The defender seems wholly occupied by the pain in his head, and does not respond to Lam.
When Hemlock opens the book, he finds that there is writing on a little less than half of the pages in the journal, but none of it makes any sense. None of the symbols look like letters from any language he knows, and there are no obviously discernable patterns. He can tell that the handwriting changes about a quarter of the way through - he thinks - but even that he doesn't feel totally sure of. This book seems utterly incomprehensible to him.
Also to Hemlock:
That tingling in the back of your mind never went away. When you opened the book, you were extra aware of it, especially as you tried to read. You could easily decide to just let the effect take hold.
“It is full of unintelligible scrawl, possibly in a couple of different hand writings. I felt a tingle in my mind earlier, it feels stronger as I look at the pages”, Hemlock says to the others.
”It is tempting to allow it in. It might allow me to read it. What do you think?”.
Lam thinks and then says, “I have felt mind tingle. It went away but… can I look at book?” Lam thinks maybe since he has felt his mind tingle probably more than his friends during his lifetime, that he might have luck looking at the book if that really has something to do with being able to read it. He also is not sure what Hemlock means by ‘allow it in,’ as Lam has never really felt like he had a choice about that. The mind tingle always just happened without his say.
If Hemlock agrees to give the book back to Lam, he will look inside and try to read.
Lam has no difficulty reading what's in the book, but if he talks about the information he finds in it, it will sound to Hemlock like unintelligeable gibberish. Everyone else will understand what he's saying with no issues. If he talks about anything that is not information gained from the book, Hemlockwill understand him as normal.
So, this is for everyone except Hemlock:
On the first page when Lam opens it up, there is a "belongs to" page, and then a block of very official looking text, roughly like this:
This Journal is the Property of
Tux Strixwell
If found, return to the Springdawn keepers of the Peace, for a modest reward.
Should you be found in unlawful possession of this book, you will be arrested and tried for crimes of grand theft and treason.
The journal is sporadic after that, and the next few pages are Tux journaling about some personal experience or other. Part way in, however, Tux begins describing a trip to Silver Spring Valley. Then, the handwriting changes. A different person, in the last pages with notes on them, with many references to "the Crown of Divine Right." Lam does not have time to read it in detail, or to examine all of what's written in it. Feel free to make an intelligence check and let me know if you want to scan for something specific.
Saoirse gasps when she recognizes the name the book belongs to.
- Tux Strixwell!! That's the man Saffi was contracted to murder! Though...someone killed him first and placed the blame on her... And what's this? Keepers of the Peace? Who are those?- she scans the book a little more, trying to recognize any specific places Tux Strixwell visited in the Valley. Also, she looks a little bit more into the Crown of Divine Right, scanning for any drawing on it, or any name or place that might come to her attention.
Intelligence check: 16
She scans the book a little more, but not for long, since she keeps glancing at the defender from time to time, still trying to recall who he might be. This, and his obvious displays of pain, make her want to speak to the sorcerer as soon as possible.
Lam is perplexed when he reads the book. He says out loud: “I can read it.” Then he shows the book to Saoirse and Sha if they will look at it.
Everyone but Hemlock:
Lam says out loud: “This is... a journal?” And then turns to show Saoirse the book.
Lam is surprised when Saoirse reveals that Saffron had been contracted to kill Tux. He says: “This… doesn’t belong to magic woman then. Not really. But… I do not understand.” For just a minute longer, he skims through the book. He had expected this to be something more than a journal, given the effect on his mind and Hemlock’s inability to read it.
Lam motions for Sha to take the book to read also if he wants to. Lam is willing to continue holding onto it when they move to see Samantha. If he is, he will stand back and allow his friends to be the only ones who get close to her.
DM:
16 intelligence check for looking in the book. Lam is looking mainly at the change in handwriting. He is skimming to try to figure out why Tux came to The Valley, and if he was looking for something. He is looking for references to The Crown in specifically Tux’s part of the journal. He would also like to read the very beginning of the part where it changes handwriting, and see if it reveals the identity of the second set of handwriting. …In that order of priority, if he cannot do all that.
Tux describes coming to the Valley after being rejected by a woman, and deciding to change himself and do something worthwhile. He chose the valley because he heard that his aunt (Silvia Strixwell) was considering purchasing the territory and adding it to the duchy, and mentions 'finally being useful.'
He entered with an open mind, and writes about being invited to Village Tree, and falling in love with the local culture. Then there is an entry about visiting the artificer's tower, and the tone changes.
"The artificer's pitiful condition... I can think of only one thing which could have done this to him. If the Crown of Divine Right truly grants the powers described in legend, and not just the authority, then I understand auntie's desire for it. I must try to discover how it came to be here, and perhaps learn where it is now."
"I begin to suspect that their great arch-druid has met the bearer of the Crown, though he can not remember it himself."
"There is a powerful psychic energy near the mines in the south of the valley. Perhaps related to the Crown?"
"Weretown was surprisingly lovely... but I believe the Obelisk confirms the crown's presence."
"The grave fort is a horror... aunty must not ever find this crown. It is a power no-one should be trusted with. I will return to Springdawn, and take this secret to my grave."
There is some description of returning home, and sporadic entries complaining about court life dated over the course of six months,and then the abrupt shift in handwriting. The next owner's penmanship is more precise, and much more recent.
"I can not possibly express the honor I feel at being entrusted this task. I will recover the crown, and present it to the great lord Silvia Strixwell. We shall restore the empire! Tux was a traitor, and a coward, who refused to see that sometimes things must be done."
"Sebastian has begun to protest our mission. He thinks it is a blight on the memory of the true king. I have told him to be silent until I ask him to speak. Perhaps after a few weeks or months he will learn to be grateful when I let him talk again. If it were not for the collar, I think he would be a traitor, too."
"This Jonah is a coward, unwilling to use his might. We are going too slow. I've been here for days and still we haven't even explored the mines, or crossed the bothersome River. I might have to force his hand, if we are to get anywhere."
Seeing the name "Sebastian" triggers a memory for Saoirse. One of the boys a few years older than her, a promising duelist and great athlete, who she was told died during the ritual to.make him a blood hunter. And yet... when she looks at the defender, she can see some of that promising and happy young boy hidden in the sallow and sunken face of this man. She is able to share this realization with Hemlock, although he would not understand if she said that she read the name in the journal.
Hemlock looks at Lam and Saoirse with clear confusion on his face.
”You are talking gibberish. Your words are as jumbled as those in the book”, he says perplexed.
”So the question is, is there something wrong with me or all of you?”.
”Do you understand them Hássan?”.
He contemplates the tingle in his mind that he resisted when they first went near the sorceress and her book.
”You all felt the tingle in your minds, right? Tell me, did it at least give you answers to our questions? Assuming it is not just an illusion or a trick”.
I... Yes, I understand them. I did feel a strange sense for a moment when the woman first approached me at the cave mouth, and again when we came to her here. It went away quickly both times but.... If I can understand them, does that mean that there is magic affecting my mind?" Hássan cries out in draconic, and looks ready to flee:
حمزة من فضلك! أرجو أن تخبرني أنني لست تحت تأثير تعويذتها الشريرة!
The gem gloes sapphire blue for a couple seconds, and he calms down a bit, but still looks very uncomfortable. "Hamza says that I am under the effect of some magic, but that it is not controlling me at all, and it should go away as soon as that horrid book is taken away from me. I will stay, for now, though I do not like it."
Lam is shaken out of his dawning horror by Hemlock’s confusion. He stares at Hemlock for a few moments then, having to see it for himself, tries to state some basic facts from the book:
“Thisis journal of Tux Strixwell. He maybe found Crown. Then new person had it- magic woman, I think.”
He watches Hemlock’s face and, seeing no sign that the firbolg recognizes any of his words, changes tact to say, “I felt tingle. It went away. This has answers. And questions. But… Why can you not read it?”
When Hássan talks about the magic regarding the book, Lam looks down at it with deep confusion. He is being affected by magic now? Magic that Hemlock is resisting? Magic that… makes the book make sense? “Can Hamza say, what does book magic do?”
He turns to Saoirse and Sha:
“This… is magic woman, right?” he points to the more recent writing as he says this. “Did… aunt have Tux killed?” He seems to still be processing the writing and has a million questions, but they are coming out one at a time. “Did he find crown? Or… what is grave fort?”This book is deeply important. Lam feels so out of his depth.
Then to everyone: “We… are going to have to talk to woman soon…”He seems very much like he does not want to do this, but is willing to.
"I think I should hold the book whilst the sorceress is questioned, just in case whatever magic it is suddenly changes, or the sorceress has some control over it", he says, but does not snatch, just waits to see if Lam agrees.
"I will not be able to understand some of the questions and answers it seems, but I am sure to have questions of my own, and it may be I am the only one who is thinking rationally right now".
Lam nods and gladly hands the book over to Hemlock. He looks primarily at Hássan, but also at his friends, as he asks: “Should we… could we take book away? Is there safe place… not here? Does it have to be in there with woman?” He wonders if fully taking the book away is overkill but maintains a healthy level of nerves. At the same time, he doesn’t super want to let the book out of his sight.
Hássan looks very happy with the idea of taking the book away. "Yes. You can go back to the surface with it. Or I can show you another of the tunnels, which leads to a dead end away from others. You could throw it into that tunnel and just walk away, for all I care. Hamza does not say more about the book, herself."
Lam turns to Hemlock and says: “It would be bad if others got book. But maybe also bad for book to be near woman?” He looks at Hemlock with trusting eyes, wanting to leave the decision to his friend who is unaffected by the book’s magic. “Should we leave it in tunnel? What do you want to do?”
Hemlock frowns, "I don't want to leave the book unattended. I will listen in from the entrance to the tunnel. From here I can see both the sorceress and the guard, and can see the if anything happens with him as well as her".
He takes up a position where he can just see both the captives.
"Might need to make sure there is light enough for me", he adds with a smile.
The more she reads the book, the more surprised Saoirsegets:
Spoiler for Lamand Sha:
- ""I begin to suspect that their great arch-druid has met the bearer of the Crown, though he can not remember it himself." ... We need to ask Rhys about this! ... "Weretown was surprisingly lovely... but I believe the Obelisk confirms the crown's presence." ... Obelisk? What Obelisk? ... "The grave fort is a horror... aunty must not ever find this crown. It is a power no-one should be trusted with. I will return to Springdawn, and take this secret to my grave." ... Grave Fort? Hey, that is one of the placesCylence mentionedwhen I showed him the map I took from Coldwater! We may need to rethink if we visit this place in the future. Or at least, tell Cylence and Rhys about what we've just read. Ok, what else ... wait ... Sebastian? Could he be thatSebastian? "I have told him to be silent until I ask him to speak." ... So we may not need to remove his collar right away, but convince Samantha somehow to allow him to speak again!
To Lamshe answers:
- I'm not sure who killed Tux. It could have been by his aunt, Silvia Strixwell's order, yes. But we cannot be sure right now. Perhaps Samantha did it herself! I believe her capable of that, seeing what we have seen so far. And I'm pretty sure this is Samantha's hand writing, yes. And did Tux find the Crown....? I'm not so sure about that, but he definitely discovered that it was not right that his aunt got it. Perhaps Silvia had him killed after all... There's no way to know that just yet, but we have found information enough to begin asking Samantha about it.
History roll for the Obelisk just in case: 17.
Seeing that they can't communicate with Hemlock, Saoirsejust says:
- I don't know what happened, I just felt a tingling and it went away. I don't know how to tell you all we found so far but there is a lot of information there. I think it is okay that you stay away from her holding the book while the rest of us ask her about what we have just read. Let's hope this turns out well, she's going to be a tough one...
Before going with the rest to speak to that devilish woman, she approaches Sebastianand while she still stays a few steps away from him she crouches in front of him and and looking him in the eye she says:
- Sebastian! You are Sebastian! I remember you! I was told you hadn't survived the Bane...! I couldn't really believe it at the beginning, that one such as yourself...!- she trails off for a moment, not really sure how to continue, but then she seems to gather some inner strengh and continues - There will be time for this later. I promise you I will do what I can to make her allow you to speak! We will find a way - she nods and gives him a short smile, hoping to transmit her fellow blood hunter a glimmer of hope.
Then she goes with the rest to meet Samantha.
I've positioned myself in the map. That's about what I can do so far, will keep posting when I find a spot. But good luck to whoever starts questioning her!!
"I am fully prepared to try and destroy the book if things look bad or you ask me to. And if you can make sure you speak up, and if she whispers repeat out loud", he says, and a flame appears in his empty hand.
He then waits at the corner of th two tunnels holding the captives.
At the mention of his own name, and the recognition of who he once was, Sebastian begins to weep, although it is a silent weeping. His eyes avoid any of you, and no sound escapes him as tears begin to roll down his cheeks. He is still putting pressure on the ropes and the anchor holding him, and it still hasn't budged.
Just as Saoirsegets right up close to Samantha - her farthest from the journal and Hemlock - she finds it very difficult to remember anything she read from the journal, or any of her conversation about it with Sha and Lam. The journal certainly seems important... and she just spent time talking about it and was very emotional about its contents... maybe she's just upset because she realized that she recognized Sebastian. Although... what was it that made her realize? It is a confusing moment. She feels like she hasn't retained any information at all from that journal. Was there something in there that she wanted to talk to Samantha about? Whose journal is it even?
The defender seems wholly occupied by the pain in his head, and does not respond to Lam.
When Hemlock opens the book, he finds that there is writing on a little less than half of the pages in the journal, but none of it makes any sense. None of the symbols look like letters from any language he knows, and there are no obviously discernable patterns. He can tell that the handwriting changes about a quarter of the way through - he thinks - but even that he doesn't feel totally sure of. This book seems utterly incomprehensible to him.
Also to Hemlock:
That tingling in the back of your mind never went away. When you opened the book, you were extra aware of it, especially as you tried to read. You could easily decide to just let the effect take hold.
DM: Heavy is the Head
“It is full of unintelligible scrawl, possibly in a couple of different hand writings. I felt a tingle in my mind earlier, it feels stronger as I look at the pages”, Hemlock says to the others.
”It is tempting to allow it in. It might allow me to read it. What do you think?”.
Lam thinks and then says, “I have felt mind tingle. It went away but… can I look at book?” Lam thinks maybe since he has felt his mind tingle probably more than his friends during his lifetime, that he might have luck looking at the book if that really has something to do with being able to read it. He also is not sure what Hemlock means by ‘allow it in,’ as Lam has never really felt like he had a choice about that. The mind tingle always just happened without his say.
If Hemlock agrees to give the book back to Lam, he will look inside and try to read.
Hemlock passes the book back to Lam.
Lam has no difficulty reading what's in the book, but if he talks about the information he finds in it, it will sound to Hemlock like unintelligeable gibberish. Everyone else will understand what he's saying with no issues. If he talks about anything that is not information gained from the book, Hemlock will understand him as normal.
So, this is for everyone except Hemlock:
On the first page when Lam opens it up, there is a "belongs to" page, and then a block of very official looking text, roughly like this:
This Journal is the Property of
Tux Strixwell
If found, return to the Springdawn keepers of the Peace, for a modest reward.
Should you be found in unlawful possession of this book, you will be arrested and tried for crimes of grand theft and treason.
The journal is sporadic after that, and the next few pages are Tux journaling about some personal experience or other. Part way in, however, Tux begins describing a trip to Silver Spring Valley. Then, the handwriting changes. A different person, in the last pages with notes on them, with many references to "the Crown of Divine Right." Lam does not have time to read it in detail, or to examine all of what's written in it. Feel free to make an intelligence check and let me know if you want to scan for something specific.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Saoirse gasps when she recognizes the name the book belongs to.
- Tux Strixwell!! That's the man Saffi was contracted to murder! Though...someone killed him first and placed the blame on her... And what's this? Keepers of the Peace? Who are those? - she scans the book a little more, trying to recognize any specific places Tux Strixwell visited in the Valley. Also, she looks a little bit more into the Crown of Divine Right, scanning for any drawing on it, or any name or place that might come to her attention.
Intelligence check: 16
She scans the book a little more, but not for long, since she keeps glancing at the defender from time to time, still trying to recall who he might be. This, and his obvious displays of pain, make her want to speak to the sorcerer as soon as possible.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam is perplexed when he reads the book. He says out loud: “I can read it.” Then he shows the book to Saoirse and Sha if they will look at it.
Everyone but Hemlock:
Lam says out loud: “This is... a journal?” And then turns to show Saoirse the book.
Lam is surprised when Saoirse reveals that Saffron had been contracted to kill Tux. He says: “This… doesn’t belong to magic woman then. Not really. But… I do not understand.” For just a minute longer, he skims through the book. He had expected this to be something more than a journal, given the effect on his mind and Hemlock’s inability to read it.
Lam motions for Sha to take the book to read also if he wants to. Lam is willing to continue holding onto it when they move to see Samantha. If he is, he will stand back and allow his friends to be the only ones who get close to her.
DM:
16 intelligence check for looking in the book. Lam is looking mainly at the change in handwriting. He is skimming to try to figure out why Tux came to The Valley, and if he was looking for something. He is looking for references to The Crown in specifically Tux’s part of the journal. He would also like to read the very beginning of the part where it changes handwriting, and see if it reveals the identity of the second set of handwriting. …In that order of priority, if he cannot do all that.
People except Hemlock:
Tux describes coming to the Valley after being rejected by a woman, and deciding to change himself and do something worthwhile. He chose the valley because he heard that his aunt (Silvia Strixwell) was considering purchasing the territory and adding it to the duchy, and mentions 'finally being useful.'
He entered with an open mind, and writes about being invited to Village Tree, and falling in love with the local culture. Then there is an entry about visiting the artificer's tower, and the tone changes.
"The artificer's pitiful condition... I can think of only one thing which could have done this to him. If the Crown of Divine Right truly grants the powers described in legend, and not just the authority, then I understand auntie's desire for it. I must try to discover how it came to be here, and perhaps learn where it is now."
"I begin to suspect that their great arch-druid has met the bearer of the Crown, though he can not remember it himself."
"There is a powerful psychic energy near the mines in the south of the valley. Perhaps related to the Crown?"
"Weretown was surprisingly lovely... but I believe the Obelisk confirms the crown's presence."
"The grave fort is a horror... aunty must not ever find this crown. It is a power no-one should be trusted with. I will return to Springdawn, and take this secret to my grave."
There is some description of returning home, and sporadic entries complaining about court life dated over the course of six months,and then the abrupt shift in handwriting. The next owner's penmanship is more precise, and much more recent.
"I can not possibly express the honor I feel at being entrusted this task. I will recover the crown, and present it to the great lord Silvia Strixwell. We shall restore the empire! Tux was a traitor, and a coward, who refused to see that sometimes things must be done."
"Sebastian has begun to protest our mission. He thinks it is a blight on the memory of the true king. I have told him to be silent until I ask him to speak. Perhaps after a few weeks or months he will learn to be grateful when I let him talk again. If it were not for the collar, I think he would be a traitor, too."
"This Jonah is a coward, unwilling to use his might. We are going too slow. I've been here for days and still we haven't even explored the mines, or crossed the bothersome River. I might have to force his hand, if we are to get anywhere."
Seeing the name "Sebastian" triggers a memory for Saoirse. One of the boys a few years older than her, a promising duelist and great athlete, who she was told died during the ritual to.make him a blood hunter. And yet... when she looks at the defender, she can see some of that promising and happy young boy hidden in the sallow and sunken face of this man. She is able to share this realization with Hemlock, although he would not understand if she said that she read the name in the journal.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock looks at Lam and Saoirse with clear confusion on his face.
”You are talking gibberish. Your words are as jumbled as those in the book”, he says perplexed.
”So the question is, is there something wrong with me or all of you?”.
”Do you understand them Hássan?”.
He contemplates the tingle in his mind that he resisted when they first went near the sorceress and her book.
”You all felt the tingle in your minds, right? Tell me, did it at least give you answers to our questions? Assuming it is not just an illusion or a trick”.
I... Yes, I understand them. I did feel a strange sense for a moment when the woman first approached me at the cave mouth, and again when we came to her here. It went away quickly both times but.... If I can understand them, does that mean that there is magic affecting my mind?" Hássan cries out in draconic, and looks ready to flee:
حمزة من فضلك! أرجو أن تخبرني أنني لست تحت تأثير تعويذتها الشريرة!
The gem gloes sapphire blue for a couple seconds, and he calms down a bit, but still looks very uncomfortable. "Hamza says that I am under the effect of some magic, but that it is not controlling me at all, and it should go away as soon as that horrid book is taken away from me. I will stay, for now, though I do not like it."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam is shaken out of his dawning horror by Hemlock’s confusion. He stares at Hemlock for a few moments then, having to see it for himself, tries to state some basic facts from the book:
“This is journal of Tux Strixwell. He maybe found Crown. Then new person had it- magic woman, I think.”
He watches Hemlock’s face and, seeing no sign that the firbolg recognizes any of his words, changes tact to say, “I felt tingle. It went away. This has answers. And questions. But… Why can you not read it?”
When Hássan talks about the magic regarding the book, Lam looks down at it with deep confusion. He is being affected by magic now? Magic that Hemlock is resisting? Magic that… makes the book make sense? “Can Hamza say, what does book magic do?”
He turns to Saoirse and Sha:
“This… is magic woman, right?” he points to the more recent writing as he says this. “Did… aunt have Tux killed?” He seems to still be processing the writing and has a million questions, but they are coming out one at a time. “Did he find crown? Or… what is grave fort?” This book is deeply important. Lam feels so out of his depth.
Then to everyone: “We… are going to have to talk to woman soon…” He seems very much like he does not want to do this, but is willing to.
Hemlock reaches out his hand towards Lam.
"I think I should hold the book whilst the sorceress is questioned, just in case whatever magic it is suddenly changes, or the sorceress has some control over it", he says, but does not snatch, just waits to see if Lam agrees.
"I will not be able to understand some of the questions and answers it seems, but I am sure to have questions of my own, and it may be I am the only one who is thinking rationally right now".
Lam nods and gladly hands the book over to Hemlock. He looks primarily at Hássan, but also at his friends, as he asks: “Should we… could we take book away? Is there safe place… not here? Does it have to be in there with woman?” He wonders if fully taking the book away is overkill but maintains a healthy level of nerves. At the same time, he doesn’t super want to let the book out of his sight.
Hássan looks very happy with the idea of taking the book away. "Yes. You can go back to the surface with it. Or I can show you another of the tunnels, which leads to a dead end away from others. You could throw it into that tunnel and just walk away, for all I care. Hamza does not say more about the book, herself."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam turns to Hemlock and says: “It would be bad if others got book. But maybe also bad for book to be near woman?” He looks at Hemlock with trusting eyes, wanting to leave the decision to his friend who is unaffected by the book’s magic. “Should we leave it in tunnel? What do you want to do?”
Hemlock frowns, "I don't want to leave the book unattended. I will listen in from the entrance to the tunnel. From here I can see both the sorceress and the guard, and can see the if anything happens with him as well as her".
He takes up a position where he can just see both the captives.
"Might need to make sure there is light enough for me", he adds with a smile.
Kindly place yourselves where you are standing while talking to Samantha. https://www.owlbear.app/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP
DM: Heavy is the Head
The more she reads the book, the more surprised Saoirse gets:
Spoiler for Lam and Sha:
- ""I begin to suspect that their great arch-druid has met the bearer of the Crown, though he can not remember it himself." ... We need to ask Rhys about this! ... "Weretown was surprisingly lovely... but I believe the Obelisk confirms the crown's presence." ... Obelisk? What Obelisk? ... "The grave fort is a horror... aunty must not ever find this crown. It is a power no-one should be trusted with. I will return to Springdawn, and take this secret to my grave." ... Grave Fort? Hey, that is one of the places Cylence mentioned when I showed him the map I took from Coldwater! We may need to rethink if we visit this place in the future. Or at least, tell Cylence and Rhys about what we've just read. Ok, what else ... wait ... Sebastian? Could he be that Sebastian? "I have told him to be silent until I ask him to speak." ... So we may not need to remove his collar right away, but convince Samantha somehow to allow him to speak again!
To Lam she answers:
- I'm not sure who killed Tux. It could have been by his aunt, Silvia Strixwell's order, yes. But we cannot be sure right now. Perhaps Samantha did it herself! I believe her capable of that, seeing what we have seen so far. And I'm pretty sure this is Samantha's hand writing, yes. And did Tux find the Crown....? I'm not so sure about that, but he definitely discovered that it was not right that his aunt got it. Perhaps Silvia had him killed after all... There's no way to know that just yet, but we have found information enough to begin asking Samantha about it.
History roll for the Obelisk just in case: 17.
Seeing that they can't communicate with Hemlock, Saoirse just says:
- I don't know what happened, I just felt a tingling and it went away. I don't know how to tell you all we found so far but there is a lot of information there. I think it is okay that you stay away from her holding the book while the rest of us ask her about what we have just read. Let's hope this turns out well, she's going to be a tough one...
Before going with the rest to speak to that devilish woman, she approaches Sebastian and while she still stays a few steps away from him she crouches in front of him and and looking him in the eye she says:
- Sebastian! You are Sebastian! I remember you! I was told you hadn't survived the Bane...! I couldn't really believe it at the beginning, that one such as yourself...! - she trails off for a moment, not really sure how to continue, but then she seems to gather some inner strengh and continues - There will be time for this later. I promise you I will do what I can to make her allow you to speak! We will find a way - she nods and gives him a short smile, hoping to transmit her fellow blood hunter a glimmer of hope.
Then she goes with the rest to meet Samantha.
I've positioned myself in the map. That's about what I can do so far, will keep posting when I find a spot. But good luck to whoever starts questioning her!!
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hemlock nods to Saoirse.
"I am fully prepared to try and destroy the book if things look bad or you ask me to. And if you can make sure you speak up, and if she whispers repeat out loud", he says, and a flame appears in his empty hand.
He then waits at the corner of th two tunnels holding the captives.
At the mention of his own name, and the recognition of who he once was, Sebastian begins to weep, although it is a silent weeping. His eyes avoid any of you, and no sound escapes him as tears begin to roll down his cheeks. He is still putting pressure on the ropes and the anchor holding him, and it still hasn't budged.
Just as Saoirse gets right up close to Samantha - her farthest from the journal and Hemlock - she finds it very difficult to remember anything she read from the journal, or any of her conversation about it with Sha and Lam. The journal certainly seems important... and she just spent time talking about it and was very emotional about its contents... maybe she's just upset because she realized that she recognized Sebastian. Although... what was it that made her realize? It is a confusing moment. She feels like she hasn't retained any information at all from that journal. Was there something in there that she wanted to talk to Samantha about? Whose journal is it even?
DM: Heavy is the Head