Session 103

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This session was played on March 1, 2019.

## Transcript- Seiryleigh

1:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: It's early when Ryleigh finally decides she can't lay there anymore. She gets up and quietly opens the door to the hallway, making her way to the room that Seir disappeared into last night. Raising her hand, Ryleigh freezes, uncertain if she should knock or just leave. She takes a deep breath, grits her teeth, and knocks on the door.

[1:26 PM] DM: After several seconds, the door opens to reveal a messy-haired dwarf. She blinks up at Ryleigh for a few moments. "Somethin' wrong, Ryleigh?"

[1:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh bites her lip, her brows furrow. "Uh, no... well, not really. I was hoping to talk to Seirixori before everyone else wakes."

[1:30 PM] DM: She chuckles a bit and opens the door a bit wider. "Good luck with that. She's slow as *ka'mocco* wakin' up."

[1:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Rukiya's not a morning person either," Ryleigh half chuckles, walking into the room. She hesitates for a moment, then takes a seat next to the lump in the bed.

[1:35 PM] DM: Gunnloda starts pulling her gear together (and tosses some stuff up onto the bed next to Seir) and pulling her hair into some semblance of a braid, mostly keeping out of the way.

[1:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh reaches out and runs her hand through Seir's hair. "Seirixori," she says quietly. "*Homashoc*, I know it's early."

[1:38 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't react at first, but a moment later she groans and grabs the covers to pull over her face. There's a slightly muffled and very whiny, "Noooooo."

[1:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: A smile pulls at Ryleigh's lips. "I'm sorry for needing to wake you, but... I've been up most of the night thinking." She stops, realizing Seir is probably not listening because she's still half asleep. So she starts to sing the song she gave Seir for her birthday, hoping it'll bring her into consciousness.

[1:50 PM] Seirixori: "No, that's mean." Seir whines again. It takes her until half the song for her to pull the covers back down. "Ryyleeeeeigh."

[1:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Good morning, *homashoc*," Ryleigh says softly, running her hand through Seir's hair again.

[1:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Are you awake?... I need to talk to you before I talk to everyone else."

[2:00 PM] Seirixori: "I guess so," Seir mumbles, blinking away the sleep, or trying to. Finally she just sits up, ignoring the covers, and of course, completely naked. She blindly reaches for the clothes Gunnloda threw on the bed, grabs the first thing and just sets it on her head. "What is't?"

[2:03 PM] DM: Finished getting her armor on, Gunnloda chuckles and reaches over, touching Seir's foot. A pulse of healing energy flows through her. "M'gonna go find some place t'pray, darlin'. I'll be downstairs when you're ready."

[2:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir kind of sags in relief as the pain in her head stops and she grins a little goofily, "'kay. Love you, bye."

[2:07 PM] DM: "*He na'pyi nimhe, sor'odko*." Then she leaves.

[2:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Once the door closes, Ryleigh takes a deep breath. "I can't..." she stops, correcting herself. "I don't want to do this alone."

[2:13 PM] Seirixori: "You don't have to." Seir's brows furrow and she rubs her eyes, she reaches out to take Ryleigh's hand. "...Um but what exactly?"

[2:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Outside of Ascus, I'm decisive... and I know you trust my decisions." Ryleigh squeezes Seir's hand. "But when I make decisions here, in Ascus, the people I love die."

[2:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns, "... I'm sure if I had a brain right now I would tell you that's silly... but I have no idea what time it is, but it's early?" Her eyes kind of glaze over for a few seconds before she focuses again. "Sorry, uh, ok you want help deciding things?"

[2:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: When Seir's eyes focus on her, Ryleigh looks tired, like she's been up most of the night. "Yes," she breathes, looking away from Seir's eyes, her brows pulling together as she does. "We can't afford for me to second guess myself... or my insecurities will get everyone killed. I trust you and I'm asking for your help with this. I need you to make decisions for the group if I'm unable too."

[2:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir, still slowly waking up, doesn't stop her face from going through a myriad of expressions. "Wh-what? But, I mean, I-" She shakes her head, "But they don't listen to me as it is."

[2:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: The vulnerability in Ryleigh's expression vanishes. She pulls her hand from Seir's and stands from the bed. "I'm sorry for asking... I shouldn't... This is my burden to bear, it's the position I put myself in." She looks back at Seir, intentionally softening her voice, "I know it hurts you when they don't listen... I'm sorry, I'm asking for too much from you again, *homashoc*."

[3:03 PM] Seirixori: "What? Wait- no, don't," Seir moves to stand as well and instead gets tangled in the blankets and falls to the floor. She groans, more out of annoyance than pain. "Fuck." She tries to get up but it takes more energy than she cares to use right this second, "Don't-- burden my ass. Stop making decisions for me! All of you!" She grumbles from the floor, struggling again, "Just because-- just because everything is shit and it's all happening at the same fucking time, doesn't mean you're asking for too much! I get to decide when it's too much! and you know what!?"

[3:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh kneels down to help untangle Seir, despite looking hurt by her words.

[3:14 PM] Seirixori: She gets so frustrated that she starts to try and burn the sheet just to get it off, "Fucking, gods damn, I hate fabric!" Seir wrestles with the sheets more, only stopping slightly as Ry tries to help. When most of it is out of the way she stands, breathing heavily from her struggles and anger, hair a mess. "Everything is too much! My mama is alive but doesn't remember me, <redacted> my stupid mother or whatever the fuck she is, is one of the most frustrating people I know and you're all going to leave me well before I even get anywhere near mid-life and knowing that I still want to continue getting stronger as a druid--" She throws up her arms, "But I don't care because I want to help! I want to help you, and them, and everyone. So let me." She starts calming down and with a final deep breath she exhales a soft, "Please."

[3:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh doesn't immediately answer. She stands there a little awkwardly, staring at the ground, and shifting her weight. "See..." her tone sounding lost "...I can't even make up my mind about asking you for help."

[3:23 PM] Seirixori: Her face is red, partially from the exertion and slightly embarrassed at her outburst, "Then I'll make the first decision, now. Because now you're not asking, I'm telling you that I'm going to help you. I'm always going to help you. You never have to ask me for it."

[3:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I needed to ask... for me," Ryleigh whispers.

[3:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a deep breath and releases it slowly, realizing now what this is. She nods and steps closer to Ryleigh and rests her hand on Ry's shoulder, "Okay, okay."

[3:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks up and into Seir's eyes, hers are a little watery. "I'm sorry for upsetting you."

[3:44 PM] Seirixori: She pulls Ry into a hug, "You didn't. It's just... you know, like it has been, overwhelming and I let sit until you say something--" She laughs, "I'm sorry."

[3:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Allowing herself to be pulled into the hug, Ryleigh wraps her arms around Seir, audibly swallowing as she fights not to cry.

[3:51 PM] Seirixori: "You don't have to keep it in all the time." She whispers.

[3:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: At Seir's words, Ryleigh takes a shuddering breath and after a few moments she lets herself cry. "I'm trying to be better about it," she chokes out through the steady stream of tears.

[4:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir runs her hand along Ryleigh's back, comforting her. After a little bit she says, "So, I think I might also need help."

[4:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls back enough to look at Seir, her eyes red rimmed but focused. "With?"

[4:39 PM] Seirixori: "So you know how I said they would get themselves killed and I didn't expect to have to also watch Gunnloda? She stepped in yes, but had I not seen it... I think she would have been the one to cause an incident, not Urrak."

[4:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh bites her lip at the news, but waits for Seir to continue.

[4:52 PM] Seirixori: "<redacted> I'm pretty sure it's tied to her emotions. Her eyes get all black and she does stuff, and she doesn't even realize it. I know it's not exactly your uh, best trait," she grins, showing she's joking, "but if you can keep an eye out for that too?"

[4:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Really?" Ryleigh says, her tone curious. She nods. "Of course I'll keep an eye on her. I'm sorry I put her in that position... I assumed you'd be safe here, at least for the hour I would be gone."

[5:00 PM] Seirixori: "We should have been. But well..." She nearly cackles in delight and says, "*Fuck your guards!*" Seir moves back, itching the mark on her chest/neck. "I really want to get them somewhere else." She says more to herself.

[5:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Taking a deep breath, Ryleigh says, "I should probably get ready and go wake everyone else." When she reaches the door, Ryleigh's hand sits on the doorknob. "I think it's best if we talk in one of our rooms, my presence makes the people downstairs uncomfortable, and they shouldn't have to feel like that in a place that's theirs."

[5:10 PM] Seirixori: "Uh, okay...sorry?" Seir sighs and looks down, letting it go, "I guess I should put clothes on..."

[5:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm just collecting myself, I promise. It wasn't what you said." She gives Seir a smile, its small but its authentic. "I'm more worried about you walking around without any protection, so armor on too - okay?"

[5:18 PM] Seirixori: She scoffs, but says with a smile, "Ugh, I gueeeess."

[5:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gives Seir one last smile, then slips out of the room.

## 16 Takaramont 3Y20

**The Bachelor's Servant, Arolis, Ascus**

[7:05 PM] DM: Ryleigh's been knocking on doors, asking everyone to gather in her room instead of downstairs.

[7:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I felt is was better to have this conversation here, instead of downstairs. In light of what happened last night, I wanted to... ask if any of you would be willing to return Vyon, while I follow the rumors about the Moonborn."

[7:11 PM] Urrak: Urrak crosses her arms and shifts her weight on her heels, "Alone?"

[7:12 PM] Seirixori: "No." Seir quickly says, "Not alone."

[7:13 PM] DM: Gunnloda pushes the door open with a tray of food and a pitcher of coffee.

[7:15 PM] Brimeia: Bri rubs her hands at the sight of the food. "Gunnloda's the best," she gushes.

[7:15 PM] Sariel: Sariel crosses her arms.

[7:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh patiently waits for the others to respond.

[7:17 PM] Urrak: "Look," she takes a deep breath before continuing, "As much as last night rattled me, I meant what I said, I ain't leavin'."

[7:18 PM] Sariel: "I think splitting up is a bad idea."

[7:18 PM] Brimeia: Bri snags a piece of food from the tray and mumbles around a bite.

[7:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir, sitting on the floor, makes grabby hands at Gunnloda. "Except you're all pretty bad at not reacting."

[7:22 PM] Sariel: "I survived this long, obviously I'm not always terrible at it."

[7:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Last night was my fault... I needed to gather some additional information before we moved on and I thought..." Ryleigh sighs, a muscle tensing in her jaw "...I need you all to understand something about Ascus. They don't need a reason to take you, jail you, or kill you here. I can't promise I'll be able to protect you... I can't promise you'll all return home."

[7:24 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, "It wasn't your fault."

[7:25 PM] Urrak: " Aye, Ry, it wasn't.  An' I won't argue with Seirixori. I know I should've kept my mouth shut an' jus' let 'em run over me," she pours herself some coffee, "I s'pose it's been sometime since I've dealt with all this. Most folks jus' save th' comments until after I leave. But, I still think headin' back isn't th' way. It wouldn't feel right."

[7:25 PM] Brimeia: "Doesn't sound that different from Shasem."

[7:26 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia shrugs.

[7:26 PM] Urrak: "I don't back down from challenges an' I don't leave friends behind in dangerous lands."

[7:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "This isn't some challenge you can simply overcome, Urrak. This is life or death... for everyone in this room. It isn't dangerous for me here, and Seirixori can not look like herself."

[7:27 PM] Brimeia: "So, what, you need us to lay low, let the pompous guards or whoever go to town on whatever poor sap they happen to pick? Or... go back to Vyon and.... do what, exactly?"

[7:31 PM] Sariel: "We're better at protecting each other as a group, as a team, then if we split off. Bigotry is hardly the most dangerous thing any of us have encountered. Stop letting fear make your decisions."

[7:32 PM] Urrak: "We all need t' be here. There are places in the cities we can't go, but there are plenty more where yer th' enemy. If we're lookin' fer information, we need as many ears t' th' ground as possible."

[7:36 PM] Brimeia: "Do we though?  You don't need numbers to find info. We're not fighting."

[7:33 PM] Urrak: "Not t' mention you'll need more than Seir t' keep ye in one piece. Mentally an' physically. Don't think we haven't noticed how ye've been actin'."

[7:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's hand grips Dawnbringer's handle. "I am afraid," she says to Sariel, her brows furrowing, "Because I grew up here and I know what awaits you all.  Each of you should be more afraid than you are."

[7:38 PM] Sariel: Sariel gestures in Bri's direction, "You literally had to tie this one up in my brig to keep her from killing people in her sleep, but you're afraid of some townspeople?"

[7:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm afraid of having your blood on my hands too!" Ryleigh half shouts to everyone in the room, heat painting her tone. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. "We're here because of me and I don't *need* any of you to do this job. I can gather information and put things together quicker than anyone in this room."

[7:46 PM] Urrak: "Then why not come down here on yer own! Why bring us with you if we're such a burden? Ye knew all this before an' we kept goin'. Yer not makin' sense, Ryleigh."

[7:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir gets up and moves to Ryleigh's side, gently placing a hand on her arm for comfort. She then puts herself in front of Ryleigh. "Don't," She says to Urrak.

[7:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I shouldn't have brought any of you here. I wasn't thinking," Ryleigh mumbles.

[7:49 PM] Brimeia: "What would you have us do then? Besides head back." Brimeia asks the question calmly, almost quietly compared to the tense tones in the room.

[7:49 PM] Sariel: "Our blood will only be on the hands of those who kill us. Whether we're with you or without you, you have no control over who lives or dies. But your need to control every aspect of this situation is more dangerous than anything outside this room."

[7:50 PM] Urrak: "You 'not thinkin' is why ye need us here, Ryleigh. Yer not perfect, yer not some kind o' godsdamned super spy. Yer a flawed fuckin' person jus' like th' rest of us. You can't just take all this and put it on yer shoulders. Yer crackin' under that self-imposed pressure."

[7:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir turns back to Ryleigh, ignoring the others briefly, and whispers, "Go to the other room, okay? Please." She gently nudges Ry out, "Gunnloda, keep her company, yeah?"

[7:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks like she's about to respond, but doesn't at Seir's request. She looks around the room, her eyes lingering on Sariel for longer than everyone else. She says something to her in elven, then turns and leaves the room. *"You're right, and that's why I'm asking you all to leave."*

[7:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda follows her out.

[7:54 PM] Brimeia: Bri lifts an eyebrow as Seir whispers to Ryleigh but then just shrugs after she leaves.

[7:56 PM] Brimeia: "Now what?"

[8:01 PM] Sariel: Sariel mostly looks unimpressed as Ryleigh leaves, and quirks an eyebrow at Seir as she draws her attention.

[7:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir watches her leave before turning around again, rubbing at her temples, "You are all so very frustrating." She looks at Sariel and Bri, "Less so, but also really good points. But you," she looks at Urrak, "Do you know how to do anything other than escalate a situation? 'Don't think we haven't noticed how ye've been actin'.'" Seir doing a really poor accent mixed with her own, "Really? And yet you're going to stand here and start yelling? Will you stop doing that? Fuck."

[8:10 PM] Urrak: Urrak blows a sharp puff of air out of her nose, "First of all, fuck off, y' ain't helpin' by lettin' her think she's killin' us by jus' havin' us be here. Yer enablin' this kind o' fucked up self-harm by proxy by tellin' her we're all such a godsdamn burden." She rubs at her temples and moment and continues,  "Bein' calm ain't exactly my strong point, but didn't yell fer the sake o' hearin' myself better, I yelled at the fact that her clouded mind is gonna get her killed a lot faster than th' lot of us pigmented folks." she pushes  another deep breath through her threaded fingers, "I care about her, jus' like I care about all o' ye." her voice cracks a little,  "How dare ye ask us t' leave."

[8:16 PM] Urrak: Urrak swallows, blinks, breathes, "Family doesn't jus' leave."

[8:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes narrow and her jaw clenches, it takes her a few moments to speak, clearly fighting with herself to not say certain things, and her whole body tenses with Urrak's last words, "You do what you want, I've already told you I'm not going to stop you if you do something stupid." She takes a second, still struggling and with a low growl she turns and leaves the room. Her form shifting a little as she goes.

[8:21 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia leans slowly towards Sariel and asks in a not-so-quiet whisper, "Should we step in ... or... " She stops abruptly as Seir huffs and leaves. "Never mind."

[8:21 PM] Sariel: Sariel follows Seir out of the room, "Hey, we're not finished here."

[8:23 PM] Urrak: "Y'can't jus' run away from yer fuckin' problems every time, Seirixori," Urrak yells after her

[8:25 PM] Brimeia: "Dude, I think she was about to punch your lights out. As a bear or some shit. Or maybe say something really nasty. I wouldn't push your luck."

[8:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir turns, teethed bared and eyes burning, "I *need* to leave." she growls out quickly and heads down and out, her form shifting the second she gets the door to outside open.

[8:25 PM] Brimeia: Bri finally pushes off the wall with a sigh.

[8:26 PM] Brimeia: She pauses by Sariel after stepping out of the room. "Where'd Seirixori go?"

[8:26 PM] Urrak: "Go on, then! FUCK" she kicks at a bed and grumbles in orc.

[8:28 PM] Sariel: "Are you quite done throwing a fit?"

[8:28 PM] Urrak: Urrak rubs her eyes a moment, "...Yes."

[8:29 PM] Sariel: "Good." Sariel leaves in the direction Seir went.

[8:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows after her, "W-We need t' get Ryleigh and Gunnloda--

## Ry and Gunnloda

8:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Once they're in the other room, Ryleigh sits and rubs at her temples. "I'm going to get us all killed..."

[8:02 PM] DM: "Have a little more faith... in yourself and them. They might surprise ya."

[8:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "How can you say that to me... you know what people here are like. Surely with your status you were taught what assholes Ascans are."

[8:09 PM] DM: She smiles and hops up onto the bed next to Ryleigh. "I've actually been here before. Arolis. I was young then, 'bout 35 or 40, I think. The Lord o' Iketria... he was an unpleasant man. But I'm not that li'l girl anymore and neither are you." She sighs and shakes her head. "Like I'm one t'give advice about bein' afraid of yer past."

[8:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half smiles at Gunnloda. "Sometimes it still feels like I'm the girl who left Falberk... I know I've grown, but I'm still... I'm still not okay and I'm afraid of losing *this* family."

[8:22 PM] DM: "Well, I'm here t'make sure that doesn't happen."

[8:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((7 perception))

[8:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sorry you have to babysit me."

[8:28 PM] DM: "It's not babysittin'. Just takin' a break with a friend."

[8:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Sure," Ryleigh says softly, a bit of disbelief in her tone. "I came to your room this morning because I know that my need to control the situation is dangerous... it's why I asked Seirixori to help me. I just... I don't want you to think that I'm oblivious."

[8:36 PM] DM: Urrak pauses to knock on the door Ryleigh and Gunnloda are in. "Guys?"

[8:37 PM] DM: Gunnloda slides off the bed with a pat to Ry's knee. "You're a lot of things, Ryleigh, but oblivious isn't usually one of 'em." She opens the door for Urrak.

[8:38 PM] Urrak: "H'lo..." Urrak awkwardly waves, " So I need t' tell ye somethin'..."

[8:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stands from the bed, clearly concerned.

[8:40 PM] Urrak: Urrak takes a deep breath and points at Ryleigh, "First of all, I'm sorry fer yellin' at ye but godsdamn if ye don't get on my fuckin' nerves like a lil siblin'. I care about ye, an' I want t' help ye." she then points to Gunnloda, "An' *you*, I don't remember if I thanked ye or not fer last night but if I didn't then thank ye so much, yer incredible." she then points to both of them, "Also, Seir is gone."

[8:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What?" Ryleigh says. She tries to push past the door. "Where? Did she leave the inn?"

[8:42 PM] Urrak: "I don't know but, knowin' her, probably. She's probably a dog er somethin' tho, so."

[8:42 PM] DM: Gunnloda grabs Ry's armor. "Ryleigh."

[8:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Why'd she leave?" Ryleigh demands of Urrak, suddenly stopped by Gunnloda.

[8:44 PM] Urrak: "A very inconvenient misunderstandin', ye can yell at me later," Urrak motions towards the door

[8:47 PM] DM: "Seirixori's capable of protectin' herself. Y'don't need to go chargin' off hot-headed, and y'probably couldn't find her if she wanted t'be alone anyway."

[8:48 PM] Urrak: "Then ye can...yell at me now, I guess."

[8:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Where are the others?" Her tone is even, she doesn't yell.

[8:49 PM] Urrak: "Sariel went lookin' but I think she came back. I'm assumin' Bri and her are back in th' room ye left 'em in."

[8:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grabs Urrak's elbow and marches her back to the room with the others.

[8:52 PM] DM: There's nobody there.

[8:51 PM] Urrak: "Actually...they might be outside as well."

[8:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Groaning, Ryleigh lets Urrak go and walks downstairs, looking for the others.

[8:54 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows behind

[8:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda follows and you all find Sariel and Bri on the street in main.

## Back to Sariel and Crew

[8:29 PM] DM: Give me a perception check, Sariel.

[8:31 PM] Sariel: ((22))

[8:32 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia follows them as they head out.

[8:35 PM] Urrak: Urrak pauses to knock on the door Ryleigh and Gunnloda are in. "Guys?"

[8:44 PM] Sariel: Sariel blows out a breath in frustration and acknowledges Bri, "I have no idea where she went.", and then in a mocking tone, "This is place is so dangerous! Let's just wander around it alone!"  She rubs a hand down her face, "If they spent less time fighting we'd be out of here already and none of this would even be half a concern."

[8:53 PM] Brimeia: "Heh, well where would the fun in that be," she jokes with a dry laugh.

[8:54 PM] Brimeia: Bri sighs. "Better just go on back in and let the others know, I guess. Did you catch which way she was headed or what... shape she's in?"

[8:54 PM] Brimeia: She starts heading back.

[8:55 PM] Sariel: "You go, I'm gonna stay out here."

[8:55 PM] DM: Urrak, Ry, and Gunnloda come down the stairs and out the door.

[8:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What happened?" Ryleigh asks, looking from Urrak to Sariel then to Bri.

[8:56 PM] Brimeia: Bri stops and turns back toward Sariel. "What? I thought you said you have no idea which way she went?"

[8:57 PM] Sariel: "Urrak and Seir and you are all hotheads, is what happened. She stormed out of the room and shifted."

[8:57 PM] Brimeia: "Seirixori looked pretty mad. She didn't even really finish what she was saying and then left."

[8:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Everyone should come inside. She'll come back when she's ready."

[9:00 PM] Brimeia: "No argument here."

[9:00 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods and heads inside

[9:02 PM] Sariel: Sariel crosses her arms and leans against the side of the inn, but makes no move to go inside.

[9:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks expectantly at Sariel as Urrak and Bri go back inside. "We need to finish the conversation... upstairs."

[9:07 PM] Sariel: Sariel waves vaguely in front of her and raises her voice to carry across the street, not bothering at all to look at Ryleigh,  "I agree."

[9:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know you believe I'm being dramatic, but you're in a foreign land and you shouldn't dismiss my experience just because I'm not 300 years old."

[9:18 PM] Sariel: Sariel turns to look at Ryleigh then, "I don't know what horrors you've experienced much as you also don't know the depths of what I have experienced. Neither of us can possibly predict what will happen at every turn, but jumping at shadows isn't doing anyone any good. You're so busy being afraid of what *might* happen to your crew that you've forgotten to trust them. And I dare say a little confidence in Urrak in particular might make her less... volatile."

[9:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You may not believe me, but I know. I know that I'm allowing fear to dictate my actions. That's why I asked you all to leave, because I might be the reason you get hurt or killed. It was a suggestion, and yes it's one that I wish you guys would take, but it isn't a lack of trust in any of you." Ryleigh runs a hand through her hair. "I'm trying to do what's best for everyone, and as a captain... you know that's not always the easiest decision to make."

[9:39 PM] Sariel: "As a captain I know that the chances at loss are exponentially higher when you fracture the crew. If what you're so afraid of is yourself or your own judgement then now more than ever you should be leaning on the group for what decisions should be made. Isolating yourself will more than likely intensify whatever you're feeling, not alleviate it."

[9:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm working on it - letting others in, letting people help me. I spent years being alone, and I've only been with this group for four months. It's not something I can suddenly change about myself, but I'm trying. It's why I wanted to talk about the possibility of other options, instead of demanding everyone leave or leaving myself, because that's what I would have done four months ago." Ryleigh's hand grips Dawnbringer's handle a little tighter.

[10:00 PM] Sariel: Sariel smiles slightly,  "Growth is a long weary road and I'm proud of the strides you're taking." she claps Ryleigh on the shoulder lightly, "And now that everyone is hopefully calmed down, maybe we can all talk about how we can tackle this together... and maybe you can share with us a little of what actually concerns you instead of using the guards as smokescreen." She quirks an eyebrow playful, but pointed way.

[10:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half laughs. "Oh no, it is absolutely the army of guards here that has me concerned - among some other things." She takes a steadying breath. "I'll be inside."

[10:03 PM] Sariel: "Yeah it's the other things that I want to know about."

[10:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She doesn't exactly answer, it's more of a lingering look with a small nod, then walks back inside the inn.

[10:08 PM] Sariel: After Ryleigh leaves Sariel raises her fingers to her lips and whistles loudly before following inside.

[10:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir eventually heads back inside and to where everyone else is, head down, fists clenched, not saying anything as she tries to basically wallflower in a room with too many people.

[10:14 PM] DM: Gunnloda gently unclenches one of her hands to hold it.

[10:15 PM] Sariel: Sariel strategically places herself in front of the door, looking at everyone pointedly.

[10:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Let's try this again..."

[10:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "If any of you do want to leave, now's your chance. If you're staying then you need understand how Ascus works, because it is not like Shasem." Ryleigh waits to see if anyone does leave.

[10:21 PM] Urrak: Urrak stands firm, arms crossed.

[10:24 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia rolls her eyes but stays put.

[10:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs, then says, "The guards here are a problem for you. They won't hear your excuses, so don't give them a reason to target you. We're following rumors that I hope will lead us to the whoever is claiming to be the Moonborn, but if asked, we're a group of adventurers, looking for fame or fortune or whatever. Do *not* share why we are here with anyone outside of this group."

[10:29 PM] Sariel: Sariel nods.

[10:30 PM] Urrak: "Fair enough." Urrak nods as well

[10:31 PM] Brimeia: "Sure thing, *boss*," Bri chimes in with a teasing smirk.

[10:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know we've faced off with guards in the past, but we haven't fought 30 guards at once or... Tilman's elite guards. I can't stress enough that you cannot fight them... and if you choose to, you're on your own because I won't risk the lives of everyone else."

[10:36 PM] Urrak: Urrak holds out her hands to her sides, "No fightin'."

[10:40 PM] Sariel: "How do we identify Tilman's elite guards from the rest?"

[10:41 PM] Sariel: "...also, who is Tilman?"

[10:42 PM] Brimeia: "Yeah.. what she said. Should we just look out for the biggest assholes?"

[10:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "The elite guards have a slightly different uniform, still red, but with gold trim and a sun symbol on their tabard," Ryleigh explains, her hand gripping Dawnbringer's handle as she does.

[10:47 PM] Sariel: "Gold trim, sun symbol. Got it."

[10:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Tilman is the king of Ascus. He calls himself the Sun King." Ryleigh looks partially disgusted by the nickname.

[10:48 PM] Sariel: Sariel rolls her eyes, "Of course he does."

[10:52 PM] Sariel: "Anything else noteworthy about Sun King Tilman?"

[10:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "He's a bigoted asshat, who empowers the people under him to treat non-humans as lesser people. And... the killings of anyone who looks like the Moonborn could be state sanctioned... which is why I asked you to not discuss it with people outside of this room."

[10:58 PM] Urrak: "So, where do we go from here?"

[11:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We're going to continue down the Spine towards Aston, then we'll head east to Kenbow. If there's nothing else... we can head out."

[11:04 PM] Urrak: "Sounds like a plan."

[11:04 PM] DM: So you head out.

[11:07 PM] DM: You travel south. There are a couple very small farming communities along the way.

## Devil's Food Pit Stop

12:22 AM] DM: While the group travels, they take somewhat regular breaks to stop, stretch their legs, eat, and let Seir regain her wild shapes... and that's what's happening now in a rest area off the road. There are spots for carts, troughs and a well for horses, and Seir can easily find a less... crowded place to talk.

[12:29 AM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't say anything while she takes Gunnloda's hand and finds a place a decent enough distance from everyone. Her pace probably a little bit faster than what's comfortable for Gunnloda, but once she finds a spot she immediately stops and plops to the ground. Seir pulls Gunnloda to her, wrapping her in a tight hug and takes a deep, steadying breath while she tries to center herself.

[12:32 AM] DM: Gunnloda just holds her and runs her hand up and down her back to try to calm her. "Take yer time, darlin'."

[12:37 AM] Seirixori: It does take some time and her voice is shaky when she speaks, "I messed up, I told Ryleigh I would help her and I sent her away, I sent you both away, so that I could try and  calmly discuss everything and so they'd stop yelling at her and I..." her voice gets a little smaller, "I left instead."

[12:41 AM] DM: "When Urrak came t'get us, I thought Ryleigh was gonna walk right through 'er t'find you." She pauses for a long second, pulling back a bit to look at Seir's face. She runs her finger along the edge of her hairline, pushing a stray bit back behind her ear. "What d'you think y'shoulda done instead?"

[12:46 AM] Seirixori: She shakes her head. "I had to leave. There would have been a much larger problem if I hadn't." Seir looks down, "I was so angry, I was too angry."

[12:48 AM] DM: "What happened?"

[12:53 AM] Seirixori: Seir tells her what Urrak said and follows it up with, "She said- she said, gods it felt like she was blaming me, like it was my fault. She keeps assuming everything and acting like she knows everything and it pisses me off.” Seir’s fists clench and she closes her eyes. The words that come next are quiet, like she isn’t even aware she’s saying them out loud, “How am I hurting her? I’m trying to help, why do I keep doing it wrong?” She swallows thickly. “And then, I don’t know. I- when she said about caring about Ryleigh… about how she cares about all of us I—” Her voice cracks, “It hurt. It hurt so much and I got so angry because it’s bullshit! And like asking them to leave was some kind of- some kind of malicious thing! Like We- like I was asking them to do it to hurt them when it was the complete opposite!" She sighs and shrugs, her head falling back down, tears of hurt and anger streaming down her face, "I don't know, maybe I was just overreacting."

[1:26 AM] DM: Gunnloda leans in and presses a long kiss to Seir's forehead. "I'm not sure what she's thinkin'. I'm not in 'er head. I thought we all understood it was a matter of protectin' everyone. I thought it might be a good idea m'self." She sighs. "It's been a while since y'got angry enough t'shift, hasn't it?"

[1:28 AM] Seirixori: She nods. "I was doing pretty good for a while. Considering."

[1:29 AM] DM: She chuckles. "Considerin' yer whole world's been turned upside down, shaken about, and kicked across the cavern? 'm proud of you."

[1:38 AM] Seirixori: "Yeah, all of that." She gives a crooked smile at Gunnloda's praise, her cheeks a little red.

She sighs heavily and falls back, her arms spread out to the side as she now lies in the grass. "I don't know what to do. Talking to her never gets me anywhere. One moment I think she understands or is actually listening for once and then..." She lifts a hand, circling it about, "and then this happens."

[1:39 AM] DM: "Urrak?"

[1:39 AM] Seirixori: She nods.

[1:48 AM] DM: Gunnloda lies down on her side next to Seir, using her fingers to trace lines across Seir's skin.  "'m not the best person t'give advice about this. Heh... said that t'Ryleigh earlier too."

[2:37 AM] Seirixori: "Yeah," she breathes out, like she expected the answer. She brings an arm around Gunnloda and closes her eyes. "Maybe I should try again... later when I'm not so... when the anger fades." She laughs, "That will be never."

[6:59 AM] DM: "There anythin' I can do t'help?"

[12:50 PM] Seirixori: She's quiet for a while, her eyes focused on the sky above them, searching, like they'll have the answers she needs. Finally Seir let's out a sigh, followed by a small laugh, "If you could make her listen, <redacted>." She looks down and winks. "It's like she has her own version of the conversation already and instead of hearing what we're saying she follows this script in her head." She sighs heavily. "She says she knows Ry... and yet everything she said... everything she said Ry was doing. Ry was saying those exact things, she didn't need them parroted back to her."

[2:36 PM] DM: "She's got a thick skull and a temper that'un... sometimes I think she's got a death wish t'go 'long with them. Sometimes I wonder if she just picks fights just t'fight." She sighs.  "Wonder how much of it's tied up in what she is or what she thinks she's s'posed t'be. Had a lot of half-orcs 'round in Vatru... some of 'em struggled with it, but not all. Karimah from my temple was a kind, gentle soul. ....I should send her a message one of these days."

[3:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir grumbles a bit, muttering a quiet, "You'd think she'd be old enough by now to stop blaming her dumb ass bullshit on all of that." She starts laughing a moment later, wiping away a stray tear. "All I've been doing the last few days is saying things to people that apply to me and not doing those things."

[3:04 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles and stops tracing random patterns to tap Seir on the nose with her finger before continuing. "'s easier to say what should be done than it is t'do it."

[3:40 PM] Seirixori: "Mhm," Seir hums. She grins and says, in Abyssal, *"Too bad there isn't some sacred pool nearby."*

[3:43 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles. "'fraid I didn't catch that one, darlin'."

[3:58 PM] Seirixori: "Oh man and I was going to ask if you think that fancy language thing would work with animals. Might be a random thing kind of like the rest." She moves a little, just enough to give her some leverage as she pulls Gunnloda up and on top of her. With a kiss and a smile she says, "Hello, gorgeous." Seir wraps her arms around Gunnloda, her hands playing with the end of Gunnloda's braid. She hums, content, and switches back to what they were talking about, "I think I might have to fill Sariel in on a few more things... it was a good thing she didn't physically try to stop me from leaving."

[4:07 PM] DM: "'s prob'ly not the kind of attention we need down here, though a bit o'magic and a bit o'gold'll fix quite a bit."

"No, definitely not."

"Is this what Ardabeh was like t'you? I always kinda figured they'd be about the same, from what you've told me 'bout your past."

[6:17 PM] Seirixori: She tilts her head, thinking, "I... No. Not quite. It's... it's hard to say because of how often I ended up isolating myself. And it wasn't just humans," Her eyes start to get a little watery, "I thought everything was fine until I was eight. They didn't stop me from being there but the second something happened... it wasn't even the guards that did anything to me. But they also didn't stop it.

"Later... well, you know, I'd think normally if you find 28 dead people on the side of the road you'd question it. Look for who did it. All that stuff." She sighs heavily and looks back to the sky, "That didn't happen either, they were left there, ignored. If... if I ever went into town most of the time I wasn't even allowed into places." She laughs, "Believe it or not, I've been arrested a few times. Which... honestly just meant them kicking me out of wherever I was... just because people knew they could do something wrong and blame it on me."

[6:24 PM] Seirixori: "Even with the druids... they could pick on me, yell at me, bully me, everything, and nothing was done to stop it. So long as no one legitimately tried to kill me, or do serious damage, it was kind of a free-for-all. Or at least it felt that way." She looks back at Gunnloda, "So, while it isn't quite the same... I always understood it could be worse, and I believed Ryleigh when she told me how bad it was... how I needed to act. Even when seeing it, I still don't think the others really understand and I just... I don't get it. I don't get how they don't understand how bad this is."

[6:35 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns. "'m sorry y'went through all that. 's not right. Never understood this place m'self. Maybe 'cause there's so many different people under the mountains and more beyond the Bastion... but there's lots of different people here too. And where do they get the idea that humans're better'n everyone else anyway? Ain't a damn thing they're best at 'sides maybe unfounded arrogance." She huffs a bit, then blinks and a slight blush creeps across her cheeks. "Sorry... slipped out. This place makes m'skin crawl."

[6:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "You're allowed to say whatever you want with me, *tor beag*, especially if it's how you feel. And it's right." She giggles, "Unfounded arrogance, I love it."

[6:51 PM] DM: She chuckles and gives Seir a quick kiss. "I'd've just left it at arrogance, but elves exist." She pauses and just looks at Seir for a few seconds. "Are y'feelin' better? I hate seein' ya so tore up. Wish I could stop it from ever happenin'."

[7:34 PM] Seirixori: She nods, "Yes. I really needed the space and the air to clear my head... even if the others just think I'm running away. Sorry that I can't focus when there's too many people around and I don't know how to sort out all the noise." She grumbles a little. "Ugh, Wish it were safe to stay outside at night here."

[7:40 PM] DM: She thinks for a second and shrugs. "Why can't it be? Seems the most danger is from the guards in cities anyway. Campin' outside the cities might be safer. Less comfortable for some of 'em, but bein' inside all the time is less comfortable for you."

[7:46 PM] Seirixori: She blinks, and her brow furrows after a moment, "Because there's more of them than me and I was pretty sure I was the only one that liked sleeping outside..."

[7:45 PM] DM: "We'll need t'replace some o'those tents first, though," she snickers.

[7:46 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "I guess if we have to."

[7:53 PM] DM: "We can see what Ryleigh thinks. There might be a reason not to, and I'm sure she wouldn't be happy about splittin' up for sleep... but we stand watch over Brimeia anyway, what's watch over a campsite instead?" She thinks for a second. "I don't remember hearin' 'bout the town we're s'posed to hit tonight, but Aston's big enough we should be able t'resupply there."

[8:00 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe I can get another book too! Maybe a little more paint..." She gives Gunnloda a kiss, really excited about the possibility of sleeping outside. "You're the best!"

[8:04 PM] DM: She chuckles. "I'm glad y'think so."

## Continuing through Burrafirth towards Aston

You pass a few groups of very poor people heading north with what looks like everything they own. You stop in a pit stop town called Burrafirth to sleep. The next morning, you continue south.

[11:07 PM] DM: Can I get some perception checks?

[11:07 PM] Seirixori: ((14))

[11:08 PM] Urrak: ((4))

[11:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((15)) You see a man in very shiny armor, carrying a flag with some sort of symbol on it. You don't recognize the symbol as being one of the state symbols of major nobles or Tilman, or any of the religions you know. It's probably a lesser noble's family crest symbol or something like it. Behind him are other armored, mounted people, followed by *their* retainers- squires and servants and the like- on lesser horses and donkeys. All in all, it looks like some noble questing for glory ahead of his knights.

[11:09 PM] Brimeia: ((12))

[11:10 PM] Sariel: ((7))

[11:13 PM] DM: You all see a group of mounted people headed north ahead.

[11:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh continues to ride adventure down the road, quickly says, "I don't believe these people are threat, so just pass them in silence."

[11:15 PM] Urrak: "Gotcha." Urrak moves over a bit to let them pass

[11:17 PM] DM: As they get closer, the rest of you start to notice more about them. They're led by someone in very shiny armor who carries a flag with some sort of rune on it. Behind him are others in armor, also mounted, followed by unarmored people on a collection of nags and donkeys.

[11:20 PM] DM: Coming closer, the man in front raises the flag, then drops it back into place and his retinue stops. He continues riding ahead towards you. "Hail!"

[11:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh raises her hand in greeting. "Hello," she calls back.

[11:22 PM] DM: He pulls his horse to a stop in front of Ryleigh. "You look like a person of standing. What say you to a bit of glory under the Sun's Eye?"

[11:23 PM] Urrak: Urrak stops the cart and watches the two talk

[11:24 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia raises an eyebrow at how pompous the man sounds.

[11:26 PM] DM: Perception checks for those of you in the cart, please.

[11:27 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[11:28 PM] Sariel: ((19))

[11:28 PM] Seirixori: ((25))

DM to Sariel, Seir: His armor is *very* fancy and engraved with other metals inlaid. It looks more ceremonial than practical. And there's a sun symbol engraved in the chestpiece.

[11:28 PM] Brimeia: ((2))

[11:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "The Lord of Light has other plans for me today, good Sir," Ryleigh replies, smiling at him charmingly.

[11:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir shuffles a little and snorts.

[11:31 PM] DM: He smiles back. "Do tell..."

[11:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh leans over, like she's going to share a secret with him. "It's been far too long since I've visited the temple in Aston. It's warmth, splendor, and beauty is unparalleled and I've missed it."

[11:39 PM] DM: "One such as yourself is obviously an expert in all things beautiful." He pauses for a moment, then continues. "I myself am leading these fine knights to spread the Light to places in need. Perhaps our paths will cross again." He puts his fist over his chest and bows slightly from his saddle.

[11:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Good luck," Ryleigh says, with a slight bow and a wink.

[11:43 PM] DM: He smiles again, raises his flag, drops it back into the cup attached to the saddle. The group behind him starts moving again and he trots off.

[11:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak gets the horses and cart moving again, "Well that was interestin'..."

[11:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Nobles," Ryleigh says with laugh.

[11:45 PM] Sariel: Sariel chuckles.

[11:45 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles. "I resent that tone."

[11:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I do apologize for my transgression, Lady Frostbeard," Ryleigh says with a teasing grin.

[11:50 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles again. "Call me that again and I'll have t'show you transgression."

[11:55 PM] DM: Continuing on, you reach another city, smaller than Arolis, but of decent size. Most of the buildings seem newer. There's a man-made hill in the center of town, and atop it is a huge temple with an enormous brazier at the top filled with flame. Ryleigh leads you all through town to a place that seems safe enough, a place called The Green Paladin's Fire.

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