Session 11: The Prestige

Idle Hands

Winter 31, 6840 CA

As the chaos of the battle comes to an end, a gruesome silence falls over the group. The Feymire Crocodile is gone, but there's no sign of Yuri. Valia and Zed rush into the water to try to find any sign of him. All they find is his sword... and his hand still clutched around it. The rest of Yuri is missing. Valia furiously turns her anger on Eve and demands to know what happened to him. The goblin druid is bewildered and claims she did not know that one of their friends was inside the beast. The Crocodile is in the Feywild and Yuri with it. Moreover, she lacks the power to try to bring it back now or to send them after it.

Wally tries to ease tensions, because he doesn't want his old friend being hurt by a new friend. He asks if there's anything else that can be done. They all have the realization that if they have to wait a day or even an hour to go after Yuri, he could be long gone trapped inside of that beast. Eve suggests the only option she knows. Because they have the hand, they can attempt a ritual to bring him back. She warns that he won't be the same. Inside he should be the same Yuri they know, but he could be very different on the outside. It's the best option they have and they agree.

Before parting, Wally gives Eve the hand and she agrees to gather all the components needed for the spell. However, she warns Wally that Yuri's death in the Feywild could have dire consequences for his place in the city above. It's a conclusion Wally is aware of. He agrees to go fetch Eve early next morning and bring her to the Bracemark Manor.

The group return home to contemplate their situation. Everyone is upset and no one is talking. Valia finds herself in a very dark, dangerous mind space. After a painful pang threatens to take over, she locks herself in one of the upstairs room and stays isolated for the rest of the night. The others find their own fitful and miserable sleep as they await what comes tomorrow.

The Ritual

Winter 32, 6840 CA

Wally slips off early the next morning to go and fetch Eve. Together they return bearing the precious oils and ungents to complete the spell. A circle is formed and the hand is placed in the middle. Because the spell will take an hour, Eve urges the four to think deeply on their connection with Yuri. Bringing his soul back into the mortal plane is no easy task and their emotional ties can make it easier for him to crossover. Wally quietly reflects on how Yuri always would make his own hours and all the other cool things he did. Ursa tries to bribe him back to the living world by promising to no longer give him day old baked goods. Zed talks openly about the times they spent together as children and how much it all meant to her. Valia in turn offers a somewhat stilted eulogy that seems somewhat similar to the one that Yuri had offered to Lillieta.

The ritual seems to be working. A body begins to form. Bones stretch out from the hand. Muscle tissue knits itself into a tall human-like form. The hand itself thins and stretches as its dwarf-like shape starts to become more human. Yet the face remains featureless, the skin lacks texture and the body is trapped in an unfinished, sexless form that shows no signs of life. Everyone waits, wondering if there might be some final step that will finish Yuri's new body. But the spell begins to fail. The body begins to fade into a fine dust that wilts in the air, leaving nothing of him behind.

The group demand answers and Eve surmises that either the soul was unwilling to return... or that Yuri must indeed still be alive. Zed and Valia immediately understand what they'll have to do. They will go to the Feywild, they will find Yuri, and then will bring him back no matter what it takes. Eve cautions them against this. If they cross that barrier, they stand to lose everything they have in Tules. Zed doesn't care. Valia weighs that she'd be just as well if her family forgot her. Ursa isn't willing to abandon her friends and pledges her support as well.

It's a journey that Wally and Eve can lead them on, though both are reluctant to do so. Either way, the party realizes they'll need to make some preparations before they make any kind of journey. Moreover, Eve suggests they find a way to contact Yuri. Valia had already planned to meet her father, so she supposes that she might just ask him to use a Sending spell first to try to contact Yuri. Fortunately Percy is nearby. They ask him about Yuri, but Percy doesn't know who they're all talking about. Valia sends him off to push her dinner date with her father to lunch time instead.

Farewell Tour

The group set out with grim determination that this might be their last hurrah in Thules. They have some errands to run and things to collect. Ursa makes a stop at the bakery to visit her dad. She's looking to pick up some bread and some ingredients as well as to collect a few things from her room. She tells her father that she might have to leave town for a bit. Roph is a bit concerned, seeing as he's been visited by the Watch about her recent criminal activities. They share a hug and each lift each other off the ground. Roph bids farewell to his Honeybun while sending her on her way with a basket full of honeybuns.

The group decide to also make a stop at the Infusion Emporium to cancel Julia's second date with Yuri. This confuses her greatly, because she doesn't recognize the name and she isn't able to find anything in her calendar for meeting with a Yuri. The group awkwardly brush it off and leave without purchasing anything. Julia is perplexed, but gets on with her day.

With lunchtime looming, the group decide to make their way to the Wanderlust. As they navigate the familiar alleyways, they suddenly hear the sound of flames hissing around them. Three walls of flames appear on both sides and to their rear, leaving only a narrow alleyway forward. Ahead of them, they hear the all too familiar voice of the goblin Asha. She is furious with the group and she has brought along Brick Ouchmaker and some goons from the Swordrunners to extract vengeance. Brick charges in and with two wild swings, he has Wally on the brink of passing out.

A vicious battle ensues. Brick and Asha brought all the muscle they could find. Scorchbringers wait outside the walls of flames that they continue to feed with their flamethrowers. Archers sit on the rooftops raining hell down on the party. And in front of them is an elusive goblin, a huge ogre, and a band of thugs ready to lay down the hurt. The group get into the thick of the fight and focus on Brick to bring him down. As things are looking dire, two gunshots ring out and the two look up to see a figure standing on the rooftop. His skin is a strange shade of greed, his ears pointed despite his dwarven frame, his eyes shining blue, and a strange wooden crown on his brow. Yet unmistakably still Yuri.

He utters a cool punchline and fires on Asha, but she's too elusive for him to get a bead on. He may have missed, but he still brought the cavalry. Sgt. Angelica and a group of Watchmen turn the corner and suddenly it's the Swordrunners who are now caught in a trap. Brick is dead and Zed manages to fell Asha with a single blow - though she decides to spare the goblin wizard for now. The remaining criminals are rounded up (except for Ursa) and taken back to the Watch Hall. The group are left with Yuri and having to figure out exactly what just happened.

Of Fae and Gods

The group want answers - and Yuri provides! According to him, he spent a year in the Feywild in spite of only a day passing in Thules. When he woke up, the crocodile was dead and he was being cared for by a beautiful woman by the name of Leana. The group share with him their attempts to bring him back and go after him, but are mostly just relieved to have him back. He's made aware that Julia has forgotten him - but he doesn't seem bothered. Why should he be? He has Leana now.

What proves more difficult is when they head to the Wanderlust. Ava doesn't greet the group right away. Yuri goes in to request a drink, but she doesn't seem to notice him. Valia and Zed strike up a familial tone with Ava, but being called "Mama Ava" seems to rub her the wrong way. In relative terms of dwarf and human lifespans, she's not that much older than Valia! And besides, Ava isn't a mother. Not that she's aware of, anyway. Like Percy and Julia, she doesn't seem to notice or recall Yuri at all. But there seems to be some sadness behind her eyes that is only perceptible for a moment. Valia and Zed feel guilt stricken over what happened and give Ava a huge tip.

Meanwhile, Sovek Maralys has been watching the entire show from the side. His daughter invited him to a brothel and seemed to be ignoring him entirely, so he stepped in to make his presence known. As with the others, he seemed unfamiliar with Yuri. The group press him about what he might know about the Feywild's magic, but he admits that extraplanar activity is more of his wife's speciality. He is able to provide some context on what he knows about the Eye of Aureon.

Aureon was the Sovereign of Law and Lore. He was originally credited with imparting magic to the Common Breed and teaching them its use - but only for the purpose of defeating his foes. When these same magics were turned against the gods, Aureon was ostracized by his fellow Creator Gods. When his forces were assaulted by an alliance of the Common Breed, dragons and giants, Aureon stood without any ally by his side. So great was the conflict, that the two continents of Limuria were severed in two from the ferocity of the battle. It's believed by some that his Godfall was responsible for the rich resource of Aetherstone in northern Thules.

As to the nature of the Eye, he could only speculate. While it would be powerful on its own as simply a magic source, he surmised that its true potency could lie in its divine origin. Could it be used to channel the powers of a god, become a god, or even bring Aueron back? It's a matter of grave concern. Valia voices some doubts about her actions and Sovek provides some measure of encouragement. He's not upset with her, but they both know that Valia's mother is a much different matter.

Before they leave, Zed exchanges some words with her mother. Limaera seems oddly warm towards her daughter. They are very close to having a friendly moment until Limaera suggests that she could always find some company for Zed and her two lady friends. Moment ruined. Zed makes a hasty retreat.

Bounty Paid

Yuri may have died and came back to life, but there is one thing that never dies: capitalism. The group head off to The Watch Hall to get paid. They see that the very same Swordrunners they fought are being questioned and detained. They happily mock them and taunt them about how crime never pays. They then go to see Sgt. Angelica about being paid. Now that Yuri isn't dead, Zed and Valia try to show off a bit to impress the bewildered sergeant. She requests proof of the crocodile's demise. Yuri is able to provide it thanks to a necklace of teeth he made while in the Feywild.

Lt. Booth evaluates the evidence and agrees to dispense payment. Strangely enough, he seems to be the only person who has no problem observing Yuri and addresses him by name. This is almost spookier than no one remembering Yuri! But it doesn't matter. Got paid.

The group have one more stop for the day. They make their way over to Wyverstone Outfitters to make a purchase. Zed, Yuri, and Ursa hastily start exchanging gold around while softly whispering about prices. Not suspicious at all. Ursa uses her connection with Mirabelle to secure a discount for a fancy set of Plate Armor for Valia! This overwhelms Valia and she hastily tries to offer at least some money towards the payment. It's too generous and she can't handle it! But she can't deny the excitement at getting a new set of armor!

The group head home. The dogs happily greet the group, but they are suspicious of this mysterious green dwarf and start to growl. Yuri offers them some treats and they immediately treat him like a friend again. The ghost of Abanus appears and comments that he doesn't care for Yuri's new haircut. That makes two people who remember Yuri. The group settle in for some quiet time. Perhaps now they'll be able to get a moment to all catch their breath.