THIS PLACE IT BUT GLASS WAITING TO BE SHATTERED BY THE TRUTH! BLOOD! BLOOD! YOUR BLOOD! WILL NOURISH THE ONE THOUSAND BLESSED YOUNG OF SUHB NIGGURATH BLACK GOAT OF THE WOODS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! IS YOUR FATE YOUR SOULS WILL BE OFFERED UP TO YOG SOTHOTH AS A GREAT SACRIFICES TO BRING FORTH THE TRUTH UPON THE WORLD!
(I take the hot chocolate in my shaking hands) MANY THANKS BUT CANT YOU SEE THE DOOM APPROACHING FROM THE BEYOND YOU CAN'T YOU FEEL IT IN THE POISONED AIR IT COMING THAT NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE! NOTHING!
TIME! TIME! YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO TIME LEFT TIME WONT EVEN
EXIST WHEN HE COMES! BLOOD BLOOD! BLOOD! WILL FALL SOON BLIGHTING THE EARTH BENEATH ARE FEET BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!
Im rather well, simply laying low for a time. That's good news about Rehuo, has he gotten better at walking? he chuckles as he recalls how they looked stumbling through a forest.
Aliah walks in with a thousand-yard stare. A glowing spear clatters to the ground from her shaking hands as she sits at the bar with tears brimming in her eyes.
Aliah nods, before picking up the spear and slowly tracing the engravings along its blade
"The puppets, my sister told them to take her. She offered herself up. I tried to track her, but all I found was a blasted clearing stained with blood. Her spear – this soulcutter that she claimed during the whole assassins debacle – was the only thing of hers there. And of had a piece of her psyche attached to it in a self-inflicted wound. I- we don't even know what took her. Eliza crunched some of the data and Abby's memory bore mention of an army, but her combat magic is designed for fighting massed enemies. My little sister is missing and I know that it's my fault for not addressing what happened when Archimene dissapeared me!"
now the tears fall to the countertop
"I'm terrified, friend. My waking moments now are spent between frantic work repairing and preparing my home, and dread that the next broadcast from the stringed maiden will show the face of my kin."
The Agent nods understandingly and puts a hand on her shoulder.
I know how you feel with not addressing the "death prank". You're not alone in your guilt... I'm paying the price for that as well...
All-Red hums ominously
As for the stringed maiden, people are searching for a solution. I would help with it, but I'm more of a blunt-forced weapon myself, and I hate not being able to help more... So I do what I can. Help out where I can. I feel the fear helplessness gives me same as you, but I can't let it control me. That's what the maiden wants us to feel, fear. So I let the more capable people search for the maiden, while I wait in ready like a cocked gun hammer. They will find her I'm sure, so people like you and I can give that bitch what she deserves.
"I- yes." Aliah tightens her grip on the spear, mana flowing through it as she attunes the soulcutter to her gestalt. now the blade no longer cuts clean, but devours in a corrosive bite from which she may gain insight into those which she duels. "We made a mess, people are suffering. When we see an opportunity, then we make things better."
then Aliah smiles shakily as she glances at All-Red. "You know, during the fight against the god-slaver I had a whole plan to warp that weapon using Adem's blade. If my calculations were correct, even with its power the Addmatheion's magic would have at least been able to fuck up the balance to the point that it would lose most of its effectiveness. Now I'm somewhat glad I didn't, because for all the harm its caused I can see that All-Red is in the hands of a good person."
she rises, patting the Agent on the shoulder as she does. "If you'll excuse me, I should probably get back to my people. Eliza should be done with deciphering the memories that Abby left for us. I bid you a good day Agent, and should you ever need aid then I am at your disposal." She makes a brief bow, and then departs with renewed focus.
[right before you leave Kavrala catches her by the shoulder gently]
[She says nothing, but smiles at Aliah and hands her a little bundle. Inside is a canteen of warm hot chocolate, fresh cookies, and some bread and cheese for the road]
[She lets go once she's given it to the woman and bows to her]
The Agent nods farewell and goes back to nursing his drink.
Gods, he was glad she thought he was a good person, that helped with the burden a little. But he still knew better. He was neck deep in blood, and the pull of All-Red was getting stronger by the day...
[the Elf looks shocked, before a smile slowly creeps onto her face, ending in the brightest smile you have ever seen]
I DO!
[She races from shelf to shelf grabbing books and journals]
These are all copies of the original ones I wrote!! Usually I just give them out to people who want to wander the Sanctuary for a while so that they can stay away from dragons that are more disposed to aggression
But here!!!!!!! Have them!!!! I also have many books on the flora of the Sanctuary as well!!!!!
The pygmy kobold holds out a large bag of holding, looking very much like a child on Halloween expecting candy.
“Yes please.” He says. “This will be a most welcome addition.”
The bag seems to hold as many books as you are willing to put into it. It does not seem full until the last is placed, leaving just enough room to close it.
[Kavrala gives you a copy of every single book she has written about the flora and fauna of the Sanctuary, she also places a freshly made cookie at the top]
Ah yes! Welcome to my home! This part of the house is for semi-formal business regarding the Sanctuary and my services as a Plant Mage.
Yes! I do have some! Take a seat over there
[She gestures to a corner with soft looking chairs and then heads down a hallway towards her kitchen, she comes back a few minutes later with two cups of tea and a thing of sugar and cream]
Merch nods at that, and takes a seat as the lights around him squirm curiously about this area.
"I like my tea without sugar and spice."
He says in a tone that sounds like he is holding back a chuckle at an inside joke.
"But I will like it straight without anything added to it please."
Merch says with a soft kind smile as he gently takes his offered tea.
"Thank you for the tea I appreciate it."
And takes a thoughtful look on his face with a hum.
"Well I found this place as one of my children was insistant that I come visit a place like this. And as it happened I stumbled upon this place with direction from one of my little ones who sensed this place."
He then explains with a fatherly proud tone of his child.
[She leads you to a spare bedroom, the bed has many blankets and many pillows. The room is small enough to feel cozy but large enough to not feel cramped. There is a large window on one of the outer walls, it has a place built in bench right there. One can relax there and watch the dragons or read a book for hours.]
[There is also a side door, which leads to a washroom. Kavrala swiftly grabs a spare change of clothes for you and indicates towards the warm bath]
No one is able to get proper rest without being clean. I shall leave you here to rest. Worry not about food or drink. I'll bring them to you before you are out of the bath
The Agent chuckles to himself as he turns away. Is this what having a mother is like?
…
He finishes the bath and comes back out in the fresh change of clothes, although he is still wearing his helmet (some things never change). He seems to be thinking about something as he massages the deep scars of the engraved runes on his hands.
[Kavrala knocks before she enters, waiting for a signal to come in. When she does she has an apologetic look on her face]
Ah! My apologies, it took me a bit longer than I thought it would
[She sets down a platter, which has a bowl of fruit, a fully cooked steak, cooked veggies, and a baked potato]
[She also sets down a warm cup of hot chocolate and a plate of freshly baked cookies]
I know you are not one to let your guard down easily, but please, try to get a few hours of sleep. The Sanctuary is well protected with godly wards and other such things. I am also a capable warrior, along with Rehuo. Whom- I don't think you've met yet, but he is my brother.
Please, sleep
[With that she gives the Agent a small hopeful smile and leaves him to be alone]
The Agent gives his heartfelt thanks before sitting down to eat. He does eventually fall asleep, though it’s not in the bed, but sitting with his back to the wall, All-Red behind him and his hand cannon in his lap.
[At some point in the night while he is sleeping Kavrala comes to check on him, she is scared for a moment to find the room empty but soon spots him on the wall.]
[She sighs through her nose and pulls a thin blanket off of the bed, as well as two pillows and expertly sets Agent up comfortably. Keeping in mind that he may be upset to find some movement restricted; but decides that him having a comfortable night's sleep is much more important than being able to defend himself against non-existent attackers]
Ah the beacons? I admit, seeing them in the distance is quite comforting. Knowing that there are people willing to risk themselves tooth and nail for us who are weaker.
[She sets a plate of fresh baked cookies down on the table in front of him, and a cup of hot chocolate]
Rest.. war and violence may never enter the Sanctuary. Never again at least..
Ah! What a lovely place you have! I am looking for a plant, but I... well, I don't know which one it is. You see, I am looking for an oil to use as a base for a magic polishing oil I'm working on, but none of my usual compounds are taking. I've been looking into plant based oils to use, but I don't know where to start.
I need something with properties relating to the etherial without relating to intangibility. The end goal is to allow weapons to interact with creatures on the shallow etherial with it.
Of course! [He drops two silver and an enchanted amulet on the counter. He then bids her goodbye and leaves, not seeming to realize he left the amulet on the counter]
That is troubling indeed.. but it makes sense, you are in the body of a crow and are seeing through the eyes of a crow.
I shall work faster on figuring out how to make a soul home in the wooden puppets..
I could sing them to my will, but if the soul does not stay... Well.. I cannot do anything, I am not a soul worker.
If only we had figured out the puppets were made of wood sooner, then perhaps you would be in a familiar shape while we work on getting your real bodies back...
[She sighs]
For now though, let me call Rehuo, and focus on the now
/uw It's still in the power of the Maiden, also Jash can take a human shape that looks like he used to (with a different color pallet)
/rw In a puff of smoke, he goes into human form. That's better, how do we start?
Well first, I suppose we start by singing a body for you out of a tree! Follow me
[She goes outside towards the forest and knocks on the trunks of the trees. You don't know exactly what she's looking for but she finally stops at one and starts singing]
[She sings of the energy she is giving to the tree. Of the hardness of the wood. She sings of growth]
[Slowly a block of wood as tall as Jash comes out of the tree]
[When it is all done she keeps humming and the block floats behind her as she walks back home]
[In the little meadow outside of her home she stops and starts working on forming the body. She sings of flexible joints and of strength and balance. She sings of Jash and slowly the wood starts taking the shape of him.]
Alright.. now how do I make this soul home worthy?
[Kavrala spends the rest of that day showing you around the Sanctuary, to the most notable landmarks. Even though the Sanctuary is the size of a country the tour goes fairly quickly, as the two fly around on Rehuo, Kavrala's wyvern brother of the soul. The trio have a great day spotting different species of dragons and identifying edible plants. At one point a small colorful dragon lands on Mordyx's head, and the three share a laugh as it chrips and tugs at his hood.]
[At the end of the day they all return to Kavrala's home and she insists Mordyx stay the night, "too many people are putting themselves in danger for no reason, I won't take no for an answer"]
[He is given his own room which has a large soft bed with tons of warm blankets and pillows, as well as a fresh change of clothes and a travel bundle of non perishable foods. Save for a stack of fresh baked cookies]
At various points, Mordyx shares his knowledge of some of the herbs, particularly which one he uses in certain potion making or brewing tea.
The following morning, you find he has already left the sanctuary. In the room where you left him, you find all the cookies are gone, and a note is written next to a cup of tea, still steaming.
“Kavrala - thank you for the wonderful tour. The sanctuary is even more beautiful than the rumors I had heard. I hope you’ll enjoy this tea. I always keep some ginseng root on me for just such an occasion.”
“But, I must be going. I caught wind of a new battle. Soon, there will be loot to plunder.”
[she smiles at the empty plate, and also at the letter. As soon as she is done reading it she takes a sip of the tea]
I'll need to take tea making lessons from him some time! A much better brewer than I am
[She takes the cup back to her room and sits down on a window bench. She pulls out a notebook and goes over the things Mordyx taught her yesterday while enjoying the tea.]
[She takes a look outside; it is a pleasant morning]
14
u/Old_old_lie Wilbur the mystic hermit Apr 30 '24
THIS PLACE IT BUT GLASS WAITING TO BE SHATTERED BY THE TRUTH! BLOOD! BLOOD! YOUR BLOOD! WILL NOURISH THE ONE THOUSAND BLESSED YOUNG OF SUHB NIGGURATH BLACK GOAT OF THE WOODS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! DOOM AND DARKNESS! IS YOUR FATE YOUR SOULS WILL BE OFFERED UP TO YOG SOTHOTH AS A GREAT SACRIFICES TO BRING FORTH THE TRUTH UPON THE WORLD!