Session 49 – Hati, More Like Hottie ;D

After discussing whether or not to risk taking in certain spells, Aiaoue plans to enter with Detect Magic up and kicking and Yenush takes the Book of the Dead to steal that Borrowed Knowledge for a moment. Prior to entering the Trial, Yenush pulls Ademar (who is momentarily shorter than him) aside. When Faust spoke to you, what was it like? Ademar notes that until recently, he wasn't awarei he was under anyone's direct influence. When you hear a voice in your head for so long, you start to believe its your own, which leads to very subtle and effective manipulation. Like a puppet master hidden within you making you believe that you were pulling your own strings all the while. If Ademar was on trial... he'd definitly be a Conduit.

But this is Diamond's trial. As the group enters the lower levels of The Core, a crowd is already beginning to gather in the stands overlooking the Trial Chamber below. Moving through a secure and locked door, a meticulated garden waits beyond. Milo and Yenush catch a shadowed silhouette of a serpenet, the glint of gold visible in its eyes before it vanishes into the thicker foliage. As the group is led into a room with a promient shrine, Yenush takes a moment to pray and offers a gear, placing it upon the stone altar next to the copy of Geryon's Law.

The group is led to the Trial Chamber where they note familiar faces and unfamiliar ones. Zmarak fiddles with divination spellcasting components and continuously mutters to himself as he fiddles. Hati radiates a gentle aura of calm as he appears to be taking in everything around him. Mehit is focused, Pawston hard to read, and Eshu looks like he'd like to be anywhere BUT here.

Snakes Influencing Your Trial? It's More Likely Than You Think!

Nandi begins by explaining the core issues of the trial. As she opens a scroll to continue, she suddenly breaks down into a fit of laughter and Zmarak's muttering intensifies. As Yenush lunges into action, Aiaoue whispers "the scroll!". The Code of Honor is written on the scroll, though the text now seems to move and swim in a serpentine like pattern. The scroll is dispelled and Nandi is able to catch her breath. Yenush whispers to Nandi that he had noted a snake in the grass upon his arrival. She notes that they should speak later. Nandi continues, calmly, through her reading of relevant pieces of Geryon's Law and the Code of Honor, though that does little to quell the wave of dissent now rippling through the observing crowd.

As the opening session draws to a close, Diamond is led back to her cell and the Panel slowly begin to disperse. Yenush brings Aiaoue with him into a chamber behind the Judge's Stand where Nandi is attempting to soothe a clearly distressed Zmarak. Nandi is happy to answer any questions, though Yenush notes an undercurrent of shame at falling to such a trick before the public and a faint sense of anxiety about the safety of her son. Nandi notes that the evidence bin for this trial is... sparse as most formal evidence was lost in Moralis. Who could have gotten in here and when? Nandi notes that the presiding consort traditionally prepares (a) the relevant snippets of Geryon's Law and (b) the current copy of the Code of Honor to present before a trial (in case of any changes over time). She prepared these documents and delivered them here yesterday. To ensure there's nothing else in the chamber that could have been altered, Nandi provides approval for Aiaoue to cast Detect Magic.

In the middle of Aiaoue's ritual, Yenush briefly asks on the level of honesty they should have with Nandi. Aiaoue recalls of how successful she and Cadence were with the Airborne... and how brutally and openly honest they were. With that, Yenush also informs Nandi that they were attacked by Loan Snakes outside the Pride Halls. The knowledge seems to concern Nandi and she notes they will need to be vigilant moving forward. If Faust continues to interfere in this way, it is most likely that he is attempting to influence the general public's opinion on the trial, pulling at the superstitious strings of the population. 

Meanwhile, Aiaoue tries to dsicern what is up with Zmarak, as a fellow hand fiddler. His motions are oddly intentional. He moves through portions of the somatic components required for a spell before rapidly switching. And he mutters all the while; seemingly nonsense ("the butter hasn't been churned", "The rhino cannot face north before being sadlled., etc.). His actions are not entirely random, nor do they seem to be calming him down. They seem to be born of desperation... and perhaps a bit of madness.

As Mehit leaves the Trial Chamber, Arkyn and Milo follow casually in step behind her, joining her before the altar to Geryon's Law. Arkyn asks whether or not her loyalty to Pyrus means she has to be loyal to Geryon? Mehit clarifies that, as Pyrus is an extension of Geryon's will, she's loyal to both. She is a bit taken aback by the question posed by a supposed guard of Moralis. He's new. Oof, rough timing then. Milo expresses concern about the trial moving forward; has it not already been compromised? Mehit notes that whether the trial happens today or is delayed, if it is the serpent god's will to interfere... he will.

Back in the trial chamber, Teagan has a conversation with Hati. The gorgeous Leonin is quick to note that he is nothing compared to the studious nature of the Moralis gnomes! Though he assures Teagan that he will do his best to be open to all information and to make a well-informed decision based on the evidence. When asked a bit about himself, Hati notes that he is from the Northern Pridelands and, when asked about whether or not Yuan-Ti had invaded his lands, he noted that he has far more experience with "incursions of choas" (aka Kaos). Do you think Faust and Kaos are... ya know... partners? Hati isn't certain about THAT, but their domains seem to be beneficial to the other? As Hati leaves the Trial Chamber, Teagan remains... and sees Eshu sprint in and drop a package on Zmarak's desk.

Yenush heads toward the Holding Cells, dismissing the guards within to speak with Diamond alone. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he notes a snake. With a quick "excuse me", he quickly kills it... and its corpse promptly disentegrates. Despite the doors being closed, a faint wind drifts through... bringing with it a distant, mocking laugh. Speaking to Diamond, she reiterates that she'll be good, she promises. As Yenush holds her hands in reassurance, he notes that she's... holding something. With a bit of convincing, Diamond slides him a gem-laden poker chip... what do I win? Where did you get this? Diamond notes that she didn't see anyone, but the chips- chip slid across the floor like they do at the casinos. Chips? Diamond reluctantly pulls another chip out of her shirt. Any more? Slowly, Diamond produces another chip... Any more?? No, I'm all in...

Does Faust still speak to you? No, he hasn't spoken to me in a long time, but he sends his Loan Snakes after me. Reaching through the bars, Diamond begs to not be killed. She'll be real good behind bars. Yenush promises to do what he can to protect her.

Meanwhile, Milo and Arkyn have a walkabout, discovering a temple, some archives, and what appears to be personal rooms. Aiaoue also does a walk about and speaks with a disoriented security guard who, upon brief inspection, seems to have gotten hit on the head. He has no memory of being hit on the head and seems a bit nervous about Nandi finding out about his current job performance.

A Snake Among Us

As people gather once more in the trial Chamber, Yenush chooses to disclose everything to Nandi, including the snake in the Holding Cells and the poker chips that Diamond gave up. When the floor is opened, Yenush steps up before anyone else has a chance to even breathe. He presents the chips, emphasizing that Diamond chose to give these up. Mehit immediately challenges. So she told the truth once? Is that your point? When Diamond is asked about her dealings with Faust, she notes that she gained his protection and privileges in exchange for doing bad things for him from time to time. She doesn't elaborate. Yenush and Mehit go back and forth on the nuances of protection: is Faust's any different than the protection offered by the Menseya? Mehit seems to think so. Yenush accuses her of acting in bias to which Mehit responds in anger... and Nandi steps in to quell the escalation.

In the silence that follows, Hati asks what Diamond meant. What did she have to do to ensure that protection? Diamond seems a bit shaken by the question, looking to Yenush. The truth? Diamond mentions that she may or may not have assisted with a kidnapping... or 2... or a few... but she didn't do that in Grand Aetheria! Mehit's stares at Yenush as Teagan begins to speak... and as Faust's name is said for the first time, the package on Zmarak's desk flies open. Aiaoue manages to stop the snake (and hide her casting of Hold Monster) before it can reach Zmarak, who has begun to frantically ramble in gibberish.... yet through the madness he spouts, there is a hint of clarity. A warning.

"Besides Diamond, there is someone in these halls who has his influence, on my father's honor."

Did anyone else here that? The only one who seems to be paying attention is Mehit, who - spat entirely forgotten - has moved towards Yenush, focused on the threat at hand. With the uproar, Yenush calls for a Dispel Magic (illusion specifically) be cast on everyone. One by one, the court clerics cast Dispel Magic... and no one's form changes. Turning to Diamond, Yenush placees a chip in her hand. Can you remember anything. After a moment of thinking, Diamond whispers that she KNOWS the sound of the Gambler's Cane on the back of someone's skull... even muffled through a wall.

When Diamond announces her admission to the crowd, Yenush clocks a glint of something in Hati's eye (with a 42 courtesy of high rolls and Aiaoue's Macarons he's been eating). At the initial accusation, Hati plays the shocked and confused card... before laughing darkly. He then is pulled through a serpentine gate, leaving a snake behind.