Session 29 - Pyro Becomes a Fish

General Summary

As the first light of dawn filtered into the grotto, our adventurers awoke, their bodies sore and marked by the remnants of recent skirmishes. Despite the safety of their seaside refuge, the evidence of their ordeal was written in bruises and cuts that had yet to fully heal. Yet, as they rose to greet the new day, there was a palpable sense of determination among them. Faced with the decision of their next move, the group, led by the astute Theresa, weighed their options: remain hidden within the grotto's embrace, risking discovery by pursuing soldiers, or venture forth in search of an estate that could bring them closer to their elusive target. Candid's suggestion of seeking solace in a distant fishing village was met with Theresa's highlighting the presence of Sisyphus' soldiers to the south.
The discussion evolved until Pyro posed a crucial question: could Theresa transform the grotto into a sanctuary as inviting as the Labyrinth had been? With Theresa's affirmative, the group recognized the peril of travel given their current state of injury. Thus, they resolved to remain within the grotto's shelter for a few days, braving the risk of discovery on the beach. The tasks were then divided; Ischyrós, Candid, and Theresa dedicated themselves to fortifying the camp, ensuring their temporary home was both secure and comfortable, while Xenobia, Pyro, and Abraxas ventured out in search of sustenance, ready to brave the wilderness to provide for their fellowship.
As Pyro, in his spider form, guided the hunters into the wilderness, a different challenge emerged within the camp. Ischyros's yearning for wine grew palpable, a craving Theresa addressed with a measured generosity, providing him just enough to satisfy without depleting their stores. However, the wine sent Ischyros into a deep stupor, effectively sidelining him and leaving the task of preparing the grotto to Theresa and Candid alone.
Theresa wielded her magic to sculpt the sand around them, while Candid, with his formidable strength, undertook the heavy lifting of earth. Together, they transformed the space, but a sense of comfort still eluded them. Seeking to remedy this, Theresa ventured out in search of leaves to create more inviting bedding. It was during this quest that her gaze caught the silhouette of the old man by the water's edge, a sight that stopped her in her tracks and hinted at the intertwining of fate and chance in their adventure.
Concerned about the potential presence of soldiers, Theresa cleverly disguised herself as a sailor before approaching the old man by the water. She found him engaged in a peculiar ritual, scattering flowers into the sea, which were eagerly consumed by the fish. Attempting to engage him in conversation, Theresa, under her new guise, asked if he was fishing, to which the old man simply replied no, his attention never wavering from his floral offerings to the sea.
She took a moment to caution the old man about Sisyphus's soldiers, a warning he met with a disarming indifference, choosing instead to continue their light exchange. As their conversation drew to a close, Theresa inquired if there was any message she could carry on his behalf, a question he answered with a simple shake of his head. With that, their paths diverged, leaving Theresa to return to camp, armed with branches and leaves for their bedding, but choosing to keep the details of her encounter to herself.
Pyro, in his agile spider form, led the way toward the mountains, his eyes set on the wild goats he had spotted earlier. Upon reaching the foothills, he commenced a series of intricate signals with his spider limbs, a silent language lost on his companions. Observing the confusion, Abraxas stepped forward, bridging the communication gap with a flurry of hisses and spider clicks, translating Pyro's intentions with ease. Pyro's plan was clear: a stealthy approach to ambush the goats.
Agreeing with the strategy, Abraxas chose to accompany Pyro, though they both concurred that Xenobia should remain behind for this particular endeavor. As Pyro advanced, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape, Abraxas maintained a watchful distance, ready to assist if needed.
Pyro's stealth led him to a vantage point within a tree, from where he launched a surprise attack on an unsuspecting kid. The precision of his bite was lethal, and the goat fell instantly. With his prey secured, Pyro painstakingly dragged it back to Abraxas, signaling the success of their hunt. Energized by the victory, Pyro ventured further up the hills, determined to capitalize on their momentum. On his subsequent foray, Pyro's keen arachnid senses led him to a goat, unfortunately already claimed by nature, its form a banquet for flies. Unperturbed, Pyro shifted his focus, his eight eyes catching sight of another herd. With the stealth of a seasoned predator, he closed in on his unsuspecting quarry. In a moment of precision, Pyro pounced, securing a second goat in his grasp.
Victorious, he dragged his prize back to Abraxas, his mission a success. With their hunt concluded, Pyro shed his spider guise, reassuming his satyr form. Together, the trio shouldered their bounty, making the journey back to camp where Theresa and Candid had been tirelessly enhancing their makeshift sanctuary. The fruits of their collective labors, born of necessity and unity, promised a momentary reprieve in their relentless journey.
Upon their return, Pyro wasted no time in preparing the meat. Meanwhile, Abraxas and Theresa turned their attention to the weary and wounded, weaving their magic to mend flesh and bone. Candid, ever cautious, voiced concerns over the possibility of the meat being tainted. Heeding Theresa's wise counsel, Abraxas employed his powers to purify the provisions, ensuring their safety.
Candid and Xenobia were prioritized in the healing process, their injuries demanding immediate attention. Over the ensuing days, the rest of the party saw their vigor restored, a testament to the healing prowess of Abraxas and Theresa. Abraxas, drawing upon his deep knowledge of healing arts, fashioned a rope corset for Candid, a contraption designed to support and stabilize his injured rib cage. Not just a healer to others, Abraxas also tended to his own wounds, utilizing honey provided by Theresa to concoct a salve. This remedy proved effective in soothing his blistered skin, a humble yet potent testament to his resilience.
Overcome by hunger, Candid made a stealthy attempt to pilfer the freshly prepared meat. In a bid to curb Candid's impulsive hunger, Pyro presented a magical bezoar stone, purportedly discovered while processing the goats. He claimed it would quell Candid's insatiable cravings, a notion Abraxas supported by attesting to its use against poisons. Yet, Candid's desperation proved stronger than their persuasions; rebuffing their rationale with a sharp retort, Pyro called Candid a glutton, undeterred by their attempts at deterrence.
Despite the potential danger, both Candid and Ischyros indulged in the raw goat meat, their voracious appetite leading them to overconsume. Remarkably, their gamble with the uncooked fare left them unscathed, their robust constitutions warding off any ill effects. In the aftermath of their feast, the party settled into a more comfortable existence within the grotto, their bellies contentedly full — some, evidently, more so than others.

* * *

The following morning, the party awakened, feeling somewhat rejuvenated from the rest, though the signs of their previous exertions still marked their bodies. As they congregated to deliberate on their next course of action, Theresa shared her encounter with the old man by the water, a revelation she had kept to herself until now. Candid, taken aback by the delayed disclosure, expressed his frustration.
The revelation that the old man had been feeding the fish with flowers intrigued the group, especially Pyro, who felt compelled to mimic the action. He approached the water's edge to feed the fish, a desire to understand the old man's actions. However, his attempt took an unexpected turn when he reached out to catch one of the fish, lost his balance, and tumbled into the water. The moment Pyro's form merged with the aquatic realm, a magical transformation occurred, reshaping him into a fish. This unforeseen metamorphosis left the party in astonishment, witnessing first-hand the unpredictable nature of his magic.
The party stood at the water's edge, their expressions a mix of shock and bewilderment as Pyro, now a fish, swam before them. Their attempts to communicate were met with nothing but aquatic gurgles, leaving them more perplexed. Abraxas, however, managed to bridge the gap between human and fish, revealing that Pyro's transformation was as unexpected to him as it was to the rest of them.
With this newfound form, the group saw an opportunity and asked Pyro to take advantage of his current state to hunt smaller fish. Pyro, ever the team player, obliged, darting through the water with ease. However, during his underwater foray, he encountered a school of fish that seemed to call to him, drawing him further from the shore. Sensing the pull of the unknown, Pyro initially resisted, choosing instead to return to his friends with his catch.
Despite his efforts, Pyro remained a fish. The call of the mysterious fish grew stronger, and after some deliberation, Pyro made a decision. With a sense of purpose, he followed the beckoning fish, venturing into the depths of the sea.
As Pyro delved into the abyss, the light of the sun faded, swallowed by the depths of the sea. Guided by the mysterious fish, he arrived at a grotto unlike any other, its guardian a man adorned with fish-like features. This creature, driven by curiosity, inquired Pyro's name. Without hesitation, Pyro introduced himself and mentioned his prestigious position as second in command under Hades. This revelation piqued the interest of the aquatic being, who revealed himself as Glaukos. Their conversation turned to the old man by the shore, who, as Pyro recalled, was feeding the fish with herbs. Glaukos, piecing together the tale, suggested that Pyro's presence in these depths might not be mere chance but a directive from Hades himself. He unveiled that the old man was none other than Thanatos, a servant of Hades, now rendered powerless by Sisyphus's cunning, causing a disturbance in the natural order where no soul could pass on.
Realizing the gravity of this revelation and its potential implications for Hades, Pyro felt a renewed sense of purpose. He needed to reunite with his companions to address this imbalance. Glaukos, acknowledging Pyro's resolve, offered his assistance in the matter. With a newfound ally and a critical mission at hand, Pyro swam towards the shore, though he found himself unable to reassume his satyr form for two more days.
Once he regained his original shape, Pyro opted to wait, confident in the bond he shared with his friends. In the meantime, he transformed into a spider, discreetly exploring the surroundings of the grotto and the nearby hills, ever vigilant and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

* * *

Upon realizing Pyro was truly gone, the party quickly conferred about whether to wait for Pyro or to move on without him. Theresa, holding onto hope, was confident that Pyro would revert to his satyr form by the next day. Trusting in her judgment, and after much deliberation, the group decided to proceed with their journey at dawn, leaving behind the place where one of their own had vanished into the mysterious depths.
As the sun rose, casting light over their path, the party set their sights on a valley rumored to house an accommodating estate. The journey eventually led them to their destination. Upon arrival, Theresa approached some servants, presented Candid, and requested the master of the estate. Soon they met Master Phasias and offered their varied skills in exchange for shelter and rest. Moved by their evident trials—their injuries speaking volumes of the battles they had faced—the master of the estate welcomed them without hesitation, providing the refuge and aid they desperately needed.

Report Date

27 Feb 2024