Darzoni/CampaignsReflectionsS9
Session 9 of Reflections.
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When last we left our heroes, Hulen had asked his allies to gather up some firmin needles for him and was himself picking up the scattered floor papers and reading them.
There is a reference to 50 shards of Solars of the past, and the Ebon Dragon's new bride, taken five years ago.
And a 'wedding guard'.
Hulen says, "...well then. I think we're in a bit of trouble, here."
Hulen says, "More than a bit, really."
Hulen says, "Rather more, as a matter of fact."
Hulen says, "In fact, it might be reasonable to say that we really couldn't be in more trouble if the Realm were outside."
There are also references to a day when the Malfeans and Yozis will break free and bring Heaven crashing down upon the Realm, and the end of Creation.
'And the Sun shall be cast down from the sky, ending the Oaths sworn. A Great Host of the Dead will arise from the Shadows and march upon Creation. The shackles upon the Yozi shall be shrugged aside and then Heaven itself will be brought to ruin.'
Sarlk is busying himself while the other folks are doing paperwork and other brain-intensive activities to look around and 'admire' the decoration of this ABODE OF TOTAL EVIL. And watching over that was-be sacrifice.
Hulen reads the last bit. And again. And another time. And then walks over to Staren
"...right. You're the servant of Fate. You read this, tell me if it has validity."
Staren looks at it. And ponders how to avoid telling them that those outside of fate can't be predicted.
Staren says, "Well, I'm sure they're trying to find a way to make it come true."
Hulen says, "So it's not actually fated, but they're trying to fulfill it?"
Staren sighs. "Demons are not part of creation, and thus not fated to do anything."
Hulen says, "...oh. So you don't actually know how likely this is to come true?"
Sarlk begins...whistling. Happily. Kinda a contrast if you consider where they are currently. Which is a series of rough hewn caverns with murals of the Ebon Dragon in all his forms around the place.
Staren nods. "Correct."
Incidentally, the notes also indicate that several thousand magically encased firimin were shipped to the Blessed Isle.
Hulen sighs.
"Lovely. Absolutely wonderful. This is just so excellent I'm beginning to be sick."
He sighs again, and looks around.
"And...ah. So /that's/ what the eggs were. Wonderful. So. I think we've seen all we need to in this pit of despair...we should go back."
Incidentally, the enchantment will wear off in five years.
Sarlk keep whistling happily to himself, looking over the gruesome murals, still waiting for a word from the others.
Meanwhile, back at stately Gaze of the Unconquered Manse... There's a celebration on. Something about a midwinter festival.
Staren says, "A festival..."
Hulen says, "Interesting. I didn't know that we had a midwinter festival."
Sarlk, who has been whistling for the /whole godamned way back/, sports a bright and happy face as they reach the Manse and the surrounding village, at the mention of festival. "'Eeeeeeeey, that's awesome!" He let out, "We should take sum part in it."
Staren assumes it's a regular 'midwinter festival' until she gets details. "Why don'twe go?"
Hulen says, "...sure, why not. Maybe they'll have some interesting things for sale."
The villagers have gathered around the river, the children with small toy boats made of leaves in their hands, with lit candles in them. They begin setting them in the current as the adults sing.
The Dawn Solar is watching the 'ceremony' happen, still as relaxed as he was...for a long while. Maybe that whole session of ass kicking made him some good!
Then the entire town heads towards the Manse, where Damon waits, escorting them down into the Freehold...
Hulen blinks. Uh, what? Freehold? Um...yeah. He follows, if only to find out what the hell is actually /happening/ here.
Staren has been to the freehold before. No big deal.
Here, it seems, is the -real- festival. Here, the entire village of fae-bloods can practice the arts of their more Wyld selves. Here, they have spun fantastic fabrics of impossibility and dreams. Here the children ride on small ponies made of gems and play games. Dragons of liquid silver give wheeling rides through the sky.
Staren is surprised by this and looks about in wonder.
Hulen just...stares.
"...oh."
He's just about out of Surprise today. Try again after he hasn't recently had revelations about demonic plots.
A gaggle of teenage girls run up to Sarlk. "Hello..." They seem shy, bashful around the warrior... maybe they have a crush on the big guy. One holds out a flower made of shimmering glass. "Would you like a flower?"
Meanwhile, a young man approaches Staren. "Hello, I've seen you about the Temple..." He gestures to the circle of otherworldly dancers. "Would you care to dance?"
Staren isn't used to socializing much. "Um... sure. I haven't really danced much before though, can you teach me?"
"Oh, it's easier here, just let your soul be free!" The young man says, leading Staren to the dancing circle. "All you have to do is keep ahold of your partner's hand."
Hulen turns to the nearest bush (what? It's a Freehold!). "Explain what's going on, please."
A -thing- in the bush peers out. "What? They're all descended from Damon, so this is as much theirs as hers. Sheesh, I can't even get a good night's sleep with you Exalts around..." The thing in the bush ambles off... with the bush in tow.
Okay. So he was right. This placeDarzoni/IS/ made out of insanity. Maybe they should get out of heeeeeee--Too late.
Sarlk blinks and look down at the gaggle of girls, then at the flower. "...That's a nice flower." he says, "Where did you get it?...And more importantly, what's going on?"
Hulen nods.
"Oh. Thank you."
He stares, bemused, at the celebration for a while.
"...wait, they're all descended from her? What?"
Staren nods, "Okay!" She holds on tight and tries to let her soul be free... hopefully not so free someone eats it.
"I made it from gossamer... The Lady of the Temple showed me how." the girl says. "It's the festival of Air!" the girls giggle.
Big Yen is here too with his family, looking around in wonderment. "I have never seen such wonders in my life!"
Sarlk's students bug him... "Master... what's going on?"
Staren does indeed find it easy to dance to the music.
Staren-ohki looks for some animals to dance with, or,failing that, takes humanoid form and dances with the humans.
Hulen is watching everyone, currently, on the sidelines. He's not much of a joiner. Which means if Staren-ohki turns humanoid, he'll notice. so? He already knew she was a creature of the wild.
"Festival of the Air." Sarlk repeates, then slowly turning toward his students. Din't...the fae saide that this place was her home? Of course, it's all make senses now...they all have the same blue eyes. Unnatural eyes.
"Is not...a place like this dangerous?" He asks the little girls, peering at the 'gossamer' flower. "And where is the Lady?"
"It's not dangerous if you stay around here." The girls point to where a particularly spectacular show is going on in a large circle with many small children paying attention. Storytime, yay! "There's the Lady."
A small band of gremlin-looking things marches by, tossing out sweet treats for the adults and children alike, with an alluring song playing.
The Dawn Caste Solar mmmm to himself, turning his attention toward the gathering...then to his students, head tilted. "If you really wish, you may stay around, but only remain in this area like this cute young lady saide." Sarlk says, turning his attention back to the 'storytime'.
Staren says, "Did I hear someone mention storytime? I'm fond of stories..."
Staren has a pleasant dance with the young man. The song finishes up, and he bows. "Thank you for the dance, madam."
Hulen walks over to the 'storytime' area. I mean, it'd be interesting, at least. And the bush was gone, so he couldn't talk to it any more.
Staren smiles and curtseys, "Thank _you_, sir." And goes to see what storytime is about.
The story is a big show put on by Damon, with living pictures too. It shows a warstrider smashing into a building in the old First Age Jade-Upon-The-River, thrown by a really big and nasty looking Warstrider with a shining gold aura around it, recognizable as what Sarlk's anima banner would be should it ever become iconic. Below, a small army of dragon-bloods charge a small group of Solars with spears, daiklaves, and encased in power armor, animas flaring brlightly.
In general, it shows an epic battle between a handful of mighty Solars and a Legion of Dragon-blooded.
Hulen watches, hoping that this will, perhaps, trigger some memories. I mean, that /looks/ like Sarlk's anima banner - even though the only time he's seen that was in a past life, so far.
