Odebie, you nearly run into Greco, who must have quietly left his seat as tensions were rising. "The Temple is making some kind of play, and they want you as a means to get to Ferret! You, Ferret, and the others - you are a symbol of opposition. You have to get out, spread the word of what they did here!" He gives you directions to a nearby room, which has a loose stone in the corner. He tells you there is dirt underneath, a straight shot to outside the Barracks. "Now go!" he hisses.
"It would seem this tree has plans of its own, wouldn't it?"
Osric quaffs his resist energy extract (fire) and walks toward the tree, reaching out to it.
Fiordelise slowly exhales, she knew Elfie had always had concerns about her status and the elder Incarna's made their displeasure of their friendship obvious. She should have spoken to Karina before... Never mind, it cannot be helped now.
"If there are no objections?" she looks to her brother, though she thought dinner would be fine for at least a little longer.
"May I accompany you?" she asks Elfie, trying to both give her a little control back, while itching to retrieve her flute.
Osric, when you are still about forty feet from the tree, you hear a booming voice, speaking Oread, in your head:
Osric jumps a little at having his thoughts invaded, but then grins uncontrollably. He thinks back at the tree in Oread. "Ah, excellent! I wasn't sure how communication would work, but this seems delightfully elegant. No doubt some certainly consider me a pest, but I have no quarrel with you.
My primary objective at the moment is to gain wisdom in how to deal with the woes of the moment. These other pests do not belong here, and I wish to eliminate them and close the door to their home.
Secondarily, in all forthrightness, I wish to determine whether or not you yourself present a danger to this city."
It's not in Odebie's nature to run from a fight. It's also not in his nature to disobey orders, so after a moment of stammering and a glance at Sgt. Dove he nods and bolts for the aforementioned room.
Fi, Enzo nods and waves his hands boisterously, indicating that you and Elfie should play to your heart's content. He sits in his favorite overstuffed chair, propping his feet up on a scuffed old ottoman that has seen better days. Karina sits primly in a stiff-backed wooden chair, as if afraid of causing more offense.
Elfie plays some upbeat 'waiting music' on the dining room piano while you fetch your flute. She smiles and starts the first bars of "Thunder's Lullaby". She plays the wandering bass accompaniment on the piano, while the two of you share the melody and harmony - you on flute, while she sings. It always takes you by surprise how incredibly clear her singing is, like a voice of ringing crystal.
As always, she plays much faster than the traditional lullaby, giving the song the feel of a barroom ditty.
"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, It's Thunder's lullaby.
Over in Lost City,
Many years ago,
My Mother sang a song to me
In a voice like Thunder's own.
Just a little ditty,
In her good ould Sylphan way,
And l'd give the land
if she were here
To sing to me today.
"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, here is Sky!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, It's Thunder--"
A loud, insistent knock at the front door breaks the moment.
Byron hangs back for now, though he also drinks an extract of resist fire. He watches as Osric grins at... nothing, as far as he can tell, and fingers one of his bombs.
Osric, as you 'speak' you feel a strong sense of approval at your mastery of Oread. At your last statement, there is enormous laughter, rattling in your skull like the rustling of leaves in a summer squall.
Odebie, you follow the Captain's directions, and easily find the loose stone. Burrowing carefully, you let the stone settle back into place as you descend into the dirt. Several minutes later, you emerge four or five blocks south of the Barracks. The late afternoon is cold, snowy, and calm; the battle within the Barracks has not yet spilled into the streets.
Osric laughs euphorically, and he's not sure if it's his mirth or the tree's that caused it. "It communicates at the speed of thought, Byron! It's incredible!"
He tries to push the boundaries of this intimate connection and projects pictures instead of words. He imagines a giant door slightly ajar, with mephits pouring through the crack. Each one widening the opening ever so marginally. Soon, shadowy flaming figures of doom show up behind the door, banging on it insistently. Eventually it slips through, raining fire and terror. Then another one. Then a bigger one. They set the tree on fire before rampaging through the town, consuming elen after elen, leaving only death and flame in their wake.
"That's what this door is."
Fiordelise found the song almost hypnotic, caught in reflection as she plays, her own voice was fuelled by rage and passion while Elfies was more of life and beauty.
A romantic way to think of it perhaps.
Her tuneful reverie is interrupted by the door, even relaxed as she is she is still cautious of unanounced visitors so she breaks off her playing before anyone else moves and with a brief 'excuse me' she moves to answer the door, checking her blade is within easy reach - should it be required.
"What does the tree what is it saying?" Byron asks, suspicious.
Osric and Byron, three mephits take a few tentative steps forward, testing to see if they might reach you or the tree. The tree immediately reacts, its limbs stretching and whipping around to catch the trespassers. The branches haul the mephits to the trunk, which sprouts wicked-looking spikes, impaling the creatures before they have had time to react.
The spikes recede, and the dead creatures slide to the ground. Blood pours out of their gaping wounds, into the dirt. The red liquid disappears with alarming speed. The tree grows visibly, perhaps another foot. As its trunk and branches expand, it retains its perfect symmetry.
Osric hears,
Fi, you open the door to find a blank-faced guard, with his arms behind his back. His tabard proclaims his allegiance to the Temple Guard. "Fiordelise Incarna, you are requested to come with us. Your aid is required in locating Osric Ferret, Byron Cheme, and Odebie North-tribe." You notice there is a second guard, about ten feet behind the first; he is turned to the side, observing the street and keeping the door in his side vision.
A frown of annoyance flickers across Fiordelise's face that is only partly acted. "Is this a matter of urgency? I am entertaining at the moment," she effects her haughtiest demeanor. After v'Manco she can't help but dislike the Temple Guard, regardless of the reasons they are seeking the others.
Osric congeals his thoughts into slyphan words to Byron. It feels like it takes an age for them to ooze past his tongue. "It's remarkably blase about the whole situation. It has a substantially different perspective on what is or is not an existential threat. I believe it's asking to speak with the Oread elders, which suggests it may not be fully aware of the situation."
Always more interested in issues dealing with people related problems, Osric's geographical knowledge is less than stellar. He thinks of a map of the world in the most detail he can muster. "I believe they are up there, in the Northlands. We are way down South, here, in the Ifrit city of Hearth. You've been dormant a long time, as elens count time, and things may have changed. If you're looking for a local authority, the closest thing we have around here is currently more concerned with maintaining its own image rather than securing the safety of its citizens.
Being the ancient creature you are, I wonder if, by chance, you've ever encountered this." Osric thinks at the tree about the symbols and language he saw on the altar, and specifically the concept of "LN".
Fi, the guard takes an involuntary step back at your tone. He glances over his shoulder. The other guard says something softly; you only catch "killed an efreeti". Regaining his composure with some effort, the blank-faced guard says, "We certainly did not mean to intrude. Have you any knowledge of their whereabouts? Anything you know could be immensely useful, and we will be on our way."
Osric, you once again get a pleased impression from the tree.
You receive a very clear picture in your mind - Odebie.
At your last question, you see a momentary image - a white, glowing smile, just like the rune, shining bright as Volcano in midsummer. You feel a trace of annoyance, or embarrassment, and the image is quickly blacked out.
You feel the mental presence withdraw, and you are certain this being will respond to no more questions for the time being. You see one of the fresh corpses sinking slowly into the moist ground.
Osric sends as strong a wave of reverence and gratitude as he can muster, and backs off.
In Sylph: "It wants to talk to Odebie. It knows of the symbols we saw in the basement. It called that god 'the trickster', and it might explain more if we fetch him. We should probably report the arson at the watch anyway. Shall we go?"
"Fascinating it seems to be nourishing itself from the corpses with supernatural rapidity I wonder if it is the elemental or nutritional content that it most requires..." Byron murmurs as he watches the tree grow from the blood of the dead creatures.
He starts slightly as Osric speaks to him. "Indeed well we should be on our way yes."
More than a little lost, Odebie goes to find answers from something that might know what it's talking about - that magic stick.
Just as Osric and Byron are about to leave the tree, Odebie walks around the corner, almost running into Osric. Odebie has a worried look in his eye.
Fiordelise' face softens a little, "I did not mean to be rude, the day has been... long." she sighs [b]"I am however precious little help. Osric and Odebie are often at the Dims' Watch, Byron I recall has mentioned a lab somewhere, though I have never visited. Though I am sure your superiors already knew this." she begins to close the door and pauses [b]"Should I bump into any of them I will them you are looking for them."{/b] she smiles politely before closing the door.
"Ah, Odebie! We were just coming to find you. Your tree would like to speak with you in the most scintillating fashion. It called you the Tribe of Kings. I believe it will be of assistance in dealing with the planar issue we're facing."
Osric notes Odebie's expression. "But that's not why you're here. Something bad has happened, hasn't it? Something other than Byron's lab being destroyed?"
It's a near thing, but Odebie somehow refrains from decking Osric. Grey Father, does he want to though. "I don't know what you were thinking when you published that damned article, but the Temple noticed. They've decided to take control of the situation - by killing every Captain in the Guard and dragging you away in chains."
Fi, the blank-faced guard narrows his eyes at your last statement, obviously wondering exactly what you meant by 'telling' your friends that the Temple Guard is looking for them.
You hear raised voices down the hall. Karina is saying, "-just meant that it's great you and Fi are friends! You know, she's willing to, uh-"
Elfie, her voice cold and polite, says, "I agree that Fi is amazing. She is willing to befriend all sorts of elens." The sylph nearly runs into you as you enter the dining room. Though her face is composed, you know our friend well enough to tell she is on the verge of tears. "Next time, at my place, okay Fee-Fi?" She gives you a fierce hug that shows how angry she is, but also that she blames none of it on you. At the door, she gives you a last quavering smile, then she is gone into the dimming light.
In the dining room, only Enzo is present. Heaped upon his plate is two, or maybe three, servings of the rotolini; the other plates are untouched. He stands up as you enter. "I'm so sorry, Fi! It sounded like Karina was trying to apologize, but merda! It's like she's never talked to a sylph before. One who wasn't a servant anyway." He sits down, and pushes the plate away. Looking at his hands, he continues, "I should have juggled or told dirty jokes or something. I ruined your night."
"Elfie...?" she nods and watches her go, not able to process what's going on before she's gone.
...
"No, it's my fault. I should have warned Karina first. This could have been avoided with a few words. That's supposed to be what I'm good at and I can't even keep my closest friends from insulting each other." she gives Enzo a hug. "Thank you for being there since... everything. I couldn't have blamed you for finding comfort where you could." she pulls back, sits down and pushes some food around a plate, "You and Karina... is there anything going on between you?"
Part of her is putting off going to talk to Karina, apologise for putting her in that position, tell her there's no hard feelings. Part of her wants to leave the house and go find her other friends, warn them they are being hunted.
Osric glowers at Odebie's revelation. "Hmph. Idiots. With a little tact, nuance, and hard work they could've made the best of the situation, but now they've gone and declared a civil war, haven't they? This changes things."
He begins pacing, thinking through some of the implications. "To be clear, the only crime I actually committed was exposing their own embarrassing behavior. I revealed nothing that was told to me in confidence, and I spoke no lies. Nor did I foment sedition. I merely gave a recounting of yesterday's events to clear up the record."
"But that's neither here nor there. If they're willing to destabilize the city by slaughtering its civil leaders to protect their own reputation, then as far as I'm concerned, they've abandoned their post as protectors of Hearth, and thereby their right to rule. Especially considering everything else that's going on right now. I expect they'll want all of us to die horrible deaths as an example to others, and I'd rather not give them the opportunity."
"The way I see it, there are three things that need doing immediately. One, Odebie still needs to talk to the tree. Two, we need to check on Fi, though her house is probably being watched at the moment, and Three, we need to consolidate whatever allies we can. Specifically, I'm thinking of the Mithril Makers. What do you think, Odebie?"
Fi. Enzo shakes his head. "No. I mean...there was, but she hasn't exactly been interested in romance since...you know. So we've been friendly, but a little cold." He catches you glancing toward the door. "Listen, I can smooth things over with Karina. If there was bad news at the door, I can keep the house running." He spreads his hands out, indicating the empty room, the silent house, and the slightly dusty furniture. "It's a big job, I know! But don't worry, I think I'll be able to handle it." He gives you a smile and a playful punch on the shoulder. "If you need to go, then go."
Byron is shocked by Odebie's words. "That that that is like declaring war a civil war in the city in the middle of this crisis in fact that is essentially what they have done this is hardly the time for such things not that there ever is a good time for them..."
He trails off, frowning. Something here didn't make sense. Well, actually, a *lot* didn't make sense, but some of it was beyond the normal level of nonsense the universe, or at least elenkind, seemed determined to have. How could the temple possibly justify such actions? Were they truly so unafraid of the opinions of the city dwellers?
...were they about to establish martial law?
"I think that while what you did may not have been illegal, it was still the most irresponsible thing I have seen in all my years. We found darkspawn under that statue! Now the stability of the whole city is under threat!"
Odebie takes a breath, composing himself. "Yes, I need to talk to the tree. My honest recommendation for you would be to flee the city before the dawn - since I know you're not going to do that, then yes, the Mithril Makers. If your intent is to properly start a civil war."
Osric takes a pleading conciliatory tone. "The city was already teetering on a knife's edge, and the same thing, or a similar thing, would've happened anyway. At least this way the truth is on the table.
I don't want a civil war, but if the alternative is wholesale slaughter and chaos, what choice do we have?"
He goes silent for a moment, pondering alternatives. "I suppose I could turn myself in. No doubt it may cost my life, but as you pointed out, that may in fact be justice. The root question, then, is weighing the value of my continued life, and whatever I may contribute in the future, versus the uneasy detente of returning to the status quo."
"I do not believe I am capable of objectively performing that valuation. What do you two think? Should my next destination be the Makers or the Temple?"
Osric, Odebie, and Byron, you hear the iron bell of the Temple ring out, the sound clear and unhindered now that the Steam is gone.
A second later, the world ends.
Bright, white-hot pain needles into your temples, and spreads quickly to envelope your whole head in a vise of pressure and agony. Even your small reactions bring about aftershocks of nausea and dizziness.
As the pain recedes the smallest fraction, you realize there is an earth-shattering bellow behind the pain.
Hideous images fill your mind - oozing, mushy oread skins flopping about in abject misery, unable to even end their own suffering. An endless field of these creatures fills the horizon. The wet, choking sound of collapsed lungs echoes a thousand times, a million times, until the bellow and the choking are absolutely everything.
The psychic reverberations erase all thought except one: Run.
If you summon the willpower to glance back as you flee from the tree, you notice two things:
First, all the mephits in view are now dead. Their heads appear to have collapsed.
Second, the highest tips of the tree have turned an ominous shade of black.
You regain conscious volition within view of the Steam Bridge. The Temple looms to the west, across the bridge. You hear the deceptively quiet murmurings of a very large crowd coming from that direction.
Fi, you also hear the iron bell of the Temple, just a few moments after stepping outside of your household. Volcano shines blood red behind the Temple, an omen of events to come.
Byron groans, a hand on his head. "Was that the tree a psychic projection but what was that image?" he mutters, half to himself.
"Owwww... If I had to guess, I'd say the tree tapped into some unpleasant information buried under the city. It would not surprise me to hear that some ancient burial grounds had been desecrated. With a little luck, this is just a burst of righteous indignation, not yet another problem that needs dealing with."
"What in Volc?" Fi almost runs towards it. "Enzo, keep Karina safe, I've no idea what's going on, but I'm going to find out." Fi keeps her sword drawn and heads towards the Mephit infested area, doubtless it has something to do with it.
Fi, before you can reach the actual borders of the Steam Slums (The Mephit Slums these days?), you run into a dazed-looking trio: Osric, Odebie, and Byron. They are all clutching their heads, as if they have migraines.
She appraises them as she approaches - they don't seem to have wounds she can do anything about, "Ah, do you three know what's going on? Also you should probably know I had Temple Watch looking for you at my home earlier - I guess you're in trouble?"
"Huh?" Osric is disoriented and confused why Fi is here suddenly.
He shakes his head to clear it of the fog. "I don't know where you came from, but I'm glad you're here. As it turns out, the temple got more angry at my honesty than I anticipated and have begun a civil war. They have massacred the watch leadership. I was in the process of trying to decide whether to turn myself in when the tree-god Odebie planted yesterday exploded in a fit a rage. Also Byron's lab suffered arson. What tragedy has befallen you today?"
Fiordelise can't help but look bewildered. "Surprisingly little in comparison. I don't think the Temple Watch wanted to touch me. Though if I realise they'd declared war on the Watch I may have sent them away with more than mere words to show for it."
"Given what you now know, how loyal do you remain to the authority of the Temple? You have the most to lose out of all of us. I am convinced they have lost the right of rule, but they cannot be ousted without much additional suffering. Is it worth it?"
"I am not one to slavishly bend to the will of the church, if I have faith in anything it is that free Elen will eventually do what is right - though they may make mistakes along the way. But civil war and bloody revolution would not be my favoured methods of opposition." Fi smiles, trying to make light of the situation, though her words ring with her own truth.
Across the Steam Bridge, the sound of a gathering crowd gets louder. There are shouts, and boos. You all notice the bridge itself it curiously absent of traffic, still being early in the evening.
"Grey Father, what... that vision means something. Something horrible..."
"Feel free to go back and ask, but I'd rather give it a chance to cool off, if that even makes sense for its physiology. We either need to move quickly or be prepared to handle an angry mob REAL soon. Personally, I'm thinking we get ourselves to the Mithril Makers and reevaluate our life choices there. Sound good?"