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Hinagiku, who is still bowing her head in respect, makes a full body body bow as the queen turns toward her. She waits a second before standing back, head still bowed.
"Galfrey 様" she begins trying to be as respectful as she can. "It could be difficult to understand, but I saw into Mrs. Dendwinar's soul. I saw what made her who she is. When she came to Drezen the first time, under the command of Ser Trezbot. On... demons killed everyone in her troop. One of them, Eustoryax himself, saw the hatred Mrs. Dendwinar had for her master. When he asked whom she served, she said that the demon was now her master."
"Also, now that we are free to speak. There is something I would humbly request. There are no clerics of the Drunken hero here in Drezen. But, I think it might help some people to have some of his clerics here in the city. Would it be possible to send one?"
"Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to find snowdrop flower... there are not live plants here, so the choice is not really great. I was thinking of decorating the stones like I did at Sleekrun for the chruch. If you want, you could come after tomorrow, once I am done, to give me your opinion and tell me the symbolic behind each of the plants. And, if you feel that it is inappropriate, I can move the bouquet before the ceremony."
"Tian Xia... well, the north of Minkai is like Mendev. We have mountains, fields, trees, flower, houses." she begins without irony. "But, everything is also different. Mountains are tall and majestic with temples perched on them. Fields are filled with water... flooded you would say, but so much still grows from them. Bamboo trees, from the south, grow so very tall yet remain so thin. And flower, flowers are so beautiful. In spring, orchards of cherrys tress bloom into pink flowers making wonderful forest. And then, there petals fall like a flowery snow." Hinagiku's smile grows more and more as she recalls the landscape of her country.
"Houses are also different..." Hinagiku takes a look at Ehren feet before continuing. "they are made so that people take off their shoes before entering so that the house may stay clean... I wonder what you would do there." Hinagiku flashes a brief, and really uncommon, complicit smile with Ehren.
"Customs are also the same and different. I lived with my mother most of my life. Home, when people are single, they stay with their family until they either find their love or are promised in marriage to someone. But, this is mostly for the richer people." Hinagiku pauses for a moment, her mind wondering whether now would be a good time to question Ehren, make sure that she will not wrong anyone if she continues meeting with her druid companion.
"And... and, I have been wondering, how is it here? Are the people in charge also promised in marriage? Like you, you are a druid, someone with influence, does that mean that you have a responsibility, someone who has been promised to you?"
Crusader-Queen Galfrey listens to Hinagiku speak. She doesn't seem particularly surprised at Hinagiku's assertion, but being herself a paladin, she had the ability to read souls in her own way as well.
"Thank you for your sentiment, Hinagiku," she says with a kind smile. In response to her second question, she replies, "Caydenites... are rarely the sorts of people who swear an Oath to the Crusades, and so they aren't really mine to tell what to do. The clerics that I know of in Nerosyan are mostly simple barkeeps, though there is a large orphanage in Egede run by their clergy," without showing any sign that she thinks its an odd question to ask at all. "When Drezen is safer for civilians, I would be happy to see if any such people would be willing to relocate to here. I could even help fund the relocation."
She turns back to Xanderghul, "Is Nurah the third matter you wished to speak of?"
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And the Hill gave us an excellent staging ground for another one of our little run arounds. A bunch of big ass catapults made a wonderful target to get the demons to focus on and taking out the bridge to Paradise Hill forced them to slow down and linger while facing down the forces we left behind at the camp. Which meant they were nowhere near the citadel when the rest of our forces snuck around the back and broke inside to take out their leaders. They were more than a few messed up things inside, from a succubus pretending to be Iomedae to Staunton Vhane and his giant f*cking bugs. But we managed to make it through just about everything in one piece. More or less. And Isilme managed to turn Joran Vhane to helping us instead. It seems like he never quite got along with the demonic forces and he and his brother have recently been having some issues. I’m sure helping us stop Staunton wasn’t easy but I think there’s hope for him yet. And he did help us kill the Beast of Drezen so I think he means to turn away from the Worldwound forces in good faith. He might not be ready to turn away from his faith in Droskar yet, but at least it’s an evil dwarven god and not Deskari.
The under levels of the keep were a trial, mainly because we were running on fumes and hope by the end of it. Some brilliant mind among the remaining cultists decided to stage Worldwound Version 2 in the basement when they started losing, hoping to take us out with it. We stopped them but it was a close thing. Not to mention having to go through a horde of vampires and a swarm of corrupt salamanders who were working some project of Joran’s called the Corruption Forge. That’s going to be something that we have to do something crazy to fix, I’m sure. More interestingly, there was a cell that was holding someone magically powerful. Or it used to be. By the time we found it, the battle had damaged the magic wards keeping her trapped and she’d booked it off into the Worldwound. The writing on the wall seems to say she was some kind of traitor to the demonic forces who found faith in Desna. I can’t help feeling like me and Isilme were meant to find her writing. When we’re clearing the nearby land, we’re going to have to find her and help her. Before the demons find her to take revenge. Starsong light her way until we can give her some back-up. And then fighting Eustoyriax at the end of all that. I’m just glad he didn’t get away again. And we rescued Sana too! Considering our luck with demons coming back to get revenge, that fight went about as well as it possibly could have. Even if he did try to possess most of us. It seems like Eustoyriax was a more powerful shadow demon than we were giving him credit for. And the fight is only going to get worse from here, I’m sure.
But on the bright side, we’re going to be repairing and restoring Drezen so the demons don’t get another chance to take it. Sosiel came to me with an excellent idea to help support crusader unity and strengthen the ties between the different groups here: a multi-denominational church dedicated to all the gods present in the Crusades. Maybe we can make Drezen into a bastion of unity and acceptance as well as a bastion against demonic incursions. Things may just be looking up.
Val decides to stay quiet for the most part lets the rest of the group deal with talking to the queen for the moment. She can still remember her childhood etiquette lessons, but she doesn't have much to say to royalty on business. And it seems like the team has more or less everything she could bring up covered anyway, so she doesn't need to make a fuss.
"No," he says. "The prisoners at Mantarin, and those that we have here in Drezen. I would ask that we be given the right to decide what happens to them. Frankly, I don't believe that current Crusader tactics given the treatment of prisoners, Condemned, and tieflings are adequate and appropriate, and I don't trust that the fates of these people would be just if we were to allow our common prisoners to be remanded into hands other than ours."
"I would also like permission to publish and distribute a paper on discrimination. I know I don't need permission to write one, but I would like it to be publicly distributed in major Mendevian cities, and for that I need Crusader resources."
Crusader Queen Galfrey considers Xanderghul's request. She seems unperturbed by the criticism. "The prisoners of war left at Mantarin, and those who have surrendered here at Drezen, are the Lord-Commander's to judge," she says, gesturing to Ary. "As the Oath to our goddess goes, she is responsible for their lives."
"However, Ser Jorsal, Nurah, and Joran, are high-profile criminals that have allegedly committed crimes against the nation of Mendev for several decades. If Ser Jorsal is to plea innocence, he can do so before the Lord Inquisitor, and his soul will rest in Iomedae's hands. If Joran and Nurah are to plea guilty, they will be given a fair trial in a formal court proceeding. Their punishment will be determined by a jury of their peers, and corroborated with the Lord Inquisitor," she says firmly, making it clear that there will be no argument on this matter.
She then moves on to his second request, "As long as it does not violate Mendevian laws or attempt to instigate unrest, I don't see any reason with distributing it to our major libraries and fortifications after it is given over for review. If your papers are specifically on tiefling discrimination, there is a special-interest group within the Crusades that would likely support your endeavor. I could provide references to their leadership."
She pauses, tapping a gauntleted finger on her arm. "So, if that would be all, I would like to be escorted to see Nurah. I... would like to speak to her," she says, gesturing to Ary to escort her.
Crusader-Queen Galfrey walks with Ary, gesturing for Chevaliers Kiarah and Sheloa to accompany her. They leave Citadel Drezen's keep and cross over into Paradise Hill. The crusaders in the area give her a wide berth, though they gawk at her and whisper excitedly to one another as she passes.
They enter the tower and pass into the basement. Galfrey doesn't glance at the other two prisoners - as soon as she enters the make-shift prison, her eyes lock on Nurah and don't leave her.
Nurah shifts into a kneeling position and stares up at the queen with her big, blue eyes.
"Your Majesty," she says, without any trace of mockery.
"Nurah Dendiwhar," Crusader Queen Galfrey responds. After a moment of silence, she glances up at Ary and the others. "I want a moment of privacy with her."
Lord-Commander Bishop and the others leave for a room on the first floor to give her some space. Chevalier Sheloa chooses to break the silence.
"So... uh... Ary. Sorry for being so suspicious, the other day. It's just, y'never know when a demon's lurking around, right? This one time, I found a quasit in my canteen. In my canteen! And the little a#+@~%* drank all my water too! Anyway, from that moment on, I knew I couldn't be too cautious when it comes to demons. They could be lurking....anywhere!"
About twenty or so minutes later, Crusader-Queen Galfrey emerges. She looks solemn, and unusually tired.
She speaks to Ary first, though she glances at any other heroes that are present as well.
"The punishment for high treason is death... it is one of the most vile crimes a person could commit in their lifetime," Crusader-Queen Galfrey says. "However, I would like your counsel on this matter, Lord-Commander. I fear... I am too close to this situation to provide a fair and unbiased opinion. What do you feel should be done about Nurah?"
Xanderghul nods again. "Contact with that group would be a good favor to pay to me," he says, happy that his requests had gone over well. He had lots of things to do now. Quite a bit of work.
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As Hinagiku starts to describe her homeland, Ehren closes his eyes and does his best to visualize it. He smiles when he sees the lush green, the looming gray mountains, and the riots of color that cover the trees. He instinctually compares the images to his visions of old Sarkoris, seeing in them the differences and similarities. ”It sounds beautiful. It must have been very difficult for you to leave it behind.”
When Hinagiku broaches a different yet perfectly relevant question, Ehren’s eyes suddenly snap open again. ”Promised to me?”
Ehren’s face flushes, the innocent question eliciting a line of thought he has not followed for quite some time. In a rush he remembers clan gatherings of recent years, the sound of his sisters tittering madly every time a girl from another clan so much as looked in his general direction. Days of relentless teasing usually followed. Shuddering from the memory, he takes a deep breath before continuing.
”No, I don’t have anyone like that. My status in my clan would matter more than my being a druid, in any case. My father is the clan-liege, as was his father before him, and his father’s father before them. As his eldest child, should the day come that he deems me ready and worthy, I too will inherit the title.” Ehren falls silent for a moment, leaving unsaid the other circumstance under which the title might fall to him.
”It is not uncommon for clan-lieges to mate with a member of another tribe to formalize an alliance. Sometimes two clan-lieges do so to merge their tribes entirely, as Ailig and Isbeyl are doing. But my clan has not done anything of the sort for many years… there simply hasn’t been a need. They are healers, nurturers of nature, keepers of tradition. Peaceful people.” Ehren grins wryly. ”Unlike myself, I suppose.”
When they finish their discussion in the war room, Isilme accompanies Ary and Queen Galfrey to see Nurah. When Galfrey demands a moment alone with Nurah, she withdraws behind Ary and waits outside. Though her curiosity tempts her severely, she resists the urge to eavesdrop on the conversation between the two, opting to wait until the Queen emerges.
Isilme was no longer certain of what to make of Nurah. She had been truly disappointed at the anger she'd shown the other night when Isilme visited. She had expected the halfling to at least express some contrition. If she had simply said she wanted to continue doing what she'd done before, that would have been sufficient. Instead Nurah had maintained that she still would have happily killed all those traveling with her.
Isilme waits for Ary to have the first say and then chimes in afterwards. "My feelings about Nurah are mixed, your Majesty. She aided us greatly in taking the citadel, and the maps and information she provided were certainly invaluable. When we spoke with her then she seemed mostly resigned to the end of the world, but there was something worth redeeming beneath that. A spark within her, an earnest desire to continue to chronicle the world. However, when I sat down with her last she expressed no remorse for what she had done. There is vitriol and spite still dripping from her words, and that worries me. Some of that may be due to the fact that she has not been able to get over the fact that I bested her, and some due to our very different views of the world, but it is troubling nevertheless."
"In the end, however, I am a servant of the Song of Spheres," Isilme says, holding up her hand to show the mark she'd received. "I believe strongly in free will and that each must make their choices and live by them. If she would choose the path of repentance, acknowledging the wrongs she has committed and how far she would need to go to right them, I would give her a chance to undo the harm she has wrought upon us all."
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As Xanderghul speaks, Ary pulls out another small sheaf of paper, sliding it over to Xanderghul, with a small shrug. "Maybe help me work on it? I know that the implementation is terribly flawed and exploitable, but the concept is... right. Ethically, we can't force prisoners into combat. Either they're a risk to folks, or they aren't. It should really be a more balanced option." she says as she prepares to go.
"Honestly... I felt that either you were a little lax in screening us, or that you did the right thing in leading us straight into a room filled with Mendev's finest. If we could bypass your Demonscope, then that was precisely the correct place to take us." Ary says, offering the ranger a friendly smile. "But then, I kind of was lax enough for my best friend's daughter to wind up murdering him because I didn't realize the paladins hadn't screened her... so..." Ary adds a bit sheepishly.
* * *
"I believe that ultimately... there are a lot of things to consider. To determine the depth of her treason requires using the codes that Isilme was able to learn to trace the information that had been learned. Of note... I don't believe that the codes would be widespread knowledge, meaning that information that she passed along was probably for exceedingly priveleged eyes. If it were more widespread, we would have learned of it from the inquisitors, I would think." she pauses, letting the thought sink in. "The value of what she told others with her maps and words, combined with the actions she actually took need to be combined into real charges. It's easy to focus on just the black and white... but we can't deal in black and whites, Crusader-Queen. We cannot betray our hearts. To me, that is the single most important of Iomedae's code of ethics." She pauses, once more, once more looking down and away, after having looked at the Queen of Mendev directly for the intonation.
"Ultimately, I believe that my greatest fear is in condemning a redeemable soul to become that which we combat. Perhaps that makes me too lenient in those that I choose to make my prisoners, though I do not take them as my prisoners lightly. I am responsible for their lives." she continues, after only brief hesitation, looking back to the others in the room. "I do not believe that in her heart she truly serves the Abyss. I think that her heart serves her own fear. And that that fear is tempered by hatred for those who do not defend others, of those in Cheliax, and perhaps even here, that would turn a blind eye to suffering for the sake of success." she says, gauntlet creaking as she grasps the air, eyes slightly blurried with unbidden tears, as pieces of the halfling's foreword are dredged up within her memory. "If it were left to me, I would not see her dead. I would see her live until the end of these Crusades, so that she can see the story not simply from the depths, but also from the heights."
"In the end, I feel that no matter what you choose, you made the right choice in sending her here with us... because if anything could change her world-view, it would be seeing the world changed."
After Isilme chimes in, she continues, "Every piece of information she gave to us was measured against what we knew and what we would know. And nothing that she told me sense has been incorrect, or even misleading. I have known only kindness from her... and despair in my times alone with her." Ary says, frowning a bit with the Azata's addition to the scene.
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"I will not betray my heart..." Crusader-Queen Galfrey echoes, thoughtfully. After a moment of silence she smiles weakly. "Thank you, Chevalier Bishop, Chevalier Lleuad-a'r-Sêr. I value your counsel."
"Ser Jorsal, Xanderghul, and Isilme will be returning to Nerosyan with us for the evening. Please keep Joran monitored, and ensure he does not flee his pending trial. Use magical means to track him if you feel you must. Nurah should be kept in a cell, as she is too much of a flight risk to be allowed free."
The Crusader-Queen spends the next few hours observing Drezen's buildings and defenses. She takes to time to meet with each of Ary's captains, and also stops by to speak with Ailig and Isbeyl, as well as Hua Xing, and thanks them for their contributions to the Crusader effort. In-between errands she pauses to meet various soldiers and civilians, asking their name and title, and occasionally asking them other questions. Once she has left, it is clear that the soldiers are in high spirits, enthused for the chance to see and some even meet the Queen herself. Her visit is the main source of gossip amongst the Crusaders for the next few days.
With the Queen now gone, the excitement dies down and the Crusaders are back to work. Valaria is mostly left to her own devices as to how to spend the day.
With the Queen now gone, the excitement dies down and the Crusaders are back to work. Hinagiku is mostly left to her own devices as to how to spend the day. At one point, she makes the trek out to the menhir. The standing stones are looking far better, thanks to Ehren and Grumtarr's hard work. They are arranged in a pleasing pattern, and are covered in new runes.
Grumtarr approaches her to rumbles out what must be a greeting, though Hinagiku does not truly understand it. Afterwards, he leaves her alone, sinking into the earth as if it were soft sand.
This place feels comforting and welcoming to Hinagiku. She feels united with the world around her, and when she closes her eyes and focuses, it is almost as if she can feel and sense things through the rocks, as an extension of her own body. It is a good place to clear her thoughts and meditate.
Ehren has a very busy day ahead of him. He spends most of the day down in the sweltering heat of the Corruption Forge, with Joran who assists somewhat begrudgingly. In the end they successfully de-anchor the Abyssal Ley Line from the forge, nudging it a little bit down deeper into the earth. The effects are almost immediate - the Abyssal influence is gone from the air, as is the unholy sweltering heat.
In the early evening, after a rushed dinner of rations, Isilme returns and they head to the bath-house. The building was at one point a lavish building, likely funded by some Taldane noble who wanted something that reminded them of home. But now it was moldy and decrepit, its walls covered in pulsing yellow slime and the waters full of maggots.
A little while after you start working, some familiar faces emerge from the doorway. It is Lann, Crel, Dyra, and a few others of the Otherfolk.
"Ehren! Chevalier Isilme! I heard you could use a hand?" asks Lann pleasantly. In their arms are mops and buckets and rags for cleaning.
Ary finds herself busier than ever, between needing to attend to the Queen's visit and responding to various concerns and questions from her Captains in her army (it seems that everyone has an opinion about how to rebuild Drezen, and not all of them are realistic!), it is awhile before she gets a chance to sit down in the Lord-Commander's office and regain her bearings. There are books on dwarven religion and culture piled on a corner on her desk, and the rest of it contains various scrap paper with notes on her plans for Drezen.
Just as she is focused and ready to work on her next task, little Sana comes bounding into the room.
"Ary-Ary-Ary-Ary!" she cries, holding up a spare piece of paper. It seems that someone had given her finger-paints (Annabelle seemed the most likely culprit), as evidenced from the sticky, colorful mess on her bare hands.
"I made this for you," she says, handing her a drawing. On it are three figures - on the left, is a childish drawing of what is likely Saint Lymirin, with her many wings and her long scroll. On the right, with her bright red hair and shield is Ary, holding a mustard-yellow sword aloft. Next to Ary is a picture of Sana. She's smiling, and holding her own pink sword aloft. On the ground in front of them are dark, lumpy figures that are likely demons. Their eyes are rendered with little x's and their mouths overturned in little frowns.
"Do you like it?"
In the distance you can hear Irabeth's voice calling - "Sana? Sana?" before pausing out in front of Ary's apartment from the War Room. "Ah," she says, seeing Sana with Ary.
Meanwhile, Xanderghul teleports back to Nerosyan along with the Queen, her Second-Sword Knights, Ser Jorsal, and Isilme.
They teleport back into a room in the Starrise Spire that was specifically made for teleportation and extraplanar travel. They exit, heading out into Bannerbright in the Woundward District. The Crusader-Queen is far too busy to escort Xanderghul and Ser Jorsal to where they need to go, so they part ways and Chevalier Kiarah is given this task.
Bannerbright is a well maintained neighborhood that contains a number of Crusader administrative buildings, as well as the homes and families of high-ranking members of the Crusades. They arrive at a large courthouse building, and heading into the western wing, they come to a door that boasts on a golden plaque -Office of Lord Inquisitor Casori, Dr iur.
They then come to a crowded waiting room, and a stressed looking administrative assistant. They wait for nearly an hour for the audience, the whole time Kiarah tries to talk Xanderghul into giving her 'just one more' blood sample - she means she's not even asking for a tissue one this time - and asking other rather invasive questions about his physiology and psyche. This isn't unusual for her, as Xanderghul had the 'pleasure' of meeting her a decade or so ago, when he was initiated into the Crusades with Ser Jorsal. She found him a scientific curiosity.
Finally, the administrative assistant breathes, "Ser Jorsal of Lauterbury. The Lord Inquisitor will see you now," she says, monotonously.
They are ushered into the next room, which is a hallway. Along the sides there are several assistants, busy with paper work or pouring over tomes of current law, code, and regulation as well as records of past legal cases.
Finally they come to Lord-Inquisitor Casori's office. He is a tall, imposing figure, with skin the polished hue of white marble, and a long nose and very thin lips. His hair is dark and curly, slicked back with some sort of gel, and he has a well-groomed beard. He glances up from his desk at the three.
"Ser Jorsal," he says, his eyes darting down to review some reports scrawled on a clipboard. "You stand accused of consorting with demons, of summoning demons, of worshipping Baphomet, of the murder of at least 25 identified victims in Nerosyan, including 7 children, of carrying out illegal vivisection, of leading attacks on Fort Ahari and Fort Vilareth, and of spying on the realm of Mendev for the Ivory Templars. What do you say to these crimes?"
Ser Jorsal stares at the ground, his hands clenched into tight fists as he names Arastrax's crimes. Finally, he looks up, looking the Lord Inquisitor in the eye. "I am innocent, Ser."
"So you plea not guilty," The Lord Inquisitor replies, rising from his seat and drawing his blade. "Are there divinations upon him?" he asks of Chevalier Kiarah. She mutely shakes her head. "Then, kneel, and bow your head, Third Sword-Knight."
Ser Jorsal kneels before the Lord Inquisitor, whose blade suddenly glows molten and appears as if sheathed in white-hot flame. "I am the Sword against Injustice, humble servant of the Light of the Sword. If this man be innocent, may the Inheritor's Grace shield you from these crimes. If this man be guilty, then may his soul be sent to Pharasma's eternal judgment."
He swings his blade directly at Ser Jorsal's neck, but just as it would cut through his flesh, it suddenly jerks and rebounds off with a loud clang, as if hitting an invisible wall.
The Lord Inquisitor exhales and sheathes his sword. "Rise, Ser Jorsal of Lauterbury. Let the record reflect: you are not guilty." His serious face suddenly breaks into a wide smile, as he pulls Jorsal into a tight, one-armed hug. "It is good to know the accusations were not true, friend."
The two banter for awhile before the Lord Inquisitor says that he has to return to his duties, but he adds that it would be nice to get a drink with him and Xanderghul after the day is through. The smile doesn't leave Ser Jorsal's face, even as they leave the court house.
"It is good to be free, Xanderghul. Thank you for speaking up on behalf to the Queen. It is notoriously difficult to get an audience with Casori... who knows how long it would have taken otherwise." he says, beaming, and looking like a new man. "I will need to stay in Nerosyan a little while longer, friend. I need to write to the Decimvirate, and track down what happened to the rest of the Pathfinders at the Lodge... if they are still alive." His smile vanishes somewhat. "After this, though... I think I will be stepping down as Venture-Captain, at least for the time being. I don't truly feel worthy of the title...and I think it will be awhile before the Society trusts the region is stable enough to send new adventurers."
And so, Xanderghul parts ways with Jorsal. He has a business card given to him by the Queen, for a 'Tucceia Sera', leader of the Cloven Hoof Society. He heads to the Confluence District, to Riverside. Riverside is somewhere in-between a slum and a supply depot, simultaneously a thriving hub of river trade and a mishmash of shoddy, low-income housing. The Cloven Hoof Society sits inside of a old, single story house that has been repurposed into the headquarters of a grass roots organization. It sits right at the border of the slums and the mercantile buildings, itself a patched-up, labor of love.
Walking inside, he finds the main hallway bustling with a dozen or so tieflings. They're carrying papers and pamphlets, and the walls are plastered with signs such as 'Tiefling Rights are Human Rights!' and 'Let's be JUST for a CHANGE!'. One evocative painted poster depicts an arm painted in metallic gold, clasping the hand of an arm painted red with black, pointed finger-nails in brotherly solidarity. The text reads: 'PLANE-TOUCHED UNITE! WE ARE MORE SIMILAR THAN DIFFERENT.' The furniture here is mis-matched and likely was obtained from several different yard sales, and there is a bucket on the floor collecting water from a leak in the ceiling.
A woman glances up at Xanderghul. She has grey skin, and long pointed horns that protrude through her, long, straight black hair. A golden pendant of the holy symbol of Iomedae is pinned to her black vest. "Hi there! I am Tucceia Sera," She gives him a once over, and seeing his ruby-red eyes and greenish veins, immediately mistakes him for a tiefling. "Oh! Have you come to see how you can get involved? We always need more volunteers..."
You part ways with Xanderghul at the Starrise Spire, and are instead ushered into the Crusader's War Room by Crusader-Queen Galfrey. There she finds an older man inspecting several unrolled maps of northern Mendev, in elaborate red and golden plate, with a long red and white cape fluttering behind him. He stands straight and proud despite his advanced age, bending over a few times to add annotations to his maps.
"This is General Deloray," says Galfrey. "General Deloray, this is Chevalier Isilme. Deloray is in charge of organizing the next campaign, to clear out northern Mendev of the remainder of the demonic forces, and to create a safe route from Drezen to Valas' Rest." she says to Isilme.
Turning to General Deloray, she says, "Isilme has some ideas that you should listen to about the war effort." She also produces a pamphlet of papers given to her by Ary. "Lord-Commander Bishop has also drafted some ideas about your strategy."
General Deloray grins, taking the pamphlets. "Ah, a fellow strategist!" he says, enthusiastically. "Come, come closer, I don't bite... but be warned, I am always up for friendly debate.."
Crusader-Queen Galfrey smiles. "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am already late for a meeting with the agricultural council. I'll be stopping by sometime later this afternoon to arrange for transportation back to Drezen."
"There is one last thing, Your Majesty," Ehren interjects as politely as one can manage when interrupting royalty. "As we work to reclaim the surrounding region, more of my people will be inexorably drawn here, to their ancestral lands. Some have already come to Drezen to do just that. I would like to see to it that relations between them and the Crusades remain as harmonious as possible."
When the Crusader-Queen departs with Ary to see Nurah, Ehren opts to stay behind. He has not spoken to the halfling since sealing her in the stone box she still resides in. While well aware of how instrumental her intelligence has been to their success, on a personal level he could think of nothing to say that would sway Galfrey's judgment. Even if he did, he is not entirely certain that he would want to.
”Thank your majesty Galfrey 様.” Hinagiku says, taking a step back from the spotlight.
Before departing for the menhir, Hinagiku visits Annabelle and Chaleb, not at the same time, to tell both of them that she will not be able to help them with the crypt today, but that they are welcome to go if they wish. To both, she also specifies that the other might be present, and that if they are not comfortable been alone with them, that it is okay for them not to go. Adn then, she makes one last stop at her small “room” in the keep.
Hinagiku’s reflection stared back at her from the water filled basin that laid on her lap. She looked right then left at her vulpine face. She had grown to accept it, but there was something inherently inhuman about it, and even though Ehren had said it did not bother him, she doubted that he found it attractive in any way, maybe not disturbing but not alluring either. Closing her eyes and focusing for a moment, she reopens them only to see a tian woman staring back at her. That seemed better… too good for the monk’s taste, but at least it was not furry and did not have a snout. Her new human body’s proportions felt off though, the hips too large, the breasts too heavy… definitely not appropriate for battle. Still, for today it would have to do. Standing up, Hinagiku picks up her things and leaves for the menhir.
After responding to Grumtarr’s greeting with a little pat on the head, similar to those reserved for children in her homeland, Hinagiku sets to work. She then spends the following hours of the afternoon working in the peaceful presence of her mother’s megaliths. Carefully, she selects and picks the nicest dried plants she can find and arranges them around the circle of stones. One by one, bouquets are propped between the stones of the outer ring.
Once she is satisfied with her work, Hinagiku sits next to the central menhir. Her back against it, she slowly starts her breathing exercises which inevitably bring her into a meditative state. Her inner pool slowly merging with the endless ocean that is the world. Letting the current carry her, Hinagiku lets the comforting and welcoming sensation of the place invade her mind and waits for her mother to speak.
Once an hour has passed, Hinagiku slowly opens her eyes again. And after pulling out a book from her bag, she waits while reading. Maybe Ehren would come by at some point.
”yes, of course, I would be honored to have your help senpai. I will let you know as soon as I find an adequate place for it.”
She then listens closely to Huà-Xing’s homesick comments and smiles at her last comment. She didn’t consider that what she did was silly, but she was glad to be an anchoring point to her companion.
”Senpai, Mr. Ehren is a skilled druid, maybe once he purges some of the land around he can use his magic to grow a cherry tree…. Just like the one that grew outside the temple… ” and with that, Hinagiku starts reminiscing about their land with Huà-Xing, softly all the while to make sure not to wake Shu-Lien.
Hinagiku’s gives a gentle encouraging smile to Chaleb.
”You can call me Hinagiku… remember? And, do not be discourage, let your conscience guide you. I know you can trust in it, you’ve changed so much since we first met.” she says
”I will set to work tomorrow then. You are welcome to come and see the result late in the day.”
While Ehren’s eyes are closed, his mind dreaming of wondrous landscapes, and as he comments about the hardships of leaving her homeland, Hinagiku’s hand falls over her chest, just where her bandage, hidden by her clothes, is found.
”It… it was and it wasn’t. I had spent so much time in the same town, I never travelled much, and then so much time at the temple. I had grown so accustomed to everything, it was so comforting. But, I needed to leave to open my mind and learn new things however hard it felt at first. But, also, I heard this calling, I heard the cry of the land, felt this wound upon the world just like it was my own… At first it was just in me, but then, as I learned to listen to the trees, the flower, the insects, the animals, and even the people, I could sense it. Subtly, yet ever present. And the call became stronger and stronger. And then I realized what I had to do. I realized that I needed to leave all the things I knew and love behind, to deal with something much more important. … so, it was hard, but it wasn’t.”
”I see.” Hinagiku simply answers to Ehren not being promised, trying not to reveal her thoughs.
But then, as he mentions being a violent man, Hinagiku’s mind fully changes gear.
”You know, fighting battles does not mean that you are not peaceful. There are ways to do so. I have spent my life listening to the world, and following it’s guidance so that I could fight without true violence. Though, I have to say… I feel like I lost my way lately.” Hinagiku stares toward her bag, from which she can see the Kyoketsu shoge.
”But, I will not abandon it. I can fight yet be a peaceful person.”
The Lord-Inquisitor's judgment does not inspire much faith or awe in Xanderghul. The basis for a system of laws being 'getting struck in the neck with a sword' is, quite frankly, terrifying. And infuriating. He didn't know why he didn't expect a faith-based method for a theocracy, but it's not something that he agrees with or can see as very reliable.
Outside, he merely shrugs at Jorsal's words. "Speaking up to a monarch is nothing to me. If you would be convicted, then I would have broken you out of there myself, because if the system of this country cannot render you innocent, than the system is not as Good as it pretends to be." He ponders for a moment. "I'm glad that Casori's shoddy method proved to be enough for you. You are a good friend."
After the meeting with Casori and Jorsal, he consults the business card that the Queen gave him. Not liking being in Nerosyan much, or having any money or time for errands, he quickly searches out his goal. The trip from Bannerbright to Riverside is an interesting one, as the houses get cheaper and shoddier the farther they are away from Iomedaen central command. While he was sure that it wasn't some grand, purposeful conspiracy to make it this way, it did clearly spell out their priorities: Iomedae first. No wonder they had such problems with the Sarkorians since... forever. And the state of the "Cloven Hoof Society" chapterhouse! It was in shambles, a depressingly tiny space. He strides in, his ruby eyes glittering critically, his cloak swooping in the wind, and his neck craning this way and that, looking for who is in charge.
He straightens up and raises his chin when the young tiefling woman addresses him before taking another glance around, mostly with flicks of his eyes. "Are you in charge here?" he asks, giving the woman an appraising look. Then, without being able to help himself, he says, "The state of your facilities is... unfortunate."
Before she leaves, Crusader-Queen Galfrey asks for Ehren to expand on which kellids had already come to Drezen, and the circumstances of their being there. Afterwards, she makes a point of visiting them personally.
Tucceia thinks for a moment before answering the question. "Well, humm, we're technically just a chapter of the Cloven Hoof Society. Our leader, Strea Vestori, lives in Cheliax....Kintargo, to be precise. But I am the head of this chapter, yes!"
She shrugs, and gives him a sheepish smile. "Well...we run on donations, so we do what we can. Most of our budget goes to trying to raise awareness, or to helping individual tieflings in need...I guess there isn't much left over for maintaining this building, after that."
"This place looks way better than it used to, though!" adds another tiefling.
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"I do plan to see what I can do to help you here, and I wasn't about to work in a place with a hole in the roof," he says. "Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to soon, and I will be returning to Drezen before the end of the day. I wanted to come and meet you - the Queen gave me your contact information."
"You see, I've just come from a Crusader march. There were some things that happened on this march which frankly frustrated me and brought up... inadequacies in the Crusader system. I want to write an article on what happened, and I believe I can use your help to distribute it. In addition, my Commander and I are planning to take on significant cultist rehabilitation efforts, which I thought a tiefling advocacy group might be interested in." He takes a break, lofts an eyebrow, and half-smiles at the woman. He knew that he was dropping a lot on her all at once, but part of the point was to impress her.
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The various tieflings stare open-mouthed as Xanderghul swiftly repairs the ceiling, walls, tables and various chairs.
"I... wow. You didn't need to do that..um... do you need payment? I can try to arrange payment... um.." Tucceia seems completely flabbergasted by this turn of events.
"Hey, he even fixed my chair!" says one tiefling brightly, rocking back and forth at her desk. "You know, the one with the creaky- oh, nevermind," she goes silent when Tucceia shoots her a look.
She listens to rest of what he has to say, then stands up from her desk and offers him a hand to shake. "That. That sounds amazing!" she says, staring at Xanderghul like he was the answer to all her prayers at once. "Can I have your name, perchance?"
"When you are ready, Ehren," Isilme says, ready for the removal of the yellow mold. "Once we are rid of it up here, we can check down below as well where the furnaces were for heating the water, and then deal with the water itself."
When Lann and the others arrive, Isilme waves, "Welcome Lann! Please, call me Isilme. We would certainly be happy for the aid in getting this bath house in shape, though do be careful not to touch the water until we have purified it, and allow Ehren to finish clearing out the yellow mold."
While the Queen is wandering around greeting people, Isilme tracks down Külə. Picking a spot that she'll be likely to pass through, Isilme waits with him there until her entourage appears. She waves to them and approaches, bowing respectfully to the Queen. "Your majesty, there is someone I would like to introduce you to." She gestures to the haggard unicorn she calls her friend, "This is Külə, he has fought alongside me since we freed him in Silvershore," she says by way of introduction. "Külə--allowing me to ride--led the cavalry charge in the battle for Paradise Hill," she says, genuinely happy to make the introduction.
"A pleasure to meet you, General," Isilme says with a bow. "I ceased worrying about people biting a millennia ago, however," she says with a wink.
At the queen announcing her departure, Isilme thanks her and bows, then returns to speaking with the general. "There are several things that you should know regarding the status of Northern Mendev," Isilme begins. She launches into a discussion of the battles at Silvershore, Ahari Bridge, Mantarin and Icerift, providing statistics for the numbers of troops fielded by the enemy, and what they'd generally understood to be their goals.
"All that remain now are the enemy troops in Vilareth, and a new fortification being constructed in Keeper's Canyon," she says, finishing up. "We know that Grueblox, a brimorak commander is in charge of Vilareth, and that their supplies will be severely strained at this point. We absconded with much of their supplies in a raid on the way to Drezen, partly to make them expect an attack, and partly to restock our own supplies."
"There is also a contingent at the entry of the canyon, and they were building boats and landings to travel between that and Fort Vilareth last we saw."
"Also important to know is that presently the Ahari Bridge has been destroyed, and that we have created a path up directly onto the plateau near where we forded, west of Icerift. It was that which allowed us to take Drezen without a fight. I expect the canyon is still trapped at points along its length, although we do not know for sure."
She stops to allow the General to take in the situation. The ground truth had to be established before they could begin to nitpick details of strategy, after all.
"Any questions so far?"
"I can contact you magically from any distance, now that I've met you. Is there anyone else whose name I should have - I don't know, do you delegate?"
"And can you tell me about the chapter here? What do you do? What are your struggles?"
But it’s not quite done yet… the druid realizes, aware from the start that cutting off the forge’s power source alone would not be sufficient to redeem it. Even without his spirit sense, he could tell that the construction still seeped with wicked intent. The next step he had in mind was a little more complicated than the last. Where am I supposed to find a celestial ley line?
Determining that he has all done all he can, for the time being, Ehren thanks Joran and then heads back upstairs. There was another, slightly less disgusting task he had promised to help with. One that would lead to a more leisurely benefit overall.
A while later at the bathhouse, Ehren exercises a little more of his power, having already prepared the appropriate spells hours earlier. With multiple castings of remove disease, he obliterates hundreds if not thousands of the unnatural parasites at a time. Next, following Isilme’s original suggestion of flaming sphere, he immolates massive swathes of the yellow mold, taking multiple passes just to be sure that no trace remains. By the end, the bathhouse is a much safer place, if not a very clean one.
”Just make sure you keep this a secret,” Ehren says to Lann with a grin as he works, knowing that Isilme wanted the bathhouse to be a surprise. Now that he thought about it, he never did visit the hot springs in Neathholm. Yet another missed opportunity.
”For me, it was much the same, except there was no subtlety. You saw how it happened when I touched the menhir at Fort Portolmaeus. It felt like I had been torn asunder. I slept for days after that. When I finally woke up, it was like I had just risen from a long dream. I realized that I could no longer live the way I did before that, walking along walls that were destined to fall. I had to fight back, even if it meant leaving my family behind.”
Ehren does not pry into what provoked Hinagiku’s previous question and is a little glad when she seemingly drops the awkward subject. His cheeks gradually lose their redness as they move onto a more serious topic.
”I don’t regret fighting for what I believe in,” he replies, shaking his head slowly. ”Violence is as much a part of nature as peace is. But as archdruid, I must have the wisdom to decide when blood must be spilled, and when there is hurt that must be healed. Though too often, the two situations are one and the same...”
”You are the most peaceful person I know, Hinagiku,” Ehren says reassuringly, giving the monk a soft smile. ”Even when you fight, your hands are filled with compassion. Your path may be twisty at times, but I do not believe you will ever truly lose your way.”
"It is both my duty and my pleasure, Crusader-Queen." Ary responds with a small nod of her head. She twists her ring, before they prepare to head off. "I will shine in her legion." she intones as she begins to head back to the citadel "I will do as you asked.". When the Queen stops to tour, she stumbles slightly, but if she isn't called back, she continues on her way. If... Joran was not as safe as Ary had believed, then she would have to tell him herself.
* * *
While Ary is bombarded with questions, she makes it known that she's looking for Joran, before finally retiring towards her room...
"She painted me a picture of us slaughtering demons together with Radiance and Rainbow Sparkle. What's going on?" Ary asks as she tilts her head at Irabeth's arrival.
"My understanding is that Valas' Rest itself has been lost, and its civilian population has sought refuge in Kenabres for the time being," General Deloray says, scratching his grey beard. "Do they have flying forces with them at any of these locations? Vrocks, rift drakes, nabasu and so on."
He continues, "I see what you're getting at, with Vilareth, but the truth is the demonic supply chain is very difficult to break considering so many of them can simply teleport in and out. Destroying the wardstones has certainly turned this game on its head," he says with a grin. "And...I believe you were in the troop that did it, Chevalier?"
"In any case, with the bridge destroyed, we'd likely need to ford at Vilareth and then snake down to the mouth of Keeper's Canyon. I hope to take out their forces there with a minimum of destruction to property...I want to see if we can build off what the cultists started there and establish our own fortification in its stead."
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Their office is small, so Tucceia simply introduces him, one-by-one to all of the tieflings that work for her.
"This is Lokeris... and Kosxius, and this is Salmir, Nephchar, this is Errakir, he's our artist, and this is Sirxus, he's in charge of treasury, and Ebbona, who is the secretary. This man goes by 'Redemption', this is Silas," she says going through each of them in turn.
"And... this is Advent and Dilwaris," she says, gesturing to two young tieflings who appear no older than 13. "We've taken them in as part of our Youth Outreach Program."
"As you know, while tiefling blood can emerge in children at birth, it is more common for the signs of our ancestry to appear around puberty. Because of this, there is a significant number of runaway tiefling adolescents in Mendev, and in more rural areas to the north and south, sometimes they are turned away from homeless shelters. We try to send our employees to these areas to find these troubled teens and bring them back in. We try to find loving foster homes for these kids, but it can be hard, sometimes, so they often just end up with us."
"As for our other projects... well, did you know that a tiefling often experiences marked up prices for good in Mendev, sometimes paying as high as 25% increase on goods compared to non-tieflings? It's true! Lokeris lead that research project, actually... combine that to the fact that, on average, a tiefling earns only sixty copper to a human's gold coin for the same job and the same level of experience? Our goals are to try and establish laws to deter tiefling discimination in Nerosyan and beyond."
"As for our struggles..well, funding, and manpower and big ones. It is difficult for us to obtain donations. Additionally, passing legislature is difficult. To be seen by the Queen, it has to first be given a majority vote by the Nerosyan Councilmen, which are roughly 50% crusaders and 50% representatives from the Mendevian Mercantile Guild. And of course.... increasing tiefling pay cuts into merchant profits in some cases, especially here in Riverside, so... you can see where I am going with this."
"We did have a recent victory though!" chimes in Salmir. "We were able to send the 'Anti-Tiefling in-Fetu' serum crafted by the Queen's head alchemist - I mean can you believe such a thing was made? What's next? A 'cure'? Anyway, we were able to delay it's launch. It's back in development, and according to our contacts, won't be slated for a public launch anytime soon!"
"Oh! Yes, of course," Lann says with a wink to Isilme.
Lann and the other Underfolk grin and stand back, watching Ehren work his magic on the corrupted bath-house. Afterwards, they set to work, with brushes and mops and rags, to clean and shine every available surface of the structure. As most of it was carved from stone and polished granite, the building was in very good shape compared to the predominantly wooden structures around Drezen.
Later, Isilme goes downstairs with some of the Underfolk to investigate the heating system. While not formally trained in working with such mechanisms, she has lived a very long life, and is able to figure out how it works without much effort. However, it does given Lann a moment with Ehren alone.
"Ehren, while we're here together, I'd like to ask you something," he says. "I believe Wenduag is in talk with the other captains to have us remain stationed at Drezen... which is fantastic! I am excited for the opportunity to help. But I've been thinking..." He considers his next words carefully. "I'd like to do more than simply remain at Drezen. Perhaps I am being boastful, but I believe my abilities have grown significantly since we left Neathholm. And so, I would like to let you know, that if you ever have need of additional help... I'd like to join you on some of your adventures." He blinks. "I'm sorry if that was too presumptuous."
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Once Ary is able to hunt down Joran - (he's found lazing about in the northeastern barracks, playing dominoes out of a box he claimed somewhere, though he is still covered in soot from having helped Ehren earlier in the day down in the Forge) - he isn't totally surprised at the Queen's verdict. He takes it as well as he can, given the circumstances.
Sana grins, bouncing on Ary's knee. "Well, that one is a Glorbus demon, and he's the demon who is made of people who fart too much. And that one is a Moxel, that's the demon made of the people who eat candy for dinner instead of waiting for dessert."
Irabeth smiles and listens to them talk from the doorway for awhile. Fifteen minutes later, she jumps suddenly... Anevia had snuck in, as silent as a shadow, and hugged her from behind.
"Ooooooh, there's our little munchkin!" exclaims Anevia. She picks up Sana, who squeals happily when she lifts her off the ground and spins around with her. "Wheeew. I'm dizzy. Here, Irabeth, can you take her for a sec? I wanna talk to our Lord-captain-commander for a moment."
She hands her off to Irabeth, who frets over the state of her hands and smock - they're covered in colored paints. "Come little one, we need to get you washed up, or before we know it all the furniture will be pink and blue..." "But I want all the furniture to be pink and blue!"
"So." Anevia says, wringing her hands after a moment of silence. She glances behind her to make sure that Irabeth and Sana were out of sight before continuing.
"I was thinking.... I think we... I mean Irabeth and I... really want to adopt her. Like, not in a joking way." She swallows and looks to Ary, waiting for her reaction.
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"We'll do what we can to defend you." Ary says to Joran, as she is about to turn to leave, "So... please don't run. But we do have to talk about the past a little more indepth now. We have to understand the things you have done, why - as best we are able, what you regret... and what you intend to do to atone."
She pauses in the doorway, "Have you ever considered that people are a lot like forge pieces? That they don't come out perfect, sometimes you screw up midway through, and have to repeat a few processes? Through repeated difficulties, we're formed into either more perfect people, or allowed to become... less, depending upon our abilities to handle the stresses?" she asks, turning to him once more. "But that it is imminently possible to return a dulled blade to shining brightness, through repeated hard work and effort? Have you considered that perhaps, it doesn't matter what Torag, or Droskar, or Bolkar does for you, but what you would do for them that is of importance?"
After the back and forth with the little girl, Ary looks to Anevia's sudden arrival, and then watches as Sana is stolen away. Smiling at Anevia as she tumbles through the pair's decision. "Of course you do. She is a tiny ray of sunshine, most of the time. You... know that she'll likely need a lot more help than the average pipsqueak, right? As long as you're both up to the task, I can't imagine a better couple to take care of her. I'm... not really sure how adoption works within the Crusades, though. Do you know anything about that sort of stuff? I should hope it isn't just 'random person wants child, random person gets child', you know?"
Joran's brow furrows at Ary's words, though he continues to silently line up dominoes according to the rules of the game. "'Sokay. I don't have anywhere t'go anyway."
"I used 't think that, by the by. That if ye just put in more hours, you'll get somewhere eventually. Didn't really get me anywhere, in the end, just frustrations n calloused fingers."
Anevia grins. "Oh... whew. I was worried you were gonna try and talk us out of it... cause it's dangerous out here, and all that."
"I'm sure there's some sort of paperwork," she says, waving a hand dismissively. "Figuring that stuff out's what Irabeth's good at. Like, I dunno even where our marriage certificate is, or how to pay my tithes 'n taxes. I kinda let her do that stuff."
"But... yeah. I know, and that's kind of why I wanted her," Anevia reaches into her pack and pulls out a few rolled up drawings, rendered in charcoal. There is childish drawing after drawing of an enormous, black, shadowy figure with red eyes. One picture depicts Sana, crying, surrounded with furious scribbles of black, pressing in on all sides. Another shows the monster hiding under a bed, or in a closet. "She's got a big heart, but she's scared. She can't sleep in the dark, we've had to keep candles burning at all hours of the night or she won't sleep. And even when she does... she wets the bed, more nights than not."
"But I think I'm the best person to show her that she doesn't have to be afraid of the dark... and sometimes, if you're strong enough, you can even control it. Problem is, I'm always working out in the field... but that's where 'beth comes in! As Seneschal, that means she's mostly going to be working from the Citadel... and I think at this point what Sana is needs is someone who she can rely on...someone who will always be there, who doesn't leave her alone at night. And I can't think of someone stronger, more reliable, more steady, than my wife."
"Yeah. I get that. There's a lot of hurt, and it's not always a fair amount of hurt that gets put on people. Thanks for your time, Joran." Ary says, inclining her head to him as she turns to leave.
She frowns at the other drawing, "I.. think I know ways to help with that. Whenever you see her drawing things like that, draw a picture of you putting a hole in it again. She needs to remember that you helped to kill her particular monster, and that he can't come back for her." she frowns, chewing her lip, "At least not for a very long while." She huffs.
"But... yeah. Sana's mom wasn't in the picture for the last few years, so everytime Grim went on any sort of mission, she was left to be taken care of by the Crusades. All-in-all, having someone who is always around is likely to be more stabilizing for her... or at least I hope so. Maybe someone's written books on that sort of thing." Ary offers with a small shrug.
"But... I do wonder how much of Sana's fear is the same as Nurah's. Do... do you think it would be wise for the two to meet? Do you think I should speak with Nurah about the possibility?"
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"My aims, and the aims of my friends, seem to be somewhat wider than yours, but that's not your problem anyway." Xanderghul hums and then nods. "Alright, then. It was good to meet you. If I need to, I can contact you magically. When you see me next time I should be bringing a few more people by to meet you, and bringing my manuscript." He begins to leave, giving a few of the other tieflings a nod. "Good luck and goodbye, for now."
Then he takes off. He didn't really want to stay in that office and do paperwork with the other tieflings. His concerns were greater, and he realized that he knew a few tieflings that would be interested in being in contact with such a group. Before he went back, though, he needed to write up his manuscript and to have something to show from Mantarin.
Hinagiku smiles inwardly as the redness disappears from Ehren’s cheek. It was good to know that everything they had faced together hadn’t hardened her companion too much.
Hinagiku lays a calming hand on Ehren’s forearm as he begins talking about the balance between violence and peace.
”With the right people supporting you, I am sure you will make the best decisions.” she says, looking at Ehren, her eyes so serene that staring unto them is like staring at a deep and calming pool.
Hinagiku remains silent, however thankful she is at the druid’s comment regarding her compassion, she is unwilling to break the silence. Her hand on his forearm, her gaze on him, she just lets the moment sink it. And, slowly, she starts hoping that her flower work will bring even greater peace to her companion.
"Yes, we worried that Valas' gift would be lost shortly and Commander Bishop sent part of our forces to escort them back to Kenabres to take refuge," she says in response. It had been a wise choice on Ary's part. "Did they make it there without casualties? I had not heard of their fate."
Isilme gives a little shrug when he mentions the destruction of the wardstones. "Destroyed is not a good description of what happened when we were there. The menhir itself was reduced to rubble, and the only remaining segment with power lay caged and waiting to be corrupted. The Archdruid merely gave it comfort and laid it to rest, as one would a wounded soldier who was gasping his last breath," she responds. There were likely many who still had doubts about the issue, and certainly the older members of the crusades would have been arguing that everything would have been fine if their group hadn't released the wardstone.
"Wardstones aside, however, I am not so sure their supply lines are so great. A portion of their goals in Northern Mendev were to secure food supplies, and with the loss of the majority of their leadership, including Brae Hagen, Arastrax and Staunton Vhane, they may be more busy vying for power than solving supply shortages for disposable grunts. At the very least, they will be going into the coming battles without any information or major backup."
Isilme digs out the maps and papers that had been used by Brae Hagen in Mantarin and those they had recovered from the War Room in the Citadel in Drezen. "These are the various plans and notes they were using to plan for the overall assault." She points to the papers they'd retrieved from Mantarin. "These were Brae-Hagen's notes in Mantarin. The papers lay out most of their goals for the region. The remainder are maps used in the original planning of the assault on Nerosyan. They are older, but may be quite useful in preparing for future attacks."
"As for what troops they had, their intent had been to summon rift drakes, but we were able to prevent that. We fought and killed one Vrock and one Nabasu, and a group of hala demons. Given what they reserved for defense in Drezen, and what they had in the various armies along the way, I doubt there are any more flying demons than that in the field.
Looking over the map of Northern Mendev, she thinks for a minute. [b]"I agree that the best bet is taking Vilareth first. From there, if you provide us with timing, we can take a small squad and assault from above on the canyon edges as your forces begin their attack. Using illusions we can likely make them think our forces are marching down the canyon from behind as well, leaving them in disarray long enough to allow your forces to take the fortifications. We used this tactic to great effect at several of the battles. Even if they suspect it, they will have their attention divided between sniping from up above, forces approaching from behind, and forces approaching from the front."
"Oh and though you likely already know, expect many brimoraks. If you can provide communal protection for your frontline troops, that will make both Vilareth and the Canyon significantly easier battles."
Isilme spends a good portion of the next hour refining the strategy with the General, certain that with minimal effort from herself, Xanderghul and the Banshees, they would be able to render the win in the canyon trivial.
When they finally finish up, Isilme asks where she can drop off a letter for the Queen. It would certainly have made more sense to hand it to her earlier, but her haste to deal with other matters had made it seem an imposition to delay her any further.
Leaving the letter she'd written regarding Külə in their care, she arranges for the return teleport she'd been promised.
When Isilme and the underfolk finish up, Isilme thanks them all for their work. With the actual heating mechanism functional, the baths would be something more than just simply a way to get clean. They had already stockpiled enough wood detritus to fuel the mechanism for a while, and she was fairly certain they could handle heating it in the long term with some form of magic solution. Heading up, she inspects their handywork. The place was in remarkably good shape, something little else of the city shared in common. Isilme didn't doubt that it would act as an anchor for those stationed and living within the city itself.
"Thank you for your help, Ehren. Tomorrow I will gather everyone so we can give the baths a test run," she says with a wink.
With that she heads off to find some cloth to make a blindfold for Külə so he can enjoy the bath the next day without having to worry about his gaze. She then proceeds to extend invitations to the group and those who they had become close friends with, as well as the Underfolk for having helped out.
Planning everything out, she allows for an hour of privacy for the group before the others arrived. After all, they had hardly had a chance to sit and talk amongst themselves since they'd left Kenabres.
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Isilme and the General spend the next few hours working together to hash out a strategy for the upcoming assault Northern Mendev. Afterwards, she asks him to pass on her message to the Queen, which he is happy to do so, after such a nice afternoon of debating strategy with a similarly minded crusader.
Anevia brightens. "Hey, that's a good idea! 'beth was thinking it was cause all we had was charcoal... so we went and found her those colored paints instead, and her drawings became a lot more cheerful after that. But I'll definitely try that out." She smiles wistfully. "I'll need to see if we can get her a sized training bow...I want to teach her to shoot."
As to having her meet Nurah, "Oooooh, I don't know, boss, I guess I don't really know Nurah, but she doesn't strike me as the type who likes kids. Mr. X was her boss, right? That's what Daisy said?" She shrugs.
"Anyway... thanks for hearing me out, Commander." she says with a smile. She waits for anything further Ary has to say, before heading out the door, intent on finding her wife, and her new daughter.
That night, Valaria settles into one of the barracks in the Citadel to get some well-deserved sleep, Ayavah cuddled up against her back for warmth. Long ago were the days when she dreaded falling asleep, her nights tormented with visions of hedonistic ecstasy and violent orgies, now, for her dreaming was peaceful. Normal.
31 Lamashan 4713
Anevia prances into the bath house, wearing a simple black two-piece bathing suit with a high waist band. It does little to emphasize her womanly features - her chest is as flat as a board and her hips nonexistant - bue she doesn't seem to mind. Anevia had suggested that everyone wear bathing suits rather than bathe totally in the nude, for the sake of Ayavah's comfort. The tiefling was not totally comfortable being naked around strangers - and Anevia knew from personal experience how she felt on that front. Now, Ayavah relaxes in the back, wearing a ruffled black and pink bathing skirt around her waist with a matching wrap around her chest.
The baths are oriented into three large spaces. The front space is a waiting room and a reception area, and there are storage areas that once held towels and robes. The crusader rags they procured were decidedly less luxurious than what once was stored here, but they did manage to find some luxurious, fluffy towels from the seneschal's chambers at Drezen.
Beyond, there are two large heated baths, with a small half-wall in-between. Normally, that is all there is to divide the men from the women, but since everyone is wearing bathing garments today the various people mingle about in either bath. Sosiel sits on the rim of the bath on one side, across from Father Cassiel. They are inspecting the water and its purity. It had taken a really long time that morning to conjure enough water that wasn't tainted to actually fill the baths, and they were a bit suspicious it might just undo itself, but an hour had passed so far and the water seemed fine. To be safe, they recommended the water be heated a bit warmer than normal, as most abyssal parasites could not survive in very hot water.
To the sides of each bath are changing rooms and small shelves for storing your things while you bathe.
At the back of the bath-house is a small stone stairwell that leads down into the heating system, where a couple of Underfolk are keeping the fires going.
Isilme comes in the next morning guiding Külə slowly through the entry of the baths. Ditching her clothes, she reveals a two piece bathing suit consisting of a top that is a silver and red piece of cloth she'd found in the barracks in the citadel, tied tightly around her torso, which matched with the silver briefs she already wore. Külə, on the other hand, is his normal self, except that a similar piece of cloth is wrapped once around his head to shield his eyes, and again a second time underneath to ensure it doesn't get loose in the bath. They had both agreed that it would be less stressful for him and everyone else.
"We're here," she says to him, and guides him to the area to clean off prior to going into the bath itself. She'd managed to procure a decent brush from the stables and prepare create water the night before. "Lets get you rinsed off before we go in," she says. Taking care to ensure the water is clean before using it, she slowly pours the bucket of conjured water over him repeatedly until he's soaking wet, then proceeds to help get him clean of most of the grime on him. Scrubbing was difficult with all the scars, welts and open sores that still remained on the poor Unicorn, reminders of the horrors he'd suffered.
When she finishes, she rinses herself off as well and heads into the baths, guiding her companion carefully into the room and then down into the bath. "I hope everyone is enjoying themselves," she says cheerfully after helping Külə get settled.
Moving to his side, she slides in herself, eventually disappearing beneath the water's surface and coming up shortly afterwards. The water was hot, but it felt incredible. Leaning back against the edge, she stretches out, relaxing.
"It's not presumptuous at all," Ehren assures him with a smile, placing a hand on the underfolk's shoulder. "You've come a long way since first stepping onto the surface. You're a full-fledged crusader, like your ancestors before you. I would be doing you a disservice by not now acknowledging your abilities. It would be an honor to have you by our side." With a hint of mischief, he goes on. "But seeing as you are a crusader, I imagine you will need the Lord-Commander's permission. She might have to sign off on some paperwork or something."
The druid's smile vanishes, his voice suddenly becoming more serious. "Things are only going to get more difficult from here on out. We will have to become stronger, even stronger than we are now."
Külə plops into the water, where he sits, enjoying the warmth and heat. His head rests on the lip of the pool.
Lann brightens visibly at Ehren's answer. "Of course... I will be sure to try and catch her as soon as I can."
He nods gravely. "I realize the stakes of what we're trying to do... and I am honored that you would have me as a part of it all. What a time to be alive..." he trails off, then smiles and waves as Isilme re-emerges from the basement.
The Underfolk work with Isilme late into the evening, getting the bath house ready for the morning.
He sits there at her side for a while longer, simply enjoying her presence. Eventually however, he notices a passing crusader letting out a loud yawn and realizes just how late it must be. With some reluctance he gently removes Hinagiku’s arm from his own and grabs his staff, using it to push himself back onto his feet.
”I’d better get some sleep. Tomorrow is certain to be another busy day.” Knowing that the monk requires much less sleep than the rest of them, he adds with one last smile, ”Sleep well. I’ll see you at the stones.”
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"Also, I wanted to ask you something. It seems things have stabilized around here, and I have an errand to do." He thinks a moment before continuing, aware that his word choice with Valaria could make him anywhere in the range between 'barely tolerable' and 'completely the worst a~%+*@~ ever'. "Before the winter ends, we need to get down to Mantarin and ... take care of it, however it's getting taken care of. However, I get the impression that we aren't looking to just get down there and execute the lot of them."
"Well, I think it would benefit the plan to get down there and take stock of the situation before we show up with a contingent of paladins. If any two people can fit in there, well, it's probably us. What do you think of getting a personal hand in that?"
Receiving an invitation to come to a bath-house for a public bath was certainly strange, but Xanderghul certainly had no compunctions about relaxation. When taken in appropriate amounts, it was very useful and allowed a person to re-focus and re-invigorate themselves. So, he heads down to the bathhouse at the appointed time. Once in the changing room, he removes his cloak to reveal a red speedo. His entire body is pitted and scarred with small burns, cuts, stab wounds, wounds gotten from acid, sections of discolored skin from being flayed, and more. Clearly he's been injured many, many times with no access to scar-removing magical healing. His skin glows a healthy bronze even through the scars, and he seems no worse the wear functionally, obviously.
Xanderghul lowers himself into the water, sighing at the pleasant feeling of heat. "Ahhhh, now this is a Golarion invention that I do not mind," he says. "They have these in the pleasure palaces of Socothbenoth in the Cathedral Thelemic, but there's so much pressure to f%+! a succubus there until you die, you're better off just avoiding them." He lazily drifts around in the center of the pool, eyes closed, arms outstretched to catch and create whirling ripples.
"You should visit Elysium instead," Isilme says in response to Xanderghul's awful abyssal anecdote. "All of the endless wonder--no, not wonder, I am certain there is none there... lets say variation--and none of the outright vileness and evil." She didn't spend much time thinking about what it would have been like in the abyss because she didn't see any point in making her own skin crawl--especially not when she was enjoying this brief respite from the awfulness of the world wound outside.
Her memories had been trickling back since the night she'd written in her journal. It was slow, but she was remembering further into her past. Most of Elysium and a good chunk of her time on Golarion was still fuzzy, but she could clearly remember her time at Kitharodian Academy and much of the time between it and when she met Elan. Lost in her memories, it takes a moment to continue her response to Xanderghul.
"There was a lake in a remote place I used to visit, the water crystal clear and still as glass," Isilme recounts, her voice sounding far off. "So placid were the waters that the shore itself seemed to have taken up the duty of lapping upon the lake, so as not to disturb it. The sky was a perpetual dusk, filling the shore with the fading heat of the day. The water itself was refreshingly cool to bathe in... Perhaps one day we can all visit."
Though they had been adventuring together for a short while now, there'd been little time to inquire about his background. Isilme found now as good a time as any. "How did you ever escape, anyway? Or survive for that matter... If you do not mind sharing with us, of course," she says, lifting her head up and looking towards Xanderghul. The scars on his body alone told a thousand stories, and he no doubt had countless more to share.
Xanderghul gives a slight scoff. "A quiet, still, cool lake? What's so nice about that? Is it filled with insane predators?"
When Isilme asks about his time in the Abyss, he thinks back to his escape. Unlike most of his memories, that one is crystal clear, reinforced by emotion and by uniqueness. Plus, it was only two hundred and eighty years ago, give or take.
"Funny story," he begins, "I joined Deskari's armies!" he says with a grin. "And then deserted immediately, of course. I wasn't about to get killed by Aroden along with the rest of the filth. Long walk through Sarkoris alone, though. Cold country, compared to the Rasping Rifts. Nearly lost a few fingers."
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It would not do to not show up. She could have declined, certainly, and no one would fault her for being busy... but that was merely an excuse. And there were many, many easy excuses, besides simply busy.
As Ary stared at the picture Sana had given her, she kept taking slow breaths, before puffing air out of her nose, striking down each of her own excuses in turn. The only one that really stuck was the easiest to use... but it was still the wrong choice. You don't just ignore your demons, you face them.
And so, when she finally headed across the city, she was already going to be late, without question. She could have argued that the water could not be determined, with impunity, to be safe until they found a way to permanently purify water in an area... excuse. She didn't... excuse.
When she arrives, she takes slow deep breaths, as she begins to peel away the armor she wore everywhere now, leaving Faith strapped to her arm. Faith obliged her by shrinking down to just the holy symbol, with a small ring of crimson stone. Plate, chain, leather, tunic and breeches all came off, leaving just what was beneath - which was nothing. After her devouring, and after someone had snapped the music box closed, her underclothes from the Loumises had not fit, and she couldn't bear to go shopping in her new form.
She relives the moment of awakening to a world of pain, misery, and suffering, and the tears return, unbidden as she walks, thankfully alone, if only for now. Naked, save for Faith and her ring. As she pressed a hand flat against the oversized door frame, she wraps herself in an old tattered banner, like a bath robe, shivering slightly as she twists the ring on her hand. Unwilling to let her friends see her as she is, she intones "I will shine in her legion." as she steps away from the wall and into the door, clutching the banner to her form.
Without any show of hesitation, Ary quickly crosses the threshold to the water, and dips inside, goose bumps vanishing with the sudden heat, as she sinks shoulder-deep into the water, eyes closing for a moment as she finishes collecting herself, just in time to return to the world of the living... and just in time to hear Xanderghul announce that he was a deserter of Deskari's armies. Great, now Xanderghul was a former cultist, too. At least that made the held breath becoming a sigh seem... natural.
Later in the day, after everyone has gone their separate ways from the bath-house invitation, Hinagiku heads back to Paradise Hill to check in on Shu Lien. This time, she is conscious and awake, for the first time in a few days. Shu Lien is standing next to her, trying to gently nudge her back into the bed.
"Shu Lien-chan," he says gently in Tien. "You need to rest or you will not heal properly. Please get back into bed."
"I feel fine," she growls, struggling to her feet. One of her legs is wrapped in a heavy cast. Spotting Hinagiku, she gives her a wry smirk.
"Come for our duel, have you?" she says, her eyes lighting up. The bruises on her face and arms have dulled to a sickly yellow color. She shoves Hua Xing away from her, not betraying even a wince of pain from her injuries."C'mon, let's go. I don't need two legs to put you in your place..."
Xanderghul feels rested and relaxed after his time in the baths with the others. But he still have lots of work to do, so he heads back to the little manor-house he scouted out to do his scribing in... thankfully it's only a few blocks down the street from the baths, something that he can definitely take advantage of in the future.
Striding past the door, he finds that a trio of dretches had made their way in and were snoozing on one of the front couches. They wake up with a yelp when Xanderghul arrives, and make an attempt to make a run for the open window to escape.
After dealing with - or not dealing with - the sloth demons, Xanderghul settles in to continue his work consolidating his spells and ideas into his new blessed spellbook. An hour or so into it, he receives a knock on the door. Half-expecting it to be a courier sent by Ary, requesting his presence somewhere else, he takes his time to answer, only to find Variska at the door.
She's looking a lot better since they found her, half-dead and going mad in the snow from her attempted escape from the insane wendigo-worshipping bugbears. She's clean, unscathed, and wearing a nice set of leather armors outfitted to her by the crusaders.
"Ah, hi, Xander. I'm glad this is the right building... the directions I got from that halfling kid weren't the most clear things in the world. Walking around this city alone still gives me the skeevies, magical-banner or not. Um..... anyways. Can I come in?"
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”Scars are considered proof of strength among my people, you know,” Ehren remarks, having sunken into the pool down to neck level, so that only his head sits above the surface. His eyes are closed in absolute relaxation. ”Frostbite included. A few missing fingers might have been worthwhile.” He lets what was probably a joke sit for a moment before adding, ”I have to admit, it’s still strange thinking that you were around before Aroden died, before Sarkoris fell.”
He cracks open a single eye to watch Ary climb into the pool and smiles, happy that she made the time to show up. Considering her new duties, he would have understood if she had not. It’s not like the bathhouse was going anywhere, in any case. He closes it again just as quickly and leans back.
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Hinaigku had had two conundrums every since she received the invitation to the bathhouse. First, which shape to take. Her new human form was, humm… much less modest than her previous one, which made her slightly self conscious whereas her vulpine form was so animalistic that she did not want to risk putting-off Ehren. In the end, modesty lost, after all, she needed to accept her new shape. The second conundrum was what to wear. Back home, she would have worn a towel…. But after hearing rumors about the bathhouse from the crusaders and they way they would dress when they go to go, Hinagiku had decided to adapt to the culture. And so, after a quick visit to the quartermaster, the monk is all set.
Hinagiku finally arrives, last, at the bathhouse, and after quickly changing in the dressing room, she heads to the bathroom proper. Graceful as ever, she opens the door and strides in. Hair tied in a bun and a one piece swimsuit that looks like a skirt covered in white and blue frills matched by a similarly frilly part at chest level, just enough to somewhat hide the extent of her own curves, Hinagiku looks much less modest than usual. Slowly, she comes into the water and sinks down until her top frills are just short of being immersed.
”It is really nice to see all of you here and get to relax… reminds me of our first bath back at Defender’s heart… when we first met.” she says, looking at the others, stopping slightly longer on Ehren, with a smile at the sight of his crown. ”But, this time, we have new additions to our group. Mr. Kule and Mrs. Ayavah. It is nice to see both of you here.”
”hummm…. Maybe, one day, you would be interested in going to Minkai. The baths there are safe, no succubi, not awe inspiring sights of Elysium… simply baths. Simply relaxing. And if you go to the rich ones, apparently, incredible service.”
Hinagiku approaches Shu Lien, and as a greeting, bows, just low enough to be polite to her senpai.
«I am sorry Shu Lien senpai, but no.» she says somewhat abruptly. ”I have been thinking about it ever since you mentioned it a few days ago, and I would rather not have to but if you so desire, I am prepared to duel you. However, for my own honour, I could not fight you until you are fully healed. Otherwise, if I were to win, It would be meaningless. There is also another reason. I gave it much thoughts before accepting the idea of dueling you one more time, and I am ready to do it at a moment when there are no immediate dangers of Oni attacks. so if one of us is wounded and needs time to recover, there will plenty of time for it. But, there is one thing that is very important to me and I would like it if you could indulge me in this matter. After this fight, I don’t want to ever face you in battle. Ever. Whether I win or lose does not matter. And so, it is especially important for both of us to be at our peak. Would that be acceptable?”
Valaria sits next to the flickering light of the campfire, immersed in the dream like a bath of warm, scented water. The memory is pleasant and familiar, and she drifts through it, only semi-aware of anything that is going on, as if she were a spectator to her own life rather than a participant.
Nearby, one of the travelers has pulled out a piccolo and is striking up a lovely dancing tune, and several of the others are spinning and twirling in a joyous group below the stars.
Something jerks Valaria out of her reverie - a woman amongst the dancing travelers. She's wearing a long blue and silver cloak, the hood of which is pulled down, revealing a youthful face, framed with a short bob of black curls. She's laughing and smiling and dancing with the rest of them, and she is beautiful. Gods, she is beautiful.
You don't remember seeing her amongst the people on the wagon that took you here. But it's not beyond reason that she was attracted to your camp by the light of the fire, or the music.
Shu Lien's smile vanishes and she leans back against her bed with a huff. "These westerners have made you even softer than you were to begin with, you know. Winning is all that matters. Getting stronger is everything. If you cannot triumph against each task set before you, then how can you call yourself worthy of Irori's perfection?"
She crosses her arms. "Fine. Once my leg is healed, we'll settle this, once and for all."
The woman stops dancing when she notices Valaria coming closer to her. Up close, Valaria can see that her eyes are a crimson red color, and underneath her bangs very small horns can be seen protruding from her forehead. A tiefling, just like her. Tieflings were rare in this part of the world, but not unheard of.
"Oh, hello!" she calls out, cheerfully. "This is amazing. I am having so much fun!" She laughs, spreading her arms out wide and spinning again in time with the music, her cloak arcing out in a wide circle with her. Beneath her cloak, her clothes are modest and utilitarian, yet still flattering.
She stops spinning and looks at Valaria. "My name is Arueshalae. What's yours?"
She tilts her head, peering closely at her face. "Your tattoo... are you a priestess of Desna?"
It's at that moment she knows that something is wrong. At the time of this memory, Valaria had not yet met Desna, and she lacked the tattoo on her face. She is hit with a feeling akin to a cold blast of air upon walking outside during a blustery winter day. She's suddenly very much aware that she's dreaming, and that none of this is real. But the dream doesn't destabilize, as it often does when a person abruptly enters a lucid dream. It continues as if nothing odd at all had happened.
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Isilme smiles as the others who had been missing file in. "Glad you were all able to attend," she says, winking. "It has been so long since we were able to just be for a while, has it not?"
She was surprised to see Ary looking somewhat uncomfortable, but her sense of duty was strong, and Isilme didn't doubt that she felt like she had too many things to do to allow herself a luxury like this.
"Have you never bathed in cool water on a warm day, Xanderghul?" She was surprised that he wouldn't have experienced such a thing, but then maybe he'd spent too long up here in Mendev and not really had a chance to see the world. "Once the chill of the water sets in, you can climb back out and lay on the shore, enjoying the breeze. It is truly wonderful."
There had been plenty of time to relax in Elysium, and wander, and explore. She had spent quite a while doing so, though she couldn't be certain how long it was.
She thinks when Val mentions Cynosure. It triggered a strong emotional response in her, a yearning, but she had no memories of it. "If I was there, I cannot remember, I imagine it is beautiful, and would love a chance to visit the demesne of my Lady Starsong. Perhaps once Drezen is stable we can save up for a scroll of plane shift and take a little trip?" Her grin and tone make it clear she's only partly joking. The idea was, of course, extremely attractive to her, but it was unlikely they would have such free time in the foreseeable future.
As Hinagiku slips into the water in her human form, Isilme turns to her, playfully teasing her about her form. "キツネの代わりに人間として入浴することを好むのでしょう？ 特別な理由はありますか？ Hmm?" she says in Tien to the monk. Isilme slides off the edge into the water, and moments later a silver-furred kitsune with bright, golden eyes pops out of the water where she'd disappeared, soaked and looking a bit pathetic. "Ohhhh, NO! Uh Uh!" she says in shock as she looks down at herself. Moments later she breaks down laughing, "Alright, wet fur is most unpleasant, you most certainly made the right choice, Hinagiku."
She shakes her hands and arms, the soaked fur clinging to her unpleasantly, before giving up and shifting back to her newly chosen elven form. She shakes her hair out and runs her fingers through it once before returning back to the edge. "Just in case you were thinking of turning into a bear or something, Ehren, I strongly advise against it."
Having resumed her relaxed position at the edge she leans her head back to rest. "That sounds lovely, Hinagiku, not every adventure or experience needs to be Elysium or the Abyss. Well preferably none of them are of the latter, but sometimes people are not given such a choice." She waves vaguely in Xanderghul's direction, not lifting her head up.
"I imagine the wound itself is rather tightly controlled by the Deskarrans," she says, finally returning to Xanderghul's answer to her question. "Have you spent your entire time here in Mendev?"
Val smiles a little sadly. "I imagine it must be. Desna's private domain must be quite the sight to see. I wouldn't mind seeing it on a little vacation sometime. I haven't had much chance to wander beyond our world, but I think Lady Starsong would approve of journeying to see further horizons." She chuckles. "We might have to clean up the whole Worldwound mess before we have time for that much of a trip though."
Arueshalae's eyes light up with surprise. "Oh! You've...heard of me?" she says, quizzically. "Ah... then you must be with the crusaders who were assaulting Vhane's fortress? I take it that it went well." she says with a grin.
"I've only just recently begun following the Song of Spheres," she admits with a smile, tilting her head back to stare at the stars above. "For whatever reason, she has chosen to bless me with so much... far more than I deserve, truly. One of these gifts are these," she says, drawing back her sleeves, revealing delicate silver bracers, adorned with ornamental butterflies. "I have a... curse of sorts. I cannot dream," she says sadly. "But these allow me to walk the dimension of dreams. I do not have much control over what dreams I enter, but it has been pleasant so far, experiencing others' dreams." She closes her eyes. "Just yesterday I cheered on as a halfling child slew a mighty red dragon, bringing peace to the realm."
"Usually, the denizens of the dream cannot see me... or perhaps they just do not think to speak to me, so enraptured they are by the dreams. It must be Desna's will that we speak this night."
