Session 29 - A Prince, a Gravesinger, and a Book

General Summary

Preparing for Departure

Yenush heads over to the Watering Grove to talk to Jin about the "bath bomb" situation. Jin is, unfortunately, asleep when Yenush arrives, but wakes up an hour or so later (a fact that Yenush will lightly roast him about). Regarding the "bath bombs", Jin can also construct one. Why? Because you'll be sleeping? No. Jin isn't the limiting factor in this one. Yenush mention that if Jin just doesn't like him, can can just say so. Yenush then joins Teagan in the Bennu for some sparring and training. Meanwhile, Cadence attempts to contact Eresh's memories, but the rot goddess isn't paying attention.

Aiaoue takes a moment to speak to Eden. She's understands what it feels like to lose someone close. She offers Eden the Spring Boon. The god of spring takes it and immediately summons the spectral form of the Madargyo. With pain in his voice, Eden notes that he has failed her. Long ago, he promised that her descendents would know his protection and care... yet he sill stands, and her descendants gone. Eden offers the Spring Boon back and Aiaoue promises to take good care of her. Aiaoue then begins carving something with the spring Aetheria fruit. It's a bit of a rocky start.

Arkyn asks Eden if he knows Kesar'Arrat's tenets. Eden is able to provide the tenets:

1. The Silver Light & the Silver Path – In the hours of night, one can hear the whispers of the moon and stars, ethereal and eternal guardians and guides. The lost must merely look to the silver light to find the path they seek. A ship in the night may seek the aid of the stars, but another may turn inward. Let the light of the moon illuminate the path towards enlightenment, towards freedom, towards the easing of your pain.
2. Share the Burden – The Silver Path cannot be seen by all and not all who walk it can bear the burdens encountered along the way. The broken and the lost need a guide; they need a shoulder to lean upon until they can walk once more on their own. Take their woes and their sorrows with open arms; bear the weight that would otherwise crush them. And know that the Woeful Traveler will always ease your sorrows when your yoke becomes too heavy to bear alone.
3. The Beast Within – To serve as a guide of the Silver Path, one must open their heart to both the sorrow and joy of others. Yet, take caution and care. For the beast within feeds upon raw emotion and instinct. Sharpen your mind so that you may still and calm your raging heart… lest the beast be released and all reason lost.

After another day in Grand Aetheria, the group gathers their allies and set out into the miasma once more.

Across the Stonelands

The first day of travel passes relatively uneventfully. The Stonelands are relatively flat, though Sayah is able to redirect Vendetta from sudden changes in the terrain. Similarly, on the second day of travel, Cadence is able to stop Vendetta right before a pocket of miasma and right before a sheer drop into the abyss below.

The miasma dissipates as the sun’s rays descends from above into the chasm. Far below, you see various Drow milling about, taking care to skirt around the thin rays of the sun that stretch downward. Most individuals are modestly dressed, but there are a few dressed in fine white robes and adorned in delicate silver and gold jewelry. They drift from door to door. One of the pale-robed figures* scrawls onto a scroll while another speaks to the sorrowful man who answers the door.

On the next shift, another pocket of miasma drifts closer. With MWDs surged, the on-watch squad goes on in:

From beyond the veil of the miasma, you hear the earth churn. A single earth elemental pulls a modest, open cart. Two robed figures are seated atop it, their faces veiled. A shadow falls over the cart and the two figures look up as another figure lands in the cart, folding their wings neatly behind them. Their arms and upper body are covered in feathers and their feet taloned like a bird, yet their face is human. In their arms, they hold… a corpse. One of the robed figures calls out an order and the earth elemental brings them to a halt. With care, the harpy-like figure lays the body down and moves to perch at the edge of the cart, eyes alert.

When the miasma-covered wasteland returns, there is a simple gravestone wedged in the ground nearby. If there was any name or embellishment, it has long since worn away. The following morning, Vendetta comes to a halt as a pocket of miasma consumes in. Just ahead, the stonelands extend for miles. Three lumbering silhouettes mill about at the edge of a massive chasm. Teagan gets off Vendetta and begins to approach, but is stopped from a threat display by the largest of the three stone creatures. Despite their "typical animal behavior", the creatures seem to be constructed (or summoned) of stone, with broken markings that once might have bound them to something (or someone). Teagan, will confidence, presents the mark on his hand... and the largest earth elemental sinks down slightly. Approaching, Teagan asked if the earthen creatures could help. The largest waited for a moment, and when Teagan did not move, gently moved Teagan back from the chasm edge with it's stone arm. Working together, the three earthen creatures contorted their forms to create a bridge stretching across the entire chasm. When the miasma-covered wasteland returned... the bridge remained.

That evening, another pocket of miasma drifts closer and, per usual, Vendetta charges head first into it:

As the miasma thickens and surges around you, the sounds of desperate sobs crescendo. Ahead of you, an older drow woman is hunched over with her head in her hands. She is audibly sobbing over the body of another, younger drow woman whose abdomen has been stained red with blood. The living woman, face stained with tears, raises her arms and cries out.
“Tamasvi, I implore thee.”
As the older woman collapses over the body, heaving and crying once more… a moment passes. And then a figure covered in obsidian armor appears, kneels, and places a hand upon the woman’s shoulder.

Arkyn immediately goes to grab Teagan. Yenush notes that the two Drow figures are either upper-class merchants or perhaps nobility donning travel clothes. The resemblance between the two women might suggest mother and daughter. As Teagan approaches the scene, the figure of Obsidian scans it surroundings and then immediately moves, with precision, in one particular direction. Teagan notes that the younger woman's abdomen seems to have ruptured, though Teagan isn't certain how that happened. Speaking to the mother, she notes that they were taking a walk when her daughter simply collapsed. There wasn't even time to try and save her. The only consolation the woman seems to have is that whoever did it... will soon be dead.

Continuing onward to the Northwest, another day passes with little of note... until the night shift. Feeling super confident about his recent duct tape patches to the MWDs, Yenush slacks a bit on his inspection of the MWDs. The arm didn't seem to like that. Yenush's metal arm wrenches him inches away from the electricity arching of one of the MWDs and a voice booms: "How do you expect to uphold the LAW if you don’t possess the intellect tounderstand and interpret it?" Yenush feels slightly more intelligent. Later, as he tinkers with the arm... that's not how that was originally. A single piece of metal has been replaced by some orange-like materials. Shaving a tiny little bit of it off, it seems to respond to high heat, but Yenush isn't certain what it is or how it got there... but it seems to have replaced important internal components. Looking through the rest of his arm, Yenush notes a total of 4 pieces of the odd orange material.

The following morning, the group sees a series of meticulously arranged stones… gravestones. Time has worn down most of the embellishments and any names that were once there have faded away, but as the miasma pocket hits...

A song echoes, bouncing off the stone. A haunting melody that sends a wave of lethargy through your body. If you sleep now… you feel you might sleep like the dead. The gravestones stand now with embellishments intact, symbols to encourage the dead to rest and symbols to ward the dead from disturbance. A small group of gray-robed figures with faces obscured by veils stand nearby. One robed figure kneels before a grave, carving a final symbol onto it. They use no tools, merely draw upon the gravestone… and the stone listens. When the figure stands, the lullaby ceases and the quiet prevails.

And Teagan does sleep for a little bit, though he wakes up after the pocket of miasma has moved on. On the next shift, a bit shaken, Yenush decides to leave his arm in Vendetta. Everyone is distracted by something. And Sayah is distracted by the fact that everyone else is distracted. Conveniently, nothing seems to happen on that shift... or for the rest of the day.

Thana's Shrine and a Royal Retinue

Aiaoue, Arkyn, and Yenush note the silhouette of a small structure in the distance. The orange haze seems to thin ever so slightly. Pressing closer, the silhouette clarifies into 3 stone terrace steps, so cracked and broken that any patterning along the side has been lost completely. A set of stairs leads to a small structure - a shrine – that rests atop it. Stone pedestals run up along both sides of the stairs. Atop each pedestal are the remnants of obsidian statues. Though, atop 3 of them, the complete statue of a figure in full obsidian armor remains, a weapon clasped in both hands and held firmly to their chest. An obsidian door marks the entrance to the shrine, though half of it is currently shattered. Off to the side, a large paved road, flanked by statues, leads to the East (and slightly North).

After a brief moment, the trio decide to wake Teagan (and then Cadence). As he reaches the obsidian door, the world shifts. The obsidian shards reform into the shattered half of the doorway... and Teagan finds himself dressed in vaguely familiar robes again, the world obscured by a darkened veil. Inside, the shrine is modest, featuring multiple alcoves each containing a depiction of a broad-shouldered gray-skinned woman, an obsidian offering bowl, and a place to light incense. Gravesingers, Airborne (or "Angels"), and visitors drift about. There is magic at work that suppresses all sound to a whisper... as if trying not to wake someone.

The people seem to be offering items of significance to loved ones. There isn't much conversation, but the Gravesingers seem to hum very quiet, comforting lullabies. Descending downward, the shrine opens into a larger, 2-story chamber. Stone pedestals here each feature a statue of obsidian. A stone bed rests in the center, with a broken, shattered, and warped figure in obsidian armor standing at the head. On the far wall, a giant mural has been painted. The Gravesingers move about seemingly undisturbed by the 4 royal guards standing around a familiar white-robed individual: Prince Valtaris.

Aiaoue, Cadence, and Yenush move towards the mural. It depicts the same broad-shouldered gray-skinned woman, a lanky boy to her left, and a middle-aged man to her right. Behind her, a figure in full obsidian armor stands, the openings in the helm blazing red. And behind that armoed figure is a silhouette, reaching around to place his hand over the heart of the armored figure... to hold her back. Yenush, curious, asks one of the Gravesingers about the story behind the mural. The Gravesinger notes that the figure in the center is Thana. Most believe tha tthe figure to her left is her son and the figure to her right is her husband. Behind that is Tamasvi and behind that is Malachor. It is said that when Tamasvi marched to slaughter the feral Airborne that once fed on her people, she would have continued her slaughter, if not for Malachor. In that light, the boy and the man are often interpreted as all those who lost loved ones: sons and daughters unburied, loved ones unable to be retrieved.

Yenush then asks about Thana's sleep schedule. Unlike mortals, Thana's rest stretches until she is awoken. The Gravesingers take great care to encourage her to remain at rest for as long as possible. Thank you for your service. Aiaoue asks about the song they sing and the Gravesinger begins to sing a combination of a requiem and a lullaby. It is mostly sorrowful, but with an undercurrent of hope.

Meanwhile, Prince Valtaris is pleased to see Teagan (or Moira). It seems he was waiting for Teagan specifically... or at least his Gravesinger alter ego. Valtaris notes that it is rare to find a Gravesinger willing to insert themselves in any way into the affairs of the Royal Drow families. Oh... is that so? He would invite Teagan (and entourage) to Mal Korvian and specifically to his family estates there. Valtaris believes he has found an opportunity to pry the book away from Mal Kerrym's clutches... and he could use a Gravesinger in that endeavor. Certainly, you've heard of what Prince Nalahiti has achieved? A member of the Obsidian Company... relegated to her personal guard. Something must be done. Of course... Valtaris wouldn't ask for something without offering something in return. He's a prince, he has manners.

"Tell me, how long since they became a hollow soul? Certainly, you must miss them? It is rare to find one’s other half… and even more tragic when one loses them. Have they earned a place here? In the bedchambers of Thana? Or do they stand in their obsidian tomb along the path to Mal Korvian? With the Book… perhaps the love you lost can be returned to you. I would do that for you.”

Arkyn notes that Valtaris is OBVIOUSLY being entirely truthful. Valtaris further promises that, when he has the Book, he will not seek to control Tamasvi. Both Arkyn and Teagan can see no deceit of any kind in the Prince's eyes. Agreeing to help the Prince, he notes that they must travel separately, but when Teagan arrives in Mal Korvian, Valtaris will ensure that it is his people that offer respite to a Gravesinger first. With that, the Prince looks over his shoulder. Teagan asks how Valtaris feels about the broken and beaten statue at the head of Thana's bed. Valtaris grins, referring to the statue as Tievel. With a flourish, the prince turns and he and his retinue leave.

Flagging down another Gravesinger, Yenush asks about the beaten and warped statue standing over Thana's bed. The Gravesinger notes that the individual is Tievel, First of the Obsidian Company. It is said that Tievel's brother was murdered. The Drow travelled across the Stonelands and beseeched Tamasvi. Tievel was the first to wake Tamasvi in centuries and she granted him the means to achieve the vengeance he sought... but Tievel abused the power he was given. It was only the efforts of the Airborne and a Gravesinger named Shanti that Tamasvi was returned to her senses. The angered goddess dragged Tievel here... and locked him in a suit of Obsidian. Now he serves. Regarding the statues, each of them is a member of the Obsidian Company. There are cases where a plea for vengeance may not fully wake Tamasvi. In these cases, a member of her Obsidian Company will heed the call, stepping off their pedestal and traveling to where they have been invoked.

Teagan flags down another Gravesinger and describes the scene he saw of the mother mourning her daughter's death. After some discussion and description, the other Gravesinger notes that it may be poison and that is a favored weapon of the Mal Vrammyr drow and royal family. Perhaps that is why Prince Valtaris offered additional funds and protection to the Shrine.

Aiaoue heads upstairs and finds a regular average Joe. What brings you here? Average Joe Drow notes that he visits to offer gratitude to Thana. His son died in a violent conflict, but they are grateful to have recovered the body. Aiaoue nods in understanding. She recently had a friend pass and they too were able to recover the body. Aiaoue stands in solidarity with a man who probably died thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, Arkyn makes an offering of some of his hair at an alcove, praying to Thana to NOT have another violent death. Can't do THAT again.

Teagan also moves to one of the alcoves. Glancing at the image of Thana, it shifts to the mural downstairs... but the lanky boy has been replaced with Connor and the middle-aged man replaced with Molly. Don't tempt me with what I can never have. Teagan, however, pulls out a fishing lure that he carved with his son and placed it in the obsidian bowl. And a moment later, the Shrine falls into disrepair as the miasma returns. Obsidian cascades down the stairs, obsidian bowls are cracked, and the chandelier has fallen. Downstairs, Yenush notes that something massive wrecked havoc down here, destroying the stone bed and leaving jagged marks through the depictions of Tamasvi and Thana. At least a dozen of the obsidian statues are missing...

Leaving the shrine, there are only two statues of obsidian... one seems to have scurried off. Teagan turnes to Aiaoue. The Prince promised the Book of the Dead. Perhaps if they find it – in present time, if it even still exists – it can help Alcide. There is some discussion on whether or not the Book SHOULD be used if found (or even how it would be)... but that's a question for later.

As Teagan heads in to get some rest, Yenush presents Teagan with a gift.

A windup “toy” with a mountain and some railroad tracks with Teagan holding a pickaxe that will go into a mining cave and after a bit of time the other side of the cave will have Teagan coming out pulling a mining cart that has his family in it and will continue going into the cave and the Teagan statue with the pickaxe now coming out. This process will continue until the windup key is taken out at which point it will stop until both statues are inside the cave.

Teagan pulls Yenush into a hug. Teagan feels spectral hands settle on his shoulders. And the group sets out down the road to Mal Korvian.

Report Date

23 May 2025

Primary Location

Thana's Shrine

Related Characters

• Eden
• Prince Valtaris Mal Mavkazan

Roles in the Stonelands

Teagan assumes the form of a Gravesinger, once more. A drow woman with patches of rocky skin that darkens like obsidian. Her hair is long, wispy, and dyed white, a stark contrast against the dark gray robes. A translucent black veilobscures her face, and casts a shadow over her view of the world.

Aiaoue:

You feel the slight ache of recent wounds healed and the pull of old scars across your entire body. Your garments are simple and practical: tunic, pants, boots, and a simple cloak with holes you have yet to mend. However, you can feel the weight of a leather breastplate beneath the baggy tunic. You can feel the daggers covertly hidden in your boot and another sewn into the inside of your cloak.
In your heart, you know you play a dangerous game, one you’ve never truly won. Perhaps this time will be dicerent.

Arkyn:

Your stand tall and confident. As you turn, strings of white gems, silver jewelry, and gold strands swish and sway, dangling from the adornments in your hair. Your entire form is draped in exquisite white fabric, accented with pale gold. Long sleeves nearly drag along the floor. As you move, you notice the hint of tattoos – your underlying bone structure painted in white along the purple-hued flesh of your hands and forearms.
In your heart, your ambition soars. You will climb the ranks of the Pale Ones and seize your destiny at the Gates of Malachor.

Cadence:

Your spine curves and hunches slightly as you feel your bones lighten and your ribcage expand. You feel warmer than before. Glancing down, you find your arms and much of your body is covered by feathers. Your legs bend awkwardly and end in avian-like feet outfitted with sharp, hooked claws. Out of your periphery, you can see the feathered covered wings that fold neatly on your back.
In your heart, suspicion and caution bubble forth. The Gravesingers might be trustworthy… but the Drow in general, are not.

Milo:

You stand a bit taller and raise your chin a little higher, looking down the bridge of your nose. Your purple-gray hands are devoid of scar or wear, evidence of a life of at least modest luxury. Your light gray robes are lined with silver accents and intricate, hand-woven embroidery that certainly took someone ages. A pendant of obsidian hangs from your neck, its sharp edges covered by a thin encasing of silver.
In your heart, you weigh the merits of your loyalties. For the sake of your house, you must choose the winning side in royal squabbles.

Yenush:

Your shoulders broaden and your muscles swell, the results of years of labor. Glancing down, your bare arms are covered in scars. Larger scars seem unintentionally placed, perhaps wounds received over the years. But the rest seem intentional, shallow cuts carved and allowed to heal, creating beautiful patterns across your upper arms. Gray skin fades to near black at your fingertips and your forearms are encased in patches of stone.
In your heart, words, movements, and incantations linger on the tip of your tongue; commands to bend the earth to your will.

Sendings

Sent	Received
Arkyn: "It's okay Delilah, I shall keep my eyes out and let you know if I find anything. How are things going in Legacy? No trouble?"	Delilah: “Oh, everything is fine here. Should I be expecting trouble? I don’t get out of the theater much, though.”
Arkyn: “Faced a Death Goddess and got a piece of her into a Void shard before fleeing. Did you make any progress on Void Maiden’s Prophecy?”	Diamont: “I have not. There are other more pressing matters I must attend to, unfortunately.”
Arkyn: “Correct assumption. The Sea God is considerably the worst. Have the head of a War God who’s soul didn’t go to a Death Goddess as promised. Soul hasn’t been found."	Khalil: “If you mention this as an alternative, I will need more than a head.”
Arkyn: “Why wouldn’t she be real? It’s official for now…curse has progressed much further. She can’t touch me period, not just hands. Hate it, not feeling her warmth next to me.”	Mila: “Look, you read a lot of books! Well, I mean… You can still, like, talk to her right? Cause, like, THAT would be REALLY bad. So it could be worse!”
Arkyn: “Sadly, my curse has progressed fully after a brief encounter with dying. As fine as Fine can be. I don’t know if I’ll be able to kill this god though.”	Haytham: “Death isn’t something I would describe as ‘brief’, but I assume powerful magic was at play. You’re more than capable of needing to do what must be done.”
Arkyn: “So, did you resist working on the bone metal or not? Just being curious, especially if you did actually work on it. What’s it do?”	Syrio: No response.
Arkyn: “I know you can’t hear me, but I miss you, especially talking to you. I’m so sorry that this happened to you. I’m going to fix this. This I promise.”	Nefeli: No response
Aiaoue: Hi Viren, Aiaoue here. Returned from swamp without too much fuss. Think Cadence is feeling brighter, maybe help for us cursed folks. How are you?	Viren: H-hi, that’s good to hear. Help? I-in what way? I-I’m fine. Rosa’s been busy. A-Ademar stopped by… He never engages in hypotheticals. I-it was… fun.
Aiaoue: Mistress, it’s Aiaoue. Visited the swamp, saw lots of visions from the past. Trapped a bit of Eresh in void shard and now Cadence feeling better. How are things there?	Mistress Eight: Even now, the Void proves more helpful than… hopefully what you saw was insightful. The Church wanes, though subtly. Ironborn scurries about frequently, no doubt to cover what Diamont cannot.
Aiaoue: Hi Briella, it’s Aiaoue. Went to swamp, ate some new things. Ideas for recipes to try next time we’re cooking together. Say hi to Zix!	Briella: HI! I can’t wait to try and make them! Zix has been working more without Vendetta, so he’s EATING more. I’m running out of recipes!
Yenush: “Howdy Viren it’s Yenush, we’re safe from dealing with Eresh. Sorry it's been a while had lots on plate didn’t want you worrying. How’ve you been? As always missin you!”	Viren: H-hi. I-Is Eresh a s-swamp? Y-you don’t need to apologize. Aiaoue’s c-cooking is good but don’t overeat- Ah. Oh. F-forget I said- Er. I-I’m clinic! No, I mean, I’m FINE.”
Arkyn: “…like eel but not? Got any recipes like that? Any fish or seafood you’d recommend for that kind of preparation? Any gifts you’d like?”* (it seems only a part of this sending went through)	Ismera: You do not receive words, but rather a series of images and emotions: confusion, images of a variety of eel, an arrangement of seasonings, a last minute addition of a deep sea fish, and a flash of numbers.
Arkyn: "Yes, Auntie. Got close and don’t want to again. What if I don’t have to kill him? He says he has a plan for me."	Auntie: “Arkyn, creatures such as he will lie and deceive when they are under threat. Do not fall for such an easy deception. Nefeli needs you.”
Arkyn: “Good news! I found out the Jalasar God you’re connected to! Vera Imperia, Spirit of Combative Pleasure, Prostitutes, Sex Workers, Spies, Assassins, and Pleasurable Pain”	Marcia: Fails to Deliver.
Arkyn: “Found the Jalasar God you’re connected to thanks to Eden, Life God! Solva – Spirit of the Day, Sun, the South Wind, Light, Rain, Fertility, Beacons.”	Delilah: “Oh, well, I don’t feel connected to the sun or rain. I suppose the theater is a beacon of “higher art”.
Arkyn: “You are not going to believe the Jalasar God you’re connected to! Asmodon, Spirit of Bodily Pleasure, Sex, Fertility, Illusion, Delights, and Hedonism. Jaw Dropping!!”	Viren: “U-um. T-There is no train of logic that would e-ever arrive at THAT conclusion. O-oh. This is a… a joke? I suppose that’s funny.”
Aiaoue: Hypertheticals? Those can be fun sometimes, and Ademar is good at games. What’s he imagining? Good things happening, hope to show you soon; miasma again.	Viren: H-he’s thinking of arcane hypotheticals. M-magical constraints to c-contain magic to maximize efficiency. I-I look forward to s-seeing you again. P-please stay safe.
Arkyn: "Hello, it’s Arkyn the Shifter that read book to you awhile ago. Can you tell Marcia I’m trying to send her a message?"	Random Escort: “Oh, hi. Sure. What’s the message?”