steps of sighs

[groundrules]

JOURNEY TO TARAVAST

And ‘lo, the people have spoken! To ancient magical city Taravast we go. Come 26 June, at dawns, the party will be gently herded under the care of Mazyar, a former smuggler respectable merchant who collaborates with our very own Merchant.

The party will have one day’s notice and will receive fresh quartz translation and communication pieces that Karsa — who will join the group alongside Five’s woodland friend — will thrall to now also allow personal character inboxes. You can grab a quick OOC code, if you need one. Haltham-Anurr remains in Sa-Hareth, which is open for characters to return to, given their... inadvertent support in deposing Unhalad.

Yennefer, Five and the Harry Potter crew can blitz back to Sa-Hareth easily; more travel challenged characters may have to procure some of Taravast’s renown teleportation trinkets.

ADMININ’ WE GO

The journey arc is intended as a make-your-own-adventure month-long endeavour to give characters the chance to know each other or take things at their own pace.

The mystery of the ghost army is entirely optional to resolve, though world lore and some opportunities become available, if characters run their own investigation. A second plot/event write-up will be up mid-July.

A Test Drive Meme might be injected in mid/second-half July — drop your thoughts here on whether you’d like one!

The NPC inbox now reflects the new characters available for outreach. The Locations page will be updated once characters reach Taravast.

Plot & plan to your black hearts' content!

If your character struggle to participate in the mystery investigation and you cruelly really want them to, drop a line here, and we can maverick a plot nugget their way.

STAIRS OF SIGHS

Characters join Mazyar’s caravan on 26 June, come dawns — a well-equipped convoy featuring horses, carts, oxen, silks, agricultural goods, jewellery and furniture. Mazyar’s group includes another thirty-so people, half of whom escape east because their previous involvement with Unhalad disqualifies them from staying in Sa-Hareth under Anurr. The party will have access to food & water provisions, two carts for their wares and players’ pick of a horse, large elk or sullen donkey for a ride. Mazyar leads the caravan through the elusive Cat’s Gate — steering away from the longer main road, down the typically barred but currently accessible Stairs of Sighs passage. Mazyar gives fair warning: stay with the caravan at all times and sign up for night watches. Keep fire beside you, speak as little as you can, and trust no one — least of all your eyes. Ominously, he adds the caravan will likely be escorted shortly, as the Stairs of Sighs only open once a year for their visitors. The caravan is merely taking advantage.

The Stairs of Sighs are a steep and perpetually mist-drenched pathway, traversing barren mountain stone roads or stretches of eerily silent, lifeless forests. Characters should beware treacherous cliff slopes, fragile bridges and trees whose roots reach to entangle with their legs and immobilise them. The caravan alights each night of travel in more secure plains or mountain territory, setting up camp beneath an unyielding full Hunter’s moon. As they progress, characters can sometimes hear the indistinguishable, haunting whispers or song of a woman in the night. One of the caravan refugees notes these are the chants of Taravast witches. Karsa seems ill impressed. As of 3 July, the caravan goes up on a canyon road, bracketed by high mountain walls that are sometimes decorated with panels featuring sculptures of warriors and gods. Now and then, these panels move, with some sculptures attempting to pull caravan members into stone. Drop a line here if you want your character drawn in! ETA, 26 June: because of higher-than-expected interest in this option, let's aim for only two more sign-ups for this, please! For the rest of the journey, droves of harpies will sometimes fly by, sinking down to steal animals, or sometimes throwing down stones or time-yellowed bone.

After the first night of travel, the caravan camp is joined by an army of nearly 150-200 horsemen, primarily armed with swords and bows, barring the rare elemental sorcerer. They are led by the young Lord Arha, who offers escort on the road to Taravast. He travels there with his men to rescue his lover, the oracle Hatisse, who has been imprisoned and weaponised in the disputes of regional sorcery clans. Over the next few days, characters may notice Arha and his men are sometimes listless, never taking food or drink, and struggling to retain memories of the present. They (dis)appear often, and sometimes manifest in different states of clean or bloodied dress, never recalling the reason. Arha and his men are fierce and generous warriors, able to lend a hand against the harpies and to assist in case of emergencies. Characters sensitive to spirits may realise instantly that this is an army of ghosts, while others are welcome to deduce it over time. Despite their revelation, characters will find they cannot speak, write or otherwise directly inform Arha or his men that they are dead. Those who attempt this repeatedly will find themselves mute for the entirety of the next day. As the journey advances (after 10 July), Arha will become increasingly more fixated with reaching Taravast and freeing his lover. At night, for long hours, the roads will be washed by rains of blood. The blood disappears, come morning.

Ever in the distance, one of Anurr’s arctic bears starts to gallop after the caravan.

Comments

[paperbutterflies]

... how about like. Second dates?

[groundrules]

Attagirl!

[groundrules]

One should be fine, sure! Be tender with it — the cloth is very old.

[groundrules]

Yellow! In order of questions...

Would Mazyar or Arha or Arha's army be willing to tell stories if questioned? Like what the place they come from is/was like, what they know about their destination, etc?
Sure! Give me four-five questions tops.

Mazyar's people & resentment
Well, they're not Mazyar's people, exactly. They're just... travellers. And they don't have to know about the party's role in their previous anguish, unless / until they are... told :)

Would Su Xunxian be able to chat with the bear?
The bear will be some km off the party — how long-reached is Xunxian's ability? In theory, yes, he may speak to the bear. Though I cannot guarantee the bear is a good conversationalist.

Would him trying to talk with the harpies be like with the mermaids, partial understanding? Would they be willing to answer, if so?
Actually, what Su Xunxian may notice is that these harpies are not animal at all, despite their aspect.

Any wildlife that would give warnings about the travel areas where they are heading into?
What kind of questions would Su Xunxian ask? I can spare some bugs!

[groundrules]

Would you like Sizhui to be drawn into the walls twice?

[paperbutterflies]

No, I just meant that he's been kidnapped before.. once would be fine ;)

[plentystrong]

do your worst

[groundrules]

Since it might be funnier more academically enlightening like this: Lan Sizhui and Catra will be dragged into the same stony area at two different times of the day and by two different sculptures. It is up to you both if you want the characters to find each other in this space, or whether they will investigate alone.

This particular region is a very deep stone temple pit, bordered by a circular stairwell. The space is poorly lit by dying torches, some quick to flicker out. Every part of the pit wall has been carved, depicting scenes of war: some of armies clashing, some of magic users deploying their skills, some of defeat, some of victory. Interspaced are carvings of the moon at various phases, a day with two suns, a barren forest, as well as depictions of a city ​that can be easily recognised as Taravast, once we reach the destination — alternatively, if Sizhui or Catra remember some of the telltale fixtures ( a twin tower, a waterway and its ten bridges, a circle with five equidistant points Xed in the outline ), one of the other caravan members could identify it as Taravast.

The initially very broad perimeter of the pit tightens as one goes down. It will take hours to reach the bottom, and the narrow, old stairwell, its crumbling or missing steps, and various critters (nothing more immediately dangerous than spiders, rodents and vermin) could startle the two into slipping — possibly a good idea to try to keep each other alive. They can still access the outside world through their communication devices in this period, but not teleport out in any way.

Once fully down, Catra and Sizhui will find the bottom of the pit fully and heavily covered in pale petals of white rose and magnolia, some spattered with red — blood, inevitably. Careful: three poisonous, large white snakes are coiled in the middle of the pit, surrounding a stone pedestal that holds an opened book. They will hiss and threaten to bite, if Catra and Sizhui move too abruptly or violently, but will allow them to come near, if they move slowly and with care.

If they reach the book, they will hear the same song that haunts them at night, the first few verses now clear, with the rest still indistinct:

"Stitch by stitch,
The love of a witch
Will unravel

Dusk to dawn
Each morning to mourn
With blood and gravel"

They will only be able to read the first page of the book before they are pulled down by stone hands and released outside into the canyon. They can learn that Taravast, ancient seat of magic, could not bear to be outpaced in sorcery by beautiful Ellethia. The magical institutions of Taravast were financed to flourish, with three leading schools becoming prominent. As is the way of things, soon, these three schools began to compete with each other more than with Ellethia, leading to conflict.

If they do not reach the bottom of the pit, assume Catra and Sizhui are pulled by the stone hands and delivered back into the canyon through the pit walls.

Perhaps you can both agree on a day in the 3rd-10th period for this to happen and let me know? :O ! You're getting a meatier hint that the others as this is a dual adventure, so please consider sharing with the other party members!

[groundrules]

Challenge accepted!

NUDGITY-NUDGE

[groundrules]

If you want to propel your character into participating in the mystery investigation, when they wouldn't really otherwise, drop a line here — we can throw a bone their way. It won't be as juicy as what might come out of proactively poking and prodding at the mystery, but could kickstart them in that direction.

[paperbutterflies]

OH OH OH this is beautiful. I will be up for them running into each other! Sizhui can go first and be exploring the walls by the glow of a fire talisman, or he can come in later, both are good.

[lancifolium]

Do the elks, donkeys, and horses come with names, or does everyone get to name them?

Can characters try to get pulled into the walls again, kinda sorta on purpose as a means to investigate things further?

If pressed will that refugee who says something about it elaborate on the Taravast witches and/or their chants?

[groundrules]

1. You may name your clever mount, decide the race, temperament and other attributes of the creature!

2. That is a no, just yet! Perhaps later. Though, if she keeps an eye on the sculptures and carvings or tries to revisit the exact same locations, Lily might notice the decorations change — as does the landscape.

3. The caravan travellers are delighted to talk, given they only harpies and sand for their daily entertainment. What exact question(s) would Lily like to ask?

[lancifolium]

2. All excellent stuff to take notes about ty ty.

3a. Who are the Taravast witches?

3b. What are they chanting about?

3c. And let's be real there's gonna be a how are you or several in there.

4 (I knew I forgot something). Anything worth noting during the average night's watch?

[groundrules]

3a. Taravast is renown for its magical schools and clans of sorcery. Witches is a fairly ignorant, derogatory and vague term for some of the sects. Typically, they refer to Bessis and Attaryl — the first, a clan of largely fire and light-given sorcerers, who numbers many women but do not exclude men. Attaryl, overwhelmingly comprising women (but also technically not excluding men), produces largely court mages, diplomats and concubines — students of behaviour and persuasion, as much as the softer arts. It is unclear which of the two the refugee truly refers to.

3b. That part, unfortunately the refugee doesn't know. She thinks the song is familiar, from her rich family's travels to Taravast, but she never cared to learn the details. In truth, it's no good to associate so closely with witches, doesn't Lily agree?

3c. They are fine, thank you. How is Lily?

4. To confirm: is Lily going to be holding watch? Over how many nights? There are three watchstanding shifts typically: 20:00-midnight (first watch), midnight-4:00 (middle watch), 4:00-8:00 (morning watch). Which would she take?

(Yes, this changes things!)

[lancifolium]

3a. Has the traveler been to Taravast many times?

3b. Lily is of the opinion regardless of ability it is always prudent to be mindful of who a person gets close to.

3c. Quite alright, she's focused on the journey.

4. Definitely, it's a useful helpful thing and she is on it. She'll volunteer herself maybe three times as needed let's say once on the middle watch and twice on the morning? If it's a one shift per thing let's say the morning.

[groundrules]

3a. She has not! A handful of times, when she was young.

4. Feel free to notice:

In the hours between 3 and 6am, the ghost armies appear flickered, more transparent, more listless

The blood rains taper, the closer to dawns

Arha is always on alert, paying mind to the song at two times in particular — once at 3am and another time at 6am. If asked, he will say he hears nothing.

Members of the ghost army do not speak among themselves in the 3-6am period.

[lancifolium]

Does the song noticeably change at those times?

[groundrules]

The song does not, though it does not often play in full — so it might seem different simply on account of that.

[silverneedles]

What do they have in terms of provisions? Especially medical supplies.

[groundrules]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Of the accessible items, let's go with:

weaponry: bows, arrows, some swords in various states of use and distress, an axe

paraphernalia: blankets, linens, spare underclothes, needle, thread, spare animal pelts and unworn leathers, additional saddles, reins and horse blinders, hard soaps, lye, bowls, cutlery, cushions, shovels, kindle for fire, tents

liquids: carts effectively burdened with water barrels, oil, light vinegar, a few jugs of wine

animal feed: whatever it is that elks, horses, donkeys, wombats, chickens, dogs and cats consume; this will not be verified on the mod side, given that wombats are terrifying

food: m i l l e t, rice, wheat, soybean, finely ground tea, salted fish, dried meats, beets, carrots, onion, garlic, cabbage, dried dates and apricots, salt in healthy supply, pepper, some base condiments

medical: spare linen strips, elderberry, ginger, valerian, ginkgo, wort, chamomile, ginseng, milk thistle, lavender, foxglove, poppy, you're welcome.

[silverneedles]

Thank you!

[weifinder]

To get back to being engaging after a brain off slew of days:

1. Wei Wuxian would be the sort to try and play music to the accompaniment of the woman's chanting/witch chanting. While he's likely to talk to... well, Lan Wangji about this because not doing so frivolously and also learning Communication not just yeeting into things, would there be any notable reaction to his playing?

2. He'd be signing up for night watch shifts, at least one morning for the warmest cool blood rain (...sobs), more often the middle shift. Would he notice anything different from what Lily will be noticing?

3. Would he be able to sign up for some time where Mazyar is also on shift, to try asking him a few questions? (These would be: Why does the Stairs of Sighs open only once a year? Where does the name Stairs of Sighs originate from? What happened to Hatisse? How did Arha's campaign end?) Not to say he expects answer on these things, and he'd turn them into conversations rather than being as blunt as this, but that's the idea.

4. Ruxi. What happens if Empathy on Arha...

[groundrules]

1. What kind of playing are we talking about?

2. He'd notice the same kind of thing, though his necromantic spidey senses would allow him to glean that the state of the ghosts changes between 3-6am. They are at their least strong and strongly manifested in this period.

3. Yes, of course. Mazyar enjoys company, but might want a bribe of fresh brew and ask Wei Wuxian to throw bone dice with him.

Why does the Stairs of Sighs open only once a year?
This, he will note, is no secret: it is when Arha and his people come.

Where does the name Stairs of Sighs originate from?
They are the Stairs of Sighs for how the lovers Arha and Hatisse pine and sigh for one another.

What happened to Hatisse?
She became a high priestess of some influence.

How did Arha's campaign end?
...this, Mazyar dare not speak, though he'll make the appropriate hand and eyebrow motions to indicate they expired, they croaked, they perished.

4. Will he attempt Empathy?

[weifinder]

1. Companion/counter melodies to start, he's not trying to work any of his known magics, more seeing what response pure music has before he'd think of dipping into anything else. So yeah, this is just playing music for music's sake to start, not having it with particular influences.

2. Got it, thank you!

3. He'll go for gambling as I'm guessing is the bone dice, and likely ask after their origins, because he'd be curious. Also provide the brew and enjoy the drinking... at night... in blood rain. And make offhand comment on the terrible taste of the rain, ambiguous on if he means tasting the rain or if the rain bleeding is in terrible taste. If he can ask one last question, after the pantomime, it would be: did she outlive Arha while knowing of his end?

4. Hmm, really I just have to weigh if it makes sense. Arha and his ghost army seem pretty trapped in a cycle repeating their doomed march, and talking to them directly on it doesn't work, literally. I think based on that he might, but he'd ... lmf converse with Lan Wangji to see if it's worth the risk, kind of with the mentality of... is there any way to let this whole slew of ghosts find resolution, and with the witchy mumbles, is it that Hatisse is preventing it, or wants to be part of it?