<Gamemaster> We need to figure out who remained behind with the Lunar
retrieved from the Duck settlement. Anybody remember who that was?
<Jane> It was defined as being anyone whose player wasn't around,
I think :)
<NoBison> He was back in the camp wasn't he. I think Varjella
is right
<Gamemaster> That would be Huff then - our baboon character. Everyone
else has been involved in the latest excursion to Corflu so far as I can
tell.
<Gamemaster> Unless perhaps Joss didn't come...
<Jane> According to the log, Joss came. Mawth was in question, but
I think he's here.
<Jane> And No-Bison *didn't* come: he must have changed his mind.
<mawth> perhaps came oalong with Mawth on a spuirit journey... ;-)
<Gamemaster> Yes, that must be what happened. No-Bison and Mawth
decided to come after all and Huff plus Joss remained with the Lunar.
<Gamemaster> Ok. So last session we left off in the Tolkazzi manor.
The matron of the household had just introduced herself to Varjeela.
<NoBison> and invited her to lead the worship service
<Jane> Although without giving a name. Did you have time to invent
some in the last week?
<Gamemaster> Ok. So the matron of the household is named Varza and
like I said last session she is an older lady of considerable refinement.
<NoBison> (sits quietly in the back ground and watches Varjeela)
<Varjeela> And I believe I'd just asked her about the low number
of Issaries cultists in the area?
<Gamemaster> "As you know my dear," says this Varza person, "Corflu
was founded just a few years ago by my family and the Lunars. There has
not been much time to establish the faith here as yet..."
<mawth> (just an aside - what are we trying to achieve? aren't we
thinking about what to do about the old ruins and the duck village?)
<Varjeela> (Yes: we're also trying to sort out what to do about
this Lunar we rescued from the ducks.
<Varjeela> (This seemed like a good place to get information, and
a good opening.)
<NoBison> (Yes but this is a holy day here and nothing going on)
<mawth> and teh tolkazzi's are (relatively) good riverfolk, so they're
probably good people to get in with...
<Gamemaster> Depends what you mean by holy day... Holy days in Glorantha
are sprinkled all over the place and not really all that uncommon in one
form or another. This is Ancestor's Day in the local calendar which is
sort of like our secularized Sunday. So the inactivity you are seeing
is related more to local custom than it is to any strictly religious observance.
<Varjeela> It's Godday in the Pavis calendar: a good day for spiritual
matters.
<mawth> ie, people generally are happy taking it easy, and soaking
up the river's blessings.
<Gamemaster> Yes, and so those from Pavis might take it a bit more
seriously than those from the local area.
<Varjeela> And this lot *are* from Pavis, originally?
<Gamemaster> Yes. Tolkazzi's are from Pavis.
<NoBison> (Yawn, scratch, scratch)
<mawth> (so if there hasn't been much time to set up 'the faith'
they might be well keen to find out about trading opportunities with ducks...
except of course we want to keep those guys secret!)
<Varjeela> "Of course, I understand much of your Family remains
in Pavis?"
<Gamemaster> "Yes. That is true," says Varza looking slightly annoyed.
<Varjeela> "And of course they support the faith there. A shame
Etyries has gained such a stronghold here, but even the Tolkazzis cannot
be everywhere at once."
<Gamemaster> "However, I am here to represent the family's interests.
I can tell you there are certain hindrances to properly establishing the
faith here but I am working on it."
<Varjeela> I would be happy to assist in whatever way I can, of
course. At present, I can offer you a worship service. Are there any particular
needs you would like this service to address?"
<Gamemaster> "The Lunars as you know are fairly powerfull and can
exert a strong influence on how things get done..."
<NoBison> (sits listening attentively now)
<Varjeela> Nods sympathetically. "The Lunars have had an impact
in Pavis, too."
<mawth> "Have you heard of the Lunar expeditions that search the
swamps?"
<mawth> (butting in a bit, but not meaning to cut over anyone...)
<Varjeela> (Mawth will have realised by now that the only way to
shut Varj. up is to gag her!)
<mawth> :-)
<Gamemaster> "Actually no. It is enough to have a proper service
for once..." Varza looks sad and happy at the same time.
<Varjeela> "There used to be a priest here, did there not? Is he
travelling at present?"
<Gamemaster> Varza looks pensive for a minute and then says, "Do
you mean Falabdur?"
<Varjeela> "Yes, I believe that was the name. Didn't he assist in
the founding?"
<Gamemaster> "That was Koronius Falabdur who was involved in that.
He died several years ago..."
<NoBison> (looks around to see if there is anybody else hanging around
in the background)
<NoBison> (still seated)
<Gamemaster> All is well NoBison...
<Varjeela> "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. And you've been without a priest since? None of his family took over the position?"
<Gamemaster> "Yes, his son Gharan became Etyries priest after him and became High Priest after that. Then he disappeared just before the start of Dark Season..."
<mawth> (eyebrows arch slightly)
<Gamemaster> "Since then there has been no Etyries priest here..."
<Gamemaster> "We have an opportunity to get Issaries into Corflu
if we play our cards right. That's what I mean when I say that I'm 'working
on it'.
<Varjeela> "Since there is a gap to be filled, it seems only right
that an Issaries priest should fill it. And as yet the Lunars have sent
no Etyries replacement?"
<Gamemaster> "It does take time for word to go back to the Lunar
authorities. We've had the same problem here though as well of course...
your coming is most fortunate in that regard!"
<Varjeela> (laughs) "An embarrassing position for the God of Communication,
really! Of course, I shall be happy to help. A fortunate coincidence, as
you say. Let's just hope that whoever the Lunars eventually send isn't
too competent.."
<Gamemaster> "Shall we??" says Varza gesturing towards a hall running
northward into the building
<Varjeela> "Of course."
<Varjeela> (And off we go to do the ceremony)
<NoBison> (stands last and follows along)
<Gamemaster> "His replacement will certainly be competent considering
the elevated position enjoyed by Gharan."
<Gamemaster> Varjeela will conduct a service for the family members and their friends. Everyone will much appreciate this and Varjeela will enjoy considerable attention for her efforts. She will be able to glean a few other tidbits over the course of the next few hours.
<NoBison> (watchs with interest and looks arond for a chance to fill his belly)
<Varjeela> Try to get some idea of how competent Gharan was.
<Gamemaster> Well, he was very competent so whatever made him wander off into the marshes (at least that's what the rumours say happened) must've been some really potent magic indeed!
<Varjeela> Try to see if the description of Gharan fits the bod we picked up from the ducks.
<Gamemaster> In fact the description of Gharan does match very well.
<Varjeela> And make best guess as to what would happen if a brain-damaged Gharan was to re-appear.
<Varjeela> Would he get the job back?
<Gamemaster> Maybe but there would be resistence.
<Gamemaster> The resisitence would be from within the Etyries establishment no doubt - either from those who would want to replace him or from those who would fear a weak link...
<Varjeela> So the Etyries rep would be an argument between some new bod and the brain-damaged one. Meanwhile we could have a united front.
<Gamemaster> Ooohhhh - you are soooo sly!!!
<Varjeela> Of course, the new guy coming in getting his job might be suspected of having engineering the "accident".
<Gamemaster> Yes, I suppose some might think that...
<Varjeela> If they didn't think it, it could be suggested to them.
<Gamemaster> Will you be discussing this with Varza?
<Varjeela> See how well we get on, once we get chatting. Do I find out her position in the household/family/ cult?
<Gamemaster> She is the sister of Tolkazzi as it turns out. You don't recall her from previous activity in Pavis. You would think she's reasonably well connected though.
(Pause till next week while we digest all the Cunning Plans)