[Exalted 2e] Chosen of the Second Age
Delemental
First Post
Trail of Tears
And you shall have it!
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A lone figure, hooded and cloaked, made its way slowly through the howling winter storm, leaning forward against the wind. The figure slowly approached the looming walls of Chrysanthemum, arriving at last at the eastern gate. A gloved fist pounded on the sally port.
“I seek entrance to the city!” the figure called out.
“What is the password?” shouted a deep voice from behind the door.
“The password is ‘It is f*cking freezing out here, open the gods-d*mned door!’”
The sally port opened, and Brusk stood in the doorway, his yellow jade axe on one shoulder. He looked the figure up and down. “This? This is nothing, a gentle nip in the air to herald the beginning of Ascending Water. You Easterners are soft.”
The figure stepped inside the sally port, and threw back his hood. “Soft?” Ghost said, laughing. “Only if you ply us with wine and sweet words, Sergeant.”
“Though I hear that only one or the other will do in a pinch,” Brusk replied. “And it is Brigadier now, not Sergeant.”
“An increase in rank has sharpened your tongue,” Ghost commented, as they walked. “I fear to see what would happen were Kaliel to make you a general.” Ghost paused, cocking his head to one side for a moment. “Speaking of whom, he has been back for some time, hasn’t he?”
“How do you know this?” Brusk asked.
“I can hear the mammoths you have penned outside the northern walls,” Ghost replied. “Kaliel would have brought them home with him. But I expected more of them.”
“I will let him tell you of that, sir,” Brusk said. “As for the others, Zanka has been back in Chrysanthemum for about two weeks, and Ayama returned only yesterday.”
“Very good. I will go and see them now, and let you return to your duties.”
“I find that my duties have eased with my promotion,” Brusk said. “I thought that I might go and enjoy a leisurely stroll outside the city walls, before the weather turns foul.”
Proceeding to Kaliel’s home, Ghost found that his three Solar companions were already gathered, no doubt having been alerted by a page that he had arrived. Ghost sat down in a chair close to the fire.
“Good to see you again,” Kaliel said. “I have sent for food and wine.”
“Excellent. I must say that it seems that the past nine months have gone by in the blink of an eye. I have heard that immortals begin to lose track of the passage of time, but I did not think it would happen already.”
Ayama studied Ghost’s face as the others laughed. There was something different about Ghost, a subtle shift in his bearing and a look in his eyes that spoke of new wisdom. “And what have you done with these months?” she asked.
“Returned home,” he said.
“To Greyfalls?” Zanka asked. “I thought you had no interest in that city.”
“There were things there that were left undone,” Ghost replied, “though my reasons for doing them have changed. I also saw my father.”
“How did that go?” Kaliel asked. They all knew that Ghost’s father, a mid-level bureaucrat for the satrap of Greyfalls, was a devout follower of the Immaculate Philosophies, and though he did not know that his middle child was now a Solar, he had been present at Ghost’s Exaltation.
“As poorly as you would expect,” he replied. “I also learned that my little sister has joined the Immaculate Order as a monk.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Zanka said, quite sincerely. “I have spent most of the past nine months trying to erase what damage the Immaculates have done to my people. Did you tell your father that you are a Solar?”
“No. I do not think he would take the news very well. And he is now the satrap’s seneschal, a position he should have earned eight years ago – I did not particularly feel like ruining the man.”
“Understandable,” Zanka said. “I was lucky that my own family took the news of my Exaltation well.”
“As I recall,” Kaliel said, “they made quite a point of talking about how they knew you were destined for great things.”
Ghost laughed. “As if Zanka needed her ego inflated more.” The Eclipse snorted and made a show of turning herself away from Ghost.
“And what of you, Kaliel?” Ghost asked. “Were your recruiting efforts successful?”
“I am pleased with the results,” Kaliel replied. “I have added a considerable number to my ranks, and we have begun taking contracts for smaller assignments – I have decided that hiring the Knights out in groups of twenty to thirty is preferable to deploying en masse for now. The Haslanti League has contracted us to defend Crystal as it is resettled and rebuilt. We have also begun training with mammoths, and I now have factors stationed in a number of cities throughout the North and East.”
“So far, it seems that our time has been spent well, if not always pleasantly,” Ghost commented.
“That is because you have not heard my story yet,” Ayama said. “I am afraid that we may face another disturbing threat to Creation.”
Everyone turned to listen as Ayama began to speak. Kaliel and Zanka had already known that Ayama bore news of some new catastrophe, but the Zenith had asked to wait until they were all present.
“In my travels around the region,” she began, “I began to hear rumors that some of the barbarian tribes in the area had been acting strangely, that they had become more aggressive than usual. When I went to investigate, I found that they were suffering from a disease much like rabies, which had driven them into a frenzy.”
“You encountered the Tear-Eaters as well?” Kaliel said. “We encountered them several times on the way here from the Haslanti League. They slaughtered half of my mammoth herd. We noticed that any who were wounded by the Tear Eaters quickly contracted rabies themselves, even the Dragon-Bloods I had recruited. We had to kill them all soon after they showed signs of the disease.”
“Rabies is normally almost impossible to treat once contracted,” Ayama said. “This is much worse. First, it is far more virulent that rabies – as you said, it is contracted through even minimal contact. But it is also unusual in that the Tear-Eaters themselves seem to be partially immune to the fatal effects of the disease.”
“Any theory as to why?” Zanka asked.
Ayama thought for a moment, clearly trying to explain herself in ways her companions would comprehend. “I have a theory. I have learned that the Tear-Eaters practice an unusual form of ancestor worship. They reach adulthood by traveling into a shadowland and communing with the spirit of one of their ancestors, and if accepted they take on that ancestor’s name. I believe that this disease may have some connection to the Underworld, but I have no idea what the connection is, or how it is contracted. The only other thing I learned is that the Tear-Eaters acquired a new patron of some kind a few years ago who is known only as the Dark Lady. Their practice of ancestor worship became more fervent after this. There may be a connection.”
“So what is the solution?” Kaliel asked. “Eradicate the Tear-Eaters?”
“I cannot advocate genocide as a solution,” Ayama said, frowning. “And even if I could, I do not think it would solve the problem. If the disease does have some connection to the Underworld, it could spread to other tribes through their ancestor spirits.”
“Then we cut the barbarians off from the source of the disease,” Kaliel said. “Force them to end ancestor worship.”
“And in so doing, declare war on the entire North,” Zanka observed. “Ancestor worship is common among the people here, including my own. Will you stop all of us? Are you prepared to conquer the North?”
“Not yet,” Kaliel admitted.
“My own lack of knowledge about the Underworld limits me,” Ayama said sadly. “Perhaps I should find someone more learned than myself to consult about this situation.”
“Our relations with the Bull of the North are fair,” Kaliel said. “Why not speak with Samea?”
“I fear she would face the same limitations as I do,” Ayama said.
“I may have a solution,” Ghost stated. “While I was away, I was contacted by Lear, the Twilight scholar in Denandsor. He had been forced to leave the lost city rather suddenly when Lookshy became aware of his successes, and came after him… with an entire talon of soldiers backed up by a gunzosha. He escaped to Great Forks, where I met him. He mentioned that he would be doing some research in a town in the Northeast, perhaps a month’s ride from here. Lear is a learned man, and although his forte is history and not medicine, he may have the knowledge you seek about the Underworld, or can help you find it. He may even know of this disease having arisen in the past, and how to combat it.”
“That may be exactly what I require,” Ayama said, excitement rising in her voice.
“I can come with you as well,” Kaliel said. “The plans I have set in motion do not require my presence.”
“I am not certain I am ready to leave my people,” Zanka admitted. “I have so much more work I can do with them.”
“Zanka,” Ayama said. “Remember that Lear is a scholar on First Age history. He may have some knowledge or insight on the earliest foundations of the Immaculate Philosophies, information which you can use to undermine and weaken their arguments.”
“That is true,” Zanka said. “Very well, I will go with you.”
“We can be ready to leave in three days,” Kaliel said. “I will make preparations.”
“I am going to see my sons again before we leave,” Ayama said. “Even though both Rutendo and Luc appear to be set on driving me to an early grave.”
“Problems?” Ghost asked.
“Rutendo has been working with my people, though he has not joined the Knights,” Kaliel said. “He has also been socializing with my soldiers on a regular basis.”
“Well, he is a Dragon-Blood,” Ghost said.
“One who has apparently been encouraged to occasionally dally with the women in the town as well as the men,” Ayama said, a stern eye cast on Kaliel.
“An infusion of fresh blood is important to the health of any small community,” Kaliel replied. “And I know he comes from good stock.” He returned his attention to Ghost. “Luc has also remained in town, though he has not joined the Knights either, and has been somewhat circumspect as to how he has supported himself.”
“I see,” Ghost said with a grin. “Well then, three days.”
Kaliel and Ayama rose and left the room, leaving Ghost and Zanka by themselves. Zanka got up and crossed the room, settling her slender frame into Ghost’s lap. They exchanged a soft, lingering kiss.
“Would you like me to show you to your room?” she asked.
“Only if you are staying with me.”
She smiled. “I have learned some new maneuvers in the Dreaming Pearl Courtesan style which I could demonstrate. I have not had a decent sparring partner since Lynnisbrook.”
“Well, I would feel terrible if I let you get out of practice,” Ghost said. “Lead the way.”
They left as planned three days later, with an additional traveler; Luc had decided that he wanted to come with them and get away from Chrysanthemum for a while – though he was somewhat evasive when asked whether it was a matter of wanting to get away or needing to get away.
They rode southeast on horseback, skirting the border of Linowa as they crossed the Silver River and proceeded across hilly plains heading toward the region known as the Hundred Kingdoms. As they traveled, Ghost was frequently found conversing with both Ayama and Zanka, asking questions about theories of government and politics, asking each for their opinions on what advantages and pitfalls of various philosophies were. Though they found the line of questioning unusual for their hedonistic ally, they did their best to explore the subject in depth. Ayama also recruited her friends for her own endeavors, sparring with them while wearing a blindfold. She explained that it was an exercise to help her learn a new style of martial arts, one that required her to be able to ‘feel’ her opponents.
Ghost told them that the city they sought was called Second Cup, and was close to the headwaters of the Avarice River. But as they drew close and began to ask local villagers for directions, they learned the town had another name; Fool’s Pride.
They were able to smell the town before they saw it. Some of the odors were familiar; tanneries, midden heaps, and other smells common to any large settlement. But it was accompanied by an acrid burning odor unfamiliar to them, carried on black smoke that seemed to sting the eyes and stick in the throat.
“We seem to have arrived on an ill-fated day,” Kaliel said, coughing.
The city of Second Cup itself was larger than expected, having roughly the same population as Chrysanthemum, but with no defensive outer wall the people were much more spread out. They saw that the town was populated by a large number of craftsmen of various types; a number of smithies were seen at the outskirts of the town, many of them emitting the foul black smoke from their forges. Every house they passed had some sort of sculpture attached to it, and many had gardens. The walls of several businesses were painted with large murals. But they also noted that more than one building had been destroyed, usually from the inside.
“This is an unusual place,” Zanka commented as they walked through the town.
“Indeed,” Kaliel said, “and the most unusual thing I have noted so far is that I have yet to see an inn.”
A few inquiries with passers-by told them that in fact the city of Second Cup had almost no inns. Most visitors ended up making arrangements with people in the city, or renting a single room for an extended period.
“We are looking for a researcher who came here a few months ago,” Ghost explained to one elderly woman. “Where would I find your city’s library or records?”
“We have several libraries,” the woman said. “Can you be more specific on what your friend was researching?”
Ghost, surprised to hear of a city this size having more than one library, took a moment to respond. “He is a historian. First Age history, to be exact.”
“Ah, that would most likely be at the palace then. Straight along this road, you can’t miss it – it’s the only building in town with three stories.”
“Thank you.” Ghost returned to his companions as the woman shuffled away. “I will go to the palace and see if I can locate Lear,” Ghost said. “then we can determine where it would be best to find lodgings. Where shall we meet?”
“I have been looking for a teahouse,” Ayama said, “but I have not seen one. That establishment over there seems similar, but I am not sure what they are drinking.”
Ghost looked over. “Ah, that is a coffee-house,” he said. “Very unusual to see one this far North. They are more popular in the South and Southeast, I am told. Coffee is a beverage similar to tea, but made from a type of berry whose seeds are roasted and ground before being steeped in hot water. I understand it is a strong stimulant.”
“We will wait there, then,” Zanka said. “Kaliel and Ayama can find stabling for the horses.”
Ghost proceeded on foot into the city, soon arriving at the ‘palace’ of Second Cup. The structure was barely deserving of the name; though certainly the largest building in the city, it was hardly opulent, and was also very poorly defended. There was no outer wall, and the towers, rather than built for military purposes, appeared to have been added as an afterthought to house experiments. One tower was nothing but a skeletal frame, housing a number of hanging crystalline structures. Another was a domed structure, from which emerged an enormous spyglass as wide around as Ghost was tall.
The guards at the palace gates were attentive, but not particularly menacing, greeting Ghost with a smile as he walked up to them.
“Good afternoon,” one guard said. “May I ask your business at the palace?”
“A friend of mine came here some months back,” Ghost explained. “He was doing some historical research, I believe. I was hoping that I would be able to find him here. His name is Lear.”
“Oh, of course!” the guard said. “I’ll have a page guide you. The king is up in the north tower right now.”
Ghost followed the page when he appeared, wondering why he would need to see the king. He was led around winding passageways to a set of spiral stairs; as they walked, Ghost noticed that many of the rooms in the palace were laboratories of some sort, and that the inner walls of the building were as thick as the outer walls.
The page led him to a door at the top of the stairs, informing Ghost that the king was inside. Ghost stepped inside the room, and almost immediately recognized his surroundings. A large number of artifacts, many constructed from orichalcum, jade, and other magical materials, were arranged around the room. The layout of the room was very similar to that of Lear’s encampment outside Denandsor, though there were far more objects here. A familiar figure sat at a chair in the center of the room, writing notes on a sheaf of parchment. He turned to see who his visitor was.
“Ghost!” Lear said, smiling. “This is a surprise!”
“The day seems full of surprises, Your Majesty.”
Lear waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, that. That is a secondary occupation, even if the people here would wish it otherwise. What has brought you to my city?”
“One of my companions, the Zenith Ayama, has come across a rather disturbing phenomenon which she is having difficulty with. There is an unusual disease spreading among one of the larger Northern tribes, one she is uncertain how to combat. I was hoping that you might be able to provide some of the information she needs.”
“Medicine is not my forte,” Lear admitted, “but I am happy to see what I can do. Why not join me for dinner tonight at the palace? I understand the chef is making jellyfish pie.”
“Jellyfish… pie?”
“As in many other things, I encourage the creativity of my citizen is culinary matters,” Lear replied with a smile. “Shall we say six bells?”
“Very well,” Ghost said. “We will be here.”
The Night Caste returned to the coffee-house where his companions were waiting. As he entered the common seating area and found the table, he looked around. “Where is Luc?” he asked.
The others looked around, perplexed. The young man had slipped away unnoticed, and as they exchanged looks, they realized that the last they had seen him had been shortly after they arrived.
“I would not worry,” Ghost said, sitting down. “He is most likely exploring, and will not do anything foolhardy. Even if he does, I doubt that he runs a high risk of being executed in this city.” Ghost explained what he had learned about Lear’s status, and the invitation to dinner. The others eagerly awaited the chance to meet the city’s unusual ruler and a fellow Solar.
The four of them arrived at the palace and were quickly escorted back to a small dining hall, set with a gray linen cloth and settings that were elegant, but sturdy. It was clear that the room served more than one purpose, as they saw signs of scorch marks on the walls behind the tapestries, and strange stains in the flagstones. Lear was already seated at the head of the table, having discarded his explorer’s gear for more formal clothing. After greeting were exchanged and introductions were made, they all sat and exchanged small talk about current events as pages brought in food and wine.
“Tell us more about Second Cup,” Zanka said to him.
“It is a work in progress,” Lear said. “As you no doubt have seen, the city hosts a large number of artisans and craftsmen. Creativity and ingenuity are encouraged here – in fact, I have managed to build a society whose economy is entirely based upon ideas as currency. We have no money here – one’s ‘worth’ so to speak is determined by the inspiration one has. Even unsuccessful ideas have merit, for we learn from our failures as much as our successes. Obviously, those who were uncomfortable with the idea of disposing of currency chose to leave.”
“Are the people aware that you are a Solar?” Kaliel asked.
Lear smiled. “When working on difficult projects, my anima has been known to illuminate the sky for miles. It would be a rather difficult secret to keep. But the people who live here tend to be those who questioned the Immaculate teachings, and were never satisfied with the explanations given. They know that know harm can come to them simply by living near me, and as Ghost has likely mentioned, I am hardly a ‘hands-on’ administrator.”
The conversation turned to various subjects for a while longer. Ayama quickly became engaged in a conversation with Lear concerning an esoteric subject that the others had difficulty following, and became so wrapped up in the debate that she failed to note that one of the pages looked familiar.
“That was a quick disguise,” Kaliel muttered as Luc walked by. Zanka only winked at him, and Ghost commented that he expected to get a larger portion of dessert from him.
“Is my disguise that bad?” Luc whispered as he set a jellyfish pie down in front of Ghost.
“No, it is very convincing,” Ghost reassured him. “But we all know you, and we are also Solars, and thus more observant than mortals.” He glanced over at Ayama, who was still oblivious to Luc’s presence. “Most of the time.”
“So,” Kaliel said to Lear, as the domed lids were lifted from platters to reveal the jellyfish pie, “how much of your work here involves weaponry or military applications?”
“Not much,” Lear admitted. “Though we have done some work in that area. We have been working on an alternative to firedust, and have had some success with a residue left by fire elementals. Unfortunately, the substance ignites on contact with air – so far we have been storing it in oil. We also made an attempt to replicate the Haslanti crossbow, but when some of our researchers were returned to us full of bolts, we abandoned that effort.”
“I would be interested in seeing what you might be able to come up with for my situation,” Kaliel said. “I would like to see if mammoths or other similar large beasts can be used in warfare as mobile siege platforms.”
Nodding, Lear reached up and pulled a stick of charcoal out of his hair. He began writing notes down quickly on the tablecloth itself. When the others looked at the cloth more closely, they realized that it was not grey, as they had believed when they arrived, but white, and that it had been used as a writing surface on so many occasions that it had been permanently darkened.
“So,” Lear said, setting the charcoal stick down, “I understand you have a problem involving an unusual disease.”
Ayama explained the situation to Lear, telling him about the rabies-like disease being spread by the Tear-Eater tribe, and her theories of the possible Underworld connection. Lear listened intently, occasionally asking questions. Speaking with someone her intellectual equal, Ayama was free to discuss the subject in highly technical terms, such that the others, even though they had heard the same discussion before, had some trouble following them.
“Your theory of the disease having possible Underworld origins is sound,” Lear said, “as is the possibility that the Tear-Eater’s exposure to shadowlands affords them some measure of protection. I would suggest attempting to locate other barbarian tribes that have made contact with the Tear Eaters and also have some exposure to the Underworld, to determine if they have increased resistance. I also know that the Tear Eaters frequently have traffic with the kingdom of Gradafes, and there is a shadowland in that kingdom. Checking the virulence rate there may be useful.”
“I have heard references to a figure of power among the Tear Eaters called the Dark Lady,” Ayama said.
“The Tear Eaters are ruled by their Great Dead, and no one is honored above another,” Lear said. “The de facto ruler of Gradafes is a woman known as The Lover Clad in the Raiment of Tears, and from what little I have heard of her she is a being of great power. She is likely this Dark Lady you speak of.”
“She sounds like one of those deathknights,” Ghost commented.
“What do you mean?” Lear asked.
“We have had a number of encounters with beings calling themselves deathknights,” Ghost explained. “They appear to be some type of Exalt, much like ourselves, even bearing similar caste marks, though theirs are formed of bruises and blood rather than light. They even appear to have some sort of connection to Solars from the First Age; Kaliel here has described memories he shares with one in particular, a woman who goes by the name Nine Wounds Laughing.”
“Indeed? I had heard the term ‘deathknight’ in use before, but never imagined that they bore some form of Exaltation, let alone one similar to a Solar Exaltation. I would be very interested in having you return tomorrow and detail for me your encounters with these beings.”
“It is not a pleasant subject for me,” Kaliel said. “I have memories of having this woman as a lover.”
“But the more that we can tell Lear,” Ghost pointed out, “the easier it is for him to learn more. And the more we know of them, the easier it is to fight them and emerge victorious.”
“I understand,” Kaliel sighed. “I can do this.”
“Excellent,” Lear said. “So, do you seek to eliminate the disease, or prevent its transmission?”
“The latter first, I think,” Ayama said. “Once it can be contained, we need not worry about it spreading outside the Tear-Eater population. And the disease shares traits with rabies, which itself is normally very difficult to treat. I have had some success in the past with curing rabies, but only with great effort.”
“But you did successfully treat it?” Lear asked. “I am impressed. Have you done any examinations of Tear Eater corpses?”
“Unfortunately, being a tribe of cannibalistic, ancestor-worshipping barbarians who routinely raise their dead to fight at their side, I have not had the opportunity.”
Lear thought for a moment. “You answers may lie in the Underworld rather than Creation. I would suggest that you find a way to travel there, and obtain allies willing to assist you. The Tear Eaters are despised nearly universally, and so I imagine you would not be too hard pressed to find the ancestors of other tribes willing to aid you.”
“Ally ourselves with the dead?” Kaliel asked.
“Think of it more as allying yourself with the tribe,” Ayama said. “You must simply expand your definition of who is in the tribe.”
“The Icewalkers often say that one is always a member of the tribe, even after death,” Lear said. “One option may be to approach the Bull of the North’s forces; I understand his companion, Samea, is well-versed in spirit lore.” He scratched at his chin for a moment. “I have also heard some rumors of shadowlands being sealed off further North,” he said. “That may be an alternative to look into, if there is any truth to the stories.”
“You have given me several avenues to explore,” Ayama said. “Thank you. But I feel the exchange of information has been rather one-sided.”
“I disagree,” Lear said. “You have brought me as much information as I have given out, and I now have a host of new projects. There is one matter in which I could use your expertise, Ayama – I am not as versed in biological matters as you are.”
“I would be honored to assist you,” Ayama said.
“Excellent! Now, I would offer you lodging in the castle, as I know that there are no inns in Second Cup, but I am afraid that I do not sleep much at night, and my work tends to be rather noisy. I am afraid staying here would not be restful.”
“We will make our own arrangements,” Zanka said. “And we will return in the morning.”
The four Solars bade Lear good night, and made their way out of the castle.
“I would like to stop somewhere for a meal,” Ghost said as they walked. “I do not think that jellyfish pie was one of their more successful culinary experiments.”
Luc caught up with them as they sat a small tavern, finishing off the last of a pot of stew and bread. “That’s an interesting place,” he said, sitting down.
“You explored the entire palace, then?” Ghost asked.
“One can go many places in a palace as a page. Did you know there are no locks on any of the doors?”
“That is probably because there is no money in his city,” Kaliel observed.
Luc looked offended. “That’s unnatural. I came all this way for nothing? I knew that there was something wrong with that Lear guy.”
“What makes you say that?” Ayama asked.
“Well, there are a lot of interesting things in there, most of which I don’t understand. But I especially didn’t understand why he has racks of human limbs stored in his basement.” Luc looked around at each of them. “I think there is more to him than meets the eye.”
And you shall have it!
----------------------------------------
A lone figure, hooded and cloaked, made its way slowly through the howling winter storm, leaning forward against the wind. The figure slowly approached the looming walls of Chrysanthemum, arriving at last at the eastern gate. A gloved fist pounded on the sally port.
“I seek entrance to the city!” the figure called out.
“What is the password?” shouted a deep voice from behind the door.
“The password is ‘It is f*cking freezing out here, open the gods-d*mned door!’”
The sally port opened, and Brusk stood in the doorway, his yellow jade axe on one shoulder. He looked the figure up and down. “This? This is nothing, a gentle nip in the air to herald the beginning of Ascending Water. You Easterners are soft.”
The figure stepped inside the sally port, and threw back his hood. “Soft?” Ghost said, laughing. “Only if you ply us with wine and sweet words, Sergeant.”
“Though I hear that only one or the other will do in a pinch,” Brusk replied. “And it is Brigadier now, not Sergeant.”
“An increase in rank has sharpened your tongue,” Ghost commented, as they walked. “I fear to see what would happen were Kaliel to make you a general.” Ghost paused, cocking his head to one side for a moment. “Speaking of whom, he has been back for some time, hasn’t he?”
“How do you know this?” Brusk asked.
“I can hear the mammoths you have penned outside the northern walls,” Ghost replied. “Kaliel would have brought them home with him. But I expected more of them.”
“I will let him tell you of that, sir,” Brusk said. “As for the others, Zanka has been back in Chrysanthemum for about two weeks, and Ayama returned only yesterday.”
“Very good. I will go and see them now, and let you return to your duties.”
“I find that my duties have eased with my promotion,” Brusk said. “I thought that I might go and enjoy a leisurely stroll outside the city walls, before the weather turns foul.”
Proceeding to Kaliel’s home, Ghost found that his three Solar companions were already gathered, no doubt having been alerted by a page that he had arrived. Ghost sat down in a chair close to the fire.
“Good to see you again,” Kaliel said. “I have sent for food and wine.”
“Excellent. I must say that it seems that the past nine months have gone by in the blink of an eye. I have heard that immortals begin to lose track of the passage of time, but I did not think it would happen already.”
Ayama studied Ghost’s face as the others laughed. There was something different about Ghost, a subtle shift in his bearing and a look in his eyes that spoke of new wisdom. “And what have you done with these months?” she asked.
“Returned home,” he said.
“To Greyfalls?” Zanka asked. “I thought you had no interest in that city.”
“There were things there that were left undone,” Ghost replied, “though my reasons for doing them have changed. I also saw my father.”
“How did that go?” Kaliel asked. They all knew that Ghost’s father, a mid-level bureaucrat for the satrap of Greyfalls, was a devout follower of the Immaculate Philosophies, and though he did not know that his middle child was now a Solar, he had been present at Ghost’s Exaltation.
“As poorly as you would expect,” he replied. “I also learned that my little sister has joined the Immaculate Order as a monk.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Zanka said, quite sincerely. “I have spent most of the past nine months trying to erase what damage the Immaculates have done to my people. Did you tell your father that you are a Solar?”
“No. I do not think he would take the news very well. And he is now the satrap’s seneschal, a position he should have earned eight years ago – I did not particularly feel like ruining the man.”
“Understandable,” Zanka said. “I was lucky that my own family took the news of my Exaltation well.”
“As I recall,” Kaliel said, “they made quite a point of talking about how they knew you were destined for great things.”
Ghost laughed. “As if Zanka needed her ego inflated more.” The Eclipse snorted and made a show of turning herself away from Ghost.
“And what of you, Kaliel?” Ghost asked. “Were your recruiting efforts successful?”
“I am pleased with the results,” Kaliel replied. “I have added a considerable number to my ranks, and we have begun taking contracts for smaller assignments – I have decided that hiring the Knights out in groups of twenty to thirty is preferable to deploying en masse for now. The Haslanti League has contracted us to defend Crystal as it is resettled and rebuilt. We have also begun training with mammoths, and I now have factors stationed in a number of cities throughout the North and East.”
“So far, it seems that our time has been spent well, if not always pleasantly,” Ghost commented.
“That is because you have not heard my story yet,” Ayama said. “I am afraid that we may face another disturbing threat to Creation.”
Everyone turned to listen as Ayama began to speak. Kaliel and Zanka had already known that Ayama bore news of some new catastrophe, but the Zenith had asked to wait until they were all present.
“In my travels around the region,” she began, “I began to hear rumors that some of the barbarian tribes in the area had been acting strangely, that they had become more aggressive than usual. When I went to investigate, I found that they were suffering from a disease much like rabies, which had driven them into a frenzy.”
“You encountered the Tear-Eaters as well?” Kaliel said. “We encountered them several times on the way here from the Haslanti League. They slaughtered half of my mammoth herd. We noticed that any who were wounded by the Tear Eaters quickly contracted rabies themselves, even the Dragon-Bloods I had recruited. We had to kill them all soon after they showed signs of the disease.”
“Rabies is normally almost impossible to treat once contracted,” Ayama said. “This is much worse. First, it is far more virulent that rabies – as you said, it is contracted through even minimal contact. But it is also unusual in that the Tear-Eaters themselves seem to be partially immune to the fatal effects of the disease.”
“Any theory as to why?” Zanka asked.
Ayama thought for a moment, clearly trying to explain herself in ways her companions would comprehend. “I have a theory. I have learned that the Tear-Eaters practice an unusual form of ancestor worship. They reach adulthood by traveling into a shadowland and communing with the spirit of one of their ancestors, and if accepted they take on that ancestor’s name. I believe that this disease may have some connection to the Underworld, but I have no idea what the connection is, or how it is contracted. The only other thing I learned is that the Tear-Eaters acquired a new patron of some kind a few years ago who is known only as the Dark Lady. Their practice of ancestor worship became more fervent after this. There may be a connection.”
“So what is the solution?” Kaliel asked. “Eradicate the Tear-Eaters?”
“I cannot advocate genocide as a solution,” Ayama said, frowning. “And even if I could, I do not think it would solve the problem. If the disease does have some connection to the Underworld, it could spread to other tribes through their ancestor spirits.”
“Then we cut the barbarians off from the source of the disease,” Kaliel said. “Force them to end ancestor worship.”
“And in so doing, declare war on the entire North,” Zanka observed. “Ancestor worship is common among the people here, including my own. Will you stop all of us? Are you prepared to conquer the North?”
“Not yet,” Kaliel admitted.
“My own lack of knowledge about the Underworld limits me,” Ayama said sadly. “Perhaps I should find someone more learned than myself to consult about this situation.”
“Our relations with the Bull of the North are fair,” Kaliel said. “Why not speak with Samea?”
“I fear she would face the same limitations as I do,” Ayama said.
“I may have a solution,” Ghost stated. “While I was away, I was contacted by Lear, the Twilight scholar in Denandsor. He had been forced to leave the lost city rather suddenly when Lookshy became aware of his successes, and came after him… with an entire talon of soldiers backed up by a gunzosha. He escaped to Great Forks, where I met him. He mentioned that he would be doing some research in a town in the Northeast, perhaps a month’s ride from here. Lear is a learned man, and although his forte is history and not medicine, he may have the knowledge you seek about the Underworld, or can help you find it. He may even know of this disease having arisen in the past, and how to combat it.”
“That may be exactly what I require,” Ayama said, excitement rising in her voice.
“I can come with you as well,” Kaliel said. “The plans I have set in motion do not require my presence.”
“I am not certain I am ready to leave my people,” Zanka admitted. “I have so much more work I can do with them.”
“Zanka,” Ayama said. “Remember that Lear is a scholar on First Age history. He may have some knowledge or insight on the earliest foundations of the Immaculate Philosophies, information which you can use to undermine and weaken their arguments.”
“That is true,” Zanka said. “Very well, I will go with you.”
“We can be ready to leave in three days,” Kaliel said. “I will make preparations.”
“I am going to see my sons again before we leave,” Ayama said. “Even though both Rutendo and Luc appear to be set on driving me to an early grave.”
“Problems?” Ghost asked.
“Rutendo has been working with my people, though he has not joined the Knights,” Kaliel said. “He has also been socializing with my soldiers on a regular basis.”
“Well, he is a Dragon-Blood,” Ghost said.
“One who has apparently been encouraged to occasionally dally with the women in the town as well as the men,” Ayama said, a stern eye cast on Kaliel.
“An infusion of fresh blood is important to the health of any small community,” Kaliel replied. “And I know he comes from good stock.” He returned his attention to Ghost. “Luc has also remained in town, though he has not joined the Knights either, and has been somewhat circumspect as to how he has supported himself.”
“I see,” Ghost said with a grin. “Well then, three days.”
Kaliel and Ayama rose and left the room, leaving Ghost and Zanka by themselves. Zanka got up and crossed the room, settling her slender frame into Ghost’s lap. They exchanged a soft, lingering kiss.
“Would you like me to show you to your room?” she asked.
“Only if you are staying with me.”
She smiled. “I have learned some new maneuvers in the Dreaming Pearl Courtesan style which I could demonstrate. I have not had a decent sparring partner since Lynnisbrook.”
“Well, I would feel terrible if I let you get out of practice,” Ghost said. “Lead the way.”
۞
They left as planned three days later, with an additional traveler; Luc had decided that he wanted to come with them and get away from Chrysanthemum for a while – though he was somewhat evasive when asked whether it was a matter of wanting to get away or needing to get away.
They rode southeast on horseback, skirting the border of Linowa as they crossed the Silver River and proceeded across hilly plains heading toward the region known as the Hundred Kingdoms. As they traveled, Ghost was frequently found conversing with both Ayama and Zanka, asking questions about theories of government and politics, asking each for their opinions on what advantages and pitfalls of various philosophies were. Though they found the line of questioning unusual for their hedonistic ally, they did their best to explore the subject in depth. Ayama also recruited her friends for her own endeavors, sparring with them while wearing a blindfold. She explained that it was an exercise to help her learn a new style of martial arts, one that required her to be able to ‘feel’ her opponents.
Ghost told them that the city they sought was called Second Cup, and was close to the headwaters of the Avarice River. But as they drew close and began to ask local villagers for directions, they learned the town had another name; Fool’s Pride.
They were able to smell the town before they saw it. Some of the odors were familiar; tanneries, midden heaps, and other smells common to any large settlement. But it was accompanied by an acrid burning odor unfamiliar to them, carried on black smoke that seemed to sting the eyes and stick in the throat.
“We seem to have arrived on an ill-fated day,” Kaliel said, coughing.
The city of Second Cup itself was larger than expected, having roughly the same population as Chrysanthemum, but with no defensive outer wall the people were much more spread out. They saw that the town was populated by a large number of craftsmen of various types; a number of smithies were seen at the outskirts of the town, many of them emitting the foul black smoke from their forges. Every house they passed had some sort of sculpture attached to it, and many had gardens. The walls of several businesses were painted with large murals. But they also noted that more than one building had been destroyed, usually from the inside.
“This is an unusual place,” Zanka commented as they walked through the town.
“Indeed,” Kaliel said, “and the most unusual thing I have noted so far is that I have yet to see an inn.”
A few inquiries with passers-by told them that in fact the city of Second Cup had almost no inns. Most visitors ended up making arrangements with people in the city, or renting a single room for an extended period.
“We are looking for a researcher who came here a few months ago,” Ghost explained to one elderly woman. “Where would I find your city’s library or records?”
“We have several libraries,” the woman said. “Can you be more specific on what your friend was researching?”
Ghost, surprised to hear of a city this size having more than one library, took a moment to respond. “He is a historian. First Age history, to be exact.”
“Ah, that would most likely be at the palace then. Straight along this road, you can’t miss it – it’s the only building in town with three stories.”
“Thank you.” Ghost returned to his companions as the woman shuffled away. “I will go to the palace and see if I can locate Lear,” Ghost said. “then we can determine where it would be best to find lodgings. Where shall we meet?”
“I have been looking for a teahouse,” Ayama said, “but I have not seen one. That establishment over there seems similar, but I am not sure what they are drinking.”
Ghost looked over. “Ah, that is a coffee-house,” he said. “Very unusual to see one this far North. They are more popular in the South and Southeast, I am told. Coffee is a beverage similar to tea, but made from a type of berry whose seeds are roasted and ground before being steeped in hot water. I understand it is a strong stimulant.”
“We will wait there, then,” Zanka said. “Kaliel and Ayama can find stabling for the horses.”
Ghost proceeded on foot into the city, soon arriving at the ‘palace’ of Second Cup. The structure was barely deserving of the name; though certainly the largest building in the city, it was hardly opulent, and was also very poorly defended. There was no outer wall, and the towers, rather than built for military purposes, appeared to have been added as an afterthought to house experiments. One tower was nothing but a skeletal frame, housing a number of hanging crystalline structures. Another was a domed structure, from which emerged an enormous spyglass as wide around as Ghost was tall.
The guards at the palace gates were attentive, but not particularly menacing, greeting Ghost with a smile as he walked up to them.
“Good afternoon,” one guard said. “May I ask your business at the palace?”
“A friend of mine came here some months back,” Ghost explained. “He was doing some historical research, I believe. I was hoping that I would be able to find him here. His name is Lear.”
“Oh, of course!” the guard said. “I’ll have a page guide you. The king is up in the north tower right now.”
Ghost followed the page when he appeared, wondering why he would need to see the king. He was led around winding passageways to a set of spiral stairs; as they walked, Ghost noticed that many of the rooms in the palace were laboratories of some sort, and that the inner walls of the building were as thick as the outer walls.
The page led him to a door at the top of the stairs, informing Ghost that the king was inside. Ghost stepped inside the room, and almost immediately recognized his surroundings. A large number of artifacts, many constructed from orichalcum, jade, and other magical materials, were arranged around the room. The layout of the room was very similar to that of Lear’s encampment outside Denandsor, though there were far more objects here. A familiar figure sat at a chair in the center of the room, writing notes on a sheaf of parchment. He turned to see who his visitor was.
“Ghost!” Lear said, smiling. “This is a surprise!”
“The day seems full of surprises, Your Majesty.”
Lear waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, that. That is a secondary occupation, even if the people here would wish it otherwise. What has brought you to my city?”
“One of my companions, the Zenith Ayama, has come across a rather disturbing phenomenon which she is having difficulty with. There is an unusual disease spreading among one of the larger Northern tribes, one she is uncertain how to combat. I was hoping that you might be able to provide some of the information she needs.”
“Medicine is not my forte,” Lear admitted, “but I am happy to see what I can do. Why not join me for dinner tonight at the palace? I understand the chef is making jellyfish pie.”
“Jellyfish… pie?”
“As in many other things, I encourage the creativity of my citizen is culinary matters,” Lear replied with a smile. “Shall we say six bells?”
“Very well,” Ghost said. “We will be here.”
The Night Caste returned to the coffee-house where his companions were waiting. As he entered the common seating area and found the table, he looked around. “Where is Luc?” he asked.
The others looked around, perplexed. The young man had slipped away unnoticed, and as they exchanged looks, they realized that the last they had seen him had been shortly after they arrived.
“I would not worry,” Ghost said, sitting down. “He is most likely exploring, and will not do anything foolhardy. Even if he does, I doubt that he runs a high risk of being executed in this city.” Ghost explained what he had learned about Lear’s status, and the invitation to dinner. The others eagerly awaited the chance to meet the city’s unusual ruler and a fellow Solar.
The four of them arrived at the palace and were quickly escorted back to a small dining hall, set with a gray linen cloth and settings that were elegant, but sturdy. It was clear that the room served more than one purpose, as they saw signs of scorch marks on the walls behind the tapestries, and strange stains in the flagstones. Lear was already seated at the head of the table, having discarded his explorer’s gear for more formal clothing. After greeting were exchanged and introductions were made, they all sat and exchanged small talk about current events as pages brought in food and wine.
“Tell us more about Second Cup,” Zanka said to him.
“It is a work in progress,” Lear said. “As you no doubt have seen, the city hosts a large number of artisans and craftsmen. Creativity and ingenuity are encouraged here – in fact, I have managed to build a society whose economy is entirely based upon ideas as currency. We have no money here – one’s ‘worth’ so to speak is determined by the inspiration one has. Even unsuccessful ideas have merit, for we learn from our failures as much as our successes. Obviously, those who were uncomfortable with the idea of disposing of currency chose to leave.”
“Are the people aware that you are a Solar?” Kaliel asked.
Lear smiled. “When working on difficult projects, my anima has been known to illuminate the sky for miles. It would be a rather difficult secret to keep. But the people who live here tend to be those who questioned the Immaculate teachings, and were never satisfied with the explanations given. They know that know harm can come to them simply by living near me, and as Ghost has likely mentioned, I am hardly a ‘hands-on’ administrator.”
The conversation turned to various subjects for a while longer. Ayama quickly became engaged in a conversation with Lear concerning an esoteric subject that the others had difficulty following, and became so wrapped up in the debate that she failed to note that one of the pages looked familiar.
“That was a quick disguise,” Kaliel muttered as Luc walked by. Zanka only winked at him, and Ghost commented that he expected to get a larger portion of dessert from him.
“Is my disguise that bad?” Luc whispered as he set a jellyfish pie down in front of Ghost.
“No, it is very convincing,” Ghost reassured him. “But we all know you, and we are also Solars, and thus more observant than mortals.” He glanced over at Ayama, who was still oblivious to Luc’s presence. “Most of the time.”
“So,” Kaliel said to Lear, as the domed lids were lifted from platters to reveal the jellyfish pie, “how much of your work here involves weaponry or military applications?”
“Not much,” Lear admitted. “Though we have done some work in that area. We have been working on an alternative to firedust, and have had some success with a residue left by fire elementals. Unfortunately, the substance ignites on contact with air – so far we have been storing it in oil. We also made an attempt to replicate the Haslanti crossbow, but when some of our researchers were returned to us full of bolts, we abandoned that effort.”
“I would be interested in seeing what you might be able to come up with for my situation,” Kaliel said. “I would like to see if mammoths or other similar large beasts can be used in warfare as mobile siege platforms.”
Nodding, Lear reached up and pulled a stick of charcoal out of his hair. He began writing notes down quickly on the tablecloth itself. When the others looked at the cloth more closely, they realized that it was not grey, as they had believed when they arrived, but white, and that it had been used as a writing surface on so many occasions that it had been permanently darkened.
“So,” Lear said, setting the charcoal stick down, “I understand you have a problem involving an unusual disease.”
Ayama explained the situation to Lear, telling him about the rabies-like disease being spread by the Tear-Eater tribe, and her theories of the possible Underworld connection. Lear listened intently, occasionally asking questions. Speaking with someone her intellectual equal, Ayama was free to discuss the subject in highly technical terms, such that the others, even though they had heard the same discussion before, had some trouble following them.
“Your theory of the disease having possible Underworld origins is sound,” Lear said, “as is the possibility that the Tear-Eater’s exposure to shadowlands affords them some measure of protection. I would suggest attempting to locate other barbarian tribes that have made contact with the Tear Eaters and also have some exposure to the Underworld, to determine if they have increased resistance. I also know that the Tear Eaters frequently have traffic with the kingdom of Gradafes, and there is a shadowland in that kingdom. Checking the virulence rate there may be useful.”
“I have heard references to a figure of power among the Tear Eaters called the Dark Lady,” Ayama said.
“The Tear Eaters are ruled by their Great Dead, and no one is honored above another,” Lear said. “The de facto ruler of Gradafes is a woman known as The Lover Clad in the Raiment of Tears, and from what little I have heard of her she is a being of great power. She is likely this Dark Lady you speak of.”
“She sounds like one of those deathknights,” Ghost commented.
“What do you mean?” Lear asked.
“We have had a number of encounters with beings calling themselves deathknights,” Ghost explained. “They appear to be some type of Exalt, much like ourselves, even bearing similar caste marks, though theirs are formed of bruises and blood rather than light. They even appear to have some sort of connection to Solars from the First Age; Kaliel here has described memories he shares with one in particular, a woman who goes by the name Nine Wounds Laughing.”
“Indeed? I had heard the term ‘deathknight’ in use before, but never imagined that they bore some form of Exaltation, let alone one similar to a Solar Exaltation. I would be very interested in having you return tomorrow and detail for me your encounters with these beings.”
“It is not a pleasant subject for me,” Kaliel said. “I have memories of having this woman as a lover.”
“But the more that we can tell Lear,” Ghost pointed out, “the easier it is for him to learn more. And the more we know of them, the easier it is to fight them and emerge victorious.”
“I understand,” Kaliel sighed. “I can do this.”
“Excellent,” Lear said. “So, do you seek to eliminate the disease, or prevent its transmission?”
“The latter first, I think,” Ayama said. “Once it can be contained, we need not worry about it spreading outside the Tear-Eater population. And the disease shares traits with rabies, which itself is normally very difficult to treat. I have had some success in the past with curing rabies, but only with great effort.”
“But you did successfully treat it?” Lear asked. “I am impressed. Have you done any examinations of Tear Eater corpses?”
“Unfortunately, being a tribe of cannibalistic, ancestor-worshipping barbarians who routinely raise their dead to fight at their side, I have not had the opportunity.”
Lear thought for a moment. “You answers may lie in the Underworld rather than Creation. I would suggest that you find a way to travel there, and obtain allies willing to assist you. The Tear Eaters are despised nearly universally, and so I imagine you would not be too hard pressed to find the ancestors of other tribes willing to aid you.”
“Ally ourselves with the dead?” Kaliel asked.
“Think of it more as allying yourself with the tribe,” Ayama said. “You must simply expand your definition of who is in the tribe.”
“The Icewalkers often say that one is always a member of the tribe, even after death,” Lear said. “One option may be to approach the Bull of the North’s forces; I understand his companion, Samea, is well-versed in spirit lore.” He scratched at his chin for a moment. “I have also heard some rumors of shadowlands being sealed off further North,” he said. “That may be an alternative to look into, if there is any truth to the stories.”
“You have given me several avenues to explore,” Ayama said. “Thank you. But I feel the exchange of information has been rather one-sided.”
“I disagree,” Lear said. “You have brought me as much information as I have given out, and I now have a host of new projects. There is one matter in which I could use your expertise, Ayama – I am not as versed in biological matters as you are.”
“I would be honored to assist you,” Ayama said.
“Excellent! Now, I would offer you lodging in the castle, as I know that there are no inns in Second Cup, but I am afraid that I do not sleep much at night, and my work tends to be rather noisy. I am afraid staying here would not be restful.”
“We will make our own arrangements,” Zanka said. “And we will return in the morning.”
The four Solars bade Lear good night, and made their way out of the castle.
“I would like to stop somewhere for a meal,” Ghost said as they walked. “I do not think that jellyfish pie was one of their more successful culinary experiments.”
Luc caught up with them as they sat a small tavern, finishing off the last of a pot of stew and bread. “That’s an interesting place,” he said, sitting down.
“You explored the entire palace, then?” Ghost asked.
“One can go many places in a palace as a page. Did you know there are no locks on any of the doors?”
“That is probably because there is no money in his city,” Kaliel observed.
Luc looked offended. “That’s unnatural. I came all this way for nothing? I knew that there was something wrong with that Lear guy.”
“What makes you say that?” Ayama asked.
“Well, there are a lot of interesting things in there, most of which I don’t understand. But I especially didn’t understand why he has racks of human limbs stored in his basement.” Luc looked around at each of them. “I think there is more to him than meets the eye.”
Kosh
First Post
I just caught up after a long hiatus, and the story just keeps getting better! I really liked it when the group split up to tackle their separate issues. I was hoping for vignettes for each character during that time, but I also liked how the trials of each character came out organically in conversation. I hope we will learn more details about their time apart in the future.
You have inspired me to start my own Exalted game. I will be taking a lot of pages out of your group's play book. I was wondering: do your group use any house rules?
Also, how do you deal with party splits? I got the feeling that the players of the absent characters played an NPC (such as Ka). Is that the case?
How do you all deal with long downtimes? Were the events played out at the table? Did you have individuals meetings? Email?
Thank you so much for recording this excellent game. I look forward to reading more soon and emulating what I can!
You have inspired me to start my own Exalted game. I will be taking a lot of pages out of your group's play book. I was wondering: do your group use any house rules?
Also, how do you deal with party splits? I got the feeling that the players of the absent characters played an NPC (such as Ka). Is that the case?
How do you all deal with long downtimes? Were the events played out at the table? Did you have individuals meetings? Email?
Thank you so much for recording this excellent game. I look forward to reading more soon and emulating what I can!
Kosh
First Post
Hey Delemental! Since I last posted here, I've started an Exalted game, and I love it! Thanks to you and your group for providing so much inspiration. I am revisiting the thread to pick up more ideas 
.
Are you planning on updating anymore? I can't wait to read more about your circle!
.Are you planning on updating anymore? I can't wait to read more about your circle!
