Session 78

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This session was played on August 30, 2018.

## Synopsis

The Dawnguard finally arrived at the temple where a halfling zombie fitting the description of the Blue Bulls started off a fight against at least one other Bull and two ghasts. Gunnloda used her new holy symbol for the first time and seemed to be surprised that it worked so well. Forgoing a deeper investigation of the room they were in or the barricaded hallway, they continued through a closed door. Inside were imps scouring the bookshelves of an old library. They fought the imps and hellhounds, chasing a fleeing, invisible imp as it opened door after door, leading more and more creatures to them until they came face to face with a deathlock wight. Gunnloda used her holy symbol again, this time setting up Ryleigh for an attack that caused all the enemies in the room to explode with divine energy, but not before Urrak was subjected to an image of vampiric Ancy.

Returning to look through the library, Seirixori ran into Kola, Champion of Betrex, Goddess of Death and after some posturing and metaphorical dick waving, it was revealed that she was there to "observe" Gunnloda at Betrex's request after Seir spoke to Takara.

## Trivia

* Kola wears a Cloak of Billowing and uses a Revenant Double-Bladed Scimitar.
* Her face claim is Cate Blanchett as Hela, but 30 lbs skinnier and near skeletal.

## Transcript

5:48 PM] DM: Recap: A group called the Blue Bulls went missing after an acolyte of Witen was "convinced" to fund their trip. They used the funds to "rent" the Stonecaller Crystal, a crystal that allows the owner to cast speak with animals, plants, and dead. Donny at Donny's Discount Hextech pointed you in this direction when Seir wanted something to speak to someone in the group while wildshaped.

When you sought out the Bulls, however, you found their ranger, a new mom, waiting impatiently for their overdue return. She told you how to get to the temple they were scouting- north along the road to Vydenia, west into the forest when the road narrows til you hit the river, downstream to the waterfall, then north again until you find the overgrown stone path to the temple.

She gave you information about each of the missing party members in hopes you can find them... or at least identify their remains. Walkar, the bard, carries a drum on his hip. Marleigh's a halfling and wears a necklace with a spider on it. Mickal, the fighter, carries a longsword with a blue and gold shimmering gem in the hilt, and Shelley, a cleric of Tricis, wears blue leather armor.

You also spoke to Calden, the acolyte, and found that he is largely unaware of why he did it, but that he emptied the church's coffers to fund the expedition at the request of a rather plain and pointed looking possibly human woman who wore a ratty black cloak and smelled like she shoveled coal all day.

[5:49 PM] DM: You avoided hobgoblins, fought shambling mounds, saved a unicorn from korreds, then settled down to sleep. Two devils attacked your campsite just before dawn, burning Seir/Gunnloda and Ryleigh’s tents down. You managed to defeat them, though not without effort, and a comment one made, "Kill me, I'll be back eventually... but you won't when she's done with you." led Seir to believe Bri’s headmate, Eya, had sent them. She spoke through Bri’s eyes to the devil, with an Infernal Fuck off. Now, the devils’ bodies are gone, the two tents are irrevocably damaged, and everyone but Urrak and Bri will need to finish their rest to fully recover for the night. Urrak and Bri can take short rests.

[6:10 PM] DM: Is there anything else you all want to say/do before returning to slumber?

[6:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir grumbles more in infernal, maybe, it's kind of garbled up and doesn't really make sense, "I don't like tents anyway!" and she plops on the ground, still grumbling and goes back to sleep. ((it was totally necessary))

[6:16 PM] DM: Gunnloda kind of half-chuckles and pulls a blanket from the now smoldering tents to lay it over Seir before curling up next to her to go back to sleep.

[6:19 PM] DM: Before sleeping, Gunnloda did put another Cure Wounds in Urrak's ring that she had spare, though, so you can add that to your sheet.

[6:18 PM] DM: Ok! Full rest finishes, everyone can recharge hp, abilities, regain up to 3 missing hit dice, etc.

[6:19 PM] Urrak: ((+16 hp, 2 hit dice))

[6:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir is grumpy as fuck.

## Temple Approach

[6:24 PM] DM: You follow the overgrown, mostly obscured path of stone to a small clearing and a stone temple. As you get closer, you notice the trees are growing closer and closer to the building, trying to reclaim the space for nature. The air is heavy, the light a little darker, and there’s a stubborn fog clinging to the ground two to three feet deep and obscuring what’s beneath it. The temple itself is grey stone with little marking on the outside. There’s moss and vines growing over the stonework, showing its age. Where there once were double doors at the entry, now there’s just a gaping hole.

[6:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Everyone be on guard," Ryleigh says as she draws Dawnbringer and heads towards the entry.

[6:27 PM] Urrak: "Cerina said there could be undead," Urrak says to Gunnloda as she follows Ryleigh(edited)

[6:27 PM] DM: As you approach the doorway, you notice that the fog has infiltrated the interior of the temple as well, slowly rolling in from the large open hole at the entry. It almost looks like a sea of fog with an island of broken, splintered wood from what were once pews jutting up from the floor.

[6:28 PM] DM: Dawnbringer's light shines over the gently shifting fog eerily.

[6:28 PM] Seirixori: "Anyone want to hold off for ten minutes? I can see if there's any magic floating around?"

[6:30 PM] Urrak: "Aye, a solid plan. I sure ain't itchin' t' go further  inside just yet..." She draws her sword with slightly shaky hands(edited)

[6:31 PM] Seirixori: "Great," Seir mumbles some things under her breath and starts a fun ritual to detect magic.

[6:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stays near Seirixori, but keeps an eye out.

[6:33 PM] Seirixori: When Seir finishes she takes a quick look around and nods, "Nothing magical for now. It'll be up for a few minutes though."

[6:34 PM] Urrak: "Well then, suppose we should keep goin' then," she looks over to Ryleigh, and waves her arm towards the darkness, "After you."

[6:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rolls her eyes at Urrak and trudges into the temple.

[6:37 PM] DM: As you enter, Dawnbringer illuminates more of the deep room. Across the room, you can see the stone dais and steps rising out of the fog like cliffs until you see a pedestal, and behind it, an altar with a large painted stone symbol on the wall above the small table. The symbol itself looks something like a bronze dragon skull with a blood red teardrop-shaped gemstone behind it. Flanking the symbol are two tapestries with neon green flames in the shape of a hand embroidered on them. To the left is a closed door, and to the right, the doorway has been hastily barricaded, old, rotting wood nailed across the opening.

[6:39 PM] Urrak: "Y' seen those symbols before, Ry?"

[6:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks closer at the symbols before replying to Urrak, "I haven't."

[6:38 PM] Seirixori: "Is that to keep people out, or to keep something in?" Seir asks, more hesitant from Urrak's warning of undead.

[6:39 PM] Urrak: "I'm gonna guess th' latter...let's not go disturbin' it unless we have t'," Urrak stops right behind Ryleigh.

[6:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We could always take down the barricade and find out." Ryleigh smirks playfully.

[6:42 PM] Seirixori: "No, no let's uh, not do that."

[6:43 PM] Seirixori: "Plus maybe the magical thing about 10-15 feet in front of you and a little to the left might be more interesting?" She says to Ryleigh.

[6:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks in that direction. "Any indication what it is?"

[6:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "Small, little larger than a key. Transmutation magic. Do you want me to check it out instead?" Seir teases.

[6:48 PM] DM: It takes a little extra time to move in that direction as you're now trying to navigate through the broken pews hidden beneath the fog.

[6:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No," Ryleigh rolls her eyes, but she's smiling, "I just like to know what I'm walking towards."

[6:48 PM] Seirixori: "Magic." Seir snickers.(edited)

[6:49 PM] DM: But as you approach the area, there's a shuffling sound before you see movement coming from the fog directly in front of Ryleigh.

[6:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Halt," Ryleigh says.

[6:50 PM] Urrak: "Ain't gotta tell me twice..." Urrak tries to see the source of the shuffling

[6:53 PM] DM: The fog shifts as a halfling's head appears from below it, barely visible above the dense fog. It's a woman's head, her long hair tied back in a ponytail, but there's something about the way she moves, the blank look in her eyes, that tells you something's not quite right.

[6:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir sucks in a gasp and freezes, "Fuck," she whispers softly. "I really don't want to be here."

[6:55 PM] Seirixori: "Ry-- Ryleigh, she's carrying whatever it is."

[6:55 PM] Urrak: "I think that's a Blue Bull. Th' scout." Urrak grips her sword tightly and calls out, "Marleigh!"

[6:55 PM] DM: As Urrak calls out, there's motion from deeper in the room. And I need you all to roll initiative.

[6:56 PM] Urrak: "It's her necklace, I bet. Th' spider g--ah shit"

[6:56 PM] Urrak: ((8))

[6:56 PM] Seirixori: "Urrak, shut up." ((14))

[6:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh groans as Urrak yells. ((6))

[6:58 PM] DM: Bri: 18, Gunnloda: 9

[7:01 PM] DM: There's motion out of an open door close to the altar and a creature, hunched and crawling across the floor like Gollum, disappears into the fog near the dais.

[7:02 PM] DM: Brimeia looks around, confused, and readies an attack against anything that comes in range.

[7:02 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[7:03 PM] DM: The fog shifts to the right where the barricade is as well.

[7:04 PM] Seirixori: Gripping her staff and freaking out internally Seir casts Faerie Fire where the fog moved to.

[7:05 PM] Seirixori: ((20ft cube dex save 15 if anything is there~which also means bye bye detect magic~))(edited)

[7:09 PM] DM: There is a blast of glitter and there's a slightly glowing figure in hot pink barely glowing under fog.

[7:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda puts her hand on Seir's arm and, trying to settle her fears, pulls up her new holy symbol, raises it, and says loudly, "Return to the grave!" as she casts Turn Undead. There's a huge burst of radiant energy that fills the room and the halfling practically explodes into dust. There's another, similar explosion behind the podium on the dais, and there's a screeching howl from somewhere in the fog. Gunnloda slowly lowers her hand, blinking at the symbol in surprise.

[7:17 PM] DM: The hot pink outlined creature doesn't move.

[7:17 PM] DM: @Urrak !

[7:18 PM] Urrak: Urrak takes Seir's bow from her pack and nocks an arrow into it. "Godsdammit, please don't be who I think ye are..." ((13, 6 and 8, 6))

[7:19 PM] DM: The creature scoots to the side and avoids the arrows.

[7:20 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[7:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves to the ghast and swings Dawnbringer into it. ((25h, 14d radiant; 12h, 12d))

[7:23 PM] DM: The first blow strikes true and it hisses in pain. The second fails to hit.

[7:25 PM] DM: A zombie in blue leather stained in blood with huge chunks of flesh missing from her torso stumbles out of the room to the right of the altar.

[7:27 PM] DM: The ghast next to Ryleigh swipes at her, but the claws bounce off Ryleigh's armor.

[7:27 PM] DM: The fog shifts as another creature rushes away from Gunnloda as fast as it can and, in the very corner of the room, you can see it cowering on the steps of the dais.

[7:28 PM] DM: Brimeia will rage and step up to the ghast and attempt to remove its head.

[7:29 PM] DM: Her first attack misses, but the second barely hits for 11 points of damage.

[7:29 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[7:31 PM] Seirixori: "Well that was handy." Seir says to Gunnloda and backs up several feet, not wanting to get close to anything, and throws a little tiny fire at the ghast. ((19a, 11d))

[7:32 PM] DM: That's enough. It sizzles and the considerable stench it already had intensifies as it curls into a charred mess of flesh and bone.

[7:33 PM] DM: Gunnloda will then step forward towards the other two, but she's got lil' legs and will stop and let them come to her, readying her hammer for if they get in range.

[7:33 PM] DM: @Urrak

[7:38 PM] Urrak: "Shit...there's another Bull. Shelly..." she walks towards the zombie. "Sorry, love,"  she mumbles before throwing the silver spear at the zombified guildmember ((nat1))(edited)

[7:38 PM] DM: The spear clatters against the wall.

[7:40 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[7:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "This is fate no one deserves. I'll put you to rest," Ryleigh says before jabbing Dawnbringer into the blue leathered zombie. ((26h, 11; 29h, 12))

[7:46 PM] DM: The zombie twitches and falls.

[7:46 PM] DM: Ghast 2 still can't move out of the corner.

[7:46 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[7:50 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia runs up to the remaining enemy and tries to hit it with a beam of crackling energy.

[7:50 PM] Brimeia: ((22, 2))

[7:51 PM] DM: The beam hits and the creature falls back into its predatory crouch, no longer frightened of Gunnloda's holy power.

[7:51 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves closer so she can try and hit the thing with her tiny fire again. ((10a))

[7:54 PM] DM: The fire does clear some fog away, but does not hit the ghast.

[7:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes a swing with her hammer, but the creature ducks out of the way.

[7:55 PM] DM: @Urrak

[7:56 PM] Urrak: Urrak moves towards the cornered ghast and slashes at it with her greatsword ((17,12 and 21, 8))

[7:57 PM] DM: The sword cleaves into an arm and a leg and it hisses in pain, but it's still... aliveish.

[7:57 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[7:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Moving to the last ghast, Ryleigh slams Dawnbringer into it. ((18h, 10d; 13h, 10d))

[8:01 PM] DM: The ghast gasps and, with one feeble attempt to escape, swipes its claws toward Gunnloda. The claws catch her now less-armored legs for 12 damage, but Gunnloda's hardy as hell, so she's not paralyzed.

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((I want to react, using sentinel))

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((23h, 13d))

[8:02 PM] DM: Dawnbringer comes down on the ghast and separates its head from its body.

[8:02 PM] DM: End initiative

[8:03 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks around the remains of the scout and the cleric

[8:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks over to the person in blue armor, kneeling beside her and shaking her head. She searches for anything to identify them, so she can give it to the remaining member back at the guild.

[8:05 PM] Seirixori: Seir sticks to Gunnloda and takes her hand trying to not freak out more.

[8:05 PM] DM: The scout's lost under the fog again, but the body of the cleric is easily found. She's wearing blue leather with a sea motif and has a holy symbol around her neck with the symbol of Tricis on it. You also find 14 gp in her pouch.

[8:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Taking the symbol of Tricis from the clerics neck, Ryleigh places it and the gold into the bag of holding, before standing and commenting, "Seirixori... can you still see the magic item?"

[8:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts uncomfortably, "Uh... I can try again if you want to wait. I sort of panicked and made the creepy thing pink instead of focusing on finding magic."

[8:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No no, that's alright," Ryleigh says. She then moves to where she last saw the halfing to search for the item.

[8:06 PM] Urrak: "I promised I'd bring 'em back...I just hoped they'd be...a-anyway. We need t' bring her somethin'." Urrak walks through the fog, slowly

[8:12 PM] DM: The halfling's body... is gone. But you do find a pile of gear where her body should have been.

[8:12 PM] Brimeia: "We don't have any way to clear or at least thin out this weird fog?"

[8:13 PM] DM: There's leather armor, a set of thieves tools, a dagger, a spider necklace, 63 gp, and a key that looks like a question mark.

[8:14 PM] Urrak: "Take th' necklace, that was one o' th' things Cerina used t' describe her," Urrak sheathes her sword. "Fuckin' hells..."

[8:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh tucks the 63gp and spider necklace into the bag of holding, along with the key.

[8:16 PM] Seirixori: "I can try to spend... a decent amount of time clearing some of the fog away, but I don't have anything prepared right now that will do it quickly."

[8:17 PM] Urrak: "Let's jus' keep movin' forward. We found two Bulls already, I'm sure th' rest o' them are further in."

[8:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Are you going to be okay?" Ryleigh softly asks Seirixori, moving into her space but not touching her.

[8:21 PM] Seirixori: "Yep, fine, tot-- totally fine. Zombies don't freak me out at all." Seir rambles, "Can we go back to it being devils and weird rock things?"

[8:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brow furrows, and she takes Seir's free hand. She's not entirely sure what's bothering Seir so she says, "I won't let that happen to you. I promise."

[8:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks a little confused at first, "Oh... no that's not... thanks?"

[8:25 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia wrinkles her nose at the dusty pile on the floor and lets out a breath before picking up the items left behind she can see.  No sense in wasting what isn't being used anymore.

[8:21 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks away from the Ryleigh and Seir and towards the closed door to the left and attempts to open it.

## The Libraries

[8:24 PM] DM: The door opens. Inside, there's no fog, but there are shelves on shelves of books, papers, jars, and other items lined up in the room and along all the walls. Over the chest-height shelves, you can see a few pairs of wing tips, red leathery looking things, as something's looking through the shelves.

[8:26 PM] Urrak: "Hey, lovebirds, over 'ere," Urrak whispers to the group. She motions for them to move closer

[8:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh had opened her mouth to reply but her attention is drawn to Urrak, so with a squeeze of Seirixori's hand and a whispered, "We can talk later... if you want," she moves to Urrak's side.

[8:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods but only moves inches towards where Urrak is and not much farther.

[8:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh peeks into the room, spotting what looks like red wings, she moves into it with Dawnbringer in her hand.(edited)

[8:34 PM] DM: At the shift in lighting in the room, the wings jerk... then disappear entirely.

[8:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She moves further into the room.

[8:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((19 constitution save))

[8:39 PM] DM: Walking around to the edge of the shelves to look down one aisle where she thinks she saw the wings, she sees just shelves on shelves, but as she's about to move down another aisle, she feels a piercing pain in her neck and takes 4 damage (reduced to 1) and 6 poison damage, and there's now an imp flying right next to her shoulder.

[8:39 PM] DM: And roll initiative.

[8:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((14))

[8:40 PM] Seirixori: ((0))

[8:41 PM] Brimeia: ((12))

[8:42 PM] DM: Gunnloda moves forward to  investigate, making sure Seir will be right behind her.

[8:43 PM] DM: She casts Sacred Flame at the imp (5 dex fails) and it takes 8 radiant damage in what might be her first actual hit with that in the last 4 levels.

[8:43 PM] DM: It drops out of the air, severely wounded.

[8:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((14 con save))

[8:45 PM] DM: Another sting hits Ryleigh for 4 damage (reduced to 1) and 2 poison damage, and another imp appears next to her.

[8:45 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[8:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh swings at the first imp ((24h, 11d)), then jabs at the second imp ((23h, 10d)).

[8:47 PM] DM: Both devils fall and dissipate.

[8:47 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[8:49 PM] DM: Bri enters the room with her movement, but doesn't immediately see a threat.

[8:51 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia readies her greataxe while she watches for any suspicious movement.

[8:53 PM] DM: Urrak will also move in and down the other direction from Ry to look for motion.

[8:54 PM] DM: @Brimeia you notice the door next to you start to open.

[8:57 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia narrows her eyes and waits to see what it is.

[8:58 PM] DM: The door swings open and, using darkvision, you can see a hell hound inside the room that perks up and growls in your direction within.

[9:00 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia calls to the others, "Hey, there's some angry looking hellhound over here."

[9:01 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia holds her attack in case it's someone fleeing.

[9:01 PM] DM: Urrak, on the other hand,  feels the impact from an attack bounce from her armor and suddenly has an imp of her own in her face.

[9:01 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[9:03 PM] DM: Seir can't actually enter the room or see any creatures without dashing.

[9:03 PM] DM: Except the dead one at Ry's feet.

[9:05 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves in cautiously behind Gunnloda and uses shilellagh on her quarterstaff and just kind of hangs out behind her wife, ready if anything comes close to her.

[9:06 PM] DM: The hell hound steps forward slightly, inhales, and exhales a cone of fire at Bri and Gunnloda. I need DEX saves.

[9:06 PM] DM: You can use your danger sense.

[9:07 PM] DM: Gunnloda ninjas the fuck out of the way and 'only' takes 13 damage.

[9:07 PM] DM: @Brimeia ? Dex save?

[9:08 PM] Brimeia: ((20))

[9:08 PM] DM: Bri also saves and has fire resist, so she only takes 6 damage.

9:10 PM] DM: Gunnloda will heal herself for 12 hp with Cure Wounds and stay put.

[9:10 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Hearing Brimeia's warning, Ryleigh moves to the hellhound, aiming Dawnbringer at the beast. ((21h, 12d; 23h, 12d)) "Go back to hell," she growls out.(edited)

[9:13 PM] DM: Both swings hit and the hell hound growls back.

[9:13 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[9:14 PM] Brimeia: "Something opened the door but I didn't see anything by it," Brimeia says over her shoulder in Seir's general direction.

[9:15 PM] Brimeia: Not seeing anything else, she moves into the hall with Ryleigh to swipe at the hellhound in there.

[9:16 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless 21a, 12d; 22a, 4d))

[9:18 PM] DM: Ok! The axe does still do its damage on both swings.

[9:18 PM] DM: @Urrak ! You have an imp in your face.

[9:19 PM] Urrak: Urrak takes a step back and swings her sword at the imp, "Fuck off!" ((24, 10 13, 12))(edited)

[9:20 PM] DM: The imp takes only half damage from Urrak's sword... but dies anyway, crumpled against the wall.

[9:21 PM] DM: Would you like to move forward to the others?

[9:22 PM] Urrak: ((yes))(edited)

[9:23 PM] DM: The door behind the hell hound opens too.

[9:23 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[9:24 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't move from where she is, especially because it's now crowded and just holds onto her staff tightly, "It's cool you guys go do that and I'll stand here in the creepy fog room with the dead-- dead again bodies."

[9:26 PM] DM: The hellhound doesn't get its fire breath back (luckily for you grouped up dumdums) so it attempts to bite Ry instead.  (24; 7 piercing reduced to 4+ 9 fire damage for a total of 13)

[9:27 PM] DM: Gunnloda steps in behind Ry but doesn't advance.

[9:27 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Jabbing Dawnbringer at the hellhound, Ryleigh bites out, "Be gone!" ((28h, 12d))

[9:29 PM] DM: Dawnbringer's light pulses as the hell hound is slain.

[9:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Seeing the door at the end of the hallway open, Ryleigh moves to it and swings wildly at anything that might have been standing there. ((12h, 13d))

[9:32 PM] DM: She hits nothing.

[9:32 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[9:34 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia takes a couple swings at the space too.

[9:34 PM] DM: Roll at disadvantage

[9:35 PM] Brimeia: ((9a, 8d; 10a, 5d))

[9:36 PM] DM: Bri also doesn't hit anything.

[9:36 PM] DM: @Urrak

[9:36 PM] Urrak: Urrak is going to walk into the room, dashing past Bri and Ryleigh(edited)

[9:38 PM] DM: This room, unlike the other two, has a large table at the center, but still has floor to ceiling shelves along the walls, full of books, parchment, and items.

[9:39 PM] DM: The door to the east opens.

[9:41 PM] DM: Beyond the door, you can see four skeletons, three with swords, the other with a bow, all standing guard around a staircase that leads down to a basement. Another hellhound was lying at the door, but perks up and growls as the door opens.

[9:42 PM] DM: The bow skeleton will fire an arrow at Ry through the two doors, at disadvantage because that's one hell of a trick shot. He rolls 20 on both dice, so that's 7 damage, reduced to 4.

[9:43 PM] DM: Skeleton 2 approaches Urrak and takes a swing.

[9:43 PM] DM: (21a, 6d)

[9:44 PM] DM: The second hell hound approaches the door and uses its fire breath. I need DEX saves from @Ryleigh Alastair and @Brimeia

[9:45 PM] Brimeia: ((9 if i get danger sense))

[9:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((13 dex save))

[9:46 PM] DM: And you get +4 from being near Ry.

[9:46 PM] DM: So both save. Ry takes 12 fire damage. Bri takes 6.

[9:47 PM] DM: The wight moves out of the corner and fires two bolts of necrotic energy at Ryleigh. Both hit the edge of the doorway instead.

[9:48 PM] DM: Skeleton 4 takes the other spot in the door and readies its sword.

[9:48 PM] DM: And NOW FINALLY it is @Seirixori 's turn

[9:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a deep breath and shifts into an Allosaurus because there's totally space? And will try and get to the fun skeletons and eat them. ((60ft movemeeeent))

[9:50 PM] DM: Sure, I'll let you get there.

[9:51 PM] Seirixori: (( oh uh was that at least 30' in a straight line))

[9:51 PM] DM: Against the one to the north, sure.

[9:53 PM] Seirixori: ((23a, 10d claw, 16a, 19d bite magic ...mouth/hands))

[9:53 PM] DM: It does fail its save and go prone, but it doesn't matter much because then Dinoseir bites its head off and it collapses in a pile of bone.

[9:54 PM] DM: Another skeleton approaches. The hell hound doesn't get its fire breath back, so it bites the dinoseir instead (19a, 7 piercing + 8 fire reduced to 4 for 11 total)

[9:55 PM] Seirixori: (( k, ACis 13 for reminder))

[9:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda tries and fails to catch up, so she casts Healing Word on Ry for 10 hp.

[9:56 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves to the next enemy, swinging Dawnbringer at the skeleton. ((20h, 16d)) Seeing it collapse, she moves to hit the hellhound next. ((17h, 12d))

[9:59 PM] DM: The skeleton falls, then the hell hound does take the damage. Ry then steps through the door to engage with the next skeleton and open a path for the others.

[9:59 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[9:59 PM] DM: You see a hell hound, that you'd have to step forward to hit, a skeleton behind it, and deeper in, a casting wight and a ranged skeleton.

[10:01 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia steps up to the hellhound and decides maybe it's time to rage before smacking at it.

[10:02 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless, 23a , 6 d; 11a, 10 d))

[10:02 PM] DM: The first hits, but the second does not.

[10:03 PM] DM: @Urrak ! You can move through allies to enter the room ahead if you would like to.

[10:04 PM] Urrak: Urrak is gonna charge into the room and attack skeleton 1 ((12,16  18,13))(edited)

[10:04 PM] DM: The first misses, but the second shatters it.

[10:04 PM] DM: The skeleton with the bow fires at Urrak- and misses (13).

[10:05 PM] DM: The hell hound doesn't get its breath back, and tries to bite Ry, but misses (9)

[10:07 PM] DM: The wight steps forward and I need wisdom saves from Urrak, Ry, Bri, and Seir.

[10:07 PM] DM: But you all get +4 for Ry's aura.

[10:07 PM] Urrak: ((11))

[10:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((19))

[10:08 PM] DM: @Brimeia @Seirixori  WIS saves please?

[10:08 PM] Brimeia: ((16+4 from Ry = 20))(edited)

[10:10 PM] Seirixori: ((13 w the +4?))

[10:11 PM] DM: The wight steps forward and before each of you, in front of the wight is a blobby, shapeless form. Except for Urrak. Urrak sees Ancy, blood dripping from her neck, fangs bared, approaching. Urrak is frightened and must take the Dash action away from the wight by safest possible route until she saves at the end of her turn.

[10:11 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[10:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a bite at the closest thing to her. ((14a, 22d))(edited)

[10:13 PM] DM: Her jaws snap shut on air and she and the hell hound growl at each other.

[10:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda steps up behind Seir and takes a moment to assess the field, then she reaches for her holy symbol again and holds it out to the wight. "You do not belong here. Pass on!" A sickening greenish grey aura surrounds the wight.

[10:17 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[10:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Recognizing the greater evil, Ryleigh moves away from the hellhound and the wight.

[10:21 PM] DM: The hellhound takes an attack of opportunity as Ry moves away, but it fails.(edited)

[10:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I am Ryleigh, black knight of Asten. In his name I will triumph over evil!" Ryleigh shouts, swinging Dawnbringer into the wight. ((14h, 12d; 28h, 14d; 11 + 12 smite; +8 for undead))

[10:26 PM] DM: When Dawnbringer's blade comes in contact with Gunnloda's aura, she glows even brighter than she ever has, and with the pulse of Asten's power from Ryleigh's smite flowing through the conduit, a burst of holy power explodes out from the wight, disintegrating it, the skeleton, and the hell hound. (And the invisible imp that had been fleeing.) End initiative.

[10:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak crumples to the floor, clutching her head. Her breathing is heavy, her body shaking. She cowers a moment, the after image of Ancy's vampiric face still floating behind her eyelids. "No no no no no"

[10:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's breathing heavy and her grip on Dawnbringer hasn't loosened. She is only slightly aware of Urrak's mumbling behind her.

[10:33 PM] Urrak: Urrak tries to calm herself down, "Fuckin'...it wasn't real...it wasn't real...gods, fuck this place..." she gets up, still a little shaky, and wipes the tears from her eyes quickly, "Let's...let's keep goin'..."(edited)

[10:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts back to herself, because a giant dino is really inconvenient for looking around, "Well, that was handy..." she mutters and turns back to go search the other two rooms for anything of interest.

[10:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grabs Urrak's arm, dragging her in the direction Seirixori went. "Come on, we shouldn't split up in here."

## Meeting Kola

[10:35 PM] DM: The first room with books has books and items scattered around the floor like the imps were looking for something and dropped anything that didn't catch their interest. As Seir picks up one book that an imp had been holding, there's a noise at the door.

[10:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir whimpers a little and cautiously sticks her head out to look at what made the noise.

[10:37 PM] DM: There's a human in the doorway, gaunt and pale. Her face is near skeletal in appearance. She wears a black cloak that billows dramatically behind her, black leather armor, and she holds a double bladed scimitar. She looks around for a moment with narrowed eyes, her gaze intensifying when she looks in Seir's direction.

[10:39 PM] Seirixori: "Oh fuck," Seir scrambles back and behind one of the bookcases, "There's a creepy ass lady with a really cool sword in the other room!" Seir kind of yell whispers to the rest. "Why do I always run into something after I shift back!?"(edited)

[10:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh runs towards Seirixori, Dawnbringer held tightly in her hand.

[10:40 PM] Urrak: Urrak's head snaps up when she hears Seir's yell, "A what? Shit, Seir!" she rushes towards her, following Ryleigh

[10:40 PM] DM: The woman scoffs. "Creepy."

[10:42 PM] Seirixori: "Yes! Creepy, everything in here is creepy, thank you!" Seir doesn't even knwo why she's repsonding really.

10:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves to stand in front of Seirixori. "Who are you, and what do you want?" Ryleigh asks the newcomer.

[10:43 PM] DM: Woman: "So demanding... you must be Ryleigh."

[10:43 PM] Urrak: "Aye, what she said!" Urrak calls from behind Ryleigh

[10:43 PM] DM: And at Urrak's, she smirks.

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I am," Ryleigh says pointedly, "how do you know that?"

[10:45 PM] DM: The woman starts walking into the room in Seir's direction, stopping when Ryleigh pointedly steps between her and Seir. "Calm yourself, Asten. I'm here at the behest of Betrex."

[10:46 PM] DM: Gunnloda's stance shifts slightly.

[10:46 PM] Seirixori: "Oh..."

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Realization paints Ryleigh's features and she lowers Dawnbringer slightly. Her tone is less aggressive when she asks, "Who are you?"

[10:47 PM] DM: She bows, bringing her sword across her chest, her cloak billowing out behind her again. "I am Kola, Champion of Death."

[10:48 PM] Urrak: "That's not ominous at all..." Urrak mutters

[10:48 PM] Seirixori: "Sorry about the um... creepy comment, but you know..." Seir says like it totally explains everything.

[10:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sheathes Dawnbringer, but her hand remains on her handle. "You were sent by Betrex, what for?"(edited)

[10:52 PM] Urrak: "I'm sorry, yer familiar with someone who's a Champion of DEATH?" Urrak steps forward. "Look here,  Champ, we've jus' been through some crazy shit in this place. Why don't ye just come out an' tell us what the fuck yer doin' here?"(edited)

[10:53 PM] DM: Urrak, roll a WIS save, please.

[10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rolls her eyes at Urrak's outburst.

[10:53 PM] Urrak: ((8))

[10:54 PM] DM: Urrak freezes in place as Kola waves her hand. "Hold your tongue or I will hold it for you. Do not presume to make demands of your betters."

[10:56 PM] DM: She steps up to Urrak, placing one end of her blade under Urrak's chin. "I am the champion of the goddess of death, and unless you'd like to meet her today, perhaps you'd like to reconsider your demands."

[10:56 PM] DM: She then steps away and releases Urrak.

[10:57 PM] DM: As she turns, her cloak billows out behind her.

[10:57 PM] Urrak: "Fuckin'," she shakes her head, "Sonuva--FINE."

[10:54 PM] Seirixori: "Um you guys..." Seir raises her hand a bit, "She's here because in a round about way I asked."

[10:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You asked for her?" Ryleigh says to Seirixori, ignoring the now frozen Urrak.(edited)

[10:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, "Well, not specifically. But I asked for some answers and Takara said she'd ask Betrex... so." Seir motions to Kola.

[10:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh," Ryleigh says, putting the pieces together.

[11:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves over to Urrak and mumbles, "You have no tact."

[11:02 PM] Urrak: " Fuck tact. Everyone's got some kinda godsdamn network of sneaky cloaked fucks t' help 'em out an I'm jus' supposed t' accept it?." Urrak mumbles back as she collects herself behind the group.(edited)

[11:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do you want to talk about what you saw back there?" Ryleigh asks in a hushed tone. "You were saying Ancy's name."

[11:03 PM] Urrak: "No. I don't." Urrak looks into Ryleigh's eyes directly(edited)

[11:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh groans at Urrak's response.

[11:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Turning her back on Urrak, Ryleigh chooses to lean on the wall, watching Gunnloda, Seirixori, and Kola's exchange.

[11:07 PM] Urrak: "Groan all ye want. Jus' keep that name outta yer mouth." She walks a bit further back and puts her hair up with a sigh.

[10:58 PM] DM: Kola walks over to Seir and pulls the book from her hand, taking a glance at the cover, and putting it back on the shelf.

[10:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir just follows the motions and nods again, "Okay... hi?"

[11:00 PM] DM: Kola: "Hmm? Oh, yes. Betrex wanted a closer look but, of course, couldn't do it herself."

[11:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir's brow furrows "Of... me?"

[11:02 PM] DM: She smiles and it almost looks like skin stretched directly over her bones. "No... *her*." and she nods in the opposite direction where everyone else is clumped up.

[11:04 PM] Seirixori: "Right, I knew... that. Sorry. Um... also," Seir's voice raises a little, "Her name is Gunnloda."

[11:06 PM] DM: Kola turns toward Gunnloda, her cloak billowing behind her. Gunnloda frowns but approaches, taking Seir's hand.

[11:09 PM] DM: Kola tilts her head in apology or deference. "Gunnloda. So... what brings you all out here?"

[11:10 PM] Seirixori: "A necklace. Um, and some people that hadn't returned. Which... well, they definitely aren't alive anymore." Seir says, fidgeting a little.

[11:11 PM] DM: Kola raises her chin a bit like she's seeing beyond what the rest of you can. "Death is heavy in the air here. Both death and undeath." She says the latter like even the word tastes disgusting and bitter on her tongue.

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We've been working on cleansing this place of the undead," Ryleigh says with a bitter tone.

[11:13 PM] DM: She spins her sword in a flourish. "Perhaps I can lend some assistance in the matter, then. Betrex abhors the living dead. They should stay put where they belong."

[11:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I agree." Ryleigh smirks.

[11:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods quickly, "I am really not a fan of them," she shivers.

[11:16 PM] Urrak: Urrak mumbles something that sounds like an agreement

[11:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts to reach out to the sword for a moment before she pulls her hand back, "Your sword is really neat." She clears her throat, "Um... so... was-- is it just a looking thing you needed to do or was there something else? I mean aside from maybe helping with the creepy zombies that I want nothing to do with."

[11:20 PM] DM: Kola tilts her head. "I'm here to observe."

[11:23 PM] Seirixori: "Fun," shuffles again, squeezing Gunnloda's hand. "Um, did you guys want to look around before we move on?" Seir asks the others.

[11:25 PM] Urrak: "We've taken a bit o' a beatin'. A short rest would be nice. Ry's lookin' a little roughed up." she walks towards Seir, patting Ryleigh on the shoulder as she passes the paladin.

[11:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rolls her shoulder. "I do need to patch myself up, if we aren't rushed to move on."

[11:29 PM] Seirixori: "I can help a little if you want." Seir says to Ry, feeling bad for not doing so sooner.

[11:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm always open to your help, homashoc," Ryleigh says with a soft smile.

[11:34 PM] DM: Kola suggests not resting in the temple- bad auras- and as you guys take a minute to catch your breath and patch yourselves up, spend hit dice and so on, we're going to call it for the night.

[11:34 PM] Seirixori: ((8 hp from healing word))

## Short Rest: DF and Ry

7:57 PM] DM: So Kola suggested you all leave the temple to grab a bite to eat, patch up your wounds, and sit for a few, but as everyone filed outside, Seir and Ry kept walking to the edge of the forest?

[8:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stops at the edge of the forest, halting Seir by taking her hand. "Hey, it's alright if you don't want to talk about it, but you seemed really disturbed by the undead we fought. I guess, if you don't want to tell me why, tell me that you'll be okay?"

[8:03 PM] DM: Gunnloda sees you both walk away, but finishes setting out rations for lunch before slowly making her way over. Seir notices that Kola's eyes follow her, but she stays at the temporary camp.

[8:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir's quiet for a moment as she watches Kola and waits for Gunnloda, "I-- it's not something I try to remember. It's nice when I forget and it's uh, it's only the more fleshy ones. And the ghosts. Ok so pretty much all of them except the skeletons." she reaches into her pocket and starts fidgeting with the wire puzzle she may not have given back to Ravaphine.

[8:16 PM] Seirixori: "After-- after Mielikki... 'found' me she had the druid clan take me in... it..." Seir sighs, "It didn't take them very long to start playing tricks on me. I... was... they... well I'm pretty sure they only wanted to scare me by putting the dead body of one of the people I knew in my tent while I was sleeping. It just worked really well in their favor that I freaked out and knocked the tent over and got trapped with her-- with her body for-- for a long time before anyone actually let me out." Seir finishes with a whisper and she can't help but feel embarrassed about the situation.

[8:18 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns and mutters something under her breath that neither of you really understand.

[8:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Anger flashes across Ryleigh's features before it's replaced with something softer. "What's wrong with people," she says through a clenched jaw, cupping Seir's cheek and adding, "You have no reason to be embarrassed. That would traumatize most people."

[8:30 PM] Seirixori: "Well, it uh, it happened a few more times after that." She clears her throat and there's a prickle of tears in the corner of her eyes, "They got more ... creative and made it looke like they moved on their own sometimes... They--Oh," she stops and you can see that she has a sudden realization about something. "*She took her gift from them and made them leave*." Seir shakes her head, focusing again. "So... that's... that."

[8:33 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes Seir's hand.

[8:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "They did it more than once?" Ryleigh's tone is dark. "Assholes," she says under her breath. "You didn't deserve that, *homashoc*."

[8:39 PM] DM: "Of course not."

[8:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "I guess next time I'll try and actually bury people instead of leaving them in a shallow hole." She half-jokes like she hadn't intended to say it but it just sort of came out.

[8:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh reaches out to bring Seir's eyes to hers. "Seirixori, you didn't deserve that. I know what it's like to think you deserve terrible things because of... your actions or lack of actions... but they were wrong and you didn't deserve to be hurt like that."

[8:48 PM] Seirixori: "I-- I know... now." Seir gives a small smile, "It was just at a time where it felt like my world was ending and I didn't have the power to stop any of it." She gives Ryleigh a quick hug but quickly takes Gunnloda's hand again like she's afraid of losing the contact for too long.

[8:51 PM] DM: "Hopefully you'll never have t'feel like that again, v'do. We'll do everything we can t'prevent it."

[8:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods along with what Gunnloda says, gripping Dawnbringer's handle and grinding her teeth. "Anyone who treats you like that now will certainly regret it."(edited)

[8:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir lets out a sigh of relief she wasn't aware she was holding onto, "It was definitely the larger reason why I wanted you both to go with me to Limabey originally." Seir laughs, "Also, you're both apparently really good at getting rid of undead. Major bonus."

[8:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Undead don't like divine magic wielders," Ryleigh says with a soft smile, "which reminds me... Gunnloda, your new holy symbol really seems to fit. I wanted to thank you for earlier, you set me up perfectly."

[9:02 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles a bit. "T'be honest, I wasn't expecting to have such... explosive results. The first time, too. I don't think I've ever seen a reaction quite like that."

[9:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir motions with her hand and makes a small explosion sound.

[9:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's smile grows. "I think whatever it is you've changed, it's really working. But I just wanted you to know that I couldn't have done it without you."

[9:09 PM] DM: "This keeps up, I'll let you do all the hard work. 'Course if'n you keep fightin' the way y'were, I'll have to sit back and heal. Y'got a bit... exuberant in there. Reckless.  Ain't really like you."

[9:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's smile drops a bit and she runs her hand through her hair nervously.(edited)

[9:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, "I wanted to ask but then I was more focused on trying to not freak out so much."

[9:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I," Ryleigh starts, gripping Dawnbringer's handle, "this temple is filled with evil, with darkness. It's my duty as a Paladin of Asten to bring light to the darkness and banish evil from this world."

[9:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir raises an eyebrow at Ryleigh and with a small smile says, "Yes, I'm pretty sure I can find that on a recruiting flyer if I felt like finding one."

[9:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Asten gave me the power I need to help the people of Asc- Vyon," Ryleigh says, standing a little taller she continues, "and in return, I have become his vengeance."

[9:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and says softly, "Ryleigh, you don't have to tell us-- or me-- but I'd rather you just say that instead of," she waves her hand at Ry, "this. But you know," She shrugs, "We can help more if we know what it is. I think that's been proven a few times."

[9:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's hand loosens on Dawnbringer's handle. "It's not..." she runs her hand through her hair again, "I like it - destroying evil - maybe too much. It makes me feel like I'm making a difference, like I have power over something in this world. I know I was neglectful of my personal health, that I got carried away. I'm sorry, for worrying you."

[9:40 PM] Seirixori: "It's uh, why I got closer. You-- as long as I'm shifted I can take a little more heat than you can, and I was worried." Seir gives Ryleigh another hug longer than the first. "I'm--" Seir stops herself with a wince, like the words she wanted to say were not exactly helpful. "At least we can try pulling you back a little if it happens again."

[9:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I just want make sure I'm worthy," Ryleigh mumbles into Seirixori's hug, "I'm sorry, *homashoc*."(edited)

[9:43 PM] DM: "S'pose I'll have m'hands full with the two o'you."(edited)

[9:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She lets out a muffled laugh at Gunnloda's comment. "Thank you, both of you... for having my back."

[9:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins at Gunnloda, like she wants to make a joke but addresses Ryleigh instead, "Worthy of what?"

[9:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Of Asten's power," Ryleigh says, like its the most obvious thing ever.

[9:55 PM] DM: "Hasn't he already found you worthy of it? And Dawnbringer's found you worthy of wielding her. I-- I'm probably not the best person t'lecture you on not needin' to prove yourself t'the gods, but... don't kill yourself t'do it."

[9:57 PM] Seirixori: "Kind of useless to a god if you're dead, really."

[9:59 PM] DM: "Not really, but that's not the point," Gunnloda chuckles.

[10:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She swallows and grips Dawnbringer's handle. "Asten has already found me worthy, that's why he gave me power. I just want to always be worthy..." Ryleigh looks down at Dawnbringer, then back to Gunnloda and Seirixori "...without his power, I couldn't begin to right the wrongs of the world. I'll do better when we go back, I can't afford to die yet." She smiles slightly.

[10:04 PM] DM: "I'll try not t'let you. My wife would never forgive me," Gunnloda grins with a wink to Seir.

[10:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs, "Yes, I'd prefer to not have to run into that problem until you get old and wrinkly."

[10:08 PM] DM: "About twenty years then? Humans do not age gracefully."

[10:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Watch it, Gunnloda," Ryleigh says playfully. "We all already know what I'll look like in 20 years - I won't have that many wrinkles, nor will I be old at 40."

[10:10 PM] DM: She laughs. "But you won't look like this at 85 either."

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rolls her eyes and shakes her head at Gunnloda's comment.

[10:11 PM] Seirixori: "But I bet you'll still be a *na'auiy noaroaca*."

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Are you ever going to tell me what that means?" Ryleigh asks.

[10:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir snickers, "Maybe when you're older." Then she starts laughing a little harder at her own reused joke.

[10:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda laughs too and wipes a tear from her eye.

[10:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls Seirixori into a hug. "You're ridiculous sometimes."

[10:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins with all her pointy teeth, "You're just too serious."

[10:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Maybe," Ryleigh says seriously, smiling as she lets Seirixori go.

[10:26 PM] DM: Gunnloda glances back at camp, about to say something about getting food before it's all gone, but she catches sight of Kola, still looking in her direction. "Should I be worried about that one?"

[10:30 PM] Seirixori: "She creeps me out," Seir whispers.

[10:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs. "I think she's just interested on behalf of her god."

[10:31 PM] Seirixori: "I'm sorry I didn't mention it, though. I just thought I'd go back to Takara later and see if she found anything out. I didn't know they'd send anyone."

[10:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I think she's supposed to - champion of death and all."

[10:32 PM] DM: "What exactly is she looking for? Do y'know?"

[10:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Probably the same thing we're all looking for... answers. You're unique, it makes you particularly interesting."

[10:37 PM] Seirixori: "I'm starting to not like that word. Interesting," Seir scoffs, "What does that mean?"

[10:37 PM] Seirixori: She shakes her head, "I don't think they even know what they're looking for. But I guess we also know why that asshole in that arena didn't talk to you and wanted us to tell him what was special about you." she snickers, "He was so annoyed."

[10:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I didn't know he was god... looking back now, I'm surprised he let me live - I wasn't exactly tactful when he asked me about Gunnloda. I didn't know anything and I told him as much, then demanded to know where Dawnbringer was." Ryleigh chuckles lightly.

[10:42 PM] Seirixori: "It's probably a good thing I didn't attack him like I wanted to," Seir mutters. "... is it bad that I only want to go back because now I want to ask which mother he was talking about? ...That's still weird."

[10:43 PM] DM: "We may just have t'accept that weird is our new normal."

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh points to Gunnloda with a nod. "Yes, I think so too."

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We just need to keep our guard up... not that this is anything new, but while I appreciate her help, I certainly don't trust her."

[10:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and then bites her lip, "Um, this is sort of on topic and not, but do you think we'll be done with whatever else is in the temple today?"

[10:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm not sure. It depends on what else is inside, then there's the 2 day trip home," Ryleigh rambles off. "Why do you ask?"

[10:59 PM] Seirixori: "I... I just need a little time tomorrow to-to myself, if that's okay." She squeezes Gunnloda's hand, like she's exempt from the alone part. "It's-- I'm--" She takes a deep breath and let's it out slowly, "My mother went missing and the others were all killed four years ago tomorrow and I just need some time."

[11:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda lifts Seir's hand and presses a kiss to her knuckles. "Would y'like to have some sort of... ceremony or somethin', darlin'? Even somethin' small? Or just time t' mourn?"(edited)

[11:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brows furrow in concern. "Even if we're not done today, you can always take the time you need. I'd love to say we'd manage without you two but that'd be a lie."

[11:08 PM] Seirixori: "I usually just..." Seir laughs a little, "It's probably the most religious thing I do, to be honest. But I-- I have a small box of-of their things back in Limabey that I use to do a little ceremony of my own, I guess. So a little bit of both really."

[11:10 PM] DM: "I'll be there for you as much as I can," she glances up at Ryleigh for a second, "and I'm sure Ryleigh will be there for the parts I shouldn't be."

[11:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Whatever you need, even if its to be left alone," Ryleigh says, laying her hand on Seir's shoulder, "You should have said something sooner, Seirixori. This could have all waited."

[11:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "I wasn't sure I wanted to do anything. I'm used to being there and then I was kind of hoping I'd be too busy, but--" she motions to the temple, "Undead."

[11:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Right." Ryleigh shuffles uncertainly. "I'll try to get out of here by tonight, okay?"

[11:22 PM] Seirixori: "It's okay if we don't, honest. I don't want anything to happen because we were trying to rush, but thank you."

[11:23 PM] DM: "C'mon. Let's go eat. Sooner started, sooner finished."

[11:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods, then says, "Thanks you two," before heading back to where the others are.

## Short Rest: Urryleigh

9:57 PM] DM: Everyone filed out of the temple at Kola's suggestion. Seir and Ry continued walking to the edge of the forest while everyone else gathered on a small hill that stuck out just above the fog. Gunnloda set out food, then joined Seir and Ry and Kola silently sat, watching Gunnloda. After some time and discussion between the three of them, followed by some laughter, Ryleigh returned to the temporary camp.(edited)

[10:05 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks up from the flames of the camp fire when the others return, the laughter taking her out of her thoughts. She takes her waterskin from her pack, takes a large gulp, and wipes the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

[10:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks over to Urrak and sits next to her in a reclined sort of way. "How are you doing?"

[10:09 PM] Urrak: Urrak folds her body so that her elbows are resting on her knees. After a few tense moments, she mumbles a "Fine." into the leather of her bracers.(edited)

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Hesitantly, Ryleigh reaches out and rubs Urrak's shoulder. "It's okay if you're not fine. We can talk about it."

[10:15 PM] Urrak: Urrak takes a breath and let's it out slowly. "Fuckin' ghosts..." She rubs her forehead on her crossed arms and looks over to Ry, "I...I saw Ancy. That thing, it--that fuckin' thing..."(edited)

[10:20 PM] Urrak: She buries her face in her arms, "I shouldn't be here."

[10:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Where should you be?" Ryleigh asks, rubbing Urrak's shoulder.

[10:25 PM] Urrak: "Half way across the world. Alderrath. Doing what I should've fuckin' done if I hadn't been so... So fuckin' selfish."

[10:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You mean going after Ancy?" Ryleigh is silent for several seconds. "That's suicide, Urrak. I'm sure that's not what Ancy would want."

[10:35 PM] Urrak: "Who knows what she'd want! She never even told me where she was from. What her family was like, where the fuck she was goin'. I never knew her... Couldn't see past th' tip o' my fuckin' nose. An' even with all that...I can't just forget her . She--" Urrak runs her hands through her hair in frustration. "Mal thinks she's gone, eaten, drained. The Gray don't take many prisoners I s'pose. But... What if she isn't? What if she's--" she tries to stop herself from crying, wiping a stray tear from her face with the heel of her hand. "What if it's a fate worse than that?"

[10:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Ancy loved you. We know that she left because of the Gray... she left because she was worried to drag you into whatever she got mixed up in." Ryleigh sighs heavily, and when she speaks the next bit, she looks into the fire "...she kept secrets from you to protect you, and maybe to protect herself too." She looks back to Urrak. "She did what she thought was the right thing. You would have died if you had gone after her. Vampires... they're something we wouldn't have stood a chance against, but we're getting there."

[10:47 PM] Urrak: "I saw her, Ry. Blood drippin' from her neck, her mouth...fangs... And it's my fault. All o' it."

[10:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sorry but you're going to have to explain that to me," Ryleigh says disbelievingly. "What did you do to make her leave?"

[10:57 PM] Urrak: "I couldn't keep her safe, Ry. Couldn't... Get close enough t' her that she'd let me in. Tell me what was goin' on. Who was after her. I pressured her int'a marryin' me, even though I knew she'd have t' watch me wither away an' die. I was too selfish. I wanted her near me, always." She swallows hard. "It put her in danger."

[11:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "From what I've gathered, Ancy needs your protection as much as Malica does," Ryleigh mumbles. "She put herself in danger, Urrak... if it had anything to do with you, the Gray would be coming after you too. You're beating yourself up over this, but Ancy's choices did this... not yours."

[11:15 PM] Urrak: "An'what does that say about me?" She chuckles darkly and shifts her legs so she's sitting cross-legged.  "Ancy's choices affect me too. Even if she never really wanted t' be, she's my wife. Contrary t' popular belief, I do remember that I married someone. An' from that commitment, comes responsibility. It's what she'd do fer me...I hope. She picks at some gravel to the right of her, "I'm jus' weak. Always have been. That's what makes this so frustratin'. That's why she's the first thing I see when I sleep at night. The first thing in my mind when I wake up. I stare my failure in th' face Every. Day. "

[11:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I still don't see how her decision to leave makes you a failure. And just because she doesn't need your protection doesn't mean you're weak. Rukiya doesn't need my protection and that doesn't make me weak."

[11:26 PM] Urrak: "Ain't just that," she sniffs, "I failed t' find out who she really was under all her secrets. Failed t' look past my own hurt t' find her.  Failed t' keep myself--" she looks away, the tips of her ears turning a light pink, "uninvolved. My strength is th' only thing I have, an' even that only matters outside th' Stronghold. A full blood could kill me with one hand..." She shakes her head, "A-anyway, I know it doesn't make much sense t' ye, but...I dunno..." She drags her hands down her face and sighs. "Fuckin ghosts...."

[11:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It doesn't have to make sense to me, Urrak... but there's no point in beating yourself up over this. If you had gone after her when we were using Poni's portal you would have died and if she's still alive, what good would you be to her dead." Ryleigh awkwardly runs her hand through her hair. "I don't understand your choices with Malica, but of course I don't. Regardless, Ancy leaving isn't your weakness... it was hers. It wasn't right of her to make that decision without you. I would have been upset too if it were me."

[11:44 PM] Urrak: "I've never been so outta whack. Fer seven years I figured I had everything worked out. I planned my whole future around her," she snorts rather ungracefully as a few tears spill from her eyes, "I hate what that's made me. Impulsive, wreckless... Angry. Just so godsdamn angry at folks what don't deserve it most o' th' time. I tell myself it's jus' th' green half o' me...but I know who I was before this. Before th' anger, th' drinkin'. I wasn't this sick. This unstable. Can ye fault me fer wantin' just a bit o' comfort? A bit o' consistency?"(edited)

[11:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "That isn't how I meant it, Urrak." Ryleigh sighs, standing as she says, "Maybe you should learn to be yourself, to live your life without it being oriented around another woman," before walking away.(edited)

[12:01 AM] Urrak: Urrak curls into herself again as Ryleigh walks away. As she loses sight of the paladin, she turns her eyes back to the fire, "Yeah..." She says quietly, "Easy fer you t' say..."

## Short Rest: Kola and Ry

12:18 PM] DM: As everyone finishes up their rest and snacks...

[12:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Noticing Kola's sight hasn't really left Gunnloda, Ryleigh asks, "Kola, could I have a word - alone - with you before we head into the temple?"

[12:27 PM] DM: Kola tilts her head, looking at Ry for a moment, then smirks. "If it will make you feel better."

[12:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shakes her head in an exasperated way and leads them away from the others before saying, "I know Betrex sent you, perhaps on request from Takara. But the dwarf, she's very important to Seirixori, and I want to know what your intentions are here."(edited)

[12:32 PM] DM: Kola: "I already said I was here to observe."

[12:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes, I know," Ryleigh says, her brow furrowing, "but what is it about her that you're observing? What does Betrex want to know."

[12:40 PM] DM: She looks at Ryleigh for a few seconds. "Betrex does not share freely. I am unaware of what exactly she wishes to know. I am simply to watch and report back with anything that catches my attention. Perhaps she simply wants to know if this story of a dwarf she cannot see is true."

[12:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I assume the gods rarely share," Ryleigh comments, her hand gripping Dawnbringer's handle. "Have you ever heard of such a thing? Someone the gods couldn't see."

[12:43 PM] DM: "No."

[12:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs. "I was hoping the goddess of death would have more answers than the ones Takara had, or the clerics at the Asten temple."

[12:46 PM] DM: She tilts her head again, like she's trying to read something between the lines of what Ryleigh's saying. "Have you learned anything so far? Or witnessed anything strange?"

[12:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh studies Kola before answering, "You mean more strange than the gods not being able to see her?"

[12:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Choosing her next words wisely, Ryleigh says, "She recently created her own holy symbol and it's far more powerful than the one she used to have with the Host."

[12:54 PM] DM: Kola's eyebrows twitch upwards slightly. "Is that so? Her own symbol... I'd say that qualifies as strange, wouldn't you?"

[12:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I've never heard of such a thing, but as a paladin, my religious studies weren't as extensive as a clerics or even an acolytes," Ryleigh admits.

[12:59 PM] DM: "Just to clarify, you mean a symbol of her own design, not simply a symbol to a god she blessed herself?"

[1:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes, I mean one of her own design. You're eyes haven't left her for long since you arrived, are you telling me you haven't noticed her symbol is not of the gods? Or at least the gods of this land."

[1:04 PM] DM: She frowns. "If I do not recognize a symbol, how would I recognize it as holy, or even important?"

[1:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow, almost like she was fishing for how much information Kola knew, before saying, "She's a cleric, wielding divine magic, she'd need a holy symbol to do so."

[1:19 PM] DM: "I am aware that she is, or was, a cleric, that she uses divine magic. A holy symbol is useful, not required, and can be pocketed, kept in a bag, sewn into one's clothing, or any number of other less visible locations. Dwarves tend to have family crests they carry on their person. Surely you understand the difficulty of trying to solve a puzzle with only a handful of pieces."

[1:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Smiling apologetically, Ryleigh shrugs. "Of course. Again, my religious studies are limited, I apologize for the assumption."

[1:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I am... invested... in Seirixori's happiness," Ryleigh says, her gaze leaving Kola and looking in the direction of Seirixori, "And while I'm perfectly aware of my limitations, if you were to use the information you gain here for nefarious reasons... I will find you, and at minimum, leave you with a nasty scar to remember me by."

[1:33 PM] DM: She narrows her eyes at Ryleigh, but she smirks. "Nefarious reasons? What exactly do you think I'd find that could be used for such? Are you, or she, hiding something?"

[1:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh returns the smirk. "Heed my warning, Kola. Not all of us are like the half-orc."

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