Cesran's Story
Log Info
- Title: Cesran's Story
- Emitter: Cesran
- Characters: Ashes, Cesran, Gadget, Aryia, Merek, Randolf, Seyardu, Verna
- Place: A07: Fernwood Pub
- Time: Wednesday, December 08, 2021, 2:50 PM
- Summary: Cesran is in the Fernwood, preparing for his next adventure. Ashes and Gadget arrive, and catch up. The hobgoblin has been long absent from Alexandria and hasn't seen her gnome friend since she got her eyes, arms, and legs. Cesran has a story to tell, but is also distracted, and tired. The pair talk about what they've done while apart. Aryia, Merek and Seyardu arrive, the latter failing at an attempt to teleport into the former's house. Merek has simply been occupied. Gadget hast to leave, around about when Verna and Randolf arrive. Cesran wakes up. He tells all about how Eclavdran was finally defeated. His efforts, which was to set the stage using research and magic, in the Precious Moon. How Tanith the little gold dragon that might be a part of Tarien and Eluna, removed the traps that had been placed inside Eluna's artifcats. He described Seldan and Serene's martial prowress against the Demon Duke, who was dimensionally bound and trapped inside a Mage's Magic Mansion. Also how Seldan offered his soul, and the others joined with him. as the demon attempted to devour them all, only to become swallowed by his offspring, Mei. How the ordeal left them stricken, but they won. Now, Cesran's mission is to save Aya, in the mean time everyone can spread the word: Eclavdran is dead. Also, Tanith ate all the fish.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.
The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face Cesran 6'1" 185 Lb Human Male A tall dark-skinned man Gadget 3'6" 38 Lb Gnome Female Beautiful and unnatural. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. Verna 4'5" 98 Lb Half-Elf Female Petite humanoid in bulky gray robes and cloak. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Cesran is sitting at one of the tables and he's enjoying a sorta fancy drink. He's got some maps of the surrounding area open in front of him and appears to be looking them over. His staff is standing behind him and appears to be napping at the moment.
It's a miserable day outside, so Ashes is out and about experiencing the freezing rain and sleet, the sodden boots, everything coated in ice and slippery. A raw wind blowing from the northeast makes trekking back to the mountain temple both cold and into a headwind.
So she lets it blow her where it will, which is down to the Fernwood. A place she has business with, personal not professional. Mourners called to a pub for pickup are not a good sign, generally. Today it's social.
The ashen Arvec comes inside from a day that's as cold and grey as she is. She stands just past the threshold, dripping, looking around. Her first glance is upwards at the permanently rented room. She starts towards the stairs when she catches sight of Cesran and alters course towards him.
The wet slap of her boots announces her arrival. She stands somewhat formally and says, "Hello." After which, she stares, so he'll know he has her undivided attention.
The mecha-gnome (half-mecha-gnome? Artificed gnome?)...Gadget walks into the pub. She's followed by the albino capuchin that usually follows her around. The monkey is about two thirds her height, so the difference is not quite so extreme, and it's helped a bit farther by the waistcoat and short trousers the animal wears. Gadget climbs up into one of the chairs and sits on her knees to get more height to sit at the medium-sized table like a big girl.
The table Gadget and Mr. Jinglewidget have arrived at is the one Ashes has also come to. "Boo," Gadget says, now next to the much taller woman. She smiles broadly as she cranes her neck back to make moonstone eye contact with Ashes.
Cesran looks up from his study of the map and the greeting has roused his staff from her slumber. The dragon head yawns widely as Cesran gives a polite and friendly smile to both Ashes and Gadget, "Good day to you both. Please have a seat if you wish to join me. Can I get you both something to drink?" He asks as before he reaches to pick up his glass and take a sip of the green liquid inside.
"Ok. Orange Juice." Ashes says, taking a seat as invited. The gnome's 'boo' instantly attracting her attention. That's not how ghosts sound! Also, the gnome isn't dead, only pretending, which is very considerate of her. She blinks, then stares into those moonstone eyes. Her own are black beads in the dark eye-sockets of her skull. She examines the woman next, her limbs. "Gadget?" She asks in monotone, followed by a rare hint of happiness in her voice, "You got your parts."
It's around about this time she remembers her manners. Actually, her familiar remembers for her and communicates that to her, through his 'you forgot something' adjustment around her neck. She ponders this for a moment, then tells Cesran, "Thanks."
Gadget nods at Ashes. "I guess it has been a while since we talked," she realizes. She stands in her seat and climbs up on the table. She looks into Ashes' eyes again and touches her face with her extremely cold, ticking hands. "You're very pretty," she says. "May I hug you?" she asks. For the moment, she completely ignores Cesran. This part is more important. She'll get back to it, surely.
Mr. Jinglewidget, however, waves to Cesran with a big, toothy, monkey grin!
Cesran flags down a server to bring a glass of orange juice and to put it on his tab. "Oh your welcome. This is a day of celebration. The Demon Esclavdran has been defeated." He says with a big grin on his face. "I was just planning my next adventure, it seems that Aya is still missing and needs to be found."
"Yes." The grey hobgoblin stands and moves to where she can embrace Gadget. Much like the gnome's metal limbs, she is cold and wet from being outside. Her hug is firm, she's soft and solid to hold. A little on the stiff side, Mourner joke, she's clearly used to comforting families but also not very good at it.
Hobgoblins aren't known for their personal warmth, so it is a friendly sign on her part. "I'm happy you are restored. I had to leave Alexandria."
Her attention is wrest away again. Still holding Gadget, there's a slight jump, a tensing of her muscles, followed by calm as Ashes looks directly at Cesran. "The demon from before. That's good. Congratulations."
Followed by, "Aya. I met her a few times."
Gadget hugs Ashes by wrapping those cold arms around her neck. She hugs her tightly, but not enough to cut off her airflow. She's clearly missed the much taller being. "I know. I looked all over, but I couldn't find you, and the people at your church kept telling me you hadn't come back yet." She doesn't let go, but continues to hold Ashes as she looks at Cesran, finally addressing his question. "Would you be willing to get a nice, hot bowl of porridge for Mr. Jinglewidget and I to share? Perhaps some milk to go with?"
Merek walks along and into the pub while he wears the spiky ponytail along his features, taking the time to look for a place to settle in and relax, his dark attire on while he takes off that visor which he wears to take a look to people, and waves to noticing Ashlee about, while he makes an order for a little food and drink.
Cesran asks the server for Gadget's request of a hot bowl of porridge and milk as they come back with the glass of orange juice for Ashes. "Thank you. Put it on my tab too." He says before turning back towards the others, "Yes it is good. It was a group effort between Serene, Seldan, Verna and myself. Seldan was the one who put his soul on the line we just helped. If you'd like to sit and join me I'd be happy to tell you about it."
Chippen runs up into Ashes hair so he won't be accidentally squished. Ashes herself gives Gadget another squeeze, ends the hug and seems briefly unsure what to do next. Finally she pats Gadget firmly on one shoulder, twice. She skips her comforting words, this is a celebratory occasion. She doesn't have celebration words.
Ashlee nods, and takes an object out of her satchel, turning her palm so it can be seen. A badge, "I got deputized."
She takes her seat again, watching Cesran "Not Mikilos' plan then. I want to hear."
Another glance at Gadget, "We failed to stop this demon and two of my friends died." Chippen taps her head, "they got better."
Gadget nods. She whispers to Ashlee. "I can't feel anything from the shoulders and hips outward," she informs quietly. She doesn't stop Ash from petting her, though. She does, however, try to guide her a bit. "Here," she says. "Come sit by me. I've missed you."
Merek looks over to Ashlee and to Gadget, while he waits for his food, and will smile when he's offered an ale, taking that up to drink. Ah, no more geas, which means that he can drink more than is permitted.
"I'm sorry." Ashes says, allowing herself to be guided to sit beside Gadget. She picks up her glass of orange juice and sips it slowly, watching Cesran, "I work with Verna."
She remembers to stare at Mr. Jinglewidget now, then nod, then turn her attention back to the mage. She's all ears, with large, goblinoid ears that tilt and turn and focus on him. The Mourner is listening.
Chippen, intuiting some of what the gnome said, runs down Ash's sleeve and crawls over to Gadget's arm. He circles it, she can't feel a thing. Ashes stares at her familiar, shaking her head slightly and placing her hand on Gadget's back where the centipeded can climb back on board.
"Hello Merek," she says.
Gadget watches the comparatively massive centipede wrap around her arm. She giggles, mostly because she knows it won't hurt her. She kisses it near its antennae and sits down, holding her arm up to watch it. She moves her arm over so Mr. Jinglewidget can pet the critter. Gadget gestures a bit and Mr. Jinglewidget shifts into the area behind her in her seat. He braids her hair and ties it with a ribbon. She then says to the centipede, "As long as you don't go in my hair, you can crawl on me." She looks up at Ashes again. "What's his name again?"
Merek looks up from that ale and watches when his fish with potatoes are delivered, taking a bite from them. Then he nods to Ashlee, "It is good to see you Ashlee," he offers, then a nod to Gadget, "And you." He smiles a bit while he takes the time to relax, a thing he doesn't get to do a lot.
"Chippen. It's short for Chippendale. I hardly use that." Ashlee says, staring at her centipede. He stares back with even beadier eyes, and waggles antennae at Gadget as if he understood her and is responding.
Which is quite possible for a witch's familiar such as himself.
He moves onto Gadget's head, above the braid and watches Mr. Jinglewidget's efforts, staying out of the way. Ashes ends up staring at the braiding for a while, before looking back to the table.
"You too Merek." She says, in monotone, with another glance at his drink. "I went to the City of Brass and played cards." Except she's interrupting, and faces Cesran once more, however he seems occupied with another order and a detail on his map. She decides not to rush him. Her eyes flicker at the other three present. Four. Chippen counts too.
Gadget reaches up and snags the centipede, making a high-pitched squeaking sound as she pulls it out of her hair. "I mean," she tries as she holds him in her arms again, "I guess at least he didn't disappear down into my dress? Though...VERY preferable to having bugs in my hair." She shudders as Mr. Jinglewidget fusses to fix her blond curls, re-doing her braid into a tighter, French braid.
Merek takes the time to sip from the drink, and nods a bit to Ashlee. "I'm glad you are getting to do fun things," the man notes, while he smiles. There seems to be a lot that's on his mind, although he doesn't share while he ponders the fish.
Ashlee nods slowly, "he's only allowed down mine. Sometimes he doesn't come out for hours." The braid holds her attention as Chippen does a figure eight run across Gadget's arms. There are tiny, tinny clicks as his feet contacts the mithril.
Another glance towards Cesran, she is curious about the story, and then she answers Merek, "There was a female devil, a gelatinous globule person, two wizards and some adventurers. Seldan was there."
"I didn't win and I didn't lose." She adds, looking at Gadget once more. "The eyes were a good choice."
Gadget nods. "I like them," she says. She looks at her chest then at the centipede. "Sounds like you've got a lot more limited in scope. I bet you don't like being on my cold limbs." She considers with a hmmm. She then wraps the cool arthropod around her neck like a scarf. "There we go," she says. "You're allowed to go down if you want. I know it's warm down there, and I know you're not being lewd about it." She kisses the centipede's head again and turns to look around the table. She waves at Merek.
Cesran snores.
Merek looks along to Ashlee and smiles amusedly at that, while he nods a bit. He then watches the place while he drinks, "Well, it's a nice day in any case, to relax away from things."
Chippen waves antennae again, settling in around the gnome's neck like a scarf. He seems warm enough right now; if he gets cold he will venture lower. There's a sliding rub of his feet when he's patted.
Ashes looks at Cesran, and his sleeping staff, Ral-sara. Events might have taken a lot out of them. Her hand slowly sneaks for her satchel, the Vardaman pamphlet with the all important page of safe small talk topics.
The Mourner decides to take a chance. She indicates Merek with a gesture, tells Gadget, "We died. He died a couple more times."
No sudden gasps, good, the conversation can proceed. "The Grey Halls have hot springs. And love." The Mourner is being helpfully informative, in case anyone, well Gadget, had concerns about the afterlife.
"Who goes there?" Gadget asks, curiously. "Was it only your people, only worshipers of your deity, or can anyone choose to go there? I have so many questions." She uses one hand to pet Chippen, her other petting Mr. Jinglewidget so he doesn't get jealous.
Merek looks up and to Ashlee and Gadget, "Ah, well. There are rituals that people like Ashlee know that permit you to visit it in a way you can remember. Though, if you visit it while you're killed you become a petitioner and remember little. That said, anyone probably can with the magic needed, it is a Plane like any other, just for spirits to be assigned generally."
"Everyone." Ashes says, "Rich, poor, monsters, humans, fiends. The Feiu of the Tears receives and judges all, then they move on. To the planes they are most connected to. Some fade away." She scratches the table, "Ghosts get stuck before she sees them. I help."
Chippen rubs against Gadget's hand, carapace to carapace.
The Mourner nods again, "We ritually died."
Gadget nods and looks at the centipede. "I really like you, too," she says to him. She kisses his face, her lips dwarfing his face, despite her small size. She looks up at Ash, then over at Merek, then back at Ash again. "If I go to an afterlife while I'm alive, what happens if I decide I don't want to leave?"
Merek looks then to Gadget, and back to Ashlee, "Well. The best guess is that the psychopomp will guide you while your body and mind will turn into a petite-titioner. It is not a plane you can stay in for a long time without that."
Chippen tickles Gadget's chin with several forefeet, tiny claws that don't leave a mark. He keeps his mandibles closed and is careful with his poison, even if it seems like an immense maw is about to swallow him. He is a trusting and trustworthy bug though and a light headbutt is how he returns the kiss.
Ashlee, meanwhile stares at Merek, waiting on his answer, then thinking the absent details over. "It depends. Spells can send you back, if you're really there or astrally projected. You might die and stay. The residents might send you back or keep you. Merek spent three months in the Iron Hells."
She nods towards Cesran, "The demon they killed kept him there," she turns back to stare at Gadget. Her face is a skull, her voice monotone, her clothes and skin the colour of consumed fuel. All Mourners strive to be like their mistress, Ashes has some advantages, "The Magus Ectra N'garra had been in the Grey Halls for twenty years, trying to turn herself into a lich. The afterlife is... flexible."
Gadget nods. "I see," she says. She continues to play with Chippen. "If I go back outside, you're definitely going to get cold there," she says. She seems to be hinting at something, though she definitely seems not to mind the 'pede at all.
Merek looks then to Ashlee, "They killed him? Well, that means that we can all finally take a break from that," he will admit, then waves along to Gadget.
Gadget waves and gets up to go.
"I'm talking about work." Ashlee apologizes, watching Gadget and Chippen. He hasn't gotten cold enough inside, however, and enjoys a new neck to encircle and run around. There's a little tap-tap of his head, clicking against metallic fingers.
He crosses back when Gadget and Mr. Jinglewidget have to go.
Ashes brings him up to her neck, where he becomes her choker once more. She stares at Merek, and nods. "We finally can."
Her head drops and she stares at the table, "Thanks for asking me, even if I didn't help."
Ever since the mute pugilist moved out of the Fernwood, she didn't really have much need to be here anymore.
A blatant lie. Who was going to cook? Not this this lazy mul.
Despite the frigid temperatures and the dampness outside, Aryia walks in with her hands in her pockets, whistling some sea shanty. She's dry, and in her verdant green buckle jacket. Side stepping a pair of dawn elves mingling near the bar, she spots the table and raises a hand in greeting from afar.
Nabbing a drink and some bread, she ambles on over.
Cesran jerks awake and rubs his temples, "Ah sorry about that I was in the wizard's state." He says as way of a joke, "I've been burning the candle at both ends in researching and preparation for combating Eclavdran. Didn't even realize I had nodded off. Ah Merek glad you could join us. Did I miss much? Oh right you all wanted to hear about the final confrontation with Eclavdran."
There is a strange amount of commotion from upstairs in the Fernwood, the sound of someone shouting, a door being slammed afterwards, and many footfalls, followed by a thump of something heavy hitting the floor. Only after that did the commotion die down, though there was a slightly disheveled looking cleric stepping lightly down the staircase leading to the upper levels. Those who understood them better could tell that the makari was beyond embarrassed, but upon seeing several familiar faces, she waves to them, with a sharp toothed smile to match it before she made her way over.
"Yes." Ashlee says, in monotone, noticing movement and Aryia. The sudden commotion upstairs makes her twist her head to look at the source. Oh, it's not Braelnoir. Her gaze returns to Cesran, "Not much. We discussed the Grey Halls."
She sits a little straighter, like she's a student at a lecture, a habit from quite a few years ago. "Tell me how it happened."
Aryia stops just before the table, her tilting her head upwards and to the side at all the noises. Noticing Seyardu, she raises a hand in greeting and a light smile. "Hey Seyardu. Peace on your nest. Everything okay?"
Her attention slips to the table, catching the tail end of Cesran's words. Her eyes widen, and in a snap, she's already dragging a chair over (much to the annoyance of the two elves from before) and plops down uninvited. Very, very attentive. <Handspeech>
Seyardu makes her way over to the table, shifting her satchel and cleric robes she was wearing that day around to look a bit less disheveled. "Ah, peace on your nest, Aryia, Cesran, Merek and Ashlee." She greets those assembled, before turning her attention to Aryia. "I will apologize to the owners another time. But, ah, I was attempting to use magic to reach your home, to surprise you. But, it only occured to me after the fact that I have no clue where your home is. So it seems, I only ended up surprising someone else. Still, it is good to see you, that is quite fortunate."
Cesran clears his throats and as he speaks his hands move in handspeech, "This takes place after Mikilos' attempt to trap Eclavdran. So to start the demon Eclavdran was able to spy on members of the Adventurer's Guild using an artifact that allowed him to scry just by knowing people's name and if he had more, like blood and what not, then perhaps he could do more to that person. I was able to study a copy of this artifact that Zeke had acquired on one of his adventures and we were able to test it out against certain spells that could block the scrying. Thankfully only my name was on it. The near artifact that Zeke had let us see what was on the artifact that Eclavdran had as it as a copy of it. It was a tablet about so big." He shows using his hands. "And you could move the list of names up and down by touching it with your finger and moving your finger. It could pull up an illusionary double of the person. Anyway I'm getting off topic."
"Once I knew I could block out the scrying I began my research on Eclavdran in earnest. I traveled all over to every library, book store and repository of knowledge that I knew about or learned through researching at other places. It took me months, but finally I was able to piece together enough information about Eclavdran to help formulate a plan. Eclavdran had a half mortal son named Mei and he was here in the city. Mei shared a power with his father, who is a Balor, to eat a person's soul, but Mei could also eat his father's soul if his father was trying to eat someone else's soul." Cesran pauses to take a drink.
Aryia blinks, her grinning and snickering behind a hand. But she sighs and shakes her head. "Wait, you were trying to scry on me too? Shit, can you guys, like, not do that?" she motions before waving it off. "It's fine, I can give you my address later, it's not too far from here. Good to see you too."
Her hands fall still as she watches Cesran with her entire focus. She was nibbling on a piece of bread as he explains. Then she ceases eating. Her jaw slightly ajar, blinking wide. Mei was...? She was enraptured. <Handspeech>
Randolf pushes open the door and comes lumbering into the pub. He has his head held high, his chest puffed out, and an ear-to-ear grin on his face. "Hello friends!" he booms cheerfully, waving at the folk he recognizes. "Sey, peace on yer nest! Merek, all right? Oh, Ariya, lookit!" He makes a few gestures in Handspeech. 'I figured it out! Pretty good, huh?' He chuckles deeply to himself, stumping over to the bar and hefting himself up atop a barstool. "Let's have a round fer the house! I'm in a good mood today!" But that good mood fades as he catches Cesran's commentary. He gapes at the man for a moment, then slaps a hand to his face. "Sweet savory Reos on a week-old biscuit, -again- wi' this shit? Who's gettin' their soul et -now-?" And he was in such a buoyant mood too.
The Mourner is also listening and staring at Cesran. Chippen, her large centipede familiar, has moved to the top of her head, and has several front segments raised, as if he's at attention and listening to a lecture also.
Ashes nods, some of these things she's familiar with. Mikilos' failed attempt. Actually, just that, Mei, his relationship to Eclavdran, his ability, was new to her. As is the scrying device, although that has been topical of late. Even Eclavdran's name was an unknown. She's been out of the city for some time.
In terms of plans, this one sounded even more risky than the one she attempted. Yet, it succeeded. Perhaps she should have bet more and gambled harder. "I'm not very good at cards."
She holds up a hand, "Orange juice." She points at Merek, "Whiskey." No sense passing on free drinks.
Merek looks along and to Ashlee with a nod when she mentions whiskey, then he smiles a little while he takes the time to greet Aryia and Randolf, while he waves to Seyardu and nods to Cesran, "I am glad we won."
"No, I wasn't trying to scry on you or anything, I was just, oh goodness, it's probably worse." The cleric sighs. "I was, if you can actually believe it, I was teleporting over to visit, I heard that it is customary for soft-er, for people to bring over baked goods when they are heating their homes the first time. I bought a cake in the markets for that."
Though the stories being shared make her raise one brow. "What's this? I know of the device you mention, but, there is a way to deal with them? That is excellent news, though I do not know how much a half balor can be trusted. Still, better than the alternative, I would think?"
Cesran shakes his head, "Zeke was trying to scry on me with the copy of the artifact that he had. I was able to defend against it using spells I have that are designed to defend against scrying. I don't scry on anyone unless I absolutely need to find them or they are missing. I have no wish to violate anyone's privacy, nor do I wish to have mine violated."
He continues, "Mei also knew where his father would be, at the Prestigious Moon and at what time. And we had some help from a lovely little gold dragon named Tanith who was able to defeat some of Eclavdran's traps that he put in the moons that Seldan had acquired. So we set a trap. We didn't want him to scry on the location and see what we were doing so I put up a False Vision spell to fool the scrying. I then set up a Mage's Magnificent Mansion with the door flush against the opening of the shop, so that when Eclavdran entered he'd be in my mansion rather than the shop."
Cesran has to take another drink as story telling is thirsty work. "I had set up a room to look just like the Prestigious Moon, but the walls were false and would fall away revealing a larger area. The inside was covered in Dimensional Locks to keep him from just teleporting away, except for the front room because the emerald barrier would give the game away. It would be part of the plan to lock him in once he entered. The trap set we put on protection spells against fire and unholy damage and other such buffing spells and we waited."
Aryia tears her attention away from the story during a pause to blink at Randolf, then a wide smile goes across her lips. Someone... else was learning because of her? "Oh! Wow! That's good!" she gestures slowly for him. She gestures for him to join them at the table. "No, R-A-N-D-O-L-F. It's over.
The mul blinks at Seyardu, then quietly chuckles, reaching out to put a hand on her arm. "House warming gift. Thank you." Then... "... wait, you can teleport? Since when? And... why were you trying to teleport into my room?!"
She groans softly and shakes her head, waving a dismissal of apology to the silverscale.
Her attention returns back to the masterful trap laid before the demon. Normally the topic would tire her quick, yet this time, it was a prelude to the end. And she was all to A ager to listen to that. The names of spells go over her head, but that didn't deter her<Handspeech>
GAME: Cesran rolls perform/oratory: (8)+0: 8
Randolf fumbles in his robe's inner pocket for his pipe and tobacco pouch, his good mood soured to his more usualy surly scowl. He mutters into his beard as he works on filling the bowl, tamping the rich tobacco with a fingertip before tucking the bit in the side of his mouth. "Give us a beer," he grumbles. Then pauses. "Actually, no. Make it a whiskey." Pause. "Actually, just leave the bottle." Stuffing his tobacco pouch back in his pocket, he snaps his fingers to conjure a spark of flame. Sending up short, angry little puffs as he gets the tobacco fired up. Snapping out the flame, he picks up the bottle set before him. He doesn't even bother with the highball glass, he just briskly unscrews the cap, flicks it off the top, and tips back a hefty gulp.
Ashlee stares at the handsigns, and makes no contribution if she understands them. She waits for her orange juice, she watches Cesran. She nods, that acquired skill, at the appropriate times in the story. She's listening.
"Very complex. Very good." The Mourner says, as more detail of the plan is given. "What moons?"
"Moons of Eluna. I had little time to study them unfortunately, but they were small flying moons, much like my Ioun Stones." He points to the couple of stones flying around his head. "They were magically trapped by Eclavdran, but how exactly was unknown. Seldan had managed to get 2 of them and Tanith appeared before us demanding fish and got rid of the traps. For those that may not know Tanith is no ordinary tiny gold dragon. There are stories that at one time Tarien and Eluna were one god named Tanith, although both Tarien and Eluna clergy would probably say that's heretical. Still I have never gazed upon a being as powerful as Tanith in all of my adventures." Cesran gets back on topic
"Anyway, Seldan, Verna and I decided to wait in the faux shop with Serene and her griffin waiting outside of the room. As soon as Eclavdran in his Lord Erik disguise came in and I cast Time Stop. This lets me act freely as I was moving so fast that everything else seemed to be standing still. It lasts only a handful of seconds at the least and half a minute at the most. Unfortunately it was the very least. I had only 12 seconds to spring the first trap. Thankfully I came prepared. Using my rod of quickening I was able to cast a wall of force that blocked the physical exit and then I went to cast Dimensional Lock to seal him in... More bad luck though Eclavdran was not without his tricks as he had a contingency spell ready that dispelled my dimensional lock spell before it could seal him in. It looked like he would escape as Balor's can use greater teleport at will." Cesran says a bit dramatically.
GAME: Cesran rolls perform/oratory: (4)+0: 4
"I was not trying, I succeeded, though it is not your room anymore. And as I said, it was to test the spell, and surprise you. Not your room, but your home." She elaborates further, before she finds a stool to sit down at. "I am glad that Tanith is well, I had not seen them since the disappeared at that colosseum." She adds after hearing of such, though she does seem to frown after a moment. "These orbs, Mei, I do not think it is another Mei, though they did not look fiendish when I met them. I am sure that Seldan had his reasons for not saying that he was given the orb in question by me, though. Yet if they were trapped as you say, I can not help but wonder how Mikilos did not detect such. That was dangerous, and it is good that it was removed."
Merek nods a bit listening, though he takes a drink of whiskey and will not be commenting at the moment. He does lean back while he takes a bite of the fish.
Randolf listens to the tale, puffing steadily at his pipe with that scowl firmly etched on his face. Hearing how the balor broke the imprisoning spell makes him harrumph. He takes ahold of his pipe so he can tip back another guzzle of whiskey. "Well, seein' as how yer still here, an' not chained up in some fiendish hell-pit somewhere, we can probably assume ye had a counter-contingency o' some sort?" he asks Cesran, looking to the man.
"Like last time." Ashlee says, turning to stare at the Ioun stones, and imagining moons in their place. That would be nice. As a follower of Vardama, her goddess' version would be something like her scales. Or perhaps a grey veil. A rotating veil would be interesting but not very helpful, especially if it occluded her vision for long periods of time. Scales, also, would get her fixated on measurements and balance.
"I should get one of those rods." She opines. It wasn't necessary in her personal triumph, but that was a very close call. It might have helped on other occasions. "I'll remember if I see the Gold Dragon. What happened next?"
She takes a sip of her orange juice.
Wind, wet, and a bit of ice make a brief entrance into the Fernwood, over and around the latest entrant. Verna's gray cloak over gray robes atop gray flesh (not that any is blatantly exposed at the moment) blends well with the delightful weather outside. Until it does not as the door is promptly closed to separate the two, with the outside returned distinctly to the outside.
"They were masterfully trapped as even I had a hard time telling that they were trapped and even then I didn't know how the trap would work, just that it was." Cesran gets back to the story, "I had very little time left so I cast wall of stone to create a cage of stone around Eclavdran and then I did what I could, I readied a greater dispel magic to act as a counterspell. With that time's flow restarted and Serene with her griffin pulled down the false walls and she strode to Eclavdran's cage and with her shield of phase locking smote the demon. She hurt him, but more importantly locked him in place, he could not use greater teleport, for the moment. Enraged he transformed back into his Balor form and burst from the cage. Summoning his weapons he promised use that we would not leave here alive."
Cesran smiles as Verna comes in, "And then Mourner Verna calling upon the magics of both arcane and divine shot two rays of dimensional anchor at him. One missing because she didn't want to hit Serene or her mount, but the other struck true and held fast, binding the demon to this pocket dimension, rendering him unable to escape. Seldan was quick to try to capitalize as he drew out a scroll of Mage's Disjunction and in a risky move used it on the moon that Eclavdran had in his possession. The moon shattered in a blinding light and who should appear, but Tanith."
GAME: Cesran rolls perform/oratory: (17)+0: 17
Aryia blinks, glancing between the ioun stone and Cesran. She scratches her head as the dragon is mentioned, unsure if she's ever seen the creature before.
She pats Randolf on the shoulder, assuaging his worries as she sips on her drink. The mute steals a glance over to Verna, her raising a hand and waving her over with a smile. "Point of the matter is teleporting into someone's room unannounced. I'd probably would have punched you in surprise."
The mute continues to listen to the story, now with confusion etched in her visage. "... Cesran, can you like, dumb it down some for us simple folk? You're losing me," she requests with a raised hand.
Still, she barely followed along. <Handspeech>
The Mourner Ashlee exchanges the traditional greeting with fellow Mourner Verna, a long and silent stare, coupled with subtle cues to indicate how her day was going, how many corpses she's seen so far, how many living she's had to deal with. The usual trials of the Grey Lady's sulky skulkers. Although there has not been much sulking.
Her large, goblinoid ears flicker at the cold drafts and the details of the story. She remembers to nod; Merek's secret weapon coming in so useful. She mustn't overdo it. Stare. Nod. Sip orange juice. Wait for Cesran to keep speaking. She blinks, "Oh. That is a risky move, and spell."
"Good gamble."
"I will endeavor to remember that in the future, Aryia. But letting someone know you are teleporting takes a lot of energy that can be better served elsewhere in a lot of cases. Not to mention ten minutes of preparation to do so." The cleric sighs.
"That does not make much sense, but I will take your word for it Cesran. And peace on your nest, Verna, if you were there, then I am glad to see you okay afterwards."
"So, Tanith appeared when the orb broke? Why is that? And, why break the orb in the first place?"
Cesran looks to Aryia and realizes that he's perhaps getting a bit too technical. Sure he knows all the spells and what they do, but others might not care about exactly what spells got used when, just that magic happened and something else happened because of it. He nods, "I apologize I just wanted to give the most accurate recap I could. I'll try to make it more palatable." He pauses for a moment before he continues, "As I continued to ready my counterspells to combat Eclavdran's magic and Serene did battle him with her fists the balor struck back almost taking off Serene's head, if not for the timely intervention of her steed. Frustrated the demon drank a potion to heal himself and then unleashed his ability to eat souls upon Seldan."
This is the moment we had been waiting for as Seldan bravely fought for his very immortal essence Mei stepped in and started to use the same ability on his father. This was a gamble as none of us knew what would happen, but then Seldan called out for us to join him. We all moved and placing our hands on Seldan's shoulders lent our own souls to help strengthen him. The combine might of three mighty divine souls and my own, were able to overcome the darkness. Mei could have joined us, but was so consumed with consuming his father's soul he could think of little else. Together we destroyed Eclavdran's soul. When we regained our senses a moment later Mei was gone and Tanith was in his place. Seldan was unconscious and not breathing. Serere got his body working again and we carried him off to Soldier's Rest to heal."
"I don't know why the orb broke as it did or why Tanith appeared as she did. All I know is that when I went to look for the orb Seldan had it was gone as was the one that Serene was wearing. When I went back to the mansion I had discovered that all the food stuffs, enough to feed 240 people a 9 course meal was empty, turned into fish, judging by the lingering smell. Payment for Tanith's help."
GAME: Cesran rolls perform/oratory: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
Verna notes her fellow Mourner, a familiar skull, yet one which she had not witnessed since... long enough past that she cannot recall readily. She returns the appropriate stare as she doffs her hood, though hers is somewhat wearied more than flat. for Cesran's recounting of tales, she remains silent, content and/or confident enough in his account that she does not feel the need to interject.
Aryia glances to Seyardu. "Or, you could like, you know, teleport outside the room and knock like everyone else...? Privacy."
She shakes her head, returning back to focus on the story at hand. She gives an appreciative nod towards the wizard. "Thank you..." she motions slowly, listening attentively.
And it was the turn of the story as it becomes more abstract that makes her eyes widen in disbelief. Her lips move to say something, but whatever it was, it was just sputtering sounds. Even the two elves she had brushed by were drawn in by the story. Even if its delivery was factual, like a report, its contents were enough to draw in others.
That's the level of things they were dealing with? Was that... what her sister was dealing with..?
She could only crudely sign, "...holy shit..." <Handspeech>
"I shouldn't have bothered him." Ashes says randomly. She was happy with the detail, as a minor spellcaster it's useful to know what was used, how and when. She stares at Cesran, dark eyes in her skull face. For makeup she has a butterfly today, on her cheek, and painted gemstones for eyebrows. "Can I read your research?"
She might even be able to follow some of it.
Chippen circles her throat, to remind her she's forgotten something again. She gazes distantly and thinks what it might be. Oh yes, "Thanks for your service."
"They are gone, but, I trust that things will hopefully be okay. And that Eclavdran is gone for good." Seyardu sighs. "This is, I am still surprised it actually happened, after everything. When Mikilos failed to do so, I thought it almost impossible."
"I do not have to worry about Ashwings and demon lords every day, this is wonderful news. Perhaps Alexandria can return to some semblance of normalcy, if not for everything in the temple district."
Cesran stifles another yawn as he finishes his tale. "I think I should be heading out, thank you for listening to me." He says as he starts to gather his supplies. "Sorry if my telling was a bit dry. Perhaps I should tell it to a bard and let them fancy it up." He nods to Ashes, "Of course, but not tonight, I'm sure we'll meet again and you can look over the research that I did. I'm currently working on finding Aya I had hope she'd come back when Eclavdran was defeated, but it seems not. I said I'd do my best to help her so we'll see what comes of it." He finishes putting away his maps and materials before he picks up his staff, "I'm happy to help use my magic to keep others in this city safe. Good night all."
They can all spread the good news.
Eclavdran is dead.
OOC
<OOC> Cesran raspberries his dice.
<OOC> Ashes says, "they do that, yes."
<OOC> Cesran says, "Had I gone into technical detail I could have rolled better. ;)"
<OOC> Cesran is going to pose out next round, rl stuff to attend to
<OOC> Aryia hug! "Thanks for the story! :)"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Welcome."
<OOC> Ashes nods, hugs, "That works, story is good and there's another even starting, so timing is good
<OOC> Ashes says, "it was really neat, thanks!"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Yep now you all can spread the good news that Eclavdran is dead"
<OOC> Cesran says, "or is he...? Bum bum bum."
<OOC> Aryia double taps with a thunderbelcher