Session 63: A World of Darkness

General Summary

Warnings, Requests, Painful Knowledge and Gifts

The session began with Kaswink lying dead on the ground. Her body was frail, mangled and smaller in frame than you had been used to, and she was without any of the horns that had been developing during this journey. Most of you were critically injured with Agave having been revived after dying as well. Agave wasn't present, however, as his mind seemed to be off somewhere else while Bobcat took the reigns. In these moments of already peak anxiety, something else was also occurring. From the northwest spread a cloud of darkness. It swirled through the sky, spiraling outward from a point that Kaswink knew to be where the old man should be...were she alive she may have commented on such things. While the cloud and its origin weren't entirely visible through the canopy, the direction it spread from was apparent enough, and you all could see the sky slowly turning dark. As it grew closer, you also saw deep in the forest that this darkness wasn't just the sky being changed, but the entire area it passed over was slowly having all light drained from it. It ended as a wall rather close for comfort, and its spread slowed to a crawl as the sound of chittering filled your minds. This chittering noise, which was normally accompanied with some amount of psychically transmitted damage, was causing mild headaches but not enough to render anyone unconscious yet again. Its origin was revealed to be the suspected Chittering Spirit as a strangely humanoid face appeared before you with its customary insect mandibles, antennae, and its impossibly long, shadowy centipede body. The look on this spirit's face was a combination of concerned and frustration.

Bobcat spoke first, before the spirit could get a word in. He pointed and declared, in an almost accusatory manner, "I know you." It spoke plainly, as plainly as it could, and it provided a warning. "I think I used to know you. What are you all doing here? You need to leave this place." DAN, groaning through the agony of this recent fight, had an answer. "We would, definitely...however, we had, unfortunately, had a bit of an encounter." The spirit chittered some more at this response as its strange, shadowy and humanoid hands twitched through the air. "It is dangerous here." Bobcat moved forward and again stated that he knows this spirit. He also motioned towards Kaswink, moving in front of her as if defending her body against this creature, "Now is not the time to take around friend! Leave!" DAN readied their crossbows at this, and the spirit continued to speak as it chittered and shifted in the air. Its body was slowly dissolving into the darkness behind it as it spoke again. "Ah, I am not here to take your friend. That was performed by someone else. Return to your base for now. I have slowed its growth to a crawl, but it is still growing. You must rest, travelers, and then make your way to the center. My efforts in controlling this cloud will destroy me. It will scatter this form to the Spiraling Dark, and I would have you....please, take this one last bit of very painful knowledge."

The spirit continued to be scattered to the dark winds it tried to control, and Bobcat had a follow-up question before it faded completely. "What took Kaswink?" The spirit answered as its form faded, "Worry not, her spirit...her soul is not in the hands of what you defeated today." Its form was completely gone by this point, leaving only its humanoid face, "She is with death at this time. She is struggling in her own way. I only know this because...where she is and where everything else is beyond me is within this Spiraling Dark." With that its face faded, leaving behind only the vaguest of outlines of a humanoid face. The sound of screaming could be heard as it finished dissolving in the dark mist. One last gust of wind picked up the pieces of this spirit and carried it into the darkness beyond. With its body gone, the spirit left the promised "very painful knowledge" with you all. This knowledge left everyone but Frode unconscious yet again as it assaulted your mind, and Frode began healing you all with hopes that Bobcat would be able to teleport you home. The knowledge was as follows: “Those that are trapped: perhaps literally in a dungeon, spiritually in a situation from their past, in a form that is not their own, maybe mentally in other ways…they’re all prisoners. They all give him power to some degree. Think of the clouds that parted when you freed Croak, or when Ilven was saved, or when you defeated the brewer’s Torment. Think of what might lie beyond the clouds and why the Oni might want them covering the sky. There are words I wish to tell you, but they cannot be repeated even by me… you must find my Creator. He knows what the Oni has planned. He knows what is happening to the world right now, and He is trapped beneath His Throne. Take this Knowledge, and another gift with it: The Spiraling Darkness beyond me contains…everything in the Spirit World that has been consumed by it. It is dangerous, Travelers, and you would do well to Know what is out there. This means that I too will be everywhere within, and my Knowledge of Myself could help you in your journey.”

This "gift" that it mentioned manifests as the following in game terms: The feat "Knowledge is Pain" has been added to each of your character sheets. While within the World of Darkness, you can call upon the Memories of Choronusus (The Chittering Spirit) to learn of what you are fighting. You innately know the name of each creature and a percentage of how much health remains, but you can also spend a Bonus Action to learn more about it. This ability also deals damage to you equal to 1D10 plus the scanned creature’s CR. There’s no limit to the number of times per day you can use this. Information revealed includes: Weaknesses, resistances, immunities, and a small blurb about the creature. If the creature has a special trait or feature which might be connected to its layer of the Spirit World, then this is also revealed. This means you could learn something not just about the targeted creature, but also about the world and potentially future creatures as well.

Back Home

After some clever spellcasting, you were all once again awake. You chose to teleport back to your Home Base to rest, and Bobcat took a moment to get Kaswink into the Mothlights to be cared for and preserved until she can be addressed. Plans were made to find diamonds and bring her back, but the question of whether or not she wants to be brought back was also mentioned. Discussions continued regarding the location of diamonds and how to purchase them. Memories of being given entirely too much money by Quince were had, and questions regarding the nearest town were also asked. There is a Mothlight Tree Sapling in your basement which you'd used to great effect rather recently, but this was ignored in favor of perhaps traveling all the way to The Endless City of Greed or perhaps just teleporting to Dorchar or Aotri. Lots of options on the table to buy all these diamonds, and money was pooled together for this very purpose. In the midst of these diamond discussions, Hysteria asked if you killed the Oni, like for realsies. Bobcat brought up that it seemed a bit too easy, perhaps like it wanted to die. Hysteria then revealed that Kaswink had been very upfront about how Kaswink kinda wanted to die, and that they would prefer to be dead if something went wrong with The Oni. It was decided that some time would need to be set aside to ask her about such things. Unfortunately, Frode would need to wait until the next day to speak with Kaswink's corpse.

An hour of recuperation and spell discussions came to an end, and it was around this time that something chose to collide with the ground about half a mile away from your cabin. It created an incredibly loud noise which echoed through the trees, and its impact with the ground sent dust and steam up into the air. Hysteria chose to investigate as silently as possible, and even made themselves invisible for the journey. They snaked past all the threats that may or may not have been there, and they were able to easily navigate the forest. They found the source of the impact about 10 minutes into the journey, but they first discovered that the forest in this area had been changed. First it was just that the ground was more...solid? than it was before. Less dirt and more like they were walking on a street or metal. Then, not too long after, they saw the grass was metal, and the trees were all made of metal as well. They looked as though they were manufactured as well, not just transformed into a different material. There were screws and bolts and things that were holding branches in place. A bird even flew by that looked to be partially organic and partially manufactured as well. At the center of this 50 foot radius manufactured area was a thick, tall tree with a small mechanical man at its base. Signs of the impact were evident with different items and chunks of metal flown in all directions, and the metal person was not moving. Hysteria waited a moment, examining this mechanical being from afar before throwing a nearby bit of loose metal at it. The lobbed screw made an upsetting noise as it clattered across the metal ground, but the small metal person didn't move. Hysteria then moved to more drastic measures and approached it, poked it, and watched as the person's eyebrows furrowed. Though it still didn't move.

This metal person, upon closer inspection, was three feet tall. They had a bald head, shiny and metal except for a strange crest on it that seemed to have an indentation that looked like a ring. They had gears and hydrolic presses in their arms that ended with small hands. They also had powerful, sparking, electric crystals within their shoulders, and their body had a central chasse that seemed to be filled with blue gas. On their face, they had a large metal mustache and blue eyes. Hysteria retrieved a notepad and wrote down, in common, "Are you okay?" They then dropped it on the ground which caused it to no longer be invisible. The mechano-man asked the invisible Hysteria if they were god before, more logically, stating that if there is someone there they can just tell them. Hysteria wrote another note, "Do you speak elven sign language?" The strange being stated that they don't know, but they could learn, and Hysteria explained through more notes that they would return. The mechanical, gnome-like person nodded and asked for Hysteria to bring them a bag, and, with that, Hysteria left. Hysteria returned to camp with news of this strange person. Discussions circled around the creature's appearance, how they're possibly injured, and whether or not they're from the material realm of Taranel. There were concerns of whether or not this person could even be healed or repaired, and Hysteria claimed that they don't really care, that they just wanted to bring it to your attention. Bobcat brought up that it would be useful to know of who is nearby, even if they aren't brought home, and concerns about the world being turned into metal were also recognized. Frode in particular was worried about gods being angered by the transformation forced upon the forest, and Bobcat had concerns more relating to how the wildlife might react.

After confirming that the person also wasn't especially threatening, the lot of you (sans DAN), traveled with Hysteria's directions to this small, metal person. Bobcat approached first, and the lil metal man didn't move or perhaps didn't notice the sneaky murid. He looked for any movement at all and only saw that there were some gears turning within. Strangely enough, these gears were also surrounded with grey, clay-like blocks. Bobcat finally spoke, "Hello, are you friend?" The mechanical being responded, asking if Bobcat was the person that left the notes. Bobcat denied this, but confirmed that the noteleaver is a friend. They discussed some semantics for a bit until Bobcat asked how they came to this forest. A simple "I fell." was all he received in response at first, but they eventually expanded on this. "I was in my manufacturing plant. I was coming off the assembly line. There was nobody there to greet me, and then I fell off the assembly line into what was supposed to be a box, but now I'm here." Bobcat then asked the question audiences around America were all waiting to hear: "Do you know of a man named Selch? Did he build you?"

The mechanical gnome denied this, and stated rather nonchalantly that they don't really care about him. Hysteria wanted to know the name of this person, and it was finally revealed to be ALT-1. They were asked why they are in the Spirit World, and they claimed that it was "just their luck" and that it's "a trend" with them. ALT wanted to know if it is always so gloomy in this place, and Bobcat explained that the gloominess is rather recent. ALT started to move a bit more, standing up and releasing more steam from within their body before asking Hysteria if they brought the requested bag. ALT used this bag to collect a variety of unusual items that were scattered on the ground. Frode finally appeared from his hiding place to ask if ALT caused the unusual state of this area of the forest. ALT denied this, claiming it might've been one of their items or something, and further interrogations revealed that ALT doesn't really have a home. Frode was flustered by this, stuttering for a moment before finding his resolve. "I will tell you this, my friend. This place is weird, and everything is out to kill you. I don't know if you would like it here." ALT disregarded this, claimed that that's "par for the course" for them, and assured Frode that they would be fine in this place. ALT explained that they are good at fighting, but that they normally listen to their master's commands. Frode was sympathetic for this, and he explained that it might be a bit difficult to speak with their master here. He told ALT not to worry and that they would soon learn to be their own master. "Don't worry, I used to not be my own master either, but then some really bad things happened and I adjusted. Friend, I can tell you that it is quite a good thing."

Frode turned his attention back to the group to ask what should be done with ALT, and Bobcat answered this by asking ALT how the forest around them changed. They tried to reason out that it happened as they fell, and they revealed that one of their items got lodged beneath the tree before "going a little bananas". They revealed the item in question: an acorn with a smokestack rising from the side. They were a bit confused by the outcome of the item, and when they attempted to revert the manufactured state of the immediate forest, it didn't work...instead they caused a small bonfire to appear. Before returning home again, Frode needed to check something. He used a spell from his book of prayers to sense the nearby magical energies, and he was able to see that ALT, along with several items, was indeed magical. He also noticed some dwindling magic covering anything that had been changed into this manufactured state. He scolded ALT for being so reckless with their magical items and then attempted to dispel the magic covering the forest. The spell failed to revert anything, however, as what magical event had happened already ran its course. On the way back to base, ALT revealed all of their wacky items. It was also noticed that their shadow was rather different from their body. Instead of a little gnome guy, it appeared to be a large ape-like creature with more than one pair of arms.

A Goblin-interrupted Rest

Back at camp, Bobcat approached the topic of ALT's strange acorn again. He had worries that it would be used to change more of the forest, but ALT felt as though it might've just been a one time thing...perhaps caused by whatever brought them here. Introductions were finally made between you all, and downtime was experienced until it was nighttime. Bobcat also approached Hysteria and requested a psychic conversation regarding ALT's shadow. They both seemed concerned about it, particularly that ALT could change, or be enraged, or be controlled by something. DAN, now aware of ALT's existence, shared a thumbs-up with the tiny mechanized man, and asked some questions to get caught up. One new question involved ALT's creator, specifically who it was. ALT was skeptical of why that would matter as the name wouldn't mean anything, but they eventually revealed it to be someone named Acerdata. Bobcat took this information and interpreted it to mean that Acerdata has taken over the technological floating city of Daurengi (last campaign we called it Esther, but we're avoiding dem direct references these days), and is now continuing to create mechanical beings. Perhaps these mechanical beings are still being controlled and are lying in wait somewhere. DAN defended the new robot and didn't quite believe that a bunch of robots are lying in wait somewhere, they also posited that ALT might just be trying to find themselves. Bobcat stated again that he doesn't trust this new person yet, and DAN and Hysteria had a string of delightful insults for each other. DAN then asked what exactly is going to be done about the gnome, and Bobcat again voiced concerns over being turned into metal in his sleep.

Bobcat approached Frode. "I cannot seem to have Agave answer my calls. Normally he is somewhere in the background at least offering some level of insight, even if it is something i cannot understand, but I do not sense his presence. I think he has been weakened since we died. Perhaps you could help me find a way to try and talk with him. I will try to sleep and see if it is just some sleep that is needed, but perhaps in the morn we can try to see if we can get a hold of Agave." Frode nodded, and he explained that it might all depend on the two minds in his body. He wanted to know more about the situation, how they share the body. "A creature who shall not be named, for I shudder when I think of them, has placed my being inside of Agave. More than that, I don't know...we don't seem to have the ability to change at will or come forward at will. We can't always hear each other, but I always can feel his presence until..." Frode nodded again, "Ja, we could try many things. The problem will be time. My ability to use magic from Ilmater is limited with each day. I must pray, and through Ilmater comes the power to perform these small miracles. A question that I have for you is this: Do you think that this is some sort of possession?" Bobcat was confused by the question, and he claimed that he doesn't think he is possessing Agave in the normal way. Frode explained that he does have spells that can remove good and evil from a body, but Bobcat declined the approach. The next suggestion was to try and speak with the dead, a method that would eventually be used on Kaswink, but instead trying to contact Agave's mind. He followed this up by stating that he will need time as he is still exhausted from the recent encounter. The two of them left each other on this note, with plans to approach it again after Kaswink has been dealt with.

ALT, during this downtime, was again told to not try any funny business, which caught DAN's attention as they asked if the lil robot guy even knew what a joke was. ALT said they've heard jokes before, and DAN explained that it would be important to know what a joke is so that ALT can avoid being funny... this got Frode to explain the rules a bit clearer: "No metalfication", then Hysteria to add, "No killing...well, no killing us, anything else is fine." ALT revealed that they don't really like killing anyways. With that, the long rest began. Some of you were resting while awake as that is your prerogative, but others were needing an actual sleep. This meant that some of you were already done resting or at least already awake when a group of unusual looking goblins approached the camp.

ALT in particular was out on patrol when they saw the leader of this group of goblin get a little too close for comfort. They seemed to be moving specifically towards your base, and they were groaning, limping and had expressions on their faces that suggested a lack of cognition. Their skin was like charcoal, jet black and void of any light like the cloud of darkness you had seen earlier earlier. They had a slight sheen to them though, like what little light there was was reflecting off of some strange coating, and they had spikes and horns growing out of their heads and backs. They had two glowing red dots in each of their eyes.

ALT began ringing their cowbell to alert those that were sleeping or not paying attention, and the goblin in the lead groaned out an accusatory phrase, "Outsiders, you'll pay for what you've done!" ALT took offense to this and leaped at the goblin. Their attacks seemed less effective, almost like they thought they were bigger or something, and Hysteria unleashed an arrow at one of the goblins as well. ALT, realizing that their attacks weren't doing what they wanted, chose to instead unleash a volley of crossbow bolts into these goblins at pointblank range. As these goblins were attacked, one of them spoke again, "Give us the Light, outsiders!" ALT responded to this with more violence and successfully killed the boss of these goblins as the others continued moving towards your base. A pair of them reached Hysteria and unleashed bursts of strange dark energy. Hysteria resisted this, but they still could feel the energy washing over them, invading their mind, and trying to encase them in something binding. Frode emerged from his bedroom half asleep and without any armor. He asked Bobcat what was going on, but there was some uncertainty, only that something was trying to break in. He moved outside to see the bizarre goblins and began attacking them. These goblins continued demanding The Light. DAN also got out of bed, and instead of attacking these goblins right away, they chose to ask what Light they are referring to. These goblins responded, "You clearly did something to harm it! The Light!" DAN was confused, but recognized these goblins as a threat and moved forward to join in on the offensive. DAN was able to easily put down the two goblins in front of Hysteria, and, as they fell, their bodies dissolved into a strange, dark, purplish ichor. DAN moved towards the last goblin standing and suggested that they leave or start talking some sense, cause they'll likely die otherwise. The goblin responded with more cryptic Light talk. "Your lies won't trick me, outsider! Give us back The Light!"

Hysteria fired one last shot from their bow, and the last goblin standing was completely destroyed by the impact. They also fell to the ground and dissolved into a strange, dark, purplish ichor. You were all left with more questions than answers after this combat, and ALT spent some time looking for anyone else on the surface while Bobcat checked the basement. ALT didn't find anything on the surface, but Bobcat was able to find a trio of goblins sleeping at the base of the currently exposed ball of Light. He also discovered how the goblins got in as there was a hole in one of the walls and supports. The goblins sleeping at the base of the strange plant looked to be a lot more 'normal' than the ones fought outside. They more closely matched Meets Travelers in appearance, pale green skin, small pair of horns, no menacing darkness to be seen. A distinguishing characteristic, however, was the collection of still bleeding holes on their backs and heads. It looked like they had started to grow the same spikes as the other goblins, but hadn't quite become as corrupted. Bobcat and ALT tied the three goblins up to prevent any further attacks, and one of them was woken up to begin the interrogation. Bobcat - "Why did you break into our fort?" ALT - "OH, I thought that was obvious. Those fucked up guys wanna be normal and this thing makes them normal." Bobcat - "This thing? All I know is that Agave wants to keep this safe." Goblin - *wakes up* "What? Who're you?" *She strained against the rope, squinting, her eyes were very tired.* Bobcat - "You came in the middle of the night, attacked our friends, said you wanted the Light." Goblin - "No, no, we weren't with them. Whoever they were... I don't know, we were running? Trying to escape it." Bobcat - "What were you trying to escape, and how did you end up in our basement with no one noticing?" Goblin - "Um, well there's no, I don't know. I just remember..." *She squinted her eyes shut, really tight, trying to think* "I-I just remember our Lord, um, Rules Cruely, h-he was about to make an announcement. We were all gathered. I remember being out of breath. I remember the lights going away. I remember the pain as something was trying to invade my mind, and I remember waking up here." Bobcat - "And you were sent to steal from us?" ALT - "I don't think they were sent to steal, I think they were just, like, Lost?" Bobcat - "Were you sent to steal from us?" Goblin - "I don't remember orders. I just remember a very vague need to go in this direction."

Bobcat could tell from this answer that this goblin was super exhausted, that they weren't really struggling to find answers that were false, they were just trying to tell them what they remembered in a really tense situation. Bobcat - "Do you know your way around the forest?" Goblin - "No, uh, we usually just hang out underground." ALT - I think it's probably best you stay down here, buddy!" Goblin - Oh, that'd be great! Um, but what if more people come and then kill us?" Bobcat - "I think it's best if you get going...I can show you the way out." ALT - "I think if they leave they'll just get attacked or become evil again and kinda continue this weird cycle?" Bobcat - "I think...I think they were corrupted by this dark cloud. If they go, they can go and run to the east, and get out from here. We will need to evacuate this place at some point ourselves, though them staying here is not safe at all." ALT - "We could fortify this place." Bobcat - "Against THAT?" ALT - "I've seen manufacturing accomplish the impossible before." Bobcat - "I think you're unfamiliar with the strange powers that inhabit this land." Goblin - "If you want me to go, I'll go. I don't want y'all to argue about it, I Know lots of underground places."

Bobcat returned to the surface for a moment, telling ALT to not untie the goblins for the time being, and he asked the rest of you about this strange Light. Answers were ...uncertain, but what you did remember is that a King wanted it, that it emits a strange Light, and that it is very dangerous. It is also sentient and communicating with you as if it were a fragment of Ar'en'el. As these discussions were continuing, a voice could be shouting from the basement. The goblin wanted some water and was complaining about a terrible thirst. "I'm kinda noticing that I ran a very, very far ways and could really use some water." Conversation returned to what to do about these lil goblins and whether or not them staying here would be safe for them, let alone the group, but ALT seemed convinced that they would be safer here and useful. They asked the still awake goblin if she was any good at tending a farm, and the goblin revealed that her name is, supposedly, "Advertises Shoe Sales", which seemed rather unrelated to farming. However, she also revealed that the names of the other two goblins were apparently "Pretty Good With Seeds" and "Really Knows How to Work a Plow". Without any skill in farming, Advertises Shoe Sales instead offered to supervise the two farmers as a way to help out. DAN had some doubts over someone named "Advertises Shoe Sales" being a supervisor, and suggested that she change her name. Hysteria claimed that they don't really need a leader, they just need someone to make decisions. ALT suggested that Advertises Shoe Sales could easily make these decisions, and she agreed. She suggested she change her name to "Something Different", but DAN still didn't see how this would help with supervising.

Kaswink

The long rest concluded, and Frode was able to prepare the spell necessary to question Kaswink. Meanwhile, ALT was curious if they could repair things around the base, and there didn't seem to be any concerns regarding such a thing. You all traveled to the Mothlights to find her body being taken care of by one of the many helpful Mothlings in this place. This mothling had managed to straighten Kaswink's bones and joints, repair her flesh, and had been keeping her preserved should she wish to be resurrected. The mothlights were as peaceful as ever, and the questioning began. Question 1 - Do you want to come back? Answer - My curse has run its end. I am tired. I am weaker than I used to be. I think if I came back I would be of no help to any of you. It's better if you just leave me behind. Question 2 - If you want, we can try to either put your body and soul to rest, or we can still bring you back, but you can live out the rest of your days as you wish on your own terms not needing to fulfill any obligations or duties with us? Answer - Life here is a constant struggle. I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle it. Question 3 - I suppose it would be best if we find out what your soul is up to and what it wants, to be put to rest or to wander these lands? Answer - You have two more questions. The last two questions were never asked... well, technically the last three.

Monday, March 13, 2023