Beyond the Sky - Session 35

The party assemble in Adrian's room on the following morning, ready to discuss the events of the previous day...
Adrian: "So. I have a feeling we should hear what the contents of that book were, while the opportunity is available."
Valaire puts the book on the table, a stern expression on her face.
Night Eyes rests against a wall, eyes on Valaire's book.
Valaire: "Six children, Lord Adrian. Six. Children."
"They stole six innocent children. From beds in night. From random families. And then every single one of them were... experimented on."
Adrian: "Six others, or including her?"
Valaire: "Including her. Three were subject to their 'Reaper Project', the ones we've heard about."
Night Eyes: "So there were multiple projects..."
Valaire: "The other two... well, they saw them as little more as ways to test what worked and what didn't."
Adrian: "Utterly despicable. I see."
Night Eyes: "Ah, I see."
Adrian: "...One of them is unaccounted for."
Night Eyes: "Was she a control? Hm, no, even the survivor was drugged..."
Night Eyes steps forward, picking up the log.
Valaire: "One of the girls... they called her Epsilon, but her real name is unknown--to dehumanize them and make the Eribans' crimes more palatable, I would assume--apparently is indirectly responsible for Ginei's eyes."
"This... soulfire of theirs. One of them produced the substance responsible. So they injected it into dear Ginei in part of their worryingly consistent attempts to 'rehabilitate' her."
Valaire scoffs, looking agitated.
Valaire: "Like anyone would just willingly go along with these sins."
Adrian: "Is it known how it might affect her?"
Valaire: "The book doesn't specify. I wonder if darling Night has the piece to that part of the puzzle in the book she found."
Night Eyes: "The notes I had were more... technical."
Valaire: "They go into few details on what it is they're doing in the book I procured, merely that they're doing it."
"What this soulfire does, what these formulas do, and how to potentially reverse the process, are all not included."
Adrian: "Kharsha Tir should be here in a few days to examine the place; hopefully she can figure out a bit more of that."
Valaire: "One can hope so. I will try to persuade dear Ginei to consent through a few prods, but given what she's been though, I really couldn't blame her for refusing examination outright."
Night Eyes closes the book, settng it down.
Night Eyes: "Reversal of the process did not seem to be in their interests, going by either document. It looked like the experiments were a prelude to modifying their own soldiers."
Valaire: "Why would they bother looking into reversal? It seems against their best interests."
Night Eyes: "Exactly."
"That blue fire itself seems to be a projection manifested by burning a piece of an individual's soul, just as the name suggests."
"It's frightening to imagine it rests within the poor child."
Adrian: "And they want to do this to their own people?"
Valaire: "There is a lot that rests within poor Ginei. They apparently rewarded her perseverance with suffering."
Night Eyes: "They believed that in her state, it is fully functional without her losing her own wits."
Valaire: "I still do not know if she can walk on her own. She was used to test a lot of their formulas without properly understanding the side-effects."
Night Eyes: "Indeed..."
Valaire rests her chin on interlaced hands, looking thoughtful.
Night Eyes: "With any luck, the information did not escape home. But I am not certain we can rely on that."
Valaire: "It... pains me to see her like this. It leaves me with a conflict in my heart."
Night Eyes nods.
Night Eyes: "I had difficulty looking at her eyes."
Adrian: "What is the conflict? It seems clear enough to me."
Valaire: "What is it that is clear, my lord?"
Adrian: "Provide for the child as best we can, as much as we can do so ourselves without putting her in undue danger, for now; she shouldn't be entrusted to someone who doesn't understand her situation. And do whatever we can to put a stop to whoever is enacting these experiments, if any of them survived."
Valaire: "Ah, but you have voiced out the very conflict itself."
"We cannot... I cannot provide for her and simultaneously seek revenge for her."
Night Eyes: "Our journey has been little other than danger."
Adrian: "Surely you don't plan to simply march into Eribe and blast your way through until you find the right people. We need information, first and foremost."
Valaire: "I thought perhaps I could ask one of my sisters to take care of her. Perhaps dear Jillia might be willing to, so at least Ginei has an honorary sister as a playmate. But the more I read that journal, the more I realized this was not going to be the case."
"She has gone though suffering, pain, and torment, of the likes that would be difficult to fathom. She was surrounded by cold, emotionless monsters all day in a sterilized environment, and denied every possible chance at friendship and company."
"I do not wish to leave her side."
Adrian: "I see the predicament now."
"...Three 'Reapers', the boy, and Ginei. What of the sixth?"
Valaire: "...Seventh. Now that I think on it..."
"They mentioned seven names. Just that the final one is mentioned only in passing, not even attributed a species and gender."
"The one they called Alpha died in testing, and the one they called Zeta resisted conditioning, until she was able to be rescued by us.'
"Epsilon appears to be one of the confirmed reapers, who had a missing eye..."
"We saw a boy on an operating table, clearly dead. Either 'Alpha' or 'Omega', by the book, though I can't rule out 'Faralda'."
"So we, indeed, have one left unaccounted for."
Night Eyes: "Gamma was also listed, as a completed reaper."
Adrian: "...I suppose I really ought to learn Eriban."
Valaire: "What of the third, that you mentioned the goblin speaking of?"
Night Eyes: "I am sure the both of us could teach you, Adrian."
Valaire: "Was it male or female?"
Adrian: "The goblin gave me very little description of them. But it sounded like all of the three it encountered were female."
Valaire: "So Faralda, Epsilon, and Gamma, most likely..."
Valaire clicks her tongue in annoyance.
Valaire: "So we have a rogue reaper."
"To say nothing of the threat that they passed research notes further down to Eribe."
Adrian: "I know it sounds cold, but there's seemingly nothing to do for them now. Knowing how many of those things are on the loose, though, that can still save lives."
Valaire: "You don't have to tell me that, Lord Adrian."
Night Eyes: "Granting them what rest we can seems ideal. They are, after all, undead."
Valaire: "But 'Zeta', Ginei... she still lives."
"I intend to keep that as such."
Night Eyes looks out to the window pensively.
Adrian: "Naturally."
Valaire: "Which comes right back to the damnable conflict."
"To bring the child with us just to ensure she can be taken care of is tantamount to foolishness."
"And we cannot leave her alone with someone who does not understand the gravity of this situation. She is a kind child, but she, as much as I hate to accept it, is dangerous."
Night Eyes nods.
Adrian: "Which is why I suggest we take advantage of the time needed to gather more information. I don't want to risk more children being taken, but we are in over our heads here and need to know what we're doing. Which should provide, much as I hate to say it, a test period to see if Ginei is in full control of herself."
Valaire: "Indeed. I intend to watch over her as much as I can. Not just to ensure the safety of her and those around her, but also..."
Valaire trails off, her expression growing momentarily distant.
Night Eyes: "Yes, it's best to ascertain how much the child can live her own life before committing to a decision."
"It works for no-one to keep her as a caged canary."
Valaire: "Indeed. No more cages for her. Not anymore."
Adrian: "I want copies made of those notes. Translations and original."
Night Eyes: "Understood."
Valaire: "By your command, my lord."
Adrian: "Thank you, both of you. ...I suppose we'd best see if the girl is willing to visit the apothecary. See if we can't do something about whatever they drugged her with."
Night Eyes: "We also need to see them for your sake."
Valaire: "I'll try to see if I can ask her to see him. The environment will be much warmer than she is used to, but at the same time it would clearly awaken uncomfortable memories."
Adrian: "Indeed. I'd like to at least know if it's going to spread or worsen."
The party head out of Adrian's room, and head two doors down to Valaire's room. Opening the door, they come in to see Ginei sitting upright, leaning with a pillow against the wall, talking to Kylisae. They both seem happy.
Kylisae: "...and they get pretty tall, too. Taller than a building! It's really pretty to look at when the sun sets."
Ginei: "Oh, does the light make them change colour?"
Kylisae: "Yeah, it's a really nice reflection."
Ginei: "Please show me sometime!"
Kylisae: "Hopefully I can!"
Adrian: "Hello, Ginei. Feeling better?"
Valaire clears her throat, knocking lightly on the door edge.
Ginei looks up.
Ginei: "Ah! Valaire, and... um, other people."
Valaire: "This is Lord Adrian and Night Eyes. They helped save you."
Ginei: "Oh! Okay."
Valaire: "They aren't strangers, and they mean no harm. You can be at ease."
Night Eyes bows to the child.
Valaire helps herself to sitting on the bed edge, lightly stroking Ginei's hair affectionately.
Ginei tries bowing while in her bed, but only manages to awkwardly lean forwards.
Ginei: "Thank you, Sir and Miss, for saving me."
Adrian smiles at the girl, taking a seat inside.
Adrian: "You're welcome, young one."
Ginei: "Um... I feel a bit better, but it's hard to walk, still."
"My right leg... really hurts."
Valaire: "It's fine. Nobody is expecting you to recover overnight, little Ginei."
"I'll carry you if you need to go somewhere. Okay?"
Ginei: "Okay! Are we going anywhere?"
Valaire: "Indeed. We want to help you feel better, so we're taking you to someone who's going to be able to make sure you're okay and see how well they can heal you."
"It's not going to be like before. I'm going to be with you the whole time, you won't be in a cage, and they're going to treat you like a person."
Ginei shifts nervously.
Ginei: "Do you mean a doctor?"
Valaire: "I know it's scary, kind little Ginei. But I need you to be brave for us. Brave like you have been."
Adrian: "Yes. None of us are going to let them hurt you, I promise."
Valaire: "You really are safe. I'm going to be with you. You can hold onto me for as long as you need to remind yourself that I'm not leaving."
Ginei frowns.
Ginei: "I... it's scary, but... I should know what state I'm in."
Valaire: "We want to make sure you grow up to be a strong little girl. We want to make sure we can fix all the horrible things that were done to you. We want to make sure your right leg heals so you can walk on your own when you want to."
"Unfortunately, this means visiting a doctor every now and then."
Ginei takes a deep breath, then breathing out.
Ginei: "...r-right. I can go."
Valaire: "I'm going to be right here. Just let me know when it's too much and I can ask him to stop. Okay?"
Ginei: "Do any of you know this person?"
Adrian: "I know him, a little. Not well, but he's not a bad person."
Valaire: "He's more like a medicine man than like the doctors you met. He's not going to cut you open or put things inside you."
Valaire relocates her posture, turning her back to Ginei and leaning over to give the child an easy way to climb on.
Adrian: "I have to ask him to look at my arm, too. So you can see that he won't do anything strange to me first, if you'd like."
Night Eyes: "That's a good idea."
Kylisae: "I'll be here too, okay? So we can talk more about the forest or whatever you want to, so you don't feel lonely."
Ginei: "Thank you, all of you."
The party head out, with Valaire carrying Ginei on her back, going down the way to the Apothecary's house. It seems larger than most, and the entrance room seems to be a small reception area, with a young woman at a simple wooden desk, mixing up something in a potion.
Veiss Altaroth: "Ah! Welcome, are you here to see Doctor Fern?"
Adrian: "Yes, we are. Both me and the girl."
Ginei waves nervously.
Night Eyes: "(Should we donate those medical supplies, also?)"
Valaire: "(You're going to be fine.)"
Veiss Altaroth: "Right! I'll go and fetch him, then."
Adrian: "(I think that would be best.)"
Veiss Altaroth goes through a door behind the desk, and returns shortly thereafter, beckoning the party through, while returning to her desk.
The group come through the door, a large room with an old man at a table, looking over a book. There are various potions in vial racks on the table, and on the shelves, there are dozens of books, and even more dozens of potions, carefully labelled. A wood and soft leather table is in the corner, presumably used for surgeries, and a large chair with the back at much more of an angle is set up in the centre of the room.
Dr. Fern stands up from his work, looking at the party through thick spectacles.
Kylisae looks at the room with some concern, trying to use her small hands to cling to Ginei's hand reassuringly.
Dr. Fern: "Ah, hello there. You must be Adrian, and I have been told there's another here to see me?"
Ginei: "(He kinda looks like my granddad...)"
Valaire: "This would be her, on my back."
"Her name is Ginei."
Ginei waves from atop Valaire.
Ginei: "H-hello, sir."
Adrian: "She's been drugged with gods-know-what, and that's the simple part of the problem."
Valaire: "One step at a time, though. I believe you mentioned agreeing to go first, my lord?"
Dr. Fern: "Right, that does sound bad... well I'm sure we can find out what's wrong with you in no time. Who will be going first? There's no rush today, I don't have an appointment until three."
Adrian: "I'll still go first."
Dr. Fern goes over to a sink to wash his hands, pointing to the chair in the centre.
Dr. Fern: "Right then. If you would please sit down on that chair there, and tell me what ails you, I can give you a check up."
Adrian sits down, pulling off his tunic to reveal a patch of dead flesh, and winces at the smell.
Adrian: "I don't suppose you could do anything about this to give me use of my arm again?"
Dr. Fern moves over to Adrian, his normally relaxed eyes widening in concern.
Dr. Fern: "Young man... what has happened here?"
Adrian: "That is a good question, and I don't quite know how to explain. An undead creature shot fire at me, does that clarify things at all?"
Dr. Fern: "Undead, undead... shooting fire? I... haven't heard of that one."
Valaire: "Suffice to say, that is what happened."
Dr. Fern: "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to need to examine it more closely, so if you can lie down, I can take a proper look."
Valaire: "(See, little Ginei? He's worried about Adrian, he wants Adrian to be better. He's much better than those doctors from before.)"
Adrian: "Go ahead. It's not something I had heard of before, either."
Ginei: "(He looks like a nice guy.)"
"(We could sit down. I'm... probably quite heavy.)"
Valaire: "(If you'd like to. I really don't mind.)"
Valaire kneels down near a chair, easing the child into it carefully, before taking a seat in an adjacent chair and resting her hand on Ginei's head.
Dr. Fern: "Now, I might need to make a very small cut, so this may hurt a bit..."
Night Eyes squats on the floor, keeping an eye on Adrian.
Dr. Fern examines Adrian, poking his affliction with a sharp scalpel, testing if it bleeds, and taking out a cotton swab to test the responsiveness of the flesh. Sighing, he takes out another lens, holding it up in front of Adrian, and grimacing.
Dr. Fern: "...It seems that this is a magical affliction. Your flesh is... well, it's outright dead. Gangrenous, almost. There is a very strong necromantic aura coming from here."
Adrian: "That much, I had concluded."
Valaire: "So we require a magical aid for the magical ailment."
Dr. Fern: "...I'm not sure what I can do to cure this, though. Potions and elixirs can only go so far. I can, however, refer you to clerics who may be able to heal you."
"Now, as far as I know... for something of this level of blight... perhaps the head priest of Torwyrd, in Jer'rell... or even Her Majesty herself has the power of this. I think I remember something about you being our Lord, young man."
Night Eyes: "In other words, we will have to suffer it until we depart from the town."
Valaire: "With luck, it does not worsen during the trip."
Dr. Fern: "So who knows, maybe it's possible you could ask her. I can write a referral concerning the matter, and send it to the capital. I know Her Majesty is a very kind woman, she might be able to make time for you."
Adrian scowls, grumbling under his breath.
Dr. Fern: "Yes, I know it's quite the blight, but there's nothing I can do for you, lad."
Adrian: "I can talk to her myself. Thank you."
Night Eyes lets out a quiet sigh.
Adrian: "As long as it's not going to rot my arm or something in the meantime, I suppose."
Dr. Fern: "If it's magical, then it will be sustained. Just... don't get it infected, and wash it every day."
Night Eyes: "Right. Keep it clean."
Adrian gives the man a skeptical look and gets up, putting his tunic back on.
Adrian: "See, Ginei? Nothing to worry about."
Ginei: "Right~"
Valaire: "Are you ready? It's okay if you want to back out."
Ginei: "I can do it."
Valaire nods, lifting Ginei up and bringing her over to the examination chair carefully.
Adrian: "(I half think I want to just cut the blasted thing off, at this point.)"
Night Eyes: "(Don't you dare.)"
Ginei lies on the chair, closing her eyes tightly.
Dr. Fern: "Right now.... what's making you poorly, young lady?"
Valaire: "Ginei. Is it okay if I speak for you here, to help make sure the nice doctor can ensure you're safe?"
Adrian: "(I won't, it's just a bother. I might need your help with some paperwork later; how well could you forge a signature?)"
Ginei: "Mhm, I can cover my ears."
Night Eyes: "(It shouldn't be difficult for me.)"
Valaire: "I am very sorry for this, dear Ginei. But know I'm going to be right here."
Ginei puts her hands over her ears, nodding.
Valaire looks at the girl with concern, turning to the doctor.
Valaire: "She was... heavily mistreated, where she came from."
"The memories pain her. I trust you will be professional."
Dr. Fern: "Oh dear. Yes, of course I will be."
Valaire: "There are three issues I am aware of."
Dr. Fern potters off to a shelf in the corner, nodding as Valaire speaks.
Valaire: "The first is that she had broken her leg, and it was not properly set."
"It is still in pain and she cannot walk on it."
Dr. Fern: "Ah, right, do go on."
Dr. Fern goes over to another table, looking through various vials, before taking five in a rack.
Valaire: "The second is that she was the subject of a small number of alchemical formulae. Magical in origin. Ostensibly beneficial, but with potentially unexpected side-effects. I have not heard any complaints from her on this matter, so there may not be issues."
Dr. Fern: "I will examine her concerning that."
Valaire: "And the third was that she was the subject of a small number of minor surgeries. Numerous magical stones were implanted inside her, with ostensibly beneficial results but unknown side-effects."
Dr. Fern: "Ioun stones, I imagine?"
Valaire: "She has not complained about them causing pain, and I will not allow you to surgically remove them at this point, I merely wish you to ensure they do not trouble her."
Kylisae looks uncomfortable at the medical discussion, deciding instead to soothe Ginei's arm to console the child.
Adrian: "(Is this kind of research normal in Eribe?)"
Night Eyes: "(...not that I am aware of.)"
Dr. Fern: "...that will be difficult to accomplish, but I will do what I can."
Valaire: "The first priority is making sure her leg can heal."
Night Eyes: "(I'm used to seeing many kinds of abuse of authority but nothing remotely like this.)"
Valaire: "Beyond that, I merely need you to ensure she otherwise appears to be a healthy child, and perhaps provide painkillers if they become necessary."
Dr. Fern: "Indeed, I have all I need."
"...If I am to perform a check up on her, and review her surgeries, I will need her to remove her dress, however. With your permission, I would also find it beneficial if I were able to draw blood for a brief analysis. It will aid me in figuring out what drugs have been used on the poor miss."
"Aside from that... I have painkillers, tonics, healing potions."
Valaire: "Rejected on both counts. The last thing I am willing to allow her to be subject to is a violation of her personal space at this moment."
Adrian: "(Your concerns about the matter yesterday. If the mask merely keeps you from directly informing others of them... with your permission, of course, I could try to see what you refer to without you speaking of it. I'm still content to wait until you can tell me yourself, if you would prefer.)"
Night Eyes: "(Hmmm...)"
"(You are welcome to try reading my thoughts. I do not believe the mask stops that.)"
Dr. Fern rubs his eyes with his free hand, sighing.
Dr. Fern: "It will be difficult to ensure the stones do not trouble her if I cannot inspect the damages myself. Lack of blood makes it nearly impossible to analyse the drugs in her body. All I am then able to do is treat her leg and provide painkillers. If she has been through significant trauma, I recommend another potion. It helps to aid people stay calm, even in the worst of times."
Adrian nods, closing his eyes in concentration. [Conceal Spell DC 27 - Detect Anxieties, DC 17]
[Night Eyes : Perception: 26]
[The main anxiety sensed is one of the girl's lifespan. But shortly after the spell takes effect, a stronger fear surfaces. "That could have been me."]
Valaire: "I can provide samples of the drugs themselves."
Dr. Fern: "That will help."
Valaire: "But, with all due respect, I would like to repeat that she was heavily mistreated and extremely traumatized."
"The last thing I am going to allow is for an unfamiliar man to undress her and take her blood, when she has had far too much of that."
Valaire reaches up her sleeve, procuring a small set of vials.
Dr. Fern: "I can understand this, of course. Just understand that it limits what I can do."
Valaire: "I will accept this as a consequence, but understand that this is not a topic I intend to be flexible on."
Dr. Fern: "Of course."
Dr. Fern takes the vials from Valaire, placing them in a rack on his desk.
Dr. Fern: "Er... do you have plans to be anywhere in the next few days?"
"Full analysis of this may take a few days."
Valaire turns to Adrian and Night Eyes, curious to their thoughts on the matter.
Valaire: "Milord? I understand that you likely have to get your arm treated rapidly, so I do not know if we have time to dally, but this is a matter of how much time you expected to spend here."
Adrian shakes his head abruptly, holding Night Eyes with his good arm as he glances over at Valaire.
Adrian: "At least a few days, certainly. I'd like to set things in order properly here this time."
Valaire: "You have the time you need, then, doctor."
Night Eyes leans back into Adrian, eventually raising her head.
Ginei: "Can I take my hands off, yet?"
Valaire pets Ginei's head consolingly.
Valaire: "It's okay, we're done talking about the icky stuff."
Night Eyes: "Perhaps I can finish my own projects before we depart, then."
Valaire: "The doctor is going to look at your leg. Is that okay?"
Ginei: "Yes."
Adrian: "It seems efficient."
Valaire: "You're a very brave girl, dear little Ginei."
Adrian: "(It wasn't you, and it won't be. Or anyone else, if I can help it.)"
Dr. Fern bends down to take a look at Ginei's leg, touching it lightly, before righting himself, smiling.
Dr. Fern: "It seems like it's just a fracture, fortunately."
"You can sit up now, young miss, but I need to give you some things to drink, is that okay?"
Ginei: "Mhm."
Night Eyes nods slowly.
Ginei sits up, with a little difficulty, being given two vials.
Night Eyes: "(It's just hard not to think about things like that.)"
Dr. Fern: "Now, these may be a bit bitter, but if you can drink both of these for... about three days, twice a day."
Adrian: "(I know that one well enough. I had to expend a significant amount of energy on contacting Genevieve last night, just to set my own mind at ease.)"
Night Eyes: "(Ah, of course...)"
Ginei takes the potions obediently, and upon taking the second, a yellow potion, seems a lot more wide eyes and full of energy.
Ginei: "Wow... what's that second one?"
Dr. Fern: "It's a special sort of energy drink. You look like you're half-starved to death. It also doubles as a painkiller. Hopefully your leg won't be hurting too much now."
Dr. Fern produces a small round object.
Dr. Fern: "Here, have a sweet, you've been a brave girl to get through all you have."
Valaire: "See, little Ginei? He's not so bad."
Ginei takes the sweet happily, popping it in her mouth.
Ginei: "Thanks, Sir Doctor~"
Ginei tries to shuffle over to hug the old man, who seems a little surprised, patting the young one on the head.
Dr. Fern: "Right now, let's see..."
Adrian: "Cute little thing. I hope it helps her."
Valaire: "Indeed... I would like nothing more than to see her happy and well."
Night Eyes: "Me too."
Valaire: "I suppose this joy truly is what it feels like..."
Dr. Fern moves over to the potion table, coming back to give Valaire a small leather pouch.
Dr. Fern: "This contains eighteen of the potions I just gave her. Nine of each. Please see that she gets two more of each today, and takes them thrice a day for the next two days. If her leg doesn't pain her, there's no need for the yellow potion, but I insist that you provide the blue potions when I have said."
Valaire nods, accepting the pouch.
Valaire: "I do appreciate your concern and discretion, doctor.
Dr. Fern: "Now, let's see... I would appreciate it if you could provide compensation of forty pieces of gold, please."
"...if you are our Lord, I trust this should not be troublesome to pay."
Valaire reaches in her sleeve, pulling out a small handful of gold coins and offering them to the man.
Night Eyes: "There's something else we wanted to provide you with, too, actually."
Dr. Fern takes the money, putting it in a small pouch.
Dr. Fern: "Ah?"
Adrian: "We found a supply of medicines, at the same place the girl had been imprisoned. I don't know if any of them would be of use to you?"
Dr. Fern: "I suppose any donations will be nice... but er... I tend to remain very cautious with anything I have not made myself."
Valaire: "I would imagine these would be suspect indeed..."
Adrian: "I suppose that's prudent. Perhaps it would be best to hold onto them."
Night Eyes: "We can either take them back to the capital or dispose of them."
Dr. Fern: "I would recommend a disposal. It would take too long to analyse them for them to be beneficial."
Valaire: "Looks like it's time to head out, Ginei. Climb onto my back."
Ginei tries reaching up, clambering onto Valaire's back with her good leg.
Valaire reaches under to support the girl, giving a motherly smile.
The party head out of the Apothecary's building, going about the businesses of the day.
Over the course of a few days, Ginei makes quite the recovery, by the fourth day, being able to walk around at last. Adrian goes about finding people to replace as the governors, while Night Eyes works tirelessly to work on removing her mask.