Shadows of the Past IC 6

[AlanBruce]

@Lysa: Rosalind hugs you back.

"I had no doubt you'd make it, Lysa! But Alex... what happened to your arms. And where's Archaidous and Luthon?"


You then blow some green ghostly pollen at Archaidous, attempting to remove Isiflis' spell...

Sadly, the lich's power was stronger than expected. This will not do.

Rosalind listens to your tale.

"Arrallae's past? What do you mean?"

[Chimaera]

"We'll have time to talk about Arralae's past when we are far from this place", Lysa say looking at the bleak valley, "We evacuated Hammerbruk to stop Palinduras' slavery on them. Luthon fleed when he saw what we were up aggainst", Lysa caress the monkey head and smile, "And this poop thrower is Arch! "

"Damn Isiflis, his magic is strong indeed".

"Do you know what's in the box?", the fairy say pointing to the chest and then looking at the party, "Where should we go now? Back to the Fey Woods?"

[AlanBruce]

@Archaidous: Rosalind walks up to you and kneels at your level.

"Are you sure it's him? He was a lot taller last I saw him. Again, I am very sorry. None of this would've happened had I not come here with you. I am certain Father Wilhelm can help him and Alex of their maladies. I can see the walls Alex built, broken stillm but no people . Thank the gods- I thought Palindurias had taken them in as well. And Luthon left... pity. I hope his travels will take him exactly where he wants to go."

@Lysa: Upon inquiry of the chest's contents, Rosalind nods.

"I was told by Father Cornelius that his possessions were inside. He said he had no use for them anymore and that they ought to see use out in the world, so as to prevent something like this from happening. The Ettin that carried it here put some other stuff inside as well. Let's take a look."

Rosalind opens the chest and all of you take a peek inside.

Inside, you find Cornelius' belongings. The man knew what he was fighting, and prepared accordingly. True to a follower of Heironeous, this is the gear for a man made for war, as well as a learned man in the old arts of the arcane and divine magic.

There is a beautiful longsword which, despite its time spent in the valley, has not lost its luster. The weapon has the symbol of the archpaladin etched on the hilt.

Then there is his armor. A magnificent full plate with a sun emblem upon it and what appear to be spirits being repelled on the chest.

You find three rings. Two are identical and made of adamantine. They bear the Brunhausser name and when looked inside the rings, the names "Charlotte" and "Loretta" can be visibly seen, perfectly etched upon them.

The third ring is made of bone, with holy scriptures carefully written throughout the ring, so as to not break it.

Then there is his shield. A heavy metal shield with the face of a stern dwarf upon it. This one is extremely heavy, but it should provide ample protection.

A pair of tan colored boots are in here as well. Their make is nothing fancy, but given they are part of Cornelius' belongings, you never know.

A pair of bracers and a very familiar monocle complete the set. The bracers have a solar disk similar to the one on the fullplate's chest.

"There is something else here."

Seven letters. All sealed with the Brunhausser stamp. Each addressed to the families of Charlotte's commanders, just as she mentioned the day prior.

There is another envelope, with Archaidous' name on it.

A second letter bears a different name- Randolph.

Seeing as Alex cannot pick it up and Archaidous is too small to reach up for it, Rosalind looks at the monkey mage and this one nods as the young pelorite kneels before him and opens the letter for him to read.

Spoiler: Letter to Archaidous

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Archaidous, if your curiosity has gotten the best of you, this letter is for you. Enclosed is my holy symbol. I have realized it is of no use here and would very much appreciate you give this to my brother Randolph in Halmathan. Tell him I have died and that this is all you could recover. Please do not raise an attempt to bring him here. Too many of my kin have fallen to Palindurias. I could not bare the loss of more.

The second letter reads as follows:

Spoiler: Letter to Randolph

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My beloved brother. I have vowed to rescue our kin in the mountains far away. I have, sadly been unsuccessful. The bearer of this letter will give you the necessary details. I trust the situation with king Airdan has been resolved? I know I told you I would go to Halmathan and help you with the state of affairs over there. Please understand that family takes precedence over state. At least for me. I implore you to not alert Vasili of what is transpiring in Halmathan. He has a lot on his mind right now. The bearer of this letter may prove very useful in this situation. He and his company are noble and will aid tremendously to undo the damage that Alubastak may sow. Know that I consider you a brave and honorable man, brother. I hope this letter finds you in good health and sane mind.

Yours Fraternally,

Cornelius

[Chimaera]

"I wonder if any of these objects is Isiflis' philactery... maybe the bone ring, let me see", Lysa say as her eyes turn to glowing purple detecting any evil on any of these items.

Spoiler

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Detect Evil, then Good, Law and Chaos SLAs for good measure

[Business Scrub]

Aradia, Emilia, whatever her name was, drops to the ground as Palinduras dismisses his tentacles. Lysander, whatever he had become, runs off into the Valley, leaving her feeling alone. Part of her still rages, eager to make Palinduras pay.
That's suicide. A tiny, rational voice in her head tells her.
Her eyes catch on the locket Lysander had dropped, and she wordlessly picks it up before leaving. She is silent as they walk out of the Valley, clearly lost in her own head. If she is happy to have Rosalind back, she doesn't show it. Or even that she recognizes the Pelorite is back. She puts one foot in front of the other, walking ahead in stunned, distant silence.

[Niwrad]

Glad to finally get to leave the gloomy dimensionally locked valley, but stunned and horrified by the events that had just transpired and horrified by how quickly things had begun to fall apart, Archadious quietly curls up upon Aradias head as they walk out.
As they walk, he also decides to take advantage of the time and grabs his spellbook, then sits on top of Aradias head and quietly reviews his spells. He hopes that this is not the last time he will ever be able to do so.

Once they reach the exit and see Rosalind with the large chest, the little monkey grins slightly. At least this venture had not been a total disaster.
They may have failed to save any of Palindurias's victims, gotten their a*** handed to them in several duels, lost Lysander, forgone any hope of negotiating with Palindurias, but they had at the very least saved Rosalind.

He attempts to voice his relief that she was alright.

But all that comes out is some monkey screeches.

Then, in an attempt to quickly get the group to someone who might have a better chance at turning him back into an elf, Archadious reaches into the bag with his possessions, and pulls out a scroll of teleport which he hands to Lysa.

[Chimaera]

Lysa grab the scroll and then look at everybody in the eye.

"So? Anyone don't want to go to Justcrown? If all agree I'll be taking you there", she then count the number of people in the party, "Do you think this scroll is enough to take we all? If not maybe someone may want to enter the bag...", Lysa say looking at the bag of holding.

With the casting of two simple spells she identifies the scroll and get ready to read it and take them all to Justcrown, near the magic shop Archadious escorted her to a few weeks ago.

She then wait for everyone to voice their opinions and then cast the spell (or not depending on what people say )

Spoiler: Once everybody is ready

Show

Casting Read Magic and Heroism on self to help reading the scroll
UMD: (1d20+25)[36] DC 29 (?)

[AlanBruce]

@Lysa: You look at the contents of the chest.

It sure would be nice if Isiflis' phylactery were in there, but as you oversee the many items inside, you can sense no evil, law, or chaos...

However, Cornelius sword has a strong emanation of righteousness and sanctity to it.

@Aradia: Had your group not been with you the entire time, they would probably have attacked you for your zombiesque look as you put one foot in front of the other and silently walk out of the mist laden valley and briefly assess your surroundings.

The girl is safe, yes. But at what cost? This has been a harrowing journey. One of revelations... some too painful to endure. You turn your head back to the entrance of Jottun's Foot and, although your mind says it would be suicide to go back inside, a part of you wishes they could charge back in there, grab that Rotten Child by the throat and shred him to pieces...

Maybe one day.

@Archaidous: Your body is that of a monkey, but you are still in control. You are Archaidous Mithmironel, finest disiciple and master conjurer under Ferrin.

That will never change.

This has been a journey filled with lessons. Lessons you have learned all too well.

Reaching into your belongings, you hand Lysa the scroll to take you all back to Justcrown, now safe and purged of all evil months ago.

Rosalind needs to be taken back to safety. And as for all of you, much more training is needed...and answers.

@Lysa: You open the scroll and decipher it as everyone gathers around, with rosalind placing her hand on Alex's shoulder, Aradia holding on to you, with Archaidous on her head and her boot pressed on the chest.

Irraly holds on to Aradia's hand as she looks at what remains of Hammerbruk.

No one will ever come to this place again, even if Kannoth's Kiln still spews smoke from his grey igloo.

One day, perhaps, the elder tribe leader will get the rest he so justly deserves.

As Lysa finishes reading the scroll, a familiar rumble can be seen around Hammerbruk and the undead valley as all of you travel freely through Space and Time and the grey and black scenery is replaced by the ever blooming cherry tree that marks the entrance to the Pelorite Chapel in Justcrown.

A cold morning, but you are home at last.

**********

Loretta floats a few feet off the air as she opens her eyes and looks at Charlotte, who stands at attention in Palindurias' Throne Room.

They are gone now, sister... they are safe.

A grunt can be heard not too far as both sisters smile.


Isiflis is barely managing to stand on one foot on a jagged skull while his other foot balances a tibia. He is juggling three skulls as the skull he is standing on is dancing around a greased patch of floor. Olivia sits on the steps leading to the stone throne and practices her aim tossing pebbles at the skull serving as a platform for the lich.

Stupid little girl! Stop throwing those stones!

Palindurias sits on his throne and has Lysander, now an undead kneeling before him. The Rotten Child traces some arcane marks on his body.

"That should do it. I believe you are my finest creation yet...but what to name you? Lysander sounds so... common."

"If I may suggest, my lord. There are other names to...", Isiflis is interrupted.

"I don't think I asked for your suggestion, Isiflis. Stay focused and pray to...who was it? Nerull? That you don't fall off that skull. Olivia, dear aim a little higher."

Olivia giggles and searches for another pebble. Grokhun walks in from the mists.

"They are gone, master. They have left the valley."

Lysander bows to Palindurias and takes a few steps back in reverence. The Rotten Child walks to the stone wall where Rosalind's armor has been hanged up. The Lord of Jottun's Foot takes a red chalk and colors the area above the neck, as if drawing a set of hair. He takes a deep sigh.

Who was that woman? And why was I there? Was that me? She called my name, so it had to be me, but how....

Olivia scores a direct hit on the skull serving as balance for Isilfis. The lich falls flat on the greased floor as several cracked bones can be heard beneath his robes. Palindurias walks up to him with a smile.

"I told you, Olivia. Aim higher. Now, Isiflis. what did I say would happen if you lost your balance?"

Isiflis, proud adviser to Palindurias sheds a single drop of sweat which runs through his withered brow.

Oh crap...!!!