Sapphire:Sessions:20170211
Chalker, it seems, had found the shutoff switch for the entire defense system.
Branamin examines the books, but he's unable to read any of the titles. His ring tells him, I still feel something, like an annoying gnat.
Ann-Lee finds indications that the place was evacuated hurriedly. Apparently the people took all records of their work, even ripping specific pages out of a book (rather than taking the entire book). In one room a single blank sheet of paper lies on the floor. The only thing he finds valuable is a gold chain with a broken clasp.
As Branamin walks past a bookshelf divider, the ring suddenly goes quiet. He taps on a small recessed piece of wood, and beyond it he finds crystals wrapped around something dark and metallic with a hole in the middle. Chalker TKs the item and senses a throb of power. He starts to slide the object over the end of the platinum rod he had found earlier, and the object practically jumps toward the rod. He separates the rod and the object, placing them in different pockets.
Also from the recess Branamin withdraws an etching in blue and silver of a woman seated in an armchair, surrounded by images of open books. The woman could be the same as the one from the vision of the bier.
Branamin finds a section of books with spines that appear worn from much use. He selects a book that seems interesting to him. He recognizes that the writing is Venettian, and he can tell that three pages have been torn out. He shows the book to Chalker, who tells him that the title is Basic Psionic Theory & Principles.
Chalker checks Branamin's aura, mentally comparing it to his previous reading. Part of his aura appears more 'concentrated' like a new link or 'input area.' Branamin: "The third entity... we battled, and it submitted. Right now he's not speaking."
Chalker checks Ahn-Lee's aura. There are changes that are now unraveling.
Chalker forces open the fused lock to the area labeled Primary Zero. Obviously there was a big fight here; the place was wrecked and then burned; slagged metal and humanoid ashes are everywhere. Chalker walks through the gaping hole where a door once stood. He finds 90 pounds of gold and silver ore which he shares with Ahn-Lee.
Shawna picks up the blank sheet of paper and senses that someone had tried to impress a message onto it... someone fearful, panicky, and ultimately frustrated. Branamin translates the impression into an Illusion of a young man with a neatly-trimmed beard, wearing a crystal on a lanyard. A voice in the background is shouting "Protocol --"
Chalker and Ahn-Lee later catch up with Shawna, who shows them a room she has discovered. There are three carpeted walkways 5' across that lead between sets of 6' high posts topped with dark mithril. Set into a pedestal is a panel with a slot in it and a series of switches labeled 1 through 9. She mentions that there's a similar room across the complex with two portals. Chalker inserts the platinum rod, flips a switch and thinks "Where?" Shawna suddenly realizes that activating switches 3, 5, and 9 will open a portal to the north docks.
Branamin writes in his journey book to the effect that Cor, Delsa, and Asseraah wish to communicate with us.
At the temple of Cor, a falcon lands on Shawna's right shoulder. Chalker and Shawna stand before the altar and give observance to Cor and Delsa, respectively. Ahn-Lee seats himself in the high priest's chair (which looks to be the most comfortable) and feels unseen presences join him at each arm. Branamin feels his own observance to Cor has been accepted.
Chalker addresses Cor: "What is the complex below us?" The control complex for the Xanthypian mines. "What is the purpose of dark mithril?" To alter and better allow mortals to interact with matters related to the mine. "Are there other locations connected to this facility?" Not currently, but potentially. The connections have been cut off by Chalker Jackson.
Cor to Ahn-Lee: Jax says you'll make a good priest. Ahn-Lee scowls and Jax laughs.
Cor reveals that Chalker is descended from the Xanthypians.
Chalker: "How to restrict access to the facility?" It will require the coordination of your entire group. After much discussion, Cor agrees to help hide the island and its mines.
Shawna, with the cooperation of Cor, cleans up and beautifies the temple.
Restless, Ahn-Lee goes off to a storeroom, Jax following. Ahn-Lee notices a certain stone rocking back and forth, and beneath the stone he finds two perfectly-balanced throwing daggers (with specks of dark mithril in the hilts) and a small box of bullets that will fit the gun he filched from the zombie world. Jax explains the latter were "left by someone who skips around."
After a night's rest, the group reconvenes in the temple. Chalker asks Cor, "Show us what we must do."
- Shawna visualizes a spiritual aversion to the island, Ahn-Lee a physical aversion to the island
- Shawna visualizes the switches in the main control room; she will Apport them once the group leaves
- If someone somehow reaches the island, Branamin wants them to be attacked with blowflies such that they go mad with itching and kill themselves. The others find this objectionable. He settles for the illusion that the island is completely barren, and that over time the intruder will go mad
- The crew of the schooner Tam's Joy will have their memories altered such that they never saw the island. They will be paid handsomely for taking the group on a cruise out and back
The group sails back to Fisher's Bay, walks the few miles to the gate, and are back in Sapphire by sundown.
Jeeves relates that there had been an altercation between the staffs of the embassies of Dolyena and Greater Bicarn, but he doesn't yet have the details.
The merchant's daughter approaches Ahn-Lee for their "cut". Ahn-Lee takes her to an expensive pub ("And I make sure she's buying!")
Branamin consults with an older mage from the guild regarding creating a magical servant with whom he can learn and practice languages; for example, Venettian and Xanthypian.