2026.02.18: Measure of Many
| Measure of Many (Pt 1/5) | |
|---|---|
| Storm put out the call for | |
| IC Date | February 17th, 2026 |
| Players | Archimedes, Book, Ed, Lavender, Paul, Phil, Robert, Storm (ST) |
| Location | The Nexus |
| Prp/Tp | Measure of Many |
| Spheres | Mage, Sorcerer, Psychic, Traditions |
The Nexus
The courtyard remains a shaded, inviting space, although time has softened its edges. A large circular pergola made of metal beams arches overhead. The composite resin canopy at its center is intact but somewhat weathered, casting a muted glow over the low table and patio set below. The furniture is mismatched but usable. It was wiped down recently, though a thin layer of dust is beginning to gather again in the corners. The surrounding domes still stand in their unique arrangement.
Each is topped with intricate one inch square tiles laid diagonally in careful geometric patterns. The black tiles are dominant -- their small orange diamonds, bordered in dark red, remain vivid, though slightly dulled by sunlight and time. The knot-work band circling each dome's base is intact, though here and there a tile has been replaced with one that doesn’t quite match, showing patchwork care instead of full restoration.
Arched entryways provide shade at the doors. The embedded bars extending from the arch sides still hold their wind chimes -- tubular metal, bamboo, polished gemstones, and a whimsical fork with its school of spoon-shaped fish. They sway gently in the wind, some chiming clearly while others produce a softer, irregular note where a line has been restrung or a piece replaced.
Narrow archways and tunnel-like passages connect the domes. Their surfaces are swept but not polished. There is a sense not of abandonment but of infrequent visitors -- footpaths are visible in the dust where someone has walked recently. The ground within the circle of buildings is laid with large hexagonal concrete stones covered in Amazon Green Kool Deck. The surface is still functional and cool underfoot in the sunlight, although faint hairline cracks spider across a few sections, sealed but visible. Weeds have been cleared from between the stones, but the work seems recent rather than ongoing.
Umbra for those who can see it:
The Weaver’s webs are drawn tight across the domes and archways, reinforced but not newly spun. Their geometry is clean, deliberate, quietly humming with maintained tension. The patterning suggests periodic tending rather than neglect.
Yet there is something else—barely perceptible. Where multiple Awakened stand together, the webbing seems to draw minutely closer, threads aligning with subtle precision. The resonance does not increase. It clarifies.
Beyond the perimeter, the harsher spiritual landscape persists. Spirits of Pain drift at the margins, indistinct among Banes of Slaughter, Suffering, and Rage competing in the distance.
Gauntlet: 6
It's been a while since anyone has used the Nexus as a place of power, of interest. The place is mostly out of use now with some of the older mages still checking in to make sure that things are holding up. The halls and corridors are quiet, gathering dust. Few who come to this place know it well, even fewer have any reason to linger. Yet it's still here, and someone has to make sure that it's holding together.
After all the 'fun' with the tree, Storm decided to bring a group to check it out, make sure that things were okay, check the wards, maybe brush off a layer of dust and make sure nothing has taken root where it shouldn't. Just a simple visit to ensure that the Nexus hasn't slipped into total neglect.
Storm and Lavender are heading up this adventure. Signs were posted in Hideout places. There isn't a ton of interest in the place. Most people don't even know about it or have only heard the name in passing. But Storm has set up a little tailgate party in the back of a pickup truck: Get a sandwich,then grab a rake or a blower or whatever. We're starting outside today.
Robert definitely drives his old, but reliable, vehicle. Will even pick anyone up that needs it from the other Sorcerer/Trad spots that needs a lift. He'll even sacrifice storage to put the seats back in the back.
Archimedes was quick to accept the offer to come check out the Nexus and aid in its upkeep, and when one finds him, it is in the courtyards standing under one of the shady trees. His hands are in his pockets, his sleeves folded up to his elbows to leave his arms free to feel the breeze. His head remains on a swivel however, and his eyes curiously glance here and there as he both waits for others to arrive and keeps a wary eye in case the Nexus decides to bite. When they arrive, Archimedes walks out to the pickup truck. He looks about, smiles slightly, and promptly undoes his tie. He places it in his pocket, and then unbuttons his shirt. Once removed this is placed in the back of the pickup truck with a grin, "Please don't let me forget that." Picking up the rake, he gets to work.
Thomas had seen the notice pinned crookedly to the corkboard in the basement of the coffee house - half buried under band flyers and tutoring ads. "Nexus check. Volunteers welcome." No address written plainly, just a set of directions in shorthand that only someone already in the margins would understand. He had copied them into his fieldbook without comment. Curiosity was not a vice in his line of work. It was a requirement.
Paul arrives with Robert, and gets out of the Jeep and stretches. He tosses a lightweight sweater over his shoulders and ties the sleeves over his chest as he looks around, trying to spot familiar things.
Three is a magic number. Six, doubly so. That's how many years it's been since Phil was last here, give or take a couple months. It's a good sign that no one's been ruffled enough to call a council meeting since then, right? Today doesn't count, it's just whichever randos happen to be free.
Lavender is ready near the back of the truck. She's made sure there are drinks and snacks to go along with the sandwiches - which range from veggie, egg salad, ham/cheese, turkey/cheese, and just cheese. Near here is a basket with gloves and small tools as well. Anything. Everything to help. "Hello! Welcome!"
Robert helps himself to some of the food as he looks around. "What is the fascination with such bleak spirit scapes?"
Book walks over towards the woman at the back of the truck, adjusting the strap of his satchel as he locks his car with a double-chirp from his key fob. "Hello," he smiles and explains that he was responding to the post at Roasters. "It certainly sounds interesting - not that I can say that I've ever seen such a thing personally." He continues to talk around his interest in the Nexus, what he's read about the concepts and then finally realizes something. "Oh, my apologies," he straightens up, "Thomas Book... pleased to meet you. I have the new bookstore by campus."
Ed enters, and there's something off about them. They're actually wearing PANTS. Straight-leg old-school trousers, a flouncy shirt under a black waistcoat, simplistic boots, and a cravat. Their hat today is a simple affair as well - a no-nonsense pork pie in black with a black ribbon around. They wear heavier gloves than one might expect, as well - all in all, a prepared-for-the-worse look. At this point, they are pleasantly surprised. They enter wordlessly, checking the density of the dust on a chair's nooks and crannies.
Phil looks at Robert and shakes his head. "Happens out in the sticks. Not enough average people having average days, so the crappy ones take longer to dissipate."
Paul grabs his backpack off the Jeep's seat and slings it over one arm. He sniffs the air, notices Robert is already helping himself and moves in that direction. He smiles at Lavender, bobbing his head. "Hey, Ma'am, sure hope you brought some of those good cookies of yours." He helps himself to some cheese sandwiches and veggies.
As people start to gather at the back of the truck with the food, the wind picks up, but only right there in that general area. There is a rustle to leaves and debris that seems to almost be rhythmic. There's nothing TRULY off, but there's something about this area that just feels .. off. (everyone)
Storm greets people as they arrive. He's got a sandwich himself, and a beer. We're all adults here. We can have a beer while we work. The wind knocks over a cup briefly and Storm snags it before it actually spills. and he tucks it out of the way. "How is everyone? I want to thank everyone for coming." He looks around the area briefly and he shivers. "I don't know what I think about this place, but it sure is a little weird."
Archimedes takes a few steps away from the trunk, then stops. His smile fades just a little as he pauses to take a look around. He doesn't seem to be looking for, or even at, one thing in particular. Only around. He then turns back to nod to Storm, "Yes, something doesn't seem quite right about this place. It's shifty, but I can't put my thumb on exactly how."
Robert steps away from the truck before he looks down for a moment, shifting his vision through the various layers of reality, paying particular attention to his own shadow and the shadow cast by the truck.
"Weird is an understatement." Ed paces, looking around, fiddling with something in their pocket.
Lavender smiles right back to Paul, "I sure did. Enjoy!" But the wind picking up has her attention on the food until she stops and just feels. "I don't know what it is, but something in those shadows. It shifted. I do not see it, just feel it."
Phil makes a face around the same time, and not because there's anything wrong with the nosh. "Good instinct pullin' this together. Hi, who have I not met before?" At least a couple, he thinks.
"Oh good, I was wondering if I was the only one picking up on that. My senses are a bit 'iffy' when it comes to some things." Thomas explains and looks around to the group of people. Phil's question draws his attention and he looks to the man and offers a polite nod, "Hi, I'm Thomas R.." he pauses and thinks twice about trying to pronounce his family name, "Just call me Book. It's easier."
Paul bobs his head at Storm, "Hey, doing good." He rolls his shoulders, "It always did, if I remember correctly." He reaches for the cookies but pauses then as he hears Lavender, his shoulders tensing a little. He looks around and spots Robert, "Bobby...?" He doesn't immediately answer Phil.
Archimedes looks curiously towards Lavender, "The shadow." He then turns, taking a few steps away to take a long look around. He then shakes his head, "It doesn't appear to be an illusion." He falls silent for a moment, his attention drifting away before he then shakes his head. He looks back to Lavender with his head tilting, "I don't sense anything with a mind, per se, either. Perhaps we're on the edge of one of the Nexus' wards?"
"Hey, Thomas," Phil replies, absently, before waving a dismissive hand in Paul's direction. "Not /you/ two, obviously. How are the birds these days?'
Furrowing their brows, Ed pulls out a small device and fiddles with it, trying to get it to count backgrounds, rather than ignore them.
"Maybe. I didn't think they extended out this far but maybe I'm wrong." Storm is still munching on his sandwich and trying to finish off his beer, but he sets things aside, brow knitting just a touch. He squints off in the distance and shakes his head. "Anyone else got Umbra eyes?"
Robert says, “Possibly. It's um.. It exudes a sense of.. rightness. Calm. But I'm not sure it it's genuine, or by design."”
The tenseness slips from Paul's shoulders and he bites into a cookie, although his eyes continue to scan around them. He moves over to hover near Robert and does what he does best - eat quietly, listen and observe.
"The spirits aren't exactly my area of expertise," Book explains and digs into his satchel for a notebook and pencil to jot down some notes and thoughts, "You say you saw a shadow - now is that the capital-S kind or the lower case ones. Cause I've read about the former and those can get dangerous." As a consummate academic, complete with the khaki slacks, white button-down shirt and tie with his tweed jacket - the man looks like he just walked out of a lecture hall at Oxford or Harvard.
Storm squints off into the distance and he picks up his beer bottle. He finishes the last little bit and sets it down again. "Mm. You see this kind of thing when you go into like.. a high tech studio or theoretically a science lab. The webs and things. But looking at this place, it kind of seems to fit, yeah? Maybe?" He looks over at Phil. "You've been here before right?"
Phil, by contrast, looks like he just got out of a sit-down at a whiskey bar, or the cage out back behind some nightclub or other. Fishing through his pockets, he pulls out a flask (empty, judging by the lack of sharp scent) and turns it this way and that, wandering around some to different areas.
"It's been a few years, but yeah. Lemme see if I can find the other end of the oval here."
Robert blinks for a moment and looks up from his study to answer book, "I'm not entirely sure either applies. Oh, and Robert Daw, Lifeweaver and jack of many trades, master of a few. I tend to get a little engrossed when seeing something interesting.And gives Phil a wide smile. "Birds are doing excellently, if currently contained for study, They create excellent fertilizer though."
Paul looks at Book as Robert introduces himself, "I don't know as much about Spirits as Bobby." Which would only tell him something if the other man knew how educated Robert was, or wasn't, on Spirits. He bobs his head then to Book and says, "I'm Paul Barakat, Animal Whisperer, Alchemist and Craftsman."
Lavender looks to Storm, pondering how to help. She does offer a smile to Book, "Nice to meet you, Book." She grabs the basket of gloves ready to hand any out. But she waits to see if Phil is doing something more.
Phil remains distracted with whatever invisible stuff he may be seeing in those reflections. After a few seconds, he looks up again, gesturing to the others. "Okay, there is no other end, not anywhere nearby at least. Everybody move over there for a minute? Wanna see if it follows."
Storm slides his hand into Lavender's and starts to draw her away from the truck. "You want us like all together or do you want us to spread out?"
As they continue to fiddle with the device, Ed walks around, shifting it like someone trying to get better cell phone signal in a dead zone. "Bear with me, the levels here are... erratic. I blame the presence of so many magi, at least primarily, but there could be subliminal backgrounds to read...."?
Book takes a few notes of the setting - like an archaeological field map with some concepts for direction and size of the oval in question. "And one Hedge Mage..." he interjects, "Not sure what you call them around here. I'm from back east."
Archimedes peers towards Phil, his eyebrows raising for a moment. He considers something, then brings a hand up and out, forming the mudra of Awareness. Almost before his hands find its place, Archimedes' third eye opens and he sees the world differently as reality is torn away. His mouth drops open just slightly, "What ARE those?" He looks back to Phil and then does as he says, "I think see what he's getting at. Everyone with me, please." Archimedes takes a few steps away, leaning on the rake like a walking stick as he ambles away.
Phil looks like he was about to answer Storm, but then Archimedes picks up on something a hair quicker. "That works. What's with the rake, by the way, you step on it one time and decide to keep it?"
Robert moves to the indicated spot
Paul moves along with the others, munching on the cookies as he goes.
"Yes, grandpappy.. as long as we aren't going uphill both ways, I'm with you." Storm smirks, but it's brief. He did all the shitty experiments last time. Someone else gets to do them now. He brings Lavender along, glancing back over his shoulder to Phil as he's left behind.
Ed frowns at their device. "What does that mean?!"
Archimedes smirks towards Phil, seeing him in both this reality and the next. He takes a moment to hold the rake up grandly, "Behold, my Wizard's rake." He sets it down and smirks, "I used to have a majestic orb atop a knotty staff, but every time I did anything cool with it, the universe came around to kick my butt." Every inch of Archimedes' grinning face makes it quite clear that he's joking, but his head remains on a swivel, "It's also good for sorting leaves into a pile in a pinch."
Lavender keeps with Storm as they stay with the group. Maybe she should turn on other sight, but she stays with this sight for now. Sensing as they go. "Anything we should be looking for?" She'll just keep checking things as they look around in case something feels off again.
Phil nods to Archimedes. "Or gravel." Then he turns and heads over closer to Ed. "I don't know, what's it doing? Whatever it is, it seems mostly tied to the Janitor, and mostly not tied to you."
"It's like it's picking up echoes, but not an original sound, if that makes any sense?" Ed pauses for a second. "Hold on." They return to the group, step by step, staring at the blinking lights on their handheld machine.
Book follows Lavender and Storm as the group moves around and tries to keep an idea of what's happening both in his head and upon the pages of his notebook.
Archimedes looks around, then to the others, and then back to Phil, "Do you see it though? There's a sensation around here... and I'm seeing in the Umbra as a webbing that localized around the group of us." He seems serious now, looking around himself and narrowing his eyes, "Phil, there's a webbing all around us in the Umbra. It contracted around us and aligned with us in the direction we were going." He then gestures towards Phil, beckoning him closer, "Please come closer." He then looks towards Ed, "You too, Professor."
Lavender realizes her sight has turned on, and she is watching it. "Something more is happening." She listens to Archimedes and nods, "Is it coming toward us?"
Ed approaches, watching the detector. "That would explain the echoes, especially if it is indeed whatever consumed the local quintessence... Was there a node here?"
Lavender's question gets Book's attention and he quickly puts things back into his satchel as if preparing to move, duck or evade whatever 'it' could be. "How big-bad are we talking here?"
Archimedes tilts his head for a moment, then shakes his head to Lavender, "Not exactly." He then explains, "Imagine you're walking on a net, and you step on one of the ropes. Your weight brings all the other ropes around you closer to you. The more Awakened individuals you have in one place, the more weight we put on the web, and the closer to us all the other strands get." He frowns, "Does that make sense?" He then peers towards Ed, his eyebrows popping up, "Most assuredly, though Phil would know for certain." He looks towards Phil again, but only for a moment as his eyes turn back towards the world around them, Umbral or otherwise.
Phil heads back over toward Archimedes, but takes his time about it. "I don't like it. Feel like someone's trying to sell us a Spanish violin."
"It's around us." Storm frowns just a touch and takes a couple steps back, holding onto Lavender's hand. "I don't think it's a thing. Like not really. This is a safe place. Right? There's for sure something going on." He starts to say more, but Archimedes kind of hits the nail on the head. "I think .. yeah.. That makes sense."
Robert says, “Safe spaces generally need dangerous things to keep other dangerous things out. If those aren't maintained, then can.. malfunction.”
"Have I mentioned I have a," he swallows, "...fear of spiders?" Book mutters loud enough for those near enough to hear him. "I'm not a fan of big webs that close in around people so much either." Turning to Lavender and Storm near him he asks, "Are things always this...dangerous around here?"
Paul seems perhaps a bit more tense at the sight of the webs and he whispers in Robert's ear, "Controlable dangerous things? You feel any... malfunction? I felt kinda safe, but not sure about these webs."
Ed nods. "That makes a degree of sense. The safe spaces argument, that is."
Lavender does not understand. "Spanish Violin?" That is odd. Book speaking to her, she listens and shrugs, "I have seen some odd things, but I understood this place was safe and setup by members of the traditions. It should be safe."
A degree of sense. Indeed. At that moment, the subtle hum shifts just the tiniest bit. Where everyone is gathered, the shadows seem to straighten, the wind picks up a barely noticeable rhythm, and the wind chimes catch a tinkled harmonic note that melds with the tenor of two people stepping at exactly the right time -- probably when Storm and Lavender take a step back. It doesn't make sense for any of that to be connected, but even the air coming into your lungs when you breathe seems.. orderly.
While some of the others continue to flex their sixth and/or seventh senses, Phil takes a step back to answer Lavender's question. "It's a scam. Say you're running a pawn shop, and some guy drops off a violin. Then another guy comes along and says 'Hey, that's an antique, it's worth a thousand dollars', and you end up buying it off the first guy for two hundred. Only it ain't no antique, and it's only worth twenty."
Robert blinks down at the net as he listens to Phil explain
Reading and studying so much pay off at times and Paul frowns slightly as he concentrates. He speaks rarely but he does so now, "I know there are some texts and lore that speak of 'Courtyards that breathe with the crowd'..." he is still concentrating on things as his voice trails off.
Archimedes looks towards Phil and nods his head, "I tend to agree with you, but..." He looks away, "In my more scholarly days..." He looks towards Paul and his eyes widen, "Yes! That's it! Much like we see here. The web is expanding and contracting with us." He looks away, his mind going elsewhere as he adds, "It was obscure. Courtyards that breathe with the crowd... That same text also referenced the sound of leaves swaying in unison, and chambers that prefer certain thoughts." He then looks back to Phil and asks, "Was any of this here before?"
Paul snaps his fingers as Archimedes adds to his thought, "Yes, yes, that's it!" He bobs his head, giving the other man a smile.
"I don't fucking like THAT at all," Storm says, pulling Lavender closer. He shifts his gaze around the area. "That sounds like.... well, I don't know what it sounds like, but it sounds ... Borg-ish." THen he frowns even more. "Everyone just turn your stuff off. Like if you're doing something, stop doing it. Let's see what that does."
Phil shakes his head. "Nah, I would've recognized it right away if there was anything this obvious. Maybe somebody set it up more recently. And-- yeah, I was about to say, that's about the last fuckin' thing we need for a place where the whole point is to get together and argue about shit." He stashes the flask back in his pockets and waits for a bit.
Without missing a beat, Ed resets their device; it disappears into a pocket.
Lavender concentrates a bit, closing her eyes. She reopens her eyes and then blinks. Blink again. Then she looks at Storm, and then around the place. Lifting a hand to her face, she rubs her eyes and then looks again. "Um... I can't. It won't stop. What do I do?!?!" She looks visibly shaken and worried. "I can't stop seeing it. Something is wrong!" She's breathing faster as she starts to panic!
Archimedes nods his head to Paul, "Smart thinking." He then switches his rake to his other hand, and offers his right hand to Paul, "Missed your name. Professor Archimedes Andrews of the Akashic Brotherhood." That might raise an eyebrow if one knows him from reputation. He nods his head to Phil and agrees, "This must have moved in when we weren't looking." He then turns, looking towards Lavender with his eyebrows knitting together. Looking towards Storm, he nods his head, his eyes getting distant and his third eye closing up tight.
Storm turns his off too. He can do that! But when Lavender panics, he frowns. A lot. "Okay. Okay. Alright. You're fine. It's okay. Things are going weird here. Just close your eyes for now. Okay? I remember how fucking awful that can be. It's okay."
Without seeing the Umbra, everything looks perfectly normal.... perfectly normal. The shadows go about being sloppy and not at all aligned. The wind is doing exactly what it's supposed to -- which is nothing at all, really. Lavender might know a little bit better until she actually closes her eyes.
Robert switches his eyes back to normal and just chills for a bit
Paul hears Phil and closes his eyes for a moment, mutters something under his breath, then reopens them as he hears Archimedes. He reaches out and takes the other man's hand, "I'm Paul Barakat, Animal Whisperer, Alchemist and Craftsman. Bobby and I are with the Verbena." He motions with his head to Robert. Hearing Lavender he frowns, turning towards her in concern, "Ma-am, can we help you any way?"
Ed says, “I am also a Professor. My name is Ed." They look around, trying to get why they are getting uncomfortable. "It's a pleasure.”
Phil still isn't /actively/ doing anything. Magical, at least. What he /is/ doing is gesturing to shoo Paul away. "No, fuck, I think I know this song. If I'm right, it happened to me too once. And you will survive. And it /will/ suck. You--" He gestures to Storm. "Haul her down to the family restaurant and order the entire goddamn pie shelf."
Lavender closes her eyes as instructed, but she is trying not to hyperventilate. "How... how can... how can it stop?" She is just trying to keep from totally freaking out. Feeling the wind moving does help, but she just covers her eyes with her hand, and doesn't know what more to do. "Will I need to just not look for awhile? Maybe it is this place?" She does not know, but something is weird happening here and it is freaking her out. (she's not a big gun) "It did look like the web here is covering over everyone. Very thinly. And only around the nexus." She's trying to focus on something else now to calm down if she can.
Storm nods. "We all need to get out of here. C'mon guys. I need to take care of Lavender and we all need to pause and regroup. Make sure that there is a boundary to this. We can come back later with a plan." He scoops Lavender up and just starts heading back toward the truck to deposit his lady. Lead by example or something
Robert looks toward the nexus "Pattern Spiders? Or maybe something spider-ish moving into the empty place on that side of the spirit wall.
Paul backs off and hovers over by Robert again, although he still eyes Lavender. He anxiously nibbles up the last of the food he had.
Storm answers Lavender, "It's okay. Mine gets stuck sometimes too. That's how I got mine full time. Probably how it happens for a lot of ---" Archimeds says so too. "Yeah, we'll get you through this. Let's just all put some distance from this place."
Archimedes looks towards Phil and nods his head, "I tend to agree with you, but..." He looks away, "In my more scholarly days..." He looks towards Paul and his eyes widen, "Yes! That's it! Much like we see here. The web is expanding and contracting with us." He looks away, his mind going elsewhere as he adds, "We can sweep up later. Please go back to the truck, and I'll be right behind all of you." Indeed, it seems he means to be RIGHT behind the last person to head back towards the truck, taking up the rear as his mystic senses are waiting for that tingle that tells him something might be going on.
Lavender is just going to hold onto Storm and keep her eyes shut for right now. "Please get me home for now. Maybe distance will help."
Paul rolls his shoulders and looks at Robert, "Looks like most are taking off. Want to head out too? I think we might oughta load up better when we come back out here. Maybe have a meeting at the Roasters 'n talk it over."
Robert nods to Paul. "Yeah, might want to read up on spirit webbing while we're out."
