Session Start: Sat Aug 30 18:01:09 2008
Session Ident: #castlevania
* Logging for #castlevania started
<GM> [Thr intrepid party stands before the Boccobite Contact.  The
rooftop greenhouse is temperate under early morning sun.] 
<GM> Contact: "Please, sit down.  We have a lot to talk about."
<Nyyx> Thank you.
* Nyyx takes a seat and faces the Contact.
* Biff hops up on Nyyx's lap and curls up.
* Olivia gets a slight frown on her face, bowing slightly before
saying quietly, "Is something... especially odd, Contact?"
* Nyyx strokes Biff's fur absently.
<GM> Contact: "That is a fair enough place to start.  You are likely
wondering why we are meeting on the roof instead of in the cloisters
below the library.  Until recently, I could not leave the chamber in
which we held our previous meetings.  Thanks to you, that has now
changed."
* Nyyx raises her eyebrows. "I was wondering about that. What has
changed, exactly?"
<GM> Contact: "Originally, I was intended as a static system.  My
components were set into the walls of the cloister.  They were simply
too large to carry around in a human-sized frame.  However, our
contact with the Cult of the Damacine Golem gave us the means to
refine and consolidate these components down into a single frame.
You brought me the frame."
* Nyyx puzzles over this. "The Undying Man? What did you do with
him?"
<GM> Contact: "It was a long process, but successful in the end.  The
original numina of the Golem Cult materials that we used were purged
and the pieces set into the undying man.  His unique physiology
allowed him to absorb all of my components without dying like your
friend Gabriel.  Whatever is let of that man is now a shadow within
me.  A meager one, for certain.  Several of my component
personalities were inquisitors."
* Biff snorts.
<Biff> So the cult isn't a problem anymore?
<GM> Contact: "And so, I now have a proper body.  Of course, you also
damned me by coming here in the first place."
* Nyyx blinks. "How so?"
<GM> Contact: "Oh no.  The Cult is very active.  We won in here.  It
appears that the Cult will succeed in overruning Lifebreak any day
now, however."
<GM> Contact: "It appears that the Cult targeted these two cities.
Lifebreak for its use of the undead and Misted Vale for its use of
constructs. "
<Biff> Right, looks like we gotta go kill some cultists, then.
<Nyyx> Lifebreak...that's where His Emminent Remains went after
Stavograd.
<Nyyx> I wonder if he knew the Cult was invading.
<Nyyx> When was Misted Vale invaded?
<GM> Contact: "The incursions started several months ago.  Before we
even met.  Infection is a better term than invaded.  The Cultists can
dominate undead and constructs and living creatures to a lesser
extent.  We found and routed them out before things became more than
a nuisance."
* Nyyx nods thoughfully. "There's so much we didn't realize was
happening. Did that golem armlet given to Gabriel have anything to do
with this?"
<Biff> Oh, damn.  it's a good thing I figured out how to dominate
undead, then. 
<GM> Contact: "That was a piece of the Damacine Golem.  The pieces
are the basis of the Cult and their method of dominating the living."
<Biff> But constructs?  That's a hell of a trick.
<Biff> I might have to dissect a few of them to figure out how they
do it.
<Nyyx> Wait. It was Alexandre du Pre that brought that armlet,
intending it to be given to Gregor.
<Nyyx> And Amarette is now du Pre's successor. Are they part of this
Cult?
<GM> Contact: "I have no idea.  I would doubt it.  What I have been
told of du Pre doesn't fit at all."
<GM> Contact: "Who is Amarette?"
<Biff> Lovely little cleric of somebody or other.
<Biff> Got kicked out of Wee Jas's little club.
<Biff> And then I abducted one of her inner circle for a while.
<GM> [Amarette steps forward.]  Amarette: "Former cleric of Wee Jas.
Although that hasn't affected my abilities.  I am now the Solitare."
<Nyyx> Amarette, if you don't mind me asking, what did du Pre have to
do with the Cult?
<GM> Contact: "You bound one of the Rose Madel?  Interesting."
* Nyyx smirks quietly.
<Biff> Sorta.  I only got her monkey hindbrain.
<GM> Amarette: "du Pre had nothing to do with the Cult.  He obtained
a shard of the Golem and gave it to Gabriel in the hopes that it
would undermine Gregor."
<Nyyx> Hm.
* Olivia did sit down after asking the Contact that impertinent
question, and is mainly continuing to soak in knowledge for the
moment.
<Biff> How far is it from here to Lifebreak?
<GM> Contact: "About seven hundred miles."
<Nyyx> Probably a few days' travel, if I remember right. We passed it
on the way here from Rictenburg.
<GM> Contact: "I have heard of the Solitaire and its mission to
resurrect the lost god.  I will not interfere in that."
<Biff> Eh, seven hundred miles is nothing.
<Nyyx> Contact, I've been wondering what the Seven Temples' view is
on this resurrection of the lost god.
* Olivia frowns slightly to herself, glancing to Nyyx a moment before
looking to the Contact.
* Nyyx 's expression is flatly impassive.
<GM> Contact: "Any one of the Seven Gods could have accomplished it
at any time.  They chose not to as part of the Compact.  Admittedly,
a part of the Compact that wasn't shown to those who thought they
were negotiating the agreement."
<Nyyx> The Compact? What did they agree upon?
<Nyyx> I'm guessing this has something to do why the god's name can't
be spoken.
<GM> Contact: "When the Temple Compact creating the Seven Temples and
establishing the peace was made, it was through divine intervention
although those who actually created the physical pact thought it was
by their own will."
<Nyyx> Whose will was it by, if not their own?
<GM> Contact: "The Gods themselves.  Rather than to keep the peace
alone, the Seven Gods conspired to not resurrect the lost god.  One
other volunteered and was prohibited from acting.  Instead, the world
will destabilize and die."
* Nyyx frowns. "The Gods support the destruction of the world?"
<GM> Contact: "It avoids the issue of who will take the lost god's
place.  It avoids the problem that none of us know the nature of the
lost god and may well be aiding an enemy should it return.  It
provides an opportunity to observe the entropy of an entire prime.
There is much that could be learned from such a thing."
<Nyyx> If it proved to be an enemy, couldn't seven gods together deal
with it easily? I'm not sure I understand the risk.
<GM> Contact: "There is no guarantee that it would be an enemy of all
of them.  It could be another Nerull, for example."
* Olivia puts her hand to her forehead a moment, closing her eyes.
<Nyyx> So do you know who killed the lost god, then, and what its
purpose was before its death?
<GM> Contact: "Originally, my function was to preserve the clergy for
as long as possible and observe.  As the last of this realm
collapsed, I would return to my lord and provide it with the
knowledge of all I had learned."
<GM> Contact: "No, Nyyx, I do not.  The nature and purpose of the
deity have been erased.  That is why its name cannot be spoken."
* Demota is now known as Charlotte
* Nyyx chews on her lip. "No one has access to that knowledge?"
<GM> Contact: "None within the confines of the planes have such
knowledge."
<Nyyx> And beyond the planes?
<GM> Contact: "I have changed.  The moment of the unmaking of this
place approaches and I find that with my new form comes the desire to
survive.  I have decided to break with my commandments and fight the
end.  It is for this reason only that I would discuss what lies
beyond the planes.  It is the greatest heresy."
* Nyyx listens carefully.
* Charlotte listens.
<GM> Contact: "The vestiges drift beyond the boundaries of the planes
and would be immune to the geas that erased all knowledge of the
deity."
<Nyyx> Vestiges...?
<GM> Contact: "Trucking with such beings is forbidden by all faiths.
Vestiges are creatures that exist beyond our realm and control.  They
refuse the order of our reality.  While they can reach into the
primes, their powers do not require worship to sustain and can be
granted with a brief parley rather than the years of training
required for a wizard or priest."
* Nyyx nods slowly. "So they could be dangerous, but they're the only
link between us and whatever is beyond the planes?"
<GM> Contact: "Correct.  And we have no idea what the intentions of
what creatures could be."
<Charlotte> I don't really want to mess with that stuff, but if we
don't have a choice...
* Olivia looks up, making a face. "But you're saying that's the only
path to get to the knowledge. No writings, no script, no process of
eliminating all other options..."
<GM> Contact: "The geas of the greatest power.  I have had centuries
to try to circumvent it without using this option."
<Nyyx> So you have been after the same answers that we are, then.
* Olivia half-smiles at Nyyx. "The Contact has been sending us after
you, Nyyx."
<GM> Contact: "Not until recently.  Before that, it was incident to
my normal function of collecting knowledge."
* Nyyx looks at Olivia. "After me?" She looks confused. "Why? Because
of Gregor?"
* Olivia waves her hands in front of her face, in the air, in
protest. "No... you all."
<GM> Contact: "Yes, because of Gregor.  Normally, I would have simply
scryed on you, but there has been a screen active on you since
Kronenburg."
<GM> Contact: "The Seven Temples have been observing you since then
in the hopes that you would shed light on Gregor the Red.  This
required that we attach personnel to you in order to bypass the
screen."
<Nyyx> You can scry us by scrying Olivia?
<GM> Contact: "No, Olivia will just tell us what happens."
<Nyyx> Oh. Well. It's not as if we were hiding anything, anyway.
<Biff> Yeah, it's not like I don't want people to know I killed
Gregor.
* Olivia smiles slightly. "Which is why it's good I told you I was
working for Boccob when we met, mmm?"
* Nyyx smiles. "Yes. As I've said, I don't really expect much in the
way of privacy nowadays."
<Nyyx> It always seems like everyone knows what we're doing before we
even meet them.
<Charlotte> There's nothing really secret going on, and I'm not doing
anything the Church of Pelor frowns on, so I'm good.
<GM> Contact: "Of course, we only found out about the punchline just
before you entered Misted Vale."
<Nyyx> About Gregor? Why the delay?
<GM> Contact: "The same effect creating the screen binds you to
Gregor.  You have been spreading this link ever since Kronenburg.
When those 'infected' with this link expire, Gregor claims them
instead of traveling to their appointed end."
<GM> Contact: "That includes myself and the Pelorian Contact."
<Charlotte> Creepy.
<Nyyx> Wait. How does this link spread? Just from any sort of contact
with us?
<GM> Contact: "I expect that is why he let you leave Kronnenburg."
<GM> Contact: "I believe that association is enough.  The clergy of
Wee Jas figured it out and traded us the information for more than I
would have liked.  I suspect they figured it out long ago and waited
to see if a few of the other Contacts would be infected."
* Nyyx sighs. "How many have we infected?"
<Nyyx> Or do you know?
<Charlotte> Well.. I've hung out with you guys long enough, probably.
* Olivia glances to Charlotte, then replies to her with, "I think...
we can safely assume all of us are infected with this magic."
<GM> Contact: "All of those in Misted Vale that have been infected
have been accounted for and with the exception of myself, moved to
Stavograd, which is also entired infected."
<GM> Contact: "Some Pelorians including the current Contact have been
infected and also moved to Stavograd.  Detecting the infection is
quite straightforward: we cannot scry them either."
* Nyyx nods. "It's probably wise that we don't infect more people if
we don't need to, then. Does everyone we meet and talk to meet the
same fate?"
<GM> Contact: "I expect the Rose Madel that tagged along with you is
immune.  Not enough of a soul to latch onto."
<GM> Contact: "Likely, yes."
<Biff> Hmm...
<Biff> I wonder if becoming undead is enough to shake it off.
* Olivia asks, slowly, "Contact, can anyone who is... infected spread
it?"
<GM> Contact: "It does not appear so, no."
<Nyyx> Just us? How curious.
<Nyyx> I suppose our distinguishing feature is that we actually
entered the demi-plane at one point.
<GM> Contact: "So now, when this world ends, I will not reach Boccob.
That is also why you have not met anyone except for myself and the
construct courtier that lead you to me today."
* Nyyx nods. "Understandable, given the consequences."
<Olivia> Is the magic that hopeless to break? If we can't even break
these minor effects... it doesn't speak well to the plane's chances
of survival.
<Charlotte> Yeah..
<GM> Contact: "We should try.  Gregor will, despite losing his body,
continue his quest.  The Cult of the Damacine Golem will continue to
assault our lands and eventually, this plane will break down if we do
nothing.  The question is what?"
<Charlotte> I wonder how much time we have.
<Nyyx> I think we should talk to one of these vestiges eventually,
but I'd like to find out how to do so safely, if there's a way to do
that.
<GM> Contact: "All things being equal, several years, I expect.
However, violence and the presence of the undead seem to accelerate
the process."
<GM> Contact: "I might be able to assist with that.  Palanquin Hassad
had contact with a vestige in the Eastern deserts before coming here
to train as an arcanist."
* Nyyx nods. "We intend on investigating the background of Palanquin
Hassad, as well. In the meantime, we can also track down this Cult,
though it'll no doubt involve violence."
<GM> Contact: "Those appear to be good places to begin.  I have
already committed to sending forces to assist the Mercykiller in his
battle with the Cult in Lifebreak."
<Biff> Hey, i'm in favor of a little violence.
<Biff> Okay... a LOT of violence, as long as I'm on the right end of
it.
<GM> Contact: "Indeed."
* Nyyx smiles a bit. "Well, violence seems inevitable, though I
regret it speeds the destruction of the world. If all goes well,
though, it'll stop this process before the world actually ends."
<Charlotte> Yeah.We've got... a few years. Hopefully.
<Nyyx> And, well, if we can't stop it, it's all the same anyway.
<GM> Contact: "I agree.  If there is anything else you need, please
just ask."
* Nyyx thinks. "Well, there is the matter of permanently stopping
Gregor. Do you have any idea how we can accomplish this?"
<Nyyx> I'm sure Olivia's told you all about our visions in the lake
and all that.
* Nyyx smiles wryly.
* Olivia smiles a little to herself.
<GM> Contact: "I will need to consider how to deal with Gregor.  I
think we may need to call in a few specialists.  It will take time."
* Nyyx nods. "Please take whatever time you need."
* Biff hops over into the Contact's lap and whispers something to
him.
* Nyyx raises an eyebrow at Biff.
* Biff laughs and hops back over to Nyyx.
<Nyyx> What did you say to him?
<Biff> That's a secret, toots.
<Biff> Between me and my priest, eh?
* Nyyx nods. "I suppose so. I won't ask." She smiles.
<Nyyx> Contact, if it'd help, we do have the books that we brought
back from the jungle temple.
<Biff> Lots of pretty gruesome stuff in there.
<Biff> Let me tell you, you ain't seen nothing until you've seen a
bear with tentacles instead of a mouth.
<GM> Contact: "They could proved useful.  Thank you."
<GM> Contact: "Indeed."
* Nyyx laughs at Biff's comment. "A real looker, that one."
<GM> Contact: "Wait, tentacles?"
<Nyyx> Yes, tentacles.
<Nyyx> Gregor and his artificer friend had some interesting hobbies.
<Charlotte> It was pretty awful.
<Charlotte> We released all the ones that were still sane.I just hope
they've found a place in the world.
<Nyyx> We didn't release the bear, in case you were wondering.
<Biff> Damn thing tried to eat me!
<Biff> I may be small, but I'm not supposed to be prey!
<GM> Contact: "Alright.  Well, if there is nothing else, please
prepare a list of items for me to requisition and allow me to review
the books you recovered."
<GM> Contact: "We have much to do and should get started."
* Nyyx nods. "Of course. I think perhaps our next stop will be
Lifebreak. What do you all think? We can probably help with the
effort there and learn what the Cult is trying to accomplish."
* Charlotte sighs, then stretches a bit. "More info would be good."
<Biff> More info, more money, and maybe a little something more.
* Biff hops down from Nyyx and walks away, cackling.
* Nyyx tosses Biff a wondering glance, then stands herself. She takes
out the books recovered from the temple. "Here are the books. I hope
you find them useful."
<GM> [END OF SESSION]
Session Close: Sat Aug 30 22:21:52 2008