Miskton/Logs/20231014 Visions

Event Name: Vision Meeting

Event Instance: Prime

Real Date: 2023-10-14

Game Date of Event: 447-01-05

Point of View: Miskton

You release the clasp on your astronomer's journal and open it. Ghust sits down on the comfortable chair. Voranos says, "The necro has moved on." Imroth waves. Ghust quietly asks, "Wait, there was a necro here??" You say, "Okay, with that, I think we can get started, since we've got a fair bit to go over this evening." Voranos leans over and scratches Imroth's back. Aislynn closes her eyes for a moment and grows still. Huebald nods to Voranos. Belzor quietly asks Navesi, "Necro? What is that?" Ezerak says to Ghust, "There always is." Voranos nods politely to Huebald. Navesi sighs. Ghust sighs. Navesi whispers something to Belzor. You say, "Thank you all for joining me here. A number of new visions to discuss, and I think it will be relevant to go over some previous ones as well." Gwenddolyn chuckles at Ezerak. You say, "We'll get to that shortly, though." Belzor blushes a bright red color. Ghust ponders. You say, "To start, perhaps we should go over one of the visions that seems to be related to that rather prominent object in the sky, the Nascent Unknown." Aislynn glances up at the sky. After a few moments she lowers her gaze. Gwenddolyn leans forward. You say, "It doesn't seem to have undergone any more major changes since entering orbit, but it does still appear to be aligning itself... and we may see something major happen once that is completed." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Gwenddolyn glances up at the sky. After a few moments she lowers her gaze. Aislynn winces. You say, "I walked along a city street, the smooth cobblestones even and worn, the streets lined with lights and trees. Storefront windows displayed fine foods, rich clothes, books from distant lands, and delectable desserts. I idly continued down the street and lurched suddenly, my foot landing on open air. I looked down in time to glimpse a perfect hole in the ground that I fell into, and falling, falling, there was only a coalescing whorl of pulsating dark blue light shedding expanding rings below. I fell, the pinprick of the city street receding above, and I fell, tumbling towards the unknown. I felt myself gaining in speed, and the bizarre entity below suddenly exploded, showering me in a beam of harsh light. I felt it watching, and the vision faded." Jessalyne glances outside a moment. Jessalyne glances up at the sky. After a few moments she lowers her gaze. Ghust frowns. You say, "Several points of note, there." Aislynn quietly says, "That half-implies it's a portal. If one were inclined to interpret visions literally." Navesi glances at Briaen. Ghust raises his hand. Huebald quietly says, "I think I liked it better when it was a painting." Gwenddolyn asks, "Watching?" Gwenddolyn says, "I felt it watching? interesting." Briaen peers quizzically at Navesi. You say, "I'm not sure exactly how to read falling into a hole toward it, but the portal idea does seem a possibility. The other major points that stand out are the exploding into a beam of light, and the sense of being watched." Belzor smiles. Navesi smiles at Briaen. Gwenddolyn says, "Like a moon beam." Ghust quietly asks, "Um, if ah may say somethin. Err ask. Is this item movin or stayin put?" You say, "It has been moving quite a bit." Ghust ponders. Otherion quietly says, "Everything is in motion." Novazijagais waggles his fingers mystically. Ooh...impressive. Ghust quietly asks, "Well, has anyone else notice that everything, besides that, has been a little TOO quiet?" Huebald ponders. Gwenddolyn says, "Its almost like it is monitoring elanthia." Novazijagais says, "Why should things be noisy." Novazijagais laughs! You say, "There have been a number of signs of some sort of intelligence behind its movements, and this sense of being watched by it is another. Though we still can't say it's clear whether or not the Unknown itself is doing so, or something inside it." Aislynn nods in agreement. Romere casually observes the area. Gwenddolyn asks, "Someone is spying?" Romere asks, "Do you all live in Shard?" Navesi shakes her head at Romere. Ghust quietly says, "No one in hidin." Gwenddolyn shakes her head at Romere. Novazijagais says, "Well, it at least feels like being watched." Navesi says to Romere, "Zoluren citizen." The black lynx suddenly pounces on Ghust snarling furiously! You say, "I certainly don't mind it being quiet, especially around this time of year... I wonder if we'll be hearing any reports out of Elamiri about how they fared with the Ride." Gwenddolyn says, "No I mean nascent unknown is spying on us all." Huebald says, "I'm curious about why it seems like it came from rather far away? Unless I've misunderstood how it got to be where it is." Otherion quietly says, "Spying implies subterfuge." Romere exclaims, "Theres a gathering in my home town! Im excited!" Gwenddolyn says, "Like it came to observe." Huebald beams at Romere! Romere grins ear-to-ear. Navesi says, "I doubt it is only here to observe." Novazijagais says, "Well if it itself didnt travel, then we traveled directly into its path somehow." You say to Huebald, "It seems to have come in from outside our solar system, which is a pretty long distance by most standards." Romere's jaw drops. Huebald nods to you. Aislynn quietly says, "It might be searching for signs of something. Or waiting for a signal, and locating an appropriate target in the meantime." Aislynn rolls her tail along the surface of the ground. Novazijagais says, "Waiting for constellations to align maybe." Novazijagais says, "Or planets." You say to Romere, "And yes, we have these meetings regularly. There's also a town hall on a regular basis that you might like to attend." Imroth nods. Ghust quietly says, "UGH." Ghust groans. Ghust stands up. Novazijagais says, "I still like the "its a portal to a prison for something outside of our plane" theory." Ghust quietly says, "Mental note. Dont point at th cats." Otherion leans on a midnight-black grimwood staff mounted with a cambrinth skull, which flashes with an ominous light. Aislynn begins chortling at Ghust. Huebald says to Novazijagais, "I don't. But mainly because it sounds unpleasant." Navesi says to Novazijagais, "Interesting one. Don't think I wrote that one down for the article." Huebald grins. You say, "I suppose one small bright side to the vision is that after being engulfed in the beam of light, I was still capable of the sensation of being watched." A snarling arena goblin puppet wearing a ragged leather vest asks, "is a big comet coming to kill us all?" Novazijagais says, "Its an older one." Novazijagais ponders. Novazijagais says, "There werent many of us at the meeting when it was offered up." You say, "Well, it's not a comet. I can't speak to the other part." Ghust quietly asks, "Why aint th' gods interfearing?" Novazijagais says, "It might just not concern them." Novazijagais shrugs. Ghust quietly asks, "OR, could it be one of them causin this item?" Belzor asks, "Is it perhaps The Thirteen that placed such an item in the skies to test our mettle?" Romere exclaims, "Ahha!" You say, "Threats for them to take direct action usually need to be... extremely large. And often have some metaphysical implications." Briaen says to Ghust, "Some lessons are ment to be taught. Some scars, ment to serve as reminders. Their interference or lack thereof is not for us to discern." Novazijagais says, "You would think they have tested our mettle plenty." Ghust nods to Briaen. Huebald nods at Briaen, obviously agreeing with his views. Novazijagais forces a grin and laughs nervously. Romere says, "I like to chop stuff up with me swords." Ghust ponders. Otherion quietly says, "Abduction..." Ghust quietly asks, "How long ago was it when th sky broke?" Novazijagais says, "If they plan on taking people they dont have to abduct me." Novazijagais laughs! Ghust quietly says, "Ahve heard it from others." Novazijagais says, "I want to see whatever it is." Novazijagais glances up at the sky. After a few moments he lowers his gaze. Romere casually observes the area. Aislynn quietly asks Ghust, "You mean the first time Hollow's Eve was hosted, when the stars fell?" You say, "There's another vision that... might be related. Or at least seems to be coming to a head at a similar time. But let me get a couple of others out of the way, first." Ghust ponders. You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Belzor ponders. Huebald quietly says to Novazijagais, "Maybe they'll be polite and ask for volunteers." Ghust quietly says to Aislynn, "Maybe. Th person was kinda vague." Romere exclaims, "I vonenteer!" You say, "First, perhaps, another vision of Zengmodaleth." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. You say, "My mouth filled with the taste of copper, and a strange buzzing filled the air. I found myself walking along a diffusely lit landscape amidst tall, thin pillars of a strange swaying metal. Lightning tore across the sky, erratically dancing between the pillars. A chirrup sounded ahead, and as I approached, I saw several custodians working around the base of a pillar, lancing screaming fire into the structure as smoldering drops of burning metal flowed downward. After a moment, a loud rending screech came from the pillar, and the custodians ceased their work and backed away as the pillar slowly tilted and fell, wobbling as it descended, bouncing off the ground several times as it rippled." You say, "A pinkish-green light billowed around me, and zigzagging tendrils of electricity raced along the pillars. The custodians pressed together and unfurled several appendages in readiness. The vision faded." Aislynn frowns. Huebald hums to himself. Novazijagais asks, "Is it... is it breaking?" You say, "I'm not sure how those pillars would exist natively in the Plane of Electricity, but one way or another it seems the custodians are harvesting them." Gwenddolyn says, "Is it out of control perhaps? Tearing a hole in the plane." Otherion quietly says, "Timber." Romere ducks his head. Novazijagais says, "That was my next question." You say, "And then that pinkish-green light was seen when the spider made of electricity was spotted by some familiars recently in Zengmodaleth." Imroth asks, "Unfurling appendages?" Gwenddolyn nods. Coethi quietly says, "I think they're cutting the pillar down." Gwenddolyn says, "I remember that." Aislynn quietly asks, "Spider?" Aislynn raises her head slightly, uttering a brief, inquiring trill. Navesi gets a parchment newsletter from inside her black coat. Aislynn clicks her claws together. You say to Imroth, "The custodians can extend electrical appendages from their form." Navesi offers Aislynn a parchment newsletter. Aislynn accepts Navesi's parchment newsletter. Huebald asks, "Why'd the pillar make noise before it fell?" Novazijagais asks, "Does our plane damage others in the same way they damage ours?" Aislynn nods to Navesi. Navesi says, "Lightning Spider, page 2." Gwenddolyn asks, "What if those spiders who weave are somehow infused with electricity?" Ghust quietly asks, "Okay this is gonna sound weird. What if.....th item is meant ta break before hittin us an somethin comes out of it?" You say, "Metal tearing under force can be extremely loud." Huebald nods to you. You say, "If the light is related to the spider, it would seem to indicate that it was not some sort of defense system within Zengmodaleth, but is actually an enemy of the custodians." Romere blinks. Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting thought." Huebald quietly says, "Hopin' that's all it was. And not somethin' in the pillar. Or that the pillar was screechin' because it felt pain." Aislynn chortles softly at some secret joke. Aislynn clicks her claws together. Novazijagais ponders the enemy of electricity Zalinyar says, "Maybe there's new rare metals to be mined there and the vision was showing us what it looks like." Gwenddolyn says, "Those pillars in ker leor have exploded before." Romere says, "I... am so confused." Aislynn quietly says, "Might be Harawep is building Herself another avatar." Aislynn hums happily to herself. Gwenddolyn says, "It caused some of the pathways in the ways to be rerouted." Navesi quietly asks Romere, "What's confusing?" You say to Romere, "To catch up on Zengmodaleth in general is a long story. I would recommend checking out older issues of the First Land Herald." Navesi nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "Oh aislynn has a great idea." Gwenddolyn says, "A new spider for he." Navesi says, "It's a long story. I can try to summarize if you like." Coethi quietly says, "Zengmodaleth is part of the plane of electricity." Aislynn quietly says, "Well. It's role in Hollow's Eve is secondary to its primary use, reworking the Web. But, yes." Aislynn nods to Gwenddolyn. Ghust quietly asks, "Didn that one gem guy die cause of that spider?" Navesi says, "Just familiars so far." Gwenddolyn says, "Yes." Gwenddolyn nods to Ghust. Zalinyar says, "And the witch too, but she didn't stay dead." Zalinyar shivers. Aislynn chuckles. Navesi says, "I think you are thinking of different spiders." Gwenddolyn says, "Along with lots of fine merchants." Aislynn nods at Gwenddolyn, obviously agreeing with her views. Ghust quietly says, "Oh th one who kills people she don like." Huebald nods to Navesi. Imroth ponders. Aislynn nudges her cobweb spider gently and it sits back on its hind legs. Bringing its delicate aeschelich burden forward, the arachnid turns the spidersilk-softened egg sac with cautious movements of its forelimbs. Angling its strangely reflective body, it dabs more spidersilk against the gemstone before settling back in its original position. Novazijagais ponders. You say, "This spider was large enough to be dangerous, but, ah, rather smaller than the Hollow Eve one." You say, "And made out of electricity, of course." Gwenddolyn says, "It could grow." Gwenddolyn nods to you. Imroth nods to you. Navesi patiently says, "The Zengmodaleth is another name for a portion of the Plane of Electricity. Some familiars recently encountered a lightning spider there, in an area too small for us to get to. The lightning spider tore apart the familiars but did no damage to any Kaldaroid beings." Huebald says, "I still wonder what would've happened if I could've fit down that shaft." Aislynn quietly says, "It could simply be guarding the path to the avatar itself. All spiders serve Harawep." Novazijagais asks, "But is it really a spider?" Romere says, "I know where to sell my gem and buy cigars, all O this talk is wazza wizinni moo choo woo wah wah giddi who." Navesi says, "I wrote about the encounter in the latest newsletter if anyone would like one. Page 2." Ghust quietly says, "Ah would." Navesi offers Ghust a parchment newsletter. Ghust accepts Navesi's parchment newsletter. Ghust quietly says, "Thanks." Navesi nods to Ghust. Novazijagais ponders. Ghust quietly says, "An ah know Shan is workin hard on somethin fer it." Imroth asks, "Are there any plans to revisit Zengmodaleth?" Navesi nods to Imroth. Ghust quietly asks, "Okay.....what if the item was meant ta throw us off from somethin else?" Navesi says, "Certainly, Sir Imroth." Novazijagais asks Ghust, "Which item?" Imroth nods to Navesi. Ghust quietly says, "Th one headin towards us." Navesi says, "Saragos and I are taking some family leave time, but others are still very interested. Tirost in particular talked about organizing more to do with the Zengmodaleth." Novazijagais blinks. Novazijagais says, "We have been discussing a different vision for a rois." Novazijagais chuckles. Ghust nods. Ghust quietly says, "Oh sorry." Ghust blushes a bright red color. You say, "It would seem to be quite a bit of effort for a distraction, if that's what it is." Ghust nods in agreement. You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. You say, "Let's see... The next vision was an awe inspiring sight, but I'm not quite sure what it means." You say, "I stood in a desert, silvery dunes stretching as far as I could see, the three moons brightly pouring down all around. A rippling line of tortured space surged in a wide circle around me, and a high keening built. Everything beyond the circle flickered, snapping between the sandy expanse and a field of stars. The flickering increased and snapped in place, and my eyes went wide at the vantage -- galaxies spiraled, stars ignited in glowing nebulae, spinning beacons kept perfect time across the eons, and ravenous voids pulled everything into their maws. Ethereal forms approached, whispering, warning, or guiding, but I could barely hear them. The stars, there were so many stars." You ask, "A gentle voice asked, "And here with us now, do you accept this?" You say, "I thought a moment, and in defiance replied, "No." You say, "The vision faded." Briaen ponders. Huebald ponders. Aislynn frowns. Novazijagais says, "Oh neat." Novazijagais says, "Like a time freezing circle." Novazijagais says, "Like if you stood in place and watched the eons unfold at super speed." Huebald quietly asks, "Sounds a bit like the sky in that other place, doesn't it?" You say, "I'm not sure what I was being asked to accept, or why I said no." Ghust quietly asks, "Have anyone else seen thses visions?" Novazijagais says to Ghust, "Yes." You say to Ghust, "A number of other moon mages will have." Gwenddolyn says, "Asking you if you accepted them being there." Huebald says, "But you did have to think about it, aye? That might be important." Ghust nods. Novazijagais asks, "Accepted the role of being all throughout time at once?" Romere blinks. Novazijagais asks, "So like maybe time magic?" Gwenddolyn says, "Stopping time." Gwenddolyn says, "To do something." Gwenddolyn says, "So nobody sees." Novazijagais says, "Or existing outside of it." Belzor smiles. Ghust quietly says, "Maybe its somethin tryin ta take over things an that question is will you accept it as a god." Romere exclaims, "Oh what are you sneaky bistards up to!" Aislynn quietly asks, "Are there any Moon Mage sects that originated in the desert?" Novazijagais says, "Because also, in a vision, we cant trust everything to be completely accurate." Romere exclaims, "Hawoom!" Gwenddolyn says, "Rippling line of tortured space surged in a wide circle around me, sounds like a prison." You chuckle at Novazijagais. Novazijagais says, "It could have been moving backwards in time." Imroth says, "Sounds sort of like the Starry Road." Imroth shrugs. Huebald asks, "Or maybe it was just a reflection of the way things are? 'Keepin' perfect time,' right?" Romere asks, "Is this the rebellion?" Novazijagais says, "So, if you were to stay in one spot. think about day night cycles." Ghust quietly asks, "Starry road.....thats where souls of those who die go?" Coethi cocks his head. Novazijagais says, "You would see alternating night sky and whatever the landscape is." Imroth nods to Ghust. Ghust frowns. Ghust slowly empties his lungs. You say, "As far as the passage of time, if anything it seemed to be things moving forward, but at a vastly accelerated pace." Novazijagais says, "And since the constellations and planets move you would see them traverse their whole route in mere moments." Gwenddolyn says, "The Hidasharon desert on m'riss, where the dunes of despair are." Novazijagais says, "Not almost stationary as we see them in real time." You say, "I suppose the "us" might have been the ethereal forms that I was seeing, but mostly not paying attention to." Huebald nods to you. Aislynn wryly says to Gwenddolyn, "Dunes of Despair? That's cheery." Huebald says, "Unless 'us' was the stars." Huebald ponders. Ghust quietly asks, "If ah wanted ta destroy somethin or take over or whatever, why would ah tell people what ah plan ta do?" Ghust quietly asks, "Why th visions?" Novazijagais says, "Thats not how visions work." Ghust peers quizzically at Novazijagais. Novazijagais says, "Its not like a slate message from a villain." You say, "Visions are generally not something that are prepared and put on for us like a play." Ghust quietly says, "Oh okay." Aislynn quietly says to Ghust, "Visions aren't villians laying out their plan. The plans are written in the Plane of Probability, and visions reveal bits of the Plane." Aislynn chuckles. Aislynn nods to Novazijagais. Novazijagais nods to Aislynn. Ghust nods. You say, "W're tapping into the Web of Fate, and our brains are trying to make sense of that vast information." Novazijagais says, "That." Imroth says, "You don't choose to create visions. Moon Mages can see glimpses of things yet to come." Novazijagais says, "And sometimes, theyre mumbo jumbo." Aislynn chuckles. Aislynn nods in agreement. Gwenddolyn says, "Visions are possibilities of fate that can happen, some do, most dont." Ghust quietly asks, "Is that why they see th visions instead of other guilds?" Navesi says, "Or metaphorical." Novazijagais says, "But thats the point of these meetings." Romere gasps! You say, "Though, occasionally beings native to the Plane of Probability can send us messages through them." Navesi says, "Not the one about the colossus though." Navesi smirks. Huebald grins at Navesi. Huebald exclaims to Navesi, "He was so hopeful about that too!" Novazijagais says, "Because different minds will interpret things differently." Navesi chuckles. You say to Ghust, "Yes, you need a connection to the Plane of Probability to see these visions." Navesi says, "If only." Coethi says, "It's metaphorical except when it's literal." Ghust nods. Gwenddolyn says, "He couldve destroyed crossings if he had not been prevented from doing so." Gwenddolyn nods to Navesi. Ghust ponders. Huebald nods to Coethi. You say, "Clerics are sometimes given visions by the Immortals, but those really are sent as intentional messages." Gwenddolyn says, "Paladins do to." Gwenddolyn nods. Novazijagais says, "So i could divine visions all year, but unless i meet up with Miskton or any other moonmage and discuss, my vision would be clouded with the lens of personal perception." Imroth chuckles. Novazijagais says, "And no one wants me to doomsay over gweth constantly." You nod to Novazijagais. Novazijagais laughs! Imroth says, "Still clouded." You chuckle. Briaen says to you, "Clerics are not alone in this experience." Ghust quietly says, "So, basically. right now its a conundrum." Imroth says, "But many minds are better than one." Novazijagais nods to Imroth. You nod to Briaen. Gwenddolyn says, "We are sitting ducks who are waiting to find out." Gwenddolyn chortles softly at some secret joke. Novazijagais says to Imroth, "We may never achieve true sight, but every gap covered by someone elses partial sight brings us ever closer to the truth." Ghust quietly says, "An thats when we make sure we are ready for anythin." Imroth nods to Novazijagais. Navesi nods to Novazijagais. You say, "I think in the interests of time, we need to move on, because there's a number of older visions I'll have to recount shortly." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Ghust nods. Novazijagais scratches his head. Romere exclaims, "I still have no iedea what any of you are talking about!" Ghust mutters to himself. Aislynn grins at Romere. Aislynn pats Romere on the back. You say, "The remaining two new visions very much appear to be related. And one of them might be related to the Nascent Unknown, which would mean they both are. Or it could just be a coincidence of timing, two things coming to a head at once..." Gwenddolyn ponders. You say, "So, for the first of the two visions, let me first go over a vision from the last meeting, as this one seems to be a continuation." Navesi gazes thoughtfully at you. Gwenddolyn leans forward. You say, "My senses blurred with mathematical exaction and logical weight, recursive parameters derived beneath the cold light of sharp-edged, crystalline flowers blossoming with the frozen light of long-dead stellar whispers. I would not forget the echoes -- the immutable wisdom of the ages -- as I sprinted along plinth and valley, grasping the impact of ancient collapse, swinging myself with a breathless abandon. The cold wind burned my back, and I spotted my target: one of the shining blight, one of the unbound, with fate-spun armor and starfire in hand, he cautiously but blithely walked our lands. The land rushed by, for I was unstoppable and full of malicious purpose, and in a blur of corrective rage, I tasted his foreign blood, the pollutant upon my land, and the vision faded." Ghust quietly says to Romere, "Basically ah think its somethin tryin ta warn us of somethin bad is gonna happen." You say, "My sense on that one was still some being from the Plane of Probability, and anger at either moon mages or traders." Ezerak shakes Saragos's hand. Briaen nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views. Gwenddolyn says, "Moon mages about trader magic." You say, "However, now, as the Nascent Unknown above us moves into position, I have seen this new vision..." You say, "My senses blurred with topological formulae and codified fury, branching probabilistic variables shaped in the cold light of tessellated crystalline prisms. I heard them, the interlopers, the unbound, sinking deeper into this domain, undeterred by the pruning of their predecessors, emboldened by their tools, crafts, and defilement. I coursed along their constructs, the open wound and razed domains, feeling my form wither and die in the vile light." You say, "Two arms, two legs, a head, hands. A name." You say, "I stood before a simple building, peered in the window, and saw a room full of Humans talking to one another. I wore a smile, the performance ready, and knocked on the door, hearing the conversation fall silent. I waited a moment, and knocked again. The vision faded." You say, "And before we go too far into that one... I should tell you the other vision." Aislynn ponders. Huebald frowns. You say, "Possibly the culmination of the visions taking place in the bar." You say, "I found myself in a dark room at a large bar, watching as the bartender handed two mugs of steaming coffee to a confused Human. I watched as the Human approached an overworked barmaid and offered one of the mugs. Taking a seat, the two began a conversation, finding comfort in one another." Gwenddolyn says, "Sounds like a description of the collossas." You say, "The bartender approached me and said, "That'll about do it. The rest is up to you." Romere sings in a tenor voice: "He is sharing Secret knowlege" You say, ""What is?" I asked in confusion." You say, ""What comes next," the bartender replied. "It depends on what you've learned." You say, "Suddenly, a knock came at the tavern door, and the general conversation fell silent. Everyone stared at me, a room full of my faces, watching me expectantly. I looked at the door, and the knocking repeated. The vision faded." Belzor smiles. Aislynn quietly says, "Hmmm." Aislynn nods. Novazijagais asks you, "Fate spun armor might be Tezerite fate manipulation? no?" Novazijagais says, "Ope, sorry." Gwenddolyn says, "Seems like fate giving variations based on your actions after you learned something." You say, "So. The bar suddenly became a less cozy place." You grin wryly. Gwenddolyn asks, "What have you learned?" Huebald quietly exclaims, "I was worried it would end up like that. And before we learned about the barmaid's sister!" Gwenddolyn grins at you, her dimples flashing into view. Imroth says, "I like the multi-perspective visions." Aislynn grins at Huebald. Ghust blanches. Ghust quietly says, "Ah need ta turn mah gweth off." Gwenddolyn says, "So the outcome is changeable." Coethi stands up. Romere says, "Just dont look." You say, "Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure what I've learned." Gwenddolyn grins at you, her dimples flashing into view. Gwenddolyn says, "Choose wisely." Romere grins at you. Zalinyar says, "Perhaps the knowledge is yet to be found." You ask, "I suppose it's possible that the previous versions of "me" might also not have really been "me", though. Are these beings from the Plane of Probability coming through and learning something about becoming mortal?" Romere says, "Heart of a bard." Ghust quietly says, "What if maybe you are supposed to put these visions in order and the people are giving you a choice." You say, "But, as mentioned, let me go over the previous visions in that chain." Gwenddolyn says, "Maybe that is what they are watching us for." You say, "First..." Gwenddolyn nods to you. You say, "I found myself seated in a dark room at a large bar. The back wall was lined with neatly arrayed bottles of various colors -- caramel toned whiskeys, dark rums, clear vodkas, milky unfiltered zuoganaas and countless others. A warmly smiling Human man stood on the other side of the bar and said, "I know just the thing." You say, "The man grabbed a tumbler and peeled an orange, twisting a strip of rind before dropping it in. Adding a pinch of sugar and dash of bitters, the man muddled the mixture and poured a generous portion of whiskey. I heard an eruption of laughter, and the man grinned and nodded to someone behind me. The man placed a large pyramid of ice into the glass, gently stirring before sliding the drink toward me." You say, "The man said "We don't always remember, but this will help you return." You say, "I looked into the glass, watching the pyramid of ice slowly cracking, swirling fluids mixing and twinkling, and the room grew distant as the vision faded." You say, "Then a fair bit of time passed, before these more recent visions that came in relatively rapid succession." Gwenddolyn says, "So something is melting like the ice." You say, "I found myself in a dark room at a large bar, watching as the bartender mixed a drink and said something softly to a confused-looking Human. At the far end of the room, a minstrel tuned a lute while chatting with several patrons. One of the strings snapped, and she pantomimed a dramatic death, eliciting a burst of laughter from several patrons. Popping up, she held an empty glass aloft, waving it in the direction of the bar, and began restringing the instrument while beginning a new story." You say, "The bartender slid the finished drink to the Human, proffered quiet parting words, and approached me from around the bar, carrying two glasses of wine." Gwenddolyn says, "Perhaps a plane will become damaged." You say, ""I told you, didn't I?" he said, handing me the two glasses. "Bring this over to her. And this one's for you, it'll help put you in a listening mood." You say, "I looked down at the beverages, an intoxicating aroma of rich chocolate and sharp cherries tickling my senses as the room grew distant, and then the vision faded." Ghust quietly says, "Still sounds like somethin that needs ta be put in order." You say to Ghust, "They each start out showing the events of the previous vision." You turn a page in your astronomer's journal. Ghust nods. You say, "The next one..." You say, "I found myself in a dark room at a large bar, watching as the bartender handed two glasses of wine to a surprised-looking Human. I watched as the Human carried the two glasses over and handed one to a smiling minstrel who was restringing a lute, who graciously accepted. The two began an animated conversation, the lute set aside." You say, "The bartender approached me and handed me two cigars and nodded to a nearby table where a drunkard drained his cup. Scowling, the man caught my eye and said, "Hated the music and the jokes. Can't drink in peace." Ghust quietly says, "So you take them an up them all together, but only th important parts." You say, "I approached the drunkard's table and offered a cigar. The man scrutinized me for a moment and accepted, nodding to the empty chair. Taking the seat, I lit my cigar on the table's candle and inhaled the sharp aroma of spice, exhaling a plume of smoke that twirled and billowed into the rafters, and the room grew distant as the vision faded." Huebald quietly says, "Oh! 'surprised,' not 'confused' at that one." You say, "And then the next one, the previous one to the current one..." You say, "I found myself in a dark room at a large bar, watching as the bartender handed two cigars to a confused Human. I watched as the Human approached a surly drunkard and offered one of the cigars. Taking a seat, the two began an amicable conversation as the sharply aromatic smoke slowly surrounded them." You say, "The bartender approached me and handed me two steaming mugs of coffee and nodded to an overworked barmaid taking a break in the corner. The woman looked up as I approached and smiled slightly, reaching for the coffee and after a gentle clink of earthenware sipped deeply, releasing an exaggerated "Ahhhh" and offering me a wink." Aislynn quietly says, "So many humans." Aislynn ponders. Ghust quietly asks, "Why are these all seem ta happen at bars?" You say, ""My sister's hunting," she said, "I always wait up for her to return." You say, "I sat next to her, gulped the plain coffee, a bit surprised at how strongly it was brewed, feeling its energy suffuse my limbs. As I began to ask about her sister, the room grew distant as the vision faded." Huebald quietly says to Aislynn, "He's told me it's because he's a human when I asked before." Belzor glances at Aislynn. Belzor glances at Huebald. Aislynn quietly says, "Ahh." Aislynn nods to Huebald. Aislynn ponders. You say, "I think it likely other seers experienced something slightly different." Novazijagais nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "So its told from all of the different points of view from everyone in the bar." Belzor ponders. Ghust nods. Ghust ponders. You nod. Otherion quietly says, "Bar the door." Gwenddolyn says, "Dont go to the bar." Gwenddolyn chuckles. Aislynn quietly asks, "Wasn't there a vision where the table burned down, too?" Huebald asks, "But then at the very end, they're all wearing your face?" Aislynn quietly asks, "Did I miss that one?" Ghust quietly says, "What if you took all the different visions from everyone else and fin th common denimorter." You ponder. Ghust quietly says, "Sorry ah cant pronouce that word." Novazijagais says to Ghust, "Well in that series, take out the word human." Ghust nods. Novazijagais says, "Everything else is the common denominator." You say to Huebald, "Each time I was seeing the last instance of "myself" at the start. The other people seemed to be, well, other people. But may have left by the end." Huebald nods to you. Gwenddolyn says, "No clues as to items in the bar, as to what bar this seems to be." Huebald says to you, "I thought I heard in the newest one that once there was a knock on the door, you realised everyone had your face." Ghust blanches. Ghust quietly says, "Thats jus creepy." You say to Huebald, "Yes. Probably because a new version of me entered with every vision." Gwenddolyn asks, "They are observing us so they can duplicate us?" Huebald ponders. Huebald asks, "That don't explain the barmaid turnin' into you exactly, though?" Gwenddolyn says, "Kind of." Aislynn quietly says, "That's Ocular talk." Romere yells, "I love Loonie Moonies!" Aislynn shudders. Gwenddolyn says, "Like the mimic critters." Ghust quietly asks, "Why would the wanna dup....dop....dup li cate us?" Navesi quietly says to Aislynn, "Don't bring that curse onto us." Aislynn makes a grunting noise. Aislynn quietly says, "Can't fight them if we don't remember what they're capable of." You say, "The room being full of my face didn't necessarily mean absolutely everyone was me, but there were enough of me to be very noticeable, at least." Ghust mutters something into the air about stupid common. Gwenddolyn says, "I would not want to drink anything while in that bar." You say, "Anyway, as I was trying to get to... The theme running across all of the visions appears to have been various forms of breaking the ice moving into friendly conversation." Novazijagais says, "So what if its actually related to the one of the thing hunting the fate shielded armor thing." Huebald blinks. Imroth ponders. Navesi says, "And drinks fixing things." Aislynn chuckles. Gwenddolyn chuckles at Navesi. Aislynn quietly says, "Drinks do fix many things." Novazijagais says, "What if its about..." Ezerak chuckles. Aislynn nods to Navesi. Huebald quietly says, "'Breakin' the ice.' Like the pyramid at the first." Huebald chuckles. Ghust quietly asks, "Do you ever drink the drinks?" Novazijagais quietly says, "Teleologic sorcery." Huebald says, "That'n's literal and a metaphor." Gwenddolyn says, "A new kind of posion, infused in ice." Gwenddolyn shudders. Ghust quietly asks, "A new poison?" You say, "I suppose it could be considered by some roundabout way to be binding these beings from the Plane of Probability, which could potentially involve sorcery if so." Gwenddolyn nods to you. Aislynn quietly asks Gwenddolyn, "Needn't be new. Remember Misdilev?" Gwenddolyn says, "Poison isnt good no matter what kind." Novazijagais says, "But what if all the "you"s are just well, probability." Gwenddolyn says, "Perhaps one an empath cannot flush." Novazijagais says, "And the bartender is someone "fixing" fate." Novazijagais says, "Since the bartender seems to be the source of every solution." Aislynn quietly says, "He certainly seems to be trying to turn a bad night into a good one." Ghust nods in agreement. Novazijagais says, "Not fixing like repairing." Gwenddolyn says, "Here drink this stuff with cherries in it." Novazijagais says, "Fixing like betting." Gwenddolyn chuckles. Saragos leans on Navesi. Navesi gently kisses Saragos on the cheek. Imroth asks, "What does "We don't always remember, but this will help you return." mean?" Ghust quietly asks, "What if, maybe, th simple way is what we are supposed ta look fer?" Huebald nods to Imroth. Huebald says to Imroth, "I was just thinkin' about that." Gwenddolyn says, "It seems like it will transport them there and back since they wont know to come back or how." You say, "Well, if some beings suddenly appear out of the Nascent Unknown, perhaps we should invite them to have a drink before resorting to combat." You grin. Gwenddolyn laughs! Imroth chuckles. Gwenddolyn says, "Hand them a cigar." Novazijagais says, "I think we all know thats not likely." Coethi just arrived. Novazijagais laughs! Coethi takes a seat. Otherion says to you, "The entity at the door clearly meant harm to those within." Navesi raises an eyebrow. Imroth asks, "Did it?" Gwenddolyn says, "Fate knocking." Imroth glances at Otherion. You ask Otherion, "Very likely. But what if all the versions of me from previous visions were the same?" Gwenddolyn says, "Not opportunity." Huebald asks, "Surely he didn't mean 'return to the bar for the rest of the visions' so you learn somethin'?" Aislynn quietly says, "Perhaps the entity at the door can be induced to help keep the night positive like everyone else at the bar." Ghust quietly says, "But what if its tyin ta get you to choose a door, not look at all of em." Novazijagais says, "Like fate knocking down the door to get the bartender for messing with fate in his fate-proof armor." Novazijagais nods. Novazijagais chuckles. Belzor smiles. Belzor glances at a russet lynx. Belzor pets his russet lynx. Gwenddolyn says, "I would love to forge armor that can defy fate." Ghust nods in agreement. Huebald asks, "Or you're supposed to take the bartender's role for the fella at the door and keep things calm?" Ghust closes his eyes for a moment and grows still. Novazijagais says, "Its not forged." Aislynn nods to Huebald. Novazijagais says, "But there are some who can defy fate for a short time." Novazijagais says, "But it always catches up." Gwenddolyn glances outside a moment. Novazijagais ponders. You say, "And that covers the visions I had to discuss tonight. If anybody can think of any other potential lessons to learn from those visions in the bar, I'd be interested in hearing them at any time." Novazijagais glances outside a moment. Ghust quietly says, "Nope, ahm stumped." Novazijagais quietly says to himself, "Ope youre gonna be late." You ask, "Does anybody have any other questions, or topics to raise?" Novazijagais says to you, "Miskton, It was good to see you as always, I must be off." You nod politely. Ezerak says to you, "Thank you for hosting. Lady Ayrell sends her regrets, she is away on business." You smile at Ezerak. Huebald asks, "Anythin' more about the woman in the big hat?" Gwenddolyn says, "Thanks for sharing those visions, makes it easier to see how the bar visions are related." Imroth says, "My mind heard a desperate voice calling, "Hold it back!" when rubbing soulstone." Navesi chuckles. Zalinyar says, "Thank you for hosting." Ghust nods in agreement. You say to Huebald, "Not right now, at least." Huebald nods to you. Huebald says, "That's probably for the best." Gwenddolyn waves to you. You say, "Thank you all for coming! I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the Unknown, as well as any further movements in the Web of Fate." Navesi glances up at the sky. After a few moments she lowers her gaze. You carefully mark your place and close your astronomer's journal, securing the clasp.