In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 10):

"You'll find it much easier to get around once you join the Order," the Marquise says, nodding toward Keef. "You'll need to pass the entrance exam, of course, but I have no doubt you'll do well. Afterward, if you'd like, we can pay a visit to Blakehaven. I have it on good authority that there will be a dedication ceremony to a modest memorial being erected there in the near future, in addition to the one that will surely be built here in Tris when the time comes to memorialize the fallen properly."

She turns her attention to the figures.

"I'd like to make a copy of these, if you don't mind, in order to compare the values to the fluctuations in planar strength and stability we've documented over the same time period in the Observatory."

Assuming there are no objections, she begins to copy the notes at a rapid pace. Morachiga sits back and rubs his eyes wearily.

"What I can't determine is the urgency of all this. You seem ready to take the next year off, maybe tend toward your personal lives -- something I hardly fault you for. Are we risking having these Vorites complete their plan beneath our noses in the interim? How would we know if we were?"

"We would be aware of any major planar shifts, of course," Sir Culley interjects. "But by then it might be too late. We need a way to keep tabs on this cult. Do you have any unburned bridges with the organization that might be willing to pass along information -- for free or at a price?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:32, Tue 18 Nov 2014.

"Mah'mout." Zuriel responds immediately. "He was dismissive of their ability to substantively threaten a single plane, much less all of them, but should they make any major moves, he has a vested interest in not dying. He is no Vorite. We remain on cordial terms with him."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:06, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

Restless, Maeve strolls over to the window once again and sees that Sekhmet is now messily disemboweling something that may at one point have been a pig.  She beams with the same pride that a mother might bestow upon a toddler learning a new word.  Wes and Shahara, grazing near the griffon, eye the beast with prim disdain, clearly unimpressed by Sekhmet's table manners.  The two horses draw close to one another, conferring about the superiority of equines.

"It wouldn't be a holiday exactly," Maeve says, turning back to Choso.  "I won't deny that I'd like to return home just for the sake of being home, especially now that it's getting cold in Aestrenna. And to see my father again.  But I also view this as a chance to gather, and maybe spread, information.  You'll note that the East has been remarkably silent through this whole affair.  That's our custom, but maybe the time has come to rouse Gaelia."

"Not to mention Darris said something about OSA targeting the Ghosts. I'd like to look into that and hopefully put a stop to it."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

Maeve, who was that minotaur you were friends with in OSA?  Not exactly a high-level mover and shaker, but he could be of some help nonetheless.  And King Prak is still working with them, as far as we know.

He pauses to consider his options for travel.

As for our next steps, I'll accompany the Sylvan back to Fey'driel while you return the menagerie - except, of course, for Sekhmet - to my family.  We'll meet in Ikuabai and set off east together.

"Likewise with rebuilding the Church of Ma'or. Obviously it's a personal goal of mine, but, the heavens are currently out of balance with the Hells. If the divine entities ultimately serve as counterweights, than revitalizing one in the heavens will help restore balance, and may at least slow down the planar distortion."

Zuriel furrows his brow. "The Vorites said as much, even. That concentrating energy in the heavens would help slow it down, but that the heavens wanted to strike instead at the infernal upwelling."

"Kurr.  His name was Kurr," Maeve says.  "Given the choice between aiding me and remaining loyal to OSA, I don't know which he'd pick.  He was a slave, but he seemed content enough in his position.  Still, I did make him a promise that I'd release him if he wished it."

Maeve listens to Boreas' proposed travel plans and nods, approving of them.

"Very well, I'll return the animals to your sister and we'll meet in Ikuabai.  Keef, do you want to travel with me or would you prefer to stay here and study for your exam?  As the Marquise says, I'm sure it would be no issue for you to port to Ikuabai to join us when you're done."

Maeve hopes that the lord of the manor will once again be absent when she drops off the animals.  While she got on like a house on fire with the charming and kind Kat Krall, she rather doubts that the imposing Lord Euros Krall will be as welcoming.

"I'll make preparations to leave straight away once we're properly provisioned. A little shopping might well be in order," she says, with a nod and a small smile at Lyriel.

Lyriel beams at Maeve, delighted to include her in the expedition, though the priestess harbored doubts that Maeve's definition of 'shopping' included much of what Lyriel had planned.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 17):

Keef scrunches his face in thought.

I... yes I should finish with my entrance requirements he says looking hopefully at the Marquis.  He then holds Longshank out at arms length.

But I won't abandon you... everyone deserves to go home... some day. 

Very gently, but more as one would handle a newborn or kitten than something delicate, Keef hands Longshank to Maeve.

I will finish my exams and then meet you... to help Longhank find his home and... maybe to say goodbye to another good friend.

In reply to Keef (msg # 18):

Maeve is already wondering if there's a raw meat vendor from whom she can buy some bloody steaks for Sekhmet--in the spirit of grossing Lyriel out--when Longshank is thrust into her hands.  She nearly  yelps but contains herself.

"But Keef, I'm not going to Gaelia straight away.  I need to return these animals to their home.  And Boreas needs to take the Sylvan back to Fey'driel. As you so rightly said, everyone deserves to go home.  Once I've done that, then we'll make preparations to go east."

Before Keef can protest, he finds the Everstaff thrust back at him.

"It shouldn't take long, perhaps a month or so.  Until then, keep Longshank with you.  You understand him best.  I would feel much better knowing that he is protecting you while we're away.  And he can help you prepare for your exam too; he is very wise after all."

Not to mention that I really, really don't want to be saddled with the thing.

For Keef's benefit more than the Everstaff's, Maeve looks intently at the staff, feeling rather stupid for doing so, and says "But I promise that when we're done with that task, we'll take you across the sea."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 19):

It takes Maeve a moment to realize that the Marquise de Pellinore's eyes have been riveted to her for a few minutes. When the conversation lulls somewhat, she clears her throat for attention.

"What did you say about the Ghosts, Major?"

In reply to DM (msg # 20):

Maeve shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know any more than that. Darris merely said something about targeting the Ghosts.  It wasn't much more than a passing comment, really.  Over a year ago."

"Is. . . .is that bad?"

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 21):

"Not inherently," the Marquise says, rapping her fingers on the table absently. "But it does explain a few things."

She seems to notice the curious looks around her and smiles.

"Forgive me, I sometimes forget that our areas of expertise have so little overlap. As you know, the Order is a larger organization that contains several factions that coexist within a framework of good-natured rivalry not so different from those found among competing disciplines in academia."

"Each faction favors certain schools, with overlaps viewed in terms of discovering new and interesting combinations. In addition, each faction also watches over a specific geopolitical region to prevent widespread magical destruction. We are more or less agreed that blasting apart armies, homes, and territories with powerful magics is universally bad for everyone, and that battles are better fought without it on either side."

She takes a sip from a nearby cup of water before continuing.

"The factions should sound familiar to you:
- the Inquisitors watch over the Empire in general and Aestrenia in particular
- the Pellinore watches over the Dominion in general and Drynn in particular
- OSA used to watch over Kordica, but so little attention was needed that they tended to focus intensely on R&D instead
- the Ghosts watch over the Sultanate in general and Gaelia in particular

Of these, the OSA recently became radicalized and cut ties with the Order. The Ghosts also saw fit to go their separate way, but agreed to continue their custodianship of the East nonetheless."

"We traded regular correspondence for years, but that all stopped not long before this war started. I chalked it up to the Ghosts being preoccupied with other matters, or perhaps to an abundance of caution in terms of providing true neutrality throughout the conflict. With the war over, I'd hoped our communications might resume..."

She trails off and shakes her head.

"But now I'm beginning to wonder if the silence stems from something on the sinister side of things. I will need to confer with the Inquisitors and look into the matter more closely. Thank you for bringing it to my attention."

"As if freeing Mah'mout wasn't already enough of a headache, he might now be implicated in destabilizing the Ghosts?" The Marquise's mouth hardens into a fine line. "We may need to do something about Darris, and see if the OSA can be salvaged once it's under new management."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

It seems OSA is going after other branches of the Order then.  I'd keep an eye on the Pellinore, too.  We'll definitely need to deal with Darris, but we have some loose ends to tie up in Fey'driel and Gaelia first.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 23):

The Marquise nods.

"There's probably no rush," she says. "I was merely giving myself an action item. We can discuss it further in the future, once your more pressing needs have been attended to."

In reply to DM (msg # 24):

"Is there anything else to discuss at the moment? It sounds like there's a lot on our collective plate, but I have every faith in our ability to achieve what must be done."

Maeve has nothing further that she wishes to discuss, and begins making ready to herd a large group of magical beasts north.

If Cassie has no pressing business in Fey'driel, Maeve will ask the druid to accompany her to Krall lands to help keep the manticores and griffons in order. For all her efforts to become better friends with Cassie, Maeve swears that she sees Lyriel shoot her a grateful look when she makes the request.

She will also ask one of the casters--probably Lyriel, since the General has seen her in a Sending before and knows her as a friend--to Send to her father; something along the lines of "will be in Gaelia soon; where are you?  Let's do lunch."

But first, shopping.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

Boreas will take time to meet with his Sylvan army and will procure the assistance of the Marquise in getting them back to Fey'driel.  But first, he will ask for a volunteer to serve as the Sylvan ambassador to the Empire.

But as Maeve said, before any planeshifting business, shopping!  Boreas will take his own trip to use some of the cash from his adventures.

Also, he distributes $2,000 to each of the PARTY members.  It's loot he was carrying for Sazed, but it can be put to better use right now.  The PARTY can pay him back when all this is over.

Boreas also gives his Spidersilk Bracers and Ring of the Ram to Rachel and Oliver, to use as they see fit.

[OOC]Maeve, I went ahead and pulled your IOU out of the 6,000 you were due from Baldwin's estate.  You should have 4,850 gp left from that.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

Zuriel clears his throat. "Actually, I was hoping we might be able to borrow your expertise in Lo'driel, Cassie. It would be helpful to get a druid's perspective on the altered land, and continue the work that Lord Choso oversaw in removing the blight."

The paladin shoots a glance over to the Marquise. "Were you involved in that as well? I imagine that task will fall to the Empire now, but your research into the problem would be helpful."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 28):

"Remove is a strong word. Contained would work better," the Marquise explains. "I will not have time to look into that until I've investigated this business with the OSA and the Ghosts. Perhaps the druids will have better luck than we did -- it is profoundly complicated magic."

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Cassie raises an eyebrow at Zuriel, then turns to the dire panther sleeping at her feet.

"What's that, Fluffums?" Cassie asks in a jaunty tone full of playful sarcasm. "You say you'd rather slink around a damp, murky mire than accompany a flying menagerie of fascinating magical creatures across the entire continent, likely learning much about yourself and about others along the way?"

She pauses for half a second, then deadpans the followup response.

"No, you didn't say that, because nobody ever would."

Cassie leans back in her chair and jerks a thumb toward Maeve.

"Sorry, sweetie, but it I think we'll stick with the Major this time around. Your city's existing farmland is sufficient, and we have greater concerns at the moment."

She grins at Maeve.

"Concerns that have powerful wings and active appetites."

"I'll be happy to take a closer look afterward, though. The blight seems fascinating to me, if not to my faithful companion."

Fluffums, being asleep, doesn't dignify this with a response. If such things warranted his attention in the least -- which they don't -- Chubbs would be proud.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

"Excellent," Maeve says, grinning back.  "I for one will be glad of the company."

With it having been decided that Cassie will accompany her to return the Krall animals and unable to do anything about various other pressing issues, at least for the time being, Maeve sees no reason to delay the inevitable shopping trip.  She tries to be a good sport about it, for Lyriel's sake.  She really does.  But as the trip drags on with no end in sight, Maeve finds her attention drawn more and more from brightly colored dresses to numerous other items.

By the time she's done, Maeve has acquired a number of small, neatly wrapped parcels, the contents of which are unknown.

[Really doubt I'll have enough to pick up a +4 CON item since I was sitting pretty much on broke before I got $ from dead Baldwin (thanks Baldwin!).  So I'll pick up a few other things instead.]

[Private to DM: [Since we skipped the Aeryis equivalent of Christmas last year and since it's highly unlikely that we'll all be together for it this year, Maeve decides to purchase a small item for each member of the PARTY, plus I guess Cassie.

• for Zuriel, a small sack of best-quality Gaelian coffee beans
• for Lyriel, a lovely elegantly-painted amethyst porcelain tea cup to replace her not-nearly-as-pretty travel cup.
• for Boreas, a bird whistle
• for Keef, a small carved lion purchased from a vendor who sells splendidly carved animal figurines
• for Cassie, an herb-gathering pouch

 ]

"But the swamps are so...fetid...this time of year! And the ambiance of rotting vegetation, not to mention baleful druidic magic...just delightful!" Zuriel replies with a wry grin. "I suppose if you're sure you want to miss out on all that...it's not going anywhere. More of a long-term project anyhow. I think our priority will be building the cathedral and port, realistically speaking."

Zuriel turns to Choso. "Once the church has been established, I fully intend to dispatch representatives around the world. Aid, relief, healing, that sort of thing. But they can also be tasked with serving as additional eyes and ears, in case the OSA has something afoot. We'll tell them what types of things to look for."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:20, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

Lyriel manages to not be smug even a little about Cassie opting to go with Maeve, and turns her attentions instead to the upcoming shopping trip.

She dispatches a few Sendings to make reservations at several charming little tea cafes to serve as breaks in between the shopping boutiques. She even found one that she had on good authority carried genuine imported Gaelian coffee and drinking chocolate.

Though the majority of the boutiques on the streets they intended to visit were admittedly things of limited interest to Maeve, Lyriel made certain to include a couple of well-appointed armories on the agenda, including one specializing in aesthetically pleasing but eminently functional battle dress. The goal being, of course, to look totally badass. And also well put-together. For both Maeve and Lt. Faye's sake.

The expedition - for she planned it with no less meticulousness than one would plan a daring ascent of some mighty mountain - culminated in the private dining room of the Flickering Lantern. The Lantern was a favored watering hole of Baldwin, and while certainly not the most ostentatious or opulent of inns, had arguably the best cuisine in Tris.

Maeve, Cassie, Rachel, Alanna, and Lt. Faye were all invited to join, as they willed.

This is going to be so much fun! she almost squeals.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 19 Nov 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 33):

Keef takes back Longshank with a quiet nod.  While the others go out shopping, he trails along and, as expected, gets lost somewhere along the way.

When he finds the group again, he's already given all of his money to an orphanage he found along the way.

He continues to tag along, questioning the locals about the Order.

Her shopping basically finished--somehow she managed to slip away from the rest of the group to make her purchases--Maeve is powerless in the face of two identical maniacally grinning elf women.  It's truly eerie how much Lyriel and her little sister look alike, especially with their eyes illuminated with the unholy glow that only a shopping spree can ignite.

Maeve grins uneasily and clutches her mysterious parcels.  If the reincarnated Saul were to swoop down and spray the lot of them with acid, she might view that as a preferable situation.

Still, that coffee place *does* sound pretty good. . .