Session 12: Emberil

### ***"Worry is a direct consequence of relying on your own efforts."***

A name. Finally. A name! To think that after all this time and loss, finally, a lead in a cold case. Lately it's been all about the cult. The fey. The hags. Not that these aren't noble pursuits, but they are far astray from my original purpose to trespass on these lands. Finally. And to think this information was with the commander this whole time. The Queen's steward, Arabella Trill, whisked away my cousins Caterina and Sofia to safety, somewhere, after the calamity. I must follow the footsteps of the steward and find my cousins who would be full grown now, considering they were just toddlers then. They won't know me but I will cross that bridge when I get there.

I must head to the steward's office in the Lower House. Find out what I can, but this is the best lead I've had since coming here. The Commander suggested I connect with the alchemist, Yoren, who I have met before. And by "met" I mean, he "left us for dead." All my soldiers lives, lost. I must press forward. I will compensate their families. Let their deaths not be in vain. Caterina and Sofia, I will find you.

Now, onwards. I must tell Viter this news. And it is time I reveal to our druid companion who I really am. I am an Andromedea. First of my house. Niece to the fallen Queen. And I have come to restore the royal house of Sacena.

...............................................................................

With the poem of the hags recited by Paddy still rattling around in my head somehow, I left the Commander's office in search of my friends. I was firm in my decision to come clean to Ivasar. I hope it doesn't rattle our companionship. The two were stirring the pot with some bar maids in the ground's commissary. I can't leave these two alone for five minutes.

I tell Ivasar who I really am and why I'm really here. Although I haven't technically lied to him, I am here to restore order, I am interested in our current quest--I, however, did hide my true name from him and my personal campaign to find my lost family. Ivasar, like anything that he faces, took it very well. The druid is like a duck, much rolls off his back. And for that I am grateful.

Schmendrick is able to take the locket and consult with a high wizard about its properties in the midnight council held in Schmendrick's empty brain. It turns out that replica locket we're meant to give Petra is infused with divination magic, a telepathy spell, which would be beyond the means of the Queensmen. The communications could also go both ways. What could this mean? Every time we get any answers, we're only left with more questions. There is a conspiracy here.

We take a short rest in Schmendrick's quarters, but are suddenly jolted by sharp ringing--someone is ringing a gong outside furiously.

We head out and Ansem runs toward us yelling that foes have penetrated the gate! Minotaurs and gnolls have made it past the line of defense. Past the door and the cracked tower, in the field before us is a scene of chaos. As Ansem's words leave his beautiful face, the invasive acrid smell of smoke, the smashing sounds of clashing steel, and the screams and cries of humanoid and monster alike fill the air. Ivasar and Viter follow Ansem into the heat of battle--I did too until I felt a burning sensation fill my shoulder--Sigrun calls for my immediate attention. I felt as though my tattoo was trying to rip from my body, toward the tower on my left, which still had scaffolding surround part of its base and side, up to the crack.

The crack. The crack? Pulsating now I see the jagged tear in the surface stone like someone had taken a razor and cut through it. Clean. Light coming through? This is a tear in reality itself. Our reality. I climb the tower in haste and see a bit of blood left behind on the stone, just the width of a hand.

More sleepy-looking rangers and guards, stirring from their slumber in the wake of this overnight invasion begin to pour and lumber into the field, into the fighting. None seem to see the tear or notice me. How could they miss it?! I stick my fingers in and feel an immediate burning sensation, as I rip my hand out and look at the source of pain I realize that the tips of my fingers have been SINGED CLEAN OFF! What the FUCK?!

The tear is somehow interacting with the stone wall. The structure itself has become weakened; there are cracks in the foundation and it is severely compromised.

**The sense I get from Sigrun is Calamity. Destruction. Dread. It's that which must not come to pass.**

A pulse emanates from the crack, the scaffolding of the tower trembles at its wake. The sound of the battlefield is almost white noise to me. Hairline cracks that weren't there before begin to appear. I scream for Schmendrick, would he have knowledge? No, a huge mistake. As he makes it to the top of the tower with me, the pulse takes hold of him, he speaks in a tongue close to Elvish--but much older. The language of the fey. Schmendrick's eyes begin to glow. I don't quite understand what he's saying but his interaction only quickens the impending devastation. I can feel the tension of the arcane energy building in the air. A static buzzing fills my head, drowning out the cacophony of bashing weapons and screams. Static. My invisibility spell is gone. Instead, the tower itself is becoming invisible.

The tower is becoming invisible? I rush Schmendrick to knock him away and bring him down but I am nearly taken by the buzzing--the words start to filter through my own mouth. This is a waking nightmare.

The top of the tower explodes outwards. Obliteration. Everything at the top of the tower is fired off in all directions.

Schmendrick hits the building across the tower and falls like a heap to the ground. I fly off but am able to soften the blow after hitting the wall. All the air escapes my body and doesn't return as the vision before me unfolds...

The impossible. A nightmare. The tower is completely destroyed. The crack still hangs in the air. It grows and grows and something steps through.

I lay before a beast, clutching my chest, blood dripping down my face. A giant creature fills the space where the tower once stood--just as tall and thick. The head of a demon, a humanoid form. Horns of a moose. Its eyes... its eyes glow of delirium.

What is becoming of our plane? Where is Viter and Ivasar?

May Sigrun save us.