[Game Thread] Chapter Five: Everything Changes

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Humility

"She doesn't need to know anything about it for there to be a relative of hers wandering around seer.”

”I never said she needed to.”
Morgan intentionally echoes Humility's words when the Child in the Dark had “corrected” Leon. There's no heat to it, just a gentle reminder that she was making a similar mistake to the one she'd just pointed out in another.
”When investigating something you may find that information that seemed irrelevant at first glance later becomes a clue or gains significance when you've more pieces of the puzzle to give context or alter your perception of the situation.”
Morgan had been on the receiving end of multiple shifts in perception over the last few months. Perhaps Aldamil knew things already, but she just never considered them in the light of having secret kin or gods or her signet ring having some sort of significance beyond the obvious. Morgans questions were attempts to prompt her to think about things in a different light. Her mother had given her the signet ring just before her death, was there a connection between the two events?

In response to Leon's question Morgan shrugs.
”At this point I'd say the only thing to be done is look into who she is. We've got some fairly compelling evidence she's not an enemy, but without knowing more about her and those she spoke of I'd remain cautious and keep her at arm's length. Once more is known then decide what, if anything, to do about her.”
It wasn't a very concrete answer, but when they knew so little it was the only one he had.

[Blue]

Ooc This is assuming Zilira relayed Nevh the information of the conversation when it became clear it was important stuff, as she usually did when she couldn't be present. I'll post here myself since Mak seems indisposed for the while though disregard it and any reaction that would ensue from her replies if for some reason she wouldn't have. Because of what Nevh is doing outside of the conversation, it would have taken her some time before she could put some thoughts on things to communicate with the group, so now might be about the right moment.

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by Morgan

”Can you tell us anything that seems like it might be relevant about your mother's side of the family, or her death?”

Aldamil shakes her head. "Nothing that springs to mind. Besides, I'm told I resemble my father's sister more than my mother."

Originally Posted by Humility

"How about it Cipher? Is it possible?"

Cypher looks too lost in her own thoughts to answer, prompting Bane to poke her in the ribs, which earns him a reproachful look from his older sister. "Don't stab the messenger."

After prompting her again Cypher nods. "It is certainly possible. I know of several Faces who have had children in such a manner, myself included."

Aldamil's eyes narrow suspiciously. "You? But you were-"

"A Royal Advisor, yes." Cypher's response is surprisingly defensive. "But even if I somehow had managed to have a child I wasn't aware of she couldn't be mine. By the description you've given she's too old. I've not yet reached three decades yet."

Aldamil still regards the Face with suspicion. "Who?"

Cypher raises an eyebrow. "Who what?"

"Don't play coy. You said you had children while a Face, which means it was someone in Sharak"

Cypher seems defensive again. "And how is the father of my children any of your business?"

"It is if they're a relative of mine. Are they?"

There is a pregnant pause as the two women stare at one another, with neither looking about ready to back down. "Are you sure you want me to answer that?"

"If it means my sever shrinking family is larger than I thought, then yes."

For a long moment it appears as if Cypher will remain silent, but in the end she relents with a weary sigh. "My twins would be your half siblings."

Aldamil clearly hadn't been expecting that, looking at a loss for words, although neither Bane nor Coiya look surprised at the news.

OOC Given the nature of this revelation, Zilira would wait before passing on what Nevh said, especially since she might have new questions herself.

~MTWC

[Blue]

Ooc No new question. What she already sent won't take account of the new info since she didn't hear of it when she sent her thoughts. She has nothing to say on the new information for the moment.

 

"Would it be possible for the witnesses to provide a visual profile of that Shadow person? If they cannot make the illusion, perhaps they would allow for their mind to be peered in to share their memory of her image. Pinning a face to a name can only serve."

"Morgan's angle might be a good place to start. Who can censure her speech? It is not unlike what we were subjected to when we entered the tomb so perhaps it is True Magic related to Vulcar the First again in some way. If related to Jester, it could also be related to Zera, who could probably produce a similar effect. Samael can do something like it as well it seems. There are surely others but those who can already do it are more like to know who else would have that ability."

"More importantly, it is clear that this last war is already going to be a pretty big deal. If something else, something even worse, lies around the corner, perhaps it would be wise to reconsider our situation.
"Zera should already be in a position to attack fully and yet he is not. Perhaps he has other concerns of his own that may be connected to this last war or that other more terrible event. Airis had a vision of the last war so it is quite possible that as his captor he would be informed on the subject, especially considering how well informed he proved to be on just about everything to get to where he is now. Consulting Airis might help us make more sense of it all, which is why perhaps it would be wise to contact Zera to initiate terms of... temporary cooperation. Indirect if necessary. We need more information and perhaps he can help. I know he must be judged and dealt with with the utmost severity but something more important than the horrors he has committed might on the line. He wasn't at Kerberos' meeting for naught. Something to seriously consider.

"Besides, I am still intrigued to learn exactly how he managed to accomplish all that he has done, and how he came to learn so much. Perhaps he is not who we think he is. Asking Jester for his earliest memories of him might also be a good idea. Get more than everyone's general knowledge of the man. We cannot trust 'general knowledge'. It really didn't serve much so far."

[SpatulaOdoom]

”Alright, then what about your aunt? Was she married and or did she have any lovers? Children that you know of? Is she still around?” Close friends that could be spoken to, long time servants, regular haunts, mentors or students. The avenues of exploration were usually quite a bit larger than most thought. Perhaps he should arrange for Eloise to help Aldamil with that investigation. She certainly wasn't getting very far with the paintings.

When the discussion turns to the parentage of Cipher's children Morgan says nothing. He's not all that surprised really. It's sad that they won't have a proper father, but from what he'd gathered from his brief discussion with the children staying above his friend's bakery raising children worked a bit differently for the Children in the Dark.

He does toss a wry thought across to Zilira though
”You know one of these days we should start working up your family tree. We could use the back wall of my stable. It might be big enough if we truncate the Halva royal line side of things.”
After a pause he sends another probing thought.
”So... I don't suppose there are any startling revelations you'd like to reveal now that you are nolonger bound?”
He'd been planning on asking that question in a more private setting, having his own pet theories about certain things. Now might be better though. Before the meeting of folk from across the world and beyond continued.

[Battlechaser]

Sipping slowly from a glass of water - somehow he had managed to find water in the drinking cabinet - Léon listened intently to the others revealing more and more new intel. So the Children have gone really deep undercover. He was not sure he would be able to do it himself, being more a search and recover or destroy type of operative. The thief was also curious how Ziliira would respond to this revelation. Might come in handy later.

[Makenshi]

"My aunt married a Chathema soldier who later became a general." She glances towards the Children. "One of the ones you killed in fact." There is a hint of venom to her tone in that, but the Children take it in their stride and Aldamil herself quickly returns her attention to Morgan. "As far as I'm away she remained faithful and all of my cousins are accounted for, even if they are currently under the 'protection' of the Children."

After a short silence Aldamil finally manages to find a response to Cipher's revelation. "You...and...my father?" The Face nods. "For how long?"

"Do you really want to discuss this so publicly?" Cipher asks gently. "I would be happy to speak to you later about it if you would prefer to speak in private." Judging by her reaction, Aldamil appeared to have forgotten how large an audience they had, flushing slightly as she nods.

Zilira looks mildly amused by the whole situation, and chooses to give a spoken answer to Morgan's telepathic question. "As far as other oddities are concerned, I should add that someone has been praying to me in a rather...familial manner."

Vulcar appears startled by this news. "What? What do you mean?"

"'Oh Goddess of eight-legged hairy things in the night, may you be broken from your chains'." She quotes. "'Oh unusually tall daughter of spider and fiend, may you taste freedom soon'. And so on."

"Why didn't you mention anything?"

"Because the binding forbade me to interact with or even speak of my worshippers. However, when he does it again I'll be able to respond, look for him or even teleport to where he is when he prays. And yes, I know it's a he, or at least takes a male form when he prays."

~MTWC

[DiabolicalGenius]

Humility raised an eyebrow at the revelation from Cypher, though not much more than that since it didn't effect her or the Children a great deal directly. Even if the father of Cypher's twins was actually King Kaeyin himself, she knew better than anyone that a where your blood came from was a minor issue among the Children of the Dark. Which was why she was willing to give Aldamil the benefit of the doubt about her own origins. Though it was interesting to know that Cypher had had that kind of relationship with the man. Was it just for the sake of gathering intelligence, or....? She had no right to judge how the Face's did their work when she had little understanding of it herself, but it certainly was an interesting thought.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan respectfully keeps his silence in regards to Aldamil's concerns. It was none of his business on both sides of the fence, so unless he's invited into the conversation he'll continue acting as though he hadn't heard a word.

When Zilira reveals her petitioner Morgan raises an eyebrow of his own. "Intriguing." It almost sounded like the sort of things Morgan would say. "So then you can tell that this person is a true worshipper rather than simply someone trying to communicate with you? And how long has it been going on?" It made a form of sense that she would be able to. After all Misa, Nevh, Morgan and the others weren't actual worshippers, they simply used the holy symbols to communicate with Zilira and each other.

He tugs lightly on his beard. This mystery petitioner knew of Zilira's identity, origins, and imprisonment. He might even have some concept that she might be freed soon. With godforge bits floating around and Zera and Lolth and so on Morgan is immediately wary of Zilira being drawn into a trap of some form or another.

On the other hand. "You know, once the people of Ahkea, the Children in the Dark, and especially the drow discover you're still around you'll probably find your number of petitioners rising sharply. Whether you like it or not." Something to consider.

[Blue]

Nevh would remain silent on the whole exchange with Aldamil, leaving her impressions unknown.
She would respond to the announcement of the mystery worshiper, however.
"Well, someone aware of your existence and of your situation. Perhaps more aware of it than we were until recently. It could be that this person is being familiar only to lure you into answering him and confirm that you are no longer bound. First thought would be to ignore him and have someone else find and interact with him to get a better idea of what he is and what he is after, second thought would be to wonder what disadvantage we would actually have in our enemies knowing that you are now free to do as you wish - the only one that comes to mind being that Zera would perhaps desire to bind you himself and for that he'd need Vulcar's own binding to be removed first. Either way, thread lightly."

[Battlechaser]

Oouch. Not something you would want to here. Daddy has been spreading the love around. Léon shrugged, If my father -whomever the bastard might be- wasn't a whoremonger I would not be here.

One word of Ziliira's explanation kept spooking around Léon's head. "Familial as in a family member? Or familial as in he or she knows you? Who knew about your situation besides the Halvan line, Ziliira? It might help to slim down the list of suspects. Would you worshipper be of use to us?"

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by Morgan

"So then you can tell that this person is a true worshipper rather than simply someone trying to communicate with you? And how long has it been going on?"

"I've been hearing him for a month or so. And true enough. They could just be trying to talk to me rather than being an actual worshipper."

Originally Posted by Morgan

"You know, once the people of Aheka, the Children in the Dark, and especially the drow discover you're still around you'll probably find your number of petitioners rising sharply. Whether you like it or not."

Zilira smiles wryly. "And they'll find, like my worshippers before, that I am not the most attentive or involved of Goddesses. Still, it will be nice I must admit. There's nothing quite like it. Having worshippers that is."

In response to Nevh's communication (which she relays to the others) Zilira frowns. "Oh, don't you worry. I learnt my lesson about underestimating mortals with Vulcar. I won't be making that mistake again. The thought that this is a trap of some sort has indeed crossed my mind. I'll try looking in on him before I do anything, don't you worry."

Originally Posted by Leon

"Familial as in a family member? Or familial as in he or she knows you?"

"As in someone who knows me."

Originally Posted by Leon

"Who knew about your situation besides the Halvan line, Ziliira? It might help to slim down the list of suspects."

"As far as I'm aware, only Zera, Seneca and their ilk, but I know all of them and have spoken with Seneca and his as I do with Morgan and Nevh, and this man does not sound like any of them, in manner or words as well as sound."

Originally Posted by Leon

"Would you worshipper be of use to us?"

The Goddess gives him a withering look. "How should I know if I don't even know who he is?"

~MTWC

[Makenshi]

Once those matters were settled Vulcar spoke up again. "Before we leave for the rest of the recess perhaps now would be the best time for Morgan to look at Aldamil's dagger, assuming Her Highness agrees of course?" He looks towards Aldamil.

The Sharakan Princess looks a little pensive at first before nodding. "Given the now public revelation, it would seem I've little choice. Besides, it will at least be useful to know which of the five is in it." She glances to Tiaan. "I assume you still have the dagger?" He reaches inside of his robes, drawing out a sheathed dagger with various foreign symbols etched onto both the sheathe and hilt. It looked identical to both the ones Morgan had seen before.

The Demi-God holds it out towards Morgan.

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

The tall lanky mage eyes the dagger with a sort of resigned tiredness that is contrast to his previously animated demeanor.
Ah yes. Best to get on with it.
He sits himself on the floor in preparation for the inevitable flop and reaches out an arm.
Just before touching the dagger he says "Anyone care to wager against it being Xarax?" It's more a Seer's hunch than anything, those patterns he touched at the blurry edges of How Things Worked, but he felt reasonably confident of it. Not confident enough to actually take any bets though as he grabs the proffered hilt rather than wait for responses.

[Makenshi]

From the moment Morgan takes the dagger, his eyes roll back into his head and he falls backwards, only to be caught by Zilira, who places his head on her lap as she looks on with concern. After a few moment he lets go of the dagger, leaving a bright red imprint of the dagger on his hand, although he seems to take a deep, satisfied breath at the same time.

~MTWC