Editing Midnight RPG - Chapter 42.198 (section)

== Questions ==

Start asking... You can ask further questions on the points above.  You may also begin investigating and asking questions about any other visions or times/things in Zal'Kazzir or any other person you have access to...

==== 1) Clarifying the "Blank Spot" ====

I may be misunderstanding you, so just to clarify:

1) The first vision detailed here, the "Blank Spot" vision, did not occur in the usual eyes-glaze-over-and-fall-off-the-boat sense. It manifested as a dream, which no previous visions had (is that right?) Also, Durgaz cannot replay it in the crystal sphere.

:::  '''A''':  Correct - that "vision" actually occured one night when you were asleep.  It was a "vision" that I shared to you verbally in the hallway, hence only having my notes.  Correct - Durgaz can NOT reply that image in the Crystal Sphere.  However the notes (which are the basics) are what Durgaz remembers of THAT particular "vision" that he "can't find" anywhere.  Its like it didn't happen or wasn't a seer vision at all...

==== 2) Clarifying the "Craigth Vision" ====

2) The second vision, the one that was actually directed at Eranon, was also not a "vision" per se, and also came as a dream (or did it?) However, in Durgaz's version, Craigth intermittently appeared (maybe not literally, but his presence was felt somehow) to point out key sections of it that he appeared to "question". Is the implication that the vision was a true one, but that the red sections don't belong, or were somehow "inserted"? We know from Zal's experience communicating with Eranon's sister that dream visions CAN be intercepted and possibly altered by someone with the knowledge to do so. Is that a possibility here?
:::  '''A''':  Incorrect.  That vision WAS in your normal (eyes glaze over) form.  However it happened as a result (apparently) of the "dream vision" Eranon had had the night prior.  If you remember correctly I gave Steve the "dream vision" and at the same time gave you what Durgaz saw... which WAS one of your visions as normal.  Then I believe it was the next day that Eranon shared that he had a "vision" and Durgaz noted that he had most of the same imagery - Eranon's was more straight-forward and without Craigth in it at all.  You can ask Steve for him to reread his "dream vision" if he wants to compare again.
:::  Correct that in Durgaz's vision Craigth appeared intermittently...
:::  The implication (might be) that Craigth was helping the Pathwalkers, Durgaz specifically here, by pointing out that this was NOT a "vision" - rather it was something ELSE.  
:::  The red sections were the sections that Craigth was emphasizing for you to pay attention to.  None of it really "belonged" this was a hint to you to pay attention.
:::  Having a dream vision intercepted is a "known precident" as you know in-game...  However to be sure what's happening/happened you might need to ask Zal'Kazzir, Kyuad or someone else that would be more knowledgeable on these things than Durgaz.  Really there's no way I could justify allowing Durgaz to make a leap in that knowledge.  If you (Andrew) can guess, I'd say Durgaz could get the same info -  but for any definitions further, you'd likely need help.  You'd be welcome to invite any of the other players to read and reply here along with you.  Assuming that they're watching the crystal with you and such...

==== 3) Where was Zal'Kazzir? ====

3) Where was Zal'Kazzir on the nights of those two dreams, and what was he doing?

:::  During the FIRST "vision" Durgaz would have to recall/remember and guess the day/time that he had this "dream vision" to recall where Zal was via your seer ability.  
::::* '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Intelligence +1)  ROLLED:  15+1 =   16 ''  <br> With this recall of when that day/time was... Durgaz believes that this was on an evening when with Durgaz asleep in camp, Zal'Kazzir was meditating in the fashion that you've seen him in when casting the Dream spell in the past...
:::  During the SECOND vision (with Craigth), that happened sometime in waking hours after Eranon had had his "dream vision" the night prior... so at the time Durgaz had THAT vision Zal was taking care of something other - not anything conspiquious.  However the night prior when Eranon reported having that dream vision...  Zal was meditating in the fashion that you've seen him in when casting the Dream spell.

==== 4) Reviewing ====

4) Next: I would like to take a closer look at two key recent events. The first one would be the moment of Zal's "transformation" several days ago. The next would be the night that Zal tried to make contact with Caradul, was intercepted by Vrolk, and "discovered" that he was becoming something else, which would have been (I think) at most a week before that. (There may not be much to observe there, if Zal told us the truth ... so I would not be surprised if there is.)
::  '''A''':  '''NOTE''':  Remember all of the information below is based on Durgaz's memory and searching ability.  The things that you either do NOT act direct questions about or that have been "hidden" from anyone's prying eyes (ie. if Zal was being extra sneaky in case you came looking)  the DC for the Search check may be higher.  The rolls/results follow the information gained.  I'm neither confirming nor denying that ANYTHING was going on.  This is what you "see"...
:::  '''A''':  '''the moment of Zal's "transformation" several days ago'''  
::::  '''4th day on the Arc of HALAIL''', LA 100 (summer) -  Zal'Kazzir "erupts" in transformation in front of Ahemia and Eranon at the rendezvous site.  This event seems to play out exactly as Eranon and Zal accounted, but your viewpoints are hazy... Everything happened so quick, it was immediately at this time when Eranon saw they were being watched by Ahemia's former Asterax and took off stalking it.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  7+1 =   8' 
::::  Belal was also there during all this, he didn't seem surprised by the transformation - in fact he seemed more excited or proud... '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Sense Motive +3)  ROLLED:  11+3 =   14'  
:::  '''A''':  '''the night that Zal tried to make contact with Caradul'''  
::::  '''28th day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  Zal'Kazzir sends his Dream Vision to Aradil, a dream that seems to be intercepted by what he believes to be Vrolk the Vile in the form of Sovaliss the Eyemaster of the Witch Queen. He wakes agitated to tell the pathwalkers of these problems. '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  16+1 =   17 ''  
:::  '''A''':  '''the moment Zal "discovered" that he was becoming something else'''  (at most a week before 28th)  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  18+1 =   19 ''  <br>  Below are the significant days/times around this timeline...
::::  '''25th (Bimba)  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  "The Battle for First-Hold" begins at sundown. 
::::  '''20th  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  Faravour is "discovered" as "hiding something" by Kyuad.  The group questions him, Zal performs a magic-surgery on the angel and is expelled at least once from the mind of the outsider. At the end Zal is shaken from the experience and learnings...
::::  '''16th  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  Zal'Kazzir opens the council at Dern's Hold to communicate the "new way" to the villagers after nearly a week of talks and community work.
::::  '''9th  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  Zal aids in the gathering of the new Council of 13 at First-Hold meets with a feast celebration as Dern and his men are imprisoned.
::::  '''32nd day on the Arc of SAHAAD''', LA 100 (summer) -  Zal'Kazzir makes the trip to Dern's Hold. There he begins to assume control in the guise of Legate Menethas. 
:::  '''A''':  Below are some other days/times that Durgaz see's that may or may not be related to Zal's transformation...
::::  '''3rd day on the Arc of HALAIL''', LA 100 (summer) -  Zal'Kazzir finds his way back from leaving the Path's of Dal Colia along the southern shore of the Pelluria, soon making his way to Baden's Bluff.  
::::  '''1st day on the Arc of HALAIL''', LA 100 (summer) -  Zal'Kazzir leaps back into the world from the Path's of Dal Colia... he finds himself above a rolling-thunderstormed ocean somewhere amid the Sea of Pelluria (as Eranon suggested he saw).  Zal leads his Nightmare steed toward the northern coast, using what he believes to be the towers of Theros Obsidia as a guide post...  He seems lost and alone.  While lost Zal'Kazzir manages to avoid/escape several dangers amid the storms and on the Northern coast... '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  19+1 =   20 ''  
:::: Following his return from the Paths, finding his way back to the southern coast of the Sea of Pelluria - Zal is noticably confident even though he is angered at his Nightmare for becoming lost for a day crossing the Pelluria.  His demeanor, while agitated, was of a bigger confidence even for Zal'Kazzir... '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Sense Motive +3)  ROLLED:  17+3 =   18'
::::  '''25th (Bimba)  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  before "The Battle for First-Hold" as Eranon and Durgaz prepare the battlefield, Zal'Kazzir sequesters himself away in a cottage among the shanty town.  He speaks most of the day with a shadowy man that you later see (leaving the cottage) is Petrus, "brother" of Wilhelm.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  14+1 =   15'' 
::::::  Durgaz has never seen Petrus prior to this in any of the crystal playback images, or in First-Hold prior...   '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  20+1 =   21'' 
::::  '''10th  day on the Arc of SENNEACH''', LA 100 -  Zal'Kazzir (with Kyuad aiding) begins "deprogramming" the human refugee villagers to understand the new government system they're putting in place at First-Hold. This will take less than a week to level the majority to "indifferent" and ready for the council to begin anew...  At this time Zal also speaks privately with four people in First-Hold, they are:  Velar, his daughter Naline and Tarmigan, the forth is Etri...!  They talk about forming a group of independants that will "watch the watchmen" as the eyes behind the "throne" of the new Council of Captains at First-Hold.  These aspiring spies are to report directly to Zal'Kazzir until further notice, but remain hidden within the town.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  18+1 =   19'' 
::::  '''13th - the MOON CRESCENT day on the Arc of SAHAAD''', LA 100 (summer), Waking up on a ship imprisoned the pathwalkers soon find that they are being taken north on the Greedy Knave captained by Capt. Aesir Norfall, commanded by the bounty hunter "Vindicator". Severely weekend (negative levels, 5th level) and still charmed, they wait for a better time for escape.  Later the group discovers Etri is imprisoned as well, Zal deals with her to come to a bargain that she will fly to find Faravor...  She does, but doesnot return.  This is the last time the group has heard from or seen the succubus (in the form of the Dornish witch pirate Etri).  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  19+1 =   20''  
::::  '''6th day on the Arc of SAHAAD''', LA 100 (summer), this is in the first times the group visited the Corbron Isles.  This is the first "encounter" known in those 15 years for Zal'Kazzir with a Succubus, though he's spoken of them before - noting that he has several names and true names of this type demon in his various books acquired at Vrolk's Black Spire...  You learn that Etri the pirate witch that was on Prince Aesir Norfall's ship.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:   10+1 =   11 ''  

==== 5) Who the hell is Petrus? ====

5) You mentioned that Zal spent nearly the entire day before the Battle of First-Hold speaking with Petrus, who I'm only now realizing had never been seen before. What were they talking about? 
[[Image:Hamish2.gif|frame|Commander Petrus Fogg, Erenlander, brother of Captain Wilhelm]]
:::  '''A''':  Petrus is the elder brother of Captain Wilhelm Fogg.  Petrus is the character that Adam role-played at the recent Council of Captains that elected Willis as the new High Captain.  If you remember Petrus (Adam playing him) aided Kyuad in cornering Tarmigan to come out looking like the fool.  It might not seem "that" odd that you'd never seen Wilhelm's brother prior...  Afterall there were 300+ people in Dern's Keep and it was before the battle, which was crazy.  The time that you DO recall seeing him prominent is when Zal and Kyuad presided over Wilhelm's wedding to his new wife Mary (the lady whom had apparently been a battlefield nurse that Wilhelm hadn't met, then asked to marry following the battle).  Petrus was Wilhelm's best man at their wedding.  He was noticably present following the battle, more because he was the right hand man to his brother Wilhelm - a bigger man, the elder brother to Wilhelm's 19 years...
:::  Within the cottage, the crystal has difficulty focusing in the magic haze... but the outcome seems to be that Zal'Kazzir first speaks with the witch-woman pirate Etri, who's somehow sneaked her way into Dern's Hold under everyone's noses.  (remember Etri is the succubus in notes above)  <br> Hours are filled with the most graphic and sadomasochistic hedonism, even hard for Durgaz's eyes.  What takes place isn't just sex, it seems to be ritualistic - though as to what ritual Durgaz would have no idea.  Blades are drawn, Zal'Kazzir primarily uses "Red Mercy" to slice open Etri's flesh so that blood pours into silver cups - blood that Zal'Kazzir and Etri ingests in all ways possible amid the pleasures...  Zal seems intuitively aware, while bloody marks and symbols formed across his and her faces and hands.  Bloody magical symbols that they smear off one another and onto parchments as they negotiate...  they only whipser words almost unheard in unknown tongues - but one thing is constant - he now calls Etri  "Vipheri"...  <br> Following the hours of carnal magic - Zal sits, still bleeding from cuts, speaking with Petrus about the coming battle and the election that will follow to elect a High Captain...  They talk about Petrus seeking out an appropriate woman, but for what they never really say...  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  13+1 =   14 ''  


==== 6) ... and Mary? ====

''It might not seem "that" odd that you'd never seen Wilhelm's brother prior...  Afterall there were 300+ people in Dern's Keep and it was before the battle, which was crazy.''

6) It does seem odd, though. Maybe not for some of the other PCs, but Durgaz and Eranon specifically spent the few days leading up to the battle training soldiers and organizing them into regiments. That's where most of First-Hold's current key players first distinguished themselves ... Tarmigan, Wilis, Velar, Naline, Britane and Wilhelm. You'd think Petrus would have made an impression somewhere in there, wouldn't you? 
:::  '''A''':   Yes.  Perhaps.  All humans might start to blend for Durgaz though... It is true that Petrus never made an impression or stood out.  He also didn't seem to be in the battle near his brother Wilhelm, but again that's not impossible - he just might have been in another attack group or just not a very good fighter enough to be recognized...  Then again as you recall and looking back over the time in the crystal you can't find him in any of the images of the battle.  The first time you "see" him is leaving the cottage, having talked to Zal'Kazzir following the sexual-romp he had with Etri/Vipheri.  Then the battle, then the next time you "see" him is following the battle in the preperations Zal helped make for Wilhelm's marriage.  Then he's been a prominent figure nearby Wilhelm, to back up his younger brother.  And then later became Zal'Kazzir's voting member on the Council of Captains.   '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  15+1 =   16''  


So, suspicious of "Petrus", I'd like to try again to catch the gist of that last conversation between him and Zal. Assuming I can do that.
:::  '''A''':  In the last discussion with Zal to Petrus, they spoke of having the three other "rogues" in First-Hold (Tarmigan, Velar and Neline)  "report" back to Zal regularly.  This would include the group of four to arrange, discuss then Petrus would contact or be contacted by Zal to relay the information updates.  This conversation happened sometime following Wilhelm's wedding to Mary, with Petrus as best man.    '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  2+1 =   3''  


Also, I would like to review as much as I can of the last few days leading up to and immediately following the Battle of First-Hold. Specifically, I'm now looking for "Mary", Wilhelm's wife-to-be, reading from a) myself b) Zal'Kazzir and c) Wilis. Did any of them see or encounter her any time before she and Wilhelm got together?

:::  '''A''':   I assume you mean from WILHELM (not Willis), however I'll go ahead and note both just in case... answers below... 
::::*  From Durgaz's POV:  In the days leading up to the Battle for First-Hold Durgaz notices Mary, mostly due to her "matronly" nature, similar in care to the birthers of the orc...  She seems to be known and well liked with the villages.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  13+1 =   14''  
::::*  From Zal'Kazzir's POV:  In meeting with Petrus Zal is directed to the woman (Mary) and agrees that she will be suitable.  Zal and Kyuad meet with Mary and Wilhelm a great deal before the wedding to plan... '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  20+1 =   21''  
::::*  From Willis' POV:  Mary is actually from Willis' village.  This can be known for the way Willis and Tarmigan (Willis' brother) interact with her.  Tarmigan is obviously unhappy with Mary's choice to marry Wilhelm, but is "councilled" by Zal'Kazzir that it is for the best...  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  12+1 =   13''  
::::*  From Wilhelm's POV:  Prior to the Battle for First Hold Wilhelm saw vary little of Mary at all.  '''ROLL:'''   Durgaz (Search +1)  ROLLED:  10+1 =   11''  

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