Heavy is the Head - Campaign thread

- Hmm, those are good advices ... or most of them are. But what she's said about Fitz worries me. I hope we don't have to end on bad terms with him because he wants to disclose information he shouldn't be disclosed. And I say this because killing him is out of the question for me. I'd sooner try to convince him or find any other way for him to stop talking. But killing him? No way I'm killing him twice. And regarding Rhys, I can't begin to imagine how to extract any information from him, but it doesn't look like we can't avoid that. 

She sighs. The tasks are head keep getting harder and harder.

- Well, at least Ali is going to be happy. It's good news that he's going to meet Hamza. In any case, now that we are approaching the Tree we need to go carefully. I'm not sure if the HCM is going to be right there.

 (Stealth if needed: 18)

"You honor me." Ali nods meaningfully at each of you, but then takes off immediately at a quick pace through the woods towards the kobold mines, without waiting for any more response.

There does not seem to be any HMC activity at the base of the village tree, and the elevator will descend to you when you arrive. 

Lam listens intently to Hemlock’s report, his brow furrowing in concentration as many new concerns pop up. He nods when Saoirse says she doesn’t want to kill Fitz- he doesn’t either, but it hadn’t occurred to him how Fitz might cause problems by sharing what he knew about the crown. He hopes Fitz can be persuaded to keep quiet about it. He does his best to focus in his mind on what will need to be done- help the Village Tree now, and probably go to Grave Fort After.

Lam nods back at Ali when he takes off. It doesn’t surprise him to see the lizardfolk hurry off so quickly, and he wonders when they’ll see him again. When they reach the base of the elevator, Lam seems eager to ascend but will wait for his friends to get on before he does.

"Killing him was not the only option, but our ally could read my thoughts and knew my feelings on the matter. Swapping one prison for another or death are not options I find acceptable. We must find another way to ensure Fitzwhistle does not be too open with his knowledge", Hemlock replies to Saoirse as they discuss his communion with Hamza. He quite obviously refuses to speak the name of dragon openly himself.

Hemlock waves goodbye to Ali, certain that this is not the last time they will see him. He then follows Lam to the elevator up to Village Tree.

Saoirse follows the rest to the elevator. Though she wants to go help the kids as soon as possible, she's eager to be in the Tree again, and specially to hug Tesfaye, who she misses a lot. She motions Eliza and Fitz to follow along, and warns the wizard:

- Saffi didn't cause the best of impressions in Village Tree. She...well... used her skills to trick some of them into giving some items to her, which was kind of stupid because they would have given them willingly had she only asked. Anyway, I'm telling you this just so you go there informed. I think if you just follow along you'll find these are good people, and that you will be cared for if you decide to stay. It might do you good, Eliza. 

As the lift ascends, she also explains the newcomers how life in the Tree works, and the fact that there is no commerce and people give gifts instead.

Sha-gravis hugs his egg, hums a bit as the elevator goes up he can feel the vibration as the hatchling inside perfectly recites the song.  It is nice to have this distraction because the thought of killing Fitz after just freeing him, the closeness of his Goddess as the soul was transferred... after hearing Fitz discuss the possibility of creating a process whereby all may cheat death however also deeply disturbed him.

"Fitz once we are settled in could you and I meet for a drink a smoke and a talk?  I need to tell you something privately."  Sha looks into Fitz's eyes trying to see the gnome in the machine...

"I will happily. sit with you. while you drink and smoke.                     I can not enjoy. those things myself, anymore.                     Just say the . word.                             Oh, it has been. far too long. since I was last here.                       This place is fascinating." It is difficult to see emotion or sincerity on this mechanical face, but you can see the construct shifting its focus between the mechanism of the vines that lift the elevator and all of the other infrastructure of Village tree, and the delighted and distracted thinker and designer does feel like he has persisted in Fitzwhistle's new form.

The elevator rises slowly to the central circle of the Village tree, flat, smoothed bark formed by the magical communion of a people and a tree, and the life of the village pulses through it, as people walk back and forth between the radiating branches and their platforms. Life proceeds as usual here - but there is a tension in the air. People greet each other warmly, but conversations quickly fall either into hushed tones, or become loud with conflict. Before you even get to the top, you can hear a centaur and an elf arguing - in elvish.

 Centaur: "¡Corajudo! Creo que te refieres al machismo tonto, ¡que van a dejar que los maten!"
Elf: "¡Alguien tiene que hacer frente a los invasores! Es como dijo Cylence, "¡si guardas silencio ante la injusticia, estás apoyando al opresor!"
Centaur "¡No, es como Rhys siempre nos ha enseñado! "El bien que trae la violencia es siempre temporal. El mal que trae es permanente"." - 
Elf: "¡Ey! ¡No llames malvado a mi hijo! o tonto!"

 When the twisted vines hoisting the elevator platform stop, you can see the pair of them try to cut off their argument as they see you, embarassed to be so heated against their neighbors. Saoirse recognises the elf as the one who gave her her parrying dagger and rapier.

In the middle of the circle, standing where they can see both of the Village Tree's lifts, is a tortle, looking healthy and strong, with a multitool hanging from their adapted harness, and a shell that is looking fully healed. When they see you, they walk directly over, looking from one of you to another with arms outsretched - clearly wanting to go for a hug but also not wanting anyone to feel like they chose someone else first. At the same time, they stare open-mouthed at Fitzwhistle, and mutter technical jargon about the fineness of the joints and the complexity of the gearwork. Tesfaye is so happy to see you.

In the elevator, Lam watches Fitz react to the tree, amazed that he can decipher any emotion at all from the construct’s mechanical features. When they reach the top, Lam notices that the mood is so different from when they were last here. He still doesn’t understand any elvish beyond people’s names, but he can tell that people are talking in a generally more tense tone of voice than before.

Before Lam really understands what he’s doing, he rushes over to Tesfaye to return the hug. Then he takes a better look at Tesfaye and says, joy in his voice, “Your shell looks better.” He is clearly happy to see them as well. Beyond that, he lets everyone else take the lead in talking, since he knows the mood here is tense but knows nothing else beyond what his friends have relayed to him.

Saoirse can't deny she's excited for returning to Village Tree. She's eager to see so many good people again: Tesfaye, the kids she trained ...  and a long list of names. She hopes everyone is doing fine and is verysurprised to see the change in the air that welcomes them as soon as the lift reaches the top, though she probably should have expected something like that, with the HMC being so near. Tesfaye wouldn't have reached them in such a hurry if things were as when they left, would they?

Despite the tension, the genasi smiles openly when the tortle appears, and as soon as they are free from Lam's embrace she runs to them and hugs them tightly:

- Tesfaye! It's so good to see you, I've missed you so much! This is Fitwzwhistle - she introduced the automaton, and then the wizard - and she is Eliza, a friend of Saffron's. 

She spares a glance towards the elf and the centaur, and though she wants to go greet them she remains with Tesfaye and the rest, wanting to hear about what's happening from the tortle first.

- The tension here is clear. Tell us about this, please. Where is Rhys? And Cylence?

Hemlock joins the others in greeting Tesfaye, happily patting his friend on the shell whilst he hugs Lam and Saoirse.

"It is good to see you, my friend. I am heartened to see you are looking so much better".

He had heard the heated exchange as they ascended on the elevator, and is interested to hear the answer to Saoirse's question. "Yes, do tell us all that has gone on since we left".

The tortle hugs each of you, and gathers their thoughts, but when they begins to answer, a tangential interest takes over their speech, as is wont to happen to geeks every now and again.

"Well, it's been a really exciting few days for me in terms of understanding the local magic and culture. Did you know that almost none of them consider themselves truly native to this place? The elves have a story about crowwing from the feywild a very very long time ago - but mixed with other groups that came more recently. Centaurs, firbolgs, halflings, all of them seem to have first come to the valley during the cataclysm just before the rise of the so-called true king. And yet they have different stories about how they came or why. Oh! The stories! OK, you have to come to storytelling circle on the west lookout as soon as you get a chance! Obviosly many exhibit druidic skills, but what really facsinates me is that I always dismissed bardic magic as just using derivatives of wizards arts or cleric's belief as fuel, but--"

"They generate. arcane fields. using momentary belief. as a part of storytelling.                         It amazed me. when I first visited. a few decades ago.                Even the young children. in this culture. seem to have bardic capabil-"

"And it's the culture that does it! Not the race! I've seen bugbear children use bardic magic, alongside firbolg kids! Though of course, the skill of the storyteller makes a huge difference! There is a firbolg child, Lichen, who is absolutely amazing - Sha-Gravis, you have to hear his rendition of "The two-headed dragon of the moon," he says you taught it to him! I've been playing with the theory that the tree itself resonates to create the effec-"

"It is a factor, but the locals. seem to retain the ability. to a lesser extent, even far. from the tree."

The artificers are looking at each other with growing admiration and fascination, but Tesfaye pulls themself back to answering your question, saving their hope for a delightfully nerdy conversation for later.

"Sorry, but it is amazing. Um, not all that much has happened right here at the tree, but Rhys let us know yesterday that a family that was crossing the south bridge was taken as prisoners by the HMC because they didn't tell the password for getting across. But the locals don't know the password, the bridge guard apparently just lets locals pass! And it seems like the HMC is planning to just blow up the bridge or kill the water elemental, and they're moving equipment down there to do it. All of that has more and more arguments happening here, and people worrying about when they'll come for us, too. It doesn't help that your friend stole a bunch of stuff and made fun of everyone here. I'm sorry, Eliza, but I think it's going to be harder than it should be for you to make friends up here. Anyway, Rhys and Cylence got into a huge argument about whether we should be fighting back - hear that, two days in the tree and I'm already saying 'we' - and it seems like everybody is kind of taking sides. A bunch of the teenagers who were more on Cylence's side got together, and decided that they would go off and destroy HMC equipment and stop them from attacking the bridge. We only know because the bugbear kids - Kristof and Kurt - left notes. I don't know what you said to them, Lam, but apparently they said that no self-respecting bugbear would stand around when they could protect their friends." Tesfaye pauses to take a breath and gauge your reactions. "Rhys and Cylence were both gone this morning by the time we saw the note, but the others say that's normal, they're both always busy with things all over the valley. Nobody knows what Cylence does during the day, but he always shows up when you need him, they say. And Rhys... well he's got the whole valley to see to. Someone said they think they saw him flying off to the greatwood this morning. Of course, that could have just been a regular giant eagle."

Eliza is looking around, and doesn't seem to be aware of the tension at all. What she sees is the most peaceful community she's ever encountered, scores of people living together and all of them looking well-fed and clean, no beggars or thieves, no-one looking over their shoulders in fear of who might be lurking in the shadows. "This can't be real. What's the catch?" she says quietly, mostly to herself.

The centaur and the elf are clearly still a little upset, but they nod and give each other a brief respectful handshake before continuing on with their day. "Be well, friend. My thoughts are with your son." "Take care. All stories are true."

As Tesfaye mentions Lichen, Sha-gravis gets a little sullen wondering how much trouble is on the horizon for village tree.  If Saffron can be rescued and if she has any insight into the greater plans/goals of Jona and the HMC...  It seems like there's no end of trouble and many fires to put out...  If it seems like there is an opportunity Sha will slip out and give his Goddess an hour of prayer and devotion, if not well, he will follow as needed.

Hemlock listens to Tesfaye as he rambles on about this that and the other, politely allowinghim and Fitz to discuss things as he patiently waits. When talk turns to the actions of the HMC though, he perks up.

"They are imprisoning locals without cause then, that is not good. They are perhaps becoming desperate. I wonder if they are being leant on more, especially after that sorceress, Samantha, was killed. Perhaps that did not go down too well", he suggests.

"Whatever the cause, we cannot allow those kids to get mixed up with the HMC and potentially captured. Do they know the password to cross the river?".

Lam enjoys listening to Tesfaye’s excited prattle about things he only partially understands. He does his best to follow along as they and Fitz delve into the intricacies of this culture’s storytelling magic, but he also becomes more alert when the subject turns back to the HMC. He furrows his brow when Tesfaye mentions a family captured because they didn’t know the password for crossing a bridge. Why should there be a password for that?!

When Kurt and Kristof are brought up, Lam is visibly alarmed, and a flood of emotions are brought up to the surface at once. They had better be okay! If they end up hurt because of how he influenced them…! But at the same time, a small part of him is proud- and relieved that they left a note, since that’s probably why anyone knows where any of the kids are. He hopes the HMC would be reasonable enough not to capture or hurt children, but suspects they might look past that if they are destroying equipment- and he knows from experience that bugbear teenagers in particular can easily be mistaken for or treated like adults. He has no time to process any of these fast-moving thoughts and emotions as he speaks up: “We have to go. To find them. No time for Rhys or Cyclence.” His voice contains urgency and he looks like he wants to leave right this very instant, but he waits to see what his friends will do.

The blood hunter smiles slightly as Tesfaye and Fitz begin having a dialogue only they understand. She was sure they would get along great, and it's good to see that happening.

She nods to what the rest says, specially to Lam saying that they cannot wait for Rhys nor Cylence. There will be time to see them later, and the kids - and that family Tesfaye's mentioned - are the top priority. She's not sure what they'll be able to do against the HMC, but they'll probably figure it out once they are there. Also, it would seem this is the time they will finally confront Jonah and only the gods know what will happen when they do...

Before leaving, she makes sure to greet the centaur and the elf.

- I couldn't help but notice your argument. I don't know what we'll be able to do about the HMC but ...we'll figure it out okay. Just... let's try to not get so heated, please. We have to be united. We'll figure this out together somehow.

To the elf in particular she says:

- The dagger and rapier have served me so fine. I wanted to thank you again. By the way, who's your son? What's his name? We'll be going to meet them soon enough, so I'll check for him too.

She also tries to spare a quick look in search for any of the kids she trained with the last time they where in the Tree, particularly the fairy kid that was upset because he didn't want to let go of the training sword. If she sees any of them, she'll wave cheerfully to them.

"Yeah, I understand the urgency. You should be able to get to the bridge and back within just the next few hours, so rushing off makes sense, if you feel ready for that. Though you have to promise me to be careful. Are your friends warriors, too, or should Eliza and Fitzwhistle stay here? No, as far as I know, the locals generally don't know the password, except for Rhys. Like I said, the bridge guards apparently just let them pass. I haven't seen the bridges myself, so I don't really get the big deal, or how someone can guard the bridge against the whole HMC, it seems really strange to me."

"The bridges. are guarded. by a spectator.             It behaves. very strangely.                   I was told. that they were summoned. by the high elves; but I. believe they are. controlled. by the crown."

"A spectator! Those things are terrifying. I've only seen diagrams in books. Although, to study one up close.... no. Much too dangerous. What do you mean by a crown though?"

It looks like Fitz is ready to tell him, and unaware of any need to be coy with his information.

The centaur nods, but also seems a little annoyed by Saoirse's comments. "Yeah, obviously the tree is united, stranger. I appreciate that you want to help, but I don't know that teaching children to carry weapons is the right way to go about that. Maybe spend more time listening, and less telling others how to live." He trots off towards the north branch after a curt bow.

The tall elf waits a few moments before commenting. "I apologize for my friend. He has only ever known peace, and does not recognize that some threats can not be met only by turning the other cheek. Neither does he have a teenage son or daughter, so he has not faced rebellion around his hearth just yet. My older son is still an adolescent, and it must be said, can be a bit hard-headed. He has olive skin, like me, and bright eyes, like his mother. He will no doubt be leading the charge. My younger son has not been seen without his practice scimitar since your last visit, and already talks of fending off the invaders. I fear he is more right than he has any right to be. It is an honor that these weapons have been serving you well."

Is Sha-Gravis stepping aside for prayer?

Hemlock listens as Fitz tells of the spectator, and he almost double takes when the automaton casually drops the crown into the conversation.

"Well that is all good information", he interrupts and takes Fitz by the shoulders twisting him away from Tesfaye in the hope he would not keep talking. "It sounds like you know an awful lot about the situation, I think you should come with us. Eliza, I expect you would prefer to recuperate here?".

"Can I borrow you for a moment, Fitz?", he says and tries to lead him back towards the lift to have a private conversation.

Is Sha-Gravis stepping aside for prayer?

No.  Hearing of the dire circumstances and the children's involvement, Sha is prepared to go immediately with the rest.  If he sees Tecelão-Raiz he would ask if they would baby sit the egg, while they are after the children.  If not he offers a heartfelt prayer for the Goddess' blessing of protection regarding their situation.

Saoirse blinks in surprise after the centaur's scolding. She definitely didn't see that one coming.

- No need to apologize. I understand that this situation has everyone on edge ...

She takes good note of the description of the older son, and smiles when the tall elf mentions his younger one has been training with her former scimitar. 

- I'm glad that scimitar is having a good use. Though I hope neither one of your sons end up needing to use their weapons. Me and my friends will depart shortly for the Southern Bridge, let's hope we can help solve this situation swiftly.

After saying her good byes to the elf, she returns to her companions.

- Eliza, what do you want to do? If you want to spend some time her and rest, it will be fine. But you'll also be welcome if you want to come with us.

Lam doesn’t register that anything is concerning about Fitz trying to tell Tesfaye about the crown until Hemlock cuts the construct off and tries to sidebar with him. They had already mentioned the crown to Tesfaye, right? But they haven’t said everything, and if Fitz is so willing to tell someone he just met, then he might tell anyone else, too. With his friends occupied, Lam is left next to Tesfaye and Eliza. He still looks urgent to leave, but recognizes that his companions have to be ready first. He says to Tesfaye, “…I do not want to leave so soon. I have missed you. But we have to keep children safe.” His voice seems to be mostly steady as he says, “I will keep us safe.”

When Saoirse returns and asks Eliza what she will do, he turns to see her response, genuinely unsure which answer he would like to hear himself in this moment. He also tries to keep Hemlock, Fitz and Sha in his sight if possible- as soon as they all seem ready to go, he wants to move in the direction of the exit.