Game: Blades of Git'riban : Primal State

Ever quick to note alterations in a companion's demeanor, Azthri'Zhan'kel forces herself to ignore the sadistic punishment Derog is inflicting upon her nervous system and answer Ya'shenn.

"Then I shall speak no more of it. I do not wish to offend anyone-" Her charcoal grey eyes settle briefly on the knight. "-nor reignite painful memories."

She walks over to Ya'shenn, sitting cross-legged on the floor near her, her expression set in the carefully cultivated neutral expression she perfected during her youth to avoid unwanted questions. Not for the first time, Azthri'Zhan'kel debates removing her spectacles to permit the psion to scry her mind. Even if Ya'shenn decided to execute the Plague-healer on the spot, Azthri'Zhan'kel feels it would be an act of mercy to die free as a daughter of Gith than continue to live as the unwilling host to a githzerai spirit as warped as Derog. However, the spectacles remain in their place as she grins at her potential friend.

"Sister, you seem to be somewhat preoccupied. May I assist you? I had intended to ask this as soon as I saw you today: who precisely is in charge here and have they decided which portal we will use to return to Git'riban?"

(OOC: Oh Azthri you pooooor ignorant gith.)

"I can disarm traps, pick locks and stalk quarry when needed. I'm halfway decent as an escape artist and I can do a bit of forgery should the time arise for it. I've studied buildings long enough to ascertain weaknesses in planning or construction....that's just the short list. It's not very impressive, I admit. Sometimes I wish my mother were here so I could give her a piece of my mind and ask her why she couldn't have had the common sense to birth me in Git'riban or Tu'narath! At least I wouldn't feel like an absolute fool every time I so much as look at another githyanki. The Git'ribani are blessed and you are blessed to have learned something of the People.

Azthri'Zhan'kel's voice drops into am agonized whisper.

"When I was a child, the only giths I ever met were githzerai! I didn't even realize there were two races until I asked one if he knew what my name meant! You should have seen the look on his face! Told me I was better off dead than to know myself. Imagine, telling that to a little girl!"

{{Let me speak to the psion.}}

{{No! You'll just make things worse! I already nearly made a faux pas twice...no, three times today!}}

{{Which is prescisely why I insist you give me control.}}

{{You want to interrogate her, don't you?!}}

{{I didn't attain the rank of sarth by acts of kindness, Azthri. I swear her blood will never stain your hands}}

{{Touch any of them and I will take a flintlock and blow my brain out. Then it's the Hells for you and oblivion for me unless someone has a resurrection scroll. Either way, you won't have a hold over me anymore.}}

Ii'Jyka'Vaar simply steps into the room from around the door's corner and puts a hand into her magical bag, to produce one of the illithid skulls... she shows it to Azthri'zhan'kel, then after that shows the second head and then puts both back and closes the bag.

She doesn't say anything, but simply nods when Azthri'zhan'kel hints at "not wanting to insult or reignite painful memories".

Azthri'Zhan'kel bristles slightly at Sark'ja's words, though she lapses into the meditation techniques Derog taught her in her childhood to curb her temper. Perhaps she should have joined another warband upon the demise of her old one to keep herself in check. These outbursts of emotion simply would not do at all if she expected to earn ranks in githyanki society.

"I thank you for the warning and your willingess to extend trust towards me despite my circumstances of birth. My apologies for my inappropriate behaviour. It is far too easy to fall into lax habits when one has no guidance. I await rrakkma with an eager spirit."

Azthri'Zhan'kel places a calloused though gentle hand on Ha'kan'a's shoulder, though she says nothing.

To Ii'Jyka'Vaar she remarks; "Impressive! I hope to make my first ghaik skull into an inscense burner. I am ashamed to admit I am somewhat out of practice in my bladework, if you will observe...."

She pauses to display a variety of maneuvers with a fire poker, due to her gear still remaining in her section of one of the rooms.

".....though I hope to remedy this error and will accept disciplinary action when needed."

{{I couldn't have said it better myself, stor'shen'ska. Well spoken, for a githyanki.}}

"Again I prove my utter stupidity! " winces Azthri'Zhan'kel. "I assumed we were somewhat safer in the company of our own race. A foolish assumption, I know. If my kith'rak were alive, he would have me flogged for it."

She flushes noticeably, putting the fire-poker in its proper place before quietly sitting in a corner far from the others, clearly humiliated by her almost ridiculous blunders. This was precisely why she had begged Derog to act on her behalf during the Incursion. He knew exactly what to say, how to act, how to fight.

"I....I am sorry."

Azthri'Zhan'kel offers a low bow to Ya'shenn in the same manner she once bowed to her kith'rak, turns on her heel and exits the room, returning in five minutes with two well-crafted short swords and two daggers. All of the weapons are obviously very well-cared for and engraved with the insignia of the Carnelian band. She has also donned her warband's cape and the psychological effect of wearing it is apparent to the other giths. She seems more confident and moves with a decidedly different stride.

"It has been far too long since I wore this. It is......comforting."

Azthri'Zhan'kel goes as far as to kneel, holding one of her short swords extended.

"I, Azthri'Zhan'kel the Plague-healer, last of the warband of Carnelian, offer my blades, my loyalty and my life in the service of the People. May this one serve all gathered here with honour and distinction."

(OOC: None of that was influenced by Derog. It's all self-esteem. )

Ar'Dru looks at the city with the eye of a warrior as he passes through, noting potential strongpoints and escape routes. As he walks he longs to be far from this place, where the only creatures to sharpen his blade on are graith, hardly worthy of his time and whre his self appointed master treats him as a beast of burden.

While his current station offers him the comforted of the presence of his kin he can also not forget the charge he was given before leaving Sigil, the speaker of flame is coming and his presence may well be needed more than in this dirty little backwater of a prime.

Thus Ar'Dru appears surly and thoughtful as his group makes their way through the town as he considers his next move.

Though K'tch is obviously... preoccupied as he and his sho-dai proceed to fight and make up, the bard is nonetheless the recipient of an extremely cold and poisonous glare, care of the psion. Ya'shenn is normally courteous and much milder of disposition than many githyanki... at least on the surface. Gy-Nath or the others would only have seen an expression resembling this on her features during fights with some of the illithids in the course of their recent rrakkma, or when she and Ii'Jyka'Vaar had had a very strong... disagreement upon their initial meeting.

At least the glare ceases -- for now -- as Ya'shenn listens closely to Gy-Nath's words. "Your rank is well earned, even if you choose not to exercise it here." The psion is having a difficult time not calling him 'captain.' That habit of formality is difficult to break. "Know that as for myself, as dearly as I wish to return to Git'riban, I will not do so by the first means you suggest."

Ya'shenn sends to Gy-Nath alone: ~Gy-Nath of Iron. I imagine you have reasoned out much of what has transpired -- but if you ask, I will explain to you why the githyanki here have not yet been impressed, as we were. In any event, I will never willingly set foot aboard any of Pale's vessels again.

Ar'Dru feels an odd stir of kinship when he is reunited with his battle-kin. He ponders for a moment whether he is being effected by the weakness of sentimentality and swiftly banishes the thought. The bonds formed between members of a rrakkma must serve only to make the band stronger as a whole.

While he keeps his own council throughout the discussions he eyes the newcomer, Azthri'Zhan'kel curiously wondering what aid this child of the hive can offer the group. She doesn't look like much but she is one of the people so there must be strength within her.

Ar'Dru raises an eye ridge in amusement at Azthri's awkwardness.
"Hail cousin. I take it you have only recently been re-united with the people then."

"Most perceptive. I did not have the blessing to be born in Tu'narath or a proper varsh'isk. However, I am compensating for this......shameful fact. Perhaps one day I may yet see a true city of our people. For now, it's simply a fool's dream." Azthri'Zhan'kel shrugs in response to Ar'dru.

"I find it equally shameful that the duthka'gith are often treated as little better than graith. I really don't give a damn how they were created. You are true githyanki in my book, dragon-blooded or not."

It is not difficult for Gy-Nath to tell, in the process of their telepathic communication, that Ya'shenn continues to seethe internally. Though she does not directly answer his first question, both the psion's body language and the level of anger apparent in her mind-voice relax significantly. He can feel reasonably assured that perforation of the bard is no longer on the menu.

As for the next question... ~As far as Azthri'Zhan'kel is concerned, I do not object. She's not feeling very warm toward the bard at the moment, though.

Ya'shenn glares at the bard again... but somewhat less poisonously. Her stance becomes somewhat more relaxed. Perforation of the bard is still a pleasant thought, but...

"In truth, it is a pity that matters came to this. She who was once called Mir'as-S'a, Supreme Leader of Quartz, was something of a hero of my early years." Of course, you have changed a great deal since then.

[She means that Mist was essentially a childhood hero/role model, idolized, etc.]

"I would not have chosen this turn of events, had we not been forced to it. Master Pale does well to be feared, but he makes himself so widely hated* that others lose not only the respect they would otherwise hold for him, but also a good deal of their fear. If what transpired recently had not happened here, it would surely have happened elsewhere, as he attempted to impress still more githyanki. It might even be the case that such persons would have acted not merely out of wrath or spite, but out of genuine concern for their siblings."

[* Azure, I know that you're familiar with Art of War and the Senryaku. How about Machiavelli? ]

Despite being one who normally exercises much self-control, the psion pales -- though she had expected such an outcome. Defying Pale will have consequences... "Yes, I certainly wish to know what you discovered concerning Mist-of-the-Mind. Though I would hope it is not simply what she wishes us to hear."

[Sense Motive is a given for this conversation, though I assume K'tch has a high Bluff as well. Would you like a roll, Azure?]

Kirath looks and listens after his arrival to all the various conversations. He keeps up passive expression until hearing K'tch's revelations of his meeting with Mist-of-the-Mind. At the end of this exchange his mask of calm breaks and a look of contempt spreads across his face and he shoots the bard a glare of hate.

He quickly regains his composure when Ya'Shenn mentions the skiff and it's occupants and replies. "As far as who was aboard and their purpose I have my suspicions. However I was not able to confirm as Pale kept me from finding out much what I can say for sure is they are not of his forces whether that bodes well or ill for us only time will tell.

When she gets the chance, Ii'Jyka'Vaar will spend the evening with her new addition. She firstly trains her to see what militant capabilities the new addition has, and then start on any mental and other ones she might posses.

Something inside Ya'shenn's psyche twitches at this statement, though she strives mightily to conceal this reaction. Between her telepathic conversation with Gy-Nath and seething at the bard, her focus had not been on the conversation between the duthka'gith and the newcomer. If it had been...

[She did roll a natural 1 on that Bluff check...]

Ya'shenn is pleased that her sentiments toward the bard appear to enjoy some support.

While she does look toward the Cultist with interest... Ya'shenn smiles at the bard, in a rather humorless way. "You are trying to deflect my questions." Doubtless his trainers and my own shared certain things in common. "How are we to continue, bard? Perhaps you expect us to believe that Mist-of-the-Mind did not leave you with new instructions?" The psion's tone of voice is mild, though her words are not kind.

"I would like to *know* your mind, K'tch. Well... I wouldn't particularly like to, yet I feel I must. After Mist-of-the-Mind I doubt you would find it so difficult to deal with*. I would not, of course, attempt to force you to do so... but know that I would be disappointed if you were to refuse."

[* Not entirely true. She definitely wouldn't use charm, suggestion, dominate, psionically manipulate his emotions, or anything like that, but she is considering making any mind-probing at least a little unpleasant.]

[Oh, and Detect Psionics on K'tch, to see if he has any psionic effects on him, or any psionic items, I suppose.]

[Anything from the Detect Psionics? If so, she'd deal with that before doing any mind probing.]

Ya'shenn wonders whether the bard's much more formal speech and mannerisms come from the real K'tch of Pyrite himself, or whether he is simply being a good chameleon, conforming to the patterns of the person he's dealing with. I'll find out soon enough. She concentrates, going into a light trance, and begins to examine the bard's mind.

[Things Ya'shenn wants to know:

As much as she can about K'tch's real personality and motivations, not just his chameleon guises

Whether everything he's said in this conversation so far is actually true

The actual parameters of his most recent mission -- the one that just concluded with his reporting to Mist-of-the-Mind

The actual parameters of his new mission

Mist-of-the-Mind's level of interest/type of interest in each party member (including those who aren't in the room right now, like Du'minh and Na'rai)

Observations that K'tch has made (not just of party members) that stand out in his mind, whether in Sigil/Git'riban, the rrakkma, Pale's ship, etc.

Anything that K'tch knows/guesses about the mystery skiff

Anything else that K'tch knows/guesses about the Court of Vlaakith and the possible heir]

[Ya'shenn also checks whether Mist-of-the-Mind or any other psionic being has been influencing K'tch's mind or emotions.]

As she examines K'tch's mind, the psion seems first surprised... then somewhat stunned... then very thoughtful.

Either this is -- in the main -- actually true, or else it is an extremely well-crafted deception. Ya'shenn begins to mentally review what she knows of the undead psion, comparing that with the contents of the bard's mind and looking for contradictions. Mist-of-the-Mind herself, actually deceived by that transparent necromancer?

...Still, in a sufficiently weakened state...

Ya'shenn is already, to say the least, internally conflicted where such a powerful psion of her own Order is concerned. She also begins to feel the stirrings of something that makes the Double-Edged rather uncomfortable; a sense of duty...

If K'tch feared that Mist-of-the-Mind had sent him here so that Ya'shenn could... eliminate him, he is most likely happy to be disappointed. She seems considerably less unfriendly toward the bard. After some thought, she examines K'tch's mind further, though with somewhat less... intensity... than previously.

[PM for Azure]

Still looking thoughtful (which, for the bard, is probably better than Ya'shenn looking furious), the psion withdraws from K'tch's mind. At least for the moment, Ya'shenn does not yet volunteer whatever information she found in said mind to the others.

"While I cannot say that I am pleased, K'tch... I am at least somewhat appreciative that you allowed me to sift through your thoughts." (In addition to other emotions, the psion actually is a bit pleased, for some reason... though more pensive than anything else.)

Ya'shenn looks toward Kirath and the knight, but does not interject just yet.

"To the best of my knowledge... she did not. You are not psi-dominated, unless it was done so well that I am unable to detect such alterations to your mind." K'tch might wonder: Is there more? Of course there is! Mist-of-the-Mind would not have given him specific orders to have Ya'shenn read his mind without a reason! The psion looks tempted to say more, too, but...

"The captains of Starmantle take a defensive stance. While very willing to discourage the necromancer from conscripting them, they are understandably not eager to initiate a fight, unless Pale forces them to it. While they believe the githees and myself, they also wish to know more about the situation before fully committing themselves. I believe that one of the captains in particular... wants absolutely nothing to do with Pale, either to serve him or to fight him."

"You said earlier that you *know* that your blades are needed in Git'riban. Have you sensed...?" The mere thought of Gy-Nath, or indeed any githyanki, having premonitions is not one that makes the psion comfortable.

"Are you certain that is not the purpose of the leader of these ghaik? Consider. As a warrior will rely on his blades, or a mage on powerful spells, a psi-dominator will use third parties in the pursuit of Its goals. Consider just how many ghaik slain in the course of our rrakkma were renegades -- despicable aberrations by the standards of any self-respecting Elder Brain. A number of powerful slayers --" (though that is not really a term Ya'shenn would use to describe herself) "-- have been conveniently redirected out of Sigil for a considerable length of time, at a time when Git'riban can reasonably expect further attack. Sigil's graith enforcers are at least somewhat aware of our rrakkma, as well. Are these mere coincidences?

"What would the illithid have to gain as a race if they were able to so inflame Git'riban that the Lady of Pain felt it necessary to intervene in the situation? The destruction of the district, perhaps? The banning of some or all githyanki from the city? Why should a ghaik risk Its own person when it can get its enemies to destroy each other, instead? We speak of a race that devours its own offspring in the brain-pools... Tell me I am wrong, Gy-Nath. In this instance, I would greatly prefer to be mistaken."