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<blockquote data-quote="Ao the Overkitty" data-source="post: 2868164" data-attributes="member: 9758"><p><strong>Synopsis for 5/29/06 session</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Synopsis for 5/29/06 session</em></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 22px"><strong>"How to Spot an Anathema"</strong></span></p><p></p><p>A-dom and Tiger leapt up and climbed out of the shaft while Jahar flew out to rejoin the others.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>My eye hurts!</em></p><p></p><p>They made there way back up to the statue room, when the statue turned to face them.</p><p></p><p><strong>Statue:</strong> <em>Your personal message to your mother was delivered today and will be delivered to her ears every Mother’s Day, every year. So she will always be reminded of how you truly feel about her.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar was less than pleased by this and made plans to act like he had no clue what his mother was talking about. A-dom just thought it was funny. At least his mother would get an apology once a year, now. Ceri asked the statue if this applied to dead mothers, but the statue didn’t know. Jahar tormented the statue with questions until Gareth told him to stop. Jade’s Luck asked what happened to those who didn’t know their maternal bloodline. The statue said that they’d find out when they left.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Gareth! My eye fell out!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Tiger:</strong> <em>It didn’t FALL out.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Well, uh, your eyepatch did it. You look very good, you know.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>Yes, it does.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>A-dom. You have this problem with not listening when someone tells you something and then harming yourself because you didn’t listen to the notes.</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom sputtered about there not being any notes, so Jahar handed him the eyepatch note. Of course, since it was written in Old Realm, A-dom couldn’t read it.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Is this an artifact?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>No. It’s the note that says the eyepatch is for Gareth.</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom ripped the note up into lots and lots of pieces.</p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>It’s going to take a while, but I can fix that.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Tiger:</strong> <em>It’s just a piece of paper.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>I meant his eyeball.</em></p><p></p><p>Jade’s Luck remarked on Jahar’s cloak.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jade’s Luck:</strong> <em>Wow. That’s remarkably non-inconspicuous. I suggest you don’t wear that near your family. Ever.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Tiger:</strong> <em>I suggest you do.</em></p><p></p><p>Ceri briefly explained to A-dom about the eyepatch.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>When you were Marcus the Mad and Gareth was Pollus, you had this cool eyepatch.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>That <strong>IS</strong> my eyepatch!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>And he said, ‘Well, can I have it when you’re dead?’ And you said ‘sure.’ And then Darius, the guy who was the Eclipse, came up behind you bound the deal. So, now it’s Gareth’s… and you tried to go back on your word.</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom smacked Jahar in the back of the head.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />ing Eclipse!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>What’d I do now?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>You poked my eye out!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>I’m not even… I’m not… I don’t think… I wasn’t Darius.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>You’re the Eclipse. I’m sure you’re Darius!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>I’m not sure, but I think that’s still Tiger. I’m not sure how that ritual worked. Tiger was either Darius or Marcus the Mad.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> (to A-dom) <em>Next time if they ask if they can have something when they’re dead, just say no.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>But it’s fun to taunt them… Now I just have to make sure HE isn’t around.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>No one can have any of my stuff!</em> (points at Jahar) <em>You zap that, ding-dong.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>That’s not an actual negotiated agreement, I’m sorry.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar then proceeded to negotiate terms with A-dom, making his head hurt.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>Do you agree that you don’t want anyone else’s stuff, just your own stuff?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> (whiney and crying) <em>I want to leave now! I don’t have an eye! I want an eye! It goes here!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Tiger:</strong> <em>You have AN eye.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar looked back at the statue and asked if it had a spare eye for A-dom. This flabbergasted the statue. He looked like he wanted to smack Jahar in the back of the head, but Jahar was too far away. Jade’s Luck gave A-dom her water bottle to clean his face with and a hanky. A-dom cleaned up and stuck the hanky in the socket. Jade’s Luck said he could keep the hanky.</p><p></p><p>Gareth noticed that Ceri looked slightly confused, then very unsure. When asked if she was alright, she replied affirmatively.</p><p></p><p>A-dom tried to make it look like he had two eyes, but it didn’t work.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> (to Gareth) <em>Can I have your eyepatch?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>No. As I said, it’ll take me a while, but I’ll be able to fix it.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Before we visit the Bodhisattva?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Gareth:</strong> <em>No.</em></p><p></p><p>They finished arguing and headed back out into the swamp. It was still crappy and cold outside. Just beyond the snow area they could see Viney standing around.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> (happy voice) <em>Viney!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> (usual depressed voice) <em>Oh. You got out.</em></p><p></p><p>When asked, Viney said he wouldn’t have waited around forever for them and would have known if they weren’t going to get out. He wasn’t informed on what happened to those who didn’t know their bloodline, though. Much to A-dom’s disappointment, Viney brought up A-dom’s missing eye. A-dom asked Viney if he could spare an eye. Viney said no.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> (to Jahar) <em>So, are we going back to the ship or to the Manse?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>We’re already here, do we need a ship?</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom started crying again. After discussing it with himself, Jahar finally decided to go to the Manse. A-dom told Viney it was time for another piggy-back ride.</p><p></p><p>When questioned, Viney said he didn’t know how far it was to get to the Manse and he didn’t know if there was anybody at the Manse. He did say that he had shown dragon-bloods to the manse before. The phrase ‘<em>Which part about I don’t understand time didn’t you follow the first time?’</em> was repeated a lot. The group discussed sneaking into the Manse. Viney asked what their business at the Manse was.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Jahar probably wants to look around because I think his father hangs out there. We’re going to visit potential current visitors.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> (sighs) <em>Alright.</em> (yelling) <em>Jahar and company coming to the Manse to visit!</em></p><p></p><p>The group heard another skeleton in the distance repeat this message. It continued to be repeated down a line of skeletons. Apparently they always announced visitors to the Manse.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>So, there is more than one you around here?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>No. There is only one Yew.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>What was the last announcement that you made?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>That I made or that Yew made?</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom almost broke down crying.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>That Viney made?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Tiger:</strong> <em>What was the last announcement that you heard?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>I hate you people.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>Sometimes, I hate them too.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>The last announcement that I made was some fellow by the name of Pellops was coming to visit. He had a boat.</em></p><p></p><p>Viney rode on A-dom’s shoulders as they headed for the Manse. Ceri flew ahead to scout. They avoided swamp dragons. Since they rested, it took them three days to get to the Manse.</p><p></p><p>When she got close enough, Ceri could see a large, glass building. She later saw that it was actually made out of wine bottles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There was a large pool of water around it with lots of giant animals around it, drinking.</p><p></p><p>When she got back, she informed the group of the interesting architecture she found. They stopped to discuss things briefly before moving on. Along the way, Ceri noticed regular sized Grizzly Bear tracks. Jahar didn’t think his father had a bear.</p><p>When they got within seeing distance of the Manse, Jahar suggested they find a hiding place to scout the Manse. Looking around, A-dom suggested they park themselves right in front of the door, since they’d never see it coming. They argued about where to hide for a while.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>I can go in there and look around. If they’re not looking specifically for me or a horribly disfigured creature, we’re okay.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> (yelling) <em>Horribly disfigured creature with one eye thinking about sneaking into the Manse.</em></p><p></p><p>They could see as a skeleton by the door leaned in and yelled.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Thank you Viney. An big, purple dinosaur with kaleidoscope hair is coming. To the Manse.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>I asked you what your business was.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>To steal underpants.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> (yelling) <em>Oh, and his name is A-dom.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Our friend Lightbringer is coming. He’s coming, but not here yet.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>I only announce those that are here.</em></p><p></p><p>Tiger and A-dom discussed breaking Viney. They then heard a sword coming loose, as Viney pulled a rusty, old one from the ground and held it to A-dom’s throat. Ceri, meanwhile, found a secluded spot for the group and ushered them there. Jahar brought up the sneaking in bit again. A-dom offered to have Viney sneak in.</p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> (yelling) <em>People outside can’t decide what to do!</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom and Ceri suggested they just go in while Tiger wandered off.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> (singing) <em>Viney, Viney, Viney, Yew made him the other day,</em></p><p><em>Viney, Viney, Viney, I’m going to throw him into a tree.</em></p><p></p><p>As Tiger stealthily moved towards the Manse, he saw a man riding out of the Manse on a bear, carrying a polearm. He had vines and leaves all over his armor and corn yellow hair. He set his polearm in the holster in the saddle so that he could pull out his bow and knock an arrow, aimed at Tiger.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://home.nycap.rr.com/aokitty/Lowger.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon-blood:</strong> <em>You boys feel like coming out now? Although you don’t look like a disfigured monster.</em> (pause) <em>Oh. There is the disfigured monster. You all want to come out now?</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom wandered out. Jahar stayed behind a tree and began chanting as he prepared to cast a spell. Ceri saw they and cursed not having counter-magic.</p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>There’s six of them.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Viney!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Viney:</strong> <em>I’m not on your side!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>I know that.</em></p><p></p><p>As Gareth wandered out, Jahar realized that his spell casting would be very, <strong>VERY</strong> obvious and stopped. Eventually everyone wandered out. Jahar thought about stuffing his robe into his pack before coming out, but realized this wouldn’t work very well, since it was a great deal larger than his tiny pack. So, he just came out, robes and all.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon-blood:</strong> <em>So, you would be Jahar and company?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>Yes. And you are?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon-blood:</strong> <em>Regara Lowger. You look like Inthian.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>Yes.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>Your father is not in residence right now.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Can we hang out anyway?</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar introduced A-dom and described the others as his other servants. Ceri glared daggers at Jahar. Jahar explained that they were there to check on Flatfield and decided to stop by. Lowger didn’t comment on the five day trek into the wretched swamp to ‘pop by.’ When he inquired about a Regara being on Atlantis, Jahar found out that Lowger was a member of his father’s brotherhood. Jahar explained away not knowing about his father’s brotherhood by saying that his father didn’t discuss things at home that would anger his mother.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>The Brotherhood of Wayward Sons and Wives tends to have that affect on wives.</em></p><p></p><p>Eventually Lowger asked them to come in and Jahar accepted.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>Welcome to the House of a Thousand Empty Bottles.</em></p><p></p><p>Hearing the name, Jade’s Luck remembered that Wretch of Winter, Evening Tide of Autumn, and Lightbringer all got drunk for a year and five days. She kept this information to herself for now.</p><p></p><p>As they passed by the front door, they noticed a sign next to it that was all over covered in vines. Jahar and Jade’s Luck stopped to look at it.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sign:</strong> <em>Welcome Loose Women – Wretch of Winter</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>Follow me. We don’t even know why its there, except that we can’t remove it. It’d cause an explosion. </em></p><p></p><p>Jahar complemented the bear and asked what its name was. Lowger said her name was Gerlow. Lowger said Gerlow was protected by his powers from the water outside that made animals large. Jahar asked if anyone else from the Brotherhood was around.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>No. Pollus is busy with his family. Our other brother is away on the Blessed Isle.</em></p><p></p><p>Remembering his father in law, Pollus, he said that that made sense.</p><p></p><p>Lowger ushered them through a large entryway into a large room with a swimming pool with red liquid.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jade’s Luck:</strong> <em>Is that wine?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>Yes. And it’s safe to drink. And swim in.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Wonderful!</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom plunked himself down next to the pool and dunked his entire head in. A few seconds later the handkerchief floated to the surface and away from his body. Jahar grabbed a nearby goblet and dipped it in the pool. When he took a sip, he noticed it was very strong wine. Get Exalted drunk quick strong.</p><p></p><p>When they noticed Jahar stumble a little in inebriation, Gareth went over and pulled A-dom’s head up. A-dom took a big breath and wine drained out of his eye socket. That looked like it hurt a lot, but A-dom was too drunk to notice. A-dom rolled over to lie down. Jahar tried to help A-dom over to the lounge chairs, but failed miserably. </p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>Would you like to inform your father that you are here?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>We’re not going to be here that long. I wouldn’t want him to go out of his way. We literally were just stopping by on our way to Flatfield.</em></p><p></p><p>Lowger shook his head and offered to show Jahar his father’s library. Jahar visibly perked up at this and eagerly followed with Jade’s Luck in tow. The bear flopped down next to the pool and A-dom. A-dom scratched the bear.</p><p></p><p>The library itself looked fairly expensive. Looking around, Jahar noticed two spellbooks. Jade’s Luck, looking for more historical works, noticed <em>History of Farming on Atlantis</em> and <em>101 ways to prepare cow</em>. To his knowledge, his father had never officially declared himself a sorcerer, so he found the presence of the two spellbooks out in plain view interesting. After all, to his knowledge, only he and one of his less annoying sisters knew of his father’s abilities. His father had more sense than him, however, since he wasn’t the demon-summoning kind.</p><p></p><p>Since it would technically be odd to leave this late in the day Jahar invited himself and the others to stay the night.</p><p></p><p>Lowger said they could stay in the pool area and sent Gerlow out to fetch some dinner. A-dom was mildly sad that his fuzzy pillow left. A very short time later Gerlow returned with a very large dead alligator (three times larger than the bear). Gerlow then went and plopped back down next to A-dom. With permission, Gareth went and skinned the alligator to save the leather. A-dom asked if Gareth could make an eyepatch from it. Gareth nodded.</p><p></p><p>They dined on alligator steaks and wine and relaxed for a time after.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> (gesturing to the robes) <em>So, when did you graduate from the Heptagram?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em>Uh, the year 764, I believe.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> (gesturing to the robes) <em>Nice to see Inthian’s children getting ahead in the world.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar commented on his sisters taking a bit too much after his mother. Jade’s Luck commented on Jahar’s special son. This led to Jahar telling Lowger that his wife was Cynis Jara. After Lowger consulted a book, he looked a little funny at Jahar.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>So, you married Pollus’s daughter. Doesn’t she take after her mother too?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> (nodding) <em>It’s not a happy marriage.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> <em>You might have to join the brotherhood at some point.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar and Lowger talked about Jahar’s mother and father. Lowger commented that Inthian’s wife could have been worse. After all, he could have married Pollus’s wife instead.</p><p></p><p>A-dom curled up facing the wall so no one would notice his disguise charm dropping when he went to sleep. The night went along uneventfully. Jahar heard Lowger up late making grinding noises (sharpening tools?). Tiger stays awake all night to keep watch. In the morning, Lowger brought some salad type food over to A-dom as a hangover cure. It worked great, but tasted like tree bark. A-dom asked if he had anything that grew back eyes. Lowger showed him a potato. He said that there was a priest in the city a long time ago that could heal, but it cost a lot and you had to attend church a lot. A-dom said it wasn’t worth it. Lowger didn’t remember the priest’s name. Mnemon something or other.</p><p></p><p>When Jahar asked for directions, Lowger started to think, then said he’d just get one of the skeletons to lead.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lowger:</strong> (walking outside) <em>Bonebrain! One of you, come here! Take these people to the edge of the swamp, near Flatfield.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>This way.</em></p><p></p><p>Bonebrain was even slower than Viney, since he was missing a leg. Jahar made A-dom wait till they were out of sight of the Manse before he could pick him up.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>How long has your leg been like that?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>I don’t understand time very well. When I was still alive.</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom offered to fix the leg. Gareth pointed out that that was a bad idea, since its masters would notice his new appendage. Jahar agreed.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>Are you Yew?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Of course I’m me.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>That’s not what I asked.</em></p><p></p><p>When A-dom answered that he wasn’t Yew, Bonebrain said he didn’t want a new leg.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Would you mind if you rode on my shoulders so we could move a little faster?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>But Yew is not here.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Bonebrain, would you… crap… Bonebrain. Would Bonebrain mind if you rode on my shoulders </em></p><p></p><p><strong>Bonebrain:</strong> <em>But Yew is not here!</em></p><p></p><p>A-dom bashed his head on a tree.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ryan:</strong> <em>My next character is going to be named Me.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar pondered briefly on Lowger talking to his father, but the group didn’t seem very worried about it. They mostly thought it was an inevitability and would be dealt with later.</p><p></p><p>Jade’s Luck relayed her vision about finding Lightbringer, Wretch, and Evening Tide after their year long bender. Gareth told her it was all part of a ritual.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Gareth relayed that the ritual was to build a rather large sapphire statue. A-dom asked if he build anything. Gareth commented that he probably made the pool. A-dom thought it was the best pool ever. Upon reflection, Gareth actually thought that Ceri had made the pool, since he had been opposed to it for some reason.</p><p></p><p>Jade’s Luck and Jahar then discussed the cultists and conversion for a very long time. The predominant opinion seemed to be that Tiger shouldn’t kill everyone in town. Tiger eventually decided that he needed to go get the boat and meet the rest of the Circle at the town. Jade’s Luck and Jahar continued to argue about the cultists and mass slaughter of the town, despite the fact that they both had the same opinion on the matter. Gareth did his best to ignore them by striking up a conversation with A-dom about whatever A-dom wanted to talk about (undead, eyepatches, treasure, whatever).</p><p></p><p>During one of the nights in the swamp, Ceri contacted her mentor via her pendant to tell him about her current problems. First and foremost, she had a problem with the mass slaughter of innocents. </p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>Also, I appear to be a big slut.</em></p><p></p><p>Dylan didn’t have a problem with the slaughter of the cultists and suggested they arrange for the cultists to go out to the fields and not come back. It wasn’t his preferred way of doing things, but it wasn’t his island. On the topic of her promiscuity, he said that she wasn’t experiencing things in their proper range of time. After all, each of these marriages likely spanned thousands of years.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ceri:</strong> <em>I’m just waiting to find out I’ve been married to everybody. What am I doing? Just going through the Circle?</em></p><p></p><p>He then commented that being married to someone was a good way to control them. She relayed about the shard switching and being confused. Dylan told her to stick to the memories for who was who. She decided her marriage to Calibration’s Diplomacy must have been arraigned. Either that or she was insane.</p><p></p><p>When Tiger got to the ship, both Fatty and Skelly were still there. Fatty informed him that Skelly owed him one hundred jade, since he was very back at twenty-one. Tiger told him good luck in collecting it.</p><p></p><p>Flatfield was basically the collection point for all of the little farms in the area. The farms were primarily rice farms fed water by the swamp. The town itself was small, home to fifty to sixty people. Jade’s Luck was happy to see the Water Buffalo were normal sized. The town’s primary purpose was for the housing and shipping of rice. A large Immaculate Temple stood at the center point of town. The town had a few shops and two inns. One of the inns was by the seaside part of town and was clearly designed to cater to sailors. The other in was further into town and was clearly designed to cater to farmers that were traveling a long ways. Neither of them were suitable for Jahar’s station, but they figured the sailor inn had a room for captains. Jahar rented out a floor of the inn, making sure he got a nicer room. He was unsure whether to get separate rooms for everyone or make them share, so Gareth made sure he got his own room. Jahar signed in his own name and listed the others as his servants. Once upstairs, Jahar told the others that they were paying for their own rooms. A-dom didn’t like this, but agreed to go along with it. He then hit Jahar up for cash for the room. Jahar then said that he was expecting some unwanted attention from his name being in the guest book, since House Sessus was opposed to House Mnemon.</p><p></p><p>The first thing Gareth did was go take a bath, since they had all been trudging through a swamp for days. The others followed behind to the communal baths. Jahar decided he wanted a private bath and ordered a bath taken up to his room. Some poor servant had to lug water up three flights of stairs.</p><p></p><p>When Jahar was just finishing his bath, Mnemon Kirmek, the mayor of the town, came to visit him. Jahar wasn’t sure is Kirmek was dragon-blooded or not. He figured that, if the guy was, he had horrible breeding. When asked what his business was in town, Jahar explained that he was looking to set up a port for his trading company. Kirmek made clear in no uncertain terms that he didn’t want a trading company in town. The Empire didn’t pay much attention to his exports or tax them much and he liked it that way. Kirmek was rather content with his station and the status of the city and didn’t want that to change.</p><p></p><p><strong>Mnemon Kirmek:</strong> <em>We don’t need your kind around here, Sessus.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar asked how many more Mnemons were in town.</p><p></p><p><strong>Mnemon Kirmek:</strong> <em>Would you like to meet them all? There is an alley out back.</em></p><p></p><p>Jahar said he wasn’t looking for threats and went on in his usual longwinded way. Kirmek told Jahar that he could feel free to leave whenever he was ready. As Kirmek was leaving, he made the comment that there were services every night after dinner at the temple and that the monks require him to say that. Jahar tried to ask him some more questions, but Kirmek just left. The only thing he got out of the conversation was that Kirmek really, really didn’t like him.</p><p></p><p>During this time, Jade’s Luck and She-Dom had been wandering around looking for office space. Everyone she talked to said <em>Oh, you’re with that Sessus fellow. That’s too bad.</em> She played up being cute and naïve. Eventually someone explained to her that House Mnemon hated House Sessus and that she wouldn’t be getting any land around there. She cried at them, for the fun of it.</p><p></p><p>Jahar, Jade’s Luck and A-dom elected to go to church.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>Ooh, ooh, ooh. Church sounds like FUN!</em></p><p></p><p>Jade’s Luck talked Ceri into going, saying it’d be educational. Gareth elected to do something other than church. He wandered over to the blacksmith’s shop and talked shop. The smith was happy to have someone to hang out with. Eventually the blacksmith closed up shop and went home, kicking Gareth out.</p><p></p><p>The main worship room of the temple was very Spartan. It had no chairs or mats. It didn’t even have flat stones to kneel upon. What it did have was bumpy, uneven cobblestones.</p><p></p><p>The monks invited everyone to kneel down for services. Jade’s Luck activated Graceful Crane Stance so she could balance on her toes and not kneel. The head monk, who had a completely shaved head and even shaved eyebrows, introduced himself as Brother HollowTree of the Rice Fields. They weren’t sure if he was a wood dragon-blood or not. He had a slight brownish tint to his skin and the name suggested he might be, but he didn’t announce a family name and, like the mayor, he also had poor breeding.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em>Ah yes. Please kneel down. We have a very special sermon today. All about how to spot the Anathema.</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Dawn Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em>You ever see anyone with this symbol on, they were <strong>The Forsaken</strong>. The Forsaken wished to destroy all cooperation and all those who wished to follow the path to enlightenment with false promises of personal empowerment. They only wish for you to die alone, as they always do.</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Zenith Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em>This mark is the mark of <strong>The Blasphemers</strong> who wish to destroy the Immaculate Order and bring worship of their dark, false god.</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Twilight Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em>This is the symbol for <strong>The Unclean</strong> who sacrificed innocents and their very souls for power to acquire evil artifacts of cursed gold.</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Night Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em><strong>The Wretched</strong> murder those who speak out against the Anathema, trying to enforce their twisted, evil rule upon others with both stealth and force.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Dan:</strong> <em>He’s a seer!</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Eclipse Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em><strong>The Deceivers</strong> used their dark powers to make their mad plans sound reasonable.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Alex:</strong> <em>It doesn’t help!</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Brother HollowTree:</strong> <em> One must never listen to a deceiver. They lie and twist the truths with every breath they take. The only thing you can agree with them is to end their lives with the shining truth of the Immaculate Order upon them that they will surely beg for death when they find them.</em></p><p></p><p>Brother HollowTree then led the group in silent meditation for three hours. Jade’s Luck used this time to pray to the Unconquered Sun. She got thwacked with a stick a few times, since she seemed to not be suffering for her worship. Afterwards, Brother HollowTree asked if there were any questions. The group all refrained from asking. Brother HollowTree said that he hoped he would see everyone tomorrow. He also said that tomorrow’s sermon would be about the evils of alcohol and not participating in group barn-raisings.</p><p></p><p>Once away from the church, Jahar admitted that there was no point in trying to convert the monks and converting the flock wouldn’t be worth it. Jade’s Luck agreed. So, now they were in agreement with Tiger that the monks needed to die. Jahar then commented that he really didn’t like Tiger being right.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Grumpy Craftsman 2</strong> arrived near the road to Flatfield and set anchor. Tiger made himself look like an Immaculate monk and headed in to town.</p><p></p><p><strong>Paul:</strong> <em>Okay. An Immaculate monk walks into town.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Lori:</strong> <em>That sounds like the beginning of a joke.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Paul:</strong> <em>It’s a joke where everybody dies! It’s funny to Tiger.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Ryan:</strong> <em>And me.</em></p><p></p><p>Tiger wandered to the temple entered to find a few people standing around debating. He recognized the three monks from drawings. Tiger introduced himself as Ledaal Janem and asked to stay a while. They made a bed up for him. He found out that Brother HollowTree moved to this parish three or four months ago. He was a ‘happy’ fire and brimstone monk.</p><p></p><p>Back at the Inn, Gareth dragged She-Dom downstairs to go drinking. She-Dom stole money from the Inn and bought everyone drinks. Gareth managed to make the sailors like him. A number of men tried to pick She-Dom up. She kicked them.</p><p></p><p>Tiger’s room had a curtain for a door and a nice, straw mat for sleeping. It had a half burnt candle and a desk with a copy of the scriptures. This would have been a good time for slitting some throats, but Tiger wanted to get to know them first. After all, it’s more fun if they like you before you kill them, I guess.</p><p></p><p>When She-Dom went up to her room for something, Jahar asked if anyone could get him a glass of wine.</p><p></p><p><strong>She-Dom:</strong> <em>No.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em> Can I pay you to? I didn’t say buy it for me.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>She-Dom:</strong> <em>Now you’re insulting me. I can get my own wine.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Jahar:</strong> <em> Can I ask you to bring me back a flask of wine, since I can’t go out?</em></p><p></p><p><strong>She-Dom:</strong> <em>Steal wine? Why not just pay for it?</em></p><p></p><p>She-Dom went downstairs and bought two flasks of wine.</p><p></p><p><strong>She-Dom:</strong> <em>Flask of Wine! Wheee!!</em></p><p></p><p>*<em>Glug, Glug, Glug</em>*</p><p></p><p>She-Dom went back upstairs and gave Jahar the empty flask first. After a few minutes of Jahar glaring and the glaring turning into a lecture, She-Dom gave Jahar the full flask.</p><p></p><p>The group waited around for Tiger to show up. They talked about getting rid of the cultists. Jahar added the mayor to that list, saying he got to kill him. He cased the mayor’s house. It was a small house across from the temple that had maybe six rooms. He found out that there were about five members of House Mnemon in the area and that the mayor was the only one that could possibly be a dragon-blood.</p><p></p><p><strong>A-dom:</strong> <em>House Mnemon die really easy. You just drop a pillar on them.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ao the Overkitty, post: 2868164, member: 9758"] [b]Synopsis for 5/29/06 session[/b] [i]Synopsis for 5/29/06 session[/i] [size=6][b]"How to Spot an Anathema"[/b][/size] A-dom and Tiger leapt up and climbed out of the shaft while Jahar flew out to rejoin the others. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]My eye hurts![/i] They made there way back up to the statue room, when the statue turned to face them. [b]Statue:[/b] [i]Your personal message to your mother was delivered today and will be delivered to her ears every Mother’s Day, every year. So she will always be reminded of how you truly feel about her.[/i] Jahar was less than pleased by this and made plans to act like he had no clue what his mother was talking about. A-dom just thought it was funny. At least his mother would get an apology once a year, now. Ceri asked the statue if this applied to dead mothers, but the statue didn’t know. Jahar tormented the statue with questions until Gareth told him to stop. Jade’s Luck asked what happened to those who didn’t know their maternal bloodline. The statue said that they’d find out when they left. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Gareth! My eye fell out![/i] [b]Tiger:[/b] [i]It didn’t FALL out.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Well, uh, your eyepatch did it. You look very good, you know.[/i] [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]Yes, it does.[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]A-dom. You have this problem with not listening when someone tells you something and then harming yourself because you didn’t listen to the notes.[/i] A-dom sputtered about there not being any notes, so Jahar handed him the eyepatch note. Of course, since it was written in Old Realm, A-dom couldn’t read it. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Is this an artifact?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]No. It’s the note that says the eyepatch is for Gareth.[/i] A-dom ripped the note up into lots and lots of pieces. [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]It’s going to take a while, but I can fix that.[/i] [b]Tiger:[/b] [i]It’s just a piece of paper.[/i] [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]I meant his eyeball.[/i] Jade’s Luck remarked on Jahar’s cloak. [b]Jade’s Luck:[/b] [i]Wow. That’s remarkably non-inconspicuous. I suggest you don’t wear that near your family. Ever.[/i] [b]Tiger:[/b] [i]I suggest you do.[/i] Ceri briefly explained to A-dom about the eyepatch. [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]When you were Marcus the Mad and Gareth was Pollus, you had this cool eyepatch.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]That [b]IS[/b] my eyepatch![/i] [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]And he said, ‘Well, can I have it when you’re dead?’ And you said ‘sure.’ And then Darius, the guy who was the Eclipse, came up behind you bound the deal. So, now it’s Gareth’s… and you tried to go back on your word.[/i] A-dom smacked Jahar in the back of the head. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]:):):):)ing Eclipse![/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]What’d I do now?[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]You poked my eye out![/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]I’m not even… I’m not… I don’t think… I wasn’t Darius.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]You’re the Eclipse. I’m sure you’re Darius![/i] [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]I’m not sure, but I think that’s still Tiger. I’m not sure how that ritual worked. Tiger was either Darius or Marcus the Mad.[/i] [b]Ceri:[/b] (to A-dom) [i]Next time if they ask if they can have something when they’re dead, just say no.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]But it’s fun to taunt them… Now I just have to make sure HE isn’t around.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]No one can have any of my stuff![/i] (points at Jahar) [i]You zap that, ding-dong.[/i] [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]That’s not an actual negotiated agreement, I’m sorry.[/i] Jahar then proceeded to negotiate terms with A-dom, making his head hurt. [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]Do you agree that you don’t want anyone else’s stuff, just your own stuff?[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] (whiney and crying) [i]I want to leave now! I don’t have an eye! I want an eye! It goes here![/i] [b]Tiger:[/b] [i]You have AN eye.[/i] Jahar looked back at the statue and asked if it had a spare eye for A-dom. This flabbergasted the statue. He looked like he wanted to smack Jahar in the back of the head, but Jahar was too far away. Jade’s Luck gave A-dom her water bottle to clean his face with and a hanky. A-dom cleaned up and stuck the hanky in the socket. Jade’s Luck said he could keep the hanky. Gareth noticed that Ceri looked slightly confused, then very unsure. When asked if she was alright, she replied affirmatively. A-dom tried to make it look like he had two eyes, but it didn’t work. [b]A-dom:[/b] (to Gareth) [i]Can I have your eyepatch?[/i] [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]No. As I said, it’ll take me a while, but I’ll be able to fix it.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Before we visit the Bodhisattva?[/i] [b]Gareth:[/b] [i]No.[/i] They finished arguing and headed back out into the swamp. It was still crappy and cold outside. Just beyond the snow area they could see Viney standing around. [b]A-dom:[/b] (happy voice) [i]Viney![/i] [b]Viney:[/b] (usual depressed voice) [i]Oh. You got out.[/i] When asked, Viney said he wouldn’t have waited around forever for them and would have known if they weren’t going to get out. He wasn’t informed on what happened to those who didn’t know their bloodline, though. Much to A-dom’s disappointment, Viney brought up A-dom’s missing eye. A-dom asked Viney if he could spare an eye. Viney said no. [b]A-dom:[/b] (to Jahar) [i]So, are we going back to the ship or to the Manse?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]We’re already here, do we need a ship?[/i] A-dom started crying again. After discussing it with himself, Jahar finally decided to go to the Manse. A-dom told Viney it was time for another piggy-back ride. When questioned, Viney said he didn’t know how far it was to get to the Manse and he didn’t know if there was anybody at the Manse. He did say that he had shown dragon-bloods to the manse before. The phrase ‘[i]Which part about I don’t understand time didn’t you follow the first time?’[/i] was repeated a lot. The group discussed sneaking into the Manse. Viney asked what their business at the Manse was. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Jahar probably wants to look around because I think his father hangs out there. We’re going to visit potential current visitors.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] (sighs) [i]Alright.[/i] (yelling) [i]Jahar and company coming to the Manse to visit![/i] The group heard another skeleton in the distance repeat this message. It continued to be repeated down a line of skeletons. Apparently they always announced visitors to the Manse. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]So, there is more than one you around here?[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]No. There is only one Yew.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]What was the last announcement that you made?[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]That I made or that Yew made?[/i] A-dom almost broke down crying. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]That Viney made?[/i] [b]Tiger:[/b] [i]What was the last announcement that you heard?[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]I hate you people.[/i] [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]Sometimes, I hate them too.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]The last announcement that I made was some fellow by the name of Pellops was coming to visit. He had a boat.[/i] Viney rode on A-dom’s shoulders as they headed for the Manse. Ceri flew ahead to scout. They avoided swamp dragons. Since they rested, it took them three days to get to the Manse. When she got close enough, Ceri could see a large, glass building. She later saw that it was actually made out of wine bottles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There was a large pool of water around it with lots of giant animals around it, drinking. When she got back, she informed the group of the interesting architecture she found. They stopped to discuss things briefly before moving on. Along the way, Ceri noticed regular sized Grizzly Bear tracks. Jahar didn’t think his father had a bear. When they got within seeing distance of the Manse, Jahar suggested they find a hiding place to scout the Manse. Looking around, A-dom suggested they park themselves right in front of the door, since they’d never see it coming. They argued about where to hide for a while. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]I can go in there and look around. If they’re not looking specifically for me or a horribly disfigured creature, we’re okay.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] (yelling) [i]Horribly disfigured creature with one eye thinking about sneaking into the Manse.[/i] They could see as a skeleton by the door leaned in and yelled. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Thank you Viney. An big, purple dinosaur with kaleidoscope hair is coming. To the Manse.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]I asked you what your business was.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]To steal underpants.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] (yelling) [i]Oh, and his name is A-dom.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Our friend Lightbringer is coming. He’s coming, but not here yet.[/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]I only announce those that are here.[/i] Tiger and A-dom discussed breaking Viney. They then heard a sword coming loose, as Viney pulled a rusty, old one from the ground and held it to A-dom’s throat. Ceri, meanwhile, found a secluded spot for the group and ushered them there. Jahar brought up the sneaking in bit again. A-dom offered to have Viney sneak in. [b]Viney:[/b] (yelling) [i]People outside can’t decide what to do![/i] A-dom and Ceri suggested they just go in while Tiger wandered off. [b]A-dom:[/b] (singing) [i]Viney, Viney, Viney, Yew made him the other day, Viney, Viney, Viney, I’m going to throw him into a tree.[/i] As Tiger stealthily moved towards the Manse, he saw a man riding out of the Manse on a bear, carrying a polearm. He had vines and leaves all over his armor and corn yellow hair. He set his polearm in the holster in the saddle so that he could pull out his bow and knock an arrow, aimed at Tiger. [img]http://home.nycap.rr.com/aokitty/Lowger.jpg[/img] [b]Dragon-blood:[/b] [i]You boys feel like coming out now? Although you don’t look like a disfigured monster.[/i] (pause) [i]Oh. There is the disfigured monster. You all want to come out now?[/i] A-dom wandered out. Jahar stayed behind a tree and began chanting as he prepared to cast a spell. Ceri saw they and cursed not having counter-magic. [b]Viney:[/b] [i]There’s six of them.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Viney![/i] [b]Viney:[/b] [i]I’m not on your side![/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]I know that.[/i] As Gareth wandered out, Jahar realized that his spell casting would be very, [b]VERY[/b] obvious and stopped. Eventually everyone wandered out. Jahar thought about stuffing his robe into his pack before coming out, but realized this wouldn’t work very well, since it was a great deal larger than his tiny pack. So, he just came out, robes and all. [b]Dragon-blood:[/b] [i]So, you would be Jahar and company?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]Yes. And you are?[/i] [b]Dragon-blood:[/b] [i]Regara Lowger. You look like Inthian.[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]Yes.[/i] [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]Your father is not in residence right now.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Can we hang out anyway?[/i] Jahar introduced A-dom and described the others as his other servants. Ceri glared daggers at Jahar. Jahar explained that they were there to check on Flatfield and decided to stop by. Lowger didn’t comment on the five day trek into the wretched swamp to ‘pop by.’ When he inquired about a Regara being on Atlantis, Jahar found out that Lowger was a member of his father’s brotherhood. Jahar explained away not knowing about his father’s brotherhood by saying that his father didn’t discuss things at home that would anger his mother. [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]The Brotherhood of Wayward Sons and Wives tends to have that affect on wives.[/i] Eventually Lowger asked them to come in and Jahar accepted. [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]Welcome to the House of a Thousand Empty Bottles.[/i] Hearing the name, Jade’s Luck remembered that Wretch of Winter, Evening Tide of Autumn, and Lightbringer all got drunk for a year and five days. She kept this information to herself for now. As they passed by the front door, they noticed a sign next to it that was all over covered in vines. Jahar and Jade’s Luck stopped to look at it. [b]Sign:[/b] [i]Welcome Loose Women – Wretch of Winter[/i] [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]Follow me. We don’t even know why its there, except that we can’t remove it. It’d cause an explosion. [/i] Jahar complemented the bear and asked what its name was. Lowger said her name was Gerlow. Lowger said Gerlow was protected by his powers from the water outside that made animals large. Jahar asked if anyone else from the Brotherhood was around. [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]No. Pollus is busy with his family. Our other brother is away on the Blessed Isle.[/i] Remembering his father in law, Pollus, he said that that made sense. Lowger ushered them through a large entryway into a large room with a swimming pool with red liquid. [b]Jade’s Luck:[/b] [i]Is that wine?[/i] [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]Yes. And it’s safe to drink. And swim in.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Wonderful![/i] A-dom plunked himself down next to the pool and dunked his entire head in. A few seconds later the handkerchief floated to the surface and away from his body. Jahar grabbed a nearby goblet and dipped it in the pool. When he took a sip, he noticed it was very strong wine. Get Exalted drunk quick strong. When they noticed Jahar stumble a little in inebriation, Gareth went over and pulled A-dom’s head up. A-dom took a big breath and wine drained out of his eye socket. That looked like it hurt a lot, but A-dom was too drunk to notice. A-dom rolled over to lie down. Jahar tried to help A-dom over to the lounge chairs, but failed miserably. [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]Would you like to inform your father that you are here?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]We’re not going to be here that long. I wouldn’t want him to go out of his way. We literally were just stopping by on our way to Flatfield.[/i] Lowger shook his head and offered to show Jahar his father’s library. Jahar visibly perked up at this and eagerly followed with Jade’s Luck in tow. The bear flopped down next to the pool and A-dom. A-dom scratched the bear. The library itself looked fairly expensive. Looking around, Jahar noticed two spellbooks. Jade’s Luck, looking for more historical works, noticed [i]History of Farming on Atlantis[/i] and [i]101 ways to prepare cow[/i]. To his knowledge, his father had never officially declared himself a sorcerer, so he found the presence of the two spellbooks out in plain view interesting. After all, to his knowledge, only he and one of his less annoying sisters knew of his father’s abilities. His father had more sense than him, however, since he wasn’t the demon-summoning kind. Since it would technically be odd to leave this late in the day Jahar invited himself and the others to stay the night. Lowger said they could stay in the pool area and sent Gerlow out to fetch some dinner. A-dom was mildly sad that his fuzzy pillow left. A very short time later Gerlow returned with a very large dead alligator (three times larger than the bear). Gerlow then went and plopped back down next to A-dom. With permission, Gareth went and skinned the alligator to save the leather. A-dom asked if Gareth could make an eyepatch from it. Gareth nodded. They dined on alligator steaks and wine and relaxed for a time after. [b]Lowger:[/b] (gesturing to the robes) [i]So, when did you graduate from the Heptagram?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i]Uh, the year 764, I believe.[/i] [b]Lowger:[/b] (gesturing to the robes) [i]Nice to see Inthian’s children getting ahead in the world.[/i] Jahar commented on his sisters taking a bit too much after his mother. Jade’s Luck commented on Jahar’s special son. This led to Jahar telling Lowger that his wife was Cynis Jara. After Lowger consulted a book, he looked a little funny at Jahar. [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]So, you married Pollus’s daughter. Doesn’t she take after her mother too?[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] (nodding) [i]It’s not a happy marriage.[/i] [b]Lowger:[/b] [i]You might have to join the brotherhood at some point.[/i] Jahar and Lowger talked about Jahar’s mother and father. Lowger commented that Inthian’s wife could have been worse. After all, he could have married Pollus’s wife instead. A-dom curled up facing the wall so no one would notice his disguise charm dropping when he went to sleep. The night went along uneventfully. Jahar heard Lowger up late making grinding noises (sharpening tools?). Tiger stays awake all night to keep watch. In the morning, Lowger brought some salad type food over to A-dom as a hangover cure. It worked great, but tasted like tree bark. A-dom asked if he had anything that grew back eyes. Lowger showed him a potato. He said that there was a priest in the city a long time ago that could heal, but it cost a lot and you had to attend church a lot. A-dom said it wasn’t worth it. Lowger didn’t remember the priest’s name. Mnemon something or other. When Jahar asked for directions, Lowger started to think, then said he’d just get one of the skeletons to lead. [b]Lowger:[/b] (walking outside) [i]Bonebrain! One of you, come here! Take these people to the edge of the swamp, near Flatfield.[/i] [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]This way.[/i] Bonebrain was even slower than Viney, since he was missing a leg. Jahar made A-dom wait till they were out of sight of the Manse before he could pick him up. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]How long has your leg been like that?[/i] [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]I don’t understand time very well. When I was still alive.[/i] A-dom offered to fix the leg. Gareth pointed out that that was a bad idea, since its masters would notice his new appendage. Jahar agreed. [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]Are you Yew?[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Of course I’m me.[/i] [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]That’s not what I asked.[/i] When A-dom answered that he wasn’t Yew, Bonebrain said he didn’t want a new leg. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Would you mind if you rode on my shoulders so we could move a little faster?[/i] [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]But Yew is not here.[/i] [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Bonebrain, would you… crap… Bonebrain. Would Bonebrain mind if you rode on my shoulders [/i] [b]Bonebrain:[/b] [i]But Yew is not here![/i] A-dom bashed his head on a tree. [b]Ryan:[/b] [i]My next character is going to be named Me.[/i] Jahar pondered briefly on Lowger talking to his father, but the group didn’t seem very worried about it. They mostly thought it was an inevitability and would be dealt with later. Jade’s Luck relayed her vision about finding Lightbringer, Wretch, and Evening Tide after their year long bender. Gareth told her it was all part of a ritual. Gareth relayed that the ritual was to build a rather large sapphire statue. A-dom asked if he build anything. Gareth commented that he probably made the pool. A-dom thought it was the best pool ever. Upon reflection, Gareth actually thought that Ceri had made the pool, since he had been opposed to it for some reason. Jade’s Luck and Jahar then discussed the cultists and conversion for a very long time. The predominant opinion seemed to be that Tiger shouldn’t kill everyone in town. Tiger eventually decided that he needed to go get the boat and meet the rest of the Circle at the town. Jade’s Luck and Jahar continued to argue about the cultists and mass slaughter of the town, despite the fact that they both had the same opinion on the matter. Gareth did his best to ignore them by striking up a conversation with A-dom about whatever A-dom wanted to talk about (undead, eyepatches, treasure, whatever). During one of the nights in the swamp, Ceri contacted her mentor via her pendant to tell him about her current problems. First and foremost, she had a problem with the mass slaughter of innocents. [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]Also, I appear to be a big slut.[/i] Dylan didn’t have a problem with the slaughter of the cultists and suggested they arrange for the cultists to go out to the fields and not come back. It wasn’t his preferred way of doing things, but it wasn’t his island. On the topic of her promiscuity, he said that she wasn’t experiencing things in their proper range of time. After all, each of these marriages likely spanned thousands of years. [b]Ceri:[/b] [i]I’m just waiting to find out I’ve been married to everybody. What am I doing? Just going through the Circle?[/i] He then commented that being married to someone was a good way to control them. She relayed about the shard switching and being confused. Dylan told her to stick to the memories for who was who. She decided her marriage to Calibration’s Diplomacy must have been arraigned. Either that or she was insane. When Tiger got to the ship, both Fatty and Skelly were still there. Fatty informed him that Skelly owed him one hundred jade, since he was very back at twenty-one. Tiger told him good luck in collecting it. Flatfield was basically the collection point for all of the little farms in the area. The farms were primarily rice farms fed water by the swamp. The town itself was small, home to fifty to sixty people. Jade’s Luck was happy to see the Water Buffalo were normal sized. The town’s primary purpose was for the housing and shipping of rice. A large Immaculate Temple stood at the center point of town. The town had a few shops and two inns. One of the inns was by the seaside part of town and was clearly designed to cater to sailors. The other in was further into town and was clearly designed to cater to farmers that were traveling a long ways. Neither of them were suitable for Jahar’s station, but they figured the sailor inn had a room for captains. Jahar rented out a floor of the inn, making sure he got a nicer room. He was unsure whether to get separate rooms for everyone or make them share, so Gareth made sure he got his own room. Jahar signed in his own name and listed the others as his servants. Once upstairs, Jahar told the others that they were paying for their own rooms. A-dom didn’t like this, but agreed to go along with it. He then hit Jahar up for cash for the room. Jahar then said that he was expecting some unwanted attention from his name being in the guest book, since House Sessus was opposed to House Mnemon. The first thing Gareth did was go take a bath, since they had all been trudging through a swamp for days. The others followed behind to the communal baths. Jahar decided he wanted a private bath and ordered a bath taken up to his room. Some poor servant had to lug water up three flights of stairs. When Jahar was just finishing his bath, Mnemon Kirmek, the mayor of the town, came to visit him. Jahar wasn’t sure is Kirmek was dragon-blooded or not. He figured that, if the guy was, he had horrible breeding. When asked what his business was in town, Jahar explained that he was looking to set up a port for his trading company. Kirmek made clear in no uncertain terms that he didn’t want a trading company in town. The Empire didn’t pay much attention to his exports or tax them much and he liked it that way. Kirmek was rather content with his station and the status of the city and didn’t want that to change. [b]Mnemon Kirmek:[/b] [i]We don’t need your kind around here, Sessus.[/i] Jahar asked how many more Mnemons were in town. [b]Mnemon Kirmek:[/b] [i]Would you like to meet them all? There is an alley out back.[/i] Jahar said he wasn’t looking for threats and went on in his usual longwinded way. Kirmek told Jahar that he could feel free to leave whenever he was ready. As Kirmek was leaving, he made the comment that there were services every night after dinner at the temple and that the monks require him to say that. Jahar tried to ask him some more questions, but Kirmek just left. The only thing he got out of the conversation was that Kirmek really, really didn’t like him. During this time, Jade’s Luck and She-Dom had been wandering around looking for office space. Everyone she talked to said [i]Oh, you’re with that Sessus fellow. That’s too bad.[/i] She played up being cute and naïve. Eventually someone explained to her that House Mnemon hated House Sessus and that she wouldn’t be getting any land around there. She cried at them, for the fun of it. Jahar, Jade’s Luck and A-dom elected to go to church. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]Ooh, ooh, ooh. Church sounds like FUN![/i] Jade’s Luck talked Ceri into going, saying it’d be educational. Gareth elected to do something other than church. He wandered over to the blacksmith’s shop and talked shop. The smith was happy to have someone to hang out with. Eventually the blacksmith closed up shop and went home, kicking Gareth out. The main worship room of the temple was very Spartan. It had no chairs or mats. It didn’t even have flat stones to kneel upon. What it did have was bumpy, uneven cobblestones. The monks invited everyone to kneel down for services. Jade’s Luck activated Graceful Crane Stance so she could balance on her toes and not kneel. The head monk, who had a completely shaved head and even shaved eyebrows, introduced himself as Brother HollowTree of the Rice Fields. They weren’t sure if he was a wood dragon-blood or not. He had a slight brownish tint to his skin and the name suggested he might be, but he didn’t announce a family name and, like the mayor, he also had poor breeding. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i]Ah yes. Please kneel down. We have a very special sermon today. All about how to spot the Anathema.[/i] Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Dawn Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i]You ever see anyone with this symbol on, they were [b]The Forsaken[/b]. The Forsaken wished to destroy all cooperation and all those who wished to follow the path to enlightenment with false promises of personal empowerment. They only wish for you to die alone, as they always do.[/i] Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Zenith Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i]This mark is the mark of [b]The Blasphemers[/b] who wish to destroy the Immaculate Order and bring worship of their dark, false god.[/i] Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Twilight Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i]This is the symbol for [b]The Unclean[/b] who sacrificed innocents and their very souls for power to acquire evil artifacts of cursed gold.[/i] Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Night Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i][b]The Wretched[/b] murder those who speak out against the Anathema, trying to enforce their twisted, evil rule upon others with both stealth and force.[/i] [b]Dan:[/b] [i]He’s a seer![/i] Brother HollowTree pulled out a stone tablet with the Eclipse Caste symbol on it and showed it to the audience. [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i][b]The Deceivers[/b] used their dark powers to make their mad plans sound reasonable.[/i] [b]Alex:[/b] [i]It doesn’t help![/i] [b]Brother HollowTree:[/b] [i] One must never listen to a deceiver. They lie and twist the truths with every breath they take. The only thing you can agree with them is to end their lives with the shining truth of the Immaculate Order upon them that they will surely beg for death when they find them.[/i] Brother HollowTree then led the group in silent meditation for three hours. Jade’s Luck used this time to pray to the Unconquered Sun. She got thwacked with a stick a few times, since she seemed to not be suffering for her worship. Afterwards, Brother HollowTree asked if there were any questions. The group all refrained from asking. Brother HollowTree said that he hoped he would see everyone tomorrow. He also said that tomorrow’s sermon would be about the evils of alcohol and not participating in group barn-raisings. Once away from the church, Jahar admitted that there was no point in trying to convert the monks and converting the flock wouldn’t be worth it. Jade’s Luck agreed. So, now they were in agreement with Tiger that the monks needed to die. Jahar then commented that he really didn’t like Tiger being right. [b]The Grumpy Craftsman 2[/b] arrived near the road to Flatfield and set anchor. Tiger made himself look like an Immaculate monk and headed in to town. [b]Paul:[/b] [i]Okay. An Immaculate monk walks into town.[/i] [b]Lori:[/b] [i]That sounds like the beginning of a joke.[/i] [b]Paul:[/b] [i]It’s a joke where everybody dies! It’s funny to Tiger.[/i] [b]Ryan:[/b] [i]And me.[/i] Tiger wandered to the temple entered to find a few people standing around debating. He recognized the three monks from drawings. Tiger introduced himself as Ledaal Janem and asked to stay a while. They made a bed up for him. He found out that Brother HollowTree moved to this parish three or four months ago. He was a ‘happy’ fire and brimstone monk. Back at the Inn, Gareth dragged She-Dom downstairs to go drinking. She-Dom stole money from the Inn and bought everyone drinks. Gareth managed to make the sailors like him. A number of men tried to pick She-Dom up. She kicked them. Tiger’s room had a curtain for a door and a nice, straw mat for sleeping. It had a half burnt candle and a desk with a copy of the scriptures. This would have been a good time for slitting some throats, but Tiger wanted to get to know them first. After all, it’s more fun if they like you before you kill them, I guess. When She-Dom went up to her room for something, Jahar asked if anyone could get him a glass of wine. [b]She-Dom:[/b] [i]No.[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i] Can I pay you to? I didn’t say buy it for me.[/i] [b]She-Dom:[/b] [i]Now you’re insulting me. I can get my own wine.[/i] [b]Jahar:[/b] [i] Can I ask you to bring me back a flask of wine, since I can’t go out?[/i] [b]She-Dom:[/b] [i]Steal wine? Why not just pay for it?[/i] She-Dom went downstairs and bought two flasks of wine. [b]She-Dom:[/b] [i]Flask of Wine! Wheee!![/i] *[i]Glug, Glug, Glug[/i]* She-Dom went back upstairs and gave Jahar the empty flask first. After a few minutes of Jahar glaring and the glaring turning into a lecture, She-Dom gave Jahar the full flask. The group waited around for Tiger to show up. They talked about getting rid of the cultists. Jahar added the mayor to that list, saying he got to kill him. He cased the mayor’s house. It was a small house across from the temple that had maybe six rooms. He found out that there were about five members of House Mnemon in the area and that the mayor was the only one that could possibly be a dragon-blood. [b]A-dom:[/b] [i]House Mnemon die really easy. You just drop a pillar on them.[/i] [/QUOTE]
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[Exalted] Solar Circle of the West - whole slew of updates 3/8/09
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