Episode 2.02: Rivulets of Copper, Eyes Aflame

[Patrick Goodman]

Treyva Insight + Science (9+5) Task, TN 14, D0
Observation Focus might apply

Rolled 2d20 : 17, 13, total 30

Asha Insight + Science (10+4) Assist, TN 14
There's an outside chance that Statistics might come into play, but I'm not holding my breath

Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6

Let's see how this goes.

[Doug Burke]

"My interest, though, wants to return to the impromptu debate. The external areas of the conference center are all covered by sensors; at least one of them should have captured it.

"I understand the logic of not pursuing what in isolation appears to be a non-incident, but, in light of the conference's connections to the deceased, it can no longer," she notes. "We also should see if Treyva is willing to delve deeper into the transcripts of the each keynote address, if he has not already begun to do so."

Sorak raises an eyebrow and nods, "Agreed on both points.  If you would access the sensor logs,  I shall make a suggestion to the capitan."

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: I'll allow Observation, but, yeah, Statistics is too far from this type of analysis.

1 Success each for Treyva and Asha, for a total of 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 0. Success, plus 2 Momentum generated. Both Momentum must be spent now or lost.

As they look deeper into the transcripts, Treyva and Asha begin to understand some of the lingo (if Vulcans could ever be accused of using lingo, that is). First, the term "emotionalism" or "emotional indulgence" is what adherents of tuSurak will sometimes call the practices of tuJarok and tuNirak. In general, it is the voluntary experience of emotions. (Given that involuntarily experiencing particularly strong emotions can actually kill a Vulcan, adherents of tuSurak consider this a dangerous thing.)

Second, "passions" are strong emotions, specifically negative emotions. Passions include primal drives, such as lust and fear, but also higher passions, like anger and love.

They look at Investigator Talvar's address on applying his investigative skills for self-examination and discipline first, since he was the most recently deceased victim. As part of his closing remarks, he stated, "The peace of emotional control allows the mind to achieve greater focus. Data unburdened by emotional indulgence can be organized into useful information. Information then transforms to knowledge. Knowledge then begets understanding, and understanding is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom, therefore, is achieved with emotional control. I will argue that it cannot be achieved at all with emotionalism."

They're about to expand their search when Treyva's communicator beeps.

[Nolmir]

"Peace and long life to you. I am Sikor. What is the purpose of your visit?"

"Live long and prosper," Tobin replies with the other half of the salutation. "I am Lt. Com. Tobin Les; this is my colleague Lt. Durham Cole. As part of a joint Starfleet/Vulcan investigation, we would like to inspect an ancient Vulcan hunting blade, created by S'harien, that is in the care of your monastery. We believe a similar blade was used in a series of recent murders, which you may have heard of, and we are in the process of ruling out possibilities."

[Patrick Goodman]

Eyes still fixed on the viewer, Treyva pulled out his communicator and flipped it open. "Treyva here."

"Sorak here, Captain. T'Kiri and I were just discussing the logic of pursuing deeper connections within the keynote addresses. We both thought it prudent to see if you could delve deeper into those speeches, if you have not done so already."

"Asha and I are already doing that, actually. We only just started, so I don't have anything positive yet, but the early readings are interesting. I'll contact you when we've had more of a chance to look things over."

"Excellent, sir. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Sorak out."

Treyva looked to his wife. "Let's see what else we can find, then."

OOC: Going to use both of those Momentum for Obtain Information. I'm not quite certain what to ask, though. I know that we're both looking for more connective tissue between the keynote speeches. I know that's vague, but with my brain in its current state, it's the best I can do.

[Davy, aka GM]

Treyva & Asha
OOC: Spending 2 Momentum for more connective tissue, aye. (At the bottom of the post, I'll include all relevant snippets from the various keynotes.)

In his "Blurred Line" speech, Karatek called "sampling" emotions "dangerous," even if only pleasant emotions are being indulged in. "To eat is to eat. If you bite part of a green leaf, you are eating the leaf. You cannot separate a microscopic vein from the rest of the fiber. Similarly, sampling a pleasing emotion leaves you vulnerable to experiencing passion. It is a dangerous path to walk."

Verrin's talk included the following: "The desert in its natural state is chaotic; its sands blown about by the winds. It is the "id," the primal drives that flit one way or another. The sands are passion, uncontrolled. Only through the discipline offered by Surak do we bring civilization to the desert; only through the discipline offered by Surak do we tame the sands."

N'Varas revealed in his talk that he grew up as an adherent to tuNirak, which he rejected during his study at the Vulcan Science Academy for tuSurak. He said he considers Kolinahr the "ultimate achievement" of the Vulcan mind and encouraged all Vulcans to attempt it.

The other keynotes follow similar lines of reasoning, making comparisons favoring tuSurak over tuJarok and tuNirak, some even calling emotional indulgence and the philosophies that practice it downright "dangerous." Taken together, the keynotes seem to imply the need to curtail "emotional indulgence" in all its forms.

Asha shakes her head in disbelief. "I - I can't say I'd ever expect hear such sectarian rhetoric from a Vulcan, let alone a whole conference full of them. Is this meant to foment debate between philosophical sects, or is this the beginning of something more?"

Sorak & T'Kiri
It takes a bit longer than the duration of the call for T'Kiri to locate and access the surveillance video for the reported date and time of the impromptu debate. The pair watch as two Vulcans come into view of the closest sensor; both are male, and both are wearing traditional academic robes. The scholar to the right of the other has unfamiliar colors and chevrons, but his companion is wearing the robes of the Vulcan Science Academy. Both Sorak and T'Kiri recognize the robes of a professor of critical thinking and mental discipline - such classes form part of the core of a student's first year at VSA.

They are distant enough from the sensor that their identities are not yet knowable, and they stop about mid frame - the professor to the left on the screen, and the other scholar to the right. Their stances are calm, and there seems to be no detectable agitation in the postures of either man. Within a few minutes, other Vulcans from the conference stop to listen to the ongoing conversation; a few minutes later still, more than two dozen form the audience.

The sensors at this point focus on the scene, telescoping in and enhancing the captured image. At this point, the faces of the debaters are known. The professor is Sanak, and is familiar to Sorak and his mate; they both studied under him for a term during their first years at the VSA. Significantly, while he was not, at least at the time, an adherent of tuJarok, when Sorak began inquiring about the philosophy, Sanak directed him to a communications engineering professor who was, and it was that professor who started Sorak on his philosophical path.

The other scholar has a name and little else in his file - Kavoran, who studied anthropology at Shakan-Geros Academy, an obscure "secondary" academy for Vulcans who do not qualify for the VSA or other "prestige" institutions. (Shakan-Geros has good marks as an institution, and apparently offers a strong municipal governance practicum.) T'Kiri notes the lack of information is rare, but not unknown; some Vulcans just don't have a significant public history, and she has found ascetics often fall into this category.

Audio is difficult to hear, due to distance and ambient noise, but Sorak believes the gist is over claims of "emotional indulgence" being considered a "dangerous" practice; Sanak's argument focuses on evidence of neurological damage caused by experiencing strong emotions, even though he agrees the rhetoric is somewhat excessive, while Kavoran maintains that it is the suppression of emotion that makes experiencing them "dangerous" to practitioners of tuSurak. (Sorak, of course, knows that isn't the case, as he experienced significant neurological distress when he was flooded with emotion while in telepathic contact with the whale-like mystic. Once the crisis was resolved, he required a few days of rest and meditation to recover from the encounter.)

The discussion concludes peacefully after a total of 16 minutes, and the crowd disperses as the pair head back in toward the conference facility.

Tobin & Cole
The science officer's statement is met with matching raised eyebrows from the three ascetics.

"A very specific request, Tobin Les," Sikor answers as the sentry and the other monks depart in different directions. "Which means you have suspicions about this particular weapon. Do you know that we have fourteen blades in our collection?"

He gestures to the pair's left, to a narrow-ish walkway along the main building's (they figure it's a sanctuary) south side, and leads them in that direction. A row of buildings form the left wall of the walkway, with closed doors periodically marking their progress.

As they walk, Sikor continues, "This was a martial monastery during the Time of Awakening, and early converts to tuJarok and tuSurak used some of their ancient practices to help focus their minds as they meditated.

"As they developed more sophisticated disciplines, the adherents of tuSurak moved on, while our Jarokovan predecessors kept the weapons as reminders of our history, both in the pre-Awakening sense and in regards to the evolution of our meditative practices."

He halts at a larger utilitarian building at the end of the row, just after they pass the west end of the sanctuary (where they're met by a triangular courtyard that rests between it, the walkway, and what seems to be a dining facility opposite the sanctuary).

"This is our reliquary," the monk states. "We keep a gallery of our blades and other items of historical value here, as well as a small workshop for preserving and maintaining them."

OOC: I figured I'd gone on long enough; I'll let Nolmir & Renny respond before I take them inside.

*~*~*~*~*
All Keynote Snippets

T'Pak spoke on mental techniques to structure mental disciplines to pattern the stability of geostructures.
-- This is a fairly straightforward discussion, where T'Pak outlines the disciplines she has developed. "These techniques should not be attempted by minds not familiar and practiced in the basic mental disciplines taught by Surak...that is, youths not complete in their philosophies and those who engage in emotional indulgence."

Verrin discussed the metaphysics of the desert as it applies to logic and discipline, and T'Kiri's brother Talvar spoke on how he applied his investigative skill toward self-examination and strengthening his emotional discipline.
-- Verrin: "The desert in its natural state is chaotic; its sands blown about by the winds. It is the "id," the primal drives that flit one way or another. The sands are passion, uncontrolled. Only through the discipline offered by Surak do we bring civilization to the desert; only through the discipline offered by Surak do we tame the sands."
-- Talvar: "The peace of emotional control allows the mind to achieve greater focus. Data muddled by emotional indulgence can be organized into useful information. Information then transforms to knowledge. Knowledge then begets understanding, and understanding is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom, therefore, is achieved with emotional control. I will argue that it cannot be achieved at all with emotionalism."

Commerce Ministry Deputy Administrator (for interprovincial commerce) Taavai continued T'Loris' Surakian economics theme, focusing on maintaining Surakian values and discipline when entering into commerce with non-Vulcan entities.

Professor Vorothal presented a "reminder" of the core values of Surak, the reasons for his theories and application of his values, and the theories behind why Vulcans are best suited to tuSurak.
-- Also straightforward, it focuses on the positive attributes of tuSurak, contrasting its strengths against other mainstream groups

Karatek spoke on "Techniques of Emotional Control" and "The Blurred Line Between Emotion and Passion."
-- While his "Techniques" talk is largely technical, in his "Blurred Line" speech, he called "sampling" emotions "dangerous," even if only pleasant emotions are being indulged in. "To eat is to eat. If you bite part of a green leaf, you are eating the leaf. You cannot separate a microscopic vein from the rest of the fiber. Similarly, sampling a pleasing emotion leaves you vulnerable to experiencing passion. It is a dangerous path to walk."

T'Loris' speech centered on "The Economics of Surak."
-- A straightforward talk, it includes data on the productive power of the three major Vulcan philosophies, showing tuSurak to be "far superior," in her conclusion.

The academy administrator Sotir counseled on "Steering Youths Away from Emotionalism."
-- Sotir warned directly against allowing adolescents to study tuNirak, because it and its "more dangerous cousin" tuJarok can and will permanently harm a young Vulcan's ability to suppress emotion as an adult. The disciplines of Surak must be practiced from a young age, or the mind will not have the strength to withstand the onslaught of deadly emotions that come with the transition to adulthood."

Spalan himself spoke on "The Intersection of Passion and Crime on Vulcan."
-- Spalan's talk dealt mostly with the results of a mental health assessment of 452 criminals in Vulcan society from Stardate 7426 to 8510, showing a strong correlation between diagnosed mental instabilities (in the form of passions) and criminal acts committed by the subjects. The study doesn't go so far as to assign causation to passions, but the conclusions are pretty damning for "emotionalism" and the "indulgence of passion."

N'Varas discussed "Kolinahr in Public Life."
-- The principal investigator's talk includes his history of growing up an adherent of tuNirak to rejecting it in favor of tuSurak at the Vulcan Science Academy and his eventual path to Kolinahr. He purposefully makes no judgment against tuNirak in his keynote, but expresses the idea that Kolinahr is the ultimate achievement of a Vulcan mind, and that all should pursue it as best they can.

[Renny]

Tobin & Cole
The science officer's statement is met with matching raised eyebrows from the three ascetics.

"A very specific request, Tobin Les," Sikor answers as the sentry and the other monks depart in different directions. "Which means you have suspicions about this particular weapon. Do you know that we have fourteen blades in our collection?"

He gestures to the pair's left, to a narrow-ish walkway along the main building's (they figure it's a sanctuary) south side, and leads them in that direction. A row of buildings form the left wall of the walkway, with closed doors periodically marking their progress.

As they walk, Sikor continues, "This was a martial monastery during the Time of Awakening, and early converts to tuJarok and tuSurak used some of their ancient practices to help focus their minds as they meditated.

"As they developed more sophisticated disciplines, the adherents of tuSurak moved on, while our Jarokovan predecessors kept the weapons as reminders of our history, both in the pre-Awakening sense and in regards to the evolution of our meditative practices."

He halts at a larger utilitarian building at the end of the row, just after they pass the west end of the sanctuary (where they're met by a triangular courtyard that rests between it, the walkway, and what seems to be a dining facility opposite the sanctuary).

"This is our reliquary," the monk states. "We keep a gallery of our blades and other items of historical value here, as well as a small workshop for preserving and maintaining them."

Glancing at Les before responding, Cole speaks appreciatively. "I would like to thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Would it be acceptable for me to run comparative scans on these items using my tricorder. Hopefully we can rule these weapons out of our investigations without the need to handle them at all."

[Nolmir]

"Yes, I believe that will be the case," Tobin agrees with Cole. "Our reconstruction of the weapon from crime scene evidence has resulted in a rather specific profile."

He glances at the reliquary building. "Do you mind if I ask what security you have in place to protect your relics? I'm sure they must be quite valuable, not to mention potentially contentious artifacts in the minds of non-Jarokovan Vulcans."

[Davy, aka GM]

Tobin & Cole
"Yes, it is acceptable to scan the relics," Sikor says. "Please follow me." He gestures toward the reliquary and enters ahead of the pair as Tobin asks his question.

"Do you mind if I ask what security you have in place to protect your relics? I'm sure they must be quite valuable, not to mention potentially contentious artifacts in the minds of non-Jarokovan Vulcans."

As the monk stops and turns on his heel, the officers get their first glance inside the dimly-lit space. Several dozen artifacts rest on stands, pillows, and ornate platforms of varied design, many appearing as ancient as the items they're supporting. Some are behind transparent cases, others appear to be within some kind of field. The blades are easy to pick out, as they're displayed along the wall opposite the door. Some are mounted vertically, some horizontally, and they range from two-handed greatswords to glorified daggers, all well cared for as if they are used daily.

"We are not without means of security, but you are applying your standards of conduct imprecisely," he answers politely through a slight smile. "There is no logic in coming to a remote monastery to steal a weapon for the commission of one or more crimes, or to sate a desire for possessing a work of art - which, even for those of us who voluntarily experience emotion, is an anathema to our way of life.

"These artefacts have been in our care without loss for two millennia, and only myself and my brethren and sustren ever remove them from their places, and only then occasionally for care or study," the Vulcan concludes.

He turns again and leads them along the back wall to a display. The security field is powered down, and the wall hooks from which a blade is normally hung are empty. "This is where your S'harien hunting blade is displayed, but it is currently in our workshop for its annual preservation."

[Nolmir]

"We are not without means of security, but you are applying your standards of conduct imprecisely," he answers politely through a slight smile. "There is no logic in coming to a remote monastery to steal a weapon for the commission of one or more crimes, or to sate a desire for possessing a work of art - which, even for those of us who voluntarily experience emotion, is an anathema to our way of life.

"These artefacts have been in our care without loss for two millennia, and only myself and my brethren and sustren ever remove them from their places, and only then occasionally for care or study," the Vulcan concludes.

He turns again and leads them along the back wall to a display. The security field is powered down, and the wall hooks from which a blade is normally hung are empty. "This is where your S'harien hunting blade is displayed, but it is currently in our workshop for its annual preservation."

Tobin nods respectfully at the polite rebuke. "I would never question a Vulcan on matters of logic," he says with a smile. "But we must nevertheless investigate all possibilities, regardless of how far-fetched they may seem."

He glances at the blank spot on the wall. "We would of course like to see the blade if possible. How long has it been removed for the preservation work?"

[Davy, aka GM]

Tobin & Cole
Sikor nods and leads them to the other side of the display room. "Ritually, blades are attended for a period of sixty-five days. This is day 47, I believe," he says, stopping at a small ell in the chamber, where a rather short door (noticeably smaller than the standard two meter design most prevalent in the Federation) sits on the inside adjacent wall. The Vulcan gestures toward the door, and Tobin opens it to reveal stone carved stairs leading to what appears to be an open cellar below. Both he and Cole feel like they have to dip their heads slightly to pass through into the stairwell and down the first couple of steps.

As they descend, they find a large open floor workshop, filled with ancient tools and well-maintained stone tables and workbenches. What appears to be an ancient forge lies dormant, though the officers believe it may see infrequent use. Looking to the left as they come off the stairs, more workbenches form a boundary of sorts with an open area beyond, and they think they see some sort of decorative wood flooring that expands several meters down and across.

A lone Vulcan in practical martial arts attire slowly performs several maneuvers with a blade in hand, each step, thrust, and cut carefully choreographed. Sikor takes the lead as they quietly approach and stop at the edge of the wooden floor section, their guide seemingly content to wait until they're acknowledged. The floor itself is incredibly well-preserved, and Tobin estimates it must be hundreds of years old, at least. The blade catches their eye, and Tobin recognizes it immediately as a hunting blade style, masterfully crafted and glinting brilliantly in the yellow-orange glow of the workshop lighting.

The scene continues largely in silence for several moments, save for the subtle swishing of fabric against fabric with the martial artist's graceful motions. Even though he isn't a swordsman, Cole recognizes that this monk is not simply meditating; the precision of his maneuvers are one of a master practitioner.

At no point does the practicing monk turn in their direction, but, after an indeterminate interval, he pauses and says, "You know how rigidly I keep my schedule, Brother Sikor; can this visit not wait until the end of the hour?"

"I do not believe it can, Brother Kavoran," Sikor responds calmly, although Cole catches the faintest raise of an eyebrow. "These officers from Starfleet are investigating a series of murders, and believe a weapon like Wuzud t'i-Sartyra* was used to commit them. They are here to perform a scan of the ancient honored blade."

* Long Tooth of I-Sartyra -Ed

Kavoran comes to rest in a defensive position, still facing away but turning his head just enough to view the others out of the corner of his eye. He then straightens and turns, in one fluid movement laying the blade along the length of his forearm, grip resting in the palm of his hand and two fingers touching the weapon's pommel. It isn't lost on Cole that Kavoran could easily strike quickly from that pose.

He approaches the trio and nods. "Live long and prosper, gentlemen. Let us adjourn to a table, so that I may set this down for your scan. Do either of you have experience with such weapons?"

[Renny]

Cole forces himself to relax, and take his eyes off the blade to meet the gaze of Kavoran, despite the pull of his instincts to watch for a strike. He performs what he hopes is an acceptable and respectful bow.

"My own training experience is more in unarmed disciplines, but I can see the workmanship that has gone into the forging of the blade. It is...beautiful, if that is the right word for such an object."

[Davy, aka GM]

Tobin & Cole
"Do not be afraid to acknowledge beauty when you find it," Kavoran says as he places the weapon down on a table and steps aside. "Beauty can be found in all things, even those with a destructive purpose."

Laid out before them, Tobin and Cole finally get a close look at Wuzud t'i-Sartyra. It's surprisingly utilitarian in basic design, as if it was constructed for combat. There are no excessive flourishes anywhere - neither on the blade, the hilt, the grip, nor the pommel. By contrast, the precision of the design stands out; every detail fits perfectly with the next; the weapon couldn't have been fabricated on the ship any more precisely than the master artisan did by hand. Even the engraving work appears practical, as if it was designed to enhance the function of the blade instead of being purely decorative..

They notice a couple of notches along the cutting edge, signs of combat use, though when each occurred is impossible to tell without detailed scans.

OOC: Nolmir, please have Tobin attempt a Reason + Science task vs. Difficulty 1. (Success at Cost will be in play, as Tobin will receive some useful information regardless of success or failure.)

Current
Momentum 6
Threat 10

[Nolmir]

Tobin nods respectfully to Kavoran as he produces his tricorder and begins scanning.

OOC: Reason (11) + Science (5) vs. Difficulty 1

Rolled 2d20 : 7, 15, total 22

[Davy, aka GM]

Tobin & Cole
OOC: 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated. That Momentum must be spent or lost.

Just as a reminder, if Tobin spends Momentum to Obtain Information, he gets to ask one additional question in total.

The blade's alloy is a very close match to the chipped piece; the tricorder marks with 99 percent certainty. The sword was definitely made from the same material as the chip. The notches, however are quite old, and do not appear to have been worked or repaired recently. The blade shows signs of recent work having been done in several places along the blade.