Miskton/Logs/20220312 Visions

Event Name: Vision Meeting

Event Instance: Prime

Real Date: 2022-03-12

Game Date of Event: 441-03-01

Point of View: Miskton

You say, "Hello all, good to see you all here. In the interests of time, I think we should probably get started." Tirost says to Lindrista, "Depends on the event - though I was unfashionably earlier than Ruea, so I have no room to talk." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Lindrista giggles at Tirost. Tirost grins at Lindrista. You say, "There are several new visions to discuss this evening... I think perhaps I'll start with the two that at least seem related to other visions that have been seen recently. The others may be a bit trickier to wring some meaning out of." You grin wryly. You say, "In the first vision..." You say, "A battered man limped along a dusty road, his left hand clasped over his right bicep, blood dripping between his fingers. One eye was swollen shut, and a thick cut crossed the bridge of his nose. Further ahead, an ephemeral tree grew, wavering slightly in the breeze. The man touched the tree, and took a deep breath in relief, some of his bruises fading and his wounds knitting. He sat down, leaning against the trunk, closed his eyes, and the vision faded." Nyrhin nods politely. Ezerak doffs his top hat at Nyrhin. With a flick of his wrist, Nyrhin bows towards Ezerak, his eyes never leaving his, a captivating smile on his face as he regards him with poise and unrivaled dignity. Gwenddolyn says, "I want that tree." Nyrhin grins at Ezerak. Zalinyar nods to Gwenddolyn. Senthic leans on Lasaia. Tirost chuckles at Gwenddolyn. Mistanna chuckles at Gwenddolyn. Tirost takes a sip of his ale. Ahneya whispers something to Lasaia. You say, "Not all of the identifying characteristics are as obvious in this vision as some of the previous ones, but there seem to be similarities to a man in sapphire blue robe that has been seen in a few recent visions, including the tree." Tirost nods to you. You say, "And then those robes point back to a previous series of visions, with an Elothean woman and her alfar warrior." Gwenddolyn nods to you. Lasaia nods to Ahneya. You say, "A great deal to go over there, but it seems to be a group of Empaths, apparently identified by blue robes, and skilled in unarmed combat. As well as the Circle of Sympathy spell, it would seem." You nod to Gwenddolyn. Gwenddolyn nods to you. Tirost asks, "In one of the earlier visions, the man almost effortlessly defeated his attackers - was that right?" Gwenddolyn says, "So awhile back, I did a lecture about one of those empaths." You say, "Yes, with a few quick strikes he incapacitated them, apparently without seriously harming them." Tirost nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "It was about dwarven clans." Gwenddolyn says, "There was an empath." Gwenddolyn taps an alabaster statuette of a maiden lying upon a funerary bier that she is holding. Tirost says, "But here, he was badly wounded, and could not heal without the tree." Gwenddolyn says, "The pale stone is carved into an elaborate statuette, the base forming an ornate funerary bier. Delicate porcelain inlays the body of a beautiful maiden lying atop the catafalque, her simple gown tied at the waist with a gilded rope, while her hands enfold a small onyx-thorned rose dappled with minute seven-pointed star-shaped diamonds that glisten like morning dew. At various points, several biters rise protectively around the bier, its base carved with the name "Cordhvirae Stonesekker." Gwenddolyn says, "She is the founder of Rose Clan." Gwenddolyn says, "She was an renown empath." Tirost nods to Gwenddolyn. Gwenddolyn says, "Since then, the group has become avid Martial artists who specialize in poison." Gwenddolyn says, "Not empaths, but are now related to the Thieves guild located in Ain Ghazal." Gwenddolyn says, "Before the were a cult of celibate female empaths." Xelten gazes upward. Gwenddolyn says, "So this is worth looking into." Zalinyar nods to Gwenddolyn. You say to Tirost, "It's possible the figure in the latest vision is a different person, taking advantage of a tree perhaps sprouted by the man in the blue robes. The identity of the man in the latest vision is a bit harder to grasp." Tirost nods to you. You nod to Gwenddolyn. Nyrhin says, "Hmm. Celibate empaths. That sounds like a party." Gwenddolyn says, "It dates back to Imperial times." Ahneya nods to Lasaia. Tirost glances at Nyrhin. Gwenddolyn says, "Which seems to be significant in many of the visions." Yraggahh says to you, "Maybe it was one of the defeated men." Tirost smiles. Nyrhin says to Tirost, "I'm easily distracted. That part stood out." Tirost chuckles. You say, "This group does seem to have a connection to something up in a mountainous steppe region, but since whatever is up there seemed to be defended by one woman and an alfar warrior, it may not be central to their organization." Tirost shakes his head at Nyrhin. Tirost says to Nyrhin, "It stood out to me too, though I can't say party leapt to my mind..." Gwenddolyn says, "It may refer to their founder Cordhvirae Stonesekker." Nyrhin chuckles at Tirost. Tirost grins. You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. You say, "Pardon me just a moment..." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Ruea says, "Go play." Ruea smiles. Ruea leans on Ayrell. You say, "Sorry about that." Ayrell smiles at Ruea. You say, "The next vision again features the figures in golden plate." Zalinyar rubs her hands together. You say, "Everything flickered, the fabric of reality rent, and I found myself standing on a black sand beach, crashing waves buffeting rocky shoals. The ocean churned, countless crystalline and steel wire tentacles writhing in the surf, and a number of long appendages menacingly reached for me. Suddenly, a figure clad in gold plate rushed forward, slashing at the grasping tentacles and shoving me back. The figure continued battling, pushing several tentacles away with a massive tower shield, but one wrapped around the figure's ankle, pulling them off balance. Glancing back at me, the figure grinned briefly before being flung into the ocean, and the vision faded." You say, "Once again protecting the seer, fighting against strange monstrosities, and smiling in the face of death." Tirost nods to you. Ezerak says, "Hmmm. Sounds like a kraken." Lasaia nods to Ezerak. Xelten says, "Madly unconcerned with dying. I wonder if I know anyone like that." Senthic angles his ears forward in curiosity. Ruea chuckles. Tirost says, "I have a stronger theory as to the identity of the golden plate-clad warriors." You say, "If these figures do represent the Bulwark, the wide variety of threats they've been facing in these visions would seem to indicate that the plane is under rather frequent attack, possibly by things we never even notice." Ezerak nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views. You nod to Tirost. Gwenddolyn says, "As I remember it sounds like Drelden, a follower of Syal, he was known for his shield walls. I often wonder of tjhe bulark was something Syal used." Tirost says, "I think they represent the Heralds, and I think the Heralds are the source of the Bulwark and might be closely associated with the Paladin Guild." Gwenddolyn says, "Bulwark." Tirost says, "I came across something interesting in Navesi's notes when preparing for the lecture." Gwenddolyn says, "I thought at at one time too, but it seems more in reference to the original seven paladins." You ponder. Tirost asks, "Did anyone visit the temporal pockets when a mage named Veralos visited?" Gwenddolyn shakes her head. Marcul gazes intently into his sanowret crystal, and scintillating sparks of light dance across its surface. Ayrell nods. Tirost says to Ayrell, "I was gone, but Navesi took detailed notes." You say, "The Heralds being involved with the Bulwark in some manner could be quite possible, but there have been fairly large groups of these figures in golden plate in some visions." Tirost nods to you. Gwenddolyn nods to you. Ahneya nods to Lasaia. Tirost says, "From what I've read, not all the Heralds manifest physically in the plane." Ayrell nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "Paladins keep seeing similar instances, all about syal and his six." Lasaia raises an eyebrow in Tirost's direction. Tirost says, "The vision in the temporal pocket was of a world destroyed by elemental magic. In the vision, golden plate-clad warriors threw down thier shields in sadness amid the ruins." Gwenddolyn says, "They are clearly holding something back." You nod to Tirost. Gwenddolyn says, "Whatever it is, must be horrid." Lasaia says to Tirost, "Interesting." Tirost says, "If they are either a representation of, or otherwise tied to the Bulwark, they would be responsible for making sure magic does not destroy the fundamental laws of our plane." Gwenddolyn nods to Tirost. Gwenddolyn says, "The day magic died, they did appear." Gwenddolyn says, "Sparkling light holding long swords is what many saw." Tirost says, "The worrying part is that the plate-clad warriors are often shown in the visions as being defeated..." Gwenddolyn says, "Scary indeed." Tirost says, "Or rather, sacrificing themselves to try and stop magic that is going horribly wrong." Ruea smiles. You say, "Though generally not appearing bothered by it, at least in the recent visions." Tirost asks you, "Do you recall the vision where the warriors appeared, and a man died in fiery circle, I think it was?" Tirost nods to you. You say, "Possibly death is not particularly bothersome to them in general." You nod to Tirost. You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Gwenddolyn asks, "Are you sure it was magic, or was it some horrible creature they were fighting?" Yraggahh says, "Maybe they are already dead." Lasaia widens her single eye like a lunatic. Lasaia takes a sip of her champagne. Zalinyar asks, "They always smile, is that conficence, or are they trying to reassure the viewer?" Tirost says to you, "There is a story in the account of the Elven Human war, where someone died in that exact manner. I think that vision was a vision of what happened to that mage." Gwenddolyn says, "That is something us Paladins are researching, we think the original seven are fighting something somewhere they do not age." Tirost says to Zalinyar, "It's a good question." Gwenddolyn says, "I would not smile during a battle." Gwenddolyn chuckles. Xelten says, "How unfortunate." You say, "The more they appear, the more clues may filter out to help us determine their true nature, though as yet I can't say that these visions provide much in the way of steps to take for anything other than researching the nature of the figures that appear in them." Gwenddolyn asks, "Is there a place in the plane where time stands still?" Gwenddolyn says, "No aging." Gwenddolyn says, "For them to still be battling, this must be the case." Xelten says, "It happens whenever you speak, my dear." Tirost smiles at Lasaia. Yraggahh grins like an idiot. Zalinyar asks, "When the fabric of reality wrends in the visions, doesnt that indicate a shift in time or plane?" Ruea smiles. You say, "It may be that in some of the other planes, time doesn't work exactly like it does here. But for something on this plane, I think it would either take some of that magic to manipulate time. Or other magical methods of extending life." Lasaia nods to you. Tirost grins at Marcul. Tirost nods. Zalinyar says, "Which if so, would indicate another time or plane this is taking place, not in our plane, or our time." You say to Zalinyar, "Frequently that seems to be more about the way in which the seer's vision abruptly changes to something completely different from what was there a moment ago. It can be varying levels of abrupt." Gwenddolyn nods to Zalinyar. Zalinyar nods to you. You say, "Sometimes it's like blinking and everything is different, sometimes everything might shimmer and fade away, sometimes a vision might just abruptly jump up in front of our eyes." You say, "There may be some underlying meaning to how such transitions work, though." Zalinyar says, "So how we see it doesnt help to narrow anything down." Gwenddolyn says, "I often wondered why the timekeeper remained in Crossing, if that was a clue." Zalinyar snaps her fingers. Tirost gazes thoughtfully at Gwenddolyn. Gwenddolyn says, "He wasn't there before until recent events." You say, "The remaining visions seem a bit less obviously related to things that have been seen before, or events that we know are in motion." Gwenddolyn asks, "What are the newest ones?" You say, "I found myself in a smoky room, standing before a seated woman wrapped in a broad cloak and wearing a wide brimmed hat. A cigarillo flared cherry red, softly illuminating the lower half of her scarred face, and she grinned widely. Tilting her head up, her cataract eyes stared directly at me beneath the brim of her hat, and she exhaled twin plumes of acrid smoke from her nostrils. I was telling a story, one I was intimately familiar with, though I paused, unsure of what happened next." You say, ""Is that all then?" she asked." You say, "She reached forward, her tattooed arm displaying a vivid depiction of the exploits I just recounted to her, and I watched as the images began to move and shift." Lasaia says, "Srinoja maybe." You say, "She laughed, and the vision faded." Gwenddolyn nods at Lasaia, obviously agreeing with her views. Senthic nods to Lasaia. Tirost ponders. Xelten says, "Someone who understands the value of listening." Nsar asks, "Arent Srinoja's eyes a bit mismatched these days?" You say, "I can't say for sure just how scarred this woman's face was, though in the case of Srinoja I would expect the eyes to show a bit more disparity." Gwenddolyn says, "So the vison seer was recounting exploits to her." You nod. Tirost says, "The woman seems to record stories as tattoos on her body. They manifest by magic, or some other supernatural means..." Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting." You say, "If this woman does make her presence known, a scarred face and cloudy eyes will probably stand out, at least." Tirost nods to you. Gwenddolyn nods to you. You ask, "Also, it seems possible that she somehow... stole the story I was telling her?" Lasaia grins. Gwenddolyn says, "Into a tattoo." You say, "I knew the story well when I was telling it, but then couldn't remember what happened next." You nod to Gwenddolyn. Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting concept." Tirost says, "If she heard Ruea's story, there would be endless tattoos of shops and jewels and platinums spent, I should imagine." Lasaia begins chortling at Tirost. Zalinyar says, "She stole your memory, or intention." Ezerak ponders. You say, "So something to keep in mind if you do encounter a woman matching that description, I suppose." Ezerak asks, "Could it be a representation of the Negotiants? Could that be the price the Traders are paying?" Gwenddolyn chuckles. Gwenddolyn says, "Leave before you become her next tattoo." Gwenddolyn nods to you. Senthic glances at Lasaia. Ahneya whispers something to Senthic. Ahneya nods to Senthic. You say to Ezerak, "My guess would be probably not. At least, I don't think there's much precedent for them putting forward much of a mortal mask." Lasaia folds her arms across her chest. Gwenddolyn asks, "Odd, one of the paladin visions talks about what the price to pay is, and ends with the question, can you imagine the cost?" You say, "To keep things moving, the next vision..." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Senthic snickers at Ahneya. Ahneya smiles at Senthic. You say, "Images flickered before me, snippets behind broken reflections, whispered in echoing chambers. A smooth dome, a spinning geared wheel, cambrinth cores coiled with alternating copper and oravir wiring. I saw myself hunched over a workbench, twisting a thin metal rod and scribing cold runes in bright starlight. A shadowy figure emerged from a darkened doorway, and in one smooth motion slammed the door shut. A square-cut crystal pane slotted smoothly over complex gearwork, and with a series of clicks, wound tight, the spring uncoiled. The structures vanished, and the vision faded." Lasaia ponders. You say, "At first I was reminded a bit of some of the constructs in Zengmodaleth, but the tinkering in this vision seems like it might involve Lunar mana." Lasaia nods to you. Lasaia says, "Or starlight." Gwenddolyn says, "That seems like waht the inside of the planar observatory would be like." Senthic shifts his weight. Lasaia says, "Sounds a bit like Arbiter's Stylus." Gwenddolyn says, "Indeed." Tirost asks you, "Do you think it might be something the trader in the other visions was diving to retrieve?" You say, "Hard to say how the different images within the vision connect, as well, since everything was a bit disjointed." Yraggahh nods politely to Ayrell. Tirost nods in agreement. You say to Tirost, "Could be possible." Gwenddolyn says, "It seems more like something a moon mage was making though." You say, "Starlight and crystal could mean a trader, but it could also still be a moon mage." Gwenddolyn says, "Runes seems moon mage." You ask, "And a figure in shadow, yet who didn't mind drawing attention to themselves by slamming a door?" You shrug. Mistanna asks, "Or maybe it was someone doing enchantment work?" Gwenddolyn nods to Mistanna. Tirost nods to Mistanna. You say, "Some combination of mechanical tinkering and enchantment it would seem, yes." Gwenddolyn says, "Some mechanical monster." Gwenddolyn shudders. Lasaia grins. Ayrell hugs Ruea, getting a smile in return. You say, "But working with runes in starlight does seem to indicate some form of Lunar mana manipulator." Ruea hugs Ayrell, who wraps her arms around Ruea with a warm smile. Ezerak smiles at Ayrell, revealing the dimples in his cheeks. Ayrell nods to Tirost. Tirost nods to Ayrell. You say, "And then one more vision to discuss this evening..." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Gwenddolyn glances outside a moment. You say, "I found myself in an enormous cathedral with brilliant, multi-hued light streaming through stained glass windows as spears of color spanning the expansive space. A golden altar sparkled under a shaft of crimson, resplendent and regal, and crystalline chandeliers hung from the ceiling, lit from above by tridecagon cut prisms." Senthic whispers something to Lasaia. You say, "A billowing shadow began to coalesce along the floor, writhing to avoid the inescapable light. With a dull rumble, the chandeliers began to sway, and the darkness skittered evasively." You say, "The rumble continued, and cracks spidered along the masonry. One of the stained glass windows shattered, shards of colored glass raining to the ground, revealing inky darkness outside. The chandeliers exploded, trailing shards of crystal which remained suspended in the air, forming a haze of illuminated, reflective dust." You say, "The shadows began to expand, and the vision faded." Ayrell curtsies gracefully. Tirost frowns. Tirost darkly says, "That's ominous." You say, "I've not done an exhaustive search of altars, but I think there are a few that match some of the details of the altar itself... but the cathedral itself, with the crystal chandliers, seems fairly specific." You say, "If it's a particular place, at any rate." Gwenddolyn says, "A cathedral, glass shattering, sounds like a storm." Gwenddolyn says, "Since it said darkness, like a cloud." Zalinyar nods to Gwenddolyn. Tirost says, "At the figurative level, it seems like the darkness and skittering may represent demonic entities, while the cathedral and altars represent the Immortals." Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting." You say, "Light streaming through the windows, despite the fact there's nothing but darkness outside. A shadow managing to get inside, having to avoid the light, and forcing away for more darkness..." Tirost shakes his head. Tirost says, "Gods, Miskton. I was hoping you'd leave us with a hopeful vision." Gwenddolyn says, "Darkness and light." Tirost grins wryly at you. Nsar says, "I find great solace in that vision." Gwenddolyn asks, "Does he ever have a good vision?" Gwenddolyn chuckles. (Tirost's silver-flecked crystal blue eyes fall on Nsar.) You say, "Sometimes ones that are at least... not ominous." Tirost nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views. Gwenddolyn grins at you, her dimples flashing into view. Xelten says, "Now, now. Let us not be so afraid of the dark." You say, "The cathedral representing the immortals does seem a plausible interpretation, though not a comforting one. For most, anyway." Zalinyar exclaims, "Death, doom and despair, my favorite vision puzzles to work on!" Gwenddolyn chuckles. Senthic nods to Lasaia. Ahneya whispers something to Lasaia. Gwenddolyn says to you, "Thank you for the vision discussion." You say, "The chandeliers shattering but not actually falling to the ground seems important, but I'm not sure what that might mean." Elizzibiana bows to you. Tirost nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "Good eve." Gwenddolyn curtsies. Elizzibiana says to you, "As always a pleasure to sit in on these discussions." Tirost says, "Maybe it does refer to a particular place. I shall keep my eyes open for golden altars, chandeliers and stained glass." Ezerak says to you, "Yes, thank you for hosting, as always." You smile. You say, "Thank you all for coming." Xelten nods to you. You say, "And yes, that was all the visions I had to discuss this time around." Zalinyar smiles at you, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Tirost sincerely says to you, "Thank you, Miskton." Tirost bows to you. You say, "But if anybody has any questions, or things they would like to bring up, we have a little time." Nsar asks, "Skittering shadows does seem to be more the realm of the Tezirites though, no?" Ahneya whispers something to Lasaia. Ahneya smiles at Lasaia. Nsar says, "Your shadowlings and hulking beasts of burden made of nothingness." Zalinyar says, "What about those spider like creatures in that place we went to." You say, "The manipulation of shadows does fall within the realm of moon mage magic, yes." Zalinyar ponders. You say to Zalinyar, "No more signs of them in visions, at least." Zalinyar says to you, "I never can pronounce the name of that place." Zalinyar nods to you. You chuckle. Nsar takes a sip of his sherry. Lasaia ponders. Lasaia whispers something to Senthic. Lasaia glances at Senthic. Lasaia motions to Ahneya. Zalinyar says, "Zengdomealeth or something like that." Senthic whispers something to Lasaia. Zalinyar says, "I'm horrible with names." Senthic whispers something to Lasaia. Nsar stands up. Nsar says, "Well then, as always, I appreciate the tolerance." You say to Zalinyar, "Zengmodaleth." Zalinyar says, "I just wondered about those skittering shadows being those spidery creatures." You nod. Mazrian takes a sip of his coffee. Lasaia nods to Ahneya. Ahneya smiles at Lasaia. Nyrhin says to you, "Thank you for the enlightening evening." Lindrista smiles broadly as she grasps your lesson, encouraging you. Nyrhin bows. Ahneya whispers something to Lasaia. Senthic angles his ears forward, gazing curiously at Lasaia. You say, "I'd guess probably not. Something related to shadow manipulation magic does sound within the realm of possibility, though I'm not sure what the purpose would be in this case." Lasaia nods to Ahneya. You say, "I suppose there might be such a thing as shadow spiders, but I think most beings from the plane of electricity probably aren't much for hiding in darkness." Zalinyar says to you, "As always, I thoroughly enjoyed th meeting, and you do a wonderful job at presenting the visions and letting us puzzle through them." You smile at Zalinyar. You say to Zalinyar, "Thank you, and thank you for coming." Zalinyar smiles, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Ruea says, "Please excuse me, I have to go do something that will probably ruin my shoes if not my entire outfit." You chuckle.