Game 58

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**Vault of Dreams**

The “stars” above in Aeidun’s chamber are moving, not fixed in place.

A: Rowan, I’m sorry. When you left I wasn’t able to look for you. Things happened. I… needed to stay here. Again, I’m sorry.

R: Not really your fault. The years I was gone happened in the blink of an eye for me. SO.., let’s get out of this dark closet and go do stuff.

A: It’s not that easy. If I leave, there could be repercussions.

R. Oh?

A: I… may have looked into the realm of possibility too long. What’s here, it is a bit beyond my reach. These lights… what do you see?

R: Floating lights?

A: \*Holds his hand out and takes one of the lights from the air and holds it out for Rowan. When he takes it, there is a childlike spark in his eye.\*

R: Can you leave?

A: I… can. Yes. \*he looks to the side. He is keeping something from Rowan\*  Where are we to go then. Do you have a place in mind?

R: Something about retaking the bridge.

A: They want to retake the bridge. Well, it would be rude to keep them waiting. But before we go, I have a gift for you. \*pulls out circlet\* DO you remember the night on the water? I have a certain knack for looking into people’s dreams. With this, you can look in on others. I think perhaps you should introduce me to your friends.

…

When AIden sees Meera, his face falls.

A: What has happened to the princess?

D: Not just the princess. \*Damian reveals Virio. Aiden carves out a symbol in the air, and Virio collapses, but still breathing.\*

A: Kleppa can act as doorways to unwanted attention. I closed the door.

D: I know that Mira still lies within.

A: May I… take her? \*he gestures towards Tanden\*

....

**Aeidun Heals Meera**

Aiden, Rowan, and Marius begin to meditate around Meera. It is dark. A light begins to approach. They see a foggy image. It does not quite coalesce, but there is a young girl crying; Mira. She is leaning over a pool of water. Her face buried in her hands. There is smoke trailing from her face. Standing there, they realize that they have a presence of body, but Aiden is nowhere to be seen.

D: Be very careful in here.

HIs words kind of wash and hum and there is a tangible feeling and force to the words, as if the words themselves can be seen.

R: Mira? Are you there? \*there is a vibration inside Rowan. The crying figure does not respond. Rowan goes to try to touch the lake, and as he does the crying ceases and the smoke surges passed as the water begins to ripple out. As she’s holding her face, her hands begin to fall from her face as the smoke clears to reveal her face completely covered in eyes. The water is throbbing as several tentacles begin to whip towards Rowan. He dodges out of the way. That’s when he realizes that this is not water. It is black.

Damian attempts to dispel magic on Mira. As he casts, the spell smashes into her face and she screams out almost in sheer terror. As that happens, she is knocked over, the shadowy magic begins to eke out and rest on the ground, and then begins to shake, take form. Eyes begin to appear within the form. This time it doesn’t look shadowy. It is a revolving mass of eyes. Mira begins to stir. Her face is normal. Bright red lips, pale features. Teal iris slits with a wash of green.

D: Quickly! To him.

M: Rowan!? \*Damian stands in between her and the blight and attempts to cast slow.\*

Blight: Nooooo! \*Damian attempts to pull them out of the vision. But it feels like there are anchors holding the other two down. Damian wakes up. Tendrils begin to reach towards Rowan, but it shies away from his Moon sword.

Rowan presses his lute into her hands.

R: Play the song from when we first met! \*Mira looks at him uncertain, and begins to play. The form begins to shake and wave. At this moment, a hand comes to rest on Rowan. It is Aiden. His eyes are wide as he watches this unfold. The coy fish surrounding Mira begin to flurry out, snapping at the eyes. They are in a tunnel of stars. Rowan looks back at Aiden, blue flames coming from his eyes. The form dissipates, and there rests Mira sits there playing the song.

A: Well then, shall we leave?

And Aiden, Rowan, and Mira awaken. Tanden rushes to Mira and embraces her.

…

T: Where are we?

A: It is an observation deck of possible realities. \*again, he offers Rowan a dream\* Each dream is a possibility. Inside all of us are entire universes of possibility and each one of them carries with them weight. And as if you’ve seen here within the Feywild, some of them can be given life. They are expressed intention of two souls combined. This place is the remnant of where the Well once was.

(Aiden also tends to Virio. After 3-4 minutes, he regards him quizzically. A: This appears much harder. Perhaps with more time, I can figure this out. He turns to David. Otto sets him down, facing Aiden.)

**Aeidun Looks Into Ereb's Mind**

David is back in the yard, in front of the stone in the yard. He looks down and feels a rock in his hand. There is blood on the rock, and he is kneeling in rags. There is a hand on his shoulder.

A: What is this place, lad.

D: It’s the Underdark. \*Aeiden nods\*

A: Where? I do not sense it.

D: I’m not sure exactly. I wasn’t brought here in the best conditions.

A: It’s strange. A sense no blight here, but there are things missing: holes in your mind. Is there anything you can aid me with. What am I looking for?

D: I died, and then I don’t remember. Perhaps if you conjured water, like, a lot of it. Maybe that would trigger something.

A: RIght. Perhaps a different time then. \*The images begin to shift, and then darkness. In front of David there is a deeper darkness. There is a moment leading up to that. There are a series of flashes of his life. He sees \_\_\_\_\_ the dwarf. He is shuffling through a series of jobs. All of the time leading up to that moment, marching faster and faster until it hits a snag. THere is a man in a red mask standing in front of him, challenging him

D: This is the part! Watch this! \*He is in a river. Choking. Coughing. A crushing weight on his lungs… and then nothing. He is alone. Aiden is not there.\*

D: I mean it’s clearly dark in here. I don’t remember this part. \*There is a shift inside. In the darkness there is a call. A raven flies over head. David is standing in a sea of darkness. He can barely make it out against the tones for grey and black. As he takes several steps, he follows. Something is moving in the darkness. He sees some sort of bestial pygmy with black fur and a small blue face with a snubbed in face similar to a pug’s. There is an underbite with a couple of teeth jutting. As it is hunched over the raven lands on its shoulder, but its back is to David. As it lazily looks over, reflecting light in the darkness like a cats.

D: Hello! Fellow traveler of the darkness. I am Reginald, what is your name?

Pigmy: That’s not your name. I know you, Ereb.

D: What are you?

P: A remnant.

D: Of what?

P: A piece left. Just like you. I found your piece. It’s mine. You’re mine.

D: What are you talking about?

P: There is a river. It flows. It swallows many things. It brings me things. It brought me you. I need more. I’m so lonely, and the river brought me you. There are things. People. They have taken what belongs to me. Souls. I want them back. I struck a bargain, and I was IGNORED. I can give many gifts. I have much to offer. A friend is much more useful than a slave.

D: You should have opened with that, rather than forcing me to kill.

P: I’m sorry. I need it. Can you help me?

D: I can’t help someone if I don’t know their name?

P: Malar. \*name of the beast lord. AKA Kazagorath.\*

D: *You’re* Malar. \*Looking down on the creature, it looks pathetic. As it looks up at him, there is a disgusting glisten to its lips.\*

P: Yessss. \*It smiles really big, reveling in the name being spoken allowed.\* I could be so much more. *We* could be so much more. David walks closer to it. Kneels down, looking at his face. Instinctively it turns its back, but still watching him, uncertain.

D: You’re *Malar.* \*It rolls its eyes.\*

P: A piece remains. A piece. \*It is clutching something in its hands.\*

D: What is the piece?

P: You fool. I am the piece of Malar, you *halfwit*.

D: Yes, but what is the piece of mine that you have. \*It looks uncertain.\*

P: DO you want it?

D: I’d like to know what it is.

P: Control. Call it a token of goodwill. I give you back full control, and maybe then we can ask each other favors. A deal, yes?

D: Let’s go over the terms. Full control *and* full memory restored.

P: Full control.

D: What do I have to do?

P: I want a taste! Give me the liars! The cheaters! The deal breakers!

D: Am I not one of the guilty? You know what’s in my mind. I don’t have any blood right now.

P: Give me a taste!

D: What do I get in return?

P: Power! Favors!

D: How do I know after this you wont poke around in my head?

P: A deals a deals a DEAL! I can speak to you directly.

D: That’s cool.

P: A gift! I will give you the first.

D: \*takes his hand back\* What is your full purpose?

P: I want to be whole again! I want revenge! Revenge for being fragmented!

D: Revenge on who?

P: Erek-Hus. Horned King. He has many names.

D: Give me the name of the one we have to destroy.

P: Erek-Hus

D: I don’t know this name.

P: You don’t know this name? You are truly a halfwit. He is the King of Terror.

D: That sounds bad ass! This sounds fun. Malar. When you are restored, what will happen?

P: \*chuckling\* See what happens.

D: What did you do when you were whole?

P: The way of beasts! Savagery! Of tooth and claw!

D: Ok Malar. Only a little bit. You’ve already had quite a bit of me.

P: Yes! Seal the deal.

D: But only a little! \*Malar chomps down\* You son of a bitch! \*David attempts to slap him, and as he does P dissipates into a blue smoke. There are a series of small ravens shooting off in all directions. The bite begins to close, and there is a burned brand mark into the hand in the appearance of Raven.

D: When you found me? Did you keep all my stuff?

P: It was claimed by the river.

D: God DAMN it Malar! Aiden, are you seeing this?

P: AIDEN!? WHO IS AIDEN?

D: The Dream Master?

P: Oh, foolish boy! He should not have gone poking? Always poking around where they shouldn't. \*there is an explosion of red energy and David is knocked out of the vision.\*

…

Damian: Aeiden, I have been plagued by a dream. Cirrine, I think now might be the time?

C: Uh, what?

D: Look, I think now might be the time. I respect your privacy, but…

C: Do you?

D: \*to Aeiden\* Can you help me?

A: I can damn well try, lad.

D: Well, I can try describing it. It’s almost always the same, but sometimes I get further than others. It always starts with her face. \*gesturing towards Cirrine\* She’s always talking to me. I can’t hear her voice, but I can make out the words. Every time she tells me “It’s ok.” But I know it’s not ok, because when I look around I see their bodies. \*looking at his companions.\* They all lie on the floor seemingly dead. And I look up at the sky and I see an eclipse. I always feel like there’s more, but then I wake up. Gripped with terror. And I’ve noticed that Serene wakes up as well.

A: And what is it that you’re expecting me to do?

D: Honestly I don’t know. It doesn’t seem natural. These dreams. To have this same one over and over again. I didn’t know Cirrine before. Didn’t know who she was. We brought her back from a very dark place.

C: You’re talking a lot about me like I’m not here.

D: By all means…

C: Whatever your dreams are, keep them to yourself and leave me out of it. Your dreams have nothing to do with me. I don’t want strangers poking around in my mind.

R: I have this circlet now. What if I went with him? \*Cirrine blushes\*

C: Ok. Fine.

\*Aeiden puts his hand on Rowan’s shoulder.\*

A: Honestly, I’m a bit drained. Perhaps I could help your friend, and you could help the lady. \*A subtle, smug smile curves at his lips.\*

**Cirrine's Dream**

Aeiden puts Cirrine to sleep. Damian also lays down.

Rowan moves towards a light. He finds himself sitting in the kitchen. Cirrine is there, her sleeves rolled up folding dough. She looks up and smiles coyly. Outside a bell knells in the distance. In comes a dark man with priest’s habit. Otto is standing by the door, looking out. Everyone looks happy, Cirrine incredibly so. As she begins walking forward there are a couple of small children that are running through the space. There is a slightly older girl and a younger boy.

Boy: Tamiria wait!

Cirrine: Hold on you two! \*As Cirrine runs out, she stops, looking up. She is staring at a pair of gallows. There are three bodies swaying. Above that an eclipse. You watch the faces blaken over. Each of their eyes are flaming a different color. The gallows begin to raise up and ropes begin to lash out snatching people out of the crowd. All of this is taking place on the streets of Cormir. As the dream crescendos, Rowan feels a rope clasp about his neck. The figures are being snatched by the ropes are absorbed into the gallows as it becomes a monstrous figure with many glowing eyes. And Rowan wakes up.

C: Sometimes I have fits where I faint, and things happen. Otto and I were captured, and interrogated and I thought that I could help some friends. I confessed to some crimes, and they were hanged because of me.

**Aeidun looks Into Merius' Dream**

Meanwhile, Damian sees a light. It’s growing closer. It’s the dream as he’s seen it before. When the dream concludes, he sees Aiden’s eyes regarding him.

Aiden: What does it mean to you?

Damian: I feel responsible. Like a sort of survivor’s guilt. All my companions seem to be dead, and Cirrine and I were the only ones left. She kept saying it’s ok, but I know its not. And then the eclipse happens, and I always feel like theres something more, a step beyond that I can never seem to take. If only I could reach further. Learn more, or if I’m off a stronger mind or will theres something there. Something that might help. Something that might…

A: You wish to know who the man at the top of the stairs is? \*He casts a glyph, and espers begin to surround Damian, and suddenly he is back in the dream and there past Cirrine is a stairwell with a figure watching. He attempts to go over to him, but he can not. There is a barrier. The dream ends.\*

D: Who was that?

A: I don’t know. There are magics outside my capability. Do you believe this dream is truth?

D: I believe it is influence. That someone is manipulating my mind. For more than a few years now. And I’m growing quite tired of it. Night after night I am taunted by the dead faces of my friends lying on the floor. I just want it to stop.

**Pepper**

A: Well that’s certainly easy enough, lad. Stick close to Rowan. \*something something his mother. Gestures to Pepper.\*

D: Does she still watch over him?

A: In a manner of speaking.

D: If that’s the case then what would her intentions have to do with me.

A: And yet we all feel the effects of her after she’s gone. Gods, humans, the demons from the past. They’re bigger than I am. I’m just a man who wants to play the lute. And somehow I got mixed up in all this. Pepper’s a good girl. I first found her when i found Rowan. At first, I thought it was happenstance, but she hasn't aged a day. I think its a small reminder of good intentions from his mother.

D: When I first met pepper, she didn’t like me much. She growled at me.

A: Well she’s an excellent judge of character.

D: That’s what I'm afraid of.

A: Don’t be so hard on yourself lad. \*Damian notices that Aeiden is wearing a pin with a moon and stars and a silver chair. The symbol of the Harper’s aside from the chair. Damian whistles the Harper's tune and Aiden returns it.\*

D: So you are one of them.

A: You could say that. I haven’t always had a place in this world, but I found it. Maybe someday you will to. \*Damian shakes his hand\*

\*”This is it. After all this searching.” The esper begins to flit around Otto’s hand. Then it seizes and is pulled into the necklace.\*

Once we have left the Vault of Dreams, David proceeds to tell us of his pact with the creature that calls itself Malar. The group shares their various misgivings.

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