Morto

**Morto** is the twenty sixth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Order of Restoration scrambled in an attempt to save Killian from the clutches of the Baron of Cessunaler.

## Morto

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

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### **Part One**

As the party, along with Quizix Yawndehara, ran from the tunnel, having heard something loud from the collection room above them, they noted the sound of the trapdoor opening but nothing else came after it. Towards the end of the tunnel, where the party reached the point that they would need to climb a sharp incline to get outside, Tabernacle took the chance to talk about Baron Vintorvas, re-mentioning his mention of "her" and the tapestry of *The Shattering Moon*, wondering if this was the same "her" referenced by the Order of Ruin in *Quarry Hold*. Tabernacle asked Quincy for their opinion, as the other first mate alongside him while their Captain was gone, while Quincy was more focused on the sound of anyone coming and when Alaerith heard the faint sound of footsteps coming closer and mentioned it to the group Quincy suggested they get to the mouth of the tunnel and fire down on whoever was following. As the group followed, Tabernacle held Alaerith back to help him as he cast *Shape Water* to make the incline icy behind them. They all managed to make it back out of the tunnel, thought Tabernacle needed to activate *The* *Claws of Vaust* to assist him escape, and once everyone was outside in the snow they heard hurried footsteps, along with a thud from behind them.

Looking back, the party saw an elven man with unkept hair that has been dreaded at the bottom, who Killian would recognize as Rusk Carguille, that told them they needed to return what they took and Tabernacle replied they didn't take anything. Rusk stated that he didn't like liars and Tabernacle retorted there was a difference between stealing and reclaiming before he cast *Phantasmal Force* which failed as Rusk shook it off with ease. Rusk soon pulled a bag off of his back, took out two large, metalic cestus fists that he slipped over his hands, causing one to light up with purple energy and the other to burst into flames as he told them they could either return it or he would take it. RX took the *Barricade* shield off of his back, placed it over the entrance of the tunnel and activated it, causing it to expand and fill the space and asked what to do now. Rusk, on the other side, struck the shield three times with his cestus fist while Quincy pulled out *Peril & Pain* and prepared to fire, while she activated her *Smart Mouth* ability to reduce his place in initiative as she sarcastically told him "best of luck".

Quincy activated *Barrage* on *Peril & Pain* and prepared for when Rusk would bust out of the tunnel. Quiz looked around in confusion as Quincy demanded he do something, while RX clarifyied that the target was in the hole. After thinking on it for a moment, Quiz complained that he needed to see the target and when Tabernacle said to either prepare to hit the target after coming up or help someone else hit even better Quiz held his hands and prepared a spell to fire when Rusk was in sight. Tabernacle prepared himself, while complaining that he was old and tired but had one thing he could do, pulled out his rifle off his back and prepares to fire on him. Rusk struck *Barricade* three more times, with the last hit causing the shield to go flying off like manhole cover thrown with force and causing RX to stumble back. With Rusk now in view those who prepared to attack did so with who Quincy fired a spray of gunfire from *Peril & Pain*, Quiz who cast *Magic Missile* and Tabernacle who cast *Eldritch Blasts* blasting him twice.

Alaerith apprehensively apologized as he cast *Firebolt* missing the elven man, which Tabernacle seemed disappointed with and said they would talk about later. RX rolled off of his back, complained that the man hurt his shield and that RX would hurt him, drew his longsword struck with one of his two slashes while he activated *Psionic Strike* to enhance his slash, then activated *Action Surge,* but missed with his two extra slashes. Rusk used his his reaction to try and grapple RX, twisting one of his metalic arms behind his back but RX managed to break free, called it an interesting handshakes and asked for the man's name, who then introduced himself as Rusk. Yashani came around with her quarterstaff, smacked Rusk's head, while she activated *Stunning Strike* which he resisted, then struck once more, activating *Stunning Strike* which he resisted again, then activated *Flurry of Blows* landing one of her two strikes on him, but noticed that Rusk seemed fairly unbothered by the damage.

At the top of the round Quincy and Yashani heard footsteps from the forest towards them a little ways away. Quincy put away the overheated *Peril & Pain,* pulled out *Panache*, fired once on Rusk, then activate *Deed : Covering Fire* as she adjusted her aim, usually aiming for the center body mass and aimed for his face to to reduce Rusk's next attack. Quiz looked to Yashani, noted she was better at fighting than him, cast *Haste* on her before, then backed away from the majority of the fight to maintained concentration. Tabernacle, truly in his element surrounded in the snow, cast *Shape Water* to pull the snow around him into a five foot by five foot cube of solid ice, dropped it over Rusk and himself, managing to move out of the path of the falling cube of ice as they both took damage from the attack, then used the rest of his turn to move further away and closer to Quiz. Rusk, having moved away from the falling ice, ended up closer to RX, warned that it wasn't a good idea to keep this up, cracked a knuckle that burst with purple energy as he activated *Eldritch Fist*, as Quincy who spotted the activation used their reaction to activate *Gambler's Taunt* to fire on Rusk and nullify his first attack bringing his attention to Quincy, and struck him one of his two remaining punches, as RX used his reaction to activate *Protective Field* which reduced the damage as well. The group noticed as Rusk bounced on his feet, which revealed he was particularly quick now that he was on solid ground and no longer fighting from the steep incline inside the tunnel.

Alaerith, noting his own reluectance to offensive tactics with his first attack and inspired by what Tabernacle had just done, cast *Shape Water* to change the snow under Rusk's feet to ice in a failed attempt to disrupt his balance, finding that Rusk's was too light on his feet to be affected, then actiaved *Metamagic : Quickened Spell* to cast *Fire Bolt* but missed once more. RX, seeing the way Rusk moved, pondered a moment before he lunged forward and failed to grapple him in a bear hug, learning that Rusks *Fancy Footwork* made it at disadvantage as Rusk dipped behind RX, then attempted and failed to knock him prone with his full weight. Yashani rushed to Rusk, punched him in the nose while she said

*"Rhizadeal sends his regards."*

as Tabernacle requested over *Ob's Charm* that she made it so Rusk couldn't see what Tabernacle would do next, though Yashani was confused how to do this, then struck with three more punches, as Rusk used his reaction to grab Yashani's arm and failed in his attempt to pull her to the ground.

Quincy swapped *Panache* for *Peril & Pain* once more, fired once sprinkling Rusk with lightning and necrotic magic ball bearings, then activated *Barrage* before firing again as she sprayed the elven man with magic bullets, which automatically activated *Gut Shot* and Rusk dropped to one knee and left him *Incapacitated* until her next turn or till he removed the bullet, then backed away. Quiz continued to concentrate on Yashani's *Haste* while he recommended they leave the area, backed away from the tunnel entrance and the fight by even more, and told those who hadn't heard that something was coming from the forest Tabernacle cast *Minor Illusion* causing his form to shift and bloated before almost deflating as small illusory creatures left him and swarmed around Rusk's eyes, creating a sort of blindfold around him.

Rusks, despite being *Incapacitated*, slowly pushed himself off the ground though mostly faltering. Alaerith asked over *Ob's Charm* what they should do and Tabernacle suggested he ran far away and find Ob or someone who could use the glaive, having cast *Identify* on it earlier and knew it was extremely powerful, then moved towards Tabernacle, recieved the *Bag of Holding,* which Rusk couldn't see due to the illusion taking his sight, cast *Expeditious Retreat* on himself and blindly ran in a direction, by some miracle having chosen South which was the direction of town, with everyone noticing that he didn't leave a single footprint behind him. RX, seeing Rusk was still *Incapacitated*, tackled him back to the ground and *Grappled* him with ease. Yashani pummeled the now *Grappled* Rusk from above on his face until she heard a satisfying *crack* of cartiledge breaking as Rusk went limp below her and under RX's hold.

Yashani announced over *Ob's Charm* that he was *Unconsious* and suggested they retreat into the tunnel over the charm. In the quiet after the fight, everyone listened to the woods for the coming footsteps, but Yashani was the only one to pick up the sound of 20 to 30 sets of feet headed their way, while Alaerith had run past them at extreme speed as he headed back for town. Tabernacle said how he wasn't sure how all "this magic stuff" worked but that they should retreat into the tunnel where he could block off the entrance. Quincy agreed, pulled out *Panache*, coldly shot Rusk once in the chest, then ignored RX's protests that they may want leverage later before she shot him again in the head. Quincy explained to RX that they were dealing with a sadist and Tabernacle noted Rusk probably had enough money to revive him if necessary. RX just sighed, picked up the now dead body of Rusk as he rolled into the entrance of the tunnel. Yashani followed quickly behind as Quincy and Quiz ran to clear the distance as they had moved away. As Quiz cast *Magic Missile* to the forest on any target he could several gunshots were fired, which missed Quincy, but struck Quiz as he fell into the snow behind them and continued to move.

Tabernacle, who was waiting at the tunnel entrance to close it once everyone was inside, called for Quincy to head in as he ran for Quiz, running past her, reached out to pull Quiz's limp form closer with *The* *Claws of Vaust* and was fired on repeatedlyas he tried to drag Quiz to the entrance of the tunnel. Quincy, having thought the two were close behind, grabbed RX and Yashani and headed for the other end of the tunnel, with the intention to close the trap door between them and the incoming group. Still outside of the cave, Tabernacle was left *Unconscious* beside Quiz's own *Unconscious* body in the snow.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

As Quincy, RX and Yashani had made it into the tunnel, gained distance and took one of Rusk's remaining functioning *Eldritch Knuckles*, several members of Cold Iron came upon Quiz and Tabernacle bleeding out in the snow from several gunshot wounds. One turned Quiz over onto his back and fired a bullet into his skull, leaving him dead in the snow, before he made his way to Tabernacle. Tabernacle barely had enough left in him to be roused as he was also rolled onto his back to face the mercenaries as one said it was a shame to kill an old man. Tabernacle, with what little strength he had left, pulled the bandages from his left palm, revealed the mark of the Ruin Moon and as Tabernacle gave one last hollow laugh, the guard cocked his pistol, said he hoped Tabernacle had a fun one before he shot him as well, leaving him dead in the snow.

The view shifted, through the woods, over the castle wall, within the castle, to a small room where Killian was stripped of most of his clothes, tied to a chair, beaten, bloody and barely breathing as Baron Vintorvas entered the room. The pudgy elf came towards Killian, grabbed his face roughly, and demanded to know who he was and what he had done with the his collection. Killian chuckled to himself as used the last bits of his strength to spit in the man's face which earned him a swift punch to the face. The Baron asked again again who he was, what good Killian was if he didn't give answers and who his companions were. Killian retorted that he owed the man nothing, which only angered the Baron more as he was given another punch across the face and demanded him to answer. Killian asked *"Or what?"* in reply and the Baron pulled out a dagger, ripped it across Killian's abdomen and left the room as Killian bled out.

In the familiar space of coming death, Killian looked for Avranti, and finding the same elven woman he saw in Ob's *Magnificent Mansion* apologized for not keeping his promise and Avranti told him that he had tried to protect his friends. Killian asked that, for his death wish, Avranti help his friends, to protect or aid them in whatever came next and Avranti agreed to try. From the corner of his eye, Killian saw a little girl, with long white hair and a black dress that he recognized as Scura, who told him it was time to go. Killian took her outstretched hand in one hand, clutched his *Honor Crest* in the other as his spirit was lifted from him body and was brought to the *Plane of Death*.

The view shifted, leaving the castle and to the woods where Alaerith was still running across the snow with the *Bag of Holding* until he found himself at the northern end of the forest before the open expanse that showed him the city a little ways off and took a moment to catch his breath. Alaerith used *Ob's Charm* to call for Ob, and to hopefully reach out for a response from the party, before the familiar voice of Ob responded that he seemed a bit estatic. Alaerith explained that they got his items but Killian is captured and the party was in a fight. Alaerith continued to explain before Ob told him to hold on and after a moment a purple line cut through the air in front of Alaerith as Ob stepped out into the snow, while the gap between the planes closed behind him. Ob asked again what was happening before asking for his items back and Alaerith held out the *Bag of Holding* letting Ob reach in and easily pulled out his glaive and spellbook. Ob flipped through the pages till he found the right one, and cast *Scry* as the page started glowing purple. Alaerith watched Ob's face drop, asked what was happening and Ob revealed Killian was dead. He cast *Scry* again and told him Tabernacle is also gone as Alaerith gripped his in chest in distress.

Ob asked where the others are and Alaerith started to think before exclaiming his lack of footprints, turned around and attempted to point which direction he came from. Ob concentrated on his own charmed earring and reached out to Quincy, Yashani and RX to ask where they are. RX instantly responded and explained the tunnel and collection room, going so far as to give him exact coordinates to their location. Ob flipped through more pages of his spellbook before he ripped one out, layed it on the ground and cast *Teleport*, bringing himself directly in front of the trio in the collection room, leaving Alaerith behind. Quincy exclaimed that Tabernacle was just behind them outside but Ob revealed he was dead, while Yashani asked after Killian and Ob revealed his fate as well. RX pushed Yashani and Quincy into Ob's space and once all together Ob cast *Teleport* once more and they regrouped with Alaerith. Once there, Alaerith collasped to the ground as Ob shouted in frustration and asked what happened. RX, seeing Quincy frozen in shock, explained the plan of the trade with the Baron for the items and Killian being caught while investigating the hidden tunnel below the collection room, while Ob ritually cast *Tiny Hut* and admitted he should not have sent them to do this once RX finished his explanation.

RX suggested they leave, but Ob pointed out the Baron had killed two of their friends and insisted the man needed to die. Yashani asserted that she was not leaving without them and as Ob asked what good it would do to grab their bodies Quincy replied sailors shouldn't die so far from the sea. Ob asked what it would be worth and Quincy said enough. Ob pointed out they couldn't wage a full blown war and RX agreed noting they didn't have the numbers or the strength, as he pointed out the party looked exhausted. Ob noted even his powers didn't go on forever and RX once again suggested they leave temporarily and recuperate. Quincy asked of his *Mansion* and Ob replied he could do it but wouldn't suggest there as the city was no longer an option. The party followed Ob's direction, as he suggested a city nearby called *Nij'a* that wasn't too far. Ob explained that he could come with them to a safer area before he did mansion spell, but added that he couldn't stick around as there was still the problem in the Feywild to be dealt with.

Once in a more out of the way area Ob cast *Ob's Magnificent* *Mansion* and once everyone was inside Ob apologized again, stating that he shouldn't have sent them without his help, that he blamed himself for what happened and was going to do something about it. RX replied that they will all do something about it but that would require a plan and good planning required rest and Quincy asked if they could all stick together for the night. Yashani requested the *Bag of Holding* from Alaerith but recieved no reply as Alaerith was unresponsive. Yashani seeing this took the *Bag* *of Holding* from him, with no resistance from Alaerith, and semi-frantically pulled out things left behind by Killian and Tabernacle, Killian's halberd and one of Tabernacle's fishing net. Yashani held out the items and gave the same prayer she did over the hairbrush not long ago

*"Your lifeblood returns from whence it came,*

*Flowing back to the heart of the giver,*

*To carry you to your final rest*

*May the journey be swift*

*And your next life peaceful."*

Yashani then stuffed the items back into the *Bag* *of Holding* before hurrying away, alone into the various halls of the mansion. RX guided Quincy and pulled the catatonic Alaerith with him to the library while Yashani willed the mansion to give her a place to hide, as she did when she was a little girl at the monastery. Once inside she curled in on herself as she recalled the moment Vintorvas had taken Killian from the tunnel and went over how she might have helped save him, or pulled him back into the shadows out of view, over and over as she sobbed into her knees. RX brought Alaerith and Quincy to the library where they found Bookmaster waiting and greeted him before willing a couch into existence in front of the fireplace. As he sat the two down he then realized Yashani was no longer with them and asked Bookmaster to watch over Alaerith and Quincy before he left the library and searched for Yashani, finding her easily enough as he willed the mansion to help him.

RX noted Yashani had picked a rather cramped place to be and as Yashani replied she was hoping to not be found countered that the mansion was not the place that would work. RX said that he had several questions but would not answer them as for once he knew the answer, that she was not well, niether were Quincy or Alaerith, and that he could add himself to the list but did not see the point. RX knelt near Yashani and asked what she wanted to do and Yashani replied that she wished to go back in time and undo what had happened, but knowing that time did not flow backwards her other option was that she would kill Vintorvas. RX believed they had a similar goal, that he would need her help and Yashani replied that she would be there. RX told her to take her time but would need her in the library shortly, adding they could summon an alcove for her there if she needed it, and walked away. Yashani dried her eyes, tried and mostly failed to still her shaking hands and followed a few minutes later.

Quincy and Alaerith sat quietly when RX returned, at which point RX summoned a table near the couch and activated his *Telekinetic Movement* to bring books to the table and created a sort of diorama of the castle as he knew it. As Quincy realized what RX was trying to do, she silently began to fill in what she knew from her trip inside. Once Yashani has arrived, RX stopped working with the books to address the three of them and that he knew they had more experience with this emotional struggle and suggested they take more time to rest before helping him. Quincy, almost as accepting this as permission, stopped helping with the diorama and instead stood to look through Ob's library, found her favorite book from when she was a child. They brought it back to the couch, settled next to Alaerith and softly begin to read it out loud. Yashani, emotionally and physically exhausted, sat and tried to listen to Quincy's story, as she drifted off to sleep leaning again an armchair. Once RX reached the extent of his knowledge of the castle, called for Ob to see if he knew more and when the man came when called adjusted some things, noting that he did not believe the castle to be anything too complicated. As Quincy continues to read, Alaerith slowly came out of catanotic state, eventually stood from the couch and leaves the library.

Alaerith wandered the halls for a time before he came to a door brought about by his own subconscious thought and conscious pain. Despite his desire not to, as if compelled he stepped through the door to a room with an incredibly large space, filled with gravestones, with greater numbers that could be counted, with the surroundings covered with numerous messages

*"you did this"*

*"this is your fault"*

*"die"*.

Eventually, Alaerith made his way to three graves in particular, one that reads Killian's name and another with Tabernacle's name. Alaerith collapsed in between the grave between the two of them, which read *Balthon Anterome,* wrapped his arms around the headstone and sobbed, apologizing to his father and asked why he kept doing this until he eventually passed out and cried himself to sleep.

Back in the library, RX continued to look over the castle of books, while Quincy fell asleep reading with Yashani asleep nearby. RX turned to Ob, said that the strategy could wait, that he would like to speak with him and left the library assuming Ob would follow. Ob followed as RX looked for a staircase, picturing it leading to some form of roof and was led to an observatory, glass domed room that looked out to a reflection of Texildra's starscape. RX began by saying he did not blame Ob and Ob admitted he didn't expect the group to blame him but did blame himself for asking the group to do this for him. RX reminded him they agreed to the task, and met the worst person RX had ever encountered. RX had run through a number of situations in his mind but never imagined this outcome, that they could not have been prepared for this, or they could have but weren't and whether that put the blame on them seemed irrelevant to him. RX noted that whether or not Ob blamed himself was his business and Ob admitted he was right. RX said that out of the many concepts he had learned, blame seemed irrelevant. RX began to add something to that, and stopped briefly before saying it may not be irrelevant but mourning seemed helpful to the party and if it was helpful for them then he wanted them to do it.

RX continued to tell Ob that Killian was their leader, a title amongst many that were bestowed by Tabernacle for their crew. He noted they did not have a captain anymore and wasn't sure if the others could be a captain in their state. RX added that he knew the group was strong and Ob agreed, citing that surviving was not easy. RX told Ob how he had put them all in danger from the very beginning by stealing something as innocous as a book. Ob explained different things were important to different people and RX said he understood that better now. Ob admitted he couldn't imagine a day would go by anytime soon that he doesn't think about what happened and that he should have just done it himself. RX countered this, saying he had learned that everyone had the right to ask for help and that he would not have gotten anywhere without Killian and Quincy, noting that Ob may have *Awaken*ed him but they were the ones who really awoken him. Ob said that at least in a time like this, the party had someone like RX, which RX was glad for and Ob was too.

Ob said he would need to figure out what to do about the situation when they were ready, and RX agreed that it would be when they were ready. RX added that he had a few ideas but did not have the skills for them himself, but would lead them if he had to. Ob then went on to reveal that this time he was truly here in the flesh, adding that he didn't doubt RX was tired and suggested he get some rest as well before leaving the observatory. When Ob left, RX turned to face the stars as he assumed position to take a *Sentry's Rest* while looking up.

The view panned to Yashani and shifted into her dreams, a nightmare of when she ran through the forest after losing Killian in the tunnel. The scene replayed over and over again until the 20th or so time, she heard something soft in the distance, a voice that called out and said her name, but the words are muffled, with the only word she can really make out being the last one

*"run"*.

The view panned like a mist from Yashani, over to the couch where Quincy slept and into their dreams. a nightmare of running through the tunnel, leaving Tabernacle behind with RX and Yashani at their side. It repeated over and over until in one rendition a light appeared from an opening and a voice, muffled called to them as well.

1. ↑ In the midst of this attempt, Haelley uses the feature *All In* which allows her to add a roll of her *Risk Die* to an ability check or saving throw, to try and up the total. The risk is that if she rolls a 1, the entire roll is treated as a Natural 1
2. ↑ An unexplained effect from the *Ring of the Sand Runner* which leaves no footprints from the user.
3. ↑ This was mentioned off stream.
4. ↑ Tabernacle had lost two death saves from the hail of bullets previously and rolled his final, failed save over break