The heroes return to the vessel, Titanicus standing confidently on the deck in the form of a golden haired elf. The various nymph simulacra mill about, as do the Outriders scowling at them. Svevenka also stands near the ship, though she too seems upset over something.
When the group weaves the magic of the scroll over the ashes of Xamarath...nothing happens...
”Wha-what’s going on? Did it not work?” Ameiko asks anxiously.
Jeevika suddenly feels her shoulders grow heavy.
"...I'm... so sorry, Ameiko," she whispers sadly. "The spell only works on those who are willing to return. However, given how much he loved you, I suspect there might be something else at work here. I'll investigate."
"Thank you, Titanicus, ladies; you have done well. We managed to defeat Kazoug, and will be heading back to Sandpoint shortly."
When the spell doesn't work, Eugeni sighs. "I could escort you to visit Xamarath's soul in the outer planes sometime, dear. If you would like to do so that is..."
Svevenka strides onto your ship. ”I must say, I do NOT approve of your choice in companions, mage. It is an insult my kind to make those...abominations!” she says pointing at the nymphs you have created.
The Outriders approach quickly and lower their spears her way. ”What did we tell you about approaching this...craft...two legger!?!?” one of them threatens.
”And what did I tell YOU about threatening me again, horse-man!?!?” Svevenka snaps back, pointing her finger at him boldly.
__________
Ameiko seems about to break down as the thought of Xamarath either unable or being unwilling to return begins to sink in. She slumps down against the rail of the ship, staring numbly at his ashes as if she could will them back to life...
"Dakrota, Jobun," Ryli calls out. "You've done an admirable job. Now could you come attend to me, and let Eugeni sort things out with the Lady? The ship and the nymphs are his creations, so let him answer for them." She rubs her temples. By the Wheel, will this never end?
Jeevika quickly intervenes before things get too heated; their creation was also her idea, so she feels obligated to intercede.
"As Ryli said, that's enough. Karzoug is dead; there is no need for more fighting," the Holy Vindicator says sternly to the two centaurs. She turns to face the angry nymph, "Your Majesty, the creation of these simulacrums was intended as a countermeasure against Karzoug's mental magics; when they were created, we felt that we needed to stack the deck in our favor as much as possible. However, in hindsight, given his specialty, we should have invested more heavily in enhancing our fortitude. Regardless, Myriana's gift has helped Zoli countless times during this journey. In a sense, we were only trying to honor your cousin. Still, I can see that their creation has hurt you. I apologize for our... tunnel vision and actions; again, we never intended to insult anyone."
While Jeevika and Eugeni talk with Svevenka, Zoli puts her arm around Ameiko.
"I'm so so sorry, my friend. I know I can't truly understand what you're experiencing, but I am here as your friend, to listen or support you in any way you'd like."
"What? Abominations? What is she talking about?"
When the centaur's are clear, Ryli gestures to the nymph simulacra. "I think the Lady objects to their existence," she says softly.
Eugeni appears quizzical. "Why? I imitated the form of her race. Is it not a compliment to their perfection?"
Ryli shakes her head. "Not if she decides to see it another way. Usurping their beauty by creating a subservient thing in their likeness? Would that not be a valid viewpoint, by which to raise an objection?"
Zoli casts Eugeni a look. "I think Svevenka has a point here.
"If you created a bunch of servants in my image, I think I'd find that weird too."
"So, what, I should destroy intelligent beings to suit your socially constructed absurdities about the appropriateness of their appearances? I find arguments based on feelings and social norms to be pointless. Could not the same argument be made about a simulacrum of any form? Where was this objection before?"
Ryli folds her arms. "As I recall, Jeevika and I were searching for Shalelu while you were creating these simulacra. And yes, I do believe the same argument could be made for anything. You haven't yet encountered a real gold dragon, have you? Are you going to tell it that you admire its beauty and power, when you use yours as a beast of burden?"
...Well, I tired, thinks Jeevika. With a sigh, she retreats into the ship, taking care to make sure the nymphs are safe and secure as well. In hindsight, perhaps their creation was... hasty. However, Jeevika doesn't feel comfortable destroying them or Titanicus. At this point, each one is basically their own individual person.
The following day, Jeevika casts some Divinations to try and figure out what why Xam was unable to return to them.
"Yes, probably. I am not going to argue this with you two. If you are suddenly so offended by my creations, we will leave. Karzoug is defeated, there is no reason for you to stay with me and my crew if you do not like us. I will create whatever simulacra I wish, and that is that."
The flying vessel approaches the territory of Ryli’s herd, with Ayruzi flying out invisibly to scout and locate them. He eventually returns, saying ”There is a camp of centaur southwest of our location. Few hours flight, several more on foot.”
Ryli feels some relief at Ayruzi's report. She smiles gratefully at the angel. "Thank you. Any sign that they've been in battles recently?"
She looks at her outriders for signs of readiness to return home. "Let's set down in an hour or so. I'd like to run the last leg of the journey."
”It does not appear to be a warband. There are women and children present. And they appeared low in number and battle weary. There are many injured,” he says bluntly.
”I also saw signs of giant tribes and camps. Though, it appeared they were moving north.”
Dakrota steps forward. ”We must get back at once! The Herd needs us!”
Her hearts sink at the news. "Yes, let's fly then!"
She quickly casts wind walk and includes her outriders. She then flies toward the camp, leading the two centaurs.
Jeevika announces her findings about Xamarath.
"In summary, since he was from different plane of existence than ours, another pantheon had claim to Xamarath's soul. Upon his death, he simply returned to his native afterlife," explains Jeevika. She turns to Ameiko, "If you need anything of me, just ask. Between Setsuna, Sabrina, and their father, I am very familiar with loss."
As Ryli takes off, Jeevika pauses for a moment and then retreats into the ship's interior. Once inside, she activates her daughter's ring, casts her own Wind Walk spell, and then hops out a conveniently open window. She quickly flies after Ryli and her entourage.
...This will probably the last chance I get to say goodbye to Kallie and Grandmother.
When Ryli arrives back at the herd, she can see that there are far fewer tents than when she had left. Several centaur are limping through the camp, others forced to lie by their tents and have food and water brought to them by their children or wives.
As she and her outriders land, Dakrota immediately strides forward and calls out ”Where is the Chief? Where is Chogra!”
A pair of younger centaur slowly approach, one limping heavily on a crude crutch supporting his weight due to a missing front right hoof. ”Dakrota...the chief...the chief has fallen...”
Ryli stands trembling in grief. "How many?" It barely is above a whisper.
The healthy centaur lad turns to you and replies ”We have twenty or so healthy warriors left, Earthmother. Another ten wounded. The rest were lost,” he says sadly. ”But they died bravely. With your return, Dakrota, maybe we can get the warriors to stop hoping for Chogra’s passing to determine a new Chief.”
She turns, eyes blazing. "Hoping? Does he still live? Where is Brognar?"
He looks at you with a bit of fear, growing anxious at your sudden exuberance. ”Yes...but his wounds are mortal! He has already lingered longer than any expected. Brognar...Chogra has forbidden him from approaching. He has tasked him with tending the waste trenches.”
"Take me to the chief," she commands.
"And have someone tell me of the wounded. Any not likely to make it in the next hour. I will tend to them first."
The young warrior just nods and leads you to the chief’s tent. His wives are gathered outside, clearly disheartened. But seeing their Earthmother approach brings sparks of hope to their eyes.
You are allowed to enter the tent, where you see a badly wounded Chogra laying on a centaur bed. His bandages across his body are not quite saturated with blood, but nearby is a large pile of linens all soaked with blood. These appear to have been recently changed.
He wearily raises his head and eyes you. ”Earth...mother. So you have...returned.”
"Yes," she says grimly. She looks him over. "Victorious, as well. Would you like me to heal you, or will you resist the same magic that Brognar could have given you?"
She immediately regrets her words. "Nevermind. I am Earthmother and I need my chief." She casts heal and cleanses him of his wounds.
"Now get up. I've more healing that I must do. You need to restore hope to the herd."
Before he can reply, Ryli’s healing magic washes over him. His wounds close, and he immediately begins breathing better and is rejuvenated. He looks at his side m, stunned, before rising to his full height and shouting ”Thank you, Earthmother,” he says simply.
Ryli is then guided to all the injured centaur. In short time, she manages to replenish all of the injured herd. Spirits are clearly bolstered with the turn of events. Chogra clasps Dakrota’s arm in greeting as the two exchange some quiet words.
”Thunderhooves!” Chogra calls out. ”The Earthmother’s return is clearly a turn in the tide! Warriors, ready your bows and spears! We ride out to finish this!”
"Finish what? My chief, are there centaurs we need to rescue? Have the giants promised continued war? Please! Tell me, what do we have to gain from more fighting?"
He looks at you confused that you don’t understand. ”They move on our lands! Set up camps and hunt our game! If we do not drive them off, then the Herd will not be able to gather enough meat and supplies for us all to survive the winter. Giants are voracious! Not to mention their beasts of war. And these monstrosities covered in Man-Markings that lead them...they are even worse!”
He lifts his sword onto his shoulder and adds ”They must be driven back.”
Ryli nods, feeling very weary. "Very well. Then may I request that you wait a day? Allow me to recharge my magics, so that I may assist in the fighting, and have more healing magics? They cannot eat all the game in one night. Will you accept my help?"
Chogra studies your face before replying ”Very well.”
She nods her head. "Very wise, my chief. If you will excuse me, I'd like to see my mate and child."
Unless Chogra has need of her, Ryli slips away and moves to the center of the camp. She takes a few moments searching, but a high-pitched, "Mama!" rises above the sounds of the herd. A sprightly little centaur gallops out of the cluster of colts and fillies into Ryli's arms.
She spends uncounted moments smothering Kallie in kisses and hugs. Tears stream down her face as she squeezes her daughter tight.
After ultimately too short a time, a shadow falls over her. Ryli looks up, face wet, and sees her chosen mate. A happy cry escapes her lips as she rises, letting the squirming filly escape her arms. They passionately embrace.
"Sorry I'm late. But we did it. It's almost over," she breathily says when she comes up for air. "Let's go to our tent. Now."
Once inside the privacy of their marital space, Ryli stomps her hooves in frustration. "I can't. Not yet. But let them all believe we are occupied."
Ryli then shifts into a small earth elemental and sinks into the ground. She glides underground for a short distance, then rises up just enough to swiftly shape into a dove. She takes flight, rising high into the air and gains some distance before shifting into an elemental of air and speeding off toward the Varisian Rangers.
=====================
When she reaches the deck of the flying ship, she breathlessly tells everyone what had happened.
"-- so I managed to convince him to wait until tomorrow. Which is a relief. He spoke of monstrous giants covered in 'man-markings,' which might be rune giants. So maybe they are still a threat. We should investigate. If war has left their hearts, I want to allow them to leave in peace. But if they plan to continue to raid and pillage like the chief fears, then we need to put a stop to it."
Turning to Ayruzi, she looks at him pleadingly. "I can think of no better being to help us broker peace. Even my chief will have to listen to you. You and..." she looks around. "Where's Jeevika?"
Sneaking around the Thunderhooves encampment proves to be laughably easy. Shortly after arriving, Jeevika trails Ryli for a bit. However, after feeling guilty for eavesdropping, the Holy Vindicator instead decides to search for her granddaughter.
As luck would have it, Kallie finds her.
As she searches a rather secluded area, a small ball rolls up near her feet. At first, Jeevika decides to stay still and quiet. However, upon seeing who comes to retrieve the toy, Jeevika reflexively decloaks.
"...Vika?" Kallie Silversun asks curiously.
"You remember me!" Jeevika whispers softly. "How about giving grandma a hug?"
Having just started talking, Kallie is old enough to recognize the "Give me a hug." gesture. The little centauress quickly tosses herself into her grandmother's embrace. Jeevika gently holds her granddaughter for moment.
"I just wanted to say goodbye, dear," Jeevika whispers after they break the hug. "As much as I'd love to take you back to Kyonin with me, I think you'd be better off with Ryli. Her record with children is much better than my own. I mean, I think both your aunts have spent more time with Mother and Father than they have with me. Meanwhile, you and Grandmother are already as thick as thieves!"
Kallie just smiled widely at her.
"Hopefully, things will be better with Shion and Honey. One of these days, I'll bring them to meet you, okay? As for my other girls... Atty would be over the moon to meet you. And your mother... Sunset would love you with all her heart, Kallie. It's truly a shame that she's... no longer with us."
...When did it start raining?
Jeevika handed the tiny centauress her ball.
"This is goodbye, but only for now. Take care, Kallie."
Much to Kallie's surprise, Jeevika vanishes again. She watches her granddaughter claps her tiny hands in excitement and wonder. After a moment, Kallie seems to remember her game, picks up her ball again, and trots off to presumably get back to her friends.
When Jeevika catches sight of Ryli transforming into a dove and taking flight, the Holy Vindicator resumes her cloud form and rushes back to the ship.
=====================
"I'm here!" Jeevika says as she waltzes out of the ship cabin. "So, time to broker some peace, huh? That sounds right up my alley!"
Ryli shifts to her original Elven form and saddles up Olympus. "I think we can go scout first. Find out their intentions. Looking like a centaur wouldn't go over well I'm sure, so I'll appear as one of the Varisian Rangers. If they want peace, I'll return to the herd and you can inform the chieftain and the Earthmother in the morning. If they still want war and what Karzoug promised them, I ask that you support the Thunderhooves in tomorrow's battle. How does that sound?"
Ayruzi nods his head once. ”I will do what I can to broker a peace.”
When the Rangers change course and head for the band of giants Ayruzi found the trail of, they come across it easily. It is a swathe of flattened prairie grasses that weaves from one outlying camp, house, or farm to the next. The path is littered with fires and debris of victims of its relentless tide.
Eventually, they are able to catch up to the main body of the giants. It is a band of about 20 stone giants led by a single Rune Giant. They are currently assaulting a caravan of traveling Varisians...
Ryli and an invisible Ayruzi and Jeevika eventually return to the Thunderhoof Herd. The sun is setting in the distance, and you can see they have prepared a great campfire and are actively roasting a massive dire boar.
When they come upon the giants attacking a caravan, Ryli attacks immediately. She has Olympus fly in and engage the stone giants while she Wild Shapes into a huge air elemental and becomes a whirlwind. She scoops up the stone giants in her funnel as Ayruzi and the rest of the Rangers slaughter the rune giant.
She dumps the stone giants on the ground when their chief comes to his senses and throws off the mind control. With a promise to return to their ancestral homes and remain, she allows them to leave.
Turning to Jeevika, Eugeni, Zoli, and Ayruzi, she says, "Thank you. This changes my plan a little... I had hoped we could fight them together with the Thunderhooves. Maybe shown my chieftain that you are all to be considered allies. Now, they will be arriving to find an empty battlefield."
She thinks a bit. "Could you remain here? Stay until our warriors arrive and explain that they've been dealt with? You might need to discourage pursuit as well. The Varisian travelers probably need tending to anyway."
She pleads and cajoles them the best she's able, then shifts into another air elemental and flies back to the centaur camp. She pulls the same trick to stealthily reach her tent and finally has a proper reunion with her beloved.
The next day, the Thunderhoof warparty is gathered. With their numbers low, Chogra agrees to have Brognar join the warparty as well. The warriors begin their long run through the prairie to the giant’s trail, eventually tracking it north...
__________
The arrival of the Thunderhooves is preceded by their namesake. The ground shakes and what could be compared to a roll of thunder comes across the grasslands as a warband of about 20-30 centaur approach, their leader at least a foot taller than the rest of his clan. Among their number you see Ryli keeping pace.
The warband arrives and slows only slightly, encircling your landing zone, trying to figure out exactly what it is they are seeing, what with a man’s ship sitting precariously in the middle of the ocean of grass, with a smug looking elf standing on its deck.
The leader rides forward boldly, pacing back and forth in front of your group without fear. ”You humans are on Thunderhoof land! Leave at once!”
Ryli comes up alongside the chief. "Chief Chogra, these are the Varisian Rangers! I used to be one of them, remember? These are the ones with whom I left to go destroy the sleeping evil."
Turning to them she steps forward. "It is a pleasure to see you again! This is my chief, Chogra of the Thunderhooves, who accepted Kallie and me into the herd."
She keeps a smile plastered on her face, but is inwardly mortified by her chief's words and actions.
Chogra turns a stern eye towards Ryli. She can tell he is beginning to believe something is up. He then turns back to the Rangers and walks boldly through their ranks, looking them over.
”You slew the leader of the Star Men with this elf, a half-human, and an abomination? And now they just so happen to be on the path of the giants we are hunting? What are you up to, Earthmother? Do not lie to me!” Chogra demands, his frustration growing.
As his temper flares, Brognar moves instinctively closer and slightly between you and Chogra.
Ryli waves off Brognar with a glance, then she looks directly at Chogra. She meets his eyes steadily.
"I was returning to the herd with all of them, on this vessel. Ask Jobrun and Dakrota if I am lying. One of our companions scouted ahead, and reported that the herd was full of wounded. Hearing that news, the three of us flew on ahead, using my magic. And a good thing, too, because had I not, you might have perished before I arrived."
She looks around at the dead giants nearby. "It's evident that the Rangers struck the giants in the night. The scout had reported seeing tribes of giants." She turns to her former Outriders, looking to see if they back up her story.
”Dakrota and Jobun gave me their report. Told me of this winged man you travel with, as well as the fake-elf-dragon and fake-nymphs,” he says as he stands before you. ”They also told me of your supposed victory, yet you have no way to prove it? No body. No trophy. Just your word...” Chogra adds.
As the ship pulls into view, the invisible Jeevika shifts into her cloud form, speeds ahead, turns back to normal, and then casts some spells to make herself as charming as Setsuna.
"Chief Chogra of the Thunderhooves!" hails Jeevika's voice from behind the ship. Hands up to show that she has peaceful intentions, the Holy Vindicator, now visible, trots out wearing her official Kyoni colors. She keeps Love Hurts in her sheath. "I am Ambassador Jeevika Kailani of Kyonin, the Motherland of all elves. I am the representative of Her Majesty Queen Telandia Edasseril to Varisia. I am also part of the Varisian Rangers. We come in peace. I understand you wish to see a trophy of Karzoug's defeat?"
The Holy Vindicator slowly reaches to grab her Handy Haversack. Opening one of the pockets and turning it upside down, she gently begins to shake the magical container. A large pile of Sihedron Rings forms on the ground.
"All taken from the Claimer's lieutenants," explains Jeevika. "Earthmother Ryli herself destroyed the Runelord's corpse. We wanted to make sure that he would never return. If you wish, we also have the remains of the runed giant who was occupying your lands plus a number of armors from his peers who lurked in the wizard's stronghold."
She pauses.
"The winged man Ryli's Outriders reported is a mighty celestial by the name of Ayruzi, who can vouch for our victory over Karzoug. We rescued our angelic ally from the dark depths of the Runelord's citadel."
Eugeni stays out of the whole affair, helping with the giants as needed, but seeming more distant than ever. He seems to have become a mute floating statue of himself, constantly lost in deep thoughts.
Why am I occupied with appeasing primitive savages? I must extricate myself from the lesser problems of the other Rangers before my entire eternity is filled with their mundane transactions. They dare to question the beauty and utility of my creations? As if 'Nature' ends with the intervention of intelligence into random occurrence. Will they decry the gods next for creating beings in their own images? Fools. I must find companions whose erudition has achieved a level comparable to my own. They will appreciate what I have to offer beyond being an arcane battering ram....Yes...A cabal of archmagi, watching over the affairs of Avistani mortals from a comfortable remove...Yesss....
Chogra paces frustratedly at Jeevika’s words, looking at the things she drops on the ground. ”Baubles and trinkets.”
He casts glances between the Rangers and Ryli before saying ”Go. You Rangers are not welcome or needed here. Leave now and you may go in peace.”
...Well, I tired, thinks Jeevika again as she quickly collects the Sihedron Rings. I'll just Send my formal goodbye to Ryli then.
Without further delay, she returns to the ship. The Holy Vindicator notices how Eugeni looks about ready to retire to a paradise demiplane for the rest of his days. Honestly, a vacation is starting to sound pretty wonderful.
"I believe our work here is done," says Jeevika to the other Rangers as she retreats into the airship's interior.
Ryli returns to the camp walking close to Chogra, straight-backed and silent. She exudes a palpable air of disappointment but says nothing.
At the camp, she tends to the wounds she didn't get to the night before. She casts regeneration on the centaur who lost a hoof, and makes anyone else whole if needed.
She leads the tribe in the funerary rites over the fallen, quietly infuriated by the fact that Jeevika could restore them all to life. She, too, could invite them to ride the Wheel, but it was not the Thunderhoof way.
She looks over the herd, pushing away her disdain for its chief in favor of love for its people. In their simple way of life. Her war was over. She smiles at Brognar and Kallie. She had a family to nurture again.
The rest of the Varisian Rangers make the long flight back to Sandpoint aboard their dragon-powered air vessel. As the small village appears in the distance, they are greeted with a refreshing sight...the town seems to be moving on as if they were none the wiser as to the threat that had been eliminated.
A respectable sized crowd of onlookers gathers in the town below, watching as the massive golden dragon sets down on the beach where the ship had been docked before.