Session 150
General Summary
- The party gathered some more information from The Quicksilvers.
- Apple's family were "kidnapped" by BFI because they were goblins. This has something to do with Siraye getting arrested and meeting Kris.
- The Quicksilvers also know of the Manifestations of the Mirage, but they call them "the sycophants".
- Riley believes another one of these sycophants, "Mother Girth", is responsible for the Turmoil activity in the area.
- Siraye told Dazki in private that Riley used to be known as "The Quicksilver Witch" and heavily implying that Riley is one of these "sycophants" and did bad stuff before, though Siraye thinks it's likely that Riley has changed: she's helping eliminate the Turmoil, after all.
- After Dazki confronted Riley, she confessed that she knew what the party had done with the three they encountered, and named the other: "Fogwalker".
- According to Riley, "Fogwalker" is "being such a dick right now", and he's "going to ruin all of the planets with his stupid dimensions".
- The Quicksilvers have also cleaned out that one route, but instead of INNOCUOUS BIRDs and ODD PURPLE RATs, they were dealing with worms.
- Riley claims to be "pretty good friends" with the Firelord in the area and thinks she can convince the Firelord to call off the guards at their next destination.
- They decided to go towards another area that the Quicksilvers had cleaned out to see if there have been any reappearances like before, but they were stopped by one of Jack's minions, who stabbed Kesmet and trapped his soul in a dagger. They'll need to convince Jack (or """convince""" him) in order to get Kesmet back, it seems.
- The scene was interrupted by a worm attack on the city.
Full Recap
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Theran: Yeah, where did Barf go? Siraye: Wait, your dog's name is "Barf"?! Dazki, looking to Marvin: Ask him... Marvin: It's the exact emotion and feeling that you get the moment you see him! He's so beautiful you just want to throw up! Dazki: But anyway, it could be that he's back with Soves and the oxen and everything. Dwardazik: I hope he's OK. You know, that little guy likes to get into a whole bunch of trouble. Marvin: Somehow, I see him always coming out on top. Theran: I have a spell that could help look for him if we need? Dwardazik: I don't think we need to waste magic on that right now. I think the most important thing to do is to figure out how we're going to resolve this issue with the estate? Siraye: Oh, that shouldn't be a problem. It should be resolved now, right, Riley? Riley: Yeah, whatever. Dwardazik: So, we're going to get compensated for our trouble, right? Dazki: We're not gonna charge them for this! Dwardazik: I wasn't gonna ask for coin! Just a, "we scratch your back, you scratch ours" kind of thing? Maybe you could share some useful information about the surrounding area? Siraye: Yeah, I've been around here quite a bit, actually. Theran: And, maybe, you could not let my parents know that I'm here? Or that I'm doing druid stuff? Siraye: Yeah, I have a lot of questions about the crew that you're rolling with... Dazki: Why don't we take a seat, and we can ask everybody's questions.They sit around the central blue tree and discuss what they've been up to.
- Siraye had stumbled across Bright Futures, Inc. and tried to "mitigate a situation" with Apple, not knowing that it's "totally legit". So she "may have been detained briefly", which is where she met Kris.
- The Quicksilvers have been all around, including to the south.
- Dazki mentioned the Mirage people, and Siraye instantly knew what he was talking about (though she called them "the sycophants").
Dazki: We've been calling them the disciples of the Mirage. One of the people we encountered, he had this journal detailing what he called the Mirage and how it related to Turmoil and stuff like that. Sounds like similar ideologies, probably working together. Theran: How many of these sycophants have you met? Siraye: Um... well, it's a little complicated. Dazki: How's that? Siraye: There's currently one in this area that we are all trying to defeat. Dazki: Do you know whom they might be, or have any clues / leads? Siraye: Riley called her "Mother Girth". Dwardazik: "Mother Girth"? Dazki: Really! And how did you come across this person, or come to this conclusion, Riley? Riley: What? It's just what she was called before she was stupid. Marvin: "before she was stupid"...? Dazki: (!) Care to elaborate? I haven't really heard anything about this person. Siraye: Um, can we talk privately, Dazki? Dazki: Sure. Sure. Siraye and Dazki go elsewhere for a private conversation. Dwardazik, to Apple: So, what kinds of things have you seen? You seen all kinds of creatures and stuff? Apple doesn't seem to like Dwardazik. Kris, to Apple: (He speaks in a normal voice.) I'm sure he's fine, he's not like the others. (He suddenly coughs, and resumes talking in a much more gruff voice.) *cough*, *cough*, I mean... he's fine! He's on our side! Dwardazik: Well, I don't know, I haven't taken any sides — Kris: She doesn't like dwarves, because they kidnapped her family, or something. Dwardazik: That's despicable. Kris: Well, her family were goblins! What's BFI going to do about it? Dwardazik: Oh. Um...
Siraye: I can already tell that you're starting stuff, and... just don't. Dazki: What do you mean, "just don't"? Siraye: It... *sigh*... Riley is... interesting. She's had a difficult life, OK? And that whole "rude demeanor" thing is kind-of a façade. Dazki: Yeah, I can tell. Siraye: And I can tell that she's kind-of getting to you. It's just so that people keep their distance, all right? Dazki: Look, she is one of the people on our list of suspects that we were given, from people in Ashport. I'm just trying to suss out if there's any legitimacy to those accusations. Siraye: Of course she's probably on your list! She was "The Quicksilver Witch"! Dazki: I... I've not heard that title before. What is "The Quicksilver Witch"? Siraye: Listen, man. There was some evil ice mistress terrorizing the land, and then there was a change of heart, all right? And, as the story goes, that witch was """destroyed""" by a powerful ice wizard, and that "ice wizard" is Riley. You following? Dazki: Yeah. Siraye: OK. She has a terrible curse, and she doesn't like it. And she doesn't like anybody, really. She's had a difficult life. Dazki: I understand, and I'm not trying to make it more challenging for her... I just... Siraye: No, you're "just" doing that thing that you do sometimes. Dazki: All right. So, I'm going to level with you. I wasn't going to let on with this just yet, but, you see the cloak I'm wearing? Siraye: Yeah, dude — it's really nice, actually! Dazki: Yeah! It's a Embroidered Mantle of Spell Resistance, — Siraye: Very nice. Dazki: — and, we got it after we had a combat with one of these people. One of these "sycophants", as you call them. And Riley recognized it as soon as we walked in. Her façade broke for a bit. And she was seen in Ashport dealing with this person. So, I'm a bit suspicious, I will admit that. But I want to try and ask questions and figure out what's going on before throwing out accusations. Siraye: I mean, I'm not entirely trusting of her either, but she's really interested in reducing the problem in this area. And, you know, I really think that maybe I could rub off on her, and then she won't be as bitter! Dazki: Look, if she's really aiming to help — Siraye: She HAS helped! And, she's one of the only people down here who can eliminate the Turmoil! Why would she be doing that if she were working with the sycophants? Dazki: There was a small group working within "the sycophants"... so, there's a creature that is Turmoil-contaminated. That is causing all of this. That they called "Mirage". And a small subsection of them were trying to shunt Mirage onto a different plane so that it couldn't come here. But the way they were doing that was by pulling a separate plane towards this one, and there's a significant chance of the two planes colliding and everything just going wrong. So, she might be part of that sub-group. (If she's involved at all, which I'm not saying she is.) Siraye: Well, I mean, she probably was involved, right? But I'm sure she's trying to help now. Dazki: I mean, maybe? Probably? But... Siraye: Just... — I mean, I think we should head back, because it's going to be probably suspicious, but — just, like, don't... don't do... your thing? Dazki, with a heavier-than-usual sigh: *siiiiiiiiiiigh*... I will do my best. And feel free to call me out — Siraye: And for chrissake, don't touch her! Dazki: No, of course not! Siraye: No, I mean it! Not even, like, a little bit! Dazki: Not unless somebody else literally pushes me into her, I will not touch her. Siraye: No, not even then! Dazki: ...why? Siraye: 'cause of the curse. Dazki: Is that, like, an actual thing? Siraye: It's not a metaphorical curse! Dazki: Look, I didn't know if you meant it was an actual curse, or if the "curse" was just part of the story! Siraye: ...ehhhhhhh... "curse", "Turmoil", it's all similar. Dazki: OK. Um, actually, after this, I need to show you something. I know a way to protect yourself from Turmoil so that you can actually come into contact and handle it. Siraye: ...I just have Riley do all that. Dazki: Yeah, but don't you want to be able to protect yourself? Just in case you accidentally come in contact? Siraye: ...you think I'm good enough to do that? Dazki: Yeah, of course I do! I wouldn't have offered to teach you if I didn't! It's a fairly simple meditation. Siraye: Oh, you "meditate" now, too? Dazki: I add it to the normal, you know, routine that we do to recharge. Just an extra five or ten minutes in the morning to keep myself from being infected with Turmoil. I think that's probably worth it. Siraye: I mean, sure. It seems to be everywhere here. Dazki: Yeah, so — Siraye: Although, Riley says it's, like, "a different version", so I don't know if it would work? But we can always try. Dazki: We can try. And, it worked in The Phantasmagoria. Siraye: ... ... ... ...the-what-now?They regroup with the rest of the party, and Theran catches Dazki up on the whole "BFI 'kidnapped' Apple's family because they were goblins, but left Apple because she wasn't a goblin" thing.
Riley: So, like, what's your guys's dæl? Dazki: Care to elaborate on the question? Riley: Well, yeah! Like, what's your dæl? Whaddayadoing all the way down hurr? Dazki: There's been a significantly reduced amount of communication between the House of Crystal in Ashport and the one here, as well as the new deposits of metal that have been discovered, and they thought a lot of this is Turmoil-related. So we were sent to help investigate. Theran: I don't think anyone in Ashport knew how bad it got here. Dazki: Yeah. Speaking of which, I will send a report later tonight. Dwardazik: Uh... please tell them that at least I did a good job... I can't believe they even sent me on this trip. (Deception 8) Riley: Ohmigod, I love how you just say anything, regardless of it's true or not! That shows a lot of confidence in your personal being. Dwardazik: ... ... ...yeah! I have to agree, y'know! A lot of times, we can fool ourselves into thinkin' something's true or not. Marvin: Yeah, just try being on the road with him. He "fools himself" into thinking he doesn't snore! Dwardazik: Hey, I do NOT snore! Marvin: See? See? What'd I tell you! Riley: Well, I think you guys are really enteresting, but if we're just gonna sit hurr and smalltalk all day, then, like, I have better things to dô. Dwardazik: It's OK, yeah, I mean, part of our objective is to just find a crazy person who might be a mastermind of all this Turmoil, but I don't think we're gonna find 'em here. Riley: Just tell me what your dæl is! So, you're down here looking into Turmoil, that's it? Everybody's down here looking at Turmoil. I can tell, y'special. Dazki: We've dealt with a few of these people you've called "the sycophants" in the past, so we have a bit of a track record. Riley: Oh, rilly? Dazki: Yeah. And I'm sure you would know. Or, at least, you would be able to recognize. Marvin: Yeah, these individuals don't tend to relinquish their belongings willingly. Especially their fancy magic-proof capes. Riley: Oh, yah? Dazki: And we've been to The Phantasmagoria and back, and all that. So we know how to deal with this stuff. Riley: And the doctor, you got him too, huh? Dazki: You're referring to Lammergeyer? Riley: Whatever. Dazki: And how did you know about him? Riley: I just know. A lot more than you think I know. Marvin: Not because of that, but because the area he was around is notorious for making people forget. Riley: Yah, well, I didn't go there! Dazki: All right, and, what of the other two, then? What do you know about them? (Insight 28) Riley has definitely caught Dazki's "interesting" math equation, and she's trying to decide whether or not she trusts him. Riley: "The other two"? Uh, stell kickin' it! So, are you gonna help or not? Dazki: OK. So, there were some problems with some of the plans, we believe, because I'm assuming you were working with Baxton on his idea, right? Riley: UGH. Don't even mention his name around me, all right? Dazki: But you — Riley: NO, you listen, all right? Dazki: All right. Riley: That guy is the fuckin' biggest chauvinist of them all! I'm glad he's dead! I'll be glad when the others are dead, but I'm the most glad that he's dead. Do you understand? Dazki: Yeah, I — Riley: No, you don't understand. You say you understand. Dazki: I empathize. Riley: Nuh-uh. Dazki: Then please, explain it. Riley: Apparently a good friend of yours, eh? Dazki: Well, I tend not to murder my friends. Riley: Good enough to wear his cloak and read his books, eh? Theran: He wasn't exactly around to stop us. Riley: Do you play with his women, too? Marvin: What the fuck... Dazki, emphatically: No. Riley: That's why you have one as a housekeeper, right? Dazki: She is our housekeeper, yes, of her own choice. Marvin: Paid, by the way. Riley: Because money makes a difference, doesn't it? Dwardazik: I think yer tryin' to insinuate something that ain't there. Riley: Oh, I'm "insinuating", huh? I'm the only one here "insinuating"? Dazki: No, you're not the only one here "insinuating" things, but I am going to flat-out tell you: I have not touched her, and I do not ever intend to. Period. End of story. Dwardazik looks over at Siraye; she seems more concerned about Riley's outbursts than about Dazki's fidelity right now. Dazki: Look, if you can help us stop the other two, we can still go through with finding another plane — preferably not the one that was being used, because we've discovered there may be some problems with doing that — to send Mirage Prime to, or find a way to kill it here. Riley: Kell it? Dazki: Yeah. Either keep it from coming here — Riley: Oh, it's already hurr. Fogwalker wanted to move it elsewhere. Dazki: And that's why the other plane is being pulled towards us, is that right? Riley: I dunno, I guess so? I mean, you're the expert, right? Dazki: I don't mean to imply that I'm "the expert". I have some knowledge, and I'm trying to get more so that we can keep this plane of existence safe. Dwardazik: Yeah, the last thing we need is all the ones we care about being consumed by some madness. Marvin: We're gonna go about our business, whether you like it or not. You can help if you want, you know more about these people. Riley: No, how 'bout, you help us? Howboutdat? Marvin: After we just eliminated all the mimics? Riley: Help us get rid of Mother Girth, and then maybe your little forest will be, like, fine. Howboutdat? Marvin: "little forest"? Dwardazik: What can you tell us about "Mother Girth"? Riley: So, she's like, this turrble monster now? And, she, like, disrupts the land with all her, like, children? And, like, you can't reason with, like, a monster, right? So, she's gotta gö. Dazki: All right. How did they become this monster? Riley: I mean, the same way all the others. They just make, like, a dumb dæl and get manipulated into, like, working for somebody, when they thought that they were just gonna get, like, a wish? It's really, like, a bad dæl, but she took it really badly, and now she has to gö. Theran: So, she's too far gone. Riley: Power corrupts, you know? Dazki: Yeah. Riley: Absolutely. Dazki: You know, I think I can get behind that entirely. Riley: I'm glad we agree. Because that means that you are super corrupt, but I'm willing to work with you. Dazki: Well, you seem to be even more powerful than me, so I bow to the depths of your corruption. Riley: Um, I'm the one savving the world? What are you doing? Just, like, murdering people, and hoping to get lucky that that was the person that needed to gö. Dwardazik: That is most certainly not what we are doing. Theran: And you're asking us to go murder somebody you think needs to go? Riley: Yah, 'cause I know. You don't know. Theran: My brother always liked to argue that nobody is beyond redemption. Riley: Your brother's super dead. Theran: They both are. Riley: Well, no, one brother's dead, and then one, like, the fake brother is "dead" too. Theran: He's not a fake. Riley: Well, he's not really dead either, so... Marvin: Oh, were you there when it happened? Riley: I just know things, alright? Dazki: What she's saying is that Mirage Prime, or whatever force that took care of Pendel, also took Grogery. Which we already knew. Theran: It's interesting that she'd know about such a thing, considering how far away it happened. Riley: I just feel things, y'know? Marvin: How do we know you're not working for their side, given that you know all this? Riley: How do you "know"? I guess you're just gonna have to believe. Marvin: Or we could walk out of here. Theran: It's possible you could just be very well-informed. Riley: Look, regardless of if you believe me or not, like, I'm going to go defeat the same enemy you want gone ennyway. So, just stay out of my way then. Marvin: Lots of words, and not much action to back it up! Riley: You know what? C'mere. C'mere, little man! Theran: Marvin, not this one. Dazki: Yep... we should cooperate. We don't need to fight amongst ourselves. If we all have the same goal, then we should aim to work together. Marvin: I don't disagree with that! Theran: She's not hitting on you. Riley: C'mere! If you wanna be a little bitch boy. Dazki: Guys! Please, stop, we don't need to hurl insults at each other, K? Riley: It's not, I'm not hurling insults. You know what's insulting? All you guys coming over here and telling me, like, how to do my job and questioning me, like you're some sort of magic police officer. Well, I live in this planet too, and like, this is kinda my house, and you should feel grateful that I'm even talking to you. Dwardazik: So, what are you trying to do? Riley: Uh, defeat Mother Girth? Dazki: We mean, after that? Dwardazik: I mean, I dunno what Dazki's saying, but what are you trying to do? Riley: Then I try to figure out how to go after the Fogwalker, because he's being such a dick right now. Dazki: What's Fogwalker doing that's making them such a dick? Riley: He, like, won't, like, talk back to me! Dazki: So, he won't communicate with you. Riley: He won't talk to me at all. And, like, I'm me! So... Dazki: Well, sometimes, people just have personalities that cause a clash. Maybe he's just ghosting you because of his own insecurities. Riley: No, I think he's just a dick. And he's going to ruin all of the planets with his stupid dimensions. Dazki: And what do you plan to do, then, about Mirage Prime and everything? Riley: Lessen, I was trecked, OK? And I'm gonna get what's mine. And that's all you need to know. Dazki: I understand that you were tricked, all of the — Riley: You can either ride the Riley train all the way up to the end, and then we'll fegger it out from thurr, or you can just, like, leave, or try to kell me now? Since you like to kell so much? Dazki: If you aren't trying to be a threat to existence as we know it, we have no reason to try and kill you. And yes, I've killed a few people, I will admit that. Dwardazik: Those people doing absolutely terrible things to their surroundings and everything else, yeah. Not good people, I just want to add that! Not people who would normally have a conversation! Unless you intend to stab us in the back, in which case, you're one of those people. Marvin: People who want nothing but the destruction of the world, and people around them. Riley: OK! Wull, what's the plan, then? Dazki: Do you know where this "Mother Girth" is? Riley: Ohmigod, if I knew, do you think I'd still be looking? Dazki: All right, well, how about you explain to us — since we don't know what's going on, exactly — where you've searched, and how you've gone about your search? And we can plan from there. Riley: How do I know you're not just gonna take the power for yourself? Theran: Well, we haven't done it the other three times. Riley: You kinda have, though. Dwardazik: We have? What power have we taken? Marvin: What, material objects? Dazki: If you want this "Mother Girth"'s things, then fine. We don't have any claim on them. All yours, if you want material possessions. Dwardazik: Well, I'm not gonna go risk my life and our lives to go kill something just so that Riley over here can get some... alchemical or magical component, no doubt. Unless I'm reading this situation wrong? Dazki: "Mother Girth" is related to the Turmoil that we're chasing as well, so we'd be going and finding her anyway. Theran: And we only keep what we have insofar as it helps us to stop the next bad person, right? Riley: Wull, it'll be a lot harder for him to make more sycophants if we take care of Mother Girth. Dazki: OK. So we definitely need to come up with a plan on where to search, and what kind of search patterns to go with next. Riley: All we've been able to find are, like, all the worm trails. Like, the nodes. They don't, like, lead ennywhurr. Dazki: They seem to have a fairly random pattern, eh? Riley: I don't like the tone that you're giving me right now. Dazki: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I was just trying to make an observation. Riley: No, we all know that you meant to be rude. So, like, just, like, check yourself, you know? Dazki: When I mean to be rude, Riley, trust me — you will know. Marvin: Yeah, he tends to be way more sarcastic than this. Dazki: Until then, just assume that I'm a bit of an abrasive asshole and that I don't mean anything personal by it. Riley: Great, just another pair of dicks. Only dicks for Riley. Dazki: Well, the good news is that this one isn't trying to screw you. Riley: I'm sure you have an angle somewhere, all right? Marvin: Do you know people born with two dicks? Theran: Wouldn't surprise me, with all the other weird things happening around here. Riley, suddenly changing her demeanor to be more friendly: Hey, little bard fella? Marvin, looking around the room facetiously: Who, me? Riley: Yeah, you. What kinda instruments do you like to play? Marvin: Oh, you know, this and that. Sometimes you don't even need an instrument, and your voice is the instrument. Riley: Why don't you, like, sing me something? Marvin: Well! That's quite the turn of the situation... do you have a request? Dazki: I thought we needed to get moving? I didn't think we had all this time to — Riley, back to her usual personality: Well, appurrently according to you guys, we have, like, so much fucking time! 'cause we're still sitting by this damn tree! So we might as well listen to some fucking music! Go ahead, little guy! Dazki, taking out his map: All right then. Where have you searched so far, what areas have you been to? Where is the next line of attack? Since you have so much more information on this than we do, help guide the plan!Marvin begins playing a song akin to this one, as Siraye points out the areas on their map. Interestingly, one of the areas she points to is that one route where our party had encountered INNOCUOUS BIRDs and ODD PURPLE RATs — though, the way Siraye describes it, it sounds like the Turmoil that the Quicksilvers dealt with over there was actually some worms. He explains to her what their party saw.
Siraye: Um, are you sure? Because we cleared out that area. Dazki: Yeah. Yeah, it was right there. There was that one elven shrine, with the sword stuck in it. Riley stands up and walks away. Dwardazik immediately follows after her. Siraye: Yeah, I mean that's the right spot. Weird! Dazki: ...does she do that often? Siraye: What do you mean, be a jerk? She really doesn't like you. Dazki: No, she just got up and walked away. Like, I get that she doesn't like me, I rub people the wrong way, it's fine. Siraye: I think you're swell, but, we definitely cleaned out that area. So it should be... clean... maybe she's feeling insecure? Dazki: Could it be that whoever was doing this stuff, they returned and it got reinfected? Siraye: But you said it yourself, the worms are random. Theran: Lightning can strike the same place twice. Dazki: I don't know that they're necessarily random, but I haven't seen... I'm looking at this, and I don't necessarily see a pattern. It could be that the locations aren't random, and we just haven't figured out what they have in common. So maybe if you could tell us more about some of the places you've been to, we can see if we can figure out any commonalities at all? Siraye: Sure, we could take the time. Theran: Also, if I could ask Riley to please not spread word around that I'm here, or doing druid stuff, in a way where my parents could find out, would she actually take it seriously? Or would it just make her want to spread the news more? Siraye: Honestly, whatever Riley knows, other people tend to find out pretty quickly. Theran: Ugh. Siraye: But I don't know if she knows. By the way, what IS with this whole situation? Why did you kidnap a prince? Theran: They didn't kidnap me, I got here. My — Siraye: And why is the prince a druid now?! Theran: OK, listen! Never was a cleric, never was good at any of that. If my family spread word to make it sound like I was, then that was them trying to save face for how terrible a study I am for any of that. Marvin: My friend... there's no way you're getting through to her, man. Theran: The point is that, do you know of someone named Grogery? Dazki: The goblin. The cleric of Pelor that was with us on the boat. Siraye: Yeah, yeah! The cute little fella! How is he? Theran: Yeah, he's... dead. Siraye: Ohmigosh, I'm so sorry. Theran: And I got a vision about him and teleported over to where Dazki and the rest of the group was. And now we're trying to get him back, because it turns out that the big Mirage Prime guy has his soul and isn't giving it up. So we're gonna go punch him in the face until he gives it up. Siraye: OK, yeah, right on. Um... Theran: And as for the druid stuff, you never really know how good you are at something until you actually have to do it under stress, right? Siraye: ...I guess so...? I'm still confused, though. Dazki: Grogery is his adopted brother. Siraye: No, I remember all that part... how are you here, though? And you can be a bear? Theran: I can do druid stuff! It was a hobby of mine, and apparently I'm a lot better at it than I thought. Siraye: Yeah, but, like, how are you... here? Dazki: That's something we've been trying to figure out too. Because he got teleported through the Invictus Una, into the Phantasmagoria, something that's not supposed to be able to happen. Siraye: Yeah, well, that's definitely impossible. Theran: Would it be impossible if I jumped to a plane and then jumped back? Siraye: Ehh... were you in a different plane? Theran: I'm pretty sure the thing that gave me the vision of Grogery dying was this plane that's getting dragged towards the prime material plane. Pretty sure it's trying to save itself, so it asked me if I wanted to go and try to help the situation. And I said yes, and it just picked me up and spat me back out in the Phantasmagoria. Siraye: Ummmmmmmmm... (She whispers to Dazki) are you sure that this is... because it could be just, like, a doppelganger or something? Theran: I told them who I am under a truth spell. Dazki: A doppelganger copied me for a while. Siraye: ...what? Dazki: Yeah, ask the dwarf about it when he gets back. I think he still harbors some negative feelings towards me about it. In spite of the fact that I was unconscious and locked in a cargo area of a boat the entire time. Like I've said, we've seen some weird shit. Theran: Either I'm a doppelganger or an illusion or a fake or something, or I'm the real deal and I very much do not want to get in trouble. Either way, you should not be telling my family I'm here. Dazki: Yeah, it's been a lot. And apparently the creature / entity / god of the plane that's being pulled here decided that us chucklefucks are the guys that it wants to protect it. Siraye: Like, a whole plane? Dazki: A plane, or a god, or some type of being that is intimately involved with the plane. Siraye: Oh, the same one that's careening towards this universe? Dazki + Theran: Yes. Dazki: And yes, I'm entirely aware of how crazy that sounds. Siraye: No, no, it's fine. Uh... Dazki: Thank you for trusting me on that. (Insight 16) She has no reason not to trust him. Dazki: But apparently according to Riley, "Fogwalker" is the one who's been doing that. So we're gonna need to fight him soon. Siraye: Yeah, apparently that's a guy who can go between dimensions, but that's not possible because Turmoil can't go between dimensions? Am I getting that right? Theran: It acts super weird in extradimensional spaces. Dazki: The thing is, do we think Mirage Prime has been to the Red Desert? Because I'm bordering on "yes, it's been there, but it hasn't been there for long". Theran: Let's think about this... Siraye: The way I've had it described to me, all right? There's a deep dark entity here tricking people into powerful curses. That entity would like to receive its true form. And somehow, this dimension is involved. Theran: It's entirely possible that the people who are dragging this plane over to the other plane have been tricked into thinking that "oh, we're just getting a house for it, then it'll leave us alone", but maybe this is part of the scheme the whole time. Dazki: Could be. And that would certainly make a lot of sense. Siraye: But, like, I don't know which one is right? Because you have an evil entity that's going to show up here. And then you have this guy that wants to move it somewhere else, and that kinda sounds good. But, apparently that's not good? Theran: The problem is that they've picked an entirely bad plane to do it. Dazki: Yeah, the thing is that they're pulling another plane here. And what happens when two fast-moving objects hit each other? Siraye: OK, but wouldn't that destroy the entity too? I don't understand. If it's a Turmoil entity, then it can't be in another plane. Theran: Maybe they're trying to destroy this plane, or cause enough of it to get blown up that he's more easily able to infect what remains? From what (admittedly limited) research I've been able to have on the subject, this isn't a full-fledged plane like the Plane of Fire. It's more like a very large pocket dimension that just goes around eating up all the other free-floating pocket dimensions to keep them from causing problems. So it's entirely possible that when it collides with the Prime Material Plane, it just starts eating it. Siraye: Well, I'm afraid I don't know much about this "other plane" situation. Dazki: You know as much as we do right now. But it sounds like Riley might know a little bit more, and "Fogwalker" might know some more as well. Siraye: I don't know this "Fogwalker" fellow, but he's probably evil if he's trying to destroy this plane. Dazki: So I think, from what we've been able to gather, he was probably tricked into thinking that getting this evil creature a house elsewhere is a good idea. Siraye: Can I ask you something? Dazki: Yeah, of course. Siraye: What do you think about the Riley situation? Is she still "The Quicksilver Witch"? I mean, you've already met three other of these. I haven't met a single other one! I've just got stories, man. Dazki: So, I'm gonna be honest: jury is out on that one. The first one we met, Baxton, like she said: he was a manipulative bastard and a horrible person. Siraye: Yeah, apparently he uses mind magic to charm ladies. Dazki: Anyone who he wants to work for him or can do anything for him. But yes, especially that. And, obviously, the horribly manipulative person had a great public image. Siraye: Oh, you don't have to worry about that with Riley. Dazki: All I'm saying is, people can have multiple faces. I'm not sure yet which is the real one for her. If she really wants to stop this... Siraye: Well, how bad were the other ones, though? Dazki: Turmoil experiments on living people. Live vivisections. Wanting to restart The Serpent War. That level of bad. Siraye: I don't think Riley's that bad... Dazki: Well, Baxton didn't want to do that, but he had all sorts of other things that were bad about him too. It's not necessarily all just horrible, world-ending stuff. Plus, all of them wanted to do good things. They started with noble intentions. Just the power and Turmoil, this Mirage Prime, twisted them. They moved to a point where it's like, "well, I've already sacrificed this much... if I stop now, all of these previous sacrifices were in vain, so I need to keep going". I think if Riley genuinely wants to do better — if she genuinely wants to be a better person, to save the world — Siraye: But how much bad stuff is it OK to do, if you agree to change? How much is too much? Dazki: That... I don't know that that can be quantified. I do not know. What's some of the stuff that she has done? Siraye: I don't know. I just have suspicions. She can get very angry and vengeful sometimes, still. And that whole "ice wizard" business... pretty sure she definitely wrecked that guy. I mean, the way she says it, it sounds all noble and shit, but I don't know. Dazki: I think that's how she sees it, but I don't think that what she's telling you is entirely objective. So I would remain cautious around her, but you know me, I always like to see the best in people too. Siraye: I mean, she says she was tricked because she wanted to help a bunch of people, but it turns out that she's just subservient to just another person instead. She was tricked, she says. Dazki: I believe that she was tricked. But nobody is ever going to have complete freedom, and it sounds like she definitely chose her master poorly. Siraye: But, I don't know that the motivations for choosing the master were good. Like, she says she wants to do it so nobody gets hurt the way that people hurt her, but, like, ...I feel like then she just went around and hurt those people the same way anyway. You know what I mean? Dazki: Yeah, I... yeah. Siraye: Just, I don't know if revenge is a good motivator. Dazki: I don't really think it is. Marvin: Usually isn't. Dazki: But I think, with time and help, she might be able to move beyond revenge. If she chooses to. The problem is knowing when someone is able or willing to make that choice and being able to recognize the people who can't. And I don't know her well enough to know that yet. Siraye: Well, I think she's really dangerous, but I think she's trying to help, you know? Like, I'm hoping that I can be a good influence. I mean, Kris has gotten way better since I met him. Dazki: Just — I know this is going to sound stupid coming from me, but — it's not your job to fix people. Don't put yourself in a position where your relationship with them — friendship or whatever — is based on you trying to make them better. Siraye: Now you sound like my mom. Dazki: Shit. Am I really that bad? Ugh. Well, maybe just disregard anything I said, because, wow. Siraye: "Honey, you don't have to try to fix him, get a real, normal husband!" Dazki chuckles. Dazki: Oh, man, I wouldn't be surprised if she actually said much, much worse about me. And to be fair, I probably deserve most of it. If not all. Siraye: Anyway, we should probably make a gameplan. Dazki: Where's the nearest one of these places that you guys have already traveled to? Maybe we should head back there to see if things have showed back up again. Siraye: Right. You said there were, like, obelisks and birds and stuff? Dazki: Yeah. Siraye: No worms? Dazki: Uh, I don't recall any worms. We did come across a pit with worms by Sonta'ar's Workshop on the way in from Ashport. Siraye: OK. Dazki: But we took care of that one. Siraye: I haven't been over there. Dazki: It's a nice place, when they don't have giant Turmoil worms or possessed genasi trying to kill you. Siraye: OK. Well, let's get what we can and, I guess we'll head down south? Dazki: Sounds good to me.Dwardazik has returned. They plan to get some grub, and then keep an eye out for Wendi Hammerfall and/or Maedia Widelove while they make their way to a place that the Quicksilvers have recently cleared of Turmoil to see if it's popped back up there too.
Riley: OK, but before we need to go, like, we need to make sure that, like, the guards and stuff aren't going to be, like, pestering the area. Dwardazik: Here, or the area where we travel? Dazki: The area where we're going to. Basically, keep the guards away, keep any civilians away so that it's just us around there. Nothing to impede the investigation — intentionally or accidentally. Riley: Guards never help anyone but themselves. And I'm definitely gonna get blemmed if any of 'em get hurt by Turmoil. Dazki, looking to Dwardazik: That's a sentiment we know quite well, isn't it... Dwardazik: ...yeah, heh... a little bit... Riley: So, I'm just gonna go talk to the Firelord and, um, I'll just let her know that not to put people there. We're pretty good friends. Dazki: ...really? Well, um, would you mind introducing us, then? Riley: Well, I mean, I'd like to continue to be good friends. Dazki: I'm sure Marvin would be able to make a good enough impression! Marvin:Dwardazik walks closer. Riley leans down, arms away from her. She doesn't touch the dwarf at all — instead, she just whispers something calmly into his ear. He doesn't react very nicely to it. Riley Dimension Doors away, with one last "whatever".Theran: So, wait, are we all appearing in front of the Firelord? Dwardazik: And which Firelord are we even talking about, eh? Riley: Are you cirrus right now? Like, you're being, like, super-cirrus? Like, your Firelord sent you down hurr, and you don't know ennybody in the government down hurr?! Theran: Well, we know Jose Mightly...? Riley: Oh yeah? Oh yeah? You know Jose Mightly? Name 3 things about him! Dazki: sigh, we were sent here to meet with Jose. We don't know him personally, but he was going to be our contact. Riley: Uh-huh. Dwardazik: Hey, I didn't say nothin'! I was just explaining how not-corrupt I was! Because I didn't have relations with all the politicians down here, so you can trust me! Riley: Yah, I can trust you, ...and your child. That's right, he's a lady! Dwardazik: It's a complicated situation! Dazki: Oh. Oh, yeah, I know what you're talking about. Riley: What is it with you dwarves and worms? Dwardazik: Hey, Gemineye is not a worm! Riley: He's kind-of a worm. Dwardazik: No...! Riley: I think you have worms. Dwardazik: And I think that your hair has frayed ends. Marvin hides behind the sofa. Riley: Come over hurr and say that.
