Hyacinth (storyline)/2023-09-11 (log)

You quietly greet, "It is good to see familiar faces. Thank you all for coming."

You clearly state, "In my opinion, it is high time that we share some information with you regarding the Hyssch, Hexah'Jing, and the Isle itself."

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Moshari agrees with you.

Sirona examines you closely, sizing you up and taking note of all the details.

You confess, "This opinion has been met with some resistance, but it has been agreed that I may share some details with you all, in the hope that we might all work to keep the world safe from the Ancient Filth."

Jaderain takes a moment to observe you.

Kalyrra turns an inquisitive ear toward you.

Sirona nods understandingly to you.

Sirona folds her hands in her lap.

Moshari turns an inquisitive ear toward you.

A spider descends on a dragline from Moshari's web-worked bracer. Its slender legs twitch as it spins in midair.

You quietly say, "I ask that you all try to understand that the Iyo are... resistant to change. We have an ancient purpose, and it has long been felt that allowing outsiders any influence would... dull our effectiveness."

Myharl just arrived.

Myharl waves to Yardie.

Sirona looks thoughtfully at you.

Kalyrra nods to Myharl in greeting.

Sirona nods slowly to you.

You continue, "That said, if you will indulge me, I will provide a general recap of the events until now, then let you know what I may about what has occurred since last we spoke, and what the Iyo believe is the best path forward."

Sirona smiles at Myharl.

Myharl smiles at Sirona.

Jaderain nods slowly to you.

Moshari nods to you.

Moshari takes a few deep breaths, fists clenched at her sides.

Moshari appears momentarily unsettled and uncomfortable before the tension abruptly bleeds away from her.

Lady Starletdawn just arrived.

You carefully begin, "Hyssch is an Iyo word, though I am unaware of a direct translation to Common. Others have termed the small factions of Hyssch that seem to arise from time to time as 'Circles'. Each Circle is made up of five members, one of whom is considered the 'Center' of the Circle."

Starletdawn selects a spot on one of the cushioned benches and settles into its soft cushions.

Yardie waves to Myharl.

Yardie gives Myharl a friendly hug.

Myharl gives Yardie a friendly hug.

Jaderain nods in greeting at Myharl.

Inclining his head, Myharl lifts his right hand in greeting to Jaderain, the motion drawing attention to the tower signet ring on his right middle finger.

You carefully continue, "In our legends and records, these 'Circles' arise with troubling regularity, and their goal is always the same: to break the Great Seal and allow the Ancient Filth, Hexah'Jing, to come to the surface, scorching the world as it did in the world's infancy."

Sirona nods thoughtfully to you.

Jaderain furrows her brow.

Myharl raises his eyebrow, the lustrous onyx rings set within only enhancing his skeptical expression.

You simply continue, "The Iyo stand opposed to the Hyssch, and in generations past, created the Great Seal, hiding the Isle, and indeed the surface world, from the Ancient Filth."

Moshari inhales deeply upon her pipe, puckering her lips and sending out one ring of smoke before her briefly.

You seriously say, "The Hyssch have returned once more, and have resumed their efforts to locate and destroy the Seal. It would, quite simply, mean the end of the Isle... if not the world."

Jaderain blinks at you.

Sirona glances about with a look of concern on her face.

Yardie says, "Always magic....always power."

You seriously say, "The Iyo were able to apprehend a member of the current Circle, and have kept the individual incarcerated. The Circle are unable to harness any of their... abilities... while they are incomplete, but the Iyo firmly believe that they will soon be back to full strength, having replaced their missing member with a new devotee."

Sirona nods in agreement at Yardie.

Moshari nods.

Yardie mutters, "That was fast."

Sirona quietly says, "Ahh...it was a member."

Yardie nods at Sirona.

Sirona quietly says, "Hmm."

Yardie says, "One of the 5...or 6 I believe."

Myharl confusedly asks, "But, why? What's their agenda beyond... destruction?"

Myharl shifts his weight.

You seriously say, "It is the belief of the Iyo heads of families that the recent activity from the mountain at the center of the Isle is the result of the indoctrination of a new member of the Circle, and them testing the limits of their abilities."

Sirona glances between Myharl and yourself.

Jaderain frowns.

Sirona quietly says, "Huh."

Kalyrra nods slowly to you.

Sirona thoughtfully taps a finger against her lips.

Speaking quietly to Myharl, you say, "Simply that. They have served the Ancient Filth since time before Iyo legends began, and always the same... they seek to release Hexah'Jing's primal rage, allowing it to run rampant and scorch the world once more."

Sirona quietly says, "That is not good at all."

Myharl nods slowly.

You seriously say, "While I have not been present for much of the questioning of the prisoner, I am assured that they have not said anything of value, choosing instead to rant and wail about the injustices of the Iyo and the forthcoming eradication of all who dwell on the Isle of the Four Winds. The inquisitor can be quite..."

You try hard not to grin.

You quietly continue, "Persuasive, but has yet to gather any useful information."

Yardie blinks.

Myharl appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Moshari frowns.

Sirona furrows her brow.

Jaderain flatly asks, "Apologies. Do they seek to control this...Filth once they release it?"

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "What do they rant ...what about the injustices of the Iyo? What does that mean?"

Speaking seriously to Jaderain, you say, "If so, then they are sorely mistaken. Hexah'Jing was there at the beginning of creation, birthing fire and char into the still-forming world. To see that terror released on the current world is... impossible to envision."

You seriously say, "The Iyo have watched the activity from the mountain extremely closely, as it is rumored that one day it will explode, and that day will be the return of the Ancient Filth to the surface world."

Sirona nods understandingly to you.

Jaderain huskily offers, "We might consider that loosely. It seems difficult that more than a few people would want to commit suicide to set the world on fire."

Myharl deeply says, "Unless the don't know anything individually... the best way to keep a secret it not to let any one person know beyond their part."

Myharl ponders.

Jaderain looks thoughtfully at Myharl.

Speaking quietly to Sirona, you say, "The Hyssch have always cast the Iyo as enemies, proclaiming that we are preventing them from service to their... deity, I suppose."

Speaking huskily to Myharl, Jaderain says, "Good point."

You grimace.

Yardie nods at Myharl.

Myharl nods slowly.

You reassuringly say, "The Iyo stand vigil over the Great Seal, and I can assure each of you that it is completely intact, and remains hidden from the Hyssch. The activity from the mountain is notable, and a cause for some concern, but so long as the Seal remains, Hexah'Jing is unable to emerge."

Myharl glances at you.

Myharl nods grimly.

Jaderain confidently says, "My limited experience with the Iyo leads me to believe they will guard the Seal."

You say, "The Hyssch still seek the Seal, but... they are unaware even what form it takes. There are a number of... false leads in place, and not even the first of those has been breached."

Sirona looks lost in thought.

Jaderain nods once to you.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "False leads?"

Jaderain smiles.

You nod in agreement at Sirona.

Jaderain huskily says, "The Iyo are fond of making sure that things are not always as they seem."

Jaderain smiles.

Speaking quietly to Sirona, you say, "Avenues which... would seem to lead towards the Great Seal. Indeed, in some cases there is an... object at the end of the trail which could easily be believed to be the actual Seal."

You flash a quick grin at Jaderain.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona says, "Well that is good I suppose. But they were able to find another member to replace the last."

Moshari chuckles to herself.

Jaderain huskily whispers aloud, "Like musical instruments appearing to be on fire when one plays them."

Sirona nods understandingly to you.

Jaderain appears to be struggling to keep a straight face.

Speaking quietly to Sirona, you agree, "Indeed. Our concern is that this... Circle... will cause untold damage in its quest to find and destroy the Seal. There are many, many stories of similar events happening in the history of the Iyo."

Sirona glances at Jaderain.

Sirona nods slowly at Jaderain.

Speaking to Sirona, Yardie says, "I suspect they will kill the prisoner."

Speaking amusedly to Yardie, you say, "The inquisitor will... resist any such efforts."

Jaderain raises an eyebrow.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona says, "I certainly hope so. It would not benefit anyone to do that."

Speaking to you, Yardie says, "Oh I don't mean the Inquisitor...but...in my line of work, you keep people from talking by...making sure they can't."

Speaking simply to Jaderain, you say, "The Or-resh has returned to the Isle, and has dwelt with the Iyo for a time. It is he that has handled the prisoner on our behalf."

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "What do we know of this prisoner, anyway? Who is...he or she?"

Sirona nods understandingly at Yardie.

Jaderain huskily asks, "How can we help the Iyo and the Or-resh?"

Speaking quietly to Yardie, Sirona says, "I thought that might have been what you meant."

Speaking agreeably to Yardie, Myharl says, "Any cult bent on destruction likely values life very little. I think you're probably correct."

Jaderain nods in agreement at Yardie.

Sirona nods at Yardie.

Yardie nods understandingly at Myharl.

Speaking seriously to Jaderain, you say, "The most important thing is to find and neutralize the Center. Without them, the Circle will fall and dissolve."

Jaderain huskily says, "The center."

Jaderain ponders.

Sirona nods at Jaderain.

You seriously continue, "I have been in contact with Administrator Zofiya, who assures me that all efforts have been made to locate this individual, but there is precious little to go on at this juncture."

Jaderain nods once.

Kalyrra nods understandingly to you.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "This prisoner has not lent any evidence to locating others?"

Moshari breathes in deeply as she clenches a pipe in her mouth, then exhales slowly, causing some pale amorphous clouds of puffy smoke to float up from her mouth.

Speaking seriously to Sirona, you say, "Not as yet. I believe the Or-resh intends to deliver the prisoner to the Harbor in the near future, that they might be questioned here."

Yardie nods to you.

Kalyrra cocks her head.

Jaderain looks thoughtfully at you.

Sirona nods.

Sirona quietly says, "That would be a good thing."

Sirona glances at Kalyrra.

You quietly say, "If the Center can be located... and neutralized... then we may once again rest safe in the knowledge that the Ancient Filth will remain sealed away for a time."

You close your eyes for a moment.

You quietly say, "That is what we all desire most, but there is another, related, matter."

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Jaderain turns an inquisitive ear toward you.

Moshari raises an eyebrow.

Myharl ponders.

Sirona glances uneasily around the room.

Ambient light catches on Moshari's web-worked bracer, revealing the intricate web of ultrafine silk wrapped around the surface.

You seriously say, "There is a tome. Or a scroll. Or a book. Always, when the Hyssch arise, this is the root. We must locate the Center... and this... book, whatever form it may take."

Jaderain frowns.

Sirona glances at Yardie.

Kalyrra nods slowly.

Sirona quietly says, "A tome."

Sirona quietly says, "Hmm."

Jaderain huskily asks, "Do we know anything about this item that makes it stand out, or appear different?"

Jaderain ponders.

You seriously say, "Some Iyo believe that these... guides... are what cause the formation of the Circle. They are always in the possession of the Center, and our legends say that they are where the Center gains the knowledge needed to form a Circle, and pursue the Great Seal."

Jaderain nods understandingly to you.

Jaderain rubs her chin thoughtfully.

Sirona quietly asks, "Oh the book is in the Centers possession?"

Jaderain nods slowly at Sirona.

You quietly say, "Many, many iterations of the Hyssch have fallen, and had their guides summarily destroyed. Of note... they always appear to be completely blank when viewed by any Iyo involved with the process."

Jaderain raises an eyebrow in your direction.

You simply say, "But there is always another guide. And another Circle."

Jaderain looks lost in thought.

Sirona quietly asks, "Another Circle?"

Sirona scratches her head.

Yardie blinks at you.

You seriously continue, "So while it is paramount that the Center be located and neutralized... their guide must also be neutralized, else another Center immediately step forward."

Jaderain huskily says, "They must multiply faster than moulis."

Jaderain mutters under her breath.

Sirona nods at Jaderain.

Sirona quietly says, "Seems so."

Speaking to you, Yardie asks, "I presume this is a guide....a recent one. Something that appeared in the last few months?"

Sirona quietly says, "They recreate the circle..."

You quietly say, "In Iyo legend, there is only ever one... guide... at a time. When it is destroyed, it is years, if not generations, before another rises to notice."

Jaderain nods in agreement at Sirona.

Sirona nods to you.

Myharl deeply says, "So all we need to do to save the Isle is find someone we don't know who has a book with nothing written in it..."

Myharl ponders.

Jaderain grins at Myharl.

Jaderain chuckles.

You simply say, "Where they come from, what they contain, and why they keep being recreated... we have nothing but guesses."

Sirona nods slowly at Myharl.

Jaderain nods slowly to you.

Sirona slowly empties her lungs.

Yardie says, "....let's hope it's a different book."

Myharl concernedly says, "I think we'll need to get creative with questioning."

Sirona nods at Myharl.

Jaderain huskily asks, "And direct the questions to those that are not familiar to us, perhaps?"

Jaderain ponders.

Speaking seriously to Myharl, you say, "I believe that may be the reason for the Or-resh bringing the prisoner here. The Or-resh has stated that they are... loath to do such things any longer."

Jaderain looks thoughtfully at you.

Myharl nods slowly to you.

Yardie asks, "Are the O-resh like the Iyo? The krolvin? Or are they another race of natives in the isle?"

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "Why?"

Sirona nods at Yardie.

Speaking huskily to you, Jaderain says, "Perhaps we can ask questions in a manner that would cause the prisoner to want to answer."

Speaking monotonously to Yardie, Moshari says, "I have assumed it is the torturers title."

Moshari shrugs at Yardie.

Jaderain nods once at Moshari.

You seriously say, "The Iyo are not a warlike people. We fight when we must, in defense of our families and our home. But make no mistake. This is a war that has been fought for generations, and the stakes could not be higher. We will not shie away from our duty."

Sirona nods respectfully to you.

Myharl yanks his shimmering dagger from a secret compartment in his black alloy vambraces and wields it menacingly.

Myharl glances at a shimmering dagger with a spiral wyrdshard embedded in the blade in his hand.

Speaking grimly to his shimmering dagger, Myharl says, "Creative."

Speaking to Yardie, you say, "The Iyo use the term 'resh' to indicate the founder of a Family. The Or-resh founded the 'Or' family, many years ago."

Myharl almost seems to be stabbing himself as he thrusts his shimmering dagger into a secret compartment of his black alloy vambraces.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Yardie says, "Ahhhh. Now I understand."

Moshari chuckles to herself.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona asks, "And what is the Or-resh family's service to the Iyo?"

You quietly say, "I apologize, but I run short of time. I will be... more present in the coming weeks. We must be proactive, rather than reactive, and the Iyo wish to assist in those efforts."

Sirona quietly says, "I know the families all have thier roles."

Jaderain nods understandingly to you.

Sirona nods understandingly to you.

A pale white aura dances across Moshari's web-worked bracer.

Yardie says, "I don't recall if it was the Or that were killed in the fire."

Speaking huskily to you, Jaderain says, "Thank you for speaking with us today."

Moshari nods.

Speaking simply to Sirona, you say, "They are the... shadow warriors. They operate from stealth, and infiltrate when they can, and kill quietly when they must."

Yardie blinks.

Sirona nods understandingly to you.

Jaderain glances at Yardie.

Yardie glances at Kalyrra.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona exclaims, "Thank you!"

Kalyrra looks thoughtfully at you.

Jaderain grins at Yardie.

Moshari chuckles to herself.

Kalyrra glances at Yardie.

You glance at Kalyrra.

Uhlen nods very slightly.

Jaderain glances at Kalyrra.

Kalyrra nods at Yardie.

Jaderain grins.

Ambient light catches on Moshari's web-worked bracer, revealing the intricate web of ultrafine silk wrapped around the surface.

Moshari breathes in deeply as she clenches a pipe in her mouth, then exhales slowly, causing some pale amorphous clouds of puffy smoke to float up from her mouth.

Jaderain stands up.

Jaderain bows to you.

Myharl grunts to you in tribute as he bangs his fist sharply upon his black alloy platemail in a barbaric salute.

Kalyrra nods slowly to you.

Moshari nods to you.

Speaking quietly to you, Sirona says, "Thank you so much for coming to speak with us."

Yardie bows to you.

You say, "Thank you very much for coming, and I will see you again soon."