Turn 40 - After Last NightSejena the Temptress, having bandaged her wounds, is at a loss on what to do. She supposes she'll slink into shadows like one of the rats of the city. After all, it is quite a dangerous world she lives in. Despite her failure, she is not going to give up. This is merely a setback. As Sejena gets up and slowly proceeds out of the building, she curses the name of Naphezim of Vipuka, making a solemn promise on the way.
She will come back. Mark her words. And when she does, the people will know the wrath of Aulana the Terrible.
* * * * *
Gronok decides that it is best to skedaddle while the iron is still hot, so to speak.
"Well, if they were walking in oil I'm fairly sure Mo'kar wasn't favoring them. Anyhow, we might as well go the other way now that any guards down that way have died in a completely accidental fire.""Stumpy was never known for his smarts, I have to admit. Let us go, then."Together they head down another passage, walking through the maze of burned-out tunnels and taking in the scent of horrible devastation. Eventually they reach the passageway that leads out into the main hall.
It appears Gronok was incorrect in that last assumption of his. The guards are still very much alive. And now there's a whole lot more of them.
"Look, my fellows! Some of the infected yet live! Draw your bows! For Kezilam!"Ah.
* * * * *
Phiali gathers up a very nice vegetarian lunch from the available food, then sets to making some useful things for himself.
[Craftsmanship roll: 5]
He takes out his trusty bone needle and thread, a wise traveler's constant companion. Taking some particularly large leaves from one of the nearby trees, he fashions a rather interesting-looking pack. Though it is bright green, it looks quite waterproof. And spacious, too.
However, to make a bow he'll have to hunt down an animal or two. And get some good wood as well. Both of those are things he doesn't have the tools for.
* * * * *
Elizas sighs at the woman's use-impaired state.
"These are dire consequences. Thank you, madam.""Um. Yes. Good day, sir."She runs away quickly. Elizas supposes it's time to get to work. He starts to search the house, looking in every corner, on every table and under every bed, but he cannot find so much as a single clue anywhere. Maybe he went on an errand and the women just scattered on their own business? If that's the case, they should come back eventually.
* * * * *
Shashari, faced with logistical difficulties, considers the bounty of nature. It probably exists, she supposes. She's never really partaken of it, to tell the truth, but she's heard of it from other people. Nature provides and all that. So there has to be some kind of bridgemaking material lying around.
Oh, she's got it!
"...well, can we haul a log?""Depends on the log, really.""I will take that as a yes."They go out and look for downed logs to steal from Mother Nature's greedy, unforgiving talons. Interestingly enough, they don't have to look very far - there seems to be a whole lot of toppled trees right nearby, and what's more, rather than old, dry husks that could break any second, these seem like rather young, flexible and durable trees. In fact, they seem to have been toppled by an animal digging out the earth around its roots rather than, say, the wind. Interesting and useful! The best kind of loot.
Shashari has the Siren and the ram drag the firm young trees over to the spot next to the bridge while she supervises. In no time at all, useful lumber is acquired and ready for use.
* * * * *
In the fields of East Tezelom, a middle-aged man slumbers. Well, perhaps slumbering isn't the best word for it. More like half-comatose from an overwhelming vision of the divine, a glimpse of a new awakening in the fundamental fabric of the universe. However, as all states of confusion and trauma, this too must pass. And right now is the perfect time for it.
Lars the Shepherd opens his eyes, taking in the sight of the midday sun. Where is he? What happened? Wait, it's coming back to him.
The flames. The light. God. Everything. It's all so clear to him now. There's the way the world is and there's the way the world should be. These are radically different, as one might suppose. And to minimize the difference between these, there is only one thing that will do. Fire. If there's one thing those Kezilamites have gotten right, it's all the fire. The flames will cleanse all, cull the unworthy and elevate the faithful. This is how it must be.
So, where was he? Oh, right. Shepherding the flock. The literal one, in this case. Hopefully nothing bad has happened to it. As Lars steps over the hill, he sees that the flock is still in place. Oh, good. It would be most unfortunate if anything had...
Wait a minute. Where has the ram gone?
And now, for the first time, the New God changes! Its vengefulness has increased twofold, it now likes seeing heretics burned and hates disobedience! It no longer has a problem with slavery and servitude, plus it's not as much of a showoff by nature anymore. In addition, it is a bit slower to anger. Oh, and as a special bonus - God's Wrath now always summons fire, but only has a base cost of 3 MP.
Oh, and good luck, Toaster. You'll need it.
Gronok: 0 MP
Phiali: 0 MP
Elizas: 3 MP
Shashari: 5 MP
Lars: 5 MP