Time Takes All

**Time Takes All** is the fifty fifth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party say good-bye to a friend and work out where to go next.

## Time Takes All

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Zach is out to take a big test, wish him luck!
* Don't forget - Mak is leading Ian, Haelley and Zach through an all new adventure in *Mist Connections*. Using the *City of Mist RPG* rule set, enter a world where myths and legends come to life!
* Reminder, new episodes of the *Well Versed* premieres every Friday!
* New mini-series incoming! We will be doing *Changeling : The Lost*, a *World of Darkness* game that we are calling *Into the Darkest Thicket*. Look out for that, coming in late November!
* No stream September 27th, as everyone returns from *New Jersey Web Fest!*

### **Part One**

As Quincy, Sterling, Seren and Yashani turned to look for the source of the sound, they discovered a small rock creature, two foot tall and humanoid in shape, had approached them. A moment later a second creature appeared, one made of mud, and both stared at the party before they disappeared behind the trees. Quincy asked Yashani if any of this was normal, but Yashani commented that no one tended to leave the monastery by jumping off the garden cliff and that the area was mostly untouched by the monks. Seren stepped towards the group and began to cast *Prayer of Healing* and as the healing settled over the group the pattering footsteps returns as the rock and mud creatures returned, but this time with a a black five tailed fox on top of the rock creature, appearing similar in shape to Nubbinaga. Quincy wondered if they could assume this one could become human as well and RX asked if it could speak Common. Nubbi climbed on top of Seren as he still in midcast and the black fox jumped down from the stone creature, transformed into a woman with dark skin and tight corkscrew curls, that are a similar shade, with a silver similar to the fox tails that sprouted from the base of her spine, wearing a tight purple fitting dress with maroon highlights and in bear feet.

She asked what happened and when Quincy noted that they would need her to specify which ‘what’ and Yashani gestured to the remains of the winged monster and the once sentient trees. The woman said the creature was called a forest emperor and explained it is what happened when a fey creature ate the heart of a dragon. Yashani noted they didn't recall dragons being in this valley, but the woman explained the last time there was a dragon around was in the *Sky Citadel*, pointed up and showed the party the large circle pressed into the mountain side, 70 or 80 feet in diameter, with the top half of the exposed dome removed which revealed it's columns were covered in vines, with some crumbling with age. Quincy, seeing it, recalled stories of the *Sky Citadel* and namely that there was once a ancient dragon, possibly a bronze one, that lived inside named Onganon. The woman looked to Nubbi, asked what happened to her sister and Yashani said it was a long story, but the short of it was that Nubbi was now simply a fox, The woman sighed and commented she was always pissing off the wrong people and then asked how the party got here. Yashani explained the tumble down the cliff, with RX noting his capture and the woman said the tress were called pine dooms and that the forest emperor could animate them. RX asked if she knew how to get back and the woman offered that they would have to take the long way around and noted it wasn’t terribly difficult other than a fall risk. Quincy then stepped in to make introductions for the party and the woman said her name was Edigana, or Eddie, and was Nubbi’s older sister. Yashani asked how many sisters they had and Eddie said there were nine sisters in total, though they were more spread out than they liked to be and that they all worked for the Wild Sisters, reiterating what Nubbi had told them before.

Eddie looked at her sister, said she wished she could change what has happened, that she must have really angered someone and Quincy explained she was paying off a debt and, after looking to Nubbi for permission, explained she was helping with a favor to another Goddess. Eddie noted she was aware of the debt and when asked explained Nubbi kept someone from dying by containing their soul in their body, making them immortal. Seren, finished with his spell, asked if she knew they name of the person and Eddie noted it was a long time ago. She directed Kivi and Sivi, her little golems, to ensure no one was nearby and spying before adding reiterating she didn't remember the man’s name, but remembered he was 6'2 or 6'3 tall, with long white hair, broad shouldered, quite stoic, rough but nice.

Eddie explained that she wasn't involved in what Nubbi did, that she defended nature’s balance in one place at a time, while Nubbi was a messenger between the deities and passed objects back and forth. She added that she had something that would prevent death and she used it on someone she wans't meant to and gained the debt with the Wild Sisters. Seren looked back to the dead forest emperor and said he hoped they did not intrude on Eddie’s duties. Quincy asked if each of their sisters had a job title and Eddie said they generally did, that they watched over different aspects of the Wild Sister's nature. Quincy apologized, noting it seemed every time they met someone new there was always a great number of questions to be answered and Eddie retorted that it wasn't as weird as it could be, that she had been to the *Maltrop Strip*, went through a mana storm that put her in the *Plane of Earth* and another mana storm sent her golems to the *Plane of Water*. Eddie said there were also some strange and dangerous things in the *Golden Forge of Mathi* and when Quincy asked if they had a reason to go there Yashani assured them trouble found them even without seeking it out. Eddie noted that the door to the forge was locked, that no one could get in or out and what was in there was just stuck there and when Quincy noted about 1000 years Eddie said a little bit longer then that. Seren respectfully asked how old Eddie was due to her knowledge of the forge and Eddie replied roughly 400 years old. Seren, recognizing Eddie as an offshoot of divinity closely tied to his own, greeted Eddie with his pushing gesture and thanked her for her wisdom.

Eddie noted that they obviously had more questions and with the forest emperor dead did have a bit more time. Seren asks time before what and Eddie said things would come to eat the heart of the emperor and continue the cycle, as once the heart was eaten then the one who consumed it had the heart of a dragon in their chest. Yashani asked if it could be stopped and when Eddie said if they took it for themselves noted she didn't wish to eat the heard. Eddie said the heart attracted monsters and beasts, that there always was one and needed to be one. RX asked what would happen if he ate it and while Eddie seemed genuinely curious, didn't wish to find out. Quincy offered that they could put it in the *Bag of Holding* to prevent a new emperor from emerging, but Yashani pointed out that it sounded like the circle of life for the area and to let nature take it's course. RX asked Eddie if nature required a dragon and Eddie noted there were very few left, as far as she knew, RX replied that they met a white dragon and Eddie, aware of Peligronathrax, commented that he was a dusty old codger and cantankerous. Yashani said Nubbi led them to him and when Eddie asked why she did that Quincy added that a friend of theirs had also been invested in seeing a dragon for himself. Quincy added that the stories say a dragon lived in the *Sky* *Citadel* and wondered if Eddie knew anything and Eddie noted she hadn’t been in this area forever, but hadn't heard about a dragon being there for a 100 years. Eddie noted he could have died and would explain the existence of why the forest emperor was there, though had no idea what could kill a dragon. Quincy retorted if it was still there they didn't wish to find out and were happy to admire its beautiful construction from here and Yashani agreed before adding they were keen to head back to the monastery and gather their things so they can leave. RX asked for direction to the path she mentioned, but Eddie asked them to wait for the golems to return to ensure the party wouldn't be found by anything else on their way back, specifically noting that there was a lot more watching in this world than she would like to admit.

As they waited, Eddie reached out to touch Nubbi, sighed and commented that there were not many ways to bring her back now. Yashani wondered, even if few, if there ways to bring her back and Eddie said either the person who made her that way could reverse it, that Nubbi could return to their original home and ask to be turned back or someone could give up their magic to do so. Quincy asked where their home might be, as it seemed the most straightforward answer, and Eddie explained along the south western edge of the continent there is a city within the treetops called *Naviq* and is where they originate from. At the same time, Seren retreated into himself away, pray to Kenala to ask if this was what he had been feeling recently and Seren subconsciously started to glow. Seren asked for one last favor if permitted and soon he, along with everyone but Alaerith, felt the brush of a warm breeze, which was unusual in the Season of the Lich as it was generally cold. Seren, accepting this as the response to his question, stood up and let his voice be carried on this breeze as he cast *Sending* to Leku

*"Dear sister, I wished to greet you in person and I never stopped looking. I know you and I pray I will find you*."

and after a moment of pause, Leku’s voice filled Seren’s mind as she replied

*"Sometime soon. I see you."*

Seren let those words settle over him as he kneeled next to Nubbi, prayed to Kenala and devoted his magic to her will and everyone soon noticed that the wind picked up and swirled around Seren and Nubbi and as they were obscured from view slowly picked up the bits of moss on his shell. Seren saw as two shadows, one bright and the other dark, appeared within the wind, who he knew as the the Queen of the Summer Court and the Queen of Air and Darkness, and as they drew the remains of the fey magic given to and directed into Nubbi causing her to faint. As the wind came to a stop and the pair were back in view the party saw Seren looking much more of his actual age than he ever had before. Yashani, recognizing his fading life force, approached Seren, offered the prayer in Celestial that she had only given to those after death and Seren shakily reached out, touched Yashani’s maskless face and told her *“I see you and you are known. Thank you”*. After Yashani helped Seren gets to his feet he used his staff to help him approach Quincy, reached out for a big hug and told them he loved them, that he loved the whole party, assured them his magic was never his and thanked them for their joy. Seren quickly turned to Alaerith, let out a huge cough in front of the still messy sea elf, walked to him frail, told him that he had no words for what he had been through, but that his past did not define him, calling him “young one” and assured him it was not his fault.

Seren dropped to a knee and rolled onto his back to rock himself as he did every night to sleep. Alaerith dropped to his side and reached out to attempt to *Life Drain* and heal him, but as Yashani held his arm back and Seren told him no, that his time was long gone, but his was not. The group heard a loud noise of a tree snapping and as they looked they saw a tree had split open like a doorway, revealing a purple sky and blue trees. A very large barrel chested man, with long brown hair, bear paws for hands and feet and wearing ornate furs stepped out and explained Queen Titania, of the Summer Court had asked that Seren be taken and buried in their grave of Champions and was there to commit to seeing him buried properly. Seren told his friends goodbye and as Alaerith pleaded for him not go as well Seren apologized. The bear man stepped forward, lifted Seren into his arms, reached out to pick up Seren's staff and planted it in front of Alaerith. The bear man explained that the Queen’s amend was for the group to continue his duty, that him going doesn't mean their job was done, that the staff would aid them and only Alaerith could use it. At Seren’s pleading Alaerith hesitantly reached out to take the staff and as he held it the staff altered, causing the wood to twist and darken and sprouted barnacles and lily petals. Seren smiled and reached out with his hand to the Alaerith and the staff, but before he could his arm went limp as he breathed his last breath, with a smile on his face as he had shared it with friends. The bear man apologized for their loss and told them if they were ever in the *Feywild* to come to his castle. He added that he was called the Bear King and they could see the monuments that had been built in Seren’s honor, built for the deeds for the life they never knew that he had. The Bear King told them in time he would see them again before he stepped back through the portal, carrying Seren in his arms and a moment later the party saw as the the tree closed back up.

### **Break!**

* grab your bowl of cereal, we'll be right back

### **Part Two**

As the party reeled from what just happened Kaz quietly reiterated Eddie's earlier words of how things would be coming for the heart of the forest emperor soon. Eddie started to answer just as the stone and mud golems returned, spoke to her and Eddie translated their words to mean they had between five and ten minutes to be on their way. RX asked for directions back and Eddie pointed them on a path and explained they would need to go until they found another valley, would need to turn left, then head up along the path that would climb up the cliff. RX looked down at the still unconscious Nubbi, gently poked her and Nubbi soon roused and opened her eyes which now once again glowed with magic. Nubbi stood, transformed into her humanoid form, took a moment to cough up black gunk before she recovered, turned back to the party and expressed her surprise that Seren willingly gave his life for her and that she was sorry for that. RX noted, due to Seren’s age, it would have happened sooner rather than later and that he made use of it and Nubbi said she didn't know how to repay them for this as he was gone because of her. Quincy stated he was gone because he was a good person and Nubbi agreed, noting it wasn't often someone would willingly give up their life for someone they barely knew. RX said that it seems to happen quite frequently in his experience, as he mentally recalled Tabernacle trying to save Quizix and Killian giving Yashani the time to escape, but Nubbi noted it wasn't as frequent as he believed.

Quincy asked how aware Nubbi had been since she was changed and Nubbi told them she had seen and remembered everything. Quincy asked if she knew what happened to Bo and Nubbi nodded and said they did. Quincy said they were glad Nubbi was back and Nubbi thanked her, but stated she couldn't replace Bo. Yashani asked if Nubbi was free now and Nubbi said she didn't know since she hadn't been brought back by another. RX asked if she would rather stay with the party or stay with her sister and Nubbi admitted she didn't know how she could help the party. Yashani told her it may be where they part ways and Nubbi agreed, noting that she still didn't know how to repay them. Yashani wished her a long life and Nubbi thanked her and the others before noting she was not ignorant to what they were trying to do and that she didn't want to see the world destroyed. Nubbi added that when the party needed her they could whisper on the wind for them and she would come, but warned it may take some time to round up all nine of them. Nubbi wished them well and Quincy said they would see them both on the next shore and, having been reminded of something, headed back to the tree the Bear King took Seren through. Quincy touched the tree, whispered to Seren that they had never had faith, but he taught them that there are some things worth having faith in. They repeated their sailor’s good-bye, admitting it was in its own way a prayer, and noticed the faint outline of a pixie fly in front of them as if had acknowledge the prayer before it disappeared into the tree. Quincy returned to the group afterwards.

The party began to make the way Eddie had pointed with RX leading the way, but Yashani, seeing Alaerith had not moved from the ground, crouched down beside him. Yashani noted that she didn't know what he intended to do when he ran, but whether he tried to jump to his death or run away from them, she wasn't sorry as neither were things she wanted. Yashani added that he was not that different from the rest of the group, that while he didn't have to believe it but hoped he would in time, that he couldn't remain there and none of them could. Yashani stood up, held out her left hand with the Ruin Moon Mark, to remind him even if they were different originally, were now the same color. Alaerith asked under his breath how she could still say that after everything he told them, noting that he knew she healed him from the brink of death as he was familiar with the sensation of her healing and wondered why she did. Yashani told him that he was her friend, that looking at him she didn't see destruction or a hero, she saw her friend. Meanwhile, Alaerith and Yashani noticed the mud golem patting Alaerith on the back before it wandered back to Nubbi and Eddie before they all left. Alaerith noted that she saw what happened when he tries to do any good, that he tried to go to avoid the same destruction from his home happening to hers and asked if she could still look him in the eye to say that. Yashani told him that the common denominator in all of these scenarios was not him but Lunala and Sezrin. Yashani added that in terms of *"looking him in the eye"* before she tipped his face to see her, in spite of the clumped hair covering his face, that in spite of what he shared still called her his friend. After a little time, Alaerith slowly extended his left hand to hers and Yashani helped him to his feet. Alaerith kept his head down, sniffling in his best attempt to not cry more then he was, and Yashani politely ignored it. Yashani encouraged him to take Seren's staff, noticing that gentle snowflakes fell from the flowers every time it hit the ground, and urged him forward.

As they passed the corpse of the forest emperor Alaerith heard the voice of Derithon rumble *"Kill"*. Alaerith mentally asked if he wasn't dead already and the voice told him to *“sever it's heart”*. Alaerith asked how he was meant to do that and Derithon simply told him to cut it out. As Alaerith thought the dragon snarled and roared leaving Alaerith with the compulsion to do as he asked now. Meanwhile Yashani, seeing Alaerith was staring at it, noticed his right eye had become slit shaped, but also saw their were gold lines running through it. Yashani told Alaerith they needed to leave it and Alaerith said that he didn't know why, but felt the heart needed to be removed, Yashani said it would rest when nature or another beast reclaimed it and that they had no need for it, but Alaerith explained he didn't want to take it, but something was telling him to just remove it from the body. Alaerith stuck the staff in the ground, approached the corpse, pulled out Kalas's dagger and settled at the forest emperor’s side. Alaerith slowly cut the creature’s chest open to expose it's heart, asked Derithon if this was it and Derithon told him to remove it's heart from it's magical bonds so it could perish. Alaerith pulled the heart free and threw it to the ground as it and the corpse of the forest emperor started to burn and shrivel slowly turning into sludge. Alaerith remained close to the heart as it deteriorated, unsure if any entity still resided in it, but determined for it to not be alone in its final moments. Alaerith cast *Prestidigitation* to clean the dagger, followed by himself to clean himself off, then grabbed the staff, thanked Yashani and Yashani said their work was done, but there was more for all of them. As Yashani urged him forward she and Alaerith noticed one flower changed blue, while another changed to a tarnished metallic color. Alaerith gave a little confused sound before he continued with Yashani to the others.

The party reconvened and began to make their way back to the monastery with RX taking the lead, but found even with Eddie's directions he was unable to find the way. Yashani offered to take the lead though she herself wasn't quite aware of this area behind the monastery either. Alaerith said he had an idea, handed Yashani *Galatea's Gift* that Galatea made for him and told her this would allow her to speak with him when he changed and get an aerial view above. Alaerith then cast *Polymorph* to become a Giant White Owl, with notable blue speckles, and, after Yashani used the stone to cast *Speak With Animals* and request him to check above, preferably looking for a giant waterfall. Alaerith flew above to survey the area, found the waterfall and the path to it, then returned and pointed out the way. After Alaerith dropped *Polymorph* they continued on their way, dipping into the next valley and found what looked like stairs built into the cliffside. They climbed the stairs for several hours, with Quincy and Sterling falling behind as they were not accustomed to such feats of athleticism. Kaz eventually carried Quincy when they became *Exhausted* from their efforts and Alaerith cast *Polymorph* turning into a blue horse to give Sterling a ride part of the way as he struggled as well. They eventually made their way up the cliffside to the garden, collapsed catch their breaths as everyone was left with a point of *Exhaustion*, with Kaz taking two points of *Exhaustion* for carrying Quincy, and rested there for a moment in the midday sun.

As they laid there the group heard a thud and a voice, that Yashani recognized as Viqs, who greeted them enquiring what happened to make them fall of the cliff. Yashani noted it was a long story and Viqs retorted that it was one of the dumbest things he had seen her do. As Alaerith shyly commented that it wasn't her fault Yashani said she'd be happy for pointers how to not fall of a cliff, but later as she felt several of her ribs were bruised. Viqs asked about the wall of fire that appeared down below the cliff, that it perturbed him and when RX and Yashani explained the fight with the trees, with one having a dragon heart, just asked if they were sure they were ok. Quincy cut in, prefacing that they meant no disrespect, but they had all gone through a small patch of Hell in that they lost lost one friend, had another ally walk away from them and they just wanted to rest. Viqs commented that Quincy was at the end of their rope and Quincy sharply noted they had been for weeks now but were usually better at hiding it. As Kaz put an arm around Quincy’s waist Viqs said they could rest here, but would have to tell Valeu what happened. Yashani asked if he had to and Viqs noted he would be in as much trouble as her if he didn't. As Viqs walked away Yashani groaned and laid down on to the ground, followed by everyone else, except RX who told the others he would be going to rest and would see them tomorrow, ready to leave for the *Sra'jess Hot Springs*. The group fell quiet as Kaz ritual cast *Find Familiar* to summon Boris, held him in her arms as she cried and while everyone else managed to resist Boris's stench, Sterling failed to resist it and hurried away to puke in a bush.

Alaerith, holding Seren's staff, sighed and offered that if anyone had any further questions they could ask him now. He also added that Tollanessa was free to ask as well, but neither Sterling or she appeared to be paying attention. Yashani mediated with her eyes closes as she began by commented Alaerith wasn't his given name and wondered if it was one he would choose to keep. Alaerith noted it was one of the few things he had remaining when he left, and that it was hard when Tabernacle kept getting it wrong, not sure if he should defend a name he didn't even like, but same time was all he had. Meanwhile, Quincy noticed that *Vile’s Fang* at some point changed again, that the fang was again larger, sharper, partially made of a tarnished metallic material with now very prominent blue streaks. Quincy started to tell Alaerith that names were important and that he should go by a name that he was happy with before they pointed out that his necklace had changed again. Alaerith looked down and on seeing the change commented that was different, but seeing he was unbothered Quincy moved past it and asked if he preferred to be called by his birth name, noting they didn't want to call him something that caused him pain. Alaerith paused for a moment before he pulled out the empty envelope he recieved days before and placed it in front of those who were there, revealing his original birth name was *Trajor Anterome.* Alaerith commented that he knew Quincy was pretty curious and wished to know what it was before admitting both names caused a different form of heartache to him, that Alaerith was fine as it was what he was used to and thanked her. Quincy offered that he could always pick a name, citing that they were not given their middle names but picked them. Quincy explained that Feyre was from a story of a princess that became a knight and Alywinn was her Nana’s middle name. Yashani suggested that Alaerith could also make his name mean something different in time if he wished. Alaerith haphazardly said maybe it was something for the future depending whatever happened.

Kaz, after her tears had slowed, reached out to place *Ob’s Charm* and her gifted *Ring of the Sandrunner* over the envelope and told Alaerith her people did not give gifts lightly and wouldn't force him to take him, but would be happy if he did. Alaerith looked at them hesitantly, but feeling Seren's staff in his hand nervously giggled wondering why everything gets more complicated. Kaz recalled what Alaerith had said during his story about being given a gift and unaware why, asked if he wished for an answer and Alaerith looked at the group before saying if it wasn't anything she had issue with speaking about, but also understood being quiet as well. Kaz told Alaerith that she didn't feel they were the same, but knew what it was like watching family pass, that she saw her father killed, ran away from her mother, assuming she was gone too at this point, that she recognized the hurt, that she felt it from him, that she knew that loneliness and even if it was a temporary meeting wanted him to know he wasn't alone and had friends. Alaerith paused before he silently retrieved the envelope, Ob's Charm and *Ring of the Sandrunner*, told her he was sorry for what she went through and Kaz replied in kind.

Alaerith looked at Boris, apologized for what happened to him in the fight Kaz thanked him, noting that he could always come back, but had been all she had when leaving home. A silence lapsed before Alaerith commented that it had been a bit of a day, but would still answer any questions anyone else had. Yashani said that she felt Alaerith had answered more then his share of questions for the day and thanked him for sharing and Alaerith said she was welcome, addressing her as *Miss Umbranax.* Yashani chuckled before noting she wasn't used to having a last name, that it made her feel at least double her age and that Yashani would do just fine and Alaerith nodded his head.

Yashani wished the group good day before she headed to her room to sleep as well. Quincy told Alaerith in the following quiet that she was glad Alaerith shared, that it was a special kind of bravery to do so but hoped it was a bit of trust. Alaerith noted that he didn't think it was bravery, but Quincy assured him that it was. Quincy turned to Kaz, gently brushed a hand through her hair, offered to help her to her room and when Kaz called it a role reversal, but would be appreciated and Quincy recalled a sort of inside joke in that Kaz had let them pretend to be helpful before. As they got to their feet Quincy brushed a hand through their hair and tugged at their braid only to notice some of the hair pulled away, snapping like split ends where there were bits of magma. Quincy commented that they needed a bath before asking Alaerith if he would like company, that they could always return to sit with him, but Alaerith said he would be alright and thanked her. Quincy said they hoped to get everyone together again for dinner, as it was always best to share a meal in times like this. As Quincy smiled they heard the sound of Sterling being sick, asked if he was ok and Sterling said he was fine and would sleep on his own before he stumbled away to his room. Quincy noted he would be fine before she and Kaz headed back to their room, while Alaerith decided to stay in the garden.

Meanwhile RX in his room, not quite resting, started to draw and redraw the map from the monastery to the *Sra'jess Hot Springs* over and over again unable to yet find sleep. Eventually everyone found themselves going to sleep.

1. ↑ the dagger Ob returned that belonged to his best friend growing up