[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

[nobilis] Storme says, "so I guess we won't be playing tonight"

[nobilis] Matthew says (to Storme), "PLEASE let me know what you think."

[nobilis] Matthew says (to Storme), "A lot of people I know can't stop talking about it."

[nobilis] Storme says, "well, oren and jwalrus are also coming, so they can also tell you"

[nobilis] Chrysoula nods at Storme. You mentioned yesterday so that's cool. Have fun!

[nobilis] Ferris has joined the channel.

Ferris materializes.

Chrysoula exclaims, "Yay Ferris!"

Ferris says, "hm, 'walk the plank' goes somewhere weird on this MUD"

Ferris says, "I am here, but I have to admit I have not paid any attention to the game in months, including not reading the transcripts"

Ferris says, "so I am as out of the loop as it is possible to get and still be considered playing"

Pete says, "Oh yeah, #889. That's the other room we also used for RP here."

Ferris says, "but since I was just sitting here today it seemed rude not to wander in"

Pete says (to Ferris), "When you arrived, I did think 'yay, Ferris', even though I did not actually say it."

Nathan materializes.

[nobilis] Nathan has joined the channel.

[nobilis] Dara has joined the channel.

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Where are we?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "#918"

Dara materializes.

[nobilis] Pete says, "(Possibly this was a bad idea, considering WTP.)"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "wtp?"

[nobilis] Jota says, "Walk the Plank."

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Which takes you somewhere else?"

[nobilis] Dara afk a bit.

[nobilis] Pete says, "Yeah."

[Crows-Nest] Ferris has joined the channel.

Chrysoula grins at Ferris.

Chrysoula says, "I can't actually remember if you got sucked into Komaru's void with them, or stayed behind."

Chrysoula thinks back. I guess you got sucked in.

Chrysoula can sum up what you've missed very quickly but isn't sure that she might not say things she hasn't previously said.

Ferris says, "hm, yeah, I think entering the void was the last thing I remember doing"

Chrysoula says, "But basically, Komaru is an earth-like world with some earth-like peasants, a magical flying girl who is the guardian and consort of her twin brother the king, and a secret order that can teleport around the country. You've been provisionally accepted as Not That Weird by the magical flying girl, and she's instructed Vasya to be your guide."

Chrysoula says, "Or! You can have been knocked out, stuffed in a trunk and are just now waking up."

Chrysoula says, "Because of the void trip. :-)"

Ferris says, "ok"

Ferris asks, "What are we here to do, again?"

Pete says, "Seek out new life and new civilizations."

Pete says, "Boldly go where none of our friends have gone before."

Dara says (to Ferris), "There's some sort of plot against the MFG (aka Chiara)"

Nathan says, "look around and if there is anything cool"

[Crows-Nest] Dara has joined the channel.

[Crows-Nest] Dara asks, "What's the you say/I say/X says option again?"

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "saymode, IIRC."

[Crows-Nest] inky says, "saymode : 1"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "saymode 3"

Chrysoula says, "When the MUSh crashed, people were playing with statues and Vasya was about to whip out a deck of cards."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "(3 is 'X says')"

[Crows-Nest] Dara nods.

Chrysoula says, "He was explaining how magic worked on Komaru, specifically."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Thanks."

Pete tries to deduce how to read a statue that's meant to convey information.

Ferris stares around stupidly.

[Crows-Nest] Pete says (to Ferris), "Also, http://www-bioc.rice.edu/~lpsmith/IF/7thSea/chrysoula/nobchrys10.html is last weeks log if you want to skim it to get your bearings."

[Crows-Nest] Ferris says, "ok"

Chrysoula says, "It doesn't take that much Aspect to see that the statue is pretty simple: a children's picture book of concepts, meant to convey a mood rather than complex information."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Hunh, I never knew www-bioc worked."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya pulls a card out of the deck. It features a symbol on it that seems vaguely familiar to Nathan, and under the symbol is 'Pathway Through Shadow'. The card itself seems to be made of a pale, greenish bone-like material."

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "Hmm. I didn't even notice that was in the URL I was using. Must be the one google returns first."

[Crows-Nest] Dara nods.

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "These cards can be merged with objects to enchant them, or raise castles from the ground, or to attune the bearer to a Cosmos power.""

Dara raises an eyebrow.

Dara asks, "And you're just carrying them around? Is that much power common?"

Nathan blinks at the symbol.

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Speaking of symbols, did you decide about the symbols we saw glowing on our skin when we arrived; if they were all the same or unique to each of us?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "does it look like -- right, that"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya looks puzzled. "It is wise to keep cards you're attuned to close at hand, and most every noble family has a deck of them. Duplicating them isn't that complex a magic."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Some unique, some the same. This is the one that was on Nathan."

[nobilis] Ferris asks, "did I get have one too?"

Dara says, "So, only the noble families."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Yep."

Ferris asks, "merged with objects?"

Dara asks, "Can I look through that?"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "Mm, yes. Not an art I am familiar with personally, but in the geomantic trance, cards become malleable." He hands the deck to Dara and watches her carefully."

Dara looks through the deck, looking for her own symbol and those of her companions.

[nobilis] Ferris asks, "what does mine look like?"

[nobilis] Dara says (to Ferris), "Here's a scaled down version: ."

[nobilis] Dara says, "(sorry about the detail)"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Also, whose were the same as each other's?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I don't think we've had them described"

Chrysoula says, "Your own symbol is on Darkness that Devours. Pete's is on Mirror of Light. X's was Light of Perfection. Ferris was also Darkness that Devours. The symbols look like somewhat like kanji."

Dara holds her own card, trying to see if she senses anything.

Chrysoula says, "Oh, and Jim's was also Mirror of Light."

Chrysoula says, "Wait, no, Light of Perfection, sorry."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Are Pete and Jim in the same familia? Now I've forgotten."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I thought so"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Ah, yup."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Scratch that theory ;-)"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Although Jim shared X's, not mine, I think."

[nobilis] Pete says, "(Not sure which Familia X was in.)"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "also in ours"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya narrows his eyes and tries to snatch the card from Dara's hand. "It's rude to try to attune to somebody else's deck without asking, you know." Dara has the sense of a vague presence, more of a tingle than anything else."

[nobilis] Dara says, "X is also Jeheila."

Ferris says, "Darkness that Devours? that doesn't sound too pleasant"

Dara says, "Oops, sorry."

Dara says, "I wasn't trying to attune, just, uh, notice."

Dara hands the deck back.

Pete asks, "What do the specific cards mean?"

Ferris asks, "why can't I be 'light that's nice to other people' or something?"

Dara gives Ferris a sympathetic look.

Nathan says, "I think it might be which constellation you're closest to, or something"

[Crows-Nest] Dara exclaims, "I wanted to be Envy!"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "It's the path of war and destruction. The Mer to the west are associated with it." He nods at Dara. "I'm sure you didn't mean to, but if you know their true names, it can happen by accident. If you aren't attuned to any of the other paths, that is.""

[Crows-Nest] Ferris says, "yay"

Pete says, "Is the 'Mirror of Light' aligned with a particular kind of magic or power, or -- ah, mm."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya nods. "Mirror of Light is the Mirror path. Social graces. Learning how to give people what you want, and get what you want at the same time.""

Pete rubs his chin thoughtfully.

[Crows-Nest] Dara asks, "Are there just the four?"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Are there just the four?"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "You'd think with only 2 channels, it'd be hard to mis-channel."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya continues. "Light of Perfection begins the Sun path, which is the path of healing and stasis. Pathway Through Shadow is the start of the Galaxy path, which is associated with knowledge and secrets.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "The four what? Symbols on y'all? Yup."

[nobilis] Dara says, "And in the deck."

Chrysoula says, "He says, "It gets rather complex what you can attune to-- for example, one attuned to Mirror of Light and one attuned to Darkness that Devours can attune each other to Rakshasa, Eater of the Dead.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "No, there's about 40 cards in the deck."

Pete asks, "Is Rakshasa an intersection of the Mirror and Destruction paths?"

Pete asks, "And is everyone attuned to a card, or only certain people?"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "With 40 different symbols, or the 4 in different varieties? 4 suits?"

Chrysoula says, "He concludes, "And once attuned to a Power, you may ask it to teach you special gifts.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "40 differnet symbols."

[nobilis] Dara asks, "And the ones we're attuned to are the 4 most basic? Those 4 cardinal directions?"

Vasya nods at Pete. "It is. Of the first circle, in any case. Initiates of the first circle can progress further, and make further corner attunements through the use of miko. It gets complex. I myself am an initiate of the third circle, on the Galaxy path."

[nobilis] Vasya says, "Yes."

Dara nods.

Dara says, "So, four basic paths, and some intersections."

Vasya says, "The powers of Sun and Damien have taught me a few tricks, but only a few." He shrugs. "They serve me well, though.""

Ferris asks, "So I could learn to be extra good at destroying stuff?"

Pete asks, "How would someone of the first circle use their power? Do you need to have a deck?"

Vasya says, "Would you like to go outside? I could show you the ocean." He nods at Ferris. "Masters of that path can avoid damage in combat, destroy objects with their hands, and so forth. It has some dark bindings though."

Ferris nearly knocks something over with his elbow as he asks this.

[Crows-Nest] Dara chuckles.

Ferris says, "dark bindings, hm? hrm"

Ferris says, "I wouldn't mind seeing the ocean."

Vasya slips his deck back into the bag. "Well, you need the card for each Power you wish to attune to. Once you attune to it, it is bound to you." He scowls. "Some are in the habit of giving single cards to their servants, in order to further their own advancement."

[Crows-Nest] Pete wonders if 'I could show you the ocean' is a desperate attempt to change the subject.

Dara says, "Because it's still bound to them."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Either that or a bad pick-up line."

Vasya says, "You must have the card, and know the power's true name, and then the name of the gift it grants, and then you simply beseech the power. Oh, and you must be in a castle." He shakes his head at Dara. "The advancement to the next circle requires initiates to support you. But now-- we must not discuss this until we are out of the city."

Dara says (to Vasya), "But you're not attuned to every card in your deck, I take it--you just have that potential should you progress further."

Dara says, "Hmm, OK."

Dara says, "Let's see this ocean, then."

Chrysoula says, "Kind of somberly, he leads you out of the house and through the city of Skye. He's not terribly chatty, but feel free to bring things up. It's a bit later in the day, and the city is settling down some."

Dara looks around for card vendors, not really expecting to see any.

Chrysoula says, "You don't. Nor do you see those symbols anywhere."

Chrysoula says, "Eventually, the road begins to climb, and you leave the city and end up on a cliff overlooking an unfriendly, rockstrewn beach. There's a very faint path that leads down to the beach from the cliff."

Ferris tries to feel grounded with the ground like he used to back in the chancel.

Chrysoula says, "There is no sign of human activity on the cold grey waves. There's something faintly foreboding."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "You can tell almost immediately that while iron is present in the earth of Mourn, it shares space with some other substance as Mourn's core."

[nobilis] Ferris says, "hrmm"

Pete juggles rocks.

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Do Ferris and I feel somewhat less forboded, being symbolified with the west and all?"

[nobilis] Ferris says, "good question"

[nobilis] Dara neologizes with abandon.

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Not really. You can just better identify the source of the foreboding as a /presence/."

Ferris asks, "what's this foreboding presence?"

Vasya pulls his cloak over his shoulders and looks rather melodramatically brooding. The effect is sort of ruined by Pete's juggling, though. "I'm not surprised you can feel their presence. The Mer. We do not travel on the sea," he says gloomily.

Ferris asks, "The Mer? like Mer-maids?"

Pete asks, "Are they unfriendly?"

Ferris squints out over the waves.

Vasya says, "Mer-maids, more beautiful than you can imagine, Mer-men, hideous. Of course, women usually say the opposite. They are... dangerous. They take memories. Sometimes they give gifts. Sometimes they destroy. They destroyed half of Komaru once."

Ferris asks, "Were they angry about something?"

Ferris guesses he won't try skipping a rock out to sea.

[nobilis] Vasya exclaims, "You're still a stone's throw from the sea itself (hahahah) but if you head down the path, you can get even closer!"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "We're still on top of the cliff, right?"

Pete goes down the path a ways.

[nobilis] Dara says, "(timing)"

Dara ponders, backs up, then runs to the edge of the cliff and does a swan dive into the ocean. As she leaps, she *shifts* and her bones become hollow, and her cloak stiffens to help her glide down into the ocean.

Vasya sighs. "I suppose so. It is said that they loved En'you, Komaru's sister. She loved Komaru, but because of a prophecy, they could not be together. She went to the Mer in the end, but she never loved them. Generations later, one of her descendents loved a Komaru again, and sought help from the Mer in breaking the prophecy. They... tricked her. She gave birth to an ocean. Half the country was covered in it. The En'you died." He watches Dara's leap mournfully and then follows Pete down the path.

Nathan says, "Dara can always be relied on to jump into these kind of situations"

Nathan shrugs and heads down the path after the others.

Pete asks, "Wait. Is Komaru a person or a place?"

Dara, in the water, changes her lungs to gills, and takes stock of her surroundings.

Vasya says, "He was the Power who created the kingdom of Komaru from Mourn, and brought the magic of the stars here. I'm a little worried about your friend."

Chrysoula says, "Dara: The ocean closes over you like an embrace; there's no impact of hard water from your leap. It's /cold/."

Ferris glances sideways at Nathan

Nathan says, "Sometimes she gets in over her head, it's true"

Ferris says, "Nathan has star magic too, supposedly"

Dara tries to sense if anything who lives in the ocean produces those hope crystals.

Chrysoula says, "On the surface, the water bubbles, and a pair of figures rise up, each carved of shimmering, constantly falling water. One is male, one female. As you're all male, the female is astonishingly attractive, though not compellingly so, at least for you. The male is repellant. Vasya takes his breath in sharply, though, and turns his head away."

Pete gets close enough to touch the water.

Ferris says, "Wow."

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Is it reversed for the females in the group?"

Chrysoula says, "Dara: under the sea, nothing. There isn't hope here. There's just... oblivion. You know how when it's really quiet, you can sort of hear a hum? That's what it's like down here."

[nobilis] Ferris says, "it's a good thing iain isn't here or his character would explode"

Nathan says, "...my"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "It would be, but you can't see them, as you're underwater. You're not even really aware they're up there yet."

Chrysoula says, "The two figures regard the people on the shore for a while, and then the female holds out her hand to Pete. "Would you join us?" Her voice is as lovely as her figure."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "Don't!""

[nobilis] Dara says, "Oh, am I the only female? Got it."

Ferris says (to Pete), "Um"

Dara tries to sense anything she might be attuned to.

[nobilis] Dara says, "Also, thank goodness X isn't here--she'd be fairly likely to go with them ;-)"

Pete says (to Figures), "If you can meet me part way, I'm willing to do the same."

Pete wades out into the water, but not past his waist.

Nathan says, "I hope these aren't any worse than those rusalka things"

Ferris says (to Pete), "hey, the stories we've heard don't make these Mer-people sound as friendly as they look"

Chrysoula says, "Dara: It's a song, kind of, about suffering, and loss, and the easing of loss. They take it all away. They can take things away. They can give things back, too. Maybe. If sufficiently enticed. But they don't, usually. You've been sinking downward a bit, and you can see the local seabottom here. It's a hillside, going down to a valley. At the bottom, there's the remains of a village. There is no seaweed, no lichen growing over it. There have been very few fish so far."

Chrysoula asks, "The Mer-maid glides forward, smiling. What's your Spirit, Pete?"

Chrysoula says, "Also, what's yours, Dara."

Pete says (to Ferris), "I won't go too far."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Unless I go after Dara, that is."

[nobilis] Pete says, "1."

Ferris stands at the edge of the water, mumbling, "This is far enough if you ask me."

Chrysoula says, "Okay, Pete. As she approaches, you have a sense of something thumbing through your memories, as if they're a book. It pauses on your memories of your girlfriend, and the metaphorical hand tightens, as if it's about to tear the page out. Then, teasingly, it stops, and withdraws."

[nobilis] Chrysoula pokes Dara?

[nobilis] Dara re-connects.

[nobilis] Dara says, "(sorry)"

Pete asks (of Her), "Taking liberties, mm?"

Dara swims down to the village.

[nobilis] Dara says, "I believe my spirit is 0."

Pete asks, "How about we get to know each other the old-fashioned way?"

Chrysoula says, "She says: I already know you, Pete."

[nobilis] Dara checks, confirms.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "man, 0 domain, 0 spirit"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I hope you got something good with your points"

Chrysoula says, "Dara, you also feel your memories thumbed through. It pauses on your memories of your daughter, and your pain and suffering, and offers to remove them."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Tempest, super-shapeshifting. Heh."

Pete asks, "Yes, but I don't know you. That hardly seems fair, does it?"

Chrysoula says, "She says: We are not fair."

Dara. o O (Um, no thanks. Who are you?)

Chrysoula says, "She reaches out and touches Pete's face, and then floats backward some. Come deeper."

Ferris winces

Pete shakes his head. "I can't trust you. I'm sorry; I would have liked to get to know you better."

Pete turns and walks back toward Ferris.

Chrysoula says, "Dara: There's a feeling of being embraced again. The water becomes harder to move through. It says: You have already lost something, and you are stronger for it. It fingers a place in your book of memories where something has already been ripped out."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, in a strained, but conversational tone, "Wise man.""

Dara. o O (Hmm, you're right.)

Dara. o O (You could give me those back, couldn't you?)

Dara is drifting towards the surface at this point.

Chrysoula says, "She turns toward Ferris: You are already close to us."

Dara. o O (What's your price?)

Chrysoula says, "Actually, Dara, you're not."

Chrysoula says, "Unless you're spending effort to do so."

Chrysoula says, "You're holding absolutely still, in an embrace of coldness."

[nobilis] Dara says (to Chrys), "Yeah, I was going to swim up again."

Ferris says, "whew"

Chrysoula asks, "Okay. Ordinary human effort doesn't work. Would you like to try a miracle of some sort?"

Ferris asks (of Mermaid), "I am?"

Ferris shuffles a few steps back up the beach.

Nathan steps back next to Ferris, and murmurs "Dara's been gone a while."

Dara grows longer and longer legs, until she's standing on the bottom of the ocean and 'growing' towards the surface.

[nobilis] Dara says, "(aspect 2 swimming would probably also work, but what's the fun in that?)"

Chrysoula says, "The male Mer laughs. It's an ugly sound."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Does your shapeshifting have penetration associated with it? I assume not."

Ferris says, "Uh. Heh-heh. Hrm."

[nobilis] Dara says, "I don't know what that would mean; I just took 4 points in it."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan has joined the channel.

Ferris feels like he's being laughed at and doesn't like it, but doesn't want to antagonize anybody.

Chrysoula says, "The sense of being embraced just grows stronger. The long legs ribbon under you, and you're held like a baby."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "ha ha"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "penetration = for going through auctoritas"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "generally you don't have it unless you buy it explicitly, although some of the premade gifts have it"

Ferris hollers, "Dara! Where'd you go?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "like unblemished guise does, since otherwise it's not good at hiding from other nobles"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "You're being held in place with the equivalent of an Aspect miracle right now. It's basically like trying to shapeshift in a box being held closed by Jim."

[nobilis] Dara says, "cuts a swath in the top of the embrace with her aspect-2 hands."

Dara. o O (That's enough.)

Chrysoula says, "Ferris: Yeah, he seems to be laughing at you. Pointing, even. However, the lady has a sympathetic look on her face. **Iron rusts.**"

Ferris says, "Yeah yeah, har dee har."

[nobilis] Dara says, "I miss my 'think' command ;-)"

Chrysoula says, "Dara: There's a moment of consideration, and then a withdrawal. Suddenly you are slingshotted out of the ocean."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Ptooey."

Ferris says, "Whoops"

Ferris exclaims, "Thar she blows!"

Nathan says, "..whew"

Chrysoula says, "There's an extremely handsome man on the shore, and an ugly repellant witch of a woman staring intently at Ferris. The handsome water-male says, **We could tell you what you have lost. But it is very valuable to us.**"

Dara sprouts hummingbird wings, hovers over the surface of the water.

Dara ***How valuable, exactly?***

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "'think *' created."

Dara ***Gold? Power? Memories?***

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "w00t."

Chrysoula says, "The man says lazily, ** There are things we would like given to us. But-- as we said below. You gain power from your loss. To regain what you have lost, you would have to lose what you have gained. Your memories keep you fixed in place, chained to shape. **"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya stumbles up the beach a bit, closer to the cliff, and sits down heavily on a rock."

Dara thinks . o O ( I will consider that. I thank you for your insight. )

Pete sits not far from Vasya, dripping a bit. "So theirs is the power of war and destruction?"

Ferris asks (of Vasya), "Are you okay?"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya shrugs. "Destruction, and they are affiliated with the path of war." The Mer-man says, ** These are the things we want. ** A memory is deposited in all your heads, if your Spirit is 2 or less."

Nathan winces.

Nathan says, "I'm going back up the cliff."

Nathan climbs back up to the top before he starts poking at the memory.

Dara examines her new memory.

Pete remembers.

[nobilis] Pete wonders if that includes Vasya.

[nobilis] Ferris says, "oh foof, I keep thinking I have a high Spirit, but that was my other nobilis character"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

Ferris clambers back up after Nathan.

Chrysoula says, "They want: The last En'you-blooded in Komaru. An Aten Pharaoh. And something from your world yet to be determined. And they're interested in these... Excrucian things."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Nope, not Vasya."

Nathan says, "yeah, let's not tell them about Excrucians"

[nobilis] Ferris says, "interested in excrucians? uh oh, that could be bad"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya climbs back up the cliff quickly. The two Mer rise up as people climb, on pillars of water."

Nathan says, "..moreso than has already been given away"

Pete follows with Vasya.

Ferris asks, "now what do we do?"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya rubs his eyes. "Give me a day to rest before you ask to meet the Naga, a week before you wish to meet the Kitsune, and a year before you wish to meet the Aten?""

Dara laughs.

Pete asks, "How long before we ask only what the Aten are?"

Nathan says (to Vasya), "I'm sorry -- had I realized this would be so draining for you, we would not have brought you"

Nathan says, "Pharaohs"

[nobilis] Pete asks (of Nathan), "We brought him?"

Nathan says, "...as I recall"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "no"

[nobilis] Pete exclaims, "*He* suggested we come here!"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "but I would have insisted he stay"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Because he was tired of talking to us about his green Magic deck."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Ferris says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Dara laughs.

Chrysoula says wistfully, "They are so beautiful, that is all. And so deadly. But you could not have left me behind. While you are here, I am your guide." He shrugs. "If you are done here, let us walk away from the sea a bit." The Mer are just off the edge of cliff, watching with interest.

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Heh."

Pete says, "Alright." He waves to the Mer before leaving.

Dara studies the Mer before she leaves, in order to be able (possibly) to shape-shift into them later.

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Vasya thinks . o 0 (Plus, the Mer eat people who are bad for Mourn. So, hey, you passed another test!)"

Nathan watches the Mer silently for a bit, and then goes.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

Ferris trudges away without looking back.

[nobilis] Ferris says, "yow"

[nobilis] Chrysoula asks, "So, here's a question for you, Dara. One: is your shapeshifting size limited? Two: When you turn into something, do you turn into what it is, or what you think it is?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Heh, that's interesting."

[nobilis] Chrysoula whistles innocently.

[nobilis] Ferris exclaims, "don't answer! it's a trick questioN!"

[nobilis] Pete thinks . o O ( So telling the Mer about Excrucians *isn't* bad for Mourn? )

[nobilis] Pete asks (of Dara), "Hey, if you shift into an Imperator, can you give us all free gifts?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "The Mer already read our memories, so there's that."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "She doesn't actually get any magic associated with her shapes, just physics."

[nobilis] Dara says (to Chrysoula), "Part of the point of shapeshifting is that I'm searching for clues about my domain."

[nobilis] Dara says, "So I'd have to be able to move at least somewhat beyond what I already know of the new shape."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "See needing to buy flight if you're a winged power."

[nobilis] Dara says, "And I took a 4-point ability instead of a 2-point ability so I could change into concepts or other abstract things."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Ah, right."

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Does that count lost memories as part of what you already know?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Hmm."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "So noted! Let me know if you ever try to change into a Mer. (You wouldn't have their magic, but you'd have their shape. It's just whether or not you look like they look, or look like they are.)"

[nobilis] Dara says, "OK, if that answers your question, then great ;-)"

[nobilis] Ferris says, "unfortunately, I'm more confused than ever. fortunately, this doesn't impact the game in the slightest"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "The Aten are to the east of Komaru. The Aten themselves are fairly harmless animal spirits, but they are drawn to strong emotion, and they can merge with humans to create Pharaohs. Aten Pharaohs are one of the banes of Komaru. They build, cities and armies, and flow across the desert to try to conquer us. They turn fertile land to desert, and can control the hearts of those whose ancestors they have touched. There is an entire line of sorcery dedicated to gathering the power to kill one.""

[nobilis] Dara says, "Although the 'you must buy flight in order to fly' seems a bit arbitrary--what happens if I change into a beam of light, say? I suppose it's a matter of control, or something."

[nobilis] Dara says, "(or changing into a helicopter, etc.)"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "If physics says it can fly, like a bird can fly, then it can fly."

[nobilis] Pete says (to Dara), "I think it's 'you must buy flight in order to defy physics and fly' not 'in order to fly naturally'."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Timing."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "but winged horses can't fly without some kind of magic to help out."

[nobilis] Pete says, "(And lag.)"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Ah, got it."

[nobilis] Pete wonders if bumblebees need magic to fly.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha"

[nobilis] Dara laughs.

Dara asks, "What's an En'you, by the way?"

Vasya glances at Dara. "En'you was one of Komaru's sisters. Her children also bore her name. They were once a great family of Komaru. Then one of them tried to defy prophecy, gave birth to an ocean, and destroyed half of Komaru. Now the En'you no longer exist."

Dara says, "The Mer seem to think they do."

Pete says, "The Mer seem to feel otherwise."

Dara says, "Or at least one of them."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Timing."

Dara asks, "What would that mean?"

Dara grins at Pete.

Nathan says, "hmm"

Vasya shrugs. "I wouldn't know."

Dara asks, "What was the prophecy?"

Nathan says, "the prophecy said En'you and Komaru couldn't get together, I think"

[nobilis] Vasya says, "Disk access..."

[nobilis] Pete says, "I hope nothing important is getting swapped out."

Ferris says, "I guess there's family squabbles and then there's family squabbles"

Vasya says, "When En'you's daughter bears a child by Komaru's son, Komaru will fall. When the sea bears a child by the sky, the world will die."

Vasya says, "It is said half of that has come to pass."

Ferris looks up at the sky.

Pete says, "Uh-oh."

Ferris asks, "Has Komaru fallen?"

Nathan says, "he did say half of it was buried"

Dara says, "It's either that or the world is dead, I guess."

Pete thinks of the Excrucians, and a seed of knowledge passed to those of the sea from those from the sky.

Ferris says, "hmmmm."

Vasya says idly, "Another old family of Komaru, the Hitoshi, had the gift of prophecy, you see. They are also no longer here."

[Crows-Nest] Ferris exclaims, "we predict that... we're outta here!"

Ferris asks, "Who's left?"

Pete asks, "Was a child ever actually born to the daughter of En'you?"

Pete asks, "Or only the sea?"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "ha ha"

Vasya leads you back into the city. "Here, let us dine. I know a little cafe..." and he takes you there, gets seated, and then continues. "The child was the sea." He quotes. "En'you Tarabia's child was an ocean, now salty with tears for the dead."

Ferris stares in puzzlement at the menu

Vasya says, "That is what we know. And it is not commonly known either. Many people do not even know that once Komaru was anything but what it is now."

Dara asks, "I saw a ruined village under the ocean--did it get flooded then?"

Vasya says, "There's river fish, and a bit of beef, and some pork, and lots of weird vegetables on the menu."

Pete's lips move as he tries to read the unfamiliar language.

[nobilis] Vasya exclaims, "You can read it!"

[nobilis] Ferris says, "that doesn't mean it's not puzzling!"

[nobilis] Ferris asks, "where are the cheeseburgers? where's the franks n beans?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "What Ferris said. It's his first time."

Vasya says, "That would be the original Skye, I suppose. Or at least, the old text says, "There is no earth from Westwatch to Skye." The whole land was flooded."

[nobilis] Vasya says, "Okay, that's cool then. :-)"

Nathan says, "Vegetables, I think. I am no longer in the mood for things of the water."

Ferris says, "I want something with iron in it. Maybe some red meat."

Pete says, "Hmm, no mutton. I'm surprised."

Vasya gives Ferris a puzzled look but suggests, "This steak here is quite good."

Dara orders something exotic.

Ferris says, "Um, ok, I'll have that. Please."

Pete nods. "I'll have what she's having."

Vasya shrugs. "Sheep are a northern and western thing. Here, not so much. Lamb, in its season, but mutton is so tough."

Ferris asks, "tough to get or tough like shoe-leather?"

Pete nods. "Mmm. I forgot how far we'd come since we first arrived on the hill."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "Tough like shoe leather. Good in stews, good dried, not so nice for a pleasant dinner.""

Pete asks, "Do you have fowl here?"

Ferris says, "Mm. Ah."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya shrugs. "Yes, but the best must be hunted, not raised domestically. The birds that lay our eggs are, again, tough and wiry.""

Ferris fiddles with a napkin.

Chrysoula says, "Food arrives."

Ferris says, "Mmmmmm."

Chrysoula says, "It's pretty nummy. Rather spicy."

Chrysoula says, "And also a bit sweeter than normal american food."

Pete says, "Perhaps we should bring some from our w-- our home, the next time we visit. As thanks for your hospitality."

[nobilis] Ferris asks, "are there any other people around or other cafe customers?"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Some people are around, but not too close."

Ferris says, "Hey, not bad."

Ferris asks, "How much does a meal like this cost?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "On the other hand, I'm not sure how chickens would handle the trip theough the star-machine-thing..."

[nobilis] Dara says, "The sneeches, on the other hand..."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya looks puzzled. "A single coin of the royal household will suffice to reimburse the chef.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Komaru makes the Power of Economics cry."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

Ferris says, "Oh right. Coff. <stuffs food in mouth> Mmwahfhh."

Chrysoula says, "The utensils are interesting, too. A two-tined fork, a set of chopsticks, and a big cup-like spoon for soups. The food comes pre-cut into bite-sized pieces."

Chrysoula says, "There's wine with the meal."

Chrysoula says, "It's funky-tasting."

Pete tries the chopsticks, but can't figure out how to integrate the fork into the pattern.

Ferris opts out of the wine after the first funky sip.

Chrysoula says, "Vasya tells you about the wine, commenting on how it's a decent vintage. After he's done eating, he orders a dessert. They don't seem to have chocolate here, but they're big on burnt sugar, caramel, and cinnamon."

Ferris says, "Mmmm!"

Ferris says, "sticky though"

Pete thinks . o O ( Wow. Sharon will be impressed the next time we go out for Chinese. )

Chrysoula says, "There's cinnamon-sugar pastries covered in honey, for example."

Nathan is forced to spend a long time cleaning his fingers.

Chrysoula says, "This seems normal; Vasya licks his clean with gusto."

Ferris knocks over his cup with his elbow while trying to clean his fingers

Ferris says, "Doops"

Pete keeps his fingers tidy by deft use of the chopsticks.

Ferris tries to mop up, generally makes things messier.

Nathan says, "hee hee"

Ferris says, "I keep forgetting I'm bigger than I used to be"

Pete isn't so much concerned with cleanliness as he is enjoying doing so well at handling them.

Chrysoula says, "And then, after he's done, he leans back. "I feel much better." The server peeks back in, attempts to help Ferris mop up, bumps heads with him in the process."

Ferris says, "Sorry about that, Chief"

Pete asks, "So, Vasya... who is Adriana?"

Chrysoula says, "Many bows from server, cup replaced, floor scrubbed at."

Ferris looks somewhat abashed, not that you can tell he's blushing exactly

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "Adriana was the Queen who turned the previous age, though I don't think she ever formally had that title. They called them Crown Princesses back then.""

[nobilis] Pete says (to Ferris), "Hopefully you're guised to blend in with the locals, though."

Pete asks, "Turned?"

Chrysoula says, "Server puts a cinnamon candy on a plate for Ferris, and a few more on a central plate in center of table."

[nobilis] Ferris says, "gee I dunno, I guess so now that you mention it"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya experiences another one of those moments where the visitors ask a question he isn't sure how to answer because the answer is so intuitive to him."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Yeah, we guised before going out here."

[nobilis] Ferris says, "I didn't know until about two minutes ago that this was a covert pretending-to-be-locals mission"

[nobilis] Dara says, "It's just a don't-scare-the-locals mission."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "all our missions are covert pretending to be locals missions"

[nobilis] Dara says, "That too ;-)"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "otherwise they wouldn't let us experience their native danishes"

Chrysoula says, "Pete's powers trigger, and a little female figure poofs into existence on the center of the table. She's wearing the Veiled Guard outfit."

Ferris puts some candy in his pocket for later

Dara blinks.

Pete raises an eyebrow and glances at Vasya.

Dara asks (of Vasya), "Er, what, exactly, were you hoping would happen?"

Chrysoula says, "She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. Then, in a cute little high-pitched voice, she says, "Turned, as in, formally ended the previous age and defined the next. This allowed the miko to ascend to the Cosmos and become Powers." Vasya gapes at the little figure."

Nathan says, "my"

Nathan hastily moves to shield the figure from other cafe patrons

Ferris pretends nothing unusual is going on

Pete asks, "Katrina?"

[Crows-Nest] Dara laughs and laughs.

[nobilis] Ferris says, "I should have picked this moment to knock something over, maybe"

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "If any of you are at all familiar with Chobits, I am imagining Sumomo here."

Chrysoula says, "He manages, "It's... Tyra Kodocha... my old teacher." The miniscule Tyra Kodocha tilts her head at Vasya. "A facsimile, at least," she allows. "Here to explain things you can't, you idiot.""

Ferris says, "Gee."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Mmm Lesser Creations."

Ferris asks, "Do all your old teachers insult you like that?"

Pete says, "A pleasure to make your simulated acquaintance, Miss Kodocha."

[nobilis] (from Pete) Chrysoula says, "If you'd had Greater Creations, I could have made her three times as tall."

Chrysoula says, "She says sternly, "You may call me Tyra-sensei, or Tyra. I am not a true Kodacha. True Kodacha are not four inches tall.""

Chrysoula says, "Vasya just stares."

Ferris laughs, then catches himself and sits quietly.

Chrysoula says, "The server moves over to see what's going on."

Nathan stands hastily, interposing himself.

Ferris knocks over the plate with candies and Nathan's wine cup.

Ferris says, "doop"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Oh dear, he's going to drown her."

Dara says, (quietly) "Tyra-sensei, if you please."

Nathan asks (of server), "uh -- could you get us something for this spill?"

Dara opens her jacket, and escorts Tyra into a comfortable pocket.

Ferris smiles sheepishly at the server again.

Chrysoula says, "The server bows to Nathan, and jumps back as the spill happens. "Right away!" He dashes off."

Pete waits for the server to move away before asking any more questions.

Chrysoula says, "Tyra stalks over to the jacket and settles into a pocket, muttering, "Idiots," under her breath."

Ferris mumbles, "they'll never let me back in this cafe again..."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "Tyra-sensei became an ancestor two years ago." His voice is faint."

Nathan says (to Ferris), "enh, don't worry about it -- you wouldn't want to be a patron of any cafe that would have you as a member anyway"

Pete asks (quietly), "Tyra-sensei, what were the miko before theascended?"

Dara whispers, "Aww, you can't blame the locals. They're not used to you."

Dara says, "Perhaps we should continue the conversation in our room? I'm done, at least."

[nobilis] Pete says, "s/theas/they as/"

Chrysoula says, "Vasya stands up, knocking his chair over. "Excellent idea!""

[nobilis] Pete says, "You'd think, with all the magic rampant in this world, he'd be a bit more prepared to deal with miniature dead people."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya leads you back to the house. He slams the door shut behind you all. Tyra-sensei climbs out of Dara's pocket."

Chrysoula says, "She says, "Ahem. Dara has asked what the miko were before they ascended. The miko are humans sworn to the service of a particular line of powers, with a particular role. They serve as the bridge for attuning around corners, and have certain behavior restrictions imposed on them."

Dara asks, "Corners?"

Dara asks, "The intersections of the cardinal directions?"

Chrysoula says, "Nephthys no Miko, for example, can not touch somebody who does not then die without losing her ability to act as a miko for the Nepthys line of attunements."

Chrysoula says, "Tyra-sensei says, "Very good, Dara.""

Dara says, "I thought everyone died eventually."

Ferris says, "hmm"

Pete says (to Dara), "Presumably Nephthys hasn't yet."

Chrysoula says, "Tyra clicks her tongue disapprovingly. "No, they must die before she ceases touching them.""

Nathan says, "that seems like it would put a damper on personal relationships"

Dara grins. "Got it."

Dara says (to Nathan), "'You and your girlfriend seem to be attached at the hip.'"

Chrysoula says, "She can not touch a lover, or even a friend, skin to skin, or an enemy. Many of them spend time tending the sick and dying."

Ferris says, "Boy."

Chrysoula says, "Tyra says, "Miko can also gain power as a miko. Nephthys gains power by touching the dying, saying the name of her patron, and collecting their soul as they die. The more souls she has collected, the more powerful she is."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya pours himself a drink from a low cabinet."

Nathan says, "hmm, yes"

Nathan says, "I have, er, heard of similar tasks"

Nathan glances at Dara.

Chrysoula says, "She may return those souls to a properly healed body, thus raising the dead. Thus, Nephthys can function as a healer."

Chrysoula says, "Tyra stands there, back ramrod straight. She has a teensy-tiny sword at her hip, too."

Chrysoula says, "She continues. "There are eight miko. In the end-times, the eight strongest miko become Powers.""

Pete asks, "I imagine the soul must be returned to its original body?"

Nathan asks, "what happens to the previous powers?"

Pete asks, "If there are only eight miko, wouldn't they necessarily be the eight strongest?"

Chrysoula says, "Tyra says crisply, "I haven't experimented." She turns her fierce gaze on Nathan. "They are still there. When the machine has completed its final cycle, the Powers will be released to the rest of Creation.""

Nathan asks, "released? are they trapped?"

Chrysoula says, "She clicks her tongue disapprovingly at Pete. "There are eight kinds of miko. But there is much competition to become foremost miko. The rituals for attunement become increasingly more complex, and more dangerous, more unpleasant for the miko. They must subject themselves to the sorcerers, but in the end, they become the powers, and the sorcerers must seek to supplicate them."

Chrysoula says, "At Nathan's next question, Tyra falters a bit. "I don't know.""

Nathan says, "it seems like a dangerous road to travel if you do not know what lies at the destination"

Chrysoula says, "Tyra says quietly, "Much is known. But of Komaru's original plan, and his desires for his children-- of what lies beyond Mourn's sphere-- that is unknown. Perhaps the Powers themselves know.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "We should wrap up today's session soon."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hmm, I'm out of questions for the moment -- maybe this would be a good place, unless anyone else wants to ask something"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Yeah, I'm OK."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Here, too."

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Can I just ask one or two more?"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Sure, I'm fine with here. I wouldn't mind an idea of what you guys want to do next though. (Yeah, a few more are fine)"

Pete asks (of Sensei), "Where is Adriana now?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "at some point I'd kind of like to head back to the chancel and see how theuniversity is going"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "and to check back on Earth, too"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Oh yeah, Earth."

[nobilis] Pete says, "I remember that place."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "the place with the chicken"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Although they did give us this house for the night, so possibly we should return in the morning."

[nobilis] Dara laughs.

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Going back to earth is cool."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "yeah, no rush"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "since this was just supposed to be a 'explore and get some ideas' kind of visit"

Chrysoula says, "Tyra-sensei says, "She is everywhere, and nowhere. She sacrificed all she was for the age, shaped it in the holy white fire. She no longer exists, except in the Age itself.""

Pete asks, "And Komaru?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "This is the point where I want to sit Pete down with a stack of history books and let him speedread for an hour or two :)"

Chrysoula says, "Tyra says, "He was the first sacrifice. The one that got the whole ball rolling, as it were.""

[nobilis] Chrysoula giggles. Ahem. You could mention history books to Tyra and see what se says.

[nobilis] Chrysoula asks, "Or did the book thing already get mentioned?"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "I think it did."

Pete asks, "Are there any books of history we could study, to learn more about this?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Only a passing reference to them not lasting as long as figurines, I think."

Chrysoula says, "Vasya says, "No overviews, I'm afraid. What we know is pieced together from translated journals and grimoires. Many books are destroyed after each Turning because they are no longer readable. I can speak to my superiors about arranging one, I suppose, but it would take some time."

Nathan asks, "no longer readable?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "(I'm off to go get a Washington State driver's license; feel free to carry on. Wave!)"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "byebye"

[nobilis] Pete waves to Dara.

[nobilis] Pete says, "Also, sorry -- I think I'm done now."

Chrysoula says, "Tyra says, "When the age turns, all save the miko, the sacrifice, and the foremost sorcerers briefly become one with Mourn. When Mourn releases them, all things that have been written down are nolonger readable. There is magic to decode them, but nobody has magic after the age turns, either. Except the 8 sorcerers, who are not inclined to share."

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "Okay."

Nathan says, "wow"

[nobilis] Nathan asks, "ok, right, break time, I guess -- when are we playing next?"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "17th?"

[nobilis] Chrysoula says, "That sounds right."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "alrighty"

Nathan has disconnected.

[nobilis] Pete says, "As Day Three of the new Familia starts to draw to a close."

[nobilis] Chrysoula winces.

[nobilis] Chrysoula exclaims, "I am so bad with the time passage!"