Session 35

22/3/1564BM

The hand of fate talks about some of their options for the two children under their care now, perhaps to take them to become wards of the church? Perhaps help them live somewhere else? Making their way back to the hotel they break apart. Alar and Daren go off on a walk, Daren having things he needed to bring up. Greta goes upstairs and checks in on the kids, Demor talking to her for a short bit, that both of them are fine and holding up, his best plan is that they will find of the small wood elven villages for them two to live. Greta suggests the church as an option but he rejects the unified church because it isn’t elven and rejects the Geldic pantheon for the same reason. He also mentions that Mura has been a bit weird in the past few hours, that she was warming up to society and being more talkative but now she got rather quiet again.

Daren and Alar go for a walk around the city, Daren being quite up front about how he really wanted to dig into the truth behind Alar and his organization in Nashel. At first Alar responds with a vague “organizing and teaching people” Daren presses on the issue, that he mentions how he spoke to Keldwin and got some answers that he would rather hear explained from Alar. Alar goes into detail, that he is raising people into a new system of belief, and then that with belief comes power and the ability to spread influence across the world. Daren wonders what the end goal is, Alar pausing for a second “”To fulfil my density” to in a way get closer to god, gods or divinity. Daren comments “it can be dangerous to think this is a worth presumption, that one can approach the divine”. Alar responds with a cold “If I was really ready and worthy right now to be a god, I would be”. Daren thanks Alar for the honesty and the two make their way back. Daren agrees to keep quiet, as long as it doesn’t cause any problems, laying the statements that “If it does get bad, may fate guide us”. Alar asks his own counter questions, Can Daren give up being the dark one? That perhaps his symbol being small does not mean diminished but instead it is more concentrated and potent.

Back at the hotel, the tavern first floor Libra lets it be known that his ability has let him do a small bit of new magic, so he can disguise self like Daren is able to. Flynnic has been drinking the night over, an impressive thirteen drinks before he sets himself in the corner and lets the night take his sleep. Daren tries to beat that as well, ordering this fine mulberry wine that the tavern has.

Greta goes upstairs to address the situation with Mura. Opening the door Demor sees himself out and goes downstairs to wait. Greta enters the room with Alar, she is closed off, still and clearly uncomfortable, she looks concerned as if the two people coming in means something bad for her. Greta opens with the basics, asking of mood and situation, if anything feels different, she responds with plain and short answers. Alar sees this and uses message to tell her in her mind to “Tell the truth” she looks quite scared at this and folds, telling those two at once that she “would like to go up north” she doesn’t know why or how or anything but she feels called to this, Alar notices the mood and decides to see himself out for now so that Mura can trust just Greta. Greta explains that she and the group all understand how it feels to think and feel weird things, that no matter what it is they want to help her. Greta feels an odd sensation on her mind, something familiar but different. Like a cat scratching at a door, she mentally accepts this and hears in her mind “I am not sure what I a or where this came from” as Greta hears the mental connection from Mura, not a new feeling for her but one still not great. Greta asks when this started and Mura notes that it is quite new, she comments that “I don’t always feels like I am the only one in my head”. Greta asks if it speaks to her and Mura nods. Greta asks how this other thing makes her feel she responds “its not good or bad, but it makes me feel small”. Greta asks more if this other voice told her to go north, Mura isn’t sure but she known that she feels like she must go somehow, she doesn’t know the details or where or if she should go with anyone else but she is called to go north. Greta asks if she can ask this “other” if it has a name or title, something to attach itself with, Mura sits and breaths, meditation like a trance but after a few minutes she opens her eyes and looks back saying “why would you listen to an ant?”Greta is starting to put the pieces together and asks if Mura would like to speak to Daren about this. Mura accepts, but tells Greta to not tell Demor about this, she doesn’t want to worry him. Greta goes down and gets Daren and he goes up to speak with Mura. Daren sits down and says “So, you can communicate in without words?” in her mind he directs “So can I” she is again unnerved by this but nods her head. Daren reassures her that everything she is experiencing is fine, that she still has control in who she is and what she does, and that the power she holds can be used for good. He tells her also yet that life will change, yet it will change in accordance with her will, that she can make her life how she wants it to be. Daren asks questions about when this started, Mura tells how when she was in isolation she felt like she was the only thing present but that once she got out it feels more like her original self is coming back and the way she felt in that chamber has stayed, that something didn’t leave her. Daren is getting a sort of Déjà vu, that he remembers his own life in this way. when he was lost in the deep desert, trying to find meaning at the bottom of long buried monuments and structures, when he first found the weapon, that blade of fine shadowsteel, how his life changed. He surmises that like him, Mura is a warlock of some kind, a magic user for the gods or spirits on the other side but one with less organization that comes with a priest or cleric. He tells her that her feelings of going north, she should follow them, that she needs to learn about herself out there in the world, that running from your problems doesn’t lead to growth, confrontation does. He tells her that great power can come her way, he tells of the spells he can do, and even shows off some illusion spells. Mura, being put in a better mood now is warming up, she feels less worried about her state now that she doesn’t feel trapped and alone. She asks Daren “what happen to you when you followed the calling?” he responds in a simple way he got control, he found his friends, he found wonder and adventure, and he found purpose. He removes his black bow from around his neck, “here, I want you to have this” she looks at the bow with confusion. “it lets you focus your power, to keep it bound and regular, it organizes” Daren says. Mura gives it back to him and turns her head, indicating to tie it in her hair, he does so. Daren also pulls out a dagger from the bag of holding, a decorative knife and sheath and gives it to her “you can use magic, but you also may need this”. He also gives her one of the bag of platinum they had, twenty inside, a small fortune. Daren asks what next, she says she needs time to think this over, he tells her to carefully consider everything, make sure she really want to do what she wants to do. She agrees and tells Daren to once again not tell Demor and that she will come down when she is ready. Daren leaves and goes back downstairs, stealing himself and keeping calm despite the emotions, deep words where said, some to Mura and some perhaps also to himself.

Continuing down in the hotel bar the group lays low, card games played out, Daren tells Demor that Mura just wants the night alone and that they will get him a room. After sometimes Daren heads outside and goes invisible, going in front of the window of Mura, knowing perhaps that she may choose to leave. Late but not too late her window opens, she jumps down from the second floor to the street and cautiously makes her way out of the city. Daren follows in pursuit, keeping invisible. As she is just to the wall gate he drops the invisibility and confronts her, a slight panic in her face as she sees him, thinking she may be caught. Instead Daren pulls out a travelers sack filled with a variety of things needed for adventuring: food, clothes, tent and sleeping supplies, waterskins, fifty feet of hempen rope, thing of that nature. He also gives her one of the magical ion stones that they got, the one that prevents death, he also places one of the bands of lost and found in the bag bottom, knowing that she may yet need to be sought out. He gives her a final “Good luck” as she leaves, an adventurer is born.

Back at the bar Demor eventually goes to his room and the hand of fate is down here, Daren tells Greta the hard news that Mura choose to leave, Greta obviously is quite worried about this but Daren assures her that he has power and ability and is not forsaken, he gave her supplies. Still worried yet Greta starts a tab of her own and drinks, the odd connections in her mind, those children from the lair of Igdye, where they like Mura, what happened to them? Libra commends this action, that he helped someone saying “You are a good friend, and a good man”. The group go to bed, a more than full day and stressful indeed.

23/3/1564BM

Greta and Joenes go out on a walk in the morning, clearing their mind from the trails of last night. Daren, left at the bar is the one who has to give the news to Demor as he walks out to the main area. “you should sit down” Daren says to Demor, worried but fine enough Demor sits. “You sister, she choose to leave last night” Daren tells Demor about what happened, not going into extreme detail but enough for Demor to get the idea, Demor is unsurprisingly quite angry at this. “You let her leave?” he asks, anger in his voice. “She choose to go alone, she didn’t want to worry you” Daren responds. Demor says, strained in his voice “You let a young girl go out into this world alone, one who has been struggling?” Daren tells him about the band of lost and found and shows him the paired ring. She looks at it strangely. “what is this?” he demands. “it’s a ring, that points to another ring which is with Mura at the moment. She wanted to go at this alone, following her would be against her wishes” Daren says. Demor snatches the ring, stands up “you come in here to this town and you tear down our family and now you take what I had left? If I was not without a weapon, I would strike you” Daren pulls out a short sword and offers it to him. “no I do not want anything to do with you” and Demor leaves the hotel. Daren thinks these moments over in his head for a few moments, Greta and Joenes coming back and wondering what happened. Daren tells them, and the other members of the hand of fate. Daren decides to use sending to Mura saying “Your brother Is coming after you, if you do not wish him to find you, take the ring from your pack and throw it out” she responds with “ahh, fine, ok” in an exasperated tone. Greta lets her anger boil over, she is understandably quite mad at Daren for how he mishandled the situation, now both of the kids are gone and on their own, Demor with nothing to his name. she remarks that in giving the choice of freedom to Mura in a way it was taken away from Demor. The group is left angry and hurt at the situation. The group decides to head out for the day, that it would be good for Joenes to see his family, his church and his paladin order. Walking out of the city and along the road to Shasal. The rest of the day goes without issue and they stop at the same encampment they did on the way here, sleeping well under the stars.

24/3/1564BM

The day goes well, pace is made and they get to Shasal mid afternoon, getting a simple enough room for the night and dinner at separate places, they decide that they will not stay long in Shasal and may visit stuff on the way back.

25/3/1564BM

Further north they head, the large built up Sirin roads well paved and marked and easy for travel, good places to rest on the whole of the way. At night the group goes their ways, Greta goes off on her own to the woods, telling Joenes that she is going of to try and prayer. She heads off and starts to play with the bones in a way, a ritual building of sorts, that makes shapes and forms, she avoids some of the symbols she made last time, knowing that this is an odd method for contact. She makes a symbol with a triangle and a circle and a line crossing both, odd but interesting. Her vision cuts out, blindness and if her eyes are closed yet unable to be opened. She is worried but not greatly so, the dark of it starts to fade into a sea of swirling red, oil like slick. She hears odd words that sounds almost slurred “fhgi vwur ehn hina largaathi” she feels pain, eyes opening up a pool of her own blood, her skin cut by thousands of small lacerations quite close to the door of death but Joenes and the other stand around her, his healing hands keeping her. They say she was laying like this, the bone symbol having been destroyed. She recounters her vision and what she did, the other worried but unsure. Joenes and Alar are able to pick up on this guess, red, physical pain and the symbol, signs point of Anjar, the inflict god of physical pain. He is one of the Unified Church gods. Daren gets an idea, that perhaps this is the way he is meant to communicate, he makes the symbol of Mornal on the ground. In a similar state he is blinded and passes out, his vision shows a women, wrapped in dark cloth and in a pale gray background of sorts, she turns her hand and shows a list of names, taking a finger and crossing the name “Gabriel Uluntai” out before he is sent back. Daren feels a deep pain from his check, checking it a deep scar exists, it looks as if someone took a knife and opened up his stomach, and while not seen his organs have suffered damage as well. Libra heals it with a greater restoration and the scar fades, pain fading as well but the mind being left hurt. Alar tries as well, these strange bones from a pufferfish being of use, he makes the scorpion symbol of Keldwin. Alar’s skin turns gray and then patches of red, his whole body and things he was holding turn to bloodstone, he is petrified. Libra at once goes greater restoration and the stone fades back. Alar’s vision quick he sees an area of gray stone and empty sky, pools on the ground of water that all reflect in them the desert. Alar recovers but is left disoriented. The group leaves the bones alone, Greta choosing to smash them apart with her hammer into fine dust and burry them away. Joenes uses a more traditional means of contact for his god, having a nice bright bonfire, leaving him with a pleasant heady feeling of joy. Another day of strangeness and so the group falls asleep, memories of injury still vivid.

Music

Rainy city music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38zi6aqnoAU

Mura warlock theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS0UmJdfybM

Bones ritual theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63L_Wr7jpcI

Session 36

26/3/1564BM

The journey continues, traveling along the northern pass road out from Shasal, most of the day is still spent in lite conversation, the little nothings to fill the vocal space. Greta tries to draw a mustache on Libra, and on the second time succeeds greatly. This because Libra continues to practice with disguise self and voice changing. Daren practices his flute, delivering a very solid performance at night. Alar studies his star map at night.

27/3/1564BM

As they are traveling by the river they take the midday lunch break to catch some fish. Pascal having a fun time, Alar using shape water to manipulate the fish right out of the river. Then making water into hoops in the air in which pascal flies through, who knew having a dragon would be so much fun. Libra continues with disguise self and Daren quips off the line “Look, just don’t be yourself”, this oddly causes Libra to go into another vision of his, one in which he sees himself with a walking stick and traveling like this, but the world doesn’t feel as aged. He sort of freezes up and the others notice Greta “Oh look he is dissociating” Flynnic says “Yippie!”

28/3/1564BM

Joenes takes this evening to make a large bonfire, it is the traditional day of church and so he makes an effort. The group takes down a number of trees and makes their own clearing, this right besides the already made clearing of the Sirinal military camps, but as only two other groups are present they don’t mind, some even join in to sing songs with Joenes and practice like this. Joenes prays and asks Fenasal if this is the right way, the smoke of the fire points northward all night long, he takes this as a sign of affirmation.

29/3/1564BM

Greta and Libra are both looking out and see some notable flora and fauna changes, Alar in turn helps point these out and explain what they are, the forest is starting to have some conifers mixed in with the trees, the summer climate getting more mild as they continue to travel up north. Squirrels are becoming more commonly red instead of gray here. Daren wears Alar’s grandfather’s gray coat cloak, Alar telling some stories but Daren responding “Those are the actions of a dead man, not of his coat” and continues on.

30/3/1564BM

Into the late afternoon, normal as the sights have been on the trail so far they encounter an odd sight. An ambush of sorts, three men in leather armor with some small metal plates, hardened and battle worn skin. Looking like perhaps former soldiers. The group recognizes them as bandits right away. Instead of violence they just feel pity. These bandits are so below them. Joenes just walks up, full resplendent armor shining in the sun. Daren says “yeah so cant you see who we are? This is a bad idea even trying to harm us”. Joenes walks closer and approaches without fear saying, hushed in a way that his speech means little to the bandits “You have a lot of never for someone within marauding distance”. Behind him Flynnic takes out his pan and moves in across his neck, looking at another bandit, an odd scare tactic but it works. Pascal now seen inspires yet more dread. Daren “and let me guess, its you three and some guys in the woods and behind us that are going to try and rub us right?” the leader in a shaky voice says “Uh, yeah I guess” Greta simply sits down to watch this show down. Joenes gets even closer still to the leader of the group, who now has pulled out a knife. Joenes whispers in his ear “Are you sure this is what you want?” the leader gulps “This wasn’t part of the plan”. The group takes their surrender and collects their weapons, more daggers and spears, a pike and a sword. Alar looks at the three bandits behind him and casting a sleep spell completely takes them out sleeping in an instant, not dead but quite like it looking. Setting them all up to the side of the woods they give them each a set of leatherworkers tools, an attempt to let them start their lives better. The bandits are left to their own, hope that they make yet change. As they are leaving Joenes takes off his helmet and says to the leader “Tell all those around you that The Scourge returns to his hunting grounds” the rest of the day goes well, who gets the collected weapons is decided and done with.

31/3/1564BM

The conversation of today is that of the whale in the jar and other curious magical items they have picked up along the way. the bag of badgers which yes still works well in fashion, an angry spitting badger coming out right when opened. Greta practices with a whip that one of the bandits had, getting good at it.

32/3/1564BM

They encounter a couple today on the road, while they will sometimes see single travelers or a carriage these folk stop to make conversation. Large travelers packs on their back. They comment on the group and all their fancy looking attire. These travelers tell how they are pilgriming down to Sinasa’in for the midsummer week to spend time with family, and it is the first time in years, the journey is about another thirty days out but they are hopefully, having already came from just near the border of Kotak. Nice conversation is made, food is given and traded and it’s a good talk all around. Also of the whole group plays a lot of bolder parchment sheers, a classic kids game but still fun.

33/3/1564BM

More of the off topic conversations occure, they have now branched off the main path onto a much smaller and less maintained road, still about as good as the ones in Adrea but different. The forest is much closer as well and they do not see anyone else the whole day. They talk about the process of wizard names and everyone makes up what they would be called if they became a master wizard. Alar goes into a long list about some famous wizards and their deeds. The nine current archimages of the magical school in Thalia: Omeprazol, Doxorubicin, Dextromephetamine, Balclofen, Amoxillin, Levothroxine, Clonidine, Narcan, and lisinopril. Odd, they note that the Kari does not have a name like this. They make a clearing and sleep in their tents like they are more accustomed to, bumpy ground but still doable.

34/3/1564BM

It is mid afternoon that Joenes turns down another path, and in about twenty minutes they arrive at his village. It is small and doesn’t have a proper name, he guesses that there are twenty homes and about 120 people here, if needed it is “the village 2 hours east of the church”. The sounds of rural life fill the air, a fire crackling, smoke from a few chimineas, a goat in a pen, some scant chickens. He sees a person after a few minutes, helmet taken off so as to be recognized. Sarilla looks up at him, confusion but yet recognition in her eyes “Joenes, your back! Its been so long sense we have seen you” she exclaims, brushing herself up she looks at the group “I see you brought equality fancy friends” they catch up on some of the basic town gossip before Joenes insists that he needs to be getting to see his family. Entering into his home, knocking on the door his mother is starting to make dinner, a small pot over a fire, not turning around she says “Oh well Felgra I didn’t think I would see you over until tomorrow” she turns and sees Joenes at the door, aghast for a second but catching herself “Joenes! It is so good to see you!” she exclaims, the voice that only a mother can tell. “You are certainly looking better than when we sent you off” she exclaims, looking at his armor. She explains how she was making up dinner but that she will need to make room for a good deal more, now paying attention to the rest of the group, with Pascal staying outside for the time being but sticking his head in the doorway. Joenes’s mother now quite shocked at the whole group. They each introduce themselves in turn to her, Faelis is a wood elven women who looks to be in about her thirties equivalent human age. She was originally expecting that for dinner it would be the four of them, Faelis and Davian Joenes’s mother and father, and Venesa and Samwise, Joenes’s older sister and her husband. Joenes also now getting the news that his sister got married just over a year ago, oh how things change. At this moment Joenes’s dad Davian comes in and sees the commotion. This burley man tall and strong looking, he takes no miss to go and hug Joenes, both catching up and remaking on how they have changed yet stared the same. A second round of introductions goes on, the hand of fate talking themselves even more. Davian goes to get some chairs from the neighbor, news quickly spreads that Joenes is back after a long three years. Joenes explains his journey, trying to stay humble, telling both how he wandered around Sirinal and then into Harash before meeting the hand of fate and going to Adrea and Kest, into briefly Thalia. A renowned world traveler, some short gossip about the village happens but largely they want to hear about adventures, the other members happy to add to the story when Joenes is being to humble. Before long another knock is heard on the door, Venesa and Samwin. Joenes rushes up to greet the two at the door, a genuine and heartfelt “How’s it going” catching up the two of them like no time is passed, only a two year difference between them in age and so always been close. Venesa introduces her husband Samwin, who remarks how much he has heard of Joenes and glad he gets to meet the man. They tell of their wedding and then now their current life, living out about three hours away with Samwin’s parents for now until they can get a place of their own. Joenes feeling sad about missing the wedding takes out a platinum coin along with a nice golden bracelet, gifts as a form of trying to make it up. Shocked at this generosity but quite accepting. Venesa, as well is pregnant asking politely “How far along are you” she guesses to be about three months. Eventually sitting down at the dinner table and joining the rest of the group a wonderful family gathering occurs, a time to get together. the night goes long, a simple potato and pork stews is made but the seasoning of family makes it all the better. the group recounts their major events. About meeting in the desert village, then traveling across to Adrea and helping the houses in Warnek, to going south and saving Vodras form the chaos sisters, then to Kest to meet the mother of Pascal and defeat a bone dragon, then spending good time in Nashel and now visiting here after dealing with Alar’s family. Faelis asks about which house Alar comes from, he finally taking off his mask, the blood shot eyes a bit unnerving but telling of him from House Istraia. All manor of details are shared, for owning a sandwich shop, to running into old friends. The night goes quite late, but not so late to draw from sleep. Tomorrow is Sunday and so off to church it is, with the plan to join. Alar sneaks off and makes the journey to go to the home where Venesa and Samwin are staying, he casts the long ritual version of plant growth, shaping the very soil with vigor and strength.

35/3/1564BM

The dawn of the morning light feels like and is home. Waking up and getting ready a good portion of the village makes their way along a well worn path to the church that acts as a hub between many of the small town and villages within the area. it’s a two hour trek but many people are chatting up about the new guests and the return of Joenes, talk of the whole town you would say. Flynnic riding on Pascal the way, and the group dressing in their nicer green hand of fate cloaks. Oddly no one has heard of them, this area gets very little news, people continue to be fascinated with Libra and even Greta. Getting to the church it is an impressive structure, for a moment Joenes remembers the words of that dragonborn mystic down in Kest, that this church will burn. Yet he pays it little mind. This church hold to the classic unified church style, a tall central spire with stained glass, the picture a bright flame shaped like a man, symbols around him in gold for the first ten names of Fenasal. Going inside he meets briefly his priest Desavo, a welcome home as well and an acknowledgment of the others. saying “ah Joenes, it is good to have you seen well, I hope that your time in the world has only brightened the light within you of Fenasal” “The world has been well to me, I have found and discovered much”. inside the church a warm glow of the fire illuminates the interior. The symbol of the elemental gods displayed above the stage, four glass bowls and in each the element, at the top is right and bottom is water, to the right is an empty bowl for air and the left one filled with dirt for earth. Desavo in time begins to preach, hymns are sung and a light accompaniment from a harp is heard. The church service goes on well, Desavo giving a message about hope and return, with some less than subtle words directed at Joenes with praise. When the alter plate is passed around our line sees it filled with a few pieces of silver and copper and decide to poor out their generosity, each putting in ten gold into the basket, Greta secretly slipping in an eleventh gold to try some favor for the gods here. The unification ceremony occurs, with Desavo telling the crowd, but more the guests that those in the unified church are bound together as one each Sunday but for those outside please come down and get a blessing. Joenes gets the binding, which is a paste of mixed ash and oil that is drawn into a circle on the top of your hand, Daren sees this and thinks himself a member of the church, he is the champion of Mornal of course, so he receives as well. as service ends he whispers off a prayer to Mornal “alright, we will see what happens” hope in a way. After the service Joenes talks more to Desavo, about his journey but also his spiritual and religious growth, a rare theological side of Joenes is seen with merits and also Joenes tells about his time when agents of the water god Delas attacked and killed him, how he saw a wet and oceanic vorpal space. Desavo reassures that often when you die the thing with the most recent pull has your destination but that all light leads to Fenasal. Joenes also recounts the dream in which he say two of the names of Fenasal and the priest is overjoyed, this the most special of places. The rest of the group hangs back, interacting with the people of the crowd but listening in as able. Joenes asks if there is a wax seal/emblem of Fenasal that can be added to his armor, getting them out and conducting a ritual in the church, one with hot coal flame and temperature the metal is made moldable and pressed into shape of this new symbol. It is not as if the armor felt incomplete before but not it wells more complete, perfect. Walking back to village the group entertains the children along the way, Daren using scient image and prestigitation to make colorful scenes. For these kids this is their first exposer to magic and may be one of the few they see in their life. Daren and Greta recount other common stories such as “The halfling of back and their again” and other fun works. The group chooses to stay the night, another long conversation into the evening over lunch and dinner.

36/3/1564BM

The group stays another day, more time to talk and catch up and share. Taking away chores and responsibilities from his family. Greta and Flynnic are chiefs in the kitchen and make away the meals for the day and for many around the village. Alar works to restore and remake the local forests and repair any plant caused damaged to homes. Daren works well to chop wood, gathering a many weeks supply ready. Alar also teaches people to write their names, giving out paper but also making a small alphabet book for the whole village.

37/3/1564BM

Getting ready to leave and making all the last minute preparations, saying goodbye to darn well most of the village that has gathered to do a sendoff of our hand of fate. Daren makes his teleportation circle to the great city, some would say the greatest city of Sirinala’av. In a moment they vanish as the circle erupts in light.

Music

Travel ambience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBkcwy-iWt8

Daren practicing the flute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfXQ2JAa9L0

Bandit fight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKRLBwiP_Qo

Angry badger theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8LEXGefwMA

Church of Fenesal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUoFAt4L51o

Session 37

37/3/1564BM

 We enter into the teleportation room of the city of Sirinala’av. Two figures stand in front of them, one dressed is cream colored priestly garments, staff in hand with the pointed symbol of Valan on top, the other in a dark green military robe, arm exposed revealing his rank as a seven. The priest is speaking and caught up in the middle of his sentence “no, I know that my magical reserves could be used for food but at the moment it must be kept for any possible intrusion” as he gestures towards the group, the general in turn says “Well fine enough, but my orders where to at least ask”. Our group, always the mixed sight is greeted by the priest “Welcome, what city do you come from and what news do you hold?” he asks, Daren responds “we come from the far north, a good few days out of Shasal, why would we bring news?” the priest in turn asks “well what’s the situation up there then?” Greta asks “Situation?”. The priest sighs and starts to explain the state of the city. In short, Sirinala’av is under attack from a large army of skeletons that came from the north, they are seven days into the siege and while no massive damage has been done it seems the army grows, reinforcements for Sirili to the south have arrived and those from Sinasa’in to come shortly. The group asks more questions and the eventually makes their way out, strange as always with a dragon and their stand out nature in general, but their goal is to see the situation on the group. Seems their wishful holiday has once again been taken over by fate, destiny handed to them if you will. Making their way outside of the central area of the city they go to the gates to get into the middle city ring, passing through a check point the group is told, like others in line to set aside weapons and armor, cloaks and other means of concealment. While our heroes are well capable to get past this if they wanted it does little to not comply, but they might as well try to get out of it. So, when stopped at the point they talk and try to get past without the need , Flynnic activates his natural charm and says “General Korris Pelmor sent us, we need to pass the gate at once”. the guards look at Flynnic, his dragon and the rest of the group and promptly let them pass, going into the middle lair they see the more open vast city, large and dense city blocks, often four or five stories tall, they cross the great river and then go to the north bank, crossing the second wall crossing and this time trying to get past, but the guards seem less willing to let them pass and so they do the second best option, malicious compliance, the whole groups takes out their weapons, all of their weapons even those from the bag of holding, portable hole and everything else, dozens of blades, weapons and other implements of war are brought out as show. While in line they hear from behind “I think its them, five elves, and a blue dragon, it must be” rumors of the group do spread over the desert. Finally allowed to cross once passed through the basic security the go to the third wall, seeing large amount of troop movement they eventually find someone in charge, Enter general Helves Krisnal. Seeing the group, he looks at them “You don’t look like my standard men, wait, are you those ones from Adrea, helped steady Warnek, saved Vodras?”. Alar “that we are, the Hand of Fate at your service”. Helves says “well it’s an honor to be in your presence, lets get you a look at the situation” he guides them up to looking at the top of the outer wall. Getting to the top of it they look out and see the scene of their attackers. A ravaged field, and a few men patrolling out near a trench. Asking about the situation they learn from Helves that its been seven days since the Skeletons arrived, they seem very much like those Skeltons encountered a good few days ago up north, reports of moss and ability to reconstitute from the bones are happening, but the current prevailing theory is that these are from restless spirits, and so churches are holding vigils and prayer ceremonies. Daren and Joenes both ask questions on strategy and situation, learning that while the skeletons are quite manageable at the moment it seems only so because they have not attacked in mass, he also tells them about the food ability of the city, how northern food imports have greatly fallen. The group speculates that based on evidence the Ossuary, taking a good view of the situation the group heads out to the city, planning on getting rooms and finding an inn called Marvin’s, three rooms are gotten and they buy them for a few gold, now having a place to stay the group is able to break for the day and go about what they want it. Flynnic goes and explores the city, on the back of Pascal he spreads joy and positivity, many people see the two and rejoice. Joenes goes and reports to the military, learning more in depth about the cities situation and logistics, good news is that at the moment it seems steady and the city is holding fast, but they guess that if the entire army present attacked a large section of the city would fall, and if the army crossed the river who knows what would happen, also the continual reinforcement is concerning.  Ideas for a preemptive attack with a gathering of powerful allies is in the works, but the hand of fate could take the action further out. Alar went out and used his magic to create good berries and talked to people, giving hope and some subtle messages that align with the ideas of Keldwin.

Libra and Greta head to the grand unified church, it being the head of the of the whole Unified Church. A large basilica, pale and tan in color with decorated carved designs on the outside, a grand structure in its right. Inside they enter, a congregation of those worshiping, this church being made up of twelve smaller chapels and then a large central chapel, many priest standing on the dais. Libra and Greta look around, trying to find an open priest to talk about, a man dressed in a vibrant green, long white and wise beard adorned, Libra asks if he is or knows any of the pilgrim priest who go to the ossuary, this priest Liam Tresad says that he personally isn’t but he points out a women on the lower dais and recommends speaking with her, Kilon Jemma. So going down and waiting patiently at the foot of the stage until they are addressed, then Kilon comes over and asks of their need. Kilon is wearing a pink robe and hold a Crozius staff, with a symbol on top of a triangle and a line, but not knowing which god it follows. She tells them about the ossuary and her experience with it, that she would take pilgrims and sometimes the dead, how it is a massive city, perhaps four or five times as large as Sirinala’av but not very vertical, it’s a mass graveyard in form strewn head stones and monuments to the forgotten lie in the place, underground mausoleums and caverns. They also ask her about any spiritual disturbances or things or the sort and she hasn’t had experience with any but that the place does have a very unique feeling about it. The two are more satisfied on the information gained, now at least aware of the situation.

Daren feels a tug at his soul, not an external one but internal, knowing that he must do something he doesn’t want to. To visit the church of Mornal, for clarity and for understanding. Making his way close he approaches, undisguised in his true self. The flow of people into the church coming and going, wearing his royal Adrean cloak. Entering in the atmosphere is unique, dark and yet candlelit, the stained glass shedding multipart shadows, many of those parishioners inside area wearing all black and almost look like mourners. Looking out he sees above the stage a large painted depiction of Mornal, Mornal of the confluence as the specific epithet. Also he sees large stone tablets on the wall, gold words written in celestial reading on one each tablet “the dark one will be created from greatness”, “the dark one gather the shadows”, “the dark one will grow in power”, “the dark one travel with true light”, “the dark one will save the faith”, “the dark one will embrace the truth”, “the dark one will topple kingdoms”, and lastly “the dark one defeat death”. These eight truths about the dark one, a figure hidden and yet now revealed in Daren Stormraven. Two of the head priests at the front come up to the circle on the dais and speak loudly “Brothers and sisters, our prayers are answered, the one we have predicted has arrived!” the crowd starts to murmur among themselves he continues “you know who you are, step down, him looking at Daren”. Daren, under his breath “well, here goes” as he walks down with projected confidence. Getting to the stage the head priest greets him and takes him aside and behind a door, now Daren, the head priest and the other top priest are gathered. “So, you here are out answer, you are the dark one” the head priest remarks. Daren “yeah I guess, to be honest I don’t know that much, I found out about this from a book off in Adrea”. The other priest, she says “But he has spoken to you yes, Mornal has made you, his champion?” Daren says in turn “Yes he has, I was told of this and know it, but I don’t know what it means”. The head priest, introduces himself as Mark Verki and the other priest introduces herself as Kara Verki. They talk as they go down to the chamber of sacred artifacts, telling him about the faith and being excited, just because he is unknowing doesn’t mean he isn’t destined for greatness. Going into the chamber, it seems this stone is quite old and sacred in a way, Daren sees a few objects, a black book, two tablets of stone that are the original prophetic depictions of the dark one prophecy, an ornamental knife in a glass box and of note, the Crozius of Mornal, the original staff that was used by the first high priest. Black ebony wood as its handle and the symbol of Mornal in dark metal atop the staff. An object of deep reverence. Accepting this position, and feeling with it he takes up the Crozius, and putting on ink black vestments he puts on the decorations of priesthood and walking in a solum way behind the other two walks up and out of the chamber into the main church. Moving on the stage a hush falls over the crowd and he moves to the center circle of the dais, saying “I have seen the power of Mornal wielded within me” and he slams the Crozius down on the floor, a bright circle of radiant light fills the space, an almost halo of sorts, the floor is transmuted, a ring of gold almost burned into the stone stage, further accenting it. all are witness to the miraculous power of Mornal, god’s decision to identify Daren. The high priest mark raises his hands and chants “for he who has come on high, bound in darkness and power, to be a witness to light, in saving the faith with the spirit of truth. To topple kingdoms and defeat death, that is our dark one” he exclaims, the crowd falling to their knees in almost posturing worship. Daren has been made champion, in the eyes of god and man. Daren does feel something different; he sees the symbol of Mornal behind the priests present, Mark telling him that he now carries the priestly vision. The crowd, their prophecy fulfilled, and prayers answered stays and praises for quite a while, Daren mostly standing and thanking people for a while, after many few hours he goes back, taking on the mantle of his old life again in his clothes and going back to meet up with the group. Passing the wall check point he again empties out his weapons and also the Crozius to the guard’s astonishment. Daren sharing the news with the group on him now being the official dark one and telling the group some but still processing his feelings. Going to bed down for the night the group goes into their rooms, Pascal outside in the stables and Alar finding a place on the streets so that Greta can have her own room. Out in a small corner Alar uses the seaside spear and his blood pendent to try and craft a Crozius of his own, seeing Daren’s has inspired him and his religious devotion.

In their rooms at night few things happen, Daren seeing the change of his day once again uses his spell bound energy to cast commune, yet it feels different like the struggle that was present is passing, his vision changes into that of a stone room, simple and plane with a man standing to the side, dressed in black fine clothes of a suit. Daren says “I guess we are more on speaking terms then?” Mornal “Yes you could say that” he chuckles a bit, “well ask away, lets talk” he says. Daren asks “tell me about the skeletons of the city” “well they come from the ossuary, that you figured out easily enough, but their purpose and reason, hard to say”. Daren a bit confused “Don’t you know almost everything because you’re a god?” “you could say so, but my knowledge has some limits on it, thing I can’t see or know”. “well where is the source of this, where do the skeletons come from?”. Mornal, chewing on the words a bit “they come from the center of the ossuary, the deep caverns below” “how do we get there?” “the path is something that changes often, I cant give you a map but I know you will find it”. Daren ponders then asks “So what is the source, what caused this?” “a threat long sealed away, beings that had been cast out from this world, things called the Fae”, he continues “You faced one recently, Alar’s false cousin the thing that took skin shape”. Daren asks “Will killing this Fae stop the problem?” responding Mornal Says “Honestly I don’t know, but its certainly a possibility”. Daren, knowing that his normal five questions are long dried up continues to talk. “So, it seem this is a more chill relationship now, and I do prefer this form over the others I have seen, no offence”. Mornal responds “you can’t offend me, each form a side of myself, one part of the broad truth”. Both sitting in a small silence Mornal asks “So, anything else while you’re here?”. Daren thinks for a second, but not wanting to overstay “No, but this was better, keep it like this please” Mornal smiles “think well” as Daren’s vision fades back to the awake world. He gathers the rest of the crew and tells them about this problem, and now the goal is set, get to the ossuary and kill the Fae, they plan out how to get there, using magic and spells, ability and the like and figure that they should be able to fly the entire way as giant eagles. Their idea set the head off to bed. Flynnic dreams of a beautiful island cliff side landscape, a place in the vorpal realms that is a calm sea, a peaceful black sand beach, it’s a relaxing break from the real. Greta dreams of great forests, the mighty and ancient trees, she spends time climbing one of them, a multi hundred feet tall beast, and reaching the top is surrounded in a sea of green and mist. Tranquil in its own right.

Music

Sirinala’av city https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddMSMwKQkKI

Unified church ambience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoHDlthBypY

Mornal church ambience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy80Dhbl8vE

Dark one theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdlvgIFdNZU

Daren theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KwW7C8BTjg

Island ocean dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn9F19Hi1Lk

Forest dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNN7iTA57jM