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The Mournful Chorus	It is still night in the small city-state of Iron Simhata, and a monumental ebon tower, while still under construction, already dwarfs every other building in the area. A large crowd of mourners has gathered around the foot of the dark spire, chanting prayers. Unlike the Hearteater Deryl Laklan, who has decided to hang back for now, wary of his pawned soldiers' unsettling effect on the populace, the Sidereal Mahendru Divya has done the exact opposite, mingling with the crowd and moving closer to the podium near the entrance. The proclamations of the priests in attendance finally help clear up matters a bit: These people are mourning the death of their beloved god, and the tower that will be his monument-tomb was gifted to them by an outsider, called "Deep Spiral". Shortly after Divya plunged into the crowd, the Abyssal Chorus decided to follow in her wake - to the dismay of Shredded Promises and the other nemissaries, whose only concern right now is her safety. Their elbows and grim faces are enough to drive a corridor between the grieving people, just large enough for the Envoy to slip through. Even though Chorus' hearthstone doesn't offer any insight about the exact nature of the tower's deathly emanations, her own Essence definitely tells her what awaits inside: A shadowland, still nascent and contained within the structure, but coiled up like a snake about to strike, ready to engulf the entire city upon the monument's completion. For now, she once more adopts the bearing of a death-speaker, seeing that this is practically a funeral. Divya feels someone reach up and tug on her sleeve, only to find Echo blinking up at her with an expression of appropriate gravity. She has to shout a bit in order for her voice to reach Divya's ears. "We should ask them about Deep Spiral's whereabouts, don't you think?"
Mahendru Divya	Divya's as anonymous as can be, as she weaves through the crowd to get a better look at the priests mourning their dead god, and the tower-tomb they've built in memorial. The trick is getting useful information out of a group still grieving and already inclined to xenophobia. She's been no stranger to being a stranger in her time in the Hundred Kingdoms. Echo's suggestion to ask about the philosopher's a good one but this Envoy to the dead isn't any more familiar to these people than any other stranger. In fact, only one kind of stranger seems likely to get useful information out of these people with a minimum of fuss. Sighing at the number of Sidereal tricks she's already showed off in front of witnesses, Divya reaches up and unfastens her dark grey cloak. Then she flips it around, reversing it to reveal a black felt surface underneath. To anyone with any background in larceny, a classic tool of the trade for stealth work and sneakery on illicit jobs. In her case, though, she simply fastens the cloak back on and says "A good idea, Echo. I'm going to try a technique. Please accept my apologies in advance if it's..." she smirks, considering, and finishes with "disorienting in any way." The Sidereal closes her eyes for a moment, feeling for the arcane threads that tether her to Creation's Destiny and the stars above that guide it. Then she consciously tugs the thread leading up to the Constellation of the Crow, drawing upon it and feeling its broad archetypes in her fingertips. She reaches up with her fingertips and strokes the underside of her jaw once, settling across her identity the Resplendent Destiny she's woven in the spur of the moment. Then a Sijanest Funerist opens her eyes. Turning to the bystanders, she tugs the sleeve of one and says "We've come as we've been requested to honor Nefer-Bel-Gevil. Tell us how they fell, who this Deep Spirial is and what role their daughter played in their death. Only then can we ensure the prayers of their faithful will reach them wherever they've gone."
Deryl Laklan	As the high priest attempts to calm everyone down, those that hate his daughter with a grudge only spew more vitriol towards the wayward daughter of their god. "Even if she did this, it might be her fault that our god was killed!!! She should have been in his side like how we've been on his for many generations thanks to our ancestors, yet she abandoned him. She even wanted to stop some of our traditions in favor of her own." It seems the main accuser is a hulking man wearing a smith's attire. It seems he is one of the high ranking officials of this city. Deryl sighs as he has to be a bystander himself at the moment but was surprised that Divya became a Sijanese funerist all of a sudden. "From someone that works for the gods to a Sijanese priest? I guess she has many talents" He is not surprised if there may be other things in her sleeve. Meanwhile as the Sijanese funerist asks questions to a bystander, their response was distrustful but as they are a funerist, they at least say it with respect. "Ah one of those Sijan creeps huh but I guess there's a first time for everything....like a funeral for our god. Nefer-Bel-Gevil was found dead in his palace supposedly his essence was drained until he was a husk of starmetal and in a ritual circle. Some suspect his daughter the former fertility and garden god of Iron Simhata, Anath-Isis was responsible, for she fled since she wanted changes. There were rumors she was weakened but got a champion. Many people used the coincidence but I believe it was more than coincidence....that her champion was the murderer" "Deep Spiral is a rich philosopher and merchant from the North that was a nice trader here and even befriended our god. He preaches a philosophy that hard work will earn us satisfaction as long as you do it nonstop no matter the suffering we face. Deep Spiral also advised the god on construction work. I hear he's busy within that tomb tower where he is storing our god's remains"
The Mournful Chorus	Echo smiles back at Divya in anticipation. A technique, how interesting! At first, a slight frown appears on her painted brow - if flipping her cloak is the other woman's idea of some secret trick, she would hardly call that promising. But then, something else happens. Something else indeed. Disorientation immediately sets in, just as Divya promised - or rather, apologized for. Chorus' mind strains under the effort of remembering as she squints, utterly befuddled, at the Sijanese deathspeaker, who has appeared right where Divya stood a moment before... even as the strange woman makes her way towards one of the locals to talk to them. A sideways glance towards Shredded Promises - and even back to Deryl - doesn't help in any way. They look just as confused by Divya's sudden disappearance as the Envoy. But Echo doesn't let go of the memory. When a storm gets you lost at sea, and your ship finds itself carried into strange waters, there are ways to orient yourself. She knows this, and she is determined to find her way back. And so the Moonshadow follows the person whose demeanor and attire scream "Sijanese funerist" at her in bold black letters... and she looks more closely. This ~is~ a funerist, all right, but she looks ~exactly~ like Divya, albeit with a flipped cape. She reaches the not-Divya-funerist just in time to catch at least part of the smith's response to the former's question. It's hard to focus when the woman speaking to him switches back and forth between "I know this person" and "I've never met her before" in Chorus' mind, but she tries as best as she can and interjects herself into the conversation at an opportune moment. "The deathspeaker and I...", she begins after clearing her throat, addressing the Iron Simhatan smith, "...have traveled a long way to come here after word of a most unusual death in your city had reached our ears. I am glad we made it in time for the funeral. Will you let us perform the rites for the remains of honored Nefer-Bel-Gevil? We would like to make certain that no vengeful remnants of the murdered god will remain behind to haunt your people in their homes. Great misfortune could befall you, despite the lavish monument erected in his honor, if the necessary precautions are not observed and the rites not followed."
Mahendru Divya	Adaptable as always, Chorus' words amplify Divya's own. She nods gravely along with the other woman's approach. "These are precautions we well understand and can apply," she says to the bystander and to any who are now listening in to the conversation as it happens. "Perhaps you can introduce us to the priests up there? Time may be short if the correct rites aren't followed. Given how rare the death of a God is, it's best that we assume they haven't been and take immediate steps to correct."
Deryl Laklan	"bring you to the priest? You are strangers as you are from outside yet your words regarding appeasement of our deceased God may hold true. Fine, I'll allow it as long as it's importance" The smith says to Chorus as he fears about the consequences of not doing the rites in the correct manner. He says as the man tells the guard to let them in. "This better be good" The two can see the priests pondering if this tomb tower is enough to appease their god and wait for their other guest to be finished with whatever he is doing in the tower
The Mournful Chorus	Behind the man's back, Echo flashes Divya a triumphant smile - not the kind of smile one would show to a complete stranger, either. She hides it away again quickly before anyone else can see. After all, this is a most mournful occasion, and they're here to help! "Not bad", she mutters to the Sidereal. With so many people around them wailing and chanting, there really isn't much risk at anyone overhearing, unless they're shouting themselves. "Subtle tricks are often the most useful. They certainly took the bait." Behind them, the undead guards have finally managed to overcome their confusion over Divya's sudden disappearance. They are approaching fast now, and Shredded Promises' eyes are flashing with both annoyance and concern. "Hallowed Voice, where is-", he begins, but Chorus cuts him off. "Oh, there you are. Excellent. Now we are ready to begin." She grants the dozen dead an approving nod, then turns right around to address the guards, who were just about to let them in. "These are our exorcists", she claims, gesturing towards the ghost-possessed corpses. It takes a lot of self-restraint to not burst into laughter at the sheer irony. "Just a measure of precaution, you understand. The death of a god can draw all manner of unwholesome devils from beyond the veil. Hopefully we won't need their skills." And just like that, she strides past the guards with Divya and the nemessaries in tow, towards the entrance and the assembled priests. If they want to stop her, they can certainly try!
Mahendru Divya	Chorus' questionable retinue are welcome indeed as Divya eyes the tower that lies before them. She glances to the side and says softly "Inauspicious Icons, please follow us in, -discreetly-." She then glances back to Chorus and flashes a smile that's equal parts familiar and foreign. "Thank you. Time to brave the lion in its den. I just wish we could bring Deryl and his men with us...but we 'Sijanese' aren't known for traveling with mercenary bands unfortunately." Looking over Chorus' shoulder, she tries to make contact with Deryl Laklan to give him a nod, so he knows they're going into the tower voluntarily and no commotion is needed. Instead, she walks past the blacksmith to approach the priests. "Greetings, faithful of Nefer-Bel-Gevil. I am Mournful Chalice. This is my colleague, Echo. We represent Sijan and have come to render you aid in the proper mourning of your fallen god. Rare is it for divine spirits to fall. Even rarer is it for their remnants to fall into mortal hands. Most lands only know of the death of divinity through folklore and myth. But in Sijan, our records go back forever. We are fully prepared and equipped to ensure your God's memorial is both fitting and without risk to the people of Iron Simhata. Before we can inspect your preparations, we need to know -how- he perished." She frowns in sudden thought. "And why Anath-Isis is suspected in his death."
Deryl Laklan	The priests frown upon the mentions of the goddess that left their god. "Anath-Isis abandoned her father for attempting to change the system. According to her, our culture in spending our lives creating magnum opuses is a mistake and we should be given the chance to live a harmonious life without having to always think of achievements and enjoy a life of tranquility. However such comforts will only weaken us, for that is a lessen our ancestors learned thanks to Nefer-Bel-Gevil for according to him, the people must pass through hardships if we are ever to thrive. I believe she sent a chosen to kill her own father, yet I don't know what sort of powers her chosen may have which may kill him" The high priest seethe but there is something they aren't telling you for some of the priests are looking at each other and some sweat to even mention it. "Although we distrust outsiders, I welcome you for admittedly we lack knowledge in preparing our own god's funeral. It's a sad turn of events admittedly. We don't even have a god who holds dominion upon funerals and burials. Nefer Bel Gevil may be the chief and smith god here but he never took such role besides tomb building. Even if he's our only god, he overextended himself. I remember in tales he had a lover whose a Far eastern divinity which led to Anath-Isis's birth...but that never fell through for his lover left him thanks to disagreements only leaving his daughter. Our god is distrustful of other gods thanks to mistreatment from the pantheon of his homeland back South, so he and our ancestors came here for a new opportunity"
The Mournful Chorus	Thanks to instinctual knowledge about the local customs - bestowed upon her by her Essence, although she wouldn't be able to explain ~how~ and ~why~ it works - the Envoy offers the correct greeting towards the high priest and his brethren, then listens patiently to his tale. His discomfort is incredibly obvious to her. Certainly Divya must have noticed it, too. She sneaks a quick glance at the "funerist". Whatever he is hiding, it might give an entirely different spin to that tale about the god's demise. "We are grateful for your cooperation", she assures him with a respectful bow. "Divine affairs are of no concern to us. But the death of a divinity... well, that certainly is another matter." She leans her head back a bit, allowing the priest a good look at the painted-on white funeral mask adorning her face below the hood. "Please think about what you just told us a little longer. Are you absolutely ~certain~ that you didn't leave anything out? Even the smallest detail could be crucial in performing the parting rights correctly."
Deryl Laklan	The high priests sheds a tear of sorrow and at the same time regret. "The reason why she left....was because of our god. It was a great famine and we didn't have enough money to buy stocks of food from our neighbors. Our god, Nefer-Bel-Gevil prayed for an exaltation from a god supposedly higher than him but he was denied. Out of pity for the people, the young goddess prayed and....it was granted as she choose a champion among the people to grant us a bountiful harvest. Our god became....jealous" The old priest sighs with deep breath. "When Nefer-Bel-Gevil found out about this, he was so mad and even claimed she stole the exaltation that should be rightfully him. Out of panic, she fled but I don't know her whereabouts. Despite his anger, our god deeply regretted his choice as he's now alone again even if he won't admit it. The reason why her statues were toppled was because of our citizens believing the lie" He confesses to the funerist for he admits his god is not as great as he seems
Mahendru Divya	As the high priest spoke, the Sijanese Funerist takes the somewhat unusual step of reaching into her pockets and pulling out a small journal book, its cover battered with a long history of being shoved in and out of containers and subject to rough handling. The pencil she produces is finely wrought, though, and she swiftly takes down several notes from what the high priest is saying. Then she sighs, closes the book and puts it and the pencil away before her hands return to a formal folded together position in front of her. "Serious business indeed," she says to the high priest. "The truth is to your credit, and to your God's honor. Without the truth, propitatory rites to soothe a slain divine essence are only partially successful at best. We'll need to deal with Anath-Isis sooner or later, if your God is to be properly mourned." She tilts her head to the side as she appraises the high priest. "What did Deep Spiral think about what happened between Nefer-Bel-Gevil and his daughter?" She's particularly intent on reading his intentions in how he answers.
The Mournful Chorus	Echo, who is currently posing as the "Funerist's" assistant - or some other manner of less important person concerned with the god's death - takes only a quick glance at Divya's journal, pretending to have seen the battered think a million times already. For the time being, she is playing her part and lets Divya shine in her new role. But she glances over her shoulder a few times, back towards the entrance. Somewhere outside, beyond the crowds, their companion Deryl is still waiting. Maybe right now is not a good time to bring him up. The Envoy turns back towards the high priest, observing him closely from the shadow of her hood.
Deryl Laklan	"Deep Spiral claimed that Anath-Isis was always ambitious and take her father's throne as the new chief god of Iron Simhata. Most of us don't believe it but it may be true as she may have killed her father for revenge out of scorning her. I wonder if this is right to reveal our God's own flaws in his very funeral but if you are right, I will....allow it" The priest says to the "Sijanese funerist" as he fears lies may bring consequences
Mahendru Divya	The Sijanese Funerist thinks for a moment. "How was your God found? Who found him so? Is the place where he was found undisturbed?" Then she glances up at the looming tower and adds "And what's the connection to this tower? Has it only been built since Nefer-Bel-Gevil's unfortunate state? Is this the work of Deep Spiral?"
The Mournful Chorus	Echo chews on her lower lip while the Funerist peppers the unfortunate high priest with questions. Instead of injecting herself into the conversation and risk complete ruin of the man's faculties, she lets her eyes drift away from him for a bit, over to the other priests and then up, gaze following the tower's foreboding walls as it reaches for the stars. Almost inaudibly, she whispers to herself: "A great work indeed." Shredded Promises inclines his head, as if in greeting. If he was able to hear her words, he makes no response. All eyes return to the high priest, waiting for his response.
Deryl Laklan	"From what I know about what Deep Spiral told us about himself is that he simply is a philanthropist who wants to spread his philosophy of life. He claims most of the money comes from his mistress in the North who is a lady in a crimson palace. He has been good with people here so far and encouraged them to work harder to attain their goals" He recalls what he knows about the mysterious monocle man. "Well I already mentioned how our god died and he was in a circle, possibly he was doing a ritual for something we do not even know" He then admits the true architect of this tower. "Yes this is the work of Deep Spiral for he had financial aid from his so called benefactor. But I admit, there was something strange, when I saw my god when he was alive, I saw him drawing a tower with Deep Spiral beaides him and I thought it was just an ordinary one. After his death, I assume it was a coincidence" Talk about digging your own grave yet this is more of a designing your own mausoleum.
Mahendru Divya	The Sidereal's eyes slowly widen as the high priest keeps speaking. She shakes her head slowly. Then, with a peek at Chorus beside her, she looks back at the high priest and says "A divinity is dead. The man who built this mausoleum tower for his grave was seen designing it with that divinity, before your God died. Anath-Isis is blamed for his murder, but the only thing she's done wrong is..." she glances down at her notebook as if to check her notes, "offer the same prayer Nefer-Bel-Gevil did, to a better result?" Her lips purse into an intense frown as she looks to Chorus seemingly for confirmation, then looks behind them back towards Deryl who she's able to locate along with his men. The Sijanese Funerist returns to facing the high priest and says "There are laws, in Heaven as well as in Creation, that make the death of a God a crime. While someone like me normally sees that proper respects are paid, this matter requires investigation and justice. The Law demands it. Given the serious nature of this matter, I will ask that my escort accompany me inside the tower to speak with Deep Spiral." She looks the priest in the eye. "If you have any concerns, I invite you and anyone else you wish to include to accompany us. Be warned, the questions we ask have unsettled many and we accept no responsibility if you or your witnesses consent to hear them." She makes several more notes in her notebook while waiting for the high priest's response. They're Old Realm writing, mostly detailing 'Deathknight works for a mistress in the north in a crimson palace?'.
The Mournful Chorus	The Envoy nods along with the Funerist's words, her expression oozing grave displeasure. Another small, slightly frustrated glance at the notebook confirms what she already suspected: Just a bunch of cryptic hieroglyphs. No insight for her. In any case, she now jumps in to support Divya's demands: "We will have to file a full report, of course", she declares, standing up straight and affecting all the authority she can muster. But her next words are spoken calmly, in a soft, empathic voice: "If you know this Deep Spiral and have spoken to him before, you could make this easier for him. Should he be hesitant to answer our questions, a familiar face might help set him at ease." After that, Echo falls silent again and turns back towards where Deryl and his soldiers are waiting. She beckons him to come closer.
Deryl Laklan	As he gets the signal, he leads his soldiers to follow him now that things have settled for now. Meanwhile the priests confirms the Sidereal's words even if it disappoints and feels shame for it. "Yes....we should have celebrated her and her new champion for giving us a bountiful harvest yet we scorned her simply for doing something that overshadows her father." He himself regrets it for it could have been prevented. Meanwhile as Deryl catches up, he turns to the two. "Did you learn anything so far" As Deryl asks, the high priests volunteers to join them. "I'll join you alone. My priests and disciples here stay in case this investigation erupts into something else. Sometimes I wonder if I have fault in it as well since I was merely following my god even if I had the chance to stop him from directing his jealousy to his daughter." He says with sorrow but then regains his composure. "If the heavens law allows punishment for a God's murderer, so be it as I want to see his real killer"
Mahendru Divya	With the high priest on board, and Deryl and his men joined up as well, the Sijanese Funerist leads the way into the tower. As they walk, she briefly explains to Deryl. "It seems the deceased was seen designing this masoluem tower with the philosopher, Deep Spiral, prior to his death. The timing is suspicious. As is the blaming of his death on the deceased's daughter, Anath-Isis. We'll need to find her at some point to confirm her testimony but the real answers lie within." To the high priest, though, she sounds somewhat less stern. "It's difficult to question the divine, especially the one you serve. Nefer-Bel-Gevil saw a thousand human generations come and go, no doubt. Such longevity and his esteemed place in Heaven's eye gives him room for much wisdom. I've seen others follow such wisdom without question, even when it wasn't especially wise. If you've committed any crime in what you've told me," she smiles again before her face grows stern once more. "It's small compared to the murderer. Hopefully Deep Spiral can offer us some...insight into this situation." Subtly, she gestures to her immaterial Ally. Inauspicious Icons no doubt still has the scent. And if her own investigative skills are merely adequate, the Lion Dog's Hunt the Wicked Charm and his other talents mean she should know if they've found the murderer soon enough.
The Mournful Chorus	Chorus is more than glad to let the living take the lead, falling into step behind them. While Divya is busy with giving Deryl a summary of everything they've learned so far, she locks eyes with Shredded Promises, who nods in turn and moves closer to her side again, one hand casually resting on the hilt of his curved sword. The other nemessaries form a loose half-circle around them both. As they are nearing the bleak building's entrance, the Envoy takes a good long look at the unfinished facade. Are there any ornamentations? Inscriptions, maybe? Anything that looks or feels familiar?
Deryl Laklan	The priests bows in agreement to the Sijanese funerist but meanwhile Deryl is baffled to hear that the designer of this morbid tower, was the god himself. "That's like digging his own grave and I hope Anath-Isis is unharmed to ask her questions, even if she's still a suspect but we'll find out" Deryl says to the chosen of secrets. The lion dog does pick up the scent and it heads towards the top of the tower and coincidentally, Chorus picks up necromantic energies flowing through the top as well. "I see mortals and gods are just as flawed. I've been raised in his convent believing he is righteous but it seems he is no better than humanity. I should have advised him in affairs instead of just obeying his orders without question" The priest comments to the Sidereal as they open the door to the tower that blights the city.
Mahendru Divya	Sympathic, the Sidereal within the Resplendent Destiny of the Crow pats the high priest's arm affectionately. "Not all Gods would accept the advice. Not all are worthy of the worship owed their station, unfortunately. But some are. Many, even. And even Gods can change their minds, if shown wisdom. Have faith," she says with another pat. "No one's perfect, save perhaps the Unconquered Sun. Nefer-Bel-Gevil may have had his flaws, like everyone. But he cared for you and your people or he would never have asked for the Exigence to send him a champion." Once the door is opened, she steps on through it. "Deep Spiral!" she calls out in a tone of utter authority. "We have questions we would ask you. Please present yourself accordingly!" While this obviously blows stealth, stealth was probably blown given the sheer numbers in their procession. When one -must- make a visible entrance, it might as well be an impressive one.
Deryl Laklan	"It must be from his humiliation from him being exiled from the civilization near the Dying Sea and his wounded pride. He wanted to be a chief god despite being a smith, possibly because of the other divinities mistreating him and his worshippers while he wants to prove he is better than them. I now know he is a flawed god, yet without him, our ancestors might have still been oppressed in the kingdom near Dying Sea all because of the god we worship" The priest says with acceptance and resolve but awaits the arrival of the supposed philosopher. Out of nowhere, the man fitting the description appears once the door is opened, even if he was upstairs "Who dares disturb the final parts of construction?" The man is dressed in black noble clothing with patterns of crimson and ice blue colors. His skin and as pallid as the Northern snow, while his hair and beard are jet-black. His right eye is as red as wine and blood but his left eye is a prosthetic covered by a monocle. Beneath the glass of his monocle, there is an eerie spectral glow. Who knows what this artificial eye looks like without the monocle. He has walking stick mad of pitch black iron but strangely, the large gem atop of it is made of starmetal
Mahendru Divya	Her eyes drop immediately to that starmetal gem atop the walking stick. -So-. Drawing up whatever dignity she can muster, the Sijanese Funerist (who is so -obviously- a Sijanese Funerist) in traveling robes looks officiaously at Deep Spiral and speaks. "Sir, we collectively represent what's now an investigation into a matter of divine criminal law. A divinity was slain here under suspicious circumstances. You are a witness and a suspect. It is in your best interest to speak to us, plainly, of your role in all this." No point in mentioning the murder scene that'd led them to this city in the first place. Not yet.
The Mournful Chorus	Both the Envoy and her entourage remain in the background for now - although Chorus takes care to position herself in a way that permits her an unobstructed view of the other deathknight (much to the chagrin of Shredded Promises, who does his very best to be her shield without blocking her entire field of vision). After examining the face and attire of the one who calls himself Deep Spiral, her eyes drift towards the walking stick. Unlike Divya, she is far more interested in the staff itself, rather than the unassuming silvery metal crowning it. Even though she herself doesn't wield soulsteel - at least for now - she recognizes the material. She continues to watch the interaction play out, observing how each participant reacts to the others. Sometimes, much can be gleaned from hanging back and saying nothing.
Deryl Laklan	"Heaven would point at me as the killer of one of my friend. Truly such preposterous remarks! It is obvious that the ambitious Anath-Isis is the one that slew her father in cold blood. That vile bird headed god is still out there! I am here finalizing the monument to my closest companion" He sheds a tear effortlessly while he displays agony over having to build his friend's tomb.....seemingly in agony. "You there priest, I've told you that her exigent champion came into his private quarters in his temple and slew him while performing heretical rituals that surround his corpse!" It seems he is aware of the ritual circle that surrounded his corpse at the time. "Yes I did listen to you but are you withholding something from us? I've seen you talk to our god as if you are talking to a fellow human being, which resulted me in trusting you. If you are innocent, please tell us more"
Mahendru Divya	Divya frowns appraisingly. The man didn't seem to be lying, or at least he had enough control over his tells to pretend to truth. The possible slander of Anath-Isis concerns her, though. Throwing suspicion on someone else is a classic 'guilty guy' technique. Even with that effortless tear shedding he'd thrown in which, she had to admit, looked genuine. At which point a gust of wind blew directly across the bridge of her nose, in an all too familiar telltale that told her the Lion Dog she'd befriended couldn't be bothered to waste his own motes to Materialize and wanted her to waste hers instead. With a sigh, Divya then gestured theatrically at an empty space to the side, flanking Deep Spiral. ""Inauspicious Icons, under the fifth of the Articles of the Divine Requirements in the Adjudication of Criminal Offenses, Section 17 Paragraph 132, you are ordered and obliged to present yourself to assist in the investigation of these deaths under my field command." At once, the immense green jade spirit flashes into existence in a burst of golden light. He stands six feet tall at the shoulder, his lion-like head still taller, though he has much of the build of a mastiff. The spirit sniffs the air theatrically and said "He's lying, Divya." The Sidereal rolls her eyes. "Of course he's lying. What about?" "He is the murderer we've been following." Divya nodded slowly, watching Deep Spiral for a reaction in case the man decides the appearance of a Lion Dog means it's time to throw down. "But is he the murderer of Nefer-Bel-Gevil?" The Lion Dog snorts. "A well dressed man with a glowing monocle organized a party in which -forty four- attendee seemingly drank enough poison to kill themselves. We find him -here-, 'mourning' a God who also appears to have been murdered. No, the Articles of the Divine Requirements in the Adjudciation of Criminal Offenses are quite clear, Divya. Any Censor would convict this man based on the evidence I've witnessed." "Captain Laklan, Envoy," the Sijanese Funerist says quietly. "Be ready. Deep Spiral, you've been accused of breaking divine law. Do you have a plea to enter before we take you into custody?"
The Mournful Chorus	The appearance of the lion-dog doesn't startle the nemissaries this time - after all, Divya had previously made it clear that the spirit would follow them, and she even recited the summons for him. So it's not Inauspicious Icons who causes Shredded Promises to quietly, calmly reach for his cutlass, with the reavers under his command following suit. They don't draw their weapons, not yet... such would be a clear act of aggression. But they're clearly prepared to fight. Meanwhile, the Envoy remains where she is, unmoving and seemingly unmoved, eyes fixated on the other deathknight. How will he react to this? What tricks will he pull out of his sleeve?
Deryl Laklan	As the deathknight listens to the absurdities of this situation, there is only silence once he hears he will be arrested. After that he giggles as there is no way to escape with a lie now and then, he admits to his vile crimes. "Me responsible for killing those poor partygoers? I only helped them by granting them a new existence in spectral form so that they may waste on eternal decadence forever until Oblivion takes us all! Soon they shall be enlightened further into become the loveless such as those ghosts now under the grace of my master, the Lover Clad In The Rainment Of Tears!" "They are sealed in the tower where as their transformation into the loveless will be complete, they shall be crushed and their essence will be melded into a giant soulsteel cog that shall summon the afterlife of this city so the dead and the living can be one! I had to warp the afterlife of this city for I convinced the ghosts of failed builders to create something greater. As this tower will reach completion, it shall be the gateway to turn this worthless industrial city into a paradise of eternal bliss where the inhabitants shall slowly rot into Oblivion as there is no meaning in life. It shall attract those that want to escape the suffering of Creation and will submit their life to join this future utopia. The laws of heaven will soon mean nothing in the face of the void" Then growls can be heard inside and hungry ghosts that eerily appear as faceless maidens appear with shifting faces. His forehead then glows with the mark of a Twilight caste yet it is now black as night. "I will never surrender my greatest work that shall spread my lady's philosophy. I, Vitiating Whispers That Spiral Into The Reaper's Embrace will fight to the last breath!" Seeing as the enemy admits to his sins, Deryl unsheathes his diamond daiklave as it glows with a baleful yet brightly multicolored shine. "You, you did not just sin against the living and the heavens, but the dead as well. I will not let you use the ghosts you captured into a mere part of machinery!"