Chronicle of the Scavenger Lands (Exalted 3E) - IC

[jaydude]

The Vaktri has indeed continued to follow Catseye, and now it moves to stand silently to one side of the table, close by its summoner.

"An alliance, you mean? Friendship and mutual interest?" Baphinol asks, sounding interested. "Very well. I will hear you out, Quicksilver Falcon. Though I must admit that I am curious about what it is you and your friends want from me. Many spirits from my court have told me how they saw your ship fly across the skies on the way to this city. It would appear you do not need my river for travel purposes anymore."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Quill was waiting patiently for Catseye or Ysandre to give him the sign to present his gift to the god. But he took one sign from the god himself. If Baphinol knew that the ship could fly, then no doubt he knows there is a sorcerer amongst them. And presenting himself as that sorcerer, might be useful.

While he remains silent, Quill does let lapse the concentration so that a faint mist is around him. But he does give a slight bow to the god, both in acknowledgement of his presence, and as a show of respect to a god. There's a smile on his face, one that says that he's delighted to be in the god's presence, and to talk. It might not be a daily routine for Quill to converse with gods,though he did grow up, and lived most of his life in Great Forks, where gods are not just known, but are quite common, and mingle with the citizens.

 

[Esbilon]

Ysandre has left her cloak with a servant and once more she appears as a queen rather than a simple traveller. The customs of Bayonne are similar enough to those of Nalia that she is easily able to offer subtle advice to the circle and head off any involuntary insults before they happen. It is a bit strange, she reflects, to have another lead the conversation on her behalf, but Catseye is doing a fine job and for now Ysandre is happy to observe and be ready to offer her input if it is called for.

 

[Epiphany]

The more Baphinol spoke, the more he revealed himself as a being who saw people and things as commodities to be traded. It wasn't precisely surprising but neither was it encouraging. Still, she could keep to the moral high road for now and descend to deal-making when the time came, if that's what it took. It was always harder to appeal to a God's sense of ethics after revealing how flexible your own were. At least he didn't think he had leverage on them, that could speed the conversation up.

Catseye nods her head in respectful acknowledgement of the River God's last point. "You are as perceptive as you are generous, my Lord. Both in what we seek and what we don't need. Thousands of years ago, I imagine most of the Exalted didn't personally rely upon you or your domain either. But we do value friendships with wise, experienced Gods who know much that could help us make lives better, for ourselves, for our people and also for you, my Lord."

Esbilon
"Her Majesty," Catsye says with a tilt of her head in Ysandre's direction, "Can speak to our immediate interests. But I encourage you to keep an open mind during today's conversation and to think of what we might do together, now and in the future. There are interests in Creation that have made a commodity of prayer and placed their own chokehold over it." No need to name the Immaculate Order when the description would do. "We, on the other hand, know that prayers are your due and an active God interested in those who pray or use his waters is much to be desired, at least compared to some Gods who have abandoned their duties or show no interest in their supplicants."

Red Shadow Claws
With a glance over at Quill, the Eclipse smiles and says "We brought a small token of our appreciation for you. Perhaps you'll try it while our Zenith speaks? Serenity is many things but those things certainly include good wine."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Quill didn't want his words to betray him. Not here, not now. But he was a craftsman, and was extremely proud of his work, especially this one. So when Catseye mentioned his gift, he reached into the left pouch on his belt, and retrieved an object wrapped in silk. With a smile in his eyes, he made as if he was gonna just hand the gift wrapped, but when the arm outstretched to take it, he gave a flourish, and the silk remained in his hand, leaving the gift sparkling in the hand, an intricate drinking horn embedded with aquamarine gems, and the river life shaped into it, and brightly colored. It was a piece worthy of kings, and gods, and clearly beyond what a mere mortal can produce.

 

[D. Rex]

Zedradon could not help buy eye the place with not an insignificant degree of appreciation. Certainly seemed quite the setup. The doctor was partial to ask for refreshments, mostly just to see if they would actually be produced. He, however decided against it as none of the others seemed interested in speaking up.

An audience with a god. Not something he ever thought could happen, but here he was. Yet somehow he wasnt as impressed as he felt he should be. Certainly tied to the desensitization of such things from being in the presence of exalts for so long. And perhaps a little bit to do with Zedradon not being all that into the political side of the matter. Was never a fan of high status individuals. While a god fit the bill, this Baphinol seemed amiable enough. Even if his name did make him vaguely think of an alcohol solution.

Upon sitting down, the doctor would at least show the courtesy of removing his hat. While the more charismatic ones talked, Zed thought to himself on what sort of how different it might be to practice medicine on a god. A small matter that had been on his mind since the prospect of helping spirits came about. Traditional means would not work, most assuredly. For a god, at least, he'd wager such methods would likely depend on how much of the gods being was tied to his domain. Could a poisoned river of a River God harm said river god? Conversely, what about positive changes to the river? Again, likely dependent on how much of the gods essence was tied to that river. What about dams or channels? Mayhaps the very ecosystem of the domain affected them like the minute organisms that took home in ones gut. A proper balance promoting health, yet an invasive species could be akin to a virus.

Zedradon was very tempted to write down a myriad of hypotheses and musings. Certainly an area of study to look into should they take company of gods often in the future. But there would be time for that later, he supposed.

 

[jaydude]

Baphinol smiles upon seeing the horn, clearly appreciative of it.

"So many people who seek my help make offerings of wine, or other types of alcohol. Which I certainly appreciate, but they rarely provide anything for me to actually drink it from." he says, chuckling a little at his own wit before examining the horn further, and then looking at Quill. "And truly, this is the work of one of the Copper Spiders. Many who are twice your age could not produce a work of such quality. You have my respect, craftsman, as do you, Ysandre and Catseye, for including such a man in your retinue."

[Baphinol gains a Minor Tie of Respect towards Quill.]

Taking the horn and placing it in front of himself, Baphinol turns to look at Ysandre, as if waiting to hear what she has to say.

 

[Psychie]

Axtis lingers back towards the rear of the procession, since she is no diplomat, the odds of her saying the wrong thing and causing an incident is too high. With that in mind, she keeps watch over the entrance, making sure that there are no surprises coming their way.

 

[Esbilon]

"My lord," Ysandre begins, addressing Baphinol with a nod of respect. "Though we have never before met in the flesh, my history with you is longer than with any of my companions. When I was a child, I bathed in your waters, growing up I lived on food that could never have grown without your bounty, and when I went into exile, your river led me away from my pursuers. My brother took my crown from my by force and consigned me to a life in exile, and while I have met good friends in the lands beyond Nalia, since the very first day my heart has ached to return. Now I am within reach of this goal, but before I can grasp it, I must know it the price paid by the common people, my people, will be too high. Therefore the first thing I will ask of you is simply information: How do my people fare under my brother's rule?" As she speaks, Ysandre's heart is in her throat, a life lived in exile is a constant pain to her, but she will not, cannot, return if she must shed blood of hundreds or thousands of Nalians to alleviate that pain.

 

[jaydude]

Baphinol scratches his chin. "When your brother first took power, he was paranoid that you were hiding somewhere within the country." he says in a somber voice. "He and his supporters would roam the land searching for you, burning villages, salting farms, driving out families and even putting people to the sword any time there was a hint of non-cooperation. In the case of Quincel's supporters, it was sometimes just an excuse they used when they wanted to kill or ruin a rival. Quincel has apparently been convinced that you are no longer within Nalia, since he no longer takes part in such harrying, but this has not stopped certain supporters of his. More than one riverside village in my domain has been reduced to corpses and burnt wood in recent weeks."

"At the same time, I know that there are a number of barons and counts who commit abuses and crimes against the people in their care, and only support Quincel because he's willing to turn a blind eye to it. I imagine he has little other choice if he wants their aid; without it, the faction against him might become powerful enough to have a chance of deposing him."

 

[Esbilon]

Were she standing, Ysandre would have been hard pressed to remain so upon hearing Baphinol's account of her homeland. Instead she closes her eyes as she feels as if a thousand daggers have pierced her heart and when they open again, it is with rage burning within them. "Thank you for telling me, lord Baphinol," she manages though there is no trace of gratitude in her voice. "In that case, I desire your assistance first in ousting the tyrant I once called brother, and sheltering my country and its people so that they may heal once the rot in their midst has been cut out." After a few moments, she adds "what role does his new queen play in this?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Quill's heart was wrecked when Baphinol described the situation in Nalia. It was partly for his love of Ysandre, but also for the hardship these people have to live through because of her brother's rulership. People shouldn't have to suffer like this, just to keep someone in power. As the Unconquered Sun is his witness, he would make sure that Quincel will pay dearly for his crimes, and negligence.

 

[jaydude]

"Her marriage to Quincel means this city and the surrounding duchy will be obligated to take up arms against you, should the need arise." replies Baphinol. "And from what I understand, she's not only the one responsible for most of Quincel's support and stability, she's arguably the ruler of Nalia in all but name, able to charm and manipulate him with ease."

A hint of warning enters his voice. "I know Melisande well. She is the Duchess of Bayonne, and ruled it from this city for many years before marrying your brother. And she is quite possibly the most dangerous foe you will face if you wish to regain your kingdom."

"How so?" asks Arumi.

Baphinol rests his elbows on the table and tents his fingers. "Because she just so happens to be an Eclipse Caste Solar." he answers.

"Are you kidding me?" asks Ganzin in a disbelieving whisper, to which Baphinol shakes his head.

"You couldn't ask for a better boon if you wished to become the power behind a throne." the River God says. "She became Duchess when she was but twelve, and four of this city's gentry formed a conspiracy to rule through her. They did a fairly decent job of it, at least until she Exalted. A few months later, two of the conspirators simultaneously strangled each other to death, another ended up at the bottom of my river with several daggers in his back and torso, and the fourth found himself arrested and thrown into a dungeon to rot. All of it was no doubt due to Melisande's manipulations."

 

[Esbilon]

"The city is obligated," Ysandre says with the god's revelations still spinning in her head, "but what of you personally, has she not approached you for an alliance or friendship?"

 

[jaydude]

"No, she has not." replies Baphinol. "We are not allies or friends, do not worry about that. Truth be told, I don't think she ever felt the need. Me and the spirits under me do not extort mortals for prayer, as many other gods do. We simply do our duties, and do not discourage mortals from worshiping us more than the Immaculates would prefer."

 

[Rykon]

"How many know she Exalted?" Ryan asks, curious how deep hypocrisy might run in the current Nalian court.

 

[jaydude]

"I don't believe anyone does." replies Baphinol. "Besides the fact that the Immaculate Faith has a strong following in Nalia, any Celestial Exalted with a hint of sense would be wary about revealing their true nature, lest they attract the attention of the Wyld Hunt."

 

[Rykon]

Ryan nods. Still unsure of the reliability of this information, but given what he has seen so far, this does appear to follow what Baphinol would be capable of learning.

"If an outsider was made aware of their plight... Where would he go to provide assistance to the victims of Quincel's hunt?"

 

[jaydude]

"That would depend on the kind of assistance you want to offer them." replies Baphinol. "Do you speak of helping them, or giving them justice?"

 

[Rykon]

Ryan glances at Zedradon, then back to Baphinol. "...Yes."

 

[jaydude]

Baphinol gives a chuckle at Ryan's response, before becoming serious again. "From what I know, many refugees are gathering in the lands of Duke Bruneau, who is doing what he can to support them and help get them back on their feet, following their suffering at the hands of Quincel and his supporters."

Ysandre will remember Duke Bruneau - an old friend of her father's, and one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom - as being a goodhearted man and the quintessential gentleman; charming, respectful and dashingly handsome despite now being in his sixties.

"As for dispensing justice, the most powerful of Quincel's supporters is Duke Monteil. He does not participate in such atrocities himself, but he makes little effort to stop the barons and counts under his command from doing so. Of these, the worst by far is Count Aliker. The man is a volatile sociopath, carrying out murder and other crimes almost for the sake of it. I would say that out of all the Nalians who have taken advantage of the situation in the country, Count Aliker has by far the most blood on his hands."

From what Ysandre can remember, Duke Monteil was always polite in the company of her and other nobility, but he didn't get on well with her father, and never particularly cared for the commoners of his lands. Count Aliker is a figure she knows little about, having never met him in person, but what little she does recall suggests that he wasn't the most pleasant of people.

 

[Esbilon]

"Perhaps we should seek out Duke Bruneau then," Ysandre says with a greater outward calm than she truly feels. "A part of me," she adds, " is eager to bring justice to Duke Monteil and this Aliker, though I do not know the latter well. If what you say is true, Lord Baphinol, their deaths can hardly come too soon." She sighs, "but we should endeavor to act in tandem with those already on the ground."

She pauses for a moment before changing the topic entirely, "regarding Melisande's Exalted I am puzzed as to what this means for her ambitions. Surely oppressing the good people of Nalia cannot be her endgoal, it is unworthy for one who has been Chosen and seems terribly short-sighted. I am also curious if she has any divine, or profane, allies."

 

[jaydude]

"An understandable choice. Duke Bruneau's castle is in the north of the country near the river, about a week's ride from the capital." replies Baphinol.

When Ysandre asks about Melisande's ambitions, Arumi tilts her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps her end goal is power? That would certainly explain why she courted and then married Quincel, and might also explain why the old king was poisoned. As for what's happening in Nalia now, it could just be the fallout from all of that, a natural consequence of regicide..."

Baphinol nods in support of this suggestion. "She was ambitious even before becoming one of the Unconquered Sun's champions, though I'm not certain what she's ambitious to achieve. It might just be power for the sake of it, or something different that I don't know about. Those gifted with the Second Breath are generally expected to achieve great things, if they haven't already done so."

"As for allies of the kind you speak of..." the river god adds, before giving an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "...if she does have any, I don't know about them."

 

[D. Rex]

"Regicide may be but one factor," the doctor commented to Arumi. ", but do not underestimate that power of ones words when the light of the sun resides in their very tongues. The words and political games of one such Solar could easily see as much chaos. Weaving such flows of the people to suit her plans. The situation could indeed create a suitable environmentfor a great amount of manipulation. "

"Power itself is a hollow ambition. Meaningless without something to use it for. I think it would be safe to assume that she has bigger plans. Ones that would go beyond a simple kingdom. For even one with an entire kingdom at their disposal, the Immaculate Order can easily challenge their reign. Such an investment would be foolish if it relied on one exalt for its protection."

At Ryan's look, Zedradon gave a nod. "If Duke Bruneau's lands is where the refugees are gathering. Such is where it seems my job will begin. That is unless there is a greater mass of those in need." He said, looking to Baphinol with an asking glance. If the Coint was as cruel as he suggested, it could be a hotbed of those in need.


"The aid I can give to the people will take a lot of control away from those who prey on their weakness. With strength flowing in their veins once more, justice for them will come in time. To find those who share the revolutionary sentiments about the queen, such would be a prime spot to happen upon them. Such would be where you find those who care about thus lands people. And if this shameful Solar has truly neglected her people, what better place to enter under her notice than with the needy?"

 

[jaydude]

"Regicide may be but one factor," the doctor commented to Arumi. ", but do not underestimate that power of ones words when the light of the sun resides in their very tongues. The words and political games of one such Solar could easily see as much chaos. Weaving such flows of the people to suit her plans. The situation could indeed create a suitable environment for a great amount of manipulation. "

"I do know what your kind are capable of. Why do you think the Wyld Hunt takes the threat of 'Anathema' so seriously?" replies Arumi. "On the other hand, I don't think it would make much sense for Melisande to deliberately add to the chaos now that she and Quincel are in charge of Nalia. At this point it would not only weaken the nation as a whole, it would also create an unnecessary number of enemies for her. One of the key tenets of rulership is to try and avoid being hated, and people will already be suspicious of her and Quincel with the old king dead, his preferred heir exiled and the two of them ruling the country."

"Oh? And how do you know so much about all this?" asks Ganzin, who sounds like he's only asking the question to annoy her.

"I'm from Lookshy, remember? The nation working to keep the Scavenger Lands from completely imploding on themselves?" Arumi answers in a cool voice, without a second's hesitation. "That requires more than just sending soldiers and Dragon-blooded in to show people who's boss."

At Ryan's look, Zedradon gave a nod. "If Duke Bruneau's lands is where the refugees are gathering. Such is where it seems my job will begin. That is unless there is a greater mass of those in need." He said, looking to Baphinol with an asking glance. If the Count was as cruel as he suggested, it could be a hotbed of those in need.

"If you're thinking in terms of numbers, there are fewer dispossessed in Bruneau's domain than there are people in Aliker's who are at risk of suffering the Count's sadism." replies Baphinol.