Session 38 - The Birth of Shelf and Conrad

As the Aspect of the Fool crumbles into confetti and sparkles, Yenush quickly grabs the mask that's left behind and puts it in his "Bag of Bad" (BOB). As Ademar begins to move towards Omarosa and Viren, Aiaoue catches his attention to give him a knowing wink. As Omarosa is fully focused on Viren, Ademar drifts to the side. Aiaoue and Yenush instead approach the two siblings. Omarosa is immediately protective and defensive. What was that? What happened to Syrio? Aiaoue begins to open with "So you know how you turn into a swamp monster", but immediately pivots when Omarosa vehemently denies it. Informed directly that Viren (and perhaps she) is cursed and that the group has managed to find a potential solution and are not at risk of also going Aspect, Omarosa's tension lessens.

Aiaoue presents Omarosa with the succulents she plans to Awaken for Viren and her. After being nudged by Viren, Omarosa appreciates the gift, though seems to initial think there is a catch. Aiaoue assures her it is just a gift because she thinks Omarosa should have another friend since they'll be taking her other... friend, Ademar. Meanwhile, Arkyn begins to mend the absolutely trashed lounge, Teagan collects his thrown weaponry, Milo arrives a bit confused as to what happened, and... Ademar seems to have slipped away.

A quick cast of Locate Creature reveals that Ademar is stil within Sinner's Choice. Knowing exactly where, Yenush finds Ademar upstairs, seemingly in thought. Ademar is very aware of the silence and wonders if this is what his mother dealt with. Yenush asks what Ademar remembers of his mother. Ademar's first memory was overhearing how she died. How confident are you in defeating the god cursing you? Yenush is very confident; the god cursing him might be a bit of a problem, but nothing they can't handle. Well then, would you like to disarm me? Depends on what you have on your person. Ademar produces the same blade he used in combat, which Yenush does take. And the card thing? Ademar summons a deck of cards; that will be harder to remove, but he does offer his second deck of cards which seems a bit wondrous. Ademar assures Yenush he has no where to run and that they've presented him the best - perhaps only - solution.

Yenush trades places with Aiaoue who then goes to talk to Ademar. She sits down next to him... so how about Omarosa? Aiaoue warns Ademar that she sometimes gets the urge to matchmake... and she's running out of people on the train. Now that Ademar's just a normal asshole, she'd like to know what she's potentially working with. Ademar notes that his feelings on the matter are not relevant and perhaps they would be far from traditional. Aiaoue notes she's not sure what "traditional love" is exactly. She's married, but her husband is unwell. Ademar follows up with: "is he dead?". Well, he isn't breathing and I can't come back until he is. Ademar continues to distract by asking various questions, to which Aiaoue notes that she's been all aroudn Dremora, though she was happiest in Glance.

So back to Omarosa. Ademar notes that he had a deal with Omarosa. Now that he has been "dethroned" so to speak, he doesn't have anything to offer her. Aiaoue isn't so certain. Ademar notes he's decent at controlling people. What about preventing people from being controlled? There's no hope for some people, but Ademar could certainly control those deemed enemies. He'll already be likely risking his life regularly during this adventure. Well, you don't have to do that. But I will, there's no other thrill that satisifes it now. Deciding to stick around until the curse suppression wears off, Aiaoue practices shuffling cards. After a half hour, Ademar winces. After a brief respite, the return of Faust's influence is oppressive, though Ademar seems to remain aware and in control, for now. 

Do you happen to have any Agate? Ademar pulls off one of his rings and offers it to Aiaoue.

Omarosa departs to return to Khalil, noting that they should bring their questions to him. Viren has never been in a fight and is okay both physically and emotionally in its aftermath. Milo moves to Marcia. How are you doing? She's managing, though she could do a drink. Arkyn immediately prepares a drink that is 90% alcohol, 10% juice - masterfully moving around the shattered glass. Marcia downs the drink in one gulp. Why can't I send to you? Marcia notes that she's supposed to be dead to the people she left behind. If people can cast Sending to her, it's a dead giveaway. What happened? She's had a habit of being... disruptive and blowing a fuse in the past. She doesn't tolerate bullies and couldn't simply stand by while Ademar expanding his influence. She should have had more leverage before any form of confrontation, but it seems matters have been resolved regardless. Regarding the baby metal shackle, she saw flashes of her worst nightmares; that object would be a cruel torment in the wrong hands. Wearily, Marcia dismisses herself, returning to check on her side of Sinner's Choice.

In the final hours of the evening, Arkyn studies survival with Sayah. Milo trades for some +1 armor. Aiaoue starts making some Duck tape. Yenush finds Ironborn. Although not particularly thrilled with the Duck tape, he notes that Aiaoue should perhaps patent it. Otherwise, the Iron Arrow is in fine condition. Yenush asks about bullets and Ironborn relucantly agrees to make him some.

Aiaoue swings through the Pawn shop in the morning, trading some Duck Tape for an assortment of carvable stone and other materials. Meanwhile, Yenush heads to Ironborn and finds him working on the requested bullets. Yenush inquires about the odd material that has appeared in his arm. After reluctantly giving Ironborn permission, the older dwarf removes a good chunk of the material and runs it through some form of assessment gauntlet in the forge. After returning the metal to Yenush's arm, Ironborn notes its not a material he's worked with and it seems to have the patterning of muscle, though converted to a metal like form. He notes it would make good armor, though Yenush would need more of it. Yenush doesn't seem to enthusiastic about that aspect.

Milo, Teagan, and Arkyn head over to talk to Khalil. The body of the Abyssal Lord levitates in the middle of Khalil's office. Khalil explains that that resurrection magic generally relies upon the soul being in a known, accessible location (even if said location requires one to go behind Ah'Shal's back). This, however, is a different circumstance. When mortals die, they are claimed by the divine. When a divine being dies, where do the souls of gods go? Arkyn notes that perhaps they go to The One. Plausible, yes, but how does one access The One's realm? According to countless years of historical text, The One's direct influence has not been seen or witnessed. Why don't you just ask The One? Khalil notes that Arkyn is welcome to try. Hadúr's head has no answers.

Khalil reiterates that he will shift to another god if they find him a suitable body, but he emphasizes that the Abyssal Lord is the only one that would remove the miasma and clear the path between Legacy and Dremora. Regarding going to Grand Aetheria, Khalil seems confident that Dunebrook can convey anything important back to him. He'll remain here in the Academic Center. 

Milo and Arkyn swing by to Dunebrook's office to find she's already packed and ready to go (for the most part). Milo notes they got off on the wrong foot. Dunebrook notes that she, in general, doesn't like people, especially reporters. Dunebrook notes that her work has been stolen before and she's nearly been killed for her work. And when she was working in the City of Fortune, she was hounded by reporters who only wanted to steal their slice of glory and fame. Although Milo assures her that his boss is trustworthy, Dunebrook does not seem appeased. It is too easy for an editor to modify your words when you are too far away to hold them accountable within a reasonable time. If Milo wants to use Dunebrook's insights, she would request he send his articles through the Majordomo (Parvathian's High Priestess) who can send them on to Eredet and verifiy that nothing has been changed. Milo can't promise that. Then our work will be separate.

Aiaoue finds Omarosa and Viren and begins the first ritual to awaken a little succulent. Viren gives praise to the plant and gives details on the perfect shelf he's set aside. Omarosa, although requiring some coaxing, proceeds to gently threaten the plant. Despite posturing as a mage, Omarosa seems perfectly at home working with more natural magic. At the end of the ritual, the small succulent speaks: "WE HAVE ASCENDED." The plant is fond of Aiaoue, but is happy to be delivered to Viren. After settling in at the clinic, the succulent decides it shall be henceforth known as SHELF. And it can be referred to as "they/them" for they have many leaves.

Yenush spends most of the afternoon with Viren and, as the sun sets, asks if he could spend the night. Viren immediately panics. Yenush notes that the level of panic seems a notch above the normal... and something in Viren's shadow is slightly off, though Viren is otherwise fine. Viren eventually runs off to panic tidy, but Yenush assures him that's not necessary. Once Viren has fallen asleep, Yenush slings an arm over him and finds that he is very warm. New basking rock acquired.

Meanwhile, Arkyn chats with Sayah. He feels like everyone hates him. Why is that? Everyone seems to be mad at him. Sayah notes that if he's referring to Ironborn, Sayah is pretty confident that the old man could step on a tiny rock and yell at it for days. He's a grumpy, old man; don't pay him that much mind. Arkyn notes that he's trying to learn and Sayah carefully asks if Arkyn doesn't think that's odd? All that time spent in a school and Arkyn wasn't given any guidance or teaching on natural skills? Arkyn emphasizes that he read a lot of books, though Sayah notes that there's more to the world than books. She isn't certain her mother - for all her faults - would have given her up to a school like that. Maybe Aryn's parents don't want him? Sayah feels that's not the case. Sayah figures Teagan would fight a god and more to defend his kids. It's a cruel thought to think Arkyn's parents function any other way unless given a reason. Arkyn notes that Yenush also hates him. Sayah gently notes that everyone has strength and weaknesses... and Ademar weaseling into Arkyn's mind is proof of Arkyn's weakness. Sayah suspects Yenush's actions were not meant to hurt him, but more to avoid addiitonal harm from an entity that has already proven to warp and infest minds.

Aiaoue steals Viren to awaken the second succulent, making a point to highlight the ring clearly gifted by Ademar. Omarosa certainly takes note. As the second succulent awakens, it proudly declares... SUP. It shall henceforth be known as comrade CONRAD. It is very content to go with Omarosa and has fond memories of traveling with Aiaoue and Shelf. 

Yenush pulls Aiaoue aside and notes the he spent the night with Viren. Aiaoue lights up: "You're my greatest success, this is because of me." Yenush notes that he saw Viren's shadow act up. When they test it later with Aiaoue (when speaking to Alcide), Yenush doesn't notice anything of interest. Regardless, Viren's curse seems somewhat tied to changes in Viren's love life.

Milo swings through Sinner's Choice to talk to Marcia. Milo explains that he suspects their curses are similar or connected in some way. Marcia isn't certain she can offer any helpful insight save for vague dreams and visions she's had. The domains she was given, however, do fit. Milo extends an offer for Marcia to travel with them on the Iron Arrow to potentially rectify her curse (the same offer he made to Jin). Marcia considers it, but notes that if they are taking Ademar, someone will need to remain to manage affairs. When Ademar's situation has been dealt with, Marcia will take Milo up on his offer then.

Teagan and Yenush swing by the Tavern to find Jin awake and working his bar. He notes it was slightly jarring to be back to the random bouts of sleep after tasting freedom, but he can endure a bit longer if needed. Do you want to come with us again on the Iron Arrow? Jin has no issues leaving his Tavern in Eight's hands; plus, he'd be up for making more bombs back in Grand Aetheria. If he can figure out exactly what he did, he could perhaps teach someone in the future.

Yenush picks up his gift lantern from Eight and apologizes to Arkyn for how everything with Nessa happened. He was stressed and not thrilled with the situation to begin with. Yenush assured Arkyn that they're still best buds and gifted him the lantern.