<TheAntiPiro> It's one of those silly nights, so.
* TheAntiPiro is now known as AlanAmis
<HollyhockGod> So, ice fell down, and the voice of an elderly woman calls E'jah to account for himself.
<HollyhockGod> E'jah makes one of his bell-noises that might be a sigh, and goes to the tent flap to see for himself.
<Laurelynne> Did we resolve the divinations I was asking for when we quit for the night?
<HollyhockGod> What will the rest of you do?
<HollyhockGod> What were the questions?
<Laurelynne> Whether I could detect the cause of the loss of the concept of the pharaoh?
<ViktorWalters> I will doff my fedora and check my cane for scratches.
<Laurelynne> (Though I'm guessing I'll have to talk with Laud to figure that one out.)
<ViktorWalters> and make any blemishes on it too boring to notice
<HollyhockGod> No, there's really no information available to Sorrow.
<HollyhockGod> Just a general sense of some forgotten tragedy that once existed and now does not.
<ViktorWalters> um, um, um, how bad an idea is it to put on my mortal-face
<ViktorWalters> ?
<Laurelynne> All right. So I'm outside facing the ice queen, yes?
<HollyhockGod> Viktor, what do you mean?
<HollyhockGod> Yes, although I assume you're still invisible.
<Laurelynne> Correct.
<ViktorWalters> Um
<ViktorWalters> I mean, the unblemished guise thingy
<AlanAmis> Oh, on another note, what is Fortune's divination telling Alan right now?
<Laurelynne> I think I will wait and see what happens.
<Laurelynne> (Too bad I can't send a mental warning to my familia.)
<HollyhockGod> You can send a prayer to them.
<HollyhockGod> I looked that up and got an authorial comment.
<Laurelynne> Oh, well that's handy.
<HollyhockGod> Basically prayer works as a means of mental communication so long as the contacted party has enough attention to spare to pick out that your message is important.
<HollyhockGod> I don't know about Unblemished Guise; you'll have to decide for yourself if that would be useful.
<HollyhockGod> The divination isn't giving Alan any additional information at this time. You're where you need to be.
<HollyhockGod> Now you have to decide what you should do.
<Laurelynne> I will send a prayer to them then that there is potential danger from a contentious Noble who's crashed the scene just outside here.
<HollyhockGod> Any other actions?
<ViktorWalters> know what? I'll just go with the Unblemished Guise
<ViktorWalters> just for shits and giggles. No harm, I think
<HollyhockGod> All right. Viktor cloaks himself in a Guise, which turns him into a worker similar to the others running around.
<HollyhockGod> E'jah hovers before the ice pillar, apparently unconcerned.
<HollyhockGod> One advantage of being a hovering equation written in fire is being pretty hard to read.
<Edith> Oh brave Sir Viktor.
<AlanAmis> (I'm assuming Viktor was near Edith and I?)
<ViktorWalters> (yes!)
<HollyhockGod> "Katriana, can it be that I have somehow trespassed on grounds that belong properly to you? Please, enlighten me as to the nature of your complaint, that we may restore the amity that should lie between you and I as two servants of Creation."
<ViktorWalters> (Don't worry, I'll don a red shirt. That way, they'll try to kill me and miss all of you fleshy people)
<HollyhockGod> The thousand images of the Power of Ice do not move.
<Edith> (I'm the staff chick with the Major Preservation of Self!)
<HollyhockGod> She says "As, always, *your Grace*, you go too far in the name of what you call progress."
<HollyhockGod> "These tombs have stood sealed for thousands of years, as places of rest for the ancient dead. Bad enough that the mortals should plunder them for profit, but for you to ransack them as raw material for an ill-considered attempt to bring back the dead is simply beyond the pale."
<AlanAmis> (Who was our other host and what is he doing right now?)
* foxatee (n=moc.rr.ser.notsuoh.942-471-302-86-epc|lliztahc#moc.rr.ser.notsuoh.942-471-302-86-epc|lliztahc) has left #forum-nobilis
<ViktorWalters> (It's the Mummy's Curse!)
<Edith> (It was Dr. Savan.)
<HollyhockGod> Dr. Savan is still in his chair, sipping tea and smiling.
<HollyhockGod> Chaos loves a good fight.
<HollyhockGod> "The dead are dead, your Majesty," replies E'jah.
<HollyhockGod> "What use have they for these relics?"
<AlanAmis> While E'jah and Katriana are having fun, Alan's going to move a little closer to Viktor.
<AlanAmis> "Do you think you could go take a look around for a bit?"
<HollyhockGod> "What use has a man for his dignity? He might still wish to be allowed to keep it, even if *you* have no care for yours."
<AlanAmis> Hopefully Savan having six fingers doesn't mean he has super hearing.
<ViktorWalters> Praying is mental, right?
<HollyhockGod> Yes, mental.
<ViktorWalters> If it is, Viktor prays back an affirmative as he moves to go look around the dig site, following the way the other mortals are moving.
<HollyhockGod> They've more or less stopped to look at what's going on.
<HollyhockGod> "If it is your intention to continue with this venture, E'jah, then I will oppose you formally."
<ViktorWalters> then, as he is boring, he moves around as boringly as he can, but slowly and while half-gawking at the Powers
<HollyhockGod> Is there something specific Viktor is looking for?
<ViktorWalters> but goes outside nonetheless to look around the dig site in the most discrete fashion possible
<ViktorWalters> priceless stuff, I suppose. He prays to Alan and asks if there's anything in particular to look for
<HollyhockGod> "A formal duel is the only way to settle this matter without resorting to unpleasantness."
<ViktorWalters> Otherwise, Viktor is looking for either threatening things or the treasure we're supposed to be here for
<HollyhockGod> "Lady," says E'jah, "it would seem inappropriate to turn a venture in which I have several partners into a private duel between the two of us, despite the great affection I feel for you-"
<AlanAmis> Alan will probably re-pray back that anything from jewelry (perhaps a ring) covered in enscriptions, a staff somewhat like Edith's, or even the Pharoah's sarcophagus are possibilities.
<HollyhockGod> "I care not!" snaps Katriana. "If you wish to appoint seconds, do so! I can find as many as I need to stand alongside me in this matter."
<HollyhockGod> "The storm clouds you have conjured to mask your presence here cannot last for more than five days at most without attracting undue mortal attention."
<HollyhockGod> "If you and those you choose to assist you can complete your dig within that time, against all the opposition we can muster, then I will consider myself overruled."
<HollyhockGod> "If not, you will each agree to leave what remains of the tombs of the pharaohs undisturbed."
<HollyhockGod> "Contact me within the hour with the names of your seconds, Dominus."
<HollyhockGod> The image of Katriana is replaced by a million tiny snowflakes, each one alike. The connection has been severed.
<HollyhockGod> E'jah returns to the tent, spinning gently.
<HollyhockGod> Viktor, you aren't finding anything interesting. It looks like the actual digging has yet to begin.
<Laurelynne> I'm beginning to think the only way I'm going to uncover the lost sorrow is working with E'jah.
<ViktorWalters> Viktor relays this information to Alan and hangs out with some of the workers
<HollyhockGod> Yeah, any direct attempts to find the place aren't working, and Ancagallon evidently couldn't find it either.
<Laurelynne> So after the snow settles I'll dismiss my invisibility and enter the tent.
<HollyhockGod> Random searching with a Power-financed dig crew could be the best bet, which is why the divination led you here.
<Laurelynne> (Not that I care to get involved in an inter-Noble dispute.)
<HollyhockGod> Leave it to Fortune to lead you to the best chance of randomly getting what you want.
<ViktorWalters> Viktor wanders back, unguised
<HollyhockGod> E'jah nods sadly at Laurelynne as though he'd been wondering where she was, but mostly just looks troubled. (As much as he can, anyway.)
<Laurelynne> He knows who I am?
<Laurelynne> Well I suppose it is conspicuous to just appear out of nowhere.
<HollyhockGod> "Friends, Romans, Domini," E'jah sadly orates. "A hitch has come into my carefully laid plans. Once more Katriana has taken it upon herself to oppose my research."
<HollyhockGod> "Now I have no choice to fight her in this duel or lose face."
<HollyhockGod> "The only question is, which of you are willing to assist me, and what is our best option to win against Ice and its allies?"
<ViktorWalters> (sleeeeeep)
<AlanAmis> "I'm not sure about helping you in any sort of duel, but I can certainly assist you in speeding up the digging process."
<Edith> I can't even begin to think what kind of help I could be.
<Laurelynne> "Indeed. I have not come to bring ease to your troubled mind, nor to shatter the grip of Frost, but I will assist you in finding the lost tombs here before the allotted time has elapsed."
<HollyhockGod> "I certainly don't want to face Katriana alone if I can bring a second Estate or more into the conflict to shore me up," E'jah admits.
<HollyhockGod> "But for each ally I bring into the fight, Katriana will solicit one as well. We must choose carefully who will participate or risk being overwhelmed."
<AlanAmis> Alan is starting to get a really bad feeling about all this.
<HollyhockGod> "Who can claim powers that might stand against frost and stasis?"
<HollyhockGod> "Also, who might Katriana call as her second?"
<HollyhockGod> "Rahru, perhaps, or Bertha Blue? On the other hand, any number of Powers might owe her some favor (miserly wretch that she is)."
<ViktorWalters> "Tis odd, considering my goals stand with the discovery of the contents of the tomb, and yet my estate would be greater served by siding with Frost. Perhaps I shall stay out of this until it is sure that my aid is needed."
<AlanAmis> "How long do you have until this duel takes place, then?" Alan is going to go ahead and step up to the batting plate, even if it's not much help.
<Laurelynne> "I understand that the two of you have an ongoing feud, and I think I speak for all my siblings when I say we do not wish to step between that. However, since we have business here that coincides with your own, if she and her cohorts are to get in our way we will not stand for that. I, at least, will not, not when there are undiscovered sorrows about."
<HollyhockGod> It's an hour.
<HollyhockGod> So, how many of you will participate in the duel, if Katriana will bring as many people as you do?
<ViktorWalters> not it
<Edith> I could wave pleated pom-poms
<Laurelynne> Alan and I then.
<AlanAmis> Looks like Laurelynne and I are it, although that's a pleasant bit of help from Lau.
<AlanAmis> I should've known being the only one with aspect would be a problem.
<Laurelynne> And the only one with Spirit likewise.
<Edith> I'm surprised Vickor isn't more eager to find this thing.
<HollyhockGod> True, although Spirit isn't going to help much in this situation.
<ViktorWalters> Viktor is unsure of how much Boredom would aid
<Laurelynne> Depends on how useful the simple rites will be.
<AlanAmis> We're a chancel of indirectness.
<ViktorWalters> and also, he is unsure if he actual is in trouble or not, exactly
<AlanAmis> Except for Edith, when she's home.
<Laurelynne> But my strength is limited if I can't switch bodies on the fly.
<Edith> Boom! Pow! Blammo!
<ViktorWalters> god… falling asleep… I really shouldn't RP and travel
<AlanAmis> "If we have an hour before this conflict begins, perhaps I could do what I can in that time to assist your digging efforts. We may get lucky and find what we're looking for."
<HollyhockGod> You basically have to keep the dig going with Katriana and her allies trying to screw it up, before the time runs out and you have to quit.
<ViktorWalters> Hm
<ViktorWalters> Well
<ViktorWalters> Damn
<ViktorWalters> I guess Viktor will join
<HollyhockGod> Of course, you might have some expectation of what she'll do, but not a total one.
<HollyhockGod> Okay, that makes for a total of four Powers of both sides.
<Laurelynne> If Viktor joins then I probably should opt out, or at least only take on a spying role.
<HollyhockGod> It depends on whose powers you think will be most useful.
<Edith> I'm going to be the one who has to face down several hundred tonnes of dragon if this goes to hell.
<Laurelynne> If they don't know I'm in on it, if they don't even know I'm here, that would help.
<ViktorWalters> it's not just my Estate I think would be useful
<ViktorWalters> turning mortal, being boring
<ViktorWalters> mortal-looking
<AlanAmis> I'm thinking that just one of us being involved will work.
<ViktorWalters> and being immortal in itself
<ViktorWalters> hard to wound, etc
<AlanAmis> Crucible, Chaos, and Fortune could be a bit of a theme.
<HollyhockGod> Will that help keep the dig going in this situation?
<HollyhockGod> That's true, you could call Dr. Savan up to bat.
<HollyhockGod> You don't know his proper title, but he probably has some kind of useful powers.
<AlanAmis> Is he having to actively maintain the stormclouds though?
<HollyhockGod> Doesn't look like it.
<ViktorWalters> If I dig, it'd be pretty hard to stop me
<ViktorWalters> but sure
<ViktorWalters> Fortune can go instead
<ViktorWalters> He actually has aspect
<Laurelynne> I have a feeling it'll be more about the workers, safeguarding them and keeping them going.
<HollyhockGod> So, you plan to take Fortune, Chaos, and the Crucible as your actual miracle workers in this conflict?
<ViktorWalters> hey
<ViktorWalters> I wonder
<AlanAmis> I learned a long time ago it's best to consult with others first, so a democratic vote within our group would be best.
<ViktorWalters> Could Viktor go as a mortal, seemingly?
<ViktorWalters> hide among the nobles
<ViktorWalters> er
<ViktorWalters> mortals
<ViktorWalters> or do we dislike underhandedness?
<HollyhockGod> Yes, but would you be able to use miracles of Ennui without being caught?
<Laurelynne> I'm all about underhandedness.
<HollyhockGod> I'm not saying it's impossible, that's for certain.
<ViktorWalters> I wouldn't necessarily need to
<ViktorWalters> and they'd be difficult to notice by default
<ViktorWalters> too boring
<ViktorWalters> It'd just be an ace up our sleeve should we need it
<Laurelynne> This is why I'm going to go back invisible, and I may even separate from my Anchor.
<HollyhockGod> Yeah, but the other side isn't dumb, so you'd have to be careful.
<HollyhockGod> Either way.
<ViktorWalters> well, would they go looking for Viktor normally
<ViktorWalters> ?
<HollyhockGod> Name your challengers when you're ready.
<ViktorWalters> ok, sure
<ViktorWalters> it can be a vote
<ViktorWalters> vote who goes, and if Viktor goes underhandedly
<Laurelynne> Hmm, is it too late for me to Witch Hunt Rite the miracle Katriana used to project herself here?
<AlanAmis> I figure Edith can keep up the digging crew's hopes while Viktor makes everything other than digging boring to them.
<HollyhockGod> Well, you can, but the Witch Hunt Rite is mostly for the purpose of knowing who cast a miracle.
<HollyhockGod> And you know that already.
<Laurelynne> Not for tracing it back to its source location?
<HollyhockGod> Not as such, no.
<Laurelynne> Poop.
<HollyhockGod> It shows past miracles used in a location.
<HollyhockGod> She doesn't move much, so she's probably in her Chancel.
<Laurelynne> True enough.
<ViktorWalters> I need sleep. I am leaving now, as sleep is needed. Sleep is good. I like good. I will now enjoy good.
<ViktorWalters> I apologize
<Edith> I can perform a preservation or creation of Hope once per story.
<Razzen> Night
<ViktorWalters> Nighty nighty night.
<Edith> Fare thee well or bye or whatever.
* ViktorWalters has quit ()
<HollyhockGod> Ohnoes, we ran out of Ennui!