Moon Goddess: Scene 2

Introduction to this thread: The Moon Goddess Is A Harsh Mistress
Previous Scene: Scene 1

SCENE 2: In which Katja encounters the person who gave her the embroidered dress. The matter of Katja's imprisonment is (perhaps) resolved.

CHARACTERS

The Silver Huntress (her deity)
Soldiers
Drachen (her old warhorse)
Mysterious Benefactor

THREADS
* Escape from the "Tower"
* Regain Contact with the Silver Huntress
* Discover the identity of the person who gave her the embroidered clothes

CHAOS FACTOR: 6

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The scene is altered (from who is expected to show up).

Q: Is the man (or woman) a no-show [50/50]? No.

Q: Do a number of people show up instead of the expected one [50/50]? No.

Q: Katja was expecting an older, male soldier or lord... perhaps the one who was holding her captive. Does a woman show up instead [50/50]? Yes.

There is the sound of a bolt being unlatched and suddenly the door of the cell opens up. This is the first time that Katja has ever seen the door open.

Q: Does the woman appear to be a servant, or is she at least carrying a hot meal

[50/50]? No.

Q: Is the woman wearing a uniform [50/50]? Yes.

Q: Does she resemble Cate Blanchet from the most recent Indiana Jones movie

[Likely]? Yes (this question just popped into my head).

A stern looking woman enters and says, "You are not wearing the dress we provided. Why do I not believe you are more comfortable wearing the clothes of the proletariat? You have the speech, manner, and bearing of a ...

Q: Fascist [Likely]? No

...degenerate Bavarian aristocrat."

ASIDE: Katja is from a pseudo-medieval/Renaissance world with cultures that parallel those of Earth. Her own homeland is called Hess, which resembles pre-industrial Germany.

The woman speaks in heavily accented Hessian, but some of the words are unfamiliar. Her clothes are similar to those worn by the soldiers in her dream, though they are better tailored. Katja tries to take in the entirety of her appearance (including the sword and strange pouch on her right hip), but the woman's icy stare keeps Katja's attention on her face. She's dangerous looking. Silently, she thanks her dream for the warning about the gift of clothing. Evil or no, this woman is clearly her enemy.

"You would be wise to speak. I can make you talk, you know. Actually, I might enjoy it. I just thought we could begin things in a more civilized manner."

Katja, not wanting to submit herself to torture for no reason, "What do you want to talk about? I haven't had a conversation in... some time."

"Yes, our records are unclear as to when you first arrived here. But the guards have clearly heard you crying out in German, English, Latin, even Gaelic. Who are you and how did you end up in our gulag?"

"I... the languages you mentioned... I don't recognize the names you gave them. That makes me think that I am further from home than I had first imagined. By my reckoning, it has been 27 moons since I first materialized in your 'gulag'. I don't know if I appeared in the clothes that I now wear, or if I was dressed by your guards. All I know is that I have lost everything. My friends, my possessions, my Drachen, and my...". She swallows the word "goddess". She doesn't want to believe that she has lost Her too, not after the dream.

The woman's eyes narrow. "I think you better start at the beginning."

"It's a long tale."

"I have time."

Katja sighs. "I suppose you do. But I'm not much of a tale-spinner. If only Bix were here."

Woman: "Bix?"

Katja: "Bix. One of my adventuring companions. My best friend, actually. He was our party bard."

Woman: "Bard? Adventuring companions? What kind of nonsense is this? I'll ask you one more time - who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

Katja: (shrinking from the the woman's tone) "My name is Katja. I hail from a rural estate in western Hess."

Woman: "Hessen?"

Katja: "Hess. Randstein to be specific. I arrived here by pulling The Tower out of a Deck of Many Things."

The woman seems completely mystified.

Katja: "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? A Deck of Many Things is powerful magical artifact. It looks like a deck of cards, similar to those used in divination rituals. It is enchanted to enact powerful magic on the person who makes a draw. The type of magic relates to the image on the card. I drew The Tower. Therefore, I was imprisoned here. I lost everything."

Woman: "Why on earth would you voluntarily risk such a dire... wait, this is absurd. Magic? You honestly expect me to believe that you teleported here by magic?"

Katja: "It does seem a little crazy..."

Woman: "Crazy! Yes. And superstitious nonsense. I see that I'm going to have to resort to harsher methods."

Katja: "Wait! Please. I really have nothing to hide."

Woman: "Well, Katja... can you you prove you came here by magic?"

Katja: (slumps, shaking her head) "No, not likely. But if you don't have records of me being arrested, couldn't you just let me go? Surely you wouldn't let someone rot in jail for no 'cause..."

With that, the woman laughs. "Obviously, you must be from another world. This is a Soveit gulag. People disappear here all the time. If you don't tell me something to prove your usefulness then I'll shut the door and you'll never see another soul again. You may starve for all I care, though a worse fate would be to be die of old age in this hole."

Q: Does the Russian agent play nice (either believing or pretending to believe Katja's story) [50/50]? Yes.

Katja: (trying to fight off the desperation that she feels) "Please! Obviously, magic must be rare or non-existent here. I get that. What if I could prove the existence of magic? I could cast a spell."

Woman: "You must be joking. But yes, cast a spell. I'm eager to see it."

Katja: "The problem is... well, I'm not a wizard. I rely on the divine power of the Silver Huntress. But to channel her power to perform 'magic', I must perform certain rituals under the light of the moon. I haven't seen the moon since I arrived." She thinks of her dream but says nothing of it.

Woman: "And you want me to let you out of your cell so that you can perform your superstitious ritual and demonstrate the existance of magic. You ask a lot."

Q: Does she take Katja up on her offer [50/50]? YES. Enthusiastically, actually.

Katja looks defeated.

Woman: (softening her tone) "What would you say if I were inclined to believe you? What if I do take you outside and you show me your magic? What kind of magic can you perform?"

Katja is spooked by the predatory desire in this woman's voice. Clearly, she's not all that she seems. She believes in magic and probably wants to use Katja as some sort of tool. Every instinct inside her screams "No!". But she so very much wants to see the moon, to walk under the sky without these accursed walls.

Katja: "I worship the Goddess of the Moon. By her grace, I can summon forth light and have some control over the emotions of others. She is a benevolent goddess that also grants me the power to heal wounds in emergencies. " Katja decides to leave it that. Better not to put all her cards on the table.

Woman: "I get the feeling that you are not telling me everything. If your goddess is so great and powerful, how can I be sure that you will not use her power to run into the wilderness?"

Katja tries to be as meek as possible, but she cannot formulate a response. She doesn't know what to say.

Woman: "Interesting. Your silence makes it obvious that you hope to do just as I described. More than anything you have told me, that makes me think that there might be something to your story. Very well. I am curious. I want to see this magic. I'd make you swear not to escape, but that would be pointless. Just know this: if you remain on your best behavior then I think we can have a profitable relationship. I'll move you to a secure dacha in Siberia and you will beprovided with the comforts that you require. But if you try to escape and we catch you, you will beg to return to this windowless hole."

Woman: "I'll return tomorrow. And please, wear the clothes. They belonged to my mother."

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CHARACTERS - The Mysterious Benefactor is replaced by this Woman in Uniform. I'll add the woman's mother, but I won't add Bix (a friend's former PC).

UPDATED THREADS
* Escape from the "Tower"
* Regain Contact with the Silver Huntress
* Demonstrate magic to the woman in the uniform

Updated Chaos Factor 6 (holding steady)