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* Rhys walks in from the back, and unlocks and opens the door. He walks back behind the bar and settles down on the stool. "Hall's open." * Bai enters the Hall, walks over to the bar, leans his staff against the wall, and sits down on a stool. <Bai> Good evening Rhys. I don't suppose you have any tea. <Rhys> Hot or iced tea, Bai? * Alranis slips in through the door, slightly scruffier than normal. He sidles up to the bar and deposits himself on a stool. * Jelarthna opens the door and walks in somewhat gingerly. He bows lightly to Rhys, Bai, and Alranis. * Rhys nods to Alranis. "Evening, sir. Weiders?" <Jelarthna> Good evening, gentlemen. * Alranis nods. "If you've got it." <Rhys> ::to J:: Well met. Can I get you anything? <Bai> Hot please. * Jelarthna walks carefully over to the bar and sits down next to Bai. <Rhys> ::to Bai:: Any special brew you prefer? <Bai> Jelarthna, aren't you healed yet? * Alranis takes something out from under his shirt and slips it to Jelarthna. "I believe this was yours." * Rhys pours Alranis a mug of Weiders and sets it in front of him. * Alranis takes a sip. <Jelarthna> ::to Rhys:: Hmmm. How about some Feywine? <Jelarthna> ::to Bai, wincing slightly:: No, but broken bones take a long time to heal. ::looks slightly worried:: <Alranis> :: to Jelarthna :: I didn't need it after all. <Jelarthna> ::accepts the item from Al:: So it's done, then? Did everything go okay? Is Zoya all right? * Rhys gets a tall fluted glass and an old, greyglass bottle from under the bar, and carefully pours Jelarthna a glass of the vintage. "Here you are, sir." ::he puts the glass down in front of Jelarthna's good side:: * Alranis grins wryly. "She was okay when *I* left her..." <Jelarthna> ::accepts the glass from Rhys:: Thank you. * Bai winces in anticipation. * Rhys pours a mug of steaming hot water for Bai's tea from the taps. "Sir, did you have a favorite brew? We have quite a selection." <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Al:: That's about all anyone can hope. * Bai blinks, then turns to Rhys, "Oolong?" <Jelarthna> Ooo-what? * Alranis shrugs. "She did manage to find the tower, so she collected me (in quite a dither, I might add), and we set off." * Rhys begins rummaging under the bar, muttering quietly to himself. "..oblong... ocelot... ogre... okra... oolong!" ::he pops back up with a gauzy bag which he immerses in the tea:: "Here you are, Bai." <Bai> Oolong, it's a type of tea I discovered during my travels. <Jelarthna> Where'd she find it, anyway? <Alranis> She kept telling me this Erdian guy wouldn't be too bad, as these things go, but I don't know that her scale matches mine. <Jelarthna> ::to Bai:: Finally found something to put *in* your water, huh? <Jelarthna> ::grins:: * Alranis shrugs and waves, indicating nowhere in particular. "Somewhere outside of town." * Bai times his tea with his pulse, then removes the bag, strains it, and sets it on the bar. "I might have to go to the market and see if I can't get some higher quality tea." <Jelarthna> ::to Al:: I never met Erdian myself, just heard stories. But he sounded like a...wild character. * Rhys fetches a small saucer and sets Bai's teabag on it. "Sorry about that..." * Alranis laughs. "I wouldn't know, I'm new to town." <Jelarthna> So how did things go? <Bai> He died shortly before I first arrived here. I never got the full story, something about a demon breaking into the Hall. That's when it got turned sideways. <Alranis> We did find the tower, as I mentioned :: sip :: That mage kept trying to keep me from doing the job she hired me for. :: snorts :: <Jelarthna> And when everything got a little more...animate. * Alranis looks around. <Jelarthna> ::to Al:: Rushing headlong into things before you could check them out? <Alranis> That makes sense. The front door to the tower wasn't quite normal either. * Bai thinks, "From what I've heard he animated everything before that. I think it was his solution to a burglary problem they were having. <Alranis> So, I checked the door for, ah, obstacles. But I couldn't unlock it. <Alranis> Wouldn't ya know it, she came over and summoned a key that fit the door... <Jelarthna> ::to Bai:: Really? Hadn't heard that part. <Jelarthna> ::musing:: Wonder where she found a key? <Bai> I don't want to know. * Alranis shrugs. "No idea." <Jelarthna> So what do you find inside? <Alranis> We wandered around a little while, through some interesting places. :: takes a sip :: <Jelarthna> ::shifts his arm and takes a swallow of the Feywine:: What sort of places? Interesting how? <Alranis> Took a while. There was this endless hallway... * Bai sips his tea. <Alranis> Anyhow, she plowed straight ahead shortly after that, despite my suggestions that I at least look the place over some more. <Jelarthna> [no! it's just wrong! go back to water, dammit! water!] <Jelarthna> ::grins:: <Zoya> [LOL] <Alranis> She fell into a pit trap, the blasted, stubborn, hard-headed woman, and it closed over her. <Alranis> I tried to get in, but I couldn't trigger it again. :: looks towards the eaves, and takes another sip :: <Alranis> I hunted for*ever* through that tower. And don't let her say otherwise, that was one *dangerous* place. <Jelarthna> ::sits up a little straighter, listening and watching Al intently:: <Bai> [You win. Bai will go decaf from now on. Anyone suggests I do and they start losing internal organs. :) ] <Jelarthna> Did you find her again? <Alranis> Illusions, traps. No major beasts, thankfully. :: grins at Jelarthna :: <Alranis> When I finally met her again, she was staring in a mirror. Hadn't thought of her as vain. :: shrugs :: <Alranis> She was convinced she was mistress of the tower, and that it couldn't harm her any. :: laughs :: Very odd. <Jelarthna> ::relaxes visibly:: Did she look different? <Alranis> :: snaps his fingers :: Ah, yes, and her hair had turned white. <Alranis> :: smiles wryly :: She paid me, told me I could go, so I did. * Bai downs his tea. "Mist!" <Jelarthna> All white? As in no purple left? <Jelarthna> ::looks at Bai:: Something wrong? * Rhys grabs a mug, fills it with Mist o' the Peaks, and sets it down in front of Bai. <Jelarthna> Oh. <Jelarthna> ::bemusedly sips his wine:: * Bai downs half the mug, then look imploringly up at the rafters, "I don't need this!" <Jelarthna> ::looks confused at Bai:: Need what? <Jelarthna> The Mist? <Alranis> :: shrugs :: I don't recall any purple. * Alranis sips his beer <Jelarthna> Is that when you left, then? * Alranis nods <Bai> Zoya. If she's inherited the Tower then I don't have any idea of how powerful she's become, nor do I know of any safe way of finding out. Anyone inheriting that kind of power would make me feel uneasy. I just hope Zoya holds onto whatever's left of her sanity. If she doesn't we could very easily have two Yb's running through this town. <Jelarthna> Hmmm. I wonder if I'll ever see her again. * Zoya bursts through the door, arms flung wide. Her hair is stark white, except for one lock of purple behind one ear that has been braided. She is wearing a robe that seems white at first, but shifts colors faster and faster the longer you look at it. Her eyes are shining ecstatically, and she is holding a smallish blue ball in one hand. She seems to have no other items or packs on her person. <Jelarthna> ::looks disturbed:: <Zoya> Greetings, all! I bring tidings of great joy! For lo! Unto you a savior is... Wait, wrong speech... * Rhys raises an eyebrow at Zoya's entrance and cracks a single knuckle. "Well met, Zoya. can I get you anything?" <Jelarthna> Uh...hi Zoya. How are you? * Bai finishes his mug, then puts his head in his arms on the bar. "Please be merciful." <Zoya> Great! I'm great! Fine! Couldn't be- ::spins to face Rhys:: No, nothing, thank you, it doesn't behoove a priestess to drink on duty - Well, maybe just one glass ::back to Jelarthna:: Just fantastic! How've you been? * Bai perks up, "Priestess?" His expression clearly says that maybe, just maybe he's going to live through this. <Jelarthna> ::smiles weakly:: Mostly okay, I guess. You haven't been drinking that blue stuff again, have you? <Zoya> ::raises the ball over her head again with great enthusiasm:: YES! A Priestess! For lo, I bring tidings of our lost brother-in-arms, the mage known as Erdian! <Jelarthna> ::looks at Bai for a moment:: Priestess? Priestess of who? * Alranis looks at Zoya very strangely. <Jelarthna> Have you...spoken with him? * Bai points at Zoya, "I'm still not sure if this is a blessing or a curse." <Zoya> ::beams triumphantly at Jelarthna:: I am - just very recently - the first High Priestess of Erdian! * Alranis blinks. "Weird." <Jelarthna> What? * Zoya suddenly stuff the ball in her pocket and plops down on a stool. <Jelarthna> ::looks at Bai:: You've been around here longer than I have...is Erdian a god? <Zoya> Priestess. Of Erdian. High priestess, actually. <Jelarthna> Well, I certainly haven't heard of any others... <Zoya> Well, he's closer to a demi-god. You can't be a full-blown god without a fair number of followers and a major established religion. <Jelarthna> Zoya, what happened in the tower? <Rhys> [ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say *YES*!] <Zoya> ::waves at Alranis:: He didn't tell you yet? <Jelarthna> A little, but he doesn't seem very detail oriented. <Bai> ::To Jel:: Well I heard a story about some tinker gnomes and an altar, and if that ball is what I think it is, it very easily meets the criteria for a holy artifact, so probably. * Alranis raises an eyebrow and gives Zoya a disbelieving look. "You sort of left that part out." <Jelarthna> Really? You'll have to tell me about it at some point. * Rhys stands behind the bar, an interested expression on his face, his arms crossed over his chest. <Jelarthna> ::to Bai:: <Alranis> For that matter, I don't remember anything about those gnomes. <Zoya> Oh, that part! The tinker gnomes - Erdian's loyal followers, for the last many years! Alas, ::puts on a sad face:: they have been without priestly guidance... <Jelarthna> ::looks very disturbed:: <Jelarthna> Are you.. uh.. providing their guidance now? * Bai sighs, "I somehow suspect she's going to enjoy her priestly vocation far more than I enjoy mine." * Alranis is shaking slightly, and he downs the remainder of his mug. "More." <Zoya> None of them, of course, were mages, much less wild mages. Erdian's priests *have* to be chaos mages, you know. <Bai> Thank Mirgianne Yb never found the damn place. * Rhys refills Alranis's mug and hands it back. * Bai pushes his mug towards Rhys, "Keep the Mist coming." <Zoya> They've been living in the tower's basement for years. So they found me when I fell through that pit - divine guidance! - and took me to their altar. <Zoya> Well, they had worshipped there long enough to give the altar enough power for me to summon - well, request the presence of - their god, and I had a lovely chat with Erdian. * Alranis drains the mug again and pushes it back towards Rhys. <Alranis> More. * Rhys refills the mug with Mist and returns it to Bai. He looks at Jelarthna. <Jelarthna> ::shift uncomfortably and rubs his broken arm a bit:: And that's where you found the blue ball-thing <Rhys> "More feywine?" <Jelarthna> Please. <Rhys> ::grab, refill, return:: * Bai takes a LONG drink. <Zoya> Oh, no! ::She pulls the ball out of her pocket again:: This was in Erdian's old lab. Heavens know how it got there. Look what it does! <Jelarthna> ::ducks:: <Bai> [Is it just me, or are we drinking A LOT more than usual? :) ] * Alranis ducks. * Bai tries to grab Zoya's arm before she can release the ball. <Alranis> [quack] * Zoya bounces the ball on the bartop, and a small pair of nail-clippers appears and begins gnawing ineffectually at the counter. Zoya grabs the clippers and stuffs them in an invisible pocket. <Alranis> [Any time the Meade Hall needs an income boost, just give Zoya a surge sphere and everyone else will be buying a *LOT* of drink...] * Bai sags back on his stool, "That's what I was afraid of." <Zoya> Something different happens every time! I think it's a focus for chaos magic. It's one of His artifacts! <Jelarthna> ::straightens up, and looks around:: <Jelarthna> So based on this chat you decided to worship him? * Alranis peers cautiously over the counter. <Zoya> [Correction: When Zoya bounced the ball, she picked it back up on the up-bounce. It's not still bouncing around...] * Rhys shoots a distinctly sour look at Zoya, fetches a cloth from under the bar, and begins to polish at the gnawed-on part of the bar. * Bai finishes his mug, "More." <Zoya> ::looks somewhat sheepish, actually:: Well... He sortof talked me into it. It seemed very logical at the time. I'm having some trouble reconstructing the exact conversation, but he really *is* a demi-god, now. * Rhys looks at Bai. "If you're going to drink like that..." ::stoops under the bar, and comes out with a long, curved drinking horn. The end of the horn arches back under the bar somewhere. Rhys pours a jigger of Mist into the horn, peers in the top, and hands it to Bai. "Here. Just return it when you're done." <Jelarthna> Okay. What is the, um, religion like? Other than chaotic? <Zoya> ::grins:: Well, we're still working on it, of course. <Jelarthna> ::looks at Bai with concern:: You going to be okay there, Bai? * Bai takes a LONG drink, then puts the horn down and sighs deeply. <Jelarthna> ::to Zoya, hopefully:: So you haven't gone completely off the deep end? <Zoya> I'm trying to decide what would make a better High Holy Day: His birthday, or his death-day. Death, maybe. He wouldn't tell me when he was born. <Zoya> It's terribly difficult, trying to create a new religion. <Zoya> Of *course* I haven't gone off the deep end! Whatever made you think that??!? * Alranis shakes head disbelievingly. * Zoya spins to look at Alranis again. Her eyes narrow almost suspiciously. "Do that again." <Jelarthna> Well, it all sounds pretty wild. I mean, I've seen a lot of weird stuff, but this sounds...more weird than most. * Rhys slowly pours himself a tallglass of some clear liquids from two different taps. He takes a swallow and sighs. <Jelarthna> And I'll admit I was pretty worried, too. <Zoya> Well, it *is* Erdian, after all. It was bound to be weird. And I told you right from the start that there was nothing to worry about. <Alranis> Do *what* again? <Zoya> Shake your head like that. * Alranis frowns. "Uhhhh. Okay." He does, more or less, sort of. <Jelarthna> ::looks Zoya in the eye:: Yeah, and that's the line *I* use when I'm about to do something insanely dangerous. * Zoya frowns, shakes her own head, and mutters something under her breath before turning back to Jelarthna. <Jelarthna> But this is Erdian, and it's hard sometimes to keep in mind the stories I've heard...they were just stories, you know. <Zoya> Oh, I don't know that I'd go as far as *insanely* dangerous. Breaking into the Tower certainly wasn't as dangerous as the time I stowed away on a mind-flayer ship. <Zoya> ::grins:: Oh, most of the stories you hear about Erdian haven't had time to get blown out of proportion yet. They're probably mostly true. * Bai picks his staff up and stands, facing Zoya. <Jelarthna> Actually, I've always suspected they've been toned down a bit. <Jelarthna> ::grins:: I'm glad you're okay and I can stop worrying. What happened to your hair, anyway? <Jelarthna> ::sips his Feywine and absently rubs his broken arm:: * Bai bows to Zoya, "Zoya, as one god chosen to another, let me congratulate you. May your service be an example to all those who will follow you." * Jelarthna watches Bai. <Zoya> Hair? Oh... ::she tugs on the braided lock of purple hair:: I'm not really sure. Erdian did it, maybe, or the tower itself... When I woke up after my chat with Erdian, it was like this, which made me think it was him, but then it had started changing weeks ago... ::actually, she's starting to sound a bit tinker-ish herself...:: <Jelarthna> So can you find the tower at will, now? <Rhys> ::quietly, to Alranis:: Top off that mug for you? * Alranis nods <Alranis> Please. * Bai leans his staff against the wall again, and sits back down. * Rhys refills Alranis's mug. <Zoya> ::to Bai, grinning hugely:: Thank you. May you live long and pros... No, I think that's been used. May your own service be long and joyful. Let me buy you a drink! ::she waves at Rhys to refill Bai's drink before noticing it's a never-ending horn:: * Alranis takes a largish sip * Rhys, with a completely straight face, refills Bai's horn. <Bai> Water please. I've had quite enough for the evening. <Jelarthna> [YES!!] * Rhys takes the horn back and gently replaces it under the bar. He selects a mug and fills it with water for Bai. "Here you are." * Zoya plops back down on her stool. <Zoya> Now, what have the rest of you been up to? <Jelarthna> ::grins weakly:: Mostly just trying to heal. I've spent a lot of time in other planes where time runs faster, trying to hurry this along. <Bai> The usual. ::Brightens suddenly:: Oh Zoya. Am I correct in assuming that Erdian's library is still intact inside the Tower? <Zoya> Oh, of course. <Zoya> I was reading just yesterday a *fascinating* tome on the weaver's art... <Bai> Do you think I could go through it. I have a rather unique problem, and Erdian just might be the one to have found a solution. <Jelarthna> Yb? <Zoya> ::looks a little doubtful:: Perhaps... There doesn't actually seem to be much in the way of magical texts in the library, though, I should warn you... <Jelarthna> Really? That seems odd. <Jelarthna> So, does the tower stay in one place now, or can you always tell where it is? <Rhys> [he does have every title mentioned in the monty python bookshop sketch, however...] <Zoya> Well, I'm sure they're there. But they're all mixed in with the more mundane books as a sort of protection, I think. I'm working on cataloguing everything, though - I don't think it'll take me more than a few years... <Bai> Let's face it. We already knew Erdian was an odd sort of fellow. A mage who doesn't keep research notes doesn't seem that far fetched compared to wandering towers and animated glassware. <Jelarthna> ::grins:: I'd be happy to help if you like. ::Holds up his arm:: I won't be doing a whole lot else for a while. <Zoya> ::to Jel:: It still moves around a bit, but it's much slower now that it isn't playing hide-and-seek with me. There's a sortof map in the back of my mind to tell me where it is, if I concentrate. <Jelarthna> A mage still has to keep his spells somewhere, and the way they write things can reveal a lot. <Jelarthna> So it was actually avoiding you on purpose? So to speak. * Alranis scratches head, obviously not following the conversation particularly well. <Zoya> Yes. I think it was on Erdian's direction, but I could be wrong. <Bai> [Haven't seen that sketch...Just caught the monty python comment.] <Jelarthna> Was this a test of some sort? <Zoya> Yes, a bit. The tower wasn't going to let me find it until I used nothing buy chaos magic in the search. Once I figured that out, it actually became helpful. * Bai sips his water. <Jelarthna> I suppose that makes sense. ::shakes his head:: Logic inside the chaos. Weird. * Alranis snorts. "This whole thing is weird." <Bai> It's like good and evil Jelarthna, you can't have one without the other. <Zoya> ::laugh:: I've been telling people for years - there always has been a certain amount of logic to the chaos. You just have to look at it close enough. <Bai> Or far enough away. <Zoya> ::bows to Bai:: Of course. It's so gratifying to find someone who actually understands. <Jelarthna> Still, I've always thought of them more as opposites...both present to some degree, but polar opposites. What does it mean when one is an actual part of the other? <Bai> It means you've grown a little wiser Jelarthna. <Rhys> ::with a small smile:: That, perhaps, nothing is as certain as it seems. <Zoya> ::smiles mysteriously:: It means that there was a method to the gods' madness when they created the world. <Jelarthna> Ack! I think I need more to drink. ::finishes off his wine, and hands the glass to Rhys:: <Rhys> More feywine, or something different? <Zoya> ::laughs delightedly:: I may have a convert here! <Jelarthna> Let's stick with the Feywine. It seems awfully good tonight. <Bai> My world created the gods, not the other way around. But that doesn't change the current topic. <Jelarthna> ::looks generally disturbed:: * Rhys pours Jelarthna another glass of the shimmering vintage and hands it to him. * Alranis takes a longish drink <Jelarthna> Thank you! ::relishes another sip:: <Jelarthna> So, what are you going to do now, Zoya? Catalogue the library? Hammer out the terms of your new religion? ::grins:: Find another quest to confuse everyone with? <Zoya> Now I'm trying to figure out how to get the news out to the rest of the city that Erdian's temple is open for business - so to speak. I don't know that we'd get many converts from the general populace, but there might be a few. <Zoya> All of that, and more, Jelarthna. ::grins:: Though I suspect I'll be too busy with the tower for a while to have too many quests. * Alranis snorts. "Only from the lunatic fringe, I'm sure." <Jelarthna> ::shrugs:: Despite the time I've spent around here, I don't know the people very well. I suspect most will be frightened. <Bai> You could have the gnomes follow Yb around and put up signs every time she causes a scene. <Jelarthna> Somehow I think having a bunch of gnomes following Yb around won't help things. <Zoya> ::frowns:: I don't want the gnomes to get *too* close to Yb - she's fairly dangerous, without meaning to be. They might get hurt. Still, I'm sure they'd know best where to find possible congregation. Their numbers have doubled in the last week - it seems a lot of them were merely waiting for some sort of official physical presence. <Bai> But I have to agree with Jelarthna, the general populace will probably be frightened, and the War Wizards and the local priests might have a few complaints about some new deity in town. <Jelarthna> I wonder how the other deities will feel? <Bai> Not my world so I don't have the vaguest idea. <Rhys> The War Wizards are only going to be bothered if someone makes their lives any harder than they already are. It'd be wise to try not to be *too* disorderly all at once. <Zoya> I disagree. Erdian has actually *been* a demi-god since shortly after his death, some years ago. The local priests might get snippy, but their gods don't actually seem to mind. <Jelarthna> ::Closes his eyes for a moment and takes a couple of deep breaths before opening them again. His good hand balls up tightly during this, relaxing when his eyes open:: <Zoya> ::blink:: Are you all right, Jelarthna? <Jelarthna> ::quickly takes a swallow of wine:: <Jelarthna> ::nods briefly:: I'll be okay. <Bai> That's fine Zoya. The question is, are the gods going to intervene if the local priests decide to take matters into their own hands? <Jelarthna> Although Erdian has been a demigod for a while, he hasn't had a priesthood before. That might make a difference. <Zoya> ::sternly:: Don't lie to a priestess. It's bad for your karma. Even one who's only been a priestess for a couple of weeks. <Zoya> ::shrugs toward Bai:: If I close the door to the Tower, there's no way they can get in and do any damage to it without the help of their gods. <Bai> Um...Zoya. Something you might...never mind. <Zoya> ::raises her eyebrows:: Go on. <Jelarthna> ::smiles a little:: It still hurts at times. And it seems worse that it used to be, but I think it's just because my other wounds aren't taking up my attention anymore. * Rhys pops a monocle in front of one eye and peers around the room absently, and at the Patrons in front of the bar. * Bai thinks for a moment, "True. But if you close the doors to the Tower, then you can't attract any new worshippers, in which case the priests win." <Alranis> Why use the tower as the temple? ::shrugs:: Just build a little shrine. Something entertaining. <Bai> I was going to say that you might want to sit down and actually come up with the tenants that you and the other priests need to live by. For instance honesty doesn't strike me as a necessary requirement for a chaos priest. Then I realized chaos priests wouldn't have fixed tenants. <Bai> If the other priests let her I wholeheartedly concur. <Zoya> ::laughs:: Do you know how long the other priests have been trying to wipe out Cyric's followers here in Marsember, Bai? Cyric's worship is even *legally* prohibited. Once word gets out, the ones who *want* to worship will do so no matter what is arrayed against them. <Jelarthna> Well, they'd be stupid to actively suppress it. I've seen it tried too many times. It only makes the religious movement stronger. * Rhys steps up to the bar, monocle still in place, looking at Jelarthna. "Jelarthna, can I see your arm for a moment?" <Zoya> Oh, I wasn't going to use the tower as the temple. At least, not for much longer - the gnomes are starting to be too numerous to fit them in the basement. But it *is* where *I* live, and if I retreat there where I'll be directly in Erdian's sphere, it would take a major god to dislodge me. * Bai smiles weakly at Zoya, "Just don't let yourself or the gnomes become martyrs Zoya. My trials of faith are difficult enough without having to avenge you." <Jelarthna> ::looks up:: Um... okay. ::gingerly holds his arm out for inspection:: <Jelarthna> Don't worry, Zoya won't be forced into martyrdom. <Zoya> But for congregational meetings - I was thinking of renting a small building near the mage's university, at first. * Rhys takes Jelarthna's arm by the elbow in a gentle but firm grip and starts studying the arm intently. "You haven't had an endoskeletal transplant by any chance, have you?" <Zoya> Oh, I don't think we'll frighten anyone badly enough that they'll want to *kill* us. We're not as chaotic as Yb, even, and they haven't tried to kill *her* yet. They just want her out of the city. * Rhys releases Jelarthna's arm for a moment, and pours the last of the feywine into Jelarthna's glass. He sets the empty bottle and cork on the bar. He takes hold of Jelarthna's arm again. <Jelarthna> Uh...what's an endoskeletal transplant? <Rhys> This has always been your arm, correct? Or was it someone else's? <Bai> They tried killing her a few times. Nothing openly, but they tried. She's just too dangerous. <Jelarthna> ::to Zoya:: I think you're right. But be careful. Yb has known people toning down her episodes and keeping an eye on her. ::nods to Bai:: It's possible that more chaos could worry them a lot more. <Jelarthna> ::to Rhys:: Yes, definitely. <Zoya> Ah, well, I didn't know. But still - she's destroyed half the city at one time or another. All I want to do is have occasional meetings. Nothing dangerous - do you have any idea what insurance premiums *are* in the Mage's Quarter? <Jelarthna> Why do you ask? <Bai> Afraid not. <Rhys> ::still studying the arm:: Oh, just a thought. <Zoya> They're ridiculously high. And if you have even one *teeny* accident, they go right through the roof! So whatever I do, it'll have to be very safe. Probably pretty low-key, to start, too. <Bai> Well you know where to find me if you need a hand. <Jelarthna> ::to Zoya:: Glad to hear you're going to keep it safe for now. That sounds like the best way to let it grow. <Zoya> ::to Bai:: Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. <Jelarthna> ::to Rhys:: What though? Do you see something weird about my arm with that monocle? <Rhys> ::a faint blue aura slowly covers Rhys's upper body, as he grips Jelarthna's arm:: "Just hold still." <Zoya> And if anyone sees Moon Dancer, I'd like to talk with him. <Bai> Wouldn't we all. <Jelarthna> ::holding still:: If I hadn't heard he was around from someone reliable, I'd think he'd completely vanished. <Zoya> Well I want to put up a small shrine to Erdian here, but I need his permission first. <Jelarthna> ::looks around:: It would make sense... <Zoya> ::almost solemnly:: More than you know. * Bai thinks, "It's certainly a fitting gesture, but I'm not sure if this place needs any more concentrations of wild magic, particularly given Yb's tendency to drop in. <Jelarthna> ::looks curious:: Anything you want to talk about? <Rhys> ::the glow starts to run down Rhys's arms, to his hands, which are clamped around Jelarthna's wrist and shoulder. The glow brightens as it collects together, at Rhys's hands. In an instant, it seeps through his fingers, and the glow fades away. When Rhys removes his hands, there are two tattoo-like bands, one around Jelarthna's wrist, the other encircling his upper arm by the shoulder.:: * Jelarthna looks curiously at the bands. <Jelarthna> What are those for? <Rhys> ::dead serious:: Go find a *very* competent priest, and have him look *very* closely at that arm of yours. <Zoya> ::to Bai:: This place *can't* have a higher concentration of wild magic, really. Erdian died here. This is his... It's part of his home plane. <Bai> [This could be bad.] <Jelarthna> ::looking worried, curious, and sheepish at the same time:: O-Okay. <Rhys> The bands should stop it from spreading farther. Unless, of course, whatever it is doesn't work quite like I'm expecting it to, in which case it may just slow it down for a day or two, once it reaches them. * Bai blinks at Zoya a few times. "Could you repeat that." <Jelarthna> Stop *WHAT* from spreading? <Rhys> I can't answer that. <Zoya> You're aware that when a god is in his element, he's nearly invulnerable? This building - and the Tower - are most of Erdian's element; his home plane. <Jelarthna> Is that because you don't know enough to answer? * Bai puts his head back down on the bar, "I don't need this." <Zoya> ::looks confused:: What's wrong, Bai? <Rhys> Partially, yes. Partially because sometimes defining something strengthens it. <Jelarthna> ::looks momentarily confused:: That doesn't sound good. ::looks sidelong at his own arm:: * Rhys takes the monocle off and puts it back in a pocket. With blink of confusion, he collects the mug from the stool where Alranis was, after looking around for him for a moment. "Strange..." ::he sends the mug back into the kitchen:: <Rhys> ::to Jelarthna:: No. It isn't good in the slightest. * Zoya looks up suddenly. "Where'd Al go?" <Jelarthna> I was a little worried that it didn't seem to be getting better, but I've never broken a bone before. * Bai sighs, "Zoya, let's just say that Yb's condition accelerates the more wild magic she's exposed to, and the greater the concentration the more she's attracted to it. I didn't realize the levels here where THAT high. Now what was supposed to take millennia, and that I had figured on taking centuries might actually happen in years. <Rhys> It's not getting better. It's not *going* to get better. Possibly ever, unless someone stops it. And I'm not going to be the one to do that. <Rhys> Last call, everyone. <Jelarthna> Oh shit. <Jelarthna> ::looks slightly surprised at himself:: * Bai finishes his water. "I'd offer to help with the arm Jelarthna, but healing isn't my specialty. <Zoya> I'm not sure. The sort of wild magic Erdian produces is somewhat different from usual chaos magic. It may be actually insulating her. <Zoya> ::to Jel, almost irritably:: I thought you were going to take that to a priest before I even *left*, Jelarthna! <Bai> All the more reason for us to sort that library so I can find out. <Jelarthna> ::defensively:: I took it to a couple of them. They just told me they couldn't do anything with it. <Zoya> ::to Bai, seriously:: I'll make sorting out the library a priority. But I can't promise anything useful. <Zoya> ::to Jel:: Did you take it to Lathander? Or Ilmater? * Rhys absently deposits the empty bottle of feywine under the bartop <Jelarthna> Yeah, both actually. <Bai> He'll have something useful hidden away somewhere. Yb's too attracted to this place and his artifacts for there not to be something. It's just a matter of seeing it in the right light. <Jelarthna> I didn't get too far through the red tape at either place. <Zoya> Or some two-bit priest with half a healing spell? That sounds very serious, Jelarthna. I'm going to be quite cross with you if you don't get this taken care of. <Jelarthna> Don't worry Zoya, I'll be fine. I'll push my way to some higher powered healers tomorrow. <Zoya> Red tape? Yes, that could be a problem with them, couldn't it... Well, after what Rhys has done, I'm sure they'll pass you through the ranks until it gets fixed. * Bai brightens, "You know Zoya, you could take him to some of the temples and use it as an excuse to introduce yourself to the local priests. Try and start things off on the right foot. <Zoya> It's a thought. <Jelarthna> ::glares at Bai:: * Bai looks back at Jelarthna with a look that clearly says, "It's for your own good." <Jelarthna> ::now ignoring Bai:: Well, I'd better get to sleep early tonight so I can start early. <Zoya> I should get back to the tower now, though. That cataloguing awaits, and the gnomes are happier when I'm nearby. * Bai picks up his staff and heads up the stairs. "Steel and Water my friends." * Jelarthna stands up, slightly unsteadily, and drops a small purse on the counter. <Zoya> I'll drop by and pick you up at first light, Jelarthna. ::Zoya apparently did not miss the exchange of looks:: <Jelarthna> Thanks for the help Rhys. I appreciate it. * Rhys pushes the purse back to Jelarthna. "It's all on the house tonight." <Rhys> And don't thank me yet. You have no idea what I've done. <Jelarthna> Goodnight Bai. ::grins at Zoya:: Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, then. <Zoya> Good night, my friends. Spread the word! ::Her robe begins to shimmer more vividly as she pulls the sphere out of her pocket, and she strides out the door:: <Jelarthna> ::leaves the purse, and raises an eyebrow:: Well, consider it credit for the next time I'm in. * Rhys collects the empty mugs and glasses, and carries them all into the kitchen. <Jelarthna> ::shakes his head at Zoya's exit, and follows after her:: * Rhys picks up the coin purse from the counter and drops it into the strongbox, and sighs. "Poor, poor damned soul." ::he closes and locks the front door and heads into the kitchen to finish the clean-up:: |
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