Sugarboy's Voyage Home

[19:03] {NARRATION} Off to the shore, and onto a boat. Specifically Sugarboy's personal Party Yacht.

Because why not mix business with a bit of pleasure.

A quick day of sailing delivers them to their destination - The island where the boy was born! The great blue sea looks beautiful under the pure sunlight.

And it keeps looking beautiful. Wait, there's not really an island here.


In a moment of shock, you all realize! The island... had sunk? All that remains is but the tip of the mandatory mountain (it's a small one). Barely peaking out of the ocean.

Well! Things got a bit difficult didn't they?
[19:11] A personal party yacht...whatever this was it was surely strange enough for the rat king. More so being on the body of water that..in a while seemingly was not a good mix after their older adventures.

"Water...why was it always water.."

A low groan as they continued to look out beyond the water before their eyes glimpsed something else..and..that was because there was suppose to be an island, not the tip of a small mountain.

Turning towards Sugarboy as they seemingly squinted at him in trepidation.

"You did say..an island was here right? You grew up on that?"
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:14] Sugarboy was not much of a man to accumulate wealth, but ever since him and Euyitl had talked about retiring out on the ocean, he went on the grind for that boat, and he certainly decked it out to match the captain's mode of operation: chill as fuck.

The sail there was quite like a cruise, with Ezmara's chieftain standing at the helm for a good part of the voyage, passing off to a Gehennan sailor he had hired to man the ship.

When not at the helm, however? He was in full party cruise mode, significantly more lively than he had been in a decade or two. He would be singing and dancing with his wife, fishing off the top deck as he enjoyed being amongst his element.

At one point he would show Euyitl the gift that Tih Noctem had gifted him, a beautifully crafted set of Nyeshk armor, runed for durability. "He told me he picked it off Donovan when he beat her- Said it used to belong to the Azure Valkyrie, Ithaca Blackwater- I'm not one to regift something, but I thought it'd look really nice on you until I can have it refitted for me~" He'd say with a laugh offering the hefty set of armor to her.

He knew Tototl would be uneasy on this trip, so he made sure to invite him and Nyx to plenty of fishing episodes, with their good friend ol Soothy Reed.

However, following the stars, he would spy the peak of the mountain barely pokeing from the water's surface, easily missed if he had not been looking for it.

"Aaaand Here we are! Home sweet home!" He'd shout, skipping from the wheel as he shouted to drop the anchor. He'd fish through his bag, pulling out two vials and a cask of a liquid.

"Yep! Place was hit with a wave while I was fishing, and set me out to sea to wash up on Agartha! Now's the fun part, going for a dip~" He'd pass a vial to Euyitl and Tototl each, the cask to the pack of rats.

"Water breathing potions, good for up to eight hours~ Learned to make'em when I went with mital and Kuhn to clear out that Sirenian outpost. Just drink and make sure your first breath of air is the ocean!" He'd explain before going for a back flip off the side, his back popping and a load groan to follow as he landed flat on his back to sink into the depths.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:17] Her hand taken, she'd follow with ease as the noticeable smile curls. "Hello, love." That brief distance fading as she'd return the affection. "Mh, he's agreeable, but I haven't known him like you, Dew or Lad. And is that so?" She'd cant her head slightly to hear that he had a gift for her.

It was truly a wonderful gift, the armor was exquisite and the metal could tell stories if it could. A set of armor with history to match the massive blade upon her back. "I love it, thank you dear." Gifting her husband a kiss on the cheek as the boat set sails on the sea.

The scenery and smells were what she imagined, her first time on the ocean and she always stayed at Sugarboy's side to share the experience together. "I do wish the kids could experience this." One day, she hoped they could but she also couldn't lie that she did enjoy the time they had to themselves.

The sun beaming down on them, the cool chilly nights... Sometimes she got a bit seasick and found herself being tossed side to side by the waves carrying the yacht side to side in unnatural rhythms. Only once-- twice did she throw up over the side...

But as the boat drew nearer and slower to what she could assume was their destination, there could only be a little island found. A bit confused, a bit concerned as she'd stay at her husband's side, looking at him to provide the answers or possible misdirection.

To hear he was familiar with the damage, the potion was taken, still a bit confused but nods her head and drinks the potion. A bit odd and fishy...

She'd perform a cannonball into the ocean, sinking and following her husband.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:18] A personal yacht. Huh. Tototl's lips purse into a thin line as they board the vessel, a brown hue quietly judging its sea worthiness. Yet, Cruxati's Chieftain joins the few.

Sailing was always something he... Didn't enjoy from his past experiences. Massive tidal waves, vicious whirlpools - It was all very out of the swordmaster's element. He'd enjoy himself where he could, of course, doing quiet sketches of the ocean as they go by. Perhaps Kil would like these... There were, of course, moments of fishing with Sugarboy, splendid as they were.

Waves continue to pass on by, the wide open blue rolling along. How... Quaint- Well, beyond of course their arrival. Sugarboy's home was before them as a peak. It brought a sting of sadness to the Chieftain truthfully.

Though he'd said such a thing went under oh so long ago.

"Underwater sadly, Nyx. Hence why ah... Well,it's going to be one heck of a venture." The jackal's attention turns towards the rat king before the Ezmaran Chieftain as a vial is tossed to him. He'd look it over, a quiet muttering to himself - Water breathing potions.

He'd prepare to take the potion, allowing others to jump in before him. With one last prayer to the Spirits he'd down that potion and flop on into the seas.


(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:19] Nyx quickly takes a cask of the underwater breathing potions just in case.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:26] {NARRATION} Yup, Sugarboy put it best. One moment he was out fishing. The next? A massive monstrous tidal wave had absolutely sent him flying all the way to Agartha.

An incredibly odd occurrence, but hey you gotta go with the flow. Look where it took our Chieftain! A boat with a swarm of rats, a barbarian mystic, and Euyitl (she's normal).

They'd drink the potions and start their adventure. Nyx... would have to forego his swarm. If he even still had one. I'm not up to date with his errata book sorry.



With a Splish and a Splash the party would cannonball on down, and hey thankfully it wasn't too far down. Having their hearts explode, or something, from the pressure difference wasn't gonna happen!

What would happen, however, is they'd land on the... technical Sea's floor. A path Sugarboy had once walked - the entrance to his cute seaside village. The buildings were mostly still intact. Water damage is a given, there's bits and pieces of coral growing, and hey look schools of fish!


There's really three places to go here. The Old Inn that Coral Moon operated.

The Town's Center, and finally The Temple of the Waves. Established to praise the awesome ocean.
[19:33] To leave the swarm...would be painful. But then again...after all the runeworking they had done and the mastery they had they had a single solution. To quite litterally stuff the swarm into a ball of cosmic mana that they created in that swift time. To defy all odds...they were damn well good at that. Especially after...the incident with the snake.

"Lets...get this over with.."

Having to trap its entire swarm in a single glowing cosmic ball was..painful to say the very least. They were used to being free..not crammed into a sphere. But so far they seemingly made it. But where ever they went they were sure sugarboy still remembered it well.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] The weight of her blade and armor naturally weigh her down as their feet set on the technical sea floor and in front of the sunken village.

A take of breath and her lungs fill with water, it was a bit unnerving but the sight of what was once her husband's childhood home helped her to ease. Visualizing the little sugarboy running around prior to leaving.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] They would descend, mithril boots hitting the floor as he stirred up some sand. It was quite notable how unhindered Sugarboy appeared standing beneath the ocean, he was quite literally in his element down here.

He'd look over the village he hadn't seen in thirty six years. One would imagine the great depth of sorrow, or grieving that was going through Ezmara's chieftain- Wait is his skipping to the inn?

"C'mon guys! Let me show you were I grew were I spent most of my days!" He almost felt like a kid again, his voice carrying that same youthful wonder.

He was far older now, long since gotten passed the grief, with new ones taking their place readily with Agartha's stirrings. No, this was a new experience that would shed light on some questions that had been long plaguing him.

It had a strange beauty to it, really, almost completely untouched, his home had become something of a village in a snowglobe beneath these waves. "My momma used to run this inn, and it would bring Sailors from all around looking for a place to take a load off and relax before hitting the sea again!" he'd say kicking the doors open as he stepped inside.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] Water. Spirits, it was always fucking water. It feels like drowning for a moment - Sadly, the man didn't... Fully know how to swim beyond doggie paddling. With a gulp of water he finds himself breathing! Well, that's an upside. It's almost a reflex when he snaps an aura of mana about his form - Light, even if it wasn't a whole lot.

Glowing brown hues slowly watch the world about them as he sinks further on down. Mythril greaves eventually land on the cobblestone path of a village long lost to the years. Fish swim on by - He'd have to draw that school later.

The jackal remains vigilant as he takes in the surroundings for a moment. Where to go- Well, that was the Ezmaran Chieftain's choice at this moment.-- Spirits, they could even speak down here?

"It's ah... Quite a niche place. Reminds me a tad of home- What with it being a port and such." It's a tad quiet if not for the ocean drowning out most noise. Cruxati's Chieftain follows Sugarboy, slowly traversing the ocean floor.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:40] {NARRATION} It was silent. Cold. Dark. A stark contract to the old bustling, warm, and welcoming Inn that Sugarboy's mom once ran. There were no sailors or fish pies, but shadows and floating debris.

But there's a bit of a golden lining here. Looking close would reveal many different stories. The crack on the Piano? From a huge bar fight. A stool with only two legs? Tide Flower at it again with her pranks.

What time, and a hegemonies tidal wave, can do to a place.


It's possible to search the place. Perhaps even possible to go back to Sugarboy or Coral Moon's rooms. Most other routes seem to be blocked by debris, and weird looking fish floating about.
[19:46] Now this was a bit of a sad sight to see, certainly, he'd step into the inn, dragging his finger across the length of the bar. "I remember I used to come into this place with a big ol basket of fish, and Momma used to always yell 'And there's Sugarboy coming in with that sweet catch!' And all of the sailors would go wild~ Then I'd hop in the back and help her with skinning and cleaning." He'd speak aloud the old memory of how his daily routine used to go.

He'd raise a hand, gesturing for the others to follow upstairs to his room. "I'd be real surprised if my old hammock didn't get swept away- But uh, yeah, welcome to my old crib~" He'd laugh as he made his way to his old room, checking to see what ol Tide Flower had done over the years.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:47] Staying silent throughout the entire trip was more suitible to the rats needs. Swiming wouldnt have been difficult..provided the ground was stable. But claws needed a leverage after all to stick to so it was more so like a giant rat trying to walk across wet sand. But regardless looking from it they seemingly stuck by Tototl.


Saints how they wished to be back on land...
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:48] Following Sugarboy to the Inn and once they were inside, she couldn't help but wander around, maybe even follow Sugarboy around if he wanted to show or share his history.

Chuckling. "It'd be quite interesting to have met you back then, even if it is a bit far fetched." She was enjoying the trip thus far, being able to get a very good look to where he was raised.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:49] Fish, silt, other unknown debris - What a mysterious little hovel beneath the sea. A tavern with a million stories, but which one didn't? Tototl could recall the countless tales the man had told him during their little gatherings...

A shame, then, that it all came down to this.

"It's... It's a pleasant place, Sugarboy. Perhaps we could get the tavern back home into something like this?" Hesitation evident in that little quip. Perhaps there was a growing fear of the darkness within the seabed that had taken root within him.

Those glowing brown hues keep a fair watch of their surroundings as he continues forth behind Sugarboy. A hand, in its typical instinct, rests upon the hilt of that whispering blade.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:49] Sugarboy says, "Hehe, I wasn't too far off from when ya met me, Euyitl~ Maybe a little more chill, not as eccentric"
[19:50] Sugarboy says, "And that'd be nice, Tot"
[19:50] Sugarboy says, "It'd be nice to breathe some life into that Tavern~"
[19:51] Euyitl says, "Still, little sugarboy would've been truly adorable to see. "
[19:51] Tototl says, "That it would. Lassic did a fine job back then..."
[19:54] Nyx says, "...Glub.."
[19:54] {NARRATION} They'd saunter on over across the bar. Straight to Sugarboy's room...

There was a rumbling. A THRASHING noise from behind the door! What was going on back there???

Would they DARE enter?
[19:57] Sugarboy didn't forget to feed the cat did he? Did Sugarpuss really survive the wave and evolve into a catfish?? Oh wait, Sugarboy never had a cat- then what the hell was that?

He'd hold his hand on the door knob as he turned to everyone, gesturing to read their weapons as he held up three fingers, then two, then one, and woosh! He'd open the door, either with a dramatic swing, or awkward fumbling before giving up and blasting it with a jet of water off it's hinges to spy what was in his room.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:00] That visible brown hue squints heavily as there's a rumbling behind the door. Gripping his blade nice and tight, peering towards the Ezmaran Chieftain. With that count down he'd hunch on down, pressing his greaves into the ground of the inn. As the opens... He whips out his weapon, cyan mana shooting forth along its edge!
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:00] As the group approached the door, they'd all hear the thrash noise going on behind the door. And following everyone's motion as Sugarboy gestures to them, she'd unsheathe Dawnbreaker, wielding it with one hand while preparing herself for a possible fight. But she also was prepared for someone or something defenseless to be lurking behind the door.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:05] A thin grimic seemingly grew onto the maw of the rat king. A tired visage filling their face as they stood behind tototl. Cosmic spheres and orbs of fire ready. Ready to burn whatever's behind the door.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:05] {NARRATION} It was a fucking Shark.

A Big one. An ANGRY one.

It aims to ram through the door and attack the party! How would they respond?

Do they try to barricade the door to stop its initial assault?? DO THEY RUN?????

Tototl is already getting to work, trying to kill something. Violent guy.
[20:07] Oh boy, it looks like he was playing matador with a Shark again, though Tototl was already racing to beat him to the punch. Ezmara's chieftain had never tasted shark, and with that realization, the water would begin to warm around him- with magic, gosh! And he would assist his brother in capturing their prey.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:08] Looks like they were getting ready to cook shark again! Ratatoi..and all that stuff from the cosmic kaor rat.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:10] What wasn't trying to kill him at this point? Vampires, Thornberries, Belialites, Dawnites… Spirits if he wasn't on his toes he'd be rolling in a grave right now.

Run? Fight? Barricade? Well, Ezmaran's Chieftain seemed on board with the usual plan! Stab and run! Tototl's mana continues to build up about his form, slowly taking up that normal eye in a flaming, cyan orb.

A wavy one at least - What with the water about them. Honestly, those flames of energy are seeming all the more liquid-y given their surroundings.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:11] Spotting the massive aquatic beast, she'd glance to her husband and following up to the groups motions. Grasping her weapon firmly with both hand as the group would seemingly fight in the confined space.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:18] {NARRATION} [nyx roll]
[20:19] {NARRATION} The shark... was a bit weak. Being locked in Sugarboy's room for so long caused him to starve, just a bit.

Weak, frail, dying. He was nothing to the party. Only able to ram itself into Nyx before falling to Sugarboy's amazing power.
[20:24] One Shark versus four of Gehenna's finest, luckily the shark was not too much trouble for them, or Gehenna would be the one really in a pickle. Though the shark was fast, being in it's natural environment, racing around as it tried to take a bite out of each of them.

Sugarboy would turn the tides to impede it, boiling the water around it as he prepped the shark for their meal on the way back. He'd take a moment to stop, remembering his meditation as he tried to take a firmer hold on the water around him, trying to suspend the shark in one spot so his friends could cut it into bite size chunks.

He'd strain and focus, not being able to think of much in the heat of the moment. The shark would be slowed, but what really stopped it was when it took a bite out of the rats.

Well hey, that's one way to stop a shark. The chieftain would capitalize on it, boiling the water around the shark until it turned belly up. "Ha! Now that's a surprise! You think my mom has one in her room too?" He'd ask with that characteristic wild grin.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:26] Down the rat goes! With a very terrible underwater screech as they were barrled into by the shark before it goes down! Fire verses water...what a terrible match up..

"L...Lovely..."
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:29] The waters are all but an unknown battlefield for the man. While light, the blade meets tension within the waters about him. That cyan blur's legacy was all for naught down here, now reduced to a simple, swift swordsmaster.

Even his projectiles are harder to time within the area! He does his best not to damage the inn, of course, but Spirits know that's darn hard to accomplish if a burst is to miss.

In the end of it all, however, the shark was boiled alive. Gruesome, absolutely gruesome! Cruxati's Chieftain shifts his 'vision' between the now boiled shark and greying Chieftain, a quiet chuckle parting from the man.

"Honestly ah... I truly hope not. Strange beasts, not ever seen one up close."
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:33] Underwater and indoors in a special place, she could only do so much to call the magics that aided in her strength. She could only rely on her raw power to shoot forward alongside Tototl, gliding her blade through the water with tremendous force to the sharks side.

As massive as her blade was, it couldn't easily be controlled underwater. Hurling herself at the shark, not afraid to get up close and personal. Though it did have it's negativity as blasts of water and sound send the Drakanite skidding.

In time to see the shark boiled. Felt odd not to wipe her brow of sweat but she could find herself chuckling to Sugarboy's enthusiasm. "Only one way to find out."
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:34] {Item} You picked up Shark Bones. Dropped by SawbonesDM. .
[20:34] {Item} You drop Shark Bones.
[20:36] {NARRATION} The shark boils! Its skin bubbles! The entire thing... melts.

That's gross.

Leaving nothing but bones, bones that seem pretty magical. Something a warrior might use. They were the bones of Leviathan, terror of the deeps!

Retired terror, but still.


As the partty went to check Coral's room, they'd thankfully be greeted by... not another shark!

The room is... perfectly normal. As if it hasn't been underwater for years Her bed lies undisturbed and made up. A nightstand contains a small black box. There's other things in the room of course, but why would you go through your own mothers unmentionables?
[20:43] Sugarboy would stride into his Mother's room, truthfull he never spent much time in here aside from the nights when a real nasty storm would roll in, and the thunder would shake the walls.

There would be a soft smile on his face as he slowly walked around the bed. His mother was always the punctual sort to make her bed after waking up in the morning. There wasn't much said as he made his way over to the nightstand, inspecting the curious black box he may have spotted once or twice in his youth, but never had the gumption to open it until this moment.

He'd hesitate, turning to the three closest people to him in the world, with him in this room. "Well.. There's four of us, and a box has four sides.. I love all of you, and it means a lot to me you'd come all the way to the bottom of the ocean with me to take a swim down memory stream." Sentimentality was getting to the old man, was it his age, or where he stood? Maybe a combination of both working in tandem.

He'd step forward, one hand under the box to support it as he held it out. "I think it'd be cool to open a mystery of my childhood with you all~"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:44] The rat simply decided to stay near Tototl. Perhaps...sticking with the chieftian was a better bet so they wouldnt get speared by another creature.

"Please...please no more other creatures.."

A thin grimmice as the rat king and its swarm. Perhaps today was not the best for ocean explorations..but besides that fact the rat king seemingly was content to deal with its own injurys while it waited for the group. But at the mention of opening a mysterious box together? That was...something new.

"That..would be...a cute jesture for us all."
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:47] Thus he continues forth behind Sugarboy! That cyan blob of mana follows along offering what little light it can within those underwater passages. As the door opens in... No shark! Thank the Spirits!

Those cyan orbs scan the room for a moment with a slight tilt of the jackal mask. Curiosity, in truth, as perhaps there were things of Sugarboy's youth within even here. A nightstand, a number of dressers...

Mythril greaves slowly make their way into the room as Sugarboy speaks. He'd walk near the old brother and eye the box. Inside a mystery - Much like the many things among Agartha and the world.

"Can't begin to think of ah... Where most of Gehenna would be without you at their sides, Sugarboy. The love goes both ways, truthfully - Though you still can't get me to sit down for another round of vodka."

His right hand waggles a finger as if scolding a youth - Joking, of course. "Let's... See what's inside, right?"
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:48] As the shark is melted down in a grotesque manner, all that remained were the skull of the shark that Euyitl would take. It was weighty and had something quite interesting to it but she couldn't put a finger on it.

She'd take out some rope and tie it through the socket, hauling it over her shoulder as the two wander into Sugarboy's mother's room. Staying by his side as he took the box and decides to open it with the group. Her free hand rests on his shoulder as she awaited with a smile on her face.

The trip thus far, aside from the shark, was sentimental and rather adorable. If only she could do the same but her childhood wasn't as memorable. "Mh." Nodding her head, agreeing with the group.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:52] {NARRATION} The four would take a side, and Sugarboy would slowly open the box. Contained inside were two objects.

A pink coral ring, and a note. The ring itself had made an air bubble inside - protecting itself and the note from the wave that sank the island.

Reading the note, you'd see it's a goodbye letter. From Sugardad to Coral Moon.

A promise, he'd depart on a voyage from the Temple of the Waves. He'd also return to her the very same way, excited to see how much his son would've grown.

Bittersweet.


The note seemed important, for a reason. Maybe it was time to head to the temple?
[20:53] {Item} You picked up Sailor's Promise. Dropped by SawbonesDM. .
[21:00] Sugarboy would take the ring between his forefinger and thumb, holding it up for everyone to inspect closely. The jagged pink coral texture had a cute charm to it, and just holding in his fingers, he could feel the residual power in it, his connection to the waters around him growing stronger as his range of control expanded.

He would read the note, passing it around, his father's had ties to a church that never interested him much, but his mother also never spoke of it, this letter was most likely the reason why.

"My.. Mother wasn't a magi, atleast to my knowledge.. She never used any magic around me growing up, and honestly, I never knew it existed until I came to Agartha.." He'd admit, holding the ring a little closer, before slipping it onto his finger.

"I uh, don't really know anything about the Temple of The Waves.. I spent most of my time growing up getting stoned and fishing.. So, about time we head that way, eh?" He'd ask looking around to them as he took his wife's hand.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:05] As the lid comes off, a ring is revealed - How sweet. Pretty in itself he'd steal a glance towards his own ring. Its brilliant hue, its ethereal energies, they both held a heavy mote of sentimentality. A father, for both, had left once they kept a momento behind.

Brothers, perhaps, in more than blood at this point.

"Perhaps she was, then, or perhaps your father held that magical potential within him." His voice crawls along as he takes a long read of the note before passing it along. "That, perhaps, is the next mystery along the line."

With the introduction of a temple he'd sagely nod. Another mystery among the island for the man - Well, the many here now. "Who knows, perhaps that temple was a cult you were blissfully unaware of."
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:09] A ring revealed and a heartwarming note. It was a warming thing..but regardless of it they had a new destination to go to. And with it..hopefully not another shark.


"Well..it seems we've another destination our dear friends..Sugarboy..lead the way once more! And...pray we dont have to deal with sharks..."

Family bonds seemingly still held tight within the water grave of the the mountain.

(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:10] When it was her chance to read the letter, her expression grew noticeably soft, heartstrings tugged especially when she felt his hand taking hers. A glance given to her husband as she'd give the letter to the next, a look of understanding.

Giving a little squeeze of reassurance to his hand. "It's very beautiful, I bet it certainly matched your mothers own." Smiling. "Mh." Nodding her head to Tototl's guesses. "That'd be quite something, to find out if your father was a part of a cult." She'd playfully say before following her husband, continuing to hold his hand along the way.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:15] {NARRATION} A mysterious letter leading to a secretive temple.

They'd walk out from the inn and go to the Temple's entrance. Stone that was certainly once carved, but the markings were worn away with time. Old spots for braziers, long since extinguished. Benches for those who'd want to wait outside for someone else. In essence a church with a different deity. One more home grown.

The door is open and the temples antechamber lays out in front of them.
[21:21] Sugarboy would offer a long glance to the benches as he made his way past. Honestly, he debated for a moment taking a load off and cuddling beside Euyitl as they looked at the underwater square with school of fish swimming past.

They were just shallow enough the sun's rays could cast through, illuminating the village in an otherworldly light as it breached the ocean's waters. But! Poor Tototl and Nyx were really hating it down here, he could blame them with their past experiences, really.

So with that, he would stroll into the Antechamber, his mana reaching out within his range to get a feel for the layout, secret chambers or rooms. Tototl and Euyitl had flipped the cultist trigger, and now Sugarboy was raring to find out if that was the case.

"Man that'd be pretty wild- I guess it'd explain my affinity for water magic.. When Epsilon tried teaching me, I just kind reached for what felt most natural, and it came out as a bubble." He'd regail of his early days in Agartha as they perused about.

"What do you think they'd worship? I mean- wave is in the name, but do you think there's like.. Some elder one of drowning or waves?" His imagination running wild with possibilities as he humored the idea a bit too much.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:24] Out the tavern and into the square - Right into the Temple's entrance. With its door wide open he'd take in the sights for a moment. Braziers long extinguished, benches along its outside. It's homely, to a degree, and in truth he'd probably sit on in for a few sermons.

Who doesn't like hearing of another god, after all?

"An elder or ah... Watcher of the seas, perhaps? Spirits, it could be a number of things. I recall a deity back home that sunk a ship as they taunted his name. Poor ah... Poor saps got taken under." A rather dry chuckle parts from the man, and without further ado he'd take a step on into the antechambers. Cyan orbs keep a close watch of their surroundings, focusing on any shadows for any form of movement.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:30] While following, she looked around, sightseeing the sunken village before they arrived to the temple and it's antechamber.

She too, wished they had more time to dwell in his memories, to be told numerous stories and unforgettable faces. Perhaps another day they could but for now, they had to continue forward. A playful nudge to Sugarboy's arm. "To match your bubbly personality." A subtle chuckle.

"Beats me. But I guess we can find something in here on what they possibly may have worshipped. Perhaps it had something to do with the wave crashing into the village?" Naming off possibilities out loud as the group travelled further.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:38] {NARRATION} The first step into the temple is greeted by actual, honest to goodness, dry land?

The water stops at the Temple's entrance - forming a sort of wall. It's not an issue to pass through it, and it seems to leave you dry when you cross over to the other side.

Standing in the first room. Greatly resembling that of a normal church.

A large open area, places where the pews would be. A large pedestal stands at the end of the church room. Made of a gray stone.


One foot after another the party would take, and then something would be heard.

A crackling, rushing winds.

Something was in there with them! But, what would they do?
[21:46] Stepping through the door would be quite curious, no water, and it was like passing through as curtain as they were instantly dried. "You know that cult thing is starting to look pretty viable." He'd mutter to those nearby as they stepped in. Magic to keep water out showed either direct intent, or at the very least, prophesize-able insurance.

Either way, the only thing to really do was step further in, winds rushing around them as it became clear they were not alone. The Chieftain didn't expect to run into anyone, but he didn't bring an entourage for nothing.

Though he did love sharing the sentimental voyage with each of them.

However this Gehennan wasn't all fight, he came here for answers, and he'd lead with his own weapon: an otherworldly friendly attitude.

"SUP BRAH!" He'd shout with a bright grin, looking up in the rafters as he hoped a figure would show itself, one way or another.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:48] Clack.

SPIRITS IT'S DRY LAND! Tototl immediately steps on through to the Temple's chambers. From a blob-y cyan shroud to a brilliant flame, he'd gently shake himself off within the Temple's confines. Dryness, Spirits how he enjoyed such a thing from the brine of the sea.

Pedestals of gray stone are about the area, held with a certain amount of interest. Were they like the offering bowl he had at home - Bloodlettings? Not that... Any evidence would be evident given the circumstances.

Sugarboy takes the lead in this verbal fight and exchange. Taking his own side among the Ezmaran that jackal mask peers on up, looking for any figure among the shadows.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:56] {NARRATION} The shouting seems to have amused whatever was about.

The crackling turned into cackling, finally into a booming laugh. Winds would swirl and lightning would arc around. Giving birth to a rough figure made of, what would seem to be, storms.

The elemental stares at the group, before introducing himself. Roughly.

"It is I! The Storm Elemental! Why have you come to my place of power, mortals?"

He'd question.
[21:59] As the elemental approached the group and amongst it's arrival, a large piece of debris falls onto the unknowing woman's head and forces her to drop to the ground unconscious. A clatter and clank of metal hitting the stone as the woman clad in armor falls.
(Euyitl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:02] Tototl squints the visible brown hue at the source of booming laughter. Winds and lightning dance about the group, and from it all spawns an elemental! A question posed, he'd peer towards Sugarboy.

"Answers, I believe." A tanned hand rises out from the cloak and gestures towards Sugarboy.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:07] A sentient elemental, this was the closest the old man had ever gotten to one- the best he had done was had violent run ins with water and fire elementals in caves.

Though this one had a booming laugh, and an attitude full of Bravado- just the kinda being Sugarboy could converse with. He'd puff out his chest as his shades looked extra sleek, and he'd go to return the booming voice as Euyitl is struck unconscious.

"Shit!" He'd shout, quickly rushing over to her and checking to make sure she was fine. No bleeding or concussion, but she would have a nasty bump on her head, placing a kiss on it, he would pick her up and prop her into a corner- a fight couldn't be unexpected.

He'd make his way back to where he stood before, finding it a little hard to find that same power earlier. "Uh, yeah- Name's Sugarboy, I was born on this island fifty three years ago, cast away by a large wave at the age of seventeen. I'm now one of the strongest water magi in Agartha despite not knowing what magic was until I washed up on Huangzhou's shore.." He'd share his tale with the demon who had now taken residence in his old home.

"Found out my pap went on a voyage for this here church, so I thought we'd come here looking for records or artifacts." He'd admit with a shrug.

"So uh, what brings you here?"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:08] SawbonesDM asks, "What brings ME? HERE?"
[22:10] {NARRATION} "WHAT BRINGS. ME? HERE?"

It thinks for a moment, eyeing each of the invaders.

"Are you daft? Are you actually...?"

His eyes narrow, but he slowly accepts it.

"This church is, like I said, a place of power. The people of this island had an artifact, The Tidal Stone. I've resided near it since the start! It's just.. you're the first to notice."

Maybe it's because no one on the island was a Magi?

"Are you /NOT/ after it? I've dealt with plenty of undesirables rushing for it. Ever since he invoked the Tidal Stone and drowned the whole island."
[22:16] How would the Chieftain react to such a response, being talked down to? I mean, it was a storm elemental protecting what appeared to be a powerful artifact. He even confirmed the chieftains suspicions that he was the one that flooded his home.

He would chuckle, of course! He had misspoken a bit too casually to the Elemental and knocked him a bit off kilter, showing his hand so to speak. Though there was always more to learn.

"Tidal stone? What is that- I mean, aside from the thing that brought this place beneath the waves- And why did you decide to evoke it's power? Did the priests not appease you, or what?"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:19] Tidal stone. Tototl places his hand upon his collarbone, lightly tapping away as he silently thinks. It wasn't necessarily a cult but they held some darn powerful artifacts from the sound of it.

"Not enough sacrifices, even?" Cruxati's Chieftain cants his head to the side, that jackal mask adding to the curiosity of it all. An elemental, a demon, beyond Agartha's first reaches.

"Or do you act as its guardian of sorts? A ah... Test, even."
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:20] {NARRATION} He squints once more, utterly confused.

"/I/ didn't invoke it. /HE/ did."

He glides around the church before looking at them.

"To claim that I am such a vain elemental. That I'd drown a whole island for sacrifices. Disgusting, degrading, just utterly terrible. Are you down making such basic accusations?"

He'd look back to the pedestal.

"He's still here, grieving over something. I wonder."
[22:26] Sugarboy would quickly raise his hands in a defensive gesture. "Woah woah, I'm sorry, didn't mean to offend. I just misheard when you said he." He would blink behind his shades, the head priest, or? Could it really be?

He'd think back to the letter, return to her in the same way. Maybe he was reading too much into it, but his imagination was running wild as his hope quickly got up.

"Who is he? Can we speak to him?" The Chieftain would ask hurridly, the desire for answers boiling over within him as he just had to know.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:28] "-- I meant no true harm in it. It's simply what I've been used to is all." A tanned hand waves itself defensively before lowering back into the shadows of a cloak. There was someone still here, however?

Cruxati's Chieftain looks hesitantly between the two conscious friends of his - A shame weariness had taken Euyitl. Sugarboy had the lead here, and he took the words right out of his mouth. Shifting his attention towards the elemental he'd await an answer.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:31] {NARRATION} "Enter the underchambers and from there you'll find the Tidal Stone's resting chamber."

He'd swirl about for a second, watching.

"But you're not allowed. If the spirit wishes to be there - I'll allow it. The potential for a human to take the stone is... not something I like."
[22:31] Sugarboy asks, "Then ah, you wanna go ask him, or should I just shout?"
[22:32] Tototl asks, "Does the spirit even talk, or ah... Just weep?"
[22:33] Nazadeha says, "I've no reason to help you. I gave you my answer - begone."
[22:40] The Chieftain would frown in a way that would look a lot more playful on a younger face, though behind the shades with his mug grizzled with age, it looked more like disappointment.

"Ah, well see, your answer doesn't quite answer all of the ones I have.. And since I've left here, I have since become with Chieftain of Ezmara, tasked with protecting, cleansing, and freeing spirits."

He'd declare his own title, drawing the dark oaken staf from his back as blood began bubbling beneath his skin as water crept along the walls from the entrance.

"Now the answers I seek are with a restless spirit- I think it is well within my right to march in there and speak with the man who flooded my home and cast me on this journey." At this point blood would be pooling through his pores, taking a misty form that whisped around him.

"Though if it makes you feel any better- I didn't come for the Tidal Stone, and you can rest easy know that I will not only take good care of it, but protect it as well." Sugarboy didn't know if he was honor bound or magically bound to protect the artifact, but it seemed a fight would follow nonetheless.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:43] Lips press into a thin line under that mask of his, digits continuing to tap away at his collarbone. To leave after all of this and with a mystery before them? It didn't feel all too right.

"Shame, then, that it came to this." That flaming cyan orb shifts its 'gaze' towards the two at his sides. There were answers to acquire, an artifact to return home with. Cruxati's Chieftain had a collection beyond his wildest dreams, why shouldn't his brother in arms?

As Sugarboy names his own title that ethereal mana among Tototl's form flares. It shifts, shudders, and lets tendrils of its haze begin drifting about the chamber. He'd used his own technique to dip and dive beyond his enemies, strike and run before they could locate him.

"As I said. We came for answers, and ah... Well, my brother will get them. Whether it be on my dying breath or another." Withdrawing the whispering blade from its hilt, Cruxati's Chieftain prepares to attack should Sugarboy or the elemental step forth.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:44] {NARRATION} "To risk being cliche."

It'd pause for a moment, the storms composing the elemental growing more fierce.

"A test of strength, is all I ask. Prove that you can defeat me and I'll let you see."
[22:45] Sugarboy says, "Very well, then let's boogie baby~"
[22:56] {NARRATION} everyone roll a d6 please
[22:58] Sugarboy exclaims, "Ah, then I claim it!"
[22:58] {NARRATION} [Sugarboy gets a temp.]

The winds rage and bolts of thunder strike every single surface. The elemental wasn't about to let them go easily.

Yet the three were able to calm the storms. Nyx being the one to land the final blow. His powers of the cosmos allowing him to control the elemental's Tidal Forces, bringing his fury to a halt.
[23:13] Water had crept onto the walls of the church, a little pocket of air created assembly by the Elemental to be more favorable to him, and it was to much rejoice of his colleagues.

However, this was Sugarboy's rodeo, and he was going to do this his ways. From a small trickle to a rushing flood, tide would fight against gust of wind as he sought to make the church more to his liking.

In hindsight, maybe it wasn't the best idea with a storm elemental, Sugarboy had learned that electricity travelled well through water in his fight against Sugarlad. However, in this manor he could send currents of holy water directly to his friends to keep them fighting.

Blood and boiling water would barrage against the elemental, but that was the same old song and dance, where was the panache? He would once again try the technique he practiced on with sharks, water enveloping him and the demon.

He thought thinking still thoughts though help, to hold everything still so he could analyze and process. But no, that's not how life worked, life was a river that kept on rolling, and you either went with the flow, or got left in the wake.

Still wasn't the answer, when was Sugarboy still anymore? No, his waters would take the shape of the flurry of ideas and thoughts racing through his mind, memories of friends and loved ones ever present, remembered through little thing. His mind was a clusterfuck, to say the least, and the currents in his bubble within the church represented that. Tiny little streams that were short lived would punch out against the demon from every angle, knocking him to and fro and slowing him as he tried to find his balance.

As the currents would carry Tototl and Nyx along them to their enemy, helping them, encouraging them just as he always did and felt deep with in, he would begin charging up one hell of a water beam.

Water greatly condensed, the pressure would swell to the point the water started to change color as light found it hard to travel through. Ezmara's Chieftain would blast towards the occupied elemental, shooting him into the many maws of The Rat king as they showed their collective might.

"Not too many bites, Xog! So Boss, we got what it takes?"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:16] That ethereal haze among the floors of the temple act as a shroud. Tototl fades in and out of the conjured smog - His mana leaking to each corner. Cruxati's Chieftain does his best to retreat into the smoke as bolts rain down upon him.

Spirits, lightning was a bitch.

The spirit-attuned leaps out, striking at the elemental's side before falling back into the smoke. Form each rising tendril rises a faint hand of which lobs an orb of cyan. Cruxati's Chieftain was, by all means, a snake hidden behind tall blades of grass. The only way to tell where he was attacking was the flaming cyan orbs - Peering down onto the elemental as a predator would do to prey.

He wasn't by any means without scratches. Constricted and drowned within water, held in place so bolts of lightning become all the more potent. Tototl's left shaking from the left-over voltage breathing heavily, clutching the whispering blade.

Nyx and Sugarboy had captured it in a brilliant display of water and... Well, rat fangs. It brought a grin to his exhausted mug - What with seeing his two closest work together so smoothly. Cruxati's Chieftain takes in a slow breath, drawing back in that ethereal mana he'd let seep out into the chamber. Perhaps instead of channeling his presence elsewhere to transfer himself he just had to be within his own element - His own mana.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:17] A demon of the storms. A fierce rival in modest but within..it was a tasty meal. Even a master of the stars seemingly held its own within these dark depths. Even the stars shine this far down into the tundra of water and with it..a deprite cry of action was taken.

"No longer..shall we be held back by the binds that chain us. No longer shall we not shine within the dark..we, were ment to be bright...and as such we shall BLOOM."

A beastle roar as the demon spractically turned the ball holding its swarm a stained blue before it split in two, perfectly keeping the other half alive but as for the remaineder of it?...Something stranger unfolded.
Almost as if another act of desporation. The rats maw opened wide in a great maw of erupting underwater fire as soddy shaped celestial wings faintly fizzled into existance. Forcing more out of the rats body as theycontinued to grow, expanding the rats mana far more than they were used to before Sugarboy blasted the elemental towards its maw they seemingly locked down upon it.


Flaring up a dark blue luminious glow as they took...a rather LARGE bite out of the elemental. Bright wings fizzling out as the rats fangs shortly flashed..a lunar blue.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:23] {NARRATION} Each would give it their all, but none greater than Nyx. The one to stop the elemental.

His wings grew once more and he acted swiftly, to end its threat. A bite would be taken out of it - its mana disrupted.

The elemental would disperse. Breaking off into many different smaller pieces, yet he'd still be able to talk.

"Fine, you win! I hate it but I'll allow it. Go down into the cellar and find the stone."

The pedestal at the end of the room would sink - revealing a staircase.

Winding downwards it'd lead to the stone cellar. At the center - The Tidal Stone. Grey and blue hues mix together and form a pyramid shape. At the center a sapphire.

Yet it wasn't the thing to see. A blue wisp floats about the room. Crying.
[23:29] "Thank ya Elemental!" Tired, battered, and beaten, the Chieftain still had a pep in his step as he descended the staircase, after injuries were assessed, he made sure everyone was okay, and he picked his cutely unconscious wife up.

It was quite a wonder to behold, truly an appropriate arrangement to withhold a legendary artifact with a beautiful sapphire atop. It was something to marvel at- though something was nagging at the Chieftain.

Setting Euyitl down, he would make his way calmly over to the specter, a kind and sympathetic look on his face.

"Hey there Pa, is that you? I know it's been a long, long while- but it's me, Sugarboy!"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:31] A weakened state that was the kaor as it disrupted the mana of the elemental. A thin underwater smoke escaped the maw. Limping after Sugarboy and Tototl. A far more weakened state before they simply nodded at the elemental before shivering once more. A tasty meal no doubt but...just at what cost?

"We..thank you for the slight meal however...this seems like a greatly touching re-unionion."

A faint nod to sugarboy before they seemingly slumped to the floor. Mana exausted from the desperation of mana being expelled.
(Nyx)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:32] Tototl's grin slowly dies on down into that usual neutral state as the rumbling occurs behind them. That jackal mask turns its attention towards the newly formed staircase and, as Sugarboy goes forth, so does the Chieftain.

Gradually they travel down towards a stone cellar. Before them lay the artifact - A pyramid of gray and blue with a sapphire center. A low huff of amusement parts from the man before his eyes set on the blue wisp gloating among the room.

Perhaps... He could help in some way. First comes the offering of blood - A sacrificial steel dagger dragging across a previously healed scar among his right forearm. With a flicker of light in his visible eye he'd offer forth some mana, attempting to do the usual partial summoning for... At least a head for the poor wisp to use. Their head, of course, before they passed along.
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:33] {NARRATION} The wisp suddenly turns to face Sugarboy. Confused, and restless it darts around the older man. Trying to discover who he is.

Yet the wailing doesn't cease. AT times it even bolts off to run into a wall, or even the Tidal Stone itself.

It was lost.
[23:35] Sugarboy would look towards hi brother and fellow Chieftain, Tototl. For a man sworn to protect spirits, he was admittedly, very unlearned on the topic. He didn't know how they were affected or what bound them to certain areas.

He wasn't sure if speaking was even an option here. ".. Should I just.. Take the stone?"
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:37] Contorting his lips he'd hold a bit of frustration in himself. Perhaps he was losing a knack of spirit-summoning. Then again he never truly was well versed in it without Ohtli.

Cruxati's Chieftain sets his gaze on Sugarboy before giving him a slow nod. "Think ah... Think that may be best. Perhaps it will form when you take it up."
(Tototl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:40] Ocean blue eyes would be cast upon the whips of a wailing spirit, sorry he was unsure of how better to help them or find out who they were. Sugarboy would step up to the sapphire atop the blue and grey hued pyramid, looking to Tototl and Nyx before plucking it with the hand he put his father's ring on.
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:40] {Item} You picked up Tidal Stone. Dropped by SawbonesDM. .
[23:46] {NARRATION} It was instantaneous.

As soon as the Tidal Stone was picked up, an earthquake could be felt. Violent, lasting several minutes, but... it seems as if no damage was done.

As it ends, the spirit reforms.

It is Sugardad.

He looks towards his son, "I'm sorry.


I meant to come back, I did. But the oceans didn't have that in store for me. I tried to come back, and that's when everything went wrong."

He pauses.
[23:58] Tototl remains silent as Sugarboy steps forth to grab the tidal stone. The earth about them shakes, and that lick of gravity magic the swordmaster holds keeps him grounded.

That wisp forms into a figure - Soon confirmed to be Sugarboy's father. Faint pulls of a smile form on his mug. It was a reunion. Bittersweet, sure, but a reunion nonetheless. Cruxati's Chieftain would remain silent for the time being.
(Tototl)
[00:00] The fluid exorcist would be quite shaken as the church jolted back and forth, though he didn't fall. The pyramid in his hand, the minute power he felt from the ring was a drop in the ocean compared to what he felt holding The Tidal Stone.

As enraptured as the doctor was in the immense power in his hands, his attention was easily pulled towards the spirit as he spoke. His wild imagination had proven right on this occasion.

"Dad- what happened? You were a magi? What is this temple and- Why didn't you come back, what happened when you tried?" Many questions were rambled off, but the son had to take a deep breath, this was his dad after all!

"I know about that.. The tides, riding the wave and not fighting it.. Bad things always happen when I try to fight it." He'd admit with a short laugh, a knot growing in his throat as it hits him, THIS IS HIS DAD.

"Tell me your story, Dad."
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:04] {NARRATION} "I was tasked by the church to sail off to the east. To secure a trade deal for our island."

A simple beginning.

"A storm had hit a few weeks in. We couldn't make it. Another shipwreck to join the rest at the bottom of the ocean."

He looks down at his hands, spectral and lightly blue. It was all true, it'd been true. Yet it was near impossible to accept.

"I wasn't a Magi, I don't think. But something pulled me back. To the island. To that stone. My spirit was there until... you would've been 17. No?

The Stone activated, being charged by my grief perhaps. It caused the wave."
[00:20] He wanted to come back so bad, his spirit connected with the the Tidal stone and flooded the city, a monkey's paw wish gone awry, spirits would always be reunited on the other side.

"Yeah, not too much before my eighteenth birthday. I was out fishing when the wave hit, and I spent some time stranded at sea until a storm flipped my dingy, and I washed up on Agartha..

I was real sad being away from home, but there was so much adventure I could help but go with the flow- I have a beautiful and caring wife- passed out over there, poor thing took a nasty bump on the head.. We have three beautiful children I wish you could see.. Sugarlad is really a grain off the old sugarcube." he'd say with a chuckle, he was fifty three now, a whole life to catch up on.

"I lived all across that rock, helping people everywhere I could.. I eventually settled down inthis.. Quirky little settlement that was simple and lives in harmony with land and spirits." It was a bit of an understatement calling blood rituals and human sacrifices quirky, but they were things he had come to live with and accept, even if he didn't fully understand it.

"I made some friends who became closer than blood, my new family.. And they chose me to be one of their Chieftains." He'd say casting a warm glance to Tototl and Nyx.

"I want you to meet my beautifully unconscious love, Euyitl, my blood brother and Chieftain of Cruxati, Tototl, and Nyx, king of rats."
(Sugarboy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:21] {NARRATION} "You've made yourself into something amazing,

But. It's time. I'm glad you've made the most out of your life. That you've made such... mostly wonderful friends.

Goodbye, and I'm sorry."


He fades, and with that this story is over.
[00:23] Sugarboy would smile and nod, "Thanks Dad, and it's not your fault.. I love you- now get on over to the other side, you've left mom waiting long enough~" That said, he'd reach out to hug the specter, for all the good it did, and with that, they could return home!
(Sugarboy)