Chapter 14: ...Often Go Awry

General Summary

The three heros started the 14th by noting that crowds had increased at The Umbral Inn and that the proprieter, Evan, was fairly busy assisting new guests. After Lenihlra changed into a new gown stitched by Arik Prince, the three made their way to the National Museum of Emaniquora. On the way, utilizing their new Hairclips of Disguise, changed their appearances to suit the situation. When they arrived at the museum, Lenihlra and Inhe requested a private tour of the new exhibit, The Lands of Emaniquora. While those two received the tour, Jacquora made her way to the exhibit, The Jewels of the Emanii. There was only one person in the exhibit at the time. Jacquora knocked the person out and found and interesting substance on them, Halfling Pipeweed. With much trial and tribulation, she was eventually able to unlock the cabinet and swap out the necklaces. The party reconvened at their room at The Umbral Inn. While they made their way there, they noticed that a fair number of patrons were leaving the establishment. Inhe asked Evan why and he said that it was because they found out he was originally from The Gatipids. When they all reached the room they reached out to the necklace. All three of them were then pulled into a vision. They were standing in their room at the inn, but there was about an inch of water in it. Huddled in a corner was Thydona, covering her ears and rocking back and forth, repeating the word "no" over and over again. Suddenly her next snapped to look at the three. She started to breathe heavily as she stood up and approached the party and said, "You shouldn't be here. It's about to happen again. Just promise me that you won't interfere. Trust me, it makes the whole process go faster if you just go with it." The room then was filled with a bright and searing light so hot it felt as if their flesh was melting way from their bones. As soon as it happened it was over and they found themselves in a new place. A brightly lit street, devoid of people, paved with new, white, smooth stones. Buildings of a similar stone rose up to the left of them, with tiled red roofs and the beginnings of vines climbing the sides. To their right was an impossibly tall wall of the same stone, seemingly created of a single stone. A nearly imperceptible stairway curved up from the base extending the hundreds of feet to the top and two figures descended it. One the party was able to recognize as Thydona, wearing simple yet finely made robes of deep blues, purples, and grays. Trailing behind the robes was another elven woman they did not recognize. She had dark brown hair, green eyes, and tanned skin. The two seemed to be arguing. As they approached they could hear the unknown woman say, "I don't understand why you need to go out there. We've been at this for months. We can hold on for a few months more. There's no reason why you need to go alone." As they reached the end of the stairway Thydona stopped to look at the second woman. Sighing, she hugged her and replied, "If I don't go to siege will continue and more people will die. Besides, it is more likely that they will take me to their new capital and to their new emperor than behead me right here and there. They will want to try me. They will want the public to see. This will give us a month or more plan out our next step. In the meantime, I have insured the city's safety by having all of our mages encircle the walls with a shield. As long as no one leaves shield the city will be fine." Pulling away from the hug she added, "That means you too." "Please don't go" the second woman said with tears in her eyes. Behind the party, they could hear the creak of tall, thick wooden doors beginning to open. Thydona sighed once more and said, "Ulrin, you have to promise me you won't follow me. You cannot go where I go this time." Ulrin shaked her head as the tears began to stream down her face, "Don't do this." Smiling, Thydona pulled Ulrin into a kiss. After a moment, she pulled away and, firmly placing both hands on the other's shoulders, replied, "Stay," and began to walk towards the doors. "I love you." Ulrin whispered, nearly out of earshot. Thydona paused in her steps and looked back over her shoulder, "Naturally." She continued walking out of the city through the wooden doors that closed with a loud boom after her. The party suddenly found themselves by Thydona's side as she walked across a vast grassy plane towards a large army that lies just beyond the gates. She skims her hands along the fluffy tops of the long stalks of wildgrass that surround her. As she got closer to the encampment she reached up and clutched her necklace and the stone hanging on it and whispered a prayer. Once reaching the army, she was clasped in irons, gagged, and led further into the camp. Eventually she was forced to her knees in a circle near the center of the camp. A tall, thin elven man approached her. He had white-blonde hair and blue eyes. Most noticeable was the large burn scar that covered the right half of his head. He wore a smug smile, chuckled, and said, "Well well well...if it isn't the mighty leader. Thydona Ezohr herself, prostrated before my very feet. How would your followers react if they saw you now?" Thydona glared at him, unable to reply. "Please. Remove her gag. I'd like to hear what she has to say." A guard approached and removed the thick cloth from around her mouth. She spat and then spoke, "Luthyra... Long time no see. I see the war hasn't treated you well. Pity, you used to be kind of cute." He frowned for a brief moment before the same smile returned, "If you are referring to the scars that you gave me, I see them as a badge of honor. I received these for serving, loyally, the emperor of this great nation." Thydona scoffed, "And yet he has left you to man an endless siege. It must be very thrilling. Many chances here to have great feats." He chuckled and smirked, "Left me? Oh no, he hasn't left me. In fact, he arrived just this morning." As he stepped aside a second figure entered the circle. The guards and soldiers lining the circle all bowed in unison before rising again. The figure was of average height with wavy blonde hair to his shoulders. A scar crossed the right side of his face across his eye, or where is where his right eye used to be. The party could feel Thydona tense, as if they were her, and regain her composure once more as the man approached her. Unlike his compatriot, he wore a grim expression. "Thydona.... This is not how I imagined we would meet." He said. She leveled her gaze at him and spat out, "I came here for my people, not for you or anyone else." Kneeling down next to her he whispered in her ear, only loud enough for her to hear, "Tell me, is she safe?" Thydona nodded, "Safer than she ever was with you." Nodding back, he stood up and began walking around the circle, "Normally, I would see that a fair trial is given. However, given the circumstances, given The level of danger you pose, the amount of lives you have cost us, I fear that I was pass judgment now." He beckoned the guards to raise Thydona up to her feet, which they did. Loud enough for the surrounding individuals to hear, he shouted, "Under The light of the three stars, I sentence you, Thydona Ezohr, to death. Know that I take no pleasure in this. We were once friends you and I. I hope to see you in the next world." He approached her and produced from behind his back a long dagger. It's blade was jagged and uneven and tinged dark green. The steel was strange and looked as if oil had spilled over it, giving it a unique rainbow sheen. As he reached her he said, seemingly truthfully, "I'm sorry, old friend." Thydona looked up to the sky and, as the dagger entered her chest, she screams out the name of her god, Ilyth. They coudl see Loras frown and look upwards as the light began to grow brighter. They could feel that similar heat begin to render their flesh once more. Looking down, they noticed large cracks begin to appear in the dirt below them and water seeping upwards. Suddenly, they were surrounded by water. Thydona was there again and approached them. She placed a hand on their shoulders and said apologetically, "I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean for the sea to happen. I didn't want to be trapped here. I knew what the stone could do but I didn't want to use it. Ilyth decided for me, she gave me no choice. And now, every time that happens, I lose a memory. There are so few left. Please, help me. Please." They asked her how to release her to which she replied "Break the stone" before they party was once again in their chambers, standing in puddles of water. Somewhat shaken from what they had seen, the party contacted Falaern, who told them to meet her at the transportation circle in Xhosidva. Once she arrived, they made their way to the church they had previously fought creatures in. There, the group decided to break the stone open and release Thydona. They realized that for every blow dealt to the stone, they received half of that same damage back. After some time, they broke open the stone. Lying face-up in a pool of water was Thydona, unconscious. Their victory was short-lived, however, as a familiar figure appeared from behind a column, clapping his hands. Wesley P'dash appeared and, grabbing Falaern, thanked the group for bringing the princess to him. He mentioned to them that he told them he'd be keeping an eye on them. Then, he snapped off one of her horns and disappeared through a portal behind him, leaving the group reeling from what had just happened.

An example of what some of the houses they saw looked like.