2 March 2003

Characters in Attendance: Meridian Tas - Cort Odekirk
Susan Landorff - Jeremy Zimmerman
Laurent d'Villerio - Dan Swope
Brother Peter - Andis
Sil Rana - Jeremy Franklin
Daigoro - Jeremy

Questing the future in the past

The Library of Adzgar
Sil Rana is spending time investigating his family history. Eventually tiring of the endless stacks of the library he requests help from Anna, who seems happy to assist and leads him to the door of an office. After a vain attempt to conceal the fact that she has procured the key from beneath a nearby pot, Anna lets Sil Rana into a strangely familiar room. It is comfortable and, unlike the rest of the library, coated with a fine layer of dust. There is a sense of age and a feeling that perhaps more than simple objects have found themselves growing dusty and tired in this place. Most relevant to Sil Rana are the long shelves of what appear to be personal diaries. Fingering through them at random, he realizes they are the journals of Nuin, the dark haired woman of mystery that has alternately plagued and assisted the group from their first aquaintance. The books cover a surprising range, from her fresh and somewhat naove youth first entering a strange land called Amber to the jaded and somewhat sadistic woman the party has become so familiar with. The span is vast, according to the dates, no less than 10,000 years. Resisting the urge to ply further into Nuin's personal history, Sil Rana focuses on information relative to his line, discovering detailed lineages tracing his family back a multitude of generations. Sil Rana himself is listed, but this confuses him, for if the dates provided are accurate, he would have to be far older than he remembers himself being.

Pushing that disturbing thought aside for a moment, Sil Rana comes across a hand written note near his description, "They came from the North, feeding the fire, few will survive, but he must, for he is the last of his line." The quote leaves him chill, but provides no further insight.

As Sil Rana discovers his past, Merdian and Laurent gather in the map room to plan the party's future. Meridian's attempt to represent Darwin's rather poetic theories as a sustainable mathematical model have suggested that the effects of the slowing may be the result of the subtraction of a significant amount of energy from either the Creative or Destructive force, the two abstract "poles" of his new model of reality. Hints given in the writings of Darwin, backed by information gathered by Laurent and Landorff suggest that at least one of the poles may be a place called "Amber", a location listed on some of the older maps. Meridian feels it may be easier to investigate or possibly work with the polar forces there, it's a small hope, but provides them with direction. Meridian's spying with the crystal have shown the Slowing spreading at a steady rate, they must do something.

Their researches take them long into the night, sustained by the wonderful coffee of the Library. Eventually they complete their various tasks and turn to their rest.

The next morning the party gathers once more for breakfast. Meridian breaks the polite conversation with a description of the mathematical model he has constructed, a prelude to his suggestion on their next step. Of the group only Laurent is able to follow it at even the most basic level and Meridian soon gives up, simply stating, "We need to go to Amber, I think we may be able to answer our questions there. It's a pole of sorts, a place where the power I believe Darwin affected comes from. It's a place to start." Sil Rana looks at the maps and notes that Amber has been lost for some time, the ways to it may be protected by barriers that make our closed ways look trivial. Meridian acknowledges this, but bleakly points out, "What other options have we?"

Nonplussed, Sil Rana changes the subject to the texts he has been reading, the journals of Nuin. He notes that she mentions various artifacts, noting them as important but neglecting to mention why. Apparently during the time of the writing the reason why was considered common knowledge and it's recording pointless. A curious lack of foresight for the otherwise very thorough Nuin. Each artifact seems associated with a province, scissors for Parad, a horse for Vesper, a crystal orb for Adzgar, a bracelet for Delios, a ring for Paryas, a pin for Tanneth, a hand mirror for K'aran and a circlet for the North. Uncomfortable looks during these descriptions abound and one by one the various members of the party admit to having various of the articles. The crystal orb Meridian carries is already widely known, but it comes out that Brother Peter possesses the horse, Landorff the scissors, Diagoro the bracelet, and Sil Rana the Ring. Of them all, only Laurent and Syrone seem to be without the possession of one of the strange artifacts.

Talk continues for some time, but while some of the artifacts seem to either have minor abilities of their own, or enhance those of their user, no directly related purpose is divined. They agree that whatever the dangers, Amber must be their next destination and plans are made to leave the library by noon.

Checking the older maps, Amber seems to be south, beyond Vesper. The group notes that Brother Peter may have some of the Wayfinder's talent and he shyly admits that he suspects he may have some ability along those lines. The group decides that they will allow Peter to lead, hoping that somehow he can get them to Vesper without need to cross the somewhat troublesome ocean in-between. The rest of the day passes uneventually; Peter's route is vague, but seems to be going in roughly the correct direction so nothing is lost either way.

Lunch provides some small distraction when Landorff leave the party to answer the call of nature, but remains gone a strangely long time. Using his glass to check on Laurent's wayward guard Meridian sees him holding a pair of scissors to his chest and staring fixedly into the wood, a thin line of drool running down his chin. Leaving to check on him, Meridian encounters Landorff on his way back to the group, seemingly none the worse for wear. If Meridian is suspicious, he chooses not to mention it.

The party sets up camp that evening, the weather is warm and the mood relaxed. Landorff mentions that he needs something sewn and asks if he might borrow some thread. Syrone offers to sew it for him but he begs off, strangely vague on what he needs sewn. Eventually Syrone surrenders, simply giving him some of her thread and leaving him to his own devices. Once the party has bedded down, Landorff moves on his own into the woods and the reason for his strange request is demonstrated as he used the thread to hang the scissors in the air, their point moving strangely to his questions. The similiarity to a compass is impossible to ignore.

Later that night, after Landorff has returned and used a small incantation and a sacrificed rabbit to set simple wards, Sil Rana is on watch and sees Syrone slip out into the woods. Her attempts at stealth are well intentioned but ineffective to one of Sil Rana's skill and he follows her easily. She moves to a clearing and her form begins to shift and stretch, changing in what look like a series of regular exercises. Sil Rana watches until she is done and then follows her back, leaving her unaware she has been observed.

Morning dawns bright and hot and the group continues their journey, wandering behind the dubious guidance of Brother Peter. Nothing of note happens until midday when Sil Rana hears a strange metallic noise. Deciding to investigate, he moves from the group into the surrounding plains and eventually comes across a large and strangely deformed cow, seemingly starting to liquefy before his eyes. Disturbed he moved back to warn the group, returning just as they are jumped by a pair of similarly warped mountain lions and a pack of Jackels.

Chaos is almost immediate and the horses bolt. Sil Rana and Diagoro move through the party, their arrows slowly but effectively winnowing the number of the attackers. One of the jackels manages to savage Syrone's horse and she is thrown, both Meridian and Landorff moving to sieze her and place her on their horses. Forced to choose or be torn apart, Syrone slides up behind Meridian; but not before all can see how her body has shifted to defend itself, strange scales and claws sprouting from her body.

The beasts seem content with the horse they have downed, the ranger's arrows making further attack less attractive. The group travels on for a time, Meridian slowly calming the near hysterical Syrone, coaxing her back into a more conventional form. The silence is leaden with unspoken questions.

After a surprisingly short time the party finds itself on the seacoast, progress made, but not the magical path to Vespers they had been hoping for. They decide to follow the coast down in search of a fishing village where they may be able to hire a ship.

The town is typical of such on the coast of Agdzar and each member of the party soon find their comfortable role. For Meridian this is that of the Monitor, and most of his day is spent helping the village with various medical and personal issues. Laurent and Diagoro move on to the docks in search of a sea-worthy ship willing to attempt the legendary danger of a direct trip to Vespers and hopefully Amber beyond it. Sil Rana, Syrone and Brother Peter move through the town and aquire lodging as well as see to shoring up the party's supplies. Landorff finds one of the seeder bars near the docks and does what comes most naturally to him. It does not take much time before the brawls begin.

As evening approaches Meridian is confronted with a young woman at a loss to explain her swelling belly and strangely disappearing cycles. For a long moment all the Monitor can do is stare as he is confronted with yet another small, sullen life that will fail to live up to it's potential. All the faces, the petty disputes, the scrabbling for trinkets in the remnants of a much greater civilization only he and a few others are even aware existed cascade through his mind; they are accompanied by the faces of those of his Order that perished pointlessly due to the carelessness of an ancient man and a silly fight over a bottle of cheap wine.

Syrone clearly wishes freedom from her commitment and Meridian no longer has the will to try and push her back. It occurs to Meridian that most of what he cared for is gone, and he is finding that what is left seems of less and less interest. For the first time in his career the Monitor abandons his duty, and leaving the young woman staring dully walks out of the square.

Having obtained lodging and seeing to the horses Sil Rana finds Syrone on the porch of their inn and confronts her on what happened during the battle earlier that day. The argument starts tense and rapidly becomes heated. "Well, I havn't bitten anyone's head off yet, have I?" "I've seen someone stuck half way...they were in pain and they were slain.... If you start to loose control..." "You're going to end up trying to kill me anyway, aren't you?" The argument ends without resolution.

Meridian joins Landorff at the pub and orders drink, just as his companion begins the latest in his series of brawls. Watching thoughtfully for a short time, Meridian very deliberately turns his Monitor badge over and joins the fray. His smithing work has left him strong and it serves him well, soon only Landorff and he are standing.

Laurent and Diagoro have interviewed a number of Captains but they one they feel most confident in is agast at the very thought of attempting the journey. The party feels a direct route is necessary given the time constraints of the Slowing and decide to have Brother Peter speak with the captain Azarid. It has become obvious over time that Brother Peter has a strange effect on those he speaks with, that they find themselves agreeing with him despite adamant determination not to. While some find the ethics of this questionable, including most notably Brother Peter, they agree to the necessity and with his help they convince her to the severity of the emergency and she agrees. Laurents rather hefty bag of coinage goes a long way to making the acceptance palatable.

The party returns to the inn for sleep but while returning late Landorff notices many of the townsfolk wandering in small groups and talking. It seems rumors of plague carriers have spread through the town and clearly the beginnings of a mob is in the makings. He returns and informs the others who gather their belongings just to be sure. Meridian goes out to wander the crowd in his Monitor regalia, attempting to restore sanity.

The group notices at this point that Syrone is missing as well. During the discussion the heated exchange between her and Sil Rana emerges. Meridian is able to see her in his crystal, but she is many miles away, walking determinedly. He tries yet again to use the crystal as a communication device, but is met once more with failure. Landorff feels he may be able to use his magic to contact her, just to confirm that she truly wishes to leave them. He tries and, stretching his abilities to their limits, makes contact and enables both he and Meridian to speak with Syrone.

Syrone is challenging at first, confident that they are happy to see her gone. Meridian patiently works to convince her otherwise, "Do you really think we would be going to this much effort if we didn't care Syrone. If you wish to leave, we will respect that, but we would like you to continue with us. We are a group of many secrets and histories; your gift, whatever it's origins, is a talent we should celebrate for it's capability, not castigate for it's strangeness. Whatever the issues between Sil Rana and you, we will work out; we are all most of us have now, it is important we take care of each other." Syrone is eventually convinced and they begin to plan her return.

However, before much progress can be made they are interrupted by the entrance of the full flower of the mob in sprout the evening before. Apparently Meridian's efforts were for naught and they have come for the only strangers they are aware of. Before things can get ugly Brother Peter runs between the villagers and the party and yells at everyone to stop. His indignant anger illuminates him like an avatar of a God in truth and all find themselves stopping to gaze at him in wonder. Under his coercive words the villagers find they no longer are interested in the strangers and return to their lives as if nothing had happened. The party finds itself regarding Peter with something between shock and fear, yet another of their number displaying powerful and potentially dangerous abilities. Diagoro sums it up for most, "Good job Peter, lets be careful how we use that."

The ship sails on the morning tide, Syrone running up just in time to leap over the withdrawing plank. The trip to Amber has begun.