Editing Volume One: The Vampire of the Dungeons (section)

====<big>The Oracle of Night, Xozla of Zictla and More Poker</big>====


*Act 3
*The dark purple sky is spotted with black clouds and a sense of sadness. The spires of the Tower seem to look like supports for a once vast tower stripped of all but its corner bricks. Time has weathered them to spires.  
A series of stairs rise to a level platform. Four main towers are connected at the top by an unbroken arch. A platform seat stone can be seen. Around each pinnacle a circular staircase rises high in the sky. A few Chaosian serpent priests tend candles. A fountain to the side is filled with water, ice block floating in it. Water flows over the side in places into hand washing basins. Cups of many styles rest in several piles around the base. Torches burn near the stair with the scent of wax made from sentient lives.  
"I might have expected this.. Did Hagalta tell you he was doing this foolishness?"  
Looking a man walks over, wearing magically molded bone armor, decked in feathers.  
"Amberites...Benedict of all people...Arloxedra..Bleys... ah..Doria Hendrake! And you, are Hagalta's son, Relmopator, correct? I am Xozla of Zictla.”
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"No. He didn't tell me anything useful, other than my brother Xorax also being in Chaos at that time. Mostly he just whined about pain and pined for my mother. Who's this asshole?"
Realmer prepares to release a Paralysis Spell aimed at the man with the nice bone armor.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bleys mumbles "So much for a snatch and grab... "
Xozla chuckles.."War comes soon enough. No need to start it here. Holy Ground and all. The Forms must be preserved. Chaos might disapprove of bloodshed here. At least unsanctified ones. I don't suppose you all would let these serpent priests bless you so your souls won't be wasted...Let us call this a parley of foes before the commencement of hostilities..I am Xozla of Zictla, son of Tonacat. Husband of Cihalas. It is a pleasure to meet you face to face before your king makes a rash choice of taking battle to the great realm of Azcala. And before you snipe at me like a small dog, Relmopator, know that Hagalta asked me to be here as his second. He has many enemies in Azcala. and a price on his head placed there by my brother Zictalas. But i count him as a friend. "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer's tone is level and even. As he speaks, he looks Xozla over thoroughly thru the Pattern Lens, which he already had up before he stepped though the trump.
"I don't give a bucket of troll shite as to who you are, who your father is, who you're married to or why you're here, but the fact that you are a friend of my Father is of importance to me. So as his friend, I ask you to please step aside and let a Father be reunited with his Son. There is much we need to discuss and long past time we did so. We require no blessings from the priests, we only require you to comply and let me take my Father away from here peacefully."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla laughs, pulling a cigar that lights on its own, smelling highly of cinnamon, chili pepper and marijuana in a heavy cloud.
"Oh...Hear the mighty kitten meow....Are they not so cute at this age, God of War? "
Smiling at Realmer he continues, "Now, as I see it we have three choices how to proceed. I had intended to take my friend Hagalta and another boon companion who is here, to a shadow i spent a great deal of time in. After I had sat the seat myself. Now, i think i shall pass the experience for the moment considering the new state of affairs. We can all agree that a war exists between our realms but none of the principles have crossed blades yet. As long as the God of War, the God of Falling off High Mountains, and the God of Dusty Books, all mind their manners that will continue. Of course you and the Hellmaiden of Hendrake will have to behave as well."
"First choice is that all of us can take Hagalta and join me at my residences in Van Nuys. Its city on an earth world on the west coast of a mighty realm, with muscle cars, cool music, warm waters and hot air. Its a car age and a jet age just before the computer age. I've a palatial spread in the hills south of the town there that I bought from a purveyor of tasteful nude photography. I stick to the same 30 or so years before shifting shadow. I was there for hundreds of years while i was locked out of Azcala. I was traveling when my father pissed off the High Lord of Chaos. My wife and son were trapped inside, my daughter and I were trapped outside, separately. She and I do not ...get along. I'll give you all lodgings, run of the place, and free access to your father while he recovers. Where he chooses to go then will be his choice. You have my word you will not be harmed in any way."
"Secondly, we can all go to Amber. You can lodge Hagalta and I somewhere comfortably and you can see him any time you like. If King Random would like to consider that the Embassy of Azcala, I am willing to accept the post of Ambassador to Amber. Once there i will depend on your surety that my status as Ambassador will vouchsafe my person. While there i will want to see my daughter, Untara, who i understand is married to a son of Sawall who runs a drinking establishment in town."
"Third, we can draw blood and see who comes out of this alive. Hagalta will come down here confused, find us fighting and will pitch in and probably die. The War God and the God who Falls Off Mountains will have to deal with my compatriot. And you my little kitten, I'll drag back to Zunula where Xolotl the Dog God will rip your heart out and heal you daily for the pleasure of the people of Azcala. Eventually you will beg him to take you heart and turn it to red glass so your soul can rest for a few thousand years. "
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer ignores his jibes and keeps his features and mind calm, giving nothing away. When he speaks he keeps his tone level and even.
"Well, we were already planning on taking my Father to Amber and had already arranged comfortable accommodations for him. If you would like to accompany him to Amber and share his accommodations, I have no problem with that. As far as an Embassy and Ambassadorship, and all that goes with it, that is entirely up to King Random and certainly above my station to offer. And I am sure it can be arranged for you to see your daughter while in Amber."
Realmer looks over his shoulder at the others and says, "Do any of you have a problem with Xozla accompanying Hagalta to Amber?"
When his eyes cross Benedict's, he gives him a look as though to ask, 'Same plan?', but says, "Lord Marshall, do you object?"
Realmer is now wishing he had learned the Silent Battle Language many of Amber's warriors share.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bleys-"Oh, no objection whats so ever! By all means, make the scene...We'll roast the fatted calf. "
Doria growls angrily and Arlo puts is hand on her shoulder to retrain her as she makes to leap at the insult. Realmer feels power between Arlo and Doria after which she seems shaken and stands woodenly as if compelled.
Xozla chuckles at Doria, "Yes, restrain your Hellmaiden. I've no interest in kicking your little puppy any more then your little kitten here. "
Benedict scowls and steps up beside Realmer. Putting his hand on his shoulder. Firmly.
"Xozla, I will give you this assurance. No one will harm you, my sword defend you, till King Random releases me from this vow. However, if he tells me to I'll gut you and eat your eggs on toast the instant he allows me. I've defeated the Courts of Chaos in open battle in a time of war. I have no concern of doing so to Azcala. You chose a odd mocking tone for one who would be an Ambassador. And I've encountered and crossed blades with "principals" of Azcala before. Your brother Zictalas was my daughter Desri's lover for a time. He attempted to take her heart. However, she had relocated her heart, and replaced it with a toy facsimile. When she told me of it I had the pattern send me to him and we crossed blades. Formidable. But I'd have had his head on a pike if he had not fled cowardly after a dozen strike. Tell him the next time i see him we shall finish it. For the moment, if my terms suit you. We will go to Amber when Hagalta finishes."
Xozla-"Your terms are satisfactory. I doubt your King would be so foolish as to order me harmed at this point. Besides, my companion is eager to speak to King Random."
A serpent priest turns and walks over, pulling back his cowl. He is a ruddy tanned face with bright Irish red hair and beard. Much about him seems like Bleys in appearance. He wears a circlet that looks like it was formed from an alligator's jaw.
Xozla points, "Lords of Amber, this is Quetzel, King of Umillan-Zlapa. He is the greatest foe of Tonacat with in Azcala. Once the son of Tonacat, now, no longer so. He will be traveling with me."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer smiles congenially and speaks evenly, ignoring all insults and threats... especially considering the firm grip of the Lord Marshall on his shoulder.
"Any foe of Tonacat is certainly of interest to Amber and King Random... so I'm sure one more can be accommodated. Yes, Quetzel, please join us when we depart."
Realmer takes a breath and looks around for a moment then says with another congenial smile, "So, what ever shall we do to pass the time while we wait on my Father?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Arlo-"Well, anyone have a deck of cards?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer smiles and chuckles then says, "Well, aside from the Family Deck, I do carry a Tarot Deck. Were you thinking table games or a Reading?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla smiles, "A tarot reading on the steps of the Oracle of Night might be one of the most presumptuous and hilarious things i have ever heard. By all means!"
Bleys, "ah....I've sat that seat twice. I'm not sure i would tempt it.
Arlo-"Ben, since it seems we won't be needing Doria I would like to take her home. She is about to break out of my paralysis spell and the screaming in her mind is giving me a headache. I doubt Lord Xozla here would want to have to deal with her under the circumstances. I'm just barely keeping her subconscious from raising the pattern."
Ben nods. "Probably a good idea. Realmer? As I said, this is your show."
Quetzel has said nothing, done little more then watch everyone.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Good idea, Arloxedra. Thank you for offering. Make sure the accommodations are ready for our guests arrival, please and thank you."
Realmer looks to Xozla and smiles then says, "I was only making jest about the Tarot Reading... honestly I am rather in the mood to play Poker. I'm sure I could strip down my Tarot Deck to accommodate the game. Have you played? Have either of you played?" Realmer asks, looking to Quetzel as well.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla nods, "I've played Poker in Gardena, Las Vegas, Monti Carlo, Hong Kong, and Saigon. Also in Wet Wendal's Hot House on taxorami and in a number of clubs at the Dramaturge. Not to mention hosting celebrity games at my manse. By all means. I suspect we have an hour at least."
Ben looks emotionless eyes at Realmer conferring a sense of incredulity.
Bleys chuckles, "Well then, you will have to teach our Kitten here. His education in the game was jut about to begin at Random's regular game when this whole Hagalta mess started. I, of course, have played a couple times. "
He waves his hand in a circular motion toward the ground. Conjuring a poker table it arrives filled with stacks of chips, a deck of cards, several hands facing down, a bowl of onion dip, a bowl of what look like pork rinds. A pair of thick cigar smoke in an ashtray. 6 chairs arrive along with it.
Bleys says. "Someone is going to have to try to explain how the card table disappeared right in the middle of a game... " Collecting the card he counts them to make sure there are 52. He takes a seat.
"My deal. lets start small. 5 card draw, jacks or better progressive. Looks like the stacks are more or less even. No big losers no big winners. Take a seat, ante is one." He picks up a chip from the stack in front of his chair and tosses it in.
He does a fast series of shuffles and starts dealing.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer watches Bleys hands as much as he watches Xozla and Quetzel.
"Please, everyone take a seat" Realmer says, gesturing to the chairs around the table like a host at a dinner party. His mannerisms indicate he will remain standing until everyone is seated... though he has placed himself behind a chair between the one Bleys is seated in and one Benedict would logically take.
"The 'kitten' is familiar with the game, God of Falling from High Mountains, as well as many other games of chance involving cards, dice, bones and even the entrails of a living being as they fall from its body cavity. But by all means, educate me, one and all; I will gladly take any tips and tricks of the game... any game."
Realmer carefully reaches inside a pocket on the outside of his jacket and pulls out a small cask; the pocket stretches as he wooden cask exits the jacket then reforms its normal shape. He then pulls out a small tap and six wooden cups; he places them all on the table.
"Dwarven Pale Ale; my own creation. You are only the second group to taste it; the first enjoyed it... one so much as to magically create more for later consumption. I hope you will all sample it and tell me, honestly, what you think of it."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Ben shakes his head briefly and takes a seat, picking up one of the cigars. "Cuban..well aged...good ash...hand rolled, not booked...lit with a butane lighter..."
Xozla smiles, "Well God of War, i had no idea you were an aficionado of fine cigars. Perhaps someday I can show you the fields of Untola where the finest cinnamon infused cigars in all Azcala are made. Well, Lord Realmer, if you are not the kitten you meow like at first impression, what pray tell are you the god of? fashion? Little is known of you that was not brought into Azcala by Hagalta and Xorax and the later is certainly no friend of yours. Though he has a certain Azcalan attachment to a sister named Drixtra."
Bleys snorts, and pushes a glass to Realmer...
Coughing slightly, "Ah, lots of people have an attachment to his sister. Xozla, I'm afraid Drixtra's relationships is a sore subject thee days. I was accosted verbally by this one about her and physically by the king's body guard about her. "
Xozla-"Ah, I can imagine. The Adask are a lusty desperate people. Quez here has a large number of them in his realm and he made sure Hagalta and Xorax stayed far from them. He said they were bad influences. The Young God of Not Kittens will probably agree with Quez. Speaking of bad influences, i would guess you all know this bar keeper by daughter keeps company with?"
Quez walks back to the serpent priests, Lighting candles with them
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer smiles to Xozla as his staff shifts into a Scrimshawed Bone Pipe, he stuffs some spicy pipe weed into it and lights it with a Cantrip flame from his fingertip. He puffs a few times, exhales then takes a seat.
"Little is known about me even amongst those who know me, which is the way I like it and work hard to keep it. And what you hear about me from one person or group about me is certainly only what _I_ wanted them to think about me. Perhaps God of Mystery" Realmer offers as he puffs his Bone Pipe.
"And in regards to my sister, Drixtra; she seems to have an effect on everyone... except me, that is. I do find her fascinating, but claim no lusty feelings about her, despite her obvious beauty."
Realmer taps the cask, fills the cups then passes them around. He then counts his chips, without touching them, compares them to the others, as Bleys did, then tosses his white chip ante into the center of the table.
"I am sure everyone that came here with me is familiar with the man you speak of; Jurt by name, Thin Whip by reputation. And at least half of us have met his wife, your sister, Untara. Lovely woman, powerful."
Realmer looks to Bleys and says, "I hope you didn't deal off the bottom of the deck or stack the deck, Bleys; I like an honest game."
He winks at Bleys then picks up his cards and turns to the white raven on his shoulder and says, "Bob, no cheating. If you tell anyone what cards I have I'll turn you into a pixie, complete with the cute little haircut... permanently."
The beak of the raven opens and a smooth, deep baritone voice says, "As you command, oh God of Kittens."
"That's going to cost you, Bob" Realmer says as he looks over his cards but does not arrange them in any way. Suddenly the raven shudders, squawks, then turns into a cute, orange and white, tabby kitten. It meows in a tiny voice once, then glares at Realmer.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla produces a little chunk of beef jerky.
"Here kitty, kitty....I take it your familiar can be vexing. Mine is so secretive I almost forgotten he was born a puma. He spent most of our years of exile as a horse, an eagle, a shark, an alligator, and most often of all, a cat. He only returns to his original shape in the presence of the Puma herself. Neither of us were Puma Cultists...I was an eagle cultist when the world was young and the cults were new."
" I've heard your king takes his poker seriously. The tale though a mutual acquaintance is that he one had a noble sent on an Embassy to Adzikis after playing client poker? That's a good sign. Tonacat doesn't play games. He spent an eon as a prisoner of Swayvil planning how to slay Oberon and destroy Amber. Now that he is free all he thinks of is Amber and Bursain. How to humiliate Random and how to claim the Rock Guard. Gets tiring. Rebel kings like Quez have to walk a fine line. He isn't in fealty but many of his subject kings and most their people are. As you prosecute your war, remember, ours is not a monolithic system. We have plenty of rebels. Sadly for them, the priests always need sacrifices."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"My Familiar is vexing at times, but only because I want him that way. And my 'punishments' are minor and temporary; they're my way of showing I am myself and nothing is bothering me. It is when I do not counter with a jibe or punishment that he knows something is amiss. You see, my familiar is rarely seen or heard, normally, and he listens and watches, he reports and advises as needed, as a good familiar should. And normally... he only speaks to me and usually only telepathically, but of late he has become more vocal... and mouthy."
Realmer smiles wryly and puffs his pipe, looks at everyone else looking at their cards and gauges their expressions... their tells.
"King Random takes his poker so seriously that I took lessons in the game the moment I arrived in Amber and heard of his passionate avocation. There is a Dungeon Guard named Roger that could retire at anytime he wants and write his books due to the winnings he garnered during my initial lessons."
Realmer puffs again and says to Xozla, "I am sure it is with the Azcalans as it is with the Adask; not all follow the same path."
Realmer looks to Bob the Kitten and says aloud, "Overwatch". The kitten becomes a beholder about the sized of a bowling ball then flies straight up over the table to hover about 20 feet up, then rotates slowly as his central eye scans all around.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bleys harrumphs at a close hand, losing 3-9s to 3-10s to Realmer. The deal passes to Ben who has shown competent card skills but done none of the fancy cuts or flourishes Bleys and Xozla use to show each other up. He methodically does a straight shuffle, perfectly splitting the deck into 26 cards each time and shuffling the deck perfectly one card each time. Experts note he is not flashy but he his precise and and expert. He also has a nearly impenetrable poker face as befits a warrior who can cause armies to flee with a scowl. He has spoke rarely as play continued though Xozla and Bleys seem to be chatting companionably.
Ben-"I am curious what rebellion looks like in Azcala? Everything we have seen since its opening showed a regimented and worshipful populace."
Xozla-"Tonacat controls who comes and goes. We who can access the sigil may of course use it transport nearly anywhere. But we have few sorcerers able to manipulate shadow in a way to pass into the greater shadowlands. Those of us in the royal line, even detached members like Quetzel, can shadow walk among the shadows within Azcala as well as those beyond, in the Azcalan Sway, and further, though it gets terribly difficult, even dangerous. Azcala is close to Chaos and remember, War God, even the Lords of Amber rarely went beyond the center, where Ygg now rules Mandalay. Before the Jeweled Road there was very little cross shadow travel. On the earth world i spent so long it reminds me of the early period of Air Travel, or Rail travel. A journey over land might take 3 months and over water 2 months. With rail the trip was 3 days and with aircraft the trip was a handful of hours. "
Losing a hand Xozla antes and deals.
"Before the Jeweled Road, there was desperately little shadow travel without great magic or shadow trails laid down by walkers. Of course places like Cynasure close to Chaos and Antheris close to Amber are hubs for a great many shadow trails and paths forged by various magics. And of course Unara An ata Satar was once a might cross-shadow hub with hundreds of major trails allowing massive inter-dimensional commerce. Paths from it managed to enter Azcala nearly to the seal, interacting with many of the Azcalan Sway shadows. Once the Jeweled Road occurred it consumed most the major cross-shadow trails in and around Unara An ata Satar, Antheris, and Cynasure. My point being we don't get out much. The people you have met, soldiers like the debacle of the Jaguar Cult and a minor king losing a force of 150k troops, or tourists like myself, are likely to give you a skewed view of us. There is great diversity among our people. "
He wins the hand and the deal passes to Bleys.
Quetzel suddenly seems to have walked to Xozla's side, "Tell them"
Xozla turns and looks up at his friend. "Are you sure?"
Que-"Tonacat can take me if he has the feathers to try. Tell them"
Xozla nods, " the fact is that Tonacat rules the realms with an iron spiked hand and takes lives out of joy and with religious devotion. He can feed on the souls like a vampire god. Many of us no the method and I've done it myself though there are easier ways to manage power. His rule of fear is what dominated the realm,, not his deep devotion or connection to the sigil of Azcala. He uses the power of the Sigil at will and to great effect. But..." he looks to Quetzel who nods
"You see, he treats the sigil as a slave. They are not companions. It fights his control. Rebels of Azcala believe he can be unhorsed from his control of the Sigil. Then, he can be slain."
*'''Michael James Watson'''


*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer turns his head slightly and looks at Benedict and raises an eyebrow then looks to Quetzel and nods his head to him.
"Interesting information, but I would say not unexpected; any leader that rules by fear will eventually be overthrown because people that are ruled by fear will eventually generate rebels, and when those rebels reach a high enough number, the Hope that they represent will reach enough people and they will no longer fear death and pain, but will only fear their own inaction against their oppressor, and what will happen if they do nothing."
Realmer throws down a higher bet than has been thrown on the table thus far, keeping his face even, as any good poker player would. He knows his hand may not be that good, but maybe it is... either way, a good way to judge his bluffing skills and see how the others react to it or how they spot it.
"Raise. This news is good for the People of Azcala and for Amber. It is quite fortuitous that I chose this time to reunite with my father. How likely is it that there are more rebels hidden away, that you don't know about? And how likely are these rebels to band together?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Vance and Martin stand near the bottom of the oracle of Night. Speaking softly. Vance remembers his journey up to the seat and how it lead to his horrors in the Abyss. Martin speaks of how Brand's time up it lead him to nearly dying on the pattern.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla chuckles "Your appraisal of the rise of rebellion may be true but the path of the rebel is hard in a realm where fear is enforced by religious sentient sacrifice. Rebel don't risk imprisonment, they risk having their heart ripped out of their chest after watching the line of their family, wives, mothers, fathers, aunts, children, devoted servants, and slaves sacrificed before them. Xoxotl sacrifices their house pets and livestock before burning their villages to the ground. Rebellion is risky in Azcala"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Rebellion is risky everywhere. So the stakes are higher in Azcala? That only means the rewards will be greater and sweeter when they are achieved. And I believe... perhaps even 'foresee', that when Rebellion comes to Azcala, it will come in force, it will come quickly and strike with final intent, and like a tidal wave that cannot be withstood, it will wash away the fear and the reign of Tonacat once and forever."
Realmer looks to the table to see who is still in, and who called, then places his cards face up on the table.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla-"Mayhaps. But let us be clear. I am not in rebellion. Nor is Quetzel leading a guerrilla force. At this point there may exist a coldwar and a proxy war but there has been no formal declaration. A foolish King led a force of 150K out of Azcala hoping to conquer Amber in the name of Tonacat and they were never heard from again. Where their bones lay only Mictilan the God of Death may know. There are different types of rebels. Some rebel against being held back by those such as Quetzel and myself who argue with Zictalas and Tonacat to wait. Wait a thousand years even. We dangle the Blade of Bursain before his eyes and he is dazzled thinking the blade might turn the tides against Amber and it might do much like it. If the blade is merged with the sigil it might make the new pattern serve Tonacat loyally. Should i find the blade, i may call you notables to take it off my hands."
Ben looks at Bleys who nods. Then Ben speaks.-"Mictilan is not the only one who knows where their bodies lay. A Cairn a mile square rests outside Trudana Felik. I brought a force of of 10k Amberite Horse, a cohort of Elites and about 600 members of CHAD against them. The CHAD force commander King Arin of Freestate and the Primus Paladin of the Cult of the Savior/Slayer Sir Reltorious Winteri, broke discipline and charged their troop of 600 against your proud legions. Once it was clear the Savior Slayers were going to break the morale of 150k swords i committed my troops to defeat them in the field. They fought bravely for several minutes then broke. The CHAD troops hunter them down. I apologize for the mutilation of their bodies. CHAD take ears. The remaining 60k we took prisoner we have installed in a shadow near Diega. A wizard named Digan the Ruby Mage, of CHAD, has imprinted temporary memories and they all believe they are farmers. Its been a few years in their shadows. Its a quite bucolic scene. 80k lay in a mass grave that a Cairn was raised over. And 10k....I'm afraid are lost, mad, and wandering in the wild shadows out there."
Xozla puts his cards down. Looking straight at Ben. Quetzel steps closer, "In truth, Prince Benedict? What of King Eztil?"
Ben looks up-"Dead on the field. His bones lay in the cairn with his troops."
Xozla-"Eztil dead? Extraordinary...Sir this information is worth all the risk our gathering today presented us."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"And to think, the day is not yet over. Imagine what you may learn when my Father returns and we all go to Amber. This day has been full of surprises, for all it would seem. And though there may be no formal rebellion in Azcala, I am sure it exists in the hearts of many of it people, just waiting for the right moment to rise up over the fear and do what must me done at all costs. Or so I see it."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Admin
Quetzel, "I doubt Tonacat will see it that way. Eztil was one of his circle of blood. A Prince of Amber has slain a King of Azcala. It may mean open war."
Xozla looks at Quetzel-"Well then lets not tell him! Blood and tears Quez, we came here with Hagy to find a way to avoid open war...Tonacat will grab the realm by the scruff and herd every manjack and swinging dick, every Cipactlix and Jagri, and all the maiden blood out of Azcala to fall on Amber.. What a fragged mess over such a psychotic as Eztil.. Lunatic child eater.. I want to find this cairn and piss on his head..."
Quetzel looks serious suddenly, ."were his organs collected, Prince Benedict?" Bleys scrunches his face in disgust......
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer turns to Benedict with great interest.
"Yes, Lord Marshall, what did happen to his remains? There are many Magics that his organs could have been useful for... and I am sure many Azcalan Rituals as well."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bleys looks at Realmer in disgust, "Well by all means Vampire of the Dungeon, build an army of the dead for Amber... I doubt Random wants zombie troops."
Xozla raises a hand,"No, Prince Bleys, he is right, There are Azcalan rituals to be considered.. what think you Quez? "
q-"He is dead. I've no qualm using the heart spell on the dead. And 80k others...Its quite a windfall for us. Anointed dead. Tonacat need never know. And to be sure, he can't bring his own priests there. That would make a dangerous ally for the Emperor. Sir, this Trudana Felik is on the Jeweled road? "
Ben nods.
Quetzel..."Will you show me? These anointed dead have life force a practitioner can use. I have forsworn the taking of lives in sacrifice. But anointed dead... I can use. And if i don't claim it, someone of Tonacat's will. I'll claim the life forces and render the bodies to dust, according to our customs. We seem to have passed the point where violence is likely. Will you show me?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Ben looks at Realmer with slightly open eyes in surprise
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
With only the movement of his eyes, Realmer looks at Benedict and gives him a wink and the slightest nod of his head. Then he turns his head to look at Bleys, arching his right eyebrow once their eyes lock.
"Firstly, it's 'Vampire of the Depths'; if your going to use my Family Pet Name, use it correctly. And I rather love the moniker, by the way."
"Secondly, of course you would assume my intentions were dark, macabre and of a sinister intent. Just because I WAS a Necromancer does NOT mean I chose to be one; it was forced upon me, at great cost to my body, my way of using Magic, my appearance, and for a time, my mind. But when I was able to free myself from the Entity that enslaved me and forced that way of Magic upon me, I did not immediately go out and find a cemetery and raise hordes of undead creatures and set them upon the countryside. No; I bode my time and waited until I heard rumors of the undead plaguing a nearby Duchy and I teamed up with a group of Adventurers and Undead Hunters and gave them the benefits of my knowledge and power to defeat the hordes of undead and their undead master. And if the King wants an Army of the Undead, he knows where to ask for it; I have no intention of bringing him one unsolicited. Do not let the word Necromancer or tales and rumors normally associated with that title blind you. Knowledge is knowledge and knowledge is power. Use it wisely. Just because your limited scope led you to the macabre and personally distasteful, others here knew of what I was referring, Cousin"
Realmer looks to Xozla for understanding, Sorcerers of a Feather, as it were, and rolls his eyes. "Always prejudged."
"It would be best if the Life Force Energy did NOT fall into the hands of Tonacat or anyone who would use it against Amber." Realmer looks at Xozla intently then turns to Quetzel with the same intent look, then continues, glancing to Benedict.
"If I knew more about the rituals and how to use the Life Force Energies, I would take them for myself just to prevent them from falling into anyone else's hands."
He pauses and sighs lightly. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Lesser of Two Evils. Better the Devil you know. You get my point, Lord Marshall. I'm willing to give them the Life Energies, but something must be traded or promised for it, wouldn't you agree, Lord Marshall?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bleys chuckles at the rebuke, having been rebuked by experts.
"Well said, Kitten God of Cliches. as long as Zombie Azcalans aren't manning the battlements I think Random wouldn't mind. Ben, I think you should stay here. I'll show the Green feathered god of the rain where the Azcalan honored dead are. I think you, Vance, Martin, and this one can manage his family reunion."
Tapping the cigar ash on Realmer's chips and turning to step away from the table.
"Well, Sir. Lets trump to Talosaril and we can walk from there. Shall we?" Pulling a trump Quetzel look to Xozla who nods knowingly. They step through the trump
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Hmph. Sure hope that guy doesn't piss off Quetzel. I might miss him at Family Dinner Parties. Is it just me, or does Bleys just naturally piss off everyone around him? Does he actually have any friends, or just people who say they are because he's the King's brother?"
Realmer chuckles, repacks his pipe, lights and puffs; the thick oily smoke and spicy smell hanging low around the table.
"Guess that means he's out, the pot goes to Benedict and that makes me dealer" Realmer says, sorting out the cards casually but dexterously.
His shuffling and dealing is nowhere near as flashy as Bleys' or as precise as Benedict's, but does show great dexterity and familiarity with a deck of cards with just a hint of style. Once the cards are dealt he sets the deck in front of him, uses a Cantrip to remove the ashes from his chips then tosses out a white one, glances at his cards then sets them back on the table.
"And I'm sure that one day King Random, and you as well Lord Marshall, will come to me about an Undead Army. So, Xozla, tell me about that Ritual that Quetzel is off to perform. Is it something that must be done through a Sigil of Power or can it be done without one? Also, is the Ritual tied to a specific Sigil, or could it be done with others? The Pattern, as the most obvious example."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"If those Rituals are Sacred and therefore Taboo to discuss with outsiders, we could talk about the reason you and my father came here. Didn't you say you were looking for a way to avoid open war? Perhaps we are that solution the three of you sought."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Martin steps in and takes Bleys seat.
"Hes in a maudlin depressing mood." Motioning at Vance looking up the stair
Xozla-"He has sat it. This is not a good place at the best of times. Benedict has sat it. What did you see?"
Ben looks up from his cards. "Sometimes i wish i could convince Random that Bridge is a better game then Poker. My experience is a state secret. I am interested in the answer to Realmer's question as well."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla frowns.."Tonacat is focused on bloodshed. He is corralling the client kings under the gods to drive out and conquer the universe. I've never understood the need. Before the sealing of Azcala during the many wars of the ages I was an eager killer. Over ages we raised to rule Azcala through blood. We did not create the realm. Other rulers owned it and other lines. Quetzel is essentially one of the survivors of earlier dynasties even though he is at once the son of Tonacat and the son of Tonacat's son MIxcoatl. The million gods fought and fucked and fed and life went on till it was brutally ended. Tonacat bound us but in time those bindings were impossible to maintain. Still, we gathered powers. When Amber became a kingdom we were just massacring the last royal house. We took our pleasures. We found few that could match our passions.. so.. Cihalas, my sister and I, Zictalas our sister Zentalas. Tonacat and his sister Cihuacoa.. My son Aztalios and his sister Untara...Poor Zolton..Marriages and pairbondings among siblings that have had terrible genetic power effects.."
He lights another cigar...Benedict raises and eyebrow and Xozla hands him one. A strong smelling tobacco infused with tequila and cinnamon.
"In the end i had no idea why we did it all.. Kill or be killed I suppose. When I was trapped outside the closure for a few thousand years I grew to enjoy different pleasures. Once it opened i found beauty and pleasure in realms i had once strode across as a Wargod.. Yet Tonacat could not be turned side. When Hagalta came among us it was a shock. People vied to help him, he offered a new distraction and his connection to Amber a new way to hurt them. But through it all, he and I became friends. So when a series of failures made Tonacat turns against him...I had to watch while he was tortured. Sacrificed a thousand times.. Our Adask population thought him a god. And Tonacat tortured their god..When he escaped and fled to Zilla he sought many oracles among the Fane. Finally he thought this one might offer a better idea..It seemed like a good idea at the time.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Oracles cannot be trusted. Nor Seers, Readings, Divination Spells and the like... they are only presenting one possibility of many, and there are too many variables even in the best of situations for any of them to be reliably accurate. Though I have benefited from accurate foretellings of one or more of them in the past, I have also suffered from inaccurate and totally false predictions more frequently."
Realmer puffs his pipe and bets high again, regardless of his cards. His face looks the slightest bit sad and his tone is a bit softer when he speaks.
"My father made his own decisions and made his own mistakes and it sounds like he paid for some of them on that altar, but I cannot pity him... he made his choices. But I can pity any man who had to go through what he did on that altar."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Martin-"I was nearly sacrificed due to a vision from this place. I'm not sure what faith i would put in it either."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer nods to Martin, recalling his story. "And look at what almost happened then. I will also like to add the high likelihood of potentially dangerous decisions and outcomes to my list of dislikes of Oracles and such. I've seen more than more man die following the advise of a Seer or Reading, blinding believing in it right up to the end."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla-"I don't put much faith in them either. We have entrails readers aplenty and its incredible what visions they get from dying people. sometimes it does not matter if the augury is inaccurate, it gives a glimpse of how to proceed. Sometimes that's enough. The pity is that Quez and Hagalta and I have found three ways to stop the war with Amber and none of them are clean"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Ben looks up suddenly with interest, raising a Spock like eyebrow.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"When dealing with Iron Fisted Rulers, it rarely is. Perhaps we can offer a fourth option. We can only know once my father returns and we go to Amber."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer looks in the same direction as Benedict.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla frowns and leans back smoking his cigar, tossing his cards in like he may be done.
"I have decided that I shall pass a visit to Amber. Mandalay has diplomatic relations with Amber and Azcala and let Random know i would like to meet him and that Mandalay might be safest. Hagalta will come down eventually and I think I'll leave him in your care, Sir. If i were to go to Amber and tell the king there 3 ways to destroy Azcala as a threat It would be rank treason and the magics at home would say so. But here, its just talk over cards. "
He picks up the deck and shuffles out three cards.
Tapping the jack. "The blood of Tonacat does not mar the primal sigil of Azcala. We know because he tried to redraw the universe. It zorched him solidly. Find who created it and how, with what, and find the blood to erase the sigil. The shadows won't boil away any more then they did when Oberon repaired the pattern. Azcala is just one section of a set of infinity and it just happens to have an inscription. Erase the inscription and they all just become shadows..


*'''Michael James Watson'''
He taps the queen. "Many magics are based on True Names. Tonacat's magic, his connection to deep powers of Azcala, the Abyss, and Chaos are locked to his True name, Everything he has built, created, and enlarged using that power is linked to his true name. Find that name and use it, and much of the might of Azcala will be destroyed including he and all his progeny, since we all bear powers linked to him.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He taps the king. "Tonacat offended Swayvil somehow. It was enough for him to capture him and bind him to a prison Way in the depths of the stuff of Chaos, and bind the Jaguar with him. It sealed Azcala so a rat's flea couldn't escape and it stayed that way for two thousand years in Amber time. Convince Swayvil to conquer Azcala and imprison Tonacat again.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
He produces a last card and lays it out.
"And lastly this is where Quez and I disagree. He thinks the texture, tenor, and emotion of Azcala would change, even if Tonacat remained in power, if the Puma, the Jaguar, and the Eagle, Primals all, were slain. Let their essence move away from Azcala he says. I think that would do more harm then good but I was, and am a Eagle Cultist, and Quez never was"


*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Well, thank you for all you have shared with us today, you have given us a lot to think on. It and you shall be remembered. Tis a shame you won't be coming to Amber, Xozla, I was just getting to like you. I had interesting places for you to visit and fun activities planned. Guess it will have to wait until another time. I will certainly give your regards to King Random."
Realmer stands and bows to Xozla, but does not take his eyes off of him when he does.
"I may regret this later, and the Lord Marshall and the King may berate me for it, but..." Realmer extends his hand to Xozla, "Well met and safe travels. I'll give my Father your regards."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Xozla grasps the hand, 'Well Met by moonlight and madness. The next time we meet, if its on the field of war, i won't hesitate to slay you. I would expect no less from you. "
he steps back to go.
Ben coughs and stands. Tapping his chest he extend his left hand to shake and offers a trio of cigars with his right. Xozla is startled then turns, Produces a trio of fin Azcalan cinnamon tequila infused cigars and trades them with the right hand and shakes with the left.
"Well Met, War God"
Ben nods, "call me Ben"
Xozla nods, "Ben", turns and walks into shadow the veils being easy to travel among this close to Chaos.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
“When this is all sorted out, if Xozla ends up on the other side of the battle lines, I have some dark plans for that little man. And Benedict, I know you do not approve, but those plans do include some dark necromantic magics. This kitten, as he proclaims me, has deadly claws and one little nick is sure to give him an incurable case of cat scratch fever that will make him beg for death to be released from it.”
One might expect Realmer's outward presence, and even his Psychic Emanations to radiate venomous hatred, but instead he radiates a calm that is down right creepy.