Varjeela> As I recall, Varjeela was trying to persuade the giant's spirit that he would like to stop hanging around here and go and join his daughter. Then she needs to do an Issaries ritual (with Zola Fel add-ons) to get a spirit to go to its rightful place. This is supposed to be one of Issaries' jobs, after all, though I expect it only works if the spirit is willing for it to work.
Dave Black> You had been concerned that the ceremonies not go
against the wishes of the spirit as I recall. Mawth cannot give you that
assurance.
Varjeela> He was communicating with the spirit, wasn't he?
Dave Black> Yes but that kind of information wasn't at the heart
of the conversation. He mainly tried to understand what the spirit was
about.
Varjeela> Can he get back in touch with it?
Dave Black> Yes. He would need to repeat the ceremony again.
Off hand I can't recall if there's a limit on that ceremony in terms of
the number of times per day - probably not.
Varjeela> Ideally I'd want the spirit to actually take part
in our ceremony. Taking a quick look at Varj's spells, she's got Worship
Issaries, but not Sanctify. Does that sound good enough?
Dave Black> I'm not sure that a special spell is needed. The
spirit needs to feel a sense of closure emotionally in order to allow himself
to depart as I see it.
Varjeela> So if we all, including the spirit, did a ceremony
to send the child's spirit on its way, including elements from Zola Fel
and Issaries, that might do the trick?
Dave Black> A sort of belated funeral might well work, yes.
The trick will be to incorporate enough of the recognizable elements for
the giant to understand...
Varjeela> That's why I want his spirit to be consulted beforehand,
and to actually take part if possible. Joss was going to make a miniature
Cradle out of reeds, wasn't he?
Dave Black> Yes - I recall that as well. Mawth would be able
to get much more information about Giant customs by re-establishing his
link.
Varjeela> Sounds like a good idea. So Joss and I get our side
of things prepared, though be prpared to change it if needed. Mawth gets
in touch with the giant. And we carry on striaght into the ceremony if
we can, so Mawth only has to re-establish contact once. Of course, if the
giant's requirements mean shopping or making things, it'll have to wait
a bit.
Dave Black> Sounds like a plan. The group spends the next few
hours implementing it. Mawth is able to re-establish communications with
the spirit and explains what is intended. The spirit is reluctant at first
but is eventually convinced to participate.
Varjeela> Sorry, I failed to invent a ceremony over Xmas :(
Dave Black> A good deal of the Giant culture practices are communicated
and there is no particular impediment to carrying them out so in short
order the ceremony can take place.
Dave Black> No problem Jane. I don't think we'll bother getting
into the nuts and bolts of it. With great solemnity ceremony is conducted.
Although the spirit is never visible its presence is felt by everyone in
the group. Incredible sadness pours out and washes over the area.
Varjeela> Varjeela, having had some practise at conducting funerals
(though not much!) carries on without bursting into tears.
Dave Black> The sadness grows increasingly stronger throughout
the service until finally, at the end, there is a sudden release of tension.
Each of you know that the spirit at the moment had gone on to whatever
awaits it on the other side...
Varjeela> Success! Phew! (The child's spirit, or the adult giant
as well?)
Dave Black> It would be hard to tell (excepting Mawth who would
have an advantage in that respect). Certainly though the adult spirit is
gone now.
Varjeela> Is everyone else OK? Ceremonies that intense can really
take it out of you when you're not used to it.
Dave Black> Everyone is quite drained. A rest period is in order
for the group.
Varjeela> Sounds about right to me. Dave, how much further do
you want to take this without the other players?
Dave Black> Are there any other issues we should deal with regarding
Varjeela? We should probably hold up here as far as the adventure itself
goes.
Varjeela> I can't think of anything else V-specific, no. She's
pretty pleased with herself over that ceremony, of course!
Dave Black> Assuredly.
Varjeela> Shall we say she spends some of the rest period discussing
funeral customs with the others? Some of the ad-lib bits that got added
to the ceremony fascinated her, and since it was so successful she wants
to make a note of the recipe as it were.
Dave Black> She's still practising with the sling these days?
Varjeela> Practising with a sling is not resting!
Dave Black> I mean generally speaking - not at this exact moment
in time.
Varjeela> In general, yes. She'd like to practise her staff
skills as well, but this is harder to arrange.
Dave Black> How about language development? How many hours per
day do you think she's averaging in learning Boatspeech?
Varjeela> Mmm. Joss and Mawth speak it as native, don't they?
It's up to them. How many hours per day are they willing to spend being
practised on?
Dave Black> How does the equivalent of an hour each per day
sound to you? Are you teaching anybody Tradetalk?
Varjeela> Anyone who's willing to learn! At the same time as
the Boatspeech, I expect. If an hour per day is all they'll do, I suppose
that's all she gets :(
Dave Black> That's a starting point. I'll be in touch with the
others and we'll end up with different numbers I'm sure.
Varjeela> She can also teach Pavic if they prefer, of course.
But Trade is easier (faster) to learn.
Dave Black> Language is a troubling thing with the rules the
way they are. Still, I like the precision of Runequest more than the imprecision
of most other systems.
Varjeela> V will happily spend all her waking hours teaching
or learning languages. Just give her the victimXXXXXXpupils!
Dave Black> I would think Tradetalk would be the most beneficial
to the others. So noted. .
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