Session 17: Of Broken Men & Monsters Report

General Summary

Scene 1: The Awakening of a Seer
The Nights Rest comes to you in the same red tinted discomfort of the last few days. As sleep finds you is discordant voices trickle in and out of your awareness. A particular familiar voice seems loudest and most persistent among the whispers of suppressed voices.
The familiar sounds of Hal & Vish (Uni & Unn) resonate, building in volume as they cut through the muffled blanket of red around you. Distant at first but growing clearer as you focus. “Hear Us.” They urge you, “Pull yourself from the darkness.” They say with overlapping voices filled with concern. As you find your eyelids unusually heavy as you manage to open them. And for a moment you believe yourself to have been suffocated. Red.. all you see is red…
———
SQUIFFY: Around you the restless sleep is broken, you are standing lost in a sea of red energy… it clings and pulls at the edges of your mind, and each touch leaves you feeling drained. Slowly a glint of blue shines into the Red Sea and cuts the unease. Radiating outward from your hand, the symbol upon it glowing with intensity. Breaking the assault of the red energy around you like a barrier in your mind. From somewhere distant you become aware of Andi’s mind… her mental presence finally breaking through her own small bubble. And you find yourself walking towards her instinctively.
———
ANDI: You’ve awoken into this place, a sea of red… feet amid a puddle of purple water. The dripping accumulating from the energy leaking from the symbol on your hand. It feels oddly comforting although it should feel wet, it doesn’t. An orb of blue in the sea of red drifts towards you… when Squiffy’s mind finally breaks through and you are able to sense one another again you are instantly relived to not be alone.
Although Squiffy’s paw radiates - staving off the red energy by acting as a natural counter to the red, shrouded in the figure of a much larger feline. The red energy seems wilted in the presence of your own mark. The river symbol seems to weep, tears slide and bead off of it, leaving a puddle of faintest purple. The purple softness of your magic puddle seems to temper the energy of the red as if “calming” it. The red doesn’t pull back from you, but it respectfully hesitates.
Now together in this sea of red, standing in your own small areas of defense, the distant call of Hal and Vish seems to beat against a mental barrier trying to establish a connection.
Opening up your minds, Squiffy and Andi attempt to make a connection to their distant voices, minds, or energies… this place is oppressive and is hard to break past, but together the task is easier, and the red oppressive fog is broken as the connection is established.
As the oppressive red energy begins to dissolve away in the presence of the Gods, Squiffy catches sight of figures within the Red Sea… a couple of whom feel familiar. But as the presence of two gods enter the red is pushed away.
Their voices speak together as one, vibrating the plane.
“It is not easy to find the light amid so much darkness. We congratulate you on such a feat. Our link grows ever stronger; It is our divine will that our seer’s are bolstered with a blessing.”
DIVINE BLESSINGS:

Andi is gifted a scroll, upon which is runic writing that glows and constantly swirls upon the page. Once unfurled the letters rise from the page and join Andi’s aura. A burst of understanding is instantaneous and the gift manifests clearly as a link with Uni via the seer spell “Commune”

Squiffy is approached by Vish who touches his mind. In an explosion, Squiffy feels his mind expand, his awareness strengthen under the influence of a god. (Squiffy receiving Vish’s Gaze, allowing him to triple his mental awareness in a burst as long as the connection between him and Unn/Vish is strong.)

Andi speaks up first, relived to see them again; humbled by the gift.
Speaking with Hal and Vish, the pair are astonished that they have been called as Seers. The confusion for Squiffy is paramount, as his whole life he had dedicated himself to worshiping Taro, because it was contrary… Only now to be claimed as a seer with Andi? It feels disconcerting and he voices his confusion to Vish.
“You are a part of us, and we are linked.” They say in unison as before, their energy and voice vibrates.
Squiffy asks if they can ask questions, that they are confused.
Although it is clear that Hal and Vish are on the precipice of departing Vish turns again to respond. Waiting for Squiffy’s question.
Sharing mentally all he knows of the gods thus far, and Andi sharing her vision given to her by Taro, they ask for clarification on the intent of the gods, and their plan. In this interaction, Hal calls Taro “The Lost God” and laments that they do not know what exactly the intent might be. “To know the minds of other gods is hard even for us.”
Andi doesn’t press and instead turns her question towards the situation at Bansa. “How do we help here, what do we do? The fog and the monsters… It seems impossible. We don’t konw what to do. Can’t you tell us?” Hal and Vish tell them that they cannot see fully into Bansa that the red magic hinders their sight.
“However, this is a matter which cannot have come to edit on its own. A force is behind these movements and attacks. Someone or something beyond our sight. — You must solve two issues. Search for the catalyst, whatever is creating the fog, and close the Doorway. Without these matters addressed the city is forfeit and the energy will continue to grow and spread as the rift spills more red energy into this plane.”
Andi nods, finally feeling that they had a direction, but still feeling worried.
“You have everything you need to fix this… You have very good and capable friends.” Hal says with a fond smile mentioning their Friends. “Be well.” They say as they begin to walk away, the red energy once more swirling as they exit.
Both Andi and Squiffy awake… Sounds of shouting voices and commotion rousing them.

Scene 2: Breaching the Wall
You become aware to the sounds of men on the move. Alert, your heart races as you hear them in passing speaking of a breach in the wall. A shout from a distant commander calling his troops to arm and attend the wall. It sounds like Commander Pono.
As you rise and exit the tent Todd is in a heated discussion with Commander Devore. When Todd sees you exit he steps forward to place himself between Devore and Andi protectively. “She’s not going anywhere without you telling me what’s happened.
Devore looks past Todd to you directly, “Call off your man, I’m only trying to rouse the Rootlord Apparent to the situation.” Devore’s bobtailed feline’s emotions are one of worry, and alertness. His ears twitching as the mental noise of felines making links and shouting across the void to one another rises to a mental bellow in your ears. Pinging in Squiffy’s mental awareness is the primal fear of attack.
Andi calls to Todd; to let Devore speak.
“They’ve broken through the wall once more. Two battalions have already been sent to contain the area.”
He gestures East, towards the sea, the area in which Andi and Squiffy had noted the previous breach in the wall had been. “A chain has already been established.” Devore says with even more urgency; waving you to follow.
Andi quickly dresses and starts going through all the possible strategies that they may need to employ now that a breach has occurred. Her heart races and she quickly exits with Squiffy to head to the Command Tent, Todd in tow, they move fast mount scrambles of men.
IN THE COMMAND TENT:
Inside the Command Tent is Captain Lott, his hair a bit mussed on one side from where he no bout had been slept on. A map sits across the table, and a feline sits just to the side; Squiffy notes the open-ness of his mind to those in assembly. In fact it’s hard not to get gripped in the mental projection he is sharing to the room.
From the eyes of one feline to the mind of the next, a chain of felines mentally passing the received mental snippets from the battlefield. Playing out in your head as if you were the one standing sentinel to the battle at the breached wall.
Squiffy witnesses this chain feeding him a constant view of the battle and the men moving in to fight off the incursion.
Andi asks for a status report and quickly given one. It seems that the troops were deployed just in time, and Captain Lotte asks Andi to remain here and wait; seeing her urgency and desire to act. “Let us handle it.”
It is clear after only a few moments that the situation is indeed in hand.
Squiffy takes a moment to clear his mind of the connection to the chain of felines to the battle field and decides to put his new blessing to the test. Pushing his mind outward towards the red fog, he guides his mental awareness and pushes it for miles, feeling a divine surge of influence to allow the act, reaching outwards of 3 miles or so in Squiffy’s estimation. This surprises and pleases him.
Finding pickle’s mind Squiffy asks her for help in attempting an experiment. Pickle agrees eagerly to anythign Squiffy want’s to try. They togeather pull up a portion of blue magic, readying a bullet of sorts to launch into the fog to clear a path for Squiffy’s new mental awareness’s reach.
With her help they point the blue magic in the direction of Squiffy’s memory; where the epicenter of the Rift should be. With a surging blast, they loose the blue magic outward and part a minuscule tunnel through the fog for a fraction of a minute. Through which Squiffy is able to pierce the red fog and get a look.
What he sees is a let down, Deep within the fog, the rift seems to be growing, far beyond the scope of the small probe, but the malevolent energy is palpable and the shadowy creatures fly around the burning rift.
Pulling back, Squiffy reports this discovery.
As the situation is dealt with, the hoard of creatures emerging from the breach are pushed back by a wall of ice deployed by the elemental chill recruits. This fortunately puts an immediate halt on the attack. The tension in the tent is lessened as the conflict stops.
“Report on casualties.” Andi demands as the person in charge. There is a nod as Commander Lotte tells the feline chain to report. The message comes back that 12 men have been hurt or killed. More details will follow.
Andi meets the worried gaze of the Baron. He nods towards the tent entrance. He leaves and Shortly Andi and Squiffy follow.

Scene 3: The Baron’s Request
The Baron walks a bit away from prying ears and watches for any who might be listening in as he clears his throat and takes a moment to compose himself before speaking in hushed mental tones via his feline TideChaser.
“I have a sort of sensitive request.” He says.
“Yes Baron?” Andi says.
“I haven’t told the Captain, as he would perhaps deem me too emotional to be objective about things. But… I have a son. his name is Mickel; and he’s one of the Lockmen; He begged me to allow him the appointment for years. And I had been so stubbornly against his ambitions in the past… Well, long story short.. I finally agreed. He’s only been an official lockmen for a month. But…”
The Baron gets flustered; a hesitation in communication as the Baron starts to get emotional and needs to take a moment.
“He’s inside the effected area. I have no idea if he’s still alive, sick or… changed. You are intending to go back in again aren’t you? I can see it in your determination, your manor of leading is not to sit idly by. I can tell.”
Andi nods slowly, “I think we will have to.”
“Would you keep an eye out for my son?”
“What does he look like?” Squiffy asks.
“He has a distinct look to him. A red scarf, and blond hair. Has a few earrings his mother hates…” He says fondly with a smirk. “He’s the kindest of people. Oh, and he has a birthmark on his hand.” The baron says gesturing to the back of his own hand.
Andi and squiffy exchange a glance.
“Please, I would appreciate anything you can do to orchestrate any search for him. He’s clever, and I hope he is among those who are sequestered in the city. But as I must care for the entire city, I can’t conduct the rescue that I would like.”
“Of corse, we’ll do whatever we can to help.” Andi promises. “Do you have any idea where he might be in the city?”
The baron nods, “He would have been on duty at the time everything went to hell. His lock is the second on the northern side.”
“Do you have a map?” Squiffy interjects.
“I have some at my manor.”
Andi and Squiffy converse with each other and agree that they should find the Baron’s son. But they should probably not go alone, though going alone would give them an advantage to being sneaky. But would be unhelpful when it comes to closing the rift, which Squiffy notes is something he will need other felines to support him.
“Alright, Head home Baron.” Andi says, “We will gather a few reinforcements and meet you at your manor to discuss strategy and analyze the maps.”
The baron nods seriously. “I will see you then shorty.” He gives a respectful bow and heads back towards the river and across the frozen path to the other side.

Scene 4: Maps and Strategy
Andi and Squiffy reach out with their mind to touch base with Commander Devore. Speaking to him via his feline, they request the acquisition of some of his men for a mission. Devore considers this and agrees. “I assume you wish to keep the Captain out of the loop or you wouldn’t be contacting me this way?”
Andi and Squiffy agree, “It is a covert mission, and we will be doing it with or without his support either way.”
“Very well. Who do you need?”
Andi and Squiffy request that the Elemental Enforcer Troops who are Chill Alignment accompany them. As well as 6-7 others.
“I could spare maybe one of the two, but not both chill aligned enforecers. We need one at least to maintain the ice dams and keep the breach.”
“Understood.” Andi says. “Have them meet us at the Baron’s Manor as soon as possible.”
“Yes malady.” Devore says before leaving the tent to attend to his task. Shouting to his men.
Todd joins without question, Andi filling him in on the strategy. Todd nods, “This is risky.” He states simply, but offers no other feedback. “Will you tell your father before you leave?”
“Oh Dad…” Andi recalls, “I suppose…”
“He is your mediator to your test.” Squiffy points out. “Does that mean he has to be there?”
Andi shrugs, unsure, but knowing her dad also has Elemental magic figures that it couldn’t be a bad thing to have him along. 
The reach out to Gruntly, and speak to Stephen and ask him to exit the tent to speak to them. “Dad will you come with us?” After some brief discussion he agrees.
Andi, Squiffy, Stephen, & Todd Head out of camp towards the northern wall and gate, crossing the river and finding the gate wide open. Enforcers patrolling, but it’s clear that the city has been emptied on this northern side where the fog has not touched yet. The manor of Baron Valmar is a stately building surrounded by shrubs and water fountains. Its door is also wide open when Andi and Co arrive.
A delegation of people are moving in and out of the manor carrying supplies and loading crates into wagons. Shouts between workers hints that these are supplies being taken out of town to the outskirts of the forest where many civilians are holding up till the city is liberated.
“Baron?” Andi calls out. Finding him in a side room with a table littered with maps and evidence of sleepless nights pouring over them.
“Lady Andi.” The baron says waving her over after giving a hastily made bow. “This here is the primary map. And this is the waterways.” He says laying another on top with the canals listed and marked. “Here are the inner canal tunnel systems, built when we constructed the Locks. Each one has a small hall alongside the mechanisms housed inside. My guess is that if Mikel had to flee to somewhere the fog might not touch it would be in one of these tunnels.” He hands the maps over to Andi.
The party pours over the maps as the troops from Commander Devore’s team arrive and wait in the lobby. A man standing at the front of the party seems to be acting as the troops leader-of-sorts. “Mam.” He bows. “We are ready whenever you are. I’m Reggie.”
Reggie is the group’s Chill Aligned Enforcer. The others with him all look more seasoned than the green troops Andi arrived with and this brings a bit of confidence to the situation.
“Alright. Here’s where we are going.” Andi says, showing the men the map and explaining that they are going to enter the Lock-system maintenance tunnels to both find survivors, but also to get closer to the center of the fog and find the catalyst causing the fog.
The group nods, and prepares to leave. The baron providing the party with whatever supplies they require including face coverings.
Before heading out, Squiffy pulls Bounder, Reggie’s feline bond, how to bubble the blue energy around the party to fend off the fog. This concept doesn’t seem to allude Bounder and he nods and receives the instruction without much issue. Understanding that Squiffy is preparing them to succeed as much as possible.
“Understood. We will maintain this around our group for as long as possible.”
The group heads out from the Baron’s Manor towards the closest Maintenance Tunnel.
FIN - This is where we end for now.

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

29 Jan 2023