LOG START
[17:20:28] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 28, Part 2
Contrary to first impressions, there is life in Hundred Gasps Lake, and not all of it is waves of sand. Your path winds between rocky plateaus like reefs and islands providing support for hardy plants’ roots and for humans’ feet. Tall outcroppings, ruined boat husks, and the skeletons of large lake-dwellers jut from the sands and serve as landmarks on your trip. Wherever such a remnant grants the slightest bit of shade, shelter, and support, shrubs and grasses take up residence and birds and lizards feast on these. Even the sands are not barren, as Hiruna points out (with a questionably appropriate degree of excitement) whenever she spots an animal lying beneath the sand to hide from the sun, predators, or prey. Vend and Hiruna both suspect the party is being followed by a pack of mole hounds. They’re unlikely to actually attack a group of your size, but might be hoping to go for a camel or bag of rations if an opportunity arises.
All the same, it cannot be denied that this is a land at the edge of the world, even so close to home. Water must be rationed. Sand gets everywhere. The sun’s light is almost a physical pressure on the skin, even as the air remains cold. Sometimes the grasses whisper or the rocks have faces, and your guide Vend makes a wide berth around these, for this is the touch of chaos. You’ve been told a number of important taboos—do not give false names, do not take expectant mothers onto the lake, do not spit on the sand.
You camp out sheltered by a group of gigantic ribcages half-buried in the sand among low rocky outcroppings. The elongated skull large enough to hide in lying some paces away may well belong with one of them. This spot has been used as a temporary encampment before: several ribs have sun-bleached decorations hanging from them and there are scrawlings on vertebrae announcing this or that scavenger lord’s presence.
[17:21:31] Master of Games
Morning dawns with mixed news. Vend believes that the group should be able to reach the Dead Observatory today… but there is a dust storm brewing on the horizon. If it winds up coming your way, it would be safest to stay and shelter in place, but if not, you’ll wind up wasting time in the Wyld-twisted desert. Your guide favors safety, but then, your guide is not a god-hero blessed by the sun nor a tiger-warrior.
[17:26:48] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori has been staying on guard. Between the exotic sights and his knowledge of the local dangers, it is difficult to not find something to look at, either in curiosity or caution.
[17:29:38] River Snake
Snake is on the back of his camel, Lounging about as much as is capable while riding on its back, and taking amusement in Hiruna’s apparent joy in seeing all the oddities of the area he finds somewhat, though not completely familiar. Relaxed isnt unwary however, he’s been out in the wastes long enough to know that a dropped guard almost always results in something wanting to make you a snack, and the last thing any scavenger wants is to take heavy losses or death because they spaced out and got ambushed by some manner of angry sandbeast
[17:37:17] Raizo
Raizo is melting in this heat and sand. While a hardy man, long of limb and mighty of thew, he just isn’t used to this environment and does his best to stay endure without complaint. Evidently the sweat in his eyes is just too much to bear, as his usually acute senses are dulled.
[17:37:42] Master of Games
Your companions are understandably focused on the possibly-approaching storm and packing up supplies—whether you stay or take the risk, you’ll want your stuff in one place. But Kagemori and River Snake spot shadows on the sand in the opposite direction, small and swift and moving towards your encampment: sails.
And while once upon a time, many sailboats plied Hundred Tongues Lake, today, when Tongues have turned to Gasps, sails upon the sand mean raksha, the fair folk.
[17:40:50] River Snake
Snake lets out an alert whistle while pointing out the sailboats. “We got pirates incoming”
[17:42:05] Datei ma Kagemori
”We can’t outrun them. Let’s hope the Fair Folk are feeling talkative and don’t come swords out.”
[17:42:51] River Snake
”Well, if we have to fight maybe we can steal a ship…but I’d rather not fight them”
[17:43:31] Raizo
”Heaven on high,” Raizo grunts, hopefully not audibly enough for the Red Tortoises to hear but almost certainly for his companions. “Eyes up, shields ready!” He shouts to his soldiers.
[17:50:29] Master of Games
”Throw me to the serpents! They probably mean to pin us against the storm.” The wind picks up as Vend swears. The Red Tortoises get in formation protecting the encampment, and your guides take cover.
[17:52:19] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori walks out to the front of their camp as they approach.
[17:54:05] River Snake
Snake follows along with Kagemori, hoping the Raksha will be willing to talk
[18:01:22] Master of Games
The vessels approach and their figures resolve into a light cruiser accompanied by a handful of smaller skiffs, all crewed with half-humanoid half-reptilian hobgoblins covered in jewel-like scales and trailing a fish’s fins like jackets. A tall figure holding a longbow commands from the larger ship’s prow, while another commander seems to be riding on one of the skiffs as a scout.
The fairy ships pull closer with the winds and the smaller, faster ones begin to circle around your camp, goblins braying with glee as they openly size up your forces.
[18:02:20] Master of Games
”What have we here, Amaranth, travelers?” A voice carries on the wind, though not addressed directly to you, with a tone like silver bells mixed with the sound of your last nightmare. “My favorite.”
[18:05:38] Datei ma Kagemori
”My name is Datei ma Kagemori, a traveler from Vaneha. My goal is to explore a ruin that is ahead of us. These are my guides, guards, and companions.” His castemark blazes to light, though his anima remains quiet and unseen. “With who do I have the honor of speaking with?”
[18:13:02] Raizo
Raizo dismounts his camel and stands beside his men. He rests his left arm on his sword belt in a martial posture; in place of his usual curved blade is an iron saber he picked up before setting into the desert. He offers no word otherwise, but sweeps his gaze across the elfin pair and their entourage.
[18:21:20] Master of Games
The light of gold on Kagemori’s brow visibly gives the raksha commanders pause as the Tortoises stand firm against the goblins’ heckling. One of the vessels slows to a stop a stone’s throw in front of the solar, just as if it were in fact swimming on water, though it does not rock or sway. Its occupant is taller than any of you, tattooed with geometric patterns that confuse the eye, and a frill like a lizard’s rises from his neck.
”I’m pleased to be called Amaranth, and I faithfully serve my lady Myrio of Shattered Glass. You’re hardly the first Creation-born to look for riches in this sea. But you aren’t really in Creation, child, not anymore, as I’m sure your guides have warned you if they’re any good. Did you intend to cross our waves without so much as a greeting or a guest gift?”
[18:27:16] Datei ma Kagemori
”My apologies, I did not know how to inform your lady ahead of my arrival. You are the first of her servants to have appeared before me. I can only offer my greeting at this moment.”
[18:36:09] Master of Games
”Oh, most tomb robbers don’t. But that’s fine. We make them all the same offer, if they think to talk. Passage for dreams.” Vend has rushed towards the solars as the conversation begins and warns Kagemori in a quiet voice. “Not a good deal, sir.” They confirm what stories tell: the raksha eat dreams and in doing so suck the souls out of their victims, leaving but a husk. It’s also not hard to see the trick in Amaranth’s words: a tomb robber is an intruder, not a guest.
[18:41:15] Datei ma Kagemori
”I apologize if I misspoke earlier. I am no tomb robber. I am exploring a ruin on behalf of the heirs of its owner. If I am not mistaken, within your lady’s territory is the observatory of Cometborn Zhang. The ancient Exalt has two children still living in Vaneha, Kamo and Moka of the Stony Banks. Because of their intensive duties, they are unable to be present. So it is on their behalf that I am to visit his grave and carry their mourning wishes.”
[18:45:58] Raizo
”You’d probably find my dreams bland, anyway, I’m afraid.”
[18:50:33] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori is silhouetted in gold as he speaks.
[18:57:04] Master of Games
Your guides stare, and so do the fair folk. Amaranth looks mildly annoyed and sheathes his sword, a strange glassy blade, letting you know that he and his lady are bound by their ancient oaths to leave them in peace and offer hospitality, or believe they are anyhow. The prowling goblins sound uncertain and disappointed.
[19:00:27] Datei ma Kagemori
”Thank you for your patience and diligence.” Kagemori bows. “Please tell your lady I greatly appreciate it. I promise to move through your lady’s territory swiftly and with respect in my heart. As soon as my duty is fulfilled, I shall leave the way I came.”
[19:05:11] Master of Games
Amaranth looks towards the larger boat, now also anchored, and listens. “In my lady’s name, I bid you welcome to this our sea reclaimed from Creation, Lawgiver.” He hops off his skiff and approaches, and you can see the raksha is two heads taller than any of you, and handsome in the way a storm is beautiful. A smirk grows on his face. “You may travel to and from your observatory undisturbed, and if you ask, we’ll be happy to escort you—for a price. Surely you’ll join us for a welcoming performance? It’s not often we get courteous guests.”
[19:10:14] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori uses the chance to examine the raksha more closely. He tries to seem as a humble traveler rather than an ancient and proud exalt. With the story of representing the twin gods, humility seems the best approach. Still, he weighs the offer. He considers saying that an easier journey would make the twins’s wishes seem less sincere. But he does not wish to anger his hosts either. Is the fair outsider genuine? Can their kind truly be genuine?
[19:11:27] River Snake
Snake eyes the Raksha with suspiscion, This could be fae codiality- they are strange after all, but this could also be some kind of ruse. And sometimes its hard to tell which is which, especially with fae.
[19:17:28] Master of Games
The fae are tricky ones. Amaranth’s offer sounds sincere, such as it is: Lady Myrio fully intends to entertain you as guests, and it would be a splendid show indeed. But it would also mean not sheltering or protecting your supplies against the sandstorm, which, looking behind you, clearly seems to be headed your way, and which you were told just yesterday sometimes carries the touch of the Wyld. Surely the fae would be happy to barter for anything you might unfortunately lose, and as surely, their price would be steep.
[19:24:51] River Snake
Snake leans over and whispers into Kagemori’s ears “And we’d lose all our supplies in the storm, its a trap”
[19:28:35] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori nods slightly, and speaks to Amaranth. “Ah…I appreciate your generous offer, but our time is short. If we were to have an easy and enjoyable journey, I fear the wishes of the twins might seem insincere. Offer my thanks to your lady. Perhaps if we are ever to return, we can enjoy her hospitality more thoroughly then. My friend is a very well-connected, up-and-coming merchant. I am sure there is much your lady would be interested in.” Kagemori bows again.
[19:35:31] Master of Games
The frill around Amaranth’s neck twitches and stretches backwards, perhaps in some unconscious expression of frustration. “A shame, but your dedication to your masters honors you. If you wish to find our palace, follow the storms.”
[19:37:00] Raizo
Raizo takes mental note should he ever need to come back here to wage war. “We may just, some day.”
[19:37:42] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori bows. “With your leave, I think we will be moving on.”
[19:45:42] Master of Games
Amaranth responds with a bow of his own. “Suit yourselves. Take care not to get lost.” The fair folk retreat glumly and pull away on their sailboats towards the storm, though Amaranth’s skiff breaks away from the others and remains barely in sight at the horizon, perhaps intending to keep an eye on you and inform his mistress should you stray from your stated trajectory.
[19:47:41] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori visibly relaxes. “I think that went as well as could be expected. Let’s go going before they have other ideas. As long as we don’t do anything to violate their hospitality, our journey should go unmolested. But if we do break hospitality, it is void.” He looks to see if Vend or Hiruna are worried at his glowing.
[19:54:32] Raizo
”Understood. And interesting. You know, I’ve never met one of them before. I guess you could say I still haven’t, but at least we exchanged words, sort of,” Raizo says while wiping his glistening brow.
[19:55:13] Master of Games
Vend has removed their head covering to wipe sweat from their brow and neck and looks impressed more than anything. “I see now why you were so confident, mister. Never seen a man look the fae in the eye and negotiate like that.” Hiruna, for her part, seems unfazed. Kagemori knows she serves his sister in repayment as the Datei once saved her life, and evidently glowing a little is not enough to challenge her loyalty.
[19:56:50] Datei ma Kagemori
”Yes. I apologize for not being fully open with you. But it was information valuable enough to not offer unprompted.”
[19:57:57] Master of Games
”Oh, it’s nothing to apologize for. Trade secrets are a matter of survival in this business.”
[19:58:24] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori nods.
[20:06:09] Master of Games
Your party packs your luggage together efficiently, and you are off. The storm seems to have changed course with the raksha, and you weather the edge of it by sheltering with your camels as it passes, then you’re free to move on.
[20:15:38] Master of Games
Amaranth’s skiff remains on the horizon as you continue your travel across the sands, making no effort to hide that he’s monitoring you but also showing no signs of bothering you further so long as you stay the course.
The sun approaches the horizon as you see the hill that was once an island, atop which rests the Dead Observatory. It’s a large, broadly cubic structure made of some dark stone that still shines in the early evening sun despite the wear of centuries. Crowning it is a glittering dome with a host of telescopes and stranger instruments protruding from it as Snake described. The whole area is deathly silent, and you haven’t seen as many wild animals as before for the last hour or so. Amaranth’s skiff is no longer anywhere to be seen on the horizon.
[20:15:53] Master of Games
A large shadow passes over you. A very large one.
[20:16:23] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori looks up. They were told clouds avoid the area, so what is it now?
[20:17:05] River Snake
Snake likewise looks up, what could even be that big any flying. Do the fae fly now?
[20:26:04] Master of Games
What has cast the shadow is far away. That you nonetheless get a good look at it speaks to its size. You see feathers in rainbow colors, wings that could fit several of the fair folk’s vessels with room to spare, and talons that could carry off your camels and not even feel the weight.
[20:27:00] Master of Games
The flying beast heads for the Observatory; perhaps it is its nest now. Has it spotted you? Fantastic question.
[20:28:28] River Snake
”I didn’t know birds could get that big”
[20:29:08] Datei ma Kagemori
”What do you think it is? A powerful elemental? A wyld monster?”
[20:31:08] Master of Games
Vend covers their mouth with one hand. “That’s new. That wasn’t there last time I came this way.”
[20:31:28] Master of Games
”I’d remember it.”
[20:32:22] Datei ma Kagemori
”Yes, I hardly think this would slip’s one memory. Unless it can alter them, I suppose.” Kagemori thinks back to their discussions about their encounters with the sidereal exalted, and how so many details of that encounter have slipped from their minds.
[20:33:18] River Snake
”I hope the giant bird doesnt also steal memories, I’m sick of that”
[20:33:37] Master of Games
Hiruna looks starstruck with the creature. “I saw pictures as a child. Rukh. But I was told it lives in the mountains.”
[20:34:06] River Snake
”I guess it decided the observatory was mountain enough”
[20:34:28] Datei ma Kagemori
”Perhaps it got lost? It is likely a new arrival, based on it being info for Vend.”
[20:37:09] Master of Games
”I’ll be honest, friends,” Vend shields their eyes against the sun. “I care much more what we’ll do about it. If it hasn’t spotted us yet, we could find shelter and figure it out…”
[20:39:23] Datei ma Kagemori
”Very true. My diplomatic skills are less likely to be useful here. We may need to rely upon the Band of the Canopy for this matter.”
[20:42:30] River Snake
”Finding cover from it is probably a good idea wether it saw us or not. If it decides we look tasty we’ll be lucky if it settles for a camel”
[20:42:41] Datei ma Kagemori
”Hiruna, do you know if it is intelligent?”
[20:43:19] Datei ma Kagemori
He looks around for the best cover. Hopefully still closer to the observatory, but even a short retreat would be fine.
[20:47:27] Master of Games
”Most animals are smarter than us word-blessed give them credit for, but I’ve never heard of it being smarter than another animal.”
There are large skeletons here as elsewhere in the former lake, which may provide some protection but questionable concealment, and rock formations leading up to the island, which may make better hiding places but are open on all sides but one.
[20:50:39] River Snake
Snake watches the big bird- or whatever it is, Rukh, as it flies into the distance, trying to recall if he’s seen or heard anything about them around here before. Something that big and rare might have been noteworthy enough to have made its way into something he’s seen before.
[20:51:34] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori heads to the rocks as, at the moment, going unseen seems more useful. Even temporarily.
[20:56:18] Master of Games
The creature, indeed, lands on the Observatory, and the sight of it is enough to warp one’s sense of scale. The eye doesn’t expect to see a bird perched on a building as if it were a rock. Its gaze casts about as you seek cover; if it hasn’t noticed you, it suspects intruders.