Arthoms 26th letter (S2E11)

*written in Dwarvish*
 
Beloved Cousin Thyria,
 
Another eventful day has befallen me our wee band of misfits, but thankfully I feel this day has brought a peaceful close to a chapter that was in much need of attention, for much like a wound festers without care, so too do promises left unfulfilled...
 
So, as ye may well expect, I found some of the rest of the party , and we has a wee lil' chat about what our next move is as a group, and the general consensus was that we should attempt to mend relationships with the gangs that we can.
The Yakuza Hate us after our failed Raid, The victri hate us after our incident at the manor, and the gleam boyz seem to be on our side (as much as they can, despite the dangers of our continued association), so that leaves the Black skull pirates, the crew we promised Lucid to, the very same crew that lent us Toes and Fingers to aid in our journey.
Sadly they did nae make it out of the Victri mansion to our knowledge, so we decided to go back there and see what's left of the poor bastards and see if there be anything we can bring back to the pirates to allow them a proper burial as something of a peace offering.
Thankfully, we needn't fash about finding the swashbucklers, as they set upon us from the shadows, the bastards had us on the ground, their blades to our necks, before we convinced em to let us up to speak. Their primary concern being, where their captain was, and where their crew mater were. So we were candid, and told them we knew not where lucid was, and that we believed Toes and Fingers to be long dead. They agreed to come with us to attempt to recover their bodies.
 
Upon arrival, at the charred husk of that cursed manor I could nae help but feel a wee bit of pride as my handiwork, but that pride was overshadowed by anguish, for the return of old behaviors I swore off of long ago.
As we found an entrance, the group spent way too much time chin wagging so I just headed in, we did nae come here to mess about. As our merry band was almost all in when the entrance collapsed, trapping gurvel and Gallant outside. Ever the calm pragmatist Gurvel sought another entrance, which turned out to be a window on a further face of the building, but would have probably wondered around for hours had I not used message to tell him where we were. Thank the gods that oaf has a keen sense of direction. Shortly after gurvel regrouped with the rest of us we were met with a series of paths to take, and after yet another lengthy discussion we opted to take the path to the dungeons below.
 
As we descended, we came across a large prison chamber, cells lining the walls either side, with long dead corpses within. Poor bastards, cannae tell if they starved, dehydrated, or simply were drunk to death by the victri. Up ahead, the one thing barring our entry was a metal reinforced door, the bastard was even enchanted... Sneaky bloodsuckers clearly wanted to hide whatever was behind the door. After a clever use (if i do say so myself) of Heat metal on the latch of the door, and no shortage of strength applied by the big fella, we bent the lock and entered what could only be described as a nightmare chamber from the worst kind of degenerate bards fantasies... They had all types of tools and devices and contraptions to derive sexual pleasure from, some of which remained within the prisoners as they perished. Poor buggers. Few deserve such a fate, and I strongly doubt this lot were among that number. But, dinnae fash. We gathered their bodies, and did what we could there and then to give them the respect they deserved in death. Horrifyingly though, gurvel, while we were showing respects found hisself a new toy, some kind of Victri whip, red and black in color, the like I've never seen before, and wrapped it around his arm that i gave him. I suppose for later use...
 
Sadly though, there was naught else down here, and we were forced to back track to the junction we were at previously, opting for a different path this time, we sorta just guessed for it, using what little memory we all had of the layout of this place prior to its destruction. As we marched on, I foolishly made a misstep, which left my arse falling through a hole, with a sure fire death waiting below me. Thankfully Master Teviati and Illyana's teachings finally sunk in. I found my connection to the element of Earth and melded with the stone upon impact, and rather than dying, i sunk, deep into the earth itself where i heard an strange and ominous pounding within the stone. Heartwarmingly, Gurvel and Syrus came down to see if I was alright, while Talutah remained with the pirates. I admit I was slightly saddened that she didnt come down too, but I try to remember that both of the boys had much more available meant to get down than she did, so I keep telling myself that be why, Not lack of care, but lack of means.
 
As we recovered from that frightening experience, we witnessed a warhound coming towards us, starving and crazed. I attempted to reason with it, alas to no avail. the damned thing had nae sense left, and was just desperate. As I matched its form and we battled, the other two fought well and together we struck it down and put the poor thing out of its suffering. In order for us to leave the hole I fell into, Gurvel teleported, and I shifted into my little spider form and climbed upon Syrus so that we could fly out. Saved so much effort trying to climb out. as We three emerged we regrouped with Talu and the pirates, who had found Fingers, and had reclaimed what parts of his body they could and they filled us in as to the situation they were in. As we pressed on to the room in which Syrus and I were drugged. We walked past the carnage I had left in my wake and the group, all for the first time had seen what I had actually done. I felt the gaze of my comrades upon me, I heard talu get feint at the sight of what i had done, syrus I imagine was in disbelief as to the barbarity, and Gurvel seemed to be completely fine with it but I hope that be attributed to his hatred for the victri and not a sign of something more dire.
 
As we returned to the room in which lacey had me and Toes tied up, and saw several bodies lying around the room. As if this place wasnt weird enough, these bodies had barely decomposed, unlike the ones in the cells below. Yet, logically they should have died at a similar time which left many of us perplexed, but ever stalwart we pushed on looking for toes. In our search we opened many of what appeared to be silken pods, I assume much like what lacey intended to put me in. This room of horrors was clearly a feeding room for that vile monster, draining these people for days, weeks or months until they had no mor life force to give. Opening these pods we found many people who breathed their last breath as they were finally freed, and out of her power. I cannae imagine the torment they endured, nor how long they endured it for all so Lacey could be strong, and survive her wounds we gave her. I thought the Victri were bad before, but now, I have a disdain fer them that I've never felt before. Its like a roaring fire in my breast, driving me onwards, to take them on, to rip and tear them apart. But thankfully before I could devolve any further into this thought process Syrus found toes, ALIVE! he set about using what power he had to heal the man, I promptly joined, and Talu too shortly after. We did the best we could but alas, the damage was done. Poor toes, had lost his legs. I can only assume that as his body began to fail it forsook keeping his legs alive to prioritize hit vital organs. After we stabilized him as much as we could, Gurvel carried him out of this horrible place, as we entrusted his care to the Black skull pirates form here we hoped our alliance can be salvaged still, despite all thats happened. As we parted ways Gurvel summoned he Cow Zyanna (love that he is perpetually calling her a cow with that lil gag) through some sort of red lightening that I've never seen the likes of before...
 
And now, we head off to try to find Lucid, so we can give his arse to the pirates, and be rid of the bastard. Last heard he was with Zyanna in the Emerald District , so I suppose that's our next destination.
Lets see what shite is gonnae blindside us next.
 
All the best to the family, clan, and Kin.
Tell the kids their uncle says "Hi"
 
Arthom