The Sea of Starry Night II [IC]

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

"Oh Gods, I forgot about your family. Sorry for bringing it up Sheyra."

A look of embrassment came to his face then as he realized the potenially bad memories that his little rant might have brought up. Coughing awkardly Callos pulled his shadowstuff cloak tighter around himself and urged his mount up closer to Sheyra, then he leaned closer to whisper to her.

"IT's alright to grieve now. These people won't think any less of you."

[bhdrake]

Lumpy

Lumpy eyes his proffered mount suspiciously, before shaking his head fervently,

"Oh, Hell no. There's no way yer getting me up onto one of those things. I've walked the world on my own two feet fer my whole life, and I ain't planning on quitting now."

---

Lumpy listens to Sheyra's recounting of events indifferently, but his brow furrows at the end,

"Linda? The same one we lost in the shadows? How in the Abyss would she know where ta go?"

[The_King_of_Durf]

Darius

"Good question... and how did she get out before us? And what did she say to that other woman down there?"

[Erikkin]

Fizahn:

Fizahn graciously accepts his mount. He listens in silence to the conversation around him. "Nobles, nothing but trouble getting caught up in their affairs. I hope she doesn't expect me to remain after we get to Teflamm. I need a job and some real coin." As he rides, something stirs in the back of his mind.

Sheyra walks quietly along with the others, but then she cries out as her shadow grows and grows until it swallows her up completely. The other party members reach for her to try to rescue her - to no avail ...

That dream I had! And the lizardman had one similar.

The Dark One still lives, and he is close...
The vision shifts once again, this time to the young she-human. The girl looks up at a dark shape with fear. The shadowy form raises a serpentine dagger then plunges it into the girl's chest! Flames rise up on all sides, completely obscuring the vision...
The girl is the key. Protect her at all costs...

I don't normally believe in premonitions, but two strikingly similar dreams both the same night is more than coincidence. That was when Sedryn died. Lissa didn't sleep well that night either, maybe she had one also!

Fizahn rides his horse up to Sherya. He gives her a brief look and then whispers to her. "You might want to tell them about Sethra. You could still be in considerable danger from him, and they may guard you better knowing the danger. Also, did you tell Linda about your house? Unless you told her privately, something is really suspicious there. She was able to escape the plane of shadows alone and get to Teflamm. She immediately found your guards and sent them down the exact road you'd be coming up. Sethra can jump bodies and he's been with the party most likely since Sedryn's death. I'm not accusing Linda, but it is possible she's being used as a vessel by Sethra."

OOC: Probably my wordiest post. I didn't go back to check the night Sedryn died, so I'm hoping I got all the facts right.

[Zeal]

Hajih, Human Ranger

Hajih looks on at Sheyra, finally managing to find a few words to express his disbelief

"Lady...Sheyra, as in Lord, Duke, Earl, Duchess? That kind of Lady?"

[HempRope]

Achkby

So he has died... wait -- Linda?!! What the hells...?

Achkby mounts Bessie, shaking his head as he tries uselessly to fit everything together in his mind.

[Dr._Bob]

Sheyra nods gratefully to Callos and Hajih. After hearing Lumpy's and Fizahn's concerns, however, she frowns then converses with the Captain of the Guard briefly. She then turns back to you with an explanation.

"The Captain reports that a disheveled woman was found at the edge of the Forest, not far from the ferry, a couple of days ago. She was disoriented and almost incoherent, but when she happened to mention my family's name, the Seneschal of the Gates recognized it and handed her over to Unther-in-exile.

"After a good night's sleep and some food, she was able to tell the Houses the story of how she became separated from us in the Forest. She recommended that a rescue party be sent out to find us and, naturally, the mission was assigned to the knights of House Relik."

[hr]
Elthan listens carefully to Sheyra's words. "Well, Linda did disappear some time before we escaped the forest, and given the morphic nature of the Shadow Plane, it is conceivable that she might have exited the Forest of Lethyr at a different location than we did ..."

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

*Thokk rouses himself again*

"Wait, so she made it? I wasnt the only one then..."

[Erikkin]

Fizahn:

Fizahn looks at Thokk. Go back to sleep you stupid dwarf! You'll never be able to talk coherently stepping in and out of sleep like that. "Yes you were Thokk. Linda never died."

[Dr._Bob]

When Sheyra mentions the name of her House, Elthan rubs his chin thoughtfully. "House Relik? That name sounds strangely familiar ..."

[hr]
It is almost sunset when you arrive at Telflamm, a walled city at the edge of the Sea of Fallen Stars. The guards at the gate recognize the Untherites and allow them (and you) into the city without comment.

With the sun setting, you see the guards begin preparing to close and lock the gates for the night after you pass through.

You ride through a bustling city, attracting many curious stares along the way, until you arrive at another set of walls, the Untherite Embassy, a small city within the city.

The Untherites have been granted sovereign power within the walls of the Embassy. There are twelve Great Houses here, all made up of refugees from Unther, who have been distributed among a number of different buildings within the Embassy's walls.

House Relik is one of the smaller Houses, and has been assigned to one of the smaller buildings. The facade of the building has many arches and pillars, typical of Theskan architecture.

It is dark by the time you dismount and are escorted into the building, which (the Captain of the Guard explains to you) once was a bathhouse ...

[hr]
You are escorted down several halls to a large chamber with a large hearth, in which a roaring fire burns. A feast is laid out on an elegant linen tablecloth. There are also fine crystal decanters filled with water and wine.

The guards bow and leave you to dinner ...

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

*Eyeing the wine*

"Ach, it aint dwarf mead, but I think we all deserve it tonight, food and sleep"

*With that the dwarf tucks in, utterly ravishing the food. He speaks again with a full drumstick in his hand and bits of pudding in his beard*

"Ach, this is quality food. I dont think I've dined this well since the night we found the adamantium vein!"

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

"This just raises so many questions for me. So very many indeed. But....just.."

Shuffling from one foot to the other, the necronmancer sat down and folded his napkin in his lap, and did nothing. Instead he merely stared at his plate with a look of confusion on his face.

[bhdrake]

Lumpy

Lumpy kept quiet for the remanider of the trip after raising his concerns over Linda, focusing on the task of keeping pace on foot. But the telltale lines of suspicion stuck to his face, the orc deep in thought.

When the guards finally leave, he speaks up, his voice still weak and raspy, but loud enough to carry,

"I think it goes without saying that I don't like this. Ever since we went through that shadow forest, things ain't been adding up real good. I mean, the spring raised the dead out'a mourning fer the lost, right? 'Cept we got an extra one, that no one knew but her, speaking some language no one but her knows. I'd wager that between everyone here, it'd take one Hell of an obscure language ta do that." He pauses, crossing over to the table to pour some water. He sniffs at it cursorily before clearing his throat with a long drink.

"If that weren't bad enough, she disappears on us, just HAPPENS ta make it out'a the forest, and just HAPPENS ta drop Sheyra's family's name, despite being 'confused and disoriented.' Interstingly enough, I never knew said name, which leads me ta wonder where she heard it from. Anyone remember explicitly telling her." he takes another long drink, scowling.

"Either way, I don't things are how they look, or how they ought'a be."

[Zeal]

Hajih, Human Ranger

Holding a glass of wine Hajih remarks to Lumpy

"Nothing about this trip has turned out right, but you have a point, too many coincidences for my tastes. Not to say Linda shouldn't be trusted, just... we should keep an eye on her."

[HempRope]

Achkby, Halfling Sorcerer

"Lumpy... I think in all of this chaos, you might have gotten a bit mixed up. It was Linda who they found, and Linda never died... and Linda speaks Common..." Achkby offers, frowning. Shaking his head, he edges over to the table, retrieves a small flagon of wine, and sits down, moving a shair so that he can face the rest of the party.

I need to some time to wrap my head about all of this. And Lissa. I'd like to wrap quite a bit about her. Or... no, I'm awful...

[The_King_of_Durf]

Darius

Darius has been a mostly quiet person since leaving the Underdark. He doesn't seem to have much to say, but's its obvious he's deep in thought, and seems much more sound than before.

He picks at his food quietly, listening.

"Speaking of Lissa... where is she now?"

[HempRope]

Achkby, Halfling Sorcerer

Achkby starts guiltily, and glances around him.

"Er, no one said anything about Lissa, but she's right here," he says quickly.

[The_King_of_Durf]

((Ouch that was a bad typo by me... shouldn't post when I'm sick. Maybe I'll just make him sick too because I am.))

Darius

"Linda, sorry, I meant Linda... I'm not feeling too good."

[Dr._Bob]

After a good meal and some fine wine, everyone is beginning to feel a bit drowsy. Just then, a pair of guards enter, escorting an elderly, bearded gentleman in a violet robe.

"Garent!!!" Sheyra leaps to her feet and runs to the man, hugging him enthusiastically.

The old man hugs her back, his eyes sparkling with tears of happiness. "Dearest Sheyra! I didn't know if I would ever see you again!"

When he is released from the young monk's embrace, the old man straightens up and looks at the party with a smile on his face.

"So these are the intrepid adventurers who saw you through the Underdark! Linda the White has told me about some of your adventures. Truly the stuff of legends! I look forward to hearing more details about the formians and the drow and the illithids and the ... what were they called again, gloamings?"

Sheyra turns back to you, beaming with joy. "Everyone, this is Garent, my tutor and good friend. Garent, this is ... well, everybody I guess!" She goes on to introduce each of you by name ...

"Aeroz, who helped to save me from the Mulhorandi;

"Darius and Achkby, who joined us on the road from Ingdal's Arm;

"Lissa and Hajih, who joined us in Velprintalar;

"Lumpy, whom we rescued (or perhaps he rescued us) in the Underdark;

"Thokk, the dwarf who refuses to die;

"the Elthan twins, who call themselves clones, whatever that means;

"Fizahn, who speaks little, but always speaks wisely;

"and Callos, who was once a drider, but is now a trusted ally.

"Without them, I would not be here with you this night. I consider them my family now, now that ..." Her words trail off and a sad expression darkens her face.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

"It truly is an honor, aged one. Any information I may provide I will happily do. Sheyra has saved my bacon enough that I owe this much to her tutor."

[Frojoe21]

Aeroz

"Well, shucks. I didn't really save you....I mean that I had a lot of help...bah, I'll just take the praise." Aeroz says contently as he begins to help himself to the food spread out before him.

[Phasm]

Lissa

Lissa has been rather quiet ever since the party entered the Untherite embassy, obviously uncomfortable in such refined surroundings. She asked her friends not to reveal her status as a cleric of Baravar, promising a full explanation as soon as they're in a private place. Occasionally an acquisitive gleam entered her eye at the sight of a particularly fine piece of art or jewelry, only to be replaced by a look of guilt and self-reproach. Nobles! Augh! I just know I'm going to make some awful mistake around Sheyra's family and embarrass her horribly. And all these lovely things... but they belong to Sheyra, dammit! Friends don't rob friends. And Achkby, what's up with him? Does he like me or not? I thought I was pretty clear there. Needless to say, the gnome has been just a bit moody and distracted.

Upon being introduced to Garent, Lissa blushes, grateful that her dusky complexion hides most of the redness in her face. She bows her head respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. And Sheyra- um, Lady Sheyra- did a lot in the Underdark too. I owe her a great debt for helping rescue me from a bunch of driders."

[Dr._Bob]

Garent warmly greets all of you, thanking you all for aiding Sheyra in her escape from Unther.

"You must all be excited to reunite with your friend Linda! It was she who suggested sending the rescue party toward the Forest of Lethyr.

"After you've had a chance to wash up and change into some clean clothing, why don't we all rendezvous in the main hall?"

The guards lead you upstairs to the guestrooms. Each of the six bedrooms have two beds each. Each room is simply, but adequately appointed. A clean human-sized robe is laid out neatly on each bed.

"This building used to be a bath house. There is a mineral pool down the spiral staircase at the end of the hall. You are welcome to bathe there and refresh yourselves if you like."

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

Once he had finished inspecting the room, it took maybe a whole two seconds, Callos realized something. He stank. Badly. How many years had it been since he had had a bath? Too long from what his nose was elling him. With a groan he went to the spiral staircase at the end of the hall and began to descend to the mineral spring. Every step of the way he regretted not taking the chance at bathing at earlier oppertunities.

[Dr._Bob]

Sheyra and one of the Elthans follows Callos down the stairs.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, you find yourselves in a large subterranean chamber with vaulted ceilings. A steaming pool lies in the center of the room and there is a mineral tang in the air.

Sheyra practically runs to the edge of the pool, tosses her robe aside and dives into the pool, laughing.

The half-elf averts his eyes and moves toward the far end of the pool. He carefully folds his robe, leaving it within arm's reach as he slowly lowers himself into the steaming water. Elthan's brow is furrowed as though something is bothering him.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Callos

Mineral water? If nothing else it should do nothing but good for me Callos thought to himself even as the other two took off into the pool. Sheyra's antics where amusing but the fact that the half-elf looked bothered by something kept Callos from bursting out laughing. So instead with a shake of his head and a wry smile he slipped the robe off and slipped into the hot water up to his ears.

[King_of_GRiffins]

Elthan II

The other Elthan, curious and dirty from days of travel, heads down to the baths. He throws off his robes(which he still hasn't replaced) and makes as large of as splash as possible getting in next to Elthan.

Surfacing,"Well, arn't you full of amusment tonight?You look as though you knew a Shadow-Elthan was following you." Relaxing his arms on the edge of the pool, "So whats on your mind? You've always been observant(a quality that doesn't seem to have been duplicated in myself too well). Is this some obscure detail your pondering or something obvious we should have noticed?"

Eckun slithers to an empty side of the pool, dips his tail in and prepares for a warm nap.

[Frojoe21]

Aeroz

Aeroz changes into his his bathrobe and heads to the spring/pool/bath. He takes his robe off and jumps into the bath, letting the warm water soothe his aching bones and muscles.

"This is almost worth the trip through that damned underdark." he mutters quietly.

[Phasm]

Lissa

Lissa follows Sheyra and the Elthans down to the baths, smiling at the steam rising up the stairwell. While she did have a quick wash-up before dinner, nothing beats a long soak in a proper tub. Especially after traveling for so long. At the sight of the huge steaming mineral spring, Lissa's mouth drops open. "Oh great good gods... this is possibly the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life!" Studded leather (old habits die hard) and clothing fairly fly off of the grinning gnome. She backs up against one of the walls, then starts running at full speed for the pool. "WOOOO!! INCOMING!" At the last moment Lissa leaps into the air, tucks herself into a ball, and lands in the hot water with about as big a splash as a gnome can make. She bobs to the surface, sputtering and laughing.

[sacreddeamon]

Thokk

*Thokk steps up to the water, grinning*

"HAHAHA! Ach, I havnt seen one of these in many years, since me clan visited one of the High temples of Moradin. This be the best time to get ride of the dirt, grime, and other things best not mentioned"

*With that Thokk tosses off all clothing, and with no modesty whatsoever, does a full bellyflop into the water and starts splashing everyone in sight*

"HAHAHA. I feel years younger! What a blessing simple water heated by the good earth can be.