Session 32 - It's All About the Book

Alone in one of the previously named "fuck rooms", Yenush decides to try and communicate with the lingering spirit.  It writes two additional words on the mirror: "Let me". Yenush does not "let them" as he resists the ghost's initial attempt. When their presence fades, Yenush decides to try the old life hack he learned in Nacheevi: just reset the room. He steps out... and steps back in. The ghost reluctantly seems to have returned. Placing a book and pen down, Yenush allows the spirit to possess him. He sees flashes of images of the Mal Kerry estate, a surge of various emotions, and clear indicators that the ghost in question was most likely murdered. Jerkily, the spirit wirtes the name Nirava. It then expands by writing "Help Nirava" and "Or Ruin Nala". That is why Yenush (& co) are here! Before losing its influence, the spirit draws an arrow from "Nirva" to "Obsidian". And then the specter is gone.

Meanwhile, a small crowd has gathered in the Weapons's Gallery as Milo and Arkyn bring Count Tenebris to speak with Prince Valtaris. Once the Prince has ensured privacy and secrecy, Valtaris and the Count discuss a potential deal. The Prince offers to utilize his contacts among the Tor Khan and Tor Khanna of Tor Valoris to bring the Count's son back from the Blood-Soaked Plains. With help from Milo, the Prince does successfully convince the Count to give up information. Teagan gets a bit antsy and starts to twirl the warhammer around... and both the Count and Valtaris seem to pick up the pace in their conversation.

Yenush heads down to the second level and seemlessly blends in with the dancing people. However, he's not able to get a very good look at the Book of the Dead wedged into the organ. Above, on the balcony, Aiaoue notes that the Book on display is guarded by traps - if the trip wire is anything to go by. Keeping an eye on Prince Nala (and the Obsidian Company), Aiaoue watches as the Prince suddenly pauses in the midst of a dance to glance towards the weapon's room. Someone seems to have triggered an alarm.

In the Weapons Gallery, the Count mentions Nirava, Prince Nala's younger twin sister who supposedly died a decade ago. Her death was preceded by the murder of two of Nirava's close servants. Despite the decade that has passed since the deaths and the emergence of the Obsidian Company in Nala's control, the Count notes that the circumstances could have prompted Nirava to swear an oath of vengeance to Tamasvi. And if someone knew about that set of circumstances (or orchestrated it), then one could - in theory - manipulate the outcome in one's favor. Information delivered, the Count departs. Valtaris is impressed with the implications. To weaponize a familial connection in such a manner? Brilliant. In the middle of speaking with Teagan, Valtaris suddenly changes his tone and Teagan picks up and plays along. The Prince notes that a scrying eye has entered the room.

As the Prince and Teagan were speaking, Milo investigated the weird dagger Aiaoue had previously noted. He is easily able to tell that the dagger is actually.... the Book of the Dead... or at least another copy. It is also clearly trapped based on the trip wire and pressure plate.

Downstairs, Cadence listens to Ourania's attempt to speak with Priestess Xyressa about the nature of the Obsidian Company. Xyressa is clearly deriving more amusement out of pretending to be dense and Ourania is already getting flustered. Sitting down, Ourania seems pleased to have another Airborne present. After asking what she could do to help, Ourania notes that she is attempting to determine the plausibility of a theory regarding the Obsidian Company. Cadence agrees that there is a body in the armor. That seems to be sufficient for Ourania and she quickly moves to the Gardens, inviting Cadence to join her.

Out in the gardens, Cadence notes that she wasn't raised by Airborne, but ultimately found her way there. As such, she's not well-versed in Airborne culture. Cadence heard that Tamasvi had killed their kind... why? Ourania notes that she (and Cadence) are Northern Airborne, but there were the Western Airborne... or as the Drow call them, the feral Airborne. They regularly used the Earthen Dhara as a... food source. Tamasvi slaughtered them all in kind and would have continued... if not for Malachor intervening. Ourania seems to dislike Tamasvi (and prefer Thana) and harbors an unease around the Obsidian Company. Cadence notes that although a bit out of place in Mal Korvian, she likes watching the Drow's pointless scheming. Ourania sighs, if only that were the case.

Leaving their posts in the Ballroom, Yenush and Aiaoue reconvene in the Dining Hall as they grab some food before heading to the Parlor. There, they sit across from Priestess Xyressa. After mentioning their "mutual friend Moira", Xyressa seems more invested in the conversation. Aiaoue pitches mischief (she sinks ships herself). Xyressa notes that she has smuggled in a single vial of poison... and she'd be happy to use it. Is there anyone here you wouldn't be comfortable poisoning? That's a short list. Xyressa nots that it is unlikely to work on the Obsidian Company as they are undying. What about our host? Xyressa grins at that and passes the vial to Aiaoue. If you get her to drink this, it is unlikely it will have its full effect on the Prince, but it will certainly still do something.

When a spirit is mentioned, Xyressa's tone shifts. It is against the tenets of Malachor to let a spirit linger. If a lingering spirit is present, the clergy of Malachor must persuade it to the Gates of Malachor, immediately. Yenush doesn't tell her about the ghost in the "fuck rooms". Aiaoue brings up the murdered servants and Xyressa doesn't seem to recall tending to them. Xyressa notes that she can extract information from the dead, but she doesn't necessarily need a body... if they have an item of import, memories sometimes linger. In response to a "would Nala do this" question, Xyressa notes that the Earthen Drow will often sacrifice anything to move even up one rung of the power ladder. Oh, and if you do use that poison, make sure I can watch.

Milo hunts Jin down making friends with the kitchen staff. He seems to be listening for rumors and "warns" Milo that there are likely to be secret passages for servants to move across the Estate. How quick are you with your hands? One might say Jin was trained to swipe things. What's the plan? Eh, there currently really isn't a plan. Jin is down to help in whatever way he's needed.

Meanwhile, Teagan ducks into the ballroom again and sidles up to the Obsidian Comopany. Nirava? No response. As Teagan provides some details on what they learned, the Obsidian Company's attention shfits towards Teagan, but nothing is said. Still, it reacted. Perhaps a bit of Nirava remains within.

As the group begins to formulate a plan to steal the Book in the Weapons Gallery, Milo and Jin get the servants talking. Prince Nala and Nirava were close. Nirava was insanely loyal to Prince Nala. Yenush finds a book of approximately the same size and heft as the Tome and accidentally stumbles across a secret passage. Following it down, he ends up in the Servants' Quarters and is promptly escorted back to the gala by a servant. Aiaoue gives Ourania a heads up that things are about to start going down. With a plan to get out, the group brings Jin to the Weapons Gallery... and its a fake. Jin's critically confident in that.

How to get Nala and the Obsidian Company away from everyone else? The group has a huddle with Valtaris (the Baron lingering nearby as always). With a general plan in place, Teagan pulls Valtaris to a slightly more public place and whispers "play along" before slapping the Prince. Faking a spat, Teagan storms off into the Dining Hall, downing a drink and approaching Prince Nala directly. Ugh, that pig, he runs his mouth! I'd do anything to get back at him! Anything? A moment later, Prince Nala practically parades Teagan past Prince Valtaris (who is pulling his weight wth this performance).

Yenush and Milo are noticed by the Obsidian Company as they try and follow; they pivot and hang back. Prince Nala notes Aiaoue and waves two of her guards after her. Aiaoue, however, is able to expertly fake being in distress. If Moira broke up with Valtaris, we don't have a ride? How will we LEAVE? I'm too WEIRD to stay HERE!

Prince Nala leads Teagan into one of the rooms of the Private Lounge. Upon entering, Teagan finds himself paralyzed. If the information you have is good enough, perhaps you will live. When Teagan hesitates, Nala snaps her fingers... and an obsidian blade is pressed against Teagan's throat. Teagan spins a dramatic lie about how the Prince plans to take over the Temple of Malachor... and he also told me about his favorite song. As Teagan manages to break free of the paralysis and release the opening notes of a gravesong, Prince Nala's face contorts in recognition and then shock before she is unconscious. Teagan pushes down the obsidian blade.

Summoning the group with a bird call, the group congregates over Nala's restrained body in the presence of the Obsidian Company. Yenush shows Nirava the writing from the ghost and, after persuading the Obsidian Company of the situation, there is a shuttering breath from within the obsidian tomb. A portion of the chest piece cracks... revealing the edge of a familiar golden gate: The Book of the Dead. A hollow voice echoes from within: Swear no harm to my sister and the Book is yours. Yenush and Teagan agree. Nirava pries open the obsidian chest piece revealing that the Book has been wedged into her ribcage. Yenush delicately pries the book free. Do you want to be free? You cannot free me; by my sister I will remain. She may have betrayed me, but I will not betray her. Yenush gets that.

Continuing to ham up the fight with Valtaris, the group quickly moves towards the exit. The sounds of chaos erupting in the estate begin as the Baron pulls up earth elemental drawn carriages. Upon arriving at the Mal Mavkazan Estates, however, the Baron blocks the way. Give me the Book. Eligos was being truthful: you shouldn't trust him, the Prince's ambitions are his own. Teagan's plea to help save loved ones falls on deaf ears; the Baron has little sympathy for others it seems... but prior conversation with the Baron has revealed he does care about a few things. Teagan notes that if Eligos does this, his wife will never know peace - she will face wave and wave of assassination attempts; nothing but a pawn. Aiaoue notes that is it not better to use Valtaris? Fashion yourself as his heir so that you inherit all the work he has done. The Baron, begrudging convinced, removes his hand from the hilt of his blade, appeased.

Tamasvi's Vengeance

  Once in Valtaris' office, time seems to move faster. The Baron vanishes and the Prince appears. As Valtaris pours over the Book, his appearance shifts, become more gaunt. And then all is silent in the office... Valtaris gone. Heavy, armored covered steps echo in the hall beyond the office door. And then the door is gone as an ominous silhouette stands in the doorway.
 

Mortals. Speak. Where is your Prince?

  Teagan responds that he is likely long gone. Tamasvi, with no response, turns and marches down the hall. Following after the goddess, the group sees a scene of carnage. Members of the Obsidian Company lie shattered and broken on the ground. Teagan asks: What was Valtaris' crime? Tamasvi responds that the Prince sought a power that was not his. That he sought to command what was hers. That he sought her gifts without paying what was owed. Do not fret mortal, her vengeance is for only they that deserve it.
  As Tamasvi continues, she is assaulted by her own, snapping the necks of her traitorous Company... except one: Tievel, the First. Eventually, Tamasvi's march leads her to a wall. With a whisper and a wave of her hand, the goddess removes the wall, revealing a royal bedchamper beyond and a lich-like Prince holding the open book of the dead.
 

Tamasvi: Not even Malachor hears you now, little prince. Try it. I dare you.   Valtaris: I... I made a promise... a long time ago.

  As the Book closes, a shard of obsidian impales the Prince. The Book falls to the ground and Tamasvi watches as Valtaris dies slowly... blood gurgling and splattering to the groudn near where the Book rests. When the prince has stopped breathing, cracks begint to form along Tamasvi's body - visible through the breaks in her armor. The malice surges forth around her as she turns... and then the miasma returns.
  At the foot of a dessicated, corpse impaled upon obsidian... is the Book of the Dead.