoy'ya had moved slowly behind and made herself known.
Oh no! Please take care! I hope you and your family come through soon!
Cairee summoned her radiant light, that blessing from Saiph and it filled the tent even to Prince Keone and Sir Pellius, who stood in the tent's doorway still. All of the healers stopped what they were doing for a moment and watched as anyone the light touched became improved. They looked to Cairee and then got back to work.
Chrizdoff was near the judges tent, which was not far away, and was closest as Tandyraman was on the eastern castle with Hallwn, Voltus, and Hallwn's retinue. Dounia ran to him through a mass of half drunken nobles and merchants as they handed purses and notes of promise back and forth. All about the arena people howled with excitement and laughed as The Adherents and The Sisters began their bloody duel. "Please! I'm sorry, I know you're busy. But please, where is Taryth? We saw her this morning. Is she all right? Do the others - do they know she's alive?" Chrizdoff was as callously disinterested as ever, "What possible interest could you have? They were thrown in His Radiance's 'donjon' as soon as the seneschal was finished with his inquiries. I doubt any attempt was made to inform them their desire to have Taryth Moorsdaughter returned was fulfilled. "Taryth is recuperating in the old rooms of her companions, I believe. The painted door of the Little Prince. Being brought back is not like walking through a portico … or so I'm told. It will take Miss Moorsdaughter a long time to return to herself. If ever." He gave Dounia an exhausted look. "Will that be all."
New spears burst through sections of wall. The space behind the Adherents was getting tighter and tighter. Of the one hundred and eighty feet of hallway behind them they had less than seventy feet. Don Ric'cassa, "Make no mistake Miss Ghastwith, you will not stand in our way. We will end your little troupe." Simone, "You placed us in your way when you talked us into trying to hobble another team." Mahri was looked back anxiously, "I never told you to attack another team member! I talked about how we needed to get ahead of The Black Birds and I said that we could bring your team member back to you. That's all!" Another ten feet of passage was engulfed in spear points. Pattalia, "You knew exactly what we'd do to get her back." Trismegistus scimitar glowed as he uttered the words, "Fides mea mihi commoda praestabit." He rolled his shoulders and his arms began to stretch miraculously. speak sciolingua:
"My faith shall decorate me with advantages Pattalia, "Candor, don't let the big one focus … En kuruthiyum elumbum en sevaganaguga." Each member of the Sisters winced with pain as they began to grow jagged bones from their knuckles. Candor leveled her crossbow and in it the bolt was lit aflame. spellcraft DC17:
casting bone fists The Adherents pulled away towards the spears. The Sisters advanced. Simone dodged an attack from Trismegistus long arms and tried to kick Zosimos to the floor. Pattallia rushed in to help. CMB DC15 - for information on combat tactics:
using the team feat 'coordinated maneuvers' Zosimos went down prone! Mahri shot forth a blast of flame that burned Simone badly but it opened the wizard up to a punch from Pattalia's clawed fist. The Don began to call out some arcane spell as the poised Candor fired her bolt into his chest. He pushed through the pain and reached out with his hand. A bolt of lightning arced forward and shot through Candor's chest! She fell and didn't get up. sense motive DC16:
Although Candor isn't dead she was very seriously wounded and is using it too 'play possum' The spears came closer. The Adherents had no choice but to press forward. Trismegistus put a deep wound in Simone but she didn't fall. Simone and Pattalia turned on Mahri. Together they freed the magicians spirit from this world, and as Zosimos tried to stand the two took advantage and cut him down also. Alice Shothand tried to slip past Trismegistus long arms but received a grievous slash. Still she was foot to foot with the Don. Don Ric'cassa responded by holding out an iron bar and saying in clear Aerthane, "It will stay here." Alice froze in place as he pushed past her. spellcraft or CMB DC14:
He is clearly battle trained and is highly skilled at concentrating during a melee Trismegistus fought with Simone as she kept pushing back and avoiding his blows, not able to close to wound him. Pattalia shot several silvery darts that impacted with Don Ric'cassa. He responded by staring at her. His eyes began to turn white and her hair lit on fire. As they pushed into the circular room Alice was skewered by the advancing many-spear trap. Candor rose from the floor as Trismegistus advanced. Her rapier found his back and a second after also found his front. The Don was now alone and surrounded by Candor, who was on her last legs; Simone, who was badly wounded; and Pattalia who was fighting to put out the fire that threatened to engulf her! There was a moment, a pause in the fight as the Sisters relished their advantage. The Don gestured behind Candor and said, "Nunc est tempus". Suddenly a portal opened and a second Don Ric'cassa appeared behind Candor, who turned to face him. Simone stabbed the first Don who pulled out a mini-shovel from his pouch and simply said, "Open". Beneath Simone's feet there was suddenly a en foot square pit. She fell in. The lake showed an image of her impaled on spikes fifty feet down. The sides of the pit were slanted. Don Ric'cassa stepped back and Trismegistus body slid in and fell on top of Simone. Pattalia, still trying to extinguish her flames fell and began to slide. Candor slashed at the second Don who seemed protected by some arcane field. She saw Pattalia falling and screamed. The Don threw a ball of what looked like yarn and trapped Candor in a web. He moved around the perimeter of the room and, before he moved to the gate back to the arena and out of the challenge, shot through her body with another bolt of lightning. Candor was gone. Don Antoine Ric'cassa looked back on the challenge and muttered, "Such a waste." He engaged his ring again and slowly lifted the gate. The challenge was over. The Adherents of Aureolus were now a team of one.
The hellish creature seemed immune to almost all magic. A shower of radiant missiles did nothing. At the start of the tunnel spears burst through the walls. There was no way back. Trismegistus' scimitar and Mahri's daggers held the creature at bay and the studious group worked out what it was. That's when Zosimos, with his remaining arm, threw two pieces of copper at it with a handful of salt. He called out something that sounded like dwarven, "Sàmhach agus gun suathadh." freezing it in place. The four rushed past it and toward another door sixty feet further down. speak dwarven + spellcraft DC18:
The words aren't quite dwarven, perhaps ancient dwarven. He cast 'gentle repose'. Ten feet after ten feet from the start of the tunnel exploded with spears. ~ Zosimos rushed to the next lock as the Don focused his mind on his right fist and spoke out the words, "Gradus felus". He sprinkled something that looked like dust on Zosimos who was able to pick the second lock much faster. spellcraft DC17:
Cat's grace They opened the second door as the spears advanced toward the first 'golem' creature. Behind the door stood a large creature with light blue-green skin and cold, piercing eyes. It dressed all in rough furs, its tusked jaw jutted forth in a long underbite. It's head scraped the ten foot ceiling. kn local DC14:
An ice troll Mahri pushed forward burning the creature just before it struck her with a nightmarish battleaxe. The blow tossed her to the wall. Zosimos yelled, "Exenteration!", just before the creatue's eyes disappeared! spellcraft DC17:
casting blindness Trismegistus waded in with his scimitar in one hand and a belch of flame with the other and Mahri fought to stand. Don Ric'cassa launched some more arcane missiles. Even without eyes the creature caught Trismegistus with a long slash. Mahris summoned a great ball of flame and rolled it at the creature, burning it horribly. They pressed on the creature as the advancing spear ran through the frozen golem. It exploded! Flames roiled toward the magic users but didn't quite reach. ~ The creature fell and they continued forward to the next door and Zosimos was through it, perhaps not quickly but without trouble. Behind this door stood two skeletal creatures. They looked ancient and produced cracking and rattling sounds as their dusty bones twisted around fractures and breaks. Their feet clacked on the stone floor as they pulled back torn, nearly thread-bare robes to grasp spell component pouches. Their eyes were filled with knowing stares as their bones were protected by arcane fields much like the kind Zahra employes.
Flashes of spells and fire and scimitars and quarterstaves created a chaos. Though they destroyed the monsters, none of the Adherents got away without injury and Mahri and Zosimos were truly bloodied. New spears burst through new sections of walls as the danger kept advancing toward the Adherents. ~ Zosimos rushed to open the final door. It took more time than the others as he dropped his lock picks several times. Finally, he opened the door that led to a circular room about seventy-five feet in diameter. At the centre stood Simone Ghastwith, Candor Rafinmodor, Alliss Shothand, and Pattallia Crux. It was the remainder of the Sisters of the Silken Scroll. Their punishment was now clear! Candor was alive again, but looked like death with sallow skin and sunken eyes. The other women looked hale and sound with only minor wounds left from the fight in the baths. The Adherents looked exhausted and, with the spellcasting they'd done, must have been near their end of arcane power. Don Antoine Ric'cassa began to laugh, "My compliments to His Radience! Or was this the idea of his Seneschal! But a precedent has been set. Do you not remember?! Sisters, join us!" Pattalia gave a fiery stare at Simone. Simone stood there and watched the advancing spears reach past the halfway mark of the long passage, "No! You convinced us to do your dirty work. It got us all here. We're going to enjoy this." Pattalia smiled. …
GMs rolls:
… Tymythy caught the look and returned it squarely, rising his usriev and slamming it down on the stone floor, the metal counterweight ringing like the peal of a heavy bell … Three peals, for harmony that had been tested yet found unbending. Nine repeats, for a cycle completed, another challenge mastered. The smattering of applause came from a few in the crowd who both hadn't been booing the orc and hadn't the wit to understand Tymythy's tribute. Tyerror kept his attention of his half-sister Khol but she turned her head to watch the spearman make his solute. Khol turned with a questioning look to her father. Batbayar bent and whispered into her ear. Her eyes widened. She looked back to Tymythy and raised her arms with her wrists together, then pulled them apart forcefully. She looked stronger after the gesture and the orcs moved to the food tents. Tymythy: To Tymythy the gesture was clear. She was free and nothing would ever chain her
"What's interesting about the painted eclipse?" Tandyraman, "It is usually seen to indicate a loss of one's sense of purpose or to show they have wandered off their path. It's a dark card, a card of order and one in the house of one's strength of spirit. I've tried to find out something of the lives of many of His Radiance's guests. The doors have been very accurate. "The Black Bird's door, for example, The Vast Sky. In harrow readings it is said to indicate a powerful shift in circumstance. A person or people coming out of a cave and out under an open sky. One, or many, being freed of ignorance. It is a card for good, for chaos, and for strength. If you'll forgive me, you all seem to be poised to go home much wiser than when you arrived. "Harrow readings are in the Hlewmylani custom. So perhaps Master Tymythy has told you this already." … she said to Ourmeela, "Seriously though, if you're ever looking for an apprentice, I volunteer …" Ourmeela walked with the group as they left but stopped before turning left to get to her atelier, "Do you? Would you leave your friends and apprentice with me? Would you give up your wanderings and stay in the basement of Gossamer House serving His Radiance? Do you have any arcane training, any knowledge of the secret science? You seem intelligent and perhaps wiser than some but I don't see any power to command unruly chaos. Your hands are the fastest I've seen, though. You would make a good product tester." She looked Dounia up and down, "Give me something of yours. Something I can use as a focus to find you. If the truce between arcane guilds allows it, perhaps I will reach out to you." She parted as Dounia and the others headed right to the stairs. "… What was it like before, as Shomyendee? Were you and the others just really all part of the same person? Or was it more separate? Do they all feel separate inside you now? What do you think will happen when this is all over and you forget this? Will you still be in charge? This is so weird." They were at the basement level and Patience was searching for every word, "It's hard to remember 'before'. Have you ever felt like something was wrong then sat down for a good meal and realized you were hungry? It was like that sort of in reverse. I realized I was many people. I realized no one is sad, or happy, or confused. We're all happy-unsure-vulnerable, or sad-lonely-hopeful. "Ask yourself, and feel hard. Do you feel just one thing right now? When we were separated then I became sad and uncertain all the time. It 'hurt'. Valandi was always confident and demanding. Jacote was always pessimistic. "Now, I feel like before but mostly in a different order. I don't feel like the old me but I feel whole. Does that make sense? "I don't know what will happen next except that I want to start over. Start in some new place where no one knows me. Figure out who I am." She looked at Dounia with an earnestness that Valandi could never muster, "And keep my promise." Tandyraman, Patience and Dounia came out into the open air of the arena. Tandyraman looked at the lake, "It looks like Chrizdoff is in need of some support. I'll be off. Dounia, don't forget your appropos! I'll return once this challenge is over."
At the top of the steps and between her and the tents of healing Dounia could see Cairee, Tymythy and Zahra. The three looked down to see one of the pale women, now with colour in her flesh and in her clothes, helping Dounia up the steps. The young desert girl was badly cut in several places. She's bleeding her own blood again. ~ Dounia arrived just in time to watch as Trismegistus drew a very fine looking scimitar. He spoke in confident syllables, "Oleum vitrioli" as he moved the blade like a bobbing snake. The blade became covered in a green steaming oil. He placed the blade against one of the bars and pushed. The bar began to dissolve slowly as it fumed and melted.
kn spellcraft DC16:
he is casting acid touch through his scimitar Mahri of Glaemorgan grabbed the bar next to him and spoke the words "Tactus Titionis" and her hands became like fire as the bar slowly turned red.
kn spellcraft DC16:
She is using the spell burning hands The leader, Don Antoine Ric'cassa, reached out both hands and yelled, "VI SOLIUS VOLUNTATIS MEAE!" His hands were close together. He turned them upside down and made fists then pulled them apart with great effort.
kn spellcraft DC20:
This is telekinesis but it is clearly coming from a ring on his finger The weakened bars slowly bent outward and the four passed inside. They didn't enter an arena. Past the portcullis was a twenty foot wide passage. Sixty feet ahead was a wall with a heavy oak door. Zosimos the Chirurgeon knelt before. With his one hand he set two tools on the ground.
Dounia:
These are lock picks He picked one up in his hand and intoned, "Adiuva mea, spiritus servitor". The second tool raised in the air and mirrored the first.
kn spellcraft DC15:
He is using Mage Hand It took him some time to pick the lock and he was clearly becoming frustrated. Don Ric'cassa, "Adept, remember your teachings. The dies’solus.” 'And, we remember his brother-moon, Ammar, who has taught us to build, to expand, to discover and to learn'.” Zosimos stopped focusing on the lock. He breathed in and out,calming himself and droned in reply, “And we shall be faithful in industry as we temper it with consideration.” He went back to work slowly unlocking the door. religion DC12 - trained only:
Dies'solus = the holy sun; a prayer fron 'The Church of the Heavenly Kingdoms. Amar, the crescent moon, is the representitive of magic, industry, and artiface The door opened away from them revealing a creature of sewn-together humanoid parts, human and elf, orc and dwarf. Its' stomach is sewn together with heavy stitching. Beneath the stitching its' stomach glowed like a sunrise. kn arcana DC16: This is a construct, a golem. Specifically, it is a carrion golem that can spread disease
Tandyraman, "It appears to be done." Ourmeela walked forward, put her foot in the circle and drew it back across the chalk. The circle was broken. Patience rushed forward and grabbed Dounia fiercely. She held the young girl for a moment and then pulled back, blood was on her arms and chin, "Oh no, sorry! But thank you! Don't worry. I'll make good on my promise. Contract or no." Tandyraman, "Shomyendee, you will need to stay until tomorrow, after the closing of celebrations. Would you like to return to your room?" Patience, "If you don't mind … I'd like to be called Patience. Um, I was wondering, could I have a single room? Are any available? I'd like to make a clean break." Tandyraman, "If you don't mind waiting a song's time from now I'm sure the painted eclipse will be made suitable. Hm, The Painted Eclipse. Interesting." Ourmeela, "I imagine their qualities will leak out from time to time. If you are under stress, or not in control of yourself. Drink too much or take on to many responsibilities, you might find old parts of yourself break out. It's just a guess, of course, and don't we all have moments when we aren't ourselves." Patience, "A song from now? Good. I'll have time to help Dounia here to the tents of healing."
As Dounia went for the large sliver it stopped spinning and lashed out like it didn't want to be caught. It caught her in the left shoulder before she grabbed hold of it. As she placed it in the mirror Valandi, the most self-assured and unapologetic of the five, faded with her eyes staring at Dounia.
She walked over to Ourmeela and hugged her, "I'm me." Ourmeela replied uncomfortably, "Um, yes, sure, you're … you." Patience, "I'm me, Tandyraman. I can feel them, but I'm in charge now. They have to …" She shouted at herself, "YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME NOW!" She was welling with tears. She went to hug Dounia … Tandyraman, "Yes, but not until the last piece is placed." Patience remembered where she was. With water running down her face she moved to the front of the mirror just outside the circle. She began her confession. It all poured out of her like she had been holding a floodgate for decades, "I let them have their way. When I spoke out and they shouted me down I didn't speak out. I watched as they took slice after slice and then went looking for a bigger pie to eat. I worried about myself - not the one's they were hurting. I told myself I couldn't do anything. People said I wasn't going to be anyone when I grew up and I believed them. When the other four said the same thing to me, I believed them. I blamed myself for being fooled and let it continue." Ourmeela, "Huh. It's like Dounia has reorganized her personality. Interesting. She appears to be Patience first, then Valandi, and then the others." Tandyraman, "Dounia? I think we can finish this." The nine inch sliver floated over to the young desert girl ready to be grasped.
Although some had remembered the orcish team few were still watching them in the lake. All eyes were turned on the Adherents of Aureolus and their attempt at the portcullis challenge. Batbayar was looking at his mirror and then stepped back. He seemed thoughtful and nodded. Tyerror stepped away from his mirror and looked to Bat', "You were right. The smells were all wrong, just a little bit wrong. These mirror makers don't know how to smell." Khol was looking into her mirror and she was crying. She began to yell at it, "NO! You Can't! You Can't Just Do That!" Batbayar rushed over to her and Tyerror followed. When they saw she was caught up in whatever she was looking at they grabbed her and pulled her fighting and yelling to the exit. Khol, "After all of that! After the flying horror and the sky flash! After loosing grandmother and half-brother! No!" They came out to the arena and Khol was released only to rush back at Batbayar. She pounded on his chest. "You can't just give up! You can't give up like that! Not after all this!" Batbayar kneeled down and grabbed her again, "I don't know what you saw, but know this! You can not tell me what I can not do. Just as, now that you have your name, I cannot tell you." He stood up and pointed at the audience, "" Some people in the crowd began booing. He knelt again, "All of them are lost, with the exception of a very few." He looked over to Tymythy and his team. "But Khol, who is also called Galhagch, we are not broken. Every day you make my wish real and, hungry or cold or surrounded by fools, I want for nothing." He paused and looked at her wet face. "And I have no regrets." Khol looked like someone who would one day understand but that that day would be far from now.
Please take care
The nine inch sliver continued to tumble around the inner circumference of the chalk circle, sometimes moving clockwise, sometimes counter. The eighteen inch piece had been spinning rapidly near the centre for some time but now began to dart in every direction. sense motive dc12:
The eighteen inch piece is preparing an action
The Portcullis challenge was ready in half the time promised. ~ In the time waiting everyone could see the Orcish team break from the third complex chamber. Batbayar and Khol had somehow remained together and it took a good ten minutes for them to rejoin with an exhausted Tyerror. sense motive dc16:
During a very brief moment, after the last space, Batbayar moved towards Khol and Khol moved away. Batbayar looked concerned but it was very subtle When Tyerror rejoined the other two he had a conversation with Bat' that was audible in the lake. Batbayar, "They should have had orcs when they made this place. The smells in the mirror are all wrong." and Tyerror smiled. Khol remained quiet and distant. The three found themselves at the final room. Three mirrors floated at its centre. Batbayar stepped confidently up to his. Tyerror was cautious and approached one with great suspicion. Khol's face was hard. Her eyes were red. She walked to the final mirror like she was going alone to face an army. ~ The Adherents made themselves ready as they moved to the portcullis. This time there was only one gate but the bars appeared thicker and heavier than those in challenges before it. The dwarf, Eohzayped, rushed to them with a wheelbarrow filled with equipment. He looked like he were made of straw. Every valuable bit of clothing was gone and he looked now more like a beleaguered squire than a coniving negotiator as he handed out the contents of the barrow. He handed out crossbows, some light and some heavy, and some quivers with two or three bolts in them. He handed out two quarterstaves. To Mahri of Glaemorgan he passed a belt of daggers. Upon Trismagistus, Eohz grirded a rather fine looking scimitar.
GMs rolls:
Tandyraman composed himself and began to speak as quickly as he could concentrate, "By definition we shall call the person formerly known as Shomyendee of Ruducaester, currently known as Valandi and Patience, and who hopes to henceforth be known as Shomyendee again will be the first party. By definition we shall call the person known as Dounia Mehar Mehek Ghali of Ciriyanakaram the second party. Here in the witness of Ourmeela Ullar'nda, chief artificer-enchanter for His Radience Raya Iew Hallwn and Herald of Arms Extraordinary of Book and List, who by Hallwn made plenipotentiary, Tandyraman of Emen does the first party swear to the second party that if the second party completes the repair of the mirror they will live henceforth in honesty and mercy, and to do no harm where you can do good. Do they both swear?" Patience, "We swear! We swear!" Valandi looked Tandyraman in the eye and she forced an "I swear!" through her teeth. Tandyraman, "Does the second party swear that she will complete the repair of the mirror to the best of her ability? Without hesitation or absence of effort?"
GMs rolls:
For a few heartbeats everyone was still. The eighteen inch shard of mirror was in the centre of the circle. It spun like a top and te reflection within it was ever spinning too. The nine inch sliver circled near the circumference. The mirror stood inside the circle near twelve o'clock. Dounia was at four. Valandi was facing her and just outside the circle. Patience was moving to the six o'clock. Valandi seemed strong willed but perhaps possessed with the kind of will capable of change. Perhaps she was someone who could promise never to touch another glass of wine and follow through. Patience was some other thing. She seemed desperate to be whole. Her face was pleading.
Valandi, "No! You can't!" It wasn't a plea. She threatened as she tried to impose herself on the closest edge of the circle. Patience, "No! Please don't stop!!" It was a plea, desperate and scared. Tandyraman, "Yes. The ceremony only works if you want it to. You can leave at any time. Step outside of the chalkline and it all ends." Hermica, "If you think we'll just let you walk now!" Her voice seemed to get further and further away. As Dounia lifted her hand from the shard Hermica disappeared. It was down to Valandi and Patience.
Ousel flew about the open air above the arena. Cairee could only feel disappointment and determination. Chrizdoff, "" The Steelheart Twins were nowhere to be seen. The Bonds of Gruumsh were in the midst of today's challenge and only just reappeared in the watching lake (having been interrupted by the controversy). Even though Prince Keone could hardly stand he tried to move forward to request a new challenge but his loyal knight and good friend held him back. Pellius argued with him desperately. The Black Birds were weakened and unrested. And, still there was no Dounia in sight.
The orcs must have made it to the third chamber of complex mirrors. Batbayar and Khol were together but they seemed to be fighting different foes. Khol's motions were like someone wrestling with two foes at once. Batbayar's was of someone fighting an army of foes. Batbayar was laughing unreservedly and joyfully. perception DC13:
Whenever Batbayar starts to move he pauses and smells the air. The he moves in the direction of Khol. Tyerror was running through the halls. His long knife was out and he appeared to be slashing out at neck height, here and there.
The 18" piece flung by and Dounia didn't even need to move
"Tandyraman? If they make me a promise here, in front of you, does Shomyendee have to keep it? Even if she doesn't remember making it?" Tandyraman, "I can seal a contract between you but, with so little time, it would be imperfect. Shomyendee could resist it even after sealing the vow." Valandi, "Child, show some backbone." The eighteen inch piece swooped at Dounia's heart. [dice=18" piece]1d20 + 3[/dice] Patience, "We want it to work too! Please, don't stop!" Hermica, "She's backing out. I told you we shouldn't have trusted her!" The fifteen inch piece twitched in Dounia's hand.
Valandi, "We will prevail! This time we will do things differently. No magic promises. No tricks. No shortcuts. We'll retake control of what is ours through hard work and the protections and loopholes of law and order." Patience, "All of it? Again!" Hermica, "And we will get those that laughed at us and our disposition. Starting with that buffoon, Banneret Vertbaton." Patience, "Stop this. Focus on the ceremony." The fifteen inch sliver and the eighteen inch sliver launched at Dounia from opposite sides. As the nine inch shard circled widely.
The fifteen inch piece cut a long wound on Dounia's back!
Hermica, "It looks like I will have to do Shull's part. We have returned the foundry (at great cost) to the artisan's society we wrested it from (all done legally). As we did with the rights to eleven different properties, ownership of the dispensary at Redsands." Valandi, "It may be that we didn't need to return any of our wealth. It isn't important. We will regain it." Shull, "We, foolishly, cancelled our contracts with the Onthrigan Rangers, breaking our monopoly on flame retardant salts." Again, the fifteen inch sliver and the eighteen inch sliver took swipes at the young thief.
Again, the fifteen inch piece cut into Dounia.
Zahra and Prem joined Cairee and Tymythy. Dounia was missing. They watched as Chrizdoff the Herald spoke with Ila the Judge. In the lake all could see Chizdoff's brows raise. He parted from the judge's circle and addressed Hallwn. "
" The crowd muttered and money changed hands around the stadium. Behind where Cairee, Tymythy, Zahra and Prem stood Prince Keone hobbled out of the tent of healing on Pellius' arm. They both looked broken.
"What could they be trying to accomplish? Will competing in a second challenge today put them into contention to win? … We should find the others and find out what they think. If the judges allow it, will other teams be given the same opportunity?" Prem, "The Adherents failed utterly at the challenge you just finished. They tried it on the first day and had to contend with the null zone around the door - no arcane power functions there. "But they've done exceptionally well in all of the other challenges. They are only eighty points behind The Black Birds. As long as they make it through they could easily lead the board. "Look, I think I can see Miss Featherfriend and Master Tymythy on the south end of the arena."
”Elder, … I trust you are well?” Volus simply nodded back. Wherever he was headed it seemed important and to both Cairee and Tymythy, the seneschal did not seem like he was walking into a mystery. He had the purpose and countenance of someone expecting whatever was to happen next.
Valandi, "See Hermica." She nodded in Dounia's direction. "You rush to defeat."
Hermica, "Look at Jacote!" As the mirror sealed itself Jacote faded. By the time Dounia pulled away from the mirror the women were down to four. Each seemed less transparent. Shull pushed Patience to one side, "This is going to be easier than we thought! Why did we give it all back?! We could have kept a little." The drow artificer, Ourmeela, looked at Shull and then at Dounia. The eleven inch sliver stopped flying about. It spun like a top in space then shot end over end at the desert girl.
Dounia dodged it reflexively. The sliver joined the others in tumbling within the chalk circle.
"I went to Ruducaester and resigned our position as Magistrate. I set monies to pay twenty-three cases of misuse of public funds. I signed pardons for Hamiel Thickly, Cinder Corkrel, the Claevusaymark Five, and Roseate Littlehill. "Let the next magistrate deal with the Five's upstart revolution." The eleven inch sliver shot at Dounia again. Neither Hermica, Patience, Shull, nor Valandi took notice.
Dounia dodged it though this time it was a little too close for comfort.
Cairee and Tymythy emerged from the foyer at the southern steps of the arena stands. Up the steps they could see the scoreboard, judges tent and the tents of healing. Across the arena and on the upper level they could espy Zahra and Prem leaning against the railing. In the arena (and reflected in the lake) Chrizdoff was speaking with the head of The Adherents. They seemed much less wounded and, though he still lacked an arm, Zosimos was standing with the others - if looking horribly pale. Chrizdoff, the dark-haired pair-shaped herald stepped away from them and addressed the eastern castle. Chrizdoff, "" The arena went silent. Hallwn stood and came to the edge of the eastern castle, "We are inclined to allow them. What do the judges say?" A group of twelve judges formed a circle and had an impromptu parley. The crowd started making bets and passing note and coin purses.
Dounia stepped into the circle and waited as the first five sisters moved until she was in front of the mirror but outside of the circle. Patience, "We have worked tirelessly and so fast to correct all that we've done. "I have gone to the farmers in Burntcliffs and in Troidelac and lifted all of the taxes on grains, malt and barely. I have re-divied the revenues from mud farming with the local garrisons so that a full third profit will return to the mudders, a third will go into infrastructure, and the final amounts into administration and outreach. "I have passed a proclamation that members of the governing council shall each only have one vote. I have resigned from the governing council." The slivers of glass began to vibrate. A sonorous ringing began to rise like a finger drawing a circle over a crystal glass rim. The five slivers rose into the air and began to move about.
Assent to Decend:
"I'm ready. I'll do my very best. And I'm good with my hands." Hermica didn't wait for the others to consent. She went over to the the chargeour, a shallow copper bowl with a wide brim. She took a golden-flecked stone and dropped it in the water. A few short minutes later there was a knock at the door and Tandyraman came in. Tandyraman, "I suspected you would be calling me soon. How may I help you?" Hermica, "We'd like to get this o…" Patience, "Hermica?! Sorry, Herald. We're grateful for your time and it's good to see you. We were …" Valandi stepped forward, "We'd like to do this now …" She glanced at Hermica and back, "… please." Tandyraman nodded and looked at Dounia. Seeing her resolute her led the entire group to the foyer (most of an hour's time before Tymythy found himself there). He came to the stairs and spoke the word of passage and the stairs remoulded themselves smoothly to form a staircase going downward.
Welcome to the Vault:
There he led them down a long set of steps which incorporated several turnings to the cellar. The floor was dark marble and little fonts of water glowed with magical light. The herald nodded as he continued down the steps which only constituted two flights to the next lower level. The undercroft. These walls were cavernous and rough like a mine, with posts and lintel every ten feet to prevent collapse. In the floor was a little stream of crystal clear water that had a ghostly light casting glimmers upon the uneven walls and ceiling. The hall curved away in both directions. Tandyraman turned to the left. On his right hand he passed iron doors with little windows fixed with steel bars. Noises and muttering voices could be heard beyond the bars. Sloughing, gibbering, and sucking sounds that got under the skin. Strange accents in humanoid voices of all kinds. These were clearly some of the prisons of Gossamer House. Tandyraman passed an archway that led to a gallery of artworks and came to a heavy metal door with three locks upon it. By the door stood a woman with colourless dark charcoal skin. She was clearly one of the drow peoples and looked sturdy in her thick leather apron. Goggles were pushed back on her forehead. Tandyraman, "Everyone. This is Ourmeela, chief archanist for Hallwn. Ourmeela, this is Shomyendee. Shull, Jacote, Hermica, Patience, and Valandi. You will certainly recognize Dounia Mehar Mehek of the Ghali Family of Ciriyanakaram." Ourmeela had a husky steady voice, "Of course! We've been watching you from the studio ewers. Your work on the escutcheoned door with only four parts of the key was one for the Gossamer Library scrolls. I will lord your success over Iolanthe for the next half century." She produced a small sack and from the sack she pulled a vial of what looked to be water. She unstoppered the water and it flowed unbidden out of the vial and into the lock hole. Twenty heartbeats later the first lock disengaged. She carefully pressed her hand on the second lock and hundreds of thin glass needles shot forth all around the outline of her fingers and palm. She turned her hand and the second lock disengaged. She whispered to the third lock. Dounia thought she could hear the lock whisper back. A whispered argument ensued until the third lock opened. Ourmeela pulled on the heavy metal door, "Welcome to the vault."
The Broken Mirror: There were other staircases and other halls that led to other locked doors. Two more flights down ended in a small round room like the base of a turret. On the floor there was a chalk circle. Inside the circle there was a full length standing mirror with a spiderweb crack. Five pieces of the mirror, nine to twenty inch slivers, lay on the floor atop a black velvet cloth. Tandyraman, "Shomyendee, do not enter the circle. You must each in-turn, stand before the mirror and give testimonial. If you are earnest enough the mirror will mend. "Dounia, enter the circle when you are ready. Once you cross the chalk line you must stay until the mirror is mended. Simply fit each piece into their respective spots. It may require some care and ingenuity but nothing you haven't shown yourself more than capable of. "If you leave before the mirror is mended then the testimony stops and the five will remain separate. "Do we all understand?" The five 'sisters' nod silently. Tandyraman, "Dounia, you may begin at any time."
Claire's eye became distant, "Yes, only less than thirty hours left and then everyone is to forget." She took Tymythy's forearm, "Still, it is no small thing you have helped me with and I don't think there are many who could make that assassin sweat. If you need anything you must drop me a message. My name is Manon Claircourbeau, first hand to Her Royal Highness. You can trust any of the Princess' guard to deliver a written message and to remain ignorant of its' content." There was a noise at the nearby door, "Someone is coming." Clair' produced a small object from the 'money pouch' around her costume. "spirits of song and story attend my ladies' servant" She stepped back against the white marbled wall and as she did her clothes blended with the wall until she was nigh invisible. As long as she stood still as a statue. Through the door came Idrim Voltus. He noticed Tymythy, his brow rose like it would ask its' own question, and quickly abandoned why the spearman was standing in the foyer alone. Behind him was a trail of watery drips. Shortly after him came Cairee.
I think it was just Cairee who was told that but it is the same woman. From page100 of gameplay (Jun 20, 2025, 09:30 am) :
"Is everything okay? Can I be of service?" The attendant pulled away from Cairee. She looked confused, affronted, vulnerable. She leaned towards Cairee, "What do you know about it." It sounded more like an accusation than a question. She backed away two steps. She looked like someone teetering on an idea. Allissette kept walking like she didn't know her attendant wasn't with her. The attendant stepped back towards Cairree and in a rash whisper, "If you want to help Her … lose." The attendant's face switched to instant regret. Allissette (from a distance and continuing to walk away), "Manon Claircourbeau, what has you so distracted that you are not by my side." It was not a question. The attendant looked at the ground and hustled after her.
"I'm Dounia. Are you Patience or Valandi?" Dounia could make out most of the women by their manners. Perhaps they were all parts of whomever Shomyendee was. Shull seemed trapped in her own anger. Jacote never expressed her true feelings. Hermica, she was the easiest to read, her constant frustration was self-evident. In this moment Dounia could see her mind racing and her spirit hitting a wall of doubt. She was clearly worried the desert girl would back out or not be up to the task - whatever the task was. Valandi was Hermica's opposite, a rock, a still lake. She seemed deep and quiet and confident. Patience, however, was unreadable for now. At least she was the most forward, "Yes, I'm Patience. And this is Valandi. Thank you for coming. Thank you for speaking for us. You seem to be the only person to have cared at all for my three disheartened 'sisters'. "And, as to speaking with Hallwn, ahem, His Radiance. I don't think we will be. It seems we are all to face the mirror and tell it what we have done to buy back our wish. Then, you are to reassemble it. If you believe in our worthiness then you will heal the mirror and bring us back together. As far as I understand." Hermica, "Can we go now?! Can we use the stone?" Shull, "Are you serious. Her??? She won't be able to do it." Patience, "Shull! Have a little com…" Jacote, "Do you really think 'His Radiance' is going to let this happen?" Valandi, " We are going to try and we are going to have faith in our benefactor!" Patience, "Dounia, are you ready?"
… ”So, the help you required was not to rid yourself of that man?” … Claire, "He thinks I have come to seek you out. We must leave together or he will suspect another purpose for me to be away from my mistress and in disguise. I should have hidden in the abyss for the devils are all here! What gave me away?" She took Tymythy's elbow. To all looking it would seem Tymythy was showing her the way but with subtle pressure Claire' led him down the steps and to the front foyer. It was devoid of people. Behind a statue of a muscled warrior wielding a fiery brand she found a little cover. Tymythy was so close to the carving he could feel that it was not stone but an opaque smokey ice. "Thank you. I was on Her Royal Highness' business. Lockheep noticed me duck behind the judge's tent. I could not let him know where I was headed, but, forgive me, he now suspects an intrigue between you and I. This is tantamount to you being in-league with Her. I'm afraid I may have bought you a troubled future." Tymythy was close to her as they huddled by the monument. He could see a woman molded by royal courts that held the balance of nations. Her flawless appearance was trained, an act of will. A woman who's every gesture was under constant scrutiny. A woman who knew what it was to be constantly judged and would do anything for her mistress, someone under tenfold pressure and constant danger.
…he slammed the butt of his enchanted usriev on the ground as a physical exclamation point to what was a softly spoken comment …
Several of the people standing about began to take notice. Invil's companions stood to get a better look from the stands. If this young warrior flinched or betrayed any weakness or lack of training in his eyes, his stance, in his words - Invil would cut him down. Invil looked Tymythy over and could see no crack in the spearman's demeanour. At best guess they were evenly matched. The clang of the usriev upon the stone sets they stood on sealed Invil's uncertainty. If there was an intrigue to find here it was not worth a fight for when two lions fight one is always wounded and the other always dead. The career criminal twisted his mouth into a grin. When he spoke he address the lady, "Lady Clairecourbeau, don't worry. I'm sure there's a simple answer to why a handmaiden has to dress to meet a 'friend' and member of the leading team. I will leave you time to think of one." Claire, "You are perspiring, Mister Lockheep." Invil's smile vanished as he shifted his hip and his fine leather coat slide over and hid the hilt of his sword. He walked back to his party. He was clearly not done with this. Claire spoke from the side of her mouth, "He is not known to us but his ink is. It makes him to be an executioner. The Cult of the Red-Red-Rose is practiced in extortion and have dealings in Halidor, Dollerisium, and the new world. Executioners fine those who have debts and make examples of them. We have no debts to the cult. I'm afraid he spotted me and became too curious."
As Tymythy spoke the woman, whose name apparently was Clairecourbeau, squeezed his hand. It didn’t feel like a warning but more an expression of desperation. Invil Lockheep loosely clenched his rose vine tattooed hand into a fist. The comment about servants seemed to not touch a nerve. ”Does this warrior speak for the First Lady-in-Waiting for Princess Allissette Argentpoire? My he is quite bold. Then again he has been doing rather well in the games. Seeing you both together I begin to wonder why.” Claire, ”You people of Halidor. You look down on all and only ever seem to have two questions on your minds. ‘Are they cheating in business’ and ‘are they cheating in love’. All the while you don’t seem to understand either. Why shouldn’t I seek to make a friend of an honest man. As my people say, ‘Soft hands make good moneylenders and bad warriors, lovers, and friends.” The saying rolled off her lips rhythmically and it left one to wonder what it might sound like in her own language. Tymythy’s mind turned. He could not feel a ring on the ladies fingers and her other hand seemed bare. A look at her face showed she wore no decorations at all. Still, she couldn’t entirely get rid of the smell of perfume to a man unaccustomed to smelling it. The memory of the ring hung in his head and he was pretty certain it was her mistress who wore it. Invil, ”My people have a saying to. ‘A man with calloused hands is the first to ire, tire, and pyre.’ ” He looked Tymythy up and down as if for the first time. He stepped out and turned so that he was full on facing the spear dancer and locked eyes. As he whirled his coat flew open to expose a long sword hilt.
The Lady Clairecourbeau squeezed Tymythy’s hand and he knew what it meant. The next few seconds were critical
GMs rolls:
"Oh! I don't know if it went without saying but I wanted to ask to be certain. Will you give me the pleasure of accompanying me for whatever festivities occur later today?" Prem, "Exciting. Do you know what's planned? I'd be happy to join you but first I have to cancel my plans with my other suitors." He looked behind him and there sat two members of the dwarven team, Grownya Lar and Caydren Actreo. Prem's voice took on a faux courtliness, "I'm sorry but I shall have to cancel. My dance card, you see, has been filled." The two dwarves looked at each other utterly confused. Prem, "I dare say they shall get over me … in time."
"Nothing good can come of that, … Maybe we should get closer? In case he needs help?" Prem, "Perhaps to the upper railing? I don't think crowding will help the situation. Besides, I don't think they're up to any agressive mischief. It doesn't feel dangerous."
Although he couldn't read Batbayar's lips (or perhaps the ocrish behemoth was mouthing something about zxilhem dan'deeli … orcish for sturgeon and summer-gown), Tymythy could certainly read the unimpressed expression the warrior wore. The three orcs entered the first room of exotic angled mirrors. They began to flinch like something was darting unseen just behind them. Batbayar stopped and smelled the air. Tyerror kneeled and checked the floor for markings. Khol moved to a mirror and touched the glass. Batbayar said something else to the others and began laughing and Tyerror stood to look and nod at his leader. Khol turned from the mirror but her face looked distracted and sad. The great orc clasped her on the shoulder with encouragement. Their flinching didn't stop. Whatever they were seeing was still there but they looked (for the most part) to be having fun. Tymythy could see Invil Lockheep, one of the criminals Yoy'ya had warned him about, look behind the scoreboard. The athletic man in very fine oxblood leathers rose, moved casually past Tymythy's left and behind the judges tent. Suddenly, a woman of about twenty-five years all dressed in the finery of one of the Halidor Concern merchants was at Tymythy's right side. She grabbed his left hand. Her accent was strange, soft with words almost blending together, and desperate. "Please help me" knowledge - geography dc10 (human):
Her accent is from the northern continent of Eotengaerde perception dc12 (human):
She smells of traces of perfume. The kind you've smelled whenever you were near Princess Allessette Invil swaggered around the judge's tent and came to the woman's other side. He looked like a cat with an invisible fish in its' mouth, "Mademoiselle Claircourbeau. I almost didn't recognize you. What would your mistress say if you were reported in such poor estate?"
Voltus was met at the door by the porter Abbas. Abbas answered a question without being asked, "In the main arena." The two rushed off. A read on Voltus; DC24:
Voltus seems ready for whatever is happening. He doesn't seem surprised
The Painted Eclipse door opened and Dounia was led in by Hermica. All five of the other sisters who made up Shomyendee (Jacote, Shull, Patience and Valandi) were there. They were all completely identical and could only be separated by their demeanours. Shull was stoney-faced.
sense motive= DC12:
She was glancing at Dounia with some little contempt, almost as if this was somehow the desert thief's fault Jacote was looking down at her shoes.
sense motive= DC12:
She was glancing at Dounia with some little contempt, almost as if this was somehow the desert thief's fault Hermica was pacing.
sense motive= DC12:
She clearly just wants this to be over one way or another. Patience was looking Dounia over, "Is this her?" she said to the others.
sense motive= DC12:
She was badly concealing a great deal of gratitude Valandi walked to Dounia and offered her hand.
sense motive= DC12:
Of all of them, she seemed the calmest and most professionally postured
Voltus slowly stopped laughing. His stare was unflinching, "Hallwn has no plans to separate you. I have no idea why your messenger would have said that. I promise you that His Radience has absolutely no interest in your fates." He moved across the bath until he was very close to Cairee and whispered the quietest whisper an inch from her ear. She could feel his breath on her ear's crest. "But he has no love for The Servants of the Great Red Dragon … Think Priest Featherfriend. No one here can be seen helping you. Harmattan's trick at the opera only protects Zahra in the midst of the detente between the arcane orders. Anyone seen trying to help or recruit her will start a magical feud. Now, answer this. Who has the ability to change the game and might have a desire to give you information? Not to help you but to harm Kamzar-Ghibil." He moved past her and got out of the bath. He was walking away as his unseen servant, Willum, dressed him. "Really, I must be loosing my touch. I should have come up with the answer sooner. 'When a dragon takes human form the dragon takes human weakness.'" Voltus golden laurel flew at him. He snapped out his right hand and caught it without looking. He left the baths, still dripping.
The merchants of The Halidor Concern began to argue amongst themselves. Tymythy, however, was too focused on Batbayar, Khol and Terror beginning their walk through the mirror maze. With the Twins finished the orcish team could finally start their run. Terror led the way with Khol sandwiched between him and Bat. They walked slowly and confidently down the front hall. One hundred feet of mirrors. Nothing of what was being said could be heard but Tymythy could see Batbayar mouthing something. linguistics (untrained ok) dc10 and sense motive dc15; you must be successful in both rolls to lip read the orcish: Tymythy thinks he catches the words toli (meaning mirrors) and moxoo (meaning stupid)
"The messenger also warned the Hallyn would try to separate the Blackbirds ... I thought he was neutral in his desire for chaos. Why would he be involved in our fates?"
GMs rolls:
… Was she a friend? Someone he cared for, wanted to see succeed? Was she a duty, part of his responsibility to keep safe outside the challenges? Did he see her as an equal? An annoyance? Another line on his long to-do list? Never has Cairee felt confident about her read of Voltus' alignments. Now, having met with him on several occasions and seen him at his work, she did not know the seneschal to root for anyone. He did not take sides. He was constantly in the mask of his position. He had been taking on a quality, a beleaguered persona. He seemed like - like the only adult on an island of lost children with their boy-king. Everyone was surely a duty to him and Cairee was probably no exception. His voice, however, was respectful and felt earnest - and in these hot baths, unguarded. As much as she could read that he did not see this young priest before him as his 'equal' she could still feel a growing admiration for The Black Birds, especially for her and for Tymythy. Cairee could also see that Voltus could see her trying to get a read on him. … "It's difficult to explain, but I had a visitor from someone outside of the game. Someone I don't know, but have reason to trust. They said that the messages we've been receiving in our challenges are from someone who is trying to provide aid after we return home … How could that be? Does it mean there's a way for us to keep our memories?" Idrum Voltus' stare was unnerving. Not since joining the Order of Saiph has Cairee felt so vulnerable - like she was in her childhood home again. Voltus was staring and his mind was grinding like a machine under strain. Then his eyes closed and his hand went to his face. When he opened his eyes again they were shifting back and forth like he was watching some kind of debate between invisible lawyers. Then he smiled. He began to laugh and his laugh was clear and sharp and unpracticed. Through his laughing he managed to speak. Voltus, "To whomever managed an unauthorized sending through the defences of Gossamer House ask them to come see me. I would very much like to know how they managed it. I don't believe it is related to the secret 'advice' you've been receiving in the challenges. "Please, do not share the advice, or anything else you've learned here, with anyone outside of your teammates, and perhaps the Lady Harmattan. I wish I could say more but it would break a treaty with several other organizations. That could be disastrous. Think about your time in the oprea and you may know why. "As for remembering, please trust me when I say that I am sure things will turn out for the best." A ripple cascaded over the bath's surface. "I'm being summoned … apparently, The Adherents are up to something." Voltus got up and walked to the door as clothes flew to him and dressed themselves.
”Security considerations? Should we be worried?” More worried than I already am? she thought. Voltus, "It's not my intention to add to the worries you already carry. It isn't a danger but an anticipated risk. A little surprise for those who've stayed in the competition on the fifth afternoon. It should arrive around the late song of four." ”Our challenge wasn’t reflected in the lake. Did you see it? Something happened that seemed outside of the challenge. I don’t know if it would have been visible to anyone watching.” Voltus' calm seemed interrupted. He opened his eyes to look to Cairee, "His Radience's table can scry on the last challenge. So can I. We don't always see all of the members. "I could see you yelling in your cell. Then images of Dounia and Tymythy took presidence. When you became visible again you an the room were covered in frost." He didn't ask a question only holding his gaze on Cairee.
GMs rolls:
Tymythy sought out Yoy'ya before she had a chance to leave. ”You have been keeping tabs on how the money has been flowing … I would like you to point out a few of the ones who betted against us most often.” Yoy'ya couldn't read Tymythy's full intent but she was certainly good enough to read his manner. A mischievous grin snuck onto her face, "Of course. I've been watching the betting very closely. The one's doing the worst will be gathered by the scoreboard, trying to make up loses with their final bets. "It will be no surprise to you that the heaviest bets against the Black Birds have been: Baronet Vertbatton and his wife Baronetess Horsie Oxmaison; that greasy dwarf Eohzayped; and, of course that fool, Jhohanes Sebasteen Kingsworthy. They are trying to work out how to make their money back after this last challenge. Eohz' is completely ruined, hehe. The others followed his advice betting heavily on Cairee's death and on your entire teams failure. "Perhaps a bit more of a surprise are those weird elves with the masks. The 'Arishallshamis'? I don't think it's personal. They seem to just be playing the odds. "I think some of the other team members have been betting against you through intermediaries. Several of the Sisters of the Silken Scroll (not really a concern anymore) and Badrelow of the Cavaliers. "Several of the retinue at Hallwn's table, but not Iolanthe or Nadj. "There is a group called 'The Membership of the Red-Red-Rose' from Hesperia in the far east. Invil Lockheep and Asparisterous are amongst them. You remember Aspar'. He fought in the challenge against Voltus. Invil Lockheep was the one Kingsworthy approached to harm Prem. He distanced himself as soon as Dounia interrupted. They've been betting consistently against your team. They were betting quite a lot on Zahra not making it until after the arena challenge when they got tired of losing their money. - I wouldn't screw with them. The Red-Red-Rose is a powerful and well known criminal organization from the new world." "There is a conclave of merchants called the Halidor Concern. They seem to have connections to Vertbatton and also to Hespernia. Lots of land owners and shipping interests. They've been pooling their money and betting strategically but mostly against The Black Birds. If you look to the scoreboard, just to the right of it, that clump of velvet. That's them"
Tymythy settled at the top of the southern steps not far from the scoreboard. The 'greasy-dwarf' was nowhere to be seen. Vertbatton and his wife weren't about either. The well-dressed Invil Lockheep was in the upper stands with his entire retinue but they were keeping a close eye on the scoreboard. The Halidor Concern merchants were huddled by the board and fumed at Tymythy's presence. They began to mutter. One, "Brazen Divolgatian!"
In the lake Tymythy could see Mar find the final room. She struggled to her feet leaning against the rough stone wall. Two mirrors floated in the middle of the room. She turned her head away from them and tried to call out to her brother but her voice was too hoarse. There was a long passage of time. She could see the way out but she didn't move. All this challenge had been to her and she still waited for her brother. Slowly, the staggering Arnie exited the hallway into the same room. He collapsed into Mar. They embraced and found some strength in the embracing. As they turned to leave, Arnie noticed the two mirrors. He lifted his club with the last of his strength and headed towards them but Mar grabbed his arm and held him back. She shook her head pleadingly. Arnie nodded as they followed the perimeter of the room to the exit. A judge marked their score on the board:
The scores were now:
The merchants were throwing up their hands and gnashing their teeth as they tried to get space between their new loses and Tymythy. Tymythy's perception; DC8 (vs human): One of the merchants (who'd been silent through everything) separated from the others with a quietness that looked like they were trying not to be noticed. They made some effort to glide past Tymythy, perhaps to visit a wash closet but the smell of perfume was powerful, and familiar. He's smelt it whenever Princess Allissette's retinue were near. He saw the merchant take a quick look around to see if they were noticed, revealing her face. It was one of Allissette's handmaids. She ducked neatly behind the judge's tent next to the healer's tent.
… ”The cloth is good quality and something I can work with. Is it okay if I keep it overnight and give it back to you tomorrow?” She smiled, ”I promise I know what I’m doing. I even altered a gown once to wear to the opera. Thanks for trusting me with this.” Prem, "I'd like that." His ear turned a little pink. ”What I would have told you about my life a couple of months ago would be quite different from what I would... Prem listened and cringed at the mention of her capture and of her trials. Hearing what she'd been through and about the friends she'd made held him fast in his seat and he did not hide his admiration. Prem, "Perhaps we share a common need to honour our parents. We both seem to owe them a great deal." When Zahra spoke about her calling it was clear that Prem didn't understand. He didn't have anything like that he draw on, but he wanted to understand.
It was already the song of thirteen. Prem became distracted. He motioned across the arena to the southern steps. "Something is brewing." It seemed The Adherents had left the tents of healing. The walked down to the sands to where the orcish team were waiting. They began fitting themselves up with their equipment and spell component pouches as they walked. Chrizdoff rushed to meet them.
"Why worry about forgetting?! … You told me about my family, who they are, where they are! I want to go find them. We've made friends in here - Yoy'ya, Prem, maybe even Iolantha. And enemies. We're going to have new gear, and missing other things. Maybe this is business as usual for you, but this has been a hell of a half-week, and I want to remember it!" Tandyraman, "The purpose of forgetting is so outsiders can't trace the guest list and to protect the gift of the wish. There are very powerful people whom we hide this from. I am sorry Dounia but your friends will forget you. Your enemies will not know to come looking for you. Everyone will be visited by the heralds and the banking institutions they deal with. Some of those professionals know certain things about Hallwn and have been trained to deal with guests post birthday. "But, with other details, details not related to the security of Gossamer House, you could theoretically pass that information to yourself through a herald. Just make certain nothing is in the message you don't want the Seneschal to know. He will me monitoring any information passed to the outside. As one of the two lead Heralds, would you like me to take care of this?" Dounia swallowed, suddenly nervous. "Um, sure? … But I did sort of already speak for her, and Hel...His Radiance didn't seem too happy about me doing it. But if there's a chance it'll help, I'll try again. But where even are they? I haven't seen them in days." "This testimonial will be different. More formal. All five Shomyendee will come to a room in the vaults and they will have to tell the mirror why they deserve to be made whole, and of all their work over the past nine hours. If you agree, you will have to reassemble the mirror. If you believe that they deserve to have the wish lifted then the mirror will be mended. "You haven't seen them at the arena because they had been given special leave to go home and return. The five have been working very hard to return all the wealth they've made for themselves. I have been with them supervising their progress. My counterpart, Chrizdoff, tells me you were there when Jacote purchased the final element of their possessions in the name of its' original owners. "As for the five? They have all just returned to their quarters. I doubt they would not open their door to you."
Just on a 'vertical' surface. It thinks it is a coat hook.
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