Ava nods in approval as the objects are pulled from the sludge. "The imp wasn't wrong - There was quite a haul in there. Probably the remnants of other would-be burglars."
"Now..." She turns towards the stone chests. "To what we came here for."
Her attempt to open either chests quickly reveals they are both locked tight.
"Hmm." Ava crouches down next to the stone chest. "We didn't come across any keys, as far as I remember. Do these chests seem magical to you, Viscount?"
Even as she asks the question, she's already unfurling her thieves' tools, running her fingers across the lid to find some place to pry it open.
Inside one chest are several pounds of long-outdated investment papers, lists of debts, and various notes on blackmail victims—while once totaling nearly 120,000 gp in value, these papers are now worthless thanks to the passage of time and the deaths of most involved. Of greater value are this chest’s other contents, including several valuable books. These books include an early Andoren philosophy book (worth 200 gp), an illustrated scenic journey through Osirion (worth 230 gp), a three-volume work on the teachings of a spirit naga entitled the Libra Malfactum (worth 400 gp), and a spellbook. Under the books is a layer of 1,300 gp, along with a narrow ivory box with a carved lid depicting an army of golems destroying a city wall. The box appears to be worth 800 gp, and it contains a odd copper scarab and a wand of some sort.
This is a golembane scarab.
Hidden in the spine of the spellbook is a scroll of Contagion
[list]
1st level
2nd level
3rd level
4th Level
The other chest contains only one object. This strange and baffling object appears as a wooden and metal dodecahedron that measures about 6 inches in diameter—each face of the thing is carved with a different rune, and when one looks upon it, the observer has the unsettling sensation that he can see too many or too few sides at once.
Enko peers at the object. "The Knot, I presume. Sabinus, can you check it for dangerous magic?"
Caladius shakes his head and looks away from the object as Ava holds it aloft. "What the- it's making me dizzy." He helps everyone back up and turns around, eager to leave this twisted place behind him.
Ava quickly rolls up her tools, eager to get to inspecting the contents.
"That must be it." Ava says. "We should get it back to the hideout, so we can examine it safely."
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[ooc]Spellcraft for scarab
[ooc]Spellcraft for wand
Perception:
Looks like I got the first wand and the battle ax.
Fellows, this book of arcane writing is a proverbial treasure trove to me. Does anyone mind if I plumb it's depths for new spells? I will take good care of it. The viscount graciously bows, while dropping it into one of his bags.
[ooc]How does leveling affect rolling again. I get another roll after he gains a rank right? If not, he'll use identify on each of the items over the next few days.
Retry: You cannot retry checks made to identify a spell. If you fail to learn a spell from a spellbook or scroll, you must wait at least 1 week before you can try again. If you fail to prepare a spell from a borrowed spellbook, you cannot try again until the next day. When using detect magic or identify to learn the properties of magic items, you can only attempt to ascertain the properties of an individual item once per day. Additional attempts reveal the same results.
Taking your treasures and the object of your quest, the Chelish Crux, you make your way to the transportation doors you discovered earlier. Taking the three soul objects you'd located throughout the Knot, you emerge in various places around Westcrown and reconnoiter back at the Torchbearers hideout.
Your arrival is met with immense joy and profuse congratulations by each of the Torchbearers. Lots of hugs, shaken hands, and smiles all around. Your quickly fed and offered places to sleep or join in some impromptu revelry. Arael remains composed and informs you he'll send word to the Pathfinder, Ailyn Ghontasavos, that you've been successful in retrieving the Crux. Janiven suggests tempering the holiday atmosphere somewhat, as there's still much to be done, but she is clearly excited by the progress you've made.
You're complimented heavily on your performance in the Six Trials of Larazod, your social status immensely bolstered by it, at least those who did not or could not hide their true identities. You are, in fact, celebrities. Janiven speaks up, "The next step is to look inside that Crux, and I think it's important not to do so until you are ready. Rest. Reconnect with friends and family. The Crux is not going anywhere." and smiles as she leans against a beam, sipping some red wine. Caldius's physical changes are a cause for great attention and excitement, several of the Torchbearers asking to touch his elongated horns .
Caladius crosses his arms over his chest as various Torchbearers ask to touch his transformed horns. He simply glowers and wordlessly endures the attention. He resists the urge to demonstrate his new found arcane abilities as well, and barely stops himself from firing off a blast of purple energy into the ceiling to scare some of the more smothersome torchbearers away.
When the initial surprise and fascination wears off, he rises and refills his goblet, then finds a shadowy corner in which to stand, leaning against the wall in his customary posture with one leg bent.
Reconnect with friends? Family? Heh. Right. His eyes flash purple in the dim light as he takes another long drink from his cup.
The quiet Larko approaches Caldius carefully after he's retired to the secluded corner, "Welcome back Mr. Rend, --I mean, Caladius. It feels you all have been away for so long, though it was not truly so long. How did you fare? You look somewhat different. Is it perhaps some lasting effects of the illusions created during the play?" he asks, his eyes on your horns.
Ava spends little time socializing, making a beeline for the treasury as soon as she's able. She makes sure to tell Yako to come to her at some point, as there's some... interesting items they have to offload. Almost a whole library's worth, in fact.
~~
Ava hauls her pack onto a seat, and it lands with a heavy thud. "Phew. It's good to finally be able to put this down."
Opening the bag, she reveals that it's packed to the brim with velvet pouches. She pulls one out, jingling with the sound of gold. One... Two... Three... Twenty-Two bags of coin. A small fortune.
She's practically salivating as she begins counting out the money.
Awhile later, Yakopulio's section of the hideout is strewn with books, gems and other objects and she passes a weary hand across her forehead, but her eyes are bright with the excitement of assigning value and planning out how she's going to sell the items. "Not a bad haul Ava. Did you leave anything for the Mayor or is he now destitute?" and erupts into gales of silvery laughter.
"What would we do without you?" Ava says, neatly piling the gold into the coffers.
"And the way that man lives? I'm not sure he'd even notice it's gone." Ava chuckles, then goes on to describe the luxuries of the manor, from the lavish feasts to the fiend-powered utilities. "It's almost obscene how wealthy he is. Oh, what I'd give for that kind of money. One day, Yako... One day..."
"Flounder helplessly." a gives the dwarf a pouting, innocent look.
After hearing about the manors luxuries Yaku gives the swelled coffers a significant look then turns back to Ava, "Your on your way Ava, on your way." and picks up a gem and holds it to her ear with a coy look, modeling the large gem/would be earring for her. Thinking about something Ava said, Yako asks, "Were you able to find out what was causing the power to falter like that? From what you've told me, it sounds as though things weren't operating... perfectly."
"Hello, Larko." Caladius listens as the quiet man drums up the courage to ask his question, a purple light occasionally simmering in the tiefling's eyes. "No, this doesn't have anything to do with that godsforsaken play. This happened to me once we breached the Knot." He shrugs. "Can't really explain it better than that. I was hoping they'd go back to normal when we left, but no such luck." The burly devil-spawn takes another sip from his cup. "The others will probably want to study that strange box for at least a few days. You up for some more practice with the bow?"
Larko's face lights up at the mention of more practice with the bow, and his nod reflects that. "I've been practicing, while you all were away that is, and I believe my skill is improving!" He's clearly found a subject he feels comfortable with, giving details of shot count, shots on target, draw methods and breathing techniques, as well as a plethora of questions about each subject. After speaking for a few minutes he pulls out a new bottle and a cup of his own, offering to refill your when it's gotten low.
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About the Glaive: It is a shame that it lost it's sentience, even though it was uncouth. Still, it is a mighty fine weapon. Legend holds that the greatest wizards of old- the Runelords of the eon past- all wielded such weapons as symbols of their power. Many are depicted with them. Still, touching it lightly with one hand I am not strong enough yet to wield one.
To the Torchbearers: Apprentice! Come forth. We must practice your forms. Perhaps we shall try a simple summons today?
Afterward, the Viscount leaves for his residence. There he spends a few hours doing Ornelos family business (mostly paperwork), and then adjourns to his study/laboratory to dissect the spellbook and copy down new spells.
Enko finds himself circling the statue of Iomedae for many minutes, lost in thought. When he passed through the portal of the Knot, holding the tome of Drowned Jabe, he felt a tingling in his hands that spread throughout his slight frame. Hours later, the sensation has only slightly diminished; it is like a faint emanation of divine blessing, with small storehouses of boons granted by Iomedae and...something else...in his mind, or heart. To his surprise, the tome is also still in his hands, held behind his back. The Upper Reach would admonish me for bad posture, not to mention woolgathering, he muses absently.
Eventually he stands before the statue and sits crosslegged, the tome before him.
"My Lady, The Inheritor, I feel your divine presence has touched this humble servant as we have gone on our missions of late. I beg your understanding and forgiveness when I say that I feel a call towards a path that parallels your quest for good, but also addresses the great evils that have been visited upon the restless souls we have met--such as the fragments of Doskivari, now freed--and I must honor both of these paths. I would be untrue to myself to not extend this liberation to those bound in dark magics preventing them from passing to their next place. I accept your boons with the understanding that they will be lesser due to your great and just wisdom."
He bows from the waist in supplication.
"...and my apologies also to the Upper Reach," he says bemusedly, "I am not sure I will be returning there." He raises his head, a faint smile on his lips, and espies Mathalen doing her exercises assiduously.
Caladius nods once at Larko's offer, allowing the man to partially refill his cup. Apart from his disasterous involvement with the Larazod play a short time ago, the tiefling had never cared all that much for alcohol.
"Improved, huh? Good. I look forward to seeing these improvements tomorrow."
Caladius meets Larko in the morning, unaware that his horns have receeded back to normal until the young man points out the change. Pleased at the unexpected reversion, Caladius gestures for Larko to go first.
"Good. Keep focusing on your aim. You'll do better if you're able to consistently hit a target. Just remember though, if you can reliably hit the target, then you'll want some stopping power behind the arrow too." He looses a thunderous arrow to punctuate his statement.
"And sometimes, your target is a giant, sludge covered moster the size of a small house and you you'd almost have to try to miss." He snaps off a pair of arrows with startling speed and power.
"Now, show me your breathing technique again."
That is a cool idea! Yeah, let's do that! =)
Tamili hops over to Corneleous for their practice, managing to summon a simple creature on her third attempt. She seems distracted as she is quite unable to contain the flood of questions about the Larazod play. 'What was it like to work with...' and 'Did you really kiss Calseinica Nymmis!? She's absolutely incredible! and seems so nice! Do you think you could introduce us.' and 'What about the costumes!' and 'Tell me about the mayors manion! Was it as decadent as everyone says?' and so on and so forth.
Mathalen is all business and smile, her strikes landing harder and with greater precision than you recall. Her focus is obvious and intense as she works through the exercises Enko puts her through. She wobbles now and then, and requires a handful of minor adjustments throughout, a shifting of the hips here, a slight turn of the foot there, a adjustment to the angle of a stout block.
Upon his return to Westcrown, Sabinus first proceeds swiftly to reunite with Tycho, who hides among the carvings on the facade of the mayor's mansion. Sabinus only gets close enough to make telepathic contact with Tycho, and then they return to Torchbearers HQ. Being reunited with Tycho has a noticeable calming effect on Sabinus, and Tycho sits on the witch's shoulder all night, receiving frequent affection and treats from Sabinus.
Sabinus accepts the congratulations of the Torchbearers with quiet satisfaction. He joins Ava and Yako in looking over the loot to be sold. He listens with mystified interest to the strategic discussions regarding sale of the goods, that sort of social diplomacy and strategy not something that comes natural to him. After listening for some time he picks up the Osirian travelogue book and begins flipping though it, lost in the more familiar territory of books, and only half listening to Ava and Yako's discussions. He wants to finish skimming all the books before they are sold. Sabinus also wants to ask around to figure out what the city attacked by golems on the ivory box is in reference to. If necessary, he conducts research and asks Dellano, who seems to know about many obscurities.
Sabinus greeted Yako warmly and is very friendly to her, but he has decided to leave behind any notion of a romance with the gnome. He concludes in retrospect that he was caught up in the early excitement of joining the Torchbearers and charmed by Yako's charisma and charmingly quirky personality, but he has found his feelings towards her are of friendship.
At the same time, Sabinus has found his thoughts drifting to Galene, the (wizard) daughter of his original wizard teacher Galenos, here in Westcrown. Searching his memories, Sabinus has come to feel that it was her friendship that allowed him to emerge from the shell he brought with him from Egorian. And, with the experience with the Torchbearers having given him increasing confidence and sense of self-worth despite his persistent neuroses, Sabinus has found himself longing to be with Galene, and to build a sense of home with her. Accordingly, Sabinus spends much of his downtime in her company, and he brings her and her father many gifts from the market to ease their lives and provide minor delights and Indulgences. To the extent appropriate, he would also like to speak of her of his work with the Torchbearers. Her sympathies lie entirely with the cause, but he makes sure that he doesn't share more information than Janiven is comfortable with him sharing.
Although Sabinus was not drawn to the intense memorization and study required for the practice of wizardry, Sabinus has found himself drawn to recording the stories of the Torchbearer's exploits. He discusses this with Janiven, but does not yet start to write a record of their exploits. Instead, he begins developing a code, and writing some rough notes about their exploits in a code, disguised to look like an accounting ledger.
Finally, of course, Sabinus spends much time communing with Tycho. At night, he'll play with Tycho from his balcony, sending Tycho to fly out and return to him. Sabinus also needs to teach Tycho a number of new spells, and he practices those with Tycho,
Enko finds himself flushing further and further throughout his training bout with Mathalen, especially at adjusting her hips, and finally, sweating more than his exertion requires, brings the lesson to a halt. He offers her water and motions gently that she sit, and joins her, imperceptibly closer than usual.
"Mathalen...you are doing very well in your training. I fear I have been too serious with regards to your tutelage and have not spoken of your progress enough. I hope I can make up for that now."
He looks at her clear, open gaze and clears his throat, suddenly more nervous than during any of his recent battles.
"...when I was in the Knot, in times of great danger, I found myself thinking of...no, that's not where I wanted to start. I had thought we would return to the Upper Reach to begin your formal training, but the vows there are...ah, what I am trying to say is, I think I am making a break with both monastic life and the teachings of the Inheritor, and intend to follow my own path, a path both of melakatha and divine healing, and I intend to do it here, with...with someone who...that is, could I tell you more...of my dreams, Mathalen? Over...dinner?"
Yako accepts this change in Sabinus's attitude with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. In the days and weeks that follow, the little gnome flirts outrageously with the witch, acting as if she's become more comfortable flirting as a friend, than ever she was when more than friendship was on the line. But above all, she is sure to be a friend.
Mathalen flushes herself as it slowly and painfully becomes clear what Enko is trying to say. Her features and expression remain the same through strict discipline, but the red climbing her neck and the rosy complexion around her cheeks is unmistakable. She smiles slightly and looks away slightly, but turns back with a smile, "I'd love to hear of your dreams over dinner Enko." and smiles all the brighter.
Caladius maintains his somewhat antagonistic relationship with Yako over the following weeks, the two loudly trading insults when the Torchbearers are gathered for meals. Apart from this and his training sessions with Larko though, the tiefling mainly keeps to himself, sometimes seeming to go out of his way to avoid establishing anything even resembling a genuine friendship with other members of the growing group. When questioned about nearly anything, he keeps his answers as short as possible, and he continues to favor the darker, more shadowy corners of the common rooms. Despite his obvious social deficiencies, it doesn't seem like Caladius is deliberately trying to hurt anyone's feelings; rather, it seems that he's simply very aloof and uninterested in the social exchanges most everyone else is drawn to.
During one such evening of relative solitude, Yako suddenly appears around a corner, moving very quietly for such a gaudily dressed and ornamented creature. "Hey Big Fellah. Nice cave." she sniffs haughtily and looks around the darkened area. Turning her gaze to the lounging Ranger shes gives him a arched look, "Word going around is that your features were altered when you went into the Knot, and I saw as much when you all returned, safe and sound to our humble hideaway. But tell me Ranger," and she suddenly leans forward, her face at a teasing angle, "was it... just your features that were altered? Or are some of the other changes -less obvious?" At this point she allows her mouth to curve into an open and suggestive smile -almost a challenge.
Caladius looks at the gnome, his brow furrowing, "It was just the horns, short-stuff." Missing the innuendo entirely, he holds up his hands, indicating the fingers fused together on each one, "These stayed like they are now. No change." He then gives the gnome a double take, eyes narrowing in suspicion, "Why?" distrust plain in his tone.
Yako rolls her eyes at the Tieflings incomprehension, turning about with a saucy swishing of hips, and replies over her shoulder as she moves away "No reason, Mr. Horny. I just like to be in the know when things start elongating and turning different shades of purple."
"Purple? Who said I turned purple? I did *not* turn purple!" Caladius fumes then shoos Yako off, "Oh, go bother someone else, Shorty." He mutters to himself as she leaves, "Purple. I'll turn somebody purple. Who'd've said it though? Enko. It was probably Enko." Caladius snatches up his bow and storms off to the shooting range he and Larko set up, clenching his fist and muttering frustrated oaths under his breath as he goes.
The silvery sound of gnome laughter fills the hideout over the sound of angry mutters and furious arrows.
Two good-sized packages arrive via deliver pigeon during the wait, as before the packages seeming over-large for the small creatures, who drop them off as if they weighed no more than a feather, and quickly fly away. They are the magic items requested by Sabinus and Enko, and are marked for each of them.
Over the course of the last few days, Enko and Mathalen have been seen together constantly, training, but also deep in discussion of various philosophical subjects...discussions which either end in deep gazing into each others' eyes (explained as 'meditation' to onlookers), or games of tag that involve the entire hideout, rafters and walls included, usually resulting in something getting knocked over and giggled apologies from either the student or ostensible teacher as they put things back in order. Dinner apparently went well.
At quieter times, Enko talks to Mathalen of his past, gesturing with his hands. "And that's how one fillets a flatfish; I don't eat fish often these days, but the muscles and bones recall how it was done. I had put thoughts away of my family, but now, back here where they lived and died, I feel myself missing them."
He pauses to smile. "I think they would have liked to have met you. I was so young, and our lives were so full of work and want, but I recall nights that were warm and cheerful, with my mother baking treats and my father telling stories or reciting poems. You know...everyone's path here is intertwined. Where I grew up, Ava's mother used to dock her ship. Around the time I left Westcrown, Lucon came from Rikkan to seek his trade. He did...and he found a home, and a love...and perhaps that's..."
He takes her hand, letting the action speak for itself.
---
At a different time, Enko, his new amulet in upon his neck, and deep in prayer to the Inheritor to recharge his newly bestowed powers, opens his eyes to find Caladius glowering at him. Did he just mouth the word 'purple' at me? he wonders.
"The power?" Ava mulls over the question. "I wouldn't be able to say. I wish I could understand the arcane a little better... But I've never been able to really grasp it. Maybe the Viscount would have a better idea."
Ava's behaviour seems increasingly erratic during the interim. During daylight hours she plays the part of the socialite Lady Marina, disappearing into the city for hours at a time as she flits from place to place, lunching with actors and minor nobles of all stripes. She dines with the Visbaronetess, exchanging gossip and making derisive comments about the fashion sense of passers-by. To all who observe her, she seems perfectly happy.
But by night, it seems that facade begins to fall away. Without her magical guise, her fatigue becomes apparent. Dark rings hang about her eyes, and she seems to have very little to say, spending much of her time poring over maps of Westcrown covered in annotations and thin red strings. When she does join her companions, very rarely is it without a mug in hand. Indeed, it seems very difficult for her to relax or enjoy anything at all while maintaining sobriety.
She watches the others' interactions with a blank expression as the days unfold, trying to remember a time when she could find happiness in places other than a pouch of gold or the bottom of a tankard... But it seems that it had long since passed. Or had it? On the stage, there had been a moment where she had felt alive once more. The feel of eyes upon her, the metallic taste of blood and battle... The thrill seemed to pierce through her stony heart and awaken some semblance of true emotion. She longed to feel that sensation again, but at the same time every instinct she had, every hard lesson learned, told her to remain in the shadows, that she was a creature of darkness... That the spotlight was not for her.
Very early in the week, Ava dons the guise of Lady Marina and goes out shopping, seeking to purchase a +1 Mithril Agile Breastplate and Belt of Giant Strength with her pouch of ill-gotten platinum coins.
At the smithy, she initiates a long-winded tale of her esteemed colleague from Absalom - a friend of both her and the Viscountess, in fact - who will be stopping in Westcrown for a few days, and happens to be in need of some of the finest armor in Cheliax. She goes on to pay in advance, stating that she needs to attend to some business, but her friend will be in the very next day to get fitted properly.
The following day, she'll don her usual form to meet with Signor Dellano and enquire about getting a Belt of Giant's Strength as well as head to the smithy and get the fittings done. While she's out and about, she'll also pick up a masterwork lance and a banner.
Later in the week, she'll go shopping for wands as Marina - Picking up one of Lesser Restoration with the communal funds, subtly implying it's to nullify the after-effects of late-night parties at the Visbaronettess' estate, amongst others.
Mathalens clear and honest face isn't hard to read as she and Enko spend more and more time together, and not just in training. The young lady is clearly quite taken by her incredible teacher and is an apt student and listener, taking in all the details he's willing to share. There was and likely still is some hero-worship behind the looks she gives him, but she seems a level-headed girl, and there is clearly a healthy dose of honest and budding feelings for the monk.
-------
The torchbearers do not know what to make of Ava's dark moods and tendency to switch from gaiety to dark fatigue. Most of them stop approaching her, not to shun the internally-harried dwarf, but rather out of a deep respect for her and her moods. The only one who seems not to be out of sorts is Fiosa, the motherly halfling healer. She is always seen coming and going quietly from Ava's area of the hideout. Hot cups of coffee or tea in the mornings, retrieving discarded bottles and crumpled papers in the evenings. The halfling does her level best to not hover around Ava, which of course fools no one, but the determined halfling continues her constant vigil with her customary positivity and cheer --as well as what she does for the rest of the Torchbearers.
--------------
The smith, upon hearing the name of the Visbaroness, pales a little and seems especially eager to get started on the armor requested (or perhaps already eager to be done with the job). Regardless, he seems to accept Lady Marina's story without comment and asks for four days to complete the Breastplate. In just your brief time around the shop, you've noticed the wait time is closer to two weeks to complete complicated items such as that, but apparently your name dropping has moved you up the priority list.
Signore Dellano gives you a suspicious look until her realizes you're ready to pay full price for the Belt of Giant Strength +2, and says he'll be able to get the item to you in roughly a weeks time.
The woman working the counter of the would be high-end magic shop titters as you hint at the parties with the Visbaroness, obviously very jealous of your importance. She locates the wand and wraps it carefully before handing it over.
Passing by the spot Amburian died those years ago, Caladius pauses and stares at the ground as a light rain begins to form small puddles in the cobblestones. His reflection rippling in the surface of one such puddle shakes him out of his reverie, and the bulky tiefling finds his way to a bakery. He emerges a few minutes later, a burlap sack in hand. On his way back to the Torchbearer's hideout, he hands the sack to the first urchin he passes by, "Here, kid. If you don't already have one, share this and make a friend." He hands the sack over and inside are ten hard, crusty loaves of bread.
A few nights into their second week back from the Mayor's, he sees Ava sitting apart from the others and notices many of the other torchbearers affording her a wider berth. Shrugging to himself, he sits down beside her in the shadowy corner anyway.
"So, are you over here to avoid company or attention?"
Ava seems not to react to Caladius' approach, swirling the drink in her hand idly.
"Just... taking a break." she says simply. "Looking at the maps for so long made me dizzy, but the bright lights of the hall hurt my eyes."
She takes a small sip from her cup, her eyes closed for a long while. She almost seems to be moving in slow-motion. "They say there are some dwarves who never see the light of the sun. Grey dwarves. Sometimes I wonder if their blood is in my veins."
"I've been tracking Liesel." Ava answers simply. "Or trying to, at least. She's been at the game as long as I have - almost three decades - and she's not making it easy."
"She's always been better than me at these things, though. She was faster, smarter and definitely prettier. She had this sort of... grace, in both her body and her words, that I envied. I used to wish I could be like her... Tall. Slender. Beautiful. I guess I still do."
She lifts her arm, gazing at her stocky dwarven hands as she opens and closes her fist.
"But alas, I'm stuck with this unwieldy and... unappealing body. It makes the job difficult sometimes."
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As Caladius and Ava continue talking quietly, Enko strolls into the room with Mathalen. Caladius catches his eye and shakes his head threateningly, mouthing "Purple? Really?" to the monk as he finds a seat with his doe-eyed charge.
Enko gives an almost imperceptible start and ceases his perambulations with Mathalen. He can be seen whispering some sort of explanation to his companion, and then heads over to Ava and Caladius' dark corner.
"Ava," he says, and bows as usual, then does the same for Caladius. "Caladius, well met. Have I done something to offend you? I have noticed you saying something---'purple'?--a few times now." He squints in the gloom, but does not search for an eponymous torch to light the area.
"Yako seems to think that I turned purple in addition to," he gestures to his parallel sets of horns, "this. Any idea who gave her that impression?"
"Purple? You aren't purple. I don't understand." Enko is genuinely puzzled. "I said nothing of the sort, Caladius...I've been...erm...busy...in any case."
"No? You didn't? Who would've then... Lucon! Oh I'll show him. Busy? Seems everyone's been busy since we got back."
"Yakopulio told you?" Enko thinks a moment.
"You do realize she is known for practical jokes and salacious innuendoes, do you not? I would seek things at the source."
Though now barely able to keep her eyes open, Ava can't help but chuckle at the conversation. "Heh. Purple."
Caladius narrows his eyes as he regards Enko's explanation, "Yeah. Ok." Then, muttering under his breath, he whispers the gnome's name as if it were an expletive, "Yako!"
Enko takes a second look at Ava, frowns at the sheer exhaustion on her face, and disappears for a minute, returning with a pillow and a homespun blanket from the scattered bunks, and a large jug of water. "You're about to fall asleep in your cups, Ava, unless you take the unwise action of dosing yourself with blackbrew. I suggest you take a rest." He lays out the pillow and blanket and places the jug within arm's reach. "And drink that when you wake, before you turn into mummy dust."
"Let us let her be, Caladius; you can go seek your dire revenge on Yako, if she isn't immune to revenge jokery. Ava--don't make me seek out Sabinus to lay a slumber hex on you."
Sabinus sits with Yako, listening with pleasure to one amusing story after another. Eventually he notices Ava and Caladius skulking in a corner. "Do you know what's wrong with those two, Yako? Here we are, fresh from our triumph in the Knot, with friends, and they are skulking in a corner. I know it isn't fear of what comes ahead for those two, although I admit to some nervousness in that regard on my part. Now of course I could understand not wanting to be social -- that was me before you Welcomed me -- but Caladius is always glowering, and Ava seems downright depressed. Sometimes I'm glad for being a bit emotionally deficient."