Five Hunches
Log Info
- Title: Five Hunches
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Zeke, Acedia, Aya, Cesran, Seyardu, Merek, Rocky, Boaz
- Place: A10: Temple of Daeus
- Time: Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 6:41 PM; Thursday, September 23, 2021, 2:38 PM
- Summary: Acedian and Aya visit Cryo. She is convalescing. Acedia brings well wishes and Aya brings a list she found in Mei's Tower which belonged to Eclavdran. The list is very deliberate, including some blood stains to enchant the scroll to scroll, and seems to indicate those he has pacts with. Acedia is dismayed to hear he is active again. Cesran arrives, and they discuss the item. The Arch-mage makes some suggestions, artifice mana batteries to drain her, and a polymorph to give her the form of her original self. He departs and Acedia asks if her dragon form is permanent now. Cryo is uncertain, speculating it may be a conclusion of Salina's experiments on her. The gobbo is frustrated, didn't the Fey Queen promise to undo everything? Cryo responds that Fey are capricious with their words, 'everything' might have had qualifiers. Everything that magic could undo, for example. She didn't bring back the dead she killed. She departs, and Zeus leaves also, sending Seyardu to watch Cryo while he goes to prayers. The two Sith women are about to talk when Merek arrives. He and Cryo catch up, and then Cryo provides a relatively detailed summary of what happened when Griva took them to symbolically battle a foe of magic. Cryo asks a few questions regarding the Sea and the destroyed creature, hoping Merek's merging with it would provide additional insight, but he expended most of his power assisting them in the ritual. He drinks the sedative tea meant for Cryo and falls asleep. The two women are about to talk privately again, when Rocky arrives. Cryo is overjoyed to see him, shows off, and assures him that plans to rescue Lily are worked on and she's hopeful. As timing would have it, Boaz arrives also, and Cryo's two clutch-mates reunite. She teases them a little, attempting to get them to show off for Seyardu, and finally drinks her tea which knocks her out. The remaining sith discuss weapony and colours.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Daeus *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The temple of the Sun Lord glitters golden beneath the same. Rather than walls, the majority of the temple is composed of what appears at first blush to be a raised round platform made of one of the largest slabs of marble likely in existence. Columns rise into the air as if to hold some massive ceiling, though instead of a normal ceiling, one finds the deep blue sky, studded by a disconcertingly close canopy of bright stars. One should not worry, however, as the rain never falls, and the wind never blows on this particular temple, but for a gentle breeze, whatever the weather outside may be.
Despite the austerity of the columns, warmth suffuses the grounds. A grand, marble statue of the Shining Knight stands a the center, a hand outstretched in benediction. Beside Him, the statue of Althea, their hands clasped in love. The central position of the temple to the others gives view to all of their children, and the two look upon one another with the solemnity of love that has been the center of so many tales and legends.
Masterfully designed mana lamps provide further soft, golden lightning where needed, their pedestals carved in the form of the Dragons of Light, over which Daeus is said to have dominion in His form of Draco Solis. Majesty, justice, and welcome suffuse the temple grounds. Around the central temple are a series of smaller buildings, each with a simple function and form. One houses the sacred book depicting some of the earliest known translations of the Laws of Light, which pilgrims from near and far come to visit. Another houses the well-appointed quarters of the Sunguards, and among all the ground bristle the Sunblades.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 7'2" 391 Lb Dragon Female A sickly, white dragon with a crippled wing and tail. Zeke 6'8" 239 Lb Sith-Makar Male A blue-scaled sith-makar in white Daeus vestments. Acedia 3'4" 39 Lb Goblin Female An ebon-skinned Goblin in leather armor. Aya 4'7" 105 Lb Shadow Elf Female Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. Cesran 6'1" 185 Lb Human Male A tall dark-skinned man Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Rocky 6'8" 460 Lb Sith-Makar Male A grey Sith in armor, bit like a statue. Boaz 7'0" 292 Lb Sith-Makar Male Golden Sith with silver arm and bronze leg. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Cryosanthia's recovery room, a small side building in the temple complex of Daeus.
More time has passed. Cryosanthia remains stretched out, awake but struggling to stay so. She yawns again. "This one is sure the tea wore off. I don't know why I'm so tired."
A second sheet has been added to her bed, a white one with her name embroidered on it.
Zeke has his own tea poured, though it is not to be confused with Cryosanthia's medicinal blend. "Your body isss healing. Thisss takesss energy." His voice is patient and calm, his bearing that of someone who is perhaps themselves a little tired. He doesn't seem inclined to sleep however, instead sipping his tea and rubbing his claw over Cryosanthia's claw. "Give it time. You will feel more your-ssself sssoon."
From the door, a creak can be heard, followed by a gentle rapping. "Hello? Cryosanthia?", says a small, scratchy voice.
Aya did not bother searching the temple proper, nor asking from those present within it. She heads directly for Cryosanthia's room, briskly. Briskly and with determination, and possibly urgency. The door is already cracked and knocked upon by another, so she dispenses with those pleasantries.
The door opens as Aya pushes it enough to stride into the room around the one who knocked. She pauses only long enough to confirm that Zeke and Cryosanthia are in the room before she speaks. "I have something that you must see."
"I just feel so... heavy." Cryo yawns, opening her mouth at the ceiling, continuing to yawn as she faces the scratching. "Acedia? That is you? Please, come in!"
"Zeke, would you get the door for her? Thank you. Or. Hello Aya. Also." She stretches out her hands, splaying her fingers and claws apart.
"What Aya?"
Zeke rises to his feet only for the door to be opened by another - Aya. Whom his brow crinkles upon seeing. "Peassce on your nessstsss." He offers politely, then sets his tea down. "Thisss one mussst ssee what?"
The Gobbo huffs at the Mul who simply steps past her, but slips into the room behind the woman, shutting the door quietly. Ace is in her blue robes today, with the insignia of Eluna sewn into the garment. She steps silently to Zeke's side, clinging to his waist. "Hello, Zeke!" Glancing to Cryo, she cants her head to one side. "How are you faring, Cryosanthia? Feeling stronger?"
Aya looks around the room a moment before simply kneeling in the middle of the floor. She produces a piece of bloodstained parchment to set upon the floor before her. "A list. HIS list. I do not know if it holds any vile magic," she admits in warning, as she looks between the sith-makar, "but it holds a wealth of information."
Cryosanthia is under a blanket and a sheet, only her head sticking out. She's lying on her front, and the profile of her back goes up quite a ways from folded wings. Her head curls to the side as she watches the gobbo approach the bluescale, "This one is improving, thank you Acedia, getting there."
The whitescale leans further as the Mul'niessa spreads out the sheet, and starts to twirl her left talon in the air, then halts. "I can't use magic right now. Zeke will have to."
"I don't suppose he made the critical mistake of writing his plans out in the form of a play?"
Zeke gives Aceida a small squeeze, hugging her gently and patting her on the head before turning his attention on Aya. He does not immediately go to her. Instead he stands there looking down with no small curiosity upon the paper. Noting its bloodstains, its surprisingly good condition in spite of that. "How did you come by thisss information?" His tone is ladened with caution.
The Gobbo is silent while the others speak of the information stored upon the parchment. She smiles faintly at Cryosanthia, nodding. "That is good, then, I will be happy when you are up and about once more."
She leans against Zeke more prominently, and lets out a lengthy sigh. "It's the demon, again? Eckles?"
"Mei took several of us to the tower where he was injured," Aya explains. "HE was there, yet tethered to the room he was in. Recovering from his recent death, I expect. He was returned to the hells. Again."
She then motions to the paper. "This was in the dungeon with... the parts too recognizable to be used at the chili fair in the colosseum..." Her face contorts with the recollection. "The Vardamen, Silverguards, Sunguards and the like should cleanse and demolish that tower before he's returned to it..."
Aya opens up the paper further, which appears to unnaturally extend as far as it needs to. It is a list of names; many names. Some names bear one or more varying marks next to them. "Members of the Adventurer's Guild. Perhaps all of them. Some are marked, and I suspect what the marks represent."
Cryosanthia squirms on her bed, so she can lean over and look, "Well this one can get a list of members. I don't have it memorized. It looks... substantial."
She blinks, "Wait, what Chili fair. Uh... never mind, you can explain later. What are the marks then?"
Zeke gives Acedia one last squeeze and then is drawn in by Aya's words. She is on the floor, so he is forced to kneel. A difficult prospect with his prostetic leg, but he manages by long practice. Settled down, he looks at the paper, noting as she has already the names and the marks beside them. He quickly finds her name on the list and he hums to himself at the mark next to it. "Yesss... what do you think that the marksss mean?" He hesitantly reaches out with one claw as if to touch the paper but does not come anywhere close to it. "Do the blood-ssspotss look... purpossseful to any-one elssse?"<
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls wisdom: (18)+0: 18
There are large bloodstains that seem... splashes. And smaller bloodstains that as Zeke suggested: Look purposeful. They are relatively close to certain names. The entire list seems purposeful.
"These moved..." Aya notes, pointing to one of the blood spots on the side, then pressing a fingertip to it. Subsequently dragging her finger makes the list move in coordination on the page. Those reaching the top or bottom 'slide off' the page, and new ones appear as blank space is created.
The names are in lexicographic order and she 'slides' upwards until her own name is displayed, as well as a distinct checkmark next to it. She points to the mark, rather than her own name... which, apparently, is far longer than 'Aya' and includes a surname. "I believe this is a mark of those who are, or were, bound to him by agreement. His spies may be revealed."
The Goblin's voice is small. "Is... my name in there?", she wonders, shivering. The blue Sith now has a limpet-Gobbo. "If not bound to him, perhaps sought by him? Fated to be slain? Dragged to the hells?"
"Everything about that scroll seems very deliberate. Especially the way the bigger bloodspots scroll it." Cryosanthia observes, "and the little ones, well..."
She exhales, "Might as well check the names of people we know. Malik has an agreement, Darius, Halani. Acedia, I think you have three? Mikilos had one."
She closes her yes, "Who else. Toha? I don't think she did. Might as well check our names, Zeke, Seldan, Serene, mine. I think... Seldan had one also."
Zeke holds up a hand forestalling Cryosanthia. "It might be a trap. It might contain sssome who are hisss with otherss thrown in merely to make usss ssupiciousss of them." He sighs. "Thisss one will look into the sscroll. Sssee if it can be usssed to sssome good end, but thisss one will not trusst it implicitly." He holds his claw out for the item.
Cesran has come to see how Cryosanthia is doing and he's been directed to her recovery room. He gives a gentle rap on the door with his hand as he would never use his staff as a door knocker.
Aya accepts Zeke's words with a nod and moves back from the list. "I cannot confirm the meaning and can only suspect. I do not know enough on the list to be certain, and you are correct. We should not trust this completely, yet it is information not held before. That is why I brought it to you."
"No, I did not bargain that much with the demon. And I do not think he accepted my bargain. He was angry, but was happy to accept others' bargains." Acedia's voice is still soft, barely spoken above a whisper. "I know he reached through and slew someone in town, when they thought they had escaped. His temperament will not have been improved after being sent back, again. I fear the city will be abused by him in the coming days."
She shrugs, still clinging to Zeke's side. "He may have wanted us to have this, either to torment us or tease us."
Cryosanthia stares into a corner silently for several long breaths, saying nothing, her eyes closed. When they open, her pupils are a little wider. Her voice is steady. "It's a 'Yes', or a 'Maybe', list. Confront anyone with a mark beside with this list, and if they are honest they will reveal their bargain, or they will dissemble. This one doubts anyone would claim a debt to him without."
"At best, an admission, or a suspect answer. No 'no' that we can trust. Even the unmarked ones may have pacts."
"Throw us small fish to net, so we ignore the bigger ones."
The whitescale sighs again, "It is practically useless. Even divination on each name would not answer conclusively. Do not suggest that to Merek, he might try it."
"Peace on your nest, Cesran, Ral-Sara. This one is happy to see you. We explore something Aya has retrieved from the demon. This one has told Seldan and Serene to seek you out."
Zeke takes the scroll an puts it into the folds of his robes before rising to his feet. Doubtless he will do something with it, but he doesn't comment further on the item. Once he is on his feet he bows his head to Cesran. "Peasce on your nessst." He pats Acedia on the head. "We mussst endevor not to allow the demon to tear usss apart, nor to sssway uss from our chossen path."
"So far as I experienced," Aya notes, "he includes a prohibition on admitting the bargain as part of the bargain. Unfortunately, he is not a fool. I do not believe that he expected us to locate this, or wished us to. He was more intent upon claiming me, or attacking the others while I was out of his reach." Cryosanthia's mention of Seldan and Serene draws a quick and curious glance, though she does not ask. Instead, after a pause, she nods a greeting to Cesran.
Cesran moves into the room, "Peace on your nests." He says in greeting. I am happy to see you as well, I hope you recovery is progressing well." He hmms, "I'd be happy to take a look at it. I've been delving deep into the tomes of various library trying to find information that would give us an advantage. Unfortunately there has not been too much on our problem, but I will continue my research. Has there been any developments while I have been away?"
The Goblin peers at Aya, and shrugs. "Why would a demon such as he need to write anything down, especially such a thing as this, and bring it with him somewhere?" She rubs at an eye, exposing fully the black sclera as she fusses. Glancing up at Zeke after he pats her head, she tugs at his hand. "Could I sit on your shoulder? And hmm, that is what we must do. However, he has proven quite good at dividing us, mentally, emotionally and physically. At least in the past. Even those with mighty wills and sturdy endurance were sorely tested. And that tower? It still persists, does it not? Somewhere, in the depths of time itself, it is likely still being used."
"Mikilos... speculated it would reform. Guild records indicate it had that property..." Cryosanthia says, "This one suspects Endless Winter would have reclaimed it, it being in her realm, or it is lost."
It lives on in her mind also.
"This one has taken steps... yes..."
"There is progress Cesran, slow. My wings and tail itch, this one is not sure if that's a good or a bad sign. Magic eludes me still, can't focus the energy, can't cast." Cryo is under a white sheet, except for her head, so there's not much to see of her. She waves at the vanished list, "My side is better. I don't know. There's hope that helps... somehow, though this one agrees with Acedia, it seems like it was intended to be found."
"I don't know."
"That isss why we ssshould ussse it with caution." Zeke says. "Much hasss happened Cesssran, but thisss one thinkss you have been told of much of it." The rest he seems uninclined to disclose. At least readily, and easily. He nods to Acedia, picking her up as he moves back toward Cryosanthia's bed and helps her to his shoulders. It reminds him... but he shirks the memory and holds tightly to the goblin.
"We should be cautious, but we must also do -something-," Aya opines firmly, even if she has no grand suggestions on what that may be. "He has been setback, but only temporarily. Too temporarily. We need to land a decisive strike against his plans. We need..." she pauses as her eyes follow Zeke and his gobber backpack briefly "... something."
Acedia seems much pleased to be settled upon Zeke's shoulders, and she glances about the room with a grin. "Hmm, best seat in the house.", she says with a giggle. The Gobbo nods then, "If anything, Eckles taught us that everything he does is intentional." Her gaze flicks to Aya. "Yes. I think we, or at least those who are the bigger leads in this dance, should take the opportunity to be somewhere else. So that when he returns, we are conspicuous by our absence. It may delay his plans, or some of them, while he tries to find people again."
She gestures to the room at large. "Get some of the lesser known people to continue searching and hunting for information here." To Cryosanthia, Ace shrugs. "I really, really want to be wrong, to think we have had a minor victory over Eckles. But I think that would be extremely foolish of us to do."
Cesran smiles, "I'm glad to hear that you are doing better Cryosnathia, I'm sure you'll be back up and going in no time." He shakes his head, "I have been told some, but not the very latest. I met with Mikilos and others a few days ago and they brought me up to speed." He starts to look around the room for any invisible sensors that would be used for scrying. "If there is anything I can do to help please let me know."
"Were you... researching my condition, Cesran? Why the wing and tail I hit the Unraveller with are in such bad shape when they weren't in the Sea?" Cryosanthia asks, raising her head. "Was it Eluna's grace, keeping me whole? Is it one of the bits that... wasn't destroyed?"
Her voice gets anxious, "I can't look at myself with magic, things feel... everything feels wrong, and I'm too hot, all the time. My scales are still coming off. Sabina and Braelnoir suggested anti-magic, and they're using anti-magic and I'm sleeping a lot. Do they need to use more?"
She looks around as well, following the arch-mage's gaze, before looking back at him, "He's injured all of us, killed some of us here, he probably keeps a scale or a drop of blood to scry on us, unless that list was the snooping focus. This one doubts another focus here would be needed. He knows us enough our names might suffice."
Cesran nods, "Yes, I was researching to see if anything like this has happened before. There have been ill fated attempts by foolish mages to go to the Sea of Mana, but mana poisoning is a rare thing and even more so that you were transformed while doing so. Combine with a literal piece of the void being in the Sea of Mana, something that had never happened before. There are a lot of unknowns and I'm no healer Cryosanthia. Very likely we'll have to find our own solution. I know we have tried magic to try to dispel the mana inside of you and you said yourself you can't use spells, but has anyone tried polymorphing you into your own self again. Or perhaps we can set up a ritual to transfer the mana that seems to be suffusing your body into others, a little mana over many people wouldn't hurt them and it'd help you alot."
Cesran hmms, "Well I do know of a spell but I don't have it. I could look into getting it through it's called Mage's Private Sanctum and it blocks out all scrying attempts. Another spell is called Screen, which would allow us to present an illusionary image for any scrying attempts."
Aya's lips purse at the reminder of scrying. "I must go," she states flatly before looking to Cryosanthia. "I bid you continue to heal ..." she turns towards the door, "while all is studied." She then exits; through the door, even, rather than simply vanishing.
The Gobbo offers a small wave as Aya leave, and then she looks to Cesran. "The prison underground, one used to hold wizards who've turned bad. That place blocks magic. The cells are... not ideal, but not terrible, and it is generally safe. We could use it to do things when we want to avoid being scryed upon."
The little white dragon nods, listening to Cesran, still under her blanket. She concentrates, lining up his answers, then questions, "Thank you, this one appreciates your efforts. I see, that it's rare with many unknowns. No one has tried polymorphing me, that ritual idea seems like a good one, and no one has tried that."
"Griva has used the Screen, and this one wasn't aware of Mage's Private Scanctum."
She grimaces, looking at Acedia, "This one... does not like going there. This one would... if necessary, but it is not a good place."
Cesran nods to Cryosanthia, "I'll look into getting the spell, it takes about 10 minutes, but will last 24 hours, so just once a day I'd need to come by and refresh the spell so you have some privacy here. I'll look it a ritual, perhaps we can get the artificer's involved who knows you might be able to power a whole bunch of mana batteries that they have. If you'll excuse me though I need to head out to continue my research. I'll let you know."
With a sad expression, the Gobbo nods to Cryosanthia. "As someone who had to live there to stop the plague from advancing, I totally understand." She waves as Cesran makes his way out, and looks to the white dragon. "So uh, are you actually a dragon now, and not a Sith?"
Thursday, September 23, 2:38 PM
Zeke looks at the door, hearing the distant sounds of chanting as Cesran exits. He pats Acedia on the head, "Thisss one mussst... attend sservicess. You will ssstay in bed, Cryosssanthia."
"You watch her, Ssseyardu." He rests his crystal hand on Cryo's back briefly, patting there, before leaving. "Thiss one returnsss sssoon."
That they need all the prayers they can get, goes without saying.
"Yesss..." Cryo hisses, watching her mate leave before looking at the gobbo, "and... no. This one isss... not sure what is going on."
"The People are Children of the Flame, and we are descended from dragons, so we are all a little bit dragons... and I don't think I've stopped being a Sith'Makari."
"I think... well. I think Salina did something to me and it finished."
"Well, hmm, I think that I guess that your people are of dragons, but that it was ancient blood, and that you are a long way from your dragon ancestors." Acedia shrugs lightly. "But perhaps it is what is left of Salina's magic... though didn't she say she undid everything?"
Seyardu was quick to return at the request, as they knew how they were concerned to leave Cryosanthia alone. She was, as well. So she knocked on the door, before stepping inside and off to the side with a nod to Both in the room.
"Peace on your nest, Acedia, Cryosanthia." She greets quietly. "Do you need anything at the moment, Cryosanthia?"
Merek walks along and into the Temple while he takes the time to place the tech visor which he wears to a pocket. He seems to be wearing the dark attire he often does, then he makes a way to where Cryosanthia is at. He seems to be a little bit tired while he knocks on the door, then if permitted will take the time to come in. It looks like the man is back to life, while he brings a plate which has fish in it. It looks made with lemon and seasoning.
And something seems a little bit different about him, withdrawn and tired. If one could note scents well, they would note that it's probably clear he isn't to well off while he thinks, waving. "Cryo."
"The Mistress is a Fey, and they are very precise in their wording." Cryosanthia says, "'Everything' might have been everything Plague Related, everything on this plane, or everything she did with magic."
"The ones she slew remained slain, the corruption retreated slowly, not in an instant, Mikilos' memories never came back, nor did many others. Faranmidahn's father is still dead."
"She performed a lot of surgeries on me. A lot. She took some things out, adjusted ... me. The scars remained and I developed a huge bite, and blindsight, and wings months after this one left her. So... this one doubts 'Everything' was everything, and it was most certainly not 'back to before she touched it'."
The speculative lecture is interrupted. Twice.
"More tea, please Seyardu."
Then, "Merek! You're alive! This one heard you were, but you're sick? and you made fish?"
The Gobbo waves to Seyardu, and then Merek, as they make their arrivals.
"Maybe she forgot just how much she fiddled with? Or maybe there is something else going on, perhaps?" Acedia gestures to her eyes, "The whites of my eyes are still black, something that the plague did. So, hmm... maybe she was not able to change everything back. Perhaps it is beyond even her power?"
"This one still thinks she should have apologized in some form. I will be right back with hot water for the tea. Though this one thinks you should be easing back somewhat." Seyardu replies, and sighs. "I know not the full extent of what was done. But we will figure out what we can."
"Ah! peace on your nest, Merek." She greets with a smile. "You, look like you need some rest, or to see a cleric. But Cryosanthia would likely enjoy the fish you brought for her. It was excellent the other day, a lot of people crowded his stall due to the smell and taste."
With that she steps out for a moment, to gather what was needed.
Merek will think about it a moment. "Don't worry about that, I'll be okay." The man will offer a nod along to people about, then he takes the time to place the fish where Cryo can eat. "It's pretty good to see you." He doesn't comment upon the thing about Salina, and will look while Sey makes a way to gather things. Then a smile to Acedia and a wave, "Acedia." A look then to Cryo, "I merged with the Sea of Mana, I was watching you all, you all did well. And after that, well it was time for me to go, then... Well, Cesran brought me back. I see that the magic from the fight keeps with you."
"You could give him some Oblivion tea," Cryo suggests, teasing just a little.
"I think it did Acedia. Seldan's skin still changes under the sun." The whitescale sighs, "I would have liked an apology. I think she's... incapable of understanding."
"My magic worked a lot better once she was finished, the nasty-ness under my scales was gone, so..."
"A mage told me I looked like a construct, once, but I think she was mistaken." Cryo remains focused on the fish, with the plate in front of her, she picks at it, a piece, then swallows it. "Oh. That sounds... unusual, and it does."
"Bloody good would an apology do?", the Goblin says with a huff. "She can't unkill me. Nor sooth the fear lodged in my heart. Or remove the memories I have of people being tormented and slain." She huffs and crosses her arms. "I was happy with her fixing things, but it looks like she has left it half done."
Seyardu says, "An apology is an admittance of fault. Instead of just fixing things and hoping things are okay." Seyardu sighs before she is out the door. A few minutes pass before she returns with a steaming kettle of water.
"Perhaps you could use some tea, Merek. Force yourself to get some sleep. You are welcome to some, if you wish."
Merek looks along to Cryosanthia, "Would you like to be back to normal? If not, that's okay," the man notes, then he takes a look along to Acedia. "You know, there's magic that can assist with that." The man watches the fish and smiles while he takes the time to relax, bringing a flask which he keeps with him to the mouth, and will take a drink. Then he takes a look along to Seyardu, "I appreciate it. Although... Well," the man nods a little bit along to the woman. He doesn't try to explain the whole thing, while he waits.
"It would make me want to kill her a tiny bit less. That would help me forget about her, sooner." Cryosanthia says, nosing her fish then taking a large bite of it. She chews slowly, staring at the wall.
"It's more than her, there were things done in Charn that awoke my magic. A mage tried to make me her familiar."
The whitescale looks over at Merek, "Yes Merek, this one would very much like her dead wing to not be dead, and her dying tail to not die and not itch nearly so much as they do. Dispell Magic and Mage's Disjunction has not worked. Cesran suggested a polymorph spell, but I'm not sure how that's supposed to help. What are you thinking?"
She glances at his flask, sniffs, "When you are more sober, perhaps share thoughts with the other healers?"
"You should really try the tea. I would like some tea too."
Acedia sniffs, and looks away. "I'd rather have things fixed, and not have to listen to her say things she probably does not mean." Crossing her arms, she glares at Merek. "The person who attempts to do such magic on me will lose a hand." She straightens and heads towards the door. "Now that you have others who can see to your care, I am going to take my leave, Cryosanthia. Be well, and focus on healing. I will return."
The Gobbo waves to Cryo, and then Merek and Seyardu. "Peace on your nests."
"Well yes, an insincere apology is worse, but one meant would mean, something. Even if it does not change the fact.
She nods to Acedia, offering a wave. "I understand, I have a friend who is similar. Peace on your nest, Acedia."
She then turns her attention to steeping the tea, but a brow is raised. "If it still itches, this one will apply some ointment to it, Cryosanthia."
"Any opinions or suggestions are appreciated, Merek. Though yes, when you are sound of mind after drinking. Perhaps Cesran think the polymorph will attempt to return your wing and tail to their natural form. I think that what is important is restoring the tissue."
Merek looks to the flask. "I'm pretty sober. Although," the man places the flask back on the hip, "I would like to use the Break Enchantment. It specifically targets things like a polymorph and generally any curses that are placed upon people. Though, it could be all of this doesn't work because the enchantment and magic is well beyond our ability. If Salina used it, or anyone of that kind of power, it would take a lot. You'd probably want a group of healers to work together. I can talk to Mikilos, Seyardu, and anyone else, and we can probably work together on that." The man nods a little bit along to Seyardu. And back to Cryo, and to Acedia. "Be well Acedia." While he takes a look along to Seyardu and will nod, "Tea looks wonderful."
"Peace on your nest, Acedia, thank you for visiting. It was unexpected and I'm very grateful, and you're right. We shouldn't let ourselves be driven apart. Please take care, and... Endless Winter is no longer a threat, has no words or interest in us." Cryo says, "find what comfort you can in that. This one has tried to."
"Yes, if you would apply that, thanks Seyardu." She relaxes on the bed.
"Merek, I'm not enchanted." Cryo stares at the wall, "My magic always felt sticky, like something was blocking it. Salina fixed that. I only started to feel something similar when I was growing wings, they were stuck too. When we went out to the canyon, exactly how the whole area felt wrong, how mana wasn't flowing properly. That's how it feels now. Something stuck. Cesran's veins and arteries turned into a personal ley-line system for him. Break enchantment wouldn't un-do that. I already had one. You can see it."
Cryo shifts an arm, lifting up the her blanket. Beneath, she's covered in a network of lines and patterns, which all glow a very faint blue.
"Cesran, interesting. Perhaps the issue does lie particularly with the mana buildup, at least partly." Seyardu notes after pouring a cup to offer Merek. "It is quite good. Despite being medicinal, it does not taste bad."
There were supplies set out nearby, and Seyardu takes out a tin, shifting the blanket more to apply it to the dried out tail. "You know, with your scale color right now, this one could use some of that scale polish on you. I believe I remember you mentioning before how you would like to try it." She chuckles slightly.
"Well, that might be the way. We'll see, either way it'll take more than any one person," Merek will note to Cryosanthia. "For the time being, we will try to think about nice things. Are you enjoying the fish?" he asks. Seems that he's trying to be mindful of the dragon's emotions, and nods along to Seyardu while he takes the tea. "Thank you," he takes that to his mouth and will take a sip.
"The fish is excellent, the lemon is just right." Cryo says. She's finished the plate, she's licked the plate. She very briefly held the plate in her mouth and contemplated biting down, before she decided not to. Instead she taps at it with a claw.
"When you were... merged with the Sea of Mana, and the Void Whirlpool entity... dissipated... did you feel anything? Did you feel chunks of it in the mana?"
The whitescale sighs, "There aren't a lot of nice things. This is better... than others. Did... is that one with sedatives? They're really strong." She looks at Seyardu.
Seyardu says, "Yes, it is. That is what I thought he wanted, and you were suggesting. I gave him less, and already arranged for a room to rest in, if needed." Seyardu replies, moving on to the wing. "There are nice things, still. This one managed to scare off many nobles in the lower markets yesterday." She says, smelling pleased by the notion. "They were attempting to gouge prices by scaring off all the other merchants, so their offers were the only ones left. Even a group of orphans that were trying to secure food for themselves.""
"I don't think that I noticed it, I used all of the power that I had and was able to use to assist you in that rite," Merek will admit. "Although, from what you are saying and Cesran I think. It looks like a little might have went back into the world. I wouldn't think about it, it's... Likely that it will come up at some point, but it won't really be like that fight," he will admit. Then he takes a look along to the tea and to Seyardu. Well, he doesn't seem to mind, while he takes a drink and will relax, "Aye. They all did well. I mostly kept to selling fish and all of that."
GAME: Merek rolls fort: (9)+13: 22
"It wasn't completely destroyed, bits of it were swept away. Mana wasn't destroying it like I hoped it might." Cryo says.
She looks over at Seyardu, "Nobles... working? I thought they sat around being useless."
"Well as long as people aren't being disintegrated at a touch, it won't be like that fight, no." The little dragon paws at her bed.
"Well, you know, how they live tends to require an excess of gold. So any way they can keep that excess up is important. And the lower markets, they seem perfect for taking advantage of people." Seyardu sighs. "I would not mind if they were honest in their trade."
Finished, she steps away to pour Cryosanthia a cup of the tea. "You have not told me too much of what transpired. But I hope it is resolved, Cryosanthia."
She looks to Merek. "Don't drink it too quickly, the sedative creeps up on you, and if you drink too much you'll be out for a while."
"Ya, I'm sure we can manage it..." Merek will note to Cryosanthia. With a yawn, he nods along to Seyardu and takes the time to think about it, "I don't know... I'm pretty..." Then he's dozing. The man seems to be content to relax, and it's likely that he needs to be placed somewhere that he can nap.
"Wow you are mixing it up strong." Cryosanthia says, sounding proud and slightly alarmed. "That was quick."
"I thought someone else had explained." She adjusts her shoulders, "Holes in the Sea of Mana were noticed by some adventurers. Cesran investigated them, and determined they were being caused by an old adversary of his, Asumit. We went out to a canyon to investigate the effects. Also..."
At this point, the whitescale exhales heavily, "... Also Griva was with us, because the Death Orb, the only talking Shard of Animus, told everyone to Renew the Pact, re-establish the concord that had been created after the sundering."
She noses towards Merek, "After his people, the Kulthians, were destroyed by the gods for their crimes of Artifice. Magic was wild until mages and Animus formed a compact."
"A part of that, is a symbolic battle against an enemy of magic, which in our case turned into a real battle against one." She turns to look at Seyardu, "After we fought ourselves."
"I fought myself. Really me, not a doppleganger, not an evil manifestation. Myself, if things had gone wronger."
"I watched her die. I watched her crack up along the same lines I have on my body, fall into pieces and become nothing."
"And now..." She stares off into space, into a corner. Cryosanthia exhales slowly, her eyes closed, a quiet cry of distress and for her youngling escaping. "This one would like some tea."
"After that, we went into the Sea of Mana, riding in an magical sphere Cesran created, and we found the holes. There were a lot of holes, and it was nearly impossible to avoid them but somehow Cesran did. We landed on an island, in front of a black tower, that was also a living thing, that was also nothing."
"Around us, flickered images of ourselves. We got inside, discovered Asumit. There were dozens of him, gating in from... other wheres. They were going to hide in one great Plane of Asumit until all of this is over. They vanished."
She waves a paw, attempts to snap her fingers and essentially fails. She ends up clicking them, "he vanished like that. We... just attacked everything. Serene stabbed the floor with Other-Seldan's sword, and the tower turned into... a gigantic tentacle whirlpool with a centre of nothingness. In the Sea of Mana."
"And we kept attacking, and it wasn't working, and Cesran tried to scare it with an illusion of the gods, enacting the great seal of the void. Merek tried channeling the Sea, we thought the mana might hurt it, and it nearly killed him."
"I... I suggested that. And he nearly died. Then the Unraveller touched him, and he did." Cryo looks over at the slumbering form, "and now he's back!"
Another inhale, "I suggested we. Us. Enact the Sealing of the Void, like the Gods. We didn't have all, but we had ... good substitutions. Seldan and Serene, they represented Eluna, and she's Daus' sister, so that worked. Cesran and Griva represented Animus, and Aya and I... we represented Maugrim. The Tyrant. Because sealing the void is his job."
She spreads her paws apart, "And that's how I became a dragon."
"That, or Merek is more exhausted than he let on. Please excuse me for a moment."
She helps the man over to another cleric who was nearby, who helps them to another room. With that she returns to pour another cup of tea for Cryosanthia. She had been listening, and she seemed saddened, muted as best she could.
"This one finds what you say hard to believe. But I know you speak the truth." She says quietly. "So, you took the role of Maugrim? You are a good actor. Though perhaps next time, the costume should be an illusion, and not physical."
Rocky is quiet, for a big armored lizard. That's not to say he's easy to miss. The warrior caste does try to stay quiet and solem in the temple grounds, following the directions offered by a helpful acolyte. There can't be too many whitescales staying here. Still, takes a little searching to find where he's going, peeking in to assure he's not disturbing anything.
"I... this one, I... I tried to channel the Sea, like Merek did, like Cesran... it was overwhelming." Cryo says, shaking her head, "so much power, and it was burning me up... and..."
"She said I needed to hatch."
Cryosanthia sounds distant, and a little confused, in awe. She continues narrating, "and she pulled me apart, and... I was a dragon. A big one. Everyone was so small."
"I could feel so much more going through me and that's when I knew I was representing Maugrim there." She twitches, her head turns towards the door. "River Stone! Oh! Come in!"
Seyardu listens closely, keeping the cup of tea on hand. "That was, I am glad you are okay Cryosanthia." She says with a shake of her head. "Ah, River Stone, yes! Cryosanthia is awake, you can come to see her now." She calls out, setting the tea aside so she could go and open the door fully.
Rocky's tail thumps on the marble floor, and he comes in, chuffing softly as he bumps his snout softly against Cryo's arm. "This One was on patrol. Came when heard, but were sleeping. Am glad to see you awake." He rumbles deep in his chest, comfort and sorrow.
Cryosanthia turns her head to watch, awake, the differences in her features are more pronounce. When she moves, smiles, it's as if she's her original self with extra pieces, odd but not entirely unexpected. "Thank you."
She closes her eyes, feels the touch against her arm, says quietly. "Thank you big brother, for being here."
"There are plans to rescue Lily."
She breathes, holding that hope. Her eyes snap open, she can't contain her enthusiasm as she switches topics, desperately switches topics, "Vathasithas! Vath returned! He survived! He's the right age. He is missing a few bits but it's HIM!"
Slowly... she glances at Seyardu, then carefully asks Rocky, "do you scent anything?"
Cryo takes a huge sip of her tea.
Seyardu thumps her tail once in response as she steps out of the way. "Yes, it is true, though they may be referred to as Boaz if you run into them." She adds.
Then she blinks, glances to Cryosanthia, and takes a step away. The scent was still there, hidden by happiness for the reunion.
Rocky blinks, chuffing quietly. "Vathasithas? Lives?" A moment of stillness. "He is.... okay?" The grayscales tail thumps again, and he takes a slow breath, smelling many things, uncertain which he's supposed to notice.
"He lives. He has two artifice limbs but they're very powerful looking," Cryo says, "He ... endured much, escaped, survived for a while, nearly died and was rescued by a Khazadi family."
"It's just... amazing." She holds her focus on that.
"Yes, they are alive. It is a long story, one he would share with you, most likely." Seyardu offers with a smile. On the air was the lingering worry from the story, the happiness from Rocky arriving to visit Cryosanthia. And, something else, from the silverscale. The scent of being in season?
Rocky chuffs, and nods. "Good. Perhaps are others yet to be reunited, beyond shores of Great River." He quiets for a moment. "Too many lost."
"This one hopes so. She has their scales. If..." Cryo's voice chokes a little, and she concentrates, lets the thought and emotion pass. "After... the plans to get Lily are successful, we can search."
"For your brother too," She turns her head towards Seyardu. "We should be well practiced in rescue."
She seeks something cheerful, to place atop her feelings, so she does not have to touch them. The corners of her mouth curl, "Want to see what this one looks like now?"
"When, yes." Seyardu agrees quickly. "And, thank you, Cryosanthia. I appreciate that, greatly."
Seyardu leans back to give them space, and give herself some distance. "Yes, you have not seen, have you?"
Rocky nods in agreement, and steps back a little. "This One would like to see."
"Ok. Just a minute." There is a flopping and movement beneath the sheet covering her, Cryo reaching around with her wing. While not a giant hand, she can manipulate it more skillfully than a bat and lifts the coverings off herself.
She rises and turns around as she does so, hiding her withered wing and letting the sheets dump on her injured tail. She stretches and poses.
The little white dragon is long and slinky, muscular like a puma or leopard, with a chest and more narrow waistline. She looks quite similar to how she does as a Sith, her patterns are different, and glowing, and her scales are a dusky grey.
"Ta-daaaa." Cryo lifts her head, tipping it so her horns point forward.
The silver sith-makar takes on the appraising stance of a healer, but she can not help but smile, and thump her tail once against the ground.
"It is good to see you moving so well, Cryosanthia." She says, the happiness remaining in her scent. "Any dizziness at all from the movement?"
Rocky thumps as well. "Impressive. There is no discomfort in your wings? Soon you will fly across the skies."
"No dizziness."
Cry slumps a little, her head lowering, "There's a lot, in the bad one. The flying will be a while."
She looks herself over, "The scale polish would make me look worse, Seyardu, you should save it for your own use."
There is a soft clanking as an armored form closes in on the doorway to Cryo's recover room. Then, just as before, there is a knock on the frame of the door and after a brief moment Boaz steps in. His false arm and leg bright with fresh polish and oiled. "This one greets you all. Peace on your nests."
"If you say so, Cryosanthia." Seyardu nods. "I thought it might, but I trust your judgement. You know much more about its use than I."
The silverscale steps forward, and to the small dragon's side, manipulating the injured wing to a more natural resting position. While doing so she turns to see the door knocked on and opened, with the makari from the other day there. She offers them a wave and thump of their tail.
"Vathasitha, peace on your nest! River Stone, they are here."
Rocky turns to the door, and falls still, unmoving for several moments. Then he thrums, deep in his chest, with joy and welcome. "Vathasitha. This One is happy to see you survived." The greyscale... didn't. Killed on the trip to Charn, he was only recently resurrected, looking much the same as he did back then.
"Vath!" Cryo is posing on the bed, looking lizardly and quadrupedal, "Peace on your Nests! Look! River Stone!"
She's grinning widely.
Boaz takes another couple steps in closer to Rocky and he too thrums and then chuffs a chuckle. Two hands, one normal and the other artifice, pat Rocky upon each shoulder as he laughs. "River Stone. This one is filled with joy. This one remembers.. watching you be left behind. Life suits you better." His head tilts as he looks over the other sith. "Did you grow wider?" He chuffs another chuckle.
"It is a long story for Cryosanthia. But the basics are, she is still somewhat transformed into a dragon. Though the wings should be permanent." Seyardu explains, Taking a step back and away from the bed, and thankful for the cover of the scent of happiness.
"River Stone was out on patrols recently, he was not around when you showed up. Your limbs reflect more light today, Vath."
Rocky chuffs, and nods, grasping the others writs for a moment, ignoring the difference in flesh and metal. "This One is sorry to have left, but would not hesitate to do ther same again. Much I have missed, but there is joy in reunion."
Cryosanthia ends up rotating in place, back to how she normally stretches out, and lies down on the bed. She struggles but gets the blankets back over her with her wing. She does this quickly while the two males are comparing their changes.
"He does seem wider, doesn't he?" Her head tilts, "Do you think you're still stronger?"
"There is indeed." Boaz agrees with Rocky and then nods to Seyardu's information. "On patrols? Is there a need to patrol with a city this large? Some special need?" He chuffs yet again. "Bi-monthly care of limbs, to include polish against grime. Scale-brother's orders."
He rumbles at Cryo playfully. "Instigating again?" And then another long look at Rocky. "This one would call us evenly matched, until the blood rage is called on."
"I am not certain myself. But, perhaps she is. I believe she has attempted already, today." Seyardu chuckles with a glance back to the whitescale, adjusting the blankets as they laid back down. "They require maintenance such as that? I have seen people with similar limbs before, but never any Makari."
"Maybe just a little." Cryo grins, nostrils flaring as she inhales vigorously, "Some reason or another."
Her head wobbles from side to side. There is motion in her hindquarters, as if she's moving her tail, or attempting to. A wince and a frown cuts such action short.
"There's a redscale with a wooden leg. She's carving..." Cryo stops whatever she was going to say. "This one would like more tea, Seyardu, please."
"Then she shall pass out and leave you alone with Rocky and Vath."
Rocky snorts and shakes his head. "Not the city, roads around it. Bandits, monsters. Uncommon, but present. Safer than the roads of Home." The grey scale considers. "The city is safe enough. Troubles, but many good people work to protect it."
Boaz catches sight of Cryo's wince of pain and his tail beings to weave in empathy. "The care of these limbs was told to me by my scale-brother, Seyardu. This one has a basic understanding of them, enough to care for. He told me once that the more magical ones are sometimes self cleaning or never need to be oiled. This one will one day seek out ones crafted of adamantine."
A nod then to Rocky. "That is only wisdom in practice. Perhaps you will take this one along on patrol one day."
Seyardu sighs, and tucks the blanket in more. "We need to get that tail and wing dealt with. You seem to be moving much better otherwise." She says, pouring another, smaller glass. She adds some more water to the cup, and a few cubes of sugar before offering it. "Then you will, wait. Is this just another way you are attempting to do so?"
The silverscale shakes her head, and turns her attention back. "It is important work, River Stone. It is good that there are those such as yourself to do so."
"Seyardu looks to Boaz, and tilts their head. "Adamantine? That would be interesting. This one had a polearm made by a smith in the city. Perhaps I can give you information on their shop, should the day come."
Cryo takes the cup and drinks much of the tea, "This one is thirsty and wishes to sleep." She's hoping it's strong. Her head bobs, "There are many things, when things are better."
"Soon. Hopefully soon." Slurrrp.
Rocky shrugs. "This One keeps busy. There are things to be done inside the city, but am told the mountain roads will soon be covered with snow. Walk them while still can, spend time in the city when outside is less an option." He chuffs, tail lashing for a moment. "Roads covered in snow. Was not so long ago I would have found such concept strange."
Boaz nods to Seyardu. "Such would be helpful. Thank you." He listens to Cryo and nods. "Perhaps then we should leave you be. Allow you to rest." He tells the whitescale. And then to Rocky. "This one delt with snows last Winter. It was as you say..odd. Cold was beyond anything I had experienced. Much wood was gathered and burned."
"This one has heard of the winter months here. The ground is covered in white." Seyardu nods after taking the empty teacup away. "I have been looking forward to seeing it, Cryosanthia said it was a sight to behold. Though perhaps more so when you do not see things mostly in white to begin with. Still, I am looking forward to it."
"Snow is good." Cryo says, as the tea takes effect.
Rocky considers. "Snow is... pretty. To look at. Less to walk in." He chuffs to Cryo. "Not all are whitescale, Little Sister."
"Mmmmmmmmm." Cryo agrees, or disagrees, or agrees to disagree. She definitely drifts off to sleep.
Boaz chortles. "Snow. It is pretty to look at. It can be amusing to walk through...briefly. Long periods of time require furs and other warm things." He steps over to Cryo and places a gentle hand on a shoulder. "Sleep well, Sister." He straightens and looks to the others and shrugs. "You shall see soon, Seyardu."
Seyardu, with Boaz stepping over, steps back wards to give them space due to the scent. But she nods afterwards, smiling to the makari with more embarassment. "Will it be soon? It has been getting colder of late, though I do not mind. I do not know if I will need to buy furs or not."
"Yes, this one saw before, River Stone, that you seem to have different aspects than Cryosanthia does. And it seems you as well, Vath."
Rocky nods. "Blood gifts of the Ancestor Dragons. Little Sister finds comfort in cold, This One is untouched by acid. Color typically relates, but is not always certain."
"A month or so, Seyardu. Then the snows will come whem they will." Boaz gives off the scent of amusement. "And this one prefurs the heat,"
"This one can not say they know of any gray dragons, this is true." Seyardu notes with a slight chuckle. Though the scent of amusement only makes her more embarrassed. "This one, does not mind heat, or, fire. But the chill air did not bother me as much at the docks."
Rocky mmmmms quietly, and rubs the scales of an arm, holding it out. "White, black, a little bit of green. Very small. But dense. Good for acid, also good for blade and club."
Boaz shakes his head, still with amusement but at Rocky now. "River Stone, that's what armor is for. One is not suposed to be struck by blade or club." He raises his metal arm. "See?"
Seyardu squints at the arm. "Oh! That makes more sense than gray. green scales and black, that makes sense. Apologies." She explains, seeming more embarassed. "This one never asked, however."
The squint turns to Boaz, and then to somewhere between the two. "This one should explain, Cryosanthia knows. But this one cannot discern any colors."
Rocky chuffs, amused himself. "This One keeps metal to the outside. Is good, but every little bit helps. Scale, armor, shield, magic wards. All good." Peering for a moment, he inquires. "What weapon do you favor?" He nods to Seyardu. "Is easy to overlook. Most do."
"This one now understands more clearly, Seyardu. If Cryosanthia has not already said, this one is goldish scale. Though the metal arm and leg are different in color." He then answers Rocky's question by lifting his hands so the clawed tips of his finger point upward. "As always, this one prefurs claws when possible."
"No, it is not that this one overlooked, it is just, they all look gray or white. This one has a mace they use, but has also been training with a bill, with the clergy here." Seyardu sighs."She has not. Merely how much of a wonderful childhood friend you were. And how this one should get to know you."
The silverscale chuckles weakly, and shakes her head. "And requests tea to leave me here with you two. You would use claws?"
The tea has done a remarkable job.
Rocky nods. "This One has taken up the hand-half. Also called Bastard. Sometimes a club. Each style is good for those they suit." He nods to Seyradu. "And get to know you as well. You are good to know."
Boaz nods to Rocky in understanding. "This one has trained with weapons but when the rage comes forth and the blood sings the claws emerge and this one uses them." There is a shrug from the golden. "When not heeding the call of the blood then this one makes do with other weapons if needed." He nods then to Rocky. "He is correct. You are good to know."
"This one has seen the sword, yes, it works well. The claws sound useful in that case. Just, be careful not to lose yourself, Vath." Seyardu nods to the explanation. At the two comments after processing them, the embarassment only grows.
"That is good to hear. This one is glad they are good to know. This one tries to be helpful to those they meet."
Rocky nods in understanding. Rage is not his style, but it works. "Being help is good habit. Helps others, helps the soul. Is good. Sometimes are those lazy, ask for help they do not need. That is them, does not change you helped."
Boaz notes that Cryo is indeed under the spell of sleep and nods once. "That you take care of Cryosanthia is also good. And you have this one's thanks. This one will also heed your warning about the bloodsong." He steps back and offers them both a bow in the dwarven tradition. "This one will leave for now, but we should gather and speak again soon."
"It is a good habit. This one is always glad to be of help, and knows you feel the same way, River Stone." She replies with a thump of her tail. She looks to Boaz, and returns the bow. Likely butchering it in some way. "Take care, Vath, and peace on your nest. It would be good to speak again."
She glances back to Cryosanthia, and sighs. "Apologies for my behaviour. This one needs to speak with her about matters, some time."
Rocky returns the bow, poorly, but with sincerity. "As you say. Another time, then."
