Session 15: Bad News Bansa Report

General Summary

Scene 1: Final Leg
The Dawn to the east shimmers across the Elfinian Canal. All along the water-logged edge, enforcers unload the barges and prepare to set out again towards Bansa. The steady downward incline towards the shore was almost imperceptable till now, but the sea glints on the horizon as if to tease you onward like dangling jewels before a dragon.
The City of Ridgemire is set downstream at a half days ride. Though your encampment was quick and rushed in the night, no further events of concern seems to have occurred. The fallen enforcer now wrapped in heavy canvas has been carefully and reverently placed on the badge with an escort of two enforcer guards to return home for burial.
As your tent is packed away by the young enforcers you catch the eye of many of them, a mix of emotions can be seen on their faces. It’s easy to tell the difference between them and the more seasoned men like Todd. While Todd’s outward expression is passive and thoughtful, the young men, new to the task set before them, nervously flit their gaze and fumble their packs.
Across the broken encampment Caleb and your dad are surveying the lakeshore, quiet shippers loaded with stacks of hewn logs fill the lake. With nowhere to go with the Canal stopped up they float ominously like small drifting islands. A light mist builds off the surface of the water as the sun begins to warm the chilled air.
Theo and Pickle step up beside you, leading Andi’s horse Tiny. “Good morning Lady Andi.” He says formally. “I hope you and Squiffy slept alright?”
——————
ANDI: Gazing out across the lake and the canal Andi recalls how she' remembers being here before... Ophelia standing with a smile. Her eyes looking down the length of narrow barge-way canals. The day the added canal was opened had been an important day for your mom. And she had dragged the entire family to the shore of the Lake to oversee the first boat launched. It was an odd memory to recall perhaps, but it felt like a lifetime ago. In fact it had in a way - it was back then that Ophelia had not yet expected you to become.. to obey and sit still. Back the you had played in the water and had floated leaves down the canal as carefree as anyone.
——————
SQUIFFY: Their are eyes on you. Pickles… yes, but someone else’s eyes borrow angrily into you, there’s a mental presence among the group that You have not felt in some time… Looking around Squiffy is unable to determine who or what is intruding into his perception in that way. It leaves him anxious.
There’s something off. Not only left over tension from a restless sleep, but the troops’ felines seem also to be aware of it subconsciously. The morning dew refracting the sun across the lake’s edge, but it’s in the slight re tint to the void that draws your attention… Imperceptible, but distantly screaming. Although it is some ways away… the red magic is potent magic - screaming mentally into the void in a repulsive way. Something primal has presence and it gives you all the wrong vibes. Your very being doesn't want to move towards it. Though… you must.
Squiffy observes this tension in the troops and felines as they head out on their way towards Bansa.
In an attempt to shield himself, Squiffy attempts to push his mental presence outward as a buffer against the malevolent presence of the distant red magic. Though if it has any effect he can’t tell.
——————
Scene 2: Red Magic Looms
Mounting up, Theo asks again if Andi is alright. His concern for Andi is soft and kind. His eyes searching. Andi assures him that she is alright. Though he knows she is lying - sensing her concern about how serious everything has gotten. He doesn’t press it, but he keeps a close distance.
Flanked and in formation, everyone heads out, heading east towards Bansa.
Trying to lessen the tension, Andi starts telling stupid Dad jokes. Andi feels a bit of tension lessen as she is able to get her brother and dad in on the jokes.
Heading into the final leg of their journey towards Bansa. Along the way the group passes through the city of Ridgemire. A junction city at the junction point of travel across the Elfinian Canal and the Northern Rootlands. A path and bridge system that Andi has traversed on many rides to and from home and the Capital.
The city is somber, and lacks its usual clamor of people and noise. The people in the city are forlorn, many remain in their homes and those out and about on the street watch the procession of Andi and her troops with a sort of apathy. — Squiffy noting the distinct lack of felines among the town. This sits ill in his stomach.
Andi, who had thought to try and buy a potion(s) in this city, but decides not to try to buy something like that from these people who appear to be in great need. People keeping to themselves and some staring in a not-so-welcoming way.
Riding beside her, Andi and her Dad begin to speak about what’s been happening via Gruntly to Squiffy. Learning that:

Tension has been growing since Ophelia has re-distributed Enforcers to attend to Bansa’s issues. Unrest in the people has grown since this conscription/allocation.

Older men wave come out of retirement and taking up positions as Enforcers to protect their communities since the young men have been taken away.

They do not appear to be happy with the current status of things.

Andi says nothing, silently agreeing with the tactics of the desperate people living in this town. The feeling of dread mounting in both Andi and Squiffy as they ride ever closer.
At one point during the second part of the day, feline chatter starts to pick up. And it becomes apparent that felines are getting skittish. A feline deserted and caused a commotion. He is retrieved, and has been positioned next to their commander to keep an eye on them. Though tensions among all felines have the same level of anxiety mounting.
Sensing this, Squiffy attempts to push out an “Aura of effect”, to comfort and bolster the troops. Pushing his mind outward. Encompassing the group with his mental reach, the effect doesn't seem to stick, even though good intent and emotions are shared, but the effects of the red looming magic, doesn’t seem to bolster, as he had hopped.
As nighttime setts on, Caleb asks if they should push into the night or camp. Andi opts to camp.
Camp is set up along the road. With the ranks situated in the center who are more green. With the more seasoned men posted at the edges to keep watch and to hopefully contain any potential deserters.
Andi tries once more to cast an aura of effect. The hold on the effect is tenuous at first, the way that it percolates outward as Squiffy attempts this. Pickle joins Squiffy, intrigued by this projected effect, adds her own mental fortitude and mental capacity to bolster the effect. This helps. Seeing this, Squiffy reaches out to Gruntly and Fudge to assist him in maintaining the effect through the night.
The felines help and as the effect is maintained throughout the night. A layer of muffled suppression surrounds the encampment and lessens the effect the distant red magic has. Allowing those inside the aura to keep their wits about them.
Andi makes sure that her gambling buddies are alright and to check on moral. Moral is fair, with two of them being less than alright. The tension certainly is felt.
In the middle of the night, the second shift wains on their ability to keep the effect in place. Causing a period of discontent and unease. A feline fight breaks out amongst this time. Tensions are high, as third shift is able to re-establish the aura once more.
———
In the morning, Andi and Squiffy set out to figure out how to keep the aura effect consistent as the troops head towards Bansa. (79 People, 78 Felines total in the company.)
The second leg of the trip brings the company to sight of the city. The sun setting at the company’s back as the sight of bansa looms ahead. The sight of the city of Bansa is a confusing sight. As if the sky had sunk and plunged the coastline into a cloud plume, however this was not a bright friendly cloud, this is a malevolent one. It carries familiarity to the sight of the fog advancing on the great tree in the Dream-scape.
Knowing that they will arrive at the encampment outside of town, they press onward into the first few hours of night to arrive at the encampment. The red Aura consumes the fog and blots out vision into or beyond it.
Arriving at basecamp, a chill carries in the air. A great big column frozen into the first lock of the city gate. Holding it closed. The troops at this place look tired and exhausted and mentally tired.
Upon arrival the troops are incorporated into the ranks and are given places to set up tents and tend to their horses. A guard comes and helps take the leaders horses to care for them. Leaving Andi and Squiffy to enter the Main tent.
——————
Scene 3: Bansa Overrun
In the command tent; Andi and Squiffy are met with a thick atmosphere of stress. Men stand around a center table laden with maps and communication missives, letters, and scrolls. Other enforcers attend to nearby desks of paperwork and seem to all be managing various tasks. But it’s clear who is in charge. Standing center of the room, looming over the table is a man dressed in Eastern Rootland colors. His emblem bearing the sea-scape of the Eastern House. With Dark hair, black cloak, leather armor, thick bracers, and grizzled expression he turns to see who has entered the tent. He looks to be deferred to by all those assembled here.
Andi considers the man seated beside the commanding man, a more subdued and stressed looking man. He looks familar to her - trying to remember if she knows him.. It takes her a moment, Recalling that this is the Baron entrusted with the city of Bansa. Baron Victor Armann. Andi had met him once at a large function in passing, and had heard his name a few times. An individual who is likely more knowledgeable man in regards to the logistical aspects of the city.
Standing beside him are an Enforcer Captain - Captain Lotte. His second in command, a younger trim and muscled young Enforcer, Commander Devore.
Todd steps inside and out of the way, simply observing and keeping a close watch as Andi’s protector.
They nod in respect as Andi, her dad Stephen, and her brother Caleb enter the tent. Squiffy asks what they’ve been dealing with. Finding a breif yet uninspired response from the assembled about the state of Bansa being grim and overrun.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Lady Rootlord Apparent. What do you mean there is something more pressing?” The Commander asks to Andi’s statement upon entering.
Andi clarifies, and tells them that they have brought the cure for the blight; but, that it will do no good until the fog being produced by the rift is closed.
Squiffy provides a bit of mental clarification to the felines in the room of the rift he had closed in the dreamscape. Trying to provide context for how to close the rift in Bansa. The felines in the room meet this mental image - they do not understand.
News of the red magic does not however seem like new information to the assembled men. Captain Lotte tilts his head, “Rift is an interesting way to describe it.. I was going to say hell or something like. We haven’t been able to get close to it. The citizens have turned into creatures under the influence of the sickness. We wanted to cure individuals, and evacuate people. Is that not a viable option?” He asks, looking from Andi to her dad and back.
“We want to save them, that’s not a horrible plan. However it’s a waste of resources and endangering since the real danger is the rift, and fog. Anyone will be in danger until we get that under control. Once the cure is used up it’s gone. If they get infected again…”
“And their is danger to administering the cure.” Squiffy adds, speaking to the felines. Showing glimpses of the events of the cure being given at the Manor Hospital. A shiver ripples through the felines, and then the bonds who share their bonded links. The weight of the intrinsic danger of curing the blight becoming all the more complicated a reality.
“Commander Devore…” Captain Lotte turns to the younger man in enforcer garb. “Please get the new troops situated and debriefed. In the morning we will formulate a plan to get close to the rift. Keep watch rotations as usual patrol schedule.” The Commander heads out to obey.
“Sorry for interrupting your meeting. Please catch me up to speed.” Andi says.
“Would you like the Baron here?” He asks after dismissing the others from the tent.
Andi senses that this is a test. Squiffy says that he should stay. “Yes Please stay.” Andi says. Captain Lotte looks towards Todd with a questioning glance, but doesn't question his presence.
“Of corse Stephen Copperbottom should stay.” Caleb takes this as dismissal and respectfully heads out of the tent. Leaving just the Baron, Captain Lott, Andi, Stephen, and Todd.
They gesture to the table, for everyone to gather around. Captain Lotte begins to explain what they’ve been dealing with.
MEETING POINTS:

The first issue to arrive was the unnatural fog.

Creatures and the Rift appeared a week ago.

The creatures are described as wraith-like creatures with burning red eyes and unhinged jaws. Biting and concusses screaming attacks.

The creatures seem to be coming out of the rift.

Those who are bitten get the Crimson Blight and those who are badly hurt are transformed into vacant creatures with empty eyes and mindless rage.

Not sure that Bansa is the originating point for the Blight… at least not the only one since the sickness is so wide spread.

Assumption is that this was a coordinated attack to stop trade and resource lines from functioning. To hinder the infrastructure of the kingdom.

Several attempted breakouts have taken place. The most recent one was three days by those blighted monsters. Both instances were quelled and faught back by enforcers and the breakout locations were fortified to keep the city contained.

We do have trapped civilians who are taking to hiding in callers and tunnels. Though we haven’t heard from them recently. Unknown status.

Collapsed feline tunnels are potential access points if they can be dug out.

The tunnel systems under the city are shallow and do not support any Human access due.

The blight seems to correlated somehow with the water.

Andi suggests that the water is fueling the fog somehow.

Squiffy says he will try to teach the other felines to close the rift.

Andi and Squiffy relay that they closed a smaller version of this rift.

Baron asks about healing his citizens.. that the cure can be given to them, save them.

The Baron speaks up, “It seems like this young lady knows more about this situation than you do. And if you don’t help her. I will make sure that the Lady Rootlord knows just how ineffectual you’ve been here.”
“Noted.” Captain Lotte says dryly to the threat. Squiffy analyses Captain Lotte’s passive solid expression and sees that he is used to this kind of thing.
Andi sticks up for Captain Lotte and expresses her gratitude that he has managed to keep things contained. Captain Lotte eyes Andi with little expression. Though a mental smile can be felt from his feline.
“Do you have any further Questions?” Captain Lotte asks.
“How close can we get to the Rift? Are the rooftops above the fog?”
“Unfortunately the fog is high and dense. No clearance or visibility exists. The rift is high above the city - a good 80-100 ft above city street level.”
Andy looks dismayed.
“You brought the cure.”
“Yes.”
“Is it secure?”
“It is.”
“How is it dispensed, is it enough for the city?”
Andi and Squiffy explain the information they have on teh cure and administration of the cure and the limitations of that factor.
Captain Lotte suggests that everyone gets a good nights sleep and they strategize in the morning to formulate a plan.
Squiffy asks how they’ve been handling the influence of the red magic, the malaise that has settled and radiated from the city. The commander says that they are dealing with it best they can. Squiffy shares his tactic to bolster the mood of the troops. “Interesting Tactic.” Captain Lotte says with a small nod of approval.
“We’ve taken some measures.” He doesn’t elaborate on that but Andi gets the feeling that it might not be the best tactic or the most savory. But he doesn't seem a malicious man.
Andi and Squiffy ponder the issue of getting close to the rift. And consider the facts they learned. They throw out the idea of moving or relocating the water… Perhaps the fog would dissipate as well.
The tallest point in the city closest to the rift is the bridge over the canal. Or the tower housing the closest lock mechanism. The baron tells them this, that since most buildings are shorter there aren’t going to get them close enough.
Squiffy throws out the idea of requisitioning an AirShip. An idea that excites Andi. After some consideration they decide that is the best idea they’ve come up with so far if they wish to get close to the rift.
Andi asks where they might get their hands on an Airship. The Captain tells them that all air traffic has been grounded. But with the Rootlord Apparent has some clout. The closest airship hub is the City of Frinfur - 3 days out from them.
“How long would it take to lower the water? Could we excavate?”
The assembled hears this question and the Baron answers; “When the canals were built and the river was drained, the river was diverted to accommodate the construction. We have not done the like since then. I’m not sure it’s freezable or not. The ice would need to be removed from the mechanisms by the Enforcers who put it in place.” He looks over at the Captain.
“I’m not sure I”m comfortable removing the ice barriers when we have no way of controlling the creatures inside from breaching the city confines.”
“Yes, but you have those elementally trained enforcers.” The baron says wiggling his fingers suggestive of elemental magic.
“We have a few.” the Captain says. “We have 4 men who have the proclivity for ice magic. They are blockaded and maintaining those ice fortifications.”
“Do you have men with fire skilled enforcers?”
“We can ask around about who might have elemental skills.”
“Yes, Please inquire after that information in case we need their unique skills.” Andi says.
“We can do that. I would suggest that if a message of acquisition for an airship is to be sent, that we write such a message and get that out as soon as possible. Since that is bound to take time.”
Andi and Squiffy share a moment of recognizing that they have the means to send the Queen an instantaneous message. Which would speed up the process by many days.
Andi asks for some paper, and is provided with supplies. Andi constructs a note to request it with Squiffy’s help. Using the Rings, Squiffy expands it and sends it through.
Captain Lotte watches this happen with analyzing eyes. “I suppose we will not need to send a rider then, as you’ve achieved the goal far quicker. I won’t ask where you got a contraband magical item…”
Andi goes a bit white, turning to Squiffy, “Was it contraband?”
Squiffy admits that his mother gave it to him. But that such items are rare and usually expensive to create. The family Heirloom had been given to him by his mother. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Squiffy says. Knowing that the rarity of these items would end up on both sides of the law.
“We’ve taken care of that.” Andi says.
“Where was the message meant to have gone?”
“It will make it’s way to the queen.” Andi says casually with firm assurance that doesn’t beg him to ask further.
“Can we get some men on the excavation of the tunnels?” Andi asks.
“We can. Is the end goal to just evacuate felines?”
“That would be a good goal. But once they are out I would want to flood them to lower the level of the canal so that hopefully the fog will be effected.”
“Is that possible Baron?”
“I don’t know how easy it willl be. The Canal’s exterior walls are fortified by 10-20 feet of barrier. We could adjust the center locks and try to adjust the levels in that way. We just need to get access to those towers.”
Andi considers the ways they could try to adjust the water levels. Squiffy notes that they just need to get him close enough somehow.
“Let’s hope we hear something from your mysterious message delivery system soon. In the mean time we will start excavation. You are welcome to join patrols if that’s something that interests you. We will meet again tomorrow early.”
Andi agrees and thanks them. Heading out of the Command tent.
———
Scene 4: Testing the Fog
The meeting is held for more discussion till the morning. Andi and Squiffy head outsid.
In total the encampment seems to hold approximately 5 battalions of men. Their are also an unspecified number of tents not set up in formation that could represent more men.
The city is close and Andi turns herself in the direction of the city and heads that way. Todd follows as Andi approaches the city. The wall and gate are not overrun with the fog, but it is well guarded and boarded up and fortified to keep the city wall contained.
A small trail runs around the outside of the city walls. A frozen canal has a makeshift rope guard railing to allow passage from one side to the other.
“What do you think Todd?” Andi asks.
“This is quite a test your mother has posed to you.” He says carefully folding his arms as he analyze the city before him. “I have never seen the like. I feel I’ll equipped to advise you. But I personally agree that getting the felines out would be my first move.”
Andi nods.
“It doesnt do much to solve that.” He waves towards the fog.”
“No it does not.”
“Sometimes I wonder what the gods are thinking.”
“Do you think fire can burn away the fog?”
“I’m not sure, I would ask the captain if they’ve tried it.”
“Fog is just water right?” Andi asks.
Squiffy asks, “What happens to fog when it gets burnt away by the sun?’
Andi goes silent…
“Perhaps we should be careful on what we might create unknowingly.”
“We need to get inside there somehow…” Andy shrugs.
Andi turns to the nearby guards and asks where the fog extends beyond the walls. They direct Andi around the perimeter path. After 25 mins of walking the group comes to a curve in the wall and see that a bank of fog has extended outward, but it is not too dense here.
Andi considers this spot. Deciding that it is a good spot to test some ideas.
TESTS:

Squiffy attempts to pull in magic as a bubble shield around himself to walk into the red magic/fog. The area isn’t super saturated since the red energy has pushed the blue away. It takes some time to gather the bubble he wanted. When approaching the fog Squiffy watches as the fog kept at bay as he walks into it. Seeming to work in this place where the fog isn’t as dense.

Andi decides to see what happens when the fog is exposed to fire. Andi asks Squiffy to watch it in the void when her experiment. Pushing a burst of flame out towards the fog. — The burst of light from the flame pushes through the fog and as it swirls it grows thick and drips a tar-like rain. Now a puddle on the ground begins to move. “Todd, I’ve made a mistake.” - Andi

Squiffy makes a mental attack on the goo, dealing it a bit of damage, but it seems otherwise fine.

Andi takes Todd’s torch and throws it into the fog to see if natural flame does the same to the fog. Swirling and having no effect as the fire magic had done.

Todd walks towards the goo, guarding his face against the fog, and stabbing the goo with his blessed weapon. Radiant damage swiftly dispatches the goo. Squiffy shields him with her magic field. In the void, Squiffy can see an aura around Todd’s weapon. The scream from the goo as he strikes indicates that it is dead. The red magic is no longer animated, but it’s effect on the void remains.

Andi and Squiffy consider the effect of various magics on the fog/goo.

Andi and Squiffy ask Todd where he got his sword. “It was a gift given to me upon my appointment to the Kings’s guard. Every High Enforcer is given a blessed weapon.”

Andi casts a blast of fire to create another goo monster. Then stabs it with her dagger.. there is resistance, and the goo sticks to the knife. It’s response is more annoyed than hurt. Todd kills the creature with his blessed weapon.

Scene 5: Reinforcements for further testing
After concluding these tests, The group heads back towards the encampment. Everyone looks various levels of glum. Andi looks around to find her dad. Just outside her own tent Stephen and Caleb are in conversation. Andi attempts to stealth up behind Caleb. With a lot going on in camp Andi speaks up but is easily spotted by her dad who gives no indication that he’s letting you out.
Caleb is startled as Andi spooks him. To his sound many of the guards look around for a sign of danger. Seeing none they calm down. Caleb looks to your dad and asks, “Is this going in your report too?” He smirks playfully at the idea of Andi getting told on for teasing him.
Andi reports to her family the results of her tests. “Looks like magical weapons, or divinely blessed weapons kills the monsters. Has any other magical energy been tested on the fog?”
“I’m not sure.” Stephen says. “But we could test one of them now.” He says with a light shrugging gesture.
“Let’s go.” Andi says to this offer.
“I’ll go talk to the Captain.” Caleb says.
Making their way back out to the fog, Andi watches as he dad psyches himself up with a little fighting jab, some stretching, then calls upon his magic; reaching into the void to pull out a spectral blade. Andi creates a goo monster for her dad to attack. He extends his arm and, little flickers of lighting surge up his arm and over his spectral blade. Casting off cascades of shimmering light. Making the attack. The goo tries to retreat, but as the impact collides, the goo pauses and then doubles in size.
Andi calls upon the SunPiercer and strikes out at the goo creature who has just doubled. There is sticky resistance as the blade passes through. “UhhhhTodd!!!” Andi says realizing that the blade wasn’t going to cut it.
Todd steps forward and cuts down the goo creature. “That didn't go how we had hoped.”
“So we need radiant/blessed weapons.” Andi says. Realizing that her magic weapon did hit it without doubling it.
“Perhaps one magic feeds off the other?” Andi asks outloud. Squiffy gazes into the void to contemplate this concept. The magic attacks collide blue against red. THe nature of the blue magic seems to be corrupted or altered into a swell of red magic. Absorbing the blue into the red. Todd’s blessed weapon appears as a aura the same as anything else. But union impact it creases a resonant humming - which destabilizes the magic. There is no specific color
Andi considers the color of her own mark on her hand Which is blue in the void.
“I kinda want to touch it.” Andi says.
Stephen slides in front of her, “No…”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“I was only advising, as your adviser.” He says a bit relieved.
“Todd… divinely blessed weapon? By which divine entity?”
“I assume by Unn or Uni, as it’s the Devote of the Church of Unity are those who bring the blessed weapons to us… I have no idea how it became enchanted.”
“Give me your dagger.” Squiffy says. Andi hands it over. Looking at it, Squiffy considers if he has enough favor to ask the gods to bless the blade. Taking pause and deep breaths. Squiffy beings to pray, reaching out to Unn.
Andi watches, and then looks up and tries to distract her dad, asking him questions about “What has been tried till now to get rid of the fog?”
Squiffy’s prayer mumbled mentally, trying to find the mind or energy of Unn. “I’m not sure if it’s possible, or advisable… But, my intent is to empower this dagger through you, so that we may more effectively fight the forces we are facing.”
In a long hush… Squiffy waits to hear back. Nothing… Silence…
Andi and her dad discuss the pillars of ice that were used to blockade the locks closed. “It seems that radiant energy hurting the red magic, and those creatures, it probably would help us close the rift as well.” Andy says.
“How would we utilize that information?” Squiffy says.
“I don’t know.” Andi says.
Squiffy turns to the fog and before Andi can touch the fog, Squiffy steps forward to do it himself. Focusing on his paw, the mark, He holds it up and uses it as a focus for the energy through the paw.
As Squiffy walks out, pauses on his path to swipe his paw through the fog. To Andi’s eyes, there seems to be an aura growing out and around him in the form of a large feline. Mirroring Squiffy, but the fog swirls around this form and keeping the fog at bay. Squiffy’s doesn’t notice the figure, only the fog keeping it’s distance. In the void the red energy is all he can see. Though a bubble of protection seems to envelop him.
Andi beckons him back as nighttime sets in, the sun fully set as they head back to camp.
On the way back Stephen tells of what they’ve tried to this point to combat the fog.

Box structures to keep the fog out, but it manages to seep in.

They’ve tried light spells to dispel the fog but with little effect.

Nobody has gone in since the city was sealed up.

It didn’t occur to the enforcers to fight the fog with magic spells.

The wraiths stay focused on the area closes to the rift.

The enforcers aren’t sure what’s happened inside the city in this last week.

They can hear felines mentally, telling those outside that they are trapped.

Back at camp, Andi lets herself be guided back. The troops have been organized as promised. Theo is now surrounded by an entourage keeping him and the cure safe.
Andi snickers at the irony of this. And taunts mentally about it in a sing song vice in her head. Squiffy gets pickles attention to inform her, “She’s taunting him.”
Pickle smiles and says with held back mirth, “Noted… He’s Uncomfortable.”
“Noted.” Squiffy says with a smile.
Although food waits for Andi as she arrives in her tent Andi and squiffy do not eat. Before going to bed, Andi quickly prays to Uni, “How do I fix this?” She asks.
Then they both lay down to try and rest.

Scene 6: Restless Sleep
Squiffy drifts off into a restless sleep — at some point amid fitful rest Squiffy finds himself surrounded by red fog. It presses in him, with an urgency. Squiffy tries to push it away… the longer this continues the more panicked he becomes.
Andi eventually falls asleep.. then wakes into a dreamscape that is familiar to her.. though all in shades of red and maroon. The tree stands behind her, a dust bowl of red — no leaves on the tree. The endless horizon preoccupied with distant malevolent energy. The tree appears to be dead. Squiffy is nowhere in sight.
Andi turns towards the energy gazing outward. Encircled… It is now that the throbbing in Andi’s hand becomes acute. Andi heads towards the tree, the only object in sight. As Andi approaches there is a distinct sense that the tree is hollow, dead, and empty.
Sadly she places her marked hand on the tree and her forehead on her hand. Contemplating the sad state of the tree. A cheeky voice rises to her ears.
“This is a rather Bleak Outlook.” Says the familiar voice of Taro, prickling at Andi’s neck. “I don’t konw why you would insist that it looks this way.”
“What do you mean, that I insist that it looks this way?”
“This is YOUR head.” He smirks.
“Maybe because I feel this way.”
“A decent observation. It’s certainly different. I don’t mind it per say.” It’s now that his figure, shadowy and casual, leaning against the tree. “You know… You’re my only one in the game. I have a lot of bets on you.” He says playfully.
“What do you mean?”
“In the Game.”
“I don’t think any of this is a game.” Andi says.
“That’s not helpful, your supposed to be on the winning team. Buck up.”
“If Im supposed to be on a winning team, then tell me how to win.” Andi presses.
“Win at what? Love?” Taro teases.
“How do I win… against this?” She says gesturing to the red on the horizon and the dead tree
“You mean the natural course of things? Winning means different things to different people. What does winning mean to you? That this all goes away? That the scale tips completely in your favor?”
“Well, not completely…” Andi rebuttals.
“Balance is tricky. You humans think that you can control it, but… alas.”
“Obviously we can’t.”
“You could, if you try hard enough. I mean, I did Choose you! Much to the chagrin of my brothers. Now… I must go… And next time, try dreaming up something more present.” He says waving a hand out towards the red landscape.
“Before you go…” Andy interjects. “One more question.”
“Yes?” There is a slight sigh.
“If I want to close the rift… no… I don’t know if you can answer that question.”
“Come now, I can’t give you all the answers… Don’t say I backed the wrong horse!?”
“I’m NOT A HORSE.” Andi says growing heated.
“Indeed.” Taro says with a apologetic bow.
“I just need to know where to start.”
He approaches, as he does Andi’s hand throbs harder. His misty form breaking into a smile “I think you already know what to do. I just wonder if you are brave enough to do it. If not I can always find a new pawn.”
“Im not a pawn, and it’s not bravery that I need.”
Smiling even wider, reaching out he bops her on the nose. “Tell you what… There’s somebody that need liberation hidden in that mess. If you can find them. I will answer one question entirely honestly.”
“That’s a promise?”
“Promise.” He leans in closer, “He will have something in common.” He waves a shadowy hand over Andi’s marked one.
He then dissipates… Leaving Andi alone in the bleak space.
Andi focuses on how this place looked before when she came here, closing her eyes… when the tree was alive, what it smelt like, what it felt like. And what it looked like. Opening them, looking around for any change. The only change seems to be in the two small white blossoming flowers that had not been there before.
Andi drifts off and dreams, waking up into the middle of the night, still with many hours ahead of you.
Andi wakes up, and tries to wake Squiffy… Within Squiffy’s nightmarish environment Andi’s voice breaks through. Waking him.
“Let’s go.” Andi says. “We have to touch the ooze.”
Andi pokes her head out to see Todd sleeping vigil in front of the tent door. He rouses. “I’m going to go do something stupid not brave, Want to come?”
“I suppose I can’t let you go do something stupid alone.”
Squiffy chimes in out loud. “I am highly against it.”
“I think it’s better that you get a good nights rest.” Todd says.
“I’m asking out of curtesy, I’m going with or without you.”
“I never said I would not come. I am simply stating a suggestion, one which it seems your bond and I are on the same page.” Todd eyes Squiffy with significance.
“Doubt I will be able to sleep anymore tonight… But…” Squiffy says defeated by Andi’s determination.
“Don’t need to be brave, I just need to be Stupid.” Andi says under her breath.
“That can often amount to the same thing.”

— Heading out.

Back at the fog, Andi creates the smallest goo-monster she can. Then reaches out to touch it with her marked hand.
Hand outstretched, the goo begins to to squeeze up between Andi’s fingers, twisting itself around her hand. On the wind a voice says, “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
“You’re not being very helpful.”
The mark burns… and as it does drop less begin to drop, falling from her hand. As the water does the goo retreats from the water now condensing and dripping to the ground. The goo moves to avoid the water, but remains constricted around her hand.
It moves up her arm and over her shoulder.
“Todd, Help me!”
He steps forward and presses the side of his sword on the goo. Burning off a section of the goo, with each pressing attempt. Till it is gone.
Andi looks down at her dripping hand. Trying to make the drops intentionally. She manages with a bit of effort to make some drops appear.
Todd chimes up “What was the point of that… If I may ask?”
“Just an experiment.” Andi says turning to look at his worried expression.
“Perhaps you should speak to a honey person. Someone who understand the nature of gods more than touching things…”
“What if they lock me up, and never let me out for being an oracle.”
“Don’t say anything about that then. Holy people like to share information, makes them feel important.”
“Sorry I woke you.”
“I wasn’t having a very restful sleep anyway.”
“Why?” Asks Squiffy. Todd doesn't respond. “I think everyone will be having bad dreams tonight.”
“Lets go back.” Todd suggests, with a gentle arm he guides Andi with a hand on her back. Andi allows it. Returning to their tent to try once more to sleep.
— FIN —

Campaign

Shades & Valor

Protagonists

Ellisende' Gertrude Copperbottom Raye

Chaotic Good Human (Northern Rootlord, Wealthy)
Bonded 6
Palidin 2

61 / 61 HP

STR
16

DEX
18

CON
18

INT
10

WIS
12

CHA
14

Squiffy-Bean

Chaotic Neutral Feline (Wealthy, FIN)
Bonded 6

41 / 41 HP

STR
12

DEX
16

CON
12

INT
15

WIS
16

CHA
17

Report Date

04 Dec 2022