Kallie nods her head at Gali's whisper, then steps forward. She keeps the abyssal runestone in one hand as she locks eyes with the former Runelord. "All right, you probably know Alaznist better than anyone alive today. What can you tell us about her? What are her weaknesses? What can we do to get an advantage over her?"
It takes Thybidos awhile to gather his thoughts and the strength to speak.
"I had a family... A wife... Seven children..." Thybidos begins. "Alaznist killed them..."
"The wraiths in the 'Beloved' room," Galatea says in realization, "they were your family."
"Yes... Alaznist is the most powerful Runelord of Wrath... and perhaps the third most powerful Runelord ever..." Thybidos continues. "However... to her... power was everything... No sacrifice was too small for it... even her own family..."
He pauses a moment before continuing.
"Her wrath was both her greatest strength... and her greatest weakness... She likely reigned alone... No real allies... only pawns... Her wrath would have isolated her..." says Thybidos.
"That might be changing," Galatea sighs. "We heard that she's trying to gather allies. The implication was peer allies."
This news brings Thybidos pause.
"Something happened then... She would not try this otherwise... Alaznist learns from her mistakes..." Thybidos says. He might not know about Alaznist' first failed attempt to return, but his keen mind can clearly imagine such a possibility. "You must prevent this... With allies... real allies... she could be... unstoppable..."
Thybidos thinks long and hard.
"She will likely be looking for... the desperate... those with no alternatives..." he warns. "And to get an advantage of your own... gather personal strength and allies... Had I been stronger... and less isolated... I would not be here..."
Thybidos sighs for perhaps the first time in ten thousand years.
"Any more... questions?
Kallie mulls that over. "But someone like Alaznist... can she truly change? I get it that she's smart, but she's got to have a temper. How can you be the Runelord of Wrath and keep an even keel? She might be forging alliances, but how long before she snaps and obliterates someone for coughing when she's talking?"
Kallie mulls that over. "But someone like Alaznist... can she truly change? I get it that she's smart, but she's got to have a temper. How can you be the Runelord of Wrath and keep an even keel? She might be forging alliances, but how long before she snaps and obliterates someone for coughing when she's talking?"
"Possibly... Years of this existence have changed me... And we Runelords of Wrath could restrain ourselves... My wrath was immense in life... but I never directed it at my family..." Thybidos says. "As for Alaznist... her alliances might crumble in time... but when she has a goal... she can focus on it with frightening precision... and restraint... I learned that firsthand..."
Kallie clears her throat and her tail tosses in agitation. Under her breath, she projects to Croquelle, "Xiren's the Runelord who was before Thybidos. Please, you're embarrassing me."
"Well, of course I knew that. I just wanted to see who else did."
As the specter of Thybidos speaks, Croq finds herself feeling uncharacteristically awed.
This man was the Runelord of Wrath, one of the mightiest people of his day, but was destroyed by Alaznist...and now has been mulling on his defeat for centuries.
"Runelord...Alaznist has captured my mother. Do you you know anything at all about where she might keep her captives, where else she might be dwelling, if not here?"
"Or any enemies of hers we might ally with?"
Kallie clears her throat and her tail tosses in agitation. Under her breath, she projects to Croquelle, "Xiren's the Runelord who was before Thybidos. Please, you're embarrassing me.""Well, of course I knew that. I just wanted to see who else did."
[Bluff]1d20+19=23
"Okay, that's a relief," Kallie replies.
She scowls at Thybidos' answer to her question. "Knew it wouldn't be that easy. Okay, time's not on our side, then." She waits to hear the answers to the others' questions.
"Runelord...Alaznist has captured my mother. Do you you know anything at all about where she might keep her captives, where else she might be dwelling, if not here?"
"Likely not here... Hollow Mountain is not secure enough... Perhaps in a private demiplane..." Thybidos guesses.
"Or any enemies of hers we might ally with?"
"She had many enemies... but I do not know if any still live... And even then... at the time of my death ... only Xanderghul and Sorshen rivaled her... though Haphrama's apprentice had potential..." Thybidos says.
His eyes briefly land on Kallie's face, which seems to bring the former Runelord pause.
"Sorshen... If she lives... you could work with her... if all else fails..." Thybidos continues. "Sorshen was more... trustworthy than Xanderghul... and she was wary of Alaznist... even before she became Runelord of Wrath... However... I would not consider this option lightly..."
While he might not know for certain if Sorshen or Xanderghul were never overthrown, Thybidos does not appear to consider that a real possibility.
Kallie casts her eyes back and forth at the mention of Haphrama's apprentice. "I-- I don't think he's an option. No."
Everyone else was asking Hurty Man questions. Most of them silly and pointless. So, he decided it was time to ask him an important question that had always bothered him.
”Why Sky Grass funny blue color when Ground Grass green?”
Kallie grinds her teeth as Groog's stupidity rears its head again. She suppresses an urge to suggest he spend the duration of the conversation sniffing his armpit or something -- anything to shut him up.
She tries to take control of the conversation. "Sorshen's not likely to risk acting in the open -- if she's alive," she adds hastily. "So unless you have anything more enlightening to offer us -- a secret cache of immensely powerful weapons or something?-- then here. Your final rest awaits." She gestures to the remains of Xiren.
Tiny Horse Lady was not letting Hurty Man answer Groog. So Groog stepped over and capped a hand across her mouth. He then looks to Hurty Man, waiting on his answer to his more important question.
Everyone else was asking Hurty Man questions. Most of them silly and pointless. So, he decided it was time to ask him an important question that had always bothered him.
”Why Sky Grass funny blue color when Ground Grass green?”
"Sky Grass eats funny blue light... and Ground Grass eats green light..." Thybidos says with the faintest hint of amusement in his voice.
"So unless you have anything more enlightening to offer us -- a secret cache of immensely powerful weapons or something?-- then here. Your final rest awaits." She gestures to the remains of Xiren.
"Search this room when I move on... There might be something of use in here..." Thybidos suggests.
With Kallie a little... occupied by Groog, Thybidos waits patiently for someone to bring Xiren's remains to him.
"MMMmmphhh! Mmmmm!" Kallie grunts under Groog's hold. Her hooves stomp on the ground as she tries to pull away.
When Hurty Man answers his question, Groog’s face grows delighted as he runs off to find Angry Metal Man. He proceeds to drag him back to the room saying ”See! Sky Grass real! Hurty Man says so!”
"I think we've learned what we can here?"
If no one objects, Aurealia will gather Xiren's remains and carry them to Thybidos. She thrusts them out to to the Runelord. "Here."
"Aight then, thanks Spirit of Thybidos! My sis has Xiren's remains for ya. I hope it brings you peace.
"And if you ever want to come back around, there's a close of spirits who come to listen whenever I jam. Mostly just the Rodricks, so far..but hey, you're welcome too, if you like sick tunes."
Aurealia laughs. That's my girl.
"I think we've learned what we can here?"
If no one objects, Aurealia will gather Xiren's remains and carry them to Thybidos. She thrusts them out to to the Runelord. "Here."
"Thank you..." Thybidos says, his voice almost a whisper.
"Aight then, thanks Spirit of Thybidos! My sis has Xiren's remains for ya. I hope it brings you peace.
"And if you ever want to come back around, there's a close of spirits who come to listen whenever I jam. Mostly just the Rodricks, so far..but hey, you're welcome too, if you like sick tunes."
"I have likely lingered here for centuries... I am ready to move on..." Thybidos says wearily. Still, he does bow his head, a sign that he appreciates Croq's offer. The former Runelord of Wrath then turns his focus to Xiren's remains. "A final request... Please cremate her remains... and then scatter her ashes..."
Thybidos closes his eyes for a moment before opening them and focusing his full attention on his processor's skull, almost like he's trying to look a living Xiren in the eye.
"Xiren..." he whispers. "I... am... so... sorry..."
And with those words said, Old Thybidos crumbles to dust.
Kallie fumes silently, not particularly moved by the final rest of Thybidos due to Groog accosting her. When he's finally dust, she breaks the silence by casting prestidigitation to clean off the grime from the orc's hands and body transferred to her.
"Let's take a look for what Thybidos alluded to," she says, bringing up detect magic and sweeping for auras.
"Good call, Kallie. I'll help." Croq casts Detect Magic herself, and then starts poking and prodding for trap doors or concealed cabinets.
On the left side of Thybidos' throne, Kallie and Croq discover a rather well hidden hinge. After checking for traps, they use said hinge to open a small panel and discover a small treasure trove within the throne itself. Inside this secret compartment, they find a spell rod similar to the one Jaya sometimes uses, three scrolls (each wrapped in a black ribbon that has really stood the test of time), a ring, two wands, and a small pouch made of blue silk that contains five beads.
"Hooves and scales for the win!" Croq offers Kallie a high five.
She then sits down crosslegged, opens Etta Zurgov's "Enchanting Arms Made Easy" to crib from, and tries her hand at figuring out what the new goodies might do.
After high-fiving, Kallie steps in and takes a look at the ones Croq isn't sure about.
Scroll #2: Contagious Flame
Scroll #3: Leashed Shackles
Ring: Ring of Forcefangs (Currently at 2 Charges)
Wand #1: Wand of Force Punch (9 Charges)
Wand #2: Wand of Wall of Fire (4 Charges)
"Nice spells," Kallie comments when they're identified. "It figures that we'd find some evocation spells in the tomb of former Runelords of Wrath. Jaya, they look like they're your kind of thing -- especially that contagious flame. Good luck trying to resist casting it off the scroll rather than trying to figure it out to add to your spellbook."
"I just wish it were a wand like my new best friend here," she quips, patting the wand of wall of fire, "I'm good at wringing a little more juice out of most magic items, but the matrices used in scrolls are just too fragile."
"Shouldn't we head back to shore, and have Szuul lead us to his mistress in Magnimar? We have what we came for now, and that Polymorph Plague thing he was on about sounded nasty."
"That's right," Kallie agrees with Aurealia. "And we need to watch these runestones close. Szuul said he thought Leptonia needed them as a component to getting the plague going. So... making sure she doesn't get them is top priority. Maybe even 'give them to Argor' levels of security."
With your business in Thybidos' prison concluded, you search for an exit and eventually find one. Thanks to Kelhuud's familiarity with the terrain, you manage to get back to your campsite by sunset. Nothing of interest or concern happens during the night.
You return to The Forgiven Queen with five additional people in tow. First is your prisoner Maga Szuul. Thanks to his Groog-induced head injury, he still seems to be pretty out of it, though he is finally showing signs of recovery. Second is your "prisoner" Viralane Barvisai. Recently events have clearly given the actress much to think about, and she seems to have no idea what to do with herself.
The third person is Groog, who seems keen to stay with his new friends! Because of that, the Kelhuud brothers accompany you as the fourth and fifth individuals. In a world where they had never met Groog, perhaps they would have stayed on Rivenrake Island despite your departure. However, they both clearly care for the orc's well-being, which seems to be their main reason for finally leaving the place they've called home for a very long time now.
Once everyone is aboard the ship, Audrahni is the first to greet you all.
"O-Oh, you're back! And you've... made some new friends?" the soft-spoken elf observes. "I know it's been a few days, but it feels like it's been months since I've seen you all! How did everything go?"
"Hey," Aurealia waves.
"Could have been worse. We found out we need to head to Magnimar to find another madwoman bent on destruction. How were things here?"
"Hey," Aurealia waves.
"Could have been worse. We found out we need to head to Magnimar to find another madwoman bent on destruction. How were things here?"
It takes Audrahni a moment to process this news.
"Uh... E-Everything has been fine here. Captain Farwynd is back on her feet now, but nothing else of note has happened," Audrahni says. "Hmm... There was actually something in Magnimar that I wanted your help with when we got back, Aurealia, but this sounds more... pressing..."
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Thinking back to their friendship before all this madness Aurealia suddenly realizes how much she's changed. She? Is that even right anymore? The girly innocent romantic who left the Cove was no more. She...they...felt quite differently about themselves now. Perhaps it's time for a change soon.
Aurealia steps closer to her friend and smiles. "There will probably be time for both - at least eventually. What did you need, dear?"
"And if nothing else, we'll at least temporarily be in the same locale."
"I need some of you to escort me somewhere," Audrahni says. She seems nervous about saying more with your new company around, so the Kelhuud brothers move to escort Maga to the ship's brig. Meanwhile, Viralane excuses herself "to study the fine craftsmanship of this lovely ship" for a while, and crew of The Forgiven Queen is too busy getting everything in motion for the voyage back to Magnimar.
"Over a human generation ago, I was part of a religious group that worshipped the empyreal lord Ashava. We were based in Magnimar," Audrahni begins. "We wanted to build a statue dedicated to Saint Sazzleru, one of the greatest heroines of the faith. I interviewed dozens of sculptors before settling on another Forlorn elf named Ilsynor."
She sighs and needs a few moments to continue.
"Ilsynor turned out to be part of a Norgorber cult. The Brotherhood of the Seven I believe? Naturally, when I learned of this and his many, many crimes, I gathered evidence and tried to get Ilsynor arrested. Among the city officials and justices I approached for help was a Justice Ironbriar," Audrahni says. "That turned to be a major mistake; Ironbriar was secretly the leader of the Brotherhood. He both stymied my efforts to have Ilsynor arrested... and sent assassins to have me and my friends killed. Only I survived."
Before continuing, Audrahni notices something about Galatea.
"Is everything okay, Lady Kailani?" Audrahni asks. "You look like-
"I'm fine!" Galatea insists quickly. "Sorry... It's just... my family has a history with Ironbriar. A very unpleasant one."
"...Oh right. Ironbriar and his cultists were stopped by the Varisian Rangers. That happened long after I fled the city. Speaking of which..." Audrahni recalls. "Just before I left, I... uh... made sure that Ilsynor... paid for what happened to my friends."
Audrahni starts tearing up and looks away in shame.
"To make amends for my actions, I need to visit the site where Ilsynor... died. However, I worry that he might still linger there," Audrahni says. "That's why I need your help. If I go there by myself... I probably won't come back."
"Good to see ya, Audrahni! And I had no idea about that mess you were in back then. Of course we're happy to help...but why do you think his soul might still linger?"
"Oh, also...You, uh, haven't heard anything about mom and the others over the last few days, have you?"
Kallie's mouth twists as she listens to the story. She recalls a little of Mama -- er, Riley's history in Magnimar from Zoli's stories. She gets a little crestfallen when she hears that they might be encountering a ghost. "More undead. Hmph."
"How Ilsynor... died wasn't very... dignified," Audrahni admits. "As for your mother, all I've heard is that Earthmother Ryli and her rangers are looking for them."
Aurealia takes Audrahni's hand. "That's a lot. Of course we'll come with you."
"Any reason we shouldn't exorcise him while you're doing the same with your guilt?" Jaya asks, a bit tactlessly, "The preparation is a bit different if we're trying to get rid of a restless spirit permanently or merely keep it at bay."
As the others jabbered, Groog wandered the big wood floaty thing. He hadn’t ever been on a big wood floaty thing before. He meandered about, here and there, tugging an occasional rope to see what it did.
Eventually his eyes land on a lady yelling at other people on the big wood floaty thing. He made his way over to her, snorting up a big wad of snot and swallowing it just as he got near her. ”You talk lots,” he said as he scratched an itchy on his backside.
Aurealia takes Audrahni's hand. "That's a lot. Of course we'll come with you."
"Thank you, Aurealia," Audrahni says, visibly relaxing.
"Any reason we shouldn't exorcise him while you're doing the same with your guilt?" Jaya asks, a bit tactlessly, "The preparation is a bit different if we're trying to get rid of a restless spirit permanently or merely keep it at bay."
"F-Feel free to... exorcise Ilsynor. I'm just not sure that it'll stick, so my plan is to perform a ritual to bless the site. That's why I need someone to guard me," Audrahni explains.
As the others jabbered, Groog wandered the big wood floaty thing. He hadn’t ever been on a big wood floaty thing before. He meandered about, here and there, tugging an occasional rope to see what it did.
Eventually his eyes land on a lady yelling at other people on the big wood floaty thing. He made his way over to her, snorting up a big wad of snot and swallowing it just as he got near her. ”You talk lots,” he said as he scratched an itchy on his backside.
"It's part of my job," the blonde woman replies with a grin. "I'm Wendy. You must be Groog. Your friend 'Nice Metal Man' told me about you."
Speaking of whom, Kelhuud and his grumpy counterpart return to the deck, and upon seeing Groog, they make their way over to their friend's position.
"I see you've met Wendy," Kelhuud says. "She'll be taking us to that 'city' I've told you about."
Groog looks at the Talky Lady. He then excitedly snatches her up in a deep hug, her face forced into the crook of his armpit as he says ”Lady! Windy! City! Groog call you…Chicka Go!” he says jubilantly as he bounces up and down and runs his grime covered hand through her hair.
Groog looks at the Talky Lady. He then excitedly snatches her up in a deep hug, her face forced into the crook of his armpit as he says ”Lady! Windy! City! Groog call you…Chicka Go!” he says jubilantly as he bounces up and down and runs his grime covered hand through her hair.
"Groog! That's-" Kelhuud says as he rushes to free Wendy. However, to his surprise, she slips out of Groog's hold with surprising ease and quickly puts some distance between herself and the orc.
"You okay?" Kelhuud's grumpy counterpart asks Wendy.
"...I'm alright," she says neutrally, using magic to clean her hair. "Please keep an eye on him during the voyage. Some of my crew might not tolerate Groog's... idea of friendliness."
"We will," Kelhuud assures her. "And my apologies. He has no memory of before the island. Nonetheless, my brother and I will try to teach Groog basic social etiquette."
"'Try' being the key word," 'Grumpy Metal Man' adds. He turns to Groog and says, "Let's get some lunch. How about beef jerky?"
Kallie glowers at Groog's antics, not being amused by them. Her magic calls to her, but she resists the urge to force her will upon the orc.
"We should make for Magnimar with all haste," she says politely to the captain. "Hopefully we can settle the problem quickly. I'd like to continue on to Korvosa."
Kallie glowers at Groog's antics, not being amused by them. Her magic calls to her, but she resists the urge to force her will upon the orc.
"We should make for Magnimar with all haste," she says politely to the captain. "Hopefully we can settle the problem quickly. I'd like to continue on to Korvosa."
"Understood. Weather permitting, we should reach Magnimar in two days," Captain Farwynd estimates. "As for passage to Korvosa, I'm sure we can arrange something. I've been meaning to travel there myself."
You reach Magnimar without incident. You quickly return to Heidmarch Manor, hand over Szuul to the Sihedron Council, and make your reports. To give you some time to rest and recover, Sheila promises to locate Leptonia and her cult for you. Meanwhile, Galatea works out a good deal with the Sihedron Council to purchase any unwanted goods that you found on Rivenrake Island. Finally, a message is sent back to Roderic's Cove that the portal will no longer be a threat.
As for Viralane, Sheila leaves her fate in your hands. Arguably, the actress' worst crime is her association with the mastermind who arranged the assassination attempt against Ariel. However, when asked by her sister, the princess herself wishes to show mercy. Though she clearly isn't entirely happy with the idea, Galatea ultimately supports her sister's position.
"Sensed that Thybidos now rests. Good work. Still in Korvosa. No rush; Alaznist busy with Constantine. Before meeting, I recommend telling your friends about me."
You stay with Nice Metal Man while everyone else talks about boring things, and after dinner, he presents you with a gift.
"Groog, this is for you," Nice Metal Man says, presenting you with a headband like the ones many of your new friends wear. "This should help make the world less... confusing."
If you accept the gift, Nice Metal Man helps you put it on.
Kallie sends back, "Investigating the 'Polymorph Plague' in Magnimar. Abyssal Runestones a liability. Any information on plague or disposing Runestones appreciated. Telling friends about you will be... complicated."
Kallie looks at Viralane, and considering that she'd managed to keep the woman from getting hacked to pieces by an enraged Groog, felt that the actress probably still owed her. "You've still got that curse going, right? You should stick with us; maybe we'll come across something that can get rid of it."
Groog takes the strap excitedly, and tries a couple ways to put it on unsuccessfully. Then Nice Metal Man helps him put it on.
the monstrous Orc roars in agony as he clutches his head and doubles over! Grunts of pain continue as he clutches at his skull and falls to his knees and his face is obscured. Anyone who approaches him, he swipes at them with a muscle bound arm.
In a few moments, the episode seems to subside, leaving the Orc hunched over on the floor, his face and torso obscured by his hair and bulk as he breathes heavily on his hands and knees.
Kallie looks at Viralane, and considering that she'd managed to keep the woman from getting hacked to pieces by an enraged Groog, felt that the actress probably still owed her. "You've still got that curse going, right? You should stick with us; maybe we'll come across something that can get rid of it."
"That's correct. And staying with you... is probably my best option," Viralane admits quietly. "I'm not sure how much use I'll be in a fight, though. If there was one thing I learned for certain back in Hollow Mountain, it's that I'm not a warrior."
"I understand. Better sooner than later, though. Will investigate Polymorph Plague. Runestones? Destroyed if eaten by demons. Otherwise, give them to Constantine or Sihedron Council."
Groog takes the strap excitedly, and tries a couple ways to put it on unsuccessfully. Then Nice Metal Man helps him put it on.
the monstrous Orc roars in agony as he clutches his head and doubles over! Grunts of pain continue as he clutches at his skull and falls to his knees and his face is obscured. Anyone who approaches him, he swipes at them with a muscle bound arm.
In a few moments, the episode seems to subside, leaving the Orc hunched over on the floor, his face and torso obscured by his hair and bulk as he breathes heavily on his hands and knees.
Kelhuud tries to help Groog but gets pushed away for his effort.
"Get Galatea!" the ranger says to his brother. The other Kelhuud nods and quickly complies with the request. A few minutes later, he returns with the Kailani scion.
"I'll see what I can do, but the extent of my medical training is throwing magic at ailments until they go away," Gali says to the Kelhuuds after being brought up speed. However, after a moment, she actually reaches a diagnosis. "Speaking from personal experience, I think Groog is struggling to process multiple memories that were... inaccessible until he put on the headband."
Gali takes a deep breath and tentatively approaches Groog.
"Groog, how do you feel? Is there anything we can do to help?"