Mara was disappointed that there were no other prisoners to free, but not entirely surprised. In the map room, she copied down the notes on the maps, in case they proved useful in the future.
After meeting up with the shantak again, she slept on the return journey. When she awoke, she prayed for a spell to heal Kat's brain injury.
1st lvl (5): Ant Haul, Cure Light Wounds, Liberating Command, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear
2nd lvl (4): Barkskin x2, Calm Emotions, open slot
3rd lvl (4): Heroism x2, Dispel Magic, open slot
4th lvl (3): Restoration, Threefold Aspect, open slot
She accepted one of the Yellow Kings' drinks and pondered what was next.
Theophilus talks to the Shantak every step of their journey. He thanks him once back at the base.
The gentleman joins the others, dealing out the cards.
[dice=Backlash damage]2d6
After rendezvousing back at the forsaken caravanserai the sun is back up and it beats down angrily on the partially destroyed building. Rowan takes a swig from his ever full flask. The Yellow King frowns sadly and fiddles with a tray of gourdes shaded by brightly colored umbrellas, "Alas I manufactured cocktails..." You get the sense that the journey ahead might be the last time you see the Yellow King for some time.
Kat advances on Lowls, cornering him against the wall. She speaks to him calm and measured, having gone over exactly what she would say dozens of times. She wanted to be in control, show him that he doesn’t make the rules anymore. ”So, Lowls. This ain’t the first time we’ve talked, eh? You remember me? Cause I sure as hells remember you and that f&@%in’ stupid beard and glasses. There was a woman who worked in your kitchen, Marianna Navarro, often went by Mari. Dark-skinned Varisian with black curls and nice smile. You remember her? She disappeared. You know what happened to her, don’t you? I want you to tell me everything you know and get to it quick, eh.”
"It's not Lowls," says Dervak half-heartedly. "Just a part of a dream of his."
The Yellow King grins at Kat sheepishly as she backs him into a corner and at first doesn't answer her question, "Not Lowls, I am a fully actualized entity, partitioned from your noble. Please address me as the Yellow King. You are not your parent nor any other ancestor. It is an analgesic circumstance for me."
After that bit of condescending explanation out of the way he shifts into a more sympathetic and wistful tone, "I have bits of ephemeric recollections of a Ms. Navarro and who baked the most delightful sarma. I don't know her fate, after my time as you can envision, but I in my personal opinion wouldn't leave such a cook behind."
He self-consciously strokes his beard and tries to adjust glasses that are not there, "To my consternation, your Lowls has likely absconded with your beloved Marianne. Their flight was probably quite sudden and thus had the appearance of disappearance."
As the rest of the party sips their drinks they find that they have a light fruity flavor and are mildly alcoholic. The sweat starting to form on your foreheads halts and the wind feels cooler and refreshing.
Kat restrains a sigh. She is perfectly aware of the existential circumstances of this “Dream Splinter,” but the memories she is looking for are Lowls’, and it’s enough of him to have some of those. She didn’t bother setting anyone straight though. Her work has always been easier when people assume she isn’t as quick as she is.
”Her curry was her best. You—or your metaphysical daddy, whatever—never liked curry, though. She only made that at home.” The news right from the monster’s mouth that Mari is probably still alive ameliorates Kat enough that she doesn’t engage with the Splinter’s condescension. ”Lowls take a lot of servants along? How many you figure, and which ones?”
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Metaphysical?
Dervak turns the word over in his head.
Theophilus and the White Rabbit will take 4ths and 12ths of tea.
The Yellow King muses and then tips his head in apology, "Majordom Henry? Veracious that is not. I seem to recollect a beguiling woman whose nom de plume was Melisenn. Katarinia it is hard to call to mind thoughts from a lifetime ago."
Dervak sips his drink.
"We done here? We have the gifts and need to find the Mad Prophet."
He looks rather unconcerned. Happy to stay in the shade and drink if that is the plan.
The Yellow King leads you on a walk through the open desert for 6 hours. He is nervous and talkative throughout the journey. He asks about your dream quests and repeatedly insists that the gifts you’ve gathered are more than enough. Just before you crest a large dune he says, ”The Mad Poet’s oasis is just over there.”
He adds with a moment of clarity that takes you a bit off guard, ”Be cordial.” But he goes on before fleeing, ”Maybe complement his sartorial style, déclassé as it may be. Trucidation does not become me! Tah!”
A glistening pool lies in the valley between three dunes. A small wooden hut stands near the water, and an immense tree shades the pool and the hut, with large, lumpy fruits hanging near the ground. The fruits look like heads, your heads. The ancient hut is made of flimsy slats of wood sealed together with mud, and has been sunbaked into a uniform grayish color. A wooden bench stands near the door and the shutters to the only window are closed.
Rowan asks rhetorically, ”Think this guy’s all he’s cracked up to be?” He takes a few drinks from his flask just the same.
Theophilus (still sipping tea) looks at the hut, the bench, the heads. He glances at the heads a few times; covering his right eye; then his left. He shrugs.
So, we are finally here to talk to this asshat. We have his tribute. Do we place it neatly on the bench?
The White Rabbit (also sipping tea) just grins.
Mara walked through the desert, wondering what was in store for them. How do you approach someone who is apparently mentally unstable? What does this 'Mad Poet really want?
As they neared the meeting place, she said to the others, "I need to meditate so I'm as ready I can be for this." She sat down with her ancestor figures and meditated for a while.
1st lvl (5): Ant Haul, Cure Light Wounds, Liberating Command, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear
2nd lvl (4): Barkskin x2, Calm Emotions, open slot->Delay Poison
3rd lvl (4): Heroism x2, Dispel Magic, open slot->Sleet Storm
4th lvl (3):
"I assume we meet him and give him the gifts."
Dervak looks at the items:
The captain's tricorn hat from the Bloodwind
A blue and purple mottled feline tail
The signet ring of the Viscount Brellin
The ghoul skull
The idol of Bokrug
The heartstone of the night hag
The wamp's webbed foot
The petrified egg of a Magah bird
These bring him back to the efforts the party undertook in the Dreamlands. The idol of Bokrug is the most terrible, as he recalls seeing that incomprehensible monstrosity and what it did to his friends. The captain's tricorn brings him some satisfaction, recalling the memorable battle. The petrified egg bring a smile to his face as he thinks of the Voonith. And the signet ring makes him wonder what the Viscount is doing now (and, come to think of it, Lady Splinterbone).
"Mara, can you provide that Heroism blessing? It would help us be more charming in speaking to the Mad Prophet - or more alert to danger."
After memorizing her spells, the old woman recited a few prayers to prepare for the meeting.
Seeing Mara begin flinging buffs about, the Witch smiles.
Ah yes, this may prove helpful.
Theophilus then touches each of his friends.
Lucky Number
Kat sighs. "We just gotta be prepared, is all. We're bringing enough gifts for a king. Maybe two. If that don't make 'em happy, don't know what will."
Mara was apprehensive about meeting the Mad Poet, but sitting around thinking about it wasn't making her feel any better. She told her friends, "Well, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let's get this over with!"
A keleshite looking man in his mid-30’s wearing loose fitting clothing and a white turban emerges from the hut as you approach. He carries a thick spellbook bound in cured leather. The shapes on the cover vaguely resemble faces screaming eternally in agony.
He addresses you in a terse tone, as if you had disturbed some delicate work, ”Once again you have come to visit my oasis. Mara the daughter of the man from Katheer, Dervak slave to many, Fangwood’s own Rowan Dorn, and Theophilus Carter a simple furniture dealer.”
His eyes rest on Kat, ”And you have brought Katarina Brewer a Sleepless Detective. Speak your reasons for disturbing my meditations.”
"We bring you gifts, Poet. We hope you will view us favorably.
Count Hasterton Lowls drowned three of us, as well as three others, in the Oasis. This took our memories. For that sacrifice, you told him to seek the Necronomicon.
I seek my memories back.
And I wish to know what Lowls is doing with that book. We know he seeks an ancient city lost to time. And that he goes to Cassomir and then Katheer to find the Necronomicon.
What does the book have to do with the lost city?"
Mara bowed to the man and added, "I beg your forgiveness for the interruption. I too seek to recover my memories. We have brought you gifts, as compensation for your trouble; I trust that you will find them pleasing."
Dervak will use his best manners to try to aid Mara. He has gotten much better at speaking to people since his prior visit to this Oasis.
"Yes, we have explored much of the Dreamlands in retrieving these gifts, and can tell you the tales if you wish. It is a wondrous realm.
We humbly ask you to accept our gifts."
Theophilus stands up straight. The gentleman checks his pocket handkerchief. He puts on his friendliest face. Bowing low, he exclaims
Mister Poet. We have traveled from far and wide; enduring grand and marvelous experiences together. Our journeys has brought you these tokens of our trials and tribulations. Our quest for self has brought us to you!
The Witch then whispers to the others
How do we know this is him? He just called me a furniture dealer!
The Mad Poet maintains a stocic facade as he appraises your offerings, "Place them on the bench. Before I provide you with the wisdom you seek I will grant each of you a boon." He opens the dread tome he holds in hand and beckons you to read one by one.
And with strange aeons even death may die. Theo remembers a life he never lived.
”Haserton Lowls IV indeed seeks the lost city of Neruzavin on your world. To learn of its location he sought certain writings within the Kitab al-Azif, the Necronomicon. The copy I hold in the Dreamlands does not contain this information.” As demonstration The Mad Poet opens his book to an apparently empty page.
”I will tell you what I told Lowls, find Geir’s translation now held at a university of the occult called the Mysterium in the Qadiran city of Katheer. But heed my warning, Lowls is no longer what he seems, the Great Old One Xhamen-Dor, the Inmost Blot, has infected him. I surmise he intends to use the Star Stelae in Thrushmoor and Neruzavin to mark your world so that it can be brought into Carcosa. Doing so would fully wake Xhamen-Dor, and Lowls would become the Great Old One’s champion.”
Gesturing grandly with his free hand, ”To regain your lost selves and glimpse your future I invite you to speak with the King of Neruzavin. Step into the water.”
Mara opened the strange tome, and read the words telling of bizarre beings and cosmic mysteries. The knowledge was deeply unsettling.
She wasn't sure what the Mad Poet meant about bringing Thrushmoor into Carcosa, but surmised that it wouldn't be a good thing. She replied, "Very well, I will speak with this king," and with trepidation, stepped into the water.
Theophilus begins dancing. He swirls. He twirls. He bobs. He weaves. He dips. He sips from a tea cup.
Now that's what's up!
The Cat-In-The-Hat dives into the pool!
Dervak is torn. Theophilus did not read from the book, but Mara did. The Mad Poet calls it a boon, a good thing... and it might be rude to refuse a gift from such a powerful being.
He approaches, and reads the page the Mad Poet presents to him.
There is something horrifying familiar about the text, an echo of something gone, though he cannot quite wrap his mind around it.
"I too will speak with this King."
He steps into the water.
The White Rabbit grabs the excited Witch, thrusts the scary and creepy book into his hands and points.
Theophilus promptly reads.
He then nods solemnly to his protege; surreptitiously glancing at the pool.
The White Rabbit takes back the book and nods; feeling more Intelligent!
Wooohhooo!
He dives in!
Kat folds her arms as she watches the others step into the water. She finally follows after. ”Well, let’s see what’s all this then.”
She will accept the free Investigator Talent. Quick Study
Rowan holds up his hands and says, ”I’ve had enough reading for a lifetime. Thanks but no thanks.” He steps into the oasis.
As Theophilus, Dervak, Rowan, and Mara step into the waters they see a reflection of themselves, not as they are now but as they remembered themselves in a half-forgotten memory. A memory when they visited here while working for Lowls. Their reflections are slack-jawed, Mara being quite knowledgeable about medicine, knows that they were likely drugged and barely conscious. In the reflection one by one count Haserton Lowls IV comes from behind and shoves their heads beneath the waters, they writhe and struggle but in their stupor are unable to fend Lowls off.
Dead in the Dreamlands from each of their heads a thin mist leeches into the water. The mist contains images of their time with Lowls:
Lowls for his part delivers on his promises. But as he works for Lowls Dervak knows that the Dark Whisper’s hold is tightening on his mind. He loses control and accidentally murders someone, Klyn Murik. Klyn’s crime was to steal a loaf of bread. The murder was covered up, the body disposed of as if he never existed. .
Dervak’s at last sees Lowls admitting him to Briarstone Asylum along with the others who worked under the count.
She sees herself working with Melisenn and the other victims of Lowls on a method to reactivate the Star Stelea in Thrushmoor. Melisenn broaches a possible method in live sacrifice, ”Tie them up against the stone and with a ritual knife drain the blood from them while chanting this prayer.” She points to a passage in the text, Festival of the Snake. ”Their lifeforce should pour into the stones, if done enough times it should activate.” Mara and the other researchers dismiss the notion for obvious reasons. Mara knows that the discovery was correct and not just academic.
After working with Lowls for over a year Mara sees how naive she was to trust the man, the signs were too obvious to dismiss anymore. She confided in her friend Keldrin but Lowls had other plans.
The last vision Mara sees is Lowls admitting her to Briarstone Asylum along with the others who worked under the count.
Lowls and Theo go on many hip-hopping adventures, not the least of which involves an accipitridaian woman named Isabeau.
The final vision Theo sees is Lowls admitting her to Briarstone Asylum along with the others who worked under the count.
The mist coils beneath the water, rising to the surface, when it breaks free you suddenly regain all of your lost memories in a dizzying flash.
The blank-faced reflections remain under the water remain and you have barely any time to recover when the reflections burst from the water with murderous intent!
Always acts in surprise round, if surprised acts last
The Theophilus with a wet goatee gives Dervak the evil eye! He cackles while stepping onto the shore.
Straightening his Headband of the Studious Mage, the gentleman watches in horrid fascination as his old self performed various uncomfortable tasks for the duplicitous Count: Carving bedframes, designing dunkage detailed constructs, wearing white after Labor day!
Theophilus weeps uncontrollably. The White Rabbit hands the soured scholar a handkerchief.
When their nightmarish reflections bursts violently forth from the fountain, the grief-stricken Witch gasps
Excuse me, but we weren't given sufficient enough of a grieving period!
The White Rabbit crosses his furry arms shaking his head in disappointment. He points upward as he hugs Theo's leg.
They both then Fly straight up 25'.
My dear friend, Dervak. We would not be too upset, if you took me out!
Rowan exclaims, "What the hell?" He squares off against his nightmarish counterpart.
The nightmarish Rowan staggers backwards falling out of reach of the initial sucker punch. But Rowan follows up with both hands grabbing his doppelganger and tearing him a new one.
This is not good.
Dervak has a horrible sense of deja vu, thinking of the last time when the party had only to fight his dark shadow, and not four such reflections.
My twin is probably the most dangerous, but Rowan's is wounded.
The bloodrager decides to try to finish off Nightmare Rowan.
He steps onto the shore, rages (+4 Dex), draws the Furious Falchion, and attacks Nightmare Rowan.
Knowing how much of a terror Dervak is in combat and then also knowing that this Dervak is still somehow tainted and bolstered by the Dark Whisper makes Dervak and Rowan consider escape rather than standing and fighting. Theo is terrified by how his doppelganger's beard hair looks like a different variety of hair altogether.
Dervak fights down his emotions and draws his falchion across the nightmarish Rowan's belly spilling viscera into the oasis and clouding it with blood. He tips over backwards, dead.
The evil Mara floats backwards away from the melee and time quickens as she does so.
The other Dervak replies to Theo, "You know best, friend." He draws his falchion and flies directly towards Theo. As he does so he becomes more bestial. The light of the desert seems to dim and something tugs at the edge of your hearing. The other Dervak cuts into Theo's right calf, nearly to the bone. The sight of it is terrifying.
Kat begins to feel the fear creep down her spine. And all Theo can think about is how nice and cozy and safe his bed on the boat is.
Dervak will definitely take the AOO on his shadow.
Theophilus begins screaming at the frightening sight of Evil Dervak flying at him!
What is this world coming to when a melee flies!
The blighted flash of the sickening blade cuts through more than just flesh and bone. The Witch turns pale!
Dervak swings at his counterpart as he flies upwards towards Theophilus. The nightmarish Dervak seems a great deal more mobile than he would expect, more than should be possible from Mara's time manipulations. The blow lands but is unable to hack through the unexpectedly bark-like skin.
How could I have been so naive! I didn't want to believe what I knew in my heart: that Count Lowls was pursuing dark knowledge, and had been corrupted by it. I told myself that I was just seeking knowledge, without regard for how it would be used.
Wrapped up in her thoughts of remorse, Mara didn't notice the figures coming out of the water at first. Then she came to her senses, and concentrated, speeding up the flow of time for her allies. She moved out of the water next to her nightmare clone, drawing her axe, and admonishing her alter-ego, "You should know better!"
Theophilus fights off the frightening impulse to flee; but his trouser leg does look a bit damp.
The White Rabbit shakily pats it dry with a handkerchief.
Thanks to Mara's haste, Kat sprints around to the other side of fake Dervak. Thanks to her recent gift from the Poet, she studies the doppelganger with astounding speed.
Kat swings her spear at the Mara holding an axe but an unseen force, some magical protection, deflects the blow.
Black Hare blows a raspberry at White Rabbit and pulls down his lower eyelid. The goateed Theophilus tip toes away from the fight and tosses a muffin in Rowan's direction while asking, "Why so serious?"
Rowan collapses in gales of horrid laughter. He joins Rowan, cackling maniacally.