Session Six: The Return of the Old Ones...?
[2024/08/13 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: let's toss some dice about
[2024/08/13 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm itching to see you get to the bits I'm going to thoroughly enjoy :)
[2024/08/13 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRREEEEEETTTTTTINGS, Adventurers! Other players get epic life or death fights... you get to watch a dance.
[2024/08/13 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: As I recall it, places were taken for the festivities. Hunks of meat were served and there's an expectant air as the dance time approaches. You get the feeling this might be important, somehow.
[2024/08/13 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, who's doing what?
[2024/08/13 16:08] Alicia Frakture: Eating and occasionally looking up at the sky lens
[2024/08/13 16:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: The bizarre anomaly in the sky doesn't appear to be doing anything. It's far away, too, and only just noticeable, although, of course, it's not something you've seen or heard about.
[2024/08/13 16:09] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Are we being asked to also dance?
[2024/08/13 16:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: No, it's a show to watch
[2024/08/13 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: The king leans over. "My people are going to show off the Dance of the Spirits! Very popular. My daughter is the lead dancer."
[2024/08/13 16:11] Alicia Frakture: Leesha turns her attention to the dancing. If that isn't crashing into us no point worrying at the moment
[2024/08/13 16:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: The old shaman finally speaks, in a language you can understand this time. "You seen dance shows? Want me explain?"
[2024/08/13 16:12] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "This one is new to me," she answers
[2024/08/13 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a growing hush, as everyone settles to watch, even though they have mostly seen it a few times
[2024/08/13 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: As the sun dips low, casting a fiery glow over the village, the air is alive with the rhythmic pounding of drums, as dancers, adorned in vibrant colors and intricate patterns, begin to sway and twirl. The lead dancer, a young woman with a necklace of sacred beads, takes center stage, her movements a mesmerizing blend of strength and fluidity. She depicts the god of the land, Anansi, spinning and leaping with a wild abandon that sends shivers down the spines of the onlookers. The rest of the tribe joins in, their movements weaving together in a beautiful tapestry of sound and motion that honors the gods and awakens the spirits of the land.
[2024/08/13 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder explains: "This is the Time Before, there are only gods. But gods want company."
[2024/08/13 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me awaits comments (if any, of course)
[2024/08/13 16:17] Alicia Frakture: Leesha watches in awe as she eats
[2024/08/13 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: The dancers form a semi-circle around the center of the village clearing. The drums begin to beat out a rhythmic pulse, and the lead dancer takes a step forward. With a dramatic gesture, they invoke the gods of creation, and the dancers erupt into a frenzied dance, their bodies weaving and twirling in a hypnotic pattern. The dance tells the story of the gods' creation of mankind, with each movement and pose depicting the formation of the earth, the first breath of life, and the gift of language. As the dance reaches its climax, the dancers freeze in a dramatic tableau, their faces upturned to the sky as if awaiting the divine touch that will bring humanity to life.
[2024/08/13 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder explains: "The gods create the world, and humans, and other races."
[2024/08/13 16:18] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben watches, not wanting to interrupt too much with questions when the elder is so helpfully explaining as it is.
[2024/08/13 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Now, the dancers move in a hypnotic rhythm. Their arms writhe like snakes, conjuring the malevolent deity, Mwamba, who is said to bring forth abominations from the darkness. As the drums beat out a primal cadence, the dancers' movements become more frenzied, their eyes flashing with an otherworldly energy. The lead dancer, her face twisted into a snarl of evil, raises her hands to the heavens, and from the dancers contort themselves, like twisted, serpentine beings with eyes that burn like hot coals. The dance reaches its climax as the monsters rise from the earth, their presence seeming to draw the very life force from the air, leaving only darkness and despair in their wake.
[2024/08/13 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder explains: "Evil gods, they desired evil, they made abominations, monstrous spirits."
[2024/08/13 16:21] Alicia Frakture: Leesha is caught up in the moment and reaches for her wrench but gets it together and leaves the weapon laying at her side, not touching it.
[2024/08/13 16:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: You may want that wrench close, indeed. The skilled dancers begin to perform the "Devourer's Feast", a ritual dance that reenacts the mythical creature, Mwana, feasting on the flesh of humans. The dancers begin by mimicking the eerie howls of Mwana, their movements slow and menacing. As the drums beat faster, they transition into a frenzied dance, their bodies weaving in and out of a circle, representing the chaos and terror that Mwana unleashes upon the land. The dancers' movements become more frenzied, their arms flailing like tentacles, as they depict the creature's gruesome feast. The audience is transported to a world of primal fear, where humanity is powerless against the ravages of the monstrous Mwana.
[2024/08/13 16:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder explains: "Evil spirits feasted on and enslaved the good races, feeding on the positive power of good to give their foul negative life energy and power."
[2024/08/13 16:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: The lead dancer brandishes a wooden staff adorned with feathers and shells, while the others wave their arms and torsos in rhythmic motion. The dance tells the story of a hero who has come to vanquish the evil creatures that have been feasting on humanity. The dancers' movements depict the hero's battle against the beasts, their feet stomping out the rhythm of the drums as they leap and spin across the clearing. The air is filled with the scent of burning incense and the cries of the villagers, who join in the dance, their voices raised in a primal chant of hope and redemption.
[2024/08/13 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder explains: "Heros fought against the foul spirits, and good creatures rose up against the evil monsters."
[2024/08/13 16:28] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben inquires softly, "How do you tell the heros apart?"
[2024/08/13 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me spots this rabbit hole... she has her own definition of "hero" which... -might- prove relevant later... or not.
[2024/08/13 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: The tribe's dancers burst forth into the clearing with a frenetic energy, their movements a testament to the ancient stories of their ancestors. The leader raises her arms to the heavens as the drums thunder out the tale of the hero's triumph over the monstrous forces that had ravaged their land. With every step, the dancers conjure the image of the hero's mighty battle-axe, slicing through the darkness to vanquish the demonic beasts that feasted on humanity's fear. The crowd's chanting grows louder as the dancers' limbs weave a hypnotic pattern, transporting the audience to the moment of victory, when the saviour's bravery and strength saved their people from the brink of extinction.
[2024/08/13 16:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elder finishes: "And the forces of evil are defeated and we are free of the evil spirits."
[2024/08/13 16:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's applause, and the dancers bow, the king nodding in approval.
[2024/08/13 16:32] Alicia Frakture: /me applauds as well. Enraptured by the whole thing
[2024/08/13 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana (quietly) "Interesting. A primitive retelling of many old legends. Odd that everyone seems to say much the same thing."
[2024/08/13 16:35] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "Why shouldn't they, if the deep memories are shared/"
[2024/08/13 16:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: (This is a new thought; no one has really considered that before)
[2024/08/13 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: so who's saying what or doing what now? It's clear this is the end of the night, as people go off in twos, threes, fours...
[2024/08/13 16:38] Alicia Frakture: I'm gonna lay back for a minute and just look at the sky, ignoring the lens thing
[2024/08/13 16:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana glances skywards, and frowns, and heads back to the hut.
[2024/08/13 16:39] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben is going to scribble down a record of this dance and the associated legend. "So we see new spirits. Does that imply new heroes?"
[2024/08/13 16:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Something to find out....!
[2024/08/13 16:40] Alicia Frakture: After a minute of looking up Leesha heads to the hut as well.
[2024/08/13 16:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Leesha can see many pinpoints of light up above. Clearly these are just lights, or holes in the dome above. She's heard that scholars claim these are huge fireballs of incandescent gas very, very, very far away, but that sounds silly.
[2024/08/13 16:44] Alicia Frakture: Meh everything with the scholars involves gas
[2024/08/13 16:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin is at the hut too, and lays out two mats, it being sleep time, and, in the morning, meditation time.
[2024/08/13 16:44] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben previously claimed the lights were the glint of gemstones
[2024/08/13 16:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben: you still got three unstudied books.
[2024/08/13 16:45] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Oh yeah, will pick one of those to start studying.
[2024/08/13 16:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "Remind me to talk to that shaman tomorrow... and Porphorin too...."
[2024/08/13 16:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's two large volumes, and the leather-bound volume titled: Cthäat Aquadingen
[2024/08/13 16:46] Alicia Frakture: Since Leesha hasnt put away her meditation mat she will keep it out for the morning.
[2024/08/13 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: be a lot of meditating in the AM... there's Joan and Dahlia to consider
[2024/08/13 16:49] Alicia Frakture: /me Leesha gets nice and comfortable and ready for sleep.
[2024/08/13 16:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben: which book you plan looking at first?
[2024/08/13 16:49] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Let's go with the leatherbound one
[2024/08/13 16:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Cthäat Aquadingen? Are you sure? (Best neutral DM voice)
[2024/08/13 16:51] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Hmmmmm, remind me what I'd found from the initial skim?
[2024/08/13 16:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: It seems to be an old list of rituals and events.
[2024/08/13 16:54] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: will focus more on it's events rather than it's rituals (I don't recall the large volumes had much that was relevant to us but I don't seem to have it in my notes)
[2024/08/13 16:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: You either read or you don't; it's not something you can half-read (The large volumes seem to be lists of apparantly helpful activities pertaining to tricks and speed)
[2024/08/13 16:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: And you get to roll d%, followed by d6
[2024/08/13 16:59] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Ah right, the Training Manuals we were.... had not yet decided who was best suited to actually read them
[2024/08/13 16:59] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: D% plus a D6 you say?
[2024/08/13 16:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yep
[2024/08/13 17:01] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: 32
[2024/08/13 17:01] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: and 5
[2024/08/13 17:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: You read the book. It's largely in the common langauge but there's some in another language and a lot that is implied rather than explicit. It mentions some crazy stuff like Deep Ones, Zoth-Ommog and the Star Spawn of Cthulhu, and various events coming in the future... which you know took place in the past (you found it in a thousand year old tomb, after all...) The book talks at some length about Bugg-Shash and "drowners" and... it's one unsettling read.
[2024/08/13 17:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: Luckily, you manage to study it without going completely insane... as far as anyone can tell...
[2024/08/13 17:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: You gain the hidden proficiency, Forbidden Knowledge, and gain 3% ability to identify... certain things.
[2024/08/13 17:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: The book will have no effect on you now, but, it will still affect anyone else who takes a read.
[2024/08/13 17:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Important note and reminder: Your maximum possible sanity is 99 - Forbidden Knowledge. Some is helpful, too much is harmful)
[2024/08/13 17:09] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Current Forbidden Knowledge is 3% ?
[2024/08/13 17:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yep
[2024/08/13 17:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Find other books of forbidden knowledge to gain more
[2024/08/13 17:10] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: And that affects *max* sanity, not current sanity?
[2024/08/13 17:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: or... don't, if you value your sanity!
[2024/08/13 17:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yep.
[2024/08/13 17:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: You started with, what, 55, 60? Now you're at 53
[2024/08/13 17:10] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Presumably studying forbidden events and rituals and phenomena would also develop fobidden original research
[2024/08/13 17:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Quite possibly, just remember... the more "forbidden" stuff you know, the less sanity you can have.
[2024/08/13 17:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: You're on the first steps of the path to madness!
[2024/08/13 17:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: (As a rough guide, NOT advice! about 10-20% forbidden knowledge is not going to hugely impact your character, while still giving a chance to identify things.)
[2024/08/13 17:13] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben getting slightly more mad, then
[2024/08/13 17:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmhmm
[2024/08/13 17:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: bit by bit
[2024/08/13 17:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: slightly more angry
[2024/08/13 17:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, I better turn in, once again I've overrun, but I have too much fun here :)
[2024/08/13 17:14] Alicia Frakture: Considering we are in a village Leesha is not worried about setting gurad but sits up before she falls asleep and runs out of the hut to find who cooked the food
[2024/08/13 17:14] Alicia Frakture: *Gotta get meat for the tiger*
[2024/08/13 17:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: you know tigers don't eat -cooked- food...
[2024/08/13 17:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: alright, I better duck out... and next time... well, there's more fun ;)
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