Session 121.1: Authorreyty Figure
The Imperial Museum of Alternan History tells the story of the Empress Relis Laurent and the founding of the Alternan Empire, weaving a story out of exhibits both tangible and told. Our brave adventurers were prepared to explore, but they were not prepared to have a guide on this journey. A voice without form welcomed them to the Museum, introduced themselves as Fayth, and took them on a journey through history itself.
The first room said much of the land before Alterna itself, painting a picture of a world in flux, full of danger and death around every turn, spilling out into every path. Quite literally, in one case, as Yves meandered into a painting that burst its borders, briefly losing himself in the verdant wilderness of pre-Alterna Ducorde before Isa dragged him back with the others.
The second room spoke at length about the Empress herself, showcasing her coronation gown, among other relics. A young woman who scaled an impossible mountain and returned the founder of the greatest Empire to ever span Ducorde, the Empress was far and away the most important person in all of Alterna’s history, and her legacy shone through the priceless artifacts on display. One such artifact, a silver box, captivated the adventurers, with Bast and Orrey paying particular attention to it before moving along.
Despite clear instructions to the contrary, Orrey touched the silver box, and then found himself transported to another space, floating in an endless expanse of green and black lines, with Fayth’s flat scolding loud in his ear.
We join our brave adventurer as he attempts to secure the box through different means…
**
Orrey drifts an in a realm devoid of gravity and spatial reasoning. All around him, Fayth's voice rings. "You have trespassed upon sacred ground and touched forbidden artifacts. You will be dealt with in time. Did you act alone, or are your fellow guests part of your larceny?"
"I acted alone in touching the item," Orrey says after thinking some rather defensive thoughts about the accusations.
"Since entering the Museum, you have engaged it not as a scholastic exercise but a target to be pilfered. These items belong in a museum, yet you would see them removed for your own fell purpose. Why? What would you stand to gain? Anything you do not say will be brought before the Tribunal."
"Tribunal? What tribunal? Alterna fell long ago, and there is no government left here." Orrey says sadly. "There's no one to visit this museum, no one to see these items here. They must be brought back to the nations that have been birthed by the catastrophe of the...of what happened to end the Empire. I stand to gain nothing but knowledge of the past. We do seek to find the Heart of Sabik, and to discover whatever we can of Alterna to bring back to the world outside of the ruined city."
The green lines dim. There is silence.
"You will not continue this course of action," Fayth says plainly upon the return of the light.
"Sorry, which course of action? Learning about Alterna?" Orrey says this with no hint of sarcasm, he's just a little confused with everything going on.
"All who come here are welcome and encouraged to learn more of this great nation, be they citizens of Alterna or travelers from afar. They are not permitted to touch the exhibits, nor are they encouraged to inquire about security protocols. What do you stand to gain?"
Fayth has repeated a question you have already answered.
"Personally? Only knowledge." Orrey says. "For the people of the world? Access to such knowledge. I do not seek these items for personal gain."
"All who wish to learn are welcome to learn within these halls. All are free to come," says Fayth.
"Being free to come and being able to come are two different things." Orrey says. "Travel to Alterna is impossible for almost everyone living today. None can come here besides the rare few with the means to do so. We're talking dozens at most."
"Explain."
"When I explain, you go away." Orrey says.
Fayth does not reply, but the lights do not change. Fayth waits.
"There's a storm around the city...a storm that blows away any ships that try to land," Orrey tries...
A silence of processing. "What is the nature of this storm?" Fayth then asks.
Orrey squinches up his face in thought. "Something like a magical chaos, I suppose would describe it best."
"Can you see my sketchbook? I can draw it." Orrey adds helpfully.
"You arrived. How did you arrive?"
"We have an engine that calms the storm for us, somewhat. Enough to get through, temporarily," Orrey says. "I only know of two of these engines in existence at the current time."
"Has the matter of this storm been brought to Brasge University or the Castle?" Fayth asks.
Orrey hesitates. "No it has not, to my knowledge. Nor will it be...but we're getting close to you going away again, I fear."
"There is no reason this storm cannot be dealt with by Alterna. It should be brought to their attention as quickly as possible. Your compliance will be noted to the Tribunal."
"I'm sure that Alterna could do that, very true." Orrey says, sighing.
"This Tribunal, could you tell me more about it? I'm not familiar with the details."
"The Tribunal oversees any and all legal proceedings that happen with Imperial security. This Museum falls under that heading."
"Who presides over the Tribunal?" Orrey asks. "And will I have legal representation? A solicitor of some sort?"
"The Empress is the ruling figure for the Tribunal. The Grand Theologian acts in her stead when required." Fayth's voice carries no emotion. "Your actions have been recorded and your statements are on record. The Tribunal decides."
"When will the Tribunal begin?"
"Your case has been filed for the Curator to review. Within twenty-four hours you will be transported to a secure holding facility. The Tribunal will hear your case at their earliest opportunity."
"Hypothetically, if neither the Empress nor the Grand Theologian were available, what would happen?" Orrey asks.
"I do not have responses to hypothetical impossibilities."
Orrey is terrified of being locked in an extradimensional prison cell for all eternity and his brain starts jumping at potential solutions. "Fayth, I did not harm any of the artifacts or any people. I am an Oracle of the Twelve and I have certain rights." Orrey says.
There is a seven-second hum. "Oracles of the Twelve are to be aided once their geas is confirmed with the Grand Theologian. If the geas cannot be confirmed, they are treated as a Scholar." Two seconds. "How did a foreigner come to be an Oracle of the Twelve?"
"Let's confirm that geas, and then I'll be happy to enlighten you." Orrey says officiously. "Please contact the Grand Theologian."
"A message has been sent to the Grand Theologian," Fayth replies three seconds later.
"Could you let the Curator know that we await confirmation, and send me back to my colleagues to continue the museum tour. I will swear an appropriate oath that I will follow your orders and not touch any artifacts, and we can be on our way." Orrey says, rolling with it.
"Consulting." Another pause.
"Release your Job Crystal to the authority of this facility. It will be returned to you when the Grand Theologian confirms your geas."
Orrey nods. "OK..." He pulls out his Job Crystal.
Once Orrey releases his Job Crystal, it locks in place in the air.
Then he is looking at Bast's back, en route to the fourth room of the Imperial Museum of Alternan History.
Orrey breathes a sigh of relief.
fin
The first room said much of the land before Alterna itself, painting a picture of a world in flux, full of danger and death around every turn, spilling out into every path. Quite literally, in one case, as Yves meandered into a painting that burst its borders, briefly losing himself in the verdant wilderness of pre-Alterna Ducorde before Isa dragged him back with the others.
The second room spoke at length about the Empress herself, showcasing her coronation gown, among other relics. A young woman who scaled an impossible mountain and returned the founder of the greatest Empire to ever span Ducorde, the Empress was far and away the most important person in all of Alterna’s history, and her legacy shone through the priceless artifacts on display. One such artifact, a silver box, captivated the adventurers, with Bast and Orrey paying particular attention to it before moving along.
Despite clear instructions to the contrary, Orrey touched the silver box, and then found himself transported to another space, floating in an endless expanse of green and black lines, with Fayth’s flat scolding loud in his ear.
We join our brave adventurer as he attempts to secure the box through different means…
**
Orrey drifts an in a realm devoid of gravity and spatial reasoning. All around him, Fayth's voice rings. "You have trespassed upon sacred ground and touched forbidden artifacts. You will be dealt with in time. Did you act alone, or are your fellow guests part of your larceny?"
"I acted alone in touching the item," Orrey says after thinking some rather defensive thoughts about the accusations.
"Since entering the Museum, you have engaged it not as a scholastic exercise but a target to be pilfered. These items belong in a museum, yet you would see them removed for your own fell purpose. Why? What would you stand to gain? Anything you do not say will be brought before the Tribunal."
"Tribunal? What tribunal? Alterna fell long ago, and there is no government left here." Orrey says sadly. "There's no one to visit this museum, no one to see these items here. They must be brought back to the nations that have been birthed by the catastrophe of the...of what happened to end the Empire. I stand to gain nothing but knowledge of the past. We do seek to find the Heart of Sabik, and to discover whatever we can of Alterna to bring back to the world outside of the ruined city."
The green lines dim. There is silence.
"You will not continue this course of action," Fayth says plainly upon the return of the light.
"Sorry, which course of action? Learning about Alterna?" Orrey says this with no hint of sarcasm, he's just a little confused with everything going on.
"All who come here are welcome and encouraged to learn more of this great nation, be they citizens of Alterna or travelers from afar. They are not permitted to touch the exhibits, nor are they encouraged to inquire about security protocols. What do you stand to gain?"
Fayth has repeated a question you have already answered.
"Personally? Only knowledge." Orrey says. "For the people of the world? Access to such knowledge. I do not seek these items for personal gain."
"All who wish to learn are welcome to learn within these halls. All are free to come," says Fayth.
"Being free to come and being able to come are two different things." Orrey says. "Travel to Alterna is impossible for almost everyone living today. None can come here besides the rare few with the means to do so. We're talking dozens at most."
"Explain."
"When I explain, you go away." Orrey says.
Fayth does not reply, but the lights do not change. Fayth waits.
"There's a storm around the city...a storm that blows away any ships that try to land," Orrey tries...
A silence of processing. "What is the nature of this storm?" Fayth then asks.
Orrey squinches up his face in thought. "Something like a magical chaos, I suppose would describe it best."
"Can you see my sketchbook? I can draw it." Orrey adds helpfully.
"You arrived. How did you arrive?"
"We have an engine that calms the storm for us, somewhat. Enough to get through, temporarily," Orrey says. "I only know of two of these engines in existence at the current time."
"Has the matter of this storm been brought to Brasge University or the Castle?" Fayth asks.
Orrey hesitates. "No it has not, to my knowledge. Nor will it be...but we're getting close to you going away again, I fear."
"There is no reason this storm cannot be dealt with by Alterna. It should be brought to their attention as quickly as possible. Your compliance will be noted to the Tribunal."
"I'm sure that Alterna could do that, very true." Orrey says, sighing.
"This Tribunal, could you tell me more about it? I'm not familiar with the details."
"The Tribunal oversees any and all legal proceedings that happen with Imperial security. This Museum falls under that heading."
"Who presides over the Tribunal?" Orrey asks. "And will I have legal representation? A solicitor of some sort?"
"The Empress is the ruling figure for the Tribunal. The Grand Theologian acts in her stead when required." Fayth's voice carries no emotion. "Your actions have been recorded and your statements are on record. The Tribunal decides."
"When will the Tribunal begin?"
"Your case has been filed for the Curator to review. Within twenty-four hours you will be transported to a secure holding facility. The Tribunal will hear your case at their earliest opportunity."
"Hypothetically, if neither the Empress nor the Grand Theologian were available, what would happen?" Orrey asks.
"I do not have responses to hypothetical impossibilities."
Orrey is terrified of being locked in an extradimensional prison cell for all eternity and his brain starts jumping at potential solutions. "Fayth, I did not harm any of the artifacts or any people. I am an Oracle of the Twelve and I have certain rights." Orrey says.
There is a seven-second hum. "Oracles of the Twelve are to be aided once their geas is confirmed with the Grand Theologian. If the geas cannot be confirmed, they are treated as a Scholar." Two seconds. "How did a foreigner come to be an Oracle of the Twelve?"
"Let's confirm that geas, and then I'll be happy to enlighten you." Orrey says officiously. "Please contact the Grand Theologian."
"A message has been sent to the Grand Theologian," Fayth replies three seconds later.
"Could you let the Curator know that we await confirmation, and send me back to my colleagues to continue the museum tour. I will swear an appropriate oath that I will follow your orders and not touch any artifacts, and we can be on our way." Orrey says, rolling with it.
"Consulting." Another pause.
"Release your Job Crystal to the authority of this facility. It will be returned to you when the Grand Theologian confirms your geas."
Orrey nods. "OK..." He pulls out his Job Crystal.
Once Orrey releases his Job Crystal, it locks in place in the air.
Then he is looking at Bast's back, en route to the fourth room of the Imperial Museum of Alternan History.
Orrey breathes a sigh of relief.
fin
Comments