Duke allows Quinn to tap on his arm in an attempt to make music and he smiles when Svana comments on having to protect him from Warforged girls. "Declaration: I would like to meet these female Warforged, if they exist. Secondary Declaration: I do not know about the existence other Warforged that have gained sentience. I would like to hope that there are. Tertiary Declaration: It does not seem likely that I would find any other sentient Warforged in the landfill that I worked at. The chances of outside intervention occurring there are low."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
We came across a small island that rose from the water ahead. It contained no hostile creatures and make a good place for us to take a rest for the day. The island was littered with edible fungus, and we had our fill.
"Oh, they do exist, Duke," Svana laughs gently, wiping away the dried scratched off paint of one of the E's. "Remember when I told you I've met little of your kind? Well, at one of the gala's held on our estate, we had a warforged perform! She spoke so eloquently, and her voice was like nothing I've ever heard before. You wouldn't think that a construct would be able to create such melodies with their voices, but she proved all of us wrong!" She pauses a moment to swipe away some paint. "Her name was... Mmm... Unit XJ9, but she likes the name Genevieve, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps when we get out of here I could maybe set up a little date for you? Oh, that would be adorable..." She giggles and pulls away from him, proud of her own work. "Very well, Duke, you're your own person now."
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\
Duke looks at his arm, now free of any marks that indicated what he was like in his life before coming down here. He smiles at Svana and gently hugs her. "Declaration: I am very grateful to you for the service that you have performed today. Secondary Declaration: That designation labeled me as property. Even though it was not like the physical shackles at Velkynvelve, it functioned in the same manner as one, in the sense that it designated me as someone's property to do with as they wished. Tertiary Declaration: Now that is no longer the case. I am no one's property and even though I do not know where I wish to go after we escape from here, I do not have to return to Waterdeep for further subjugation. Quaternary Declaration: I hope that the rest of the surface world is a better place than this."
A particular star in the cosmos began to glow, it's corona a deep purple - pulsing, alive, sentient. That night, as Jezzika was falling asleep, drifting - she felt the presence of Umbra caress her mind. At first it started as a whisper, like a lover not wanting to wake another. Jezzika smiled and further drifted into the darkness of sleep where she liked to be, where she felt the most safe. Deep in the darkness, deep in the shadow, deep in the caress of Umbra. From a distance unfathomable to mortals, Umbra entwined it's inky tentacles in her mind, slithering into her brain matter and gave her a preview of the knowledge he knew regarding a request Jezzika had made on behalf of Svana, a morsel of information, a taste, a tease. If the elf woman wanted more, she would have to serve.
"Behold. Two brothers. Different families."
Jezzika was an invisible observer. Two elven males. Handsome. Rashim and Amir. The eldest of two different families, but acted as brothers nevertheless. What they were talking about was clouded, vague, like in a dream. They were exploring. Perhaps for fun? Deep underground they went. Hours went by, laughing. Talking. Exploring. Through the vision of Umbra, Amir was radiating a color Jezzika could not describe - but Rashim was also - a deeper, darker color. Something inside his soul was dirty. Tainted. Twisted. Weak.
"Witness the moment of corruption."
They had stumbled upon a massive spore field. Amir was worried, Rashim approached the field. More talking, debating. Rashim continued to explore. Without warning, a presence, a horrible, evil presence sensed the taint in his heart, and through a network of billions, sent a message to one of the spores and one burst. Jezzika could see Rashim brushing them away, coughing, injecting, swallowing. Quickly, they left.
"The Lady of Rot and Decay influences him now."
Rashim returned to normal, but deep within his mind, rot and control slowly took over. In Jezzika's vision, it was completely dark. She faced Rashim, his back to her. He slowly turned to face her. His eyes completely bloodshot, bleeding green. Infection. Rot. Disease. He smiled. "Amir.."he growled.
And then he exploded. Jezzika jolted awake. She blinked and looked around, her mind processing what Umbra had shown her. Propped up on her palms sitting up, she looked for and found Svana. Her heart was still beating a bit faster than usual.
"I must know more! What must I do?"
"Servitude.."
ACHERON
On the Plane of War, in a tactical war room, a massively armored man in power armor three times it's size leaned over the command table, studying it. He watched as the red arcane display on the table changed and shifted, displaying the positions of military forces of friend and foe alike. Outside the complex, the sounds of battle could be heard. He was surrounded by small legion of other heavily armored warriors in what appeared to be special slimmer fitting combat power armor. Upon first glance of these people, it was clear their entire life was for the purpose of battle and war. Suddenly, the armored man leaning against the command table lifted his head, and looked to his right, where a lean muscular red haired woman standing at attention armed with a mighty hammer and shield turned her head slightly and looked at him at the same time.
"You sensed that, too."Legion Commander Taetanicus stated the obvious, his voice rumbling in the commander center. Imperator Misha Praskovia nodded. "Yes, Legion Commander. I did." her expression sank just a little. "As if we do not have enough to worry about." Taetanicus nodded. "Yes. First Hell, then Praxia, now this. The Lord General will not be pleased to hear about Umbra again." "No, Commander, he will not."Praskovia agreed. "Shall I prepare the coin?" "Yes."Taetanicus nodded. "Guardians of the Prime Material will come. It holds the power of the Lord General from when He himself fought the Shadow. We will test these guardians when they arrive. Those who hold the coin must be worthy." "Your will, be done, Legion Commander."Praskovia nodded, turned on her heel, and went to do as she was commanded. Just like one day she was not worthy, those who hold the coin of the Lord of War must prove their merit. Umbra has regained it's strength, and will once again scour the universe and transform all it can see into an infected, mutated cosmos of horror. She prepared the coin and told herself she would explain the terms of the challenges to them when they arrived to win the coin and use it against Umbra.
When Svana was jolted awake by the drow, she knew Umbra must have shown her something right then. To not disturb the others, the elf had pulled her off to the side, somewhere private for them to discuss if necessary, but it was also an excuse to try and calm her own already anxious nerves. They both sat down and Jezzika had pressed her hand upon the wizards forehead like before and saw through her eyes the vision Umbra had granted her.
When her spirit returned to her body, Svana was hit with an intense mixture of emotions, grief the most prominent, and she couldn’t control the tears that started to stream down her copper cheeks. It had been years since she last saw him, happy, alive. Her memory was the only thing she had left of him, and even those began to fade away as the years went by. Now she knew there was more to the story, more to Amir’s last words, more to uncover. She only wished she could reach out to him, to let him know that she’s almost there, that with Jezzika and Umbra’s help, both of them will receive the closure they needed to move on.
”Thank you, Jezzika, thank you,” She weeps quietly to Jezzika. “Thank you, Umbra.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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\
Amara walks over to Duke. "Do you mind if I stick with you for a little bit, dear?"
"Declaration: You may do so. You have been a trusted ally to me. This would be the minimum repayment I can offer for all of the aid that you have given me."
"Thank you dear."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"We will find the answers together." Jezzika said, embraced in the hug with Svana. She felt bad for her. It was clear that she was filled with grief and ached for closure regarding her dead brother. "What Umbra has shown me is somewhat cryptic, he never tells me the answer completely, it always leaves something up to interpretation, but he is always correct."Jezzika pat Svana's head lovingly, and for a moment her closeness was very welcome and warm, and she didn't want to let go. Jezzika lifted Svana's chin up, so she could look into her eyes and admire how pretty she was, her lips, after being alone for nearly months, generated a feeling of hunger and wanting, and not in the regards to food. She bit her lower lip until a noise woke her from her admiration.
DING!
"Wh-"she turned her head towards the noise, startled, and looked into the distance, into the darkness. A splashing from the Darklake could be heard, along with multiple growling and roaring. A family of six trolls was near the party, and within moments, descended upon us, baring teeth and claw.
Jezzika’s embrace was more than welcomed to the sobbing elf, the stream of tears slowing down gradually as the two stayed there. It was comforting to know the drow cared, to even help her find closure in the first place, she could have gotten up and left her sobbing alone, but instead she stayed and offered her the shoulder to cry on.
What she hadn’t expected was having her chin tilted upward, her eyes locking with the warlocks causing her heart to skip a beat. Svana would be lying if she said Jezzika wasn’t gorgeous, and it was hard to look away from her gaze until she noticed the others eyes flicker to her lips. How she bit her lip ever so slightly... She couldn’t help but lean in—
DING!
It was so jarring to hear that alert for the first time since camping here, Svana was stunned into getting a nat1 in initiative. (Thanks crispy)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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\
Ash sits up quickly, startled awake. Her whole body turns cold (cast of agathys) and as she looks to her hand temporarily, watching the smoke and ice forming a new blade in her hand. She remembered it from her sea travels. Her captain had called it a... falchion? Whatever it was called didnt matter to her now. As the runes on her new weapon glowed, she stood and got ready for battle, waking up anyone around her if she had the time and not noticing Ssvana and Jezz across the camp.
Init: 6
It turns out most of the group was already awake and ready before her.
The splash sounds followed by growls and roaring cut Ree'lyn short during his conversation with Phineas, Gwendolyn and Quinn, about the civilized areas of the Underdark in opposition to the wilderness, while Stool was chatting with Glabbagool.
Duke allows Quinn to tap on his arm in an attempt to make music and he smiles when Svana comments on having to protect him from Warforged girls. "Declaration: I would like to meet these female Warforged, if they exist. Secondary Declaration: I do not know about the existence other Warforged that have gained sentience. I would like to hope that there are. Tertiary Declaration: It does not seem likely that I would find any other sentient Warforged in the landfill that I worked at. The chances of outside intervention occurring there are low."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
DAY EIGHTEEN
ENCOUNTERS: 11, 16
We came across a small island that rose from the water ahead. It contained no hostile creatures and make a good place for us to take a rest for the day. The island was littered with edible fungus, and we had our fill.
During the night, Jezzika had a dream.
Night prior:
"Oh, they do exist, Duke," Svana laughs gently, wiping away the dried scratched off paint of one of the E's. "Remember when I told you I've met little of your kind? Well, at one of the gala's held on our estate, we had a warforged perform! She spoke so eloquently, and her voice was like nothing I've ever heard before. You wouldn't think that a construct would be able to create such melodies with their voices, but she proved all of us wrong!" She pauses a moment to swipe away some paint. "Her name was... Mmm... Unit XJ9, but she likes the name Genevieve, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps when we get out of here I could maybe set up a little date for you? Oh, that would be adorable..." She giggles and pulls away from him, proud of her own work. "Very well, Duke, you're your own person now."
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\
Duke looks at his arm, now free of any marks that indicated what he was like in his life before coming down here. He smiles at Svana and gently hugs her. "Declaration: I am very grateful to you for the service that you have performed today. Secondary Declaration: That designation labeled me as property. Even though it was not like the physical shackles at Velkynvelve, it functioned in the same manner as one, in the sense that it designated me as someone's property to do with as they wished. Tertiary Declaration: Now that is no longer the case. I am no one's property and even though I do not know where I wish to go after we escape from here, I do not have to return to Waterdeep for further subjugation. Quaternary Declaration: I hope that the rest of the surface world is a better place than this."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
UNDERDARK
A particular star in the cosmos began to glow, it's corona a deep purple - pulsing, alive, sentient. That night, as Jezzika was falling asleep, drifting - she felt the presence of Umbra caress her mind. At first it started as a whisper, like a lover not wanting to wake another. Jezzika smiled and further drifted into the darkness of sleep where she liked to be, where she felt the most safe. Deep in the darkness, deep in the shadow, deep in the caress of Umbra. From a distance unfathomable to mortals, Umbra entwined it's inky tentacles in her mind, slithering into her brain matter and gave her a preview of the knowledge he knew regarding a request Jezzika had made on behalf of Svana, a morsel of information, a taste, a tease. If the elf woman wanted more, she would have to serve.
"Behold. Two brothers. Different families."
Jezzika was an invisible observer. Two elven males. Handsome. Rashim and Amir. The eldest of two different families, but acted as brothers nevertheless. What they were talking about was clouded, vague, like in a dream. They were exploring. Perhaps for fun? Deep underground they went. Hours went by, laughing. Talking. Exploring. Through the vision of Umbra, Amir was radiating a color Jezzika could not describe - but Rashim was also - a deeper, darker color. Something inside his soul was dirty. Tainted. Twisted. Weak.
"Witness the moment of corruption."
They had stumbled upon a massive spore field. Amir was worried, Rashim approached the field. More talking, debating. Rashim continued to explore. Without warning, a presence, a horrible, evil presence sensed the taint in his heart, and through a network of billions, sent a message to one of the spores and one burst. Jezzika could see Rashim brushing them away, coughing, injecting, swallowing. Quickly, they left.
"The Lady of Rot and Decay influences him now."
Rashim returned to normal, but deep within his mind, rot and control slowly took over. In Jezzika's vision, it was completely dark. She faced Rashim, his back to her. He slowly turned to face her. His eyes completely bloodshot, bleeding green. Infection. Rot. Disease. He smiled. "Amir.." he growled.
And then he exploded. Jezzika jolted awake. She blinked and looked around, her mind processing what Umbra had shown her. Propped up on her palms sitting up, she looked for and found Svana. Her heart was still beating a bit faster than usual.
"I must know more! What must I do?"
"Servitude.."
ACHERON
On the Plane of War, in a tactical war room, a massively armored man in power armor three times it's size leaned over the command table, studying it. He watched as the red arcane display on the table changed and shifted, displaying the positions of military forces of friend and foe alike. Outside the complex, the sounds of battle could be heard. He was surrounded by small legion of other heavily armored warriors in what appeared to be special slimmer fitting combat power armor. Upon first glance of these people, it was clear their entire life was for the purpose of battle and war. Suddenly, the armored man leaning against the command table lifted his head, and looked to his right, where a lean muscular red haired woman standing at attention armed with a mighty hammer and shield turned her head slightly and looked at him at the same time.
"You sensed that, too." Legion Commander Taetanicus stated the obvious, his voice rumbling in the commander center.
Imperator Misha Praskovia nodded. "Yes, Legion Commander. I did." her expression sank just a little. "As if we do not have enough to worry about."
Taetanicus nodded. "Yes. First Hell, then Praxia, now this. The Lord General will not be pleased to hear about Umbra again."
"No, Commander, he will not." Praskovia agreed. "Shall I prepare the coin?"
"Yes." Taetanicus nodded. "Guardians of the Prime Material will come. It holds the power of the Lord General from when He himself fought the Shadow. We will test these guardians when they arrive. Those who hold the coin must be worthy."
"Your will, be done, Legion Commander." Praskovia nodded, turned on her heel, and went to do as she was commanded. Just like one day she was not worthy, those who hold the coin of the Lord of War must prove their merit. Umbra has regained it's strength, and will once again scour the universe and transform all it can see into an infected, mutated cosmos of horror. She prepared the coin and told herself she would explain the terms of the challenges to them when they arrived to win the coin and use it against Umbra.
But, they never came.
When Svana was jolted awake by the drow, she knew Umbra must have shown her something right then. To not disturb the others, the elf had pulled her off to the side, somewhere private for them to discuss if necessary, but it was also an excuse to try and calm her own already anxious nerves. They both sat down and Jezzika had pressed her hand upon the wizards forehead like before and saw through her eyes the vision Umbra had granted her.
When her spirit returned to her body, Svana was hit with an intense mixture of emotions, grief the most prominent, and she couldn’t control the tears that started to stream down her copper cheeks. It had been years since she last saw him, happy, alive. Her memory was the only thing she had left of him, and even those began to fade away as the years went by. Now she knew there was more to the story, more to Amir’s last words, more to uncover. She only wished she could reach out to him, to let him know that she’s almost there, that with Jezzika and Umbra’s help, both of them will receive the closure they needed to move on.
”Thank you, Jezzika, thank you,” She weeps quietly to Jezzika. “Thank you, Umbra.”
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\
Amara walks over to Duke. "Do you mind if I stick with you for a little bit, dear?"
"Declaration: You may do so. You have been a trusted ally to me. This would be the minimum repayment I can offer for all of the aid that you have given me."
"Thank you dear."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
DAY NINETEEN
ENCOUNTERS: 17, 12, 10
"We will find the answers together." Jezzika said, embraced in the hug with Svana. She felt bad for her. It was clear that she was filled with grief and ached for closure regarding her dead brother. "What Umbra has shown me is somewhat cryptic, he never tells me the answer completely, it always leaves something up to interpretation, but he is always correct." Jezzika pat Svana's head lovingly, and for a moment her closeness was very welcome and warm, and she didn't want to let go. Jezzika lifted Svana's chin up, so she could look into her eyes and admire how pretty she was, her lips, after being alone for nearly months, generated a feeling of hunger and wanting, and not in the regards to food. She bit her lower lip until a noise woke her from her admiration.
DING!
"Wh-" she turned her head towards the noise, startled, and looked into the distance, into the darkness. A splashing from the Darklake could be heard, along with multiple growling and roaring. A family of six trolls was near the party, and within moments, descended upon us, baring teeth and claw.
Troll1: 6
Troll2: 6
Troll3: 15
Troll4: 6
Troll5: 17
Troll6: 7
(I know people are busy today, so take your time.)
Step Step Thud makes the sound of a loud bell tolling as alarm, readying himself to protect Glabbagool from the nearest troll.
Initiative: 7
Duke readies his axe as the trolls approach.
21
Amara: 22
Amara's familiar whose name currently escapes me: 4
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Deya
Jezzika: 11
Svana: 16
(Nervous laugh)
Amara22, Duke21, Troll5(84)17, Troll3(84)15, SST7, Troll6(84)7, Troll1(84)6, Troll2(84)6, Troll4(84)6, Jezzika5, Deya4, Svana3
Jezzika’s embrace was more than welcomed to the sobbing elf, the stream of tears slowing down gradually as the two stayed there. It was comforting to know the drow cared, to even help her find closure in the first place, she could have gotten up and left her sobbing alone, but instead she stayed and offered her the shoulder to cry on.
What she hadn’t expected was having her chin tilted upward, her eyes locking with the warlocks causing her heart to skip a beat. Svana would be lying if she said Jezzika wasn’t gorgeous, and it was hard to look away from her gaze until she noticed the others eyes flicker to her lips. How she bit her lip ever so slightly... She couldn’t help but lean in—
DING!
It was so jarring to hear that alert for the first time since camping here, Svana was stunned into getting a nat1 in initiative. (Thanks crispy)
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\
Ash sits up quickly, startled awake. Her whole body turns cold (cast of agathys) and as she looks to her hand temporarily, watching the smoke and ice forming a new blade in her hand. She remembered it from her sea travels. Her captain had called it a... falchion? Whatever it was called didnt matter to her now. As the runes on her new weapon glowed, she stood and got ready for battle, waking up anyone around her if she had the time and not noticing Ssvana and Jezz across the camp.
Init: 6
It turns out most of the group was already awake and ready before her.
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
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 2nd | Innate spells 2| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The splash sounds followed by growls and roaring cut Ree'lyn short during his conversation with Phineas, Gwendolyn and Quinn, about the civilized areas of the Underdark in opposition to the wilderness, while Stool was chatting with Glabbagool.
Initiative 8
Initiative: 12
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAPhineas readies to transform into a dire wolf, baring his teeth and ready to attack
Init:16
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)
Amara sends a golden blast at Troll5.
Attack: 7 Damage: 10
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!
Gwen init: 12
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Talike bolts upright when the trolls reach the party. She nocks an arrow on her longbow and prepares to fire.
Initiative: 3