It was safer to leave Mt. Rephath by the back, out of sight of the Vigilant Eye since they tend to be 'shoot first, identify later' when it comes to violations of sacred spaces, which would include the 'no fly zone' of the mountain itself. The same tactic needs to be employed on the approach to the Temple of Inala - not because the no-fly edict is enforced by anyway, but because there might be people on the Pilgrim's Road on the city-facing side. Those hoping to find a Yodhinala in residence still stick to the 'public' areas of the Temple at least, since gaining the wrath of a Yodhinala would be counter to their reason for coming to the Temple in the first place.

The Nest
Deep beneath the Temple of Inala is a secret bunker, where some of the Yodhinalas' treasure and special items were stored. Currently it's been reclaimed by the once High Priestess, Mave, and her companions.

Alptraum catches Tulani, who is looking over maps spread across the floor in an attempt to line them all up and form a bigger map of the area surrounding Babel. The Sphynx sits at the center, where the city would be, and looks up when Alptraum appears. "Any new leads?" she asks. There are smells coming from other areas of the Nest that hint at Mave working on potions.

"Of course. I found out there is an ancient place where zombies go to have an orgy. You see, Zombies like to trade body parts with each other so they get to have new experiences," Alptraum claims as his nose scrunches up from the smell. "And where the phrase 'getting a piece of ass' holds a whole new meaning."

Tulani bursts out laughing. "Hah, been awhile since you told a real joke!" she says, and then gestures to the maps with a sweep of her arm. "Now, how much of that was serious?"

"Well, I did find a place. I have no idea if zombies hold orgies, but you have to admit that is a funny image," Alptraum remarks as he sits down to rest from the walk. "There is an old city to the east, called Kadath. Later renamed to the Fallen City during some of the early wars. There us a supposed 'Lake of Blood' beneath it. The imagery of such a place would be a fitting place for those of evil intent to hole up." He has to lean a bit to the side to dig out the makeshift map he copied down and holds it out.

Tulani reaches to grab the map, and then looks at her own to see where it would fit best. "Are these big cracks?" she asks, pointing the Blasted Plains feature on the copied map.

"Yes. The city was claimed to be made of onyx and jade, and populated by the First," Alptraum explains, "And toppled long ago. Probably has something to do with the area now being called the Blasted Plains."

"So.. sounds like an unknown First Ones site then," Tulani says. "Or at least one the Temple hasn't gotten 'round to poking yet. Not exactly next door either.. looks like air access only.."

"Sounds all sorts of dangerous," Alptraum notes. "Not a place to explore alone; particularly if it has ways to make people undead."

"Well, I just have to confirm it's there and check for activity from the air," the Sphynx notes. "I have a trick that hides me in dragon form now that I can use, thanks to having a drink with an Air Mage a while back."

"Guy named Gusty, a Jupani," Tulani says. "My ice mist can cause a cloud to condense at the right altitude.. so I think I can make a cloud or cause one to start raining."

"Hah, so I was close," Alptraum notes with a smirk. "How far of a flight is it?"

"Looks like at least a hundred miles," the Sphynx notes, checking the map scales. "Err.. or fifty. Maps aren't that great. Anyway, an hour or two by dragonwing, maybe three if I'm being extra stealthy."

"Ugh, that will be a trek by bat wing then," Alptraum grumbles, "So ... not worth visiting unless we're pretty sure it is the site. It's the best lead I have, and the most likely, though."

"What's the basis for it?" Tulani asks. "History or myth? Mysterious alien places are usually the source for all kinds of horrors in stories."

"History AND myth. The 'coming' of Bael and Vael is supposedly what caused the city to fall. And somewhere nearby is where a supposed violation of family occurred with such insanity that Blakat was born ... then the anger that the killing spawned the Goddess of Vengeance. The blood that flowed fell into the fissures and created a lake of blood tainted with the madness of Blakat and the anger of Rephath," Alptraum summarizes.

"That sounds suitably messed up for the Seven Sisters," Tulani says, nodding. "We'll never know which creation myth is closest to the truth, probably - but that's the first time I've heard of any reference to this Kadath place. It must be an old myth."

"In the oldest scroll the Yodhrephath had, so likely very old indeed," Alptraum has to agree. "And from the sounds of the place, it isn't a location people would willingly want to visit."

"Not out in that sort of terrain, far from the city," Tulani points out, gesturing to the map. "No fresh water because of the broken ground, no cover since it's barren.. it's like a Forbidden Zone without the.. Forbidden bit. Foreboding. It's a Foreboding Zone."

"And if it makes Zombies, and is so far ... does that make it a Farbodying Zone?" Alptraum counters.

"I should not have started with the puns," Tulani sighs. "Anything else that I should look for that could tie in to Diphath? Black and green rocks or structures, lake of blood.. which I probably won't see from the air easily. Any markings, particular buildings, stuff like that?"

"Well, look for fallen black or green spires. Or, things that look like old military roads or routes; Diphath supposedly lead her armor from there," Alptraum notes. "That is really all I know about it."

"Oh, right. Right!" Alptraum says and smacks the side of his head. He has to fish out the jar from the old temple from beneath the shadow and sets it next to Tulani. "Those marks are used by Diphath cultists. It might be visible. In fact ... compare those to the fissure marks on your map."

Tulani makes a sketch of the marks. "It looks like a stylized fingerprint, doesn't it?" she asks of the swirly pattern. "Just all broken up into arcs and.. gashes?"

Alptraum shrugs. "Claw marks? I don't really know, and neither did the mages," Alptraum notes. "That's some sort of organ blood drinking jar thing, by the way."

"Ewww," the Sphynx goes. "Do vampires even do that? I've heard of storing organs in burial jars but.. that sounds like fermenting them or something."

"Do the undead need it then, do you suppose?" Tulani asks. "Zombies can eat flesh.. but do undead vampires need more than just blood?"

Alptraum again has to shrug. "No idea. Not something I ever cared to look into," he says. "And that is a gross thought."

"Well.. undead are gross, so.. undead vampires shouldn't just be able to feed of the same stuff as normal vampires, probably. It's got to be more cannibalistic," Tulani suggests with a shudder. "Anyway.. I'll keep an eye out for symbols and pottery. I can leave in the morning."

"I wouldn't land in the city," Alptraum advises. "There could still be undead there and cold is likely not much of a deterrent to them."

"I hadn't planned on landing at all if I could help it," Tulani notes. "I'm less concerned about the undead than I am of live soldiers with weird Tower of Babel weapons."

"They probably have poor eyesight," Tulani notes with a grin. "Regular zombies wear out, unlike black-heart undead. But I haven't heard of any zombies that can still fly."

"So.. you think they have jars full of black hearts, or something similar?" Tulani asks. "What about those shoggy things from the Mists? They're alien."

"Those cannot survive outside of the mists, really," Alptraum notes. "Not well and not for long."

"First Ones vampires then," Tulani sighs. "Still.. should be fine from the air." She then counts something on her fingers. "It's the third day since.. ah, so, your admirer should show up tonight. He's usually every three days.. or nights.. when he's trying to find you."

"Honestly, I don't know what to expect. Anything is possible," Alptraum notes and shrugs, "Your guess is as good as mine." The comment about an admirer then causes him to blink. "What admirer?"

"Mage Cyprian," Tulani says. "He's probably looking for the Shrine Maiden, since I doubt he's hoping to get lucky like the other folks that show up.."

"You never know. Mages are an odd lot. I think magic addles the brain," Alptraum claims.

"What about all the non-magical addled brains then?" Tulani asks with a toothy grin.

"Hey, I have a Vartan's constitution," Tulani boasts, wagging a finger. "And.. I'm a sailor. Sailors don't count."

"So, I guess you're telling me I should try to meet up with the mage so that he quits bothering you? I suppose I could; I have something to give to him, comes from a Yodhrephath," Alptraum notes.

"What is it?" the feline asks curiously, craning her neck as if that would help her see through the shadow.

"Oh no, it looks like a gem. You'll want it," Alptraum says and pokes her in the nose. "IT's some sort of ritual breaker."

"Oh, magic thingy?" Tulani asks, rubbing her nose. "You never bring me shiny things.." she complains.

Alptraum produces the item in question and twirls it between his fingers. "Yes, magic thingy," he agrees. "And I rarely find anything shiny, but I can bring you a slug from Gorphat's temple."

"I can't wear a slug," Tulani says, but her eyes light up at the multi-gem. "Ooooo," she says with sensual purr. "Maybe there will be something shiny at the ruins worth getting.."

Alptraum puts it away. "No landing without someone with you," he reminds. "Too dangerous. And yes, you could wear a slug."

"Slugs aren't attractive," Tulani pouts. "Well.. I'll be all shiny tomorrow anyway."

"Only sometimes," the Sphynx claims. "When I'm in my little dragon form. It's not quite the same though."

"Dragons can complain about anything," Tulani claims, and sticks her tongue out at Alptraum.

Alptraum tugs a few times, probes the inside of Tulani's mouth with shadow for a second, then withdraws and lets go. He smiles sweetly.

"I'll make you pay for that somehow," Tulani declares, after getting her mouth back in order.

"I've heard that before," Alptraum comments. "And why have't you kept the Mage company when he visits?"

"I've talked to him.. in dragon form of course," Tulani notes. "I can't be seen to definitely call this my base of operations. I'm too distinctive."

"Ah yes, you have to be all mysterious," Alptraum says while wiggling his fingers to emphasize 'mysterious'.

"We can't all hide in shadows," Tulani points out. "And I've only got the two types of bodies."

"Plus.. it lets me be naked without being self-conscious," Tulani admits with a grin. "I think it flusters him."

"Aha. You like to fluster him. That figures," Alptraum notes, smirking. "He is someone that would be entertaining to fluster. He is too composed."

"I can't fluster you, and certainly not Mave," Tulani complains. "Dragons fluster everyone."

"Mave has had too many men between her legs and worse to fluster," Alptraum points out. "And I am just odd."

"So, are you gonna go fluster the Mage, or do you need me to help you?" Tulani asks with an arched eyebrow.

"I can handle dealing with the mage alone," Alptraum remarks dryly. "I just need to give him the gem thing and see what he wanted."

"Do you need the cloak then?" Tulani asks. "Or are you going like that.." she asks, gesturing to Alptraum.

"I'll need the cloak. He wants to see the albino girl, after all," Alptraum points out. "At least that was my understanding?"

"The Shrine Maiden is the one he's testing against," Tulani agrees, and gets up to gingerly step across the maps and fetch the fur-lined cloak.

"Then I remembered right," Alptraum agrees as he to stands and waits for the cloak to be fetched. Once Tulani brings it to him, he drapes it around himself then just sits down on the floor. A cloak of shadow within a cloak of fluff. Soon that is all Alptraum can feel, though, shadow. And in that he has to find the shrine maiden form and overlay it upon himself.

It's an easier transformation than the hybrid form. And also.. odd. After spending so much effort to work around the larvae, they are completely absent in the Shrine Maiden form. It's because its own entity.

And a lovely feeling to not have to deal with them for the time being. She stretches out under the cloak and yawns. "Humans are so deaf and blind," she complains once she is fully aware of the world again.

"But they're easier to tattoo," Tulani points out. "And don't have problems finding comfortable chairs."

""I beg to differ. Chairs are cold on this bum," Nicora has to point out. "And I have no pockets. Hm. Where to store the egg gem."

"You could just hold it in your hand," Tulani suggests. "I wouldn't put it in your mouth.. remember you have to hand it over and who knows what it might do to you."

"I could put it someplace else, too," Snowcora notes and even waggles her brow. "And you know how uncomfortable the Mage would look if I did that..."

"I think he would immediately wash it," Snowcora says with a giggle. ""But it is probably a bad idea."

"He's working on a spell to block auras, right?" Tulani asks. "He never asked about dragon auras."

"Well, specifically to block the lust aura, or somehow weaponize it," Snowcora notes as she juggles the 'egg' in her hand. She then considers its size and taps her fingers against the gem side. "But maybe he has branched out to try to affect all auras."

"You should find out, just in case," Tulani advises.. and messes with Snowcora's hair, trying to get it into order.

"Just because you can make anyone go mad with lust.. or just mad.. doesn't mean you shouldn't try to look nice," Tulani claims, but lets the woman's hair be.

"I do not make people go mad with lust often," Snowcora points out and sighs. "I am not a total freak."

"You've got Blakat powers too, and can make people tell their secrets," Tulani points out. "You're well armed! Now go up there and.. uh... try to make Mister Stuck Up snort or something."

"He isn't that stuck up, he is just reserved," Snowcora notes as she rises. She sniffs loudly, then makes her way out of the super secret lair to see if the nosy Mage has made another call or not.

Temple of Inala, the Altar of Beauty
Once upon a time, this space would have been the grandest cathedral of Babel, despite being smaller than a cathedral would normally be. There are only a few stone pews, as the ceremonies of the Yodhinala tended towards private gatherings. The main Altar is made of alabaster, bone and marble and may once have been inlaid in gold as well. The sides are covered in reliefs of the Goddess of Love and Pleasure, except for one side where the sculpture was crudely hacked free. Open gaps in the vaulted dome once held beautiful stained-glass depictions of Inala as well, taken by looters or destroyed by the Yodhblakat or later forces.

While there are a few people at the outskirts of the Temple that Snowcora can sense, Cyprian is, as usual, the one she can't. But it's easy enough to guess where he'd be waiting. And sure enough, there's a tall, dark cloaked figure in the shadow of a column.

"You know, people are going to start talking about you behind your back," Snowcora notes from where she manages to slink up behind him. "Instead of just to your back. People don't regularly come here unless they want to, ahem, come here."

"In that case.. there's this spell of Forgetting that I've been meaning to perfect," the Mind Mage says, turning to look over his shoulder. There's a slight glow to his eyes - a sign of his partial vampire ancestry (at least, there was enough for the monster lure to bring out). "For now though, all that matters is the defense of the city."

"Oh, well, if you have such spells I doubt that you have need of this," Snowcora notes as she brings up the egg-gem and rolls it about on her hand with surprising dexterity. "I will return it to Yodhrephath Wynona and relay that you have no need of it."

"You found it?" Cyprian asks, looking actually surprised. "Is it undamaged?" He even turns and reaches for it.

Snowcora rolls her hand, keeping it just out of touch. "The Barsunala helped find it," she points out. "And I assume it is undamaged since it was discharged safely from what I was told."

"You have tricky hands," Cyprian notes, and holds out his palm. "But that bauble is useless to you. I need it to help defend the city."

"What is or is not useless to me is hardly something you can know with that level of certainty," Snowcora notes as she continues to roll the gem about. "I may not be someone who studied formally, but that doesn't make me impotent. Or someone who doesn't appreciate manners. You have neither said please in requesting it, nor thank you for the risk of acquiring it."

Cyprian steps back, and bows. "Thank you, Shrine Maiden, for acquiring that very important object," he says, head down. "May I please have it?"

Snowcora politely hands it over. "I was merely given it; the thanks goes to another," she notes, "But yes, you may have it. Neither I, nor the Barsunala, has any great interest in the wealth it could bring. It has better uses. I assume you intend to use it to obliterate what remains of the Sisters, Diphath, the General, the Barsunala, and myself."

"Hardly," Cyprian says, as he examines the disrupter. "This can be used to disrupt an existing, massive ritual.. but with some tuning, it can be used to anchor a ritual that needs to cover a large area. My mental shield spell against madness isn't of much use if it can't be made to cover a large area and number of people."

"I would if I would you. The world would be better if none of us existed," Snowcora notes. "So, you have managed to craft a spell that can stop Diphath and her strange mist monster effects?"

"I'm still perfecting it," Cyprian admits. "Last time, you produced an aura that I was not prepared for. I've since tried to limit it to the notion of blocking influences, rather than attempt to block very specific ones."

"I was hoping to find that out, with your assistance," Cyprian admits, pocketing the disrupter. "I can't use actual magic to try against it, since your - and presumably the Mist creatures - use a less structured and more primal form. A spell would be able to elicit as specific effect in a specific person only. Your abilities depend in part on the minds of those effected."

"And of course I'll eventually have to retune it so that your abilities are not blocked," the Mage notes.

"Not blocked for the opponents, I assume. I cannot imagine you wishing me to affect the city," Snowcora notes.

"Why shouldn't you affect the city?" Cyprian asks. "To quell panic, or fear. To rouse the spirit. To communicate over distances, perhaps. There is no reason to block you because you are not the enemy. The mind-breaking madness caused by exposure to the Mist creatures is the enemy's greatest weapon."

"Because I am capable of breaking minds too," Snowcora points out, then shrugs a bit. "Not that I will, of course."

"Your ability to break minds is why I need your help," Cyprian reminds. "I can trust you not to go too far should you break through my defenses."

"You represent the Kindly Ones," Cyprian asks. "The Shrine Maiden. The defender against evil. I don't think that I am evil, therefore I should have nothing to fear from you, should I?"

"Logical reasons, I concede," Snowcora notes, "Though even with that few would actually trust me."

"It is enough that I trust you, for this," the Mage claims. "You and I don't need the trust of others - we need only to protect them despite that."

"You trust me more than I do," Snowcora notes ... then decides to surprise him. Not with the sudden push of lust, but a push of a more draconic sort; an overpowering presence that demands submission; to kneel before her. She tests if he can react fast enough before becoming overwhelmed. Or at least that is the reason she would give.

And the man does go down on one knee, being unprepared. "What.. was that?" he asks.

"Just proving the superiority of women over men," Snowcora claims, expression solemn. "Also, that you were not very prepared."

"I have not launched my spell of protection," Cyprian admits. "But that.. does not seem like something of the Sisters. Dominance and awe.. unless it is some aspect of Inala?"

"No, that was more otherworldly," Snowcora notes, "But not unlike some things Diphath used to have access to."

"Then we must test the shield against this as well," Cyprian says. "Against everything you can throw at me. But first.. may I get up?"

"I don't know, you look cute like that," Snowcora claims. "I could see if I could make you kiss my feet..."

"I might not stop there," Cyprian warns. "And while I ask you to hit me with everything you have once my barrier is in place.. please do not dance around naked or do anything of a physical nature. This is to test supernatural effects.. not mundane ones."

Snowcora relaxes the 'pressure' and allows Cyprian to rise should he notice. "Why would I do that?" she asks.

"While I trust you.. I also trust in the casual capriciousness of the Kindly Ones," Cyprian says as he struggles to his feet. "In its final use, the barrier will not require focus.. but for now I must be able to catalog the stresses placed upon it, in order to refine it."

"Women are capricious. It is not a trait limited to the Kindly Ones," Snowcora notes. "I will wait until you tell me you are ready."

Cyprian takes a few deep breaths, and then says a word. The spell he was holding is released, and suddenly he burns like a rainbow flame in Snowcora's senses: his form partially hidden behind and ever-shifting shimmer of conflicting colors. "The spell is cast," he says to confirm this.

"I can tell," Snowcora notes as she starts more upright. She sheds her cloak and pushes the draconic aura again and all that determination is focused on the Mage. She points at the ground, saying, "Bow down before me." Her voice even has an odd echo to it, reminiscent of Melusine.

The spell aura flares and flickers, looking like barrier of streamers now caught in a wind. Cyprian takes a step back, as if feeling the force of it without the substance. "Everything," he asks. "Everything at once if you can. Command, awe, lust, the hunger of the beast within, anger, madness.."

All at once? Snowcora isn't even sure she can do that. But, she tries anyway. The urge to kneel comes wit the urge to satisfy her, in all ways, while kneeling, and wearing a harness ... and things that defy any sort of simple explanation. The odder it gets betrays the tint of madness flowing within it, taking sensual things and twisting them to something that could only be described as insane. It's almost as if the aura is somehow giggling along with it; and then comes the added urge to drink the woman ... while pleasing her ... and in a really strange outfit...

The spell is blown about from all sides, and Snowcora has an urge to cackle like a certain Skreek. Despite the effort, part of her is enjoying this. And when the spell is finally blown apart, there's a big of smug satisfaction, right up until Cyprian screams.

And Snowcora cuts it all off immediately. While she may tease, she has never tried to actively hurt someone. She rushes over to catch the man before he collapses.

Cyprian is big for an Eeee - definitely some Sylvanian in the mix - but he might as well be a child compared to Snowcora's mass. He drapes over her and shudders, as the conflicting urges he was exposed to try to sort themselves out and shut back down. "If you hadn't been naked, I would have lasted a few more minutes, I'm certain," Cyprian mumbles into the woman's neck.

Snowcora tries to reverse the effect, if such a thing is possible. She tries to figure out if she can instill confidence and strength, instead of overwhelming and controlling. "I am sorry. I seem to have broken your spell," she apologizes.

"That's.. good, actually," Cyprian says, and does seem to be recovering more quickly. "That is why I am here. I need to know what it can handle, and where it fails. The madness of the Mist creatures seems to be passive; an affront to sensibility. Your power is active. If I can defend against it, or.. yes.. hmm. My approach is flawed, I see that now." He's still hugging Snowcora, so she can't see his face. And likewise, he can't see (much of her) naked skin. The Sea of Souls tattoo on her back is probably quite a bit more sobering that her butt.

"Snowcora tries to get him to let go gently. "Your approach is flawed how?" she asks.

Cyprian steps back, and makes an effort to only look Snowcora in the eyes. "Defense. I was trying to make armor, but that was a poor choice. It needs to be more pliable. Reactive.. engaging with the forces. I need to neutralize them. Would you be willing to let me perform a ritual on you?"

"I am not particularly inclined to have magic cast upon me," Snowcora admits. "What ritual did you have in mind."

"One to more properly analyze the nature of your abilities," Cyprian says. "You yourself are immune to similar things, I imagine? You can recognize and counter them?"

"I do not know if I am immune so much as I just recognize them quickly," Snowcora says, "But I truly am not particularly inclined to have magic upon me. As odd as it may sound, I do not particularly wish to be laid bare. There are aspects of myself I am not comfortable with."

"I understand," Cyprian says. "I will prepare something separate then, which might provide the answers I seek by being on the receiving end. I can cast them on myself then, or volunteers."

"The nature of your auras," Cyprian says. "What aspects of a person they directly act upon as well - for instance, do the physical ones like fear or lust directly stimulate those areas of the brain, or do they act through the spirit. I have been assuming this to be related to Mind Magic, but it could be more Spirit based. My examination of the afflicted man you brought, and the monitoring of his recovery, indicates some element of all three. A bit like.. psychic nausea.."

"And how long will this ritual take? How personal will it get?" Snowcora inquires.

"I would need to prepare for it," Cyprian notes, looking focused again. "Find an appropriate, safe location. Work out the layering, find the subjects. If I could monitor both ends of the process, then you would be required to sit in a ritual circle for some time, in whatever state best serves your abilities. I may have to mark parts of your body, to see if the symbols of the Sisters have actual bearing on the process. And I'd need to recreate the madness effect from the Mist creatures.."

"I should probably include restraints as well for some of the test subjects," the bat mutters.

"So, put simpler ... not tonight," Snowcora concludes. "If you can promise me you will not try to probe my thoughts in any way during the ritual, then I will concede to allowing it to be done. Some things about myself I wish to keep private; I don't have much, but that is one thing I must retain."

"I don't think your personal thoughts are important to the effects," Cyprian notes. "What elements might be, I can simply ask you about. For instance: do you feel anything when you cast the auras? Do you have to think specific thoughts, or is it more like flexing a muscle?"

"Of course I feel things when I make use of the aura. Pushing you to your knees, for example, was a rush of delight. To use the aura, you have to be it in a sense," Snowcora explains. "It is not completely detached from myself and mind."

"Then.. for the 'lure'.. you actually have to picture yourself as a helpless victim?" Cyprian asks, looking surprised again. "And for lust.. ah.. well, that one is obvious I suppose.."

"Yes, and yes," Snowcora concedes. "Which is obviously why I don't want you probing my mind too much. I don't need to scare someone any more than I already do. Or be thought of as a monster any more than I already am."

"Far be it from thinking you a monster - I am impressed that you can keep so many lines of thought at once in order to overwhelm my spell as you did," Cyprian admits. "Have you ever done that before?"

"No, I had not," Snowcora admits. "But matters of my existence have made it an ability that was learnable."

"Someday, I would dearly love to examine your mind," Cyprian admits. "It must be as fascinating as your body." After a moment, he clarifies, "That is.. the.. uh.. artistry of it. So much to see.. so awkward to linger on.."

"It isn't as fascinating as it sounds. It is isolating and a reminder that I do not belong," Snowcora says. "But such was my choice when I decided to save a dying city."

"It certainly shows your dedication to the cause," Cyprian says, and then gallantly reaches down to pick up Snowcora's robe and offer it to her.

Snowcora accepts her robe back and drapes it back around herself. "I take it you are going to depart to resume your studies and ritual plans?" she asks.

"Unless you have need of me?" Cyprian asks. "I think that I have shaken off the last lingering effects of the whirlwind. Nothing permanent seems to have been done, but I am sure my dreams will be interesting."

"I hope they are not. I do not wish upon you the dreams I have," Snowcora says as she draws up the hood of her cloak to obscure her face. "And I hope that the gem will prove useful to you. "Wynona would have brought it herself, but her current situation makes such difficult. From what the Barsunala told me of her, I ... feel sympathy for her. It is not a life she wants; but what was necessary."

"There is nobility in doing what is necessary.. when it is not what you wish to be doing," Cyprian says, and bows to Snowcora. "That must make you royalty, Shrine Maiden. Thank you for being noble."

"It is my own penance for the damage my existence has brought to others. It is not noble," Snowcora claims. "But I appreciate the thank you none the less. I just hope in the end it is worth it. I have seen enough of the past to know such horrible times have come before. May this be the last one."

"I will leave a message with your.. uh.. pet? Assistant?" Cyprian says, uncertain of Tulani-Dragon's position.. "once I have things ready."

"Friend," Snowcora corrects gently. "I have no pets, slaves or other forms of servitude. I may joke, but I do not see, or treat, others as such."

"I don't suppose you could get her to wear a cloak?" the Mage asks. He doesn't sound too serious about it though.

"Unlikely," Snowcora says. "It would be as hard as trying to get a rat I know to dress well and behave as a lady."

"Dragons do as they please, I suppose," Cyprian asks. "And some Skreeks as well."

"Women with insufferably large egos do as they please, generally," Snowcora notes as she steps back into the shadows. "I will try not to take as long to get back to you this time when you come calling again."

"Is there anything I can do for your in the meantime?" Cyprian asks. "Any magical questions you need answered or researched?"

"I doubt you would know the significance of some specifically gash-like markings the cultists of Diphath used in their rituals? I know the Barsunala collected a jar from one of their destroyed temples. Wynona knew nothing of what it meant, so I doubt you would either, but if you happen to find anything in any books you have access to, I imagine that would be helpful," Snowcora suggests.

"Hmm.. there might be something in the Pre-Collegia archives, but I would need an example of the markings to send to Caroban. The local Guild Hall's records were lost in the Boomer."

"I can have the actual jar sent to the guild if you wish. I cannot imagine it will be of much use to us," Snowcora notes.

"That could be useful," Cyprian says. "If there is any magic residue to it, we should be able to discover something."

"Be warned, it was probably used to hold organs and drain blood from them," Snowcora notes, "A distasteful device. Its origins are likely from a city once called Kadath."

"In my early studies, I read up on ancient forms of magic," Cyprian admits. "The Twelve Spheres that we recognize today are actually arbitrary distinctions. There is no place in them for something once called Blood Magic."

"I would prefer there not be a place for it in the world as a whole," Snowcora notes, "But now we need to learn what we can of it to counter it."

"It is a forbidden magic, much like Necromancy.." Cyprian notes. "But there are still plenty of uses for blood in rituals of Spirit. If there is some confluence of Necromancy and Life magic, that is where Blood Magic may fall. I remember the book that mentioned it.. I will send an inquiry to the librarian."

"That would be appreciated. Now, I will leave you to your studies. I have occupied enough of your time," Snowcora says as the pale girl seems to disappear into darkness as she walks backwards into the long shadows of the ruins. "May you have a dreamless sleep."

The shadows that hide Snowcora as she moves to a safer and much more hidden part of the old temple are not entirely natural. They are subtle, though, so are hopefully not too detectable from those sensitive to such things. Before she can return to other duties, she must send the jar to the guild. It'll need an intermediary, of course; she can't just walk up. But, there are plenty of contacts that can do that. Even a little sneaky street Urchin like Cricket could manage it...