Session 65
General Summary
Breakfast, Masks, & Deep Trances
Rani returned to the Black & White Inn with Azrail in the early morning, one more groggy than the other. Newt arrived shortly thereafter and warned Rani that there might be a bit of tension when the others come down. Moira, on her way to join everyone, grabbed the whole basket of B&W cookies cause clearly they're just that damn good. Who cares about the rest of the breakfast buffet? With everyone gathered and cookies acquired, apologies and further discussion was had regarding what transpired between Widow and Newt.
Is there anything else that should be discussed? Newt made mention of Untold Truths (TM) – not necessarily withheld secrets – and Rani pointed out they they should want to share these "untold truths" with each other. Have they not been fighting alongside one another for months? Will they not be fighting alongside one another for some time in the foreseeable future? Rani finally gets a bit of the honesty she has wanted.
Ghilani explodes about how he was told to kill a Chosen and that he messaged Volo last night while everyone was sleeping to ask him to do just that. Newt chimes in that he can kill one or convince them to abandon their faith. Rani sees that as either killing them or killing their soul, neither is a great option. However, perhaps it is a viable option ot redirect Volo. Is Six a bounty? Or is this just something personal? Six has been known to take bounties out from underneath the most notorious of bounty hunters, after all. Do they feel comfortable just sending Volo after someone innocent? When asked about the Chosen on the list, Ghilani mentioned that executioners were on there... including Angelos, who is also on Newt's list. Of course, Moira is NOT considered at all... and TOTALLY never was.
Speaking of other untold truths, Newt admitted that he has every intention to kill Ah'Shal, Goddess of Death. When Rani asked why he was determined to do this, he explained that it was for his siblings – certainly not for his SUS father. There is certainly a reason Ah'Shal must have locked him away, even if her punishment of his children is incredibly unjust. Matron Seven promised to build him a weapon and he needs Mistress 8's aid... and he'll need the blood of three executioners. Angelos is thus a prime target for both Newt and Ghilani. Widow isn't about to stop Newt, but have you fully thought through the implications of killing Ah'Shal while the pantheon is already shaky?
Ghilani asked Primus One if perhaps the current pantheon and a pantheon of blood could coexist. Primus believes it could be possible, if that is what Ghilani desires... but only if the current pantheon bends the knee to Primus One. When Moira asked about Caliban's relationship with Ah'Shal, Calibird tried to convey something. All Moira got was that perhaps that's not the right question to ask. Moira assured Claibird that she understood him completely.
Is there anything else that should be discussed? Newt made mention of Untold Truths (TM) – not necessarily withheld secrets – and Rani pointed out they they should want to share these "untold truths" with each other. Have they not been fighting alongside one another for months? Will they not be fighting alongside one another for some time in the foreseeable future? Rani finally gets a bit of the honesty she has wanted.
Ghilani explodes about how he was told to kill a Chosen and that he messaged Volo last night while everyone was sleeping to ask him to do just that. Newt chimes in that he can kill one or convince them to abandon their faith. Rani sees that as either killing them or killing their soul, neither is a great option. However, perhaps it is a viable option ot redirect Volo. Is Six a bounty? Or is this just something personal? Six has been known to take bounties out from underneath the most notorious of bounty hunters, after all. Do they feel comfortable just sending Volo after someone innocent? When asked about the Chosen on the list, Ghilani mentioned that executioners were on there... including Angelos, who is also on Newt's list. Of course, Moira is NOT considered at all... and TOTALLY never was.
Speaking of other untold truths, Newt admitted that he has every intention to kill Ah'Shal, Goddess of Death. When Rani asked why he was determined to do this, he explained that it was for his siblings – certainly not for his SUS father. There is certainly a reason Ah'Shal must have locked him away, even if her punishment of his children is incredibly unjust. Matron Seven promised to build him a weapon and he needs Mistress 8's aid... and he'll need the blood of three executioners. Angelos is thus a prime target for both Newt and Ghilani. Widow isn't about to stop Newt, but have you fully thought through the implications of killing Ah'Shal while the pantheon is already shaky?
Ghilani asked Primus One if perhaps the current pantheon and a pantheon of blood could coexist. Primus believes it could be possible, if that is what Ghilani desires... but only if the current pantheon bends the knee to Primus One. When Moira asked about Caliban's relationship with Ah'Shal, Calibird tried to convey something. All Moira got was that perhaps that's not the right question to ask. Moira assured Claibird that she understood him completely.
Stepping out of the Inn, Moira paused when she heard a crack beneath her foot. Partially shattered, she found a white porcelain mask and a moment later, a long, warped arrow struck her in the neck, spattering her blood across the white porcelain shards. Looking around and seeing nothing, Rani and Newt both took to the sky. While they didn't see any obvious culprit, they found a mask – perhaps 300 feet away – with a note in the eye socket:
The Doctor sends his warmest regards on behalf of The Order. And I'd LOVE to meet you, but sadly I can't... yet. But it was wonderful to watch you bleed.
The Deep End, mildly concerned about the Doctor's presence on the island, found Dr. Valdove... asleep? After ensuring she wasn't dead, poking around her spellbook, and speaking with the ghostly figures that follow Dr. Valdove around, they got Dr. Corvinus who confirmed that there was nothing nefarious afoot. He seemed equally taken aback that the elven doctor was asleep of her own accord. Ghilani knew exactly what to do and coaxed the woman awake with some strong coffee. After pawing at the offered beverage, she jolted awake and insisted that she was just deeply meditating. It would be absurd if she was sleeping.
After securing the space to speak, the Deep End informed her that The Doctor is present. How would he have found them so quickly? How might he have known? Rani mentioned her concerns about a spy. Dr. Valdove acknowledged that something like that is always possible. Though, she also mentioned that Ironborn, of course, tooted his own horn about the successful teleport. It would be easy to learn that the Deep End had moved to Oshiv'Ran. It is also possible that the Doctor has magical means of finding your location... Rani is the only one warded after all. However, given that no one knows yet where The Doctor might be, is it perhaps not best to lure him out? Regardless, she'll see if perhaps Angelos might keep a look out for traces of the Doctor here. After helping her defeat the creature guarding the crystal, he has proven himself quite capable.
With some encouragement (or perhaps coercion), Dr. Valdove agreed to rest for four hours more, though she asked the group to swing by Kalé's and pick up some helpful potions the merchant had offered to make. Before heading to the shop, a pit stop was made at the docks to admire the absolutely massive skull of a crocodilian creature. Azrail recognized it as a Dracodile – a species local to the island... but this one is much too large for its time. Azrail, seeing the state of the docks, stayed there to help his people the best he could.
The Deep End continued on to the Kartus' Brothers storefront and found that the shelves are almost entirely bare and more of the brothers are present here than normal. Kaleb seems grouchy, but does somewhat perk up when Mary is mentioned. He has confidence in Mary... but he is concerned about how nonchalant she was about her recent loss of a limb. Kalé, when called, seems to harbor some lingering irritation towards the grouop, but after a few words from Kaleb, was willing to lower the price for what Dr. Valdove had requested. Kalé, when asked, said that the blood around his neck belonged to Holoki. He offered the group some advice after they had no information on the Green Dragon Clan presence on the island: You are in a new league now with your names plastered along the front pages of every paper. With your names tied to powerful people, you have become tied to their enemies. he will look into the Green Dragon Clan. Before leaving, Kalé stopped Ghilani and warned him about listening to the voices he may hear.
Azrail moved straight to the back of the Kartus' Brothers' shop and asked Kalé about poison shipments, which the merchant hasn't risked given the rowdiness Koa has dealt with at the docks. Perhaps if things settle there, he can get another shipment in soon, for even Tim-Tam is getting stingy. He informed Azrail that, when he can securely talk to High Lady La'Talenna, he should inform her that the Green Dragon Clan is establishing a presence on the island. He will keep an ieye on it, but it seems their dreams of expansion may not have been fully snuffed out.
Returning to Dr. Valdove, The Deep End found her slightly more rested. Time for a swim!
With some encouragement (or perhaps coercion), Dr. Valdove agreed to rest for four hours more, though she asked the group to swing by Kalé's and pick up some helpful potions the merchant had offered to make. Before heading to the shop, a pit stop was made at the docks to admire the absolutely massive skull of a crocodilian creature. Azrail recognized it as a Dracodile – a species local to the island... but this one is much too large for its time. Azrail, seeing the state of the docks, stayed there to help his people the best he could.
The Deep End continued on to the Kartus' Brothers storefront and found that the shelves are almost entirely bare and more of the brothers are present here than normal. Kaleb seems grouchy, but does somewhat perk up when Mary is mentioned. He has confidence in Mary... but he is concerned about how nonchalant she was about her recent loss of a limb. Kalé, when called, seems to harbor some lingering irritation towards the grouop, but after a few words from Kaleb, was willing to lower the price for what Dr. Valdove had requested. Kalé, when asked, said that the blood around his neck belonged to Holoki. He offered the group some advice after they had no information on the Green Dragon Clan presence on the island: You are in a new league now with your names plastered along the front pages of every paper. With your names tied to powerful people, you have become tied to their enemies. he will look into the Green Dragon Clan. Before leaving, Kalé stopped Ghilani and warned him about listening to the voices he may hear.
Azrail moved straight to the back of the Kartus' Brothers' shop and asked Kalé about poison shipments, which the merchant hasn't risked given the rowdiness Koa has dealt with at the docks. Perhaps if things settle there, he can get another shipment in soon, for even Tim-Tam is getting stingy. He informed Azrail that, when he can securely talk to High Lady La'Talenna, he should inform her that the Green Dragon Clan is establishing a presence on the island. He will keep an ieye on it, but it seems their dreams of expansion may not have been fully snuffed out.
Returning to Dr. Valdove, The Deep End found her slightly more rested. Time for a swim!
Presenting... BOI, the Sequel
Diving into the water, Azrail immediately became an octopus. A tunnel at the base of the reef leads down into darkness. Dr. Valdove quickly dismissed the first crystal and the group came across a set of three. Dr. Valdove weakened all of them before she, Ghilani, and Moira attempted to break them together. While Ghilani and Dr. Valdove succeeded – Ghilani only after a sucker covered tentacle was reassuringly placed on his shoulder – Moira could quite disrupt the magical weave and was hit by a blast of radian energy and temporarily blinded.When another tunnel shifted, a force of water swept up Dr. Valdove, Ghilani, and Moira. Dr. Valdove remarked that the weave feels different here – almost diffuse, but she was ripped away from the others. Within the winding tunnels of water, three crystals were placed in various alcoves. Azrail, Rani, and Ghilani joined forces to push their way back up towards the crystal with the glowing symbol of Varoona. Between the magic missile, sucker slap, and a final strike from Rani, the crystal shattered. Newt managed to land a strike, making the tiniest fracture on the crystal with Caliban's mark glowing. he was then swept through the loop once more. Moira was preparing to sit and let moon beam do the work when Newt returned with a vengeance, landing a critical strike where his first had hit, shattering it. Declan managed to dig his sword into the wall and anchor Dr. Valdove, saving her from her inability to be strong for 6 seconds. Together, they destroyed the last crystal.
Swept up once more by the current, the pressure began to ramp up. Everyone chugged their potions. Rani become a merfolk with a brilliant tail. Ghilani morphed into a water genasi, skin and hair now blue. Dr. Valdove, Newt, and Moira all became more elvish, yet acclimated to the sea. And Widow resembled Jeremy... if he were an anglerfish.
With new forms assumed, the Deep End found themselves face to face with yet another door with similar, yet different imagery:
The Dread King – At the top and center of the door is a depiction of a shadow-like human figure in black and violet. The only discernible features are the violet eyes and a 6-pronged, jagged crown. The Goddess of Knowledge – A vaguely feminine figure composed of water stands with multiple arms supporting a staff adorned with flowers and a black serpent. One of her many arms turns glowing white, banishing away a greenish sludge, while another turns dark green and black as if infected. In yet another, she holds a tome and another begins to mark runes. The God of the Moon – A humanoid figure stands cloaked in a robe casting his face in darkness. From beneath long sleeves, pale hands emerge tangled in red threads attached to a tapestry before him. A moon and stars are depicted behind him with an hourglass of stardust positioned above his head. The Goddess of the Sea – A merfolk woman swims amidst the sea, surrounded by aquatic creatures. She holds the hand of a young child in one hand and that of an adult in another. The waters churn and crash with flashes of lightning and storm clouds hang above the surface. Despite the churning water and the seaweed through which she swims, she seems unhindered.
Rani moved to quickly engage one trio of water elementals covered in scaled armor while Widow moved to engage another trio. The "Not-So-Lazy-Loop" began to pick up its pass, water beginning to race and churn. After a round of combat, Rani cast healing spirit, filling the Tanzanite gem above the identical portrait of Carmenthia to left of the door. Moving around, Dr. Valdove motioned to Moira as the image of Caliban lit up. Red strings of fate formed under Moira's feet and the moonstone gem became illuminated. Rani, standing in front of the duplicate of Varoona, chugged a potion of Chaos, gaining an extra action to move around to support Widow. In response, the Aquamarine gemstone became illuminated.
Swinging back around to Carmenthia, Ghilani cast Detect Magic, which triggered Moira's moonbeam. Once more, Varoona was lit. Azrail triggered three different things at once between the movement of water, the wild shape, and releasing the water elemental from his grapple. Newt, tired of fighting, slammed a vial of poison on the wall next to Carmenthia. Moira, taking one from Ghilani's playbook, presented BOI. Calibird – wet and exasperated – stared at the portrait and the final Moonstone did light up. Rani dragged her claws into the wall as she spoke of how she hopes that Ezra will accept her proposal. That is one interpretation of leaving Youth behind.
Declan had a moment where he was very determined to stay RIGHT next to Dr. Valdove. Concerned, she managed to discern something was wrong and cast dispel magic on the man, removing the effect from him.
As the final crystal breaks, the dirt and stone ground begins to swirl and morph like black, dark viscous liquid. A large, serpent-like colossus seems to take the form of water itself before forming scales, massive fins, a serrated tooth-filled maw, and a string of bioluminescent patterns that cast an eerie glow in the darkened cavern. As it begins to move, the point where its tangible form ends and its watery form begins is difficult to discern. The colossus' head appears vaguely draconic and as it rises from its resting place, the maw opens. Within its gaping maw, a faint silver glow floods the cavern temporarily as a bit of bile and fog drift out. A row of four eyes on each side of its head blink and then begin to glow a bluish-white hue.
Report Date
27 Nov 2022
Primary Location
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