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.

It takes a while for Alptraum to make it back to the Nest, due to having swap places once more with Reed. Once he gets to the hidden chamber, there's a thick haze of incense saturating the air. It makes the bat woozy for a moment.

"You need to air this place out. Is all this necessary? It smells like a cheap cathouse in here," Alptraym growls and waves his hands and wings.

"This place is as bad as a cathouse. CATHOUSE. Also called a whorehouse," Alptraum replies.

"Nope! Spells have to be dealt with. What fun," Alptraum says as he heads deeper. "What is with the incense? Did someone die in here?"

There are several incense bowls spread around the floor, along with candles. Tulani is in a clear spot in the center, decked out in golden shaded veils and scarves, and lots of gold jewelry (almost certainly fake). "Why do you ask?" she asks.

"Dancing.." Tulani claims, and puts her hands on her hips, causing her belt and bracelets to jingle.

"Nooooo.." Tulani claims, puffing out her cheeks. "It's a ritual of divination.. maybe. I haven't quite gotten to where I can slip into an oracular trance."

"It's actually a Yodhbarada thing," Tulani says. "So what's this about spells?" she then asks, trying to change the subject.

"You're trying to be a cute little girl? Does that mean Cricket is here? Is she going to come out, or do I have to turn her into a toad?" Alptraum asks next. "Old spells, created by an equally old mage, using forgotten magic. Something I need advice on from Nala, the only being around that was probably alive when the old magic was new."

"Cricket doesn't come here," Tulani claims. "Nala.. well, she probably does know about the oldest magic. So I guess you need the Light for that?"

"I think she does come here, otherwise you wouldn't be practicing such things in here," Alptraum retorts. "Are you two a couple now, then?"

"Of course not," Tulani says. "You'll have to fetch the Light for me though, I can't leave this circle yet."

"Why can't you leave the circle? And why aren't you two a couple?" Alptraum asks instead.

"First, because I haven't finished the dance yet," Tulani explains. "Secondly.. she's just a kid, and her boobs are too big."

"She's an adult by Babel standards," Alptraum points out. "And how does her chest come into this?"

"Mine wasn't that big at that age," Tulani says. "And you gave them to her! Anyway, it's just over there." She points to where the sheathed saber is leaning against a pillar.

"What sort of jewelry are you wearing under the robes?" Alptraum asks next, and doesn't move.

"I don't believe you. I know what kind of pervert you are," Alptraum remarks, but does turn and go to get the sheathed saber.

"Oh, you do do you?" Tulani counters. The Light of Nala doesn't feel odd, just like a regular sheathed saber, albeit one with a very fancy hilt.

"Yes, you're a bigger pervert than I am, pirate," Alptraum concludes as he carries the saber back towards Tulani.

"I doubt that," Tulani claims, and fully draws the Light this time. In the dim, hazy bunker, it's almost blindingly bright. "So, you know what to do next?" she asks.

Alptraum winces. "Not really," he admits, "But that's never stopped me before." And so Alptraum reaches out with his left hand and closes his eyes. "Nala," he murmurs, as well as things, focuses on, "I need to speak with you about old magic. And a spell likely forged my Amelnlichli and taught to others that serve her."

The light shines through his closed eyelids.. until they might as well not be closed at all. There's a slim shadow in the glare though. "I was not expecting to see you so soon," a purring voice says.

"I am surprised you expected to see me at all. I would not contact you, except I do not know where else to turn. A spell has been linked across many people, by some sort of needle, binding bits of disparate flesh to each, and all tying back to one person. It is not known to any mage of this time. Would you have any idea what this spell could be?" Alptraum tries to explain. "Each person part of it has flesh not of their own tied in; an eye, a bit of heart, even part of an ear or nape of the neck. We know it must be dangerous, but ... not what it is or enough to undo it."

"Is it forged by a needle?" Nala asks, becoming more distinct with her golden fur and ornate jewelry.

"I believe so. An artifact now called Gorphat's Needle, but I am certain it had a different name once, as Gorphat knows not of it," Alptraum answers.

"It would not be alone," Nala says. "Thread from the Shroud of Fate would be needed, if it still remained. It was a tool for treating injuries that would be fatal, originally. But Amena twisted it into a way to reverse death."

"I suspect it must still exist. A royal mage used it to make this spell, binding himself to these other victims. The pruspose cannot be good; and this is the mage that helped the Sabbaoth live centuries," Alptraum notes.

"I see," Nala says, lashing her tail back and forth. "Tell me of these victims," she requests.

"There is nothing that unique about them. All different species, from all different walks in life. Let me see if I can summarize" Alptraum says, and then tries to do so, covering the species and where they were attached, suck as the skeek's eye, and the Aeonians's horn.

"So, at least some of them are apparently innocent," Nala says. "I'm uncertain about the loss of memory, however, save that it may be due to the resurrection process, or the manner of accomplishing it. A sacrifice would need to have been made. Binding the mage, however.. is something new."

"What could be the purpose of it?" Alptraum asks. "That is what has everyone struggling; we don't know what it is for. Could it simply be some sort of mass death spell? Sort of if one dies, they all do and it echoes out?"

"Mass death.. well, Amena has her habits," Nala says. "Death is just a means of acquiring raw materials. It is never an end in itself. It sounds as if she has been revealing secrets to these mages over time. Death may hold no fear for this mage of yours. He may have aspirations to a twisted sort of immortality, or unmortality."

"HEr immortality is not really worth it, though. I've seen the results. She's the only one who got a good benefit out of it, everyone else are just super zombies," Alptraum remarks and makes a face.

"Yeaaah, I don't see how that's better. I've heard of those in Sylvania," Alptraum grumbles.

"They supposedly have dominion over those they've drained the life from," Nala says. "I don't know if mages retain their abilities as zombies. But it suggests a countermeasure. A way to potentially sever the links."

"So, it's so he can become a lich with slaves? How do we undo this without hurting those tied to him?" Alptraum asks.

"The threads," Nala claims. "Either by possessing the Shroud, or cutting them. Either with my Light, or with a soul blade."

"Where would I get a soul blade? What is a soul blade?" Alptraum as to ask. He's sort of pathetic.

"You carry one," Nala points out. "It is the tool of the Barsunala. A blade to change fate, or to transfer souls. Even sever them from the living."

"I am one. That's ... moderately disturbing. So I could sever these? But ... will he know if they are severed? And then trigger something?" Alptraum asks.

"Well, that depends on how you go about it," Nala says, tilting her head slightly and giving a very feline grin. "At the ends, or at the source, where they are much closer together."

Alptraum looks at Nala long and hard. "I have one more favor," he finally says, and his ears wilt. "Smite me or something. I'm too stupid."

"Smite you?" Nala asks. "Do you believe me to be the smiting sort? I'm not one of you Kindly Ones."

"I'm the Goddess of Rebirth," Nala replies. "That implies second chances. Besides, I have you to do my smiting for me, don't I?"

"That is an interesting take on things," Nala admits. "Have I asked too much of you so far?"

"No, but you're amazing with guilt," Alptraum grumps and rubs his face for a bit.

"But a good looking sword. I'm stuck as a horrible-looking Eeee from a people renowned for being evil and horrible. Yay," Alptraum complains.

"You're quite handsome for an Eeee," Nala claims. "I'm sure they are not naturally 'evil and horrible' though. That's something learned, usually. Or beaten into one. Did you turn out evil, despite the hardships of your youth?"

"I can't wield you," Alptraum points out. "Tulani would have to. So, she would have to come with me, or it would be my blade. Will it matter much?"

"Using me should prevent the mage from dying, which is ideal if his goal is to be reborn as a lich," Nala notes. "It may not prevent him from trigging his spell. Using both has proven to be.. effective.. against mages. They don't seem to handle both forces together."

"Oh, yes, quite thoroughly," Nala claims. "But perhaps not in his desired way. There would not be much left of him."

"But .. if we wanted to get info out of him ... well, probably not possible to get anything out of him," Alptraum admits. "So, I suppose the plan would be to use both, or you alone."

"Oh, you need him to talk," Nala says. "You should have mentioned that part," the goddess notes, and starts to pace. "He doesn't have some means of killing himself I assume, since it has not yet happened? Or is he being restrained in some manner?"

"Is he conscious?" Nala asks. "I'm assuming not, if the precautions are that thorough."

"If has made a pact with Amena, our choices are limited," Nala says, "but if he hasn't, and is simply trying to take advantage of her knowledge then it may be possible to negotiate a different outcome. What does he want?"

"Do you know a good tactical negotiator or schemer?" Nala asks. "Otherwise severing the threads quickly may be the best way to go. In that case, it would probably be best to keep the victims enervated with the Light while you sever the threads at the source yourself."

"None other than it was for safety. I suppose they could be gathered." Alptraum concedes. "But then I also have to take you, an ancient magic artifact, into the heart of the mage's guild."

"Well, then take me to Mount Rephath," Nala says. "They just need to be close together while you deal with the mage. Preferably unconscious."

"Not sure you being there is any safer! And two of the prisoners are at the mage's guild already," Alptraum admits and rubs his face.

"Can they be moved to the others?" Nala asks. "This should not be so complicated. Men and there overly complicated schemes! Such a waste," she claims, throwing her arms up into the air. "Sever their threads first then. The mages can take care of them."

"I'll get them all moved to one place or the other. And we had no idea what the spell was, we didnt' want everyone in one place," Alptraum points out.

"How hard will it be to gather them?" Nala asks. "I imagine the isolation has been to prevent the mage from learning anything through them?"

"That was part, yes. I doubt it would be that hard, just a a bit of coordination," Alptraum admits. "Maybe we should even move them all to an airship and take everyone outside of the city to be safe."

"That sounds romantic," Nala says. "And since Tulani has wings it should be safe enough. Do you have one?"

"The Yodhrephath do, and I can probably borrow it. What's this about romantic, though?" Alptraum asks. "There's no romance in my life."

"Airships aren't romantic?" Nala asks. "What a disappointment then. Still, these Yodhrephath like you I assume?"

"IT's romantic if you have someone with you that you feel that way about is also along," Alptraum points out. "And yes, they generally like me."

"Good! Get everyone onto an airship that shouldn't die," Nala says. "Then go deal with the mage. If he kills himself he will fail. If he doesn't kill himself, you can interrogate him."

"Shouldn't I take the mage on the ship too? So everyone is in one spot?" Alptraum asks.

"Can you safely move him from his cell?" Nala asks. "If he triggers a death spell, even unconnected, he could cause some damage."

"I'd have to ask the mages. They PUT him in there, after all," ALptraum points out.

"And do you have the Needle and the Shroud?" Nala asks. "You don't need them for this but having them would prevent further abuses."

"We do not. We have no idea where they are," Alptraum admits, "And he sure didn't bring them."

"Make sure to ask him then when you get the chance," Nala says in a reasonable tone. "Maybe keep his head alive in a jar. Mages can do that, right?"

"Probably, but I'd rather not," Alptraum mutters. "We could turn him into a tree."

"Can trees talk?" Nala asks. "Summon his spirit and interrogate that instead, if you can."

"Maybe after he is defeated he will be more amenable," Nala says, then grins and looks expectantly at Alptraum.

Alptraum makes a face. "Blah, hardly. I cannot match your cutting wit," he remarks.

"Well, I am a goddess," Nala claims smugly. "Now, was there anything else you wanted to ask me about?"

"No, that was it. At least it gave me an idea what the spell might be, and how to sever it. That's more information than I started with," Alptraum concedes. "I'm sorry to have bothered you with it, but I didn't know anyone else who would know what the magic might be. Did the needle itself have a special name? You mentioned the shroud of fate."

"The Needle of Transference would be the closest to the original name," Nala explains. "It didn't really transfer anything though."

"Can't say the original name?" Alptraum asks, "Doesn't matter, that's at least helpful. All I came to ask anyway."

"Of course," Alptraum agrees. "Can't let artifacts like the goblet of loose stools or somesuch stay out there."

"Not if you want to get into any good parties, no," Nala agrees, then licks Alptraum on the nose. This.. is weird, because Nala's image gets mixed into Tulani's. "Are you okay?" the Sphynx asks. "Did it work? You looked pretty strange for awhile."

"It worked. Did you just lick my nose?" Alptraum asks and looks cross-eyed. "How did I look strange?

"No, I didn't lick your nose," Tulani claims. "And you looked.. just.. sort of wavy?" She actually starts swaying a bit, looking.. well.. high. "Like that!" she then says.

"Probably because I wasn't completely here," Alptraum explains. "But, I did get some useful information finally, so that's something. And were is Mave? Did you kill her?"

"Because.. even Eeee need to sleep sometimes?" Tulani offers. "Is it suspicious for some reason?"

"No, I just thought maybe she's want to see me, or something, but not surprised she doesn't," Alptraum laments.

"Well, the name of the tools used, most likely. And it's probably a spell to turn the mage into a lich," Alptraum explains. "As for waking her, eh, I doubt she'd want to see me, truth be told."

"How come, did you two get into a fight?" Tulani asks. "What's to be done about the mage then? We can't have a lich in Babel!"

"Fight? No, I just haven't spoken to her in a long time and she's made no effort to try to talk to me," Alptraum explains. "As for the lich, he's going to be taken out of Babel on an airship along with his victims, so we can deal with it away from the city in case th worst happens. Maybe we should park over the old city and if it really goes bad, just ditch the ship there."

"You mean the one out in the wasteland?" Tulani asks. "An airship? I know you joke about me being a pirate but I can't steal an airship!"

"Oh, I suppose they'd do that," Tulani says, sounding relieved. "So what's the plan? Take them all far away and.. kill the mage?"

"Cut the spell apart. Both you and I will need to be there, as the light will be needed to keep the prisoners alive while the spell is undone," Alptraum explains. "Sorry, I've tried to keep you away from the guilds and the Yodh, but this time it's needed."

"Well.. they're both going to be there then?" Tulani asks. "I mean, they've seen me.."

Tulani twitches her whiskers. "I'm trying to avoid that until it's really necessary," she says. "I could just say I'm your assistant."

"I get too lost in it," Tulani says, crossing her arms. "I nearly started eating those pirates before you made me stop. Maybe the smaller dragon is okay. But still awkward on an airship."

"I look cute as I am!" Tulani counters. "So, I just need to hold the Light for this? It'll need to be in a space where everyone can get close together."

"Right," Alptraum agrees and nods. "You deal with them, I deal with the mage. And if anyone tries to take the light from you later, you run. Got it? Get out of there as fast as you can. Friends they may be, or allies for now, but this IS the mage's guild, and the Yodh, and that thing is legendary.

"Legendary? I had to find a secret living map in a cave on a barely-habitable sky-island to find out about it," Tulani points out. "Is there any mage in particular who is into ancient magical artifacts?"

"Plenty would be, believe me. And there are spirit and life maghes involved, they will feel that thing the moment it is drawn," Alptraum points out.

"Ahh.. and the Yodh will let them come?" Tulani asks. "Well, nobody can take the Light from me," she claims. "I will turn into a dragon if I have to."

"I just want you to be on your guard. I don't know how strong our alliances really are. Especially when it would come to something like that," Alptraum admits. "This IS Babel."

"So.. aside from Cyprien, are any of the other mages likely to be stronger than me or a Yodhrephath?" Tulani asks. "Or you, for that matter."

"The naga probably is, but she's one I'd trust. There are a few Jupani that are physically stronger. But eh, I don't know. I'd rather be careful; I don't like involving you as it is," Alptraum admits

"Well, this is a serious issue, and it's not like I could hide forever," Tulani says. "I do stand out, after all. So I'll do what I can. What needs to be arranged other than the airship? Anything I need to help with?"

Alptraum taps his chin. "You could check for any rumors or mutterings in shadows regarding their attack, perhaps. In case there is something we should know," he notes.

"Hmm, I hadn't even thought anybody would know about it," Tulani admits. "It was all supposed to be secret after all. But there must be some rumors.."

"I'll start at the docks," Tulani says. "Those coming in that saw the airship attacks will be chatty in the bars."

"There are always rumors. Three people can keep a secret if two are dead, and all that," Alptraum remarks and waves his hand. "Well, I'd best go start arranging things."

"Alright, don't do anything I wouldn't do to get the Yodh and mages to cooperate," Tulani says. Then licks Alptraum's nose.

"But I don't want to eat their first born and you would do that," Alptraum comments.

"Anyway, no rest for the weary, or the wicked. I'm one of those," Alptraum sighs, and turns to head back out the way he came in.

"Be sure to check back when you have things arranged!" Tulani says, then starts dancing again, which is awkward since she's still holding onto the saber with one hand..

"Tell Mave I said hello, or something," Alptraum remarks as he waves over his shoulder. Soon he's back into the shadows, and up the stairs to even more shadow.