private ♔ (text response.)

[cabot]

I do so enjoy having my interest piqued first thing in the morning.

Comments

[socialgraces]

[ she sends this picture, with the following message: ]

I found it in the suitcase of a talent agent for a local record company, who is also part of some religious cult with ties to the Church of the Lord's Humanity.

[cabot]

[ there's no response for about fifteen minutes and THEN HER PHONE RINGS.

and instead of a 'hello', he merely says: ] Please tell me you haven't turned it over.

[socialgraces]

No. [ she's obviously thrown off by his abruptness, and is immediately apologetic ] No, I haven't even really touched it. I mean, it was in a case and I took a picture, and we sort of agreed to just leave it be until we could find out more.

[cabot]

"We". So the others on your team... they're aware of it as well?

[socialgraces]

That it exists, yes. But no one seemed to know anything more about it.

[cabot]

I don't imagine they would. It's not even supposed to exist.

[socialgraces]

[ that doesn't mean much to her, but she'll just continue to give him what she knows ] This religious cult has been recruiting those with genealogical connections to the divine and signing them to this record label. All we were told about this hourglass is that it was "used" on these artists, in some fashion, whatever that's supposed to mean.

[cabot]

[ there's the slightest beat ] If that hourglass is what I think it is, it's a connection to the divine of its very own. But I'm baffled to think that it would even work in this world.

They allow the user a sort of... inter-planar jaunt, so to speak. Very temporary, which perhaps is why it might actually function... You're certain it does?

[socialgraces]

[ well if she wasn't nervous about it before... ] I'm not entirely certain, but I have no reason not to trust the intel. [ she does hesitate after that, though ] But that was literally all she told us about it - about them using it. She didn't say anything about what it did.

[valdrin]

She?

[socialgraces]

[ she pauses, looking around subconsciously before quietly offering ] An undercover agent put in place before I arrived. [ making it sound as if she would not have suggested that route ]

[cabot]

Someone competent, I hope. [ a bit of hesitance ] That artifact of yours is really quite remarkable, but there's always a chance it could be a fake. If it isn't, however, it shouldn't be anywhere near where villains might get their hands on it.

It's a very direct pipeline to contacting a god. And by its markings, clearly a drow one.

[socialgraces]

[ he doesn't need to be able to see her face to recognize her apprehension ] And all one has to do is turn it over?

[cabot]

Dastardly simple, really. But they were only produced by gods under very specific sorts of circumstances... after all, usually if a god wanted to speak to someone, they'd merely do so. It implies that the god's power to communicate is limited somehow, and it acts as a way around that.

Maybe it's as basic as the impediments the Veil puts on their power.

[socialgraces]

Well then how did they get it here in the first place?

[cabot]

How does any artifact get here? Either it fell through, was brought through, or was sent through.

[socialgraces]

Well, I know that, I just meant... do you think any one of those options is more likely? I guess I just have no idea how much control a god would have over an artifact falling through, especially one of their making.

[valdrin]

When it comes to the gods? Only fools believe in coincidences.

[socialgraces]

I was afraid that's where this was going. Although I suppose it only makes sense. [ nat 20 wis check B) ]

One of the tiefling musicians, whose manager was in possession of the hourglass, is markedly of drow descent. As was the aasimar recently gunned down on live television. If this artifact is real, and can indeed surpass the restrictions of the Veil, it would certainly grant the associated deity quite the advantage, most especially against the other gods.

Is there any way to tell specifically which of the Dark Seldarine it belongs to, without turning it over? ... Well I guess it is already conveniently narrowed down to a choice few, given the distinct embellishments. [ her tone appropriately conveys just how not comforted she is by that ]

[cabot]

It's quite possible I could put it together, given access to the piece. Or a three dimensional model. There might even be secret engravings on it that will only display when activated or with the proper magical detection spells.

I don't suppose you have a guess on who it might have come from?

[socialgraces]

No. [ a beat ] But Luthir might. He mentioned something on the flight over about some sinister god-level power possibly wreaking havoc on Sir Fiore, but was afraid of violating her trust by saying any more.

[cabot]

That's remarkably chivalrous of him, but he does realize he might be putting the rest of your lives in peril by withholding important mission pertinent information, I take it?

[socialgraces]

[ omg all her dreams are coming true :') she can finally gossip about luthir's love life, even if now is probably not the best time ] I don't think he's in a very rational mindset right now.

[cabot]

[ wisdom check 19 ] Don't tell me.

[socialgraces]

[ he can probably hear her grinning through the phone when she responds ] Well I'm not one to gossip, but [ oh right, parts of this are actually incredibly depressing in terms of her current love life but... she'll just push that aside for now, clearing her throat and furtively lowering her voice ] I believe Luthir has a girlfriend.