So here it is, the end of Chapter 3. And finally, an answer to what the amulets really are.
I learned quite a bit, really, things I need to work on, such as timing... The action climax was really the battle between Vixil and Saranael, I should have had that in Maruk like I originally planned. But things were moving so slowly, I felt I had to hurry it up, to keep the players' interest. But I decided that games are not novels, no matter what the story. So, you can't expect a novel's pacing and structure.
I tried to reveal quite a bit in this game, as the end of a chapter should, but of course, I can't help planting seeds for the next game. And not everything is wrapped up.
Merduk kind of blindsided me with his question about Maruk's curse. I had an idea what the curse was from way back, so I dug that up and used it. Fortunately, the time between him asking the Druas and him asking the Imrihil Sahar was enough for me to get it straight in my head. Chalk one up for the slightly slower pace of OpenRPG.
(7930) Ganse: When last we saw our protagonists, they had just seen an Ariane, sitting on a hillock among the scrub, meditating.
(7931) Merduk: (That pic reminds of the fields we would do National Guard drill in)
(7930) GM: He is alone, there is a leather bag on the ground near him, and within easy reach is some sort of mace with a smooth stone head.
** (7932) Laj appraises the Ariane thoughtfully. **
(7930) GM: His eyes are closed, and he makes no moves at your approach.
** (7931) Merduk walks up with his usual grumpy expression. He's a little peeved at this guy. **
(7932) Laj: (This is uncomfortably like the Doors.) :)
** Druas pops open an eye. **
(7930) Druas: "You are called Merduk, yes? And Laj Yeto?"
(7932) Laj: "You plague our dreams. Why?"
** (7932) Laj speaks with characteristic brevity. **
(7930) Druas: "Plague? I am he who sent you dreams, yes. Were they a plague upon you?"
** Druas points at the amulet around Merduk's neck. "I send dreams to all who bear those." **
(7932) Laj: "A plague upon the unwilling, perhaps."
(7932) Laj: "Why?"
(7930) Druas: "They were messages, of course. I try to help where I am permitted."
(7932) Laj: "Again, why?"
(7930) Druas: "The amulets allow me to communicate in such fashion. It is often the wish of people to know things that will come to pass. Where I am granted such knowledge, I share it with those honored enough to carry the amulets.
(7931) Merduk: "So who are you?"
(7930) Druas: "I am Druas, a seeker, as are many of my people. Most call me Druas, when a name is needed."
(7932) Laj: "Honored by the amulets? Unlikely heroes."
(7931) Merduk: "So, is there a reason we're here?"
(7931) Merduk: "Because we can go, if you want to keep daydreaming and stuff."
(7932) Laj: "Two dung chuckers and a corpse filcher. Ha ha ha." Laj laughs hollowly.
(7930) Druas: "I have communicated my desire to meet with you, so that I may offer you something that few will ever fathom, an invitation to Altan, my home."
(7930) Druas: "The Imrihil Sahar would speak with you, should you honor him with your presence."
** (7932) Laj stops laughing. **
** (7932) Laj can barely contain his suspicion, awe, and disbelief (mixed in equal parts). "Why?" **
** (7931) Merduk is assuming the worst in this. This sounds like some kind of setup. But running from misfortune can often make it worse. **
(7930) Druas: "Because of the amulets you carry. Any may carry one, but they seem to choose to stay with certain ones. He Who Carries the Seventh would speak to you about them."
** Druas stands up slowly, picks up his bag, and strings his mace to his belt. **
(7932) Laj: "We know of one other. Who has the others?"
(7930) Druas: "I have sent dreams to all that have them. Some answer, some do not. There was one called Rudael, long ago, who answered. That one was unpleasant, it is my wish that you are unlike him."
(7932) Laj: "Met him."
(7930) Druas: "But, I am not judge of anyone."
** Druas begins walking north briskly." **
** (7931) Merduk shrugs, and follows. **
** (7932) Laj turns to Merduk. "Follow?" The Yitek sighs and urges Her Grace northward. **
(7930) Druas: "The journey is far, but not unpleasant."
(7932) Laj: "Perhaps the Dark Ones can help with the bones," whispers Laj to Merduk and Merdmira.
** Merdmira sniffs loudly. "Talks a lot, but don't say much." **
(7932) Laj: "Aside from necromancers, stryx, windship bandits, storm demons, and the like."
** (7932) Laj keeps his eyes open for threats. That round mace doesn't look like it would be very helpful. **
(7931) Merduk: "Can we trust him with the bones?"
(7930) Druas: "I met some of your kinsmen, Laj. They were kind, in their fashion. A proud people, deep down."
(7932) Laj: "We are. Met them as well. My tribe spoke of war. With the necromancers dead, I hope that can be avoided."
(7930) Druas: "The war that concerns them will not come to pass. They will find peace, though the road seem hard."
(7930) Druas: "A war will only occur when one side wants a war. If both seek peace, they will find it."
(7930) Druas: "May I ask who is she who travels with you?"
(7931) Merduk: "My sister"
** Druas turns around. "I am honored to meet you, sister." **
(7930) Druas: "I am honored to meet you all. Forgive my haste, I have been long away from Altan, and I desire to set foot there again."
** (7932) Laj nods. "Heard of it. Never been there. No tombs." Laj shrugs as though that last statement explains everything. **
(7930) Druas: "We need no tombs."
(7932) Laj: "Exactly."
(7932) Laj: "Proud people, but practical."
(7930) Druas: "We never truly die. We become dormant, and may be reborn, in a sense, but we do not know death."
(7930) Druas: "I have water, if you have a need. The desert requires that one carry water. Further north, we will not need it."
(7932) Laj: "Have enough, though kind of you to share. How far to Altan?"
(7931) Merduk: [1d100] -> [9] = (9)
(7930) Druas: "It lies many days north, if one but walks."
(7931) Merduk: (oops.)
(7931) Merduk: "Are we walking?)
(7930) Druas: "We are. However, when I walk, I may travel quite fast. It will only take us three days to reach Altan."
** (7932) Laj frowns. Fast walking, indeed, he thinks. **
** Druas laughs. "It is a gift granted to the servant of the Imrihil Sahar." **
(7930) GM: (Observation roll, Laj.)
(7932) Laj: [1d20+8] -> [9,8] = (17) Observation
(7930) GM: (You notice that you frowned at the back of his head, and didn't speak your thought aloud.)
(7930) GM: (Yet he laughed at you.)
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 9.9 ms (parsed message, round trip)
** (7932) Laj instinctively clutches his luck amulet. "Sorcery," he mutters. **
(7930) GM: "You wear the amulets. To me, you are like lanterns in the night."
(7930) GM: "I will not intrude, if you so desire. With an act of will, I can block you out, if you wish."
(7932) Laj: "To our enemies as well? Two found us easily enough."
(7931) Merduk: "Can I send people dreams? Like of drowning in dung?"
(7930) GM: "No, only to me, and the Imrihil Sahar. Possibly to those who wear the amulets, if they knew how to look."
(7930) GM: "Yes, you can send dreams to any who bears an amulet. Once attuned to it, it could become second nature."
(7930) GM: "Is it your wish to send dreams?"
** (7932) Laj laughs. "If Rudael is listening, yes." **
** (7931) Merduk shrugs. "Just curious." **
(7930) GM: "He is no longer. He gave you the amulet you bear, Laj. He might still have some attunement, but the amulets are picky about their hosts, and won't stay long with such a one."
(7932) Laj: "Bah, so much for his nightmares." Laj waves his gloved hand dismissively.
(7931) Merduk: "Picky?" Merduk is not sure he likes the sound of that. He didn't think it was intelligent.
** Druas turns his head slightly to show his smile. **
(7932) Laj: "They must be slumming."
** (7932) Laj laughs until his eyes water. **
(7930) Druas: "They choose who they choose, regardless of the judgements of others. We have noticed patterns in their choices, however."
(7930) Druas: "Those like Rudael are seldom bearers for long."
** Druas pulls out a purple crystal, about the size of an egg. **
(7930) Druas: "This is my Tamar, it holds my knowledge I have gathered in my travels."
** Druas pulls out another purple crystal, this one fist size. **
(7932) Laj: "Pattern? They all died horribly, right." Laj nearly doubles over with laughter.
(7930) Druas: "This one holds what is known of the amulets."
(7930) Druas: "Which is quite a lot, but I will not look within unless it is absolutely necessary. Those mysteries are for the Imrihil Sahar, and I have no wish to replace him."
** (7931) Merduk peers closely at it. **
** (7932) Laj raises an eyebrow. **
(7930) Druas: "You will see soon enough. Come, I grow tired. Let us find a place to rest, as darkness comes."
** (7932) Laj scouts for a suitable campsite. **
(7930) GM: There is a nice sheltered spot between two small hills. It should provide shelter from the wind and the cold night.
** (7932) Laj heads for the cleft. "There. Small fire. Hot food." **
(7930) GM: The darkness seems to have snuck up on you while you traveled.
** Druas sits down on a flat spot. **
** Druas points at his bag. **
(7930) Druas: "My food and water is in there, you may take all you please."
(7932) Laj: "Have supplies. Eat with us. Plenty."
(7931) Merduk: (Probably just fruit in there.)
** (7932) Laj unfurls his tent and gathers some twigs and dry scrub brush for a fire. **
(7930) GM: (You'd win that bet, Merduk.)
** Druas has no tent, just a thin blanket. **
** Merdmira pitches her spiffy spinifax tent. **
** (7932) Laj shakes his head and wonders how this nutcase has managed to survive. **
(7931) Merduk: (He probably politely asks the weather and wild animals to not bother him.)
(7932) Laj: The Yitek gets a small fire going so that the group can toast their dried meat.
** Druas pulls out two round yellow-orange pieces of fruit, and begins eating one. **
** (7932) Laj again arches his eyebrow. **
(7930) Druas: "You are wondering about the fruit? It is called a Reen's Pear. They are grown in caves below Altan. It is a taste of home. Would you like to try it?"
(7931) Merduk: "Yeah, I'll try it."
(7931) Merduk: "So, you guys travel the world and learn about pretty much everything, yeah?"
** Druas hands a piece of the fruit to Merduk. **
(7930) Druas: "All who are seekers, yes."
** (7931) Merduk takes it, thanks him, and eats it. **
(7930) Druas: "That is the simplest way to put it."
(7931) Merduk: "So, do you know anything about the Marukan curse?"
(7930) Druas: "I myself do not. The Imrihil Sahar would know, if you were to ask him."
** (7931) Merduk looks at the sky for falling rocks that would prevent him from meeting the Imrihil. **
(7930) GM: (Despite it's name, the Reen's Pear tastes like a peach, but not quite as sweet.)
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 9.9 ms (parsed message, round trip)
** (7932) Laj wonders if he can send a dream about the joys of grave-robbing to the King of Cymril. **
(7930) GM: (HA!)
(7930) GM: After eating, your fatigue catches up with you, and the Druas lies down and goes to sleep.
(7930) GM: The morning suns wake you, removing the chill of night. The Druas is sitting up, meditating.
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 9.9 ms (parsed message, round trip)
** Druas pops open an eye. **
(7930) Druas: "You are awake? Shall we be off then?"
** (7932) Laj looks around, settling on the Ariane. **
(7932) Laj: "Agreed. Eat first."
** (7931) Merduk mutters, 'mrphlblg" trying to wake up. **
** Druas smiles. "Of course." **
** (7932) Laj , sensing that the Ariane wants to get moving, crams some leftovers from dinner in his mouth before packing his tent. **
(7930) GM: You slept well, there was a noticeable lack of strange dreams.
** Merdmira rolls up her tent and packs it onto Shovel, with a grimace at the early morning suns. **
** (7931) Merduk gets up and grudgingly starts to travel. Of course, he seems to do most things grudgingly. **
** Druas begins walking north again. **
(7930) Druas: "Two more days of travel, and we will be there. Do your people sing songs, Laj? I would like to learn of them."
** (7932) Laj saddles Her Grace, mounts, and follows. **
(7932) Laj: "We do."
(7932) Laj: "Sing of tombs, treasures, empires of the forgotten past. Traps, tricks, and trinkets."
(7932) Laj: "Desert winds, skies at sunset, the stars, the lost homeland of the Yitek. Equal parts melancholy and joyous."
** Druas laughs. "That is fitting. Merduk, what are your songs like?" **
** (7932) Laj sings a few stanzas from a Yitek epic--The Plundering of the Ganze Maze. **
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 20.0 ms (parsed message, round trip)
** Merdmira elbows Merduk. **
** (7932) Laj elbows Merduk, too. "Support your people." **
(7931) Merduk: "They aren't very good."
(7930) Druas: "How do you mean?"
(7931) Merduk: "The older ones were kind of hopeful. But we've forgotten most of those."
(7930) Druas: "Tell me of the curse, then."
(7931) Merduk: "Mostly the songs tell stories."
(7931) Merduk: "The stories are of people who try to go out and achieve great things, and all the horrible things that happen to them because of that."
(7931) Merduk: "Anyway, most of the songs are sung without music. There aren't too many native instruments in Maruk, Just percussion on whatever is lying around."
** (7932) Laj snickers. **
(7931) Merduk: "I sang one for my sword mistress. She was Danuvian. She said it was kind of tuneless."
(7932) Laj: (The player behind Laj laughs.)
(7930) Druas: "Did she enjoy it, or was tuneless a criticism?"
(7931) Merduk: "Actually, she said I sounded like some kind of droning insect, and she never wanted to hear me make that noise again."
(7930) Druas: "Tell me of your curse, Merduk. What is it, and what does it mean to Marukans?"
(7931) Merduk: "No one is really sure. We just know that life will never be good for us. If we try to farm, the crops don't grow, and the animals get sick, The only thing we do is follow ogronts and sell their dung, and that gives us enough to barely live on."
(7931) Merduk: "Some say that wizards stole our luck. Some say that we are simply cursed by the gods."
(7931) Merduk: "We make luck medallions to stave off the worst of it."
(7930) Druas: "Do they help?"
(7931) Merduk: "Probably. Hard to say. It hasn't helped our overall situation."
(7931) Merduk: (Damn, I used to have a name for the Danuvian who taught me to fight.)
(7932) Laj: (Chyna!)
(7930) GM: You spend the remaining two days talking with the Druas. The time passes rapidly, and you do indeed seem to have traveled far. The scrub gives way to small trees, which gives way to evergreen trees. Eventually, the rolling hills give way to mountainous rock formations. Below a particularly large formation, the Druas stops.
(7931) Merduk: "She was my first big crush. She is probably back in Danuvia now. I would love to see her again."
(7930) Druas: "We have arrived. It brightens my heart to be so near my home after so many years away. Few are ever invited. Some try to enter the maze, and are lost. Stay close to me, for the maze is magic, and will turn you away from the true path."
(7931) Merduk: "Can't we use the medallions to home in on the Imrahil's medallion?"
** Druas smiles. "All will welcome you as a guest. You will be free to wander until the Imrihil Sahar can see you, which will be very soon, I am sure." **
(7930) Druas: "No, the medallions sometimes sense each other, but it is the will of the bearer that allows communication. If both bearers were to seek each other, then perhaps that would occur."
** Druas leads you into the dark maze. It twists and turns for four hours, and you tire greatly. The cave looks all alike, and you can easily see how someone might get lost within. **
** (7931) Merduk looks around for cute Ariane chicks. ;) **
** (7932) Laj looks around with a mixture of awe and curiosity. **
(7930) GM: At long last, you break into the daylight, blinking against the brightness. Everywhere you look, there are Ariane. The architecture looks like a mixture of natural cave formations and sculpted stone. Some are brightly decorated, but nowhere is there the color purple like the Tamar.
(7930) GM: Nowhere except for the immense spire of crystal in the center of the city.
** (7932) Laj stares at the Ariane. **
(7930) GM: A Tamar the size of a mountain grows heavenward.
(7932) Laj: Not knowing what to do, Laj just stares.
(7930) GM: The Ariane smile at you, and some bid you welcome. They offer fruit and sweet water.
** (7931) Merduk accepts gladly. **
(7930) GM: Nowhere do you see an unhappy face.
** (7931) Merduk is surpisingly relaxed here. He thought he would be disappointed, but this place is very relaxing. **
** Druas returns. "The Imrihil Sahar has asked me to bring you to him immediately. If you would follow me?" **
** (7932) Laj also accepts the fruit and water. **
(7932) Laj: Pocketing the fruit awkwardly, Laj follows.
** Druas leads you into a cavelike building. There is no decoration on the inside, and a staircase spirals downward. Below, in a dark chamber, sits a lone Ariane. He does not look unhappy, but he lacks the cheerfulness of the Ariane above. He wears a simple loincloth, and a familiar looking amulet around his neck. **
** (7931) Merduk was finding the Ariane women oddly attractive, but they had a sort of aloofness to them. **
(7930) Druas: "This is the Imrihil Sahar. I will await your return above ground."
** (7932) Laj raises an eyebrow. **
** (7931) Merduk shuffles awkwardly. "Um... hi." **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Greetings, Laj Yeto and Merduk."
(7932) Laj: "Greetings."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "You have many questions, I can tell. You may ask of me what you wish."
** Imrihil Sahar sits on a stone block, which doesn't look terribly comfortable. He motions for you to sit toward some chairs nearby. **
(7932) Laj: "Amulets. Explain."
** (7932) Laj sits. **
** (7931) Merduk sits. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "You would know that secret above all else, is that it? Very well. I shall explain. I may take a while, as you count time, please be patient."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I am called Imrihil Sahar, which means Unlucky Chosen."
** (7931) Merduk smirks. "I like your name." **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I bear the burden of remembrance. Only I carry the secrets of the amulets from our ancient past."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Most Ariane know that we do not succumb to death such as other beings."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "But that is the smallest part of what we are."
(7932) Laj: "Impressive, nonetheless."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I am old, far older than any of the reborn Ariane above. There is no being older in this world. When the Great Disaster struck, I was old. When the Archaen Orb was found, I was old. I am almost as old as this world, and in this amulet is my father."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Before even what is known as the Time Before Time, I walked this world."
** (7931) Merduk wonders what that would be like. Most Marukans are comforted that the release of death is somewhere up ahead. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "When my father found this place, him and his circle used their power to create the world around them. They are called Worldsingers, for their song is creation itself, the pure music of form."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "With time, they sung the plants, the creatures, and the men of the world."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "And so men began to walk the world. And my father and his circle slept. They sleep in these amulets, for their form is not like ours, it is malleable."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "They created us, the Ariane, as their servants, to bear them among the world. The ancient men called us Angels."
** Imrihil Sahar holds up the amulet. "This is his name, Mayasurnaberra." **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Long ago, when men seemed to have gained experience and intelligence they thought necessary, the Worldsingers awoke, and sung into being an orb of power, that men could use with their will. This was called Magic."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "In time, the men again forgot the Worldsingers, as they always do. Many used their will upon the orb, for many thousands of their generations."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "As more and more men used their will, the orb fractured, and caused the Great Disaster."
** (7932) Laj is mindful of this revelation. It could alter the common thought of the origins of magic. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Once again, my father and the Worldsingers awoke again. They healed the orb, but curbed its power to a low ebb, so the will of the men would not pull so greatly upon it."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "It is said that they will awaken once again, when this world's time is done."
** (7931) Merduk is surprised at this, but doesn't pay much mind. People wouldn't believe it. Or would turn it into another religion. Or it would end up as a "theory" in some book. **
(7932) Laj: (Merduk is probably right.)
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Among my people, I am the only one who remembers: the Unlucky Chosen, for I know that we are the favored of gods, but no longer their instrument."
(7931) Merduk: (Darn it. The yousendit site didn't finish the file.)
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Those outside have given up their memories into the giant Tamar that you have seen, and chosen to experience the world as new. We call them Druas, which means Seeker. In time, all have been Seekers, except for me."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I remain, to preserve what we are, in case the Worldsingers have a need of their instruments again."
** Imrihil Sahar takes a deep breath. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Do you see what the amulets are, now?"
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 20.0 ms (parsed message, round trip)
(7931) Merduk: "Um... no."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "They are the souls of Worldsingers. Those who made this world, and probably many others."
(7932) Laj: "Partially."
(7931) Merduk: "Oh." Merduk picks up the amulet and looks at it. "Hi."
** Imrihil Sahar smiles. "They sleep, and dream. And their dreams are power." **
(7932) Laj: "Power for good or ill?"
(7931) Merduk: "So, do they know anything about the Marukan curse?"
(7931) Merduk: "Or do you?"
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Power only. There is no good or ill in a dream."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I know you are a descendant of Ymirik, who was later named Maruk, and you share his curse by birthright."
(7932) Laj: "The bones. He might know."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "When the orb was fractured and the Worldsingers walked on their creation, Ymirik dared to trespass, trying to take power for himself and his own twisted desires. He was named Maruk, which meant Trespasser, and him and all his descendants were cursed. Is that what you seek?"
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 20.0 ms (parsed message, round trip)
(7931) Merduk: "How do we make it stop?"
** Imrihil Sahar smiles. "The wrath of a god is no small thing. All of his children must be truly sorry for his sin, and the curse will be lifted." **
(7931) Merduk: "Hard to pull off if no one knows about it. And frankly, you've been sitting here with this knowledge and done nothing. Doesn't that make you part of the problem?"
** (7932) Laj waits patiently for Merduk to get his answers. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Does it?"
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Look within yourself, and answer."
(7931) Merduk: "Yes. You know that our children are starving. You could have sent a messenger. 'Dear Marukans, here's the story of your ancestor. Start atoning.'"
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Would you have believed that? And should I risk the ire of those I serve by so doing? It is their curse, blame them if anyone."
(7931) Merduk: "I suppose it'll have to be me. Tell me where to find the details of this Ymirik clown, and I'll start spreading the word, so you can continue with your navel-gazing."
(7932) Laj: "The bones."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Your anger is misdirected, Merduk. Look at your life, your travels, and who you are. If you were truly cursed, could you have left Maruk?"
** (7931) Merduk considers. He doesn't have a good answer for that. "So the curse doesn't affect everyone?" **
(7932) Laj: "Agreed. The man has the luck of a saint. Charged a necromancer. Killed a Tanasian arch-mage, too."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "You were cursed. You left Maruk. Rain falls upon you, and you think 'This must be the curse.' Seek your own answer, Merduk. You may escape the curse of your ancestor, but you will not escape your own trap."
** (7931) Merduk bristles automatically. Calling a Marukan lucky is always kind of insulting. The Marukan automatically thinks he's being made fun of. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "I may count the number of men who have visited Altan, and even since the beginning of the world, there are fewer than one hundred. Do you still feel cursed?"
** (7932) Laj observes Merduk's reaction. "True." **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "When you chose to make your own life instead of following the others in your city, you began to escape the curse. Will you truly escape? None can say, and I have not dreamed either way. Therefore, make your own luck."
** (7931) Merduk is silent. It's like telling someone that their religion is a lie. It's too deeply ingrained. **
(7932) Laj: "Traveling with a Yitek probably doesn't help. Ha ha ha."
** (7932) Laj laughs hollowly. **
** (7931) Merduk doesn't respond. He just looks thoughtful. **
** Imrihil Sahar smiles. "You begin to see, Merduk." **
(7931) Merduk: Oddly enough, he only starts to hope it may be true when he realizes that Merdmira might be free as well.
** (7932) Laj nods. **
(7932) Laj: "'Every lock has a key. Every shackle can be slipped. Every trap can be avoided.' Ancient Yitek proverb."
** Imrihil Sahar smiles. "There is an older saying, 'No prison is forever.' The Worldsinger Anasariabinar said that." **
(7932) Laj: "One more thing. Necromancer's bones--evil ones. What is to be done with them?
(7931) Merduk: (Where is Merdmira, by the way?)
(7930) GM: (She's behind you, looking dumbfounded.)
(7932) Laj: "Fallen into our possession. Would like to be rid of them. Would like the world to be rid of them. Heh!"
(7931) Merduk: (Oh, didn't know she was here with us.)
(7932) Laj: (She's reacting to the blasphemy a bit more slowly.)
(7931) Merduk: "My idea was to encase them in metal, and drop 'em in the ocean."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Evil is not inherent in an unliving thing, it is a function of will. But those were once living, and have the taint of an evil will."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "They can be left here, if you wish. They can be kept from the world, because Altan is not of the rest of the world."
(7932) Laj: "Burn them in the Fire Pits of Malnangar."
(7932) Laj: "You'll have visitors looking for them."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "We have no visitors who are not invited. The maze you entered, it is a living thing. The path is never the same twice, and it keeps everyone out."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Do you not see my burden, now? The burden of remembrance? Of never experiencing the world as new, as all of my brothers and sisters?"
Server Administrator-> Ping Results: 19.9 ms (parsed message, round trip)
(7932) Laj: "I do."
** (7931) Merduk starts to entertain the idea of hope. Maybe he can build some sort of happiness. **
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Now you know what you carry. What will you do? You may stay here in Altan for a time, of course. But what will you do?"
(7932) Laj: "Follow our fates."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Do you wish to carry this knowledge with you? I am the finest mind surgeon that has ever lived. Shall I tell you of Rudael?"
(7931) Merduk: "Not sure. See where life takes us. Maybe I'll track down my old teacher and see what she's up to. Show her how good I've gotten,"
(7932) Laj: "Yes. Tell us of Rudael. I wish to know."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "When he was here, his intent became clear. That one sought only power. I removed his memory of this place, and gave him the memory of him choosing to forget about the amulets. You have not once asked how to use the amulets, you are not like Rudael."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Therefore, I will not toy with your minds. I am curious, of course, to know about you, as the Worldsingers' souls are finicky about who bears them."
(7932) Laj: "Tomb robber, as my father, my father's father, and so on. Historian, explorer, wanderer, occasional fool."
(7931) Merduk: "Done the mercenary thing. It was okay. I might stick with Laj for a while. We could track down a rich tomb, split the money and retire."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "Will you take with you the Druas who brought you? Through his memories, I might know you. He need travel with you for a little while."
(7931) Merduk: "Sure, he seems okay."
(7932) Laj: "Don't mind. Don't care. Generous in the desert. Good manners. Silly weapon, though. He can follow as long as he likes."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish."
(7932) Laj: "What can we do here?"
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "His weapon, ah, do you not know? We can kill no living creature, no creation of the Worldsingers."
(7931) Merduk: (Now that I think about it, what is a name for my old teacher? I think she was a big part of his life for a short time.)
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "This is a place of rest, and healing. Some claim to want to stay forever, but they never remain, until they die."
(7930) Imrihil Sahar: "When most men die, their soul comes here, to the Tamar. Altan is an ancient work, but it is not the oldest name for this place. The earliest men called it Heaven."
(7930) GM: (And with that, the third chapter is done.)