"Red wizards, white wizards, no good either way," Ran says. "They're not just popping 'round for a chin-wag, now are they? Any luck they'll kill each other off fighting over the secrets to this bloody curse."
He looks back a the door and then to Inete.
"So we just give the door a rap and go in or are we supposed to settle in and wait for his nibs to come out?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Raising the remnants of her coffee to Hew's statement, Danica nodded at the toast, "Well said." before downing the rest of it. "Great idea Meili. We'll keep an eye out." Being injured out in the wilderness without any means of healing was a quicker route to death than even being cursed. She absorbed the information Velan provided, recognizing that some of it did sound familiar. And especially nodded at his thoughts on their name. "I had much the same concern."
Once at the Temple, she was immediately on guard with the commotion. Taking in the woman's story, she tries to discern if she at least believes what she's saying or if she's trying to mislead them in some way about what's going on with the Grandfather. (Insight: 10 ) Nodding along with Meili's answer, Danica stated, "As long as you can hold your own, pull your own weight and provide for yourself then I doubt you'd be too much in the way of our quest. But let's see what the Priest has to say before making any decisions."
Glancing at the side bar between her and Ran the elf broke in, "Could be the same wizards, different robes. They do like to dress up." Then shaking her head at his question to Inete she suggested, "Let's try talking to him first."
Walking away from the pews where they were lead and up to the other robed person who was currently still knocking on the closed door, Danica tapped him on the shoulder and motioned him to step aside. Pausing a moment in the silence, she rests her flat palm on the door and tries to listen for any movement before speaking up instead of knocking, "It's Danica Grandfather. Me n the others have returned like we'd said. We're ready to hear out this vision."Letting a few heart beats pass as she glances at her companions she then ended, "It alright if we come in?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Danica, your impression is that she is intelligent and a young woman of deep faith and devotion. You sense she is truthful... indeed, you get the impression she is the kind of person who would struggle to tell a lie.
There is a long period of silence, and then a voice you barely recognize rasps, "Come, then. The five of you alone. Come and collect your prize."
A lock slides on the other side and the door can now be pushed open. Inside, the room is in disarray. A brazier has been toppled into the fountain/bath and one of the beautiful tapestries on the wall has been rent. Grandfather Zitembe is here, his eyes sunken and stained from tears. Also, gone are the milky cataracts. He looks at each of you with something like contempt, but weaker and less potent than that.
He closes the door behind you and locks it again.
He stares at all of you for a long while... and then he begins crying again. Deep, wracking sobs that sound horrible coming from an old man. "I have given my life to Savras. Devoted every ounce of my being; my soul. And he has repaid me with ruin and doom. He mocks my love and devotion." He wipes tears and mucus from his face with a sleeve of his robe. "But you will not care. The fate of an old man and his family is nothing to gods or heroes."
"Inetehas already told you of her vision; I know. You will take her from us and deliver her to the hive of the Red Wizards in the Aldani Basin. That is Savras plan for her. But what of you? Do you want to know what he has seen of your quest? Your destiny? What awaits you in the hot dead heart of the jungle?" As he talks, his hands ball into fists and there is something approaching malice in his voice... but then he sinks back into more sobbing.
Eventually, his crying slows, then stops, and he begins. "It was painful. More painful and more trying than any vision I have had before. I felt the strain of Savras... something opposes him, something holds a veil up to obscure his sight. But a god will not be so easily denied, and so for a moment, Savras and I peaked behind the curtain."
"Our sight drifted over the jungles... south, always south. The sun rose and set thirty three times before we slowed and stopped our journey. There were mountains to our left, mountains to our right, and before us, a rift in the jungle, and at the bottom, a hidden city, built by minotaurs and crawling with snakes. Within there was a monument; a black obelisk, and it concealed something deeper and darker. I saw a skeletal face and hand; the foe. He was surprised at our arrival; surprised we had found his lair and the source of his curse. But he is strong there; he pulled me away from Savras, pulled me down, down into the dark. There are hollows in the earth; tombs of death and mockery and absolute darkness where he hides he terrible secrets. I thought my soul would perish there.
But it was not over. It became wet... something hot and viscous was pouring over me... filling the darkness. Blood. Red Blood was pouring into the tombs. And then we erupted forth, a torrent of blood toppled the obelisk, filled the city and then spread, covering from horizon to horizon; all the world drowning in a tide of Blood."
He eyes Ran, Danica, and Velan. "You three. You cannot escape this fate, even if you wish. Your pasts weave you into this; your pasts will haunt this journey." He turns to Meiliand Mica. "You two; there is still time to flee. For you, it is a matter of choice. You will stand at the event horizon and must decide; do you run, to save yourselves and doom the world, or dive onward into the tide of blood?"
He relaxes, slightly, but his mood does not improve. "I am done. In all things, I am done. My days serving the All-Seeing One are at an end. He has claimed his price from me and in doing so has hardened this old man's heart forever." He waves his hand. "Go. Take the last of my family into the murderous jungle. I would wish you good luck; wish you courage and strength to face the horrors that await you... but I am not sure that I even care."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Was it even a sincere question? Meili made her choice yesterday, no, much before that. All she needed to know is where to go. Now she did and the path was clear. Grandfather Zitembe, however, did not wait for an obvious answer but Meili could not leave without at least trying to ease his pain. "From all my heart I thank you, great priest Zitembe. I am but a humble monk, but pray that you see the gift of Savras for wast it was - a reward for your great service. You were relieved from your duties to see your granddaughter with your own eye, wish her farewell and then greet her when she returns." At the moment Meili firmly believed Inete will return and her words sounded most sincere. "If we succeed in our mission, you will be the one who pointed the way for us, as much of a hero as those who will stop the destruction of the world. Only gods know what the future holds. You might be summoned again to serve your god, but if not, you did your part and deserve some rest in praises."
She bowed and stepped back. If the horrors ahead frightened her, she did not show it - that could be an exaggeration not uncommon for visions, or the truth, but it will be dealt with, once they reach the city. For now, they had to prepare for the long journey through the jungle.
Grandfather Zitembe listens to Meili’s words without interruption.
When she is finished, he answers without meeting her gaze. “You misunderstand, young one. You will take my granddaughter, the last part of my only daughter, my pride and my heart. You will deliver her to spy for Savras on the machinations of the Red Wizards.”
”She will not return.”
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ran listens to Zitembe give his vision. He assumes there's a lot of flourishes and window dressing added for effect. But there were concrete bits in there too. 33 days south, a mountain valley, and a city in the jungle. Snakes. Ugh, snakes.
"Hate snakes," Ran says outloud, surprising himself. "And what's a minotaur? Are they those bull headed blokes?"
The part he keyed in on at last was being told he couldn't avoid this fate. With that he smiled and clapped his hands together.
"Alright. Sounds like that's where the wizards and the brat went. I'll find Shepard there."
He frowns at Zitembe's last comments about his granddaughter not coming back.
"You don't want her to come back? Or is she some sort of sacrifice to your god? What's his name, this Savras? We can play that bit by ear. Don't always have to let this powerful buggers get their way."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Velan watched in silence as the priestess spoke or her visions. She was beautiful and determined, to the point that the spellcaster would have fallen in love if he believed himself capable of such feelings. He envied Ran and Mica’s ignorance about the Red Wizards. They were a personification of every reason conceivable to fear a mortal wielding arcane powers. Worse yet, they had a power of an entire country at their disposal and if half of what was said about their ruler was true then Chult could very well end with a second and far more powerful horde of undead inland. A true army with intelligent commanders.
It was the answer of the High Priest that brought the wizard back to reality. Entering the chamber, he could feel his heart beating uncontrollably and for a moment it was hard breath. Anxiety is making me drown amidst air, he thought listening the old man speak. The mention of the past reminded him of the murder, the claw, the hag.
“I am neither god nor hero so tell me, is taking your granddaughter something we are forced to do? The price to pay for the prophecy?” Velan didn’t want to see anyone sacrificing a family member so if there was a choice, he would rather leave Inete with Zitembe. She would probably try to go on her own, but that would be her choice, not Savras’.
Waiting for his answer the wizard repeated the words of the prophet in his mind. Thirty days south, hidden city built by minotaurs and full of serpents. Skeletal face with power to evade a god, at least a minor one. Had he heard something about any of that?
Notes: DM, on the previous skills check you had not mentioned if Velan knew or not about the Swamp of Sorrows. Should I assume he does not know about? On relation to the current topics, would Velan know about a lost city built by minotaurs in Chult (I guess this would be a History check)? Would he know about a skeletal entity with enough power to fend of a god (I guess this would be a Religion check)?
Re: Swamp of Sorrows - yes, though you would have only heard of it in the weeks since you came to Chult, and as the Aldani Basin. It is a large upland basin in the northern center of Chult said to be full of swamps, lakes, flooded jungle... and danger. It is popular among the dinosaur traders as this is where many species come to breed and lay their eggs. It is named for a lost tribe of half men, have sea monster people - the Aldani - who were said to have dwelt there in ancient times.
Re: Lost City - The interior of Chult is rumored to be full of ruins and lost cities. Some, like Mezro, were ruined only in recent centuries. Others are much older, and yet to be rediscovered. In particular, there are rumors about a great golden city guarded by stone monsters, sometimes said to be minotaurs. But this is only a legend and no one has ever found such a place.
Re: Mystery skeletons - There are a few figures who could fit. There are the arch-liches Vecna and Acererak. These powerful undead mages are legends among the practitioners of evil magic. Aloof, and possessed of godlike power, they are said to prowl the multiverse playing out schemes that stretch across centuries. The god Cyric also comes to mind. He is supposed to be imprisoned somewhere if the scripture of the other faiths are correct, but what mortal can say for sure?
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The old man looks at Velan. "There is no forcing you. You are all traveling to the same place, and Savras has seen that you will choose to take her... but he is not compelling you to do so. Perhaps this will make you change your mind - rebel against the All-Seeing One by walking a different path or leaving her behind. Know that this will not save my Inete. She will pursue what she sees as her duty and find passage with someone else, or venture on alone. She will simply be much less likely to complete Savras' mission before she meets her doom."
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Mica stands nearby, arms folded across his chest, listening to the priest's vision. He had his doubts about serving the gods and the vision made him uneasy. “Run and doom the world? It appears I have no choice at all then. I have long protected those that cast me out of my village from the dangers of the wilds in the Savage Frontier. I will do the same here. Besides”he breaks into a grin “I have not yet hunted a minotaur, or the snakes and lizards of this jungle. I stand with this group.”
He grows somber again and turns to the grandfather “Savras does not see all, you admitted it yourself. If I can protect your granddaughter on this trip and return her home, I will.”
He turns to the others. “It appears our path lies up the Soshenstar, If there are no other messages, we should go prepare for the journey with Hew.”He looks over at Velan and Danica “and this meeting with Prince Jessamine. Are we likely to get any support from her, or just more tasks that need doing?”
Lost cities were not something unheard of in Chult, but only one history came to mind when minotaurs were mentioned. The golden one, he remembered just before his thoughts drifted towards the significance of the skeletal figures. Three names came to mind: the god of lies and former god of murder, Cyric, and two archliches - Acerarak and Vecna. The last two were the most likely suspects considering the former impressment. Unless he is now free. It was a possibility.
He was about to ask about that when Zitembe answered. The old man’s words made the wizard boil with ire. Not against the Grandfather, but the god that seemed all to happy to demand such sacrifices from his followers. The caster wanted to scream in frustration, release his offensives spells, break something. Before he had a chance Mica’s word brought him back to reality. He looked at the genasi with wide eyes. How could he have forgotten about who they were meeting at the afternoon?
“What if we kill the Red Wizards?” He asked to the high priest, postponing an answer to the ranger’s question. “I don’t think we could win in direct combat, but things are different if we poison them. We are going to meet with the prince who controls such substances in this city and if you come with us to this meeting, I believe there is a good chance we can acquire enough toxin to deal with their lot.”
Necromancy was a strong tradition in Thay and it was likely the casters in the jungle had their undead, but even then the casters themselves would need to eat, drink water if nothing else. Supplies to contaminate. It was the most realistic approach and there was a chance for such stratagem to work. Hells, maybe a good one even
“Never expect help for free. Much less from a merchant.”He declared turning his eyes to Mica. “And from the vision description I think we are looking for the great golden city and the curse is the work of either Cyric, Acerarak or Vecna and honestly, I can’t tell which would be worse.” Maybe they should speak with Wakanga again. The man was sure to have more arcane knowledge than the temple. “Would you have any information about the city? Will you help us fight against the demise of Inete?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Danica tenses as the old man, who seemed remarkably less blind than he did the previous day, locked the door after they all filed in. She was quiet as she listened to everything he had to say, especially noting the 'thirty-three sunsets' part. The elf couldn't help but glance at Ran and Velan as he gestured to the three of them and their lack of ability to 'escape their fate' but Meili and Mica's ability to choose theirs. What surprised her most was the priest, or rather former priest's conviction in that he would no longer serve Savras. Was it because his sight was given back to him? She would think that would be a gift, even if those of Savras' order thought that only relying on one's third eye was a better boon. Regardless, Meili's speech to the man seemed wise and well put in her own opinion, but most definitively not well received.
Shaking her head at Ran's guesses, Danica met Velan's eyes as he said what she feared. "Yesterday you said that there would "be a heavy toll asked of those who wish to serve the All-Seeing One" , and we're not exactly wishing to serve Savras and certainly don't want to offer up your granddaughter on a silver platter, be it to this curse or even a God." Looking to the others and seeing mixed feelings she clarified with a trouble expression, "At least I don't."
Listening to Zitembe's counter caused her to run a hand back over the top of her held back curled hair in a nervous gesture. "Isn't it possible to change one's fate? You already know exactly long you'd have to keep her safe, thirty three days. Just....lock her up for a month. She might not be the happiest with ye afterwards but at least she'll be alive!" At this point the elf was near pacing. "I was comfortable risking my own life and the life of those that truly knew what they were signing up for,"She nodded to her four companions before finishing, "But not a priestling that probably reached adulthood yesterday!"
Hearing Mica speak grounded the frazzled sailor and she let out a deep sigh. "If there truly is no other way then Mica is right. We'll do everything we can."Running a hand over her face at his question she shrugged, "Maybe one in the same. A favor for some help of our own? We'll see."
Making a concerning noise in the back of her throat, Danica spoke up against the idea of poisoning, "It's not that it's a bad idea it's that it'd be difficult as all the Hells to implement. Unless you're stealthier than you seem. I know the rest of us likely wouldn't be able to do it."Glancing at her well armored fellows.
((GM: History Roll for any knowledge onCyric, Acerarak or Vecna: 8 ))
You've heard all three names. They are among the names that come up when campfire talk turns to tales of horror and evil... the boogeymen of the Realms. But you know very little about them or what they are truly capable of.
"Yes, a heavy toll, " he says to Danica. "For us, as it happens. For those who serve. I was blind to the truth... in my hubris I assumed the words were meant for you."
"Fate... you must forgive me. I haven't the heart for a debate or a lecture on the nature of destiny or self-determination." He looks at the sailor-elf. "Perhaps my granddaughter will share the church's teachings on that matter."
He listens to Danica and Velango back and forth on the matter of poisoning the Red Wizards, and for the first time he stops looking at the floor or sobbing and his eyes narrow. At last he interrupts. "I saw nothing of the sort... I did not see you in conflict with the Red Wizards. But... if you disrupt what they are doing... maybe. I do not know. But you have my attention." He goes to the fountain and splashes some water on his face. "I do not know what the Temple will do with me after today. But for the moment I am still a respected priest of Savras in the eyes of Port Nyanzaru. If you think I may be able to aid you with Prince Jessamine, and you think it may help you aid my granddaughter... I will speak to her on your behalf."
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“It won’t ever be easy, but I don’t see other choice and if the problem is stealth, well, stealth have many forms.” He said as his eyes flashed teal in color. The wizard centered his mind and called upon the power of his bloody, his Hex Magic, and used Disguise Self to assume Danica’s appearance with a literal finger snap. “With this spell I could take place of someone in their camp that just so happens to disappear, if you understand my meaning.”Another snap of fingers and he returned to his usual form. “Soon enough I will be able to make any one creature invisible and I believe you Druids have spells to increase one’s discretion. I think some of us may pull one thing or the other and rather well with the due preparation.”
Then his attention shifted entirely to Zitembe. The man seemed half confused and half hopeful. At least he was disposed to try something for the good of his family. Did they try something too, when it was their time to pay? Velan could not help but question. He knew the pact, how unlikely it was for anyone to try anything yet part of him wished to believe they did.
“For the moment, that will be enough.” He said to the high priest. Or would it be former high priest? “Your presence will prove our word. About our quest, about the need for the poison and an oath about not using against the princes. That should make Jessamine sell it to us, but even them I don’t think it will be cheap. Come with us, if possible hiding that your eyes are now without cataracts, and be ready to help with coin.”
Then he turns his eyes to his companions. Not a single of them was happy with the idea of sacrificing the Zitembe’s family and for that he was grateful. They formed a good team, after all. A company daring enough to go against a prophecy from the God of Divination. You may still make a hero out of me. He said with the voice of his mind. Either that or I will make you stupid like me.
“There is another thing that I would like to mention. The woman that put Ran under an illusion is dead. She spent the afternoon in the tavern of the place I’m hosted, waiting for someone. I found her body surrounded by a curious crowd. No coin or spell book, dead somewhere between ten to twenty minutes. Assassinated by single cut at the neck, the kind that seems to come from a claw or a weapon made out of a claw. She also seemed to have lost a lot of blood, but I couldn’t be sure if such lost was caused by her wounds.” He focuses his attention to Mica and Danica again. “Do you know of a creature with this kind of claw and that would not be noticed in the city? Or about weapons made out of claws?”
Meili was frowning the whole time Velan was happily discussing the ways of mass-murdering the people that had nothing to do with the group's mission, did not offend anyone here and that no-one knew about just a moment ago. "Whatever that thing is doing to the souls it collects, it can not be good. Most likely the souls are strengthening it in some way. And you are willing to murder numerous people to create more undead and strengthen the world's enemy? If I did not know any better, I would think you were sent here by that monster."
It was too emotional but Meili was not used to casual planning of murders and got surprised. She looked again at the priest. "One's fate is not always set on stone. You know that better than anyone else. It is your granddaughter's decision to go or stay, but we will do everything to protect her. Gods willing, you will see her again."
“Your goodness and ingenuity are somewhat refreshing in this cynical world, but you need to think more objectively if you want to fight real battles.” He said turning to Meili, his face was a mask of flesh and blood, inexpressive. His voice imbued with cold courtesy. “First, we do not know if the curse is affecting the souls of the dead so stop saying it does as if it were a fact.” The wizard mentions rising his right index finger. “We know it is affecting resurrection magic and there is a big difference between spells and souls, but I don’t think this is the time to explain cosmology and the Weave. Suffice to say, it is foolish to take a hypothesis as a fact, especially one that puts further pressure in a quest with this level of urgency." To that point the curse had barely touched the Swoard Coast, but if Zitembe’s vision was right then it was a matter of time before it affected the whole world. If that wasn’t urgency he didn’t know what was. “Second, killing is not making more undead. We can burn the corpses before they rise and even if they rise they will be many times better than now, for at least they won’t be intelligent, capable of using spellcraft or calling their allies. You see, the Red Wizards of Thay are not just a group of friends in uniform. They are the rulers of Thay, an entire country with full armies of undead, including vampires and liches. Their purposes are always aligned with conquer and enslaving, specially of those who do not use magic, so the longer we let them be the closer some new and powerful curse will be on this land and if you doubt their power and danger, take notice that Savras has not been able to see their actions and is worried enough to act upon it.” He want to argue against what, in his eyes, was excessive belief and dependence in the gods, but that discussion was not about beliefs so ultimately Velan refrained himself. “Before letting your emotions take the better of you and speaking offensively to others with nothing but senseless idealism, please do take your time to think about the facts and if you don’t know something act like the rest of us and ask before coming to a conclusion.”
There is a knock on the door. Inete is concerned by the sounds of argument coming from inside and she again asks for Grandfather Zitembe to come out, or for her to be allowed inside.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"My words were hasty and I apologize for them," Meili gave her a short bow, "but yours are not wise. There are many evil people in this world. Are you on the crusade to kill anyone you deem evil and so sure you know who deserves to live or die? If your righteousness demands of you to cleanse the face of Faerun of anyone you perceive evil, I will not stop you. But those you want to kill now have souls. And that souls will be siphoned to the place that - as we learned now - will be the point of destruction for all world. If you do not believe in idealism, then see the practicality of keeping living souls away from whatever is using them." Meili was talking evenly and calmly now. Only informing of her position.
Ran does his best to keep up with all of the conversation about the wizards and what might happen with them if they encounter them. He'd heard of Thay but only in passing. Sounded downright nasty.
"Okay, so as I see it, and yeah, I could have this all wrong. Lots of words here that you don't hear too often in the Dock Ward," Ran begins, furrowing his brow at the same time. "We're going out into the wop-wops, escorting Inete along the way, we find this hidden golden city, you lot stop this curse, I find my sister and a snot nosed lord of trouble. Mica gets this hunting bug out of his system. Maybe we have to deal with a wizard or two if they get in the way and the way I figure it, if they breathe and can bleed they can be killed. But we're not going on a killing spree. This place is too bloody hot and sweaty for that. And everyone's happy."
He blinks his eyes a couple of times.
"And my soul stays right where it is." Ran adds. "So, lets rattle a few dags and get a move on."
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Ran nods.
"Red wizards, white wizards, no good either way," Ran says. "They're not just popping 'round for a chin-wag, now are they? Any luck they'll kill each other off fighting over the secrets to this bloody curse."
He looks back a the door and then to Inete.
"So we just give the door a rap and go in or are we supposed to settle in and wait for his nibs to come out?"
Raising the remnants of her coffee to Hew's statement, Danica nodded at the toast, "Well said." before downing the rest of it. "Great idea Meili. We'll keep an eye out." Being injured out in the wilderness without any means of healing was a quicker route to death than even being cursed. She absorbed the information Velan provided, recognizing that some of it did sound familiar. And especially nodded at his thoughts on their name. "I had much the same concern."
Once at the Temple, she was immediately on guard with the commotion. Taking in the woman's story, she tries to discern if she at least believes what she's saying or if she's trying to mislead them in some way about what's going on with the Grandfather. (Insight: 10 ) Nodding along with Meili's answer, Danica stated, "As long as you can hold your own, pull your own weight and provide for yourself then I doubt you'd be too much in the way of our quest. But let's see what the Priest has to say before making any decisions."
Glancing at the side bar between her and Ran the elf broke in, "Could be the same wizards, different robes. They do like to dress up." Then shaking her head at his question to Inete she suggested, "Let's try talking to him first."
Walking away from the pews where they were lead and up to the other robed person who was currently still knocking on the closed door, Danica tapped him on the shoulder and motioned him to step aside. Pausing a moment in the silence, she rests her flat palm on the door and tries to listen for any movement before speaking up instead of knocking, "It's Danica Grandfather. Me n the others have returned like we'd said. We're ready to hear out this vision." Letting a few heart beats pass as she glances at her companions she then ended, "It alright if we come in?"
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Danica, your impression is that she is intelligent and a young woman of deep faith and devotion. You sense she is truthful... indeed, you get the impression she is the kind of person who would struggle to tell a lie.
There is a long period of silence, and then a voice you barely recognize rasps, "Come, then. The five of you alone. Come and collect your prize."
A lock slides on the other side and the door can now be pushed open. Inside, the room is in disarray. A brazier has been toppled into the fountain/bath and one of the beautiful tapestries on the wall has been rent. Grandfather Zitembe is here, his eyes sunken and stained from tears. Also, gone are the milky cataracts. He looks at each of you with something like contempt, but weaker and less potent than that.
He closes the door behind you and locks it again.
He stares at all of you for a long while... and then he begins crying again. Deep, wracking sobs that sound horrible coming from an old man. "I have given my life to Savras. Devoted every ounce of my being; my soul. And he has repaid me with ruin and doom. He mocks my love and devotion." He wipes tears and mucus from his face with a sleeve of his robe. "But you will not care. The fate of an old man and his family is nothing to gods or heroes."
"Inete has already told you of her vision; I know. You will take her from us and deliver her to the hive of the Red Wizards in the Aldani Basin. That is Savras plan for her. But what of you? Do you want to know what he has seen of your quest? Your destiny? What awaits you in the hot dead heart of the jungle?" As he talks, his hands ball into fists and there is something approaching malice in his voice... but then he sinks back into more sobbing.
Eventually, his crying slows, then stops, and he begins. "It was painful. More painful and more trying than any vision I have had before. I felt the strain of Savras... something opposes him, something holds a veil up to obscure his sight. But a god will not be so easily denied, and so for a moment, Savras and I peaked behind the curtain."
"Our sight drifted over the jungles... south, always south. The sun rose and set thirty three times before we slowed and stopped our journey. There were mountains to our left, mountains to our right, and before us, a rift in the jungle, and at the bottom, a hidden city, built by minotaurs and crawling with snakes. Within there was a monument; a black obelisk, and it concealed something deeper and darker. I saw a skeletal face and hand; the foe. He was surprised at our arrival; surprised we had found his lair and the source of his curse. But he is strong there; he pulled me away from Savras, pulled me down, down into the dark. There are hollows in the earth; tombs of death and mockery and absolute darkness where he hides he terrible secrets. I thought my soul would perish there.
But it was not over. It became wet... something hot and viscous was pouring over me... filling the darkness. Blood. Red Blood was pouring into the tombs. And then we erupted forth, a torrent of blood toppled the obelisk, filled the city and then spread, covering from horizon to horizon; all the world drowning in a tide of Blood."
He eyes Ran, Danica, and Velan. "You three. You cannot escape this fate, even if you wish. Your pasts weave you into this; your pasts will haunt this journey." He turns to Meili and Mica. "You two; there is still time to flee. For you, it is a matter of choice. You will stand at the event horizon and must decide; do you run, to save yourselves and doom the world, or dive onward into the tide of blood?"
He relaxes, slightly, but his mood does not improve. "I am done. In all things, I am done. My days serving the All-Seeing One are at an end. He has claimed his price from me and in doing so has hardened this old man's heart forever." He waves his hand. "Go. Take the last of my family into the murderous jungle. I would wish you good luck; wish you courage and strength to face the horrors that await you... but I am not sure that I even care."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Was it even a sincere question? Meili made her choice yesterday, no, much before that. All she needed to know is where to go. Now she did and the path was clear. Grandfather Zitembe, however, did not wait for an obvious answer but Meili could not leave without at least trying to ease his pain. "From all my heart I thank you, great priest Zitembe. I am but a humble monk, but pray that you see the gift of Savras for wast it was - a reward for your great service. You were relieved from your duties to see your granddaughter with your own eye, wish her farewell and then greet her when she returns." At the moment Meili firmly believed Inete will return and her words sounded most sincere. "If we succeed in our mission, you will be the one who pointed the way for us, as much of a hero as those who will stop the destruction of the world. Only gods know what the future holds. You might be summoned again to serve your god, but if not, you did your part and deserve some rest in praises."
She bowed and stepped back. If the horrors ahead frightened her, she did not show it - that could be an exaggeration not uncommon for visions, or the truth, but it will be dealt with, once they reach the city. For now, they had to prepare for the long journey through the jungle.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Grandfather Zitembe listens to Meili’s words without interruption.
When she is finished, he answers without meeting her gaze. “You misunderstand, young one. You will take my granddaughter, the last part of my only daughter, my pride and my heart. You will deliver her to spy for Savras on the machinations of the Red Wizards.”
”She will not return.”
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ran listens to Zitembe give his vision. He assumes there's a lot of flourishes and window dressing added for effect. But there were concrete bits in there too. 33 days south, a mountain valley, and a city in the jungle. Snakes. Ugh, snakes.
"Hate snakes," Ran says outloud, surprising himself. "And what's a minotaur? Are they those bull headed blokes?"
The part he keyed in on at last was being told he couldn't avoid this fate. With that he smiled and clapped his hands together.
"Alright. Sounds like that's where the wizards and the brat went. I'll find Shepard there."
He frowns at Zitembe's last comments about his granddaughter not coming back.
"You don't want her to come back? Or is she some sort of sacrifice to your god? What's his name, this Savras? We can play that bit by ear. Don't always have to let this powerful buggers get their way."
He looks around a the others.
"I'm good to go when you are."
Velan watched in silence as the priestess spoke or her visions. She was beautiful and determined, to the point that the spellcaster would have fallen in love if he believed himself capable of such feelings. He envied Ran and Mica’s ignorance about the Red Wizards. They were a personification of every reason conceivable to fear a mortal wielding arcane powers. Worse yet, they had a power of an entire country at their disposal and if half of what was said about their ruler was true then Chult could very well end with a second and far more powerful horde of undead inland. A true army with intelligent commanders.
It was the answer of the High Priest that brought the wizard back to reality. Entering the chamber, he could feel his heart beating uncontrollably and for a moment it was hard breath. Anxiety is making me drown amidst air, he thought listening the old man speak. The mention of the past reminded him of the murder, the claw, the hag.
“I am neither god nor hero so tell me, is taking your granddaughter something we are forced to do? The price to pay for the prophecy?” Velan didn’t want to see anyone sacrificing a family member so if there was a choice, he would rather leave Inete with Zitembe. She would probably try to go on her own, but that would be her choice, not Savras’.
Waiting for his answer the wizard repeated the words of the prophet in his mind. Thirty days south, hidden city built by minotaurs and full of serpents. Skeletal face with power to evade a god, at least a minor one. Had he heard something about any of that?
Notes: DM, on the previous skills check you had not mentioned if Velan knew or not about the Swamp of Sorrows. Should I assume he does not know about? On relation to the current topics, would Velan know about a lost city built by minotaurs in Chult (I guess this would be a History check)? Would he know about a skeletal entity with enough power to fend of a god (I guess this would be a Religion check)?
History Check: 19
Religion Check: 16
Velan:
Re: Swamp of Sorrows - yes, though you would have only heard of it in the weeks since you came to Chult, and as the Aldani Basin. It is a large upland basin in the northern center of Chult said to be full of swamps, lakes, flooded jungle... and danger. It is popular among the dinosaur traders as this is where many species come to breed and lay their eggs. It is named for a lost tribe of half men, have sea monster people - the Aldani - who were said to have dwelt there in ancient times.
Re: Lost City - The interior of Chult is rumored to be full of ruins and lost cities. Some, like Mezro, were ruined only in recent centuries. Others are much older, and yet to be rediscovered. In particular, there are rumors about a great golden city guarded by stone monsters, sometimes said to be minotaurs. But this is only a legend and no one has ever found such a place.
Re: Mystery skeletons - There are a few figures who could fit. There are the arch-liches Vecna and Acererak. These powerful undead mages are legends among the practitioners of evil magic. Aloof, and possessed of godlike power, they are said to prowl the multiverse playing out schemes that stretch across centuries. The god Cyric also comes to mind. He is supposed to be imprisoned somewhere if the scripture of the other faiths are correct, but what mortal can say for sure?
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The old man looks at Velan. "There is no forcing you. You are all traveling to the same place, and Savras has seen that you will choose to take her... but he is not compelling you to do so. Perhaps this will make you change your mind - rebel against the All-Seeing One by walking a different path or leaving her behind. Know that this will not save my Inete. She will pursue what she sees as her duty and find passage with someone else, or venture on alone. She will simply be much less likely to complete Savras' mission before she meets her doom."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Mica stands nearby, arms folded across his chest, listening to the priest's vision. He had his doubts about serving the gods and the vision made him uneasy. “Run and doom the world? It appears I have no choice at all then. I have long protected those that cast me out of my village from the dangers of the wilds in the Savage Frontier. I will do the same here. Besides” he breaks into a grin “I have not yet hunted a minotaur, or the snakes and lizards of this jungle. I stand with this group.”
He grows somber again and turns to the grandfather “Savras does not see all, you admitted it yourself. If I can protect your granddaughter on this trip and return her home, I will.”
He turns to the others. “It appears our path lies up the Soshenstar, If there are no other messages, we should go prepare for the journey with Hew.” He looks over at Velan and Danica “and this meeting with Prince Jessamine. Are we likely to get any support from her, or just more tasks that need doing?”
Lost cities were not something unheard of in Chult, but only one history came to mind when minotaurs were mentioned. The golden one, he remembered just before his thoughts drifted towards the significance of the skeletal figures. Three names came to mind: the god of lies and former god of murder, Cyric, and two archliches - Acerarak and Vecna. The last two were the most likely suspects considering the former impressment. Unless he is now free. It was a possibility.
He was about to ask about that when Zitembe answered. The old man’s words made the wizard boil with ire. Not against the Grandfather, but the god that seemed all to happy to demand such sacrifices from his followers. The caster wanted to scream in frustration, release his offensives spells, break something. Before he had a chance Mica’s word brought him back to reality. He looked at the genasi with wide eyes. How could he have forgotten about who they were meeting at the afternoon?
“What if we kill the Red Wizards?” He asked to the high priest, postponing an answer to the ranger’s question. “I don’t think we could win in direct combat, but things are different if we poison them. We are going to meet with the prince who controls such substances in this city and if you come with us to this meeting, I believe there is a good chance we can acquire enough toxin to deal with their lot.”
Necromancy was a strong tradition in Thay and it was likely the casters in the jungle had their undead, but even then the casters themselves would need to eat, drink water if nothing else. Supplies to contaminate. It was the most realistic approach and there was a chance for such stratagem to work. Hells, maybe a good one even
“Never expect help for free. Much less from a merchant.” He declared turning his eyes to Mica. “And from the vision description I think we are looking for the great golden city and the curse is the work of either Cyric, Acerarak or Vecna and honestly, I can’t tell which would be worse.” Maybe they should speak with Wakanga again. The man was sure to have more arcane knowledge than the temple. “Would you have any information about the city? Will you help us fight against the demise of Inete?”
Danica tenses as the old man, who seemed remarkably less blind than he did the previous day, locked the door after they all filed in. She was quiet as she listened to everything he had to say, especially noting the 'thirty-three sunsets' part. The elf couldn't help but glance at Ran and Velan as he gestured to the three of them and their lack of ability to 'escape their fate' but Meili and Mica's ability to choose theirs. What surprised her most was the priest, or rather former priest's conviction in that he would no longer serve Savras. Was it because his sight was given back to him? She would think that would be a gift, even if those of Savras' order thought that only relying on one's third eye was a better boon. Regardless, Meili's speech to the man seemed wise and well put in her own opinion, but most definitively not well received.
Shaking her head at Ran's guesses, Danica met Velan's eyes as he said what she feared. "Yesterday you said that there would "be a heavy toll asked of those who wish to serve the All-Seeing One" , and we're not exactly wishing to serve Savras and certainly don't want to offer up your granddaughter on a silver platter, be it to this curse or even a God." Looking to the others and seeing mixed feelings she clarified with a trouble expression, "At least I don't."
Listening to Zitembe's counter caused her to run a hand back over the top of her held back curled hair in a nervous gesture. "Isn't it possible to change one's fate? You already know exactly long you'd have to keep her safe, thirty three days. Just....lock her up for a month. She might not be the happiest with ye afterwards but at least she'll be alive!" At this point the elf was near pacing. "I was comfortable risking my own life and the life of those that truly knew what they were signing up for," She nodded to her four companions before finishing, "But not a priestling that probably reached adulthood yesterday!"
Hearing Mica speak grounded the frazzled sailor and she let out a deep sigh. "If there truly is no other way then Mica is right. We'll do everything we can." Running a hand over her face at his question she shrugged, "Maybe one in the same. A favor for some help of our own? We'll see."
Making a concerning noise in the back of her throat, Danica spoke up against the idea of poisoning, "It's not that it's a bad idea it's that it'd be difficult as all the Hells to implement. Unless you're stealthier than you seem. I know the rest of us likely wouldn't be able to do it." Glancing at her well armored fellows.
((GM: History Roll for any knowledge on Cyric, Acerarak or Vecna: 8 ))
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Danica:
You've heard all three names. They are among the names that come up when campfire talk turns to tales of horror and evil... the boogeymen of the Realms. But you know very little about them or what they are truly capable of.
"Yes, a heavy toll, " he says to Danica. "For us, as it happens. For those who serve. I was blind to the truth... in my hubris I assumed the words were meant for you."
"Fate... you must forgive me. I haven't the heart for a debate or a lecture on the nature of destiny or self-determination." He looks at the sailor-elf. "Perhaps my granddaughter will share the church's teachings on that matter."
He listens to Danica and Velan go back and forth on the matter of poisoning the Red Wizards, and for the first time he stops looking at the floor or sobbing and his eyes narrow. At last he interrupts. "I saw nothing of the sort... I did not see you in conflict with the Red Wizards. But... if you disrupt what they are doing... maybe. I do not know. But you have my attention." He goes to the fountain and splashes some water on his face. "I do not know what the Temple will do with me after today. But for the moment I am still a respected priest of Savras in the eyes of Port Nyanzaru. If you think I may be able to aid you with Prince Jessamine, and you think it may help you aid my granddaughter... I will speak to her on your behalf."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“It won’t ever be easy, but I don’t see other choice and if the problem is stealth, well, stealth have many forms.” He said as his eyes flashed teal in color. The wizard centered his mind and called upon the power of his bloody, his Hex Magic, and used Disguise Self to assume Danica’s appearance with a literal finger snap. “With this spell I could take place of someone in their camp that just so happens to disappear, if you understand my meaning.” Another snap of fingers and he returned to his usual form. “Soon enough I will be able to make any one creature invisible and I believe you Druids have spells to increase one’s discretion. I think some of us may pull one thing or the other and rather well with the due preparation.”
Then his attention shifted entirely to Zitembe. The man seemed half confused and half hopeful. At least he was disposed to try something for the good of his family. Did they try something too, when it was their time to pay? Velan could not help but question. He knew the pact, how unlikely it was for anyone to try anything yet part of him wished to believe they did.
“For the moment, that will be enough.” He said to the high priest. Or would it be former high priest? “Your presence will prove our word. About our quest, about the need for the poison and an oath about not using against the princes. That should make Jessamine sell it to us, but even them I don’t think it will be cheap. Come with us, if possible hiding that your eyes are now without cataracts, and be ready to help with coin.”
Then he turns his eyes to his companions. Not a single of them was happy with the idea of sacrificing the Zitembe’s family and for that he was grateful. They formed a good team, after all. A company daring enough to go against a prophecy from the God of Divination. You may still make a hero out of me. He said with the voice of his mind. Either that or I will make you stupid like me.
“There is another thing that I would like to mention. The woman that put Ran under an illusion is dead. She spent the afternoon in the tavern of the place I’m hosted, waiting for someone. I found her body surrounded by a curious crowd. No coin or spell book, dead somewhere between ten to twenty minutes. Assassinated by single cut at the neck, the kind that seems to come from a claw or a weapon made out of a claw. She also seemed to have lost a lot of blood, but I couldn’t be sure if such lost was caused by her wounds.” He focuses his attention to Mica and Danica again. “Do you know of a creature with this kind of claw and that would not be noticed in the city? Or about weapons made out of claws?”
Meili was frowning the whole time Velan was happily discussing the ways of mass-murdering the people that had nothing to do with the group's mission, did not offend anyone here and that no-one knew about just a moment ago. "Whatever that thing is doing to the souls it collects, it can not be good. Most likely the souls are strengthening it in some way. And you are willing to murder numerous people to create more undead and strengthen the world's enemy? If I did not know any better, I would think you were sent here by that monster."
It was too emotional but Meili was not used to casual planning of murders and got surprised. She looked again at the priest. "One's fate is not always set on stone. You know that better than anyone else. It is your granddaughter's decision to go or stay, but we will do everything to protect her. Gods willing, you will see her again."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“Your goodness and ingenuity are somewhat refreshing in this cynical world, but you need to think more objectively if you want to fight real battles.” He said turning to Meili, his face was a mask of flesh and blood, inexpressive. His voice imbued with cold courtesy. “First, we do not know if the curse is affecting the souls of the dead so stop saying it does as if it were a fact.” The wizard mentions rising his right index finger. “We know it is affecting resurrection magic and there is a big difference between spells and souls, but I don’t think this is the time to explain cosmology and the Weave. Suffice to say, it is foolish to take a hypothesis as a fact, especially one that puts further pressure in a quest with this level of urgency." To that point the curse had barely touched the Swoard Coast, but if Zitembe’s vision was right then it was a matter of time before it affected the whole world. If that wasn’t urgency he didn’t know what was. “Second, killing is not making more undead. We can burn the corpses before they rise and even if they rise they will be many times better than now, for at least they won’t be intelligent, capable of using spellcraft or calling their allies. You see, the Red Wizards of Thay are not just a group of friends in uniform. They are the rulers of Thay, an entire country with full armies of undead, including vampires and liches. Their purposes are always aligned with conquer and enslaving, specially of those who do not use magic, so the longer we let them be the closer some new and powerful curse will be on this land and if you doubt their power and danger, take notice that Savras has not been able to see their actions and is worried enough to act upon it.” He want to argue against what, in his eyes, was excessive belief and dependence in the gods, but that discussion was not about beliefs so ultimately Velan refrained himself. “Before letting your emotions take the better of you and speaking offensively to others with nothing but senseless idealism, please do take your time to think about the facts and if you don’t know something act like the rest of us and ask before coming to a conclusion.”
There is a knock on the door. Inete is concerned by the sounds of argument coming from inside and she again asks for Grandfather Zitembe to come out, or for her to be allowed inside.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"My words were hasty and I apologize for them," Meili gave her a short bow, "but yours are not wise. There are many evil people in this world. Are you on the crusade to kill anyone you deem evil and so sure you know who deserves to live or die? If your righteousness demands of you to cleanse the face of Faerun of anyone you perceive evil, I will not stop you. But those you want to kill now have souls. And that souls will be siphoned to the place that - as we learned now - will be the point of destruction for all world. If you do not believe in idealism, then see the practicality of keeping living souls away from whatever is using them." Meili was talking evenly and calmly now. Only informing of her position.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ran does his best to keep up with all of the conversation about the wizards and what might happen with them if they encounter them. He'd heard of Thay but only in passing. Sounded downright nasty.
"Okay, so as I see it, and yeah, I could have this all wrong. Lots of words here that you don't hear too often in the Dock Ward," Ran begins, furrowing his brow at the same time. "We're going out into the wop-wops, escorting Inete along the way, we find this hidden golden city, you lot stop this curse, I find my sister and a snot nosed lord of trouble. Mica gets this hunting bug out of his system. Maybe we have to deal with a wizard or two if they get in the way and the way I figure it, if they breathe and can bleed they can be killed. But we're not going on a killing spree. This place is too bloody hot and sweaty for that. And everyone's happy."
He blinks his eyes a couple of times.
"And my soul stays right where it is." Ran adds. "So, lets rattle a few dags and get a move on."