Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Dave W.]

Jul 8, 2015 15:49:34 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin raises an eyebrow. "Could he be... yes, he could be scrying! Using the water as a medium." He looks reassuringly at the others. "Let's face it, if a spirit were trying to tempt us, a pacifist minotaur would be a terrible choice."

His dagger at the ready, he takes several steps forward and - waiting for Adamant - crouches several feet away from the small pool's edge. "Starg?" he says.

Adamant reflexively steps forward to stay by Belarin's side; still convinced that the human will be the target of any planned attack.

"A terrible choice... but not an impossible one. I am weary from the caution this place demands." The warforged pulls his shield to his left arm and moves so that a simple action will put the shield in front of his friend. He remains Adamant enough that he still does not yet draw his weapon however.

---

Nice Ken... you knew Adamant would follow...

[Darren]

Kal follows cautiously behind the crazy warlock. "Starg, it's Kalarian," he says. "Can you hear us?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak holds back, but tightens his grip on his sword. "I hope this is not some kind of trick." He stays close to Condign to await the outcome of this new development.

[Joe]

Streko wipes yet another tear from his eye. They seem to be escaping more often of late. The song Kalarian sings is not only beautiful, but poignant. Then, the voice interrupts any further thought on the matter.

"We were told not to have any interaction with anything in this place, including voices that may or may not be scrying from ponds that may or may not be real ponds. If it IS Starg, we will be able to contact him soon enough upon or exit from this place. If it isn't, we may not have the opportunity TO exit this place. Please come back and let us wait for Histra so we can leave."

Streko's voice is edgy and filled with the tremblings of fear. He knows it, cannot change it, and continues his deep breathing exercises, hoping the witch will hurry up.

[Brian]

Hearing Belarin speak, Condign turns and watches the warlock approach the pool. "That Starg would scry at this precise time," he says to no one in particular, "with this much accuracy, and ultimately reach us, stretches coincidence almost to the point of breaking. I am wary of this new trick. I do not like it." He gestures at the pool with his sword. "Please be careful."

[Jeff]

When he approaches the water, Belarins sees it moving a little bit in the same way a heavy vibration, or the stride of nearby giants, might make it ripple. There, in the imperfect reflection, he sees the figure of Starg on the opposite side of the water, upside down. The minotaur is kneeling, his empty hands raised as if ready to do something with them. The ripples make his shape distorted so Belarin can’t get a clear look.

“Belarin,” the voice says, still sounding quiet as though he’s much farther away than he appears. “Is that you? I have seen other spirits through this water. I hope you are not a spirit. But I had not heard singing until now.”

[Ken]

"Yes, it's me, Starg," says Belarin happily. "Who knew Kalarian's mouth would come in handy, yes?" More somberly, he adds, "We've had problems here. Branash ir'Serell sabotaged our travel. Has Larest told you?"

[Jeff]

“I do not know who Branash is. He or she is kindred to the lady Histra? I hope her family has not turned against you."

[Darren]

Kal looks suspiciously at the water and holds up a hand to Belarin. "Starg, what color shirt was Larest wearing the last time we were together?"

[Jeff]

The reflection of Starg pauses to consider. Then he shakes his head. "I do not recall colors as well as shapes and passageways." He pauses again. "The human child, Rinti, has taken to carrying the dagger you gave her openly in hand. I did not disagree. This cemetery is unsettling at times."

Just then, Histra appears in the doorway at the top of the small bridge. "Belarin, come."

[Dave W.]

Jul 10, 2015 7:20:02 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Just then, Histra appears in the doorway at the top of the small bridge. "Belarin, come."

Adamant looks to Belarin, "Do you wish me to accompany you? Or would you rather be alone with Histra?"

[Ken]

Belarin looks at Adamant, searching for a trace of a pun, then he smiles slightly and shakes his head. "No need, thanks." He gets out of his crouch. "I'll be right back."

He walks towards Histra, newly aware of how much SHE has suffered on this dark escapade. "Yes?" he says softly. "A new problem?"

[Brian]

Intrigued despite his caution, Condign wanders over to the pool. Starg's face appears to float just under the water's surface, the ripples causing his hirsute features to move as if blown by a gentle breeze. The minotaur seems to be the one he knew....

"He speaks of Rinti," Condign whispers to Kal. "That is information no spirit in this realm would have."

[Dave B.]

Shorak moves to a position halfway between the pool and Histra. "Still, I don't like this any more than what we have already experienced." He looks towards HIstra and watches as Belarin approaches her.

[Darren]

Jul 10, 2015 13:14:09 GMT -4 Brian said:

Intrigued despite his caution, Condign wanders over to the pool. Starg's face appears to float just under the water's surface, the ripples causing his hirsute features to move as if blown by a gentle breeze. The minotaur seems to be the one he knew....

"He speaks of Rinti," Condign whispers to Kal. "That is information no spirit in this realm would have."

"Unless they can read our thoughts, somehow," Kal says. "I'm not sure *I* even know what color shirt Larest was wearing..."

[Brian]

Jul 10, 2015 14:06:36 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Unless they can read our thoughts, somehow," Kal says. "I'm not sure *I* even know what color shirt Larest was wearing..."

"Our minds are closed to them," Condign says, his expression unreadable. "Trust me. I know."

[Dave W.]

Jul 10, 2015 12:23:24 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin looks at Adamant, searching for a trace of a pun, then he smiles slightly and shakes his head. "No need, thanks." He gets out of his crouch. "I'll be right back."

"Well, if you need protection, call out" Adamant replies as Belarin walks away.

As Condign moves up, Adamant tries to hide his concern for his friends condition, but perhaps stares a bit too long.

When Kal admits that he doesn't remember the answer to his challenge, Adamant emits what starts as the warm, bright peal of a bell but quickly breaks up to be more of a bark. "Well, we should probably ask questions we know the answer to."

"Perhaps, Strag, is there a way for you to include Rinit in the image in the pond? I would feel better seeing two independant images? I think that would be harder for a spirit to do... oh, but warn her that we are... damaged."

---

Puns? Neither Adamant nor Dave are familiar with puns...

[Jeff]

"Perhaps, Strag, is there a way for you to include Rinit in the image in the pond? I would feel better seeing two independant images? I think that would be harder for a spirit to do... oh, but warn her that we are... damaged."

"Adamant," Starg, or the Starg-image, says. "You do not sound well. Or perhaps it is merely your speech was has been compromised?" He pauses. "Rinti is not her with me to present. I am alone here. The others have left Respite to seek the first riddle's clue."

Histra disappears within the building, and Belarin follows.

---

Ken, I'll post in the private thread.

[Brian]

Condign gazes at the image of Starg. His brow furrows. "I am sorry, my friend," he says, "but I must be sure. What is the name of the ship we sailed on to Stormreach, and what is the name of her captain?"

[Jeff]

"The Merrow Down. Captain Morsha. What has happened to you?"

[Dave W.]

"We were betrayed. Histra's cousin, Branash, disrupted the ritual to send us here. We have all had hard fights... that is why my voice is broken... I have been mostly repaired, others are more severely damaged still. Oh, but I may have died. I'm still uncertain." Adamant replies to the image.

"Rinti is not with you, but she is safe? It is important that you be careful interacting with the ir'Serrels. One of them has made an attempt on us... I do not know who among them is of a similar mind."

[Darren]

Kal steps forward. "Everything Adamant says is true," he says. "You should be on your guard around the ir'Serrells. The only one who has earned our trust is Histra." Kalarian's voice grows quiet. "We have failed. We are making an effort to return now. The sphinx's mate will not be found. At least, not by us. Not today."

[Dave B.]

The mention of the Merrow Down and Captain Morsha brings a smile of fondness to Shorak's face, one of many reasons to make it out of this realm alive.

He looks back to where Histra and Belarin have gone, growing just a bit anxious for them to return.

Looking back towards the pond he asks, "Starg, is there any way you might be able to assist us?"

[Jeff]

Upside-down Starg shakes his head. “My magic is the study of spatial energy, and at times relocation. But it does not cross planar boundaries. My people do not venture to leave this world. We consider it foolish to do so.”

“Why is it you cannot come back the same way you departed?” He pauses. “How are your minds? Adamant’s seems to be upset. Do you recall all the events of Stormreach?”

[Brian]

"We recall much," Condign says. "Perhaps all. It is impossible to tell without being questioned. Know for now that Branash has barred our way back The lady Histra is attempting another route home." The tiefling shrugs. "Hopefully, she will succeed. As to what has happened, that will have to wait. I will tell you that we lost Syrdan. He will not be returning."

[Jeff]

Jul 16, 2015 7:22:59 GMT -4 Brian said:

"We recall much," Condign says. "Perhaps all. It is impossible to tell without being questioned. Know for now that Branash has barred our way back The lady Histra is attempting another route home." The tiefling shrugs. "Hopefully, she will succeed. As to what has happened, that will have to wait. I will tell you that we lost Syrdan. He will not be returning."

Starg’s upside down image looks immediately crestfallen. “I am grieved to hear this.”

He looks away and pauses a long time, even bows his large horn-crowned head, though you’ve never seen him pray before. “As the hours have elapsed, I did re-unite with Larest, and Sem Darlesh, and Rinti as we had agreed. They were concerned for your fate but Sem says he has a riddle to work on. I will join them soon. And I will inform Larest about this.”

Just then Histra and Belarin emerge from the building. Histra now has a haversack slung over one shoulder. She looks where some of you have gathered around the pool of water. “Is...that Starg?” she asks, quite surprised, but also sounding dismayed.

[Darren]

"It is," Kal answers. "Or, at least, we assume it is. He's given us no reason to believe it's not." Kal turns back to the image. "Starg, stay safe. Watch out for any ir'Serrell who isn't Histra. We'll reunite with you soon." With a nod and a slight grin to Histra, Kal says, "Whenever you are ready, my lady."

[Jeff]

Histra stoops, takes up a palm-sized rock from the ground, and steps over to the pool of water. “Starg, inform Larest that we will be delayed. I’m sorry, no more words.” With that she tosses the stone into the water and the new, larger ripples scatter the minotaur’s image. When they begin to settle again, there is no sign of him in the water’s reflection.

Histra looks up at the group. “These are not safe waters to tamper with, even where they offer windows between the planes. The Shadowfell is a dark reflection of Eberron. The waters of these pools and streams feed into the bay...which here is a more dangerous place than in Stormreach. Dolurrh’s version of the Thunder Sea is even less hospitable than the land.”

The necromancer’s tone is almost scolding, but she dismisses it with a wave of her hand and moves on. “Let’s go. I have some supplies. I will dole them out as we walk.”

[Darren]

Kal bites his lip to keep from saying anything, then follows behind Histra.

[Ken]

Belarin asks his friends as they walk, "Anything important from Starg? Are Larest, Rinti, and the others safe?"