Himyulmaion's page

Samen returns to Hearth annoyed at how this day turned out. Too many loose ends tied up too quickly, Abnaki included. There would, of course, be more threats. There always were. Perhaps Aisling is developing into a dangerous godling himself. More observation would be necessary.

Despite his misgivings, Tallmind Theta had proven a resourceful and dependable ally in the fight. The tensions of their first impression may have been unwarranted. Besides, Samen has much to learn from an original source of the ancient times. Squabbles about individuality may be of lower importance than the intelligence that could be gained.

Concerns for past and future aside, Samen attends to Wamblee in the present. More details would be needed to adjust the plans against Moon. For now, though, his brother is safe, and Samen intends to keep it that way.

Samen immediately links minds with Theta with no hesitation. No convincing is necessary. This godling is ascendant and more of a threat than anything else they've dealt with today.

At the speed of thought, Samen fills in Theta on Abnaki's one weakness. One story that ended the wrong way.

"Name's have power, thrice slain! I announce another!"

Samen pumps all the memory, despair, regret, and soul damning destructive psychic force he and Theta can conjure into a single word of power. A name. A narrative. A letter from an old friend to destroy what remains.

"G E T H I S !"

Samen thinks for only the briefest of moments. Deceptive magic has been employed on this mission, but that was air corruption, not earth. Surely this is real. But why would Wamblee be here before the path was cleared out?

Uncharacteristically, Samen acts before gathering all of the information. The consequences of hesitating... He dives off the platform and plunges toward his brother. With desperation and no backup plan, he grabs his brother by the face.

You're coming with me now.

Teleport: 1d100 ⇒ 52 (Teleporting just myself and Wamblee, not the other creature feeding off of him, back to the center of the platform. 95+ bad)

Thoughts for another time. Samen compartmentalizes and focuses on the problem at hand.

"I am as unfamiliar with this creature as you are Gabriel, but this circumstance is astonishingly similar to when we freed the Sunlord, is it not? Given the hooligans that were hanging about were not friendly toward her, I expect freeing her to be a net positive."

Samen considers what is now visible, trying to determine the nature of her bonds and a method of loosening them.

Samen feels no joy in the death of Stof, but he does feel great relief in a breath of fresh air.

On her knees before them, Samen dares not feel pity for her once again. One of us was always going to be the end of the other.

Mind Thrust: 10d8 ⇒ (2, 2, 7, 1, 3, 4, 8, 8, 4, 6) = 45 (Making it persistent, Will save DC 19 for half damage)

Samen glares silently at Tallmind Theta. I don't have time for this.

Samen reorganizes his mind to make a wing of his mind palace that contains his childhood, the kindness of Krissa, the brutality of her family, the loss of his own one after the other, Abby wearing her skin, the exhilaration of learning and discovery, constant threat of imminent death, a changing and breaking world, and finally the passive aggressive judgmental ghost of a past long forgotten in front of him.

He quickly copies it. Folds it. Folds it again. Folds it again, until it is a dart shaped paper airplane. With more aggression than is strictly necessary, he flings this crystalized collection of his memory directly at Tallmind Theta's tall head.

Now stop asking questions.

Sorry, I had a busy weekend with Father's day yesterday.

Samen brings a small quavering light to bear in his palm and considers it against the gaping umbral gloom before them. Weak, small, and insignificant. But light has an advantage over the darkness, because light is, while darkness is not.

A single mind is much like this tiny light. Insufficient, but full of hope and life. It can grow, change, and evolve. It can be smothered and extinguished.

But a mind is not the only metaphor for light. It is also knowledge and wisdom, making clear the path. It guides steps, drives efficient action, and answers questions.

But light is also unity of purpose, a small band of disparate mortals striving against the so-called gods. Each with their own mind, each with their own knowledge, but unified across the spectrum of thought in this one objective, to cast out this darkness.

Samen focuses on this small guttering light and pours all he knows of his companions, their histories, their wills, their flaws, and their hopes into in a mental lens in front of it. Very carefully, he aligns the light with the magnification of his friend's live and pushes it through toward the darkness ahead.

I've got a light cantrip or a sunbeam. The former seems like it might be a bit weak, and the latter a bit ineffective unless this is a literal "attack the darkness" situation.

It's like a choice between a candle and a particle collider.

Samen may not hear her words, but he knows well the feeling of voracious emptiness that approaches him. He turns toward it, expecting to see a familiar but distorted face. The formless ill wind is somehow less terrifying than he would've expected.

He remains calm, knowing fear and panic are seasoning for her meals.
Hello Abby. I don't know how you made it here, but it's clear you are the threat we've been sent to clear from this place. Would you kindly please release Gabriel before I am forced to prematurely inaugurate the hostilities? It would be a shame to not catch up before finishing this.

I assume Samen would've explained about Abby and Stof in detail to Qizz. You only met them briefly before Samen's transformation, but as curious as Qizz is, there's no way it wouldn't have come up.

As for 'dying', I think it's more like the D&D concept of outsiders going back to their native plane upon dying. What Abby experienced was similar to what we did to that dragon, forcing it back home and limiting its access to life in the material plane.

I'm not sure if it's a "you only die if you die on your home plane" situation, but for good or ill, every encounter with her has resulted in evolution rather than destruction.

Ghost is probably the wrong classification. She is/was an evil smoke elemental that had a Kirby-like hunger. By the time she ended up buried in a tomb, she was something more like a plasma demon and her hunger was only getting worse.

Samen tried for a long while to justify not killing her, and she was somewhat useful in combat encounters. However, she was clearly going to betray everyone at some point. When she become entombed, he simply walked away. He considered leaving her in the tomb for some future generation to deal with one of his biggest acts of shame and cowardice.

Samen relaxes a bit but still is not sure this won't end in bloodshed.

"Very well. There is obviously much I do not know of historical humans, and I would very much like to learn. You however, accused my friend, a fully independent soul, yet fully human, of thievery. This is a serious yet baseless charge, and I will have none of it. There will be no peace between us until you recognize Gabriel's independence and humanity. I apologize for being overly harsh on this point, especially after you've just woken up, but there will be no better time to make things clear.

Furthermore, you are not the first hivemind I've encountered."

Samen's eyes glass over for a moment as he has visions of his childhood home. Friends and neighbors walk amongst the streets, devoid of will or ambition, enthralled by a proud brass dragon. The beginning of a long journey of destruction and the breaking of his family.

He thinks of the antics of Gems, stealing the will of the weak, corrupting the Fey, and dominating any they could tempt.

He thinks of the collective manic frenzy of Light, drunk on Moon madness, tearing itself apart.

He thinks briefly of Abnaki, and the dream terrors he may yet inflict.

"So then, possessor of ancient wisdom, what makes you, me, and Gabriel different from your drones? How is it that we have independent wills and they do not?"

Samen pauses for a moment, but can't help himself. "And what's with the bones? Is that really how humans reproduce? It doesn't seem sustainable, nor in line with the character of Sun."

Samen tenses up at the mention of Gabriel. He thinks broadly, so that all around may hear. "As I said, in this day, YOU are the anomaly, and you had best learn that lesson quickly. He is fully autonomous, complete in his humanity, free of domination, and he WILL stay that way. I respect that you are a fish out of River here and it will take time for you to adapt, but I haven't fought off gods and demi-gods from here to the edge of the worlds beyond for the likes of you to question the rightful autonomy of every sapient being."

"You will cease this line of inquiry, learn the ways of the present, and be content with things as they are."

Aloud, for emphasis, "Do I make myself clear?"

Samen frowns deeply at this revelation. This is not at all what he was expecting. He wanted other humans so that he would not be of a limited kind, and perhaps other more qualified individuals could do the work of offering humanity to elenity. Now it seems there's another monster of his own creation he must slay.

"Greetings. Things are not the same as they once were. Our world today knows nothing of sentient hiveminds. Ants exist, and bees exist, but in this world in this day, you are the anomaly, not me. I'm curious to learn more of what once was, but I must confess, you strike me more as monstrosity than humanity. You could possibly set my mind at easy by revealing what you were doing in the Darkness for all this time."

"That's a grim suggestion. I'm perfectly happy with my bones where they are, thank you very much! Honestly though, I don't think it would work anyway. I would expect the bones to need to be long detached from whatever soul last clung to them to be useful.

Or not, I don't know. Maybe humans are bone burglars at heart."

Samen rushes over to Gabe's side to have a more normal conversation. "A spirit trapped in the Dark. I don't know why this one can't be freed like the others, but it seems a ritual, similar to how I achieved humanity to begin with, is necessary to restore their leader."

"Very well. However, I prefer to do introductions before entering eldritch pacts with creatures borne of Darkness. I am Samen, the first human of this age, former elen, bearer of Sunlight. Who are you?"

"Take care, these are not mindless spawn! Move to isolate them from civilians, but do not engage."

Samen focuses, trying to concentrate on the oily thoughts. These ideas are ephemeral, weak, and muddled. Almost...

With a flash of an idea, Samen moves toward a smaller group of blobs. "Be at peace!"

(Casting Remove Fear on up to three targets.)

Samen nods at Aisling's perspective. "I won't argue, but I've seen elementals perform what we would classify as heinous acts while being as innocent as a child. Fire burns, wind blows, and humanity invents philosophies."

"Ibinu, I hope there are dust creatures out there that aren't terrible. If the whims of fate had been slightly different, I might be speaking with one right now."

Samen mutters to himself quietly. Earth and air...

He collects himself a bit, but seems pale and ashen. "If we are to do battle on the boundary between Earth and Air, we are to encounter Dust. I had an old 'friend', Stof, who was a dust elemental. He was characterized by hatred, malice, and power beyond your imagination, only matched by his patience. Our corrupt gods will be hard enough to kill, but a mere misplaced footprint could spell our immediate suffocation. Water is an effective counter measure, but the best strategy is to leave it alone."

Typically smug and full of bravado, Samen is now clearly and visibly experiencing a dread beyond death.

Samen observes the first two rounds, then goes up to the priest. "I see what's going on here, and it is an intriguing phallus measuring contest. If enduring psychic abuse it to be a tenant of this order of paladins, so be it. However, while these tests are interesting and demonstrative, they are more appropriate for school children than hardened soldiers. Moon will bring much higher stakes. I promise no long term harm, save perhaps their pride. May I?"

If the priest allows him to have a go, he will turn to the two belligerents. "This test is simple and of a level of barbarism commensurate with this demonstration. The first one of you to punch the other wins."

Casting Unadulterated Loathing on both of them, using the persistent rod, making the object of their loathing the other person (Will save DC 21 at disadvantage). On a failure, target is nauseated while within 60 of the object of their loathing. For 10 days.

"Theoretically this wears off eventually, though I've never seen anyone survive long enough to overcome it. This is more akin to what Moon can and will do."

Samen nods in satisfaction. "You're very welcome, Ibinu. I've been to the Lady's house, and I very much doubt it would suit you, long term. When you've had a moment or three with your wife, I suspect the council will wish to speak with you. I expect the Phoenix folk will want some of your time as well. Aaaaand you're not hearing a word I say. Very good."

Unusually content to be ignored, Samen quietly gestures to everyone to leave and give the couple some privacy.

Samen nods soberly, acknowledging that this was a difficult decision. While it is the result he wanted, it seems rude to celebrate right now. "Goodbye, Ibinu. I will see you shortly." He snuffs out what remains of the candle, and Ibinu's form dissipates.

"What you ask for is untested, but theoretically possible. Sophia, this will be painful and require effort on your part. The spell requires reaching across the threshold of life and death, not merely peering across as my prior ritual accomplished.

My plan was to do this myself, as I've done before. For you to undergo the same changes, I will need to send your soul into the beyond. I will hold the rope for you in this world, but you must not dawdle. It would be dangerous to establish a connection between these two realms, so the insertion must be brief. You must call to him, embrace him, and return quickly."

He puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I will implant the instructions in your brain. Simply relax and do what comes naturally."

Samen casts suggestion on Sophia to "Fetch Ibinu once over the threshold".

"Also, you should be warned; Your souls will be mingled together for a time in a way that is unusual for elenity. You will be bound together tighter than any vow. You may be able to read each others thoughts, feel each others feelings, and sense with each others senses. When one of you perishes, the other will certainly know, and may indeed perish as well."

He smiles brightly. "So it will be as if you've been married for 50 years immediately. Now, lie down and let us begin."

He gently disconnects her consciousness from her body and begins casting the spell. He only briefly considers that this might end up being a murder before buckling down to focus. He pours out each of the various oils in succession, spreading a film on top of a film on top of a film. Physically, it appears he's just making a mess. Those with mental or elemental attunement, however, can see that he's making a weak point between realms. While oil saturated paper let light through, these oils will let souls through.

At the right time, he thrust's Sophia's consciousness to the other side and waits. And waits. Just as he begins to worry, he feels the pressing of two souls emerging from the portal as he sees two bodies coalescing next to their former bodies.

"May your new lives be long, and may you be matriarch and patriarch of a new clan!"

As the process completes, he throws the last emulsifier on the portal to close it and seal it, completing the spell.

I'll RP the spell. I just didn't have time to get to it today. I'll do it tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Assuming Sophia is willing and findable...

Samen gathers everyone and everything, including Ibinu's body, for the rituals back in the room where he died.

"By my estimates, we will have about ten minutes before my anchor burns out. If he is to be convinced to return, it will be within that time or not at all."

He closes his eyes and uses his other senses to perceive the area. He runs his mind over the area until he feels the ripple of psychic energy left by the desperation of a dying mortal. Lighting a single candle at the exact spot of his death, Samen grasps at the thread of anguish and ties one end to the small guttering flame.

With the skill of an experienced fisherman, he pulls the thread, wrapping it around the candle, coil after coil. Little by little, Ibinu is pulled back from beyond the veil of mortality itself to speak with his loved ones once more.

(Casting Speak with Soul)

"Hello again, Ibinu. Our last encounter was decidedly uncivilized. I was hoping for a more cordial conversation with fewer threats and less rancor."

"I have the means for you to return back to the land of mortals, though I sensed some hesitancy from you. You hold the same spark of divinity that led to Inam's ascendance. There is still work to be done here to usher in harmony. I believe the worst of the bitterness is behind us, but much work remains. Your gifts, skill, and tenacious will are things that we desperately need in the fight to come. I will not attempt to leverage your sense of duty, as you were sorely abused in that area by your prior master. I merely ask, as one soldier to another, for your aid in the fight."

"Sophia and Kallik are here too. I'm sure you'd rather spend these moments conversing with them."

Samen pauses for a moment, deciding how to repsond.

"Respectfully sir, this is none of the gods' business. I don't know this Phoenix, but I suspect it either is the ascended Inam, or a force created by her sheer devotion and force of will. We've encountered similar entities in the past and they are nearly invariably power hungry and troublesome.

No, this is a mortal matter. My will to pursue, Ibinu's will to decide, and yours to judge."

Samen gets down on his knees in a show of humility. "If you must see me supplicate myself to grant the boon you offered, I do it before you and the rest of the council, fellow mortals. Perhaps I am mistaken and the gift of darkness resistance was merely a side effect of the times. Perhaps it was a harbinger of the return of Sun and nothing more. I suspect, however, it has greater relevance to come, and its extinction could be deleterious to all mortality."

Samen nods in appreciation of the display. "At least he waited until I had my coffee first."

Samen continues drinking his coffee in peace. As they arise to make their way to the council, "Qizz, I need your assistance with a project. I sensed that Ibinu was going to be resistant to the idea of coming back. I am going to conjure his spirit, and I would very much appreciate it if you and Kallik could encourage and persuade him that now is not yet the time to rest."

Awwww. Coward (Ibinu, not you).

"In my experience, there's always trouble under this temple. In my opinion, it should be razed to the ground. Ky La is a slippery Moon el. He is all the Moon el. I've killed him twice now, but I've heard of him showing up in other places as well. He's short, bald, smirking, and speaks in questions. It's surprisingly satisfying to kill him."

"So, that's our story. What led the three of you to be hunting darkspawn in the basement?"

"Erghf!" Samen grunts as he tries to move Ibinu. He sighs in relief when Benedetto comes to help. "Thank you so much! He's even heavier than he looks."

He nods in agreement as Gabriel recounts their tale. When he finishes, Samen takes over to fill in the religious details. "The history and religion that is common knowledge is all lies and legend. Please don't get mad at me if this runs counter to your worldview. I'm very tired, and I frankly don't care what you believe. The gods are not so different from us, it seems. They squabble and scheme, they live and they die. Every time they die, they are eventually reborn, but some of their essence is diminished. Sometimes mortals gather that essence and become something between mortal and god. Mortals like Abnaki."

"Anyway, In ancient times, as Gabriel says, there were no el, only humans. There was an overall Harmony. We had Sun and Moon, Forest and River, Volcano and Sky. Probably others, but you get the idea. Gods granted 'gifts' to mortals, but it was like gifting a pagona a harness, making mortals suitable servants for their own interests and preferences. Sun alone despised this practice, but he held a position of great power and respect. Moon and Volcano conspired to eliminate Sun and his ally Sky. They succeeded, but Moon fell as well. What they failed to consider was that this divine war also ruined the Harmony. More pirmal, unthinking forces emerged and covered the land. Darkness wasn't born, it had always existed, but it was now unchecked, save for the feeble efforts of Volcano to preserve the world it had destroyed."

"If I was a betting man, when I reveal where we learned this, I would expect you to have met one of him. Does the name inquisitor Ky La ring a bell to any of you? We killed one of him and I took his glasses."

He sets Ibinu down for a moment to catch his breath, to continue the story. "Recently, Sun, Moon, and I presume Sky have all begun to be reborn. A side effect of this is a thinning of boundaries between elemental planes and our own home, resulting in the gods effectively carrying out territorial disputes, carving up mortal lands. What I suspect was a blessing from Sun, though it was interpreted as coming from Volcano, was a small group of people who proved to be immune to the corrupting influence of the Dark. The 'Blessed Ones'. One ascended like Abnaki, one died and now possesses a mushroom friend of ours, and the last is Ibinu here. They were instrumental in the overthrowing of the inquistion and aided greatly in the fight against Moon."

"Opræterius is an agent of Sun, but has no more knowledge as to Sun's whereabouts than I do. This realm is too dark for him, so he stays put in my teapot unless the situation is dire. He has the power to revoke elemental yokes that render you all els and elles, to restore your humanity. He has declared me to be a priest of Sun, though I have no religious proclivities. I suppose I do serve his interests, though."

He takes a deep breath and gets under the burden of Ibinu once more. "He has also granted me the ability to restore life to the recently deceased, though it comes with a muddling of elemental gifts. I figure the world needs at least one of these Blessed Ones to be alive for whatever is coming. I assume Dove will have access to the supplies I need."

"Anything else you wanted to know?"

Through gritted teeth of rage, Samen takes a deep breath.

"Your magic is powerful Ibinu. Her magic is powerful. You wield it well. It makes me want to kill you so much. Freedom, in the ultimate sense, may be an illusion, but most of us retain a level of cursory autonomy through this mortal world. I have found a god who delights in and celebrates this. If you serve her as a willing slave, there's not much else to talk about. We must fight.

But, if you wish to be free, I can give you a new and free body and my friend can free your soul. I ... don't think it would work unless you wanted it, though. So blessed one, what do you want?"

Samen steps forward as well, with contempt clear on his face. "Oh, it's you. Good to see you again 'blessed' one, last living of your order. Your god is as charming as ever, and you conform nicely to her methods. I had thought better of you, that you would protect Hearth, but it seems every last one of us volc'ing mortals is prone to divine corruption. Our deaths truly are our greatest mercy."

"Speak plainly and quickly. Tell us why this rancorous web is somehow for the greater good of the city, not just in the service of your mistress, and we may have a momentary piece. For the friendship of Kallik's spirit, I give you this one chance."

Nope, it was a typo. I miss-spelled amateur and spell check replaced it with armature. I didn't double check it until I was past the edit window.

I hoped nobody would notice. lol.

"Curious. He was our companion until he ascended... or descended... or maybe it was more of a lateral move to godhood. His domain is self declaration. If he wanted a result, reality would bend around him to accommodate. When we have a chance, please explain how you know of him."

Samen reevaluates the situation based on Aisling's demonstration and the newly shared information. "Anyone else lurking unseen in here?"

He scans around, groping for minds, candles in the dark.

"Don't mind Qizz, he's the best amongst us."

He looks between the Sylph, Undine, and Ifrit, considering them as potential allies instead of threats or civilians. "The foes we're hunting, cultists, are expected to be using fire and mind control magic. How strong are you against enchantments? If they kill you with fire, that doesn't hurt our mission, but if they take your minds, you will be a liability. Are you sure you're up for this?"

Samen peers into the aura, attempt to ascertain its meaning.

When he sees, he is disgusted and explains it to his compatriots. "Ugh. City-wide mind control. A nasty business. This one seems more insidious than usual. It magnifies the certainty and pride of every individual, leading to extreme tribalism. It masks itself behind the certainty that it's only affecting other people, so discovering it, usually the first step in unwinding the magic, rather only serves to strengthen its effect. The strongest deception comes from the mind of the victims."

Samen examines it closer to see if he can find a link between this graffiti and the larger scope of the enchantment.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (18) + 25 = 43

I can't believe you invented magic social media :P

Samen considers sending word to anyone else in town, but it occurs to him that, other than Dove, everyone he knew here is either dead, missing, or elsewhere.

"No, thank you, that will be all."

Samen nods in understanding. "I am Samen. Much has occurred since we last met. An elemental titan of death killed us all. Our bodies and souls were consumed into the earth where ancient magic stewarded by a fungal society stitched a few of us back together in unexpected ways.

What's new here?"

"Ha! No, the feathers are temporary, they'll fade in a bit. If Dove asks who we are, tell him that the remnant of the Swords expedition has returned. That should get his attention."

I imagine it would be heavily based on how the Sunlord looked, but the primary features would definitely include the feathery wings and glowing skin.

"I am an emissary of a forgotten god, and if I must be honest, I've had a rough day. Feels like I've been to hell and back. I have no interest in this particular locale, but I demand to be taken to councilman Dove; I have important information for him from outlying regions."

I'm imagining a hierarchy of evil doggos now.

heckhound < Heckhound < hellhound < Hellhound.

Samen very carefully and concisely communicates the exact location to slice open a rift.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

I'd also like to get a clearer idea of exactly where we are, if possible.

knowledge planes: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25
knowledge planes: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42 (Thank goodness for advantage!)

"We have no need of sustenance in this dream state, and taking food from Fey folk under unknown conditions is always foolish. Your hospitality is appreciated, but Kallik is right, either help him or we'll end him. He's too much of a threat to leave in this liminal state."

Cotton candy golems would certainly be a sticky situation.

I'd kinda like to see the look on its face when it tries to possess Kallik's "body".

Samen keeps focus on the Carrion. "No, you can't have them either. Individually, you'd likely have overcome any of us, but together we are stronger than you. You had your chance to discuss this civilly and to leave in peace. This will not go the way you expect it to. They are not suitable hosts."

Samen holds tight to his rod of persistence and casts Unadulterated Loathing on the creature, making its potential new hosts odious in its sight.

(2 DC 21 will saves or be repulsed for up to ten days)

will v fear: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 4 = 32

Samen, buoyed by disdain, breaks through the dread. "Ahh, this one is for me, isn't it? You know my fears, but your worldview is one dimensional. I've been asking myself that question since this gods forsaken nonsense started. Why did I bother leaving home in the first place? Everything I've done has resulted in death, suffering, fear, and pain. If I'm lucky, it happens to my enemies, but I'm not usually very lucky."

"Why bother? Why bother? You want an honest answer? No, you don't care, you're just a bully. I'll tell you anyway. ... I don't know. I've never known. I may never know until I die another futile death and face oblivion. Nothing I can do will matter in the face of eternity. But every time I think that, every time, there's some volcing idiot standing in front of me that needs whacking with a big stick. Why bother? I don't know. And today? You're the idiot. Come get some stick."

Samen then unleashes Sunbeam into the very fabric of dreamstuff.

What!?

Samen is most immediately more confused than afraid.

This isn't right. Or is it? Has this always been the way?

Samen struggles through the fog of the dream, grasping at his own identity. Who am I? If not human, elen. If elen, which? What is my name?

First things first, we must stay calm. If sanity has just been regained, or just been lost, either way, circumstances have changed and now is the time to act decisively.

He takes a deep breath, and casts remove fear on himself, Gabe, and Qizz. (+4 against fear effects for 10 minutes, suppress any current fear effects)

Samen is probably most afraid of existential futility. He's seen gods rise and fall. He's witnessed civilizations collapse and be rebuilt. He's died, had his soul spliced and torn asunder, then stitched back together again. He's faced monsters and created monsters. He's killed in cold blood and shown mercy. He's watched family die and friends mutate. He's experienced more of elenity and humanity than any other living being. All of this in, what, 1 to 2 years?

Sure, he thinks, there could be worse things to come, but he's relatively numb to terror at this point. No, the thing that nibbles at the back of his neck is the growing dread that none of this matters.

Samen shudders against the cold, pulling his cloak tighter around himself. "If I had to guess, I would suspect that the guilty party is unaware of it themselves. That seems to be a common symptom of Moon-madness amongst Sylphs. If you can assemble everyone, I may be able to search your minds for gaps and answers for everyone."

He hesitates for a moment, wanting to ask something more personal, yet unsure if this is the time. In the end, curiosity overcomes discretion. "I don't suppose you saw any twinkling lights as you were led through the valley? Perhaps a couple of Sylphs, a male with a stupid hat and a female with bright red hair?"

Samen nods. "That would be wise. However, I'm expecting our next destination needs to be Light. We dealt Moon an unexpected blow and we need to see the extent of it. It's possible the Sylphs have been freed and are in need of direction."

He grunts, characteristic of his former self. "And it's also possible they're all dead."

"Regardless, we need to know, and we can be faster than any scout."

Samen pinches his nose where his new glasses rest. It's been a long day, and Abnaki's sanity has deteriorated observably.

"Abnaki, I do recognize you, more than you think. You are no doubt growing in power, and your question of the sunlord is reasonable, but there is something I would like you to consider. You were once an elen like any other. But you took power from the dead hands of the declarative. You took power from the dead heart of the fey in Hearth. You bargained away the part of your soul that remembers your love for power from Dream."

"Fey, Declaration, and Dreams. At the price of your own essence, you melted down and merged those divine essences. You became the Storyteller. Truly, you're a more accomplished warlock than I ever was. Two dead aspects and strength taken from another to create one. Someday someone may kill you for a scrap of your power, but the point is, there's always a reduction. Eventually, there will be nothing left."

"But I want you to consider something further, Storyteller. Do some introspection. What is your metanarrative? You write the story of your life in real time, but consider where your narrative arc is leading. You've sacrificed yourself to become this, and now you claim divinity and worship as your birthright. In any story, this arc leads to either great hubris, proceeding to a great downfall, corruption unto becoming a worse villain than any you've defeated, or the character growth and wisdom that comes from humbling yourself. Which is your arc?"

Samen tenses up as he asks this, ready for conflict should things go poorly.