Hemlock nods to Hamza as she speaks, realising that even powerful dragons do not know everything. What he did know, was that his path had brought him to this place at this time. It had introduced him to Saoirse, Lam and Sha-Gravis.
Who was he to deny the course of fate that his Star Map had set him on.
"It seems you and my Star Map are of singular mind and purpose Hamza. It too steers me on this course into the path of whatever fate lies in store for this region", he says and closes his eyes for a moment.
"I am willing to be recruited, as you put it", he says finally.
With that, he succumbs to the mind tickle, allowing himself to understand the information contained in the journal of secrets.
When Hemlock asks his question and Hamza gives her answer, Lam looks around at all of his friends. It is no surprise to him that his friends- with Sha’s unwavering spirit, Saoirse’s commitment to justice, and Hemlock’s patient wisdom- might be capable of such a feat as saving the world. It is a surprise to him that he is included in such a group. This worries him.
When Hamza talks about the journals, Lam thinks about the relic he used to guard and concludes that it was most likely one of those. He never tried to read it, but he wonders all the same what was inside. Did it have anything to do with all this he’s learning now? According to Hamza, he wouldn’t have remembered the contents if he had tried to read it anyway.
Lam tries hard to understand the implications of all of Hamza’s words. When she talks about the Ilithid wars, he watches Saoirse’s face. When she talks about Selŭne, he watches Sha’s face. He has not tried to say anything and is thinking very hard, but it is clear on his face when Sha and Hemlock voice their support of Hamza that he will go with his friends to help in any way they need.
IT IS NOT MY SERVICE I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEDGE YOURSELVES TO. I AM ASKING YOU TO JOIN THE CHAINBREAKER'S GUILD, TO PROMISE TO END AND OPPOSE MENTAL SLAVERY AND MIND CONTROL WHENEVER YOU SEE IT, AND TO SEEK OUT AND DESTROY THE CROWN OF DIVINE RIGHT, WHICH WOULD MAKE PUPPETS OF US ALL. WE HAVE WORKED IN THE SHADOWS FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, FIRST TO OPPOSE THE ILITHIDS, AND LATER TO FREE THE LAND FROM THE GRIP OF THE TRUE KING.
Her eyes turn to Saoirse again, and she leans in.
KNOW THIS, BLOOD HUNTER, THE COLLAR YOU TOOK FROM SEBASTIAN WAS INVENTED BY THE TRUE KING. TO SEE A NEW ONE NOW... IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE HAS RECOVERED THE NOTES AND KNOWLEDGE OF GARETH DAYNE, AND THE LIGHTBRINGER'S CHAINS ARE BEING FORGED ANEW. SEBASTIAN IS MOST LIKELY NOT THE ONLY ONE OF YOUR LOST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WEARING A COLLAR LIKE IT.
The focus goes back to Sha-Gravis.
THE GODS RARELY INVOLVE THEMSELVES, NO MATTER HOW SMALLFOLK USE THEIR NAMES. BUT I CAN SEE DIVONE POWER MOVING IN YOU. YOU, I BELIEVE, ARE HER ACTIVE HAND IN THIS.
She shifts her focus to Lam, who hears words just for him inside his head.
YOU ARE MORE THAN WORTHY OF THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE FOUND, NOBLE HEART. TRUST YOURSELF. AND TRUST THAT THE RAGE YOU FEEL IS RIGHTEOUS, AND GOOD. I SENSE GREAT POWER BURIED WITHIN YOU, READY TO BURST FREE, SHOULD YOU TRUST YOUR FURY TO CHANNEL IT.
Another mention of the Lightbringer, another dagger sent straight for Saoirse's beliefs. And now it was even connected to Sha's goddess? The genasi looked speechless at the tabaxi, then to Hemlockand Lamand back again at the dragon. She was afraid to ask, but at the same time she knew she had to. For she could not just ignore what was being said, could she?
Her voice faltered when she began to speak.
- But ... wh-what tactics? What where those evil actions? - she grabs Sebastian's collar and shows it to Hamza - So he invented these. But they were used as means to protect those fighting the ilithids from loosing their minds, not to make plain puppets out of them as Silvia Strixwell's people seem to be using them now, right ... ?I don't... can't just believe...- she shakes her head and averts her gaze from that of the dragon's, while thinking of what these revelations meant for her life, her order, her family and friends ... her everything... should they be true.
After a moment gazing into the sapphire depths of the cavern, in which she hears the voices of Hemlockand Shaaccepting to be recruited, Saoirse speaks again.
- I apologize, Hamza. I do not mean to imply you are lying. But I cannot just accept what you say about the True King that easily. Not without proof. I will commit to be in service of the Chainbreakers, as it means bringing good to this land. But as for the King himself, I will try to figure out for myself who he really was as we continue on this path fate has put outselves in.
'"Figure out who he really was'". Had she really said that? What would people think back at home if they heard her? "How can this be happening? This is madness, Saoirse!", she thinks to herself.
The genasi breathes in, trying to calm the storm that was beginning to form inside her. A storm that was threatening to shatter all her beliefs. Then, seeing that Hemlockhas finally given in to the tingle, she proceeds to summarize its contents to both firbolg and dragon.
- From what I understand, it appears that Tux Strixwell found the Crown to be too dangerous to be handed to his aunt, and this knowledge got him killed when he returned to Springdawn. He thought the Crown's could be in several parts of the Valley. One, this mines, in which we have already know it isn't. The other, Weretown. I think he also implies that The Artificer had some connection to it. And finally, there is this mention to Grave Fort. It appears Tux saw or learnead something terrible there, that lead him to decide that the Crown cannot be used by anyone. But I'm not sure if this means that Grave Fort is another possible location for the Crown, or if it is a place to avoid visiting. Archdruid Rhys did advice us against going there. What do you know of these places, Hamza?
Lam blinks when Hamza reveals the existence of the Chainbreaker’s Guild- and that it had once opposed the True King. He watches Saoirse’s face, not fully sure that he understands the implications behind that statement. He takes note of the name Gareth Dayne, which he had never heard before. Is that the TrueKing? Or someone else?
When the dragon’s words reverberate in just his mind, his face of deep thought turns after a few moments into one of realization, like he just put together a thought he had been avoiding for months. He looks at the ground, then at all of his friends, then back at the dragon, standing slightly taller than he was previously. “I will… trust.”
What Hamza has just asked him to do will be a process, but he knows of something he definitely trusts right now, and it’s the people he came to this place with. “Sha-Gravis. Hemlock. Saoirse,” he starts, turning to face each friend as he addresses them, “Wherever you go, I will go.” He turns to face Hamza: “I will help.”
"The Chainbreakers Guild", Hemlock repeats mulling the concept over. They had already proved to be chain breakers in their time, escaping from their incarceration as they had.
"That is comforting", he replies to Lam as he pledges to join them.
He then turns his attention to Saoirse and her account of the journal's content.
"It seems we have things to do and places to be. The artificer's tower is already on our list, and seems the most sensible place to start, but I confess I would like to rest a little first. And perhaps hear more of these Chainbreakers and their exploits. How we would recognise other's in the guild, and they us?".
To Sha: There is a huge and obvious tunnel behind the dragon, plus the elevator stone you came down on, but otherwise you don't notice anything significant.
Hamza listens carefully to your questions and comments, and her voice in your minds becomes a little more calm, Less thunderous and imposing, as if she does not feel the need to continue to remind you of her vast power. "Yes, places to go and things to do, for certain. Any lead you have is worth following. Of the places you name, I know too little. There is an artificer's tower not too far from here, and if the owner of that journal suggested a connection, then you should certainly explore it. The grave fort is a place occupied by shambling living dead, shrouded in deep fog. It seems unpleasant, but none of its corpses have left it and it hasn't expanded in nearly 100 years, so it seems stable, at the least. In weretown there is an Obelisk, and those who read the words on it are said to find peace with themselves. I have avoided reading it myself."
"I will tell you two short tales of Gareth Dayne, the so-called lightbringer. My honor as a dragon that they are true. First; the man was an arcane researcher before he began to take part in the war against the Ilithid menace, and ilithid blood or bones are components of both the journals of Secrets, and collars like the one you retrieved from Sebastian. When he joined the fight and became well-known among others fighting for freedom, he had already crafted that journal, and already had a team of collared warriors at his vanguard. At the time, we were ready to accept any help that came our way, and even the gold dragons did not question him."
"The second tale: when he emerged victorious with the crown, he negotiated a treaty with the gem and metallic dragons. We would stay out of the affairs of humanoids, and his empire would rally against her should Tiamat ever rise again. Many among us wondered why our representatives would have agreed to such a treaty, giving as it did only a vague, slef serving promise to us, in return for a change of life for most dragons. These concerns fell on deaf ears amongst the sanctimonious gold and bronze dragons."
And finally, a personal tale: I never met the man during the war, but a few decades into his reign, I decided to seek him out in my curiousity. I traveled to his castle in the guise of a simple bard, playing for coins on the street. He rode past once, and slowed his horse to listen. Then, he turned to me, and told me to dance for him. I did. I did not question it, I did not resist, I asked no questions, I simply stood and danced. He thanked me, and rode on, but gave a wink and a grin that made his message to me clear: he knew what I was, and he could have commanded me to do anything at all and I would have done it just as obediently. That, I believe, is the power of the Crown, the object whose trail you are now beginning to follow."
"As for finding other chainbreakers, there is a symbol we use. We do not all know each other, but will help each other when it is presented. Will you swear tooppose mental slavery, and so join us?"
Lam is silent as he listens to Hamza’s tales. His brows furrow at some parts and he tilts his head at other parts. He narrows his eyes when the Obelisk is mentioned. His hand comes up to his chin during the first tale as he listens intently, doing his best to follow along. During the personal tale, it goes back to his side and he takes in a breath- it seems that tale is easier to follow for Lam, and his reaction to it is more instinctive.
In response to Hamza’s question, Lam says gruffly with very little hesitation: “I swear.”It is an easy answer for him. As Hemlock is talking, he turns to face Saoirse and nods at Hemlock’s words. He knows he doesn’t know as much about any of this as Saoirse does, but he wants to help if he can.
After listening to the tales concerning Gareth Dayne, Saoirsenods slowly. Not saying anything. Merely accepting the cold truth. Then she lets out a bitter soft laugh, remembering how damned literal the coded text was about the Crown's power and how she had tried to deny it, to fashion a theory around it so it could fit her needs. "It may not necessarily be that the crown makes the words true, or obeyed, but the fact that they are pronounced by a rightful King". A rightful King. A stupid rightful King.
As she was thinking all this, she moved her hand to grab the necklace with the Order's pendant containing her natural blood. This simple gesture had conforted her in so many occasions, but now ... now what? What did the Order even meant? Why did they revere the figure of the True King? Did anybody else back home know the truth? Somebody had to know. Somebody that had been feeding lies to her, to her family, to her friends. Wait. Could her parents be involved in this?
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, she finally spoke:
- I swear it, too. That isn't hard for me to say. I swear to end mental slavery because I will not tolerate to see anyone else as I saw my childhood friend today.
She pauses.
- As for the rest - and she looks at Hemlock- I appreciate your words. I will certainly need a friendly ear, and a friendly hand to help guide me. Because I feel I don't know anything anymore. I thought I had never been as hurt as when I saw Sebastian's before... - the genasi shakes her fire-colored hair - ... how sorely mistaken I was.
"Very well. You are now members of the Chainbreakers guild. Present this symbol, which we call the shattered crown, and those who know it, will know your purpose. I am sure I do not need to remind you that this is a secret society. Speaking of secrets, no one can know that I am here. If there is one wielding the Crown, they would surely seek to take a dragon as a slave. And If I become a weapon of the enemy, I will be a deadly one.
Hamza dangles a sapphire-clawed foreleg over the ledge, and scratches the following symbol deep into the stone, in what looks like one fluid motion. Her claw passes through the stone as easily as a knife through warm butter. When she lifts the claw again, the circular symbol glows a faint blue.
"Before you go, please, take this with you. It will allow me to contact you, or you to contact me, and will impart a small echo of my power to the one who bears it. Do not contact me frivolously, for this gem only carries limited power." A brilliant blue sapphire descends from near Hamza's mouth, floating between the four of you, waiting for one of you to reach out and take it. (Click to see the item).
"Take care, young adventurers. We will see each other again. For now, you may rest among the kobolds if you wish. Or, if you hurry, you may be able to return to village tree while the locals are still active and awake."
As soon as one of you grabs the Gift of the Gem Dragon floating between you, the stone platform you're standing on will begin to rise, taking you back up into the Kobold colony. As you rise, each one of you hears Hamza's voice in your minds once more, talking directly to you.
Lam:
I can feel a wellspring of power, a link to ancient magics, contained and controlled within you. It is ready to grab onto your righteous fury and aid you in battle, if you allow me to open you to it. The results may be unpredictable, but I am almost certain they will all be of benefit to you.
You are this party's heart. Your raw emotion, your intense reactions to the things you see, your clearly communicated love for the others. Take care of them, and as you already know, they will take care of you.
Sha-Gravis:
Your quest to reunite the aspects of your goddess is a noble one, and it is rare I have felt divine magic as powerful as that which you carry with you. Do not be blinded by your devotion to her - the divine work through mortals on this plane. She has blessed you to be an avatar of hers, what you use that for is yours to decide.
You are this party's spirit - reaching for connection between you, through language, friendship, and fierce protection of the others; as well as reaching out through your magic to give them strength and fortitude. They need you as you reach for answers, and for meaning in this world.
Saoirse:
I know that challenging what you have always known is painful, and that learning about the origins of your order as something less pure that you had thought can only be shattering to your foundation, but remember this: Your power is real. Your devotion to helping others is real. Your desire to protect the world from evil is real. None of that can be taken away from you, no matter how the stories that first taught them to you may be shaken.
You are this party's hope. Even in the darkest times, you will blaze out and reach for a way, any way, to keep you alive without breaking your convictions. You inspire, and you show others from outside the party why they should believe in you. Remember, the sun exists always, even when our days are dark. Allow the others to support you, as you have already supported them.
Hemlock:
You have stared a dragon down in the eyes an dared to ask whether she was sure of what she was saying. You have refused to cause harm when unnecessary, despite pressure from all sides to act. And yet, you have acted with power and decisive ferocity when the moment called for it, not hesitating to strike out to protect the group. It is an honor to have met you, stargazer. I have not seen any of your kind since your elders retreated into the deepwoods and high mountains to avoid negotiations, interactions, or war with the Lightbringer's empire. It is clear that you carry your culture's teachings with you.
You are this party's conviction, unwavering and solid, a great trunk connecting the solid earth to the eternal heavens. They will need you to hold them fast when light and dark blur to grey, and to remember what you stand for.
Saoirse looks at the Chainbreaker's symbol, commiting it to memory, and then at the blue sapphire.
- Hmm, I already have the stone connecting me to Tesfaye, so it is probably best that someone else wears this gem. And seeing that it also offers some protection, I again think it will best serveHemlockor Sha-Gravis - shen then pats Lamand adds - Sorry, friend. I don't mean to imply that you wouldn't make a fine use of it - of course you would - but I think this specific item looks more attuned to them.
The prospect of resting sounds like music to the genasi's ears, and in that matter she says:
- I wouldn't mind resting here. But it may be useful to share what we have found so far with Rhys and Cylence, so I would propose going back to Village Tree before leaving to the next point of interest (which should probably be The Artificer's tower?). What do you guys think?
When the group is decided, Saoirsebows before Hamza. The dragon's final words bring a little confidence back to the genasi, which finds them conforting, though she's still in the middle of that darkness Hamza has so very well described. She opens her thoughts for her to hear:
"I ... thank you. I will cling to those words. "The sun exists always", I like that. Perhaps I can help bring that sun to my companions at the Order. Perhaps. One day."
Once sent back to the colony, she will seek Hássan, to try to speak to him one last time (specially if the party decides to return to Village Tree for the night).
“I believe it’s my turn to pass my armor is good and my vestments are powerful, Hemlock or Lam then.” Sha bows deeply to Hamza, “The wisdom of dragons is not exaggerated. I must meditate on your council, most radiant sapphire, Hamza.”
Lam stares at the shattered crown symbol, committing it to memory as well, and then he stares mesmerized at the floating sapphire. He is just able to work out that it reminds him of the one Hássan wears when Saoirse speaks up about it. He nods in response to her words, not fully understanding all of the gem’s powers but knowing someone else should probably be the one with the power to contact Hamza.
When Hamza starts speaking in his own head, he listens intently and tilts his head with curiosity. He looks around at his friends, and then nods back at the ground and bows his head. He opens his thoughts to the dragon.
“I will take care of them. I am open to this… power.”
Lam considers the question of resting before he speaks up to the rest of the group. He isn’t very tired, and would probably be fine with the journey back. He would also be fine with staying here a bit longer- this feels like another nice place, though different from the Village Tree. He nods when Saoirse mentions going back to the Village Tree before anywhere else. He says: “HMC is coming tomorrow. And dwarf woman is still here.” And he looks between his friends to see if they think anything needs to be done about that situation before they leave this place. He thinks it would mostly resolve itself given how the dwarf looked earlier and the HMC’s desire for peace here, but he watches his friends who know many things he hasn’t considered.
He does not voice a specific opinion about the prospect of resting here now, but seems like he is happy to go with either option.
- Hássan seemed to have a plan for dealing with HMC when I asked about it, but we can ask him again when we reach the colony. About the HCM, and about the guard of course. She seemed pretty relaxed in the colony, though. I wonder if she still wants to come back to her HCM companions.
Hemlock nods to Hamza as she speaks, realising that even powerful dragons do not know everything. What he did know, was that his path had brought him to this place at this time. It had introduced him to Saoirse, Lam and Sha-Gravis.
Who was he to deny the course of fate that his Star Map had set him on.
"It seems you and my Star Map are of singular mind and purpose Hamza. It too steers me on this course into the path of whatever fate lies in store for this region", he says and closes his eyes for a moment.
"I am willing to be recruited, as you put it", he says finally.
With that, he succumbs to the mind tickle, allowing himself to understand the information contained in the journal of secrets.
When Hemlock asks his question and Hamza gives her answer, Lam looks around at all of his friends. It is no surprise to him that his friends- with Sha’s unwavering spirit, Saoirse’s commitment to justice, and Hemlock’s patient wisdom- might be capable of such a feat as saving the world. It is a surprise to him that he is included in such a group. This worries him.
When Hamza talks about the journals, Lam thinks about the relic he used to guard and concludes that it was most likely one of those. He never tried to read it, but he wonders all the same what was inside. Did it have anything to do with all this he’s learning now? According to Hamza, he wouldn’t have remembered the contents if he had tried to read it anyway.
Lam tries hard to understand the implications of all of Hamza’s words. When she talks about the Ilithid wars, he watches Saoirse’s face. When she talks about Selŭne, he watches Sha’s face. He has not tried to say anything and is thinking very hard, but it is clear on his face when Sha and Hemlock voice their support of Hamza that he will go with his friends to help in any way they need.
IT IS NOT MY SERVICE I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEDGE YOURSELVES TO. I AM ASKING YOU TO JOIN THE CHAINBREAKER'S GUILD, TO PROMISE TO END AND OPPOSE MENTAL SLAVERY AND MIND CONTROL WHENEVER YOU SEE IT, AND TO SEEK OUT AND DESTROY THE CROWN OF DIVINE RIGHT, WHICH WOULD MAKE PUPPETS OF US ALL. WE HAVE WORKED IN THE SHADOWS FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, FIRST TO OPPOSE THE ILITHIDS, AND LATER TO FREE THE LAND FROM THE GRIP OF THE TRUE KING.
Her eyes turn to Saoirse again, and she leans in.
KNOW THIS, BLOOD HUNTER, THE COLLAR YOU TOOK FROM SEBASTIAN WAS INVENTED BY THE TRUE KING. TO SEE A NEW ONE NOW... IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE HAS RECOVERED THE NOTES AND KNOWLEDGE OF GARETH DAYNE, AND THE LIGHTBRINGER'S CHAINS ARE BEING FORGED ANEW. SEBASTIAN IS MOST LIKELY NOT THE ONLY ONE OF YOUR LOST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WEARING A COLLAR LIKE IT.
The focus goes back to Sha-Gravis.
THE GODS RARELY INVOLVE THEMSELVES, NO MATTER HOW SMALLFOLK USE THEIR NAMES. BUT I CAN SEE DIVONE POWER MOVING IN YOU. YOU, I BELIEVE, ARE HER ACTIVE HAND IN THIS.
She shifts her focus to Lam, who hears words just for him inside his head.
YOU ARE MORE THAN WORTHY OF THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE FOUND, NOBLE HEART. TRUST YOURSELF. AND TRUST THAT THE RAGE YOU FEEL IS RIGHTEOUS, AND GOOD. I SENSE GREAT POWER BURIED WITHIN YOU, READY TO BURST FREE, SHOULD YOU TRUST YOUR FURY TO CHANNEL IT.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Another mention of the Lightbringer, another dagger sent straight for Saoirse's beliefs. And now it was even connected to Sha's goddess? The genasi looked speechless at the tabaxi, then to Hemlock and Lam and back again at the dragon. She was afraid to ask, but at the same time she knew she had to. For she could not just ignore what was being said, could she?
Her voice faltered when she began to speak.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam blinks when Hamza reveals the existence of the Chainbreaker’s Guild- and that it had once opposed the True King. He watches Saoirse’s face, not fully sure that he understands the implications behind that statement. He takes note of the name Gareth Dayne, which he had never heard before. Is that the True King? Or someone else?
When the dragon’s words reverberate in just his mind, his face of deep thought turns after a few moments into one of realization, like he just put together a thought he had been avoiding for months. He looks at the ground, then at all of his friends, then back at the dragon, standing slightly taller than he was previously. “I will… trust.”
What Hamza has just asked him to do will be a process, but he knows of something he definitely trusts right now, and it’s the people he came to this place with. “Sha-Gravis. Hemlock. Saoirse,” he starts, turning to face each friend as he addresses them, “Wherever you go, I will go.” He turns to face Hamza: “I will help.”
"The Chainbreakers Guild", Hemlock repeats mulling the concept over. They had already proved to be chain breakers in their time, escaping from their incarceration as they had.
"That is comforting", he replies to Lam as he pledges to join them.
He then turns his attention to Saoirse and her account of the journal's content.
"It seems we have things to do and places to be. The artificer's tower is already on our list, and seems the most sensible place to start, but I confess I would like to rest a little first. And perhaps hear more of these Chainbreakers and their exploits. How we would recognise other's in the guild, and they us?".
Sha-gravis looks around. Is Hamza alone? Does she have any treasures, maps, attendants, access tunnels?
investigation 14
SEA MISTRESS CREW
To Sha: There is a huge and obvious tunnel behind the dragon, plus the elevator stone you came down on, but otherwise you don't notice anything significant.
Hamza listens carefully to your questions and comments, and her voice in your minds becomes a little more calm, Less thunderous and imposing, as if she does not feel the need to continue to remind you of her vast power. "Yes, places to go and things to do, for certain. Any lead you have is worth following. Of the places you name, I know too little. There is an artificer's tower not too far from here, and if the owner of that journal suggested a connection, then you should certainly explore it. The grave fort is a place occupied by shambling living dead, shrouded in deep fog. It seems unpleasant, but none of its corpses have left it and it hasn't expanded in nearly 100 years, so it seems stable, at the least. In weretown there is an Obelisk, and those who read the words on it are said to find peace with themselves. I have avoided reading it myself."
"I will tell you two short tales of Gareth Dayne, the so-called lightbringer. My honor as a dragon that they are true. First; the man was an arcane researcher before he began to take part in the war against the Ilithid menace, and ilithid blood or bones are components of both the journals of Secrets, and collars like the one you retrieved from Sebastian. When he joined the fight and became well-known among others fighting for freedom, he had already crafted that journal, and already had a team of collared warriors at his vanguard. At the time, we were ready to accept any help that came our way, and even the gold dragons did not question him."
"The second tale: when he emerged victorious with the crown, he negotiated a treaty with the gem and metallic dragons. We would stay out of the affairs of humanoids, and his empire would rally against her should Tiamat ever rise again. Many among us wondered why our representatives would have agreed to such a treaty, giving as it did only a vague, slef serving promise to us, in return for a change of life for most dragons. These concerns fell on deaf ears amongst the sanctimonious gold and bronze dragons."
And finally, a personal tale: I never met the man during the war, but a few decades into his reign, I decided to seek him out in my curiousity. I traveled to his castle in the guise of a simple bard, playing for coins on the street. He rode past once, and slowed his horse to listen. Then, he turned to me, and told me to dance for him. I did. I did not question it, I did not resist, I asked no questions, I simply stood and danced. He thanked me, and rode on, but gave a wink and a grin that made his message to me clear: he knew what I was, and he could have commanded me to do anything at all and I would have done it just as obediently. That, I believe, is the power of the Crown, the object whose trail you are now beginning to follow."
"As for finding other chainbreakers, there is a symbol we use. We do not all know each other, but will help each other when it is presented. Will you swear to oppose mental slavery, and so join us?"
DM: Heavy is the Head
"I am sorry this hard for you Saoirse. It is a very easy decision for me. I swear to oppose mental slavery", Hemlock says with compassion for Saoirse.
"If you need time, take it. If you need a friendly ear, I offer it", he says to the genasi.
Lam is silent as he listens to Hamza’s tales. His brows furrow at some parts and he tilts his head at other parts. He narrows his eyes when the Obelisk is mentioned. His hand comes up to his chin during the first tale as he listens intently, doing his best to follow along. During the personal tale, it goes back to his side and he takes in a breath- it seems that tale is easier to follow for Lam, and his reaction to it is more instinctive.
In response to Hamza’s question, Lam says gruffly with very little hesitation: “I swear.” It is an easy answer for him. As Hemlock is talking, he turns to face Saoirse and nods at Hemlock’s words. He knows he doesn’t know as much about any of this as Saoirse does, but he wants to help if he can.
Sha listens nods and answers, “I oppose all slavery. I certainly oppose mental domination.”
“Mit dir würde ich das Tor zur Hölle riskieren! Danke Freund.” (Goblin)
”I would risk the gates of hell with you! Thank you, friend.”
SEA MISTRESS CREW
After listening to the tales concerning Gareth Dayne, Saoirse nods slowly. Not saying anything. Merely accepting the cold truth. Then she lets out a bitter soft laugh, remembering how damned literal the coded text was about the Crown's power and how she had tried to deny it, to fashion a theory around it so it could fit her needs. "It may not necessarily be that the crown makes the words true, or obeyed, but the fact that they are pronounced by a rightful King". A rightful King. A stupid rightful King.
As she was thinking all this, she moved her hand to grab the necklace with the Order's pendant containing her natural blood. This simple gesture had conforted her in so many occasions, but now ... now what? What did the Order even meant? Why did they revere the figure of the True King? Did anybody else back home know the truth? Somebody had to know. Somebody that had been feeding lies to her, to her family, to her friends. Wait. Could her parents be involved in this?
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, she finally spoke:
- I swear it, too. That isn't hard for me to say. I swear to end mental slavery because I will not tolerate to see anyone else as I saw my childhood friend today.
She pauses.
- As for the rest - and she looks at Hemlock - I appreciate your words. I will certainly need a friendly ear, and a friendly hand to help guide me. Because I feel I don't know anything anymore. I thought I had never been as hurt as when I saw Sebastian's before... - the genasi shakes her fire-colored hair - ... how sorely mistaken I was.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(Guys, I can't see the OOC thread anymore. Is this happening to you too? :( )
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
OOC it shows you left the conversation I tried to add you back in but it seems that didn’t work
@Fairlthilien
SEA MISTRESS CREW
OMG. Then I did that unintentionally. I was just reading the last messages when the thread just vanished! Thanks, I'll wait to be added!
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"Very well. You are now members of the Chainbreakers guild. Present this symbol, which we call the shattered crown, and those who know it, will know your purpose. I am sure I do not need to remind you that this is a secret society. Speaking of secrets, no one can know that I am here. If there is one wielding the Crown, they would surely seek to take a dragon as a slave. And If I become a weapon of the enemy, I will be a deadly one.
Hamza dangles a sapphire-clawed foreleg over the ledge, and scratches the following symbol deep into the stone, in what looks like one fluid motion. Her claw passes through the stone as easily as a knife through warm butter. When she lifts the claw again, the circular symbol glows a faint blue.
"Before you go, please, take this with you. It will allow me to contact you, or you to contact me, and will impart a small echo of my power to the one who bears it. Do not contact me frivolously, for this gem only carries limited power." A brilliant blue sapphire descends from near Hamza's mouth, floating between the four of you, waiting for one of you to reach out and take it. (Click to see the item).
"Take care, young adventurers. We will see each other again. For now, you may rest among the kobolds if you wish. Or, if you hurry, you may be able to return to village tree while the locals are still active and awake."
As soon as one of you grabs the Gift of the Gem Dragon floating between you, the stone platform you're standing on will begin to rise, taking you back up into the Kobold colony. As you rise, each one of you hears Hamza's voice in your minds once more, talking directly to you.
Lam:
I can feel a wellspring of power, a link to ancient magics, contained and controlled within you. It is ready to grab onto your righteous fury and aid you in battle, if you allow me to open you to it. The results may be unpredictable, but I am almost certain they will all be of benefit to you.
You are this party's heart. Your raw emotion, your intense reactions to the things you see, your clearly communicated love for the others. Take care of them, and as you already know, they will take care of you.
Sha-Gravis:
Your quest to reunite the aspects of your goddess is a noble one, and it is rare I have felt divine magic as powerful as that which you carry with you. Do not be blinded by your devotion to her - the divine work through mortals on this plane. She has blessed you to be an avatar of hers, what you use that for is yours to decide.
You are this party's spirit - reaching for connection between you, through language, friendship, and fierce protection of the others; as well as reaching out through your magic to give them strength and fortitude. They need you as you reach for answers, and for meaning in this world.
Saoirse:
I know that challenging what you have always known is painful, and that learning about the origins of your order as something less pure that you had thought can only be shattering to your foundation, but remember this: Your power is real. Your devotion to helping others is real. Your desire to protect the world from evil is real. None of that can be taken away from you, no matter how the stories that first taught them to you may be shaken.
You are this party's hope. Even in the darkest times, you will blaze out and reach for a way, any way, to keep you alive without breaking your convictions. You inspire, and you show others from outside the party why they should believe in you. Remember, the sun exists always, even when our days are dark. Allow the others to support you, as you have already supported them.
Hemlock:
You have stared a dragon down in the eyes an dared to ask whether she was sure of what she was saying. You have refused to cause harm when unnecessary, despite pressure from all sides to act. And yet, you have acted with power and decisive ferocity when the moment called for it, not hesitating to strike out to protect the group. It is an honor to have met you, stargazer. I have not seen any of your kind since your elders retreated into the deepwoods and high mountains to avoid negotiations, interactions, or war with the Lightbringer's empire. It is clear that you carry your culture's teachings with you.
You are this party's conviction, unwavering and solid, a great trunk connecting the solid earth to the eternal heavens. They will need you to hold them fast when light and dark blur to grey, and to remember what you stand for.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Saoirse looks at the Chainbreaker's symbol, commiting it to memory, and then at the blue sapphire.
- Hmm, I already have the stone connecting me to Tesfaye, so it is probably best that someone else wears this gem. And seeing that it also offers some protection, I again think it will best serve Hemlock or Sha-Gravis - shen then pats Lam and adds - Sorry, friend. I don't mean to imply that you wouldn't make a fine use of it - of course you would - but I think this specific item looks more attuned to them.
The prospect of resting sounds like music to the genasi's ears, and in that matter she says:
- I wouldn't mind resting here. But it may be useful to share what we have found so far with Rhys and Cylence, so I would propose going back to Village Tree before leaving to the next point of interest (which should probably be The Artificer's tower?). What do you guys think?
When the group is decided, Saoirse bows before Hamza. The dragon's final words bring a little confidence back to the genasi, which finds them conforting, though she's still in the middle of that darkness Hamza has so very well described. She opens her thoughts for her to hear:
"I ... thank you. I will cling to those words. "The sun exists always", I like that. Perhaps I can help bring that sun to my companions at the Order. Perhaps. One day."
Once sent back to the colony, she will seek Hássan, to try to speak to him one last time (specially if the party decides to return to Village Tree for the night).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
“I believe it’s my turn to pass my armor is good and my vestments are powerful, Hemlock or Lam then.” Sha bows deeply to Hamza, “The wisdom of dragons is not exaggerated. I must meditate on your council, most radiant sapphire, Hamza.”
SEA MISTRESS CREW
Lam stares at the shattered crown symbol, committing it to memory as well, and then he stares mesmerized at the floating sapphire. He is just able to work out that it reminds him of the one Hássan wears when Saoirse speaks up about it. He nods in response to her words, not fully understanding all of the gem’s powers but knowing someone else should probably be the one with the power to contact Hamza.
When Hamza starts speaking in his own head, he listens intently and tilts his head with curiosity. He looks around at his friends, and then nods back at the ground and bows his head. He opens his thoughts to the dragon.
“I will take care of them. I am open to this… power.”
Lam considers the question of resting before he speaks up to the rest of the group. He isn’t very tired, and would probably be fine with the journey back. He would also be fine with staying here a bit longer- this feels like another nice place, though different from the Village Tree. He nods when Saoirse mentions going back to the Village Tree before anywhere else. He says: “HMC is coming tomorrow. And dwarf woman is still here.” And he looks between his friends to see if they think anything needs to be done about that situation before they leave this place. He thinks it would mostly resolve itself given how the dwarf looked earlier and the HMC’s desire for peace here, but he watches his friends who know many things he hasn’t considered.
He does not voice a specific opinion about the prospect of resting here now, but seems like he is happy to go with either option.
- Hássan seemed to have a plan for dealing with HMC when I asked about it, but we can ask him again when we reach the colony. About the HCM, and about the guard of course. She seemed pretty relaxed in the colony, though. I wonder if she still wants to come back to her HCM companions.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra