Rollo sends arcane energy out to assist the fellows.
As the First Wraps up, Rollo extends extra energy and so with the slightest disorientation, Terex, Armaund and Blue pass the barrier and return to the area of the Magic Theater.
Keeping a low profile for a minute, they move to the group, staying in the background, at this point, Armaund has the phylactery in a bag and periodically shows Terex it's condition - it's a bit darker, less shinny but still in existence.
Then the Rospail's first card ends and Jovan moves to begin his "card". Here, brings on a board six of heros of Žemėia. The play is more didactic, repeating a bit of the story of Žemėia's creation and occasionally making mistakes - yet it tells a bittersweet story. Where the barriers against the beast could have been impregnable, each hero made compromises allowing some weakness - usually for the benefit of the hero, sometimes their family or their nation.
At the same time, as Jovan Directs all this, his face occasionally twitches or the movement getting drastic as the performance progresses. And Armand continues to hold the twitching phylactery - it's gone from golden to a shade of bronze and more completely resembles a leech in it's shape and movements, desperately trying to find a body to suck on.
Towards the end of the second card, the Magic Theater shakes a couple of times and Moradim, who had been chatting with the group, leaps up, gives his regrets and sprint over to Jovan is standing. Then, as Jovan ends his second card, he stops and says quite officiously "Ladies, gentlemen and others, I must make a further announcement. During these last few months, I have been mentally dominated a dark force I unleashed in researching the end of Žemėia Imagine having the entirety of your will bent by creatures of sinister purpose - a remarkable experience indeed. Contemplate this force as a we continue our narrative of the destruction of that world. The card is yours, Rospail. Let the show go on." at which point, the theater is handed back to Rollo, to play the third card and Rospail says "By the gods chaos, Jovan is utterly mad. Who would do that?". Ironically, the third card by Rollo consists of the story of the dark traders coming to Žemėia, of their manipulations which set-up many of the decisions described in the second card, of their probing of the world's weaknesses.. half way through, Rollo senses energy at the same portal that Terex, Armaund and Blue left, powerful energy repeatly trying to get the portal open.
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Arlo nods to a surprised Rollo, then to Blue, then Terex, then Armaund, Minna, and finally GIFT. The dwarf mouthing the words, "Love you", to his android daughter. The paladin walks out to center stage, looking up at the surprised and excited crowd.
”Greetings”, the dwarf began, ”you sick fu<ks.”
”My name is Arlo Brighthammer of the House Brighthammer. Paladin of Moradin. And the Prophesied Hero of Žemėia." The dwarf takes a moment to look into the dark eyes of Jovan. "I hear you degenerates love tragedies. Before I start mine. I think I should explain who or what The Hero of Žemėia is."
"After the Gods of Žemėia sealed the destructive force known as Draxus away, The Gods decided that should Draxus ever escape, they would put their faith in mortals, one in particular, with the power and ability to stop Draxus should it ever resurface. The Gods of Žemėia created The Prophecy. An event that would indicate who this mortal would be. ”When the green star of Verdantia and the purple star of Arcanidol meet in the sky, under those two stars shall The Hero of Žemėia be born, for woe, the return of Draxus is nigh.” Thanks to Rollo's control over the Magic Theater, the two stars shown brightly overhead.
”I was born inside the dwarven stronghold, Dwarfhome. Never was there a more well-constructed delve. Carved entirely out of stone, Dwarfhome stood tall for centuries with only minimum upkeep. My father, Carvanos Brighthammer, came from a clan renown for it's paladins. My mother, Abrigthem Goldsmith, was..well known for smithing gold. It was an advantageous marriage for both families. A year after the marriage began, I was born. In the span of three weeks, three astrologers traveled down into Dwarfhome. This was a strange occurrence because at the time Dwarfhome was very self-sufficient and insular. Two human and a gnome came down to cast divination spells to find me. Once they did and confirmed with my parents where and when I was born, all three proclaimed me the Prophesied Hero of Žemėia, at three weeks old.”
”One second I was the little dwarven baby, the next I was the most famous child in the world. Now, both Brighthammer and Goldsmith did well for themselves. But when the shipments of gold, weapons, scrolls, ancient books, and armor were delivered to the Hero of Žemėia, my family became super-rich. I wanted for nothing. Honestly, who gives a 1 year old their own gryphon cub?! All this attention and all this wealth did nothing to instill any modesty or humility, so easy to believe all the wonderful things others said I would do.”
At this point, Arlo takes out a second flask, drinks it's contents and drops that at his feet. The dwarf starts his story again.
”I and my father agreed that a great place to focus my training was to become a paladin of Moradin. Though I studied the sacred text as strongly as any other acolyte, special attention was given to Arlo Brighthammer, Hero of Žemėia. None of the other acolytes said anything about it to me, but I could see the resentment in their eyes. But, if I was to 'save the world' one day, they reluctantly accepted their lesser status. Now being a young rich, prophesied hero does a lot to increase one's social standing. If my mother ever knew how much young firm dwarven, and human, maidens threw themselves at me, she'd be horrified. Gods I miss her", Arlo breathed, taking the moment. "Anyway, paladin training was often interrupted by social commitments in other kingdoms. I meet the Žemėia's kings, queens, emperor's and heroes; many you have seen on this stage already.” Arlo sends a half-hearted wave over to the assembled heroes. ”I stood for paintings, like the one in The Impossible Museum, statues were chiseled in my image, children were being named after me. It all seemed like it would never end.”
”Then it did.”
Arlo draws a third flask from his armor, drinks it empty and again drops it at his feet, with a small belch.
”Tuesday morning, Ademius, 27th day, Dwarfhome shook. Unlike most dwarven strongholds, Dwarfhome was in a geologically-sound location. On the magic mirror network, Dwarfhome were getting calls for aid, then quickly becoming disconnected and silenced. It took 15 minutes for me to get to the surface. Most landmarks had shifted or were destroyed. At the horizon..” Arlo paused, took a breath, then continued. ”massive mountains of stone rose into the sky. Something was erupting from the earth. As a bit of luck, Dwarfhome was visited by Auxirildan, an ancient legendary gold dragon the night before. I came to gather me and take me to King Mithrilhall, King of Dwarfhome. Before I left to face the mysterious threat,”, Arlo paused again to stare at his empty hand, ”King Mithrilhall bequeathed..to me..The Axe of the Dwarven Lords! Wielded only by the legendary kings of old! With my holy artifact, I mounted Auxirildan and flew to the horizon. As we flew, we could see all the horrible desolation caused by the earthquakes. The Silverscale Mountains..flattened. Omeric Canyon..overflowing with magma and fire imps from Žemėia's core. Tempestust, the massive city of humans..now hidden under a massive stone and crater. A few hours later, both Auxirildan and I saw a massive field of energy erupting from the planet's crust.” Arlo swallowed hard. ”T-Then it looked at us with it's massive face.”
”Draxus, my prophesied enemy, destroyer of gods and Žemėia's destroyer was free. And here I was a young dwarf, barely a man, atop a flying golden lizard, to fight something that took up the entire sky! At that moment, I understood the concept of 'cosmic horror' all to well. It took a few minutes for Auxirildan and I to gather our wits and formulate a plan. With no good option, we both agreed to charge the behemoth, hoping the gods were on our side, and we would see destiny fulfilled. As we got close, a tendril of energy whipped out from Draxus's body and swat us from the sky. We sped hopelessly toward the ground. Then impact." Arlo motioned with his hands as they slapped together. "It must have taken several minutes to awaken from my fall, but found I was mostly unhurt. Sadly, Auxirildan died on impact from the energy tendril or softening our all, I couldn't say. Lumbering from the gold dragon corpse, I staggered out into the clear.” Arlo takes another flask of alcohol from his belt, downs it, and again, drops the empty container at his feet. ”Draxus had not been idle in my unconsciousness. The monster was ripping whole continental shelves from their mooring. The atmosphere of the planet was quickly emptying into space. Magical energies long ago sown into the very fabric of Žemėia were running free and unbound. Then the most horrible sound I've ever heard reached my ears. A long, mournful moan of pain and loss shook the earth. It was Žemėia's death rattle. Every fiber of my being told me the end was soon. With the broken handle of The Axe of the Dwarven Lords in my trembling hand, I could do nothing else but beg Žemėia for forgiveness.”
”Then, purple energy gathered around me, and teleported me to what I later found out was Glorium in The Outlands. Somehow, someway, Moradin saved me. But why. I had lost everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. A haggered, mental exhausted and horrified dwarf, covered in dragon gore, holding a broken artifact handle, was standing in the middle of a Outland settlement. I screamed. And screamed. And screamed. And screamed. Eventually the citizens of Glorium found me, subdued me, and threw me in a jail cell. It took months for me to get back to any functionality. Once I was no longer a threat to others around me, I left Glorium for Sigil, because I had no where else to go.”
Arlo stood there for a moment. ”Black Lotus. Shireweed. Axiomatic Powder. Alchemical drug cocktails. Rivers of ale, mead, and hard liquor. I did ALL THE DRUGS! DRANK ALL THE ALCOHOL!” Arlo screamed up at the bleachers. ”ANYTHING I COULD TAKE..to drive the memories from my mind. But they never left. In waking or in sleep, the nightmares never stopped. But they did shift. Once in a while the destruction of Žemėia would be replaced by hellish landscapes of fire or ice, or ooze, or blacken steel. Soothing words of hope spoken in Infernal or Abyssal. The hope of Žemėia's resurrection dangled before me. It took me a while to realize those dreams were not so much dreams, but invitations from Pit Lords, Abyssal Princes, Rakshasa samrata, and Qlippoth Alphas; all inviting me to thrown down my worthless mantle of paladin and walk the antipaladin path as their new champion of evil.” Arlo spat at one of the empty flasks at his feet. ”Which made me want to do more drugs. Several years past until I came into the service of Lord Rollo, needing money for harder drugs. He worked diligently to get me clean. Well, not 'clean, clean' but 'clean enough to functional'.”
'And here I stand before you. Arlo Brighthammer. Joke of the Universe. Fallen hero. Barely a dwarf. Haunted by things NONE OF YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND! Sick fu<ks. I hope you all die choking on your bloated tongues!" Arlo paused. "You all should die. But I'm not gonna let that happen.” Arlo stopped looking up into the arena seats and instead stared directly at the rapidly-possessed Jovan.
"Because heroes, real Heroes, don't get to pick and choose who they save. Real heroes stand against unrelenting evil and make those shadows run back to whatever place spawned them. Yeah! You're back Draxus! But so am I! But this time, I'm not alone! Your host foolishly resurrected several other of Žemėia's defenders. Giving them this one chance to redeem themselves for The Gods, The Memory of Žemėia, and me! Despite what happened to me, I surived! I etched a life for myself, here among the planes! I have things to live for! A loving wife to go home to! Children to love and raise! Friends to cherish!"
"PREPARE FOR A DESTINY DIVERTED, DELAYED BUT NEVER DESTROYED! TODAY I'M SERVING UP ICE-COLD REVENGE! TODAY! ŽEMEIA WILL BE AVENGED! DRAXUS!! PREPARE FOR YOUR RECKONING! BECAUSE I AND ALL THE HEROES OR ŽEMEIA, OLD AND NEW, ARE GONNA KICK YOUR MOTHERFU<KING A$$!!!"
Rollo grins as he watches Terex, Blue and Armaund re-entering the Magic Theater. The dhampir raises another glass of red in appreciation of their efforts.
The Sage then senses the eruption of darkness building, so he enters an arcane trance to filter through the mess to see the fiend behind the darkness...
The Sage bows his head in respect to the Fallen of Žemėia; the pain and loss of his dwarven friend, and the foolishness of those who believe power is a tool for control.
Rollo stands at the height of Arlo's Card. His blue vampiric eyes gleaming proudly. The dhampir begins to collect the arcane energies that are being released by the appearance of Draxus. He smiles and winks at Arlo. At the end of Arlo's dictation; Rollo releases those energies to strengthen the wards that should keep Draxus contained in the Magic Theatre.
Looks like we have a late entry!
Wait... what's trying to break through there might be whatever was going to make sure the phylactery escaped the destruction of the plane! Terex suddenly realizes. Rollo, these are the spots I found we were weakest. We should reinforce here, and here, and here to keep it from breaking out. And Armaund, keep a close eye on that phylactery! Let us know if it's whispering in your mind or trying to latch onto you or something!
As her father ended she winked out of being and came back in again by his side. Swinging her blaster round she powered it up and took aim at the portal.
"Show time, Dad!"
Shoulder to shoulder with GIFT, Arlo couldn't help but let a smile slip. "I'm proud you are my daughter."
Lucien wracks his brain, quickly thinking through the interaction magic and technology, doing his best to help the others understand how best to hold the portal closed, or to cut off or alter its energy source.
As Arlo gives his speech, the inside of the Magic Theater take on the qualities of a typical grassy field in Žemėia - those who've studied the plane can see plants that only lived there...
As Arlo calls on the heroes of Žemėia, they're shaken out of their stupor and shout question, oaths, and apologies and file into the field, uncertain yet ready to act...
Then, the ground undulates and a small hole appears, seemingly sucked in. But finally out of the hole rushes a black energy that forms into a bipedal, vaguely reptilians form, perhaps a hundred feet tall, smokey and the smoke vibrates, first seeming to grow but them somehow ... shinking, ultimately forming a kind of large, mishapen dragon-beast thing, a pale shadow of what Arlo remembers (thanks to the parties earlier efforts). Still, it's angry and ready to pounce.
Outside, with Terex and Rollo interfering with the portal, Minna finds several strips of adamantite cable and with the help of Blue, she manages to force the physical door of portal closed, preventing the thing from entering...
Armaund has his howitzer ready but comments: "If the thing comes through, perhaps the best place for the dying Phylactery is inside the Magic Theater - I could play the role of Arlo's dragon mount. Rollo is still playing this card, remember. Anyway, let's be ready, they may send a sneak thief along with something more dramatic."
Arlo draws the Arlosword, it's holy aura now matched in the dwarf paladin's eyes. At Arlo's will, his ring of foe focus designates Draxus as his foe. The dwarf slices at Draxus with The Arlosword.
Shoulder to shoulder with GIFT, Arlo couldn't help but let a smile slip. "I'm proud you are my daughter."
** spoiler omitted **
She know, and was so proud. Her love for her mother and father was bottomless, she existed because of them, and even if that existence was to end here. She would still be nowhere else, protecting the family meant all.
"I know Dad, I know, lets do this"
As her father moves in, she Hefting her blaster she pulled out the targeting device she had got in the junk shop and pointed it at the doom bringer. High above them, the main turrets on Spider-Craft spun around and pointed downwards and powering up, then fire Psionic rounds that pass throw walls of the building even Jumping dimensions to hit Draxus's. All the time her AI Hexqin attacked the designated target and kept up the pummeling. As the 1st two shock wave force attacks hit it, she cried out.
"KICK-UM-ZEE-A$$!"
The area of its Draxus Backside was now being pulverized.
She had not been joking about kicking its butt.
Rollo watches in fascination, as the formation of Draxus begins to appear.
The Sage cast Haste on his companions and himself.
He turns his cold blue eyes toward the audience.
If anyone has a Wall of Force spell handy; you may want to close off the stage.
Inside the Magic Theater: The rematch is not favoring Draxus - After some moments hesitation, the assembled heroes of Žemėia surround Draxus, Dravein the elder taunting the creature and while Mraz the silent attacks it's weak points. And so the creature is limping and bleeding by the time it's even fully materialized and once materialized, it turns fury on Arlo, though the resonant effect has clearly weakened and disoriented it (12 pt one claw, 11 one horn, 14 points horn and 14 kick, not counting DR). The one worry is it seems to knit itself together at a quick rate and it's sort of pulsing smaller and larger
Outside: Ghost-judge presiding over the theater nods, "Very well" and the theater is surrounded entirely by walls of force.
The small crowd, seeing the sudden turn-around of the event is cheering and shouting.
The adamantite wire on the portal/entrance is tensing, bending in places but holding. Rollo can detect that whatever is in the tunnel suddenly got a lot bigger ... or summoned something a lot bigger.
Looking at the wall of force, Armaund says, OK, change plan, Terex or Minna take this and I'll go up against whatever is coming through....
Those looking at the disintegrating phylactery can guestimate it will be entirely black in about ten minutes. Whether it could be saved before then, you are uncertain, obviously you hope not.
"This thing heals itself as fast as we can hurt it. OK lets try this"
She brings up her blaster and takes aim at Draxus body.
Then turrets.
Force bast after force blast seeks it.
Arlo fights on. Unwilling to yield anything to his most hated enemy. Emboldened by the heroes of Žemėia willingness to fight and GIFT's ungodly firepower, along with Rollo's buffing spells; the dwarf paladin will make damn sure Draxus hurts no one else again.
Arlo, Gift and assembled heroes reduce Draxus to a black, oily cloud (that's now incorporeal but which Arlo can still attack (next round).
Terex grabs the writhing phylactery with disgust so clear it practically radiates from him. He holds it in one claw as high above the ground as he can manage, keeping his grip behind its 'mouth'. As he does he gives it a good look, searching for any weak points that maybe he could slather more salve on to speed up the process.
All right, Armaund, good luck. Minna, keep an eye out, I'm probably going to be focused on keeping a hold of this thing, he 'says'. He pays close attention to his blindsense in case something invisible is trying to sneak up on him.
At the same time he sends a thought to <Shimmer> Can you sense any planar weirdness going on here? Well, besides Draxus. I'm wondering if whatever's trying to break through might be drawing on the same planar resonance that was supposed to feed Draxus.
Rollo casts Invisibility on himself. He then speaks to Terex and Shimmer.
I am going to collect the arcane energy around here and send it through Shimmer; if, he would be so good to open a Gate to a dying star.
The Sage then begins to weave the most intricate web that he ever has....
As the assembled heroes, lead by Arlo and aided by Gift, pummel Draxus into inky smoke, the crowd goes wild. The excitement mounts as smoke hovers menacingly... Jovan makes a half-hearted objection, "However entertaining this card, I must object that it lacks elements of historical accuracy, notably Žemėia never had a gun-totting android. "
The Ghost-judge looks up, "Your point is noted. However, this gives a reasonable illustration that the original plane's destruction involved the intervention of interlopers, a useful tidbit of knowledge indeed. Moreover, this monstrosity we have before us, which I believe you summoned, is only easily overcome due to a resonant damping field. And even in gaseous form presents a significant threat, notably, at full power it could escape this enclosure, which not help us here in Syranix. I have been attempting to discover the source of the damping field, which seems to be coming from the base root of Syranix itself..."
Outside the Magic Theater stage, unnoticed by the crowds, Terex and Rollo mobilize powerful energies. Presented with a river of magical power, the strange gem <Shimmer> indeed opens a gaping, destructive portal and Terex speeds the destruction of process of Phylactery before placing it into the star-portal... At which point the other portal bursts open and a huge, black worm, maybe 50' tall appears, at the same time that several small shadows flit in. And that point, the figure of Draxus also flairs up to double size, accelerating the process of regeneration. (Rollo can feel some force countering the damping field). And the worm screams "Where is the candlestick, give to me or suffer damnation..."
Then, only seconds after the brown, leech-like phylactery vanishes, all of these newcomers reduce to smoke themselves while Draxus shrinks again and flitted into nothing by the Arlo-Sword.
As this happens, the Ghost-Judge states, "I declare Madame Rospail and her retinue to be the winners of our celebration of planar dynamics but I grant Jovan provided us with considerable edification as well. " - and drops the force field protecting the stage. At that point, the crowd's energy intensifies further, groups are swarming about in the chaos... Rospail's servants work hard keeping the area clear. Rospail addresses the party once Gift and Arlo rejoin you, "You have been marvelously helpful ... and have not yet discussed a reward. I can offer gold and jewels and also a high position in house Gondalfos. Ask as you will..." And then suddenly Rhea appears and with a young woman closely resembling herself. Whispering to the group "Ask gold and safe passage out of here. You wouldn't want to stay, I promise" The crowd surges around the Gondalfos box...
Terex sends a quick thought to Rhea. Did you ever see your sister? Is there any way we could ask for help getting her out?
Gift deactivates the turrets high above and the blast waves stop.
She slings her weapon and sprints over to her father. Stopping in front of him, she waits to see his reaction to destroying the damnation of his world. The wealth and power offered to her mean nothing, only her father is on her mind at that moment.
Then, only seconds after the brown, leech-like phylactery vanishes, all of these newcomers reduce to smoke themselves while Draxus shrinks again and flitted into nothing by the Arlo-Sword.
With his eyes still on the gaseous form of Draxus, Arlo whips the Arlosword around the air. With every touch of the blade, Draxus's gaseous form disintegrates even more.
Draxus was gone. And a wave or euphoria washed over the injured dwarf. Crying tears of joy, Arlo reached out and hugged GIFT and anyone else nearby. "WE DID IT!" The Hero of Žemėia sobbed. "WE DID IT!"
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Wiping his tears, Arlo then excuses himself from his android daughter and walks over to the resurrected heroes of Žemėia and greets them.
"Thanks for the help." Arlo Brighthammer starts. "Sadly, there is no way to bring Žemėia back, but we got our revenge on Draxus and made sure we can't destroy any more worlds. You are all free to live your new lives as you see fit. We've all been through our own hells."
"But if any of you want some guidance on what to do next, I'd suggest you go talk to Rollo the dhampir over there." Arlo leans in closer to whisper to the assembled heroes. "A cabal of undead wizards called The Dark Traders were partially responsible for weakening the bonds holding Draxus back, causing the calamity. Rollo and I work for an Organization pledged to stop these Dark Traders."
Arlo leans back up and returns to a normal talking volume. "Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck." The dwarf then notices the halfling Boreneas hiding behind the legs of the heroes' taller members and quickly snatches the former prime minister by his arm and pulls him forward.
"Gods! Arlo! Please don't kill me!" Boreneas wailed and squirmed trying to escape the dwarf's clutches.
Arlo pulled a small item from under his belt of giant strength and forces the item into the halfing's hand, letting him go.
Boreneas carefully opened his hand to find the small marble orb that Arlo held, holding a part of the halfling's slivered soul.
"Maybe you can get that reattached." Arlo offered.
Immediately after asking his question, Terex notices the person next to Rhea. Oh, you did! I'm so happy for you!
The little dragon takes a moment to take stock of himself, and realizes he's shaking. Apparently all the excitement (and probably helping Rollo channel power to <Shimmer>) had taken more out of him than he'd realized. That was probably why he'd missed something that was right in front of him.
Thinking of the odd gem/planar thing, Terex sends <Shimmer> a thanks. That was amazing, <Shimmer>! I don't know how we would have done it without you. How are you feeling now?
After taking a moment to collect himself, the little dragon telepathically connects to the entire party. I think Rhea's right, we shouldn't stick around any longer. Asking for some gold and a way out sounds good about now.
Arlo grumbles after Terex's telepathic communication and motioned the remaining Žemėian warriors to follow.
The gruff dwarf walks over to Rollo and Rospail. "Uh, there was a discussion about several thousand in platinum before. I can't remember who said it. There's too many different Gondalfos running around with massive wealth."
She hugs her dad back and lets go once he wants to talk to the others.
"Once we get paid, We can all, Žemėian warriors and us port up to our spider carft""
A Blue ring-on light comes into being on the floor. She steps into it and is gone.
By the time Lucien returns from the theater's undercroft, it's all over. He scratches his head. "Well, I hate that I missed it. I guess I did my part down there."
Rollo immediately after all the tremulous activity has died down to murmurs of praise and approval; the dhampir reaches out to Shimmer.
Our perpetual gratitude, my friend. After we settle up and give our reports; you deserve a vacation. Think on it; let me know, my friend.
Rollo then accepts said gratitude's and platitudes as their due. The Sage nods knowingly to Arlo. The dhampir smiles at Terex. He blows a gentle kiss to Gift. He smiles at Blue. The Sage winks at Rhea and her sister.
We are leaving this pop stand! Armaund; if you could negotiate our fee. We shall meet you later.
With that the cast Dimensional Door them off to safety and relaxation.
Gift greets the others as they Dimensional Door onto the main deck of the Spider-Craft. Below through the windows can be seen the city as dusk falls.
Around them, party food had been placed out, light music is playing from the walls. Above Party streamers and Ballons have been placed. And a hand made signs reads.
WELL DONE DAD
Most of all there are a lot of drinks of all kinds behind a small bar.
As her Dad ports onboard, she hands him a huge mug of Dwarven Ale.
Throghting and cold. She then hands out drinks to everyone there, ending with Rollo. She hands him a fine red wine from a long-ago plain. Holding up her own glass that contains a golden oil of some kind.
She says.
"Well done everyone, most of all, my father, I'm proud of you dad."
So, by various means, the party members make it out of the Inner Level and back to the Sport Arena. When Armaund arrives, he has three humans with him. These are a woman Dena, two men and Leroy and Bathes. Dena is the agent of the Organization who vanished in earlier efforts to secure the Phylactery and the men were allies she picked-up along the way. They were be kept in stasis as entertainment for Gondalfos. And, it turns out, four of the eight heroes actually chose to stay and work for Jovan (go figure). Jovan promised Armaund he'll avoid undead entanglement in the future but Armaund isn't holding his breath. He also brings 4,000 platinum pieces and 20K gp worth of unusual gems and jewelry.
And finally, with everyone assembled, the group returns to the harbor early the next morning and sets up the folding boat (nearly twenty people). And then you are sailing away from Syranix, seeing it again as a multicolored prism rising to a sky of swirling clouds and then finally reaching the blue open sea of Syranix' wider plane, where you are met by a larger winged boat commanded by Aranuna of The Organization. The winged ship heads to a small port in Aranuna's homeland. It's a postcard beautiful tourist town surrounded by jagged, snow capped mountains and filled with trees resembling blue-leafed maples. It's houses are all old and of beautifully worked stone and it has many quiet paths and parks. Here, everyone can relax for several days. The locals are friendly but reserved asimars. They have a wonderful form of traditional sauna and they are familiar with massage techniques for all of the common races. As usual, while relaxing, everyone is expected to write their report. Aranuna meantions to you "You have done wonderfully and we believe, seriously weakened the entire Dark Trader organization. We have several projects coming up and will be deciding which is most pressing soon. Your reports will be important" Aranuna introduces you to his two charming daughters who are curious of your adventures (one of the daughters was once kidnapped and mind-controlled by some dark trader allies).
Gift greets the others as they Dimensional Door onto the main deck of the Spider-Craft. Below through the windows can be seen the city as dusk falls.
Around them, party food had been placed out, light music is playing from the walls. Above Party streamers and Balloons have been placed. And a hand made signs reads.
WELL DONE DAD
Most of all there are a lot of drinks of all kinds behind a small bar.
As her Dad ports onboard, she hands him a huge mug of Dwarven Ale.
Throthing and cold. She then hands out drinks to everyone there, ending with Rollo. She hands him a fine red wine from a long-ago plain. Holding up her own glass that contains a golden oil of some kind.She says.
"Well done everyone, most of all, my father, I'm proud of you dad."
Arlo grins broadly at the lovely gesture his daughter handed him, and toasts with everyone aboard.
Later at the Sport Complex, Arlo secures his share of 800 platinum and 4K in gems and jewelry. That should last us a while.. I hope. The dwarf thinks to himself, hoping raising the twins won't be too draining money-wise.
Arlo and GIFT enjoy themselves for a few days in Aranuna's homeland port. The Hero of Žemėia takes those couple days to decompress and write both his report for the Organization and a letter to Lyra. Both correspondences are very similar. Arlo goes into detail of how the games went, his actions when he met and cornered Boreneas, and the actions the group took to gain more access to the Gondalfos family. The dwarf godling also wrote in detail his own personal journey of transformation, acceptance of pain, and growth he experienced on his mission. In the report, Arlo stated definitively that he was not going to miss the birth of his two children and would not be accepting any missions until then, and a few weeks after the birth to help Lyra adjust.
Once the party was over, Gift flow everyone back to the sports center, then when they had all left, she took spider-craft back to the airship docks and docked up. Taking one last look around the rust bucket, she downloaded Hexqin out of the main frame. The ship went dead, then she pulled the control unit and walked out of the air lock. To be met by the agents of Talick the junkman She tossed the keys to the front debt enforcer.
"Tell Talick I can't pay for the parts so he can keep the ship, it's working not, you just need a new control unit. Should cover my bills."
"I hear you rich, you win big game, is good ship, you pay and keep yes?"
"Narr.. Where I'm going it want-fit through the door. O! and sorry about the mess, we had a party"
She winks then ported away back to the others.
=======
Then she was happy to spend days with her father. He seemed somewhat better now, not so glum. For her 1st ever report she made a filmbook, encoding into it her recordings of events. With comments from her.
When done she did some shopping with the money they had got, most of it for her mother and her two brothers to be born.
Then when the time came the planes shifted to Sigil.
To be meet buy her mother, now heverly pregnant.
She jumped with joy and ran over, dropping her shopping bags and carefully hugged Lyra.
"O mum it was amazing! and dad..."
She stopped and pulled back, so her mum could see what her father had become.
Lyra hugged her daughter back and seem very relieved she was alright.
Then she spotted Arlo, it took a moment, but she kept her cool. Then she walked over and looked down at him. Her clothing was simple and fitted about the bump. A large smile on her face she asked.
"Well now, do you want to explain the new hair style?"
"Hello, Lyra."
The platinum-blond dwarf looked up at his pregnant wife. Despite the large chest on his shoulder, holding jewelry, gems, and platinum coins; Arlo Brighthammer felt as light as a feather in his wife's presence.
"It looks like we've both experienced transformations. Motherhood become you, my dear. I'd ask for a kiss, but you must be dealing with your new center-of-gravity."
She placed her hands on his shoulders and knew he could take her weight.
leaning in she kissed him on his forehead. She whispers,
"Later, not in front of the little ones"
But she is so happy to see him she positively glows.
"Well, clearly we beat the letter I sent to you explaining some things, but I don't think we should talk so openly. We'll both exchange our information when we get home." Arlo smiled up at his wife.
"How are you feeling?" the dwarf asked as the Brighthammer family walked home.
"No one ever told me much strain this puts on your legs and the hunger and eating for three, mind you, I like Spicy food now and hate the smell of Cheese."
She placed her hands on her hips as she walked.
"I had the doctor have a look and he said both of our sons are doing fine. Which is good. I did my own tests of course but good to have a second option"
She smiled down at him.
"I'm glad your back, someone has to decorate the nursery"
And they walled on taking about this and that.
"No one ever told me much strain this puts on your legs and the hunger and eating for three, mind you, I like Spicy food now and hate the smell of Cheese."
"Noted, dear." Arlo answered as they walked.
"I had the doctor have a look and he said both of our sons are doing fine. Which is good. I did my own tests of course but good to have a second option."
She smiled down at him.
"Of course, you did, dear. I'd have it no other way." Arlo nodded up at his wife. "Two boys. Hmm." Arlo looked to GIFT. "Why not. Already have a pretty amazing daughter."
"I'm glad your back, someone has to decorate the nursery."
"Indeed. I'm very interested to see where it will go. And will happily decorate, fix, or clean whatever you wish, Lyra." The dwarf nodded again at his android daughter. "Perhaps my pretty amazing daughter can help with decorating the nursery, assuming it does not interfere with her studies?"
-------The Brighthammer family talked as they walked back home. Once Lyra was suitable off her feet and comfortable, Arlo talked for a nearly a half hour, talking all about the mission in Syranix, meeting GIFT for the first time, his portrait in The Impossible Museum, his personal transformation, and new abilities. The dwarf also discussed the vision from Moradin and his presentation of The Arlosword. "Please feel free to analyze the sword in your free time, love." The paladin also described the appearance and battle with Draxus, ending his his destruction.
"Although my appearance has been restored to that before Žemėia's destruction, I feel like a new man. My greatest enemy and chief architect of my nightmares is vanquished forever. Never before have I looked forward to the future than I do right now. With you, GIFT, and the boys."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Arlo opened the chest of treasure and coins in front of Lyra's raised feet. "With this, we should be able to get the house ready for the boys before they are born."
"Thanks dad"
When she is called amazing. then
"Thanks dad!"
When told she will be doing some Decorating.
Lyra lesson to every word, then asks a lot of questions about this and that, Gift joins in and tells her about the things they did, and the others they meet. But it's all a bit much and soon Lyra is falling asleep.
"Mum, I think I best go unpack and leave you and Dad."
With that, she moved to the door but just before she leaves she calls back.
"Love you both"
and then is gone.
Lyra looked at her leaving.
"Love you to gift"
Then back to Arlo.
"In the short time she has been with you, she has grown up so much, I am so glad you and her get along. I think she is our greatest achievement to date, well along with our sons. But she has become a young woman in her own right"
She seemed happy. Then in one move, she pulled Arlo to her, knocking the fine gems and trinkets all over the floor.
"And you, godling! You owe me mouths of hugs and kisses. So get yourself out of that armor and get in here, so I can plat that wonderful gold hair of yours"
Sometime later she held onto Arlo's arms. she let out a contented sie and was soon asleep.
Gift waited outside the door a moment, from it came soft voice and laughter. She smiled, this was the 1st time she had been with her mother and father at the same time. And they seem as in love as she hoped they would be. Contented she went to her room and started to up pack.
Once you arrive in Sigil, Ari Shadowfire re-connects with the party and also congratulates you on your achievement (note the elf is charming, gorgeous and has switched to high fashion during this time in Sigil). At one point, she takes you to the cellar of a vast museum that is the current location of The Organization's multiplanar viewing room and Bethia floats about excitedly, showing you an animated picture of the shadow of the Dark Traders retreating from plane to plane. She guesses that in the local area, 20-30% of their influence has been vanquished. Ari makes a point of chatting with each of the party members individually, to ask them how they're doing, any way the organization could help them, what tools to include in the assignment, etc and asks if you have any questions about the organization. She mentions that you've shown yourselves to be one of the Organization's most effective teams and she's think how best to use you next.
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Her father seemed to be dad-ing and her mother bossing, a room was picked and paints got. Gift felt a bit cringey as her parents constantly fused over each other in the love-dove way couples do. She told them more than once to go get a room or a cold shower. But it was good to spend time with them both picking a room in the house and painting it up. Gift also spent a lot of time in her mother's lap. Hexqin needed a new body and she had tried, a spider mech hover-bike, a walking-mech, and even an airship. But she could tell Hex did not like any of them. Just too big, he had got upset when unable to follow her into human-sized spaces. So she was working on a more human-sized form. A hover-drone, small with usefulness built-in, this came by way of dimensional pockets. Something she had learned about on the mission.
No need for big crafts or you can just pop things into N-spaces.
The best part was her mother helping her with this. Magic-tech was hard and the layers of skills needed were even beyond her. But her mother seemed to have a knack for it. And dad, he was so happy.
Her reported Film-book handed in she spent days just sitting with her mother and father hearing about the things they had done on missions.
[ooc]Note: next time you see Gift she has This ball like Drone Hovering next to her at all times. It seems to have the kind of things handy haversacks have as compartments within it.
Before taking off to relax, Terex makes sure that Rhea and her sister got to safety. Only once he's satisfied that this last detail is taken care of does he feel like he can relax. And after a difficult, stressful mission like this last one had been, there's only one possible way to unwind...
Books!
Somewhere in his third bookstore (and after paying several hundred gold pieces to stuff his handy haversack at each), he remembers something.
<Shimmer>... can you read? There seems to be an edge of dawning horror to the question, as if Terex can't quite fathom the sheer awfulness of a 'no' answer to this question. Another thought follows on its heels. Does reading... even make sense to you?
Rollo arrives at Sigil earning for a hot bath, a massage, and any drink with an umbrella in it!
Lucien looks over the new Hex. "I like what you've done with it, Gift. Not as useful for getting us places, I guess, but we can handle that, and this is a lot better for having it with you all the time." he says, nodding appreciatively. "What all does it do? Knowing you, it's got plenty of hidden depths."
Rollo: In Sigil, Rollo finds his favorite old haunt has shut down but the proprietor, Gelfan Matis, also a Dhampir, has opened a spacious roof garden in one of the super-high-rises of the luxury Green District. Here, you have a combination spa/bodega set in an eternally moon-lit garden, filled with purple and green succulents, pin-points of star light, and a flowing subtlety negatively charged liquid (not water) forms pools and waterfalls making the entire areas extraordinarily relaxing to all half-undead clients. Soft, subtle music wafts through the area.
Terex: <Shimmer> doesn't experience time in the fashion of ordinary living things so reading isn't something it would do. It can understand a living creature reading without effort however. It can understand the content of a book without having to read it - under certain circumstances.
Also, you are able to find several books on area of the multiverse beyond the conventional three dimensions. These offer at best vague hints around the nature of <Shimmer> but are still useful. Especially, the multiverse beyond three dimensions is larger than the usual multiverse so it's mysteries are extreme.
Together: After a week of relaxation, one or another of your contacts in the organization find each of you and gather you together. Aranuna and Bethia have arranged a large diagram of planar influences, resembling a slowly swirling nebula. Bethia summarizes "So many of our enemies' points of influence have been lost that it is hard to know where to start. That could be a problem because by the time we act, the influence may be reestablished. Still, I believe this plane, Wanthalia, is one key place that we can aid. It is a mythical planar hub with an strong entrance to The Wall in it. The Dark Traders used this entrance to The Wall to infiltrate and destroy many other worlds so securing the world is important. The world itself was ruled by creatures of the night with living beings confined to cities and villages. These fierce and ruthless rulers just collapsed and burst into flame one fine day several months ago so the Wanthalians' process of rebuilding nations and deciding their fate has begun. Also, with the presence of The Wall, the world is quite porous - outsider can easily come through the door of The Wall and there are several extraplanar explorers already in the area. Some to explore The Wall, others to build their own homeland and other have more nefarious ideas we think. You mission, once we finish researching the area, will be to revive the area and create a situation where opportunists won't exploit the wall or the world. Also, during the time of Dark Trader occupation, many races new to the area settled or bred. There is a threat of a crusade arising against all considered "impure" and against the tieflings in particular. If this sort of theocratic regime gained control the plane, it could be as destructive as the Dark Traders (and would likely be a way the Trader could regain control). We shall continue research but you may wish to start getting acquainted with the situation. We understand it may be a few weeks before you can leave. (the technology is medieval, magic is known, mythical beasts exists, environment is tropical but with some high mountains, some grasslands, some jungle, vaguely similar to Peru).