Session Start: Sat Mar 15 18:24:09 2008 Session Ident: #castlevania [The party goes to find Roland.] So who the heck is this guy we're off to find? A priest of Boccob. Knows a lot of stuff, as anyone might expect. Roland? * Nyyx nods. "He's a cleric of Boccob." FFT. Worst god ever. * Biff hisses angrily. I'm sure there are worse gods. * Nyyx glances at Biff, mildly amused. "You hate him more than Pelor? I thought the sun was the natural enemy of your people." Nothing is worse than the Thief of Secrets. [The party weaves through the camp to the Boccobite tents. They are strewn with arcane sigils and lit with eerie heatless blue flame lanterns. Which is rather showy, given that it is still the early morning.] So is it like a two-way tie? * Charlotte looks around Also, I made up all that stuff about the sun to play with you guys. Really, I just don't like Pelor's priests because they're almost as uptight as Heironeous. * Rudyard is now known as Skip * Nyyx chuckles. Aw. I'm not uptight, am I? No comment, toots. Fair enough. * Nyyx looks around for Roland or his tent. [After some gentle questioning, Roland can be found reading in a small tent off of the central tent. This is likely how he prepares spells.] * Nyyx strides right in. "Good morning, Roland. Sleep well?" Morning Roland. Roland: "Morning." * Biff hides behind Nyyx's hair. * Nyyx pretends there is no cat in her hair. Have you had a chance to check on that tree of ours under the city? Roland: "Tree?" * Skip finds a seat, yawns, and stretches, still sore from the previous day's plummet. The tree that you saw in the shadow realm, with the bodies hanging from its branches? Roland: "I have already collected several of the camp's surviving scryers and the tree has been destroyed." That's great news. I guess that means we're done here. Good, let's get going. Roland: "However, that is far from the end of our worries. I believe that the wild anomaly of the tree and the 'Stone Dragon' as we have dubbed it will have signifigant aftereffects in the region." What sort of aftereffects? * Nyyx listens carefully. Roland: "Likely, general reality variances like whatever allowed the Dragon or Kronenburg Castle to function in the first place. That, and Nyyx has mutated." What, me? What? HOw? * Nyyx blinks and glances down at herself. Roland: "Your shadow is currently trying to read a book on the table behind you." * Nyyx turns to take a better look at her shadow. "Oh...that's right. It was a little girl yesterday." ... weird. Best mutation ever. * Skip approaches and examines the shadow. I wonder if your shadow can strangle people. I wonder what it can do, also. I'm not even sure it's really a part of me. It's not going to break loose, is it? * Nyyx attempts to control the movements of the shadow behind her. * Skip waves at the shadow. I've learned a thing or two about shadow, along the way. And I know enough to say a shadow that can strangle other people on demand is a damn cool shadow. I can certainly think of several situations that'd be useful in. It seems to have a mind of its own, though. Do you feel any differnet? [The shadow does not respond or move any objects.] * Nyyx shakes her head. "I can't control its movements." Oh well. Your shadow is nifty, but not cool. Sorry. * Biff shrugs in a catty way. That's unfortunate. Well, it'll take me a while to get used to having a little girl's shadow following me around and doing as it likes. Roland: "In all likelihood, these long-term effects will be discussed in conclave tonight." * Nyyx nods. "I'll be in attendance." Same here Do you think it's possible my shadow got detached and exchanged for someone else's? Roland: "It is a distinct possibility." Hmm. Well, as long as it's not hurting anyone, I suppose it's all right. Roland: "To be honest, I think the meeting tonight would have turned out the same way, background problems or no. This has likely always been an excuse to put Stavograd under Temple control...." The same way as last night, with all the bickering? Roland: "Don't forget grandstanding, Lady Natalia." Is there going to be a guy who pounds a hammer or osmething to tell everyone to shut up, and everyone ignores him anyway? * Nyyx nods and sighs. "Yes. All of it makes me wonder if we really did Stovograd a favor, after all." I could moderate, if you like. First guy who ignores me will be my bitch. I could use a nice pair of opposable thumbs. * Nyyx laughs. You know, if you need something done that requires thumbs, you could always just ask. * Skip is now known as SkipAFK That's not nearly as convenient as being able to telepathically order it to be done, and done exactly how you want it. Also, it's less fun. Besides, they'd deserve it. Roland: "I would doubt it." I dunno. There's something to be said for willful obedience. * Nyyx just shakes her head and smiles. Roland: "If my assumption is true. All of the major decisions have already been handed down, anyway. Although divination communication may not function in the city proper, I am certain that our brethren have been in touch with the Temple commanders." I've always wanted a personal physician, too. Very handy. * Nyyx is now known as NyyxFeed If it's all been decided already, I don't see why we're sticking around. * NyyxFeed is now known as Nyyx Might as well stick around to see how it plays out, I suppose. Anything could happen I could start a riot. * Nyyx smirks. "I'm not sure the townsfolk would appreciate that." I meant between the Pelors and the Nerulls. I almost wonder how that would turn out. A lot of undead would explode very violently, and I'm generally in favor of that. but it's gotta wait until AFTER I do some research. On the brain? * Nyyx nods. "When will you have a chance to do that? Will that be tonight, as well?" Hopefully, yes. * Skip continues waving at and trying to get the attention of Nyyx's strange shadow, "I feel like there's something important from last night. Something I was paying attention to, but after that fall, I don't quite remember." * Nyyx nods again. "That I'd be interested in learning more about, myself." * Nyyx turns to Skip. "Besides felling the dragon?" No idas? Roland: "Alexander du Pre." What happened to him? As I recall, we couldn't find him after the fight, but I remember him being the one who dragged us out of the darkness. I was wondering what that voice was * Nyyx nods. "That was du Pre, though I have no idea -what- he is." We're going to need to track him down eventually. Roland: "I would suggest starting with the Jasian that tried that shadow teleport." Is she...alive? * Skip stops playing with the shadow. "Why is it I have no recollection of this?" That was pretty unsettling * Nyyx eyes Skip. "Skip, are you all right?" Roland: "She survived, yes." * Nyyx nods. "I suppose we can ask her about du Pre." * Skip nods at Nyyx. "I think so, but I don't seem to remember much about the battle. I've never fallen that far before; I think it rattled me a bit." You might want to get that checked out. Early in the battle, a Jasian tried to shadow teleport us and failed. Du Pre saved us somehow. Presumably. I felt like I was groping in the dark for hours. Hours? It was just seconds for me That must have been awful Was that all it was? Ugh, I must have been allergic to that spell or something. * Nyyx shakes her head. Maybe that's why your shadow's acting up * Nyyx blinks at her shadow again. "I was thinking more that it had to do with my siphoning that dragon, but you could be right." Roland, when is this meeting tonight? * Skip looks at his own shadow, then pokes it. Roland: "After the evening meal." That feels like it'd be a long way off. All right. Is anything else happening between now and then? There's gotta be something to do in the meantime Find Du Pre? Might as well. Let's go. See you later tonight, Roland. Later * Nyyx waves and heads out of the tent to look for the Jasian. [The party wanders around for awhile, until they locate the grey, angular tents of the Jasian contingent.] * Nyyx looks around for someone who looks like the shadow teleporting cleric. I don't really know anything about Jasians. What are they like? * Nyyx shrugs. "They serve Wee Jas. Seem like a quiet bunch." They're good people. Mostly. They're a bit spooky. Well, not good, precisely. But any clergy that hates undead can't be ALL bad. Yeah What's your beef with undead, exactly? Just curious, of course. Well, let's see... I specialize in illusion and enchantment. Is it the smell? Oh. And what are undead practically immune to? Yeaaaaaaaah. That's a practical reason. What condition was this cleric in after the failed teleport? Probably unconscious. * Nyyx approaches the nearest Jasian. "Excuse me - we're looking for the cleric who attempted to shadow teleport us during the battle yesterday. Is she well enough to see us?" Jasian: "I'm sorry, I don't know what you are talking about. What business do you have here?" One of your clerics aided us in the battle yesterday by attempting a shadow teleport that unfortunately failed. We were hoping to speak with her. Jasian: "The clerics should be in the medical tent over here." [He leads you to a smaller, well-lit tent with a series of beds laid out.] Thanks Thank you. * Skip nods. * Nyyx ducks into the tent and looks around for the cleric. * Skip follows Nyyx into the tent. "What did the cleric look like?" [One of Rolands "Brain Trust" clerics is in a bed near the middle of the tent.] There she is. * Nyyx approaches the bed slowly. [The woman has blond hair and pale skin and is sleeping peacefully under the heavy grey sheets.] * Nyyx whispers to her comrades. "I'm not sure we should wake her." Yeah. She's earned her rest. * Nyyx gets the attention of one of the attendants to ask what the woman's condition has been. * Skip whispers. "Look at her shadow. See if it's weird." Woman: "Where are you going." [Her eyes are still closed.] Attendant: "Exhaustion, I think." * Nyyx turns in surprise. "You are awake?" Hi. How're you feeling... ? Woman: "Extravagant. You?" Curious. Nyyx's shadow seems to have changed. Thank you for helping us during yesterday's battle. I'm sorry about what happened. Are you all right? Woman: "I expect that I will be alright. Yes." * Nyyx nods, then stops when she realizes she's not sure the woman can see her despite her uncanny responses. "I'm glad. It seems we managed to destroy the thing that was causing the plague." Woman: "I know. It won't be coming back." * Nyyx blinks. "You know - you and Roland have a lot in common." It's disturbing. Certainly unsettling, I'll admit. Would it tire you if we asked you a few questions? Woman: "Well, he hired me onto his little squad for a reason, I guess. What do you need." [She goes ahead and opens her eyes.] The man who helped us when your spell failed - did you know him? Woman: "I did not know Alexander du Pre before yesterday, no." * Nyyx nods. "What do you know of him now?" Woman: "Honestly... everything, I think. But he's dead now, so it doesn't matter." * Nyyx blinks. "What can you tell us about him? What happened?" Woman: "I am not certain how much I should be telling you in the middle of a hospital tent. I can guarantee that the medics are eavesdropping." [She turns.] "Yes, I mean you." * Nyyx looks around and nods. "All right. When would be a better time?" fft. I can fix that. * Biff trots a quick circle around the group. * Biff ties the circle closed with a whip of his tail and says a few words of illusiony goodness, and all the noise from outside disappears. Woman: "Ah. Thank you." Thanks, Biff. Hey, I'm the best familiar in the business. You can take that to the bank. * Biff wraps himself around one of Nyyx's ankles and starts on a bit of grooming. Woman: "Likely, I'm being watched at this point for signs of contamination from the anomaly. As a result, the simple fact that you visited me will be scrutinized. Of course, you have been watched for awhile now anyway, I'm sure." * Nyyx nods. "I'm sure you know of my, ah, mutated shadow already." Woman: "Still, I shouldn't talk about shadow teleportation in public. It is normally a secret technique that only greater clerics can use." * Charlotte nods Woman: "I know Natalia." * Nyyx purses her lips. "Ah, sorry. Perhaps I shouldn't have questioned that other Jasian about it so openly." Woman: "It is not your shadow that has been altered. That is only a side-effect. I see four spirits attached to you. You have gained an entourage, Natalia." ... four? Is that counting her own spirit or no? Woman: "No." * Nyyx blinks. "Four spirits? Whose?" Woman: "I have no idea." Woman: "You will have to determine that for yourself." * Nyyx nods. "Can I communicate with them?" Woman: "I do not know. I do not know what they can and cannot observe or whether they can control their actions." Hmm. I will give it a try sometime. I assume these were spirits that were once attached to the tree? Woman: "I do not know." I'm concerned that there are unconscious bodies that they should return to. Right. The coma victims... * Nyyx nods. "Exactly." If it turns out that that's true, is there a way to return them to their appropriate hosts? Woman: "I think that the coma victims are all recovering at this point, but I am not certain." Woman: "I would imagine yes, but I would not know how." Hmm. And if they have no place to go - are there any side effects to having these spirits attached to me? Maybe you could give 'em to the Pelors. Those guys could use a little soul. * Nyyx smirks a little. Woman: "Look, all of this just happened yesterday. I do not know. Du Pre is dead and even he didn't know all of this stuff. What am I supposed to do?" Don't let Charlotte hear you saying that. Aw, come on. I'm standing right here. * Nyyx returns her attention to the woman. "I'm sorry. I don't mean for you to have all the answers; I was only curious." She pauses. "Can you tell us about du Pre, though?" * Skip chuckles. Woman: "Hmmm.... I think that I'm du Pre now. I think he forced me to take his place when the teleport failed. I think that's why he died." * Nyyx blinks. "How did this happen?" Woman: "During the jump. He had us switch places so that he could die and I could finish the jump. I don't know how....." ... wait, waht? So you're now both yourself as well as du Pre at once? Woman: "Du Pre was a lot more than he appeared. I think he was working for someone.... no, he was something that knew more about what is going on. And he.... convinced it to let him die, but only because I took his place...." Woman: "I think du Pre was more a role than a person." Weird... * Nyyx looks thoughtful. "So you inherited the role, but the man died - is that what you're saying?" Woman: "Yes." * Skip looks at Nyyx, then back at the woman, "I think we might need to take you with us." He looks back to the group, "But I'm not sure. Maybe?" Hm. Can you tell us more about this role, then? Woman: "I think it varies. I'm not sure. I think I need to monitor the anomalies and keep things from Outside at bay. I think this is what it's all been about." * Nyyx puzzles this over. "We might be working on the same problem, then. We were sent to investigate the anomalies, ourselves. Du Pre was one of them because he could not be scryed - do you have any idea why or how?" Woman: "He was in the wrong place. He was always partly Outside." Outside? Does that refer to outside of this plane? Woman: "Yes." Is that also why we cannot be scryed? Woman: "Yes." I've always wanted to be outside this plane. * Nyyx frowns. "I wonder if a piece of me is still sitting around somewhere inside that singularity that the Temple confiscated..." I don't feel any different, though. Huh. Me neither. So what's this "Outside" like? The part of it that I've seen is...bleak. Gray. And full of the dead. Walking dead, or just dead? Oh, fully animate. We bumped into our old friend Gabriel in there. They've built a kind of community there. Just people trying to get by. It was eerie. The place collapsed as we left, though. Who's Gabriel? He was one of the first people we banded together with when we first arrived in Kronenburg. Quiet, gruff kind of man. He was a guard at the town in the demi-plane when we saw him last. * Charlotte nods... Anyway, he was originally from this town. Pity he didn't have the chance to see it again before he passed. Woman: "Oh, I wonder if he has any family left here." * Charlotte nods... Good question. From my recollection, his family seemed to be well known around here. Have you heard word of any remaining Zaitsevs? Woman: "I have not, no." * Nyyx nods. "I might ask around a bit later. Do you think you'll want to travel with us as we look for the other anomalies?" Woman: "Yes, I think so." You're welcome to come along, of course. I'm in favor. she can be my familiar! * Nyyx raises an eyebrow. "I thought you were the familiar for hire." Woman: "Thank you." [She chuckles.] I am. But that doesn't mean I can't have a familiar of my own. Value added! That means you have to pay me more, by the way. * Nyyx laughs. Whose familiar are you now, anyway? Yours. Whose else would I be? That means you have to pay, Nyyx. * Nyyx looks amused. "Oh. Well. I suppose having a familiar isn't so bad. You can be paid out of your share of the party's treasure." fft. Saving the world doesn't pay as well as it used to. It's still a pretty competitive rate. Eh, that may be true. I can't say I've been living the high life. It's been fine, though. Meh. I can't be bothered to waste energy on contract negotiations right now. Be a dear and scratch between my fore-shoulders, would you? Oh, very well. * Nyyx idly scritches Biff between the shoulders. Mmm, that's good. * Skip nods. "It's good to be the familiar." Until you realize you don't have any damn thumbs. Well, there's four pairs here, if you need help. Sooner or later, I'm gonna find me a punk to dominate. An ogre would be nice, I think. Not too big to get into tight spaces, but sturdy. * Nyyx nods absently. "That'd be a sight." * Biff stares off into space, lost in a daydream of getting a pimped out ride. So, what now? Huh? Well, we have that meeting tonight to attend, and Biff has some research to do. Now we pass the time. Maybe incite a riot between the Pelors and the Nerulls. And tonight, stuff happens. You guys go spend all night in a boring meeting. I have fun trying to screw with the undead. Maybe we could turn it into some kind of drinking game. Pelorians drink? [SESSION END!]