Start of #Odal buffer: Mon Jan 25 21:12:39 2010 [18:01:17] * When last we joined our heroes, they were in the midst of returning to Horbek's Glory, to assist in the construction of an apparatus to reach the bottom of the inland sea, where a temple sunken during Vecna's lifetime is said to lie. [18:04:54] * However, as they head through the portal, there's a sudden, terrible wrenching, as you feel yourself somehow pulled off of your metaphysical path. Shortly, you feel yourself emerge in a dim room that you can't help but realize is not Horbek's Glory. [18:06:34] * It's a small chamber, lit by a pair of lanterns on thin stems emerging from the walls, which show a perfectly symmetrical geometric pattern, its polished smooth surface in bronze, blue, and white. On the dome of the ceiling above, what appears to be a simulacrum of an eye stares down. [18:06:37] [Session start[ [18:07:11] What? [18:07:23] * Eilenia looks around, trying ot identify a pattern in the colors, and the importance of the eye [18:08:48] * Eve_Kasnora unsheaths her sword and makes it shed light brightly to banish the shadows. [18:08:58] * Paera stares at the eye. "An...eye? I've got a bad feeling about this..." [18:08:58] * Eve_Kasnora glares up at the eye. [18:09:11] "I am feeling bad too." [18:10:45] * The eye stares down, flicking between the people looking up at it. Without any lid, it can't express itself in any meaningful way. Eilenia notices that the colors, while not following an immediately clear pattern, are mirrored on the opposite side of the room [18:11:36] * Paera keeps her eye on the...eye, for now. [18:12:00] "For what are you wanting?!" [18:12:05] * Eve_Kasnora shouts up at the eye. [18:14:21] * Paera turns away. "Ugh, I can't keep looking at that thing. It's creeping me out." [18:14:48] * Abruptly, and with a series of clicks, the eye rotates, revealing what appears to be a simulacrum of a mouth. "Arrest: Completed. Please: Wait patiently for escort. The Clockwork Nirvana: Appreciates your patience." [18:15:11] Wyrmgear? [18:16:23] * Eve_Kasnora lets out a sigh of relief. [18:16:28] "Oh, is that being all." [18:16:29] * Xan arches a brow, remaining silent. [18:16:37] "Why are you happy we're under arrest?" [18:16:49] It could be worse, I suppose. [18:17:02] "Because we can be beating wyrmgear to pulp, or whatever horrible monstrocity he is sending. It is not being Vecna." [18:17:16] * Paera rounds on Elena. "Don't SAY that!" [18:17:29] * Eve_Kasnora looks to Paera. "For why?" [18:17:36] Indeed, if it were Vecna, I suppose we should be uncomfortable for the rest of our lives. And beyond. [18:18:08] * Paera looks at Eve. "Things ALWAYS get worse when you say it could be worse!" [18:18:19] * Xan smirks. [18:18:29] "Is... Is that what Erathis teaches?" [18:18:38] * Eve_Kasnora looks at Paera in puzzlement. [18:18:42] "I certainly hope we're incarcerated together." [18:19:54] ...no. Haven't you ever, y'know...read a book? [18:20:31] * Eve_Kasnora frowns. "Yes, Paera, I am being capable of reading. Just because I swing swords around you are thinking I am illiterate?" [18:20:56] "That is being very narrow minded of you." [18:24:50] Th...that's not what I meant! Don't you ever read, like, stories or anything? Like, about...you know, people going on adventures and stuff? I...well, I used to read a lot of them but not so much anymore because it's not so fun when you've been attacked by real undead and and... [18:24:55] * Paera rambles a bit, reddening. [18:25:00] * With a grinding sound, walls of the room rearrange themselves, interrupting their perfect symmetricality briefly to reveal a doorway, which slides open. A pair of what appear to be rectangular prisms on spindly legs, holding bronze shortspears, step in. "Units: Present for prisoner transfer." They trill in unison, their voices strange and warbling. [18:26:14] "I've read history books, yes. I am not seeing your point... but it is okay, I know you were not meaning offense." [18:26:22] "Modrons." [18:26:22] * Eve_Kasnora pats Paera on the shoulder. [18:26:46] * Eve_Kasnora looks at them. [18:27:16] * Eve_Kasnora is only able to make a "Zuh?" sound of confusion upon discerning them as living things. [18:27:53] * Paera turns to look. "...Modrons. Well..." [18:28:02] I suppose we'll have to follow them. [18:28:27] * Xan nods. "They aren't an irrational species. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite." [18:28:37] There isn't anywhere else we can run. [18:28:49] * Eilenia follows Eve after them, assuming she goes along [18:29:30] * Xan looks to a Modron. "Proceed?" [18:31:17] * Eve_Kasnora stays right where she is, actually. [18:31:42] "Er... for what are we being under arrest?" [18:33:28] * One modron stands in place, while the other strides around the circumpherence of the room. In unison, they recite, "Crimes: Against nature. Aiding-Stroke-Abetting: A fugitive. Undermining: Planar stability. Aiding-Stoke-Abetting: Far Realm Invaders." [18:35:37] "Duodrones, specifically. Mordons are named after their geometric faces, or somesuch." [18:35:46] * Xan looks around. "I think that's me." [18:36:15] "These people are unaware of my status as a fugitive from the law." [18:36:32] "That is untrue." [18:36:53] "You are unaware of the depth of my crimes, Eve." [18:37:03] * Xan looks down shamefully. [18:37:10] "I am aware of this illegal activities, and I am taking his rehabilitation under my responsibility as a representative of Bahamut." [18:37:34] "He is being under my custody, in other words." [18:41:41] "As for your other points, I am think you may be confused somewhere. We destroyed a nest of aberrant parasites in Harborside, and *fixed* a planar instability in Ivorgard. As for crimes against nature, we just assured that Orcus, the Demon Prince of the Undead did not complete one of his plans that could only have disrupted the natural order of life and death." [18:42:00] * Eve_Kasnora steps forward and plants her sword in the ground. "I am believing you are in error." [18:43:08] "Eve, if I may respectfully interject?" [18:43:17] * The pair of drones freeze, and the mouth on the ceiling speaks out agian. "Subject: Accepts responsibility for the actions of defendant?" [18:43:53] "Yes." [18:43:54] Eve, I think answering positively might inflict those charges upon yourself. [18:43:57] * Xan looks to Eve. "They may choose to penalize you instead, eve." [18:44:08] * Eve_Kasnora turns to Xan. "I know." [18:44:37] "I can not allow you to stand for my crimes." [18:44:53] * Paera sidles up to Eve and whispers. "Eve, they can't understand...abstractions. They've got a duty and that's what you have to address. Directly." [18:45:01] "I am not thinking you have a say in what I do or don't take responsibility for." [18:45:42] * Eve_Kasnora turns to Paera, listening to her. She takes a moment and nods, then looks back to the modrons. "Take me to your leader." [18:45:53] "Subject can not assume responsibility for the crimes of a pair of paralitic entities from the far plane." [18:46:19] "I plead guilty." [18:46:35] "I..I am guilty for these crimes." [18:46:46] Xan, you're pleading guilty on Eve's behalf now. I think. [18:47:12] "This is all being terribly confusing. Just take us to who's in charge." [18:47:20] "I have been in the custody of these individuals." [18:48:12] * The modrons flex their leg-joints and bob up and down, before the lead one heads out of the room. "Returning: Designator-" It cuts off, speaking a series of tones that don't so much resemble a language, as the grinding of gearwork. [18:48:49] * Eve_Kasnora sheaths her sword and follows to lead clockwork entity. [18:49:35] * Eilenia follows Eve [18:50:27] * Xan looks to Eve as he walks along calmly. "These individuals are just in their arrest of me. I know that you wish to stand by me as a friend, Eve, and it moves me deeply, but this is something that *I* am responsible for, something *I* must answer to. You are stepping onto a path that is my own, and you will leave things unjust and errant if you proceed with trying to claim my guilt for me." [18:51:27] "Do you understand? I need to answer for my past if I can live a harmonious existence in the present." [18:53:38] * As you leave the room, you find yourself in the Clockwork Nirvana. A narrow bronze catwalk is suspended over a courtyard, where countless drones, largely spherical, but a few rectangular triangular prisms, shuffle through what seems like a perfectly choreographed routine. Above you is the dome of the sky, made of shifting panels of bronze, giving the impression that you're on the inside of a hollow world. [18:54:20] * Xan smiles, looking around, his eyes glinting gold in the light of the place. [18:54:48] * Eilenia examines the place, fascinated. She takes out her book and begins inscribing notes and sketches as she walks. [18:54:50] "I can think of no better place to spend time in contemplation." [18:55:03] * Paera looks around in wonder. "I...never thought I'd get a chance to see this." [18:55:08] * Eve_Kasnora looks to Xan. "That is all well and good for someone who can do no more penance than languish in a cell. But you are meant for greater things, Xan." [18:56:03] "You have power. And potential. You can make a difference, and you owe it to all those you have wronged to make the world a better place. You cannot do that behind bars." [18:56:07] * The room behind you seems to be connected, from the top of its dome, by a cord that stretches up to the top of the world-dome, where it joins a latticework of other cables, holding up other spherical chambers, each equidistant from the last. There's a constant rythmic clacking that's soothing, as each modron steps in time with each gear. [18:56:23] "Then be my barrister, don't stand for my crimes." [18:56:49] Her? [18:56:58] Yeah, if you don't, who's going to defend you? Eilenia? ...no offense. [18:57:56] "You have not murdered innocents in cold blood, and I refuse to let you take guilt for crimes that you are completely ignorant of me commiting. Let's respect the law that we are utterly immersed in." [18:58:00] Finally, the duodrones lead you to a courtyard where a tridrone is making a wide circular route, making notations on a bronze tablet. The Duodrones bob. "Designate: Leader. Prisoner and accomplices: Delivered." It gently reaches out two of its three arms and touches them between the eyes in acknowledgement before spinning on its axis to face the party. "This unit trusts: You were brought here on schedule?" [18:58:03] Oh, Xan, I'm sure Eve will stand by you for anything, but for a case like this? She's no fool, but I doubt this is her specialty. [18:58:14] "I will defend you, and therefore my judgement of you, and I will share in your punishment." [18:58:42] I don't think modrons are moved by passion or strength at arms. [18:59:03] "How bout facts?" [18:59:18] Hmmm... [18:59:20] "I can't in good conscience allow you to share my punishment." [18:59:35] "That without Xan's service under my custody, the dead would be rising from their graves all over the world." [18:59:42] Tolerable. [18:59:46] "You want a list of my crimes, Eve?" [18:59:58] "That would be helpful if I am to be defending you, yes." [19:00:17] "I've caused more ruin..look, what we've done..it's a small dent against what I've done.." [19:00:40] "I will need time to make it right, however, all we can do is plea." [19:00:41] "You've only begun to repent." [19:01:15] "No sense in us both going down, Eve." [19:01:23] "YOU have better cause for the world." [19:01:26] "No sense in honor, either." [19:01:35] * Eilenia looks to the modron. "We're unaware of the schedule, so we're unaware of if we were brought here on schedule." [19:01:52] "Listen, Xan, I think you know me well enough, don't you?" [19:01:54] "It's not dishonorable to allow me to atone for my own crimes by law." [19:01:55] Maybe you should go confirm it. [19:02:02] "I am being one stubborn bitch, when my mind is made." [19:02:23] * Eve_Kasnora winks at Xan as they walk up to the modron leader, then turns to face it. [19:02:31] "I am aware, which is why I'm asking you respectfully.." [19:02:38] Xan, maybe you think you haven't 'balanced the scales' very well yet, but you've just gotten started. [19:02:38] "I am unsure if I have delayed you." [19:03:25] "We were unaware that we had an appointment." [19:03:54] * The tridrone bobs. "This unit: Is currently on schedule." [19:05:18] * "This unit: Was inquiring about subject schedule. Recent additions: Have informed us that other creatures may be inconvenienced: By eternal march of Nirvana." [19:06:04] "I am honored to be captive in your innermost sanctums." [19:06:14] "May we proceed?" [19:09:10] "Oh... well... we are er.... our unit, is.... trying to build aparatus. We- our unit, would like to go back to doing so." [19:12:31] * The modron rotates its facing. "Unit's leader: Has informed this unit that we are at the limits of the schedule for: Responding to crimes commited by: Designate Xan. Unit: Recognizes difficulty in schedule and will: Attempt to expedite procedures." [19:14:37] "Please, do not er... trade... quality for... expedience?" [19:14:46] "We don't have a choice." [19:15:05] "It's Nax. Nax the Quicksilver." [19:15:07] * Eve_Kasnora looks to the others, her face scrunching up in befuddled uncertainty. "Am I doing this right?" [19:16:44] "We were just informed that my crimes would take them too long to go over." [19:17:22] "They haven't tried to stab us yet, at least. [19:17:25] * Xan shrugs. [19:17:43] "I do not want you facing puppet-court so they are passing down sentence faster." [19:17:53] I doubt it's a puppet court [19:19:14] "We're already pretty high up the chain on planar justice, here, Eve. Being shanked in an alleyway here is a more just death than dying in battle just because of the nature of this place." [19:22:49] * "This unit assures you: The laws of Mechanus are without flaw." [19:23:03] "See?" [19:23:56] How will this procedure go? [19:23:59] * Eve_Kasnora looks to them. "The letter of your law might be flawless, but the higher authorities I traffic with are usually being more concerned with it's spirit, or intent." [19:24:46] I wouldn't worry too much about that, Eve. I assume the letter of the law is worded so thoroughly and unreadably completely that it encapsulates the spirit perfectly. [19:25:45] "Here it is." [19:27:45] * "This unit: Plans to bring the defendant before higher authorities than this unit: Is able to comprehend. In doing so, this unit: Will see the world changed in unknowable ways, presenting: Law's answer to the question of the defendant." [19:27:45] * Eve_Kasnora frowns and crosses her arms. "Why am I not being so sure." [19:28:11] "So.. you are not the leader?" [19:28:56] "No, but he will be rewarded supremely for delivering us safely." [19:29:03] * Paera appears to just be silently observing the proceedings, deep in thought. [19:32:39] * The tridrone rotates its facing. "This unit: is only a tridrone. My leaders: Quadrones. Above them: Being so great and true, this unit: Cannot begin to understand their majesty." [19:33:27] "So... you're two steps down from the supreme leader?" [19:33:46] Not quite, Eve. [19:33:47] "Your god?" [19:34:04] Modrons only speak to modrons that are their direct superiors or subordinates. [19:34:19] Every action passes through innumerable layers of the chain of command [19:34:33] "...." [19:34:34] I'm sure it's all very fascinating to them. [19:34:42] * Eve_Kasnora stares at Elena blankly, uncomprehending. [19:35:50] Its mind is limited. [19:35:59] It can't comprehend anyone greater than its boss. [19:36:27] ... Eve, imagine if Bahamut reported to someone. [19:36:37] Can you imagine what that someone might be like? [19:37:47] It's like that, but that someone also has someone they report to. [19:38:04] Also, if you had three sides. [19:38:27] And a pointy stick." [19:38:48] * Eve_Kasnora closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose before she gets a headache. We waves her hand absently. "What being ever. Let us proceed." [19:39:25] Let's! [19:42:00] * Paera nods absently. [19:47:13] * The tridrone bobs, and turns to leave the plaza, handing off its slate to another drone as it leaves, which takes up its rounds precisely. You're led into a vast structure, looking like a multifaceted cut gem hanging from the dome of the realm, and quickly passed through the custody of a quadrone, who, with an acknowledging touch on one of the tridrone's facets, takes you into what appears to be a courtroom. [19:49:45] "Seems more familiar here." [19:51:41] * A vast array of monodrones are embedded in the walls, their spindly legs clacking against their fixtures in a perfect march. Resting on a pedastol is a drone that appears something like a starfish and something like a flower, its petal-arms hanging over the sides of its seat. It reaches out with one of its arms and touches the quadrone above its eyes. "This unit: Thanks you for your service, baliff. This unit believes we are now ready." [19:52:33] * Interestingly, along with the monodrones, you notice several kobolds who are sitting against the walls, reflexively keeping up with the clacking of the drones, as if they've become part of the motion of the plane. [19:54:47] * Paera blinks, watching the kobolds curiously. [19:55:25] What are they doing here? [19:55:27] * Eilenia writes stuff down [19:59:17] * Eve_Kasnora eyes the kobolds. [19:59:22] "Wyrmgear." [19:59:53] * "Designate: Kobolds are recent additions to the Clockwork Nirvana. Following: Reset, they have acclimated themselves to the pulse of law." [19:59:56] "The kobold bandits that were plaging any attempts at trade with Odal's Fen before you were opening the gate... we fought them in their headquarters..." [20:00:38] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the modron speaker. "Kobolds were using your kind to sow chaos and discord in the world." [20:01:34] * Paera grimaces. "Eve, um, Xan is on trial right now, not the Kobolds." [20:02:20] Unless you can tie that into the case, I'm not sure they'd even understand. [20:03:05] "Oh, I am sure I can. Xan has done more to secure stability and law in World than those kobolds." [20:04:37] * The pentadrone blinks all five of its eyes in sequence, and then continues. "This unit: Will have that stricken from the record. Baliff: Pass it down." It pauses as the quadrone passes the message to a tridrone, which passes it to a duodrone, which repeats it loudly to the wall of monodrones, who all blink in acknowledgely, in a wave of clicking shutters. [20:05:53] * Xan narrows his eyes. [20:06:01] "Hah! I knew it." [20:06:53] "Stricken from record because they are not liking the truth. Doubtless their laws allow for such things like ignoring crucial circumstances in favor of clear cut, expedient judgement." [20:07:28] * The Pentadrone readjusts itself on its pedastol. "Designate: Defendant and accomplices, you have been gathered here today to answer for your own crimes. Accusations: will be executed by Primus and passed down a proper chain of command, not: Introduced by those to be judged." [20:08:15] "You! Your kind! I've had to kill your kind before because they helped kobolds prey on traders and merchants trying, TRYING to spread civilization in the darkenss!" [20:08:33] "Calm down." [20:08:40] * Eve_Kasnora is turning red-faced. [20:08:50] EVE! [20:08:51] * Xan sighs. [20:08:55] SIT. DOWN. [20:09:25] * Eve_Kasnora clenches her fists even as they near her swords, as if she's physically restraining herself from drawing. [20:09:41] "This is just as much of a farce as Tsavarogorov." [20:10:53] * Eve_Kasnora glares at the floor and visibly calms herself with deep breaths. [20:11:48] * Paera cringes. "Eve, you can't just yell your way through this." [20:12:05] * "This unit: Calls this court to order. Baliff: Instruct lesser units to begin jury protocols. This unit: Will now instruct designate: Baliff to read the charges." The pentadrone's voice is low and smooth, and spoken from each of its mouths in unison. The quadrone bobs, and produces a bronze slate from its innards. [20:12:14] * Eve_Kasnora nods once, remaining silent, and glaring at the floor. [20:12:45] Just...stay calm and pay attention. [20:12:51] I'm sure we'll find a chance. [20:13:19] * Eve_Kasnora clams herself through much effort, but eventually her face unflushes and she looks to have gotten a hold on herself. [20:14:31] * Eve_Kasnora she glances over to Xan, and speaks with a much subdued, apologetic tone. "I am having bad memories of trials." [20:15:17] * Xan nods. "It's alright." [20:16:41] * The quadrone touches the tridrone and drums its fingers, which sends another message down the line. "Murder. Three hundred, eighty-two counts. Manslaughter. Eighty-five counts. Conspiracy to commit damage to the planes. Four counts. Planar damage. Three counts. Consorting with Far Realm entities. Two counts. Conspiracy to open the planes to Far Realm influence. One count." [20:18:37] * Xan stands quietly, a calm having fallen over him. [20:19:09] * Eve_Kasnora considers and then whispers to Xan. "I am believing that last one is in error, at least." [20:19:12] * Paera looks surprised, but maintains her composure. [20:19:53] * "Evidence of crimes: Already logged. The court opens the floor to the accused." [20:20:47] Where shall we start? [20:20:58] Oh, we would like to see this evidence of conspiracy [20:22:11] Oh, and what are the punishments associated with each of those accusations? [20:24:59] * The quadrone baliff places the slate back in its body cavity, and produces another one. "Indenture, indenture, imprisonment, stasis, realignment, banishment." It replaces the tablet. "Note: Banishment requires a planar disjunction, which may not occur for many cycles. The Clockwork Nirvana: Thanks you for your patience." [20:25:05] [Session end] [20:32:34] * Paera is now known as Yon [20:33:27] * Eilenia is now known as Demota [20:34:41] * Xan (rustangel@ip-115-213.atvci.net) Quit (Quit: I am not ignorant, I am intelligent. I'm not an ape, I am the way, I am the truth. I am religion, I am politics, I am a psychoanalyst, I'm an inkblot shaped like Zeus) [20:58:05] * Yon is now known as sleepyon End of #Odal buffer Mon Jan 25 21:12:39 2010