IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets Options

[AtroposReborn]

"The best I can offer is a demonstration of my archery. I am quite the shot, or so I'd like to think." He pulls his camera from out of his backpack. "Unless they want to look through some old pictures."

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla smiles at this.

Maybe they would.

We can try our distractions to give Stogie the chance he needs.

Overall, I think we should stay close to the Sisters.

Only by being near them will we ultimately find our answers.

He pauses for a moment, thoughtfully.

Who knows, perhaps our goals and theirs align more closely than we realize.

[pbangarth]

"Alright, then, boys, the dessert looks ready now. If someone could ask the ladies back into the salon, we can all have a taste." Stogie opens his perception to the astral. In the past, this has been a sure-fire way to tell what people really think about his cooking. He keeps that eager thought in his mind, hoping it will mask the other curiosity.

[Tecumseh]

The plan is in motion. Stogie shifts his sight and is almost blinded before his senses can adapt. The dark night drops away and is replaced by a vibrant scene so full of life that it's like the world is on fire. He turns to Smohalla and is greeted by the shifter's true form. Stogie wonders for a moment how anyone can walk around a world this bright all the time. Maybe Smohalla has the advantage of flying above it all, limiting the overload to the bright sea of life below.

The Sisters return after they've been gone about half an hour. They walk lightly and seem almost to float along, even the ork and the troll. It's immediately obvious that the're not entirely in the present. They each have a far-away look in their eyes, as if they're seeing or contemplating something far removed from the cozy but modest campsite.

Stogie steals a glance at them and quickly notices that none of them are perceiving on the astral. For the moment, he can freely assense them with no social ramifications. He scans the surrounding forest quickly, looking for signs of K'wa'iti, but there's no trace of the wolf.

They return to their places around the fire, their eyes never seeming to focus on the group, nor any of the myriad rocks or branches that they could potentially trip over. They all seems to share a thousand-yard stare. Ellesar, no stranger to stimulants, can't help but wonder for a moment if they're stoned. The women don't say anything, nor do they give any acknowledgement of the group.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla speaks up, trying to draw attention to himself.

He stands and places himself in front of the fire.

Stogie has created an excellent dessert for us to share.

While we eat, I will tell you a story.

I will tell you the story of my people.

As Smohalla is speaking, he is walking and turning around the fire.

He gives a raised, questioning eyebrow to Stogie.

[pbangarth]

Wondering if anyone has ever developed astral sunglasses, Stogie slowly adapts to the powerful glow from Gaia. If the Sisters stay steeped in this, no wonder they reject the darkness of city construction. He checks the link between him and Jake. Just his luck, Jake happens to be relieving himself in the bushes right now. But the link is strong.

No Wolf. Oh well. He serves the people gathered around the fire, handing bowls of cooked fruit to each, smiling and encouraging them to eat. With each bowl handed to the 'stoned' ladies, he studies their aura deeply, paying particular attention to Ellie. She is strong in Magic, and may very well have developed the ability to hide her true nature.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar sits silently, eating the dessert handed to him. He doesn't want to ruin the story being told by Smohalla and is content with watching the sisters for now. If they are on stimulants then they could be irritable, which may be a problem. However, it would help having their senses dulled.

[Tecumseh]

Stogie figures that this is his chance. He turns his gaze to the Sisters.

[ Spoiler ]

His first impressions don't reveal much more than what he already knew. They're magicians of varying ability, with Ellie seemingly the most competent. They're in good health but their mental state is unusual. They seem to be on an emotional high right now, which might be interfering with their higher thinking.

This is no more than Stogie can usually see, so he redoubles his efforts. He opens his perceptions as wide as he is able, sharpening his concentration to pierce through the astral veil. He opens his mind to the mana, which blasts through his brain as if he were standing at the bottom of a hundred-meter waterfall. It hurts as he expands his mind to accept the overflow, but the pain begins to pass after an uncomfortable minute. When it's gone, he looks again.

[ Spoiler ]

My God, he thinks to himself, have I ever really seen before? It feels like he can see the world as it truly is. His Sight cuts through everything.

There is a robust manaline here. It leads straight toward Rainier, an obvious power site. The mana here is largely natural but the Sisters' have managed to shape it over time with their regular rituals and devotions. The mana combs through them now. The astral energy rises as steam off the forest floor, swirling through the Sisters, filling their lungs, passing in and out of them with every breath. It floods their minds, dulling their thoughts to the physical world. They are surrounded by the astral signatures of their spells: songs of healing, chants for courage, prayers for insight.

Stogie could swear that he could see their molecular structure if he tried. Unless the women are truly frightening initiates, there is no way that they could conceal their true nature to him now. They appear to him as ordinary magicians, certainly competent but none that could shatter the world. They are suffused with the power of the place and are capable of greater magic here than they would be elsewhere. Still, without that advantage Stogie feels confident that his Talent exceeds their own. That's not to underestimate what a determined team of clever magicians could accomplish, but these are hardly earthshakers.

He peers into their minds, searching for the influence of the wolf. He sifts through the connections there, none of which bear any noticeable trace of the shifter. However, he can tell the women share an attachment to each other. There's a strong link between them, an emotional and magical bond that ties them together into a group. Yet there are differences too: perhaps they have slightly different traditions, or possibly different mentor spirits. Magicians participating in ritual sorcery are usually from the same tradition, but perhaps their traditions are close enough for their magical techniques to overlap.

But what of their goals? Are the women Twisted? Here, for all of Stogie's insight, it's hard to say. Is there a bright line that divides an ecoshaman from an Avenger? Or an Avenger from a Toxic mage? Or is it simply a matter of degrees? At what point does yellow become orange, and when does orange become red?

But if Stogie had to answer, the answer would be... maybe? Sometimes? Is it possible for some of their magic to cross the line into Twisted territory, while the rest of it remains untainted? What makes for Twisted magic anyway? Is it the motivation of the practitioner, or is it the effect of the magic that makes it unnatural? Stogie can see some elements of their nature that aren't entirely straight, but maybe he's a bit uncomfortable by the similarities between their path and his and Smohalla's own.

Stogie can see a bit of everything that he searches for. There's anger, sure, but it's the outrage of seeing a loved one in pain, or in harm's way. There's camaraderie, there's devotion to a cause larger than yourself, and a belief in a higher power. There's zealous determination, there's unrealistic expectations, there's a drop of hope holding forth against an ocean of hopelessness. These women have a cause and they believe in it wholeheartedly, despite the costs. They've done the math and figured that the reward is worth the risk. After all, big things have small beginnings, and every mighty oak was once a little nut who stood his ground.

After a long minute, Stogie's vision returns to the physical plane. He blinks hard, his eyes watering a bit, as his mind readjusts to the night air, the wood smoke, and Smohalla's story in progress.

[pbangarth]

Stogie takes a moment to reintegrate into the physical world. He calls Jake over to him and ploosters him mightily, scratching both behind the ears and then the chest. With the slightest of nods, and a mental hint, he directs Jake over to Ellie. Jake sidles over, tail wagging, and sits right beside her. He leans into her, expecting the same treatment.

Stogie looks around the assembly as Smohalla speaks, a gentle smile on his lips, and nods as he looks at each ally. His gaze lingers a long while on the mountain that looms over them...then the women, then the mountain again. He cups the bowl of fruit on his chest and leans back to hear the rest of the story.

[phlapjack77]

All was One in the beginning.

The Earth, Sun, and Moon had no face. The spirits of the Air, the spirits of the Sea, the spirits of the Fire had no face. The trees, the beasts, they had no face. All were One in the endless ocean of molten stone.

Then the Great Spirit merged with this ocean, and in doing so split into a chaos of fiery drops whose number could not be counted. For seven days and nights the drops scattered. Some continue to scatter even today - these are the stars, the tiny points of fiery stone that light the sky in the darkness of night, a constant reminder of the chaos that gave birth to all.

After seven days and nights had passed, the hottest of the drops joined together to form the Sun, brother of the Earth. These drops never cooled, so the Sun burns still in the sky, a reminder of the featureless molten expanse of the great ocean from which all emerged.

The first drops to cool formed the Moon, sister to the Earth. The Moon still burns itself out in the sky every day - glowing bright only to fade into blackness. In this way, the Moon teaches that all light burns out eventually, but may be born again.

Next, the Earth herself was formed. As her skin cooled, molten stone inside her pushed itself out and became the spirits of the Air, the spirits of the Sea, and the spirits of the Fire. As they pushed their way out, these spirits caused the Earth's skin to bend and stretch, forming the mountains and valleys. Her blood became the rivers and lakes and oceans. Her voice is the wind, if only you listen closely enough.

Lonely as the eons passed, the Earth began longing for her siblings. In her yearning, she stretched toward the Moon and the trees emerged from her body. Still, her yearning to reach the fiery stars continued to burn within her, and animals began to appear from her womb. As her desire reached its peak, the sentient races were born.

Now, these races were at first crude and rough, mere golems of clay and mud and stone. They were young and scared, being born into the world without knowledge or purpose. The spirits already on the Earth had begun to take on personalities, becoming Brother Fox, Brother Wolf, Grandmother Spider, and more. These spirits saw the new creatures and took it upon themselves to remake them in their image. All of humanity was formed and guided by the spirits of Mother Earth, becoming the different tribes, the different races, the different peoples.

Over the ages the different peoples were guided by the spirits, they were tricked, they were saved, were humbled, were raised up. As the magic of the ages waxed and waned, the people's devotion wavered according to the time. In the Fifth Age, the age previous to this one, the people's devotion to the spirits, to the Great Spirit, had declined to the point of despair. Almost no one remembered their history, remembered their power, their wisdom. To most people of the Fifth Age, the spirits were mere legends, stories to scare young children.

But some people, some people still remembered. Some people still kept the old ways and remembered the history. These people lived in the world but were not of the world. They kept to themselves, they rejected so-called modern living, they still revered the Great Spirit and kept alive the stories. These people had many names, many races, many tribes. But they were one in their belief in something greater than themselves, in something greater than technology.

These people saw the horror that was the modern world. They saw the devastation that was wrought on Mother Earth, the atrocities committed against her, how their brother and sister animals were wiped out in the name of progress. They vowed to find places for themselves where they could live in peace and in accordance with their beliefs, their stories.

Far and wide they spread, as far and wide as seed pods caught in a gentle wind. And like a seed pod floating on a current of air, each people, each tribe, found a place where they could settle and live, growing according to their beliefs and their stories, keeping the old ways, waiting for the days when magic would return.

One of those tribes settled in Salish-Shidhe, in the Cascade Mountains area near a mountain known then as Seekseekqua. They called themselves Ni Mii Puu in their tongue, but in this language are called the Shahptian Wanapum. These people revered the old ways and had many great spiritual leaders to guide them. When the Sixth Age arrived, other tribes that had forgotten the old ways were not ready. But this tribe, the Shahptian Wanapum, they remembered. This is my family, these are my true blood. As one we remember the old ways as we honor the Great Spirit and Mother Earth.

And so my people came to live in harmony during the Sixth Age.

Smohalla concludes his story and sits down.

He has noticed Stogie's relaxed look and is himself somewhat reassured.

Smohalla makes a hand motion to Ellesar to indicate the metaphorical ball is now his.

[Tecumseh]

As Smohalla begins to speak, the women produce small, hand-held instruments. Ellie has a handsome flute made out of cedar. The ork has rattles, one made out of sea shells and the other from a rattlesnake rattle. The troll holds a large hollowed-out log with a rawhide elk skin stretched over the opening.

They begin to play, the ork and the troll producing low, guttural chants as Smohalla continues to speak. They're rather loud, actually, to the point where Smohalla has to raise his voice to make himself heard. The effect is dramatic though. The fire brightens with every exhale of the flute, and it flicks up higher and higher with each drum beat. The rattles seem to make the flames weave in a circle, creating a fire whirl that reaches high above the group.

The effect is enchanting, but the downside is that Smohalla's story is completely drowned out. The music stops just as he finishes. Ellie holds out her hand to bid him to stay.

"Sky-Father, my sincerest apologies. I fear that we missed the crux of your story of how your people came to live in harmony during the Sixth World. It seems like a tale full of wisdom, one that would be foolish to miss. Would you be so kind as to tell it again? We will let you do so unaccompanied this time. Please." She smiles apologetically.

[pbangarth]

Stogie chimes in before the story can restart. "Ellie, I don't see your Wolf friend here. He doesn't seem to be playing any part in events." * a subtle glance towards the men* "Does he not like such festivities."

[Tecumseh]

Ellie waves her hand airily, not terribly concerned by the matter. "He comes and goes as he pleases. He may be gone for the night to nurse his temper, but I suspect he will turn up for breakfast. As the expression goes, 'The fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach'!" She sighs with an old memory, her eyes far-away again.

[AtroposReborn]

"All too true." Ellesar agrees. "A good meal can change the tune of most men. Speaking of tunes, where did you learn to play?" He motions at the instruments.

[Tecumseh]

"Task spirits."

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla lowers his head at Ellie's request.

I enjoyed your music very much - there is no need to apologize.

But please excuse me, I am tired now.

My voice is not used to such frequent use anymore.

Perhaps tomorrow will present a good opportunity for me to retell my story.

[Tecumseh]

Ellie stands and yawns. "We should all rest. The magic exhausts us even as it refuels us. You gentlemen will have the fire tonight. The ladies and I will sleep separately. Mustn't have a scandal, mixing the young men and women!" She titters at her joke. Hester and Selene look on passively, their eyes heavy.

She pats Stogie on the knee as she walks by. "Thank you for dessert, Stogie. It was a good effort."

"Please," Ellie says, "make yourselves at home. We will see you in the morning for breakfast. Say, sunrise? Sleep well, my friends." With that, she shuffles off into the darkness, the length of her dress masking her footsteps. Hester and Selene follow her ponderously, their steps heavy with fatigue. The camp is yours once again.

[pbangarth]

Stogie waits for the Sisters to take their leave. "Good effort, huh? Oh, well."

He stretches his legs out, warming the soles of his feet close to the fire. Jake curls up under the arch of his legs. "Like I tried to suggest with my earlier comment, I don't think the wolf has any direct control over the women. I didn't see any evidence of his influence in their aura. And I got a helluva good look, let me tell you. What I did see is that this place is a powerful source of magical energy.

"There is a mana line here, and it runs right up to the mountain, which is itself a strong power site. What I did see is that the mana collecting here is pumping up the Sisters' power in this place, and they seem to be getting almost drunk on the power. It's like they are losing touch with the physical world, and wandering off into the astral. I don't know what the chummer in the tower was doing, but if he was poking at the mountain, he was toying with their fuse box. As far as their motivation, I can't see much difference in them from me or you boys. Maybe they've stepped over the line lately, but I can't say they are Twisted or Toxic. I think they just have skirted the edge of a slippery slope. Honestly, I think it is possible to bring them back from that brink, though I don't know for sure how. Maybe somebody they respect can work that angle." He glances at Smohalla.

"I do believe that the more they act in a way that has deadly consequences, the more likely they will find it proper to do so. Maybe if they could somehow be brought to understand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of their devotion, they would become more balanced again. But we're dealing with devoted and determined women here, who are prepared to risk all for their cause."

[phlapjack77]

I agree with your conclusions.

Perhaps we should stay with them awhile.

We could help with their plans, steer them towards a more reasonable result.

Smohalla pauses for a second, his eyes lighting up.

And I would like more time to study this mana line.

[AtroposReborn]

"Yes, I like your way of thinking. If we stay and help these sisters we may be able to lead them back towards a more socially acceptable path. It will give us time to study both their connection with this mana line and the wolfman." He looks towards the mountain. "While we're at it perhaps we can find some way to sever their ties with the vast amount of power here. It may help them come to their senses."

[phlapjack77]

I would also like to work to lessen Brother Wolf's influence.

He does not seem to have accepted his new-found metahumanity, but rather struggles against it.

It is a common problem among our kind.

[Tecumseh]

The night stretches on. There are woodland sounds in the trees around you as the nocturnal critters come to life. The fire doesn't show any evidence of dying down. It seems to be fueled by the mana of the area, its golden halo pushing back the darkness. It's kicking off enough heat to ward away the chilly night, although it might be a little bright for optimal sleeping.

It's not long before the aches set in. You've walked over twenty kilometers today, including a very intense interlude with Toothy, and now you can feel the effects. The adrenaline from the encounter has left you, allowing the soreness in your muscles to bloom. Your feet throb. Dinner and dessert tasted good but now they're putting you to sleep. It's time to figure out a plan for the night.

[pbangarth]

"Well, it's time to decide who takes what watch. As much as I would like to think the Sisters have this place covered, I don't think the rest of the fauna here have the same idea." Stogie thinks for a minute. "Here's an idea! I can take some time to massage the kinks out of you guys, but I can't do it for myself. And I can make do with just a few hours sleep, so if you want, I can take over in the middle of the night, say in about four hours, and have some coffee started when you wake."

[phlapjack77]

Thank you Stogie.

I will keep watch for a while.

In my old age, I don't need as much sleep as I used to.

You and Ellesar should get some sleep.

I will wake Ellesar after some time.

[AtroposReborn]

"Sounds good. I could use some sleep. All this good food is making my eyes heavy." He unrolls his sleeping bag and slides inside without a second thought.