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10:39, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[In-Character Thread] Deciphering Tomorrow.

Posted by GMFor group 0
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 33 posts
who Works Miracles
Fri 2 Nov 2018
at 05:46
  • msg #35

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eleisai:
Eleisai calls down to them with a warm smile, which turns to a concerned glance toward where the creature vanished.

"Whatever that creature is, my dears, it is full of hate and hunger.  I suggest we keep our distance from this newly made hole."

"Where is a place of safety that I may bring this youngling?  Can you lead me?"

GM:
"Keellah is here!" one of the herders says, pointing to the old woman.  "And we can bring Sukkah to town!"

Eleisai nods, and starts descending as she floats toward Keellah.

GM:
The old woman nods slightly, bowing her head briefly to Eris.  "I am Keellah Longeye. A thousand thanks for your quick action.  The thing was hard to hit from the underslings."  She goes to Eleisai to look the girl over.  The girl murmurs something in an unfamiliar language, and Keellah only nods and touches her forehead before turning back to the group.  ""What manner of creature was it?  I only saw some tentacles..."

Fen Arada:
Fen looked at the hole in the ground.  One eyebrow arched as he considered the creature.  His shoulders relaxed as he turned to consider the others.  With a steadying breath he started his walk back toward the others, stopping by Eleisai. "Thank you for the help.  The young man is well?"  He slid his sword back into its scabbard with a faint sound.
He considered the matronly woman and smiled.

GM:
"Young woman, and she is alive thanks to your actions," Keellah says.  "Not as much help from me as we had wished.  I am a good shot, but the ground collapsed like nothing I've seen.  We've been here for years, and the Nems never stay on unstable ground."  She gestures at the town as she speaks, and you gather that the "Nems" are likely the giant birds upon which the town rests.

Eleisai nods back toward Fen quietly, somewhat painful still.

"Thank you for your help, friend Fen.  The grip of that creature was most... unpleasant, and your intervention was most timely."

GM:
"I have not seen its like before...  Then again, I will confess I saw little of it at all.  But certainly nothing that shattered the ground and could cause the dossi to drop and Sukkah to be hurt like that.  Did I see rightly, was it suspending her in the air?"

Eleisai nods.

"You saw rightly... and that creature's grip was most unpleasant.  Thanks be to the Sovereign One that Sukkah is safe now..."

GM:
Keelah urges Eleisai, Sukkah, and the herders up first - they can sit in the slings, which are more like cocoons, which then rapidly ascend. 

Eleisai gratefully rests a bit, catching her breath after her painful encounter with the creature.  The physical pain had been extremely unpleasant, true... but the emotional pain had taken quite a toll on the Empath as well.  The intensity of the creature's hate and hunger had been most unsettling.  She prays silently for a moment while waiting for the sling, and feels a peace flowing through her soul.

As the others settle in and the sling ascends, she looks at Sukkah and the herders.

"'Peace be unto you.'  I am Eleisai.  I know that you are Sukkah.  What are your names, my dears?"

After introductions, she asks Sukkah how she is feeling, and also encourages them to tell her about their home as various things come into view...
Eris
Noble Seeker, 21 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Sat 3 Nov 2018
at 21:01
  • msg #36

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Nodding to Erin to remain with the aneen and doshi, awaiting Fakeen, Eris rides up in the slings to the topmost level of the settlement, finding their way slowly to the gathering square. Content for Eleisai to mother the townsfolk out of their shock, they instead let their gaze range over the settlement and the placement of the other Walkers. Despite the creatures retreat, it may simply be biding time before returning in strength
Cube
Tough Glaive, 18 posts
who Abides in Ooze
Sun 4 Nov 2018
at 10:32
  • msg #37

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Taking the cargo elevator as far as the first floor of sturdy cloth Cube finds a place in among the similarly shaped boxes and seems perfectly comfortable to wait there while the others climb ladders or swing from ropes.
GM
GM, 44 posts
Storyteller
Fri 9 Nov 2018
at 05:51
  • msg #38

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Fen Arada:
Fen looks around at the various methods and is rather non-plussed.  He walks at mosey over to the ladder of feathers and climbs at his own pace.  Reaching the top he turns and sits on the ledge looking outward.  He looks out as far as he can and see and waits.
In his own good time, he rises and turns, Fen walks in toward the gathering square ignoring the herders and their attentions.


As Fen looks out over the horizon, he sees something curious.  At a goodly distance from Nemballick, he sees another sudden slump of drit, another pit form, and from within a slim, tentacled, wormlike creature nearly the size of an aneen rise into the air from it.  It wriggles and writhes in the air, a swirl of drit-clods and possibly other things orbiting it, before it suddenly dives back below and vanishes.  Then all is quiet and calm again.

Eleisai:
GM:
Keelah urges Eleisai, Sukkah, and the herders up first - they can sit in the slings, which are more like cocoons, which then rapidly ascend. 

Eleisai gratefully rests a bit, catching her breath after her painful encounter with the creature.  The physical pain had been extremely unpleasant, true... but the emotional pain had taken quite a toll on the Empath as well.  The intensity of the creature's hate and hunger had been most unsettling.  She prays silently for a moment while waiting for the sling, and feels a peace flowing through her soul.

As the others settle in and the sling ascends, she looks at Sukkah and the herders.

"'Peace be unto you.'  I am Eleisai.  I know that you are Sukkah.  What are your names, my dears?"

After introductions, she asks Sukkah how she is feeling, and also encourages them to tell her about their home as various things come into view...


"I'm Kimmah, and that's Ivvrah, Seetah, and Nimmah!" says the boldest youngling, a boy perhaps fourteen years of age with crimson skin and a powerful build.

"Kimmah doesn't know how to be quiet," Sukkah says, rubbing her head a little.  "I'm feather-sky fine, just got a noggin," she adds with a little wince.  "You're a good lady, Sovereign One Eleisai...  Were we flying?"

After Eleisai answers, the children are quick to answer their visitor's questions about Nembellick.

"This is the West Nem, and it's been the West Nem for all my life, but my pater said that when I was born this was the East Nem, so really we're supposed to call this one Bel and the other one Ellick, but sometimes we call the other one just 'Lick'."  This brings a chorus of giggles from the herders.  "My mater and muth are scale-workers, and they make books and things that the traders like.  Pater and path are feather-harvesters, Ivvrah's muth is a feather-crafter and beastly strong, Seetah's path is a Nem-tender-" Kimmah babbles on, pointing up the long column of the Nem's neck, draped with a corded ladder that seemed to be made from synth and hard feathers.  "Eeevah gets the water to come by speaking to a blue rock, so we don't have to wait for rain anymore, and I'm training with Nimmah's mater to be an Undersling shooter when I'm too old to be a herder, except I'll be better and won't miss because I'll know about those underground things!"

Kimmah prattles on about the relationship, people, and doings of Nemballick with great enthusiasm and many interjections by his peers, eventually drawing Eleisai towards the market where an older man at a table is selling some freshly-baked, sweet-smelling pastry in a stunning shade of sky blue.  He pressed one on her in thanks, and if she eats it, finds it tastes of sweet fruit and flowery breezes.

Eris:
Nodding to Erin to remain with the aneen and dossi, awaiting Fakeen, Eris rides up in the slings to the topmost level of the settlement, finding their way slowly to the gathering square. Content for Eleisai to mother the townsfolk out of their shock, they instead let their gaze range over the settlement and the placement of the other Walkers. Despite the creature's retreat, it may simply be biding time before returning in strength


While Eleisai is met by the children, Eris is met by the rest of the elders of Nembellick.  Keellah, the sharpshooter who met you below, waves at them, speaks briefly, and retreats back down to the Undersling.  The three elders, a brown-haired plump woman with a motherly air about her, one arm wrapped in black, a rail-thin man all in pale blue with shockingly long yellow hair, one leg wrapped in black, and a sturdy woman of advanced years with her hair hidden by a white scarf, clad in pale robes that shimmer through a thousand different colors, her left eye covered by a black eyepatch.  It is the last who speaks first.

"My thanks to you again for what you did for our younglings.  This is the Elder Council of Bel, and I am Yeevah, our Aeon Priest is Jarsh, our Mother is Dummalah.  You have done us a great kindness.  Have you ever seen such a thing before in your travels?  You seem like a person who has had a wide experience with the world."

Cube:
Taking the cargo elevator as far as the first floor of sturdy cloth Cube finds a place in among the similarly shaped boxes and seems perfectly comfortable to wait there while the others climb ladders or swing from ropes.


Fakeen comes up after perhaps an hour, silver hair shining, crystal hand glinting in the sun.  She's met by Keelah, the older sharpshooter who's come back to the Undersling to oversee the unpacking of the caravan.  The bundles of red wool are stowed carefully, some up against other storage bales.  Cube can find some nice, squarish packages of dossi scales and books to settle against.  After Fakeen directs her drovers to settle her goods, she turns to Cube.

"Aye there Cube, what was that thing you fought looking like?  I'd like to know what could be nibbling on my aneen.  Mayhaps I've seen it before," she asks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:37, Sat 17 Nov 2018.
Fen Arada
Serene Jack, 14 posts
A Serene Jack that
Moves Like A Cat
Sat 17 Nov 2018
at 02:16
  • msg #39

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

"Did anyone else notice the giant cragworm like creature in the distance over there?  Big and ominous looking.  This area seems to have a few too many things underground waiting to prey on us.  It may be time to make our exit."

His comments sound a bit blase' as he wipes some of the dust from his jacket.  A bit aloof, he just stands there looking at the others.  It was obvious that this wasn't a safe place to be if you could randomly be sucked underground by some large worm creature.  The smartest course of action was to depart.
Eris
Noble Seeker, 23 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 15:53
  • msg #40

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eris inclined their head politely to each of the elders, one after another. Letting their gaze drift to the woman who spoke - her in the rainbow raiment - a quick shake of their head and a few words seemed sufficient, "We have travelled much of the length of the Wandering Walk, my companions and I, these latest in the service of the merchant, Fakeen. Never have I nor my twin come across these creatures, nor I suspect the others. Are they not familiar to you, native to this region?"

Below the aforementioned twin continued their watch on aneen and dossi alike
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 35 posts
who Works Miracles
Fri 23 Nov 2018
at 06:09
  • msg #41

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

GM:
Keelah urges Eleisai, Sukkah, and the herders up first - they can sit in the slings, which are more like cocoons, which then rapidly ascend. 

Eleisai:
Eleisai gratefully rests a bit, catching her breath after her painful encounter with the creature.  The physical pain had been extremely unpleasant, true... but the emotional pain had taken quite a toll on the Empath as well.  The intensity of the creature's hate and hunger had been most unsettling.  She prays silently for a moment while waiting for the sling, and feels a peace flowing through her soul.

As the others settle in and the sling ascends, she looks at Sukkah and the herders.

"'Peace be unto you.'  I am Eleisai.  I know that you are Sukkah.  What are your names, my dears?"

After introductions, she asks Sukkah how she is feeling, and also encourages them to tell her about their home as various things come into view...

GM:
"I'm Kimmah, and that's Ivvrah, Seetah, and Nimmah!" says the boldest youngling, a boy perhaps fourteen years of age with crimson skin and a powerful build.

"Kimmah doesn't know how to be quiet," Sukkah says, rubbing her head a little.  "I'm feather-sky fine, just got a noggin," she adds with a little wince.  "You're a good lady, Sovereign One Eleisai...  Were we flying?"

The older woman smiles kindly.

"I am only called Eleisai, dear one.  I am but an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One, Creator of All.  And yes, we were flying.  You were being held in mid-air by that creature, so I needed to fly up to fetch you safely away."

GM:
After Eleisai answers, the children are quick to answer their visitor's questions about Nembellick.

"This is the West Nem, and it's been the West Nem for all my life, but my pater said that when I was born this was the East Nem, so really we're supposed to call this one Bel and the other one Ellick, but sometimes we call the other one just 'Lick'."  This brings a chorus of giggles from the herders.  "My mater and muth are scale-workers, and they make books and things that the traders like.  Pater and path are feather-harvesters, Ivvrah's muth is a feather-crafter and beastly strong, Seetah's path is a Nem-tender-" Kimmah babbles on, pointing up the long column of the Nem's neck, draped with a corded ladder that seemed to be made from synth and hard feathers.  "Eeevah gets the water to come by speaking to a blue rock, so we don't have to wait for rain anymore, and I'm training with Nimmah's mater to be an Undersling shooter when I'm too old to be a herder, except I'll be better and won't miss because I'll know about those underground things!"

Kimmah prattles on about the relationship, people, and doings of Nemballick with great enthusiasm and many interjections by his peers, eventually drawing Eleisai towards the market where an older man at a table is selling some freshly-baked, sweet-smelling pastry in a stunning shade of sky blue.  He pressed one on her in thanks, and if she eats it, finds it tastes of sweet fruit and flowery breezes.

The older woman takes the pastry with warm thanks, closing her eyes as she enjoys the taste of the first bite.  She then offers pieces of it to share with the children.

"That tastes lovely.  I am Eleisai, by the way.  'Peace be unto you.' . Thank you again for your kindness.  Please, what is your name?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Fri 23 Nov 2018.
GM
GM, 46 posts
Storyteller
Sat 1 Dec 2018
at 09:01
  • msg #42

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Fen Arada:
"Did anyone else notice the giant cragworm like creature in the distance over there?  Big and ominous looking.  This area seems to have a few too many things underground waiting to prey on us.  It may be time to make our exit."

His comments sound a bit blase' as he wipes some of the dust from his jacket.  A bit aloof, he just stands there looking at the others.  It was obvious that this wasn't a safe place to be if you could randomly be sucked underground by some large worm creature.  The smartest course of action was to depart.


At Fen's words, an older man carrying a long metal staff comes over, looking very worried.

"Cragworm?  Tell me that's not true!  We'd be likely to get eaten alive, Nems and alll!"


Eris:
Eris inclined their head politely to each of the elders, one after another. Letting their gaze drift to the woman who spoke - her in the rainbow raiment - a quick shake of their head and a few words seemed sufficient, "We have traveled much of the length of the Wandering Walk, my companions and I, these latest in the service of the merchant, Fakeen. Never have I nor my twin come across these creatures, nor I suspect the others. Are they not familiar to you, native to this region?"

Below the aforementioned twin continued their watch on aneen and dossi alike


Yeevah shakes her head.  "I'm afraid not.  Such a thing has not been seen, and if it can collapse the ground, we fear for the Nems.  If it were to collapse the earth under one of their feet, even as big as they are, it could mean disaster for Nemballick."

Dummalah, the plump woman with the arm wrapped in black, speaks next, "You are strangers to us, but already you know more of this threat than we do.  Could you help us find where the thing is coming from and keep it from coming back?"

Jarsh, the Aeon Priest with the leg wrapped in black, says, "Travel may not be safe with that thing on the loose, and I would hate for Fakeen to take harm, nor you and yours."

Eleisai:
The older woman smiles kindly.

"I am only called Eleisai, dear one.  I am but an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One, Creator of All.  And yes, we were flying.  You were being held in mid-air by that creature, so I needed to fly up to fetch you safely away."


Sukkah seems very impressed by that.  "Sky-seeker!  Wish I could do that!  Would be a far feather easier than all the climbing!"

quote:
The older woman takes the pastry with warm thanks, closing her eyes as she enjoys the taste of the first bite.  She then offers pieces of it to share with the children.

"That tastes lovely.  I am Eleisai, by the way.  'Peace be unto you.' . Thank you again for your kindness.  Please, what is your name?"


"Thurash, Eleisai.  'Twas in thanks for aiding the younglings.  What have you seen of the danger below?  We've got rumors flying like dander up here."

The young herders are quick to give him a loud, overlapping, somewhat exaggerated account of what had happened, the rumbling of the ground, the earth dropping away, the bizarre beast-thing, and the dramatic rescue.  Thurash's eyes look over the children to Eleisai, quietly asking her for the truth.
Fen Arada
Serene Jack, 15 posts
A Serene Jack that
Moves Like A Cat
Mon 10 Dec 2018
at 00:51
  • msg #43

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Fen looked at the old man, his staff and back to him.  "The creature that just attacked may be more likely, but I still see it out there.  What is it and how long has it been about causing problems?"

His irritation didn't show.  Fen strolled around the man and pointed to where it had just attacked the dossi.  Then placed his hand on the older mans shoulder and pushed him gently away and walked to join the others.  This seemed to be getting nowhere.
GM
GM, 47 posts
Storyteller
Tue 11 Dec 2018
at 03:43
  • msg #44

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Fen Arada:
Fen looked at the old man, his staff and back to him.  "The creature that just attacked may be more likely, but I still see it out there.  What is it and how long has it been about causing problems?"

His irritation didn't show.  Fen strolled around the man and pointed to where it had just attacked the dossi.  Then placed his hand on the older mans shoulder and pushed him gently away and walked to join the others.  This seemed to be getting nowhere.


"'Tis a new thing!  Before an hour ago, I never saw such!  But you can bet your last feather that the Elders will want to get to the bottom of it.  If it burrows up under the feet of the Nem, the whole town could fall!" the man says in obvious distress.  He waves to the town square, where three people are speaking to Eris, likely indicating the Elders of the town.
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 36 posts
who Works Miracles
Tue 11 Dec 2018
at 08:12
  • msg #45

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eleisai:
The older woman smiles kindly.

"I am only called Eleisai, dear one.  I am but an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One, Creator of All.  And yes, we were flying.  You were being held in mid-air by that creature, so I needed to fly up to fetch you safely away."

GM:
Sukkah seems very impressed by that.  "Sky-seeker!  Wish I could do that!  Would be a far feather easier than all the climbing!"

"It is an amazing feeling... but it takes much effort to master such abilities..."

Eleisai:
The older woman takes the pastry with warm thanks, closing her eyes as she enjoys the taste of the first bite.  She then offers pieces of it to share with the children.

"That tastes lovely.  I am Eleisai, by the way.  'Peace be unto you.' . Thank you again for your kindness.  Please, what is your name?"

GM:
"Thurash, Eleisai.  'Twas in thanks for aiding the younglings.  What have you seen of the danger below?  We've got rumors flying like dander up here."

The young herders are quick to give him a loud, overlapping, somewhat exaggerated account of what had happened, the rumbling of the ground, the earth dropping away, the bizarre beast-thing, and the dramatic rescue.  Thurash's eyes look over the children to Eleisai, quietly asking her for the truth.

The older woman smiles fondly at the children, and exchanges a knowing glance with Thurash.

"Well met, Thurash.  It was our privilege and pleasure to be useful in their time of need."

"It was a large, powerful, dangerous, burrowing creature, full of hatred and hunger.  I would not want to dwell near such a creature..."

Eris
Noble Seeker, 24 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Tue 11 Dec 2018
at 23:10
  • msg #46

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

At the elder's words, Eris nodded sagely, "We could, willingly, but I will need to speak to Fakeen. She holds our contract"
GM
GM, 48 posts
Storyteller
Wed 12 Dec 2018
at 01:16
  • msg #47

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eleisai:
"It is an amazing feeling... but it takes much effort to master such abilities..."


"Did you have to study or get an implant or is it from controlling a nulment like we use for the dossi?" she asks.  She raises up the small amulet that dangles from her wrist, like that off all the herder children.

Eleisai:
The older woman smiles fondly at the children, and exchanges a knowing glance with Thurash.

"Well met, Thurash.  It was our privilege and pleasure to be useful in their time of need."

"It was a large, powerful, dangerous, burrowing creature, full of hatred and hunger.  I would not want to dwell near such a creature..."


"The Nems move in their own time.  Our Nem-tenders," he nods to indicate the long neck of the Nem with its rope ladders and cable stretching up to a small structure on the Nem's head, "are more of those who let us know when the Nems are going to move and where, rather than getting them to move.  But sometimes, with some powerful things, they can get the Nems to move how we want.  It's been an age since the last time that happened though..." Thurash says thoughtfully.

----

Eris:
At the elder's words, Eris nodded sagely, "We could, willingly, but I will need to speak to Fakeen. She holds our contract"


Fakeen is waved over by the Elders, and quickly filled in.  She looks back at Eris as if she's taken leave of her senses.  "If you be thinking I'm risking my caravan over open ground with some flying, burrowing, hateful thing ready to pounce on us...  Nay, is safer for all if that thing is dead or driven away.  Or made a friend of, if that's a thing that can be done.  I'm not worried on the particulars, as long as we aren't at risk for being sucked into the ground on the next leg of our trip!" Fakeen says, running her crystal hand over her head in agitation.
Eris
Noble Seeker, 25 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 21:16
  • msg #48

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eris nodded at the merchant's words, though their bargain was foremost in mind, "Guarding was our hire, but hunting we can do. We keep what we find, agreed?"

Presuming no disagreement, they turned and called the other Walkers to them, "Hai, Walkers!"
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 38 posts
who Works Miracles
Tue 1 Jan 2019
at 02:48
  • msg #49

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eleisai:
"It is an amazing feeling... but it takes much effort to master such abilities..."

GM:
"Did you have to study or get an implant or is it from controlling a nulment like we use for the dossi?" she asks.  She raises up the small amulet that dangles from her wrist, like that off all the herder children.

The older woman smiles kindly.

"The Sovereign One blessed me with certain gifts, and I had to study to learn how to use them."

She looks at the small amulet with interest.

"What can the amulet do?"


Eleisai:
The older woman smiles fondly at the children, and exchanges a knowing glance with Thurash.

"Well met, Thurash.  It was our privilege and pleasure to be useful in their time of need."

"It was a large, powerful, dangerous, burrowing creature, full of hatred and hunger.  I would not want to dwell near such a creature..."
GM:
"The Nems move in their own time.  Our Nem-tenders," he nods to indicate the long neck of the Nem with its rope ladders and cable stretching up to a small structure on the Nem's head, "are more of those who let us know when the Nems are going to move and where, rather than getting them to move.  But sometimes, with some powerful things, they can get the Nems to move how we want.  It's been an age since the last time that happened though..." Thurash says thoughtfully.

"Is it known what kinds of things may have prompted them to move in the past?"
Fen Arada
Serene Jack, 17 posts
A Serene Jack that
Moves Like A Cat
Sun 6 Jan 2019
at 05:29
  • msg #50

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Fen looked around at the others.
"we're the hired help here.  What's going on?"
Eris
Noble Seeker, 26 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Sun 6 Jan 2019
at 19:14
  • msg #51

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

"Master Fen", Eris acknowledged, gesturing to the elders and their merchant, Fakeen, "We have been asked to investigate this threat a little more; I'm so inclined, if the rest of the Walkers are willing"
GM
GM, 50 posts
Storyteller
Tue 8 Jan 2019
at 05:47
  • msg #52

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eris:
Eris nodded at the merchant's words, though their bargain was foremost in mind, "Guarding was our hire, but hunting we can do. We keep what we find, agreed?"

Presuming no disagreement, they turned and called the other Walkers to them, "Hai, Walkers!"


"Agreed and agreed!" Fakeen says.  "There's no profit in being eaten by a beast!"

Eleisai:
Eleisai:
"It is an amazing feeling... but it takes much effort to master such abilities..."

GM:
"Did you have to study or get an implant or is it from controlling a nulment like we use for the dossi?" she asks.  She raises up the small amulet that dangles from her wrist, like that off all the herder children.

The older woman smiles kindly.

"The Sovereign One blessed me with certain gifts, and I had to study to learn how to use them."

She looks at the small amulet with interest.

"What can the amulet do?"


"Oh, they let you talk to the dossi like you were their mater, 'cept it only works if you're not full-grown for some reason," Sukkah says.  "My muth and mater's family found them a long time ago, and we've used them ever since."


quote:
Eleisai:
The older woman smiles fondly at the children, and exchanges a knowing glance with Thurash.

"Well met, Thurash.  It was our privilege and pleasure to be useful in their time of need."

"It was a large, powerful, dangerous, burrowing creature, full of hatred and hunger.  I would not want to dwell near such a creature..."
GM:
"The Nems move in their own time.  Our Nem-tenders," he nods to indicate the long neck of the Nem with its rope ladders and cable stretching up to a small structure on the Nem's head, "are more of those who let us know when the Nems are going to move and where, rather than getting them to move.  But sometimes, with some powerful things, they can get the Nems to move how we want.  It's been an age since the last time that happened though..." Thurash says thoughtfully.

"Is it known what kinds of things may have prompted them to move in the past?"


"Aye, when something actually hurt one of the Nems enough for it to feel, and once when the Iron Wind came by," he says, shuddering.  "Gave me nightmares for a long time, and it actually managed to just miss us.  And one time, in my elder pater's time, they say they turned the Nems away from a hoard of abhumans.  Supposed they had some bit of numenera to get the Nems' minds going that something would hurt in the future, nay?"

Eris:
"Master Fen", Eris acknowledged, gesturing to the elders and their merchant, Fakeen, "We have been asked to investigate this threat a little more; I'm so inclined, if the rest of the Walkers are willing"


"That is the right of it," Dummalah says, gesturing with her unwrapped arm.  "Can you find the source of this beast and stop it from coming again?  We fear for our herds and the Nems if it were to come up under their feet."
Eris
Noble Seeker, 27 posts
who Exists in Two
Places At Once
Tue 15 Jan 2019
at 15:13
  • msg #53

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

"We can search, for certain", acknowledged Eris, putting on a smile as they waited for the others to come closer, "But any information you have on these creatures before we arrived would be of immense help"

Below, Erin ceased their watch of the aneen and began to collect up the Walkers
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 39 posts
who Works Miracles
Tue 15 Jan 2019
at 19:38
  • msg #54

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

GM:
"Oh, they let you talk to the dossi like you were their mater, 'cept it only works if you're not full-grown for some reason," Sukkah says.  "My muth and mater's family found them a long time ago, and we've used them ever since."

The older woman nods thoughtfully.

"Do they work with any creatures besides the dossi, like the Nems?"

GM:
"Aye, when something actually hurt one of the Nems enough for it to feel, and once when the Iron Wind came by," he says, shuddering.  "Gave me nightmares for a long time, and it actually managed to just miss us.  And one time, in my elder pater's time, they say they turned the Nems away from a hoard of abhumans.  Supposed they had some bit of numenera to get the Nems' minds going that something would hurt in the future, nay?"

The older woman considers.

"I have gifts that might be able to reach the mind of a Nem, if needed.  Do you think that I should try?"
GM
GM, 51 posts
Storyteller
Thu 17 Jan 2019
at 03:49
  • msg #55

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eris:
"We can search, for certain", acknowledged Eris, putting on a smile as they waited for the others to come closer, "But any information you have on these creatures before we arrived would be of immense help"

Below, Erin ceased their watch of the aneen and began to collect up the Walkers


The Elders shake their heads.  Jarsh, the Aeon Priest, says, "This is the first time such a thing has appeared.  I consulted the records from the descriptions that the herders gave me, but nothing matched.  These are relatively new grounds for the village, so perhaps this thing has some cyclical life cycle that caused it to emerge now."

Eleisai:
GM:
"Oh, they let you talk to the dossi like you were their mater, 'cept it only works if you're not full-grown for some reason," Sukkah says.  "My muth and mater's family found them a long time ago, and we've used them ever since."

The older woman nods thoughtfully.

"Do they work with any creatures besides the dossi, like the Nems?"


"They're not supposed to; because the Nems are big and dossi are smaller.  We're not allowed up on the heads when we're wearing our nulments, just in case," Sukkah says.

quote:
GM:
"Aye, when something actually hurt one of the Nems enough for it to feel, and once when the Iron Wind came by," he says, shuddering.  "Gave me nightmares for a long time, and it actually managed to just miss us.  And one time, in my elder pater's time, they say they turned the Nems away from a hoard of abhumans.  Supposed they had some bit of numenera to get the Nems' minds going that something would hurt in the future, nay?"

The older woman considers.

"I have gifts that might be able to reach the mind of a Nem, if needed.  Do you think that I should try?"


"Talk to the Elders first!  'Tis dangerous to try to move the Nems if people are unawares!  But if we can get away from some nastiness, then they might decide it's worth it," Thurash says.
Eleisai
Empathic Nano, 43 posts
who Works Miracles
Tue 22 Jan 2019
at 02:18
  • msg #56

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

The older woman nods thoughtfully.

"Where can I find the Elders, friend Thurash?"
GM
GM, 56 posts
Storyteller
Fri 25 Jan 2019
at 11:19
  • msg #57

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Eleisai:
The older woman nods thoughtfully.

"Where can I find the Elders, friend Thurash?"


Thurash points over on the other side of the square, where Eris and Fen are speaking with three people: brown-haired plump woman with a motherly air about her, one arm wrapped in black, a rail-thin man all in pale blue with shockingly long yellow hair, one leg wrapped in black, and a sturdy woman of advanced years with her hair hidden by a white scarf, clad in pale robes that shimmer through a thousand different colors, her left eye covered by a black eyepatch.

"The Eldest is Yeevah, the Mother is Dummalah, and Jarsh is the Aeon Priest," he says, nodding.  "They will need your wisdom to know what is best for the Nems."

--

Below the ground...

Q'nur has been exploring the complex he found for several days, finding several interesting things, avoiding a few more, and seeing one creature that might have been more than something to merely avoid.  A few hours ago, there had been the sounds of a battle, then a retreat.  But now it has been silent for a while, the air above heavy with ponderous waiting, and a faint stomping of feet of many animals...
Q'nur
Confident Delve, 8 posts
Exists out of Phase
Fri 25 Jan 2019
at 19:22
  • msg #58

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Q'nur held his hand out in front of him, even in the dim light he could see it was still trembling, but only very slightly now. Now that his chest had finished thumping so hard, he cleared his throat, spat out the dusty phlegm, took a deep drink from the skin at his belt and just smiled. Today was a good day to be alive.

When he was sure that it wasn't coming back to consume his essence, he crept out from behind the rock pile he had dived behind, grabbed his gear, then headed back towards the main chamber, mumbling yet another quick prayer to the spirits of the deep for protecting him this day.

The sensible part of him was desperate to grab what treasures he could to fill his bag, and head back up to the surface as fast as he could. But he heard Bugrum's words in his mind.

"If you can't see the beauty in something, then you are not looking hard enough. Anyone can be stricken by the fear and lash out, or run. but Delvers push beyond fear to see the world for what it truly is. A never-ending story filled with wonders and awe. Wonders that we can bring back for everyone else to enjoy...assuming that you want to eat of course?"

He smiled as he thought of the old man. Bugrum was right, as always. Part of him desperately wanted to see that creature again. It was one of the most beautifully dangerous things that he had ever encountered.

He had almost been able to taste the waves of hate and rage coming off as it had swam upwards through the rocks and headed for the surface. The way it had slid effortlessly through the rocks reminded him of his own abilities; perhaps it had encountered the same device that he and Bugrum had?

He really hoped that the sound of fighting and screaming that he had heard after, had not been someone harming it.

He wondered if there was some way of talking to it, of finding out why it was so...angry. Perhaps it could be calmed down and examined? Were those symbols a numenera that helped it to communicate? Or perhaps they helped it slip through the rocks? But then again, something that angry might not be in the mood to talk, which was a shame, as Q'nur was sure it would have some fantastic stories to trade.

He headed back to the chamber with the synth pods in it and unpacked his tools. Surely there was something in here that he could salvage if he really put his mind to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:20, Sat 26 Jan 2019.
GM
GM, 58 posts
Storyteller
Wed 30 Jan 2019
at 14:15
  • msg #59

Re: [In-Character Threat] Deciphering Tomorrow

Below the ground...

Q'nur examines the synth pods carefully.  Whatever it contains must be large, numerous, or at least voluminous, for each could contain an adult aneen.  The pods are a soft green synth with a faint appearance of a split near one oval end.  At each end near the split are three long crystals, dark green, dark blue, and light green, that seem to be partially stuck into the pods.  The room is thick with the pods, with barely room to walk between some of them; most are touching.  The walls are slightly curved, the ceiling high above you, with a hole from some large pipe on the eastern side.  The other way in is the arched entry you found into the room in the first place.

With some experimentation, you can dislodge the dark blue crystal from a pod.  When you do, a syrupy pink sludge begins to pour of the pod at a rather alarming rate!
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