"Oh, well," Elen starts before realizing no one is in the mood for a sappy good bye. "What are we going to do now?"
Elen spends the bulk of her time between gardening in Betony and Pensaris Villiage, and doing what she can for truth, justice and democracy. It's probably way trickier than it sounds, but she does her best.
In her spare time she writes several ballets depicting her and her companions’ stories (with the ever mysterious Night Swan). She works in memorials out of respect for their more formidable foes. After each completion, she takes the maunscript/score to the Désiré Ballet Company .
She finds the proprietor and says, ”I can think of no better place to want to perform these ballets than here – “ she throws her arms up and looks about to gesture to the theatre as a whole. ”If you would be so kind to do me the honors, please look over the manuscript and score before deciding.”
The older man, whose name she learns is 'Désiré' agrees, of course, and the story of 'War for the Crown' -- a total of 6 separate ballets -- go down in history.
Elen nods and says softly, "Just before he faded completely, he said he had faith in you as the true leader of Taldor. He said he was very sorry that he couldn't stay."
"There is indeed enough of you left to have been able to speak your will, and we will convey your message to the Princess. Also, it was not your fault having been murdered. Unexpected as it was under these impossible circumstances, I too am honored to have met the real you."
”Thank you, Muri. I started feeling my strength start to fade, but the fleeting feeling seemed to make me more resolved to resist it. Surely a gift from Shelyn..”
She marches with the others towards the next door.
”Yes, do go on. How has this advisor Lisanne Jelansil plotting against you and possibly more importantly – why? How could anyone even think of doing such a thing to Your Jovial Royalness?”
I wonder if this is the halfling line Wyssilka The Fantabulous is from.
”By any chance, are there any entertainers in that family?”
Status:
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34 +3 Ring,+2 Amulet, +4 Mage Armor, For ‘Princess’: AC: 39+5 Challenge (Sacred Bonus) Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
For ‘Princess’: Current Saves: Fort: +20; Ref +22; Will: +15, +17 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Challenge, Sacred Bonus)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
She changes tack. "Well, Emperor Beldam, maybe you can tell us who it is you are trying to poison? It's entirely possible that we've already killed them."
Elen speaks, addressing her companions more than the Emperor.
"There's no poison here, this Legend is a waste of time. What did they see in him to bring him to counsel for the late Prince? Is it some form of sadistic entertainment for them?"
”Hmm… well – consider the possibility that you are having a nightmare – or are in some hell or other. Why don’t you just try walking away from it all?”
Status:
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34 +3 Ring,+2 Amulet, +4 Mage Armor, For ‘Princess’: AC: 39+5 Challenge (Sacred Bonus) Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
For ‘Princess’: Current Saves: Fort: +20; Ref +22; Will: +15, +17 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Challenge, Sacred Bonus)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
Elen retorts while waiting for the wish miracle, "She didn't 'let' anyone take the throne. The same people who are manipulating this small piece of your soul took her life to put the dead Prince on the throne. You are nothing more than a puppeteer in this scenario "
She addresses the Ulfen Warriors. "Do these sound like the words of a ruler who has the interests of the people of Taldor in mind? He claims he is guiding the Prince, but his words are interspersed with claims of his past glories and powers. I submit to you -- his only real interest is reclaiming power and using you to that end -- not to Taldor. His reign is no more, and your loyalties are misplaced in him. The Prince is long dead. Your loyalties are to the rightful heir of the throne, Princess Eutropia!"
“To a learned man, blades are no more threatening than a poorly wielded hickory switch. I command a thousand men, ready to die at my whim. Can your would-be emperor command that devotion? Can you?”
”Commanded – you mean 'you commanded',” Elen gently offers perspective. ”And our Queen does command that devotion – not just to her military – but to the people of Taldor – and us. That is why we are here. And she would continue to command such devotion were you not standing in Her Royal Highness’s way. ” Standing akimbo, she holds his gaze and tries to look as reproachful as possible.
"Well done everyone! Let's see if we can keep this going!"
She heads for the steel door with the inverted ruby crown. "Daronlyr the Overthrower. What do you think is on his mind? I advise more caution, this one might be more stubborn."
If everyone agrees she shrugs, knocks three times, then touches the door to open it -- prepared to be teleported to the next soul palace.
"CALL OFF YOUR APE! Your 'mind' is not wholly yours anymore! Sure, you used to be whole, but now there are other influences in there with you -- would you deny that? Consider this -- that your greatest aid to the boy at this point would be to let him go! Fighting will not accomplish anything. You have done all of the good that you can -- go now, and be at peace!"
Elen speaks, eyes closed, but desperately wanting to make eye contact. ”You have been used, Taldaris – or at least that little part of your soul that is this unholy facsimile before us representing Taldiaris – has been used. Think, Little Bit of Taldaris – do you honestly feel whole, or are there bits in here besides us that you don’t at all identify with? Most of the children you refer too are gone by our hand, and there is but one true heir left defined by a more complete Taldaris on Axis. You are being manipulated, but we can help aided by your spirit! Tell us how to free you so that you can become one with the rest of your soul! The true heir should be free to make their own choice!”
Ring of Freedom of Movement, 40,000gp
Silver Spindle Ioun Stone, 24,000gp Faerie Fire 3x/day
Pale Green Prism Ioun Stone, 30,000gp
Stone of Good Luck, 20,000gp
Elen nods in thanks and understanding to the Princess.
"Maybe we should enter in a staggered fashion then greet each other on the far side of the courtyard? You know, pretend we haven't seen each other for years."
"If you think it would be helpful, giving the Belt of Might Constitution to Underfoot is fine by me. And, I am interested in the Headband of Vast intelligence +6 (Fly, Perception, Use Magic Device)."
”Well, that is encouraging. Maybe there is something left of the Prince’s soul – otherwise whose soul would it be seeking?” wonders Elen aloud after hearing Edelmira’s description. ”Maybe we should get closer.”
She turns and curtsies to the pathetic, pitiful, prone Princess. ”Princess, did say you knew of secret passages that might get us close to the Prince? If we can disrupt the old souls and free him, maybe he can just end this nonsense."
"But first, maybe go to Martella and rest up if it is safe to do so."
Status:
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34 +3 Ring,+2 Amulet, +4 Mage Armor, For ‘Princess’: AC: 39+5 Challenge (Sacred Bonus) Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
For ‘Princess’: Current Saves: Fort: +20; Ref +22; Will: +15, +17 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Challenge, Sacred Bonus)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
”I will do whatever is in my power to free the Prince from these presences that plague and dominate him. You will have your brother back, should I have anything to say about it.”
"Oh, thank you but like I said -- this is really not my 'thing'. I think Edelmira might be more equipped for this sort of mental gymnastic.". She removes the ring from the Duke's right hand (stab stab stab) and offers it to Edelmira.
She watches the Princess sink to the floor. "Oh, if only we had a Restoration! We should arrange to get the Princess to safety, then pay the Prince a visit."
Elen pulls out the Duke's right hand (stab! stab! stab!) and retrieves the Ring.
"I think the Ring when donned allows you to travel into the mind of the prince to confront or otherwise control or destroy the various prior Taldor emperor souls bound to him. I don't know if it requires psychic energy to use, though. Perhaps we should spruce up our disguises to get closer to the Prince and see if it can at all be used."
”I assure you Phrepniph, Virgil was imprisoned in a place nothing as civilized as what you describe along with several other innocents. Yet, you may get your wish to be that lucky. I think you owe for what happened to Virgil. I am loathe to kill a supporter of the Princess. Perhaps you should be indentured to Virgil and Myrma, and they can decide what punishment you should endure.”
Assuming Virgil is physically healthy at this point?
”Exposing this creature was worth it. In the very least it means Virgil is vouched for, and can go back to his business without any challenges.”
Once the doppleganger has been dealt with and out of earshot – ”So, shall we head out now to rescue the Princess? How shall we disguise ourselves? Should we – dare I say – split up and meet in the mausoleum? Should we just drift in as birds or something?”
Elen's left brow arches slightly as she gazes at the doppelganger. She shrugs at her companions. You know from previous experience that Elen is telling you that so far the creature is being truthful.
”No, no – you are mistaken. The Prince is being manipulated by an evil thus far unprecedented. We are fighting those who are against her, and if you fight us – you’ll be going against what her will would be were she here to express it herself.”
Diplo:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27
Status:
Hits: 118/118
Current AC: 34 +3 Ring,+2 Amulet, +4 Mage Armor, For ‘Princess’: AC: 39+5 Challenge (Sacred Bonus) Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
For ‘Princess’: Current Saves: Fort: +20; Ref +22; Will: +15, +17 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Challenge, Sacred Bonus)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
”Do you think Myrna has already sorted out the fake? She might have been replaced too."
”Hrm, I think whoever swapped out Virgil did so to keep track of our movements, and to spy. If they would have taken Myrma also, we would have found her in the prison with Virgil. I guessing if we take Virgil there to Betony where where I believe the impostor Virgil is also supposed to be with our carriage – she’ll be able to sort this out in a few minutes.”
”I’m fine with getting a new disguise, but I am hoping anyone interested in us is going to be focusing on Birdsong and Oppara for now. Just until we get the prisoners and Virgil sorted out. Then we can head to Birdsong and perform some mausoleum raiding. But in Stachys – I do think we should be ourselves for the brief time that we will be there.”
Status:
Hits: 116/118
Current AC: 34 +3 Ring,+2 Amulet, +4 Mage Armor, For ‘Princess’: AC: 39+5 Challenge (Sacred Bonus) Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
For ‘Princess’: Current Saves: Fort: +20; Ref +22; Will: +15, +17 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Challenge, Sacred Bonus)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
”Oh!” Elen gasps, ”How beautiful! What is that you have there?” She collects the tube from the bird. She watches the confused avian fly off.
Poor guy. He’s wondering why he’s here.
Martella wrote:
”Something is gravely wrong with Carrius.”
”How do you excise a forged soul from it’s host?” asks Elen, still not quite sure how things work. ”Is there truly nothing left of Carrius?”
Martella wrote:
”I’m sheltering in the Grandbridge Vagabond Camp, on Barrier Island just outside Oppara.”
”If there is now some bounty on our heads, maybe it is best not to head to Barrier Island lest we draw attention to Martella.”
She looks at Virgil. ”Is it best to head toward Stachys. Maybe Virgil’s apparent doppelganger is something we can use as leverage... If nothing else we should consider outing Vigil’s impostor, and getting the rest of the prisoners to shelter. Then focus on resurrecting the Princess."
