The wounds on the Formless One heals, and it turns its attention to Vincent.
Vincent tries to parry it with his cane, but is unused to the balance and misses the parry.
He is then slapped by its multiple tentacles.
Vincent collapses onto the ground as he is brutally pounded unconscious by the massive formless one.
Leonard is crushed by the stomach walls of the Formless one.
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Claude 5' steps back to the doorway, and then Howard reaches around, touching Claude, Vincent, and Seamus.
The party (sans Leonard) fades from existence with a pop, reappearing back at the entrance to the caravanserai.
"Right then," he says matter-of-factly. "Before we take another shot at that, let's prepare accordingly. Either that, or we simply try the other parts of the building."
Leonard is eventually digested by the formless spawn.
Leonard wakes up from a horrible nightnare, to find himself aching all over from being crumpled onto the ground with Seamus, Howard and Vincent's limbs piled all over him. He finds he cannot wake them up. The staircase has now shrunk to its normal size.
He remembers the horrible sensation of going down the gullet of the formless one, being slowly digested. Every time he closes his eyes, he can still feel the crushing stomach walls pulverizing his flesh.
Lesser madness gained:Night Terrors.
Effect:
Each night when the afflicted character sleeps, she must succeed at a will saving throw or wake up fatigued.
A character suffering from night terrors is plagued by persistent terrifying dreams, worry, or terror that impedes her from getting restful sleep. Each night the afflicted character must succeed at a saving throw or wake up fatigued, though multiple nights of night terrors do not increase the condition to exhausted, and an exhausted character with night terrors wakes up after 8 hours of sleep either rested or fatigued based on the success or failure of the saving throw for this affliction. Often a character suffering from night terrors will bolt upright during sleep, eyes open, and scream, though less-dramatic symptoms are also possible. A character who awakens fatigued from night terrors doesn’t count as having had a good night’s rest for the purpose of preparing new spells, and she can’t remove the fatigue until she gets a good night’s rest by succeeding at the Will save against night terrors.
Seamus takes the wand of CLW and eventually pokes Vincent awake and heals Claude. Vincent comes around seeing double and having a terrible headache from getting pounded to the ground, his body bruised and battered. Quite a number of wand charges later, he feels better.
Vincent checks the door to find that is neither locked nor trapped. He opens the door and finds that there is a secret door connecting the interior of the caravanserai.
The door into this room stands ajar, wedged open by a ledger that tumbled to the ground from within the room. A steep staircase on the southern wall ascends to area.
The office contains a low table and several dozen ledgers. The ledgers are brittle to the touch and crumble if not handled lightly, but each contains hundreds of pages of cramped handwriting.
Howard and Vincent have a look at the writing and find it indecipherable.
Vincent guesses that the ledger-writer may have been illiterate, and only mimicking written text. Howard realizes the truth - the bookkeeper was cursed so that letters and numbers would twist into illegibility as they were penned.
Ascending the stairway, the party finds themselves in tidy office which js sparse but tastefully decorated. Framed paintings of landscapes from the Dreamlands hang on the walls with descriptions of the places below, including a many-spired city with marble walls and brass gates (the city of Celephais); a windswept waste beneath a distant, ominous mountain (the Plateau of Leng); and a gloomy port city constructed primarily of basalt (the city of Dylath-Leen).
Standing behind a desk in this room is a man dressed in tattered yellow robes crafted from frayed caravanserai curtains, with a bushy, grey in beard, elaborately styled. He is studying the paintings as if searching for some cosmic truth when the party approaches.
"Hail good fellows!" He greets the party cheerfully. "I believe the threads of serenpedity work in marvelous ways and we have met before, except I can't quite remember when. It does not matter as Destiny follows our every action and in time, all will be revealed."
Leonard causes his blade to burst into flame as he tries to cut his way out.
The flaming blade does some damage to the stomach walls, but alas, it is not sufficient.
The stomach walls begin to close once more upon him, crushing his ribs and forcing the air out of his lungs.
Mercifully, at that point of time, Leonard passes out from the pain, sparing him from the agony of experiencing his body being mashed to a pulp.
”This Mad Poet you seek— an apt appellation, I assure you—has unimaginable power here in the Dreamlands, but he is fickle. Approaching the Mad Poet without the proper collection of gifts provokes his ire; worse, he might have nothing to do with you. Lowls learned some great truths from the Mad Poet; some truths so mind-shattering that I came into being as a result. I deem it serendipitous that I do not know what these truths are." The man answers Howard.
“Good gifts for the Mad Poet are scattered throughout the Dreamlands. They are rare, esoteric, and never easily gained. Lowls identified six or seven of these gifts. I recall writing them down on the flyleaf of Dichotomous Translations of Aklo Syntax, but I can’t recall what they were. Lowls painstakingly scoured his tomes to research each gift, learning where to find it in the Dreamlands and then dreaming of that location. I recommend you do likewise. Some of the gifts required trickery or guile to obtain; others, delicate negotiation or brute force. I don’t know the minimum number of gifts the Mad Poet will accept, but Lowls acquired all the gifts on his list. If you want to make do with fewer gifts, or if you have some problem acquiring them all, the Mad Poet might condescend to converse with you anyway. That’s up to you.“ The man suggests.
“Once you acquire sufficient gifts, return here. I’ll escort you to the Mad Poet’s oasis, and you can petition him yourself.”
Vincent checks the door and finds that it is neither locked nor trapped nor does he hear anything behind the door. He opens the door.
Eight-foot-tall walls enclose this rooftop, which served the caravanserai’s operators as a private balcony. It is exposed to the hot desert sun.
Having found the information they need, the party wake themselves up by concentrating on picturing their cabin on the Sellen Starling.
There is a brief sensation of vertigo, as if traveling through a thousand miles at the speed of light. They awaken aching from having fallen asleep in a heap all tangled over each other, with Leonard in a corner with a frightened expression on his face, but trying to hide it. The staircase has shrunk to its usual miniature size. They also find that the decanter of endless water, and the rusty magical scimitar that they picked up are no where to be found. Checking the wands of CLW that were used earlier, they find that no charges have been used.
Looking out of the cabin windows, the party realizes it is still night. Vincent checks the Dichotomous Translations of Aklo Syntax, referring to the marginalia that the man referenced, finding a list of seven gifts:
Viscount’s signet ring
Feline tail (blue and purple mottled fur)
Skull of ghoul royalty
Green stone idol of a water lizard
Night hag ambassador’s heartstone
Captain’s tricorne
Red webbed foot
To research the viscount’s signet ring, the party must read through the following titles: Elements through the Spirals of Time, Spiders of Sin and Sky, and Theological Agreements of the Kingdom.
Complexity 20
Languages Common
Research Check Knowledge (history), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (planes); Knowledge Bonus +0
kp 25
To research the feline tail, the party must read through the following titles: Monuments of the Forest, Tigers and Flies, and The Wise Harmony.
Complexity 20
Languages Aklo, Common
Research Check Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (planes); Knowledge Bonus +2
kp 25
To research the skulls of ghoul royalty, the party must read through the following titles: The Codex of Three Prescriptions, Manual of Silence, and The Unified Manual of Understanding.
Complexity 20
Languages Common, Necril
Research Check Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion); Knowledge Bonus +2
kp 25
To research the green stone idol of a water lizard, the party must read through the following titles: Festival of the Snake, The Forgotten Servants, and The Illusion of the Weeping Ones.
Complexity 20
Languages Common
Research Check Knowledge (history), Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion); Knowledge Bonus +2
kp 25
To research the captain’s tricorne, the party must read through the following titles: Emotions of the Past, The Shadow’s Ship, and Voyage of the Rainbow Servant.
Complexity 20
Languages Common
Research Check Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local), Knowledge (planes); Knowledge Bonus +0
kp 25
To research the ambassador’s heartstone, the party must read through the following titles: Atop the Valley’s Soul, The Falling Silk, and In Admiration of Keeping Pacts.
Complexity 20
Languages Common
Research Check Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (planes); Knowledge Bonus +2
kp 25
To research the webbed red foot, the party must read through the following titles: Curses of the Black Lake, Men and Vultures: Denizens of the Darkened Depths and Dead Skies, and Shards of Sight.
Complexity 20
Languages Common, Necril
Research Check Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (planes); Knowledge Bonus +2
kp 25
Leonard still manages to sleep despite having occasional flashes of being in the belly of the Formless One.
The party rests for the night, except for Howard who keeps keeps vigil using Keep Watch. Breakfast is served to the party, of a crayfish quiche, and cups of coffee.
Vincent and Leonard start trying to do research on where they might find the Viscount's Signet ring, reading through Elements through the Spirals of Time, Spiders of Sin and Sky, and Theological Agreements of the Kingdom.
Lowls learned that the viscount referenced is Viscount Pietro Brellin, a mysterious but popular noble in the Dreamlands city of Celephais.
According to one of Lowls’s travelogues, Celephais is an opulent and populous city. Although visitors and natives alike experience the passage of time normally in Celephais, the city appears frozen in time. Lowls visited at noon, and the sun remained at its zenith even though he spent hours negotiating with the viscount for his ring.
The party rests for the night after their research after having a dinner of yabbies with roasted garlic mayonnaise,pan fried snake head, clam chowder, and mushroom and white fish paella.
Leonard dreams he is back inside the gullet of the Formless Spawn. He feels the walls crushing against him, feels his ribs crack and break...he cannot breathe. He tries to find a way to escape, but there is none...
”We're heading towards Illmarsh. That region's known to be unfriendly so look sharp!” The party is woken by Captain Skywind yelling at her crew.”Aye Captain!” The crew answer in a chorus. Breakfast is brought in, of Fisherman's pie, and thick strong coffee by one of the crew members who starts complaining, ”Thar's naught good about that devilish fog out thar.”
The party looks out of the cabin windows. They see that a chill fog has rolled over the entire ship, and catch sight of cloaked figures on the Illmarsh wharves, 200 feet away. These figures are passing a long, barbed chain from one wharf to the other, rendering the jetties unapproachable by ship. Captain Skywind sees the party sticking their heads out of the cabin windows and hastens to reassure them, ”Don't worry, we can still proceed, we just need to navigate our way through the rocks. I've done it many a time before. I just need to be at the helm myself and pay attention.”
However, the party also spies a longship with amber sails looming out of the fog 1/4 mile behind the Sellen Starling, following in the keelboat’s wake. Before the party can catch more than a glimpse, the ship is swallowed by the fog and lost to view.
Howard, Vincent and Leonard spot four shapes in the water moving rapidly toward the Sellen Starling from the direction of the amber-sailed ship.Captain Skywind appears to be too busy steering the ship through the treacherous rocks to notice the vooniths.
Howard recognizes them as Vooniths and they are swimming towards the Sellen Starling.
Leonard gets up and walks out without saying anything as soon as the party wakes up. "Going to go stand out on the deck for a while, I'll be back for dinner."
I really don't feel well. I really don't feel well at all.
Tell me.
That awful stomach, I could barely move...couldn't even cast a spell. I've spent my whole life getting to where I am now, and I'm...just...not good enough. I still show weakness. I'm still human and vulnerable and alive and I don't want any of this. I thought I could get away, maybe, to grin and swagger and just get away. But it turns out that no matter what you do, you're still alive.
I thought you humans craved life. I thought you'd always known you'd die a good death with me in your hands.
Maybe...I'm not sure. I used to have a purpose in life, I used to be going somewhere, training for something, pushing myself past what most people can do. But as I was crushed and burned to death, I realized, "this isn't what I've been seeking." Death isn't a goal.
Death isn't a goal, the goal is to die having lived a life worth living.
No, that's never been it. I've never wanted that, I've just been trying to escape my lonesome and melancholy life.
You are not alone.
You are not enough
...
Leonard walks back down into the cabin slowly, rummaging around. Eventually, he pulls out a bottle of rum from a low shelf, sitting down next to Howard. "Well, I think there might be something wrong with me," he begins, pouring out a glass for himself. He drinks it quickly, and pours another. "I um...I really do. I think that I need some help, just to get through this night." He looks up at you, forcing a smile onto his nervous face.
"Okay, Skywind, you take the helm." Leonard draws Angiliath, "There are a couple of Vooniths swimming towards us, don't worry about them. Focus on not killing us on the rocks."
"What? Vooniths?! Oh No! Damm it...why does it never rain but pour?!" Captain Skywind curses. "I can't keep my attention away from this or we'll all ram into the rocks!"
"Crew! Get ready to fight off boarding Vooniths!" Skywind hollers. The crew draw their weapons looking particularly nervous at the impending assault.
Leonard twirls Angiliath dramatically, drawing his wand and casting shield. Keep your distance, and look for opportunities to flank them. We'll draw their attention.
He then casts Mirror Image on himself.
”O! Rydych chi'n gwybod Kaa?“The vooniths squeal, pleasantly surprised.
Oh! You know Kaa?
One of the Vooniths recognize Seamus. ”O rhaid i chi fod yn ddau ddarllenwr hyfryd sydd eisiau bod Kaa yn perfformio fel puped sock! Dywedodd wrthym ni amdanoch chi a Howard!”
Oh you must be the raven haired two legger who wanted to have Kaa perform as a sock puppet! He told us all about Howard and you!
The second one starts filling his ears with mournful wails. ”Fe wnaeth y ddau gyngerydd gyda het ddoniol o'r llong amber ni eu herwgipio a dywedodd, pe na baem ni'n lladd yr holl ddau beiriant ar y cwch hwn, byddai'n gadael i ni fynd i ffwrdd yma am byth!”
The two legger with a funny hat from the amber ship kidnapped us and said that if we didn't kill all the two leggers on this boat, he'd leave us stranded here forever!
The third Voonith asks, ”Ble mae Howard, ffrind Voonith?”
Where is Howard, Voonith friend?
The fourth Voonith looks nervous at all the weapons drawn by Leonard and the other crew on the ship.
Leonard relaxes as Seamus comes forward, it's okay, there's no need to worry, turns out they're old friends. He sheathes his sword and dismisses his magical defenses, walking to the edge of the ship and waving down, more for the benefit of the crew than the Voonith.
"But they look like nasty sea monsters! They might be sprog kakren comin' up on this ship t' eat us fer grub!" One of the crew members takes one look at the Vooniths, clearly panicking."'n they be prolly discussin' amongst themselves who they wants t' eat first!"
Leonard eyes Seamus for a moment. "He just asked them to come aboard..." glancing around at the crew, Leonard shakes his head. Please put down your weapons. He calls out to the Voonith, "Os gwelwch yn dda Peidiwch â dod gwrando eto, arhoswch funud! Y criw yn anesmwyth, unrhyw ffordd i ddwyn heddwch iddynt?"
Facing down the man who just spoke again, Leonard switches back to common without pausing, "the language they are speaking is Aklo. They are definitely not planning to eat us."
On Seamus's and Leonard's requests, the sailors grudgingly put away their weapons.
"Oh come on. I'm smaller, and look different then you humans and you're not calling me names, are you, Aasif?" Captain Skywind chides him, not looking away from the steering wheel and maintaining the kneelboat on course."If they wanted to be eating us, they'd have been boarding the ship by now."
Skywind spares quick glance the Vooniths. "In fact, they look kinda cute...bright coloured scales and all...I'd scratch them behind the ears but I'm not sure they wouldn't take offense to that."
At Seamus's invitation, the Vooniths climb on board, with the crew backing off slightly, while keeping an eye on the Vooniths but show no other sign of hostility.
”Hmm. Yn wir, hoffem fynd adref i'r Dreamlands. Ond eto, gan ein bod ni yma ... yn dda os yw bywyd yn rhoi lemonau i chi, yn gwneud lemonêd, dde? Sut ydych chi'n gwneud y pyped bysell eto?“ The Voonith that recognized Seamus replies.
Hmm. Actually we'd like to get back home to the Dreamlands. But again, since we're here.... well if life gives you lemons, make lemonade, right? How do you the sock puppet thing again?
The fourth voonith speaks up, ”Nid yw pawb ohonom ni. Ni chafodd unrhyw Vooniths eraill eu herwgipio. Rwy'n Verdigris” she gestures at herself, and she gestures at the Voonith that recognized Seamus, ”Mae'n Monty,” she gestures at the second Voonith that started wailing on Seamus, ”Mae hi Shesha,” then she gestures at the third voonith that asked about Howard,”Mae'n Siriss”
No that's all of us. No other Vooniths were kidnapped. I'm Verdigris,
He's Monty
She's Shesha
He's Siriss
"Next time, do let me know if you have special talents, Seamus," Captain Skywind remarks. "Like speaking to Vooniths. Now that's one handy talent to have." She beams at him.
"Urm ... ydych chi'n gweld y llong siwmper amber, Shesha?" Siriss asks Shesha.
Urm...do you see the amber sailed ship, Shesha?
"Dwi ddim yn! Sut y byddwn ni'n mynd adref yn awr!" Shesha looks woebegone."Bydd yn rhaid i chi gael Howard yma! Ef yw ein gobaith yn unig!" She starts yowling.
I don't! How are we going to get home now!
You'll have to get Howard Voonith friend here! He's our only hope!
Unfortunately, when the party starts looking for the amber sailed ship, its no where to be seen!
"I don't mind having your new friends on board - have they told you their names yet?"Captain Skywind asks Seamus. "Also - we're a little short of space on the ship - do they mind sharing a space with you? I'd ask - but they don't understand common, do they?" Captain Skywind asks Seamus. "We may need to also make extra stops to make sure there are sufficient provisions for your friends. Could you help me ask what they eat?"
The crew, seeing the vooniths aren't hostile, go back to their posts.
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Howard comes up stairs, and is pleasantly surprised to see more Vooniths.
"Pam helo! Mae'n braf gweld wynebau mwy cyfeillgar. Fy enw i yw Howard. Ydych chi'n gwybod Kaa? Yn ddiweddar, roeddwn yn gallu trefnu ei fod wedi anfon adref. Ydych chi yma, neu a gawsoch chi'ch dal yma hefyd? Os felly, ni allaf eich hanfon atoch ar hyn o bryd, ond rydym ni * yn defnyddio defod i ymweld â'r Dreamlands bob nos (yn ein ffurfiau breuddwydio, yn anffodus nid ein rhai corfforol), a byddai croeso i chi fynd gyda ni, felly bod gennych chi flas o gartref, yn y cyfamser ..."
Upon hearing the Captain's question, Howard nods.
"Well, in general, they are carnivores, so I would recommend stocking up on fish and other aquatic fare if you can, but any sort of meat would probably be acceptable, in a pinch..."
”Ie, rydym ni'n gwybod Kaa! Ef yw ein cymydog. Rydym yn hongian allan yn ei ogof ac roedd yn dweud wrthym am yr eog mwg hwn a wnaeth yn Golarion! Mae wedi bod yn dyblygu'r recipi gyda physgod enfys a geir o Afon Oukranos! Mae'n dda!” Monty answers happily.
Yeah, we know Kaa! He's our neighbour. We hang out at his cave and he was telling us about this smoked salmon he made in Golarion! He's been using the same recipe with rainbow fish found from the Oukranos River! Its absolutely fabulous!
Sheesha explains matters to Howard. ”Cawsom ni eu herwgipio gan gasglwr cas gyda dau het tricone. Dywedodd wrthym na fyddai ond yn dod â ni yn ôl i'r Dreamlands pe baem ni'n lladd pawb ar y llong hon!”
We were kidnapped by a nasty two legger with a tricone hat on the ambersailed ship. He told us that he'd only bring us back to the Dreamlands if we killed everyone on this ship!
Siriss gives Howard a mournful look, ”Mae'n debyg y gallech ddweud ein bod ni'n cael eu dal yma ... ond pe gallech chi anfon Kaa yn ôl, gallech anfon ni yn ôl, dde?”
I suppose you could say we're trapped here...but if you could send Kaa back, you could send us back, right?
Verdigris chides the rest, ”Rydych chi'n gwybod bod rhaid i mi ddweud llawer wrthych nad yw ym mhobman yn y Dreamlands yn braf a diogel, dde?”
You know I have to tell you lot that not everywhere in the Dreamlands is nice and safe, right?
Monty rebutts her, giving a devil-may-care grin.”Pwy sy'n becso. Mae'n antur. Bydd yn hwyl!"
Who cares. It's an adventure. It'll be fun!
"Hmmm, could you ask your friends if they like their food raw or cooked?"Skywind asks Howard.
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Howard shakes his head sadly.
"Yn anffodus, nid oes gennyf yr hud angenrheidiol i'ch anfon yn ôl (eto); Nid wyf yn ddigon pwerus, ar hyn o bryd, ond mae'n rhywbeth yr wyf yn gweithio tuag ato. Er mwyn anfon Kaa yn ôl, bu'n rhaid i mi wneud o blaid rhywun a allai fwrw'r sillafu."
His face then brightens.
"Wedi dweud hynny, rwyf yn fwy na pharod i gael y cwmni wrth i ni aros!"
Howard then nods to the Captain.
"Well, realistically, they will eat practically anything, but I think giving them cooked, smoked, or salted food would probably keep them happiest, and having a civilising influence upon them."
”O na!”They all give dissapointed sighs when they hear that Howard can't send them back yet.
Oh no!
”A oes rhai pethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn ffafrio er mwyn iddynt allu eu hanfon ni yn ôl i unrhyw le?” Shesha and Siriss bugger Howard.
Are there someones you can do favours for so they can send us back anywhere around?
"Ahh, then we'll just serve them the same food we serve you. No complaints about the food, right?" Captain Skywind asks Howard.
With the Vooniths settled, Captain Skywind is able to steer the Sellen Starling successfully through the rocky channel.
The Vooniths follow Howard like puppies into the shared cabin.
Vincent and Leonard continue their research, while Verdigris, on seeing the books taken out, starts leafing through, with her paws, Monuments of the Forest.
Viscount Brellin is known for hosting courtly and lavish events. Fearing to lose the viscount’s favor, attendees ignore any unusual happenings at these events.
The Vooniths are amazed by quality of food that they are served, and Siriss asks Howard to teach him how to cook like two leggers do.
Vincent and Leonard continue hitting the books.
Vincent and Leonard learn the proper phrase that allows them to use the Dreamlands excursion occult ritual to reach the Viscount’s Gala.
Vincent teaches the party phases to reach Vicount Brelin's gala and the party performs it that very night. He drinks his potion of heroism before attempting the ritual.
The party sits in a circle as Vincent begins to chant the incantation with Howard, Leonard and Seamus supporting him.
"We, The Seekers, are bound by a common purpose - the thirst for knowledge."
He then passes the miniature ivory and horn staircase to Howard, who feels eager of its 70 steps.
"We have gathered this very night in order to open the gate to the Dreamlands."
Howard passes the miniature ivory and horn staircase to Leonard,who feels eager of its 70 steps. The miniature ivory and horn staircase is now heavier.
"For beyond lies the knowledge we seek."
Leonard passes the ivory and horn staircase to Seamus, who feels eager of its 70 steps. Seamus realizes the staircase has now grown bigger. The continuous flame of the lamps start to dim.
"Let the portal open between this world and Viscount Brellin's Gala in the Dreamlands."
Seamus passes the now glowing with faint yellow light staircase back to Vincent,who feels each of its 70 steps.
Vincent takes a deep breath, then drops the stairs case in the center of the ring made by the party.
Vincent feels the staircase sap his life energy. The party sees the staircase sinks into the ship deck, expanding to the size of a normal staircase and leads downwards into darkness...
The party and their Vooniths together move towards the staircase, and fall fast asleep the moment they touch it.
They find themselves falling through cold darkness…then they see a speck of light in front of them. Moving towards it, the party finds themselves in arriving in the Celephais together in a crowded ballroom of cavernous proportions.
The ballroom is several hundred feet wide and lit with the reddish light of sunset through west-facing windows. It is currently thronged with thousands of attendees in courtly dress. Many are dancing, but a few converse in small groups or enjoy hors d’oeuvres presented by liveried servants. Here and there, a slim, gray cat winds its way through the dancing partygoers. Although most of the partygoers are Celephais’s well-to-do and are dressed in fine clothes, other attendees wear clothes that are threadbare or several decades out of fashion.
Despite thick webbing and areas of darkness obscure the ballroom’s ceiling, 60 feet above the lacquered floor, with sounds of scuttling and clicking echoing ffrom this web-shrouded darkness, the attendees do not seem to notice. Occasionally, a thick rope of webbing drops down from the darkness, snares a partygoer, and hauls the attendee into the darkness above. The captured guests are not seen again, but occasional dribbles of blood and other fluids trickle from the darkness, pooling onto the ballroom’s floor. The partygoers ignore the snaring, politely looking away as the victims are hoisted to their doom, and they dance around the unpleasant pools of gore instinctively, pretending to not notice them.
"Mae hyn yn rhyfedd. Pam mae rhai dau beiriant yn mynd ar goll ac nad yw'r gweddill yn ofalus?" Shesha asks Howard.
This is weird. Why are some two leggers going missing and the rest don't care?
"Onid yw dau beiriant i fod yn becynnau?"Siriss asks Howard."Dylech ofalu am aelodau eich pecyn."
Aren't two leggers supposed form packs? You should care about members of your pack.
The west walls of the crowded ballroom have low, narrow windows that let in the reddish light of sunset.Through these windows, the party can see an enormous city of marble buildings and high columns. This is Celephais, one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the Dreamlands. Beyond the city stands Mount Aran, crowned with snow. The sun hangs just a fraction above the horizon and remains there for as long as the party is at the ball. For visitors in Celephais, time does not appear to pass.In front of each of the windows is a quartet of musicians. Their elegant music fills the ballroom.
A high platform bearing a throne with a commanding view of the festivities rises at the southern end of the ballroom.
An urbane and handsome man with high cheekbones, blond hair, and sympathetic green eyes sits on the throne. The lavishness of his clothing exceeds even that of even his most finely dressed guests. Although his appearance is healthy, he punctuates any conversation with occasional bouts of coughing, hacking up tar-like phlegm that stains his chin and the front of his fine clothing with a crusty smear. The disgusting coughs don’t bother the man; in fact he doesn’t seem to notice them (or his filthy finery) at all.
Several attendants and functionaries cluster nearby, ready to serve the man but hesitant to remain too close for fear of being splattered with his phlegm.
From their readings, Vincent and Leonard recognize the man as Viscount Brellin.
Right, the partygoers aren't going to acknowledge anything out of the ordinary, and I suspect we shouldn't either. At least, not until we've gotten what we came for. Leonard places one hand on the pommel of his sword and follows Seamus to the Viscount.
"Os byddaf yn cael fy llusgo i'r nenfwd, byddwch chi'n fy achub, yn iawn?" Verdigris looks at the pools of gore on the ballroom floor, worried."Nid wyf am gael bwyta!"
If I get dragged to the ceiling, you'll come and save me, right?
I don't want to get eaten!
Monty, however isn't the least bothered by the strange surroundings, making a happy pig of himself eating the hors d’oeuvres of pickled eyeballs offered by one of the liveried servants.
Vincent takes out a wand of CLW and fixes everyone up.
This time?! You mean someone got eaten on your last excursion?!
” Y tro hwn ?! Rydych chi'n golygu bod rhywun wedi cael ei fwyta ar eich taith olaf ?!” Her eyes widen with alarm.
She turns to the obliviously eating Monty, angrily ranting at him. ” Dywedais wrthych nad oedd yr holl leoedd yn Dreamlands yn ddiogel! Ac os bydd unrhyw beth yn digwydd, byddwch chi'n rhy stwff i redeg!”
I told you not all the places in Dreamlands were safe! And if anything happens you’ll be too stuffed to run!
Monty barely glances at the angrily ranting Verdigris. ” Ymlacio, Verdy ... popeth yma yn unig yw breuddwyd. Ac os yw pethau'n mynd i'r de ... dim ond deffro'ch hun. Os ydw i'n digwydd i farw yma ... o leiaf roedd gen i fylchau llygad piclo, dde?“
Relax, Verdy…everything here’s just a dream. And if things go south…just wake yourself up. If I do happen to die here…at least I had pickled eyeballs, right?
Verdigris looks irritated at Monty calling her Verdy.” A pheidiwch â galw i mi Verdy! Mae gen i enw llawn! Defnyddia fe!”
And don’t call me Verdy! I have a full name! Use it!