[This log is not going to take a chronological order, but rather detail each plot thread at once, until the final scene. BTW, now that I'm in the privileged position of not playing, and can consequently be told secret stuff, I can tell you that Morgue is spot on in saying that there is a lot more going on in this game than anyone realises.
As this was my final session, and hence my final log, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone involved in the game for making it such a great experience. Not only was it wonderful to be involved in the game itself, but it was a real pleasure to get to know you all (strange to think I'd only really met in person two of you before I joined!). Finally particular thanks to Morgan for inviting me into the game and allowing me to do what I wanted to do and for creating such a memorable game. Jamie]
With Richard back from Ireland, Robert was able to talk to his partner in crime about his latest project. This seemed to be spurred from a fairy story that Robert showed Richard, telling of a smith who was cursed to never find contentment until he had finished the task of building a silver dragon from its two remaining bones. Robert seemed to think that he was the figure in the story.
However, what this led to seemed at first to be unrelated, as Robert requested Richard's help in summoning and binding a Black Dog (a ghostly hound) as a gift and protection for Terry. Richard agreed, and rang Stig to see if he was willing to help. There followed a somewhat bizarre conversation in which Richard kept saying that it was a good idea to give a huge ghostly dog to an eight-year-old kid and Stig kept raising objections to the situation. The call ended with Richard getting fed up and essentially telling Stig to fuck off, after which Stig rang back and laughed at Richard.
So, it was only Richard and Robert who travelled out to ... and, after a run in with the locals and with the aid of some black pudding, managed to strike a deal with the Black Dog, whereby it had to serve Terry for seven years, seven months and seven days, at which point it would be free from its bondage to .... The downside of the bargain, for Robert, was that if he failed to solve the problem which kept the dog here (and it had been seeking a solution itself for 300 years), he would take the dog's place.
Richard and Robert then went to visit Terry and told him of his forthcoming present, which Terry named .... Robert then had a private word with Terry before leaving.
Meanwhile Nirumpam....
As Lady Catherine finished speaking with Jacoby, the Shape informed her that Terry had entered the house and taken the dragon bone from the Hearthroom, leaving in its place a different bone. Lady Catherine and her squire immediately went to investigate, but it was too late. They went to Terry's place, but he was not there, and dejected they returned to Waldren House. There it was discovered that the replacement bone was (unsurprisingly) a fake, and Lady Catherine chided the Shape for not telling her earlier.
Shortly after this was the time appointed for the Seer's meeting with the changelings of Waldren House. This took place in the Hearthroom, where a cloth covered table stood against one wall, and there was nearby a cushion on which sat a wicked knife, giving off great waves of violent, horror and death-filled vibes.
When everyone save Robert had gathered, Slim began to talk. He told of how he was leaving Waldren House in order to undo the Sundering, and restore the Sluagh to their true forms. He also spoke of how he would not allow those who had caused the Sundering to cause a second one, and that they had no place in the new universe that would result. This was all greeted with silence by those assembled, and Slim then noted that he had gifts to give some of them.
Firstly he gave to Jellybean (who was present throughout in cat form) the black cat Polnoch, whom he hoped would provide companionship and care for the young Pooka.
Next he spoke of the two natures of the Sluagh, vengeance and guardianship, though most only knew of the former. His next two gifts were based on these different natures. The first was a gift of vengeance, for Jacoby; on uncovering the table, Madame Rain was revealed, lying there alive but motionless. Slim then offered the knife to Jacoby to strike her through the throat and take the vengeance that he so wanted.
At this point, matters got rather frantic. Jacoby stood up and seemed both outraged and torn. He eventually gasped out for Lady Catherine to do something, to make Slim stop. Slim calmly called on the Shape to ensure that nothing disturbed the proceedings, and at that moment Robert burst in, the Black Dog at his heels. The dog looked at Slim and growled that he was the one who had the bone, as the smell was all over him. With a single bound it lept on Slim from across the room, but, before it reached the small figure, it was grasped by invisible hands and moved swiftly back to the far side of the room, restrained.
Robert challenged Slim about the bone, saying that it was rightfully his as it was a part of a Dreaming story that he was seeking to fulfill. Slim responded first by saying that he recognised the claims of duty that held the Nocker, and then by stating that the bones refered to in the story must be shadows of the original, which is what Slim required. The fake which Robert had stolen was in fact such a shadow, though he would now have to bargain with Lady Catherine for it. Robert seemed dubious about Slim's words, but let it rest.
Lady Catherine finally found some words, telling Shape to stop Slim. Shape informed her that it could not do so, as it was bound to do Slim's bidding, for all her status as holder of Waldren House.
The focus then returned to Madame Rain and Jacoby. Slim continued to offer the knife to Jacoby, to the shock and outrage of the others. Seeing that they did not understand, Slim explained that this was indeed a true gift to the Sidhe. For Slim knew from the Dreaming that Jacoby burned with the desire for vengeance on Madame Rain, and that he was merely acting as a voluntary instrument in answering that call. The offer was not a choice between killing or sparing Madame Rain; that she would die was already decided by Jacoby's passion. Rather, the choice was whether Jacoby would do the deed with his own hand or not. Slim called on Jacoby to show his nature and not hide it in fear or disgust, for whatever he chose, he wanted this fate for Madame Rain.
While waiting for Jacoby's response, Slim gave a little history of the knife that was to be used for this grim deed. It was, he said, one of those weapons that had been used to fulfill the bidding of the Sidhe in the earliest days, by which act the Sluagh had brought on the Sundering, and were denied the chance to undo their wrongs and were instead forced to suffer doubly.
Jacoby remined speechless, and Slim, calling him a coward, picked up the knife and moved over to where Madame Rain was lying. At this there was another flurry of activity, but none could approach the body or Slim. Nirumpam pleaded for him to be reasonable, to sort the situation out without resort to killing. But Slim was unmoved, and plunged the knife deep into Madame Rain's throat.
With Madame Rain dead and everyone save Slim in something of a state of shock, Slim casually resumed his presentation of gifts. His second gift, he said, was for Lady Catherine, and this was a gift of guardianship, the greatest preserve of the Sluagh of ages past. He announced that he had betrayed the Lady Catherine, but that at the moment she realised this, and when matters seemed darkest, his gift would make itself known, and give her hope.
With a few closing words, and after inviting any who wished to to take this last opportunity to speak with him, Slim lifted the back of his robes over his head and let it fall - and as it fell upon him he disappeared, leaving behind only the body of Madame Rain, lifeless and bloodless on the table.