So Dorgon will join the Zola Fel cult this high holy day and Sa'ar himself will enchant the tattoos of the River Voice on his left hand of harmony. Any other takers? Sa'ar is very happy about Dorgon, he has made the right choice he says.
After you are inducted as a River Voice, you can always get Mru (riverfolk) or newtlings to listen to your tales of Chaos conspiracy, and may well convince some of them. They are in awe of the River Voices and eagerly lap up any tales, often with complete faith in the veracity and sanity of the speaker, for Zola Fel only chooses those who are pure of heart and mind, aye?
At the appropriate moment, after Caernak and Tison have made speeches, Arcus will stand up and say (orate)
"With every passing day, I become more and more convinced that the needs and goals of the River are the same as those of Sun County. My brethen may be stiff-necked and hard to convince, but I am certain that they will listen to what is good for all of us. I will act as liason between the River and the Sun Dome; for every ounce of cooperation I can muster, the rewards will be tenfold.
Furthermore, my spear is yours to use: point it in the direction of evil and it shall pierce the heart of the darkness!!! Death to the chaos which endangers us all!!!!"
Now come my questions --
1) Arcus will ask Sa'ar, when he gets a chance, what "the source of much of the evil" is -- Muriah? The Devil's Eye?
John: Sa'ar and Che'en hold a private evening conference with the River Voices, where they are happy to discuss such questions. One of Sa'ars Sacred Time dreams showed a pulsing eye weeping noxious slime into the river. He is sure that it means that the Eye of Wakboth is the major threat to the river. Muriah is likely just a major symptom of that threat. Che'en worries that the Eye is drawing more chaos to the area, perhaps even coordinating it... shudder to think of coordinated chaos.
Dave: 2) Arcus will ask BVoN what has awakened The One, if Sun County is in danger, if anything can be done to protect his homeland from the dragon's wrath.
John: BVoN says that The One has seen what came in the future and The One will have played a role in the carnage that will sweep the valley. The One hates the Lunars, Sun County, and Muriah and sees the River as Its only potential ally. BVoN dislikes Sun County and says that you should pray to whatever gods they worship that those whom you love will be spared the wrath of The One, or at least suffer only briefly.
Ken: --> (A GM question for John) Does Dorgon - or any of the other characters - actually understand the time nature of the One? Is this something Dorgon would really understand at all?
John: No, this confuses all of you except Tison, who might get a little of it. You aren't sure if BVoN isn't fluent enough in Boatspeech and his meaning is lost in the translation, or if his verb tenses really arre accurate. Everyone except Tison probably just chalks this strangeness up to another one of those weird things about dragonkind.
Dave: 3) About Shennin Ashal's words -- who is the enemy who will recast our would in their vision -- the Lunars? Who are the lesser enemies?
John: Sa'ar and Che'en suspect that the Lunars are what Shennin spoke of, she always was very suspicious of them. The lesser enemies must include Chaos foes, such as Muriah, maybe even the Eye of Wakboth. They are fearsome but not as organized and clever as the Lunars. The River has few other minor enemies. Sa'ar thinks that the River should work with others to bring about Muriah's fall, this year if possible. He will look into possibilities. Che'en says that you must return to The Black and seek out the Eye. He promises you whatever magical support he can muster to assist you.
Dave: 4) What do we do know about Shennin Ashal, when was he last seen, what mission did he go on that caused his death, who could have killed him?
John: Caernak knew her very well, and others knew her too. She was the main River Voice before Caernak and a priestess of Zola Fel. 3 years ago she rode on the Giant's Cradle down into Magasta's Pool (i.e. into Hell for a heroquest) with the goal of finding something to save the River from calamity. Caernak and the priests had a vision last year of her being tortured to death by spindly demons deep in a black cave of hell. Judging by what her ghost has said, the demons must have been a trap laid in her heroquest.
The only group that Sa'ar thinks might be strong enough to do such a thing would be the Lunars. The Cradle escaped the Lunars' clutches thanks to the river and other helpers, so the Lunars may have taken an Other Way (heroquest) to get whatever they wanted, or just get vengeance. Shennin must be one casualty of their trickery.
Sa'ar, and to a lesser degree Che'en, has lost patience with the Lunars. He long advocated at least tolerance of them and often worked hard to cooperate. But his trust has been exhausted and he thinks that this year is the time to quietly seek allies against the Lunar forces, in case a time comes when they are weak or overcommitted. Sa'ar will undertake some of this on his own while maintaining a semblance of neutrality toward the Lunars, but he will ask the River Voices to engage in some secret diplomacy as well. The dragon of Five Eyes will be your first mission, whenever you are ready.
"Beforehand, Tarranyr, Pachala, and Dorgon (and others, if interested) are invited to join the Zola Fel cult by Che'enshashan, and entices them with the promise of a hand tattoo with a Breathe Water matrix if they pledge themselves to the River Voice service. If they are interested and have Swim>25% they may join for 1 POW and get a POW check and tattoo (water, harmony, movement runes) too!"
--> Dorgon knew those swimming lessions at tthe river barge would pay off. He gratefully accepts the honor and makes a speech to Che'enshashan about how Cearnek's great example of fighting chaos - even in the face of sure death - has inspirsed him and filled him with great respect for the river. Why two months ago he almost drowned in the Zola Fel trying to swim around the One of Five Eyes. He hopes he is worthy of the honor of initiation and promoses to use whatever powers Zola Fel grants him in the upcoming struggle with "The Chaos Storm That Is About To Destroy Prax" (As Dorgon likes to put it)
"People of the river, great evil forces gather near and afar, beside you and below you, and enemies of what we hold dearest conspire to recast our world into THEIR vision of unholy virtue."
--> Later Dorgon tells everyone who will lessson, I told you there was a great Chaos conspiracy going on. Maybe next time I tell you that there is a giant conspiracy to destory the world you'll lesson to me.
"... newtlings to listen to your tales of Chaos conspiracy, and may well convince some of them."
Dorgon's beginning to think better of these newtlings. Perhaps becuase of the time he spent in Sun County he used to look down on Newtlings. But now, he is beginning to realize what insightfull and wise creatures they really are.
"One thing Dorgon and others should consider before they formalize their initiation is the requirements of Zola Fel: no fire magic such as fireblade being a big one!"
A heavy price indeed. But Dorgon truely believes in the role the river is destined to play in the upcoming fight against chaos. He wants to join!
John:
The spear is worth about 5700L, unfortunately finding a magical replacement for sale would be tough as such things are in high demand. Someone else in the group may want it badly, it's real nice.
Ken:
He talks to Tarraynar about the best way to sell or trade his iron tipped fireblade spear for a new non-fire weapon.
Perhaps if he donated the proceeds from selling his spear to the temple, the temple could help him find a weapon more worthy of a river voice?
"So Dorgon will join the Zola Fel cult this high holy day and Sa'ar himself will enchant the tattoos of the River Voice on his left hand of harmony."
Now tison is really worried about dorgon. On the other hand he will start slowly working him into the idea of other sources of power to fight chaos that might be available...
Pachala is an ally of the river and will swear so on his honor and will gladly fight chaos so that it does not blight prax. I don't think his other gods will let him join the river cult. True?
Ken:
Let me know how actively Tison is trying to corrupt Dorgon. Dorgon on his own is only slightly tempted towards Sorcery corruptions. But if Tison starts actively working on it ... Esp. if Dorgon's new rivervoice role model - Mr. C - also starts trying to corrupt Dorgon ...
Pachala and the other nomads may have to have an intervention for Dorgon pretty soon. Is there a nomad 12 step program for giving up sorcery!
Chris:
Caernak isn't trying to corrupt Dorgon at all. His completely nonchalant attitude towards Tison's sorcerous ways might have that effect, though, if everyone else is anti-sorcery and Dorgon knows what Tison is doing. Caernak's attitude towards sorcery is based entirely on ignorance. He doesn't know that it's "bad", and it sure has helped! If Dorgon asks him about it, he says he thinks it has something to do with First Dreamer, wearing the Dreamlink, The One, or Lhankor Mhy. Maybe Pavis, but that's unlikely. Caernak does not know where Tison gets his nifty long-lasting spirit magic. The Dream Link is his prime suspect. This isn't something Caernak has asked about or talked about; he figured it out on his own, it's a workable hypothesis, and Tison is pretty secretive about it all.
It's possible that his recent Ceremony training has given Caernak a clue about Tison's sorcery and what it is, but other than that, Mr. C wouldn't have a clue. Prior to his escape from slavery, Caernak led a remarkably sheltered life; he knew nothing of gods, very little of the world, and just enough about magic to use some nice tricks in battle. Since his escape, he's been less cloistered, but more focussed. Swimming? River Lore? Yep. Different kinds of magic and prejudices against them? Nope. If he does know Tison is doing things in an entirely different way, he views it as he does missile weapons; i.e. he knows they exist, they seem useful, but he knows little or nothing about them, and it's probably too much hassle to learn (hey, he's watching Arcus shoot his bow and Tison work his sorcery; it sure would take a long time to get that good).
If Tison starts instructing Dorgon in sorcery, and Dorgon asks Caernak about it, Caernak will be a bit surprised that it isn't something unique to Tison. He'll tell him to go for it if he thinks it won't interfere with his River Voice duties, devotions to Zola Fel, and necessary training. Extra gods means extra duties, right? Can't have you spread too thin.
Note that if Dorgon is using Caernak as a role model, he shouldn't be dividing his attentions! Swimming is primary, with history lessons a close second. Acolyte status may not be Dorgon's destiny, so he might not have to be as well educated in River Lore as Caernak, but he must know something of the god he serves, the ecology of the river, Its traditions and Its enemies.
Tison would not start working actively on dorgon. Much too dangerous. Certain party members seem much to violent to have their world views directly challenged.
He would point out when he spots interesting sorcerous enchantments to dorgon. Look how that lunar guy seems to be able to protect all of them with his magic. That must make them fearsome foes. I wonder what magic makes that sailor guys sword so devistating. I'm sure glad we have him on our side...
BTW: Tisons speech:
Binding together the allies of the river is my first mission and the reason I have joined the cult. Pavis has already brought the river a great blessing, he has returned Mr C to us from the dark. I will strive to bring pavis and the dragons together with the river!
I also have brought the written report of the r voices travels and adventures for the last year to this ceremony. i gift the cult with this knowledge as a token of the friendship to come between LM and ZF. We will be available after the ceremony to answer any questions on this topic.
Caernak thinks Shennin's warning means we should crush Muriah and her foul brood soon. With Lunar support and help from the Domers and the many of the One. Then we can worry about getting the Lunars out of the valley.
The problem is that none of the threats, Eye of Wakboth, organized broo, Lunars, are "minor" in his mind. They're all nasty enemies... but we can use the Lunars against the others, with luck, before turning on them. Caernak is not at all pleased about the necessity of going back into the Dark... whatever it was that killed him last time (and did we ever figure out what exactly they were?) scares him.
No luck finding out what those giants were, no one you have spoken to has heard tales of such things, let alone seen them. Seems like you may have discovered something long forgotten, or entirely new.
Perhaps we can entice a Lunar Survey Team into venturing in with us, or alone. They'll take out some of the crap before they're destroyed, then we can mop up. Caernak is getting more concerned with his own mortality, not that he'll actually ease up on battle or anything, but planning and scheming is looking like a better option every time he gets crippled or killed.
How is Aigghla doing? Is she pissed about Caernak's marriage, or is she OK with it? As for kids, sure, Caernak will father more, and hope that they're more normal than daddy's little demon spawn. Oh, and does the wife know about Azure and her mother?
Aigyllagh sent a fish messenger to Che'en saying that you were not welcome in her abode any longer, and that was some time ago. She has been silent. Dori is happily pregnant now, expect a child this year. Up to you whether you'd tell Dori about the demonic affair...
Caernak welcomes Dorgon to the ranks of the River Voices with open arms, one normal, one whatever color Mr. C is this season.
Your skin is back to normal, except the left side of your head which is greyish stony flesh where Pavis replaced your caved-in skull with Mostali clay.
One thing Dorgon and others should consider before they formalize their initiation is the requirements of Zola Fel: no fire magic such as fireblade being a big one!
Do Ch'en and Sa'ar think that we should clean out the broo before or after the Eye? Much as the Dark frightens him, if the Eye is bringing Chaos to the valley, we must attack the cause, not the symptoms. And Muriah may be easier to deal with once the Eye is eliminated. Might it work the other way around? Would the Eye be less powerful if we took out the broo? Caernak doesn't have much hope that this is so, but he asks anyway.
Although you are the expert chaos slayers and your judgement is best on this matter, the two newt priests suppose that getting rid of the eye is first priority, unless some quick and easy way to off Muriah can be found.
Ken:
What about destroying the enhancements that protext Muriah in the Tien shrine. Such magics are beyond Dorgon's understandings. What does Tison and the Zola Fel priets think about going after the enhacements in the shrine?
John:
Of course, keep in mind that this discussion is occuring long after you left the Tien shrine with its enchantments intact. Yes, I bet Tison would like to return there, and even if he didn't it seems wise to disable those enchantments. Stories from Storm Bulls and others who have fought Muriah say that she is invulnerable to weaponry and potent with magic and spirits. There must be another way.
There any heroquests laid on for the HHD? I assume Dorgon will go on one to seal him to the River, but has Caernak's extensive research into River Lore given him any ideas, or does Sa'ar have a suggestion? We must Quest mightily to combat the foes of the River!
Yeah, I know... GM lack of sufficient time is a big constraint for heroquesters. They take a lot of work. If you have an idea for a myth you would like to explore, let me know. Che'en said he has been looking for quests that would strengthen riverfolk against chaos, and hopes to have one this year.
I will play a short initiation heroquest for those (if anyone) that join Zola Fel this HHD.
"Recent news: Early this year in Pavis, another Issaries merchant was found to be dealing with Krarshti and was crucified by the Lunars after a small Orlanthi riot broke out in Oldtown. Feelings about the crucifixion are mixed, some feel that the charges were trumped up."
Does Tarranyr pick up anything special about this? (reply privately if necessary)
"Beforehand, Tarranyr, Pachala, and Dorgon (and others, if interested) are invited to join the Zola Fel cult by Che'enshashan, and entices them with the promise of a hand tattoo with a Breathe Water matrix if they pledge themselves to the River Voice service. If they are interested and have Swim>25% they may join for 1 POW and get a POW check and tattoo (water, harmony, movement runes) too!"
Tarranyr's swim is at least 38 so he qualifies. He is uncertain because he really thinks he should be concentrating on Orlanth so his initial reply is to be allowed some time to think it over. (I am greatly moved by this offer ... etc) But later on he has a change of heart. More below (bottom of page)
"Then the apparition moans: "I come with bad tidings, children of the River. My body has been torn asunder by demons of the Underworld and only my tortured soul exists now. My last tired struggles earned me one small victory, I may return here in the service of our god once yearly, if only briefly.
...
No one can speak without interrupting the ritual, so Shennin's wailing spirit vanishes unanswered and the hole in the world screams shut just as agonizingly as it opened. We'll pick up there with discussion; the rituals are finished quickly and people begin a troubled meeting to tease apart what the ghost's message means."After all that, and especially considering the dream-vision he had, Tarranyr cannot stand by any longer. He tells Che'enshashan that he will "resolutely" join the Zola Fel cult to fight against all of the River's enemies. "While others may have greater skill at arms every bit of my guile, every talent I can muster, every spark of my spirit shall be set upon this cause. Let it not be said that I have held anything back."