Log for October 28, 2003

::The camera moves down the sewers, darkness almost total save for patches of rain choked light slanting into the tunnels... moving in the shadows it passes mutated figures, moving stealthily towards the center.... a sharp turn, and it comes to rest in a damp room, containing a cot and a rug, lit by a single guttering candle... the image resolves on the man sitting on the floor, beautiful and well sculpted, white hair short but ragged... something about the light flickers oddly around his meditative position... suddenly he hears raised voices from down the way, and opens his eyes::

::listens intently::

::the changed seem to be talking about something loudly, and voices are growing intense::

::rises to his feet and walks gently to the door listening in on the conversation::

::the rush of water runoff and the general murmuring makes it hard to make out individual speeches from An's corner of the complex::

::steps out of his corner of the complex and makes his way towards the argument::

::in a slightly larger chamber, a number of demonics and angelics are having a discussion, while Meredith looks on quietly.. the demonic called Seth speaks up::

I tell you, it was an Avesti, in the sewers, no telling what kind of backup he has... I left him to talk to Lan and Tien while I came for backup.. no telling what he's done to them

::shirtless, he walks lightly into the area, staying to the shadows, watching::

We should attack in force before more of them come down to "kill the demons"

::aleph speaks up, his monstrous bulk even larger than Seth:: And I tell you, we have worse problems than a lost inquisitor... The Jakovians are getting too close... I just killed one not a mile from here, headed this way... and this one was bearing a marking ::he holds up something on a string that glitters in the weak fuzion light:: They always come without anything but their clothes and weapons, but this one carried a necklace ::something about it seems familiar to An::

::speaks up:: Aleph is right. We can't have the Jakovians finding this place. ::steps into the light::

::aleph nods at An, thankful for the support::

::nods to Aleph and Seth:: May I see that. ::motions to the necklace::

::aleph hands it to An... it's a small green crystal, with a dark flaw in the center... looking something like a raven::

...no. ::staring down at the necklace in his hand:: We need to find the Jackovians. ::quietly:: ...soon.

::speaking up finally:: What is it An?

They have Maria, this was her's. It was sent as a message.

I see. I'm sorry, An.

This has gone on long enough. ::loudly:: We will not need to move this camp. The Jackovians will regret the night they stood against these people There is a reckoning coming. In two nights time I will go fight. If I must go alone I will.

::seth, alone in the middle of the floor after the outburst:: right... but.. umm... what about the Avestites?

Lan and Tien are competant... do we have any reason to believe there is more than one?

Don't they usually travel in cells? ::there's a somewhat ambiguous murmer of agreement::

You're right, I'll go find Lan and Tien and figure out what they're doing. I will discover this Avestite for what he is. Put our minds at rest.

And I will attempt to see if I can't follow a Jackovian back to a headquarter, rather than just killing them

I'll show you to where I left them

::to aleph:: Please, thank you. :::puts the necklace on around his neck::

((And fortunately, we're still standing in the rain arguing.))

((now you understand why we killed time taking baths.))

((no, i do beleive we began walking again))

::nods to Aleph and then to Seth:: Thank you both for listening to my rantings. ::moves back towards his room for shoes and a shirt::

((we might just be turning the corneer as they appeare...))

((that would be convenient, wouldn't it?))

::and so, Seth leads An up into the rain-soaked upper levels, and follows the path they were taking until reaching the nearest sewer entrance:: If they left, it was probably through there

::turns to Seth:: Thank you. You are right. The Avestites need to be dealt with, I was slightly blinded. Thanks for your patience with me. ::turns to go up the ladder::

::he bends down and fishes a cigar off of the walkway:: This should have run off by now unless it was new... Oh, be careful of that, the rain tends to pour down when you open the manhole... you want me to wait around here, or are you good?

::laughs as he starts to climb:: I should be fine, go back to your people. Thank you.

::he bows and retreats down into the sewers::

::as An is emerging into the driving rain, Lan, Tien, and Martel are moving through the city::

::climbs to the top, and wraps his arm around the top rung using his free arm to open the top grate::

::sighs at his horrifically soaked cigar::

((which way were you guys headed after you hit the wall?))

((right??? East???))

((okay, lemme rephrase... are you heading towards some part of town in particular?))

((sounds right. into town or something))

((Oh, yeah. THat's right. We were headed to church.))

((so, towards the peasant residential area?))

::turns up his collar. despite being soaked to the skin already::

::looks around for a clue of which way they might have gone::

((it's Tien. look for a church or poor people being opressed))

::the three head southwest, soon to cross the major city road on the way to the west of town::

((thought you were serious))

((We just thought you were serious. ;-) ))

((Well, I guess I was))

::figuring North heads toward the city wall he heads south::

::An heads off directly towards the R&D and government functionary area of the city... no surer place to find Jakovians::

::stops doing that::

((those of you who are together feel free to converse as you walk))

::heads toward a tien direction::

::toward the closest church not in R&D section::

::eventually, An figures that if Tien is leading the group, he's probably looking to good deeds amongst the public, and heads west::

so... how bout that weather huh?

::drizzle drizzle drizzle... sploosh... drizzle::

Yes, the Holy Orb would be right there. ::Points to a point in the sky::

ummm, yup. It bein daytime an all.

::perpetually simmering with half-baked ideas on how to get 'press' for the genetic abuses going on here, the presence of the Avestan reminds Lan how unpredictable any such thing would be.:: It's no wonder the planlife on this plane

::keeps his head down and looks around only now and then, making sure not to draw attention to himself::

Just because you can not see a thing does not mean that it does not exist. I know...feel...the presence of the Holy Orb

t's so lush. ::nods blandly::

well, yeah. That and if it didn't exist we would all freeze to death.

but then the questions of faith arise. how can one have faith in something they KNOW is there? ::struggles to light cigar under his hand, then gives up::

Brother Defender, has the spark of the divinity erupted within your breast?

::eyebrows up:: i sure hope not. sounds painful.

Then you are not...enlightened?

oh I'm enlightened allright, I just don't have things blowing up in my chest. I tend to avoid such things. not good for the lungs. ::attempts to light cigar again::

You miss understand me. When I was younger, the spark of divinity caught within me nd I became a vessel through which the Pancreator acts.

The ways of this world and the next were opened to my eyes

Hey, uh. You wanna try this leaf instead? ::cuts in:: It's kinda, minty. And you don't have to light it.

On any planet I travel and stay, I can feel the planets and holy orb and how they relate...Witch?

::holds out a pouch::

cause, you know, we all all are vessles through which the pancreator acts, but not like how you seem to say. ::to lan:: no thanks, not the same without the fire::

you just sound like those rumors i heard bout the witchity cult

A witch is a practisor of darkness

::shrugs, takes out a bit to chew himself, and puts it away::

As a priest and keeper of the Holy Flame Within, I can not be a witch.

not true. as a priest and a keeper type, you SHOULD not be a witch.

I eminate the light of the Pancreator in all my rites.

...well, that sounds a touch unusual...

perhaps these witchity types do the same... well, most priests dont usually glow when they do their rituals ya know.

Are we nearly there yet, by the way, fellas?

OH, NO. They make pacts with demons and channel the darkness with causes the Suns to fade.

::You're almost to the major roadway::

::it's somewhat protected by the tall buildings around it, and there's practically no one out, so you can see for much farther around here::

in any case, I'm charged to hunt donw these witches and see to em.

::an is also just reaching the roadway, some ways further southeast::

::keeps his eyes peeled for the group::

((are you guys going to do anything special crossing the roadway?))

((No, just keeping talking about the faith))

((look both ways? Watch and make sure there's no one familiar around))

((not me, I don't really know what the hell is going on, and have no reason or ability to hide who i am anyways))

Yes, you purify the witchs with the blessed flame

::eyeballs how safe crossing this thoroughfare will be::

ummm, no. I check to see if they can be redeemed first.

::there's no oncoming vehicles::

::murmers under his breath something about needing someones help::

Really? I had not know that about your sect.

((ack, everyone's now in ugly colors))

::begins crossing the thoughroughfare:: they do, but are you really so eagre to kill when there are more...satisfying alternatives at times?

((it just stopped, gave me an error, grayed everything out, then put me back in))

::an does, up the road, in fact, see a tall thin man, a short man, and an avesti::

::and, probably, so does anyone else within a hundred yards::

::shuffles along looking nondescript::

::doesnt bother trying to hide that he's the only damn avesti in the city::

((Cam's AFK.. an will catch up to you when he's bak))

::zips on across the road::

((aim sucks... rob just had the same thing happen to him as happened to me))

((so you guys can still see me, right?))

::moves toward the the 3 men::

((It is as Castcading effect))

((I guess that I am next))

((I think it's just that AIM hates to have multiple computers logged in via the same IP))

((So we get LAG and and weirdness))

::Moves quickly ot catch up with them::

::the group sees fast movement of a dark-shrouded figure, heading towards them across the road::

::gets ready to flame the shrouded person, just in case::

::Assume neutral stance::

::causually flame, that is::

::An comes into view through the drizzle::

Ah. An. Brother Defender, this is our friend, AN.

ah. good then. ::lowers flamer:: mornin to ya.

::slows down when he sees the three stop:: ...Tien. Lan. How is everyone?

It is good to see you outside the sewers.

::shrugs:: There was a lull in the groaning. We thought we'd catch some fresh air ourselves.

Yeah, what he said, ::Seconds Tien::

Its good to be out? ::looks to the flamer wielder:: You are the Avestite I came to find. ::offers his hand:: Chief Anhetepf Griffen.

An, this is brother Martin

::shakes the fand firmly:: Deacon Martin Azo

So what brings you to this part of the universe?

((martel, martel azo))

Well, rumors of demons and witches mostly. oh..and a spaceship. aheh.

Rumors of Demons and Witches mostly. And what else?

the demon thing seems to have been misleading, still looking into the witches.

And you came alone? Don't your kind usually travel is cells?

Occasionally. not always though.

Will you walk with us AN?

personally i find the practices of many of my bretherin...how should i put this...

We were heading to church.

oh yes. moronic. ::continues tramping through the soaked streets.

::A uniformed officer with Decados-themed regalia strolls up:: Gentlemen, what's the rush?

Of course but we must be heading below ground again soon, there is much to do. Much has happened. ::pulls maria's necklace out from around his neck then places it back under his shirt::

We are on our way to prayers

::to the officer:: No rush officer, just trying to get in out of the rain.

Right, well, be careful running around in this stuff... the fumes make the streets slick sometimes...

good morning officer. these men are on the way to offer their confessions.

::nods:: Yes sir, thank you.

::he looks at you all in turn, clearly memorizing your faces::

((:::rips his face off and eats it::-))

Good day ::he heads off::

((::maces him with short-term-memory-inhibition juice:: ))

::refrains from looking over his shoulder as they walk on.::

::waits till he's out of hearing distance:: We need to get off the street.

we are not far from the church.

might i advise we NOT continue on to the church on this street?

::quietly:: preferrably someplace they don't take confession?

If things are as you think, perhaps we should look elsewhere to pray

I think its best we move back underground. This city has ears and eyes.

::sigh:: back to the sewers then?

((lag royally sucks))

Let me think for a moment...to find the best access point.

::to Martel:: Sorry to bring you into this but we are fighting very evil men and might need some help, if you're willing.

((AIM, you bite so much horrific ass))

Heard as much, and hey, thats my job. if they are commiting atrocities anything like what these have told me, they are in for some interesting clensing.

Good to hear. ::looks around for a sewer grate or covering::

::Looks at AN.:: The Pancreator provides.

::there's one not far away::

::looks around to see if he sees anybody and makes his way toward the grate::

::follows An's look, and follows::

::walks to the grate and tries to level it up::

::helps pull the grate up if he sees no one::

::keeping a watchful eye::

((hold on, stephen is pinging out))

::the coast looks clear, or as clear as it's likely to get::

((look on my pause, ye nations, and despair.))

::once the grate is up, i drop down into the hole::

They sent a Jackovian into the sewer carrying Maria's necklace. They're trying to draw us out, and I plan to step right in their trap. But I'm gonna need Elena's help to do it.

Then I will be ther with you

And perhaps our sudden departure from the surface will bring others to seek us here... This site should be watched

We need a way to get in touch with Elena, any suggestions?

No, but I will pray for guidence

::shrugs, feeling largely useless::

Let us move back towards the camp. ::starts to walk:: Martel, you have caused quite a stir amongst the people who have offered us sanctuary. You must make sure to show you are not a threat to them, they are scared people.

understandable. My kind is rarely trusted, and not without good reason. tell me when we are getting close, so i can sling this thing ::indicating the flamer::

Where is her neckless?

::pulls out the necklace from around his neck::: Here.

who is this lady again?

::to Martel:: Will do, thank you.

May I? ::Extends hand::

::relunctently slides it off from around his neck and hands it to him::

::Stops. Says a quick Prayer::

::so you guys are under the city with no idea how to navigate these sewers::

Oh merciful Pancreator, I pray that she, to whom this belongs is well and safe and the I shall see her soon.

::wishes he knew where they were::

I pray thee, show me a sign that she is well wher we can seek her.

((so you using Divine Revalation?))

::Using Divine Revelation::

rolled 1 1-sided die: 1

rolled 2 20-sided dice: 4 15

::words form in Tien's head... "The quest begins with knowing thyself... To know thyself, start out with that witch seems most alien to yourself"::

((this is all in actual text, by the way, as typed... eskatonic rituals are literary that way))

Blessed be unto the Pancreator...Blessed be unto the Pancreator...The quest begins with knowing thyself... To know thyself, start out with that witch seems most alien to yourself...Blessed be unto the pancreator...Blessed be. Amen

you got some odd prayers ma boy

The will of the Pancreator e done. ::Hands the neckless back to AN.::

::takes back the necklace::

well, was that you speakin in the middle there, or someone else?

Thank you. ::puts the necklace back on::

::mutters:: I figured we should get to know the natives.

I repeat the main phrase until the words come to me from the Pancreator. It was my voice, yes?

Yes... repeat that middle part again please.

But the words of the Pancreator. The quest begins with knowing thyself... To know thyself, start out with that witch seems most alien to yourself

well, sounds like my little witch hunt just got full church approval.

The way you pronounce which... sounds more like witch. ::looks to Martel:: What witch are you looking for?

Yes, I know... AN, is there one amoung the changed who is gifted?

One who is removed from the others

::tries to decide for himself who's the most thoroughly morphed, since we're talking about it::

Are you here for a vague witch hunt or looking for someone specific?

Most Alien to yourself...perhaps there is a non-human

umm, the witch I been hearing about, is in the residential district.

I mean before they were changed

has a wee cult and everything.

Perhaps we should pay this witch a visit. I don't believe in coincidence. Perhaps it is not best for us to all go. An Avestite walking into a wee cult might not go well.

What else do you know if this witch

I don't ALWAYS look like an avestite.

I would advise we find a way back to the camp. Tien and Lan I need you to try to speak with the others and make sure they are ready to leave if need be. The Jackovians are getting to close to the camp. Martel, could you speak...

and not much, just general location, rumors that she has some otherworldly power of some sort, that sort of thing.

We should, get out of these here local sewers, I should think...

with Aleph, tell him I sent you. Form a strike plan with him, learn his strengths and devise a few assassination plans, gereral and fast. Tell him to collect his best warriors together and get them in on planning. I will go to the resdential district and see what I can find, then I will be back quickly. Tell seth to meet me in 2 hours at the manhole I left him at. .... damnit. I just realised I have no idea how to get back to the camp from here. *sighs*

We will need to exit.

i say we try the ""walk in what seems a generally correctish direction" method.

I can move us in that direction. It will be slow...

Perhaps exit and work your way back to the manhole you came from, go back down there, I'm sure you could find your way back from there, or that someone will be watching to guide you.

I do know that we need to travel that direction. ::Points toward camp::

as long as i have someone to lead, i should be fine. not having actually been to this camp and all...

Tien lead the way, I will exit the sewers and make my way towards the residential neighbor hood.

You are not going alone to this witch

Mmm. I could go with him? ::wonders what the witch in this case really is. Manages not to really betray curiosity::

c'mon young brother. have some faith in your friend, he'll be fine, or he won't, whichever is neccisary.

... I should be fine... ::to Lan:: Come with me then, if you would feel better.

::scratches his chin:: Ok.

::Sign of the jumpgatecross:: May the Pancreator keep you and protect you.

...and may he provide you with dry clothes sometime soon. Don't want to catch your death.

::Elbows the brother::

... ::stops:: Actually on second though. I might need you to go with them. You know these people well, go with the Avestite... :::to Tien::: change of plans. Come with me.

::opens his mouth, then shuts it.:: Ok.

::to Lan:: I need you to smooth ruffled feathers when you get there. They will not be happy to see the Avestite. ::makes his way towards the closest exit and climbs up::

::he nods:: I understand. Do my best. ::rubs his hands together as if to warm them, then points down the tunnel in the general direction:: Shall we?

well, Lan, shall we? ::extends an arm in the direction of the camp::

::okay... Lan and Martel head back generally eastward, and An and Tien go west...::

::chuckles:: We'll be dancing in a minute here. ::heads down the hall::

I do hope that they don't get lost...

i'm pretty sure thats against the faith somewhere in there...

::Eventually you come to where Tien thinks is directly beneath the poorer districts of the city, based on his celestial alignment::

I found this antique songbook once... ::trails off pointlessly, and whistles for a moment, until he thinks better of it::

This manhole should put us in the hear t of the poor district. ::Begin to exit by checking the surroundings::

::tien's questing head gets wet, but sees no one but a few peasants scurrying to get out of the rain::

::follows up and out::

::begins killing random peasants... I mean... takes a good look around::

((::Ask for diretions to nearest witch cult::-))

::even in the midst of the monsoon, life goes on amongst the peasantry that don't have the luxury of staying inside all day... it just goes on in bursts of open air::

::looks around for a tavern like place or a not rushing peasant::

::eventually you find a pub type building::

::steps inside, shaking off the wet and cold::

::it's pretty crowded, considering the ceiling is in decent repair and there are few leaks::

::walks up to the bar and sits::

::the sound of muttered conversation stops when the very strange strangers walk in::

::Drip, srip, drip::

::an extraordinarily handsome white haired man and a small asian, both in rags, cannot help but draw attention amongst pale, dark haired people::

::Pull out a few talons:: Barkeep, something to take off the cold, please.

::looks to the bartender:: Let me get an ale please. ::smiles largely::

::the barkeep slides you a glass deep with clear liqour::

:;Let him take the talons required:: Sips drink.

::puts 1/4th of a firebird on the bar and waits for the bartender to come down to get it::

::the barkeep reaches for the wing:: What'ya vant?

I just had a baby girl, and I'm looking for someone to read the cards for her ::smiles:: I've heard there's someone around here... good at it. Any ideas?

Vera Cruz origionally, stuck here on a business trip, I transport spart ship parts and damaged my ship coming in.

::his fingers rest just above the wing:: I hate to tell you zis, but djou look like krap. Djou bring your voman on buziness trip all vay across worlds?

No... she's back home I just got word. It acutally happened a few weeks ago.

Zen vhy djou lookin for such a thing 'round here?

Because my engineer is from here and heard some things around here.

That theres someone here, can do some amazing things, if you catch my drift. Its a custom of Vera Cruz amongst most of us, but its the fathers job to get the reading.

Maybe things iz diffrent here, tches? Not like your doings back cross the worlds

I'm sure they are good man. Just trying to keep up tradition, I'd be more than willing to pay, but I guess you don't know anyone of that profession.

Card readers? Eh, is silly trickery, tches? Vhat is it djou are really looking for?

::looks him in the eyes:: I'm looking for someone who really knows what they're doing. Catch my drift. ::quietly:: Something is after me, something dark, and I need help. I'd be willing to pay... catch my drift.

Hmmm... I don't know vhat it is, but I zhink I kan trust djou... djou come back in a couple of hours after ve close

Will do. ::nods to him and finishes his drink::

::tien, meanwhile, is feeling a bit lightheaded from the jungle-tuber vodka::

::nods to tien and risses walking towards the door::

::Finish Drink.:: It's nice a warm in here. ::Follows AN out the door::

[Lan and Martel]

::humming an old martial tune::

::after much second guessing, you guys eventually get back down to the right spot, and are heading towards the colony::

::wondering how to go about doing what he suggested in email just he was thinking of doing.:: So, Martel. You understand the folks down under are nervous people, as An said? I just, wouldn't want you to take offense at their reaction. They're troubled folks. Been through a lot. You know.

i do know. people don't like avestites, and if that mattered to me, i wouldnt have taken up the order.

Well. If it's any consolation, I don't think they're even too terribly fond of me. And I'm just down here trying to keep 'em healthy.

I'm here to help, but that doesnt mean I'm here to roast people.

::after a while there is movement in the shadows to either side of the tunnel, as if people taking up positions::

I think either your friends are here, or someone else is.

::clears his throat:: So, is everyone doing their breathing exercises, and avoiding dairy and damp places, like I said? ::friendly manner, into the dark::

::a voice resonates from the darkness:: Mr Lan... please let us know what's going on

...sounds friendly. ::slings the flamer::

::sniffles:: Yeah. We're on our way back home. This is Martel. ::speaks clearly, and slowly, in a way that is meant to be calming:: He's an Avestan, and, he's just put his weapon away because I think he understands nobody down here deserves it.

Does he know what to expect?

demon lookin types? Yup. don't worry, not here to judge.

::an immense figure moves forward into the flickering torchlight, at least two meters tall, black skinned, immense bat wings, and black eyes glow hellishly:: Promising

ahhh. BIG demon looking types. names Deacon Martel Azo. pleased to meetcha ::extends hand::

::the demon clasps Martel's hand and shakes, clearly attempting to remove any hidden weapons from his sleeve, and then does the same with the other arm:: Seth

::scratches his brow:: You know I still find you intimidating, if it's any consolation. ::grins faintly, and looks up::

If you would be so kind as to let Lan carry your weapon for a time, then perhaps we can take you further

::grins:: paranoid aintcha? probably a good thing though, considering your position. ::hands flamer to Lan:: dont point the barrel up in the rain, ok?

::takes it as gingerly as possible:: Sure. I know how they work.

Hey, seth. Do you suppose we could rig up a small furnace and distilling equipment someplace? I realize it's kinda last-minute.

I don't know... what is distilling equipment?

We, uh. We also need to be getting ready to move, says my friend An. You ever make moonshine?

distilling equipment makes booze.

Let's walk as we talk, hmm?

We have found that it would be unwise to limit ourselves in such a way... and consider it unsafe to imbibe too many chemicals given our problematic mutations

other uses for alcohol, m'boy. for example, it burns. great for fires, and to keep away people who need keepin away.

::nods:: You know. If the upper echelons cared about their health as much as you people, I'd be out of a job. But, I'm not interested in making alcohol. Still. If you spot anything like that kind of equipment, or know somebody who might know where to find it, I might be able to find a couple more treatments to try out. Anyway. As I was saying, An is looking for someone topside. Did he say anything to you about, you know, things needing to be... :gestures inarticulately:: ready to go?