Name Exchange

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Revision as of 02:51, 13 July 2024 by Riptide (talk | contribs) (Created page with "<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;"> ==Log Info== *Title: Name Exchange *GM: Aftershock *Characters: Gramarye, Thoth *Place: Arcanist's Society</div> It wasn't that hard to set up a meeting with Ilenzi, he was more than eager to meet up with Thoth and set up the meeting for a Kesenday in the early evening. Ilenzi himself meets you at the door, waving you into his small room and welcoming you both with a smile. "I see you have brought a frien...")
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Log Info

  • Title: Name Exchange
  • GM: Aftershock
  • Place: Arcanist's Society

It wasn't that hard to set up a meeting with Ilenzi, he was more than eager to meet up with Thoth and set up the meeting for a Kesenday in the early evening. Ilenzi himself meets you at the door, waving you into his small room and welcoming you both with a smile. "I see you have brought a friend. How nice." Ilenzi motions toward chairs that await. "I would have made tea and had pastries waiting, but I know you require nothing of the sort. It is good to see you Thoth!"

The man sits down on the edge of his bed. "So please, what brings you here?"

Thoth had been expecting a more unusual location for Ilenzi, the last time they'd spoken about where the mysterious 'Master' would hang out. So to find out Ilenzi had been in the Arcanist guild feels like a thing it should have remembered -- yet didn't. A matter it has more frequently encountered than it'd like to admit.

As they are invited into the small room, the War Golem clicks its beak a few times, bows, then steps in. "This one indeed doth not require pastries or tea. It appreciates your care in this. It can be socially frustrating for this one, when people put out food for it, expecting it to pretend-eat and pretend-drink." It points out as it mozies towards the chair and kind of climb-hops onto it first.

It then turns to look to Gramarye, the larger War Golem of the two, waiting for her to get cozy as well first. All while it's got a box on its own lap. "This one is glad it gets to speak again. This one still has many questions." It chitters in answer.

Gramarye is dressed in armor but does not have her greatsword, as per Thoth's request. Like Thoth, the war golem requires no sustenance, but she is not as chatty as Thoth is. Her definition of getting cozy is to rather stiffly and routinely take a chair and sit down, carefully, assessing the chair for structural integrity before sitting down. (One can only presume Gramarye has some kind of trauma from accidentally breaking chairs with her war golem posterior.)

"Initiating social protocol," Gramarye intones. "Greetings. I have accompanied Thoth today at Thoth's request. I will attempt to make social nicety and engage in activities that include, but are not limited to: polite banter. Light but not-scandalous gossip. Observations about the weather."

Her hands fold politely in her lap. "However, of primary objective is Thoth's reason for being here. Therefore, please look to Thoth for setting the tempo and subject of the conversation."

Ilenzi smiles at Gramarye. "Polite but direct. I like it. Well, I admit that my primary concern is Thoth as well, so I will happily place my attention there." The fair-haired man turns his red eyes on Thoth then. "I am glad to see you again as well Thoth, so is it questions that bring you to me? Or... something else?"

Politely Ilenzi is not staring at the box, but rather attentively paying heed to Thoth.

There's a little nervousness of course when it comes to the box. Little birdy fingers tapping the simplistic looking box. Tilting its head a bit while turning its oculars towards the one before it. Looking into those red eyes for a moment, while remembering golden ones. A flicker of confusion? Or perhaps just a question that moves to the forefront.

It then begins to move the box towards the man in that way of a busker on the streets might, while it answers.

"This one recently learned it can refer to Gramarye as a 'Friend', based on its shared experiences." It then chirps to Ilenzi before him. "It has also of course encountered many things that bring it confusion. And this one still chases broken and lost memories. Flight still scares this one." It nervously chitters, as its wings bristle a bit in uncomfortableness.

"Does Ilenzi know how to make it not-afraid?" It then asks. "This one never thought it 'could' be afraid, until a few months ago."

"Looking up social designation of: Thoth." Gramarye intones. There's a blink of light in her obsidian eyes. Blink. Blink. Blink. "Social designation of Thoth: friend. Combat-ally. Fellow magician."

She looks at Ilenzi. "I am unable to instruct much on emotion," she explains. "I am untalented in explaining social niceties. A teacher, such as one for social etiquette, must be employed. Alternatively, there are books in the genre designated as 'self-help' that may be of use."

There's a beat before Gramarye adds, "A customer once advised me that one can learn more about how organic lifeforms interact by reading Crimson Pen novels. I attempted to read one. It focused too much on social-mating rituals between organic lifeforms and barely featured any lessons on social interaction, such as being unafraid. Therefore I did not recommend this series to Thoth, nor do I recommend it to anyone, unless they are interested in social-mating rituals between organic lifeforms."

"How to make not afraid?" Ilenzi seems both thoughtful and sad. "Have you found no memories which cast flying in a more peaceful light? No memories of flying in joy?"

He sighs. "Perhaps they are to be found yet. I would think that such a memory would help you temper your fear with more pleasant emotions." Ilenzi smiles softly. "Being able to instruct you like this brings back old memories of my own. Yet I digress."

The pale man sits back slightly and folds his hands onto one knee which crosses over the other. "I would also not recommend the Crimson Pen novels. Strange literature. Instead seek out the orbs. Only with them will you be whole."

"This one has." Thoth answers. "But happy memories, it appears, do not override a really bad one." It then adds, tilting its head down as Ilenzi too shows that sadder expression. "This one still remembers it a bit. The falling city." It explains.

It then, at the prompting about the orbs, offers the box forward towards Ilenzi, desiring for him to take it. Hoping to time the declaration of a gift with him accepting it into his hands. Otherwise, the bird will look super awkward just holding the box out. And Thoth is really good at looking awkward.

"This one can speak more on recent orb findings." It'd add, either way - possibly after a declaration of a gift.

Gramarye sits silently for a moment, looking at Ilenzi for a long moment. "Inquiry: Do you have missing memories as well?" The war golem is curious. Otherwise, she has no further comment, simply eyeing Thoth holding the box out to Ilenzi.

Strangely, Ilenzi allows Thoth to hold the box out awkwardly. Tilting his head to the side and looking at Thoth with curiosity. "No," He responds to Gramarye's question. "My own memories are quite intact, though some of the orbs hold my memories; the orbs do not take memory, they merely replicate it. Then are destroyed when they touch someone who they belong to." Ilenzi smiles at Thoth. "So what is this? A box?"

GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (11)+7: 18

Thoth is left holding out the box in a most awkward of manners. Its weak little arms trembling a bit at holding a heavier object outwards like this, but it's managing. And then, in the most matter-of-factly manner is can manage; "Yes, it is a box. This one bring something for Ilenzi." It answers them.

It looks like the 'gift' may drop if one were not to take it, or Thoth doesn't withdraw it, within the next little while.

"It is important." It then declares.

Ah yes. The pivotal moment. The gift (or tricking Ilenzi into taking it and therefore being bound in a gift-cycle). Ilenzi's gift. The gift for Ilenzi. Gramarye watches Thoth noodle-arm the box.

"I will reinforce Thoth's efforts," Gramarye intones, before she politely sits up and walks over to Thoth, leaning down to 'hold up' Thoth's arms with her hands, which are quite sturdy and rigid of their own regard. "Please be advised that organic lifeforms require a stretch and should exercise proper lifting technique when handling objects."

...Yes, that last bit was intended for Ilenzi. "I aided Thoth in the endeavor of bringing it," Gramarye then states rather obviously.

Ilenzi smiles and shakes his head. "Oh, like a gift?" There's something dangerous suddenly in those crimson eyes. "How sweet, but I will not accept such... blindly, not even from my dearest Thoth. No, I must know what it is, and what it is that you expect in exchange." He leans forward a little. "Are you having a hard time holding it dears? You can put it down if you like."

GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (20)+7: 27 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

Thoth tilts its head down a bit. It's almost sad. It certainly understood that social push and the like are not in its capabilities. "It contains orb." It answers Ilenzi, as it raises it a bit to let Gramarye hold it. After all, it was having trouble holding it up.

It would be lying if it said it didn't understand why Ilenzi was not taking it. But this did confirm that the others were speaking truthfully. Doubts, which it undoubtedly still had, being whisked away further. After all, a part of its mind still tells it that this man before it, is its master. Yet other memories speak of lies.

"This one..." Its wings twitch a bit. How does one interact with a Fey if they do not take a gift? If you wish to get something in return. There is only one thing to do in that moment. And that is to make a deal. Which is... very dangerous for the situation that Thoth already finds itself in.

"... wishes that Ilenzi would not be mean to its allies." It answers. It is not a direct answer to what it wants in exchange. But rather something being spoken from a deeper place. "This one does not have many allies or friends. So when Ilenzi hurts them, it means less friends for this one."

"I will not put it down." Gramarye replies rather bluntly, in her typical manner. In fact, there's something like emotion creeping in there into her voice. Something... defiant. Where is she learning that from? "Excuse me, Thoth. I must be blunt."

Her eyes regard Ilenzi for a long moment, obsidian meeting crimson. "It is an orb in exchange for the name that was taken from one of Thoth's allies," she says. "I aided Thoth in this ambition. It is only fair. One item in exchange for another. It is a trade."

Ilenzi sighs at Thoth. "And what of me Thoth? What if your allies are cruel to me? Seek ways to hurt, or even kill me?" Those red eyes look at the little war golem sadly. "Am I not allowed to defend myself? Do I mean nothing to you?"

There's a long silence in the wake of that question, and it's a good one. A question worthy of the silence that follows it.

The crimson-eyed man looks at Gramarye then. "Does a single ribbon hold the same value as an entire dress? The orb holds no value to me; I am collecting them that Thoth might regain its memories. The name you seek however is valuable in incalculable ways. Particularly that it is the name belonging to someone who seeks to be my enemy. Why would I give it up for something that has no value to me?"

Thoth shrinks back a bit at the question. Tilting its head for a moment before closing its eyes. Where Gramarye finds her blunt strength from another source, Thoth has nothing like that to fall back on. To hear that the orb holds so little value...

"This one understands that you worry the small Goblin could hurt or kill you. Though this one fathoms not how the small Nameless one poses a threat to thee. But to take their name and let them die a slow nameless death means that you turned the 'possibility of harm' into a 'certain death'. This trade was not equal." Thoth click-clacks its beak at that.

It then inquires, "And why give the orb to the woman and let it change her to a Medusa, if it is of so little value to you?" It inquires to Ilenzi. "You had the orb already. It changed her. Yet, you seek for me to fetch these Orbs -- when previously you said that you could not find them..." It is somewhat meek as it asks these questions.

"These things... they do not make sense."

Unexpectedly, the question Ilenzi asks has Gramarye's eyes flashing ever-so-briefly to red. Her help and aid to Thoth does not falter. "You are incorrect." The last word drops an octave.

Another flickering of red in her eyes, and she continues in her normal voice. "Every ribbon I have was given to me by First Father or Father. They are just as sentimental to me as the dresses that First Father or Father gave to me. You may place an unequal value on them, but I do not. I place an equal value on them because I cared, very much, about First Father. I place an equal value on them because I care, very much, about Father. Thoth assigns an emotional value in their gesture that you are disregarding. For many people, the act of giving anything is a great impact. There are people in this form who do not have the same economic status that you and I do. There are people who have nothing. They sleep on streets. They eat bread given out for free or out of pity. But I have also seen those same people break apart that same piece of bread to give to someone else. Their gift means more because they have nothing and would have been justified in keeping it, but they gave it anyway. This is Thoth's economy. Thoth has nothing."

A pause. "But Thoth gave you something anyway in spite of it. The orb is supposed to be for Thoth, but you reject it. Reconsider your rudeness. It is a violation of social protocol."

GAME: Gramarye rolls Sense Motive: (8)+-2: 6
GAME: Gramarye rolls Perception: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Thoth rolls Perception: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Thoth rolls Sense Motive: (4)+-3: 1

There is a soft clacking sound, and then Ilenzi frowns at Thoth. "I gave her a way to earn her name back. Did she not tell you this? Instead she sought a way around the agreement and to learn how to kill me. The trade only seems inequal if you do not know all of what has happened Thoth. Just as you jump to conclusions about the orbs. I secreted them around the world centuries ago for safe-keeping, but time has moved them and so have people. I told you that I can not collect them; this body is fragile I..."

He coughs suddenly and there's a splatter of red in his hand. "I can not do these things without destroying this body..." Ilenzi bows his head and accepts the words that Gramarye says, listening and dropping his head further. "You are right. I have been unaccountably rude. I have been thinking only of myself and my own needs. My own life. Not of what matters to Thoth." He coughs into his hand again and there is more red.

The man's lips are stained slightly crimson when he looks up. "I know you want good things for your friend Thoth, but I can not easily give up my own life for her security. I beg you to reconsider. If... if I mean anything to you at all."

GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Thoth rolls Knowledge/Dungeoneering: (3)+17: 20

No, this had not been brought up to Thoth, which does cause a moment of wavering on its side. Though if someone has proven to be a danger, is it not natural to want a backup plan? Does it not research all of the books it owns to better protect itself and others? Did it bother to ask the lady when the matter of the Medusa happened? How many centuries ago? They can live for Centuries!

It raises its hand a bit, trying to tap its dome-head. But the moment Ilenzi coughs and spits out blood, it cannot help but lean in forward in worry.

"This one cannot tell. The memories this one has of its master, there's things that do not add up. The ones who looked you up declare you are good at lies, and this one cannot tell lies apart from truth very well." It looks worries still at the health state of the one before itself. Even if a larger part of its own mind is telling Thoth not to do this. Not to trust.

It looks to Gramarye for help.

GAME: Gramarye rolls Knowledge/Nature: (19)+9: 28

Gramarye is not someone who should be looked to when they're bleeding out and trying to make a show of care and concern. For all of the woe and strife that the war golem has endured... She has seen people die before. She watched her First Father pass away quietly in front of her very eyes. She watched him breathe his last breath. She watched him go cold to the touch. She watched as the Vardamans burned his body. She was the one who scattered his ashes at his direction.

Never did he ever beg her like this. Even when he was dying and his own mouth was stained crimson, he was begging her to live a good life, not to prolong his own. And her Father, too, has told her before about watching people die. There's a reason he goes chasing demons with his blade and, up until a few months ago, down the end of a mug at the Fernwood. People who truly care, who truly love, don't do this kind of thing.

"If you care for Thoth," Gramarye intones, "then expire. Perish. Right here and right now." Her voice is flat and entirely cold.

Thoth has partially disconnected.

Ilenzi looks at Gramarye, crimson eyes wide. His mouth parts and he looks quite shocked by her words. Those crimson eyes lower to Thoth. "Is... is this what you want Thoth?" The words are choked, small things.

GAME: Thoth rolls Sense Motive: (4)+-3: 1

There's anxiety that just spikes in Thoth when Gramarye suddenly intones for the Fey to perish. To die, right here, right now. Now, the War Golem isn't the most socially aware one, but it didn't expect this from Gramarye. Partially because, in truth, it doesn't know her as well as it should. It doesn't know anyone as well as it should. It lets out a worried chirp at her outburst, and then looks to Ilenzi.

Ilenzi who appears to be dying. Asking it if it wants them to die. "This one..." It shrinks back a bit at the crimson eyes staring at it. Part of its memories telling it that this is its master, part of its memories telling it that this is not its master.

It turns its head away from both Gramarye and Ilenzi.

"This one does not wish you to perish. But neither does it wish the Nameless Goblin to perish. This one... is willing to make a deal if that is what it takes."

"No." Gramarye intones, looking at Ilenzi still, but the word is very much direct at Thoth. "Do not. This is not the kind of entity that you need to be making deals with if it does not understand your feelings and resorts to omissions in truth and confusing language. There is no trust."

Her eyes flicker red again, and it's clear now she's speaking to Ilenzi. "How is Thoth supposed to trust you when you do this? If you cared about Thoth, you would not try to chase it into guilt. If you cared about Thoth, you would be truthful. You would tell it everything. You would strive to earn Thoth's trust. As of right now, you do not satisfy any metric of the social protocol that one would describe as friendship or anything else."

Gramarye's hands actually ball into fists. "Organic lifeforms are supposed to be capable of a concept called compassion. They are supposed to have exclusive rights to this. Yet they can lie about having this. I have experienced true compassion. I have experienced love and care. I do not believe your care or concern for Thoth is true as of this moment. Prove my conclusion false: either by dying or giving the truth."

At this, Ilenzi draws to his feet, swaying a little. "You are the one that is wrong friend of Thoth's. If Thoth wanted my death... that would be one thing, but you? You can not demand me simply die to prove my conviction. Living things want to live. There is no shame in that!"

Here Ilenzi turns to Thoth. "I do not understand why these people are trying to kill me, or convince me to kill myself. But Thoth... If thou canst trust Ilenzi, whom canst thou trust?" It is the voice of his master. The tone, the inflection... Looking at this man, is the very semblance of Thoth's master. If Thoth can not trust them... who can be trusted. Ilenzi holds his hand out to Thoth. "Come with me Thoth, let us leave this place, this damned place with these fools who think death is the only answer. I will agree to give the goblin back her name; if you come with me. That is enough; all I want is you."

GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Gramarye rolls Sense Motive: (12)+-2: 10
GAME: Gramarye rolls Sense Motive: (6)+-2: 4
GAME: Thoth rolls Sense Motive: (13)+-3: 10

Can anyone desire someone to just... die? Sure, tyrants, Thoth supposes. True villains. But what has this Fey done so far?

Transformed a woman into a Medusa, to protect her?

Oh right, stole a Gobbo's name under the idea of them being a 'threat'. Except, Thoth knows Ilenzi has powerful spells drawn over them. Including the one keepign them alive right now. The level of spells far more powerful than even Thoth can cast. This Fey before it has the knowledge of Centuries alive, if it speaks truth, unlike Thoth.

Before it, its master, yet not its master. A manipulator who uses lies. Rune's words stuck at the back of its mind. This is a man afraid of Truth. It doesn't know what truth, how many lies may even have been spun. But...

"If that is all you wanted, you would have done that months ago." Thoth answers Ilenzi firmly. "Please. Give this one a peace of mind. Show me what thee looked like in the past, when this one was but a fledgling. Let this one know its memories do not lie anymore..."

"I gave you an option. Truth or death." Gramarye's words are surprisingly firm and fierce things. "You misrepresent me when you say I demand only death. It demonstrates dishonesty when you ignore my request to tell the truth. The truth is easier to tell than to die. I do not understand why you continue this tactic of trying to undermine Thoth's trust in everyone as an alternative to simply building trust in your relationship with Thoth. It is not logical. It is not rational. While I am aware that organic lifeforms do not always use logic in their decision making and in their demands, I also have never observed someone who claims to care about someone then try to undermine their trust in other people."

Gramarye then gestures to Thoth. "You can start with building trust by answering Thoth's request. It is a good first step. Then you can resume the anticipated social protocol and be on the path again to trust."

GAME: Thoth rolls Will: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Gramarye rolls Will: (16)+8: 24

"If that is what you desire." Ilenzi says, running a hand over his face and an illusion pours out from his fingers. Standing there for a moment is the master that Thoth almost remembers. The differences aren't great. A bit more color to the skin. A bit more bounce to the hair. And the eyes are white not red... "Do you not remember me Thoth?"

But Thoth DOES. Thoth remembers a gentle smile and the warmth of embrace. A thousand hours spent tinkering at the side of this man. Thoth remembers and the orb at his feet begins to glow inside the box.

Darkness falls over everyone as the memory takes hold, activated by Thoth's remembering. A voice rising from that dark; Ilenzi's voice.

"This one is for you Thoth. My beloved bird. I hope you find it again some day, and it brings you comfort in your time of need. I wish I could show you the memory of a sky, or a beach, or a thousand other things rather than giving you just my voice. But I hope this is enough. Enough to remind you that I love you more than anything. More than everything. There is nothing I would not do for you Thoth. If you remember nothing else of me; remember that. You have given me so much joy. You've shown me a world I would never have known without you. You are my symbol of hope, and you will carry the future on your wings. I love you Thoth; as much as any parent could love their child. Be happy."

The voice fades, but not the memories which come in a cascade. They're not from the orb, but from Thoth. Memories of his master hugging, laughing, creating. With those pale white eyes... Eyes that were blind. Eyes that could not see the many wonderous things that were made by his own hands. At last Thoth remembers and knows that this being standing before him can NOT be his master... because his master never once saw him. Only loved him as a parent loves their child; as this being - whatever it is - does not. Because Thoth remembers that too now; being loved, and what it is to be loved.

The memories fade and the memory orb cracks down the middle, the voice of Thoth's master rising one last time. "Be happy.... my beloved bird."

The thing that looks like Thoth's master growls viciously. "NO! I WAS SO CLOSE!" He stomps his feet. "No... No matter. Thoth will come with me; NOW! NOW! Or the goblin will DIE!"

GAME: Gramarye rolls Knowledge

Zelgu. A name that does not immediately ring a bell for Thoth, purely because while some memories are mended, others are still broken. It lifts its finger, about to try and pause Gramarye so they might learn more...

THUNK.

A head suddenly lies before Thoth, and it lets out a squawk! "Gramarye!" Before turning its head towards the War Golem friend. Only for... the head moving. As the body grabs the head, and places it back.

Thoth then lets out a disgusted anxious squawk. "Master!" Its body, yet...

If it was biological, it might have gotten queesy. "This one will remove this parasite this instance!"Nature: (12)+9: 21

"Yes, please." Thoth answers, rising onto its small little narrow avian legs, as the illusion begins to pour over the man's body. Expecting that, if this being lies, it'd be red eyes once more. But instead... pale. The truth it saw before. Then why were others of its memories indicating red eyes back then? Its memories a mess, its emotions a mess...

It grips for its head in confusion. The little oculars having trouble focusing.

Do you not remember me

Memories are such a hard thing for the Avian War Golem. Parts of its memories shattered as much as its wings are. Other parts of its memories as clear as day. But the ones it always felt it held more preciously, are those of its master. And before it, with a gentle smile, that warmth... it remembers.

"... master..." It chirps sadly. A foot stepping forward, reaching a hand out instinctively. Looking to be held in its masters hands once more. Hope, caring. It feel so stupid. So angry at itself that it was trusting others with those lies, that it would have disbelieves them when..

That orb. The very orb it brought. Darkness falls, and from it, that voice. Master's voice. Though the War Golem may not have what others might call a 'heart', it has something else that reacts in that moment, something that carries the very same function.

The world changing around itself, as memories spring up before all of them. The hugs, the laughter, the creation together. A smile from its master as Thoth works on making the cutest little nest out of simple copper wires, just learning. A chirp of earnest happiness coming from the War Golem.

A dance, under the moon's night. A simple and sweet thing. It isn't wild, or sweeping, or super energetic. Just a soft and sweet dance between a child and its father. With Thoth looking up at its face. Always looking at that man's face. A memory that should be burned into every corner of its memories!

Within the body of the avian, broken memories begin to mend. Like broken porcelain, golden light mending them, linking elements together that had been torn asunder.

And then, there it is. The avian sitting on its master's shoulder in reduced size. Pointing at the stars and chirping, explaining what it is seeing. Explaining the world beyond their big mansion. It remembers now, why it loved books so much. About architecture, about the planes. They were things that the War Golem would tell its master about. Explaining the wonders beyond the house. Laughing together at the bizarre descriptions of some of the Aberrations and even the natural. A shared laughter. A joy, before the bird's body and mind got so shattered.

Be happy.

Yet, here, right now before Ilenzi, it isn't happy. It is worried. It stares into those white eyes.

As the memory orb cracks down the middle, and the last words of its master echo through the chamber, it closes its eyes in the midst of the Fey's tirade. As he growls and stomps his feet. Declaring that Thoth would come with him. That the Goblin would die if it didn't.

"... how could you." Thoth asks the man in that moment. There is anger beneath the surface. Of someone pretending to be its master. To take all of those wonderful memories, and turn them to his own purposes. To... lie to it like this.

"Why... why would you lie to me like this?" It asks, opening its eyes, staring at the man before it - right in their eyes. "This one was filled with such hope, to be with its master again. Why would thee lie to me like this?" The demand to come with it - that the Goblin would die if it didn't.

"It is too late to make demands of this one. This one does not Serve thee."

GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon9: (2)+8: 10
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon9: (17)+8: 25
GAME: Gramarye rolls damage9: aliased to 2d6+5: (6)+5: 11

"Because your master is not a fae creature," Gramarye intones. There's unmistakable anger in her voice now, in the way that Aragos is so often angry. "Your master was not the cruel creature that is before us now. It is duplicitous. I cannot arrive at any other conclusion."

Faster than anyone can really anticipate, Gramarye reaches into her haversack for her greatsword, gleaming in that brilliant way that cold iron does. Ilenzi's too slow to react. Thoth doesn't get the chance to react. Her eyes drop into bright red as she swings the greatsword down--

And Ilenzi's crimson-eyed head smacks onto the floor.

Gramarye begins to intone, in that lower-octave register, "Vardama sing the evildoers to their..."

"Because I am Zelgu you forgetful thing!" The man yells at Thoth. "Because I have envied your master! Because I have craved-"

Whatever else he might have said is cut off as his head tumbles to the ground. Split from his body by Gramayre's blade.

There's a moment of silence. And then another. And another. But the headless body does not tumble to the ground. Instead Zelgu bends over and picks the head up, and places it back. A tear of cloth sounds as something within Zelgu's clothing tears apart the fabric of cloth to reveal the chest of Thoth's pretend-master only...

There's a slow sinking realization then. The body IS Thoth's master. Only this creature - Zelgu - has carved out a place in his chest and made a gory nest within. "Foolish." Blood drips from the body's neck and the creature within is a thing of black scales and terrible to behold. Like a monstrous wyvern but small and wicked-looking. "Foolish children to take Zelgu on."

Zelgu. A name that does not immediately ring a bell for Thoth, purely because while some memories are mended, others are still broken. It lifts its finger, about to try and pause Gramarye so they might learn more...

THUNK.

A head suddenly lies before Thoth, and it lets out a squawk! "Gramarye!" Before turning its head towards the War Golem friend. Only for... the head moving. As the body grabs the head, and places it back.

Thoth then lets out a disgusted anxious squawk. "Master!" Its body, yet...

If it was biological, it might have gotten queasy. "This one will remove this parasite this instance!"

To be continued.