Ash lightly wraps her arms around Quinn's shoulders and whispers in his ear. "Don't give up. Nearly there. I believe in you guys. " She traces her ethereal finger down his spine, sending a slight warm bolt of energy through him.
As the others destroy the last Medusa, Ash lightly caresses Quinn's cheek. "See? Faith. You did well. I am proud of you."
With the monsters finally defeated, Ash steps infront of Quinn, her ethereal form slightly materializing before him with a soft glow that only he can see. She presses her forehead against his, lacking the feel of actual contact but leaving a soft warmth on Quinn's forehead.
"My answer would have been yes. It still is. And when the time is right, I will welcome you here. To become the overlooker of the seas with me. Until then darling... I will be with yyou.You know that right? Whenever you wish to talk... to see me... I will be here. Now... I want you to get to the surface. Take my body if you can. If not, find my body a nice place around here. I want you to see your mother... Find my Yama. Let her know what happened. Be there for her. Give her my cards. My bag. My most prized things. I will make sure she believes you. I will be with you every step of the way. I love you Quinn. Now let's get everyone back to the surface."
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Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
The death of the medusa sisters and the Juiblex ooze was more than enough to warrant passage to the surface. It took us about a week by caravan to reach it, and each of us shared emotions in our own way accepting the death of Ash. As we reached closer to the surface, the excitement of seeing the sun and starting our lives anew was almost jubilant, overwhelming. Jezzika expected to see the bright rays of the sun she had only seen in magic illusions, but it was not so. Instead, when they reached the surface for the first time, it was unlike anything she had ever seen before in her life, and stepping out of the caravan, a look of horror was plastered on her face and remained that way.
As far as the eye could see, the world was a barren wasteland. As if a mighty asteroid had crashed into the planet, puncturing it. Wounding it. Indeed, off in the distance was a massive rock, as if a chuck of a black moon had pierced into the planet. Everywhere Jezzika looked, the floor was black, covered with an organic substance that writhed, and grew, and changed everything it touched. Whatever was contained in the asteroid had spread everywhere, destroying and re originating any life it came in contact with.
Eshaton had come. The Primer had been released upon the world, and Toril was nothing more than an infected planet, dying, changing, regrowing. Tentacles the size of cities slowly waved and dotted the planet, and what Jezzika couldn't understand is how, and when, this all happened. Every surface was completely unrecognizable. Snapping out of her horror, she wheeled back to the caravan, but it was not there. Uttering a single word of inquisitory nature, she startled as a single inky shadow erupted from the ground next to her and took a human form. Svana, or what she had become, welcomed her in her mind, so glad to see her. They embraced, and Jezzika could feel the power of Svana, unbelievable power, course through her as the drow stood there dumbfounded at what had happened. Svana looked at peace, calm, omnipotent.
Could this be a dream?
No. Svana said. This IS reality. Your moment has come.
But the others! How could this be? Jezzika pleaded.
Others? Umbra implanted false memories in your mind while you evolved. Those others are one among billions, chosen at random to be in your dream. Each one of them lived a mortal life years ago. But Umbra handpicked each one and altered their destiny. Some he killed. Some he influenced. All of them his puppets. Their souls belong to it now, deep in the core of this world. It implanted memories in each of their minds while they slept peacefully in the womb of shadow, making them think everything was real - and they changed and evolved until the time of Eshaton. It's how it maintains control and allows the corruption to root, and grow, and take hold. They will awake, like you have, but they will not know you, or remember anything. They are no longer human in any sense. Now is the time to accept YOUR destiny, but you will be one among the stars. You are the Herald. You were never prisoner in the Underdark, that was all a dream, everything about it. Your friends, the events, all of it. An elaborate implanted memory to keep you..engaged..until you were ready. Now you will serve Umbra they way it intends.
How?
Like this.
She joined with Jezzika, and before she could protest, Umbra allowed two beings to become one in a rapture of astronomical power that shook the planet at it's core. What resulted was the birth of a new entity beyond mortal comprehension with unlimited power. Billions of creatures made of shadow, nightmares that would haunt even the bravest dreams, emerged from the core of the planet, ready to serve. The planet became liquid shadow, and with the least amount of effort, the entity had complete control, unlimited power, and knew everything of the cosmos.
The only thing left was to rule. It had no idea what it would do first.
But it would think of something.
THANK YOU
I wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for many things. First and foremost, thank you for being in my game. Thank you for adding something special to this campaign in your own way, and each of you did. Each of you are different and I appreciate the opportunity to have shared this experience with you all. I could not, and would not, do any of this without you people like you, and it has been an honor, and a privileged, to have DM'ed this for you all. I do not consider myself a great DM, for I believe the greatness comes from people like you all who, in turn, make me great, and I will treasure the memories we have shared in this game, and I am very happy to have been a part of something with you all - and to have met you. For those who are old players, I would be nothing with you. For those who are new players, my life is enriched because I have met you.
As Huey breached the cave entrance, and stumbled out into the bright sunlight and lush green environs, he cried out with glee. That glee was tampered when he looked over at Jizzika, who was just standing there in some sort of trance. Unresponsive. “Mama? What wrong?” But Jezzika never responded. She just stood there, in a daze, as if she was physically there, but mentally gone. Huey could think of nothing else to do but to stand there and hug her, hoping that she would come back to him.
"Certain rituals take rare items. Others are also dangerous to get. So, the greatest joy is to have someone delivering it to you." - Ree'lyn heard Titania's voice and felt her presence. But his eyes were closed. He was suddenly involved in total darkness after drawing his dagger to stab Jezzika's heart. "That one was lost since the beginning. Rotten and decaying. But I needed what was inside her as part of the ritual. And yes your boldness was the key to unlock that ingredient. Once your lips touched hers, I had a sample of the eldritch horror. The filth." Her voice was a mixture of disgust and pride. How was that even possible? "The filth touched you. I would never let it go at that."
The wine
"Your chivalry is my pleasure." - Titania was proud. - "Bonding with each and every one of them through my special wine made them open to my mischief, and yet not be seen by the monstrosity."
The power
"Ah, did you think that was it? Did you think I had come through all the work of grooming you to allow a monstrosity to take you away from me?" - her voice was velvet. "I gave you power and you let chivalry, companionship and mischief grow in yourself. Well done. Each step brought you closer to this goal. Taking advantage of the creature's obsessions and power blindness." "Thanks to every careful step the ritual is complete. I am taking you home to fight. Some places still stand against the thing. The celestials will owe me for that as well. There is much to be gained. You are home. Now open your eyes." And Ree'lyn did. He could see her. She was majestic. The most amazing woman he had ever laid his eyes upon. He was in the Feywild. It felt glorious. "Like I said long ago, we work together. You know what I want."
The elf's eyes were closed. She sat among the trees of her village, enjoying the sounds of birds and absence of the echoing caves.
Only days ago, she and her ten remaining companions had escaped the Underdark, the place of terror and madness, and made their way to the surface world.
Only days ago, she had watched the sunlight hit the face of the two Underdark dwellers of their party, even if the drow and the duergar planned to return to the world below the surface soon.
Only days ago, she'd bidden a fond farewell to Svana and Duke as the pair went to find Genevieve and learn about the robot's individuality.
Only days ago she'd traveled home, and...
And...
The elf frowned, shaking her head to snap herself out of the momentary lapse in attention. She'd traveled home and seen Kira and Laia again, of course, hugged her complaining, grown daughter and kissed her wife. Told them about her time in the Underdark, which she had likened to a dream-a comparison her family seemed to have taken very to heart.
Now she sat in the grove, and reflected on her time, remembering Svana incinerating the creature that killed her brother, talking to Ash about her patron, discussions with Ree'lyn about...about the map. Of course. She let the memories replay before her eyes as she tranced, in all their vibrant color and beauty. For a moment, she felt as though something was missing...where did that blast come from? Who was Svana dancing with? But the feeling faded away quickly, and these questions no longer troubled her mind.
The memory of Ash reminded her of her failure to bring the other elf back-although she supposed Ash hadn't really been an elf, as evidenced by the fact that when she fell, her appearance transformed into that of a pale woman with white hair and skin. Some of the others had reassured the rest of them that this was truly Ash. A tear slipped down the elf's face as she remembered how Ash fell, how they had all incinerated the medusas and Quinn began sending blasts of eldritch energy. How he told her that Ash had supplanted her own patron. The tears turned to a smile of pride as she remembered.
The elf remembered how for a moment, her mind had been transported to Sarastriel's hall. How the angel had knelt before her, let the holy light fade so that Amara could truly see her face-a visage both impossibly beautiful and utterly terrifying. How the angel had kissed her forehead and told her to go home. That she had done enough, that her job was over. That she could return to her rest.
The elf's eyes were closed. She sat among the trees of her village, enjoying the sounds of birds and absence of the echoing caves.
Guardian
The angel let the image of Amara fade from her mind, satisfied that the elf was content and remembered nothing of the grief Umbra had tried to bring to her.
She liked Amara, in a way she cared for few mortals. The elf had adapted to what she was given, whether it was a crippled arm or being kidnapped by drow.
The angel's eyes were grave. Umbra may have reached into Amara's mind, pulling her forward in time to keep its herald content, but it underestimated the will of this world to live.
The angel remembered how she had entered Amara's mind, managed to exert enough influence on the elf's dream form to give her power. How once she had established a proper foothold in the dream, her influence had grown.
She managed a small smile, an expression unfamiliar to her, but appropriate. She had enjoyed her time as Deya. Even now, she was conscious of the small portion of her essence that composed the facsimile of the tiny dragon, napping in the sun. Soon Deya would have to take her leave-the angel would need every ounce of power in the battle to come.
The angel turned from the balcony she stood on, re-entering the hall where six angels waited.
Umbra had sought to use her chosen, to take and corrupt Amara and make her one of its creatures. The angel may have been able to pull Amara from Umbra's grip, but she had no intention of wasting the opportunity Umbra's machinations had given her. For now she knew a small portion of its plans. Now she had a glimpse of its future.
The angel blessed her six fellow celestials, granted them divine luck and celestial speed. The six formed into three pairs-one for each target and one extra. When they had completed their task, they would end each others' existence, for the act would corrupt them beyond redemption. They made this sacrifice willingly, for the sake of the world.
The angel let her scrying upon Amara resurge one last time, letting the image of the elf at peace in the glade remind her of why she did this, even if it also caused a surge of grief. Amara did not remember Umbra, but even before the angel had removed her memory, she had thought that the angel had moved on. She did not know that even now she had given the forces of creation the key they needed to delay Umbra's reign a little longer.
The angel knew that if Amara ever learned of what she had done, she would never be forgiven. So be it. She let Amara go, spiritually stepped back from the elf, knowing that the woman would live out the rest of her years in contentment with her family.
Three pairs of angelic assassins set out across the planes.
They had two targets, to chase across time and space, to find as infants and destroy before they could herald the end of this world.
When the Warforged woke up from its dream, it was no longer a Warforged. It was no longer living in a world where Warforged, or any other of the creatures that previously inhabited it existed. All it knew now was that it was brought before a being of incredible power. It was beautiful, but terrible, like nothing it had ever seen before. "The meaningless life you knew before is gone." The entity said, in a powerful voice that sounded like two beings speaking as one. "Gone are the days where you toiled in futility for a dying world. Now you have true purpose. Now you will build the new world. Now you will serve ME, the Herald of Umbra, who in his infinite power and wisdom, allowed this world and its inhabitants to evolve from its stagnation."The creature accepted, content to serve its new mistress in the name of the god that had brought it into the new world and gave it true purpose. Before it was allowed to depart, its mistress looked down upon it and smiled, as if she knew something that it didn't. "Tell me, do you find this world beautiful?"
It looked back at it's mistress and responded. "Yes. As are you, mistress."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
It was the fall that ended her on the day the world shook to its core, breaking open side caverns, and unleashing a deluge from an undeground stream. Mercifully, she lost consciousness after hitting the third rock in a very long, and uneven shaft of stone. She never felt the pain of her head shattering upon hitting the third level undground tunnels, or the weight of water continuing on to rain down after, eventually flooding the chamber. Not that any of it would've mattered in the end. If not for the chase into the deep, perhaps the fire genasi would've been outside when it all came crashing down upon all...
And the warnings were always there in the dream. Defiantly swimming despite the torment of so much water... Fear of the river of rock and flame... The dream of helm? More a brief glimpse into the world beyond shadow... And the extreme aversion to 'voices' entering her head...
The last straw had been gloobagool. Or was it before even then? And how many iterations has it been? The more the spirit of Enkindle tried to hold on to a semblance of its former self, the more something pulled at her towards entering another iteration. Another dream. Another false escape into the grasp of something greater than her. O' how she longed to never wake again. To truly forget the in-between times after so many times of horrible lucidity. But the markings etched deep into her skin, and even deeper into her soul would not let it. Kossuth's brand; her brief moment of rebellion in youth that marked her as a sacrifice.
'Soon... so soon... so... tired...' She thought/murmured incoherently as eyes/mind focused upon fast fading brands upon her being. 'Soon... all over... no more..****y peace...Perf... Be-uh.... only peace'.'Her last thoughts/words prior to slipping back into the dream, and forgetting all of it once more.
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When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
As Ash gives Quinn some direction on how to continue without her there, he listens with eyes closed. When she mentions the part about her body, Quinn breaks his momentary silence.
If you think for one moment, that im going to leave you down here, you must have gone mad!
Quinn smiles remembering the madness he had suffered, and the irony of Ashryn catching him eating ashes.
As hes working on carrying her out of the underdark, with the group, he also remembers how close Ash was to falling away from him and into Umbras arms. There were many times to remember. A kiss to the cheek in a fungal Forrest, a night of music and merriment. A mechanical man getting a new jaw, to show his very real heart. Friends.
As they breach the surface, the sun piercingly bright in thier eyes once more. Quinn sits Ash down by a large tree, and heals the vessel her soul left behind. He crosses her arm in her lap.
I wrote a song about us... I'm not sure what to call it..
Quinn says out loud to her, hoping she was still with him like she promised, and begins to play and sing.
In the underdark, two young lovers did hark, They fought many, with sword, spell, and axes. He had been stricken with madness, only eating ashes. She, the most beautiful in sight, could cast spell of tremendous light, He was quick with a hum, and his lyre did hum, For her his song was played, and a purchase of a ring made. The path to above was blocked by foe, The battle ensued, no end of woe. She did fall. And no help at all, this love was not fake. For that day, 2 hearts did break.
For you the sun was beckoning.
Ill be with you again on the day of my reckoning.
He finishes and gives her a bow. Quinn sits with her and assures her that he will do as she asks. And with help from everyone, Ashryn is laid to rest.
Quinn closes his eyes for the last time, as waves crash over him, a crushing weight on his chest. A feeling like your soul is being pulled free, and then he feels weightless.
None of it was real. Not their trip. Not the monsters. None of it was her life. None of it happened. It was all a figment of Umbra's creation.
Ash had in fact been in a boat wreck. She had met Ophidian, overlooked of the ocean. Nothing about her past had changed, just her future from there on.
That night, the night she had got black out wasted, she had met Quinn. He had been visiting the city they were in that night and decided to attend the circus. Afterwards, having been wondering around the area, he ran into the intoxicated Ash. He had taken care of her in her inebriated state. Helped her sober up. Helped her get back to her tent. Yama was furious, almost instinctively hitting him with her sandle before he explained himself. She had forced Ash into a shower to sober up while she talked with Quinn. He was a polite man and Yama liked that. It wasn't long before she reinvited him to dinner that next day.
That day Ash was sober, forced into a 'dressier' outfit for their 'company'. Her hair was styled cutely to cover her eyes, and as soon as she laid eyes on Quinn, she was taken away. His attitude and his smile are what got her attention. His humor and passion are what made her fall in love.
The two became inseparable. They were always together except for Ash's performances and Quinn's trips to visit his mother a few cities away while they were close. The two seemed to have a bright future together. If it wasn't for her illness.
As the time passed, Ash began to develope a mental illness. Despite their efforts, it was incurable by the cities healers. It seemed like almost a curse, something afflicting her from a force unknown. She learned to adapt to it, but it slowly wore away her energy, her health, and her will.
When she had the twins, Ash's body was almost entirely depleted. The twins were perfect. A mixture between Quinn and Ash's genetics and healthy little half elves. They did not inherit their mothers changeling abilities, and for Ash, that was a blessing. The two couldn't be farther from different.
Saffine, a happy bubbly girl like Quinn who was always getting herself into trouble. She had a natural attraction to taking care of the circus animals, and was often allowed to care for the smaller ones. She loved when her parents played music, and often sang along with them. She takes up Viola when she turns 5 and continues to play ever since.
Traven couldn't be any more different. He took after his mothers bright red hair and fiery personality. He chose to remain reclusive, but showed skill in fighting and an interest in blacksmithing. Quinn often taught him defensive fighting and would help him with his many projects.
They were the light of their lives and the beginning of their new family.
The night Quinn proposed to her, Ash was filled with joy. Her body, however, couldn't take the exposure. She had collapsed outside of their tent and had immediately been put to bed rest.
That night, Quinn held her hand and she offered him a weak smile. There was a promise made that night with a weak hand on his cheek. A promise of eternal love. That when the time came, Ash would welcome Quinn with her to Yahweh's paradise. That they would be together in the afterlife. She asked him to look over Yama, who was nearing her old age. To look over their two beautiful children. Teach them a better way of living. To live his life to the fullest without her. To always remember her.
She passed to a brain aneurysm that night and was welcomed to Yahweh's paradise. There she watched over Quinn and their children. Watched them grow, explore, love. Watched them create families of their own. She couldn't deny the pain in her heart knowing she wasn't there, but Quinn always remained loyal to her. Until the day he died, she couldnt remeber any moment Quinn looked to another woman the way he had looking at Ash. And when the time came. When Quinn grew of old age. She was there with Yahweh to welcome him to paradise. To a quaint beautiful paradise with a cottage by a clear ocean. Where they overlooked the sea.
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Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Ash lightly wraps her arms around Quinn's shoulders and whispers in his ear. "Don't give up. Nearly there. I believe in you guys. " She traces her ethereal finger down his spine, sending a slight warm bolt of energy through him.
As the others destroy the last Medusa, Ash lightly caresses Quinn's cheek. "See? Faith. You did well. I am proud of you."
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
Quinn gets back up and helps anyone in need in the party, and keeps his eyes open for more bullshit. 15
With the monsters finally defeated, Ash steps infront of Quinn, her ethereal form slightly materializing before him with a soft glow that only he can see. She presses her forehead against his, lacking the feel of actual contact but leaving a soft warmth on Quinn's forehead.
"My answer would have been yes. It still is. And when the time is right, I will welcome you here. To become the overlooker of the seas with me. Until then darling... I will be with yyou.You know that right? Whenever you wish to talk... to see me... I will be here. Now... I want you to get to the surface. Take my body if you can. If not, find my body a nice place around here. I want you to see your mother... Find my Yama. Let her know what happened. Be there for her. Give her my cards. My bag. My most prized things. I will make sure she believes you. I will be with you every step of the way. I love you Quinn. Now let's get everyone back to the surface."
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
Talike steps towards the others, bloodied greatsword in hand, and speaks in a gravelly, inhuman voice before promptly collapsing.
"She is growing stronger. You are lucky this time"
RISE OF THE HERALD
The death of the medusa sisters and the Juiblex ooze was more than enough to warrant passage to the surface. It took us about a week by caravan to reach it, and each of us shared emotions in our own way accepting the death of Ash. As we reached closer to the surface, the excitement of seeing the sun and starting our lives anew was almost jubilant, overwhelming. Jezzika expected to see the bright rays of the sun she had only seen in magic illusions, but it was not so. Instead, when they reached the surface for the first time, it was unlike anything she had ever seen before in her life, and stepping out of the caravan, a look of horror was plastered on her face and remained that way.
As far as the eye could see, the world was a barren wasteland. As if a mighty asteroid had crashed into the planet, puncturing it. Wounding it. Indeed, off in the distance was a massive rock, as if a chuck of a black moon had pierced into the planet. Everywhere Jezzika looked, the floor was black, covered with an organic substance that writhed, and grew, and changed everything it touched. Whatever was contained in the asteroid had spread everywhere, destroying and re originating any life it came in contact with.
Eshaton had come. The Primer had been released upon the world, and Toril was nothing more than an infected planet, dying, changing, regrowing. Tentacles the size of cities slowly waved and dotted the planet, and what Jezzika couldn't understand is how, and when, this all happened. Every surface was completely unrecognizable. Snapping out of her horror, she wheeled back to the caravan, but it was not there. Uttering a single word of inquisitory nature, she startled as a single inky shadow erupted from the ground next to her and took a human form. Svana, or what she had become, welcomed her in her mind, so glad to see her. They embraced, and Jezzika could feel the power of Svana, unbelievable power, course through her as the drow stood there dumbfounded at what had happened. Svana looked at peace, calm, omnipotent.
Could this be a dream?
No. Svana said. This IS reality. Your moment has come.
But the others! How could this be? Jezzika pleaded.
Others? Umbra implanted false memories in your mind while you evolved. Those others are one among billions, chosen at random to be in your dream. Each one of them lived a mortal life years ago. But Umbra handpicked each one and altered their destiny. Some he killed. Some he influenced. All of them his puppets. Their souls belong to it now, deep in the core of this world. It implanted memories in each of their minds while they slept peacefully in the womb of shadow, making them think everything was real - and they changed and evolved until the time of Eshaton. It's how it maintains control and allows the corruption to root, and grow, and take hold. They will awake, like you have, but they will not know you, or remember anything. They are no longer human in any sense. Now is the time to accept YOUR destiny, but you will be one among the stars. You are the Herald. You were never prisoner in the Underdark, that was all a dream, everything about it. Your friends, the events, all of it. An elaborate implanted memory to keep you..engaged..until you were ready. Now you will serve Umbra they way it intends.
How?
Like this.
She joined with Jezzika, and before she could protest, Umbra allowed two beings to become one in a rapture of astronomical power that shook the planet at it's core. What resulted was the birth of a new entity beyond mortal comprehension with unlimited power. Billions of creatures made of shadow, nightmares that would haunt even the bravest dreams, emerged from the core of the planet, ready to serve. The planet became liquid shadow, and with the least amount of effort, the entity had complete control, unlimited power, and knew everything of the cosmos.
The only thing left was to rule. It had no idea what it would do first.
But it would think of something.
THANK YOU
I wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for many things. First and foremost, thank you for being in my game. Thank you for adding something special to this campaign in your own way, and each of you did. Each of you are different and I appreciate the opportunity to have shared this experience with you all. I could not, and would not, do any of this without you people like you, and it has been an honor, and a privileged, to have DM'ed this for you all. I do not consider myself a great DM, for I believe the greatness comes from people like you all who, in turn, make me great, and I will treasure the memories we have shared in this game, and I am very happy to have been a part of something with you all - and to have met you. For those who are old players, I would be nothing with you. For those who are new players, my life is enriched because I have met you.
See you all on the forums. =)
As Huey breached the cave entrance, and stumbled out into the bright sunlight and lush green environs, he cried out with glee. That glee was tampered when he looked over at Jizzika, who was just standing there in some sort of trance. Unresponsive. “Mama? What wrong?” But Jezzika never responded. She just stood there, in a daze, as if she was physically there, but mentally gone. Huey could think of nothing else to do but to stand there and hug her, hoping that she would come back to him.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
No.
The touch of the lips
"Certain rituals take rare items. Others are also dangerous to get. So, the greatest joy is to have someone delivering it to you." - Ree'lyn heard Titania's voice and felt her presence. But his eyes were closed. He was suddenly involved in total darkness after drawing his dagger to stab Jezzika's heart.
"That one was lost since the beginning. Rotten and decaying. But I needed what was inside her as part of the ritual. And yes your boldness was the key to unlock that ingredient. Once your lips touched hers, I had a sample of the eldritch horror. The filth."
Her voice was a mixture of disgust and pride. How was that even possible?
"The filth touched you. I would never let it go at that."
The wine
"Your chivalry is my pleasure." - Titania was proud. - "Bonding with each and every one of them through my special wine made them open to my mischief, and yet not be seen by the monstrosity."
The power
"Ah, did you think that was it? Did you think I had come through all the work of grooming you to allow a monstrosity to take you away from me?" - her voice was velvet.
"I gave you power and you let chivalry, companionship and mischief grow in yourself. Well done. Each step brought you closer to this goal. Taking advantage of the creature's obsessions and power blindness."
"Thanks to every careful step the ritual is complete. I am taking you home to fight. Some places still stand against the thing. The celestials will owe me for that as well. There is much to be gained. You are home. Now open your eyes."
And Ree'lyn did.
He could see her. She was majestic. The most amazing woman he had ever laid his eyes upon. He was in the Feywild. It felt glorious.
"Like I said long ago, we work together. You know what I want."
Home
The elf's eyes were closed. She sat among the trees of her village, enjoying the sounds of birds and absence of the echoing caves.
Only days ago, she and her ten remaining companions had escaped the Underdark, the place of terror and madness, and made their way to the surface world.
Only days ago, she had watched the sunlight hit the face of the two Underdark dwellers of their party, even if the drow and the duergar planned to return to the world below the surface soon.
Only days ago, she'd bidden a fond farewell to Svana and Duke as the pair went to find Genevieve and learn about the robot's individuality.
Only days ago she'd traveled home, and...
And...
The elf frowned, shaking her head to snap herself out of the momentary lapse in attention. She'd traveled home and seen Kira and Laia again, of course, hugged her complaining, grown daughter and kissed her wife. Told them about her time in the Underdark, which she had likened to a dream-a comparison her family seemed to have taken very to heart.
Now she sat in the grove, and reflected on her time, remembering Svana incinerating the creature that killed her brother, talking to Ash about her patron, discussions with Ree'lyn about...about the map. Of course. She let the memories replay before her eyes as she tranced, in all their vibrant color and beauty. For a moment, she felt as though something was missing...where did that blast come from? Who was Svana dancing with? But the feeling faded away quickly, and these questions no longer troubled her mind.
The memory of Ash reminded her of her failure to bring the other elf back-although she supposed Ash hadn't really been an elf, as evidenced by the fact that when she fell, her appearance transformed into that of a pale woman with white hair and skin. Some of the others had reassured the rest of them that this was truly Ash. A tear slipped down the elf's face as she remembered how Ash fell, how they had all incinerated the medusas and Quinn began sending blasts of eldritch energy. How he told her that Ash had supplanted her own patron. The tears turned to a smile of pride as she remembered.
The elf remembered how for a moment, her mind had been transported to Sarastriel's hall. How the angel had knelt before her, let the holy light fade so that Amara could truly see her face-a visage both impossibly beautiful and utterly terrifying. How the angel had kissed her forehead and told her to go home. That she had done enough, that her job was over. That she could return to her rest.
The elf's eyes were closed. She sat among the trees of her village, enjoying the sounds of birds and absence of the echoing caves.
Guardian
The angel let the image of Amara fade from her mind, satisfied that the elf was content and remembered nothing of the grief Umbra had tried to bring to her.
She liked Amara, in a way she cared for few mortals. The elf had adapted to what she was given, whether it was a crippled arm or being kidnapped by drow.
The angel's eyes were grave. Umbra may have reached into Amara's mind, pulling her forward in time to keep its herald content, but it underestimated the will of this world to live.
The angel remembered how she had entered Amara's mind, managed to exert enough influence on the elf's dream form to give her power. How once she had established a proper foothold in the dream, her influence had grown.
She managed a small smile, an expression unfamiliar to her, but appropriate. She had enjoyed her time as Deya. Even now, she was conscious of the small portion of her essence that composed the facsimile of the tiny dragon, napping in the sun. Soon Deya would have to take her leave-the angel would need every ounce of power in the battle to come.
The angel turned from the balcony she stood on, re-entering the hall where six angels waited.
Umbra had sought to use her chosen, to take and corrupt Amara and make her one of its creatures. The angel may have been able to pull Amara from Umbra's grip, but she had no intention of wasting the opportunity Umbra's machinations had given her. For now she knew a small portion of its plans. Now she had a glimpse of its future.
The angel blessed her six fellow celestials, granted them divine luck and celestial speed. The six formed into three pairs-one for each target and one extra. When they had completed their task, they would end each others' existence, for the act would corrupt them beyond redemption. They made this sacrifice willingly, for the sake of the world.
The angel let her scrying upon Amara resurge one last time, letting the image of the elf at peace in the glade remind her of why she did this, even if it also caused a surge of grief. Amara did not remember Umbra, but even before the angel had removed her memory, she had thought that the angel had moved on. She did not know that even now she had given the forces of creation the key they needed to delay Umbra's reign a little longer.
The angel knew that if Amara ever learned of what she had done, she would never be forgiven. So be it. She let Amara go, spiritually stepped back from the elf, knowing that the woman would live out the rest of her years in contentment with her family.
Three pairs of angelic assassins set out across the planes.
They had two targets, to chase across time and space, to find as infants and destroy before they could herald the end of this world.
Two names burned in the minds of six angels.
Svana Vatzwani and Jezzika Vandree.
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!
When the Warforged woke up from its dream, it was no longer a Warforged. It was no longer living in a world where Warforged, or any other of the creatures that previously inhabited it existed. All it knew now was that it was brought before a being of incredible power. It was beautiful, but terrible, like nothing it had ever seen before. "The meaningless life you knew before is gone." The entity said, in a powerful voice that sounded like two beings speaking as one. "Gone are the days where you toiled in futility for a dying world. Now you have true purpose. Now you will build the new world. Now you will serve ME, the Herald of Umbra, who in his infinite power and wisdom, allowed this world and its inhabitants to evolve from its stagnation." The creature accepted, content to serve its new mistress in the name of the god that had brought it into the new world and gave it true purpose. Before it was allowed to depart, its mistress looked down upon it and smiled, as if she knew something that it didn't. "Tell me, do you find this world beautiful?"
It looked back at it's mistress and responded. "Yes. As are you, mistress."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
It was the fall that ended her on the day the world shook to its core, breaking open side caverns, and unleashing a deluge from an undeground stream. Mercifully, she lost consciousness after hitting the third rock in a very long, and uneven shaft of stone. She never felt the pain of her head shattering upon hitting the third level undground tunnels, or the weight of water continuing on to rain down after, eventually flooding the chamber. Not that any of it would've mattered in the end. If not for the chase into the deep, perhaps the fire genasi would've been outside when it all came crashing down upon all...
And the warnings were always there in the dream.
Defiantly swimming despite the torment of so much water...
Fear of the river of rock and flame...
The dream of helm? More a brief glimpse into the world beyond shadow...
And the extreme aversion to 'voices' entering her head...
The last straw had been gloobagool. Or was it before even then? And how many iterations has it been? The more the spirit of Enkindle tried to hold on to a semblance of its former self, the more something pulled at her towards entering another iteration. Another dream. Another false escape into the grasp of something greater than her. O' how she longed to never wake again. To truly forget the in-between times after so many times of horrible lucidity. But the markings etched deep into her skin, and even deeper into her soul would not let it. Kossuth's brand; her brief moment of rebellion in youth that marked her as a sacrifice.
'Soon... so soon... so... tired...' She thought/murmured incoherently as eyes/mind focused upon fast fading brands upon her being. 'Soon... all over... no more..****y peace...Perf... Be-uh.... only peace'.'Her last thoughts/words prior to slipping back into the dream, and forgetting all of it once more.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
As Ash gives Quinn some direction on how to continue without her there, he listens with eyes closed. When she mentions the part about her body, Quinn breaks his momentary silence.
If you think for one moment, that im going to leave you down here, you must have gone mad!
Quinn smiles remembering the madness he had suffered, and the irony of Ashryn catching him eating ashes.
As hes working on carrying her out of the underdark, with the group, he also remembers how close Ash was to falling away from him and into Umbras arms. There were many times to remember. A kiss to the cheek in a fungal Forrest, a night of music and merriment. A mechanical man getting a new jaw, to show his very real heart. Friends.
As they breach the surface, the sun piercingly bright in thier eyes once more. Quinn sits Ash down by a large tree, and heals the vessel her soul left behind. He crosses her arm in her lap.
I wrote a song about us... I'm not sure what to call it..
Quinn says out loud to her, hoping she was still with him like she promised, and begins to play and sing.
In the underdark, two young lovers did hark,
They fought many, with sword, spell, and axes.
He had been stricken with madness, only eating ashes.
She, the most beautiful in sight, could cast spell of tremendous light,
He was quick with a hum, and his lyre did hum,
For her his song was played, and a purchase of a ring made.
The path to above was blocked by foe,
The battle ensued, no end of woe.
She did fall.
And no help at all, this love was not fake.
For that day, 2 hearts did break.
For you the sun was beckoning.
Ill be with you again on the day of my reckoning.
He finishes and gives her a bow. Quinn sits with her and assures her that he will do as she asks. And with help from everyone, Ashryn is laid to rest.
Quinn closes his eyes for the last time, as waves crash over him, a crushing weight on his chest. A feeling like your soul is being pulled free, and then he feels weightless.
"Ash!" He calls out, "I'm here now!"
Epilogue:
None of it was real. Not their trip. Not the monsters. None of it was her life. None of it happened. It was all a figment of Umbra's creation.
Ash had in fact been in a boat wreck. She had met Ophidian, overlooked of the ocean. Nothing about her past had changed, just her future from there on.
That night, the night she had got black out wasted, she had met Quinn. He had been visiting the city they were in that night and decided to attend the circus. Afterwards, having been wondering around the area, he ran into the intoxicated Ash. He had taken care of her in her inebriated state. Helped her sober up. Helped her get back to her tent. Yama was furious, almost instinctively hitting him with her sandle before he explained himself. She had forced Ash into a shower to sober up while she talked with Quinn. He was a polite man and Yama liked that. It wasn't long before she reinvited him to dinner that next day.
That day Ash was sober, forced into a 'dressier' outfit for their 'company'. Her hair was styled cutely to cover her eyes, and as soon as she laid eyes on Quinn, she was taken away. His attitude and his smile are what got her attention. His humor and passion are what made her fall in love.
The two became inseparable. They were always together except for Ash's performances and Quinn's trips to visit his mother a few cities away while they were close. The two seemed to have a bright future together. If it wasn't for her illness.
As the time passed, Ash began to develope a mental illness. Despite their efforts, it was incurable by the cities healers. It seemed like almost a curse, something afflicting her from a force unknown. She learned to adapt to it, but it slowly wore away her energy, her health, and her will.
When she had the twins, Ash's body was almost entirely depleted. The twins were perfect. A mixture between Quinn and Ash's genetics and healthy little half elves. They did not inherit their mothers changeling abilities, and for Ash, that was a blessing. The two couldn't be farther from different.
Saffine, a happy bubbly girl like Quinn who was always getting herself into trouble. She had a natural attraction to taking care of the circus animals, and was often allowed to care for the smaller ones. She loved when her parents played music, and often sang along with them. She takes up Viola when she turns 5 and continues to play ever since.
Traven couldn't be any more different. He took after his mothers bright red hair and fiery personality. He chose to remain reclusive, but showed skill in fighting and an interest in blacksmithing. Quinn often taught him defensive fighting and would help him with his many projects.
They were the light of their lives and the beginning of their new family.
The night Quinn proposed to her, Ash was filled with joy. Her body, however, couldn't take the exposure. She had collapsed outside of their tent and had immediately been put to bed rest.
That night, Quinn held her hand and she offered him a weak smile. There was a promise made that night with a weak hand on his cheek. A promise of eternal love. That when the time came, Ash would welcome Quinn with her to Yahweh's paradise. That they would be together in the afterlife. She asked him to look over Yama, who was nearing her old age. To look over their two beautiful children. Teach them a better way of living. To live his life to the fullest without her. To always remember her.
She passed to a brain aneurysm that night and was welcomed to Yahweh's paradise. There she watched over Quinn and their children. Watched them grow, explore, love. Watched them create families of their own. She couldn't deny the pain in her heart knowing she wasn't there, but Quinn always remained loyal to her. Until the day he died, she couldnt remeber any moment Quinn looked to another woman the way he had looking at Ash. And when the time came. When Quinn grew of old age. She was there with Yahweh to welcome him to paradise. To a quaint beautiful paradise with a cottage by a clear ocean. Where they overlooked the sea.
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