While traveling, Roshan and Cassandra train. They seem to wake up before the others and drag themselves to their tent late into the night. It began with breathing exercises, stretching--as do many who devote themselves to purer forms of magic, Cassandra was malnourished and physically frail, she couldn’t even hold up one talwar in two hands. Sometimes they were joined by Francis or Eleth, but as they got closer to town their participation wanes. By the time they reach Ghostmoore, the training had moved on to extensions, the bare poses that combined into sword forms like letters into words.
Cassandra is catty, aggressive, impatient, and prone to dramatic mood swings, especially when she’s reminded of how much magic she has lost. She hasn’t yet figured out how to generate enough of her own energy to cast, and of the many things Roshan teaches, this seems to be where she’s falling behind. As Cassandra notices herself plateau, it begins to affect her other training. The two of them fight, frequently, but somehow they manage to resolve things before the end of the day.
Roshan visits Gerald alone. They don’t have the time or materials to forge a fresh set of blades--and Cassandra certainly couldn’t carry it all--but she has him make iron duplicates of her relics, a second chakram from the remains of Roshan’s khanda, and purchases a shield frame and a longsword.
When Francis and Eleth leave the party to join the rebuilding effort in Ghostmoore, no one can find Roshan. Cassandra doesn’t find this at all strange and insists she’ll be back to follow Belym. When she’s questioned further, the initiate crosses her arms and turns up her nose, stating “We’re the ones who ask the questions.” The Templar slips back into the party only after they’ve left town.
Ron
I'm okay... well, I think I am anyway... being a goddess is confusing. a voice replies, like Larunes, but more melodic, more forceful. It's... I forgive you, you did what you had to. the voice is halting, sounds somewhat disoriented, like your connection is weak, or unstable.
Lots of new rules, for being a goddess... Can't break them, or else you start to go crazy, Like Einora did she says not allowed to manifest outside of special rituals... not allowed to directly interfere... can't even give you really clear instructions she tells you.
Well, you're my first devotee. a few people have already found out about me, not many. She says Guess that makes you archbishop... Heh, Archbishop, godslayer, commander Bucannero... you really are racking up the titles... she sounds like she's laughing.
Thinking about allying myself with one of the other gods, might join a pantheon. You probably ought to head over to meet with the archbishop of Mersiel... she's kinda in a tizzy about this whole godslaying business, not sure what to make of it. you should smooth that over. she adds
After that... This world is still in danger. You have most of the peices... I may have helped them along. She pauses, thinking I'm not allowed to tell you more, but that is my commandment... Save the world, and live to tell the story. she tells you.
Archbishop ... of Larune? That ... Are you sure that is the title I should claim? What should we call you? Gods and Goddesses have domains, right? Have you claimed yours yet? Do you have a symbol? I was thinking ...
As he continues to ramble, Ron eventually realizes that he is talking to himself and falls away into silent thought.
As they ride towards Ghostmoor, he pulls out quill and parchment and relies on Roach to follow the group. The quill dances as he sketches, crumples up a paper and starts anew. Distracted, he doesn't notice the faint green aura that surrounds him as he works. After the tenth draft, he is satisfied. He pulls out a new page, and begins writing.
-----Through the swamp-----
Each night, Belym slips away from the party for an hour or two; an occasional crash, or cry, carries across the swamp during her absences.
When she sees the divine aura around Ron in his trance, a sad look crosses Belym's face; she doesn't say anything.
-----Ghostmoore-----
During the party's brief stay in the town, Belym takes the time to write a brief note to Hayden, letting him know it should be safe to return, if he wishes.
-----The road south-----
As the smaller group heads for the mine, Belym is quieter than usual. She takes care to offer a quiet, individual "thank you" to each of her companions as they cover the miles from Ghostmoore.
At one point, she pulls Tom and Ron aside (assuming they're both coming). "I should warn you - some of my folk may not take kindly to you. We don't usually deal much with surfacer dieties, and some are less polite than others about it." She pauses for a few moments. "But I'm glad you're here."
-----Mine Entrance-----
Belym pauses with her good arm raised at the door, and looks around. One heck of a fight. Door's intact, at least. I hope everyone's alright. I hope... She shakes her head, draws a deep breath, and knocks; the echo of the thunderstone through the door continues for several seconds.
---The road south---
Of course. Ye'll hear nothing about Larune or the other gods from me. I trust ye'll take the lead here. I'm only here to support ye if things go bad.
Roshan
That'll run ye 40 coin, the hero's rate Greald says as you order the weaponry. he promises to have it all ready, and gives you the chakram
Belym (and anyone else at the mine.)
There are a few agonizing moments after the knocker bangs, and you wait to see who is still there... and how they'll react to this power.
Eventually, you hear the sound of bolts sliding back... the door must have taken a beating, because proper dwarfish bolts don't make a sound.
the door swings open, and behind it stand three dwarves stand inside. Cailis brandishes a heavy axe, and you notice that one of his eyes is missing. Behind him is Datrestr Stonespeaker, one of the wise elders who speak the language of spirits. behind them both, and a little up, is a dwarf you don't recognize (at least, not with their head covered) who is aiming at a balista.
Cailis stops for a moment, looking at you, before his eye hardens and fills with hatred. Get out. he says, in a stern and strong voice Now.
"Hello, Cailis. Good to see you too." Belym says, her voice acid. She steps forward slightly, just enough so that one foot is in the path of the door if it closes. She looks past Cailis, offers a pleasant smile and precisely respectful bow, and says in a normal voice, "Stonespeaker." She returns her focus to Cailis. "That's a Felstone symbol on the door right there. I'm a Felstone. Care to try your greeting again? I'm sure the Stonespeaker can remind you of the appropriate way to welcome clan to a new hold."
Belym
The stonespeaker doesn't seem to understand, and opens their mouth to speak, but Cailis speaks first. Ye aren't clan. I knew the Dwarf ye are pretending to be. They died a good and honourable death, and yer desecrating their memory pretending to be them. So I'll tell ye one more time... Get. The. Hell. Out. O' Me Sight! Cailis says. The stonespeaker looks shocked, do tell me, what they do to ward you off? What do you do?
Ron looks a bit confused by the hostile welcome, and suspects trickery of some sort. He focuses on the three dwarves, trying to get a sense of whether they have been enchanted or charmed.
Tom
I am off to the capitol, as it happens. I would be glad to deliver a relic bak tothe church, though I would urge your company to return at some time, I am sure the archbishop would like to thank you properly. he pauses, thinking. Can I get two things from you? firstly, I loaned my sword to Ron, and could use it back. Secondly, I would like the names of your falen companions... the ones who weren't traitors. he fetches a quill. For the book of Martyrs. he explains.
Ron
The stonespeaker emanates slight magic every time they open their mouth, and the axe Cailis wields is enchanted. they themselves are, however, under no magical thrall.
Roshan stands with her arms crossed to Belym's left, a few paces behind her. She is motionless enough to be mistaken for a statue, and her brass plate is polished.
Cassandra is a bit further off, inspecting one of the fallen demons. "So weird... How did they get them to stick around? Y'know, they're usually all fire and brimstone..." She lets the demon drop to the floor and makes fire noises with her mouth while gesturing into the air. She coughs out a laugh like a bark. "Won't see many of those for a while. What'd you call them Lady? Interlopers?"
"Transgressors."
"Transgressors! Yeah, really gonna be tough for them to muster in force. Maybe they get left behind, now that the veil is so solid. -like they can't just get sucked back through, yeah?"
Roshan's eyes flick to Conwall. "This is not a good time for chatter, Initiate."
Cassandra looks up, seeing the dwarves for the first time.
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~~~ Back in Ghostmoor ~~~
Tom names the fallen to the best of his ability, ... but really Ron knows this better than I. Since he owes you that sword I'll have him stop by. Thank ye for returning this for us, I am uncomfortable traveling with it, it is certainly not mine t' take. I just hope it gives a final chapter t' the man's story.
~~~ Now ~~~
Something bugs Tom as Belym speaks to the dwarves suddenly Tom slams his fist against his forehead and exclaims, Aw crap! Ron, I was supposed t' tell you Thaddeus wanted that sealed back and write a clear record of the dead from that battle. I did the best I could from memory, but you're sort of the guy for that. I feel a ripe a#*~~@#.
I watch this odd dwarven greeting quietly from the back. Is Belym an imposter? Is the other dwarf crazy? Is there going to be a fight?
Didn't know he thought that highly of me. In a decidedly less aggressive tone, Belym replies, "It's me, Cailis. I don't know how I survived, but I did." Belym hears a click, and swings her stone arm into the doorway as the door swings shut with astonishing speed, driven by a massive counterweight; a flesh and bone arm would be sheared off, but her stone limb keeps the door wedged open. "Look, can you just let me talk to my father, or Arika?" she asks.
Wha' Tha... Cailis says as he sees your arm Yer na'... If yer really Belym, then tell me. I broke an axe on me first cave patrol outing, what was tha axe's name? he says as a challenge. what do you do?
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"It was a hammer, not an axe. Named Maintenance, so it was a touch ironic when it broke because you'd let the haft go to rot." Belym replies.
It.. it really is ye. Cailis stows his axe Wha's happened to ye, Dwarf? he asks
They Mentioned Akira, Should I get them? the Stonespeaker asks. The dwarf behind the Balista pipes up. Who's this lot yer with? A trustworthy lot, I hope. he says
what does everyone do?
Ron approaches Cailis and the Stonespeaker. Do ye have a minute to talk about our lady and savior?
I hope this goes quick, my feet are sore from the walk, Tom grumbles in his head.
At the question of trust, Cassandra snorts a laugh through her nose and claps both hands over her mouth.
Roshan picks up the initate by her hood. "I am Roshan Kaur of the red-" the templar chokes on a lost title. Has it been so long since I've introduced myself to good, civilized people?
Cassandra is dropped on her feet at Roshan's side. "You can just call me Cassie. The rest of it's not all that important these days."
"I can cuff her, if it would ease your minds."
Cassandra pales. "Lady?"
Roshan chuckles stiffly. "Only a joke. We have been through much with Belym. Stories well worth the telling. When she said she needed to see her clan, after everything these past weeks, we each chose her companionship over the swift execution of our own personal objectives. After what we have been through, we must see to eachother's safety. Belym spoke of you like family."
Ron nods to the dwarves as they look him over. I be Ron Bucanero, former Lord Commander of the Norwhich Militia, adviser to the current Lady Commander of the Norwhich Militia, and Belym is as a sister to me. If ye be family of Belym, then ye be friends of me.
Are we introducing ourselves? I am Tom Bonney, on a pilgrimage in Iisac's name. I come from the sea, so forgive me if I misunderstand your ways - Belym is the first dwarf I ever encounter though I have heard many tales.
"Stone only knows what happened. I woke under all that rock, and now...I can do things. Create stone, move it. Been a long few months trying to catch up with you." She gestures to her companions. " These lot are all friends, and I'd not have made it back without them. How have you all fared?"
I'm suddenly very interested in my fingernails. I'm a traveler. A hired sword. I give a little shrug.
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The dwarves invite you all in, welcoming you, perhaps not overly warmly, but the stow their weapons, and shake your hands.
Within the hold, there are six more dwarves. the mine's walls have been carved down to smoothness, and by the looks of things several new rooms have been added. They offer you seats. made of stone, but surprisingly comfortable.. You have acquired prestigious companions, Belym The stonespeaker says. A lord commander, An inquisitor, some sort of priest, and rarest of all, A quiet Elf. The stonespeaker laughs
Akira jumps up from their metalwork at the sound of your name. Belym... What the... How are you alive? they ask. What do you do?
"Ari!" Belym practically squeals, and races to hug the other dwarf. (Her stone arm throws them off balance, but they managed to stay upright.) "Stone, it's good to see you. I don't know how I survived, but I wished every day that I could let you know. How've you been?" The two chat excitedly for a couple of minutes, before realizing that the rest of the cavern has fallen quiet.
Turning, Belym offers a slightly embarrassed grin. "Um. Everyone, this is Arika, she's practically my sister." Belym runs through another round of introductions before turning back to the speaker. Conwall is being awfully quiet, I should talk to him later. "Sorry, Speaker. So how has the clan fared?"
Elemental power... hmm.the stonespeaker says, consulting their vast and powerful memory.
The clan... we are the clan, the ten of us in this mine. Arika says sadly We lost so many people when those.. she stops herself short when she notices the outsiders in the room. and then, when we evacuated... we started getting picked off. bandits, trolls, roaming monsters. Therain and Jera went to get help from Gilfaldir. She goes to the desk behind her, and start rooting though the papers on it.
As she does, the Stonespeaker places their hand on your shoulder. The lore does have beings with the ability to move and summon elemental earth... but only of sapient nodes. You would have to have bonded with a powerful place to wield the powers you claim... May I ask to see these powers, it may allow me to better understand them? they say gently.
Finally, a minute later, Arika hands you a short note, in Jera's handwriting.
To the current Felstone elder (already, you can see how chaotic things have been... it would seem the title of elder has changed hands several times recently)
We regret to inform you that we have arrived at the gates of Gilfaldir, however, the city is abandoned, overrun by some malevolent force.
we are currently in one of the outer towers, we dare not venture further into the city, we haven't seen anything, but we hear them slihering about. The whole city is dark.
We will make for Bogdoruhl in the morning. When we arrive, we will send word to you. stay safe.
what do you do?
"Ten? But..." Belym collapses into the seat behind her. She sits inert for several minutes, before stirring though to read the note in her hands. Several more minutes pass.
Without a word, Belym stands and heads into one of the side chambers. The sound of hammer on stone begins to echo out, a slow steady rhythm, followed shortly by a wordless voice, holding a resonant note. Several of the other dwarves join in, until the cavern is filled with the sounds, the hammers' rhythm rising and falling beneath the droning voices. Gradually, the others stop, until Belym's voice and hammer carry on alone the last few seconds. As the echoes fade, she returns to the chamber, and tells the elder, voice flat, "Of course. It's best if we do that outside. "
Outside, she demonstrates the conduit to the elder, all the various techniques she's learned, answering any questions he asks honestly.
Roshan observes the ritual in respectful silence.
Of the five tasks given to the templars, the least often remembered is the task of grafting. The business of death reaches further than killing and burying individuals, and when a settlement falls below a gross or so in population, a templar (or more appropriately a vance of templars) will facilitate the ties of trade, marriage, or relocation that the settlement requires to prevent the loss of their culture. This settlement did not adhere to the beliefs of Hebron, and it wasn't clear on where the dead God stood on assisting other races, but Roshan was nonetheless unsettled by the news, and anxious to help. This manifests in the templar opening and shutting her mouth, biting the inside of her cheek, and generally looking anxious.
Belym
I think I understand now. the stonespeaker says, taking you into their library and taking down a large tome. It would seem that in the area where the tunnel collapsed was a powerful node. it is a rare event, but it would seem that the node fused with you, granting you the power over it's domain. The stonespeaker says.
Everyone
It would seem you are bound for The Duchy. without a party of guards with you, you will be able to move quickly, and be there in a week (everyone has a horse, right? if there's anyone who doesn't have a horse, you should buy one for them. if you done't, it will take 3 weeks).
I will need perilous journey rolls: spend 21 coin (18 if the Q 10+'s) (or 63/60 if you aren't all on horseback).
-----clanhold-----
"What does that mean, exactly?"
"Balin Undermount. Kellis Brokehammer. And now...You. As best I can tell, you are the Stone from our old hold." The elder closes his eyes in thought. When he opens them again, he approaches her, places his hands on her stone arm, and begins a low chant. Belym's eyes widen, as she recognizes the Chant of Enduring Memory, and can feel her conduit resonating. She turns, and flees the room and the hold, without a word. She does not return.
-----Later-----
When Tom and the others eventually leave the hold, Belym approaches the priest. "Tom, you said your duties will take you to Eloen, did you not? I would join you, if I may. "
At the next town they pass through, Belym pens a note to Arika, and asks that it be delivered a few days after the group sets out.
As they begin the trek, Belym stays with the main group.
Ye don't even need t' ask, I hope I can share this winfall with all of you. I mean, how bad can some sickness really be compared t' a god? Tom scratches his stomach as his continues, With 10,000 split five ways we will all be able t' live comfortably for a while.
~~~~
On the road Tom makes sure to speak with the rare individual they meet and ask about the road ahead. Things seem mostly peaceful compared to the moors.
Ron awakens from sleep in a cold sweat. What have I done?
The demon lord seems vaguely familiar...
[Dice=Spout Lore about identity of Demon Lord]2d6+3
Ron walks shakily to where Conwall is meditating. Conwall, we have a problem.
He relays every detail of the dream that he remembers to Conwall. The shapeshifter is loose, and they will kill Natria and Kenan if I don't bring this flower extract. What do we do?
Ron
You know the formless moster og blood and shadow was, in fact, stríðsherra, the demon lord of conquest. you know for a fact that, if her gets that relic, he will use it to bring sorrow and slaughter to thousands.
you also know that he is a member of the demon triad, composed of himself, the lord of Hatred, and the lord of vice (There also used to be a lord of deception, but he was slain by the other three a long time ago), and that the other to would like nothing better than to kill him.
Everyone
The road goes by quickly, miles speeding by under the feet of your mounts..
The early autumn foliage is beautiful in Tanard this time of year, with vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. this beauty is undercut somewhat, by the groups of conscripts you often find yourself encountering.
One particularly gung-ho set of conscriptories, having apparently stop your party in the road. the two in chage step away from the conscripts, ad size your party up, eyeing the gold in particular.
Buncha travelers, are ya? the first one says
Foreigners too, I reckon. the second one adds.
Well then, I reckon it be out duty tp bring them to town, to make sure they aren't wanted for something.
I think it just might be. they do seem the unsavory sort.
What do you lot reckon we ought to do here? the first man asks you two, clearly eying your coinpurses. What do you do?
Roshans answer to the conscript's inflated sense of authority would be to literally bury him in coin, but instead she lets out a low, croak of a laugh and waits to see what the others try before she makes any kind of formal display of dominance.
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Ron smiles down at the conscript. I am Ron Bucanero, former Lord Commander of the Norwhich militia and Archbishop of Larune, the Emerald Lady. These are my traveling companions and we have free reign to travel through this land without interference.
He tosses 150 gold to the conscripts. However, I find myself in need of information as we have been off killing a goddess. What can ye tell me of the the war effort?
Ron... Bucanero one of the conscriptories says, examining the group in greater detail, and mouthing Elf... Stone-armed Dwarf... Westerner... Southern preist. the two blanch as they realize just how close to death they had just come.
My appologies, We didn't recognize you, lord commander. The man says as he regains his wits.
The war has not truly begun yet... there have only been a few skirmishes in backwater burgs.
And that's for the best, because the national army is not yet assembled, let alone combat ready. it might be a month or so before we have a force capable of battling Braxos.
That's why were traveling with these conscripts, making sure all the far off border towns and villages give their share.
Could be worse, I've heard that the eastern town consriptories have had to come with soldiers of their own. a bunch of towns protest, sometimes violently.
King Rhannon has also ordered a guard posted along the Godscar, in case the Camrothians get any funny ideas.
and apparently we have guards around Eolen as well, apparently the ambassador has gone completely silent
the two stop for a moment. what do you do?
So no news of Eolen? We are actually headed there after receiving a request for aid...
Lady Eolen has summoned you? The guard says I wonder what an apostate kingdom wants with godslayers. he says meaningfully.
behind them you notice ten of the conscripts setting off the direction they came. the remaining 30 seem to be considering joining them. What do you do?
Where one god falls, another rises. Be bold, the Emerald Lady smiles upon us now.
Ron tosses the two conscripts two small pins that match the drawing he made on the way to Ghostmoor. He bids them goodbye and motions Roach to continue moving on their way.