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Sat 22nd Jun 2019 03:51

Cenceptions

by Nepheri

The search continued, guided by Eye, until we arrived at the hag's hut. Everything was just... wrong around it. Vines on the ground moved on their own and the very building looked like it had grown into place rather than been built there. And then there was... The pregnancy. The woman claimed it was Rupert's, from when she stole a kiss from him a couple of weeks ago, which was obviously a lie. Not that our dear innocent fighter realised, prompting Ellywick to make fun of him a bit. Sometimes I feel like I'm older than him, rather than the reverse.
 
The obvious explanation here, with one baby missing and another one appearing out of nowhere, is that the two are one and the same. How or why the hag has somehow implanted herself with the child, I have no idea. But it's clear we need to get hold of her and do something about it without sacrificing the young life before it has a chance to fulfil what it's fated to do. Ellywick and I agreed to take her out, but the witch went invisible as soon as we drew weapons and instead called on two pet trolls. Trolls that nearly took out Rupert a couple of times... And knocked Ellywick out once as well.
 
Speaking of Ellywick, she's very proud of getting Sildar in bed yesterday. And, apparently, he was quite good at what he did - something she keeps repeating. Which is great. I'm happy for her. But... I don't know. I've grown very fond of her and... Maybe her being so excited about Sildar has made me want to feel closeness. I don't want to make things awkward with Ellywick, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't feel the same. Whatever that feeling is. I'm not even sure she's into women. Or tieflings. Or, even more, someone serving a goddess of death. So I'll just be there to keep her alive and well as best I can and be happy. I'm sure it will all pass eventually...
 
Some tracking led us to the mound Nana - the hag we followed - had made her lair. Her and two other hags as it turned out, and according to Rupert hags forming a coven like that are more powerful than the sum of them combined. Which means we mostly seem lucky to only have had half of us on the brink of death at one time or another. Poor Ellywick got struck by lightning no less than four times, with Hurgh and Suffrax faring only slightly better. And Rupert even ended up turned to a frog for a while. He... does not seem to have the best experiences with hags.
 
Ellywick helped me cut the baby we had come to save out of Nanas dead body, but sadly its soul had already moved on and life escaped it. I think serving the Raven Queen has actually taught me to mourn the dead while it taught others to accept it. I cried for weeks after mum died, but I can't recall any other time someone's death bothered me. But this baby... I had hoped we'd be able to bring hope back with us and give this child life before its time. That wasn't to be.
 
At Rupert's request, I did pray to the Raven Queen that night, asking if she would restore life to the little girl. But I knew the answer even before I got a response. The child's path had already reached its end and all I could do was to bring whatever solace I could by bringing the body home.
 
Walking back to Phandalin gave me time to think about the mortality of those around me. Each one of us has a destiny and when it has been fulfilled, our lives too will end. My life is in service to the Raven Queen and I trust in her to guide my soul when needed. But the others... I don't want to be without them. I don't know how many times while we walked I found myself glancing over at Ellywick or walking closer to her as if I could somehow keep her safe. I don't think she noticed, thankfully.
 
During the night on our way back, Ellywick was fortunate enough to track down a couple of boars and provide us with both fresh meat for breakfast and more to feed the people of Phandalin. Rupert didn't seem to approve, seemingly equating the slaughter of game with the death of the baby I was carrying. Their souls work quite differently, but I guess I'm more used to the death of humans than he is.
 
Rupert and I found the baby's mother and conveyed the sad news. There's not much one can do to console a grieving parent at the moment they find out besides helping them see the reality so that they can start to process of acceptance. That and offering a shoulder when they are ready for it. I hope she can find the support she will need. Sadly, I have low expectations of the priest remaining in Phandalin after I leave...
 
While we took care of the sad task of informing the grieving mother, the rest took the meat to the inn where they also got us rooms, food and ale. And, it turns out, Sildar and his friend (boyfriend?) Daran Edermath. With Ellywick sitting next to Sildar and teasing him again. It might feel... slightly awkward for me too, but I can't help thinking about how cute she is when she does that.
 
I should probably try to push my thoughts of her. She looked at me as if she knew something was up. I tried focusing on my ale and pretend that there's nothing. Preferably while being as close to her as I can. And she said she liked my horns... That made my heart skip a beat. Maybe she... Stop it Nepheri! I better get some sleep. Try to think of something else.

Continue reading...

  1. Business...
    11th of Uktar, 1489
  2. I'm ready for you, Raven Queen
    2nd Uktar, 1489
  3. You killed my father, now prepare to die
    2nd Uktar, 1489
  4. Dust to Dust
    1st of Uktar, 1489 DR
  5. Redbrands I
  6. Arrival at Phandalin
  7. Daddy Dearest
    1st of Uktar
  8. Day after
    30 Marpenoth, 1489 DR
  9. Lawful Stupid
    29 Marpenoth, 1489 DR
  10. Saving private Rupert
    29 Marpenoth, 1489 DR
  11. Dead to me
    29 Marpenoth, 1489 DR
  12. Close to Harvest
    28 Marpenoth, 1489 DR
  13. Recovery
  14. Insane Plans
  15. By the Book
  16. Dead feelings
  17. Disposed
  18. Dead Necromancers are the Best Necromancers
  19. Catching up
  20. Shipping
  21. Friendly or Not
  22. Unexpected Meetings
  23. Worlds Collide
  24. A very different city
  25. Festive Thornhold
  26. Thank you, my Queen
  27. Friends. Right.
  28. This is awkward....
  29. Landslide
  30. Dangerous Gnoll-age (sorry... the puns are spreading...)
  31. Cenceptions
  32. Seduction
  33. Wave Echo Cave II
  34. Wave Echo Cave
  35. Return to Phandalin
  36. Rest in peace, Declan...
  37. Crisis of Faith
  38. Thundertree II
  39. Thundertree I
  40. Path to Thundertree
  41. Orc hunting
  42. Redbrands III
  43. Redbrands II
  44. Far From Home
    ?? ?? ???
  45. Cold
    Tal'dorei, day 2
  46. Life, interrupted
  47. Hot and Cold
  48. The Dragon's Lair
  49. In the afternoon, we plan!
  50. A Song of Ice and Fire
  51. Celebration
  52. Relief is one hell of a drug
  53. Flight and Flutter
  54. Freedom of Movement
  55. At dusk we... do something?
  56. Pray for a quick end to our deception
  57. Catching up
  58. Fall
  59. Lizards in a hole
  60. Not Today
  61. Released
  62. A broken soul
  63. Skyfall
  64. Acid Falls
  65. Roped in
  66. Faith in Friends
  67. Insight into Emon
  68. A Calling
  69. Hypothetical 1: Healer (Ginny Di video)
  70. Hypothetical 3: Matchmaker (Ginny Di video)
  71. Hypothetical 2: Villain (Ginny Di video)
  72. For my Beating Heart
  73. Hypothetical 4: Prison guard (Ginny Di video)
  74. Hypothetical 5: Bard (Ginny Di video)
  75. Plagued Possibilities
  76. Visits in the Cloudtops

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.042 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 16:01, Nov 7 2024