Ghost Story

[GamesMaster]

"Bull," counters Mari, more familiar with exotic beasts. "You never."

[Varric]

"You know what a squid is, right?" Varric asks, looking over at Marian. "Well, fox to kitsune, squid to illithid. Bipedal, granted, and most of the tentacles come from their face. Only a rudimentary skeleton, so very flexible, and they produce a, well, film of slime on their skin that makes them shiny and slick. Helps with the pole work evidently."

[Marian Hawke]

"...yeah I agree, that's bullshit, you're lying."

[Varric]

"Every word the truth," Varric swears, lifting a hand palm out in emphasis. "Nir Elder Brain was killed-- right, quick explanation. Illithids are aberrations, godless and alien. Naturally psionic, communal mind, with an Elder Brain-- which is a gesalt of the brains of their honored dead-- having oversight. They eat brains of sapient mortals, living ones, and keep mind thrall slaves. But nir Elder Brain was killed-- so ne subordinated nirself to a psionic Joyous ne met."

[Marian Hawke]

"No. I refuse. You're lying," says Marian, shaking her head. 

[Varric]

Varric spreads his hands and shrugs. "Can't prove it here, but when we get back to Nyra, you can look it up. The Temple of Uplifting Rhythm should have good records of Joyous Belladonna."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Not the most respectable of Ciren's temples but good folk in their own way," comments a voice from the doorway. Dressed in civilian clothes for once-- though her shield and blade are still present-- Aveline smiles warmly at her daughter. "Bright morning to you all."

[GamesMaster]

"Bright morning, Mother," says Marianne, a little stiffly. "Is Father any less... himself?"

[GamesMaster]

Aveline sighs a little, more in exasperation than anything else. "That man.. Yes, he's doing much better this morning, but I still encouraged him to take it easy. For his heart."

"Word," says Marianne wisely, with a nod.

Marian winces. "I feel so old. Is this what you feel like all the time?" she asks, getting a bit of apple flicked at her from Varric's knife.

"I was thinking I'd pay the local church a visit. Get the lay of the land, so to speak," Aveline replies.

"I'll guide the way," Varric is quick to reply.