Ahappi saw something happen amidst the party as the Ouori said his ominous message, but Ahappi wasn’t sure what that was.
Gumthunooreebou: “Innocence is becoming scarce. Many must make difficult choices of which side of conflicts they will stand up, lest they get swept away by it. We will follow you to the edge of the Fosnoir if you agree to aid us, and we will await you there, hoping for your success and news of the fate of our lost herdmates.”
You agree.
Gumthunooreebou: “The shrine is a small jagged island of sa-metal from the Godtime, with many very sharp edges. It floats on the seas or submerges as it wishes, changing its shape to suit its mood, guided by the daimone it houses, Hullrender.”
Omen appears, blowing bubbles happily and wiggling his tail. “Hi guys! I bet you had a wild ride on the Boat Planet! It’s great to see you again. I’m sorry I can’t go with you to that shrine, but I’ll be watching nearby!” Ahh, what a pleasure to see that cute little guy again. He’s been around for so long.
You get under way soon enough- the Shadow, the Captain with mosasaur and Pellinoresbane, and the Ouori, crossing the reefs northwards. You pass Cape Pterodactyl: St Granno’s Mountain is hidden in smoke, rumbling softly. The seas are choppy but there are no winds; none of the usual storms. And no vilgars.
You get to the Fosnoir; it has been about 3 days now. Ahappi and Pellinoresbane sense the shrine, but it is not well; they feel corruption. This draws them toward it, to the southwest. You come to a slick of stinking clotted blood that extends for hundreds of metres. Here and there the clots are raised as floating miniature islands. Hullrender lies within, and issues a groan of torment and wrath that rattles Ahappi and Pellinoresbane. You expect danger, and prepare spells. Ahappi tries to submerge to swim, but cannot; the slick resists penetration through it to the ocean, acting like a rubbery blanket that deforms but does not part. You cannot stand on it, either, but it does even adjust to the huge shape of Pellinoresbane.
You scrutinize the scene and can’t see further detail, but the blood-slick does quiver in response to a challenge from Ahappi, and Ahappi thinks he can estimate the centre of the region, so you eventually head that way.
The blood-slicked seas cling to the Shadow and Pellinoresbane as they pass through, and are eerily warm to the touch, as if they are life-blood. There are clots of blood where bits of Ouori, their bodies sliced apart, jut out of the little islands. Ahead, atop a two-metre clotted blob, sits the shrine, defiled with gore. A haze hangs around it, blurring the scene. It burbles in response to another challenge.
Then as Ahappi approaches where the shrine is buried in blood, it all kicks off. A blood-drenched man vomits forth from the clotted blob atop the shrine, landing and sliding across the scarlet ocean waves and lumps of blood. He is naked, raving in nonsense words, and his eyes dart about with murderous hunger. The man is swollen by his massive muscles, and brandishes two wicked cutlasses. The sight of this being spreads madness. The crew goes amok, and some of you must steel yourselves as strongly as you can to avoid catatonia, murderous violence, terror or imagined severance of body parts.
Pellinoresbane rages with impotent fury, seething and snapping at the bloody waters around it. Meanwhile, invisible things on the Shadow begin clutching and biting at victims, slowing becoming evident as hideous shapes that seem only to have visible form when they have consumed enough blood for this to happen. They have somewhat humanoid forms but no legs, and their shapes keep shifting, because they are semi-fluid with blood, and only semi-physical. As battle begins, it becomes evident that they are resilient to physical harm, but they can be harmed. They gradually become visible as they feed, which helps you fight them, and Bog and Boamund are already adept at fighting invisible opponents, and only Boamund directly faces a foe, so you have some advantages, unlike some crew members who are effectively blinded and outskilled by the hungry things. Fraud fights one thing, soon joined by Bog, who has used Conceal magic to avoid becoming a target himself. Boamund gets grabbed around the waist by a claw and slightly wounded, then invisible jaws clamp onto it and begin sucking his blood out. Boamund is aided by Bog once Fraud destroys his enemy, and Boamund calls on his demon-sword’s power, as it has tasted that the ichor of these things is indeed demonic. Fraud had used his Guard against Chaos sorcery of Arkat to ward this place, but the demons are not Chaotic in origin, it turns out; just horrors from Hell. Soon both foes are reduced to puddles of gore, and you are able to help save some crew, who are maimed and blood-drained but not dead. Shrett ran to the hold and summoned a Shade down there, and comes out in time to help. Together, you fight off the last of the blood-demons, as Ahappi’s fight comes to a close…
Ahappi leaps to face the man with the two cutlasses. They square off, with the man hewing mightily at Ahappi, raining blows down on him that keep pushing his spear aside and glancing off his armour, but Ahappi calls for the fury of Magasta to fill him, and swells with that fervor. Ahappi pushes the attack. He gets the man off balance, so rather than parry with his swords as he gets back in position, the man just rants incoherently in fury. They keep trading blows, well-matched. Ahappi takes a good cut to the leg, but responds in kind to the arm with a mighty strike, yet is amazed that the man’s arm is not severed or even crippled. And again, with an even stronger blow, combined with a deft manoeuvre that disarms his left sword! The man’s skin must be preternaturally tough, and he seems to ignore wounds like a berserker or demon. However, he does not defend himself, and that is his undoing. Ahappi keeps stabbing him, and soon rips his arm off, and the man goes down with a maniacal grin, dropping his cutlass into the gore to join the other.
The blood-slick already begins loosening, and Ahappi, looking down at his dead foe, realises that he has defeated a legendary opponent. Sailors in the West have tolds tales of terrible beings that live in isolation on some Red Vadeli Islands to the west. They are avoided even by other Red Vadeli, and only sometimes come, or are sent by something, to deliver horrible devastation elsewhere. They have lost all reason, all connection to Malkioni logic, going utterly mad; probably by Vadel’s connection to Chaos, although they are not Chaotic, either; just insane. They can barely remember how to use weapons, and like this one might abandon using magic. But they have amassed terrible power and skill in becoming what they are, over centuries of committing blasphemous deeds. They are the Savage Red Vadeli. Hardly men at all anymore; but not demons; not anything else. Just what they are, and they are feared by any that are unlucky enough to know of them. Yet Ahappi has defeated one, and that is quite a victory!
Pellinoresbane regains control immediately once the Vadeli is killed; indeed all madness ceases. Ahappi senses that the stain here is defeated and will wash away in time, but he could end it now with Magasta’s power. He mounts the shrine, which is washed clean of gore soon enough, and bellows out to Magasta, welcoming Him to take His grim price. He recites his family’s deep history with The Shadow, how his grandfather heroquested to wrest it from hiding in Godlearner magic realms, and how this led to its enmity with Pellinoresbane as an agent of vengeance sent by Magasta; and so the cycle of his family vs. the sea began. Now it ends, he calls out; as Magasta demands. The Shadow must go to the bottom of the seas!
Aboard The Shadow, the rest of you hear this and are stunned. What is Ahappi doing???? You’re on the ship! And currents begin swirling, drawing the blood slick down into the Fosnoir blackness, but also beginning to tug at the Shadow, more and more, as the resulting whirlpool grows and grows, and does not stop expanding. Its horror becomes evident. Ahappi will not stop it. He has unleashed Magasta’s power, and it comes to take the Shadow away forever.
Fraud calls out to you as he leaps off the ship and becomes a great eel in the waters nearby. Shrett grabs some rope and jumps off, with the eel grabbing the other end of the rope. Shrett swims to safety there; confident that his floating armour will preserve him, too. Bog cowers in terror, looking for something that floats, and then espies the dinghy, which no one is taking, as Amur has sent the crew to help him try to steer the Shadow out of the whirlpool, and so far they obey. So Bog rushes the dinghy, leaping half into it, half onto its edge, and knocks it over the gunwhale into the ocean, where it overturns as it hits, but he clings onto it for dear life. Boamund is not so hasty to leave the ship. He tries helping Amur at the wheel, but fails. He wonders what to do, as his armour dooms him to sink if he leaves the ship. The whirlpool spins more violently, and there are distant calls of encouragement of doom from Ahappi, who sends a great undine to batter at the Shadow, cracking its hull. The ship does not fight back with its dark powers, as no one else can command them.
As the slick goes down, with the Shadow starting to follow it with no further hope of salvation visible, Omen appears, “No, this cannot be! Robber will not have her prize today. Leap into the water, friends, and I will save you!”
Amur has invoked his best magics to save the ship, but to no avail, as Dormal is weak in these days after the Boat Planet and Rokari strikes against the Ship of Life Church/Navigationalism. He refuses to leave the wheel, but his crew is abandoning ship (to their own doom in the whirlpool, though), and he turns to Boamund and tells him that Boamund has done great heroic deeds that Amur has witnessed, and he urges him to go do more, if he will accept a blessing from Amur that might save him. Boamund accepts, and Amur casts a Float spell on Boamund that buoys him up as he nimbly jumps into the ocean. But the currents are fierce, and Boamund and Bog are still caught in them.
Omen releases a large undine that grabs them and floats to safety. But, as they get to safety and Omen turns to watch them with a smile, he overlooks the violent whirlpool behind hind, and it grabs him. He looks up pleadingly at first, then a look of peace comes across his fishy face, and he calls out, “Don’t let life drag you down, friends. Never stop swimming.” And, spinning around in the vortex, he vanishes into the cold depths. The whirlpool laps up the last of the wreckage and crew and blood slick, slurping them down into Hell, and then it sucks itself down there too, so the waters return to the still blackness. Leaving you reeling at what has just happened. All initiated by Ahappi.
Boamund curses the traitorous Captain; this misdeed cannot be forgiven. He turns away from him and has little else to say, as Ahappi proudly and defiantly approaches. Bog trembles in terror; this is no man, but a monster! Shrett is not sure how to feel; this is his friend, but the ship that was like a friend, too, is now gone at his hand, and with it so many other friends, and for what? Fraud, though, is pensive. He converses with Ahappi, who reminds you that he has long warned of doom that follows him. The doom is of his family and the Shadow and Pellinoresbane and Magasta, and now that doom has come full circle. It is done. There is more doom; that of the world; but it does not come from Ahappi. Fraud shares more words, and the two have some degree of reconciliation. Fraud understands somewhat; he has known Ahappi for so long and seen the changes he has experienced; and Fraud has changed too; but this is a lot to handle. But Fraud knows you still need Ahappi. He wields St Buquaim’s spear, and while he lives, no one else can do so, and so he is needed to help save Giraine. There is still more to work out here with your relationship, though…
You come to the Ouori, who come for you from their distant vantage point. Gumthunooreebou: “We are sad that you have suffered, and we weep for the passing of Omen. He has returned westwards to the eternal oceans and someday new life will come from the world’s edge, born from the currents of his spirit. But suffering and grief are the future of the Hero Wars, as our priest has also seen. While the seas are open to men again, for now, below the surface there are schemes unkind to men. Someday Magasta, Valind and Ssramak will bring disaster to the world of men that pales that of the Shattering in comparison. We must apologise in advance that we will take part. But may we remain friends somehow despite that, if we all live to see it.”
Fraud says that you’ll remain friends with them, and the Ouori says that they will always want to be friends with you, as you’ve helped them so much; but he warns that once the doom from the seas’ depths comes, you might change your minds about that friendship. And you think to what you’ve just seen with Ahappi, and you shiver. There is something worse coming. On a much bigger scale.
Gumthunooreebou: “We promised our gratitude. Ahappi, we must take this shrine back to our waters, but it will be close to Giraine and you shall share it with us, honoured as an equal. To our other friends, we are sorry for the loss of your ship to the Net of the Sea. Magasta can exact a grim price on those who dare his oceans. If it is any solace, Hullrender offers you miracles of the water to bless you.”
You contact the Magastan “demon” inside the shrine, and can choose 1-use: Float, Submerge, Breathe Water, Fear, Drown (cast with Invocation = Devotion etc.). You do so. Ahappi asks to use the shrine and the Ouori says to ask it; and Ahappi asks to make his case with Magasta to become an Acolyte. Hullrender says that it is time for him to make that case, yes, and so Ahappi roars out his story of being a fierce sea-hero. He swells with fanaticism and Magasta seems to hear it, responding that Ahappi indeed is very strong, and that he is more than strong enough to be His acolyte, and that He will send new challenges; not one monster as Ahappi asks for, but multiple ones, and if Ahappi is again able to prove his strength, then he might be blessed to become a Priest. Challenge accepted!
Party Luck pts back to 3, yay!
You have a little further discussion, Boamund gives Ahappi a lot of cold shoulder and side-eye, and you return to St Thosos etc. with undine, Pellinoresbane or Ouori help. The latter bid their farewells. You disperse to your residences or travels. Ahappi heads for Serpent’s Harbour, with Fraud saying that if he is needed, he will receive a message from him again through the Linguaberries.
Some days later: Jzhurte brings a private message to Boamund (and for Ahappi; to be passed on…… if Boamund wants to!); with acknowledgement that you have done with the Church of St Thosos as Elder Shoor had asked, and so another promise to the Sharde is fulfilled. But also: “I met Elder Shoor in the Big Gunge swamps. She told me to tell you of a vision she had from licking a toad. She saw Deep Mother still chained in Hell, and a great dark shape gliding through the black depths in search of her. She has pondered this, and thinks that the shape is an enemy that must be stopped, but that the path to do so is not yet open to anyone, and thus the outcome cannot be resolved by anyone, friend or foe, until then. She does not know what that path will be or how to find it, as we do not understand the power of the Fosnoir. Elder Shoor wonders if a sign might come in Dark Season, as that is an auspicious time for these things.” Boamund said he’d come help the Sharde when needed, as their Saviour, and Jzhurte acknowledged this, saying he’d carry messages back to the Sharde after he did his journey to visit the Sottogh now.
Some more weeks pass… Various news comes, or you witness it.
EARTH SEASON 1624.
Humbertsville: The former Baronet Humbert’s family- Freed from the Seshnelans now, they stay in the town; a new villa is built for Boamund and Cyroosta. They are still a young household. You’ve known them for years, and Boamund gets along well with them. Flute player- wife Hamduna; boy Daffafah and girl Urtatim; 2 teenage sisters—Sukaynah and Safiyyam—latter is 18 (1624), simple, super naïve; a good dancer and painter). They have a few servants, well attired and professional. All are Ashara Church worshippers (some faith from the east/Maniria), but each also revere some other gods/saints; dabbling in heresies. They are tolerant and don’t cause trouble. But Baronet Humbert, executed by the Seshnelans, is missed.
The “new” Tumbledown Inn: the old ruined tower, rebuilt even better to become a Rokari Zzaburi tower. Its former proprietor Wamni Smallboon is dead; the new one = Another Manirian man from Caroman, Zilio Quickhands; a young brewer and trader/appreciator of fine ales and such. (Bog becomes a regular customer!) The Inn, as ever, has long spiral stairs which drunks tend to fall down.
Returned: the local healer, a Wenelian (Manirian wilds) deer shaman; Old-Jin Sixtines; a friendly, silly old man with antler-headdress doing well off soothing injuries for money. He’s very welcome.
Shrett learns from the Sottogh elders and Tusynta that, while the truce with the colonists still holds, and Granno keeps the peace with the clans, and the dire enemy of the Rokari necromancers and wall-men is gone, they have no interests outside of the Giranois, and their home. It is a time for them to focus inwards, they say. Times of greater trouble will come, and they are not ready. Quick Sister lets Shrett visit her now and then, and the experiences are surreal.
The season passes. Across Giraine, there is much cause for celebration. No one goes hungry. The harvests are plentiful, and the hunting is excellent, although fishing is only satisfactory. The weather is fair—the winds are calm, with the doldrums setting in and then receding, keeping the island cool, although the swamps grow more foetid and humid. No one can remember such fine bounty. Colonists are amazed. Remarkably, the land near Fraud’s villa has the best harvests of all! And this becomes known across the settlements. But word quickly spreads of a shocking thing. For the first time that even the Girainois can remember except in ancient stories, snakes are seen on Giraine. Only small ones, and apparently harmless, and not common, but this is very new, and some find it interesting, and many people are baffled where they came from. The Giranois are of two minds about it. The frogs and toads do not like the return of their eternal predators. Seshna Gira sends Fraud many dreams, of varied comfort, with images of trees bearing ripe fruits that he knows offer her vast knowledge, and wild banquets of people and beasts deep in the fields and forests, and sex and more sex. Seshna Gira, though, sometimes sends disquieting knowledge that her body still sometimes feels pains; that things eat and dig their way through her, and there is distant rumbling that shakes her, and she does not understand it all.
But one dream is the most memorable and vivid. In it, Fraud feels the Serpent Crown calling him. He is a Talar and has touched it. He knows it now will always call to him, to bring its pieces together. Its power beckons. He could have it. Each piece has much power, but the whole is tremendous in its power. King Guilmarn’s crown grew from the largest piece, but is nowhere near what the real crown was. The pieces call to people of the right sensitivities from across the ruined land of Seshela. The calls can be overwhelming; there are so many, and so widespread. Seven alone call from the holiest place in Glorantha, Hrelar Amali, in eastern Seshnela; where Seshna’s original tomb, and many others, are. But liminal portals to the forbidden, secret places where any pieces are will only open at the right times. To have a piece of the Serpent Crown is to know new pleasures of the senses, which only Seshna can offer: sweet smells, exotic tastes, soothing sounds, luscious sights and titillating touches. Fraud could know these delights, and more. These are feelings that Rokari Zzaburi would find most distressingly irrational and blasphemous. Fraud can’t help but be tempted, more than ever, but… are there limits?
Boamund has dreams, too. His inner beast speaks to him, in beast-words that he can feel the meaning of. It calls him to vague distant lands, where the hunting is good. These lands no longer suit him; the hunting he yearns for is too sparse. His beast then slumbers.
Cyroosta perks up late in the season. She has prayed to Seshna Gira, begging to find a way back to her link with the land. She says that there are signs that she might do this through Seshna Gira, so she commits herself to trying, but nothing truly changes, although it keeps her busy.
World news:
You enjoy life; you work on your settlements; you train; and Bog becomes more and more the fearsome food critic that he might have been born to be. He has his work cut out for him—Giraine is not known for its cuisine. But to a trollish palate, there is potential! The colonists need to make better use of the local fauna—more beetle dishes please!
DARK SEASON 1624: The season changes abruptly into Dark Season. Cold winds blow strongly, consistently from the north, and grey clouds slink across the skies, sometimes bringing pounding hail. Frosts come early, and deepen, and all but the hardiest plants die or go dormant. Uncouth spirits of cold and darkness wander the night; far more than usual. Bog revels in this ideal environment, although he too feels the ominous nature of what is happening. People keep their livestock indoors much of the time, and huddle around their fires. The mood changes, from celebration of the time of plenty, to worry about future doom, with portents warning of a harsh Storm Season too, although stores of food are sure to last through the year. Giraine becomes more dangerous toward the northeast; undead and demons and spirits haunt the wilderness more, but there mostly are only minor attacks. The Dead Mists grow in the northeast, encompassing Sharde lands, including the Deep Mother shrine. The Sharde clan becomes isolated, so it moves to near New Arv and its holy ground. Behind them, Sesgallah buries their clan ground in mud to hide it. They pledge to return when they can. The Sharde, with the aid of the Sottogh, dedicate themselves to defending Burnt Priest’s Hill, keeping the Dead Mists away with what ritual magics they can muster from that place of great power. There is no sign at all for the Sharde, in terms of Deep Mother’s freedom. Elder Shoor passes on the message that her hopes have been dashed; this season betides curses, not blessings, for the Sharde. No one knows what is happening with the Huru, except that the closure of their lands remains.
Seshna Gira sends a dream to Fraud as the season begins, this time with a real message, “It is time for me to sleep again. Do not worry; I do not die, not for real. This little death is but a shedding of my skin, for rebirth in Sacred Time. You have shed your skin before, so I know you understand.” And then she no longer contacts anyone.
World news:
Ahappi enjoys slime-time with Ouwashilombiss, and revels in his new Magastan power, and gloats over completion of his family’s legacy, and feels a new bond with Pellinoresbane. It finally trusts him. Any doubts have been resolved. They are a team. And one well suited to spreading wanton destruction across the seas.
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%)
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
1 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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