Vasha saw that the creature had moved, and knew she needed to get away from it. She moved around the backside of the next hedron and punched it. Bits of rock flew off it and she swung again, leaving another trail of blood across this one's surface. Her hands were going to be mangled by the time she got out of here. If she got out.
Kayn felt the creature's claw rip through his shield, ignore his managical armor, and slice through the last of his ethereal protection as if it were all made of squishy human. It was an impressive attack, for sure. The gash tore through his thick skin drawing long lines of blood. He could feel the necrotic energy envelope him just from being nearby. He'd have to leave, but only if the creature gets snagged by the web. If not, he would stand his ground!
Pulling upon the last of the mana around him, he focus his wand again into a turret of flames. He can hear the flesh of the creature popping in the heat. He knew it was hurt. He knew it would lose. Kayn glares up at the thing and yells, "Your time has come, Corrupter! Your life is ended!"
(Hold move - If corrupter gets caught in web, Kayn moves to D11, Burning Hands - Creature saved, 9 damage total)
The weight of her crossbow becoming more than a hindrance, Rezivah dropped it to the ground. She looked to the monster, and to the rest of the party. The aberration looked.. as if it was almost done! They could do this! They weren't going to die here!
Feeling that slight spark of resolve, Rezivah called it forth into her signature bolts of piercing white mana. Blasting a flurry of them, they all unfailingly landed and erupted against the monster's charred flesh. The creature bellows and slumps, and remains still. With its body now limp, the once perturbing purple hedrons become dormant, fall down the eldritch platform and crumble into numerous pieces. The dread that filled the volume of the chamber subsided as well.
Rezivah fell to her knees, her body quivering, holding her stomach. Then she noticed, that sickening implant was gone. Nothing squirmed with unnatural life within her. "Holy Emeria.."
The kor screamed as the weight of what had just happened hit her. Because of Vesra’s choices, so many of their friends almost died. This battle could have cost them, it could have...
She was crying. That was odd, she didn’t remember when she had started. She glanced over and saw her sister, who was obviously not doing super. “Are you alright?” She asked the other Kor. “I still have the mana to heal someone.”
Vasha fell to her knees. She wanted to cry, but nothing came out. She wanted to scream, but could produce no sound. She just looked up at her sister for a moment, then closed her eyes and sank to the ground. She held her head in her hands, wondering when this would all come to an end. She didn't think she could take much more.
Kayn remained, standing and defiant as he glared at the creature. His words sprang true, as immediately after he proclaimed the creature's death multiple spheres of managic barreled into the Corrupter's head. Kayn laughs as the creature falls to the ground, all life drained from its corpse. With a loud grunt and a hearty shove, the creature tumbles to the ground level below.
The silence was comforting. Then Vessie screamed, causing Kayn to jump.
As the silence lingers on, Kayn paces back and forth on his pillar. It isn't until he nods a few times and looks around that he comes to some sort of decision.
"We should rest," he says over the sobs of the twins. "I need at least two hours to bind Lomilith... I refuse to leave the hedron until I'm sure we can prevent their corruption from spreading." After a few more moments of thought, he adds, "I need Lomilith's skull." He hops down the 'steps' then hops down the second set, then makes his way over to the rope.
"Meet me up at the hedron entrance when you're all ready." He gives one last glance at the rest of his companions before climbing up Ato's rope. He had given the speckormerelf an ultimatum. And rather than be imprisoned in the hedron for eternity with them, they have willingly allowed him to bind them to himself. If what they say is true, and the Sunspring burns the corruption from them, he'll release them from his binding.
She walked over to her twin and placed her hand on the other Kor’s back. A surge of white mana went through her, hopefully healing her sister. “There you go,” she signed. “You alright, Flower?”
Vasha watched her sister sign with weary eyes, but made no motion to reply. She stood, with a heavy sigh, and slowly made her way down the pillar. Without a word, she headed toward the rope, and began to pull herself up. It was slow, and painful, with blood running down her arms, but she was determined. She was done.
It took too long for Kayn to find a slot for the hedron cube in the incinerator room, so Ato crawled up to assist him and pointed it out rather quickly. He slapped the hedron key into the slot and the deadly lasers powered down. This was the last room to clear, as every other room had been thoroughly searched. He could feel the stares of his companions behind him, but at least the lasers were off now! He gathered his pack and the cube and made his way to the entrance.
He spent the beginning of the rest up near the entrance of the hedron bandaging his wound. The gash from the Corrupter's claws still seeped a bit of blood after his search of the incinerator room. Once that was done, he enlisted the help of Vesra to identify Lomilith's skull. He never noticed how slender an elven skull was. It was like they only ate flowers. Flowers were yummy though, so he couldn't blame them. Before beginning the ritual, he summoned Sear. Sear was always present during his rituals, and although it takes nearly an hour and a lot of expensive reagents to summon his familiar, he needed Sear there for moral support.
With that done, Kayn began his ritual of binding. While the others rested, he took Lomilith's skull and bound it to himself and the speckormerelf. The tattoo on the skull almost completely encompassed it, giving it the look of an obsidian carving. With the 2-hour ritual done, the skull would act as a key. As long as he possessed it, it would keep the speckormerelf bound to him, preventing the spread of their corruption as they traveled the world outside. Kayn fashioned a sort of sling for it and allowed it to dangle from his belt.
Finally, he crashed. It was a long, dreamless sleep. One that he hadn't had in quite awhile.
It was over. It was over. They survived and Veythe felt--nothing. Empty. They survived and there was nothing. All that, all the mess and insanity and horror and just--nothing. Quiet, at a loss for words, Veythe took the rope up and followed the rest of the party out of the halls and toward the entrance in silence. Veythe didn't even bother to play her lute, or any of her other instruments--her lyre, her flute, her dulcimer--nothing. She remained quiet, unsure, as she watched the party move about. She watched Rezivah for a moment--the sheer relief--then watched Vesra and Vasha and everything just felt--numb. What had even happened, in the end? What insanity had they just gone through with a monster that--Veythe shook the thoughts from her mind.
It was gone. It was done. There was nothing more to be said on the matter, only that they survived--worse of wear, perhaps, maybe even broken in the assault--but they survived. That, in source of everything, meant the world.
While Kayn settled down, Veythe pondered scolding the goblin. She thought better of it, in the end. Let him handle the mess he created--or rather the mess done to him? Whatever involved the spirit Veythe wanted no more of it. Right now she wanted to rest, she wanted Vasha and she wanted Vesra and she wanted. It didn't matter, though. It never quite mattered, did it? Veythe settled down. Perhaps after a long rest she'd feel--better. Or something.
The kor grabbed her hooks from the skin of the monster before leaving the wretched place. “Thank you,” she signed to Veythe as the beautiful bard created a safe haven for them.
The night was dark and full of terrors. The screams, the things that haunted her dreams. Vesra had wanted, no, insisted they go down there. If anyone had died, it would have been on her head. That would be terrible, if she were to feel responsible for what had happened. Sometime in the middle of the night, she got up, not wanting to sleep like this anymore.
When she awoke, she was cuddling Veythe, her love, in the human’s sleeping bag. That felt right. She had also reclaimed her sandals, hooks, and clothes. That felt better. Now she could finally protect her sister.
Kayn spent the morning binding the speckormerelf's leg and arm after studying his spellbook. He'd been able to glean a spell that would help protect him from the natural influence of his possession, but he still felt their tug in the back of his mind. This would have to become a daily occurrence to keep the voices quiet. The skull dangled from his belt pouch, a constant reminder of the pact he made with the trio of ghosts. The sooner he got them out, the better.
The events of yesterday didn't seem to bother the goblin much. With his wounds on the mend and the constant evil presence vanquished, all felt right to him. They could leave now, if they wanted to. The group had accomplished something major, and instead of celebrating the accomplishment they seemed to continue the morning in solemn silence.
Kayn decided to break the silence. "We can leave to Fort Keff now, or we can see what else we can find in this hedron. With most of its defenses down, we're free to explore it in its entirety." Kayn wouldn't mind taking a few more etchings from some of the carvings in the walls and exploring more in depth of those areas that haven't been destroyed by the decay.
Vasha made her way to the darkened entrance and collapsed to the floor. She pulled herself into a sitting position, with her back against a wall. She watched as her companions, no... friends, filtered in slowly. Watching Kayn as he worked on something, she finally fell asleep. When she awoke again, she felt better. She was still pretty sore and was sure she had some bruised ribs, but they were all alive, and she was grateful for that. Vasha wiggled her toes. Odd, she didn't remember taking her sandals off. Standing, she quietly searched her area, to no avail. Then she spotted Vesra, snuggled up with Veythe. Frowning, she was unsure of what to do. It's not like we're together, or anything, Vasha thought. They're free to do whatever they want. Stop feeling jealous. Don't get attached, don't get your feelings hurt. She stood, staring for a moment, then returned to the search for her missing sandals.
Vesra woke up before the bard, who was still blissfully resting. But her sister was awake, she was walking around and looking for something. That was odd. She extricated herself from Veythe and walked over to her twin. ”Are you ok?” she signed.
I'm missing my... Vasha signed back, looking down at Vesra. She didn't realize it before, but her twin was wearing different clothing. In fact, baggy clothing. Where... did you find those clothes?
In my pack, she frowned. Are you sure you’re alright? Not missing any patches of memory?
Vasha eyed Vesra. What pack?
My pack? Flower, what’s going on?
Vasha began to sign something and froze. Why... did you call me... Flower?
Of course, Vesra frowned. That’s what I always call you.
No, Vesra, Vasha signed. That's my nickname for you. She was starting to worry. Something had happened to her sister, and she didn't even notice.
I’m not Vesra, panic was bubbling up in her stomach. Why was her sister calling her by the wrong name? Flower, I think you got scrambled up in that hedron. I’m Vasha.
Vasha's lip quivered. This couldn't be happening, not after all they'd been through. Please, Vesra. Try to remember. I'm your little sister, and I love you fiercely. You... Her hand trembled and Vasha started again. You are the Invoker, remember? You're so powerful. You can speak to Zendikar herself. How many times have you healed me, saved my life? I can't do that. You can. Don't you remember?
“No!” Vesra said aloud. “I am Vasha. We get confused often, we’re identical after all, but I am Vasha!”
Vasha sank to her knees, taking Vesra's face in her hands. "Please, my dear, beautiful sister. Please, I can't lose you." She could feel eyes turn toward them, but she didn't care about waking anyone else up at this point. "You aren't Vasha. Vasha... she's nothing special. You're Vesra, the smarter of the two of us, the better of the two of us. Vesra, who always knows the right thing to say." She pulled Vesra into a tight hug, and as she felt as if her heart were about to break, she felt a new strength within her, one she'd never felt before. "You are Vesra, and I love you so very much. Please, bring back my sister." As she spoke these words, a soft glow fell across both twins.
“I’m-“ she was about to protest, but the warmth seemed to tear down a wall within her mind. She was crying again, that was odd. No, it wasn’t odd. She was sad, that was why she was crying. She was sad because... it was her fault. All of it. The visions of Vasha being tortured flashed before her eyes again. “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, burying her face in Vasha’s chest.
"Don't be sorry, Flower," Vasha said, softly. She held Vesra tight, letting her twin cry. "Don't be sorry for anything. I'm just glad we're safe. I'm glad you're safe."
“He had you in his tentacles, I watched you die,” she sobbed.
"I'm not dead. I'm here, holding you. I'm safe, now. We're all safe." Vasha stroked Vesra's back, hoping to comfort her.
“It’s all my fault, you were dead and it is all my fault,” Vesra choked out.
Vasha pulled away from Vesra, and forced her twin to look her in the eyes. "Look at me. I am not dead. Not in the slightest. I'm here, right now. Look at me, Flower."
Vesra has trouble meeting her sister’s gaze, but eventually she does look Vasha in the eye. “I’m still... Vashie, what is wrong with me?”
"We just went through hell, sweet sister." Vasha's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know what it did to us. I could feel it trying to dig into my mind. Don't worry, we'll figure it out, together." She pulled Vesra back into a hug. "I promise."
“Digging into my mind,” Vesra’s voice trailed off. She closed her eyes and cast Lesser Restoration on herself again, but she still felt funny. “I just want to feel whole.”
"I know that feeling," Vasha said, remembering the compulsion to eat dirt. "It'll take time, but I'll help." She didn't want to tell Vesra she didn't quite feel whole either.
“At least I didn’t start eating dirt,” Vesra laughed half-heartedly, as if reading her sister’s mind. “There are worse things than want to be like your cooler sister.”
Vasha smiled. "Then I should want to be like you." She pulled away once again. "But, you need to give me back my sandals."
Vesra flapped her arms for a minute, her sister’s clothing hanging way too loosely on her too small frame. “Yeah, I’ll give it all back,” she shook off the sandals with a frown. “Being barefoot is better in any case.”
"No," Vasha said with a smile. "We can make this work. I don't know how, but we can make these clothes work. Better than you wearing a bed sheet."
“I liked the sheet,” Vesra grinned. “It made me look like a super cool wizard.”
Vasha laughed. "Wear what you want to wear, Flower." The smile faded a little. "I have a question." She slowly slid the sandals on her feet. "If you thought you were me..." She glanced up atVeythe. Why were you sleeping with human girl?
Because that’s what Vasha would want to do? she signed back. I don’t know, Vashie, my brain feels funny.
Vasha pursed her lips, but turned her gaze back to Vesra. It's okay. She gave her sister a smile. Thanks for grabbing my hooks. She reached to grab them and paused. *Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for being the most amazing person I've ever known." Without waiting for a response, she went to gather her hooks and other belongings.
“Hey,” Vesra stopped her twin and threw her arms around her in another hug. “I would be totally lost without you. Thank you, for everything. You are my hero.”
A lump formed in Vasha's throat and she felt the threat of tears once again. She hugged Vesra back for a moment, then pulled away. "Don't go getting sappy on me." Grabbing her hooks, she began to gather her things, pausing from time to time to look over the party, thankful things ended well.
Hello and welcome readers and sideline participators of this wonderful campaign! After a long hiatus to go and focus on school, I'm back and we're picking this campaign up again! So stay tuned for more posts to come!
Chapter One: It Appeared on the Horizon
Part Four: The Herald at Fort Keff
Light. The hedron vault cracked open as the group poured in some of their final reserves of mana, causing light to pour through the slowly growing crack formed by the sliding vault doors. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, but your senses are greeted by sweet, fresh air vacating the stale air you've become adjusted to over the past two days. As your senses are barraged by the light, warmth, and sounds of natural life, you almost forget the hellish ordeal each of you went through, both physically and mentally. But like tentacles lashing out from the darkness, you feel shivers go down your spines as you still feel the lingering effects of the mental toll each of you bears. Desperate to escape to a saner reality, you quickly pack up and get moving as far away as you can from this wretched place. Affa. That's where you want to go.
The upcoming days remind you that while the hedron and its otherworldly beings are deadly, Death wears many forms herself. Despite having the Joraga elves approval to walk through their life bloom, the treck through the jungle is harrowed up and disrupted in other ways... for while Zendikar gives much, it is what she takes that always strikes closest to home. Almost to the end of your journey through the life bloom, you awake to a humid, quiet morning, and begin preparations for departure until you notice Veythe's absence. Perturbed and concerned, you spread out to find her: it was unlike her to just leave, though perhaps she just needed some personal time to process everything. As the group searches individually, Rezivah picks up on it: the sweet, iron tang of blood. Moving through the foliage like a shark after its prey, she almost passes her by before recognizing the scene for what it was: a patch of bloodbriar vines were fiercely wrapped around a humanoid lump on the ground, the vines pulsating a crimson red as blood rushed through them. Quickly dispatching the vines, the group finds the cold, pale, crumpled up and lifeless corpse of Veythe, their trusted bard companion from the very beginning. Her eyes stare forward, her crushed jaw agape in a silent scream as the remains of a cut-down vine worm its way into her internal organs, most likely towards her heart. Crushed and in tears, the group processes the tragedy (left vague for individual character response) and continues forward to Affa.
The treck across the scorching desert was long, though uneventful. Careful to dodge the roving goblin tribes and bolstered by Vesra's magic, they kept themselves well sustained as they marched across the desert, and then followed the coastline for another few days until reaching Affa.
Affa seemed unchanged, for the most part. The guards seemed more stern and strict than previously, though Vielara's seal of approval brought quick apologies of rudeness as the gates swung open, revealing a bustling sight of people moving about, carrying on with their everyday lives... completely oblivious to the horrors that you all went through. It was a stark, odd realization: they lived their lives in complete, ignorant bliss. Was life better this way, you wonder? To live like sheep, never knowing of the wolves which stalk and prey just outside the gates, only kept at bay by the shepherd? The thought makes you wonder, and the group goes their separate ways for the next few days, meeting back at guildhouse between attending to personal affairs.
Restocked, resupplied, and rejuvenated, the party of -now- five set out on the last leg of their long quest: Fort Keff. Exiting the north gates, they peer out at the long road ahead of them as it dips into the foothills leading up to the large mountain range.
The next few days are long, but the path carved by the roving city of Goma Fada proves to be well-used and rarely home to predators. Either by luck or your worn, experienced appearance, no ambushes are set for the group, leaving you to advance through the blistering heart as you travel northward along the path. The journey is long, but as you reach the crest of a cragged hill, you see Fort Keff. A long wall stretches from one end of the ravine to the other as sheer cliffs jut out from the ground like teeth towards the sky. Alcoves and small structures, built into the cliff walls, are interconnected by a series of rope bridges, dangling precariously above the scatterings of makeshift adobe buildings, tents, and wagons. The nearest side of the fort is protected by a meager wall, no taller than six or seven feet, made out of pure stone. An opening is spotted with a crowd of people surrounding it as a slow trickle of people pour through into the already-crowded fort.
Vasha grew quiet after the discovery of Veythe's body. Never again, she told herself as she kept a very close eye on Vesra, Kayn, Ato, and Rezivah while they traveled. Once back in Affa, Vasha made her way back to the Guild of the White Forge. They had turned her away, and she was determined to prove herself. This time, she would make sure they couldn't ignore her. Sitting at the base of the stairs, just outside the large building, Vasha stared up at the doors for a few moments. Then, closing her eyes, she placed her hands against the stone she sat upon, and began to reach out, pushing her soul out and into the ground, deep into Zendikar herself. While reaching through the dirt and stone, Vasha reflected on all that had happened to her, all her losses in all their forms. I will be better, she told herself. I have to be.
Days passed, and still Vasha didn't move. She continued to sit, deep in meditation, winding her way through the earth below her. Meanwhile, her now 13 year old, older sister, Vesra, sat watch over the monk, for fear of something happening to her. Normally, she would braid flowers into Vasha's hair, but now both twins were bald. Instead, Vesra created flowers around Vasha. The first day of her meditation, few people paid Vasha any mind. The monks of the guild had seen this before, and knew she would give up soon.
After two days of not moving, people started to take notice. As people entered the guild to purchase weapons, they made comments to the monks inside about the two Kor outside. Vasha continued to meditate, and Vesra made flowers. By the third day, a monk had started keeping an eye on Vasha, curious to see what would come of her meditations. Vesra remained ever vigilant, never parting from her sister's side, never sleeping, and simply continued to create flowers. As the day drew late, Vasha began to see something among the rocks and stones and dirt; something that wanted to be formed and birthed from Zendikar. Using her spirit, she began to form it, shape it, not to her will, but the stone's will.
On the morning of the fourth day, Vasha finally moved. Plunging her hands through the stone before her, she let out a low growl. Withdrawing her hands, a pair of hooks formed, small motes of flame sparking as they were pulled from the stone. Opening her eyes, Vasha watched as the weapons began to cool, the etchings upon them beginning to form. That's when she noticed she was no longer sitting on a paved walkway, but a lush green patch of flowers and grass. She glanced at Vesra, knowing this to be her work, and saw how exhausted her sister was. Without a word, she stood, climbing the stairs to the Guild, and the monk that awaited. Lead inside, the monks were impressed by Vasha's stubbornness and ability. She was given her red armband, and all the benefits of being a member of the Guild.
Back outside, her new weapons secured around her waist, she scooped up Vesra, carrying her away. "Thank you, flower," she said softly. "Let's get you some rest." Before the group decided to leave Affa, Vasha visited the marketplace, finding herself a dark hood and mask. The hood would protect her now bald head from the heat of the day, and the mask would protect herself from the feelings she was desperate to lock away. As they traveled, she watched the remaining members closely, keeping to herself and hardly responding when spoken to. Something had changed in her, it was apparent, and everyone could see it.
Fort Keff
As the group approached Fort Keff, Vasha's eyes darted around at the large crowd of people. "Everyone stay close," she said, pulling the mask over her face. It would be difficult to keep tabs on everyone if they got separated, and she worried about the goblin. "Kayn, please don't stray far from us."
While his companions were scrambling to get away from the Hedron they had just conquered, Kayn went back in. He scoured the place for any relics or items of value. They had thoroughly cleaned the hedron out, and nothing more of value remained. He took his time, looking at the strange construct that guarded the tombs. It was a powerful mechanical creation, and he was confidant he could recreate it in his own image if given time. When he approached the very laser trap that nearly killed him, his mind strayed to the Gnarlid he had to sacrifice to survive. The creature was too weak. He would not bind a creature so weak ever again. He felt a sort of sympathy for his companions' weakness as well. They were getting stronger, but they very nearly turned away from yet another battle. Opening the Hedron and walking away, just so the evil within could taint the world around them... that was not an option. He hoped they would be able to steel themselves for what's to come.
As the group traveled back through the lifebloom, Kayn reflected upon the tactics used to gain free entry. Their Barbarian and protector died, being ambushed by Vampires during his own watch. Weakness. The group ran from those very Vampires as their companion screamed in anguish. Weakness. If not for the Goblin's cunning and silver tongue, the Joraga would have seen that weakness and attempted to end the party's life then and there. It didn't come as a surprise, then, when his familiar Sear woke him in his sleep in the dead of the night to see another of his weak companions being pulled into the deadly forest by bloodbriar vines. Veythe reached her hand out, unable to breath with her eyes staring out at him for help. She had threatened his life the previous days in her panicked fear of clearing the Hedron. It was better this way. Kayn watched as the vines pulled her deeper into the forest. He went back to sleep, confidant that Veythe's sacrifice was for the betterment of the group.
On the road back to Affa, Kayn began talking to himself more and more. The Speckormerelf that had possessed him was a being from a time long ago. So many things had changed, and they reflected that in their awe of the world around them. Kayn learned a lot about their Zendikar, and he found comfort in their presence as a group of like-minded intellectuals. Their mad ramblings soon began to cease and their ties to his mind stopped being give and take and became more of a shared compromise. Kayn no longer felt the need to do his morning ritual of binding. They were one for the time being... a Gobkormerelf.
As the group reached Affa, Kayn immediately took to the task of selling Veythe's relic. It belonged to one of the protectors of the Hedron and it was from a time long ago. As one of the first attempts at making a lute of such quality, the item sold for a pretty copper. After his negotiations with the Akoum Expeditionary House, the goblin walked out with a large pouch full of 4,800gp. He divided it with those that had survived, giving Vesra Vasha's share as she sat meditating in front of her monastery. If they were all to continue, they would need to outfit themselves with this coin. He even handed Rezivah a share. She had proven herself in the Hedron. There were times he could tell she wanted out, but he saw an intense strength in her. Kayn spent the rest of his time in Affa researching and purchasing the things they may need in the future. His research was vital if he were to continue binding souls. He was very nearly on the cusp of something great.
Kayn's shopping takes a turn when his family's normal spot has come into some trouble.
As Kayn arrives at the shop.... Paaksimon is the merchant's name - him and Kayn's dad-guy are old time friends. As he arrives at the shop, he finds it surrounded by city militia. One of them, seeing Kayn approach, calls out and tells him to stop. "Come no further," he orders- "there's been a murder here."
Kayn nods, eyeballing the store as he heads out of sight. He then sends Sear in, taking control of his familiar as he perches it nearby. Seeing a shattered window, he slowly ceiling-climbs in and have a look. Kayn is able to make out a destroyed store-front, with several dead bodies. Many of the stands are smashed in with their items missing. It looks like a classic armed assault/robbery, which resulted in some casualties. That said, with items disappearing, at least someone got away... And seeing Paaksimon dead, Kayn knows it wasn't him. Kayn then spots one of the guards pocketing something. It was too quick to distinguish what exactly though. A small medallion? Trinket perhaps?
Kayn pops back into reality and dismisses Sear. He will have to investigate this further later. For now, he begins heading deeper into the city to a local Wizard he is familiar with.
Kayn knocks on the door, pretty sure this is where he lives. He hears an old, nasally, male voice yell from inside, "Go away! I'm not making anymore pets fly!"
"It's me," Kayn calls to the door, "Lillith's apprentice."
Kayn hears shuffling around inside as some figure moves towards the door. There's a pause of silence until the door swings open wide, revealing a tall, lanky human, with short, peppered hair swept back and a thick beard. "Kayn!" He shouts, "the weirdest goblin I've...." he pauses, noticing the ethereal wisps flickering in and out of Kayn's figure. Giving him a quizzical look, he asks, "Do I even want to know?"
"It is a very..." Kayn cocks his head as if listening. "Surreal story." He touches one of the wisps and a small smile plays across his face. "I want to help fund your latest project, but I wish to exchange this gold for some of the lore you might possess." Kayn nods up to the human, "Do you possess any scrolls that may assist me while Lillith is away?"
He looks concerned at Kayn's gesture with the wisp, but says nothing. "Uhh... yeah, probably." Looking around at the street and throngs of people, he gestures for him to come inside. "Let's talk in here. Things have been strange in Affa the past few days." Once inside, he smiles as he sits down. "I do have a good assortment of scrolls! What caliber are you looking for? Cantrips? Or can you cast first-circle spells now?"
Kayn enters and finds a comfortable spot. "I am now a member of the Tekentlar Expedition House. We've... discovered... quite a few interesting things. Of course, you'd think I were mad if I told you about them. Third circle and lower... I need more enchantments. I feel my power growing, and these enchantments appear to be the most powerful as I cast them. Also, I wish to purchase any texts you have on my Master's field. Binding has challenges that I did not expect."
"Binding..." he sits back, as if reminiscing. "You know, Lillith is one of the pioneering experts in that field. Where had she been these days? We usually keep in contact with scrying every few weeks, but it's been a little over a month since I last heard from her. She must be off doing something exciting, I take it?"
"I take it as well," Kayn grins. "She will reach out if we are needed. Things... are at work, I think." Kayn nods as if that should explain it.
The Wizard doesn't pick up on the hint. "Really?! Sounds exciting. It's been awhile since I had some action with her. What's the plan?"
"No, no, no. I do not know." Kayn scratches at his head-plate. "She has not even told me to where she went. For now, we wait in ignorance and carry on as we do." Kayn's eyes dart over to a corner in the Wizard's house before returning to the wizard. "The scrolls and texts?" He asks again.
He sighs and stretches as he stands. "A bummer. I've been looking for something exciting..." Moving over to a bookshelf in the corner, he continues, "You young folk are always in a rush... I envy it, in a sense. Anyway...." he shuffles through some things for a minute as he searches, "Ah! Here are some. I'm more into explosions and flying myself, but I have some old scrolls still." He moves back to the chair and pulls up a barrel to place them on. "Do you speak Elvish? They're written in Elvish."
"I do... as well as Kor Sign, Mer, and of course, Goblin." Kayn chuckles... "I doubt we'll find anything in..." He cocks his head for a moment, "Oh... Kor do write... interesting."
Looking through the scrolls, Kayn notices the Wizard has one for Charm Person and Hold Person.
Kayn points, "That one." His claw is pointing to the Hold Person enchantment. "That one will be very useful to me."
He narrows his eyes and bites his lip as he thinks. Muttering a bit to himself, he shakes his head in accord. "Very well! I don't have much need for it, but funding is needed! I'll part with it for 140 gold."
Kayn pulls his pouch around, huge from the large amount of gold within. He starts pulling out the coins and counting, then stops, "I am also willing to pay for binding lore..." he says as he continues to count.
He shakes his head. "Sorry, Kayn. That was Lillith's forte. She sucked me dry of any binding lore I had a long time ago."
Kayn nods and produces the 140gp. "Do you have any charms you're willing to part with? I still have too much of this gold to carry."
His eyes glitter a little as he looks at Kayn's bag. "I uh... I can see what I can find." He gets up quickly and begins looking around for anything else he can sell. Shouting, he asks, "How much gold do you have?"
Kayn calculates his expenses in his head. "I can spare another 250 gold, I believe."
"I got this amulet! Keeps scrying creeps from finding you," the Wizard responds.
Kayn nods. "I will take it." He attempts to prevent a smile from crossing his face, but fails. Vielara won't like that... but that's good to him.
"Alright! 250 gold it is!" He smiles as he brings it over to Kayn.
Kayn empties the majority of his pouch on the barrel. "Thank you," he says, accepting the amulet. It's heavy... a relic he had heard about in the past. This will prevent anyone from detecting the Goblin through magic use. Very useful. Kayn says his farewells before heading back into the city in search of Ato.
Upon the group's arrival at Fort Keff, Kayn was eager to meet with Vielara. He eyed the Kor monk as she told him to stay close. You are not my keeper. She is not your keeper.She's trying to leash you.You cannot be leashed! "We need to meet with Vielara," Kayn commented. "Let's go."
Just as Vesra felt she had run out of tears, she found herself crying again. Veythe’s death did not hit her as hard as it did her sister, but watching Vasha’s heart break yet again was almost too much for her to bare.
She found herself getting used to her new body, and as disaster after disaster struck she remembered her strength. Vesra found her voice again before too long. The young druid refused to let her age and her scars define her. She talked to the trees as she traveled, sometimes even singing to them. It brought her comfort to know that Zendikar would always be there.
When they reached Affa, Vasha demanded the monk take her. She meditated for three days outside of the Guild. Terror wracked Vesra; something bad could happen to her sister while she was meditating. So she stayed awake and kept watch. For three days she did not sleep, patiently keeping vigil and surviving on Goodberries.
As she sat contemplating her role in the world's existence, Vesra coaxed vegetation and life from the dry, cracked dirt. Flowers bloomed by her will as long-buried seeds sprung to life, growing through the cracks as they fed off of the mana that flowed from her... which flows from Zendikar herself. A flower, one she hadn’t seen in a long time, sprouted from the ground amidst the ones she had created. She didn't make that flower, did she? Vesra shook her head and observed it. As she did so, a distant memory came to mind from her childhood: this type of flower grew along stone cliffs carved by sand blown by fierce winds. Despite all of the difficulty these flowers faced, they blossomed and bloomed in their hostile environment, bringing beauty and life to somewhere that should be utterly desolate of both. “Thank you,” she whispered to the ground, giving the earth a little kiss.
———
Vashie, she signed to her sister outside of the gates. Remember, I am responsible for you in her eyes. Please, don’t do anything rash.
After the chaos and horror of the hedron, the days ran one into the next. For Ato, the journey back to Affa was a blur. He mind still reeled from the implications of what he had seen and it was difficult to understand what might have actually happened, and what was only in his head. He knew it was gone now - banished or slain - but he still woke in the night, that voice still whispering inside his mind.
The memory of finding Veythe, or what was left of her, was one that did stand out. He didn't mourn her loss exactly, friendships were fleeting and fickle, he knew, but the manner of her death bothered him more than he'd have expected. To die so horribly, bled dry by the forest without a for to face... it was Vasha' s reaction that surprised him, truth be told. He hadn't realized the two women had grown so close. After the way she'd fallen in with the barbarian, Ato hadn't expected the monk to bond so closely with a woman.
Once back in Affa, Ato had spent the first day prowling the back alleys and more neglected corners of the city. They'd been gone long enough that he wanted to get a feel for the mood in the city and what they'd missed. He put out feelers about Vielara and what she'd been up to more than anything. Later, that more or less accomplished, and not much new having been learned, he returns to the Expedition House to compare notes with his companions and see what they may have heard while out in the city themselves. Soon enough he meets Kayn in passing.
A Side-Quest: Kayn speaks to Ato in perfect Mer, something that Ato had gotten used to in their travel back to Affa. "A friend of mine was murdered today and his store was ravaged. The trail is still fresh... do you have time to join a goblin in his hunt for revenge?"
"Murdered? Not unheard of in this city, unfortunately. If you seek vengeance for this death, then I will do what I can for you, of course, my friend. If the trail is still somewhat fresh, we should waste no more time. Where was the store? Lead the way."
Gathering what gear you think you need, the two of you head out from the expedition house towards the store. Evening is just beginning to set, painting the city in varying shades of red. Approaching the store, you see just one guard leaning against the wall by the main entrance to the store.
The pair try and be as sneaky and inconspicuous as possible, but the guard sees right through the charade. "Aye!" he calls out, fumbling for his spear, "You two tryin' to break in 'er?" "My friend," the goblin says, weaving his spell, "We've been told to assist in the investigation." (Charm Person WIS DC 14 - Guard Saved 18) "What? No! Just checking in on the place. We're here to make sure you're keeping an eye out like you should be." Ato tries his own deception even as Kayn works his magic. (Deception Check 14) The guard brandishes the spear at the two, putting a bit of distance between him and them. "Oi! You tryin' ta be funny? Get lost! There ain't even nothin' in there to steal anyway ya thieves." Ato gives him a frown. "That's how it is then, eh? A shame." Looking to Kayn he asks in Mer. "Just kill him then? Time is wasting."
Kayn's eyes narrow, "We are members of the Tekentlar Expedition House and we're here to check on our friend. If you continue to block our path..." A fire begins to form in Kayn's hands, "We will kill you. Move... now." The guard's eyes go wide at the sight of the fire, and coupled with Ato's fearsome appearance, he drops the spear. "O... okay. Yeah. Sure. Okay." He takes a few steps back and speaks up. "But... umm... could you rough me up a bit? Just so the boss doesn't think Imma coward or somethin'." Kayn gets close to the guard, drawing his attention away from Ato who darts in and with a deft application of his dagger pommel drops the guard as he'd asked so politely. "Lights out for you." Turning his attention to the building, he looks to the window Kayn had pointed out.
Kayn nods towards the door and attempts to drag the guard inside. "Ah." Grabbing a leg, Ato helps Kayn drag the guard out of sight before they attract attention. Once inside he glances around the shop, taking in the destruction. With a practiced eye, he looks for any signs of who or what carried out the attack. It's suuuuper messy in there. Lots of destroyed stuff. Blood. Nothing magical remains. With Kayn's help, Ato searches, but the fatigue from the day and the heat of the sun distracts him as he feels his skin beginning to crack from it all. Ato rubs his eyes, feeling the headaches the heat brings if he isn't careful. "I'm sorry, Kayn. I'm not seeing much of anything that tells me what happened here. The signs of the fight are all muddled by the guards tramping around afterwards. They've destroyed anything that would help us," Ato tells the goblin. "Perhaps... you can find something from your contacts in the city?" Kayn asks. "If this was a magic shop, then the stock has to go somewhere. I can asksome discrete questions, of course. Follow the money." Kayn nods, a little disappointed. "It is ok. Please let me know if you find something before we depart." "We'll find out what happened, don't worry. I'll ask some questions."
Ato reaches out to his contacts and see what they can dig up regarding the whole situation. By the time the group is ready to depart, they don't have anything concrete: only that none of that normal gangs and individual agents took part in it. Disappointed, Ato reports his findings (or lack thereof) to Kayn. Soon enough, and more miles behind them, the members of the Tekentlar Expedition House find themselves nearing the gates of Fort Keff, and the upcoming meeting with thier patron.
With the sun beating down almost directly overhead, the group continued on the path leading to Fort Keff. It flowed into the onslaught of people, a mess of the tattered, worn, and lost. Refugees, you could see the loss and fear in their eyes as some clasped onto loved ones, while others stood alone in the crowd with blank stares looking forward. Many of those in the crowd were wounded slightly, though none could be seen with serious wounds.
Vesra, playing on her childlike appearance, asks around to gauge the situation, with Vasha and Kayn quickly joining her. Speaking with an older man who's hand firmly clasped a young girl's, they learn that many of those here seek refuge from recent attacks. Strange creatures: some say demons, whereas others claim them to be insects, have begun attacking roving settlements and small clans, slaughtering those who could not hide or fight back.
Impatiently, Rezivah searched the crowd for any sign of authority to approach while the others spoke. Looking through the throngs of people, she could scarcely make out what looked like some guards around a table near the front gate. A large banner, laid dormant without wind to blow it wide, rose from the crowd, giving her clear direction on where to go. "Hmph." Pulling people aside as she walks, Rezivah smiled mock-pleasantly at others as she attempted to get within speaking distance to these 'guardsmen', shining her fangs.
Noticing Rezivah's advancement, the rest of the group follows suit, moving for her through the crowd. Crude remarks and gestures are given by some of the people as they push their way through, though the crowd is wise enough to not pick a fight with heavily armored adventurers. Getting through the crowd, the group sees the main gate, widely open, flanked by two different loosely dispersed groups of guards. Two tables stand on either side of the gate beneath banners, and the group can hear numbers occasionally called out, answered quickly by a lone figure or group of people who excitedly rush towards the entrance to the fort.
Kayn approaches one of the tables and says, "We are the Tekentlar Expedition House and we're here to meet Vielara." He scratches at one of the wisps that drift off his arm as if attempting to touch the paper on the table.
The guard looks up from his paperwork with a loud sigh. "Yeah? Look behind you. Everyone wants to get in." He grabs a paper and writes down a number. "Step forward when your number is called."
One of the other nearby guards, perhaps overhearing Kayn speak, quickly moved towards the gates and into the fort while the central guard and Kayn talk.
Rezivah catches up to the goblin, overhearing the dismissive beaurocracy. "Excuse me. I demand to be let in. I must speak with Vielara of the Tekentlar Expedition House," she says, folding her arms impatiently.
He looks up at Rezivah, visibly frustrated. "Look, little miss vampire. I don't like your kind as is. There could be a hellkite charging us, and I still wouldn't let you in until your name is called. Not for you, not for some expedition house, and not for some random tramp named Vielara!" By the end of his tirade he's standing and nearly fuming.
“Sorry, sir,” Vesra peaked from behind Rezivah. “I got separated from my dad, and these people are helping my mom and I find him. Can you just let us know how long it will be until I can give him a hug again?”
Vesra's appearance soften's the man's outlook as his huffing and puffing dies down. He sighs and shakes his head before looking at the little girl. "We'll have everyone here in by the evening." You look up at the sun and note that it appears to be coming onto the late afternoon.
“Do I need to do anything extra to make sure we can get it in?” She asked, not noticing her sister’s distress.
He writes down a number on a piece of paper and hands it to her. "When this number is called, go to the pair of officers over there." He points to a rough human male, accompanied by a much smaller elf woman. Vesra looks down and sees her number is smaller than the one given to Kayn.
“Thank you so much for your help,” Vesra beamed.
Some more people begin approaching the table, dividing his attention as he begins filling out papers for them and giving them the same instructions he gave you. He smiles and nods his head before returning his attention to them.
Impatiently, the group waited for their numbers to be called. Melding into the crowd a bit, Kayn mutters, "This will take too long." He gestures at a group of the guards by the gate focusing his mana through his fingers and bending their wills [Charm Person]. While he's certain one of the guards fell sway to his powers, the other two guards immediately look around, searching for any magic users. Kayn then moves his attention to another group and chants the same enchantment. These guards seem to have been remarkably trained to withstand enchantment magic, because all three of them resist the pull of his magic, and move into the crowd, searching for any magic users.
At about this point, a guard comes rushing through the gates, approaching a lone guard who stands off to the side. It isn't long after before the two of them are joined by two black-clad, heavily armored individuals. The guard who had come rushing quickly disperses as the other black figures join the lone guard, who, flanked by the black pair, moves forward towards the crowd. With a loud, deep, booming voice, he calls out, "Tekentlar Expedition House! Front and center!" You look over to see the lone guard, flanked by two figures in black armor, standing in the center of the opened gates, his arms folded across his chest.
Meanwhile, Vesra and Vasha's hands were full with a strange, red-beared stranger. Overhearing the call, Vesra elbowed her sister. “We’ll talk more about this later, but it looks like our number is up.” The two, now joined by the beared barbarian, move through the crowds and join up with Kayn, Rezivah, and Ato. As they get closer, they recognize the black-armored figures: they're the same who accompanied Vielara back in the Pits of Cakorot, when all of this began. Their heads dart at odd angles from side to side as they scan the crowd before they lock onto each of you.
"I'm Captain Indrid" the guardsman says, introducing himself. "Mistress Vielara has been expecting you. You're late," he adds briskly. He holds back a smile as he observes Vasha and Vesra frantically Kor-signing back and forth to each other amidst a perplexed Kargan while the rest of the group try to figure out who the newcomer is. Indrid coughs, grabbing Vasha's attention.
"Please," Vasha spoke to Indrid. "Take us to Vielara."
"Mhmm...." he drones as if ruminating about the group's antics. "I won't take you to her." He motions to the two black-clad figures, "But they will."
“Thank you,” Vesra moves towards the black-clad figures. “We apologize for our tardiness.”
He nods his head before looking at the black figures and whispering something to them. They immediately snap into action, with one taking up the rear of the group and the other the front and begin moving the group through the gates and into Fort Keff.
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She cast another produce flame at the corrupter, hitting it squarely in the face.
(OOC: 20 to hit, 12 damage, move to E5)
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Vasha saw that the creature had moved, and knew she needed to get away from it. She moved around the backside of the next hedron and punched it. Bits of rock flew off it and she swung again, leaving another trail of blood across this one's surface. Her hands were going to be mangled by the time she got out of here. If she got out.
(Moved to J4, Attack 24 for 5 damage, attack 10)
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Kayn felt the creature's claw rip through his shield, ignore his managical armor, and slice through the last of his ethereal protection as if it were all made of squishy human. It was an impressive attack, for sure. The gash tore through his thick skin drawing long lines of blood. He could feel the necrotic energy envelope him just from being nearby. He'd have to leave, but only if the creature gets snagged by the web. If not, he would stand his ground!
Pulling upon the last of the mana around him, he focus his wand again into a turret of flames. He can hear the flesh of the creature popping in the heat. He knew it was hurt. He knew it would lose. Kayn glares up at the thing and yells, "Your time has come, Corrupter! Your life is ended!"
(Hold move - If corrupter gets caught in web, Kayn moves to D11, Burning Hands - Creature saved, 9 damage total)
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The weight of her crossbow becoming more than a hindrance, Rezivah dropped it to the ground. She looked to the monster, and to the rest of the party. The aberration looked.. as if it was almost done! They could do this! They weren't going to die here!
Feeling that slight spark of resolve, Rezivah called it forth into her signature bolts of piercing white mana. Blasting a flurry of them, they all unfailingly landed and erupted against the monster's charred flesh. The creature bellows and slumps, and remains still. With its body now limp, the once perturbing purple hedrons become dormant, fall down the eldritch platform and crumble into numerous pieces. The dread that filled the volume of the chamber subsided as well.
Rezivah fell to her knees, her body quivering, holding her stomach. Then she noticed, that sickening implant was gone. Nothing squirmed with unnatural life within her. "Holy Emeria.."
The kor screamed as the weight of what had just happened hit her. Because of Vesra’s choices, so many of their friends almost died. This battle could have cost them, it could have...
She was crying. That was odd, she didn’t remember when she had started. She glanced over and saw her sister, who was obviously not doing super. “Are you alright?” She asked the other Kor. “I still have the mana to heal someone.”
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Vasha fell to her knees. She wanted to cry, but nothing came out. She wanted to scream, but could produce no sound. She just looked up at her sister for a moment, then closed her eyes and sank to the ground. She held her head in her hands, wondering when this would all come to an end. She didn't think she could take much more.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Kayn remained, standing and defiant as he glared at the creature. His words sprang true, as immediately after he proclaimed the creature's death multiple spheres of managic barreled into the Corrupter's head. Kayn laughs as the creature falls to the ground, all life drained from its corpse. With a loud grunt and a hearty shove, the creature tumbles to the ground level below.
The silence was comforting. Then Vessie screamed, causing Kayn to jump.
As the silence lingers on, Kayn paces back and forth on his pillar. It isn't until he nods a few times and looks around that he comes to some sort of decision.
"We should rest," he says over the sobs of the twins. "I need at least two hours to bind Lomilith... I refuse to leave the hedron until I'm sure we can prevent their corruption from spreading." After a few more moments of thought, he adds, "I need Lomilith's skull." He hops down the 'steps' then hops down the second set, then makes his way over to the rope.
"Meet me up at the hedron entrance when you're all ready." He gives one last glance at the rest of his companions before climbing up Ato's rope. He had given the speckormerelf an ultimatum. And rather than be imprisoned in the hedron for eternity with them, they have willingly allowed him to bind them to himself. If what they say is true, and the Sunspring burns the corruption from them, he'll release them from his binding.
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She walked over to her twin and placed her hand on the other Kor’s back. A surge of white mana went through her, hopefully healing her sister. “There you go,” she signed. “You alright, Flower?”
(OOC: Lesser restoration cast on Vasha)
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Vasha watched her sister sign with weary eyes, but made no motion to reply. She stood, with a heavy sigh, and slowly made her way down the pillar. Without a word, she headed toward the rope, and began to pull herself up. It was slow, and painful, with blood running down her arms, but she was determined. She was done.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
It took too long for Kayn to find a slot for the hedron cube in the incinerator room, so Ato crawled up to assist him and pointed it out rather quickly. He slapped the hedron key into the slot and the deadly lasers powered down. This was the last room to clear, as every other room had been thoroughly searched. He could feel the stares of his companions behind him, but at least the lasers were off now! He gathered his pack and the cube and made his way to the entrance.
He spent the beginning of the rest up near the entrance of the hedron bandaging his wound. The gash from the Corrupter's claws still seeped a bit of blood after his search of the incinerator room. Once that was done, he enlisted the help of Vesra to identify Lomilith's skull. He never noticed how slender an elven skull was. It was like they only ate flowers. Flowers were yummy though, so he couldn't blame them. Before beginning the ritual, he summoned Sear. Sear was always present during his rituals, and although it takes nearly an hour and a lot of expensive reagents to summon his familiar, he needed Sear there for moral support.
With that done, Kayn began his ritual of binding. While the others rested, he took Lomilith's skull and bound it to himself and the speckormerelf. The tattoo on the skull almost completely encompassed it, giving it the look of an obsidian carving. With the 2-hour ritual done, the skull would act as a key. As long as he possessed it, it would keep the speckormerelf bound to him, preventing the spread of their corruption as they traveled the world outside. Kayn fashioned a sort of sling for it and allowed it to dangle from his belt.
Finally, he crashed. It was a long, dreamless sleep. One that he hadn't had in quite awhile.
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It was over. It was over. They survived and Veythe felt--nothing. Empty. They survived and there was nothing. All that, all the mess and insanity and horror and just--nothing. Quiet, at a loss for words, Veythe took the rope up and followed the rest of the party out of the halls and toward the entrance in silence. Veythe didn't even bother to play her lute, or any of her other instruments--her lyre, her flute, her dulcimer--nothing. She remained quiet, unsure, as she watched the party move about. She watched Rezivah for a moment--the sheer relief--then watched Vesra and Vasha and everything just felt--numb. What had even happened, in the end? What insanity had they just gone through with a monster that--Veythe shook the thoughts from her mind.
It was gone. It was done. There was nothing more to be said on the matter, only that they survived--worse of wear, perhaps, maybe even broken in the assault--but they survived. That, in source of everything, meant the world.
While Kayn settled down, Veythe pondered scolding the goblin. She thought better of it, in the end. Let him handle the mess he created--or rather the mess done to him? Whatever involved the spirit Veythe wanted no more of it. Right now she wanted to rest, she wanted Vasha and she wanted Vesra and she wanted. It didn't matter, though. It never quite mattered, did it? Veythe settled down. Perhaps after a long rest she'd feel--better. Or something.
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The kor grabbed her hooks from the skin of the monster before leaving the wretched place. “Thank you,” she signed to Veythe as the beautiful bard created a safe haven for them.
The night was dark and full of terrors. The screams, the things that haunted her dreams. Vesra had wanted, no, insisted they go down there. If anyone had died, it would have been on her head. That would be terrible, if she were to feel responsible for what had happened. Sometime in the middle of the night, she got up, not wanting to sleep like this anymore.
When she awoke, she was cuddling Veythe, her love, in the human’s sleeping bag. That felt right. She had also reclaimed her sandals, hooks, and clothes. That felt better. Now she could finally protect her sister.
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Kayn spent the morning binding the speckormerelf's leg and arm after studying his spellbook. He'd been able to glean a spell that would help protect him from the natural influence of his possession, but he still felt their tug in the back of his mind. This would have to become a daily occurrence to keep the voices quiet. The skull dangled from his belt pouch, a constant reminder of the pact he made with the trio of ghosts. The sooner he got them out, the better.
The events of yesterday didn't seem to bother the goblin much. With his wounds on the mend and the constant evil presence vanquished, all felt right to him. They could leave now, if they wanted to. The group had accomplished something major, and instead of celebrating the accomplishment they seemed to continue the morning in solemn silence.
Kayn decided to break the silence. "We can leave to Fort Keff now, or we can see what else we can find in this hedron. With most of its defenses down, we're free to explore it in its entirety." Kayn wouldn't mind taking a few more etchings from some of the carvings in the walls and exploring more in depth of those areas that haven't been destroyed by the decay.
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Vasha made her way to the darkened entrance and collapsed to the floor. She pulled herself into a sitting position, with her back against a wall. She watched as her companions, no... friends, filtered in slowly. Watching Kayn as he worked on something, she finally fell asleep. When she awoke again, she felt better. She was still pretty sore and was sure she had some bruised ribs, but they were all alive, and she was grateful for that. Vasha wiggled her toes. Odd, she didn't remember taking her sandals off. Standing, she quietly searched her area, to no avail. Then she spotted Vesra, snuggled up with Veythe. Frowning, she was unsure of what to do. It's not like we're together, or anything, Vasha thought. They're free to do whatever they want. Stop feeling jealous. Don't get attached, don't get your feelings hurt. She stood, staring for a moment, then returned to the search for her missing sandals.
Vesra woke up before the bard, who was still blissfully resting. But her sister was awake, she was walking around and looking for something. That was odd. She extricated herself from Veythe and walked over to her twin. ”Are you ok?” she signed.
I'm missing my... Vasha signed back, looking down at Vesra. She didn't realize it before, but her twin was wearing different clothing. In fact, baggy clothing. Where... did you find those clothes?
In my pack, she frowned. Are you sure you’re alright? Not missing any patches of memory?
Vasha eyed Vesra. What pack?
My pack? Flower, what’s going on?
Vasha began to sign something and froze. Why... did you call me... Flower?
Of course, Vesra frowned. That’s what I always call you.
No, Vesra, Vasha signed. That's my nickname for you. She was starting to worry. Something had happened to her sister, and she didn't even notice.
I’m not Vesra, panic was bubbling up in her stomach. Why was her sister calling her by the wrong name? Flower, I think you got scrambled up in that hedron. I’m Vasha.
Vasha's lip quivered. This couldn't be happening, not after all they'd been through. Please, Vesra. Try to remember. I'm your little sister, and I love you fiercely. You... Her hand trembled and Vasha started again. You are the Invoker, remember? You're so powerful. You can speak to Zendikar herself. How many times have you healed me, saved my life? I can't do that. You can. Don't you remember?
“No!” Vesra said aloud. “I am Vasha. We get confused often, we’re identical after all, but I am Vasha!”
Vasha sank to her knees, taking Vesra's face in her hands. "Please, my dear, beautiful sister. Please, I can't lose you." She could feel eyes turn toward them, but she didn't care about waking anyone else up at this point. "You aren't Vasha. Vasha... she's nothing special. You're Vesra, the smarter of the two of us, the better of the two of us. Vesra, who always knows the right thing to say." She pulled Vesra into a tight hug, and as she felt as if her heart were about to break, she felt a new strength within her, one she'd never felt before. "You are Vesra, and I love you so very much. Please, bring back my sister." As she spoke these words, a soft glow fell across both twins.
“I’m-“ she was about to protest, but the warmth seemed to tear down a wall within her mind. She was crying again, that was odd. No, it wasn’t odd. She was sad, that was why she was crying. She was sad because... it was her fault. All of it. The visions of Vasha being tortured flashed before her eyes again. “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, burying her face in Vasha’s chest.
"Don't be sorry, Flower," Vasha said, softly. She held Vesra tight, letting her twin cry. "Don't be sorry for anything. I'm just glad we're safe. I'm glad you're safe."
“He had you in his tentacles, I watched you die,” she sobbed.
"I'm not dead. I'm here, holding you. I'm safe, now. We're all safe." Vasha stroked Vesra's back, hoping to comfort her.
“It’s all my fault, you were dead and it is all my fault,” Vesra choked out.
Vasha pulled away from Vesra, and forced her twin to look her in the eyes. "Look at me. I am not dead. Not in the slightest. I'm here, right now. Look at me, Flower."
Vesra has trouble meeting her sister’s gaze, but eventually she does look Vasha in the eye. “I’m still... Vashie, what is wrong with me?”
"We just went through hell, sweet sister." Vasha's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know what it did to us. I could feel it trying to dig into my mind. Don't worry, we'll figure it out, together." She pulled Vesra back into a hug. "I promise."
“Digging into my mind,” Vesra’s voice trailed off. She closed her eyes and cast Lesser Restoration on herself again, but she still felt funny. “I just want to feel whole.”
"I know that feeling," Vasha said, remembering the compulsion to eat dirt. "It'll take time, but I'll help." She didn't want to tell Vesra she didn't quite feel whole either.
“At least I didn’t start eating dirt,” Vesra laughed half-heartedly, as if reading her sister’s mind. “There are worse things than want to be like your cooler sister.”
Vasha smiled. "Then I should want to be like you." She pulled away once again. "But, you need to give me back my sandals."
Vesra flapped her arms for a minute, her sister’s clothing hanging way too loosely on her too small frame. “Yeah, I’ll give it all back,” she shook off the sandals with a frown. “Being barefoot is better in any case.”
"No," Vasha said with a smile. "We can make this work. I don't know how, but we can make these clothes work. Better than you wearing a bed sheet."
“I liked the sheet,” Vesra grinned. “It made me look like a super cool wizard.”
Vasha laughed. "Wear what you want to wear, Flower." The smile faded a little. "I have a question." She slowly slid the sandals on her feet. "If you thought you were me..." She glanced up atVeythe. Why were you sleeping with human girl?
Because that’s what Vasha would want to do? she signed back. I don’t know, Vashie, my brain feels funny.
Vasha pursed her lips, but turned her gaze back to Vesra. It's okay. She gave her sister a smile. Thanks for grabbing my hooks. She reached to grab them and paused. *Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for being the most amazing person I've ever known." Without waiting for a response, she went to gather her hooks and other belongings.
“Hey,” Vesra stopped her twin and threw her arms around her in another hug. “I would be totally lost without you. Thank you, for everything. You are my hero.”
A lump formed in Vasha's throat and she felt the threat of tears once again. She hugged Vesra back for a moment, then pulled away. "Don't go getting sappy on me." Grabbing her hooks, she began to gather her things, pausing from time to time to look over the party, thankful things ended well.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Hello and welcome readers and sideline participators of this wonderful campaign! After a long hiatus to go and focus on school, I'm back and we're picking this campaign up again! So stay tuned for more posts to come!
Chapter One: It Appeared on the Horizon
Part Four: The Herald at Fort Keff
Light. The hedron vault cracked open as the group poured in some of their final reserves of mana, causing light to pour through the slowly growing crack formed by the sliding vault doors. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, but your senses are greeted by sweet, fresh air vacating the stale air you've become adjusted to over the past two days. As your senses are barraged by the light, warmth, and sounds of natural life, you almost forget the hellish ordeal each of you went through, both physically and mentally. But like tentacles lashing out from the darkness, you feel shivers go down your spines as you still feel the lingering effects of the mental toll each of you bears. Desperate to escape to a saner reality, you quickly pack up and get moving as far away as you can from this wretched place. Affa. That's where you want to go.
The upcoming days remind you that while the hedron and its otherworldly beings are deadly, Death wears many forms herself. Despite having the Joraga elves approval to walk through their life bloom, the treck through the jungle is harrowed up and disrupted in other ways... for while Zendikar gives much, it is what she takes that always strikes closest to home. Almost to the end of your journey through the life bloom, you awake to a humid, quiet morning, and begin preparations for departure until you notice Veythe's absence. Perturbed and concerned, you spread out to find her: it was unlike her to just leave, though perhaps she just needed some personal time to process everything. As the group searches individually, Rezivah picks up on it: the sweet, iron tang of blood. Moving through the foliage like a shark after its prey, she almost passes her by before recognizing the scene for what it was: a patch of bloodbriar vines were fiercely wrapped around a humanoid lump on the ground, the vines pulsating a crimson red as blood rushed through them. Quickly dispatching the vines, the group finds the cold, pale, crumpled up and lifeless corpse of Veythe, their trusted bard companion from the very beginning. Her eyes stare forward, her crushed jaw agape in a silent scream as the remains of a cut-down vine worm its way into her internal organs, most likely towards her heart. Crushed and in tears, the group processes the tragedy (left vague for individual character response) and continues forward to Affa.
The treck across the scorching desert was long, though uneventful. Careful to dodge the roving goblin tribes and bolstered by Vesra's magic, they kept themselves well sustained as they marched across the desert, and then followed the coastline for another few days until reaching Affa.
Affa seemed unchanged, for the most part. The guards seemed more stern and strict than previously, though Vielara's seal of approval brought quick apologies of rudeness as the gates swung open, revealing a bustling sight of people moving about, carrying on with their everyday lives... completely oblivious to the horrors that you all went through. It was a stark, odd realization: they lived their lives in complete, ignorant bliss. Was life better this way, you wonder? To live like sheep, never knowing of the wolves which stalk and prey just outside the gates, only kept at bay by the shepherd? The thought makes you wonder, and the group goes their separate ways for the next few days, meeting back at guildhouse between attending to personal affairs.
Restocked, resupplied, and rejuvenated, the party of -now- five set out on the last leg of their long quest: Fort Keff. Exiting the north gates, they peer out at the long road ahead of them as it dips into the foothills leading up to the large mountain range.
The next few days are long, but the path carved by the roving city of Goma Fada proves to be well-used and rarely home to predators. Either by luck or your worn, experienced appearance, no ambushes are set for the group, leaving you to advance through the blistering heart as you travel northward along the path. The journey is long, but as you reach the crest of a cragged hill, you see Fort Keff. A long wall stretches from one end of the ravine to the other as sheer cliffs jut out from the ground like teeth towards the sky. Alcoves and small structures, built into the cliff walls, are interconnected by a series of rope bridges, dangling precariously above the scatterings of makeshift adobe buildings, tents, and wagons. The nearest side of the fort is protected by a meager wall, no taller than six or seven feet, made out of pure stone. An opening is spotted with a crowd of people surrounding it as a slow trickle of people pour through into the already-crowded fort.
Affa
Vasha grew quiet after the discovery of Veythe's body. Never again, she told herself as she kept a very close eye on Vesra, Kayn, Ato, and Rezivah while they traveled. Once back in Affa, Vasha made her way back to the Guild of the White Forge. They had turned her away, and she was determined to prove herself. This time, she would make sure they couldn't ignore her. Sitting at the base of the stairs, just outside the large building, Vasha stared up at the doors for a few moments. Then, closing her eyes, she placed her hands against the stone she sat upon, and began to reach out, pushing her soul out and into the ground, deep into Zendikar herself. While reaching through the dirt and stone, Vasha reflected on all that had happened to her, all her losses in all their forms. I will be better, she told herself. I have to be.
Days passed, and still Vasha didn't move. She continued to sit, deep in meditation, winding her way through the earth below her. Meanwhile, her now 13 year old, older sister, Vesra, sat watch over the monk, for fear of something happening to her. Normally, she would braid flowers into Vasha's hair, but now both twins were bald. Instead, Vesra created flowers around Vasha. The first day of her meditation, few people paid Vasha any mind. The monks of the guild had seen this before, and knew she would give up soon.
After two days of not moving, people started to take notice. As people entered the guild to purchase weapons, they made comments to the monks inside about the two Kor outside. Vasha continued to meditate, and Vesra made flowers. By the third day, a monk had started keeping an eye on Vasha, curious to see what would come of her meditations. Vesra remained ever vigilant, never parting from her sister's side, never sleeping, and simply continued to create flowers. As the day drew late, Vasha began to see something among the rocks and stones and dirt; something that wanted to be formed and birthed from Zendikar. Using her spirit, she began to form it, shape it, not to her will, but the stone's will.
On the morning of the fourth day, Vasha finally moved. Plunging her hands through the stone before her, she let out a low growl. Withdrawing her hands, a pair of hooks formed, small motes of flame sparking as they were pulled from the stone. Opening her eyes, Vasha watched as the weapons began to cool, the etchings upon them beginning to form. That's when she noticed she was no longer sitting on a paved walkway, but a lush green patch of flowers and grass. She glanced at Vesra, knowing this to be her work, and saw how exhausted her sister was. Without a word, she stood, climbing the stairs to the Guild, and the monk that awaited. Lead inside, the monks were impressed by Vasha's stubbornness and ability. She was given her red armband, and all the benefits of being a member of the Guild.
Back outside, her new weapons secured around her waist, she scooped up Vesra, carrying her away. "Thank you, flower," she said softly. "Let's get you some rest." Before the group decided to leave Affa, Vasha visited the marketplace, finding herself a dark hood and mask. The hood would protect her now bald head from the heat of the day, and the mask would protect herself from the feelings she was desperate to lock away. As they traveled, she watched the remaining members closely, keeping to herself and hardly responding when spoken to. Something had changed in her, it was apparent, and everyone could see it.
Fort Keff
As the group approached Fort Keff, Vasha's eyes darted around at the large crowd of people. "Everyone stay close," she said, pulling the mask over her face. It would be difficult to keep tabs on everyone if they got separated, and she worried about the goblin. "Kayn, please don't stray far from us."
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
While his companions were scrambling to get away from the Hedron they had just conquered, Kayn went back in. He scoured the place for any relics or items of value. They had thoroughly cleaned the hedron out, and nothing more of value remained. He took his time, looking at the strange construct that guarded the tombs. It was a powerful mechanical creation, and he was confidant he could recreate it in his own image if given time. When he approached the very laser trap that nearly killed him, his mind strayed to the Gnarlid he had to sacrifice to survive. The creature was too weak. He would not bind a creature so weak ever again. He felt a sort of sympathy for his companions' weakness as well. They were getting stronger, but they very nearly turned away from yet another battle. Opening the Hedron and walking away, just so the evil within could taint the world around them... that was not an option. He hoped they would be able to steel themselves for what's to come.
As the group traveled back through the lifebloom, Kayn reflected upon the tactics used to gain free entry. Their Barbarian and protector died, being ambushed by Vampires during his own watch. Weakness. The group ran from those very Vampires as their companion screamed in anguish. Weakness. If not for the Goblin's cunning and silver tongue, the Joraga would have seen that weakness and attempted to end the party's life then and there. It didn't come as a surprise, then, when his familiar Sear woke him in his sleep in the dead of the night to see another of his weak companions being pulled into the deadly forest by bloodbriar vines. Veythe reached her hand out, unable to breath with her eyes staring out at him for help. She had threatened his life the previous days in her panicked fear of clearing the Hedron. It was better this way. Kayn watched as the vines pulled her deeper into the forest. He went back to sleep, confidant that Veythe's sacrifice was for the betterment of the group.
On the road back to Affa, Kayn began talking to himself more and more. The Speckormerelf that had possessed him was a being from a time long ago. So many things had changed, and they reflected that in their awe of the world around them. Kayn learned a lot about their Zendikar, and he found comfort in their presence as a group of like-minded intellectuals. Their mad ramblings soon began to cease and their ties to his mind stopped being give and take and became more of a shared compromise. Kayn no longer felt the need to do his morning ritual of binding. They were one for the time being... a Gobkormerelf.
As the group reached Affa, Kayn immediately took to the task of selling Veythe's relic. It belonged to one of the protectors of the Hedron and it was from a time long ago. As one of the first attempts at making a lute of such quality, the item sold for a pretty copper. After his negotiations with the Akoum Expeditionary House, the goblin walked out with a large pouch full of 4,800gp. He divided it with those that had survived, giving Vesra Vasha's share as she sat meditating in front of her monastery. If they were all to continue, they would need to outfit themselves with this coin. He even handed Rezivah a share. She had proven herself in the Hedron. There were times he could tell she wanted out, but he saw an intense strength in her. Kayn spent the rest of his time in Affa researching and purchasing the things they may need in the future. His research was vital if he were to continue binding souls. He was very nearly on the cusp of something great.
Kayn's shopping takes a turn when his family's normal spot has come into some trouble.
As Kayn arrives at the shop.... Paaksimon is the merchant's name - him and Kayn's dad-guy are old time friends. As he arrives at the shop, he finds it surrounded by city militia. One of them, seeing Kayn approach, calls out and tells him to stop. "Come no further," he orders- "there's been a murder here."
Kayn nods, eyeballing the store as he heads out of sight. He then sends Sear in, taking control of his familiar as he perches it nearby. Seeing a shattered window, he slowly ceiling-climbs in and have a look. Kayn is able to make out a destroyed store-front, with several dead bodies. Many of the stands are smashed in with their items missing. It looks like a classic armed assault/robbery, which resulted in some casualties. That said, with items disappearing, at least someone got away... And seeing Paaksimon dead, Kayn knows it wasn't him. Kayn then spots one of the guards pocketing something. It was too quick to distinguish what exactly though. A small medallion? Trinket perhaps?
Kayn pops back into reality and dismisses Sear. He will have to investigate this further later. For now, he begins heading deeper into the city to a local Wizard he is familiar with.
Kayn knocks on the door, pretty sure this is where he lives. He hears an old, nasally, male voice yell from inside, "Go away! I'm not making anymore pets fly!"
"It's me," Kayn calls to the door, "Lillith's apprentice."
Kayn hears shuffling around inside as some figure moves towards the door. There's a pause of silence until the door swings open wide, revealing a tall, lanky human, with short, peppered hair swept back and a thick beard. "Kayn!" He shouts, "the weirdest goblin I've...." he pauses, noticing the ethereal wisps flickering in and out of Kayn's figure. Giving him a quizzical look, he asks, "Do I even want to know?"
"It is a very..." Kayn cocks his head as if listening. "Surreal story." He touches one of the wisps and a small smile plays across his face. "I want to help fund your latest project, but I wish to exchange this gold for some of the lore you might possess." Kayn nods up to the human, "Do you possess any scrolls that may assist me while Lillith is away?"
He looks concerned at Kayn's gesture with the wisp, but says nothing. "Uhh... yeah, probably." Looking around at the street and throngs of people, he gestures for him to come inside. "Let's talk in here. Things have been strange in Affa the past few days." Once inside, he smiles as he sits down. "I do have a good assortment of scrolls! What caliber are you looking for? Cantrips? Or can you cast first-circle spells now?"
Kayn enters and finds a comfortable spot. "I am now a member of the Tekentlar Expedition House. We've... discovered... quite a few interesting things. Of course, you'd think I were mad if I told you about them. Third circle and lower... I need more enchantments. I feel my power growing, and these enchantments appear to be the most powerful as I cast them. Also, I wish to purchase any texts you have on my Master's field. Binding has challenges that I did not expect."
"Binding..." he sits back, as if reminiscing. "You know, Lillith is one of the pioneering experts in that field. Where had she been these days? We usually keep in contact with scrying every few weeks, but it's been a little over a month since I last heard from her. She must be off doing something exciting, I take it?"
"I take it as well," Kayn grins. "She will reach out if we are needed. Things... are at work, I think." Kayn nods as if that should explain it.
The Wizard doesn't pick up on the hint. "Really?! Sounds exciting. It's been awhile since I had some action with her. What's the plan?"
"No, no, no. I do not know." Kayn scratches at his head-plate. "She has not even told me to where she went. For now, we wait in ignorance and carry on as we do." Kayn's eyes dart over to a corner in the Wizard's house before returning to the wizard. "The scrolls and texts?" He asks again.
He sighs and stretches as he stands. "A bummer. I've been looking for something exciting..." Moving over to a bookshelf in the corner, he continues, "You young folk are always in a rush... I envy it, in a sense. Anyway...." he shuffles through some things for a minute as he searches, "Ah! Here are some. I'm more into explosions and flying myself, but I have some old scrolls still." He moves back to the chair and pulls up a barrel to place them on. "Do you speak Elvish? They're written in Elvish."
"I do... as well as Kor Sign, Mer, and of course, Goblin." Kayn chuckles... "I doubt we'll find anything in..." He cocks his head for a moment, "Oh... Kor do write... interesting."
Looking through the scrolls, Kayn notices the Wizard has one for Charm Person and Hold Person.
Kayn points, "That one." His claw is pointing to the Hold Person enchantment. "That one will be very useful to me."
He narrows his eyes and bites his lip as he thinks. Muttering a bit to himself, he shakes his head in accord. "Very well! I don't have much need for it, but funding is needed! I'll part with it for 140 gold."
Kayn pulls his pouch around, huge from the large amount of gold within. He starts pulling out the coins and counting, then stops, "I am also willing to pay for binding lore..." he says as he continues to count.
He shakes his head. "Sorry, Kayn. That was Lillith's forte. She sucked me dry of any binding lore I had a long time ago."
Kayn nods and produces the 140gp. "Do you have any charms you're willing to part with? I still have too much of this gold to carry."
His eyes glitter a little as he looks at Kayn's bag. "I uh... I can see what I can find." He gets up quickly and begins looking around for anything else he can sell. Shouting, he asks, "How much gold do you have?"
Kayn calculates his expenses in his head. "I can spare another 250 gold, I believe."
"I got this amulet! Keeps scrying creeps from finding you," the Wizard responds.
Kayn nods. "I will take it." He attempts to prevent a smile from crossing his face, but fails. Vielara won't like that... but that's good to him.
"Alright! 250 gold it is!" He smiles as he brings it over to Kayn.
Kayn empties the majority of his pouch on the barrel. "Thank you," he says, accepting the amulet. It's heavy... a relic he had heard about in the past. This will prevent anyone from detecting the Goblin through magic use. Very useful. Kayn says his farewells before heading back into the city in search of Ato.
Upon the group's arrival at Fort Keff, Kayn was eager to meet with Vielara. He eyed the Kor monk as she told him to stay close. You are not my keeper. She is not your keeper. She's trying to leash you. You cannot be leashed! "We need to meet with Vielara," Kayn commented. "Let's go."
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Just as Vesra felt she had run out of tears, she found herself crying again. Veythe’s death did not hit her as hard as it did her sister, but watching Vasha’s heart break yet again was almost too much for her to bare.
She found herself getting used to her new body, and as disaster after disaster struck she remembered her strength. Vesra found her voice again before too long. The young druid refused to let her age and her scars define her. She talked to the trees as she traveled, sometimes even singing to them. It brought her comfort to know that Zendikar would always be there.
When they reached Affa, Vasha demanded the monk take her. She meditated for three days outside of the Guild. Terror wracked Vesra; something bad could happen to her sister while she was meditating. So she stayed awake and kept watch. For three days she did not sleep, patiently keeping vigil and surviving on Goodberries.
As she sat contemplating her role in the world's existence, Vesra coaxed vegetation and life from the dry, cracked dirt. Flowers bloomed by her will as long-buried seeds sprung to life, growing through the cracks as they fed off of the mana that flowed from her... which flows from Zendikar herself. A flower, one she hadn’t seen in a long time, sprouted from the ground amidst the ones she had created. She didn't make that flower, did she? Vesra shook her head and observed it. As she did so, a distant memory came to mind from her childhood: this type of flower grew along stone cliffs carved by sand blown by fierce winds. Despite all of the difficulty these flowers faced, they blossomed and bloomed in their hostile environment, bringing beauty and life to somewhere that should be utterly desolate of both. “Thank you,” she whispered to the ground, giving the earth a little kiss.
———
Vashie, she signed to her sister outside of the gates. Remember, I am responsible for you in her eyes. Please, don’t do anything rash.
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
After the chaos and horror of the hedron, the days ran one into the next. For Ato, the journey back to Affa was a blur. He mind still reeled from the implications of what he had seen and it was difficult to understand what might have actually happened, and what was only in his head. He knew it was gone now - banished or slain - but he still woke in the night, that voice still whispering inside his mind.
The memory of finding Veythe, or what was left of her, was one that did stand out. He didn't mourn her loss exactly, friendships were fleeting and fickle, he knew, but the manner of her death bothered him more than he'd have expected. To die so horribly, bled dry by the forest without a for to face... it was Vasha' s reaction that surprised him, truth be told. He hadn't realized the two women had grown so close. After the way she'd fallen in with the barbarian, Ato hadn't expected the monk to bond so closely with a woman.
Once back in Affa, Ato had spent the first day prowling the back alleys and more neglected corners of the city. They'd been gone long enough that he wanted to get a feel for the mood in the city and what they'd missed. He put out feelers about Vielara and what she'd been up to more than anything. Later, that more or less accomplished, and not much new having been learned, he returns to the Expedition House to compare notes with his companions and see what they may have heard while out in the city themselves. Soon enough he meets Kayn in passing.
A Side-Quest:
Kayn speaks to Ato in perfect Mer, something that Ato had gotten used to in their travel back to Affa. "A friend of mine was murdered today and his store was ravaged. The trail is still fresh... do you have time to join a goblin in his hunt for revenge?"
"Murdered? Not unheard of in this city, unfortunately. If you seek vengeance for this death, then I will do what I can for you, of course, my friend. If the trail is still somewhat fresh, we should waste no more time. Where was the store? Lead the way."
Gathering what gear you think you need, the two of you head out from the expedition house towards the store. Evening is just beginning to set, painting the city in varying shades of red. Approaching the store, you see just one guard leaning against the wall by the main entrance to the store.
The pair try and be as sneaky and inconspicuous as possible, but the guard sees right through the charade. "Aye!" he calls out, fumbling for his spear, "You two tryin' to break in 'er?"
"My friend," the goblin says, weaving his spell, "We've been told to assist in the investigation." (Charm Person WIS DC 14 - Guard Saved 18)
"What? No! Just checking in on the place. We're here to make sure you're keeping an eye out like you should be." Ato tries his own deception even as Kayn works his magic. (Deception Check 14)
The guard brandishes the spear at the two, putting a bit of distance between him and them. "Oi! You tryin' ta be funny? Get lost! There ain't even nothin' in there to steal anyway ya thieves." Ato gives him a frown. "That's how it is then, eh? A shame." Looking to Kayn he asks in Mer. "Just kill him then? Time is wasting."
Kayn's eyes narrow, "We are members of the Tekentlar Expedition House and we're here to check on our friend. If you continue to block our path..." A fire begins to form in Kayn's hands, "We will kill you. Move... now." The guard's eyes go wide at the sight of the fire, and coupled with Ato's fearsome appearance, he drops the spear. "O... okay. Yeah. Sure. Okay." He takes a few steps back and speaks up. "But... umm... could you rough me up a bit? Just so the boss doesn't think Imma coward or somethin'." Kayn gets close to the guard, drawing his attention away from Ato who darts in and with a deft application of his dagger pommel drops the guard as he'd asked so politely. "Lights out for you." Turning his attention to the building, he looks to the window Kayn had pointed out.
Kayn nods towards the door and attempts to drag the guard inside. "Ah." Grabbing a leg, Ato helps Kayn drag the guard out of sight before they attract attention. Once inside he glances around the shop, taking in the destruction. With a practiced eye, he looks for any signs of who or what carried out the attack. It's suuuuper messy in there. Lots of destroyed stuff. Blood. Nothing magical remains. With Kayn's help, Ato searches, but the fatigue from the day and the heat of the sun distracts him as he feels his skin beginning to crack from it all. Ato rubs his eyes, feeling the headaches the heat brings if he isn't careful. "I'm sorry, Kayn. I'm not seeing much of anything that tells me what happened here. The signs of the fight are all muddled by the guards tramping around afterwards. They've destroyed anything that would help us," Ato tells the goblin. "Perhaps... you can find something from your contacts in the city?" Kayn asks. "If this was a magic shop, then the stock has to go somewhere. I can asksome discrete questions, of course. Follow the money." Kayn nods, a little disappointed. "It is ok. Please let me know if you find something before we depart." "We'll find out what happened, don't worry. I'll ask some questions."
Ato reaches out to his contacts and see what they can dig up regarding the whole situation. By the time the group is ready to depart, they don't have anything concrete: only that none of that normal gangs and individual agents took part in it. Disappointed, Ato reports his findings (or lack thereof) to Kayn. Soon enough, and more miles behind them, the members of the Tekentlar Expedition House find themselves nearing the gates of Fort Keff, and the upcoming meeting with thier patron.
With the sun beating down almost directly overhead, the group continued on the path leading to Fort Keff. It flowed into the onslaught of people, a mess of the tattered, worn, and lost. Refugees, you could see the loss and fear in their eyes as some clasped onto loved ones, while others stood alone in the crowd with blank stares looking forward. Many of those in the crowd were wounded slightly, though none could be seen with serious wounds.
Vesra, playing on her childlike appearance, asks around to gauge the situation, with Vasha and Kayn quickly joining her. Speaking with an older man who's hand firmly clasped a young girl's, they learn that many of those here seek refuge from recent attacks. Strange creatures: some say demons, whereas others claim them to be insects, have begun attacking roving settlements and small clans, slaughtering those who could not hide or fight back.
Impatiently, Rezivah searched the crowd for any sign of authority to approach while the others spoke. Looking through the throngs of people, she could scarcely make out what looked like some guards around a table near the front gate. A large banner, laid dormant without wind to blow it wide, rose from the crowd, giving her clear direction on where to go. "Hmph." Pulling people aside as she walks, Rezivah smiled mock-pleasantly at others as she attempted to get within speaking distance to these 'guardsmen', shining her fangs.
Noticing Rezivah's advancement, the rest of the group follows suit, moving for her through the crowd. Crude remarks and gestures are given by some of the people as they push their way through, though the crowd is wise enough to not pick a fight with heavily armored adventurers. Getting through the crowd, the group sees the main gate, widely open, flanked by two different loosely dispersed groups of guards. Two tables stand on either side of the gate beneath banners, and the group can hear numbers occasionally called out, answered quickly by a lone figure or group of people who excitedly rush towards the entrance to the fort.
Kayn approaches one of the tables and says, "We are the Tekentlar Expedition House and we're here to meet Vielara." He scratches at one of the wisps that drift off his arm as if attempting to touch the paper on the table.
The guard looks up from his paperwork with a loud sigh. "Yeah? Look behind you. Everyone wants to get in." He grabs a paper and writes down a number. "Step forward when your number is called."
One of the other nearby guards, perhaps overhearing Kayn speak, quickly moved towards the gates and into the fort while the central guard and Kayn talk.
Rezivah catches up to the goblin, overhearing the dismissive beaurocracy. "Excuse me. I demand to be let in. I must speak with Vielara of the Tekentlar Expedition House," she says, folding her arms impatiently.
He looks up at Rezivah, visibly frustrated. "Look, little miss vampire. I don't like your kind as is. There could be a hellkite charging us, and I still wouldn't let you in until your name is called. Not for you, not for some expedition house, and not for some random tramp named Vielara!" By the end of his tirade he's standing and nearly fuming.
“Sorry, sir,” Vesra peaked from behind Rezivah. “I got separated from my dad, and these people are helping my mom and I find him. Can you just let us know how long it will be until I can give him a hug again?”
Vesra's appearance soften's the man's outlook as his huffing and puffing dies down. He sighs and shakes his head before looking at the little girl. "We'll have everyone here in by the evening." You look up at the sun and note that it appears to be coming onto the late afternoon.
“Do I need to do anything extra to make sure we can get it in?” She asked, not noticing her sister’s distress.
He writes down a number on a piece of paper and hands it to her. "When this number is called, go to the pair of officers over there." He points to a rough human male, accompanied by a much smaller elf woman. Vesra looks down and sees her number is smaller than the one given to Kayn.
“Thank you so much for your help,” Vesra beamed.
Some more people begin approaching the table, dividing his attention as he begins filling out papers for them and giving them the same instructions he gave you. He smiles and nods his head before returning his attention to them.
Impatiently, the group waited for their numbers to be called. Melding into the crowd a bit, Kayn mutters, "This will take too long." He gestures at a group of the guards by the gate focusing his mana through his fingers and bending their wills [Charm Person]. While he's certain one of the guards fell sway to his powers, the other two guards immediately look around, searching for any magic users. Kayn then moves his attention to another group and chants the same enchantment. These guards seem to have been remarkably trained to withstand enchantment magic, because all three of them resist the pull of his magic, and move into the crowd, searching for any magic users.
At about this point, a guard comes rushing through the gates, approaching a lone guard who stands off to the side. It isn't long after before the two of them are joined by two black-clad, heavily armored individuals. The guard who had come rushing quickly disperses as the other black figures join the lone guard, who, flanked by the black pair, moves forward towards the crowd. With a loud, deep, booming voice, he calls out, "Tekentlar Expedition House! Front and center!" You look over to see the lone guard, flanked by two figures in black armor, standing in the center of the opened gates, his arms folded across his chest.
Meanwhile, Vesra and Vasha's hands were full with a strange, red-beared stranger. Overhearing the call, Vesra elbowed her sister. “We’ll talk more about this later, but it looks like our number is up.” The two, now joined by the beared barbarian, move through the crowds and join up with Kayn, Rezivah, and Ato. As they get closer, they recognize the black-armored figures: they're the same who accompanied Vielara back in the Pits of Cakorot, when all of this began. Their heads dart at odd angles from side to side as they scan the crowd before they lock onto each of you.
"I'm Captain Indrid" the guardsman says, introducing himself. "Mistress Vielara has been expecting you. You're late," he adds briskly. He holds back a smile as he observes Vasha and Vesra frantically Kor-signing back and forth to each other amidst a perplexed Kargan while the rest of the group try to figure out who the newcomer is. Indrid coughs, grabbing Vasha's attention.
"Please," Vasha spoke to Indrid. "Take us to Vielara."
"Mhmm...." he drones as if ruminating about the group's antics. "I won't take you to her." He motions to the two black-clad figures, "But they will."
“Thank you,” Vesra moves towards the black-clad figures. “We apologize for our tardiness.”
He nods his head before looking at the black figures and whispering something to them. They immediately snap into action, with one taking up the rear of the group and the other the front and begin moving the group through the gates and into Fort Keff.