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--- giraine:summary-323 [2024/03/10 15:52] – tim45tenwa
+++ giraine:summary-323 [2024/03/10 15:58] (current) – tim45tenwa
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 Toward the end of the 2nd week of Dark Season: Syrr Kogag returns in a new, improved, larger, elongate aeropod! He comes to New Arv and asks to meet with you. In time, you join him; all but Ahappi.  (see next email)
+----
+You meet at Syrr Kogag’s aeropod.
+Syrr Kogag, Narak, Apatune, and Bradde Mukkh are there. But then the great pteranoid Star Thief Round Tip shows up unannounced. Everyone is visibly surprised at that.
+Syrr Kogag  (typical sinister whisper): “The world has changed since last we met. And you had a hand in that. Tell us of what you have done.” You speak of the Boat Planet quest, then defeating Umbrodriith and Vran, and the Seshnelans, and such. Fraud adds embellishment with great eloquence, that silences everyone in rapt attention, as he weaves a passionate, enthralling tale of your exploits. Everyone sees the tale in a new light now, reminded of some things, and regarding some differently. And even Syrr Kogag, who is hard to impress in his stoic, gruff way, is impressed and acknowledges your true heroism.
+Then from him: “I have journeyed afar, back to Jruztela and then to Pamaltela, chasing the Purple Prophets by whatever name they use, but also learning of their allies. The news is not good. With the rise of the Boat Planet, Chaos has gained new ways to spread across the oceans; in both directions. Small Chaos; the typical broos and scorpion men and ogres; comes in hordes from Genertela to the south. And then great Chaos Terrors, more typical of Pamaltela, make their way here. Some new power draws them. Of the Purple Prophets, I know better that they, as ogres are want to do, have great allegiance to Cacodemon, but their network is far more dangerous than that isolated cult, now. They have infiltrated societies and then woven together a web of corruption with other foul cults that prey off civilization such as Krarsht, Thanatar and maybe even Vivamort.”
+Ugh. Fraud shivers and groans. This is really bad.
+“This turns me to why our other allies are here. You have helped draw us together into our own network, with different agendas but common goals; namely to resist mutual foes, and aid our other allies that are their foes. You know whom I represent. Narak grows closer with the rising beast alliance called by the song of Nagi-Mer, and she yearns to aid her Mraloti people, who have many struggles. Bradde Mukkh is very well connected with secret organisations across the ports along these coasts, and knows the ways of some of my people. But Apatune ties our web together. She knows where its shifting centre is, and now this centre lies within the lands of Ralios; her homeland. It is of there, and its surrounding lands, that we must speak of. But I do not know why the pteranodon is here; this is a surprise; perhaps it can explain?”
+Star Thief Round Tip, Transcendant Swooper of the Night Dragon flaps its great wings slowly, blowing a whirlwind across the deck of the aeropod.  It makes signs with the fingers of its right wing, sweeping through the air to that side. As it does so, crackling black energies ripple, forming runes. A Beast rune, an Earth rune, and a Harmony rune.
+Bog wonders, is that referring to Nagi-Mer? You’re not sure otherwise; there are other possibilities. You try reading the pteranodon’s body language but it is entirely inscrutable. Bog’s draconic mysticism does not aid him. If only Ahappi were here?
+It squawks and the runes fade, then it claps its wings behind it and gracefully folds them tightly together across its muscled breast, forming runes before it. First a large Fertility  rune, then above it a Water  rune, then to the right a Death rune , then to the left two sets of runes: both sets of Dragon  and Darkness, but also below them a strange inscription that looks like two halves of a Stasis rune.
+This really baffles you at first. It’s a lot to take in. But you figure that this is referring to a place, and Fraud deduces that indeed this is some kind of map, probably relating to Ralios, and maybe some of eastern Seshnela too, and Shrett adds that maybe the Night Gorge in the latter region is at least one set of those Dragon and Darkness runes, which are near to the Fertility rune, which might be Hrelar Amali? And Fraud describes his dream relating to that place and Seshna’s tomb.
+That set of runes fades. With the fingers of its left wing, it delicately creates more images. One is a Dragon rune; then a Darkness rune; but then it draws what seems like a Stasis rune with a Fire/Sky  rune inside.
+Indeed, you realise that the first runes were on one side, the 2nd set in the middle, the 3rd on the other side. So this is all, perhaps, some kind of puzzle-map or such.
+You discuss this more.
+With a great flap of its wings, the strange pteranodon goes aloft and quickly moves off to the east.
+With your interjections and discussions added, there is a lengthy conversation about this, and moving back to the topic of Ralios.
+Syrr Kogag: “I am no expert in the paths of dragonkind but their mystic ways remind me of others. It conveyed a mystery to solve, or a cipher. Maybe even clues to a heroquest. It is a puzzle of a sort. I already have spoken of Ralios, the land of puzzles: where Nysalor’s Riddlers were pursued by Arkati shadow warriors and then those were pursued by the God Learners’ meddlers.”
+Apatune: “Yes. I sense that the solution to this mystery cannot be found on Giraine. It may be that wise people, or powerful places or events, can add clarity. And it is this topic that has brought us together. We know of ancient powers rising in Ralios, whose importance may change the world. There are new powers, too, whose connections few may yet realise. Enemies; some old and some new; oppose the former and seek the latter for their own gain.”
+Bradde: “You, too, fit into our network. Whether it is different kinds of mystic secrets; of Darkness or Dragon; or unity of people, land and beasts, there is much strength that binds us. And there is war that threatens it all. Death and Disorder stalk the land.” He grins as if in appreciation. Bog and he have a moment of glee.
+Narak shakes her head: “We have a plan. In time, Bradde and I will go back east whence we came from, and make preparations, as we are most familiar with the best place to begin a grand journey. I will find my people there, and Bradde his.”
+Bradde: “The place is my old home, the port of Handra . It is under great threat. The maniacal land of Ramalia has, at last, turned its full attention to Handra, full of hatred of its perceived role in bringing back the Boat Planet, as every single Ramalian hates every single being that travels on the seas. Dragon Pass is distracted by its own great war. Maniria will have theirs.”
+Narak: “But those who know that land know that the Ramalians do not lack friends. They have made foolish deals with Chaos, including the broos of the New Fens, and they will unleash this fury when the time comes. Bradde and I must be there to help our peoples when it does.”  Narak and Bradde have always had tension (their connections to Mraloti are opposing; he comes from their oppressors in Ramalia, as an exile), and so her mention of friends is ironic here.
+Apatune: “That brings us to the key topic of discussion. Big Ron and Reggie have endorsed it. We need the right people to go into Ralios and tie our network to theirs. They must be brave, cunning and skilled. Ralios is very different from Seshnela or the remnants of the Quinpolic League. It is a place of shadowy intrigue. And far more civilized than any lands near here. There are great resources, but vast dangers. We need the right team. It will be a lengthy journey.” They look around nonchalantly; Bradde just grins wider and looks one by one at you.
+Well. That was not subtle. You respond one by one. Fraud and Boamund welcome it. Bog is excited to see more Uz, maybe visit his home in Halikiv, and is told that Uz can be Lords in some parts of Ralios, tolerated elsewhere, or killed on sight in some regions. OK… Shrett isn’t sure if this conflicts with his Sottogh duties, but figures he could make an argument for it.
+Syrr Kogag answers some queries, such as: What really are you to do? Find your path. Adhere to your credo. Stay united. There is no one way, but to strengthen the web that can bind Giraine together. That includes strengthening yourselves for the struggle that awaits back here on your return. And strengthening any allies in Ralios, or weakening enemies, can aid us, too. Be the heroes that you are.
+What about Seshnela, as some locales might be within their boundaries? Avoid cities and attention there. Travel swiftly and incognito. Leave when you can.
+Syrr Kogag then raises the general issue of Arkat: “You have heard the stories. Arkat is returning to Ralios in at least five of his masks, and the Seshnelans rally to crush this. They have the advantage that the Arkati sects can be paralysed by their own scheming against and even murdering each other. Some believe there is but one True Arkat; brought about by a Grand Conjunction; others just revere one mask. But you may not know the whole tale of Arkat and his masks, or shadows. Here is that tale, in brief. Fraud knows much more of it. Everyone agrees on the first parts, but as the story of his life proceeds, so does controversy increase. Maybe Arkat’s heroquesting gradually created more of himself co-existing.”
+“He was born in Brithos in 375 during the Sunstop, and fostered by Aldryami. Around then, he became mystically Illuminated. He was raised in Brithos as a Horali, joined the Army of Law, and freed Arolanit from Tanisor. This is where his heroic stature became evident; and he was wielding the Unbreakable Sword or God Cleaver by now. He began a crusade against the being he always called Gbaji, and many call Arkat at this time the Saviour. He fought Gbaji’s agents across the West. He then became a Hrestoli; in Brithos’s eyes an act of betrayal; and most agree that this is when he became Arkat the Liberator or the Knight. He slew the Vampire Kings, and razed their city of Tanewal, now called the Red Ruins. But he was killed by Palangio, leader of Gbaji’s forces, in 418. All thought him lost then, but Harmast brought him back in 422 at Hrelar Amali, the holiest site in Glorantha; a site of Life and Fertility. But Arkat grew full of Death. He became Humaktson or Humarkat; a Sword of Humath or Humakt; and turned further eastwards against the Telmori of Ralios, who were Chaos-tainted by Gbaji. He earned the name Chaosbane . But he could not penetrate into Dorastor to face Gbaji yet. Instead, he moved further south and then east to aiding Slontos, then Dragon Pass. There he started his connection with Darkness, and many there call him Black Arkat. Arkat continued his fight north to Dorastor. But the fight was fierce, so he sought more power. He heroquested and became a Mistress Race troll; an Uzuz; in 448. Some named him Kingtroll then. But he eventually turned to worship Zorak Zoran, and raged across Dorastor as Arkat the Destroyer. In 450, he finally met Gbaji in single combat atop the Tower of Dreams in the City of Miracles [arkat_and_nysalor- PICS x2]. Arkat killed Gbaji. Some instead say that it was the other way around, that Gbaji persisted as Arkat the Deceiver or Arkat Chaosmonster or Arkat the Devil. But Dorastor was devastated nonetheless. Here the First Age of Glorantha ended and the Time of Empire began. Arkat, no longer a troll, returned to rule Ralios, forming the Dark Empire or the Autarchy, which he called the Empire of Peace. For this, many call him Great Arkat. He made a great fortress-capital called Arkhome, and then retired in Ralios, having brought peace there and to the Elder Races around it. So his final title may be Arkat Peacemaker. There are many more titles or interpretations of Arkat; some combine them, or separate them. Some even claim that the flagellant World of Losers Movement unwittingly reveres Arkat the Loser; or maybe the Martyr. But Arkat became a god, or took himself to the Hero Plane where his secret star is hidden, in 500; that much seems sure; and in the Second Age the God Learners crushed his Autarchy. Until now… perhaps.”
+“This all matters because there now are figures of great power in Ralios that believe in different aspects of Arkat, and at least five of them might be true Arkats, in a way. Each figure is at another city-state. Remember that no-one rules Ralios; it is a confederation of the city-states of Safelster and the diverse, fierce Storm Tribes of the East Wilds and then Vesmonstran to the north. Those city-states and tribes, like the Arkati, bicker and fight. But if they and the Arkati and the powers of Darkness, Dragons, Beasts, or whatever else are to be free, they must find more unity. Giraine is an example of where you have succeeded and with your allies can unite against one foe. Tell your tale of Giraine to inspire those who will listen. Your words can have more power than your blades in Ralios. Learn from Ralios, too. We will discuss this and other details more before we leave.”
+You like some of this. Boamund really likes the Peacemaker tale. You note that some of you already act like masks of Arkat… well, except Shrett. And then there is the matter of Ahappi… at least, Fraud can convey the message that you go to Handra, and he can decide what to do.
+Syrr Kogag—“But you need time, and there is time, Big Ron has assured us. You need much preparation to go to Ralios via Handra. I can take you there when it is time. We can offer or find tutelage for you in talents that most likely would aid you on your journey, and yet you are not so strong in. Do not hurry. Take seasons, as you need. Perhaps until sometime in the next year? Enjoy your recovered homeland, too. There is something of a détente here that may persist, and when I return from Handra I will help with that in your absence.”
+You have had 4 weeks Earth Season training prior to all this.
+You discuss training available:
+-Language+Literacy Safelstran (Apatune 75%) / Theyalan (Ralian 75%, 60% teach)
+-Customs/Locale Ralios (Apatune (75) / in St Thosos Easiest to get = 75% skill, 75% teach)
+-Arkat Lore [Fraud] (Syrr Kogag) (120)
+-Hsunchen Lore (55), Beastspeech (40) (Narak)
+-Ride (many places)-- Easiest to get = 100% skill, 75% teach
+-Boating (70), Commerce (70), Language +Literacy  Tradetalk (60), Streetwise (90) (Bradde)
+-more?
+(skills: Teach 100% Syrr, 75% others; skills in that range too or maybe 50%)
+==== Rules summary: ====
+**TRAINING/LEARNING:**
+Learning new skill = 3 experience checks (can go into debt here, within reason) and 4 weeks
+Teacher can teach new skill to (teach/10) people at once
+week / training increase for known skill; and must allocate 1 experience check/training roll
+(can indebt these if will not risk taking 20%+ from teacher skill)
+Teacher must be 20% greater skill and have Teach (INT+CHA base)
+Teacher must make Teach skill roll to give successful improvement; or must repeat weeks of training (but not experience checks)
+Training Improvement Table   (subtract student skill from teacher skill and refer to table; no gain if value is 20 or less)
+Degree of Difference Skill Improves By…
+^21-30%|1d2|
+^31-40%|1d3|
+^41-50%|1d4|
+^51-60%|1d6|
+^61-70%|1d6+1|
+^71-80%|1d6+2|
+^81-90%|1d6+3|
+^91-100%|1d6+4|
+^Each 10%|+1|
+Syrr Kogag’s entirely private Arkat chat with Fraud: “You have been lax about your identity as an Arkati but that has not betrayed you yet. You cannot do so once you come to the continent. The Rokari of Seshnela have taken up using the God Learners’ ancient Panoptic Curse in their Inquisition, more so now that they are desperate to stop the Arkati of Ralios. That curse finds any known Arkati and marks them with the Deceiver’s Kiss, which turns the hearts of normal people against them. It also aids Inquisition hunters of the Arkati in finding and killing them. I have protected you with a counterspell up until now, and fortunately the Rokari on Giraine mostly have focussed their energies on the towns, so you have eluded the Curse. I cannot protect you in Ralios. Be more careful whom you trust once you leave us. Your secrets are your life.”
+“As you know, Arkati form cells called arcana. There are the cabals that are concerned with the affairs of nobility and get enmeshed in sectarian affairs. Your cabal on Pithdaros was broken when you left, but fragments might have escaped to Ralios. Then there are the crypteia that work as secular spies from within, trying to turn the people against their enemies, such as in Safelster against Seshnela. Then there are the covens, the most powerful and least numerous of Arkati organisations. They hide deep within society, and their affairs vary but are always of great importance; never trivial. Outsiders do not understand other names attributed to the Arkati. Arkati do not normally revere Arkat in public, as it draws the Panoptic Curse. What are called “Autarchic Churches” in Safelster are very popular, but merely wear the trappings of Arkat, and waste resources squabbling over the True Arkat. The nobles use old Arkati titles like Hipparch or Archon or Exarch, but few are true Arkati, or the Curse would find them. The greatest true Arkati might never use their title openly, but are called Arcanes.”
+“Arkati all fight Gbaji the Deceiver, named by his many shadows. Your sect fights the shadow of Chaos. Other sects may find this threatening even though they oppose the Deceiver. Your friends might ally with other shadows that involve true Arkati. Your sect can offer powers of the mind, called Sciomancy, to find the Deceiver. Or powers of the heart, called Umbric Negation, based on the Five Elements. Your element, of course, is Darkness. You have powers of that, from the source called the Leaden Club. There are other sources for the other elements. Then there are powers of the body; the Arkatic Path. These link to the masks or aspects of Arkat, and to the heroquests that tell their tale. There is no end to their numbers, as I hinted to your friends.”
+“I remind you of these things because in Ralios you must avoid the Curse while working in secret to contact Arkati that might be friendly. Reconnecting to a cabal of your sect could happen. You must decide which way you go within your Arkatic Path. What you do may grant you access to new Sciomancy, or Umbric Negation, and heroquesting. Be wary of the other Paths, though, as they may interfere with yours; although some might ally, too. If the Grand Conjunction of Arkat is to happen, as some think will, the Arkati must find unity. You can play a role, but if you do that openly, it will be your doom. You may have already met one powerful ally. And remember that, on Handra, the Elandra cult is a friend to Arkat. Elandra already helped you against the menace of the Poets Against Twilight; the Purple Prophets, whom you first met in Handra. Some say that the Night Dragon was or is an ally of Arkat, too. Granno was as well, but that will help none of you outside of Giraine. The ways of the Beasts have worked with and against Arkat before; be cautious with them. This may complicate your relationship with the serpents; but Ralios is not Seshnela. Which way will you choose, that of Arkat Chaosbane or of Froalar; of Darkness or of Earth? Both resist the same shadow of Chaos. Yet walking the line between them may not always work.”
+“My final point is more immediate. My sect and yours have often been allies, relying on the same element. I am comfortable teaching one of the secrets of Umbric Negation over coming weeks, when you feel ready. You may choose: there is the Curse of Shadows (Banish vs. Chaos spirit), Leaden Mace (Damage Enhancement vs. Chaos), Freeze Deceiver Magic (Neutralise Magic vs. Chaos), or Lash Gbaji (Wrack- Darkness vs. Chaos).” Fraud has time to consider his choice, and when to do the training.
+Takes 5 experience checks (can go into debt here) and 4 weeks to learn a spell
+And that’s the big info dump! I may have missed something here that you guys said, but it’s enough summary/reference for later.
+On Friday: some passing of time to train, see what happens during that time, and then you decide when you’re ready to go to Handra! And we go!
 ----

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