Before the Dragon came,
When water ran like silt.
Krath's all-embracing flame,
But an emblem on a hilt.

Child, have you ever seen the rain?
The great storms in those days.
Not dust nor ash but tears shed plain
By the lord of the waterways.
   For [...] is [...] name.

 -A fragment from a liturgical scroll kept within the Basilicus Templarate Library.

It is Year 715 After the Dragon's Defeat. The sorcerous overlord of Tyr, Nergal, has been dead for 15 years. The Ruling Council of the self proclaimed free city defeated the forces of Urik five years ago. One year ago, your House discovered the location of the Lost Oasis - a seemingly miraculous source of freshwater just three days' journey from the walls of Tyr. If you can secure this wellspring, it will bring great fortune and prestige to you and yours, but only if you can keep it.

---

At the House's outpost at Lost Oasis, there has been ominous noises on the wind of late. For the last fortnight, the sandstorms have been especially bitter and cruel, bringing along with them a wretched croaking gasping noise that has frightened the household guard. Some men have reported seeing emaciated figures in the dust at night. You have managed to fortify and camouflage the oasis as best you can, but the wildlife relies upon its waters, and they do leave tracks. One evening, a ragged old man in frayed robes, face burnt by the sun Krath overhead, stumbles into the Oasis. He falls prostrate before the water, murmuring prayers under his breath. He managed to slip past all of your patrols, and is now asking to speak to someone in charge of the outpost.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Fri 10 Feb 2023.

Fate, it seems, has brought all of you to Oasis at the same time as the appearance of this stranger from the desert.

Voices in the dark awoke Cassilda, if indeed she does sleep like other mortal men, at Il Mercato, the Bellacquan compound in Tyr. The house was silent, and nothing could be heard aside from the skittering of the odd desert mouse or the winds buffeting the rooftops. But there it was, an authoritative, patrician voice radiating from her cloak: "something lost is to be found... seek out... the oasis..." Soon enough, she was on the next caravan there.

Lord Dante Bellacqua, third and favored son of Prince Orsino, was already spending his time at the Lost Oasis consolidating his interests, expediting water extraction, and whatever else he saw fit when sarjent Kem of the Famiglia guard notifies him of the intruder. "My lord," Kem says. "A pilgrim appears to have somehow infiltrated our perimeter, I don't know how he wasn't spotted. Shall we have him brought to your tent?"

Arriving on the same caravan as Cassilda, Renzo DiBellacqua comes bearing a missive from Prince Orsino himself: the Ruling Council of Tyr has hired Bellacqua to provide the water rations for a militia expedition against Urik. Renzo, you know this is a dangerous game, as accepting the contract will show Bellacqua's hand. As far as you know, none of the other Houses are aware of the Oasis. But to decline the contract would also lead to financial ruination. "Damned if we do, bankrupt if we don't," were the prince's words. Orsino has sent you and your uncle Lord Ismael to the Oasis to strategize with Dante as how to best conceal your operations out here in the desert while still meeting the terms of the Council's contract.

Roland Rock, you were watering the pack animals and tending to their needs at the edge of the cool waters of the Oasis. You'd been assigned there since its discovery, and you're one of the more trusted hands of the operation. You were enjoying a rare, gentle breeze when suddenly there was a man, bent over in prayer at your side. His skin was blistered and boiled, and his garb frayed and warn. But his voice, although parched, was clear. "They were right... they were right, by the dust of the gods, I knew it. I knew it. Praise be to Anki. Praise be." He clutches something in his hands, it looks vaguely skeletal.

The master of the caravan taking Cassilda, Renzo, and Lord Ismael is none other than Tova Dan Yarblek. Tova, you know these routes better than most, being a crafty itinerant traveler. Something was, indeed, odd about the winds on the journey south from Tyr to the Oasis. You've made the journey at least a hundred times by now, and not once did you spot any wildlife. There were no tracks, no birds overhead, no beetles or giant spiders. Very odd. At one point, the caravan passed by a dead sunback, a type of lizard often domesticated for travel. Although it appeared as if it had only recently died, in the last hour or so, it was a bone dry husk. How curious.

Finally, there is the Ida-Tyr. You were in Tyr when Mehemet of the Benduin, the desert band that saved you from the storm years ago, rides into the city to speak with you. He asks that you accompany him to an oddity that his tribe has found out in the wastes. Presumably, you agree. Mehemet shows you to a cave about an hours ride from the Lost Oasis. Several other members of the Benduin sit in the shade there, grim, swords at the ready. Mehemet shows you into the cave, and you are struck by what you see: dried corpses. This would not be entirely out of the ordinary in the wastes if it weren't for one detail, they're all desiccated husks. The bodies belong mostly to animals, but there are a few stray travelers among the dead. "We know the House of Bellacqua controls the oasis near here," Mehemet says. "Our people have stories of that place. Of an unquenchable thirst. Have you encountered anything that could have done this? It has fed on our own."

And so our story begins...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:55, Thu 09 Feb 2023.

Roland turned to the man, already displeased with their presence. It wasn't the fact that they were muttering to themselves, that they seemed to be insane or that they were clutching what looked like a dead animal. Roland simply didn't like when people snuck up to him, intended or not. However, hiding his displeasure had been one of many talents he had acquired from his lifetime of service to the Bellacqua.

With a genuine-looking smile and a slightly condescending tone, the servant adressed the stranger. "Can I help you, sir?"

The wagon that Tova sat in rolled through the sands, rocking gently from side to side, both with the varying pulls of the dray animals attached to it, and the rise and fall of the sand path.  Tova snapped the reins, more to encourage the animals to keep walking, rather than for any need to steer.  The flask at Tova's hip sloshed comfortably, and he took a pull from it, feeling the burn of the liquor inside as it went down.  He had been taking light sips from it since the first strange sign, but this was the first full pull he took since they had set out.  Not that he would ever let anyone else know how sober he actually was.

A horseman came up alongside, one of the outriders that would range and then return as the caravan snaked its way along.  Tova looked to the rider, a man with extra cloth around his neck which could be pulled into place to repel a sandstorm should they be overtaken.  Tova nodded to the man.

"All looks clear.  An easy run.  Keep an eye out towards the horizon for anyone stalking the caravan.  It's possible someone ordered this water to try and track its source.  If you find any more dead animals, bring them to Tova.  Perhaps the lords would like a special desert treat when we arrive."

Tova smirked and broke into laughter, and the horseman knew this was a bit of Tova's odd humor.  No one would willingly eat desert carrion, let alone the dessicated carcasses they had found.  The horseman would take this to the other outriders and spread the word of his irreverence.  It would make for odd musings around the campfire later, and a general sense that Tova was a fool who didn't know how lucky he was.

Tova knew that his life had never been so risky, being trusted with the care of three Bellacqua familia.  When he was asked to take them, they used a specific phrase that made Tova's blood run cold.

"Custos Comitatus"

Tova knew they only broke out the old tongue when it was a formal matter.  Custos was a guardian.  Comitatus was an old phrase which used to be used only for the military, meaning a special company bound by oaths.  In the current vulgar it was also used for a commissioned caravan with official importance.

He was being called on to be the guardian for everyone on this caravan.  And guardians had a special responsibility.  If they failed, they would often be blamed for the failure, even if the failure was the result of an underling, or worse, a member of the familia.

Tova's head was on the line here.  And things going wrong on the way in was a bad sign.  Much like the La Bella Donna requesting to come on this trip.

Something was wrong from the start.  Something that Tova absolutely needed to prove had been a problem before they even got there.  And if he could do it when everyone believed he was both drunk and ignorant of how bad things were, he had a chance of appearing both skilled and yet unimportant enough to avoid promotion to a role that might eventually cost him his head.

Tova finally stopped laughing as the horseman rode off, and he adjusted his hat to keep the sun out of his eyes.

If he was lucky, it would be young Renzo riding up soon.  The lad was a genuine bastard, and a wonderful audience for Tova.

And if Renzo was talking with Tova, then it would prevent Lord Ismael from coming to find him.  The older man, Orlando's eldest brother, was notorious for lashing out at the help when things went wrong, and this already looked bad.  Tova did not wish to earn that man's ire.  He'd seen the whip marks on an old half-deaf gardener who had not gotten out of Ismael's way in a timely fashion one day.  Tova had few illusions of what might happen to a real outsider.

He whistled off-tune, and flexed the reins in his hands.  A lazy smile set itself on his face.  Master Merchant Tova, drunkard and fool, continued to lead the caravan towards their destination.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:08, Tue 07 Feb 2023.

Ida-Tyr pulls down the hood of his cloak, moves into the cave and looks over the bodies slowly. Silently, he looks at each one by one, looking for any details or wounds. After a period of intense investigation, Ida-Tyr steps back to the mouth of the cave and looks slowly over the horizon. Mehemet waits, well aware that Ida-Tyr will only speak when he is ready.

After a pause, Ida-Tyr begins to speak, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Please tell me the stories you have heard of the oasis. And these bodies- how old are they? And when has this happened to your people? Any details you have, particularly times things happened."

Ida-Tyr nods slowly with each point, still slowly scanning the horizon. He waits for Mehemet's reply, not showing any reaction to the armed tribesmen nearby. Mehemet and Ida-Tyr both remembered who saved Ida-Tyr from the desert, and the trust that had grown between them had only grown deeper with time and favors on both sides.

Renzo plods along the track on the saddle-beast beneath him, climbing the long, sloping ridge. He is out ahead of the caravan--a plum assignment that keeps him from eating the dust of the score of wagons in the train. No point pushing his mount much faster than the wagons behind him.

Then he tops the crest and there it is, shimmering in the westering sun like a blue and green mantle thrown down across the sands. He catches the cool, pure scent of the water, so different than the dusty, baked smell that clogged his nostrils the moment before. He feels a thrill almost equal to the first day when he and Dante beheld it.

That day he was a stranger, uncertain of his welcome among his father's family. A foreigner, a half-blood, a bastard by their lights, craving a place in his father's name, the youngest of the siblings of the reigning generation. Their dead brother, though he didn't yet know that. Dante had not told him in the weeks of their journey. There was little to his claim but a signet ring and a letter from his mother, which he could well have penned himself.

Yet they had acknowledged him, accepted him...to some extent. They termed him DiBellacqua, "of Bellacqua", not fully family but more, perhaps, than the servants of the Famiglia. Perhaps.

He had a certain credit with them for the message he brought from Dante to apprise Prince Orsino of the discovery of this oasis: So much clean water spreading over the arid land, immense wealth for any House that might claim it, and hold it. And the message he carried had given House Bellacqua the jump on their rivals and now it is theirs. If they can hold it.

He turns his steed, with some difficulty as the beast too has scented the water, and goes back down the ridge at a faster pace than he climbed it, First, to Tova in the lead wagon so he can urge the caravan forward. Then, on along the line to the wagon bearing the Lady Cassilda Bellacqua, to scrape a bit of favor with that mysterious lady by bearing tidings that the trek was nearly done.

Every day he builds his place in House Bellacqua, a favor here, a service there, a clever trade, a scrap of news. Like bricks laid to create a tower, raising it, raising him higher and higher. He has put together a foundation, now he builds, course upon course. Who knows how tall it may one day reach, how high it might lift him.

`

Lord Dante appeared quite irritated that somehow a pilgrim had penetrated the camps defenses. He nodded before addressing Kem. "Yes! Search him for weapons and then send him to my tent. I want to meet him alone, you can leave two guards outside while I interrogate him." Dante then left for his tent as he had currently been inspecting the work of his employees.

"Help me? Are you in charge here? Are you these... Bellacqua? Those who would profane this sacred place? No, no, no, there is nothing you can do to help me, my kingdom is not of this dust and grit, but of vast oceans... have you even seen an ocean before? I have. My Lord Anki has sent them to me in dreams. Blue dreams."

Liar's Tell: This man may be insane, but he believes wholly in what he's saying.


At that, several Famiglia guards slide down the slope of the dunes that surround the Oasis and roughly grab the hermit. They throw him roughly to his knees and search him for weapons. One of the guards pries a curious skeletal key from his hands.

On the other side of camp, Dante is about to duck under the flap of his personal tent when he sees a caravan crest the horizon. It bears the personal heraldry of Lord Ismaael and Cassilda.

Wilderness Mastery: How could a man on foot reach this Oasis from any corner of civilization? You cannot carry enough water on your back to get here from Tyr. Impossible.
Command: Kem is spooked that this mad hermit got through his men's patrols.



When Renzo turns towards the caravan he is informed that the Oasis has been sighted. Despite Tova's hopes, Lord Ismael does indeed ride up to the bastard. Within earshot of half the caravan, Tova included, Lord Ismael lowers the headscarf protecting his face and says, "Curious, isn't it Renzo, that my nephew Dante should be the master of this treasure in the desert. I've always thought you the more capable one, your heritage notwithstanding. Your father, may his dust find peace, the more worthy inheritor of Princedom. Curious indeed, don't you think?"

Ismael rides on, not awaiting a response, his whip cracking at any stragglers.

Nobility: This stinks of a power struggle. Is Ismael making a play for the House throne?
Liar's Tell: To Ismael, Renzo is nothing but a bastard boy, an uppity servant, and perhaps a useful tool.
Felonious Intent: Ismael is certainly plotting something that goes against Prince Orsino's interests.


Tova overhears this exchange. Custos Comitatus indeed. An outrider returns to Tova as the caravan pulls into the trade circle at the Oasis. "Tova, I rode fast as I could. There are several Benduin rangers at a rocky outcropping an hour from here. My map shows it as a desert cave. They certainly saw us... and... that is all."

Liar's Tell: This man is withholding some of the whole truth.


The desiccated corpses don't appear to have any visible exterior wounds, but they are incredibly strange to behold. They all would seem to be recently dead, but look dryer than any dead thing Ida-Tyr has ever come across on his travels. The human travelers especially have looks of abject horror plastered on their faces. They died violent deaths.

In Ida's investigation, he finds a scroll of parchment upon one of the dead travelers. It is a contract for transportation. A man named Adath agreed to pay a sum of 150 Tyrian coins for safe passage to this area of the desert. There are notes from the House arranging the transportation to have the man pay in full up front.

Outside the cave, Mehemet says, "These bodies are fresh. Several of my people sheltered here not three days ago. The cave was empty then. Since then, we have lost five of our own to whatever did this. They were like those in the cave. Drained. The stories? My father would tell us that this Oasis your House controls - it is concealing something more. He would refuse to speak of this, but he warned us that there are things in the wastes that thirst eternal. If your people have not seen anything, than we must return to our camp."

Corruption: There is a faint imprint of a curse at work upon these bodies... Ancient power...
Forgotten Lore: Memory serves of legends of creatures whose thirst cannot be quenched, even unto death itself...
Leechcraft: These bodies were expertly drained of every last drop of moisture.

Tova smiles at the outrider with new news.  And then he gestures the rider closer, so he can speak conspiratorially to them.  "It is a good thing you have arrived with that news.  Tova has known many a Beduin ranger before.  They are fierce, enduring, and rightfully full of pride.  Indeed, Tova is certain that you are choosing not to tell him the whole story because you fear the bite of their displeasure more than the wrathful whip of Lord Ismael, neh?  But come,  who is the kinder man?  Tova or your Lord?  Perhaps you recall something more you can share.  The kind of thing that will help to avert a disaster?  Perhaps the kind of information that, used in the right way, could make you a hero?  Tova is all ears."

Tova guided the wagon along, deeper into the valley.  Before long they would circle up and unload.  So much to do.  So much to do.  But it would be best to avoid trouble until everything could fall squarely at Dante's feet.  Or even better, at Lord Ismael's feet, which might help young Renzo as well.

The hardened member of the Famigilia, his name is Urmo, shifts in his saddle as the caravan circles up. "I-- I don't know if what I saw is what I saw, I'm no hero, Tova. I'm out here for the work. But..."

Urmo shakes his head. "No, I couldn't have seen it. It must be the sun, getting to my head."

Roland Rock made sure not to lose his smile. The guards must be slacking if this madman had managed to slip all the way to the stables. Still, he didn't seem particularly dangerous. And today hadn't been particularly interesting.

"Oh, I'm not. I cannot say what Lord I serve, for I am in a secret mission. I was sent to infiltrate the Bellacqua and make reports about their heresy. Lord Anki, huh? It has been a while since I heard the name. What is your purpose here? It'd be bothersome if we accidentally stepped on each other's toes, Mr...?"

Tova takes his flask from his side and hands it over to the outrider.  ”The sun is hot, and a cool drink will clear your head.  Then you can tell Tova what strange thing you saw.  Tova will not tell a soul unless it will help you earn more coin.”

Toga’s flask contains a liquor that has strong notes of anise and mint.  It also burns on the way down, as it tends to be at least 90 proof.

The hermit eyes Roland conspiratorially and licks his cracked lips, "If not Anki... Then Enlil? But... you... you're one of them?" He blinks as the guards stand aside. Sarjent Kem is approaching now, ordering him to be bound and strip searched.

As he's taken away, he whispers, "I am Adath, and I am the last priest of Anki." A single tear falls from the corner of his eye and evaporates before it hits the parched earth.

Servility: This man is a priest of the old gods! A servant of the dead divines. Some say they never existed at all! Imagine serving a dead master...


The outrider Urmo takes a swig, coughing, almost doubling over. He hands back the flask and wipes his mouth with his sleeve, wheezing, "How do you drink that lizard piss, Tova?"

The caravan begins to unpack as Urmo continues to cough. "Fine. I saw-- what did I see... there were three withered men, desiccated men watching the Benduin from a bluff. I think they saw me, and when they did, they vanished in a pillar of dust. I would have sworn it was a trick of Krath, but-- no, I know what I saw. It was sorcery of some kind. I know it."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:12, Sat 11 Feb 2023.

The carriage's interior was dark as if a starlit night prevailed therein; very little light bled through the gauzy canopy save at the level of the sideboards. Cassilda lounged upon a finely-upholstered chaise of woven rattan, attended by a pair of identical androgynous servants Renzo only knows as 'the twins'. Shooing them away, Cassilda thanked Renzo as he rode up with his news. "No mundane oasis, this. There are... forces at play here. An augury may be in order."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Sat 11 Feb 2023.

Lord Dante eagerly waits in his tent while the guards fetch the hermit, strip him of any potential weapons and bring him to the lavish tent. Two of the guards throw the hermit down on the ground in front of Dante and a third guards gives him the odd skeleton key. Dante gives the guards a knowing nod and they exit the tent to keep watch outside. Dante starts to pace around as he examines the skeleton key that was brought to him.

"You know... One of my best seems frightened by the fact that you made it past him and the other guards. How did you do it? You couldn't have traveled from Tyr, the journey is impossible for a single man."

Indeed. Corruption radiates in the desert surrounding the oasis. There is an ancient curse in the air.

Corruption: Ancient and delicious, wouldn't you want to live deliciously, with the power radiating from the sands itself, from another era? One need only indulge--
Prophecy: No good will come of any of this.
Corruption: Nonsense!


The hermit, Adath, sits humbly before Lord Dante, bowing his head to the carpet and murmuring hymns under his breath. After some time, he seems to grow calm and says, "We set out from Tyr with three men and a caravan of provisions. But in the desert, those men were tested. Their lack of faith was their demise. I ask you now, my lord: will you keep faith with Anki, as I have?"

The skeletal key is a strange trinket. It is seemingly the remains of some manner of creature, but nothing Dante has ever seen. It is no lizard or carru, nothing with an exoskeleton like a beetlebug. Very odd. Where the creature's mouth would be are instead carved the notches of a key.

Tactics of Death: Their faith was tested, or they were slaughtered to a man?
Spot Frailty: He's sunsick, but there's not a battle wound on him.
Nobility: A literal skeleton key, what, does it unlock some sire's tomb?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:22, Mon 13 Feb 2023.

"You are too kind, my Lord Uncle." Renzo manages to get that much out before the man turns his steed away. And I wonder why, the young man muses to himself. He has no doubt that a half dozen mouths will repeat this exchange to Dante before the sun sets.

He rides back along the caravan, giving Tova an absentminded wave. Now I must somehow show Dante that I have no designs on his position at this place or in the Family. Bugger.

As the wagons begin to circle, he seeks out La Bella Donna's conveyance, dismounting when he reaches it. The curtains are still lowered all around and the lady not likely to emerge until her pavilion is erected and furnished, which her servants are busy about now. He approaches the wagon.

"Most esteemed kinswoman," he speaks to the blank cloth that encloses Cassilda, "It is Renzo. Is there any slight service I might provide you?" He waits patiently for a response. Thus does a junior aspirant seek to improve his position in House Bellacqua. Besides, he rather likes his so-mysterious... Aunt? Cousin? Grandmother? No one in the famiglia seems quite certain.

As Tova dismounts and waves men to carry supplies and materials the caravan becomes a bustle of activity.  There are tents to be erected, containers to be brought to the oasis, and a constant stream of workers would be needed to fill and transport filled containers.

Tova directed the campfollowers to set up bedding and cookfires, and then directed that a cask of dilute beer be opened to help motivate the workers and raise morale.  Then he called in the outriders, and told them to water their horses before going to provide their services to the Oasis guard.

To Urmo, Tova gave specific directions.  "Good man, go water your mount, and get some food.  Before dusk you should ride the perimeter and look for odd signs.  Report back to Tova with anything you find.  If the caravan can make it out of this place without peril, you will receive an extra share for your troubles."

Then Tova went looking for Lord Dante.  As soon as he could transition the safety over to the Lord of the Oasis, the sooner he could avoid the blame for the trouble coming.

The Twins beg their leave as they slip out of Cassilda's carriage, affording their lady some extra privacy with Renzo.


The caravan hands do as Tova bids, gratefully cracking open that cask of beer.

The three outriders begin to lead their lizards and beetles to the Oasis. Urmo nods and tells Tova, pulling the reins on his sunback, "I'll keep a third eye open, aye. It'll take an extra measure of shade and luck to get this shipment out... Dustmen and all."

Asking around camp for Lord Dante's location, Tova is directed to the nobleman's tent. Sarjent Kem is standing watch just outside the structure. He pokes his head into the tent to announce Tova's arrival, and pulls back the sand tarp. "Caught this bastard inside the perimeter," Kem mutters to Tova under his breath, jutting his thumb at Adath. "Sun-mad and Krath scorched."

Servility: Kem clearly hopes that Dante orders the man's immediate execution, it's not a good look to be the guard captain that lets a would-be saboteur into the House's most valuable holding.

Scurrilous Rumors: Was there not talk of some mad so-called 'priest' begging for coin at the Gladiator Pits Pub in old Tyr? Caused a minor stir with some bigwigs rumored to have Ruling Council connections...

"Hmm... Their faith was tested? Were you attacked by something? Whatever happened, you should consider yourself lucky for escaping without a scratch on you." Lord Dante continued to pace around, mumbling the word "Anki" as he contemplated what to do.

After some thinking he got down on one knee to meet the man at his eye level. He held up the esoteric key close to the face of Adath. "And this? It looks strangely similar to some key's that unlock noble tombs but I have a suspicion it's for something else."

Even after finishing with the horses, Roland couldn't keep his mind away from the encounter with Adath. He still wasn't sure he REALLY believed Adath to be in a REAL holy mission for the dead Gods... but his presence here was certainly interesting.

Finding himself an excuse, Roland made his way to Lord Dante's tent, to find... well, this was gonna be an interesting day. A lot of big players had gathered, at the same time a mysterious man made his way past the guards, unnoticed. Fate seemed to be playful.

The servant made sure not to directly approach Sarjent and the merchant he was talking to, but made himself visible in the nearby area, hoping to be spotted and quested with some menial task that may grant explicit permit to stick around.

Cassilda indulgently answers, “You are family, Renzo, bastardy or no. You may address me as Cassilda in private. ‘Milady’ will suffice in public..” The curtain parts and the steps lower without any sign of human agency, and the darkness within the canopy descends and wraps itself around Cassilda like a cloak. She murmurs something to it in an unfamiliar tongue as it does so. She steps forward to disembark, taking Renzo’s hand as she descends.

”Let us put in an appearance with Lord Dante,” she says, favoring Renzo with a quirk of her lips that borders on a smile almost.”No doubt he shall be happier to see you than I. Would you believe my presence disturbs some people?” She shows her teeth then, aware of the shared self-effacing joke.

Renzo hands the gracious lady down the steps with a slight bow. He brushes his lips over her knuckles before relinquishing it.

"It is my pleasure to accompany you anywhere, at anytime." He chuckles to show that her wirricism is appreciated.


"Indeed, Milady Cassilda, I can readily believe that your grace and beauty disturb all who gaze upon you." He smiles to show that his banter, though sincere enough, is meant to be taken lightly.

As they cross the encampment, Renzo is pleased by the stir the Lady causes and that he is seen as her attendant. At Dante's pavilion, he formally announces her to the guards: "The Lady Cassilda Bellacqua to see Lord Dante."

He notes the presence of Tova and Roland.

Tova nods as one functionary to another Sarjent Kem.  "So noted. Too many of these mad priests lately.  Of course, when all priests are mad, how can anyone tell the difference, neh?" Tova chuckled and elbowed the Sarjent.

Looking over to Roland, he waves at the man.  "Come, young Roland.  It will be a grand entrance!  The etherial Bella Donna, the young, bold, rising Lord, and now yourself, the knight of the Oasis, guardian of the liquid gold!  What wondrous company for Tova to find himself in.  All here to speak to the Keeper of the Lost!"

Tova's eyes fairly twinkle as the whole group moves into Dante's tent.

INTO the tent? Roland couldn't hold back his smile. He had hoped to simply be allowed to stay nearby to catch a hint of the conversation, but to be a direct witness was quite the treat. Tova Dan Yarblek made himself very hard to dislike, and Roland suspected the merchant was very aware of this power to convince others. The young servant couldn't help but to admire how skilled he was at wielding it.

"You are too kind, Master Tova. If it is your request, I don't see how anyone might refuse"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Wed 15 Feb 2023.

Ida-Tyr nods respectfully to Mehemet as he tucks the note away into a pocket. He looks down again at the bodies, then looks up to Mehemet.

Ida-Tyr speaks quietly, "I have not heard anything other than vague rumors, but I am heading to the oasis now. I will work to run down whatever curse has been loosed here. I would keep your people at a distance if you can."

He pauses again, then continues, "Do you know where your people were lost to this curse? If you feel comfortable telling me, where are you camped now?"

He does not want to impose on Mehemet, but would like to know how to reach him if possible. Ida-Tyr waits for the reply, and then if there is nothing to follow up after that, he will head to the oasis to investigate further.

Adath looks Dante square in the eye. "I... I was doubting for the longest time, but I found them, or, or, or they found me, and I Know now for certain what is true... It's a key! Not for a tomb, but for a Sacred Temple! A blessed place, you are fortunate to be standing here..."

As Kem shepherds everyone else into the tent in order of precedence, first Cassilda, then Renzo, and lastly Tova (Kem muttering to Tova: "You haven't even heard half of it, yet.") and Roland, Adath looks around at everyone and murmurs, "We are all so fortunate... I, yes, you must be the prophets I was told would be here- you're, you're going to spread the word! Oh, Anki."

He begins to weep openly in relief, falling onto his side before Lord Dante.

Cassilda's Insight
Corruption: Scrumptious magicks have sustained this man's body past its breaking point. Perhaps a taste...

Renzo's Insight
Scurrilous Rumors: This man looks quite similar to a priest causing a fuss at the Pits Pub! There was gossip someone from the Ruling Council collected him off the street...

Tova's Insight
Scurrilous Rumors: As above, but Tova's connections said they saw a templar with this mad hermit priest. A templar!


"Our camp is several leagues north of your oasis, follow the bluffs you see there," Mehemet points out a series of bluffs upon the horizon, "Into a low lying valley. We have pitched tents under a siltfall. We found them, like this, in their beds." Mehemet says a quick prayer to Krath under his breath. With that, Mehemet gathers his people and trudges off into the sands.

An odd pillar of dust seems to swirl upon the bluff Mehemet mentioned. The hairs on the back of Ida's neck stand up.

Vigilance: You are being watched by someone in hiding.
Corruption: Something in hiding...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:11, Fri 17 Feb 2023.

Renzo follows Lady Cassilda through the tent flaps being held open by servants. As he passes Roland, he gives the man a wink and quirks one side of his mouth into a wry smile. To Tova, he gives a wide smile and a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Once in Dante's presence, he makes a bow, not the nod of an equal but neither the low sweep of a servant. He waits for Cassilda or Dante to speak.

Cassilda glided forward, the shadow-cloak about her shoulders moving subtly as if caught by some otherworldly breeze. "Anki... you know the twins?" she queried the old man. "Oft caught between heaven and earth am I, for An in the ancient tongue means 'heaven' and Ki means 'earth'." She paused before Dante, meeting his eyes and coolly genuflecting. "They alone know which is which, and I suspect that changes at a whim. Much like their genders. Far easier to refer to them as a singular entity, one mind inhabiting two bodies."

Aa the man fell down in front of Dante the Lord merely let out a feint sigh. His gaze shifted from the man to the group that entered the tent, he gave them all a collective nod before looking back down at Adath. "A sacred temple? Continue..." He commanded Adath after Cassilda had said her piece.

Adath, his eyes bloodshot and teary, looks up at Cassilda and stutters, "Truly, then, you must have been sent for... Yes, yes, the heavens unto the very earth, the very parched earth. It is written- the rains, from heaven, tears, a god's tears... our lord- the temple, we are standing upon it! Right now! It is under us, buried deep by sand and stone and the sins of this wretched world, but, but, but-"

He swallows for a moment, snot hanging from his mouth. His lips are bloody and chapped.

"Together, we will save the world entire. We will bring back the rains. We will resurrect Anki, from the dead."

Renzo tries to keep his skepticism from showing too clearly.

"How do men bring rebirth to a god--or gods? How do gods die in the first place?"

He turns his eyes to Cassilda, trusting her knowledge and wisdom more than this ragged, wretched man: "Can you untangle these mysteries, Gracious Lady?"

Tova, quiet, now spoke up, playing his poker chip of knowledge into the mix.  "Such an action would be opposed by some.  Some who do not want your Anki returned.  The Dustmen, perhaps, would seek to stop that, neh?  The same ones that have drained the creatures of this region dry.  Speak the whole truth, traveler."

Cassilda traced the edge of Renzo's jaw with a sharp-nailed fingertip, her lips curled in a smile of absolute malevolence. "How do gods die, dear boy? Why... we kill them." She drifted to the head of the table, momentarily contemplated the chair there, then lowered herself into the chair to its left. "Do you not agree that this is a fitting seat for me," she asked Dante, "as one who walks the Left-hand Path to power?" A ghostly chorus of wailing and curses seemed to whisper in reply, and hollow faces fleetingly moved across the fabric of her cloak.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Sun 26 Feb 2023.

Renzo's flesh quivers almost unnoticeably under Cassilda's touch--a shiver of pleasure? A shudder of revulsion? who can say? He turns his smile and eyes to her, watching as she stalks around the table to take the left-hand seat. His eyes widen slightly at the wails and the countenances. Then, he moves to take up a station a bit behind her. He inclines his head to Lord Dante.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 12:58, Mon 27 Feb 2023.

Dante frowned instinctively for a split second but quickly shifted his expression into a passable smile. The Lord nodded, he appeared unphased by Cassildas ghostly display of sorcery. "Yes, Cassilda, I will need you near to consult you when it comes to sorcerous matters, especially if Adath here is speaking truthfully."

Cassilda appraised the old man with renewed interest. "Adath. How fascinating. Adath was Anki's twin, according to the legends." She peered at him intently over steepled fingers, a malicious smile gradually taking shape on her lips. "Forces sustain your body, Adath, beyond its mortal limits. Color me intrigued. What might happen were I to pull on one of the threads holding you together?" Eyes alight with devilry, she showed her teeth. "I do believe I should like to see very very much." Her gaze shifted then to Dante. "With your permission of course, Lord Dante. It might not be pleasant and could leave... scars. Both physical and metaphysical... and that would just be to those who bear witness."

Adath looks at Cassilda, horrified, and crawls to Dante's boot, kissing it pathetically, "The witch whispers blasphemy, I am but a man- Anki has- had- a brother, but, no, no, no. We're not here for That. Please, let me show you where it is- the entrance to the temple, I can show you..."


Adath turns to Tova, "I will show you- they- they are but keepers of my faith. They were sent to test me, and I was delivered here. If you won't let me show you, I'll make you see-" Adath's bloodshot eyes look up at Lord Dante pleadingly.


Felonious Intent: The fool is going to make a play for Dante's sword, a hostage for his demands!

Renzo watches the ragged priest Adath narrowly, his hand finding the hilt of the dagger in his belt. His legs tense expectantly.

During the whole interaction, Roland has very diplomatically stayed at the side, acting as some sort of human furniture. The conversation was too mystic for his taste, but maybe something interesting could come out of it.

Ida-Tyr looks up at the bluff, his breath catching in his throat. He shivers, a cool wind seeming to cover his body. Ida-Tyr's muscles constrict, his back arching, his lips curl back from his teeth into a hideous snarl, and his hands tighten into claws. Time stretches out slowly, Ida-Tyr looking like what might have been some sort of hideous statue, although the sweat appearing on his brow would spoil that upon close examination. Indeed, his eyes are a milky white, looking like marble covered lightly with water.

After the moment stretches out for what seems like an unreasonable length of time, Ida-Tyr's muscles relax, and his breath returns in shuddering gasps. He wipes quickly at his brow, trying to make sense of what his senses are telling him as well as the incessant whispering of the spirit that speaks in his mind. He hisses angrily, "Slow down. Be clear."

OOC: So spending spirit sight here- let me know if that description works and you need anything else from me here.

"Will no one rid me of this excitable priest?" Cassilda remarked boredly. "Kill him. We'll have his secrets after, by my arts."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Sun 05 Mar 2023.

Renzo's eyes flicked to Cassilda and he drew the dagger from his belt, holding it down close to his leg.

He looked to Dante for the lordling's response.

Dante raised his hand in response to what Cassilda said. "No!" The Lord paced a bit whilst at the same time gesturing for Adath to rise. "He said he'll show us what he means. We will see if he is truthful, in due time."

Cassilda sneered, an ugly expression on so beautiful a face. "What this fool intends is to release the forces imprisoned here," she remarked, gesturing to Adath. "He is a fanatic and cares not what atrocities may occur." She pointedly asked Dante, "Can you return a djinn to its bottle, should it prove uncooperative?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Wed 08 Mar 2023.

This much is clear: the spirit world is perturbed in this area of the desert. The burbling, mishmash of voices, all from ages passed, slows down to a chorus of voices speaking in turn...

"They came in a sandstorm, they came at night- while we slept. And by the time the alarm was raised it was too late."

"It pinned me down and... it drank from me. It took everything."

"They were deathly silent, they thirsted."

"The priest- he begged them to spare us, but they did not listen."

"When it was done, they took him with them in the sands."

The spirits of the merchants stand, ghostly about Ida. There is another spirit, dressed in ornate robes inlaid with the symbol of some kind of creature. This spirit says, "Begone from this place, more Dessicants are coming. A talented sorcerer you may be, but you are no match alone. I shall slow their approach. Follow the last member of my order to the Lost Oasis. Tell him that Anki's essence is no longer safe there. Can you do this?"





Shaking, Adath rises to his feet and says resolutely, "I am no djinn. Come, this way, it is buried but not so deep that men cannot reach it if they know where to look, yes, yes... come..." Unless stopped by Cassilda, Renzo, or another, he makes for the exit to the tent.

Cassilda reached out to sorcerously pluck one of the threads holding Adath together. "No, old man, you are not. Anyone with a blade or garotte can put you out of our misery. I speak of what you hope to unleash."

---

OOC: Sorcerous use of Intimidate.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Thu 09 Mar 2023.

Roland, who had been quiet for most of the exchange as expected of someone that shouldn't have been here to begin with, decided to try and put a word in for the poor man.

"My lady, if I may be so bold as to speak, if the man was an omen of ruin for us, then quieting his warning would do nothing to prevent it, but only leave us unprepared. He came here of his own volition, and the key was already in his possession. If he wished to unleash that what is sealed, surely he wouldn't have announced himself? It is your family's right to do with him as you please, but would it not be wiser to hear him while he can speak?"

As Roland began to speak, Renzo shook his head, trying to catch the man’s eye and signal him to remain silent. To no avail, for the man proceeded to give advice to la Bella Donna, contradicting her expressed intent.

As Roland lapsed into silence, Renzo rolled his eyes and braced for the coming explosion.

This message was deleted by the player at 00:35, Thu 09 Mar 2023.

As Roland began to speak, Renzo shook his head, trying to catch the man’s eye and signal him to remain silent. To no avail, for the man proceeded to give advice to la Bella Donna, contradicting her expressed intent.

As Roland lapsed into silence, Renzo rolled his eyes and braced for the coming explosion.

Cassilda tugs just a tad harder on the thaumic strand she holds. "Oh, I assure you, Master Rock, he'll talk. Living or dead, he will talk. Dead is just... easier. Fewer outbursts. No speaking unless spoken to." She gestures casually with her other hand. "As for omens, well... who here possesses the requisite gifts to interpret signs and portents?" The shadows within the tent visibly deepen at her words.

Ida-Tyr tries to make out the animal on the last spirit's robe, and asks quickly hoping to get more information if he can, "Thank you for the help, I will seek out the last member of your order. How will I know him? Where do the Desiccants come from? How do we stop them? "

Lord Dante took a step closer to Cassilda. "Release him!" He raised his voice. "Adath will lead us forward, for now." Dante walked over to the table within his tent and placed his hands down on it, contemplating their next move."We will get to the bottom of this but until then, no casualities, okay?" He said, turning around to look at the others.

Cassilda narrowed her gaze at Dante but released the thaumic strand. "Who is the greater fool... the fool or the one who follows him? I'll remember you to your mother, in the event your folly proves your undoing."

It is no lizard, bug, beetle, bird, or beast of the land you have seen. The spirit is departing fast now, heading towards a distant wall of sand that has appeared on the horizon. "His name is Adath. He is with your people now..." The rest of his voice is drowned out by wind, as sand begins to fill the air.

Ida-Tyr quickly tightens the wrap around his head and covers his mouth and nose, looking for cover to avoid the incoming burst of sand. If it passes quickly and without incident, he will push on to the oasis.

This message was deleted by the player at 18:35, Sun 26 Mar 2023.

Adath appears visibly terrified as he seemingly appears to unravel before everyone's eyes, the Bella Donna's sorcery slowly affecting his body. He begs of Cassilda, "Please, let me live- I- this is all I have." When she relents, its clear that another attack like that would be his undoing, his mind would shatter long before his body. "Please, let me you show you," he repeats, beckoning out to the shoreline of the oasis. He stumbles his way out of the tent, if unopposed.




The sands seem to abate, as if held at bay by some otherworldly force. The way to the oasis seems clear, and Ida is able to make their way their unmolested.

Renzo follows the terrified man as he stumbles toward the door. The young man casts a questioning glance to Cassilda, querying whether to apprehend his quarry or let him proceed.

Ida-Tyr moves quickly and purposefully to the oasis. As he approaches , Ida-Tyr finds a rather disheveled figure stumbling out. Ida-Tyr lets the covering over his face hang loose as he draws himself up. Ida-Tyr asks in a rather amused tone, "In a hurry?"

Cassilda returns Renzo's glance, her eyes glowing a sickly green. "If you permit this fool to unleash what he mistakenly believes is his lost god, you shall all perish and take House Bellaqua with you. Do not expect me to mourn you. You may take comfort, however, in the fact that whatever remains of the strongest of you will continue to serve me after death."

Renzo pales at his eldritch kinswoman’s words, whether threat, prophecy or promise. He gulps and turns his gaze to Dante.