Ryli's cheeks flush a deep crimson, still finding herself embarrassed by the influence the Wing of Lust had over her. She looks down, avoiding Eugeni's eyes.
Still, she couldn't help a rising heat at the suggestion. Cheeks burning, she raises her head to look at Eugeni with an abashed smile. "Yes, I think I'd like that."
Still filled with anger, Zoli nods at Eugeni's suggestion. "Fine, I'll let it go if she does. And I agree, we really need to get home as soon as possible. Is there truly a need to wait for the morning?
"I...I think a night in my real bed could do me a world of good. Could you take us back to Sandpoint tonight?"
"Zoli," Ryli says as softly as she can manage. "Remember, if you're to be the lady of righteous anger, you have to keep it focused on those who deserve it."
She then holds out a finger until a butterfly alights on it. "Hello, meadow flutterer. Tell me, are there any big things that live around here?"
The butterfly mentions something trees and some “four leg walkers” and such, but nothing really meaningful. Likely some local wildlife.
You arrive just outside of Sandpoint without issue.
Jeevika turns to Ethariel and says in Elven, "I will be at the cathedral. I need to... speak with a colleague. You are free to accompany me or stay with Lorthan or do whatever else you wish."
Whether Ethariel accompanies her or not, Jeevika departs for the Sandpoint Cathedral.
"Is Father Zantus available?"
Elthariel sheepishly waits with Lorthan, looking over her world for the first time in ages.
Zantus is found and comes out to greet you. ”Yes? How may I help you, Miss...?
Jeevika smiles at Elthariel and whispers soothingly, "I can't wait to show you Kyonin."
"Kailani. Jeevika Kailani. Setsuna's mother and Holy Vindicator of Shelyn," greets Jeevika, deciding not to drop her big fancy title. She is here on personal, not state, business. She presents her holy symbol and continues, "I wished to speak with you on a few matters. To put it another way, I have much on my mind, and a priest sounds like a wonderful individual to consult right now."
Father Zantus bows, ”By all means, Vindicator Kailani. Join me in my office,” he gestures as he begins walking beside you further into the cathedral. ”Your daughter has been most gracious, and generous, in helping our town of late, I must say. But unfortunately you have missed her. She and the other Rangers departed on one of their missions about a week or so ago. I know not when they shall return.”
After the whirlwind planar jaunts, Ryli finds the town of Sandpoint to be rather surreal. This town had been her home in two or three different lives, and her memories of the place were disjointed. For starters, the place looked staggeringly small -- even the buildings.
As the townsfolk react to her presence, though, the faces become familiar and even some of the names. Olympus clues most of the townspeople to her new identity, and before long they begin to grow accustomed to her new incarnation.
Seeing Jeevika disappear into the temple, Ryli decides to take Lorthan and Elthariel around to the different points of town that she remembers, and introduces them to the villagers as best as she can with her spotty memory.
At the mentioning of a week, Jeevika sighs. Has it only been that long? As Sabrina would say, this whole ordeal has felt like months.
"That is perhaps the main reason I am here. The Rangers have returned. In fact, I have... joined forces with them. You see, Father, Setsuna... is no longer with us. I had been monitoring her journey through daily Sending spells, and then one day, the spell failed. After confirming that it was not planar interference (they were in a demiplane), I contacted Eugeni Silva, and he informed me that Setsuna was dead.
"I joined them with the goal of retrieving my daughter's remains, but a Thassilonian necromancer killed her so absolutely that I could not find a single trace of her. I have been too fearful to use Divination to learn what became of her soul. We completed the mission, but without some sort of immediate unifying goal, I have become aware of a great rift between us..."
Starting with her arrival, Jeevika recounts her personal experiences in the Runeforge up to the present for Father Zantus.
"When I grabbed the newly empowered Love Hurts, a thought occurred to me that I have been unable to shake. 'They let my daughter die.' I am aware of how foolish it is. If our exit had been more graceful, I would have likely forgotten about it by now. I mean, I would say that Ryli and I are friends. Same with myself and Elthariel. Well, we're as good as friends as two days would allow. Mr. Silva and I are certainly quite civil. Lorthan... I get the feeling that he wants to bury his sword in my skull. I think that he misunderstood me; I was nothing but impressed that he and Elthariel kept their emotions in check; that was why I attempted to be civil with Zoli. As for Miss Tileani, let's just say that... Her stupidity almost kills all of us, actually kills Gadgorin, and nearly orphans my baby daughter Shion. And she really doesn't appear to care! That was mere hours ago? Am I supposed to just instantly forgive her like nothing happened? Was I wrong to call her out? She seemed rather keen to deflect the blame and hit me upside the head with the Setsuna club!"
Jeevika sighs.
"It would be one thing if Karzoug himself killed me. I'm nearly 150. I understand the risks of these sorts of ordeals. However, with the exception of Elthariel, I feel like I have been stabbed in the back by every supposed ally I have. If she had not spontaneously died of that lich's own incompetence, Mr. Silva and Ryli would have done everything in their power to kill Setsuna. They would have done it in a heartbeat. Even if she was undead, I... the thought does not settle well with me. Again, my daughter died without a trace, so killing her was likely always going to be final. Meanwhile, Kallie's soul jumped to Ryli, so in a sense, she took my granddaughter too. Meanwhile, Lorthan almost attacks me over some words that were not even directed to him, and I have already explained Miss Tileani's denial, doubling down, and general incompetence."
More sighs.
"Setsuna once told me in private that she felt she was... the glue that held the entire group together. Without her silver tongue, they would have never succeeded at diplomacy. Without her stealth, they would have been blindsided dozens of times over. Without her magic, they would all be dead several times over. And now Setsuna is gone, and they don't care. Oh, sure, they occasionally say they do, but no one but me has actually cried over her. Eugeni has moved on to Ryli, who claimed Kallie as her own like her real mother never died. Zoli has seen it fit to nearly orphan Setsuna's baby sister and then club me over the head with my daughter's memory."
Jeevika rubs the moisture from her eyes. When had she started crying?
"Why can't I shake these thoughts?! Why am I the only one who cares?! Did Setsuna actually mean anything to them?! ...I know, I should be better than this, and yet I'm not. I'm wrong for thinking these things, and yet I do. 'They let my daughter die.' My Goddess, I'm so selfish..."
Zoli watches Jeevika head off to talk to Father Zantus, and Ryli take Lorthan and Elthariel around to introduce them to the townsfolk.
She turns to Eugeni and asks, "Eugeni, do you know anything about Xin-Bakrakhan, and how to find it? I can't say exactly why, but something tells me that the key to defeating Karzoug is there...and that getting there quickly is of the essence."
When Jeevika informs Zantus that Setsuna has died, he gasps. ”Oh...oh my...I am so sorry...”
He listens to the rest of her concerns before commenting, ”The life of an elf is a precious thing. Your kind mature slowly, and are small in number to begin with. It is only natural to grieve for a lost loved one, but I can only imagine how much more intense it is for one of your kind.”
He pauses a moment before adding ”As to your trouble with the group: they have faced many hardships before. Be patient with them. They may surprise you. But the rift you describe needs to be closed if you wish to continue to work well together.”
_________
You’re group is eyed warily, given you are a centaur, a dragon-man, a roc, and an elf. However, men’s appreciative eyes tend to inevitably be drawn Elthariel’s way as you pass, much to Lorthan’s frustration.
__________
You know the city Zoli is asking about is the capital of Bakrakhan, the nation of Wrath in Thassilonian times. It was rumored to lie off what is now the coast of Varisia. It is said that a massive roadway led from the mainland to the city. The description of which matches the description of Magnimar’s Irespan, which points towards a chain of islands leading northwest to a larger island known as Argavist Island and then Rivendrake Island.
Jeevika nods at Father Zantus' words. "It has been a rough couple of months for me. Setsuna was a twin, and her older sister Sabrina was... also murdered recently. Their father died of a heart attack a few days after the Siege of Sandpoint. When I met Vince, he was already about... I want to say thirty-seven, and his family had history of heart issues, so his death was something we were both expecting for awhile. As for Sabrina, she ran away from home at fifteen, and we only recently reconciled... somewhat. However, Sabby also lived a very dangerous life, and no matter what I did or said, she always deliberately put herself in danger. In hindsight, I think that she was trying to die a hero; my eldest was always very hard on herself. In short, while her death hurts, it was not... unexpected? I wish I knew a better way to explain it, but much like her father, her passing was not a complete surprise.
"Setsuna's death? I never expected it. She was much more cautious than her sister. Setsu was also a respectable strategist and tactician. Most importantly, Setsuna learned from her mistakes; I cannot recall a major blunder than she ever made twice. As such, after carrying this entire crusade on her shoulders, to learn that Setsuna just died because one of her protective spells randomly failed and that there will be no second chance for her?"
Jeevika sighs.
"I will see what I can do to bridge this gap with the others. That actually brings me to my second reason for visiting. Setsuna left a will; it seems that she had more foresight than I. Regardless, to fulfill the first item on this agenda, I have the funds, I can cast the spell, and I can get the materials within as little as a day. However, I believe that I will need your assistance to make sure that everything is done by the book."
Jeevika presents Father Zantus with a piece of paper. The handwriting is very familiar.
"As you can see, point number one is that Setsuna wished for me to resurrect Tanitus Tileani."
Zoli watches Jeevika head off to talk to Father Zantus, and Ryli take Lorthan and Elthariel around to introduce them to the townsfolk.
She turns to Eugeni and asks, "Eugeni, do you know anything about Xin-Bakrakhan, and how to find it? I can't say exactly why, but something tells me that the key to defeating Karzoug is there...and that getting there quickly is of the essence."
"I suspect that the ruins of ancient Bakrakhan lie on the current islands of Argavist and Rivendrake, off the coast of Magnimar. Would you care to join me in the White Deer for some Andoran bourbon? Perhaps we can formulate a plan on what to do next."
Zoli's eyes light up as Eugeni pieces together clues as to where Alaznist’s old seat of power might be.
She hesitates a bit at his suggestion, but then says "Sure, I'm famished, and some bourbon certainly couldn't hurt."
At the tavern she orders a large bowl of venison stew and the same bourbon Eugeni is getting. As soon as they've each had a good drink, she returns to the topic of Xin-Bakrakhan. "I know it sounds crazy but what do you think about teleporting us there right now? I just have this feeling we shouldn't wait, like something's in motion now."
"I am not sure that would be wise. You mentioning it is the first I have heard of Xin-Bakrakhan in conjunction with our quest. Where is this coming from?" Eugeni asks, eating his own bowl of soup.
"It's...I think it must be a vision, maybe from Chaldira Zuzaristan? I think She's looking out for us.
"I admit I don't know quite why but I'm sure it's the right thing to do--and that we need to act fast.
"Think how much we've been through, won't you please trust me? If I'm wrong we can be back before dark."
Ryli wanders around Sandpoint for a while, eventually finding herself at a small idyllic glade. She rests there for a time, taking a moment to nurse Kallie.
"It's been some time since I've been here," she says to the plants and small animals and insects that are growing and living in this grove. She listens to the voices of nature full her with the knowledge of all who have been visiting.
Turning to Lorthan and Elthariel, she tells them, "I created this place as a memorial for a friend of ours who we lost. I don't suggest Gadgorin would want a bunch of trees, but there are some nearby caves that may be nice for Something similar."
Sitting in the glade dedicated to Grettela, Ryli's thoughts turn toward the halfling that at one point had been her daughter. She hands Kallie off to Lorthan and Elthariel, then quickly heads back to the town.
It takes her a little bit of asking around, but Sandpoint isn't big enough to hide a Varisian Ranger (or two), so she easily finds out that Zoli and Eugeni are in the White Deer. She ducks her head low to enter the establishment, and quickly locates the two once her eyes adjust to the interior.
"Hi, you two! I was just at Grettela'a grove. It's doing nicely. I--" her stomach instantly churns in nausea when she smells the stew they are eating. "What is that?"
"Given that Mr. Tileani has been deceased for over six months, I believe that his paperwork and legal effects would reflect that status. Additionally, given the icy ground that Zoli and myself are on, I feel that fulfilling Setsuna's request would be easiest if a third party such as yourself presented my daughter's wish to her. Therefore, I would very much like your assistance with this endeavor, Father Zantus."
"It's...I think it must be a vision, maybe from Chaldira Zuzaristan? I think She's looking out for us.
"I admit I don't know quite why but I'm sure it's the right thing to do--and that we need to act fast.
"Think how much we've been through, won't you please trust me? If I'm wrong we can be back before dark."
"It's not about trust, Zoli. Of course I trust you. I also know how easy it is for someone to fall under the influence of magic that can change their behavior. Perhaps I could examine you magically for a few seconds first? If there is nothing amiss, then we can go to the others with your plan."
Eugeni casts true seeing and detect magic on himself and then examines Zoli intently for several seconds.
Cantu’s looks at you, confused. ”How can I be of service?”
Zoli starts to sweat visibly, the veins showing on her forehead. "Eugeni, please! Haven't you ever felt an inspiration you knew you had to follow?"
She turns to Ryli as she comes in, "Ryli, hi, that's venison stew--it's excellent--can you help us though? I was just telling Eugeni, I got an inspiration, a visitation, call it what you will, but I'm quite certain it's important to get to Xin-Bakrakahn as quickly as possible. Do you want to come? He's getting ready to teleport us now.
"You are, aren't you?!?" Her face twitches a bit with stress.
"You are sweating and exhibiting signs of extreme stress, Zoli. Something is wrong with you. When did you have this vision? After you blew up the runeforge?"
Zoli sighs in frustration and gets up, walking toward the door.
"Setsuna was rather determined to bring Mr. Tileani back to life. I believe that she actually announced her intentions more than once. However, rather curiously, I do not think that anyone took my daughter's declaration seriously. It was largely treated another silly statement by that 'cute but quirky' woman everyone seemed to think of her until just recently. And yet here we are: on the precipice of righting such a great wrong.
"Setsuna would speak at length about how much she admired Zoli; of all the Rangers, Setsu felt that Miss Tileani had the most control over her vices. Despite all her suffering, she persisted. Nothing could break her. In fact, it was... Zoli who reached out to help Setsuna when Ironbriar and his goons were hunting her like an animal back in Magnimar..."
Something that seems to stir within Jeevika. A realization perhaps...?
"Zoli has no one left, does she? Setsuna told me about her attraction to Eugeni, but he ultimately picked my daughter. Even with her gone, he has set his sights on Ryli. Setsuna was probably her best friend. With her passing, Zoli got me as a discount replacement; quite frankly, I'm probably Setsuna's lesser in many ways. A tongue of bronze to her silver. Only half her charm. I wish I had as much empathy and compassion for others as Setsu did..."
Jeevika sighs.
"Between you and me, if she still lived, Setsuna would probably be out there with shovel digging up Mr. Tileani's remains. I recognize that is not exactly... ideal. As such, I am again requesting your assistance, Father Zantus. I want my daughter's wish to be fulfilled as smoothly as possible. Zoli deserves that much."
Zantus furrows his brow, thinking. ”I would only undertake such an emotionally taxing enterprise with the express consent of Zoli Tileani. If she is willing to try this, I would of course help as best I could. But even then, his soul may not wish to return, or t could already have left the Boneyard, having been judged and moved along by Pharasma...”
"Venison... deer. Huh. Revolting," Ryli considers to herself before getting distracted by Zoli's insistence on leaving immediately to a place she'd only heard of remotely.
"Why the sudden rush? I've still got to decide what to buy with my share of the treasures. And wouldn't you want to visit Grettela'a grove? It's quite beautiful."
Ryli rears up on her hind legs as the swashbuckler tries to push past her. She regards Eugeni's comments about her agitated state and frowns. "Zoli, Flower, please, talk to me. What's wrong?"
”Leave me alone. There is something I have to do, and if you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself,” Zoli says coldly, the look in her eye is one of frustration and bubbling anger.
Ryli looks at her evenly. "You don't have to do it alone, or get angry. I'll help. What do you need?"
The Holy Vindicator nods.
"I was going to ask her next; I apologize for not being clearer. Lest I give Zoli some false hope, I just wanted all the legal aspects and such to be cleared first. In my haste, it appears that I forgot to mention that! Setsuna probably wanted it to be a surprise, but I recognize that is, again, not ideal. Since you seem... hesitant, I can go break the news myself. If I show her the will and apologize, I think that the odds are good that she will at least hear me out."
Jeevika points to a crossed out word on Setsuna's will.
"See how Setsuna wrote Tanitus Tortellini before realizing her error and fixing it? Zoli would probably find that rather amusing. Anyway, that is how she would know the document was authentic. As for Mr. Tileani himself, Setsuna explained to me why she thought he would want to return: his daughter and wife are not in the Great Beyond, and he seemed like he had quite a zest for life in general. Additionally, Resurrection does have reach measured in decades; Pharasma works in mysterious ways, but I feel like she would at least give him a chance to return. If nothing else, Setsuna wanted to try."
Jeevika slowly smiles.
"This conversation has given me some much needed perspective. Thank you, Father Zantus. Your assistance is much appreciated."
She stands and gives the priest a respectful bow.
OoOoO
With Sandpoint not being the biggest town, Jeevika finds the other Rangers easily enough.
"Zoli, I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. I was completely out of line, and... Is this a bad time?"
”Yes!” Zoli exclaims. ”I need to go to Xin-Ba...Argavist and Rivendrake islands. Now. It is...necessary!”
Eugeni casts a spell as Zoli tries to leave.
Ryli blinks at the eager halfling.
"Ah. That's... pretty far away, I'm sure. Let's go fetch Olympus."
Eugeni works his magic, and Zoli whips her head around to glare at him. ”Leave me alone. Better yet, help me fulfill my mission and Karzoug’s threat shall be eliminated!”
"Uh, Grandmother, not to throw a bucket of cold water on your campfire of inspiration, but would Olympus be able to carry Kallie, Zoli, his armor, all your gear, and you? He's a big boy now, yes, but I do not think he is strong enough to literally lift horses just yet. Perhaps asking Mr. Silva to teleport you would be more effective, and I see that he just used his last means of such travel for today," Jeevika mumbles out, clearly confused about what is happening.
Ryli stares incredulously at Jeevika. Then she smacks her head as she remembers. "Oh, you must not know. I can take the form of any of my incarnations, at any time, for however long I choose. To say nothing of all the forms of nature." She gestures at her lower half. "Of course I won't make him carry me this way."
She suddenly shrinks down to a halfling female with chestnut hair and rosy cheeks. "Maybe we can have a little mother-daughter time."
She looks at Zoli to see any reaction.
"...Now seems like an oddly fitting time to bring this up," Jeevika says as she produces a piece of paper with familiar handwriting on it. "I only found it this... afternoon (What time is it anyway?) in Elysium while reviewing her belongings, but Setsuna left a will. You might recall this first point, Zoli; should you be willing for it to occur, Setsu wants me to resurrect your father. If you wish, this could happen as soon as tomorrow."
As Eugeni's magic works on Zoli she gasps "Thank you!" and then hugs him, shuddering.
When she hears Ryllibelle's voice she gives a confused look, and then giggles. "You seem to have a knack for showing up whenever my mind's not my own, don't you, Mamabelle?"
She breathes heavily for a few heartbeats and then says, "Thank you. All of you. What was that? They were whispering in my head. I tried to resist but couldn't..."
Then when Jeevika brings up resurrecting her Papa she screams, "Gaaaah!!! Not now don't even talk about that right now. I told Setsu 'maybe'--it was sweet but weird but--Oh I really can't talk about that right now. Please!!"
Relieved that Zoli seems better, Ryllibelle breathes a sigh and releases her pent-up tension. But just then, her mouth drops open in shock. "Ta- Tanitus? You'll bring him back?"
She wrings her hands and paces around the tavern. "This feels so surreal; did we already have this conversation?" She looks around at the faces in the room, half expecting to see Tanitus jump out in surprise.