Start of #Sharn buffer: Mon Aug 20 20:28:12 2007 [17:51:20] [As the group heads toward the Black Arch garrison, Sev gets increasingly agitated, until he just tells everyone "Listen, I don't need any damn babysitters. Just let me take care of this myself. I'll meet you at Blackstone.". He then stormed off by himself before anyone could protest, leaving the group still on the bridge.] [17:51:24] [Session Start] [17:52:07] * Aun frowns. "He's going to get arrested." [17:52:35] * Aurelis shakes his head. "I don't think it's smart either but we have to find another lead if he insists on going there alone." [17:53:24] Yeah... [17:53:37] * Aun nods. "There's one thing. If divination won't work, maybe I can ask my friends at the Gathering Light to take a look at the cloth." [17:54:20] I'm not familiar with them Aun. Who are they? [17:54:31] * Marianysa groans. "Because we haven't had nearly enough arrests yet." [17:55:21] It's sort of a... social group for Kalashtar. Miashta introduced me to them after my own psionics began to manifest. [17:56:03] * Marianysa looks curious. [17:56:47] * Aurelis furrows his brow, "You're Psionic?" [17:57:44] Woah, wait. How does that work? [17:58:07] What do you do with it? [17:58:11] * Aun nods, slowly. "Not very, but just a little. Apparently it comes from my doppleganger ancestors. I can read emotions a few times a day." [17:58:22] Comes in handy for interviews, mostly. [17:58:48] Huh. Neat. [17:59:29] "Ya reads de brains?" [17:59:44] "Das neat, but stay outta me ead now, ya?" [17:59:46] Is that common among your people? [18:00:13] Beats the hell out of me. [18:00:14] * Aurelis rubs his chin, "So Aun, would we be welcome in Kalashtar ghettos? [18:00:24] It's just not as uncommon as among *your* people. [18:00:31] * Aurora nods [18:01:02] Well, I am, and I can probably get you through. It's a nice part of town. [18:01:13] "Can I takes me zombos?" [18:01:14] Oh, nice. [18:01:49] I hear that they're a weary becasue of how their people are discriminated in some parts of Sharn. [18:04:16] Hmm. So what can they do with this? Anything better than divination? [18:04:17] They'd probably be better with the zombies than most. [18:04:52] * Aun shrugs. "Not better, different. But at least it's a start." [18:05:42] I guess. I have to say, I don't really know a whole lot about them. [18:06:17] * Aun nods. "They don't want us to. I think they only trust me because Miashta vouches for me." [18:06:35] Most people don't. To be honest though, do you know what halfings do in their towns? [18:06:50] "Well, I come along. Sounds a fine folk, dem kallies." [18:06:52] I bet it's filthy. Come on, let's go. [18:07:27] Dunno... [18:07:28] Aun? Are you racist against the halfing? [18:08:05] (HAHAHAHAHA) [18:08:42] That's not true. I have friends who're halflings. [18:09:42] Wow Aun, that's a classic line out of the racist's handbook. You don't need to hide your feelings. We're all a little bit racist. [18:10:17] * Aurelis whispers to Aun, "I hate aborrations." Aurelis looks around caustiously. [18:11:35] Their beady eyes bother me, okay? Let's just go. [18:11:42] * Aurelis shivers [18:11:58] Yeah, sure. [18:12:28] "Its de hairy feet dat gets me.," [18:12:30] * Phanos shudders. [18:12:44] [Everyone graps a skycoach and flies up to Overlook in Upper Dura.] [18:12:50] (That's hobbits, actually.) [18:12:51] * Phanos orders his plant-zombie cohort along with him. [18:13:05] * Marianysa scratches her head. "You guys are so strange sometimes." [18:13:55] Wait til you see an aberration Mari, if you live you'll sing a different tune. [18:15:13] [The skycoach deposits them in a district that looks like it's trying very hard to appear warm. Almost all the towers and spires are an identical grey stone, as if the entire district was built by one architect that wanted to save money in materials and plans. However, the structures are given their own splash of individuality by drapperies and ornaments in an exotic fashion.] [18:15:58] * Aurora looks around and admires the architecture. Or what's been put on it [18:17:27] * Aun tips the cabbie and heads towards the Gathering Light [18:17:40] [The group passes through the district, Aun leading the way to the Gathering Light. As you pass, the citizens, kalashtar or humans of Adaran descent, look at you with pleasant, if guarded, expressions.] [18:17:46] (Everyone gimme a will save) [18:21:11] [Soon enough, everyone starts going immediately indoors as the group passes.] [18:22:49] ...uh. Was it something we thought? [18:23:15] [About halfway to the Gathering Light, the district becomes almost like a ghost town. The curtains are drawn and no one is in sight.] [18:23:19] * Aurelis looks around confused, " Are we underdressed or something?" [18:23:20] * Aun frowns. "Could be." [18:23:45] So they just kinda hate us all? [18:23:45] Hold on a second. It could be they're still reading us. [18:24:31] They're reading us? How can you tell? [18:25:16] Because they don't all duck into their houses when I come. Something one of us was thinking must have spooked them. [18:25:22] I wonder who that could be. [18:25:33] Weird [18:26:15] Yeah. I wonder who, out of all of us, has thoughts that could scare an entire neighborhood back in their houses. [18:26:16] Yeah, I wonder. [18:26:16] How are you so sure they aren't racist? [18:26:31] Well, they like me. Maybe it's just you humans. [18:26:32] [As the group keeps cautiously walking, they enter a thin tower spire, only 100 feet in diameter. On the other side of the tower stands one figure.] [18:27:00] * Aurelis raises his shoulders, "Well, I'm no human." [18:27:29] Yeah, but we all know what a scary place your brain is. [18:27:40] [He's tall and statuesquely beautiful, and clothed in somewhat subdued far for a kalashtar, wearing brown robes over traveling clothes.] [18:28:20] * Aurelis whispers to Mar. "My brain is fine. I got rid of that thing in my head." [18:29:38] * Marianysa looks blankly at Aurelis. "Uhuh." [18:29:57] [Glancing back, the group sees another figure approach the tower from the bridge they entered, blocking either exit from the tower.] [18:30:14] * Aurelis scowls, "What?! I haven't thought aloud or anything since I got back." [18:30:28] * Aurelis is silent. [18:30:31] * Aun approaches the man. "Excuse me, sir, but I'm Aun, a friend of Miashta, and I was wondering if you could help me find someone to help me with some psychometry." [18:30:51] "I think something pissed them off guys." [18:31:27] [The man who first appeared holds up a hand, warning Aun not to approach more than halfway to him.] [18:31:38] * Aun stops, as instructed. [18:31:39] * Aurora frowns [18:31:58] "My name is Harharath. Please be still while my partner Zanatash approaches. He wishes to speak to you." [18:32:15] * Phanos has his zombies move in a protective cadre around him. [18:32:20] * Marianysa mutters "I never would have guessed." [18:32:54] * Aurelis whispers to Mari, "maybe they read your mind and they don't approve of sarcasm." [18:33:18] * Aun nods. "Yes, sir." [18:34:47] I'm thinking about what a moron you are. I'm sure they'd agree. [18:34:53] [The kalashtar that approached from behind moves forward. His voice is smooth and warm.] "Hello to you, fellow citizens. My name is Zanatash. May I ask why you are here?" [18:35:43] * Aurelis grimaces and is silent. [18:37:05] We're investigating a dragon and an angel that were murdered this morning in Menthis, and were hoping we could have an object from the crime scene read. [18:37:27] If you don't want to get your community involved, though, I understand completely. [18:38:06] * Marianysa looks like she is concentrating on something. (she is in fact, just repeating 'Aurelis is a moron' over and over in her head.) [18:38:47] [Zanatash looks to Marianysa] [18:38:52] (Will save) [18:39:10] (you can voluntarily fail it if you want) [18:39:42] "Who is Aurelis?" [18:41:10] * Aurelis raises his hand. [18:41:21] why do you know of me? [18:41:23] [He glances Aurelis's way.] [18:41:35] * Marianysa blinks, and is about to point before Aurelis opens his mouth. [18:41:39] "I overheard your... friend." [18:41:55] if it will save my friends you can take me... [18:42:13] [He walks right up to Aurelis, albiet slowly and as unthreateningly as possible, and extends his hand.] "It's a pleasure to meet you." [18:42:17] * Aurelis looks at Mari, why are you thinking about me right now? [18:43:04] * Marianysa smiles innocently at Aurelis. [18:43:07] * Aurelis reciprocates the greeting, "the pleasure is mine Zanatash." [18:43:21] (Will save) [18:46:31] "I assure you that your friends are not in trouble. Could you come with us though? We have some questions for you, and a more private place for such a discussion is in order." [18:47:10] "I cannot claim to be a party leader but if they accept it is their choice. I do." [18:48:17] What'll we do in the meantime? [18:49:02] "I'll go." [18:49:07] I'll go as well. [18:49:11] [Zanatash looks at Aurora in such a way that Aurelis is still in his line of sight.] "Feel free to enjoy yourself." [18:49:51] [Harharath speaks up from the back.] "We only need him." [18:50:36] * Aun nods. [18:51:26] * Marianysa looks a little shocked, then studies the ground. [18:52:04] Alright... [18:52:16] Aun had some business, though [18:52:25] Is there anyone we could talk to about getting our object read while we wait for Aurelis, Harharath? [18:53:27] [Harharath shrugs, and then Zanatash speaks up.] "You can try the Gathering Light. That's where you were heading, wasn't it?" [18:54:42] * Aun nods. "I was worried that our friend's crazy brain had scared everyone away from there, but it's worth a shot. Thank you, Zanatash." [18:54:53] May I leave? [18:55:13] [Zanatash blinks.] "You were aware of his condition?" [18:55:38] [Harharath takes a step back from the group.] [18:55:46] I'm aware that he has a condition, though it may not be the condition you're aware of. [18:56:02] "Wait, hold on. Is that what this is about? You don't have to worry. That isn't a problem anymore. There is no condition." [18:56:24] [Zanatash looks back to Aurelis.] "Yes. There is." [18:56:48] * Marianysa looks up, and glares at Aurelis. [18:57:09] [Zanatash looks over everyone's shoulders to Harharath for a moment without saying anything, but then Harharath visibly relaxes.] [18:57:18] Forget I felt bad. [18:57:22] "If there is than I don't know what you are talking about. My problem went away half a week ago." [18:57:29] "Your efforts at removing the mind seed didn't work." [18:57:47] "Come with us and we'll do everything we can." [18:58:22] "Half a week? You don't have much more time." [18:58:42] Mind Seed? [18:58:43] * Marianysa turns and stares. "Wait, what?" [18:58:52] "What? I think I'm scared. Can you explain what you are talking about first?" [18:58:54] Are you saying he's not just crazy? [18:59:25] * Aun also turns, looking somewhat suprised [18:59:34] * Aurelis turns at Mari, "Are you telling me you didn't believe me?" [18:59:45] [Zanatash turns to Mari, his expression less guarded but more worrying because he seems worried himself.] "He has a second personality forgeign to him growing inside." [19:00:01] How'd it get there? [19:00:08] "We must remove it before it 'overwrites' his own thought processes." [19:00:21] Of course I didn't-oh hell. [19:00:27] * Aurelis turns back to Zanatash, "Correction, had. There was a dilemma that erased it." [19:00:53] How, exactly, did it get erased, Aurelis? [19:01:09] "No. It just went dormant. I can *hear* it." [19:01:12] * Aurelis clasps his head and starts to shake, "What? How?" [19:01:12] * Marianysa glares at Aurelis. "Will you just shut up!? He's the expert." [19:01:18] Aurelis, I'm more inclined to trust people outside your head about it than you. [19:01:54] [Zanatash takes two steps back and closes his eyes momentarily. When he opens them, his eyes glow.] [19:02:20] "Adar protect us..." [19:02:28] * Aurelis shakes his head, "Why should I trust you! I don't know if they're right! What is you aren't benign? What are you doing to me?" [19:02:29] "It's waking up." [19:02:45] (*if) [19:03:01] "Tell me the truth!" [19:03:56] * Aurora frowns.... [19:04:00] Everyone, just calm down [19:04:36] "What are you? Tell me!" [19:04:46] [Zanatash looks up to Harharath, not saying anything, then turns to everyone else.] "We must take him, now!" [19:04:57] Aurora, our friend has a parasitic mind in our head and is battling it *this very instant*. This is not a time to be calm. [19:05:08] * Aun nods. "Take him. Do you need assistance?" [19:05:16] "Take me? Are you threatening me?" [19:05:56] Just do it. If...uh, is there anything I can do to help? [19:06:21] "You want I just cut it out?" he hefts his scythe. [19:06:28] "If you wish to do it yourselves instead of I, you can knock him out." [19:07:09] [Zanatash takes a step back, however, and draws a rapier made out of dark purple crystal. It's handguard looks like a crystaline rose.] [19:07:30] * Kesuke (~crazysapi@ip24-252-34-39.om.om.cox.net) has joined #Sharn [19:07:53] Which do you want, Aurelis? Either way, you're getting knocked out, so you may as well choose. [19:08:13] * Aurelis is shaking his head and mumbling to himself. [19:09:55] Aurelis... just state any objections you have, and we'll discuss them [19:10:18] * Marianysa edges behind Aurelis. [19:11:35] * Aurelis puts out his hand. "Stay away Mari, you didn't believe me and that was your fault. but this is my problem and I need to take care of it!" [19:14:03] * Marianysa reddens. "It's my fault for not taking your word for something? What the hell are you talking about?!" [19:15:39] * Aurelis grabs the air and summons runic symbols. he changes the symbols to wind and channels the wind to his feet. [19:15:47] [Init] [19:26:24] * NovaSeaker changes topic to ' Aurelis, Aun, Zanatash, Aurora, Phanos, Mari, Harharath' [19:27:24] [Aurelis casts his spell] [19:30:32] [Aurelis zips off faster than a frail mage really should, around Zanatah and headed for the bridge.] [19:30:38] [Aun's Turn] [19:31:40] * Aun begins chanting, while following Aurelis. "Stop him! He could be dangerous!" [19:33:38] [Zanatash spins around quickly, brandishing his crystal rapier and runs for Aurelis.] [19:36:24] [Just as he connects his rapier glows a brilliant purple, pumping destructive energy into Aurelis's shoulder as well as running it through.] [19:36:54] [Aurora's Turn] [19:38:31] * Aurora holds out her arm. "AUrelis, stop!" [19:38:39] * Aurora says something else. [19:43:03] [Phanos's Turn] [19:44:10] * Phanos pushes past his zombies, moving after Aurelis. His eyes glow white for a moment, nodding resolutely to himself. "Spirits, go get outta me frien'!" He thrusts his scythe forward as a pulse of visible mental energy emerges from his chest. [19:48:35] [The energy washes over Aurelis and has no effect.] [19:48:42] [Mari's Turn] [19:55:04] * Marianysa rushes at Aurelis, trying to bash him in the head with the hilt of her sword. [19:55:48] "so spirits in him [19:56:27] "No spirits none tall." [19:57:31] [Aurelis goes down in a lump at Mari's feet.] [19:58:09] Well... Good job? [19:58:21] Quick. Let's tie him up [19:58:22] I guess you guys had better do what you were going to before he wakes up. [19:58:38] Who's got a rope? [19:58:38] [Zanatash flicks the blood off his rapier and sheathes it.] [19:58:47] * Marianysa puts her sword away, sighing. "I didn't really want to do that. Well, maybe a little." [19:58:53] "I do." [19:58:58] I left mine back at the apartment. I wasn't planning on adventure today. [19:59:24] Alright. Let's get him tied up. He's way too excitable for his own good. [19:59:41] [As he walks toward Aurelis a bright light appears in his hand, in the shape of a coiled rope. Then the light dims and leaves an actual rope in it's place.] [20:00:20] "Should last a few hours." [20:00:30] Huh. Useful. [20:00:31] [Zanatash nods and takes the rope, binding Aurelis.] [20:03:33] "Lets head to the Gathering Light." "Hanamelk might be able to do something." [20:04:33] * Phanos begins to detct spirits, examining Aurelis. [20:04:39] * Aun nods. "Should we lead the way, or would you like to, sirs?" [20:05:04] [Phanos finds no spirits inside him. Whatever it is the kalashtar are talking about doesn't qualify as one.] [20:05:22] "We'll go together." [20:05:55] ALright. [20:06:29] AUrelis was with us for a while... then he left, and then he came back not too long ago [20:07:01] But before he left, he just kept talking constantly. It wouldn't even be anything of substance. He was just narrating himself. [20:07:33] "Hrm." [20:08:06] "How you know sometin inside o em? I dont see noting dat aint sposed to be der." [20:08:15] * Marianysa nods. "Then he came back and claimed he wasn't crazy and that he was all better now." [20:08:28] [The group walks through the district the rest of the way to the Gathering Light. Life doesn't return, however, the residents still holed up in their homes.] [20:09:50] [Zanatash turns to Phanos] "Psionics is a very... subtle tradition. It can produce the same effects as some magic, but must of the really vile things that can be done with the mind can't be detected by normal means." [20:10:10] "I can tell something else is inside of him because I can hear two sets of surface thoughts." [20:10:39] What's the other set of thoughts thinking? [20:10:48] "...It's furious." [20:11:37] "More troubling is that it's conversing with him. I've never seen a mind seed do that, but..." [he trails off.] [20:12:04] "It ain't no spirit." [20:12:29] "Never said it was. It's a mind seed. It's physically rewriting his brain." [20:12:40] "No spirits or magic necessary." [20:14:01] * Aurora frowns [20:14:09] So how did it get there, and how do we get it out? [20:15:44] "I can't tell you how it got there. We... don't actually possess the power to remove the mind seed, but maybe we can stop it's progress." [20:15:59] * Aun nods [20:16:10] That'd be great. [20:17:15] [Eventually the group reaches a large tower, with wide double doors. It's only marked with an engraving of a crystal which is itself engraved with labyrinthine pathways.] [20:18:48] [Aun recognizes this as the door to what was once a large hall, converted by the community into a town square of sorts.] [20:19:29] [Harharath opens the door for Zanatash, who is holding Aurelis over his shoulder.] [20:19:56] * Aun follows after them [20:20:43] * Aurelis stays over Zanatash's shoulder knocked out. [20:20:45] [Inside is what might be a hundred kalashtar.] [20:21:36] [They all turn their heads at the opening of the door and stand up from medatative positions and back away toward the sides of the hall.] [20:22:05] * Marianysa fidgets. "Um." [20:22:07] [Everyone is completely silent, but they look around at each other as if in conversation.] [20:23:05] Hanamellk is probably going to be busy with our companion, right? I'm going to try and find someone to read the cloth we found [20:24:04] [Zanatash and Harharath walk into the room, over the cushioned matts used for martial arts practice and instruction, passed the meditation pillows set to the side and the booths where local vendors sell convenience items to the daily gatherings. Towards the back of the hall is a staircase leading up to a door, which they're heading straight toward.] [20:24:24] "I can do that for you." [20:24:50] * Aun nods. "Thank you, Zanatash." [20:26:32] [The group heads toward the back, out of the common room, to make arrangements with Hanamelk and attend to Aurelis.] [20:26:37] [Session End.] End of #Sharn buffer Mon Aug 20 20:28:12 2007