Session 33

General Summary

Lifestyles of the Dead and Learned

As each member of the party found themselves shrouded in darkness, Ariadne awoke to find herself in a cozy room, books scattered everywhere. While the space was entirely unfamiliar, she heard music coming from beyond the doorway. Moving downstairs, a cloudy shadowy shape of a humanoid sat there, remarking on how seemingly Ariadne was exhausted, and asked her opinion on the music he was playing. Before she could give a proper response, the skittering of long, thin legs could be heard, and Vaund asked Ariadne one simple question: Who is this person? They clearly held a special place in Ahrieya's heart. If you were truly a friend, you would know. After a moment, Ariadne thought and repsonded that this person must be her brother. The skittering stopped, and a door with a white light coming through sat at the opposite end of the chamber
Nova found herself sitting at a round table, her face buried in a book. Thats not right... But there was also a piping hot bowl of soup nearby. Thats better. Slurping on the soul, it smelt and tasted familiar. A voice soon spoke out, lecturing Nova on the ability of oneself to crack the codes of history on an empty stomach. Another voice spoke, describing how they made the soup just the way they like it. While she didn't recognize the voices, one that she DID recognize soon appeared. Vaund asked if Nova knew who these people where, important as they were to Ahrieya. Nova took a moment, and instinctually responded with Mom and Dad. With that response, a glowing white door opened for Nova to walk though at the end of the room.
Gio found himself in a greenspace unfamiliar to him. A voice spoke endearingly towards him, revealing a vaguely feminine form, as a set of hands began to slightly massage your shoulders before regarding in how they've been planning this outing for some time. Uncomfortably trying to play along and speaking in falsetto, Gio was suddenly silenced by a skittering, followed by Vaund's voice. Who are these people Ahrieya cared so deeply for? Giving his answer, frustrated in the difficulty of his question, a door opened before him with a blackened void beyond.
Idris appeared in a chamber filled with a sickly green glow with a blackened void of a humanoid resting on the ground in the center. Multiple people seem to be holding them down as he screams in pain. The ones holding him down discuss what this person could have done to be in this condition. Idris tries to gather some more information about the situation. Apparently this person has traveled to some place known as "Netherese." As a burst of green energy explodes from the restrained humanoid, time slowed to a stop as the voice of Vaund pierced through the veil. Who is this person. Idris took a moment to assess the situation, and responded with Ahrieya's brother. As he did so, a bright white glowing door appeared at the other end of the chamber.
Diem appeared in a formless black void. Vaund discussed with her why she was here, and that she clearly holds no ties to the party nor to the one they are trying to bring back. Diem expressed that the ones she is travelling with are bad at keeping their friends alive. Vaund remarked on Diem's following of Mother Night, and the sway she now holds on Barovia in its current state. As the conversation came to a close, a white door opened at the end of the void.

Borrowed Wings

The party then found themselves in some sort of cavern. Multiple angel statues could be seen in various forms and expressing many different gestures. As the party talked about what they went through, Gio was concerned that he was the only one in the party to get a non-glowing door after their test. Moving into the room, the party saw a plaque with a riddle on it. We did this for Flameo's demiplane too, usual entity stuff right here.

Knowledge is a blessing from the gods, and thus we all need wings to meet their gaze

Touching the angelic statues seem to instill various emotions and conditions based on the posture and expression on the statue, ranging from fear to despair. Beyond the chamber lied a great chasm, and upon testing, apparently had no bottom. The party discussed what they would do to cross before asking the edgy teenage boy Victor what he can do. Looking over his tome of spells, why yes it seems he does have the fly spell prepared. Though there were some close calls, everyone managed to cling to Victor as they flew across the chasm, completely circumventing the riddle.

A Plane Above the Rest

Moving into another chamber, the warm air of the lava filled chasm immediately let the party knew the dangers that were present. A large device rested above a massive chasm, and upon entering, displayed some mechanical control mechanisms as well as another riddle.

Bushan stands above the planes, though you still need to show proper respect

The mechanism rested on a diagram of multiple planes of existence. Shortly after entering, the mechanism began to shift and turn as riddles would be given out to the party, describing the various planes as the party had little issue matching the riddles to the descriptions. At that moment, angular mechanical looking creatures appeared, assaulting the party as they began to solve the riddles. The mechanism would shake and shunt the party towards the ends of the platform, nearly throwing them into the lava.
An unfortunate paralytic mist stopped most of the party from making any move as they drifted closer and closer to the edge. Victor nearly fell into the pit were it not for Idris making sure he remained stationary. Nova fell, but luckily was able to grasp onto some hanging chains. Gio, Diem, and Idris tried to match the hands of the mechanism to the names of the planes as Ariadne and Nova assaulted the creatures. Unfortunately, Ariadne was not as lucky as Nova, and began to plummet towards the lava. Just before impact, the remainder of the party solved the final riddle, and they were shunted away.

Penultimate Peak of Knowledge

The party finally found themselves outside the location they're been looking for. A grand library built of ancient architecture, both alien and familiar. Inside, the party was greeted by a robotic sounding individual with a golden mask and black robe named Don. He explained the realm of Bushan, Vaund's domain, and when asked about where Vaund is and potentially their friend, volunteered to bring them into the library to find them. As they journeyed to the library, they found that any sound they produced was immediately silenced, though they found they could still communicate through telepathic messaging.
Moving up to the top floor, what appears as a private study with stain glass windows depicting multiple scenes with what the party believes to be Vaund could be seen. Entering the chamber, Vaund questioned one final time why they came here, and despite everything, showed a modicum of respect. Calling towards the corner of the room, the party saw their friend Ahrieya sitting at a desk, covered in unique patterns and new clothing. Ahrieya took a moment to remark on how the party actually came, though they took much longer than expected. It seems time moves much more quickly here as well. After a brief moment to say hi and catch up, Ahrieya asked Vaund if she could actually leave. Vaund said she could, and that she always could, but wanted to keep her here until she was ready. But I supposed that time is now, and your 'friends' seem to show a newfound resolve. When asked about how Vaund felt about the dick in the castle, she clearly didn't express any happiness in his position of power.

Banjo Therapy Time™

Finally getting themselves together, Vaund took a moment to wish the party luck, and to once again remind Ahrieya of her duties. At that moment, suddenly, the party found themselves on the outside of Vallaki. Scared absolutely shitless, the party dismissed Victor, demanding that he stop acting like such a piece of shit and start trying to fix his previous bride-to-be. Shambling over to the gates, he seemed much more receptive to the idea than he was before their journey.
The party then took a moment to rest outside the walls. The air was tense, accusations were thrown around, and a lot of people didn't know where they stood in the group. Also by the way your brother turned Gio's son into a marble and might have gotten him killed, as well as threatened us to get you back. Idris once again took this moment to whip out his patented Banjo Therapy™.
Idris expressed his frustration in the entire situation, in having to deal with VERY recently coming back to life as well as now having to deposit his friends off in an extraplanar space. Though, he is waiting for someone to step up and admit fault. Promptly the banjo was passed to Ariadne, who first off apologized to Ahrieya for what had happened. Why did you pick me? You could have said or done anything else. In the moment it was hard to decide, and she really didn't want anyone to hate her for it, and if you wanted to kill her in revenge she would understand. Ahrieya went next, simply stating that the old Ahrieya is gone. She can't act the way she used to, and now has a new goal in mind; helping Vaund. Gio then took the banjo, and also took a moment to apologize and explain how simply fucked up everything is, and how shit has been so wild that they haven't been able to deal with everything cropping up. Also he took a deal with another entity like Vaund and Flameo. Handing the banjo off to Nova, she was just happy Ahrieya was back, and that Vigo can someday come back too.
As the banjo session came to a close, the party began to figure out what to do next before Ahrieya felt a minor sharp pain on her neck, revealing two holes in her neck similar to that of a bite mark.

Report Date

22 Jun 2023