She acknowledges each of the officers as they are introduced, and then locks eyes with Troisseau. "I'm not sure what you're trying to to do, but I feel your knock."

Terzo looks between them, confused. "Knock? What are we talking about?"

Pandrosus shakes her head, smiling. "It's nothing, Terzo. Just an inside joke for those with telepathic gifts. The inspector is very gifted."

He looks to each of them skeptically. "I have already told you that."

She nods to Troisseau. "I will agree to assist you, then. We need to talk to those you have in custody, and immediately."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:52, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

In reply to Pandrosus Penelope (msg # 34):

A grin emerges across JKT’s face and his immense pride at connecting with Pandrosus and being called gifted cannot be withheld.

Tavares Trumaine hands Pandrosus and Terzo a notebook dossier.

“These contain information regarding the prisoners. I will lead you to them at once.”

 Trousseau leads them all to another set of doors, another set of stairs etc and to a set of doors locked with a bolt. He knicks and a slit in the door opens. The release of the bolt echoes as he leads them into the room of cells. There are twelve individual holding cells in all; four are occupied. He points to each as he names the person in each cell. “Arman Denari-Coup, Miguel Espadas, Denis Bastos, and Shiloh DeNaris. These are the members of the order of the 19th degree we have in custody. There is one more cultist still at large.”

He gestures in a sweeping motion to Pandrosus. “Mme Penelope.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:27, Thu 10 Dec 2020.

“Lovely,” Pandrosus says. She looks to Terzo and Troisseau. “Please leave me alone with them and wait outside. I promise I will not free them. I want them imprisoned more than you in this state, and I promise that much on my life.”
Terzo looks around, and then locks eyes with Troisseau and shrugs. “I think she won’t help any of them escape. Perhaps it’s better if we wait outside?”
Troisseau seems skeptical, but counting on the wards he has in place to keep the prisoners where there are, he is fairly certain nothing bad can happen. And a small voice speaks within him. What choice do you have?
He locked eyes with Pandrosus. “They must remain alive. Do not kill them.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I am not a murderer. They will remain here and living when I leave. I promise it on my own life.”
The two men nodded and left. Pandrosus was alone with the prisoners. At that, she smiled, holding the papers in her hand--their records--glancing down at them, she smiled. “Arman Denari-Coup, I’ll start with you...” She looks up at the prisoner. “Do you know who I am?” She moved towards his cell, clasping her hands around the bars.
“Some witch to torture me, I think.”
“Certainly you heard them say my name?”
“No, sorry. Nothing that rang a bell.”
“Let me introduce myself to all of you, then.” She stepped away, and bowed. “I am Pandrosus Penelope, Key of Hecate.”
“You lie!”, shouted Arman.
She dropped her arms and approached his cell, sliding her hands down the bars and pressing her face between them. “Perhaps. But…” She walked through the bars towards Arman as if she was not solid, but water, air, or spirit. “Can you be sure?" She paused. "You’re a banker, right? Nothing significant. No real information to offer.”
 He stumbled backwards into the corner of his cell, crying out. “We have nothing against Hecate!”
“You do by the one you have served, and you will tell me what you know or experience endless suffering.” She took his wrist, and he screamed for a moment before vanishing with Arman.
But in a moment she was back with Arman, and he was collapsed on the ground, whispering incoherently to himself on the floor. "There are so many gods. Other gods--the blurry ones!"
“Next!” she said wickedly, passing through the bars into the cell of Miguel Espadas.
Pandrosus shook her head “I understand you are also a banker. I hate bankers! It's not enough to have wealth, you want power as well? Is that it?”
“I’m also an inventor. I make things. I respect Hecate!”
“No, the thing you unleashed on Alycone is an enemy of Hecate. It is a great disrespect to Her.”
“The Bewteen One is a powerful god!” he said desperately.
“It is nothing like a god,” Pandrosus explained calmly. “Would you like to tell me more, or would you prefer to visit the realm Arman did?”
“I will tell you everything.”
She smiled. “Hopefully the others are as forthcoming."

OOC NOTE:
If and when others open the prison cell and/or check with the prisoners, they will find Arman and Bastos are completely mad and ranting about the places they’ve seen beyond this world, and how there are truer gods that took them there to be tortured. The other prisoners remain silent. They eat, they drink, and they obey those that keep them. The are model, but silent prisoners. If they are ever interrogated again regarding their involvements of the eikons, the most they say is “I know nothing of actual gods. I have been mistaken. That’s why I helped with the eikons.”


After approximately 20 minutes, Pandrosus opens the door of the prison and closes it behind her, smiling. “I have what I need, here. I would release your prisoners now. They are of no use and no harm to you. But they might still lead you to other criminals if you have people to follow them.” She looks to Troisseau. “The last thing I really need to know, is about the one still at large, now...”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

In reply to Pandrosus Penelope (msg # 36):

Troisseau looks at Arman’s state, and a pained expression comes across his face. He attempts to communicate telepathically to her Was that necessary? Have you no decency! Can you not understand how much trauma you have just brought on this decent man?! He looks at Penelope in rage, holds down his head and sobs for a moment. He looks at Terzo for a beat, and it could seem as though his friend’s face has brought him some measure of composure.

If you have everything you need from these men, then you know as much as I do or perhaps more about our cultist at large. That’s a loose end that has troubled me greatly, and I’m afraid what leads I have are quite cold. He gesture to Tavaris and whispers something into his ear. Release all of the detained, but leave Arman. Keep him confined but I want him taken care of and given every reasonable comfort to aide his mental state. He will remain here for his own well being and I want him well cared for. He looks at Arman remorsefully for a beat, then turns his gaze to Penelope. What is it you need to know about El Zwarden, Pandrosus?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:20, Thu 10 Dec 2020.

Pandrosus cocks her head to the side curiously at Troisseau's sudden show of emotion. "I'm not letting you in my head," she says. "But I've confirmed the thing tied to the eikons is a parasite, and one I am familiar with."

When Troisseau asks her what she wishes to know about Zwarden, she replies. "Your report implies he has had extensive military experience. Do you know any of the details of that service? What sort of man is he? Why do you suppose he has eluded capture?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Thu 10 Dec 2020.

In reply to Pandrosus Penelope (msg # 38):

Trousseau responds to Penelope while looking downward at the floor. Captain Robin Woods. Navy. Per one of our informants, one currently being released- Shiloh Denali. Arman’s half-brother He looks up at Pandrosus and it seems he has shed the emotions he displayed only a moment ago. Gone is the casual and leisurely air he displayed earlier. His face suggests conviction. His take on a bright hue that is not unlike two balls of astral light. If you’d have been forthcoming instead of merely enforcing your will without the slightest regard for anyone else, I’d have told you that Shiloh is the bastard you ought drag out into the deep recesses of space and dismantle! He’s the one who would have yielded the most useful information! He’s the one who is completely lacking in character! Not that you give a damn! He composes himself. He is the only informant who had any information regarding Captain Woods. This is one reason he evaded capture. Shiloh said he thought he might be on “the sacred isle”. I have no idea what this means or where he is. Shiloh is the Msr Denari who might know, not Arman. It was utterly unnecessary the way you’ve left this man broken and shattered and laying on the cold floor. He looks at Arman, obviously remorseful of the suffering he is going through. We’ve put a trail on Shiloh Denari. I feel there is a decent chance he will lead us to Captain Woods. You’d have made a fine investigator, Pandrosus- I’ll grant you this much.

He turns on his heels, shifting his entire body away from Penelope. He looks at Terzo for a moment and says. You’re a very good friend, Terzo Zeni. You always give me sterling counsel that I inevitability always do not heed. Thank you.

He heads to the door and leaves without another word.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Fri 11 Dec 2020.

In reply to Inspector Troisseau (msg # 39):

As he gets to the door he turns and looks at sweetly at Sage

~~~~ She is a miserable creature and you are most lovely. I think you deserve better. ~~~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Fri 11 Dec 2020.

Pandrosus rolled her eyes. "Your friends are always so infuriatingly sentimental, Terzo." She called out to the inspector. "Troisseau!"

The inspector turned, looking at her with cold eyes.

"I could have left your silly friend there, where he would have likely gauged his own eyes out and died a miserable and painful death. Keep that in mind. His part in this, however small, has had significant cost. A lifetime of decency and good deeds will not undo that, and there ought be consequences for it." She sighed, and seemed to temporary let down her guard to reveal a depth of weariness. "But it may ease your mind to know that his madness is only temporary. In the morning he will wake-up feeling as if he drank too much, and will assume it was all a disturbing nightmare." She paused, and after reading little change in Troisseau's expression, her jaw tightened. "I have a few things to explain to you, but we must all return to the suite for me to finalize the preparations. After that, you need not ever see me again."

Prior to getting into the carriage with Terzo, Troisseau changes into a black suit with pants, white shirt and a cape. His hat is a black pillbox hat with brim- the kind field agents in his department wear.

    In the carriage on the way back to Hôtel de Goût Exquis, Terzo and Troisseau fell into an uneasy quiet. While the inspector seemed far away, Terzo was anxious. Several times he seemed on the verge of speaking, but reconsidered. Eventually he sighed, took a deep breath, and blurted out "She is a very layered person, my friend."

    Troisseau continued to look out the window, his tone that of obvious irritation. "I am not sure she is deserving of your apologist inclinations. She is a cruel woman. Apart from her physical attractiveness, it is hard for me to understand what there is to like about her."

    Terzo nodded. "That is fair." He placed his hand on the inspector's shoulder and opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again, withdrawing his hand. He folded both hands in his lap, and after a moment he continued. "I have known her most of my life, but first became friendly with her when I was a boy. Barely fourteen--she was two years older than me--and beautiful, of course. Her hair was different. It's original color was raven black. It was long and wild, and she wore a yellow dress to the market that day." He smiled fondly. "It was during the Harvest Festival in Padumat. Three days before I was to leave for the university in Tarn. We had a picnic near the river fork that day. It's one of the loveliest memories of my life. I could go on about how kind and full of life she was at that moment, but it would be difficult for you to believe me or understand. That sixteen-year-old girl is still in there, however. She comes out often when we're alone, and I fear that's the only time she does." He cleared his throat and allowed the silence to build between them as he appeared to be thinking. After a moment he shrugged, as if giving up. "I admit I love her, and I believe that she also loves me. As much as she is capable of it. But our dissimilar lifestyles and philosophies make it difficult for us to see one another more than a month or so every year or two." He sighed. "She is often cruel, and her intentions are difficult to ascertain. But as you likely know, Inspector, we can easily become a mirror of our experiences. And this world has been very cruel to her. It is no excuse for her behavior. But deep down, she is not so unlike the two of us. She does what she believes is the right thing to do. That much you can always count on."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:32, Sun 13 Dec 2020.

In reply to Terzo Zeni (msg # 42):

Trousseau looks out the carriage window in silence

"Personally, I do not believe the goddess Hecate exists, but I believe Pandrosus believes she does. And obviously she has the abilities she does. I'm not entirely sure how that works, but that means, to me, that her behavior can be extremely volatile. Because she sees herself as a servant of a god." He touches Troisseau on the shoulder and looks him in the eye. "I know all of this has been very stressful for you. I have no doubt that she will be able to cut off these eikons. But I feel like what she is about to reveal to us right now, is likely going to be upsetting. I want to prepare you for it."

The carriage comes to a stop outside of Hôtel de Goût Exquis. "Perhaps we should take a united front against her? She knows I know her, and you have your abilities. We should not let her steer the course of this affair completely."
Troisseau nods."What should we do?"
"We'll just support one another no matter what, yes?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:59, Sun 13 Dec 2020.

In reply to Terzo Zeni (msg # 45):


Trousseau looks out of the carriage window, his face twisted.I believe as she does, as I’ve seen the god’s works myself. I agree that we should stand united. I believe she can bring about a resolution to the eikon situation, but still I trust her not whereas you have my trust. He looks unsteadily at the hotel. Shall we go in?

Terzo nods, and both gentleman return to the suite in Hôtel de Goût Exquis. Pandrosus is waiting for them there, and Sage lies on her side on a fur rug near the sofa.

Pandrosus turns to both of them as they enter, and frowns. She locks eyes with Troisseau. "Inspector, the last thing you should know is that this creature your citizens have summoned into the eikons is something that myself and Terzo is familiar with. This is not the first time it has attempted to infiltrate our realm and claim godhood..."
Terzo looks to Troisseau with concern, then back to Pandrosus. "It can't be the same entity. That was over 20 years ago! We dealt with it!"

Pandrosus smiles at Terzo. "It's cute you think that 20 years is a long time for this entity. It's not." She looks to Troisseau. "What you don't know is that this entity feeds off of energy. The type of energy you generate when you travel to different times or dimensions. The kind of energy I generate, too. They are parasites of dimensional gates. And that means I'm a tasty steak to it, as are you..."

She opens a small chest on the table. "Come, look. This is important if you want to live through this whole ordeal..."

Terzo and Troisseau look to one another, nodding, and then approach the box to look into it. As they do so, they see the box is empty. Confused, they both attempt to ask Pandrosus about it simultaniously before she claps them on the back.

There is a loud, thundering sound of grinding metal as if a giant key is being turned in a lock. All goes blurry, black, and then color slowly floods back in and they find themselves in the familiar office of Professor Benjamin Dover beside the cauldron of roaring sand.

"Fuck!" shouts Terzo. "She's trapped us in Dover's pocket!"

In reply to Terzo Zeni (msg # 47):

Trousseau instantly stares into the cauldron. He doesn’t even seem to react to suddenly finding himself in his new location. He seems resigned.

We did a great job showing unity, we really showed her. I get the sense that she’s not acting out of malice. Were she acting against our interests, she could impose our will right in front of our faces and I believe we’d be powerless to do anything to stop her. I think she is protecting us? If she were against us, I believe she’d rather enjoy seeing us watching her enact her will.

He leans his arms on the cauldron. She is not entirely correct in what she said about Arman. I ought to know. She likens myself and her but I feel I am more like Arman than I am like her. Traveling takes a great toll. Every time I return from these spaces, when I am in transit to the spaces or back to our own space, I can see my cells shedding. I see jagged chunks of my essence removed. It’s an endless set of grids. Some grids are composed of white light, others are dark like iron. The place I am most familiar with, has come to be a serene place but it wasn’t so the first time I traveled there. There are other spaces I’ve been to that are not so hospitable. Some are frightening but... more or less harmless. Others are simply terrifying.

His eyes freeze in a pained expression and he stares deeply into the swirling sand in the cauldron. He sits on the floor and pulls from his messenger bag a few sheets of paper and a pen. He scrawls shapes and lines as he speaks.

I must admit there have been times I’ve envied Professor Dover. Not when he was in the hellish prison from where we aided his escape, but safe in the desert. Here we are way up here toiling and suffering. I have suffered and am simply exhausted. You’re in love with a hellish beast and that cannot be pleasant.

He begins to draw on a second page something that Terzo can’t quite make out. He scribbles silently for a minute or so. If Terzo says anything, Troisseau shows no sign of hearing. He leaves the paper on the floor, puts his pen back in his bag and stands up. He walk back to the place he was a moment ago and stares into the cauldron.

You saw the deeply disturbing affect this cauldron had on my psyche. It was it’s vastness that caused me discomfort. It never seems to end. Just when I feel I have reached the ending space, valleys and valleys of sand. It is not completely dissimilar to the grids of light and dark I mentioned when speaking of the otherworldly spaces I’ve inhabited during my life. I’m not quite sure if I can explain this, but the greatest source of dread for me is that something about this cauldron comforts me.

He promptly, and gracefully dives into the cauldron and is no longer in Dover’s musty office.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 23:35, Mon 21 Dec 2020.

Terzo looks down at the paper attempting to read it. After studying for a moment, he sighs. "Damn you, Pandrosus!" He closes his eyes and leaps into the cauldron after Troisseau.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:47, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

In reply to GM Slogworx (msg # 49):

Troisseau is sitting calmly on the sand when Terzo suddenly emerges out of the sky and plummets harmlessly to the ground. Terzo lays prone on the sand as Troisseau speaks;

I knew you would come but I was wondering when. I’ve been here for an hour at least, possibly three.. it’s hard to say. It’s perpetually dusk here. More dark than light, but still from somewhere although I don’t know from where there is light. It’s like a snow globe in here. I believe Pandrosus must be protecting us because I feel safe. I haven’t felt safe in such a long time.

From a few hundred yards in the distance, a small troupe of 8 little people can be seen walking towards Troisseau and Terzo.

"Hours? But it was less than a minute before I followed you into the vortex." Terzo looked around at the barren landscape, his eyes settling on the approaching figures. "There must be some kind of time cost for travelling through it. Interesting."

He stood beside Troisseau, calmly watching the curious little men approach. "I suppose we should follow them to their settlement? Dover's letters implied they were quite friendly. Do you suppose he has remained with them all this time?"

In reply to Terzo Zeni (msg # 51):

Time costs you say? I say, this kind of travel is more aligned to your expertise as it is magical and limited to the one single dimension. We have determined Dover’s desert is in our dimension, haven’t we? Why yes we have- for the most part.. as these same small people who approach us have been sighted antecedent to receiving a letter from the Monsieur Dover.

Having worked out their temporal anomaly, as much as Troisseau cared to consider. His eyes glance over the approaching tribe of small robed beings.

Follow them? They are hastening to us, an invitation would be preferable; but often in this craft I find no invitation and naturally I follow.

The tribes people are now directly in front of Terzo Zeni and Jacques Troisseau. They halt in an upside down V shaped formation. A sustained, choral harmonic buzzing can be heard. It is most comparable to Zeni and Troisseau to a hive of insects, with deeper and richer rhythmic patterns that swirl about as the frequency rises and falls. The effect is adrenal and stirring, in a manner that feels more celebratory than dangerous. Troisseau removes his cap and proffers his most urbane dispay of deference. He speaks, and his speech as it is perceived by Terzo is a nonsensical pattern of jargon. Repetitious consonant patterns with short vowel sounds and a clicking sound not known to any language Terzo is familiar with. Terzo is certain that Troisseau is simply babbling; as he would have no way of speaking fluently this unknown language from a land no one from their civilization has been known to visit.

The small tribal figure at the apex of the formation responds in kind. He produces the same set of sounds and patterns Troisseau had mussed from his lips a moment before. Terzo seems concerned and confused. He desires to make sense of what he is perceiving, but he does seem mindful that the exchange of communication, however baffling; is seemingly a productive discourse that he’s very eager for translation from his unexplainably fluent partner.

Inspector? What is this language you speak and how is it that you are able to speak this way? What did you ask them and what did they say in response? You did just communicate with them and their response you are able to understand?

Troisseau looks at Terzo as though he is the person currently under great mental strain. Herr Zeni what do you mean? I spoke in the same shared language that we speak at this very moment. They understood and responded in our language. A slight dialectical variation I suppose but concise and understandable. How is it that you did not understand anything about this exchange? I asked them if they knew Professor Dover. Some clarification and explanation was needed as they did not appear to be familiar with the name we know the man to have. I provided them with a description, and learned that they refer to him as “Under Mound”. I do not know why. I did not ask and they did not offer. They had assumed based on our similar displacement that we would be connected to the man they call under mound. They said that he is in their village, sleeping. They invited us to follow them and stated that we stay very near to them as their village will not appear visible to us. I accepted and I say we move on right now

Troisseau looks to the small person who appears to have a leadership position. Tikini atou tou tini. Tinikini Patapouwamahoni. Pipini timi Purim pi. The formation turns in an about haste and the collective buzzing harmonics resume. The harmonic elements produced from within the strange indigenous people is rich and both Zeni and Troisseau are attuned with fascination and appreciation. Terzo returns to his unsolved matter of reconciliation between what he heard and what Troisseau said transpired. Troisseau, ever quick to enter into a discussion heads him off with his own topic of interest.

Pandrosus Penelope sent us away to a place that she found as safe from the eikons. It does not connect to me logically that the space she put us in is Benjamin Dover’s freakish and unsettling home office. The only way she’d even know of Dover is if you spoke of him in your communication of the eikon situation of Alcyone. Dover has nothing to do with that mess. He’s a floating gyration of randomization and yet he has a pattern of never being completely removed from our own paths elsewhere. You must tell me what I do not know or fail to see! Why is this so called professor a recurring entity in things that involve him not whatsoever? I had resolved personally to somewhat write the man off altogether feeling that he is safe here, and makes little effort in communication. Were he to return to Tarn or Alcyone I would receive him at once, these people have traversed the lands to ours but Benjamin Dover aka Under Mound stays in the endless sands of unknown name. What reason are we even en route to him other than we are close by and have little else to do? It is though you are aware of some sort of relevance, some role that Dover has in our current affair. I don’t know what that could possibly be and neither do I trust him outright or his mental capacity or his character. Speak dear friend! Share what I have not seen or do not know so that you and I can steel our resolve and move onward with the unity we pledged outside of the Hotel  De Gout Equis

Troisseau looks intensely at his friend and wayward traveling partner. His fatigue and fear from his native Alcyone appears to have been left inside of the state borders. His eyes are alive, his expression eager in anticipation. He is the Chief Inspector, and his curiosity for the new mysteries they have found themselves in have returned the man to his vigor and quickness that Terzo had known the inspector to possess.

Terzo shook his head. "The professor stopped responding to my correspondences well before our issue with the eikons. You know of everything between myself and Dover. I suspect Pandrosus has read Dover and your own correspondences to me. They were in the room we shared. I had no reason to think they would interest her. She must have found Dover's trap interesting, and investigated it, then found it a suitable place in which to banish us once she had what she needed to destroy the eikons."

He sighs. "If the entity embodying the eikons is the same thing we encountered in Tarn many years ago, that is troublesome and incredibly dangerous for both you and her--at least if we are to believe the parasite feeds on inter-dimensional travellers."

He clutches his own fist, his knuckles going pink. "Damn her eyes! She could have at least given us the option to leave or remain and take precautions! I fear she may under-estimate the thing taking it on alone. It has had a decade to learn from its past mistakes."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

In reply to Pandrosus Penelope (msg # 53):

It is very interesting indeed, the cauldron.  I must say Terzo, I like this place. It is not what it seems though. I do not believe this dessert ever ends. In no direction would we reach our lands, ever. There’s no sun, though somehow there is a source of light here. No stars and that’s not our sky Terzo. Yes! I understand now! Terzo, I do see why Pandrosus put us where she did. She knew that I would recognize where we are being held. But I do not know when we are to return or how we would know that it is safe to come back. She did see the cauldron she knew that I would eventually understand but that is as far as her plan went. Troisseau closes his eyes and moves his arms inward to his chest, seemingly perceiving something inside of him. He looks worried.

Tell me about the entity. It is ancient I gather. It thinks I am delicious and Penelope would be a tasty treat as well. She is in danger Terzo.
She is holding her own but I cannot perceive what she is doing. She’s probably being very rash. She is also overconfident. Arrogant. She is not as powerful as she believes she is. Nor is she as clever.   He turns to emphasize something, an aside to Terzo.

Pandrosus truly did something heroic for us, but she’s a nitwit! Suddenly she cares about a life. She rolled her eyes and mocked me for the brutal and IDIOTIC brutality to someone I’ve known for 20 years! She really angers me Terzo! Arman’s half brother had the most relevant information to share, and he’s ruthless and vile. She could have asked me and I would have told her she could have her way with Shiloh. No she doesn’t need to ask questions of course not! Again, over confidence and rashness. She underestimates everyone, Zeni because she is arrogant and she thinks everyone else is stupid or silly. Certainly she underestimates the beast. She needed your assistance twenty years ago - Troisseau’s jaw drops and his skin fades in color. Some of what I just said about Madame Penelope is untrue. She is endlessly frustrating Terzo! However; she did not underestimate the beast! He looks into the space in front of him and his eyes dart to and fro he points from one point to the next and raises his arms into the sky in celebration She did not underestimate us, either. She knows she cannot defeat the beast on her own. She is the strongest and most  able bodied and she sent us here to safety and she is knocking away and defending. She will eventually be unable to continue her sequence with the beast. It is interesting- they look like the eikons as they ravage and defend! Yes! I can see her hole plan clearly.. she really needs to keep people in the loop though but Terzo! Your girlfriend’s plan is very intricate and we must be ready to act. Pandrosus knew that the cauldron would lead us into the unknown desert! She knew as a traveler I would eventually discern that this desert is within what is called an inter-templar plane. No time to break this down further. Pandrosus gambled that I would then deduce her plan which I thankfully have! .

He raises his hands in the air and celebrates his victory

Herr Zeni. In a moment my most crucial part to play in the Grande Bitch’s master plan will be completed. You are the next piece and once the baton is handed to you, Pandrosus expects you to enter the battle! She’s damaged the beast and you enter fresh unscathed and unexpected. This is the plan, it should work but we must arrive in time, and lastly you and Pandrosus must conclude this sequence! He pats Terzo on the shoulders, encouraging him for his task. Already he moves fluidly and urgently, but with confidence. Troisseau has completed his role, but still he must do one more thing.

He jogs to the little tribal people and to Terzo this is said Tim temp tiiiiiiiiiiiiim. Pettytihib. Pim. Tem. Tiiiiiiiiiiim. Troisseau beckons Zeni Terzo these little people are the coolest most eager to please welcome to our home. Timprunkh is the captain type and he’s hilarious.. I really think that you would dig these guys too if you just got to know them. You never said a word to them though. I told them that your girlfriend is a really complicated women and that you got a lot on your mind. They’re cool those guys are great but really? You didn’t even introduce yourself we are going to have to come back here. We are not even going to get a chance to see Dov- Under Mound. But the plan is we circle back after we crush this eikon business. Basically these guys want us to be guests of honor for their four day throw down dune feast!

A little person taps Troisseau on his elbow and says Tin him toodurimrim Turin trueum trim triiim tryrrree Troisseau heaves a sigh and says Okay! Our desert allies have readied their vessel and are going to bring us back to the Hotel! <Aqua>I have no idea what this vessel is but we’re going to find out He does a little more of the should grabs shaking and patting Terzo in advance of his battle It’s Terzo Zeni time! You’ve vanquished this scourge before, show them that the second time around is always so much greater than the first time! You ready! You’re ready! If this doesn’t work we’re all going to die but no pressure friend you’re going to be amazing!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

It is very interesting indeed, the cauldron.  I must say Terzo, I like this place. It is not what it seems though. I do not believe this dessert ever ends. In no direction would we reach our lands, ever. There’s no sun, though somehow there is a source of light here. No stars and that’s not our sky Terzo. Yes! I understand now! Terzo, I do see why Pandrosus put us where she did. She knew that I would recognize where we are being held. But I do not know when we are to return or how we would know that it is safe to come back. She did see the cauldron she knew that I would eventually understand but that is as far as her plan went. Troisseau closes his eyes and moves his arms inward to his chest, seemingly perceiving something inside of him. He looks worried.

Tell me about the entity. It is ancient I gather. It thinks I am delicious and Penelope would be a tasty treat as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

Terzo shrugs. "In all honesty, I've no idea how old it is or how many years it lives. I'd tell you that I think it's existence is nonsense, if I hadn't seen one with my own eyes. But as it was once explained to me by Pandrosus, there are many of them. They are sentient parasites that feed off the energy of gates between dimensions. Supposedly they try to keep a low profile, and dwell in these gates undetected as long as possible. They sort of a 'foot in the door.' They keep the gates open, and Pandrosus' patron apparently does not notice it unless they get greedy. If she does, she pinches them off like ticks and discards them. This particular one, however, the one I saw..." He frowns, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's different. It's ambitious, and Pandrosus claims it devoured her predecessor in Tarn approximately 80 years ago."

"Then she is in danger, Terzo. I have no doubt she can hold her own, but she is rash. Overconfident. Arrogant. Perhaps she is not as clever or powerful as she believes? What will happen to Alycone, then?"

Terzo was silent. Thoughtful.

"I believe now that Pandrosus truly did something heroic for us. But she is a nitwit! I don't understand it. Suddenly she cares about a life? She rolled her eyes and mocked me for the brutal and IDIOTIC brutality to someone I’ve known for 20 years! She really angers me Terzo! Arman’s half brother had the most relevant information to share, and he’s ruthless and vile. She could have asked me and I would have told her she could have her way with Shiloh. No she doesn’t need to ask questions, of course not! Again, over-confidence and rashness!" His face became red, and his speech more passionate. His words switched between the common language and the native language of Alcyone when he cursed. "She underestimates everyone, Zeni! She thinks of everyone else as ignorant and dismisses their ideas or their convictions! I'm certain she underestimates the beast. She needed your assistance twenty years ago, did she not?"

Troisseau’s jaw drops and his skin fades in color. "Some of what I have said about Madame Penelope is untrue. She is endlessly frustrating Terzo!"

Terzo looks to Troisseau with wide eyes, nodding. "Imagine knowing her your entire life, and you will begin to understand why I made such an effort to warn you!"

The small hooded beings had reached them by that point and there was a discordant cacophony of chattering clicks and buzzing as if it were an excited swarm of locusts and cicada.

Terzo looked to them, and then back to Troisseau. With a sweat-drenched brow and wild eyes, his signature composure faded and he burst into a deep-chested laughter, collapsing onto his knees like a madman, gasping for breath between the bouts of laughter.

Troisseau looked down at him, his mouth agape at his companions sudden outburst. The insect-like beings seem to fall into a silent confusion.

Terzo flopped over onto his back and gazed up at the empty desert sky--no sun, no stars! "It is all absurd!" He shouted up at nobody in particular.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Tue 29 Dec 2020.