Session 22.2 The Light of Hope

General Summary

Shadow, Keokan, and Omori made their way into the Wishbone Fortress, flanked by a group of goliath guardsmen. At each door one of the guardsmen piped a tune on a whistle, which was returned by another guard on the other side. Each tuneful reply was followed by a heavy clank as locks were released and they were ushered further into the prison. The call and response continued as they moved past meeting rooms, processing areas, and finally up a flight of stairs to wait at the door to the warden’s office.   They were introduced to Achilles Boro-Zuudon, Warden of the Wishbone. A stout, red skinned tiefling with thick black horns, he regarded them warily with a number of questions. What brought an unindentured tabaxi and yukisaru to the Wishbone? Where had they come from? Where were they staying?   When Shadow made it plain that she wished to set things right and free her people the Warden reiterated the terms of the Cherished Slopes Indenture; they were to stay for another two months and any attempt to buy out their contract must be cleared by the Rose & Copperthorn Trading Guild in the Brasspot. With a wave of his hand he gave them leave to visit the tabaxi in the yard, and instructed one of the goliath guardsmen to lead them there.   --------------   As Shadow and co. met with the Warden, Aatavi and Ilya talked outside. Casting their eyes over the bay they saw a strange creature, which Ilya identified as a griffon, flying low of the eastern edge of the city. Faintly in the distance they heard cheers and screams of delight from a faraway crowd.   “The parade must be moving through the streets,” said Ilya.   “What is… parade?” Aatavi replied.   “Where ARE you from?”   The barbarian and the Jasper cleric talked of their homelands, how both had seen hard times, and once again Ilya made a plea to examine the orb. A plea that Aatavi refused.   --------------   The large door opened with a loud, steel moan as Keokan, Shadow, and Omori stepped into the light of the sun. Surrounded by high walls, the prison yard was grounds to a village of lean-tos and short structures. Tabaxi and yukisaru moved and worked about the yard: weaving baskets, working looms, and stitching hides.   As Shadow stood in the open gateway, the faces of her kin slowly turned from their work to regard her. A dawning recognition, followed by a swelling murmur of her name rolled through the crowd. As they began to stand and approach Shadow stepped forward, holding the lantern and sacred flame aloft. The crowd stopped in their tracks, eyes widening at the sight. Collectively a short, clipped sigh of recognition escaped from their mouths. Tears rolled down their cheeks. After months away, Shadow of Fire had returned.   And she had brought hope with her.   The tabaxi and yukisaru gathered around Shadow and Omori and a tearful reunion proceeded. Hugs, head butts, and handshakes abounded for Keokan as he was introduced to the Cherished Slopes Clan. As the multitude dispersed back to their chores, Coat of Many Clouds, the tabaxi leader, took them to his workspace.   He explained that although the situation was far from ideal – the city worked them very hard with few breaks – it was also far from the worst they had seen. They had been on the road for months and had seen the horrors that overtook the fort to the south. Here they would at least have food and shelter through the upcoming winter, and if Shadow could rid the Sentinel of the horde that took over their home, they could return after their contract ended. Many Clouds reminded Shadow that Rolling Howl, her old childhood friend, had stayed behind with a small band to fight against the undead.   Shadow produced the lantern and with the help of Keokan, Omori, Coat of Many Clouds, and a pair of tabaxi – she led a holy rite that spread the sacred flame it into another lantern. When they were finished Coat of Many Clouds took the new lantern and held it aloft for all to see.   As visiting hours were ending, Shadow was approached by an older tabaxi, Patter of Rain. Patter explained that her son, Echoes of Thunder, had his indenture contract purchased and had left a couple of weeks ago. He had promised to send word as soon as he was established but since then Patter of Rain had had nothing but silence. Remembering Echoes of Thunder from her past, Shadow agreed to look for him and with Keokan and Omori left the Fortress yard.   ------------------   Outside, Aatavi and Ilya had been deep in conversation. They watched the city from across the bay and more strange sites developed. Two enormous, bulbous domes of fabric were billowing in the distance to the southwest. They reminded Aatavi of the jellyfish that sometimes gathered around Ysfor's rocky shores. Aatavi asked Ilya why she believed that all Ymmari were bad and Ilya revealed that she had seen part of her childhood home destroyed by Ymmari magic. If was never a question of “if” Ymmari influence would lead to evil, it was a matter of “when.”   As they sat and talked they were interrupted as a tiny raven landed near Aatavi on the bench. It opened its beak and they heard Aaura's voice, clear as day. "Hey guys, this is Aaura and Faelyn. Let us know if you get into any trouble." Finishing its sentance, the raven shimmered and turned into a silver figurine. Aatavi took it from the bench and placed it within his backpack.     ------------   As Shadow and the others made their way through the prison they suddenly found themselves isolated and locked within one of the large meeting rooms. From behind a window, a stern looking aarakocra glared at them. He explained that he was Lt. Shammatam, a member of the city’s overwatch and had recently become aware that the party had gotten involved with a violent attack in the previous night. He had already questioned two of their companions, Aaura and Faelyn, and needed to hear the other side of the story to corroborate the details. A tense discussion followed, and Keokan bristled at being questioned in the confined spaces, but the heroes were soon allowed to go on their way. Lt. Shammatam only asked that they return to the Commorancy so he could find them if more questions arose.   Keokan, Shadow, and Omori met Aatavi and Ilya at the dock. The guard explained that the ferryboat was having issues back on the mainland and offered a small craft to row themselves back to shore. Aatavi happily jumped at the opportunity to pilot the craft back, grabbing ahold of the oars and beckoning everyone on the boat. From behind he heard Ilya mutter a few arcane words before she gripped the second set of oars. The others jumped in, and with a great heave Aatavi and Ilya pushed the boat forward.   The tide was low as they surged across the bay, and they passed by a number of ruined structures that peaked from beneath the waves. There were more than ruins below the surface, however. Keokan’s keen eyes soon noticed large dorsal fins cutting through the water and approaching their boat. He alerted his allies to ready themselves and watched as a shark, its skin rotting and eyes glazed, tucked under the boat, slamming it from below. The craft lurched upwards, and the fight was on.   The heroes soon found themselves fighting not one, but three undead sharks. The fish repeatedly rammed the boat, toppling Omori and Keokan over the side. While Omori was aided by the protective magic of Shadow, Keokan swam quickly and scrambled atop a peeking ruin. The zombie shark followed close at his heels, leaping from the water to attack the goliath.   On the boat, Aatavi came alive in ways the party had never witnessed. Finally in his element, he stood strong at the bow with harpoon in hand, arcs of electric rage licking the surface of the water. At his side stood Ilya, conjuring a storm of her own, clouds tinged with the golden lightning of Kovuln. With wrath and fury they fended off the sharks that circled their boat, and smote them as they breached the water to attack.   A few tense moments later the mindless sharks sank motionless below the waves for a final time, dispatched with blade, storm, and guiding bolt. Tense moments followed as Aatavi, his face soaked with salt, spume, and boiling tears, gathered his companions and pulled the oars, pushing the boat to the shore with mighty heaves.