Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP)

Sera have no questions for Buckeran....but Orr the Unseen...sha have a few questions for. She wait a few moments before she follows. 

She knock the door and once he answers

( assume Orr answers)

She steps inside and close the door behind her. Eye on  Orr..."so? You should try eat....what is the matter?" Sera moves closer and squat beside him there he sits in the bed. Consern in her eyes. 

When you enter, Orr is laying on their bed, reading a tome of magic, studying new skills, techniques, and components. But their eyes don't seem to be focusing.

They see you come into the room from the corner of their eyes and sit down on the bed, and they close the book, setting it gently between the two of you. The act is fluid and gentle. They respect their books and clearly treasure them. Not a single page is dog-eared. And there is no crease in the spine, or the pages.

After a moment has passed, they take a deep breath. "These tattooes," Orr the Unseen strokes the patterns of the runes inked into the flesh of their arms and chest, "they were given to me when I was chosen to become a private entertainer. They are a gift for those who provide respite and comfort to warriors, nobles, and dignitaries. They are more than just aesthetically pleasing. The magic within them serves to enhance the pleasure of our clients, and to protect us should the client become... violent. The dye comes from star metal and is empowered by the moon and her stalight concubines. This... tormented sky is preventing me from receiving that blessing."

Tired looking, they rub their temples. "I have been looking through books of arcane and druidic magic to find new sources of power, so that I may continue to be of use. That battle with the spiders... it humbled me in ways I did not know I was prideful. I remembered things I had locked away. I have not felt so helpless in many years. A pleasure worker's role is to serve. Their needs and desires come second to their clients in all ways. It is... humiliating... for me to be the one whose needs come first."

They meet your gaze with those gentle, but almost eeire, unblinking eyes. "So I am compelled to rise above this, and to be ready for whatever comes next. I will not falter next time."

Buckeran is gone by the time Sera makes her way up the stairs. Obviously excited to experiment with these crystals, he bounces up the stairs with all the jubilance of his long lost youth, leaving Hastos, Merkas, and Barkly in the main lounge. It's quiet there. Usually some music is playing, or Jasper is getting into something she shouldn't have. But the tiny cat-like dragonkin is upstairs with Buckeran, most likely nestled into a pile of baubles and watching small fires heat up liquids. But now, there is only the calm crackling of the fire, the faint sounds of the lightning storm outside, and the slow bloop, bloop bubbling of the stew in the pot. Several comfortable couches, a chaise lounge, and deep cushiony armchairs invite you to sit. Behind one couch is a table with a decanter of kender brandy. The lighting is dim and undulates in response to the fireplace.

As they all enter the manor, Hastos pauses by the doorway.He gently places a hand on the small of Sera’s back as she enters the door and gives her a smile and a small squeeze. A quiet gesture that lets her know that he’s happy that she’s there and safe.

As they all find their places to relax, Hastos smells the aroma of the stew as it begins to boil. The seclusion of Buckerans mansion provides an almost immediate relaxation that Hastos hasn’t felt since the last time he was in here. “That place is a mess.” He says as he finds an out of the way place to put his belongings. “That could have gone so much worse.”

Sera seems concerned about Orr and traces his path back to his room.

Hastos begins unbuckling his armor and places it out of the way. He gets down to his long shirt and leather pants and plops down on the couch, closes his eyes, and lets the aroma of stew fill his lungs. While the need for sleep gently pulls at his consciousness, he takes deep breathes and remains aware of the goings on in the room.

Merkas helps Barkly to settle in the corner, loosing some of the straps on her riding gear to help her be more comfortable, “A mess is right, Haz, like all these different cave dwelling people have set up their own kingdoms within this cave like it’s some mini world. You know there was a kids story that was told back home about a whole world that fit inside a tiny spec of dust. I wonder if there’s whole worlds of people that we will never meet because they’re so tiny, may e we’re really on a spec and a bigger world passes us by without knowing it?” 
The kender keeps rattling on about different nonsense as he wanders about the room until the stew is ready. 
“Here you are” He sets a couple filled bowls on the table and goes to get more. “Foods Ready” Sitting down to eat he looks over at the refuse bin and his eyes go big “ Hey, Haz, none of them mushroom people were wearing any armour or carrying weapons. You think they just throw that stuff in a garbage pile somewhere like we do when we peel a potato? I bet there’s a bunch of stuff piled in a corner somewhere, judging by how big the mushroom town was there’s gotta be a lot!” 
He nearly forgets about his food as he collects his stuff to go search the myconid cavern. “Finders Keepers, One guys trash is anothers treasure, and all that, never thought of it so literally before though”

Hastos chuckles at the idea of worlds within worlds idea. “That’s pretty thought provoking, Merkas.” Hastos ponders the Kinders musings. He sits up slowly and stares into the fire.

“You know when I was very young, I was taught that there were 28 different planes of existence. And apparently there are minor ones that are created by magic all the time! They never said anything about size, and who’s to say how big ours is compared to others? We might be floating by each other all the time! You might be on to something there. I bet Buckeran knows a thing or two about this topic!” 

Hastos perks up at Merkas comment about equipment. “Good idea! Maybe we should ask them the next time we see them!”

“Next time? I’m heading out now!” He picks up his bowl and downs the stew in two gulps, whincing as the heat burns his throat. “Pirst one getsh the besht shtuff, Early vird and all dat” He says through the mouthfull of meat and vegetables he has, before heading to the door, bag of holding slung over his shoulder. 

“Merkas!” Hastos says as the Kinder starts off towards the door.

”Wait” he says laughing. “Wait! At least until we can get the others to come with us. That place isn’t for the ill-prepared!”

Sera nods at Orrs words. She not understand how he willingly would submit himself to sjch service. She would dread such acts.. she....

..she let that thought rest. Buried. 

" we all gets defeats Orr. You rise..because thats all we can do..."

With that she rise and go to get some stew. To find out Merkas is about to leave...the words of first ones gets the best stuff echoes...

" what?.." her voice rather sharp and stained with disbelif.

"You heading out? To get loot? So you NOT need to divide it to the best use and fair distrubution in the group?" Her voice carry an sharp edge. Her face have no smile. 

" a short way to might makes right too if you keep that philosoohy..we are a team. We give our best effort. We get a fair share. That attitude undermines it"

She say no more but show a disseapointment. She turns to get warm  stew. If Merkas wanted to go he could....she not stop him.

" even taking a risk by go alone?

Hastos looks at Merkas as he speaks to Sera. 
“I… I think Merkas was just saying that since we’re likely the first people to have access to the remains - and others are likely to come, we…” He gestures in a circle implying the whole group.”… should be the first to pick through it.”  After a breath he concludes, “I doubt he was referring to just him.”

At Sera’s reprimand the kender has stopped at the door, one foot in the air as of frozen mid step. He swallows audibly as he looks back at his companions, “Well yeah, we gotta get there before to kobolds to get the stuff, now that the mushroom people are gone they have easy access to all that loot which I bet they been eyeing for quite some time, and who knows what else might be down there waiting to take all that collected gear and stuff” 

His big eyes are wide with a look of innocence and excitement before he deflates somewhat. “But I guess I could take a rest at least before we go back into the dangerous cave…..” 

She sigh...muttering something avout fearless Kenders...but misjudging his intentions.

She rubs her forehead...

" fine.....good point. ...sorry for snappung at you. but no one shall go alone. Too many monsters in this caves. If something was to happen I never forgive myself. "

Abd with that statement she get her gear that she slumped on the floor earluer...with hope of some rest. Strap it back on. 

" lead on Merkas...." She say with a grim determination. " let us find the valuables.."

Hastos groans. “Wait… wait, wait wait. Ok, look. I understand the need to check that out, but are we in any condition to mount a defense if we find ourselves against a pack or two of those deranged kobolds?”

“Is it worth our lives?” 

Moving back into the room and clearing the table to lay out a map, Merkas settles in, “Yeah, Hastos is right, we really should have a rest, I’ll work on a map of the cavern and where we’ve already been, that way we have a better idea where to search for the loot pile. Having a good map was already a requirement when my sister and I were scavenging, I didn’t tend to use it much but she always had it. Annoyed me so much when she told me I was going the wrong way, Like of course I know that the sun comes up in the east, but when you slept through the day cause of traveling all night, a sunset looks the same as a sunrise!” He sets out his cartographer tool kit and says to Sera sincerely. “Thanks for helping me make better decisions, Yvonne used to do that but I didn’t listen to her a lot, and I want to be better at that.” 
(Merkas is working on his cartography during downtime, specifically a map of the cavern and wastes they crossed to get here) 

Hastos watches as Merkas pulls out his cartographers kit and begins work on the map. 

He turns to Sera, “If you’re half as tired as as I am, perhaps we should retire for the night. Maybe a bath and a good rest will do us good.”

;(Hastos will spend any free down time quietly practicing his guitar.)

She drops her pack again. She nods to Hastos words and nods. " seems my words affeckted Merkas...hope he stay alive longer.. I going to get of some more dirt. " she scratches the edges on her grown chitin plates. " it gets itchy around the edges. " she sighs..her living armor had its tendrils deep in her and feasted on her blood. To rest would not help her weary body. 

( Sera will practice to get the feat Warmage if posiible)

The evening passes slowly. But Buckeran's manor is well supplied. You find plenty of games, like darts, dice, and card games to stay occupied. Buckeran works late in his alchemy room, and allows Sera time and space in there to craft a potion. Her bath remains difficult with the Living Armor on her, and the tendrils squirm inside her skin to find blood. Perhaps bathing in blood would appease the armor more. But for tonight, you only have clean, warm water to work with, so you do your best.

Buckeran's Alchemy Lab is the second best in Santekh. You can either craft at half the crafting cost, or use Heroic Inspiration to craft the same potion at a higher quality (with the same crafting time and cost as the lesser quality equivalent.

Orr the Unseen spends most of the night in their room, but comes down once to enjoy a small bowl of stew and listen to Hastos play guitar.

Hastos learns a simple song, and can now perform it for money, or as a way to gain Advantage on Persuasion Checks. The music can build bonds that turn an Indifferent NPC to Friendly. It will have no effect on a Hostile NPC.

After sitting quietly and eating, Orr the Unseen heads back up to their room and studies until they fall asleep.

Before bed, Buckeran douses the fire in the main hall so the broth in the pot doesn't dry out, then turns in for the night.

Eventually, Hastos finds himself alone in the dim light of a few lamps and smoldering embers. Barkly is breathing deeply with her eyes tightly shut on her own smoldering coals. Outside, the raging electrical storm can faintly be heard, and provides a subtle, thrumming rhythm to support your song.

Please feel free to narrate how you end your previous day, and start your new one. And don't forget to level up your characters!

Finding himself alone, Hastos quietly places his guitar against the chair and makes his way to the bathing room. He knocks gently and enters, and see Sera relaxing in the hot water.

He takes a large, fluffy towel over to her. He gestures to the armor and asks, “How are you doing with… this?” He asks, clearly concerned about the effects of  this living armor.

Sera lay and relax. Hastos question say her thought aloud. " it....it seemed like a small sacrefice to do. It itch terrible at times. It feeds from my and make me lightheaded. But same time...ut tries to protect me. And as long it does...it is a symbiote and not a parasite. But I endure ...but I discard it when the war is over. Then I want a farm. I want to tend to my animals. "

Her eyes gets dreamy..

" I want husband and the laughter of my children...knowing they can grow up in a peaceful place."

Sera looks at Hastos...

" and you?.. what will you do?".

Merkas sits at the table tapping his feet and the stylus as he works on his map. Bobbing his head along to the guitar as Hastos finds the rhythm. Mumbling a goidnigtt to Sera as she heads up to bathe. He gives a friendly wave to Orr as he comes for his meal. As the frivolity dies down he gathers up his cartographer kit, map, and the various notes before heading to the latrine. 

“After?” The question takes him by surprise.
“I’ve never thought about after. I’ve never thought there would be an after. I’ve never had that kind of optimism - of course, I never thought I’d be alive this long either.” He chuckles as he sits down next to the tub.

“I guess the future was a luxury I never afforded myself.” He puts his hand on her arm. “But those things sound nice. Maybe one day we could have those things together?” He’s asks a bit shyly.