The wand goes off within the shadow's form, the healing flash quickly subsumed by the undead terror.
The shadow reaches out to Mortimus again.
; ;
Round 7: Nicatha, Ylrhea, Mortimus, Shadow, Drago
Drago reached into the internal storm raging within him and drew forth the last of its power. Balling the energy in one hand, the Damphir threw it at the dark creature. En route, the brilliant ball split into three smaller bolts and struck the Shadow.
The shadow dissipates with the force of Drago's spell.
"That woman was an elven maiden that Drago murdered (She got better-ish). This pit is a pathway to the realm of shadow, I believe."
Nicatha examines Alexandros' magical items. How many Spellcraft checks does she need? She will also examine the pit. Does she need a Kn: Arcana or another Spellcraft.
Drago looked at Nicatha in complete surprise. How in the Hells does she know everything about me? The thought of Aliethia would have caused further rage within him, but the Damphir felt utterly exhausted. Like the storm within had abaited.
Nicatha successfully identifies the amulet of channeled life and the belt of mighty constitution +2. The nature of Alexandros' bracers eludes her.
The pit is the manifestation of the energies of both the shadow and negative energy planes. Such conjunctions aren't rare, but their appearance on the Material Plane is.
"This pit is a conjunction between the mortal realms, the shadow realm, and the realm that strengths the undead. Using it would be quite deadly to someone who is not proof against the effects of the dark energy. Drago, I can hide you from the undead if you would like to explore this conjunction to tell us how long it is before you get to the next conjunction on the cursed continent. Or, I can attempt to close the conjunction from this side."
Internally, Nicatha feels stymied. I was told that my destiny could be found here, but more obstacles abound! What should I do?
"So that means if I were to go through it, you three would not be able to follow, correct?" Drago inquired. Thinking for a moment, he then asked while kneeling over Alexandros' body, "What did my Brother, have on him?"
"Well, the priest of the great pain spirit can use his touch to make one of us interact with the dark energy as if we were undead. But that lasts only a brief moment. If we are to use this for travel, then the passage must be quick and uninterrupted.
I have not yet discerned the power of these bracers, but this belt will make you more durable and his amulet will protect you from life energies. I'm surprised, however, that his grimoire is not with him. What would you like do, son of Chalandra?"
Mortimus fares no better than Nicatha in deducing the bracers' properties.
"If our Mother, is any indication, he wouldn't have one. Like me." After pondering a bit, he continued, "What do you mean 'protected from life energies'?" The Damphir took a closer at the bracers.
The bracers also stymie Drago.
"There are energies of life and death. The energy of life heals the living and hurts the undead. The energies of death sustain the undead but weaken the connection of the living between their spirits and their bodies. One such as you, who has one foot in the grave, drinks from the cup of death. The energy of life harms you. This amulet would have it bolster you instead.
I do not know if it is wise for you to enter alone, but if you do not desire to do so, I will close this gate. There are other paths we might take."
"No, Drago, on second thought step back. It is too dangerous to risk."
Nicatha pulls out her scroll and chants the Hallow spell.
The roiling black ichor turns to a deep grey and it feels as if a peace has finally settled in Ironwolf Keep. With nothing left here, you return to the surface and to the refreshing air outside.
Seeing the portal close, Drago felt both saddened and relieved. This seemed like the only route back to his companions on Zahvroma, but then again going in alone the same way Aliethia went probably would get him killed. Taking the amulet and putting it on, the Damphir fiddled with it all the way to the surface. She looked stronger than before, what has Mother been doing to her? He thought. Once on the surface, he asked, "So what now?" As his eyes wondered to Nicatha, his hunger returned, with a vengeance. Put it from your mind. Put it from your mind. Put it from your mind. Drago repeated inside his head.
Mortimus parts company with the rest of the group, perhaps grateful to be leaving Ironwolf Keep alive. The spirits subtly prod Nicatha into accompanying Drago and Ylrhea back to Zahvroma, though their motives seem unclear at this point. Following the road south of Arden, you are able to connect to the main roads of Alarion.
Your travels are uneventful as the roads are patrolled heavily and you reach the port town of Saffron with no trouble. It takes a lot of convincing to find a captain willing to sail to Zahvroma, but Ylrhea manages to handle that with a good amount of gold. The voyage is tranquil and relaxing. Ylrhea keeps to herself for the majority of the voyage, attempting to use her shard to communicate with the Green Circle.
When you arrive in Zahvroma, Drago finds it a changed place. Where there was once a fort held by the undead, a town is bustling. Many faces are new to the dhampir, but there is an unforgettable one standing at the docks: Skaar. Ylrhea uses her quickness to give Drago a kiss on the cheek and bid him farewell. She nods politely at Nicatha before disappearing.
