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Post by Thorn on Nov 12, 2022 18:02:01 GMT -5
Session 85: Names Learned! Ulastrian (he/him): the celestial lion. Seleuci (he/him): Khamet's ass-imar ex. In Hell for selling fake medicine. Sada (she/her): the second ass-imar. Lived somewhere near Akhetra in-life. In Hell for knowingly selling makeup that gave most people hives. Jabari (he/him): the third ass-imar. Sold haircare products that made everyone's hair fall out.
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Post by Thorn on Nov 20, 2022 3:34:45 GMT -5
Session 84: A Brief Recap!(so I can sort this and session 85's recap before next sesh!) The party are still locked in combat in the Auction House. Basil tries and fails to stabilise the snake woman, but Tynestra is knocked out and tied up as she tries to flee. In the commotion, Jilval and the well-dressed succubus slip away. Xil’grash, who said he was his mortal enemy, is not too bothered by this and says he will see him later.
With Tynestra tied up, Khamet speaks to the big figure watching them from behind the desk. He introduces himself as the Abider, and is nothing but polite. He asks Khamet if there is anything he wants to auction, and explains how he enforces the rules set by those who auction items here. Khamet doesn’t have anything he wishes to sell, but he thanks the Abider and returns to his friends.
The party ask Tynestra how many fiends are after Khamet. Knowing that they will kill her anyway, the woman says nothing useful and tells them to get it over with. And so, they do!
The celestial lion asks the party to give him the God-Forger. He says he will hand it over to his master, where it will be safe. The party refuse, but tell him they intend to take the weapon to another place where it will be totally secure. The winged lion seems frustrated by the amount of detail they are withholding. He thanks Amani sincerely when they tell him that it is being taken to a place outside of time and space, called the Temporal Fortress. He decides to travel with them to make sure that the God-Forger is dealt with appropriately.
But first the party wish to visit Velocity of the Law, a fiend who may be able to get the drow out of their contract with Pahra. It’s been a long day though, and Xil’grash wants cheesecake. Khamet thinks he saw some back at the Stake Shack. Along with Cepith, Xil’grash, and their new celestial companion, the party travel there to rest before they set out for Velocity’s mountain.
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Post by Thorn on Nov 22, 2022 18:14:50 GMT -5
Four days until EuroAtlantis folks. See you then!
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Post by Thorn on Nov 25, 2022 14:44:06 GMT -5
Less than a day until EuroAtlantis, folks. Join me then as the party escape from hell!
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Post by Thorn on Nov 27, 2022 23:16:11 GMT -5
Hey team! Euroatlantis is on a break until January now. Have a great month, and remember you all get to level up to level 11 before we resume!
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Post by Moni on Nov 30, 2022 19:46:54 GMT -5
hello fellas we are doing a fic exchange thing. basically, like other fic exchanges, you play with our random generators: perchance.org/g3nuycu2mq (Moni's) perchance.org/euroatlantis-scenarios (Liou's) perchance.org/euroatlantis-prompts (Thorn's) then pick your favorite generation! then, another random participant gets to write a fic about your generation, and you write a fic about another person's generation! a 'fic' is a piece of writing of 100 words or more. if you want to participate, let me know by saturday the 4th. deadline for giving me generations is satuday the 10th, and deadline for sending fics is the 23rd.
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Post by Gelquie on Dec 26, 2022 20:00:43 GMT -5
Finished my part of the fic exchange! Sorry for being so late and taking so long. It's a bit more serious than perhaps the exchange intended, but I'm posting it as is anyway. Previously, on F-I-E-N-D-S
Eldershore stood firm on the rocky shore side, with an overcast sky and a rainstorm battering down as a lighthouse loomed through it all. Deeper into the city was an unassuming abode, where a light-blue haired archmage had cast a small barrier about their head. They dismissed the spell as they entered to see a modest apartment, where they saw a half-elf sitting and drinking tea.
"Oh, are you Asariel the Lightshaper? I'm Will."
"Yes and yes; I was informed that I would be staying with you."
"Guess we were assigned together. I've been asked to stay here while they research this Person of Interest I'm after. I don't think they're even in Eldershore." Will sighed. "Bureaucracy. But I have to play nice."
"It's only there for protection, I'm sure." Asariel took a seat. "I have unfinished business at the lighthouse in Eldershore, and I've been sent to take care of it. They sent me to stay here."
Will only craned his head at the first comment. "Well then, welcome! I'll make us some coffee, and I've got some biscuits ready."
Asariel repressed a sigh of relief out of penchant for politeness. Asariel can cook, and they did, but they could never match the skills of their wife, and they preferred to keep to their studies or find another source of food anyway. They looked forward to sampling their roommates' array.
The biscuits did not disappoint. The coffee... Asariel took over coffee duty. As for dinner, Will ended up being slightly better at cooking, but they took turns cooking anyway, according to their schedules.
It was an overall quiet arrangement. Will occasionally brought up his old job at a coffee house, and Asariel divulged some of the safe details about their job and current mission. It was clear they were from very different worlds, but it proved fairly easy for them to talk to each other. After all, the archmage knew much, and the former coffee shop owner at times knew more than he let on. It made for intellectual conversations, between their jobs and time-swaths of quiet.
This went on for a good month.
---
Will stood at the front door to the small apartment in the city of Eldershore, where he had been living. He stared down at the papers in his hand and sighed. Whatever was ahead of him when meeting an angel, it seemed the time was coming for him to find out. And the time for one other thing. He took a breath, then opened the door and entered the abode.
"Ah, I see you're back."
Will closed the door and casually waved at the light-blue haired archmage who sat in a lone chair, sipping a cup of tea. "Yes, I had another meeting. A lot has happened, I have some news."
"Yes, I do as well." Asariel set down their teacup. "While I was doing my assignment at the lighthouse, I met with another fey who informed me of a spell that they cast. A spell that pinpointed the location of a fiend at this residence."
Will blinked, not missing the pointed stare. Then he sighed and sat down. "I was hoping you wouldn't find out. I'm not here to hurt anyone, you know."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to know or trust, coming from a fiend," Asariel said bluntly.
"I didn't lie to you. I'm here to seek out someone. An angel. One who..." he paused. "Ugh this is going to sound so ridiculous and fake. But it's an angel who deals in jams."
Asariel tilted their head, skepticism upon their brow.
"Yup, I knew it." Will groaned. "I ran a coffee shop and do baking, remember? I'm an incubi, but I sought to only corrupt souls that did harm and deserved to go to hell. Otherwise I made biscuits and bad coffee and tried to keep quiet. I never tried to do any harm."
Asariel stared. "...I wonder how you can individually decide who is 'bad enough' to be corrupted and sent to hell."
"Look, you're not the first person to argue with me," Will said. "It's actually why I came here. A talkative paladin befriended me-"
"I met him."
"And he suggested I find this angel who deals in jams. He suggested a lot of things, like improving my cooking skills. Or just working with this angel so my needs are fed while my corruption becomes a net zero. I really don't mean to do harm. I just want to stay alive and run a coffee shop, and if this helps me, then I want to do it."
Asariel was quiet for a long time, lost in thought as he clenched his hand around his forearm. Then he sighed.
"I still don't know if I should trust you. But I think I heard mention of this angel, come to think of it. I've heard some of these stories from these same adventurers."
Will blinked. "Adventurers... You know, I wasn't going to say it, but you seem familiar, and I've been suspicious for a while. You talked about your children before. And I've seen these adventurers; they saved me once in hell. One of them was a half-elf sorcerer. They're darker and... silvery, but they look a lot like you."
Asariel tensed.
"I told you, I'm not here to do any harm," Will added quickly. "Actually, they could've harmed me. I was under a spell that forced me to attack them, and though I didn't hurt them, it made me attack that sorcerer. I apologized, and I'm truly sorry, I didn't mean it. I want you to know that they were forgiving, and told me they weren't going to hurt me. They seemed kind."
Asariel went quiet again, this time in... Will could read it. It was surprise. And... relief? They still didn't quite look Will in the eye, but they seemed a bit less defensive.
"...I should tell you as well," Will went on. "I can read souls too. I try not to, because I know it's invasive, and I'm trying not to use it. But it's like trying not to hear; if you can, sometimes it just happens."
And they looked defensive again, tensing their hand around their forearm. "...I suppose I can understand that. I hope you've kept to your privacy in this case."
"...I tried to," Will admitted. "I'm not going to bring anything up, if you want to know. And I'm not going to use it. Like I said, I was permitted to move on to Argentian so I can meet the angel. So I'm not going to be here much longer."
After this, Will decided to give the archmage their space, and they both set about to an otherwise ordinary routine, albeit a more quiet one. Will began to pack and made a tray of biscuits. Asariel made another pot of tea and stewed with a book. Quiet, yet with a hint of tension.
It was some time after dinner when Asariel finally approached Will.
"Will, you mentioned that you can read souls," the archmage said quietly. "And when used as intended, it's for corruption, correct?"
Will reluctantly nodded. "Well, 'intent' is the wrong word. It's sort of a thing that helps us feed when we need to. Though again, I find any way around it if possible."
"I know," Asariel nodded. "I'm sure it focuses on a negative quality."
"Not so much focuses, but yes, we can notice vulnerabilities to exploit. We can also see the soul as a whole."
"I see," Asariel glanced away. "And I'm sure you've glanced at mine, given the nature of your... ability."
Will tilted his head, silently prompting Asariel to ask the question he already knew was coming.
Asariel sighed. "What... does it look like?"
Will was silent for a moment. "...Do you really want to know? ...It's more than curiosity, isn't it?"
Asariel chose not to answer the question, lest it doom the silent question in their head to a fiend.
Will sat down and stared at Asariel before beginning to explain what he saw. The light that had been shaped and had taken form through arcane training, and the shadows flowing through it regardless; like a stream flowing through an archaic reservoir. Cracked in places, with the worst ones fortified, but never leaking. A beautiful work of architecture that would handle such magic perfectly if it weren't for the stress placed upon the system.
Yet in some places, there was evidence of fortification being eased, with shadows allowed to tinge the walls, creating beautiful eddies of grey within the swirls of the shaped light and the dark shadows.
And when they really looked closer, they noticed that there were different types of cracks resonating throughout the soul, and broken structures scattered around. Like the ruins of a former structure that fell apart and scarred the land. And the reservoir was just built atop it, as if trying to quietly forget it was ever there. No wonder there was such a reservoir.
A strong, beautiful soul. But an imperfect one. The rigidity was present, but beginning to ease. A push too far in either direction could cause a permanent ossification of the structure that would spurn all people around them, or have them a fall into a dangerous leniency that would rip them into a shadow of their former self, and make the former ruins magnified... and added to, with the ruins of another reservoir.
They had a good mask, but they were vulnerable. If he were callous and cruel, and if he could break through the archmage's arcane strength, they would be so easy to manipulate into a corrupted soul...
He would not. He didn't want to.
Will explained as much as he could see, minus their current vulnerabilities. To this, Asariel... merely nodded. As if it were a confirmed suspicion. Did they notice the vulnerability? Were they already worrying about it?
Will wouldn't get an answer.
"Thank you for telling me," the archmage said. "That's a dangerous sight you have. But I think that if you intended to feed on me or continue feeding in this matter, you would have done so already."
Will nodded. "I think you knew that already. You still took a biscuit and dinner."
"They are good biscuits, and it's still your turn for dinner, and we both need to eat... normally. I don't think you would have done anything with that, or again, you would have."
Will glanced away, feeling a small jab in his heart. Asariel could not have known about what happened, but it nevertheless was not a pleasant reminder.
Instead, Will attempted to shift the topic. "Well, I care a lot about my baking. Poisoning would go against that. If people don't eat what I make, then what's the point?"
Another jab in his heart. He didn't think he'd remind himself of just how easy it would have been for Will to fall for it.
This time, Asariel noticed a hint of tension from the now forlorn disguised incubi. "...I think you're a good baker, and I think this will be good for you to focus on. I don't know your story or your regrets, but I would focus on where you are now. If the past is too painful, sometimes it's better to set the memories aside and start over, mentally. Take a clean slate, and move forward, knowing your new goal is one where you won't have regrets."
Will nodded. Then, slowly, his composure broke. Then he moved forward and enveloped the archmage into a hug as he cried into their shoulder. Asariel stood still, shocked by the sudden intimacy, before patting him on the shoulder and letting him cry.
The next few days were not nearly so tense. In fact, when it was time for Will to leave, it was sad to say goodbye. But only a shallow sad, for they were each on a good path to their own respective futures.
===== Will and Asariel were roommates.
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Post by Thorn on Dec 27, 2022 4:04:03 GMT -5
And here's my contribution! I had trouble with this one, but I managed to whip something up! “I just think it would be nice, you know?”
The dragon was stretched out along the shoreline, vast and shimmering and glorious. Tally nodded and poured him another basin of wine. It took a while, and she was acutely aware of the children gawking nearby, but as long as the dragon was seeing double he was no threat to anyone.
“It would be nice to have long rainbow hair all the time,” he said. “Can you imagine, hmm? Being a dragon with long rainbow hair? I would look incredible. But all I can do is turn into fleshy morsels.”
“Mmm,” said Tally, downing her own drink to avoid thinking about the implications of ‘fleshy morsels.’
“Do you think morsels with rainbow hair would taste better?”
“I don’t think so. I think the hair would get caught in your teeth.”
“Hmmm...”
“Mmm.”
Ruhnzolarr plunged his face into the basin. A great slurping and splashing ensued, wine sloshing over and soaking Tally. The children were still gawking. She gestured tipsily for them to go away.
“Maybe it’s not the morsels themselves that are so moreish,” Ruhnzolarr burbled, rolling onto his side and staring at the stars. “I just want to be feared. I want to inspire fear and awe. Is that too much to ask? I want to be a creature of wonder. Who amazes people."
"Maybe you could try acting?" Tally suggested, recalling a good friend's suggestion to another dubious being.
Ruhnzolarr gasped, and in that moment became a rainbow-haired young woman, hands clasped to her cheeks. "Really? You think I'd be good at that?"
"I think you'd be amazing."
Ruhnzolarr tumbled and spun right into the ocean, laughing gleefully all the way.
Ruhnzolarr got drunk with Tally, and Tally encouraged them.
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Post by Thorn on Jan 2, 2023 3:31:29 GMT -5
Recaps 85 and 86 can be found in the server- thanks Moni! Here's my own version of session 85- thanks for your patience in waiting! Have fun revisiting moments that made us laugh, made us cry, and made us question how we even got to this point in the first place. Session 85: Love and LossKey Points:*The party meet the ass-imar, including Khamet's ex-boyfriend Seleuci.
*Velocity of the Law bargains to free the shadowsworn from Pahra.
*Khamet goes to the Lake of Memories to determine whether his succubus ex truly loved him.
*Tally talks with Zendasintra, learning that she knows about Yzzy's presence on the surface.
*Void tells Khamet about Cepith's mother and fiendish grandfather. Recap Proper:After enjoying cheesecake and milkshakes, the party head back towards the market. Khamet wants to buy salazarine for Meadow to thank her for her help. On the way, the party see three aasimar on a stage, fine strings attached to their heads and limbs. Imps and other small fiends crowd around, forcing them to advertise awful products and act out small skits.
Khamet recognises one of the aasimar as his ex-boyfriend Seleuci. He gasps and alerts Cepith to his presence. Cepith seems grumpier than usual, and reminds Khamet that Seleuci used his perceived position as a celestial agent to sell fake medicine, including to a young girl who thought it would save her sick father’s life.
(Spoiler alert: it did not.)
Khamet is nonetheless determined to save these people. Tally knows what to do about this! She demands to know who is in charge here, and with much fussing about the imps track down their boss. A large imp with wings and a little waistcoat joins Khamet and they discuss possible bargains that could be made. Khamet wonders if he could own Seleuci’s soul, and then just set him free. The imp informs him that he cannot own a soul without being devoid of one himself. Khamet also learns that the aasimar woman Sada is here for knowingly selling makeup that made people break out in hives, and the other man Jabari is here for selling haircare products that made people's hair fall out. Not as extreme as Seleuci, but still not great people.
After some back-and-forth discussion in which Khamet is very persuasive, the imp agrees to free all three aasimar souls for the price of one: a sentimental item gifted by one member of the party. Basil gives up something very dear to him, which remains unknown to the party. Satisfied, the imp boss frees Seleuci and the other souls. Not having much else planned for that day, they stick around the party.
The party head further into the market. When they find Flower, Khamet asks to purchase salzarine for Meadow. He also wants to try it himself. Flower is reluctant, figuring it is not for mortal consumption (which Khamet soon confirms.) He buys some for Meadow, but resolves to tell Will that his salzarine was better than the real thing.
The party make their way to Velocity’s home atop Mt Law. Somehow lava flows down most of the volcano, but there is a peaceful forested area at the summit. Selwyn is especially unsettled by this. After some debate, Anthony turns into a dragon and Selwyn into a giant eagle to help the party soar over the lava, avoiding rocks and landing in a glade at the top.
Selwyn notices that the trees in this glade are all identical. That is not how trees are supposed to be! The young druid feels even more uncomfortable. However, he doesn’t have time to fully analyse this feeling, as when the last party members are dropped off at the glade they notice a figure watching them calmly.
The figure introduces themself as Velocity. They are dressed in a nice black suit, and look different to everyone who looks at them- but to everyone, they look like the most beautiful person they’ve ever seen. The party explain why they have approached Velocity, and Velocity agrees to make a deal to free the drow from their fiendish bonds.
The party, Pahra and the drow tweak the wording back-and-forth. The drow must agree to ‘work in the garden’ in Velocity’s glade for four years when they die. In exchange Velocity will void their contract with Pahra, which is already shaky due to Pahra having died once already. Tally quickly catches on to some dubious wording, which would have had the drow become trees in the glade for four years. Velocity alters the contract to clarify that they will only be gardeners here.
The party return to Meadow to give her the salzarine. Meadow thanks Khamet and asks if he wants to speak to Will, who is present with both Callous and Blossom. Blossom is still sad about having her heart broken. Khamet hugs her and says that she deserved better than to have a partner who only pretended to love her. The conversation turns to Panamora, Khamet’s deceased succubus girlfriend. Khamet wonders whether she truly loved him, or whether she only wanted him for his genes, as she was always asking about his family medical history and complimenting his physique. Blossom has never heard of a succubus called Panamora, so is unable to provide Khamet with an answer either way.
Khamet asks Meadow about Valdron. Meadow says she doesn’t know much about Valdron, but that Will knew him better than she does. Will seems tired and sad, but pulls himself together enough to explain that Valdron became obsessed with immortality after being cursed. Khamet says that this must be why he made that deal with Queen Mirabella, and Will says he doesn’t know for sure, but suspects this too.
It is another fiend that is still on the paladin’s mind however: Panamora. Khamet decides to go to the Lake of Memories to find out whether she truly loved him. Cepith tries to talk him out of it but eventually, seeing that Khamet won’t be swayed, insists on going with him. Will also tries to talk Khamet out of it, reminding him that he can’t go back to blissful ignorance if he sees something he doesn’t like. But the young paladin is determined, and Will reluctantly agrees to guide the party to the lake.
Before Khamet enters the lake, Will touches him gently on the shoulder, casting a protective influence over the young paladin. Selwyn casts guidance to further fortify his friend against the dangers of the lake. Khamet focuses on Panamora, doing his best to block out all other thoughts. Eventually, images swim into view before his eyes: scenes from Panamora’s perspective, with the focus distinctly on Khamet.
These memories don’t relate to her desire to have children with Khamet. In one they are laughing and dancing together, in another reading at the library where they first met. Realising that she loved him back, Khamet weeps. Cepith wades into the water and puts an arm around Khamet, guiding him back to shore. Here Khamet’s friends gather around and he is pulled into a warm group hug.
Khamet tells the party how much they all mean to him. He wouldn’t be here without his friends! After some time the party return to Meadow. Blossom gives Khamet a ring her former partner gave her, believing it is better given as a gesture of true friendship and admiration than the false version her ex represented. Khamet reiterates that she deserved better than what he did to her.
Tally speaks with Zendasintra to determine where they stand. The shadowsworn admits she doesn’t know what she wants but that she won’t attack Tally- Quelyta has convinced her this much. Tally feigns ignorance when Zenda mentions that the Shadow Queen alerted her to Tallyzzy working together as agents on the surface. Zendasintra grows frustrated, insisting that the Shadow Queen sent her to the surface to deal with a rebel alliance the two were part of.
Before the party can return to said surface, Khamet wants to visit Void! Because it would just be really nice to see what she’s done with the place! He has no secret motives whatsoever, and definitely doesn’t plan to investigate Cepith’s fiendish lineage!
Void gives Khamet a tour of the Burning Hunger’s former domain, now called the Void. The tiefling explains her aesthetic choices, andcontemplates getting in some nice mists to improve the atmosphere. When Khamet finally gets to the point, Void reveals that Cepith’s mother, a cambion, was raised in Hell. Cepith’s grandmother was a mortal, the grandfather was...she struggles to describe, and so asks Pahra to transform into such a being. It has long legs and arms, and a short oval body, with a round head that is featureless until Pahra grins, revealing a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth.
Void further reveals that Cepith’s mother left Hell when she was still young, and the condition that killed her on the surface could have been cured had she only returned. However she refused, opting to stay with her husband and her son on the surface. With some questions finally answered, and new ones posed, the party settle in for a good long rest in the Void.
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Post by Thorn on Jan 3, 2023 3:28:30 GMT -5
Session 86: Home AgainKey Points:*Tally learns more of Pahra and the Shadow Queen's past plans.
*The party leave hell via Traitor's bridge. Ulastrian dies here, and Pahra Seleuci and Xil'grash are left behind.
*Hatar and Tally have an epic showdown.
Recap Proper:Having rested at the Void, the party once more trot off to the Lake of Memories. Tally has had an epiphany: if they view Tynestra’s memories, they can find out how many fiends are after Khamet’s order, and why. Furthermore, if they view Pahra’s memories, they can hopefully learn more of his deal with the Shadow Queen.
Without Will there to shield her, Tally is burned by the lake. She pushes on. She confirms that Tynestra craved violence and, spurred on by her love of revenge, went after members of an order that had been a thorn in their side lately: namely, the Order of Anhur.
Concentrating on Pahra, she manages to find a memory of them and the Shadow Queen. They had been wandering about, enjoying being a fear demon, when the Shadow Queen telepathically approached them with an offer: if they could intensify her worship, she would ensure Pahra was deified with the God-Forger. To a foolish young fiend, this sounded great! Pahra was supposed to be deified, enter the astral sea with the God-Forger and then stab the Shadow Queen to give her an extra power boost to rouse her from her slumber. Of course, it didn't work out that way.
While Tally is following up on these leads, Khamet seeks out memories of the Hunger and Cepith’s grandfather, as they were known associates. The first memory he witnesses is of the Burning Hunger and this eerie fiend, named Qelixseporfnnnnnnnnnpr, debating whether to kill someone or bring them back to her domain so that they can be of use to her. They have to keep raising their voices, because Qelix’s cambion child (Cepith’s mother) is loudly crying in his pouch. Eventually they decide to resume this conversation at a more convenient time.
Xil’grash leads the party to the Traitor’s Bridge. The party are cautioned that it is painful, even impossible, to pass without having committed a serious betrayal in one’s past. Despite some of the party doubting whether or not they have truly betrayed someone in their lives, they all manage to pass through onto Traitor’s Bridge itself.
Patiently waiting is a humanoid figure clad entirely in white, eyes glowing blue behind a featureless mask. They explain that the party will be asked a series of questions, with each truthfully answered question allowing them to move five feet further across the bridge. They look to another nearby figure for assurance before the trial begins. The other figure, a man in his thirties with good hair and a deathly pallor, is identified as Cadian, the guardian of Traitor’s Bridge. Osian is his apprentice, and is being assessed on their job performance today. Thus they will be leading the questioning.
First Khamet is asked what he likes least about Selwyn, while Anthony is asked what he likes least about Khamet. Khamet likes Selwyn’s chilled and companionable demeanor, but eventually admits that he finds his habit of saying “well, err” irritating. Anthony says that he still resents Khamet for not telling him he could cure poison until Anthony had already been poisoned on multiple occasions. Osian is satisfied with their answers, and the party move forward alongside their NPC hoard (consisting of six drow, two major fiends, two tiny portable fiends, a miserable celestial, three ass-imar spirits, and a Cepith.)
Next Osian asks Selwyn, Amani and Cepith to share aloud a secret they’ve never shared with anyone. Amani admits that the sapphire in their brooch was from one of the first assignments Night’s Peace gave them to test their abilities. Amani admits they stole it from a fey, surely gaining Basil’s admiration for this fact alone.
Selwyn says that when he was younger there was a girl his friends thought was boring. He joined them in being cruel to her so that he would fit in, because he didn’t want to seem uncool. What he has never admitted is that he liked her a lot, and though he has since apologised he never admitted his adoration to her nor to anyone else.
Cepith shrugs and mentions that once he couldn’t feel one of his feet for a solid month. He told nobody about it. With the third secret told, the party make their way a little further across Traitor’s Bridge. Ulastrian seems uncomfortable, but nobody is having a great time here and so they think little of it.
Next Osian asks Khamet what he plans to do with the aasimar souls. Khamet says that he wants to make them better people, perhaps with community service at first and eventually by finding them honest work. With this exceptionally Khametty answer, the party continue across the bridge.
The next question is a difficult one: Khamet, Tally and Anthony are asked who of the people on this bridge is their favourite. Anthony says himself. Tally maintains her favourite is Khamet. Khamet is flattered, but says that his is Cepith...because uh, you know, they’ve been friends for such a long time and all that. Just pallys being pals. Khamet, Tally and Anthony are all asked who they would give up to protect these people. Without hesitation, all three of them say Seleuci.
Selwyn, Quelyta and Amani are asked who they like the least out of those present. Osian insists that they cannot say Seleuci, as it seems he is too obvious an option. Selwyn says that his least favourite is Ulastrian, whose outlook and opinions have rubbed him the wrong way. Amani chooses Sada, because selling toxic skincare products is just pointlessly mean. Quelyta predictably nominates Pahra, who is not at all surprised nor concerned by this. After all, Pahra did imprison Quelyta and her companions in Hell to feed on their fear, after effectively buying their souls from the Shadow Queen.
After stepping back to allow them to travel further across the bridge, Osian asks the three what they would do to protect those people. Selwyn insists he would do what he could to protect Ulastrian- he doesn’t hate him, just likes him least of the non-Seleucis present! Amani thinks for a bit before admitting that they would spend cantrips to protect Sada, if it came to it. Quelyta, however, is insistent that she would not do anything to protect Pahra. Which Pahra entirely understands!
When the party move forward, Seleuci and Sada lose their footing and plunge towards the lava below! The spirits become more and more indistinct the closer they get to it. Thinking fast, Selwyn transforms into a giant eagle and saves Sada. Nobody makes a move to assist Seleuci, until Khamet begs Amani to intervene. Amani reluctantly grabs Seleuci with their magic and deposits him back on the bridge. The aasimar is confused but grateful.
The next question is asked of Quelyta and Tally. It could prove a tricky one with so many other drow present: Osian asks the pair to reveal their true feelings about the Shadow Queen. Tally readily admits that she is a parental figure, and that Tally feels betrayed by the lack of care she received from her. She doesn’t know what is there that she should look up to. All Quelyta can bring herself to say is that she used to revere the Shadow Queen greatly, even becoming one of her top warrior priestesses, but after the goddess traded her and her companions’ souls to a fiend she doesn’t think she can ever worship her again.
The party have almost reached the other side. Osian confers briefly with Cadian, a conversation which only Khamet overhears: Cadian has asked Osian to ‘wrap it up’. Osian tells the party there is just one final question, which is put to Anthony and Amani: would you rather lose your friends, or your magic?
For Anthony the answer is easy: he’d rather lose his magic, of course! As long as he can keep his draconic scales and knowledge of the Draconic language, to help bond with Tyzol, he is happy! Amani finds the question much more challenging. Their self-worth is so tied up in their magic, and they believe they wouldn’t have friends without it. With support from the party, they reluctantly decide they would rather lose their magic. They came to this conclusion only after being reminded that they could always make a pact with a different otherworldly entity to get new magic. However, Osian is satisfied with the answer. They step back and look at Cadian.
Cadian takes over the conversation. He tells the party there is one final betrayal to be made before they can cross back over into the material plane: they must leave three people here at the Traitor’s Bridge.
The group argue over who should stay behind. Some point out that Xil’grash was going to stay here anyway...and Pahra is also a fiend, so staying in Hell wouldn’t harm them either. However, there is a lot of debate over who else should remain. Should it be Quelyta, who would do so for the good of the other drow? Should it be Khamet, who brought the party into this in the first place? The party try to talk Khamet out of it, but he seems especially resolute.
Finally, Seleuci sighs and says that he’ll stay behind. Khamet asks how long they have to stay in service to the bridge. Cadian tells him that it will only be a few weeks in material plane time. Khamet asks that Seleuci be sent to Lord Lyrelle of Cai Shaan when his service is complete, and Cadian agrees.
While farewelling their companions, the party realise that they haven’t seen Ulastrian in some time. To their horror, they see the celestial lion in an unconscious heap at the far side of the bridge. As they watch, his body dissolves into starlight.
The party round on the shadowsworn drow, who were with him at the back of the group. The drow are angry at this reaction- Selwyn said he didn’t like him anyway, and that was right as he fell unconscious! Selwyn insists that he hadn’t noticed.
He hadn’t noticed.
As the party process what has happened, Tally privately approaches Cadian. She asks if he could send the drow back to the Underdark. He says that he can, but their conversation is overheard by other members of the party. A debate ensues as to whether or not the drow should be sent back to the Underdark or travel to Eaine with the party.
Quelyta is angry. After all this, Tally would send the pair of them back to the deity who sold their souls? However, Tally is worried for the safety of her drow friends already on the surface, particularly the hidden drow community for whom she has long acted as ambassador to Ur.
Selwyn wonders why anyone would live in the Underdark. Tally explains that many drow live ordinary lives under the radar. Tally herself was born into a powerful house, and so there were higher expectations placed on her. Her mother, a powerful family matriarch, expected a lot from her children. Tally consistently failed to live up to her expectations.
Eventually the party decide to travel to the material plane with the six drow. Cadian and Osian let them through, but the party immediately notice Sada and Jabari’s souls starting to fade. They rush to the temple of the Everqueen, bombarding poor Anzi with this confusing situation and asking her to help keep the souls here. Tally mentions that Bead and Pirate are people bound in these plush forms, although leaves out the bit about them both being demons. Anzi reluctantly takes the party into another room, the same room in which they once called forth the deceased Auzynros’ spirit. Here, Jabari’s spirit is bound to the walking bird toy Khamet previously commissioned, and Sada is bound to a squeaky flutterrat plush Tally purchased in Lustross. While less than totally happy with these forms, the two aasimar are relieved at being able to stay on the material plane a while longer. Leaving Anzi with more information about hell than she ever wanted to know, the party set back out into the city.
It is evening on the 21st of Iron, the same day they left for hell, because time there is so weird. Khamet is the first to notice a familiar horse-like creature charging down the street towards them. He is excited to see Hatar, and runs at him with arms outstretched! Hatar leaps over Khamet, kicks Cepith to the ground, and makes clear that he does not like this other paladin AT. ALL.
Khamet is appalled at the horse’s awful manners. Hatar snorts at Khamet.
“See you later loser,” he says in Khamet and Cepith’s native tongue.
He then canters away to do whatever else Hatars do for fun.
Amani is lingering nearby, clearly confused. “Hatar can talk now?” Khamet helps Cepith to his feet. “He could always talk. Hatar!”
The horse doesn’t even look back. With the revelation of his strange hatred for Cepith, and stranger revelation of his ability to speak, the party continue on their way. Their way, as it happens, takes them to the nearest tavern. Khamet is excited to (slowly) introduce surface foods to the shadowsworn, but first, there is a leather-clad time agent drinking alone who needs to be dealt with. Tayin is here for the God-Forger and the Sunfire Blade. Khamet and Basil hand them over, and Khamet asks Tayin to tell the Extratemporal Bureau that Tenacity is the reason they acquired ‘the pointy things.’ Tayin readily agrees, and remains with the party to finish their drink before returning to the Temporal Fortress.
Meanwhile Tally has made her way to the beach. There she finds Hatar, who locks eyes and challenges her with an Intense Stare. The two of them agree to a friendly (ish) fight, which quickly draws attention from others nearby. By the time Amani arrives though, Hatar has already been kicked off the material plane by the monk’s swift flurry of blows. Tally briefly wonders whether Khamet will be annoyed that he has to summon his horse all over again.
A breathless halfling hurries up to Tally. Introducing themself as Berryfoot, they hand her a message. It is from Captain Harrowway, the tiefling captain. He thanks Tally for an enchanting evening and says he would like to spend more time with her. Tally pockets the note for future reference.
The showdown between Tally and Hatar seemingly marks the end of the day’s drama, with the party turning their attention to more peaceful affairs. Selwyn settles in at the tavern where Khamet is entertaining their new drow friends. The centaur can’t get his mind off Ulastrian’s demise. He feels guilty about it, but he forces a smile and indulges in copious amount of alcohol, putting on a merry face for the world.
Khamet on the other hand is genuinely happy here with his friends. He bonds with the drow over food and drink, but it doesn’t escape his notice that Cepith keeps throwing him longing looks. He begs Selwyn to watch the drow for a few minutes and, while reluctant, Selwyn sees the way he looks at the other paladin and eventually relents.
Khamet and Cepith retreat to the bedroom the group secured for that night. This is the most time they’ve had alone together since rescuing Cepith from the Burning Hunger. There is a lot of hand holding and deep conversation. Perhaps more.
Back at the bar Anthony regales Tyzol with stories of the party’s adventures in hell. Tyzol downs her ale and cheers for his grand, definitely not exaggerated exploits. He also gives her a small snowglobe as a souvenir. It features fiery sparks raining over Mt Law. As they briefly step outside for air, the couple see the clouds starting to clear, as stars spark into existence one by one.
Unseen by the rest of the party, Tally is still out on that beach. She stares at Dreammaker- a ring capable of granting a heart’s hidden desire. Tally isn’t sure what that would be. Should she have sent the shadowsworn back to the Underdark when she had the chance? What will Yzzy think? How can she keep Arim safe? She doesn’t notice the sky clearing above, nor the silvery mist of stars twinkling where once there were only clouds.
Amani has returned to their mother’s home for the night. Naila is relieved they are okay, and once again suggests they consider giving up adventuring, or at least taking an extended break. Amani doesn’t commit to anything either way. After dinner Amani climbs up onto the roof, as they have done so many times before.
They gaze up at the stars and reach out to Night’s Peace. Peace seems tentative- she is still getting used to this new arrangement of only talking with Amani once per day, and not being able to feel them as strongly at other times. Some time passes before Amani mentions Ulastrian. They can’t understand why he didn’t speak up when he was...injured? Weakened? It’s still not entirely clear what happened, but something did, and their feelings about it are less than stellar. Peace reiterates that it’s not their fault: after all, he didn’t communicate.
The archfey wonders if it would be good for the party to spend some time apart, before letting Anthony’s wedding bring them back together. After all, they’ve been through a lot and could surely use some space. She suggests that Amani could use swimming as a way to work through their own feelings. Amani reflects on a memory of a friend they used to swim with...and then recalls that they said if they had to, they would choose their friends over their magic. Night’s Peace encourages them, reminding Amani that she will remain their friend with or without their magic.
Amani: “Friends- you. You mean more to me than anything.”
Amani eventually falls asleep under the stars.
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Post by Thorn on Jan 4, 2023 22:18:19 GMT -5
The people have spoken! Deemed the Worst (tm) character in this campaign is....Lady Malka! Let's take a look at some of her greatest hits:
Lady Malka (also known as Koach, the demonic Queen of Conquerors) served as patron to the warlock Meallan. From this position of power she influenced him to burn down his village, leading to the deaths of his entire community. She also served as patron to a dwarven warlord centuries prior, allowing him to conquer neighboring dwarven territories and very nearly the elven settlement of Cai Shaan.
Oh and she killed Amani too (they got better.)
In a close second for the honour of Worst Character is the Shadow Queen herself! The controlling goddess of the drow teaches them to fear the surface and those residing there, which means the majority of these elves spend their lives entirely underground, cut off from all other societies. In addition the Shadow Queen has: created a misanthropic surface cult alongside a demon, traded drow souls to aforementioned demon, and guilt-tripped her own priest into an unwinnable fight with the Disaster Party.
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Post by Thorn on Jan 6, 2023 18:12:44 GMT -5
A date has been set for our next session! Wednesday 18th January is the date for our session 87. See you folks then as we prepare for the long awaited Dragonsong wedding!
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Post by Thorn on Jan 14, 2023 14:29:22 GMT -5
Under four days until EuroAtlantis, folks! Will the party get to have nice things after all they've suffered? Join in to find out!
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Post by Thorn on Jan 17, 2023 15:15:31 GMT -5
One more day until Euroatlantis! See you then!
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Post by Thorn on Jan 18, 2023 20:43:44 GMT -5
Session 87: Names Learned!Evaelia (they/them): a sea elf friend of Amani, who they used to swim with but hadn't seen for some time prior to this session.
Ilvril (she/her): one of the Shadowsworn, a quiet sort who the party haven't yet got to know.
Iracina (she/her): one of the Shadowsworn. Along with Ravtyrr, she promised to make sure Zenda doesn't hurt Quelyta.
Ravtyrr (she/her): one of the Shadowsworn. After the Shadow Queen persuaded Zenda that it was Quelyta who allowed demons to take their souls, she was adamant that Quelyta would never do such a thing and stoutly defended her absent companion.
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