[Just so we have the summary of where we got to on here]
Noted down.
"So we have:
south gives up the power
allows the night ahead
north rings out the prayer
calls aloud to prison
west slips between the chains
defeats the guard beneath
central finds the joining
the song to end the earth
east stands at last alone
decay spreading slowly
Herla:
the enemy of form
waits beneath the water
his sword is strong and keen
corrupted shard of heaven
warrior and traitor
usurpers now betrayed
the fall will save or kill
the pool is void or lethe
the clash of steel on steel
blades are all that matter.
Phan:
The enemy of heart
Waits inside the circle
Prayers go in and out
Each gains greater potence,
Forbidden for three ages,
Allied to once great lords
Slept in hidden darkness
Nursing ancient grudges
Shies from the holy light
The cursed ones returned
Mani:
the enemy of mind
waits atop the mountain
battle of mind and brain
to redirect the flow
called in place of weaker
jewelled colours mixing
freedom won in contest
serves to his utmost soul
immaterial weapons
figured in to the game.
Where From?
A) Most obvious source with the power to affect us would be the evil forbidden god under Rathess. Surely a god of nightmare and perhaps it hopes that such dreams will distract us from its city. From beneath you it devours could even be a threat from the god. The only problem with this is that we know it came from Creation. Perhaps the solar can channel some of his powers? This might be too tangental.
B) The Exaltation; dreams of the past are common, but prophetic dreams are not unheard of and Phan’s ‘recognition’ potentially supports this.
C) A god, a thaumaturge or frankly any other magic user with the right skill set. Our own level of enlightenment, strength of will and mental strength is relevant, but we are not necessarily dealing with someone with that much power. However the way it shattered the dream catcher suggests power of a level at least equal to ours and the difficulty we had in waking up before the dream was completed suggests the same.
D) The tinge of destiny in the dream could intimate heaven, but I’ve no idea if heaven can even affect Lunars so directly.
Questions
1) Can we find out where the Dream came from and if it is not possible to ascertain that it is from a trusted source, then is it possible to find out whether there is any truth in it?
**After 1) then there are aspects of the dream that I believe it might be relevant to find out more about.
2) [Answered] Today is the 6th of Descending Fire. Calibration begins on the day after the 28th of Descending Fire. We have to find out as much as we can before then.
3) Do any other major foes to Creation come in threes? - research point?
4) Have there been any preparations for battle in the Wyld recently, especially in the West? (Herla could ask the Swords) - Research Lead?
5) Could the Great Contagion be cured if it surfaced again? - research point
6) Who might the nine be? - Presumably would become clear in time
7) Is there any alternative ‘The Power’ in the South? - research point
8) What is the greatest threat to the South of the three (if only one is referred to)? - research point
9) Is there any way of discovering if there is a vast Malfean cult in the North? - research point
10) Were the Solars bound in the Western sea, how were they guarded and is there anything else chained there? -research point
11) What are the oaths that bind those in Malfeas and did the exalted leave any loop holes? - research point
12) What is the song-magic referred to - is there a known summoning ritual powerful enough to join two plains together or something equally difficult? Could it be done? - research point
13) [Answered] The connection with shadow also suggests Calibration, therefore:
14) Find out more about Five Days Darkness' likes and dislikes and find him? Careful if might tip off the bad guys. Research Lead
15) Who might the Enemy of Mind be? It might have some connection to the Imperial Mountain. - research point (vague)
16) What constitutes a death-lord, in case the 'souls' reference refers to it? - research point
17) At what strength are the Dragon lines at present, especially around the Imperial Mountain. - research point, possibly minor
18) What is known about the Realm defence grid's specific powers in case it is needed; how would one get in? - research point
19) Could the so called Mountain Folk be a pivotal connection between the imperial mountain and the Wyld (for example do they use singing magic) - research point
Research point = I've no idea
Research lead = We may have a potential direction
We can't follow all these up, at least not alone, but this is my attempt to make an exhaustive list."
Solars "Kairos", "Azir", "Ferric", "Kieron", "Fox", "Raiden":
"My name is Ma'ani, a companion of Herla Antherung, whom you know. We have captured a Realm military Skyship and a (slightly damaged) Jade Warstrider. We would like to trade the Warstrider and discuss a periodical rental for the Sky-ship if you are interested. We are opening up trade link with various interested parties, but Herla's connection to you and your past bravery facing the Realm makes us interested in dealing with you. We two and our other companion would be honoured to meet with you to trade, we three plus your party would make nine, a very auspicious number in which to broker friendships and face the tides that flow against our exaltations, I hope you agree. Please respond if you are interested."
News
"If you two have finished sparring? In one piece, or almost? PHAN! Ah, sorry, you should be bigger. Right...I've received a reply from the solars and sent one in response - nothing detailed. They mentoned prophesies in their response so they may form our other six.
They want to meet up - still ostensibly to trade - and they wanted us to go to Nexus, but I think neutral territory might be better so I've recommended a little village a little way out of Nexus - Fenlarosh if you know it - good lunar meeting site, full of bolt holes and such. I know you trust them Herla - I want to too and I am confident that they will be good men and women - but I imagine that Phan at least might be happier not appearing as himself to begin with? Wandered Lamb could appear as the third part of our group instead - although they may be able to tell from Herla's expression that something was not as it should be... Alternatively we could just appear as the two of us prepared to treat and Phan could watch leaving Wandered Lamb as back up should, unlikely as it is, something bad happen?
While I was taught about the Silver Way I was told many things about the solar exalted and not all of them were good. Their skills are similar to our own, but our approach is now very different from what theirs was previously. It would be nice if the new solars could also see the changes necessary in the light of history, but we cannot rely on their hope. That they are different does not make them bad, of course, but they are described as compelling, persuasive and they risk making us weak, just as we need to be strong. I intend to think through a logical hoped-for outcome before any dealings with them and try to stick as closely to that as possible so that their skills at persuasion cannot lead me too far from myself.
I know it sounds a bit silly or paranoid, and there will of course be very sensible reasons for changing our minds, but I still think it may be worth watching ourselves closely to begin with. Moreover if Phan's solar pairing is one of these number that has risks of its own. Phan what do you wish us to do if this has unexpected consequences? Herla what about you, should your pair turn out to be among them? I believe that as one of the chosen of Luna my personality is the one thing I must never compromise - personality and independence - and I would go so far as to kill any partner who tried to force my submission.
Sorry for such dark conversations. But I don't want to misunderstand later. We go our own ways and if you would be curious about such pairings and interested in exploring the strength that can no doubt arise from them then I wont be hounding any solars round with Verangian castrating tongs this week. Worst case scenario really again.
Having said all this I'm feeling a bit paranoid." Shivers a bit and brightens up.
"As for the trade, the warstrider can be sold, in my opninion, and the airship leant on a ten year renewable lease? I would like to leave the Dragon Kings something."