Game Date: 13-19 Leaffall, 994 KC; Play Date: 2/17/2001
13 Leaffall (continued): Darra and Ruqayyah spent some time that evening talking with Al-Zaki, out of the hearing of Bran and Fran. (Laylah and Naima overheard much of it.) They discussed magic, dragons, and other things [see Interlude (2/9/2001)].
14 Leaffall: Bran and Fran went into town to contact Corben. Naima went with them [then went her own way to make a report to her contacts there]. Laylah wandered about the town, and located a temple in which to meditate. Darra, Ruqayyah and Al-Zaki stayed in camp. During the day, Darra found time to speak to Al-Zaki alone [see Interlude (2/10/2001)].
Bran and Fran returned mid-afternoon, and reported that Corben was making preparations. He was ready for a land journey, but could change plans to accompany them by river, and would able to leave the day after tomorrow.
Near dusk, the party heard a chariot rushing towards Quikara from the north. They could see that the driver wore a Celestian cleric's robe, and Darra and Laylah soon recognized him as Pelmark. They approached the road so that he would see them. When the chariot had nearly passed, he saw them and reined in. They took him to their camp to talk. Laylah noticed that he was wearing a scimitar; he explained that he had been getting lessons since they last met. As she, Bran and Fran helped him with the horses, Darra explained to Ruqayyah and Naima who Pelmark was.
Pelmark stopped abruptly as he entered the campsite, and looked around, revolted. Laylah pointed out the bundle with the Asanos, about 5 yards away from him. He said that the object was interfering with the sanctity level of the area, and moved away from it in order to talk.
Mistress Theolodia had been periodically divining Laylah's well-being, and had sensed a threat about a month ago. When she sensed that Laylah had reentered Krith, Theolodia dispatched Pelmark to meet them. Darra started simply with, "We found the Asanos," then she and the others explained how and where. They planned to bring it to Theolodia, because Rashira had said that enough faith could heal it. They did not know well it was bound, so had been avoiding towns. They did not know whether the Asanos would attract enemies, and were hoping to avoid any such pursuit.
Corben's boat would have plenty of room for Pelmark, and he could leave his chariot and team at the temple in Quikara. It would take about three days to reach Berigissel by river. (It took Pelmark four to get here in a fast chariot.)
During this conversation, Pelmark was introduced to Ruqayyah (who he had met before, but veiled), Naima and Al-Zaki. Ruqayyah asked about his ties to the moon's cycle; they compared notes. [Ruqayyah has Lunacy; Pelmark has Lunar Influence.] He told her the story behind his silver skin, and she asked questions about the clerical ranks, lizard men, etc.
Laylah took Al-Zaki aside to ask if he would come to Berigissel. He would come at least that far; he could take refuge in the swamp if necessary. He may have something else to do once the Asanos was in other hands.
Ruqayyah was curious where Motho's circus had gone; she wasn't sure what she wanted to do after Berigissel, but didn't want to return to the Cat Tribe. Naima announced that she planned to return to the desert, in case Ruqayyah wanted to send any messages.
15 Leaffall: Pelmark went into town at first light to find Corben and make arrangements for his horses. He returned mid-morning on Corben's boat. Erik, Arnhem, Petros and Sokkolf were with them; they would meet up with Gorm, Karl and Volgrim in Berigissel. The boats embarked, and pulled ashore to camp 2/3 of the way to Theronton.
In camp that night, Darra took Pelmark aside and introduced him to her sword, Helledoth. She offered it to him, and after drawing it and looking very surprised, he told her that Helledoth was well pleased. He then asked for some time alone with the sword. The sword burst into flames as soon as he began practicing with it, and a few moments later, the party could see flames envelope Pelmark's form, then vanish. Laylah approved of Darra's decision.
That night, Darra dreamed that she was standing in front of her father's pyre. She set it alight, but when the flames engulfed the body, it changed to become Fazia's, as she looked upon her own pyre. Darra felt nauseous, woke up, and spent the next few minutes retching.
16 Leaffall: Darra told Laylah about her dream, then spent the day keeping to herself and feeling rather miserable. They passed Theronton midday, and Pelmark stopped long enough to send a message (to Volan).
In camp that night, Ruqayyah interrogated Pelmark about the differences between his magic and hers. It soon became obvious that Pelmark could not teach her his way, but he did know of a secular enchanter in Berigissel. This Modok the Shaper was known to be curious about strange things, even for a mage, and Pelmark might be able to arrange an introduction, though he did not know the man personally.
Petros recalled that Laylah was a dancer, and asked for a performance. She obliged (and was happy that he wasn't being as crude as usual about his ogling).
17 Leaffall: The boats reached a vineyard just south of Berigissel in the late afternoon. This location was owned by the city's Celestian temple, so would serve as a place to stay while they consulted Theolodia about the Asanos. Laylah asked Bran and Fran to sell the boat they had bought for her, so that she could get part of her money back. They agreed to try.
18 Leaffall (New Moon): Laylah and Pelmark left early to go into town to the temple. Theolodia was expecting them, and they were quickly ushered in. Theolodia greeted Laylah with an embrace, and asked her to tell what had happened. (Her divinations had told her little except generalities, and to be patient.) Laylah explained at length (leaving out only the dragon and Kuldor), which took her the rest of the morning.
Pelmark added that he had sent word with Volan to ask Mistress Roassa Dagni, an exorcist, to come to Berigissel, and that he believed that this request would result in Volan coming, too. He and Theolodia discussed which clerics to approach first for help in this endeavor. Noting Laylah's silence, Theolodia asked her what part she wished in all this. Laylah wants to see it through to the end, and see the Asanos healed. Theolodia could not yet estimate how long that would take. Laylah needed to talk to her friends about this, so the clerics prepared to go to the vineyard. Theolodia wanted to see the thing for herself, so that she could be better informed when recruiting help.
Corben had gathered the rest of his company while they were away, and set his men to guard the outbuildings where the party was lodged. At the door of the women's shelter, Theolodia felt the sanctity change, calling it "unpleasant." She explained how the item's aura was lowering the sanctity level, making magic more difficult and draining for clerics of her religion, and easier for their enemies. Ruqayyah asked whether other faiths, such as the Duz, could help--if not in healing the Asanos, at least in keeping the area secure. Al-Zaki suggested that Duz magic might not be affected by the sanctity changes that affected the Celestian clerics' magic. (He then went aside to ponder sending a message.)
Theolodia asked to see the wards Laylah had placed on the object. Laylah removed all but the innermost wrapping. Theolodia winced as she took it, studied it for some time, then put it down, sighing in relief. She said that the ward is helping, but is thin and eroding. She could try to reinforce it, but would need help from other worshipers of Celestian gods. Corben chose Bran, Fran and Arnhem as the most devout of his company, and set the others to watch outside. Ruqayyah offered to help, and Theolodia included her as a test. Laylah remained with them, while Naima, Al-Zaki and Darra joined the guards outside.
Theolodia explained the exorcism ritual she would be adapting to contain the evil spirit within the Asanos, then using her consecrated veil [a sacred vessel, pp. R105-6] and the energy of the gathered spectators, she began. Laylah prayed to Rashira to allow Theolodia to draw upon Laylah's strength as needed. She did not feel as drained as she expected to be, but could see silvery cords coalescing around the Asanos. She could see Theolodia's pale face go translucent and glow from within. Some of the cords came directly from her, some from her veil, and a less distinct one from the rest of the group. After several minutes, Theolodia stopped, sat back, and thanked them all for their help. She believed that their efforts would hold the demon a little longer. Ruqayyah shifted to cat form, and demanded some attention from Laylah. Theolodia scratched her ears as Laylah rewrapped the Asanos.
The Asanos would be kept here until Theolodia and the other clerics found a more suitable place. They would almost certainly do some of the cleansing within the temple, but wanted to avoid tainting the sanctity of the temple while they determined what to do. Pelmark escorted her home, and would begin helping her recruit other clerics on the morrow.
The young women and Al-Zaki discussed their own plans. Laylah plans to stay here, to help with the Asanos; Rashira has told her that it could not interfere with Laylah's link to Her, so she thought she could help. It was also important that she learn more about the church and the gods. Naima planned to return to the desert after things were settled here; the same steward (Yazdanyar) who could keep messages for Al-Zaki could forward messages to her.
Darra had another request for aid that she needed to answer. She wanted to stay until things here were at least started, but not too long. She wasn't sure whether her friends could help with her new mission, but she would have some help. (She was vague about the mission, but Laylah noticed her glance at Al-Zaki. She guessed that Darra meant Yantos, and asked her to come back afterwards.)
Ruqayyah wanted to send a message to her tribe, so described to Al-Zaki how to find the oasis at Tel Rebinat. He asked if she would rather send a message, or take one. She said it would be much easier if he took her there, especially since with the Horse-Camel conflict, the Cat would be in hiding. Traveling together would also give her an opportunity to try to teach him some healing spells. They decided that she would confirm with Theolodia and Pelmark that they wanted the help of the Duz, and they go try to summon such help. Al-Zaki would fly her there, then either bring her back here, or send a message for Darra with her. (If the Duz came, traveling with them would give Ruqayyah an opportunity to learn more magic of her own style.)
19 Leaffall: Near dusk, Pelmark rode back to the vineyard. Some priests had already pledged their help, while others needed more convincing. He was tired but smiling. Darra asked about his scimitar, which she had looked at earlier. It was silver-edged, and forged by a (now deceased) Were-Hunter; most weres are vulnerable to silver.
Ruqayyah asked about her idea to request help from the Duz. Pelmark said that if she could enlist their help, and brought them to Theolodia first, they would not be turned away. Laylah explained that she planned to stay, and why. He believed that her unique relationship to the goddess would be most useful.
The women tried to create a sling that Al-Zaki could use to carry Ruqayyah while flying. They planned to leave the next day, going first to the swamp so Al-Zaki can change form and hunt, then traveling by night to the Cat Tribe.
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This page last revised 3/20/2001. | Copyright 2001 Timothy E. Emrick. | time@sluggy.net