Beyond the Sky - Session 37

On the afternoon of the 14th, the party head over to the ward where Azzanadra is recovering, gathering outside the doors.
Adrian opens one of the doors quietly, looking around.
Valaire rubs a temple idly, focusing vaguely on something beyond her sight.
Valaire: "(That faerie's been holed up in there all morning. Good to have her out of the way, but...)"
Invesse: "(She's worried?)"
Adrian: "(Significant cause for it, anyway.)"
Inside the ward it seems much quieter than before. Azzanadra is sitting, talking idly to Kylisae, who sits on one of the bedposts, while Runa seems to be sitting upright, too, holding her head, looking quite disoriented.
Invesse: "Looks like you're recovering okay."
Adrian: "Ah, Runa! It's a relief to see you awake again."
Kylisae: "Auntie Runa's still a little out of it, though. Be gentle with her, okay?"
Runa: "I... wha? Who are you...?"
Runa shakes her head, trying to focus her eyes on someone.
Valaire: "Good to see the events of a week ago have gone remembered..."
Adrian: "Ah, my apologies. Naturally a confusing situation... Adrian Kelton. We met in Kyaro."
Azzanadra: "Please, she's only just woken up. She is quite disoriented."
Valaire: "...Right. My apologies, miss."
Adrian: "Yes... that was my mistake. And what of your own condition?"
Runa: "I... hello. I think I recall you.. with Azz."
Azzanadra: "I am recovering quite well. I should be able to walk again, in a few days."
Kylisae: "Isn't that wonderful? Grampa Azzy will be recovered and healthy!"
Adrian: "Good news, indeed."
Invesse smiles weakly.
Invesse: "It is."
Azzanadra: "Though walking, I'm not... sure either of us will be the same again."
Valaire: "I would imagine. That hole in your chest ran deep, and as for the girl..."
Valaire frowns, looking disgusted at the very concept.
Runa looks down, shaking a little.
Azzanadra: "It will be okay, Runa. We... will find help."
Azzanadra turns to the party.
Azzanadra: "Now... have you come to say hello, or do you wish to discuss something more important? I had the nurses lay out some chairs for you."
Adrian: "Both, I suppose. Anything more you can tell us of planar travel, for one."
Adrian shakes his head glumly, taking a seat.
Valaire: "Though I imagine any actual crafting of this rift-cutting dagger will have to wait until you are up and able."
Azzanadra: "Right... planar travel is quite a complex ordeal of sorts."
Invesse squats on a chair beside Adrian, listening carefully to Azzanadra.
Azzanadra: "Normally, only Godlike beings are capable of travelling freely through the planes. Divines are capable... but are restricted to where they can travel. For mortals..."
"The process is exceedingly difficult. To travel from here to Hell would take an incredibly powerful mage a long time, with a complex ritual."
"However, there does exist the Abyss. It is a unique plane in of itself."
"The Abyss is... what links the planes together."
Valaire: "An intermediary. A veil."
Azzanadra: "Indeed. From the Abyss, planar travel becomes far easier."
"Due to the naturally unstable nature of the realm, space itself becomes easier to cut, and form rifts to take you to different planes."
Valaire: "But we do not have the luxury of being limited by what mortals can and cannot do. We need to defeat Silske, who has long since stopped being one."
Invesse: "For the time being, we just need to defeat the army in front of us. But yes."
Azzanadra: "Indeed."
Adrian: "We still have to be realistic in what unrealistic methods we attempt. Getting ourselves killed in haste will do no good."
Azzanadra: "Travelling to the Abyss from this plane is rather time consuming, but the spell is as so many stronger mages could cast it."
"I myself... when I am recovered, would be capable of creating such a rift. The only difficulty is returning from the Abyss."
Valaire: "Hence the knife you mentioned."
Azzanadra: "Hence the knife, yes. Without the means of casting the spell, you must be able to cut a rift yourself."
Valaire: "Entering is no problem, there is a reliable access point. We just need to leave after finding what we need to turn the tide."
Adrian: "What, precisely, does that rift-cutting entail? I imagine it's a little more complex than it sounds."
Azzanadra: "Well... there are many places in the Abyss where the planar boundaries are far weaker than normal. A mage would immediately notice this place. The knife's power must be activated by concentrating, and focusing very clearly your home plane. With these thoughts, make a cut. It will create a rift."
"...though it will not be open for very long, a minute at most, so make sure you enter with haste."
Invesse: "What would we be looking for in these weakened boundaries? Extraplanar qualities seeping into the landscape? Strong leyline energies?"
Valaire: "If it is something a mage 'would immediately notice', I would imagine it would be a fluctuation in the magic in the air."
Azzanadra: "That, yes. It looks like space itself is distorting."
Adrian: "Understood."
Invesse: "Very well."
Azzanadra: "Silske finds great delight in training his mages there, as there is something important about this place I will mention."
"The Abyss is the plane of magic. As I understand... all mages may cast freely in there."
"To put it in simple terms, one could stay in the Abyss and cast all day without any drain on their abilities."
Adrian: "No need to worry about running out of energy. Convenient."
Azzanadra: "...however, the same would be said to any enemies there."
Invesse: "Indeed. That sounds alarming to me."
Valaire: "So a matter of getting your shot off first..."
Invesse: "It sounds like a dangerous test of physical ability as much as magical."
Adrian: "Playing with cannons, from the sound of it."
Azzanadra: "Indeed."
"...I have not been there myself for many years, but the way Silske would speak of it... it would seem that there are many daemons, and corrupted outsiders, who wage war there alongside Garadin."
Kylisae: "I barely even have magic. It sounds like it's going to be pretty dangerous..."
Invesse: "In that case, reconnaissance and preparation shall be invaluable."
Azzanadra: "Exactly. I would recommend you ae very cautious in the Abyss."
Adrian: "How would it affect scrolls, wands, and the like?"
Valaire: "If it involves daemons, I will need to ensure I have something more dedicated for them specifically."
"Fire is well and handy, but against them..."
Azzanadra: "Scrolls, wands, would lose their charges, the same as normal."
"It only affects the magic qualities within living creatures."
Adrian: "Understood, thank you."
"(Hm. I still barely have enough time as it is... studying languages simply is not efficient as a means of preparation...)"
Azzanadra: "Hmm... anti-daemon..."
"During the God Wars, the dragons created a metal that was the bane of all outsiders, be they angels, demons, or Gods."
Invesse: "(We'll see if there is a reprieve in the war.)"
Azzanadra: "I believe this was called... Dragonmetal, or the lesser, weaker variant of 'bane ore'."
Adrian: "Where can it be obtained?"
Azzanadra: "From Dragons, of course."
"But to answer your question in greater detail... I do believe that dragonmetal does not degrade, and it is notoriously difficult to forge and melt. I imagine many relics, powder and shards have survived past the God Wars."
Valaire: "So within the Abyss itself, then?"
Adrian: "So we're looking for a weapon to use against the denizens of the Abyss, in order to look for a weapon to use against Silske."
Invesse: "This is getting complicated."
Valaire: "(And if it's a matter of weapons, it only helps Invesse, doesn't it?)"
Azzanadra: "I would not say so. The God Wars raged here, on the mortal plane. It is likely that many nobles or ruling families may have a few as relics. The real reason you may go to the Abyss is Hallowvale itself and perhaps contributing towards the stabiltiy of the plane."
"...after all, everyone suffers from these Eldritch Monsters."
Adrian: "That much, I would agree with... but perhaps tackling one enormous problem at a time?"
Azzanadra: "Of course. I am simply here to provide information."
Invesse: "The most pressing issue is the impending war."
Adrian: "Not to dismiss your insight, Greymage. I'm merely... trying to understand just what it is we're up against."
Valaire: "Yet more information that we cannot act on because, as has been made continuously clear, painfully often, we are too weak to actually do anything about any of this."
Azzanadra: "Indeed... war does loom on us."
Adrian: "I suppose earning Hallowvale's favor could perhaps turn the tide, if it were possible..."
Kylisae: "There's way too much. We need to be stronger to stop the war, but we can't go get stronger because it will take more time than we have?"
Azzanadra: "I have not seen your strength on display as of yet, but I may yet provide insight into the military tactics and matters of Eribe to aid you."
"I will not fight my countrymen, but I will aid you to defend yourselves and strike back."
Adrian: "That alone would be a great help."
Azzanadra: "Is there anything in particular you wish to know of?"
Adrian: "How they would act first. An increase in espionage and assassination attempts, small strikes at our border, a full-on assault... what should we prioritize preparing to defend against? I'm not about to count on a formal declaration of hostilities."
Valaire: "Certainly, while Eribe as a nation would likely appreciate such formalities, I think you know as well as us that Silske will not care about such procedure."
Azzanadra: "...Silske or a disciple may try to assassinate leaders and prominent figures of your community to cause instability."
"Whether this works of fails, it seems likely that they will attempt a 'surprise' invasion, given what we know..."
"My brother has very capable... although entirely insane, Generals and Disciples who manage much of the military."
"They have no reason to believe that they would fail."
Adrian: "That fits with what I've been told... Valaire, how long will it be until you can set up those wards?"
Valaire: "My lord. I finished last night."
Invesse: "Excellent."
"...tch, I am going to be fending off familiar faces, aren't I?"
Valaire: "Try not to think about it."
"I'll try to be... merciful for anyone that surrenders. Ideally in advance."
"No promises for any Shadowscales."
Adrian: "...I suppose many of them may not be serving Silske by their own choice, either."
Invesse: "For the common soldiers, perhaps."
Azzanadra: "Many of the Captains I know have proven to be quite resistant to continue service. However, they are loyal to their country, even if not to the Emperor."
Invesse nods.
Invesse: "The only thing that keeps me able to fight is knowing that the Eribe that exists currently is not the Eribe I knew."
Valaire: "But it isn't, and if your familiar faces do not recognize the chance to defect when offered to them, then there is little we can do."
Azzanadra: "Did you know any of the Disciples, Miss Alrun? I know I did not discuss them around you."
Valaire: "Allegiance purchased through intimidation is nowhere near as reliable than any they give us willingly."
Adrian: "...Alrun?"
Valaire: "...I can't say that name is familiar to me, either."
Invesse looks up reflectively.
Invesse: "Certainly, I am familiar with some operatives, Greymage."
"Perhaps not on a personal level, but I have still trained and worked alongside them."
Valaire: "...Do either of you intend to actually clarify?"
Azzanadra: "Invesse Alrun."
Invesse: "Hm? Oh. Yes."
Valaire: "You made it out to be a code name. One not warranting a surname."
Invesse: "It is not an alias, as such. I just do not think it was the name I was born with."
"But that name has been lost to the sands, anyway."
Valaire smirks.
Valaire: "Well, throw it away. It would be good not to get used to it, when you will be changing surnames before long in any event."
Adrian: "Is it a name you still wish to use? Or does simply being Invesse suit you better, for now?"
Adrian gives Valaire an indignant look.
Invesse flushes, looking slightly aside.
Invesse: "I... I do agree with Valaire."
Valaire: "You see, Adrian? You should trust me on the matters of a woman's heart."
Adrian chuckles, shaking his head.
Adrian: "Good to know. And yes, I suppose I should."
Invesse: "Regardless of circumstances, I do not wish to be weighed by my old master's name."
Adrian: "Quite fair. In any case, I'll bear in mind that many of Silske's operatives may not be willingly loyal to him personally."
Azzanadra: "...hmm, a last point on the Eriban forces."
"I have not seen either General Roland, nor 'Black Alice', for many weeks now. I fear they may be leading the invasion."
Azzanadra furrows his brow.
Azzanadra: "...oh dear."
Invesse: "Roland is leading?"
"That is something we need to remedy."
Azzanadra: "I fear they may divide their efforts. Ashdale is an easy place to strike, and I have heard rumors of warships around Dragontooth."
Adrian: "I'm not familiar with the names."
Invesse: "He is one of the most bloodthirsty of Eribe's generals."
Valaire: "Well, I will trust you on who is worth bothering to redeem, and who I should just destroy."
Adrian: "Anything more specific we should warn them of?"
Azzanadra: "Ashdale?"
Adrian: "Or Dragontooth. Would it tip our hand too strongly?"
Invesse: "My identity is dubious enough that I could be a sufficient source of this information."
"And in the worst case, well, I suspect the Emperor already has marked the Greymage as a traitor."
Azzanadra: "I fear it might. Silske has eyes and ears everywhere, but if you can get them to simply prepare their defences, it would prove to aid them in holding off Roland. Be especially careful of their own mages."
Adrian: "So, a simple warning to prepare defenses, but to do so as quietly as possible?"
Azzanadra: "Indeed."
Invesse: "I suspect our group, at least, would fare better at fending off the mages rather than Roland's mage hunters."
Kylisae: "I don't know what we can do to not let things be known. If he can just see everywhere..."
Azzanadra: "I know Roland despises the sea. Zeltria is likely to meet with 'Black Alice', or another disciple."
"I would tell all of you to prepare your ships. It is most likely they will attack you by sea. Meeting them before they land would prove beneficial."
Valaire: "So Roland is going to Ashdale, Alice is going to Zeltria, and someone else is going to Dragontooth?"
Azzanadra: "...I imagine Black Alice may go to both Dragontooth and Zeltria. The island is well known to not be defended well."
Adrian: "He may be able to see everywhere, but I suspect he can only pay attention to so much at once, Kylisae. That will be our key, I suspect; to seem unworthy of attention, an easy target."
Azzanadra: "Indeed. He cannot see everything."
"Subtle warning should be able to get through, but it it were publicly announced..."
Adrian: "Understood."
Kylisae: "This sounds really scary..."
Valaire: "If you're daunted, little sprite, you can always stay. I can break the bond and you'll be free. You can babysit the kids, or return to your forest, or follow Azzanadra around."
"I really wouldn't care either way."
Adrian: "She's right. It does sound really scary. I don't think acknowledging that constitutes turning tail and fleeing."
Invesse: "We can do nothing other than stand and fight, in reality."
Kylisae: "But then... I mean, what about Auntie Runa and Azzy? They can't fight... I need to fight for their share, don't I?"
Valaire: "You can barely see a combat without hiding under Adrian's cloak. How are you expecting to stand when you refuse to crawl?"
Invesse: "We all have our own ways to contribute, Kylisae."
"You can fight by helping Valaire prepare, for example."
Adrian: "(I'll have to see how much of our quarters Narik and the others have managed to make livable yet...)"
Valaire: "(I hope they didn't scrub the runes in the corner clean...)"
Kylisae: "This is hard."
Valaire: "Life isn't easy, sprite. People who hide in the forest and watch life pass them by can't defend anything or accomplish anything."
"Will you fight to change the world? Or will you allow the world to change you?"
Adrian: "I think I'll ask Rozeal to stay there as soon as it's possible. Set up a decoy in her own room. The place clearly isn't secure..."
Valaire: "Certainly not with a mysterious individual coming in and leaving suspect notes..."
Kylisae sits on the bedpost in silence, half-sulking and half-thinking.
Adrian: "(And Valaire, if you can keep our young prince out of harm's way, do so.)"
Azzanadra: "...I believe it would be beneficial if I spoke to Rozeal at some point about this."
Valaire: "(I could always expand the range of my magic, if I get their approval...)"
Azzanadra: "At least Raikov himself knows of what I believe to be the military strategy."
Adrian: "That would be best, I suspect."
Invesse: "Hmm, when I spoke with Rozeal, it seemed like she would contribute best remaining as a public image."
"I do not think she would take kindly to having a double, but I agree that it is needed."
Adrian: "I don't expect her to like the idea either. But Zeltria is in no shape to lose her as well."
Valaire: "I would agree. The people need Her Eminence."
Invesse nods.
Invesse: "Someone needs to keep the public confident."
Adrian: "Freyja might be able to help, as well."
Azzanadra: "Indeed. Bringing your Queen out of the public eye is playing into the Emperor's hands."
Valaire: "They need her. She needs to be queen and inspire them."
Adrian: "I don't intend to bring her out of the public eye."
Valaire: "(As convenient as it may be for my ascent to be hastened, I still need her too. I'm nowhere near ready...)"
Adrian: "Merely for her to not be sleeping someplace alone, very predictable, and apparently poorly guarded."
Azzanadra: "That may work..."
Valaire: "A change in bedroom alone sounds quite the fix. Those eight or so hours of vulnerability..."
"Surely, there should be space enough in the warded home."
Azzanadra: "Assassins may still be able to target her. But I agree, it will be safer."
Adrian: "They may. But at least then all of us will be nearer."
Valaire: "She and Ginei get along well enough, perhaps Rozeal wouldn't mind helping watch the child while simultaneously benefiting from her company..."
Azzanadra: "Perhaps you may want to organise that now... it is getting rather late, and it isn't like we are able to go anywhere."
Adrian: "Yes, I think that may be best. Thank you, Greymage."
Valaire: "May you and Miss Runa find good health in time."
"Sprite. Are you coming?"
Azzanadra: "Of course. Hopefully Runa will be more conscious tomorrow, and we may collude data on the Reapers."
Kylisae lowers her head, still unable to answer.
Invesse: "Swift recovery to you, Greymage."
Adrian: "Hopefully so."
Valaire: "Guess you still need time. See you when its time for your usual perch, then."
Azzanadra: "Little Kylisae, are you well?"
Kylisae: "(I just want to help...)"
Azzanadra: "(There are other ways of helping, besides directly fighting. If you wish, I could try teaching you a few support spells.)"
Valaire shrugs impassively, beginning to make her way out of the hospital ward.
The party make their way out of the ward, and head over to the east wing. Returning to their home, it seems that Narik has been hard at work and has partially knocked through the wall that divided the two buildings to form one doorway sized hole.
Later, Adrian convinces Rozeal to stay in their guild building for her safety, taking what was once Lord Goring's bedchamber. Jillia, Ginei, and Genevieve arrive safe and sound in the Guild hall, beds being set up for them and the party before everyone turns in for the night.