RIPPLES OF THE PAST

***RIPPLES OF THE PAST*** is the ninth session of *Glimpses into the Fade.* The Unnamed Party posit different ways to close a portal to the Fade..

## Musings

*Some will say that it only takes a single drop in the water to create waves of change. How long ago can that drop be? How long have things been waiting on for this very moment? Things are at play tonight, moving cogs in the machine that churn and chug with no wait for the present. But as our adventurers rest again, damp and cold, will they be able to get any answers to the dozen of questions that they hold?*

## **Synopsis**

The Unnamed Party attempts to catch their breath. Riya is still in disbelief over what she's accomplished, saving her friends lives. Oriza stares out into the waters, they are feeling a bit disappointment, resentment to himself. Hira stares towards the rift, reflecting on the fact she nearly died, twice, in a cavern where nobody would find her body. The thought strikes fear in her heart, and she moves closer towards her party to feel safe.

Meanwhile Bran thinks of his sister, Violet, her laughter that beckoned him closer to the Fade. Bran thinks how he's sheltered his little sister's perception of adventuring, thinking she's just a kid. Realizing he is too, he wonders whose protecting him? Weeping, Bran looks to Monsoon who pats the top of his head. He apologizes to the group, and says they should all rest. As Anthir plays a song of rest, Hira says she must admit two things: that she's terrified of worms, and that she can't swim. Bran offers to teach her, but not in these waters. After retrieving Anthir's lost dagger from the ceiling, the group decides it's best to head out of the well.

Monsoon offers to update the mayor, allowing for the party to head to the clinic. Getting in a long rest, Riya finds herself in the midst of a dream. Resting at a clearing by the mountain range, she sits atop a tree stump with an finely detailed lute in her lap. The lute is beautifully ornate, made or fine soft white wood with a design of berries from the neck to the base, like two hands holding on to it. Hearing rustling nearby, Riya stands up to investigate, but finds nothing. As she looks around, her hand brushes against the strings of the lute, causing the bushes to bud, flower, and produce fruit. She stands in awe, watching as a path strings itself past the bushes, with a figure cast in shadow standing at the end. Before she can explore further, Riya wakes up feeling a dull ringing from the ring on her finger.

Oriza wakes early in the morning to train behind the clinic, frustrated by their actions yesterday, she is determined to redeem herself. From afar, Monsoon watches from the window. As Riya leaves to gather breakfast, Hira approaches Monsoon to ask if everythings alright. Monsoon admits personally, it isn't. He expresses his anger towards Bran in the moment felt ill advised on his part, his distaste for sorcerers stems from where he grew up. Hira asks if he'd like her to talk to Bran, but Monsoon believes Bran should talk to him first, to give him time. In return of her question, Monsoon asks if Hira truly saw his sister. Hira expresses Anthir also met her the first time, and attempts to mention things only Monsoon might know about, such as her casting of Zone of Truth. Monsoon asks Hira to forgive his sister, and she says she holds no ill will towards her.

Monsoon proceeds to stare at Hira for a long moment, the two tilt their heads at one another in confusion as Riya arrives with breakfast for everyone. Monsoon calls out to Oriza, and the group finds themselves sitting outside by the training grounds to have breakfast. Bran asks about everyone's dreams from the day prior, and posits that there might be a way to help the Arcane Winds on this plane. The conversation delves into theories of how to close a portal to the Fade. Hira asks Riya how she managed to save them all, and Riya talks about her dream with the lute, and the light that held out for her from the Fade rift. Bran asks if anyone saw someone other then the Arcane Winds in the Fade, to which Oriza explains they were hit with some sort of necrosis effect on their arm.

Monsoon describes that effect to be akin of the Blight. The Blight has multiple stages: Death of the land, the revival of the dead, and a portion historians can never agree on, but contains a lot of death and conquering, along with the spreading of a plague. However for the Blight to be present, there needs to be an Archdemon ruling the land. Everyone is still confused and shocked by Riya's story, suggesting they should try to talk to the person who helped her. Monsoon leaves towards the Well, to which Hira follows on her own to continue questioning him.

Walking up to him, Hira sees Monsoon in deep thought, not noticing her presence for a while. Hira asks what's on his mind, to which he explains that the fade is seen as a wellspring of magic. A person’s innermost will to conjure magic lies in their strength to will it to being -- the reason why spells are as strong as they are its because people before have down the same runes, same chants, same movements. Memories and magic are intertwined, they are one. Monsoon says there's much they don't know, and he wishes to find out more of the Fade. Hira ensures him that they will, with the help of Vilya and her deciphering those runes, but Monsoon mutters he thinks she's growing too powerful, and fears not being able to catch up to her. Before she can question further, Oriza, Riya, and Anthir arrive at the well.

Meanwhile Bran branches off, heading towards the marketplace of Duncaster. He finds a large towering building with pigeons going too and fro with letters. Arriving at the postal office, Bran receives a letter from his little sister Violet, and tucks it away as he heads back to the well. As the six adventurers congregate, they head down the well. As the last members feet touch the ground, Hira and Riya begin hearing pained screams, the crackling of fire, and the wailing of mercy. Hira shakes off the frightened condition, however Riya stand still, and is hit by two eldritch blasts. A bellowing voice demands them to state their purpose, as two sets of armour stand down the tunnels. Oriza rolls for a history check, recognizing these suits of armour before, just before fleeing their burning kingdom, has seen their banners rise high as their carriage ran away. Oriza remembers...

> *"They grab the Belladonna tightly, shakily.. and as you accept this boon, it is perhaps a bane..and everything has its consequences.."*
>
>

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Disembodied Whisper

#### Mentioned

* Violet
* Vilya
* Odin
* Arel
* Wendy
* Eduna Summerglade
* Mayor Sten Bordeaux

1. ↑ Session 5; THE BEGINNING OF THE RECKONING