Session 15:((Note: We've been getting more lax about certain things, and thus some parts were censored to be NTWF-safe. No important details are missing. But if you're really curious and you ask nicely, there is a google doc equivalent.))
((If you're just here for Thundy's amazing handwritten Draconic letter, go to Love and Respite!))
Rudeness and Bathroom HumourWith the help of the Nettlebutt(e)s, they defused a standoff between 10 locals and 6 members of the city guard. 3 locals were killed, the rest were turned in to the guards.
The Nettlebutt(e)s leave.
Front room is ordinary; table and a couple of chairs. There's a kitchen to one side.
Khamet loudly announces: "I'm going to the bathroom!! I'll be right back!!"
Basil: "Thank you Khamet; that was a little loud."
Khamet: "Everyone has to know, okay? Going, for a bathroom break, don't disturb me while I'm in there!"
Amani: "Just go!!"
Anthony is messing with his phone.
Anthony: "Hey guys, I'm downloading some new apps, you're gonna love them!"
Amani: "What is an app anyway?"
Ant: "You'll see when I cast them!"
Am: "...Okay, so... Wait, you got new spells now?"
Ant: "Yeah, in a manner of speaking."
Am: "Oh, neat! I'm really happy for you! I feel I can flex my power a bit more too, I just haven't decided how yet."
Tally has her back to the wall in a corner. Eventually, she apologizes to anyone near.
Am: "...Um... Glad to see you're back, Tally. Um... that was kind of extreme to happen... to you."
T: "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Am: "Um, are you gonna be okay?"
"Um... None of this is okay! Yeah, yeah! Of course. I need to find her room... Where is it?"
Tally goes off and she finds a room with a bed; she infers it might be her bedroom? She wants to get a good feel for the type of person that just died on her.
She finds a wooden maple leaf pendant and a letter. Tally is sort of shaky and limp as she grabs the letter and the pendant. She kinda just grabs stuff.
Meallan... sneaks after Khamet to see if he's actually taking a bathroom break.
Anthony leans over to Amani. "I didn't know those two were... you know!"
Am: "Wh-what?"
Basil: "It was kind of obvious."
Am: "W-what are you talking about?"
Ant: "I didn't realize they were, uh, y'know, an item! Going off to the, uh... bathroom, together?"
Am: "Uhh, is that what you got from those two? I know Meallan sai-" A pause as they decide not to say something about Meallan. "I don't think it's like that...? I don't know how it works, I never understood these kind of things?"
Ant: "Oh, I mean, Basil knows it!"
Am: "Uhh... I guess I'll take your word for it?"
B: "Yeah, just trust us on this one."
Am: "...Okay, I will!"
The door is closed, and there's vague chanting in a language Meallan doesn't understand. Cue arcana check from Meallan, and he can tell that people don't normally chant when they got to the bathroom?
((Celes: "I am 100% regretting this."))
Meallan tries to go around the corner and slightly open the door with Mage Hand. The door creaks open…
Khamet stops what he's doing, peeks his head out the door, and goes: "Who did that, you creep, you pervert! I have my eye on you!"
Khamet sees a bit of Meallan around the corner.
K: *REALLY LOUDLY* "Meallan!! I can't believe that firbolgs are this perverted!! And another thing, okay? You can't do that to people! You can't just look at people while they're in the bathroom? That is rude! Now go outside!"
M: "Normal people also don't chant when they're going to the toilet! What are you doing in there?"
K: "I'm destroying the bathroom!"
(Ant: "See, I told you!"
Am: "Uh... are you sure...?"
Basil is slightly less sure.)
Meallan walks to Khamet and tries to peek in the bathroom with Detect Magic. He can detect some magical residue, though not much else.
M: "You were doing something magical in here, I can feel it."
Khamet insists that no, he just needs to go to the bathroom, go away!!
M: "Khamet, let's just stop pretending it's anything. You're trying to do something."
Khamet continues to insist, but he's veeeery clearly lying, with his Nat 1 on deception.
Meallan sighs and pinches his nose. "Why don't you stop pretending and lying to me and just tell me the truth? What are you doing?"
K: "...I'm making a new friend!"
M: "How do you know that spell?"
K: "Anhur taught it to me!" Khamet seems to be telling the truth.
M: "Why are you doing it in the bathroom?"
Khamet explains that he needs... material. Meallan questions whether Khamet insisted as much to annoy him or whether he's actually stupid enough to believe that. Khamet neither confirms nor denies.
Tally pops up behind them in the corridor. "Let. Him. Go. To the bathroom!"
M: "He's not going to the bathroom!"
T: "I don't care, let him be in there by himself in private and do whatever he will!!"
M: "...Alright, alright…"
Ant: "Can you guys hurry it up? All this talk makes me wanna go now."
Meallan turns around, feeling really embarrassed and annoyed. Khamet squints out the door, looks both ways, shuts the door, and continues doing what he's doing.
Am: "So... maybe Khamet really does think that, and he's projecting on you."
M: Sighs. "I-"
Am: "Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't be helping. Sorry."
M: "I don't know what to believe anymore." He sits down and pinches his nose. "I'm going to do something to distract myself. Give me ten minutes."
Am: "Alright then…"
Meallan begins to cast Identify, on the broach first.
Amani excuses themself to another room, just wanting to be alone for a bit.
Anthony continues writing a letter.
Basil is just withdrawn, thinking about the fact that he agreed to kill an undead firbolg. It's very concerning.
Tally seeks the magical elven laundry products, and finds some laund'erai berries. Removes any stain! Wow! Tally takes off her shirt, which has blood. However, she has no scars on herself. Others are being respectful and not staring.
After 10 minutes, there is some commotion from the bathroom, and some... whinnying?
Khamet comes out of the bathroom, and behind him... comes a horse!
The horse is slightly unsettling, has red (but otherwise normal-horse eyes), is black, and looks vaguely unsettling, but only vaguely.
After some rustling, Amani peeks out from where they are and goes: "...Wh-what? You can... summon horses now?"
Meallan loses concentration on the ritual. Oops!
M: "...Hello? What's your... name, horse...?"
Horse: "...Pffff!"
M: "...Okay then."
K: "Hi! I made a new friend!"
Tally compliments the summoning!
M: "I didn't know you could really do that..."
K: "Oh yeah, I constructed him, totally!"
T: "Can you make one for me?"
K: "Uh... Unfortunately, I can only have one at a time. But, uh, I named him Hatar! Say hi, Hatar!"
Hatar looks at the entire party. ((I didn't catch Hatar's reaction?))
Am: "That's, uh... that's really impressive, Khamet... I, um..." They stand there, staring.
K: "Yes!"
M: "I lost my place, I don't remember what I was doing..." Meallan sighs and starts putting away stuff. "I'll do this later. It's really impressive, Khamet."
One guard from earlier returns with 5 others guards and sees... a horse in the middle of the room. They just... stare.
K: "Hi! This is my new friend!"
Guard: "Um, hi…"
Am: "You missed less than you thought."
Guards: "I don't think I did! Uh, we're just going to take these 3, and we'll be out of your way."
K: "Okay!" He's petting the mane of his horse.
Amani: "So, Khamet... how are you going to get him outside?"
K: "He's gonna walk through the door!"
Am: "Is the door big enough...?"
K: "Probably?"
But alas, it was not. And so, they had a horse standing in the middle of the living room of the house, with no obvious exits.
K: "...I-I guess, maybe, we'll have to do some property damage!" He puts his fist in his palm. "It's unfortunate."
Am: "Why didn't you wait till we went outside and started going to Cai?"
M: *Exasperated.* "That is a fantastic question, Khamet!"
Ant: "I guess it's apparently because all of the things you try and summon are in bathrooms!"
Amani sighs. "It is not..."
K: "Yeah, how was I supposed to find a private place to go to the bathroom?"
Meallan insists that that's not what's needed in a summoning. They then realize that they are getting some very weird looks from the guards.
Guard: "Please don't... break down the door."
Am: "Uh, do you know a way to get him outside, then?"
Guard: "...What, me?"
Am: "Yeah, uh? Who else? I don't know who else is..."
Guard: "I mean, I don't have a horse, I mean, maybe one of these other five, I don't know have a horse, I don't know how to get the horse in here, or how to get the horse back out that way?"
M: "Khamet, can you make him disappear? I can sometimes make Aytal disappear."
K: "Oh, no, he can't disappear."
Meallan mutters under his breath in Giant.
(Tally's giggling in a "what is even my life" way.)
While they ponder this dilemma, the guards finish up moving the bodies. They tell Tally (who's returned to blank looks) and tell her:
Guard: "Ambassador, is it okay if you stay here for a few more minutes?"
T: "Uh...I wasn't going anywhere."
Guard: "Oh, that's perfect then! I promise we will send someone back, but we just don't want to leave this place unattended right now, given what happened."
T: "...You need me to watch over the house for a while?"
Guard: "Shouldn't be too long. Is that okay with you?"
T: "...Aaaaaaaaaah-okay!"
Guard: "Thank you, ambassador."
The NPCs leave.
BloodMeallan was approaching Tally during that conversation, and speaks up after they leave. "Tally? Are you alright? You looked very... well, you went blank when you were washing the blood off…"
Tally: "Sorry, do you prefer me to keep it on?"
Meallan: "No! No no no no no no no... I can't stand the sight of blood either."
T: "Oh, sorry."
M: "It's okay. ...Is it the same with you, or is it... something else?"
T: "I mean, you saw what happened, given you yanked the brooch right off of her right after she was killed, but…"
M: "I did, and... It didn't occur to me that it would bother you... I should've thought of that. I'm sorry."
T: "It's a very strange thing to be bothered by, isn't it?" Tally laughs uncomfortably.
M: "No, not at all! I can't stand the sight of blood either."
T: "...I'll remember that next time I plan to make somebody bleed. Oh wait! I never do that if I can help it, so you're safe with me!"
M: "...Tally, I'm asking out of genuine concern here."
T: "What are you asking?"
M: "Are you alright? After that?"
…
Tally sniffs deeply.
M: "Because you don't seem to be."
T: "Uh... probably not! Sorry, I'm just being a jerk about it all. I shouldn't have let you see any of that."
M: "Well, I saw that."
T: "None of this should have happened. I should've let them capture me in the first place and they would've just taken me back here and I would've found a" (M: "No!") "way to escape or another way to end this, and none of them would've had to-!"
Meallan takes her by the shoulders. "No!"
Khamet interjects. "Okay, Meallan, that's enough! You don't have to force her to explain herself or do anything. Give her space if that's what she wants, okay?"
T: "He's not forcing me."
M: "Tally…"
K: "Fine! But he's being a bit aggressive. If he make you feel uncomfortable, tell me, and-"
T: "You're making me feel uncomfortable!"
K: "Well- ...Oh." Khamet goes quiet.
T: "I'm sorry, you're both trying to help, I'm sorry, I'm being a jerk about it, you came, Khamet, you even came earlier to help, I'm sorry, I didn't even thank you then, I couldn't, but thank you, um, thank you."
M: "...Do you need a moment?"
T: "...It's fine. I've had a moment."
K: "...You know, Tally, you don't have to thank me for anything. I was just trying to... I-I-I didn't realize you needed space. I'm sorry."
Meallan leans down to be at eye level with Tally. "...Would you like to talk about it? I know I'm not the best at it, but I do care about it and I don't want to see you like that." He looks a little uncomfortable admitting this, but he means it.
Tally sniffs. "What is there to talk about? Nobody else seems to realize, but... It's not better for them to die than for me! It's not better!"
Amani walks over this time. "Tally, you don't. Deserve. To die. Especially not to a group of racist elves who don't care anything about you. Okay?"
M: "We don't want you to die. ...If anyone deserves to-"
T: "It doesn't mean any of them had to die…"
M: "...No. It's better that nobody dies, but dying is just... part of how it is."
Tally sniffs. "We could've done this without anybody dying. ...Why do I bother?"
M: "You bother because you're a good person."
Am: "Um... They didn't exactly endear themselves, since they're just going out and just killing people, I'm not exactly sad at their deaths. But um, for what it's worth, I don't remember killing any of the elves myself."
K: "Wait a second, if you didn't kill the elves, then who did?"
M: "The Nettlebuttes."
K: "Uh, did you tell them that you weren't trying to kill anybody?"
M: "I didn't think we weren't, but…"
Am: "I kinda didn't specify? I didn't really... think about it…"
K: "You didn't... okay, okay." Khamet turns to Tally. "Listen, Tally. It's very good that you don't let dourness or bitterness take control of you and that you value other peoples' lives. And it would've been better if we found another way to resolve all of this. And I don't think there is anything I can say to you right now, and I don't want to end up justifying something that you are clearly against. But uh, do you think you need space? Like, is there anything I can do to help you?"
M: "Is there anything any of us can do to help you?"
Tally: "...You're already helping."
Meallan: "...I'm not good with this, but..." He holds his arms out for a hug. Tally leans in, and Meallan gives her a hug.
M: "You are such a good person."
Meallan can feel that she's still really shaky and really limp. He pats her head.
Amani looks on, then looks away, a weird expression on their face.
Meallan then casts Mending on Tally. Which... does nothing, of course, because that's not what that spell does, but he's trying!!
The horse comes up to Tally, looks at her, nods, and walks away to another part of the room.
T: "You weird centaur with a weird head on you…"
Am: "H-he's not a... nevermind."
UnravellingAnd well, perhaps it's time to address the horse in the room!
Khamet tries to get the horse out of the house through the main entryway, since it's the largest entrance they can manage. The door frame manages to be damaged, but no serious damage occurs.
The horse goes outside and looks at the streets and the creepy area of town. Hatar is not impressed. He looks at Khamet and blows a raspberry. He looks to the house again.
Khamet: "No, you are not going back in there! You can deal with a bit of rain!"
The horse begrudgingly agrees to Khamet's unreasonable demands.
Amani and Meallan cast Mending at the door.
((DM: "You killed her, but at least you kept her door in good condition!"))
Amani sighs and looks dour as they cast.
M: "Amani? Are you alright?"
Am: "Um, uh... Sorry, n- don't worry about it. I'm just thinking about, um... this whole situation! That's all."
M: "It is a mess, isn't it? ...The situation, you mean, regarding Khamet, the firbolg, and... all of that? ...Or is it something else?"
Am: "Uh, just... everything. Don't worry about it."
M: "...Are you sure?"
Am: "Yes!"
M: "Well... If you do want to talk about it... I'll listen to you."
Am: "Uh, I... I'll keep that in mind!"
M: "...You do matter to me as well, you know."
Amani pauses. "...You do?"
M: "Yes."
Amani speaks quietly, but is still audible. "I... I mean, I guess that's fine. I guess I just don't really wanna pry if you don't want it... If you don't want my help or anything... I-I don't mean this."
M: "I might need your help at some point."
Am: "What would you want me to help with?"
M: "I don't know yet. But I'm going to need your help at some point."
Am: "It's just, last time I tried to help you, um, that... whole thing, happened."
M: "I do appreciate that, even if... that happened."
Am: "Then what do you want?"
M: "...A lot of things. But... at this very moment, I... don't want to lose you. And... I don't want to die."
Amani goes silent for a while as they process this. Eventually: "...I don't want to die either."
M: "I don't think anyone wants to die. Death is natural, but…"
Am: "Uh…"
M: "I do not want it."
Am: "...There's too much to lose."
M: "...There's a lot more things I want to do, before…"
Am: "What sort of things do you want to do?"
M: "I... want to get stronger. I want to... chase my ambitions. There's a lot that I want."
Am: "Hm. Well, there are ways to do that. Um... Listen... no matter how things go with what you're trying to figure out, um, there are always other ways to do this. Get stronger. Chase your ambitions. Make peace with yourself."
M: "Like what?"
Am: "Just... other ways. There are other... avenues. I can't... Uh... I guess, for now, you can keep doing what you're doing."
M: "And to make peace with myself?"
Am: "Yeah! It's very important. But it is a long journey to get there. I can't really explain it till you're... already there. But maybe I can... help with that. But it kinda depends on... how things go."
M: "I hope you're right."
Am: "I hope so too."
M: "We'd better go. I don't want to keep the others."
"Right... Um..." Amani hesitates. "I... I don't know how to say this... How to bring up... What Khamet said about me, and what I know, but..."
M: "That you also think that... my Lady is not a fey?"
Am: "Yeah, what he said. Um. I just want you to know that... it doesn't mean I don't want what's best for you."
M: "It's alright. I spoke to her about that, you know."
Am: "What did she say?"
M: "Well, she said that... Maybe Arcaito is not who he says he is either?"
Am: "No, he is."
M: "How do you know?"
Am: "Uh... I'm, pretty sure he's an Archfey."
M: "What if he's another creature who's taken his name?"
Am: "I-I really don't think so."
M: "That's what she said."
Amani sighs. "I-I have good reason to believe that's not going on."
M: "Then what is going on?"
Amani huffs a sigh. "Uh... To be... I... Can I be completely honest with you, right here?"
Meallan pauses. He nods, but is clearly bracing for something painful.
Amani lowers their voice, and their conversation becomes stealthy. They make a show of still fixing the long-fixed door.
Both Tally and Khamet can hear Amani, but Tally can't hear Meallan. (Khamet can hear both.) Anthony and Basil can't hear either of them.
Amani: "...I'm sorry, Meallan, but what you said about Malka being a fey and all that, um... I'm sorry, but Khamet's right. It just doesn't add up. ...Um. I don't know- It doesn't necessarily... I don't know what she could be, but I know what she's not."
M: "Why not?"
Amani sighs. "Just... a few things! I... I have- There are people who can read magical signatures, magical energies, and they can tell that it doesn't line up. And also, what you said... Do you remember our conversation in the forest, when I asked you about Malka's type?"
M: "Yes?"
Am: "Um... And you mentioned you didn't know. But... Why wouldn't you know? Uh... Archfey are... Archfey find their elemental types to be very important."
Meallan is silent.
Am: "I'm sorry, but…"
M: "Amani…"
Am: "It doesn't mean that..."
M: "Listen, Amani... I learned some things from Master Aubryl in Dyventain. How to read magical and arcane signatures."
Am: "Yes?"
M: "You cannot do it on yourself."
Am: "...No, you can't."
M: "Someone else can do it."
Am: "Yes. Um... ...Meallan, I'm really, really sorry, but I asked someone to read it for me. Someone in Dyventain."
Meallan looks at them, looking really shocked.
Am: "I-I didn't tell them what it was about! I-I promise you, it was no one important! ...No, no! No! They were- No! Auuuugh!" Amani briefly puts their head in their hands.
M: "Aubryl, or...?"
Am: "It was no one who would do anything bad! I promise. And I didn't- This person didn't know... They don't know the story! There's no reason, they'd-!"
M: "How did... Who... was it?"
Am: "Uh...... A student."
M: "Rinn?"
Am: "No, not Rinn. No. No one you know."
Meallan ponders if Amani's telling the truth about whether it's someone Meallan knows; he realizes they are being honest about that.
M: "...And what did they find?"
Amani sighs. "Uh... They're... They don't know how to read your... They don't know enough about the magic specifically. But they do know that it's not fey. That's all."
Meallan just... blanks out for a bit.
Am: "I'm really sorry, Meallan! I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't important. But I think it is."
M: *Very quietly* "Thank you for telling me."
Am: "And um... I'm sorry, I wanted to do this a better way. But... Khamet kinda forced my hand."
Khamet is quietly eavesdropping.
Tally whispers to Khamet: "You forced their hand?!"
M: "Khamet forced your hand?"
Am: "Yes..." They sigh. "I wasn't going to bring up that I knew at all! I was going to try to ease you into it. But when Khamet blurted out that I knew already, I... I couldn't see any other way to go about this! I…"
M: "When did you find out?"
Am: "Uh... ...During that week, when we were waiting for Crezonis."
M: "When?"
Am: "During that week."
M: "When we were learning Sylvan?"
Am: "No, before that."
... …
M: "Amani... I don't like that." He sighs. "I deliberately asked Aubryl not to read my arcane signature, because I didn't... want to find it. But... I can't bring myself to be angry at you for doing that against me."
Amani sighs. "Like I said, I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it was really important. ...But I think it is. I think... And... I'm just... I'm worried about all of this! And I don't want you to be misled."
"...Thank you." Meallan gets up and starts walking away, very conflicting emotions hanging in the air.
Amani calls after. "Meallan, I am sorry!"
M: "...What am I going to do now?"
...Amani sighs. "I was hoping to find a better way to ease you into something else to do. Before... bringing anything like that up."
M: "It's fine! It's fine. Let's just go to Cai Shaan and just... keep doing what we're doing."
Am: "Alright... Yes, we need to go to Cai Shaan! As soon as possible."
M: "Yes! Please, let's just get away from here. I'm sick of this place."
As their conversation wraps up, two hooded figures in cloaks approach them and tell them they can go if they want to. Tally inquires, uhh, who are they...? So one of them pulls back their cloak, and yeah, they seem to be very cold, very wet guards, come to watch the place.
Guard: "Thank you, Ambassador Talsindra. You and your friends can leave if you'd like. Is there anything you think we should know before you go?"
Tally: "Uh... Don't go in the bathroom!"
Guard: "That's... worrying?"
One of them talks about where else they can go, they kinda needed to...
But anyway, the party takes their leave!
Tranquil TorrentThey have two and a half hours before sunset. Amani and Meallan press the party to get started anyway.
Meallan tries to pet the horse.
Basil whispers: "I don't think we want to touch it!"
M: "It's not made of poop, Basil!"
B: "I don't know anything anymore!"
M: "I know how it works, it's not made of poop!"
B: "Okay!"
Meallan holds his hand out to Hatar to sniff. Hatar sniffs his hand, looks up to Meallan, and is just not impressed. Meallan carefully tries to pet the horse's nose. Hatar just... accepts it for a second, then pulls away. He's very skeptical of Meallan. Meallan gives him his space.
They head off. Meallan and Tally are at the back, Basil and Anthony are in the middle, and Khamet's at the front. Amani's trailing towards the back of the party, looking contemplative. Meallan's cloak is on, and his head is down.
It's an uneventful trip. The rain is pouring hard, turning mud to sludge. The trees are dripping. Meallan occasionally, warily, peers into the woods, finding nothing.
As the sun sets, the rain is still going and picking up. Anthony pulls out his phone.
Ant: "Okay, okay, guys! Alright, I got this! You all wanna stay dry tonight? Gather 'round me!"
Am: "Wait, we're making camp now? We could still keep going a little while!"
Ant: "It's getting dark to me!"
K: "Okay, yes, but I'm not going to make camp in complete darkness."
Am: "But-"
Ant: "Oh, it'll only take a minute to make camp! Just one minute!"
K: "Just one minute!"
Am: "I just wonder how much more walking we can-"
Ant: "Would you care to place a wager on that, Khamet?"
K: "Uhh, no, I believe you!"
Am: "I... Alright, I guess, we should…"
Ant: "Alright! Everybody-!"
M: "I would like to keep going…"
Am: "I mean, I would too…"
M: "...But I don't want to leave all of you behind."
Ant: "I don't particularly want to walk in the dark, and also in the rain!"
K: "Yeah, let's not do that!"
Am: "Alright, fine, fine…"
Ant: "Alright, everyone stand around Anthony!"
Everyone gathers around him. (Not including the horse as he can't fit.)
M: "What thing?"
Ant: "You'll see!" Anthony pulls out his phone, and presses the Tiny Hut icon. One minute later…
POOF! A 10-foot radius immobile dome springs up and around them.
Ant: "Welp, there we go, it's camp! It's dry, it's climate-controlled, and it lasts for 8 hours!"
K: "Nice! That's enough time to sleep!"
Am: "That's impressive! The…"
Ant: "Also, it's completely imprevious to magic as well as physical force, so we don't even need to take watches!"
Am: "Uhh... oh... That's impressive..." They sound a little disappointed, with mixed feelings.
M: "Can I leave this place at any time if I wanted?"
Ant: "Um... Yeah! You can move through it freely if you want! Other people can't get in, though."
M: "Good. I have some things to do."
Ant: "Okay!"
Meallan leaves the hut. First, he casts Alarm around the hut for a minute by taking a silver string from his ring and stringing it around the perimeter. He then begins the ritual to resummon Aytal. (After taking care to keep his reagents dry.)
They go through their rations. Amani munches unenthusiastically.
Ant: "Told you this spell was awesome!"
Anthony goes to his bedroll, and claps his hands twice and shouts: "Lights!" And the lights go dim.
(Basil: "Considering I have slept in literal trash cans, this is pretty sweet!")
Amani eventually goes outside to sit around Meallan's ritual as the first segment of rest begins. Meallan has his cloak over the burning charcoal to keep the rain off of it and just focuses on it and the ball of light that is Aytal. Amani is just silent and tries to keep out of Meallan's way.
When Aytal returns, he scarfs around Meallan, sensing his sadness.
Amani: "...Meallan. Again, I'm sorry. Um. I'm glad you have Aytal back."
M: "Me too."
Am: "Um. No matter what, Aytal is... sweet."
M: "Yes, he is. I'm happy for him." He scritches Aytal. "I'm happy to have him back."
Am: "Yeah. That's good."
…
Meallan casts identify on his two items. Then he turns to Amani.
M: "I'd like to keep the circlet for myself, but the brooch... It renders one immune to magical force, like what I cast."
Am: "...I see. ...Hang onto it for now."
M: "I wonder if it could be useful to someone?"
Am: "It could be. We should hang onto it. Maybe it'll be useful to someone here."
M: "We could also in the morning."
Am: "Right. We'll think about it in the morning."
M: "I guess I'll keep it."
Am: "Alright. That's fine."
M: "Unless you want it of course?"
Am: "Um... No, um, I'm fine. I have my own magic."
They sit outside, with Meallan petting Aytal. Eventually...
Amani: "Um... you keep watch. I... need to... go to the bathroom! ...And, I just need to... I'll be back. I just need to spend some time by myself."
M: "Please don't come back with a horse."
Am: "I'm not going to come back w- Well, as far as I know, I'm not going to... well... I'll be fine! Don't worry." Amani begins to walk off.
M: "Amani, wait!"
Amani stops. "What is it?"
M: "I'm not angry at you for saying what you did."
Am: "...I wouldn't blame you if you were."
M: "I'm not. I just... I can't bring myself to be. I should be, but I can't. I just... I did so much for her, and... now I don't know what to do..." He goes quiet.
Am: "I... ...Maybe I can find a way to help you out..." They pause, wondering if Meallan really is not angry at Amani, but they can eventually tell he's indeed not angry. He's just... blank and upset, and wondering what to do.
Amani: "I... ...I'll, I'll try to find an answer for you! And... I am sorry for leaving you hanging like this. I just don't have any... Maybe I'll find an answer. I just don't have one now."
M: "It's okay."
Amani: "...Alright, anyway, I..." They sigh. "I'm sorry. I really need to go."
Meallan: "Go. Be safe."
Amani: "I will. Don't worry about me."
And Amani disappears into the forest.
Basil goes to Meallan outside.
Basil: "So... hi!"
M: "Hello."
B: "...What's your plan with your, uh... friend, we ran into earlier?"
M: "I don't know. ...I have a perimeter around in case she tries to come in, but... I want to kill her, but I don't think I'll be strong enough."
B: "That's a bad sign."
M: "I already have an idea for getting Anthony in, and Amani, but... Tally and Khamet... Especially Khamet…"
B: "What... happened?"
M: "What do you mean what happened?"
Basil sighs. "I mean... Most of us don't have undead stalkers."
M: "You're asking me if I know why she's undead?"
B: "Yes."
M: "...If I knew that answer would be, I'd... I don't know." He really doesn't know, from what Basil can tell.
B: "Is it someone you know?"
M: "Yes."
Basil remembers that sometimes, there are undead that still have their souls, but it really depends on if they can come back.
B: "Do you know if there's anything we can do to help her?"
M: "...I don't know. ...Depends on what she is, I suppose. I hope there is. I don't... want her here…"
B: "Neither do I! But here we are."
M: "That's... huh."
B: "Maybe that should be the first order of business, to be trying to figure out what we're dealing with here."
M: "Perhaps."
B: "Because really, if we can, uh…"
M: "I don't want to go anywhere near that... thing, unless I know for sure we can kill her. ...Any ideas?"
B: "I... know nothing about magic. But! I know that especially after what happened today... It would be better if we could... I know we've had this argument before, but maybe if we can start trying to find other ways around things, for Tally's sake if nothing else…"
M: "I would rather not get her involved if I have to."
B: "I know, but... I'm just saying."
M: "I know. And... If we have to kill the undead, then I'd rather Tally not be there to see it."
B: "...That's fine too."
M: "But... Finding another way around things... Perhaps, if that works, I... would be happy to try anything at this point, as long as she doesn't come after me."
B: "...But you know she's gonna."
Meallan sighs. "Yes, I know that she's gonna. ...Forget what I've said. I've said too much."
B: "...Whatever leads you have, then... We need to start trying to figure out what we're doing."
M: "... ...I don't know, Basil! I... I don't know why she's alive, I don't know why she's... here, and... I just have a feeling."
Tally hangs out on the roof, hopping around restlessly, briefly freaking out when she saw Amani's silhouette leaving but chilled when she saw that it was Amani. And when Aytal returns, she goes "Yay, you got him back, congratulations!"
She can't catch every word of the conversations going on, but she can catch the jist. When she sees Meallan's ears going down in terror during Basil and Meallan's conversation, she's thinking "ooh, they're moving, it's funny!"
At some point, Aytal comes up to her cautiously, knowing she's not good with him, but saying hello.
T: "...Meallan, how do I pet him without hurting him?"
M: "You just stroke him in line with his fur."
T: "Okay, he's not any more fragile than usual or anything?"
M: "No, he's fine!"
Tally pets him very very very cautiously. He's very soft.
That morning, after they wake up and the hut disappears, Anthony gives Meallan the letter to deliver.
SilverThe night goes on, and Amani was quite covered by their bedroll in the night, and they end up waking late. After the of the party has woken, and as Amani rises, there is something... immediately different about them. A few things, actually! In addition to their regular garb, they are wearing a silvery cloak around their shoulders. This is only enhanced by the faint silvery hue that surrounds their whole self. And there is something different about their face. Something about their eyes seems more intense. Immediately after, you notice that in addition to their starry tattoos, there are now dots of white, star-like freckles across their face. And the expression on their face is very calm, as if, at last, they are well at peace.
They stand among the rest of the party like this, not taking any note of anyone, and not acting as if anything is amiss.
Ant: "Woah, Amani, you look... different!"
M: "...Amani...?"
B: "Where'd you steal it?"
Amani: *Very calm voice.* "It was a gift!"
B: "...Sure."
K: "Hey Amani, that's a lot of silver on you! Are you planning to, like, hunt a werewolf or something?"
Amani gives an airy laugh. "No... But that's a good idea!"
K: "Oh! Okay. Well, uh... I like your new look! Uh, where did you find the money to buy all that?"
Am: "You don't need money for this. But thank you. I like it too."
K: "O-okay!"
M: "Amani, what... happened to you?"
Am: "Oh... Only good things."
"Mm..." Meallan tries to read Amani's magical signature. They're not super experienced at it, given that they're new to Aubryl's teachings. He's never seen Amani's arcane signature before, so he has nothing to compare this to. It's harder to read Amani's than it was to read Aubryl's (perhaps because Aubryl was more willing; Amani didn't know this was happening). There are... well, silver colors. Around them, but also in the signatures. They're fairly hard to read.
Meallan's curious about if this is a sorcery thing. They think that there are a lot of sorcerers types, and this could well be a sorcery thing, possibly. He's never heard of sorcery being used to summon a magical item of clothing, but he just doesn't know enough.
K: "Hey, Amani?"
Am: "Yes?"
K: "So, you said all of this was a gift, right?"
Am: "A gift from magic."
K: "A-a gift from magic. I-is magic conscious?"
Am: "It can be!"
K: "It can be. Um, have you asked it if it likes chocolate?"
Am: "Uhh... ...I will get back to you on that!"
K: "What is its personality like?"
Am: "Wonderful."
K: "Wonderful. So, is it understanding? Is it like... of all the people here, what is the magic most like? Like if you had to pick a person that is most like this sentient magic, who would you pick?"
Am: *Utterly serene.* "Nothing that you could ever imagine."
K: "I see. Um…"
Am: "Do not worry about it."
M: "Amani…"
K: "Well, you're kind of acting strange..."
Tally is very confused about how to react. "Amani... Do you want to talk about this? Are you trying to make us ask you what this is about? Um, you know what, this looks very nice, but uh... are you trying... is this a message for us?"
Am: "Thank you, it is very nice!"
…
Yup.
M: (Sylvan) "Is this power yours? Or does it come from somewhere else?"
Am: "Don't worry about it. It is within my grasp."
M: "That doesn't answer my question."
Am: "...It is within my grasp. Don't worry about it."
T: "...It sounds like it's within your grasp."
Meallan is still very concerned, but he backs away.
Am: "I don't understand why you're concerned. I feel fine!"
K: "Well, yeah, but yesterday, uh, you... I'm used to mopey Amani, who is sad all the time, every time!"
Am: "Well-"
K: "Why aren't you sad anymore?"
Am: "Because that was yesterday!"
T: "Sometimes we run out of sad!"
Am: "I just need to remind myself sometimes about the peace within me, and once I channel that, I can do anything, and nothing can slow me down."
K: "Wait, you can do everything and nothing?"
Am: "...I suppose!"
K: "Okay, well, as long as you're okay, um…"
Am: "I am better than okay."
K: "Okay, great! In that case, we should go to Cai Shaan."
Am: "Yes, we should! We do need to get there."
M: "Yes, I agree."
They break camp (very quickly), and then they set off. The order is the same as yesterday, except Amani goes to the front-middle, behind Khamet.
As they move, Meallan casts Detect Magic on Amani to see if he sees anything different from before. Since the others are clustered around, he can read their signatures too.
Anthony's weird magic device is magickey. So is Tally's magic spice pouch.
Amani... well, there's always magic from Amani due to their sorcery. There is something different. They're a lot more silver. There is something to do with their ring. It's the same magic as always, just more of it. Their ring glows even brighter than Amani does.
Khamet's Ossius Metallicum has magic. There is more magic from his bag. And of course, the horse is very magical. What a shock!
After half an hour, Basil notices a strange gizmo half-buried in the dirt. Ooh! It's 2 flat metal rectangles hinged together with a circular metallic dial. It's shiny! (Even with the mud.) Meallan can tell it's magical.
When Basil shakes it, there's a rattle and a dull thunk.
Meallan looks over it. "Careful, that's magical."
Basil: "Anthony, is it anything like your magic rectangle?"
Ant: "Uhh... We don't usually have two of them strapped together." It's also thinner.
Meallan casts Identify on it as they walk as the others keep an eye out. Basil holds it for Meallan so he can cast the ritual.
The item has no charges. It doesn't require attunement. There's some kind of spell used at some point to bind a soul or part of a soul to this object. They can't use its properties unless they want a cool-looking device waved in front of others.
Meallan says there's a soul attached to it.
Basil: "It's a persoooon!"
Meallan also gets an impression of a cold winter's morning.
(Anthony: "Santa!!")
M: "You still want it, even though it's got a soul bound to it?"
B: "Yes."
M: "Alright, you can keep it, whatever it is." He hands it back to Basil, who pockets it.
M: "You enjoy that."
A Wild Sudowoodo Sentient Tree Appears!It's still raining heavily; it hasn't eased off overnight. It's just wet and cold and miserable everywhere.
Meallan just pulls his cloak on.
Ahead, Khamet (and soon after the rest) sees a huge tree uproot itself and walk in the party's path with hostile intent.
Ant: "It's a Sudowoodo!"
K: "Hey, guys! There's a tree! Let's get ready for battle!"
Am: "Does it want to fight?"
The tree, about 20 feet away, picks up a giant trunk to throw. So the party prepares for battle.
Aytal runs over to Tally and jumps on her shoulders to scarf around her. She gives an encouraging nuzzle to help her out.
Anthony unsheathes his tire iron and shield and prepares to dodge. Then he casts Bardic Inspiration on Amani.
Anthony: "You got some new tools, let's see you use them!"
Amani: "I will! Thank you very much!"
And so, Amani casts Ice Knife! It shoots out of their hand and pierces the tree hard, and shatters in a grand explosion, covering the tree in frost burns. Amani stands there, looking proud at the level of power they just dealt; the power of Natural 20s.
In retaliation, the tree throws the tree trunk at Amani and hits them square on. Even with their peace, they can't help but recoil at the blunt damage they took, now badly wounded.
Basil pulls out a lantern and a thing of oil. So he lights it and pulls it back.
"I don't want to set you on fire! We can talk about this! If you can talk...!"
The tree doesn't talk; just looks aggressive. And so, Basil molotovs the tree!
It arcs beautifully through the air and hits the tree near the frost burn, and so the tree is now burn-burned!
Tally runs up and punches the tree, causing, oddly enough, more damage than Basil's molotov! However, her third attack doesn't do so well.
Khamet walks up to the tree, unsheathes his weapons, and whacks the tree twice with the Ossius Metallicum, and once with an addition of Divine Smite! And now the tree is looking worse for wear.
Meallan tries one more time to talk to the tree. "My companions have already hurt you. We don't want to fight more. Please just leave." He then turns invisible as his bonus action.
Hatar the horse charges the tree and strikes it with his hooves, knocking it down, before kicking it again!
Aytal... just sticks with Tally.
Anthony casts True Strike!
Amani casts Mage Armor, and then shortly after, through the power of my misinterpretation of Quickened Metamagic that was allowed only one last time because it was already rolled, casts Chaos Bolt, shocking it with a crackling mass of black lightning.
The tree whacks at Tally and Hatar, causing Tally some damage, and Hatar... disappears. He's gone. For all time! That is, all the time before Khamet summons him again.
Aytal gives a sad squeak that translates to "noooo!".
Basil sneakily strikes the tree with his dagger, for a surprising amount of damage thanks to a chainsaw-like motion!
Tally attacks the tree once more, with a dagger (inspired by Basil), and ending with one last punch!
Khamet slashes the tree, and the tree is... struggling now.
Meallan lights up a fireball, firing it at the top of the tree. While not struck with full intensity, it hurts if a tree could hurt, and it goes up in flames. Khamet and Basil get mildly singed, it leaves a little burn mark, oh no, how horrible.
But even better, they've defeated the evil tree, in part with fire, and in the rain! Huzzah!
Khamet uses his Divine Sense and stares at Amani and the group, wondering if there are Demons(TM).
He sees the same stuff as usual from Meallan. He doesn't pick anything up from anyone else.
K: "Well, that was a tree!"
Amani is battered, yet they still have a serene smile on their face. "That was wonderful. If we keep this up, the sea monster at Cai should be no problem!"
K: "We can get free calamari!"
Am: "Yeah, maybe!"
B: "So, did anyone know trees could do that?"
Am: "I didn't."
K: "I did not!"
Am: "Come to think, I wonder… Do you think this might be Arcaito?"
K: "Probably? I don't know."
M: "Perhaps..."
Meallan examines the tree. It was a tree, it is now not a tree. He takes out his axe to get firewood. "I'm sorry, I did warn you, my friend, but..." Axing away.
K: "Uh, Meallan? That's a tree."
M: "I don't want to waste it."
K: "No, I mean like, it can't be your friend."
M: "Why not?"
Am: "Don't assume!"
K: "Because trees don't think!"
M: "It can still understand me."
Am: "It could be a fey tree!"
K: "Uh, okay! They 'understand' you. Okay, I get you, I get you."
M: "Khamet, regardless of whether or not it could, I do not want to waste it."
K: "That's fine!" Khamet takes a few branches for his next crafting adventure.
M: *To Amani* "It could be a fey tree, but I don't think so."
Am: "I don't see why it couldn't be!"
M: "Perhaps. It's wood now."
K: "It's definitely not a demonic tree."
T: "That would make for very damp firewood. Good luck starting a fire with that."
They bundle up firewood in a place where it can dry as they prepare to go.
Khamet goes to the back. "Okay, I gotta find a place where I can cast this again."
Am: "We shouldn't spend too much time."
K: "It's fine, I mean, it's literally ten minutes Amani. Please? He's a very good horse."
M: "Khamet... You know they're not really made of poop, right?"
K: "Of course they are!"
Am: *Overly pityingly.* "Meallan, don't shatter the illusion for him."
K: "Yeah, exactly! Don't shatter the illusion for me! What they said!"
Love and RespiteThe cold and battering are starting to get to Anthony and Basil, and they start to be visibly exhausted. With all the mechanics involved for that.
Meallan offers to pick up Basil.
Basil:
"Yes please!"Cue shivery Basil backpack.
Anthony speaks to Meallan as they drop behind. Khamet drops behind as well to listen in. As he does, he walks by Amani, who had moved to the middle, obviously battered and injured from the tree trunk but still standing, ignoring their pain and not asking anyone for help.
Khamet pats them on the shoulder, giving them a quick dose of Lay on Hands.
Amani is startled, standing up a little taller afterwards. "Oh. That wasn't, uh... thank you, Khamet. That helps."
K: "No problem, Amani! We're cool."
Am: "Uh... If you say so. Um, I appreciate it."
K: "No problem." Khamet gives Amani a thumbs up.
They end up taking a break mid-day after all to rest. Amani eventually realizes that yeaaah, they all kind of need it. They eat some snacks and rest some wounds. In that time, Khamet prepares to re-summon Hatar.
Anthony goes to talk to Meallan. Khamet goes to see what's up.
Anthony: "Hey Meallan. I need that favor from you again."
M: "Alright. I guess I'll look around for birds or send Aytal to look out for birds."
Anthony wraps the letter and the necklace of glass beads he bought with part of a shirt.
"So a larger bird, then?"
"Yeah."
Meallan sends Aytal out to look for a hawk.
Ant: "Alright, well here's the stuff! It took me a while to write this. It turns out that their alphabet is really really difficult!"
M: "I'm impressed! You managed to get that to just from that phrasebook."
Ant: "Yeah! I
hope it translates to this!" Anthony shows a different paper where it was written out in Common. The letter, in draconic, is here:
((Click it if the letter appears sideways; I'm trying to find a fix.))
"I attempt to learn draconic. Please forgive mistakes! It is fun to learn new language. thank you for the gift, i bought this necklace for you. i have your scale as a necklace, so now you can have a necklace to remember me too. You are beautiful, and you should have beautiful things. In this language I can now say:
I love you, Draechydian Tyzol."M: "That is... incredibly sweet, Anthony. I'm... surprised and amazed that you have such a good relationship with this dragonborn, considering how you met. But it's nice!"
Ant: "Yeah, she's really special you know, she means a lot to me, so, you know."
Khamet squees super loudly, cueing that he's been there. "Yesss!"
Meallan glares at Khamet, then returns his attention to Anthony. "I'll do my best to find something large for you so she can receive this."
Ant: "Thanks Meallan, it means a lot to me."
M: "I might be calling in that favor soon, depending on how things go."
Ant: "Yeah, sure, you got it!"
M: "Thank you."
Meallan manages to find a large hawk. He holds out the package and some meat from Meallan's rations. "Please take this to Ur Deyn to a white dragonborn there."
The hawk takes the food and the letter (with Meallan helping strap the letter for comfort) before flying off.
M: "Thank you, my friend."
Anthony: "Thanks again!"
M: "You're welcome. Oh, by the way." He holds out the brooch. "Do you remember this?"
Ant: "Oh yeah."
M: "I found out what it is."
Ant: "Oh?"
Meallan looks around and tries to catch everyone's eyes as he holds up the brooch. "I found this. It can protect against magical force, like what I cast. And it can also protect against missiles. Would it be of use to any of you?"
K: "I mean, Amani's getting hit a lot, so... I mean-"
Am: "I'm fine!"
K: "Are you sure? Because, you were really bad at- like, you look really hurt after that last fight."
Am: "But I also really hurt
them, so!"
K: "I-I mean, but that doesn't heal you."
Am: "Plus, I have mage armor on now, so it's fine!"
K: "O-okay! Okay."
M: "We can all protect Amani."
Am: "It can go to someone else."
K: "Why don't you give it to Anthony?"
Ant: "I already got an amulet!" He pulls out his amulet Tyzol gave him; Tyzol's scale
Am: "You can wear two!"
K: "Yeah, you can always just wear two!"
Ant: "Ah, well, it's special to me… It doesn't really work against magic, but it works against loneliness."
Am: "If you say so..."
Basil:
"Khamet, give it to me!"K: "Oh, yeah, actually."
M: "Basil, would you like it?"
B:
"Yes please!"Meallan flicks it to Basil.
B:
"Thank you!"Khamet resummons Hatar. Hatar's kind of ambivalent about his return.
Aytal runs to him, chattering excitedly!
Hatar is all: "yup, yup, you are here."
Aytal does a happy dance of happiness!
Hatar appreciates that very much and gives a solemn nod.
Tumultuous TorrentsThey walk the rest of the day, and when they make camp, Anthony sets up the tiny hut again.
K: "Hi Basil!"
B: "Heyy."
K: "Hey! You kept that secret, right?"
B: "Yeah! Absolutely!” (K: “Yeah!”) "Very important secret!"
Khamet smiles. "Thanks, buddy!"
B: "Um, I'm going to go for a quick walk!"
K: "Uh, yeah, you do that!"
Meallan taps Khamet on the shoulder. "About that secret... Can we talk outside?"
K: "And exactly why do you want me to go outside?"
M: "Because I want some privacy."
K: "And what's so private? Oh, and by the way, speaking of privacy-"
B: "Okay you two, we gotta hash this out! Out the door! C'mon! Move!"
They move. As they're going outside...
K: "Okay, speaking of privacy, you shouldn't follow people into the bathroom!!!"
Meallan takes a minute to cast Alarm around the hut. Normal creatures or small fey won't trigger it.
M: "Alright. Khamet. I know that you met her."
K: "Oh! Oooh! Oh wow! You're saying he's a she now, that's impressive! That's extremely impressive! I'm very impressed!"
M: "Well, there's no point hiding it anymore, is there?"
K: "No, there is no point, thanks to, uh, our oversized rat over here, snitched!"
B: "I'm above your crap, and I don't just mean your familiars!"
M: "He didn't snitch, I forced him to say it."
K: "You forced him to say it... Did he threaten your life, Basil?"
B: "No."
K: "I mean, besides the times where he did threaten your life," (Basil lets out a disgruntled sigh) "Did he threaten your life over this particular thing?"
B: "No."
K: "Okay, because if he did, we can... you know, we can take-"
B: "If he did, that's Tuesday for me!"
M: "I didn't threaten Basil, I simply asked him, and he told me. But that's not important. Khamet, I... know that what I'm going to say to you now is probably going to open me up to more teasing, more... whatever it is you do to me! But-"
K: "Okay"
"But-" Meallan sighs. "I'm going to risk it. I'm going to tell you some truths, since you know about it."
K: "Okay, some truths, let's hear these 'truths!'." He air quotes.
M: "I know her. She used to be from my clan."
K: "Ohh, okay! So now she's from your clan. Okay. So what is her name?"
M: "Ragnailt." ((Pronounced: Rayn-ilt))
K: "And like, you know, what was she, was she like your girlfriend or something? You know?"
M: "She was a member of my clan. Nothing more."
K: "Okay, she was a member of your clan."
M: "I don't know why she's undead."
K: "You don't know- okay, what did you do to her?"
M: "Nothing."
K: "Nothing? Yeah, I don't believe that. What did you do to her?"
M: "I said nothing-"
K: "People don't become undead and look for you if you do nothing to them! Don't lie to me! You said you were going to tell the truth, so tell the truth, or I'm not listening to any crap that comes out of your mouth!"
M: "Khamet! I think she's looking for me, because she wants to kill me. Because I was banished from your clan. You were right earlier, that I was kicked out."
K: "Why were you kicked out?"
M: "Because of my association with Malka. They do not like warlocks in my clan."
K: "So why did you become a warlock?"
M: "Because I was desperate."
K: "Desperate for what? You don't look like a-"
M: "Something. Because she offered me what they could not. She offered me validation. She offered me kindness. B-but that isn't important!"
K: "Aww, poor baby."
M: "I knew this was a bad idea to tell you this. But, look-"
K: "Okay, so if you were banished, why would they send someone to hunt you in a different place? Like, you're banished. They don't want anything to do with you. In fact, it seems rather kind to banish you."
M: "Because... I don't know what's wrong with her. I don't know why she's undead."
K: "Okay, if you are banished, why would send someone to another continent? You told me you left before, you remember that?"
M: "Yes."
K: "So why would they banish you and then look for you anyway? That kind of goes in a circle, doesn't it?"
B: "Khamet!"
M: "I don't think she's looking for me. (B: "Khamet!") Realizing... I think she's being manipulated by something. You see, undeath is... anathema to firbolgs. You see, we... live with nature, and when one of us dies, they must return to the forest. And the undead go against that order. I think she's being... used by... something, perhaps an enemy of my Lady or something else. I don't know. But... She thinks that perhaps I'm still... in her territory, you know, I'm still... I don't know."
K: "I don't know, she seemed quite lucid to me."
Meallan sighs. "Whatever it is, I think that she feels like she must kill me, because I am a banished member who is in her sight, in her purview. I don't know if she realizes if that she's undead or not, I don't know what's going on, but I think that is why she wants to kill me."
K: "You know, you know, so, that's, I-I mean, undead don't pop out of nowhere, you know that, right?"
M: "Yes I do."
K: "Okay, so, who is she being manipulated by if she is being manipulated?"
M: "I don't know, but that is my best guess."
K: "Okay, that is your best guess, huh? So, you know how I feel about best guesses-"
A voice in the distance: "Is somebody there?! Um, we're traveling to the Temple of Vinistra, we weren't prepared for the rain, we're cold, and one of us is injured…"
Meallan goes into high elf mode.
Meanwhile, inside, the other three are... hanging out! Amani's just blissfully staring at the wall.
Tally can kinda hear what they're saying, but only the jist.
She tells the others inside the hut. "Okay, none of them are going to the bathroom as far as I can tell, in case you were wondering? Khamet is yelling at Meallan as usual, and Meallan is talking about his issues, I get the impression-" (Amani: "Wait, what?") "And obviously, the three of us aren't meant to be privvy to those matters, so I guess we can't do anything about it-"
Amani stands up and walks out of the hut. Tally follows.
(Anthony is still sleeping happily.)
M: "Please, just try and understand. I don't want to be killed by her. And if you could help me, perhaps-"
K: "Help you do what?"
M: "Put her out of her misery?"
B: "Khamet, we both agreed that we were going to try to help her if we can. Meallan and I discussed that earlier."
K: "Okay, okay, really? Really?! You trust him?! He threatened to kill you multiple times!"
B: "Again, it was Tuesday!"
K: "Yeah, well, I mean, I guess if you want to trust someone who's threatened to kill you multiple times, that's fine, but he said he wants to put her out of her misery, did you hear that?!"
B: "Yes."
K: "Okay, does that sound like helping to-"
B: "I'm reminding him too."
K: "...Oh, awesome, sorry, I misinterpreted. Okay, A) We're not putting her out of her misery, she's still a she."
M: "...She is."
K: "Yeah, okay? And I told you, remember. I told you that if you kill her, the natural consequences of that is your death. (M: "Khamet-") Now, as your friend, right? I don't want you to do anything that would lead to your death. So I would advise against that course of action."
M: "Khamet, do you want to kill me? Do you want to see me dead?"
K: "Do I want to kill you? Do I want to kill you? I mean, no, but I'm just saying, if you go and hunt this firbolg, that might be the natural consequence!"
M: "Would you rather I was dead then? Would you rather she kill me?"
K: "Would I rather she kill you? Um... I have no opinion or preference, really?"
M: "You helped Crezonis, why won't you help me?"
K: "Because you lie to me-"
Elf: "Umm, we miiight be interrupting somethiiiing-!"
((Chains OOC: "let em freeze we got serious bickering to do"))
M: "...We should finish this conversation another time."
K: "...Okay, okay, um... who are you?"
There's an elf there.
Elf: "Um, my name's Vai, uhh... I'm really sorry if I'm interrupting something here. I can go, but, one of my companions is injured, and there's a lot of blood, and I'm really really terrible at this kind of thing…"
M: "If there is a lot of blood, Khamet, could you please, I…"
K: "Uh, yeah, because you're a squeamish welp, I will help, yes."
M: "I can't stand the sight of blood-"
K: "Because you're a squeamish welp, I understand. Thank you, you don't have to explain yourself."
Meallan looks extremely hurt by this.
Basil: "Oh my god, rein it iiiiin!"
K: "Uh, so, I'll try helping you. What's the deal. Is someone hurt? I can try healing them."
Vai: "Can you get things out? There's like, half an arrow, um... I didn't want to yank it out in case I hurt him…"
K: "I don't think I can yank things out, but we're traveling to Cai Shaan. You're welcome to travel with us? I can try stabilizing him."
Vai looks nervous. She does the sign for her pronouns and says: "Uh, I don't feel that comfortable going to Cai Shaan. Um, whatever you can do is fine!"
K: "Well, I have a horse. The horse can carry your injured friend, and I can stabilize him and get someone who knows what they're doing more than I do. Does that sound like a plan?"
Vai: "Yes! I mean, just anything! That sounds fine to me! Should I bring them here, should I take you to my friend...?"
Meallan and Khamet think she should bring him here.
K: "How far are they?"
Vai: "Uh, not far. They can probably hear us right now. I just didn't want to bring them over in case you were going to try to kill me or something?"
K: "Uh, no, it's fine."
Vai: "Okay, you just sounded really angry."
K: "Well, I'm angry at him. But like, he's really annoying, and can you believe he follows me into the bathroom?? He's kind of a pervert! I'm just gonna warn you!"
Amani speaks up, revealing that they're there. "No, he just hates Meallan, that's all."
M: "...Yes."
(Tally had followed shortly after Amani.)
There are 6 elves in total, including the injured one.
Meallan focuses on making a fire, not looking at the bleeding person.
Am: "Maybe there's an overhang we can find."
Meallan manages to make a little shelter for the other group.
The injured elf has half an arrow out of their leg. Khamet uses Lay on Hands on the elf.
Elf: "Thank you. Um, do you have a name?"
K: "Yes! My name is Khamet. Do you have a name?"
The elf introduces himself as Ovinrei.
K: "Well, nice to meet you, Ovinrei! There's a centaur outpost nearby, and if you are not against riding horses, you can ride the horse and not have to walk. And um, yeah!" He gestures to Hatar to come over to offer a ride in the morning. Khamet also stays outside with the elf to ensure that the elf remains safe.
Amani says this out loud, generally: "I guess Khamet can be really kind to people, sometimes, when they want to."
T: "Yeah, I wonder how many arrows we need to be hit with to get this much kindness."
Am: "I would rather not find out?"
M: "I don't want to find out either."
Am: "I mean, I'm impressed, it's just... I mean, he did heal me earlier too, so... Hm."
M: "I guess it's just me he hates."
B: "...Not anymore!"
T: "Well, I'm about to add another one."
Tally approaches Khamet. "How dare you? How dare you call murder something natural?"
K: "I'm, I'm uh... I'm sorry?"
T: "You're a jerk, that's what you are! Oh, no, sorry, you're a very nice man, but only when it's convenient for you. Tell me! You are a paladin of Anhur, aren't you?"
K: "Yes?"
T: "You serve a god of war!"
K: "Yes…"
T: "Tell me. Tell me, when you start all those petty fights and arguments, does it please your god? Does it sustain him perhaps, the conflict that airs? Is that what you promised him in your little oath?"
K: "Um... I don't think he particularly cares."
T: "Tell me, does your homeland have a lot of mercenaries, or weapons to trade?"
K: "My homeland... is very well protected."
T: "Is it? Khamet, I find it very interesting that you come here to this land, and you seek learn so much about other peoples' cultures, and their political history, and you seem interested in all these political figures? All in service of the god of war?"
K: "Um... Um, no no no- No, it's not." Khamet's upset that Tally is talking to him like this.
T: "I really hope it's not!"
K: "Um, I don't think you have anything to worry about, really? My homeland is very far away. I-I don't think that that's reasonable."
T: "Well, I won't waste any of my energy worrying about that, really. And if you do happen to kill our Meallan, then I won't stoop so low as to do the same to you."
K: "Oh! Oh, okay okay, so now- I like your crocodile tears, Miss Talsindra. Where was all this rage and anger when Amani and Meallan were constantly threatening to kill Basil? Huh?"
T: "When...?"
K: "Like, when they first found him? They were like, 'if you steal from us, we'll kill you.' And now I'm like, 'if you kill somebody, I'll kill you!'. So I think that maybe you're inconsistent!"
T: "They stopped."
K: "Yeah, they stopped. Okay, but why didn't you speak up in the moment?"
T: "Cause I didn't have time, see? They talk a lot. Like, I'm really lucky to have time to talk to you right now. It's kind of a lot-"
K: "Oh, I see, I see, ohh! Because you didn't have time! Oh, it's a matter of time, I'm sorry-"
T: "I don't care what-"
K: "I didn't realize that your convictions were time limited!"
T: "Listen to what I'm saying to you now! You make me sick!"
K: "Well, you know what? You make me sick!"
…
Khamet is very clearly upset, and mutters something like: "Hypocrite..." He's not angry, he's more... sad.
Hatar looks at Tally, then looks away, silently suggesting: 'please leave.'
Tally's already gone.
Meallan looks at Tally in admiration and a bit of thankfulness.
Amani follows Tally as she leaves.
Vai is concerned.
M: "Don't worry, this happens all the time. So, your friend... what happened?"
Vai: "Um, we were attacked. I don't know what else to say."
M: "By who?"
Vai: "Um, I don't know. I didn't really see them. Um, probably bandits, you know, they're all down these roads."
M: "Well... strange. Because we took care of one bandit raid a short while ago. Um, you didn't see anything of them? Even what they were like?"
One of the others joins in, interested to hear that they took care of bandits.
Vai: "Um, I didn't see them! Um, no, I didn't see anything."
M: "You didn't? Even though you have good sight in the dark? You are elves?"
Meallan can tell that Vai is not telling the whole truth. She's not meeting Meallan's gaze.
M: "Look at me. What happened to you?"
Vai: "Look, if we're not wanted here, we don't have to stay."
M: "You can stay, so long as you tell us the truth so we know there is nothing to fear. Or if these bandits stole something from you, if they were bandits, we can go and get it back, whatever you want."
Vai: "They didn't steal anything. They stuck him with an arrow, and... I don't know what else to say. Maybe they weren't bandits. Maybe they were just... bad people with archery!"
M: "Seems odd to just shoot someone and leave!"
One of the other elves: "How did you kill these other bandits? Because, you know, maybe you could kill these ones too!"
M: "We could. We went up and we killed him. And we got their leader. He's down in Ur Zaihar with the lords. Being judged, I assume."
Other elf: "Hm." They don't know who the ones who attacked them are.
M: "Where did this happen? Give me a spot."
Vai: "Umm... Roughly where we saw you, it wasn't far from there, I don't think."
M: "If you show us in the morning where it happened…"
Vai: "I can try my best."
M: "Thank you."
Amani goes after Tally. "Uh, Tally, can I have a moment?"
T: "...You have a moment."
Am: "Uh... What Khamet said wasn't fair, just so you know. What he said about it being time-sensitive? He talks over everyone. It's not your fault he doesn't give you that time. I know you're quiet. And... If it helps... Clearly, you're not at peace with yourself. But just so you know... You don't make me sick. And I don't think you make anyone else here sick."
Tally takes a deep breath at this. "...Thanks Amani. I'll just... go back to... I'll get back to my inner peace. I do have a bit of that occasionally! I'll just go off and find myself a nice, uh, flower-filled meadow to... frolic in, peacefully!"
Am: "Uh, I suppose that's one type. Um... Hopefully you can find it one day. I hope so…"
T: "Yeah."
Am: "And, just so you know, about me and Basil, we did stop. Um, we talked, actually. I don't, completely understand him? But, he's alright. He said he promised not to steal from me anymore, so I don't expect anything like that. So, it's okay if you're not cautious about that. You don't need to be."
T: "I'm glad you had that talk. But Amani, I noticed that you weren't threatening to kill him anymore. I notice these things! Even though so many people have those... conversations that I'm not privvy to here, that I'm not trusted enough to hear, I do notice some things about all of you people! And I do notice that Meallan has some issues that he's been discussing, alternatively with you or with Khamet, to, uh, loud result. But, yeah, I do notice some things that happen, even though I'm not, y'know, I've always been terrible with secrets, never really been trusted with them, but... yeah!"
Am: "...Uh, it's- Tally, it's nothing personal. The only reason I've been talking so much with Meallan is because I know a bit more, and I don't know if it's safe to bring it up with everyone. Everyone has their secrets, and I think they should be respected. But I can tell Meallan really respects you."
Tally: "... ...Thanks to you both. And, just, y'know, that's one of my ways of keeping inner peace, because, even if I look like I'm terrible at it, I do have some means, some daily meditation with the elements, and y'know, this is all a part of... earth and fire, um... I'll get it out!"
Am: "Th-that's good!"
T: "I'll let off my steam!"
Am: "Well, that's good. Um, I'm glad you have... something to attune to."
Anthony phone rings, and he wakes up. He looks at it, then gets up and steps outside. "Excuse me guys, I gotta take this." He walks off into the forest, giving a hint to not follow him, hint hint.
Meallan sends Aytal to follow and listen through him. Basil is woken up by the ringing, and interested in the magic rectangle, sneaks after.
Anthony answered the phone and is partway in. (Note: this version is censored) "...No man, I haven't said anything about you to the police. ...No! Of course not! I'm keeping my mouth shut! ...Well, why? ...Why do you think that will help? Like, if you send me back, they send me back, still the same result! And I'm not going back! ...No, listen here, I got reasons to stay now! ...Yeah? And? ...No, no, you leave her out of it! ...I don't care if you're immortal! ...If you try this, I'll tire iron you myself!"
He hangs up the phone and walks back to the hut.
Before they go to sleep, Meallan finds Tally and taps her on the shoulder. "I... heard what you said to Khamet. ...Thank you."
T: "Oh... It was very ugly."
M: "I appreciated what you tried to do."
Tally sighed. "It wasn't nice, I was just mad at him."
M: "The fact that you care enough to be mad at him is still good."
T: "Well, yeah, even if you do something that... that's not too good, I mean... the way he phrased is... He doesn't have the right to judge you that way, or to... you know. He doesn't have the right to do what he said he would. ...I mean, who does he think he is?!"
M: "Shhh... Thank you, Tally. That does make me feel a little bit better. In truth, I... I'm glad that he's at least not actively planning to murder me."
T: "Okay, I-I'm glad it didn't sound too bad. Sometimes I'm worried I go a bit too hard on people just because they're boys, but... at least I've stopped that."
M: "No, no. You asked me if I thought you were weak. No. You are very very strong."
T: "Okay... ...You can be good. Don't make me regret this. Ever."
M: "I try and be."
T: "Good boy."
M: "I wish I was like you."
T: "No, be like you!"
Meallan sighs.
T: "There's one of me, that's enough!"
M: "I suppose. I'll... I'll try. I'll try and be better. For you, if nothing else. ...Are you sure that if someone does a bad thing that they can be... redeemed?"
...Tally sighs. "What's redeemed?"
M: "...Forgiven. Found some sort of... made up for what they did."
T: "Well, if you take it from me, no matter how much other people might forgive you, it doesn't work until you find it within yourself, to give yourself. That's redemption."
M: "Okay... Good night, Tally."
T: "Good night."
They finally go to bed. (Minus Amani, who goes into the forest for an hour before returning.) Anthony is no longer sleeping happily; he's now sleeping unhappily.