12.27.2019

We arrive in the middle of a very dense and dark jungle. Danno turns into a bat to get above the treeline and get a look. He notices some firelight a few miles in the distance. We can only guess that is the camp we seek and we head off in that direction with Danno providing aerial guidance and Red finding us the best trail. Ohm and I put up our standard detection spells and we go for a walk. Halfway in I get a ping of three minds entering our zone. As they get closer Ohm calls out the name of the Arrow we are looking for but no response. Two of the minds come even closer and soon I can see them, they are jaguars. Quick look with the sight shows them to be shapeshifters not mages. One transforms into a human and asks us what we are doing on their land. The universal translator picks it up and I reply crudely that we are searching for some researchers. He is not happy with that and calls them trespassers. He is not happy they are on his land and desecrating it's sacred places. I explain that we are not with them but we are hoping their research down here could provide us insight into summoning the spirit of lore Teo*. He asks what we want with it and I explain about our dealings with Ezukamada and we want to find out how to defeat it. He cringes when I speak that name. He understands why we would want to get rid of it and says he will take us to his shaman who can help us on one condition, we make the research team leave his lands. I tell him he has a deal and he says we will meet back in this spot in 24 hrs. With that he and the other two meld back into the jungle and we continue on to the camp.

As we near the camp Ohm calls out to the Arrow mage who meets us on the path with some other goons. Ohm explains why we are here and requests to speak with the head researcher. The Arrow doesn't seem to trust the rest of us and only lets Ohm into the camp. Ohm tries to be nice with the head researcher but he is a very arrogant. He finally convinces him to let me in and Ohm and I play good cop bad cop and explain why they have to leave. The arrogant dude doesn't really care about the shapeshifters and still thinks they are only jaguars. We try to explain they are shapeshifters and I insert the image of me watching the one transform into the guys head. He is still not being cooperative so I threaten him. Ohm follows up with the good cop angle it dawns on the researcher that since Ohm is form Chicago he probably knows Kraven. The research team has heard about the Arcadian cave beneath the changeling theater and has really been wanting to check it out. He says if they could get permission to set up there they would leave these lands in an instant. Ohm makes a call to Kraven. The whole camp's demeanor was changing quite rapidly. Ohm making a call directly to Kraven had the others in awe and the fact that he could make a phone call in the middle of the jungle also impressed them. I didn't bother to mention that it was because of me the phone call was working. Having Ohm look all important was more important. Kraven agrees to let them check set up camp at the Chicago anomaly and they are very excited. I tell them to pack up camp now and I will portal them right into Chicago. They comply and an hour later they leave. Mission accomplished and we didn't even brandish a weapon. Maybe this diplomacy thing can actually work. Since we had a day before we needed to come back we all hopped through the portal and decided to go have a drink to celebrate a night of non-violence.

Since we have some spare time I figure this is a good spot to test my new found understanding of the gauntlet. Kat and I head back to the warehouse where I create a road through the gauntlet into the shadow. Both of us step through. I throw my arm around Kat and will us to the shadow realm location of the bar. Space magic works as intended in the shadow. This will come in handy. I prepare the ritual to create a road back into the material while I peer through the gauntlet and watch the others drink. Very strange way of spying on people. As soon as the ritual is complete we walk back through the gauntlet and into our chairs scaring the crap put of everybody.

We finish off the night just hanging out an relaxing and get to bed earlier, have some sleep to catch up on.

Cygin

<-----AEMP----->

A small light at the end of tunnel. Thomas has reached out to me and asked for a cessation of our hostilities. He says if God wants his lady to come back then she will. He will cease any efforts to bring her back himself. In exchange for this I will cease any more talk of returning to the priesthood or trying to place the burden of the moral compass upon his shoulders. This brings me great comfort. Thomas has found his way back onto the path and I realized he doesn't need the collar to bring his faith. Today brings the return of the Padre.

It was almost as though it brought peace to the others. We were able to accomplish a mission today without force. How long that will last remains to be seen. While Ohm thinks the mantle of moral compass keeps me in check I'm beginning to think it only feeds the ego and that ego is getting full. Most mages have years, decades or centuries to deal with their powers. I have had only a few months. Add in some very powerful sparks of divinity and boons from an Angel and it is even harder to deal with. The encounter with the researchers left a bad taste in my mouth. I went in there with this sense of entitlement. I'm one of the 4 do what I say bitch! There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and my ego crossed it. I suppose this would be the best time to start on a little introspection but I'm sure I'll be fine. Doctors always make the worst patients.

</----AEMP----->