Nefis/Logs/20200812 Post-Dissection Debrief

>look
[Gorbesh Fortress, Firepit]
Two iron rods ending in hooks are planted in the ground next to a sooty bowl-shaped depression. Judging from the trail of colorful splats and splotches on the ground leading west to the mess hall, this is where the Gorbesh prepared their food. You also see a low beechwood cart with several things on it.
Obvious paths: north, east, southeast, south, west.

Researcher Eyst just arrived.

Eyst pulls down the hood of his cloak.

You nod to Eyst.

Eyst nods politely to you.

You say, "Good evening."

Eyst gives you a studious look, as if committing you to memory.

Eyst asks, "Evening.. doing well?"

You chuckle.

You say, "I believe so..."

Eyst gets a fat orange book with clouds painted on the cover from inside his tinker's pack.

Eyst unlatches and opens his orange book.

Eyst reads his orange book.

Eyst closes his orange book, hooking back the latch.

(Nefis touches various points on his chest, examines his hands, and rubs his eyes, doing a thorough self-inventory.)

Eyst says, "It's good you're well. I'll be honest and say I half expected you to be growing scales the next time we met."

You say, "Hopefully some more people show up. I've made some assertions about what happened, and I'd like to share them."

You nod to Eyst.

You say, "I honestly don't know what to expect."

You ask, "How is your record of the dissection? Worth presentation?"

Eyst says, "Ah, speaking about what happened. These are my notes and the account of it all as best I could describe."

Eyst offers you a fat orange book with clouds painted on the cover. Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it. The offer will expire in 30 seconds.

You say, "I'm afraid a lot of what happened from my point of view...was more in my mind than anything else."

You accept Eyst's offer and are now holding a fat orange book with clouds painted on the cover.

You unlatch and open your orange book.

You read page 1 of your orange book...

Written in ink are the words "Vessel Dissection Notes"

Eyst says, "I imagine. I expect the last portion of the account will be the most interesting for you."

(Nefis skims the first page and then flips through it, noticing the detail.)

You ask, "May I keep this? Or is this the original?"

Eyst nods.

Eyst says, "Of course. I created that and a personal copy."

You say, "I have a few more blanks books if you need them for transcribing."

You bob a brief, respectful bow towards Eyst.

You close your orange book, hooking back the latch.

You put your book in your leather sidebag.

Unliving Truth Totenus just arrived.

Eyst nods politely to Totenus.

Totenus nods to Eyst.

You ask, "I wonder...perhaps we could call an Empath to test some things?"

Magistra Avareyna just arrived.

Avareyna curtsies to you.

You bob a brief, respectful bow towards Avareyna.

Eyst says, "If you believe them trustworthy."

You say, "I would be interested to se if they can sense a change in me."

You ponder.

You say, "Though they wouldn't be able to touch me."

Avareyna raises an eyebrow.

You say, "Perhaps a moon mage as well to look at my place on the web of fate."

Avareyna euphorically asks, "Who sis they?"

Eyst says, "It may be interesting. Though it's a good point that at least the empaths senses were already likely to be overwhelmed."

You say, "I think I have an empath coming."

You say, "And perhaps a moon mage."

You say, "Yes, Moon mage and Empath coming."

You say, "As you all know...I have been barred from...the location for this dissection. The proprietor did not appreciate what happened."

Totenus chuckles at you!

You say, "I do not yet know how I will proceed with further studies."

Totenus asks, "I mean... do you think they would?"

You look at Totenus and shrug.

Eyst says, "I don't believe any of us expected what happened."

You say, "I do not think the results were as...impactful as they may have appeared."

Avareyna euphorically says, "It was... remarkable."

You nod to Avareyna.

Avareyna euphorically asks you, "No voices?"

You say, "Thats not how they communicate."

The faces on your scarf pause their chaotic motion to mouth the word "Unity" in unison.

Avareyna euphorically says to you, "Not gonna lie, I expectd you to be a little less coherent by now."

You say, "Its worth noting that Maelshyve is the only demon that I know of to communicate via words."

Painforged Melindrha just arrived.

Melindrha smiles.

You smile at Melindrha.

You say, "Welcome."

Melindrha says, "Thank you for the invitation."

Eyst pulls the hood of his cloak up.

You say, "We are just awaiting the moon mage now."

Avareyna pulls the hood of her longcoat up.

Melindrha nods.

You say to Melindrha, "During our conversation before, you seemed less concerned with the societal impacts of research, so I thought I might seek your input on this."

Melindrha laughs!

You scratch distractedly at your stubble.

You say, "I guess I should say, the personal societal impact."

Melindrha says, "I do not give much for the opinion of the nosy neighbors that we all seem to end up with."

You nod to Melindrha.

You glance up at the sky.

You say, "At least the weather is good this time. It was poring rain for our last discussion here."

Melindrha says to Avareyna, "It takes a lot more than bits being destroyed for me to be shocked."

You say to Melindrha, "To summarize, I performed a dissection, if you call it that, on on a maelshyvean vessel. She was quite alive as I took partsd."

Melindrha ponders.

Avareyna scratches her head.

Melindrha says, "Questions now or after? Cause I now have some."

You say, "These others were observers and took notes. Their experience was significantly different than mine, I'd say."

Melindrha nods.

You say, "Please wait...I'm hoping the moon mage shows up soon."

Melindrha grins.

Avareyna euphorically says to Melindrha, "It was spectacular."

You hear the voice of Lagu say, "Good timing."

Melindrha says, "I like to ask before I start."

Melindrha grins at Lagu.

You say, "Speak of the devil."

You chuckle at Lagu.

Lagu says, "Sorry I'm late. It was a rough Walk."

You say to Lagu, "As I just said to Melindrha here, to summarize, I performed a dissection, if you call it that, on on a maelshyvean vessel. She was quite alive as I took parts."

Melindrha asks Lagu, "Shall I, or would you like to hold the wounds?"

Lagu says to Melindrha, "I'm saving them. Thank you for asking, however."

Lagu nods to you.

Lagu cocks his head at you.

Melindrha nods.

(Avareyna makes knife jabs in the air.)

You say, "My intent was to use the vessel as an example of Profane corruption in which to compare the differences from normal elanthians."

Lagu says to you, "I hadn't expected the word "she" to enter into it, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."

You chuckle at Lagu.

You say, "She began as female and kept the general form of a human woman."

Lagu frowns thoughtfully, nodding slowly.

You say, "I had 4 things I wanted to determine. I believe I failed in all of them."

You say, "Unfortunately, it ended less scientific than it began."

You say, "I think I spoiled that by not waiting for the handlers to keep her pinned before starting."

Melindrha winces.

You say, "It was difficult to study. And though I was able to collect some parts that may elicit some more information, I am unsure yet."

You ask Eyst, "Do you still have the specimens?"

Lagu says to you, "I suppose I had imagined more of a DISsection and less of a VIVIsection."

Melindrha nods to Lagu.

Eyst nods to you.

You nod.

Eyst asks, "Did you want to show them?"

You ponder.

You say, "If you have them, perhaps."

Eyst gets a mahogany seaman's chest from inside his tinker's pack.

Totenus says to you, "It seems you might of taken the Vessels place."

Eyst opens his seaman's chest.

You chuckle at Totenus.

Eyst offers you a mahogany seaman's chest. Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it. The offer will expire in 30 seconds.

You say to Totenus, "I will get to that."

You accept Eyst's offer and are now holding a mahogany seaman's chest.

Avareyna euphorically asks Totenus, "When's our turn to dissect?"

You say, "In the vials are specimens taken from the living vessel."

Melindrha grins.

Totenus chuckles at Avareyna.

You offer your seaman's chest to Melindrha, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer. Type CANCEL to prematurely cancel the offer.

Melindrha has accepted your offer and is now holding a mahogany seaman's chest.

You say, "If you'd like to take a look."

Melindrha rummages through a mahogany seaman's chest with a frantic look of loss.

You ask, "Any questions up to this point?"

Melindrha gets an alchemist's glass beaker marked with white lines from inside her seaman's chest.

You glance at Melindrha, a female Halfling.

Melindrha says, "Oh yes."

Melindrha asks, "With a person, destruction of specific parts results in death. Was it the same here?"

You say, "Some of the vials are empty as we were unable to finish."

Melindrha puts her beaker in her seaman's chest.

Melindrha nods.

Eyst says, "Good specimens to have, though certainly can replace having seen the living thing."

You say, "Those samples did not lead to her death."

Eyst says, "Rather can't."

Lagu says to you, "One that may be irrelevant, impertinent, or both. I'm not sure. This is not my field of expertise."

Melindrha gets a small vial labeled "Vessel Hair" from inside her seaman's chest.

Lagu asks you, "What is, or was, the name of the vessel? Is that known?"

(Melindrha tilts the vial from side to side, watching bits move)

You say to Lagu, "I asked you to come for another point of view and ultimately your connection to Fate. I know how your kind sees our place in the web."

Melindrha puts her vial in her seaman's chest.

You shake your head at Lagu.

Melindrha gets a small vial labeled "Vessel Fang" from inside her seaman's chest.

Lagu says to you, "You may find my views are not representative of my fellows' apparent consensus."

You say, "She did not say. Though at one point she did plead for her life...though I believe that was feigned to attempt to prey on our compassion."

Melindrha puts her vial in her seaman's chest.

Lagu nods to you.

Melindrha snorts, loudly.

Melindrha grins.

Melindrha offers you a mahogany seaman's chest. Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it. The offer will expire in 30 seconds.

You accept Melindrha's offer and are now holding a mahogany seaman's chest.

Melindrha asks, "Was the internal structure of the bones and joints, blood vessels, organs, etc consistent with that of what she had been before?"

You ask Lagu, "Did you wish to examine the parts?"

You nod to Melindrha.

Melindrha ponders.

Lagu says to you, "No, thank you. I wouldn't know what to look for. I am no anatomist."

You say to Melindrha, "For the most part. I was using a human chart to make comparison."

Melindrha nods.

Melindrha says to you, "They're a handy starting ground."

You say, "I did not notice significant differences except in the case of claws, fangs, scales, abnormal protrusions from the head."

Melindrha nods.

You say, "The blood was also different, it became corrosive and more bluish in color."

Eyst nods.

You say, "Eyst and Avareyna were taking notes and observations."

You say, "They may be able to to answer more in depth questions as well."

Lagu asks you, "Became -- as part of the transformation into a vessel, or during the experimental process?"

Eyst says, "I assume some less obvious but still important change must have taken place to the majority of her systems to handle her corrosive blood."

Melindrha asks, "Was there any de-evolution as the cuts were made? As in shattering her connection caused reverting to a previous state?"

Eyst ponders.

Eyst says, "Her demeanor was rather erratic. If you mean did she become less coherent then maybe in some ways at some times."

Melindrha says, "Pain causes many to lose coherency."

Melindrha shrugs.

Melindrha says, "More of a scales changed back into skin type of deal."

Lagu nods to Melindrha.

Lagu says to Eyst, "Or any ontologic, rather than psychologic, incoherence."

Eyst says, "Ah, no. Physically nothing changed until.."

Eyst glances at you.

Eyst leans over and whispers, "Do they need to know about the end?"

You whisper to Eyst, "I will discuss that part in a moment. It is ultimately why I brought them here"

Totenus says, "She seemed very coherent until she desolved into a puddle and entered into Nefis."

Melindrha ponders.

You say to Melindrha, "Near the end of it, it appeared to be more painful...she even attempted to call on Maelshyve."

Lagu strokes his beard in thoughtful contemplation.

Melindrha grins at Lagu.

Melindrha says, "Right now, I want a beard to do the same."

Lagu says to Melindrha, "You're the empath. This is Ilithi."

Lagu winks at Melindrha.

Melindrha smirks.

Melindrha says, "Can't change myself. Yet."

You say, "After all that...I admit one of my hypotheses was to see if other demons could use her to connect here."

Melindrha nods to you.

Lagu nods to you.

Lagu says to you, "Not an unreasonable one."

You say, "I am still unsure what exactly happened...but we have certain...methods for calling on Them."

Melindrha says, "Hell, I'm thinking there needs to be another go around and I want to be there."

You say, "I used one of these...and thats when it got interesting."

Lagu ponders.

Melindrha raises an eyebrow.

You shake your head at Melindrha.

You say, "You likely do not."

You say, "I am no longer allowed in the laboratory where it was performed."

Melindrha says, "Ahh."

You ponder.

Lagu asks you, "Deemed too reckless?"

Lagu cocks his head at you.

You nod to Lagu.

Lagu winces.

Totenus chuckles.

You say, "This is fringe research...even amongst my peers."

Totenus says, "More it brought the attention of them to the area."

Lagu says, "Apologies to those present, but that seems like it would take... quite a bit of doing."

Eyst nods in agreement.

Totenus says, "Which most of our halls are hidden from but one."

Lagu nods to Totenus.

You feel something crawl inside you, and for a moment think you see a ridged spine moving subcutaneously beneath the surface of one arm. Its movement is abrupt, as it crawls up your wrist, to the back of one hand. In a moment, it appears to dart beneath the surface of your skin, disappearing.

The sensation of hot breath plays along your neck. You feel a hand gently press against your chest. For a moment, you find yourself considering the face of your wife. With sudden realization, you find that your recollection is somehow incomplete -- and yet with features you had not remembered her to have.

You recall the first star igniting, and find yourself unnervingly able to recall her features, as all faces blend together, eye merging with cheek with nose with ear with jaw with tooth with flesh and flesh and flesh and...

The sensation of movement beneath your flesh spreads, creeping to your face. Thousands of prickling sensations ripple behind your eyes, seeking to take them. Abruptly, the formication fades, leaving you unnerved, with the consideration that you are not alone in your body.

Eyst says, "If any prior research could have predicted the results then they are certainly not widely available."

Totenus raises an eyebrow in your direction.

Melindrha asks, "As this is fringe, would the research be found anywhere other than coded personal notes?"

Totenus asks you, "You doing okay over there?"

You feel a bit weak in the knees and find yourself wobbling.

Lagu asks, "I understand this is a matter of some disagreement, even contentious disagreement, among you. I take it this was performed somewhere where open dealings with the Others are frowned upon?"

Melindrha glances at you.

Totenus gives you a studious look, as if committing you to memory.

Lagu slowly says, "This may be a bad idea, but here goes."

Totenus frowns.

You say to Melindrha, "This is why I asked you to come."

Lagu gazes at you intently, clearly scrutinizing your aura.

You say to Lagu, "And you."

You ask, "Am I different now?"

Lagu says to you, "I sense nothing unusual."

You ask, "To you?"

Melindrha closes her eyes for a moment and grows still.

Lagu says to you, "Arcane magic and Gauge Flow. That's all."

You nod.

Melindrha says, "May I touch you? Sometimes I get bits."

You frown at Melindrha.

You say, "That may be bad for you."

Totenus nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

(Melindrha blinks rapidly, then snorts)

Totenus says, "It might be smart to compare your blood."

Melindrha says, "Look at where I am and with whom."

You frown.

Totenus says, "To say me."

You say to Melindrha, "You do not understand."

Avareyna nods at Totenus, obviously agreeing with his views.

Melindrha folds her arms across her chest.

You say, "I know something has changed."

You say, "I can put it into words, but..."

Melindrha says, "Then I repeat my request for permission to touch you."

Melindrha says, "If something happens cause I'm dumb, that's on me."

You take in a great breath of air.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Totenus says, "He is saying it might spread to you."

Eyst nods in agreement.

Totenus says, "If you try such a thing."

Avareyna euphorically asks, "Thinks it's contagious?"

You chuckle.

Melindrha asks, "Silly question, but have you tried a death since?"

Eyst says to you, "We do need to be complete in our research."

Nefis relishes in the comforting feeling of seeing Them.

Nefis knows he is close...closer than he has ever been.

You say, "To put it in express words..."

You take a moment to look for everybody in the area and see Fatalist Lagu who is sitting, Painforged Melindrha who is surrounded by multicolored cloud of glitter, Magistra Avareyna, Unliving Truth Totenus who is sitting and Researcher Eyst.

You say, "I believe I have made a formal pact."

Melindrha says, "Interesting."

You say, "What that means is anyone's guess."

Eyst asks, "With.. Her?"

You think to yourself, "and now, We are One"

Totenus says, "The major issue might be, empaths are very close to our kind in terms of how our magic works. There might be a chance for whatever this is to transfer to an empath via magic, blood, or ways we dont know."

Avareyna euphorically asks you, "During your vision?"

Melindrha grins at Totenus.

Lagu slowly says, "Pact may not be the appropriate word. The one that comes to mind..."

Lagu glances at you.

Lagu says, "...is 'binding'."

You say to Avareyna, "I was made an offer...I accepted it."

Lagu says, "Ah. Pact, then."

Lagu nods.

Melindrha says, "I will hold til the end of my days that our guilds were the same back in the days of the Empire."

You look at Melindrha and shrug.

You say, "We get glimpes of the ancient past...ephemeral, unfocused."

The faces on your scarf pause their chaotic motion to mouth the word "Oneness" in unison.

Melindrha says, "There was forbidden knowledge of which we have whispers of notes scratched in the back of partially burned books recited from memory. Knowledge the Empaths destroyed."

Totenus nods at Melindrha, obviously agreeing with her views.

You ask Lagu, "What happens if you look at my future now?"

Lagu asks you, "Your future?"

Lagu ponders.

You nod to Lagu.

Lagu says to you, "There are places in your future into which I cannot look, as I believe you know."

Melindrha says to you, "Thrice I ask for permission. If what was done spreads, then we know more than we did."

Totenus leans over and whispers, "it might be interesting to let her touch you to see what happens, but it might end badly. I can be prepared"

You look at Melindrha and shrug.

You say, "I only wish to inform you and caution."

You smirk.

Melindrha nods to you.

Lagu scans the sky, looking for portents and insight.

You think to yourself, "Join Us"

Melindrha says, "And I appreciate the warning."

Melindrha says, "I just... I need to know."

Totenus says, "If you would so allow me, if something goes terribly wrong. I'll eliminate it as fast as possible."

Avareyna euphorically asks, "...so it's happening?"

Lagu says to you, "I must enhance my connection to the Plane first. It ebbs at present."

You frown at Totenus.

Melindrha grins.

Totenus looks at you and shrugs.

(Eyst leans forward and watches Nefis and Melindrha carefully.)

Melindrha says, "Kill me quick, and I'll depart as soon as I hit the ground."

Lagu scans the sky, looking for portents and insight.

Totenus nods to Melindrha.

Totenus stands up.

Melindrha says, "No harm, foul, or butthurt on my side."

Avareyna takes a seat.

Avareyna gazes at Melindrha.

Avareyna euphorically exclaims, "Exciting!"

Lagu scans the sky, looking for portents and insight.

Melindrha grins at Avareyna.

Melindrha says, "I assume few offer up curiosity on this scale."

Melindrha winks.

Lagu says to you, "No guarantees of anything. But here we go."

Lagu gazes absently at you, almost staring through you.

A long hallway stretches before you, narrowing to a vanishing point at the horizon. Countless wooden doors adorned with beautiful carvings span endlessly to the distance, a small stand next to each bearing a single lit candle, a notebook, and a key. The smells of lavender and summer rain waft gently around you, though there is no breeze. Nearby, a door opens, and an old woman steps through, dressed in a simple robe and humming softly to herself. She closes the door behind her, but not before you catch a glimpse of what lies beyond the threshold: a swirling nebula and torn space, burning stars, and gas giants glowing with radiant, crackling auroras.

The woman locks the door, writes something in the notebook, and sets the key on the stand. She walks to the next door, checks its notebook, picks up its key, and slots it into the door. She smiles slightly as she turns the key, and as the tumblers slide into position with a soft *click*, the vision fades.

You nod to Lagu.

Melindrha says, "Waiting til Lagu's done to avoid interaction issues."

You frown.

Totenus chuckles at you!

Melindrha raises an eyebrow in Lagu's direction.

Totenus says, "We know you can handle it, since you know you are still walking around."

Melindrha says, "I'm the wild card."

Lagu says, "A vision I have not seen. Though others may have done."

You pull away from Melindrha's touch.

Melindrha grins at you.

Melindrha says, "I appreciate the caution."

You nod to Melindrha.

Melindrha rests her hand on your arm with a soft smile.

Melindrha quickly recoils as if stung.

Totenus says, "Always prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

Melindrha nods.

Totenus looks over Melindrha very closely.

You offer your seaman's chest to Eyst, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer. Type CANCEL to prematurely cancel the offer.

(Melindrha stares at her fingers)

Totenus asks, "Nothing different with the feel?"

Eyst has accepted your offer and is now holding a mahogany seaman's chest.

Melindrha says, "Nothing different."

Eyst puts his chest in his tinker's pack.

Melindrha closes her eyes for a moment and grows still.

Totenus nods.

Melindrha says, "Nothing different about myself."

Totenus takes a seat.

You chuckle.

Melindrha says, "Neither flush poison nor cure disease activated."

Melindrha says, "Regeneration has not occurred."

Lagu slowly says, "A long hallway stretched before me, narrowing to a vanishing point at the horizon. Countless wooden doors adorned with beautiful carvings span endlessly to the distance, a small stand next to each bearing a single lit candle, a notebook, and a key. The smells of lavender and summer rain wafted gently around me, though there was no breeze. Nearby, a door opened, and an old woman stepped through, dressed in a simple robe and humming softly to herself. She closed the door behind her, but not before I caught a glimpse of what lay beyond the threshold: a swirling nebula and torn space, burning stars, and gas giants glowing with radiant, crackling auroras."

You think to yourself, "Then I can continue as I must if We are still undetectable."

Avareyna euphorically says, "Beautiful."

Lagu slowly says, "The woman locked the door, wrote something in the notebook, and set the key on the stand. She walked to the next door, checked its notebook, picked up its key, and slotted it into the door. She smiled slightly as she turned the key, and as the tumblers slid into position with a soft *click*, the vision faded."

You say, "I am unsure if there might be any relation."

Lagu says to you, "Such things are uncertain at best."

You say, "Though some of that imagery I have seen before."

Melindrha is stunned!

You glance at Melindrha, a female Halfling.

Lagu glances at Melindrha.

A stunned Melindrha slowly tips over, falling on her face!

Melindrha shakes off the stun.

Melindrha says, "Oh hell."

A thousand voices erupt from your mouth, whispering, murmuring. "Let them touch you. Let them! They will not find us, no they will not. Not until accept you accept Us join Us you." Your words string together, joining, twisting incoherently until they fade to nothingness.

Totenus stands up.

Totenus asks, "Need me to act?"

Melindrha says, "Not yet."

Melindrha closes her eyes for a moment and grows still.

You smirk.

Totenus nods to Melindrha.

Avareyna euphorically asks you, "...Nefis?"

Melindrha says, "I want to know."

Lagu gazes at you intently, clearly scrutinizing your aura.

Totenus says, "Let me know."

Melindrha rests her hand on your arm with a soft smile.

Melindrha quickly recoils as if stung.

You catch Lagu silently watching you.

You cock your head.

Melindrha says, "No change in either of us, but the nerves at the base of my skull are itchy."

You ask Melindrha, "Are you learning about Us?"

Lagu says to you, "If there is corruption in your thread, it is well hidden. I detect nothing unusual, with any sense. Apart from the Arcane magic."

Melindrha says to you, "Nothing yet. Which is why I'm gonna stay sprawled out. Just in case."

Lagu frowns thoughtfully.

You chuckle.

Melindrha stretches every limb of her body from where she lies, ending with an expression of extreme contentment.

(Eyst hastily scribbles on the back of his paper.)

Eyst asks you, "Did you experience something from the contact?"

Lagu says to you, "Although I am not sure I know how to look for the sort of tearing that theoretically might result from the interference of the Others."

You say to Eyst, "Yes, I can feel Them."

Eyst asks, "Them? Not Her?"

Avareyna euphorically asks you, "More than one?"

You chuckle at Avareyna.

Totenus says, "That is a good question."

You cock your head.

You mutter something into the air about Manifold.

Totenus chuckles at you!

Avareyna blinks at you.

Avareyna euphorically says, "Oh. Right."

Totenus says, "One of the big things that happened at the experiment is every necromancer there added something to the remains of the vessel before it went inside of Nefis."

Lagu asks Totenus, "Voluntarily?"

Lagu cocks his head at Totenus.

You say to Lagu, "It is unfortunate that your Sight is obfuscated."

Totenus says, "Whatever it is, it consist of us, so the change to Nefis might not be seen."

Totenus laughs at Lagu.

A gentle jingling tone comes from around Melindrha.

A slender alfar warrior calmly strides in and surveys the area.

Totenus says, "Nothing is ever Voluntarily besides acceptance for us."

Melindrha ponders.

You say, "I've hesitated to explain what "happened" directly. I do not think the process itself as important as the result."

Melindrha nods to you.

A slender alfar warrior suddenly appears less real, like a reflection seen in an antique mirror. You close your eyes to blink away the dizzying apparition and when you open them, the creature is gone.

Totenus frowns at you.

Avareyna euphorically says, "There was an... eruption."

Melindrha says, "The alfar still respond."

You nod to Melindrha.

Totenus chuckles.

Melindrha says, "They abandon us rapidly when we lose our connection to the world."

Melindrha shrugs.

Totenus says, "I'm curious what a cleric would see if they looked upon you."

You frown at Totenus.

Lagu says to you, "There is a gathering of my colleagues planned soon, where we intend to discuss what we have seen in the skies. If others have seen what you and I saw, then I will hear of it."

You nod to Lagu.

Totenus looks at you and shrugs.

Totenus says, "Just be interesting to note."

You whisper to Totenus, "You understand what a pact with the Many means, yes?"

Melindrha says, "Cleric I would trust the most to sense me is not one I would bring around. Prydaen."

You whisper to Totenus, "I do not wish to elaborate too much on the specifics of the Profane in front of these"

Totenus leans over and whispers, "yes, you are going down a road none of us have traveled before"

Lagu strokes his beard in thoughtful contemplation.

Totenus leans over and whispers, "Melindrha made a point, she is here of her choosing. Offer them knowledge, lead them slowly down the path."

Totenus leans over and whispers, "with your guidance they might actually reach out to them, those not of our kind. What do you think might happen then?"

Lagu says, "May I examine the rest of you, for comparison's sake? What I saw in Nefis was unusual, in that it was not unusual, if that makes sense. I would like to confirm that it is not my own sight that is obscured, but rather him."

Melindrha nods to Lagu.

Nefis ponders the ramifications of loosing information of the Profane to the world

Lagu asks, "Nothing out of the way, but then we both knew what I'd find, don't we?"

Your lips tremble, as you join a silent chorus. "We welcome All. Bring them let them join Us you We you Us yes her them her We." Each of your compatriots' faces blend and merge, a jumbled abstract of meaningless features. "They will see. They will see your Our We glory."

Lagu flashes a quick grin at Melindrha.

Lagu stands up.

Melindrha grins at Lagu.

You ponder.

Totenus fixes you with a calm, clear stare.

Lagu appears to be listening intently for something.

Avareyna euphorically says to you, "I was almost right."

Melindrha says, "One can hope."

You say to Lagu, "I am no moon mage, but I get visions...more so now."

You say, "Of the past."

Lagu says to you, "Visions don't come without something to bestow them. Not without looking for them."

(Lagu glances about in agitation.)

Lagu mutters something into the air about there having to be a controller.

Lagu breathes very slowly and looks much calmer.

You emphatically say, "I have seen the first elanthian make a spear, the discovery of fire, the first star igniting."

Totenus leans over and whispers, "remember that the greatest gift you can give is the truth, the truth of this is you are heading down a road contacting those which normally never speak, and there are many curious even not of our kind. Take the time to guide their interest and plant a seed."

Lagu takes a seat.

You say, "As if they were my memories."

Totenus asks you, "My question would be, are you sure what you see is the truth? or are they false memories?"

You chuckle at Totenus.

You shrug.

You say, "It felt real..."

Lagu thoughtfully asks, "How firm was the link between the vessel and her mistress?"

Melindrha gnaws on her lip.

You say to Lagu, "I believe Maelshyve spoke through her."

Totenus mutters something into the air about about feeling real things too.

Melindrha gets a long gilt-edged dagger with a central blood channel from inside her hip pouch.

Totenus says, "Thats the part that interests me. The connection seemed there."

Lagu asks you, "These visions you speak of. Was there any... how shall I put this. Emotional context to them? Were they simply sights, or did they seem to impose a feeling or judgement upon you?"

You think to yourself, "and now She Who Might Have Been is part of US"

Totenus raises an eyebrow.

(Melindrha pokes parts of her body, concentrating)

Melindrha foolishly cuts herself by licking a long gilt-edged dagger with a central blood channel.

You say to Lagu, "It was quite disconcerting...perspectives change, separate, Together."

Lagu nods to you.

Melindrha shifts her weight.

Totenus whispers something to Melindrha.

Melindrha nods to Totenus.

Eyst says to Melindrha, "Let us know if you start bleeding blue."

Melindrha grins.

Melindrha says, "As there are few Olvi who would claim nobility, that'll be unique."

Avareyna squints.

Avareyna inhales a great swallow of air.

Lagu quietly says, "Yes. We do."

Melindrha whispers something to Totenus.

Totenus whispers something to Melindrha.

You ponder.

You cock your head.

Totenus whispers something to Melindrha.

Totenus smiles at you.

Nefis looks at his arm.

You tug at the fingers of your leather gauntlets and gently pull them off of your hands.

Melindrha whispers something to Totenus.

Totenus nods to Melindrha.

Melindrha puts her dagger in her hip pouch.

Lagu appears to be listening intently for something.

Lagu quietly asks, "Am I the only one hearing voices?"

Avareyna euphorically asks Lagu, "They're whispering?"

(You reaches for Melindrha.)

You touch Melindrha.

Melindrha looks thoughtfully at Lagu.

Totenus whispers something to Melindrha.

Lagu slowly says to Avareyna, "It's louder than that. Not just whispers. A chorus."

Melindrha observes you with fascination.

Avareyna euphorically asks, "....Them?"

You smirk.

Totenus whispers something to Melindrha.

Lagu absentmindedly says, "Something behind the stars..."

Avareyna takes a seat.

Totenus smiles.

You think to yourself, "They desire to belong. To be part of Us, though they are hesitant."

Melindrha whispers something to Totenus.

Lagu slowly asks you, "Is it like that all the time, for you?"

You shake your head at Lagu.

Lagu frowns thoughtfully.

You say, "But now..."

You catch Lagu silently watching you.

You say, "We grow. It happens often that I can feel Them."

Lagu nods to you.

Lagu gazes at you intently, clearly scrutinizing your aura.

Melindrha ponders.

Lagu says to you, "With my sight, I still see nothing. I hear..."

Melindrha closes her eyes for a moment and grows still.

You say to Lagu, " Imagine having access to the memories of ages."

You ask, "What can We learn?"

Eyst frowns.

Lagu slowly says to you, "That is much what gazing into the future is like, I think. At least it often feels that way to me. Like scraps of someone else's memory. Memories yet to be formed."

Totenus asks, "Would you all be up for an experiment later to see if we can find anything more about this situation?"

Avareyna euphorically says, "...foreboding..."

Melindrha says, "Yes."

Lagu nods to Totenus.

Eyst says to you, "I'm not sure I like where this is going. You should tell them what is required in return."

You ponder.

You gaze down at your hands.

(You reaches for Lagu.)

You touch Lagu.

(Lagu flexes his left arm, gazing thoughtfully at the place where Nefis's fingers touched it.)

You think to yourself, "Do We feel them? Or do just I? We are One"

Totenus leans over and whispers, "they telling you to touch the others aren't they. They both seek knowledge and power so you given them a chance to be able to call them arent you?"

Lagu cocks his head at you.

Lagu slowly asks you, "You do not do that lightly. What was the object?"

You chuckle at Lagu.

You say to Lagu, "A test, I suppose."

Lagu nods.

Lagu observes you with fascination.

Totenus says, "I'd figure that when Melindrha touched him, something happened. Him touching you might make that event stronger."

Melindrha nods to Totenus.

Lagu slowly says to you, "I hear them louder, now. More concentrated. Coming from you."

Melindrha says, "Nothing happened when he touched me."

You frown.

Totenus says, "Now the question is do you choose to seek the knowledge."

Totenus says, "Or not."

The faces on your scarf pause their chaotic motion to mouth the words "Join Us" in unison.

Melindrha gnaws on her lip.

Totenus says, "But remember, this knowledge has a price."

Totenus says, "But then again, even the gods ask a price."

Lagu seriously says to Totenus, "I do not make blind bargains. When I pay a price, I know what the price is. And what I am getting in return."

Avareyna euphorically says, "All worthwhile knowledge has a price."

Totenus smiles at Lagu.

Totenus says, "The price for this one is simple I think."

You nod emphatically.

Totenus says, "Its just opening up your minds for the potential."

Melindrha says to Lagu, "Smarter than the Traders are, then."

Melindrha winks.

Totenus chuckles at Melindrha.

Lagu snorts, loudly.

Lagu says to Melindrha, "Foot soldiers in a war they don't even know they're fighting."

Totenus says, "The last group of moon mages I had the pleasure of watching, brought forth a harbringer."

Totenus says, "So you are doing far better so far."

You ask Lagu, "You say you are hearing whispers...what do they say?"

Lagu says to you, "Simply 'you hear Us too'. In a chorus, mixed together and much repeated."

Melindrha mutters something into the air about bloody morons.

Lagu says to Totenus, "As I think I mentioned, you may find my views not precisely representative of my colleagues'. On many subjects."

You cock your head.

Melindrha grins at Lagu.

You say, "I've seen Aaoskar's experiments..."

Subdermal twitching resumes, as you feel something clutching around the organs in your abdomen. It settles, and the feeling fades.

Totenus nods to you.

(Nefis visibly slumps.)

You blink.

Lagu seems lost in thought for a few moments.

Melindrha says, "There's a spectrum, and Aaoskar's only at like a 4, where the official line is a 0 and Lagu's like an 8."

Totenus says, "Everything lies."

Melindrha nods to Totenus.

Melindrha looks thoughtfully at you.

A lone bee lands on Melindrha's ear.

Lagu cocks his head at Melindrha.

Totenus says, "That goal is to find the truth, and sometimes to find the truth you have to look at both sides."

Totenus peers quizzically at you.

Totenus says, "Those he speak to are not the worst."

Lagu says to Totenus, "Assuming there are only two. Which is rarely the case."

You ask Lagu, "Do they seem like the spirits he has seen?"

Totenus smiles at Lagu.

Lagu asks you, "The spirits Aaoskar has seen?"

Totenus says, "Thats a good assumption."

Lagu ponders.

Lagu says to you, "I have not conversed with him extensively on the subject, but at a guess, no, they do not. Not... not really."

Lagu says to you, "I was otherwise engaged when he was conducting his experiments."

Melindrha quietly says to Lagu, "In the disregard for what your guild feels about things."

Lagu says to Melindrha, "There is one cardinal rule of our Guild. Don't get caught."

Melindrha snickers.

Melindrha grins at Lagu.

Melindrha asks Lagu, "I thought it was prep teleport before speaking to Kssarh. Or is that just common sense?"

You say to Lagu, "I only bring up those spirits because sometimes they've seemed reminiscent to me...the reports from Taisgath."

Totenus chuckles at Melindrha.

Lagu flashes a quick grin at Melindrha.

You say, "I do not say for certain they are the same, but the similarity is peculiar to me."

Lagu leans forward and rests his chin in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Avareyna euphorically asks Totenus, "Where's the nearest candy shop?"

Lagu slowly says to you, "The similarity you speak of I think is more of a dissimilarity."

Melindrha says, "When Aaoskar was giving details about his experiment, he was... in contact with something that didn't feel right to me."

Melindrha shrugs.

Lagu says to you, "They are Unlike. Alien. That does not mean they are unlike and alien in the same way."

You nod to Lagu.

You say, "Agreed."

Melindrha says, "There's a cookie shop in Shard, candy in Leth."

Avareyna drools.

Avareyna euphorically says, "Cookie..."

Melindrha grins at Avareyna.

Melindrha says, "In a few, they should even be open."

You whisper to Eyst, "I saw you taking more notes...we should talk about what you saw separately."

Totenus stands up.

Lagu says to you, "Although I have strayed from the topic in my researches, one thing that always struck me was the commonalities between the Immortals, the Others, and the puissant denizens of the Plane of Probability."

Lagu says to you, "I suspect such a commonality is what you are noticing."

Eyst leans over and whispers, "I expect whatever you and they saw is more interesting, but certainly."

Totenus says, "I have some stuff to continue to do. I'll take my leave. We should plan some experiments sometime soon."

Lagu tips his hat to Totenus with a courteous nod.

You bob a brief, respectful bow towards Totenus.

Melindrha says, "So now the new question: What have we not been told that isn't bound by guild law or pact or simple tradition? I know things can slip my mind."

Eyst nods politely to Totenus.

Lagu stands up.

Melindrha stands up.

Totenus says, "If any of you need help, do not hesitate to ask."

With a graceful flutter of her hands, Melindrha sinks down in a formal curtsy.

Totenus raises his hand in a quick salute.

(Lagu bows to Totenus in an inaccurate but passable rendition of the Elothean courtesy.)

Totenus smiles.

Unliving Truth Totenus drifts north.

Lagu takes a seat.

You ask Melindrha, "Are there any other questions?"

Melindrha paces back and forth.

You ask Lagu, "Do you wish to know anything else?"

You say, "I am unsure what else there is to say."

Melindrha says, "Many, but articulation is difficult. It's like a 5 cart pileup trying to get out."

Lagu says to you, "And I am unsure what else there is to ask, though my curiosity is by no means satisfied."

Melindrha nods at Lagu, obviously agreeing with his views.

You smirk.

Eyst says, "I'd say there's much more to be asked. Though this other facet of the occurence has made things much clearer."

Lagu says to you, "One thing that I am curious about, which curiosity will have to be satisfied in the fullness of time, is whether these voices that I hear emanating from you continue when I have left your presence. Or if they return to me at a later time."

(Melindrha rubs the back of her neck while stalking about, kicking the hem of her dress out of her way.)

Lagu says to you, "I will let you know if I hear them again."

You nod to Lagu.

You say, "Be careful who you talk to about this..."

You say, "The Hounds and Inquisition are indiscriminate."

Lagu says to you, "I always am, except when I am not."

Melindrha says, "And... I shouldn't finish that statement."

Lagu flashes a quick grin at you.

Lagu says to you, "I jest. Your caution is well-advised, and I shall observe it."

You nod.

You say, "Feel free to call on Us if you wish to talk further."

Lagu fixes you with a frank, even stare.

Lagu says to you, "I shall call on Nefis, in such a case. Others, perhaps not."

Avareyna chortles softly at some secret joke.

You cock your head.

Melindrha grins.

Eyst says, "A wise distinction."

You nod in agreement.

Lagu nods at Eyst, obviously agreeing with his views.

You say, "Then have a good...morning now, I suppose."

>cast

You whisper the final word of your spell so that none may notice your effort.

You feel an unsteady, rippling sensation as corruption spreads through and past your body, altering the blind spots of any would-be witness.