Just behind everyone, there's a snarl of defiance as Aiyana comes charging behind Lydia with her longsword held high. But as she closes the distance...and Haramil's spirit is laid to rest...her vision finally clears and her steps falter as the caligni reaches everyone else. Seeing she was about to attack her friends, Aiyana drops the weapon, horrified by her own actions.
"What...h-happened...?"
“A proud warlord was finally laid to rest.” Lesska whispers, wiping moisture from her cheek. She sits down, bone weary and much affected by recent events. Her head drops a little.
”Ailis?” comes a muffled call, then the Kellid’s head rises again. ”Ailis! It’s over, we’re safe!”
Body aching and mind reeling, Bastian slumps to one knee. Leaning heavily on the shaft of his flail, he contemplates their victory over the third and hopefully final aspect of the cursef warlord.
The Cradle...it litterally tore his soul to pieces. Such terrible power...and now in the hands of the Reborn. he says wearily, looking to Aiyana with the unspoken gravity of the situation clear in his eyes.
Lydia grimly sheathes her blade. Recovering the wand she dropped, she moves to heal the wounded.
Daehlaya looks concernedly at her younger, mortal companions, afraid suddenly that she could well see them die, something she had never really contemplated, even when she agreed to marry Mathion and was decried as "forlorn" by some in her native home.
"Rest," she urges them. "They have the Cradle, but disaster hasn't happened yet. We can still stop them. We have to stop them!"
She moves around the room, ignoring her own minor wounds as she tries to see to the comforts of her companions.
"Will you hold up, Master Garmont?"
Suetonius nods soberly.
"May his tortured spirit at last find peace..."
He then sighs.
"I suppose we will now have to make a little sortie into the Down Below... I would suggest resting, but not in this place; I doubt that we would manage to get adequate sleep in these unholy halls. Perhaps up under the stars?"
”Ailis?” comes a muffled call, then the Kellid’s head rises again. ”Ailis! It’s over, we’re safe!”
Deprived of Zyler's invisibility spell, both the dark dancer and Ailis lie on the floor next to the obsidian pedestal, slowly stirring from some kind of catatonic state...an after effect of what ever supernatural power had lain within the vortex of Haramil's spirit.
"I'm okay..." Ailis responds a little unsteady as she regains her feet, "Well...as okay as I was before. I still can't see anything."
"I'm fine, as well," Zyler announces, "Kept her safe like I said I would..."
The Cradle...it literally tore his soul to pieces. Such terrible power...and now in the hands of the Reborn.
"Indeed," Aiyana replies, "It would seem they claimed their prize. Perhaps that's what unleashed Haramil's spirit and created the planar effects at play here..."
"I suppose we will now have to make a little sortie into the Down Below..."
"Rest....They have the Cradle, but disaster hasn't happened yet. We can still stop them. We have to stop them!"
"I agree," Aiyana states, "One way or another, I have to find a way to stop them. Perhaps they're still in Nidal and haven't yet re-entered the Darklands? We might yet head them off...if we can find them..."
"I would suggest resting, but not in this place; I doubt that we would manage to get adequate sleep in these unholy halls. Perhaps up under the stars?"
"That's probably for the best. Let's search this chamber for any remaining clues or information, and then we should venture to the upper floor again and exit this place. If we truly put Haramil's spirit to rest, then hopefully it's safer, even if we simply make camp close by. But, Daehalya? You should probably check the entrance again to ensure no more of those shadows will cross over from the Shadow Plane again..."
With Aiyana's direction, the party uses the remaining light provided by Suetonius's spell to search the lower chamber. The far side of the room holds a simple coffin. Looking inside, you find a simple skeleton devoid of any armor, weaponry, or decoration. If this is Haramil's remains, it would seem he was buried without the traditional honors afforded a Kellid horselord. His people truly must have despised him in equal measure to their fear of his rule.
The only other decoration in the chamber is the jet-black pedestal on the far wall near the lift you used to access this tomb. As Ailis and Zyler described it, there's a concave indentation in its bowl like surface that could easily have held a fist-sized orb. Aiyana acknowledges it's probably the resting place of the Cradle, which is now missing. Daehalya further confirms that assumption by casting detect magic and discovering substantial traces of shadow magic which is slowly dissipating now that whatever caused it is no longer present.
Venturing back upstairs, the lift carries everyone to the fake tomb again. As the platform locks back into place, everyone can see that several pieces of treasure are still piled within the easternmost alcove across from the sarchophagus. They include a well-crafted shortbow that seems to have survived the passage of centuries fairly well, in addition to two daggers, a longsword, a spear, a trident, five bejeweled necklaces, three thick silver rings carved with stylized tree symbols, and three carved opals (depicting a mounted horselord, a rampaging hill giant, and a fire drake).
"It's up to you if you want to take these thing," Aiyana notes, "It would seem Haramil's people left these things to fool others into believing this was his final resting place, tempting them to take this stuff and leave the lower tomb...and the Cradle...undisturbed. If there was a curse on anything, it would seem limited to the lance Haramil wielded against us. I doubt the rest carries such an enchantment...and it would seem like worthwhile compensation for your troubles. Even if we didn't find the Cradle, some of this stuff might help us against the Reborn...assuming we can find them before they reach Lyrudrada..."
"Lesska? What do you think? These are items that belonged to your people. And these are your traditions we either honor or violate..."
Is there anything more we can do to ensure that Haramil's spirit is truly defeated and put to rest? Some cleansing blessing or Kellid ritual we can perform? I would be reluctant to leave such evil behind if we can avoid it.
Lesska mulls over the problem of opportunity vs profaning heritage. She appears about to speak before closing her mouth, apparently second guessing her first intention. She closes her eyes, then opens them, looking at the party. Her mien is determined.
"Take it all. Though I am an outcast, and such might be easy for a vagabond or outlander, I take it in honor and for my people. It lies here gathering dust and serves no purpose of misdirection any longer, no requirement to act as obfuscation."
The Kellid looks to Aiyana.
"And yes, fair recompense. For we have finally given Haramil peace, but his cruel affliction and the legacy of evil is yet to be bested. Payment for the first, and a down payment toward the second." she finishes, as only a sellblade might.
Lesska nods a curt thank you to Zyler, then crouches on her haunches by Ailis.
"As for you, you have terrible luck. Here, let me guide you. Did you know that, in the year that is now, a Dwarven lorist met the darkening blindness of a great foul spirit? And lived to hear the tale told back to her by her brave brave Kellid sister? Let me tell you how the tale goes, each line a flagstone into darkness, and each hero larger than an intake of breath..."
Daehalya tears up as Lesska recites their own recent deeds, wondering how this woman could have come to be an outcast when she clearly has such humanity in her, as much so as any Daehalya has ever seen.
"That was beautiful, Lesska," she says at the end. "You are almost as talented a storyteller as some of the great elven sages, or Ailis herself. I don't know your own story before we met, but I am proud to call you a friend."
Afterward, she checks the treasure for magic.
Ailis allows Lesska to regale her with her own tale-telling of their exploits, clearly amused and perhaps somewhat delighted to hear it. "A strange turn of events that you'd be the one to tell me a story," she scoffs, but listens attentively, actually pleased for any distraction from her disability.
Daehalya helps those who secure the treasure from behind the sarcophagus, checking each item for any magical emanations. Surprisingly, none of them seem enchanted...though, there is a faint dweomer on the weapons. They appear to bear the same preservation magic she previously detected on the tapestries and other decorations about the room. So, while they're all of exquisite craftsmanship from another age...and quite serviceable and valuable, as a result...none of them bear the same level of power as the horselord's lance that somehow cursed Ailis.
Once everything is squared away, Lesska helps lead her dwarven friend back thru the upper level of the tomb, keeping close to her within the middle of the group. Bastian is the first to emerge in the open air again, and he notes that it's nighttime outside. The stars are somewhat dimmed by an overcast sky, but one or two still peek through the clouds, softly illuminating the hillside. Even though the party's light sources are somewhat further behind him and muted by the planar energies at play within the tomb, he's surprised by just how clearly he's able to perceive everything. It's as if the entire terrain is highlighted and sharpened somehow...almost otherworldly in a way.
The rest of the party gathers behind him and they too notice this effect...all but Ailis, of course, as she's still unable to perceive anything in her current state. The effect seems to get stronger the further everyone moves away from the light sources carried among you. Aiyana and Zyler (and Ailis), however, seem unaware of the changes...
"Is everyone okay?" Aiyana asks aloud, "Do you see more shadows? Is the planar breach still there? What's wrong?"
Zyler stands near her, his wand held ready once again in case he needs to disappear to ensure his survival.
Everything seems...brighter...somehow. At first I thought in was just a side effect of my Darkvision potion. Do any of you see the same? Could the strange connection to the Shadow Plane have affected us in some way? Or perhaps some lingering effect of the Cradle’s corruption?
He scans the wooden area beyond the tomb entrance. Whatever it is, at least it seems there are no more of the shadow creatures lurking about.
Lesska does not notice the clarity of light at first, distracted by leading her sworn-friend and then by having her own eyes closed as she breathes in a lungful of beautiful, reviving outside-and-evening air. Then she hears Bastian and looks herself.
"By Sarkoris! What has happened to the world?!?"
Daehalya, Lydia, and Suetonius notice the same effect, exactly as Bastian and Lesska have described it. Although it is clearly night-time with only a scant few stars in the sky, everything is sharp and clearly visible, even if it's in darker lines than usual.
"It's like my elven sight," Daehalya exclaims, "But with far more clarity..."
Even Bastian notes that it's different than the darkvision provided by his magical potion. Colors are still discernible, although muted somewhat...as if cast in shadow.
"I don't notice anything different..." Aiyana replies, "I mean, I can see clearly in the dark. All caligni can. Zyler? What about you?"
Zyler acknowledges that nothing has changed for him, though he eyes the rest of the party with keen interest.
"Daehalya?" Aiyana asks again, "Can you discern anything unusual about the planar energies you detected before?"
Heeding Aiyana's request, Daehalya casts detect magic again, directing her unimpeded gaze about the clearing just outside the tomb, focusing first on the same location where she saw the shadows emerge when they first attacked the party. The tear between planes seems much diminished now, as if putting Haramil's spirit to rest may have started the process to healing the gap. Or, perhaps, it was only a matter of time before it closed?
"I see nothing where the shadows crossed into our world..." she announces to the rest of the party, and then she steps outside, directing her gaze back towards the tomb itself as everyone gathers around her.
Even the light-affecting nature of the planar energies roiling within the mountainside are starting to diminish, much to everyone's relief. But then, something catches Daehalya's eyes upon the mountain itself.
A smoky haze which she originally thought had drifted up from the shadows leaking from the tomb begins to clear. But now it reveals something far different. Resting high above the entrance to the tomb a massive, dark shape separates itself from the rocks. Giant wings unfurl to stir the smoky shadow and two large, bluish eyes open to gaze down on you.
a deep voice issues forth from a maw of razor sharp teeth, some nearly as large as the small pine trees at the base of the mountain,
The huge figure begins to shift its heavy bulk across the mountainous landscape. Smoky shadow drifts from its scales and between its massive wings as it glides silently among the trees.
GM notes:
Lydia & Daehalya:
"That sounds like a dragon's voice," Ailis hisses a warning as softly as she can to everyone, then curses yet again that she can't see it to confirm.
the monstrous creature responds. Apparently, its ears are quite keen. "
Now more fully revealed upon the mountain, the winged serpent's presence fills everyone with dread, making even the strongest adventurer's heart give pause. Every rational thought screams that you should run, flee, hide! Some of you are able to fight off that feeling better than others, but it still lingers as you warily watch the dragon's approach.
Suetonius bows politely.
"What is your interest in all of this, if I may ask?"
"Umbral dragon. Native to the Plane of Shadow. I get the sneaking suspicion that's where we've ended up," Lydia whispers to the others. She bows before the wyrm as well, and while she lets the more diplomatic members of the party speak to it, she carefully studies it for any sign of hostility or deception.
Suetonius bows politely. "What is your interest in all of this, if I may ask?"
the dragon replies, " It shifts its bulk down the mountainside, moving exceptionally cat-like for such an immense beast and creating almost no tremor from its light steps as it reaches ground level and slowly circles the party.
"Umbral dragon. Native to the Plane of Shadow. I get the sneaking suspicion that's where we've ended up," Lydia whispers to the others.
Again, the dragon's ears prove exceptionally keen, easily discerning Lydia's words to everyone. Thelamistos cranes his long neck behind him to regard the half-elf inquisitor even as his steps continue to carry him in a slow circle. he says,
he finishes, cocking his heavy head as if reconsidering his options, Thelamistos settles his gaze upon Aiyana and Zyler. Both can't help but subconsciously cower before the dragon.
"Y-you...serve the Reborn?" Aiyana finally stammers, struggling to find a more confident voice in conversing with the dragon. She looks to Zyler, half-expecting the dark dancer to confirm her assumption, but he only shrugs and continues his best to keep a low profile while clutching his wand in case he needs to disappear again.
Thelamistos replies,
Bastian listens tensly to the dragon’s musings, his normally steady nerves frayed by the wyrm’s size and casual demeanor.
It is almost as if it considers us insects, not enough of threat to worry about, but easy enough to swat if we turn out to be a nuisance....
As the dragon mentions the taint from Haramil, he cautiously asks: This taint we may have inherited from Haramil. Is that why the light looks different to our eyes? And Haramil in turn inherited the taint from the Cradle, I suppose.
After a few moments, he adds Is there a way to remove it, without offending the ones you serve?
This taint we may have inherited from Haramil. Is that why the light looks different to our eyes? And Haramil in turn inherited the taint from the Cradle, I suppose.
Is there a way to remove it, without offending the ones you serve?
The dragon laughs long and deep.
Words of power spill forth from the dragon's mouth and, as Thelamistos continues to speak, its form blurs and darkens as if it's changing into just a silhouette of itself. Even then, the beast's immense shape begins to fade from sight, receding into the darker shadows of the treeline.
"As for removing the corruption," he says with a faint whisper, "That should be well beyond your meager capabilities. Enjoy what little remains of the life you've known..."
Daehalya's spirit is torn as they converse with the dragon, her excitement at meeting such a creature tempered by not only his words but by the likelihood they will end up as enemies. After all, if they are to battle the Reborn, that will likely put them at odds with whatever the Reborn serve. As to that ...
"Can you tell us any more of those they serve?" she asks, mind racing on to other matters at the same time.
She wonders how much time they will have. It's such a strange thing, especially if she'll suddenly have as little of it as her new companions. Will it be enough for her to find a solution to give them the handful of years they would normally have?
"Can you tell us any more of those they serve?" she asks, mind racing on to other matters at the same time.
Only dark silence greets Daehalya's question. And, indeed, it seems even the dragon's silhouette has faded fully to black. Even the enhanced dark sight effects from the planar energies of Haramil's tomb can no longer discern the beast. It is simply...gone...leaving everyone to wonder if they just hallucinated the entire encounter.
Daehalya:
"It's gone," Daehalya tells the others, "to the Shadow Plane."
She pauses to think for a few moments.
"I think we should try to recover, and see Ailis to safety as quickly as we can, then follow to try to recover the Cradle. It sounds like we might need it if we are to save ourselves too!"
Lesska shrinks from the great shadow'd dragon, finding its size and form almost unbearable. Even were she not tired, weakened and spent she is sure the creature could snuff her out without effort.
The Kellid struggles to follow the dusky conversation, then finally it dawns upon her that Haramil is and was perhaps merely a pawn on a greater board than she heretofore imagined. Her resolve flounders at the thought of besting creatures such as this. Happily that seems not the order of the day, and she breathes a sigh of heartfelt relief upon the dragon's exit.
"So. To Aiyana and Zyler's home we go. Ailis, would you be safe settled at Gioret's? Perhaps he can help us find a cure for your blindness. Or even our...chang'd vision." Lesska finishes, scrunching her eyes almost in an attempt to clear her sight.
When it becomes apppearant that the dragon has departed, Bastian joins the conversation, weariness filling his voice.
It seems powerful beings are determined to unleash the power of the Cradle. The Reborn are likely unwitting pawns in this, but they will spread havoc none the less. We are facing enemies of great power, no doubt, but our fates seem to have been bound to this and we have little choice but to see it through to the end.
As the talk turns to the next step, he says: Going with Aiyana and Zyler to their underground city seems like the obvious next step. The Reborn are likely to return there and attempt to use the Cradle for their coup. We will have to stop them before they manage to activate it.
Suetonius takes a deep breath, and shudders.
"I am glad we did not have to fight the dragon... but I am almost as worried about whom he is going to report back to. I don't think that it is safe for us to rest here, any more..."
He nods as he listens to Bastian.
"Agreed. Going to the underground city is our next best step..."
"Desna guide our steps along the benighted path. We will see this mission through to the end," Lydia agrees.
"Perhaps we can find somewhere nearby that we can recover," Daehalya says, "though I wish we had time to return Ailis to Gioret's. I hate to leave you on your own..."
”How can we follow the Reborn? Aiyana, do you have mystic means of portage? Though regardless of how, the when may needs to come after I rest and recuperate - still weakened by the spiders as I am...”
"...Ailis, would you be safe settled at Gioret's? Perhaps he can help us find a cure for your blindness. Or even our...chang'd vision." Lesska finishes, scrunching her eyes almost in an attempt to clear her sight.
"I believe so, yes..." Ailis replies, "Assuming the rancher would be willing to look after me and keep the Nidalese hunters away. I can only imagine what kind of torture would await a blind dwarf in their hands..."
"I can only feel that I'm to blame for the predicaments all of you now find yourselves in..." Aiyana shares. The caligni seems genuinely worried for all of you. "I mean, I truly didn't know what dangers would await us in Haramil's tomb. I knew the Cradle was powerful, but I had no idea the kind of curse it might bring to surfacers. Haramil once wielded it, of course, and it must have twisted him. Now, whatever dangers it created upon his death...or through the meddling of the Reborn...I feel it must be the cause of whatever's happening here. And now, they take it to Lyrudrada."
She gestures towards herself and Zyler. "Yet, the two of us are unaffected. So, that must be why the Reborn are secure in taking it there. But now, I suspect the reason for that mystery might be a clue in understanding how to undo whatever has happened to all of you."
”How can we follow the Reborn? Aiyana, do you have mystic means of portage? Though regardless of how, the when may needs to come after I rest and recuperate - still weakened by the spiders as I am...”
"There's one way," she acknowledges, "I've only ever used it for emergencies when Nidalese inquisitors were close to discovering the Desnans in our care as we smuggled them through the canyons and into the Darklands. It's a cache of supplies...some of them magical in nature...close to where I exited the mountains to journey overland to Gioret's ranch. There are a couple of scrolls there, each one capable of speeding our journey by accessing the Shadow Plane. And, given our circumstances, I'm certain we should seek them out and use them...but, only after we see Ailis safely back to Gioret."
Daehalya nods.
"That sounds like our plan, then. And it should give me time to study my spellbook again, so I can be more prepared," she says. "I'm afraid I wasn't terribly useful in that fight."
"Aye, let's move out," Lydia agrees.
Well, if this doesn’t qualify as an emergency, I’d hate to find out what does... Bastian says wryfully as he secures his gear for travel.
Lets put some distance to this place, the sooner the better.
Lesska listens with a heavy heart as the plans to leave Ailis behind become firmer, and that travelling to the Shadowplane will be their fate. She focuses instead on Daehalya.
”You should not apologise. We all were effective, and live to tell of it. Though if you can think of ways to keep the shadows from our hearts and minds we shall all be the better for it...”
The Kellid places a hand on Aiyana’s shoulder,
”Yes. But yours is not the fault either. Dark times and dark objects breed only more darkness. We share now the curse that Haramil bore, and will reclaim and cleanse his honor, or at least that of old Sarkoris that spawned he and me together and all the Kellids. May the god-callers aid us...”
"If we are resting for the night at Gioret's, I can try to Remove Blindness in the morning, as well as work on restoring your strength, Lesska."
With the party in agreement that it would be best to put some distance between them and Haramil's tomb, everyone prepares to ride back to Gioret's ranch. The only problem is no one can seem to find the horses you left outside. Thankfully, you don't find any remains of slain mounts lying about the hillside. Instead, Lydia is able to determine the beasts somehow managed to break free from their tethered reins...most likely in reaction to the appearance of the shadow dragon, Thelamistos. That means everyone proceeds on foot...already weary from your prior exertions.
"It's still nighttime," Aiyana notes as everyone prepares to leave, "Given that most of you can see just as well as Zyler and I now...it would be best to travel now. But the sun will be up soon. I know it always hurts my eyes. And, given how that bright light in the tomb's guardian chamber affected all of us, I worry the morning might cause us problems, as well. Once we see the dawn on the horizon, we should probably stop and rest..."
Daehalya nods.
"We can look for the horses, if anyone's worried, but maybe we just want to get away from the tomb for now? We could travel until sunrise. Once I can study my spellbook, I can summon a chariot that should be able to carry most of us. I hate to leave the horses out here alone, but they may be safer in the long run if we don't spend time looking for them."
Lesska is much put out and worried for her horse, and she tries to locate it specifically - even claiming she can discern its hoofmarks from the others.
"This strange dusky malady prevents me from finding my mare!" she moans, clearly somwhat distraught. She nods mournfully at Daehalya's suggestion.
If we can find a few of the horses, the rest of the group can ride in Daehalya's chariot. We just need enough to allow us all to travel swiftly. Pushing forward until daybreak sounds like a good option, it should allow us to get at least some distance to the tomb.
With his survival training and strangely improved low-light vision, Bastian has little tracking some of the missing mounts.
After a bit of fruitless searching by Lesska, Bastian is finally able to discern a reasonable trail of nidarrmar tracks leading east and downward, away from the hill country. By all impressions, it appears the horses were moving swiftly...likely chased off as the shadow dragon must have terrorized them. Lesska shares that Nidalese mounts are quite intelligent and well-trained. As such, it's entirely possible they may be returning to Gioret's ranch on their own. So, with a bit of discussion on how best to aid Ailis along their path, the party sets off to find them, if they can.
Trudging through the night, everyone except Ailis, Aiyana, and Zyler continues to marvel at just how vibrant everything looks, despite the darkness and overcast sky. The few stars peeking through the clouds are tiny beacons of light piercing the night like luminous rain tracing its way to the ground. And, in many ways, it proves harsher to the eyes than when you look away and focus only on the shadows instead. You can't help but wonder if this is how the dark folk and other creatures of the Darklands feel when they visit the surface. Describing the effect to Aiyana, she and Zyler confirm that it's very similar to their experiences, though Aiyana seems to relish the starlight, drawn to it in the same fashion as her affinity for Desna.
Hours go by. The rough hill country proves tiring to traverse and everyone is feeling a bit footsore as the horizon begins to lighten with dawning sun. Suddenly, Bastian calls for everyone to halt. Narrowing his eyes, the darkness becomes even more visible for him as he examines the horse tracks more closely.
Bastian:
Bastian signals for the group to halt while he examines the tracks on the trail more closely.
Something seems to be following the horses...perhaps a predator of some kind...let me see if I can recognize the prints.