Answers in Amantli (Part 1)
Log Info
- Title: Answers in Amantli (Part 1)
- Emitter/GM: Cuemoni
- Place: Village of Amantli, Am'shere
Am'shere, afternoon.
The jungles of Am'shere are hot and humid year-round. The fact that it's currently Pryntar doesn't matter much. It might be less warm compared to the summer months, but it's a refreshing sort of welcome from Alexandria.
At least it is for the sole softskin of the group for... about fifteen minutes. Cuemoni seems almost concerned as she walks with Zeke, looking over at Telamon. "Is the Shaman Telamon well?" she asks. "This one knows the jungles of Am'shere are humid. Clothes stick to flesh."
As though a consolation prize, she offers, "It is not long to Amantli." That is the primary--and only--village that belongs to the Xiuhcoatl.
Be prepared. Yes, that's mostly a wizard motto, but Telamon has enough wisdom to recognize it. Which is why he's actually dressed in light fitting cotton garments as opposed to what might be necessary for people in Alexandria right now. He's actually dressed down a bit, the tunic and trousers a dun, almost sandy color. His sole concessions to fashion are his magical boots and the broad brimmed hat on his head. His haversack slung on his shoulder, he offers Cuemoni a smile. "I'm all right. If it gets too bad, I'll take steps." He lifts a waterskin and takes a drink from it. "Might need a bath at some point though."
"However, that brings up another concern. Do we want to just walk in? We may want to go incognito, at least initially. See what the sentiments in the village are, the lay of the land as it were. I do have some magic for that -- I can cover all three of us."
There's something relaxing about Am'shere - for Zeke - that he feels far more in the back-portions of his mind than the forward ones. It'd been where he'd spent the first century of his life after all, and that meant something. Even now, even though he sometimes felt as though he'd left Am'shere behind forever - at least as a home - he feels a comfort here that he doesn't feel elsewhere. He offers a nod to Cuemoni, and then tilts his head at Telamon. "Why would we hide our true ssselvesss Ssshaman Telamon?"
Cuemoni makes a thoughtful noise at the suggestion of disguise. "This one can see some value in disguise," she says. "If one of this one's tribe-kin sees this one, they may be reluctant to discuss what happened with the Elder and Yaonemitl's prophecy. This one is also uncertain if Yaonemitl is in the village currently. He may have stayed in Alexandria to monitor this one's whereabouts." That gets an unhappy rumble following on the heels of her words.
"This one, however, recognizes Cihuaa is a follower of the Dragonfather, who prizes truth." The turquoise eyes lock onto Zeke lovingly, and Cuemoni offers her claw out to Zeke for him to take. "And there is merit in this one and Cihuaa appearing as true selves. Perhaps tribe-kin may be more willing to speak if they see a servant of the Dragonfather."
This is a wrinkle Telamon hadn't contemplated. "Zeke, I won't ask you to do anything that violates your conscience or vows," he states firmly. "Let's split the difference. I'll go disguised. I seriously doubt your tribe would be willing to talk in front of a half-sil, Cuemoni. Even if it's me." His eyes twinkle and he smiles broadly.
"Also, if Yaonemitl is here, it'll keep me in position to assist if necessary. If we need to I can pull us out again. We can go visit Mictlan. I like Mictlan."
Zeke considers the issue and then nods to Telamon. "Thiss one can undersstand that there are timesss when there isss a need for ssssecrecy. Thisss may even be one of them." He simply doesn't know. He does know, that though he would not offer dishonesty himself, that the gods are not so narrow-minded as to lack understanding of necessity. "Thisss one hasss a feeling... that thisss one ssshould be what thisss one isss."
This is something that he can not explain so easily. It is a feeling. An instinct. A touch of divine guidance perhaps, but he can not know with certainty. "However if Cuemoni or your-ssself think that there isss wisssdom in hiding sssome thingsss, thisss one will act ass you ssssuggessst."
He takes Cuemoni's hand and looks at Telamon. "Though, if you do not ussse a different name, then there will be many who are... confused." This makes him duck his head somewhat. "Thisss one'sss lack of ssssuch isss quesstioned at times."
Cuemoni gives Zeke a happy look for taking her hand--which has never stopped happening, and should the gods be kind, never will. "This one will go as this one's true self. But this one will give Shaman Telamon another name."
She looks thoughtful for a moment. A thinking-rumble leaves her. And then eventually...
"Citlaltic. Star-like. It is befitting of Shaman Telamon's magic. This one was impressed with Shaman Telamon's stardust in the teleport magic." She gives a happy rumble at her name-assignment.
Telamon hmmms, and nods. "Very well." He grins at Cuemoni. "Funny you mention that. Miquitlani once called me 'Almaestelar'. But yes, Citlaltic sounds good." He pauses to center himself, then incants, "Galam, uktin saglul, iri emegar."
A shimmer of aforementioned stardust spins out of his palms, whirling around Telamon like a blizzard of glittering motes. Sweeping over him, wrapping him in an illusion. As the stardust fades, the half-sil no longer stands next to Zeke and Cuemoni. Instead, Telamon is now a taller, but slender black-scaled makari. Frills are folded back against his neck, and his scales have the glossy shine of youth and vitality, painted in silver in the Mictlan style to denote a shaman and slung about with the accoutrements of a shaman's trade. Even his voice has a different timbre to it, as he growls, "A friend once told me that there will come a time when good men must wear masks. So I do, when I must."
GAME: Telamon casts Veil. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26
Zeke tilts his head at the new version of Telamon and then blinks and his nostril's flair slightly. It's not polite to 'sniff' someone, but he merely takes in a larger breath because it's hard not to see a sith-makar he does not know and not try to gain some knowing of them. Even if that sith-makar is in truth - Telamon. He blinks again. "You sssmell real." His tone is laced with surprise and then he nods. "Thisss one offersss wordsss of caution to Citlaltic. We of the People are very aware of ssuch thingsss. If you do not take care, then that ssscent will betray you."
He offers a respectful nod to the shaman who is his friend and then turns toward the village. "If you would lead usss Cuemoni? Thisss isss your tribe. Thisss one wissshess to ssee the place from which you have come."
Cuemoni similarly takes a little sniff of her own and also gives a surprised noise. She nods in agreement with Zeke's words. "This one will do this one's best in smoothing over any upsets that may occur," she says, but then looks at Zeke with a happy light in her eyes. "This one is proud to show the tribe this one's Cihuaa."
It's a short journey to Amantli. There are a few people who are outside of the structures that are common within Am'shere that serve as homes and places of craft and trade. They are all sith-makar of various scales, but none of Cuemoni's turquoise color. There are also no sith-makar with any of the unique crimson markings that decorate Cuemoni's scales, at least not to the extent that she decorates herself. Some wear one or two symbols painted. They regard Cuemoni for a moment with wide eyes and then turn away from the group, as though afraid to acknowledge her.
All except for one, who stands post with a spear, green-scaled and muscular. This individual spots the group and strides forward. "Cuemoni!" The greeting is a friendly one. "This one feared that this one would never see you again."
"All is well, Poyomatl," Cuemoni replies, affection in her voice. They move to grasp each other by the arms momentarily. "Is Yaonemitl here?"
"No. Yaonemitl has gone hunting," Poyomatl replies. She looks to Zeke and not-Telamon. "This one must introduce this one's companions. Poyomatl, meet this one's Cihuaa, Shaman Zeke, and this one's friend, Shaman Citlaltic. Shaman Zeke and Shaman Citlaltic, please meet Warrior Poyomatl. He is this one's nest-mate."
Poyomatl thumps his chest in greeting. "This one is happy to be of aid," he says.
"Warrior Poyomatl," 'Citlaltic' responds, his frills flicking slightly. "This one greets you. It is a pleasure to come to Amantli. This one is something of a traveler, following the stars, and always enjoys going to new places." The black-scaled makari tilts his head at the others that stare at Cuemoni and then turn away, his tail flicking back and forth.
GAME: Telamon rolls sense motive: (10)+29: 39
Zeke offers a very polite nod to Poyomatl, his tail swaying softly behind him in obvious pleasure to meet one of Cuemoni's nest-mates and also... To be so formally introduced to such as her Cihuaa. "Thisss one isss pleasssed to meet you Poyomatl. Thisss one is glad to meet thossse who thisss onesss Cihuaa come from." His green eyes are bright with warmth. "Thisss one would like to ssshare wordss with you sssome time, but thisss one doess not wisssh to take you from your dutiesss."
Poyomatl shakes his head. "This one is guarding the village," he replies to Zeke. "This one's duty is to then remain in the village. So long as this one is here, then this one is not straying from this one's duties. And this one is pleased to speak to Cuemoni's Cihuaa. This one never thought that Cuemoni would find one!"
"Poyo," Cuemoni huffs, but it's an affectionate sort of thing. "This one would like to know... The caverns of Xiuhcoatl. Are they blocked off from the tribe?"
"Yes," Poyomatl replies. "Yaonemitl does not wish for any one of the tribe to go in. He has ordered such. Not even other Shamans are permitted, regardless if they are Xiuhcoatl or travelers, such as Shaman Citlaltic."
That gets an unhappy rumble from Cuemoni. "This one feared as such," she says, looking to Zeke and 'Citlaltic'.
Citlaltic's frills flick again, as Telamon's eyes narrow behind the illusion. "That is most unusual, Warrior Poyomatl. It would be one thing to bar one such as myself -- after all, this one is not of the village or tribe. But to bar even the shamans of the tribe is... questionable." The tail flicks back and forth again. "Hssss... this one is a guest here though, and shall defer to Shaman Cuemoni." There's a scent radiating off him, fueled by the illusion, that the three other makari can detect: mischievousness and willfulness.
It is not surprising to Zeke. Not in the least. In fact, he finds it very much in keeping with the traits that Yaonemitl has show thus far. This is a growing abomination, and he can not let it stand for any longer than it must. He takes a small breath and nods, though the motion is more for him than it is for anyone else. "Thisss one would like to ssspeak to the other Ssshamanss here. For thisss one hass curiossity about thesse cavernsss. It isss... Not right, that a ssservant be barred from the plassce they ssserve."
Poyomatl nods to both Zeke and Citlaltic's comments. "Cuemoni is one of only a few shamans in the Xiuhcoatl," he says. "The other Shamans, as a result of Elder Yaonemitl's edict, have stayed away from Amantli," he says. "They have opted to commune in nature with the spirits and to try and reach Xiuhcoatl from there. This one believes the closest one is Shaman Miahuatl. She has taken up residence in a cave not far from here."
Cuemoni's eyes nictate. "The cave where we played?" she asks Poyomatl.
Poyomatl nods. "The one and the same," he responds. "This one cannot lead you there, but this one will wish you well if you go."
Cuemoni looks between Zeke and Citlaltic again. "This one can lead us," she says. "It is not far."
There's something in Citlaltic's body language that belies his words. "This one thinks a little talk might be good. Before we make any decisions." Personally, he wants to take a good look at Xiuhcoatl, maybe have a talk with him. Then again, shamans are strange anyways. "Lead us, friend Cuemoni. I believe there is work to be done here, under sun and moon."
In spite of 'Citlaltic's' eagerness, Zeke actually hesitates. Looking around the village for a moment and considering the tactics available to him. Eventually however, he nods. They need a place to begin, and all of them are outsiders in their way. Even Cuemoni though she had been born here and lived here. They need more information. He gives her claw a gentle squeeze. "Yesss. We can begin there."
Cuemoni leads the group back out of the village with a little parting given to Poyomatl's part. She leads them through the jungle. "This one would play with Poyomatl in a cave that had a pond inside," she says. "When we were younger, this one would practice magic there. This one has memories of making the water move."
She sounds fond as they walk, and once they get to the cave... There is a sith-makar who stands within its entrance, decorated in red symbols painted on her golden scales. "Aya!" she announces in a deep and booming voice. "Shaman Cuemoni! You have returned."
"This one has," Cuemoni replies. She sounds a little more hesitant, and she bows reverently before the other Shaman. "This one introduces Shaman Miahuatl to her companions. Shaman Miahuatl, meet this one's Cihuaa, Shaman Zeke, and this one's friend, Shaman Citlaltic."
The golden-scaled sith-makar looks at Zeke and Citlaltic... And then her azure eyes glow with the murmur of a word. She makes a noise of displeasure. "Shaman Cuemoni! You bring an softskin from the outside who disguises himself. Explain yourself."
'Citlaltic' follows Cuemoni, listening to her tale. "It's important to have good memories," he rasps. "They can help carry you through darker times. And of course, forging new memories is always fun." Once they're away from the village proper, he glances back over his shoulder at his tail. "How do you manage with a tail? I swear it feels like I'm trying to manage an extra leg here."
Soon enough, though, they are at the cave, but when Shaman Miahuatl finds him out, Telamon discards his somewhat close-mouthed mien. Instead, he chuckles. "Well now, it's nice to know I'm dealing with a professional here. Fair enough, Shaman Miahuatl; yes, I have come in disguise. 'Citlaltic' is an alias. But I am called Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon, and I am a shaman as well. Shaman Zeke and Shaman Cuemoni are my friends, and they have asked me to assist them with solving your tribe's woes."
Zeke is glad in the moment at which they arrive and Shaman Miahuatl does her spell, that he chose to be upfront about who he is. His instincts it seems, were quite correct. The blue-scale nods his head politely to the other sith-makar. "Sssa. Pleassse forgive Telamon, that hisss appearance isss deceiving. He meansss only to put othersss at eassse, knowing that sssome of the People are not asss comfortable with sssoft-ssskinsss. Thisss one givess thisss onesss word, asss a sssservant of the Dragon-father, that Telamon isss worthy of trussst."
"It is true what Cihuaa and the Shaman say," Cuemoni says in an almost pleading tone. "This one--"
Miahuatl shakes her head. Her azure eyes settle onto Zeke, as though she is judging him... And then her countenance spreads into a toothy grin. "This one did not think that little Cuemoni would pick a servant of the Dragonfather as Cihuaa," she says. And then she gives her own reverent bow. "If the servant of the Dragonfather says that the softskin is doing it for benevolent intentions, then this one shall believe him. Greetings, Shaman Zeke, and greetings Shaman... Telamon." She pauses, as though trying to parse Telamon's name a moment to make sure that she is saying it right.
Cuemoni seems relieved. "Shaman Miahuatl is like..." She studies Telamon a moment. "What the softskins call a big sister? To this one. She studied with this one under the past Elder's tutelage."
"She is missed, and her name is committed to the memory of Xiuhcoatl's waters," Miahuatl says. She looks at Zeke in particular now. "This one has tried to convince Elder Yaonemitl to permit this one's access to the caverns of Xiuhcoatl. But he has barred access. This one... Has tried to commune with Xiuhcoatl to grant access, but this one has failed. This one is not so powerful a servant of the Earth Dragon to petition Her nor a servitor directly in absence. It is possible that a servant of the Dragonfather may find... alternative accommodations."
"The Dreaming Dragon wears many faces as well." Telamon's illusory frills flick absently. "But yes. We have several options. I find these strictures... peculiar. As if your elder seeks to ensure that only the words he approves of that come from Xiuhcoatl are the ones heard by your tribe."
Even hidden in the illusion, there's no mistaking the flash of anger that races through Telamon. "While I dislike being pushy, I believe we need an audience with the esteemed spirit himself. In person. A healer cannot treat a patient without a proper diagnosis."
Zeke meets the gaze of the one that Cuemoni has called 'big sister', and he nods to Telamon's words. "It isss asss Telamon sssaysss. Yaonemitl hass offered wordsss of falssse prophecy in thisss onesss pressscensse. Sssso hisss actionsss are disturbing in that light. Thisss one doess not trusst that he wasss chosssen ass he sssayss he wasss, or that he isss doing what isss bessst for any but hisss own ssself."
Zeke takes a breath. "Thisss one can offer thossse who wisssh them anssswerss from the Dragonfather. Thisss one hass brought the thingsss necessssary for sssuch, and thisss one isss blesssed by Him to be a channel for Hisss will. If you or othersss wisssh to ssshare wordsss, thisss one will offer them freely."
Miahuatl looks between Telamon and Zeke, and she looks thoughtful. "There is merit in Shaman Telamon's words. Xiuhcoatl would be the ideal entity to grant access to his caverns. But if he cannot be reached... Perhaps it is a matter of a servant of the Dragonfather assisting. The great dragons are useful in locating a spirit that is hidden. And a servant of the Dreaming Dragon as well?" She looks at Telamon for a moment, as though trying to determine if he's a divine servant like Zeke.
"A ritual," Cuemoni suggests. "Cihuaa may call on Dragonfather to shed light, as he has offered, and Shaman Telamon may help in preparations? And then you and this one can cast the ritual."
"If it is agreeable to Shaman Zeke and Shaman Telamon," Miahuatl replies. "This one understands your words, Shaman Zeke. This one had belief that Yaonemitl had falsified his claim--but prophecy is beyond this one. This is why this one wishes to help in granting access to the caves."
She looks at Cuemoni. "Perhaps it is the turquoise-scaled little one who Yaonemitl is scared of most. It seems to me that he seeks to take her as a mate to control her."
"There are ways to unearth hidden secrets. The Dreamtime holds knowledge that has been forgotten -- if you know how to ask." Telamon considers for a moment. "Zeke, we'll start with your commune. If we can't shake something loose, Ni'essa gifted me with a ritual to explore the realm of dreams for lost lore."
He looks at Miahuatl with a calm stare. "I care nothing for what Yaonemitl seeks. I bore witness to Zeke and Cuemoni pledging themselves to each other. I will not brook any attempt to tear them apart." His voice is not reproaching Miahuatl, but it's clear he's just done with any shenanigans.
Zeke's own green eyes narrow somewhat. "It isss asss Ssshaman Telamon ssssaysss. Cuemoni isss her own, and none ssshall be allowed to... control her." He speaks his words with certainty, and then he nods. "Pleasssse, ssshow ussss to where we might sshare wordss Ssshaman. Thisss one doesss not wissh delay to allow for further confusssion or harm."