The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

Also consider this to be a town of men, and more than half, young men. I think the authorities are use too and tired of, youthful antics, and reward for good and punishment for bad was likely the only way to keep the peace.

Friday, late morning

The late morning sun slanted through the dust-veiled windows of the Seminary Chapel, casting trembling slivers of gold across the worn faces of weathered icons. Father Theo stood at the altar, his seminary robes wrapped tightly around him, as if to hold in the fury brewing beneath his skin. His students currently dismissed to other duties before the next bell tolled for prayers and study.

Father Robert entered with haste, the thick silence of the chapel broken only by his footsteps. His voice came low, urgent.

"They've found one of the caches," he said.

Theo didn't turn. "Where?"

"The Bakers Guild. Rendered inert within the last few days. Those damned Deryni investigators have truly discovered our plans."

Now Theo turned—slowly, deliberately. His eyes held no surprise, only cold contempt.

"The Bishop should never have trusted those heretic mongrels," he spat. "He could have died in the inferno with the blessing of the Custodes. But he has turned to using foul sorcery. And now? He will pay the price for his lack of judgment."

"But the rest remains untouched," Robert added quickly. "The great Library. The bell tower crypt. The Mason's Lodge. All caches still burn beneath the skin of this Deryni city."

Theo stepped forward and placed his hand on Robert's shoulder—less comfort, more command.

"Then we move. Tonight."

Robert's breath caught. "You're certain?"

"There is no choice," Theo said. "The flames will speak before doubt does. Grecotha will learn that its sins have roots far deeper than parchment and prayer."

He retrieved a bundle sealed with wax and pressed it into Robert's hands.

"Notify the others. Every vault. Every wick. After dusk, we baptize and cleanse the city in fire."

Robert gave a single nod, turned, and vanished into the chapel's gloom.

Behind him, Theo remained motionless, staring at the altar as though it might crack open and swallow the whole world. And somewhere beneath cobbled streets and academic halls, the rest of the Byzantyun fire waited—patient, volatile, and unforgiving.

Oleg Niklaev strode with the pride of a highborn noble, but no one took it for anything more than the pride of a good student, on the way back to his apartment apart from the dormitories of the common students at the Grecothan University. But it was not to his apartment that he went, but behind it, into the shadowy, damp alleyway, out of sight. Amidst the scraps of wood, cloth, and other junk people were yet remiss to be truly rid of, he stood, impatiently, and quite beside himself. The bells had tolled the proper hour. His thrall, the canon's aide, should have arrived. "I am not a man to be kept waiting, Aiden," he said aloud, in a voice much more his own than that of a jester or a student's.

((Bede Sneaks 3d6 5 + 5 + 6)) Oleg heard a rustling of air and dirt shifting through a cloth behind him, then beheld a dusty, wet Bede Archer standing there, staring neutrally at him, but visibly armed with bow and sword, this time. "Macbee," he greeted him tersely.

"Hello, John," Oleg smiled as if he were truly happy to see him. No sense in changing shape now, he decided, sidling closer to the Mearan. "Have you come to thank me for getting that ugly mug warmed by a woman's embrace?" he snickered sincerely, but he did not believe in coincidences. Most certainly, his hypnotized little informant was compromised. But Archer preferred to handle things alone, in his own way. He could still handle the vainglorious rebel and go on about his day.

"I suppose I could. Thank ye for that. And for framing that poor gardener for a whole host of crimes, including one that would have discredited him as a witness against my petty antics."

"I didn't just frame him, foolish John. I convinced him. Like this," Oleg lifted his thumb to touch Bede's forehead theatrically. Bede let him. ((Jester MacBee/Oleg Hypnotizes 2d6 1 + 3))

((Bede Resistance 3d6 2 + 5 + 3)) When nothing happened save for Bede smiling like a wolf, Oleg's confidence faltered. ((Bede Strong  3d6 2 + 6 + 4)) The investigating archer snatched his arm in its place and held it steady, resisting Oleg's struggle to wrench himself free. ((Bede STRONG 3d6 5 + 4 + 4)) With a second arm, he twisted Oleg's arm in his practiced way, bending him down to his knees. But Oleg would not give up so easily. He furrowed his brow and concentrated, reaching out with his mind to the refuse around them, imagining it lifting and obeying his will like so many people. ((Oleg uses Telekinesis 2d6 1 + 4)) But it was not enough; he could not muster the necessary focus through the pain. Somewhere beyond his sight, a dog barked fiercely. ((Breyden The Dog Perception 3d6 2 + 1 + 5)) ((Oleg Shape Change 2d6 5 + 4)) Oleg had one more trick in his arsenal left, and Bede witnessed it in horror strong enough to almost loosen his grip. In his hands, he felt Oleg's flabby arms harden and sharpen in shape, his effete suppleness become more modest in aspect, his skin darken and hair lighten, until the face smiling haughtily at him was none other than Edwin's.

"Archer, I insist you let him go," Captain Phineas said, flanked by the two other guards that Bede and Edwin had saved Gwendolyn with, along with the loyal hound, Breyden. ((Captain Phineas Perception 2d6 1 + 1))((Quigley Perception 2d6 3 + 2))((Rauf Perception 2d6 2 + 3)) "Clearly, your friend Edwin is not the man we both came for. Stop these childish games at once."

"Are ye blind?" Bede cried. "Did ye na see Oleg confess to crimes and then try to hypnotize me with darker Deryni magic? That's who this is, I swear it!"

"You ... cannot be serious, Bede," "Edwin" grimaced, in unaccented speech. Oleg was not practiced enough for Edwin's exact speech, but who knew either man well enough to notice, besides Bede? He thanked his fiendish, disputed patron Saint Wencit that the guards, wherever they had waited for their part in the ambush, were less perceptive than a blind man.

"I damn well can be! Look at the knife he's carrying. That's a Mearan dirk. My father's Mearan dirk! He stole it from Edwin, along with the shirt he's wearing beneath his student's robes."

"Edwin stole Edwin's shirt, and your knife?" Quigley asked, perplexed. "Well, if you asked Edwin politely, I'm sure he'd be amenable to returning the knife, at the least."

Phineas stepped closer and spoke. "Master Scrivener, don't you have somewhere else you should be right now?" To which Oleg happily nodded, naturally.

Exasperated but refusing to let "Edwin" go, Bede struggled to prove what only he seemed to know for the truth. He noticed the dog Breyden was snarling, and he tensed, for he had limited experience with dogs in his own life, but noticed that the beast was snarling not at him, but at "Edwin". "Look at yer dog, men. He's never been mad at Edwin before, has he?" When he was met with agreeing silence, he ventured further. "Let's ask Edwin a question or two only we would all ken the truth of, yeah?" When Phineas agreed, Bede relaxed his grip slightly. "If ye are Edwin Scrivener, then have ye made use of this knife before?"

"Of course I have, you hateful oaf. It's the best thing you could have given me, and cuts like a bear's claw."

Unfortunately, that was true. But Bede was not finished. "How do we know these men?"

"We're always getting into trouble, and we are the canon's investigators."

Also true. No more room for light sparring. "Who was it that we saved with these men, and what is it you feel about him?"

"Why ... we saved Aiden, of course! Good lad, but regrettably impressionable."

"Did I say 'him'? My honest mistake. But the real Edwin would have Gwendolyn on his flighty mind at the mere sight of the men who helped save her. MacBee."

"Edwin"'s expression changed to imperious outrage with a hint of fear. "You do not understand. I am certainly not who you think I am. I have friends in high places! Far, near, and much higher than your stations! I am a direct descendant of Lukyan Niklaev, the Duke of Vaclav himself! You wouldn't dare touch me." That much was news, even to Bede, but the guards were unphased. It was not the first time a spoiled son had tried to strut his way over the laws of the city.

"Oh? But you dare touch the subjects of King Kelson?" queried Phineas, who flicked his gaze at Bede, now full of shared understanding and belief. The other guards moved to bind Oleg properly while Phineas calmly stated the charges, including theft, assault, impersonation, brainwashing, and possibly espionage, all done against His Majesty's subjects. "Although the full extent of such has yet to be determined," he finished.

As the guards carried him away, Bede secured his father's knife in its usual place, and exhaled the tension of the confrontation. Perhaps blood need not be shed for justice, at least not by him, today. Then he remembered the plans they had devised with their new ally Collos, and his cheer was choked.

"Have you any proof that de Guerra is behind this or that he knew of it?" Bishop Bernard asked.

I have heard this question before, and it didn't end well, Airich thought.

"I only have proof of Jasper's involvement," he said firmly. "Jasper is a cruel man, but he's a follower, not a leader. And he craves recognition and reward. I can't believe for a moment that he did not run to de Guerra with all of the gory details as soon as he left me. And why did Jasper return? Why not just leave me to the slow death he'd threatened me with? Was he sent to clean up the mess he made? The only person who could send him was de Guerra."

"This is still not proof," the bishop responded.

"Your Grace, we have discussed this before. I don't believe you would sanction torture. There is another way to get the information."

"A Deryni way!"  Bernard snapped.

"It may be the only way, especially since Jasper will have difficulty speaking for some time," Airich spoke as mildly as he could manage.

Bishop Bernard rose, walked to the window and stood with his back to Airich. Finally he turned.

"If these means must be used, they will be done so on the King's orders. I will turn Jasper and the other prisoners over to King Kelson's jurisdiction to pursue as he judges best. You will see to it, Sir Airich."

Airich could not keep the surprise out of his voice. "You removed my authority, your Grace."

The bishop picked up a rolled parchment from his desk. "I may have acted in haste, and I have had time to reconsider." He handed the parchment to the knight standing before him. "Your warrant has been renewed."


The old monk had directed Jimmy into the bishop's office as soon as Airich left it. Airich had raised a rolled parchment triumphantly in the direction of Elspeth and proceeded to untie his sword from its scabbard. The knight had left with a much lighter step, albeit still a slow one, than when he had arrived.

Jimmy Taylor rose from his bow and kissed the bishop's ring. He waited for the bishop to speak.

"I have issued a new warrant for Sir Airich O'Flynn," the bishop said. "But I want a Purple Guardsman with them as they continue to search for those, Willimite or not, who continue to threaten Grecotha, her university and her people." He gave Jimmy a look that did not invite discussion. "I can't spare Phillip or Hawthorne, so that guardsman will be you."   

"As you wish, your Grace," Jimmy replied.

"Keep an eye on them. Note what they do and who they talk to. Report to me directly as necessary." Before Jimmy could say more he added, "And yes, I will inform Phillip that you're following my orders."

Sir Iain Cameron left; his step was as light as Airich's had been.

Well, that's clear as mud! 

Since this did come up in the context of gaming Deryni powers ... and Shape Change specifically. I did some research on D&D and shape changing magic to see if scent was included or not. And this is what I found:

🧪 Rules as Written (RAW)
In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the Polymorph spell replaces the target's physical form and statistics with those of the chosen beast. This includes physiology, movement, and natural abilities — but the rules don't explicitly mention scent. So by RAW, it's ambiguous.

🐾 Rules as Interpreted (RAI) and Common Rulings Many Dungeon Masters interpret polymorph as a full physical transformation, which would logically include scent. After all, if you polymorph into a wolf, your body now has fur, glands, and biology consistent with a wolf — so it's reasonable to assume you'd smell like one too. This interpretation is supported by discussions in forums like D&D Beyond and Paizo, where GMs often rule that transmutation spells like Polymorph do change scent, while illusion spells like Disguise Self do not.

🐶 Can It Fool a Dog?
Yes — if the scent changes, it could fool a dog or other scent-reliant creature. But it depends on:

• The creature's intelligence and training • Whether it's familiar with the original scent • How recently the polymorph occurred (some GMs rule that residual scent might linger)


Some GMs even add flavor by requiring a Perception vs. Disguise or Insight check to determine if the animal detects something off.

🎲 DM's Call
Ultimately, it's up to your DM. If scent plays a major role in your campaign — say, tracking by dire wolves or magical scent wards — it's worth discussing at the table. You could even homebrew a rule where scent lingers for a short time unless magically masked.


So even in the world's most famous roll playing game. It isn't cut and dry. There are cases where it probably is but in others definitely not. The rest is murky.

The same applies in Deryni games too. It's not really clear in DAG, the only official Deryni RPG. It's not mentioned at all which leaves it to the GM to decide and best guess.

There are reasons to say it does. And just as valid to say it does not. 

Quote from: DerynifanK on Today at 12:38:29 PMI have to say the clergy in Grecotha do not impress me. They seem to be very rigid, not at all kind or understanding, very focused on punishment. They do not reflect the teachings of Christianity.

Perhaps not, though they do seem to reflect large portions of actual medieval Church history. Human are humans, no matter what time period they live in, and often fall short of the ideal.

I have to say the clergy in Grecotha do not impress me. They seem to be very rigid, not at all kind or understanding, very focused on punishment. They do not reflect the teachings of Christianity.

Quote from: Laurna on July 10, 2025, 11:42:09 PMTherefor, in most cases, he would not fool the dog. Many a pampered pet would find themselves rehomed. Sadly.

On one part of this. Dogs weren't pets in the sense that they are today. No, in the 11 Kingdoms they were tools for hunting and guard duty while men slept. Sure kids would play with puppies but that would be about the extent of it.

I understand that premise about perception too that I didn't quote. That's a good way of looking at this concept.

But what happens when a Human or a blocked Deryni has a shape changing spell placed on them. And they encounter a dog that nose the shape they have. But of course it doesn't smell right. The dog could bark, growl, or be even more aggressive than that. It's job after all is to protect the master from harm and strangers. Here is a stranger but the master doesn't see it.

Does the dog get punished or does the master wonder why the dog is suddenly acting aggressive towards his friend?

We've never seen it happen. Maybe all our shape changers have been lucky so far.

Nezz, I agree with you that the key to completing any spell is the understanding of the science and physiology that needs to go into the spell. If you know about all the different pheromones and bodily functions that cause scents, then I think you can replicate it in the Shapechange spell. But if all the caster knows about is the visual differences and the sound differences, would that caster even think to duplicate the smell differences. Unless it was something obvious to our own noses,  like when someone eats a lot of garlic in their diet. Then you would think to duplicate that smell.  But that is only one of many body smells that each of us actually produce. So I say it is all about the spell caster's perception of what he is duplicating when he casts the spell. Therefor, in most cases, he would not fool the dog. Many a pampered pet would find themselves rehomed. Sadly.