Session 21: The Red-Torn Sky Report

General Summary

Scene 1: Aftermath & Advancing Danger
The tone of this moment of victory is punctuated in a couple ways. The first and most notable is the radiant energy present in the aftermath of the arial volleys. The potions contents not only have destroyed the Ooze Abomination, but also has caused a slow regression of the fog into the area. Leaving a momentary area of visibility and the peace that comes from the lack of oppressive malice which the red tainted fog carries with it.
The second notable energy, is that of growing sounds of malicious anger from the city surrounding you. Sounds of the blighted creatures that roam the fog now have turned towards the sounds of destruction that has just laid waste to the formidable Abomination that had sequestered here and now in the vacuum of power, the advancement of threats are starting to turn their attentions inward.
Andi, you see your troops all taking a moment to breathe, the commanders of the squads to your every direction has your team surrounded in a protective formation. You hear Commander Devore shout out to his men, “They’re heading this way. Prepare yourselves. The sound of a trap is set off to the east where the Bronze team had created choke points for advancing enemies. This seems to have worked as they now turn about and gear up to defend this space, this destroyed Temple where you had commanded them to converge.
This moment of clear visibility lets you perceive with your naked eyes for the first time the rift above you.
Andi casters her eyes around at the scene of the battle, and the general status of her troops. While Squiffy turns his eyes skyward towards the rift.
The bow of the air ship hovers above, beyond which the glaring red tear in the sky stretches wide and jagged like a wound exposed. Flying figures of the wraiths dart around protectively, while you can't see into the red intensity of the magic beyond the rip, you can now perceive that like the rift you had seen in the dreamscape weeks back, this is similar in that you can tell something lives and exists on the other side.
You feel like you are bing watched from beyond the rift opening. The Rift is wider and far larger than you can understood it to be from reports to this point. The strength of the energy is formidable. Its presence almost too powerful, and leads you to consider that this rift wasn’t mundane or accidental.
Seeing the rift and it’s looming red scar hanging above them, Squiffy takes some time to gather the attention of the Felines from his communication teams, coordinating and explaining the intent and methodology of how he intends to use their mental assistance to close the rift once more. The group listens and nods along, and it seems that even in this moment with Spitfire fangirling hard, all those in attendance seems to understand the instructions.
Andi steps away for a moment and heads through the sundered temple to Uni and Unn, towards the far side of this section of the city, overlooking the lock and the water beyond it. Post battle while the bombs have cleared the fog away in the wake of radiant energy, the sight is visible now… Plumes of fog burping out of the surface of the lock, from the downed ship, whatever is below the water is the cause of the Fag, and… now underwater, it’s even more clear that the monster they fought had been placed here either by intent or chance, to guard this ship.
While standing on the edge of the waterway, Captain Lotte approaches thoughtfully considering the battle and then the fog out in the lock. Amid the infrequent belches a murmur rises from the assembled enforcers of the Bronze team along the bank. They look at each other worried, and it Captain Lotte who finds your eyes and shakes his head. “That’s going to be harder to get to.”
Andi nods and sees Reggie approch her at her elbow. Having been invaluable to the team thus far, he calmly smirks, “I can get us there. In fact, I have no doubt I can get us there my lady.” His smirk and vibrato even lifts the captains eyebrow in interest.
Andi grins, slaps him on the shoulder and agrees, “Good Man.” Andi declares, “We are counting on you.”
“Lady Andi!” Calls Commander Devore from the epicenter of the temple damage, where rubble and crushed ooze-covered rock and remnence of the building resides. At the center of the buckled crater Stands Devore who calls Andi over.
Andi, Squiffy, Todd, and Captain Lotte all converge on Devore’s call to attentions while Reggie stays back at the edge of the water thoughtfully considering a plan of getting out to the ship.

Scene 2: The Buried Cavern & A Trapped Survivor
As everyone arrives, Devore points out something odd. At the center of the space is an overturned golden fountain, one that probably had once been inside the main temple, now torn and put on its head, a great crack running across one side. It’s through this crack that Devore Explains the reason he called her and others over.
The sounds of falling dirt and debris through this crack to a distance space beneath the temple, met with the crash of watery splashing… “There’s something below here.” Devore says.
Andi nods, realizing that there is something divine remaining below this place. A fleeting feeling of the energy of Uni rests somewhere in the rubble below them. “Good catch.” Andi says inspecting the crack and the sounds of fallen rock into the water somewhere below. By the sound of it, a good 80 or so feet below.
Apon approaching the temple ruins, Squiffy meanders through the littered ooze and broken rafters and glass to meet the group and inspect the crack — But it’s the odd blossom of blue ripples in the void that catch his attentions. Amid the solid red of the fog drenched city, a pinprick of blue is a relief, and from below the water in the cavern or chamber ripples with blue magic with every splash.
“Can we lift this?” Andi asks, eyeing the strong men around her. Todd and Captain Lotte to lift the overturned fountain to open up a gap int he fallen floor.
Already prepping her rope for the task of climbing down. “Wait a moment…” Todd starts to protest, seeing Andi’s look of determination, course corrects his comment… “I”m going down first then.” He insists. Andi smiles and hands him the rope.
Todd takes it as Andi secures the other side of the rope to a nearby firm bolder within the rubble.
Todd decends and Andi props Squiffy onto her back. As they make their way down and Andi slowly slides down the rope. The soft splash of Todd finding ground within a water-logged basin is heard. The splash rousing the sound of a voice calling out. “Hello? Is someone there?”
As Andy finishes the last fe feet, Todd lights a torch. The resonance of the voice sounds like they stand inside a metal tunnel; a survivor inside the watery chamber.
“Hello!” Andi calls out. “Who’s down there?” She asks trying to peer into the darkness. The light of Todd’s torch casts reflections across a mid thigh deep pool of water and debris. Sitting some ways off is the shape of a man.
“Over here.” They say. Andi and Co make their way over to the man, while Squiffy cautiously jumps down into the mucky water to get close to the figure whose leg bends unnaturally. Squiffy looks over the young man, a blond boy in his late teens. A red scarf tied around a hand, and the other hand grasping at the injured leg, which is clearly broken.
“Hello.” Andy smiles, “Are you okay?”
“Not sure how to answer that.” The young man says. “I’ve honestly been down here for awhile, maybe two days… Fell and landed in here from a partly collapsed maintenance tunnel. We were running from some of those creatures… Do you know if my friends made it out alright?”
Andi considers, thinking perhaps the Enforcer Captain and the Lockmaster may be who this young man is referring… “I think your friends got out alright, but… I’m not sure, Maybe, can you tell us who you are, what your name is?”
“I’m sorry. I’m Mikel Armann.”
“The Baron’s son?” Andi chimes in smiling at the realization of who they found.
“Yeah, Baron Armann is my dad. Is he alright? He’s alive right?”
Andi nods and calms his worry as Squiffy starts using magic to heal Mickel’s leg. Pumping magic in waves to slowly right the injury. Pushing his weight into the endeavor to set the bone. After a bit of time, Todd is able to held him up.
Squiffy then asks something that is concerning him… “Where is your feline?”
At this question Mickel gets quiet and his words hold back his emotions only so much, as he squeaks out… “she’s not here anymore.”
This casts a somber over the group as Todd helps Mickel to the area under the rope and slight light above fom the widened opening. “We’ll get you out of here soon enough.” Andi agrees and as Todd fashions a harness at the end of the rope around Mikel; Andi and Squiffy take a perimeter walk to see what this space might be, as the water and chamber below the temple feels odd and out of place.
The sweep reveals little asside from a collapsed entryway to this chamber, where stairs had led down into the water. Though a lingering smell indicates that it was collapsed by possibly intentional bombing, not damage from the monsters. Someone had wanted to seal off the area.
Squiffy notes to Andi just how odd the water is. Peering at and assessing it, He notes that it like many things in the area affected by the radient damage of the bombs, the water is a murky mixture of ooze and what appears to be holy water. Rendering the water expressionless within the void. A blank area except when disturbed… it’s then that the blue magical particles illuminate the void around every splash and disturbance.
Andi takes her Waterskin and fills it with the liquid, so they can examine or test it later.
Following Mikel being hoisted up, Andi and Co follow. Pulled up by the strength of the men topside.
At the top, and in better light, Andi notes a mark on Mikel’s Unn dated hand, a birthmark resembling a rune… it’s familar in some way, but it does sort of look like a tree from the right angle. This tidbit is locked away, as Andi and Squiffy realize that this was indeed whom they were supposed to “liberate” before the God Taro would answer a question entirely honest. The bargain terms seeming to have been met.
Andi takes control of the situation, the sounds of explosions of traps and the sounds of monster hordes are now engaging with the troops on every side. Squiffy reaches out to Lacy up in the Ship above them, and the team see’s Amelia and her troop battling back the occasional Wraith who are protectively guarding the Rift, and taking periodic attacks against the ship.
Once in contact they arrange to Have Amelia take all the injured out of the city. To pick up a team of archers, And then head back to reinforce the teams extraction. Andi passes off 6 of their Radient bombs to the Ship to help protect them. Retaining 6 for her team.
Andi hastily writes up a note to Theo, and hands it and the water skin to Mikel. Instructing him to deliver the note and Waterskin to Theo upon a safe return to camp.
The note signed, and then scribbles of “I love you, don’t die. Don’e hate me.” Scrawled at the bottom corner.
The ship takes the injured and heads out. While the fog around the party and nearing conflict wraps closer.
Reggie calls out, “We should go soon, before the fog over-takes the area again.

Scene 3: Ice Tunnels and a Fog Machine
Back at the edge of the lock, Reggie nods to Andi, “I’ve got an idea.” He says, “I figure I can make a platform of ice across the surface, and then once out there deep enough make a set of stairs going down, surround that with some strategic ice and we’ll have access.”
Andi nods and tells Reggie to Proceed.
The group watches as Reggie uses a fair bit of the blue-bubbled magic in the barrier to create this magic, the surge seeming to tire him a bit, but he manages it with great fitness and swagger. He nods and leads the group out onto the ice path towards the center of the Lock, when out about 20 feet from the plumes of burping fog rises to the surface.
Down the ice stairs, the group decends, and Todd lights another torch as the light diminishes as they go.
At the bottom of the lock, Reggie extends the tunnel and then pushing it out and around to peel back the water from the sunken wreck. The group advances into the now partly exposed ship to investigate.
It’s here that the group sees a massive water-barrel with all manner of copper wire, and rune plate affixed to it’ resides strapped to the innermost center of the Belly of the ship, partly broken on one corner of it’s base, the fog issuing from the top of the open barrel without pause. Deep in its belly a red boiling churn of red magic rests uneasily, burping out the red fog.
Andi seeing the rune plate and determining that if they destroy it, perhaps it will stop the reaction of the contents… They meld a few rune plates with the hot tip of Andi’s mother’s sword SunPiercer. But with no effect, it appears that whatever function the plates served before, it wasn’t going to inactivate with the destruction of the rune plate.
The group considers other ways to render the magic inert and determine that they will need to use the radiant bombs as they had before on the Abomination Ooze. However with such a large blast zone, the group is unsure how to get out of the way in time. Reggie suggests freezing the bombs on the edge of the Barrel to tip in once he melts the ice from a safe distance.
Andi smiles and nods, “Good idea.”
The trap in place all the party retreats to the tunnel where Reggie uses his nearly last bit of energy to cast a wall to protect them and to drop the bombs.
A MASSIVE UNDERWATER BLAST sunders the remains of the Ship, and the Barrel inside. All the surge of bubbles and red energy swirl around and batter the barrier of ice that Reggie put up to protect the group. With good success, only a minor crack showing across it from the impact of debris thrown in the explosion.
Peering through the void, Squiffy confirms that the churning red energy has been eliminated.
Andi does a celebratory “jig” and praises Reggie all the while. With that success the group falls back and heads back to re-group with the remaining Enforcer Troops.

Scene 4: The Wounded & Water Testing
Andi notes that the fog still is thick and will take some time to clear. Since it may take more time than they could realistically withstand, remaining is too dangerous. So, Andi and Squiffy order a tactical retreat. Gathering the troops they head back towards the outer wall in as direct a path as possible. Meeting some resistance from the amassed creatures, the troops battle their way out, loosing a few men, but overall managing to make an escape with only the loss of 4 men.
Exiting the city, they are finally able to make contact with Amelia and instruct her not to return to the city, and instead to meet them back at camp.
Andi puts rounds of patrols back in place while ordering the troops to heal up, rest, and celebrate. The troops cheer as they watch Amelia roll out several casks of booze and get ready to obey orders.
Back at Camp, Andi and Squiffy head towards the infirmary tent to find Theo and Mickel.
Upon entering the Tent Andi takes a look around, seeing Mickel on a far cot, she is scooped up into a hug from Theo, who breathes a sigh of relief as he hugs her tightly. “I’m so glad that you are alright.” He says finally putting her back on her feet.
“Me too.” Andi admits and they head over together to speak to Mickel. He looks white and disoriented but otherwise not too bad, a fresh bandage on his leg and his hand.
“You’re back!” Mickel says happily upon seeing them. “What a relief.” He says bashfully realizing only too late just who exactly had rescued him from his predicament in the underwater cavern. How he had been in the water long enough and with the Blight resting in his chest he needed to be healed by the cure asap.
“We forgot to warn him about the sludge creatures that get coughed up.” Theo says chuckling awkwardly. But he’s bouncing back quickly.”
Squiffy mentally assesses to be sure that the boy is healed fully, and is glad to see that no bit of red magic remains.
Andi asks after her note and the odd water she had sent along with Mikel for Theo to test. He Says he got it but hadn’t had time amid all the healing needs he had been attending to with the injured.
“But we can do that now, if you like.”
Andi nods, and the group exits the tent to find a somewhat secluded spot to test.

Test 1: The cure being applied to the cavern water. No obvious effect, but Squiffy notes that the slight mental “hum” the magic had had before now is going.

Test 2: Testing the Cure on the Inert goo that Mickel had coughed up. This also seems to have no effect.

Test 3: The holy water on the goo, though seems to burn and raise a slight smoke.

Andi is a bit dissapointed by the experiment and is Unsure if the location means anything, or the water in that place. But it is easy to conclude that had the water not had Holy properties to it, then Mikel would not have survived as he had to that point with the Blight held at bay from progressing because of the holy water’s properties.
Theo bashfully admits he should probably get back to work. Andi pulls him asside and invites him to dinner… Stammering, “Amelia will be there, I mean, I’m also inviting Amelia so…” Theo smiles, and nods. “Sounds good. Shall I come by in about 30?”
Andi nods and heads off to find Amelia to invite to this impromptu dinner.
As they walk away, Pickle chimes into Squiffy’s head, “She doesn't want to go on a date with just us? I’m offended!” Her tone is teasing amusement.

Scene 5: Moral Boosted via Drinking Games
Andi finds Amelia amid her Shipmate crew drinking. Seated at a table surrounded by men cheering and laughing. The sight of Amelia’s perfectly stylized blonde hair and slender statured figure seated amid these warriors and soldiers drinking is quite a contrast to what Andi had ever expected.
“Andi!” Amelia smiles and turns to the comrad beside her, “move!” She says pushing him off the chair where he drunkenly slides off and lays across the ground to laughter. “Come sit by me.” She demands.
Andi obliges and takes a seat. “You going to join us?” Amelia asks, clearly buzzed. Todd stands near with an eyebrow raised expression of incredulity. But he makes no move to stop her outside of a slight tilt of the head.
Andi nods. “I”ll join.” Cheers erupt, and drinks are brought to the table. Todd glaring down the recurve bringing the drinks, who places a watered down drink in front of Andi.
“We’re already 3 in, so you have to catch up.” Amelia says sliding drinks into Andi’s hands.
Andi plays it off as she try’s to hide her drink discarding, to remain as sober as possible. with a moderate amount of success. Partly due to Todd’s looming gaze as he stands protectively behind Andi.
The Game continues with Andi joining in

Round 4 - One of the sailors passes out.

Round 5 - All Save.

Round 6 - Amelia fails

Round 7 - One Enforcer fails.

Round 8 - Amelia leaves the table to go puke.

“You’re my best friend.” Amelia says drunkenly and clearly ready to hurl.
“You’re mine too.” Andi says and motions for one of Amelia’s guards to escort her back to her tent. “See that she’s okay.” She hands her off.

Round 9 - Andi Succeeds and wins the game.

The assembled crowd is delighted and cheer and the atmosphere of the camp is brightened by the levity that had not been present the entire time Andi had been here. The malevolent influence of the fog already lessened.
Andi catches sight of her dad Stephen watching her, with a knowing gaze.. obvious that he was the entire drinking game play out. His hand removes the book from his waistcoat, flashing it to you, but then tucking it way with a wink and a finger to his lips in conspiratorial humor. Hinting that this doesn't have to be reported to your mother. Andi smiles.

Scene 6: Dinner with Theo… A Date?
Andi heads back to the tent to check on Amelia, only to find that Theo is there waiting on her, though he seems nervous. “I hope Amelia is alright, she was sick it seems so she’s going to sit this dinner out, I think.”
Andi nods. And emboldened by the booze in her system acts casual and uncensored as she invites Theo inside the tent.
“She got wasted, They both did” Squiffy says to Pickle. Pickle mentally laughs.
Todd looks between both Andi and Theo and opens the tent flap for Andi. “I Always liked you.” Andi says in a drunken humor then enters, and before Theo can follow Todd steps between him. “Don’t get any ideas.”
Wide eyed, “Of corse not… sir.” Theo says awkwardly. As Theo goes in Squiffy jumps off Todd’s shoulders to rush inside before him.
Inside there is no dinner set out, and Todd asks if he should go fetch something. “Yes.” Andi says, and before leaving, he makes eye contact with Squiffy, and holds an intense look as if trying to suggest something. Squiffy considers him and realizes that he’s probably trying to suggest with the look, that Squiffy keep Theo from doing anything to Andi. Squiffy nods and blinks slowly with one eye and then the other discordantly. He narrows a gaze to Theo before leaving in a very over-protective papa way.
With Todd gone the room is left in slight silence while Theo and Andi alone. Theo offers the only chair in the room to Andi, like a gentlemen. Andi ignores the chain and sits on the bed, patting it to invite him over. Seeing this Squiffy jumps up and sits in the spot. Andi pats the other side… Mentally Squiffy calls out to Pickle to copy him. She mischievously obliges and jumps up to sit in that spot before Theo can even consider doing so. Then she looks up and gives Andi a satisfied grin having thwarted the invite to Theo.
Leaving Theo with only the chair to sit in he takes it and sits across from Andi. Gives a nervous chuckle, “This is awkward.”
“Is it? I’m sorry.”
“NO, not because of you… I mean, A little.. A little bit…” He stammers. “Todd might kill me…” he says leaning in and whispering while eyeing the tent entry as if expecting him to arrive any moment.
“He wouldn’t kill you…” Andi says. “Today…” Theo whispers to finish the sentence. They both laugh at the situation.
“Does this count as our thrid date?” He asks.
“Yea, third, third date… I like you.”
“I like you too, a lot.”
Andi grins wider and wider, without heasitation, and a bit disconnected to reality. “I’m glad Amelia can’t be here.”
“Yeah, me too. I hope she’s okay though.”
“Haha, she’s going to have a headache.” She says with a giggle.
Theo leans forward and brushes a bit of hair behind Andi’s ear, “I hope you won’t get a headache.”
“I don’t normally drink.. things… like this. But it was fun. And.. I WON!”
Theo’s eyebrows raise, “Congratulations?!”
“Thank you.” Andi says, while mentally Pickle is rolling over laughing in a closed mental space with Squiffy.
“You know, Drinking games are just like gambling games. Except… you’re vibrating at the end of it and you feel better. And All the stress is gone.”
Theo looks from Andi to Pickle and back again, with a loss for words. “Yeah, I don’t really drink either, so I’m unfamiliar with that sensation.”
“Gambling is fun too. Especially when you win. It’s really fun to win. It feels like you did something good.”
Theo looks at Andi with a look of confusion. “Do you gamble often?”
“SSShhhhhhhhh, don’t tell my mom.” She says with a finger up to her smile.
Theo shakes his head as Squiffy shares with Pickle a mental reel of Andi wining countless gambling matches with seeming skill and ease.
“It’s the only thing I’m good at.” Andi says leaning forward still in whispering conspiratorial tones. Theo leans in a bit more. “It’s NOT the only thing your good at…”
Andi laughs and as she does he leans forward and kisses Andi. It’s a long kiss. And when he finally pulls back he says “See, gambling isn’t the only thing you’re good at.” His face inches from hers.
Andi throws her arms around him, kissing him back!
While kissing, the tent flap opens and in walks Todd with a try of food. Both Theo and Andi mid-kiss can side-eye the arrival of Todd. And breaking the kiss, Theo pulls back and turns bright red and then immediately scoots back on the chair with a scrape.
Squiffy replays that reaction in Andi’s mind “I”m going to treasure that memory.”
Andi smiles, “Me too… It’s the best kiss I’ve ever had.” Andi responds to Squiffy, but unaware that she’s saying this out loud instead of mentally. Both Theo and Todd looking at her as she says this.
Todd, who is clearly holding a tray of Food, glares over at Theo. “There wasn’t any food left, time for you to go.” His tone is commanding and intimidating.
“OHhhh…” Andi says clearly genuinely disappointed. “…I was hungry.”
“Not for that you’re not.” Todd mutters under his breath.
Theo stands, “Pardon me, My Lady.” Gives a little bow and without looking at Todd exits the tent.
Andi looks at pickle who hasn’t left to follow him yet. “Other than Bean, you are the cutest Feline ever. I’m happy that you’re my friend.”
Squiffy walks around to nuzzle Pickle affectionately as well. Pickle accepts the head-butt, and stands and lets her tail slide under Squiffy’s chin, and then moves into Andi’s lap. Puts her paws on her chest and gives her a look and a head tilt and an affectionate nuzzle before leaving to follow Theo.
Todd puts down the tray of food. “Thank you.”
Squiffy interjects, “I think he needs a hug Andi.” Andi stands up and immediately hugs him. His stiff fatherly protective facade drops after a moment, and then hugs Andi back.
“I’m glad that you’re always around. Thanks.”
He gives a little squeeze. “Of course.” And then gives her a little kiss on the top of her head.
“Do you want some of my chicken?” Andi asks.
“Thanks, But I think you need it more than me. Besides, I have something to take care of.”
“Hey, Be nice.” Andi says a bit more sturn. “I like him.”
“I’m always nice.” Todd says.
Andi sits and starts eating while Squiffy sneaks off to follow Todd. Unseen as he is very practiced in being unseen when he wants to be.
Todd exits the tent and immediately heads in the direction of Theo’s tent. When he arrives, he confronts Theo and Tells him to “Watch yourself.” Getting close to him and using a firm and dry tone to convey his seriousness. “I will tell the Rootlord if I have to… or your father.”
Squiffy can see Theo’s face which was firm and unfazed until the mention of his father, where it slightly falls and his teeth clench. Theo nods. “I understand. Respectfully, I’m not going to hurt her and She’s her own person, and someday a Rootlord. You can’t scare me away from pursuing my feelings.”
Todd looks him up and down and then after a calculating moment his face softens and he leaves.
Squiffy lingers for a moment, watching Theo watch Todd leave. It’s then that he notes Pickle looking at him.
“You came all this way to make sure Theo was alright?” She asks. “That’s nice.”
There’s some playful banter between them where Pickle reminds him, that “Just because our bonds are romantically involved doesn’t mean that we are destined to be.” She has some sass and teasing in her words which leads to Squiffy shrugging and mentally concluding that nothing is impossible.
Squiffy returns to the tent to find Andi asleep. He joins her and the pair drift off. — 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

11 May 2023