Alma’s Archive 01-11-1566

Alma’s Archive [01-11-1566]: We waited in anticipation to see whether the elixir would take hold on our friend...and after a long moment, the crystalline stone (Which initially looked like ice) flaked away, and Malice awoke, clearly disoriented from her brief time here. The last thing she could recall was reading her book in the hull of the Walrus, just as we’d left Verdant… over a week ago. She and Sarulana had a quarrel of sorts regarding how they gained possession over each other’s spellbooks, but were able to come to some level of understanding, returning one another’s belongings to their mutual relief. A rather befuddling sequence of events, but such is the nature of these dreams it seems. We found ourselves in something of a dilemma however- we’d appeared to fulfill the brief of our quest, yet we remained in slumber. It was then that Sarulana admitted this was perhaps her doing, extending the duration of the dream by an unknown measure. Iss proposed that, as in many children’s tales, one had to kiss the princess to complete the story- she and Malice shared an awkward peck on the lips, yet it yielded no results.
The tiefling attempted to speak more with the impish inhabitants of the woods to gather information, but they scurried off post-haste, muttering of great danger and one ‘Archmage of Sybar’- a Propherio Profundus (Off the top of my head, the name rings no bells). Further questions were met with convoluted answers in rhyme- needless to say, they were of little help.
After some time, Malice reacquainting herself with her book, reread the opening passage, whose narrative shares many similarities with the situation we found ourselves in- principally, an enchanted garden under the care of a great Wizard, along with mention of a ‘Princess of the Garden’ (Whom we can infer to be Malice). The other sorceress peeked at her own book, but found it was as barren as it had been for her before. Yet one posits that she can ‘unlock’ portions of it in a manner similar to how Malice reads her own.
This of course bears the question of whether some connection exists between the two spellcasters. There are a number of parallels in their stories such that it seems unlikely to be mere coincidence. Both access their arcane abilities in similar fashions, using texts passed down by their maternal figures. They also share an absent paternal figure, curiously enough (Iss took this to mean they perhaps shared a father, though neither took kindly to the suggestion). The more compelling theory, in my mind, was that Malice perhaps hailed from the Shadowfell as Sarulana does (As drow are said to be common in that realm, and mayhaps would explain their similarly preternatural gifts as being a result of their extraplanar origins).
This may come as a surprise (Or perhaps not), but shortly thereafter we came to discover we were far out of our depth.
Before us appeared a rift in space and matter itself, tearing the fabric of this dream asunder. Through it came monstrous entities- malignant grubs whose mere proximity brought decay to the surrounding flora. Iss and Sarulana managed to exterminate a few, but many more scuttled off into the woods. Soon larger demonic creatures appeared, and thereafter came the woman- the queen we’d encountered at the start of the dream, but now standing as a titaness above us all. The tiefling recognized her now as the Witch Queen- a matriarch who ruled her homeland for many years before vanishing mysteriously. The Queen beckoned for Malice to join her, claiming to be her true mother and one able to help understand her powers. The drow was understandably taken aback and frightened by this, and when she hesitated the woman cast an enchantment forcing Malice to heed her words.
All of us were equally unsure how to proceed at first, but upon seeing that… I couldn’t stand by and do nothing- not after all that, when we’d just reunited with our friend once more. I thought perhaps I might be able to close the rift, thereby sending this otherworldly woman and her ilk back where they came, yet my efforts were futile. Sarulana and Iss in turn tried to restrain Malice and break the spell compelling her- they slowed her for a time, but then the Witch weaved her words around Iss’s mind, making her submit to her demands.
In all of this, Mirik was… almost indifferent, which felt off given her friendship with the half-drow (Though I find it hard to read her, so I am uncertain). The druid sought clarification as to what the Queen intended to do with Malice, Sarulana also concerned about this. The enchantress proclaimed that Malice would become the Princess of Scania, to rule by her side, and that no harm would come to her. This sounds like a rather jarring prospect, for both sorceresses, yet to her credit, Sarulana remained calm, trying to persuade her otherwise (I tried to assist, but my words had no sway over this one’s mind). The tiefling’s arguments fell on deaf ears though, the Queen adamant in taking what she thought was rightfully hers, retorting that it’s in fact Sarulana who owes a debt to her. Before we could take further action, she drew Malice into her embrace and in a flash of smoke they were gone, the portal vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
We failed her.
Left to deal with the demonic entities she’d brought in her wake, we tried to fend them off as best we could, though many escaped into the forest. During the fray a true giant appeared (The sort spoken of in the old texts), a supposed protector of the woods who sensed a disturbance and came to investigate. It was nasty business, as such things often are. The guardian managed to take out two of the abominations on its own, while Iss defeated one with her great Trident (Though was badly injured in the process). I elected to take cover in the underbrush as Sarulana and Mirik kept at a distance. The druidess ensnared the remaining monstrosity with her webs, and in our moment of need Ioun seemingly heard my words, sending the demon back from whence it came. Truth be told, even I was rather stunned by our successful collaboration… I only wish that it had been so earlier, such that we could’ve helped Malice.
I stayed tucked behind one of the stumps for a bit, reasonably cautious of the lumbering giant who’d easily obliterated two of these creatures on its own. The others engaged with him however, Iss in particular taking a liking to him. As it became clear that this entity, whatever he is (For the aura it emanates is beyond any mortal power I’ve known) meant us no harm, I peeked from my spot and joined the conversation- apparently there was some mention of others who’d gotten lost in this dream realm besides Malice. The guardian (Who calls himself the Gardener) said they’d taken refuge in the palace of Propherio, the aforementioned archmage, who apparently passed away some time ago. The Gardener was determined to try and hunt out the remaining demons, fearing that they were defiling the lands (And indeed, it appears their presence in this realm has formed some shadowy corruption), but offered directions to this palace as well as guidance on opening the gate via a ritual. Hopefully there we can get some answers, figure out how to awaken from this dream state. I find myself apprehensive in dwelling here too long, truth be told- if we are still sleeping, one wonders how time is passing in the waking world, and what is transpiring during that period.
After healing the barbarian’s most grievous wounds and sharing a drink with us, we parted ways with the entity, delving into the murky gloom of the woods. We walked for some time through the dense foliage, but navigating proved a difficult task. Mirik tried to have Ola climb one of the trees to get a better view, but there was no luck there. The lizardfolk then demonstrated a remarkable feat of transfiguration, turning Iss into a Giant Eagle in order to scout from above. At her behest I accompanied her, and with a powerful whoosh we found ourselves over the treetops, surrounded by lush canopy. Truth be told, it was a bit nerve-wracking (I may have accidentally pulled a few of Iss’s feathers), but I trust her, and in this she did not falter. I am grateful though that she waited to drop me off on the ground before testing the more… daring aerial maneuvers.
Scanning the area with her enhanced vision, she pointed out (As well as an Eagle can) the large field and lake to the far east. Cutting our way through the woods and over a river, we eventually arrived at the forest’s edge. From here Sarulana and myself rode on Iss while Mirik followed on foot until the spell wore off, the three of us tumbled back to earth unceremoniously. There were no serious injuries, fortunately, but I’m almost positive that my back’s going to be sore in the morning.
Just as we began to approach the lakefront, our ears caught the sound of thundering hooves drawing closer. In the distance one could spot figures coming towards us- centaurs- wielding weapons and looking none too pleased with our presence...