Ayrell/Logs/Wild Magic 10062024/Stargazing on a Starless Night
| Stargazing on a Starless Night |
| Event Date: 10/06/2024 |
| Event Instance: Prime |
Date
It has been 450 years, 236 days since the Victory of Lanival the Redeemer.
It is the 6th month of Arhat the Fire Lion in the year of the Golden Panther.
It is currently summer and it is night.
Log
[Arhat's Tower, Workshop]
Very little is recognizable from the workshop's original contents. The walls are broken off at half their intended height and the area lies open to the elements. The only obvious sign of the room's prior function, odd glowing stains marking the floor, are most likely the result of past experiments gone awry. You also see a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds with several things on it and a worn stone.
Nevali asks, "Anyone invent that yet?"
Mhikal says to Nevali, "That would be useful."
Mewawl scans the sky from horizon to horizon.
Urbaj says to Nevali, "Specifically during the second half of this, I'll be doing a little experiment that will benefit from Piercing Gaze, I think. But I'll let you know when we're ready for that."
Fateweaver Taikyna just arrived.
You notice a majestic white snowy owl with a hooked black beak appear overhead, circling.
The snowy owl begins to watch the goings on carefully.
Battlefield Scholar Onara just arrived, leading her group.
Mewawl glances up at the sky.
After a few moments he lowers his gaze.
Nevali nods to Urbaj.
Crobin waves to Onara.
Onara says, "I feel nervous about being here."
Nevali slowly asks, "No sorcery though, right?"
Ghust peers quizzically at Onara.
Crobin waves to Ghust.
Onara says to Ghust, "Bad things have been happening here."
Urbaj says, "No, no sorcery."
Bioexorcist Karthor just arrived.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a firm red apple and chews daintily on it.
Ghust waves to Crobin.
Light of the World Gwenddolyn just arrived.
Nevali says, "I'm here to learn about stars, not do magic stuff."
Karthor raises his hand in a quick salute.
Crobin waves to Gwenddolyn.
Gwenddolyn nods at Nevali, obviously agreeing with her views.
Gwenddolyn waves to Crobin.
Pack Storyteller Lupdels just arrived.
Onara turns her gaze heavenward and traces a series of lunar sigils in the air.
Ghust waves to Nevali.
Nevali waves to Ghust.
Lupdels smiles at Nevali.
Onara asks Crobin, "How are you?"
Karthor adjusts the fit of his spectacles.
Crobin asks, "I am well and you Onara?"
Onara says, "I am well, thank you."
Onara smiles, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
Gwenddolyn glances at a worn stone.
Taikyna scans the sky from horizon to horizon.
Crobin says, "Very good to hear."
Lupdels glances up at the sky.
Crobin pats Karthor on the back.
Ghust waves to Mistanna.
Karthor nods to Crobin.
Merchant King Nyrhin just arrived.
Ghust quietly asks, "Okay, who wants ta cast sorcery first?"
Crobin nods to Nyrhin.
Ghust ducks his head.
Onara gasps!
Nevali bops Ghust over the head.
Onara just tickled Ghust, making him laugh.
Ruea just arrived.
Gwenddolyn says, "That worn stone clearly shows an imprisoned star."
Nyrhin nods to Crobin.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a firm red apple and chews daintily on it.
Crobin just hugged Ruea.
Ruea hugs Maraisel, who wraps her arms around Ruea with a warm smile.
Maraisel smiles at Ruea.
Ghust ponders.
Maraisel just hugged Ruea.
Poshly just arrived.
Onara glances at a worn stone.
Urbaj says, "For those who are nervous, we will not be invoking sorcery or any controversial experiments tonight - despite this location, which I recognize some are uneasy with."
Knight of Meraud Tirost just arrived.
Crobin hugs Tirost, who wraps his arms around Crobin with a warm smile.
Mhikal ponders.
Tirost hugs Crobin, who wraps his arms around Tirost with a warm smile.
Lupdels smiles.
Zersha grins at Urbaj, her dimples flashing into view.
Poshly nods to Crobin.
Mistanna waves to Ghust.
Mistanna hugs Tirost, who wraps his arms around Mistanna with a warm smile.
Gwenddolyn nods at Urbaj, obviously agreeing with his views.
Crobin waves to Poshly.
Tirost smiles at Mistanna.
Ruea gives Maraisel a wry grin.
Ghust waves to Tirost.
Poshly grins at Crobin.
Tirost waves to Ghust.
Nevali wobbles, moaning softly in pleasure.
Nevali takes a bite of the doughnut.
Tirost stands near Aerilia.
Gwenddolyn nods to Tirost.
Aerilia smiles at Tirost.
Tirost nods to Gwenddolyn.
Branagan just arrived.
Poshly goes down.
Tirost smiles at Aerilia.
Ghust quietly says, "Okay ah would like ta say somethin before this starts."
Ghust quietly says, "If thats okay."
Poshly just arrived.
Chimaia just arrived.
Nyrhin raises an eyebrow.
Gwenddolyn beams at Tirost!
Ghust quietly says, "Aint nothin bad."
Urbaj says to Ghust, "Absolutely, whenever you're ready."
Poshly leans on Mistanna.
Onara glances at Ghust.
Mistanna flashes a wide grin at Poshly.
Poshly raises an eyebrow in Crobin's direction.
Poshly nods.
Ghust quietly says, "Okay ah think peopkle are castin sorcery when they don even realize."
Ghust taps the tattoo on his face.
Zersha raises an eyebrow in Ghust's direction.
Ghust quietly says, "Tattos with magic."
Zersha says, "People know that."
Mhikal nods at Ghust, obviously agreeing with his views.
Poshly pats a kitchen rat.
Tirost glances up at the sky.
Mhikal says, "Knowing and remembering are two different things."
Mathematician Avrenka just arrived.
Ghust nods in agreement.
Urbaj nods.
Crobin shakes Avrenka's hand.
Avrenka nods to Crobin.
Gwenddolyn says, "But it is low sorcery, which is very different than high sorcery."
Poshly shakes his head.
Ghust nods.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a firm red apple and chews daintily on it.
Zersha finishes off her red apple.
Poshly smirks.
Nevali says, "Gods are saying sorcery is okay because so many people have magic tattoos that if they said, no, bad, stop, they wouldn't have any followers anymore."
Nevali nods emphatically.
Karthor chuckles.
Mhikal says, "Runestones."
Urbaj says, "Memorized spell scrolls, tattoos, runestones do indeed all have the exact same effects, benefits, and risks. For better or worse."
Ghust nods in agreement.
Mhikal nods to Urbaj.
Poshly shrugs.
Gwenddolyn says, "I doubt that is true, the sorcery feeds them and starves the Heralds."
Gwenddolyn says, "That is the real reason."
Tirost nods in agreement.
Shadow Priest Gragnel just arrived.
Poshly blinks at Gragnel.
Nevali says to Gwenddolyn, "I say stuff all the time, whether it's true or not is for the universe to decide."
Nevali grins like an idiot.
Gragnel pats Poshly on the back.
Poshly pats Gragnel on the back.
Gwenddolyn chuckles at Nevali.
Mhikal gets a custard doughnut from atop a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds.
Gragnel pats Crobin on the back.
Mistanna waves to Gragnel.
Zersha grins at Gragnel, her dimples flashing into view.
Lupdels inhales a great swallow of air.
Mhikal wobbles, moaning softly in pleasure.
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Gragnel waves to Mistanna.
Gragnel waves to Zersha.
Urbaj says, "Thanks everyone for joining. We'll get started in just a minute."
Crobin shakes Gragnel's hand.
Fox Kit Basteht just arrived.
Poshly folds his arms across his chest.
Mhikal gets a bottle of fresh milk from inside his zibeline greatcloak.
Gragnel gives Urbaj a slight nod.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Mhikal takes a seat.
Basteht smiles at Ghust.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
* Steward of Recursion Liraxes joins the adventure.
Ghust smiles at Basteht.
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Avrenka miserably says, "Another moonless, starless night."
Steward of Recursion Liraxes just arrived.
Mhikal whistles loudly for a moment.
A full-grown wolf scrambles in.
Urbaj nods to Liraxes.
Urbaj smiles.
A full-grown wolf sits down.
Chimaia gasps!
Basteht perks her ears up happily as she gazes at Liraxes.
Onara sighs.
Gragnel rubs his neck.
Ghust peers quizzically at Chimaia.
Basteht scratches one ear, looking bemused.
You see Steward of Recursion Liraxes, Warden of Adaptation, a being of pure probability.
Liraxes is composed of fractal blue crystal that twists and arcs in lattices into a form vaguely resembling a male humanoid. Impossible geometry forms in only vaguely symmetrical patterns across the body of this being, extruding into a jagged network of fragmented spines. A translucent face approximates what one would expect of a Human, only without a clear definition; it adjusts between varying expression of approximation of emotion, appearing noticeably similar but entirely alien.
Liraxes is of indeterminate age.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a raiment of fractal crystals.
Zersha glances at Liraxes.
Mhikal reaches over and tickles his full-grown wolf playfully. It gets a twinkle in its eyes and begins to tug on Mhikal's finger.
Karthor peers at Liraxes over the rim of his spectacles.
Chimaia gazes at Liraxes in awe.
Poshly squints.
Gwenddolyn nods to Liraxes.
Avrenka says, "Nothing but the Heralds in the sky ... no stars, no moons, no planets..."
Tirost smiles at Crobin.
Crobin nods to Liraxes.
Chimaia merrily says, "Oh my, oh my, oh my."
Tirost nods.
Aerilia nods to Liraxes.
Crobin glances up at the sky.
Citizen Miraeven just arrived.
Poshly waves to Chimaia.
Liraxes slowly turns, observing the area.
Gwenddolyn says, "Well well, I wonder if Liraxes has some new info for us."
Chimaia beams!
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Urbaj says to Liraxes, "Your presence is a welcome surprise. It does change my plans, but all for the better."
Chimaia waves to Poshly.
Crobin nods to Urbaj.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Avrenka glances up at the sky.
Urbaj asks Liraxes, "Do you have any updates on the balance that you would like to share?"
Basteht nods at Urbaj, obviously agreeing with his views.
Poshly frowns.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "At present, calculations are in flux."
Mewawl says, "Might be cloudy but the moons are there."
Aerilia ponders.
Onara nods to Mewawl.
Avrenka says to Mewawl, "Ah. I forgot to put up Piercing Gaze."
Onara says, "I am still gaining insight from the moons."
Basteht glances up at the sky.
Basteht frowns.
Mhikal rubs his right eye.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "The specific details are difficult to share, but the current state of the sky should provide some help in understanding."
Mhikal blinks.
Gwenddolyn asks, "What does Liraxes say the chances are that the Heralds will return to battle us?"
Tirost nods to Liraxes.
Nevali scans the sky, looking for portents and insight.
Mhikal peers quizzically at Liraxes.
Aerilia glances up at the sky.
Karthor glances up at the sky.
Mhikal pets his full-grown wolf.
Urbaj says, "On the night we rescued Knife Clan, many of us saw the stars vanish one after another, disappearing one after another with a precise rhythm. Soon after, the vast bodies of the Heralds themselves appeared in the skies. They are mercifully obscured by clouds at the moment."
Ghust quietly asks, "How do ya battle a herald?"
Karthor asks, "What, that the calculations're currently cloudy? An' maybe droppin' some water all over the place?"
Urbaj says, "The preeminent Moon Mages believe that the Heralds are responsible for the disappearance of the stars."
Miraeven quietly asks, "Do we have any information regarding the subtle, growing movement apparent in the sky?"
Karthor scratches his head.
Tirost whispers something to Ghust.
Lupdels glances up at the sky.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Soul Surgeon Zynell just arrived, leading her group.
Ghust frowns.
Poshly snorts at Zynell.
With a friendly smile, Zynell holds Gragnel's hand.
Nevali says, "It's a star-people vessel! It's on fire. Still."
Crobin hugs Zynell, who wraps her arms around Crobin with a warm smile.
Gragnel stands near Zynell.
Poshly joins Zynell's group.
Zynell hugs Poshly, getting a smile in return.
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Poshly hugs Zynell, getting a smile in return.
Zynell hugs Crobin, who wraps his arms around Zynell with a warm smile.
Urbaj says, "Yes, I agree Miraeven. Not long after, some began to notice a new movement in the sky. It is an inky, black, growing blur with a smoky trail that seems to evade the Heralds' sight."
Onara glances up at the sky.
Gragnel pats Telamont on the back.
Avrenka says to Miraeven, "There's speculation it's related to Urremtier, given the smokey trail."
Zynell clasps Crobin's hand tenderly.
Gwenddolyn says, "It is concerning the stars seem to be gone."
Telamont nods.
Tirost gazes at Urbaj.
Urbaj asks Liraxes, "Do you have any information on the movement in the sky?"
Zynell gets a night-black starlight velvet prayer tapestry stitched with loimic and fey-bone from inside her encompassing shadows.
Aerilia nods to Avrenka.
Zynell reverently lays her prayer tapestry at her feet, smoothing out its corners.
Zynell sits down on the prayer tapestry.
Urbaj squints.
Urbaj says, "Clouds seem to obscure it at the moment."
Telamont stands near Zynell.
Nevali asks, "If it was a god flying around, why wouldn't clerics feel comfort in it like I do?"
Avrenka says, "The inky blackness could also be related to the Voidness of Urremtier."
Poshly leans back.
Urbaj says, "I don't know what that is, but it has no characteristics that we associate with stars, aside from being in the sky."
Crobin chuckles.
Poshly nods to Crobin.
Crobin waves to Telamont.
Telamont nods to Crobin.
Poshly shakes his head at Zynell.
Ruea smiles.
Avrenka says, "And ... it seems to be a comforting presence."
Ghust quietly asks, "Can non moon mages see the sky?"
Poshly beams!
Nevali raises her arms skyward, chanting.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Liraxes does not know for certain what the movement in the sky is, but suspects it is related to activities being taken to counter the activity of the Heralds."
Nevali gestures at Ghust.
Telamont says, "Look up."
Telamont nods to Ghust.
Urbaj nods to Liraxes.
Nevali says to Ghust, "Now you can."
Zersha looks at Telamont, obviously trying not to grin, but the dimples in her cheeks give her away.
Aerilia gives a slight nod.
Crobin glances up at the sky.
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Ghust quietly exclaims, "Thanks!!"
Ghust glances up at the sky.
Gwenddolyn asks, "Indeed? The Immortals?"
Chimaia glances up at the sky.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Ysindre glances up at the sky.
Ghust gazes up at the sky.
Nevali flicks her ears back in obvious annoyance.
Ghust gazes off into the distance.
Ghust mutters to himself.
Niliaevat Raesh Isen Malorna just arrived.
Ghust glances up at the sky.
Mhikal says to himself, "I wonder how ballistae and catapults would work on a sky-ship..."
Liraxes tonelessly says, "At present, the best course of action appears to still be the casting of sorcerous magic. The Heralds have excellent observational capabilities, but can still be distracted."
Nevali firmly says, "It's a star-people vessel. They've come to investigate the Heralds looming over the planet, or why the stars are gone, or why the sun, from their perspective, has gone dark."
Zersha wrinkles her nose.
Poshly ponders.
Zynell says, "Often times an inky blur is when some stabbing happens. perhaps it is best we not bring too much attention to it."
Zynell shrugs.
Gwenddolyn asks, "How does anyone distract a Herald?"
Gwenddolyn chortles softly at some secret joke.
Crobin says, "Wave the tail at them."
Ghust glances up at the sky.
Crobin nods to Gwenddolyn.
Avrenka says, "Sorcery ... as usual."
Mhikal asks, "Wait, are we supposed to be casting sorcerous magic now?"
Liraxes tonelessly says to Zynell, "Liraxes agrees with that assessment."
Nevali shakes her head at Mhikal.
Urbaj says to Mhikal, "No."
Zynell grins mischievously at Liraxes.
Urbaj says, "As a Trader, my magic is powered by the confound of starlight. Our guild is granted access to Lunar Magic through a contract with the Arbiter in Darkness, a being from the Plane of Probability that embodies the concept of starlight. So I have a keen interest in stars and starlight."
Telamont observes Liraxes with fascination.
Mhikal nods.
Ghust quietly asks, "What happened to that ship? Or not a ship but somthin else?"
Urbaj says, "Particularly how we are still able to gain starlight aura, despite their absence."
Gwenddolyn nods to Urbaj.
Gwenddolyn says, "Good question."
Urbaj asks Liraxes, "Do you know why we might be able to still gain power from starlight aura, despite the vanishing of the stars?"
Zynell glances up at the sky.
Nevali says to Ghust, "I think, if the Heralds put a veil of sorts around the solar system - as we can still see the outer planets - they got caught on fire while piercing through it on their way here."
Ghust nods to Nevali.
Poshly squints at Zynell.
Poshly gestures at Zynell.
Zynell winks at Poshly.
Roughneck Rileos just arrived.
Shield of Death Heartsfyre just arrived.
Aerilia folds her arms across her chest.
Ghust hugs Heartsfyre, who wraps her arms around Ghust with a warm smile.
Liraxes tonelessly says to Urbaj, "The stars are not gone, in the sense of having been permanently destroyed. However, their presence is obscured in a manner which is concerning."
Gragnel says, "We rarely ever see the Immortals but yet as a Holy Man, I still gain power from them."
Gragnel nods.
Lupdels ponders.
Ghust quietly asks, "Soooo, its kinda like someone put an invisable cloak around them?"
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Why is it concerning?"
Zynell says, "Or the heralds are just standing infront of them which makes it difficult to see."
Ghust nods.
Crobin waves to Rileos.
Poshly shrugs.
Rileos raises two fingers to his brow in a quick hand salute.
Nevali says, "Wish they'd loom over the other side of the planet, just for a bit."
Avrenka says, "Or the heralds have once again changed a fundamental rule of reality to oppress the Immortals power."
Liraxes tonelessly says, "The stars are not just visually obscured. Their impact on probability is being disrupted as well."
Gwenddolyn gives Heartsfyre a smooch.
Zynell grins at Nevali.
Ruea smiles at Rileos.
Avrenka says to Liraxes, "Ah ... so it is disrupting to you as well then."
Zersha gets a deep-fried pocket pie stuffed with Ilithi peaches and sprinkled with cinnamon from inside her beverage holster.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a deep-fried pocket pie stuffed with Ilithi peaches and sprinkled with cinnamon and chews daintily on it.
Poshly nods to Zynell.
Crobin says, "After a while you get use to having people watch you."
Onara raises an eyebrow.
Gwenddolyn chuckles at Crobin.
Zynell gazes at Crobin.
Poshly ponders.
Urbaj says to Liraxes, "So they are some how blocked, which is why Children of Grazhir cannot use them to scry on the fates. But it impacts you as well."
A full-grown wolf howls for no reason.
Onara glances at a full-grown wolf.
Gwenddolyn says, "Poor wolf."
Zynell asks, "Is your machine still of any use to us?"
Zynell angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Liraxes.
Ghust quietly asks, "Why poor wolf?"
Lupdels ponders.
The full-grown wolf shies away from Gwenddolyn.
Gwenddolyn says, "He is howling."
Avrenka says, "Perhaps this is related to their ability to manipulate time ... and the web of fate."
Mhikal grins.
Mhikal reaches over and tickles his full-grown wolf playfully. It gets a twinkle in its eyes and begins to tug on Mhikal's finger.
Gwenddolyn says, "He must be hungry."
Gwenddolyn chuckles.
Gragnel casually observes the area.
Poshly makes a disgusting grunting noise.
Gragnel folds his arms across his chest.
Poshly raises an eyebrow.
Urbaj says, "I'd also like to call attention to the fact that all symbols of the Immortals are represented as constellations. The three aspects of the thirteen Immortals make up 39 of our 48 named constellations."
Liraxes tonelessly says, "The machine is still of use for attaining the best accuracy for probability calculations. However, at this point the window in which smaller actions can have an impact appears to be closing."
Mhikal says to Gwenddolyn, "He's just lamenting the lack of stars as well."
Urbaj says, "Observant Moon Mages also noted that on the night the stars disappeared, the first thirteen to go were the symbols of the thirteen Immortals."
Basteht nods to Liraxes.
Mhikal studies the full-grown wolf carefully.
Avrenka ponders.
Zynell asks Liraxes, "What smaller actions are still available?"
Gwenddolyn asks, "So that means large actions will be needed?"
Poshly shrugs.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a deep-fried pocket pie stuffed with Ilithi peaches and sprinkled with cinnamon and chews daintily on it.
Gwenddolyn says, "I wonder what that means."
Crobin flicks one ear back as though listening for something.
Poshly snorts at Zynell.
Nevali says, "Some more data... It took me around fifty times studying the sky to do a prediction and the vision I got was that horrible face-punching one... hardly worth the effort anymore..."
Zynell giggles at Poshly.
Ghust ponders.
Crobin nods to Nevali.
Crobin says, "That was the last vision Varek had from me as well."
Nevali says, "But it IS doable."
Crobin says, "Vaerek even."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Zynell, "Sorcerous casting continues to be disruptive to the Heralds. Smaller actions such as the placement of objects or nudging individuals to take other actions to lead to greater changes in the future have less time in which to take effect."
Avrenka says, "Perhaps the uncertainty inherent to analyzing timelines is closing into a collapsed wave function."
Nevali says to Crobin, "Lots of people feel that way about him lately."
Ghust quietly asks, "Ah realize we aint wolves, but would th lack of stars or touble in th sky hurt Rakash?"
Avrenka ponders.
Mewawl says, "I've been able to predict possible events in the last few roisen and got the ladt on the top of the tower or mountian so it is possoble to still do."
Poshly beams at Mistanna!
Crobin says, "The vision I had was me on top of somethign that no longer had a face cause of me pummeling it to death."
Zynell says, "So just casting basically."
Rileos scratches distractedly at his beard.
Lupdels yawns expansively.
Avrenka asks Mewawl, "Predicting events, or predicting on skills?"
Mhikal pets his full-grown wolf.
Zersha takes a tiny bite of a deep-fried pocket pie stuffed with Ilithi peaches and sprinkled with cinnamon and chews daintily on it.
Zersha finishes off her pocket pie.
Zynell ponders.
Lupdels gets a tall mahogany tankard topped with a sprawling icesteel kraken from inside his green backpack.
Lupdels flips open the lid on his mahogany tankard.
Lupdels raises his tankard, drinking deeply from the dark ale inside.
Lupdels's eyes widen as he suppresses a cough and a puff of smoke comes out of his nostrils.
Urbaj asks Liraxes, "Are you able to discern what impact the vanishing of the stars has on the battle with the Heralds? Why might they have done that specifically?"
Mewawl says to Avrenka, "Predicting events as I said."
Mhikal nods to a full-grown wolf.
Avrenka nods to Mewawl.
Mewawl smiles.
Avrenka says to Mewawl, "Must've taken a while."
Mewawl shakes his head.
Mewawl says, "Actually it didnt."
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Casting, and being prepared to act when the immortals find an opening to act. Liraxes calculates that to have a high probability of occurring, though exact timing is still difficult to pin down."
Avrenka says, "Interesting."
Poshly leans over and scratches Mistanna's back.
Tirost nods to Liraxes.
Poshly nods.
Nyrhin glances up at the sky.
Aerilia nods to Liraxes.
Gwenddolyn nods.
Zynell asks Liraxes, "Has anyone asked you about the weird script on the back of the unkidnapped's neck?"
Mhikal nods to a full-grown wolf.
Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting."
Zersha grins at a full-grown wolf.
Gwenddolyn says, "I wonder what kind of opening they need."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Urbaj, "Based on available information, Liraxes concludes that it is meant as an attack on the immortals."
Mewawl says to Avrenka, "Course I had pg and cv up so that may have been part of it."
Tirost asks Liraxes, "Can you tell us anything else we should know about the thing moving through the sky, Liraxes?"
Avrenka nods to Mewawl.
Poshly mumbles a word of general praise.
Gwenddolyn says, "Liraxes said it was a counter attack by the Immortals."
Urbaj asks Liraxes, "Can you explain what power the Immortals get from the stars, or how they are connected?"
Lupdels ponders.
Mhikal nods to a full-grown wolf.
Rileos glances up at the sky.
Rileos frowns.
Mistanna glances up at the sky.
Nevali ponders.
Zynell angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Liraxes.
Nevali says, "With the moons up, it should take twenty observations to get an event prediction prepared. Without the moons, fifty."
Urbaj says, "When we attempted to repeat the Forbidden Experiment that first imprisoned our five fellow adventurers, those present saw a vision of Meraud. He praised our efforts, and he crashed his staff into the ground in an eruption of starlight."
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Liraxes cannot provide the specifics of that relationship, but the connection your seers have observed between the immortals and certain constellations has actual meaning."
Avrenka says, "Interesting.."
Nevali pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
Aerilia ponders.
Urbaj says, "I've wondered if starlight is somehow a representation of divine power and will..."
Gwenddolyn says, "Their avatars in the stars are meaningful."
Nevali asks, "Wait... are stars just visible holes into another plane?"
Poshly ponders.
Avrenka says, "Perhaps we shall see the constellations come out and fight."
Nevali quirks her ears outward in surprise.
Liraxes tonelessly says to Zynell, "Liraxes has not been asked about that script, no."
Gwenddolyn raises an eyebrow in Avrenka's direction.
Poshly blinks.
Zynell asks, "Did someone get a better look at the nasty thing?"
Rileos nods to Zynell.
Zynell says to Rileos, "Mind describing it."
Avrenka says, "It was a few concentric circles, with a script of symbols on the outter circle."
Avrenka says, "A cleric described it looking like a slug slime trail."
Mhikal asks, "So, if we cannot see the stars, and constellations of stars are connected to certain immortals, does that mean the immortals cannot really see us now as well?"
Gragnel says, "I said what I saifd."
Karthor scratches his head.
Gwenddolyn winces.
Poshly nods to Gragnel.
Gragnel folds his arms across his chest.
Poshly says, "He said what he said."
Rileos says, "It was some circles and the skin was opalescent with some lines flowing around the outside in some kinda script."
Gwenddolyn says, "The visions about the huge slug."
Rileos says, "But I couldn't read it."
Zynell asks, "Do you remember any of the shapes?"
Mhikal throws his head back and howls!
Karthor strokes his beard in thoughtful contemplation.
Gwenddolyn says, "A devourer likely."
Mhikal grins at a full-grown wolf.
Mhikal reaches over and tickles his full-grown wolf playfully. It gets a twinkle in its eyes and begins to tug on Mhikal's finger.
Poshly raises an eyebrow.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "The disruption of the stars will impact the immortals, but it should not be enough to disable them."
Nevali says to Mhikal, "When we Prydaen gathered, we had a vision of what might be Eu, or Elanthia... no Demrris or Tenemlor... There was a green glow, like the golden glow when Enelne took Nawain to tell her about sorcery..."
Poshly hums to himself.
Rileos says to Zynell, "Circles, just looked like oily circles."
Zynell nods.
Urbaj says, "For those unaware, traditional Kermorian religious dogma claims that the stars are Tamsine's tears that Phelim scattered into the sky. Whether this is literally accurate, a metaphor, an abstraction, or a myth entirely unfounded in reality, is not clear to me."
Poshly stands near Mistanna.
Urbaj says, "Perhaps Phelim carefully distribute the stars to reflect himself and his siblings? Perhaps early astrologers saw the patterns they wanted to see, bearing the visages of their Immortals? Unclear, but it does seem like the Immortals gain power through them."
Poshly nods to Zynell.
Zynell grins at Poshly.
Maraisel ponders.
Avrenka says, "I thought Kertigen forged the stars."
Nevali says, "Well, if the stars come back and anyone wants to draw up some new constellations, I'm game for it."
Gwenddolyn says, "There are many stories about the formation of the stars."
Basteht scratches one ear, looking bemused.
Mhikal says to Nevali, "Sounds like quite an intense last while."
Nevali exclaims to Mhikal, "It's good to have long term goals!"
Zynell asks Liraxes, "I suppose that is the best we can do without a drawing or the real thing. is there a probability that it is a language readable by someone?"
Tirost says to Avrenka, "There were also the visions of someone forging stars."
Nevali says, "I could start now."
Poshly exclaims, "Oh I have so many ideas for new constellations!"
Brandishing them like a sword,Nevali waves her celestial charts in sweeping arcs.
Avrenka nods to Tirost.
Gwenddolyn exclaims, "I wish I could forge stars!"
Zynell grins at Poshly.
Tirost smiles at Gwenddolyn.
Urbaj carefully says, "I also spoke to a Philosopher who does not wish to be named, but who offered some additional insight. These may be the incoherent ramblings of a madman, or a demon's deliberate attempt to mislead us."
Aerilia tilts her head to one side.
Onara glances up at the sky.
Urbaj says, "He claimed that during a recent ritual, he witnessed Urrem'tier, in the form of a massive scorpion, cross the heavens and pierce...something...with its stinger, which dripped with a silvery fluid that left a sparkling trail of new stars in the sky."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Zynell, "The best conclusion that Liraxes can offer at the moment is that it is of some meaning to the Heralds."
Nevali says, "Everyone was playing up the misleading angle when this all began..."
Lupdels raises an eyebrow.
Zynell says, "Novel idea."
Gwenddolyn nods to Nevali.
Tirost gazes thoughtfully at Urbaj.
Gwenddolyn says, "I was too."
Zynell grins mischievously at Liraxes.
Zynell playfully tilts her ears in opposite directions.
Urbaj says, "Once again, through Urrem'tier adventurers saw the power and might of the Immortals being reflected in the form of stars. It makes more and more sense that the Heralds would want to blot them out."
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Do you know where bad rainbows go?"
Avrenka exclaims to Liraxes, "... to prism!"
Urbaj groans.
Karthor chuckles.
Avrenka chortles softly at some secret joke.
Aerilia fixes Avrenka with a serene, lofty stare.
Lupdels chuckles at Avrenka.
Zynell says to Urbaj, "That happened."
Mhikal grins.
Onara grins at Avrenka, her dimples flashing into view.
Lupdels grins.
Zynell says, "What the necro said is true."
Zynell nods.
Mhikal exclaims to Avrenka, "That was very well done!"
Liraxes tonelessly says to Avrenka, "Ah, a pun. Understood."
Urbaj grins.
Lupdels says to Avrenka, "Sounds like they got off on a light sentence."
Avrenka says, "Hey ... he actually acknowledge my joke ... progress."
Avrenka flashes a quick grin at Lupdels.
Zynell says, "He took something out of knife clan much like he did the other clans."
Mhikal chuckles at Lupdels.
Zynell shrugs.
Nevali says to Liraxes, "I don't think you did understand. The only two reactions possible to a pun is disbelief and amazement, or complete and utter hatred..."
Gwenddolyn says, "If Liraxes gets your humor, egads."
Tirost thoughtfully says, "When left after visiting me with a vision, I noticed starry light as he disappeared..."
Avrenka says, "Eh, he's from the plane of probability, he already hates me."
Nevali says to Avrenka, "I... y'know... you... yeah..."
Urbaj gazes at Tirost.
Nevali sighs.
Avrenka flashes a quick grin at Nevali.
Gwenddolyn asks, "When who left Tirost?"
Gwenddolyn peers quizzically at Tirost.
Tirost says, "Meraud."
Dzive Asini Leayne just arrived.
Avrenka says, "I think I recall that too ... during one of the experiments."
With a friendly smile, Zynell holds Leayne's hand.
Tirost says, "He was dressed in a cloak and held a staff crackling with power. When he departed, it was with starry light."
Gwenddolyn says, "Ahh, perhaps their avatars are like power sources."
Leayne joins Zynell's group.
Lupdels ponders.
Poshly beams!
Urbaj says, "It's a fascinating duality stars have. So closely bound to the Lunar, but also the Divine."
Mhikal grins.
Gwenddolyn says, "Stealing their avatars reduces their ability to recharge."
Tirost nods to Urbaj.
Nevali asks, "So... if we gather up all the rangers' pet raccoons, would that empower Zachriedek?"
Avrenka says, "Or perhaps the Divine also have access to the web of fate."
Avrenka says, "And access to alternate timelines."
Ghust quietly asks, "Alernate timelines?"
Avrenka looks at Ghust and shrugs.
Basteht frowns.
Avrenka says, "Purely hypothetical thoughts of mine."
Tirost says to Urbaj, "The connection between the stars and Immortals is not something I have thought about. I wish the nature of their relationship were clearer."
Avrenka says, "Based on no actual confirmed truths."
Mhikal gets a custard doughnut from atop a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds.
Urbaj nods at Tirost, obviously agreeing with his views.
Gragnel idly picks at a simple cassock of stark black cotton.
Gragnel adjusts his simple cassock into place.
Basteht nods at Tirost, obviously agreeing with his views.
Mhikal wobbles, moaning softly in pleasure.
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Gwenddolyn says, "Sounds like my theories."
Gwenddolyn nods to Avrenka.
Leayne nods to Crobin.
Rileos raises his hand.
Karthor chuckles.
Gwenddolyn winks at Karthor.
Mhikal glances at a bottle.
Leayne gets a custard doughnut from atop a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds.
Avrenka looks at Gwenddolyn and shrugs.
Tirost grins at Gwenddolyn.
Nevali says, "Yeah, moongates are always opening to slightly different parallel universes. You're never quite in the same world as when you started. If you kept opening and going through new ones, you could end up in a place where Rakash turn into humans when Katamba is full."
Rileos says to Liraxes, "You been here before? This specific location I mean."
Leayne licks a custard doughnut.
Gragnel says to Zynell, "Should I get some theories? They sounds important."
Gragnel ponders.
Aerilia gazes up at the sky.
Zersha blinks at Nevali.
Mhikal drops a bottle.
Ghust quietly says, "That would be weird."
Mhikal picks up a bottle.
Nevali nods to Ghust.
Zynell says to Gragnel, "Aye."
Avrenka says to Nevali, "Is that so? I always thought they were schwarzchild solutions with ein-rosen bridges."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Rileos, "Liraxes has been here previously as part of information gathering."
Mhikal puts his bottle in his zibeline greatcloak.
Mhikal gets a bottle of fresh milk from inside his zibeline greatcloak.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Zynell giggles.
Nevali looks at Avrenka and shrugs.
Rileos asks Liraxes, "Did you eyeball that rock at all?"
Rileos points at a worn stone.
Chimaia frowns.
Nevali asks Avrenka, "Same thing, different dictionaries, maybe?"
Lupdels blinks at Nevali.
Gwenddolyn asks, "Can Liraxes assess that worn stone and what it means?"
Gwenddolyn points at a worn stone.
Nevali scratches one ear, looking bemused.
Gragnel asks Zynell, "Did I tell you about the one I have where all the Immortals are just Damaris in diguise?"
Mhikal assesses his combat situation.
Zynell says to Gragnel, "Makes sense."
Zynell nods.
Leayne glances up at the sky.
Avrenka looks at Nevali and shrugs.
Gragnel says to Zynell, "He is really good at diguises."
Poshly smirks.
Tirost says to Gragnel, "Knew she'd say that."
Ghust glances up at the sky.
Zynell grins at Tirost.
Tirost smiles.
Zynell says, "Is."
Zynell gets a telothian-banded shadowleaf teddy bear with void-black maelstone eyes from inside her kirmiko pocket.
Telamont says, "Some actually think that Damaris and Demriss are one in th same."
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Any thoughts on the 5 imprisoned?"
Zynell shows Tirost her teddy bear.
Telamont nods to Gragnel.
Zynell says, "4."
Basteht shakes her head.
Basteht kindly says, "Not same."
Avrenka looks at Zynell and coughs.
Telamont says, "They are not."
Zynell mutters to herself.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Tirost says to Zynell, "That thing is terrifying, in the best way."
Mhikal springs effortlessly to his feet!
Nevali nods at Basteht, obviously agreeing with her views.
Poshly raises an eyebrow.
Zynell giggles.
Zynell gives a telothian-banded shadowleaf teddy bear with void-black maelstone eyes a hug!
Tirost gestures.
Zersha grins at Zynell, her dimples flashing into view.
Zynell says, "I love it."
Poshly pats the swamp rat on the head, the rodent submitting to the condescending gesture with an irritated hiss.
Nevali says, "Vague similarities is all..."
Mhikal takes a bite of the doughnut.
Avrenka grins at Zynell.
Avrenka looks at Zynell and shrugs.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "There is a distortion present in the vicinity of the stone, the details of which are beyond Liraxes perception. Based on gathered information and calculations thus far, Liraxes concludes that the missing individuals are there. For some definitions of 'there'."
Poshly squints at a scrawny swamp rat.
Onara says, "There's a rat on by the doughnuts."
Onara glances at a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds.
Nevali pats a kitchen rat.
Basteht nods at Liraxes, obviously agreeing with his views.
Rileos says, "Yeah, about what we know too."
Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting."
Nevali says, "Doughnut defender."
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Are you able to detect how many are still there?"
Onara grins at Nevali, her dimples flashing into view.
Mhikal asks Liraxes, "So kind of phased into the distortion?"
Ghust runs his fingers lightly over his leather fob, and it shines brightly for a moment. Suddenly, a glass of salted caramel iced coffee topped with whipped cream appears in his hand!
Gwenddolyn says, "Oh good question."
Ghust offers Onara a glass of salted caramel iced coffee topped with whipped cream.
Nevali quietly says to Onara, "Not really doing a good job though."
Rileos says, "That's all I had for smart ideas, y'all. It's just dumb ones from here on out."
Onara giggles.
Karthor chuckles.
Nevali holds her hand out towards Rileos for a highfive.
Gwenddolyn asks, "How many are still there?"
Zynell grins at Rileos.
Rileos and Nevali highfive each other and follow it up with simultaneous finger snaps. Sassy!
Basteht smirks at Rileos.
Ghust gives Onara a playful poke in the ribs.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Liraxes cannot observe them directly, but probability calculations still indicate an opportunity for all of them to be returned."
Onara grins at Ghust, her dimples flashing into view.
Avrenka nods.
Mhikal takes a sip of his milk.
Ghust offers Onara a glass of salted caramel iced coffee topped with whipped cream.
Gwenddolyn asks, "Them being five still?"
Onara accepts Ghust's iced coffee.
Onara beams at Ghust!
Onara says to Ghust, "Thank you."
Ghust nods.
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "The return of one already was considered an unlikely outcome, and the event is being used to modify ongoing calculations."
Nevali says to Rileos, "It's not for us to decide what's smart or dumb. The universe has truths, and those truths dictate what the ideas are. Our perceptions will always be flawed by the lack of information, or lack of ability to maintain information in a coherent matrix."
Rileos leans on Ruea.
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Best action to take, that will set them free?"
Onara raises an eyebrow in Tirost's direction.
Gwenddolyn asks, "Has Liraxes ever sensed an imprisoned gardener somewhere in observations?"
Avrenka says to Nevali, "I like the cut of your jib."
Rileos squints at Nevali.
Tirost sighs.
Tirost gives Onara a rueful grin.
Nevali asks Avrenka, "Oh no... is my jib open?"
Leayne puts her doughnut in her rose colored haversack.
Leayne giggles.
Nevali adjusts her wizard's robes into place.
Rileos says to Nevali, "Or, and hear me out on this one, nuh-uh."
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Tirost chuckles at Rileos.
Nevali sticks out her tongue at Rileos and lets loose with a loud, "Thbtbtbt" from her lips!
Ghust takes a sip of his coffee.
Crobin chuckles.
Avrenka chuckles at Nevali.
Leayne grins at Crobin, her dimples flashing into view.
Ruea slips away, disappearing with a soft laugh and a hint of violets.
Liraxes tonelessly says to Avrenka, "Cooperating with the actions of the immortals, continued sorcerous casting to further distract/enrage the Heralds, and being prepared to act on the fly in this spot if the Heralds can be made to loosen their grasp."
Zynell shrugs.
Tirost nods to Liraxes.
Aerilia nods.
Tirost says, "We'll be ready."
Avrenka nods.
Gwenddolyn shifts her weight.
Ghust takes a sip of his coffee.
Rileos says to Liraxes, "Did you need an entire crystal voting booth to come to this end? This seems pretty intuitive."
Avrenka asks, "Do our best to counter the Heralds broadly, and everything will fall into place, eh?"
Liraxes tonelessly says to Gwenddolyn, "Liraxes has heard of this 'gardener', but lacks data on this entity."
Nevali asks, "Has this Dantia person been around any since her... rescue? Return? Appearance? Is she getting rested and taken care of, will she be ready to relate her experience any time soon?"
Gwenddolyn nods to Liraxes.
Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting."
Mhikal puts his milk in his zibeline greatcloak.
Zynell says, "She did last night."
Rileos says to Nevali, "Came by the other day to the Zoluren meetin to tell us about it, yeah."
Crobin says, "SHe is resting."
Tirost says to Nevali, "She has, at the recent Zoluren meeting."
Nevali says, "Rats, missed that..."
Nevali sighs.
Zynell says, "And was wildly uninteresting or helpful."
Nevali says, "Glad she's feeling better."
Rileos pats Nevali on the back.
Basteht chortles softly at some secret joke.
Lupdels frowns.
Mhikal chuckles at Zynell.
Zynell shrugs.
Gragnel mutters something into the air about Therengians.
Gragnel sighs.
Tirost says, "She said she could sense Ayrell, which gives us some hope the others are alive."
Gwenddolyn raises an eyebrow in Gragnel's direction.
Liraxes tonelessly says to Rileos, "The purpose of the voting was to determine if there was sufficient will on your parts to participate as needed."
Ghust takes a sip of his coffee.
Tirost says, "She also didn't have to escape. Her imprisonment ended when the Knife Clan encasement fell."
Rileos peers quizzically at Liraxes.
Gwenddolyn asks, "So I wonder where the other four are?"
Tirost says to Gwenddolyn, "Closer to freedom as far as I'm concerned."
Avrenka says, "Liraxes said in here ... somehow."
Gwenddolyn says, "If she was not with them."
Onara blinks.
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Zynell says, "Bodiless in nothingness and alone from the sound of it."
Zynell nods to Gwenddolyn.
Tirost nods to Zynell.
Karthor asks, "Hmm, how's that work, I wonder? The "prison" shrunk an' she just happened to be closest to the "edge" or somesuch?"
Karthor scratches his head.
Avrenka looks at Karthor and shrugs.
Mhikal ponders.
Avrenka asks, "Either that or the Heralds were too distracted ... or didn't have enough power to maintain her prison?"
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Nevali nods to Avrenka.
Gwenddolyn says, "The stone looks like an imprisoned star."
Tirost nods to Avrenka.
Telamont observes a worn stone with fascination.
Urbaj just touched a worn stone.
Avrenka raises his palms skyward, chanting.
Avrenka gestures.
A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness, which yawns open like a hungry maw.
Mathematician Avrenka went through a triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness.
Nevali says, "I still am not sure if the Heralds even KNOW there are people in their prison. They might still think it's the Hungry Gardener in there or something."
Avrenka just came through a triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness, dragging the body of Comfrin behind him.
Avrenka says, "Uh... sorry to interrupt."
Urbaj says, "Stars are usually associated with icy coldness."
A triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness collapses in on itself.
Zynell works carefully at tending Comfrin's wounded right arm.
Onara smiles at Avrenka, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
Mhikal peers quizzically at Comfrin.
Basteht frowns.
Zynell gestures.
A pale blue nimbus explodes outward, enshrouding Zynell's body like a ghostly blanket. Slender tendrils of silver vapor slowly arise from the cloud and reach for Zynell's eyes like long spectral fingers.
The color in Zynell's eyes changes, the pupils gradually fading from sight as her eyes turn pale blue.
Zynell's eyes flare briefly and the blue-white hue intensifies.
Mhikal pats Comfrin on the back.
Karthor lays his hand on Comfrin's arm.
Basteht kindly says, "Stars are also associated with lunar things."
Ghust takes a sip of his coffee.
Zynell gestures at Comfrin.
A thin silver nimbus surrounds Comfrin.
Zersha glances up at the sky.
Basteht kindly says, "And one hundred thirty ninth stone..."
Zynell points at Comfrin.
Nevali says to Liraxes, "So, I got a question for you..."
Zynell says, "Wonds for the taking."
Karthor says, "No there aren't."
Karthor hums to himself.
Basteht just touched Zynell.
Gwenddolyn asks, "Does Liraxes know about how long it will take for this thing in the sky to get here?"
Zynell gestures at Comfrin.
A thin silver nimbus surrounds Comfrin.
Zynell gestures at Comfrin.
Comfrin is outlined by a silvery corona for a moment.
Zynell nods.
As Zynell intones a quiet prayer to Damaris, her hands begin to glow faintly silver. She extends a glowing hand towards the body of Comfrin.
The soft red glow around Comfrin's body fades away.
Dark crimson bands of light flow about the body of Comfrin, pulsating with a heartbeat rhythm. Silvery-grey tendrils twine around the red bands, seeping into the corpse. As the last tendril vanishes from view, the bands explode with a brilliant flash and Comfrin blinks dazedly, wobbling on his feet.
Karthor lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Zynell!
Tirost smiles.
Mewawl says to Avrenka, "Course I had pg and cv up so that may have been part of itl on clot."
Nevali asks Liraxes, "If you're just a being of math and stuff, can't you like... create yourself a body unbound by gravity, and start flying around in space? Go beyond the planets, see what's out there?"
Zynell grins at Karthor.
Avrenka nods to Mewawl.
Unyielding Valor Comfrin moseys down.
Tirost says to Zynell, "You do some excellent work, Zynell. Always have."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Gwenddolyn, "Liraxes does not believe it is approaching, but attempting to position itself to strike against the Heralds."
Mewawl chuckles.
Zynell says to Karthor, "Apologies must have looked right before the pulse."
Lupdels nods to Liraxes.
Gwenddolyn says, "That was a definite answer."
Zynell nods to Tirost.
Crobin nods to Liraxes.
Gwenddolyn nods to Liraxes.
Lupdels says, "Fascinating."
Mewawl gets a kitchen rat from atop a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds.
Zynell says to Tirost, "Tis Damaris' doing, not mine."
Gwenddolyn says, "A counter by the Immortals."
Mewawl puts his rat in his journey pack.
Karthor says to Zynell, "No worries, I actually enjoy exchanges like that. They're fun."
Tirost nods to Gwenddolyn.
Karthor grins at Zynell.
Zynell grins at Karthor.
Liraxes tonelessly says to Nevali, "Liraxes is capable of rapid movement on this plane, but having a physical presence to be able to interact comes with limitations."
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Avrenka says, "So we need to keep up our distractions."
Onara smiles at Ghust, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
Rileos glances at a worn stone.
Aerilia nods to Avrenka.
Rileos asks Liraxes, "But can you shrink?"
Gwenddolyn says, "Yes the bigger the distraction, the easier the Immortals get a window to take advantage."
Nevali asks Liraxes, "So... if you can ditch the body and whisk yourself up there, what's it like? Ever do that before? Just run around on our plane and see the sights?"
Aerilia says, "More large scale sorcery while we wait for divine instruction."
Liraxes tonelessly says to Rileos, "It would be possible, yes."
Nevali leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Onara takes a sip of her coffee.
Rileos runs his fingers through his hair.
Gragnel pats the temple rat on the head, the rodent wiggling its whiskers contentedly in return.
Rileos says, "I'm startin to wonder if we should just ask it to go in there and yank em out."
Mhikal paces back and forth, smiling slightly to himself.
Nevali asks Liraxes, "Can WE shrink without exploding into goo?"
Basteht kindly asks Liraxes, "How many planes are you able to access? What planes are inaccessible?"
Basteht angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Liraxes.
Avrenka asks Liraxes, "Have you detected the presence of a ... very large godling? A being of antimonic sorcery?"
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Liraxes is here for the purpose of restoring Balance, and is gathering information only for that purpose."
Basteht sniffs at Liraxes.
Basteht mutters something into the air about molten glass.
Basteht sniffs at Liraxes.
Basteht angles her ears forward in curiosity.
Nevali says, "Liraxes is a total dweeb who resents fun of any kind. A real square. The most boring of shapes."
Gwenddolyn gazes intently at Liraxes.
Zynell ponders.
Avrenka blinks at Nevali.
Basteht chuckles at Nevali.
Mhikal's jaw drops.
Karthor chuckles.
Rileos says, "Figured that'd be too simple."
Telamont ponders.
Rileos waves dismissively.
Onara asks Basteht, "Does it smell?"
Onara sniffs at Liraxes.
Basteht nods to Onara.
Onara says, "Huh."
Basteht nods at Onara, obviously agreeing with her views.
Nevali sniffs at Liraxes.
Rileos says to Nevali, "Don't say that, it might be willing to play craps with me and then I could win all of his probability money."
Lupdels raises his tankard, drinking deeply from the dark ale inside.
Onara says to Basteht, "I believe you have started a trend."
Zynell puts her bear in her kirmiko pocket.
Ghust grins.
Zynell gets a translucent crystal chalice inset with meticulously cut garnet hearts from inside a leather thigh bag heavily-beaded in cambrinth with the image of a fierce panther.
Basteht breaks out in a silly grin.
Zynell holds her chalice at arm's length, gazing at Liraxes through its translucent structure. After a moment she blinks and lowers it, glancing at Liraxes thoughtfully.
Basteht winks at Onara.
Mhikal says to Rileos, "Well, probably..."
Gwenddolyn says, "He is impercieveable."
Zynell frowns.
Gwenddolyn says, "Or it."
Rileos flashes a quick grin at Mhikal.
Nevali says to Rileos, "Never play against a being made of pure math and probability... look, what I said about ideas not being smart or dumb? That's definitely one of the obviously Universally Unwise ones."
Zynell asks Liraxes, "Who are your favor from?"
Zynell puts her chalice in her thigh bag.
Basteht giggles at Nevali.
Basteht praises Nevali.
Rileos says to Nevali, "Yeah, but if I win that'd be a hell of a story."
Zersha giggles at Nevali.
Onara dimples at Zynell.
Nevali gazes at Rileos.
Tirost chuckles.
Nevali says to Rileos, "Well... Yeah."
Zynell angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Onara.
Liraxes tonelessly says, "Liraxes must continue to review data and refine calculations. A critical juncture for acting against the Heralds appears to be approaching. Failure will likely provide them with the opportunity to take drastic action."
Onara says to Zynell, "You have some excellent questions."
Onara nods.
Mhikal waves to Liraxes.
Urbaj says to Liraxes, "Thank you."
Karthor asks, "Nothin' ominous about that, eh?"
Karthor twitches.
Gwenddolyn nods to Liraxes.
Basteht gazes at Liraxes.
Zynell says to Onara, "I am a curious creature."
The air around Liraxes shimmers and distorts, and its crystalline form seems to recede into the distance without actually moving. In just a moment it has taken the appearance of a tiny dot, at which point the distortion of the air vanishes with a faint pop.
Liraxes steps into a shadow and is simply gone!
Nevali sighs.
Aerilia furrows her brow.
Lupdels nods.
Rileos scratches distractedly at his beard.
Leayne blinks.
* Liraxes returns home from a hard day of adventuring.
Ghust quietly says, "Ummmm."
Zynell says, "Smart for him to leave before answering that."
Nevali asks, "Think he left because I insulted him?"
Leayne softly says, "Just like that."
Rileos says, "I wonder how it would throw dice..."
Basteht nods at Zynell, obviously agreeing with her views.
Gwenddolyn chuckles at Zynell.
Lupdels nods to Zynell.
Urbaj says, "See, Liraxes CAN shrink down."
Onara nods to Zynell.
A cold grey light slowly lays bare the landscape about you as the sun rises, hidden behind heavy clouds.
Basteht laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.
Avrenka says to Nevali, "You hurt his feelings."
Tirost grins at Urbaj.
Nevali says, "Math has no feelings."
Nevali sticks out her tongue and lets loose with a loud, "Thbtbtbt" from her lips!
Avrenka grins.
Onara says, "He smells weird."
Telamont asks, "He was protected by spells?"
Gwenddolyn says, "He was not going to divulge he has favors from any Immortal."
Telamont asks, "Why?"
Crobin says, "Math is more about hurting feelings."
Basteht nods at Onara, obviously agreeing with her views.
Avrenka says, "He had Elision up."
Branagan goes down.
Rileos flashes a quick grin at Crobin.
Leayne ponders math
Zynell says to Telamont, "Some of us do have a murder first ask never mentality."
Urbaj says, "I had an experiment planned for this evening, but I'm exquisitely grateful that Liraxes already answered about as much as I had hoped to uncover: the stars are still there, but they are deliberately obscured in some way by the Heralds in an effort to weaken the Immortals, because the Immortals are somehow linked to the stars."
Ghust quietly asks, "Um stupid question but....what is math?"
Poshly nods to Zynell.
Aerilia nods to Urbaj.
Onara says to Ghust, "It's a type of bacon."
Zynell giggles at Poshly.
Telamont says, "2 plus 2."
Telamont nods to Ghust.
Nevali looks at Ghust and sighs.
Zersha fixes Ghust with a serene, lofty stare.
Zynell says, "Fish."
Zynell nods.
Avrenka bops Ghust over the head.
Urbaj says, "So I'm happy to call it quits for the night. Folks are of course welcome to stay and chat."
Crobin says, "1 plus 1 equals needing a drink."
Zynell says, "I know that one."
Zynell nods to Telamont.
Tirost smiles at Urbaj.
Rileos holds up two fingers, holds up two fingers and then holds up four fingers.
Telamont nods to Zynell.
Nevali nods to Urbaj.
Urbaj says, "If any of you more religiously inclined folks would like to host, I would like to attend a vigil to Phelim (to better understand the Immortals' relationship to constellations) or Urrem'tier (to better understand what he's doing stabbing things with starlight) some day."
Leayne peers quizzically at Crobin.
Basteht kindly says to Urbaj, "Perhaps removing their symbols weakens their power."
Nevali asks Urbaj, "What was the experiment going to be?"
Gwenddolyn says, "He uses starlight, so elision makes sense."
Urbaj nods to Basteht.
Basteht ponders.
Tirost says to Urbaj, "You ask excellent questions and propose useful experiments, Urbaj. Thank you."
Crobin gets a ceramic jug of partially congealed blood-ale from inside his multi-strapped carryall.
Grinning, Crobin pulls a swig from a ceramic jug of partially congealed blood-ale.
Urbaj beams at Tirost!
Mhikal smiles.
Crobin puts his blood-ale in his multi-strapped carryall.
Leayne cowers away from Crobin!
Crobin smiles at Leayne.
Rileos looks at Crobin and blanches.
Crobin says, "Aww come on."
Crobin says, "Is good stuff."
Zynell giggles.
Zynell nods at Crobin, obviously agreeing with his views.
Telamont says, "I will try to rend him next time see if i can remove anything."
Avrenka says to Urbaj, "Thanks for hosting, very informative."
Telamont grins.
Aerilia nods in agreement.
Zynell giggles at Telamont.
Gwenddolyn says, "It was interesting that liraxes acknowledged the possbility that the gardener exists."
Basteht ponders.
Urbaj nods at Gwenddolyn, obviously agreeing with her views.
Miraeven bows to Urbaj.
Avrenka says, "Plane of probability entities tend to be overwhelmingly powerful, so go ahead at your own risk."
Citizen Miraeven goes down.
Mhikal asks, "I wonder if Elision works against grapples as well?"
Zynell says, "Next someone sees it, do ask who it gets favor from."
Nevali says, "Visions from Elanthia itself have got to be the most trustworthy of all the visions."
Zynell shrugs.
Telaen Mewawl rambles down.
Gwenddolyn asks, "What immortals use starlight, do they all use it for recharge?"
Karthor says to Zynell, "It's probly somethin' incomprehensible like "balance", or "the number orange"."
Karthor looks at Zynell and shrugs.
Onara glances at some beaded mauve velvet slippers.
Lupdels nods to Nevali.
Avrenka nods at Karthor, obviously agreeing with his views.
Onara asks, "Did someone take off their slippers?"
Rileos asks Karthor, "Are you having a stroke?"
Gwenddolyn says, "That was interesting indeed."
Zynell asks Karthor, "Aye, but then HOW. are we able to do the same?"
Telamont says, "The letter purple 7."
Telamont nods to Zynell.
Karthor grins at Rileos.
Mhikal says to Onara, "I found them in a package a had. You are welcome to them."
Zynell nods to Telamont.
Onara laughs!
Karthor asks Rileos, "Nah, I did mention incomprehensible didn't I?"
Karthor ducks his head.
Leayne babbles incoherently.
Lupdels glances up at the sky.
Nevali says, "Purple 7 is actually a great color, but I'm more partial to Purple 12b, it's got just a hint of raspberry-pink in it."
Nevali pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
Onara says to Mhikal, "That solves my curiosity at least."
Gwenddolyn says, "Well we do not need to worry about that thing in the sky, just to distract the Heralds so it can attack the Heralds."
Onara smiles at Mhikal, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
Mistanna salutes before turning and wandering off to find some rest.
Mhikal says to Onara, "Thought about leaving them on the stone in case anyone came back without shoes."
Onara says to Mhikal, "That is very thoughtful."
Rileos gazes off into the distance.
Urbaj says, "There have been other beings that seem to have the equivalent of favors...Asildu was resurrected by the Heralds, Krenze was resurrected by...something, maybe an Immortal, or some sort of elemental being. Valenal said that if we killed him, he would be re-assembled by the elementals in control of him."
Rileos asks, "Are..strokes contagious?"
Tirost nods to Aerilia.
Crobin says, "I don't think so Rileos."
Gwenddolyn says, "Interesting."
Shield of Death Heartsfyre glides down.
Leayne laughs at Poshly.
Crobin says, "But if you start to smell toast."
Avrenka nods at Urbaj, obviously agreeing with his views.
Rileos says to Crobin, "I didn't either but..."
Urbaj says, "I don't see why Liraxes can't have favors with the Greater Concept of Balance, or the concept of long divison or something."
Crobin says, "Find a empath."
Zynell nods to Urbaj.
Basteht kindly asks, "Strokes?"
Basteht frowns.
Basteht kindly says, "Brain injuries aren't contagious."
Basteht angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Rileos.
Zynell says, "Aye. just interesting theurgically."
Zynell shrugs.
Gragnel gazes off into the distance.
Ghust quietly asks, "Is it okay ta not fully understand all of this as long as someone else does?"
Crobin says, "Bless you Zyn."
Gwenddolyn says, "The relationship of the immortals to the stars is becoming very important."
Basteht frowns.
Avrenka says to Ghust, "Totally."
Basteht scratches one ear, looking bemused.
Taikyna nods politely.
Zynell says to Crobin, "Damaris does."
Ghust nods.
Zynell nods at Crobin, obviously agreeing with his views.
Basteht chuckles at Crobin.
Tirost smiles at Aerilia.
Fateweaver Taikyna goes down.
Gwenddolyn says, "Especially if Liraxes, who uses starlight, can get favors."
Basteht chuckles at Zynell.
Ghust quietly says, "This is waaay beyond me."
Shield of Death Heartsfyre just arrived.
Mhikal asks, "Hey... did Liraxes appear before the stars disappeared or after?"
Tirost says, "I should head south. Take care, everyone."
Nevali snorts, loudly.
Basteht kindly says, "Before."
Zynell says, "Before."
Crobin hugs Tirost, who wraps his arms around Crobin with a warm smile.
Nevali giggles.
Onara waves to Tirost.
Urbaj waves to Tirost.
Ghust waves to Tirost.
Aerilia nods to Tirost.
Gwenddolyn says, "Way before."
Zynell nods to Mhikal.
Basteht just tickled Zynell, who laughs and returns the favor.
Mhikal says, "Ah. Okay."
Tirost hugs Crobin, who wraps his arms around Tirost with a warm smile.
Tirost waves.
Heartsfyre just hugged Tirost.
Leayne hugs Tirost, who wraps his arms around Leayne with a warm smile.
Knight of Meraud Tirost drifts down.
Rileos says, "Alright, fleeing for my life now."
Rileos raises two fingers to his brow in a quick hand salute.
Ghust laughs!
Roughneck Rileos moseys down.
Zynell grins at Basteht.
Mhikal waves.
Karthor chuckles.
Onara grins, revealing her dimples.
Leayne blinks.
Basteht grins at Zynell.
Nevali asks Urbaj, "Missed it if you answered, but what was the experiment gonna be?"
Karthor says, "Right then, well I should probly head off too. Take care folks."
Karthor raises his hand in a quick salute.
Mhikal waves.
Leayne waves to Karthor.
Zynell glances up at the sky.
Bioexorcist Karthor plods down.
Avrenka nods.
Avrenka says, "Stars guide you all."
Onara waves to Avrenka.
Onara nods.
Shield of Death Heartsfyre glides down.
Urbaj says to Nevali, "I was going to have all of the Traders cast the most potent Noumena spell they could, and then we would meditate and try to sense the stars."
Avrenka waves.
Avrenka gestures.
A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness, which yawns open like a hungry maw.
Mathematician Avrenka went through a triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness.
Urbaj says, "Noumena is a fundamental Trader spell. The name refers to the philosophy that reality cannot be directly perceived. Noumena is the idea that the world exists independently from our perception and experience, and that our base senses can never fully grasp their true nature."
Nevali nods to Urbaj.
Zynell peers through the black Moongate.
Mhikal peers through the black Moongate.
Aerilia peers through the black Moongate.
Urbaj says, "It also grants the caster an innate sense of the movement of the stars. It allows us to draw down their power, even when they are obscured by other heavenly bodies."
Gragnel peers through the black Moongate.
Ghust peers through the black Moongate.
Zersha peers through the black Moongate.
Gragnel frowns.
Basteht nods to Urbaj.
Nevali asks Urbaj, "If a trader accidentally breaks contract, is there anything they can do to re-contract and get a new tessera?"
Onara says, "People just have to peer through a moongate, it's a compulsion."
Onara giggles.
Leayne laughs!
Gwenddolyn says, "Perhaps schedule another one and specify , it may make more show up."
Gwenddolyn nods to Urbaj.
Ghust nods to Onara.
A triangular black Moongate filled with a stormy darkness collapses in on itself.
Mhikal nods at Onara, obviously agreeing with her views.
Onara says, "Everytime I open one I get a few folks peering through."
Gwenddolyn says, "Specify traders."
Leayne taps some beaded mauve velvet slippers on the ground.
Crobin nods to Zynell.
Ghust quietly says, "Odd moongate."
Basteht chuckles at Onara.
Leayne nods to Crobin.
Zynell grins mischievously.
Urbaj says to Nevali, "If they break the contract, they usually get ripped to shreds by a Negotiant. I'm not sure if they remain in the agreement after that."
Nevali blinks.
Nevali says to Urbaj, "No, his tessera just vanished. He tried to give it to me to look at."
Gypsy Ysindre goes down.
Pack Storyteller Lupdels saunters down.
Urbaj says, "Oh."
Nevali says, "Then said that broke contract..."
Ghust quietly says, "Ah still wonder if somethin will happen with us rakash."
Crobin hugs Malorna, who wraps her arms around Crobin with a warm smile.
Crobin waves to Aerilia.
Mhikal says, "Well, I'm going to go find a tree. Safe paths, everyone."
Urbaj says, "That's fascinating. I didn't realize it was possible."
Crobin waves to Onara.
Aerilia waves to Crobin.
Urbaj waves to Mhikal.
Ghust waves.
Onara waves to Crobin.
Nyrhin bows.
Leayne hugs Malorna, who wraps her arms around Leayne with a warm smile.
Ghust nods to Onara.
Crobin waves to Ghust.
Enduring Mhikal strides down.
Merchant King Nyrhin goes down.
Ghust waves to Crobin.
Urbaj says, "I'd recommend he go back to the basement where the Negotiants are, and ask for another."
Crobin waves to Zersha.
Leayne hugs Ghust, getting a smile in return.
Urbaj says, "I imagine it's possible."
Poshly snorts at Zynell.
Nevali says, "He never got to give it to me. Just the thought of giving it to me caused it to vanish."
Zynell giggles at Poshly.
Zynell playfully tilts her ears in opposite directions.
Urbaj says, "Thats a pretty mild violation of the contract, in my opinion."
Nevali nods to Urbaj.
Ghust gives Onara a playful poke in the ribs.
Zynell giggles at Poshly.
Leayne studies her scholar's tome closely.
Poshly leans over and scratches Zynell's back.
Onara raises an eyebrow in Ghust's direction.
Poshly laughs!
Zersha curtsies gracefully to Crobin.
Zynell stands up.
Zynell carefully gathers up the delicate folds of a night-black starlight velvet prayer tapestry stitched with loimic and fey-bone.
Zynell puts her tapestry in her encompassing shadows.
Zersha shakes her silk umbrella vigorously, and a few raindrops drip from the silk of the canopy.
Ghust sticks out his tongue at Onara and lets loose with a loud, "Thbtbtbt" from his lips!
Zersha slides a bright red silk umbrella painted with golden yellow sunflowers closed.
Malorna stretches her arms.
Onara laughs!
Zersha shakes her silk umbrella defiantly at the heavens.
Zersha puts her umbrella in her encompassing shadows.
Zynell's eyelids droop slightly as she utters a low, affectionate trill at Telamont.
Desert Dancer Zersha goes down.
Telamont gently kisses Zynell on the forehead.
Telamont smiles.
Urbaj says, "Well, I'm going to be on my way. Thank you all for joining tonight. It's been a pleasure."
Zynell emits a rumbling noise of contentment.
Nevali says, "This was a real interesting time."
Gwenddolyn says, "Good eve."
Light of the World Gwenddolyn goes down.
Nevali waves to Urbaj.
Aerilia says, "Safe travels."
Aerilia bobs a brief, respectful bow.
Urbaj waves.
Nevali says, "Thanks for setting it up."
Basteht waves to Urbaj.
Ghust nods in agreement.
Mageling Aerilia strides down.
Nevali stands up.
Urbaj says, "My pleasure."
Stellar Statistician Urbaj strolls down.
Crobin says, "Think Leayne and I shall head towards town."
Nevali gathers up a brilliant watermelon-red picnic cloth embroidered with black seeds and all the food it holds, stuffs the bundle into a sturdy picnic basket shaped and painted like a bright green watermelon, and closes the lid securely.
Nevali puts her basket in her flannel gearbag.
Ghust nods in agreement.
Zynell nods.
Onara asks Ghust, "Ready?"
Leayne smiles at Crobin, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
Nevali puts her charts in her flannel gearbag.
Soul Surgeon Zynell patters down, leading her group.
Ghust nods to Onara.
Maraisel waves.
Onara waves.
High Priestess Maraisel goes down.
Battlefield Scholar Onara drifts down, leading her group.