[Game Thread] Chapter Four: Complications

[Makenshi]

"From what Samael said, it also gives us a sense of their power too. Overpowering Revenant is no mean feat, especially if you went in not knowing who you were dealing with, and we're reasonably sure that they still don't know who she was exactly, although it's only a matter of time before Zera guesses. Of course, the fact that they're this powerful when they're at a fraction of their former power is worrying in its own right." Syoban takes another drink from the bottle, which is being drained quickly at this rate.

He shakes his head when asked about the breakout and the daggers. "All Samael knows about the Troubles is that it was definately artificial. Just before it happened he felt a...ripple - he described it - that is most likely either what broke the barrier or a side effect of it being broken. Someone caused it to come down, we just don't know who yet. The Drow, Zera, Deimos and Shade are our prime suspects."

"Shade?" Misa sounds surprised.

Syoban nods. "If anyone could do it, he could. Of course, if anyone could do it without leaving evidence then he'd be the top of that list too. Samael thinks it unlikely though. If he had been responsible, then he had no clear gain from it. It's especially glaring because it was the first time he could be reasonably sure Ashtarte came to Aheka."

Didina frowns. "Why would he care about Ashtarte in particular?"

"Because Ashtarte is the one who tortured and killed his sister. Alistair has wanted revenge on her ever since. If it wasn't for his power and the nature of his existence we probably wouldn't be suspicious, but he himself often insists that he's dangerous and needs to be watched." The Rudda gives a shrug of the shoulders, as if to say 'What else should I do?'.

"And the daggers?"

Syoban shakes his head. "We don't even know what they look like, or even if they look the same or similar to each other. What we do know is that they are warded to prevent their detection, so unless you know what you're looking for it's like looking for a specific needle in a stack of needles. Considering how much Ashtarte and the Fiends feared the Elder Demons, I doubt anything short of True Magic would be able to locate them, and more likely even that would have severe limitations."

When the discussion moves to what to do, Syoban seems a bit more optimistic, although that isn't by much. "The only way into Sanctuary is by having someone on the inside - something we've failed to get on several occasions - meaning that the best way to get Zera and break his hold over everyone is to lure him out."

Didina gives him a flat look. "Great. The man famous for starting wars by proxy and operating through other people can only be defeated if he gets his hands dirty. Forgive me if I don't jump for joy at this brilliant idea."

"It just so happens we have a plan, or the beginnings of one at least. Zera has agents all over the place, most of them either unaware they're spying for him or enthralled by him, however he has certain notable individuals working for him too. The two women who took part in the attack on Edgewater for example. Before the Blue Woman was invovled, Samael was able to get a brief glimpse of them and he made a discovery that is of some use." His face breaks into a grin. "They're Godlings that have been put through the Godforge. Most likely half-siblings to Kala that Zera kept around and gave a purpose to after he took their divine potential. Given their apparant age and how long Zera has had the Paragaons, there's no telling exactly how many of them he has, but Samael doubts he has that many of them - Zera doesn't like too many powerful individuals working for him since they're more difficult to control."

"Oh, great." Didina cuts in sarcastically. "More good news."

"Actually, it is." He looks up. "Are you here Samael?"

A young man with short dirty blond hair and red eyes suddenly appears to the side of Syoban, wearing archaic looking robes. He had a curiously indefinable quality to him - at a push they'd say he was Halvan, but only because theirs was the most far-reaching of features. Surprisingly, there is no telepathic response, but a verbal one. "Since you were punched." Both Misa and Didina frown, but before either can say anything Samael turns his head towards them. "No, I am not here. This is a collection of psionically created lights and my voice is likewise artificial. I find most find it uncomfortable to talk to a voice in their heads. And yes, Didina, I am blocking your telepathy. If I didn't you'd have passed out by now, just as you would were Shade to ever let down his glamour around you - albeit for different reasons."

"Can you show them the women?" Syoban prompts.

Syoban nods and two women appear, to either side of him. Both appeared to be in their mid twenties at most. One stands taller than Syoban, and only an inch or two short of the two Morgans. Her long hair is a dirty blonde colour and tied back into a basic pony-tail, however the most piercing part about her is her eyes. Familiar grey eyes. The other woman had dark auburn hair, slightly shorter and likewise tied back into a simple pony-tail. She had the same eyes. Both had vaguely similar features that made them look somewhat related, possibly even as close as sisters. Both looked predominantly Halvan, with perhaps a hint of other nations' blood.

"F*ck." Is Didina's uncharacteristically improper response.

"Precisely." Syoban is still grinning slightly. "The eyes of House Halva. Not only that, but this one-" He points to the taller of the pair. "-wasn't human, but a crystalline creation of Psionic nature. Samael has come across similar things before. It's basically a crystal duplicate, likely sent in the place of the real thing for safety. Zera is a narcisist of the highest order. If we can find a way to capture, kill, or even otherwise screw with these two or any other Godling brats of his he has running about then Samael believes we can provoke him into taking a more...directy approach. Gather enough allies - including Revenant and the Sword in the Dark - and we'll hopefully be able to neutralise his other allies and kill the bastard."

~MTWC

[Blue]

The idea of giving Samael a greeting of some kind felt strange considering he was kind of almost everywhere and nowhere (though not simultaneously, it seemed) and certainly knew them all well enough already. As to being uncomfortable with just hearing voices she had been doing just that through Zilira for long enough now to care little and less. Otherwise, the weirdness wasn't difficult to push aside.
"Good to feel your presence Samael. Your Treatises helped a lot. We're currently also trying to get a hold your journal but perhaps, since you're here, you could save us the trouble and share us what could matter to us within its content, if you don't mind."

The plan of pecking at his pride and gambling that he'd decide to make an unnecessary direct confrontation didn't really convince her, even coming from Samael.
"Except just killing him isn't enough, otherwise Jester would have rid us of him already... thing is, he just doesn't stay dead."
She turned toward Syoban.
"Speaking of which, how did you come back to life?"

A bit later, on another topic.
"I gather from the way you speak of them that we may take for fact that Zera and Yostrah are indeed working together. Why they'd so is still speculation to us but I wonder... if Yostrah were to kill a god or perhaps even a godling, would she be able to merge with what might be a better 'unfortunate soul'?"
She really hoped for a negative there. Otherwise Ashtarte's whole dagger plan would dangerously sound like the accidental discovery of a recipe to a sort-of replicate of Shade's condition.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Samael's non-presence bothered Morgan not a whit, living the majority of his life with brief bursts of vision induced insanity had destroyed most of his sense of the bizarre. The last month of gods, dire secrets, and ghosts of the past had finished off what little remained.

Morgan watches the various exchanges over steepled fingers, gears quietly turning in his head.
"It's that smug arrogance." He mutters mostly to himself. He'd seen it, shining through paint and canvas, through his actions and history, everything really. He was the centre of his own little world, a world that owed him. There was no way he could use people like he did if he wasn't. No way he'd make enemies wholesale the way he did and think he'd get away with it in the long run.
He begins muttering under his breath. "Zera. Airis and Malvain. The Godforge. It's all about moving energy. Him here them there. In Sanctuary. It must cross the boundary and link. Link all three of them. A small disruption is all it takes? The vision. Could it be that simple?"

He looks up.
"You're right Nevh. That alone won't kill him, and he knows that. It's the only reason we'll be able to draw him out."
The mage turns his eyes to Samael.
"Two questions. Exactly what sort of "help" from the inside does one need to get into Sanctuary. And second do you know why Zera is hunting Seers?"

[Makenshi]

"My journal?" Samael seems momentarily puzzled. "Oh, that. Hmmm....nothing you would have already discovered by now most likely. It would have told you about my agents and decision to try and influence the world, but I can not recall anything relevant that might otherwise be in there. Does Sabin still have it?"

Didina nods. "He wanted a ring from my father in exchange for borrowing it. You wouldn't know what the ring he wants is exactly?"

Samael shrugs before speaking in the same monotone voice. "Somewhere most likely."

It is obvious by Didina's expression that she doesn't understand the answer, however it is Syoban who explains. "Samael spreads his consciousness across Aheka, allowing him to 'see' many places at once, however the thinner he is spread the more difficult it is to recall the things he learns, especially details, so he tends to spread himself thinly to find out general things and focus his attention when he needs details."

"So that's a no then?"

Samael frowns, seemingly confused. "The answer has not changed. It is possible I know, but I can not recall it at this time, so it is unlikely to be particularly relevant."

"That doesn't mean it's not worth getting."

"No, but it means it wasn't worth me getting, otherwise I'd have had an agent take it by now."

Samael answers the question about Syoban's 'immortality' before the Rudaa gets a chance. "I have a link to all my agents. If I feel them die then I pluck their souls away at that very moment and create a new body for them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, my senses are limited to Aheka itself. Other planes, as well as demiplanes, are outside of my sight, so should any of them die away from Aheka or in an area I can not see then they are on their own, which is why we restrict ourselves to Aheka for the most part."

"Then why didn't you protect Lytas and Kelta?" Alyyryk asks with more than a hint of bitterness.

"Because I can only do so much at once. Trying to keep a sense of the mental well being of all my agents all the time would severely curtail my ability to gather information. Neither was killed on Aheka and they were taken when I was not focussed on them, so I could do nothing. I was aware when Lytas returned to Aheka however. Were it not for that then it is possible he would have been successful in killing King Vulcar II." At the frowns of more than a few of those present, Samael explains. "I could not directly intervene, however I...shook the barriers of the palace so as to put your Unusually Tall Friend on her guard as soon as I knew Lytas was in the palace. It is possible she would have been ready regardless, but it is also possible she would not have reacted in time."

When asked about Yostrah and Zera, Samael shrugs. "The honest answer is we do not know for sure, however it seems unlikely. The dagger merges the souls because its original purpose was twisted by their power and will. It is possible they can combine with others afterwards, but there is simply no prescedant for it. That does not mean it is not possible, just unlikely given what we know, which is admitedly limited. As for Yostrah and Zera working together, I suspect Zera would never work with such a powerful individual unless he had some means of control over them. The two most likely forms of control I can think of are binding them in the same manner as he did Nykal, however given the unique nature of these quasi-Elder Demons, I simply can not say whether or not such a binding would even be possible. Alternatively, and more likely in my opinion, Zera used someone who's memories and identity he had erased and replaced to merge with Yostrah in an attempt to create a loyal quasi-Elder Demon ally, since the merger could very well make the new entity loyal to him as a result."

"I'm not sure which one of those two is worse." Didina remarks flatly. "Would the Fiends have more information on how these daggers work? You said yourself your 'agents' rarely leave Aheka."

Samael shakes his head. "Unlikely. The daggers are unique and this Blue Woman is the first of the Elder Demons to have been released. There is simply no prescedant for making anything but an educated guess as to their nature for the most part."

When asked about Sanctuary and the Seers, Samael takes a moment to think before responding, his voice still sounding entirely monotone and emotionless. "Sanctuary is controlled from within. Those who know how can create a portal from within to locations within Aheka. To put it simply, Sanctuary is everywhere and no-where all at once. One can open a door anywhere except for areas with powerful protection. Without the Jalm'aen it can not penetrate strong wards, such as Epic and True Magic, however the Shrouds do not stop it. These doors can only be opened from within however, so to get in to Sanctuary someone most make a door for you. It is possible that by following his agents, in particular the Godlings and the Blue Woman, that someone could try to sneak into a door opened for someone else, but that is incredibly dangerous since we don't know where those portals would lead to, as Sanctuary itself is a very mutable place, especially when combined with the Godforge. I would expect Zera to have an enclosed and secure space where he could assess potential threats before allowing them access to Sanctuary proper - that is what was done during the Demongate Wars according to Shade afterall."

"As for Seers, they are dangerous. Even Sanctuary can not protect against Seers, as you yourself can attest to Morgan. You had a vision from within Sanctuary after all, did you not? Zera thrives when people do not know where he is, what he is doing and who works for him and Seers are uniquely capable of piercing or simply ignoring even the strongest of defences he uses to shield his secrets. I suspect he took most of them as a precaution, however he clearly targetted certain individuals as a priority. Kala, for example, had her paintings intercepted and was targetted by two Godlings and the Blue Woman herself. Were it not for the fact that Revenant had ended up guarding her she would no doubt have been taken too, making her a big threat to him." Samael's gaze becomes intense, almost dissaproving. "By unlocking her potential, you have also revealed her to be the only Godling we know to have escaped him, making her an even greater threat and target to him, especially if her visions are enhanced which they will almost certainly be in one form or another. Given the circumstances, it would be worth considering giving her that which The Oracle gave you. She was targetted by Zera for a reason beyond her power and she has had visions of him in the past, so it is very likely she will be key in the battle against him."

After a long period of silence, Alyyryk speaks up. "What about you?" He nods towards Samael. "You were the Fiendish Oracle weren't you? Haven't you had visions that could help?"

Samael shakes his head. "I was the Fiendish Oracle. I have not had visions since becoming what I am now. To my knowledge, the only two living Seers that may have relevant visions are Kala and Morgan himself. The others were taked by Zera, since they did not have Revenant to protect them." The emotionless visage breaks for a moment as Samael seems almost ashamed for the moment. "I should have seen the danger...I should have seen what was going to happen, but I had spread myself too thin that by the time I realised the connections it was too late."

~MTWC

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Samael

If I feel them die then I pluck their souls away at that very moment and create a new body for them as soon as possible.

Nevh whistled softly. Hopefully not too many people could pull off that trick.
"Ain't that mighty useful. Do you take volunteers? We certainly ain't running short on high-risk jobs at the moment.
Are you aware of others able to do that, besides the Paragons?"

The detail about how the Yostrah could be manipulated gave spark to a thought.
"I'm currently on the Elan twins' trail. Shade thinks Siva might be able to fix Letan's condition. If so then, considering what might be at work on Yostrah's host body could be under similar mind-altering manipulations, perhaps she could also return her to a much less-than-loyal merged entity to Zera. Probably still an enemy, but two enemies at each other's throat isn't as bad."

Originally Posted by Samael

To my knowledge, the only two living Seers that may have relevant visions are Kala and Morgan himself.

"Naturally."
She had a good idea, almost a certainty, of exactly why Kala and Morgan would be the only two to have such visions but stayed quiet on the matter. That most of her suspicions were being confirmed one after another made her think that it was almost a shame that she wasn't a seer herself. It would have been magnificent.
Not that the actual seers weren't doing splendidly.

The stakes were high but not as terrifying as what they had been back at the Demongate Wars. Samael had gone through much worse.
"Chin up. The misstep isn't irredeemable yet. Most might not see it as such but this is a war and wars have casualties. It'll be easier to mourn after he's been taken out."

[SpatulaOdoom]

"By unlocking her potential, you have also revealed her to be the only Godling we know to have escaped him, making her an even greater threat and target to him, especially if her visions are enhanced which they will almost certainly be in one form or another."

You ignorant arrogant assh@le.
Morgan actually glares at the ghost of Samael, anger reddening his cheeks.
"You think I'm not @#%^ing aware of that?
It wasn't my choice to make, it was hers. Believe it or not defeating Zera will take people willing to take the risks, willing to go to the line. If everyone hides away and avoids the danger the problem won't go away on it's own. I gave her all the information I had, I warned her of the dangers in the most uncertain of terms, and I made her take time to think about it. She chose to oppose him instead of hiding. Her decision terrifies me, chews at my guts, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure she has the strength, support, and tools she needs to fight effectively."
Technically he hadn't done a damn thing except give her some information about her origin. Kala had made the decision and Fisali had unlocked the potential. Morgan just happened to be around when it happened. After the fact he'd done his best to make sure she was in the safest place he could imagine outside Rincala itself.
Morgan takes another pull on his drink and takes a calming breath.
"No one person, no one mind, can see all the threads Samael, you should know that. The best we can do is see the general shape and some of the threads. Talking about what you or I or anyone should have done or should not have done isn't of any use to anyone. Let's talk about what we're going to do."

"Here's my thoughts on the matter at hand. His great strength, his ability to suborn free will, is his second great weakness. He can't trust others to act in his best interests so he limits their ability to act, those limitations on their actions means that when he can't give orders those of his minions who are controlled can't act on their own initiative. It's why Vulcar can't stray far from Z-" Morgan's eyes flicker to Crescent. F@#% it. "-from Zilira. Without his orders she can't act freely to do whatever needs to be done."
Morgan smirks at Nevh, remembering their philosophical discussion at her home.
"That's one of the reasons why you don't want an army without free will."
He returns his attention to the discussion at hand.
"Getting Zera out of Sanctuary and keeping him occupied is half the battle. While he's out we need to get others in to free the Paragons. Then he can be dealt with permanently. So we have an idea how we can get him out, although I think we need a red herring, a reason why we might be believed to think we want him out. The next question is how do we get ourselves in in?"
Morgan raises a single finger.
"Kala didn't escape from Sanctuary, she was an infant at the time, someone got her out and it sure as hell wasn't at Zera's order. Who? Can they be convinced or manipulated into letting us in while Zera is out?"
Morgan raises a second finger.
"Shade's apprentice, Xu'deln. He's shown us something. Xu'deln is able to interact with Ciilla and Salorne. Like Yostrah and her dagger the godforge's imprisonment of the Paragons isn't absolute. It might just be that Malvain can get someone on the inside. Lucius for example. Can Airis do the same?"
Morgan raises a third finger.
"If we can get our hands on a shard of the godforge can we use it on Zera himself? Either to entrap him or to disrupt his control over the Paragons, even if it's only enough for them to let us in?"
It didn't seem like much, but it was direction, and as long as they had direction they could keep moving.
"Anyone else have any ideas?"

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Morgan W

"You think I'm not @#%^ing aware of that?
It wasn't my choice to make, it was hers. Believe it or not defeating Zera will take people willing to take the risks, willing to go to the line. If everyone hides away and avoids the danger the problem won't go away on it's own. I gave her all the information I had, I warned her of the dangers in the most uncertain of terms, and I made her take time to think about it. She chose to oppose him instead of hiding. Her decision terrifies me, chews at my guts, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure she has the strength, support, and tools she needs to fight effectively."

Nevh narrowed her eyes, almost confused by his reaction to the point Samael was making.
"...are we having the same discussion?"
As far as she saw it he was just confirming another aspect of the situation, namely that Kala was the only one to have escaped and the importance of that detail. Somehow that had become another personal attack or something.

She remained stone faced at the mention of Zilira but at the reference to their earlier discussion Nevh merely raised an eyebrow and a furtive smile.
"You distort to question again; whether tools and weapons should have freewill, not an army. Whether Zera prefers tools and weapons to actual people enough to turn them as such is another matter."

Originally Posted by Morgan W

"Anyone else have any ideas?"

He had risen interesting points but the shots felt a little off to her. Refining the ideas might perhaps serve in getting clearer objectives.
"That Kala was taken out of Sanctuary to begin seems probable but I wouldn't bet on it. Revenant might know and be directly involved with the reason she is out of his grasp but the odds that we may already have a possible ally still in condition to help us on the inside is minimal. If someone fooled Zera into losing Kala, he probably took cares to prevent further accidents.
"Malvain probably cannot directly assist anyone into helping him but your vision hinted that he could indirectly do so. He indeed seems to have a plan that involves Lucius and, as we have already determined, it would be in our interest that she succeeds. Cooperating with her would mostly allow it to work with proper timing. As to Airis, I think she is also indirectly helping us. The vision you got upon touching Malvain's statue was no coincidence and I believe Malvain and perhaps also Airis willed you to have it. I think your visions have drastically improved ever since you participated in this big fool's errand, haven't they? Yours and Kala's visions are probably guided, Morgan."
She really didn't think the now regular fits of anger were also be slightly influenced by Malvain but it didn't hurt to imagine it.
Nevh snorted, went on.
"The shard might not work well on him unless he's become a god or somehow got himself some divine potential but it could certainly be used against him. The ward of the Drows prevent many connections from working, including a god's link to his worshipers. The reason Zera hasn't taken great measures to steal their shard might well be that the ward would also disconnect his link to the Paragons, making him vulnerable.
At this stage of his plans he'll likely *really* not want to lose after getting so far, especially for a shard that might not be necessary.
While I'm not certain it would work, it might be possible to have such a ward raised around a shard if we were to get one. One of a much lesser scope since we probably do not have the time and resources, but hopefully big and transportable enough to use as a trap. That would remove the need to get someone within Sanctuary."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Nevh

”Revenant might know and be directly involved with the reason she is out of his grasp but the odds that we may already have a possible ally still in condition to help us on the inside is minimal.”

Morgan holds up a finger.
”Small point of order. Eve, Revenant, never met Kala and had nothing to do with her until years after Kala showed up. Esiard is the reason they're together.
Twenty'ish years ago, so Kala would have been four at the time and I ten, there was a plague scare down in the southlands. Things got a little crazy. Esiard was escorting some healers from the area after things had been dealt with and they ran into a large group of bandits. During the fight Eve showed up traveling in the opposite direction. She didn't care about the fight, tried to walk right on past, but of course bandits being bandits decided to add one more person to their spoils.

Eve took them apart. Needless to say Esiard was impressed with her skill and frightened by her lack of... interest I suppose, in what she was doing. In Esiard's own words “there was a deadness to her. The look of a soldier who has seen and done to much. Who's fighting on reflex more than anything.” He assumed she was a prodigy who'd been taught to kill far too young and tried to break away from it. Esiard convinced her to come back to Halvana with him and tried to help her reconnect. It didn't work until she met Kala. Eve just sort of took to her.”

[Blue]

So Eve met Kala when she was four, and did so after moving around Halvanna with Esiard who was oblivious of who she actually was. Okay.
Big stories for simple facts but every bits of information could help. Perhaps.
"And Kala was at an orphanage before that, I suppose? I'd wager she doesn't remember anything before then so if by chance those in charge of the establishment back then are still around and remember who brought her in, it'd help determine if someone just found her or actually brought her there with purpose."
If the orphanage part is confirmed, she'd go on.
"It doesn't change the situation much, still. If someone took her out of Sanctuary, and that is assuming Zera could go in Sanctuary back then, then that doesn't leave many options. It was likely either Nykal, Shade, Airis or Zera himself. Anyone else of his allies would have knowingly paid dearly for the treachery. Nykal aside, odds of getting help from within is minimal, and persuading Nykal would be no easy feat... though tricking him might be easier."

[Makenshi]

"Do not confuse the abilities of the Paragons. Their unity is in their reincarnation and immortality, not their powers. Airis returns the dead to life, Malvain allows the dead to become something new and Salorne allows his followers to ignore the ravages of time. What one can do is not what the others can do."

"If Zera has only one shard and you have one, then it is possible, though you would require someone to power the shard. If he has two shards then no, using another shard would not be enough to sever the connection."

Alyyryk picks up slightly at the mention of the orphanage, waiting for Morgan to answer the question before speaking. "If you know where it was Kala was left then I know someone who would be able to delve back into it's past and possibly find out who left her there too, depending on how far back we need to go and what has happened there in between."

"One of your Elernan friends?" It's obvious by Didina's tone that she is wary of involving Elernans.

Alyyryk nods. "Colonel Lucien Loire of the Citadel Corps. He's not a natural Seer like Wainraith, however he's always been sensitive to extremes of emotions and has a knack for reading places and objects."

When Nevh speaks of Nykal, Syoban gives her an odd look. "Persuading Nykal would be easy - he's still the man he once was - the problem is that he's not in control of his own actions. He is bound in the same way Zilira is - he is entirely conscious and aware of what he is doing but simply incapable of fighting Zera's control over him."

"It is possible that there is a loophole you might be able to use if you can find out how exactly Zera bound Nykal. There are various subtle differences between the different forms of bindings, since each is typically created by an individual who approaches the magic in a different way. Find out who he learnt the binding from and you may be able to find a way to get Nykal's help despite the bond or even a way to break it."

~MTWC

[Blue]

Jester had not insinuated that Nykal's state was as such, but whatever.
She sighed.
"It will not be easy to do without it being useless, then. Point stays the same. Tricking him could be easier."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan shakes his head.
"Again no.
She is a doorstep baby, that much is well known. Except in this case she appeared inside the main temple itself. There were people around and whoever did it had to get through some doors and pass by some Esiard trained guards. No-one saw a thing. Her mysterious appearance is yet another reason why people thought she might be one of Airis' reincarnations."
Admittedly the church of Airis had fewer enemies to be wary of than most, so security wasn't what it could be, but Esiard didn't half-ass when it came to training the ceremonial temple guards. More than one would-be thief had been caught trying for some of the more pricy relics and accoutrements of the church by unexpectedly capable watchmen.

"I don't know precisely where she was found Alyyryk, but I could find out."
Unlike Didina Morgan had no problem involving the Elernens if it would help. Bridges needed to be built. Sometimes they started with seemingly small things.

He glances at Nevh.
"I'm confident that he was in Sanctuary twenty years ago, probably quite a bit earlier. Zera captures Airis using the Godforge sometime before or during the Betrayer Wars. He had to know how much that would piss off Shade. So he would need a bolt hole good enough to keep him secure against Shade specifically. Shade can't be affected by the Godforge shards, knows better than anyone how they work, and Nykal and all the godly power he might be able to direct at that point would be next to useless against Shade. What else could he do but have a hiding place prepared ahead of time? Anything else would be recklessly stupid. For his many faults Zera isn't stupid."
Morgan drums his fingers on the tabletop.
"Nykal is my top pick for who got Kala out, but I pointed it out not because I think we could talk him into getting us in but to point out that Zera does have holes in either his security or his control. If he found out about it and plugged the hole then why didn't he retrieve Kala right away? Why wait twenty four years until he's sweeping up Seers? And if he's going to do that why not go after Kala first? No he doesn't, or didn't, know who Kala is.

I think he doesn't know who did it, or if he found out who he wasn't able to find out how they did it and what they did with Kala."
There was no guarantee but assuming the premises were true the logical progression was sound.

Morgan sighs.
"As far as my visions go I wouldn't put too much stock in them being guided."
He reaches under his collar and drags out a small pendant on a platinum chain. Nevh certainly, and maybe Morgan Crescent, had probably noticed him in the past touching it beneath his clothes. The coin sized and shaped gem is smooth, not faceted. The setting is essentially a platinum ring, and a tiny tracery of what is likely an inscription circles the ring. He doesn't give them much of a chance to look at it though, tucking it quickly back under his collar.
"It's the gift Samael was talking about. My visions have definitely not "drastically improved", but it helps me out in small ways. It doesn't much affect my normal visions but it seems to make triggered visions easier to trigger." Morgan's face darkens, momentarily morose. "It could do quite a bit more but there'd be a permanent cost." He drains another long pull on his beer. "My visions have always been drawn to turning points, change in the status quo. The visions when I touched the statue and the sword were just that, a triggered vision of a turning point with a strong metaphysical and/or emotional gravitas. Airis wouldn't need to do a damn thing to make it happen, if she even could. She might be the patron god of seers but that doesn't mean she has any control over their abilities. There's plenty of theories about how or why they work but the truth is no-one I've ever talked to really knows a damn thing. Visions are nothing more than a crap shoot, maybe you get something useful, maybe not, and that's if they even happen or are comprehensible. Relying on them is the same as relying on luck, and I prefer not to do that." There's a note of bitterness in his voice as he says this.

"Now instead of talking about what we can't do let's talk about what we can. Who would know or how could we find out what sort of loopholes exist in Zera's control? Speaking of which *points towards his private thread and pokes Makenshi*Tiaan? Demios?"

Morgan glances at Syoban.
"Do you have any people in the drow city?"

[Makenshi]

"Deimos does not practice True Magic to my knoweldge, though he is proficient with Epic Magic. As for who could help you, that depends on who it is Zera learnt his bindings from, though Tiaan is a likely candidate regardless."

Syoban answers the question about the Drow. "Just one. In their 'capitol'. Why?" He looks wary. "As Samael explained before, his senses can't stretch through the Drow barrier so our agent is taking a great risk just by being there, so don't expect any heroics. Next time Jin wants to investigate the Drow he can try and be stealthy about it."

Samael turns towards Nevh. "You spoke of the twins before? I am afraid I can not help you find them as they've found a way to block my sight. Be careful if you intend to approach them. Siva is mostly harmless - her powers passive for the most part - however Shiva's strength has grown greatly and by all accounts he will not hesitate to kill if he suspects you are a threat to him or his sister. I am certain they are Godlings, since it would explain how they have been able to elude my senses almost as long as I've been aware of their existence, so it is possible Siva might be capable of undoing some of the damage done to Lytas, but it is not certain."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Syoban

"As Samael explained before, his senses can't stretch through the Drow barrier so our agent is taking a great risk just by being there, so don't expect any heroics. Next time Jin wants to investigate the Drow he can try and be stealthy about it."

The mage holds up a placating hand.
"No no, nothing like that. I'm only hoping to trade some information. We're going to eventually want one of our own people there ourselves. The more complete our information going in, the better our chances of a smooth and unnoticed operation. I was hoping you would let us in on your reports and such. It may not be as current but I'm sure we could reciprocate with what we're learning from Shade's apprentice and eventually when we get someone in place from them too."
Setting up a steady information exchange with the Hands seemed a good idea.

[Makenshi]

Syoban shakes his head. "Unless you've a Drow-touched agent in mind, I'd suggest against it. The last we heard from our agent the Drow are getting really jumpy, so magical disguises probably wouldn't be for the best, but that's to be expected when Jin isn't the only notable human wandering around causing them trouble."

"Kerberos' group?" Misa asks.

Syoban shakes his head. "No. They're disguised with magic that our agent couldn't penetrate, however whatever it is has effectively turned them into Drow-touched/Half-Drow versions of themselves, so we recognised the descriptions. Tel'shar brought them into House Rilyn'und, the dominant house in the dominant city of the Underdark. The other people I was referring to also went to Kerberos' meeting, just like Lyandé and Jin, however like them they went independently to the Deimosian lot."

"Who then?"

"We don't know for sure, but from the descriptions, we believe it to be Keiji Kigo and Su'rion. Whoever they are they've been going about things much more smartly than Jin. Keeping outside the cities. Hitting small groups - most likely to gather information - and generally acting in a manner consistent with how those two have worked together in the past. The point is, combined with Jin's appearance - and his display of skill - as well as other factors, the Drow believe they have been compromised, or are at least acting like it, which is why relying on disguises would not be advisable."

Samael looks at Morgan. "Shade has an apprentice? One who knows about the Drow?"

Didina looks surprised. "You didn't know?"

Samael shakes his head. "I can not perceive Shade unless he wants me to see him, and he can shield things nearby too."

"He's a Half-Drow called Xu'deln."

It's Syoban's turn to look surprised. "Xu'deln Rilyn'und? Son of Archmage Xufaer Rilyn'und?" Didina nods, while Syoban turns to Samael. "Well, that could prove invaluable. Beyond simple insight into Drow culture and whatever seer abilities the boy apparently has."

"Why's that?"

Syoban takes more than a few moments to think before replying, as if weighing his words carefully. "We have reason to believe that Xufaer is not...entirely happy with the state of things, and that she has a certain amount of affection for her son and is resentful towards her family for his dissapearance. We've been looking for him for some time now."

~MTWC