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

Sera smile. The pure rawness in his voice. His shy demeanur. She shared one of her greatest wish with him and he liked it. She did have Hastos in her dream too. 

But he was Elf...and she was human. She would grow old and wither before his eyes. But he also comits on long term. And he stood up for her....countless times now. 

She loved him.

She not say anything. Emotions swell in her.and she pull him towards her....and she kiss him. Wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into the bathtub with her. 

Chuckles at the moment of awekwards fumbling in the tight bath tub before she get him undressed. 

" I am glad we did not have to go out more now..and Merkas is not doing something reckless..."

She then focus fulky on Hastos. Letting worry slip and enjoying him . Enjoying the passion and feeling of being alive. 

-fade to black-

While Hastos and Sera enjoy the respite of the evening as it turns to night. Orr the Unseen has a fitful night alone, studying and practicing new powers until exhaustion finally claims them. Buckeran also pours every bit of his energy into his alchemy studies, and only turns in when he can't keep his eyes open anymore.

All in all it was productive night, and none notice a sneaky blue kender tip-toing out the front door.

Merkas finds his way through a side entrance, guarded by another "door" golem that the myconids showed Dawnbound on the way to the manor. Deftly ducking out of sight as giant scorpions and giant spiders who have begun to patrol the newly abandoned region. He stalks his way to the entrance to the second floor, and after setting up the materals necessary to perform the ritual, he focuses inward. 

The nearly overwhelming current of chaotic energy saturates him to the point that his leather armor is damp and heavy from sweat. Whispered voices and ancient memories not belonging to him swirl in his mind. But they're too vague and ephemeral to latch onto. This cave has been the home to powerful magical creatures for over a thousand years, and the residual spiritual and magical energy has only a wisp of sentience left... it's become feral and raw. Tears stream down Merkas's face, along with the urge to scream with fury and laugh with delight. His body twitches and convulses as he wrests control for the power, urging into his hands and into the ring.

The ring begins to hum and pulse, as the boundaries of its limits are tested. It vibrates with enough heat to sear Merkas's fingertips. But he dutifully maintains his grasp, even as it vibrates and stings like a hornet trapped in his fist. When the ritual is complete and the words of power are used, hours have gone by, and Merkas is gasping heavily from the strain. His face is gray as the blood has drained from it, and his bloodshot eyes radiate an eerie rose gold light. Weary, and barely able to walk, he eats a snack and drinks some water from his canteen, then stumbles home.

One Ration removed from your inventory.
Your waterskin is now dry. But it can be replienished back at the manor.
Merkas has 1 level of Exhaustion.
Merkas has performed streneous activity during most of the long rest, and does not gain the benefits of one, and therefore does not level up. You may take the benefits of a short rest, however.

The trek back is more fraught with peril in his condition. In Merkas's current state, they are more highly visible, and breathing heavily with each strained effort.

Merkas takes 5 Damage from Giant Spider Attack, Merkas still has Poisoned Condition.
Merkas takes 11 Damage from Giant Scorpion Claw Attack
Merkas takes 9 Damage from Giant Scorpion Sting Attack, Merkas takes 23 Poison Damage.
Merkas is dying and Unconscious.
Merkas receives 400 XP from Giant Spider Encounter
Merkas recieves 700 XP from Giant Scorpion Encounter
Merkas has spent two 2nd level Spell Slots, and two 1st level Spell Slots.

Merkas, after fending off the scorpion, collapses in the cave in the main hall, the comforting embrace of death closing in on him.

The party awakans when Barkly is in a strange panic, screeching in pain and rage, she's doing everything in her power to exit the manor! When you rush downstairs to find her, her eyes are glowing yellow, as Merkas's tend to do. Buckeran is stumbling and rolling down the stairs trying to dress as he hurries. He only has one pantleg on and his eyes are blurry. "What is it girl? What is going on?!"

Orr practically flies out of the room! The door to their chamber explodes with magical energy as they charge in ready to battle in what was previously thought to be an impenatrable fortress. Merkas is nowhere to be seen!

Hrothbert_Neruca please roll a Death Save.
Everyone else has levelled up.

Sera had great sex in the bathtub....then sweet tender moments as Hastos and her had some talking and practicing. Sera finally made her first potion of healing. 

Quite proud. Something she had wanted to create long time. And Hastos gets it. Wuth a slight blush.

She is ripped out of her cozy sleep she had on Hastos chest snuggled into him. No need to don armor she can grab sword her  hilt and rush down with Hastos as the Strider schreetch high and pitiful. Sera quickly see who is NOT present.

" by Thakisis sweaty blue butt acne..I swear if that blue piece if kenderdisaster have axtually gone alone I SPANK him.!"

Not waiting she dash towards the entrance. 

Hastos spends the night in the familiar warmth of Sera, although, the armor sometimes make for scratchy contact. Suddenly, he’s awaking by the screeching of Barkley down stairs.
Hastos and Sera bolt downstairs, Sera in graceful leaps, Hastos stumbling to cram his legs into his leather leggings, and pull his armor on. 

As they get to the living room, a quick assessment reveals that Merkas is not among them.  Sera lets out a barrage of swearing. Hastos “Anyone know how long he’s been gone?” He asks in a panicked voice. 

“Maybe if we let Barkley loose she’ll take us to him?”

Opening the door is all Barkly needs. She scoops up Hastos and Sera unceremoniously onto her back. No time to wait for them to be fully ready. You bounce along on her bruising trek to Merkas, whom you find lying on the floor of the main hall by the side entrance the myconids took you through. The closer you get to Merkas, the weirder Barkly is acting. She wretches like she's going to vomit, and you can see foam bubbing up at Merkas's mouth. Eventually Barkly staggers and trips, falling and spilling Sera and Hastos onto the rocky bottom floor. You bounce and skid roughly but take no real damage.

Barkly rights herself clumsily and nestles her beak up against Merkas, then looks to Sera and shrieks desperately. The sound kreens off the crystal walls. You've never seen her this agitated.

Sera is up and stumbles forward to Merkas " oh no...why...dammit" she skuds down to him and se the stingers and bite marks on the little kender. 

" dear Paladine...I know you are found of Kenders. Look on him with mercy..."

She feel holy energy radiates from her palm. The healing flows into him. 

( cure light wounds 6 hp)

coughing up blood as some of his wounds close, Merkas rests a hand on Barkly’s head to reassure her he’s fine, and smiles up at Sera, “Hey, guess what! There’s scorpions in this cave too!” 

Sera say nothing. No scolding. no questions. Her disseapointment so great in her eyes. 

And so in utter silence she rise and turn her back to Merkas.  And walk back....

As Merkas’ wounds heal and he begins to show signs of life, Hastos exhales a sigh if relief. 

“I warned you this was dangerous. What the hell were you…” Hastos takes another full breath. “… *why* … did you come here on your own? It was reckless.”

Looking Sera straight in the eye before she leaves, the pain muddles his thoughts until Hastos question sinks in, “I didn’t go looking for any of the loot, promise! You can check my bags and all my pockets! I only went where we already were, where we already made it safe, I stayed on the paths that we had cleared, just went a bit further down where the magic in the air was more powerful. I had this thought come to me that I could use the magic in the cave to help me and Barkly be closer.” Pulling out his map, which has bloodstains and some running ink now he says defensively “See I even made a map to help get there and back and I took a rest last night like I said I would. And we can all go together to get that treasure now”

Sera bite her lips...hearing Merkas eager words as she leaves. Not showing any sign of wanting to talk to him or accknowledge his task. 

Inside she gathers her items. Strap up and wait ready for the others to get ready. 

She will not utter a word to Merkas or look in his direction. 

Hastos looks Merkas over to get a sense of his condition. (Medicine: 19)

Once everyone is actually ready to continue on, Buckeran gives Merkas some concerned side-eye. He may have been a reckless bandit in his youth, but his tendency to barely escape death time and time again seemed like a sleepy life by comparison.

"Shall we... continue on? Are you fit to travel, Merkas?"

Orr the Unshattered crackles with a new kind of energy. Electric energy. Iradiated from their time in the den by the sullied mana in the air, they have been given a new power to tap into. They remain silent as they ponder their reduced reliance on their star magic. Then, with practiced grace, they walk over to Merkas, and place a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"You take enormous risks to acheive greatness, which I've no doubt awaits you. I am inspired by that. However, your friends need you to be strong and fresh for what awaits us in that den. You are precious to us. Protect yourself with the same fervor that you protect us."

Orr the Unshattered uses Bardic Inspiration on Merkas.

They take a deep breath. "Let my renewed strength pour into you, so that you may have the strength when it is needed." That done, they look to Sera and Hastos. "I have prepared a spell that should keep us safe from the poison vapors in the tunnel, so long as you stay close to me. If it's not needed there, it will surely be needed as we get closer to the dragon's den."

Hastos examines Merkas, lifting arms and listening to heartbeat. 

“He is in no physical condition to endure combat.” He says flatly,

”I have do doubt that he has the…. will to continue, and may yet be propped up by magics. But he is exhausted, and still quite injured.” Hastos rises to his feet. “Most importantly, any continuation today puts his life at risk, and by extension, our lives.” Hastos gestures to Sera. “We have not yet started our day and have already utilized precious healing magics.”

”I’m afraid I must recommend we return to Buskerans manor until Merkas can get adequate rest.”

Sera make heavy sigh....she looks at Orr, Hastos, Buckeran and Merkas...

" yeah..he needs lots of healing we then be lacking it in the posibility we face a undead dragon. He in no shape for combat. And the recklessness endager the rest. 

But I can only add my  advice and vote. I not rule over you. 

Shall we use healing magic to get him in shape and move out? Or wait? "

She give the group a questening look. 

" Since we have the greatest dangers ahead...and so many are dependant on our success. I say we take the delay and wait. But I listen to the majority"

Crawling up to his feet and Barkly helping steady him, Merkas, he stands and starts to talk before going green and turning to the side to expel some of the poison in his system. “You all can go without me or I can just rest on Barkly while we go.” He starts the arduous climb onto Barkly as he waits for the answer. “Besides I can heal up just fine myself, no need to use your precious resources on me, you all might need them for yourselves, I went alone to not endanger anyone else, and if I can almost get there and back without being killed then all you can certainly do it.”

“Have some heat” Merkas casts Bonfire right under Barkly once he’s on her back. The fire clearly starts to invigorate the strider, but Merkas wounds start mending quicker as well. (Fire Damage becomes healing for Barkly:14, Merkas now receives half healing from her being healed: 7) 

He turns to Buckeran, “Get on Boneknapper, we got a great mystery cave to see and and almost clear path to geth there” 

With the vote split, Buckeran is uncertain who to listen to. But he decides to trust Merkas's knowledge of himself. Kenderfolk tend to trust their luck, and Buckeran respects that.

"The longer we tarry, the more danger we invite to our door. Demons are hunting us. Assassins are hunting us. And the famine is already upon us. If Merkas says he can travel, I trust him. We can form a protective perimeter around him so he can cast from a safe range. I have an amulet that may help... to borrow..." Buckeran casts a knowing eye on Merkas. "It's called the Amulet of the Drunkard. He can ride atop Barkly and get drunk on alchemical wine as we travel. No spells wasted, and it will restore his health. The amulet was a failsafe for me, but I've faired well on this journey so far, except for a few tumbles, bumps, and bruises."

If the party agrees, Buckeran will give Merkas the Amulet of the Drunkard. It can only be used for healing once per day, and restores 4d4+4 HP after a pint of alcohol is consumed, which can be produced by the Alchemy Jug that Buckeran carries.

Buckeran will not force the party to advance. His primary purpose is to guide and advise. But Dawnbound is in control of pacing and security.

Sera feel the words of Merkas sting. Buckeran quickly give a suggestion how to heal Merkas using and amulet. That is fine by her. 

" preciius resources.......use on yourself...you showed it is not dangerous by not getting killed?...."

Seras voice falters..she shake. His comments. That is so unfair. " LISTEN UP YOUR BLUE fartgas from Sargonnas brown asscrack!! .. I never considered my spells precios. And I always prioritized YOU and the rest over me. And you be DEAD had Barkley not sensed ur distressed. U proven just the opposite about how safe it is. . " she go forth towards Merkas and her temper flare almost so much  Barkley can heal from the heat  " you screwed UP and now you shittalk us too? Thats BLOODY unfair towards conserned friends who wants your best. And you show us disrespect ..."...she is out of breath..throw up her hands in surrender

" Fine..." She see that they go anyway. She hope something show up and attack. They will face an enraged cleric. She starts to move. 

“Oh?! Miss perfect Cleric, Solomnia refugee! Not like your own problems haven’t caused us trouble as well! At least my trying to better our position only risked me, I didn’t bring anything with me that’s going to chase us down and murder us in our sleep!” Merkas shouts back and slides off Barkly to follow her turned back “You make these grand pronouncements like you’re the only one who is even trying to help this group, yet you treat me as though I am some child that needs to be looked out for cause I have no idea what I am getting into! And you may be right that half the time I don’t but what do you expect, less than a year ago I got turned blue, my sister rapidly died and decomposed in front of me because she pushed me away from what killed her, and I discover that I can use magic, that I can’t help but fear is the very thing that killed her. So I come to Santehk along with you and Hastos to try and help someone to make up for my failure. So sorry that sometimes I get an ideas that I just have to act on. Sorry that I am not the muscular meat of a man that Hastos is to just take a beating and keep on swinging. Sorry that the only thing I seem to be able to do is create chaos and make others clean up the mess.” His words start getting lost in sobs as he finishes with “Sorry that I failed Yvonne and can’t make her come back” The kender drops to his knees, hands in his face as he lets out all the tears that have been bottled up behind his typical kender cheerfulness, his shoulder shaking with his gasping breaths as he releases the pain. 

Hastos walks over to Merkas, kneels down on one knee  and puts his hand on his shoulder. “We all have our strengths and play to them. You’re been far more cunning than i initially gave you credit for. I’ve learned to trust your tactical instincts. Magic isn’t your only skill, either. I mean, you ride a fire breathing chicken. Despite our skills, it’s not always enough to save the ones we love.” Hastos looks over at Sera.”…or ourselves.”

”You honor Yvonne’s memory in living, not dying.” Hastos gives Merkas a pat. “Forgiveness is a gift you can give yourself as well.”

Hastos stands and holds put his hand to help Merkas up and snorts  “Man meat, though? Really?” Hastos chuckles, “C’mon, let’s get moving.”