Tess reporting to Eyes of the Serpent feathered cloak guy
=========================================================
1027/10/15 Tess report to Eyes of Serpent at Aengmoor City to report
on information from the Hollow World. It is a voice Tess recognizes.
The same guy Tess saw previously with a feathered cloak. 

Tess gives a brief update on the Baratkand security network and any 
relevant info, such as military strengths for Sind. Tess gives as much
detail as is asked for, without compromising Tess (e.g. Tess doesn't
reveal the location of his stronghold). Tess mentions he's setting up trade 
routes and using that as a cover for the information gathering. Tess won't 
mention Ved. Tess will also mention that he's not trying to give them a top 
class intelligence agency - more just internal security and a useful way 
for Tess to siphon info. 

In particular, Tess is interested in any opinions on how to set things up:
how to ensure loyalty, avoiding being noticed, stuff like that. The 
feathered guy gives some handy advice, since he seems to know what he is 
talking about there. Tess listens attentively. "Give your people 
interesting jobs to do, check up on them, but otherwise let them find 
things out themselves."

Tess asks if the feathered cloak guy wants further investigation of the 
Schatten Alfen, does he want Tess to consider trying to infiltrate them? 
Given that they've had problems, they may need to commit a resourceful 
operative.

He considers. "If you have the time to do so, you are best suited to 
infiltrating them. It won't be easy, but it could be rewarding. Just 
investigating their society and reporting on the elements in it would be 
very useful."

Tess: "I'll have to think about it. I was quite tempted while in the Hollow 
World, but it would have been very difficult at the time."

The guy asks Tess for his opinions of the Schatten Alfen. His question is 
casual, too perfectly casual.

Roleplayed over the telephone with Glenn, Tess basically gives a cautious
reply that they could pose a military threat to us, but could be useful as
well.

"These are all very good thoughts, and as the opportunity permits it
would be good to investigate I agree. Perhaps they have useful things
to offer us, useful ideas."

"We believe their level of infiltration is low. We have not been very
successful in infiltrating them."

"Socially they could be similar to us, and I agree it would be good to
investigate why they went down this path, and whether it has anything
to offer us."

"There is no immediate threat [regards Aengmoor Forest]. It would be
useful to continue our gathering information against other people, to
determine what threat they pose to us. The surface world people are
weak, they respect strength. Show them strength and they will fold.
The inner world concerns me more, we should investigate further."

They already had some maps, the aerial maps do provide some useful
information - some new, some to conglommerate.

To get to the top rank in Eyes of the Serpent - Tess is not sure what is
required to get to that rank, few do get promoted. Tess doesn't have
anyone reporting to him, he is a free agent, that is unusual. As a result
Tess has no political strength.

Tess may enquire about promotion opportunities ... being freelance is quite 
unusual ... perhaps at some stage Tess should have some Shadow Elves 
working for him? 

Feathered guy: "I will consider it for your next specific mission. If that 
works well, then a permanent assignment will be considered. Promotion ... 
patience Tesserael."

Tess will nod and be a little embarassed for asking. 

Feathered guy: "Is there anything you need?"

Tess: "Nothing specific comes to mind ... I realise with trying to run a 
security network, I am not always as good at instilling loyalty as I might 
like ... I am not naturally charismatic, but I get by."

Feathered guy: "I shall see about that. Anything else?"

Tess: "Did we ever manage to track down where the faerie from Alfheim went? 
They had a powerful seer among them. That might later pose a threat with 
the Alfheim Elves. They're no longer in Aengmoor Forest, but I haven't 
heard anything further when I enquired briefly."

Feathered guy: "The Alfheim elves went in two directions. One group went 
south to the human Kingdom of Karameikos, and joined the Callarii and Vyalia 
elves there. The other group went north to Wendar. I believe the faeries went 
with them. I believe the faeries' court went north to Wendar, although I am 
unsure as to exactly where. Trouble is present in Wendar. The green elves 
are acting in their typical fashion. Or so a little bird told me." He 
chuckles. 

Tess: "I haven't had any problems in Wendar, but I've only been there 
briefly. I will be careful. Hmm. I can confirm that a dryad is there, so it 
would not be surprising if the faerie were there too."

Feathered guy: "The faerie existed there before the green elves, and I dare 
say will be after them as well. Go well Tesserael."

Tess will nod deeply in respect, "Thank you, and thank you for your advice."


Looking at Eyes of the Serpent interrogation files
==================================================
The Eyes of the Serpent do keep some records. Depends on how sensitive it
is. For example, there are no records from this interview. Tess asks to 
access Thora's investigation and also the interview of the Schatten Alfen 
spies who were caught in Aengmoor Forest. Thora's file is made available to 
Tess.

The file doesn't say if Thora had discovered a Shadow Elven spy in Alfheim. 
From Tess' recollection, Thora seemed to imply that they (the Shadow Elves) 
were angry at Phoranin and Tess, but that could have been a lie. It 
contains a transcript of the interview. It does contain a recommendation 
that Thora be released, covered with a geas, to allow further investigation 
of the surface.

Tess also checks the interrogation of the Schatten Alfen spies that were
caught after Tess exposed them. The Schattenalfen were interrogated by the 
Second Shadow and the Eyes of the Serpent. Parts of the files appear to have 
been excised before being given to Tess. One thing becomes apparent to Tess
after reading the files. They are never asked, nor is there any mention of,
if the SC had any contacts amongst the SE. They are asked if there are other 
SC, but nothing is mentioned about SC <-> SE contacts. The EoS is the parts 
which have been excised the most. Most people wouln't notice, as they were 
asked about other SC spies, but Tess has a particular interest in this.

It's not clear how large the excised bits are. It appears that some parts 
have been recently recopied for Tess, others haven't. The disjoint between 
some of the text in the recopied bits is how Tess knows. It's possible some 
of it has been altered, but since it appears pretty quickly (that day) 
probably not. The tone of the prisioner doesn't change, more some questions 
are not in order. There was no mention of why the SC agents tried to target 
Tess, nor the faked assassination attempt.

Tess has a reasonable idea which building the archives are in. It's the same 
building where Tess just had his interview with the feathered guy. The 
building isn't well guarded, the guards are more subtle. You could certainly 
get into the building itself as Tess with no problems, even all the way up 
to the archives, just getting into the archives might prove difficult - i.e.
passing the SE who manages the archives. And then Tess would suffer all the 
pain of trying to find the relevant section. Thats true, although that 
wouldn't be too hard. Might be locked or something though. Of course, the 
_really_ sensitive stuff probably isn't in the archives anyway. Private 
archives are possessed by the senior staff.

Tess will go and chat to the archiver if he may - ask if there are any other 
Schatten Alfen that were interrogated, and if he could please see those 
details. Tess will assume the Schatten Alfen interrogation record came from 
the main archive and drop it back there once he's read it and made a copy of 
the relevant bits. No need for Tess to keep a copy floating around of this 
info. The SC records are locked and can only be accessed with permission of 
the rank 5 EoS, although he can tell you that the files you have seen are 
the only SC interrogation records. He will accept the file back.

Tess: "Do you know if there have been any other SC interrogations? 
Unrecorded? "

Archiver: "I wouldn't know about that. You can access the general files on 
the SC though, if you wish."

Tess will nod, "Thank you. Ah yes, that would be most helpful." 

The archiver is behind a glass wall, although you can hear him fine. He has 
a variety of keys - and there is a small safe with keys in it. The guy takes 
files back through a small thing like they use at ticketing places. He hands 
out files the same way. There are also two small rooms for reading through 
files. Tess has a look through the Schatten Alfen files that are in the
archive. He takes the files through a door which seems to lead to the 
archives, and returns with the files you wanted. The archive guy works for 
the EoS, but apparently works for the SS. He knows Tess is a member of the 
EoS so he gives him the EoS stuff.

The files on the SC in general _do_ mention the problem of SC inflitration 
of SE society, and the possibility of SE being turned to serve the SC. It 
says that no SE have been turned, but doesn't quote anyone or any evidence 
on the matter, just states it. Weird how they just assume no SE have been 
turned. There is a short section on suggestions for future operations 
against the SC, and how to follow SC cultural practices to beter blend in. 
It seems someone has already done some of the work for infiltrating the SC, 
although it doesn't mention any actual infiltration of the SC. All in all, 
it's a very incomplete set of files.

Tess asks, "This is a broad overview, where are the details?"

Archiver: "The details are unavailable. To find more, you will need to ask 
Foo [none of the 5th rank guys] for the file"


Tess reading a Schatten Alfen account of their race
===================================================
Tess goes to see Foo. "I'm considering investigating the Schatten Alfen 
further ..." Tess is curious to look at their maps and see how they compare 
to the maps he brought back. 

Foo considers it. He turns and opens a small safe, and removes a file from 
it. He goes through the file, removes a few pages, and hands the rest to 
Tess. "Certainly, here you go." He puts the rest of the file back into the 
expensive combination locked safe. The combination lock on Foo's cabinet 
looks quite difficult, DC 30 at the minimum. Tess should be able to use his 
thieve's tools to help try and open it.

Tess will thank him, and read through the details. It will take a while to 
read, but you can use another part of his office. He removed about 5 pages 
(a contiguous section) out of a hundred. 

The file contains much useful information about their culture, making it 
much easier to infiltrate them. It has a fairly substantial section on their 
religion. The file is written in a fairly positive light about the SC, and 
the gernal tone is "we could have done this". In fact, careful reading 
indicates the writer thinks the SE could learn a thing or ten off the SC.
It doesn't mention the author. It also doesn't mention the military 
strength, except in a cultural context (e.g. stuff like "all SC males take 
part in military service"). It really reads more like a travel guide.
Tess gets no idea what 5 pages were taken out - the pages are unnumbered, 
and there is no index; nor is there any sign of skipping bits - so it must 
be a separate section.

The SE are somewhat xenophoblic. The SC are extremely xenophobic. They are 
also very warlike, and are paranoid about other races and countries. They 
live underground, like the SE. They expose deformed babies and kick out the 
elderly, like the SE. They are also quite devout to their deity. They have 
practices designed to strengthen their race, similiar to the shaman's test, 
but they tend to do it informally for all members of their race - tests of 
strength. They also, like the SE, love green growing things. Like the SE, 
they can't have them.

The Schattenalfen, by ancient custom, must adopt any elf who expresses a 
wish to live among them. An adoptee must swear an oath of loyalty to the 
Schattenalfen king. He must marry a Schattenalf; if a married pair of elves 
seeks adoption, the marriage is considered irrelevant and they are separated
and married to Schattenalfen.

The author mentions the SC are like the SE in that they wish to take revenge 
on those that slighted them. The SC do not take to being slighted. They do 
not show any mercy on those that have shown no mercy to them. The author 
writes, "This common element amongst the SE and the SC could possibly allow 
us to forge a common bond agsinst the surface races who have trampled us."
Yes, it says _surface races_, not green elves. Those last bits were written 
by a SE, not a SC. Incidently, as far as Tess knows, the SE have no 
intension of attacking or fighting the other surface races. They don't 
really care about them - although the other surface races probably don't 
believe that. Although many SE are unhappy at how things have turned out 
(the green surface world is rather scary) they don't actually wish to pursue 
the green elves any further - they have achieved their aims.

Tess returns the file in due course, asking if he can copy some of the 
relevant info to disguise himself more easily as a SC. Tess will also 
enquire if they have info on military capability, population statistics, 
birth rate, places, maps, etc - seeing as that is some of the info Tess has 
just brought back - he would like to compare.

Foo: "Of course you can copy those pieces. Please be careful with them 
though. We lack much information about those matters. That would be useful."

Tess will nod. "I want to reread through these some more to memorize the 
details, before I destroy my copy. Who was the author? You?"

Foo: "No. A Schattenalfen. What do you think?"

Tess: "It is most interesting. How much of this information has been 
corroborated by our agents?"

Foo: "Little"

Tess grimaces, "In that case, I will be more careful if I try and use this 
information when constructing a cover." Tess' thought currently is that this 
account may be incorrect, as the details were written by a SC person who may
have been trying to make it sound like something we would like.

Foo nods. "Do you think you could function in such a society?"

Tess: "Well they sound quite similar to us really. So yes, I expect I would 
have no problems functioning in such a society."  Foo is intrested in Tess 
questions, but isn't overly reacting.

Foo:  "Do we know how trustworthy this account from this Schatten Alfen 
was?" 

Foo: "Quite. It is accurate, although unconfirmed."

Tess: "Are there any Shadow Elven agents that I may talk to who have had 
contact with the Schatten Alfen?" 

Foo shakes his head.

Tess: "Unfortunate. That will make developing a cover far more difficult. Do 
we have any knowledge of the intonation of their dialect?"

Foo: "No."

Tess: "Very well. Thank you for this information. Do we know how our 
infiltration attempts have failed?"

Foo: "The people making the attempts have resisted some of the cultural 
practices of the SC. Any infiltration attempt would require the following of 
those practices.

Tess: "The cultural practices detailed herein?"

Foo: "Yes."

Tess will nod. "With marriage or some of the other cultural practices? If 
so, from what I've read, there's nothing particularly difficult, except the 
courtship rituals ...  I've observed these short-lived humans and other 
races ... I guess it would be not overly difficult to approximate such an 
approach."

Foo: "I'm unsure as to the specifics, but we believe one refused to marry, 
one pretended to be a native but failed to follow appropirate customs and 
was discovered, and one did marry into it but was believed by them to be a 
spy and was executed."

Tess will nod and sigh a little, "Unfortunate. Thank you once again." Foo 
nods in dismissal. Tess leaves.

None of the cultural practices mentioned were particularly repugnant, unless 
you count marriage of course. Marriage should occur fairly quickly, by elven 
standards - months. No mention of whether or not their marriages were arranged.

Tess is a bit spooked about the whole thing. It's clear that there's 
elements and senior elements at that of the EoS, that sympathize with the 
SC. e.g. The SE author. The xenophobic and militaristic elements may well 
get on very well with the SC. That is not a good thing. My guess is that 
there are definitely SE agents actively colluding with the SC - either that, 
or SC agents still in place. Not so difficult to get people to agree with 
you if you have similar attitudes. 


Tess visiting Phoranin
======================
Tess will wander off in due course, have dinner with Phoranin, but mention 
nothing for now then go back to his usual activities. 

Tess asks what is happening regards the Wanderers. Phoranin thinks it will 
be years before things come to a head with the Shadow Elven problems. It will 
be about a decade before the Temple of Rafiel decides on the Wanderers who 
were found. Many priests believe they are not following the law of Rafiel, 
many believe we were meant to find them - bit of a mess.

Then about a month later - around 1027/11/15, Tess will go and talk with 
Phoranin. Tess will download info to Phoranin when in range of the Mind 
Blank, after he's swept with a Detect Magic and a DC take 20 search check of 
her office to make sure there's no way anyone can be listening. He'll speak 
to her in a quiet voice to make it difficult for anyone to listen in. Basic 
info for Phoranin: the convo with feathered cloak guy - his comments that 
the SC may have something to offer us; the report from a SC, with a SE's 
note that maybe we can work with the SC against the _surface races_. Also 
the other note: the interrogations of the SC people - the omission of 
questions on whether or not they had SE contacts. Phoranin will be rather 
frightened by the end of this. Tess is hugging her and talking quietly, but 
she'll get the idea that Tess is very spooked. Hence why he delayed telling 
her, just to make sure any reaction was delayed so they wouldn't trace it to 
Tess. 

Phoranin: "I fear for our people. The SC plan to take us over."

Tess: "They can probably do it too. Indeed not only can they do it, but they 
actively are already doing it. At least a couple of agents I spoke to were 
clearly sympathetic."

Phoranin: "Let us pray for strength."

Tess sighs, "May Rafiel guide us." Tess respects Phoranin's call for prayer 
and will attempt to pray, however his mind is in turmoil - it won't be any 
active prayer. More just actively pondering things, trying to figure out a 
line of attack: where to get more info, how to prevent this happening, etc.

After a few minutes...the ground drops away from your feet, and you find 
yourself floating above a red pit. The pit is full of small deformed babies, 
writhing around. At the edge of the pit are elderly shadow elves, being 
pushed towards the pit by shadow elves with cruel expressions and polearms.
The elderly shadow elves are resigned, or resisting, but it makes no 
difference, they are pushed into the pit too. Tess seems to be corporeal, 
and Phoranin is not there. Tess seems to be really there, and feels that he 
is being watched by something.

Tess will try and interpose, "This is not the way of the Shadow Elves. The 
elderly are to be Wanderers, if they die, it is a death that they find in 
their travels, it is not one found in a pit. I will not accept that my 
father be left to die that way." 

Rafiel is beside you. He watches you carefully. "It is my way. They weaken 
our race." He watches you some more.

Tess: "The Wanderers are from a time when we did not have sufficient food. 
When a lack of resources made it not possible to support those who could not 
provide for themselves. Whether this time has passed or not I do not know, 
but I will not let these babies nor elders be treated with cruelty. 
Separated from us, yes, but hurt by us, no, that was never our way. It is 
your way that they be separated from us, not that they be put to death by 
cruelty." 

Rafiel: "It is the way. They mean nothing. This is my way, _just like that 
of the schattenalfen_. There are no living wanderers, they all die. You 
understand?"

Tess looks at Rafiel, "Besides how do the elderly weaken us now? We have 
enough food for them. Why not benefit from their wisdom? I always assumed 
that maybe there was some other purpose for them to wander? No, I do not 
understand. We do not kill these people, they leave, and maybe then death 
finds them, but they may live for quite some time if they are able. And 
your way has never been the sacrifice of Atzanteotl. Harsh yes, but not 
cruel." Tess will then look openly defiant, "Besides you yourself are old. 
You wear glasses, a sign of weakness. Yet you provide us strength ... or 
did in our time of need ... I don't know what to make of this ... fallacy." 

Rafiel: "No, they all die. None live. They certainly would not find a nice 
city to stay where they could have a purpose. Atzanteotl's wanderers die as 
well, just like mine. We talk about it when we meet to discuss plans." 
Rafiel appears as a fairly elderly guy, and looks rather bookish, wearing 
glasses.

Tess: "Then explain to me why I know some Wanderers are still alive? Have I 
not followed your teachings? Have I not avoided trying to trace my father 
after he became a Wanderer? And yet, we find some alive. They do not all 
die. And they were in Aengmoor City." 

Rafiel: "You are mistaken, There are no wanderers in the city. All the 
wanderers die horribly. Such is my will, just like that of my friend 
Atzanteotl.'

Tess: "No." Tess' voice will tremor, "I found the city with others, I found 
Aengmoor City for you. I spoke to you and you asked me to find it. And I 
found the Wanderers there. The Verse of the Wanderers: ... 'let none who is 
weak remain among you or follow after you. Turn these to me and I, Rafiel, 
will guide their path.' Guide their path doesn't mean they die. It never 
meant they die immediately. It meant they would find their own path, their 
path to you. In time they would die, and be reborn through the soul 
crystals." 

Rafiel: "You are mistaken. There are no wanderers there. The weak die, just 
like with the Shcattenalfen. Can you imagine what a threat such a place 
would be to Atzantelotl and myself, if it existed? No, better if such a 
place did not exist." Rafiel appears the same as Tess last saw him. Rafiel
chuckles evilly.

Tess still gets the feeling he is being watched. Tess says, "It is a place 
of quandary. Beyond that ... it is a place of changes for us ... but no, it 
is not such a threat. You are not Rafiel, or not the Rafiel that I believe 
in and met once." 

Rafiel glances at something out of your field of view. "It's such fun to 
deflate their world view is it not? This one still stubbonly sticks to what 
he belives in, even when the truth is told to him.'

A voice from elsewhere: "Send him to me, I'll deal with him."

Tess: "And while I stumble and stray from the path, I have always done what 
I can to aid our people. I have never acted in cruelty to a Shadow Elf nor 
will I. Rafiel will guide me, and Rafiel guides me now. Whatever you are, 
you are not what I believe and trust. And you can try and mess with my world 
view, and surely I have questioned it in the past, but you bring me no new 
questions now, except this putrid vision of cruelty that I will not accept." 

Rafiel: "No, find your own plaything. This one is mine."

Tess: "So I'm guessing the immortals currently having fun with this mortal 
would be Alphaks and Atzanteotl." 

Rafiel: "Although I think it is finally starting to penetrate his thick 
skull."

Tess: "Though last time I checked Alphaks didn't fair quite so well. And 
while I lack the resources of my friends, I will quite happily show you the 
same foolish bravery." 

Rafiel: (ignoring Tess) "Tell you what, why don't I send him over to your 
lands for a while, so he can see how things are really done."

The voice: "Sounds fun." It doesn't sound like a voice that Tess has heard 
before. "It's a shame we can't pick his mind apart directly. I'd love to see 
what he is thinking now."

Rafiel: "Normally not much. At the moment I think he is so stunned he isn't 
using his brain at all."

Tess: "Look whoever you are, I don't buy it. You're an immortal, good for 
you. Go and play somewhere else. I refuse this vision, and I refuse what you 
suggest. Nice try, but try again with someone of weaker mind." 

Voice: "I grow bored of this."

Tess: "That was my point. Go and play with some other mortals who are easier 
to annoy." 

Rafiel: "So, do you like my pit? It's tasteful isn't it..." 

The scene fades out, and Tess is back with Phoranin. Tess will look at 
Phoranin, somewhat shuddering. 

Phoranin: "You all right dear?"

Tess: "No. What did you see when you prayed?"

Phorannin: "I had a vision from Rafiel."

Tess: "I think I had a vision from Alphaks or Atzanteotl, then again I wasn't 
really trying to pray."

Phorannin: "It was for you though, and not for me." Phoranin frowns. "This 
place is sacred to Rafiel. No other deity could give you such here without his 
blessing."

Tess: "Perhaps. I'm not so sure. Immortals are powerful."

Phorannin: "My vision was of you traveling through the lands of some other elves, 
Schattenalfen I believe. I had the sensation it was not urgent though."

Tess: "Well that's nicer than what I saw." Tess will relate the torment he 
received. 

Phoranin shakes her head. "This is sacred to Rafiel. They may be powerful, 
but this is his land." Phoranin shakes her head several times as Tess 
relates his vision.

Tess will hug Phoranin. "Phoranin please sort out the Wanderer issue soon." 

Phoranin: "I do not understand. Why would Rafiel let some other deity 
pretend to be him? It can't have been him though, he is not so cruel."

Tess: "Or maybe it was Rafiel testing me to see what I believe in, whether I 
could accept cruelty. Or maybe Rafiel ..." Tess ponders.

Phorannin: "Maybe. I doubt it. After the test comes the score, and he did not 
say anything to you."

Tess: "No. He did not. He did tell me to use my brain." Tess chuckles.

Phorannin: "It makes no sense. Rafiel is not so cruel. I know some believe 
the wanderers do die alone, but I _knew_ in my heart that Rafiel was not so 
cruel, and...what do you mean? Why did I not see any of this?"

Tess: "I'm just curious how much immortals can follow through a divination 
protection. Rafiel did one thing and says another. The Rafiel I just saw was 
lying, flat out. It either wasn't Rafiel or it was Rafiel, and it was Rafiel 
needing to appear cruel. That might make sense. Maybe that's why others have 
failed."

Phorannin: "I don't understand. I suppose this is natural to you, doing one 
thing while saying another."

Tess: "One does that sometimes to find out information." Tess shudders. 
"Perhaps I should find out what other repugnant cultural practices the 
Schatten Alfen might have."

Phorannin: "But that was hideous. I can't imagine dojng that. I'm shaken just 
thinking about it."

Tess: "Oh, I'm shaken and I wouldn't want to do it, but when in Glantri, do as 
the Glantrians do. Interesting. I'll have to think about this more. Phoranin 
there are two things I need to do in the near future. Firstly, I need to get 
you whatever information I can to let you combat those elements who will 
side with the Schatten Alfen." She nods. "Secondly, I need to infiltrate the 
Schatten Alfen, and I will need to disguise myself as a wolf amongst sheep 
to do that I think. And the second will come to pass, because we need 
military information on them. They will attack at some stage I think. Or it 
will come to that." Tess sighs in frustration. 

Phorannin: "I still don't understand. Perhaps I shouldn't."

Tess: "Which people here do you want me to investigate? And do you have any 
idea who the guy with the feathered cloak is?"

Phorannin: "Feathered cloak? No idea. I'll give yo the list. Don't write it 
down."

Tess: "Of course not." Tess will memorize it. 

She lists 5 people. 4 of them you recognise as EoS - one of them is Foo. 
Tess doesn't know who the other person is.

Tess: "These are people who you've seen talking to the Princess?"

Phoranin: "Yes, and people who I just feel in general aren't as devout as 
they could be. Perhaps I'm just being too...priestly, but I feel Rafiel is 
the cornerstone of our society."

Tess: "Do you have any idea which of these people are nominally the more 
senior?"

Phoranin: "No."

Tess chuckles. "Just thinking over what Rafiel said again."

Phorannin: "She raises her hands. "I don't want to know, really, I don't."

Tess: "Yes, I will need to go and check out the Schatten Alfen. Ignore the rest 
of the vision, don't let it disturb you. It was there for a reason." Tess is 
looking slightly manic/crazy at this stage - stressed, spooked => bad vision 
=> headache => more thoughts => 'ah screw it, I think I know the plan, 
weeha, let's go get jump into the fire.'

Phorannin: "I think...you need a rest. You aren't going _anywhere_ until you 
get one."

Tess: "Tess nods. Let me know when you want to take that honeymoon, the Hollow 
World is going to be a long trip for me."

Phorannin: "It's safe here, don't worry. They, whoever they are, might have it 
in for us, but they aren't doing it this week, or even this year."

Tess will smile, "Yes Phoranin," and snuggle her. He'll take off the Ring of 
Sustenance, ask for a regular meal, and curl up for some real sleep, and try 
and let the demons leave him for a little while. It won't work again for a 
week, but not sleeping normally should have some side effects like stress 
for example.

Phoranin is serious about the rest. Tess should realise she thinks that Tess 
is going bonkers from the stress, and probably saw something that wasn't 
_really_ a vision. Phoranin in fact wants Tess to stay with her for the next 
week. Not a honeymoon, just a rest. Tess agrees to rest for a couple of 
days, but that is all. She will accept that. She watches him like a hawk 
though, to make sure he gets to wander the forest a bit, unwind. Tess will 
fake unwinding. I don't think he'll actually unwind much at all. He is fairly 
good at bluffing, but Phoranin will probably wise up to it. Clearly 
Phoranin is worried about Tess, but will let him go. Clearly, she doesn't 
really believe Tess' vision was real.


Plan for what to do about this in 1028
======================================
Tess will spend a week in headquarters developing his Schatten Alfen cover,
referring back to Foo relatively often and thus getting to know Foo's 
schedule and will have a go at opening Foo's lock. This is in 1028/03 
approximately. And also spend some time observing the people Phoranin
mentioned, and maybe try to get access to the uncensored interrogation 
records through official channels. Foo will be happy to help Tess with his 
plans for a trip to the SC.