He half smiled, half nodded. Not saying anything else.
He walks to Jezzika who seemed to have been quite the chatty beacon during this camp time. Would it really be a good time? Now was as good a time as any. He has to take it out of the way.
"Jezzika." - he nods. Much like he did when talking to Amara. Just a gesture. No will behind it.
"I did find it surprising when your...what?...avatar of your patron?... reached out for me the other night. What is it? A demon? Are you serving a demon?"
Ree'lyn thinks to himself a little bit. After a little time he puts forth the bottle he has been carrying around for a while now. Uncorking the bottle looking at Jezzika, Ree'lyn does not think. It not an affectionate gesture.
"This" - he finally says - "is the last bottle of the best wine I could have brought with me." - that declaration could have been carried away with his soothing voice, his charming look, his smile. There was nothing of that. - "In very bad moments, joy and beauty are the best we can provide." - he poursthe wine in a little cup. - "The first cup of the last bottle of the best wine, in the worst possible moment I could think of. I did save some for you, of course." - there is no joy in his words.
"Have a good night. Sleep well."
Making his way back to his own saved spot in the camp.
Ash hesitantly places her hand back on Talikes shoulder. "Hey... Let's get that healed and you sent to bed. We have more traveling in the morning." Ash helps Talike to stand, taking her weapon for right now if possible before carrying her over to Amara. After some general healing, Ash will help Talike to a resting spot, even allowing it to be near the blood painted wall if Talike puts up a fight about it. She will hold on to Talike's weapon to make sure she doesn't return to painting the wall in her own blood and head off to a spot near Jezz and her clothes, putting them back on now that they've dried for a while. Ash will then sit down on her bed roll and retrieve her cards, shuffling them quietly and carefully as she adds a stick or two to her mini clothes drying fire to provide some dynamic lighting.
As Ash does her typical setup, she speaks softly under her breath, now not having any audience to her reading. For anyone who cares to listen in while she talks to herself, she sets her single card to the side and tucks the others away, closing her eyes for a moment before moving to flip the card, revealing an Ace of Wands before she speaks softly...
"The Ace of Wands. Typically resembling courage, force, and enthusiasm. Constructive energy used to work towards individual fulfillment and Power. Reversed it signifies creative potential that has yet to be achieved. It signifies time to strive towards a personal goal or purpose. *Sigh* Of course Ophidian. Very funny."
Ash then slips the single card into the case with the others, pushes her slightly still damp hair back off her face and sets up her bed roll. Unless anyone else would like to speak with her, she smiles and says a quick "Goodnight" to Jezz and the others and gets comfortable to sleep
Ash's (Level up) dream:
Ash is awoken by the bright red light in her face. Everything was gone again except the glowing red symbol that was her tattoo. As Ash tries to breath, to move, she feels the familiar sense of floating, of water, and almost instinctively holds her breath. However, this time she can move.
As she moves to circle the red glowing symbol, she senses something moving around her, watching her, studying her and her whole body begins to heat up. What begins a slight warm turns into a sharp burning pain as whatever was watching her gets closer.
You have become stronger. But not strong enough. You remain too far back. Show me what you can do. Prove yourself. Prove that my power... OUR power... Is stronger than Umbra's. He will see. It will be glorious.
The panic begins to fill Ash, however this time it is not in the sense of drowning but instead her body turns cold, very cold. The air leaves her body as she sees replicas of herself slowly becoming visible around her. Each are identical to herself but seem to be writhing in pain.
They die. But you will live. I will grant you great power. Power that allows you to outshine Umbra and his disciple. Power that will bring upon The New Begining.
Soon. It will be soon.
Despite the heat all around her, Ash had not felt any colder in her life. The panic fueled her as she tried to swim to the surface of the waters she knew she was in. She had to get there. Had to get out.
Just as she was about to reach the surface, something grabbed her ankle from below, and as everything began to fade, as she slowly lost consciousness under the water, the last thing she could see was copies of herself, dragging her deep below the surface. However, the eyes were not her own. They were dark demon red, speckles of green littering their soulessness.
And everything went black.
Soon.
Ash will have explained everything to Talike once she regained normalacy.
Before she goes to bed, Amara goes over to Svana. "Svana darling, I'd like to help you heal the wounds on your mind," she says gently. "Here." She takes Svana's hand gently, and a warm golden light spreads through the elf, purging the Demogorgon's influence from her mind.
As she moves back towards her sleeping spot, Amara glances at Duke (Insight 19 from thread). "Duke," she calls softly. "Is there anything else I can do."
DAY TEN ENCOUNTERS:6, 1, 6 PACE:FAST PURSUIT LEVEL: TWO
"I would say Umbra is more like..an eldritch horror than a demon. In the grand scope of things, Umbra is vastly more powerful than demons. At one point, it took five Gods to defeat the spread of corruption he was causing at the dawn of time. Oh! You have another bottle of wine. That looks pretty good, I think i've heard of the brand. Are you going to pour m- Oh. You're not. Ah. Ok! Goodnight!"
We woke up the next day on our journey to escape where Buppido told us we were probably about ten days away from Gracklstugh, a major city of the deep dwarves. This was confirmed, as well, by Amara's map. We gathered our things, and pressed on quickly, eager to escape this place.
Luckily, we had no strange encounters and we made our way through the Underdark, because I can't roll well.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(post night night time for when we're officially level 3) "Duke, I think I've come up with a way to give you that chomper you've been wanting. Svana, will you assist me with it?
With many flourishes, Gwen goes to work on DU-K3's mouth. She unravels her thieve's tools. She sets down her smiths tools. and plops down her woodcarver set. She starts working with a hunk of metal and her smiths tools with her magic doing most of the work she relies on the bottle of acid she has to make the metal jaw take shape. "Svana can you use [Tooltip Not Found] to help me clean some of this up a little?" Gwen follows it up with mending to smooth out the mess a little. The woodcarvers tools begin to come into play as the metal is softened, and the carving tool is imbued with artificer magic she starts to peel the metal away like the skin of an apple. Lastly, to finish the job she uses the file from the thieve's tools she uses as her magical focus to give the finishing touches. One last round of mending and he should have a beautiful metal mandible to work with.
Duke lies down, allowing Gwendolyn to work on him without having to awkwardly reach up to reach his head. He also holds one of Svana's hands, grateful that his friend is here to watch over him.
After:
"Declaration: Thank you. Inquiry: Do either of you possess something that I might use to observe myself with?" Duke's processors are quick, connecting with his new mouth to make sure that it moves to match him as he speaks.
"Oh yes. Its kind of small but there is a mirror in my tools." Gwen pulls out a tiny mirror on a stick from her thieve's tools kit and hands it to Duke.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gash- Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Good enough he didn't need much effort to restore his powers. Yet, the reverie did little to relieve his body and mind tension.
Ree'lyn put his gear together made no mention of having noticed the others around the camp, too absorbed in his own thoughts.
In his way to Amara, he placed a small cup, filled with wine beside Jezzika and kept walking.
Stool wobbled walking by his side to keep up - "Good morning, Glabbagool. I hope you are feeling better." - the myconid's tone of voice suddenly becomes enthusiastic. - "I have a new game of charades. Do you want to play with me, Glabbagool? "
The drow, ignoring the exchange between both telepathic creatures, comes to a halt before Amara, holding his bottle of wine and bowl with diced rocktopus meat, seasoned with Underdark spices.
"Good morning." - Ree'lyn does manage a brief smile. - "Would you like to have that conversation about our route for today?" - offering the bottle and the bowl.
Amara takes it with a small smile. "Why not?" She takes the map and unfolds it carefully. Ree'lyn would notice that the kuo-toa city now has a note reading "Many kuo-toa there now worship the Demogorgon, and have summoned him on at least one occasion. Would recommend giving a wide berth."
Ash woke up with a quite audible shriek and spent the rest of the day walking in silence. She remained close to walk beside Jezz but was visibly lost in thought and didnt engage in much conversation. When they decided to set up their new camp, she wordlessly attempted to light to fire, the flames bursting from her palms but with less force. Small ice Crystal's could be seen shimmering on her palm that she quickly pulled to herself in silence, moving to sit beside the fire in thought.
To distract herself, she took to shuffling her cards silently, lost in her own mind as she thought back to her dream. Her shuffling seems complex but Ash doesnt seem to even be paying attention.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Phineas awoke, stretched and paced about the area muttering to himself. Throughout the day, the gnome offered quick smiles if asked about how he was doing, but kept to himself, obviously locked in on some inner conversation. By day's end, his demeanor had shifted back to his normal carefree manner as he joked around with Huey, butted in on a few conversations and spent a bit of time again trying to meditate. Ultimately, though, he remained antsy and apparently "on edge."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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)
Enkindle opened her eyes to a landscape never seen before. While there elements of the monestary -- her home for 17 odd years -- dispersed among the landscape, they were little more than ruined walls and half-destroyed iconography upon an otherwise desolate landscape. Yet, it is not until she looked beyond what would've been several hundred feet of worked stone streets and out to the sea, that anything less complex than the tangled web of feelings her home always elicited finally stirred in the genasi. A cold dread spread through her chest as the ocean of crystal blue water had been replaced with a roiling mess of black slime, and distant towers seeming made of crystalized version of the so called "sea".
She could not look away. Even as the fetid wind wafting from the sea carried the moans and croaking of a multitude dead or dying. Some far too familiar, and would later haunt her well beyond the vision. As she stood contemplating what even to make of the setting, the clatter of metal and heavy footfalls of another from behind sends her spinning around to face them; a hand searching in that moment for a mace, or even a shield to ready. None are to be found. And nothing was there except another horror where once a great mountain range once stood in the distance.
For a third time in her life, the overwhelming sense of vulnerability brought the cleric to her knees. This time when she heard the sound of an armored being approaching from behind, she did not try to look -- could not even muster more than a token visage of rage at the taunting source. Even when she senses it stop just a few feet behind her however, even if the semblance of resistance starts to fade away.
"Learning.... at least...."
Enkindle cringes, as even the vague recognition of the voice draws her back to a now distant feeling past. "It ain't the only one, isn't?" She asked quietly, yet knew her words would be heard.
"It roils... it breaks... the deep.... the call them forth.... Soon"
Enkindle frowns, and starts to look back but catches herself in time. "... There ain't much right down 'ere, isn't? That's why I can hardly here ya. Why ya can't reach them as well." She said, only silence answers her in turn. Instead, she felt a gauntled hand rest on her shoulder. There was comfort, even as she felt in that moment as if centuries of burdens wrought by duty weighed on the spirit. An understanding that went beyond the surface of petty problems that ever dogged her every step.
"The course.... set... but not.... alone.... Faith... Protect... Only matters... Nothing else."
The voice grows fainter with every couple of words until eventually even the presence itself fades from existence. As Enkindle sat there on the back of her heels, regarding the many tattoos permanently painting another course meant for the fire genasi, something draws her back to the noises on the wind. This time she wouldn't try to push them out.
Her reward was...
New Day & Evening:
Enkindle awakens to the varied sound of others slowly rising to start a new day, and realizing after the position she stayed all through the night. She cringed as ever attempt to move ached, yet pressed forward all the same. Where once she looked on with vary degrees of disgust, distrust, or ambivalence to the others, she wore a faint grin and an almost peaceful air about her like a cloak. Even Ash's morning shriek hardly shook yer. Though for the remainder of the day's travel, she made a point of keeping an eye on the woman.
When another fortunately uneventful day passes, but seeing Ash still out of sorts, Enkindle strode up to sit beside her before the fire. She would say nothing first however, choosing for the time being to offer a comforting and literally warm presence for the time being while staring into the flame.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ash notices the sudden change in heat and almost flinches a little, looking at Enkindle. "Ah! Oh... it's you Enkindle... You... startled me... Did you need something?"
Damn you Ophidian. Making me paranoid of my friends.
Ash glances over to Jezz in thought for a minute before back to Enkindle.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
If Enkindle notices the flinching, it doesn't show on her face. But she does smile faintly and says, "Ah **** no! I mean.. well, I cannae got a hankering fer something sweet fer bloody change. But, not a whole lot of that going around down here." She hesitates for a second, but eventually puts a hand on Ash's shoulder -- or tries to at least. "Real question is what got you ****ed up in the head now."She requests far too nonchalant than normal.
Ash blinks for a minute, a little surprised by Enkindle's forward questions. "What's got me... Oh! Um... Just some bad dreams and soul searching? I suppose its hard to explain..." Ash rubs the back of her neck a little awkwardly, her cards resting in her lap.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
"O-oh."Enkindle draws the hand back, and after pulling her legs up against her chest, wraps her hands around close to the knees. "Uh... Well shit. Guess that ain't so surprising, seeing what we saw back there, and thensome before that. I'm more surprised more of these ****ers haven't been like that... guess they're a lot more resilent than I gave'm credit." Her voice towards the end as she looks over the others.
"... Still... uhm... Would it help have'n someone.. uh... ****, I don't know... All this shit-..." She catches herself, and fiercely shakes her head a few times. "W-what I mean to say...I-I'm willing to listen, if ya think it'll help ya get sorted? And are those ****'n play cards, or did that shroom get me again?"
As the afternoon wore on, Jezzika grew sleepy, and dozed off.
She dreamed.
She found herself in a void, in the comfort of her patron. She smiled, she enjoyed being a part of it, being a part of it's wisdom, it's knowledge. It's voice caressed her mind and she slowly floated in it's being.
"The one named Svana." Umbra said. Jezzika nodded. "She seeks answers. Closure." Jezzika nodded again, the feeling of rapture tingling all around her as she swam through the void slowly. "The answers she seeks will come at a price." She smiled. They always did. "I understand. Will you help her?" "Yes. But there will be a price for you as well." "I am willing to help her. I will do as you say." "For what it is worth, the answers she seeks will require..servitude." "I will serve you as well."Jezzika promised. "As you have."
Ash offers Enkindle a slight smile. "They're... Tarot cards. And thanks for the concern. Honestly, this is less about what we saw compared to what is happening within myself. But yes... we're quite a resilient group. I guess all this shit has made us into a big weird family. It reminds me of home if I'm honest."
There's a slight smile as she thinks back to her home before looking at Enkindle. "I guess Ophidian... My voice in the head patron... Is my current issue. I hardly know anything about him... but... as I learn more... get stronger... Well... I guess you could say I'm questioning his intentions? Questioning my purpose... But I dont think that is something anyone else can help me figure out."
There's another slight pause where Ash closes her eyes in thought. "As for the dreams... I suppose they're Ophidians way of granting me power. They're just... worrying..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 3 | AC 15 | HP 22/22 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 4 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2 | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Those words were what he could offer.
He half smiled, half nodded. Not saying anything else.
He walks to Jezzika who seemed to have been quite the chatty beacon during this camp time. Would it really be a good time? Now was as good a time as any. He has to take it out of the way.
"Jezzika." - he nods. Much like he did when talking to Amara. Just a gesture. No will behind it.
"I did find it surprising when your...what?...avatar of your patron?... reached out for me the other night. What is it? A demon? Are you serving a demon?"
Ree'lyn thinks to himself a little bit. After a little time he puts forth the bottle he has been carrying around for a while now. Uncorking the bottle looking at Jezzika, Ree'lyn does not think. It not an affectionate gesture.
"This" - he finally says - "is the last bottle of the best wine I could have brought with me." - that declaration could have been carried away with his soothing voice, his charming look, his smile. There was nothing of that. - "In very bad moments, joy and beauty are the best we can provide." - he pours the wine in a little cup. - "The first cup of the last bottle of the best wine, in the worst possible moment I could think of. I did save some for you, of course." - there is no joy in his words.
"Have a good night. Sleep well."
Making his way back to his own saved spot in the camp.
Ash hesitantly places her hand back on Talikes shoulder. "Hey... Let's get that healed and you sent to bed. We have more traveling in the morning." Ash helps Talike to stand, taking her weapon for right now if possible before carrying her over to Amara. After some general healing, Ash will help Talike to a resting spot, even allowing it to be near the blood painted wall if Talike puts up a fight about it. She will hold on to Talike's weapon to make sure she doesn't return to painting the wall in her own blood and head off to a spot near Jezz and her clothes, putting them back on now that they've dried for a while. Ash will then sit down on her bed roll and retrieve her cards, shuffling them quietly and carefully as she adds a stick or two to her mini clothes drying fire to provide some dynamic lighting.
As Ash does her typical setup, she speaks softly under her breath, now not having any audience to her reading. For anyone who cares to listen in while she talks to herself, she sets her single card to the side and tucks the others away, closing her eyes for a moment before moving to flip the card, revealing an Ace of Wands before she speaks softly...
"The Ace of Wands. Typically resembling courage, force, and enthusiasm. Constructive energy used to work towards individual fulfillment and Power. Reversed it signifies creative potential that has yet to be achieved. It signifies time to strive towards a personal goal or purpose. *Sigh* Of course Ophidian. Very funny."
Ash then slips the single card into the case with the others, pushes her slightly still damp hair back off her face and sets up her bed roll. Unless anyone else would like to speak with her, she smiles and says a quick "Goodnight" to Jezz and the others and gets comfortable to sleep
Ash's (Level up) dream:
Ash is awoken by the bright red light in her face. Everything was gone again except the glowing red symbol that was her tattoo. As Ash tries to breath, to move, she feels the familiar sense of floating, of water, and almost instinctively holds her breath. However, this time she can move.
As she moves to circle the red glowing symbol, she senses something moving around her, watching her, studying her and her whole body begins to heat up. What begins a slight warm turns into a sharp burning pain as whatever was watching her gets closer.
You have become stronger. But not strong enough. You remain too far back. Show me what you can do. Prove yourself. Prove that my power... OUR power... Is stronger than Umbra's. He will see. It will be glorious.
The panic begins to fill Ash, however this time it is not in the sense of drowning but instead her body turns cold, very cold. The air leaves her body as she sees replicas of herself slowly becoming visible around her. Each are identical to herself but seem to be writhing in pain.
They die. But you will live. I will grant you great power. Power that allows you to outshine Umbra and his disciple. Power that will bring upon The New Begining.
Soon. It will be soon.
Despite the heat all around her, Ash had not felt any colder in her life. The panic fueled her as she tried to swim to the surface of the waters she knew she was in. She had to get there. Had to get out.
Just as she was about to reach the surface, something grabbed her ankle from below, and as everything began to fade, as she slowly lost consciousness under the water, the last thing she could see was copies of herself, dragging her deep below the surface. However, the eyes were not her own. They were dark demon red, speckles of green littering their soulessness.
And everything went black.
Soon.
Ash will have explained everything to Talike once she regained normalacy.
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
Earlier:
Talike draws back after being slapped.
"What was that for?" (And when she sees the blood on the wall) "What the ****! What- Did I- No..."
Talike practically crawls back from the painting and spends a few minutes massaging her head and whispering to herself.
"Thank you, Ash. Where exactly are we? Those things, (pointing to the symbols) They were in the cave when the drow got me. What happened?"
Talike sets out her bedroll and gets ready for another night of sleep.
Before she goes to bed, Amara goes over to Svana. "Svana darling, I'd like to help you heal the wounds on your mind," she says gently. "Here." She takes Svana's hand gently, and a warm golden light spreads through the elf, purging the Demogorgon's influence from her mind.
As she moves back towards her sleeping spot, Amara glances at Duke (Insight 19 from thread). "Duke," she calls softly. "Is there anything else I can do."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!
DAY TEN
ENCOUNTERS: 6, 1, 6
PACE: FAST
PURSUIT LEVEL: TWO
"I would say Umbra is more like..an eldritch horror than a demon. In the grand scope of things, Umbra is vastly more powerful than demons. At one point, it took five Gods to defeat the spread of corruption he was causing at the dawn of time. Oh! You have another bottle of wine. That looks pretty good, I think i've heard of the brand. Are you going to pour m- Oh. You're not. Ah. Ok! Goodnight!"
We woke up the next day on our journey to escape where Buppido told us we were probably about ten days away from Gracklstugh, a major city of the deep dwarves. This was confirmed, as well, by Amara's map. We gathered our things, and pressed on quickly, eager to escape this place.
Luckily, we had no strange encounters and we made our way through the Underdark, because I can't roll well.
(post night night time for when we're officially level 3) "Duke, I think I've come up with a way to give you that chomper you've been wanting. Svana, will you assist me with it?
With many flourishes, Gwen goes to work on DU-K3's mouth. She unravels her thieve's tools. She sets down her smiths tools. and plops down her woodcarver set. She starts working with a hunk of metal and her smiths tools with her magic doing most of the work she relies on the bottle of acid she has to make the metal jaw take shape. "Svana can you use [Tooltip Not Found] to help me clean some of this up a little?" Gwen follows it up with mending to smooth out the mess a little. The woodcarvers tools begin to come into play as the metal is softened, and the carving tool is imbued with artificer magic she starts to peel the metal away like the skin of an apple. Lastly, to finish the job she uses the file from the thieve's tools she uses as her magical focus to give the finishing touches. One last round of mending and he should have a beautiful metal mandible to work with.
Smiths tools: 28 + Guidance: 4
Woodcarver tools: 18 + Guidance: 2
Thieve's tools: 26 + Guidance: 2
"oh. Duke, you look so handsome."
Inspired by her work, she uses the scrap metals and her smiths tools and summons an Arcane Turret.
Duke's new look:
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Before/During the procedure:
Duke lies down, allowing Gwendolyn to work on him without having to awkwardly reach up to reach his head. He also holds one of Svana's hands, grateful that his friend is here to watch over him.
After:
"Declaration: Thank you. Inquiry: Do either of you possess something that I might use to observe myself with?" Duke's processors are quick, connecting with his new mouth to make sure that it moves to match him as he speaks.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"Oh yes. Its kind of small but there is a mirror in my tools." Gwen pulls out a tiny mirror on a stick from her thieve's tools kit and hands it to Duke.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 3 | AC 15 | HP 22/22 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 4 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 2 | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ree'lyn put his gear together made no mention of having noticed the others around the camp, too absorbed in his own thoughts.
In his way to Amara, he placed a small cup, filled with wine beside Jezzika and kept walking.
Amara takes it with a small smile. "Why not?" She takes the map and unfolds it carefully. Ree'lyn would notice that the kuo-toa city now has a note reading "Many kuo-toa there now worship the Demogorgon, and have summoned him on at least one occasion. Would recommend giving a wide berth."
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!
Ash woke up with a quite audible shriek and spent the rest of the day walking in silence. She remained close to walk beside Jezz but was visibly lost in thought and didnt engage in much conversation. When they decided to set up their new camp, she wordlessly attempted to light to fire, the flames bursting from her palms but with less force. Small ice Crystal's could be seen shimmering on her palm that she quickly pulled to herself in silence, moving to sit beside the fire in thought.
To distract herself, she took to shuffling her cards silently, lost in her own mind as she thought back to her dream. Her shuffling seems complex but Ash doesnt seem to even be paying attention.
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
Phineas awoke, stretched and paced about the area muttering to himself. Throughout the day, the gnome offered quick smiles if asked about how he was doing, but kept to himself, obviously locked in on some inner conversation. By day's end, his demeanor had shifted back to his normal carefree manner as he joked around with Huey, butted in on a few conversations and spent a bit of time again trying to meditate. Ultimately, though, he remained antsy and apparently "on edge."
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)
Step Step Thud spends the night smashing random objects around the campsite with his club and shouting, "Die!"
When Stool approaches Glabbagool, he slides forward in his jar excitedly, "Oh boy! I've never played a game before! How do you play?"
A long awaited level-up Dream(Evening 9):
Enkindle opened her eyes to a landscape never seen before. While there elements of the monestary -- her home for 17 odd years -- dispersed among the landscape, they were little more than ruined walls and half-destroyed iconography upon an otherwise desolate landscape. Yet, it is not until she looked beyond what would've been several hundred feet of worked stone streets and out to the sea, that anything less complex than the tangled web of feelings her home always elicited finally stirred in the genasi. A cold dread spread through her chest as the ocean of crystal blue water had been replaced with a roiling mess of black slime, and distant towers seeming made of crystalized version of the so called "sea".
She could not look away. Even as the fetid wind wafting from the sea carried the moans and croaking of a multitude dead or dying. Some far too familiar, and would later haunt her well beyond the vision. As she stood contemplating what even to make of the setting, the clatter of metal and heavy footfalls of another from behind sends her spinning around to face them; a hand searching in that moment for a mace, or even a shield to ready. None are to be found. And nothing was there except another horror where once a great mountain range once stood in the distance.
For a third time in her life, the overwhelming sense of vulnerability brought the cleric to her knees. This time when she heard the sound of an armored being approaching from behind, she did not try to look -- could not even muster more than a token visage of rage at the taunting source. Even when she senses it stop just a few feet behind her however, even if the semblance of resistance starts to fade away.
"Learning.... at least...."
Enkindle cringes, as even the vague recognition of the voice draws her back to a now distant feeling past. "It ain't the only one, isn't?" She asked quietly, yet knew her words would be heard.
"It roils... it breaks... the deep.... the call them forth.... Soon"
Enkindle frowns, and starts to look back but catches herself in time. "... There ain't much right down 'ere, isn't? That's why I can hardly here ya. Why ya can't reach them as well." She said, only silence answers her in turn. Instead, she felt a gauntled hand rest on her shoulder. There was comfort, even as she felt in that moment as if centuries of burdens wrought by duty weighed on the spirit. An understanding that went beyond the surface of petty problems that ever dogged her every step.
"The course.... set... but not.... alone.... Faith... Protect... Only matters... Nothing else."
The voice grows fainter with every couple of words until eventually even the presence itself fades from existence. As Enkindle sat there on the back of her heels, regarding the many tattoos permanently painting another course meant for the fire genasi, something draws her back to the noises on the wind. This time she wouldn't try to push them out.
Her reward was...
New Day & Evening:
Enkindle awakens to the varied sound of others slowly rising to start a new day, and realizing after the position she stayed all through the night. She cringed as ever attempt to move ached, yet pressed forward all the same. Where once she looked on with vary degrees of disgust, distrust, or ambivalence to the others, she wore a faint grin and an almost peaceful air about her like a cloak. Even Ash's morning shriek hardly shook yer. Though for the remainder of the day's travel, she made a point of keeping an eye on the woman.
When another fortunately uneventful day passes, but seeing Ash still out of sorts, Enkindle strode up to sit beside her before the fire. She would say nothing first however, choosing for the time being to offer a comforting and literally warm presence for the time being while staring into the flame.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ash notices the sudden change in heat and almost flinches a little, looking at Enkindle. "Ah! Oh... it's you Enkindle... You... startled me... Did you need something?"
Damn you Ophidian. Making me paranoid of my friends.
Ash glances over to Jezz in thought for a minute before back to Enkindle.
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
If Enkindle notices the flinching, it doesn't show on her face. But she does smile faintly and says, "Ah **** no! I mean.. well, I cannae got a hankering fer something sweet fer bloody change. But, not a whole lot of that going around down here." She hesitates for a second, but eventually puts a hand on Ash's shoulder -- or tries to at least. "Real question is what got you ****ed up in the head now." She requests far too nonchalant than normal.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ash blinks for a minute, a little surprised by Enkindle's forward questions. "What's got me... Oh! Um... Just some bad dreams and soul searching? I suppose its hard to explain..." Ash rubs the back of her neck a little awkwardly, her cards resting in her lap.
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
"O-oh." Enkindle draws the hand back, and after pulling her legs up against her chest, wraps her hands around close to the knees. "Uh... Well shit. Guess that ain't so surprising, seeing what we saw back there, and thensome before that. I'm more surprised more of these ****ers haven't been like that... guess they're a lot more resilent than I gave'm credit." Her voice towards the end as she looks over the others.
"... Still... uhm... Would it help have'n someone.. uh... ****, I don't know... All this shit-..." She catches herself, and fiercely shakes her head a few times. "W-what I mean to say...I-I'm willing to listen, if ya think it'll help ya get sorted? And are those ****'n play cards, or did that shroom get me again?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
As the afternoon wore on, Jezzika grew sleepy, and dozed off.
She dreamed.
She found herself in a void, in the comfort of her patron. She smiled, she enjoyed being a part of it, being a part of it's wisdom, it's knowledge. It's voice caressed her mind and she slowly floated in it's being.
"The one named Svana." Umbra said.
Jezzika nodded.
"She seeks answers. Closure."
Jezzika nodded again, the feeling of rapture tingling all around her as she swam through the void slowly.
"The answers she seeks will come at a price."
She smiled. They always did. "I understand. Will you help her?"
"Yes. But there will be a price for you as well."
"I am willing to help her. I will do as you say."
"For what it is worth, the answers she seeks will require..servitude."
"I will serve you as well." Jezzika promised.
"As you have."
NOW SHE WILL AS WELL.
Ash offers Enkindle a slight smile. "They're... Tarot cards. And thanks for the concern. Honestly, this is less about what we saw compared to what is happening within myself. But yes... we're quite a resilient group. I guess all this shit has made us into a big weird family. It reminds me of home if I'm honest."
There's a slight smile as she thinks back to her home before looking at Enkindle. "I guess Ophidian... My voice in the head patron... Is my current issue. I hardly know anything about him... but... as I learn more... get stronger... Well... I guess you could say I'm questioning his intentions? Questioning my purpose... But I dont think that is something anyone else can help me figure out."
There's another slight pause where Ash closes her eyes in thought. "As for the dreams... I suppose they're Ophidians way of granting me power. They're just... worrying..."
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