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| [[Forgotten Suns: Log - Nexus|previous chapter]] | | [[Forgotten Suns: Log - Mining the Sun|previous chapter]] |
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| ==Fakharu== | | ==Getting There== |
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| {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | | {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |
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| | colspan="2" |'''26th day of Ascending Earth, RY 769''' | | | colspan="2" |'''17th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769''' |
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| | ''Fakharu’s Island''|| align="right" |''11 February 2004'' | | | ''Dense Effulgence Root''|| align="right" |''22 Sep 2005'' |
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| The group took a great interest in the [[Material Girls|five women]] (Orichalcum, Moonsilver, Jade, Starmetal and Soulsteel) who greeted them, though much of it was prurient. The meeting with [[Fakharu]] went well. He received the gift of the jade talent politely, curious that it was uncut. We was extremely impressed by the circle’s reaction to his proposal to rescue [[Amarel]]: rather than go on a greed orgy, their requests for items were all extremely practical with thought put into what they would need to accomplish the mission. | | The morning the circle planned to leave, a message showed up in a bottle claimed from [[Cathak Cacek Omnus|one of the dragon-blooded]]: |
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| They asked for underwater transportation (similar to the way [[Mikani]] brought them downriver), some sort of proof against poison and some way to recharge essence. Fakharu offered to allow one of them attune to a local manse for the duration of the mission and carry its hearthstone. [[Varden]] was chosen to do this, and as Jade escorted him down to the manse, he said that “she had the best name” of the five greeters. The rest of the party were led to a lower room where they were given [[Shell Necklace|necklaces]] that allow them to breathe water and small [[Jacinth Blood|rock bottles]] containing a liquid. When half the liquid is mixed in a drink, the drink will counter any poison already in the system. One quarter mixed with water will slow the effects of poison significantly.
| | <blockquote style="font-family: cursive; font-size: 12pt">Dearest cousin -<br><br> |
| | I know you said not to use the bottles until you contacted me, but I have news that bears directly on the matter at hand, regarding the one with whom you have struck a deal. I inadvertently (really!) overheard a discussion between our mothers. They seem to believe they've uncovered a connection between Last Envy and the Cult of the Illuminated. If that's true, I can't help but wonder if the cargo you will deliver to him will be handed over to those heretics, though I have no idea to what use they might put it. Surely they are not sophisticated enough to actually forge it.<br><br> |
| | I beg you again to avoid this business altogether. At the very least, postpone it until I can dig more into this matter. Breaking an edict is one thing, but consorting with heretics is another. They'd never let you back here if that happened. Tread lightly, cousin. I couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to you.<br><br> |
| | Yours,<br> |
| | A.</blockquote> |
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| With Varden needing at least three hours to attune and Moonsilver off finding the spirit to take the circle underwater, [[Guen]] asked Soulsteel for an island tour, and she led him away. [[Gutts]] offered to give Orichalcum “tips on her human form”, and she accepted, leaving [[Cruixs]] alone with Starmetal and Moonsilver.
| | Varden forges: |
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| {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
| | "Your words have persuaded me. I will try to delay as long as possible, but time is of the essence. Find out quickly." No signature. Five forgery successes. |
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| | ''Fakharu’s Island''|| align="right" |''18 February 2004''
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| |}
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| After the dalliances with the “material girls”, the circle was introduced to [[Tidal Influence]], a spirit looking like a human with a seahorse head, who provided their transportation. After getting provided with black birds to appease [[Sikunare]], the circle traveled to meet her. Having been warned about Siknare’s aversion to beauty, Cruixis asked Gutts to punch him in the face, which Gutts did without a moment’s hesitation.
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| Offering the birds, they told Sikunare the truth about their mission, and she helped them as best she could. Guen seemed peculiarly disturbed by Sikunare and gave her [[Jarvick]]’s [[moonsilver box]]. The circle spent the night there and Guen discovered [[Dancing Emptiness]]’s involvement with the rest of the group ate and drank, served by a salamander named [[Forgotten Suns: Extras|Steev]]. Seeing evidence of Sikunare’s mistreatment of her subjects caused Cruxis to have to make several limit checks, but he held his tounge.
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| | colspan="2" |'''27th day of Ascending Earth, RY 769'''
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| | ''Western Ocean''|| align="right" |''18 February 2004''
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| |}
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| The next day, they were given a crude map to the islands and went there. They bypassed most of the islands, concentrating on islands that had structures shown on the map. On these, Guen performed aerial reconnaissance while the others trained. The eventually decided to land on the [[Island of the Broken Masks]], after Guen talked to a scarred man there that seemed to want to escape. Gutts decided to launch a rescue mission.
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| ==Exiles==
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| | colspan="2" |'''28th day of Ascending Earth, RY 769'''
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| | ''Island of Broken Masks''|| align="right" |''18 February 2004''
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| |}
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| The circle walked onto the island in broad daylight. As the walked towards the central tower, inhabitants gathered behind them, following in a growing group. Once inside, the city doors were sealed behind them. They were met in the street by guards who escorted them into the main tower, into the [[Hall of Promiscuous Justice]], and guards tried to shackle them. Combat quickly ensued, killing a number of guards and several spirits, including [[Starved Tiger]]. During the process, the actions of the crowd forced Guen into making a limit check.
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| {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
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| | ''Island of Broken Masks''|| align="right" |''25 February 2004''
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| |}
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| The fight continued for a few more rounds, with more spirits and a number of bowmen showing up. The king, [[Silver Robe]], called for a halt. Though wary, the circle and the king began to talk. Again, the circle told the truth of why they were there. The king claimed that they knew nothing of Amarel and insisted the group leave. A deal was struck, allowing the group to escape the law of the land (getting scarred) if they left immediately and never returned. The group agreed to leave.
| | Gutts takes crude notes from lunar on "wooing" women. |
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| [[Seventh Amethyst]] and a number of other spirits escorted the circle to the coast. Once there, surrounded only by her trusted soldiers, Seventh Amethyst made a deal with the circle, admitting that Amarel was held in the highest tower. The disruption of Starved Tiger improved Seventh Amethyst’s position greatly. She also understood the situation, fearing Fakharu’s wrath, as well as that of the circle. The circle indicated they would make a night raid and she agreed to post trusted sentries that would look the other way along the direction of their approach. She also agreed to keep a messenger ready on the beach in case of last minute plan changes. The circle withdrew to a small island nearby to heal and plan.
| | GM: Where are you going to get this paint? |
| | Scott: Berries! Berries and the bones of our enemies. |
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| {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
| | Hide vehicle to the south. Camoflaged with five success. |
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| | colspan="2" |'''1st day of Resplendent Earth, RY 769'''
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| | ''Island of Broken Masks''|| align="right" |''25 February 2004''
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| |}
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| After midnight, the circle returned to the island with a plan involving a lightning grab for Amarel. Seventh Amethyst left a toucan, who informed them of an eagle spirit guardian on top of the tower and asked the circle if they had any message for his mistress. They suggested a loud diversion be created, as if Amarel’s room was to be stormed from below. The toucan returned indicating his mistress needed an hour to set it up, during which Tidal Influence took Gutts and Cruxis to the other end of the island.
| | Gutts buys two slaves. 20-yard. Northern hotties. Boy and girl. Fit. Average height. Tailoring. Labor. Morton and Emily. |
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| Guen changed into a karmeus, took Varden in her talons and flew at speed to the tower. Varden, already powered with strength charms, used the hearthstone lent him by Fakharu to try to make the eagle spirit desire a rock that Varden threw behind him. This didn’t work, and the eagle let out a loud alarm cry. Guen propelled Varden through the window into Amarel’s room, then flew around to meet Varden on the other side.
| | Gutts takes off with Morton pulling cart, Emily sitting with him in it. |
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| Inside the room, using charms to increase speed, Varden picked up Amarel and leapt out the opposite window. The spirit guarding Amarel, [[Grey Wrath]], did get one strike in on Varden and used Words of Power on both he and Guen, who caught Varden on the other side of the tower.
| | Gutts buys clothes for circle from Fig Leaf Fashion. |
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| Struggling with the extra weight, Guen made some Willpower-backed rolls to clear the outer wall of the city, and Varden used more speed increasing charms to run away.
| | Group sees Mnemon wagon with Eyeless guys. |
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| Pursuit was limited to a pair of air elementals, whose bashing attacks could not bring Guen down, as he invoked Calling Luna’s Favor to regenerate.
| | Marble Crane. Checked in under the name of Grey Rose. |
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| | Guen tells about Tamuz and Tamaz. |
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| | ''Island of Broken Masks''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004''
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| |}
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| Not long after Tidal Influence took the circle away from the island, the sirens attacked, nailing most of the party with obedience charms. Because one of the sirens neglected to command Gutts to avoid attacking, he sliced into two of them, cutting one in half and incapacitating the other. The third ([[Chamae]]) attempted to steal Amarel away, but Varden and Guen interceded, leading to a standoff. Chamae negotiated for a promise of mercy from Fakharu in exchange for releasing control of Gutts and Cruxis. The party reluctantly agreed.
| | Hotel bellman assumes Guen is Gutts' seneschal. |
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| During the battle, one of the sirens gained control of Tidal Influence and commanded him to “move away as fast as possible”. He used his Hurry Home charm to return to Fakharu’s spire in the middle of the combat. Thus, once it was over, Tidal was two days journey away, forcing the circle to move under their own power. After a brief shark attack, Guen carted the circle most of the way to the abandoned island they used before, with the idea being that if Tidal returned, he would check there.
| | Meet Jorias. Looks trim(er), shaved. He informs them that Adrios wants a message delivered in secret. Also has been told (via whisper in ear from spell) to meet contact at the Vermillion Ribbon. |
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| | Slaves prepare feast. |
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| | ''Archipelago of the Exiles, uninhabited island''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004''
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| |}
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| After long hours swimming, the circle made it to the island and trained, rested, scavenged, fished and ate all day.
| | Bathing, sleep. |
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| {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | | {| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |
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| | colspan="2" |'''2nd day of Resplendent Earth, RY 769''' | | | colspan="2" |'''18th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769''' |
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| | ''Archipelago of the Exiles, uninhabited island''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004'' | | | ''Dense Effulgence Root''|| align="right" |''28 Sep 2005'' |
| |} | | |} |
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| Another day of training, eating and waiting.
| | Golden Hand (wife of Tri-kahn). Her mother is "Unfettered". Guen tours palace. Is seen by northern guy, who notices the metal message tube. |
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| | Stag goes to Vermillion Ribbon ahead of time. Very long line (before noon) and sign saying "Dancing today only: Blossom". Stag bribes way in through neighboring apartment. Devlops irrational need to get past guards to get backstage, but does not succeed. Guen comes later, shapeshifting in. Gutts, who was looking at houses and buying another elephant, comes with Jorias and slaves, presenting a massive bribe to get in. |
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| | colspan="2" |'''3rd day of Resplendent Earth, RY 769'''
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| | ''Archipelago of the Exiles, uninhabited island''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004''
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| |}
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| In the morning, Tidal Influence showed up, after having traveled non-stop. He picked the circle up and moved traveled to the spire the rest of the day.
| | Meeting with {guide} indicates item possession of unexalted member of imperial family. He gave it to a dancer at the Vermillion Ribbon named Volaria. Volaria supposed to be there, but isn't. While this is happening, two dragon-blooded enter with eyeless servants and start questioning a particular waitress. Just as the circle moves to investigate, Blossom starts dancing, transfixing everyone in the room. With eye contact, she plants suggestions into most people's heads. {who got what suggestions} |
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| | After the dance, the dragon-blooded take waitress by the arm outside. At various intervals, Gutts, Guen and Jorias follow, while Stag tries to get back stage again, this time succeeding. When he gets close to Blossom, he is entangled by her suddenly animated clothes. They flirt a bit and she kisses, then releases him. Stag leaves via the stage, barely hearing Blossom chew out her guards and start smashing stuff. |
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| | colspan="2" |'''4th day of Resplendent Earth, RY 769'''
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| | ''Western Ocean''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004''
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| The journey back to the spire continues, with the circle mostly training.
| | Meanwhile, outside, Guen finally manages to eavesdrop a bit on the dragon-blooded. They are clearly using truth detecting magic, asking {waitress} about wearabouts of {savant}. Eventually, they toss her out of the wagon, and the circle gets some information out of her. |
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| ==Shemaru==
| | They go back into the now empty club. The manager is bribed to reveal the location of Volaria's home, and the circle goes there, with the elephant. Circle in Volaria's apartment building, looking for her. |
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| | colspan="2" |'''5th day of Resplendent Earth, RY 769''' | | | colspan="2" |'''18th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769''' |
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| | ''Fakharu’s Spire''|| align="right" |''3 March 2004'' | | | ''Dense Effulgence Root''|| align="right" |''28 Sep 2005'' |
| |} | | |} |
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| Eventually making it back to the spire, the circle snuck Amarel into the spire and got cleaned up. After more dalliances with the material girls and a much needed bath, the circle was invited to dinner with Fakharu and Amarel. The circle recounted the story during dinner. When dessert came, Fakharu indicated that each member of the circle would find “tokens of gratitude” in their rooms when they returned. He also asked if there was anything he could help them with. The following information was conveyed:
| | Scent track to club, then to abandoned building. Find dead Volaria. Track scent of killer to plaza. Meet Grandmother Bright. |
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| ''Repairing manse'': Fakharu has sent spirits to view the manse, and they indicate that the First Age construction eludes them. Fakharu believes that repairs might be made with a magic item called a [[Singing Staff]]. He knows of two of these, though at least six were created. The Empress holds one. The other was in the possession of a solar architect and sorcerer named [[Kal Bax]], who created the first one. Bax was known to retreat to the far North during the Usurpation with a handful of other solars, where it is believed he died, though no one found his last resting place. Fakharu presents them with the pages of [[Ozandus]] indicating that is only clue his librarian could find.
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| ''Finding Regret'': Spirits have reported the following:
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| *A spirit in the southern desert tracked a strange man who traveled at night and smelled of death; when the sun rose, his long shadow had monstrous features.
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| *Later, the normally clear skies at the edge of the desert beyond the mountains south of [[Chiarscuro]] grew dark and overcast and black lightning crackled from the earth to the sky. Fakharu believes this to be the result of a deathnight shedding a great deal of resonance.
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| *About a week later, a thunderbird spotted the large tent village of firedust gatherers in the south desert whose inhabitants had been slaughtered. Amid the carnage, the spirit saw a lone Day caste deathnight, anima shining brightly. Covered in blood and apparently having drank much of it, the abyssal alternately laughed maniacally and sobbed uncontrollably. The spirit flew away when the deathnight attempted to attack it.
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| *A month ago, in a small settlement to the northeast of [[Gem]], a white haired stranger was seen to be crying blood in a local tavern. A few days later, the local militia broke into this man’s room in an inn after other guests reported strange noises and muffled screams coming from his room. The man was nowhere to be found, but within the room was a man who had been tortured to death, with a strange hole in his forehead.
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| *The spirit of a graveyard in the [[Lap]] indicates that for the last week or so, a pale man with white hair has offered tribute of a strange gem to it in exchange for permission to sleep in one of the graveyard’s crypts.
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| ''Restoring Regret'': Fakharu instructs his librarian [[Shemaru]] to report his findings. Shemaru seems pleased with the challenge, and report that, as deathnights have not existed long, not much information exists on restoring them. The only analog he could find was the legend of [[Baradine]], a solar corrupted fighting a primordial. The legend has it that, because she had been corrupted, the gods refused to help her but a group of solar and lunar exalted who had fought with her refused to abandon her. Various stories mention that that they managed to restore her, including one story that refers to a device that aided them as the [[Three Gated Cage]]. Shemaru related the information he'd been able to peice together about this device. Though much of this is guesswork, Shemaru indicates that he will continue researching.
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| The material girls took members of the circle back to their rooms individually. Each girl was allowed to choose a mundane gift (resources ••••) from Fakharu’s hoard and present it:
| | Bathtub animation. Gutts shoots with firestick. |
| *Orichalcum to Gutts: 5 tiny hand crafted gold sun sculptures, of incredible detail, looking almost like they move. Provide good gifts/bribes for spirits.
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| *Soulsteel to Guen: 5 small figurines with carved from alabaster, each detailing an animal (panther, hawk, mammoth, bear, crocodile) in incredible detail, almost down to individual hairs. Their value comes from the artistry of the poses, which make the animals look almost sad somehow as if waiting for something. Would be highly prized grave goods or bribes for the dead.
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| *Jade to Varden: An extremely rare jade coin, forged before the Great Contagion.
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| *Moonsilver to Cruxis: Spirit shark hide buff jacket.
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| Within their rooms, they found boxes containing the gifts Fakharu mentioned. Each contained a [[Dragon Figurines|figurine]] in the shape of a dragon that can animate. Each also received a more potent gift:
| | Guen finds house of Tower Horse. Dragon blooded are walking out. Tower Horse is dead in secret room. |
| *Gutts: A pair of sandals called the [[Boots of Descending Thunder]]
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| *Guen: A moonsilver bow known as [[Aborinox]]
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| *Varden: A note allowing him to keep the hearthstone and an essence containing gem
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| *Cruxis: An orichalcum reaper daiklave known as [[Incandescent Razor]]
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| [[Forgotten Suns: Log - Long Ocean|next chapter]]
| | Emerald hides book in Tower Horse's candle factory, but Tower cannot find it. Scent of human/bear in drawer in factory. |
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| [[Category:Forgotten Suns]]
| | <!-- Eyna will reach Chiaroscuro on 5th day of Descending wood --> |
| [[Category:Campaign Log]]
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previous chapter
Getting There
| 17th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769
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| Dense Effulgence Root |
22 Sep 2005
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The morning the circle planned to leave, a message showed up in a bottle claimed from one of the dragon-blooded:
Dearest cousin -
I know you said not to use the bottles until you contacted me, but I have news that bears directly on the matter at hand, regarding the one with whom you have struck a deal. I inadvertently (really!) overheard a discussion between our mothers. They seem to believe they've uncovered a connection between Last Envy and the Cult of the Illuminated. If that's true, I can't help but wonder if the cargo you will deliver to him will be handed over to those heretics, though I have no idea to what use they might put it. Surely they are not sophisticated enough to actually forge it.
I beg you again to avoid this business altogether. At the very least, postpone it until I can dig more into this matter. Breaking an edict is one thing, but consorting with heretics is another. They'd never let you back here if that happened. Tread lightly, cousin. I couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to you.
Yours,
A.
Varden forges:
"Your words have persuaded me. I will try to delay as long as possible, but time is of the essence. Find out quickly." No signature. Five forgery successes.
Gutts takes crude notes from lunar on "wooing" women.
GM: Where are you going to get this paint?
Scott: Berries! Berries and the bones of our enemies.
Hide vehicle to the south. Camoflaged with five success.
Gutts buys two slaves. 20-yard. Northern hotties. Boy and girl. Fit. Average height. Tailoring. Labor. Morton and Emily.
Gutts takes off with Morton pulling cart, Emily sitting with him in it.
Gutts buys clothes for circle from Fig Leaf Fashion.
Group sees Mnemon wagon with Eyeless guys.
Marble Crane. Checked in under the name of Grey Rose.
Guen tells about Tamuz and Tamaz.
Hotel bellman assumes Guen is Gutts' seneschal.
Meet Jorias. Looks trim(er), shaved. He informs them that Adrios wants a message delivered in secret. Also has been told (via whisper in ear from spell) to meet contact at the Vermillion Ribbon.
Slaves prepare feast.
Bathing, sleep.
| 18th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769
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| Dense Effulgence Root |
28 Sep 2005
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Golden Hand (wife of Tri-kahn). Her mother is "Unfettered". Guen tours palace. Is seen by northern guy, who notices the metal message tube.
Stag goes to Vermillion Ribbon ahead of time. Very long line (before noon) and sign saying "Dancing today only: Blossom". Stag bribes way in through neighboring apartment. Devlops irrational need to get past guards to get backstage, but does not succeed. Guen comes later, shapeshifting in. Gutts, who was looking at houses and buying another elephant, comes with Jorias and slaves, presenting a massive bribe to get in.
Meeting with {guide} indicates item possession of unexalted member of imperial family. He gave it to a dancer at the Vermillion Ribbon named Volaria. Volaria supposed to be there, but isn't. While this is happening, two dragon-blooded enter with eyeless servants and start questioning a particular waitress. Just as the circle moves to investigate, Blossom starts dancing, transfixing everyone in the room. With eye contact, she plants suggestions into most people's heads. {who got what suggestions}
After the dance, the dragon-blooded take waitress by the arm outside. At various intervals, Gutts, Guen and Jorias follow, while Stag tries to get back stage again, this time succeeding. When he gets close to Blossom, he is entangled by her suddenly animated clothes. They flirt a bit and she kisses, then releases him. Stag leaves via the stage, barely hearing Blossom chew out her guards and start smashing stuff.
Meanwhile, outside, Guen finally manages to eavesdrop a bit on the dragon-blooded. They are clearly using truth detecting magic, asking {waitress} about wearabouts of {savant}. Eventually, they toss her out of the wagon, and the circle gets some information out of her.
They go back into the now empty club. The manager is bribed to reveal the location of Volaria's home, and the circle goes there, with the elephant. Circle in Volaria's apartment building, looking for her.
| 18th day of Resplendent Wood, RY 769
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| Dense Effulgence Root |
28 Sep 2005
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Scent track to club, then to abandoned building. Find dead Volaria. Track scent of killer to plaza. Meet Grandmother Bright.
Bathtub animation. Gutts shoots with firestick.
Guen finds house of Tower Horse. Dragon blooded are walking out. Tower Horse is dead in secret room.
Emerald hides book in Tower Horse's candle factory, but Tower cannot find it. Scent of human/bear in drawer in factory.