Session 34

Recovery:

After The Fated Eight managed to revive Azriel, The Party took a brief moment to recover from their battle; Azriel after talking to Cindrethrax during his final moments, honors the deal he made and returns Aeturnus Falx to Cindrethrax; thrusting it into his broken, left-side fang. At the same time, The Party noticed that the usual arcane strength Azriel once had withered, after Azriel did this, he searched to see if he had any connection left to the recently-freed Zarkadyne in doing this he realised that he did not and that what was left of his power was limited.

While this was happening the rest of The Fated Eight were recovering from the battle, Morgyn seeing Lady lying down; after taking a decent amount of damage, walked over and cast healing word on her to mend Lady’s wounds, Jin; after taking some hits, wiped his blood of himself and in doing so had it absorbed by his sword. He then walked over to the two women and helped Lady up, asking if everyone was ok in which Lady and Morgyn responded that they would be. SHAI, seeing Jin’s injuries, walked up and offered him a health potion, congratulating him on how well he did in the battle. Jin thanked him. Aurevald, seeing his long-time friend Morgyn injured from the battle, walked up to her, praising her for the use of her magic in the fight and for reviving Azriel, whilst doing this he put his hand on her head ruffling her hair as he healed her.

Jin, once he had taken the healing potion, warned The Party that they should leave once Azriel was finished speaking to Cindrethrax; as Zarkadyne could still be around. Whilst doing this Jin noticed that his sword - Watatsumi - after consuming his blood could sense danger around, and reaffirmed that Zarkadyne was gone. Even with this information, Jin waited by the exit of Cinder’s Den. Kezark searched the area for loot; but was only able to find unidentified avian bones and an opened rations packet.

The Great Beast:

While this was happening, Cindrethrax and Azriel were staring each other down as Aurevald asks if Cindrethrax is safe to be around in which Azriel responded that he thinks that it is, hearing this information Kezark slowly approaches Cindrethrax and is able to pat the well-kept fur of Cindrethrax for a short time. During this Azriel asks Cindrethrax “What now?” in which Cindrethrax replies “that depends on why you and friends came here” - as Cindrethrax sensed a familiar feeling when looking at SHAI; but thought of it as a coincidence. Cindrethrax then asked Azriel why he stabbed him - Azriel conveyed that he thought it would kill Zarkadyne, but he was wrong. Cindrethrax replied by expressing that he too had been deceived by Zarkadyne. Azriel questioned how a being of immense power could be tricked. Cindrethrax replied that he was naive in the ways of Fey treachery.

Cinderthrax’s Story:

After being asked by Azriel what Zarkadyne was doing here, Cindrethrax, conveyed that his story was long. He proceeded to say that long ago he was summoned to this world by a dancing woman who - like Cindrethrax - was wounded; but even so she still had the strength to nurse him back to health, and teach him the customs of this land. From what Cindrethrax could tell, The Dancer had gone through some turmoil before they had met, before Cindrethrax and The Dancer parted ways; she placed Cindrethrax into a deep sleep so that his wounds could heal fully.

During this slumber, he was awoken by a tribe of Fey who stumbled into the den. Cindrethrax having his wounds more healed was left with a paralysing hunger that forced him to bargain for food, one member of the tribe Zarsh appeared to be the most generous ,and thus Cindrethrax made what seemed to be a mutually beneficial deal with this man. As time passed; and the tribe lost more-and-more members to mysterious disappearances, Cindrethrax began to worry about Zarsh’s ability to complete his miracle cure. Just as Cindrethrax was about to lose hope, Zarsh was ready to administer the cure; restoring Cinders power back to full and allowing him to finally stand tall in this realm. That was until Cindrethrax realised that Zarsh had betrayed him as he stole Cinder’s renewed powers, transforming himself into Zarkadyne The Thorn and granting him Archdom. As Cindrethrax started to feel the effects of Zarkadyne’s poison, before he went back into a deep sleep - Cindrethrax was able to trap Zarkadyne within his stomach, until moments ago.

Questions for Cindrethrax:

Hearing this concerning tale from Cinder, Azriel asked Cindrethrax if Zarkadyne could still access his powers, but Cindrethrax did not believe it - feeling that his connection to Zarkadyne was served once he had taken the majority of his power. Azriel, satisfied with this answer then asked Cinder “What will you do now?” Cindrethrax conveyed that he hadn’t thought about his future; as he thought he and Zarkadyne would be in an eternal stalemate, but now that he is free Cindrethrax decided that he wants to find the Dancing Woman that once healed him, but can no longer feel as strong of a connection with her. Cindrethrax then asked Azriel “What will you do now?” Azriel replied he didn’t know, and sat and pondered for a while.

While Azriel was pondering, Aurevald cautiously approached Cindrethrax and questioned Cindrethrax on how long ago he saw the Dancing Woman. Cindrethrax replied that time was a Mortal construct, and he did not know the exact date; but he estimated it had been around 2000 years since he arrived in this realm. Aurevald; not knowing if Cindrethrax knew of death, conveyed the idea that maybe the Dancing Woman had passed on. Cindrethrax asked “Is this death?” Aurevald replied that death is viewed differently amongst Mortals - for some it is the end; and for others, it is the beginning of a new journey. Cindrethrax then asked Aurevald for his name, and Aurevald conveyed that he was nothing but an insect compared to him. Aurevald asked Cindrethrax if he could still share his godly power with lesser beings due to his weakened state. Cindrethrax repealed that he is not a god, but was thankful for the complement and that he has never felt better - Cindrethrax seemed to look very healthy with the return of Aeternus Falx. Aurevald then asked Cindrethrax if it was possible to kill someone of his power. Cindrethrax replied “If it can bleed you can kill it. You saw me bleed”.

Cindrethrax then re-asked The Party for their names. Azriel instinctively told Cindrethrax “They owe you nothing.” Cindrethrax replied that they owe him nothing. Azriel doubled down on then not needing to tell Cindrethrax their names, until Kezark blurted out his name. Aurevald then stepped up and replied that they are but a humble group of adventurers called The Fated Eight, on a quest to help their friend SHAI. Cindrethrax sensing a familiarity from SHAI asked where SHAI was from. SHAI replied that he and his people are from the Feywild, and that his name is SHAI. He then conveyed that The Party are going to three different locations within The Shifting Shades to complete a protocol set in place to free his civilization. Then to SHAI’s surprise Cindrethrax offered his help, but without knowing much about SHAI’s society was unable to help.

Cindrethrax then turned back to Azriel sensing he had more questions. Azriel then asked if Cindrethrax knew where Zarkadyne would go. Cindrethrax responded that he would most likely look for a cure to the curse Cindrethrax had placed on him, that altered his appearance as the appearance Zarkadyne shows is a lie. Azriel then asked if Cindrethrax was The Descender, Cindrethrax responded by telling a story that during his second slumber, a man came looking through the manor for The Descender, but left then. A period of time later, he came back stronger and asked to hide something within Cinder’s Den. Azriel then asked Cindrethrax if he could describe the Dancing Woman, Cindrethrax replied that words would not do her justice she had a sense of elegance beyond this world, Azriel then asked if Cindrethrax could show him which Cindrethrax did for a split second Azriel and the rest of The Fated Eight saw their mothers dancing, instinctively Azriel tried to summon his pact weapon but to no avail. Not entertained by the site of his dead mother, Azriel questioned Cindrethrax on why he would show it, only then did The Fated Eight understand that they each saw different people.

Azriel then turned to SHAI and asked him if the item that was left by the Wizard could be what they came here for, as Azriel said these two Vanisher Beast kittens approached carrying something from behind Cindrethrax. Seeing this SHAI reached out and a large, blue fang flew into his hand, it was the size of his forearm and had immense power. It felt like it was the relic he was seeking, at the base of the fang was a note which read:

808
1590, Fading Caesyl, XIV (dimly glowing a faint dark purple)

The world will never be the same again; and that is for the better. From the golden locks, I have seen the truth; of myself, of this existence, and of our place in the larger perspective of his will.

For the last time,
Allexander…
- Allexander’s journal entry…

The Azure Fang

SHAI, curious about the man who had presumably left the fang; Allexander, asked Cindrethrax what he knew about this man. Cindrethrax replied that he knows little other than that he came to the mansion twice, and the second time he came his power and control over the weave was much stronger. Aurevald asked Cindrethrax if the fang had come from Cindrethrax, who said it had not. After Aurevald inspected the tooth he discovered that the Azure Fang had the power to turn forms of energy into sound.

Back to Cinder:

Aurevald; after understanding what the Azure Fang was, asked Cindrethrax if he planned to leave his den. Cindrethrax replied that he might one day, but for now he would take care of the Vanisher Beast kittens that were currently being entertained by Kezark, Lady and Jin. SHAI then proceeded to ask Cindrethrax if he knew anything of the other locations and their items that The Party needed to collect. Cindrethrax did not know much, only that Drasiyl was a tree that held the realms in place. After this, Cindrethrax offered The Party a safe place to rest in his den. After a brief conversation The Party decided to take Cindrethrax up on this offer.

Catnap:

Aurevald, with the help of SHAI’s magical abilities, was able to start a fire. As each member of The Fated Eight was preparing for rest, Morgyn approached Kezark and asked him about his experience with his death, and his experience being revived. Kezark conveyed that he saw or felt nothing while dead; but saw a brief, white light when he came back to life, and thanked Morgyn for reviving him. Morgyn revealed that she was unsure how she did it if it was The Fate-Cloaked Maiden, or just some of her lingering power. Kezark, unsure how to respond, said I’m sure The Fate-Cloaked Maiden is still with you in some way. Morgyn, thanking Kezark as she left, approached SHAI to ask how he has so much unwavering faith in his deity - Connor Williams, The Dungeon Master. SHAI replied that in his society it is a certainty that everything that is going on is to The Dungeon Master’s plan in some way. Morgyn pondering this information is reassured that The Fate-Cloaked Maiden is helping in her own way. Morgyn left to sit by the fire.

Kezark’s shock therapy:

While resting, Kezark pulled out his book of incurable diseases and flicked through it till he came across a disease that caught his eye called Spider Lung. Its effects are coughing up blue phlegm and spider-web-like veins on the lungs. Interested in this disease he approached Morgyn to ask about this disease, Morgyn feeling nostalgic after recognising this book from her past Knew that this disease was caused by The Spider Lily flower, which is used to wipe people’s memory and is found in two locations Shadesorrow Forest and Ponderton. Morgyn asked Kezark where he got it, He replied he got it from Flick, as he wanted to find a cure for his friend. Morgyn wondered what disease. Kezark told her scale fatigue. Morgyn, understanding that scale fatigue had no cure after having a brief encounter with it in the past, suggested to Kezark that the best thing he can do for his friend is confront them as a cure is a “pipe dream”. Kezark remembered that the man who killed his father did have some symptoms of Scale Fatigue, and thanked Morgyn for her time and went back to drawing diagrams.

While sitting down Kezark removed his jacket and inspected his tattoo in doing so he remembered a spell he was taught and tried to cast it, he failed, He then decided to approach SHAI the Magic man to ask for help, SHAI immediately analysed his tattoo understanding that his tattoo is two different forms set in rune an ink set and a gem set, SHAI asked Kezark where he got these runes, Kezark unaware that they were runes explain that he got the first set from his time in the Red Vultures and the seconds set from his time in Dracossa, where he tried to learn some magic. SHAI after hearing this understood that Kezark needed a magical shock to awaken it, explaining this to Kezark he explained to SHAI that there was a failsafe in the tattoo that would kill him if ever captured most likely though electricity, SHAI hearing this used chromatic orb on Kezark’s tattoo in which the lighting damaged removed a line of runic from the tattoo and converted the whole tattoo to gems, after that happened Kezark felt different like his magical ability had been restored.

Morgyn’s Re-affirmation

After her talk with SHAI and Kezark, Morgyn collected some of the vanisher beast blood and walked over to free space in the den and created a private area within the den using her cube of force as she was surrounded by a strange mist, while inside the mist Morgyn using the blood prepared a crude version of the communion ritual, Morgyn using all her mental ability called out to The Fate-Cloaked Maiden asking to talk one last time, as Morgyn does this the Blood on the floor becomes energised as Morgyn is shown a vison that took her back to the first Time she ever completed this ritual, as she sat their covered in blood in the () Morgyn felt the maidens presence closely and sensed that she wants to help but some outside force is making her hesitate to communicate with her, this force seems insanely powerful and has made an attack on certain members of The Fated Eight who poses a spectral raven, Morgyn realized ever since that attack the maidens Prescence has lessened, Morgyn Realising this felt Guilty as She felt her faith the maiden be restored and a renewed connection to her clerical abilities formed. As Morgyn sat there with her eyes closed praying to the maiden, she felt a familiar presence and when she opened her eyes was reunited with Somnus a missing member of The Fated Eight. Morgyn stunned by this as Somnus took of his helmet and clasped Morgyn’s hands.

Morgyn: “it feels like it’s been forever since we’ve seen each other, though I know it has not been that long in reality, a lot has happened since you left”

Somnus: “the threads of fate have pulled us together once again”

Morgyn: “it seems that way”

Somnus: “I missed you”

Morgyn: “I missed you to, so has everyone else”

Somnus: “how are The Fated Eight I hope you still consider me one of yours”

Morgyn: “of course, if we ever see you again physically, we’d love to have you”

Somnus: “When we meet again Sophia, something tells me where here for a reason in this present time”

Morgyn: “I think you’d be able to help me now while the maiden can’t”

Somnus: “I to have felt that her presence has wavered in this realm, she is further from even me; more than I have ever experienced before, although I have met others on my journey, I can’t wait for you to meet them, they’re far stronger and powerful than any one person I have met, and they in many ways mirror the story and adventures you have been on”

Morgyn: “if you speak highly of them, I’m sure their strong and wonderful”

Somnus: “strong and wonderful but they can never fill the void that I fell in here (Gestures heart) for The Fated Eight, how has your journey been”

Morgyn; “to say perilous would be an understatement, we’ve since journeyed to the Feywild to help SHAI it has been rather difficult both physically and mentally, we’ve almost lost a lot and through no small miracles we’ve managed to save what we could”

Somnus: “I fell as you have wavering doubts; I feel a lingering sense of dread and a lack of certainty, I can’t see the path forward for you, it’s like your string of fate has been frayed”

Morgyn then pulled her string out and showed Somnus

Somnus: oh, I see, in my own weakness travelled by myself and found myself unable to contact her at one point in time, it may have coincided with your doubts, this lack of connection to her I felt disabled and my own faith wavered

Somnus to pulls how his string and Morgyn sees that Somnus’s string is to be missing some strands

Somnus: “but she still surrounds us, but there are others I believe, people who I have met who have put faith in her just as long as we have, Morgyn thing you have to remember is, in these times when we can’t fell her presence that’s is the time we have to be most faithful because what is faith but believing in something that isn’t always there, in fact it is in these moments where our faith is tested we grow as peers, I don’t know how much longer i have with you here, I wish I could leave you with something else, I will leave you with this message, the maiden lives on even if you don’t feel her and we as her champions live on in her stead while she is not here”

Somnus’s frayed string of fate gravitas towards Morgyn’s String of Fate

Somnus: “ah it seems that she is closer than we realised, even if she does not show herself, as the connection we share between believers as she makes her presence known, I think this was meant for you.”

As Somnus hands Morgyn their string of fate, Morgyn accepts has both strings of fate combine restoring its connection to The Fate-Cloaked Maiden. Realising that their time together is ending, Morgyn and Somnus say their final words

Morgyn: “I know you feel as though we are merely exchanging words, but I think you helped me much more than you think.”

After this final sentence Morgyn and Somnus embrace as their connection fades, before Somnus leaves Morgyn sees him talking with an unfamiliar figure, After this The Party found their way to bed.

Azriel’s Dream

As Azriel fell asleep he seemed to be transported into a familiar room, it was the room his mother Lyla worked in many years ago, he was sat in chair diagonal across of the fireplace, as Azriel could see is mother and his younger self he realised that his was a memory has Deria the head mistress entered the room a conversation started.

Deira Lust: “Lyla, Lord Ashblossom has arrived. He wishes to see you again.”

Lyla: “Um; ok Deira - let me just put Az to bed and then I’ll greet him.”
Deira turns and leaves. Your Mother, who had been feeding you, quickly turns to put you to bed before stopping as she overhears a conversation in the hallway. Deira is talking to someone before a masculine voice interrupts her, and the figure responsible walks into the room.

A muscular man in his mid 30s walks through the door. White skin and sickly green eyes, with long blonde hair in a fashionable, high-class braid. He is wearing discreet but luxurious robes, and a hooded cloak. He takes off the cloak after closing the door. Resting on his back - you notice the hilt of a sword with a very familiar pommel. In one hand, he has a luxurious leather pouch, and in the other a bouquet of flowers; each with 6 cyan petals that curve outwards at their tips.
Lord Ashblossom: “Hello Lyla… I’m not here for your craft. I wanted to see you… and him.”

Lyla: “Last you saw me you told me you wanted nothing to do with me… let alone him - why the change of heart? Has Lady Ashblossom caught wind of your little escapades, or something?”

Lord Ashblossom: “It’s good to see you aren’t harbouring feelings of ill will. You’re right - I don’t want anything to do with you or the boy; but he’s my blood and for my own reasons I can’t let him die. I don’t expect you to understand or accept my reasons; but I want to offer you gold and resources to keep him alive.”
He places the leather pouch onto the table and pulls out a sack of gold and a black glass teapot. He takes one of the flowers and places its petals into the teapot; before filling it with water from a flask. He places it near the fire, as you watch it rapidly boil.
Lord Ashblossom: “My one condition is that I ask you to drink the tea of this lily every night; a full pot. I’ll make sure you have ample supply. This teapot is enchanted, so I will know if you have missed a night; or if you aren’t the one to drink it. So long as you drink the tea- I’ll have an aide deliver the gold directly to you; to avoid Deira’s cut.”
You watch as he turns his attention from your Mother and towards your infant self. He takes a deep breath before your Mother speaks up.

Lyla: “Please stop staring at him. It was bad enough you came and checked on him when he was a newborn; at least then I actually needed your help, he’s old enough now to remember this when he’s older. Have you ever stopped to think how hard it’s going to be for me to lie to him about your existence?”
She turns you away from him and places you in your bed. She gives you your favourite stuffed animal; a knitted black cat, before sitting down in her tattered armchair and begrudgingly drinking a cup of the tea.

Lord Ashblossom: “You’re a good mother Lyla… you’ll cope.”
He puts back on his cloak as he turns to exit. Stopping in the doorway to say one more thing.
Lord Ashblossom: “Oh Lyla… I’m glad to see he has your eyes. Be good to yourself.”

As the conversation Ends Azriel sees his mother slowly drink the tea as she rest besides the crib his younger self sleeps in, as his mother slowly falls asleep Azriel felt a sense of control come back to him as he was now able to freely move around the rooms, After Azriel Analysed the room he went to try and open the door unfortunately it was locked from the outside, as he did this his mother woke form her slumber, for a second she was confused at who this man in her room was but after looking at Azriel she knew that it was her son, as she raced over to him and mother and son embraced for the first time in 20 years, Lyla filled with joy asked Azriel about his life, Azriel cautious Asked “is this real” before speaking out loud questioning if this was cinders doing his mother confused asked he was speaking to, Azriel replied that something was of as he did this Azriel felt a presence in the room slowly take over his mother as Lyla gave him was last hug as this vision faded and Azriel fell back to sleep hearing a harmonious hum.

Jin’s Discipline

As the rest of The Party went to sleep Jin instead stayed awake forgoing food, as The Party was sleeping, Jin took of his armour revealing his battle scars as he picks up Watatsumi and swing it around in a ceremonial fashion as the sword is swung with enough force to put out the fire, as the cave went dark with nothing but the projection of the night sky Jin beings to perform a ceremony with his sword repeating the movements that were taught to him by Dae’hya, honing his body to swig the sword with more efficiency, he does this till he collapse on floor with Watatsumi by his side, as Jin was staring up at the projected ceiling he asked Watatsumi to share a story form before it was a sword as Jin listens as he fell to sleep.

Leaving the den:

As The Fated Eight wake up after their sleep, that party eats some rations and discuss what they should do next, the decide it’s time to leave for Drasiyl’s Path, Morgyn and Aurevald discuss Morgyn’s experience with Somnus, The Party says goodbye to Cindrethrax wishing him the best luck with its newfound freedom. Azriel tells Cindrethrax to be careful, Zarkadyne may come back as Azriel left he heard the humming from his dream, as The Party leaves, they notice that the manor has partially repaired itself now that Zarkadyne is gone. Before The Party Left for Drasiyl’s Path Aurevald told The Party about Graxious and his fate conveying that at some point they would need to save him as well as this Morgyn Conveying that there is a force strong enough to scare the gods coming after them, while walking Azriel began to hear that Harmonious homing coming out of the forest he was walking through, Azriel in his haste went to misty step after it but failed and fell on his face.

A strange grave:

Azriel decided to walk after the humming, The Party questioned where he was going, Azriel told them not to worry but Axton did not trust Azriel and followed after him while the rest of The Party waited, After walking for a bit. Azriel and Axton came across a large tree in a clearing with a portal at its base, Azriel warned Axton that it might be dangerous, Axton didn’t care as they entered they both saw a gravestone upon a large knoll with endless green grassy hills at its base, both were able to hear the harmonious humming. Azriel tells Axton to go get the rest as The Party. While Axton did that, Azriel analyzed the gravestone. He was able to find an Estoc resting on the grave. Once Axton got to the rest of the part he explained the situation and asked the group if they trusted Azriel, Each member of The Party discussed their opinion of Azriel The Party came to the conclusion they neither trust nor distrust Azriel and that its best to keep an eye on Azriel, As the rest of The Fated Eight join Azriel in the portal each of them Hearing the Harmonious humming and seeing that their magic map no longer works, Azriel unable to read the grave waited for SHAI and Kezark to cast comprehend languages, While waiting Aurevald Sat down on the grassy hill and communed with the spirits there. After SHAI and Kezark where able to cast comprehend Langue they read the gravestone with read:

“Cynthaea”

“Beloved companion of The Moon”

“Felled in battle against…”\
- The text on the gravestone…

While The Party was their SHAI and Morgyn where able to sense a presence hovering around Azriel that gave Morgyn the feeling of a doting mother and SHAI the feeling of a grandmother, Morgyn worried about this presence try to command it but failed as she heard The Fate-Cloaked Maiden whisper to her “do not command the dead even those from beyond can die”, Hearing this Morgyn conveyed to SHAI that it doesn’t seem dangerous, Azriel conveyed that he heard this singing in his dream has he headed for portal, Axton tells The Party that Azriel was leaving as the rest of party follows behind him, before SHAI left he analysed the gravestone discovering that the stone is over 2000 years old. Aurevald stayed a little longer communicating to the spirits and offering a prayer. As he left, he turned back to look at the realm a final time, where he saw an elegant woman dancing.

Drasiyl’s Path:

After The Party left the strange gravestone, The Party continued to Drasiyl’s Path, as The Party arrived wat what the map said was Drasiyl’s Path but it too appeared to be the Terralpi refuge that The Party once visited, confused with this information The Party re checked their position on the map, they were at the right spot this was Drasiyl’s Path.