Session 8: Rell's Log

General Summary

We decided to retreat.
After over a day and a half, after all the way we’d travelled, it was concluded that we weren’t strong enough to face the creature we’d been sent to destroy. We’d failed; failed to secure a new water source, failed to protect the Waterworks. We haven’t even tried, just turned around and ran.
Everything Elirith rationalized made sense. We were better off alive than dead, we must warn Gwilym and potentially the Council too. There could be more of them; Saman was so unsure but the scale of its territory sounded immense. We didn’t understand enough.
You are no use dead Rell. Patience. Learn to wait.
I took in a few calming breaths, my previous meditative tranquillity shattering as I gnawed at my own dissatisfaction.
Elirith asked me if I was fine with retreating, her lip curved downwards into the smallest of frowns, but frustration had made my fists clench, knuckles white as I’d clasped my glaive far too tightly. After I’d voiced a single syllable that I was okay, her eyes lingered on me a little longer than necessary, but I was far too annoyed to consider her attention.
It seemingly took forever while Saman tied the underwater rope necessary to complete the first step of our departure. Robyn lingered, unstringing and re-fixing her bow, delaying us up on both sides of the murky depths. I’d paced, anxious to leave as one hand found the other to rub and twist in an almost painful motion.
As soon as everyone appeared ready, I’d marched forward. Glaive against the ground, boots repeating a steady pattern as my jaw begin to ache from gritted teeth. I didn’t relent my pace nor my attitude, knowing I was being childish, but didn't want to admit it.
The holes we’d inspected earlier flew passed as I churned in my own grouchy mood, but I didn’t slow my stride. If they were going to attack, let them, at least then we might be doing something useful. Nothing stirred however, and a tinge of annoyance had sprung at the lost opportunity to release some of my pent-up agitations.
Vaguely aware that Robyn was nearby and that the others not too far behind, I’d resolutely kept my gaze fixed forwards. I just wanted to leave here now. As we reached the steep section Saman and Liv had fallen at before, I refused to slow, wedging my boots into the loose rumble and heaving upwards. I lasted only a few steps before I’d misjudged, my legs sliding clean out from under me as I fell painfully backward onto my rear, my head cracking off solid ground.
There was ringing in my ears, blood pounding at my temple as I raised a hand firstly there and then to the base of my skull. My fingers came back slick with blood and I cursed at my obscene luck. I’d truly had enough of this place.
Liv and Elirith were trying to speak to me, concerned or offering help. I didn’t care, didn’t want to listen. Forcing myself to my feet without any of their assistance, I couldn’t even manage a smile. The slope was tackled with far more attentiveness but no less fury as I dug my glaive into the ground with too much force.
On and on we went, and I gradually let the storming fierceness lessen a little, the tenseness easing slightly in my shoulders. It wasn’t their fault, we were doing the right thing. Mesh would have advised the same, I knew that deep down.
When the abandoned ropes finally came into view, I was so elated to be leaving this cursed place that I’d leapt upwards, purposefully hauling myself up rapidly. Pain shot through my biceps, neck strained as I forced myself tense enough to take my own weight, barely bothering to use my feet to elevate the strain as I scaled the wall as fast as I possibly could.
Only once I was at the top, gasping and bent over, sharp torment working its way through my muscles, that I realised how once again I’d been foolish, pushed myself beyond my limits and for no good reason. Suddenly I felt a little light-headed, so I’d half knelt as I waited for the others, rubbing the back of my head again and noticing for the first time that there was no blood in my hair. Had Elirith used her magic? I hadn’t even noticed that she’d cared, too caught up in my feelings.
My eyes almost lulled when the others began to reach the top of the climb and I had to lean a little into my glaive to make it back to my feet. They looked as tired as me and a spark of guilt flourished that I’d been far too focused on myself. Liv was moving slower than normal, dirt-streaked down her face as mud lingered on her clothes and boots. Robyn’s posture was a little slouched, the beginnings of dark circles under her eyes and Saman’s mangled wooden casing was obvious even in the semi-dark.
Elirith too looked a little drained, eyes cast in worry. Had I caused that? I was about to speak when clanking echoed around the small space and my heart skipped a beat as a Warforged’s heavy form moved forward. This was a real Warforged. Impassive, void of any emotion, a slave to those it served. I kept my distance, glaive held tightly once again.
Calling itself Digger 18, it offered to escort us back upwards to the Waterworks before calling Saman out to be its brother. Saman had bristled at that, almost rolling his shoulders back and standing slightly straighter but even still he adhered and moved to operate the mechanism. Sluggishly I’d sat down beside Liv, propping myself up and trying to find any peace as the cart lurched and jolted us back in a circular motion towards the surface.
It helped a little and I felt more like myself as we exited the carts with our escort. As I’d done so, a voice whispered beside me and I span, gut-clenching but there was no one there. Had it been Elirith playing a trick? I looked to the pretty elf, but she was already far ahead. It must have been her, wasn’t it? Fear span in tight circles. Liv had been spoken to down here but she… I shook my head it had to have been Elirith trying to reassure me. I’d been so caught up in myself I’d not even considered anyone else or how they felt about retreating. Drawing in a deep breath, I followed, feeling far more like my old self.
We were led into an area of the Waterworks that looked far more administrative and taken to a small, lantern-lit office that clearly functioned as an organisational hub. On the back wall was a diagram of interlaced lines and coloured markings, which on further inspection was, in fact, an interpretive map of the Waterworks and surrounding tunnels.
Gwilym looks as diminished as us, covered heavily in soot and carrying the burden of responsibility on his shoulders. As he dismissed Digger 18, he’d commented on the usefulness of Warforged within the city and I’d not stopped a loud snort, bothering even less than normal to hide my feelings. We described what we’d found in Shaft 7 to the concerned Dwarf, confirming once again that it had been better to escape with our lives rather than face the beast. Then we tried to work out where we might have been in comparison to the surface, but it was impossible to pinpoint anything other than a north, by north west location.
Since we could decipher nothing, Gwilym called for assistance and made the decision to evacuate and shut down Shaft 7. Relief coursed through me that even if we hadn’t slain the lurking danger, it at least was sealed off from the city for the time being. It shook off the remnants of my bad mood, glad that our expedition hadn’t been for nothing. We had helped the city as best as we could.
Exiting the Waterworks, after advisement to report back to the Council, we found ourselves next to the Miner’s Shaft. All our stomachs seemed to collectively grumble at the prospect of food and so we entered, finding Rhodri and the usual scattering of Dwarven workers. Everything was covered in the same dirt and grime as our own clothes, so we almost blended in.
I requested vegetable stew alongside a tankard of ale to settle the last of my mood and a few of us ordered the diabolical liquor the establishment was known for, the “Stuff”. Liv and I tipped ours back together, coughing as the fiery liquid scorched our throats. Elirith I’d noticed, had asked only for water. Perhaps it was a Changeling preference and I’d tried to remember if Daq drank alcohol. The gruff looking Dwarfs with overalls indicating they worked within the Waterworks were gathered not far away from us and I’d strolled over to the close-knit group in case they had more information of benefit. With a few exchanged niceties, sly smiles and the offer of drinks, they were open to questions around Shaft 7. I even let slide the racial slur against my hearing as we celebrated the exaggerated proficiencies of Shaft 4 while also discovering that the Waterworks had not located a new source of water in over two years.
As Elirith kindly offered me a little of her soup, I mulled over this jarring news. Even if we would not deplete Bastion’s water supply for a long while, it made much more sense now why it was imperative all avenues of fresh sources were explored.
The decision was collectively made to exclude the temple to Lilliana from our report to the Council and I was amused that Saman formulated the excuse that talk of the Gods was forbidden. I almost rolled my eyes as to why he couldn’t simply withhold such information by choice. Why did he need to justify his deception? He did, however, mention a colleague he worked with that had spoken of such things, Tiberius and how he’d perhaps have some thoughts on the topic. All I cared about was informing Otho, though they probably already knew. For a moment I wondered if Liv would reveal her nightmare. I dearly hoped so, maybe Otho could help or knew what it was.
Leith greeted us once again after we’d easily passed the Guardsmen using the badges Stoneshield had provided. She’d wanted us to debrief her but I rightly voiced concern and seemingly offended her a little. Privately I was glad I’d riled her. After I pressed for us to at least move somewhere more secluded, chairs were gathered in the Councilmember’s office and I parked myself on the edge of one, legs spread with elbows on my knees as I measured her with a curl of my lip.
Saman once again regaled the events of the last two days, minus the goblin-infested temple and Leith soon began inking gorgeous elven script as if to document. I wished I’d been a little closer to look at her hand to compare it to the letter which had originally summoned us, though with the language so different it might have been troublesome to tell.
Conclusively Leith confirmed that the full Council would be gathered to decide how to proceed and, as she measured our attire with some contempt, that we should dress appropriately. I’d barely thought as I’d taunted her in return, enquiring on whether my appearance wasn’t good enough and if I should weave flowers into my hair. I’d received the haughty, despised look I’d been seeking, and I got a swirl of satisfaction.
We’d also enquired as to where Saman could perhaps find someone to assist with repairing the acidic damage and after a few minutes Leith returned with the information that there could be an individual at the Gnomish encampment, but nothing more specific.
Shoving all revulsion aside at speaking with the Council, hoping I could speak to Mesh or even Otho before tomorrow, our small party decided to split up. Robyn and Saman planned to locate the blacksmith or engineer outside the city, while Elirith, Liv and I headed to a tailor. Liv required a little bit of coaxing, but I couldn’t miss seeing our lovely elf try on clothing, even when I knew I had a suitable outfit already stashed away. I anticipated I’d have the chance to disprove the uptight Leith’s jibes on just how stunning I could be.
The Gallery was as intriguing as always, and the three of us made our way passed the bay windows and polished glass of the various crafting and goods stores. Inside the Runaway Pride, an elderly human woman named Helen balked at the idea that we need something urgently and therefore off the rack, though was still receptive to our needs. She took our preferences, Liv predictably wanting something simple and plan, whereas I requested something similar to what Leith had worn, feeling a little playful after my earlier temperament.
As we disrobed, Elirith cleaned us up a little and we all regret not having done so before visiting the proprietary. It would have been better for her to not use spells so openly inside Bastion, better to keep a low profile since sorcery was mainly limited to the tedious scholars and students who served the city. If Helen noticed the magic, she barely commented.
Elirith’s dress looked stunning, a pale powder blue that I almost wished I could try instead even though it was far removed from my regular style. I happily assisted her in tightening the lace against her back, drawing the waist in close to her. As she paraded the garment to us, I couldn’t help but take in the beauty now on full display to me. Previously hidden curves presented quite distinctly as the soft material fitted closely around her figure. My lips parted slightly, and I felt hotness towards the back of my ears before I quickly grinned and commented on how lovely she looked.
Liv’s attire was far planner, but even still the white ruffled shirt and black trousers suited her. The shopkeeper presented an emerald green number to me that I scoffed at, not even bothering to try on such a drab outfit.
Exiting back in our original clothing, Elirth had suggested we eat, and I’d pulled Liv a few steps away, lowering my voice. She’d agreed to my decision to bring Elirith back to Haven with us once I’d pushed that she was a Changeling and should be welcomed there. I’d urged Liv to have my back, just in case anything went wrong. Otho was far more likely to forgive her than me.
Elirith seemed curious but a little wary as I ushered her down the well once more to the winding streets of the residential Dwarven homes. Hoping the portal location nor keyword had been changed, which happened on Otho’s whim more than a set schedule, I’d been glad to see the residual green of a portal closing as we rounded the final corner.
I paused, querying to Elirith if she’d been through a portal before and I was surprised to learn that she had. With that news, I slipped my arm around her shoulders, whispered the Dwarven phrase for the communal entrance to Haven and guided her swiftly through the circling magic.
Smash and Bash guarded ever vigilantly on the other side and were quick to voice my perceived mistake. I’d simply winked at the colossal guardians and stepped aside to display a shrinking Elirith who was clutching onto me in terror. I almost forgot how intimidating the twin golems could be, but they soon backed off once I confirmed her as a friend.
Moving along the corridor slightly, a familiar uproar rang out and I noticed the atmosphere was warmer, the air sparking with excitement the further inside Haven we moved. Liv nudged me, almost bouncing on the balls of her feet with glee. I tossed my head back, shaking my hair out as I found a spring to my step also. It was a Fight Night.
This was going to be fun.

Previous: Session 7: Rell's Log  Next: Session 9: Rell's Log

49 Acadi

• Head back to the surface.
• Digger 18, a Warforged, met us at the top of the ropes and escorted us back to the surface.
• Gwilym made the decision to evacuate and shut down Shaft Seven.
• Head to the Miner's Shaft for food; learn that the Waterworks had not located a new source of water in over two years.
• We excluded mention of the Temple of Lilliana from our report to the Council.
• Leith asked for a debrief, we reported directly to Stoneshield while she took notes.
• Leith said full Council would decide and told us to dress appropriately.
• Robyn and Saman went to find a blacksmith outside of the city
• Liv, Elirith and Rel went to Runaway Pride - run by an elderly women called Helen.
• Head back to Haven for Fight Night.

Report Date

15 Mar 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.