When the decision of who would be taking the sword and be 'gone forever' came up, Amelia had hesitated. She had Corrin to worry about. How would she react knowing her mother was gone? Maybe dead? Who would take care of her then? Corrin didn't have anyone else but her. Then Jill spoke, stating she would be willing to bare the burden of... whatever claiming the sword would do to her. "No," The words of protest came out so easily past Amelia's lips. Jill was like a second daughter to the fighter, a teenager with her whole life ahead of her. It didn't feel right to Amelia let her take the burden. It felt wrong. Jill would be robbed of everything she was trying to survive for.
Corrin was young, but she wasn't stupid, Amelia made sure of that, and she would explain that to Jill when she became argumentative.
Prior to descending into Avernus, Amelia had taken Corrin aside for a brief moment to talk about something that had been looming over her head the whole time. The topic was a hard one, but it was something that needed to be discussed between the two of them, especially now due to the circumstances. Where they were going wasn't going to be a walk in the park by any means, and the older blonde made sure to get that through Corrin's mind before getting to the main point of the whole conversation. The little tiefling girl already knew where this would be going, bracing herself for the truth of it all.
"Corrin... My sun, my moon, my stars... You know that when we go down there I will do everything in my power to make sure that you will be safe. Everything." She emphasizes her point, squeezing Corrin's shoulders while looking into the girls watering eyes. "And in the event I don't make it, I want you to know that I love you with every fiber of my being. This is a hard truth but I need you to know it now so you will stay strong for me." The tiefling wipes away her tears and nods, Amelia bringing her into a tight embrace. "I will always be with you, my little angel."
Amelia pulled away from Jill, the memory fading, and takes a breath when she hears the teenagers words to her. With a soft smile, she responds, "I know, and that's why I can't let you do this. A mother will do anything to protect her kids." She cups the younger girl's cheek and presses her forehead against hers. "You and Corrin take care of each other, okay? And no matter what happens I will always be with you two."
Soon after, she finds herself ready to take claim of the sword, and when she does so, she does with confidence and a heart filled with love.
When her hand wrapped around the hilt of the blade, Amelia anticipated a cold blackness to consume her very soul, but what happened was everything but. There was a warmth that washed itself over her very being, changing and shaping her. She felt as light as a feather, barely noticing what was happening to her form until her eyes fluttered open again and all she could see was the ruins of the citadel and a bright light that she found was emanating from her. Finally, she looked down, noticing that she was levitating, how her clothes had changed, how her hair had grown, how different she felt...
Amelia lowers herself to the ground, staring at the ruins in shock. Did... I do that? Where's... Where am I?"W... What... Happened...?"
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Nok looks on, at first, full of confusion which turns to awe and, at last, sudden realization and sadness. "You were an angel before you had that sword," he mutters, pausing for a moment. "Now you're an angel who kicks ass. So long, friend."
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Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Still on her hands and knees, not daring to look up at Amelia, Jill responds. "You took the sword and I suppose that the citadel could not handle your transformation."
Nik Nak watches the transformation with a mix of sadness and pride in her friend. When she wakes up a mile away, she watches the angel that was Amelia from a long distance. "Farewell, my friend. And hello, my new ally." She whispers a soft prayer to Mystra as she gazes upon Amelia's new form.
At this point of the adventure, we come to another crossroad.
REDEEMING ZARIEL According to Lulu, you all can entreat the archdevil to redeem her angelic soul and take up her celestial mantle once more. Even though Zariel has fallen, there remains a faint glimmer of hope for her salvation. A fragment of the devil’s former self still lingers within her sword, but inspiring Zariel to reverse the course of her destiny is not as easy as simply handing her the blade. This choice would involve tests and the risk is very high, but being able to say you swayed the mind of an archdevil and changed the fate of the Nine Hells is nothing short of impressive. Lulu begs you to choose this choice, as Zariel was once her loyal, faithful companion. If you choose this option, you will not be able to save Elturel.
SAVING ELTUREL Unless you intervene, Elturel is inevitably being dragged into the River Styx. The memories of its inhabitants will be wiped clean, and their souls will be made into devils — fodder for the front lines of the Blood War. Eight chains of infernal iron anchor Elturel to its binding posts, and each of those chains must be broken to free the city. If all the chains are broken, Elturel remains floating above Avernus and is no longer drawn toward the River Styx. Then, the sword can be used to free the Planetar inside the Companion, returning everyone to the Prime Material plane, where everyone returns home and Amelia returns to Mount Celestia. This would end the campaign.
Much to Lulu's sadness, the choice to save Elturel over her lifelong friend saddened her. Unable to cope with the consequence of the sword being used to save the souls of Elturel instead of redeeming Zariel, Lulu bids you a sorrow felt farewell and fades away into nothing, her sole purpose forever incomplete. You all return back to Base, where the forces of Acheron and Toril rejoice in your acquiring such a legendary artifact. You gather all of your team together and have an emotional moment with Amelia and Corrin, seeing her mother forever transformed, for better or worse.
You travel back to the chained city of Elturel and do what you believe is right. Amelia flies up and shatters the Companion orb with a brilliant strike, and a blinding flash of light. A planetar, finally free, emerges from the orb. The planetar’s name is Nascius, and its power can help save Elturel, but only if the infernal chains that bind the city have been severed. Amelia severs the chains holding Elturel next. Both Amelia and the planetar take a brief moment to recover their strength. They then swoop down below the fallen city, rises to set the earthmote on your broad shoulders, and slowly raise Elturel out of Avernus and back to its rightful place in the Material Plane.
For the first time in what seems like months, you feel the sun upon your face as you arrive back to the Prime Material. The sounds of the rescued commoners is deafening.
Jill is happy to have saved Elturel and that they were able to escape without more deaths, but she was still sad about the prospect of having to bid all of her friends goodbye. "Nok Nok, Nik Nak, I hope that the two of you will be able to reconcile as family now. I believe that Lady Jubi should be pleased with you, Nok Nok. Meep, I hope that you will be able to one day gain enough power to eventually get your original body back."
She walked over to Misha, this parting would be the hardest of all. Tears formed in her eyes and she didn't stop herself from letting them come down. "I know that it is your destiny to go off and fight for your people, for Bane, but it does not make this any easier for me. You are the best friend that I have ever had in this life. You are like a sister to me. Before I met you, I was bitter and cold, but you inspired me to be something more heroic. You and Natasha did. I love you, Misha. I always will." She hugs Misha as tight as she can and it's a while before she lets go. "I am planning to go back to Natasha. I will tell her all about our adventure and how happy you were to hear that she is doing well. Perhaps when my hair grows out, she will put it in that pretty braid again, no?"
She walked over to Amelia next, tears still in her eyes and guilt still in her heart. "I still believe that it should have been me to do this instead of you. You are like a mother to me, listening to me when I needed to speak and comforting me when things were hard. I promise that I will do the same for Corrin and protect her as if she were my own sister. She has been one ever since I met her, so it will not be hard. You taught me how to be selfless and how to sacrifice for those who need you. And I promise to not swear around Corrin." She chuckles for a moment, tears still streaking down her face. "I suppose that the both of us will have an angel watching over us now." She hugs Amelia tight and for a long time. "I love you, mother."
She wipes her tears away before heading over to Corrin. Jill figured that she had to be strong for her now. "I am sorry that Amelia is going away. I tried my hardest to convince her to let me take the sword, but she would not hear it. I hope that you can forgive me and accept me as your sister. I love you, I really do, and if you decide to come with me, there is a woman I know in Waterdeep. She is a dear friend of mine and I know that she would open her home and her heart to you as well. I know that she would never replace your mother, but you would not be alone. But if you do not wish to see me again, I understand." She hugs Corrin tight, hoping that it won't be for the last time.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Misha's genetic code did not let her tire or weaken - if she were more mortal and less genetic creation, she would have slowly slumped to the ground, exhausted and overwhelmed with happiness at their supreme victory. But that was not the case. Instead, she watched everyone say good and she had to fight back tears at the emotion of it all. She put her shield and hammer aside and unsheathed herself out of her armor. She told herself that when she would return home, she would get her armor and weapons polished for a job well done. But first she had to do something she hated.
Saying goodbye.
She towered over Nik and Nok, and gave them each a loving stare and a smile. "To Meesha, you weel always be something more to me than squire, ya? Both of you will be in the heart of Misha. I hef seen many strange theengs on thees world, and you hef added glory and honor to my life. You hef won allies of Acheron thees day. Bane weel not forget what you hef done, and neither shall Misha."She stood there for another few moments, trying not to cry, and she nodded happily, doing her best to remain calm and not break down in tears.
A masked figure was crouched atop the Hhune mansion. Her eyes tracked those going in and out of the gate. Sure enough, the schedule she'd grown up around was still active. The figure sat back and closed her eyes, her mind diving into the by now familiar space that was her connection to the jeweled prison around her neck. She and Gargauth had come to an accord when she first left the others. But that wasn't to say that he still argued and did everything he could to escape her control.
"This is stupid, Allynna. Keeping me on this tight of a leash, you'll never have a chance. There's going to be a very angry Acheronian coming for us soon, you should be taking all the power you can get in order to survive."
Allynna pursed her lips. "This argument is getting boring. You're right, we probably will have Misha coming to kill us soon. So first, I'm going to get rid of the rest of your little cult. Now shut up and get power dispensing." She made a quick motion with her hand, and Gargauth's voice cut off. A moment later, the masked figure vanished from the rooftop and reappeared inside the house in a puff of red mist. Wordlessly, she opened the door to Tarquin Hhune's chambers, red light blazing into existence around her.
A few minutes later, the figure was turning away from the two dead bodies on the floor when the door was opened by Leon Hhune, heir apparent to - and as of a few minutes ago, patriarch of - the family. He gaped at the scene. "Y...you! The Nightingale! What are you-oh my god! Did you just kill my parents? What the hell?" He drew his sword, a blade Allynna knew he was highly capable of using. However, she didn't plan to give him the chance. With a simple twist of her fingers and a flash of red light, Leon Hhune was blasted against the wall and out a third floor window. Just one left. Allynna walked through the halls of her old home, heading for Celia Belt's room. This time, her entrance was far subtler, no preceding flash of red light or crash. In her early thirties, Celia Belt nee Hhune was still quite a beauty as she sat at her makeup table, preparing for dinner with her parents and husband. Allynna didn't spare a moment to wonder where the illustrious Killian was, merely twisting her fingers through yet another spell.
Allynna eyed the small black cat sitting on Celia's makeup table. "Since you were kind, you can live. But I can't have you seeking revenge, dear sister." She turned away from the cat and, in another puff of red mist, was teleporting across rooftops. "Now, Gargauth. We may have an Acheronian coming to kill us, but that's no reason not to do what we can first. First, tell me everything about the Knights of the Shield, if you ever want to see anything but that jewel again. And second, what's this about two elves who have been living in hiding and quietly sacrificing to you for the last thirty years?"
Nok Nok rolls his eyes at Jill's comments on family ties, offering a loud harrumph. "I've no problem with Nik...she's the one I can stand," he says, sending a playful punch his sister's way. "It's those others that are trouble. Right, sis? Geesh, I mean, whoever thought a goblin wanting to become a lich would be a good idea or that troublesome fool who believes she is a bard. Bang, bang, bang those drums day and night. Oy vey....and don't even get me started on Ma and Pa..."
To Missus Misha, the goblin tries unsuccessfully to hide a blush. "You are a brave warrior. I'm honored to be your squire," he says, before quickly adding. "But Nok nobody's squire, really. I'm just saying...would have...you know?"
To Amelia, he says, "You shine like Miss Jubi now. You be as great, OK?" To her spawn, he offers an awkward but hopefully reassuring pat on the head. "You'll be OK."
He offers a quick nod toward Meep. "Maybe we help you next, no? Nok have nowhere else to go."
He then spins about looking frantically. "Hey, we leave the elfling in Hell? Where Pere go?" Nok then shrugs and waits for his sister and Meep to say their goodbyes.
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Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Misha looked at Jill for a long time, as if memorizing her face. She hugged her tight. "Eet ees difficult for Misha to explain how happy I was to see you again, and..now here I am saying goodbye."She held Jill, and didn't let go for a long time. "Misha weel mees you, think of you, you bring honor to my life because I got another chence to fight weeth you. Eet ees people like you, who make Misha special. Even though I was created, I hef learned many theengs from you I could not on Acheron."She kissed your cheeks, both of them, and hugged you again. "I love you, too, Jeel. Misha weel never forget you. Tell Tasha I said hello, and that I think of her fondly. I hope thet I see you again, and maybe thees time, we don't hef to save entire city for reason."
She broke the embrace reluctantly. "Watch over Corrin for me, ya? Please? She weel need someone like you. You are someone I would die for. Always remember Misha loves you." she nodded approvingly, wiping the tears from your cheeks, and kissed your forehead one last time before walking away.
Meep nods and offers Jill a weak smile. She speaks loud enough to address everyone. "Thank you. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and fighting along your side."
She moves over to Amelia closer and offers hear a sympathetic smile. "Thank you for keeping the peace. You have always been an angel. Now you really are one. Jill will take care of Corrin with her life if she needs to. But don't forget to look over then and Bless them. I will also be praying to you from now on. You've helped me even if you don't realize it." She offers Amelia one last bow and moves to Corrin, speaking softly. "Don't cause too much trouble now okay? Your momma will be watching over you. We are all very proud of you. And thank you for your kindness towards me. I will not forget it ever."
She then turns to Misha, moving to hug her slightly, careful not to touch her with her frog skin. "Misha. Thank you so much for going after me before. Without you I wouldn't be here. And for that I am eternally grateful. Wherever you go now, I wish you well. I'm sure you will exceed with your determination and loyalty. You have brought great honor to yourself and Bane. And I hope you continue on your path. I will always remember you as the woman who saved my life. So thank you so so much. Goodbye. And Good luck."
After a moment she seems to walk away from the group in thought for a minute before turning towards Nok and Nik. "You two are very brave, kind, and resilient. Without your determination Nik, we wouldn't have made it. May I ask a favor? Please allow me to travel with you. At least until the next town. From there I will begin my journey to find how to revert to my former self. You both have been great allies and friends and I'd like to continue my journey with you. Even for a short amount of time."
Nik Nak beams at her brother. "Nek Nuk was always trouble," she agrees before beaming at Meep. "You can stick with us, Meep! We'll help you figure your stuff out."
She looks around at everyone. "Jill, your bravery has proven that it really is possible enough to be too stubborn to die. Misha, your honor is an inspiration to us all. Corrin, never lose your smile, 'cause it's more powerful than any of my spells."
She looks at the angelic Amelia. "You've got work to do, that's for sure. But you've got the tools to do it. Just make sure not to get too self-righteous, hmm?" She gives the angel a casual salute. "See you around...or not. Good luck, and don't forget to eat your angelic broccoli."
Misha carefully accepted the hug from Meep. "The honor was mine. Death by bekpeck ees not a good way to die, leetle gorf. However, Misha hef feeling you weel be more careful from now on. Regardless, Misha weel remember you. You are one dangerous leetle forg!"she says, throwing her head back in laughter. "Misha weel mees you. Very much."She gave one last hug to Meep before watching her leave with Nok and Nik.
She went over to Amelia. "You weel not remember me or the words I hef said to you, so I say them to you now, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for fighting by our side. It was an honor to know you, and you have brought me much glory by allowing me to be a part of your life. I know thet you hef higher purpose now, and I weel mees the Amelia that I knew. I hope that thees new life brings you as much magnificence as you have brought to me in my life."She gave Amelia a hug, and when she pulled apart from the embrace, she looked her over for a while. She nodded slightly. "Always know, that Misha loves you, and Corrin."
Losing control over her tears, she kneeled down to Corrin, and for a long time found it hard to speak, for she was choked up with sadness, and yet happiness. She couldn't think of anything to say at the moment, so just stared at her lovingly and pulled her into a hug. Finally, after clearing her throat for fear of completely breaking apart, she whispered into her ear. "You..are the bravest person..I have ever know. I love you..so much. Misha is so, so very happy you are here with me today, safe, and unharmed. Here."Misha said, her eyes wet and her cheeks red. "I hef something for you. Do you remember the day we first met?"Misha said. "Take thees." She handed Corrin a small bracelet. It was a metal chain with the symbol of Bane attached to it. "Jeel is going to take care of you, ok? But if you ever, EVER need Misha, just close your eyes and weesh eet - and I weel come. Until then, leetle preencess."Misha pointed and touched Corrin's heart. "Misha ees here. And you.."then she pointed to her own chest. "Weel always be here. I love you."
She hugged Corrin and wept happily and didn't let go until someone had to peel her off her.
With her work said and done it was time for Amelia to return to Mount Celestia to further spread good across the planes, but saying goodbye to the one person who kept her there proved to be the hardest thing for her to do. She was eye level with Corrin, the pair both crying and hugging one another in what probably would be their final embrace. Amelia promised to watch over her and Jill throughout their journey's, to help guide them towards success, to help them when they needed her most. As a gift, Amelia had given her daughter one of the feathers of her wing, her wedding ring, and her journal. The journal was a record of Amelia's life when Corrin was born and of their journey from the beginning to now, and of how proud she was to see her daughter become a strong young woman.
Amelia had pulled away from the hug with a smile across her face, wiping away her daughters tears away. "I promise to you that I will always love and watch over you, my little star. I will be there when you feel alone or when you need guidance. Take care of Jill, okay?"
Corrin nods and after Amelia had said her heartfelt goodbyes to the team, she gazes back one last time and flies off.
When her mother flies off to the skies, Corrin manages a smile, knowing that she would keep her promise no matter what. Despite the hurt she felt now, she knew in due time that it would heal and the love Amelia would be sending down from the heavens would be real. It wasn't easy getting out of Misha's hug but when she did she thanked her for everything, for being there and protecting her, telling her that she'll see her again when she's big a strong with a beaming smile. She says her goodbyes to the goblin siblings and Meep, then wondering aloud where Persephone had gone, but shrugged it off.
In the end of it all, the tiefling approaches Jill and takes her hand, letting the blood hunter know that she had no hard feelings against her and that she loves her, just as Amelia did too. She then looks up to her and says.
"Let's go, sis."
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Misha watched everyone depart, and was the last one to leave. She spent the next few days helping the Acheronian forces and Toril Alliance pack up Home Base and go home to continue the fight from a different front. The Toril Alliance was happy to go home, but the Acheronians knew the fight would continue. As the portals opened back home, she took one last glance at Avernus, but not because it was Avernus, but because of her friends. She stepped through the portal to go back home.
The War Against Hell never slept, and neither did Misha. When she returned home, she was happy to see Kali more than words could say, but after a few seconds within their embrace Misha cried. She cried hard, and long, and unashamed. Kali was a little worried, but continued to hold her as Misha grew weak in the knees - the weight of the mission to Avernus finally catching up to her. Weakness was not in her programming, and would never show it out in the field, but here, in the most private quarters of her room in her lovers arms, she wept for Corrin, and Jill, and all of the others she watched change, and knew that she would probably never see any of them again. It was a silly notion, but it was possible that she could die at any moment being a Prime in the War. So she wept. For a moment, she thought that something was wrong with her, but her heart was swollen with love and she worried about her friends.
You're being silly Misha. But, her heart said otherwise. I shouldn't be doing this, I am strong and brave. But then, why does saying goodbye hurt so much? She couldn't stop thinking of Jill and Corrin - Corrin, who had lost her mother in a brilliant transformation.
Two years later, as Legion Commander Taetanicus had predicted, and in line with vague visions that I had, Praxia Matyev The Betrayer opened a portal from wherever she came from and invaded Acheron. Thus, the Dawn of War ended and the Age of Darkness began.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW
A deafening explosion brings me back to the present, and for a moment, I curse myself for not paying attention, instead, I drifted off to remember a mission I was on ages ago on Avernus to free a city called Elturel. I steel myself coldly, and refocus. Foolish. Could have gotten me killed.
We are losing the war. I will die on this world.
I cannot tell where this conviction comes from. Whatever birthed it is a mystery to me, and yet the thought clings like a virus, blooming behind my eyes and taking deep root within my mind. It almost feels real enough to spread corruption to the rest of my body, like a true sickness. It will happen soon, within the coming nights of blood and fire. I will draw my last breath, and when my Prime brothers and sisters return to the stars, my ashes will be scattered over the glory of Acheron.
Praxia.
Even the name twists my blood until burning oil beats through my veins. I feel anger now, hot and heavy, flowing through my heart and filtering into my limbs like boiling poison. When the sensation - and it is a physical sensation - reaches my fingertips, my hands curl into fists. I do not make them adopt this shape, it simply happens. Fury is as natural to me as breathing now. I neither fear nor resent its influence on my actions. I am strong, born only to slay for the Lord General. I am pure, wearing the reddest of the red, trained to serve as a spiritual guide as well as a warleader. I am wrath incarnate, living on to kill until finally killed. I am a weapon in the War Machine to forge Acheron's mastership of the multiverse.
Yet strength, purity and wrath will not be enough. I will die on this world. I will die on Acheron. Soon, my Prime brothers and sisters will ask me to consecrate the war that will be my death. The thought plagues me not because I fear death, but because a futile death is anathema to me. But this is no night to think such things. The other Primes and Legion Commanders have gathered to honor me. I am not sure I deserve this, but as with my sense of foreboding, this is a thought I keep to myself. I wear the red, and glare from behind the helmed visage of Bane, the God of War. It is not for one such as I to show doubt, to show weakness, to show even the whispering edges of blasphemy.
In the holiest chamber of our ancient capital, Banehold, I lower myself to one knee and bow my head, because this is what is asked of me. The time has come after a century and a half, and I wish it had not. Taetanicus, my mentor - the Legion Commander who was my father figure, teacher, and master - is dead. After one hundred and thirty years of his guidance, I am on the edge of inheriting his mantle. These are my thoughts as I kneel before my commanders, this bleak mesh of my master's death and my own yet to come. This is the blackness that festers unspoken.
At last, unaware of my secret torments, Bane speaks my name.
Another random puff of smoke appears among the shoreline of a river of bubbling, black ichor. A portal appears from within the smoke, and a large murder of crows suddenly streams out and flutter around, before settling in the branches of the hideous trees on the shoreline. Subsequent to the crows, a small figure cloaked in black steps out of the portal, onto the smoldering ground below. Peering upwards, the figure suddenly pulls back the hood of her cloak, and stands there mouth agape, staring up at the now empty Stygian Dock. Where once there stood the enormous chains holding down Elturel, now there was but shattered remnants of their rusting hulks.
"Oh fiddlesticks!" the cloaked figure mumbles to herself. "Where did everyone go? I step out for just a minute to attend to some business of my Queen, and it appears that Hell has gone...to Hell?!"
Making her way to Fort Knucklebone, Persephone runs into Mad Maggie. After parting ways with more than a few handfuls of coin, a few pints of social lubricant (Helles Ale) are procured, and Maggie tells Persephone the story of Amelia the Broccoli Angel, saving Elturel. In awe, Persephone fills page after page of Amelia's story, as surely the Raven Queen will like to hear all about her.
Just as quickly as she arrived, Persephone calls a portal and returns back to the Shadowfell, where she returns back to her loving desk and stacks of neglected paperwork. Having experienced her first adventure beyond the desk, she yearned to return back to the safety and comfort of her paperwork. She felt much safer reading memos and trip reports! Now and then, over the centuries, she would periodically receive reports of the fates of her fellow adventurers, and she would take them home and read them over and over again, reminiscing about her one and only adventure many lifetimes ago.
Jill watched as Amelia took off, not breaking her gaze until she had flown too far away to be seen. Even if she couldn't be there as a mother, she would always be watching over them and working to make the multiverse a better place for everyone. She turned around to face her remaining companions, taking one last mental picture of them before it was time to depart for good. When Corrin walked up to Jill and let her know that she had no hard feeling for her, only love, she cried tears of joy and kissed the tiefling on the forehead. "This is the happiest day of my life!"
Jill picked up her sister, put her on her shoulders and started off for Waterdeep, where a loving home awaited them.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
When the decision of who would be taking the sword and be 'gone forever' came up, Amelia had hesitated. She had Corrin to worry about. How would she react knowing her mother was gone? Maybe dead? Who would take care of her then? Corrin didn't have anyone else but her. Then Jill spoke, stating she would be willing to bare the burden of... whatever claiming the sword would do to her. "No," The words of protest came out so easily past Amelia's lips. Jill was like a second daughter to the fighter, a teenager with her whole life ahead of her. It didn't feel right to Amelia let her take the burden. It felt wrong. Jill would be robbed of everything she was trying to survive for.
Corrin was young, but she wasn't stupid, Amelia made sure of that, and she would explain that to Jill when she became argumentative.
Prior to descending into Avernus, Amelia had taken Corrin aside for a brief moment to talk about something that had been looming over her head the whole time. The topic was a hard one, but it was something that needed to be discussed between the two of them, especially now due to the circumstances. Where they were going wasn't going to be a walk in the park by any means, and the older blonde made sure to get that through Corrin's mind before getting to the main point of the whole conversation. The little tiefling girl already knew where this would be going, bracing herself for the truth of it all.
"Corrin... My sun, my moon, my stars... You know that when we go down there I will do everything in my power to make sure that you will be safe. Everything." She emphasizes her point, squeezing Corrin's shoulders while looking into the girls watering eyes. "And in the event I don't make it, I want you to know that I love you with every fiber of my being. This is a hard truth but I need you to know it now so you will stay strong for me." The tiefling wipes away her tears and nods, Amelia bringing her into a tight embrace. "I will always be with you, my little angel."
Amelia pulled away from Jill, the memory fading, and takes a breath when she hears the teenagers words to her. With a soft smile, she responds, "I know, and that's why I can't let you do this. A mother will do anything to protect her kids." She cups the younger girl's cheek and presses her forehead against hers. "You and Corrin take care of each other, okay? And no matter what happens I will always be with you two."
Soon after, she finds herself ready to take claim of the sword, and when she does so, she does with confidence and a heart filled with love.
When her hand wrapped around the hilt of the blade, Amelia anticipated a cold blackness to consume her very soul, but what happened was everything but. There was a warmth that washed itself over her very being, changing and shaping her. She felt as light as a feather, barely noticing what was happening to her form until her eyes fluttered open again and all she could see was the ruins of the citadel and a bright light that she found was emanating from her. Finally, she looked down, noticing that she was levitating, how her clothes had changed, how her hair had grown, how different she felt...
Amelia lowers herself to the ground, staring at the ruins in shock. Did... I do that? Where's... Where am I? "W... What... Happened...?"
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Nok looks on, at first, full of confusion which turns to awe and, at last, sudden realization and sadness. "You were an angel before you had that sword," he mutters, pausing for a moment. "Now you're an angel who kicks ass. So long, friend."
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Still on her hands and knees, not daring to look up at Amelia, Jill responds. "You took the sword and I suppose that the citadel could not handle your transformation."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Nik Nak watches the transformation with a mix of sadness and pride in her friend. When she wakes up a mile away, she watches the angel that was Amelia from a long distance. "Farewell, my friend. And hello, my new ally." She whispers a soft prayer to Mystra as she gazes upon Amelia's new form.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
At this point of the adventure, we come to another crossroad.
REDEEMING ZARIEL
According to Lulu, you all can entreat the archdevil to redeem her angelic soul and take up her celestial mantle once more. Even though Zariel has fallen, there remains a faint glimmer of hope for her salvation. A fragment of the devil’s former self still lingers within her sword, but inspiring Zariel to reverse the course of her destiny is not as easy as simply handing her the blade. This choice would involve tests and the risk is very high, but being able to say you swayed the mind of an archdevil and changed the fate of the Nine Hells is nothing short of impressive. Lulu begs you to choose this choice, as Zariel was once her loyal, faithful companion. If you choose this option, you will not be able to save Elturel.
SAVING ELTUREL
Unless you intervene, Elturel is inevitably being dragged into the River Styx. The memories of its inhabitants will be wiped clean, and their souls will be made into devils — fodder for the front lines of the Blood War. Eight chains of infernal iron anchor Elturel to its binding posts, and each of those chains must be broken to free the city. If all the chains are broken, Elturel remains floating above Avernus and is no longer drawn toward the River Styx. Then, the sword can be used to free the Planetar inside the Companion, returning everyone to the Prime Material plane, where everyone returns home and Amelia returns to Mount Celestia. This would end the campaign.
ALL GOOD THINGS..
Much to Lulu's sadness, the choice to save Elturel over her lifelong friend saddened her. Unable to cope with the consequence of the sword being used to save the souls of Elturel instead of redeeming Zariel, Lulu bids you a sorrow felt farewell and fades away into nothing, her sole purpose forever incomplete. You all return back to Base, where the forces of Acheron and Toril rejoice in your acquiring such a legendary artifact. You gather all of your team together and have an emotional moment with Amelia and Corrin, seeing her mother forever transformed, for better or worse.
You travel back to the chained city of Elturel and do what you believe is right. Amelia flies up and shatters the Companion orb with a brilliant strike, and a blinding flash of light. A planetar, finally free, emerges from the orb. The planetar’s name is Nascius, and its power can help save Elturel, but only if the infernal chains that bind the city have been severed. Amelia severs the chains holding Elturel next. Both Amelia and the planetar take a brief moment to recover their strength. They then swoop down below the fallen city, rises to set the earthmote on your broad shoulders, and slowly raise Elturel out of Avernus and back to its rightful place in the Material Plane.
For the first time in what seems like months, you feel the sun upon your face as you arrive back to the Prime Material. The sounds of the rescued commoners is deafening.
At this point you can post your after adventure role playing and farewells.
Jill is happy to have saved Elturel and that they were able to escape without more deaths, but she was still sad about the prospect of having to bid all of her friends goodbye. "Nok Nok, Nik Nak, I hope that the two of you will be able to reconcile as family now. I believe that Lady Jubi should be pleased with you, Nok Nok. Meep, I hope that you will be able to one day gain enough power to eventually get your original body back."
She walked over to Misha, this parting would be the hardest of all. Tears formed in her eyes and she didn't stop herself from letting them come down. "I know that it is your destiny to go off and fight for your people, for Bane, but it does not make this any easier for me. You are the best friend that I have ever had in this life. You are like a sister to me. Before I met you, I was bitter and cold, but you inspired me to be something more heroic. You and Natasha did. I love you, Misha. I always will." She hugs Misha as tight as she can and it's a while before she lets go. "I am planning to go back to Natasha. I will tell her all about our adventure and how happy you were to hear that she is doing well. Perhaps when my hair grows out, she will put it in that pretty braid again, no?"
She walked over to Amelia next, tears still in her eyes and guilt still in her heart. "I still believe that it should have been me to do this instead of you. You are like a mother to me, listening to me when I needed to speak and comforting me when things were hard. I promise that I will do the same for Corrin and protect her as if she were my own sister. She has been one ever since I met her, so it will not be hard. You taught me how to be selfless and how to sacrifice for those who need you. And I promise to not swear around Corrin." She chuckles for a moment, tears still streaking down her face. "I suppose that the both of us will have an angel watching over us now." She hugs Amelia tight and for a long time. "I love you, mother."
She wipes her tears away before heading over to Corrin. Jill figured that she had to be strong for her now. "I am sorry that Amelia is going away. I tried my hardest to convince her to let me take the sword, but she would not hear it. I hope that you can forgive me and accept me as your sister. I love you, I really do, and if you decide to come with me, there is a woman I know in Waterdeep. She is a dear friend of mine and I know that she would open her home and her heart to you as well. I know that she would never replace your mother, but you would not be alone. But if you do not wish to see me again, I understand." She hugs Corrin tight, hoping that it won't be for the last time.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Misha's genetic code did not let her tire or weaken - if she were more mortal and less genetic creation, she would have slowly slumped to the ground, exhausted and overwhelmed with happiness at their supreme victory. But that was not the case. Instead, she watched everyone say good and she had to fight back tears at the emotion of it all. She put her shield and hammer aside and unsheathed herself out of her armor. She told herself that when she would return home, she would get her armor and weapons polished for a job well done. But first she had to do something she hated.
Saying goodbye.
She towered over Nik and Nok, and gave them each a loving stare and a smile. "To Meesha, you weel always be something more to me than squire, ya? Both of you will be in the heart of Misha. I hef seen many strange theengs on thees world, and you hef added glory and honor to my life. You hef won allies of Acheron thees day. Bane weel not forget what you hef done, and neither shall Misha." She stood there for another few moments, trying not to cry, and she nodded happily, doing her best to remain calm and not break down in tears.
Back in Baldur's Gate...
A masked figure was crouched atop the Hhune mansion. Her eyes tracked those going in and out of the gate. Sure enough, the schedule she'd grown up around was still active. The figure sat back and closed her eyes, her mind diving into the by now familiar space that was her connection to the jeweled prison around her neck. She and Gargauth had come to an accord when she first left the others. But that wasn't to say that he still argued and did everything he could to escape her control.
"This is stupid, Allynna. Keeping me on this tight of a leash, you'll never have a chance. There's going to be a very angry Acheronian coming for us soon, you should be taking all the power you can get in order to survive."
Allynna pursed her lips. "This argument is getting boring. You're right, we probably will have Misha coming to kill us soon. So first, I'm going to get rid of the rest of your little cult. Now shut up and get power dispensing." She made a quick motion with her hand, and Gargauth's voice cut off. A moment later, the masked figure vanished from the rooftop and reappeared inside the house in a puff of red mist. Wordlessly, she opened the door to Tarquin Hhune's chambers, red light blazing into existence around her.
A few minutes later, the figure was turning away from the two dead bodies on the floor when the door was opened by Leon Hhune, heir apparent to - and as of a few minutes ago, patriarch of - the family. He gaped at the scene. "Y...you! The Nightingale! What are you-oh my god! Did you just kill my parents? What the hell?" He drew his sword, a blade Allynna knew he was highly capable of using. However, she didn't plan to give him the chance. With a simple twist of her fingers and a flash of red light, Leon Hhune was blasted against the wall and out a third floor window. Just one left. Allynna walked through the halls of her old home, heading for Celia Belt's room. This time, her entrance was far subtler, no preceding flash of red light or crash. In her early thirties, Celia Belt nee Hhune was still quite a beauty as she sat at her makeup table, preparing for dinner with her parents and husband. Allynna didn't spare a moment to wonder where the illustrious Killian was, merely twisting her fingers through yet another spell.
Allynna eyed the small black cat sitting on Celia's makeup table. "Since you were kind, you can live. But I can't have you seeking revenge, dear sister." She turned away from the cat and, in another puff of red mist, was teleporting across rooftops. "Now, Gargauth. We may have an Acheronian coming to kill us, but that's no reason not to do what we can first. First, tell me everything about the Knights of the Shield, if you ever want to see anything but that jewel again. And second, what's this about two elves who have been living in hiding and quietly sacrificing to you for the last thirty years?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Nok Nok rolls his eyes at Jill's comments on family ties, offering a loud harrumph. "I've no problem with Nik...she's the one I can stand," he says, sending a playful punch his sister's way. "It's those others that are trouble. Right, sis? Geesh, I mean, whoever thought a goblin wanting to become a lich would be a good idea or that troublesome fool who believes she is a bard. Bang, bang, bang those drums day and night. Oy vey....and don't even get me started on Ma and Pa..."
To Missus Misha, the goblin tries unsuccessfully to hide a blush. "You are a brave warrior. I'm honored to be your squire," he says, before quickly adding. "But Nok nobody's squire, really. I'm just saying...would have...you know?"
To Amelia, he says, "You shine like Miss Jubi now. You be as great, OK?" To her spawn, he offers an awkward but hopefully reassuring pat on the head. "You'll be OK."
He offers a quick nod toward Meep. "Maybe we help you next, no? Nok have nowhere else to go."
He then spins about looking frantically. "Hey, we leave the elfling in Hell? Where Pere go?" Nok then shrugs and waits for his sister and Meep to say their goodbyes.
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Misha looked at Jill for a long time, as if memorizing her face. She hugged her tight. "Eet ees difficult for Misha to explain how happy I was to see you again, and..now here I am saying goodbye." She held Jill, and didn't let go for a long time. "Misha weel mees you, think of you, you bring honor to my life because I got another chence to fight weeth you. Eet ees people like you, who make Misha special. Even though I was created, I hef learned many theengs from you I could not on Acheron." She kissed your cheeks, both of them, and hugged you again. "I love you, too, Jeel. Misha weel never forget you. Tell Tasha I said hello, and that I think of her fondly. I hope thet I see you again, and maybe thees time, we don't hef to save entire city for reason."
She broke the embrace reluctantly. "Watch over Corrin for me, ya? Please? She weel need someone like you. You are someone I would die for. Always remember Misha loves you." she nodded approvingly, wiping the tears from your cheeks, and kissed your forehead one last time before walking away.
Meep nods and offers Jill a weak smile. She speaks loud enough to address everyone. "Thank you. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and fighting along your side."
She moves over to Amelia closer and offers hear a sympathetic smile. "Thank you for keeping the peace. You have always been an angel. Now you really are one. Jill will take care of Corrin with her life if she needs to. But don't forget to look over then and Bless them. I will also be praying to you from now on. You've helped me even if you don't realize it." She offers Amelia one last bow and moves to Corrin, speaking softly. "Don't cause too much trouble now okay? Your momma will be watching over you. We are all very proud of you. And thank you for your kindness towards me. I will not forget it ever."
She then turns to Misha, moving to hug her slightly, careful not to touch her with her frog skin. "Misha. Thank you so much for going after me before. Without you I wouldn't be here. And for that I am eternally grateful. Wherever you go now, I wish you well. I'm sure you will exceed with your determination and loyalty. You have brought great honor to yourself and Bane. And I hope you continue on your path. I will always remember you as the woman who saved my life. So thank you so so much. Goodbye. And Good luck."
After a moment she seems to walk away from the group in thought for a minute before turning towards Nok and Nik. "You two are very brave, kind, and resilient. Without your determination Nik, we wouldn't have made it. May I ask a favor? Please allow me to travel with you. At least until the next town. From there I will begin my journey to find how to revert to my former self. You both have been great allies and friends and I'd like to continue my journey with you. Even for a short amount of time."
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Willow Twilight|Swiftstride Shifter|Blood Hunter|Ebberon|Retired
Meephylia Polliwog|Grung|Dragon Sorcerer|Descent To Avernus|Retired
Ashryn Rairs|Changeling|Hexblade Warlock|Out Of The Abyss|Dead
Nik Nak beams at her brother. "Nek Nuk was always trouble," she agrees before beaming at Meep. "You can stick with us, Meep! We'll help you figure your stuff out."
She looks around at everyone. "Jill, your bravery has proven that it really is possible enough to be too stubborn to die. Misha, your honor is an inspiration to us all. Corrin, never lose your smile, 'cause it's more powerful than any of my spells."
She looks at the angelic Amelia. "You've got work to do, that's for sure. But you've got the tools to do it. Just make sure not to get too self-righteous, hmm?" She gives the angel a casual salute. "See you around...or not. Good luck, and don't forget to eat your angelic broccoli."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Misha carefully accepted the hug from Meep. "The honor was mine. Death by bekpeck ees not a good way to die, leetle gorf. However, Misha hef feeling you weel be more careful from now on. Regardless, Misha weel remember you. You are one dangerous leetle forg!" she says, throwing her head back in laughter. "Misha weel mees you. Very much." She gave one last hug to Meep before watching her leave with Nok and Nik.
She went over to Amelia. "You weel not remember me or the words I hef said to you, so I say them to you now, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for fighting by our side. It was an honor to know you, and you have brought me much glory by allowing me to be a part of your life. I know thet you hef higher purpose now, and I weel mees the Amelia that I knew. I hope that thees new life brings you as much magnificence as you have brought to me in my life." She gave Amelia a hug, and when she pulled apart from the embrace, she looked her over for a while. She nodded slightly. "Always know, that Misha loves you, and Corrin."
Losing control over her tears, she kneeled down to Corrin, and for a long time found it hard to speak, for she was choked up with sadness, and yet happiness. She couldn't think of anything to say at the moment, so just stared at her lovingly and pulled her into a hug. Finally, after clearing her throat for fear of completely breaking apart, she whispered into her ear. "You..are the bravest person..I have ever know. I love you..so much. Misha is so, so very happy you are here with me today, safe, and unharmed. Here." Misha said, her eyes wet and her cheeks red. "I hef something for you. Do you remember the day we first met?" Misha said. "Take thees." She handed Corrin a small bracelet. It was a metal chain with the symbol of Bane attached to it. "Jeel is going to take care of you, ok? But if you ever, EVER need Misha, just close your eyes and weesh eet - and I weel come. Until then, leetle preencess." Misha pointed and touched Corrin's heart. "Misha ees here. And you.." then she pointed to her own chest. "Weel always be here. I love you."
She hugged Corrin and wept happily and didn't let go until someone had to peel her off her.
With her work said and done it was time for Amelia to return to Mount Celestia to further spread good across the planes, but saying goodbye to the one person who kept her there proved to be the hardest thing for her to do. She was eye level with Corrin, the pair both crying and hugging one another in what probably would be their final embrace. Amelia promised to watch over her and Jill throughout their journey's, to help guide them towards success, to help them when they needed her most. As a gift, Amelia had given her daughter one of the feathers of her wing, her wedding ring, and her journal. The journal was a record of Amelia's life when Corrin was born and of their journey from the beginning to now, and of how proud she was to see her daughter become a strong young woman.
Amelia had pulled away from the hug with a smile across her face, wiping away her daughters tears away. "I promise to you that I will always love and watch over you, my little star. I will be there when you feel alone or when you need guidance. Take care of Jill, okay?"
Corrin nods and after Amelia had said her heartfelt goodbyes to the team, she gazes back one last time and flies off.
When her mother flies off to the skies, Corrin manages a smile, knowing that she would keep her promise no matter what. Despite the hurt she felt now, she knew in due time that it would heal and the love Amelia would be sending down from the heavens would be real. It wasn't easy getting out of Misha's hug but when she did she thanked her for everything, for being there and protecting her, telling her that she'll see her again when she's big a strong with a beaming smile. She says her goodbyes to the goblin siblings and Meep, then wondering aloud where Persephone had gone, but shrugged it off.
In the end of it all, the tiefling approaches Jill and takes her hand, letting the blood hunter know that she had no hard feelings against her and that she loves her, just as Amelia did too. She then looks up to her and says.
"Let's go, sis."
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
TWO DAYS LATER
Misha watched everyone depart, and was the last one to leave. She spent the next few days helping the Acheronian forces and Toril Alliance pack up Home Base and go home to continue the fight from a different front. The Toril Alliance was happy to go home, but the Acheronians knew the fight would continue. As the portals opened back home, she took one last glance at Avernus, but not because it was Avernus, but because of her friends. She stepped through the portal to go back home.
The War Against Hell never slept, and neither did Misha. When she returned home, she was happy to see Kali more than words could say, but after a few seconds within their embrace Misha cried. She cried hard, and long, and unashamed. Kali was a little worried, but continued to hold her as Misha grew weak in the knees - the weight of the mission to Avernus finally catching up to her. Weakness was not in her programming, and would never show it out in the field, but here, in the most private quarters of her room in her lovers arms, she wept for Corrin, and Jill, and all of the others she watched change, and knew that she would probably never see any of them again. It was a silly notion, but it was possible that she could die at any moment being a Prime in the War. So she wept. For a moment, she thought that something was wrong with her, but her heart was swollen with love and she worried about her friends.
You're being silly Misha. But, her heart said otherwise. I shouldn't be doing this, I am strong and brave. But then, why does saying goodbye hurt so much? She couldn't stop thinking of Jill and Corrin - Corrin, who had lost her mother in a brilliant transformation.
Two years later, as Legion Commander Taetanicus had predicted, and in line with vague visions that I had, Praxia Matyev The Betrayer opened a portal from wherever she came from and invaded Acheron. Thus, the Dawn of War ended and the Age of Darkness began.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW
A deafening explosion brings me back to the present, and for a moment, I curse myself for not paying attention, instead, I drifted off to remember a mission I was on ages ago on Avernus to free a city called Elturel. I steel myself coldly, and refocus. Foolish. Could have gotten me killed.
We are losing the war. I will die on this world.
I cannot tell where this conviction comes from. Whatever birthed it is a mystery to me, and yet the thought clings like a virus, blooming behind my eyes and taking deep root within my mind. It almost feels real enough to spread corruption to the rest of my body, like a true sickness. It will happen soon, within the coming nights of blood and fire. I will draw my last breath, and when my Prime brothers and sisters return to the stars, my ashes will be scattered over the glory of Acheron.
Praxia.
Even the name twists my blood until burning oil beats through my veins. I feel anger now, hot and heavy, flowing through my heart and filtering into my limbs like boiling poison. When the sensation - and it is a physical sensation - reaches my fingertips, my hands curl into fists. I do not make them adopt this shape, it simply happens. Fury is as natural to me as breathing now. I neither fear nor resent its influence on my actions. I am strong, born only to slay for the Lord General. I am pure, wearing the reddest of the red, trained to serve as a spiritual guide as well as a warleader. I am wrath incarnate, living on to kill until finally killed. I am a weapon in the War Machine to forge Acheron's mastership of the multiverse.
Yet strength, purity and wrath will not be enough. I will die on this world. I will die on Acheron. Soon, my Prime brothers and sisters will ask me to consecrate the war that will be my death. The thought plagues me not because I fear death, but because a futile death is anathema to me. But this is no night to think such things. The other Primes and Legion Commanders have gathered to honor me. I am not sure I deserve this, but as with my sense of foreboding, this is a thought I keep to myself. I wear the red, and glare from behind the helmed visage of Bane, the God of War. It is not for one such as I to show doubt, to show weakness, to show even the whispering edges of blasphemy.
In the holiest chamber of our ancient capital, Banehold, I lower myself to one knee and bow my head, because this is what is asked of me. The time has come after a century and a half, and I wish it had not. Taetanicus, my mentor - the Legion Commander who was my father figure, teacher, and master - is dead. After one hundred and thirty years of his guidance, I am on the edge of inheriting his mantle. These are my thoughts as I kneel before my commanders, this bleak mesh of my master's death and my own yet to come. This is the blackness that festers unspoken.
At last, unaware of my secret torments, Bane speaks my name.
Weeks Later
Another random puff of smoke appears among the shoreline of a river of bubbling, black ichor. A portal appears from within the smoke, and a large murder of crows suddenly streams out and flutter around, before settling in the branches of the hideous trees on the shoreline. Subsequent to the crows, a small figure cloaked in black steps out of the portal, onto the smoldering ground below. Peering upwards, the figure suddenly pulls back the hood of her cloak, and stands there mouth agape, staring up at the now empty Stygian Dock. Where once there stood the enormous chains holding down Elturel, now there was but shattered remnants of their rusting hulks.
"Oh fiddlesticks!" the cloaked figure mumbles to herself. "Where did everyone go? I step out for just a minute to attend to some business of my Queen, and it appears that Hell has gone...to Hell?!"
Making her way to Fort Knucklebone, Persephone runs into Mad Maggie. After parting ways with more than a few handfuls of coin, a few pints of social lubricant (Helles Ale) are procured, and Maggie tells Persephone the story of Amelia the Broccoli Angel, saving Elturel. In awe, Persephone fills page after page of Amelia's story, as surely the Raven Queen will like to hear all about her.
Just as quickly as she arrived, Persephone calls a portal and returns back to the Shadowfell, where she returns back to her loving desk and stacks of neglected paperwork. Having experienced her first adventure beyond the desk, she yearned to return back to the safety and comfort of her paperwork. She felt much safer reading memos and trip reports! Now and then, over the centuries, she would periodically receive reports of the fates of her fellow adventurers, and she would take them home and read them over and over again, reminiscing about her one and only adventure many lifetimes ago.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Jill watched as Amelia took off, not breaking her gaze until she had flown too far away to be seen. Even if she couldn't be there as a mother, she would always be watching over them and working to make the multiverse a better place for everyone. She turned around to face her remaining companions, taking one last mental picture of them before it was time to depart for good. When Corrin walked up to Jill and let her know that she had no hard feeling for her, only love, she cried tears of joy and kissed the tiefling on the forehead. "This is the happiest day of my life!"
Jill picked up her sister, put her on her shoulders and started off for Waterdeep, where a loving home awaited them.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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