Chapter 17: Deep Reflections

[Darren]

Kal looks around for additional threats as the air from the banished creature washes over them. Then he moves quickly to Melethos, returning the wand to the straps around his leg, and embraces the tiefling. "Gods above, it is good to see you!" A wide grin on his face, he pulls back, and claps the man hard on the shoulder. "Damn good."

Still smiling, he assesses the newcomer. "If he was a friend of yours, by all means attend to him. And someone," he addresses the bearded mage they arrived with, "explain to me what the hell this place is and what's going on and where Captain Thul is and how we get back to our ship."

[Dave W.]

Adamant looks to his friends and says firmly, "She is under my protection," and then to the girl with equal firmness, "and we are all going to be polite with each other for now."

Oct 30, 2019 9:54:23 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Oct 30, 2019 9:35:28 GMT -4 Brian said:

"This one attacked us, and we defended ourselves.

"Familiar justification," the girls says. "It was not the Sulatar who invited you into the keep so that we could be slain. You led with the sword, forcing your way in, ...

"And as we discussed, I bear the blame for that. My action initiated that."

And back to his friends, "We heard battle, is that done now?" Adamant turns to the mage he does not recognize, "And… are you… Thul? This place can change a person but…"

[Jeff]

The young drow stares for a moment at Adamant, then she sheathes her sword and simply stands defensively. She says nothing more, merely waiting for the glowing sickle to be "dissipated," as Belarin requested.

The man with the staff shakes his head at Adamant's question. "I assume you are not all accounted for, then? I believe the other human in your party has already exited. The question is: are you finished here?"

 

[Brian]

Melethos returns Kal's embrace, then claps Belarin on the shoulder. "Yes," he says, "the battle is finished for the moment. The air stalkers appeared from the body of the elf assassin we killed." He indicates Shorak and himself. "And no, the old man ins't Thul. He's the penitent, or so Belarin says. As to what this cave is, I can only guess from my experience." He pauses. "I was offered another chance to save Jyoti and, once again, failed. I assumed it was a test of one's self, who you really are. Whether I passed or not, I'm not sure."

He blinks, then shakes himself out of his reverie. "We can go over our adventures later. We need to find Thul. Hopefully he still lives. And what to do about the petitioner." He looks at Belarin, Kal, and Streko. "Did you tell him of the dragon's request?"

______________________________________

Dammit, I can't seem to remember to type petitioner and not penitent. Jeff has nudged me a couple times about that. Thanks for setting me straight, Darren.

[Darren]

Kal nods. "We told the petitioner what the dragon seeks, but he does not seem to wish to leave the cave. Still....he may be convinced. He has come with us this far. I think we are currently in some kind of in-between place...like a lobby for those other visions. In any case, you are right. Later we will share what we learned. Now...." Kal turns back to the petitioner, "yes, I believe it is time for us to leave." Kal looks to the elf woman. "And you? Do you plan to come with us?"

[Elvis]

Thul makes the boat move... awkwardly.

It more or less drifts in the direction he intends to go, which is towards the front steps. With luck someone on the ship will find him. Or the bluefrog will. Either way, he's had it with this place.

Thul eyes the smokeimp. "What did tell you lot about touching my boat?"

[Joe]

Oct 30, 2019 9:34:44 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Well, that turned out well," says Belarin, rubbing his bruised ribs and looking down at the outline of frost on the ground. "It's dead," he says to his companions. "I think we're---"

And then he notices Adamant and the drow girl. His relief at seeing his warforged friend is tempered by the drow's obvious wariness. "Good Streko," he says without turning, "please dissipate your weapon."

Streko nods. "Done." He stops concentrating on the ghostly sickle and it fades away.

Streko walks over to Adamant and bows low. "I chose you, so that others might live. In my heart, I know I made the correct choice and would do so again without hesitation. It is good to see you again, my brother." He glances over at the Sulatar. "If you are, indeed, under Adamant's protection, then you are under mine as well," he says, his voice gentle and resolved.

To the Petitioner, Streko nods. "We are ready and, if you have changed your mind, your could still return with us. I do, however, understand your reluctance to do so and honor you for your new commitment to a better understanding our your being. I believe you could redeem yourself if you choose to do so. I will respect your wishes, though, and have faith that, wherever your path leads will be a better place for you. Thank you for bringing our family back together. Mostly." He smiles warmly and bows to the Petitioner.

[Dave B.]

Shorak nods knowingly at the drow girl. He opens his mouth to respond, then closes it. He just doesn't have the energy to argue with her. Hearing Adamant's statement of her being under his protection, he's glad he kept his peace. "Yes, let us leave this place. I hurt in so many places. I require rest and more healing if we are attacked before that rest happens." Shorak stows his weapons. "Streko, you should hold on to the potions. Thank you for the offer, though." With determination and a slight limp, Shorak makes his way out of the cave.

[Dave W.]

Oct 30, 2019 19:33:47 GMT -4 Joe said:

Streko walks over to Adamant and bows low. "I chose you, so that others might live. In my heart, I know I made the correct choice and would do so again without hesitation. It is good to see you again, my brother."

Adamant puts his hand on Streko’s shoulder, “You do me too much credit, my friend but it is a great relief to see you again. It is good to be all together though we need to find Thul…”

“If you are the Petitioner, sir,” Adamant turns to face the stranger, “perhaps this is yours?” he offers the pack.

[Joe]

Oct 30, 2019 20:59:04 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak nods knowingly at the drow girl. He opens his mouth to respond, then closes it. He just doesn't have the energy to argue with her. Hearing Adamant's statement of her being under his protection, he's glad he kept his peace. "Yes, let us leave this place. I hurt in so many places. I require rest and more healing if we are attacked before that rest happens." Shorak stows his weapons. "Streko, you should hold on to the potions. Thank you for the offer, though." With determination and a slight limp, Shorak makes his way out of the cave.

"Before you go," Streko says, taking hold of Shorak's arm, "allow me the opportunity to bless you with Olladra's gift of healing. It isn't much, but it will help."

A warm glow pulses from Streko's hand and into Shorak's body.

After the healing, Streko takes the potions and places them in his handy haversack.

He then makes his way to Belarin. "Hold still," he says, placing his hands over Belarin's heart and speaking Olladra's name. Again, warm, orange light radiates from the Halfling's hands and into Belarin who might notice Streko beginning to sweat.

"There you go. Not so wounded as we were led to believe. Not any more, in any case. Now, perhaps we can leave, head back to the ship and sleep peacefully for a few days, without interruption or near-death experience. That would be nice."

He smiles, the gregarious Streko of old appearing briefly.

_________________________________________________________

Streko casts Cure Wounds on Shorak. Cure Wounds on Shorak = 10 h.p.
Streko casts Cure Wounds on Belarin. Cure Wounds on Belarin = 12 h.p.

[Dave B.]

"Thank you again, Streko. Every little bit helps." Shorak continues out of the cave, his limp now less pronounced.

[Ken]

"Thank you, Good Streko," says Belarin, who sees Streko react in surprise as he touches the warlock's ice-cold skin. "Sorry... although it looks like you could do with some cool air."

He says to the Petitioner, "Yes, there is one of us unaccounted for. Let's see if he's outside the cave." Belarin moves forward, but he won't step outside without Melethos or Adamant taking the lead.

______________

Thanks, Joe. Note to Jeff: Belarin is maintaining Soulsorrow's Armor.

[Brian]

"Thul may have rubbed us raw at time," Melethos says, and turns to address Kal. "But I don't want to see him dead. What are your orders?"

[Jeff]

Thul

Oct 30, 2019 17:36:44 GMT -4 Elvis said:

Thul eyes the smokeimp. "What did tell you lot about touching my boat?"

The mephit shakes its smoky head, then taps the boat beneath it with sharp nails. It then lifts both hands to the side of its face and mimes having pointy ears (which it has anyway). It says something in its language.

Meanwhile, the boat drifts just underneath the fire-stream—uncomfortably close, for this is where the stream arcs downward before flowing upward while widening. The heat instantly makes Thul sweat.

But then he starts to enter the lagoon on the front side of the keep again and can just make out the bowsprit of the Dragonfly around the bend.

He even spots Sem standing on one of the floating azer-platforms above. Calling out to the other ship. Thul can just make out the voice of Starg, but can't hear what either of them has been saying.

[Jeff]

Belarin, Kal, Melethos, Shorak, Streko only

When the sickle vanishes, the drow girl moves to the fallen dark elf, kneels, and places both hands upon his body. She doesn't check for a pulse. The pool of blood is sufficient. She lowers her head and closes her eyes.

Oct 30, 2019 19:33:47 GMT -4 Joe said:

To the Petitioner, Streko nods. "We are ready and, if you have changed your mind, your could still return with us. I do, however, understand your reluctance to do so and honor you for your new commitment to a better understanding our your being. I believe you could redeem yourself if you choose to do so. I will respect your wishes, though, and have faith that, wherever your path leads will be a better place for you. Thank you for bringing our family back together. Mostly." He smiles warmly and bows to the Petitioner.

The man with the staff listens as you speak with one another and as Streko casts his healing spells. He says nothing, just observes with keen, aged eyes. When Streko speaks to him, he draws in a deep breath and shakes his head. "My path," he says slowly, "is here. I will travel nowhere else."

Oct 30, 2019 23:00:44 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

“If you are the Petitioner, sir,” Adamant turns to face the stranger, “perhaps this is yours?” he offers the pack.

When Adamant offers the pack, the mage frowns. "That....belongs to my previous existence. Take it with you, if you wish. What does your dragon require of you?"

When Shorak starts towards the exit, it finds that the ground has no ice anymore, and that the darkness concealing the exit does not push back when he moves towards it with his everburning torch.

[Elvis]

Thul interprets the smokeimps meaning and nods. "Maybe so." He says, "But maybe I'll split you in half anyway..."

Thul considers it, but he's far too tired to even make a show of it.

"Hey, Professor!" Thul calls out to the gnome so he can be heard above the roaring fire.

[Darren]

Kal frowns, almost like a grimace. "Okay, we'll take the pack with us. The dragon just wanted proof that we had found you, and we have. If you will not come with us, so be it. I think there is a great deal you could learn from him, though. You could use the knowledge you have gained in here and understand it better, work with the dragon to improve things," Kal jerks a thumb towards the exit, "out there." Kalarian sighs. "But we will not force you. We could not if we wanted to. So, if you will not join us, kindly explain to us how we can return and we will be on our way."

Again, Kalarian looks down at the elf woman and repeats his unanswered question, "Will you join us or will you remain here?"

[Dave W.]

Adamant nods to the stranger and pulls the offered pack back onto his back. He also re-slings his shield to his back.

When Kal asks for an explaination on how to return, Adamant adds with soft disappoinment, "Oh. I though we were out."

Adamant looks to the drow girl and her fallen compatriot. "I believe she will come with us. We have one more thing to resolve between us."

He moves next to her, "Do you need help carrying the remains? Despite the opinions I shared with you, I would be respectful."

[Brian]

"I thought the dragon wanted the petitioner's remains and possessions?" Melethos says. "But that was to secure his dragon's help with the gate. We don't need that now. Leaving the man here if that's his desire..." Melethos shrugs. "Who are we to tell him how to live his life?

[Darren]

Nov 1, 2019 11:37:48 GMT -4 Brian said:

"I thought the dragon wanted the petitioner's remains and possessions?" Melethos says. "But that was to secure his dragon's help with the gate. We don't need that now. Leaving the man here if that's his desire..." Melethos shrugs. "Who are we to tell him how to live his life?

"Precisely," says Kal. "We have his pack," Kal nods his thanks at the petitioner, "and that will have to suffice."

[Ken]

"His remains?" repeats Belarin, a grimace on his face.

He looks at the Petitioner. "Nothing so grim, sorry. What the dragon really wants is your insights, sir. Your knowledge of the Traveler's Needle. As you've explored the different potentials, what have you learned about it?"

[Jeff]

"Yes, please." The drow girl rises again, giving Adamant space.

Nov 1, 2019 12:53:11 GMT -4 Ken said:

"What the dragon really wants is your insights, sir. Your knowledge of the Traveler's Needle. As you've explored the different potentials, what have you learned about it?"

The mage looks at Belarin. "Much. But I have left that pursuit behind. He can have the Needle for himself, if that is his desire. What it would have given me I no longer desire."

Then he looks Melethos. "You called this cave a test. It is not. It does not care about you, or me. But it does, by its nature, reflect far more than your physical image, as I assume you have all already discovered. Many things that intersect with Kythri from our world joins with the chaos of the plane, and some of it it eddies into places like the Cave of Possibility. Where lives can be shattered like a broken mirror and then made anew. Then there are the things that visitors bring with them—knowledge, power, secrets, skills, arcana. Experience. Truth and lies. It collects all things, this cave, and when the minds of its visitors require it, it uses that raw material to build what it must. Even to reshape those visitors. If they desire it.

"I am myself remade because I willed the change. I needed it."

The drow girl is paying close attention to the mage now. She looks at herself, her armor and sword, which resembles no Sulatar's.

The mage goes on. "Some embrace their alternate selves...and finally choose one. If they are settled upon it, they can leave again, remade. The world they return to will not changed, but they have. Some embrace a change, but are not yet certain yet. This seems to be the case for all of you." He looks around. "But you are nearly there. Every one of you is already on the path back."

"Vengeance is all Korv wanted," the drow girl says, looking down at the body of her former Sulatar clansman. "We talked of escaping you." She looks at Adamant. "But he wanted to return and bring more warriors, to finish you. When we disagreed, I entered this cave. He must have followed soon after."

There is a long silence. Then the mage clears his throat and looks at Kal. "No, I do not wish to leave and speak with your dragon friend. That is a part of the life I left behind. I will see you safely to the exit of this place, if you are resolved, but I'm afraid you'll have to do without my 'remains.' I did not die in here. Perhaps I will yet. Not today."

He tries to smile, but it's a tired attempt.

"To leave, as one, you must all be of the same mind. The same purpose. I suggest you agree to concentrate your will on the same place or person—as you did with the tiefling. Think of a common acquaintance you wish to return to. Agree on it."

[Ken]

Belarin shifts uncomfortably as the mage speaks. "I did embrace an element of change from my journey. I hope I can hold on to it." Then he says, "Not to belabor the point, but could you tell us something that we can relay to the dragon about the Needle's function? Anything that would enable him to better explore its abilities? It would help us in our own quests."

[Brian]

Melethos starts at the old man's words. As you did with the tiefling...

They'd thought of him?

"You hold power indeed," he tells the Petitioner. "You knew what they were doing, what they were saying. Your sight isn't bound to this plane." He shakes his head. "Something tells me we couldn't force you from this cave, not if you didn't want to go." Smiling, he adds,. "Perhaps we will meet again some day."

He sheaths his sword. "I suggest we think of Sem. I'd prefer Histra, but I'm not sure where we would end up." He turns to Belarin. "Unless that's where you'd like to go?"

[Joe]

"I agree that Sem is a good focus. However, if the girl wishes to join us out of this cave, we might have to choose someone she knows. Thul would be my choice as a focus. I believe she has seen him and knows of him, although in the heat of the fighting, who knows who saw what? Or, perhaps, she can leave on her own, with the Petitioner's assistance."

[Dave W.]

Adamant kneels down and carefully folds the arms of the dead drow across its chest. Gently he pulls the body off the ground and cradles it.

He addressees the group, “I was going to suggest Thul, but for another reason. I know he would invent new uses of ‘fek’ to hear me say it, but I am worried for him. I would like to join him as directly as possible.”

[Jeff]

Thul

Nov 1, 2019 8:12:50 GMT -4 Elvis said:

Thul interprets the smokeimps meaning and nods. "Maybe so." He says, "But maybe I'll split you in half anyway..."

Thul considers it, but he's far too tired to even make a show of it.

"Hey, Professor!" Thul calls out to the gnome so he can be heard above the roaring fire.

Sem whirls around and looks down. "Starg'll get the rope. Just get over to the ship, Captain!"

The mephit just watches Thul and titters a few times.

[Elvis]

"Any sign of the others?" He asks the gnome as he tries to move the boat towards the ship.

[Jeff]

Belarin, Kal, Melethos, Shorak, Streko only

Nov 1, 2019 17:39:36 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Not to belabor the point, but could you tell us something that we can relay to the dragon about the Needle's function? Anything that would enable him to better explore its abilities? It would help us in our own quests."

The mage stares hard at him, then says something in what Belarin assumes is Draconic. And Belarin is dismayed to find that the Tongues spell cast upon him earlier appears to be in effect no longer. Has it been more than an hour? It must have.

The mage shakes his head. "You would need to have been a petitioner yourself for a time, to make sense of anything I would tell you. I cannot in a few words say anything your dragon has not already discovered."

Nov 1, 2019 19:24:51 GMT -4 Joe said:

"I agree that Sem is a good focus. However, if the girl wishes to join us out of this cave, we might have to choose someone she knows. Thul would be my choice as a focus. I believe she has seen him and knows of him, although in the heat of the fighting, who knows who saw what? Or, perhaps, she can leave on her own, with the Petitioner's assistance."

The drow girl looks at Shoark, then Adamant. "Think if your companion. I will find my own way out."

"I will aid you," the mage says to her. "She will exit after the rest of you, if I can make it so."

It seems you all only have to agree on the same focus.

[Jeff]

Nov 2, 2019 11:35:50 GMT -4 Elvis said:

"Any sign of the others?" He asks the gnome as he tries to move the boat towards the ship.

"No," Sem replies. "You're the only one. What happened in there?"

He shakes his head. "Wait, maybe let's stay quiet until your'e back here." He looks around, as if expecting some new attack.