"Point taken," Bob nods. "Avoid the black bits or you will be forever lost in whatever's beyond it. And it's a tomb, you say? What about that icy-looking building there, is it a tomb too?"

There was an odd shift of the air, where no one was looking. And then footsteps.

"The dilemma is in fact the state of these Tombs that were meant to never be entered."

The robbed and masked figure stepped forward from the shadows, waiting for all those present to give them their undivided attention. After patiently waiting, the Emissary nodded to the gathered figures. "The Tomb of Night exposed itself two nights ago. The Night that is supposed to forevermore seal it away has been pulling away, until we are at this point. As yet, no other tomb in Nexus has opened itself to entry, but this concerns the Council if this is but the first of the six tombs to reveal a way forward."

In reply to Gyrvin Malcrus (msg # 36):

A soft smile touched Righteous Palm's lips and she nodded, a slow blink of satisfaction closing her eyes. "I am honored, Humble Prospects. I would meet your fellow and, when I am ready, I would seek your tutelage. In kind and in payment, I would help you teach. I am sure that, with my help, your students might master their lessons even more quickly, and grow in ways they had not expected." She bowed again, slightly, fist pressed to open palm.

Humble Prospect nods her head, "I will write a note of introduction to Nijara, yes. She might hear you out. Though....you might wish to have more then simply Humble Prospect's word, yes. She guards many secrets and to share many of them she will need much convincing. So, to you I shall send a messenger to go with the message. Young Malcrus will go. Tell the others what Humble Prospect has agreed to. So none may say you give false testimony, no." Her gaze had switched to Malcrus as she spoke.

The younger man glanced around the room and then bowed to his sifu deeply enough his expression was hidden for a few moments, "As you wish, sifu. I will gladly undertake this task."

With but a mote of Peripheral essence, the Reveler's caste mark came forth as a faint brand.  Knowledge of every expected pleasantry and customer also came with it.  And the fact that the Reveler demonstrated a charm that she could have otherwise hid... was a sign of courtesy to the Emissary.

"And you fear the city's lodgings will not be enough for the deluge of Scavenger Lords who will flock to this tomb?"

She smiled in a humorous manner.  It was an icebreaker joke... designed to put everyone at ease.

"Putting jokes aside, Emissary... I admire your decisiveness in quickly seeing this problem and wanting it solved.  I assume you have already attempted some remedies yourself?  Despite the obvious irony, tombs are not my specialty.  However in the interest of good relations, I could consult some sources... if it is information you seek."

Her ties to the Underworld could bear fruit as could her Necromancy, given that there were corpses present (and maybe ghosts too).  Of course the Reveler suspected the Emissary was really looking for action... presumably from the assembled Exalts.  He had yet to specifically request it though.

Bob is mildly surprised to see the Solar Caste Mark on Reveler's forehead, but not THAT surprised - plenty of demons have told him about the terrible golden marks on the heads of the Exalted who cast down their titanic masters in an age long past. He briefly considers showing off his own Caste Mark but decides not to. If this Emissary fellow really is that amazing, he'll probably find out himself, and if he isn't, no need to help him out just yet.

"I don't know much about the dead, beyond the fact that salt works on them (usually). But I have some confidence in my skill with the sword and I can be discreet. Also, would you mind if I took a look around the place after this?"

"If you wish for us to investigate the tombs, we would expect just compensation for the inherent risks, afterall until now even getting near them was a guaranteed death sentence, and it's entirely possible that it still is within."

Weaver would refrain from a display, this was the city of business, lies, and they'd gain nothing from revealing exactly what they were if the involved parties did not already know.

"We do business here because it is convenient and relatively low-risk for us and our plans. Please understand, whilst our schedule is relatively open, we have appointments and plans in the future that we'd rather not miss due to being dead."

They were rather curious, but they would've started initially with some expendable assets, and they didn't quite like the prospect of being among those.

The masked figure turned their head as they waited for those present to speak. Each in turn, until the last of them spoke. "The Council is willing to present substantial compensation for this task, especially for those who are recognizably above the norm."

With a piercing gaze as they tilted their head to one side, the Emissary would gesture to the exposed Tomb of Night. "Assisting the city benefits all who live here, the least of whom are yourselves. Before you enter, be aware that  there was a group of odd individuals witnessed entering the Tomb just last night. No one recognized them,  as they were wearing some kind of face covering and were using eye covers as well."

A moment as the Emissary was silent. They stepped away from the Tomb now, expecting the gathered figures to make a decision quickly. "In addition to the Council's pay," they added, as they paused in mid strid, "you are entitled to keep any treasures you can claim and retain from inside."

The fact that others had already tried to enter the tomb was interesting.  Maybe they had something to do with the waning defenses?  The Reveler could only guess at this stage.  Tomb raiding was not of great interest to herself, but stabilizing the tomb was a worthy endeavor.  She was somewhat curious about the shadowlands type atmosphere, but only so long as it didn't kill her.

The Reveler began to examine the freshly preserved corpses that lay outside the Tomb's deadly shadows.  She wanted one that looked fancy (like a scavenger lord or 'exceptional being'), but also needed a body that was somewhat 'modern'.  Once she had a suitable body (or maybe two), the Reveler could call forth their ghosts and interview them about the tomb.  Of course, she would need an hour for the necromantic summoning spell and be required to enter the Underworld first (something she could do with another of her spells).  Naturally the Reveler planned to share her intentions with Weaver and the others, before she acted.

Maybe they could use the time I need to prepare or research other things.  Assuming everyone is on board with this exploration...

[Private to GM: OOC: so how many preserved corpses fit Reveler's characteristics and what do said candidates (briefly) look like?]

Bob thinks, and then shrugs. It was a living; why not go for it?

"Well, I don't mind," he says, and then he approaches the tombs, though only enough to examine them. He focuses on the surroundings of the Tomb of Night, and then suddenly the events of the past begin washing over him. Here a desperate, fleeing man rushes into the Tomb's perimeter, there a pack of armed men cautiously approach the entrance. Phantom images of the visitors to the Tomb overlap, hundreds, if not thousands of eyars' worth of phantoms, and he struggles to focus on what is most important as he negotiates the tide of information.

OOC: Using Crafty Observation Method + 2nd Investigation Excellency (10m) to study the Tomb surroundings. Total of 15m out of Personal, refunding 4m from a 2d stunt.

Per 5 + Inv 5 + Spec 3 + Stunt 2

14:36, Today: Bob Zadkal rolled 6 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,8,8,1,1,10,6,6,7,4,2,2,4,6,7)).

+5 successes from the second Excellency, total of 11 sux.

In reply to Gyrvin Malcrus (msg # 45):

Righteous Palm bowed in return. "You have chosen well. Thank you for your assistance in this." If she noticed any reticence in the sifu's student, she showed no sign of it. Instead, she turned to him, offering the same martial salute. "Shall we," she posed with a brief tilt of the head. Her expression was impassive, though her eyes shone in the light of the dojo.

"We shall return after taking care of some business."

The Prophet would return to the temple, there were weapons to retrieve and contingencies to set up.

They'd return shortly thereafter, carrying their favoured equipment with a silver cloud in tow.

"We fully expect there to be hostilities of some sort within, the Nimbus here shall provide emergency transport for any incapacitated individuals in order for us to remain unburdened by casualties."

[Private to The Teller of Tales and Legend: The contingencies in question are mostly just extensions of standing orders, and messages to be sent to far flung cells either by courier or Brotherhood sorcerererer.]

The bodies were not recent, based upon attire fashion and many other clues revealing that the bodies were from a variety of centuries. These were those who had wandered into the Night of the Tomb over the centuries, not those who had come since the protections here had waned.

The inquisitive Solar, as he would channel his magics to inspect what he was seeing, could almost hear works being whispered. He could recognize the root language, a dialect of Old Realm, but it wasn't the same he was familiar with. A few words though, stood out. "Eight Seals", "Ot", and something about a "Devourer." The men who he could see entering were styles of clothing that were not at all familiar, their faces and head covered by breathing masks and some kind of goggles.

The Tomb, regardless, awaited them and any others daring enough to brave entry.




[Private to The Reveler of Night's Glamor: Many of the bodies you find match what one expected some two to four centuries ago. The bodies are preserved, though some of them even now appear as if time is rapidly catching up. None that fit the image of a Scavanger Lord, however.  ]

Malcrus nods his head though his eyes stay locked on Palm's face as though studying her for the first time, "Of course. Do you have a destination in mind? Perhaps another dojo you wish to visit before visiting Mistress Nijara's?"

The Reveler finished her (safely from a distance) inspection of the bodies... and shared her findings.

"I could try to raise some of these poor unfortunates and have them scout ahead for danger, especially given the traps that might await us within.  At any rate, all bodies should be relocated to a funeral parlor and ringed with salt... until they can be properly laid to rest or preserved according to the wishes of their owners.  Hungry ghosts and angry spirits are a possibility, if they are left here."

She paused.  It was quite possible she could recruit a ghost (or more) from among the tomb's victims.  Such a thing would advance her Nexus plans.  But that was something to consider for later...

"I could also attempt to summon their ghosts, but that might be a time consuming process... an hour for each.  If they perished where they fell, there might not be any 'inside information'... only what they knew before they entered.  What do you think, Weaver?"

[Private to GM: Given the strange Tomb of Night's vibe, would IT count as a shadowland for purposes of necromancy, abyssal charms & abilities?]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Mon 26 Oct 2020.

Bob adds what he discovered from his examination of the scene.

"I agree about burying the dead. Are goggles and breathing masks standard issue here, in Nexus?"

Bob is reminded of the insects mortals used to survive the miasma of Hell; perhaps the denizens of Nexus used something similar?

"We do not encourage the usage of undead, it is risky and not our area of expertise, but do what you think ought be done. As for the masks and goggles, no we haven't ever seen that here but it's actually a very good idea and we should probably begin attempts to create our own version for distribution."

The strangers seemed to be the more than just regular tomb-raiders, they'd need to see what these new folks were about and who they work for.

"We recommend taking them alive if at all possible, this could be an excellent opportunity to extract information."

The Reveler picked three ancient corpses, guessing that their ghosts had enter Lethe (or Oblivion) long ago.  Conjuring a black ball of essence in her palm, she waved it before the trio of decaying corpses... willing them into service.  Some of her expended essence was invisible to the naked eye, other portions of it manifested as black light and a bleeding castemark on her forehead.  The Reveler did not wish to create a 'large' lightshow and spook the populace.

The undead servitors shambled towards her and then stood at attention, awaiting orders from their new mistress.  But before she gave them orders, the Reveler addressed Weaver.

"Kane, if we are going to acquire masks... can you also arrange a wagon and a small barrel of salt?  I'll have these boys load corpses into the wagon.  I'd like to interview their ghosts afterwards and then see about reuniting them with family... except for any who would choose my company instead."

The Reveler then went about directing her minions to gather bodies and potentially trigger any outside defenses from a safe distance.

"The masks were to be a project, we cannot make some on such short notice, we can direct some of our people to bring a wagon and salt though."

The Lunar couldn't do much while the others did their thing, they specialized in the living. The request was made in short order, it'd likely take several hours for it to actually arrive though, and it'd likely be best for them to deal with the inside of the tomb sooner rather than later.

"We think that the exploration should begin soon. Delaying further only gives any potential enemies more time to acquire dangerous items and/or prepare for the arival of hostiles."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

Bob nods.

"Well, I can go right away. Not like I've got any luggage to unpack or anything. Who's coming with us?"

He asks for a slate, and quickly sketches the mask and goggle set he saw.

"Might want to ask around and see if the guards or the savants find these guys familiar. They make my significance sense tingle."

There would be a faint rumble, like a quake tremor, that could be felt centering from within the squat black Jade building. Two more would follow before the earth seemed to calm.

And then came the voice from inside the tomb, a bare,y audible echo.

"That... could be ominous.  Should we perhaps move forward to exploration?"

The Reveler called her zombies off their body collection task and sent one of them inside to trigger any tomb traps or ambushers.  The other zombies formed up as walking shields for the exalts.  In death they could still benefit the living.

Bob does a double take at Reveler's undead entourage, and then he says a quiet prayer for their souls. The living dead are abominations, he knows... but now is not the time to start a fight.

That said, he does turn to the Abyssal and indicates her zombies.

"They're just meat, right? Nothing more?"

“Correct.  If their souls still linger elsewhere, I will thank them later.  Ordinarily I would not bother but these tomb traps could prove deadly.”

"Well, it's a sensible use of a corpse," Bob shrugs. Principles were a thing, and so was practicality, and he wasn't nearly hardheaded enough to insist that an ally not help just because of unsavory methods. Part of him still wants them to be properly buried, but truth to be told, he just can't be bothered.

Besides, he's supposed to be a soul-sucking liar demon parasite who had ANOTHER flesh-swimming demon swimming around inside him, so it's not like he has much moral high ground of which to speak.