Cynosure Day 1

Session 7 Notes

it’s been 5 days total since leaving the whale

After a couple days of the crew doing some repairs on the ship and trying to get the nav array functional again, we are summoned to the bridge by Viri. 

Everyone is nervous at the summons, Viri promises it’s not distortion.  She has good news, bad news, and some ‘question mark’ news. 

Moss asks if she wants them at bridge or engines, they say bridge, moss says if they ultimately send them to engines, they’ll smack them upside the head on the way out. 

Good news: the nav array is repaired finally! 

Bad news: there are no beacon lines or anchors within sensor range.  We are dramatically off-course. 

??? news: they’ve detected an anchor… moving. 

Cali: Do they do that? 

Ame: Wayfarers do. 

Moss wants cloaking, Ame says we’re on a ship that’s of Wayfarer construction, we have nothing to fear. 

Khaos: we could just make everyone on the ship Wayfarer citizens lmfao

Aside- Cali has been removing Mist Sickness from everyone.

Khaos- mist sickness 0

Moss- mist sickness 0

Mori- mist sickness 0

Ame- Mist sickness 1

Cali- mist sickness ?? teehee the world will never know. Layne knows, Cali doesn’t

There’s a ding at the comms console.

Viri: ordinarily i’d answer that… do you want me to ignore it and hope the problem goes away?

Ame: where’s it coming from? 

Viri: there’s only one other ship in range….

Moss: oh god. 

Khaos: you haven’t confirmed who that is but we should put our best wayfarer voice on the phone.

VIri answers it: Hello beloved brothers and sisters I greet you, how can the humble ship Hyacinth greet you today? 

Response: We notice you look to be in a bit of trouble, everything okay? You’re a pilgrim vessel, right? 

Viri looks at us. 

Ame shrugs, Moss leaves and Khaos goes to the engines.

Viri: yes, we are indeed and we got lost in the treacherous labyrinth of the mist. Our exterior has a bit of damage from an encounter with distortion that we uhhhh fled. Yes we fled, we didn’t fight it, we don’t have that capability. 

Other: you still have engines? 

Viri: yes beloved brothers and sisters we do have engines still yes

Other: okay here are coordinates to dock 19 and we will send a pilgrim greeter to welcome you and show you to your rooms. May the Ashen Ones be with you. 

Viri: and also with y– 

[hangs up]

Khaos is excited by Viri’s impersonation skill. Viri references a prior job on Elarian. 

Cali is concerned by how we’ll explain two people in creed clothing and Moss’s effigy. Moss says we do have two magic items for pretending you’re wearing different clothes. 

Cali: why don’t you just change clothes?

Moss: I don’t have any new clothes. Yeah, yeah it was stupid to not get new clothes on Nessus, but I don’t have any! 

Khaos: well, Caius is staying on the ship so unless they board that won’t be an issue. 

Cali: is he? 

Khaos: well…

Cali: why? 

Viri: maybe we bring Basil, Caius, and Seoni to the bridge so they can weigh in. 

Moss agrees this is a good idea. 

Ame: it may also be easier to have medical people come onto the ship. 

Khaos: they can’t board the ship because they cannot see the anchor shard under any circumstances. 

Caius is looking fine. Like yeah he needs to sit down (viri gives up her seat, the nicest thing she’s done for anyone) and like yeah he’s haggard and tired but he’s fiiiiiine. 

Viri brings everyone up to speed. 

Seoni: well, I believe…. well, how long did you spend in wayfarer territory, are you familiar with the current state of things?

 V: We stayed as short as we could, they’re particular about how they handle smugglers and there’s only so many Brothers and Sisters you can do. 

S: then i’m probably the one with the most current wayfarer knowledge, though my knowledge is about 20 years old. Ashai’s knowledge would be about the same as mine. 

Khaos: I had a little experience with wayfarers but not much

Moss: well I took a Comparative Religions course, so. 

Seoni: I don’t trust what the creed says about the Wayfarers. 

Moss: We share a common origin, i’m sure our beliefs have a lot in common– 

Moss is cut off by the others 

Seoni: depending on if this is Elarian or Cynosure I would like to get off the ship for personal reasons and I could find  some records of Ashai if their systems aren’t too different from 20 years ago. So, step 1 is Mosarium, assuming you’re coming with us to assist in purchasing materials for the ship, you will have to get… well, actually, if this is Cynosure, that is the home of Cinders, and I know Cinders have operatives within the Creed so you could pretend to be one of them if you don’t want to change. 

Moss: I’m sorry? 

Cali: no what if they start asking questions

Moss: If they ask questions, I know the right answer. It’s no answer. 

Cali: I beg of you just change clothes. 

Moss: No i’ve played this game I know how to do it. 

Cali: Caius please handle this 

Caius looks even more exhausted and begs Moss to just wear the magic item

Moss: I see the challenge you’ve issued and I will meet it. 

Caius: It’s not a challenge

Moss: Understood. 

Moss accepts the robe from Cali. 

Caius: I believe it will be best if I stay on board, i will wear something nondescript. 

Basil will stay to watch caius.

Moss: what about medical attention?? 

Basil: if you could ask around, mention mist sickness see if anyone knows of the wayfarer abilities to treat it.

Basil feels confident that we have enough illusionists to avoid suspicion. Khaos suggests welding the doors to the engine bay and Seoni’s offices shut. 

Ix: Eyyy bud I have repairs I need to do, I have rights! 

Cali: Well the crew are experienced smugglers, I trust them to keep our stuff hidden. 

Ix: yeah exactly, you think this our first big crystal we’ve hidden? Usually we’re not so stupid to get rid of our cargo bays but…

Cali: I take back the compliment. 

Ix: that’s all i got to say. 

Khaos: You should come to our next sleepover to tell us pirate stories. 

Ix: sure as soon as you help me weld the trapani coils. 

Viri: We’ll complete the docking maneuver in about 30 seconds, so get ready to leave. Otherwise they’ll be suspicious. 

Cali asks to borrow my backup scythe, Mori says of course and we can say they’re ritual items and then they can’t take my weapon. 

Mori gives Cali the backup scythe and uses the scarf at Cali’s suggestion to create the illusion of her own mask.

Moss also changes to wear their exact clothes in black and gray without imperial iconography.

We open the door and see a lady flanked by two people in armor. She gives a wide smile 

“Welcome to Cynosure we are so glad to see more pilgrims join us on our journey. Please, share in the bounty of Cynosure, relax and rest and study. Now if you don’t mind we need to do a quick scan of your persons to ensure you don’t bring anything dangerous onto our beloved home. You need not disarm yourselves, we understand many pilgrims do not want to give up their weapons.

The lady who greets us waves her hand and we feel a warm ray of magic pass over our bodies. Several emotions cross her face in rapid succession and then she locks eyes with Moss. 

Lady: thank you blessed pilgrim, I am Ennea, I’m glad you’ll be here for the Rejoining. If you follow us I will take you to your lodgings. [Layne addition- she is wearing a number 9 on her outfit and her name does mean 9. Just putting that out there]

Khaos is shocked she didn’t react to the stock of gunpowder on its person. 

Moss bows, hesitates, then continues the bow. “After you.” 

Ennea: it is quite honorable of you it seems you located two of our lost brethren to return to us. What a time to be redeemed and rejoin our ancestors. 

Moss: nods and says nothing.

Ennea: so tell me how can i refer to you? 

Moss: Moss. 

Ennea: very good, where are you traveling from? 

Moss: yes we’ve been stranded a considerable time, it’s not entirely clear what has happened. I fear there’s mist sickness amongst us and we will require some medical attention. 

Ennea: I understand, once we get to your lodging all of our guides, we wear this badge on our robes (gestures to circular badge with a number, hers is 9) You can find any of us and we are the Pilgrim guides to help you. We will be pleased to help you.

We exit the dock to the greater pier area. There’s a number of other people guided by other Pilgrim Guides. 

Cynosure resembles something like  a flower wrought in gold and silver

It consists of several interlocked rings all rotating around the central golden anchor. Gold light pulses across its surface like veins. The anchor’s light breaks through the mists and bathes the nisi in divine light.

As it emerges from the Mist, Cynosure resembles a flower wrought in gold and silver.

Rather than a single solid structure, it consists of seven large structural rings connected by reinforced trusses and enclosed corridors. Golden light pulses through channels along its surface like veins beneath skin. Between the rings, the crystalline form of the anchor is evident, its glow breaking through the Mist and casting Cynosure in its divine light.

Cynosure’s Rings:

1. Sanctuary. The only ring directly connected to the Anchor. A place of divine importance, only ever occupied by the Radiant Spark and those appointed by her.

2. Engineering.

3. Administration.

4. Residential. Consists of both residential and commercial facilities.

5. Conservatory. Gardens and museums. Essentially Central Park.

6. Medical.

7. University. Houses various places of learning in addition to the headquarters of Cinders, the Ashen Wayfarer’s secretive group of intelligence operatives and archeologists.

We are on a docking area between rings, walking on a concourse between rings. We are between rings 4 and 5.

Ame looks around in wonder, amazed. 

It’s evident absolutely nobody is paying attention to us, only Moss is getting Ennea’s attention. 

Cali enters soulsight and looks at the anchor. This is the largest anchor she’s ever seen. She gets the same sense of a doorway, through which she sees the night sky, a sky she’s never seen before full of brilliant stars and a large full moon (she doesn’t know what a moon is) She sees fields of blue-green plants with white and purple flowers that glow under the light, gazebos and temples built of white marble emerging from the flowers. Another place of calm and meditation. 

Cali finds it so beautiful she doesn’t look at any of the people around her because she’s entranced.

When the soulsight fades Cali notices Khaos noticing her, it does a pantomime to prompt her to cast message. 

Cali: i wish you could see the anchor, it’s beautiful

Khaos: will we go there?

Cali: if they let us, or if we can get around them.

They share a dastardly smile. 

Khaos: pirates. 

A train rumbles up and stops before us. Ennea asks if we’ve ridden a train before. The train is sleek and appears to be made out of the same white ceramic ship material, gorgeous windows, more ornate and decorative than we’ve seen so far. The engine is crystal-powered, mist powered, a large blue crystal. It uses mag-lev.

Moss: well, you know, it’s an interesting design. Not sure of the plating on the outside but i’m sure it gets you around. why?

Ennea: just making sure you’re familiar with it. 

She gets on and motions for Moss to take the seat next to her. 

There are no other seats. Moss looks around uncomfortably. After 20-30 seconds the doors close and it zips to the residential ring. Cali doesn’t grab onto anything initially and trips into Mori, who catches her. Cali thanks Mori and then clings to the nearest support bar.

About a minute later the train slows and the doors open

Moss: do you guys think about upgrading your acceleration dampeners or is it always this jerky? 

Ennea: you should talk to the engineers at the train museum in the Conservatory district in ring 5. 

She leads us off the train. The residential ring is bustling, lots of people in gray and black and undyed cloth. Occasionally there are people in other colors who are clearly pilgrims like us. Pilgrims are greatly outnumbered by citizens. Ennea waves to a couple other guides and leads us to a decent sized building built out of that same ceramic plate with gilded edging. 

Ennea: so you’ll stay here 

She pulls out a golden feather talisman and offers it to moss. 

Ennea: this will lead you to your room, there’s a room number (304) on it. If you have any other questions? 

Cali: is it just one key for all of us? 

Ennea smiles and blinks at Moss. 

Moss: I suppose i’ll need spare keys in case I lose this one. I’m known to be forgetful. 

Ennea: if you lose your key speak to the front desk you’re already registered in our systems. 

Moss: Where could we get food? 

Ennea: food and lodging is provided to you with no expectation of monetary return, it is paid by the Children of the Ashen Land. If you shop, most places only accept our currency. You can exchange currencies at our noted exchanges, one of which is over there. All necessities are provided here. 

Moss: thank you, our time in the coalition has left us with an excess of foreign currency. 

Cali sends a message to Mori and Khaos <you try speaking to her. See if it’s just echoes.>

Khaos, to cali: mind if i get freaky with it?

Khaos, to Ennea: Hey Ennea!! When can we go to the anchor!

Ennea smiles and blinks at Moss. 

Moss wilts: Thank you Ennea. 

Ennea: of course. May we meet again. 

Cali sending a message to Ame <tell the Angel I’m not so sure I’m digging the Wayfarers>

Ame responds, <The society is very… complicated and we are here during the holy time>

We go into the inn. Everyone but Moss is getting dirty looks, but out of all of us Khaos and Seoni are getting the dirtiest looks. Mori is returning the dirty looks. Cali is getting more and more self-conscious. 

Khaos: I knew wayfarers as a kid, they were fine. But after I moved to Axis they got weirder about us. 

We are in Room 304

Moss leads the way, uses the key, lets everyone in the door. The room is a single. Moss locks the door and turns to the group. 

Moss: this is really weird, right? 

Khaos: oh yeah.

Ame: we’re here at a holy time and we aren’t dressed for the occasion.

Cali: if you don’t wear the right clothes you don’t get a room or spoken to or a bed or a seat on the train? I highly doubt it’s our clothes. 

Ame: it’s who we are, or who we appear to be. 

Moss: how the hell did I pass? I don’t understand. 

Khaos: I don’t blame you at all. 

Cali: Well, we need someone. I don’t mean this harshly, if it wasn’t you our next most passable is Mori and… well. 

Mori: I will sleep on the ship. 

Khaos: yeah

Moss: It might be a good idea for you to sleep on the ship, but I don’t know if I can without raising suspicion. I want to do what they expect, that’s safest. 

Khaos: I’m worried you’ll get sucked into some ritual stuff. 

Cali looks at Ame and Seoni: Do you know what this rejoining is? 

Ame: The rejoining is when Elarian and Cynosure return to the holy land of Everlight. These are the two mobile anchors and they dock back at Everlight. This is a cause for celebration. 

Cali: this could be good. If we stay with them until the rejoining we can visit 3 anchors all at once. 

Ame: I highly doubt you’ll get close enough to see more. 

Cali quips: well nobody seems to see me anyway. 

Khaos: they see us they just don’t acknowledge us as people.

AMe: there are 6 classes of people in the wayfarers. By law they are equal but in reality they are not equal at all. The ones on top are the religious orders, scholars, merchants. Middle are military order. 

The lowest are labor and artisan orders.

Children typically stay in the level they are born into. There are ways into higher levels but they aren’t very common. 

In addition to that there is a 7th order, the Disordered, which is where we are falling. Criminals, traitors, and heretics. 

Moss: Then why do they accept me? 

Cali: You’re dressed like them. 

Moss: Then where do I fall in the hierarchy. 

Ame: Moss’s robes put them in the artisan class, second lowest. 

Seoni: My family was part of the merchant order, before everything. Now I am Disordered, simply for going to the Empire and not returning home. But I think I will take this opportunity to find any data crystals I could get my hands on. Perhaps I can find my family, or record of them? 

Ame: can I join you? 

Seoni: of course. we could all go. We could find something interesting. 

Khaos: I want to go too

Cali: I think we should all go. I don’t think we can be without Moss right now. 

Seoni: Yes, i believe they are the only one who can advocate for us. 

Moss: oh dear. Okay, well.

Plan: Seoni’s stuff, medical, ship repair shopping, Cali wants library research (souls, anchors, mist sickness)

Seoni says we’re going to the University level, libraries, but medical is on the way. 

Mori: Seoni, did you live on Cynosure? 

Seoni: Yes, my family did. 

We leave, as we do the innkeeper catches Moss’s eye and beckons them over

Moss: Hold on a second

Cali aggressively bows: whatever you say. 

Inkeeper: blessed sibling i am in awe of your sympathy towards the disordered but this is a fine establishment and i must ask they not enter again. 

Moss freezes and looks at the person. This is the innkeeper, not some random employee. 

Moss, deep breath: I thought during this the holiest of days we would be better even to our lessers. I expected more when coming home but I see the kind of establishment you run. I suppose I understand. Unfortunate. 

Moss straightens bows slightly and leaves. 

The innkeep seems bothered in a “i see dissent” kind of way. Moss feels, spiritually, their reputation meter dropping. 

Khaos says we can leave the key because we aren’t coming back. 

Moss: I think it’s really important that these people don’t suspect me, i don’t think i can not come back. 

Khaos: i don’t know about that

Mori: that felt like an I’m not coming back speech 

Moss: i’d love to make that kind of a stand but I don’t think we can afford that right now. 

Mori: you should probably go back in and say we threatened you to say that, then. 

Moss: I probably will, later. 

Cali: probably should now if you don’t want your reputation to drop. 

Khaos: well when we get to Everlight we should be able to move freely. 

Moss: I guess we need to know how long to everlight then. 

They ask Seoni how long to Everlight. 

Seoni says she doesn’t know but we can add it to the research list.

We take a train from ring 4 to 6, going to medical. It’s white and sterile, quiet, a smaller ring than the others. Residential is by far the largest. 

Seoni looks at Moss: I can lead but you’ll have to do the talking. 

Moss: fabulous i feel confident and capable. 

Seoni: Ask them for information on Mist sickness, i will message you additional questions as needed. 

Moss asks if they have anyone who can help with mist sickness, Seoni messages additional info that there are hallucinations and not currently intangible etc etc. Moss repeats that. 

The receptionist cycles through a few data crystals: okay well this (pulls a card and offers it) should get you in contact with Dr Sclebius, he’ll help you. Press the sigil, it will open a message with him and you can schedule. 

Moss: thank you.

Moss is confused, Seoni says there’s nothing more to do, it’s all handled by the government. 

Outside the office Seoni holds her hand out to the card. The card shouldn’t be able to tell what class she is. She taps the card.

Seoni: Hello Dr This is Seoni Karas, we have pilgrims who recently came on board, a member of our ship has a serious case of mist sickness. We would appreciate a time slot assigned to us as soon as possible, we appreciate your assistance.” 

A minute later the sigil glows and the card says we can be seen in 15 mins and asks us to proceed to an address. 

Moss: Great Gestalt, 15 minutes? 

Ame & Cali: woah woah woah 

Moss: apologies, but that was fast! 

Seoni: i said it was urgent. 

Moss: do we have time? 

Seoni: of course, and even if we didn’t, they’d wait for us. This is a consultation.

Seoni will be able to present the doctor with accurate info since she’s cared for Caius over the past few days. She has heard good things about this doctor and hopes we wont’ be turned away for being Disordered. She wants to send Moss in first and wants them to say we have a crewmate who is Disordered who can explain more. 

Cali asks if the soul would be valuable info and Seoni takes a copy of the memory of it. 

We go to the doctor’s office. Seoni gives Moss a look of don’t fuck up. Ame arms Moss with a bunch of basic keywords for functioning in this situation alone. 

Moss goes in and says they’re here for the 2:15. They say they have a colleague who is disordered who has been helping with the patient and can better explain what’s happening. Seoni is allowed in. 

We all go in except Khaos and Ame who remain outside. 

A man who seems a mix of cleric and doctor enters.

He asks about the patient, Seoni summons an edited simulacrum of Caius with some identifying data scrubbed. She says we had a run-in with Distortion in our pilgrammage, he tried to defend us bravely. She says he has worked in mist-related businesses for most of his life. She gestures to Cali saying our soulseeker noticed a thinning of his soul. 

Cali lets the memory speak for itself. Seoni brings up the soul in the simulacrum, it’s’ more advanced than any case she’s seen before. 

Dr looks at it and asks some questions of Seoni then says standard treatments won’t help in this case. He says he is part of a few ongoing studies that show promise, but the patient must be left with him for ‘quite some time.’ 

Cali is looking at Moss, Moss seems unsure. Cali says “you know he won’t want to stay.” Moss does not respond or acknowledge. Seoni asks for details about treatment. 

Dr says it’s experimental but it’s been moderately effective in similarly advanced cases. No full cure though, treatment is very long term- months or years. There’d be limited visitation, it’s intensive, and requires frequent stasis.

Seoni nods then apologizes for bringing up research from outside of the Wayfarers and asks how it compares to treatments at Everbloom on Axis. Dr says they’ve seen more success than Everbloom has reported but his info may be out of date. Wayfarer treatment has success of 10% reduction opposed to 2% in Everbloom. 

Moss looks around the room and says it sounds like a heavy commitment and requires further discussion in private. 

Dr leaves and says to ring the bell when we are ready to discuss further. 

Moss isn’t sure we should bring this up to Caius at all, why get his hopes up

Cali says why not give him hope, he’s a smart man. 

Moss says it seems cruel to get his hopes up and put him at risk of being found out

Cali says it’s cruel to deny him the choice

Seoni says it’s a cruel situation and will be cruel regardless. 

Moss doesn’t want to leave caius behind, they’re nervous for him. 

Cali says she wouldn’t lie to him, and isn’t sure she’d be able to lie to him even if the rest of us did. And also, it’s ultimately his choice, not ours. 

Seoni says we might be able to get him to Everbloom in time.

Cali is watching Mori as Everbloom comes up, Mori looks less tense at the idea of leaving Caius in Everbloom than at leaving Caius here.

We make our way to the library at the University. Ame has memories of their sister’s graduation here. 

The group is whisked away into a dark library and Moss is excited by the book smell. The indifference to us here is different from the indifference shown to us elsewhere. Mori helps Cali find their books. Ame and Moss also look elsewhere. 

Cali looks for soul stuff books, specifically stuffs on souls affected by the mist or anything else about living souls.

Cali finds a fairly recent treatise on new research treating mist sickness, it’s written by the dr we saw. She also finds another book from a more religious angle who worked with both soulseekers and the wayfarers talking about the nature of souls, including living souls. It muses on the meaning of the differences between souls, what mist degradation looks like on a soul. No discussion of anyone who has witnessed the souls of the anchors. Cali becomes afraid that she’s the only one who has seen them. 

Khaos tries to find out anything about either echo creation processes, specifically the colors and meanings of gems, and also any information on Hippasia. There is nothing about echoes in here. There is a biography of Hippasia, buried deep in the stacks and hasn’t been checked out for years and years and seems it is about to be pulled from circulation. The book talks a bit about her early years with the Creed, her exile, her prominence in the Wayfarers and her laboratory on Pyrgos. The biography seems to have been written before Pyrgos fell because the tone is positive and hopeful, she’s creating the new generation of augments helping the Wayfarers find their place in world politics. There is info in the book that Hippasia has 3 daughters. Khaos steals the book.

Moss has more difficulty finding books on anchors, lots of religious texts and how other cultures view or venerate their anchors. Moss also finds a book about the chemical and physical structure of several anchors, detailing research into Cynosure, Everlight, Elarian, and Pyrgos anchors. It details slight differences in material makeup, ways their magic reads differently, emotional resonances are different, etc. Conclusion: each anchor despite similar appearances are internally different from one another. The book is written by Hippasia. 

Cali steals her book about souls and checks out the book on Mist Sickness

There’s an old lady librarian. Cali says she just came from the doctor’s office, the patient is (pats Mori nad Moss’s shoulders) “its my dear friends’ papa” LMFAO 

The librarian says it’s not a comforting read, Cali says in their household they are comforted by knowledge.

Seoni and Ame look through the data crystals, searching Ashai Valemorne’s name to get info about them and their family. After a couple of minutes she says Ashai is a member of the Valemorne family, religious order. 

Ame is surprised, Ashai awakens in the background. 

Seoni: there are a few articles attached that link to this particular name. It appears Ashai was made a commander of the Ashen Lotus, a martial group

Ame: *the* martial group is it not? I think I’ve read of them. 

Seoni: yes. Ashai was chief among them. Feet on the ground in the Pyrgos conflict, where a vast majority of them met their end. 

Ame: i don’t think they know how they survived. 

Seoni: in the official records, Ashai is listed as MIA, presumed dead. 

Ame: where does the Valemorne family life? I have no particular memories of Cynosure. 

Seoni: They have holdings here on Cynosure as one of the head orders but they likely had holdings on all three nisis. With Ashai’s position in the Ashen Lotus it’s likely they spent more time on Elarian. 

Ame: I take it in my current form I doubt I could make it to the premises. 

Seoni: it’s possible but I have a feeling higher end premises would be observed. I could get you an address for you to send a letter. 

Ame: y-yeah, this is a lot but that would be good. 

Seoni copies the info into a data crystal. 

Ame asks about the Rejoining. It is estimated to happen in about 1 week. It’s slated to last for about a month, the ashen wayfarers will, for the first time in 6 months, be lighting their beacon to Duskfathom for the duration of the festival to welcome pilgrims to Everlight. 

Seoni looks for any way to visit the anchor and that’s a big fat no. It’s closed to all but the radiant spark and her entourage. 

Ame asks her to search Alinex Valemorne. Seoni says the name brings up no results.

Seoni: i’m sorry. You were looking for her? 

Ame: yes she was on the ship. I know her. I think I know her. 

Seoni: is it possible she’s a Cinder? They may erase their members from public registries due to their secrecy. 

Seoni: we’ll be here a week, if you write a letter to the estate you may get answers back within a week. 

Ame and Ashai are both awake, staring in awe at the data crystal.

Seoni tells them to join the others, she’ll come find them in a few. She says she knows what she’s looking for.

The pair of them joins the others.

We find a quiet secluded area and Seoni says: I looked into accessing the anchor. It’s only accessible to the Radiant Spark and her entourage. There’s likely maintenance corridors and the like but it will be a process. The train does not go there. 

Moss: This sounds unrelated but it is related i swear- can we go to the train museum? maybe we can make the train go there. 

Cali: that’s very visible, if we sneak in we won’t be AS hated by the Wayfarers. 

Moss: what if we have one group sneak while another causes distraction

Ame: you want to commit terrorism during a holy week? 

Moss: well

Khaos: why is distraction automatically terrorism

Seoni: Sneaking is probably the way to go, I can erase memories of us from witnesses who see us, I can’t do that if we hijack a train.

Ix has connections here so we work on ship repairs and Ix is able to help us.

As errands are winding down and we’re heading back to the ship, we’re approached by a person using a cane to walk, covered in a very oversized robe. 

Stranger: I heard from a birdie you’re heading to the anchor, right? In a group that’s planning a heist. 

Cali attempts to diplomacy by saying we aren’t thieves, we’re not doing a heist. Mori shifts to get easier access to flanking. Moss shifts to a better shooting position. Diplomacy is not an option anymore.

The guy says they know the way to get to the anchor. They say they’re called Syron. 

Syron: I am a bit of a philosopher, a bit of a rebel amongst the disordered here on Cynosure. They don’t see us but they see  you. And they really do see you, walking around in the open as you were. 

Khaos: I was wondering if there were disorders that live here. 

Syron: oh they’d like you to think we don’t live here but we do. Like roaches we are. Now look. I’m here to offer you a deal. Things are getting a little hot for me here, said the wrong things to the wrong people a few too many times. I know the hidden ways to anchor. I’ll lead you there if you take me off this hellhole when you leave. 

Cali: As I said, there is no heist. 

Syron: hm. That’s fine, that’s fine. If you want to take it on alone, that’s fine. I was just saying I could get you access. 

Cali: You said heist just two seconds ago. 

Syron: Well I’m not saying we’re stealing anything I just want a way off this shithole. I know the deal is weighted heavily in your favor but it’s better than nothing. 

Cali goes into soulsight and sees a cheerful bright yellow that flickers with a red that seems like repressed anger. Most importantly, he does have the golden seed. 

Cali asks if we can meet tomorrow. 

Syron: Of course. I’ll be here, it’s not like I got a way off. I usually hang around the conservatory. They usually don’t kick you out if you don’t make a fuss. You can find me at the Park of the Wandering Star.

Syron: and if you don’t find me there well, someone will find you and they’ll know i’m lookin at you and you’re lookin at me. 

Khaos: should we not be walking around in public

Syron: well it’s the holy time so people are tolerating you more. They figure you’ll be returning to ash, so they just gotta tolerate you for a while and then you’ll be gone. 

Group: hold up

Syron: after pyrgos it became kind of a thing, you can find redemption by jumping into the Eternal Flame. You know, the giant fire that never goes out at the heart of Everlight powered by the Ashen Ones. To find redemption from your life of being changed against the Ashen One’s wills, you can find redemption by throwing yourselves into the fire. 

Cali: why are we included? 

Syron: you’re sins against the natural order. Look, we’ve been here too long there’s already three guards with eyes on us. Meet me in the park. I thought you knew all this, sorry. 

We move on, disquieted.

[we montaged a train museum visit before coming back from errands]

We discuss whether we will be having a talk with Syron. 

Cali tells us that we all have a golden nugget, us, Seoni, sana, and Syron (not caius or basil) 

She thinks it’s important but doesn’t know why. This guy having it makes her trust him a little bit. 

Ame thinks Syron has incentive to get us somewhere and then incriminate or backstab us. 

Khaos argues that might be mutually assured destruction. It likes the idea of working with the underclass more than working with the system, crime plans irregardless. 

Moss doubts this guy is a member of the underclass and not a Cinder. 

Ame says the Cinders are primarily religious, investigative secondarily. 

Moss is trying to think of reasons someone might want us to be caught by the guard, and that this guy knows a lot about our plans which implies a certain level of subterfuge and that aligns with Cinders. 

Khaos votes tentatively for working with Syron.

Ame thinks this is convenient for someone to come up to us after we mention anchors once or twice, they are uncomfortable with this. 

Moss agrees. 

Mori votes for trusting Syron, she’s not much for second guessing anything but her own capabilities

Ame wants to write the letter to the Valemorne estate before we meet with Syron