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Footnotes 3 - August 11th - Labyrinthe Forum
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> Footnotes 3 - August 11th, Shielded chambers
Stuart
post Jul 23 2018, 09:01 AM
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Everything posted below is in shielded chambers - the "bad guys" cannot scry about any of comments made below.

Half of the adventure will be spent going to Armastas to find a hidden horn. Feel free to discuss anything else you might want to do below.

Ta,

Stuart


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giles
post Jul 23 2018, 11:13 AM
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Collated Reports on Recent Threats: specifically to attempts to undo The Choice


Report from Lord Ayvar Baddrass
A group of Knights assembled in Scarlene as per your hire: including Dias, Xeno, Tristan, a mage of white & brown magics, a duidoin holy warrior, Eric of Dead Heroes, Dog and others.

PART ONE – THE RESCUE OF KORKUS DELAMERE

We set out to meet with Arlen & Timeas Brougham (pronounced Braahm) of House Brougham, Earl Duff having very kindly sent a letter of introduction. They reside at Number 14 White Avenue off Temple Square.
Whilst outside their residence (they were finishing a meeting) – we encountered a Drowe by the name of Rax who was running a little impromptu duelling club upon which one could wager money. Needless to say I lost to an athfanal of considerably more skill than I. I scried, as a matter of course, just to make sure all was above board – and it broadly was – except he was a spy for his House, Shae’lack of Dem’Oristel – on both matters of trade but also – they have a parasite problem (see later). I did not get a chance to go back an talk to him as he had moved on.

House Brougham
Speaking to Timeas and Arlen – they were approached by Jim Biggins (local Scarlene fixer – well known, and it seems, well liked) who offered to clear their debts (they have had a run of bad luck – losing ships to both Jake Tremens and then with the tidal wave which struck Keys) in return for placing a small coin within the library of Korkus Delamere.
They were unaware of what the coin did, and whilst I think lax in their appreciation of the risk – they did enquire to ensure he would not be harmed. They are looking to arrange investment for the reconstruction of Keys and so were going to see Delamere as a potential investor. I do not see them as culpable as a letter from Neyos Blackfingers (the Myronese paper golem and member of the Huntsmen) refers to them as ‘unsuspecting merchants,’ who were ‘coerced.’ They told us that Jim Biggins had paid off their debts in return for this favour and that he drank in the Tavern where you had hired us.
Suggested Course of Action: It may be worth scrying to ensure that House Brougham has nothing supernaturally bringing them bad luck. If not, then I’d suggest leaving them alone – they were helpful, a bit naieve, have had some bad luck. Their idea to reconstruct Keys is a good one – I like to see things built rather than destroyed – wealthier and more influential individuals may wish to invest – it’s not like it hasn’t happened before.

We returned to The Tavern to find not only Jim Biggins, but also the drowe – Rax of House Shae’lack Shalazer

Rax of House Shae’lack NB he is actually Raxlini Shalazer
I communicated with him psychically – that I may have information about his parasite problem and we discussed the matter. He is aware of a significant number of hives of Flaycatchers throughout the Empire. They are clearly from Sephersis (Neyos letters back this up) – the suggestion is that eggs are placed in muffins. Unlike other hives – they are working in concert (ie. ususually if another hive strays onto the patch of another they come into conflict). The problem is targeting them and once one is dealt with – Sephersis will awken the others in the vicinity slaying their host. He was aware of at least three hosts in Scarlene. I arranged with him that we would make contact, I believe Lady Elinor is now aware of him.
Suggested Course of Action: I suggest we reach an agreement with him and House Shalazer sooner rather than later. The initial meeting was positive but if we let it drift then they may well make alternative arrangements – possibly with The Huntsmen – to our detriment. I am not sure if Meltdown and Aerlisseroth Despana are still Knights? I only know of Meltdown by reputation as an ambassador – but it might be something they could assist with. Either way – it was a good meeting but I have no doubt if we don’t do something then they will make their own arrangements.

Jim Biggins
I spoke with Jim after he had spoken with other members of our band and he agreed to tell us where the coin came from in return for money. He told me that a group of pirates had paid him to get a coin into the library of Korkus Delamere. Specifically that the coin was placed there at a time when Korkus would enter it. He rows out to meet with them on a nearby island. He didn’t ask them too many questions. Rax was of the opinion that Jim was decent enough.
I spoke to Jim about the prospect of future employment providing yourselves with information in return for payment and he seemed amenable.
He also told me that the Society of Obligations has it’s main headquarters here – at 17 White Avenue (off Temple Square) and that the head of the Society is: Oruld Washwick
He then rowed us out to the pirate island (which was shielded from scrying).
I does not take genius to work out that Oruld is an anagram of Droul, and Washwick sounds very similar to Prestwick (a previous alias of Droul). I broadly left it that Jim may spy for us in return for cash. However something about this does not quite add up, and I fear I may have been naive in not apprehending him. Also in report I have read – Drool is spelt like so.
Suggested Course of Action: something does not quite add up – a letter from Neyos to Isiah (the pirate captain) contained the following information – “Some friends of mine have managed to coerce a couple of unsuspecting merchants into dropping a teleport beacon in the study of a merchant called Korkus Delamere.” Now Arlen & Timeas were quite clear that Jim approached them – so it’s possible that if Jim is ‘the friends’ he is more in league with the Huntsmen than I thought, in which case he will not be suitable as a spy and should be apprehended/interrogated. It also calls into question the information with regard to Oruld Washwick – this almost seems too obvious to me. Worth recalling that Droul left the Huntsmen and made off with the Crown – it’s unlikely that they have reconciled – maybe we are being duped. Anyway something about this is not quite right.

Jim Biggins rowed us out of Scarlene Bay to this ‘hidden’ island. It was warded from scrying owing to a Blinkered Eye rite provided by Neyos which the local place spirit – a volcano spirit known as The Smouldering One in return for offerings had expanded over the entire island. Making an offering to the Smouldering One at a small shrine (chain and crystal) enabled you to scry and sense things within the Blinkered Eye but you were then unable to attack it in the manner of transgressing a wardpact. Wardings were set up to allow a single person passage – which we set off. Fortunately no one touched the very obvious treasure (worth something in the region of 80,000 Grulls) which would have flooded the island with lava. Ghosts of pirates manifested. There was the suggestion in the letters between Captain Isiah and Neyos – that this island might fade – so presumably was trapped in the ‘Nacht (hence the reference to vandling shards and Kiral Maat – the Horn of Duty’s Call).

We found an elderly pirate – who once slain, demons arrived to collect his soul. Captain Isiah was absent and raiding – Darren affected an entrance to his study where The Smouldering One resided. He retrieved the letters (Lady Vascane, at around the time which I began to read these hurriedly – I was concerned we might be melted by lava – you probably became aware that I was scrying about what you had for breakfast) which I include with this report and also the Vandling Shards which accompany it (clearly the Huntsmen operating out of the Broken Lands with Sephersis infecting many tribesmen have given them the opportunity to amass quite a few of the shards) – there was an ongoing fight with the Smouldering One during which we managed to find and rescue three prisoners

1. Korkus Delamere – is well known, was interrogated but has little knowledge of what happened to his library as he was unconscious at the time.
2. A scribe & scholar – Compunction Bush – a junior member of the Inquisition and Mittelweaver. Neyos ‘spoke’ to him at length about Vandling Shards, Vandling Ways and the nature of the Lord Inquisitor’s Orrery – how it was able to see threats in terms of secundal possibilities and the like – it would not surprise me if Neyos used this knowledge to devise a way of hiding from it – such that the flaycatcher threat has not appeared.
3. A slightly odd individual who kept speaking of his knowledge of the East coast – someone should speak to him at length as my focus was on the others.

WHAT I BELIEVE TOOK PLACE IN KORKUS’ STUDY/LIBRARY
The Brougham brothers placed the coin into the study during their meeting with Korkus. They left shortly after – Korkus returned to the room whereupon the coin activated – Captain Isiah and Neyos appeared – Isiah subdued him with a slight struggle, whereupon once he was unconscious – Neyos performed a rite which transferred the written contents of the books onto his own body – he then transported back to the warded pirate island.

FUTURE ACTION:
I have pondered about how best to deal with the Flaycatcher groups within the Empire. Given that they are concealed from the Orrery and the difficulty we would have finding a full hive in a city I would be worried about the potential loss of life. Potentially a host of angels could sweep through a city – targeting all of the dormant creatures at once – but that comes with its own issues.

Removing Sephersis the Queen seems to me to be the first step – unless this in some way harms all of the hosts - as she then can not issue the command to awaken all of the dormant flaycatchers – they can then be dealt with individually.

I think at the first available opportunity a group should head north to intercept Neyos
1. Sephersis has her eye on Scarred Bear’s apprentice
2. We could do with finind out about Kiral Ma’at
3. I am unsure if Sephersis has infected Scarred Bear already –. If not – he should be warned about what is happening within the Broken Lands – the Huntsmen desecrating sites and infecting tribesmen. My concern is that Scarred Bear may already be infected. Your reports suggest that he was in the Broken Lands seven years ago – when you were looking at unweaving the Torn Way. As an aside – this is presumably something you still wish to do, as there is a soul in torment stretched through it.

Previous reports ref. to Scarred Bear

Who are the shamen capable of unweaving the Torn Way? (and therefore attaching the Path Unending to Primus, but since I can't comm about that, I'll just use the Torn Way as an example). How would they each best be persuaded to co-operate with us in performing the necessary rites. I know one of them is Watching Owl so I won't get an answer for him. I think our preference is to ask an NPC rather than BBB but we shall see...
Other than Watching Owl, you might wish to consider speaking with Ikhala Hordehost. If that makes you feel a bit nervous, then there is Scarred Bear though it is perhaps as dangerous in different ways. He is an ornery, capricious and reclusive shaman who has been hanging around the Far North for the last couple of hundred years at least, allied to no particular tribe. He accepts apprentices rarely and is inclined against the Empire. But he is capricious. He has very recently travelled to the Broken Lands to bring guidance (and probably a slap round the head and a poke with his stick) to Soaring Hawk of the Mountain Lion Tribe.

So with regards to further action pertaining to Delamere’s abduction

1. Intercept Neyos – his body may yield up significant information – this will be difficult as the Huntsmen always had methods of escape
2. Discover the status of Scarred Bear
3. Find the location of Sephersis and kill her – hopefully this will enable us to make progress with removing the hives.
4. Recruit someone from the tribes to help negotiate. I recall that Slinkin’ Thru was considered by the Huntsmen for recruitment to their ranks – such was his hatred of the Empire – he may be persuaded to aid our cause given what they have done to the tribes in the Broken Lands?
5. We should not forget about the Society of Obligations
6. There is something that does not quite fit re. Jim Biggins

Part 2 will pertain to Tyrion Trask – as there are significantly different issues & courses of action that it warrants a separate report.

With that, I trust our business is concluded.

Report on the Recovery of Tyrion Trask
We went to the offices of The Cult of Power Unsullied in Scarlene. We met Clam Havershell
who opened a portal to the Gallowglass Isles where Trask was. There a number of the indigenous inhabitants were enslaved by members of The Cult of Power Unsullied. They argued that it technically was not slavery as the natives were being paid. It was clearly forced labour and the slaves were freed and sent back through the portal but were butchered by Clam Havershell.
The members of the Cult were either slain or incapacitated but were then slain by Brother Tubbs – who took violent exception to their actions. There was a some disagreement amongst our group about this course of action. We headed further into the Gallowglass interior fighting our way through the deadly local environment (beasts and plants), we encountered further natives, known as Braelan, some warriors who took us for slavers and attacked us – and another group who were praying and in a prayer circle dedicated to the Church of Harmony

We travelled further and reached a military camp of the Power Unsullied. Tyrion Trask was there and on the verge of joining the cult and signing over all his possessions including the oath/obligation. However the group whilst distasteful – seemed more interested in him, than in his particular oath – I do not think they are part of the group collecting oaths, just a deeply distasteful group.
Trask was persuaded to leave with us and contact his mother. Though recently there was the suggestion that he regrets his decision.

Notes on the Cult of Power Unsullied
The Cult of Power Unsullied is easily accessible and open to scrutiny. It prepares accounts every year which, for a proper fee, are scrutinised by the scribes to ensure they properly reflect their activities. The Cult is not shielded from scrying although its clients are. It was born the brainchild of Pieter Koleric, out of Halgar, when the public feeling turned to require nobles to actually live up to their roles, and is designed to help people with reputations to maintain avoid losing their links with the evil spirits.
They accept donations from dark-hearted individuals to perform evil deeds on their behalf. They specialise in operations outside of the Empire and its allies, so as not to cause diplomatic incidents. The donations are all fed into missions where the locals are dominated, exploited and/or raided in a fashion the dark spirits would be proud of.
Members of the Cult are provided with a good quality lifestyle, training and accommodation. They are encouraged, but not required, to give their worldly goods to the Cult to allow their power to grow. Profits of their evil works are used to make Pieter Koleric wealthy, and keep the Cult in good order and the cultists happy.
They have a complaints handler, Hilary Varesse, who is based in a small office in Halgar. She deals with any worrisome issues or upsets, and would be very happy to speak with anyone who has any issues with the Cult or its activities.
They have a standard pamphlet readily available which reads:
Evil spirits losing interest?
Are you struggling to find the time to be malign? Are your connections with dark powers wavering? In the Third Age it can be difficult to maintain an acceptable public persona while also inflicting pain, anguish and torment upon the unwary. This is where the Cult of Power Unsullied can help you! Why wield the knife yourself when you can pay someone to do it for you! Contributions to the Cult are guaranteed to maintain your standing with dark powers and we take exceptional steps to ensure that all dark deeds are committed beyond the Empire’s borders and in a manner not proscribed by law.
Why run the risk of your powers wavering in a dangerous moment? Don’t want to risk being caught in an embarrassing situation? Donate to the Cult of Power Unsullied today, and maintain the respect of the denizens of the netherworld. Contact Hilary Varesse in Halgar, or your local representative. Minimum donation G10,000.
Of particular note perhaps is their Scarlene Chapter where Clam Havershell welcomes all comers, and their extremely well-funded Thimon Chapter, staffed by Joshua Jackamore.


FUTURE ACTION:
The Gallowglass inhabitants are being killed and enslaved on the basis that they have no protection under Imperial Law – this is pretty shameful and possibly The Senate should be lobbied for The Gallowglass to be declared a protectorate or somesuch so that the Braelan have some legal status. The Cult of Power Unsullied is deeply distasteful but are sticklers for the law and by their nature probably have some clients of influence/almost certainly nobles.

The worship of Harmony is of potential concern - given that it's worship was instigated by a black & silver woman - one of the Huntsmen was a black and silver demon appearing in female form


Report to Lord Deville
From Yeoman DeWynter

Following a missive/hire from Orstval the Blue:

Korkus Delamere (who you rescued from the pirates) sends his gratitude. I regret that the last I heard of Tyrion Trask is that he was rather upset and certainly far from convinced that he made the right choice in leaving the Cult of Power Unsullied. Still, all in pursuit of the greater good.

I wonder whether some of you might be free to help again this Starsday coming? I have again tried to line up two things to address to ensure there is time to properly deal with them. I have consciously left dealing with the Flaycatchers for another time at present while others consider whether there are better ways than risking lives of innocents and/or having your minds torn to metaphorical pieces.

The first of these is relatively simple. Isiah Quelch has been slaughtering farmers and villages up and down the coast with real determination since you rescued his prisoners. It would be good to lay a trap for him and close that chapter for good.

The second is more involved. I would like you to try to gain an audience with the feared and reclusive shaman Scarred Bear. Initial scrying suggests that some sort of spirit quest will be needed to prove your worth, but anyone who has more information than this about the trial itself (i.e. what actually goes on inside the Spirit Quest) is barred from participating. It is an honour thing with the tribes - I'm sure you understand. There is a shaman called Black Wind in Legion Town who ought to be able to help further.

You will need to persuade one of Scarred Bear's apprentices that your need is great enough that it justifies bothering him, which is no small task. An appropriate gift might be wise, but I will have to leave investigation and establishing what is appropriate with you.

Lastly I should mention that my less salubrious connections have suggested a contract has been put out on those who met on the 23rd Jurrle. The price currently stands at 1,000 grulls for a death, 10,000 grulls if you remain dead for two weeks. I am sorry this has happened, but suggest it shows you have successfully irritated someone with money. It may reassure you to know that the contract applies to me also.

A small group of Knights mustered in Halgar: Diaz, Tristan, Dog, Gimly, myself and Xeno

We were making plans to travel to Legion Town when we were alerted that some of Isaiah’s forces had landed near the village on the coast of Scarlene (Greenwater). The place was defended by a sea god, Kamuili, within the Empress’s Pantheon.
The three key areas of the town that they had taken pains to ward were the tavern, the temple to the sea god and the storehouse. We barely held but were able to lure Isaiah to the village whereby Gimly, Tristan & Xeno were instrumental in killing him. Much of the village needs rebuilding and without the tavern, the heart of the village will fade, without the temple to the sea god Kamuili they will be defenceless, without food, they will starve.

FUTURE ACTION: I would suggest contacting the Governor of Scarlene, Lady Hylos to provide resources to rebuild the tavern, barn and reconsecrate the shrine. It’s a small village and they were unfortunate enough that it became the battleground for defeating Isiah.

Interrogating Isiah’s head, Dias was able to discover that he was responsible for hiring assassins to kill the group. He was angry that he had been thwarted in his desire to join the Huntsmen and so was hoping to build such a reputation that they might invite him once again. He was slain so that he can not return (except possibly to be reborn) and the suggestion from his correspondence with Neyos would be that the volcanic isle he used as a base will fade back into the ‘Nacht – though NOTE – that it was brought out of the ‘Nacht is interesting see later.

THE NORTH – SEEKING SCARRED BEAR
Orstval transported us back to The Rest to restore our fallen (Xeno and Dog) and then on to Legion Town ostensibly to meet Black Wind so he could initiate our shamen quest.
We met two Spears (Deacon & Johnny ½ Cup) who signed up to join the newly forming 23rd Legion. The two veterans told us that members of the Knights of Stach Yenten were in the nearby local tavern.

A Note About: The Knights of Stach Yent or The Knights of the 12 Chalices
They are an organisation similar in some ways to the Knights of the Land. They seek the 12 Chalices. The Cups themselves are artefacts – 12 Cups belonging to 12 ancient kings from the First Age. Each Chalice has a different power and they empower the Knights. For example The Shadowed Cup (not precise name) wards them from scrying (but only when they are on missions – it might be specifically when they are seeking the Chalices – though I am not entirely certain). They are much like our own organisation – some are nicer than others – of note they are lead by Father Prestwick (which is an alias of Drool), but they themselves are from reports, and those we met, quite a decent bunch. They can be dealt with reasonably, except where Prestwick/Drool is concerned – whilst he wears the crown, they will not believe any suggestion that he is not their able and respected leader – so you are probably better off not trying. Possibly placing the Blessing of Ea upon them (had we been able to get such a thing – and they might be freed from Drool’s sway.

We decided to go and speak with them. Present were Kestel the Grey, Hammell and Espial Darkfeather

Brief Previous Notes (there are probably more)
Kestel the Grey - Twilight mage, some psychic talent (passive?), follower of Redaip. Wears red & grey. If they are staying there you'll probably be able to locate him as he sets up his shrines to Redaip in triplicate.
Hammell the Seventh - a capable fighter who gets bored easily.
Elias/Espial Darkfeather (not Shadow) - is some sort dark elf trained in the arts of killing people. Last seen emerging from the deserts of Ishma, and heard to comment about the need to obtain the 'Chalice of the Beastwalker' to help against attacks from more aggressive local creatures

They were genial and helpful – they took out names and we learned the following things:
1) They were in the Far North looking to get a seed from the tree at the edge of reality – far to the north, beyond The Gathen on the very edge of nothing is a tree grown from the world tree – used in the rite to make the North part of Primus as its roots intertwine with those of the World Tree itself. They were looking to hire winter elves to fetch this – because only someone utterly impervious to cold could do so. They were also looking to gather a similar seed from the South, East & West. They were planning to do a rite with these seeds and possibly all 12 chalices (Kestel did most of the talking but wouldn’t say what the rite was. He was also writing everything down – probably in triplicate). A rite – if all 4 seeds were used would cover Primus (as suggested by Leaping Hare)
2) These 3 were some of the original members of the group (they were in Bledfield during the Tamarisk crisis) but the group has now grown to 40
3) They are adept at using the cups to empower themselves
4) Interestingly they keep a list of people to kill on sight – doubtless mostly supplied by Father Prestwich/Drool – Uddlepup the Goblin was on it (Drool is still at odds with the Hunstmen)
5) They advised us not to go anywhere near Black Wing – who would probably take our money and given the price on our heads would invariably have tried to collect on it whilst notionally taking us on a shamen quest. Instead they suggested White Feathers – of the snow orc tribe.

A Note About White Feathers
White Feathers is a former apprentice of Scarred Bear. He knows where Kiral Ma’at is. Uddlepup the goblin shaman of The Cockroach tribe has been trying to get apprenticed to him. Uddlepup is a healer and a spirit goblin, he is working for The Huntsmen – because he is terrified that if he doesn’t his tribe and himself will be destroyed – the tribe have been implanted with something – presumably flaycatchers. Though note – flaycatchers do not like the cold – so Uddlepup may well have not had one.


6) I can not stress, how affable The Knights of Stach Yenten were – they should be treated with caution as their leader is Drool – but they seem to be decent and are admired – it would be good to help them if we could.

We found the snow orc tribe – we killed the black hearted chieftain of a frost ogre tribe to prove ourselves worthy of White Feathers time, told him of Uddlepup, whom he had rejected anyway. He agreed to guide us/initiate a shamen quest.

The details of shaman quests are not to be revealed.
We managed to gain an audience with Leaping Hare (one of Scarred Bear’s apprentices, the other two: Stinging Wasp is on a quest for his master deep, deep within the Far North. Soaring Hawk is in the middle of a long rite and unlikely to welcome being interrupted.)
NOTE – The Knights of Stach Yenten had completed their own spirit quest. They didn’t say with regards to what – but it’s possible they made contact with Scarred Bear or one of his apprentices – possibly Stinging Wasp is heading deep, deep within the Far North for them?? Though why would they still be trying to hire Winter Elves ? Just worth noting.

We discussed the following:
1. The Huntsmen are looking for Kiral Ma’at
2. Leaping Hare & Scarred Bear are aware of the threat posed to the tribes in the Broken Lands (those being infected with flaycatchers). Sephersis is a hive mind – ie. you would have to kill all of them. Leaping Hare suggested that to battle it – entering the plane/realm of thought to engage with the entity as a whole (though not with the group we had). We also discussed the possibility of a host of angels to strike at a group of the flaycathers, a ritual to create salt rain and similar. Leaping Hare suggested that she came from a time when all but a handful were flay, and that there never was a time when all were flay – ie. she may have been found/brought forth from convergence.
Though cross check this with notes that she may be from Vokk and that she was defended by a demon of secrets (question is this one who we have already encountered who I will not name) – who could only be harmed by a starmetal weapon (the Kingfishers – a group of hedge in Vokk have such a weapon but at the last note would have needed to be convinced)

3. What are the Huntsmen up to? It appears they are attempting to undo The Choice.

4. Someone – we think The Huntsmen are making it so that some of the dead never were and they are choosing who very carefully. Essentially the 1000 souls (from the Gallowglass) who were willingly bound to the 3rd Age (where at the end of the 1st Age – the 1000 souls had been forcibly bound by The Laiu) it is as if they had never been. By removing the 1000 souls from ever having been they will in effect undo The Choice made at the end of the 3rd Age – when at the end of the 3rd Age 23 of the blood shed blood on the 23 shards of reality . The consequence of this would be that reality as we understand it would shatter into pockets of reality surrounded by mist and monsters and fae and more. The Inner Walls of Halgar would hold as would similar bastions of reality, but many would die and be swallowed by the mist and fragmented reality.

Given that at the last Choice 1000 souls from Gallowglass moved on peacefully - I am pondering a connection with the Church of Harmony & if they may somehow be involved - given the description of the individual who instigated the worship of Harmony.

5. Leaping Hare also asked if the Shadow of the Throne was safe and intact – ie. the ritual chamber – given the new City Spirits – the keys to it may not be as secure. This should be checked.

6. Leaping Hare spoke of a Soothspaaken – of which he recalled:

A soul of two worlds that never were
Carrying upon his shoulders the never born (souls from other worlds not strong enough to become) place his hand upon the crystal and all that never was will be once more

This appears to be a fragment of Lady Elinor’s vision – which it would seem is in itself Soothspaaken:




A cloud floats and it is everywhere and everything. There is no pattern to it – here there is darkness and there there is light, and every shade of colour and those things beyond colour. Her mind wrestles with it, searching for order and while there are places here and there where the shapeless cloud seem to have formed a structure there is no pattern to them, no order at all.
Voices come to her, and almost unconsciously she steels herself to listen, but obviously not to do anything they tell her.
The first, low and steady and sure: “It will be better. There will be rules. The epidal forces will be bound and restricted. They will be forced to use agents, and no longer contend directly.”
A second, measured and calm: “But what of the others, the lands beyond? Do we not destroy countless realms, millions of beings?”
The first: “When we succeed they will never have been. The existence of those who are is infinitely more important than the wellbeing of those who are not. Our very success absolves us of any moral wrong.”
A third, high and querilous: “But...”
The first interjects: “Enough! If we do not, then another will. We must trust ourselves and act now before another does. And if we are wrong, well, that which is done can be undone. Convergence does not forever preclude Divergence. Now let us vote.”
And the cloud that Elinor once saw had never been. And a million heavens and a million hells, and a billion worlds had never been. And how can you wrong that which has never been? For before her instead there had always been a vast cloud in the shape of an hourglass, and at its centre burned a light like no other, coruscating with all the colours of the rainbow. And on the ancient land of Primus around the centre, a scattered handful of beings raised their faces in shock, in anger, in outrage, in fear and in loss as all that remained of their lives and their loves suddenly dwelt in their fading memories.
A kindly old man who you recognise looks at you serenely, smiling with untold sorrow. He shakes his head and shrugs sadly.
And finally one day a child born of two worlds that never were raises his head, eyes wreathed in flame, and swears “That which is shall never have been.” He strides towards the Centre cloaked in righteousness with a myriad of the Neverborn in his shadow and armies at his back. And battered and bleeding, moments from death, he places a single finger on the Crystal. The Throne explodes and every shard becomes a world and every flicker of light a soul, and all that once might have been, now is.




The child born of two worlds seems likely to be the Cambion Cavalast Tierson son of the Demon Lord Conflagris and Elayne Moonshadow, Countess of the Dragon’s Teeth

The Never born are souls from other worlds not strong enough to become – if Sephersis was plucked from convergence – would her flaycatchers potentially constitute those never born?

We discussed retrieving Kiral Ma’at - Leaping Hare said he would rather it was held by the Knights of the Land than retrieved by another group wishing to undo The Choice. We know the approximate location of it.

Suggested next course of action: retrieve The Horn if possible

Looking at what the Huntsmen have been up to – makes a bit more sense:
Tellon the Onslaught is in the Brandins just west of Takalia, hunting for a Way to the Fae Court of the Granite Fist.
Cavalyst Tierson, Cambian of War, is currently in the Broken Lands killing tribals unless they either agree to follow him, or he feeds them to something shielded.
Maseracht Gareen, Heart of the Inferno, is leading a group of mercenaries (the members of whom vary) in attacking shrines to the green dragon and rededicating the to the red dragon. He has done nine of them so far, and the mercenaries get everything except the font. He’s desperate to get to 12 so he can go and claim the Font of Fire.
Uddlepup the goblin shaman is in the Far North seeking to apprentice himself to Whitefeathers, former apprentice to Scarred Bear.
Of interest in light of the causing of convergence – is what Tellon has been up – in that they have clearly found a way to manipulate secundal realms to a small extent – this may be connected – if he is making contact with Fae Courts – this may be connected.

Alternatively if an assault on the Inner City to reach the Throne Room is being considered then:
1. An army of flaycatchers
2. A fae court known as Granite Fist to assault the walls of the Inner City?
3. Control of the Primal Font of Fire to ritually strike Halgar
All are plausible and part of a sensible plan & The Huntsmen are working in concert

The Knights should plan to retrieve the Horn & we should work to counter one of the above.
There is also the matter of Drool & rescuing Cameron Sunbourne from Thimon –

Note on Cameron Sunbourne
Cameron Sunbourne is the revenant, if that is the right term, but a beneficent one, of a Sallow Prince - he was involved with the Crown of Dominion and has an ability to track it (and thus by association, Drool). He is an ally and understands our intent is to destroy the Crown. I sought to find him, as this is how we have tracked Drool in the past - at present he is in Thimon, bound in a warding in a chamber within the Pits beneath the Palace of Emir Calic bin'Ord. The Emir is personally shielded from scrying, but is known to be a very well respected and beloved philanthropist in Thimon. He has not sought public office, preferring instead to help from the sidelines. He has held a number of functions in his palace, and tournaments for newer mercenaries in the Pits beneath the Palace which involve a fair amount of blood, much to the joy of the spectators. He has been extremely generous to the local communities, and is liked by nobles and common-folk alike.

UPDATE:
Currently trapped in a secret room within the Golden Pit of Emir Calic bin'Ord! Risk your life for riches and artefacts galore! Only experienced mercenaries need apply, entry fee G20,000 to keep out the riff-raff! Only one communication permitted per person. Cameron Sunbourne cannot be dominated, but is slowly being tainted, perhaps conditioned, with an irrepressible rage against any who seek to control others. He is fairly resilient but the dark spirits being used are specifically heightening emotions that already exist and are part of his fundamental nature, rather than trying to turn him against himself.

This is I think where we are – I have made copies available to the Knights & to the Senate. I apologise for the lack of brevity to those who do not like such things – but if you are involved and want to know what is going on – please read this. Some of the above are warded from scrying or have scrying defences so if you choose to scry independently then please be careful – ideally work with Lady Vascane, the head of the Mercenary branch of The Imperial Seers. I would be grateful if people could share any of their findings and what they scryed about.


Nev’ DeVille
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