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!