Session 20: Rell's Log
General Summary
Battered and bruised, I attempted to compose myself just within the treeline. The adrenaline rush was quickly fading into glaring relief that we’d all made it out alive.
Liv looked ready to collapse with fatigue, with Elirith not faring much better. I didn’t know Penitence that well yet, but I understood the weary body language of just about escaping with your life. My own back throbbed as well, from the assault of rocks and bricks, and I leaned a little too much weight into my glaive in an attempt to alleviate it.
We’d survived though; all escaped that death trap alive, which considering those that had suffered within, was perhaps a greater feat than we realised.
Looking around at the dazed expressions of my companions, I did my best to explain the gruesome creature we’d fortunately avoided on the lower levels and how it had burst through the blocked door as I’d made my escape. Elirith began craning her neck desperately back towards the tower, and I panicked at her fear, rushing to confirm the creature's demise, that Liv and I had found it dead amongst the ruined stonework. Relief flooded me as I eased the panicked expressions I’d unintentionally caused. Even if I was annoyed with her, I didn’t want to see Elirith upset.
Elirith asked Corvus if the forest was now free from the corruption, and I looked along with everyone else to the still petrified trees around us. I placed a palm against the nearest trunk, feeling the cool stone under my palm, so bizarre and unnatural. They certainly seemed as frozen as ever. My attention was drawn back to the raven as he confirmed we’d need to return to the grove and speak with Grandmother to find the answer in full.
Worry span that we’d done all this and missed something, or accidentally crushed whatever cure or antidote by freeing the trapped elemental. Still, there was nothing we could do now but hope it had been enough, even if we could see no obvious effects right now. It had to have been enough.
While we contemplated our next move, Robyn, as the least injured, headed off to patrol around the clearing. As her footsteps left earshot, I let my eyes lull shut, attempting to focus and regain some strength. Falling asleep instead of meditating was possible for me, even while standing up, and I had done so many times to Mesh’s frustrations, even on watch when I was younger. This time I had no such pleasure since I was soon drawn back to reality by Robyn’s return.
She stated she’d seen a creature briefly in the shadows, but had been unable to get a good view since it had disappeared before her eyes, vanished in the same way the spider had appeared. I didn’t like the idea that something could be concealed and watching us, and I unwillingly glanced around but of course, saw nothing. Plus, from her description, the creature didn’t seem familiar to Corvus, and he only confirmed that there was less than pleasant Fae here too. We all agreed it was better not to be ambushed and to rest in as safe a location as possible.
Pride rushed through me as I was asked my opinion on the best place to camp and I looked from the trees around us, back to the area we’d just fled. I knew what Mesh would do, where was safest and grinned as Robyn agreed with me.
It wasn’t ideal, but the large pile of rubble we’d created from the collapse of the tower provided both elevation and an open view should anything attempt to attack us. Anything visible anyway. Forcing an air of experience into my voice, I also confirmed that anything which lived in the forest was quite likely scared of the tower so we should be left in peace. It was the best we had given the circumstance; we’d not make it back to the grove without resting.
So we carefully clambered over the loose rocks and bricks towards the centre, Saman assisting Penitence, while Robyn helped Elirith and myself, Liv. Unavoidably more dust was tossed up, and I dreaded to think what I looked like as I coughed and spat out phlegm. I’d certainly been worse, but I felt sweaty, tired and fed up of this forest. I’d give anything to be back at Haven. Back with her.
Shaking my head to refocus, we finally reached a stable, mostly flat section and paused to rest once more. It would definitely be uncomfortable, but at least we’d be moderately protected.
Reaching into my pocket, I rubbed the pad of my thumb along the ring a couple of times, glad it had survived our mad, escaping dash. Penitence had saved Liv, he could have easily fled, and yet instead he risked himself. Not right away but maybe he’d been scared. It deserved some trust.
One quick pace and I was at his side, the slight wrinkle to his nose telling me I wasn’t entirely welcome, but it soon abated as I held out the band of metal to him. Our hands brushed as he took it with gratitude, and I rummaged in my bag to hand him the sheet of gibberish symbols also. Maybe it would endear me a little to him.
Penitence withdrew the severed rod again and seemed at a loss of what to do with the items until Elirth stepped forward. Sweeping her hair back over her shoulder, she raised her hand in front of her eyes as if to hide them from view. Enchantments danced in the air before she revealed her lovely green irises to be a far lighter shade, almost a sky blue like Saman’s. She verified within a moment that the rod emanated a magical aura, studying it with great interest. My lip pinched as I wondered how exactly she’d managed to understand.
Returning my attention to the rod, an idea flashed, and I urged Penitence to try to use it while speaking his demonic language. Acquiescing with less resistance than I expected, he targeted the mass of dead flesh in the distance, brandishing the weapon theatrically. Disappointingly however there was no reaction other than some raised eyebrows. Shoulders slumping, he muttered in a disheartened voice if anyone else would like to try. How could I resist?
Instinctually I offered my outstretched palm, eager to try any new weapon, but despite my best flourishes, the rod was just as un-reactive for myself.
As I finished my dramatic attempts to awaken the weapon’s power, Saman and Elirith returned with a partly destroyed piece of leather that might have once been a glove. They claimed it also held magical properties and I frowned but didn’t disagree, knowing that had far more experience with arcana than me. Such items held a lot of worth within Bastion and were therefore tightly monitored by the foolish Council, but I knew that the Faithful had the necessary contacts to restore it. It was just a case of asking whom.
Elirith asked to study the ring further, and Penitence handed it over so readily that it was hardly imaginable we’d been fighting over it barely an hour ago. I didn’t understand him, and his actions only made me want to even more.
As Elirith settled herself down to inspect the band, Liv pulled at my sleeve, gesturing with her head and asking if we could speak alone. I nodded, always willing to listen to her as we stepped slightly away from the others.
With her arms wrapped around herself, she couldn’t quite meet my eyes as she apologised for killing the statues with the tower. Despite her genuine tone and posture, a blaze of anger filled my vision. I spat out my thoughts on the matter, how we could have tried to save them, but instead, they were blindly destroyed. When she tried to counter, I goaded a little crueller than I should have; that perhaps we’d slaughter the animals within the grove next, if none of it mattered. Corvus immediately squawked out a note of alarm, but I took little notice. I knew I didn’t really mean what I was saying, everything inside me was just on fire and I looked again to Liv’s sullen features and averted gaze.
Letting out a half-hearted huff, some of the tension evaporating, I murmured that I forgave her and accepted the apology. I couldn’t stay mad at her, but I refused to be part of a group where innocents were slaughtered. She nodded in agreement, though I doubted she truly understood how I felt. Did anyone?
I need to direct my churning emotions somewhere and glanced back to the makeshift camp where Corvus had one beady eye firmly fixed on us. I took a step closer to Liv, and in a loud whisper with the direct intention to carry back to our voyeur, I snorted that we should absolutely kill the bird first. Within a heartbeat, a blast of fire exploded off the debris next to me, but I laughed together with my long standing friend, any animosity lost amongst the guffaws at teasing the solemn Corvus.
Darkness was settling around us, so we began set watches. Elirith was assigned to be my companion, and on any other night I’d have been glad, but I couldn’t stop a small snort rather than return the smile that graced her lips. She had still shown little remorse for her actions within the tower. Nothing. Surely her, most of all, she would understand the necessity of helping those in need.
Laying down, I still found sleep easily as I always did, and I was quite glad to not dream of the desperate elvish pleas to be killed. When I was shaken awake by Liv, I barely glanced over at Elirth, marching directly to the edge of the ruins to begin a misshapen circled patrol.
I didn’t want to talk to her.
The butt of my glaive sank into the dirt as I forced it against the ground far harder than necessary. Annoyance swirled, a snarl finding my lips as I felt agitated, the same boiling flame as when I’d had to complete a task at Haven that I despised.
Fuck her.
I completed my loop, returning as close as necessary and plonking myself down with my back to Elirith’s concerned stare. Fishing for a cloth within my bag, I balanced my glaive over my knees and steadied my breath. Mesh had always enforced this when I got too emotional. Calm yourself. I struggled for a moment to hear her voice, but as I did, I began the elongated process of cleaning.
Lost in my thoughts, a weight against my shoulder made me startle, and I was on my feet instantly, weapon sweeping to attach whatever had crept up on me so silently. It found only air as I rapidly blinked my eyes to a conjured magic hand floating in the air before me. Corvus? How? But behind the illusion, a timid Elirith offered me a half-wave, indicating herself as the source of the spell.
Feeling my nostrils widen, I closed the gap between us with elongated strides, my voice a harsh whisper as I queried her foolishness at surprising me. She lowered her eyes a little, apologising in a stream of words than ran together in a jumble. She was noticeably awash with guilt, disliked my rage or that she had upset me. I sighed, pinching my nose before sitting rapidly once more but refusing to lose any of my irritation.
As she continued rambling, I snapped, interrupted her abruptly again in a fierce whisper. She’d not listened to me at all and destroyed the statues, the people. Why, was the only question I could ask.
Shaking her head, she almost pleaded that it hadn’t been her intention and that her spells had been an attempt to incapacitate. Swallowing she bravely stated that ultimately, it was us rather than them, we were more important.
Bristling I grinned a little sinisterly while juxtaposing a chirping upbeat agreement. Elirth was unsure how to react, fidgeting as though her clothes were suddenly uncomfortable against her skin. It softened my rage slightly to see the distress I was causing. Even so, I voiced that I had to know, needed to know that she would not kill innocents.
Her eyes widened as she stumbled that she was still new to this and gestured her arms at the crumbled remains around us, but returning them to her lap where they wrestled against each other for a moment. Tucking some escaped blonde hair behind her ear, she cast me a woeful look and reminded me that she had chosen to spare the orc who’d attacked us.
She had. Of course, she had. Somehow persuaded him to think better of his futile attempt to defeat us. The orc had not been an innocent, but she’d chosen life over death, more than I had done.
What was I doing? She wasn’t a hateful person. I didn’t know her that well, but she’d never been wicked or malicious in her actions.
Unclenching my fingers that I realised were holding my glaive a little too tightly, I gave her a small smile, nodding that it was alright, and I forgave her. A quiet pause followed where nothing needed to be said, a silence for things that remained unspoken.
Once it was over, I returned to the controlled sweeping wipes of my glaive. It had its intended purpose as I calmed the turmoil inside. I shouldn’t let the past distress me so much.
It at least meant I had another deep sleep, but my back still cracked as I rose the following morning, feeling overly stiff as I stretched out my aching muscles. The others seemed just as affected by the rough conditions, except for Saman of course.
Corvus was busy preening his feathers, and I asked him if he’d noticed any changes to the forest. The puffed-up, ruffle of feathers I received in return made me giggle as he accused me of discussing genocide. Winking at the irked creature, I promised as sincerely as I could manage, that I hadn’t meant anything by it and had only been using it to prove a point. I chose to interpret the cawing noise as forgiveness.
After repacking our belongings, we began to retrace our path back to the grove. I was certainly glad to put as much distance as possible between myself and that clearing, even if we had destroyed the evil that lurked there.
As we ambled along, a conversation soon struck up as to our next steps, and how, if at all possible, we could get Penitence into Bastion. Smugness filled me as I smirked, alluding to the fact that I knew of alternative ways into the city and had used them many times. I didn’t quite receive the awed reactions I’d expected so continued that I was also aware of glamours that could keep a person hidden. All of this exertion came with an equivalent fee, however, and I motioned to the ring Penitence had chosen to wear, knowing magical artefacts had been accepted before.
There were a few sceptical mutters, but Elirth backed me up, sharing that she’d been bought into the city with her family in a similar way. As she spoke, I realised I’d been foolish; the Faithful wouldn’t relocate anyone that couldn’t remain reliably concealed within the city. It was too much of a risk. I sighed as I admitted this to the group, feeling more than a little disheartened. We’d need another way.
Soon after the conversation died away, we happened upon the spiders we’d fought. Their bodies had been woven up into tight cocoons, seemingly strung up as a meal and I shuddered with the horrible image that it could have been our fate. I was quite glad there were none of them in sight, but we still hurried away just in case.
Boredom soon took over and with nothing to distract me, I skipped forward to the trudging form of Penitence. Lacing my voice to be as charming as possible, I tried to probe as if there was anything I’d done to upset or annoy him. After all, it just wasn’t possible that he disliked me.
He was vague, defensive as always, and so I tried to be honest with him, explaining that I had some worry he wasn’t in control. His eyes darted left to right, taking a half step away from me. It wasn’t revulsion. I’d seen that reaction before; not ever in a companion though and I frowned, asking with disbelief if he was scared of me.
The sweep of his arm into a fist told me far more than the blunt denial, but I dropped the subject. I didn’t know what I’d done, but hopefully, I could find a way to make him like me and let go of this adverse attitude he’d gained. All I had to do was keep trying.
Not long afterwards, from the corner of my eye, I noticed Elirth summon the same spell in the form of a hand that she’d created the previous night. After a moment of conversing with Corvus, he did the same, and I wondered if she’d somehow learnt the magic from observing the raven. Did she copy spells in the same way she copied forms?
Penitence conjured a third hand, and I raised an eyebrow as the three of them began to race the spells between the branches, darts of magic speeding through the air. I’d never seen anything quite like it as they jeered and urged each other onwards.
Robyn’s face was a picture as she cast her gaze hurriedly around, assumingly worried they’d bring every foe in the forest towards us. I just found it ridiculous, catching Liv’s bemused expression and we both rolled our eyes almost at the same time. It caused a moment of joint mirth as we made fun of their enthusiasm. At least we could still have some fun despite our near brush with death.
We marched on until pebbles receded to grass as we found ourselves back in the grove, with its lush grass and thriving life, so different from the aura of misery that had prevailed at the tower. Still, there hadn’t appeared to have been much change, everything looked the same as when we left it, so we continued forwards to locate Grandmother.
We spied the ancient dwarven woman peacefully sitting next to the pond, her bare feet dangling into the dark blue. It looked quite inviting, if it wasn’t for the slumbering form of Golar at her side.
As we drew closer, I noticed that at the centre of the water was Ethissia. Not breaking the surface, she sat afloat, as though nature's laws bent the rules for her. It was a calming scene, tranquil and gave me a deep sense of peace.
Elirith moved up to Grandmother, slipping off her own boots and joining her. She explained in brief where we had been, and what we’d achieved, how the forest was perhaps now free. The old dwarf thanked us all, crinkles deepening even further around her eyes as spoke of how glad she was that we’d all returned safely.
Elirith’s expression fell after a moment, as she reached into her tunic and held out a vial full of a grey substance that I very much recognised. She defended her actions, that it might be necessary to lift the corruption. I grit my teeth, furious that she’d managed to keep some of and had bought it here, to this sacred place.
Grandmother remained serene, however, taking the offering and within a blink, transforming it into a beautiful flowering lily pad. She set it gently onto the water, and it warmed my heart that she’d turned something so evil into a little fragment of peace.
Warmth flowed through me at the gesture, and for the first time, I wished dearly that we’d done enough and removed the corruption enough to free the forest.
At the same time, I also wondered fleetingly what she might have been able to do to those trapped within its curse?
Grandmother gestured a little, ushering us to step away and avert our gazes as she was going to attempt to cleanse the forest. Backing up, I moved a suitable distance, but I never could follow direction and still peeked through my fingers. It was captivating to watch as both Ethissia and Grandmother began an intricate spell than grew brighter and brighter until I was forced to close my eyes through sheer instinct.
When I managed to reopen my eyes, I had to blink away prevailing black spots, but I quickly observed Grandmother had collapsed from exertion on the grass ahead of us. Saman and I both immediately rushed forward to assist but were promptly blocked by Golar who bared his teeth and snarled enough for me to know not to continue. I didn’t fancy an argument with those fangs and held my hands up in surrender.
Instead, it was Ethissia who approached the fallen women, the graceful creature now looking withered and aged compared to the verdant form she’d previously held. It was as though she was dehydrated, her lifeforce drained. I could only assume she had poured all her energy into the spell, given everything she had into removing the corruption.
She bent down, kissing Grandmother lightly on the forehead in a familiar, caring manner before asking Saman to take her to her hut to rest. I was surprised she’d asked him after the quite callous label she’d given him the last time we were here, but under the watchful eye of Golar, Saman lifted Grandmother gently into his arms.
As the three of them retreated away from the pool, Golar far closer to Saman’s legs than I’d have liked if it had been me, Liv queried Corvus what they had done. He bopped his head a couple of times eagerly, confirming our thoughts that it was to push back the corruption.
Before any of us could speak further, there was a flash of orange, and Ser Bright leapt onto Penitence’s shoulder. As charismatic and captivating as ever, he demanded that we regale our escapade for him. Unsurprisingly Penitence glowered, but I gave the overzealous creature a bow and announced that I would be delighted to tell him everything. He bounded to my own shoulder, and I laughed a spark of joy before beginning our tale of adventure.
I began with our courageous battle with enormous creepy spiders, how I alone rescued Saman from certain death when he’d been caught in their web. I spoke about the spooky tower that had blotted out the sun, that no one but me had dared scale its walls. Then there were the poor, innocent people that had fallen prey to its horrors, frozen and lost forever. Fist to my heart, I told how I’d deciphered the puzzle to reveal the hidden entrance and protected the less fortunate as we escaped.
I also made sure to mention how Corvus had escaped through the window as soon as the tower had started to collapse and Ser Bright almost bounced on his back paws at that tidbit. I’d laughed at his celebration, knowing the raven would certainly be teased.
Ser Bright remained enraptured for the whole story, gasping and laughing at just the right intervals. I was so lost in the tale, I barely registered Elirth, Liv and Corvus leaving, until they returned with the news that a small area of the petrification had receded.
Ecstatic, Ser Bright dashed between us, claiming we were all heroes and I was more than happy to agree with him, despite the awkward shuffling of the others. I didn’t understand why they were embarrassed; we had saved everyone here. If the corruption had been stopped, then we were heroes!
It was decided we’d spend a few more hours here and I was quite pleased to devour another meal of fruits and berries. I gladly savoured every bite, trying everything on offer, knowing I might never get the chance again. As he watched us eat, Saman asked if we could have seeds to try to cultivate the same back in Bastion and I was a little surprised he’d thought of it when he didn’t even need to consume food himself. They agreed to give any they had spare, and it sparked a curiosity in me as to whom we could give them to.
Once we finished our meal, Saman mentioned again the reason we were here, to seek wood fallen from the oldest tree. Grandmother had frowned a little, stating that maybe we had been misled as the only significant tree she knew was the one Ethissia inhabited, next to the water. She was willing to lead Saman there anyway, and we shuffled after her as she slowly led us back to the water’s edge.
After a little encouragement, Saman placed his palms against the trunk, and I exchanged another sceptical look with Liv before out of the blue words emanated from within the depths of the tree. It was in a language that sounded at first like Elvish, but I quite couldn’t quite grasp it exactly or get the symbols in the correct order so I could translate.
It was certainly articulating sentences rather than gibberish, its flow as musical and uplifting as Elvish itself and as it finished its branches exploded into stunning blossom. The instant they did, Saman’s hands vanished into the bark, sucked in like quicksand, as though he had melded with the tree.
Worried, my heart raced, and I tensed in readiness to save him, but he made no attempt to escape or pull back. It was truly bizarre, and I watched in half fascination and half revulsion. What was happening to him?
It seemed far too long before he was freed from the merger and in quite dramatic fashion, he fell, causing every petal to dislodge, cascading around him in a curtain of pink. I rushed a couple of stepped forward, but he seemed unhurt if a little stunned. All he was able to convey was that he felt lighter, whatever that meant, and I didn’t question him further. At least he seemed happy with the outcome.
Robyn looked off into the distance for a moment, before turning to Grandmother and asking what was west of here, mentioning how Penitence wished to travel in that direction. I looked to Liv who was listening intently also, knowing that she was still interested in heading that way.
Grandmother was vague though, saying only that she’d travelled the mountain ranges there long ago in her youth. Smiling and showing far too much of her gums, she confirmed again that we’ve all done good work here and that we should continue to do so in other places.
Liv beckoned me closer and asked if I thought she should mention the temple, the one Otho had read about in the diary we’d located. Shrugging, I said it was her choice, but I encouraged her to speak about it unless Otho had forbidden it. What was the worst that could happen?
With slight hesitation, Liv questioned Grandmother, who was undoubtedly far warier on this topic. She spoke of a temple in the mountains dedicated to Kothar, who was both the youngest and oldest of the gods; more of a father than a ruler. There was a note of caution in her words as she stated she’d not entered the temple itself.
We exchanged looks, realising a little more just how old Grandmother claimed to be and I inquisitively asked if she knew anything of the cataclysm. She almost seemed to portray remorse, sorrow and a sense of vulnerability all at once as she whispered that it was a sad story and not one for discussion tonight.
The wistful distress in her eyes, made me wish I’d never asked.
Previous: Session 19: Rell's Log
Next: Session 21: Rell's Log
5th Conditori
- Robyn does a sweep of the area; sees a creature briefly in the shadows but it disappeared before her eyes. Corvus confirmed there were less-than-pleasant Fae here too.
- Rest in the rubble of the Tower.
- Head back to the Grove
- No immediate change to the surrounding forest.
- Discuss how we can get Peni into Bastion.
- Get back to the Grove, Elirith speaks to Grandmother and hands her a vial of the grey substance retrieved from the Tower.
- Grandmother turned it into a flowering lily pad.
- Ethissia and Grandmother cast a ritual, Grandmother collapses and Ethissia looked withered and aged compared to verdant.
- When Grandmother awoke, Saman asked of the heartwood; Grandmother said we may have been misled, the oldest, most significant tree she knew of was the one Ethissia inhabited.
- Grandmother leads Saman to Ethissia's tree, he places his palms on the trunk, then sylvan is spoken from the tree. Saman melds with the tree, and emerges with an upgrade.
- Talk to Grandmother about heading West, she was vague, only mentioned travelling to the mountain ranges long ago in her youth.
- Grandmother told of a temple to Kothar, the youngest and oldest of the gods, though she had not entered the temple herself.
- Grandmother did not want to talk about the Cataclysm.
Report Date
15 Jul 2019
Original Disclaimer: Written from Rell’s PoV and any opinions on character’s or npcs are her own and may not be a true reflection of a character’s intended actions or intentions. Any missing content is due to Rell’s selective hearing or poor memory. Although I have attempted to keep information on Rell to a minimum, please note that you may read some content/opinions that aren’t common knowledge to your own characters and therefore it should not influence your interactions with her.
Additional Disclaimer: This article is ported frpm old blogspot articles for reference, and pertinent bullets and dates added to timelines.
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