5 Felmont

4 Felmont - 5 Felmont - 6 Felmont

Felmont 3Y21 - Discord logs

## [2:19 PM] DM: Early in the morning 5 Felmont 3Y21

### **Isonsall**

You've all, except Seir, been hurrying down the mountainside towards the town of Isonsall, the heavy earthquake-causing footsteps of a titan behind you. As you reach the edge of the town, you see that the town itself is not at rest. There are several people outside, torches in hand, talking to neighbors, worry etched on their faces. Clusters of concerned citizens stand in the roads from the top tiers to the bottom. You can spot a uniformed guard being swarmed with questions in some of these clusters.

[2:21 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks to Ryleigh, "Ye have t' let them know, th' guards won't listen t' us random folk."

[2:22 PM] Urrak: She shakes her head, "Or at least they won't believe what's actually happenin'."

[2:23 PM] Ryleigh: "Rukiya, I need to speak to the mayor. Will you go to the nearest guard and tell them we need to get the townspeople somewhere safe. I don't want to start a panic, so choose your words carefully." Ryleigh then turns to Urrak and Bri and says, "Help with what you can and I'll meet up with you all once I've talked to the mayor."

[2:24 PM] Brimeia: "Ok, where will we meet you?"

[2:25 PM] Ryleigh: "I'll find you, just go help them." Ryleigh presses a quick kiss to Rukiya's lips, and runs towards the mayor's house.

[2:25 PM] Brimeia: Bri nods and then turns to Rukiya to follow her lead.

[2:27 PM] DM: Rukiya will head toward the nearest cluster that has a guard in it. The people are clamoring, shouting over each other trying to ask questions, mostly about what the noise is, whether it's dangerous, why the mayor hasn't come out yet. The guard looks overwhelmed and just keeps asking people to calm down.

[2:28 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over to give Rukiya and the guard a bit of help in calming the townsfolk down

[2:29 PM] DM: How are you doing that?

[2:31 PM] Urrak: Urrak puffs her chest and tries speaks over the crowd, "Everyone! Please listen t' what we have t' tell ye. There's great danger on th' way, but we have t' stay calm so we don't make this worse! We will answer yer questions, but we can't answer 'em all at once." she puts her hands out, trying to encourage the group to back up a bit from the guard and Rukiya

[2:33 PM] DM: Give me a persuasion or intimidation check.

[2:33 PM] DM: Rumble.

[2:34 PM] Urrak: ((21))

[2:36 PM] DM: The people do back up a bit and quiet down. Rukiya says something quietly to the guard who, after a few moments, straightens and says, "Folks, I'm going to ask you to start heading toward the shelter in a calm, orderly fashion. More questions will be answered there."

[2:38 PM] Urrak: "We're gonna keep ye all safe as best we can. Our chances are better th' more of us that are in th' right mindset t' help others that might not be." Urrak sighs and looks to Rukiya I escort them?"

[2:40 PM] DM: Rukiya: "You can follow them if you want to try to keep order. I'm going to go spread the word to the other guards."

[2:41 PM] Brimeia: "I'll help tell the guards. We can meet at the shelter."

[2:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods "See ye then." she helps the guard escort people to the shelter

## Bri

[2:42 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia will look for the nearest guard to tell.

2:43 PM] DM: Bri in here. Are you going with Rukiya or are you splitting off from her too to spread out?

[2:43 PM] Brimeia: Splitting from Rukiya to cover everyone faster.

[2:43 PM] DM: Ok!

[2:44 PM] DM: You head down the mountain road a bit to another tier of the town where you spot another cluster of people, this one without a guard.

[2:48 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia approaches the group and tries her best to project calm. "Citizens, everyone's been asked to gather at the shelter for more information about what is happening." She gestures back in the direction of the shelter.

[2:50 PM] DM: Give me a persuasion check.

[2:50 PM] Brimeia: ((7))

[2:52 PM] DM: They look at you, then go back to talking to each other. Do you want to listen to see what they're saying (Perception) or try another way to get them to listen? Or something else?

[2:53 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia will try to listen.

[2:53 PM] Brimeia: ((11))

[2:56 PM] DM: You don't really understand much. They're speaking Common, but the context isn't easily understood... but then you see a great purple flame burst into the air above the mayor's house before settling into a low burn of purple flame.

## Urrak at the shelter

[2:43 PM] DM: We'll go with Urrak to the shelter here.

[2:44 PM] DM: The guard starts leading the way to the shelter, but you notice a handful of people peeling off of the group to go in other directions. What are you doing?

[2:46 PM] Urrak: Urrak calls to them, "Yer families will be told! We're tellin' th' whole town. I know yer scared, but we gotta stay together."

[2:47 PM] DM: They're already split off. Are you continuing to the shelter or going to round others up?

[2:47 PM] Urrak: Urrak shakes her head, but keeps going towards the shelter

[2:49 PM] DM: The group arrives at a stone building built directly into the walls of the tier it sits on. The doorway is tall and wide, like a warehouse, and made of stone. The guard opens the door and starts ushering people inside. "All the way inside, please. We have a lot of people to fit."

[2:49 PM] DM: And you now see about a dozen more guards making their way down the mountain and splitting off.

[2:49 PM] DM: Rumble.

[2:52 PM] Urrak: "Stay here, if ye can. I-I mean, if ye could. Thanks." Urrak will then run off and try to round up as many stragglers as possible

[2:56 PM] DM: As you do, you see a great purple flame burst into the air above the mayor's house before settling into a low burn of purple flame.

[2:58 PM] Urrak: Urrak stumbles and almost falls in the snow at the sight and she's unable to look away for a few moments. She takes a deep breath, "Please let that be a good thing..." she keeps at collecting villagers

## Seir

[2:20 PM] DM: You, however, are coming in from the edge of the Fytulk and see the same thing, but from the bottom of the town. There's a cluster of people around the guard tower where you'd helped defeat a giant, demanding answers from a guard on duty.

[2:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir approaches, calling out to whoever will answer, "Is there a place for everyone to seek shelter?"

[2:22 PM] DM: Give me a quick charisma check.

[2:22 PM] Seirixori: ((9 fucking fuck lmao))

[2:22 PM] DM: They're all too busy shouting questions and demands to pay attention, at least at first.

[2:23 PM] DM: You can tell there's an air of panic.

[2:23 PM] Seirixori: Grumbling Seir stands at height and uses her thaumaturgy to make her voice louder, "Quiet!"

[2:24 PM] DM: Yeah that'll work. Some of the people push away from you like they're frightened or startled, but the group quiets.

[2:24 PM] Seirixori: "Is there a place for everyone to take shelter? In the mountain, not in the open?"

[2:25 PM] DM: One of the goliaths speaks. "Yeah, we've been building a place. Why?"

[2:27 PM] Seirixori: "We need to get everyone there. Everyone. There is danger coming from the top of the mountain and we need to move quickly."

[2:29 PM] DM: Guard: "Hey now. Just calm down. If we need to shelter, the mayor will tell us. There's no need to panic. It's just an earthquake."

[2:31 PM] Seirixori: "This feels like a natural earthquake to you?"

[2:31 PM] DM: Rumble.

[2:31 PM] DM: Some of the people start shouting again, some agreeing, others agreeing with the guard.

[2:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir uses her thaumaturgy again, "Silence! This is not natural! Please! Get everyone into that shelter! Waiting for the mayor will take too long! What's worse, dying because you won't listen or sitting in a shelter for a small amount of time and nothing happens?"

[2:37 PM] DM: Give me another check, your choice.

[2:38 PM] Seirixori: ((22 persuasion))

[2:42 PM] DM: Half the townspeople start heading up the mountain at that, apparently headed towards the shelter. Some head back towards town, but not with the others. The guard stays at his post. "Who the hell are you? Are you trying to start a panic?"

[2:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir gets closer to him and quietly says, "I came here with the princess. I'm trying to not get a whole town killed. There is a massive entity coming down the mountain, and quite possibly a bunch of undead giants. Now will you help me get everyone else to the shelter? Or would you like me to tell them the specifics?"

[2:47 PM] DM: Give me another check of your choice.

[2:48 PM] Seirixori: ((15 intim))

[2:51 PM] DM: He frowns. "If I leave my post, it could be my head. I have to wait for the fires."

[2:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns, "What fires?"

[2:52 PM] DM: "The signal fires. It's how we know if there's an emergency."

[2:53 PM] Seirixori: "Where is the closest one?"

[2:53 PM] Seirixori: ((can she also look herself lol))

[2:55 PM] DM: "There's one at the mayor's and one at the castle, then one here." He gestures at what looks like a stone chimney with an opening at the top.

[2:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at him and then will use Produce Flame to light it herself. ((If it's within 30' if not she'll try to get close enough to do so))

[2:57 PM] DM: "Hey!"

[2:57 PM] DM: As you do, you see a great purple flame burst into the air above the mayor's house before settling into a low burn of purple flame.

[2:57 PM] Seirixori: "Well, guess I was being a little impatient, but..." she motions to the purple flame.

[2:59 PM] DM: He almost stumbles over himself to use the wand set into the stone to light a purple flame himself. "You should follow the others."

[3:00 PM] Seirixori: "As should you, I will help get others." She turns to head into the village to help move others to shelter. As she turns she changes into looking like one of the guards to hopefully make the transition go more smoothly. ((disguise self))

Ry
--

[2:28 PM] DM: You find the mayor's house easily enough, and Gescha's there with Rolfe and maybe a dozen uniformed guards. When you open the door, whatever they were saying stops mid-sentence and they all look at you.

[2:29 PM] Ryleigh: "What's the plan to evacuate the town?" Ryleigh says, striding in - covered in frost and clearly out of breath.

[2:30 PM] DM: One of the guards: "Evacuate?"

[2:31 PM] Ryleigh: "Surely you have some kind of plan for the townspeople in case Tilman attacked again. Some kind of stronghold or some place they can be out of harms way."

[2:32 PM] DM: Gescha: "We have a shelter in the mountain. Is this Tilman? What do you know?"

[2:35 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh frowns. "It's not Tilman. I-" she swallows and holds her head high, owning up to the mistake. "I accidentally woke something up on the mountain... a giant among giants. It's mindless as far as I can tell... it won't listen to anything or anyone and I don't think it can be stopped - we tried. Right now we need to get as many of the people of Isonsall into the shelter in the mountain as we can."

[2:35 PM] Ryleigh: Then, as an afterthought, she asks, "Have you spoken to anyone from the castle?"

[2:39 PM] DM: The guards start talking quietly to each other until Gescha drops her weapon heavily on the table. Once the room is quiet, she says, "No."

[2:44 PM] Ryleigh: "On the way down it wasn't there," Ry says. "Or it's been cloaked in magic. Regardless... it looks like we're on our own." Ryleigh touches the back of her neck, and continues, "I won't abandon the people Isonsall." She looks around at Gescha and the guards. "We need to move quickly,and cover as much of the town as possible. Each of you knock on 5 doors, tell the people to grab warm clothes, and head to the shelter. Once you've done that, you get to safety too."

[2:45 PM] Ryleigh: "Gescha, what do you need from me?" Ry asks, deferring to her because this is her town.

[2:46 PM] DM: The guards kind of look at Gescha for confirmation of Ry's orders. She just frowns and says, "You heard the princess. Get out there."

There's a bit of a chaotic moment as they all push past to get out the door before you're left alone with Rolfe and Gescha.

[2:46 PM] DM: Gescha: "How bad is this?"

[2:52 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh lets the confidence she had around the guards fall and allows the worry to spread on her face. "I don't have the right words, but it's worse than bad... and it's my fault. Ragna didn't tell me what kind of power I was going to awake... and like a stupid child I did what she asked against my better judgement." She's quiet for a  moment. "I'm sorry... and I can assure you that I will share the fate of the people of Isonsall."

[2:54 PM] DM: "The shelter is two tiers down, built into the wall. Rolfe, set the fires."

Rolfe nods and runs upstairs.

## Bri

[3:00 PM] Brimeia: Frustrated and more than a little worried Bri will try a different approach. "You all need to get to the shelter before trouble comes!" she shouts angrily.

[3:02 PM] DM: There's not much need for that because as soon as one of them spots the purple flame, they all start moving. The streets flood with people and panic and movement as people start crowding towards the shelter. Give me a perception check.

[3:02 PM] Brimeia: ((13))

[3:06 PM] DM: There's a commotion breaking out in front of the shelter. Shouting, at least, and you see sparks flying into the air in that direction.

[3:07 PM] Brimeia: Since everyone in the area has moved that direction already, Bri runs over to see what the commotion is.

[3:10 PM] DM: You see several people pushing and shoving and shouting at each other, clamoring to get into the shelter before the others. There's one guard, the same one from the beginning, trying to break it up, but as you reach them, he gets decked in the face and goes down hard.

[3:11 PM] Brimeia: Bri will shout, "Hey! Back off and stop fighting each other and you'll all make it in!" and try to intervene between the people and the guard so he doesn't get trampled or something.

[3:12 PM] DM: Give me an athletics check for making your way in and a persuasion check for calming them.

[3:13 PM] Brimeia: ((15))

[3:14 PM] DM: You can get to him. Persuasion?

[3:14 PM] Brimeia: ((6))

[3:16 PM] DM: The crowd doesn't stop pushing and shoving, but there's a flash of metal and suddenly there's more shouting, but space is opening up around a man who has drawn a dagger. "I'm getting in there first!"

[3:17 PM] Brimeia: Bri will try tackle him.

[3:17 PM] DM: Give me an athletics check!

[3:17 PM] Brimeia: ((24))

[3:20 PM] DM: Rumble. The footsteps are getting louder and closer.

[3:20 PM] DM: Bri tackles the man with the knife, knocking it out of his hands and people start shoving by again, pushing and trying to get inside.

[3:25 PM] DM: The guards arrive and start helping to organize and break apart anyone else who fights and start getting people moving again. What are you doing?

[3:26 PM] Brimeia: Relieved when more help comes, Bri will flash the dagger man a warning, "Behave yourself," before getting up and trying to get the others into some semblance of a line.

[3:30 PM] DM: There's a loud BOOM from somewhere to the south of you, near the mayor's home.

Are you staying there at the door or going inside or something else?

[3:31 PM] Brimeia: Does it look like the guards there have a handle on the crowd now?

[3:32 PM] DM: For the most part, yes.

[3:33 PM] Brimeia: Bri will give the guards a thumbs up and hurry off toward the mayor's to see if whatever's going there is something she can help with.

## Urrak

[3:01 PM] DM: The general atmosphere of the town shifts dramatically and you hear shouts and screams and people start flooding the streets. More people than you probably realized lived here.

Another rumble courses through the ground and you hear the sound of stone collapsing. As you turn the corner, you see a plume of dust rising from a collapsed building. A woman screams and two men start rushing towards the area to try to move blocks.

[3:04 PM] Urrak: Urrak yells as loud as she can for the people to head to the shelter, straining her voice. After a couple repetitions, she figures whoever heard her will hopefully tell the folks around them. She turns to the men and runs over to help move the rubble.

[3:05 PM] DM: There are people trapped beneath the rubble. You can see at least three that are unconscious, bleeding. There are two others crying out for help.

[3:06 PM] DM: Where do you start?

[3:06 PM] Urrak: Urrak pulls the unconscious out from under the rubble and hands them to the men

[3:09 PM] DM: Give me an athletics check for the first one.

[3:09 PM] Urrak: ((14))

[3:10 PM] DM: That is just enough to maneuver the rubble so it doesn't crush anyone else and you manage to pull a dwarven woman out and yell at someone to grab her.

Rumble.

[3:11 PM] Urrak: Urrak turns to the direction of the noise, growling "Fuuuuuuck," before trying to rescue the others

[3:12 PM] DM: Which?

Also, another athletics check.

[3:12 PM] Urrak: ((Another unconscious one 11))

[3:13 PM] DM: You're lifting, but as you shift a beam of wood, a stone falls and crushes the person you were trying to help.

[3:17 PM] Urrak: "Gods--" she closes her eyes tightly and puffs steam out of her nostrils like a dragon, "dalka'xo na" she tries to pull one of the conscious people out.

[3:17 PM] DM: Athletics check.

[3:18 PM] Urrak: ((28))

[3:19 PM] DM: You manage to pull a bleeding goliath out of the rubble!

[3:19 PM] DM: Rumble. The footsteps are getting louder and closer.

[3:22 PM] Urrak: "Friend, do ye have enough strength t' help me with th' others?" Urrak asks the Goliath, "It's alright if ye don't, just head fer th' shelter."

[3:24 PM] DM: His arm is clearly broken, but he immediately starts looking for someone else in the rubble. "Please. My wife and child."

[3:25 PM] Urrak: Urrak will continue to try and get those who are conscious

[3:25 PM] Urrak: ((22))

[3:29 PM] DM: You grab for another, a smaller goliath. The man helps pull them out. "I've got you."

[3:30 PM] DM: There's a loud BOOM from somewhere up closer to the mayor's house.

## Seir

3:03 PM] DM: Ok! You start moving towards the town and you can see that there's people moving around everywhere, generally in the direction of the shelter. There's chaos and noise and a few guards trying to direct traffic. Down one of the roads, (I'm not even going to ask you to roll) you spot two men punching a third.

[3:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir rushes over to them, "Hey! You all need to head to the shelter, what's going on?"

[3:08 PM] DM: The men doing the punching look up, and seeing a guard, scatter. The third is left lying on the ground, coughing.

[3:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir helps him stand, "What was that about?" She asks, while still moving so she can have him head in the direction of the shelter, but tries to see which direction the other two ran off in.

[3:11 PM] DM: He coughs again, bits of blood spraying from his busted lip. "I don't-- don't know."

[3:12 PM] Seirixori: ((17 insight because Are you sure))

[3:14 PM] DM: Yeah, he's totally lying.

[3:15 PM] Seirixori: "You know, lying isn't a great thing right now, especially because if I leave you here, you will probably die."

[3:15 PM] Seirixori: ((could I determine whether the mountain side could be dug with badgers or similar or would it take too long?))

[3:17 PM] DM: Most of the mountainside is solid stone, not earth. It would be unlikely.

[3:17 PM] DM: He groans. "They think I cheated them in the mine."

[3:18 PM] Seirixori: "What a great time to bring that up. Listen, can you get to the shelter on your own? I need to make sure no one is left behind. And please... try not to fuck with others as you go, this will all be better for everyone if people help everyone else."

[3:19 PM] Seirixori: ((she will cast healing word on him for 6hp))

[3:20 PM] DM: Rumble. The footsteps are getting louder and closer.

[3:21 PM] DM: That brings him all the way back up and he heads off.

[3:21 PM] DM: What are you looking for?

[3:21 PM] Seirixori: Any stragglers, anyone that might need to move faster.

[3:23 PM] DM: There are plenty down here. It looks like most people are helping others climb. Some look like they're trying to grab stuff or pack, others are helping the elderly. For the most part, it looks like they're moving just maybe not fast enough... and you notice that they only get so far up the mountain before movement all but stops.

[3:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir summons 8 giant bats and has one pick her up. Her soldier disguise falling. She flies up and uses Thaumaturgy again to raise her voice to be heard, "Leave your things behind! There isn't enough time! I will do what I can to help you all up the mountain, these bats will help!" She also wants to see what the hold up is, but will do so after the people below understand about the bats.

[3:31 PM] DM: Give me a perception check.

[3:31 PM] Seirixori: ((19))

[3:32 PM] DM: You also hear the loud boom up near the mayor's office, though you don't know what it was or why.

Ry
--

"You should get to the shelter. We'll round everyone up."

[2:55 PM] Ryleigh: "Are you sure that's where I'm needed most?" Ry asks. "I can help gather people, unless you think my presence in the shelter would be better served."

[2:58 PM] DM: "I cannot tell you what you should do, your Majesty... but you may be the only Alisdair left." As she says that, a different emotion crosses her face. "On second thought, perhaps I should escort you there myself."

[3:00 PM] Ryleigh: "No," Ryleigh says quickly, an odd smile on her lips. "Go help the people. I'll find my way."

[3:04 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "Right. There's nothing I could do that you can't. I'll find you in the shelter afterwards so we can discuss further."

[3:05 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods, and runs out of the house into the now chaotic streets of the town.

[3:08 PM] DM: Give me a perception check.

[3:12 PM] Ryleigh: ((9))

[3:13 PM] DM: The streets are chaotic. It's hard to tell anything, but after a moment, you hear a shout of "Help!" coming from the opposite direction of the commotion.

[3:13 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will run towards the call.

[3:15 PM] DM: You see a goliath man pointing into a building's door. "In here, please!"

[3:16 PM] Ryleigh: She'll head inside.

[3:18 PM] DM: As soon as you do, the door shuts behind you with a solid thunk and I need you to make a Strength save as several people try to swarm you.

[3:19 PM] Ryleigh: ((24))

[3:20 PM] DM: Rumble. The footsteps are getting louder and closer.

[3:21 PM] DM: You push them off and make enough space around you to do something. What are you doing?

[3:22 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will put her shield between herself and the people. "Stop! I'm trying to help - it's getting closer and the longer you wait the less time we have to get everyone into the mountain shelter." If they swarm her again, she'll use thunderclap.

[3:26 PM] DM: One of them, the goliath from outside, says, "Maybe not everyone should get into the shelter." And they will attempt to swarm her, Captain America in the elevator style, so go ahead and roll that.

[3:30 PM] Ryleigh: "I don't want to hurt you!" Ryleigh shouts as a thunderous boom emits from her, striking the people nearest her for 8 thunder damage.

[3:35 PM] DM: There's a variety of grunts and groans from the damage, but two or three of them manage to get their hands on Ry and try to push and pull the shield away. Give me another strength save.

[3:37 PM] Ryleigh: ((12))

[3:41 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh is very reluctant to let go of her shield - even as they try to take it from her.

[3:42 PM] DM: Her shield comes off and there's suddenly a hood or bag or blanket or something over her face. She is blinded and she can feel herself being pushed and pulled and shoved and backed into the wall.

Rumble.

[3:44 PM] Ryleigh: Dawnbringer, acting of her own accord, suddenly releases a flaming energy around the person pinning Ry to the wall. ((Hellish Rebuke - 9 fire damage))

[3:46 PM] DM: Not that Ry can see it, but it's a bright, radiant flame and she can feel the swarm of people loosen just a bit as they are caught off guard by the heat. How would you like to use this moment?

[3:47 PM] Ryleigh: Ry will attempt to pull the bag off her head and push her way to the door if she can manage it.

[3:48 PM] Ryleigh: ((19 dex save))

[3:50 PM] DM: She manages to squeeze her way through, stumbling out of the door and landing prone outside of it, shield gone.

There's a MASSIVE rumble and you're suddenly very aware of the movement in the dark higher up the mountain. The titan is visible. And it is near.

[3:51 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will immediately get up and run away from the people trying to capture her.

## Urrak

There appears to be one more body you can see, though you can't tell if they are unconscious or dead, or if there might be more.

[3:32 PM] Urrak: Urrak will try to pull the one she can still see out ((28))

[3:33 PM] DM: You do manage to grab another goliath, but this one is unconscious.

[3:34 PM] Urrak: Urrak will carry them to the shelter

[3:34 PM] DM: Ok!

[3:37 PM] DM: You head towards the shelter where the guards are enforcing an orderly entry now. Are you heading inside with the unconscious goliath?

[3:38 PM] Urrak: Urrak hands off the unconscious goliath to a guard. She'll then start looking for the others outside of the shelter.

[3:39 PM] DM: The other Dawnguard? Give me a perception check.

[3:40 PM] Urrak: ((16))

[3:42 PM] DM: You can see Bri. Down the mountain to the east, you see giant bats and one holding who you'd guess to be Seir.

[3:43 PM] Urrak: Urrak heads towards Brimeia

[3:44 PM] DM: She's talking to Gescha and Rolfe outside the mayor's house. You can join side-2.

## Seir

32 PM] DM: You can see some sort of fight happening outside the shelter, as well as Bri and some of the guards taking care of it.

[3:33 PM] DM: Some of the people appear to be very afraid and/or mistrustful of the giant bats attempting to grab them.

[3:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir will try calling out to them again that they are there to help.

[3:35 PM] DM: Give me a persuasion check.

[3:35 PM] Seirixori: ((hey that inspiration, can I use it after a roll or is it advantage on one? lol))

[3:38 PM] DM: Advantage before rolling.

[3:38 PM] Seirixori: ((fuck it, gonna use it lol))

[3:39 PM] Seirixori: ((IT WAS STILL SHIT lmao))

[3:39 PM] Seirixori: ((12))

[3:40 PM] DM: People above start moving again and your demands for people to start moving seem to have worked though.

[3:40 PM] DM: Everyone seems to be heading toward the shelter, with or without bat help.

[3:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir will let them keep doing that and fly around to see if anyone else needs help, but she stays outside to see if she'll be needed and make sure people are inside or out of harms way.

[3:44 PM] DM: Go ahead and give me another perception check.

[3:44 PM] Seirixori: ((27))

[3:45 PM] DM: You can see buildings that have collapsed and people pushing their way upwards, but it seems most of the panic has subsided.

[3:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir will fly with her bat towards the boom from earlier.

[3:47 PM] DM: You see Gescha, Rolfe, Urrak, and Bri standing outside the mayor's office and you can join side-2.

## Bri

[3:35 PM] DM: Gescha and Rolfe are coming out of the mayor's home as you arrive, headed for the shelter.

[3:36 PM] Brimeia: She'll run up to them and ask where Ryleigh is.

[3:38 PM] DM: "She went to the shelter, I believe, which is where you should be as well."

[3:41 PM] Brimeia: "I just came from there and I didn't see her." Bri frowns. "She was supposed to go talk to you. You sure she went there?"

[3:43 PM] DM: "She might be helping collect people, but I'm not sure. She refused an escort."

[3:44 PM] Brimeia: "Hmm. Alright, maybe she was inside. Let's get there and see how things are."

[3:45 PM] Urrak: Urrak comes sprinting over. She stops a few steps from Bri, and takes a moment to catch her breath, "I saw Seir, but have ye seen Ry or Rukiya?"

[3:47 PM] Brimeia: "No, I just asked and they said she probably headed to the shelter. Maybe she's inside?"

[3:48 PM] Brimeia: "And it's Seirixori."

[3:49 PM] DM: There's a MASSIVE rumble and you're suddenly very aware of the movement in the dark higher up the mountain. The titan is visible. And it is near.

3:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir comes flying up to them, not landing, "Where's Ryleigh and Rukiya?"

[3:50 PM] Brimeia: "Dunno, haven't seen them. Maybe at the shelter." She shrugs.

[3:51 PM] Seirixori: "What was the noise from earlier?" She looks at Gescha and Rolfe, urging them to speak quickly.

[3:51 PM] DM: They shake their heads like they don't know. "A building collapse, maybe? These earthquakes are getting stronger."

[3:52 PM] DM: Ryleigh suddenly flies around the corner, her hair disheveled and her shield missing.

[3:53 PM] Ryleigh: "Get to the shelter!" Ry shouts, looking over her shoulder and running flat out towards them.

[3:54 PM] Urrak: "Wait--What about Clemency? An' Avery? Th' castle?"

[3:55 PM] Ryleigh: "They're safer than we are," Ryleigh saying running past Urrak.

[3:55 PM] Seirixori: "Get everyone inside, NOW!" Seir yells and she makes sure her bats aren't holding anyone and lands herself.

[3:55 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows the others inside

[3:55 PM] Brimeia: "Ryleigh, thank goodness! Got most of the people in there, I think." Bri will head toward the shelter with everyone.

[3:56 PM] Ryleigh: "I was attacked back there," Ry says panting. "It held me up, sorry."

[3:57 PM] Brimeia: "Is that what that purple fire was?"

[3:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes sure she is the last one in the group as she keeps an eye behind them.

[3:53 PM] DM: Give me a perception check.

[3:53 PM] Seirixori: ((15))

[3:54 PM] DM: You spot armored people who come around the corner after Ry, but quickly retreat back behind the building.

[3:56 PM] Seirixori: ((Did I see how many?))

[3:56 PM] DM: You saw maybe three.

[3:57 PM] DM: Gescha: "The fire is an emergency signal to take shelter."

[3:58 PM] Ryleigh: "No," Ry answers, as they run. "I did use a spell that made a loud boom though... it sort of just happened when they ganged up on me."

[3:58 PM] Urrak: "Well that signal might've been good t' know ahead o' time but, glad it worked." Urrak shrugs.

[3:58 PM] DM: As you all reach the shelter and rush inside with the final people, there's a huge crack somewhere to the west and boulders start tumbling down the mountain.

## In the shelter

[3:59 PM] DM: You're inside, barely, but you don't even get the doors shut when the boulders start piling up outside, blocking the exit.

[3:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir is going to try and use Wall of Thorns to help try and stop them from being completely trapped?

[4:00 PM] DM: Describe how, please.

[4:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir tries to make a wall outside the shelter to get the rocks to roll off of it instead of completely blocking their path, to at least making it easier to get out when they are finally able.

[4:03 PM] DM: Sure. We'll see how much that helps when it comes time. For now, the ground is near constantly rumbling, people are crowded around and still moving inwards, and you can hear a lot of commotion deeper inside. But we're going to take a short break here and reconvene in main.

[4:10 PM] DM: So, you are in a crowded entryway that leads deeper into a crowded shelter. The ground is rumbling, there's dust and dirt falling from the ceiling with every step the titan takes. People are crying, shouting, huddled in corners. Some are trying to tend to wounded.

Gescha: "I must see to my people, but there is a room deeper inside where Rolfe will be waiting for you, your majesty, when you're ready."

[4:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't wait around and goes to help any wounded.

[4:11 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods, and says, "I'm going to check on the too, then I'll meet you back there."

[4:11 PM] Ryleigh: The next thing Ry does is look around for Rukiya.

[4:13 PM] Brimeia: Bri will see if she can assist with moving things or people or setting stuff up.

[4:14 PM] Seirixori: ((ah I forgot lol, that wall only stays up for 10 min))

[4:15 PM] DM: As you start to move deeper into the shelter, you can see it's a long hall that slopes downwards, eventually opening into a system of rooms and halls... nice caves and tunnels... where there are designated places for food, water, healing, and so on. As you reach this lower level with the other people around you, Rukiya rushes to Ry's side and throws her arms around her.

"I knew your stubborn ass would be the last person inside."

[4:16 PM] Ryleigh: "I didn't mean to be," Ry answers, keeping Rukiya close. "I got held up."

[4:17 PM] DM: The caves are lit by magical torches, so there's no worry about sight. With every rumbling step, there's another chorus of whimpers and whines from the gathered townsfolk. Some of them crowd around Gescha, demanding answers.

[4:18 PM] Ryleigh: Knowing Rukiya's safe, Ryleigh starts to move through the crowd, and she'll start to sing. You all are used to her singing, but this time it sounds a little nervous, like she's unsure of herself, but then she finds the right melody and the song shifts into something calming and soothing. ((Casting calm emotions. And she'll do it in sections to try and calm as many people as possible.))

[4:19 PM] DM: Ok, and Seir's helping healers. Bri and Urrak are trying to put their muscles to use?

Everyone give me perception checks.

[4:19 PM] Ryleigh: ((27 - nat 20))

[4:19 PM] Seirixori: ((18))

[4:22 PM] DM: You find Uraim, the short goliath, and his father from Amalgamation. The father has a broken arm and Uraim seems to be bleeding from the head.

[4:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir finishes up with whomever she is with and goes over to them, immediately helping Uraim with his bleeding head. "Hello again," she says softly.

[4:27 PM] DM: They nod through sniffles, tears streaming down their greyish skin.

[4:28 PM] Seirixori: "What's wrong?" Her tone is still soft as she finishes cleaning them up.

[4:30 PM] DM: The goliath man is silent as Seir sets his arm. The smaller goliath says, "My kodati..." (You remember that being the dwarven word for mother)

[4:32 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes close briefly and she pats the goliath man gently before offering Uraim a hug. "I'm sorry."

[4:33 PM] DM: They cry into Seir's shoulder.

[4:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir stays with them for a bit, while tossing a couple of healing words around to people she can see that need it most. ((she has 5 lol))

[4:19 PM] Urrak: ((18))

[4:19 PM] Brimeia: ((19))

[4:27 PM] DM: We'll keep Ry, Urrak, and Bri here while Seir tends to the wounded.

[4:28 PM] Ryleigh: As the people begin to calm because of Ry's spell, she'll eventually meet up with Rolfe and Gescha.

[4:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak will try and slyly approach the suspiciously armored folks in the crowd.

[4:30 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will lay a hand on Urrak's arm and ask her to stay close instead.

[4:31 PM] Brimeia: Bri leans in close to Ry and whispers, "Hey there are some people with hidden weapons around. Is that normal?"

[4:32 PM] Ryleigh: "Just leave it right now, I... have plans for them," Ry whispers back.

[4:32 PM] Urrak: Urrak allows herself to be tugged. "Hopefully they don't start a panic."

[4:32 PM] Brimeia: Bri quirks and eyebrow but shrugs in acknowledgement.

[4:33 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will pause to speak to several guards as she makes her way through the people.

[4:34 PM] DM: So we'll have everyone gather after ten, fifteen minutes, with Gescha and Rolfe in the room, Seir can be included in that if she's done.

[4:36 PM] Ryleigh: "Gescha, if it's alright with you I'd like to speak to the people about what's happening. It's my responsibility, not yours, to bear the brunt of their anger."

[4:37 PM] DM: Gescha: "What exactly is happening?"

[4:38 PM] Seirixori: Seir is probably using something or someone to hold herself up as the extent of her exhaustion is catching up to her as she isn't doing anything.

[4:42 PM] Urrak: When Urrak finally stops moving and sits down, she's pretty sure she wouldn't be able to stand back up if her life depended on it. "Holy shit..."

[4:43 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh inhales deeply and exhales slowly. "My grandmother asked me to go up the mountain and place a stone to awaken the ancient power of our ancestors." She rubs at the back of her neck again. "I succeeded where she failed... and I wish I hadn't. The ancient power is the giant that just came down the mountain, and I don't know much more than it'll lay ruin to anything Tilman has built. Ragna will finally have her revenge... and I allowed her to use me to get it."

[4:45 PM] DM: Gescha: "With all due respect, your majesty... you probably shouldn't announce that."

[4:47 PM] Urrak: "Ye might as well walk up there and ask them t' kill ye with their bare hands." Urrak leans back on her hands.

[4:47 PM] Brimeia: "Urrak."

[4:48 PM] Urrak: "Am I wrong?"

[4:49 PM] Ryleigh: "Which part?" Ry asks, a sad smile on her face and she whispers, "I've put the lives of the people of this town and every city in Ascus at risk..." She sighs. "The people have a right to know why they've been put through this horrible ordeal tonight. I just need to think about how to say it all."

[4:49 PM] Brimeia: Bri makes a grumbling noise. "You don't have to say it like that."

[4:50 PM] Seirixori: "Shhh don't move," Seir mumbles to Brimeia, who was the closest to her when they entered and who she is leaning heavily on. She grumbles something else, but all that is heard is "'loda, better not, titan."

[4:50 PM] Ryleigh: "And some of the people here have already tried to kill me with their bare hands," she states bluntly. "That's what I was running away from when I met up with you all."

[4:51 PM] DM: Gescha straightens at that, reaching for her weapon.

[4:51 PM] Brimeia: Bri blinks and tries to stay very very still. "Better not what?" she asks Seir.

[4:52 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh holds up a hand to stop Gescha. "I've already pointed them out to the guards, and I'd like to have them rounded up and... made an example of."

[4:53 PM] Seirixori: "Better not be the big thing," she yawns and looks towards Ryleigh. "So you want to give them more reason to hate you?"

[4:53 PM] Urrak: Urrak straightens up, "We need t' deal with our very large problem first. Confessions don't mean much if yer crushed under a mountain."

[4:54 PM] DM: Urrak's sentence is punctuated by another loud rumble.

[4:54 PM] Brimeia: "The last thing we need right now is for everyone to get riled up. We gotta keep everyone calm until we can figure a way to keep everyone safe."

[4:55 PM] Ryleigh: "You all have so little faith in me," Ry says, smiling.

[4:57 PM] Urrak: "We jus' don't want ye t' get hurt, Ryleigh. Yer kinda important right now."

[4:57 PM] DM: There's a commotion outside, followed by a knock at the door.

[4:57 PM] Brimeia: "In you protecting yourself? Yeah."

[4:57 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh will answer it.

[4:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir loses her grip on Brimeia and panic grabs at Brimeia's clothes to stop herself from falling, "I'm too tired to help you when someone does something stupid. Just-just tell them Ragna forced you and we came down here to help them while that fucking bitch hid."

[4:58 PM] Brimeia: Bri's eyes widen and she throws an arm around Seir to help keep her from just falling. "You need some rest."

[4:59 PM] Brimeia: "...and she's not wrong about that," she says tipping her head toward Seir.

[5:00 PM] DM: The guard who was at the gate when you first arrived is standing on the other side with a bloody lip and black eye. He bows when he sees Ry answering the door. "Y-your majesty. We've gathered the men you mentioned."

[5:00 PM] Ryleigh: "Thank you," she says, and lays a hand on the man's shoulder, humming a quiet song to heal his wounds.

[5:01 PM] DM: Silvain doesn't stand. "Thank you, your majesty. One of them caught me by surprise."

[5:02 PM] Ryleigh: "I'm sorry you were hurt," she says softly. "Will you have them moved somewhere where the bulk of the people can see them? I'll be there shortly."

[5:03 PM] Urrak: "I don't think I like th' way this is goin'..." Urrak mumbles to herself.

[5:03 PM] DM: He stands and salutes with a fist over his chest, then dismisses himself.

[5:05 PM] DM: Rukiya slips her hand into Ry's. "Be careful."

[5:07 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh closes the door and turns back to the group. "Could I have a moment to speak with my wife, in private? It doesn't have to be here, but if there's a room close by..."

[5:08 PM] Brimeia: "We can step out."

[5:08 PM] DM: Rolfe: "I can show you to the rooms, your highness."

[5:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans and lays facedown on the floor, clearly not caring, "I'm just gonna... gonna lie here."

[5:09 PM] Urrak: Urrak grumbles "Same."

[5:10 PM] Ryleigh: "Why don't you show us, Rolfe. Then I'll be back here in 15 minutes to show the rest of you to your rooms."

[5:10 PM] DM: Rolfe, Ry, and Rukiya step out of the room, leaving you all with Gescha who starts busying herself with a satchel she brought down with her.

[5:13 PM] Urrak: Urrak gives a thumbs up to Ryleigh and leans forward to rest her chin on her hands

## Ryfika

5:12 PM] Ryleigh: "How much should I tell them?" Ry asks once the door to their room is closed. "They... they should know the truth, shouldn't they?"

[5:17 PM] DM: "Truth is complicated. It can hurt more than it helps sometimes. I know you want to do the right thing, and I know you think truth is always right but..." She sighs. "I don't know. I can hear my father giving the same advice as Gescha. Sometimes truth only adds pain to a situation. It doesn't help matters... but I can't pretend that my father is always right or that you should follow in his footsteps."

[5:21 PM] Ryleigh: "I made a mistake, and I feel like I need to own it. So they know that not all rulers shove the blame elsewhere... so they know I won't be that kind of ruler..." Ryleigh leans in to press her forehead to Rukiya's. "It's been so long since I didn't know what section of the truth to tell."

[5:22 PM] DM: "Part of ruling is also having the trust of the people.... you could lose their trust if you're caught lying, but you might never gain it in the first place if you tell them you're responsible. Why would they follow you?"

[5:24 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh takes a deep breath. "I didn't think about that..."

[5:25 PM] DM: "Leadership is making decisions that have no good solutions," she says, like it was said to her.

[5:26 PM] Ryleigh: "I didn't sign up for this," Ry says a little teasingly. "How do I explain that the ancient power awakened is the giant that just came down the mountain without explaining that I woke it up?"

[5:28 PM] DM: "I don't have the answer for you, Ry. I wish I did, but that would require at least a week's agonizing over options."

[5:30 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh pulls Rukiya's hand to her lips. "Okay..." she sighs and pulls away. "Hopefully the right words will come to me when I'm up there."

[5:31 PM] DM: "I'll be right beside you."

[5:32 PM] Ryleigh: With a smile, Ryleigh opens the door and leads them back to Gescha's office.

## Back with the party

[5:12 PM] Brimeia: "Anything we can do to help in the meantime?"

[5:18 PM] DM: Gescha sighs. "I think we're just going to have to wait it out and see if there's anything left standing once it passes." *Rumble* "And hope the supports hold."

[5:21 PM] Urrak: Urrak closes her eyes and mutters something in orc under her breath.

[5:22 PM] Brimeia: "Great," Bri grumbles mostly to herself.

[5:23 PM] DM: This will count for a short rest if you need it.

[5:23 PM] Seirixori: "It's not allowed. I can only make an explosion, turn invisible, or talk to plants and animals," Seir mutters from her spot on the ground.

[5:27 PM] Brimeia: "Shh. Just rest. I'll haul you over to the rooms later." She gives Seir a gentle pat on the shoulder.

[5:29 PM] DM: Gescha: "How long do you think we will be waiting?"

[5:29 PM] Brimeia: Bri sighs. "Who knows."

[5:30 PM] Seirixori: "Until it passes."

[5:32 PM] DM: Ry and Rukiya return.

[5:36 PM] Ryleigh: "Okay, I'm ready whenever you are," Ry says to Gescha. "You're more than welcome to stand up there with me, but you don't have to if you'd rather not be associated with my words or actions."

[5:36 PM] Seirixori: "Take me with," Seir says tiredly, still lying on the ground.

[5:37 PM] Brimeia: "Nuh uh. You need sleep."

[5:37 PM] Seirixori: "So does everyone else."

[5:37 PM] Brimeia: Bri turns to Ryleigh. "Are you sure this is necessary?"

[5:37 PM] Ryleigh: "Yes. After this you can all get some rest, okay?"

[5:38 PM] Urrak: Urrak stands, slowly, "We're right behind ye."

[5:39 PM] Seirixori: "Hah!" Seir weakly points at Bri, though she doesn't move.

[5:39 PM] Brimeia: Bri grumbles a bit but doesn't argue Ryleigh.

[5:40 PM] Brimeia: Bri shakes her head at Seir. "You can't even stand, you goof." She'll scoop up Seir and help her over when they're ready to go.

[5:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir scrunches her face at Bri but doesn't argue.

[5:42 PM] Ryleigh: Rolfe leads Ryleigh and the group to a ledge that juts out from stone wall of the cavern. Roughly a dozen people are on bound and on their knees, the guards just behind them to ensure they don't go anywhere. There's chatter among the crowd, but as Ryleigh steps up next to the bound people the chatter dies.

[5:45 PM] Ryleigh: "Some of you know me," Ryleigh starts, her voice projecting throughout the cavern. "And many of you don't. My name is Ryleigh Alisdair, granddaughter of Queen Ragna Alisdiar, daughter of Queen Taryn and King Tilman."

[5:47 PM] DM: A murmur goes through the crowd.

[5:54 PM] Ryleigh: "The people of Isonsall have suffered at the hands of my father, and now they suffer because of an ancient power that stems from the Alisdair name. We are here because Isonsall is being assaulted by a giant among giants - a mindless titan. I watched it emerge from the mountain itself. My friends and I immediately made our way here - to Isonsall - in hopes of helping in some kind of evacuation. I, unlike my grandmother, was not about to abandon you. My fate will be the same as the people of Isonsall... we will rise together, or we will be destroyed together."

[5:56 PM] DM: One of the bound men shouts, "Then you should be crushed like Isonsall!" The guard behind him kicks him in the back, causing him to fall forward onto his face.

[6:02 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh withdraws her axe from the bag of holding. She twirls it, making sure that the bound people see what's in her hand. "I named this axe Justifier when I was 16... shortly after my brother, Prince Avery, was executed on orders from Tilman for treason." Ryleigh swings it, the axe coming dangerously close to the man who shouted and it sticks in the rock right beside his face. "Treason. That's what these people are up here for. They attacked me and tried to prevent me from making it to this shelter."

[6:12 PM] Ryleigh: "They committed treason because they believed they were doing what was best for Isonsall, for their families, and for themselves. For this, I can't fault them." Ryleigh pauses and asks the guards to pull them to their feet. "I am not Tilman. I am not Ragna. I don't want revenge on these people, because violence only leads to more violence and I refuse put more of it into the world. Since I wasn’t hurt in the attack I don’t see the need for them to be punished, but I do expect them to help rebuild and not cause any additional trouble.”

[6:14 PM] Ryleigh: "When I take Tilman's throne, Isonsall will be welcome to join Ascus once again - if you choose to do so. If you wish to remain a free state, that will also be allowed, but I promise to open routes for trade and supplies so it will no longer be cut from the rest of the world. Every one of you deserve a life better than this one, and I hope to one day help you achieve that."

[6:17 PM] DM: A shout comes up from the crowd, "Is the queen dead?"

It's quickly answered by others, "Why is the castle dark?" "What does it want?" "Where have you been?" It becomes so loud it's hard to hear individual shouts.

[6:18 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh holds up a hand. "Please," she shouts. "I will answer all of your questions to the best of my ability, but I can't do so if you're all shouting over one another."

[6:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir, still being carried by Brimeia, uses her thaumaturgy to be really loud, "Quiet please!"

[6:19 PM] DM: The crowd quiets.

[6:21 PM] Urrak: "That's one way t' do it," Urrak says to herself. She watches the crowd carefully to make sure there are no other aggravators hiding within.

[6:23 PM] Ryleigh: ((22 persuasion))

## Seir with the Goliaths

[9:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir gets Brimeia to set her down and she heads over to Uraim and their father. She checks on a few people she passes before getting to them and making sure their wounds are set and nothing needs to be redone. Seir quietly says, mostly to herself, but it can be heard by them, "Usually I am not the one who does this sort of thing."

[9:22 PM] DM: Uraim tilts their head. "Why not? You're good at it."

[9:25 PM] Seirixori: She laughs, "I generally leave it--" she pauses with a sad sigh, "left it to my wife. I can do a little bit, but it pales in comparison."

[9:26 PM] DM: They kind of look away sadly. "I'm sorry. Was she lost in the evacuation too?"

[9:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir squeezes their shoulder gently, "No. It was while we were at the top of the mountain. I don't know if--" she stops and shakes her head. "It's something we'd known was going to happen, but I hadn't expected it this soon."

[9:43 PM] DM: "Was-- was she sick?"

Their father chastises them gently, "Uraim... leave her be."

[9:53 PM] Seirixori: "No, it's alright, I don't mind. It is... a little refreshing to talk about with... people who don't know." Seir immediately starts to turn Gunnloda's symbol over in her hand as she speaks, "No. She-- I'm not sure you would believe me if I told you the truth. But that mountain has magic, a lot of magic, enough so that even gods cannot see what happens there, nor can they go to it from my understanding. Some gods? Hmm," She pauses, not sure the information is relevant. "It--it, I don't know, maybe it sped up the thing she was supposed to do, or it was the 'right' time."

[8:20 AM] DM: They look really confused, but seem to take their dad's advice and not press.

[8:52 AM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes at herself as she fights a yawn. "I realize it's probably too soon to ask, but... will you two stay here or will you look for somewhere else to go?"

[8:54 AM] DM: They look to their father who frowns. "Suppose it depends on what's left up there, but... this is our home."

[9:09 AM] Seirixori: "Home is not necessarily a tangible place," Seir whispers to herself. With a sigh she says, "If you change your mind, or even wish to know other options, I can offer you some."

[4:21 PM] DM: "I appreciate your desire to help, but we have no idea what is happening out there or what we will be left with."

[4:30 PM] Seirixori: She nods, "We'll pass through again before we leave, I'm sure, if things change."

[5:15 PM] DM: Rukiya probably appears in Seir's periphery, not interrupting, but letting her know she's there whenever she's ready to rest.

[5:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives Uraim's arm a squeeze and places Gunnloda's symbol in their hand. "If you need anything come find me."

## Ry's Interrogation

5:02 PM] Ryleigh: Before Ryleigh answers the questions from the crowd she'll turn to the others and tell them to get some rest. She gives Rukiya a quick kiss, asks her to take care of Seir, and that she'll show up in their room once she has the chance.

After answering the crowd's questions, Ryleigh rubs at her tired eyes, but instead of heading to her and Rukiya's room... she'll ask the guards to collect one of the people who attacked her so she can question them.

[5:18 PM] DM: He's somewhat roughly pushed into the room where Ry waits and gives a dirty look to the guard before straightening his clothes. "So much for fair treatment."

[5:20 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow. "I'd like to talk," she says, gesturing to the chair opposite her - allowing him to decide whether or not he wants to sit.

[5:23 PM] DM: He doesn't. He folds his arms and scowls. He's a human, no older than Ryleigh herself, with brown hair and pale skin, scruffy hair on his face like he hasn't shaved in a couple days.

[5:24 PM] Ryleigh: Despite the serious situation, Ry smirks at the man. "I wouldn't have sat either," she says. "Why did you attack me?"

[5:25 PM] DM: "Why not?"

[5:26 PM] Ryleigh: "I didn't do anything to warrant it... I even rushed to aid your group during the evacuation."

[5:28 PM] DM: Ryleigh's insightful and would probably recognize that he's keeping silent, but only just. Like he wants to jump into a tirade, but is trying not to.

[5:29 PM] Ryleigh: "You won't be punished for what you have to say to me. I'd like to hear the truth, please."

[5:32 PM] DM: "We weren't aiming for you. Got lucky-- or unlucky, I guess," he unconsciously rubs at some aching part of his body from the altercation.

[5:35 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh tilts her head at that. "When I first arrived in Isonsall I tried to discretely ask what things were like here." She leans back in her chair, taking a more casual position. "I didn't find the information I was after... so let me be blunt... I wanted to know if the people here were happy or if Ragna was mistreating them."

[5:37 PM] Ryleigh: "If I wasn't your target-" Ry pauses, searching the man's face. "That means Gescha was, since it was the mayor's house I had just run out of."

[5:39 PM] DM: He shrugs. "Didn't matter who as long as they work for her. Guards, Gescha, didn't matter."

[5:40 PM] Ryleigh: She stays quiet for a while, then asks, "Her - Do you mean Ragna?"

[5:45 PM] DM: "Isn't that what you're looking for? Some excuse to warrant a coup? Throw us under the carriage and use our struggle to excuse your rise, then turn around and do the same damned thing."

[5:45 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh laughs.

[5:50 PM] Ryleigh: "I didn't know who I was until a month ago. Alisdair - Tillman - Ragna's granddaughter - Tillman's daughter. None of that mattered a month ago to me. Who my parents are, and what "my birthright" is only matters to me now because it'll let me do what I've always dreamed of..."

[5:53 PM] Ryleigh: She holds his gaze, a fire in her eyes. "My roots come from somewhere else and they run deep. I grew up on the streets. I know what it's like to fall asleep hungry and cold. And I gave the guards as much hell as I could, because fuck what they stand for and who they represent." Ryleigh stands from the chair and squares up to the man. "My family isn't Ragna or Tilman. My family was taken from me by both of them because they were different. I don't want the power of the throne, but I will take it... so I can dismantle it."

[6:00 PM] Ryleigh: ((fucking 13 persuasion -\_-))

[6:03 PM] DM: He looks away, almost rolling his eyes.

[6:23 PM] Ryleigh: "I wouldn't believe me either," Ry says, sounding slightly humored by his reaction. "Let me put it a different way. If I was anything like Ragna or Tilman, you wouldn't be standing here. I would have put on the show of mercy out there for everyone. Then one by one, I would have had the guards take each of you elsewhere and silently dispose of you. It wouldn't be a hard story for me to sell... that you all decided to flee whether than face punishment." She shakes her head and sits back down. "I'm not them, but of course, you don't know that because you don't know me."

[6:25 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh sighs heavily and continues, "I'm a part of secret organization that fights against tyranny and honestly I'd rather die then become a tyrant myself. I don't want to rule. I don't want the throne... but learning who my parents are gives me a chance to actually change the world we live in. To make it better for people like my dad, who was a tiefling killed by the guards because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. To make the world different for my nephew, who's being raised not by his mother - a tiefling who lives in constant fear of being disposed of - but by his grandmother, a woman who's filled with hate and anger and wants nothing more than to put it back into the world." Ryleigh inhales deeply and exhales slowly. "So please, sit and talk to me about your struggle... because I want to know what the people of Isonsall really need."

[9:07 AM] DM: When you get a chance, give me another persuasion check.

[11:16 AM]BOTAvrae: Ryleigh makes a Persuasion check! 1d20 (9) + 8 = 17

[11:17 AM] Ryleigh: ((Seriously, why am I rolling so low?! lol))

[11:22 AM] DM: He looks at Ry for a long time, like he's trying to figure her out, but eventually starts talking.

He tells her that he was a kid when the siege happened. He doesn't remember it, really, but that it's like everyone here is still living through it. Nothing ever got better, even though Ragna claimed it did. Buildings still sit in rubble, scavenged for others. She never rebuilt the way it needed to be. People lost hope.

There's no future here, but they can't leave either. Anyone who missed the couple big pilgrimages out was left behind. The Fytulk's too dangerous to go through alone (though that doesn't stop folks from trying) and there's nowhere else to go. Some folks have been talking about trying to mine to the tunnels of Dhog Lodir, but it would be a shot in the dark without knowing exactly where you're going. You could dig tunnels your whole life and never hit one. Ragna disappeared, but it's not like she was ever doing anything for the people anyway.

He can't tell you what life was like before the siege. He was orphaned and doesn't remember anything his parents would have told him.

He'd gotten some of his buddies, all young like him, to follow him. He explains some of his ideas of how to effect change, and even though he's very passionate about what he says, Ry can tell his plans aren't the strongest. He's charismatic, but not the most strategic thinker. When the earthquakes started, he figured they could attack some of the guards and gain an upper hand, then seize on the chaos, but if pressed about what was next, he just says he'd figure that out when they get there.

[11:28 AM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh listens, intently. Then she smiles a little and shakes her head. “When I was 15 I, and several others, thought we could overthrow the Lord that ruled over our city. Of course we failed and...” she sighs. “We also didn’t think further than the overthrow... it’s funny how the passion to make change happen can sometimes be short sighted.”

[11:41 AM] Ryleigh: “What I said tonight, about Isonall rejoining Ascus and opening the route to and from here through the Fytulk was true. The main thing I noticed when I first arrived was how much it seemed people had lost hope. It’s good to know that observation was right.” Ryleigh rubs at her temples. “I don’t know whether Ragna is alive or dead - knowing her she’s alive out of spite. I also don’t know if there will be anything left of the city when we open the doors. Depending on that my priorities may change. I need stop that titan, which means I need to leave to find answers that will help me destroy it. But if there’s nothing left of the city... I won’t abandon the people of Isonsall in their time of need. You all have suffered so much at the hands of my “family”...” when she says this, it’s clear she’s ashamed of it and that she’s upset by it.

[12:45 PM] DM: "Yeah, well... forgive me if I don't hold my breath."

[12:53 PM] Ryleigh: "Are you willing to at least give me a chance?" Ryleigh asks, again with an amused smile gracing her lips. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm one you. A commoner. A visionary. A freedom fighter."

[1:07 PM] DM: "What does it matter if I do or don't?"

[2:38 PM] Ryleigh: "I suppose in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Regardless if I have your support, and the support of the others who feel the way you do, I still plan on helping the people of Isonsall, fighting for Tilman's throne, and making a better Ascus for everyone." Then Ryleigh looks at him for a long moment and adds, "But it matters to me. I'd like the people to know, and to feel, like they can come to me or my advisors with criticism and solutions without fear of being killed or punished." She pauses for a moment. "And speaking of punishment... attacking me and trying to overthrow the city's hierarchy in the middle of crisis wasn't the smartest..."

[3:26 PM] Ryleigh: When he doesn’t speak, she says, “It’s clear to me that you want what’s best for Isonsall and for the people who live here, and since I wasn’t hurt, I don’t feel punishment is needed for you or your friends.”

[3:32 PM] DM: Ry can tell he almost looks confused or disbelieving, like he's trying to find her angle.

[3:37 PM] Ryleigh: “No tricks. No strings attached.” Ryleigh rubs her tired eyes. “All I ask is that you try to trust me to calculate the damage to the city, figure out how best to help, and learn what’s happening up at the castle before taking any additional action - because we want the same thing and taking out the guards or Gescha right now will cause more problems for the people you’re trying to help.”

[3:47 PM] DM: "I need to talk to my guys."

[3:51 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods. “I understand. If there’s nothing else... you’re free to go.”

[8:52 PM] DM: He leaves.

[8:54 PM] Ryleigh: She’ll stand after he leaves and stretch, her joints and bone cracking a bit. Ryleigh will then let herself out of the room and make her way to the bedroom she was shown to earlier.

## Seir, Rukiya, and soon Ry

Seir makes her way over to Rukiya, the relief radiating off of her in waves. "You're not going to make me sleep with Brimeia?" She tiredly jokes.

[5:29 PM] DM: "If you'd rather sleep with her, I won't stop you," she smirks.

[5:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir's face scrunches, "Not a chance. I was... more worried I would have to sleep alone."

[5:37 PM] DM: Rukiya slips her arm around Seir's waist and starts leading her back towards the rooms Gescha had showed them. "Nope. Ry'll probably be a while yet, but she demanded I get some rest and suggested that you could keep me warm in her place. Ok, she didn't actually say that, but..."

[5:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "But I am warm. ...Or at least my body is, part of me still feels very, very cold. Have I mentioned that I do not like snow? Being buried in it is terrible and I do not suggest it."

[5:46 PM] DM: She nods. "You are warm... and that was scary."

[6:05 PM] Seirixori: "I don't think I've been this... tapped out since I've had this magic. I am going to work on not letting that happen again, because I can't seem to even walk correctly without it." She laughs a little.

[6:07 PM] DM: Rukiya opens and shuts the door for Seir and starts pulling her leathers off. "Does that mean you're too tired to try to talk? Or do you need to, to sleep?"

[6:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir is extremely thankful for her newer armor as they are much easier to remove, but she's still annoyed that it isn't the few seconds it takes if she were able to wild shape. She drops her things in a corner unceremoniously while she replies, "I can talk, though I don't promise not falling asleep. I-- oh. Right. I-I almost forgot I had... news."

[8:08 PM] DM: "News? You don't have to talk yet if you don't need to, but I'll listen if you do."

[8:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "It's not a lot and I'm a little afraid I'll forget. I tried to go into the forest and warn the Shadar-Kai but I didn't find them. Then I spoke with Takara. That place is filled with so much power that Takara can't even see the titan. Or the titan has so much power?" Seir flops onto the bed face down. It's a few long seconds before she turns over so she can be heard. "We're going to have to go into the Shadowfell. Not only for answers, but also because Moki is in there and he hasn't come back yet."

[8:06 AM] DM: "Takara's paladin?" She falls silent for a few long seconds, thinking. Long enough that Seir might actually fall asleep. She finishes taking her boots and armor off and slips into the bed.

[11:14 AM] Seirixori: "Mhmm," Seir manages, immediately reaching for Rukiya as soon as she gets into the bed.

[11:19 AM] DM: Rukiya snuggles and whispers, "Sleep. We'll talk in the... whatever time it is when we wake."

[11:23 AM] Seirixori: There's a very tired giggle and an incoherent response as Seir passes out.

[8:55 PM] DM: Ry arrives to find Seir and Rukiya asleep.

[8:58 PM] Ryleigh: As quietly as she can, Ryleigh slips into the room. She starts to take off her armor, and she does so slowly to reduce the clanking of metal on metal.

[9:00 PM] DM: Rukiya mumbles, "I don't think that's gonna help."

[9:03 PM] Ryleigh: Once she’s out of her armor she almost groans in relief. Rubbing at her shoulder where she landed after being thrown from her eagle - twice. She’ll drag a chair to the side of the bed Rukiya’s on, leaning over to press a kiss to her lips. “Sorry for waking you,” she whispers. “Go back to sleep, we probably have another hour or so to rest.”

[9:06 PM] DM: She lifts her arm in invitation. "There's room. You should rest, too."

[9:07 PM] Ryleigh: “I’m afraid I’ll keep you up with my restlessness...” she murmurs, and in the dim light from Dawnbringer Rukiya can see Ry bite at her lip.

[9:17 PM] DM: "Shh. Don't argue." She gestures again.

[9:18 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh smiles softly and crawls into bed next to her.

[11:20 PM] Ryleigh: Once she’s settled with Rukiya’s hand in hers, Ryleigh let’s the events of the day wash over her... and tears slowly begin to fall from her eyes. She tries not to make any sound... not wanting to wake Seirixori and wanting to let Rukiya rest, since they desperately need it.

[7:32 AM] DM: Rukiya gently pulls Ry closer, just to offer some comfort.

[7:39 AM] Ryleigh: Ry let’s herself be pulled closer. She presses a soft, slightly wet kiss to Rukiya’s cheek and continues to silently cry until the emotion of everything becomes less overwhelming.

## Actual Morning

2:05 PM] DM: 5 Felmont 3Y21

Isonsall shelter

It's been one hell of a month. It was exactly one month ago that Seir first tried to scry on Clemency. Since then, you've gone on a journey through the Fytulk and the snow to a town called Isonsall that's all but cut off from the rest of the world in search of Ry's sister. You found her in the castle... a castle owned by the self-proclaimed Queen Ragna of the Free-State of Isonsall, Ry's maternal grandmother. While here, Ry also revealed that her father was King Tilman of Ascus and you discovered that Clemency had a son by Ry's brother- Avery.

Ragna pressed Ryleigh to go up to the mountain and unlock her ancestral power. Turns out that power is in the form of an immense, seemingly unstoppable titan.

You managed to get nearly everyone into the shelter under the mountain as the titan approached, but the castle itself was apparently invisible.

You attempted to rest some, and completed a short rest, but unfortunately as the rumbles stop and the miners and stone workers clear the entryway, you're awakened before your long rest is complete.

I'll need everyone to make a DC 15 CON save to see if you gain another level of exhaustion.

[2:06 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ((18))

[2:07 PM] Urrak: ((8))

[2:09 PM] Seirixori: ((17))

[2:10 PM] Seirixori: Bri:: ((26))

[2:10 PM] DM: Rukiya: 4

[2:11 PM] DM: So current exhaustion levels are as follows:

1- disadvantage on ability checks (skills): Bri

2- half speed movement: Urrak, Seir, Rukiya

[2:12 PM] DM: Is there anything you'd like to do before the entry way is opened again?

[2:12 PM] Urrak: ((im good))

[2:12 PM] Seirixori: ((nah))

[2:13 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ((Ry would tell Gescha that she's going back up to the castle but that she'll be back to the town soon))

[2:18 PM] DM: Between the miners and stone workers who spend their lives moving mountains, it doesn't take too long to open the entry once the danger is assumed to be past, the rumbles of the titan's footsteps faded. You emerge from the mountainside tired, dirty, and disheveled around mid-morning, we'll call it 10 am for ease.

Looking around... it's devastating. The destruction is total. There is not a single building that remains standing. They've all collapsed or been swept from their foundations, lying in rubble and matchsticks of wood.

The residents of Isonsall step out of the shelter, shielding their eyes against the dim cloud-covered sunlight, then stop and look in grief and shock. Several wear barely noticed tears on their cheeks while some others kick at or gingerly lift bits of the debris like it will make it feel more real.

[2:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir rubs her face tiredly and sighs, ""I am going to punch her in the face.""

[2:24 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks around at the people and can't help but feel their pain. She rubs at her mouth and holds her hand there, mumbling some words in orc into it. She walks around a bit, slowly becoming aware of how heavy they feel and sighs, ""Fuckin' hells...""

[2:25 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh's face is a mixture of anger, guilt, and empathy. She raises her voice, so those around her or in the surrounding area can hear her, ""Don't lose hope. I know you've lost your businesses and homes, but we'll find a way to rebuild... again. We'll make Isonsall better than it was."" Her voice is strong, but there's an underlying touch of sadness there too.

[2:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves to stand near Ryleigh, whispering once she's finished, ""I can take anyone who wants to leave somewhere else if they want.""

[2:29 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Nodding to Seir, Ry continues, ""If anyone wishes to leave Isonsall, we'll be able to take you elsewhere. I understand this - for many of you - is the second time in your life that you've seen you homes devastated... and I'm- I'm so sorry.""

[2:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks closer to Ryleigh, but is still kind of in her own world

[2:30 PM] DM: Gescha speaks to the crowd as well.  ""The shelter can hold us as long as we need. We'll figure this out. For now, find what you can. Supplies, tools... loved ones. Take time to grieve. We'll put them to rest tonight and tomorrow we'll start to work.""

[2:34 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh will walk far enough out, clearly looking up the mountainside to see if she can see the castle.

[2:34 PM] DM: It is visible, and whole.

[2:35 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows Ry's sightline to the castle, ""Well...ain't that convenient."""

"2:40 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Yeah, it is,"" Ry says, her tone sharp - not directed at Urrak - and her face set. She'll start making her way up the mountain side towards the castle.

[2:41 PM] DM: Rukiya struggles to keep up and says through a yawn, ""Wait up for us.""

[2:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak isn't far behind her, ""Brimeia, Seirixori!"" Urrak waves them over and follows Ryleigh

[2:42 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Sorry,"" Ry mumbles, falling back a little and taking Rukiya's gloved hand.

[2:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir struggles to catch up and just starts cursing in frustration as she follows.

## Back up the mountain

[2:45 PM] DM: The journey up the mountain is equal parts familiar and unfamiliar. The path is the same, but there's evidence of avalanches and fallen boulders along the way. Parts of the open-air tunnel are enclosed by the fallen stone and snow. Possibly the oddest difference is that you can now see the peak of the mountain... or at least what it looks like now. No towers, no cloud, no purple lightning.

[2:47 PM] DM: Once you reach the castle, things look almost exactly as they did the first time you arrived. The partially collapsed gatehouse, the wooden bridge, the towers that you can now see are intended to be a mimicry of Tumulus above.

[2:48 PM] DM: The only difference is that Heli isn't waiting for you.

[2:48 PM] Urrak: ""Ryleigh, I don't think I like yer Grandma much,"" Urrak grumbles

[2:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts to head inside without even waiting for anyone else.

[2:49 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh doesn't respond, her face growing more furious the closer to the castle they get. If possible, she'll walk across the bridge and make her way through the castle.

[2:50 PM] DM: It's close to dusk once you finally arrive, walking at that speed, and you head through the various towers and across bridges. You pass a few servants who are all going about their day.

[2:51 PM] DM: When you reach the keep at the peak, the smell of roasted meat from the kitchens greets you, reminding you all just how hungry you probably are. You can hear voices from the dining hall, though it's difficult to hear what is being said or by whom.

[2:52 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Looking a bit torn, Ry will head to the dining hall instead of marching straight up to Ragna's room.

[2:54 PM] DM: Clemency and Avery are there, eating with a few other residents of the castle. The tone is light and Avery's playing with his food. When Ry opens the door, the servants stand immediately and Clemency's eyes light up. Avery cheers, ""Auntie Ryleigh!""

[2:56 PM] Urrak: This big change in mood takes Urrak by surprise. She looks over to Ryleigh and then to Avery and Clemency.

[2:57 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: The ire on Ryleigh's face completely falls away, and is replaced with pure relief. ""Please, sit and continue,"" she says to the people who stood. She moves fairly quickly to Avery, placing a kiss to the top of his head and smiling warmly at him. Then she - on accident - pulls Clemency from her chair into a tight hug.

[2:58 PM] DM: Clemency hugs her tight. ""I'm glad you're safe. Did it all work out ok?""

[2:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir growls from where she stands, the scene in front of her not at all calming her anger, ""Where are they?""

[3:01 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh stiffens in Clemency's arms. ""We can talk about it later."" She pulls back from the hug only to cup Clemency's face, Ry's eyes are glossy. ""You're safe... and here. That's... what matters.""

[3:01 PM] DM: ""What are you looking for?"" one of the servants asks.

[3:02 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Cutting Seirixori off, Ry responds, ""Sorry, we've had... a long night. Please go back to eating."" She lets go of Clemency and moves to Seir.

[3:03 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I know what you're feeling... I get it, but I need you here... with them."" Nodding her head to Clemency and Avery. ""While I go have a chat with Ragna and Heli.""

[3:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir practically snarls, ""Absolutely not.""

[3:05 PM] Urrak: ""I can keep an eye on 'em. Jus' go. That thing is still out there."" Urrak nods to Ryleigh. ""We need t' know how t' take it down.""

[3:06 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Switching to infernal, Ry almost begs, ""Homashoc, please. If something goes wrong I need you to get them out of the castle.""

[3:06 PM] DM: Clemency's eyes watch Ry carefully.

[3:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir's anger doesn't diminish, but there's a slight hint of worry, ""I already had to watch my wife... leave. I am not going to sit here and worry whether or not something is going to happen to you. Urrak and Brimeia are perfectly capable.""

[3:11 PM] Urrak: ""Ryleigh! Go, we'll be fine."" Urrak says after a moment, ""Trust us.""

[3:14 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh gives Urrak a sharp look. Then she cups Seir's face and says, ""Okay, but you follow my lead - understand? If you can't, you're not coming, even if I have to force you to stay here.""

[3:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods.

[3:18 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Turning back to everyone seated at the table, Ry smiles and says, ""I need to check in with my grandmother. I apologize for barging in, please continue with your meal. I'll be back shortly."" And not being able to help herself, Ry walk back over to Avery and ruffles his hair, then kisses Clemency's cheek, and turns to leave the dining room.

## Ry and Ragna with Seir and Rukiya

[3:19 PM] DM: So you're heading back up the keep's stairways to Ragna's room?

[3:19 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ((yup))

[3:19 PM] DM: You can reach the door without issue.

[3:20 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Despite the visceral want to kick the door in, Ryleigh knocks and opens the door.

[3:22 PM] DM: Ragna is sitting in the oversized chair she was using when you'd visited before. Heli is standing in front of her, and between them is a large, flat, oval shaped manifestation of magic, similar to the portals you recall seeing in Poni's basement. Heli looks to the side towards the intrusion, but Ragna's entire focus is on this magic.

[3:24 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh's face is devoid of emotion, but her tone is casual as she says, ""Good evening."" She enters the room further, her eyes bouncing from the portal to Heli.

[3:25 PM] DM: Heli bows her head a bit. ""Princess. Welcome back and congratulations on your success.""

[3:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir growls behind Ryleigh.

[3:26 PM] DM: As you move into the room, you can see that the magic is showing an image of the titan walking through forest.

[3:27 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""You watched as it destroyed Isonsall?""

[3:28 PM] DM: Heli: ""No.""

[3:28 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ((insight 10))

[3:30 PM] DM: Ragna suddenly seems to realize there are more people in the room and gestures toward Ryleigh, a smile on her face. ""Come! Look! Isn't it magnificent?""

[3:31 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh's jaw tenses momentarily, but she does walk closer. Her eyes have a hard time looking anywhere but at the titan in the magical portal, but she manages to say, ""I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that while the town was leveled, the majority of the people are fine. We managed to make it down the mountain with enough time to get them into the shelter.""

[3:32 PM] DM: She waves Ry's words off like an annoyance. ""I think it's headed to Croysa, but won't it be grand to see it level the Lustris Citadel?""

[3:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir follows Ryleigh, up to a point, until Ragna speaks. She's clearly struggling, but her state along with how tired she is, she can't help but snap. There's a roar as Seir's hands almost looks like claws as she swings at Ragna.

[3:36 PM] DM: Roll for it.

[3:36 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh will try to stop her.

[3:37 PM] Seirixori: ((that was flavor for using primal savagery btw lol))

[3:38 PM] DM: Ry steps in front of Ragna and takes the hit instead.

[3:38 PM] Seirixori: ((26a, 17 acid, rude but there you go))

[3:40 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh gasps in pain as Seir's claws cut across her face and neck. A moment later she will shove Seir away, pushing her backwards towards the door. ""Get. Out,"" Ryleigh growls at Seir. ""I won't ask again.""

[3:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks conflicted, and upset, and about 5 other things. She isn't prepared for the push at all and ends up tripping over her own tail, hissing as she hits her head. It takes her a moment to get up, but she doesn't make eye contact with Ryleigh, glaring at Ragna as she storms out.

[3:44 PM] DM: Rukiya takes Ry's hand.

[3:45 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry almost seems to relax when Rukiya takes her hand.

[3:46 PM] DM: Heli watches the exchange, but Ragna's back to watching the titan.

[3:47 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh, with Rukiya's hand still in hers, walks back to Ragna's side. Her eyes fixed again on the titan, and Rukiya can feel almost a wave of overwhelming guilt. ""Your city and your people were devastated by this thing and all you have to say to me is look how magnificent it is?"" There's a bite to Ryleigh tone.

[3:50 PM] DM: Ragna looks at Ryleigh, a mixture of confusion and happiness on her face. ""My dear girl... this is the culmination of my wildest dreams. This is the moment I have been waiting for. What difference does it make?""

[3:51 PM] DM: ""And you... You made this happen for me. Thank you.""

[3:57 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: She lets go of Rukiya's hand when Ragna thanks her and she's silent for a long moment. Ry's guilt shifts to hurt, and pain, and anger - a lot of the things Rukiya knows Ry used to feel regularly. Then she whispers, ""You used me."" Electricity springing from Ryleigh's fingertips at her words. ""I've always been a tool for others - the Maker, the temple leaders, Asten."" The crackle from her hands growing as she continues. ""You're just like everyone else and you're no better than Tilman.""

[3:58 PM] DM: Heli says, ""Watch yourself, Princess.""

[4:01 PM] DM: Ragna looks at Ry's hands with a cocked eyebrow and smiles. ""You're learning."" The smile falls away, though, as a burst of wind whips around her and lifts her into the air, just above the ground as if she were standing. ""But you have much to learn before you challenge me, girl, and you had better not ever compare me to that filth of a man again.""

[4:10 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: It's clear Ryleigh's gritting her teeth, but her eyes bore into Ragna's without fear. ""I'll do as I wish,"" she says, her tone dripping with smugness, ""because that's my birthright. I did what you could not, and I'll continue to do so."" She quirks an eyebrow just to punctuate the sentence, and the electricity surrounding her hands amplifies. She closes her eyes and the electricity dies, and she takes a step back from Ragna.

[4:12 PM] DM: Ragna turns back to the image of the titan, still floating in the air. ""Leave me.""

[4:16 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh turns to leave without another word, taking Rukiya's hand and exiting the room. They walk a short distance before Ry pulls Rukiya into recess and breaks. Tears spring in her eyes as she leans against the wall for stability. A wave of frustration, anger, sadness, guilt - all come out at once, her emotions shifting from one to the next swiftly, to Rukiya it feels like chaos.

[4:18 PM] DM: Rukiya steps in close and puts her hands on Ry's jaw. ""Ry... focus. I know it's hard, but this isn't the time or place.""

[4:23 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh's fingertips crackle again with electricity and she slams them against the wall as if that'll make it go away. She takes a shuttering breath, and shuts her eyes, willing herself to stop. Rukiya can feel Ry nod, and then she literally sucks it up. Wiping the few tears that escaped away, she manages to whisper, ""Dining hall.""

[4:24 PM] DM: Rukiya gently presses a kiss to Ry's lips, then slides her hands down her arms to take her hands. She squeezes a bit, then drops one so they can walk."

## Seir's Side

"[3:48 PM] DM: -----------

[3:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks like she's ready to myrrhder someone as she storms down the hall. She very briefly thinks about going back to the dining hall with everyone else but she knows she's too angry to do so. Instead she decides to angrily look about the castle. The places she didn't check before, out of respect for Ryleigh's wishes, wishes she doesn't actually care about now.

[3:52 PM] DM: So below Ragna's room are the two doors- you remember the one was for Heli's room where Clemency and Avery also have rooms, and the other leads to a bathroom. Or you can continue down the stairs.

[3:55 PM] Seirixori: She'll almost pass by their rooms before she pauses and turns back. Seir stares at the door, frowns, and mimics what Clemency's movement and the phrase she uttered when she was taken here.

[3:56 PM] DM: Nothing happens... but when you try the door, it swings open.

[3:57 PM] DM: Everything looks like it did before. A large bed, a desk with a bookshelf next to it, a couple books sitting on top. Avery and Clemency's doors are closed.

[3:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir hesitates before she enters, but eventually does and goes for the books on the desk.

[4:04 PM] DM: Give me an Arcana check. Disadvantage for your exhaustion.

[4:04 PM] Seirixori: ((12))

[4:05 PM] DM: You can tell that the two books on her desk, one open, the other closed, are definitely magical in nature. One has the tell-tale signs of being a wizard's spellbook, specifically, but the other, although written in the same hand, seems to be a little different, though you can't really figure out how.

[4:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir glares at the books annoyed for multiple reasons and she shoves them both in the bag she's been carrying. ""Fuck you too,"" she mutters and gives a quick look-over of the room to see if anything else stands out before she pokes around the castle more.

[4:07 PM] DM: Give me a perception check. Disadvantage again.

[4:08 PM] Seirixori: ((26))

[4:09 PM] DM: There are a couple other obviously special things you can spot and shove in your bag and i'll figure out what they are later as you poke around before you go.

[4:10 PM] Seirixori: Sweet, she does that and then heads out. She starts to head towards other places before she changes her mind and heads to the dining room for a brief moment.

[4:12 PM] DM: Go ahead."

## Dining Room

"[3:17 PM] DM: ------------

[3:17 PM] DM: We'll keep the dining room down here.

[3:19 PM] DM: Clemency watches Ry leave and her eyes stay on the door for several seconds after she's gone.

[3:22 PM] Urrak: Urrak bows her head a bit, ""Evenin',"" she looks down to Clemency, ""How uh...how ye two been?""

[3:23 PM] DM: Clemency blinks and returns to her meal. ""We're... fine. Would you two like some dinner?""

[3:26 PM] Urrak: Urrak's stomach growls, but she's too uneasy to eat. ""I think jus' sittin' down will be good enough fer now.""

[3:28 PM] DM: One of the servants rises to fetch plates as Clemency looks at them, anyway.

[3:31 PM] Urrak: She takes a seat next to Clemency, ""Hey there, Avery,"" she smiles, ""Ye've gotta be bored, bein' cooped up in th' castle all day, eh?""

[3:31 PM] DM: He shrugs. ""Just sad I didn't get to do my magic lesson.""

[3:32 PM] Urrak: Urrak quirks an eyebrow, ""No? Was yer Gran'ma too tired?""

[3:33 PM] DM: ""Busy,"" he replies, grumpily.

[3:35 PM] Urrak: ""Oooh, busy,"" Urrak nods sympathetically. ""Did she say what it was she was busy with? I can't think of anythin' more important than Prince Avery's magic lesson.""

[3:36 PM] DM: He shakes his head. ""But I got to spend more time with Mama instead. That was good.""

[3:38 PM] Urrak: ""I bet, yer mom is pretty cool,"" Urrak grins, ""Hey, ye know what? How about we all take a walk outside after dinner? Ye can play around in th' snow. Maybe we can make a snowperson bigger than you!""

[3:39 PM] Urrak: ""A snow GIANT!"" she holds up her hands like big claws

[3:39 PM] DM: He squeals with happiness. ""Can I Mama??""

[3:40 PM] DM: Clemency: ""I think it will be dark out, but maybe.""

[3:43 PM] Urrak: ""Even better,"" Urrak holds her hands out to her sides triumphantly, ""It'll make th' Snow Giant scarier! An' maybe Prince Avery can practice some magic on it. You think you could make it glow like th' real ones?""

[3:44 PM] DM: Avery: ""They glow?""

[3:44 PM] Urrak: ""Some of 'em. Trolls too. Can ye guess what color?"" she quirks an eyebrow

[3:45 PM] DM: He frowns and puts his hand to his chin like he's thinking really hard. ""Yellow?""

[3:45 PM] Urrak: ""Mmmm one more guess. Think...Alisdair.""

[3:46 PM] DM: ""Purple?!""

[3:46 PM] Urrak: Urrak points to Avery and winks ""Ding ding ding, we have a winner""

[3:54 PM] DM: The servant returns with a plate of roast pig and veggies for Urrak and Bri, then clears Clemency and Avery's plates.

[3:57 PM] Urrak: ""An' I think yer mom would appreciate a walk and some fresh air too,"" She looks over to Clemency. ""An' Auntie Ryleigh can join us after she's done talkin' with yer gran'ma.""

[4:02 PM] Urrak: She allows herself some large forkfuls of food.

[4:03 PM] DM: Clemency looks a bit troubled, but doesn't deny anything Urrak says.

[4:03 PM] Brimeia: Bri perks up at the scent and sight of food.

[4:06 PM] Brimeia: Noting Clemency's worry, Bri chimes, ""Don't worry, I'll keep you safe out there."" She flexes dramatically as she looks from Clemency to Avery.

[4:06 PM] DM: Avery mimics her flex. ""I wanna have muscles too.""

[4:07 PM] Urrak: ""Brimeia here was a prize fighter back in th' day. A Gladiator,"" Urrak flexes too, ""I bet she could show ye some moves.""

[4:09 PM] Brimeia: Bri chuckles. ""You can! I'll show you after dinner.""

[4:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir appears at the doorway, she starts to motion for Urrak and instead moves to Clemency. She leans down and whispers to her in infernal, ""Is there any magic preventing you from leaving?""

[4:13 PM] DM: She frowns a bit and shakes her head. ""Not that I know of.""

[4:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and moves to Urrak, whispering to her as well, ""Take them back to the city. I can't move them here.""

[4:14 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods. ""Will do.""

[4:14 PM] Brimeia: Bri waves at Seir, then watches the interaction in a way she hopes is subtle.

[4:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods to Bri and with another pause she goes to her, ""Take my bag... give me yours.""

[4:16 PM] Brimeia: Bri trades bags casually, doing her best not to show any import or urgency to what she's doing.

[4:18 PM] Seirixori: ""Do not lose that,"" Seir says seriously. ""Go, take them. We'll probably catch up... but maybe don't go into the city. I don't think we need Avery telling everyone who he is, if they don't know already.""

[4:19 PM] Brimeia: Bri looks up and flashes Seir a grin and a thumbs up. ""No problem.""

[4:20 PM] Urrak: Urrak stands up, ""Hey Avery, ye wanna see what it's like t' be 6ft tall? Climb up"", she kneels down, back to him. ""I'll make sure ye don't fall off, don't worry.""

[4:21 PM] DM: His eyes go wide and he does, fisting his hands in Urrak's hair.

[4:22 PM] DM: Clemency: ""Wait... our coats. It's cold out.""

[4:22 PM] Seirixori: ""Are they in your rooms?"" Seir was moments from sitting.

[4:23 PM] DM: She shakes her head. ""Our outerwear is all kept down here."" One of the servants moves out of the room, presumably to retrieve their cold weather gear.

[4:24 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, relief as she watches someone else go get them as she nearly falls into a chair. ""I-- I'll wait here for Ryleigh and Rukiya, let them know you guys went to... play outside.""

[4:25 PM] Urrak: Urrak lets Avery off to put his coat on, and when he's ready she'll carry him on her back again.

[4:26 PM] DM: They are all bundled up after a few short minutes.

[4:26 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: The door to the dining room opens and Ry and Rukiya walk in.

[4:26 PM] Urrak: ""Ryleigh! Yer just in time, we're headed out.""

[4:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir tenses from her seat.

[4:27 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh raises an eyebrow at all of them, clearly caught off guard. There are fresh gashes across Ry's face. ""Clemency is there anything you want from your room... or Avery's?""

[4:28 PM] Brimeia: ""Figure a walk in the fresh air will do everyone good,"" Bri adds to help clarify.

[4:29 PM] DM: Clemency: ""For a walk? No, I think we're ok.""

[4:32 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh looks at everyone, her eyes landing on Seir. ""We can't walk back to town in this weather at night. We're all exhausted."" She rubs at her eyes, wincing a little from the fresh cuts on her face. ""We should eat, and rest here tonight. We'll leave in the morning.""

[4:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs a little and stands, ""Then I need to go.""

[4:35 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""What?"" Ry says, alarmed. ""No, you didn't rest last night either. And you don't need to be alone right now.""

[4:36 PM] Urrak: ""Are we sure that's...alright?""

[4:36 PM] Seirixori: ""Maybe not, but it would be... for the best. I can come back in the morning."""

"4:36 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Ragna is too... busy to care what we do,"" she answers Urrak.

[4:37 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Then moving to Seirixori, Ryleigh kneels down in front of her, taking her hand and talking through Dawnbringer. ""Why are you so insistent on leaving now?""

[4:37 PM] Seirixori: ""...I might have taken a few things.""

[4:39 PM] Urrak: ""Well, I hyped this guy up a pretty good amount so...you two figure out whatever ye need t' an' we'll be back in a bit."" Urrak winces a bit when Avery tugs a bit to hard at her hair, ""We'll stay close.""

[4:39 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Sighing at Seir's news, Ryleigh asks the group. ""You know, I've done nothing but make decisions for everyone this entire trip. What do you all want to do? Head back to town now or stay here for the night?""

[4:40 PM] DM: For clarity's sake, you would likely arrive back in town around 2 am.

[4:46 PM] Urrak: ""Listen, I'm not gonna turn down a warm bed,"" Urrak shrugs

[4:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head, her hand briefly reaching up to Ry's face but she drops it, ""I'll come back after some rest, if you're sure you'll be safe here. But I don't think I should.""

[4:47 PM] DM: Rukiya: ""I think it would be better if we stay together.""

[4:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir covers her face with her hands and leans back and with her voice muffled says, ""Brimeia,"" She motions for her to bring her bag over, while pushing Brimeia's own bag back towards her.

[4:50 PM] DM: Rukiya adds, ""Even if it means we all go.""

[4:52 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia shrugs and trades the bags back

[4:52 PM] Seirixori: ""You guys are fucking terrible at making decisions,"" Seir shoves the bag of stuff she took into the bag of holding.

[4:52 PM] Urrak: ""We're jus' makin' sure you're gonna be ok. It's cold out there, an' well ye've seen th' state of things.""

[4:53 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I think we need to stick together too,"" Ry says, laying a hand on Seir shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

[4:54 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Clemency, we're taking you and Avery with us. I know it's not ideal but... I'm not going anywhere without either of you. So if you have things to collect from your rooms, let's go get them.""

[4:55 PM] DM: Clemency: ""I had nothing when I came here. We'll be ok.""

[4:59 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: She looks at Clemency for a long a moment, sadness in her eyes, then she nods. ""Then lets head out."" Ryleigh opens the door to the dining room and waits for everyone to exit."

## Back down the Mountain with Clemency and Avery

[5:01 PM] DM: The journey back down the mountain is slow and tedious. Avery falls asleep at some point, needing to be carried. Clemency is obviously unused to such strain, but since everyone has to walk so slow, she's able to keep up. Is there anything you wish to say or do on the way down?

[5:02 PM] Seirixori: If it'll make it any easier Seir could shift into something to walk ""normal"" speed and maybe carry them a little ways. Otherwise, she's quiet.

[5:02 PM] Urrak: Urrak moves Avery so he's resting on her shoulder. She slings the slack of her cloak around him as they walk.

[5:04 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh will take Seir's hand at some point and say, ""I chose to step in front of her. It wasn't your fault...""

[5:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir squeezes Ryleigh's hand but that's her only response.

[5:08 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Hey,"" Ry says softly, bringing Seir's hand to lips. ""I wanted to hurt her too... so much, but..."" she shrugs like she doesn't really have an understanding why she didn't kill or strike Ragna.

[5:08 PM] Seirixori: ""I lied to you.""

[5:09 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry chuckles softly. ""Losing control isn't lying.""

[5:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, ""It is if I knew it was going to happen.""

[5:11 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Ah."" Ryleigh squeezes her hand. ""I figured as much... if I'm being honest. It's why I was so ready when you acted.""

[5:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head, ""Maybe, but I doubt you were ready for me to actually hit you... and for it to hurt like it did.""

[5:16 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I've hurt worse,"" Ry says serious. ""And I know it wasn't meant for me.""

[5:16 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I just don't want you to beat yourself over it. You're already dealing with so much... I'll be fine, and it likely won't scar.""

[5:18 PM] Seirixori: ""I'm... I'm still sorry. I can't even heal it to make it a little better.""

[5:21 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I can,"" Ry says, as if she's totally forgotten. Touching her face, she sings a soft song of healing and heals herself. Seirixori watches as the gashes knit themselves back together, leaving only faint pink lines until those disappear too. ""Well? How does it look?""

[5:22 PM] Seirixori: ""Like I used regular nails to scratch your face instead of magic ones.""

[5:23 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""And we wonder why people get the wrong impression about us,"" Ry teases, bumping Seir as they walk.

[5:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir smiles a little, ""Yeah. ...Um, also sorry about making us leave so fast. I--I wasn't really thinking when I walked out of her room.""

[5:29 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""That's okay... I almost had a panic attack when I walked out.""

[5:32 PM] Seirixori: Seir pauses their trek briefly to give Ryleigh a hug and them she starts moving again. ""Well, I'm going to continue to be a little sad you didn't let me punch her in the face.""

[5:34 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I'll be okay. Rukiya was there to 'calm' me down... or really to remind me that I couldn't fall apart just yet."" She sighs. ""Are we going to leave straight for Ardabeh once we get to town?""

[5:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head. ""No. ...Only if someone there wants to. Though, I did think about me doing it just so I could hide the bag, but I forgot about the bag of holding.""

[5:38 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I'd like to get Clemency and Avery as far away from here as possible, as quickly as possible. But I suppose it can wait until morning... so we can take others if they wish to go.""

[5:40 PM] Seirixori: ""Oh. Right."" Seir looks confused, like how could she forget? ""I can take them. I'm... no. We would have to wait until morning unless you're okay with us sleeping next to the tree. I think Wrenn and the other druids are still clearing out the crystal.""

[5:45 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""It's your choice, homashoc. We have tents, and I'm not sure what you took but I don't want the people to suffer anymore because of me... so if there's even a chance that can happen, we need to leave tonight.""

[5:47 PM] Seirixori: ""I don't really know what I took,"" Seir looks sheepish. ""But maybe we should for the night... but even then I feel bad for leaving the town, even just for a night.""

[5:54 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""I promised not to abandon them... but there's so much I need to go do. I can't be here to help rebuild... I have to figure how to destroy the titan before it hurts more people, which requires me to leave. Why would anyone follow me when I'm the reason the titan is marching about killing their family and friends and decimating their homes... they wouldn't. But then how can I tell a lie that big and keep it... starting my reign with such deceit feels wrong and..."" Ry stops, realizing she's talking out loud more so than she is to Seir.

[5:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen, again forgetting that she hasn't told Ryleigh. ""I-uh- well maybe we can help for the day, or-or set up something that will help while we go find answers. Helping them rebuild won't matter much if we let everything else fall apart.""

[5:57 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Everything here has already fallen apart. They don't know anything other than this place. It's all over for them already.""

[5:58 PM] Urrak: ""Wha' bout Bellbury?"" Urrak tiredly slurs

[5:58 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""What about it?""

[5:59 PM] Urrak: ""Take the people there, give 'em a house, jobs,"" She shrugs, adjusting her hold on Avery, ""Meet new people.""

[6:00 PM] Seirixori: ""That only works if they want to leave.""

[6:01 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh nods along with Seir's words. Her head turns in the direction of Clemency, making sure she's okay... and if she's not, she'll offer a piggy back ride with a smile and raised eyebrow.

[6:02 PM] Urrak: Urrak yawns, ""Jus' a thought.""

[6:02 PM] DM: ""You haven't gotten that big, homashoc.""

[6:04 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry chuckles. ""But I am pretty strong. I carry Rukiya around a lot.""

[6:04 PM] DM: Rukiya's finger almost magically finds a spot between the plates of Ry's armor to poke her in the side.

[6:05 PM] Seirixori: ""Rukiya's very tiny.""

[6:05 PM] Urrak: ""Ryleigh can surprise ye with how strong she is,"" Urrak chuckles, ""Much as I hate t' admit it. ""

[6:06 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry flinches away from the poke, laughter bubbling out of her mouth.

[6:06 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""Come on,"" Ry says to Clemency, stopping and standing in front of her.

[6:08 PM] DM: Clemency is too much of a grown-up to accept this and continues walking. ""I'll be ok.""

[6:10 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh rolls her eyes. ""Fine.""

[6:11 PM] DM: You eventually make it to the town. Are you sleeping in the shelter with the people, or continuing to Ardabeh immediately?

[6:12 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ((I vote shelter, if they'll let us in this late.))

[6:17 PM] Urrak: ((Urrak will go along with Ryleighs plan, whichever it is))

[6:20 PM] Seirixori: ((Seir uh still thinks Ardabeh, but honestly she's too tired to argue at this point))

[6:21 PM] DM: Ok, we'll go ahead and say you rest in the shelter and that way Ry can talk to Gescha and/or the people before you leave the next day and we can squish here or in Ardabeh before returning to Riverrun next session.

[6:22 PM] Urrak: As they settle in, Urrak hands the sleeping Avery over to Clemency. ""Kid sleeps like a bear in th' winter.""

[6:24 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: ""The cold doesn't bother us,"" Ry reminds Urrak. ""It's part of our magic.""

[6:26 PM] Urrak: Urrak shivers reflexively, ""Must be nice. My bones feel frozen.""

[6:26 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry shrugs. ""Everything comes at cost, and our magic isn't any different.""

[6:28 PM] Seirixori: ""Do I still have a tail? I don't think I've felt it for two days. Wait, it's--it's still the same... day?"" Seir was already kind of incoherent and now she just looks extremely confused as she very quickly passes out.

[6:30 PM] Brimeia: ""I think I could use mine as a spear now,"" Bri grumbles in commiseration.

[6:32 PM] DM: As you all find your resting areas, Rukiya leans up to kiss Ry on the cheek and whispers, ""Happy birthday, unsil'umun.""

[6:35 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh gives Rukiya a small smile. ""Thank you..."" and Rukiya can tell Ry wants to say more but doesn't."

"[9:12 AM] DM: She tilts her head. ""What is it?""

[12:07 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: “It’s... nothing,” Ry answers softly, leaning in to capture Rukiya’s lips. Rukiya can feel a mixture of guilt... then contentment... then back to guilt again. Ry’s emotions are scattered and it’s almost like she’s trying to stop them - and can’t make up her mind what’s she’s feeling.

[12:10 PM] DM: ""Talk to me, Ry.""

[12:16 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh sighs when Rukiya doesn’t allow her to kiss her. She leans back and plays with her fingers. “I lost track of time with everything going on, since the last few days have run together. I forgot it was my birthday.” Staring at her hands she says, “I feel like I shouldn’t be so happy... not with everything going on.”

[12:21 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: “The people of isonsall have lost everything and Ragna doesn’t care... and soon the people of Croysa are going to be suffering too... and thinking over the last year I can’t help but feel happy. I found a new family. I fell in love and got to marry the most amazing woman in world. I found out I have a nephew, and that my sister is alive... and I get to take them home with me.” Ry’s eyes fill with tears and she looks at Rukiya. “It’s selfish - I’m just like her, and Tilman... caring only for myself when so many people are hurting.”

[2:42 PM] DM: She smiles softly and shakes her head. ""You don't only care about yourself or you wouldn't be beating yourself up about it right now. You'd just be ignoring the suffering and going home to stay instead of trying to figure out what we need to do to stop the destruction. Give yourself a little more credit, Ry. You're allowed to be happy, too.""

[5:44 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: A few tears leak from her eyes as she blinks. She looks up and they slowly fall down her cheeks. “I wanted to make her hurt... to make her pay for using me... and I’m not sure I’ll ever stop thinking that way, no matter how hard I try.”

[6:31 PM] DM: ""It'll take a long time, but what's important is what you do, not what you think.""

[6:36 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ryleigh looks back at Rukiya, sadness still in her eyes. “Did I do the right thing not letting Seirixori attack her?”

[6:51 PM] DM: ""They're both powerful. I wouldn't want to bet on the three of us against the two of them... especially as tired as we are. It's why I wanted us to all stick together tonight. I think it would be difficult even if we were all at our best. So... yes. I think avoiding angering them at that moment was the right call.""

[11:25 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: There’s a long exhale of breath from Ryleigh - it’s filled with relief. “I didn’t want to make more enemies - at least not yet. She’ll be an enemy the moment we destroy it.” Rukiya can feel how much this bothers Ry.

[11:43 PM] DM: ""Let's figure out if we even can before you get ahead of yourself."" She leans in and kisses Ry, then says, ""Speaking of one thing at a time... I'm exhausted.""

[11:57 PM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Ry’s eyes grow wide with worry, but instead of voicing it she nods and pulls Rukiya close. “I forget not everyone was training to work on such little sleep. I’m sorry for being so neglectful sun’frada.” She presses a kiss to Rukiya’s lips, grinning into it, and whispers, “Thank you for the birthday wishes. Get some sleep.”"

"[12:01 AM] DM: ""Just because you can doesn't mean you should. You need rest, too. For real this time.""

[12:05 AM] Ryleigh Alisdair: Sighing heavily, Ry settles into bed next to Rukiya. “I’ll try.”"

4 Felmont - 5 Felmont - 6 Felmont

Felmont 3Y21 - Discord logs