Li'an listens to Unafe sharing her insights from her own wisdom and that of Goryon on the information they'd gained from the one nereid they'd been able to question. She ponders that information as she waits for Hinagiku to finish her meditation, then listens to her depiction of what had happened just before they arrived.
It was clear that they had their work cut out for them. She didn't particularly like the sound of the city being ruled by an Adlet worshipper of an evil elemental lord. "Maybe our best bet is to try to sneak in? I am not sure we will be able to talk our way in, and it's fairly clear we won't be able to fight our way in..."
She floats in place looking pensive until Hinagiku takes a moment to return her scholar's ring. "Thank you, Daisy," Li'an says as she takes the ring back and places it upon her finger.
"Ideas?"
Ehren considers conveying Unafe's questions to the nereid, but the fear and desperation in their voice give him pause. Instead, he takes another step back and gestures towards the river, signaling his assent. "Guím go bhfaighidh tú uiscí níos suaimhneas."
"I am sorry, Unafe, but they told us everything they knew," the archdruid says after the fey has taken their leave. "Or, at the very least, everything they were willing to say. But I have little doubt that they serve Kelizandri more out of fear than anything. As for the rest of his servitors..."
Casting another of his spells, Ehren dips into his vast repository of ancestral memories, searching for something that might lend him further insight. He finds bits and pieces of relevant information along the way, allowing him to create a more complete picture of their potential adversaries.
"The wolf people you speak of are called adlets," Ehren remarks to Hinagiku, almost sounding surprised. So far, Lohad is still the most alien being he has seen on this lifeless rock. "Strange that we should find them here. They are known to dwell in the lands north of the Rimethirst mountains back home. I can only imagine they were brought here like the nereids were."
Unafe sighs when Ehren says that there's no more he can learn from the captured nereid.
"Ideas?"
Unafe says, "One to start with. Perhaps the man you rescued has stayed within earshot."
Then, with Goryon's help translating, he faces the newly melted water and calls out loudly in broken Aquan,
As Unafe releases the nereid, the fey slips back into the frigid river, their glistening form disappearing beneath the icy surface without a backward glance or any hint of acknowledgement towards the group. The river's surface is now calm, but the air is thick with tension and uncertainty as the heroes stand there, pondering their next move in the face of the daunting challenges that lay ahead. The soft rush of the river and the distant hum of the crystalline forest are the only sounds that break the uneasy silence.
The heroes convene, discussing their options and what to do next in hushed tones over message. Finally, Unafe decides to call out loudly into the forest with Goryon's help. The spirits surrounding Unafe swirl and stir, their ghostly whispers growing louder with each passing moment, as they sense the approach of something. Lohad, not understanding a word of what was going on, glances at the buzzing spirits and draws her pistol, bracing herself for whatever is to come. Pagbean keeps his eyes fixated on the eerily still water before him. Suddenly, the surface begins to tremble, and ripples form, growing larger and more intense by the second.
The water breaks, and a figure emerges from the depths; a strikingly handsome male nereid with chiseled features and piercing green eyes. His long, dark curls cascade down his broad shoulders, the water cascading off of each strand. Lohad gasps at the sight of him, struck by his otherworldly beauty.
The man regards them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, his gaze flickering over each member of the group. "იცნობთ ლედი ჟალეს?"he questions, his voice carrying a hint of surprise. He looks at them expectantly, waiting for their answer.
Ehren takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, allowing his senses to immerse in the memories of his Sarkorian ancestors as gifted to him through his communion with the ancient menhir at Icerift Castle. As he descends into the depths of his thoughts, he sees a druid moving with alarming speed through the frozen wasteland, her heart racing with the knowledge that a pack of adlets is chasing her: wolves that walk on two legs. According to the legends of her ancestors, the adlets were once humans who had mated with wolves, giving them their wolf-like features and abilities. The creatures are majestic in their own way, with long shaggy fur ranging from a pale white to a deep greyish-brown. Their wolf-like features and powerful muscles suggest their immense strength and ferocity.
Ehren can see the intelligence and malice in their eyes, a deadly combination that fuels their relentless hunt. The adlets move with a fluid grace that only adds to their deadly reputation, their every step a display of their agility and speed. Their sharp fangs and claws glint in the icy sunlight as they snap and swipe at their prey.
The adlets move with a graceful swiftness, their wolf-like features giving them an advantage on the ice and snow. But the druid is no stranger to the dangers of the Rimethirst mountains, and she uses her knowledge of the land and the creatures that inhabit it to stay one step ahead of her hunters.
Ehren feels his own heart race as he watches the druid duck behind a large boulder, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she listens for the sound of the adlets approaching. She hears their sharp howls and barks in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment.
Suddenly, the druid emerges from behind the boulder, brandishing a lit torch made from dried grass and birch bark. The adlets hesitate for just a moment, their keen senses picking up the scent of the fire and the sound of the druid's heartbeat.
But their hunger and determination to hunt overpower their momentary hesitation, and they continue their pursuit, their eyes fixed on their prey. The druid moves quickly, her torch blazing in the frigid air as she makes his way towards a rocky outcropping.
As she reaches the shelter of the rocks, the druid quickly retrieves a small cloth bag filled with phosphor. Invoking ancient druidic magic, the druid calls upon the power of the Green to surround herself with a crackling wall of flame. Ehren feels the heat of the flames as they spring to life, the crackling sound echoing across the tundra.
The adlets close in, their eyes glowing with a fierce hunger. But as they reach the edge of the fire, they falter, their wolfish instincts telling them to turn back. The druid's voice echoes across the snowy expanse. " Nid oes croeso i chwi yma, fy mrodyr. Gadael fi mewn tangnefedd."
The adlets hesitate, unsure of what to do. They are powerful and ferocious, but they know that they are no match for the element of fire: a fear inherited from their lupine ancestors. With a low growl, they turn and disappear into the white wasteland, leaving the druid to prepare for whatever other dangers may lie ahead.
With her ring back on, Li'an has little trouble understanding the gist of the Nereid's question. It takes her more than a little time to collect her thoughts, however, as she's struck by his unearthly beauty. When she had engaged the nereids before she'd done so from a safe distance, and hadn't felt the force of presence of these fey. Near this one however, his poise and grace was overwhelming. Everything about him drew her in, and she could feel her pulse quickening, her eyes and hair flaring up unconsciously in response. Shaking it off quickly, she thinks to herself how easy it would be for unwitting victims to be mesmerized and led to their deaths.
After regaining her composure she tries to think back to her planar studies for anything about Lady Zaleh that could help them in negotiating with this fey.
Li'an remembers reading a memoir by Cordelia Carthach, an Andoren Steel Falcon diplomat who had traveled to each of the four elemental planes on behalf of her nation. She had reported on her travels in a fantastical travelogue. It was something she had read as a child.
As I made my way through the ancient city of Arzanib, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the history that surrounded me. The crumbling buildings and overgrown streets were a testament to a time long past, a time when the marids ruled over the Plane of Water as a unified Empire.It was here that I first met Lady Zhaleh, the last known descendant of the powerful shahzada padishah, Niloufar. I had heard of her reputation as a noble marid, one of the few remaining links to the lost empire of her ancestors.
Lady Zhaleh was a striking figure, with skin as blue-green as the ocean depths and eyes that sparkled with intelligence and determination. Standing nearly 18 feet tall, her presence was commanding, despite the fact that she appeared greatly weary, as if she held the weight of her people's history on her shoulders.
As we sat down to speak, Lady Zhaleh shared with me the story of her ancestors and the rise and fall of their empire. She spoke of the elemental lord Kelizandri and the devastation he wrought upon her people, and of the centuries that followed as the marids struggled to reclaim what had been lost.
Lady Zhaleh told me that she was born into a family of marid nobles who had once ruled over the underwater city of Arzanib. She was raised in the ruins of the city and heard stories of its former glory from her parents and grandparents. However, that changed forever when Kelizandri's wrath descended upon the city, destroying much of it and killing many of its inhabitants.
Despite the devastation, Lady Zhaleh was determined to restore what remained of the city and to reclaim the legacy of her people. She had worked tirelessly to rebuild the ancient structures and welcomed travelers and adventurers into her home in the hopes of forging new alliances and gathering information that might aid her in her quest.
As we spoke, Lady Zhaleh also shared with me the current state of Arzanib. She explained that she had no choice but to work for Kelizandri, as he oppressed her people and threatened to destroy Arzanib completely if they did not submit to his rule. Although she despised serving Kelizandri, she believed that it was the only way to protect her people and their heritage.
Despite the oppressive nature of her work for Kelizandri, Lady Zhaleh was a true leader, dedicated to the betterment of her people and the restoration of their legacy. I, of course, wanted to see what I could do to help...
"Onunla görüşməsəm də, Ərzanibə getməsəm də, onun haqqında eşitmişəm. Xanım Zhaleh, nəslinin sonuncusu olan Arzanib üzərində hökmran olan dəniz zadəganıdır" Li'an says beginning to answer the nereid's question, "O, xalqını qorumağa çalışır və yalnız Kelizandriyə xidmət edir, çünki başqa bir hərəkət yolu görmür. O, keçmişdə ittifaqlar axtarırdı, xalqının mirasını geri qaytarmaq üçün ona kömək edəcək insanlar. Biz bu mübarizəni başa düşürük, qüvvələrə qarşı hər gün mübarizə aparırıq. Bizim əziz tutduğumuz hər şeyi məhv etməyə çalışan Uçurumun. Biz elementar lordların dostu deyilik və sizin xanımınızla müttəfiq ola bilərik. Bəlkə bir-birimizə kömək edə bilərik?"
"Though I have not met her, nor traveled to Arzanib, I have heard of her. Lady Zhaleh is the marid noble who rules over Arzanib, the last of her line,"
"she seeks to protect her people and only serves Kelizandri because she sees no other course of action available. She's sought alliances in the past, people to help her reclaim the legacy of her people. We understand this struggle, we struggle daily against the forces of the Abyss which seek to destroy everything we hold dear. We are no friend of the elemental lords, and we could be allies to your Lady. Perhaps we can help each other?"
--
The nereid's face turns somber and his voice heavy with regret as he recalls the fate of Lady Zhaleh's rebellion against Kelizandri."Lady Zhaleh bizə yaxın zamanlarda Kelizandriyə qarşı açıq üsyana rəhbərlik etdi... lakin qüvvələrimiz dəhşətli şəkildə darmadağın edildi," he says, his eyes downcast. "Qəzəbində Kelizandri bu kometi lənətlədi. O, artıq fırlanmır, qayanın bu tərəfini günəşdən uzaqlaşdırır və yerin üstündəki bütün su donub qalır."
"Lady Zhaleh led us in an open uprising against Kelizandri not long ago... but our forces were crushed horribly."
"In his anger, Kelizandri cursed this comet. It no longer spins, leaving this side of the rock cast away from the sun, and all of the water above ground frozen solid."
Pagbean's expression shifts to one of shock as he realizes the gravity of the situation. "Mən inanıram ki, xanımım əsir götürülüb və əsir saxlanılır" the nereid continues, his voice trembling slightly. "Əgər bizə kömək etsəydiniz, onu xilas edə bilərdinizmi?"
"I believe my Lady has been captured and is being held captive."
"If you would help us, would you be able to rescue her?"
As Li'an translates, Unafe feels her heart lift.
Goryon, perhaps we have an ally here after all!
Unafe is about to start the slow process of asking Goryon to translate her many questions and thoughts, but first says, "სალამი. მე ვარ უნაფე ორგულიანი, გოლარიონის დემეტების კლანი. მე ვიცი მხოლოდ პატარა აკვანი და არა სილვანი. შემთხვევით გესმის ტალდანი?"
Unafe’s call seems to come out of the blue, but the nereid’s return was truly unexpected and leaves Hinagiku motionless for a moment. But, it does not take long for Hinagiku to recover and greet him with a polite bow.
As the conversation progresses, the monk listens closely to the translated bits shared with her by Li’an and Ehren. In between each translation, when aquan and sylvan reign over the conversation, Hinagiku thinks back on their meeting with the elementals, namely she tries to recall what it is that she had felt of their soul when she struck them. How did it fit in the whole story, did it help clarify anything about the presence of the brackish emperor and his servants?
When natural lulls in conversation occur, after translations are made, Hinagiku slips in a few questions:
”Could you ask him if we can move and discuss in a safer place? I am concerned that the adlets might follow us here. With things being so rough here, should we invite them back to Drezen? Or would it be impossible to have them all cross the portal with us?”
Goryon responds her words laced with a hint of excitement, "Yn wir, un ifanc. Mae'r maridiaid Shahzada yn enwog am eu grym a'u cyfrwystra. Mae'n ymddangos y gallai ein ffawd fod yn troi er gwell."
"Gallai gelyn i'n gelyn yn wir fod yn ffrind i ni." But then, Goryon warns, “Ond rhaid inni fwrw ymlaen yn ofalus a diplomyddol, oherwydd ni allwn adael i’n hawydd gymylu ein barn.”
The nereid's eyes glimmer with understanding. "Ahhhh. You come from Qolarion, yes? My Taldane, not good," he says slowly, his thick accent lending a musical quality to his speech.
Despite his limited grasp of the language, the nereid listens intently to Hinagiku's words. "Ah, adlets, yes. Wolf-people," he answers, his words halting and hesitant. "No problem. Water safe for me."
Hinagiku thinks back to the fight before, but recalls that she only touched one of the nereids. She didn't get much from her, other than that she was afraid, and completely certain that she was about to die. Interestingly, they were less worried about dying, and more worried that it would be painful.
Unafe smiles. "Your Taldane sounds at least as good as my Aquan. Taldane's not my first language either but I'll speak it for now. Let me know if you don't understand.
"My learned companion, Li'an, knows some of Lady Zhaleh's reputation. I do not, but we heard enough of your conversation with those loyal to Kelizandri for me to know that you oppose Kelizandri's destructive and oppressive ways.
"We are here to rescue someone else, but it is quite possible that by working together both your cause and mine might succeed. From what I've heard so far of Lady Zaleh, it would be a great good for her power to grow, as surely as it would be a good for Kelizandri's to wane. Are you interesting in seeing if we might be able to help one another? If so, we'll need to trust each other. I will attempt to be honest with you, and request the same from you.
"Can you tell me more about Kelizandri and his forces' motives here? Are they working with earth elementals we saw over in that direction?" Unafe points toward the horizon, in the direction of the earth elemental swarm.
"And what do you know of where Lady Zhaleh is being held? On our side, we have reason to believe that there are tunnels under the city that might lead us to free the one we seek to rescue. Do you know anything of such tunnels?"
The nereid squints his blue-green eyes, still trying to adjust to the unfamiliar language that Unafe speaks. He tilts his head to one side, brow furrowed in confusion as he struggles to keep up with her rapid-fire speech. "You... want work together?" he asks hesitantly, his thickly accented voice betraying his difficulty in understanding.
As Unafe continues to speak, the nereid's expression gradually clears. "Ah! You come here. Rescue Lady Zhaleh, yes? A great good! Great great good," he exclaims, nodding his head enthusiastically. His long, delicate fingers curl into a fist and pump into the air, as if ready to join in the fight. "Kelizandri is great evil. Kelizandri is Lord of Water. The city," he gestures toward the distant skyline, "The city is of Kelizandri. Kelizandri want power."
He pauses for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "Earth elemental not of Kelizandri. Water elemental of Kelizandri. Earth elemental of Ayrzul. Ayrzul is Lord of Earth," he explains slowly, enunciating each word carefully. "You understand, yes? Kelizandri and Ayrzul... sometimes friends. Sometimes enemy. Ayrzul also great evil."
As Unafe presses him for more information, the nereid nods his head eagerly, clearly pleased to have found a kindred spirit. "Yes! Lady Zhaleh is in tunnels." He points downwards with both hands. "Lady Zhaleh needs help. Much danger. In tunnels... city tunnels. Yes? You go swim in tunnels? You go rescue Lady Zhaleh?" he asks, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ayrzul, the Fossilized King, looms large in the collective imagination of Golarion, his name whispered with fear and awe. He is a malevolent elemental lord who holds dominion over the plane of Earth, wielding powers that mere mortals can barely comprehend. In the tales told of him, he takes on many guises, each more terrifying than the last.
In one legend, he appears as a massive earth elemental, his body composed of stones and boulders that seem to shift and grind together of their own accord. His very presence is enough to cause the ground to tremble, and those who witness him are left feeling small and insignificant in his shadow.
Other tales describe Ayrzul as an undead skeletal dragon, his bones as hard and cold as iron. In this form, he is a harbinger of destruction, swooping down from the skies to rain death and devastation upon any who dare to cross him.
Still, others speak of Ayrzul as a powerful humanoid wizard, capable of bending the earth itself to his will. He can cause earthquakes and landslides with a mere wave of his hand, reshaping the very landscape to suit his dark desires.
Despite the varying forms he takes, one thing remains constant: Ayrzul is a force to be reckoned with, a being of immense power and malevolence.
Ayrzul holds a prominent position as one of the four mighty demigods known as the Elemental Lords. His domain is the elemental Plane of Earth, where he commands the treacherous terrain of the Blistering Labyrinth with an iron fist.
Ayrzul's legacy stretches far back into the earliest days of the Elemental Planes, where he once shared authority over the Plane of Earth with his adversary, Sairazul. However, as the concept of good and evil permeated through the planes, Ayrzul and his wicked elemental cohorts gathered together and rallied under one flag. They waged a brutal war against their virtuous rivals, defeating them one by one until they emerged as the supreme rulers of the elemental realm.
Throughout his long reign, Ayrzul's infamy has grown with each passing year, becoming a subject of fascination for scholars and historians alike. His name is synonymous with destruction, and his power is said to be unmatched. Few have ever laid eyes on him, but rumors describe him as a colossal, fearsome entity with the ability to shape the earth itself to his will. Even fewer have dared to challenge him, as they know that the Fossilized King brooks no opposition and responds to threats with a devastating display of his power.
Ayrzul, the enigmatic Fossilized King, is a powerful demigod who commands the elemental plane of Earth from his realm, the Blistering Labyrinth. His origins are shrouded in mystery, with some speculating that he is an immense, undead crystalline dragon, while others believe he is a discarded splinter from some long-forgotten deity. Nonetheless, Ayrzul's influence extends beyond the Elemental Planes, with fringe groups of mortals on the Material Plane venerating him for his association with the earth's unseen hostility.
Ayrzul's power is formidable, and his abilities are the subject of countless rumors and speculation. His followers include a variety of elementals, such as mephits, who revere him for his control over the earth and metal. On the Material Plane, mortals who worship him gain benefits such as the ability to suffuse their flesh with the strength of minerals and stone.
Ayrzul's areas of concern involve buried secrets, earth, and metal. He advocates using the strength of stone to protect oneself and one's secrets, and obscuring one's true motives. His followers also slowly poison others, reflecting Ayrzul's tendency to manipulate those around him.
Despite his immense power, Ayrzul remains a mystery even on the Plane of Earth, with few having ever seen him outside of his realm. Nonetheless, his followers continue to spread his influence across the Material Plane, and he lives on as one of the most enigmatic and powerful figures in all of the multiverse.
Myrna listens carefully as the party interviews the nereid, taking advantage of her magic allowing her to understand it at last. When Unafe convinces him to switch to Taldane, though, the message becomes somewhat muddled. She speaks to the fey in tongues: "You're telling us that we have to swim in order to get to Lady Zhaleh? Do you know the way? Can you lead us?"
She's pretty sure that the Archdruid's spell would provide breath, and Myrna was a fairly strong swimmer, but she was sure that the invisible nereid would outpace all of them, except perhaps the Archdruid. Despite the magical protections, Myrna worried about entering underwater tunnels with a fey creature of uncertain trustworthiness.
She addresses Pagbean and Lohad, next, whom she realizes in all the excitement she forgot to introduce herself to. "Sorry, you two," she says, "I got distracted. My name is Myrna, of Clan Riversoar. This fey seems to be telling us that we have to enter underwater tunnels to find and help his mistress, and I wonder what you think you should do. You can come with us, but it might be freezing cold and there will be unknown dangers. You can stay here, and you won't suffocate here, but we have yet to encounter the adlets that are supposed to live here now. What do you want to do?"
”My apologies, my name is Hinata Hinagiku. May we know your name?” the monk introduces herself with another bow as soon as the nereid reveals his knowledge of Taldan. ”If we can help her, then we should, right Li’an? She does not sound evil like the Brackish Emperor from what you said.” Hinagiku seeks confirmation before continuing”If we do though, should it be before or after saving Goryon’s ward? What I mean is that it is wise to choose who will give us chase first, the servants of the earth, or those of the water. If the tunnels are guarded by the servants of Kelizandri, then maybe it is better to save the person Unafe is looking for. And, humm, in saving lady Zhaleh, would we need to escape here with her and bring her to safety in Golarion? Is that the type of rescue we are looking at?” even though she has spoken slowly and enunciated as well as she could, Hinagiku can tell that the nereid is having a hard time following her, so she turns to her life companion and says: ”Ehren-kun, would you mind translating this for me?”
”Also, I am not sure that the water is the safest for all of us. Is there anywhere else that would be safe from the adlets, for us?”
Myrna listens to the nereid's melodious voice responding back to in Sylvan. Her magic intervenes, translating his words seamlessly into her mother-tongue, Hallit.
"Hmmm?" the nereid responds, his voice rich and smooth. "Əlbəttə üzmək lazımdır! Bu şəhər, təbii ki, bizim yaşamamızı asanlaşdırmaq üçün dəyişdirildi. Yeraltı tunellər şəbəkəsi su altında qaldı, buna görə də əksəriyyəti orada yaşayır. Amma güman edirəm ki, bacararsansa, 'üzmə, sən adletlərin getdiyi yolu götürə bilərdin. Onlar da üzə bilməzlər. Üzgüçülük daha sürətli olsa da!"
"Of course you would need to swim! This city was altered, naturally, to make it easier for us to live in. The underground network of tunnels was flooded, so, most live there. But I suppose, if you can't swim, you could take the way down the adlets go. They can't swim, either. Swimming is so much faster, though!"
"Əlbəttə, mən yol göstərməyə kömək edə bilərdim" he offers graciously, treading water effortlessly.
"Of course, I could help lead the way."
Myrna then stops talking to allow Hinagiku to ask her questions, and instead decides to help loop Pagbean and Lohad into the conversation. "Приємно познайомитися з тобою, Мірно з клану Ріверсоар", Lohad replies in her measured voice. "Але що таке адлети?"
"It's good to meet you, Myrna of Clan Riversoar."
"But what are adlets?"
Pagbean grins with excitement."Звучить як справжня пригода!" he exclaims, rubbing his hands together. "Не хвилюйся про холод, я вже захистив нас від нього, і в мене в рукаві є багато хитрощів. Можливо, ми не будемо найбільш корисними під водою, але ми не будемо тягарем. Давайте іди з фей і подивись, куди це нас приведе!"
"Sounds like a real adventure!"
"Don't worry about the cold, I've already protected us from it, and I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. We might not be the most helpful underwater, but we won't be a burden. Let's go with the fey and see where this takes us!"
Lohad nods, her expression thoughtful. "Можливо, я не можу багато чого запропонувати, але я все одно готовий допомогти, як тільки можу. Хто знає, що ще ми можемо знайти під час цієї подорожі?"
"I may not have much to offer, but I am still willing to help however I can. Who knows what else we might find on this journey?"
The nereid's eyes gleam with admiration as he introduces himself to Hinagiku. "My name, Ganymede," he says, placing a hand on his chest, "Hinata Hinagiku, you very beautiful." Despite the nereid's charming words and dazzling, perfect smile, Hinagiku remains unaffected by his beauty and proceeds to explain their mission to him.
Ganymede listens intently, his brow furrowed in concentration as he struggles to grasp the unfamiliar language. Despite that, he keeps piercing eye contact with the kitsune monk. "I no understand all," he says, sounding frustrated. "But Lady Zhaleh, important. She go to Qolarion? Maybe not. Maybe go home, to Arzanib." His voice softens as he speaks of his homeland. "Arzanib, very beautiful city. Water everywhere. Whales. Dolphins. Merpeople swim freely. Fish swim freely. Many friends there, before Kelizandri come."
He falls silent for a moment, his expression clouded with sorrow. "But Kelizandri, he come. Want power, control. Want destroy everything." Ganymede's words are filled with anguish as he speaks of the destruction wrought upon his beloved city. "Much death. So, Lady Zhaleh, bow down to Kelizandri. All bow down to Kelizandri."
The nereid thinks about Hinagiku's next question with a furrowed brow. "You scare of water, maybe air path better," he says. "But Adlet also scare of water. Adlet not friendly, like to hunt, like to fight. Not good for traveler like you," he warns, his accent thick and hard to get sometimes.
His eyes widen. They are a beautiful blue-green. "Adlet bad company. You go their way, maybe not come back," he says, shaking his head.
Ganymede thinks, stroking his chin with his hand. "Hmm...maybe long, dry way better, even so?" he says. "Many tunnels, no water. Easy to get lost. Sorry if not helpful," he shrugs, his green eyes showing a hint of frustration.
Hmm. So it seemed, if they wanted to follow this nereid, they had two options. One which meant probably fighting some adlets, and another which meant diving into uncertain waters.
Plus, they weren't even here to rescue any marid nobles in the first place! They were here to follow the visions of Unafe's Ancestor Heart. Myrna sighed, conflicted.
"Let us discuss and decide what to do, Ganymede," she tells the nereid. Then she turns to Lohad and Pagbean to tell them the same thing. "He tells us that we can travel the water path or the air path, but that the air path is likely guarded by adlets. Adlets are predators from our world, a cross between people like us and an animal called a wolf. They like the cold, and they like fighting, so they can be dangerous."
She looks at her friends, especially Unafe. "I'm not scared of any adlet, though I am a little nervous about diving into these underwater tunnels... but I also wonder: Why are we doing this? We're supposed to be here to follow Unafe's vision, right? Is this Zhaleh the same person Goryon sent us here to rescue?"
The idea of going underwater wasn't entirely pleasant to her, especially if it was going to be cold, but on the other hand bypassing fights with Adlets and possibly Ice Elementals and Coral Golems seemed to be a strong reason to go the watery route, even before considering that it was faster overall.
"I feel like Ganymede is more able to help us if we go via water. We should be fairly well prepared for it as is, and if it's less likely to draw attention, and faster overall, I think it's worth the risk," Li'an replies to Myrna.
Ehren listened quietly as the others spoke to Ganymede, comfortable letting them take the lead. Nevertheless, the insights on the comet he provided were troubling; could it be that before Kelizandri's cruel retribution, life flowed through this comet? His thoughts turn to the purplish hue he witnessed from Golarion's surface, wondering if perhaps there is some connection.
"No, that would not line up with what we know already," Ehren finally says in reply to Myrna's question. "Goryon directed us to this city in the first place to find allies. The ones she originally had in mind are long gone, but earning the gratitude of this Lady Zhaleh seems like a good way to gain a powerful friend. I see no other way to approach that army of earth elementals that would not be suicide." With a slight smile, he adds, "You were not around for most of it, but the road that brought us this far was hardly straightforward. It comes as no surprise that the path we are on now has twists and turns."
He pauses, carefully considering which route they should take. While he and Li'an possess powerful fire magic, he doubts they have enough left between them to overcome all the adlets in their way. Not only that, but his magic would be unable to shield Li'an from any cold magic they threw her way.
"Traveling underwater would not be a problem for me - there are many suitable forms I can take on to make the journey easier," Ehren says, favoring the path that would be safer for Ganymede. Realizing that he has not properly addressed the nereid yet, he turns to the fey and bows his head respectfully.
"Kobudluğuma görə üzr istəyirəm, Qanymede. Mən Ferron qəbiləsindən Ehrenəm. Bizi sudan keçirən yol, adletlərdən qaçmağa imkan verə bilər, bəs sizin qardaşlarınız? Kelizandrini sakitləşdirmək üçün sizi ovlaya biləcək başqaları varmı?"
As soon as Myrna finishes speaking, Pagbean's eyes widen in excitement at the mention of adlets."Вау, схоже, нас чекає справжній виклик", he exclaims, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Я готовий на все, але в мене є одне питання. Що таке вовк?"
"Wow, sounds like we're in for a real challenge,"
"I'm ready for anything, but I do have one question. What's a wolf?"
Lohad interrupts before Myrna can reply, her blunt manner cutting straight to the point.«Чи важливо, як вони виглядають? Якщо вони небезпечні, ми повинні бути готові боротися з ними незалежно від цього».
"Does it matter what they look like? If they're dangerous, we should be prepared to fight them regardless."
"Добре, добре, добре, добре, добре", Pagbean nods eagerly, his scroll case already in hand."Ну, є два шляхи, якими ми можемо піти",he says. «Я пропоную повітряний шлях. Це може бути більш небезпечним, але ми можемо застати їх зненацька. У мене в рукаві є кілька прийомів, які можуть стати в нагоді».
"Okay, okay, okay, okay, fine,"
"Well, there are two paths we can take,"
"I suggest the air path. It may be more perilous, but we can maybe take them by surprise. I have a few tricks up my sleeve that might come in handy."
Lohad hesitates for a moment, her hand hovering near her holster. "Згоден", she finally says."Повітряний шлях є найкращим варіантом. Я все ще можу використовувати свій порох, таким чином. Але нам потрібно бути особливо пильними та бути пильними".
"I agree,"
"The air path is the best option. I can still use my gunpowder, that way. But we'll need to be extra vigilant and keep our guard up."
As the group deliberates on their next course of action, Ganymede slips beneath the water's surface, his lithe form disappearing from view. Only his piercing blue-green eyes remain above the surface, scanning each member of the group in turn. He seems lost in thought for a few moments, contemplating Ehren's words before finally resurfacing.
"Ferron qəbiləsindən Ehren, narahatlığını başa düşürəm"Ganymede begins, his voice carrying a sense of calm determination. "Ancaq Ledi Zhalehin davamçısı kimi mən qarşımıza gələ biləcək hər hansı təhlükə ilə üzləşməyə hazıram. Kelizandrinin ardıcılları və ya başqa təhdidlər mənə aid deyil."
"I understand your concern, Ehren, of clan Ferron"
"But as a follower of Lady Zhaleh, I am willing to face any danger that may come our way. Kelizandri's followers or any other threats do not concern me."
Ganymede's eyes gleam with a fierce intensity as he speaks, his conviction evident. "Xanımımı nəyin bahasına olursa-olsun qoruyacağam, hətta bu, öz cinsimlə üz-üzə olsa belə" he adds, his words resolute.
"I will protect my Lady at any cost, even if it means facing my own kind,"
Hinagiku's mind drifts back to the time she fought against the colossal earth elementals. As Hinagiku reached out to strike the colossal forms of the earth elementals, she was immediately struck by a deep sense of otherness. Their minds were nothing like anything she had ever encountered before. Unlike the thoughts of humans or any other sentient creature she had met, the elementals' minds seemed to emanate a primal and elemental force, shaped by the inexorable forces of time and nature.
Through her touch, Hinagiku sensed the earth elementals' deep connection to the element of earth. It was as if their entire being was one with the earth itself, and their consciousness appeared to be an extension of the vast, ancient rock and stone that had existed since long before the birth of the universe.
The sense of alienness and vastness that Hinagiku experienced was both awe-inspiring and unsettling. She struggled to comprehend the sheer scale and power of these ancient beings, realizing that they were beyond her understanding. Yet, even as she felt small and insignificant in their presence, Hinagiku could not help but feel a certain reverence for their uncompromising dedication to their elemental purpose.
Despite recognizing the profound gulf that separated them from the world of mortal beings like herself, Hinagiku wondered if the earth elementals' single-minded loyalty to the element of earth was simply the way of rock and stone. Their existence seemed to have transcended time and space.
Myrna grumbles, frustrated about this manipulative fey creature and its attempts to lead the group astray. Goryon's vision had been of a life that they had to save, and it might be this Lady Zhaleh, but she did not really trust the beautiful enchanting fey. The idea of swimming to their destination did not appeal to her.
Also, she felt a desire to meet the adlets of legend. But she saw that her compatriots were eager to make an ally with this marid noble. Myrna had no wish to start an internal fight, despite her misgivings. "Well," she announces to everyone in tongues, "We were brought here to save a life, weren't we? And we found one that needs saving. I agree with Pagbean and Lohad that I would prefer the path with air -- I believe adlets will be easier to reason with than water elementals -- but I will follow the Archdruid's decision."
Unafe listens, and realizes that she let her impatience to save Goryon's ally drive her to speaking much too quickly, to someone who already told her that he doesn't know Taldane well.
In order to avoid a miscommunication, she decides to try Aquan again. It is slow and her pronounciation is terrible, but with Goryon's help she manages to say: "განემედ, მიხარია, რომ ერთად ვიმუშავებთ. ორი რამ გთხოვ. ჯერ ერთი, მყავს ვინმე, რომლის გადარჩენაც მჭირდება. თუ ლედი ჟალეს გადავარჩენთ, დაგპირდებით, რომ დაგვეხმარებით ჩემი მოკავშირის გადარჩენაშიც? და დაეხმაროთ ლედი ჟალეს დარწმუნებას იგივე გააკეთოს? თუ ასეა, ჩვენ გვაქვს გარიგება.
„მიხარია წყალში ჩასვლა, თუ ეს გზა იცი, როგორ ფიქრობთ, გვირაბებში უბრძოლველად შეგვიძლია ჩამოსვლა? რამდენად რთულია მტრებთან შეხვედრის გარეშე გამგზავრება?"
"I am happy to go in water, if you know that way. Do you think we can get to the tunnels without a fight? How hard is it to travel without meeting enemies?"
”Thank you. You are really graceful yourself.” Hinagiku replies, giving an honest response to what she sees as an honest compliment. Yet, her gentle smile remains the same as always, one that is motherly kind.
Her mind done exploring the nature of nereids and earth elementals, Hinagiku turns her attention to Ganymede’s body language. Once Unafe lets them know that she’s asked for him to strike a deal with them, Hinagiku tries to think back on the moment when this happens and what Ganymede’s body language was like; she had heard stories of feys not being the most likely to follow up on their words, and she did not want to be betrayed before they could rescue Goryon’s protege.
”I would prefer to go through the water too. But, fighting under water is difficult, and it sounds likely that we will face foes in the water. Mrs. Lohad does seem concerned too. Does anyone one of us has magic that would allow Mr. Pagbean and Mrs. Lohad to follow us? And, is there magic that would allow us to fight normally under water? Without these, I am not sure we should take the underground water way.”
”Mrs. Myrna, you said Mr. Pagbean mentioned tricks… may you ask what they are?”
Ganymede's eyes fixate on Unafe as she speaks. He listens closely, and is patient with her poor mastery of his language. "მესმის თქვენი შეშფოთება," he replies, his voice steady and measured. "თუ ჩვენ შევძლებთ ლედი ჟალეს გადარჩენას, გპირდებით, რომ ყველაფერს გავაკეთებ, რათა დაგეხმაროთ თქვენი მოკავშირის გადარჩენაში."
"I understand your concern,"
"If we can rescue Lady Zhaleh, I promise to do everything in my power to aid in the rescue of your ally."
Ganymede's eyes shift, his mind already working through the details of their plan. "წყლის გვირაბები არის ყველაზე სწრაფი გზა ჩემს ლედისთან მისასვლელად," he says, his voice thoughtful. "მაგრამ, ჩვენ ფრთხილად უნდა ვიყოთ. ლედი ჟალე, სავარაუდოდ, მკაცრი დაცვის ქვეშ იქნება."
"The water tunnels is the fastest way to get to my Lady,"
"But, we need to be careful. Lady Zhaleh is likely to be under heavy guard."
As they stand together, the cold wind rustling Lohad's cloak, Ganymede's mind races with possibilities. He disappears under the water for a moment. "მითხარი," he says, resurfacing. "ვის ეძებთ გადარჩენას?"
"Tell me,"
"Who is it that you seek to rescue?"
Goryon whispers, after translating the last of Ganymede's words "Ei henw yw Sara."
Ganymede seems sincere enough to Hinagiku.
Once more, Hinagiku watched the scrying process intently, without a sound and without moving. But, this time is different, she can tell the focus is weak before the spell fails. And, when it ultimately does, she thanks Myrna for her time. By now, the commander had made it clear that she had other duties to attend to. It already was kind of her to have spent so much time trying to help someone she did not even know.
As she stands up from peering into the mirror, Hinagiku answers the questions about her relationship with Meridrand.
”Meridrand was part of the forces that were sent to take back Drezen. I did not get to see him much while we were fighting there. But, after Drezen was finally clear of demons, most of my companions became busy with running the city. I did not really take such a role, so instead I started volunteering more with the crusades. That’s were I got to know him more and he became a good comrade. I unfortunately saw some of the things that hurt him through the years. I tried to help him and make sure he could get better, but it did not seem to work. I help him the way I do because he is someone I know and I am someone he knows. That’s why I can help him, that and I don’t think anyone else does. I don’t know why, but no one seems to have noticed the change in him in the last few months… which is concerning.”
Ehren looks to Lohad and Pagbean sheepishly, having failed to consider their opinions on the matter. Even so, the druid does not budge on his stance.
"I would not be so certain," Ehren remarks when Myrna comments on the adlets. "Even the adlets our people have contended with are legendarily aggressive and territorial. I would rather not find out what those under the command of an Elemental Lord might be like."
"Regardless, if the path that takes us through water truly is faster, then I still feel that it is our best option." Looking to Hinagiku, he adds, "If it comes down to an underwater battle, I could cast a spell that would allow some of you to fight unimpeded. It would cost a significant amount of power, though."
Myrna grumps a little bit at balking. However, she must balk at the Archdruid's wisdom. If he believed that following this strange, beautiful creature into his den was the right move, Myrna had to acknowledge that perhaps she was being more suspicious than Ganymede had given reason to be.
"We shouldn't prepare for a fight until we face one, Archdruid," responds Myrna. "As my grandmothers always say, your life becomes what you prepare for." Losing her uncustomarily solemn manner, Myrna shakes herself out of it. She gets up in Ganymede's face, smiling but still imposing. "We have decided to go with you," she tells the nereid, "But I would ask you for a favor first. Would you allow us to use magic to reveal you underwater? I worry about being lead into a maze and suffocating if our guide can slip away unseen."
She gives the nereid a big, toothy grin and extends her hand. "You do that, and we're good friends! And good friends race each other to save Lady Zhaleh."
"I doubt glitterdust would remain on him underwater, and it would last barely a minute," she interjects when Myrna suggests using it. "If you are worried about seeing him though, I already can. I cast see invisibility earlier. I do have a couple of extra scrolls if you want to use one as well Myrna. A second set of eyes on the lookout for other nereids wouldn't hurt."
Reaching down to her belt, she grabs the scroll case with the blue mark above the locking mechanism, in which she kept most of her divination scrolls. Releasing the water-tight locking mechanism, she quickly sorts through the half-dozen scrolls within and pulls out one for see invisibility, offering it towards Myrna. She then takes a moment to close and re-seal the case, as it was essential towards their proper function as water-proof cases. She hadn't exactly gone for an extended swim before with these, but the craftsman who made them had come highly recommended by some of the Crusader wizards she'd met during her brief stint stationed in Nerosyan, so hopefully they functioned as advertised. After she seals the first, she takes a moment to make sure to lock down the remainder of her gear to protect it given it seemed they were likely to go the water route.
"We should get moving quickly, I think. Given what we know about the city, we don't want to be here if someone comes to investigate the explosions that happened here."
"Qanymede, ledi Zhalehin də su altında saxlanıldığını bilirsinizmi? Yoxsa o, tunellərdən sonra bir yerdə havada olacaq?" she asks their soon-to-be guide.
"Ganymede, do you know if Lady Zhaleh is being held underwater as well? Or is she likely to be in air somewhere after the tunnels?"
Ganymede appears uncomfortable at the prospect of being visible underwater, but he eventually concedes. "Köpüklər üfürməklə və jest etməklə sizə rəhbərlik edə bilərdim," he suggests."Ancaq hiss edirəm ki, siz mənə tamamilə etibar etmirsiniz və bunun səbəbini başa düşürəm. Axı mən sizi birbaşa Kelizandrinin ardıcıllarına apara bilərdim. Beləliklə, məni etmək üçün istifadə etmək istədiyiniz sehrlə razıyam. görünür."
"I could lead you by blowing bubbles and gesturing,"
"However, I can sense that you don't entirely trust me, and I understand why. I could be leading you right to Kelizandri's followers, after all. So, I agree to whatever magic you intend to use to make me visible."
After a brief moment, a wry smile spreads across his face."Heç olmasa Birincidə başqalarına danışmaq əyləncəli hekayə yaradar" he muses. "Əgər işlər tərs getsə, o nağılı mütləq paylaşacağam." He nods in agreement with Myrna as they shake hands. "Yeni, yaxşı dostlara!"
"It would make for an amusing story to tell others on the First, at least,"
"If things go awry, I will be sure to share that tale."
"To new, good friends!"
Ganymede turns to Li'an. "Lady Zhalehin yeri barədə tam əmin olmasam da, axtarışa haradan başlayacağımız barədə yaxşı fikrim var," he explains. "Havadan nəfəs alanlar üçün nəzərdə tutulanlardan fərqli olaraq, mən sualtı yolları və tunelləri yaxşı bilirəm."His brilliant blue-green eyes scan the group, pausing on each individual. "Özünüzü yola düşməyə hazır hiss edirsiniz, yoxsa əvvəlcə əlavə hazırlıq görməyə üstünlük verirsiniz?"
"While I'm not entirely certain of Lady Zhaleh's location, I have a good idea of where we should start searching,"
"As a water-fey, I'm familiar with the underwater paths and tunnels, unlike those meant for the air-breathers."
"Do you feel ready to depart, or would you prefer to make additional preparations first?"
Turning to Unafe, he recalls that she mentioned she could only speak Aquan. "Მზად ხარ წასასვლელად?" he asks, speaking slowly and clearly.
"Are you ready to go?"
Unafe nods. In halting aquan she replies, "ვისაც ვეძებ, სარა ჰქვია. მე მჯერა, რომ ის ძალიან ღრმაა კომეტაში. თუ რამე იცით, რაც დაგვეხმარება მის პოვნაში, ღრმად მადლობელი ვიქნები."
"და მე მზად ვარ წასასვლელად, მეგობარო."
"And I am ready to go, friend."
”I am ready to go. But what about Mr. Pagbean and Mrs. Lohad, I don’t think they have a way of breathing under water.” Hinagiku says after taking off most of her clothes, except for her trousers and chest bandages, in the most casual way. She preferred not to have to drag heavy and baggy wet clothes along with herself.
As she rolls her clothes neatly and puts them in the nice messenger bag Ehren gifted her a while ago. Doing so, she realizes that this might help solve Lohad’s probablem that was mentioned earlier. She points to the gunslingers weapons then inside her bag and then points to the water and her bag followed by a clearly negative motion, signifying that the water would not penetrate it.
"They are still affected by my life bubble, which should last for several more hours," Ehren replies to Hinagiku as she undresses, having long grown accustomed to the habit. It is not as though wearing less clothing makes her less effective in battle. In fact, the opposite is closer to the truth - a fact that he firmly puts aside through sheer willpower. "It will work as effectively underwater as it did outside the city's barrier. I presume the same goes for whatever spells Goryon cast on Unafe."
The druid considers Myrna's request of Ganymede, understanding her hesitation. To some extent, he relies on it - as willing as she is to cede to his wisdom, it might well be her own judgment that saves their skins. Luckily, Li'an provides a more suitable alternative that will be even more effective should they run into more nereids.
"Qanymede, bu tunellər nə qədər böyükdür?" he asks the nereid, wondering what form he should take. It is perhaps the greatest consideration he must making this decision.
Once he has that piece of information, he turns to Pagbean, addressing him in the same language.
"Pagbean, deyəsən biz sualtı yolu tutmağa razılaşmışıq," Ehren says to the gnome, understanding that it is not his preference. "Mənim sehrim sizi və Lohadı dəstəkləməlidir, lakin vəziyyət yaranarsa, mübarizəmizə heç bir kömək etməyəcək. Ancaq yaxın dursan, bizi sudan keçirə bilərəm."
Ganymede furrows his brow, his large blue-green eyes staring intently at Unafe. Ganymede searches his memories for any mention of a Sara, but it yields no results. He exhales a deep sigh, feeling sorry that he can't be of more help.
"ბოდიში, მეომარ ქალო, მე არავის ვიცნობ ამ სახელით," he says, apologetically."მაგრამ ვფიცავ დინებასა და მოქცევას, რომ ყველაფერს გავაკეთებ იმისათვის, რომ დაგეხმაროთ მის პოვნაში. ჩვენ მოვიძიებთ ამ კომეტის თითოეულ სანტიმეტრს, სანამ არ ვიპოვით მას," he promises, his voice laced with sincerity.
"I'm sorry, warrior woman. I do not know anyone by that name."
"But I swear on the currents and tides that I will do all in my power to help you find her. We will search every inch of this comet until we find her."
Ganymede pauses, a contemplative expression crossing his face as he considers the question posed by Ehren. He rubs his chin thoughtfully for a moment, eyes drifting upwards as he visualizes the tunnels in his mind's eye. "Burada tunellərin çoxu kifayət qədər genişdir"he begins. "İki, hətta üç nəfəri yerləşdirmək üçün kifayət qədər geniş, heç bir problem olmadan yan-yana üzgüçülük."
"Most of the tunnels here are quite spacious,"
"Wide enough to accommodate two, even three of us swimming side by side without any issue."
He pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Ancaq aşkarlanmamaq üçün getməyi planlaşdırdığım yol bəzən olduqca sıxlaşa bilər" he says.. "Bunun uzantıları üçün tək faylda davam etməliyik. Bu, rahat olmayacaq, lakin hər hansı arzuolunmaz diqqətdən qaçmaq istəyiriksə, bu lazımdır."
"However, the path I plan on taking to avoid detection can get quite tight at times,"
"We'll have to proceed in single file for stretches of it. It won't be comfortable, but it's necessary if we want to avoid any unwanted attention."
Ganymede's eyes drift towards Ehren, a hint of apology etched on his features. "Bunun səbəb ola biləcəyi hər hansı narahatlığa görə üzr istəyirəm" he says, his tone earnest. "Ancaq zərərdən uzaq olmaq üçün bu, kiçik bir qiymətdir."
"I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause,"
"But it's a small price to pay to stay out of harm's way."
Pagbean nods, his beady eyes scanning Ehren and Ganymede. "Başa düşürəm, Ferron qəbiləsindən olan Ehren," he says, his voice low and serious. "Ancaq məni qiymətləndirməyin. Balaca olsam da, illərin təcrübəsindən əldə etdiyim kəskin reflekslərimlə çevik və çevikəm."
"I understand, Ehren of clan Ferron,"
"But do not underestimate me. Though I may be small, I am quick and nimble, with sharp reflexes honed by years of experience."
He pauses, his expression thoughtful. "Təəssüf ki, mən bu gün ilahəmin verdiyi sehrin çoxunu artıq xərcləmişəm. Tumarlarımın suda faydası azdır. Amma qorxma, mənə kömək edə biləcək bir şey var."
"Unfortunately, I have already expended most of my magic granted by my goddess today. My scrolls are of little use in the water. But fear not, I have something that may be of aid."
With a flourish, he retrieves a small bag from his satchel and searches inside. After a moment, he reveals several small glass vials filled with a bubbling green liquid. "Bunlar mənim evdə hazırlanmış iksirlərdir," he explains, holding up the vials. "Onlar bizi zərərə məruz qoymayacaq, lakin sürətimizi artıracaqlar ki, bu da su altında faydalı ola bilər. Hər birini götürün və ən çox ehtiyac duyduğumuz zaman onu təhlükəsiz saxlayın."
"These are my homemade potions."
"They won't make us impervious to harm, but they will certainly enhance our speed, which can come in handy underwater. Take one each and keep it safe for when we need it most."
"Bu qalın, özlü bazadan hazırlanıb, ona görə də siz onu suyun altında hopdura bilməlisiniz. Sadəcə dodaqlarınızı yuxarı qaldırın və bərk əmin!"
"This one is made of a thick, viscous base, so you should be able to imbibe it underwater. Just put your lips up to it, and suck, hard!"
Pagbean turns to Lohad to translate for her. «Здається, ми підемо підводним шляхом».
"It seems we will be taking the underwater path."
Lohad's eyes widen with surprise, and she gasps in disbelief, "Підводний шлях? Я навіть не вмію плавати!"
"The underwater path? I can't even swim!"
Pagbean smirks mischievously and retorts, "Ну, це проблема. На щастя для вас, я чудовий інструктор з плавання. Коли ми досягнемо іншого берега, ви будете справжньою русалкою!"
"Well, that's a problem. Lucky for you, I'm an excellent swim instructor. By the time we reach the other side, you'll be a right mermaid!"
Lohad chuckles nervously, but her face still betrays apprehension. "Ти не допомагаєш", she mumbles, shaking her head.
"You're not helping."
Pagbean places a hand on her her wrist and offers a reassuring smile. "Гей, якщо справи підуть нанівець, просто пам’ятайте про те, щоб багато тріпатися. Це завжди працює з рухомими картинами".
"Hey, if things go south, just remember to thrash around a lot. That always works at the moving pictures."
Lohad glares at him, but can't help but grin at his terrible joke. "О, чудово, це справді заспокоює", she deadpans.
"Oh great, that's really reassuring."
Unafe nods to Ganymede. "Გმადლობთ. მოდით, თქვენი ლედი გადავარჩინოთ."
When her companions translate Pagbean's offer, she smiles and replies, "Please let him know I thank him for his gift, and that I pray that his ancestors are near him to provide guidance and support, throughout whatever happens today."
Myrna takes the scroll from Li'an with a nod of thanks. It wasn't exactly what she had asked for, but it would give her some peace at least. She reads from it and casts the spell, giving her eyes a glowing aura that allows her to see the unseen.
Then she turns to Ganymede. "Well," she says with a grin, "Let's go!" She breaks out running towards where she thinks the cave entrances are, shouting, "Like I said, race you to Lady Zhaleh!"
Ganymede emerges from the icy river with a light laugh, his voice echoing through the trees like sweet music. "O tərəfə qaçmağın sənə heç bir xeyri olmayacaq, dostum. Məni izlə, çünki mən yolu bilirəm" he says with a confident grin, stepping onto the snow-covered shore. His lithe form moves gracefully over the snow as he begins to lead the way towards the alien city in the distance. "Come! You follow."
"Running in that direction won't do you any good, my friend. Follow me, for I know the way,"
The heroes trail behind Ganymede, their boots crunching through the pristine forest. The trees are made of crystal, and their faceted branches sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. But despite the beauty, there is a sense of unease in the air. No animals or insects can be heard, and the only sound is the rustling of the wind through the branches and the distant chime of windchimes.
As the heroes near the city's periphery, a scorching agony seizes their minds, driving Ganymede to his knees in a torturous display. He scans the surroundings with desperation, yet find only an eerie emptiness that fills him with a sickening apprehension. Ganymede's pupils dilate in terror as he crumples to the ground, his consciousness devoured by an eldritch power beyond his comprehension. "Uf...b-bəsdirildiyim...," he rasps.
"Ugh... I... can't..."
The crystalline forest comes alive with an unspeakable horror, as one of the trees shimmers and contorts into a blasphemous abomination. A grotesque creature, with six glowing eyes and a twisted, dead tree-like body, emerges before the hapless group. Its spindly legs scrape against the ground, while its razor-sharp claws gleam in the dim light. Writhing tentacles, sprouting from its branches, reach out like tendrils of madness, eager to ensnare its prey.
Unafe spins around to face the creature, her saurian feathers casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. The creature's claws lash out at her, but prove futile against her thick hide. However, its slimy tentacles quickly wrap around her, coiling around her body like a serpent of the abyss. She struggles to break free, her muscles bulging against the creature's grip, but one of the tentacles slithers around her chest from behind, constricting her breathing and threatening to crush her ribcage.
"Ah... Yaşçerka! Dayan!" Pagbean shouts, his hand darting to his bladed scarf wrapped around his neck. But Lohad is consumed by an unexplainable terror, and without warning, she raises her gun and takes aim at Pagbean.
Yashcherka = literally "lizard-woman"
"Uh... Yashcherka! Hang on!"
The gunshot echoes through the forest, a chilling sound that sends shivers down their spines. The bullet grazes Pagbean's pointed ear, leaving a trail of blood dripping down the side of his face. The metallic tang of blood fills the air, mixing with the sickening stench of the creature's rotting body. Pagbean staggers back, clutching his ear in pain, eyes widened at the sight of Lohad's erratic behavior.
Unafe struggles as the abomination's slimy tentacles constrict around her chest, compressing her lungs with an otherworldly force. As the tendrils of terror envelop her, she feels her mind begin to unravel, besieged by a primal fear that seems to emanate from the creature itself. It's as if the very fabric of reality is being contorted and twisted by the creature's grotesque presence, threatening to shatter her sanity like fragile glass.
1. Ganymede [27]
2. Monster Tree [19]
3. Lohad [16]
4. Hinagiku [14]
5. Li'an [10]
6. Unafe [9]
7. Ehren [6]
8. Myrna [4]
You had read the following story in a book about Sargava:
Deep within the impenetrable heart of the Jungle of Hungry Trees, where the very air was thick with a fetid stench of decay, there lurked a creature that could shatter the mind of any mortal who dared to gaze upon it. Its name was spoken only in the most hushed tones, for even the mere mention of it could summon unspeakable horrors.Yangethe was a blasphemous aberration, a perversion of all that was natural and wholesome. Its six eyes, each one glowing with a sickly green hue, peered out from a tangle of thorny vines, scanning the jungle with an insatiable hunger. The creature's spidery legs, each as thick as a tree trunk, were encased in a pulsating, fungal growth that seemed to writhe and pulsate with a life of its own.
And then there were the tentacles. Countless writhing appendages, each tipped with a serrated edge that glimmered with a malevolent intelligence. These tentacles moved with an impossible dexterity, lashing out with lightning-fast strikes that could eviscerate a man in mere moments.
The very existence of Yangethe defied all known laws of science and reason. Some claimed that it was a manifestation of an ancient curse, born of an unholy pact made between unknown entities. Others whispered that it was the spawn of a long-forgotten god, a deity that had been banished to the outer realms for its unspeakable deeds.
Regardless of its origins, one thing was certain: Yangethe was an eldritch terror that roamed the jungle with a malevolent glee, reveling in the terror it inflicted upon its prey. It was said that the mere sight of Yangethe could drive a man to madness, and that its touch could wither the soul. For those brave enough to venture into the Jungle of Hungry Trees, the legend of Yangethe served as a constant reminder that there were some horrors that should never be disturbed.
You remember from a book, translated from Minkaian - an accounting of the adventurer, Murayami Mayumi:
As I delved deeper into the dense jungle, the humid air weighed heavily on my skin. I knew I was nearing my destination when I spotted a cluster of small colonies under the watchful eye of a Yangethe. Its six glowing eyes seemed to hold eons of knowledge and experience, and its spidery legs moved with unsettling fluidity.
This Yangethe was more than just a terror; it was a biologically immortal race created by an evil cult. Its intelligence was clear as day in the way it commanded its slaves. I could sense that it had developed its own desires over the centuries, and it did not require food or water. Instead, it fed on the emotions of sentient beings, with the slaves being nothing more than a means to an end.
As I prepared for battle, I could feel the Yangethe's power pulsating from it like a dark aura. Its arsenal of abilities was staggering. With a flicker of darkness, it could teleport and envelop entire areas in shadow. Its telekinetic powers were unmatched, and it could assume the form of a tree with ease. Even its physical strength was formidable, with spidery legs that ended in razor-sharp claws.
But the true horror lay in its mastery of psychic magic. It could control summoned creatures with a flick of its mental powers, and I felt its psychic grip tighten around me like a vice. It could terrify entire groups of people into fleeing, leaving them vulnerable to its attacks. And it struck with brutal accuracy, deftly dodging my spells and attacks.
Yet, I refused to back down. With each strike, I chipped away at the Yangethe's armor, my determination growing stronger with each passing moment. I knew I had to defeat it to protect the innocent slaves and prevent it from causing further harm. And so, with unwavering courage and a steady hand, I battled with my kusari-gama until the Yangethe lay defeated at my feet.
You had at one point gained access to a copy of a text that had been confiscated from a mysterious cultist, who had been stopped before she could open a portal into an alien world full of unspeakable monsters:
The Yangethe, a species renowned for their biological immortality, boasts an array of formidable abilities that make them an adversary to be feared. Their unique sensory capabilities include blindsense and darkvision, granting them the ability to perceive their surroundings in complete darkness. Moreover, their thick natural armor endows them with immunity to cold, fear, and mind-affecting effects, while also offering resistance to spells.When engaged in combat, Yangethes deploy their claws and tentacles with lethal precision, capable of inflicting considerable damage on their opponents. In addition to these physical attacks, they are also known to employ their feeding tentacles to extract life force from their targets, inducing vivid, terrifying nightmares. Furthermore, Yangethes possess the ability to unleash a psychic blast, inflicting damage and inducing confusion upon all creatures within range.
In terms of intellect, Yangethes are highly knowledgeable in a range of fields, including engineering, spellcraft, and geography. They also utilize telepathy to communicate with other creatures, showcasing their advanced cognitive abilities.
It is worth noting that Yangethes are biologically immortal, exhibiting no signs of aging and requiring only violent means for destruction. This longevity underscores their status as a species that has stood the test of time.
Hinagiku, Li'an and Unafe are up!
Li'an floats silently amidst the group through the forest, wondering what awaits them when they arrive in the city. When the wave of energy washes over her mind, she struggles against it, slowly fighting it off. When the second wave hits, she feels her mind start slipping away. As her consciousness fades, she recalls the feeling she'd experienced that fateful day she had trailed her father. Her eyes burn intensely as she remembers loss of control and terror she'd experienced and she quickly shakes off the effect. Despite shaking off, however, she feels the drain of the creature's attack.
Turning her attention to the source of the mental attack, she looks at the accursed tree attacking Unafe. She'd read a story once of such a terror within the Jungle of Hungry Trees. Moving forward and up higher to get a better view and to better position herself to aid her allies before unleashing a wave of healing energy to help counter some of the effects of the creature's attack.
Ehren grunts in discomfort when he feels the alien presence encroaching on his mind, but the intrusion goes no further, halted by his iron will. His head pounding, the druid glowers at the tree-like horror, well aware that it is far from "natural."
Unafe resist the horror of the tree with the help of Myrna's protective aura, together with the intense hope radiating from Li'an.
Despite the tentacles constricting her, Unafe gives a rough laugh. "I have wrestled a triceratops to the ground. I'll snap you like a twig!" She grows to her full height and attempts to tie it up in its own tentacles.
Swft: grow Huge
Stnd: take control of grapple
Move: maintain grapple, pin
Hinagiku’s ears twitch as she realize that they are not going to plunge in the river but walk to another entrance. She was not self-conscious, but i must have look strange to others that she had just stripped right there.
When the pain strikes, Hinagiku winces, but lets the feeling wash over her. Allowing the feeling drown into her inner pool without focusing on fighting it clears Hinagiku’s mind. Through the echoes of pain, the monk takes in the alien scene unfolding around her.
”I will take care of Lohad, focus on helping Ganymede and Unafe.” Hinagiku calls out as she lunges for the gunslinger who is clearly in too much pain to understand what is happening around her. With quick motions, Hinagiku gently taps Lohad’s hands to weaken their grasp before simply snatching them in her own.
Contingency:
Actions
Swift: Giant physique stance
Move:
Free: 5’ step
Standard:
Full round action: full attack to disarm lohad of both guns. If only one gun,
Defense
**+3 dodge AC vs first attack at her, she gets AoO if foe misses.
AC: +1+3(Haste,t.guard)
uncanny dodge
Touch: +1(Haste)
FF: +3(Haste,t.guard)
CMD: +3+4(Haste,t.guard,giant stance)
CMD-FF: +3+4(Haste,t.guard,giant stance)
175/175 hp
0/40 delayed damage pool (working the opposite way from HPs)
Offense
Reach: 5 (1o for AoO)
Precogniscient smite: +3 insight hit/dg
Points
7/19 ki (spell points)
9/11 mythic
1/1 m.foc.
4/4 AoO
Others
Senses: 35’ blindsight, blindfolded oracle, battlefield sense, .
Immaculate hands (2 essence) (mercy: fatigued)
-Hinagiku x1
With a sudden jolt, Unafe towers over the monstrous creature, even while its tentacles constrict around her in a deadly embrace. The spirits of the ancestors and saurians surrounding her erupt into a cacophony of screeches and cries. Unafe seizes the writhing tentacles and binds the creature in its own grasp, her muscles bulging with effort.
Meanwhile, Hinagiku moves with swift and graceful precision towards the disoriented Lohad, her movements a blur. The gunslinger's fingers are still wrapped tightly around her weapons, but Hinagiku's skillful touch weakens her grip, and the monk snatches the guns into her own hands.
As Hinagiku and Lohad's attention are on one another, Pagbean's voice rings out with desperate urgency. "Лохад, кинь це!" he cries. The space gnome pulls his bladed scarf into his hand, its edges glinting in the pale light of the forest. He whispers a prayer to Sivanah, the goddess of secrets and illusions, begging for her aid in this time of peril. "Oh, Sivanah," he pleads, "Mənə xeyir-dua ver. Düşmənlərim toxuduğum illüziyalardan kor olsun, yoldaşlarımı saxladığım sirlərdən qorusun. Qoy hikmətin əlimi hidayət etsin və qüdrətin bizi əhatə edən dəhşətlərdən qorusun. Yalvarışıma qulaq as, Şivana və İlahi lütfünü mənə bəxş et."
"Lohad, snap out of it!"
"Oh, Sivanah, grant me your blessing. Let my enemies be blinded by the illusions I weave, and let my companions be protected by the secrets I keep. May your wisdom guide my hand, and may your power shield us from the horrors that surround us. Hear my plea, Sivanah, and bestow upon me your divine favor."
As Pagbean finishes his prayer, his scarf begins to blur. It's a sign that his goddess has heard his plea, and her power is flowing through him.
But then, a new horror reveals itself in the forest. Another monstrous tree, even larger and more twisted than the first, towers over them. Its branches stretch out like grasping fingers, and its trunk is covered in pulsing, writhing veins that seem to pulse with a sickening life of their own.
Terror grips their hearts, and Lohad succumbs to panic."Що... що це за речі?" she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper. But there is no answer, only the sound of the creature's eerie, otherworldly groaning, a guttural and unsettling sound that chills them to their core.
"What... what are these things?"
Myrna and Ehren are up!
Kept at her senses by the morale-improving effects of her celestial companion's aura, Myrna shakes her head to clear out the residual effects of the strange tree-horrors' shrieks and moans. She grips her axe tightly, steps towards the creature approaching from the side not guarded by Unafe. Myrna trusted her friend to destroy her opponent.
Psyching herself up for a blow, Myrna cries out a yell of battle-furor, and then launches into song, bellowing words to a traditional poem sometimes sung during desperate battle:
"Mae'r rasp yn taro cyn y prow
o'r llestr ar ei lwybr esmwyth
gyda chyn o genllysg,
gelyn drygionus y goeden,
ac oer-clad gelyn yr helyg
yn llithro'n ddidrugaredd
Alarch Gestill gyda hyrddiau gwynt
wrth bryn aur y llong."
of the vessel on its smooth path
with a chisel of hail,
the wicked enemy of the tree,
and cold-clad enemy of the willow
swipes mercilessly
Gestill's swan with wind-gusts
at the ship’s gilded prow."
She raises her axe high, mid-phrase. As she does so, power flows from her heart and across the blade of her axe. As it comes down onto the strange alien creature, her axe bursts into flames.
His mind still steeled after the initial psychic assault, Ehren weathers the second tree's horrific groaning. He tightens his grip on his oaken staff in an attempt to cease the bothersome tremors that start in his hands, a seedling of fear that he has no intention of allowing to bloom.
Raising his hand, the druid points a trembling finger at the wicked tree and unleashes a bolt of pure ley energy drawn from the reserves he stored within his own body.
Ehren stands his ground, and as he channels the power of the ley, a glowing white aura envelops him. The air around him hums with raw energy, causing his eyes to glow with an otherworldly light. Finally, Ehren unleashes a bolt of pure energy at the abomination. The bolt crackles with raw power, illuminating the dark forest with an eerie glow.
The bolt streaks towards its target, striking the twisted tree with a resounding impact that shakes the ground beneath them. The Yangethe creaks and groans in protest, its twisted tentacle branches flailing in agony. But it does not relent. Instead, the tree seems to grow stronger, its bark hardening into a black, obsidian-like substance. Gripping her axe tightly, Myrna takes a deep breath and channels all her energy into a single blow. The blade of her axe bursts into flames as she swings it down with all her strength.
But the creature's bark remains unscathed. The force of the impact jolts through the tiefling's arm, causing her to stagger backward.
Meanwhile, the sacred ancestors chant and beat their drums to the rhythm of Myrna's war song as Unafe grips the other yangethe's tentacles. Unafe's grip on the writhing tentacles is unrelenting, fueled by the power of the spirits of the ancestors and saurians that surround her. The eerie glow of her aura intensifies, casting an otherworldly light on the horrific monster. The creature's screams of agony become more desperate, its struggles more violent, but Unafe holds firm.
Lohad's heart races erratically, her chest tightening with every beat. She looks around frantically, her eyes darting from Unafe wrestling with the yangethe to Myrna's ominous-sounding chanting in a language she doesn't understand. The scene before her sends a chill down her spine, and she feels her resolve faltering. Fear takes hold of her, and she turns on her heel, her boots crunching through the snow as she disappears into the crystalline woods.
As Li'an channels Pulura's divine grace, Ganymede's eyes flicker open, and he gasps as he sees the horrifying scene before him. The air around him is thick with the acrid smell of decay emanating off the twisted bodies of these monsters. Ganymede's fingers wrap tightly around the cold metal of his trident. With a surge of willpower, he pushes himself to his feet, his legs shaky as he takes a few steps towards the fray.
Round 2!
Hinagiku, Li'an and Unafe are up!
Hinagiku is unable to remain an observer of her pain for long. When the second warped tree manifests itself, causing the surrounding shiny forest to darken and become a landscape of horror rather than wonder, Hinagiku’s heart skips a beat. Thanks to her training she remains in control of her actions and aware enough to swipe at Lohad’s feet when she goes to run; who knew what other dangers lurked and the woods.
Taking a deep breath to centre herself, Hinagiku surveys the battlefield quickly. Noting that Ganymede seems to be joining the fight, she says ”Mr. Ganymede, stay safe.” with a gentle yet resolute voice that carries over the battlefield.
Then, facing the source of the fear, Hinagiku weaves through her allies all the way to Myrna’s side and, from under her swinging axe, joins a knee blow to the commander’s strike.
Contingency:
Actions
Swift: Giant physique stance
Move:
Free:
Standard:
Full round action: Mobile striker (spring attack) on 2, no AoO.
Defense
**+3 dodge AC vs first attack at her, she gets AoO if foe misses.
AC:
uncanny dodge
Touch:
FF:
CMD:
CMD-FF:
175/175 hp
3 NL
0/40 delayed damage pool (working the opposite way from HPs)
Offense
Reach: 5 (10 for AoO)
Precogniscient smite: +3 insight hit/dg
Points
7/19 ki (spell points)
9/11 mythic
1/1 m.foc.
4/4 AoO
Others
Senses: 35’ blindsight, blindfolded oracle, battlefield sense, .
Immaculate hands (2 essence) (mercy: fatigued)
-Hinagiku x1
Unafe smiles as the tentacled abomination fails to escape her saurian grip. The sacred ancestors swell and thrum with the the power of Myrna's song. With their aid, Unafe does her best to pound the monstrosity into a pile of splinters.
Goryon, with you and the other Sacred Ancestors beside us, we will make quick work of these things, and be back on the path toward Sara soon.
Free: [-2T] enduring crit, vital strike
Stnd: Brutal Strike
Move: Maintain grapple +damage
Swft: Slam (cinch strike)
Free: Enforcer, Grandstanding Slam
Free: [-5T] Rapid Pummel x2
Hinagiku swiftly swipes at Lohad's feet just as she tries to flee. Lohad's body tumbles uncontrollably, her remaining inertia sending her crashing into the snow with a thud. The impact knocks the wind out of her lungs, leaving her gasping for air, her eyes wide with shock and terror. For a moment, she lies there, helpless and disoriented, the world around her spinning out of control.
As she struggles to regain her footing, the intense fear still clouding her mind, Lohad groans. The cold air bites at her face, making her cheeks feel numb, and she can feel the sting of the snow against her skin. Her eyes remain unfocused, unable to fully comprehend what is going on around her. She feels like she's in a nightmare, unable to escape the horrors that surround her.
Hinagiku's heart thunders in her chest as she bravely moves towards the source of the fear, her steps steady as she weaves through the throng of her allies. She can feel the terror in the air, a palpable energy that causes her fur to stand on end.
With a mighty swing of her axe, Myrna strikes at the writhing mass of the warped tree, her war song ringing out like a death knell. Hinagiku charges in, Lohad's guns still in each hand, dodging beneath a writhing tentacle that the tree sends her way in retaliation. She delivers a crushing knee blow to the tree's bark. But she finds the monstrous tree's bark is as hard as stone, completely unyielding to either of their attacks.
Li'an is up!
Li'an turns to see yet another of the horrid tree-creatures emerge to assault them. Its presence is enough to leave her shaken, though she's able to maintain her composure against its terrifying presence. Their new red-skinned companion, on the other hand seemed overwhelmed by terror and would've been long gone into the forest if it hadn't been for Daisy's quick thinking. Knowing that they couldn't afford to have anyone running off, Li'an drifts further up while weaving a spell to help Lohad and her allies fight off the worst of the fear affecting them.