March 29, 2003

Logfile from Malakai

Eclipse puts on his dragon medallion. "When last we left Hell's Errand Children, they had just returned to Quentin's antique home after a rather unfortunate affair concerning its previous owner and about 25,000 vengeful ghosts. Valyros had suffered an Underworld flashback experience while the rest of the cabal did its damnedest to break the record for the most Arete checks botched or Backlashed in a one-hour period by a single small group of mages."

[OOC] Plax assume's it's now the morning after?

[OOC] Plax assumes even.

[OOC] You say, "I think it's safe to assume that unless people had something they wanted to do tonight, say, eat dinner with Caine and Gama (if my calculations are correct). Might be about time to rename the group The Cabal that Never Sleeps, eh?"

[OOC] You say, "It was, after all, only about noon."

Plax wakes up from the couch he crashed on, an ugly brown scab covering his neck. He starts his morning ritual, burning the quintessence to keep himself from being in all sorts of pain from Caine's experiments. He sits up and draws his sai, cutting his arm lightly.

Plax pages: "(Life 2 to heal the Perm wound for the day, 2 Quint for Caine's thing seperate)."

[Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 5, 7, 4 ** 2 successes (diff 5) **

Tsharing comes back down after sleep, and mediation on a near brush with death, and several of it's inhabitants.

Valyros twitches a bit after a good 'rest' eventually her face grimacing and fending off something off with her arms, then falling down on to the ground, coming half awake.

Plax visibly relaxes as the scab disappears, allowing him to breathe easier once again. "Morning," he says as the others arrive.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Still hear me?"

[OOC] Plax says, "Yes"

[OOC] Plax fears. The 'Mortal Kombat' song just came on over Winamp.

Tsharing pages: "Hold on, what did I miss?"

[OOC] You say, "Come now. What are the chances of *glances at cabal's day planner* oh..."

Tsharing has received your page: "Not much. Val kind of freaked and dropped into a brief coma, and the others, iirc, decided to take a nap until the meeting with Caine."

Tsharing pages: "SO it's just before said meeting now?"

Tsharing has received your page: "Yes."

Tsharing says, "Morning. I believe we have somewhere to be soon."

Valyros slowly crawls her way across the floor towards the WC.

[OOC] You say, "Everyone remembers that the idea was to nap through the afternoon, since the meeting with Caine and Gama is tonight, don't you?"

[OOC] Valyros says, "A bit."

[OOC] Plax thought it was the next night? Okay, amend mine to 'Evening'. @#;+)

Plax nods. "Indeed," he says with a frown. "We do, I believe".

Valyros gets inside, closes the door, and starts to get cleaned up, taking quite a while, coming back out in a elegant black dress that has a bit of silver chain mail on it.

[OOC] You say, "Looks like someone has Quentin's tastes..."

Plax gets cleaned up the best he can, which isn't much, given he doesn't exactly have a lot of clothes to change into with him. Captivity doesn't fit well with getting new clothing.

[OOC] Plax realizes Plax has been wearing the same clothes for about 2 months now...

[OOC] You say, "Eww..."

Valyros says, "Plax, you might want to go through Quentin's clothes and try to find something that is a bit more appropriate."

Tsharing says, "Are there any pressing issues you want to mention at this engagement?"

Plax looks to Valyros. "That'd be theft, effectively". He turns to Tsharing. "Well, my personal desire to see the man behind bars, but I don't know if that'd be a good dinnertime topic".

Tsharing says, "That is doubtful/"

Valyros says, "Well we're effectively squatters, so why worry about it?"

Plax frowns at Valyros. "A matter of integrity, I'm afraid". He nods to Tsharing. "I think it might be best to play it by ear. And maybe we can pick up some new clothes on the way?"

Valyros shrugs.

Tsharing says, "I do not think Quentin's clothes would be a good choice. He has bizzare taste."

Plax nods to Tsharing. "And I don't know that they'd fit me anyway. I'm sure we can get something on our way. Shall we?"

Tsharing goes, then.

Valyros takes out her gloved hand, passing it over her face.

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 4, 9, 8, 3 ** 2 successes (diff 6) **

Valyros goes back to her Light Elf disguise, "I'm ready."

Plax leads, stopping somewhere to get some clothes, if possible.

[OOC] You say, "Someone got Resources or an item that can be readily pawned, I trust? Then yes."

[OOC] Plax has Resources 2, if applicable.

Valyros follows, simply eyeing a few of the more odd, and arcane items.

[OOC] Plax isn't sure what he has on him for money atm.

[OOC] You say, "Probably not an awful lot, under the circumstances, admittedly..."

[OOC] Plax says, "Depends on if Caine would have taken Plax's cash while chained up. *shrug*"

[OOC] Valyros will eventually have some resources, just need the exp.

[OOC] Plax says, "Sounds like Plax is going stinky"

[OOC] You say, "And also whether Plax would have been carrying a lot of money around at the time, but I'll let it slide. It's *clothing*, for heaven's sake! It won't be anything fancy, but it will be adequate."

[OOC] Plax nods.

Plax leads on, after getting clothes and hopefully getting the shop owner to allow him to change in a back room.

Tsharing pages: "You know, I'd like to pick up a sword at some point (I hesitate to say 'katana' after linking to that horror play-by-post, but that is more or less what I had in mind), but I'm not too keen about just going to a weapons shop and getting one off the rack. Hoping for something for a little more personal significance, but I don't have the Crafts or Matter to make one."

Valyros goes along, watching out for any angry ghosts out and about still.

You say, "You arrive at the Berlion mansion, which is now all but crawling with polite, if somewhat inexperienced household servants, some of whom look rather dazzled by the granduer of the house. One of them approaches you. "Good evening, er, sirs and girls, um, madams? You are...?""

Tsharing says, "Acquantiences."

Tsharing pages: "Perhaps the meeting with her mentor...."

(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods. "I'll keep it in mind."

Valyros says, "I am Lady Valyros Del'zenivras, from the Mage Council of Adel, here to see Lord Caine on an invitation issued a few days ago."

Plax stays quiet, letting the others do the introductions.

Young_Man, "Ah yes. You'd be the skeptics, then? Follow me. Oh, do you have any coats or cloaks for me to take to the, um, whatsit? On the tip of my tongue. Cloakroom. That's it. Do you have any coats or cloaks for me to take to the cloakroom?"

Plax shakes his head. "That won't be necessary, thank you".

Tsharing says, "I do not."

Valyros says, "Not my cloak, but could you stow these away," Draws out her bow and arrows handing it to him.

Young_Man, "Oh. Hm. So, is it customary for me to go to the cloakroom emptyhanded, now, or should I just stay here? It's my first day, you understand."

You say, "He brightens. "

Valyros pages: "Going to look to see if he's one of the Knights."

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 7, 1, 3, 6 ** 1 success (diff 5) **

Young_Man, "Of course, Lady Val. Someone'll be around to show you to the dining room."

Valyros has received your page: "Yes, he is."

From Tsharing: [Private Roll]: Tsharing rolled dice (1d10): 8 No diff given.

Valyros says, "Thank you boy, I'll be seeing you later then."

Valyros gives a slight little head nod, to him.

From Tsharing: [Private Roll]: Tsharing rolled dice (6d10): 5, 6, 8, 2, 4, 3 ** 4 successes (diff 4) **

Plax has his bow unstringed, so he simply keeps it with him.

You say, "He goes with any detachable items and a middle-aged woman comes out, looking moderately lost. "Guests, ritght? This way to the banquet hall." She leads into the mansion."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "You would not deny an old man his stick, would you? (wink)"

Valyros follows her.

Valyros pages: "She's also a Knight?"

Plax follows, walking for a change.

Valyros has received your page: "Yes."

You say, "She leads you to Caine's big dining room, where Caine and Gama sit, silently sipping drinks and looking for all the world like they are engaged in a staring contest."

Tsharing says, "Master."

You say, "Gama stands, his head only a foot higher than the table. ""

Gama, "Min Rai, er, Tsharing! It's good to see you. Any news on the Wyzdin situation?"

You say, "Along the walls, servants make an effort to appear to be bustling."

Valyros goes over to them, "Lord Caine, Master Gama, I'm glad to have this oppertunity to diolauge with you." Flurishes her cape over the chair's back, showing her scabard'ed sword, sitting down.

Plax stands there, looking at Caine. "Good evening," he says, gesturing lightly with his dull-yellow hand, a sharp contrast to the red skin.

Tsharing says, "It is still lost to us. We have been distracted by affairs in this city, most recently the ancestors of the dead quarter."

Caine, "I'm glad to see you could make it, young Plax. I heard some strange rumors about odd noises emanating from the neighborhood where Quentin lives."

Gama_frowns, "What were you doing in the northern half of Theusleh? It's a dangerous place, these days. You were staying with Quentin? However did you hook up with him?"

Valyros picks up a wine glass looking at the crystal, "Used to live would be more accurate."

Valyros holds her glass out, shaking it a bit indicating someone should freshen it up.

Tsharing says, "We went there because he had been killed and his spirit abducted. It has been seen to that he has passed on in the proper fashion, though."

You say, "Gama and Caine look equally shocked, but Caine speaks first,"

Plax shrugs. "I find that it isn't terribly difficult for me to find this place, after all this time".

Caine, "What trechery brought him to that place. His home was properly warded against spiritual invasion. I cannot imagine the defenses would wane so shortly after the Wars..."

Valyros says "One of your knights I believe..." Snaps her fingers at anybody even vaugely looking like a wine steward.

You say, "One of the bustling servants points at himself in question, decides that he's needed, and comes to Val. "What's your poison, fair one?" He seems embarrassed by his own words."

Tsharing says, "We do not yet know."

Valyros says, "The best Elven wine you have, if you would please."

Caine, "Odd. Were you able to recover his...his remains? I would at least see him properly buried. He was, as I've mentioned before, an old friend of the family."

Valyros says, "I'm sorry, we were a little busy saving his soul and running for our lives..."

I don't understand that.

Servant, "Elven wine. That's the one with the funny letters on it, isn't it? What color? It comes in different colors, right?"

Valyros says, "Anything but red..."

Caine, "I shall see about organizing an investigation into this matter, though it is extremely dangerous to wander the streets among the dead."

Servant, "Right, non-red. I'll see what I can find."

You say, "The servant scurries off with moderately more purpose than before."

Plax nods. "That it is," he states. "I do hope we're not late this evening, however".

Valyros says, "I'd ask some of your rank and file. I'm certain they'd know something."

Caine, "Master Gama only arrived just before you did, in fact. I understand there has been a bit of a mixup in the kitchens. My staff is a little wet behind the ears, but it was the best I could do on such short notice."

Plax nods, inclining his head to Gama. "Greetings, Master Gama. Forgive me for not introducing myself. Plax Tertz".

You say, "The servant returns with a glass of dark red wine and hands it to Val."

Valyros eyes the glass suspiciously, taking a sniff of it before allowing the servant to go.

Gama, "Pleased to meet you, young Tertz. How is your father? I heard he had taken ill."

Valyros pages: "Is it blood?"

Eclipse [to Valyros]: It's a red, but in the current light, it looks faintly purple, but there appears to be nothing wrong with it aside from its being exactly what you didn't want.

Valyros says, "What happened to the white and the blush, may I ask?"

Plax frowns. "I've been unable to contact my family since I've rejoined the world at large, Master Gama".

Servant, "You said anything but a red, ma'am. This wine is definitely purple. What's a blush? Isn't that what happens when you tell a girl a dirty joke?"

Valyros says, "Blush is pink wine..."

Valyros shrugs and takes a testing sip of it.

Tsharing pages: "Reminds me of the green water."

Tsharing says, "He has been indisposed for a long time since he left the college."

Gama, "Unable to... Perhaps we should skip dinner and go straight to the business at hand, Pro Temp Governor Berlion."

Servant, "Pink? I didn't know they made pink grapes. Is that elven magic at work?"

Tsharing has received your page: "Don't think I've heard that story... You'll have to tell me that one, some time."

Tsharing pages: "In a Rifts game. Someone asked for a drink of water, and got green water. Cue half an hour of divinations and detections where all that was revealed was that it was normal, harmless water....that just looked a bit green."

Caine, "Of course. I was about to ask you whether you could use some reinforcements along the frontier."

Valyros washes it about in her mouth a bit, deciding that it's acceptable, swallows, "I believe it's more to do with hordiculture or distilling I believe." Gives the servant a dismissive hand gesture.

Gama, "We always need reinforcements along the frontier.

You don't perceive a character by the name of "the wall of bustling servants." around here.

Valyros says, "The Fae are acting that viciously Master Gama?"

Servant, "Is your hand okay? Oh. I see."

You say, "He retreats back to the wall of bustling servants."

Gama_shrugs, "About average, really. Along the frontier, though, we have our casualties. There are only a hundred of us, and less than two dozen wield magic anymore. We lose a man a week, on average. It's a dangerous job."

Tsharing says, "They are dangerous, as I know well."

Gama, "Yes, I imagine you would."

Caine, "What would you say if I told you I could reduce your casualty count to fewer than one a year within three months?"

Gama, "I'd tell you you had lost your mind, sir."

Plax bites back a comment about how Caine has already lost his mind. Barely.

Valyros says, "I'd say you're been down into the Dark Depths for too long and should head back as soon as possible." Nonchalantly sips her wine.

Caine, "Yes, yes. But assuming I am in my right mind, what would you say if I could provide you with soldiers who are all nearly immune to the powers of the Fae?"

Gama_raises_an_eyebrow, "Immune to the Fae? You really believe you can do it, don't you? Some city-bred politician in the city thinks he can fight the Fae by throwing people at it. *shakes his head* This is one of those bids for power, isn't it? You make impossible promises so people will accept your rule, deals? On the frontier, training is everything. Numbers just provide more victims for the Fae to subvert."

Plax interjects. "I'd be curious about the catch myself".

Valyros says, "So would I."

Caine_looks_hurt, "Catch? What catch is that? I have discovered a way to transform a man into a walking bubble of Order even in the deepest ravages of the Uncharted Regions. Unfortunately, they are of less use as defenders and more effective as attackers by virtue of a few side-effects of the magic that compel them to drink the life from others to sustain themselves."

Valyros looks around idily for their meal to arrive.

You say, "The servants continue to bustle uselessly."

Plax shrugs. "Actually, I'm curious about the compulsionary angle you mentioned to me recently. Something about forcing cooperation, I believe".

Caine_frowns, "Forcing cooperation? I don't remember any conversation to that effect. If you could, perhaps, refresh my memory, perhaps I could recall it."

Plax replies, "Oh, one of the reasons you felt I needed to undergo the transformation in order to be one of your lieutenants and, ultimately, one of the reasons we couldn't come to an agreement. You mentioned that you wouldn't be able to force my cooperation as I was. And, seeing as it would be part of the transformation, that simply means that their loyalty would be directly to you. It would seem a lot of power for one person to have, in my opinion".

Valyros says, "And forgive me if I'm wrong, but I've seen quite a bit of your Knights going about doing their own thing, regardless of your orders or the thoughts of others."

Tsharing simply listens.

Caine, "I will be the first to admit I am not a perfect person, young Tertz. But certainly you know that the mage and magic are intimately bound by unbreakable mystical threads. Given the amount of magic the transformation requires, is it so surprising that I should have a great deal of power over those who are re-created into soldiers of Order by me? I think not. It is not as though I intend to abuse the power I have over them. It is merely an unavoidable result of my having pioneered the process. And my control is not absolute every moment. I try to allow them as much free will as possible. I would not have my creations resent their state once I am gone. After all, when I die, there will be no one in this world who can directly control them as I have. No, I have only one fear regarding the proliferation of the Knights of Order, and I find the possibility unlikely and probably unavoidable."

Tsharing says, "Have we not already had this conversation?"

Valyros says, "I believe the problem stems from them not resenting themselves, but REVELING in their supposed power over the people they are supposed to protect. It might alter their deffiniton of what a 'real' person is due to this superiority complex. And if anybody would know about a people that went too far due to several advantages they have over other people's, it's a pretty sight, and extremly hard to change without rather... drastic measures."

Caine, "How can they perceive themselves as innately superior when they are positively dependant on either ordinary people or an active enemy for their very survival. Swords will not slay them. Mind magicks will not confuse them. They are deadly even when unarmed. But without a constant supply of Quintessence, they would whither away and slowly, painfully die of Pattern bleeding."

Valyros says, "I believe you have answered your own question Caine."

Plax nods. "I'll agree, nobody is perfect, but it is an important aspect to be aware of. And what fear is this, if it is at the same time unlikely and probably unavoidable? Those two are typically exclusive, I find".

Caine, "I meant the danger is probably unavoidable, though the chances of it occuring is very small, as it would require a powerful and self-serving mage with a great deal of Quintessence and vast knowledge of Prime, Entropy, and Life to carry it out.

Plax nods and falls quiet for the moment.

Tsharing says, "What is your opinion, Master?"

Valyros says, "What of a simpler solution? Each Knight gets a number of normal slaves which they feed off of and essentially use them as cattle, to further their own existances while slowly killing them in the process?"

Valyros says, "You said so yourself, no normal person could fight off such creatures, so what is there to keep them from simply asserting their domanance over them?"

Tsharing says, "It would be possible to accurately make the same accusation to us."

Caine, "That would not happen. After the last series of incidents... I will not allow it to happen again. The Knights will forever suffer a gradual reduction in power and an increased vulnerability if they do not stick to the road I have instucted them to follow. It will be limited, true, but the magic is too complex too radically alter. Those who stray from the road will find themselves more and more directly under my control - the price of poor personal ethics."

Valyros says, "Quite true and I have seen such happen first hand, but the main point is that while most Mages do it for simple power, they would do it for survival. That in and of itself would increase the frequency in the number of Knights that would do it, rather than to actulally go out and fight tooth and nail to live."

Plax frowns slightly. "Considering your track record, I find that difficult to swallow. Could you please explain how one who has been willing to experiment on onwilling subjects is suit to enforce other being's personal code of ethics?"

[OOC] Plax says, "suited"

Valyros says, "Could you go into detail on the path you've chosen for them?"

[OOC] Plax says, "and unwilling. I can't type"

Tsharing pages: "Haven't we been here before?"

Caine, "Certainly, my lady. They are to behave as mortals do when among mortals. Those who casually murder or violate others in any way lose more of their free will. The less free will the Knight possesses, the more grievous a crime he must commit to lose even more free will. I am considering other measures, if this proves inadequate - vulnerability to common items such as fire, holy objects, and perhaps even sunlight (for the worst violations). It will depend on whether the initial measures are successful. I only wish to put them at the service of those at the frontier. Diplomats among those Fae who know what is best for them, invincible soldiers against those Fae who do not."

Tsharing has received your page: "Yes, but Tsh was the only one here tonight who was involved in the conversation then..."

[OOC] You say, "You see Caine's last?"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "No."

[OOC] Plax says, "The 'Certainly, my lady'?"

[OOC] Plax ohs. For Tsharing

Tsharing pages: "It's just with that and T's personality, I don't feel like I've got a lot to contribute.....tag team browbeating."

Tsharing has received your page: "I understand, and I'm sorry you have, in essence, had to go through this twice."

Tsharing pages: "It's no problem, and I can cope with the odd dry spell."

Plax considers all this. "Oh, and one other thing. You mentioned that they'd need to sustain themselves after you passed away, correct?" he directs at Caine.

Valyros says, "Every stone wall, every spell, every tree has a weakness, and I am sure that there is one for your Knights that you might be neglecting. But I gaarentee that they will not, and exploit it to the fullest, leaving the rotting remains of your 'invincible' soldiers in their wake."

Valyros looks around, "Where's dinner by the way?"

Tsharing says, "I have seen many criticisms, but no alternatives."

Tsharing pages: "Many, many, many criticisms.... ;-)"

Plax says, "Sometimes the status quo is the alternative, Tsharing."

Caine_glances_at_the_kitchen, "It should be on its way. There was a bit of confusion over any number of kitchen matters."

Tsharing says, "Defenders are dying."

Valyros says, "Yes, but are the definate problems that will arise worth it? Shall you save the members of this generation only to damn those of the next?"

[OOC] Valyros says, "Should have added an added a 'some' in there."

Gama_nods, "Clearly these Knights of Order, as you call them, are not without their flaws and drawbacks, but I must agree with my student in that they might well be a superior alternative to the loss of life along the frontier. If they are as durable as you claim and as firmly under your control."

Tsharing says, "Where does the next generation come from if this one is not safeguarded?"

Plax says, "Which attests to the fact of how bad this plan is, if it is better. I would note that our host has avoided my last few questions. Now, Master Gama, would you consider this better if I told you that our host has made claims to his reign being an eternal one in the past? "

Caine, "They are, Master Gama, on both counts. I have corrected my earlier mistakes. There are, as the dark lady notes, some complications, but I think the gains outweigh the risks."

Valyros says, "We have wondered the same thing when the Ultimatum War was breathing down our throats, and we have found a way. Life is resiliant and extremly maliable, never underestimate that it will find a way."

Tsharing says, "Then maybe you should go and explain to all the unnesecary people why they need to die."

Caine, "Life only finds a way if it *makes* a way, my lady. The wolf that lies down and waits for prey to come to it starves. To survive, it must hunt. You of all people should recognize that many in Theusleh would not have survived if mages among us had not worked to defend them."

Valyros says, "Come back to me when you see fathers, daughters, great grand sons born, grow up, whither away, and die with your own eyes. I suspect your answer would be rather different."

Tsharing says, "I have and it is not."

[OOC] Eclipse watches the moment of silence caused by that statement stretch...

[OOC] Plax is simply awaiting responses.

Valyros says, "I do realize that it does, and all too well what was needed to save slivers of reality as we know it from churning chaos. Maybe better than you know. But of course there is the fact that while one of the greatest benifactors of this city was lynched for what he did sort of puts it in a grey moral issue."

Tsharing pages: "I think this is where metagame factors come into play....Caine doesn't seem the faintest bit fazed at having to repeat himself, and I suppose we have to imagine Psyche & Typheous just sitting in the corner saying nothing....must be awkward to run."

Tsharing has received your page: "Unfortunately, since Val wasn't here the last time, and she is a pretty well-known and respected figure, he's kind of stuck repeating himself. Note how he's kind of brushing off Plax, though."

Caine, "What are you talking about, my lady?"

Valyros says, "I am talking about Quentin Caine."

Tsharing pages: "Maybe you and I should just copy / paste our dialogue from last time, and see if anyone notices? ;-)"

[OOC] Valyros inserts comma in there.

Tsharing says, "I believe his contribution to the city was getting half of it blown up."

Plax pages: "(Prime 1, scanning the area for magic)"

Valyros says, "How can you say such things Tsharing?"

Caine, "Lynched? But you didn't mention this. You said he was...but not lynched. By the ghosts, then?"

Tsharing says, "Is it not the truth?"

Plax makes a few hand gestures, as though weighing an arguement.

Tsharing says, "The ghosts beheaded him, and were preparing to destroy his soul when we stopped them."

From Plax: [Private Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 2, 10, 5 [Spent 1 WP for a success] ** 3 successes (diff 4) **

Plax has received your page: "All the servants are magicked out the wazoo, but pretty much the same way you are (i.e. They're all Knights)."

Tsharing pages: "Was Joe here when he confessed to that?"

(remotely) Plax nods, was trying to see if Caine slipped a cone of silence around Plax or something while he wasn't looking.

Valyros says, "The point is he was responsible for preventing the other half of the city blown up."

Caine, "For the sake of his friendship with my family, I will not laugh out loud, but Quentin was not exactly responsible for Theusleh's survival. He was a useless, selfish young mage who got more power than he should have. He didn't become a model citizen until after the Wars."

Plax frowns, but says nothing.

Valyros says, "He had a hard choice to make, and he was damned either way, so he did was his best option, and I admire him for that. No one can come to such a discion with a clear concious, and simply living with that guilt is a worse punishment than you or any of your Tradition members could EVER concieve. It slowly eats at you inside, trying to make you a listless shell of a person, it has taken all of my power to stave off the same fate, but it still sinks it's teeth deep into my mind. It is something that will be with me for eternity, and nothing can wash it away."

Tsharing says, "It is not more than I can ever conceive."

Caine, "I will not denounce a recently slain friend, though I believe you idealize his history. Quentin is not relavent to the subject at hand, which is when and where to deploy the Knights of Order along the frontier and which Fae to approach diplomatically first. Do you have something you wish to contribute to this subject, my lady?"

Tsharing has received your page: "The young woman has seen empires rise and fall. Ho hum. *grin*"

Valyros gives Tsharing a glare that is rather too harsh for something of this world, meant to get the other to stand down since time in memorial.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "At the blind person. Uh-huh."

[OOC] You say, "Never get in a staring contest with a blind woman."

Valyros says, "Just to ask who will open and operate the diplomatic channels?"

Tsharing pages: "One day, another PC will express some interest in her background rather than go "So you've seen an empire collapse? So you remember stuff from millenia ago? OK, whatever, that's cool.""

[OOC] Valyros says, "She's blind?!?!?"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Yes."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Nobody ever tells me these things :P"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "It is in the description."

Caine, "I will leave that decision to Master Gama. I am a scholar, not an expert on the Fae. I fear my diplomatic efforts would fail disastrously against such chaotic and strange beings."

Tsharing says, "Indeed."

Gama_frowns, "I'm not exactly the ideal ambassador. I've spent most of my time killing Fae, not talking to them, though I have learned their languages over the years, mostly from things they screamed at me when I was hacking them in half with my axe..."

Valyros says, "It sounds like a definate third party is nessicary."

[OOC] You say, "Comment: Anyone here remember Kanin? You know, the rabbit Pooka-aspect Fae who wanted to talk to the short Silver Man? Just thought I'd bring him up since that was ages ago."

Tsharing says, "There was the changeling who talked with us before, who wished to speak with you, Master."

Gama, "To me? Why would a Fae want to speak to me?"

Valyros says, "Your animal magentism?"

Gama, "Short of begging me for mercy or threatening me with a painful death, of course...

[OOC] Eclipse groans.

Tsharing says, "He said that he wanted to plead the case of the less warlike fae. Though his breed are born liars, he may have input of some value."

Gama, "Or it could be a trap, of course. Wouldn't be the first time one has tried that with me."

Valyros says, "Well should the possibility be investigated before we decide to move massive amounts of the Knights to duty?"

Tsharing says, "That is also possible."

Gama, "With all due respect, Master Caine, I think you went about this backward. You should have been more careful of who you chose for this transformation of yours. It takes more than invulnerability to deal with the Fae."

Plax pages: "(Can I make an etiquette + something roll to try and figure out why Caine and Gama haven't responded to Plax's last few questions? Caine, I think, I've figured out, but Gama I'm having trouble reading)"

Caine, "I had to recruit solely from a pool of volunteers."

Plax has received your page: "Per + Ettiquette, dif 6."

From Plax: [Private Roll]: Plax rolled Perception (3) and Etiquette (2) (5d10): 6, 9, 6, 2, 10 [Spent 1 WP for a success] ** 5 successes (diff 6) **

Valyros coughs a bit, a syllable or so might be seen in it, but it's extremly hard to tell what it might be.

Valyros says, "Excuse me..."

Plax has received your page: "It works something along these lines. Caine doesn't want to deal with Plax. He knows you have no reason to like him, and the last thing he wants to do is draw attention to your questions. Gama, I'm afraid, is just being a typical adult with a child in the room. For some reason, he considers Tsharing almost as a superior, even though she is obviously his apprentice. Caine and Val are both adults worthy of his attention. Plax just has to speak more loudly to get his attention, probably."

Caine, "Yes, my lady?"

Valyros says, "Nothing, must have been a bit of dust or some such."

Gama, "How long does this transformation take to complete."

[OOC] You say, "?, even..."

Plax frowns and fingers the fork at his place. "You speak of volunteers only. You lie". He lets the accusation out louder then his last few statements. He takes the fork and stabs his arm, raking it across. The wound heals up instantly. "As I said, where are your personal ethics, Caine Berlion?"

Caine, "A few minutes on three consecutive nights, Master Gama. Why?"

Caine_sighs, "I am sorry, young Tertz. Really, I am. I thought only a mage could undergo the transformation successfully, and wizards are notoriously wary about volunteering to participate in the experiments of their colleagues. What can I do to make it up to you, Plax?"

You say, "Gama looks at Plax and Caine, waiting for the conversation to play out. He appears to be considering something very carefully."

Plax replies, "You kidnapped me from my school, using your nephew as a pawn in this trickery of yours. You locked me in your basement, dungeon, whatever you want to call it, warded from scrying of Time and Space. You performed some of your early experiments on me, an unwilling subject. You've claimed that you'd have an eternal reign. And I can on. There is much that you need to answer, Caine Berlion. You need to answer those questions. In the presence of one who can discern the truth, regardless of the words you speak. If you have nothing to hide, then you would be willing to undergo such a test, I imagine".

[OOC] Plax says, "can go on"

Caine, "Your wrath is understandable, young Tertz. I have violated you deeply, I know. I have learned frrom the errors of my past, and even those errors I committed only out of a desire to provide the guardians of the frontier with reinforcements and, in doing so, improve the quality of life for all people within this bubble of Order where we find ourselves. I have ammended my initial plans when presented with new evidence, and I will gladly ammend them further if given new evidence of my error. Else, your words are those of an understandably angry young man, not those of an adult ready to accept the responsibilities and burdens that come with governance. Have you new evidence to present that makes it necessary to ammend our current plans? Please present it, young Tertz. We are all listening."

Tsharing has received your page: "Does it strike you that this is exactly what he did to Typh and Psyche to neutralize them? *grin*"

Plax speaks, keeping his voice calmer, more dignified now that people are paying attention. "My evidence I did not bring with me. And all the evidence I need could be obtained by examining where I was held, the wards removed and a third-party mage with knowledge of the sphere of Time to discern the conversations held there. And I do have evidence, yes, but it is not with me. Master Gama, if I may present this question, have you knowledge of the Correspondence sphere?" He pauses to let Gama answer. "And you still avoid this question, Caine Berlion. If you are to be the one to punish the Knights of Order, as you call them, for violating an ethic standard, then why can you be trusted to do so? You've shown us that you violate accepted ethical standards as it is".

Caine_considers_this, "I hope not to anger the recently dead by drawing this parallel, but would you say Quentin was a terrible person? Was he a monster? Was he incapable of telling right from wrong?"

Gama, "I have some knowledge, yes.

Tsharing says, "Can any ruler claim they have never been cruel, through will or lack of it?"

Valyros says, "No offense Sir Caine, but I have talked to him, and I could feel the sorrow in his voice when he talks about the Ultimatum war. He deeply regrets what he did, and that shows me that he is a decient person. You have been talking about erring and correcting your mistakes, but I have never really heard you say you were truely sorry for what you did."

Plax nods to Gama. "Then, to add to evidence, I'd ask you to scry a location and determine an item's resonance, if that's possible, Master Gama? Otherwise, I'm afraid we'll have to take a walk in order for me to present it". He looks at Caine. "I'm not asking for a parallel, I'm asking you to answer the question directly. And it isn't a manner of cruelty, Tsharing. Every ruler has to be hard at times, but all just rulers need to know the difference between committing humanitarian crimes and being hard".

Plax makes various speaking gestures as he speaks now, fairly normal.

Plax pages: "Prime 1, watching for anyone attempting magic."

From Plax: [Private Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 9, 5, 1 ** 1 success (diff 4) **

*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***

Plax pages: "(0 scourge in the bank, fortunately)"

Caine, "But I have, my lady. Thrice already in this conversation I have apologized to young Tertz for what I did to him. I offered him a boon, the sincerest gift, in return for, if not his forgiveness, at least an abeyance of his malice toward me. Just listen to him. I understand his anger and offer sincere peace gifts, yet he hurls them in my face and demands that someone find evidence of a crime I have openly admitted to everyone here. Yes, I kidnapped him. Yes, I used him as an experiment against his will. But I am, for the fourth time, truly sorry, and am willing to take measures to make reparations for his suffering. What more can I offer? If I give myself over to the headsman, this society will lose a great mind. Moreover, there will be noone capable of controling the Knights or perfecting the magicks that prevent them from becoming the monsters you fear they will be."

Gama, "I can view auras."

Valyros says, "I am sorry Sir Caine, but I feel so... cold. Emotionless here, it disturbs me."

Plax nods. "I speak not of this crime, but of a related one". He turns at looks at Caine for a moment. "You expect me to accept a simple apology for irreverasbly altering me? You say you want to know what there is you can do to make it up to me. There is little you can actually do". He walks over to Gama and goes to whisper something to her.

[OOC] Plax says, "Him, not her"

[OOC] Plax keeps thinking of Gama as a woman for some reason.

[OOC] Valyros keeps seeing the Big Nasty from 'Ninja Scroll'.

[OOC] You say, "For whom?"

(remotely) Plax whispers to Gama, "Scry my family home. You'll find chains with his resonance there. And these servants are Knights".

[OOC] Valyros says, "I know, it's a matter of a different vowel, but still..."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Gama"

You say, "Gama whispers back."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Hopefully, he won't turn out to have Life 5."

[OOC] Valyros says, "I think to do what Gema did would require a bit more than Life 5..."

Plax has received your page: "Gama, "I know they are Knights. I know enough about servants to know these are wretched. I think they're here for show, for some reason. This is not likely the best time for scrying. Perhaps after dinner?""

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Maybe he did what Romana did then. Mind 5, keep your mind outside your body as an astral being and patch up any damage you take from there. But anyway....."

You say, "The food - plates of rice and...well....rice arrive. Some of the kernals are burnt. The servants seem embarrassed to be serveing them."

Plax nods to Gama and returns to his seat. "I have little else to say, but shall we have dinner now?" He looks at the meal. "Business can wait, now that food is here".

You say, "Gama eats as though he's not used to anything better. Caine makes an effort to pick the worst kernals out and set them aside."

Tsharing eats some simple vegetable (rice, or the local equivalent)

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Is rice a vegetable, or fruit?"

Valyros nods, and tenderly eats her food, shivering once in a while.

Plax eats, also acting like he's not used to anything better and that it's actually good.

[OOC] You say, "It's a grain, technically. Is that a problem? I don't know if you want to ask the servants to cut and cook veggies. Who knows what might end up in the pot..."

[OOC] Plax says, "Not a chance."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "No problem, I just realised I didn't know."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "BRB"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Cough."

You say, "Eventually, the meal ends with slightly more grains of undercooked rice in your stomachs than on your plates."

Valyros runs out of wine but decides it isn't worth the trouble to get another glass.

Tsharing simply eats, and drinks.

Plax finishes his meal quietly.

Caine, "It's settled, then? Master Gama will arrange a meeting with this less warlike faction of Fae, if indeed they are, and determine from that meeting where to deploy the first of the diplomatic Knights. I will send the others to the frontier to support the guardians there, for the moment. This is the last time I will offer reparations for the damage I inflicted on Plax Tertz. If he refuses, the blood feud will be on his hands, not mine."

Valyros says, "Interesting choice of words..."

Tsharing says, "The plan appears rational to me."

Plax considers this. "I will take up an offer of reparations for the experiments and the time I was captive here. But, may I have a few days to consider the nature of what it is I would desire?"

Caine, "Certainly, young Tertz. A boon is a terrible thing to waste. I hope that even if our families cannot be friends, we can at least avoid becoming true enemies."

Gama, "I have come to a decision, Master Caine. I know my survival thus far has been more a matter of good fortune and caution than true luck. I would undergo your transformation. The frontier can wait three more days if it means having a guardian who is impervious to the powers of the Fae."

[OOC] You say, "True power, even..."

Valyros just stares dumbfounded.

Plax blinks.

Gama, "But first, I think I should take my rest. It has been too long since I spent time with my student, and there are things I would teach her before I return to the frontier. If you will excuse us, Master Caine."

Tsharing says, "I would humbly suggest that you consider this for some more time, Master. As you will doubtless have noticed, the transformation can be very traumatic to those unprepared for it."

You say, "He stands up and yawns almost dramatically."

Valyros says, "Yes, I must concur with Master Gama, this evening has been quite... draining. "

Plax nods. "Indeed, it has been a long day".

Tsharing pages: "When were you thinking of finishing?"

Caine, "Of course, Master Gama. I look forward to seeing you soon. We will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the transformation in the morning. I wish your decision to be as informed as possible."

Valyros gets up off her seat, bows to Caine, and goes off in search of her bow and arrows.

Tsharing has received your page: "I've accomplished what I wanted to do tonight. I can stop whenever people need to leave."

Plax stands and will leave with the others.

Tsharing pages: "in half an hour."

Eclipse [to Valyros]: Eventually, you get your possessions back, though a lot of blushing, stammering, and apologizing is involved before you get them.

Tsharing has received your page: "That shouldn't be a problem."

[OOC] You say, "Where to now? Quentin's?"

Tsharing leaves with Gama.

[OOC] Plax says, "Gama coming with us?"

Valyros goes out the door, she wraps her arms around Plax, kissing him deeply on the lips, and bending over to a nigh horizontal possiton. After a minute of this she stands up and sighs contemptly, "Ah, thanks, I needed that."

[OOC] You say, "Yes."

[OOC] Eclipse blinks.

Plax waits until they're out of Caine's land and says, "Might I suggest a trip to my family home, Master Gama?" He blinks as Plax kisses her. "Umm, you're welcome?"

[OOC] Plax says, "Valyros"

[OOC] Plax was up /way/ too early this morning

[OOC] Plax says, "Garbage man came. At 6:30. Right outside my window."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "At least wait until you're alone before you start getting affectionate with yourself....."

You say, "Gama nods."

Plax leads on.

Valyros says, "I feel elfish again. Just being in there sort of sucked the life out of me."

Valyros follows.

[OOC] You say, "Yeah. Caine tends to have that efffect, I'm finding..."

You say, "You arrive at the Tertz estate, which looks exactly as you left it."

[OOC] Valyros needs to get Spirit 4 so she can teach Caine how to REALLY suck out someone's soul...

Plax starts hovering as he moves. He opens the door and leads them to where the chains should be.

Valyros follows Plax inside.

You say, "The shackles are gone."

Plax says, "Figured he keyed the ward"

Gama, "Keyed the ward? How do you mean?"

Valyros says, "Gama, are you really going to go through with the transformation? I've seen what it does to someone from the inside, and it's not pretty..."

Plax gestures around. "The place was warded to prevent entry when we first arrived". He points to the skylight. "Wasn't easy getting in. Likely he teleported the shackles out".

Tsharing says, "You mean Caine?"

Gama_frowns, "It's not an easy decision to make, my lady. If it is half as useful as he claims, it might be worth the price. The Fae are very dangerous when angered, and I won't win every battle I have with them. I am certainly considering the offer."

Plax nods. "Yes". He squints, looking around.

Plax pages: "Sense Spatial Anomoly, Corr 1"

(to Plax) Eclipse nods.

[Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 9, 1 [Spent 1 WP for a success] ** 2 successes (diff 4) **

*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***

[Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 5, 1 ** 1 success (diff 4) **

[Roll]: Plax rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 1, 8 ** 1 success (diff 4) **

Plax pages: "4 succs"

Valyros says, "If you had seen the inside of the Knight that killed Quentin, you woulnd't think that. It was like he was already dead, and was slowly rotting from the inside, before he disintigrated..."

Plax has received your page: "Correspondence was used here, but that was a month ago."

[OOC] Valyros says, "We winding up sometime soon?"

[OOC] You say, "A Knight killed Quentin? What an intriguing misunderstanding. It was actually a manifested (via Embody) wraith."

Plax considers something. "Correspondence was last used here a month ago. Must have hauled the things out by hand".

[OOC] Tsharing says, "I was thinking I'd missed a --major-- plot twist."

Gama, "Interesting possibility. I'll see what I can learn."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Crap, I thought I was actually getting somewhere with that..."

You say, "He begins to inspect the area carefully like a tracker, but more graceful."

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (4d10): 9, 6, 7, 10 No diff given.

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (4d10): 3, 9, 10, 8 No diff given.

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (4d10): 7, 1, 5, 2 No diff given.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Well it sounded like what happens when you kill a vampire, save a bit slower."

[OOC] Valyros pokes Z.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Need a Proddin Stick?"

[OOC] Valyros says, "Please."

Gama, "An empath woman removed the shackles last night and headed east in a wagon. There was...an attack just before dawn. Looked like brigands of some kind. They killed her and the driver and stole the cart. They are headed east on the road to Eapond, but I sense there is something watching them, waiting."

[OOC] You say, "And I think that's where we'll end for the week."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Okay."

[OOC] You say, "RP votes."

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 4h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Valyros 5h 3s OOC PC

Tsharing 34m 1m IC PC

Plax 4h 6m OOC PC Being made crazy by Caine, page for lessons!

Typheous 2d 1d IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

--[Sun Mar 30 00:20:09 2003]--------------------------------[5 users; 0s lag]--

(remotely) Plax votes...Valyros.

Valyros pages: "Plax"

*** Added 3 XP to Valyros's Experience ***

*** Added 3 XP to Tsharing's Experience ***

*** Added 3 XP to Plax's Experience ***

Tsharing pages: "= Valyros"

*** Added 1 XP to Valyros's Experience ***

[OOC] You say, "And Val gets the RP point."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "If I seemed a bit distracted this week, it's because I've been in almost this exact situation before."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Thank you everybody!"

[OOC] Valyros says, "I know. And we didn't make any headway in that way either."

[OOC] You say, "I understand. The other half of the group had almost the same conversation a few weeks back. Tsh was the only overlap character."

[OOC] Valyros says, "We should just screw the diplomatic crap and lop his head off, stuff his mouth with garlic, burn his body over wormwood, and scatter the ashes to the 4 winds."

[OOC] Plax says, "Well, with the Temp. Governor thing, that's a bit tough."

[OOC] You say, "Ah, you *did* notice that..."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Maybe, but consider this. If he can put up Time wards, he can see into the future. So if you plot to attack him, he'll probably know about it."

[OOC] Plax says, "Oh yes. Particularly the /temp/ part."

[OOC] Eclipse just smiles. "And he's apparently capable of throwing up Cor wards, too, so what does that tell you?

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Scrying."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Kill. Now. Stealth. Efficent."

[OOC] You say, "According to my roommate, Warcraft 3 is a lot easier when you turn off the fog of war..."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Anywhere, anywhen. Surprising how four little dots can be so bad,"

[OOC] You say, "Nastiest 4 dots ever, especially if you have friends with other Spheres to do the dirty work for you..."

Plax pages: "Sorry if I seemed a bit annoyed in the middle there, I was having horrible flashbacks to the game I was in where the ST ignored me for 2 1/2 hours, which was why I asked for the etiquette check."

[OOC] Valyros says, "No offense guys, but I think we should defect to the Fae..."

Tsharing has lost her link.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Well it's late, I bid you all good night."

Valyros has disconnected.

Plax has received your page: "Sorry. I thought about letting you know at some point that Caine was trying to keep the attention away from you, but the train of thought got interrupted."