Random Word
Three Thousand Club
Atusa
[1 hit definitely does not beat 6 Guile!]
Chumiren nods, seemingly satisfied with your response. Formalities exchanged and your duties discharged, you are free to mingle throughout the night, but are continuously beset by crowds of curious listeners eager to hear tales of your exploits. Privacy, peace, and quiet at this gala are all as scarce - and precious - as water in the desert.
Sakomet smiles knowingly as you approach, his sycophants parting before you, "Nomarch Atusa, you look like a woman who could use a cold drink. Bahadur, love, would you do that thing with the tent?"
Bahadur gives him a long-suffering look, "The Ivory Orchid Pavilion is not a tent, nor is it a party trick for entertaining -"
Sakhomet interrupts, "It is literally a party trick for entertaining guests." Bahadur growls, but Sakomet responds with his best puppy dog eyes, honed over a lifetime of practice, "Pleeeeeeeeease?"
Bahadur sighs, "Very well. Nomarch Atusa," he nods to you, but you see no sign of recognition, "Everyone, stand back!" He commands in a booming voice, walking in a wide circle as onlookers scramble to get out of his way. The Fayum guards protecting the chamber are visibly alarmed, but as yet do nothing to intervene. Bahadur sits seiza in the centre of the large circular space he's opened in the crowd and engages in a powerful deep breathing exercise, muscles flexing as his shoulders rise and fall with each expansion and contraction of his chest and abdomen.
Beside you Sakomet sighs happily, "Isn't he lovely? I think he'll keep me."
Bahadur rises smoothly to his feet and exhales a stream of luminous white petals into his outstretched palms where they assemble themselves into a small lotus blossom. He sinks to one knee, sets the blossom on the ground, steps back, and with one thunderous clap it expands dramatically into a beautiful floral pavilion large enough for a dozen guests, soft lotus blossom chairs set around small white tables laden with nuts, fruits, and carafes of something. The perfumed scent of the air wafting off the pavilion is divine.
The crowd looks on in awe, the bravest of them rushing forward as the work is finished, but Sakomet holds a hand aloft, motioning for them to stop. "This is a gift for the Nomarch Atusa. We shall return to attend you all shortly." Sakomet motions for you to follow him inside. The moment you step across the threshold blessed silence greets your ears and the faces of those outside become subtly blurred and indistinguishable.
"Thank you, love," says Sakomet, caressing Bahadur's bicep as he passes.
Bahadur, arms crossed, laughs deeply, "Anything for my sweet prince."
"And someday your sweet nomarch!" Sakomet retorts. He flops down into one of the chairs and pours himself golden wine in a silver goblet, beaming at you. "You still hate these little soirees, don't you? You're better at hiding it now. How are you feeling about tomorrow?" He looks like he's up to something, but he always looks like he's up to something, which makes it infuriatingly difficult to tell when he's actually up to anything. Now of all times, surely he must have brought you within a magic privacy curtain in front of everyone for more than small talk.
John & Hazel
A silence falls over the courtyard as you finish reciting the reconstructed prayer as for a moment the jungle seems to hold its breath in anticipation. It's faint at first, the pale golden light that shimmers almost imperceptibly in the darkness, slowly increasing in intensity until you can barely make out a four metre tall winged figure, sword at its hip, garbed in helm and armoured skirt. It hangs in the air, staring down at you in silent expectation. It looks like a Peri, benevolent winged spirits from legend that haven't been seen in living memory, but were once said to sweep down from the sky to intercede on behalf of the innocent.
The sounds of the jungle come back accompanied by a new and alarming sound, "Help! Please! Is anyone out there?" A woman's voice, panicked, hoarse, and out of breath. The Peri's translucent head snaps towards the sound, peering into the gloom lit only by faint moonlight, fireflies, and the occasional luminescent plant.
Renna & Morrolan
[As a reminder, Adjo, City God of Kabir, mentioned obliquely that the Din (They're supposed to be Div or Dev, but since I keep messing it up I suppose they're Din now. My brain just won't keep that one straight.) had taken the Heavens-Humbling Thunder of the Earth (That big pyramid they used to break the walls of Kabir) from somewhere they shouldn't have, and that it was an ancient weapon the Silverwright had once used, so while Gem doesn't know, Renna and Morrolan can guess someone's already taken something from the armoury. The question of whether taking more things from the armoury will actually make anything worse is an open one.]
Gem looks conflicted at the discussion of taking up arms against her Father, but remains silent. Two stone amulets of interlocking cubes in geometric patterns hung from bronze chains leap from the earth into each of Gem's outstretched hands, one significantly more complex than the other, "These are the tokens father gave to Dalisay and ourself. With no wish to ever return to the Hall of Enduring Silence, we buried them. Father will recognize our token, but the manse will not trouble you while you bear it. We must warn you father is a fearsome warrior, and the demon Alveua, Keeper of the Forge of Night will soon return to inspect and maintain the armoury and prison. We escaped with Dalisay before father could ask her to..." she trails off and Dalisay grimaces. "If you are certain you wish to enter the Hall of Enduring Silence, We... will bring you to the gate." She holds out the amulets.
[1 hit definitely does not beat 6 Guile!]
Chumiren nods, seemingly satisfied with your response. Formalities exchanged and your duties discharged, you are free to mingle throughout the night, but are continuously beset by crowds of curious listeners eager to hear tales of your exploits. Privacy, peace, and quiet at this gala are all as scarce - and precious - as water in the desert.
Sakomet smiles knowingly as you approach, his sycophants parting before you, "Nomarch Atusa, you look like a woman who could use a cold drink. Bahadur, love, would you do that thing with the tent?"
Bahadur gives him a long-suffering look, "The Ivory Orchid Pavilion is not a tent, nor is it a party trick for entertaining -"
Sakhomet interrupts, "It is literally a party trick for entertaining guests." Bahadur growls, but Sakomet responds with his best puppy dog eyes, honed over a lifetime of practice, "Pleeeeeeeeease?"
Bahadur sighs, "Very well. Nomarch Atusa," he nods to you, but you see no sign of recognition, "Everyone, stand back!" He commands in a booming voice, walking in a wide circle as onlookers scramble to get out of his way. The Fayum guards protecting the chamber are visibly alarmed, but as yet do nothing to intervene. Bahadur sits seiza in the centre of the large circular space he's opened in the crowd and engages in a powerful deep breathing exercise, muscles flexing as his shoulders rise and fall with each expansion and contraction of his chest and abdomen.
Beside you Sakomet sighs happily, "Isn't he lovely? I think he'll keep me."
Bahadur rises smoothly to his feet and exhales a stream of luminous white petals into his outstretched palms where they assemble themselves into a small lotus blossom. He sinks to one knee, sets the blossom on the ground, steps back, and with one thunderous clap it expands dramatically into a beautiful floral pavilion large enough for a dozen guests, soft lotus blossom chairs set around small white tables laden with nuts, fruits, and carafes of something. The perfumed scent of the air wafting off the pavilion is divine.
The crowd looks on in awe, the bravest of them rushing forward as the work is finished, but Sakomet holds a hand aloft, motioning for them to stop. "This is a gift for the Nomarch Atusa. We shall return to attend you all shortly." Sakomet motions for you to follow him inside. The moment you step across the threshold blessed silence greets your ears and the faces of those outside become subtly blurred and indistinguishable.
"Thank you, love," says Sakomet, caressing Bahadur's bicep as he passes.
Bahadur, arms crossed, laughs deeply, "Anything for my sweet prince."
"And someday your sweet nomarch!" Sakomet retorts. He flops down into one of the chairs and pours himself golden wine in a silver goblet, beaming at you. "You still hate these little soirees, don't you? You're better at hiding it now. How are you feeling about tomorrow?" He looks like he's up to something, but he always looks like he's up to something, which makes it infuriatingly difficult to tell when he's actually up to anything. Now of all times, surely he must have brought you within a magic privacy curtain in front of everyone for more than small talk.
John & Hazel
A silence falls over the courtyard as you finish reciting the reconstructed prayer as for a moment the jungle seems to hold its breath in anticipation. It's faint at first, the pale golden light that shimmers almost imperceptibly in the darkness, slowly increasing in intensity until you can barely make out a four metre tall winged figure, sword at its hip, garbed in helm and armoured skirt. It hangs in the air, staring down at you in silent expectation. It looks like a Peri, benevolent winged spirits from legend that haven't been seen in living memory, but were once said to sweep down from the sky to intercede on behalf of the innocent.
The sounds of the jungle come back accompanied by a new and alarming sound, "Help! Please! Is anyone out there?" A woman's voice, panicked, hoarse, and out of breath. The Peri's translucent head snaps towards the sound, peering into the gloom lit only by faint moonlight, fireflies, and the occasional luminescent plant.
Renna & Morrolan
[As a reminder, Adjo, City God of Kabir, mentioned obliquely that the Din (They're supposed to be Div or Dev, but since I keep messing it up I suppose they're Din now. My brain just won't keep that one straight.) had taken the Heavens-Humbling Thunder of the Earth (That big pyramid they used to break the walls of Kabir) from somewhere they shouldn't have, and that it was an ancient weapon the Silverwright had once used, so while Gem doesn't know, Renna and Morrolan can guess someone's already taken something from the armoury. The question of whether taking more things from the armoury will actually make anything worse is an open one.]
Gem looks conflicted at the discussion of taking up arms against her Father, but remains silent. Two stone amulets of interlocking cubes in geometric patterns hung from bronze chains leap from the earth into each of Gem's outstretched hands, one significantly more complex than the other, "These are the tokens father gave to Dalisay and ourself. With no wish to ever return to the Hall of Enduring Silence, we buried them. Father will recognize our token, but the manse will not trouble you while you bear it. We must warn you father is a fearsome warrior, and the demon Alveua, Keeper of the Forge of Night will soon return to inspect and maintain the armoury and prison. We escaped with Dalisay before father could ask her to..." she trails off and Dalisay grimaces. "If you are certain you wish to enter the Hall of Enduring Silence, We... will bring you to the gate." She holds out the amulets.
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