Ro pauses a moment as Prim relays her findings to him. It takes the last of his strength to keep himself standing as he listens to the news. Ro turns to the rest of the Twilight Embers and opens his mouth to speak. However he hesitates a moment, wondering if Sorry should hear the news considering her state of mind. Ultimately, the wizard decided it would be best for everyone to hear the state of the realm for it affected everyone, and he was growing all too tired physically, mentally and emotionally to do much more for the day. He reached deep into the last reserves of his energy to speak loud and clear for all to hear:
"It would seem that eastern Hylia is falling to ruin. Open warfare plagues the lands surrounding Hyrule Castle in favor of the dark forces. Devastation has made its way as far as west of Kakariko Village to south of King's Landing. Both Hylian military and regular civilians are seeing innumerable casualties at the hands of Ganondorf's guardians and the Lord of Darkness' merrogons. Also, as Greko has relayed to us, the coming of the third star may indeed be related to the Nothing. As a huge expanse of nothing has appeared between Kakariko Village and King's Landing. It has yet to reach Hyrule Castle..."
Once the elf-dwarf had relayed the news, he walked away from the group; excusing himself from any group discussion or follow-up questions that came up immediately after his message. Ro found himself a private spot in the woods not too far away from the band, but far enough that they wouldn't hear or see what he was doing.
Sorry continued to cry, but then gently placed her tiny head against Lelith, her head coming to rest against the other woman as she shuddered her last few hard sobs.
"She was all I had left." Sorry said. It was flat, devastated. "She was all I had left, Lelith. She was all..."
The girl seemed to be on the verge of some sort of emotional break. She didn't even acknowledge that they'd helped the Great Deku Tree. Instead she was hung up on Kora, the only companion she'd had since the Kokiri Village had been shattered; she wasn't handling it at all now that the fighting was over and she had time, for the first time really, to allow her mind to dwell on the loss.
Lelith listened quietly for a few moments. When she put it like that, it was hard for her to resist. So vulnerable, nothing more than a plaything in her hand. A few words and already the girl was trusting her, clinging to her as she cried on her expensive magical clothes and opened up to her. If she had any harmful intentions, Sorry would already be done for. Thankfully for the girl, Lelith had no intention to bring her harm but she saw further use of her in the coming trials that awaited them. What better than a little protégé that depended on her emotionally to do everything she asked? Giving her all the attention? Her manipulating and conniving Eladrin instincts and the ruthless Feywild culture had taken over. Lelith, at least, promised the girl that she'd probably grow better as a person and maybe get her friend brought back to life out of it. It was a good deal.
Lelith had already made the first steps. She has opened up the possibility of a hopeful future, one where Kora would be brought back to life. A light in the tunnel. Sorry already saw her as an ally, someone who could bring that future to reality. Now, she only needed to fill the role Sorry needed. Lelith decided to give it her best. She cupped the smaller girl's cheeks and lifted her head so that she would meet Lelith's eyes without the option to look away. "That is no longer true. You have me now, do you not? I am here for you. Kora has not left you, every memory of her may bring you pain but look at it for what it is, a beautiful moment to remember her as to how she lived, not as to how she died. You carry her legacy, everything that Kora is and was is in your heart and mind. Do you wish to disappoint her by breaking down here? I do not believe that is the case. Show me, Sorry, that you are better than that. While the world breaks apart around us, we need to stand proud now more than ever."
Hopefully, that would keep Sorry from breaking apart in her hands and leave her to pick up the pieces. Lelith, from experience, hated stitching back up broken people. Figuratively and more recently now, literally as well. This wasn't likely enough to have Sorry dancing in the palm of her hands but it is a step in the right direction. Once she got Sorry roped into their next mission, she could work on her some more. Her grief was good in some ways, the other Embers kept away from her to give her space and she did not try to approach them either. Lelith didn't think any sane Fey would leave such an opportunity unused, at least she had good intentions.
Rum hears Ro's news but in his exhausted state he doesn't fall to depression or pessimism, it actually has the opposite effect. It makes him angry and even more determined.
He takes a deep breath in and stands on the seat of the cart, finding the effort more of a struggle than he should, but knowing he was physically and emotionally battered.
"Fellow Embers, my friends", he calls out. "We have proven here that the Twilight Embers are able to make a difference against the darkness. It was but a small battle in the greater war, it is true, and it wasn't without sacrifice I will grant as well", he says, looking over at Sorry when he mentions sacrifice.
"But we have given the Great Deku Tree time and hope. That is our purpose, to bring hope to the people of the lands. For us to do that we too must have hope. If no-one stands against the dark forces, no-one seeks to stop the Nothing, then we have already lost and may as well go home and prepare ourselves for the path to the next life".
"I don't accept that, I cannot accept that. I will fight on until there is no more breath in my body, and when I am called to the Great Dragon's side, I will deserve to be there".
"We lost Kora, there will always be regret in that. But she risked and lost her life so that others might keep hope alive. The Great Deku Tree has hope because of her. I live to fight another day because of her. I will take that gift of life to Ganondorf and the Lord of Darkness, and I will shove it down their throats until they choke on it!".
"Now for the Great Dragon's sake, let's go and show the world what the Twilight Embers are all about! Let us fight back!".
Greko opens his eyes from meditating and hears the tail end of Rum's motivational speech as he walks over. "Yes, Rum is correct. We must make haste to Hyrule Castle and help them defend themselves. If we fail we must find the Ocarina of Time and prevent Ganondorf from finding it. Perhaps someone in Hyrule Castle will know where the Ocarina is unless The Great Deku Tree knows? Our last resort should be to take who we can and retreat to Celestia and protect the last piece of Triforce. This is what I believe we should do."
Ro appears back from the nearby shrubbery he had disappeared off to moments ago. The elf-dwarf took a moment to wipe his eyes clean with his forearm and sniffled in a breath of air to compose himself.
"My family lives. They are at Hyrule Castle which is currently under siege by Ganondorf's forces. My father says they will soon lose the castle and are already making plans to retreat to King's Landing," Ro pauses a moment, taking comfort in the fact that his family was still alive, "So we have two plausible options: 1) we continue to Hyrule Castle to defend whatever is still left standing, or 2) we make way to King's Landing to regroup with whatever forces and Hyrulean authority have survived the dark force's onslaught. If the castle has already fallen, I believe there is merit to Greko's plan but we should confirm it first with either options I have mentioned."
Rum looks down towards Ro from his position on the cart.
"Forgive me, friend Ro. I am trying to remember the maps of Hylia that I have seen in the past. Is Hyrule Castle not between us and King's Landing anyway? Or near as makes no mind. Especially as the Nothing blocks the direct route", he asks of the False Knight, not trusting in his memory one hundred percent.
"Would it not be wise to head to the castle and see the situation there, and potentially help ensure the retreat is successful?", he adds.
"Either way we travel East many days. Can we discuss further on the way, fellow Embers?", he finishes, still eager to get moving and not waste precious time that could result in more death or tragedy.
The chest was filled with all manner of things. It seemed to be some sort of supply cache for...well...whoever it was for, they apparently intended to jump between worlds as well as to be well outfitted when they did so. There is money inside. A LOT of money. There is 19,000 gold inside the chest.
With the money is a strange amulet which appears to be an Amulet of the Planes, as well as a strange suit of armor that looks like it has blades in the wrists...but it seems to be...what? Alive? Like it wants to mold itself to the wearer? Regardless, it does offer some added protection with its strangeness...
There are slippers in there that apparently let the wearer climb walls as well.
There is a nice set of bracers in their apparently meant for an archer, a Potion of Mind Reading (or at least that's what it says on the bottle), some sort of gellatanous bead, a staff that creates flowers wherever it is pointed, and clothes that fix themselves with damaged...
Greko helps with the chest and by help, he simply points to a spot on the cart where they can look things over before departing. Greko sees the slippers and notices they would fit perfectly on his lizard folk feet. He grabs them and tries them on "Yes well none of you have wide feet like mine....or 4 toes. Right then as Rum said let's travel and talk to not waste time...westward to either the castle or King's Landing....I would suggest King's Landing at this point since the battle doesn't look good according to Ro's message and there's no sense ....." A loud crackle of thunder in the distance is heard by everyone. Greko pays no mind and continues. "Right one last question for the Deku Tree.....You don't happen to know where the Ocarina of Time is?"
"You are correct Rum, Hyrule Castle is on the way to King's Landing. Though with the dark forces present and with news of the slaughter their kind has wrought, I imagine making a stop there along the way is much easier said than done. If the castle is well on its way to falling, I say the smarter plan may be to observe Hyrule Castle from afar as we travel a safe distance around it. Once we reach its eastern walls, we can assist those who may have fallen behind during the retreat. Thus, we can do as Rum had suggested."
As Ro speaks he prepared his war horse, Penelope, for travel. Time is of the essence, and as Rum has said, discussion can be made along the way.
Oten climbs up into the cart as well. "I concur that our choice of next immediate destination must be informed by observation. Once we are closer and have more information, we will be able to better discern the most prudent course of action. Though I'll confess... between Kora and the Empress... I'm hoping to be able to prevent further losses. At any rate, I shall look over some of these recent acquisitions as we travel to see what may be useful in our fight."
Oten lays the plunder from the chest, less the slippers, and begins identifying the prizes one by one, starting with the strange armour.
Oten is able to identify all of the materials as they ride. Sorry finds herself a cozy spot in the cart between barrels of Dragonsclaw Ale and curls up, spending her time alone and silent for days. She wakes only to sneak into the wilderness to relieve herself or to sometimes take food or, in rare instances, to steal some of Rum's alcohol. She remains mostly in a stupor, only waking occasionally to speak to Lelith. Otherwise she remains detached.
The road out of the woods is well worn and miles long. Its smooth from years of upkeep, of packing by feet and wagon wheels. There are no rocks or holes or knuckle roots to jar them as they emerge into the vast Hyrule Fields. The moon swells to fruition every evening, and begins to take on a reddened color, until one night a red Blood Moon rises over the land and horrid things howl in the darkness....
After days of travel the band begins to see smoke in the far off horizons. Still, before they can make it that far, they begin to encounter the far off farming villages and outposts that Ganondorf has decimated on his march. Bodies, decayed or, in some instances, mummified inside their homes, are a common occurrence. There are no animals. No birds or bugs calling. The world has taken on an eerie silence in Ganondorf's wake.
Far to the south east they begin to see strange clouds that boil and flashes of pink-purple lightning that crawl through them like the webbing of a vast spider...
They begin to see long trails of people fleeing from the castle region heading southwest toward Kakariko Village. They find blast craters and scorch marks along the way. The region is in a state of pandemonium.
Rum sleeps hard when they camp for that first night of their travelling, not even having the energy to wash himself of all the remnants of their battle. On waking, he finally manages to clean himself in a stream and set about his usual routine of meditation and training. Sleep and a wash are still not quite enough to bring him back to his usual self though, and through the days of travel he stays mostly with his own thoughts, and his routine. Meditation, training and driving the cart become the norm again.
He spots Sorry taking from his ale barrel, thinking she is doing it secretly, but has not the heart to chastise her. In truth he wished she had not come, but acknowledges the lack of options in this regard. Maybe she will want to leave if they come across any of her people.
As the landscape changes, and they see smoke on the horizon and pass the decimated farm houses, it becomes clear that a decision needs to be made.
An hour into their trip, Oten lays out the items he had been examining restlessly.
"This," he says, pointing to the wicked bladed armour,"bear a demonic curse. It is strong armour, but wearing it will bind it to you. You'll be able to speak the tongue of demons, but also be more susceptible to their influence, and it seems it would also make turning your blades against a demon difficult. An interesting thing to find alongside a plane shift amulet. Against normal creatures of this plane, it is a powerful defensive boon, but for someone who may be planning to visit demons on their home plane, it could be more of a diplomatic choice."
He then holds out the strange gelatinous bead. "And this is a bead of refreshment. It can transform up to a pint of mundane liquid into fresh drinking water. Meanwhile these bracers grant extraordinary skill with a bow. Even a novice could don these and begin landing deadly bows. The other items are as they appear. I have detected no curses beyond the one placed upon the armour."
On the night of the blood moon, Oten says, "Our situation is dire, and the stakes extreme. Before we go much further, I would like to have as much information as possible. The book that we found, I wish to probe it. And should it go well, I may be able to use the same technique to learn more about the cube." He holds up a hand in anticipation of protest.
"I am aware of the risks associated with the items, as they seem to want to connect with our minds. It is for that reason, however, that I believe I am the logical choice for this task. My cognitive matrix is not like your fleshy brains, and whether I possess a soul that may be corrupted is largely a matter of philosophical debate. Tonight, I shall prepare my countermeasures and firewalls. I have various programs that should help allay even the worst case scenarios. And then tomorrow, with the blood moon waning, I wish to embark upon this quest for knowledge. This is my own decision... though, I'll not turn down any assistance. What say you, Twilight Embers?"
During the trip, Ro spends time conversing with Kazek; continuing his own studies in the arcane field.
The wizard acknowledges all Oten has to say about the loot they had found previously. It is at Oten's request to experiment with the book and odd cube they had found within the Great Deku Tree where Ro steps in with his own input.
"If you plan to run some experiments, I would like to be with you when you do it. I am also curious about the innerworkings of the peculiar items we found within the Great Tree. That said, I don't mind having you spearhead the experiment with the strange cube. From my own personal experience, there is something sentient within it and I am also curious what would happen should it try to link with a being of your make. However, I personally would like to see to the experimentation of the book. Just as your physical make may lead to an interesting development with the cube's mind link, Kazek is able to transfer his own sentience to different books. I would like to transfer him to the book and see what insights Kazek can tell us of his newfound body."
Rum looks over the items that Oten laid out, and idly picks up the potion.
"Not sure I would risk the armour, but that is just me", he says as he pockets the potion.
As Oten and Ro explain their plans for investigating the book and cube, Rum looks around them at the blood moon and the strange clouds that boil with flashes of pink-purple lightning. At all the other signs of the devastation Ganondorf had caused.
"With great risk comes great reward, and we are in need of some great reward right now", he says to Oten and Ro.
"I am happy for you to do what needs to be done, as long as it doesn't delay us", he adds.
Meanwhile, Lelith spent most of her time working on Sorry during the trip. She generally agreed with the goals set by her companions so she did interfere in any way in the decision-making. Lelith took out what looked like a small bundle of cloth. "Sorry, I got you something."
Lelith unveiled it to reveal Bracers of Archery. "These are wonderous bracers, essential for any archer in battle, that will help you greatly with your archery. Take them, for me and for Kora."
"We have a deal then, Ro. I will begin my preparations." Oten spends the next day on several different tasks as the party travels onwards. At times he is weaving fine circuitry into a small cloth, or polishing several small silver mirrors and constructing stands for them. At one point, he uses a small circular saw to carve two strips of metal out of his pinky before he begins tinkering with them and fashioning them into matching rings.
Whenever he isn't working on any of these tasks, he is inspecting the clothes of mending, running lodestones up and down their length for a period of time before sitting still and doing silent mental calculations.
"May I borrow the Helm of Comprehend Languages?"Oten asks, kneeling before the cube. "Any last words or thoughts?" He looks up at the blood moon, and at the roiling clouds growing ever closer. "We do not know what may come of this, so you had best prepare yourselves for anything."
Greko spent the ride talking about nature and different plants found within to aid them on their journey. There were plants to heal, to eat and to help with ones moods. He saw Sorry sneaking Rums ale and felt badly for her. He sprinkled some mashed up plants into her drink to help relax her and forget for a moment. Each time they stopped he would pick plants, mushrooms and other wild flowers to create poultices and mood relaxers for the trip to help them survive what’s as to come. He also tended to all the animals feeding, grooming and talking to them. He enjoyed being on the road amongst the trees but could feel the darkness looming over his friends.
When Oten and Ro decided to attempt to probe the cube and book one more time Greko makes a suggestion “Let me burn some incense I have to help relax you and keep you healthy. It’s the least Old Greko can do for you both. It’ll be just a moment” with that Greko begins to chant in Druidic as he sits around the incense he has lit and burned. He chants the same line over and over again casting aura of vitality
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Ro pauses a moment as Prim relays her findings to him. It takes the last of his strength to keep himself standing as he listens to the news. Ro turns to the rest of the Twilight Embers and opens his mouth to speak. However he hesitates a moment, wondering if Sorry should hear the news considering her state of mind. Ultimately, the wizard decided it would be best for everyone to hear the state of the realm for it affected everyone, and he was growing all too tired physically, mentally and emotionally to do much more for the day. He reached deep into the last reserves of his energy to speak loud and clear for all to hear:
"It would seem that eastern Hylia is falling to ruin. Open warfare plagues the lands surrounding Hyrule Castle in favor of the dark forces. Devastation has made its way as far as west of Kakariko Village to south of King's Landing. Both Hylian military and regular civilians are seeing innumerable casualties at the hands of Ganondorf's guardians and the Lord of Darkness' merrogons. Also, as Greko has relayed to us, the coming of the third star may indeed be related to the Nothing. As a huge expanse of nothing has appeared between Kakariko Village and King's Landing. It has yet to reach Hyrule Castle..."
Once the elf-dwarf had relayed the news, he walked away from the group; excusing himself from any group discussion or follow-up questions that came up immediately after his message. Ro found himself a private spot in the woods not too far away from the band, but far enough that they wouldn't hear or see what he was doing.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Lelith listened quietly for a few moments. When she put it like that, it was hard for her to resist. So vulnerable, nothing more than a plaything in her hand. A few words and already the girl was trusting her, clinging to her as she cried on her expensive magical clothes and opened up to her. If she had any harmful intentions, Sorry would already be done for. Thankfully for the girl, Lelith had no intention to bring her harm but she saw further use of her in the coming trials that awaited them. What better than a little protégé that depended on her emotionally to do everything she asked? Giving her all the attention? Her manipulating and conniving Eladrin instincts and the ruthless Feywild culture had taken over. Lelith, at least, promised the girl that she'd probably grow better as a person and maybe get her friend brought back to life out of it. It was a good deal.
Lelith had already made the first steps. She has opened up the possibility of a hopeful future, one where Kora would be brought back to life. A light in the tunnel. Sorry already saw her as an ally, someone who could bring that future to reality. Now, she only needed to fill the role Sorry needed. Lelith decided to give it her best. She cupped the smaller girl's cheeks and lifted her head so that she would meet Lelith's eyes without the option to look away. "That is no longer true. You have me now, do you not? I am here for you. Kora has not left you, every memory of her may bring you pain but look at it for what it is, a beautiful moment to remember her as to how she lived, not as to how she died. You carry her legacy, everything that Kora is and was is in your heart and mind. Do you wish to disappoint her by breaking down here? I do not believe that is the case. Show me, Sorry, that you are better than that. While the world breaks apart around us, we need to stand proud now more than ever."
Hopefully, that would keep Sorry from breaking apart in her hands and leave her to pick up the pieces. Lelith, from experience, hated stitching back up broken people. Figuratively and more recently now, literally as well. This wasn't likely enough to have Sorry dancing in the palm of her hands but it is a step in the right direction. Once she got Sorry roped into their next mission, she could work on her some more. Her grief was good in some ways, the other Embers kept away from her to give her space and she did not try to approach them either. Lelith didn't think any sane Fey would leave such an opportunity unused, at least she had good intentions.
Rum hears Ro's news but in his exhausted state he doesn't fall to depression or pessimism, it actually has the opposite effect. It makes him angry and even more determined.
He takes a deep breath in and stands on the seat of the cart, finding the effort more of a struggle than he should, but knowing he was physically and emotionally battered.
"Fellow Embers, my friends", he calls out. "We have proven here that the Twilight Embers are able to make a difference against the darkness. It was but a small battle in the greater war, it is true, and it wasn't without sacrifice I will grant as well", he says, looking over at Sorry when he mentions sacrifice.
"But we have given the Great Deku Tree time and hope. That is our purpose, to bring hope to the people of the lands. For us to do that we too must have hope. If no-one stands against the dark forces, no-one seeks to stop the Nothing, then we have already lost and may as well go home and prepare ourselves for the path to the next life".
"I don't accept that, I cannot accept that. I will fight on until there is no more breath in my body, and when I am called to the Great Dragon's side, I will deserve to be there".
"We lost Kora, there will always be regret in that. But she risked and lost her life so that others might keep hope alive. The Great Deku Tree has hope because of her. I live to fight another day because of her. I will take that gift of life to Ganondorf and the Lord of Darkness, and I will shove it down their throats until they choke on it!".
"Now for the Great Dragon's sake, let's go and show the world what the Twilight Embers are all about! Let us fight back!".
Greko opens his eyes from meditating and hears the tail end of Rum's motivational speech as he walks over. "Yes, Rum is correct. We must make haste to Hyrule Castle and help them defend themselves. If we fail we must find the Ocarina of Time and prevent Ganondorf from finding it. Perhaps someone in Hyrule Castle will know where the Ocarina is unless The Great Deku Tree knows? Our last resort should be to take who we can and retreat to Celestia and protect the last piece of Triforce. This is what I believe we should do."
"The plan may have changed."
Ro appears back from the nearby shrubbery he had disappeared off to moments ago. The elf-dwarf took a moment to wipe his eyes clean with his forearm and sniffled in a breath of air to compose himself.
"My family lives. They are at Hyrule Castle which is currently under siege by Ganondorf's forces. My father says they will soon lose the castle and are already making plans to retreat to King's Landing," Ro pauses a moment, taking comfort in the fact that his family was still alive, "So we have two plausible options: 1) we continue to Hyrule Castle to defend whatever is still left standing, or 2) we make way to King's Landing to regroup with whatever forces and Hyrulean authority have survived the dark force's onslaught. If the castle has already fallen, I believe there is merit to Greko's plan but we should confirm it first with either options I have mentioned."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum looks down towards Ro from his position on the cart.
"Forgive me, friend Ro. I am trying to remember the maps of Hylia that I have seen in the past. Is Hyrule Castle not between us and King's Landing anyway? Or near as makes no mind. Especially as the Nothing blocks the direct route", he asks of the False Knight, not trusting in his memory one hundred percent.
"Would it not be wise to head to the castle and see the situation there, and potentially help ensure the retreat is successful?", he adds.
"Either way we travel East many days. Can we discuss further on the way, fellow Embers?", he finishes, still eager to get moving and not waste precious time that could result in more death or tragedy.
The chest was filled with all manner of things. It seemed to be some sort of supply cache for...well...whoever it was for, they apparently intended to jump between worlds as well as to be well outfitted when they did so. There is money inside. A LOT of money. There is 19,000 gold inside the chest.
With the money is a strange amulet which appears to be an Amulet of the Planes, as well as a strange suit of armor that looks like it has blades in the wrists...but it seems to be...what? Alive? Like it wants to mold itself to the wearer? Regardless, it does offer some added protection with its strangeness...
There are slippers in there that apparently let the wearer climb walls as well.
There is a nice set of bracers in their apparently meant for an archer, a Potion of Mind Reading (or at least that's what it says on the bottle), some sort of gellatanous bead, a staff that creates flowers wherever it is pointed, and clothes that fix themselves with damaged...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Greko helps with the chest and by help, he simply points to a spot on the cart where they can look things over before departing. Greko sees the slippers and notices they would fit perfectly on his lizard folk feet. He grabs them and tries them on "Yes well none of you have wide feet like mine....or 4 toes. Right then as Rum said let's travel and talk to not waste time...westward to either the castle or King's Landing....I would suggest King's Landing at this point since the battle doesn't look good according to Ro's message and there's no sense ....." A loud crackle of thunder in the distance is heard by everyone. Greko pays no mind and continues. "Right one last question for the Deku Tree.....You don't happen to know where the Ocarina of Time is?"
"You are correct Rum, Hyrule Castle is on the way to King's Landing. Though with the dark forces present and with news of the slaughter their kind has wrought, I imagine making a stop there along the way is much easier said than done. If the castle is well on its way to falling, I say the smarter plan may be to observe Hyrule Castle from afar as we travel a safe distance around it. Once we reach its eastern walls, we can assist those who may have fallen behind during the retreat. Thus, we can do as Rum had suggested."
As Ro speaks he prepared his war horse, Penelope, for travel. Time is of the essence, and as Rum has said, discussion can be made along the way.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum slumps down on the cart bench, his eagerness abated now that he realises they are almost ready to go.
He turns to look towards the loud crackle of thunder, before turning back to the Great Deku Tree.
"Fare well, Great Tree", he calls across after it answers Greko, and then starts to manoeuvre the cart slowly around to the path they would be taking.
He looks over at Sorry, trying to figure out what her plans are and whether he also needs to say his goodbyes to her.
Oten climbs up into the cart as well. "I concur that our choice of next immediate destination must be informed by observation. Once we are closer and have more information, we will be able to better discern the most prudent course of action. Though I'll confess... between Kora and the Empress... I'm hoping to be able to prevent further losses. At any rate, I shall look over some of these recent acquisitions as we travel to see what may be useful in our fight."
Oten lays the plunder from the chest, less the slippers, and begins identifying the prizes one by one, starting with the strange armour.
Oten is able to identify all of the materials as they ride. Sorry finds herself a cozy spot in the cart between barrels of Dragonsclaw Ale and curls up, spending her time alone and silent for days. She wakes only to sneak into the wilderness to relieve herself or to sometimes take food or, in rare instances, to steal some of Rum's alcohol. She remains mostly in a stupor, only waking occasionally to speak to Lelith. Otherwise she remains detached.
The road out of the woods is well worn and miles long. Its smooth from years of upkeep, of packing by feet and wagon wheels. There are no rocks or holes or knuckle roots to jar them as they emerge into the vast Hyrule Fields. The moon swells to fruition every evening, and begins to take on a reddened color, until one night a red Blood Moon rises over the land and horrid things howl in the darkness....
After days of travel the band begins to see smoke in the far off horizons. Still, before they can make it that far, they begin to encounter the far off farming villages and outposts that Ganondorf has decimated on his march. Bodies, decayed or, in some instances, mummified inside their homes, are a common occurrence. There are no animals. No birds or bugs calling. The world has taken on an eerie silence in Ganondorf's wake.
Far to the south east they begin to see strange clouds that boil and flashes of pink-purple lightning that crawl through them like the webbing of a vast spider...
They begin to see long trails of people fleeing from the castle region heading southwest toward Kakariko Village. They find blast craters and scorch marks along the way. The region is in a state of pandemonium.
There are distant reports that rumble the sky.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Rum sleeps hard when they camp for that first night of their travelling, not even having the energy to wash himself of all the remnants of their battle. On waking, he finally manages to clean himself in a stream and set about his usual routine of meditation and training. Sleep and a wash are still not quite enough to bring him back to his usual self though, and through the days of travel he stays mostly with his own thoughts, and his routine. Meditation, training and driving the cart become the norm again.
He spots Sorry taking from his ale barrel, thinking she is doing it secretly, but has not the heart to chastise her. In truth he wished she had not come, but acknowledges the lack of options in this regard. Maybe she will want to leave if they come across any of her people.
As the landscape changes, and they see smoke on the horizon and pass the decimated farm houses, it becomes clear that a decision needs to be made.
An hour into their trip, Oten lays out the items he had been examining restlessly.
"This," he says, pointing to the wicked bladed armour, "bear a demonic curse. It is strong armour, but wearing it will bind it to you. You'll be able to speak the tongue of demons, but also be more susceptible to their influence, and it seems it would also make turning your blades against a demon difficult. An interesting thing to find alongside a plane shift amulet. Against normal creatures of this plane, it is a powerful defensive boon, but for someone who may be planning to visit demons on their home plane, it could be more of a diplomatic choice."
He then holds out the strange gelatinous bead. "And this is a bead of refreshment. It can transform up to a pint of mundane liquid into fresh drinking water. Meanwhile these bracers grant extraordinary skill with a bow. Even a novice could don these and begin landing deadly bows. The other items are as they appear. I have detected no curses beyond the one placed upon the armour."
On the night of the blood moon, Oten says, "Our situation is dire, and the stakes extreme. Before we go much further, I would like to have as much information as possible. The book that we found, I wish to probe it. And should it go well, I may be able to use the same technique to learn more about the cube." He holds up a hand in anticipation of protest.
"I am aware of the risks associated with the items, as they seem to want to connect with our minds. It is for that reason, however, that I believe I am the logical choice for this task. My cognitive matrix is not like your fleshy brains, and whether I possess a soul that may be corrupted is largely a matter of philosophical debate. Tonight, I shall prepare my countermeasures and firewalls. I have various programs that should help allay even the worst case scenarios. And then tomorrow, with the blood moon waning, I wish to embark upon this quest for knowledge. This is my own decision... though, I'll not turn down any assistance. What say you, Twilight Embers?"
During the trip, Ro spends time conversing with Kazek; continuing his own studies in the arcane field.
The wizard acknowledges all Oten has to say about the loot they had found previously. It is at Oten's request to experiment with the book and odd cube they had found within the Great Deku Tree where Ro steps in with his own input.
"If you plan to run some experiments, I would like to be with you when you do it. I am also curious about the innerworkings of the peculiar items we found within the Great Tree. That said, I don't mind having you spearhead the experiment with the strange cube. From my own personal experience, there is something sentient within it and I am also curious what would happen should it try to link with a being of your make. However, I personally would like to see to the experimentation of the book. Just as your physical make may lead to an interesting development with the cube's mind link, Kazek is able to transfer his own sentience to different books. I would like to transfer him to the book and see what insights Kazek can tell us of his newfound body."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum looks over the items that Oten laid out, and idly picks up the potion.
"Not sure I would risk the armour, but that is just me", he says as he pockets the potion.
As Oten and Ro explain their plans for investigating the book and cube, Rum looks around them at the blood moon and the strange clouds that boil with flashes of pink-purple lightning. At all the other signs of the devastation Ganondorf had caused.
"With great risk comes great reward, and we are in need of some great reward right now", he says to Oten and Ro.
"I am happy for you to do what needs to be done, as long as it doesn't delay us", he adds.
Meanwhile, Lelith spent most of her time working on Sorry during the trip. She generally agreed with the goals set by her companions so she did interfere in any way in the decision-making. Lelith took out what looked like a small bundle of cloth. "Sorry, I got you something."
Lelith unveiled it to reveal Bracers of Archery. "These are wonderous bracers, essential for any archer in battle, that will help you greatly with your archery. Take them, for me and for Kora."
"We have a deal then, Ro. I will begin my preparations." Oten spends the next day on several different tasks as the party travels onwards. At times he is weaving fine circuitry into a small cloth, or polishing several small silver mirrors and constructing stands for them. At one point, he uses a small circular saw to carve two strips of metal out of his pinky before he begins tinkering with them and fashioning them into matching rings.
Whenever he isn't working on any of these tasks, he is inspecting the clothes of mending, running lodestones up and down their length for a period of time before sitting still and doing silent mental calculations.
By the time the next night arrives, he is ready. He clears some space in the cart and sets up the polished mirrors in a circle at varying heights and angles to create dizzying chains of reflection. He places the cube in the center of the ring and lays the circuit-weave over it like a veil.
"May I borrow the Helm of Comprehend Languages?" Oten asks, kneeling before the cube. "Any last words or thoughts?" He looks up at the blood moon, and at the roiling clouds growing ever closer. "We do not know what may come of this, so you had best prepare yourselves for anything."
Greko spent the ride talking about nature and different plants found within to aid them on their journey. There were plants to heal, to eat and to help with ones moods. He saw Sorry sneaking Rums ale and felt badly for her. He sprinkled some mashed up plants into her drink to help relax her and forget for a moment. Each time they stopped he would pick plants, mushrooms and other wild flowers to create poultices and mood relaxers for the trip to help them survive what’s as to come. He also tended to all the animals feeding, grooming and talking to them. He enjoyed being on the road amongst the trees but could feel the darkness looming over his friends.
When Oten and Ro decided to attempt to probe the cube and book one more time Greko makes a suggestion “Let me burn some incense I have to help relax you and keep you healthy. It’s the least Old Greko can do for you both. It’ll be just a moment” with that Greko begins to chant in Druidic as he sits around the incense he has lit and burned. He chants the same line over and over again casting aura of vitality