Session 121

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7:03 PM] DM: It's about mid-afternoon on the 18th of Ropamont 3Y20... if you were still in Vyon, anyway, but you're not. You're in Ardabeh! In the ancient, lost city of Murias, to be exact. Everything is covered in or made of crystals and some of you (Ry, Seir, and Urrak) have bits and pieces of those crystals in your eyes and exposed skin.

Seir is in giant eagle form flying towards the massive oak tree that seems to be tilting at a dangerous angle, but has not yet become crystallized.

Ryleigh has apparently forgotten almost everything, and, as you all follow Seir, you can see her moving her arms like she's talking, but she's not moving her mouth or making noise.

5:55 PM] DM: As the party walks towards the massive tree, Ryleigh hears a voice in her head. *"Ryleigh... the damage you sustained from the crystal beasts has somehow altered your memory. The change is... substantial, but also haphazard."*

[6:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's step falters as the voice speaks. *"W-who are you? And... how do you know my name? What do you mean the crystal beasts have altered my memory..."* her thoughts trail off as she attempts to think back, trying to remember anything other than her name and her god. She can't. *"Asten, you're right. I-I don't remember... anything."*

[6:02 PM] DM: Dawnbringer: *"My name is Dawnbringer. I am the sword at your side, and I can read your thoughts. It is strange that you can remember that you are a paladin of Asten and how to channel divine energy through me, but not your companions, myself included."*

[6:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stops walking and looks at the sword on her side with wide eyes.  She quickly falls into step again as the others continue to walk. *"Whoa, my sword can talk. I-I mean - YOU can talk. That's so neat!"* Ryleigh says excitedly in her head, but outwardly she move her hands around like she's speaking to the sword at her side.

[6:09 PM] DM: Dawnbringer: *"I can. I have also been at your side and in your head, nearly uninterrupted for the last few months. If I can help you to remember anything, I will do what I can to assist you."* There's a slight pause, then Ry can hear just a hint of humor in her voice as she says, *"For example, Brimeia and Gayle switched their names when re-introducing themselves to you."*

[6:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: *"Did they?"* Ryleigh's inner voice sounds oddly humored. *"Do you know why I'm traveling with these people? They're a strange bunch."*

[6:14 PM] DM: *"You are part of a mercenary company called Dawnguard. These are your guildmates."*

[6:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks around the group again, this time slowly, her eyes lingering on each of them for an uncomfortable amount of time - if any of them were paying attention to her. *"I see...."* she thinks. *"Do you know why we're here? Or why everything is crystallized?"*

[6:19 PM] DM: "*You've come to help Seiri-- Fury. She is a dear friend of yours and she has decided that the famine caused by these crystals is something your group can help fix. We have not discovered the cause of the crystals yet."*

[6:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: *"Fury and I are close?"* Ryleigh asks. *"She... I mean... She doesn't seem to like me very much..."*

[6:25 PM] DM: Dawnbringer doesn't breathe, but if she did, she'd probably sigh. *"I cannot read the minds of the others without touching them, so I cannot say if she is also being affected by the crystals, but she does have a lot of anger that seems to run from deep pain. That said, she is not usually short with you."*

[6:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh feels a pang of sadness at the news. She probably has a few wandering thoughts about what she may have done to upset Fury, or if Fury is also being affected by the crystals. Eventually, she reminds herself that Dawnbringer can hear everything going through her head. *"Oh... uh, sorry,"* she apologizes. *"You wouldn't happen to know how to fix my memory... would you?"*

[6:31 PM] DM: *"I don't. Hopefully with time, though restorative magic may help. I can be used to cast the lesser version of the spell, which may help, but I can only do so once. The greater version is beyond my reach, but the dwarf you travel with, Gunnloda, is a divine caster and may be able to access it."*

[6:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: *"Oh,"* Ryleigh thinks, biting her lip in thought. *"I'll have to ask her about it."* She then tries Dawnbringer's lesser restoration, saying the phrase out loud.

[7:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh withdraws Dawnbringer and holds her in front of her face like she's inspecting the guard. She presses a single finger to Dawnbringer's blade and speaks a magical phrase.

[7:04 PM] DM: A bit of Dawnbringer's light travels across Ryleigh's skin from her finger throughout the rest of her, then dissipates.

[7:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's teeth grit, like she's experiencing mild pain.

[7:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir flies over to the gnome and lands about 15 feet away from him, tilting her head as she studies him.

[7:08 PM] Urrak: Urrak watches Seir fly around and land. She turns to Ryleigh, "Y'know, she had that hat specially made t' understand her when she's an animal. " She makes a face, somewhere between a smile and wince, hoping that Ryleigh doesn't think she's entirely insane.

[7:08 PM] DM: Urrak can see that the crystals are no longer embedded in Ry's skin.

[7:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes," Ryleigh says to Urrak. "I know how the hat works, but... thank you. I also know I've forgotten a lot of things."

7:10 PM] DM: The gnome is very old and sitting on a raised bit of earth that's clear of the crystals. In fact, the whole area around the tree in a 15-20' radius is just dirt and stone, no crystals. He seems to be talking to himself in Druidic. *"Yes, yes, of course................... Shh now, they're coming. I'll be sure to ask.......... Yes."*

[7:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes a few bird noises and walks forward, shifting back to herself as she does, her head still tilted to the side, *"Hello?"* She says in Druidic as well.

[7:12 PM] DM: He looks at her, squinting like he can't quite see her. *"Who are you? Who sent you? What do you want?"*

[7:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh comes walking up behind Seir, her hands behind her head. She just listens.

[7:14 PM] Seirixori: *"...My name is Seirixori and I'm..."* She frowns, clearly debating on what she will say. *"No one sent me. I came because this is spreading outside the barrier."*

[7:17 PM] DM: The gnome bursts into laughter, so much so that he tips over and falls off the slightly raised platform of earth and rolls on the ground for a moment, trying to catch his breath. He wipes his eyes. *"The barrier?  THE BARRIER! How did you get through the barrier?"* He sits up.

[7:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves like she's going to help him but she stops herself just before she gets to him, *"Mielikki's champion asked her to bring it down for me."*

[7:19 PM] DM: *"For YOU?!"* He laughs again, then turns his head to the side. *"Do you think she's working for them? I can't tell."* He peers at Seir from the corner of his squinting eyes. *"She's very tall and pointy."*

[7:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, *"Yes, for me."* She pulls away her armor slightly to show the mark.

[7:22 PM] DM: He recoils, covering his eyes as she starts to pull at her collar. *"Ack! Keep your clothes on, woman!"*

[7:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's head moves back and forth as the two speak. She looks mildly interested.

[7:23 PM] DM: Gnome: *"I don't know what kind of charms They gave you but THEY WON'T WORK ON ME! No siree. Or woman-ee."*

[7:24 PM] DM: *"Ma'am-ee? MAMMARY!"* He starts laughing uncontrollably again.

[7:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "He's loony," Ryleigh says simply, staring at the gnome with a humored smile.

[7:25 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks on while Seirixori and the old gnome talk with a bemused expression.

[7:27 PM] Seirixori: Seir throws up her arms in frustration, *"Listen you... Gnome, I'm Mielikki's fucking kid alright? Will you just please tell me how I can fix all this?"*

[7:29 PM] DM: He bursts into laughter again. *"Her KID! Oops. Think I peed a little that time. HAHAHAHAHAHA!"* He catches his breath, laying on his back and looking up at the tree. *"If I knew how to fix it, I'd've done it, MJ."*

[7:29 PM] DM: Everyone give me a DEX save. Everyone gets Ry's +4 bonus.

[7:30 PM] Seirixori: ((11))

[7:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((17))

[7:30 PM] DM: Gunnloda: 13

[7:32 PM] DM: @Brimeia @Urrak @Gayle Silbando

[7:33 PM] Urrak: ((plz roll for me))

[7:33 PM] DM: Urrak 23

[7:34 PM] DM: Gayle 17

[7:36 PM] Brimeia: (11))

[7:37 PM] DM: The ground shudders beneath you and the leaves and branches of the tree shake as the entire trunk sinks a little deeper into the ground at the extreme angle.

The gnome bursts into more laughter. *"The tree's gonna fall soon. Then we'll all be DOOOOOOMED! HAHAHAHAHA!"*

[7:39 PM] Urrak: "Ok this guy is freakin' me out now." Urrak whispers to Gayle

[7:39 PM] Seirixori: After steading herself Seir sighs again, *"MJ?"* Seir looks at him and rubs at her temples. *"Do you know where it started? And who is Them?*

[7:40 PM] DM: When he catches his breath again, he casts Stone Shape to adjust some of the pieces of stone and dirt that you can now see are pressed against the tree like he's trying to hold it up. Many of them are cracked from the pressure.

[7:40 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle slowly nods at Urrak. “I don’t like this,” she whispers back.

[7:42 PM] Brimeia: "That tree there doesn't look like it's doing so hot."

[7:42 PM] DM: He glances around at everyone. *"I don't know, can I trust them? They might be working for You Know Who............... Oh! That's a good idea!"* He turns back to Seir. *"I have a job for you, MJ. If you really are Mielikki Junior. The Tree is falling because the ground is being EATEN UP! HAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't get into the center because the door is locked! HAHAHA! And I don't want to make a hole because then... THE TREE WOULD FALL AND WE'D ALL BE DOOOOOOOMED! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"*

[7:43 PM] Seirixori: *"Don't call me that."* She grumbles. *"Eaten by what?"*

[7:44 PM] DM: He shrugs and starts laughing again. *"I DUNNO!"*

[7:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes, *"Where is the door?"*

[7:46 PM] DM: *"Used to be across the bridge and over the canal on the other side of the entrance to the garden but... I haven't left the tree in a looooooong time in case something HAPPENS TO IT. Did you know there are CREATURES in here that look like THAT and EXPLODE? AND THEY AREN'T REAL BEASTS! I CAN'T TALK TO THEM! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"*

[7:47 PM] DM: *"There was a mine under the Center. Maybe can find a way through there back to under here."*

[7:48 PM] DM: *"Bron says don't get eaten by a grue. HAHAHA!"*

[7:49 PM] Seirixori: *"...yes, we have found that out. Tends to sting."* Seir starts to rub at her face but hisses and winces when she does. *"I don't know where the Center is and I don't know what a grue is... will you tell me what You Know Who's name is?"*

[7:49 PM] DM: He chuckles again, then holds his hand out for Seir to help him up.

[7:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir grumbles to herself and reaches for him to help him.

[7:51 PM] DM: Once he's back on his feet, Seir feels a pulse of magic go through her, similar to Gunnloda's Warding Bond, but more.... minty. There's a feeling of discomfort as the crystals push their way back out of her skin, but then she's unaffected by them.

[7:52 PM] DM: *"You KNOW who it is."* He glances back at the others and puts his finger to his nose.

[7:52 PM] Brimeia: *"Uh, why is he looking at us like that, Seirixori?"*

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: She blinks as her sight goes back to not so many colors and the pain fades, *"...thanks."*

[7:54 PM] Urrak: "I have no idea what's happenin' right now...."

[7:55 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Can Gayle make a perception check to see if there is anything she can see around the tree that’s out of the ordinary?))

7:55 PM] DM: The gnome looks at Urrak. "Well that's cause I'm not talkin' to you, isn't it?"

[7:55 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Also how far away are from the tree))

[7:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir chuckles.

[7:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh laughs.

[7:55 PM] Urrak: Urrak opens her mouth to reply but stops. "Fair."

[7:56 PM] DM: You're probably 30-40' from it. It's clear of crystals and tilted at an angle you know isn't natural. The ground looks a bit unstable like it could break, but there's nothing else TO see in the area.

[7:56 PM] Seirixori: "Will you tell me when we stop whatever is eating the tree?" She asks him in common.

[7:57 PM] DM: "I don't think it's eating the TREE. It's not in pain, just scared. I think it's eating the GROUND."

[7:58 PM] Seirixori: "The tree, the ground, whatever."

[7:59 PM] DM: "Guess I can yell real loud. If I figure out it worked. Maybe Bron can tell me! HAHAHA!"

[7:59 PM] Brimeia: "Something's eating the ground? Huh. That's interesting. Any ideas where we can start looking?"

[7:59 PM] DM: He looks up at the sky and turns around a couple times, then points in a direction to the east. "The center's THAT WAY."

[8:00 PM] Urrak: "He's a nutter..." Urrak mumbles into her hand as she rubs her face, "Ow fuck."

[8:01 PM] Seirixori: "Who is Bron? ... Or do I not get to know that either?"

[8:01 PM] DM: He gestures to the space next to him with his thumb. "He is."

[8:03 PM] Brimeia: Bri glances sideways at the man then to Seir and the others, as if to check if they don't see anything there either.

[8:04 PM] Gayle Silbando: "He...who?"

[8:06 PM] DM: "Bron." He looks back at Seir. "Don't trust that one. She might be compromised."

[8:07 PM] Seirixori: "... sure, okay." Seir looks behind her at everyone, her eyes quickly skimming Ryleigh's no longer crystal form. "We'll be back once we fix this." She motions for everyone to start moving, towards the direction the gnome pointed.

[8:09 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks to Seir and back at the group before shrugging. "Alright then, onward..."

[8:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh follows close behind Seir. After a moment she says, "I used Dawnbringer's lesser restoration to heal myself of the crystals... I assume that's what he used on you?"

[8:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir glances behind her briefly and her reply is a little harsh, "Most likely." She's quiet for a moment, "Just the crystals?"

[8:13 PM] DM: Seir leads you back to the southwest and around the way you came. The crystalline bodies of the creatures who you killed have apparently crumbled further until they're just more crystals covering the ground of the area.

[8:13 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Something tells me that crystal exposure didn't make him act that way," Gayle laughs.

[8:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Did he even say what his name was?"

[8:14 PM] Seirixori: "He's probably been here for a very long time. By himself."

[8:14 PM] Brimeia: "Inside this barrier, huh?"

[8:15 PM] Seirixori: She shrugs and rolls her eyes, "Didn't ask. He probably wouldn't have told me anyway."

[8:15 PM] Urrak: "Let's just hope he kept th' marbles that matter."

[8:15 PM] Brimeia: "He seemed... like an odd guy."

[8:15 PM] Brimeia: "Did he have any ideas about how to fix... whatever it is that's... eating the ground I guess?"

[8:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's about to answer Seir, but then Gayle speaks. She waits... the finally says, "Yeah." She gets a troubled look on her face. "Dawnbringer mentioned that I'm not right... it seems that I've forgotten most things. She thinks it has something to do with the crystal beasts we're encountering." Ryleigh's quiet for a moment then adds, "She also said you're not usually this short with me, and that we're close... did I do something wrong?"

[8:20 PM] Seirixori: Her shoulders tense, "We can talk about it later."

[8:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay," Ryleigh answers. She drops the subject and falls back a step or two behind Seirixori.

Gayle Silbando: "You didn't do anything wrong. We'll figure this out," she says softly to Ry when she comes back to the others.

[8:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir then looks at Brimeia to answer her, "There's a door at the Center that's locked. That we might be able to get through to get underground and make our way back towards the tree to find out."

[8:22 PM] Brimeia: "The center of... what?" Bri asks Seir

[8:22 PM] Urrak: "Ye two are cured now? Completely?" Urrak tries to blink away some colors. "Of th' crystals?"

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: "I don't know, that's just what he called it."

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: She is very much ignoring Urrak's question.

[8:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yup," Ryleigh says, her hands going to the back of her head. She turns around to face Urrak, walking backwards as she does. "Just need a lesser restoration spell and poof - the crystals are gone."

[8:27 PM] Urrak: "Great, ye got another one o' those in that sword o' yours?"

[8:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Nope," Ryleigh pops the 'p' as she answers Urrak.

[8:23 PM] DM: You pass through the first chamber back to the bridge over the dry canal with the metallic fins attached to the rod underneath it.

Does anyone read Gnome?

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: ((of course not))

[8:23 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((not I))

[8:24 PM] DM: There's a building across the bridge in stone and bronze that looks... relatively whole. There's spots where the crystals have pressed against it with maybe some crunching of walls involved, but it's not demolished like many of the smaller buildings were. There's a sign over the entry that none of you can read.

[8:27 PM] Her eyes gaze towards the sign and she kind of tilts her head. "Kind of wish I paid more attention in school."

[8:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir goes over to Gunnloda and whispers, "You wouldn't happen to be able to read any of this, would you?"

[8:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I wonder if I went to school," Ryleigh says, her face thoughtful.

8:29 PM] DM: Gunnloda shakes her head.

[8:31 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts looking for a door.

[8:31 PM] DM: There's a door right at the front. It's a bronze double door about 6' tall and each side about 3' across.

[8:32 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks up to it to see about opening it.

[8:33 PM] DM: There's handles on both doors, both set about 2' above the floor.

[8:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh leans around Seir to look at the door. "People here are short."

[8:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: "If any more of those unicorns show up again..." Gayle eyes bounce around the door, scanning for any traps.

[8:37 PM] Seirixori: "Gnomes are short."

[8:38 PM] DM: Investigation check, Gayle.

[8:38 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((12))

[8:40 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((are there crystals on the door or handle?))

[8:40 PM] DM: Nope.

[8:41 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Looks safe enough, let's head through."

[8:41 PM] Seirixori: ((oo are the crystals on any of the metal?))

[8:42 PM] DM: Not that you can see.

[8:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir studies the entrance for a few seconds longer then bends down to try the handles of the door.

[8:43 PM] DM: The handles turn.

[8:44 PM] DM: The doors swing open casting light into the otherwise dark room.

[8:45 PM] DM: Inside is a weird amalgam of stone and metal along the floor.

[8:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh withdraws Dawnbringer. "I have a light," she says proudly.

[8:45 PM] Brimeia: "Well, here goes nothing. Hope we can figure something out. And soon."

[8:45 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia chuckles. "Seeing you like this is kinda fun, Ryleigh."

[8:46 PM] Seirixori: "You always have light." Seir grumbles with a frown, and it deepens at Brimeia's comment.

[8:46 PM] Urrak: "Fun is an interestin' way t' put it," Urrak looks around the room.

[8:47 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((any crystals around?))

[8:48 PM] DM: As you step inside, you can get a better look at the room (and a map change). There's another double set of doors to the right and a single door that's only about 4 feet tall on the opposite wall. The floor has several large gears set into it, but as you step in, they're not ON the floor, but maybe set into or under it. The floor is smooth despite the gears.

[8:49 PM] DM: The room is dark other than the sunlight from the door and Dawnbringer, and it doesn't look like there's any crystals inside or they'd be lighting up the room in colorful hues.

[8:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh doesn't answer Bri or Urrak, she just shrugs and walks inside.

[8:50 PM] Seirixori: "I wonder if the crystals only take over living things." Seir ponders, as she walks over to the double set of doors to try them.

[8:50 PM] DM: These doors don't have handles.

[8:51 PM] Seirixori: She frowns and pushes on them.

[8:51 PM] DM: They don't move.

[8:51 PM] Seirixori: "Someone try the other door."

[8:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh does.

[8:52 PM] DM: The door opens. Inside is more stone and bronze, a smaller room beyond the short door.

[8:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "This one opens," Ryleigh calls back as she ducks into the room.

[8:53 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia follows, holding onto her axe as she does so, just in case.

## Back Room

[8:54 PM] DM: The back room has two metallic tables covered in clutter and three archways set into the north wall. One is filled with a wall of thorns, another with bronze plates riveted into a sort of door/wall.

[8:55 PM] DM: The third archway is open though, and inside are several more shelves filled with various trinkets and clutters.

[8:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks over the thorn archway and pokes it with Dawnbringer.

[8:56 PM] DM: Nothing happens.

8:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Shrugging at the thorn wall, Ryleigh moves to the open archway, looking around at the various things.

[9:00 PM] Brimeia: "What if we just... hack our way through the thorny stuff?"

[9:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do you have magic? Maybe fire could get through it."

[9:00 PM] Seirixori: (( can seir hear any of this))

[9:01 PM] DM: Probably not.

[9:01 PM] Brimeia: "Hmm." Brimeia  takes her axe out and takes a cautious swing first.

[9:01 PM] DM: The axe bounces back from it like it was repelled before it ever made contact

9:06 PM] Urrak: Urrak wanders into the back room and walks through the open archway

[9:06 PM] Brimeia: Bri frowns when her axe bounces off and decides to give Ryleigh's suggestion a try.

[9:07 PM] Brimeia: She raises a hand and casts Eldritch Blast.

[9:07 PM] DM: Urrak has to squeeze a bit to get through the small door.

[9:08 PM] DM: The blast just splashes against it harmlessly.

[9:08 PM] Urrak: Urrak pokes her head back out of the archway, "Stop fuckin' with that, we don't know what it could do."

[9:08 PM] Brimeia: "Hmm. Oh well." Brimeia frowns and then shrugs.

[9:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Guuuuuess not," Ryleigh says, after Bri attempts it.

[9:08 PM] DM: You hear Seir call out to you.

[9:09 PM] Brimeia: Bri turns to Urrak when she speaks. "We don't know what anything could do in this crazy place. Figure I ought to try something."

[9:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's head whips around and she squats down, poking her head out of the door. "You hollered?" Ryleigh grins into the main room.

[9:09 PM] Brimeia: "Ah well, it was worth a try, Ryleigh."

[9:10 PM] DM: The room back here is a bit smaller than you're used to. The ceilings are only about six feet high, where in the main room they're closer to eight. Some of you might feel the need to hunch over a bit.

[9:10 PM] Urrak: Urrak grumbles something in orc and starts looking around the other room for anything that looks like it could help

[9:10 PM] DM: Which room?

[9:10 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle heads over to the back room. "Seir says....please don't hurt each other."

[9:10 PM] Urrak: ((The one the open archway lead into))

[9:11 PM] DM: There's shelves filled with stuff in there, but it's small, almost a closet compared to the room.

[9:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh squeezes back through the door into the main room.

[9:11 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle gets a closer look at one of the tables.

[9:11 PM] Urrak: Urrak accidentally knocks somethings over as she turns to leave, "Fuckin' tiny ass gnomes."

[9:12 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia rifles through the stuff on the other table, seeing if there's anything of interest in the junk.

[9:13 PM] DM: The table's cluttered with stuff. You're not really sure if you could figure out what most of it actually does, but most of it is made of metal of various types.

[9:13 PM] DM: Give me an investigation check, both of you.

[9:13 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((7))

[9:13 PM] Brimeia: ((16))

[9:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What was the loud noise earlier?" she asks Bri.

[9:14 PM] DM: Looks like clutter, but Bri does find something that's a little extra fancy looking. There's a gem set into the metal. It kind of looks like some sort of metallic creature.

[9:17 PM] Brimeia: "I tried to get through that arch with the thorns. Weapons and magic don't seem to work."

[9:18 PM] Brimeia: Bri picks up the shiny gem thing to take a closer look to see if it has a purpose.

[9:18 PM] DM: It might. But you don't know what.

[9:19 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Can Gayle look closer at the arch with thorns? Does it look like real plant or something synthetic?))

[9:19 PM] DM: What kind of knowledges are you proficient in?

[9:20 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((survival, arcana))

[9:20 PM] DM: Roll arcana.

[9:20 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((nat 1  - 3))

[9:21 PM] DM: You really have no idea what is happening here.

[9:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks into the doorway, like literally as her horns hit it and she starts cursing, "What are you doing!?"

[9:21 PM] DM: The door is only four feet tall, so even if Seir ducks, she'd still probably hit it. Even Gunnloda has to duck a bit to follow her.

[9:22 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle puts her hands up. "What are you talking about?"

[9:23 PM] Brimeia: "Oh hey, Seirixori. I was just about to come tell everyone about these weird thorns. They don't seem to be affected by anything. Also this shiny gemmed statue thing. Dunno if it's useful, but it was in this pile of junk."

[9:23 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia holds up the item.

[9:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir grabs it to take it, "Don't touch things! Especially plant things! Are you--" She huffs and makes a frustrated noise in the back of her throat, turning back around to head out the door. "I think I figured it out, leave this place alone!"

[9:27 PM] Brimeia: "Alright, alright. Sorry." Bri raises her hands placatingly.

[9:28 PM] Brimeia: "Hey.. you seem a bit extra upset. ..Upsetter than usual. do you think it's the crystal stuff? Like with Ryleigh's memory?"

[9:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir's only response is to grunt, but she's also trying to get through the door. She finally manages it and goes back to the main room without answering.

[9:31 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia sighs and starts to follow. "Come on, Gayle, let's go see what the others are up to."

[9:31 PM] Gayle Silbando: "We just have to remember that this is temporary, even though we keep on getting yelled at," Gayle says softly to Brimeia and frowns.

[9:35 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia chuckles a little. "Yeah," she answers with a nod. After a brief pause, she smiles and says, "Alright, no one left behind." She waves at the small doorway in a dramatic fashion.

[9:36 PM] DM: Go ahead to the other room.

## Main Room

[8:53 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves over to the side and pulls a lever that's next to the doors.

[8:53 PM] DM: The lever moves freely like it isn't engaged.

[8:55 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle inspects the door that can't open with the lever and looks at the hinges to see which direction the door swings.

[8:55 PM] Seirixori: "I don't think this door works."

[8:55 PM] DM: Give me perception checks, everyone in the main room.

[8:56 PM] DM: There... aren't any hinges.

[8:56 PM] Seirixori: ((15))

[8:56 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((4))

[8:56 PM] Urrak: ((3))

[8:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks to the back wall in the room, examining the relief there.

[8:59 PM] DM: The relief is stamped into the bronze, or maybe hammered. There's a huge tree set beside a river. As the water flows past the tree, you can see people in various pursuits from gardening to the left to building to scholars reading at the side of the river to the right.

[9:04 PM] Urrak: Unsure of what to do, Urrak examines the gears beneath her feet, "Fuckin' gnomes..."

[9:04 PM] DM: Where most of the metal in here appears to be bronze, the gears... aren't. They look more like iron or steel. Clearly something that can rust since there's a decent coating of it over most of the visible surfaces.

[9:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir runs her hand over the relief, her face a bit scrunched as she thinks.

[9:06 PM] Seirixori: "This... We need water..."

[9:07 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Lots of it," Gayle adds.

[9:07 PM] DM: There's a bit of a muffled zzzaaaaap from the back room.

[9:08 PM] Seirixori: She nods. "That's... not something I thought about--" Seir frowns and looks towards the back room and calls out, "What are you guys doing?"

[9:08 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Want me to check on them?" she asks Seirixori.

[9:09 PM] Seirixori: "Please yell at them for touching things." She kind of jokes

[9:09 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle gives her a small smile and heads to the back room.

[9:11 PM] DM: Gunnloda puts her hand on Seir's back. "How're y'doin', darlin'?"

[9:11 PM] Seirixori: She shrugs, "Not covered in crystals anymore so that's something."

[9:12 PM] DM: The room lights up more as Ry and Dawnbringer re-enter.

[9:12 PM] Seirixori: She tenses again at Ryleigh's presence.

[9:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Heeeeello," Ryleigh sing song says.

[9:12 PM] Seirixori: "What are you doing in there?" Seir asks, her tone short.

[9:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh catches the reaction and opens her mouth to say something, only to close it and frown. "We're just looking around," she offers. "I can leave... I didn't mean to interrupt."

[9:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs, "Just because we're in a building doesn't mean you should wander off! We don't know what's here!"

[9:17 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks back into the main room, stopping awkwardly in the doorframe when she hears Seir yelling

[9:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know we don't, that's why we were looking. We didn't go far and we wouldn't have left you behind - or I don't think we would have." Ryleigh doesn't look hurt by Seir's outburst, she just looks worried and bit confused.

[9:18 PM] Seirixori: "What was that noise earlier?"

[9:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Brimeia tried to clear the thorns off the archway in there."

[9:19 PM] Seirixori: "She what!?" Seir growls and heads towards the back room.

[9:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It was my idea," Ryleigh says quickly. "You shouldn't be upset with her. We're just trying to help, Fury."

[9:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't respond, just seems to get more agitated.

[9:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Hey Gunnloda," Ryleigh sighs as she watches Seir go. "Dawnbringer said that restoration magic might help with my memory problem and that you're a divine caster... do you have access to the greater spell?"

[9:24 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over to the relief, trying to stay out of whatever was just going on.

[9:25 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "No... it's a bit outside my ability. We might have t'call Kendall if it's an emergency."

[9:25 PM] DM: The relief is as described above. A river flowing past a tree with people beside it gardening then building then studying.

[9:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grins at her and nods. "No worries, my memory isn't that much of hindrance. Or... I don't think it is. I still know how to fight and how to use my magic..." she trails off. "Who's Kendall?"

[9:29 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles a bit. "She's an ally of ours. A more powerful priest than I am."

[9:31 PM] Urrak: "She's helped us out of more than a few bad situations," Urrak says, still looking at the relief, "Sweet old woman." she says a little quieter

[9:31 PM] Seirixori: Seir comes back out, a thing in her hand that she didn't even look at. Once closer to Ry and Urrak she says, "I think we need water to run in that canal for these gears to work, and possibly the door. The water and tree are holy things and they were said the pursuit of knowledge was best done at the side of a river."

[9:33 PM] Urrak: "Do ye have a spell fer that? Or maybe Gayle?"

[9:34 PM] Seirixori: "... Not today. But otherwise, yes."

[9:34 PM] Gayle Silbando: She shakes her head. "Wish I did."

[9:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do we have any idea why there's not water running?"

[9:35 PM] Urrak: "We can get outta here and camp out then, until ye can...But," she looks at the crystal shards glittering in her hands, "I dunno how much time we have here."

[9:35 PM] Gayle Silbando: "We can follow the canal but I didn't see how far it goes."

[9:37 PM] Urrak: "Could be th' river's dammed up by some crystals." Urrak offers

[9:39 PM] Seirixori: "...or you know, the dried up riverbed we followed to get here."

[9:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh, right," Ryleigh says. "I don't remember that... sorry."

9:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir finally looks at the statue in her hand, "What the hells is this?"

[9:41 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Brimeia found it on the table in the other room."

[9:41 PM] Brimeia: "I told you about it and then you grabbed it."

[9:43 PM] DM: It's bronze with a gem. Looks like it might kinda be a creature?

[9:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir runs a finger over the gem and continues to study it, trying to figure out if she knows of it.

[9:45 PM] DM: You don't have the background to figure that out... but it looks kind of similar to some of the stuff you saw in Poni's basement.

[9:46 PM] Seirixori: "I don't like gnomes." She finally says and looks up at everyone. "We can stay here or back near the canal for the night."

[9:47 PM] Urrak: "Fewer crystals in here," she holds up her hands, "Well besides these."

[9:48 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What Urrak said," Gayle gives her a sad look. "Does it still...hurt?"

[9:48 PM] Urrak: "Yep. It hurts. It really hurts. But! I'm still...well it could be worse."

[9:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Don't be so dramatic. It just stung a little bit, and you'll be fine in the morning. Dawnbringer will be recharged and I can take that spell too."

[9:49 PM] Brimeia: "We'll figure it out, Urrak."

[9:50 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Do you feel any different? You haven't punched me in the face for breathing wrong so I take that as a good sign."

[9:51 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe next time you won't destroy them when there's so many of us right next to them."

[9:52 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Pain affects people differently, assholes, and you were all hit so we can lay off the finger pointing," Gayle scoffs. "Let's rest up and get back at it tomorrow. Who wants the first watch?"

[9:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Whoa," Ryleigh says, really confused why everyone's getting so bent out of shape. "No need for name calling. I'm just saying she won't turn into a crystal monster by morning because we can fix her."

[9:52 PM] Urrak: "I see you two really are feelin' more like yerselves," Urrak folds her arms, "Thank ye, Gayle, but I'm fine. I'm not worried. I survived bein' turned into a fuckin' ancient  old woman, I'll survive this." she pauses a moment, "I'll take first watch."

[9:53 PM] Gayle Silbando: "I'll take the first watch with you too. You can tell me about when you got turned into an old woman," she laughs.

[9:53 PM] Seirixori: "No, you'll take middle with Brimeia. Ryleigh and I will take first. Gayle and Gunnloda can take last."

[9:53 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Why does the order matter?"

[9:54 PM] Seirixori: "Because they're the ones that don't use magic and it won't matter too much if their sleep is interrupted."

[9:54 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle nods.

[9:55 PM] Urrak: "It's all good, Gayle," she takes the bedroll off her pack, "Let's jus' settle in."

[9:56 PM] Gayle Silbando: "This is all temporary...this will pass..." she mumbles to herself as she sets up her sleep space as well.

[9:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh deflates a little, concerned by everyone's reactions. She touches Dawnbringer's hilt.

[9:59 PM] DM: So you're camping in the building?

[10:00 PM] Urrak: ((yes))

[10:00 PM] Seirixori: ((yes))

[10:00 PM] DM: Gunnloda casts her spell for food and water and uses some spices to make it taste a bit better. Anything else you want to do before bed?

## Devil's Food

7:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir has her arms wrapped around Gunnloda, her hands either playing with Gunnloda's or picking at Gunnloda's tabard. Nothing she's really noticing as she tries to think about how to get the water moving in the canal. Minutes pass before she groans,  "This is hurting my head."

[10:45 PM] DM: There's a pulse of warmth that travels through Seir from the spot where Gunnloda's hand is touching Seir's skin before she chuckles soundlessly and leans into Seir a bit more. "I'd ask what's wrong but I think there'd be too much t'tell."

[10:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir's expression is soft and warm as she relishes in the comfort of her wife, "Far too many things."  She presses a kiss to Gunnloda's head, "However, the water flowing does need to be addressed and I think we might be the only two that can make it happen. I just haven't quite figured out how."

[10:56 PM] DM: "'Fraid engineerin' an' the like was never m'strong suit. Y'might have t'walk me through what you're thinkin'."

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: She laughs, "I don't even understand it, put the water in the thing and hopefully stuff moves?" Seir continues to laugh, "At first I thought maybe I could do what I did on our way to Sashem with the tidal wave, but the wave and the water won't stay, as far as I know. It's not something I want to try if it won't keep things moving, we don't have that much time."

[11:03 PM] DM: "Things'n'stuff."

[11:10 PM] Seirixori: "Yes, exactly." She chuckles. "We both can create the water, but I don't think we have anything to put it in and I doubt it will be e...nough." Her words slow as her mind starts racing once more with other ideas.

[11:11 PM] DM: "Where's it need t'go?"

[11:12 PM] Seirixori: "In the canal, I imagine? We didn't really look at it."

[11:20 PM] Seirixori: "But... what if... I can..." Seir hums in thought before continuing, "I can easily make one container worth flood that entire area and hopefully keep it going for a little while, maybe enough time to get the door open."

[11:22 PM] DM: "It was a pretty deep canal. And wide. Can we make that much water?"

[11:31 PM] Seirixori: "Between the two of us, I think we can... but I'm afraid we might use too much of our resources to do so."

[7:25 AM] DM: "Is there another way? What is the water for?"

[10:54 AM] Seirixori: "We can try looking for one. However... time isn't really on our side." She gives a small laugh. "We need to make our own river... if we can't find another way to get things moving. I think."

[11:08 AM] DM: "Make one... what about what you 'n Urrak were talkin' about with the riverbed and maybe the crystals are blockin' it? If they built canals y'd think there would be a river to fill them. "

[11:23 AM] Seirixori: She shrugs. "If they are blocking it, it's on the other side that we haven't seen yet. It also means possibly destroying a bunch of crystals..." With a sigh Seir continues, "Looks like either way we might have to use a few heavy spells. I'd rather not anyone get up close to break them, if that's what we end up finding."

[11:27 AM] DM: "Might be worth talkin' to the others. Might have some ideas of their own. Or askin' someone who might know better."

[11:42 AM] Seirixori: "Maybe... and I don't think I want to talk to the gnome again." She pouts.

[11:42 AM] DM: She chuckles.  "That bad?"

[11:46 AM] Seirixori: "He thinks we're working for someone. Didn't want to tell me who. Maybe whoever caused this?" She grumbles the next part, "And he kept calling me MJ."

[11:59 AM] DM: "MJ?"

[12:02 PM] Seirixori: "Mielikki Junior," she huffs.

[12:02 PM] DM: Gunnloda bites back a smile.

[12:13 PM] Seirixori: She starts to say something, but she stops and groans, "I can't even deny it. Ugh."

[12:44 PM] DM: She turns her head enough that she can catch Seir in a soft kiss then smiles. "From what I understand, the best parts of you have nothin' to do with her."

[12:52 PM] Seirixori: Seir smiles sheepishly as her cheeks darken slightly. "I thought you liked my pink," she teases with a wink.

[12:55 PM] DM: "Oh I do..." she says with a grin, "and I'm glad she created you, but she didn't raise you or make you kind or really have anything to do with the woman you became."

[1:01 PM] DM: She sighs. "She could have done so much to shield you from the pain you felt. You are who you are despite that pain, not because of it."

[1:16 PM] Seirixori: The blush on her cheeks darkens considerably and it's clear she doesn't know how to respond. "Yeah..."

[1:37 PM] Seirixori: "*Tor beag*, will you do something for me?"

[1:38 PM] DM: "'Course, darlin'. What is it?"

[1:41 PM] Seirixori: She hesitates, "Will you stay back? If-- if I have to go in, if I have to get close to those things?"

[1:46 PM] DM: Gunnloda's eyebrows pull together and she leans over and away so she can look at Seir's face. "I don't understand."

[4:01 PM] Seirixori: "Today when I went up to that Jaguar... it helped because it cut it off, sorry about the thunder again, but... I don't want both of us to get hit by the crystal if we can help it. You-- you're the only one that can help if any of it gets worse." She looks to where Ryleigh is.

[4:25 PM] DM: She frowns a bit. "If Dawnbringer's right, all I can do is call Kendall. I'll be able to get rid of the crystals, but that didn't seem to help Ryleigh much."

[4:27 PM] DM: "I think you're right... we need t'try t'keep them away from everyone, and maybe not group up on them, but... I don't like the idea of sittin' back and watchin' you get hurt."

[4:29 PM] DM: "You an' I might both be better off tryin' t'take 'em out from a distance with magic and let the others try t' pin 'em in. I don't particularly wanna see them hurt either, but... better them than you."

[4:35 PM] Seirixori: She sighs heavily, "I wanted that to be the idea... but it doesn't seem like something they're going to do."

[4:40 PM] DM: She sighs. "I will try t'stay back, but if it comes down t'one of the two of us... why not let me? I have armor and if you get hit, I get hit too. You've probably got better magic for killin', too."

[4:47 PM] Seirixori: "What am I supposed to do if something happens to you too?" Her voice quiet and small.

[4:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda shifts around so she can put her arms around Seir. "Then y'call Kendall... but nothin's gonna happen. We'll use restoration and not let it get that bad. If anyone's hit, they have to stay back till they're cleansed."

[5:05 PM] Seirixori: "That's so much time and I don't know how much longer before the tree falls."

[5:08 PM] DM: "It looked like he's been propping it up for a long time. And.... is that tree worth our safety? We're supposed to find the source of the crystals, right?"

[5:17 PM] Seirixori: "It's the only thing alive here and not covered in crystal! That has to mean something, doesn't it?" Seir rubs at her temple, "The tree means something and I--I should know but I don't and I can't-- I just can't let it die, Gunnloda. I *can't*."

[5:21 PM] DM: "Ok, ok..." She uses her hand to gently turn Seir's face and presses a kiss to her lips. "We'll do our best, darlin'."

[6:13 PM] Seirixori: There's a sigh of relief and some of the tension Seir wasn't aware she was holding is gone. "Thank you," she whispers.

[7:22 PM] DM: Gunnloda kisses her again. "'Course. We need t'all understand what's happenin' here, though, and t'do that, we need you t'talk t'us. Try not t' hold everythin' up yourself or you'll crack just like the stones tryin' t'hold up the tree. Y'don't like seein' Ryleigh try t'shoulder everythin' alone... no sense in doin' the same just cause she's not now."

[1:07 PM] Seirixori: "I'll try." She spends a few minutes continuing her playing with Gunnloda's hands. Seir laughs lightly and says, "It'd be kind of neat if we got to do the water thing together though."

[1:08 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles and gives Seir a look. "Would it?"

[1:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs and kisses her, "Yes, yes it would. You don't even have to be in the water."

[1:19 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles. "Well that's good. That canal's much deeper than I am tall."

[1:27 PM] Seirixori: "Unless of course you feel like breathing under the water. I can make that happen too," she teases.

[1:29 PM] DM: "D'you have a plan, then? I'll need t'know what kinda spells t'pray for 'sides the restoration."

[1:35 PM] Seirixori: "Half a plan? You could create the water. I'll control it and flood the area, it should be enough if I do it the whole ten minutes. Assuming we don't find a river to unblock."

[1:39 PM] DM: She's quiet for a minute, and her voice is soft and unsure when she speaks again. "And what... what if the door closes without the water? Y'promise we'll be able t'find a way back out?"

[1:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir moves around placing herself on her knees in front of Gunnloda. She cradles Gunnloda's face in her hands, "I promise you, I'll get you out."

[1:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "I believe you."

[2:15 PM] DM: "Just... wanted t'know it was part'a the plan."

[2:19 PM] Seirixori: "It's always part of the plan, *llaro*."

## Gunnloda and Urrak

10:09 PM] DM: As everyone's settling into their bedrolls and the like, and Seir and Ry step outside, Gunnloda is carefully wrapping the food she created so it can be eaten again in the morning.

[10:15 PM] Urrak: Urrak finishes setting up her sleeping space. She drops her pack by her bedroll and looks around. She takes off her mithril and places it near her pack before walking over to Gunnloda. "Hey, Gunnloda. Do ye have a minute?"

[10:17 PM] DM: She finishes the wrap she's working on and wipes her hands on her tabard. "Whatcha need? How's the," she gestures to her face, "feelin'?"

[10:20 PM] Urrak: "My skin feels like I rubbed broken glass on it, but I'm still all," she mimics Gunnloda's gesture, " here." She slides the ring off her finger, " If ye have it in ye t', charge this, I'd appreciate it. I get the feelin' we're gonna need all th' help we can get. "

[10:21 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes it with a bit of a confused frown. "When'd y'use it?"

[10:22 PM] Urrak: "Used it on myself t'day," she rubs her neck, "After those explodin' crystal creatures attacked us. "

[10:23 PM] DM: "Were y'that badly hurt?"

[10:25 PM] Urrak: "More so than I've been recently, at least. I might've panicked a bit, " she frowns, "Wasn't sure if there's be more. "

[10:32 PM] DM: She casts a cure wounds into the ring, but hesitates before she hands it back. "You havin' this ring is... our Bastion. Our last line o'defense. Ryleigh, Seirixori and I can all heal through magic, but if we're knocked out, we've gotta count on you t'bring us back so we can keep you on your feet. We've been lucky enough t'be able t'muscle our way through everything we face, but... we might need t'start thinkin' more about what we do and what we use t'do it. Positionin' on the battlefield t'make sure we don't kill each other with exploding crystals, usin' spells an' the like that recover before we use potions and rings that should be backups. I'd rather you called out for help and let us use our magic t'heal you before we turn t'this. Use it t'bring someone back to their feet. The spells in here aren't strong enough t'do much else compared t'the damage we take." She holds the ring out.

[10:37 PM] Urrak: Urrak hesitates a bit, but takes the ring. "I will." She slides it back on her finger, "Thank ye, Gunnloda... How's Seirixori? She seems a bit less... Furious now. "

[10:41 PM] DM: "Tomorrow, I'll put some restoration magic in it t'help with the crystals." She glances at the door where Seir and Ry have gone out to stand watch. "She's frustrated and puttin' a lot of pressure on herself. Mostly I think she's just hurtin'. Ryleigh losin' her memory is... it's somethin' that's very personal for her. I think it's just hittin' her harder than she wants t'admit."

[10:48 PM] Urrak: "First her mother an' now Ryleigh. It's cruel," Urrak folds her arms and shakes her head, "I jus' want her t' come out of all this okay, but things jus' keep gettin' worse."

[10:52 PM] DM: "Startin' t'wonder if any of us have any 'okay' we might be able t'find in the end, but we just gotta try t'be there for each other. I'll be able t'help you with the crystals in the mornin' after I have a chance t'pray again."

[10:55 PM] Urrak: She nods and smiles a little, "Thank ye, Gunnloda, that'll be a great help...Do ye need help with anythin'? "

[10:56 PM] DM: "No, I think I'm just about done. Get some sleep."

[10:58 PM] Urrak: She nods again, "Alright. G'night, Gunnloda."

[11:01 PM] DM: "G'night." Gunnloda glances at the door again before settling in.

## Seiryleigh Watch

[10:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: After a moment, she quirks an eyebrow then asks Seir, "Um, do you want to take watch just outside the door?"

[10:02 PM] Seirixori: "We can. It doesn't looks like anything has been in here."

[10:03 PM] DM: Which room is everyone sleeping in? It would be... cozy in the back room.

[10:03 PM] Urrak: ((big room))

[10:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods and walks just outside the door.

[10:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives Gunnloda a kiss and heads out to join Ry.

[10:05 PM] DM: So while everyone settles in in the main room, let's get your watch-wide perception checks from Seir and Ry.

[10:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((3))

[10:06 PM] Seirixori: ((19))

[10:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes a seat near the door, her back leaning against the wall. She reaches into the bag of holding and a moment later, pulls out a book.

[10:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Huh, flesh golems. I don't know what those are," she mutters, propping the book open.

[10:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts pacing, her eyes glancing at Ryleigh every now and then. She freezes and turns, "What is that?"

[10:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It looks like a book over some creatures called flesh golems."

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks away, her jaw tensing, "You don't remember anything." Her shoulders sag and she turns so her back is to Ry, letting out a shuddering sigh.

[10:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks over at Seir. She doesn't move from her spot. "I'm sorry, Fury... I just remember my name, and my god, and my abilities. Dawnbringer is giving me information on things I ask, and it's helped. It's how I know we're close, unless... something happened and we're not anymore."

[10:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir plops on the ground from where she is, her hands balled up as she holds them to her eyes. "Part of me hopes you won't remember because you were alrea-- you were already-- you won't know why this hurts me." She tries to keep her voice steady, but she isn't doing a great job of it.

[10:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Closing the book with a snap, Ryleigh stands and walks over to Seir. She sits next to her and says, "Well, we have two options," she holds up two fingers, "one, we can talk about you and you can explain it to me, or two, we can talk about me and you can explain it to me."

[10:32 PM] Seirixori: She laughs, lowering her hands and when she looks at Ry her eyes are filled with unshed tears, "There's too much with me to explain. And you..." Seir shakes her head. "You aren't hurting like this," she motions to Ry, "but it also means you... you aren't *my* Ryleigh."

[10:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's brows pull together in concern. "I-I'm sorry," she says softly and offers her hand to Seir. "I don't know why I can't remember, but... I feel like I miss you."

[10:44 PM] Seirixori: "Don't say that..." She whispers as her tears start falling. "I can't-- how am I supposed to-- I can't even handle this." The last part is more said to herself, but because Ryleigh is so close she can hear it.

[10:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Sorry," Ryleigh mumbles again, bringing her hand back to her lap. Then she purses her lips in a determined way. "Maybe you should let us help. You're obviously taking the lead on this, but perhaps you could communicate to us what we can do to help lessen the burden for you. If there's anything we can do, other than upset each other."

[10:59 PM] Seirixori: She laughs again, wiping her face, "I'm always mad at Urrak. I didn't think I had to tell anyone we didn't want too many of us close to them when they died and that idiot just went ahead and didn't give a fuck about it." Seir sighs and starts to lean into Ry but her body stiffens just before she makes contact and she hunches forward, pulling her knees up so she can rest her chin on them. "I'm sorry. I'm not really mad at you. I'm-- it-- it just hurts."

11:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sorry I can't help..." Ryleigh mutters, catching Seir's movement. "It's odd not knowing anything about myself. I know my name, but not who gave it to me. I know I'm a paladin, but not why I'm one. I know Asten's my god, but not how I came to follow him. It's like being lost somewhere that's strangely familiar."

[11:08 PM] Seirixori: Seir smirks, "I can tell you I don't like that you follow Him." She sighs, continuing to look out at the crystallized city. "I don't know everything but I can try if you have anything spec--" She sucks in breath, "Oh, shit!" Seir's eyes widen and she looks at Ryleigh, "Uh, did Dawnbringer tell you about Rukiya?"

[11:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Nope,” Ryleigh pops the ‘p’ as she answers. “She’s only told me things I ask about, which isn’t much because I don’t know what to ask.”

[11:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir rubs at her face, "You have a sending stone. You check in with her every night-- do you want me to do it?"

[11:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I do have one of those!" Ryleigh says excitedly. She pulls a black leather pouch from around her neck and gives Seir the stone inside. "Why do I check in with her every night?"

[11:43 PM] Seirixori: "She's your girlfriend." Seir stares at the stone for a few moments and with a whine she says, "Ugh, I don't know what to saaay."

[11:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I have a girlfriend? That doesn't sound like..." Her sentence trails off as a thoughtful look crosses Ryleigh's features. "Do we have sex? That's weird..."

[11:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, "Of all the questions... yes. When you feel like it."

[11:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Huh."

[11:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at the stone again and takes a deep breath before closing her eyes, essentially mimicking Gunnloda.

11:58 PM] Seirixori: *"So, Ryleigh's... fine. She just doesn't remember anything. For now. I'll fix it. Sorry."*

12:03 AM] DM: .......... *"Seirixori? I... tell me how I can help tomorrow if you can't. Thank you for telling me. Tell her I-- Be safe, please. Take care--"*

[12:06 AM] Seirixori: Seir hands the stone back after a minute. "...I think I might have made her worry more than I meant to."

[12:08 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns the stone over in her hand, her finger running over its smooth surface. "Did... did you tell her I don't remember anything?" Her tone is a little hesitant.

[12:12 AM] Seirixori: "Yes."

[12:16 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I bet she probably feels like you do, Fury," Ryleigh says thoughtfully, tucking the stone back into its pouch. "It's too bad the stone is only 1 message per day and only 25 words. Are you two friends?"

[12:20 AM] Seirixori: Seir frowns at the name again, but she doesn't comment on it. "Yes... I... I think so anyway." She started out sounding confident and then it fell away as she kept going. "She's nice to hug."

[12:24 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh smiles, but it lacks the knowing it usually has.

[12:28 AM] Seirixori: Seir starts chewing on her lip, "Do you remember anything about auras?"

[12:32 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "My divine sense? Sure. It tells me whether or not someone or something is a fiend, celestial, or undead."

[12:37 AM] Seirixori: She continues chewing on her lip and after a few seconds of silence she says, "You should use it. Now. If you can. It might help if I need to explain certain... things."

[12:39 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sort of tilts her head in confusion, but then she shrugs and says a few words to use her divine sense.

[12:43 AM] Seirixori: There's a slight frown when Ry casts her spell. Seir motions to herself once she finishes, "See anything unusual? You could even take a look inside where the others are, if you want."

[12:47 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Huh,” she says again. “Your aura is pink - not red. Gunnloda’s is dark with specks of white - quite a lot of white. And this entire place is faintly pink too.”

[12:51 AM] Seirixori: "...Hmm." Seir tilts her head at the comment about the area. She scratches lightly at her mark, "Got a bit of ...Celestial blood mixed in with the Devil stuff."

[12:52 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “That certainly explains it... how cool. I’m just an ordinary human.” She taps her chin in thought. “Or I’m pretty sure I am.”

[12:57 AM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, "Ordinary. Your... ancestry isn't what makes you ordinary or ... cool."

[10:01 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs. “If you say so...” her eyes go a little wide “...how did you became part celestial and part fiend? Were you born that way?”

[11:16 AM] Seirixori: "I do say so," Seir grumbles. With a roll of her eyes she says, "Yes."

[11:31 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Why does that make you grumpy?” Ryleigh asks softly, and without skipping a beat she also adds, “I think it’s neat. Devils and celestials don’t exactly get along, do they? They’re two ends of the same spectrum - light and dark. But here you are... living proof that even the light and dark can come together to create something beautiful.”

[11:35 AM] Seirixori: "Because you don't even remember anything and you still think you're ordinary."

[11:36 AM] Seirixori: She snorts, "That sounds a lot more fancier than what actually happened."

[11:39 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh hums in response, then says, “You make it sound like there’s something special about me that I don’t remember.”

[11:48 AM] Seirixori: She shrugs, "There is. Was. ...is." she shakes her head and stays silent while she gathers her thoughts. With a heavy sigh she finally says, "I love you, is that not what makes someone special? I love you and you-- you made--make--" She stops again and this time doesn't continue.

[11:52 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I what?” Ryleigh asks, her expression open, there are no walls or guarded expressions, but there is an odd amount of curiosity... and hope... in her eyes.

[12:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir can barely keep eye contact, and eventually turns her head away. "... you make me happy. You make living not hurt so much." She stands quickly and walks several feet away. Her hands clenching and unclenching as she stands there awkwardly, unsure of what to do with herself.

[12:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh doesn't follow her. She sits there, her fingers running over the cover of the book still in her lap. "Dawnbringer thinks my memory loss is temporary... I should be- I mean, I *will* be back to normal... either with time or maybe with a greater spell of restoration. Then I'll be the person you know, the person you love." Her tone sounds sad as she says, "I can take watch alone. If you need space." She opens the book again. "I'm sorry I'm not the person you need."

[12:14 PM] Seirixori: She laughs quietly as she wipes at her face, "No you can't. Your blind ass can't see shit."

[12:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She hums instead of responding, but then Ryleigh's eyes glance up from the book to look at Seir. "I may not know why, but... it hurts to see you like this."

[12:27 PM] DM: There's a tinkling sound in the distance followed by the sound of a creature exploding with a flash of bright light near the tree. Seir could swear she could hear the old gnome's cackling laughter on the breeze.

[12:42 PM] Seirixori: "... fucking gnome." Seir grumbles and moves so she's sitting near Ryleigh again.

[12:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "He's quirky." Ryleigh's eyes are traveling over the page. "Can I ask you something? Or are we done with questions tonight?"

[12:46 PM] Seirixori: "Quirky," Seir scoffs. "You can ask."

[12:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She looks up from the book. "Why did you take watch with me? You could have just avoided me and saved yourself the hurt."

[12:55 PM] Seirixori: "I wanted to see how much you'd forgotten... if it was everything or just..." She shrugs. "I... also wanted to apologize for being..." she makes a hand gesture, "...rude."

[12:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You really were rude," she says, grinning. "Apology accepted."

[3:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She turns back to her book, and after several moments without looking away from the text on the page, Ryleigh asks, "Why don't you like my god?"

[5:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs, her anger and annoyance clear, "He's acting like a fucking child and doesn't seem to give a fuck that there's a lot of humans using His name to be racist pieces of shit."

[6:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Is he? Then why do I follow him?" Ryleigh frowns, she's still staring at the book, but her eyes are clearly not moving across the page. "I'm not a racist - am I? Is... is that why the others think I'm more fun this way? Am I... a bad person?" Her eyes glance to where Seir's sitting, but they bounce back to the book almost immediately.

[6:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, "Of course not. I wouldn't care about you so much if you were. You think anyone in this group would even let you be here if you were?" She turns and her hand reaches out but she pulls it back, mostly from being unsure that she can than not feeling comfortable. "He... he gave you power when you needed it and... I don't know, I feel like you think you owe Him something. But it's also because..." She frowns and with a heavy sigh, continues, "Because your family taught you the good parts of Him, what He originally stood for and they believed in Him in spite of everything. So I'm sure there's another part of you that... doesn't want to think about not being able to see them again."

[6:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks at Seir, and even though Seir knows Ry well enough to know when she's upset or sad or angry, her expression right now is SO openly upset that it's probably startling.

6:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen and this time she doesn't stop herself from reaching out and resting her hand on Ryleigh's knee. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry-- I ... I don't know what I--I'm sorry." She repeats.

[8:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "They're dead?" Ryleigh says, her tone unguarded and sad. A few tears roll down her cheeks. ""I'm sorry... I don't know why I'm crying. I... I don't remember them, but it hurts." She reaches out cautiously, placing her hand over Seir's.

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir nearly groans at the fact that she didn't even think about her words. She tenses briefly at the touch but then turns her hand over and gives Ryleigh's a squeeze. "I'm... sorry I didn't think-- Yes. You-- you have a sister who I think is still alive, though. We don't know where she is but..." She shrugs and lets her words fall away, not really sure what else to say about it.

[8:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Don't be sorry..." Ryleigh's voice is still watery. "I asked and you answered. T-Thank you for being honest with me."

[8:35 PM] Seirixori: She gives a small smile, "I usually am-- sometimes to a fault."

[8:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's smile is easy when she says, "It makes sense why we're friends then... you're honest, and I seek the truth." She wipes at the tears on her cheeks.

[8:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir scoffs again, but this time with a grin, "You still say dumb things." She turns away, but she doesn't move away. After a time she sighs, "You know I didn't give you my true name, right?"

[9:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I do not say dumb things." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "Why are you taking advantage of my current memory loss to make up lies?" Ryleigh's eyes shine with humor, even though they're still glossy with tears. She's also grinning with her entire face.

[9:04 PM] Seirixori: "You do too say dumb things," Seir rolls her eyes, "It was... easier. And I was really angry."

[9:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grabs at her heart dramatically. "You wound me!" She falls over and giggles.

[9:13 PM] Seirixori: Her face probably looks ridiculous, there's a smile but her brow is also furrowed like she's not sure how to feel about this. She says as much, "I don't know how to feel about this."

[9:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Which part?" Ryleigh asks, sitting back up, still smiling, but no longer giggling.

[9:30 PM] Seirixori: "The-- the giggling. It's... weird."

[9:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Is it?" Ryleigh leans over, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Do I not laugh regularly?"

[9:42 PM] Seirixori: "No. I mean, you do with me, Gunnloda, and Rukiya but you don't... giggle."

[9:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Huh," She says with a shrug.

[9:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Did you want to tell me your name, or am I going to continue calling you Fury?"

[10:00 PM] Seirixori: "Seirixori."

[10:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Seirixori," She repeats. "You told me to call you Fury because you were angry. You  mentioned it was because Urrak was careless... but was it also because I called you 'little pink one'?"

[10:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns, "I grew up-- the last several years-- I don't like nicknames very much."

[10:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Fair enough," Ryleigh says, tapping her fingers against the closed book. "No nicknames."

[10:16 PM] Seirixori: "...thank you." She says softly, her gaze turning back to the area around them.

[10:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What are friends for?" Ryleigh grins with her whole face again.

[5:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir's focus is on the crystals, "You said there was a pink aura around the crystals?"

[6:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Well,” Ryleigh starts, clearly finishing a sentence in the flesh golem book before she looks over at Seir. “It’s all kinda pink right now... I didn’t really focus on the crystals themselves.”

[6:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns, "Can you?"

[6:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Right now?” Ryleigh asks with a tilt of her head.

[6:47 PM] Seirixori: "Yes? Assuming you still can." She glances towards the tree. "The tree too, if you don't mind."

[6:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Alright.” Ryleigh closes the book and puts it away. She stands abruptly and starts walking towards the tree.

[6:56 PM] Seirixori: "Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

[6:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stops, turning around to face Seir and looking confused. “Uhhh, to go look at the tree? You just said you wanted me to do it right now...”

[7:00 PM] Seirixori: "...I meant from here. You can't just go walking around here alone!"

[7:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Oh, I won’t be able to tell from here. The tree is too far. Would you like me to do it again and look around here more thoroughly though?”

[7:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs heavily, "Please. Maybe I'll take you with me in the morning when I scout out the river so you can look at the tree."

[7:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grins crookedly, it probably looks weird. “I’d like that.”

[7:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She says a phrase that activates her divine sense and walks around the nearby area to get a better look around.

[7:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yup. All the crystals I see around here are pink..." Ryleigh says after a few minutes of walking in the area around where they're staying.

[7:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir's face scrunches a little as she thinks. "Do you know if fey creatures or fey magic have a specific color?"

[7:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shakes her head 'no'. "I can't detect that with my divine sense, but I do have a spell that lets me do that." She playfully points and winks, clearly more comfortable talking about the stuff she does remember.

[7:47 PM] Seirixori: She rolls her eyes, "Can you do it today or no?"

[7:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No, but I can equip it in the morning." Ryleigh takes a seat next to Seir.

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir curses under her breath in Abyssal. "Only if it doesn't take over for something useful."

[7:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs. "I have some things prepared that... I'm not sure why I prepared them. They don't seem to fit with all of... this." She waves her hand around.

[8:00 PM] Seirixori: "We didn't exactly know what we were getting into... what are they? If-- if you don't mind me asking."

[8:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Protection from poison..." Ryleigh sighs. "I guess the me who remembers things must have hopefully taken it to stop this from happening." She face palms her forehead. "I also took detect magic, which was silly because this whole place is obviously magical." She bites her lip. "And cure wounds... why would I take cure wounds? I have other ways to heal..."

[8:11 PM] Seirixori: "I asked for the detect magic." She laughs, "Of course we had the same ideas about poison..." Seir tilts her head, "Maybe she-- you did it as a back up."

[8:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Oh.” Ryleigh blushes at Seir’s admission that she’s the reason Ry took the spell. “She? Do you mean my girlfriend?”

[8:19 PM] Seirixori: "...No, um... I was just saying maybe you took it as a back up to help m-- one of us." Seir shrugs.

[8:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Huh, maybe I did."

[11:43 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh taps her chin and says, "Detect good and evil will let me identify fey creatures, so I can equip that tomorrow. I was also thinking about taking protection from good and evil... if we can distinguish that the crystal monsters as fey or fiend or whatever it'll help protect one of us against them. Except it requires concentration and I assume I get hit a lot... and I don't have the same access to magic as you, Gunnloda, or Gayle." She huffs a little. "I'm not very helpful - am I?"

3:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes, "Just because you can't do the same things as we can?"

[3:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh tilts her head at Seir's comment. Then she frowns, but it's more perplexed than anything else. "What do I do for the guild? You have better fighters and spell casters than me... why do you need me?" She asks, genuinely confused.

[4:05 PM] Seirixori: She doesn't respond immediately and she doesn't look at Ryleigh when she says, "Because if you weren't here, none of us would be."

[4:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What do you mean? Dawnbringer said we came here to help you."

[4:08 PM] Seirixori: She laughs, "You did, but I meant the guild itself."

[4:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I still don't understand..."

[4:18 PM] Seirixori: "Despite what everyone may think, you're the only reason we all stuck around. You're the only reason *I* stayed. I wanted to leave. I was done with everyone treating me like I was the bad guy. But then that would have meant I wouldn't get to see you again." She waves her hand, practically dismissing what she said, "Besides I'm sure you noticed they aren't very ..." She shrugs, "And you know how to talk to people."

[4:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh playfully nudges Seir's shoulder with her own. "You do love me, don't you?" She teases, a wide smile on her face.

[4:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I wasn't sure how the others felt. I just know Brimeia and Urrak think I'm more fun this way." Ryleigh plays with her hands. "I guess I just wanted to know what my place was in the group, since I don't remember."

[5:29 PM] Seirixori: She ignores the tease, "That's because Brimeia likes fun things and you're usually pretty serious with everyone else. Urrak..." Seir shrugs. "I'm probably not the best person to... comment."

[5:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh," Ryleigh says. "You said you were always angry with Urrak... do you want to talk about why?"

[5:49 PM] Seirixori: "Nope." She says the way Ryleigh has been saying it.

[5:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh giggles again. "Point taken."

[5:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "In that case," she says with an odd bounce in her tone. "I wanna talk about why Gunnloda's aura is black with specs of white. That's weird."

[6:00 PM] Seirixori: "Is it? I don't know much about the aura stuff. Just what you've told me."

[6:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What have I told you about it?"

[6:06 PM] Seirixori: She shrugs, "What the colors mean. But it took a stranger to say something to find out mine was different." She glances at Ry, trying to indicate that she'd known and not mentioned it.

[6:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You're not a very good liar," Ryleigh says with a quirked eyebrow. "Why do you feel you have to lie to me? I thought you trusted me."

[6:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir scoffs and grumbles to herself. "You're usually terrible at reading people." With a heavy sigh she says, "Because it's complicated and you won't believe me."

[6:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Try me." Ryleigh challenges.

[6:20 PM] Seirixori: "How about a little starter then?" Seir's eyes narrow, "My mother is the goddess Mielikki. And I've spoken to, directly and many times, Takara. A goddess in Vyon, if you don't remember that."

[6:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's eyes widen. Then excitedly asks, "Is that normal? Does everyone chat with the gods? Do I talk to Asten?"

[6:24 PM] Seirixori: "This was a terrible idea," Seir groans. "*No*. It-- it's normal to me, but no one else does. Not that I'm aware of."

[6:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh, so you're special," Ryleigh says like it's obviously the easiest conclusion to reach. "But what does that have to do with Gunnloda's aura?"

[6:27 PM] Seirixori: "It doesn't."

[6:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh waits, her expression expectant.

[6:36 PM] Seirixori: "No one else knows and I'd rather not explain it."

[7:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs, but she also nods 'okay' and drops the subject.

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