The One Shots Epilogue

mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
Looking up you see Moon staring back at you as you both fade into dust.
Darkness surrounding you you start to fall.
Breaking the darkness are shimmers of golden light illuminating the walls of a cavern.
The tunnel your falling thought opens up into a massive cavern containing a huge lake. But you are stunned by this lake's centerpiece, a waterfall of golden light coming out of the caverns ceiling.
You are so stunned you almost don't notice the smooth flat floor racing towards you
As you impact the water it's perfect stillness and clarity causes it to appear invisible.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
I struggle to surface, gasping as I try to stand. Despite the shock of the impact, I can't help but be awed by the deluge of golden light.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
Yes but you are alone
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
Treading water you would see a small boat near the waterfall
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
The silhouette of a man fishing can be made out
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush wades over to the boat, waving to get the man's attention. He calls out to him.
"Please! I need your help! Can I come aboard?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
A warm smile greets you
"Why hello there of course" he offers a hand to pull you up
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
He looks like a friendly old fisherman slightly older grabbing his hand, you feel a warmth from within him passing into your hand.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Shocked at the warmth, Laush nonetheless pulls himself up out of the water and into the boat. Exhausted, he takes some time to catch his breath and get his bearings.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
The old man smiles and casts his rod back into the still water.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
"I can't thank you enough, kind sir. I'm in your debt." He looks around the cavern, assessing his surroundings. "Do you know where we are?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
"It's the right thing to do to help other people I mean."
"We're on a lake"
 
roll perception or investigation for the looking around
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
" I suppose so... I can see that. But do you know where this lake is on the map? I don't remember where I was when I fell."
{A flat 15 to Perception.}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
With that the cave is huge and the waterfall of light illuminates the whole thing several caves cut into the walls past the shore line despite the waterfall the lake is perfectly still and clear you can see no other life in this place. There is an open barrel on the small boat and it's empty.
 
"There are many maps. I'm sure that we are on one of them. Why do you have somewhere you need to be ?"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush shakes his head "No. I just like knowing where I am."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
"Well you are here on the lake I suppose you could go to the shore if you want but it would get darker and darker or you could get closer to the waterfall but it might blind you"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
"I think I want to head closer to the waterfall, if you don't mind."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
"All I have is the fishing rod you'll have to row if you want to go anywhere"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
"That's fine with me." He looks around for some oars, and barring that, uses his hands to begin rowing gently towards the light.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
There are oars in the boat and you start moving toward the light.
"Is there a reason you feel so compelled to push forward?"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
"None save curiosity, and a general desire to keep moving forward in life."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
You approach the waterfall and the boat slowly starts to float though
"Curiosity can be quenched but to always be moving forward means you never have time to...." He is distorted as the waterfall passes over him.
Working its way down the boat to you
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush hesitates, but moves into it.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
The water washes over you and you see the light in it's stream flow into your body
The light is warm and the water is cold and you feel whole
Upon exiting the waterfall you are no longer sharing a boat with a friendly fisherman but now a dark hooded apparition.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush is startled, but composes himself quickly.
 
"Are you still the man I was with? Or some new traveler?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
"I am the same but you are now anew look around with open eyes and see disparity in its whole"
 
Another perception pls
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
{18}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
Now what you see is a lake full of fish algae and plant life the walls of the caverns covered with plant life blooming flowers and building cut from the stone of the cave the waterfall is now being contained by several aquifers that are moving though the small village but no people
Your stomach growls
"You have bathed in the font of my soul and now you are cursed mortal"
He fades into nothingness
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush takes it all in, wide eyed.
 
He puts hand on his stomach. "At least that's familiar. If I had a copper for every time my sense of self has been altered by the unknowable, I would have two copper. ...Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
Your boat drifts to the shore and you smell food and tea coming for a building nearby.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/25/2021
Laush climbs out of the boat, shaking his waterlogged self before moving toward the smell of food.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/25/2021
This is the only house with light in it and a shadow quickly passes over the window as you hear humming and the sounds of a fire.
(The housing and aqueducts give you an early Roman feel.)
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Oscar breathes in the smell deeply before moving into the doorway and knocking on the doorframe
"Hello? I don't mean to bother you, but I was wondering if I could come in?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You hear a young man scream and a shattering of pottery before a frightened kid steps into view holding a quarterstaff in one hand and a set of beads in the other.
"Who are you green creature" him trying to make his voice sound low
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush holds his hands up and tries to appear non-threatening. " Whoa, easy there! My name is Laush. I know how I must look, but I promise I have no intention of harming you."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"Why are you here beast what reason do you have for breaking my exile"
Roll an insight for me
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience. I'm afraid I lost my way, and was hoping to ask for some food before I was off. I didn't mean to frighten you."
{Insight roll was 10+1:11}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You can't identify what race he is.
"This place is cursed and you should fear lingering but I was raised to share what I have so you may stay and eat."
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"Thank you so much for your kindness. I promise I won't stay long."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
He provides you half a grilled fish and some weak tea.
"So did you come from the caves below" his voice relaxing into a more normal tone
"You should leave when you can I have been touched by the taint and shouldn't be interacted with"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"No, I fell down here into the lake." He cocks an eyebrow. "What kind of taint? Do you mean the curse of the waterfall?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"No I have been tainted with a laten soul and exiled here by the arch mages to await my execution"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"That's awful!" Tries to finish eating and drinking, not speaking with his mouth full. "How did you become tainted with the laten soul? And why have they shunned you for it?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"Oh I'm not shunned I'm here to become enriched with the well spring of cursed energy the arch mage's say that after my execution my soul will fuel a hundred new lives as for my taint I was born with it rare but happens"
Roll arcana
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
{ A flat 15}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
Sorry arcana +250
You are momentarily blinded by the creature sitting in front of you. His power of magic is almost that of a god.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush shields his eyes for a bit.
"Incredible! You truly are a wellspring of magic in your own right! But why must you die to share that power?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"my taint is rare but the arch mages said that if they are like springs of water I was like an empty ocean I don't naturally fill but in a place like this I can be enriched"
 
"when you scared me at the door I gave you what was mine willingly and you are better for the food if hundreds need me to share my life with them how can I say no"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"I suppose that's fair. It just doesn't feel right that anyone should have to die for something they cannot control. I'm glad that some good might come of it, but it still feels cruel. Thank you kindly for all that you've done. I appreciate your generosity. "
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"Your welcome my strange friend I suggest you go back to this world of yours that's so perfect this world is much to cruel"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
His face is shadowed for a moment. "Oh, believe me. My world is not much better. There are people who would kill those who look like me for the crime of being born. There are days where I must sing for hours just to keep myself fed and housed. There are even those who would scorn us for who we love, though they are blessedly few in most of the places I have had the pleasure of staying." He looks up at his host. "My world isn't perfect. But if no one says anything... if no one challenges the way things have been, or seeks a better answer... nothing will change." *He brings himself to his feet, and if the house is not taller than 6'3 he has to crouch."
"But it's clear I should take my leave soon. Again, many thanks for your hospitality. I will be sure to tell others of your kindness towards me." He smirks. "Beast comments not withstanding, of course." Laush begins to duck through the doorway.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
As you pass the doorway there is a slight rush of air blow past you turning around you see an empty dusted ruin of an old house lifeless turning back around your but three inches from the dark hooded ghostly specter "Such a young boy to take the burden of hundreds in other lands they'd call him king but here exile" the specter starts floating backwards towards the lake slowly.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Follow behind the spectre cautiously. "Very true. And yet you are content to watch, while others must challenge this indignity in your stead. Does it ever get lonely, knowing there is no one else who will see time as you do? Do you ever get tired of watching others from a distance, never able to intervene?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
The creature reaches out a claw and it stops a inch from your flesh. You feel a deep warmth emanating from its palm before he fades again. You're now at the edge of this lake only a moment passes.
"LOOK OUT" you hear a scream behind you
roll dex saving throw
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
{11+5:16}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You manage to duct as a long spear sails over your head into the water.
approaching you stands a tall reflection of the young boy you saw before here you see him in his prime
"Why hello again old friend" the tall man offers you a hand to help you up
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush takes his hand, masking his confusion gracefully. "And hello to you! It is a pleasure to see you again alive and well."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
you can't speak the moment you touch his hand you realize your mistake he was god like years ago and now you feel so much magic flow from him you that it burns your very soul your hand stinging as if touching a hot pan
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Flinches and draws back his hand. "Sorry. That's my bad. I should have been more careful."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
slightly upset looking
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Smiles at him comfortingly. "It's fine! You couldn't help it. How have you been in the time since we met my friend? You seem so full of warmth and life!"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"I'm good I've made this long spear to help with fishing and I moved to the bigger house at the top of the cavern walls."
his smile fades slightly
"I'm sure they com for me any day now"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"That's wonderful! I'm glad you are doing so well for yourself." Looks concerned at his statement. "I'm sorry you have had to be put through this. I feel like there must be some other way to share the magic running through you. " Seems to get an idea. "Say, have you ever given your magic an outlet?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"I'm not supposed to use my taint before I was too young and now I feel like it would be dangerous if you were hurt from just my touch" You would feel something drawing your attention away from the man but up to the ruins.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush turns towards the ruins to see what is going on.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You would see a shop on the cliff face
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"Oh! I don't recognize that shop from before. Do you know who runs it?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You are alone on the cold beach
you can tell that its night as a chill sets upon the cavern
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Sighs deeply, shaking his head. "So many questions, and never any answers." Laush begins to make his way up to the shop, hoping for the best.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
A song starts to play from the shop pinking of a viol but a song you don't know.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush smiles at the sound, readying his own viol as he peers in. "Mind if I accompany you?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You see the dark specter in a room of old destroyed interments some you don't recognize pinking away at the viol as you walk in
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Sits next them, viol at the ready. "I can help you with the chords, if you want."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
He crushes the viol in his hands.
"My name you do not know, my soul you share, and you never played for me, never even asked of me my name" and the specter fades
his last words "never even asked of me my name" sound not of hate or anger but of sadness
the cavern is now very dark you hear a horse outside of the shop
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush follows the sound of the horse.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
In an almost black cavern you see a carriage drawn by two horses. The door opened.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush peers into the carriage.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
you see a old man peering out the other side of the cart
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"Hello, old friend. I'm sorry I never asked your name before. I should have." *Gestures to the seat next to him. "May I sit with you?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
there is no response
 
a strange voice "Were here exile"
the door the old man is looking out opens showing though the carriage a bright day in a beautiful city the old man exits the carriage and starts walking soldiers on both sides
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush follows behind them at a jog. "Hold on! Do you mind if I accompany you?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
crawling through the carriage to the open door its slammed in your face the hooded specter standing on the other side of the glass "It's too late green beast" taking up the rains and a whip the carriage starts to move you gimps the old man and soldiers holding back angry crowds of people throwing rock and insults at the old man and his protectors.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush misty steps in front of the old man and shields him with his body.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
as you wield magic you see an ark of power emit from the specter into you (you cast misty step as a level 7 spell) appearing in-front of the old man you raise an arm to shield him. a rock passes though you arm striking the old man stunned a soldier passes though you to block more rocks and they proceed to a great tower.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
{It's a feat I can use as a Fey Touched, but I get it.}
Laush follows them in, knowing what's coming but desperate to try and stop it.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
The specter follows in the distance
you seem to have no effect on anything here
He's brought into the great tower standing above an emerald that was unnaturally large slowly growing by a ring of sorcerers enchanting it you see 4 men standing at the same level as the old man.
"We the council of 4 arch mages are here to enact your execution your soul being a great asset to the kingdom but we are not without mercy....." they go through a long list of thing but its turns into droning noise in the background as they are 4 floors above you(edited)
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush stands before the old man, unsure of what to do but ready to act if need be.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
The council offers him one wish looking over at you with slight pride. He asks to know about the hundreds of lives he will save the arch mages tell him that he will give life to millions looking over you see the arch mages showing him a suit of armor you will give life to an army. The arch mage's drape a dark robe over the man and with a single movement he is no more just a burning soul deciding into the great crystal but your eyes are fixed and the suit of armor a prototype of 0DA5
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush looks into the eyes of ODA5. He strokes 0DA5's face and cries. "I'm so sorry, 0DA5. You didn't deserve this. I should have done more. " He hugs the prototype of 0DA5, knowing he can't change or feel it, but wanting to comfort him anyway.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You see the ghostly figure pointing below at the great crystal
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush looks down at the crystal. "Whatever you need me to do, I will."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You see the crystal glowing with the brilliant soul and people are cutting gems out of this great crystal And hauling them off
Stating coldly
"You are cursed and this is our burden" before fading
Each gem has a small shining light within it.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
{Oh no! I'm sorry for replying. I'm not sure what to do. I'm still kind of emotional from everything that's happened. Just give me a minute.}
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
{everything okay mate?}
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
{Yeah! I just got too attached to who 0DA5 used to be. I don't feel like I handled it well.}
 
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
The spectator sees you being distort at the even just past
He offers you a hand as did the fisherman as did the tall man as did the young boy offered you fish.
"Do not be saddened by my death I was not the victim of this story"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush takes his hand and squeezes. "Is there any way I can still help you?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
Yor drifting through the air with the spector
Heading below the ground into these large tombs of metal
Their an army of thousands stood some resimbling 0DA5 but many just twisted machines designed to kill
"I am just an echo"
You see gems being loaded one into each unit
"My great soul split into these devices"
He sets you down Infront of one touch it and know the true victims.(edited)
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush reaches out and touches the one nearest to him.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
You see the last war you see the battlefield people being killed without emotion by this storming hoard machines
"My sacrifice created life yes but it was used to take so much more"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush recoils. "That's awful! So many people were slaughtered."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
Their is one last this pointing to the carts holding the gem stones
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush approaches the cart with the gemstones, running his hands along the facets.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
One gem is brighter than the rest shining like a star as one of the workers picks it up and start walking off with it.
 
As he walks you see him trip and fall, breaking it in two he quickly picks up both pieces and places them in a 0DA5 model.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"It was broken... Split..."
Laush turns to the spectre.
"That was you, wasn't it? The one we know now."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
"was not my hand that granted you your vision"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
"Nevermind. I think I understand, though."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
With your words he spector fades
 
There you stand amongst the Army of the Defense Matrix, 0DA5's empty shell standing at attention. After a moment you feel a cold air blow from behind you.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush turns around to face the cold air.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
The army fades away as you turn, back in the cave the specter floating at the beach side.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/26/2021
Laush moves to stand in front of the spectre. "What do you need us to do?"
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/26/2021
he raises his hand and the cavern disappears and you find yourself within a giant emerald the radiant waterfall appears as a massive crack in its lattice, "I created the only home I know but it's just an illusion, a facade to give me some peace." a pause "When you took a shard of my soul you inherited all the sins of those machines here all I can do is relive the horrors of our sin or to blind myself and exist in blissful ignorance. But you can free us and give all the victims their justice I beg of you find all fragments of my soul and destroy them"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
His face takes on a look of shock and pain as the implication sets in, but quickly shifts to one of determination.
"Of course. I will make sure these victims receive justice. I promise."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
"Then I grant you all that I can; you will have three days if you haven't found a way to extend your life you will be destroyed and our sins will haunt us forever. You also must destroy this" gesturing to the emerald around you "last because if its destroyed you won't have your three days"
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
"I understand. Thank you."
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
A hand gestures you to the crack in the crystal and the specter fades.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
Laush moves to the crack in the crystal and lays his hand on it.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
You feel the energy flowing out into the unknown and you can push though into it
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
He pushes through, into the unknown.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
For a moment you can't see then you are in a graveyard, the party walking to the founder's tomb you're really low to the ground.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
Laush looks around for 0DA5 and Bakul.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
You see 0DA5, Bakul and Laush talking and trying to open the chains on the tomb
 
You see yourself the real you. What you were a simulation of it a bit disturbing.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
Shaken, but not stirred, I move towards 0DA5.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
Taking a step you collapse your new body not familiar to you. Looking down you see 8 spiders like legs of steel.
 
Changeling Tales — 04/27/2021
Recognizing Rickshaw, I attempt to lift myself up again and scuttle toward 0DA5.
 
mpb0987654321 — 04/27/2021
Your first steps are rickety but your new body slowly starts to obey and you find it much stronger and faster than your use to
 
You can approach 0DA5, Bakul, and Laush