Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Ken]

Belarin tries to raise his hand to accept Adamant's offer, but the arm hurts too much to move. "Thanks. Let's start with the neck."

[Jeff]

In the interest of time, I’m assuming that as a healer, Streko, upon seeing Adamant examine the groups’ injuries, would want to do so as well.

---

Torcer steers the group into the chamber, just below one of the towers, where there is a table and a few chairs—and the ornate mirror through which he earlier communicated with his living kinsmen. He fetches fresh water and some rags but seems to have no other medicinal equipment. Once everyone is settled in and as comfortable as the chairs and floor can be, Adamant gauges the wounds of his companions...

...and is confounded. Strange and painful pulses continue wrack the warforged’s body from his earlier injuries. They hurt more than wounds normally do for him on Eberron. Could it be this plane, this realm where death is not merely a byproduct of fading life but a force unto itself? In any case, the particulars of these wounds elude him.

However, Streko, who is a healer by trade and by blood, instantly spies the threat. As he looks at each one, he makes some conclusions.

Belarin, Kal, and Shorak each have bites in different parts of their bodies, but they don’t look particularly bad. Certainly they don’t hurt anymore than any other bite they’ve sustained. Yet when the halfling looks gingerly with a fine surgical blade from his healer’s kit, Streko finds splintered fragments of flat bone-like objects which resemble sharpened pumpkin seeds. None of them are intact anymore, and he’s certain they’ve broken up and already dispersed their contents internally. He thinks being painless is part of their insidious nature.

“A death’s head tree, Histra said,” Torcer says, watching from a corner. “There are a few of them in the labyrinth. They say if someone dies with its seeds in them, a new tree will grow from their remains. That’s how they got there.”

Streko has never heard of such a tree before, but he theorizes that the seeds will take some time to germinate. There may be no ill effect in the next day or so. But after that, nothing good can come of it and it will become very difficult to counter them. However, he does think some solid restorative magic from Olladra might serve—though Belarin, Kal, and Shorak will each require it.

Condign seems not to have been seeded by the foul tree, but Streko doesn’t like the look of one of the dog bites. The flesh is raw still, swelling, and turning a dark color not immediately noticeable against Condign’s red skin. But it’s very infected. Clearly, the tiefling’s tolerance for pain is impressive. Very soon, possibly within a few hours, Streko thinks Condign will become very weak. The dogs’ saliva was beyond caustic and Condign’s system is compromised. He will become very ill. It might take a few days to actually kill him—depending on how severe the tiefling’s wounds are—but Streko has no doubt that it will kill him if he’s not cured of it.

---

1D20+5 → 6 (1 + 5) #Adamant's Medicine check
1D20+7 → 27 (20 + 7) #Streko's Medicine check

It’s hilarious to me that I rolled a “1” for Adamant and a “20” for Streko.

In game terms, Streko is confident that a lesser restoration spell will purge the death’s head seeds completely, though each person would need a separate spell cast upon them. And of course he can’t prepare that spell until he’s had a long rest.

Meanwhile, Streko finds that Condign is diseased by this bite. Anything that can cure disease—including the lesser restoration spell or the lay on hands ability of a paladin like Adamant—would end the condition. In the meantime, within the next few hours, he will be come "poisoned" (per the condition, though it's not actual poison) until he's cured. Meaning he'll pretty much have disadvantage on all rolls he makes. Then, each day the disease persists, he'll take a few dice rolls' worth of damage.

Note that all this info is what Streko discerns; I leave it to him to inform his patients.

[Dave W.]

Jun 11, 2015 13:59:39 GMT -4 Jeff said:

1D20+5 → 6 (1 + 5) #Adamant's Medicine check
1D20+7 → 27 (20 + 7) #Streko's Medicine check

It’s hilarious to me that I rolled a “1” for Adamant and a “20” for Streko. 

---

"I'm sorry Streko, I'm no use right now. I seem to be having trouble focusing." Adamant excuses himself. "Perhaps some rest. I'll just go stand out of the way in that corner."

Adamant steps over and uncharacteristically leans against the wall; standing, he's not so far gone that he can't stay upright. His eye-gems dim. He becomes idle.

---

Adamant will rest as long as he is allowed. As a warforged, he's alert the whole time he rests. IIRC, at the end of the hour (short rest) he can roll HD to recover hp. If he can get to 4 hours (long rest for a warforged) he'll get back half his hp (only half because he's a warforged) and is it all his spent HD?

[Joe]

"Belarin, Kalarian, Shorak, each of you have fragments of the "teeth" from the heads. They will need to be purged from your systems, each on e separately. I can do that after I have rested, but it will be taxing. As to Condign, I fear that bite is toxic and you may soon be feeling the poison's effects. Adamant may have the ability to assist you with his magic, but as he appears to have...gone to sleep, we shall have to ask him when he rests. From what I can ascertain of our injuries and the insidious nature of this place, the three of you," he says, pointing at Belarin, Kal and Shorak, "won't be feeling the effects of the bites, but the Tiefling...he will have to be helped as soon as Adamant is available to do so, if he CAN do so. Also, if I am allowed further time here upon resting, I may have a way of locating the Sphinx safely and accurately, if it is within 1000 feet of us. I would at least like to try before we leave the safety of this place. Tomorrow."

He checks on the infant, whom he placed on a chair nearby while he inspected his friend's wounds. "Whatever shall we do with you, little one? Are you a good luck charm, or ill omen? Once his friends have been taken care of and are as comfortable as possible, he will rest for as long as possible.
______________________________________________________________________

I am assuming Streko also checked himself for any wounds and such.

[Darren]

Kal tries to make himself as comfortable as possible. "There's nothing else we can do right now until Histra gets back. I don't really want to stay any longer in this realm than we have to, but I think we need to recover and perhaps stay the night...if we are allowed. For now, rest while you can."

____________________
I've got nothing else to do except rest until Histra gets back.

[Jeff]

Yes, sorry. Streko's wounds seem to have no other lasting effects.

---

A short while later, the double doors at the center of the courtyard swing open and Histra steps out. She has washed much of the blood and grime off her skin, but her robes are still tattered and her expression has not lost its grim affectation. One thing that is different: her hand clenches and unclenches around the wicked-looking dagger in her hand. It’s one she always carries but seldom unsheathes. Belarin can read her anxiety in the gesture.

“We have a problem.” She walks up to Belarin, heedless of who else listens to her.

“There are two Threncia trees in my famiy’s estate in Respite, if you recall. Each one allows access to this plane or back from it, but not both, in a given day. We used one tree to come here, leaving the other for the return trip. Had we not been separated and delayed, I would have led us all out of the labyrinth quickly, you would find the beast you seek, then I would bring us back to the other tree. This would have occurred within a matter of hours.

“That has changed. Branash has activated the second tree in our absence, so it cannot be used again until a full day has elapsed. So there is no point in going to it now.” Though her voice is very calm, her hands clench and unclench again.

Histra looks away wildly, her eyes sweeping across all of you. Then back to Belarin. “I do not expect you will appreciate the danger now, but I cautioned you this morning about this: Dolurrh is a place of forgetting. It not hospitable for the living. If we do not return to Stormreach before a full day has passed, memory loss will begin to set in. For we the living, there is also despair. You decide which is worse. If you think have felt it already, you don’t know the half of it.”

“There are only two courses of action that I can see. We rest here only briefly*, then we leave the labyrinth. There are other portals back to our home beyond the walls of the maze, out in what passes for Stormreach proper on this plane. I’m not familiar with any of them but I may be able to locate one. I do not think you will have the strength to find the sphinx as well. Time is short.

“The other course is to remain here for the night, take what rest you can**, then we one, go to the Threncia tree to return home or two, seek the sphinx anyway.” She says this as if the sky above is already black and utterly lacking anything suggestive of daytime. “I do not recommend this. The keep will guard us from the denizens of this plane but it cannot guard us from the plane itself. Who you are as individuals...that is what is at risk.”

Softly now so really only Belarin can hear, she follows this with. “I fear this more than anything, more for you than for me.”

---

*Histra is suggesting you can at least take a short rest now.

**This, at least, would mean a long rest and a full renewal of party/class resources.

[Ken]

Belarin places a hand - gently - on Histra's shoulder. "I don't want to forget who I am," he says slowly. "And I don't want to forget you. That IS a terrifying thought."

He looks to the assembled group. "Spending a full day in this realm is not only extremely dangerous, but depressing beyond belief," he says. "These few hours have cost us much. They've cost us Syrdan. We need to leave." He directs the next comment at Kal. "I know we've made a promise to Argushem. And we can find another way to fulfill that promise. This ... THIS ... is not the way."

He leaves the others to offer their own thoughts, and he turns back to Histra. "Has Branash been ... I don't know, restrained or punished in any way? Or is this deemed acceptable by the rest of your family?" He pauses and adds in a softer voice, "And what's wrong with your arm? Is it broken?"

[Brian]

Condign's red skin seems to pale, and beads of sweat pop out along his brow. He wipes at them with the edge of his cloak. "Thank you, Streko, for your assessment. I wondered what was going on. The pain has been growing...considerably." He turns to the others. "As Histra said, regardless of our choice, we need to rest. After which, we can decide what course of action is best." He grows unsteady and grabs Shorak for support. "For now, I think I better go lay down. Histra, isn't there a cot nearby? I remember seeing one earlier."

[Darren]

Kal struggles to open his half-closed eyes as Histra enters the room. He listens, grim-faced, as she piles more misery onto the companions.

Jun 12, 2015 0:14:00 GMT -4 Ken said:

He looks to the assembled group. "Spending a full day in this realm is not only extremely dangerous, but depressing beyond belief," he says. "These few hours have cost us much. They've cost us Syrdan. We need to leave." He directs the next comment at Kal. "I know we've made a promise to Argushem. And we can find another way to fulfill that promise. This ... THIS ... is not the way."

Kal's eyes lock with Belarin's. "Understand me, warlock. I am no longer concerned with finding the beast. I know when I have failed." The laughter of the children at Sentinel's Keep reverberates in the chambers of Kal's memory.

Kal turns his attention to Histra. "This may be a place of forgetting, but right now, in this place, I remember who I am. I am Kalarian Jaeren of House Deneith, and my first responsibility is to those with whom I fight. Getting everyone home alive is my only concern right now." Kal pauses to look at the group. "But look at us, Histra. Most of us can barely stand, let alone fight. We cannot heal our wounded. Our power is spent. Even if you knew exactly where to lead us to, which you do not, would we be able to reach it alive? Do you know how to lead us through this realm without a fight? We couldn't seem to walk more than ten feet without a battle." Kal captures Histra's attention, his voice sincere. "I trust you, Histra, so tell me, which is the greater risk?"

[Jeff]

Jun 12, 2015 0:14:00 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Has Branash been ... I don't know, restrained or punished in any way? Or is this deemed acceptable by the rest of your family?"

Histra considers Belarin’s question of justice. “Acceptable? No. Branash will face judgment—I will see to it—but not yours. He has placed me at risk, and for that he will answer to the family.”

Jun 12, 2015 0:14:00 GMT -4 Ken said:

He pauses and adds in a softer voice, "And what's wrong with your arm? Is it broken?"

“It was, yes.” She moves it stiffly. “The halfling’s magic, when I first awoke, seemed to have mended it. As much as it can be mended.”

Jun 12, 2015 6:33:39 GMT -4 Brian said:

He grows unsteady and grabs Shorak for support. "For now, I think I better go lay down. Histra, isn't there a cot nearby? I remember seeing one earlier."

In reply, Histra merely points to the corner room across the courtyard.

Jun 12, 2015 7:21:33 GMT -4 Darren said:

"But look at us, Histra. Most of us can barely stand, let alone fight. We cannot heal our wounded. Our power is spent. Even if you knew exactly where to lead us to, which you do not, would we be able to reach it alive? Do you know how to lead us through this realm without a fight? We couldn't seem to walk more than ten feet without a battle." Kal captures Histra's attention, his voice sincere. "I trust you, Histra, so tell me, which is the greater risk?"

“Through the maze, yes. Through the realm as a whole? No. Now that I know where I am,” Histra says, “I can lead us to the exit of the labyrinth quickly enough. Most of its denizens will not dare to harm me or those in my company—with the exception of the yugoloth that has been loosed and seeks revenge. Branash will certainly be answering for that betrayal. And he will not dare to speak a falsehood to Lord Vasser when I confront him about it. Nothing else in the labyrinth along the path I would lead you will threaten us. The gulth-blights—vampiric, vine-like plants—even serve us, when we demand it. Branash understood all this, and by separating me from you, nearly ensured your demise. He knew you would not fare well unescorted. We have foiled that plan now, but it has left us spent.”

“This labyrinth, which is situated where the necropolis of Delera’s Watch is in Stormreach, is especially treacherous. When we leave its bounds, there will be other dangers but we will not be so confined and turned around. Time is our real enemy, Lord Kalarian. If you choose to wait longer and regain your strength, you will face the real gloom of this world. Those with strong wills can stave off its effects for a short time. With every day that passes you risk losing more than your life. This plane is not meant for the living.”

[Darren]

Jun 12, 2015 9:57:11 GMT -4 Jeff said:

“Through the maze, yes. Through the realm as a whole? No. Now that I know where I am,” Histra says, “I can lead us to the exit of the labyrinth quickly enough. Most of its denizens will not dare to harm me or those in my company—with the exception of the yugoloth that has been loosed and seeks revenge. Branash will certainly be answering for that betrayal. And he will not dare to speak a falsehood to Lord Vasser when I confront him about it. Nothing else in the labyrinth along the path I would lead you will threaten us. The gulth-blights—vampiric, vine-like plants—even serve us, when we demand it. Branash understood all this, and by separating me from you, nearly ensured your demise. He knew you would not fare well unescorted. We have foiled that plan now, but it has left us spent.”

“This labyrinth, which is situated where the necropolis of Delera’s Watch is in Stormreach, is especially treacherous. When we leave its bounds, there will be other dangers but we will not be so confined and turned. Time is our real enemy, Lord Kalarian. If you choose to wait longer and regain your strength, you will face the real gloom of this world. Those with strong wills can stave off its effects for a short time. With every day that passes you risk losing more than your life. This plane is not meant for the living.”

"Very well, then, we're leaving," Kal says in a voice that allows no objections. "Unless there are objections?" he adds.

"Histra, can we rest for an hour or so? Just to catch our breaths. Then we will follow your lead."

[Dave W.]

Adamant still stands statue-like, but finally speaks. "I should be a good soldier and let my betters decide what to do from here. The gods know none of my choices have been wise in this place. I insisted on chasing after Tangat and I think it may have cost us Syrdan. I spent as much effort trying to save the spirit Nevathari and he nearly killed me... I thank the gods Belarin did not pay the price for that."

"So I should not speak," Adamant's voice still grinds, "but I think Kal is correct. We have failed in the grand strategy. We do not belong here; we should leave before we do."

Jun 12, 2015 9:57:11 GMT -4 Jeff said:

[Histra says]...with the exception of the yugoloth that has been loosed and seeks revenge. Branash will certainly be answering for that betrayal.

Adamant glances at Belarin and answers Histra. "That is not entirely his to answer for; unless you account that he put us in a place where desperate conditions encourage questionable decisions. It was my instance that we not leave Tangat behind that lead to the yugoloth's release. It was done in the name of a good cause but was horribly unwise. And, though I was in the ethereal other world when he left Belarin, I believe it was my failure there that lead Syrdan to take a different path."

"I will bear the weight of that."

---

Sorry Ken...

[Jeff]

Histra turns incredulous eyes on Adamant...then looks to Belarin expectantly. "The yugoloth...was your doing?"

[Jeff]

Adamant's admission to Histra here seems very on point as a paladin, a follower of a Lawful Good deity, and especially the persona Dave's created for him, so I'm rewarding Adamant with inspiration.

I've made a note of this in the DE Stats sheet on the first tab right to the right of where we track hit points. Adamant can use this inspiration anytime he's about to make a roll. It simply means he has advantage on that roll (can roll twice and use the higher result), or it can be used to negate a case of disadvantage.

[Brian]

In reply, Histra merely points to the corner room across the courtyard.

"Now I remember," Condign says wearily. "A guard room or something. Cot and chairs for several." He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "If we are afforded an hour or two to rest, I suggest we take it immediately. Time will pass too quickly as it is. If anyone needs me, or wishes to join me, I'll be there."

Turning, Condign limps across the courtyard toward the door Histra indicated.

[Ken]

Belarin looks grimly at Adamant. He turns back to Histra. “I didn’t know of his history with your family. I bartered with him – it’s what I do. He gave us directions out of the maze —“ he glances at Kal, “— and he gave us Tangat — in exchange for his freedom. We were on our way out ... and then he mentioned the ir’Serells. And he sensed YOU.”

He visibly sags. “I had a choice that wasn’t a choice. Lead Adamant and Syrdan toward the exit – or stop the nycaloth from getting to you. I chose the latter. And I failed miserably.” Despite all his efforts, tears fill his eyes. “I couldn’t catch up to the demon. I’d never felt so helpless or frustrated. And Syrdan….” He pauses to compose himself. “Syrdan is gone because he followed me. You were nearly killed because of me. I’m sorry, Histra.”

[Dave B.]

Shorak's skin crawls and he forces himself to not pick at the wounds.

Shorak steadies the weak and injured Condign. "Go rest. I'm sure most of us will be joining you, soon." Shorak then turns his attention to Histra and Belarin. He has a feeling this is going to be a very interesting confrontation.

[Jeff]

Histra’s face goes passive. She gives the party a cursory glance again before responding to him. “Do not defeat yourself before the Shadowfell does. Do not give it fodder.” She reaches into a pocket and withdraws a black, silken handkerchief and hands it to him.

Softer, she says. “From now on, I expect you to lie to me only if it keeps me from dying on a day that is not of my choosing. Do not lie to avoid offense, or for any other reason. Ever again. You have been careless and nearly broke your promise to me several times today alone. That is worse.”

“Is this the decision, then?” she asks Kal but clearly opens it to everyone. “Rest for an hour, then go?”

[Darren]

Kal nods, his eyes already half-closed and his hand absently scratching the ears of the sleeping dog beside him.

[Ken]

Jun 12, 2015 13:08:57 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Softer, she says. “From now on, I expect you to lie to me only if it keeps me from dying on a day that is not of my choosing. Do not lie to avoid offense, or for any other reason. Ever again. You have been careless and nearly broke your promise to me several times today alone. That is worse.”

Belarin wipes his face with the handkerchief and says softly, "Those nearly broken promises are something I'd like to take up with Branash... but your point is taken." He adds in a near-whisper, "Thank you."

[Dave B.]

"Well, I guess that's that, then." He moves to a corner of the room and sits with his back against the wall to rest for a bit.

[Jeff]

Watching Condign depart and seeing Shorak settle into a corner, Histra says, "Take your rest in the same place. Keep a close watch on the dog...and the child." She indicates Streko and his bundle. "I will have the guards bring cots into that room." She looks to where Condign has gone.

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks up at Histra. "Just when I was getting comfortable." He says with a smile. He rises up from the corner and follows after Condign. He pauses only to tap Adamant gently. "We're resting elsewhere, Adamant."

[Dave W.]

Adamant turns when Shorak taps him. "Thank you. I feel like bits of me might fall off between here and the next room. But let's chance it."

"I think we have stories to share, but rest first."

---

so can we assume an hour passes and we spend HD? We can spend as many as we need to right?

[Ken]

"A cot... would be welcome," says Belarin wearily to Histra. "You need rest as well."

[Joe]

Streko nods unhappily. "I would rather be fully rested before tackling anything else in this realm, but I understand your point. Between our obligations to helping the Sphinx and assisting Larest in his search, I often wonder what happens to our obligations to each other. Let's get what rest we can and leave this place." He follows the others, holding the child close.

[Jeff]

Jun 12, 2015 20:46:53 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

so can we assume an hour passes and we spend HD? We can spend as many as we need to right?

Not just yet! I'll let you know.

---

As you begin to work your way over the small corner room, Torcer tugs on Histra's sleeve, a very childlike gesture. "Histra, there is the other room. It's bigger. I don't remember what it's like to sleep but I think that would be a more comfortable place, wouldn't it?"

Histra nods. "I suppose it is, Torcer. Thank you."

Together the two ir'Serells lead you to the opposite side of the courtyard, through a door, and into a larger guard barracks chamber. Five beds, a table, a couple of chairs, and small chests under each bed. Three windows look out in the courtyard. Histra indicates the only other door in here, which obviously leads to another interior chamber of the keep. "Do not open that," she says simply, a command, a warning.

"We must talk soon," she says to Belarin as he settles by one of the beds. He notices she has not acknowledged any need for rest or sleep herself. "But rest first. I must speak with Torcer for a while."

Adamant finds a good corner to stand in, while the rest of you find this room to look like a wonderful, beautifully furnished and extremely luxurious—despite its actual austerity—compared to the last few hours. There are basins of water and racks on the wall for shields, weapons, and suits of armor.

Once you're settled in, you can see Histra speaking to the boy out in the courtyard. The skeleton sentries have mostly dispersed to their posts along the walls, with two standing guard over a portcullis gate just outside this room.

Map keeps updating, so do refresh a few times until it shows.

Remembner, a short rest doesn't have to mean sleeping (unless you want it to). "A short rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour long, during which a character does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, and tending to wounds."

I'll let you know when you can roll for hit dice results.

[Brian]

Condign sits heavily down upon the bed afforded him. He stares at his injury, the foul dog bite that is now a viable threat. He shifts around uncomfortably, and seems to consider removing his armor. "Hardly worth the time," he mutters. Instead he rises, hangs his shield on the wall, and places all weapons but his sword on the table nearby.

A few minutes later, Condign looks down at his belt, fingers the braid of hair that is always there, and lets out a deep and ragged sigh. Finally he looks around at his companions and settles his eyes on Shorak. Stepping over to his friend, he says, quietly, "Shorak, do you mind if we speak in private? Just for a few minutes. I know you need rest as well as I do." He points out the window. "Somewhere outside, I think."

[Darren]

Kal settles into a corner, his eyes down, quiet and withdrawn. The weight of failure hangs heavily on him.

[Dave B.]

Jun 13, 2015 9:38:45 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign sits heavily down upon the bed afforded him. He stares at his injury, the foul dog bite that is now a viable threat. He shifts around uncomfortably, and seems to consider removing his armor. "Hardly worth the time," he mutters. Instead he rises, hangs his shield on the wall, and places all weapons but his sword on the table nearby.

A few minutes later, Condign looks down at his belt, fingers the braid of hair that is always there, and lets out a deep and ragged sigh. Finally he looks around at his companions and settles his eyes on Shorak. Stepping over to his friend, he says, quietly, "Shorak, do you mind if we speak in private? Just for a few minutes. I know you need rest as well as I do." He points out the window. "Somewhere outside, I think."

Shorak lays down the piece of cloth that he was about to wet down and clean up some of his wounds with and turns towards Condign with a raised eyebrow. "Of course. Is everything all right?" He says as he follows Condign to the courtyard.