Ketsuki Curse

It's early, very early in the evening when Ketsuki arrives at the local establishment where he agreed to meet you. It's a tavern of sorts, busy enough to keep your conversation private, but small enough that you're unlikely to be joined by anyone else. He arrives far earlier than he said he would, and picks a table close to the secondary exit - the kitchen. Then he waits for your arrival. A cup of something steaming sitting in front of which he plays his hand over, but doesn't seem actually interested in drinking.

Malik and Seldan arrive at the appointed hour, the wizard not looking too much the worse for wear. There are some dark circles under his eyes, indicating that sleep might have been a bit rough, but otherwise looking hale and healthy, with no lingering side effects. He even seems engaged in conversation with his husband, the small smile on his face all the proof one needs that the normally dour-in-public tsuran is feeling in fine spirits. His eyes sparkle, and he lets out a low chuckle, finding something amusing, but as he spots the man they've come to meet he gives a nod in that direction, starting calmly toward where the Xian man sits.

Seldan is much, much more subdued in attire and demeanor than he has been on the previous occasions Ketsuki has seen him. A woolen, unbleached shirt and loose black trousers are tucked into boots, with that blue silver-edged open-front robe and all beneath a sturdy traveler's cloak. It is all much more ordinary than his usual choice, despite the blade on his hip, and he, too, chuckles, trailing behind Malik towards the indicated table.

Verna's concerns regarding Ketsuki may have been deferred due to and during prior events, though they yet remain. None are the sort to prevent her from attending the arranged meeting, however, and she enters the designated establishment on time, perhaps even slightly early. After looking over the room and locating him, she steps somewhat nearer and out of the path to the entrance for others' convenience. There she waits for the others before venturing to the table with them.

Pure politeness drives Ketsuki to his feet as you approach the table, he offers a faint half-bow as greeting. There's a sword at his hip as well. The same silver blade you watched him use before unless he has exchanged it for a weapon of remarkably same shape and build. He sits down then, motioning a waitress to the table to get orders out of the way. He says nothing until the waitress leaves and then he looks at those gathered. "I would imagine that you have many questions. So I will answer them as best as I am able, and hope that you will reserve any judgement that you might have about my person until the end." He is silent a moment and then produces a sigh. "I hope you will also understand that I am a man of a secretive nature, and answering such things is not easy for me. Still, you aided me when you needed not to, and for that I will answer."

It seems that Malik has a question, and is quick to jump in with it, glancing between the others as he leans back in his chair, cloak pulled tight around his shoulders. "You must have already been aware of the religious profile of this city." Not naming any names in particular. "You're taking quite a risk being here. Even assuming they find no fault with your character, the adherents are bound in their duties. I assume that you came prepared with some manner of reasonable defense?"

Because let's be real. If anyone was going to cut straight to the point, it's the tsuran wizard.

"Merely because he is what he is does not give me the right to kill him out of hand, Mal." Seldan smiles, just a little thing that tugs at the corner of his lips, but there is an exasperated note in it as well, even as he reaches out towards the sandy-haired man affectionately. "I am neither vigilante, nor executioner. But come. How came these things to be here?"

"Indeed," Verna concurs with Malik as she stares at Ketsuki. "Why did you come here? To hunt lycanthropes? By your own whim or at the behest of another? Do you believe your task complete?"

She may agree less so with Seldan's words. "His state would make him already dead, Seldan, and simply unable or unwilling to accept the natural course."

"I am aware of the laws of this land." Ketsuki answers Malik, nodding once to him. "The risks are worth it to my efforts, and I hope that little defense will be needed."

He looks at Seldan, the man's words stilling him for a moment and then he shakes his head. "If you mean the lycanthropes... they are from Stormgarde. A pack of them came from somewhere and infected many of the residents of Stormgarde and then traveled quickly this way. I think they came to Alexandria in order to strengthen their numbers before moving on, but I can not be certain."

Verna's statement has him touching his hand to his forehead and sighing. "I worried that this might happen." He looks up, lowering the hand and shaking his head again. "I spoke once to you at the gate of a familial curse, and I did not lie. I am not undead. I am merely cursed with something that makes me appear as such to others. Though there are... other downsides to the curse as well." He smiles thinly.

GAME: Malik rolls Sense Motive: (5)+17: 22
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (5)+19: 24
GAME: Verna rolls wisdom: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/religion: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Verna casts Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 17 DC: 19
GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft+4: (15)+32+4: 51

That part seems to have Malik's attention. "A curse?" His brow furrows at that. "One that makes you appear undead, while not, yet has some of the same physical effects?" The wizard cocks his head to the side. "That would certainly be -- strange magic. To what end, though? It hardly seems that inconvenient, and if it is indeed a spell seems easily dispelled or otherwise undone." It's clear the wizard is dubious just based on the story of the magic in question, attempting to puzzle out what type of magic could even accomplish such a feat, and why it would exist short of pure accident.

"I would hear the story," Seldan puts in, quietly.

Verna is distinctly disinclined to take Ketsuki's words at face value. His presumed nature makes influence likely, thus she trusts her own knowledge and senses more. A hand lifts to make a curt gesture of unseen drawn sigil; combined with an utterance, her eyes are opened to energies of the negative plane. A constant in all things unliving. "You are as empowered by anathema to life as much as any vampire or greater unliving. If it is a curse, it is a wholly potent one." She does not appear to discount the possibility outright, though the evidence is not in his favor.

"It is a curse, a powerful one, such as you suggest." Ketsuki nods to Verna. "It is meant to turn ally to foe, and has oftentimes done so. As far as I know... there is no cure for it. All I know for certain is that the men in my family are cursed with it to a man. I myself have borne no children in the hopes of not spreading the curse to the next generation, but my sisters... They want for families and it is hard to deny them."

He sighs. "It is said that my ancestor, whom is the forebearer of my name rose to such prominence in the art of slaying monsters that a cult laid this curse upon him; leading him into a trap and getting their revenge upon him. It is said, that it was intended to turn us into true monsters, but that he was able to break free before that fate fell upon us all."

"So a curse meant to fool the foolish." Malik spreads his hands. "And not even a particularly potent one, if everything still works well enough to pass on your progeny." The wizard remains dubious, it seems, but has no reason to doubt that the man believes that which he says. A glance to Seldan then, holding the other man's gaze a moment, then back to the Xian. "The slaying of monsters must have been quite inconvenient for this cult to lay such a curse upon you."

Seldan seems to need no such silent communication, his own gaze steady and direct. "How came you to be staying with Lord Altay?"

Verna continues to listen, and has not yet attempted to correct Ketsuki's existence. While the tale still seems far less likely to be truth than not, she continues her objective investigation. Another articulation of hand and sound, and more lengthy, that leaves her eyes glowing cyan from within her hood.

"A generational curse is even more the impressive feat. What cult did your ancestor annoy so?" she inquires as she studies him further, noting, "The energies that surround him would fool more than just the foolish." Seldan's question sparks further interest in the Xian.

Ketsuki stares at Malik a moment and then laughs. It's a good laugh, the sort that's surprised, but full of good humor. "I suppose that is true!" He shakes his head and then nods once. "Indeed, my ancestor, and all of the men in my family have gone into monster-hunting. It is our revenge for what was done."

At this point he leans forward looking at Seldan seriously. "I heard that Altay was dealing with demons, and it seems that those who believe it of him have the right of it. I came to stay with him under the pretense of being willing to trade with him, but in truth I came to see if I might hunt this demon of his. I fear it though, beyond my power." He frowns. "Even knowing that I would stay to aid this city against the beast, but my mother has taken ill, and I must return to her."

"As to which cult my ancestor annoyed... It changes in the telling, and I think no one remains that knows in truth. I refuse to speculate on it lest I give you untruths." Ketsuki's black eyes meet Verna's briefly.

Malik looks even more unimpressed. "Yes," he sighs, "what better way to overcome your curse than to engage in the same behavior that lead to you being cursed in the first place? That will *surely* teach the bastards." Though at the revelation that *yet more* fools are dealing with *yet more* demons in Alexandria, he reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "It seems I'm going to need a drink after all."

"The demon involved is a foe I have faced before," Seldan allows. He himself will order a drink only if she'd by waitstaff. "You intend to leave, then."

-Now- Verna hears words she believes are truthful and exonerating, but it is her study that ultimately convinces her. "Truly, you are cursed, and to a degree far beyond what I have ever encountered. It certainly required an entire cult, acting in ritual, to impart such a thing." The glow in her eyes dim, and her hood dips in a nod to Ketsuki. It is not so far a stretch for her to imagine much of the distrust, or worse, that he must encounter; that all of his name did, and possibly may ever, experience.

"The family tradition is a worthy endeavor," she now admits, "and the curse might well aid in it. As well, it would make many other professions difficult, if not impossible." This is likely for other's benefit, though she speaks to the Xian. "If you discovered further evidence of his dealings with the demon, the city should have it."

Ketsuki arches an eyebrow at Malik. "It seems you are not a man much beholden to family tradition." He smiles slightly in a forgiving sort of way. "It is what we have always done, and why would we allow a curse to change that? If anything, it aids in our hunting of evil as much as it hinders."

"I would, as I said stay, for I have indeed uncovered much in my month living in Altay's home, but I must attend to my family. Still, I will tell you what I have learned. The demon Eclavdran has taken the form of a paladin that once hunted him. Apparently the poor man is trapped in Eclavdran's domain now and granted life only so that Eclavdran may take his form and use it to his will. I know that Eclavdran has several agents inside the Adventurer's guild, and he watches them and all of the guild using some manner of magic. I know also that Altay has a circle for the summoning of this demon lord in the sewers beneath his house. That he summons the demon at predescribed times that Eclavdran has given him permission to do so, so that the demon might walk the walls of Alexandria at will. I do not know yet these times, but I know it to be often."

Ketsuki seems to think for a moment and then shrugs. "I have no exacting proof of Altay's crimes, but I know that he might yet be tripped up. I will continue to act as if I an interested in trade with him, but it will take time for me to travel to my home country and see to my mother. I can offer you little in aid while I am there."

"This do I understand," Seldan allows, nodding slowly. The news of the paladin turns down the corners of his mouth. "The agents - some at least - are known to me. Who are they, that I might operate cautiously?"

Some of this news is surprising, and Verna's hood pans to Seldan at the foremost, in time to catch his frown. Some of the news is somewhat less so. "A circle to summon Eclavdran, in the sewers. How novel." All of the news, however, is concerning.

She turns back to Kesuki. "Thank you for this information. It is most useful."

Ketsuki spreads his hands. "I wish I knew whom were his agents and whom were not, but Altay is not so trusting as to spill that information as of yet. He said simply that 'the checks beside their names gave proof of their loyalty'. Though I know not what that means." He finally nods to Verna. "I promised answers - those that I can provide, and so I have. If you've none further - it is best if none see us together."

That information seems to mean something to Seldan, and his eyebrows lift. "That, then, is the meaning of the check marks. I see. You have my thanks for that. The news of a summoning circle in the sewers is not, as the Mourner said, new, and yet shall we make use of such information." A short, seated bow, and a glance at Malik. "Think you that Lord Altay has the knowledge to restore such a circle, were it to be destroyed?"

Malik gives a shrug of his shoulders, shaking his head at Seldan. "I have no way of knowing what the Lord knows," he admits. "But I think it hardly matters. He is a Lord. What the nobility lacks in knowledge, they make up for in power and resources. The high-minded simply buy what they need from those with the skill. The rest -- use other methods of persuasion. It's not a question of aptitude. Simply one of logistics."

"As well, there could be agents with the knowledge, themselves..." Verna must admit this possibility based on the information, even if that implies that there may be some from within her own circles of study. She banishes that line of thought for the moment in favor of the present. Another nod to the Xian. "So you have, and you are correct. I have nothing further. Tend to your mother."

Ketsuki nods at Malik's words. "You've the right of it I fear. If Altay doesn't know how to fix it, he has the means to have it done for him." The man slides his chair back and rises to his feet. "Stay a while, and enjoy the evening. I have already paid the drinks in advance. It was a pleasure to meet you all."

"A pleasure indeed, and my thanks for your knowledge. Tend to your family," Seldan agrees, nodding slowly. He says nothing of the rebuttal to his suggestion, merely nods. "Go in peace and safety, and the Dreamer's light be upon your path." He sits back, content to wait for a time.

Malik, for his part, remains mostly silent on the topics at hand. The most he really offers, once his drink arrives, is a simple commentary: "I knew it was too much to hope for that it would merely be ravenous magical lycanthropes." He tosses the glass entirely back, setting the empty on the corner of the table for collection.

"May you be judged fairly, and at the appointed time," Verna offers as a farewell before looking to Malik. "Is it concerning that we would hope for such a trouble?" She cannot discount that it would almost be a welcome situation that the troubles 'merely' that.

-End