Session 58: Everything will be Better when I Have the Light

General Summary

Some Light Shopping

Bobcat was lookin for somethin fresh and valuable, and his eyes happened to spot a few likely valuable items in Jeremiah's shop, Jeremiah's Restorations, especially a Watering Can with a familiar design. The buildings in town were otherwise unremarkable, damaged by weather, with some shops that might have goods hidden away. A tunnel on the other side of town, however, seemed to be lined with gems. He decided to investigate this watering can and devised to plan a way to steal it later in the evening. Bobcat requested some time to sit and chat about the Beetle King and The Light which seemed to intrigue Jeremiah. He was eager to get everything brought inside and was willing to speak of both these subjeects. From Bobcat's interviewing, you first learned that everyone and everything, including the ground you walk on, is part of the Light. At least, according to the faith involved. Bobcat seemed particularly interested in the Light and Mystery that the king wanted investigated, to which Jeremiah said "This particular kinda Myster that he's interested in...it's like uh, it's hard to describe. I've never seen it, I've just heard the reports and stuff, but from what I can tell, well, it doesn't let you close by. He wants to bring it home, wants to look at it, wants to hold it, but anyone that gets near it, well, y'know, don't come back or come back burned." As Jeremiah was speaking, Bobcat made his way towards the Watering Can and asked some more distracting questions while investigating it. He managed to place it closer to a window with hopes of taking it later on at night. Jeremiah, however, seemed to pick up that something had moved and asked Bobcat if he had any questions about the watering can. Bobcat tried to play it off, and did a fine job it seemed, but Jeremiah was curious why Bobcat was moving that particular item. He commented on Bobcat's "good eye", and told the story of how he found it while out with his father on one of their last trips together. He also mentioned how "It’s not the first thing like it I’ve found either. Agave plants must’ve been stylish for whatever culture that belonged to.”

Jeremiah resumed unpacking his recently collected goods, and Bobcat inquired where the items with Agave designs were found. Jeremiah was prepared and had a map of the areas he's searched which Bobcat ended up taking in a rather forced exchange for some gold. Kaswink was curious if the watering can did anything more than just look pretty, but Jeremiah seemed uncertain of such things. Kaswink ended up acquiring the watering can for a smooth 12 gold. She also asked if there was anywhere in the city that Agave plants could be found. This caught Jeremiah off guard for a moment, but he seemed to know that someone by the name of Helen keeps some Agave plants in pots with a similar design as the watering can. Bobcat accepted the watering can from Kaswink, but seemed a bit upset about money being spent. The two of them bonded for a bit, and then Kaswink's attention was turned back to Jeremiah to ask about how to cure her current zombie status. He suggested the church, but Kaswink had some concerns over going to such a place despite both DAN and Frode also wanting to take a look at the establishment for different reasons. She was particularly worried about being attacked or killed on sight for her condition, but Jeremiah assured her that she'd just be seen as "another manifestation of the Light". Other items of note in the shop were a porcelain mask of similar design as Hysteria's though without the fancy markings and a set of strange tubes and wires. These strange tubes and wires looked like they belonged to something of a mechanical nature, and Kaswink ended up purchasing them just for the hell of it. It was later realized by DAN that they might be useful for repairing the Strange Black Cube that they bought from The Citizens of Greed. They weren't really sure how to work with it yet, but they definitely looked familiar and connected to that box. Jeremiah offered one last thing in exchange for the extra bit of money that Kaswink gave him: a torn bit of ledger with more information on where to find items with the same design as the watering can. He also yelled out the phrase "May the Light always Guide you!" as you left his shop.

Leaving Jeremiah's Restorations and traveling through town, you saw a grocerie store, "Geraldine's Groceries", and an Inn/Tavern by the name of "The Other Place". The grocerie store appeared to have one of the agave-themed items in its window: An urn which was currently being used as a decoration. Kaswink handed the torn bit of ledger to Bobcat and let him know that he doesn't need to be so secretive about these things, that the group is there to help and that he can be more open. He was thankful, but explained that he didn't want to spend money on something that was stolen. Frode picked up on the use of "stolen", and wanted to know how they could've possibly been stolen from Bobcat, especially if they're in the Spirit World. Bobcat explained that, "These were once rightfully mine. I don't know how I lost them or where I lost them, but they were mine...at least I think they were." Kaswink suggested that the items weren't really stolen, just found, and that they may have just found their way to the Spirit World like any other thing. She also raised the theory that, "Maybe our world and this world aren't as separated as we thought..." "You come from a desert, this is a desert, maybe these two deserts aren't so far apart. There were stories that my dad told me about people that wandered into the desert and never returned. Maybe they ended up here? I think this place probaly crosses into our world at some points...I don't know how it works, but we all ended up here, people before us ended up here, I don't see why things couldn't end up here. Whatever the case, if you want to bring these items back home, then we could talk to these people and get them back." There was some brief conversation about what to do next: Go to the church to help Kaswink or go straight to the Light. Bobcat seemed to want to impress the Beetle King, and Frode tried to explain that King's aren't all they're made up to be. Kaswink brought up her condition and some more information she gained about it from a shark skeleton. Apparently she has, from her understanding, "A few days" and that "something is coming" for her. She felt she had plenty of time though, and that the Light might be more pressing based on how it seems to only be active part of the time. It was eventually agreed upon that the Church might be a good place to start.

The Church of Light

The church had stained glass windows arranged so that there was a central window behind the preacher. This central window depicted the sun. On the walls on either side were more stained glass windows. Closest to the sun were a pair of moons mirroring each other, then, next to the moons, were a pair of stars. Closest to the entrance were a pair of orbs with intricate, swirling and looping designs inside them. These orbs were emitting an intense light, lightning was arcing around them, and they were strangely hard to look at despite just being glass. A variety of beetlefolk, lizardfolk, sentient giant spiders and even the occasional tourist were seen seated in pews with their eyes fixed on an important looking tiger beetle at the front of the church. The preacher seemed to be in the middle of some prayer. Joy is the Light, let its warmth be all we know
For we are the Light, and the Light is all
In knowing ourselves we may come to know the Light
In our life we grow to know the world and the joy it brings
In our death we join the world, our ends mark a new beginning
Yet we will forever ponder the nature of the Light Those seated suddenly stood, raised their arms towards the sky and muttered a collection of different ‘amens’ or ‘praise the Lights’ or other such things before slowly making their way outside or back to their seats. The priest of this church was a brown/black/white tiger beetle with a similar half-cape as the King though without the accompanying sash or waste covering. He had a big churchy mitre and carried an intricate staff.

Kaswink started to approach the priest, but a tourist, a human man, jumped from his pew and stopped Kaswink while grabbing her hand, shaking it and excitedly babbling about the Light. "Well met! You look kinda familiar! Hey, isn’t this Light just great!? It’s everything, it’s me, there is nothing else! HAHAHA! Delightful!” Kaswink started to walk away, awkwardly, and Frode helped separted the two of them to help her move as well. The man stood aside, but called out to you all as you tried to walk past. “Hey, if you’re volunteering to go bring back the Light, would you bring me with you? I want to see it so very much!” Frode commented on this person's high levels of devotion with a warning, "You shouldn't go looking to go see your god so quickly." The man was confused and asked why not, to which Kaswink suggested he might be dissappointed with what he finds. Frode expanded on this by suggesting it wouldn't just be disappointment but pain and suffering as well. The man seemed to only be getting more and more confused, he slowed down, quieted, began to sit again and appeared to be in a state of shock as well. "Why would the Light want to hurt me?" Frode elaborated that it isn't about "Hurting" but more about "Burdens". Kaswink also suggested that some things are painful to be around. The man stared forward, likely dissociating, having an existential crisis, and you all moved forward towards the preacher again. It was noted that the church didn't have a lot of opulence, the most impressive thing was the stained glass, but it was otherwise just as dingy as the rest of the town. The preacher greeted you,

"Ah! Outsiders! May your path always be illuminated!" Kaswink thanked him and casually mentioned that there are places they've been that aren't always illuminated. The preacher was taken aback a moment and suggested getting light to those places. Frode asked this priest to go with you all to a big hole in the ground to help illuminate it, but the priest seemed to be a bit confused by that. The conversation shifted back to Kaswink as she described her affliction, the Rotting Gate, and how she needs to be treated. She even mentioned that she would be fine with just being made permanently dead if that's all the priest can do, but Frode and the preacher both had objections to this. The priest tried a few different techniques, spells and things to treat her, but none of them seemed to do the trick. He suggested that she may need to travel to get this fixed, in particular she would need to travel to The Dying Gate. He offered a warning, however, "If your soul is claimed by another, you might need to barter with them or perhaps defeat it? Not the one that made you undead, but the one that won't let your soul go back to you. Doing what I suggest might not be worth the trouble if you don't deal with whatever that might be first. That being said, you would need to travel to the Dying Gate, it is far to the northeast of here in a small town called Tullenur. Entering that gate is ill-advised, you may not be able to return at all...ever...in any capacity if you fail in your quest. If you go in and someone else already took you, then you could just end up trapped with them forever anyways."

Kaswink had another thought on how to treat her condition and asked the Beetle Priest if the strange orb of Light, this "great mystery" might be able to help. The Priest seemed to brighten up a bit at the idea, and confirmed that it is definitely a possibility. Farewells were exchanged, but Frode just silently left the church after some apparent disappointment. Kaswink mentioned as they left that they were going to investigate the Light for the king, to which this priest seemed to have some rather heretical opinions. "Yes, um, I should warn you. Those that have come back are often burned or don't come back at all. There are rumors and myths that if you somehow 'donate some color' or 'sacrifice your desires' or something it'll help you though, but that seems a bit new age for the likes of me. Tradition says that the Light should be found through prayer, which is, unfortunately, where the king and I disagree." The Priest waved again and departed for some unseen back office, and you all left the church 3% wiser.

Light Volunteer Work

You chose to go towards where you saw the king last with hopes of signing up for this "Great Mystery". The King was nowhere to be found, but another tiger beetle with some military looking garb and awards was standing near a table. Sign-up sheets could be seen, and you were all greeted with a snarl and a "Halt! Who are you?" Kaswink was curious why that mattered to this beetle, and she received a bit of a rude response. "Well, bein the lieutenant of the army in this parts, uh, not quite sure, um, I just don't like the look of you. What're you doin here?" Kaswink seemed unphased by this and continued to be quite professional as she explained that you were all there to see what this whole Light thing is about. The Beetle Lieutenant was eager to see some new volunteers and informed you all that he is "on signature duty" due to being badly burnt and failing when he went to retrieve the Light before. Kaswink pressed for some more information about what exactly this mysterious light is, and you all got a bit more information. "Um, it's dangerous. We tried to collect it, but it, uh, kept eating my men. Like, they disappeared into it. Consumed by it. Arcs of strange cackling lightning-like energy like what you would see in the sky, but it was right in front of us. Some of them turned to dust right in front of me, some of them rose up into the sky as clouds of smoke. All just to take this ball of light... I still want to, I want to bring this back for my King, but my wings, my limbs, they are badly wounded but not as wounded as my pride. My pride- that I cannot help him anymore. Kaswink was curious if the ball of light spoke to this person, and he assured her that it did not. It seemed, as he claimed, that it would be more accurately described as "just a ball of plasma" according to someone in town that he referred to as a scientist. Though, that's a rather heretical way to look at the ball of light as well according to this Lieutenant.

Kaswink informed this Beetle Lieutenant that there is some intelligence behind the light that fills the sky during the day and night, and that you as a group have spoken to them. This shocked the Lieutenant, concerned that you had spoken to The Light itself, but she seemed certain that it was just the sun and the moon. She went on to describe Ar'en'el and how she believed this strange orb might just be a piece of her. She described Ar'en'el as a ball of light with dark spirals, and the Lieutenant did confirm that that rings a bell. Around this time, Freya also made a mental note to draw up what was seen overlooking the cliff as Tympi/Ilven, so that'll be something. The Beetle Lieutenant also had a message about his views on the deaths of his men and on how he feels about the King's request. "I miss them, but I know that it was their time, time for the Light to take them, time for our God to send a silent procession for them. Death is just a passage, a path unwalked until it is our time. The King’s wishes are absolute, if you find the light, you must return it to us." Discussions continued regarding whether what the king wants is right, especially when it'll mean the deaths of his people, but it ended with this Lieutenant requesting you not speak ill of the king. Kaswink apologized, and the conversation shifted back to getting the rest of your signatures on the volunteer forms. The Lieutenant looked over you all and sighed as he read what seemed to be a required message for all volunteers. "I'm requred to tell you that 'The pilgrimage requires not a map, not directions, not a guide nor even eyes. It requires just the soul of one worthy and willing to see The Light.'"

Some Light Health and Hygiene

You all started making your way towards the King's Estate and towards a place where you could get cleaned up before meeting with him. Thankfully, there was a spa in town, perfect! Along the way, there were some questions regarding what had happened to Frode. Kaswink: What happened when you were gone? I didn't even see you leave. Frode: Oh, ja, I went home. It was greawt for about may be a day, maybe two? DAN: A day? how long were you gone? Frode: Ja! I was gone for a month. Kaswink: What happened what went wrong? Frode: Ja, everything went wrong. I went home, I went back to see my family. not there. I went to the church to see the cleric. Things got really bad. When I found my (zombie) family, they were quite sick so I took them to the church. They called me a blasphemer for bringing the sick into their church. I just wanted a cleric! Kaswink: but they refused? Frode: Oh, ja, they refused. They through me out. I was arrested by the guards and put in the very cell I put you all in. DAN: I'm so sorry. Kaswink: What happend to your family? Frode: I do not know. They took them away. I blame the king. If he had just blood he would not let them suffer anymore. but now they are either alive or dead, and I know not. Kaswink: How did you get back here? Frode: That is another story for another day. I was in that prison cell for many days. I lost track, I think two weeks maybe? There was a lot of prayer, a lot of self reflection. Kaswink: I will want to hear that story someday when you are ready to tell it. I'm sorry for that, and, if we go back there, I will help you take revenge. Frode: I want my family. I don't know what that king is up to, but the whole vibe of that town has changed. People, they live on the streets, and yes they do suffer and Ilmater is there in his own special way, but I don't see justice. It's as if the magic and the light is gone. Kaswink: Do you think maybe you changed? Frode: No, of course not. I'm Frode, everyone's friend. Kaswink: I'm just saying that maybe it's been like that longer than you realized. Frode: Anyways, I just went around the town talking to the people. The poor people, the sick people, and I prayed with them. It felt good. Perhaps there was a little bit of magic in those times helping them in some small way to ease them in their suffering, and it felt good to take it upon myself. You see, Kaswink, you just have to pray really hard. Kaswink: Happy to have you still here with us, friend. I don't know what I would have done if you had left. I never got to say goodbye. Frode: Oh, don't worry. Ilmater has made sure that I will be here for a long time. I think I might have done something like a sin and this is my repentance. Some poeple might take that in stride, but I used to think I was a good person. Now I'm not so sure. Kaswink: I think you're a good person no matter what any god says. Frode: Thank you, that brings me a lot of joy to hear that Frode is not some corrupt guard. Though, admitttedly our first meeting was a bit ...evil guard. Kaswink: I understand that some people aren't what they are on the outside. I haven't thought of you in that way in a really long time. I've considered you, other than Agave that helped me out of my village, one of my best friends. Frode: That warms my heart! I hope that our adventures together are long and that we can both get out of this alive so that there are more adventures. Frankly, Kaswink, I think that this place is cursed, terribly cursed! Kaswink: I think so too, but I don't think it is cursed because it is like this. I think that something is tainting it. I think people like us have come here and have imposed our own will onto it. Trying to control the Spirit World. Frode: That is why we send them home! Kaswink: Or to their deaths. Frode: One or the other, yes. I was told of a prayer in this book that can send things back where they belong. We should use it often. See what belongs here and what does not. Restore order here! That would be good. That's what good people do, right? It is very difficult to determine what belongs here and what does not. Arguably, we are just as much an invader, and it makes me uncomfortable. Kaswink: I agree, but I think the difference between us and them is that we, well, I wish to live in harmony with this land. Not to change it, but to let it change me. I think the issue comes from when you come to another place and try to make it like your own. Frode: Ja, but if that's the case, we still need to sort through who belongs here and who doesn't. I think that the bug people, the mothlings, but there are a lot of humans running around, and I don't think that this is their home. Kaswink: I agree, we should send the tourists back. They probably should never have come here to begin with. Frode: We should use discretion though. There are things here that do not want us here and would be very happy if we didn't exist here. I also feel that there is something not going to let us die even if we want to. Almost as if we have some purpose to fulfill. As they say, we must bear this burden with grace and temerity. That's what the book says. Kaswink: Learn to read? Frode: No, that's for clerics! Kaswink: Perhaps you should learn how to read... I could teach you.

There was also some discussion regarding whether or not the king should be visited before or after the light is acquired. Kaswink felt it might be better to have it with you while visiting the king to improve his demeanor, but Frode felt it wouldn't matter. He also had concerns over what the king plans to do with the light as he saw the people of this town as suffering. He worried that the light was just a tool used to control them. Kaswink agreed that this whole Light thing, perhaps even or especially the strange orb, was just there to give the people something to believe in. Frode, who had quite a bit of experience with kings, felt that introducing yourselves with some amount of background might be an option as kings tend to "only care about titles and what you can do for them". Bobcat chuckled at this, puffed out his chest, flexed, and agreed that nobles are easily impressed with a show of strength. He even commented that, "They will happily let you into their favor to do their bidding. Then, when they're not looking at their purse..." Kaswink was worried about villainizing herself or the group within this community, and she suggested instead convincing the king to admit that the orb is just a ploy. She felt that bringing the orb to him would help with that, or perhaps just the satisfaction of having what he wants would be enough. Bobcat felt that stealing from the king was still ideal as it would benefit his own people, or perhaps all the people in struggling communities everywhere. Frode ended the conversation by insisting that visiting the king first would be essential to see what it is that he wants with this orb and to assess his character.

Just as some blue haired kid with glasses was asking when you all were gonna get to the Spa, you arrived. The Spa had two packages available and you all seemed keen on the full package which involved a long rest and ten temporary hit points. Kaswink also dropped your weapons and armor off to be repaired and cleansed of nastiness. Things were looking up, gettin cleaner, pleasant all around. Frode preached to everyone he met about how great suffering and burden bearing is, and he refused to have his overcoat cleaned by anyone. He managed to convert two whole-ass spa workers to Ilmater and suffering, plus a tourist was also keen on joining his religion. The half-elf tourist lady was also interviewed. Frode was able to learn that they seemed to be missing some memories. She struggled to remember where she was from, but was aware she wasn't from the Spirit World. She remembered hearing about the trip to the Spirit World and coming here with her family and Quince. She got separated from them at some point, found her way here, and began worshipping the Light. He also learned that the Beetle King seems to get upset when people are heretical about the Light, when they claim they know what the light (likely referring to the orb/mystery) is without actually knowing. After learning these things about this lady, Frode started to 'read' from his book to banish this person back to Taranel so that she can go home. She disappeared and never returned much to Frode's delight. DAN and Hysteria were also there. They seemed curious about what had just happened as evidenced by them asking what had just happened. Frode explained that an old man on the street told him the words because he couldn't read straight from the book. He believed the old man and tried the banishment words first on a Stability spirit, and then again on this tourist. He wants to send these tourists home so that they don't muck things up in the Spirit World or die. You all joined up in a private room much to DAN's enjoyment, and Frode took a moment to look towards DAN with a question.

Look, DAN, the rules here seem to ahve chang4ed. Before we were just happy-go-lucky travelers looking for nice things. After the realm of ROT everything seems to have picked up in a different kind of pace, don't you think? DAN agreed, and Frode continued, "Consider this: The people who lived around the gate of rot, were they really innocent? They seeemed to know a lot about it. They seemed complacent in this crime." DAN started to agree, but had a rebuttal, "I guess, I don't know. I feel like the rot people were kinda just brainwashed. And they just kinda only viewed one perspective." Frode wanted to know if this absolved these people of this crime, and DAN did not seem to think it did. Though he also elaborated, "If they aren't in their own right minds to do stuff, are we really supposed to be the ones to pass that kind of judgement?" Frode explained that he isn't trying to pass judgement, just trying to send them home. DAN agreed that that works as well, but seemed to be concerned about sending people back that are infected with something and the possibility of them spreading that to an otherwise healthy land. Frode felt that this was going to happen anyways, and DAN agreed but felt that stopping whoever is controlling these Gates would maybe remove their effect on people so that they can be sent home. Frode was curioius how this could possibly help, claiming that if "they're already sick, they're already sick." There was some debate over whether or not these 'illnesses' could spread, and whether or not they should be sent home if they are ill in this way. DAN in particular seemed concerned about the person in the hallway that Frode sent home and whether or not the rot people were also spreading their weirdness somewhere. Kaswink reminded them that she witnessed some of Božena's magic fade and that she no longer has any control over the creatures in that realm. She seemed convinced that you had undone what she was doing, just not the blights/plagues she had already accomplished.

Conversation shifted to the concern over madness in the land, and eventually towards Frode's strange new abilities. He denied having any magical powers of his own, insisting instead that the book itself was magical. He also informed Hysteria that the magic was divine in nature and not based on fae trickery. Hysteria assured him that they were well aware of what divine magic looks like. Frode seemed confused about how he could possibly be a cleric since he wasn't picked to be one and wasn't educated to be one either. Kaswink tried to explain that anyone could be a cleric, and that not all clerics are purely good, that it is sometimes better to be a more freelance cleric than one chosen by an evil king. There was even some discussion over questioning societal structure and be skeptical of such things. Oh how things developed! With talk of kings and societal structures, Frode became curious about what everyone thought of this Beetle King. He quickly became distracted however as he informed the group that the tourist was "definitely home" now. He seemed concerned that there were so many tourists in this town to begin with, and felt it might be a bad omen. Kaswink agreed that it was strange, but she also informed him and the group that she had no plans to return home. She felt that it should be someone's choice to remain in this land...as long as they respect it. Frode felt as though a conversation with the king was appropriate, and was worried that the king might be lacking in morals. If he is an immoral king, then a misdirection should be employed to perhaps provide a false light instead. Kaswink agreed that an assessment of the king's morality was appropriate, but also felt that an analysis of the orb itself should be conducted. If the orb isn't even dangerous or isn't really anything special, then it could be given over anyways. If he wishes to do bad things or it is too powerful for him to hold, then some information could be brought back to disillusion him. She worried that the king was obsessed, and further worried that the rest of the town followed in his command and ideals: meaning that the town may very well be just as obsessed. Cutting them off from this strange light might be needed as well.

Bobcat relaxed and Agave returned at some point. "I'm not sure of this light that you mentioned, but from what I could tell from what Kasiwnk was saying I do agree. Perhaps no matter what we do we try to hear out the king and try to figure out on our own accord what is going on. I think Bobcat would probably agree with that as well." DAN found a moment to finally relax, and Nicholas was especially grateful of this fact. They were curious about the plan which was reitterated as evaluating the king and determining just how dangerous this light truly is. Kaswink again voiced a concern for the king being consumed by his own obsession. She especially didn't want him to turn it into a weapon or wield it for something nefarious. DAN recapped that this king has sent people to retrieve it in the past, people that became hurt or died. They reminded the group that this king didn't seem to care about that and only wanted this light regardless of the cost. Everyone agreed that, and Frode even commented that that is just the way of kings. "They view the people as just a resource." Kaswink also reminded everyone that "His obsession must be broken. Be that by having him hurt himself on the orb or by just ...breaking it in another way if it is too dangerous. It must be broken, otherwise he won't stop." Frode agreed, but seemed concerned that more people in the town might be just as obsessed with the light as the king. He seemed especially worried that you all might have to fight this town if they rise up against you. The conversation concluded with Kaswink summarizing and claiming that, "Only the king and the light really know what is going on. We would need to talk to one or both of them." Frode argued that this isn't always the case, that people could be gripped by powers beyond their control, by madness, by something like the rot. That there is madness running through this land, and that you should all be careful.

An Audience with The Beetle King

The Sun had Set on these Wary Travelers, though Their Day was Only Just Beginning. The King's Estate was illuminated from the inside. Lights shined through windows on the lower floor, and dim moonlight shined on the fields surrounding it. Grass and palm trees decorated the main island that it was situated on, and Agave knocked on the door with some hesitation. The door was answered mere moments after Agave knocked, and a well-dressed beetle butler greeted you. Agave introduced himself and the group, "Hello! I am Agave and these are my traveling companions. We are explorers and we have heard that your king would like some help trying to figure out more about this light. For you see I have explored these lands wide and far, and I am here to help your king on his quest." The butler half-bowed and gestured inward towards the manner while confirming that the king would be very happy to see you. You walked through an oppulent foyer filled with desert plants, carvings and a water fountain that ran along the walls. Beyond it was a small, comfortable room likely designed for parties and generic entertaining. Couches, chairs, a piano and more were all available along with a lit fireplace. The king was relaxing in an armchair, reading and smoking a pipe as you appeared. He looked up and greeted you as he stood. "Ah, you must be the adventurers I was told about earlier. Welcome! I heard you're gonna bring me my light back. You understand the dangers that it entails, right?"

Agave confirmed that you are indeed there to help with the whole light situation, and Kaswink asked the first question. "We were wondering why this light belongs to you and what it means to you?" The king choked up a bit as he started to answer. Why I just...what it means to me? I've been studyin' the Light for a long time. Not quite like maybe some of the other folks in this town, but I've been a worshipper of every ray that might touch my body or my manor or my fields or my people. I appreciate the Light. I love the way it shines and brings us warmth and crops. There's many things to appreciate about it. That aspect of the Light I wouldn't necessarily say belongs to anyone. it's just who we are, but this light at the end of this tunnel, well, that's something else. It's rather perplexing, bizarre, it baffles me. I've been unable to touch it or hold it or really know what it is. I've seen it, been there with my troops, my family, my friends, but being able to actually touch it, bring it here, really know what it is...well, that's what I want." Kaswink wanted to know how he came to be king and what he plans to do with this light. You learned that he became king "like anyone else" by being born to the "right people", and you learned that he plans on using this light to finally relax and help his people. Anyone watching him and trying to read him kinda felt that he did have some conviction to help his people, but also that he didn't really have much of a plan as to how that would really come to be. Kaswink continued the interview by asking this king what his plans would be if it couldn't be used to help. What he would do if the orb could only hurt people, and that perhaps it was intended to be seen from far away. The king held onto the last bit and accused her of sounding like "one of his scientists, that professor", and claimed that there is untold energy that could be used to improve everyone's lives. He stated that there was "so much darkness it could illuminate", but Kaswink claimed that there are some places that are "meant to be dark".

There was a discussion regarding a claim made regarding how you met the creator of this world. Ohrsecte, this Beetle King, claimed that everyone's seen the creator, it's the light and it is everywhere. Though Kaswink name-dropped Ar'en'el, which caused the king to question whether you had spoken to it and what it said. Kaswink drew an image of what she saw, and the king denied resemblance between her image and the orb that he wants brought to him. Kaswink informed the king that Ar'en'el was sad, that she wanted the darkness illuminated so that she could find her missing love, but she thinks that maybe Ar'en'el didn't want these places to remain lit, just have a light shined on them so that she can see her lost love. The king still seemed doubtful of such things, but Kaswink declared that she felt he doesn't seem to be a bad person and that she would help him accomplish his goal. She then wanted to know how many people this king was willing to lose to study the orb once it was brought back. He felt that he didn't want to lose anyone, but when it is someone's time to go, well, it's their time to go. "To be consumed by the Light should be an honor." Questions were raised as to whether people would still want to die for this light if the king didn't will it, but he insisted that he only ever asked for volunteers. His status and symbol as a head of the religion was called into question as some sort of influence, but he deflected such things as well. Kaswink brought up other leaders of the community such as the priest that believed the light should be reached through prayer, or the professor who claims the light should be observed from a distance. The king still disagreed though, and seemed confused by any attempts to help him put himself in other people's shoes or any hypotheticals. Kaswink concluded by saying that, "Sometimes we must come to the terms that some things are too great for us to control. There is no reason to surrender to it, but there is also no reason to attempt to chain it down." She then left the room.

Frode watched as Kaswink left before stepping forward, "I think what Kaswink is trying to say is that perhaps this thing is not what you think it is. We have gone across this place and seen many things and many of those things we thought we could control. But, in the end, sometimes tthey controlled us. Sometimes wanting leads to your own destruction." The King was confused and informed Frode that the more things you have the more durable you are, more of a legacy. Frode nodded, but continued trying to explain, "A legacy is not built by your things. It is built by what you leave behind for others." The king replied by stating that a "golden age of prosperity would be a great thing to leave behind." Frode went on to try and convince the king that perhaps there is something behind the light, something trying to trap the king, and tried to get him to ask who is running the show. He suggested the king take precautions in case the orb that the king seeks is not the true Light. This confused the king even more, and he wanted Frode to explain who would be impersonating the Light in such a way. It went on like this, and it was becoming evident to Frode and others that this king may not be entirely...intelligent, at least not all there so to speak. However, he saw Frode's wisdom eventually and even asked Frode to stay with him as an advisor, though Frode turned this down. At one point in the conversation, the king became threatened by Hysteria's presence, especially their dagger. He asked Frode if Hysteria was one of the people lurking in the shadows trying to take his throne. Frode apologized for Hysteria's strange demeanor, and all was forgiven. The conversation concluded with the king removing his silver and sapphire ring and offering it to you all as payment if you bring back the light. Frode noted, thanks to some of his newfound abilities, that the ring once had a great deal of magic in it like the king's other accessories, but that it was greatly faded.

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

Outside the manor, on the way to the tunnel, Frode immediately announced that he doesn't trust this king. Hysteria called him "stupid and powerful, a bad combination", which Kaswink agreed with. Concerns were raised that he was definitely ignoring his other advisors and could throw people at the orb until he gets what he wants. Frode suggested conning the king by presenting a false light. Whatever it is, he is indifferent to its actual nature. The difference would be that we would be the conmen. This would not be the first nor the last time that a noble person is conned, but this is for the greater good, you know?" Kaswink felt it was worth attempting, but that you would also need to remove the true orb of light from existence as the king might know when it becomes lit again. Worries over what the king would do, be it doing nothing or damaging more by studying it so close by, were discussed. Kaswink also felt that it might just be "Something else to look for as he is not satisfied with what he has". She also suggested just getting the clouds to part in this area so that the king can see the sun and other lights in the sky. There were also worries that the answer has to be what the king wants it to be, any answer that doesn't satisfy him or make what he believes true would be rejected. Discussions concluded with a final effort if nothing can be learned of the orb: Bring the king to your underground farm and show him the light that shines from the cloudless sky. It might trick him or satisfy his curiosity enough.

The tunnels were long and winding. Sparkling rocks jutted out from the walls along with pale, subterranean plants. Spiders and other critters scurried out of view into smaller tunnels and holes in the walls as you passed by. At one point you also came across a damper portion and a much darker split in the tunnel. Water could be heard sloshing against the walls, some sort of watery segment it seems.

Badgers with unusual, gem-like claws could be seen. They had a variety of ruby and topaz to gaze at as you wandered and would dig into walls to escape your lights and footsteps. Little spiders, pale and sometimes almost translucent could be seen, they hid from the light. A similarly colored menagerie of insects could be seen along with some lizards. Mushrooms, some edible and some less so were seen along with dark maroon plants as well. Nothing really liked the light coming from Frode's spear. At the end of the tunnels, you found a dead end and a single plant. It had large petal-like leaves and was closed similar to a flower or leaf bud. The leaves or petals were covered in spikes, similar to a cactus, and it was resting on the ground. It seemed to be a rather mundane, uneventful end to a journey for “The Great Mystery” or “The Light”. How unusual.

Monday D&D Jan 30, 2023