Aster needs to collect her clothes outside the temple, and luckily, they're still there. Once she detects that Ashe has is gone, she changes back into Alptraum to get dressed. Then it's a flight across the city to reach the Mages Tower. On the way, he doesn't see any private mercenary forces with itchy trigger fingers stationed on the various towers (although there are private guards at many entrances). Likewise, there aren't any fires or signs of conflict. Alighting on the landing deck of his destination, Alptraum is greeted by the two door guards, one of them female this time. She's not built like a Yodhrephath or Yodhblakat though, so may have some sort of specialty. The male salutes first, and then the female follows suit.
"My apologies for returning yet again to the Tower today," Alptraum says after landing and pulling his wings in. "Also, you really don't have to salute. I'm here to speak with Cyprian. I'll try to keep it brief, I know he's extremely busy. If he's still not recovered from the earlier incident, I can come back later."
"I don't know for sure if he is indisposed or not," the male guard says. "But you're welcome to come in and ask." He starts to open the door.
"Is he a local mage?" the girl asks the other guard in a slightly foreign accent.
"VIP," the guard says after opening the door for Alptraum. "A.. community leader and religious figure."
Alptraum pauses at that accent. "I'm ... different. It would be difficult to explain in detail," he also says. "You must be new ... and not from the city. I can't place your accent."
"Corporal Gloria Selkirk, Caroban Guard," the girl says, saluting again. She's the typical brown colored, save for one eye being blue and having a blue blaze mark on her face, which she styles her hair to mostly obscure. She also has a slightly magical aura. "I'm from.. a backwater surface town in Nordika, sir."
"Caroban," Alptraum repeats, with the tone of someone who just ate a lemon. Given they tried to kill him in the sky islands years back, bad memories and experiences. "I see. Well, I know that continent well; I spent most of my life in Sylvania. Surprised I couldn't place your accent. I guess I've been gone too long."
"Like I said sir, a backwater," Gloria explains. "I have a mutation, and when a visiting airship crew saw what I could do, the air mage paid my family a bounty to allow me to be tested. But it turns out I'm a sport, someone with a single innate magical ability that doesn't require casting a spell. I can freeze things. But I can't do any other magic. And I didn't want to just be the ice-maker for some noble, so I enlisted in the guard. This is pretty much the only posting though."
"So, relatively normal for Nordika. Mutations are common there thanks to both Bosch and the issues with Sylvania and the blowback from the Necromancer wars," Alptraum points out. "How long have you been away from home now?" he asks, switching to Sylvanian to see if she understands it at all.
"Ugh," Gloria responds, "Six spheres." She might be from Tursdi, next to Sylvania, given how she pronounces things. The dialects are similar, but with some words meaning different things.
"She's faster than a crossbow," the other guard mentions. "Seen her freeze the action on one before it could fire, and even freeze a bolt that was already in flight. Faster than a mage with a held spell."
Alptraum nods at this. "Innate abilities usually are quite a bit faster. It's ... like moving your arm, so to speak. You know how to just do it; it's reflex and instinct," he opines. "Which is not dissimilar to my own, though mine are a bit more varied. Anyway ... I hope you are being treated well here? Babel is ... quite different from Nordika. It takes some time to get used to it and the cultural differences."
"I haven't left the tower yet," Gloria claims. "But they say I won't be looked down on for being a sport. I guess some of their religious people are like that, or something. But it's not a super useful ability. I can't put out a fire with it, or freeze a person. Small animals though, yeah. I used to catch flies with it to feed my pet frog when I was little."
"If I can see it or hear it, I can freeze it," she claims.
"No, you won't be looked down on. Though you might have a Temple or two try to recruit you," Alptraum comments, "So, if you don't want to have to fend that off, best to be sparing in using your ability outside of the Tower. Also, there's probably a bit of a culture shock ahead if you go to any of the districts that focus on, well ... pleasure and entertainment."
"Everything is a shock to me, sir, so I'm used to it by now," Gloria declares with a bit of a smile. "The boys in town used to call me Frostbite, at least the ones that got a little too personal for my liking."
"Well, I was, and still am, called Nightmare," Alptraum says, "So, you can probably infer a few things about me, or the perception of me, anyway."
"Are you a Dream Mage?" the girl asks. "Or.. something with dreams, anyway?"
"No. I'm more along the lines of what you might know as a Reaper," Alptraum answers as he shrugs. "If that term is also used in your backwater."
"Oh yeah, heard about them," the girl says. "Spirit wranglers and exorcists. But you got that tall dark look too." In passable Sylvanian, she asks, "Vampire too?"
"Though I'm a bit more than a simple Reaper; I think I'm unique but 'Reaper' is close enough to give a general idea," Alptraum answers, and then switching to Sylvainian, "And yes, I am a vampire as well." He also holds up his right hand, adding, "Not a glove, or gauntlet. My actual hand."
Gloria clearly holds back from wanting to touch it. "As mutations go, that's pretty cool looking," she admits.
"I always thought that was for holding spirits with," the other guard says.
"Not a mutation. Well, not really. More an injury, the results of the types of things I have had to deal with," Alptraum explains. "The best monster hunters are themselves monsters, so to speak." He looks to the other guard and notes, "That's what I can use it for, and do, but its origins are outside of just that."
"So it's not part spirit that can pass through walls and flesh?" the local guard asks. "I guess I just assumed you could walk through walls, but I guess you can do that in spirit form."
"More the latter, yeah. I can step beyond walls in many situations. Trying to explain myself is ... difficult. Everything I have been through has left me with a wide array of abilities," Alptraum claims, and shrugs again. He considers something, then looks at Gloria again before asking, "Out of curiosity, what do you find enjoyable to do? I might me able to make some recommendations. Or things you've wanted to try. I know all the weirdest places in this city."
"Dancing," the girl says quickly. "And maybe drinking, I haven't done much of that." She actually does a few dance steps, which are unsurprisingly gypsy inspired. "And carnival games! Am I sounding too much like a rube yet?"
"Well, there's a club called Paradise down in the newer section. They do dancing. Also a whole lot of other things," Alptraum admits. "There are also bars down there, but you should probably avoid getting drunk unless you want to wake up and discover you've got new tattoos or body jewelry, though."
"Well, I know not to drink alone," Gloria claims.
"Drinking with someone doesn't always ensure safety, either," Alptraum points out. "However, if you are interested in tattoos and the like, I can recommend a place for that too."
"So I could get the Babelite symbol for 'ice' on my butt or something?" Gloria asks, ears perked.
"Easily," Alptraum admits.
"I'll definitely think about that," Gloria says. "I did get paid a few days ago."
"You could get earrings, nose rings, and rings in all sorts of places, too," Alptraum jokes.
"Wow, nobody back home has jewelry like that," Gloria says. "Except this Lapi who came through every year, and wore this fancy clip-and-chain stuff on his ear."
"Yeah, here those go through the ear and such, not just clip on," Alptraum admits, "Anyway ... just be careful. If you do go, go with people you trust. The streets are safer, but ... not entirely safe. And the Mage's guild is looked at with quite a bit of suspicion and distrust. The fact I'm let in here was a bit of a shock to me."
"Huh, I guess that's why they needed guards then," Gloria realizes. "Good thing I'm not a mage then!"
"You're associated, which is the same thing to most people," Alptraum warns. "So, best to keep your job information quiet for now if you go out. Also ... ah, fair warning. You'll probably be hit on by women as well as men in clubs. In Babel, gender doesn't really matter when it comes to sensual acts or desires."
"I give a good Cold Shoulder," Gloria claims. "I've never really been flirted with since leaving home though."
"You also haven't left the Tower," Alptraum points out. He also grins and comments, "I'd flirt. In fact, I do."
"I'm not too fluent in the local tongue, so I may need help picking up on things," Gloria claims.
"So, you need help in understanding if someone slides in close, rubs on you, or places a hand on your backside?" Alptraum points out. "Again, pretty common in any clubs and bars!"
"Oh, that stuff I know, it's what they're saying I might not be too clear on," the girl claims. "And I need a list of no-thank-you and not-interested lines that won't get me in trouble."
"But what if you are interested?" Alptraum asks.
"Do I need to say anything for that, or just like.. smile?" Gloria asks.
"Depends on how interested you are," Alptraum comments, shrugs. "Anyway ... just be careful and safe. Worst case, invite Mage Trilby along; she'd scare off everyone. Or Rostre."
"I'll consider it," Gloria promises.
"If I have to keep an eye on you, I promise it would get weird," Alptraum threatens.
"I can't afford your eye," Gloria claims. "It's silver," she jokes.
"I have them all over the city," Alptraum counters.
"I hope you wash them off then," Gloria says.
Alptraum snorts a bit at that. "Anyway, I best go see Cyprian if he's available. Important topic to discuss and arrange if possible," he says. "I'll see you around. Or haunt you. Or both."
"Bye!" Gloria waves as the door starts to close behind Alptraum. The reception desk is staffed by a Khatta with unusual markings. The left half of his face is colored and spotted like a Savanite, while the right side is grey with black stripes. Both eyes are typical feline gold colored though. "Hello, how can I help you?" he says cheerfully to Alptraum.
Alptraum arches his brow at that particular pattern. He doesn't ask about it, though. "I'm here to see Mage Cyprian if he has time and is amenable to a guest," he replies. "I'm Alptraum, he'll know that name."
"Ah, yes.. just a moment," the feline says, and sorts through some river stones on his desk. "New system, no more shouting into tubes," he explains as he holds up a stone with a ring of symbols on it. He runs his finger around the ring several times, until they light up, then he holds it to his ear. "Hello? Yes, there's an Alptraum here to see Mage Cyprian." He pauses, then holds the stone in front of his mouth and says the same thing a little louder before returning it to his ear again. "Yes? Yes. I SAID YES," he goes, then sets the stone down. "It'll be just a moment!" he says, smiling as if what just happened wasn't weird.
"That was weird," Alptraum says, flatly. "And looks more frustrating than the tubes were."
"Well, it's a 'work in progress' but eventually everyone could have one, and be able to shout at each other over long distances," the Khatta explains. There's the sound of soft, but rapid Khatta footsteps and one of Cyprian's assistants jogs into view, the one that Alptraum only knows as 'Flapjack'. The young cat nearly trips on his robe when he reaches the desk. "I miss the tubes," he says. "They make your voice sound deeper." Then he straightens up and bows to Alptraum. "If you will follow me, please, I will take you to Mage Cyprian."
"So now all Eeee sound like girls with the new device?" Alptraum has to ask a bit sarcastically. "All right, just don't take me to the Avenger, he's a weenie," he replies to the young cat, just to see if he's paying attention.
"What's a weenie?" the boy asks instead, with the typical need to know every put-down or insult that children possess.
"It's like a sausage," Alptraum answers.
"So the Avenger is like breakfast?" Flapjack (who must have a special relationship with breakfast with a name like that) asks as they walk. The route is not going to Cyprian's office this time.
"Yes, they make you want to take a nap," Alptraum claims. "Where are we going?"
"To his quarters," the boy explains, as they go a bit higher into the tower. "Mage Trilby says he's not to 'think too hard' for a bit." When they reach a door, the boy opens it without knocking.
"Unfortunately, I have to ask him to think," Alptraum admits, "Sorry."
Cyprian's room is taller than it is wide or deep. There are the usually things like a wardrobe, bed and stools, but also several tall, narrow windows looking out over Babel (Cyprian really likes windows apparently). The upper walls have storage cubbies and high-perches, which Cyprian is currently hanging from with his wings wrapped around him. "Hello Alptraum, have you come to rescue me?" he greets.
At least the bandages are gone from his head.
"Rescue you? Are you a damsel in distress?" Alptraum asks.
Flapjack closes the door, but presumably remains in the hallway.
"Trilby prescribed half a day of 'letting blood flow to my brain' once I finished in the infirmary," the Eeee says. "I'm bored. I've never been able to comfortably read while hanging."
"It's also hard to drink, eat, and do other thinks without making a mess," Alptraum says. "I won't keep you awake long, though. I'm here to see if you would be willing to, and interested in, being the initial contact and reach-out to what remains of the Yodhzakaro," he explains, "I have met with them and they are naturally rather ... suspicious, about trying to normalize relations as you probably can imagine."
"Ah, so they did survive the purge?" Cyprian asks. "We've never had any official relations with the Yodh before, just.. understandings. What do the Yodhzakaro want from us?"
"Well ... not to be hunted and killed, mostly. The Yodhzakaro are the closest to the Mage's Guild in what they did, and there's a lot of animosity and anger over being forced out, or ignored, in their own home. I imagine you could appreciate that," Alptraum continues to explain. "I've brokered a meeting with one named Ashe, who's quite skilled with fire and smoke, and is ... mostly willing to meet, as long as it's a neutral place, and as long as you were involved since you're respected in both the guild and the city and its people."
"Oh.. I think there must be a misunderstanding to clear up then," Cyprian says. "We don't 'hunt down' Yodh. We never have. That was a rumor started by the Yodhrephath (or, Rephath herself, according to testimony). The purge was done by Rephidim in cooperation with the Coalition, as part of their alliance deal or something. The Babelite branch has always tried to stay out of the Yodh's business. The Coalition has put forth restrictions when it comes to infrastructure maintenance, which they want solely handled by the Guild. I can certainly meet with the Yodhzakaro though, nothing forbids that."
"No, not really a misunderstanding there; a conclusion born the facts at hand. The coalition government allied with a group that tried to kill them all, and are still quite in charge. You are also allied with that government, and then seen by proxy as an extension of that," Alptraum points out, "Argue the semantics all you want, but the agreed-upon relationships you are in with the coalition puts quite the shadow of mistrust on the entire Mage's Guild. You are their proxy in all matters magical. Therefore you represent them in the eyes of pretty-much all Babelite citizens. You're an arm of a foreign power, in their home, so to speak. Not saying it's right or fair, but it's an understandable feeling."
"Ugh, and this is why we had rioters trying to burn down the tower," Cyprian says. "We have a contract for building maintenance with the Coalition. If they want any other magical services they have to make a request and pay for them. The Guild is a business, like any other. We paid heavily for being too tightly entwined with governments in the last war, we aren't about to repeat it. Anyway, where do they want to meet?"
"Remember, I saw the slaughtered children that were Yodhbarada that the Coalition's 'purge'. I was there during it. I was one of the targets of the purge, too," Alptraum points out. "Those actions they took very nearly drove me to the point of seeking a way to burn down every group and government that was part of that. Business or not, you are now the 'public face' of the coalition for most people; you are the ones people mostly deal with as city maintenance is ongoing. When they see you, they are seeing those memories, and recalling the screams and death. No, it's not fair, but it's the reality and perception. This is what I'm trying to change."
"Never mind that we lost just as much in the Boomer, and had our own purge due to the dream ritual," Cyprian sighs. "Doesn't matter, we're here to help the city, no matter what the people think."
"I still have problems, Cyprian. You have a Caroban girl out front as a guard right now. That almost gave me a panic attack. The Caroban Watch made several attempts on my life when I was just travelling through Rephidim. Long before I knew what I was. Long before I had any control on what I can do. I was just a traveler and out of the blue I was being hunted and shot at; I was terrified and confused, I had no idea why these people I had never met were all trying to kill me. I had no idea why they were torturing a small girl who was my friend, either, that talked to me in dreams. It's hard to get past those feelings that were burned into you by the actions of some. I almost actually left when I found out she was from Caroban. I had to force myself to stay and give her a chance when all my reflexes were to run. That's what we're dealing with. I know it's not fair to judge people like that, but all of us do it. It's easier to group people in a lump and decide how to react to that lump than to judge each individually and we all do it. It takes a lot of effort to fight past that. I'm sorry, and I know it's unfair to all of you; you did lose just as much. The thing is, they don't know that. I set this up in an attempt to try and get them to understand just what you're saying. I'm just being honest how how they feel, too."
"The new girl? She's part of the Guard, not the Watch.. I don't know if the Watch still exists, to be honest, after all the scandals," Cyprian says. "The Guard is there because of the attacks on our tower after the Yodhrephath event where Envoy went nuts, accomplishing just what Rephath wanted: making us the villains, because she needed someone to seek vengeance on."
"Anyway, we're used to the Yodh tolerating our presence when there was an actual campus here," Cyprian explains. "It's hard for me to accept that things have reversed, apparently. I'm getting there though."
"It's all 'The Guild' to most people, as the distinctions of the various parts are not known to most," Alptraum points out. "Anyway, I'm not here to point or place blame, I'm just explaining the feeling as unfair as it is. And that's precisely what has to be overcome. And that only happens by talking and getting to know each other, and learning there are differences. It was not easy to set this meeting up, but because if it could be you they were wiling at all. And it has to be a neutral place, so I suggested Mount Dronnel. It isn't associated to any Temple, but it still holds ritualistic significance and meaning to all of them. It's a safe ground they could go to, and realistically, the Guild too."
"Truth be told, if you weren't 'The Avenger', they wouldn't have been willing to meet, at all," Alptraum admits. "It's because you are seen as a bridge they're even willing to talk."
"So who do they need other than me?" Cyprian asks.
"Another of your choosing," Alptraum says. "My thought was Rostre since she's odd enough and is just about as crazy as they might see her as kindred. But ... you can pick others if you prefer. It's not my place to say or dictate."
"Rostre.. isn't very diplomatic, hmm," Cyprian muses. "Is it just the Yodhzakaro or will there be others? The Yodhrephath or Yodhblakat?"
"Just Yodhzakaro," Alptraum says, "Because ... they're the Temple most afraid of the Guild and feel most threatened by."
"When can they meet?" Cyprian asks. "I'll be alright in a day."
"The date hasn't been set yet. Would a couple days out be better? A week? What time would you need to prepare and decide what to say?" Alptraum asks. "Ashe is ... loud and angry. And uncomfortable. And scared."
"I already know what to say," Cyprian says. "This is a potentially fortuitous meeting, in fact."
"What would you say?" Alptraum asks.
"I'll ask them for help," Cyprian says. "The Royal Mages stole Exile tools, ancient artifacts and magical knowledge the Collegia either doesn't have or destroyed as forbidden. Some of that has to have been stolen from the Yodhzakaro. They can help us treat the Royal Mage's last victims."
"They also have some techniques and arts that have nothing to do with city maintenance that the people of the city I suspect would cherish having access to," Alptraum adds. "They need, more than anything, something to give back to the city to. So they aren't forever defined by what the Guild is now paid for."
"It's not as if the populace is begging for our services," Cyprian says. "If the only thing stopping them is fear of arrest, we can easily clear that up."
"And of being slaughtered," Alptraum says. "Their first ask was actually that I help find them homes outside of Babel. They were going to just leave. The ones that physically could, anyway."
"The Yodhzakaro can not disappear from Babel," Cyprian claims. "We've already lost the Yodhinala, and that wasn't even due to the purge."
"It may be inevitable, if I'm being realistic," Alptraum admits, "The young are already gone, and those that remain are fading. Ashe is probably the most healthy of all of them, and she's pretty ragged."
"Contacting the Yodhzakaro was never easy, as there's no pilgrim's path to their Temple," Cyprian says. "I'm not entirely sure how people reached them, unless it was through prayer or direct contact while they were in the city. That will need to be dealt with as well. And their numbers built back up."
"That's longer term, for now it's just building trust enough to start taking steps," Alptraum says, but nods too. "I may have an agent of mine there with them at the meeting, which was how I even contacted them in the first place."
"That almost sounds as if you won't be there to mediate," Cyprian says.
"I'm not sure I can be, or should be," Alptraum points out. "They didn't ask me to be."
"If you have a proxy, that should be enough," Cyprian says. "I doubt they plan to kidnap me."
"Are you asking me to be there, though?" Alptraum asks.
"I don't think it will be necessary," Cyprian says. "They're showing trust, so it's only fair that I do as well."
"Okay, so when do you request to set the meeting? And who will you bring?" Alptraum asks.
"Give me four days to prepare, and I need to conduct an interview before deciding who to bring," Cyprian says. "Meeting in the ruins atop Mt. Dronnel. When do you think would be the best time of day for the Yodhzakaro?"
"Probably dusk so they can feel protected by the growing shadows and such," Alptraum offers. "But most normal times for Eeee are probably workable."
"Dusk will give us time to get there while it's still light then," Cyprian says. "I've never been there before, and I've no idea yet how quickly me an my second will be able to ascend the mountain."
"Not willing to risk flying, eh?" Alptraum asks.
"That depends on who I have with me," Cyprian says. "Flight may not be an option."
"True," Alptraum concedes. "Anyway, I'll let them know the plan. Having time to prepare is probably good for them too. Just expect Ashe to be loud and angry, it's how she copes with being afraid."
"You are forgetting who my doctor is," Cyprian points out.
"She yells all the time and is never afraid," Alptraum counters.
"Skeek are always afraid, I think," Cyprian says. "They get around it with charm, bluster, shyness.. or just plain anxiety."
"It probably makes them all a little crazy," Cyprian says. "Not that I've formally studied the issue. Everyone tends to be nervous when a Mind Mage asks to examine them."
"Not sure any of that is true about her. But ... " Alptraum says, but sort of peters out. "Anyway, I should let you get back to resting. I apologize for the stress and upset earlier."
"My head didn't leak, so I must be fine," Cyprian says. "It's always eye-opening to see how much damage still lingers."
"It was a time where no side was right, and all were ruthless," Alptraum says, "Scars take a long time to heal, and some never will without work."
"Still, the meeting will be fruitful, I hope," Cyprian says.
"It'll be something," Alptraum says, "I just hope not violent."
"I'm more concerned about what they will charge for their services," Cyprian says.
"Of that I have no idea. One thing to remember, though, Yodhzakaro are always naked," Alptraum reminds as he heads for the door.
"I never understood why they were," Cyprian says. "But I think it would be rude to ask.."
The door opens at Alptraum's touch, and Flapjack is waiting outside.
"It's to show they have nothing to hide," Alptraum explains. "Nor do they need weapons to be safe."
"Mages couldn't get away with that," Cyprian laments. "Too hung up on the insignia of rank.."
"Also most of you would be a nightmare to see naked," Alptraum quips.
"That stings coming from Nightmare himself," Cyprian counters.
"Ugh, flirting," Flapjack mutters, in that way children do when adults do things they don't understand.
"Don't feel bad, no one wants to see me naked either," Alptraum points out.
"Clearly the blood is pooling in my brain," Cyprian says. "Flapjack, I will have an errand for you after you escort the Barsunala to wherever in the Tower he wishes to go."
"Send him naked," Alptraum comments in retaliation for that flirting comment. "I just intended to leave, I don't remember any other people I needed to speak with."
"I'll show you to the reception lobby then," the boy insists. Escorting important people around is apparently a point of pride for Flapjack.
"Naked?" Alptraum asks the boy.
This makes the boy blink and asks, "Do you want me to carry your clothes for you then?"
"Well played," Alptraum laughs. He heads out.
Once through the main door, Alptraum hears, "So are you really a demi-god?" from Gloria.
"Does it matter?" Alptraum answers with a question.
"I've never met one before," the girl admits. "I know this is the city where you can run into gods, though. And you're the ferryman Reaper?"
"I'm surprised anyone would tell you that, given ... you're a foreigner," Alptraum admits, trying to gentle about it. "But yes, I am. It's convoluted and hard to explain, but I do exist because of the magics surrounding Sunala and its influences. I was born here, on Mount Sunala, and sent away for protection. How they thought Sylvania would be safer, well."
"I had to fill her in on some of it," the other guard says.
"Why?" Alptraum asks the other guard.
"She's curious," the man admits.
"See, I grew up thinking you were the guy with the boat that took you across the river," Gloria says. "But then I learned about Reapers and how they carried scythes. To reap with. So do you have a boat or a scythe or is it something different here?"
"And part of Caroban, which had calls out for my elimination," Alptraum adds and rubs his face. "It's a sea here, and I guide the dead to it to rest," he answers Gloria. "And as for what I have ... it sort of varies to what people expect me to be, or not be." As he explains that last bit he's looking right at her and while he does, the color of his face changes to match hers, right down to the blue splash. Colors are easy to change without effort, thankfully. "I become what I am needed to be, and what people expect of me."
"Oh wow, that's cool!" the girl says. "But you're also an actual guy too. I bet you can get into all the restaurants and clubs and stuff for free. But I wouldn't want to see myself when I die. I don't think."
"I didn't know you could change your appearance," the other guard says. "I need to update my notes."
"I don't have to be a guy," Alptraum says vaguely. "And I probably could, but I don't. That would be an abuse of position and trust. A lot of what I do is never even heard about." He shakes his head and the color returns to normal.
"I'll want to hear about them next time you're here and I'm off duty then," Gloria says.
"No, you probably don't. Not unless you never want to sleep again," Alptraum admits.
"I grew up in Tursdi," the girl points out. "All we talked about were monsters and demons and stuff. The drippier and oozier the better!"
"I've melted people," Alptraum deadpans and arches his brow.
"Wicked!" the girl enthuses. "Was it because of some blasphemy against the gods?"
"Sort of. Mostly because they were monsters pretending to be people, metaphorically, and were responsible for a lot of death and horror in the city," Alptraum replies while rubbing between his eyes. "They had to be removed to protect the city."
"Do you do that a lot?" Gloria asks. "Like a dark avenger in the shadows, seeing everything and meting out justice?"
"Again, sort of." Alptraum glances at the other guard before saying to Gloria, "If you want drippy and oozy, you should visit the Temple if Gorphat. It seems like it's a rule that the Priestess' there must all be oozy in some fashion."
"I need to read up on this stuff!" Gloria says, and turns to the other guard. "Does the tower have books on this?"
"I dunno if the tower does," the man admits. "I haven't studied the Lore too much myself, and I was born here. My mom probably has some."
"We can talk some other time. Cyprian, Trilby, or Rostre know how to contact me," Alptraum offers. "I can't really stay much longer, though, and you have your duty as well."
"Oh yeah, well.. nice talking to you, Barsunala," Gloria says.
"Sorry, I didn't mean I didn't want to talk to you. I just have things I need to get settled and set quickly. It's not that I don't want to talk to you, especially since you're from a place near where I spent a lot of time; you can probably relate to me more than most," Alptraum admits. "I'll try to find you later when things are less hectic. It shouldn't be hard; your ability should make you unique enough to find in the various, well, planes."
"Neat!" is Gloria's response.