IC: Reclaiming the Void Options

[JxJxA]

Another thought strikes Uetz as he rests in the marketplace. He picks up one of the vials of blood collected from the hunchback.

"Maybe those of you with more experience in this place would know the answer to this question. Is someone here who could better assense the blood sample we took of the old woman's hunchbacked servant?" the Huitzilcoatl says to the group.

[Redjack]

Papa gives the offer consideration, but nods to D'zan's advice. "No. That price sounds too steep." Looking over his assortment of goods, he realizes he's packed pretty light for a shopping trip. His nuyen is in certified cred and not finding a PAN for the vendor, he's pretty sure that's not an option. He pulls out a pair of flash-bangs. "How about something more mundane?"

[BishopMcQ]

Papa and Crew

"Nooo, not good for thissss." The creature shakes his head and puts down the crystal. It sorts through the crystals and jars and picks up a crockery pot. "Thissss, thissss trade for thosezz."

Argent's nose picks up the faint scent of ozone from the jar.

All

Around the marketplace, thousands of merchants continue to hawk their wares and the din of conversation swells. In the distance, a gong begins to resonate. Most of the vendors ignore it, while others set out lamps and lay out lights amongst their stalls. The air grows dark and a damp fog begins to crawl along the ground, ankle height to Argent and Uetz. The air grows chill and your breath leaves brief puffs of fog.

[JxJxA]

"That cannot be good," quips Quauhtli as she watches the fog seep into the marketplace.

"Does anyone know what this is?" Uetz asks the group through the Huitzilcoatl.

[Buddha72]

Leo's face looks even more pinched and concerned. He quickly reaches out to D'zan feeling himself slide easily into his thoughts.

What should I tell them about the fog?

He catches impressions of smells and a haggard face - Dishwater Sal and her shop of many odors. He can feel the excitement in his companion - an image of a bow and his feeling towards Leo. Confusion at the association passes over his face as he waits for an answer.

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D'zan pulls himself back to the transaction in the shop while leaving Leo with the impression he'll answer shortly. He flies to hover just by her ear and begins to whisper. His face is shiny and excited, the words sound heavy and wet as he describes the true tale asked. When finished he finds himself shaking from the recollection of it - the joy and sickness of it singing in his bones. The shame rolls over him if Leo knew the tale in its entirety but a resolve replaces it as it always does - he is what he was intended to want other is folly.

"I will take the belt and the quiver. Where do I find the oracle you spoke of?"

[BishopMcQ]

D'zan

From the corner of your eye you see the words appearing in the book as you speak them. They are all written in the green of the ink pot that Sal laid out, and you have the impression that the tone and mood of your voice is imbued into each letter.

At the end of the telling, there is a popping of pressure behind your ears and a sense of parallelism, as if you can see yourself from the books perspective and your own vision. A shiver runs down your spine and then the parallel sensation fades. Dishwater Sal closes the book and puts it under her table again. As she moves the book, you can almost feel her hands caressing the inside of you.

"Thank you deary, that was very much worth the bow, belt and quiver. The oracle can be found south of here, in the Shadow of the Unnamed One. They stand between the fallen pillars, caught in the web of seven stars."

[Buddha72]

Slipping the belt on and placing the quiver along his back - taking a care to leave his wings free and unhindered.

"Thanks again for everything and you may want to take a peek outside - I think someone important is coming to the Market or at least is fucking with it."

Flying for the exit he pauses to look at the dusk coming and openly shakes his head in disbelief.

"This place never ceases to amaze me....."

You all should gather up with me and we'll make our way to a seer who might be able to help us. The change is someone or something with serious mojo affecting the place. Make sure they don't get in its way before we can meet back up.

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Leo snaps into action - flying to the stall and trying to herd everyone together and towards Dishwater Sal's storefront.

"Our many thanks but we will need to think a bit before buying - no deals right now but we might be back."

[JxJxA]

With the hour up and his head back to normal, Uetz stands up and stretches his now-stiff joints and bones. Once he feels the blood running through his legs and posterior again, he gives Tlaloc and grateful bow.

"I thank you once again, Great Spirit, for answering my call. As promised, I release you from your services. Return to Tlalocan and may you always be strong in battle and great in courage."

Tlacelel returns the bow in the astral, and responds before returning to his home plane.

"Stay safe and stay honorable, Nahualli." With that, Tlacelel's form dissolves into the astral.

Giving the fog another wary glance, Uetz picks his way through the crowd of the Troll Market until he rejoins the group. He calls the Huitzilcoatl to his side and lets it know that it no longer needs to speak for him.

"I suspect we should move quickly. I could cast an enemy detection spell if you think it would help us avoid the being responsible for the fog, though."

[Redjack]

Papa looks at what the vendor holds in his hands, then turns as Leo prods them on. He gives the vendor one last look before following the rest of the team. As fog begins to thicken and the team becomes concerned, so does Papa. "Ideas?"

[BishopMcQ]

All

Once the group is all back together, D'zan takes the lead and begins weaving through the crowd. The small bow in his hand radiates warmly as Leo joins him at this side. You begin moving down a slight hill, and the market travels with you. Here, many of the merchants have lights and charms placed around their stalls. One large booth, staffed by a tall, muscular green-skinned woman and a troll from fairy tales--fifteen feet tall with skin like an oak tree--is doing a lively business selling charms shaped like the sun. A warm, summer breeze blows from the booth and cuts through the fog.

The fog continues its slow progression.

Ahead of you, ruins loom up from within the Market. At first glance they appear to be Roman or Greek, but as you continue, your eyes wander across runes that twist at the edges of your vision. All of the vendors seem to give the ruins a few hundred feet of space. The merchants closest to the ruins appear to be diviners, soothsayers, and sages. They have signs in dozens of languages which you don't recognize and a few in an arcane and formalized version of Sperethiel and Or'zet.

[Buddha72]

Leo looks to Uetz keeping his voice low as he speaks to him.

"Your idea was sound but here it's sometimes best to not attract undue attention from the entities that dwell here. This place has no fixed form or existence - it holds this shape because of the Lords and Ladies of this realm wish it so and even they didn't make this place but rather took ownership of it. Magic is something more alive and primal here - the act of casting a spell is both more natural and intimate here. The connections that can be created through magic are more varied and complex here- you could touch something with mana that can touch you back in ways you're not prepared for."

He smiles softly and tries to convey concern in his words.

"Though as a magician you might have the favor of some spirits here - if your magic is strongly influenced by an ideal or concept you may be able to call on that concept here for more direct aid though nothing is certain."

D'zan circles above the heads of the group as he scans signs and scripts while speaking.

"Ok sorry for the manic tour of the Market but I thought it best we all group back up. The fog is the manifestation of something big and powerful moving into the Market or at least influencing it. Looking at well those sun charms were selling I am thinking it's something to do with the Winter Court so mind your manners and be respectful should someone make an appearance. I dragged all of you over here because there is an oracle who can maybe shed some light on our new Johnson. We are looking for the Those-Who-Walk-In-Darkness - I have it on good authority that then can help us out so let's look, shall we? The person I spoke to said that would be found in the Shadow of the Unnamed One - they stand between the fallen pillars caught in a web of seven stars - holler if you see them.

As D'zan begins to look around Leo resumes his conversation with Uetz.

"This oracle might be able to tell you more about the blood."

[Fenris]

With a shiver, the shifter takes in D'zan's instructions and begins to peer around, beginning to regret the impulsive urge that had brought him to this place. He knew nothing here...his contacts, his PiTO, all his smooth talking was for nothing when he didn't know who to talk to or what to say. Shaking his head, biting back a bitter rush of uselessness welling up inside him, he starts randomly searching through the signs in Or'zet, hoping to spot the one they needed.

[BishopMcQ]

All

You move through the area, staying on the outskirts of the ruins near the light. Many of the diviners look across your group and make signs to ward off evil. As the signs finish, you can feel a static buildup between the stalls and your group. The charge grows more powerful the closer to the stall you get, until it is painful at about ten feet away.

Several city blocks down the edges of the ruins, you see a massive statue. It portrays a large cloaked figure, with a hood pulled over the head. Atop the statue, a disfigured crown rests. Several large gems gleam in the crown, burning with an internal fire. The figure's left hand is stretched outward missing its pinky and ring finger. His right arm has a full hand, along with an additional appendage jutting out from the elbow.

Along the pedestal, there are inscriptions in dozens of languages—the Sperethiel and Or'zet both read:
“To breathe my name is to know true power.”

Below the inscriptions, is a glyph of molten gold. It appears to be some form of triskellion but is difficult to make out without looking directly at it.

Beyond the figure, within the ruins, D'zan sees a pair of broken columns that glows iridescently. Between the columns is a spiders web of light with seven glowing points.

[JxJxA]

Uetz nods at Leo, deciding to follow his advice.

"That makes sense. As for spirits, we Nahualli draw upon primal elements with the exception of combat. That role belongs to the heroes of our people."

Changing subjects as he sees the castle materialize in the area, he adds, "I am not so good with English idioms, but...would the owner of THAT be considered the big fish of the pond that is also big?"

[BishopMcQ]

Uetz

At first the glyph teases along the edge of your peripheral vision, but as you turn to look directly at it, you notice that the movement is to camouflage and keep the knowledge secret. You see the shape transform in your mind's eye, the weaving arms of the triskellion taking form.

Hastur

The single word permeates your thoughts as you look at the glyph. As quickly as the word came into focus, it slips away back to the camouflaged form of three spirals joined in the middle. The glyph teases at your peripheral vision again as you stop looking directly at it.

[JxJxA]

Scrunching his eyes in an effort to better focus on the glyph, Uetz finally gives up and decides to be content with the single word from the glyph.

"Does that glyph mean anything to you?" he quietly asks the others. "Because I think it says 'Hastur'?"

[Buddha72]

"I think I found the spot we're looking for..."

D'zan points to the pillars and where he saw the web of light. He begins to fly that way but stops dead in his tracks hearing Uetz read the inscription aloud. He turns his face incredulous as he stares at him.

Leo quickly moves beside Uetz placing a small hand on his shoulder.

"That was perhaps a rash action to take."

[BishopMcQ]

Leo and D'Zan
The glyph shimmers and moves just outside your sight. It weaves and dances in your periphery. Like many of the old magicks, you have to will yourself to look straight at it. A wyrd works over the marking to keep the information secret.

Looking at it, the shape finally takes form.

Hastur

The single word permeates your thoughts as you look at the glyph.

Leo
You see the name and feel the press of its power. With the name on your tongue and love in your heart, you could finally bring D'zan back from the edge of his madness. Fill him with the love and purpose to be happy and whole with you, to not need to constantly destroy in order to be happy.

D'zan
The strength of the name weighs heavily in your mind, offering promise. The promise to not serve, but to be a power unto yourself. Power to finally rival the Winter Queen herself. Enough power to set right, all the hurt that has been done to Leo undone for the rest of time.

Both
Turning away from the glyph, it reforms the triskellion, the wyrding reasserting its power to conceal the mark once more.

[JxJxA]

"I suspect Leo might be right," Quauhtli says through their mental link, "but I am unfamiliar with this place and cannot lend you any insight."

Uetz's face blanches when he sees the D'Zan's and Leo's reactions. His eyes dart back to the glyph and back to the group, as if waiting to see if something manifests simply from speaking the word.

"Apologies," he stammers, still unsure if something is happening or about to happen, "it was the only thing I could read or understand. It...I think it sounds familiar, though." His eyes lose focus as he retreats his mind, sifting through every lesson, rumor and dream he has had that might lend insight to the gylph's meaning.

[Redjack]

Papa follows the team through the market more like a gawking tourist than a high-brow shadowrunner traveling the metaplanes. As they continue to walk, Papa maintains enough sight on the team to follow while taking in the strange sights and sounds that abound. After the trio take a moment with the glyph, Papa asks, "That was kinda cool, but what was it?"

[JxJxA]

Uetz snaps his fingers as he suddenly recognizes the glyph's word.

"That is where I have seen Ha---I mean, 'it'---before! It is a Word of Power that non-Awakened often call upon for rituals, usually involving Binding and Calling. Some mages had theorized that 'it' is the name of a powerful entity that can enter our world through saying it's name...whoa... I did not think much about 'it' since we Nahualli stick to Aztec traditions in calling forth magic, like natural elements, ceremonial rituals and faith in the gods...

"At least it doesn't seem like 'it' has heard me," he adds, still furtively looking about to see if this mystical entity was approaching them.

[BishopMcQ]

Papa

Looking at the edifice in front of you, the translation is an old version of Or'zet, like someone writing Shakespeare in the original orkish. "To breathe my name is to know true power."

The glyph shimmers and moves just outside your sight. It seems to fade in and out of your vision like a low-power neon sign. Similar to icons running Stealth programs, you have to actively look for it. When your eyes lock on to it, there is a sense of not being able to unsee it.

Hastur

The single word permeates your thoughts as you look at the glyph. You realize that it is admin access to the universe. Every computer system and subscriber feed would turn to watch. Your control over the Matrix would be complete any time you tried, and you could eclipse even Gary Kline's PITO rating.

[Redjack]

Hastur.... The name echos in Papa's mind as do the visions of power. I will supplant Gary Kline. I will be PITO rating 0. The audacity of the very thought brings him back to reality though. He looks and the words and slowly moves backwards.

He turns to him teammates. "Can we... can we go?"

[BishopMcQ]

All

With a brief nod from Leo at Papa Smurf's suggestion, the fairy leads away from the statue to the cracked pillars. All of you can feel the shadow of the statue clinging to you, or maybe it's just the general sense of unease in this alien place.

The pillars are cracked with remnants of their former height strewn across the ground around them. Between the two pillars, a tangible inky darkness pulsates back and forth like silk in a breeze. Seven stars shine in the darkness, their glows forming the hints of a spider's web. Standing before the void, you hear whispers--millions of voices blending together into a hushed cacophony of background noise. Listening carefully, you can pick out different threads for a few seconds before they blend back into the noise. The whispered prayers of a child, huddled under blankets, praying that the monsters in her closet go away. The murmurings of lovers in the throes of passion. Harsh voices, barely vocalized, plotting murder and theft.

"Now comes the mortal, the fox and the hunter, the god-touched, and the construct. Your arrival has been spoken much of, as has your absence." The voice is that of your father, speaking in the earliest language you remember knowing.

"What brings you into the darkness, and what gift do you offer for our parlance?"

[Redjack]

Papa Smurf follows the team away from the offer that was just too good to be true. He usual good demeanor and happy-go-lucky nature starting to become subdued as he feels more and more out of place and out of his element.

Stopping at the sound of his father. The voice was confident, like when Papa's mother was still alive; Before he became a shell of a man. The voice, the tone, the inflection were all right. The grammar, the syntax, the words were wrong. Unable to determine the exact source of the his father's voice, Papa looks to his team mates. Once again, this appears to be their purview.