Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

"Food we have, mounts we do not. But just let me associates here know what you need and they will be sure it comes with you all when you leave. And no, I can't say that I have, but then my attentions have been more focused lately. Are they supposed to be here? I can't say I deal with the Emerald Enclave unless really necessary."

Lulu looks to Katryl to confirm she's not missed something, but shakes her head. "I'm afraid we do no' ken where he was meant to be, only that he were lost. Thank ye, though. Goddess willing, our paths may still cross." 

With nothing more to request, the cleric bids the unlikely pair farewell and makes her way back outside, intending to give Twilight's Rites to those lost in the skirmish while supplies are gathered. Though moving at her usual unhurried pace, there's something in the firbolg's posture that suggests she's quite eager to leave.

Horkas collects the dust and fragments from the gem for use in his alchemical and mechanical experimentation later, being careful to not touch any of it with bare skin and securing it in a metal container with a locking top! He is glad to be rid of this dark and conflicted city under the ground and quietly follows the group out of it and back to their remaining forces. At least they had a way to get to Gravenhollow...

Khessa is initially less than satisfied with abandoning Mantol-Derith... That is a city of which she had excellent memories, both for the time she spent there in pleasant company, and for the fact that it is precisely from that city that, thanks with Traydark's invaluable help, she had managed to obtain the realization of her greatest desire: the liberation of her family! The memory of all those beloved faces who, rescued from a fate that seemed as terrible as it was inevitable, had made their appearance in the secret city, makes her smile and almost move... How could she, at that time, not have noticed immediately that Traydark was actually a Celestial? Who else could have performed such a miracle for her?

The blonde arcane warrior would like to stay in Mantol-Derith for a while, if only to see with her own eyes the cessation of the influence of the Demonic Madness... But in the end she resigns herself and follows the Angels out of the town. After all, the mysterious library of Gravenhollow awaits... Who knows how many and what secrets are kept there? And who knows, maybe right there we might find the key to driving the Demon Lords back into the Abyss from which they came?

And then there are also Anator and the infantry boys who are waiting for her... Oh, right, speaking of them... the tall adventuress, struck by a doubt, approaches Horkas and asks him: "Please, Horkas, my Celestial friend, tell me a thing... Are the members of our little army also Angels? I mean the infantry, the scouts, the Zhentarim thugs... Or are they normal people like me?"

Horkas looks to Lulu or Katryl for help in responding to the charmed warrior. "Khessa, my dear, as far as I know we are all mortals. Perhaps our souls are celestial in nature, so that when we die a part of us lives on forever. But no - we are not Angels. How did you come to this conclusion? It was only after you initially touched the gem that you started to call us this...could it be you are still under some sort of glamoured influence?"

Katryl catches Horkas' look and is not quite sure what she might add after his comment. But she tries anyhow. "Yea, the others are certainly not celestials."  She then kind of shrugs, hoping that placates the warrior. "I do think it is important we get to Gravenhollow. And without too much delay."

Khessa seems to easily accept that the members of the 'army' are not celestials... indeed, this perhaps makes her feel less 'different' compared to the Angels who form the party. But she doesn't seem very inclined to believe what Horkas tells her: "Horkas... but... it's clear that you are Angels! See, the gem, when I touched it, messed with my head, charming me... and the charm now is gone... but the process also helped me to see the truth like I was never been able to do before. That's why I finally understood that you are Celestials... it's the only explanation that makes sense".

"Because, if not," the blonde arcane warrior muses "would they have sent only you and a handful of men, with me, against the Demon Lords? Would it make sense to you, sending a handful of ordinary soldiers and adventurers? Such a group would not have the slightest hope against creatures that embody the primordial and absolute evil chaos! Come on, don't make fun of me!" she smiles, amused "Of course you are Angels. That's why Traydark managed to free my family from the slavery of the drow. That's why together we managed to stop the Demon Lord Jubilex's plans on Blindgenstone, prevailing over his chosen one, the Pudding King, who had overwhelming magical powers at his disposal. That's why Lulu was able to easily cure Katryl of the magical aging caused by the ghost. That's why you, Horkas, easily understood that the gem had to be destroyed, while, on the contrary, I was hopelessly subjugated by its charming power. And, last but not least, why would Katryl tell that 'the others' are not Celestials? This means that you, my friends, on the contrary, are!"

"It's all so obvious..." the tall adventuress seems firmly convinced "But if you prefer me not to say anything to anyone, don't worry," she agrees, in a conspiratorial manner "I'll keep this secret to myself. No one will ever suspect that an angel is hiding under your gnome appearance".

"Although sometimes..." after some time, Khessa seems worried "Sometimes I fear that the reality is much worse... Sometimes I have the impression that there is no reality. That all this is... imagination. A colossal lie. That we don't exist, none of us. Not even the Multiverse. That it's all like... a stupid game, a mental exercise by someone, who is imagining us and deciding our actions, our our thoughts, even our feelings, as if we were puppets... and that we exist only like this, like puppets pulled by the mental strings of others for their sole entertainment, without any consideration for what we really are, what we really want, or what we really are worth..."

"It's such a strange feeling..." the blonde arcane warrior admits "And the worst thing, is the thought that I only have this feeling because someone else, this 'someone else' who is imagining me and using me in the his stupid game of imagination, decided this way and they find it funny... And I can't even ask you Angels either to confirm that what surrounds us is all real, because if I'm right you aren't real either, nor are the Demon Lords, not even my family..."

"A game... All a stupid game... In which we are puppets - and without which we are nothing..." the tall adventuress seems deeply troubled and remains silent, probably distressed by this conviction, so inconceivable - clearly unfounded, of course, anyone who isn't crazy knows the truth very well - and yet so real, for her...

(*Khessa has escaped the Matrix* :P lol)

Ghazrim stands up as the Zhentarim agents fetch whatever supplies are needed. "One thing I do know though: Things have gotten considerably more dangerous down here in the Underdark as of late, as if they weren't hostile enough already. Multiple sightings of demon lords, if you are to believe them of course, and influences from their presence directly or indirectly are almost commonplace it seems. Destruction, monster activity, disease and madness have all increased I hear." He gets a concerned look. "I hope you are all up to this task and you find the answers you need all the sooner. Stay vigilante."

Well... However, if no other complications occur, Khessa, although convinced of the fact that her friends are Angels and, at times, troubled by matrix-like thoughts, is still determined to reunite with Anator and the Army (to whose members she does not reveal anything about her new thoughts, keeping them to herself) to then set off immediately towards Gravenhollow...

Katryl looks around at the others. "Is there any indication how far Gravenhollow would be? Do we leave our companions camped here to go and come back? Or should we gather everyone to travel? If we are going to set out with everyone, I'd like to get the scouts moving to be able to check out our path." 

The noble drow gives his zhentarim contact a grateful bow and is ready to leave.
As Katryl asks about Gravenhollow, Traydark nods and tries to access the knowledge of the ring to see if he can answer her.

(The ring works more like a compass, and not quite like the locate object spell or similar. So it will point you in the best direction but it will not tell you how far it is. The path will be the easiest and relatively safest, but it will not divine any possible interference or interactions between you and the target location. I think of it a little like the compass that Jack Sparrow has in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie that helps him find Isla de Muerta, if you know that reference.)

"The ring seems to give me the direction of Gravenhollow but not the distance. I have no strong opinion on the matter but unless we can travel considerably faster without them I suggest we journey to Gravenhollow together with our allies. There is no telling when, and even if, we will return to Mantol-Derith I'm afraid." The noble Drow says grimly to the Genasi, then letting the others share their opinion.

"Yes," Khessa agrees "let's move together with our Army. Even if you are Angels, it doesn't mean you are invincible... we already risked losing one of us once..." the blue eyes look for a moment with concern Lunaria "Let's stick together and try to make the most of every help we have. Keeping the habit of sending the Eemerald Enclave to scout ahead for example is an excellent idea".

When Khessa looks at Lulu, she sees concern reflected back at her as the cleric considers what method might be used to cleanse their human of her Madness. After Ghazrim's mention of increased Madness and disease, spells of restoration would need to be kept on hand. 

Lulu then glances around at her companions and the new additions to their party, then shifts the heavy weight of their new supplies upon her back. Though maybe it's not the weight of the pack at all that she feels upon her shoulders. 

The noble drow gives Khessa a worried glance. She was clearly delusional, and while it could have been much worse he hoped they would soon find a remedy for her affliction. Maybe the library of Gravenhollow would hold answers.

Khessa finds it difficult to recognize that feeling in Traydark's eyes... She is used to being looked at by him with admiration... (or with annoyance, the not so few times she does somethign he doesn't like or understand...) To being seen as a strong element of the team, as a resource you can count on.

While now... that look, that feeling... the tall adventuress isn't sure she recognizes it. What is the noble drow thinking of her?

'Assuming that it's really him who is thinking...' the blonde arcane warrior muses in private 'If we are all puppets manipulated by the mental strings of other entities, perhaps it was someone else who decided to make him think something different. But what? And why?'

[[ Lol! Khessa is not used to be seen as vulnerable (although obviously she is) ]]

Your small army, such as it is, has been waiting more or less patiently for your return. They are all eager to get going again though, none really wanting to sit too long until better fortifications can be made.

OOC:

When you are ready to proceed, I will ask everyone to roll a straight d20. 

Katryl has been perfectly fine humoring Khessa in her madness.  She figures she'll be all the more cooperative if she thinks they are celestials of some sort.  "Who am I to argue with her?' she thinks.   She nods when Traydark explains the way the ring works. "It does seem we should travel with our forces.  I'll speak with the scouts to see if we can keep an eye on the path ahead."  She pauses, "Though if Traydark is only aware of the direction as we travel, I'm not sure how far ahead they can go if they don't know definitively where we're going." 

(Ready to proceed. D20: 15)