North by Northwest (storyline)/2023-01-30 - Iliyaas Swipes Left (log)

Lormesta 30-31, 5123

(credit to Dendum for the title)

Synopsis

Silver and bronze motes are spotted at the Black Sands, where Landing adventurers find Iliyaas digging a hole. Gutstorm helps her out and water fills it, then her scrying reveals the image of a giant cavern with plinite shards scattered around minotaur corpses. A hulking stone figure brings in an elf corpse as well.

Another cloaked figure arrives in the vision, bringing five ebony cases with silver and gold sword markings that Magister Raelee identifies as the symbol of the Uterlain Traders, a mercenary outfit from the Swale. The figure opens a case, revealing glowing yellow plinite. Gnul takes it and the figure disappears, then Gnul makes the plinite burrow into his chest before the image fades.

Log

Disturbance at the Sands

Ashen flakes of snow descend from the sky, tossed about on the cold winds.

[Town Square Central]

This is the heart of the main square of Wehnimer's Landing. The impromptu shops of the bazaar are clustered around this central gathering place, where townsfolk, travellers, and adventurers meet to talk, conspire or raise expeditions to the far-flung reaches of Elanith. At the north end, an old well, with moss-covered stones and a craggy roof, is shaded from the moonlight by a strong, robust tree. The oak is tall and straight, and it is apparent that the roots run deep. You also see a black-winged smoke peregrine that is flying around, the Vasilious disk, the crab-shaped Rasson disk, a silver-tipped smoke grey wolf, the Xanxen disk, the Budroux disk, an irate mountain spirit that is flying around, an amber-eyed tawny range wolf, the Kelfyr disk, a grizzled porcupine, a large acorn, the Morbad disk, the Takaeshi disk, the Maleagant disk, the drake-incised Draelor disk, a massive grey wolf, the Broadfuguis disk, a large acorn, a large acorn, a large acorn, a large acorn, a large acorn, a round silver-banded barrel, an herbal remedy donation bin, some wide stone benches with some stuff on it and an old well.

Also here: Lord Prothiel, Bernadette, Zedarius, Pukk, Vasilious, Vatsesan, Perigourd, Seaward Gutstorm who is sitting, Seaward Rasson, Xanxen, Budroux, Great Lord Lankas, Kippe, Kelfyr, Morbad, Stormyrain, Takaeshi, Maleagant, Draelor, Broadfuguis, Andromalius who is sitting

[General] Candor exclaims, "Candor you slimey good-for-nothing piece of kobold droppings, come back here with my diamond!!"

Gutstorm yells, "Heddo Candor!"

From nearby, you hear Gutstorm yell, "Heddo Candor!"

Pukk says, "Yeah. He has horrible hiding and stalking skills."

Speaking to Pukk, Kelfyr says, "You'd think you'd work on that if you bragged all day about picking pockets."

Speaking to Kelfyr, Pukk says, "You know that would be the first thing I would work on."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Mebbe he want be caught, Pukk?"

Pukk says, "You know...."

Nairena exclaims, "That the Pukk!"

Pukk says, "Maybe thats his kink..."

Kelfyr says, "The relentless cries of a guilty conscience."

Nairena says, "What the pukk."

Speaking to Nairena, Pukk says, "You already killed it the first time."

Speaking drunkenly to Pukk, Gutstorm slurs, "Kinna like when you tickle a girl, iffin ye do it shneaky, she not know yoo dunned it, sho ye got be obvioush."

Speaking to Pukk, Nairena says, "Give me a break. Im in pain here."

Kelfyr says, "Not bleeding anymore at least."

Nairena says, "My kobold died.. my horse is old, and my girlfriend is untrustworthy."

Speaking to a pale-faced coppery barn owl, Pukk says, "I still have my paper Owly."

Speaking softly to Peche, Barnessa says, "You're it."

Nairena exclaims, "Irval!"

A curtain of tiny snowflakes falls from the sky, each speck capturing a silver glint from the sliver of moon barely visible among the icy storm above.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Pukk, how yoo knowed Owlie been in yoo housh?"

Costar says, "I've never seen such a packed trollop of trolls."

Pukk asks, "How?"

Nairena exclaims, "Ouch!"

Temaari says, "It was amazing."

Speaking to Guennwhfar, Nairena says, "Im bleeding here."

Guennwhfar says, "The owl poop on the floor."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Da shnack cupperd empty, fettersh everwhere, and ca cat pregnant."

Vaemyr says, "While I don't mind the snow too much... I'll be real happy when this weeks long storm is over."

Temaari says, "And if I can find a camp that large."

Temaari says, "Again."

Temaari says, "Maybe I'll lead another venture."

Speaking to Irval, Nairena says, "Thanks."

Speaking to Gutstorm, Pukk says, "No, the cat would be missing as well. Owly needs a meal too you know."

Markx says, "Bork."

Speaking softly to Peche, Barnessa says, "We should do some bandits."

Speaking to Markx, Nairena says, "Fopoon."

Markx says, "I have some bandis."

Speaking to Markx, Nairena says, "Im game."

Candor recites:

"Roses are red

Violets are blue

You look really sick

Cause Pukk just kissed you!"

Pukk says, "Okay, that was funny."

Guennwhfar says, "You mean gamey."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Dat funny."

Speaking to Guennwhfar, Nairena says, "Its Blood de Banditos."

Speaking to Guennwhfar, Nairena asks, "Very sexy no?"

Guennwhfar says, "But you ran out of soap."

Nairena says, "Yeah."

Nairena says, "It will stick for a little while longer."

[General] Candor thinks, "Muhahahahaaaaaaaaaaa."

Speaking in Faendryl to Emperia, Lylia says something you don't understand.

Pukk asks, "Cryheart already asleep?"

Guarrin says, "Seems so."

Guennwhfar says, "One sec."

Pukk recites:

"I guess Guarrin is tonight's Cryheart"

Pukk recites:

"Everybody join Guarrin!"

Speaking in Faendryl to Lylia, Emperia says something you don't understand.

Guennwhfar says, "Ok."

Motes of silver and bronze light float amidst the falling snow above the Black Sands.

Speaking to Lylia, Pukk says, "You can use Gutstorm as a handwarmer. The little guy puts out a lot of heat. Just be careful standing around him and flames...."

[General] Zaaldine thinks, "Pretty sure it's not a crime to steal from yourself cantdor."

Irval says, "The sands..."

Vaemyr says, "Silver and bronze again..."

Vaemyr says, "Like we saw from the Reach."

Guarrin asks, "Odd. Shall we go investigate?"

Irval asks, "The lady you think?"

Guarrin says, "Be joined."

Lylia says, "For a moment I thought I was seeing things. This contemptible snow..."

Guarrin says, "Moving out in three."

[travel]

[General] Candor thinks, "Yeah but the last time I did that, Me and Myself didn't take my offer for third date..and that was upsetting."

Pukk says, "I think somebody is watching us."

Irval says, "Someone is always watching..."

Pukk says, "I think it's Gutstorm looking for his Lylia."

Irval asks, "Do you mind waiting a sec so I can make myself more presentable?"

Lylia says, "He knows where I am. And I am my own Lylia."

Speaking to an animated flayed gigas disciple, Vaemyr says, "Easy now."

Pukk says, "Poor nymph didn't even stand a chance."

Pukk says, "It's okay. We are safe now. We have Owly with us."

Iliyaas Sees

[The Black Sands]

Waves roll up onto the dull black beach, the seafoam tracing lacy patterns against the dark background. Flies buzz among the rotting seaweed, rising up in swarms as you pass. To the northwest, a pillar of rock rises out of the water. You also see the sparking Dendum disk, a resplendent obsidian black raven, a point of elemental instability and a tall wooden archery tower. Also here: Pukk, Perigourd, Kelfyr, Stormyrain, Town Councilor Vaemyr, Bernadette, Missoni, Drektor, Irval, Grand Lord Arahnim, Dame Evia, Imperatrix Lylia, Roelon, Lady Emperia, Xorus, Sir Guarrin, Avalera, Seaward Gutstorm, Dendum, Lady Iliyaas who is kneeling

[General] Candor thinks, "So now I am back to flirting with this cute dwarf in the mirror."

Iliyaas sifts her hands through the black sands, her eyes closed, her lips tight.

Speaking to a lazy wild reddish-black dog, Pukk says, "I bet you could take that wolf in a fight."

Speaking in Sylvankind, Kelfyr says something you don't understand.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Dont git dat sand down yoo clottin, it itchy."

Iliyaas cups some of the sand in her hand, and moves it to the side.

Iliyaas presses deeper into the sand, sifting some away, slowly creating a small shallow hole.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Me help."

Kayse whispers something to Drazaa.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Bigger hole?"

Iliyaas glances at Gutstorm.

Iliyaas nods.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Pukk says, "Only Gutstorm will have a shovel handy."

Iliyaas holds up her hand.

Drazaa whispers something to Kayse.

Iliyaas stands up.

Kayse whispers something to Drazaa.

Iliyaas moves to stand in front of Gutstorm.

Iliyaas nods.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "More dig?"

Iliyaas turns towards the hole.

Iliyaas shakes her head.

Iliyaas kneels down.

Iliyaas kneels down before the larger hole, and places the palms of her hands upon its rim.

Gutstorm works his fingers under his jester mask and scratches his head.

Iliyaas nods at Gutstorm.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Me not goin in."

Gutstorm grunts and shakes his head.

Speaking to Gutstorm, Kippe urges, "Do it."

Iliyaas points to the shovel in Gutstorm's hand.

Iliyaas slowly empties her lungs.

Gutstorm removes an old wooden shovel from in his keg-shaped pack.

Iliyaas nods.

Gutstorm steps on the top of his wooden shovel's blade and leans into it, sinking the blade into the ground. With a hefty tug, he lifts out a large load of sand and throws it aside.

Iliyaas holds up her hand.

Iliyaas nods.

Iliyaas sits back, watching.

Evia says, "Hmmm."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "We gonna fit da whole bay, we need bigger hole me thinkin."

Lylia says, "The bay is a big hole."

Water begins to pool into the hole, slowly filling it up, its murky sea water swirling about.

Speaking in Faendryl, Xorus says something you don't understand.

Thrassus asks, "What are we looking at?"

Lylia says, "A hole."

Speaking helpfully to Thrassus, Lylia clarifies, "A hole that is filling with water."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Me think she makin one dem scry bowl yoo look at water fer reflection mebbe."

Speaking to Thrassus, Stormyrain asks, "Nothing, yet. Mayhaps she is waiting for the water to show her what she seeks?"

Thrassus asks, "A tidal pool?"

Xorus says, "The hole will still be there after it is filled."

Lylia says, "Yes."

Iliyaas raises her arms upward, and bleeding into existence come several silver and bronze motes of light that upon Iliyaas closing her eyes, they drift down to sprinkle along the water like glittering dust.

Iliyaas says, "The enemy stirs."

Irval asks, "They come?"

Missoni says, "We have been warned of an attack."

Iliyaas places one finger into the murky water and stirs it briefly, the silver and bronze specks of light churning like crystalline salt.

[General] Zaaldine thinks, "Well yesterday you promised to give me all of your fortune and be my salve until you died a million times."

Iliyaas sits back, placing her palms on her thights and closes her eyes.

[General] Monolis asks, "Like i said whose Zaaldine?"

A bubble appears within the water.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Da hole burped."

[General] Zaaldine thinks, "I respect your amenesia, and will settle for half your fortune and you keep your lives =)"

Speaking to Gutstorm, Irval asks, "Sure it was a burp?"

[General] Monolis thinks, "Sadly i only have two rusty coins to rub together."

One by one the bubbles pop and splash, and as the water calms, the murky depths take on the image of a giant dark cavern.

Iliyaas lifts one hand, moving her fingers to the left.

Irval asks, "Can you get closer?"

[General] Zaaldine thinks, "Now the deal makes sense."

Speaking to her mithril aventail, Mourdeyan says, "Gift for the re-planting."

Within the water, the cavern expands, and a strange green glow emanates in the distance.

Iliyaas lifts one hand, moving her fingers to the right.

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Wut cavern dattun?>"

[General] Zaaldine thinks, "After all the deal was made for me to poop on a different tree than the one you were leaning on."

Within the water, more of the cavern comes into view, and the area glows with a sickly blue light, and several fractured and shattered plinite shards lay scattered about the corpses of seven minotaurs.

Tikba murmurs, "The experiments."

Ulfwine says, "No wonder they left."

There is a rumble within the water.

Earthdiver quietly says, "It was not wise to experiment on the intelligent ones."

Rasson says, "Looks like the cave sprites take the new people to town."

Drazaa whispers something to Kayse.

Some heavy stomping echoes from within the water.

Irval says, "He comes."

Speaking drunkenly to Dendum, Gutstorm slurs, "Wut she say, me kin only read hipsh."

Iliyaas slowly empties her lungs.

Some heavy stomping echoes from within the water.

Irval asks, "Thats either Gnul, Or he might of successfully plinite to a minotaur?"

Irval says, "Merged."

Sunwu says, "Hmm..mebbe someone needs some new boots.."

Mourdeyan says, "Whis peri and all of these are gifts, to do with as ya please."

Within the waters, a giant hulking figure appears from the shadows of the cavern. It towers near the dead minotaurs, the sickly blue light of the dying plinite shards casting eerie azure shadows along its jagged, stone body.

Ulfwine says, "Gnul, or the figure posing as him."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Gnul, kin yoo here me?"

Within the water, the giant figure lurches forward, his arms and chests chiseled from stone, a great beard of rocks, outstretched and jagged like small stalactites. He lifts am arm, and hoists up an elven corpse, whose body is covered in fur hunts, but his limbs are twisted unnaturally. Flecks of yellow light glow beneath the elf's chest, and the stone giant tosses the corpse to the side, adding to the pile of minotaurs.

Iliyaas slowly empties her lungs.

Thrassus says, "Still having no luck, it looks like."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Da elf join up wit Gnul? dat not good."

Raelee says, "... but he took an elf to experiment upon."

Mourdeyan says, "Appears so."

Thrassus says, "Likely because he ran out of other fodder."

Lylia says, "I suspect that was not voluntary."

Perigourd asks, "Has he been taking folk from the Elven village?"

The giant's head suddenly looks up, staring to the side, looking into the darkness.

Kayse slowly asks, "But why an elf?"

Guarrin says, "From where."

Irval asks, "The puppet master?"

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Hmm maybe Sablo approach."

Kelfyr says, "His allies are not far from the Village."

Guarrin says, "That is what I am concerned about."

A figure appears from the side of the cavern, bathed in a cloak the color of darkness, hands swathed in black leather gloves. Blue light from the broken plinite throws a cerulean haze along the cavern floor as the figure kneels down, placing five ebony cases on the ground, each one plain save for a simple silver and gold sword marking.

Thrassus says, "Now this is something."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Need more light Iliyaas."

Irval asks, "That mark look familiar to anyone?"

Speaking to Stormyrain, Raelee says, "Uterlain."

The giant lurches to the side, and the grinding sound of rock on rock resonates as the great creature smiles, his face half in shadows, the other have bathed in a ghostly blue light, creating deep shadows along the crags of his stone face.

Vaemyr says, "There's our puppet master."

Gutstorm drunkenly slurs, "Grishom?"

Speaking to Raelee, Stormyrain asks, "Who or what?"

Tikba asks, "Puppet master, or ally?"

Speaking quietly to Tikba, Lylia says, "I was wondering the same thing."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Raelee says, "That is the symbol of the Uterlain Traders. They are a mercenary outfit that originates in The Swale."

Xorus says, "They are mercenaries who transport things."

Irval asks, "Who leads them?"

Speaking to Irval, Raelee says, "Roland and Randall Uterlain. Brothers."

The figure opens the first case, revealing a very large shard of glowing yellow plinite, encased within several bands of black alloy. The blue light of the cavern almost bleeds away in the wake of the citrine glow.

Speaking in Gnomish, Dendum says something you don't understand.

Perigourd says, "Well, that's not good."

Ulfwine says, "Elidal will be interested to learn this, as would Earl Jovery I imagine."

Thrassus says, "If they are mercenary couriers, they might just be the transporters and not masterminds."

Stormyrain slowly says, "Well those two reactions do not make me comfortable."

Raelee says, "That is likely not the plinite that was stolen here, however."

Speaking to Raelee, Perigourd says, "Seems rather large comparatively."

Speaking to Raelee, Missoni whispers aloud, "Do we have access to any plinite of that quality?"

Irval says, "Thats definitely refined...polished...whatever you do with plinite..."

Speaking to Missoni, Raelee says, "It is not on hand."

Thrassus says, "It couldn't be. The black allow bindings are a giveaway."

Tikba slowly says, "I believe that is black alloy."

Evia says, "Never liked big grinny maws."

Speaking to Thrassus, Kayse asks, "A give away for who?"

Speaking to Irval, Raelee says, "Greater power in plinite comes not from a refinement process, generally speaking, but from the strength of the elemental it is created from."

Kelfyr says, "Too bad we can't see his feet."

Gnul leans forward, his giant hand scooping up the glowing yellow plinite shard into his grasp. The figure nods, and then disappears into the shadows from where they came.

Speaking to Kayse, Thrassus says, "That's it's not from the plinite stolen from the Outpost."

Kayse says, "Ah, I thought it gave a clue to our mystery figure."

Kelfyr says, "I'm wondering if that might be the trader who came through town. He had very distinct boots."

Perigourd says, "One wonders what Gnul traded for it."

Tikba says, "He did not have sufficient plinite for his experiments. He needed more, and knew who to ask."

Kelfyr asks, "Goods or deeds?"

Thrassus says, "He has five samples as well."

Xorus says, "Rather morbid, in a way, for a stone thing to be using plinite."

Speaking to Tikba, Raelee says, "More, and possibly better."

Speaking to Perigourd, Vaemyr says, "Perhaps all the lesser quality plinite, in the right hands those shares would still be extremely useful."

Irval says, "That looks like a powerful elemental then if you ask me."

Speaking to Kelfyr, Kayse says, "Most likely something of great cost."

Speaking to Tikba, Perigourd says, "Or he was using the other plinite to test for a purpose first before risking the larger pieces."

Gnul slowly raises the shard before him. His dark eyes almost glow in the reflection of the citrine light.

Irval asks, "Oh no...is he...gonna eat it?"

An emaciated black horse gazes off to the side, the angle revealing a yellow-eyed silvery lor mandrake attempting to climb upon the equine's back, her root-like appendages wrapped around Squinting $S1 wrinkled face, $O1D issues an ear-piercing shriek at your feet. With a big grin, $S2 looks at your face with an expression that seems to ask if $S2 has helped. horse's neck loosely. The little plant is triumphant as she reaches the Squinting $S1 wrinkled face, $O1D issues an ear-piercing shriek at your feet. With a big grin, $S2 looks at your face with an expression that seems to ask if $S2 has helped. horse's back, collapsing in comical pants as she splays her pudgy body in exhaustion. Nickering softly, the Squinting $S1 wrinkled face, $O1D issues an ear-piercing shriek at your feet. With a big grin, $S2 looks at your face with an expression that seems to ask if $S2 has helped. horse bucks, causing the mandrake to tumble to the ground.

Earthdiver pats a black horse firmly on his hindquarter.

An emaciated black horse whinnies and gallops off into the distance.

Perigourd glances at Earthdiver.

Earthdiver says, "They are getting too rowdy."

Grinding his teeth like rock upon stone, Gnul places the edge of the glowing yellow plinite shard into his chest. His eyes widen, as he applies more pressure and the plinite begins to slowly burrow into his chest. His dark eyes brighten, and the image within the pool of water flashes away.

Iliyaas slowly empties her lungs.

Discussion

Thrassus says, "Ah, I see now."

Irval says, "Come on blow up..."

Lylia says, "Not quite 'eating,' but enveloping."

Stormyrain slowly says, "Ow."

Vaemyr says, "So, gnul and four others potentially..."

Earthdiver says, "So he tries to replicate himself...his own success."

Irval says, "So thats. Definitely not good."

Evia says, "Or all in one."

Thrassus says, "Or he uses all five on himself."

Guarrin says, "Or, all for him."

Iliyaas stands up.

Iliyaas nods.

Speaking to Raelee, Perigourd asks, "What would be the fifth?"

Iliyaas says, "I will inform the Lord."

Earthdiver asks, "You'd think he'd use other stone creatures and not...minotaurs and elves. What power does he seek in them that he cannot find in the stone creatures?"

Irval says, "Either he shortened his lifespan or became something even greater than before...."

Speaking to Iliyaas, Kelfyr says, "Thank you for sharing this vision with us."

Mourdeyan asks, "Life?"

Irval says, "Lets hope for the former. I just dont think we are that lucky."

Speaking to Iliyaas, Ulfwine says, ""yes, thank you, disturbing as it was to watch."

Irval asks, "Raelee are there any successes to recount of a being doing this?"

Vaemyr says, "Seems like he's going to be... tough to kill potentially."

Speaking in Sylvankind, Stormyrain murmurs something you don't understand.

Iliyaas raises her hand, and the specks of silver and bronze energy lift up from the pool of water, swirl about her for a moment, then dissipate.

Lylia quietly says, "Thank you for revealing this to all of us."

Speaking quietly to himself, Archious says, "I had not considered using plinite to channel energy."

Speaking to Irval, Raelee says, "We, and I mean the community of magical scholarship as a whole, have only known plinite exists for approximately thirteen years."

Iliyaas looks to the sea, then back at the forest near town.

Iliyaas nods.

Lady Iliyaas just went east.