1 Felmont

31 Pupemont - 1 Felmont - 2 Felmont (Back to Logs)

[1:58 PM] DM: 1 Felmont 3Y21

## Isonsall

Happy New Year. There were a few small, quiet celebrations last night, a few more this morning. Before we gather again at the only inn in town, if anyone would like to describe what they did over the last night, feel free.

[2:02 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh and Rukiya wandered around town for a little bit, collecting what information they could. They then had dinner with the mayor, checked in with the others (and told them to meet up at the major's mansion once they were awake and ready to leave), and stayed the evening at the mayor's mansion.

[2:04 PM] Urrak: Urrak spent the night in the town's red light district before returning to the Inn in the early hours.

[2:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir and Gunnloda walked around town, found a couple of bakeries, ate some things and... eventually went back to the inn.

[2:09 PM] Brimeia: Bri did a little exploring around town too.

[2:10 PM] DM: So you all gather up and head to the mayor's mansion to pick up Ry and Rukiya for the trek to Tumulus?

[2:10 PM] Urrak: ((yeah))

[2:11 PM] Seirixori: ((yes))

[2:15 PM] DM: It's cold and cloudy, but fairly calm. You head up and Rolfe lets you in and leads you to the sitting room where Ry and Rukiya are sitting with Mayor Gescha, chatting.

[2:19 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh isn't in her armor - for once. Her attire consists of warm leggings, winter boots, and a royal purple dress that looks warm, and like it's been made for her. Rukiya is wearing similar clothing, which also looks like it was made for her, except her dress is a deeper, darker purple color. Dawnbringer is still strapped to Ry's side, and her shield sits next to the door - with the crest of Alisdair upon it.

[2:21 PM] DM: Rolfe: "The Dawnguard, your highness."

[2:21 PM] Ryleigh: "Thank you," Ryleigh answer, giving Rolfe a smile as he lets the others in.

[2:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir does her little wave hello to Ry and Rukiya as she yawns, noticing the changes but doesn't comment on them.

[2:23 PM] Urrak: "Hey, nice threads," Urrak grins and walks up to them. "Looks like yer all settled in here."

[2:24 PM] Brimeia: "Having a party?" Bri giggles.

[2:25 PM] Ryleigh: "Mayor Gescha has been more than hospitable, and also doesn't think we'll meet any threat, other than weather, on the way to Tumulus. So If you didn't want to travel in armor, you don't have to."

[2:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes light up briefly and then her shoulder's slump. "But we still have to wear warm clothes."

[2:27 PM] Urrak: "I don't mind my armor...but it would be a nice break." Urrak shrugs.

[2:27 PM] DM: Gescha: "I would absolutely suggest your warmest clothes. The journey can get quite windy."

[2:27 PM] Seirixori: Seir does not hide her whine well.

[2:28 PM] Ryleigh: "Homashoc," Ry says teasingly. "We're by the mountains during winter, you can't expect it to be warm anytime soon."

[2:28 PM] Brimeia: Bri looks at her already not armor clothing and shrugs. "New clothes are always fun."

[2:28 PM] Seirixori: "I can just light myself on fire instead."

[2:29 PM] DM: Gescha barely disguises her look of shock.

[2:29 PM] Brimeia: Bri just chuckles.

[2:30 PM] Ryleigh: Ry chuckles. "Don't be alarmed Gescha. She's a druid - it's only magic."

[2:31 PM] Urrak: "Ye should see her as a dinosaur. It's pretty cool." Urrak says with a wide grin

[2:32 PM] DM: Gescha: "It's difficult to lose the path, but if you'd like I can assign some guards to escort you, Your Majesty."

[2:33 PM] Urrak: Urrak stifles a snort at hearing "Your Majesty"

[2:35 PM] Ryleigh: Ry gives Urrak a sharp look. Then turns her attention back to Gescha. "Maybe just someone to serve as a guide up the mountain? Unless you think an escort is necessary."

[2:38 PM] DM: Gescha: "After hearing about your entry to town yesterday, I have to say that you and your group are far more capable than my guards. They would available to you should there be a blockage on the path, but largely ceremonial. That said, I would be remiss if I didn't at least offer an escort to the princess."

[2:39 PM] Ryleigh: "I appreciate the offer, but I don't want the town to lack defenses due to 'ceremony'. A guide will suffice so we don't lose our way."

[2:40 PM] DM: "Of course, Your Majesty." She signals to Rolfe who steps out of the room. "Can I do anything else for you before you're on your way?"

[2:42 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh thinks a moment, then shakes her head. “No, you’ve been more than accommodating. Thank you.” She smiles.

[2:46 PM] DM: A few more minutes of pleasantries and platitudes later, and you're following a dwarven woman up the mountain. The path is largely carved out of the mountainside, creating a kind of 3/4 tunnel so that rocks and snow falling from above might miss the walkway itself, and there's a ledge to the other side to stop anyone from slipping off the edge, but that also means that the wind tears right through it, blasting you in the face with tiny shards of ice and snow. In other places, the path is more open, but it never seems like you'll end up walking off the path short of trying to walk through a blinding blizzard.

[2:47 PM] DM: Every now and then, you catch sight of the mountaintop above you... or more accurately, the mountain and the ring of clouds that surrounds it. You cannot see the actual peak due to the clouds, and the clouds themselves have sporadic lightning strikes within them. Lightning that seems to have a faint purple tint.

[2:49 PM] Seirixori: "That's... interesting."

[2:51 PM] Urrak: Urrak has covered her face like a mummy with a large scarf. She holds a hand out gives the weather a big thumbs down.

[2:52 PM] Ryleigh: "It reminds me of the lightening at Mocha Island," Ryleigh says. "Stay close to the mountain, homashoc," she adds, sticking to the spot that skirts the mountain's edge. It's almost like she's worried Rukiya and Seir might be carried off by the wind.

[2:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir chuckles a little, "As you wish." Seir does not sound worried one bit.

[2:54 PM] DM: Unless there's more discussion you want to have on the way,

[2:55 PM] DM: the journey is largely uneventful. There's a spot or two where the path gets slick or you have to skirt around a bit of snowdrift, but there's never any danger except maybe from your nose freezing. Seir's horns might have icicles.

[2:58 PM] DM: You come around a corner and are met with a spectacular view- below, you can see snow covered mountain leading down into the snow-covered forest, stretching out mile after mile toward the horizon, but above, you can see a castle that seems to come straight out of the mountain itself. There are several towers, each climbing a bit higher than the last, with stone bridges between them. A large stone bridge that was once the entry to the castle has collapsed, but a log bridge was constructed in its place and your dwarven guide suggests that you hold onto the handrails as you cross for extra safety. Below the bridge is a chasm that drops away hundreds of feet to what would certainly be a painful but quick death.

[3:00 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh continuous to look around, a little in awe, but she's careful not to misstep and definitely holds onto the handrails.

[3:00 PM] Urrak: Urrak grumbles in orc to herself as she crosses, but makes sure to hold the rails

[3:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir also hold on, though she doesn't seem as worried as she normally does when around dangerous falling places.

[3:02 PM] DM: Once you're at the former gatehouse, you're greeted by an older human woman in heavy winter clothing. "Your Majesty! Welcome to Tumulus. I hope the trip wasn't too strenuous. There's still quite a bit of climbing to go before we reach the castle proper."

[3:03 PM] DM: The gatehouse itself looks half collapsed, too. The exterior wall and the upper floors have all come down so all that's really left is a lip of 2nd floor and the walls between what would have been the interior of the gatehouse and the courtyard beyond.

[3:06 PM] Ryleigh: "It hasn't been, thank you for asking." Ryleigh smiles warmly at her, and thanks their guide for getting them there safely. She'll attempt to give them a few silver for their time.

[3:07 PM] DM: She won't refuse it anyway. She bows and thanks Ryleigh and excuses herself.

[3:07 PM] Ryleigh: Once she's gone, Ry will turn back to the human women. "My traveling companions aren't used to cold, so the quicker we can get to the castle, the better."

[3:08 PM] Seirixori: "I don't like wearing so many clothes," Seir grumbles.

[3:09 PM] DM: "The quickest we can, your majesty, though much of it is indoors, we will have to travel between towers, so I'd suggest keeping your coats on until we reach the castle." She gestures and says, "This way, please."

[3:09 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh thanks her and follows.

[3:09 PM] Urrak: Urrak sighs and is grateful for the warmth.

[3:11 PM] DM: She heads through the remnants of the gatehouse. There's no rubble on the ground, but it's obvious the gatehouse has been near-demolished. You cross through the somewhat cramped courtyard and the woman opens the door into the base of the nearest tower.  It's significantly warmer in here, and you can take a moment to recover from the cold as she shuts the door behind the last of you.

[3:12 PM] Urrak: Urrak unwraps her face. "Whew! Cold."

[3:12 PM] Ryleigh: Knocking some of the snow from her cloak, Ry pulls down her scarf so we can properly breath for a little bit.

[3:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir breaks off one of the icicles on her horns. She looks at it and with only a small pause starts to chew on the ice.

[3:13 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Y'know, that'll only make yer insides as cold as the outsides."

[3:13 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh chuckles when she overhears Gunnloda and realizes what Seir's doing.

[3:13 PM] Ryleigh: "How are you doing, *sun'frada*. You aren't a giant ice cube yet, are you?"

[3:14 PM] DM: Rukiya: "I wouldn't say no to some extra warming, but I'm ok for now."

[3:14 PM] Brimeia: Bri taps on another icicle. "Looking cool." She giggles.

[3:15 PM] Seirixori: "The cold is terrible because I have to wear clothes. Not entirely because it's cold." Seir says, which she partially believes. Seir snickers and then leans down and press her cold lips to whatever part of Gunnloda's face is visible.

[3:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir breaks off another icicle and hands it to Brimeia, "Shh."

[3:15 PM] DM: Gunnloda's very rosy cheeks are damn near numb, so she protests, but it's largely just out of habit.

[3:16 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will pull Rukiya closer and wrap her cloak around her while the rest for the short period they have.

[3:17 PM] DM: The human woman starts down the short hall and up the stairs. "Much of the castle is off-limits due to the damage, so we'd ask that you respect any locked doors you might find. The stonework may be insecure and you could cause a collapse by entering the wrong parts of the grounds."

[3:18 PM] Ryleigh: "Of course," Ryleigh answers.

[3:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes narrow in a small amount of suspicion but she follows along, munching on her icicle.

[3:20 PM] DM: At the top of the stairs, she turns and heads to another heavy door. "Just across a short bridge here. Please watch your steps." She pauses long enough for everyone to brace themselves as they feel necessary, then opens the door. A gust of cold wind hits everyone, and then she's walking out onto a stone bridge, opening the door on the other side.

[3:20 PM] Urrak: Urrak wraps her face up again quickly.

[3:20 PM] Ryleigh: Having already pulled up her scarf, Ryleigh follows her.

[3:21 PM] Brimeia: Bri gives her icicle a lick, shivers, and settles for playing with it instead.

[3:21 PM] Seirixori: There is a small curse coming from Seir as the icicle gets stuck to her mouth as she follows.

[3:23 PM] DM: Once the doors to the outside are closed again, the woman leads you through another tower, up another set of stairs. You're mostly being led through hallways with doors on either side. One of the doors opens at one point, and a human stops short, seeing new faces, a book in her arms. She waits until you pass, then shuts the door behind her and walks in the opposite direction.

[3:24 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh's tilts her head in acknowledgment, and follows her with her eyes until she can't anymore.

[3:24 PM] DM: The woman leads you outside across another bridge, this one with a stair in the middle of it, leading upwards. Through another tower, then across another stair-bridge. The castle looms large just beyond this tower.

[3:27 PM] DM: After one final stair-bridge in the cold, you finally step into another courtyard's walls, and the woman ushers you quickly to the keep within. Once inside the doors, you're met by three women, two humans and a goliath, who offer to take your coats and any other gear.

[3:27 PM] DM: The human who has showed you the way up says, "We have prepared rooms for you to stay here. If you'd like, they can take your bags for you."

[3:29 PM] Ryleigh: "That was very thoughtful, thank you," Ry says handing over her pack, with her shield, but keeping Dawnbringer and the BoH.

[3:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods a thank you to the attendants as they take her gear and coat

[3:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir, wanting all of the clothes off as soon as possible, decides it's a good idea to quickly shift into a cat, leaving almost all of her clothes and gear on the floor. When she shifts back she starts picking up everything, only in what she wears under her armor.

[3:32 PM] DM: "If the rest of you would like to head through those doors," she gestures, "you can have a seat and warm up. Relax until dinner is served. Your Majesty, your grandmother would like to see you as soon as possible, if you'd like to follow me."

[3:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir hands over her stuff and she does not hide her pout fast enough at having Ryleigh go off without her again.

[3:34 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods. She gives Seir a hug and whispers in infernal, "I'll be okay." Then she presses a quick kiss to Rukiya's lips, gives her hand a small squeeze and leaves with the woman.

## The Party

[3:35 PM] DM: As the woman leads Ryleigh through a door, what are the rest of you doing?

[3:36 PM] Urrak: Urrak will walk into the next room and find a  place to sit so she can warm her bones.

[3:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir's pout continues and she looks almost ready to follow anyway. With a sigh she takes Gunnloda's hand and tugs lightly on Rukiya's top and heads into the other room.

[3:38 PM] DM: There's comfortable seating and a large fire in the next room. A smartly-dressed human man comes out with drinks to warm everyone.

[3:38 PM] DM: Rukiya and Gunnloda follow.

[3:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir has to stop herself from sitting on the ground. Once seated she whispers something to Gunnloda and thanks the man for their drinks.

[3:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak unbuttons the collar on her tunic and reaches for a cup. "Thank th' Gods. Warmth."

[3:47 PM] DM: Rukiya takes a cup, cradling it in both hands, but stays close to the door, her attention focused more on outside the room than in.

[3:54 PM] Urrak: "So, what's th' deal with this "Yer Majesty stuff?" Urrak asks in between sips

[3:55 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia gulps down half her drink.

[3:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, fiddling with her cup. She doesn't say anything right away, but it's not because she's ignoring the question, it's more like her mind is somewhere else.

[3:57 PM] Brimeia: "Our Ryleigh is all grown up and a princess now," Bri responds teasingly.

[3:57 PM] Seirixori: When the question finally filters through Seir gives Urrak a slightly confused look, "...is it not obvious?"

[4:00 PM] Urrak: "I mean logically, yes, but why would she not mention this beforehand?" Urrak quirks an eyebrow

[4:00 PM] Seirixori: "Because she didn't know."

[4:01 PM] DM: Rukiya: "We didn't know Isonsall had declared itself free and her grandmother crowned herself until we got here."

[4:01 PM] Seirixori: "Also... would it matter?"

[4:02 PM] DM: Rukiya: "She didn't even know her mother's family was noble until a few months ago."

[4:02 PM] Urrak: Urrak shrugs

[4:04 PM] Brimeia: "Wait. Does that mean Ryleigh's gonna be Queen some day?"

## Meeting Prince Avery

[4:08 PM] DM: Another door opens and a small human boy runs into the room giggling with a carved toy of some sort in his hand. When he sees all the people, he stops short and looks at everyone with wide eyes.

[4:08 PM] Urrak: Urrak gives him a little wave

[4:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head with a sigh and continues playing with her cup.

[4:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir's mood lightens considerably as the boy comes into view. "Hi."

[4:10 PM] DM: His eyes get even wider as he sees Seir. "Hi."

A human woman enters and beelines for the boy. "I'm so sorry, he got away from me."

[4:11 PM] Brimeia: "It's no problem. Hey, whatcha got there?" Bri tips her chin toward the toy.

[4:12 PM] DM: "It's a liath," he says, smiling at Bri. "I'm a giant. Boom, boom, boom." He stomps around a bit, dodging out of the grasp of the woman.

[4:13 PM] Brimeia: Bri laughs with amusement.

[4:13 PM] Urrak: Urrak chuckles "So fearsome"

[4:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs and moves to the floor. She waves her hand slightly with a muttered word and a small amount of snow in lumps forms at his feet.

[4:14 PM] DM: Everyone make perception checks, please.

[4:15 PM] Seirixori: ((20))

Gunnloda:: ((8))

[4:16 PM] Urrak: ((3))

[4:16 PM] DM: Rukiya: 24

[4:16 PM] Brimeia: ((15))

[4:17 PM] DM: The boy squeals with laughter and stomps in the snow, making his boom boom boom sounds.

[4:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir's grin widens as she continues to make small mounds of snow for him. She scoots a little closer, "I'm Seirixori, what's your name?"

[4:20 PM] DM: "I'm Avery. PRINCE Avery. That's what I am! GIANT PRINCE! BOOM BOOM BOOM."

[4:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen for a moment and she glances towards Rukiya before turning her attention back to Avery. "Giant indeed."

[4:23 PM] Brimeia: Bri's brow lifts a little though she doesn't comment.

[4:24 PM] Urrak: "He's got quite th' imagination," Urrak says to the boy's caretaker

[4:25 PM] DM: "His highness has been quite obsessed with giants recently," the woman replies, giving up on trying to wrangle him.

[4:25 PM] Seirixori: "Avery, do you have a favorite animal?"

[4:26 PM] DM: He thinks for a second, putting on a serious thinking face and tapping his chin. "I like... puppies! We have a great big furry one that I can ride sometimes."

[4:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins and doesn't even think to ask as she mumbles a few words and with a wave of her fingers she conjures 8 husky puppies.

[4:29 PM] Brimeia: "She's pretty cool, huh?" Bri jabs a thumb in Seir's direction.

[4:30 PM] DM: "Puppies!" He starts chasing one around, but then gets distracted by a different one.

[4:31 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia play-wrestles one of them with her hand.

[4:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs and every now and then conjures snow, flower petals, and small bursts of wind while they play.

[4:37 PM] DM: "I'm sorry, but I should really be getting him back to his lessons," the woman says. "Come on, Prince Avery... you can play with Miska after you've finished."

[4:37 PM] DM: Avery: "No! I wanna stay here with the puppies."

[4:38 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks as disappointed as Avery sounds, but with a quick flick of her wrist the puppies are gone.

[4:40 PM] DM: He looks around for them for a second, then bursts into tears.

[4:41 PM] Brimeia: "Uh oh..."

[4:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir also looks like she's about to cry herself and after a moment she says, "Hey, if one follows you will you go do your lessons?"

[4:44 PM] Brimeia: Bri gives Seir a 'Are you sure' kind of look.

[4:44 PM] DM: He sniffles a little and says, "They can come back?"

[4:46 PM] Seirixori: "They can." She pauses and changes what she had originally thought to do, "but lessons first and I can bring them back after."

[4:46 PM] DM: The woman picks the boy up and he pouts but says, "You promise?"

[4:46 PM] Seirixori: "Promise."

[4:47 PM] DM: "Kay."

The woman says, "Come on, you can practice your Giant." And she carries him out of the room, closing the door behind her.

[4:48 PM] Seirixori: Seir releases a breath she didn't know she was holding and falls onto her back on the floor.

[4:48 PM] Brimeia: Bri can't help chuckling a little. "Kids."

[4:50 PM] Seirixori: "It's a good thing I can actually do that a few times a day."

[4:51 PM] Brimeia: She shakes her head fondly. "You're silly."

[4:54 PM] Seirixori: "I thought for a moment I was going to have to go with him and I can honestly say that it would have been the one time I really did not mean to go off on my own."

[4:57 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia laughs heartily. "And all because you got a kid excited about puppies."

[4:58 PM] Seirixori: "All because he was sad!" Seir says, still feeling bad about it.

[5:00 PM] Brimeia: Bri eases up a bit and gives Seir a pat on the shoulder. "Oh, I was just teasing. You didn't know he'd get so upset over it when he had to go."

[5:02 PM] Seirixori: "I should have. I would have gotten upset too. Ugh." Seir, still lying on the ground, throws her arm over her eyes.

[5:02 PM] Brimeia: "Eh. It all worked out."

[5:05 PM] DM: The man comes out to refresh anyone's drink who wants it and informs you all that dinner will be served in about an hour.

[5:07 PM] Urrak: "I wonder what they're talkin' about in there," Urrak finishes her drink and thanks the man who refreshes it.

[5:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "See, that I almost went off on my own to find out."

[5:09 PM] Urrak: "It's probably best ye didn't...but I am curious." she leans back in her seat, "I could fall asleep in this..."

[5:12 PM] Seirixori: "Well, I wasn't going to go to find out what was being said, but..." she rubs at where her mark is, but quickly moves her hand away.

[5:20 PM] Urrak: "Ye were jus' gonna go off by yerself? T' scry again?" Urrak asks softly.

[5:21 PM] Seirixori: "What? No. I was going to go with Ryleigh to keep her company. As a dog."

[5:21 PM] Urrak: "Ah yes, a totally not suspicious random dog." Urrak jokes

[5:22 PM] Seirixori: She snorts. "With Ryleigh. Not random at all."

[5:25 PM] Brimeia: "Not like she hasn't done it before."

[5:26 PM] Urrak: "True," Urrak finishes her cup.

[5:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir reaches for her item for scrying and then groans as she remembers she gave all of her things to be put away. Instead she entertains herself by making flower crowns for both Rukiya and Gunnloda. After, she raises her hand and lazily moves it in the air as flower petals fall around her.

[5:31 PM] DM: Gunnloda sits next to Seir and takes her hand, then closes her eyes and traces a pattern on her wrist.

[5:32 PM] Urrak: Urrak takes this moment to rest her eyes for a bit

[5:34 PM] Brimeia: Bri picks up some of the petals and plays with them idly.

[5:34 PM] Seirixori: The hand in the air falters and the petals stop. Seir's whole body has turned towards Gunnloda.

[5:36 PM] DM: There's tension in her face again, and she traces the pattern again then opens her eyes with a frown. "Your mama's stubborn, but I'm a dwarf. I'll Send t'her again tomorrow."

[5:37 PM] DM: The man enters again and asks you all to follow him to the dining room.

[5:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs and kisses Gunnloda's hand, "Had to get it from somewhere."

[5:38 PM] Seirixori: She gets up, helping Gunnloda up as well and follows.

[5:38 PM] Urrak: Urrak jolts awake and stands up, ready to follow

[5:38 PM] DM: Rukiya asks the man, "Will the Princess be joining us? The Queen?"

"The Princess, yes. The Queen does not take her meals downstairs."

[5:40 PM] DM: The dining room's set with eight place settings at a long table.

## Ry with the Queen

[3:36 PM] DM: The woman leads Ry through a door and up another set of stairs. "If you need a moment to freshen up, we will pass a powder room on the way, your majesty."

[3:38 PM] Ryleigh: "That would be excellent. Thank you," Ry says.

[3:39 PM] DM: There are three more flights of stairs before you reach the aforementioned powder room and the woman waits politely outside.

[3:41 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh takes several moments to collect herself, and making sure she doesn't look too disheveled from the journey. She'll fix her hair if any of her braids have some loose, and then decides she can't put it off any longer... and exits the room.

[3:46 PM] DM: Woman: "This way, your majesty."

She leads Ry up one final staircase, and knocks loudly on the door at the top of the stair. There's a faint bell ring from within, and the woman opens the door to reveal a room that spans the entire floor of the tower dominated by a huge bed. Lying in the bed is an older woman, probably in her 60s or 70s, with dark grey hair. She's covered by sheets and blankets, propped up on pillows. She looks frail and tired, but when she opens her eyes, Ryleigh sees her own striking violet reflected in them.

"Your granddaughter, your majesty."

[3:48 PM] Ryleigh: Ry steps into the room without hesitation after being announced.

[3:50 PM] DM: Ragna lifts a hand and beckons. "Come closer, Ryleigh Alisdair. Let me see you with my own eyes."

[3:51 PM] Ryleigh: Once she's summoned, she'll walk to the side of Ragna's bed and wait.

[3:54 PM] DM: Ragna looks at Ry, her eyes sweeping over her face, then taking her all in. Ry probably notices her eyes welling up just a bit as she reaches out for Ry to take her hand. "You've grown so much."

[3:56 PM] Ryleigh: Ry will take her hand, and her smile softens. She'll take a seat on the bed next to her and says, "I'm sorry I don't remember you..." and she really is sorry.

[4:00 PM] DM: "You were barely walking last time I saw you in person. You look like your mother. How lucky for you," she says with a smile.

[4:06 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh chuckles. "I agree, granted I'm not sure what either of them looked like - only what Ascan propaganda makes him look."

[4:08 PM] Ryleigh: Then after a moment she asks, "Why didn't you reach out to me?"

[4:09 PM] DM: She sighs. "I'm not sure any explanation would suffice." She gestures towards a cup of water on her table. "Could you?"

[4:12 PM] Ryleigh: She'll grab it and give it to Ragna.

[4:13 PM] DM: She takes a sip, then hands it back to Ry. "I didn't want to draw attention to you. I'd hoped you'd find your way home in time."

[4:14 PM] Ryleigh: Ry will place it back on the table. She sighs deeply and says, "Avery, he didn't tell me, and then I find out he was my half brother. My life is just lies and secrets."

[4:18 PM] DM: "I'm sure he had his reasons. You were so young when you lost him."

[4:20 PM] Ryleigh: Nodding in agreement. "Will you tell about her? Taryn. What she was like... why she married Tilman... why she left... how she died?"

[4:23 PM] DM: "Of course. Just... Heli?" she says, calling to the woman who brought you here. She's been standing at the door, quietly. "Could you make sure the others are well cared for? And... ten minutes or so."

Heli bows. "Right away, your majesty." She turns to exit the room, closing the door behind her.

[4:26 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh makes sure to continue to look vulnerable, but still confident.

[4:27 PM] DM: She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "She was beautiful, your mother. Sharp as a whip, too. Tilmans, well, they always get what they want sooner or later, don't they?"

[4:29 PM] Ryleigh: "I suppose so," she says, glancing away then back again.

[4:29 PM] DM: She opens her eyes and fixes Ryleigh with a look that holds her eyes. "That bastard took everything from the both of us. Now that you're here... we're going to get our revenge, right? We're going to make him pay for what he's done."

[4:31 PM] Ryleigh: "If you're asking if I intend to challenge him for the throne - the answer is yes." Ryleigh holds her gaze, to make sure Ragna knows she means it. Then she asks, "How'd you escape when he came to Isonsall? I know there are many rumors, but I'd like to know."

[4:34 PM] DM: She starts to shake her head, then falls back into the pillow. "I don't know. He killed my husband to get to her, then when he killed her, he just... left me there. Maybe he thought it was crueler to let me live. Maybe he thought I couldn't challenge him."

[4:34 PM] BOT Avrae: Ryleigh makes an Insight check! 1d20 (13) + 7 = 20

[4:36 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh takes her hand again, and gives it a light squeeze. "I understand what it's like to be alone. To watch the people you love die at the hands of Tilman, even if mine was indirectly. I'm sorry for your loss, and suffering." Then she asks softly, "What did she do to make him so angry?"

[4:39 PM] DM: "I don't know. She wasn't back long before he was following with his Ashlords. She told me she'd explain later, but... she never got the chance."

[4:39 PM] BOT Avrae: Ryleigh makes an Insight check! 1d20 (15) + 7 = 22

[4:41 PM] Ryleigh: She nods again. Then she reaches into the bag of hold and withdraws the wooden box. She opens it slowly and says, "You said something about my birthright..."

[4:43 PM] DM: She nods. "Our family is old. Very old. We have a power that Tilman can't even claim, and it comes from the peak of the mountain. It falls to you now to take this stone to the peak and take the power of our ancestors and use it to bring an end to Tilman and his reign."

[4:46 PM] Ryleigh: "Do you know how it will help me?"

[4:51 PM] DM: "It will help you get revenge. On everyone who has ever done us wrong. The power stored there... is unimaginable. But... you have to get the stone there and complete the circle. I... couldn't. I wasn't strong enough and now... I can't even leave this bed. But you... you're strong. It's up to you."

[4:52 PM] DM: There's a knock and door behind Ry opens slowly and you hear a soft voice. "Your maje-- homashoc?"

[4:53 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh's breath catches in her chest, and she slowly turns... unsure if she heard right or if it's just a trick.

[4:55 PM] DM: She's five years older and her hair is short and curly, but it's definitely Clemency standing in the door, her hand over her chest and her eyes watery.

[5:02 PM] Ryleigh: Without thinking about it, Ryleigh gets up and rushes to her. She throws her arms around Clemency and mumbles around the emotion in her throat, "I came for you. I'm sorry it's taken me so long."

[5:04 PM] DM: She holds Ry tightly, burying her face in Ry's neck. "You're so big... and your Infernal's gotten much better."

[5:07 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh lets out a watery chuckle. "I'll tell you how it got better later." She pulls back just enough to cup Clemency's face, still in complete shock she's actually there. It's definitely clear that Ry's entirely forgotten about Ragna being in the room. "You're okay?"

[5:09 PM] DM: She smiles a little. "We have a lot to catch up on."

[5:14 PM] Ryleigh: She nods excitedly, and then she remembers where they are. Reluctant to let go of Clemency, Ry holds onto her hand as she faces Ragna. Her face is tear streaked, but she quickly wipes them away. "I apologize, Grandmother... you were saying?"

[5:16 PM] DM: Ragna: "I've said my piece. Go, have dinner. We can discuss more later."

[5:18 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh lets go of Clemency's hand and walks back over the Ragna's bed. She replaces the wooden box into the bag of holding, then takes Ragna's hand. "Are you sure you won't join us?"

[5:20 PM] DM: Ragna: "My body is broken. I can't leave this bed. Come see me before you retire for the night."

[5:21 PM] Ryleigh: "Of course," Ry agrees. She squeezes Ragna's hand and walks back to where Clemency is. "I- She can come with me, can't she?" Ry asks.

[5:23 PM] DM: "Go, go." Ragna says, shooing them both away.

[5:24 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh doesn't have to be told twice. She opens the door and leaves with Clemency in tow.

[5:26 PM] Ryleigh: She takes her first step in the direction of where the others are and immediately apologizes, "I-I'm sorry Clemency... I didn't come sooner for selfish reasons, and I'm so sorry."

[5:30 PM] DM: "Homashoc... don't beat yourself up. You've done what you needed to do."

[5:32 PM] Ryleigh: "Have they treated you okay? How much have they told you? D-Do you know... about Avery."

[5:33 PM] DM: She smiles sadly. "I do... and it's been... ok. There's something I have to show you."

[5:36 PM] Ryleigh: "I'm sorry you had to... grieve alone." Swallowing hard, Ry nods and looks like she can't bring herself to say more.

[5:37 PM] DM: Clemency presses a kiss to Ry's forehead and leads her down to the dining room.

[5:38 PM] Ryleigh: Ry can't seem to stop the few tears that roll down her cheeks at the familiarity of the affection.

## The Dining Room

[5:41 PM] DM: Ryleigh comes in through another door, holding the hand of a pale pink tiefling with short, purple hair.

[5:42 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks at the tiefling with interest.

[5:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir throws her arms up in excitement, but she doesn't say anything.

[5:43 PM] DM: A third door opens and the little boy shouts "MAMA!" and runs across the room into the tiefling's arms.

[5:43 PM] DM: "Ry... I want you to meet Avery," she says softly.

[5:44 PM] Ryleigh: Ry's eyes grow wide, and they fill with tears. She kneels down and offers her hand to the little boy. "Hi Avery... I'm Ryleigh."

[5:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir whispers to Gunnloda, "That makes a lot more sense now."

[5:45 PM] DM: "Ryleigh? Auntie Ryleigh? You knew my daddy?"

[5:48 PM] Ryleigh: She looks up at Clemency for a brief moment, then looks back at the little boy. She ruffles his dark hair. "That's right. Has your mama ever told you how much you look like him - definitely more handsome though." She leans like she's tell him a secret. "You get that from your mama."

[5:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir tears up as well as she watches.

[5:50 PM] DM: He giggles and Clemency picks him up to set him in the chair at the end of the table.

[5:51 PM] Urrak: Urrak wipes away a tear, "gods--"

[5:51 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia watches the interaction and makes a silent 'oh' as she puts the pieces together.

[5:52 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh shifts a little awkwardly, unsure where to sit or what to do. She's still - shocked.

[5:52 PM] DM: Clemency sits next to Avery. "Sit wherever you like, homashoc. It's ok. We have time."

[5:53 PM] Seirixori: "Oh that's weird." Seir murmurs.

[5:53 PM] Urrak: Urrak awkwardly takes a seat and waits for the others to do the same

[5:53 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia recognizes the word and glances from Clemency to Ryleigh to Seirixori.

[5:54 PM] Brimeia: "Huh."

[5:54 PM] Ryleigh: Chuckling a little, Ry will take the seat on Avery's other side. Then motion for Rukiya to sit next to her.

[5:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves to squeeze Ry's should and she sits next to the spot for Rukiya.

[5:57 PM] DM: Clemency looks around, her eyes lingering on Rukiya, Seir, and Bri. "Are you going to introduce us, homashoc?"

[5:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir snickers.

[6:03 PM] Ryleigh: "Right, of course. The green one, that's Urrak and she's a butt, but has a good heart." She points to Bri next. "Brimeia, she also ended up being a secret princess. That's Gunnloda, Seirixori's wife." Ry points to Seir as she introduces Gunnloda. "Seirixori is my person. I-I call her homashoc." Then, finally, Ryleigh takes Rukiya's hand, the one with the bracelet and introduces her, "This is Rukiya."

[6:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins and gives a little wave.

[6:05 PM] DM: Gunnloda waves a little. Rukiya smiles. Clemency nods along with each one, giving Seir and Rukiya especially soft smiles. "You've built yourself quite a family, ho- Ry. I'm so happy for you."

[6:08 PM] Brimeia: Bri rolls her eyes a little at being called a "secret princess".

[6:10 PM] Ryleigh: "Please... don't correct yourself," Ry says in infernal, looking a little guilty. "I'm lucky they stuck with me. After..." she looks at Avery... "everything, I chose isolation. Of course, this one," she presses a kiss to Rukiya's hand, "had other plans. And before I knew it... I had friends who have grown into my family."

[6:12 PM] DM: Three humans come out and place hot soup in front of all of you, except Avery who gets carrot sticks.

[6:13 PM] Ryleigh: "Thank you," Ry says to the person who sets the bowl down in front of her.

[6:14 PM] DM: Clemency: "I'm sorry you had to grieve alone... at least I had part of him to keep with me."

[6:17 PM] Ryleigh: Ry looks at Avery again, her eyes tear up and her smile wavers. Then she takes a deep breath and answers, "You know I was never good at grieving anyway."

[6:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir leans over a little and gives Avery a flower crown to match Rukiya and Gunnloda's.

[6:20 PM] DM: He takes it off to look at it, then puts it back on. "Crown for the prince! My real crown is shiny, but this one is pretty."

[6:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins, "Always can use a pretty crown."

[6:21 PM] Ryleigh: Again, Ry's eyes shoot up to look at Clemency. "I didn't put that together until right now."

[6:23 PM] DM: Clemency meets Ry's eyes with a slight quirk of her eyebrow, but she doesn't show any particular emotion.

[6:27 PM] Ryleigh: "Tell me Prince Avery," Ry starts, taking a bite of soup, clearly for dramatic effect. "Has anyone taught you how to sword fight yet," Ry grins mischievously at Clemency.

[6:29 PM] DM: He picks up a carrot stick and waves it around. "I don't have to learn that because I'm an Alisdair."

[6:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, nearly choking on the soup she just tried.

[6:30 PM] Urrak: Urrak can't help but laugh as well

[6:31 PM] Ryleigh: "Is that right?" Ry asks with a smile. "Maybe after dinner you can meet my sword. Her name is Dawnbringer and she can talk."

[6:31 PM] DM: "Your sword's a GIRL?"

[6:34 PM] Ryleigh: "She is. She was once a mighty warrior, fighting against the darkness, against evil. Eventually her body gave out, but she felt that she still had more to do... so her god granted her a different vessel so she could continue to fight the darkness and the evil in the world."

[6:34 PM] DM: Avery just stares at Ry, enraptured. "Woah."

The soup dishes are cleared and replaced with roasted meat and vegetables, with thick crusty bread. Avery's is pre-cut into small pieces.

[6:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir opens her mouth to add to it but shuts it quickly with an audible snap, remembering it's probably not something she should share.

[6:36 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh eats, slower than normal. Her eyes continue to fall on Clemency and Avery, then back to her food.

[6:36 PM] Urrak: Urrak is far more enthused with this course than the previous

[6:39 PM] Seirixori: While Seir has gradually eaten more and more of her meals than when everyone met, she still doesn't finish anything, at one point she whispers to Gunnloda about still liking her cooking more.

[6:39 PM] Ryleigh: "Do you have any questions for me?" Ry asks, moreso to Clemency, but she looks at Avery to make him feel included.

[6:41 PM] DM: Avery: "Can you do magic?"

[6:42 PM] Ryleigh: "I can," she says, arching an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

[6:43 PM] DM: Avery: "My grandma's teaching me how. She said all us Alisdairs can. You're one too, right? Cause you have purple eyes like me!"

[6:44 PM] DM: "Mama's not, but she has her own magic."

[6:44 PM] Ryleigh: "I am," Ry chuckles, but now she's looking confused. "What kind of magic can you do so far?"

[6:46 PM] DM: He makes grabby hands for her hand, then when he puts it just where he wants it, he gets a really serious look of concentration on his face. Then he touches her finger and it's like the faintest static cling shock, but he lights up and says, "SEE?!"

[6:49 PM] Ryleigh: "Whoa, very impressive," she says. "One time I used my magic to make a big 5 headed sea monster fight me. It wasn't my best idea." Ryleigh laughs lightly as she feels Rukiya elbow her in the side.

[6:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans, "Definitely not."

[6:51 PM] DM: Clemency: "You haven't changed at all, have you?"

[6:53 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh's hand come up to her chest in mock hurt. "You wound me, sasom."

[6:56 PM] Ryleigh: "It was so everyone could get away," Ry answers, looking at Seir and Rukiya like they're traitors.

[6:57 PM] DM: Dinner plates are cleared after Clemency urges Avery to finish his veggies, and dessert is served. Ice cream with warm honey.

[6:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts putting random scraps of her food in a pouch again. "As if there wasn't something else trying to get us too. We're lucky I got the boat away before it flipped us over."

[6:59 PM] Ryleigh: "I haven't had ice cream with honey in ages," Ry says, looking almost as excited as the 5 year old sitting next to her.

[7:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir tries it and makes a face. More unsure of whether or not she likes it. "This is... weird."

[7:02 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Not all desserts can be pastries, darlin'."

[7:02 PM] Ryleigh: "I'm starting to become convinced you're just a picky eater."

[7:03 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia tries some and hums happily. "Tastes good to me. Dunno what's so weird about it."

[7:03 PM] Seirixori: "It's milk. Frozen. It's weird." She scoffs at Ryleigh, "I'll have you know I eat... most... things. From a forest."

[7:04 PM] Ryleigh: "I'm sure you do..."

[7:06 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh finishes her ice cream fairly quickly. Then she slowly reaches over to Avery's bowl, making it clear she's going to steal some of his.

[7:06 PM] Seirixori: "I might not eat a lot of it, but I eat it." Seir grumbles.

[7:06 PM] DM: He shocks her. "Mine."

[7:07 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia chuckles.

[7:07 PM] DM: Clemency: "Avery! What did we talk about?"

[7:08 PM] Ryleigh: "Ouch," Ry shakes her hand, it's playful.

[7:08 PM] DM: Avery pouts. "Grandma says I'm allowed to do whatever I want to people who try to take my things from me."

[7:09 PM] Ryleigh: "Sometimes that gets you into more trouble, raro a’o." She rubs where her shoulder and back meet.

[7:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir sucks in a sharp breath.

[7:10 PM] DM: Clemency's eyes water.

[7:11 PM] DM: Clemency: "I- I should get him off to bed. I'll come to your room later, ok?"

[7:13 PM] Ryleigh: It looks like Ry really wants to go with her, she even moves to stand, but stops herself. "I'd like that, sasom," Ry answers.

[7:14 PM] DM: "Say goodnight, Avery," Clemency says as she lifts him.

"Goodnight, Avery," he laughs.

[7:15 PM] Ryleigh: "Are you sure you don't just want me to put him to sleep?" Ry suggests, wiggling her eyebrows. "Because my magic lets me do that."

[7:16 PM] DM: Avery gasps and Clemency chuckles, then leans over and presses a soft kiss to the top of Ry's head. "Later, homashoc."

[7:17 PM] Ryleigh: Ry watches them go, a mixture of emotion displayed on her face.

[7:17 PM] DM: "Good night, everyone," Clemency says as she leaves.

[7:17 PM] Seirixori: Once they leave Seir whispers, "I'm glad he forgot about the puppies."

[7:17 PM] Brimeia: Bri laughs. "Lucky for you."

[7:18 PM] Ryleigh: "What?" Ry asks.

[7:19 PM] Seirixori: "Uhh... you know, might have been playing with him earlier and maybe summoned some puppies, no- no big deal."

[7:20 PM] Ryleigh: "Ah. Did you realize who he was?"

[7:21 PM] Seirixori: "Not exactly. I knew he was related to you."

[7:22 PM] Ryleigh: "He looks so much like Avery. I-" Ryleigh has trouble swallowing around the lump in her throat.

[7:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir pushes back her chair and moves over to Ryleigh, kneeling at her side. "Not a bad surprise."

[7:29 PM] Ryleigh: Ry nods, her eyes welling with tears. "No... it wasn't. I'm just... shocked. That's all. I'm thankful she hasn't been here alone all this time. I assumed the worst and this... this surpasses everything my brain conjured up."

[7:30 PM] DM: And we can stop there for slow-burn squish. The servants will show you to your rooms where you can find warm beds, baths, and whatever else you need. You each also have a string in your room that when pulled will summon someone to get anything else you need.

[7:31 PM] DM: (You can continue here if you want, but I wanted to release you from your need to keep up with it as it's happening.)

[7:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir chuckles, "I know the feeling." She gives Ryleigh a hug. Then she grins, "Come find me when you're not so overwhelmed."

[7:35 PM] Ryleigh: "I need to see my grandmother before the evening is finished, and I'd like to chat with Clemency... we have so much to talk about. It might be tomorrow, but I promise I will - okay?"

[7:41 PM] Seirixori: "Okay," Seir whispers, it's hard for her to mask the disappointment and because Ryleigh knows her well enough, she can see it before it's gone.  Seir laughs, "Please do not bring up puppies."

[7:42 PM] Ryleigh: Ry pulls Seir back in for a hug. "If I find the time tonight, I promise I'll come find you... okay?"

[7:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir hugs her back with a nod. She pulls back and squeezes Ryleigh's hands. "I'll be here," Seir says, stepping back and waiting for Gunnloda before heading to their room.

## Ryfika and the Queen

[8:40 PM] Ryleigh: Okay! Ryleigh will walk, hand in hand with Rukiya to Ragna's door. Then she'll knock, wait a moment or two, and crack the door open. "Grandmother?"

[8:41 PM] DM: You hear a few footsteps, then Heli opens the door further. "Princess, come in. She's ready for you."

[8:42 PM] Ryleigh: "I was wondering if she'd allow my wife to join me?"

[8:58 PM] DM: "Come in," Ragna's voice calls. Heli gestures for the both of you to enter.

[11:31 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh walks in, her hand in Rukiya’s, and she approaches the bed once again. “How was your dinner, grandmother?” Ry asks.

[12:32 AM] DM: She kind of grunts noncommittally and waves off the question.

[12:35 AM] Ryleigh: “I’d like you meet someone. Although, I’m sure you already know who she is. This is Rukiya, my wife.”

[12:42 AM] DM: Rukiya bows her head. "It's an honor to meet you, your majesty."

Ragna hums a response. She looks at Rukiya for a long moment, then smiles.  "Excellent."

[12:44 AM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh’s brows pull together slightly. “That’s not the reaction I was expecting,” Ry says honestly.

[12:46 AM] DM: Ragna: "Tell me, Rukiya... does your elven ancestor come from the Fytulk?"

[12:48 AM] DM: Rukiya frowns a bit.  "I... don't know." There's a slight pause, then,  "You think it would benefit Ry's claim to the throne to have a queen with the blood of the Fytulk elves."

[12:50 AM] DM: Ragna: "Clever, too. Well done, my girl," she says, apparently congratulating Ryleigh.

[12:53 AM] Ryleigh: “She’s certainly a catch,” Ry says, but Rukiya can feel that it doesn’t quite sit right with her. “Tilman might have the bulk of humanity on his side. We’ll have everyone else.”

[4:02 AM] DM: "Not that you'll need it... not after you've awakened the power of our ancestors."

[11:26 AM] Ryleigh: A moment passes before Ryleigh says, “Speaking of that, I met the young prince at dinner. He mentioned something about ‘all Alisdairs have magic’.”

[11:33 AM] DM: "Of course we do... oh... but of course you were too young to-- well, we can remedy that, of course, but that doesn't matter for what you must do. All that matters is that someone of our blood places the stone into the proper place to complete the circle."

[11:34 AM] Ryleigh: Ry looks like she wants to press but she doesn’t. “Where do I need to take the stone?” Ry asks, her face determined and set.

[11:37 AM] DM: "To the peak of the mountain. Past the storm clouds. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but you'll know where to go once you're there. It's... magnificent. Place the stone into the proper place, and everything will be set into motion."

[11:42 AM] DM: She reaches out and takes Ry's hand with surprising quickness and holds it firm, her eyes boring into Ry's. "Do this for me, for your mother, your brother, for yourself. For everyone who has suffered at the hands of that bloodline."

[11:44 AM] Ryleigh: “I intend to. I promise.” Ry’s eyes flare with an old fire as she says, “I won’t let him get away with all this.”

[11:45 AM] DM: Her grip loosens and, as if she'd expended all her energy, she falls limply back against her pillows. "Good.... good..."

Heli steps forward, "It's probably best to let her majesty rest now."

[11:49 AM] Ryleigh: “Of course,” Ry says to Heli. But before she moves away, she leans in and whispers, “I won’t let you down. Rest easy, Grandmother.” Then she’ll leave with Rukiya’s hand in hers.

[11:50 AM] DM: As you're walking down the stairs toward your room, Rukiya squeezes Ry's hand. "You ok?"

[11:52 AM] Ryleigh: “I-I dont know. I want to say yes, but I felt that want for revenge again. Even though it was quick and passed before I could really grasp it... it was there.”

[11:53 AM] DM: "She seems consumed by it... like it might be the only thing that's keeping her going."

[11:53 AM] DM: "Guess we know where you get it from," she says, half-joking.

[11:55 AM] Ryleigh: Ry smiles. “I suppose so. How are you feeling about all of this? I... I’m sorry it sounded like you were a trophy I acquired.”

[12:03 PM] DM: "I know you didn't mean it like that."

[12:24 PM] DM: She opens the door to the room and shuts it as Ry steps inside. She steps into Ry's space and puts her hand to Ry's cheek. "I know you're excited about having family again, and I'm happy that you can learn more about where you come from. Just be careful, ok? They gave you a foundation, but you've built yourself up from there. Don't change yourself to fit what they expect."

[12:31 PM] Ryleigh: Closing her eyes and leaning into Rukiya’s hand, Ry nods. “You’re my family.” She opens her eyes. “You, Gunnloda, Seirixori... and yes... I am excited to learn that maybe I’m not from entirely bad stock.” Ry takes a deep breath then wraps her arms around Rukiya’s waist and brings their foreheads together. “I can’t believe Clemency was pregnant... I have a nephew.”

[12:58 PM] DM: "He's adorable... and you're adorable with him."

[1:08 PM] Ryleigh: Ry pulls back a little, clearly unsure, then asks, “Am I?”

[1:13 PM] DM: Rukiya smiles and rests her arms around Ry's neck. "Mm-hmm. Very adorable."

[4:45 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh leans in to capture Rukiya’s lips. After a moment, or three, Ryleigh lifts her and presses her against the wall. She pulls back a little to tease, “wanna try making one?”

[4:46 PM] DM: "A nephew? That might be difficult," she giggles.

[4:47 PM] Ryleigh: Laughing, Ry says, “Difficult for us, yes, but your brother was kind of into me.”

[4:50 PM] DM: A soft knock at the door interrupts and Rukiya narrows her eyes playfully. "That would be *my* nephew."

[4:52 PM] Ryleigh: Ry lets Rukiya down and sneaks another kiss. Then she moves away to open the door.

## Clemency and Ryfika

[4:54 PM] DM: Clemency's standing there, looking down the hall, when Ry opens the door, but she turns and softly smiles when the door opens.

[4:56 PM] Ryleigh: Without hesitation Ryleigh grins and tugs her into the room by her hand then shuts the door. She pulls Clemency into hug, still completely surprised she can.

[5:00 PM] DM: Clemency's a little surprised by the swiftness, but melts into the hug.

[5:03 PM] Ryleigh: “I’ve missed you so much. I never thought I’d see you again,” Ry says, tears already in her eyes.

[5:08 PM] DM: "I missed you, too." She pulls back a little and she's a little teary-eyed herself.

[5:17 PM] Ryleigh: “It’s weird being eye level with you.” Ry pulls Clemency a little further into the room where Rukiya is. “I...” she shakes her head. “I don’t even know where start, Clemency.”

[5:22 PM] DM: She smiles and says, "I've missed so much," but then you notice her fingers moving, then she points discreetly at you, and you hear Clemency's voice in your head. "There are ears and eyes everywhere." You recognize this as a message, which you can respond to mentally.

[5:25 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh sighs, like it’s confirmation of something she didn’t want to believe. “Would speaking in different languages help?” She answers in her head.

[5:26 PM] Ryleigh: Before Clemency can answer, Ry mouths Clemency’s message to her.

[5:29 PM] DM: Aloud, she says, "What brought you here?" Then she sits on the edge of the bed in a way that can conceal her finger movements and casts message again. "Language spells are easy. It can't be trusted."

[5:39 PM] Ryleigh: “You did,” Ry answers. “My friend Seirixori saw you and that’s what lead us here. I didn’t know about the Alisdairs at all until a month or so ago.” She frowns, her brows furrowing. “We can carry on chatting, and I’ll find a way to tell Rukiya later.” Then Ry uses her finger against Rukiya’s palm to convey this.

[5:46 PM] DM: Clemency: "How have things been? You seem to be doing well for yourself."

"She was using me to draw you here... I'm sorry. I don't know why."

[5:48 PM] Ryleigh: "I am now, but there were a lot of difficult years in between you being taken and... now." Ry looks away, an expression of guilt on her face. "Did... did you know you were pregnant when you were taken?"

"We expected as much, actually. Rukiya is really smart, and we figured this was some kind of trap."

[5:55 PM] DM: Clemency: "No... it was a confusing few weeks, but by the time I had realized I was pregnant, I was already in the employ of the Queen."

[5:57 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh reaches out for Clemency's hand. "I'm sorry... for... everything."

[5:58 PM] DM: "Homashoc...," she leans forward and presses a kiss to Ry's forehead, "not everything is your fault."

[5:58 PM] DM: Rukiya: "I like her."

[6:00 PM] Ryleigh: Ry chuckles. "I knew you would." Her face falls a little though. "How much do you know about Avery's death?"

[6:04 PM] DM: Clemency holds Ry's hand. "I don't need to know more than I do. He was a good man, loved and loving, and that's what I want to remember."

[6:09 PM] Ryleigh: Rukiya can definitely feel how guilty Ry's feeling, even if she isn't saying it. "He died in my place, sasom," Ry struggles to get it out.

[6:16 PM] DM: Clemency pulls Ry into a hug. "He loved you so fiercely. He would have protected you to his last breath. Remember that love, not what caused him to do it. It's not your fault that this was the world we lived in."

[6:24 PM] Ryleigh: Ry's definitely crying, and holding onto Clemency. "I wish things were different," she mumbles through the tears, sounding much younger than she usually does. "We're going to c-change it, Clemency..."

[6:28 PM] DM: Clemency sighs and runs her fingers through Ry's hair.. "You've been saying that since you were little... I suppose some things never do change."

[6:44 PM] Ryleigh: Eventually Ry's crying subsides, and she slowly pulls back, tears leaking from her eyes. "Did you know? Did Avery tell you who I was? Because regardless if the power at the top of the mountain works or not... I will fight for the throne."

[6:51 PM] DM: She shakes her head softly as she uses one of her hands to brush Ry's tears away. "He said you were special, but what boy doesn't say that about his little sister?"

[6:57 PM] Ryleigh: Ry's face looks pained as she says, "I forgot he used to say that." Swallowing hard, Ry reaches into a pocket on her dress and withdraws Clemency's handkerchief. She runs her fingers over Clemency's initials, then hands it to her. "He'd want you to have it back. If anything... you can give it to Avery when he's older."

[7:00 PM] DM: She takes it with gentle fingers. "Thank you... He looks so much like your brother, doesn't he?"

[7:03 PM] Ryleigh: "He does... I-I was so stunned." It's Ry's turn cup Clemency's cheek. "How motherhood been? I know you aren't exactly doing it 'alone' but... he does look so much like him that it can't be easy."

[7:07 PM] DM: She smiles sadly and kind of looks down, "It's nice to have a reminder sometimes. Other times, it hurts... sometimes he'll look at me or do something just like his father used to and it's like losing him all over again."

[7:13 PM] Ryleigh: Ry's hand drops from Clemency's cheek and she takes her hand instead. "There's a lot of you there too. He has your smile. His entire face lights up just like yours does. And his features are softer, like you. I didn't know I could love someone I just met so quickly," Ry admits, then blushes, like she didn't mean to say it out loud.

[7:16 PM] DM: She smiles, but it's bittersweet. Her fingers move and Ry hears, "I worry for him."

[7:17 PM] Ryleigh: "Me too. I'll find a way to get you both out of here. It might not be right away, but I'm not leaving you alone again."

[7:26 PM] Ryleigh: "He seems like a little brat though," Ry says for whoever might be listening in, but she gestures for Clemency to use message again.

[7:27 PM] DM: Clemency huffs a slight laugh and does cast the spell again. "Question?"

[7:28 PM] Ryleigh: "What made Ragna bed ridden?"

[7:31 PM] DM: "He gets that from you, I think."

"She left... close to a year ago with some of the best of her people. Only a few came back, and they were carrying her, near death. I don't know more than that."

[7:33 PM] DM: Rukiya laughs. "Definitely from her."

[7:34 PM] Ryleigh: "Ha Ha," Ry chuckles, rolling her eyes at them. "At least we have something more to bond over than just magic... and our love of ice cream."

"So it's dangerous... and I don't even know what will happen to me if I place the stone... maybe it'll kill me."

[8:25 PM] DM: "He does love his ice cream. Anything cold, really."

She casts again.  "I don't know... You might be expendable in her eyes, but would she be willing to sacrifice herself to do it? Or Avery?" Her expression shifts from worry to horror.

[8:51 PM] Ryleigh: “I was half expecting dessert to be snow cones,” Ry chuckles out.

“Sasom, I won’t allow that to happen. The people I brought with me are powerful because I came prepared to forcefully take you if I had too.”

[8:59 PM] DM: "Be careful. I don't want to lose you again."

[9:11 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh’s smile softens and her eyes skate over Clemency’s features. “Do you want to see our bracelets? Rukiya had them made. She proposed too,” Ry snarks.

“You won’t, I promise. How have they been treating you? Are you just a glorified prisoner?”

[10:16 PM] DM: "Of course I do. I wish I still had mine." She takes Ry's hand and spends an extra long time examining it to cover for not saying anything aloud for a time.

"They had me wearing this... collar for a while. Until a month or so ago. Technically, I'm employed, but I can't leave. I wouldn't have anywhere to go, I wouldn't make it to the next town, and she would never let me take Avery away from here."

[10:29 PM] Ryleigh: “We helped out a town that had a teleportation problem and it took us to place where ‘lost things are’. The game master insisted we fight each other and I couldn’t bring myself to do it... but had I won, it was your bracelet he offered me.” Ry sounds a little saddened that she didn’t try to go back for it.

“A collar!?” Ry’s internal voice sounds very angry, then it sounds determined as she says, “I’ll find a way to free you both.”

[10:37 PM] DM: "It's beautiful," Clemency says, tracing her finger over the moon symbol. She turns to Rukiya. "May I see yours?"

Rukiya offers her wrist. "What Ry isn't saying is that I had to propose because she thought she could just weasel around it and never actually ask. Has she always just pretended to be brave?"

[10:37 PM] Ryleigh: Ry looks mock offended by the statement.

[10:38 PM] DM: Clemency raises an eyebrow and smirks. "You should have seen her hiding behind us when she thought Dad would be disappointed."

[10:38 PM] Ryleigh: Ry crosses her arms and glares pouts.

[10:42 PM] Ryleigh: “I’m not sure I like this,” she says, a bit of a smile at the edges of her mouth. “1) dad was really big, and I hated when I disappointed him. And 2) Rukiya is so much more than I thought I deserved... so of course I couldn’t ask.”

[10:44 PM] DM: Rukiya: "I dunno... sounds like a coward to me."

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh: “Fine! I thought I didn’t deserve to love you or have you love me in return. There. Happy.” Ry humphs, still pouting.

[10:52 PM] DM: Clemency looks at Ry with softness in her eyes. She looks almost disappointed. "Homashoc... how could you ever feel unworthy of love?" Her eyes well up and she pulls Ry into her arms again, on the edge of sobbing. "I'm so sorry that you were left so alone."

[10:58 PM] Ryleigh: Ry’s arms come up around Clemency. “I-“ she stops and swallows hard. “I thought I was cursed, that I poisoned everything around me. Everyone I loved paid a price for loving me... dad... you... Avery.” Ry deflates a little. “After Avery died I-I thought it was better to be alone so no one else would get hurt - the only person hurting would be me.”

[11:05 PM] DM: "You never should have been alone. We always tried to surround you with love. Love to chase away the darkness and pain of this world. You were always so tender when you were little... Dad used to say he was wrapping you in armor made of love so you'd never be without it."

[11:14 PM] Ryleigh: Tears fall down Ry’s cheeks steadily. “You did, you all always did... I’m sorry... I didn’t...” but she can’t seem to find the words. Rukiya can probably feel Ry’s emotions warring inside of her - guilt, realization, hurt, and a few more that she can’t quite place.

[11:23 PM] DM: Clemency shushes Ry. "It's ok, homashoc. It's not your fault. The world tries its best to turn you hard and bitter. Staying soft in the face of all that is not easy."

[11:44 AM] Ryleigh: “Dad and Avery would be so disappointed in me,” Ry murmurs around her crying.

[11:59 AM] DM: "No... only in the world for being so hard." She traces soft fingers around Ry's jaw to lift her face.  "Do you remember what Dad used to say when you'd meditate with him? Focus on the joy and love. Release the pain and anger. You don't have to carry it."

[12:15 PM] Ryleigh: Tears are still streaming down Ry’s face and she nods slowly. “I-I’ve been meditating in the mornings, b-before I sing to change my spells. I’m trying t-to let the anger and pain go... it’s j-just hard sometimes.”

[12:23 PM] DM: "I know it is, homashoc, I know." She holds Ry for a while longer.

[2:28 PM] Ryleigh: Ry lets herself be held, clearly missing everything about this. Her crying slowly subsided, and her breathing evens out a little more as the minutes pass. Eventually she quietly asks, “I don’t know how you do it... how you haven’t let the pain make you hard.”

[2:37 PM] DM: "It takes work... and a willingness to be vulnerable. When it hurts, I let it. Then I let it go and remember the good. I want to show Avery the kind of life Dad showed me. I want him to know goodness and kindness and..." she sighs and her fingers move again.

"I worry that he won't learn that here."

[2:42 PM] Ryleigh: Wiping at her cheeks, Ry nods. “We’ll figure out a way to bring you both home, okay? I promise I won’t abandon you again.”

[2:45 PM] DM: She wipes Ry's tears again and presses a kiss to her forehead. "I should get back to my room in case the Queen needs me."

[2:47 PM] Ryleigh: Ry seems reluctant to let her go. “Okay... I love you... I’ll see you in the morning?” It’s asked, not said. Almost like she’s afraid she’ll wake and it’ll all be a dream.

[2:50 PM] DM: "You will," she smiles. "I love you too, homashoc." She looks to Rukiya and says, "I hope we'll have time to really get to know each other soon, sasom."

Rukiya smiles and says, "Likewise."

And then Clemency's letting herself out of the room.

## Seir and Clemency

[4:05 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives Gunnloda a kiss as she whispers a "Be right back." She is halfway into the hallway before she comes back into the room, sighing and putting on her traveling clothes.

[4:52 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles at the reversal and watches her leave again.

[4:55 PM] Seirixori: This time actually leaving, Seir makes her way into the hall, intent on seeing if she can find Clemency.

[4:55 PM] DM: Since it's hard to really gauge time between all these things happening, we can say you see her stepping out of Ry and Rukiya's room as you head towards the stairs.

[5:01 PM] DM: She faces the door as she closes it, and puts her hand to the door, her head lowered. She doesn't see you there until she straightens up to turn towards the stairs, and it's almost like she's a little startled to see you standing there. "Oh... hello. Seirixori, right?"

[5:11 PM] Seirixori: "Uh, hi. Yes." Seirixori shifts nervously, "I actually came out to find you."

[5:12 PM] DM: "Me?"

[5:13 PM] Seirixori: "Yep." She smiles but it's full of nervous energy. "Could I ask you a question? It's--you um, don't have to tell me if it-- if it's too much."

[5:15 PM] DM: She glances back towards the staircase, but then looks at Seir. "Do you want to step into your room?"

[5:26 PM] Seirixori: "No!" Seir says immediately, sounding worried and rushed. She closes her eyes and takes a steadying breath, "No, I-- no."

[5:27 PM] DM: "Oh... ok... are... you ok?"

[5:32 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "That is a loaded question." She shakes her head, "I'm sorry, it's just really personal and it's not something I can ask anyone else. It's uh, about kids."

[5:35 PM] DM: "Oh... ok. I don't mean to rush you, but I don't have much time. What do you want to know?"

[5:50 PM] Seirixori: "I can walk with you. I'd offer to even shift into something small but I can't talk to you as an animal."

[6:04 PM] DM: She glances at the stairs again, then asks quietly, "How small?"

[6:04 PM] Seirixori: "Spider, lizard, or mouse." She says just as quietly.

[6:07 PM] DM: "Spider."

[6:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and shifts into one. There's hesitation in climbing up Clemency so she waits a brief moment for some kind of permission to do so.

[6:10 PM] DM: She leans down and lets her climb up her finger to her arm.

[6:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir climbs up and settles on her shoulder, giving her the opportunity to hide in Clemency's hair or shirt if need be.

[6:21 PM] DM: She stands again and starts moving towards the stairs. She walks up the stairs and to one of the two doors. She whispers something in a language Seir doesn't recognize, then opens the door quietly. She seems nervous, like she's on edge, wary.

She glances around what appears to be a fairly large bedroom, then quickly crosses to the side of the room where there are two other doors and slips inside one of them.

She seems to relax a little once the door is shut. You find yourself in a small room, very small. It has just enough room for a single bed, a corner table with a couple books and a candle, and a place where a handful of dresses hang to the side. She reaches up and lets Seir crawl onto her finger, then deposits her on the table.

Before Seir can think about shifting back, Seir can see her fingers moving and then she hears Clemency's voice in her head. "I'm sorry for the secrecy. I thought a spider would have the best chance to get back unseen."

[6:27 PM] Seirixori: "Oh, I didn't think of that. Thank you."

[6:28 PM] DM: She casts the spell again. "This is safer to talk anyway. There are eyes and ears everywhere. Do you mind if I change?"

[6:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs as much as a spider can, "Please do as you wish, I'm taking up enough of your resting time as it is."

[6:37 PM] DM: Clemency smiles and starts to pull her dress off, stripping down to her bloomers and an undershirt. Somewhere in there, she manages to cast message again, "What did you want to ask?"

[6:41 PM] Seirixori: It's almost as if she isn't going to respond but she asks, "I... I wanted to know if--if he's... Would you have him again if you knew Avery wouldn't be there?"

[6:48 PM] DM: She pauses, mid-action. After a few long moments, she says, "Yes. Not that we knew that we were making him at the time, but... yes. He's... the last gift he gave me. Someone to remind me of him, to bring me joy, to love and be loved by." When she drapes her dress over the end of the bed and turns back around, her eyes are watery. She sits down and picks up a book, opening it randomly.

[6:52 PM] Seirixori: "I'm sorry for bringing it up, it's something I've been thinking about for some time. Thank you."

[6:55 PM] DM: "It's ok. Was that all you wanted to ask?"

[6:56 PM] Seirixori: "One last thing, is there anything in the place that can cancel out or see through illusions or invisibility magic?"

[6:58 PM] DM: She frowns a little in thought, but before she answers, you both hear a door shut and Clemency stiffens, looking towards the door of her room.

[7:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir quickly makes her way behind the table.

[7:18 PM] DM: The door opens and the woman who led you through the castle is standing there. Clemency stands, closing her book, and bows her head.

The woman stands there for what feels like a long time, looking at Clemency, before she says, "I would be cautious about what you say or do around the Princess and her people. Now that she's arrived, your position here is... unnecessary. I'd hate to have to explain to the young prince that his mother has gone to be with his father."

Clemency's quiet when she replies, "I understand."

The woman stares a moment longer, then says, "The Queen will not need you tonight," before shutting the door.

[7:20 PM] DM: Once the door is shut, Clemency sits back on the bed, the book falling to the side as she puts her hand over her mouth as if to quell the sounds in her throat.

[7:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir crawls back up and scuttles over to Clemency, very much wishing she knew if it was safe to shift back.

[7:24 PM] DM: After a few moments, Clemency seems to remember Seir's there and picks up her book to hide her finger movements. "I'm-- I'm sorry."

[7:26 PM] Seirixori: "I would very much like to give you hug right now."

[7:28 PM] DM: She shakes her head softly. "She sleeps in the room outside this one. It isn't safe."

[7:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs and moves around a bit, upset and annoyed. "I am going to throw her off a cliff."

[7:33 PM] DM: Clemency smiles through a sniffle. "I'm not sure that would work. Sorry, what were you asking?" She uses her fingertips to wipe at the edges of her eyes.

[7:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs again before answering, "If you knew if there was anything here that would see through or counter illusions or invisibility magic."

[7:38 PM] DM: "She can, if she wants to. She's a powerful arcanist. I-I don't know if there are places that do."

[7:46 PM] Seirixori: "Hmm okay, might have to change my original idea."

[7:48 PM] DM: "Please be careful... I was going to ask about my sister, but..."

[7:49 PM] Seirixori: "I have time, unless you need your rest."

[7:51 PM] DM: "I wouldn't mind the company, if you don't... though it will be easier for me if I lie down."

[7:53 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves back to the table, "I'll be okay, everyone knows I'm not a morning person anyway."

[7:58 PM] DM: Clemency slides into her bed, pulling the covers up to cover her hand as she continues making the spellcasting motions. "She said you were her person. That she uses homashoc for you? I... I know it's not really something to be thanked for, but I'm glad she has you. That she isn't alone."

[8:16 PM] Seirixori: "Ryleigh... we're similar in a lot of ways. I'm glad she stuck around. I don't think I'd still be here if it weren't for her."

[8:42 PM] DM: "Is she happy? I know she carries a lot of pain and anger but... is she OK?"

[8:50 PM] Seirixori: "I like to think so. There was... something happened not too long ago that made her realize that she didn't need to live in the anger and pain. She's working through it now."

[8:58 PM] DM: "Better late than never, right? What do we think of Rukiya?"

[9:04 PM] Seirixori: "I love her, she's amazing. When I first met Ryleigh she was very... rigid. Rukiya was the only one, for a little bit, that could get around all of that nonesense and bring out her softness."

[9:13 PM] DM: Clemency smiles.  "Good... she seemed like a good person."

[9:16 PM] Seirixori: "She really is. Though I'm sure stopping Ryleigh and I from being reckless gives her grey hair."

[9:48 PM] DM: "That sounds about right. She's always had ideas too big for her body. Like thinking she can get us both out of here..." She sighs.  "I shouldn't have said anything. I couldn't ask you to convince her to leave, could I?"

[9:53 PM] Seirixori: Seir really wants to laugh in this moment, but spider. "No, because then you'd have to also convince me. I asked about seeing through illusions on purpose and it isn't something I've brought up to Ryleigh yet because I didn't want to get her hopes up if I couldn't do it."

[10:08 PM] DM: "Please, just... be careful. And... if... if something happens, tell her it's ok. I'll be with Dad and Avery. But little Avery will need her. Take care of her?" Clemency reaches up and puts the candle out with her fingers, but it's too late to hide the tears dripping onto her pillow.

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: There are many things Seir wants to say, but she doesn't. "...I will do everything I can."

[10:15 PM] DM: "You can stay if you need to... but if you want to get back, do you know how? You should be able to fit under the doors."

[10:19 PM] Seirixori: "I'll find my way. I'd love to keep you company but my wife will worry..... Thank you."

[10:23 PM] DM: "Thank you... for being there for her."

[10:35 PM] Seirixori: "I always will be. Good night, I'll see you soon."

[10:36 PM] Seirixori: Seir will attempt to make her way back to her room.

[10:36 PM] DM: You climb down the table, across the floor and under her door.

[10:37 PM] DM: The woman from before is sitting at a table across the room, apparently reading a book. There's a door near Clemency's and the door that leads back to the stairs.

[10:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir very much wants to stay and snoop but she doesn't want to push her luck. She makes her way along the bottom of the wall towards the door that leads back to the stairs.

## Ryfika

[2:52 PM] DM: Rukiya sits next to Ry and takes her hand. "Are you ok?"

[2:56 PM] Ryleigh: Ry shrugs and leans her head on Rukiya’s shoulder. “It hurts,” Ry answers.

[3:16 PM] DM: "I can't imagine..." Rukiya puts her arms around Ry. "Do you want to get more comfortable, or did you want to go see Seirixori?"

[5:10 PM] Ryleigh: “I-I don’t think I have the energy to chat with Seirixori tonight.” Ryleigh sighs and pulls away. “Help me out of my dress?”

[5:11 PM] DM: "Sure." She helps Ryleigh undress and get into her sleeping clothes, and does the same.

[5:21 PM] Ryleigh: Instead of laying down, she pulls Rukiya into a hug. The hug has as much of their bodies are touching as possible.

[5:23 PM] DM: What's Ry feeling at this moment?

[5:24 PM] Ryleigh: Overwhelmed. She’s hurting. She’s vulnerable. She’s happy and somehow still sad.

[5:26 PM] DM: Rukiya holds her tight, running her hand up and down over Ry's back.

[5:40 PM] Ryleigh: “Thank you for being here. I-I couldn’t do any of this without you... I feel so fragile.”

[5:44 PM] DM: "You don't have to be strong all the time, Ry."

[5:47 PM] Ryleigh: She pulls away just a little to press a few light kisses to Rukiya’s lips. Then she takes a steadying breath and says, “I know. It’s just hard to unlearn my bad habits.”

[5:55 PM] DM: "Why don't you lie down? Do you want a back rub?"

[5:59 PM] Ryleigh: Ry smile looks overwhelmingly thankful. “You sure? I know with my emotions being up and down and all over the place is probably draining for you.”

[6:00 PM] DM: She pushes up to kiss Ry, then guides her to the bed. "Let me worry about that."

[6:01 PM] Ryleigh: Letting herself be tugged to the bed, Ry softly answers, “your worries are my worries.”

[6:02 PM] DM: "And yours are mine... literally. So let me do what I can to ease them."

[6:09 PM] Ryleigh: “Alright,” Ry says, sounding like a lot of her fight has just left her. She lays down so Rukiya can rub her back, and as she does, Ry starts to cry again... tears steadily falling and the occasional staggered breath. She doesn’t try to apologize for it and she doesn’t try to push any of it down. Ry just lets it be.

## Urrak

[2:27 PM] DM: Urrak's been given a room to herself. Her bag is sitting on a dresser, there's a bathing tub in a small side room, and there's a large bed.

[2:27 PM] DM: Bri's room is across the hall, and she's next to the room where Gunnloda and Seir are.

[2:33 PM] Urrak: Urrak sits on the bed for sometime, still a damp from her earlier bath. There's something that doesn't sit totally right with her about this place, but she can't figure out where that feeling is coming from. She debates sleeping it off, but decides to on some clothes and her boots and walk through the castle hoping a walk around the place will ease her mind. She starts down the hall where their rooms are

[2:39 PM] DM: The keep itself is fairly small. Each floor has a central hallway with rooms on either side and a staircase at one side. This one just has 'guest rooms' on it. Four, in total.

[2:40 PM] Urrak: Urrak heads up the staircase

[2:42 PM] DM: There isn't really a hall here. There's an ante-chamber off the landing with two doors, and the stairs that go up or down.

[2:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks into the antechamber and looks around. She heads to one of the doors and tries the handle

[2:46 PM] DM: The first one opens. There's a bathroom inside with a mirror.

[2:48 PM] Urrak: Urrak makes a small "hmm" noise and closes the door. She'll then try the other.

[2:50 PM] DM: It's locked.

[3:28 PM] Urrak: Urrak frowns at the locked door but moves on. She walks towards the second staircase and goes up

[3:29 PM] DM: It's all the same staircase, but heading up, you're met with just one door, very well-crafted, and the stairs do not go any higher.

[3:31 PM] Urrak: Urrak stops at the door. She's nearly certain that this is the Queen's room, but is surprised at the lack of guards. She looks around a moment and then presses her ear to the door, wondering if she can hear anything going on inside

[3:32 PM] DM: Sure, give me a perception check.

[3:32 PM] Urrak: ((13))

[3:33 PM] DM: You think you might be able to hear voice(s?) but you can't make out anything that's being said or if there's more than one person speaking.

[3:35 PM] Urrak: "This is one thick door," she murmurs. She backs off and sighs. Soon, she heads back down the stairs, past the landing with the guest rooms, and further down.

[3:45 PM] DM: The next floor has several doors, twice as many as the guest rooms, probably. As you walk down the stairs, you hear a door opening just before you reach the landing. Do you stop, making sure you're not spotted, or continue to the landing?

[3:47 PM] Urrak: Urrak will stop and wait

[3:47 PM] DM: K. You hear the door shut, and pausing for a moment, you don't hear footsteps.

[3:48 PM] Urrak: Urrak creeps slowly down the rest of the stairs and pokes her head around the corner

[3:52 PM] DM: Bypassing the floor with the doors, Urrak continues down, and you're on the ground floor where you recall there was the sitting room and dining room. This level is far larger than the tower you were in. You can see the door to the sitting room and dining room, as well as the door to the courtyard and outside. There are a couple other doors that you don't know where they go- one close to the stairs, one beyond the dining room, and one near the sitting room.

[3:54 PM] Urrak: Not wanting to push her luck too much, Urrak will try the door near the sitting room

[3:56 PM] DM: It's open, but beyond it are several crates and objects under tarps and sheets. It appears to be a storage room.

[3:57 PM] Urrak: Urrak lifts a tarp to see what's under it and several others

[3:57 PM] DM: Give me an investigation check.

[3:57 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[3:58 PM] DM: Looks like dressers, couches.

[3:59 PM] Urrak: ((there's no way to open a crate without tools right?))

[4:01 PM] DM: You could try. You're pretty strong.

[4:01 PM] Urrak: Urrak will try to open a crate

[4:02 PM] DM: Strength check.

[4:02 PM] Urrak: ((10))

[4:04 PM] DM: You manage to get one of the crates to crack open before the nails protest too much, and with your darkvision, you can see that it's full of some kind of cloth, but it's hard to make out exactly what.

[4:06 PM] Urrak: "I'm jus' bein' paranoid..." Urrak closes the crate back up. She thinks about just leaving and getting some sleep, but can't help checking one more crate

[4:07 PM] DM: Just give me a base d20 roll.

[4:09 PM] Urrak: ((16))

[4:13 PM] DM: So Urrak kind of sighs and is on the edge of giving up on this room's investigations when her eyes fall on a smaller crate, further back in the room. Coming closer, she can see it's not a crate, so much as it's a wooden box and on the lid is the same cloud-ringed mountain peak symbol that you saw on Ry's shield and embossed here and there in the castle. It's the crest of Alisdair.

[4:15 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks around again, making sure she's alone, and slowly, quietly, opens the box

[4:16 PM] DM: It appears to be stuck shut somehow.

[4:16 PM] DM: Do you want to try to force it, examine it, leave it alone, something else?

[4:16 PM] Urrak: Examine it

[4:17 PM] DM: Investigation check.

[4:17 PM] Urrak: ((18))

[4:18 PM] DM: Nice. You notice a bit of a sliding mechanism along the side of the box. Why don't you give me an intelligence check to see if Urrak can figure out the puzzle box.

[4:20 PM] Urrak: ((5 :joy: ))

[4:21 PM] DM: It... is a mystery.

[4:23 PM] Urrak: "Fuck," she whispers. She places the box back down and creeps out of the storage room.

[4:24 PM] DM: Give me a stealth check just for funsies.

[4:24 PM] Urrak: ((17))

[4:26 PM] DM: Yeah, you manage to get out and shut the door, and nobody appears to scold you.

[4:27 PM] Urrak: Urrak will try to get back to the guest rooms so she can tell Rukiya what she found

[4:28 PM] DM: Ok. That's pretty easy to do. You can go back up the stairs to the guest rooms, and you know Bri's across from you and Devil's Food is next to you, so that leaves Ryfika in the room across from them.

[4:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak knocks on the door

[5:24 PM] DM: Rukiya will quietly open the door after several long moments. She doesn't hide her surprise of seeing Urrak on the other side of the door. "Is there a problem?"

[5:26 PM] Urrak: "Oh uh, hi," she seems surprised that the door actually opened, "I uh...wanted to talk t' you real quick."

[5:36 PM] DM: "Me?" She glances back into the room, then back at Urrak. "About what?"

[5:38 PM] Ryleigh: From inside the room Ry says, “It’s okay, she can come in, sun’frada.”

[5:39 PM] DM: Rukiya shrugs and opens the door for Urrak.

[5:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak steps inside and closes the door. "Sorry t' disturb ye," she doesn't step too much further into the room, "But I think I found somethin' important."

[5:44 PM] Ryleigh: Ry is laying in bed on her side. She looks worn and like she’s been crying. She doesn’t say anything, and she’s looking your direction but her eyes are largely unfocused.

[5:45 PM] DM: "What do you mean, found?"

[5:46 PM] DM: (I'd suggest not writing a novel because chances are she's going to interrupt. Saves you from typing twice. lol)

[5:47 PM] Urrak: "I-I can come back, er," she looks over to Rukiya, "An' well everyone left after dinner so I went to my room. I was feelin' weird, even after takin' a bath, and couldn't relax so I walked around th' castle, "

[5:52 PM] DM: Rukiya glances at Ry, then looks back and says quietly, "You should go back to your room." Even though it's quiet and she's more than a foot shorter than Urrak, there's an intensity in her eyes.

[5:55 PM] Urrak: "I-Ok. I jus'--it was a wooden box, with the sigil of th' House on it. Puzzle lock." She gets out the details quickly in preparation to leave

[5:58 PM] DM: Rukiya reaches up and puts her hand over her mouth before she gets past 'wooden box'. It takes Urrak by surprise, so I don't think you're going to make me roll for it, unless you want to see if she also manages to push Urrak back against the wall, but she doesn't get any other words out. She repeats herself, "Go back to your room, Urrak."

[6:00 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods. "Right, I'll uh head back. Just wanted t' check in. I'll leave ye be..." she steps back and heads out the door

[6:01 PM] DM: The door shuts behind Urrak. Does she go back to her room?

[6:05 PM] Urrak: She does

[6:10 PM] DM: She's probably sitting there, thinking wtf?! for a couple minutes before there's a soft knock on the door and Rukiya slips inside, still in her sleeping clothes. She puts her finger to her lips and crosses the room until she's standing right next to where Urrak's sitting. She leans in to whisper quietly, "Someone might be watching or listening. We have to be careful, especially around Ry."

[6:12 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods, "R-right. Sorry." She matches her volume to Rukiya's, "Can I tell ye about it some other way? I could write it down, " she motions to her pack, "I have my journal, I can tear out a page"

[6:14 PM] DM: "That wouldn't help if they're watching." She gestures for Urrak to just cover her mouth and whisper to her.

[6:16 PM] Urrak: She follows Rukiya's lead and tells her all about the box, "I couldn't figure out th' lock. But I figured you or Ry probably could. It's like a slidin' puzzle thing. Never seen it before. "

[6:23 PM] DM: She sighs a little, then whispers back, "Try not to upset our hosts before Ry figures out what she wants to do."

[6:26 PM] Urrak: "I'll stay put tonight. Thankfully I don't think anyone saw me." Urrak leans forward a bit, "...She looked upset."

[6:27 PM] DM: Rukiya doesn't bother whispering and stands up straighter. "It's been a long day."

[6:30 PM] Urrak: "I bet," She smiles a little, empathetically. "I'm glad she has you t' help her get through it. "

[6:32 PM] DM: "I should get back." She pauses and actually looks at Urrak. "Are you doing ok?"

[6:59 PM] Urrak: She looks a bit taken aback at the question but smiles, "I'm alright. Or at least I will be, surely. I... Well you probably don't wanna hear it. Besides, ye should go an' be with Ryleigh. Don't worry about me. "

[7:06 PM] DM: "If you are part of Ry's family, I'm going to worry about you. Take care." She leaves the room as quickly and quietly as she entered.

[7:16 PM] Urrak: She waves a goodbye quickly before Rukiya leaves. In the following quiet she reflects on what she just said. "A part of Ry's family, eh?" She chuckles.l As she's getting into her night clothes, she can't help but keep smiling, even when she eventually works her way beneath the sheets and falls asleep.

## Rukiya and Seir then DF

[10:58 PM] DM: Ok. You can get back downstairs. You see Rukiya, in her sleeping clothes, walk out of Urrak's room and back towards the one she's sharing with Ry.

[11:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir briefly thinks about scaring her and dismisses the action. Instead she climbs along the wall trying to get into eye sight of Rukiya.

[11:04 PM] DM: Rukiya is very perceptive, so she'll notice the tiny spider waving its little leg at her. Her eyes dart left and right and she whispers, "Seirixori?"

[11:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, though unsure if that's noticeable and waves one little leg in confirmation.

[11:07 PM] DM: Rukiya holds her finger out so Seir can climb on. "Coming with or just saying hi?"

[11:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't answer at first when she climbs on her finger. She paces along it for a few seconds before kind of slouching and gives a wave.

[11:20 PM] DM: She sighs a bit. "Probably best. It's a lot right now." She steps across the hall and sets Seir down at the door to her room.

[11:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir waves again and waits for Rukiya to head into her and Ryleigh's room before going into her own.

[11:21 PM] DM: She does.

[11:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir slips under her own door and shifts back to her tiefling body. She immediately starts pacing.

[11:35 PM] DM: "Y'ok, darlin'?"

[11:41 PM] Seirixori: "Just thinking." Seir slides into bed even with all of her restless energy. She whispers as quiet as she can, "We have to get them out."

[11:46 PM] DM: "That was quite the walk..."

[11:48 PM] Seirixori: "You know I don't like being inside for so long." she says normally, but again with a whisper, adds, "I wanted to ask Clemency something... I learned more than I anticipated."

[11:49 PM] DM: She looks at Seir oddly, then whispers, "Why are we whispering?"

[11:53 PM] Seirixori: "I've been told there are eyes and ears everywhere."

[11:54 PM] DM: "Good t'know..."

[12:06 AM] Seirixori: "I will find a way to tell you." She presses her lips to Gunnloda's forehead then her lips, "I might have asked her a child related question."

[12:07 AM] DM: Gunnloda quirks an eyebrow and teases, "Oh? Have somethin' y'need t'tell me?"

[12:12 AM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "It wasn't exactly a happy question, but one I couldn't stop thinking about."

[12:31 AM] DM: "Think I can wager a guess 'bout what."

[12:39 AM] Seirixori: She smiles a little sadly and shrugs with one shoulder. Seir runs a hand along Gunnloda's back, "You know me, the 'what could go wrong' and so on thoughts first."

[12:46 AM] DM: "And? Has anythin' changed I should know about?"

[12:55 AM] Seirixori: She shakes her head cupping Gunnloda's cheek, "No, mo chuisle." Seir slowly kisses her and teasingly says, "I'd have a litter of kids with you if we could."

[1:06 AM] DM: "A litter? Think this might be a good time t'remind you I'm only interested in this form," she chuckles.

[1:11 AM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "You know what I mean."

[1:16 AM] DM: "If y'like we could always try now... give whoever's watchin' a show," she adds with a whispered laugh.

[1:19 AM] Seirixori: Seir continues to laugh, "How can I say no to that?"

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