Kallie stretched languidly on the recliner in the lovely courtyard with sunlight filtering through stained glass and the exotic plants. Cai'nan's question roused her, and she turned her head to look at him.
"Oh, hey," she says with a dreamy smile on her face. She focuses a little more and giggles softly. "Yeah, I'm taking advantage of all that Verde Heights has to offer."
Cai’nan nods. ”Glad to hear it,” he says as he leans a shoulder against the archway.
He stands there silently for a few moments and adds ”I wanted to say I was sorry. For hurting you. Truly. I...I don’t want to par-“ he pauses, ”I don’t want any anger between us. That was never my intention.”
Kallie's self-contented expression sours. She folds her arms and stares at him silently, long enough for him to get uncomfortable. "Well," she says at last. "There's anger. You shut me down, knowing I liked you. Because you want to be with my best friend. Do you have any idea how jealous that makes me? Do you understand the position I'm in with Jaya? I want you to use your imagination and put yourself in my place, watching from the side while you and Jaya start dating."
Her glare has become increasingly heated. "You know my top half is Sorshen, right? You may not know that all of me was born in the Runewell of Lust. That... has a very strong influence in me. And I've decided not to fight it."
She rolls back into her relaxed position, letting her arms draw up as she stretches again and shows off her ample bosom. "You don't know what you're missing."
Cai’nan emotionlessly takes her venom. When she finishes, he shrugs and replies ”Well, you’ll be happy to hear I don’t think that is going to work out either. Turns out I’m a screw up at more than I even realized.”
He lets out a sigh and looks away, not wanting to let his eyes linger. ”Anyway. I’m going to go for a walk. Get away from this place a while. I feel like I’m suffocating here.”
"Oh, by the way, you got to attend one of my shows before, didn't ya? Either way, I've been working on some new material. Check it OUT!!"
The Croq of Rock starts to drum and sing. As she does, a chorus of fey voices join in with hers, and the cloud of swarming, dancing Roderics is thicker than it's ever been before.
"You can let Argor know that if he's willing to pay for the best, this'll be an after party that he'll never forget!"
A stab of guilt strikes Kallie. Though part of her definitely rejoiced that she wouldn't have to endure a Cai'nan/Jaya pairing, she wasn't made of stone, either. He had clearly taken a strong like to her, and followed his heart.
"Cai'nan, wait," she calls after him, rising to her hooves. She catches up to him. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. And I can assure you, that I'm being only partly disingenuous," she adds with a lopsided smile.
"I know this isn't your favorite place, and I'll understand if you want to be alone. But I could walk with you, if you want."
Cai’nan nods. ”But I’d rather not draw too much attention. Give me a second...”
He closes his eyes, focusing. After a few moments, his body contorts and shrinks down into a colorful macaw parrot. He flap his wings and lands on her shoulder, then whispers ”Is this okay?”
"I suppose," Kallie says as she heads towards the streets of the Ivy District. "But I thought you wanted to go for a walk. Doesn't it defeat the purpose if I'm doing the walking?"
”Figure of speech. Just...needed to get away. Not have everyone watching me and expecting things of me.”
He sits there quietly on Kallie’s shoulder for a bit, but eventually he mutters ”You smell nice,” before he fluffs his feathers embarrassed, not meaning to have said that out loud. ”Sorry...”
Kallie stays quiet as she walks through the opulent district of Absalom. She smiles slightly as he suddenly apologizes. "That wasn't an insult, you know," she says.
She takes a couple more turns and enters a water garden. She pauses, looking at the ornate bubbling fountains. "Did you know," she begins, "that in the herd, the centaur fillies get to pick the stallion they mate with? Once we come of age, we get to choose."
She doesn't look at the macaw on her shoulder. She just stares at the brilliant spray of water and the light refracting in wonderful colors. "I was going to choose Dorgun. He was my first friend when Ryli brought me to the Thunderhooves. He taught me all their games; and didn't get mad when I could outrun him. I'm pretty sure he knew it too, as we got older. It's like that; you know everyone, so these things just sort of work themselves out.
"But then, I stopped growing. He passed the rites of adulthood. Graci chose him first. It stung, but I wouldn't have minded sharing him with her. She was a friend, too. I thought, it was only a matter of time, you know?"
She reaches into a coin pouch and pulls out a copper coin. "It never happened, obviously." She tosses it into the fountain.
"Oh, by the way, you got to attend one of my shows before, didn't ya? Either way, I've been working on some new material. Check it OUT!!"
The Croq of Rock starts to drum and sing. As she does, a chorus of fey voices join in with hers, and the cloud of swarming, dancing Roderics is thicker than it's ever been before.
"You can let Argor know that if he's willing to pay for the best, this'll be an after party that he'll never forget!"
"...Wow," Shiloh replies after a long moment of stunned silence. "I'm going to see about making you the main act, Croq. As for your pay, I've got about 100 gold pieces left in the budget. I'll give you half now and half later once you've performed. Sound good?"
The evening before the coronation, you get a message from Eugeni. After a little bit of a wild goose chase, the final battle with Alaznist is truly about to commence. In fact, it sounds like Jeevika, Shalelu, and some of the Silver Sentinels and Black Arrow Veterans are already confronting the Runelord of Wrath and her minions! He doesn't say it outright, but the odds appear to be heavily in the favor of the Sihedron Heroes...
The rest of the week sails by without incident, and the day of the coronation soon arrives. The big event is at approximately 10:00 am. As such, you got to bed early so you can wake early to prepare.
Heading downstairs for a quick breakfast, you see that the Kailanis (including Silvie and Shiloh) are more or less ready to go. Bethania is helping a slightly flustered Audrahni with some makeup. A bored Lana is reading a book.
"Good morning, everyone," Galatea greets. Never really one for dresses, she's wearing a rather handsome suit. "So according to Shy, the actual coronation should only take about an hour tops. Afterward, we'll be free to attend the festivities around the city. There's also the after-party this evening here at Verde Heights. From what I understand, Croq is actually the main act!"
Jaya picked out a light periwinkle gown, embroidered through the bodice with silver thread. Her hair was worn down, but just in case Argor's preparations weren't as inviolable as he believed, she kept her spell-components tucked away within reach and shrouded herself in a minor abjuration.
She makes an attempt to visit Cai'nan, but if he's too ensconced won't push things.
Croq shrugs. "Well, when I performed in the Five Kings Mountains for High King Borogrim the Hale, he gifted me a priceless ruby...but, I mean, Argor's practically family. For him, sure, a hundred gold it is."
Over the following days, Croq finds some backup musicians. She tries, fails, and eventually gives up on finding a hound with anywhere near as good a noise as Biscuit has.
Along the way, the clothing shop she finally finds herself sucked into is one that couldn't possibly exist almost anywhere outside of Absolom: the personal workshop of high couture orcish designer Drernerg Vihd.
Croq comes out of her chamber and twirls to show off a black leather gown, custom fitted by The Drernerg Vind (the legend of orcish haute couture). "Check this out!"
She snaps her fingers and suddenly an illusion worked into the fabric comes alive. Scenes of Lamashtu's history (making love to Pazuzu / slaying Curchanus and stealing dominion of the beasts while Desna weeps / battling Pazuzu, covered in each others' blood / giving birth to harpies, medusas and lamias) pulse in and out across it, seemingly at random.
"Is that a gown, or what?!?"
While unarmored, she of course has Drumstick and her drum with her, for her Big Show at the afterparty.
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Aurealia uses her extend metamagic rod and disguise self to create her outfit - a vaguely bat themed gothic ensamble. She goes in bat form . This particular morph, her human ears are replaced with huge bat ones, and her nose is upturned and pointed.
"Wow, Croq, you look great!" Aurealia smiles genuinely at her sister. "I can't believe you scored this gig. You're going to be a real rock star if you keep this up. You already look like one!"
"Has anyone heard from any of the Sihedron Heroes? Last night they were about to face down Alaznist. Not getting a, 'Hey, we kicked her butt' sending yet is starting to really worry me..."
She looks at Drumstick. "Do you guys think I should bring my weapon?"
"Concern is warranted, but there's every reason to expect an archmage of Alaznist's stature wouldn't have a final bastion that could be safely stormed in a day."
"It makes no sense to ever be completely defenseless, but a polearm might be more provocative than protective..."
Kallie's hair is a brilliant red on the day of the ceremony, with her tail braided and a matching hue. Her top is stylish, yet light and airy to account for the tropical heat of the Isle of Kortos.
Her lower half is otherwise unadorned except for her cute little side pouches that she wears to keep her gear close at hand.
"I can always bite someone if I have to," Aurealia says, flashing her enlongated canines. "I guess the horse-chopper can stay back this time."
Jaya pursed her lips, eyes bright with amusement. "True enough, I'll wager they wouldn't expect it either."
Cai’nan had made himself scarce as the ceremony approached. When the time comes, he still hasn’t made his way to the others.
Krodha makes his way through the manor and ducks into the chamber where you are all gathering. ” Madu ga-abia nyere m aka Cai'nan. Ọ ka na-ehi ụra ma na-esi isi dịka nturu mmiri purt,” he says with a concerned look on his face.
Jaya's wry amusement vanishes in a flash. "Obi ga-adị m ụtọ inyere aka."
"Krodha says that Cai'nan is still asleep and smells like- Well, doesn't smell good, at least."
For a moment she considers getting her fuller gear, but instead heads straight for Krodha. "Ka a pụọ."
Krodha leads you to his room. There you see Cai’nan laying across his bed, his left arm and leg dangling over the side. His trousers are covered in mud, his shirt a crumpled heap on the floor. His snoring could be heard well down the hall, as could the smell of booze.
"Hells."
Quickly she walked over and snagged a pitcher of water, chilling it to just above freezing before dumping it over Cai'nan's head. "Cai'nan? You're frightening Krodha, and you're going to miss your father's coronation. Groan once for get you on your feet, twice for make an excuse, or three times for doppelganger."
”BRUGH! UGH!” Cai’nan grunted in shock at the splash of icy water over his head and neck as he jumps with a start! He rolls over in bed to see Jaya holding the pitcher and Krodha looking on with concern. He then rolled up to a seated position and cupped his head in his hands.
”Just...just go without me. I don’t give a damn about his f*!!ing coronation anyway,” Cai’nan grumbles as he staggers to his feet and makes his way over to a water basin on the dresser across the room. He cups some water in his hands and splashes it into his face before repeating the process and running it through his hair before he flips it backwards forcefully to get the hair out of his face.
He gives Jaya a pained look up and down before adding ”You look nice, by the way,” before he staggers over to the bed and has a seat on the side of it, reaching over to the nightstand and taking a bottle of liquor and pouring some into a glass.
After carefully handing over Silvie to Yulia, Galatea (who seems to understand Kroda's words) quickly hustles after Jaya. She looks dismayed upon seeing the state of her friend. After a moment, Gali turns to everyone else present.
"...I don't think Cai'nan will be able to attend the coronation," Galatea says. After another pause, she volunteers, "I'll stay with him."
Gali moves over to Cai'nan and manages to gently dissuade him from drinking further.
"That's enough, Cai'nan."
"Whaauu!?" Croq smacks herself on her forehead. "Cai'nan, c'mon! Are you sure? You can still..."
She trails off as she sees the look on his face.
"Well, will you at least make the afterparty? I've been practicing some new songs and have a feeling that I'm really gonna slay!"
If Aurealia's eyebrows climbed any higher, they would recede into her widow's peak. When the group first enters the room she looks at Croq and silently mouths "He's a hot mess!"
After the others speak, she adds her own comments. "I...uhh...I'm sorry your father is such a prick, C. I'm also sorry you had to come back here. I understand why you wouldn't want to go, but I don't want to see you self destruct, bud. You should listen to Gali."
She looks at Galatea. "Are you sure? I could stay with him if you wanted to see the coronation. I'm definitely going to the afterparty though...Hopefully he'll be sober enough to leave alone by then."
Kallie had opened up, bared her past to Cai'nan, but it didn't seem to forge the connection that she still harbored a fleeting hope for. When he didn't show, she decided not to go check on him. Enough of them went after all. One more wouldn't do any good.
Jaya's jaw was tight, but she nodded quietly to Galatea's suggestion. We should have just gone to Magnimar...
***
Outside Cai'nan's room she beckoned the Andosana's closer and went off in search of Kallie. "So, do we still go to the coronation? I don't think any of us would be unsafe there, but... Well, we've got a pretty good reason not to, if anyone else wants to forego."
"I could care less about the ceremony, but I won't miss Croq's performance. After that's done we can leave Absalom as far as I'm concerned. We need to find out what's going on with the Sihedron Heroes."
Kallie frowns, hearing about Cai'nan. "I... I understand that this will be hard for you, watching that man get everything. You can sit this one out, that's fine. But maybe at least one of us should be there? I'll stand out enough that maybe they'll assume you all were there too. And no, I don't know who 'they' are, but there's a lot of them, right?" she tries to elicit a smile from her friend.
She gives Jaya's shoulder a squeeze. "You look very pretty. I'll see you after, okay?"
Croq looks torn, but then says, "Hey, I've never been to anything like this. I guess it could end up just being some boring ceremony...but I think I'll kick myself if I don't check it out for myself.
"I'm in."
"Alright, let's go. Cai'nan will be okay with Gali."
"...Lana and I will still be going. Father would never let us live it down if we skipped," Beth says defeatedly. A frowning Lana sighs and merely nods.
"As much as I wish to stay with Brother Cai'nan, I... believe my sister's company should be sufficient," Ariel says softly. She too looks slightly defeated. It appears that her royal obligations are clashing with what she truly wishes to do.
Clearly feeling very out of her depth, Audrahni stays silent and opts to hover near Aurealia.
Not much longer afterward, those still going to the coronation head to the Azlanti Keep. In fact, the entire city seems to be heading there. For the moment, the rest of Absalom is closed down, though this will likely change once the formal coronation is over. The streets are especially well-patrolled today. After all, this would be a particularly good time to cause trouble...
Shiloh easily leads you though the chaos, and before you know it, you're on stage, where things are much calmer. Lana and Bethania are quick to greet their brother Abasi. He too is dismayed to hear about Cai'nan. You take your seats between Ariel's entourage and the rest of House Blakros. You can see that Argor Constantine is already seated on the stage.
The actual ceremony is short and sweet. The sound of horns announces the beginning, and the audience quickly quiets down. Lady Darchanna of House Madinani, Second Spell Lord of Absalom, introduces Lord Constantine and administers the oath of office. Argor makes his vows, and Lady Darchanna promptly proclaims him the new Primarch and First Spell Lord of Absalom.
Argor then takes the customary circlet from its pillow... and places it on his head without trouble. He then gives a very Argorian but also relatively brief speech. Naturally, when he finishes, most of the audience applauds. After that, the ceremony is quickly concluded, and you are free to do as you wish.
Despite Cai'nan's situation, the after-party likely proves to be at least somewhat fun. At this time, Galatea reunites with you and assures you that your friend seems to be okay now. Meanwhile, Croq once again gives another amazing performance. She is by far the most popular act.
Despite the day's rough beginning, all in all, it appears that everything will be okay. Once you leave Absalom, Cai'nan will likely recover. Meanwhile, Alaznist's reign of terror is most likely about-
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For some reason, you can't seem to reply to her...
"Gods damn it!" The nausea that has been welling in Aurealia's stomach rockets forth in a spout of sick. "I knew this would happen..."
She looks despondent. "If the Sihedron Heroes failed, how are we going to stop Alaznist? Not to mention the others!?" She starts to hyperventilate, looking around for someone who might know what to do. Her eyes settle on Jaya. She's always so smart and analytical. Maybe she will know what to do.
"O-Oh dear..." Audrahni says. She most likely didn't get the message, but she has clearly put together what happened going by Aurealia's reaction and words. "I, uh, actually have an idea. We could talk to the Sihedron Council in Magnimar. They guard the actual artifact, and they manage the Heroes' support network."
"Grandma? Papa?"
Kallie separates herself from the handsome young man she had selected during the celebration. "Sorry. Something came up," she tells him as she dispels her transmutation, restoring her centaur body.
She gallops back to where the others had been congregating after Croquelle's performance.
"Did you hear that??" she says when she finds them. "Alaznist had something that beat Papa and Grandma!" Despite the others' worry, Kallie hadn't been all that concerned. Her relatives wielded some of the greatest powers in all Golarion.
Her mind worked. "Okay. First, we tell Argor. He'll want to know. Plus, maybe he'll give us some help, or a place to start. Mama Ryli, too. She helped take down the first Runelord, you know. We need to tell her."
Aurealia closes her eyes and forcibly slows her breathing. She grabs on to Kallie and Audrahni's hands. "Sihedron Council. Argor. Good ideas. Argor is here. Let's go find him now?"
”There is no need for that,” Argor’s disembodied voice speaks from behind Aurealia. Turning that direction does not reveal him, but a firm hand on the girls shoulder reinforces his presence nonetheless. ”Let us go somewhere more discreet to talk.”
Looking around, you see Argor talking to some delegates in the center of the room, seemingly unaware of the current conversation taking place among your group. ”Don’t mind them,” his voice says once again, ”I’ve put measures in place to allow me to maintain the illusion of a presence here while tending to this matter. Let us not waste time.”
"Dude! You are so creepy," Aurealia says when she's surprised by Argor's voice and hand. "Alright, let's go. I , uh, can't see you? Where are we going?"
”There are plenty of places to secret oneself away in the First Keep,” he replies, ignoring her insult. He gives quiet verbal directions guiding the group through the massive structure until they reach a large but secluded sitting room.
He then appears, his face very serious. ”Based on what I heard as I approached, I take it some sort of contact was made to some of you, correct? What were you appraised in regards to the situation?”
Kallie looks sick. "Nothing good? They failed! Sorshen's back, and Xanderghul? Alaznist has some sort of allies?"
She wrings her hands. "We gotta warn Mama. She was one of the original Rangers."
Argor nods. ”Indeed, something dire has befallen them. I believe I must go and meet with the other members of the Sihedron Council. And promptly,” his eyes narrow and his jaw clenches before he adds ”I believe Cai’nan has elected to return to the wilds again, seeing as his chamber was empty and he was not at the ceremony. I do not believe he will be joining you on your return venture. If you would like, I can take you with me back as far as Magnimar. I assume you will want to be checking in with your families and learning of their conditions, yes?” he asks.
Croq had enjoyed the pomp of the coronation...even if it was a bit stiff.
The highlight of her day, though, was getting to jam for that huge crowd. As she's rocked and sweated and sang her heart out, a cloud of spirits like never before crowded around her and all who let themselves let go.
She was basking in the glow, and slowly drinking her second cocktail when The Sending came through.
"Whaaaah!? There must be some mistake!! 'Lia, this is Mom that Jeevika is talking about! And-- and--"
"Argor, I can still hear Jeevika's words ringing in my ears. She said: 'We failed. Unsure if others live. Alaznist wielding godlike artifact. Recruiting allies: Apathy, Malice, The Destroyer. Stop Alaznist... Sorshen... Xanderghul. Others' plans unknown. I'm sorry.'"
She glances between her sister Aurealia, Jaya, Kallie, and Argor. "Who's Apathy? Is that Krune? Who's Malice? Wouldn't that just be Alaznist herself? Who's the Destroyer? What artifact does she have? And--"she chokes on her words, and all of her usual cockiness drains away"--Argor, you'll be able to protect them, right? And make this OK??"
Jaya sat down, hard, jaw tight, fingers twitching and flicking almost like she was doing sums. When Croq asked if Argor could step in and save the day, she started to shake her head, but bit her tongue and spoke towards other concerns instead.
"Magnimar would be ideal, if it's today. It's unlikely that she'd be ready to face off against your own protections so soon, so your speed will keep us safer than avoiding you... Now, Apathy, Malice, The Destroyer... as far as I'm aware, none of them are translations of any titles that those runelords possessed, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Also... The "Others' plans" are unknown. That implies that though Sorshen and Xanderghul are awake, that Jeevika did not believe their goals to be the same...
"We need more information. Especially if Xanderghul is awake, power alone will not be enough."
"Let's hurry to Magnimar then. This...this is insane."
It immediately becomes obvious that Galatea also received the Sending; she spends the next several minutes in a deep daze. Gali eventually snaps out of it once everyone begins talking. She especially perks up upon hearing that Cai'nan just up and left, which leaves her quite dismayed.
"Not that it makes anything less... pressing, but it also sounds like Sorshen and Xanderghul might not be as... active as Alaznist has been. Last time Mom met with us, she said 'Once I have a lead on them, I'll let you know.' Besides Arrogant Sword's antics, that makes me think Mom only recently discovered something about the other two Runelords."
With that said, Galatea excuses herself to inform Ariel that they will be leaving very soon.
For with Runelord Karzoug's defeat, ripples of his power reached out to touch the other slumbering Runelords in their scattered tombs, and now the most powerful of them are awake! Slavering monsters and brutal villains, dragons and giants and legendary beasts will soon threaten Varisia's way of life. Even the fabric of time itself seems to be unraveling...
If Varisia's newest band of heroes cannot stand firm against the Return of the Runelords, all may be lost!
With Argor's assistance, you arrive in Magnimar just two hours later. Admittedly, it almost certainly helps that you were more or less already packed. Thanks to Argor's magic, no one appears to notice your sudden departure. The new Primarch of Absalom transports you to one of his own holdings in the City of Monuments. While Ariel and her entourage (including a sleeping Silvie) depart for the Kailani estate (which doubles as the Kyoni embassy these days), you take a brief, hurried walk to Heidmarch Manor, which houses the Sihedron Council.
As you practically burst through the front doors, a tired man with thinning blond hair and a large nose (Welben Orry going by the nameplate on his desk) stands up from his desk, likely to protest the sudden interruption. However, Welben quickly notices Argor Constantine leading the charge and immediately gets the memo. He scurries off to fetch Sheila Heidmarch, who leads the Council in the Heroes' stead. Thankfully, it appears that Sheila was one of the individuals who received Jeevika's message. As you are shuffled into a room, you see that some of the Sihedron Council has already gathered.
You all recognize the elegant, raven-haired Sheila Heidmarch, the woman who first assembled the Sihedron Heroes (back when they were just the Freaks and the Varisian Rangers) all those years ago. Most of you recognize the finely dressed Haldmeer Grobaras, the Lord Mayor of Magnimar. Even a generation after Karzoug's foiled return, he still governs the city, though there are rumors that he plans to retire soon. Along with them are two women you don't immediately recognize: an older brunette human and a ginger half-elf. They introduce themselves as Sabriyya Kalmeralm and Koriah Azmeren respectively.
They all look a little dazed and stressed at the moment.
"I appreciate that you all could join us. This isn't the full Council, but it was everyone I could gather on such short notice," Sheila begins. "I also received Jeevika's Sending. Whatever happened, the Sihedron Heroes appear to have bought us time; all signs indicate that Alaznist has once again gone into hiding. We have been debating our next course of action, but we have very few leads at the moment. The most promising might be Hook Mountain. Shalelu's agents were planning to investigate there, but after Alaznist's location was learned, they were called back at the last second."
"What about Xanderghul and Sorshen?" Galatea asks.
"Besides the reappearance of Baraket, we have discovered no further clues about Xanderghul. Meanwhile, Sorshen's possible return was news to us as well," Sheila replies, slightly frustrated with the lack of leads on the two most powerful Runelords.
Croq--normally quite cocksure--is fidgeting with her drum, clearly shaken.
At one point, she shifts into her half-elven form (looking, perhaps, like she hopes it will shed the wrongness of the situation) and then switches quickly back to her crocodilian form.
Finally, she clutches her sister's arm tightly (squeezing a bit harder than she means to).
At a break in the conversation she asks "OK, we have a lead on Hook Mountain. I guess that's something, right? Is anyone on that yet?
"There are so many booky people here, right? Does anyone know anything about Malice and Apathy and The Destroyer?"