As the fighting stopped, Tamien stared at the glowing red room of death, full of bodies, of blood, and viscera. The skinned body over the light, the occultist symbols on the walls and floor, and the monsters who held their hands in fear.
And the monsters. The Anglerfishmen who curled on the floor and now... surrendered? It was too much.
How. Dare. They.
There was no mercy for them. There couldn't be. Not in Tamien's cold eyes. He stalked over to them and began finishing them off. Crushing them his with heels, with his punches and elbows. They would know some measure of the pain they caused.
Vultan levels his crossbow at the crab monster and nearly pulls the trigger when his target, the head, falls from its shoulders. He whips the crossbow around to line up on a fish man, but the fish man is very obviously surrendering.
He lowers his crossbow and takes a breath, but doesn't take his eyes off the fish man. He watches as realization hits and the fishman curls up in unrepentant fear. Vultan's gaze fades to a thousand-yard stare as exhaustion attempts to take over by force and Vultan doesn't find it within him to resist.
He's brought back to the moment as Tam brings an end to the fishman right before the Prince's eyes. Vultan blinks and shudders, shaking his head to clear some of the fog. He looks around the room and sees much, but his eyes land on Keri.
Yeah, that seems like a good plan.
He walks over to where she's folded on herself and sits where he's in bodily contact with her. He isn't ready to set down his crossbow just yet, but with his free hand, he comforts Keri. He keeps his eyes up and vigilant for any incoming dangers so he can rouse her if need be.
Not letting my guard down but thank the goddess for a break.
He looks around at the scene, all the people bits and fishman bits and the crab head over there...
I guess we could leave it this way. Or we could clean it up a bit. If these things were the only threat on the island, we could settle--No, no... Maybe retire here, but I'm not leaving Keri alone for eternity.
I still have work to do.
He leans down and plants a gentle kiss on her cheek and comforts her for a moment more before rising, fresh steel in his eyes. He begins to take down the lighthouse bulb covering, focusing on clinical detachment and data points to keep from being overwhelmed.
The feel of detached skin... The consistency. How it yields differently when there isn't a body to keep it warm and vitalized. Interesting...
When the lamp is cleared enough to eliminate the angry, haunting hue, he walks around to each of the sailors, now passed. He crosses himself and says a prayer for their souls. He prays to his God for their eternal souls, and then also to Titania, that they would find joy and peace in their next life.
Odd... I never crossed myself before. Must be that somatry is a habit now... Probably the result of magical capability...
He gives a passing thought to burying them appropriately but decides that his seventh wind wasn't going to provide him enough steam to dig one hole, let alone enough for everyone.
After the crab monster fell Con swiveled to the next target. It was gone, so he swiveled to the next, and the next, and then he realized there were no more targets. His breaths were heavy from exertion, but his blood still boiled with adrenalin.
Following Tam's lead, he speared the remaining monsters in the neck. A swift death was only fair for these animals.
I really wish I had waited to change into these warm clothes. Sorry Kyler, I can't have anything nice.
He said this with a weak voice, trying to keep the tears from starting. It didn't help, and he began to silently sob, taking deep breaths as his nerves came alive and the numbness of battle faded.
======================================
After he calmed himself down he looked at the mess in the room. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would take to clean the blood and viscera from the floors and walls, but he knew that wasn't going to be his job. He would help, however.
Con grabs one of the corpses and looks it over for anything that could tell them more about what was going on. After the search, he drags it to the catwalk outside, lifts it over the railing, and drops it.
Once the last of the Fishmen had been slain by Con and himself, and the human skin from the light had been removed from the lighthouse light by Vultan, the red faded and it was like a spell had been broken. Tamien's vision cleared and his anger subsided.
Adrenaline left him and he glanced around the room, breathing hard. The nightmare quality having faded, it was now just real. The nausea and pain which had been held back all this time finally got the better of him and he had to throw up over the railing. He felt nothing short of miserable.
After several minutes Con tossed a body over the railing and although he didn't want to do anything else, he dragged himself over and began helping Con to remove all the bodies of the fish men.
"Kil, thank you for help. Probably would have died without you." he said. "Can you help us remove?" asked of his friend.
9 more bodies, even with help was draining in their condition. When that was over, he stopped and looked at the others.
"We cover the sailors. Too tired for much else now. Bury later, then..." he glanced around the gore covered room. "Then clean up. Rest back in house basement. Eat, drink. Look for rest of crew. Look for Nick."
You spend the next hour bringing the bodies of the sacrificed men down the tower and outside, covering them with what you can find. As the hour passes, the dense fog begins to lift. By the time you have half the bodies out, you can already see the keeper's home from the lighthouse.
By the time the hour is over, you can see much farther. You head back up to the top floor to remove the skin from the light itself, removing the red light of the lighthouse back to its normal color, and realize that you can see quite the distance from up here - in fact, you can even see some people way over there. It's several of the crewmen from the ship! They were wandering lost in the fog. It looks like not everyone from your ship was killed by the fishmen, and perhaps some of these bodies were actually from somewhere else.
You quickly call to them and meet up. They're astonished and amazed at everything you went through; and saddened by what happened to the crew. There are three of them. There were four, but one of them fell off the cliff while they were wandering in the fog.
You make your way back to the lighthouse and set up camp in the cellar - the only clean place in the house. A guard shift is set up, but the sheer exertion and exhaustion of the past few weeks proved too overwhelming and soon everyone was asleep. You awake in the darkness of the cellar, and when you emerge, the sun is out and shining.
The next day is spent dealing with the dead. You bury those worthy of such a dead and burn the rest.
The fire attracted sea birds, who flew around overhead and cawed frequently, but none dared go near the flames. The bodies at first brought about the smell of cooking meat, which made your stomach rumble with hunger, juxtaposed with the realization that it was dead fishmen that was causing the smell - the thought nearly made you nauseous.
But eventually the scent turned to overcooked meat and then the stench of overly cooked flesh. By the end, it was a foul burnt smell that didn't leave your nostrils for days.
Keri takes comfort in Vultan's touch, and soon she has gathered herself enough to aid in the cleanup process. Eventually, night falls and sleep finally claims her. Her dreams are filled with fire and screams, and she awakes early in the morning feeling far from rested. Still, she can feel her connection with the Queen of Summer has strengthened, and she prays to Titania with the rising sun.
Oh beauteous Queen, lend to me your strength. Grant me the gift of your fire to purge this world of evil. Let those who would spread hate and malice burn at my touch, that I may share your grace with those who deserve i.
Keri feels her body temperature rising as she embraces the fires of Summer. Her skin is now warm to the touch, and her temper a bit shorter, as the knowledge of more fire spells fills her mind.
She wrinkles her nose at the stench of the burning bodies, but it is a task that must be done. "Let us finish cleaning this place so we have a comfortable base to operate out of," she says to her companions. "Once we've finished, we can resume our search for the shrine."
Still hurt from the wounds he'd taken from the previous nights fighting, hauling bodies, and nearly dying, Tamien grunted as he began to move. He didn't want to move, much less do anything else, but Keri had already suggested it and he knew things weren't likely to wait for them to get better.
"Every building tries to kill us." he complained irritably. "Food first."
The smell of the burning bodies made him somewhat nauseous and he didn't want to eat the stored rations but he felt the growing pit in his stomach and knew he should. Today wasn't going to be a terribly restful one.
"Anyone a good cook?" he asked to the room hopefully.
The next several days are spent cleaning first the house, so you have a place to sleep, and then the tower. It takes a while hauling water up from the ocean, but you manage to do so with many hands.
You contemplate using the religious vestments of Keri and Vultan, the ones granted to them by the Summer Queen herself, Do you want to risk corrupting the vestments?
Con suggests using Vultan's holy vestments to assist with cleaning the mess. Vultan prays over the decision and decides using Titania's gift to cleanse the lighthouse and bring light, warmth, and joy to the islands inhabitants...
...well. Future inhabitants. Maybe.
...would be a worthy use. He disrobes and prays over the garments.
"Titania, thank you for your precious gift of these vestments. Please empower them to cleanse this disturbing filth and bring peace back to this beautiful place."
For the first time, he feels divine energy infuse his effort. He gives a small gasp as he feels it rush through him, and his hands get a pulsing sensation as he lays them on his vestments.
So that's definitely prayer. Level up!
"Priest 2! Woohoo!"
He begins scrubbing away the blood with zeal, excited at the new power of his prayers and also at the easy progress he makes right away using his vestment as a vehicle for cleaning and cleansing the lighthouse.
Keri winces as Vultan uses his holy robes as rags. She briefly contemplates doing the same, but she worries how strong her willpower is in the face of corruption. She decides to stick to mundane cleaning methods, not risking her blessing from the goddess.
Even though they'd survived the immediate danger, there was still work to do. A part of him wanted to set out immediately and search the island for the shrine but he was still hurt, another few days of recuperation would help a lot. More than that, somewhere in his mind he knew that leaving the dark occultist sigils, the blood and bodies, all of it had a way of attracting more of that. Particularly in this world.
So he held off on his desire to search immediately and helped spend the next several days cleaning up the lighthouse keeper's cabin, and then the lighthouse itself with the others. He noted that Vultan's robes seemed to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The work was long and hard, putting in a full day each day but it was also simple. He helped put together a slightly more efficient work crew which he recalled from his days in the conservation corp.
They ate well, as it turned out one of the ships survivors was something of a decent cook. Between the stores of rations in the cabins cellar and the host of fishing rods, there was no shortage of new food as all of the crew had learned to fish at an early age.
But during the evenings he spoke with the others in his immediate group, he spoke to Kil'hara and the other survivors of the ship, and he wondered where Nick had gotten off to. As he healed, he contemplated their situation and the eagerness began to build in him. His mind was foggy and his thoughts were slow to collect, he wondered if he'd get better. He didn't know so he found the journal of the keepers cabin and began to write his thoughts down on several torn out pages. Eventually, he recalled what he needed to ask.
As they finished up the cleaning for the lighthouse he found Keri, Vultan, and even Kil'hara. "I need to speak to you all. It's important. It is about your gods."
Keri frowns when Tamien brings up the topic she'd been trying to avoid. She knew that the differing devotion of the party's patrons would cause friction sooner or later. She sits down and folds her hands in her lap as she looks at the halfling. "Alright. Say what's on your mind," she says.
The days and weeks pass. The weather never shifts from the cold bitterness of the storm - the sheer proximity to the frozen wastes to the south mean that the icewatch isles are also bitterly cold - at least for those who don’t have magic vestments to keep them warm. The dense fog and moisture in the air from the demonic rituals made the ground muddy, and the constant trekking back and forth has created muddy grooves into the ground between the house and the lighthouse.
As the skies clear from the evil fog, you can actually see a good distance into the sea. Whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures occasionally appear on the surface. Ocean birds fly overhead.
The house turns out to be a comfortable living place, and everyone helps out with keeping it maintained. One of the sailors ends up being a decent cook, while the others take turns operating the lighthouse. Without a boat or ship of their own, they are out of a job. With a free house and an empty lighthouse, it serves as the perfect opportunity for a new career. When the sailors aren’t working the lighthouse, they’re down by the ocean trying to fish to provide food.
Once you have everything settled, you are able to start making excursions south. It gets cold fast. You quickly learn that the majority of the icewatch isles are covered in snow; practically glaciers. The ocean waters between them are filled with ice bergs, and much of it can actually be crossed on foot. It seems that the lighthouse was located on the northern most part that wasn’t frozen over, making it a relatively comfortable living place for a lighthouse, without having to deal with the more extremes that start a day's walk to the south.
Before you head too much further south, you’re going to have to find a way to deal with the freezing colds for anyone going with you. At the very least, Keri and Vultan are covered. But what about Tam, Con, and Kil’hara? Or any of the sailors you may want to bring with you?
Keri leaves most of the logistical planning for the expedition to the rest of the group. She doesn't have a whole lot of gear to bring with her, and she trusts in the blessed robes of the Queen of Summer to keep her warm and comfortable during the journey. She is eager to get this part of their quest over with, though, and return to civilization once more.
The serious conversation he'd wanted had gone well. His allies were with him in finding the next shrine, that would be enough. Now he could focus on what he'd wanted to do.
The next few days were spent traversing further to the south of the island on short day hikes but traveling conditions got notably worse, so Tamien began thinking and planning again. A few more pieces of parchment let him organize his thoughts.
He spent time in the cellar going over their supplies. The golden pocket watch he'd found let him keep track of the time of day, it also helped keep him focused.
The cold was the first hurdle, but thanks to Vultan's foresight, they'd been able to overcome it for the group at large. There were some winter clothes they'd found in the cabin, but covered in gore. Keri and her ability to manipulate fire could boil the water and help clean them. At that point, it was up to the crew to not think too much about it.
The next problem would be... transportation. It would get tricky, especially the more of the group they brought. He considered leaving the crew members and maybe Kil'hara behind, it wasn't a bad idea and they had slain a large number of the anglerfishman. But there could always be more. A sled would be nice. he thought, then he saw the oars on the wall.
Or a boat! The thought struck him and he recalled seeing one tied to the dock when they'd arrived. He nodded to himself. It would work and could be used for multiple purposes. Supplies, wind block, wagon if someone got hurt.
Lots of rope too, so hauling that wouldn't be too hard, especially if he and Con worked together. The sailors were a hardy lot as well, they could readily switch off if they came too.
Food? There was still plenty of rations and water would be plentiful with the snow to the south. Plus the possibility of fishing with spears, nets, and rods, it should be possible to catch more food along the way.
Light? Whale oil cannisters. A few lanterns. Probably more than enough. Good.
Lastly, direction?' He recalled what the deep voice had said and pulled out the wave amulet. It should help guide them along the way, maybe like a compass? He wasn't sure. But he thought he had considered a vast majority of the problems. Now he just had to convince everyone to leave.
Tamien found the others gathered in the kitchen. He shuffled a few papers in his hands. "We should make a serious push to find the shrine tomorrow. I made lists. Think we have everything prepared. Just need to grab row boat from docks. Tie on ropes to pull it. Can use it as supply sled and cross water, if needed." he said.
"Wave amulet should point us in the right direction. Less chance of getting lost." he looked at the ship's remaining crew members. "Maybe you stay here? Keep yourselves safe. Man lighthouse, watch for other ships passing by?"
It's hard work getting the boat up the cliffside, but you manage to accomplish it. The next day, the trek begins. You pull the small boat like a sled; once you get to the ice and snow, it becomes easier. But there's no two ways around it; it's challenging. The ice and wind sap at your strength, even with the heavy clothes on - except for Vultan and Keri, who seem to be as if they were walking through a park on a sunny day; they're not affected by the cold at all.
Bringing the boat ended up being a lifesaver. Multiple times you had to cross bodies of water to get between ice shelves, so you could continue. Swimming in that would have been the end, you're sure of it.
After days of hard travel, cold bitter days and worse nights, you finally get a glimpse of hope - there's some sort of light up ahead. It's small and flickering through the windswept snow, but it's there. As you get closer, the faint outline of a keep starts to appear. Tam's idea about the trinket guiding the way turned out to be correct.
The keep is at the top of a steep mountain peak; you'll have to leave your boat behind to climb up from this angle.
What do you do? Do you want to venture up towards the keep, or keep going in hopes of finding another place that's easier to get to?
Every day, Keri gives thanks to the Queen of the Summer for the blessings of her enchanted robes. It pains her to see her other friends struggling through the bitter cold, though, so she uses her magic to stoke the fires at night to keep them as warm as possible.
Even without having to worry about the frigid temperatures, though, the trek is harsh and demanding. Keri's legs ache from walking through across the ice and snow, and her arms burn from bearing the weight of the rowboat. So it comes as a great relief when they finally draw near their destination.
She looks up the mountain they'll have to climb to reach the keep. "Are we prepared for such a difficult climb? Do we have rope and pitons? Maybe we should look around a bit more to see if there's an easier way up!"
Despite his preparations, the cold days of the trek wore Tamien down. Trekking through the snow reminded him of being at the beach hikes, only worse now that he was so short. He ended up with dry reddish skin, chapped, then cracked bleeding lips, and despite the winter clothing when they had to camp it was unpleasant as the cold seeped into his body slowly. He took to cursing under his breath about the cold it was and how much of a pain this all was. Somehow it helped him keep going through it all.
Finally, their perseverance paid off as the trinket led their way to the keep. He smiled for a moment, just gazing at the next step, until he began thinking about what they had to do with the next step. Climbing up a steep angle.
He figured Con and himself would have a decent chance. Kil'hara, he wasn't too sure about. But when he looked at Keri and Vultan he eyed the two dubiously.
"I think... we need to find other way. You two, not strong. Not even average. Might fall."
Vultan follows Keri's lead in praising Titania at sunrise; while she often has to prod him to wake up in time for the ritual, his willpower gives him all the focus he needs to roll out of bed instead of giving in to the temptation of the snooze button.
Hah, snooze button. I bet that hasn't even been invented. Or maybe it has... mechanical clocks? Hmm...
He occupies his mind with trifles as often as he can. As nice as it was being immune to the cold, it didn't make the journey pleasant. He levelled prayer at every trial the party experienced and was pleased to find it as potent as he could have hoped for.
He was also liberal with the use of song to help spur the party on when the going got tough. He thrived on the party's exasperation after the fourth day of breaking camp and starting their trek with a stirring refrain of On the Road Again.
My faith, manifest. And such that I can help others succeed. What a blessing!
He takes advantage of his cold immunity to be the last one in and the first one out for their boat-borne journeys, saving them from the troubles of wet clothes and any additional harm that the freezing conditions were so eager to proffer.
As they arrive at their most recent tribulation, Vultan listens as Tam targets his physical shortcomings and responds with mock vitriol.
"HEY. I resemble that remark."
He gives a moment for the satire to set in before continuing.
"I'm in agreement. I'd find it hard to believe this is the most advantageous way up.
He gestures at the climb before them with actual vitriol to indicate he was happy to look for another way about their ascent.
Con does not do well in the cold, even before becoming a dragonborn. TO conserve the little heat he has, Con regularly sits silently with his head down and arms folded.
"No, yeah, f~&% that climb. It's seriously the last resort if there is absolutely no other way."
It takes another solid day to get around the mountain, following the base of the mountain. Your avoidance of the steep climb paid off - the next day, you discover a long set of steps leading up the mountain. It will still be difficult - those are a lot of steps - but not nearly as difficult as climbing up the nearly shear slope on the other side.
(Do you leave the boat at the bottom?)
After you make your decision, you begin the ascent. It's easy for the first couple dozen steps, but soon it starts wearing on you. Especially for those who are of less physical strength or those carrying a lot of gear.
Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.
After a half hour, your calves are absolutely killing you. Con and Tam manage to hold off a while longer before their calves are burning from the climb. It's a hard, arduous climb - but a lot easier still than trying to scale the mountain side. At least the steps allow you to pause and rest.
About half way through the day you pause on a relatively wide step that serves as a flat open area. You start a fire to warm up; not only is the terrain cold, but the higher elevation makes it worse. The sweat from working out is making your clothes damp, which ends up freezing and makes the cold even worse. Of course, only Tam and Con have to deal with that aspect of it.
Without Keri's fire spells, it would be nearly impossible to start a fire; there's very little dry wood, everything is either wet or green. The green wood gives off thick smoke, which rises into the air. You cook some meat over the fire and have a lunch that warms you from the inside, while the warmth of the fire sheds the freezing cold away.
After an hour of warming up, delaying the inevitable pain and cold of continuing the steps, you see something. It's a person! They're coming down the steps from the monastery.
The day of rowing around was worth it! Tamien had always been a poor climber in his other life and he had not been about to test it if he didn't have to.
The stairs were a god send, or something like it anyway. They secured their boat at the base of the steps before beginning the arduous climb up the stairway.
After a while, the aching in his ankles and the sweat from the climb made him wish he had one of those robes but he had to make do with being markedly uncomfortable the rest of the way up.
Lunch was good enough, warm thanks to Keri, and restful. Though he kept having to move around the campfire as the smoke seemed to follow him for some reason. He didn't enjoy the idea of getting up again but he'd been warned by his dad that during a marathon, if he rested for too long, he knew it would just keep getting harder to move again. So, with a groan, he pushed himself to move forward with his group.
Then they spotted some one coming down the mountain. "Hello? Tamien called out to the individual." waving his arm "We're travelers, heading to Monastery. You probably saw fire smoke?"
Keri huffs and whimpers as the climb wreaks havoc on her leg muscles. By the time they finally call for a rest, her legs are weak and wobbly, and she gratefully slumps to the ground, breathing heavily. She gives praise to the Queen of Summer as her fire magic lets the group warm up and have a decent meal.
She looks up warily as the stranger approaches, letting Tam do the talking for now...
As much of a blessing as stairs are, it was a brutal punishment for Vultan's calves.
"I wouldn't hate this so much if we could improve our attributes organically, but the fact that this won't get any easier without me willing some strength into my next level is really discouraging!"
He tries to laugh, but it's a bit forced through the continued struggle against the arduous climb. He's glad for Tam and Con deciding to rest on the wide step, and he's really glad for his partner when she summons up fire once more.
"You're really a blessing, you know that?" He says as he admires her. He sits down next to her, puts an arm around her, and kisses her on the temple.
They sit like that for some time, and Vultan pokes some small fun at Tam for the smoke constantly being blown around the fire at him. Their brief respite begins coming to a close and they start getting packed, Vultan begins to sing.
"On the road aga-"
He cuts off as he notices Tam's attention turn to the person-shaped thing coming down the mountain. He squints scrutinizingly and charges his crossbow, but then stands so it's not obvious he's holding it.
"I wouldn't hate this so much if we could improve our attributes organically, but the fact that this won't get any easier without me willing some strength into my next level is really discouraging!"
"Yeah, it's not Skyrim rules, unfortunately," Keri remarks between huffing and puffing.
"You're really a blessing, you know that?" He says as he admires her. He sits down next to her, puts an arm around her, and kisses her on the temple.
Keri blushes and snuggles into Vultan's embrace.
Then they spotted some one coming down the mountain. "Hello? Tamien called out to the individual." waving his arm "We're travelers, heading to Monastery. You probably saw fire smoke?"
The newcomer waves back at the call, but doesn't respond quite yet.
As they get closer, you can see they're wearing heavy furs to keep warm from the cold; their hair is long and dark, and they have a long beard to match their hair.
"Hello!" a masculine voice finally returns the greeting. "Yes, I came down from the monastery. We were expecting you. I believe you have a friend here waiting for you. Please, rest as long as you like. When you are ready, I shall escort you up to the temple."
"A friend?" Keri asks. "Do you think it's Nick, or somebody else?"
She waves at the man. "We are grateful for your hospitality. I am Keri, and these are Vultan, Con, and Tamien. I believe we are ready to go to the temple now."
Tamien nods at Keri's assumption. "Nick."
He turns his focus back to the heavily dressed man,
"We're ready now. Name?" he asked looking up at him inquisitively.
Con became tense when the stranger approached them. He gripped his spear, ready for a fight. After the talking started he relaxed.
Let's hope they don't try to feed us to any plants...
He grunted as he got up, still hugging himself for warmth.
You set off once again, a little warmer, a little less hungry, but not quite rested enough to get to the top. Fortunately for you, you seemed to have found the half way point. It only took you the rest of the day to get to the top of the stairs.
The mysterious man introduced himself as Pange (pronounce Panj), a monk at the temple. He has been living there for three years. He offers you some herbs to chew on to help ease the pain of the steps - it looks like a root, and you simply chew on it as you walk.
Any questions you ask of him are met with, "Please, conserve your strength. You may talk after you rest."
As you approached the top, you could see the temple - a small keep with high walls. After this long day, it looks like heaven. You imagine there is warmth inside, and perhaps a comfortable place to rest. You make it those last struggling steps up to the gates, where they're opened and you enter.
Inside, waiting for you, is Nick.
Keri chews on the offered root. "Mmm. Tastes like licorice," she remarks, grateful for the extra oomph it gives her to make it to the top of the stairs.
As she enters the temple and sees Nick, she breaks into a grin and rushes over to give him a hug. "There you are! What sort of trouble have you been getting into now?"
Tamien nodded as the man gave his name and later takes the proffered root from Pange.
He begins chewing it and immediately regrets it as the taste is one of the things he hates most. Licorice. He recalled from a friend of his who was knowledgeable about such things, however, that most alchemy shops smelled like this.
With a grimace on his face he continues, hoping the taste would fade. Eventually it did, just not all the way.
Still, it didn't immediately kill him, so there was something to be thankful for and he somehow made it all the way to the top of the staircase.
Upon finally arriving at the monastery he spit out the foul tasting root and let's out a sigh of relief as his leg as shake and he catches his breath.
When he sees Nick inside his mouth hangs open with disbelief.
"Alive, and here?!
Nick looks pale and unemotional - likely a consequence of his newfound ancestry. The cold weather didn't do any favors to his complexion, but the fact that he's a revenant keeps him going despite how his body looks.
"Yes, welcome. Glad you made it," he says in a flat tone. "I lost you in the fog, and decided to come straight here. Took me a while to find it, but I've been here for several days. I told them to expect you soon. What took you so long?"
"Lighthouse and cabin infested by fish men. They used strange ritual to create monster. Fought them, slew them. Got hurt, needed a few days rest. Saved some of ships crew." he paused for a few moments to collect his thoughts as he stared at the revenant.
"We're still living. Needed supplies, Nick. Took our time, rested, secured cabin and lighthouse as base. Weather and terrain made it difficult. Took us time to find here."
Con eyed the root, inspecting it like he might see something wrong with it. After Tam and Keri eagerly ate their shares, Con shrugged and started to chew. It wasn't his favorite, but he was never a picky eater.
He was glad when the relief kicked in and the feeling came back to his legs. There was now some pep in his step, although he still shivered constantly.
"I'm glad you made it here safely," Keri tells Nick. "We had a real rough go of things, though. We could have used your help. But we're all here now, so that's what matters."
"A lot has changed for me since I died," Nick says, with a bit of introspection. "I am on a path I cannot veer from. There is a desire within me, a need, a compulsion to continue forward and accomplish my goals. You stayed behind to help, and it was a good thing, but I could not have stayed. I could not choose otherwise."
You notice that Nick doesn't breathe very much. He seems to only breathe when he needs to speak; air passing over his vocal cords. It's a function of having to communicate, rather than a function of life.
"A side effect of working for Thanatos, I suppose. Speaking of which, there is a gate here, exactly as we were told. I have already claimed it. Thanatos wants all the gates claimed for Gax. The time of winter is approaching, and we are on a path to ensure it comes."
"Gax would like to speak to you, whenever you are ready. You are free to sleep first, I imagine that climb must have been tiring. I'm sure I would have been exhausted if I hadn't have died."
Keri is visibly perturbed by her friend's new disposition and unwavering outlook. She frowns when he finishes his explanation. "Gax? Who is Gax? We'll talk to them first thing in the morning, I suppose."
He grimaced at Nick's words. The loss of self he was experiencing having become a revenant and serving death. He wasn't too sure about what he meant regarding winter but he supposed it was good that someone was working to help them.
Gax.
Tamien's eyes open wide at the name of the one he's decided to help. realized how tired he was at the mention of sleep.
"You're right. We need to rest. There is somewhwere for us then, yes? he asked expectantly.
Like Con, Vultan was suspicious of the stranger initially, but blessedly, he seemed to mean no harm. He lets his guard down, more glad to see someone friendly than willing to continue being jaded.
However, he refuses the root. He wasn't a stranger to stairs, hard work, cardio, or any part of climbing to the top of the hill.
And someone needs to keep their head if this stuff turns people into puddles.
Never Again.
Slowly but surely, the wind is taken from Vultan. He hopes the others understand his decision and don't judge him too harshly.
Not like I haven't spent enough time exhausted to be familiar with the feeling at this point. I can cope.
As soon as Vultan is inside the keep, he puts his back against the wall beside the entryway and slides down to sit on his butt, huffing and puffing. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back.
"WHOOOOoooo! Made it. Hey, Nick."
He tries to remain casual, though he's certainly interested in their friend's appearance here. He becomes more and more wary as Nick paints a picture of his own compulsion. His friendly look getting sharper and sharper. Until Nick offers them rest.
Thought he was going to jump us there for a second... Hopefully if that's his plan, the bond between him and Keri gives him pause.
He looks warmly at her without insinuation. He huffs out another breath, catching up to his oxygen needs seemingly just out of reach.
"Yeah, rest sounds lovely."
As you talk, Nick leads.you inside. It's not warm, but it's better than outside. Soon you make it to soom rooms where Nick stops.
Another bundled-up, long-haired monk says, "These are your rooms. These is plenty of wood, and fires will be started soon so you can warm up. Food will be ready in an hour. Someone will deliver it to you."
There are four rooms in this hall, but Nick already had one of them. As you settle in, a younger monk - pethaps 19 years old with a shaved head - shows up to see Tamien. "Here you are, mister!" he says, a bit jubilantly. "The head master says it will heal your wounds." The salve given to you is a thick gel with an oily feeling, almost like hair gel, but with a pungent odor. Using it will definitely give you a very unique scent that everyone will be able to smell from around the corner.
You settle in for the night. Warm soup is delivered to your rooms. The beds are made of a pile of furs, which turns out to be surprisingly comfortable and warm.
You wake up the next morning, finally getting a good night's rest.
Vultan - You. Are. Sore. The long hike did a number on your muscles, leaving you walking a bit funny for the rest of the day.
Tam, Keri, and Con -
Chewing on the root makes you immune to the fatigued condition until you take a rest.
Keri is grateful to have finally had good sleep. She rolls over and gives Vultan a good morning kiss before standing, stretching, and donning her enchanted robes. "Alright. Let's go meet this Gax character."
Vultan wakes up to a kiss from Keri, and is pleased by their circumstances. He stretches pleasantly and lays for a moment more before rising.
"Mmmm-mm! Nothing quite like a hot and a cot!"
As he starts to move, he gives an audible "Ow" before looking at Keri and saying "Sore, oof."
He dons his garments in turn and follows Keri by the hand as they make their way.
Shouldn't be a problem unless I gotta move quick. Let's hope today is just diplomacy. With what's at stake, it wouldn't hurt to drag out the talks to be sure we're on the right path...
Nick's potential compulsion nags at the back of Vultan's mind, filling him with worry over whether talks can remain peaceful and reasonable while they search for the best next step to take.
Con wakes up feeling rather refreshed and starving.
He bundles up the best he can and starts his search for food. He also plans on helping around this place if any is needed. Chores help warm the body and ease the mind.
Tamien smiles at the younger monk, catching his jubilance and gives a nod in appreciation for the healing root. "Thank you."
He takes it willingly despite the pungent amber incense scent that comes from it and clings to him.
He felt good about using it as it vaguely reminded him of icy hot. It seemed to seep into his body and help soothe his aching muscles and it also seemed to reach further in. Upon feeling that, he even applied it to his neck, face, and head. Somehow it began soothing the constant ache in his head he'd nearly forgotten was there.
He was pleased with the soup they brought him as it beat eating half frozen rations and even happier to find there was a room for him with furs! Oh they were so warm and comfortable compared to the last days of travel. Even more than the ship, if he was being honest.
He rested well that night, his body ached, but he could tell it was a good ache, the kind he'd wake from and be stronger for afterwards. Or so he hoped. The taste of the energy root was still in his mouth however. He wondered if there was more of that as he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning he awoke, yawning. He was hungry but he had forgotten the slight craving he'd had. He got up and realized he could think clearly. The deep ache from the head wound he'd received had cleared up and the rest had probably been the best in a while!
"Oh man. I can think again. I can talk normally! That stuff is really good!" he reached for the container.
Too much. he chided himself, looking at the last dregs of the balm. He'd used it all in one rush. But it had been worth it!
He stood up feeling better than he had in weeks and realized he still smelled like the gel. Ah well. he thought as he made his bed. No need to be rude after all, and made his way to the hall, looking for the others while grinning.
The next day Nick takes you to meet Gax. You’re taken to the Gate, but this time it looks vastly different from the keep in the ocean, the one you’ve colloquially called the “water gate.” Here, the gate is themed with ice and snow; it’s cold inside, and there are snowflakes carved into the walls. The gate itself is in the middle of the largest snowflake, with active ice crystals forming and growing from the center.
Other than this, and yourselves, the room seems empty. Then you notice it - a translucent entity takes up almost the entirety of the room, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. You’re practically standing inside of it!
”GREETINGS!” the entity booms inside your head. It sounds incredibly loud, but you’re not hearing it through your ears - as such, the loudness doesn’t hurt. It’s just, well, LOUD.
”I AM THE MARQUIS OF LUNACY, GAX THE UNFATHOMABLE AND DISREPUTABLE. THE THIRD GATE HAS BEEN OPENED, AND I AM FINALLY FREE OF MY CONFINEMENT.”
It was not the first time he had heard this voice boom into his mind but it was certainly more solid than last time. Still, even with many imaginings, writings, and playing in games where this sort of things was described or imagined, it was still so different than he remembered.
"Nice to finally see you on the table, Gax." It took him a moment for the words to all sink in. "Marquis of Lunacy, huh? I hope there's more to that meaning than what I know. I just got my head clear for the first time in several weeks, so I'd rather not lose it again."
"Seems as though you had some success in getting others to heed your call if this was the third gate being opened. Mind telling us where the second gate was?
Presumably your power, awareness, and memory have started coming back. Also, I kept that Trident and the wave crest safe, like you asked." he said, pulling out the trident.
"THE OTHER GENIES THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS TASK." Gax explains. "BUT IN THE END, I WAS RIGHT. THEY ALL WENT CRAZY, THOSE WHO SURVIVED. BUT I AM STILL HERE."
"THE SECOND GATE WAS NOT OPENED BY ONE OF MINE. EACH GATE THAT OPENS RELEASES SOME OF MY POWER. BUT IF IT IS OPENED IN THE NAME OF SOMEONE ELSE, THEY CLAIM THE POWER INSTEAD OF ME.
“THE SECOND GATE WAS OPENED BY SOME SORT OF INSECT; ONCE THE GATE WAS OPENED, MY VISION OF IT WAS GONE. I CAN NO LONGER SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. IT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN; I MUST REGAIN MY FULL STRENGTH IF WE ARE TO RECREATE THE BARRIER AROUND THE WORLDS AND KEEP THE DEMON LORD AT BAY.
“EACH GATE THAT IS OPENED DESTROYS THE BARRIER A LITTLE MORE. WITH THREE GATES OPEN, I EXPECT THE DEMONS TO START INFILTRATING THE WORLD TO STOP YOU ON YOUR QUEST. EACH GATE THAT IS OPENED IN THE NAME OF SOMEONE ELSE GRANTS THEM POWER AND DIMINISHES THE POWER OF ALL OTHERS.
“THERE ARE FIVE PLAYERS ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW:
“THE DEMONS, THE TROLLS, THE FAE, THE INSECTS, AND MYSELF, THE LAST SANE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENIES.
“BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, LET US SPEAK OF SOME HISTORY. LONG AGO, BACK WHEN I WAS STILL FREE, WE GENIES WARRED WITH THE FAE AND THE TROLLS. WE CREATED THE WORLD AND MORTALS USING THE SUBSTANCE OF THE DEMON LORD, BUT THAT REALLY ANGERED THE DEMON LORD, AND IT SOUGHT TO ERADICATE ALL WE CREATED. SO WE MADE A BARRIER TO PROTECT OUR CREATIONS. I VOLUNTEERED TO BE CONFINED BEHIND THE GATES, TO KEEP THE BARRIER POWERED AND TO KEEP THE DEMONS AT BAY. THERE WERE ORIGINALLY 20 GATES, BUT EACH TIME ONE IS OPENED, THE INDIVIDUAL CAN CLAIM THE POWER FOR THEMSELVES. THIS IS HOW THE FAE LORDS AND LADIES BECAME GODS; THEY TOOK THE POWER FOR THEMSELVES. SOME OF THE TROLLS DID THE SAME, AND BECAME WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE DARK GODS. THERE WERE NINE GATES REMAINING, AND I WAS ABLE TO WHAT LITTLE INFLUENCE I HAD ON THE WORLD TO HIDE THEM OR PROTECT THEM. NOW THERE ARE SIX.
“TO REGAIN ENOUGH POWER TO RECREATE THE BARRIER, I NEED AT LEAST TEN GATES TO BE OPENED IN MY NAME, OR I NEED THOSE CURRENTLY HOLDING THE POWER OF THE GATES TO BE KILLED SO THE POWER MAY BE RELEASED AND RETURNED TO ME. ALREADY, ONE OF THE GODS HAS PLEDGED TO DO SO - FATHER DEATH. HE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE, AND SEEKS TO BRING THE FAE TO THEIR WINTER. THIS IS WHY HE BROUGHT NICK BACK AS A REVENANT.
“THERE ARE SIX GATES REMAINING. YOU MUST SEE TO IT THAT THEY ARE OPENED IN MY NAME; EACH TIME YOU OPEN ONE, I GAIN MORE POWER AND CAN DIMINISH THE POWER OF THE OTHERS. AS THEIR POWER DIMINISHES, YOU WILL GROW STRONGER AND BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHICH TWO GODS TO HUNT DOWN AND KILL. FOR EACH GATE YOU FAIL TO OPEN, YOU WILL HAVE TO HUNT DOWN ANOTHER GOD, AND THEY WILL BE THAT MUCH STRONGER.”