Copyright ©1998 Jonathan Cardon
Amber DRPG is Copyright ©1991 Erick Wujcik

Finally the questions are over and each of you is returned to your private cell. Hours pass. You are fed a decent meal, but watched carefully. Eventually guards come and you are escorted to another room.

Vance takes the free time to eat and rest.

All of you (except Rex) arrive at approximately the same time at a large chamber. You are led to sit upon large red cushions while the three Karcists who interrogated you and the Karcist Almirant (high priest from earlier) look down upon you from atop a raised platform 20 feet away, and five feet above you. Large gallaries filled with chairs line the edges of the room. These seats are empty and your feet echo as you enter.

The same Karcist who was cast the truth spell is again chanting in a holding pattern. Holding a spell ready for release. The guards escort you into the chamber and then retire to the outside.

Vance frowns. "This is getting tiring."

Jeanette reminds Vance, "Patience is a virtue."

Vance says "So is respect."

Sunfall remains silent.

Jeanette shrugs.

The Karcist Almirant nods to the Karcist chanting. In response, he speaks the final word and a spell is released. A blow glow comes from him in a slowly expanding sphere, that washes over the group and fills the chamber.

When the blue glow touches the other Karcists, it washes over them and continues onward. When it reaches the party it sets off interesting effects. Various small items on Reed's person begin twinkling in a rainbow of colors. One of Reed's items, a small cube, seems to reflect the blue glow like a mirror.

The blue glow shrinks as it reaches Jeanette, seemingly swallowed up by the dark jewel she bears. Her gloves also seem strange. Under the blue glow they look like long claws. The glow seems to have little effect on Vance. As the glow washes over Madrak, a darkness envelops him like a shroud. It is as if he has wings and a helm crafted of night. Sunfall's junaive (polearm) seems to change shape slightly. It is as if it has a more pronounced hook, and a cross near the base.

The glow expands onward filling the room, and then fades. The Karcist who casts the spell says, "Obviously they bear items of power, but the Ritual of Presence confirms this room is secure.

The Karcist Almirant speaks, "I have considered your words, and the evidence. I am prepared to pass judgement. Do you have any words to speak in defense or mitigation?

Vance is quiet, though his frown remains.

Sunfall says "I do not believe I have done anything deliberately for which defense is necessary, Dai'shi."

"Does anyone else have words to speak in defense or mitigation?"

The Kacist of Wisdom (who took notes during the interrogation) says, "The flight of the one known as Rex was not the act of one who had nothing to hide."

The Karcist of Adepts (who cast the spells) says, "A search of the chambers of the deceased revealed books on the subject of demonology. It is possible that he was responsible for his own death."

The Karcist Almirant speaks, "Hear my judgement. I find you without fault in the death of Raiguyen.

The Karcist Almirant continues, "Vance and Madrak have spoken of the destruction of another Realm, and urged us to make steps. I have commanded that a guard be placed on the Circle of Runes, and our the emperor will be notified to prepare our army.

The Karcist Almirant continues, "Reed has requested to take measurements of the Circle of Runes. There is more to be gained than lost. The request shall be granted."

Madrak bows his head slightly.

The Karcist Almirant continues, "Vance has requested that a tanist accompany him on his further journey. It is my judgement that you travel into danger, and that a Tanist would be at risk to accompany you. Vance may have a Karcist of Chiare to accompany him on his journey."

Vance frowns slightly, but nods.

The Karcist Almirant focuses his gaze on Sunfall. "The Tanist known as Sunfall has shown great promise. It is my will that she traverse the Circle of Runes tonight and complete the major runes. If she survives, she will be a Karcist, and may accompany Vance should she so choose."

Sunfall bows both in assent and to allow her to regain composure after her surprise.

The Karcist Almirant looks grim. "The one known as Rex may be responsible for the death of the Karcist Raiguyen. However, there is evidence that forces allied with demons are active here in the Sorceror's Citadel. For your protection you will be returned to the suite you once occupied."

Vance looks over to the Karcist, and signals that he wishes to speak.

The Karcist Almirant nods to Vance, "You wish to say something?"

Vance says "Yes. While I believe Rex to have a problem with authority figures, I doubt he is responsible for the Karcist's death. First, he was with us for the entire trip, and hasn't been alone since we entered Chiare. Second, if he was responsible despite this fact, then his power is more formidable than I had imagined."

The Karcist Almirant says, "Your reasoning is sound insofar as Rex would have been hard pressed to have summoned and placed the demon without help. However, it seems likely that he may have helped, if only by being an informant. In any case he is to be detained and questioned should he return to the Empire of Chiare."

The Karcist Almirant continues, "You will remain in your chambers until it is time for the Tannist Sunfall to walk the Circle of Runes. After the ritual you will be secretly conveyed from this fortress and allowed to continue on your journey."

Vance says "Very well. Though, I would point out that he did not even know we were travelling to Chiare until after our attempt to travel to Begma."

The Karcist Almirant says, "Are there any other questions?"

Madrak shakes his head.

Jeanette has none.

Krinac says "*If there are no questions, you are conducted back to your chamber, under guard. This time a guardsman opens the door and a quick search is done of the suite before you are allowed to enter. You are released to your suite and the gaurds retire to outside the suite."

Madrak finds a chair. "Well. That was... more fair than I'd feared."

Krinac says "*You have several hours until the ceremony... you can talk for a bit, when you are ready to fast forward let me know."

Sunfall says "We are not barbarians, after all."

Jeanette scowls, letting loose the unpleasant feelings she held in check while they were under direct observation. "Fair? Next best thing to rape, according to some cultures."

Jeanette says "Why didn't they just strip-search us while they were at it?"

Vance says "It was necessary, in their eyes. I may have done something similar were the situation reversed."

Vance turns to Sunfall. "Will you be ready for the walk on such short notice?"

Madrak says "I have known those who would have simply killed us on suspicion alone, Jeanette, and it would not have been a gentle death."

Jeanette scowls, and sits back. "I do not believe I care to travel here again."

Reed agree sourly with Jeanette, "It wasn't just, but we came here as foreigners, and we have to deal with their laws. We can't expect everyone to be democratic."

Jeanette eyes Reed as if he were something that crawled out from under a rock, but says nothing.

Sunfall replies "It is what I have trained for". Without another word, Sunfall enters a meditative state, refusing to become further embroiled in any debate.

Vance looks over to Jeanette. "I would advise keeping your opinions to yourself. In the days to come, you will see many things that differ with your beliefs."

Jeanette says "I will show the respect due from a traveller to her host, Vance. But I do not have to enjoy it."

Reed seems a little miffed at Jeanette's glare, but chokes back whatever he was about to say after Vance's comment.

Vance says "See that you don't. I'd prefer not to die from a careless response. One thing in common with those in places of power - they place themselves above others. And they are quite touchy about such matters."

Jeanette nods. "One is reminded of the response of the Emperor of Chin, to the Queen's gifts."

Madrak smiles thinly.

Vance frowns. "Just be careful. This little incident has already delayed us for too long. And it only gets worse from here." He pauses, then says, "I will be studying until it is time for Sunfall's walk. Call me when the guards arrive." He turns, and heads to his rooms.

Madrak hmps. "It always gets worse. That is the way of the world."

Jeanette says "Worlds have their own ways."

Jeanette walks off to her own rooms, joining Sunfall in meditation.

Guards come to escort Sunfall to prepare for the ceremony.

A short time later they return for the rest of you.

The guards escort you from your rooms to a chamber deep within the mountain. Massive doors and a long narrow passageway guard the entrance. You reach the chamber of the Circle of Runes.

In the center of the room is a floor of dark obsidian polished smooth. Glowing blue lines can be seen in the dark stone. The designs form the shape of runes, laid out in a great circle. Toward the edges the runes are scarce and there is much space between them.

Closer to the center of the circle the runes almost touch and there is little space between them.

Sunfall is waiting at the edge of the circle. She is dressed all in white, and carries her junaive with her. The three Karcists from earlier and the Karcist Almirant stand by her.

The Karcist Almirant nods to the Karcist of Adepts. The Karcist of Adepts chants lynchpins, and the Ritual or Presence fills the chamber.

This time the glow does not spread out from the Karcist casting the spell, but from the Circle of Runes itself. The runes glow brighter and then their glow spreads to fill the room.

The same effects happen as before when the ritual reaches the party, except when the ritual touches Sunfall, her junaive again seems to bend shape, and also the blue glow of the ritual races along it very quickly, then it too seems to be almost a source of the same blue glow.

The Ritual of Presence reveals no outside forces at work in the chamber. The Karcist Almirant turns to Sunfall, "You may start when you are ready."

Madrak remains a silent, brooding presence.

Sunfall approaches the circle at the point of the first Rune.

As Sunfall's foot first touches the outer edge she is bathed in tongues of blue flame.

As Sunfall begins her walk, one of the Karcists approaches Reed. "You may take your measurements now." Reed draws forth a device in response, and begins a slow walk around the outside perimeter of the Circle of Runes.

Sunfall's first circuit passes fairly quickly, as if familiar to her. As she steps inward to the second circle however, the blue flames brighten and her junaive begins to glow.

As she passes each rune Sunfall's pace, though never stopping, slows slightly.

Upon entering the third circle, Sunfall's posture becomes noticeably more rigid with tension.

With each successive circle, the flames grow brighter, and Sunfall's figure seems to waver and melt slightly, as if seen through heat waves.

Although he was walking at a slow leisurely pace, Reed has completed two complete circuits of the outside perimeter, and Sunfall is still struggling.

By the time she reaches the sixth circle, Sunfall's specific features are no longer visible through the flames, and her junaive is a rod of coruscating blue-white.

As Sunfall nears the center, one of the Karcists goes to the door of the chamber, and opens it to allow a tanist to enter. This is the same tanist who spoke to Sunfall after the death of Raiguyen.

Sunfall walks slowly, as if through an invisible substance thicker than water. She walks straight to the center rather than walking the seventh circuit. Once at the Center, the blue white flames crescendo, then die away to a dim cloud of glowing blue motes.

The Karcist Almirant says, "Sunfall, remain at rest in the center for now."

You think you see the figure in the center of the circle nod wearily.

Vance steps forward, toward the Karcist Almirant.

The Karcist Almirant says, "The Tanist Hua Jiang has charges to bring against the Tanist Sunfall."

The Tannist Hua Jiang speaks with tones of accusation, "Sunfall is not what she appears to be. She is not a tanist of Chiare, but a demon."

Vance says "Given that Sunfall has just reached the center, this Tanist is laying a serious charge against a Karcist, not another Tanist."

Madrak leans on his staff, watching.

The Karcists nod in agreement. The Karcist Almirant says, "A most extreme charge indeed. Tanist Hua Jiang what would you have us do?"

The Tanist Hua Jiang says, "Sunfall is at the center of the Circle. Let the ritual of binding be preformed. The ritual will trap a demon. If she is but a tanist, she will be able to walk out again."

Vance turns to Hua Jiang. "Again, you malign her title. As of yet, no proof has been provided. And I have a request ere this ritual is granted."

The Karcist Almirant says, "What is this request?"

Vance says "I wish to assay the Circle - before this ritual is performed."

Sunfall appears too exhausted to reply to the charges.

The Karcist Almirant asks, "To what end? The ritual is simple and fast, and the test sure. The circle is after all used for summoning. I would have this matter resolved now. Can you not walk the wheel after the Karcist Sunfall has the chance to prove she is no demon?

Madrak says "Do demons attack their own? You have been warned twice now to expect a threat from within. Perhaps it seeks to cover its track."

Vance says "My examination might be tainted by the ritual, and I have little time to wait for the emanations to subside."

Jeanette says "Who will perform this ritual? Who stands most to gain from her downfall, to lose by her rising?"

Vance glances to Jeanette. "For something of this importance, the Karcist Almirant must perform the ritual." He turns back to the Karcist Almirant. "Correct?"

The Karcist Almirant replies to the outburts, "I desire the Karcist Sunfall to clear her name. This is the most definitive test available. If she is as she appears there is no risk to her, and the Tanist Hua Jiang will suffer. Vance I hear your plea, but Tanist Hua Jiang's charges must be answered. I will conduct the ritual myself. We will have the truth of Sunfall's nature."

Vance says "And, what is the penalty should the charges be false?"

Madrak straightens. "And how does Tanist Hua Jiang know Sunfall is a demon?"

Jeanette says "What evidence convinces the Tanist to bring such an accusation?"

The Karcist Almirant says, "Normally the Karcist Sunfall would be given the right to pass judgement. However, Hua Jiang has confessed to other crimes and she will be a long time in answering them. As to evidence, Hua Jiang claims she saw Sunfall change her shape from that of a demon to the one she wears now."

Jeanette says "One who has much reason to lie, then, brings accusation against a key figure at a vital moment. Just as another key figure is slain at a vital moment. Quite a curious coincidence."

The Karcist Almirant says, "The reason I give weight to Tanist Hua Jiang's words of accusation is that she was not under suspicion, but voluntarily accused herself just to have Sunfall tested. She has thrown away her honor and her future. If this is but a ploy, it is difficult to see how she could prosper by it."

Jeanette says "A demon has neither honor nor future in a realm not its own."

Madrak says "Unless she is not, in fact, the Tanist Hua Jiang."

The Tanist Hua Jiang hangs her head as if in shame. The other Karcists look at the Karcist Almirant as if they are just beginning to understand.

The Karcist Almirant says, "All the more reason to get clean Sunfall's name then. Step aside. Let the ritual of binding begin."

The Karcist Almirant begins to chant.

Jeanette quietly slips her gloves on, watching all carefully.

Madrak says "Why not test them both?"

Sunfall weakly waves for them to get it over with.

The Karcist of Adepts says to Madrak quietly, "The Tanist Hua Jiang is not skilled enough to reach the center of the Circle of Runes. Thus we cannot give her our strongest test. I am sure she has already been tested under a spell of truth, and I intend her to answer more questions before I'm satisified."

The Karcist Almirant's chant builds to a higher and higher, and then cuts off.

The Karcist Almirant commands, "Sunfall come forth!"

Sunfall seems to gather herself and begins to wearily shuffle out of the circle, using her junaive as a support.

After leaving the circle, she shuffles forward to face Hua Jiang, still breathing hard with the effort of her original walk. Hoarsely, she says "Perhaps my bad luck wears the false face of friend."

Hua Jiang seems shocked, "No I saw it you killed her! You ate her! You wear her skin!" Hua attempts to bodily throw herself at Sunfall.

Madrak grabs Hua quickly.

Jeanette steps close, reaching to close fingers about Hua Jiang's neck and intoning a single, throat-twisting Word.

Sunfall lifts her hand for people to desist hostilities.

Madrak grabs Hua as she first lauched herself at Sunfall. All signs of martial training gone, she appeared to be trying to claw Sunfall with her fingernails. When Madrak grasps Hua Jiang she struggled in his grasp hysterically screaming "No, No, No," Sunfall lifts up her hand, but Jeanette was already in motion and with a word from her Hua Jiang freezes stock still, frozen in Madrak's arms.

Vance says calmly, "I believe this matter is settled. May I traverse the Circle?"

The Karcist Almirant mutely nods permission.

Sunfall turns to the Karcist Almirant. "Dai'shi, if I could be permitted to speak with Hua Jiang privately after I have rested...?"

Vance takes a different route than Sunfall. He makes a casual, dismissive gesture to the design before him, then takes a sharp curve that is, if not direct, much quicker than Sunfall's path.

The Karcist Almirant says, "Are you sure that is wise? I am afraid that Tanist Hua Jiang may have lost her grip on sanity. Perhaps she was the victim of a glamour, for she certainly seemed to believe her charges. You have the right to pass judgement on her, but I want answers as to what she knows of demons."

Madrak says "She may have been tricked by a demon who wished to frame Sunfall... and her as well, perhaps."

Sunfall says "I know that some power has acted against me, but I question whether Hua Jiang could have summoned the thing that attacked Raiguyen. I would like to speak to her after you have asked her whatever you wish."

The Karcist Almirant says, "That too seems a likely possibility. Someone has committed a crime, and gone to great lengths to spread confusion."

The Karcist Almirant says, "That may take some time. We will see that she gets some poppy juice, and you may question her tonight. You leave before dawn and our questions may be days in the asking. Welcome daughter, I am proud that you have joined the ranks of Karcist."

Vance reaches the center in near record time, and stands there slightly bent over, breathing heavily. His eyes are closed, and fatigue lines his face.

Each of the other Karcists approaches Sunfall greets her with, "Welcome sister" and kisses her on the cheek.

One of the Karcists says, "Madrak, the tanist Hua Jiang appears more docile now. If you would turn her over to the guards just outside the chamber, I will instruct them to take her to a cell."

Madrak turns Hua over to the guards. "By all means..."

The Karcist Almirant turns to Vance, "We await your return."

Vance looks up. "My observations will take a few more minutes. Feel free to stay or go as you wish - I understand that gaining a new Karcist is a joyous event, and the actions of the Tannist are of great concern."

The Karcist Almirant says, "I cleared this room purposefully so that none would know you were here. For now only those here will know that Sunfall is now a Karcist. I would like to get you all back to your rooms and get the regular guard posted here again. You will all need some rest. We will take you out secretly shortly before dawn.

Vance nods. "Very well. The only other thing I require is that those bearing objects of power, or other strong power manifestations, should shield them or leave for a few minutes."

Madrak nods, and looks thoughtful for a moment. He bows deeply to the Karcist Almirant, and departs.

Jeanette nods. "I will escort Sunfall to our quarters." Unless objections are raised, she will depart with the other lady.

Reed retires with Madrak.

A guard "escort" waits for all of you.

Sunfall says "I'd like to be alone for a bit."

Jeanette nods. "Of course, friend. All will be well." She steps away with the guard.

<<< Log broken at this point >>> Vance hmms, and thinks a moment. He then turns to Sunfall. "You're experienced at leading others through Shadow. Have you ever encountered storms that hindered your path?"

Sunfall says "No, not really. But then again, I've only traveled local shadow."

Vance says "If he can't follow us, this discussion is moot - we can't leave a message for him in Chiare. If he can, we'll decide what to do when he shows up."

Vance says "Now, we need to find an ocean..."

Sunfall says "East of here. About 140 miles. Just follow the river."

Jeanette says "Can a riverboat be borrowed?"

Madrak snorts. "None of us have been particularly forthcoming, Sunfall, and I do include myself in that estimation."

Sunfall says "None of the rest of us had a problem with the oath, either. I was willing to overlook it at the time, though Vance was disturbed. Since then I have come to wonder, however."

Vance says "If they were oaths to me, I would have been stricter. I don't like ambiguous answers."

Sunfall says "I should trust your instincts more, it would seem."

Vance nods. "Once bitten, twice shy."

Madrak shakes his head, and shrugs.

Jeanette says "Best not to make any permanent decision until we know the whole story."

Sunfall says "I think that Thule was our destination, and so we're headed along the river toward the ocean."

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