Day 13 (continued)
Temerity and Gage observe the remains of the necromancers in the square. They notice a symbol on the arms of the corpses. It is similar to one that they saw on the walls in the cavern beneath the mansion – a skull with diamond eyes. This symbol, however, is inverted and different colours – dark blue and green. Gage attempts to discern its meaning, but with little success.
The party agrees to return to the inn to rest. Gage notices necromantic energy around the inn but it is not out of ordinary, given where they are. They enter and Temerity summons the innkeeper to the bar. The innkeeper isn’t happy to see him again. Lavender and Theren promise that they will leave with Temerity after they have eaten, in an attempt to appease the innkeeper. They all take a moment to sit and rest.
Lavender is concerned that Orris Locke set them up for the fight and mulls this issue to herself. Temerity pets his animals. Innkeeper brings a cold breakfast out – cheeses, bread, meats. Gage asks him about the child that they acquired herbs for. The innkeeper replies that they’re doing better but are not out of danger yet.
The party discusses options for the journey to Adalens. They decide that the best course of action is to head through Pinechill village to the town of Midward to try and get a caravan down to Onasea village, which has a quay.
They start the walk south as soon as possible, since it is a day and a half’s walk to Pinechill village.
Day 14
They enter Pinechill during early evening of the following day. Gage senses that something is off as they enter the village limits. He smells the smell that he detected during their fight the previous morning, but it’s not quite the same scent. Korako smells something strange, too – like death and life at the same time.
Chikatika begs for food, so Temerity sends her to Theren, who gives her some berries from his pack. Lavender, meanwhile, heads to buy some rations. A dark-skinned gnome with bright ginger hair and beard mans a stall. He says that a dark carriage passed through recently on its way south. He advises Lavender to speak to a couple of village gossips about it.
Temerity notices a town-crier’s stage in the village square, so he performs to the crowd and the menagerie engages the children in the village. Gage and Theren watch the performance from nearby. The party decide to stay in the village for the night. During the performance, Gage focuses on creating the clockwork rabbit that he promised Temerity. The crowd finally begins to disperse.
Lavender discusses staying at the inn with the innkeeper, including a meal. The innkeeper makes a wager with Gage that he will be unable to eat a full adult-sized meal. The innkeeper retreats to the kitchen to fetch dinner.
Temerity starts performing in the corner of the room. The party notices a figure in another corner. Gage sees an aura around the figure. He reads their surface thoughts and picks up worry and a desire to stay hidden. Gage hints to Theren that they should meet this figure. Theren suggests to Chikatika that she introduce herself innocuously to the figure; however, he gives no reaction to her presence. Gage sends the figure a telepathic message, but again there is very little reaction.
Theren asks the innkeeper about the figure, but he says he knows very little, just that he paid handsomely for a room and has since kept to himself. The innkeeper places the food before them. Gage manages to eat around three quarters of the food but then struggles to finish. Temerity casts darkness as Chikatika sidles up, hoping for food. Gage tries to sweep the food to her, but it goes badly wrong, landing on her head instead. Gage starts blaming her loudly for interfering in his wager, whilst sending her telepathic messages to reassure her that he’s only acting.
The darkness dispels and the figure in the corner is now standing with an ornate knife in their hand, seemingly defensively. The innkeeper is outraged. Lavender manages to diffuse the situation and she, Gage and Theren head up to their rooms. Lavender shares with Theren, as she doesn’t trust Temerity.
Temerity stays in the bar arguing with the innkeeper, who is trying to throw him out. Temerity simply begins playing again, which somehow appeases the innkeeper. Gage climbs out of his window and watches the front door, awaiting the mysterious figure, in case he tries to leave. Temerity continues to play as the patrons drift away. The figure eventually heads upstairs. Temerity heads up almost immediately afterwards. Gage hears the music stop and calls it a night.
Temerity bribes Guido to poke his head into the stranger’s room. Guido approaches the room and half-squeezes under the door before becoming stuck. He returns to Temerity’s room just under 10 minutes later. He babbles about the figure removing its hood and it was glowing with a silvery glow and it had long white hair and sparkles coming out of its hands. Temerity immediately concludes that this person is a star descended to earth. He praises Guido and gives him beer. Temerity wakes Gage and heads next door to awaken Lavender and Theren.
Lavender wakes when she hears Temerity at the door. They argue over whether or not there is a star fallen to earth. She peeks through the keyhole and sees a radiant light. She sends the others to their rooms. Gage and Theren comply immediately. Temerity argues but she persuades him. Once alone, she knocks firmly on the door, which opens a crack.
Lavender smiles and apologises for the interruption. She speaks respectfully to him and mentions the name of Auriel and the oath that she took. He invites her in, since she is alone. The figure removes its cloak, revealing cold, radiant light. The figure is taller than Lavender, with glowing white skin and hair. Its eyes are deep blue with flecks of white in. It is ethereally beautiful and clearly not quite human.
The figure reveals that they are the offspring of Auriel – an aasimar. Their name is Anaphel. They reveal that they are here because they heard of the necromancers in the area and were sent by Auriel to investigate, since the cold regions are the demesne of Auriel. Lavender informs them that Arcadia is now a bastion of the necromancers. She states that the party is heading to Adalens to try and remove the head of the snake. Anaphel states that the forgotten temples and lost followers of Auriel are no coincidence. She tells them of the restored altar in the Auriel’s Church to the north-west of Mightrest. She offers their allegiance. She mentions that Orris is a high-ranking necromancer but she is unsure of his true loyalties. Anaphel bestows a blessing upon her. Lavender calls Theren across to Temerity and Gage’s room and explains to everyone about Anaphel and how they will be joining the group for now.
Day 15
The party rises the following morning feeling refreshed. Anaphel, recloaked, joins them for breakfast. Temerity still insists that Anaphel is a star. Theren is stunned into silence by the aasimar’s presence. No caravans seem to be heading south, so the party resigns itself to having to walk. Theren wants to speak to Anaphel but cannot seem to find the words. The day’s walk is uneventful.
During that evening, around the campfire, everyone is very settled and calm. Theren begins thinking of home. Lavender feels the compulsion to pray. Gage simply enjoys being in nature, as does Temerity. Finally, Temerity wanders over to Anaphel and present Korako to them.