Pizazz's Myth Drannor

By the time "morning" came around once more, Xemnez had made a few further alterations to his apparel. These being of ease of popping his claws in a pinch, an added side pouch, and a few other small adjustments here and there. Even then he looked marginally miserable himself over the added layers, but soon dismissed such feelings at the unhappiness of others.

"I cannot imagine us needing to swim in these conditions. But, I would welcome the added protection... In return, how about I whip up something a touch more tasty then that." Without waiting for an answer, he'd ask the spirit for permission to make a small campfire in the air using their own materials. And if allotted as much, the golden furred Leonin pulled out with practiced efficiency several cook utensils including a fair sized pot and specially treated and seasoned rations from his own portable pocket dimension for what would soon be a hearty stew over the next several minutes. During the process, the same new pouch at his hip is used several times to produce a large array of spices for the stew. As the preparations are underway, this would also be the first time the party sees the Leonin truly relaxed and even a touch happy setting things into motion. 

Once everyone has had their fill of stew, he sets aside the pot and pulls out a wok to warm up some added treats: some type of mix of rice and seasoned beef(?) wrapped in strange leaf. "Here. For each of you. I'd eat it now while its warm, but it should last the day. I keep forgetting name of it at times. But know it will bolster you even more than that stew should you eat it."

--> In short, using the Chef's feat to produce 6 'Treats'. Can be consumed as a Bonus Action, granting 6 Temp Hp that last until depleted, overriden by a greater source, or until the next long rest. 

Toc is very quick to put away his rations. A short while later he's got his own mess kit out and is shoveling stew in his mouth in a rather un-elf like manner.  After a few bites he slows down. Then, guiltily he looks over at Mirica. "I feel like I'm cheating on Chen."  Then, guilt released, he quickly finishes up the stew. 

Simaal accepts the stew as well "Thank you, this is rather good, can't say I was looking forward to cold food, it's cold enough out here already. Well now that the tales are done I can offer some meager healing if still hurt."
5 4 6 6 6 5 7 7 2 8 3 5 1 5 7 5 1 7 3 4 2 8.
Won't use it up all if not needed of course.

Thyrius accepts his inclusion in the water breathing spell, finding it quite fascinating. The imperfectly fitting winter coat and additional peripherals were working well in keeping him warm too, so his overall mood was a bit better. Not that he showed any of that very well.

The less impressive morning meal is not met with outwardly-spoken disappointment by the black cat. He had packed some dry fruit, tack, and jerky of his own and was happy to contribute to the table given the group's kindness over the last ten or so hours. That said, he knew ahead of time that the mention of a missing chef would only serve to invite his brother to show off his own skills at the campfire. Thyrius found it hard to contain his knowing smile, and eventually enjoyed one of his brother's culinary creations with delight: the stew was as filling as usual. With Mirica and Simaal communicating the nature spirit's offer regarding the fruit, and Xemnez making it known its effects, Thyrius would also pluck a frozen pear and eat it as part of his breakfast. Unlike the pear, Thyrius saves his brother's magical threat for later.

Thyrius was not familiar with this worlds' pantheon, so the name 'Auril' meant little to him. But Mirica called her a deity, and that would go a long way in explaining the owl-goat's power. A hard fight was ahead of them if they were to cleanse that sphere as Ajani commanded.

(OOC: Not that Thyrius needs it after completing a long rest, but is Simaal offering to cast a healing spell on us?)

((If pears are magical, any effect after Mirica and Thyrius ate one?))

"The belly has no conscience," shrugged Mirica gratefully taking her portion of the stew. Chen's cooking was incredible, but a hot meal is a hot meal. "I am sure Chen would be happy we are not dying of hunger in his absence and love to meet a colleague."

It seemed her revelation did not frighten anyone, which was good, but probably needed some elaboration at least for the newcomers of the plane. "Auril is the goddess of Winter. As cold and cruel as the ice around us. Right now she is trying to concur that part of the mortal realm for herself. Not that glacier, the outside. Probably this is why she wants Mythallar? Or simply for her collection. She is known to "preserve" the beauty - by freezing objects she likes. To be honest, I am not sure how we can battle her. But do not see any other way either."

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Mirica picks a fruit and eats it. Indeed, it is sweet and delicious, but also, some mystical energy seems to seep from it, into Mirica. Mirica feels the nature based energy inside enabling her to cast druidcraft.  She would estimate she can probably use it three times before the energy is used up. It will probably last until she uses it. 

Simaal meanwhile spent a bit of time on his watch examining a couple of the pears.

Simaal learns: 

Nuzej indeed sat quietly for the most part before resting. He'd briefly say minimal greetings to the newcomers, and confer with Toc every so often, but he seemed to be very lost in thought. At one point he did react to Mirica's declaration that they would have to fight a diety, asking, "could we perhaps arrange a sincere gambit, not a ruse, where we alert the divine guardian to the machinations of the liches stealing from under her? This would at least permit us a distraction to emplace ourselves opportunistically for a fight, and it might weaken one or both of them, if not eliminate one, and then allow us to handle the survivor?"

Later on, he'd go and try a fruit, before falling into a deep, deep sleep, almost not having realized how exhausted he was.

(OOC: Quick reminder that Thyrius also had a magical pear for breakfast.)

Thyrius responds to Nuzej's comment: "My brother and I tried to reason with her, albeit briefly. We receive no response after informing her that the sphere was corrupted. She simply and absentmindedly bunched us together with the undead wizards and, as if talking only to herself, repeatedly mentioned she needed to expel all who entered that chamber."

He sighs heavily: "Reasoning with the owl-goat may not be an option. Perhaps the corruption of the sphere has sequestered this Auril's mind to some degree."

(@Blue: Actually missed the 1st revelation about Auril. Whoops. x.x Gonna chuck it for now to Xem getting side-tracked working out what he planned to cook. So lots of grunts and "Mmhmm" response I imagine on his end at least, but nothing helpful)

Still somewhat vibing with the universe after the meal, it would take a minute or so more, but eventually the commentary on Auril finally sinks in enough for Xemnez expression to start hardening into a more serious one. "... An avatar... Hmph! So, not just perhaps mad but toyed with us as well." He sighs and shakes his head. "It seems no matter what plane one goes to, the gods are as capricious as ever. But be things as is, this is your world. However you wish to proceed, we... will back it up. But if her hostility does not waver, Avatar of a God or not, she will be put down."

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Thyrius bites into a random pear plucked from one of the trees.  The firm fleshy fruit is pale white and delicious.  He feels the energy of the pear within him and an inkling of what he can use the power for. 

Thyrius' Pear Charm: 

 Nuzej also grabs a pear experiencing the mystical fruit. He feels the following potential form within him as the magic seeps into his body: 

"Very brave of you," repeated Mirica nodding to brothers, "and I can believe into the corruption influence, though Auril was never kind or caring, her cruelty is her own. But, she is still a goddess. Avatars of the gods... were killed sometimes in our realm but this is not an easy task. Not really your fight either and yet you volunteer to risk your life with us. Thank you. This is the fight where every bit of help will be needed."

She stood up, listening to the presence of the soft druidic powers - a pleasant sensation she almost forgot after the final choice of her devotion. "How far is the city? There are ways to travel in a straight line, ignoring the ice walls, but if it is close enough, perhaps walking would be better. We could talk about the plan on the go."

As the group, now rested, fed and healed begin talking about departure, Hathowyn (for those that can see the invisible Dryad) begins to get a bit....antsy?  She hovers around the group, seemingly getting everything from each interaction that she can.  She puts a hand on Simaal, the one who has been spending the most time with her.  "Simaal, do you think maybe you could stay with me?  Your friends are just going to a dusty old city. We can talk more about the world outside. You told me about some very interesting plants, I'd love to hear more!" 

Simaal nods and smiles "Oh sure why not, nothing they can't handle there in any case. I'll catch up with you guys later, don't forget to look for the spells to break this lady out of her prison as it were." He sets down his pack and gets comfortable. "Actually there are so many things we can talk about, there are lot of wonderous places everywhere."

Xemnez couldn't help but puff out his chest a bit more at the compliment from Mirica, though chuffed at the later mention of being an 'outsider' to the conflict. "This fight was made ours the moment some fool drew Ajani's attention." Following that frank note, Xemnez set about putting everything away once more, trusting Thyrius to fill in the details about the distance. For frankly speaking, though he'd be unlikely to admit aloud, the cold and injuries had left some parts a blur for the Leonin.

The 'Younger' Leonin's later disappointment in Simaal is practically palatable as he stared at the man. He side-eyes the rest of the group quickly, trying to gauges if the behavior was normal. But before coming to any solid conclusion of his own, he says frankly, "You've been told that the fate of the multiverse is at stake, and yet you feel now is perfect time for that?" He asked of Simmal with bit of an edge to his tone. 

"Well with two powerful leonines in the group, I'd be little more than a footnote, besides it will still take some time to actually find the city and stuff then find the counterspell for here, that's just going to take a while. And then when you come back and free her, then I'll come back with you and cleanup anything that's left there. It's all good. I mean she's been all alone for years, we can't just leave her here for who knows how long again, all alone." Simaal smiles happily. "And she'll probably be happy to help us in that battle as well, so there's that to consider. Why this reminds me of a glorious battle over a princess in the Hightower of Heavens, her name, let's see it was Princess Ivy, and she was a wonder to behold, and.... I see, well ok, based on the looks I guess you're not in the mood now, but we'll talk later." He turns back to the green lady "So whose turn was it, mine or yours?"

"I knew we would return, so I made a point in trying to memorize the details of our trek away from the city" Thyrius replies to Mirica on his and his brother's behalf. "We arrived at the grove through that opening over yonder. We'll need to follow that icy cave for about two or three kilometers, but much of the path will require climbing up and down. The cave has the occasional offshoot but they don’t go far, leaving us with only one real path to follow. Some spots are tight, others dark and slanted, but the overall path should take us deeper toward the underground and the sinister city. What did you call it again?"

He continues to munch on his frozen pear for a moment before continuing: "The ceilings of the cave are roughly 30 feet high and seem mostly natural, with jagged sections everywhere. Crevices and cracks exist all throughout the cave system, in floors, ceilings, and walls. Sometimes they are as big as two feet across and run through the entire ice structure as far as our eyes allow us to see. The cave cuts through the ice in anything but a straight line, and they have a music of their own as if the cave itself was alive, groaning, creaking, and grinding in a constant, oppressive echo."

Having already made an earlier comment regarding Simaal and his tryst, Thyrius lets Xemnez lead that part of the conversation.

Toc has been relatively quiet. Indeed, the brothers are starting to think that if they weren't around, this group may travel from place to place without a dozen words said amongst them.

To Nuzej Toc nods, "A very promising idea. It sounds as if she has already acted against the Liches. We should keep our eye out for a chance to enact such a manipulation."

The conversation about battling a gods avatar leaves Toc even more thoughtful. When Xemnez shows determination for the fight, its clear that he's both impressed, and trying to judge if the Leonin really understands. He listens to Thyrius' description of their path to the city and responds with a business like nod of thanks.

Then Simaal acquiesces to the dryad's request to stay behind and he glances at the others, clearly displeased. 

He frowns as Simaal appears to go back to the game with the Dryad and points at Mirica, sending her a silent message, "He must be under the influence of the Dryad. I can protect him from influence, but it's harder to break existing influence. Can you do anything?"  

Toc walks up to Simaal and stands near him watching the game he plays. "I will leave you with some protection before we leave." He grasps Simaal's shoulder, protective magic shimmers around Simaal momentarily.  Protection from Evil and Good 

Russel, the crow creature stands near the cave that leads away to the lost city, silently watching the situation. 

"Simaal did not only abandon the task we are on, he forgot about the friends he was searching for. Not... very typical for him. I can cleanse him of that affliction if it is indeed the possession but...," Mirica walked to Simaal (who, to her eyes, was flirting with the air), looked about the dryad direction and asked first. "Hathowyn, please, release Simaal. We need his help and without it might never be able to help you. You do not want to get us killed, do you? Then let him help. I promise to watch over him for you. Then we return and take you out of this frozen cave to the woods, full of trees and sun." Mirica was never too persuasive but she tried her best before resolving to the drastic measures. Persuasion: 9  + 4 for guidance.

Wisdom save vs DC 18 : 9

Mirica here's a heavy sob from the girl, "I know...I KNOW....I just don't want to be ALONE anymore!!  You'll NEVER come back..." Her crying seems to amp up a bit, anger flowing into her voice, "Fine!! GO.  GO DIE.  GET OUT.  GET OUT OF MY GROVE!!!"  Those that can see her watch as she dashes into a tree, vanishing. She leaves behind only the faint echo of her cries returning from the side caves in faint but insistent reminder to depart. 

Simaal feels the strange compulsion of the girls companionship vanish, and he realizes at once what had happened. It has been a long time since something was able to affect his mind that he didn't want...though...perhaps it was his own intentional kindness that let her influence seep in. 

Toc nods.  Out loud he says, "Hathowyn, we will return. If we do not, my ....brother.... has been told about you and he will come spend the rest of your days with you. But we will return, and free you."  With a sharp nod, he follows her last command that still seems to echo faintly back from the icy caves. He makes an "after you" motion to the two Leonin brothers who know the way.

Do you plan to walk the tunnel to the city, or use another method? 

"I'm sorry lady, my friends are right, this is something that needs to be done, and apparently more than just this world is at stake. We will do what we can to release you from this area so you won't be alone. I'll leave the items here so at least you have something to do. I am not happy that you chose that route when I freely offered you friendship, but a part of me understands."

"Furthermore I'm sorry to you all" he says to the group "I have failed to block her attempts." looking quite embarrassed. "The faster we get to the area the better, though I don't think we should rush once we're there. We need to understand what is happening before we can deal with it, after all if all it takes is a big hammer to destroy the whatever, then we may as well collapse the cavern instead. But somehow I doubt that would solve anything."