"Well... she is a priestess. She should have a strong mind. But maybe after falling once, she could fall again. Or maybe after slipping into madness once, she will be prepared and avoid a second slide. " muses JJ.
"If we kill her now, she has no chance to right the wrongs she has done. I think we have to try it."
And maybe this is why the Lady of Graves sent me back? To see her highest servant in the area restored?
Maxim listens, bushy brow furrowed as he lets those with a more pronounced spiritual barometer guide the discussion;
"Iffin' the spell gives her clarity an' respite, least fir a small time, then that's our window to crack on an' end this? Worst case I cast it again..."
The gun-mage shrugs his shoulders, unsure if what he says rings true or nay.
"I th-think JJ is r-right, I th-think we have to t-try," Marigold finally answers, giving her brother a nod. "Even if it d-doesn't last, m-maybe she'll at least b-be able to help steer us the w-way we need to g-go. And m-maybe it'll give her the ch-chance to decide her own f-fate with a c-clear mind."
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Deciding it is worth a try, Maxim casts his spell and asks for a wish, that Embril is set free from her madness and that madness removed, put away from her.
The woman opens he eyes wide as she suddenly understands the consequences of her acts. She sinks her face on her hands "Oh, please tell me all this has been a nightmare..."
"How will I ever fix all this disarray..."
Having been burned one too many times in the past, Marigold regards Embril with a mixture of relief and wariness.
"It's n-not entirely your f-fault...b-but you can h-help put things to r-rights now. P-please, t-tell us everything you kn-know."
She does not seem to be deceitful at this time.
"Dyr'ryd enrolled us on this. The plan was to free Adimarchus creating a portal directly to the Material Plane so everyone could escape Carceri. He is trapped in a maximum security prison called Skullrot" Embril gives you many details, but by now, there is really little you do not know already.
"Tell me what do you want me to do" the woman swallows with great respect in her face "If needed I will go with you"
JJ shakes his head. "I think what you need to do more than anything else is to stay far away from Carceri. Where is the nearest temple to Phrasma, outside of Cauldron? I suggest you go there. You may not be welcome, or you may be welcomed. I don't know. But being far away from here is probably good, and the Lady's priesthood... is likely the safest place for you to be at the moment."
Kikinnin watches as Maxim lifts a wicked web from the woman's eyes, if only for a short time. He can't help but Look for the Shimmer on her.
"If needed I will go with you."
"You'll understand if we want little help from the likes of you, Embril. I suggest you return with us, peacefully, and submit to a trial by the church. Our Ryan Taskerhill is a just priest. He'll hear your confession, know your truths, and pass a reasonable sentence on you. If you want redemption, that is. Before Maxim here cleared your mind, you were welcoming the Abyss."
Kikinnin waits to hear if the others have better ideas, or if Embril chooses to put up a fight, even now. He's really itching to get at Xokek...
You cannot sense any evil aura on Embril at the moment.
"I can look for a place to our main temple at Sasserine" Embril answers JJ, then passively nods to Kikinnin "I was thinking I could just go far away"
Whatever the details on your decisions over Embril, eventually you are able to give Kikinnin the opportunity to sooth the itch on his back.
The dwarf attempt to dispel the magic is successful and the magical mansion finishes expelling its occupants. Xokek and two slaadi are vomited into the room, and they do not seem pleased by the irruption!
You know these are death slaadi. Their powers are too broad to summarize the most prominent, so just have a look at its statblock.
Xokek scowls as he sees you "So we see our faces once more... I should have imagined the succubus would be too weak for you..."
The wizard casts haste making himself and the slaadi to move fast, then starts to move towards the north west and hides in plain sight disappearing in the shadows!
You spot Xokek in the northwest corner and can target him.
By now some magics have expired, the protection from evil being the most remarkable.
AC = 36/16/35
HP = 238/238
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel(Speed, Holy)
Condition(s) = -7 Str
Kikinnin flusters at the frogs suddenly appeared in front of them. He expected Xokek, but not meddlesome minions. "Xokek, you going to run away again? Keygan is dead by your hands, so we aim to return the favor." A little favor from his God still left to use for the day, the black beard turns his visage upon the Green Frog, and wishes the full might of Abadar to see it slain, and quickly. Still weak from the shades, Kikinnin aims his blade more carefully...
edit:
With utter efficiency, Kikinnin rightful swings his axe connecting all but once, and severing the green slaad's head. It falls to the ground quickly dying.
The surviving slaad growls and uses an empowered cone of cold that washes all of you in a potent blizzard. Marigold covers behind the wall's corner.
The creature then steps forward and touches Kikinnin with a quickened vampiric touch sapping part of the paladin's vitality.
JJ flinches as the cold washes over him. H
"Brrr"
JJ steps forward and slams Alakast into the second of the horrid demondands in a viscous flurry of blows..
I seem to recall they are from the abyss so providing full FT bonus from that.
But a peek at the stat block (I thought you mistyped dungeoneering from planes) shows they are aberations, not outsiders, so no outsider bane or benefit from my extra +1 vs all outsiders.
They are evil, so +2d6 holy applies.
Total
+20/+20 - FT
+0/+2d6 holy
Blow after blow smashes into the Sladdi in front of JJ. Surely against such skill even a Balrog would be hard pressed to stand. Hopefully.
"Go back to your own Abyss and leave us our lands!" he shouts at it.
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Marigold's Round 1
Thanks to the corner, her own quick reflexes, and a little magical help, Marigold is able to roll clear of the incoming blast of cold.
"ಅಲ್ಲಿ, ಅವನು ವಾಯುವ್ಯ ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾನೆ!"
"There, he's in the northwest corner!"
Hoping to even things out a bit, Marigold calls upon her magic as she attempts to dispel whatever magics Xokek has shrouded himself with...
JJ tries to cover himself as good as he can from the blizzard, then assaults the aberration of the Abyss, his swings striking like an oversized hammer over a wall. Somehow the slaad manages to survive.
Marigold hides behind the wall corner, avoiding the blizzard. Xokek used his natural ability to hide in shadows, but the halfling's dispel takes the haste effect anyway.
You think bringing bright light, like the one of the daylight spell will be enough to prevent him for using his hide in plain sight special ability.
Maxim does something heroic!
"I have no plans to let you hunt me, rat killer!" Xokek reappears as he shouts back to the dwarf, casting a spell over the group, sparks of electricity jumping back and forth around the party with JJ at the center.
Xokek then moves again jumping out of sight.
He is still in the very same corner!
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Maxim avoids anything worse that his beard and hair bristling with hoarfrost and static energy
Bereft of many of his more offensive spells Maxim instead decides to bolster those around him...
"Scherp Randje!"
Moving up he targets Kikinnin's mighty blade he augments its sharp edge even further!
"Ha på jävlarna Bror!"
"Have at the basterds Bror!"
The gun-mage then draws his pistol
JJ shudders under the renewed magical assault.
"Ouch!"
Blue light spills from the frost covering JJ, melting it away and healing some of the cold-blisters that cover his form.
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AC = 36/16/35
HP = 155/238
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel(Speed, Holy)
Condition(s) = -7 Str
Kikinnin shakes off the frigid blast, unhappy that he can still feel it in the beard hairs closest to his neck. It's just in time to watch lightning erupt in the room, punching through his plate. He can almost smell his chest hair singed.
"Xokek, I'm going to cut down your frog here. Then I'm gonna let the boy have at you, wherever you are in here. Abadar's Eye is upon you. You won't find safe harbor in your corner, skulking like the rat that you are. Embril says you hate everything, so stick around, and see if your hate is enough to end us, here and now."
When Maxim touches Eldgammel, Kikinnin nods his appreciation at the blond beard. "Hvis svartalven bare ville vise seg..."
"If the black elf would only show himself..."
Kikinnin swings at Blue, hoping to step into Blue's square, and keep swinging at Xokek, should he remain where he was when Marigold saw him.
edit:
With true temple and dexterity, Maxim emerges unscathed from the mighty energy discharged around the room. Then he improves the attacks of his companions.
JJ's wounds swiftly heal, but soon open again as he only partially manages to avoid the electrical blast.
Kikinnin's faith protects him from the energy blasts then hits down the slaad to the ground, and as the dwarf sees the creature to be fast healing, sends another strike to completely finish it before stepping over the body.
From the other swings, only two find actual meat, but one goes specially down the skin.
"North west? Okay..."
JJ steps forward, side by side with the rat-catcher as soon as the Sladdi falls.
"Right... time to finish this."
Alakast swings through the apparently empty space, determined to finish what JJ really hopes is the last of the cagewrights.
Maybe he is just feeling a little too confident, but the lad swings and misses again and again. "You sure he is in this corner?"
Marigold's Round 2-ish
Once again, Marigold manages to dodge the incoming magical blast and something occurs to her as she looks back to where she last saw Xokek.
"ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮಾನವಾದ ಬೆಳಕು! ಕೋಣೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮಾನವಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮತ್ತು ಅವನು ಮರೆಮಾಡಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ!"
"Bright light! Make the room bright and he can't hide!"
Try as she might, she can't pinpoint where Xokek might be now and so she waits for an opening...
______________
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JJ swings many times, but only connects once. Still, the bruise is large according to the shout Xokek makes.
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Marigold's Round 2 (For Real)
Suddenly remembering that her magic is more flexible than she gives it credit for, Marigold taps into some of her innate power usually reserved for a higher caliber of spellcasting and conjures bright light into the room!
______________
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Maxim continues to provide boons for his Bror and shifts into the room , clapping his fellow dwarf's broad shoulder as he goes;
"Steenhuid"
Marigold brings a potent bright light into the room, forcing all shadows to recede and revealing Xokek in the corner of the room!
Maxim goes in and touches Kikinnin's back. The dwarf skin changes to stone!
Xokek rises his hand trying to cover his eyes from the bright light. He looks at Kikinnin with hate for his words "Then die dwarf!!!" and casts phantasmal killer on him.
With the shadow mage now clearly revealed, JJ slams Alakast into Xokek with a vengeance.
"If you are so keen on the abyss, then why not go visit there yourself?"
Without the concealment of his hide, Xokek is an easy victim of JJ's staff. A few swings are enough to send the last of the Cagewrights with Pharasma!
bracers of armor +3
+1 short sword
major cloak of displacement
blackstone rune (1 charge remaining)
Ring of Thirteen
scroll of cloudkill
scroll of greater dispel magic
scroll of teleport
masterwork dagger
masterwork shortbow
20 arrows
spellbook
spell component pouch
silver cage pendant (15 gp)
1st—color spray, disguise self, expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic missile, shadow weapon, shield, true strike, ventriloquism;
2nd—blur, cat's grace, darkness, fox's cunning, haunting mists, invisibility, minor image, mirror image, misdirection, see invisibility, sepia snake sigil, twilight haze;
3rd—dispel magic, displacement,fireball, haste, illusory wall, invisibility sphere, major image;
4th—dimension door, greater invisibility, phantasmal killer, rainbow pattern, shadow conjuration, wall of fire;
5th—cloudkill, mirage arcana, shadow evocation, teleport;
6th—chain lightning, greater dispel magic, greater shadow conjuration, mislead, programmed image, shadow walk;
7th—mage's magnificent mansion, plane shift;
8th—greater shadow evocation.
This rune is a complex sigil drawn on a small, glossy stone. On command, a blackstone rune allows its bearer to plane shift between the Plane of Shadow and the Material Plane (in either direction), along with up to 50 pounds of objects. A blackstone rune can be used three times before its magic fades (only 1 charge is remaining here).
Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item, plane shift;
Market Price 3,300 gp.
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The world goes black in an instant, forcing the black beard to gouge his eyes hard, hoping to clear them of the sudden and complete loss of vision. When it fails to restore his sight, Kikinnin stands alone, waiting for what feels like months, until something pierces the darkness. A small glow, a pale light, which grows larger and larger, until he can see it more clearly. A ring of light, blackness surrounding it, blackness encircled within. It expands, and Kikinnin finally understands- it's getting closer, not larger.
Then he sees it for what it really is- an eyepatch, with tendrils of smoke catching the light illuminating the patch from behind.
The full form of the leviathan figure rises above him, from the Abyss. A scaled tendril where her right arm should be, a giant pincer in place of her left hand. None of that compares to the terror he feels, as he looks upon her only eye. The deep, ravenous hunger, which darts from one of his body parts to another. He's never felt so in need of fleeing.
Then she opens her mouth, a maw now, filled with ragged dripping teeth, and he knows nothing he can do now will see him through this. Before he closes his eyes, he sees something, a hand?, slowly closing on her shoulder from the blackness beyond her, a loving touch, encouraging her to give in, embrace her transformation, and begin the Black Devouring...
Kikinnin speaks a single word. "No." Not to JJ, but to Xokek, as the young man brings the black elf to his knees, in swift retribution for the horror he pulled over Kikinnin's own eyes moments before.
"Abomination." Kikinnin stands over Xokek's fallen form for several moments, his eyes pleading for the Cagewright to show some sign of life, so he might justify ending it all over again.
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Though she had little fear that Kikinnin would fall to Xokek's killing spell, Marigold can't help but notice the dwarf seems slightly unnerved as he stares down at the Cagewright's bloody and broken body.
She almost asks him what he saw...but then quickly thinks better of it. She knows how the magic works, how much of a deep and personal attack it truly is on the recipient's psyche.
Better off not knowing.
The halfling instead busies herself with looking over the blackstone rune. "H-huh...l-looks like this lets the b-bearer shift between the M-Material and Sh-Shadow planes. B-but there's only one ch-charge left..."
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"So many planes...." thinks JJ.
"And so little time to explore them. You ever wonder what these cage wrights could have achieved in the world if they had put their powers together to help people rather than enslave them?" He shakes his head sadly.
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Kikinnin survives the ill fate magic of Xokek.
With this, the Watchers have conjured the danger the Cagewrights posed to Cauldron and the world of Golarion in general. Only Embril remains, and she seems, temporary, cured of her madness thanks to powerful Maxim's wish.
Ahead, the chance to come back to Cauldron and enjoy the great success, or the opportunity to open a rift between worlds and engage the ultimate reason the Madness is hitting increasingly hard on Golarion!
Whatever lays ahead, the experiences of the day have pushed over your limits, taking you close to the levels of epic heroes of legend.
"I think we should head back to Redgorge and help there.." says JJ.
"We have done what needs to be done here, and maybe even brought one back to the... well.. if not light, at least not the evil side."
He sighs.
"And if we have to go back to the Abyss, then so be it. I've done a lot of reading up about it over the last year, so I hope I can guide as as well there as I can here but... everything I have read paints a picture of paint and chaos. It won't be pleasant. Remember what your realm looks like Marigold? And recall that had angelic influences working on it. Anywhere else we find... will be so much worse."
"Y-yes..." Marigold agrees on JJ's last comment with a sad sigh. "As t-tempting as it is to t-take the fight to Adimarchus r-right now, I th-think we need to at l-least take a day or two to p-plan..."
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A slow prod or two of Eldgammel into the dead side of Xokek, and Kikinnin regains himself slowly. The black beard kneels at the elf's side, and leans the head of his Axe into the base of the Cagewright's left pinkie finger. Securing the bloody body part in rags from Xokek's own clothing, only then does Kikinnin stand. "You come back, and I'll be waiting for you."
Considering their next steps, Kikinnin secures Embril for their journey back to Cauldron, or its surrounds. "I wouldn't mind a rest. We should be at our fullest, if we're going to brave a demon plane. Our blades should be their sharpest, our satchels full of salves, our guns fully ammoed." The black beard considers their strengths, and finds them quite sufficient. Still...
"This feels like the endgame. Only a handful of pieces that can fall on the dragonchess board now. I can't imagine having made it this far, without you all at my side. I only wonder a small thing- would Juraan, Kythel, and/or Ryan consider joining our last crusade? The Felling of Adimarchus will be a story for the ages, if we can pull it off. The more the merrier, is my small thought. Couldn't hurt to ask 'em, at least." Kikinnin regards his friends, contemplating their strategy against a god of madness.
JJ nods at Kikinnin's words, although he turns slightly green at the paladin's mutilation of the body.
"Actually..." he says thinking for a moment.. "We should probably try to fully destroy those cage wrights bodies. It's just a pity there is no convenient lava flows nearby. I'd just hate for some horrid priest to come by in a few years time and raise them from the dead, to begin chaos anew."
Kikinnin frowns lightly at the young man's words. "You're probably right." He doesn't offer the finger up if they're thinking about taking Xokek's body with them for disposing of it in the Fiery Sanctum, but he will, likely, when the time comes for someone to ask for it.
"I think the b-best we can do right now is to b-burn them and scatter the b-bones and ashes," Marigold gently suggests. "Unless we have s-some means of getting back to the Fiery S-Sanctum quickly, I m-mean...I can d-do it but I think we'd have to g-go by way of Occipitus f-first..."
______________
Kikinnin grows quiet at the mention of Occipitus, but he doesn't object. "We should be swift. If Adimarchus is bleeding madness, we need to speak to Jenya and Ryan, and plan our journey." Kikinnin checks Embril for departure, then waits for Marigold to whisk them from Shatterhorn, and closer to home, by way of some fiery burning pit...
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Maxim raises a bushy brow as he retrieves a spell book;
"If time is o' the essence then I'll turn us to the transportation o' Lil' Miss. However give me an hour an' all then I reckon I can rustle us up a Teleportation ta Redgorge..."
With his recent augment due to experience, Maxim is easily able to prepare the spell after studying for an hour. Once the group is sure they are ready to depart, the dwarf casts the spell and everything around starts to spin around until you appear once more at the Redhead Miner's Inn.
The Foreman and Maavu are discussing heatedly in one table in the corner when you appear. They both look at you confused at first, then happily "Check that! The Cauldron Watchers they are!"
Soon enough the news of your return have extended all through the town and you are surrounded with a lot of known faces and other people looking to know on the result of your last adventures. You learn from them Ryan and Kythel have not yet returned from Cauldron.
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Kikinnin uses his time before the Great Teleportation to post watch over Embril, though he looks over, regarding the blond beard and his studying every once and awhile. He's about to rip us through space, all for the words he's reading. Paper puts writing into his head, and that head of his is going to shift us home. We're a long ways from the days of clearing out street rats...
The black beard is more than ready, when the time comes to go.
...
Hitting the Inn, Kikinnin spends a moment, listening for the sounds of screams, of destruction of property, or anything else out of place for their sudden return to civilization. He knows the woman they've brought back, so doesn't take his eyes off her, even when he orders two ales.
When the serving girl brings him his brews, he offers one to Embril to slake her thirst, while quietly hoping she refuses, allowing him to drink both.
When the Watchers are approached, Kikinnin inquires about a local gaol. He informs the leaders directly of Embril's role in the recent efforts to bring hell to earth, specifically this region. He also informs them of Maxim's powerful casting of magic to strip the woman of her Adi-madness, and the possibility that the Cagewright is redeemable.
When the inquiries come, Kikinnin points to JJ. "That young man has been at the front of every battle to beat back the Cagewrights, those responsible for our woes in Cauldron. Sharpen your ears, and hear our accounting. Surabars speak a higher truth."
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Embril seems sunken in a grey mood, knowing how bad her position is, and clearly feeling remorse for all that has happened. She does not seem to know how to cope with all this, and barely sips from Kikinnin's offered beer.
Maavu is clear about his ideas "The woman is a danger to all us, even if she has been made free from an outside influence, we cannot be sure if she is going to fall once again. We cannot take the risk, we must chain her into our maximum security prison!" people around applauds Maavu, his compelling words easily bringing up the masses.
The Foreman though remains silent and after hearing Kikinnin he turns to JJ and slowly tells him "You have proven to be a descendant of the founder of Redgorge" he points to Alakast "And even carry with you the legendary Surabar Spellmason's staff. If you speak up, people in Redgorge will hear you."
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JJ thinks about the matter for a while. He is still somewhat surprised that long standing citizens of redgorge and former Cauldroner's are willing to hear, much less place much heed in the words of a seventeen year old. Even one who carries the Surabar name.
Slowly he looks around the inn and the crowd. "I have not always been a good person." he says.
"I have stolen from some of you. I felt angry and let down. Living in a city founded by my ancestor, but unwanted by you." he pauses, letting his words sink in.
"I have also killed, though not through malice. " He looks around the room, again, eyes searching out for Sara, half hoping she will be there to hear his words, and half fearing it.
"I have been... ahh.. familiar with a mass murderer, and, ahh" he pauses, trying to find the right words "locked lips with a demon. " he blushes at the memory. Then, giving he was making a clean breast of it, adds "More than once."
His right hand lets go of Alakast. "By what rights would you ask me, who has done so many wrongs to stand in judgement of Embril? For many years she stood as a valued member of the Cauldron community. A pillar of society in the city we called home. And you would ask me, an orphan with a history I have just scratched the surface of, to tell you what to do with her?"
He shakes his head. "You have heard the words of Kikinnin. Chosen of Abadar. His cousin has freed Embril from the chains that warped her mind. He has looked into he soul and seen no taint of evil remains."
The lad pauses, and climbs into a chair so all can see and hear.
"When the watches confronted the evil that lurked within the temple to Wee-Jas, I fell." he lets the words sink in. "The details matter not, but the blow was fatal. As I rose from my body to join the spiral of souls a cool wind pushed me back into my body. I believe that was the breathe of Pharasma. She who sees all knew her servant had erred. And the Lady of Graves knew that my return would see her servant restored."
He looks around the room, pointing out a member of the militia. "Robert, have you never once looked the other way on duty when it was inconvenient?" He points to the innkeeper of the Drunken Morgoth. "Has ever drunken customer always got every copper due in change? Each one of you... yes, each and every one has something that you are not proud of doing. But I don't stand in judgement of you. We are all imperfect. No log of wood will stand alone. But lean two or three together and they will. And that is what we must do. Friends, Redgorers, Cauldronites. We must stand together. And that starts by looking forward and forgiving the hurt we have done one another in the past."
"Time ahead will not be easy. Even without demonic influences the damage to Cauldron is ... significant. We will need everyone to contribute what they can. Some will slack. Some will take advantage of others. But in the words of the bard 'Is is the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance'. Take a chance on one another. Dance!"
His eyes search again for Sara, and also for anyone who looks like they might be able to hold a tune or play an instrument. "We have survived. Everyone, Dance!"
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As JJ begins his speech, people get quiet and listen attentively. Among the attentive faces, he finds Sara with a worried expression.
People looks confused or even shocked by some of the reveals, but when JJ starts questioning them, some nod in agreement. Robert looks to side and side feeling the stares of others. The inkeeper of the Drunken Morkoth looks down ashamed. More and more faces nod softly at JJ's words.
As the young man finishes his eloquent words, he spots Sara is smiling at him, and all of a sudden Ekaym Smallcask's flue starts to sound with a lively tonadilla of a mischievous rascal saving the day with his wiliness. A lute joins efforts with the flute, and soon enough people is clapping and jumping and dancing all over the tavern and outside.
Mikimax's voice booms over the loud gathering "Ok, people we have a free round for everyone to celebrate we are free of the Cagewright's menace!"
There are cheers and jars are filled with all kind of spirits.
Sara approaches JJ, hugging him from behind "You are going to explain me some of those things" but she is smiling and kisses the young man "My scoundrel hero, you are only guilty of stealing my heart"
Kikinnin tosses his voice in with the cheers, as JJ concludes his speech to those most in need of hearing it. He raises his tankard in toast, before realizing it's empty, and following Mikimax's voice to the bar. His tankard replenished, he approaches Maavu.
"Glad you're well, Master Arlintal. I trust you'll oversee Embril's imprisonment? Her head is heavy, and we might still need to pry some intelligence from her before we set off again. We're this close to seeing our black skies blue again. In the meantime, I highly suggest you put the guard on full alert. There might still be folks who mean the Watchers harm for our role in bringing down the Cagewrights, or there might be once-allies of Embril who would see her dead before she has the chance to redeem herself, by helping us."
Kikinnin also inquires about recent events around both Redgorge and Cauldron, in their absence.
Eventually, the black beard will want to speak with his fellow Watchers, regarding their own capabilities of researching Skullrot, and whether or not to consult with Embril further about the prison, or Revered Jenya about any questions they might try to ask of Abadar Himself.
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As the evening wears on, JJ eventually finds some time to spend alone with Sara. Prying himself away from the crowd, he draws her out under the clear skies.
Gazing into her eyes he can't help feeling like the luckiest guy in the world. But then he starts to feel once again the weight of that world on his shoulders.
"I've had a bit of a chance to do some thinking. While you know, being beaten up and saving the world and all that." he starts off, trying to keep the tone a little light.
"We've not finished the job yet. I keep thinking that there is just one more cog to unhitch from the whole mechanism and we'll be free at last. "
He pauses for a moment or two, trying to find the right words. "And while we've uncovered and disconnected some mighty big cogs, the main wheel seems to keep on turning. But now we at last, think we've at least seen it. "
Bahh, Maxim's words must be sinking in, clock work metaphors? Really?
"What I'm trying to say is that I'm back, but we have one very big job left to do. At least, I hope it is only one job. I've thought that before, but I can't imagine there is anything behind this one. And.."
His eyes look serious. "Sara, so far as I know, I'm the last Surabar. Where we go next... well, there is a chance there is no coming back from it. I know it's not fair to ask, but I'll do so anyway. Sara.. before I go... will you marry me? Not some abstract time in the future. But now, tonight... or tomorrow. If Ryan is in town, then he could marry us.
Or Jenya. Or even Embril. I mean Pharasma is the goddess of birth, so maybe it would even be a part of bringing her back to the community.
"
His words trail off. "Or maybe you have a priest you'd prefer... I mean... if you are willing."
Maavu nods to Kikinnin while having a drink with him "Understandable. I will make sure the guard takes this seriously"
The dwarf is then updated with the latest news, but most of the work has been centered on organizing people to get needed supplies and start Cauldron's rebuild. There are some reports though about some beast attacks, but the Stormblades and the Striders have been able to deal with those dangers so far.
Jenya is right now working with the refugees at Kingfisher's Hollow, but back at Cauldron, in Abadar's Vault, there is still the Star of Justice which could be used this week to perform a divination. Plus you have Cauldron's surviving libraries and the Karran Kural Soul Pillars.
Sara enjoys her time with JJ, and at his moment of proposal she smiles "Finally! But are you not forgetting something?" she shows her fingers, then smiles wide and gives him a hug "But of course! Yes! Let's do this! We can wait for Ryan to come back from Cauldron, or we can do it here, in the local Shrine of Sarenrae."
"I already have my wedding dress I was able to safe from the eruption, but what will you dress? Are your friends coming? Whom are we inviting?"
"I... well.. I didn't ask them. I'm sure they will come though. I mean, I'd not ask them before you... oh no ... Do you think I should ask Tessa's permission?" says the young man, now somewhat suddenly beset with doubts about the path his boots are treading.
"As for me.. well.. There may be some of uncle Alex's clothes in the old Surabar mansion. And failing that, I think Maxim knows a spell to clean the rest of my clothes up and fix all the holes that seem to keep appearing in them."
He ponders the rest of the question for a while. "You know what, Redgorge needs a party, and so do the Cauldron refugees. I have the money, but I'm not sure there is really enough food and wind in the town to throw a big wedding party for everyone. " He gazes into her eyes.
"I mean, I've been a little delinquent in town-maintenance duties. You probably know better than me how big a wedding we could actually have here."
Casting his mind back to the local shrine he agrees wholeheartedly at the idea. "The book of records there has my parents and grand parents in it. I think it would be appropriate to sign our names there as well."
"I... well.. I didn't ask them. I'm sure they will come though. I mean, I'd not ask them before you... oh no ... Do you think I should ask Tessa's permission?" says the young man, now somewhat suddenly beset with doubts about the path his boots are treading.
"Oh, don't be old fashioned" Sara laughs charmed "Tessa loves you, silly"
"I love the idea, let's do it. People will certainly enjoy a party, and we will do with whatever is available" you can feel the calamities and shortages of the recent events have really imprinted a more pragmatical approach on Sara's views "I will prepare things. Get a bath. Get a rest. Get your people. Get a suit. The rest is on me."
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"Wait... what... a suit? " asks the stunned JJ.
"And I'm guessing you don't mean my rather stylish suit of chain mail?"
A look of horror crosses his face. "Is there even a tailor in town."
However, judging the look on his beloved face, JJ may have even learned a little wisdom over the last year. Protests are left aside and he goes in search of the uncomfortable necessitates.
Kikinnin finishes his third ale, observing Sara and JJ move about excitedly, entertaining plans for their future, following one last excursion to a demon plane. It gives the black beard some hope. Gives JJ all the more reason to return home safely.
After enjoying his mead-soaked mind for a spell, Kikinnin moves to speak with Maxim, their financier and consummate consultant for further supplies. "Bror, I've a mind to make my equipment as strong as possible before we head back. These gloves have served me well, but I feel like my strength's not the fullest, and I'm not getting any younger..."
When Kikinnin's reasonably sure he's on the right track for stocking up for the journey to Skullrot, he'll turn to paths before them to locate it, and any information they might want regarding the denizens they'll encounter.
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