An Immortal tells you 'Are you prepared to take a break from dancing with duergars?'

You tell an Immortal 'Yes, for now.'

An Immortal has transferred you.
Beneath the Harvest Moon
A strange field stretches out around you, with tall grass that comes
up to your knees. Everything is hazy an indistinct, almost like a dream.
It is perpetually night here, though illuminated by a mystical ambiance.
Nearby, there is a copse of trees with leaves that seem to change and
shift eerily before your eyes in seasonal splendor. A creaking clank
echos in the distance; the sound of a graveyard gate clattering in
the night wind, with moonlit gravestones standing tall and gray against
the night sky. Hazy clouds float above, transforming into misty
shapes of silver and black, moved by a wind that carries the scent
of compost and burning leaves. A caw pierces the mist and the silence,
and looking up, you spy a single raven, his dark wings casting a
silvery outline drawn by the light of the harvest moon.

[Exits: none]

Amaranthe uncloaks her presence.

You blink several times.

You step out from your cover.

If the earth were a woman, her hair would be long and rolling
like the hills, adorned with leaves of green and gold, and flecked
with the many-colored petals of springtime's blossoms. Her skin
would be sun-kissed and healthy, and beautifully creased by the
calm yet relentless passage of time. Her eyes would be as deep as
the oceans; endless in their expanse of wisdom, and within them
them the potential for both soothing and fury.

If the earth were a woman, her hips would be wide, broadened by
the eons of toil and lifegiving. Her bosom would be ample, and
her body thick and strong, and she would walk with the confidence
and matronly grace of a woman who had nurtured, scorned, and
endured.

If the earth were a woman, her breath would smell like a summer's
wind. Her voice would sound like the larks of springtime, and
her whisper like the brisk chill of winter. Her footsteps would
tread like a hunter's on the soil, and about her would linger the
rich and earthy aroma of an autumn's harvest.

If the earth were a woman, she would be as the Goddess who stands
before you, basking in the light of a Harvest Moon.

Amaranthe, a female human, is in perfect health.

Amaranthe is using:
<worn around neck> a simple wooden mandala pendant on a leather cord
<worn on body> a brown peasant dress embroidered with gold-threaded leaves
<worn on head> a pointed brown hat with a wide brim
<worn on feet> several silver ankle bracelets adorned with beads and charms
<worn around wrist> a bracelet of ever-changing leaves
<mainhand wielded> (Iron) a tall, silver-bladed crescent scythe
<tattooed> an ornate mandala

Amaranthe smiles as she leans upon her tall, silver-bladed crescent scythe.

You say 'The caller of the Ancients... it is an honor.'

Zosi lowers his head a bit more than usual.

Zosi takes a deep breath.

Amaranthe inclines her head in a gracious nod.

**her room desc** A brown-robed witch is here, leaning on a tall wooden scythe.

You say 'How can we... how can I serve the Ancients, Lady'

Amaranthe says 'How indeed, Child. We find ourselves without a Harbinger. Our former servant did not seem terribly fond of you, yet at the same time, you seem the obvious choice to replace him.'

Zosi smiles slightly.

Amaranthe says 'And what say you?'

You say 'Niicrolius was not terribly fond of anyone, I think. But he still brought me into the fold. It was enough.'

You shrug.

You say 'Of course I didn't come to please him... more to the point. I came to spread the Word, and take my revenge.'

Amaranthe says 'Niicrolius recommended to us the bard, Sarriela. He warned of your hubris, yet in watching Sarriela, we find her the opposite. Perhaps too meek.'

You say 'My sister bardess is a friend, and a treasured ally. But I don't think she could lead.'

You say 'But what you said earlier... obvious choice?'

Amaranthe says thoughtfully 'We think we concur, child. Meekness does not earn our scorn, but nor is it a desirable trait in a leader.'

You say 'I've done all I can... we have done all we can to make ourself the obvious choice. We can lead, and importantly, we want to lead.'

You say 'We will not be coy about our desire for power, or the responsibility.'

Zosi stands a bit straighter.

You say 'This mob, this unruly gang of outlaws and brigands... it is our family now. The only one we will ever have again.'

You shake your head.

Amaranthe narrows her eyes as she examines you with her ever-changing eyes.

You say 'And we feel that to lead is the best way we can love them. The best way we can prevail in the cause. The best way to serve you and all the Ancients.'

You say 'We want it all, Lady. Because we think we can do it.'

Amaranthe says 'Who is "we"? Do you have other spirits with you? You speak as if you are an Ancient. Perhaps Niicrolius was correct about your hubris.'

You raise an eyebrow at the notion.

You say 'Oh... yes.'

Amaranthe runs her fingers along her crescent scythe, contemplating something as she stares into the distance.

You say 'The Fireborne... yes. We have other spirits. One in particular. A brother in arms. A spark of the brutality and mercilessness Zosi never mastered.'
**When I started talking in the third person, occasionally acting crazy and/or dickish, this was it**

Zosi smiles coldly, showing sharp teeth and a strange, crimson glow in his eyes.

You say 'We never had the strength to manifest, but we never wanted to rule this soul either. Our cause is the same, Lady Amaranthe.'

You say 'Like our branches, we are caring and compassion... and the hard edge of the blade.'

Zosi chuckles raspily.

You say 'We have served you too. We too are loyal.'

Amaranthe says 'We will give you this chance, Zosi, to serve us. Some of us raise points of caution, others believe in you fully. I am inclined to side with the latter, but I have seen enough cycles not to dismiss the voices of dissent.'

You nod.

You say 'Then we've been sucessful. And we've just begun.'

Zosi takes one knee in the grass before you.

Amaranthe says 'Remember the power you are given is restricted to your branch. You do, technically, possess the power to punish any within the Refuge, but you must only do so if the need is immediate and dire and the outcome clear'

Amaranthe says 'Otherwise, you must leave the sunwalkers to the Sunwarden, and the shadowalkers to the Nightreaver.'

Amaranthe says 'Unless given express permission by myself or one of the other Ancients to do otherwise.'

You say 'I respect them both, and will leave them to their own duties, whenever possible.'

Amaranthe inclines her head in agreement.


Amaranthe says 'Even without respect, the alliance amid the Ancients is a fragile one. I am a peacebringer and a balance-keeper among them, but many are near to each other's ancient throats, only holding back due to the duty we share.'

|803/100% 714/100% 1060/100%||forest trail none 5 AM|
|>
You have been given the power to INDUCT.

Your body feels invigorated with a newfound energy.
You now have the power of detect order.
You now have the power of insect swarm.
You have been granted the cabal leader weapon a sturdy bamboo bo staff carved with ancient runes.
A sturdy bamboo bo staff carved with ancient runes whispers 'I have the power to transform, all you need to say is "transform into a <weapon type>", and it will be so. Remember, you can only do this once every 24 hours.'

You say 'So it is a mob above, too. That is comforting, somehow.'

Zosi shivers slightly.

Limpletun tells you 'Ahh, congratulations, and well deserved.'

You say 'We....'

You say 'Your trust is treasured, Lady. We will not fail you, or ourself.'

You tell Limpletun 'Mm, thank you.'

Amaranthe says 'A comfort? Only in knowing that the discord of the Outlanders is a natural discord. But it is as it is designed, and you must ever-remember the Outlanders walk tenuously and ever in disagreement'

You smile happily.

You nod at Amaranthe.

You say 'That is exactly iy. We are living up to your example, even when we do not realize it.'

You chuckle politely.

You say 'Instinct, I guess.'

Zosi looks toward the horizon.

Zosi sighs quickly, expelling a small puff of frost.

Amaranthe says 'The sunwalkers might spare the dwarves and hunt the orcs, the shadowdwellers the opposite. Outlanders interpret the Decree in many different ways, as was the Decree given by many different ancient voices'
[OUTLANDER] Rolas: Ah I just noticed you are Harbinger, congratulations Zosi.

You nod at Amaranthe.

You say 'it is clear, to me anyway, it was made open to interpretation.'

You say 'I've even met an admirable dwarf.'

Amaranthe says 'Our branch is one that enjoys the most liberty, our thinking free from either a code of ethics, or from the shackles of pure selfish pursuit'

Amaranthe says 'One of my most precious servants was a dwarven paladin.'

You blink several times.

Zosi grins wryly.

You say 'No, not at all surprised. I've talked to so many souls... and that spark of life that yearns for freedom... it's always the same.'

Amaranthe says 'Yet it was I who pointed out to the Ancients that it is the dwarves as a society who dig too deep into the earth, stripping it of its gifts without thought of consequence'

You ponder the question.

[OUTLANDER] Zosi: Thank you, brother.

Amaranthe says 'One can judge a society and an individual separately.'
**The log is ok, but I wanted everyone on this board to see this**
**re: pallies/dwarves**

You nod at Amaranthe.

Amaranthe says 'But I digress. Are there any questions related to your duty you have before I release you back into the fray?'

You say 'No... I'm so glad to hear it... and to hear it from you.'

Amaranthe inclines her head graciously.

You say 'I do not wish to see us become terrorists.'

Amaranthe says 'I am a Watcher more than many realize.'

You say 'But a.. natural consequence. Yes, I like that.'

Amaranthe says 'Remember that.'

Zosi chuckles quietly.

You say 'Ancient Balta has reminded me again and again.'

Amaranthe smiles gently.

You say 'I , we, will not forget.'

Amaranthe says 'Good luck, Child. You will need it in the Seasons to come.'

|803/100% 714/100% 1060/100%||forest trail none 7 PM|
|>
Amaranthe closes her eyes with a look of concentration for a moment.

You say 'And, no,no questions. Our duty is clear.'

You feel a divine presence guide you to new found experiences!
You are focusing your skill learning on evade.
You have learned 3% of your sure footing ability.
You are focusing your skill learning on evade.
You have learned 2% of your smear mud ability.

You say 'If the how seems impossible... only one way to start.'

An Immortal has transferred you.