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Callow

Sword of Gods Callow

Callow was born in Jimandor, but when she was awoken in 1405, the Hitorik sword Prostranstvo transported her from Jimandor into Hitorik. Having only knowledge from Jimandor and cast into a strange land, Callow has immense strength as part of her past, but lacks an innate understanding of current sociopolitical matters, and only learns based on what's happening around her.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Lean and highly muscular

Body Features

Lichtenburg scar on her left arm

Facial Features

Glowing, golden freckles

Apparel & Accessories

White tank top

Beige pants

Red belt tied around her waist

Callow was transported to the world of Hitorik after awakening inside the Taisi de Draconis. She is unknowledgeable in the world, but ready to learn and adept at fighting.

View Character Profile
Alignment
Neutral Good
Held Items
Age
832
Date of Birth
Paipya 10th, 573
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Gold
Hair
Gold
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Gray
Height
5'10"
Weight
185lbs

6/21 Session

The party attempts to use Gate to get Rossto, but because it's a nickname and not his true name, it fails. Rao attempts to teleport himself and Nero (as they are the sick ones) to a place on the Astral Island using the leaf he had received. Nero and Rao teleport into Caveosn's lab. Nero is further down a hall, while Rao's been dropped into a testing chamber.   Caveson: Oh, I wasn't expecting you to just turn yourself in. Rao: This is not how I was expecting this to go. Caveson: This is good, though! We were looking to test some things....   Caveson blasts Rao with a beam of green energy, restoring his spell slots. He uses it to teleport back to the Lighthouse, and the spell manages to catch Nero in the spell and return them both. Corrin uses teleport for the non-sick group and arrives in "Big City". Corrin tests it by 'asking' it to rain, and it does. When Corirn doesn't see Rao or Nero, she calls out for them, but to no avail.   Callow: Oh, Corrin. With the way that Caveson worded things to me earlier, it sounds like Raine isn't here, so our only focus here is Rossto, since it's unlikely she's here at all.   It stops raining. In fact, it's a little warm.   Corrin: Gosh, I wish the weather was average around here.   The weather becomes dead-still on one side of the city, and tornado-like on the other side, tearing down buildings. Back at the Lighthouse...   Rao: Nero, maybe it would be more safe for you to use trees. Nero: I'm sure John Cena here has crystal clear memories. John Cena the Centipede: Nah, dawg. I used to be a sword, and then I woke up like this. I got nothin'. Nero: Don't be like that, John Cena. I believe in you. Believe in the me that believes in you. John Cena: Alright...   John Cena poops inside of Nero's pocket. Nero grows a tree, going, "look! You grew a tree!" John Cena takes the bait, now believing his poop can make trees. They use a Ring of Grammarian to change the spell "Transport via Plants" to "Transport via Planes", as the spell he typically uses can't transport across different planes of existence. All of the Hills, including Big City, rip out of the ground and fly across the world to drop them off at the Astral Island. The continent flips upside down and shakes Nero and Rao out into "Big City". The use of the spell causes 90% of Big City fall sick, and those that were previously sick die immediately. But Nero and Rao successfully make it to "Big City".   Rao: Well, this doesn't look like the place we just left, so we must be in a good spot. Nero: John Cena is a very powerful archmage.   There is no response, as John Cena has vanished from his pocket, as well as the lizard and leaf.   Nero: John Cena, wherefore art thou? I can't see you! Rao: He was a good centipede, Nero. But his time has come.   Nero becomes a centipede.   Callow, pointing in abject horror at the Hills leaving back to the main continent: What the fuck did you guys do? Nero: *centipede noises* Rao: It's been a bad day. Let's just move on and try to find Rossto. Corrin: We need to find the person that keeps stealing the stones from the Lighthouse.   Everyone in the party starts glowing to different degrees, but Rossto doesn't appear.   Rao: We need to find the water stone. Or the dark stone. I mean, we need to find the water stone or the dark stone.   Nami falls from the sky again, as does the Stalking One.   Rao: That's not helpful, they don't have the stones on them! Callow: Are they not? Corrin: Not anymore. Nero: We've found an unlimited dead body glitch, though. Rao: It's an unlimited anything glitch! Corrin: But not for the stones.   Corrin points to a door.   Corrin: This door will lead us to the water stone.   The door becomes a portal reminiscent of the Gate spell. Corrin steps through. The party waits around for a bit.   Rao: That's... strange. I suddenly have a memory of Nami telling us to go through that portal. Nero: Well, then we should probably go through that portal! Rao: The thing is she said that we also need to breathe water. Nero: I've got that in the bag. Oh... but not you guys. Rao: Unless you have a way to let us breathe underwater. Nero: Well, I can either give you water breathing, or turn you into fish. Rao: Even if I could breathe underwater, I can't swim very well. Nero: Fish it is, then!   Callow jumps into the portal before Nero can turn her into a fish. Everyone else follows. They are in the middle of what appears to be an ocean. Corrin allows Callow, Kali, and Rhea to breathe underwater. Rao recognizes the lake.   Corrin: I did confirm we're still in the Astral Island. I had a piece of bread float out of the water and into my hand. I'm sure the duck on the surface of the lake is very happy about it.   A duck approaches the party.   Nero: How did you guys find these before? Is there a signature energy that comes from them or something? Rao, to Nero via Speak with Animals: Well, usually, it's natural disasters and the like. Previously, we found the water deep underwater in a bubble. Perhaps if we swim downward. Nero: It could work. I'm always up for a swim.   The group begins to descend towards the bottom of the lake. Some invisible force initially tries to push them away, but then begins to help them move. They swim for about two hours down. A giant shimmering dome appears.   Nero: Rao said the water stone was found under similar circumstances before. Corrin: Do we think this is the right place? I mean, I can't think of anything else that would cause this. Nero: I mean, no harm in checking it out, right? Corrin: No, there definitely could be. Nero: That's just life, Corrin.   The party goes through the shimmering dome. On the other side is a large city made out of marble. Rao recognizes it as old Manera. Nami approaches the group.   Rao: It's good to see you alive for once. Nero: He says it's nice to see you alive for once. Nami: Oh, I can understand fish. I don't... are you all friends of Rao? Corrin: Sounds about right. Nero: Traveling compadres. Callow: Something like that. Nami: Well, it's nice to meet you. People usually disappear once they pass the barrier. What are you doing here? Rao: We seem to have ended up in the wrong place yet again. Nami: What do you mean? Rao: We're looking for something someone took from us. We thought it may have been here, but it's possible we may have lost our path. Nami: Well, if you need rest, you're more than welcome. Do you want to not be a fish? Rao: That would be ideal. Nero: Why didn't you say that earlier? I thought you liked this.   Nero dispels polymorph. Nami starts to lead them to the palace.   Rao: Well, I think I know when we are. Callow: I thought Corrin had had that piece of bread appear. The wooziness going through the portal was like when we were returned from Big City... Nami, has anyone come through the barrier recently? Nami: No. Usually, people don't survive the travel through the barrier. Rao: I get the sense we're no longer where we used to be. Do you know anything about the Astral Island? Nami: No, I'm afraid not. Rao: I was afraid of that. Nami: Do you want me to send you to the island shore? Rao: Not necessarily, because if we are in the past from when we left, there's no need for us to go there right now. We need to figure out when we are. nami: in the past...? Rao: Sorry, I know this is all confusing. Have we mentioned our strange predicament yet? our odd travels? Nami: No. This is the first time I'm seeing you in... twenty or thirty years. might be longer. Things look different up there. Corrin: As far as I know, we're still on the astral island. Nami: I think you're in manera. Rao: Well, why don't we test it. It's raining. Nami: Umm... we're underwater, so I guess technically it's always raining. Rao: What else can I say to test it... bread appears in my hand. Callow: We were previously on an island that would twist our words into illusions, and we were trying to figure out if we were still on the island, or if it transported us to someplace - or sometime - else. Nami: Is that why you were wanting dry bread? It's hard to send dry bread through the water. Corrin: Ugh. Yeah. Nami: And then you wanted a duck? Corrin: This was me trying to see if we were still on the island. Nami: See, we have fanatic people come from Manera to ask me for stuff. Corrin: That seems unsafe. Nami: Yes, I do my best to keep them safe. Rao: Has Tyren been around lately? Nami: Since we became part of the lake, he hasn't shown up. i don't even know if he's alive anymore. Rao: What year is it currently? Nami: It's hard to say underwater. I've been here anywhere between 30 and 100 years.... 200, maybe? Callow: That's a pretty wide margin of error. Nami: Things that I know are new.... there's a new city by the ocean. Rao: What's it called? Nami: I don't know the name of it, but it looks really pretty.   Rhea stays in the back, poking at the barrier.   Nami: Uh, is that one okay? Corrin: Presumably. It's not often any of us are in such a unique place. Nami: I agree. It's Tyren's attempt to keep me alive. Callow: So, is it just you in here? Nami: No, the city's all out there. callow, to Corrin: does no body here have a circadian rhythm? Corrin: It definitely might get weird with this kind of light pattern. But also, I didn't take you as someone that goes to bed on time, Callow. Callow: Hmm. I rise with the sun and fall with the sun, I guess. Nami: There was a time when it was very dark. Before we figured out how to make light. Now we just keep it on all the time. Rao: Well, we know one thing. We know we're in the past. Perhaps we should look around for a shimmer that will lead us back to the present. Corrin: I also think it could be worth using this to our advantage. Do we know when the... things that were taken were taken from us? Would we be able to go back to the point where just before they were taken, and lay a trap? Rao: We may. It's complicated. Nero: Did we establish that she doesn't have the water stone? Rao: She currently does, it's in her earring. Nero: So it's right there. Callow: So what happens if we-- Corrin: No. Rao: We can't do that. Corrin: There are bad things that happen in multiple timelines. It took us months to fix it the last time we tried. Nami: Well, you guys can stay the night. Or... day. Rao: The rest would be nice. at least for me. Perhaps when we have Gate recharged, we can try something in the morning. Nero: Rao, can I ask you a personal question? Over here? Rao, stepping to the side: What's up? Nero: When was the last time she was alive? Rao: At least two years ago. Nero: Oh boy, so we could be anywhere between two and hundreds of years in the past. Rao: Yes. Nero: And, just to double make sure, she has the stone, right? But we don't want the stone from her. Rao: No. We don't. If we took it now, it would throw a wrench in everything. This is the first stone we acquired Nero: Well, that's pretty much what we do anyway. Rao: Yes, but I don't recommend changing the timeline that drastically. It's a mess to clean up. Nero: Okay. Thank you for clearing that up for me. Rao: Alright. Well, as long as we're staying here, do you have any more of those fancy coffees you make here? Nami: Oh, yes. I thought you were going to sleep, though Rao: I don't sleep. I meditate. Nami: Huh. I did not know this. Rao: You have no idea how much I've missed these. Nami: You don't have access to these? Rao: No, not above water. Nami: You can always come visit me for more. Rao: I would like that. Nami: Rao.... I heard you say you're in the past. Rao: For us, yes. Nami: Do I... get ot see him again? Rao: Eventually, yes. One way or another. Nami, nodding: Mmm. You should take a bag of this. just in case you're too busy to visit. Rao: Thank you very much. Nero: Ohh, so we can take that. Nami: You can take it. Rao: Well, this doesn't mess with the timeline at all. Nero: Wouldn't be the first unethical cup of coffee someone made. Nami: I can make you some, mister...? Nero: Nero Agnew, nice to meet you. I like your water city. Nami: Well, it wasn't always a water city but... Ah, never mind. Would you like some coffee? Nero: Are there any additives or preservatives? Nami: Umm.... I add water? Nero: good enough for me. I'd love some.   Nami brings everyone a cup of coffee, and the group takes a long rest.   Rao: Nami, your hospitality knows no bounds. Nami: Thank you.   She reaches up to her earring.   Nami: Did you need this as well? Rao: No, no, not yet.   She puts all the party in bubbles, which takes them up to the dock in Manera, where they see Captain Buffet's ship pass by. Corrin points out a board that indicates the year is 2219. Rao locks eyes with Lionheart, and he begins to approach before spotting Rhea and drawing his sword.

6/14 Session
29th of Duya, 2224

The party starts the session on the Astral Islands, which currently appears as Big City.   Rao: Alright... we're going to find Rossto.   They begin to walk through Big City. Save for some shopkeepers selling food in vendors, there doesn't seem to be anyone else in the city.   Rao: It's strange to me that nothing is happening yet. Perhaps someone else wants to give it a go? Callow: Wasn't Raine last seen in Caveson's labs? From when we were scrying on Rossto?   But nothing happens.   Rao: The Astral island seems to prefer idioms. We'll have to be careful with how we use our words. Callow: That's not really my strong suit.   Callow's clothes become paper. She puts on the Imposter's Hat for a better outfit, but it shifts her into a topless outfit with just pants.   Nero: Anyone feel a chill?   It starts to snow. Callow turns to glare at Nero.   Nero: I-I mean, uh, I don't much like the snow, I much prefer the rain.   It begins to rain. Because Callow's clothes are paper, they begin to grow soggy and rip.   Corrin: Can't everyone just keep their clothes on?   Callow's clothes return, but Nero gains a shirt.   Corrin: This rain is terrible!   The rain becomes acidic.   Nero: Hopefully this weather clears up and we can go fishing. Corrin: I hope the weather will go back to being a normal day.   The weather clears up, and a bunch of fishing gear appears before them.   Rao: Well, in order to go fishing, we'll need to go near watr. Hopefully we find someone else there that likes water. Maybe with a stone related to water.   Big City floods and becomes a huge lake, and the dead god Nami, the previous bearer of the Water Stone, falls out of the sky.   Nero: Well, we're on the right track.   The party is put on train tracks.   Corrin: I wish we could be put on a normal, paved path.   A paved path forms over the tracks.   Corrin: We need to find Rossto, to be so real. Rao: Rossto, or Raine. Either works. Corrin: Ideally, both. Rao: Right. Nero: How's everyone's hand at scrying?   Everyone's right hand becomes a scrying orb. Rao and Corrin try to scry on Rossto and Raine respectively, but all they get is static.   Rao: I don't know about you guys, but I could use a hand. Corrin: Couldn't you use two hands?   Rao's other arm grows back, ended with a double hand, but his first hand remains a scrying orb. Corrin properly casts the spell scry. She gets teleported 10,000 feet in the air and is given a telescope, but can only see static through the telescope.   Rao: What did your elf eyes see? Corrin: Uh... nothing.   Corirn goes blind.   Corrin: I-I couldn't see anything through magical means. I did retain my sight, however. Nero: Yeah, me too. Corrin: I can see better than I could before. Rao: Don't worry, Corrin. I think you'll see this will all be fine soon.   Corrin regains her vision.   Corrin: Alright, well... I think we should begin the very easy journey to find Rossto and Raine.   The doors to the shop in front of them open. Corrin steps in.   Rao: Let's see what treasures lie in here.   Treasures are strewn about the floor, as well as the stock that the shopkeep seems to be selling. Callow pulls out some of the money she still has from Jimandor and sets 20 bills on the counter.   Callow: What can I get with this? Shopkeep: What is this worth? Callow: What's it worth to you? Shopkeep: 329 each. Rao: 329 what? Shopkeep: 329 moneys. Callow: Is moneys an accepted currency here? Shopkeep: Moneys are the only currency here. Rao: And how many moneys are your wares? Shopkeep: Range anywhere between one moneys and ten thousand moneys. Corrin: How much is the ware house? Shopkeep: 6,580 Corrin: We can get that. We can exactly get that.   A warehouse appears.   Rao: That sword looks pretty badass. Callow: Don't-- Corrin: I mean, I think checking out the mirrors would be pretty interesting.   Nero holds out four ancient gold coins he'd received from the ruins.   Nero: Can you appraise these? Shopkeep: How much are these worth? Nero: Quite a lot. Shopkeep: Hmmm. 5,000 moneys. Corrin: Can I try the sample model of the Arcane Almight Ring? Shopkeep: You can buy the sample. Corrin: No, no. I just want to try a sample, and then get a boxed one. I don't want the floor model. Shopkeep: Sorry, we don't let people try it on. Corrin: How much is the ring to purchase? Shopkeep: 3,000 moneys. Corrin: Can you make change? I have some of the same coins. Shopkeep: Sure.   He hands Corrin the ring and 2,000 ball-bearing size copper pieces.   Nero: Shopkeep, do you have something that is really good at finding people? Shopkeep: Sure do.   He pulls out a map.   Nero: What does this map lead to? Shopkeep: People. Civilization. Nero: Can we get an upgrade that shows where the people are?   A pop up appears indicing a "DLC" would be worth 2,000 moneys.   Rao: Here. I have a coin as well. Shopkeep: How much is it worth? Rao: 2,000 moneys.   Indication of people appear on the map.   Rao: Okay, I actually think this map could be handy.   The map grows hands. One of the Flaming Rage Swords falls off and slices Rao's scryong orb hand off.   Nero: Wow! That sword looks aweosme! How much is it? Shopkeep: 10,000 moneys.   Nero hands over two coins and takes it.   Rao: Brother, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to cut off my spare hand, and stitch it onto the other arm with the missing one. Nero: While I feel like there are less invasive ways to do this, I would never turn down a request. Corrin: I'd like this Ring of Grammarian. Shopkeep: 2,000 moneys. Corrin: Here's a coin, keep the change. Callow: Do you have any Raine sticks? You know, the kind of things that certain people use to summon Raine during the dry seasons? Shopkeep: Yes. 2,000 moneys. Corrin: Use the rest of my change.   The shopkeep gives Callow a stick. Corrin tries to call Raine, but yields no result. Rao goes outside to "call" for Raine, and it starts to rain again. Rao's subsequent expletives summon a prostitute. Rao goes back inside so Nero can chop off his hand, though it severs what would've been the correct hand. Callow takes Raine's staff from Corrin, and tries to use the staff and the Raine stick as dowsing rods, but they simply begin spinning.   Nero: It's a beautiful day outside, isn't it? Corrin: Beautiful and clear. I think the forecast said it would be clear for a week, in fact.   A week passes.   Nero: So do you want me to glue this one to your other arm? Rao: I'm just going to close my eyes and they're going to return to normal. 3... 2.... 1...   Rao's double hand grows back.   Rao: Fudge. So what are my options here? Nero: I mean, if you just have a stub, we can just grow it back.   Rhea thinks, I didn't know Rao was a lizard. Rao becomes a Lizardfolk.   Rao: Thith ithn't funny guyth.   The shopkeeper looks concerned.   Rao: Thank you for your ssservice, ssssir.   Rao leaves.   Nero: Wait, Rao, we still have to chop off your other hand!   The group stands outside.   Rao: So this rain stick you have is used in your culture to summon rain? Callow: Yeah, in certain groups, when the harvest was bad because of drought, they would conduct rituals using rain sticks to summon rain to help the harvest. Rao: Alright. I need a marker.   A landmark appears.   Rao: Ugh.   He takes a piece of charcoal out of his bag, and writes an E on the stick. Nero lays down to take a nap and tries to cast Dream on Raine. With the E now on the rain stick, when the staff and stick are used as dowsing rods, they both point towards the North Gate. The party heads in that direction, leaving the gate. As they pass through, they briefly feel sick and woozy, before being outside of the gate. They hear the streets become lively behind them, and notice a few wagons and caravans coming in and out of the city. Everyone's hands are back to normal. Callow is now holding Raine's staff and a lizard. Nero's sword has become a centipede, and Corrin's ring has become a butterfly. Callow puts the lizard on her shoulder.   Nero: Hey man. I'm Nero Agnew. Centipede: What's up. I'm John Cena. What am I doing here? Nero: You were a sword and i bought you with money. Now you're a centipede. Wanna come with me? Centipede: Are you gonna kill me? Nero: No. Centipede: Cool. I'll hang out in your pocket.   Rao approaches one of the carriages.   Rao: Could evening, excuse me. This is an inspection with the guard. I'll need you all to step out of the cart please.   The caravan group immediately recognizes the group, and give them a wide berth, shouting, "we found the Circle of Stones!" People begin to surround the party.   Corrin, turning around: What?! Where?!   The mob encroaches.   Rao: Look, we're just trying to find Raine and Rossto. Mob: We don't even know who those are, but we're not gonna let you look for anyone! Callow: I miss your mom. Mob Guy: You don't even know my mom! Callow: We might actually be back at Big City.   The mob attacks the familiars. Corrin casts wall of force, but the mob is too stupid to realize so they continue to throw objects, which bounce back off of the wall and knock the head guy out. The party surmises they have been transported off the Astral Island and back to Big City, so Rao tries to scry on Raine again but only gets static. Corrin scrying on Rossto also yields static. The group debates on what their future plan should be, and how to approach finding Raine and Rossto. Wanting to use Gate but needing to wait, they return to the Lighthouse for a rest. Rao uses the time to use the Lighthouse observatory.   At some point, Callow pipes up.   Callow: I think we went back in time. Rao: What do you mean? Callow: Caveson says that she's telling the 'other me' that she sent Raine to the Astral Island. Rao: Interesting... so that means we have another chance, perhaps...?

5/24 Session

The ritual fails, and Nero instead gains Kali's sickness. The party returns to the Lighthouse. Rao, frustrated, disturbs the equipment in the infirmary to try and create a disease suppressant out of a vial of water and the flowers they had used previously. Corrin also heads to the school to see if the researchers there were able to recreate the effects from the flower. Rao fails, though is able to somewhat heal himself in the process. He chills a bit, and goes to speak with Millie.   Rao: How are you doing? Millie: I'm doing alright. Better than you are, at least. Rao: Yeah, well... thought we had a cure. Turns out it was a joke. Millie: Don't be hard on yourself. You're trying. Rao: What good is trying if you never succeed? Millie: Well, you won't succeed if you don't try either. You know, you ought to look into those stories we studied together. They might have some valuable truths for you to look into.   Corirn, at the school, finds that they're able to regerminate the flower, but it grows VERY slowly outside of Luvia. The party takes stock of the books they'd foudn in the ruins, and begins to read through the ones they can understand, including one about the stones and their powers. They decide their best course of action is to look into the strange water behaviors going on near the Isle of the Damned, likely caused by Rossto and the stones. Knowing that the Water Stone allows him to teleport, the party goes outside to practice teleporting with the Wind Stone. Rao and Corrin use Wall of Force to stop the mob outside. When they touch the wall Rao made, they contract the disease. To figure out where Rossto is, Rao casts scry. Rossto is scrying on Caveson, who is in the room with the Light Stone and is speaking to Raine, who is tied up to a contraption of some kind. Because of the degrees of separation, we can't hear the conversation. Rossto seems to be surrounded by a sickly-green snow he is keeping pushed away from him. Kali tries to use the Wind Stone to teleport Raine out from Caveson's captivity, but fails. Caveson realizes that magic is being used, and cuts off Rossto's scrying. The party teleports to where U.R.M.O.M. is parked on the edge of Galia, and attempt to teleport the ship to Big City using the Wind Stone. They do manage to do the teleport. Corrin then uses the Wind Stone to cast Big Gate to get to the Isle of the Damned. A strange, iridescent green snow is falling, so Nero casts control weather to make the sun disappear instead. A magical darkness descends on the party, which Rao is able to counter with "Big Light". However, as it is a Black Sun, he is unable to locate Rossto or the Water Stone. They travel to wait and see if the weather changes. As they're flying, they spot an abandoned tent. Corrin's familiar flies down and manages to grab some research notes from the old expedition camp. The notes appear to be a map of some kind, indicating where this camp is, and a spot noted by a skull and flower. Eventually, the black sun turns to acid rain. Corrin uses the Wind Stone to create a wind umbrella over the ship.   While Corrin and Rao are debating their next steps, Callow clears her throat. Callow: Caveson has a proposition. Corrin: What the fuck does she want now? Callow: She says that she won't kill Raine today if we can give her Rossto. And she says he's on the Astral Islands. Rao: We might as well take Caveosn up on the offer so she doesn't kill Raine. Corrin: Well... when I was back in the Ruins, the Benefactor came and offered to help defeat Caveson-- Callow: She can hear everything you're saying through me!   Rao and Corrin silence and deafen Callow so they can keep discussing the plan, and step into another room. Rao reveals he has two wish scrolls to rest of the party, including Rhea. Then, Callow tells them that Caveosn has teleported Raine to Astral Island. The party teleports the ship back to Big City and the Lighthouse. They leave the ship at the Lighthouse and go to Astral Island, appearing as Big City. Rao breaks his leg. It seems the Astral Island molds itself to whatever the group speaks, so when one of them say "comfortable", the group is smothered by a comfy bed and a weighted blanket, which freaks Rhea out. When Nero says "this isn't his second rodeo", two rodeos appear.

5/17 Session

While looting the ruins, the party comes across a large Neox Experiment that, when it absorbs people, grows bigger. It's been eating the Neox soldiers hunting it, which has turned it into a bigger problem than before. Because the soldiers reported this information back to Neox, Caveson used her Light Cannon to blast through the ruins, hitting the party and attracting attention. The blast knocked Rao down, breaking concentration and releasing the Experiment from Maze. The Experiment absorbs Rao, and in her attempt to save him, absorbs Callow too. Time freezes, and Kali's experiences with Laurel play before her eyes. Laurel appears, though she is visibly exhausted and diseased. She glances around at the scene around them, curious but too strained to do more than get right to the point. "Do you need my help?" "Yes." "I'm gonna ask for favors later. Is that fine?" "Yeah." She nods, and with the last bit of her current strength, she freezes the Experiment but allows the party to move. Corrin casts dispel magic on the frozen Experiment, freeing Callow and Rao. Rao staggers to his feet and they gather at the exit, knowing that authorities are coming to investigate what destroyed the ruins. Corrin snatches a book from a chest before they leave. The party teleports to Green Peaks, though it takes a few minutes for Corrin to catch up with them. They arrive in a deserted village, scarred by scorch marks, in Stalic. Corirn uses Maginificent Mansion and Nero uses Druid Grove so that the party is protected while they all rest and resummon their familiars. After the rest, the party teleports back to the outside of the Ruins, so that they can then teleport to the Healing Pond. Rhea stands with Raine while the others assemble the materials required to safely get the water into the vials. Nero, Rao, Astrapi, and Corrin discuss the ritual required to use the water to purge the disease from the infected. Eventually, they decide to go to the volcano where the Fire Stone was, and leave Raine at the altar at the pond. The party walks away from the pond for a while before teleporting to Mt. Toa in Luvia, making sure to give Rao and Kali's water vials to Corirn and Nero respectively, so that the water doesn't get infected. Callow briefly goes back to the Lighthouse to see if Tank can read some of the books they got in the Ruins. Thankfully, Tank knows Ancient Elvish, so she's able to read and translate those. The ritual goes awry.

4/5 Session

we loot shit

3/15 Session
27th of Duhya, 2224

At the end of the month-long downtime, a mob is gathering in the plaza outside the Lighthouse. However, the first person to approach is a Kenku leading a very battered person. After some interrogation, Rao and Corrin let them in. Rao shoots the mob a seductive look, aiming for seductive but failing. They close the door and turn to help the Kenku lead the person inside the Lighthouse. When the person looks up at them, they realize it's Raine, though she seems like a shell of a person.   When the Kenku asks for payment, and Rao attempts to pay with coins, the Kenku reveals they collect Neox tech. Callow removes the spent Neox cores from her volatile rocket launcher and gives them to the Kenku. The Kenku seems guilty of having acquired so many materials and offers information.   Rao, seeking information on Rossto, Disguises Self to look like him, but the Kenku knows nothing about the man. When Rao asks about Neox, they mention that Neox armies are currently heading towards Frost Peak. Callow mentions that Samuel had suggested she look for Coral Smirnoff in Frost Peak to help upgrade her Caster Bracer. The Kenku also mentions water is "being weird" around the islands - as in, all the islands, and that there is a "big, angry womr" approaching Frost Peak. Rao mutters that it sounds like one of the dragons they were asked to deal with.   As they're debating with the Kenku on how to escort them out of the Lighthouse safely, Raine starts to move upstairs. When Corrin asks where she's going, she says she'd like to go home to Diosan. Rao and Corrin argue that that's their next stop, but for now, she should stay at the Lighthouse and rest. Corrin convinces her to get back into bed.   They decide to wait until later to return to the ship so Raine can sleep. Throughout the day, mobs continue to swarm the Lighthouse, attempting to damage it to no avail. When the Kenku wakes up and sees Rhea, it bolts outside of the Lighthouse, damaging the Circle's reputation by shouting, "There's a monster in there!"   When night falls, Rao teleports Kali and Raine to Raine's house in Diosan. Rao takes a branch from a plant in her garden and uses the Teleportation Circle to go back to the Lighthouse so he can give the branch to Corrin, and Corrin can teleport the non-sick people to Raine's house. Raine leaves her staff behind, but Corrin brings it for her. When they enter the house, Raine's mom, Chrysla, is fleeing out the back door, and Raine is on the floor, face red as if she'd just been hit. She leaves to go to the monastery. Rao follows the mother out to the garden to speak with her and see if she knows anything about the Blessed Spring he and Nero were looking for. She tells them not to contaminate the water and use clean vessels to claim a vial of water. She says the trip is a two-month ride north towards New Diosan and the Ruins, and if they can teleport there, they can get there faster.   Rao returns to the party with the directions. Deciding to plan to teleport to the Ruins, the group pitches tents nearby Raine's house. During Rao's rest, Rossto attempts to steal the Lantern, but Rhea is able to scare him off. He comes back, however. His rustling in Rao's journal wakes Rhea, and she lunges after him, but he teleports away, and she lands in the mud, dirtying Rao's page of Cause Fear.   During Corrin's rest, Rossto appears to draw a dick on her face. Chrysla briefly stops by to check on them. Raine returns to the house before the party leaves for the Ruins. Rao tries to ask if she's okay, but she doesn't give a clear response, leaving them behind.   Using the same method as before, the party and Raine teleport to the Ruins. They spend a day searching the Ruins for information on the Light Stone. Rao mentions this being the location Prostranstvo originates from, but Callow expresses more interest in figuring out how to stop Caveson and the Light Stone than getting back to Jimandor. With the government not monitoring the Ruins after the monastery's leader was murdered, Neox has already begun investigating the Ruins and setting up camps. Corrin attempts to tear it all down, but alerts a flock of birds.

2/15 Session

[Several conversations happen before the party leaves for Manaki to find the stone].   The team arrives at Manaki. Raine heads towards the old paraglider shop. Raine resurrects the owner of the paraglider shop. Corrin, Kali, Rao and Nero fly down the night before the full moon to try and beat Rossto to the stone. Corrin and Rao's gliders fail. Kali and Nero land outside two different caves. Rao dimension doors to a different cave.   In his cave, Nero finds a book written in Promordial. It's 'Eo's All-Purpose Guide to Becoming Excellent".Nero takes the book and leaves to find Kali. The cave they enter has an insane amount of wind gushing through it. They can both hear water and dark sounds coming from inside the cave. Nero casts Retrace Steps on his alms box and leaves it behind. Nero and Kali return to the party at the ship. Nero helps guide the ship down to the cave where he'd left the alms box.   The wind is coming from inside the cave, and going into chambers to the left and right. Nero and Corrin send their familiars, Muginn and Infinity, into the chambers to investigate. Infinity goes in the right-hand cave, but the wind blows them around the tunnels and into an empty room. Onyx does the same to the left-hand cave. Rao teleports past the first wind tunnel and throws a rock to see where the next one might be. Callow and Rhea move the boulders in the cave around to block off some of the wind tunnels. In the top left corner is a tunnel sucking wind in, which the party goes through.   There is a big hole in front of the tunnel. The group descends down the hole. There is an ancient structure at the bottom of the hole. The only thing in the chamber is a pedestal with the Wind Stone on it, and Rossto standing in front of it. Kali dimension doors to the stone before Rossto can get to it, Corrin uses Infinity to cast Feeble Mind on Rossto before he can use the Water Stone, but he has Legendary Resistances against the spell. Callow enters Rage and she and Rhea dash forward. Nero casts two spells on him, taking up his last two Legendary Resistances, and then knocking him prone. Callow moves forward and attacks with both of her gauntlets. Rossto uses the Dark Stone to cast magical darkness, but Nero and Corrin are able to see through the darkness that he teleported away. Rao grabs Nero's hand and dimension doors to Rossto. Kali uses the Wind Stone to blow away the darkness, revealing to everyone else that he is gone. They place the Wind Stone in a magic pouch that is able to contain its magic.   Rao casts Locate Creature with a Ring of Enhancement to locate Rossto. He is teleporting his way out of Galia. The party returns to the ship. It is bright enough outside that it seems to be daylight, before it dissipates to a thin line.   Osalaria has been wiped off the face of the planet. Caveson has learned to weaponize the Light Stone to a degree no one could before. Raine drops her staff and leaps off the walled platform. Kali chases after her.   ~ END OF BOOK 7 ~

2/8 Session
21st of Mizu, 2224

WEST GATE. The goal is to eliminate a certain number of soldiers.   Raine, Tank, and Jeb move from inside the walls to outside the walls. Tank and Jeb, growing to a large size, attack a group of Undric soldiers. Jeb punches them, but Tank misses her hit and hits Jeb instead. Nova shoots her crossbow. Raine casts Earthquake on the opposing army, but it ends up knocking down the West wall. The Maneran casters hit Ubuntu, Buffet, and Raine with a series of fireballs, knocking Buffet down. Jeb jumps over the nearest cluster of trees, and hits an enemy with her cowbell twice. Jeb takes an opportunity attack against the assassin, turning the guy into paste, leaving behind a Neox core on Jeb's glove. The Undric soliders move towards the gate, a group of them flanking Jeb and Tank and attacking Jeb. Jeb and Tank go after a couple of the soldiers attempting to scale the wall, killing one and rendering the other unable to fight. The ground trembles. Rhea leaps down from the top of the wall and attacks the first of three soldiers approaching Ubuntu. Nova attacks the closest caster. The Ubuntu general moves closer to the gate. Raine casts healing on her closest allies. The caster Nova was attacking dashes past her, shouting, "Mom?!"   The casters, recognizing Raine had done a hefty amount of healing, all target Raine with Disintegrate. Tank attacks the soldiers scaling the wall again, vaporizing one by causing his spell to backfire, and crushing another's hand so he can't climb higher. After further damaging him, Tank intimidates the surrounding soldiers, causing one of them to surrender. The other soldier calls their bluff, causing Jeb to attack. Buffet shoots at the closest soldiers. The soldiers advance, attacking Raine. Rhea takes an opportunity attack against the guy that failed to hit her. Jeb charges his gauntlet and hits the ground, blasting a few soldiers due to him being at a larger size. Jeb turns and does it again. The sky rips open and a bunch of meteors plummet towards the party, summoned by Lao. He obliterates the remaining West wall with meteors.   EAST GATE. Defeat the BBEG.   Lini attacks one of the approaching soldiers. Tiki attempts to finish them off, but hits Rao instead. Musa and Adala move forward to try and engage in close-quarters fighting. Using the Stone Stone, Rao creates a protective wall. An earthquake shakes the ground. In search of someone in charge, Tiki is able to spot Eddard hiding behind a tree. Tiki shoots at the commander three times. The commander has the army all march forward. Lini shoots into the army. Adala takes out the three soldiers closest to her and Musa. Rao casts a 30ft image of himself to convince the army to surrender, but the illusion is vaporized by Colbry. Colbry casts disintegrate on Adala. Eddard, the cult leader, hypes Colbry up. Tiki hits Eddard three more times and downs him. A few soldiers give Eddard a potion to bring him back up, and two soldiers approach and attack Musa and Adala. Lini shoots the soldier attacking Adala. Adala uses her shadow to teleport to Colbry. Rao casts haste on Musa. Musa moves to Colbry, and downs Colbry. Colbry is revived by active void energy. Musa attacks Colbry again. Tiki and Lini attack Colbry. Colbry retaliates with firebolt. The soldiers flank Rao, Adala, and Musa and attack. Lini uses rain of arrows on some soldiers. Colbry reanimates one of the corpses into the Broken One. It uses its beam attack on Tiki and Lini, then disappears. Musa activates Bunbun and hits Colbry with her hammer, knocking Colbry prone and knocking her over 500 feet away. She teleports closer. Musa knocks out two soldiers. Adala shoots out three more of the soldiers surrounding them. A pocket of warping void envelops Adala and Musa, grappling Adala. Rao recognizes them as the tendrils that held him when he was dead. Rao thundersteps closer to the void sphere. Colbry starts to fly back from where she'd been knocked away from the battlefield. Tiki uses rain of arrows on the closest soldiers to him. Tiki hides behind the wall. Lani removes the last of the closest soldiers. Eddard reappears and Colbry and the army retreat due to an attack on the Capital. Colbry casts Cure Wounds on Eddard.   All forces are returning to defend the Neox labs from the explosion Corrin had sent back, so Lao's army at the East Gate and Colbry's at the West Gate all disappear as they teleport back to Neox.   All parties begin to return to the center of the city, but time freezes for the party. Laurel appears to Kali and informs the party that someone else is in the cave with the Wind Stone. She offers to keep time frozen while they get to the cave with the stone in it.

2/1 Session

The party lands in Osalaria and finds that Neox has attacked the city early. Two constructs are reaching after blasting the walls at the south gate. Neox is encroaching. Corrin, Astra, and Callow get over the wall to assess the army, the two constructs, and the two laser turrets pointed at the city. Astra shoots at one of the turrets twice. Kali flies up to the top of the wall and hits the closest Pandinus with Eldritch Blast. Nero uses a raven familiar to get to the top of the wall and casts Frost Arrow on Callow. The opposing army moves forward, but the turrets are still charging. Corrin uses Eldritch Blast to take out the closest Pandinus. Callow uses the rocket launcher to take out the left turret. Astra goes invisible and moves towards the Pandinus advancing on the right gate. It becomes concussed and frozen in place. Kali hits the next closest Pandinus with Eldritch Blast. Astrapi and Nero's raven come to the top of the wall. The raven shoots two spikes of ice out of its mouth at the closest Pandinus. Nero casts Ice Storm on a group of Neox soldiers. The closest Pandinus shoots a barrage of missiles at the party standing at the wall. Corrin casts Circle of Death twice on the soldiers, taking out the Neox army. Callow retreats towards Stella, meeting in the field so Stella can help Callow reload the volatile rocket launcher with Neox Cores. Astra shoots concussive shots at the Pandinus going towards the right gate. After stunning the Pandinus, Astra moves further from the party. A Leirolous emerges from the ground and locks onto the party, shooting a barrage of missiles at the party members it can see. Kali hits the Leirolous with Eldritch Blast. Nero and his raven skate forward a distance, leaving an icy path behind them. Nero throws two snowballs at the Leirolous. Nero and the raven merge, and Nero gains a pair of white wings, creating a blizzard around him. The closest Pandinus approaches and attacks Nero twice with its tail. Callow shoots the Leirolous with the rocket launcher, causing the Leirolous to reach its Chaos Threshold and begin to rampage. Callow shoots the Pandinus attacking Nero with her gauntlet. Stella dashes to the Leirolous and throws her knife at it, but since it has reached its Chaos Threshold, it seems impervious to hits not at its weakpoints. Astra dashes to the Pandinus at the gate and leaps up onto its back. The Leirolous moves forward by burrowing and lashes out with a tentacle at Nero and Stella, knocking Stella aside, grabbing Nero, and squashing the Pandinus attacking Nero. Kali moves to the side so she's able to aim her Eldritch Blast at the standing turret. Astrapi casts Compel Duel, forcing the Leirolous to focus on him. Stella gets to her feet after being knocked prone, and casts Heat Metal, though the team has deduced what the creature's weak points are. Callow flies closer, gleaning the Leirolous's attention. Astra shoots the back turret with a series of concussive blasts. The Leirolous attacks Callow and Astrapi, but Callow manages to slice off one of its four tentacles and Astrapi manages to sever the other with his hammer. Stella attempts an opportunity attack but misses. An Earth Genasi, recognized by Astrapi and Nero, appears at the top of the wall and shoots a handheld cannon at the Leirolous. Kali casts Eldritch Blast at the stunned turret, almost taking it out but not quite. The Pandinus that Astra is riding continues to hurt itself in its attempt to get Astra off its back. Stella begins to climb the Leirolous. Callow flies upwards. Astra takes a potshot at the turret and takes it out. Then, she shoots at the Leirolous, knocking it back 15 feet. The Leirolous uses its tentacles to attack Nero, Corrin, and Callow in one fell swoop. Callow uses her sword to slice off one tentacle, and Astrapi knocks out the other tentacle. The Leirolous shoots three missiles, exposing its exhaust vents. Corrin and her familiar cast Disintegrate on the vents, destroying them. Astra snipes the three missiles as they emerge from the silos, damaging the now-exposed core. In a massive explosion, Nero, Callow, and Stella are all paralyzed as a wave of electricity outpours from the Leirolous. Aleutia, the Earth Genasi, attempts to shoot her cannon, but it jams and damages her instead. Kali targets the core with Eldritch Blast. All four hit the core, causing it to explode and the Leirolous to release an electrical discharge. Nero pulls his blizzard in on himself to freeze himself into an ice block. Astrapi flies up to cast Lesser Restoration on Stella, so she is no longer paralyzed. The last remaining Pandinus flees, leaving Astra at the gate. Stella grabs Astrapi and climbs off the shuddering Leirolous. Corrin walks forward and casts Banishment on Leirolous, returning it to the Labs before it explodes. The South Gate is deemed safe. Callow takes a superior healing potion before ending her Rage.

12/28 Session

RETCON TO BEFORE THE PARTY LEFT WIGDALA DUE TO BELATED INFORMATION REVEAL Stella and Astra learn some information about Neox's future plans, and the party, along with Musa, Bun-Bun, and Stella, depart for Osalaria to try to intercept Neox before they can carry out their invasion plans. They pass over an unmarked ship but are unable to stop to rescue them, so they drop some rations and flares overboard for the stranded person. They pass over a military bunker and then stop to pick up a tour guide from Manaki so he can help guide them to Osalaria on a less-traveled path. The party gets a radio from a Circle of Stones fan. They pass by a Tallhalone structure buried in the canyon wall. Corrin and Tank deduce that it was constructed by the Eladrin before Year 0.and their enchantments. The party arrives in Osalaria. Stella had been able to notify Osalaria of the upcoming attack, so the citizens are working on evacuating when they get there.

12/14 Session
24th of Gongi, 2224

The party passes over a Neox patrol, but due to the damage to the hull from the previous altercations, they choose to pass it by. On the 35th day, time freezes, and Laurel appears, looking haggard thanks to the disease.   Laurel: I'm gonna fulfill my end of the deal. I think I have some information that might be useful to you. Jeb: You's the one that vaporized me and Tank! Laurel: Oh, yes... the mistakes. I believe I found the stone you're looking for. Corrin: Where? Do you have it?! Laurel: No, I can't go grab it. Here   She creates a holo-deck vision of Tyren back in the day, before he's about to jump into the canyon. He's standing on a platform, and he jumps off and gets swept away.   Laurel: If you can find this platform that overlooks the old library in Manaki, you should be able to locate the stone.   Corrin recalls that there were platforms in this approximate area that they could investigate, south of the library.   Laurel: Anyway. I believe that's everything I promised.   She disappears. The party continues traveling. As they're flying, they don't notice that someone sabotaged the ship, causing it to sputter out of control. Additionally, all spellcasters are placed under silence, unable to hear or communicate. The disease explodes, and Tank and Corirn fall ill. Adala uses the repair kit to restore six health to the hull. Now that Corrin is sick, Callow offers Corrin one of the Neox syringes rather smugly. Corrin angrily reaches into her back pocket and uses the Ice Stone to freeze Callow until they land in Manaki. Corrin takes the syringe from Callow, as her hand was left unfrozen, and Callow flips Corrin off while Corrin slides her into a corner. Due to the silence, those affected start to hallucinate, causing them to follow false paths. When Jeb, who is the only one able to navigate, needs a rest, they park the ship. While parked, someone knocks on the door.   Jeb: Who is it? ???: I came to deliver a package. Jeb: I didn't order anything. ???: No, the higher-ups ordered this for you.   Jeb opens the door for the stranger, who walks in.   ???: .... I don't think I've ever seen this thing before. Jeb: Breathakin', ain't it? ???: Sure... look, we got some intel on the Galian troops and stuff, and I'm just supposed to deliver it. There's gonna be an attack and... just read the document. You'll be able to handle this, right? Jeb: Yeah, uh, someone will, I'm sure. ???: Alright, well, I did my work. Jeb: What was your name, again? Tim: My name's Tim Jeb: Alright, Tim. I'll leave a positive review Tim: Review for what? Jeb: Ain't that the question, huh? Get off the ship.   Jeb pulls Tank over to where Callow is frozen so they can read the document. The document outlines an ambush plan Neox has against a weapons depot in Galia. Corrin suggests warning Galia, so Jeb radios in the information. Jim, Tank's son, the boombox, comes out of where he'd been stowed away. Jeb falls sick. One of the Seer's eyes appears inside the ship. Callow waves to it. Tank throws something at it. In order to help stave off the sanity, Tank breakdances. Callow thaws.   Corrin, sickly: Did you enjoy your timeout? Callow: No, but thanks.   They arrive in Manaki. Tank uses their three Rings of Grammarian to rearrange Catnap into Can Talk so that Tank can lift the silence from her and Corrin. Corrin uses "Remove Curse" to lift the silence from them.   Jeb: You guys weren't able to talk? I thought y'all were just mad at me.   The party heads to the library. They are spotted by a Pandinus, but when the Pandinus sees Callow, it turns and walks past them. Corrin gives Callow a bit of a dirty look.   Callow: Oh, by the way... Caveson sort of speaks to me in my head. A lot. Well, not a lot, actually. Corrin: Any amount more than zero is a lot. Callow: Oh. Then it's a lot.   Tank investigates the ledge. Corin uses her familiar to investigate the area, but fails the roll and gets lost.   Tank: Are we still going off the assumption we should do this on the full moon, or are we just gonna jump off this cliff right now? Callow: I'm assuming we still have to go based on the poem, and assume we still have to go on the full moon. Corirn: Which is four days from now. Tank: Is it disguise time? Corrin: I mean, theoretically, we could just go park the ship outside of the city for a couple of days and come back on the day of the full moon. Tank: We're still being hunted, though. Callow: I'm not. Corrin: Good idea. Why don't you go park your ass outside the city with the ship?   After a few minutes of debating, Callow says they can pay for room and board while they wait, but Corirn refuses to pay   Milrac: Uhh, Callow, I'm assuming? Callow: That's me. Milrac: Boss said you want room and board? Callow: It'd be nice. Would you know what the pricing looks like? Milrac: No idea. Follow me.   The party follows Milrac towards the Pandinus, but is teleported to the labs. Caveson greets them and offers them rooms along the hall.   Caveson: Callow, do you have my data? Callow: Afraid not.   Corrin disappears.   Caveson: Just as a precaution, are any of you sick? Tank: No. Why would we be sick? Ain't nobody sick around here. Sick as fuck, maybe. Caveson: In that case, I don't need to worry. Relax, enjoy your rooms.   Caveson teleports away.   Jeb: Well. Uh. We sure are... in a place.   Callow investigates the rooms and halls, but finds no cameras. Bots float around, cleaning or doing repairs.   Tank: Callow, when you made this shady pact, did you specify how long we needed room and board? Callow: No. Tank: So, with that in mind, do you think we'll be able to get out in time, or are we gonna miss this full moon? Callow: Probably miss this next full moon. Jeb: It might be a little early for this, but why don't we start knockin' down walls?   The walls become enchanted to be hardened.   Tank: Oh, good, the walls have ears.   As they approach some of the doors, they slide open automatically. A couple of them lead to bedrooms, some lead to individual bathrooms, a couple that lead into storage areas, and some that lead into little kitchenettes with food and black bean tea. Tank and Jeb eat and discuss the sudden lack of leadership, while Callow showers. A seeker's eye appears, looks at Jeb and Tank, then disappears.   Jeb: Okay, bye Corrin. Aeas: That wasn't Corrin. Jeb: Who are you? Aeas: My name's Aeas. Jeb: Where are you?   The walls blink blue, then it seems eyes appear all throughout the walls.   Aeas: You could say I'm everywhere. Jeb: Do you know where Corrin is? Aeas: Corrin has left the city. Tank: I knew she wasn't here to begin with! But you don't mean she's died, right? Aeas: They have not died. Tank: What a relief. Jeb: Oh, Aeas, you probably know. How do we get out of here? Aeas: Are you done with your stay? Jeb: Well. We'd like to have the option. Tank: Say, Aeas, we've been trying to get on your boss's good side lately, but she's hard to read. Do you know what she likes? Aeas: That's classified. Tank: Really? Even her likes and dislikes? Aeas: That's classified. Tank: But like, if it wasn't classified, what would they be? Aeas: If you're trying to trick me, it's not going to work. Tank: Well... can we talk to her at least? Aeas; Caveson is busy. Tank: Can you let her know we'd like to speak with her when she's free? Aeas; Sure.   Callow speaks briefly with Aeas in the bathroom.   Jeb: Are you talkin' in the bathroom while talkin' with us? Aeas; I was summoned. Tank: Oh, okay, I don't... think I want to know. Aeas: Indeed. Jeb: So are you gonna be, like... omnipresent during our stay here? Aeas: I always am. Jeb: Neato...   Kali rests. Tank and Jeb spend their time pestering Aeas. Corrin reappears.

12/7 Session

Jeb throws Tank from the top of the canyon towards the person gliding away from the fortress and ship. Tank starts to catch up, but the person she's chasing loses their grip and falls from the glider. Despite the strong winds, Tank dives after them. The winds tear Tank's glider apart, and she begins to free-fall. Tank uses her cowbell to lasso the falling, but still intact, glider that the other person had been using, and yanks the glider towards herself. She grabs the glider, righting herself. She tries again to direct her glider towards the falling person and succeeds this time. As she gets closer, she attempts to grab them, but merely catches a bag of flour. Tank attempts to glide back to the fortress, but is veered off course by the winds. She eventually lands on a ridge on the fort's mesa, but is quite far. Tank climbs up the mesa to the fort. Jeb returns to the ship. "So how's the disease going? All cured now?" Callow gestures to Millie. "I dunno. You tell me." "Well... she's sleeping real sound." Callow nods. "She's not dead. Which is good news for me." Tank acquires a 6/8 Time Shimmer in her journey and returns to the fortress by sunset. She puts her acquired bag of flour under her shirt and attempts to sneak past Astra to the ship, but fails as she walks in just as Astra is walking out.   Tank: Oh. Uh. Hi. Nice to see ya. Astra: Tank. You're a male cow... right? Tank: No. I'm a female cow. I got udders. Why? Astra: Okay... are you pregnant? Tank: Umm... no. I just ummm, ah, had too many grits. I gotta, uhh, go to the bathroom. I'll be right back, bye.   Astra side eyes Tank as she scurries away.   Jeb: Man, I miss-- oh, hi Tank! Did you catch the guy? ... Did you eat the guy? Tank: I did, but I think it was a decoy. Astra said she was in the vents chasing the person who threw the knife, but when I went to catch the person Astra said she was chasing, it was just this sack of flour! Jeb: Well... we should go confront her, right? Callow: It makes sense. She doesn't like Neox, she doesn't like Caveson, so it would make sense that she wouldn't want me to go through with it. Jeb: That ain't no reason to throw knives at people! Astra: Would you prefer I shot Callow? Where are all the people who care? Callow: Well. Rao went to the Astral Islands with a god a few months back, and Corrin's taking a nap because of a migraine. Astra: You guys are gonna get yourselves killed. Do what you want. I'm gonna keep trying to find out what you did to poor Millie. Callow: Do you want one of the syringes? I have spares. Astra: No, I'm good, thanks.   Astra leaves.   Jeb: What is Caveson doing with this information? Callow: Caveson's either going to use the data to try to synthesize a cure that can defeat the disease from within the body, and-slash-or come up with a vaccine that can mitigate the damage done to the body after the disease is contracted. Jeb: Most of those words hurt my head. Callow: There's a flower in Luvia that can cure the disease, and it would be nice if we could try to get some to Caveson to see if she can artificially replicate what part of the flower is successful at fighting it, but Caveson isn't exactly on speaking terms with Luvia, so when I suggested that, it was a bust. Jeb: So what I'm hearing is, Caveson is on speaking terms with you, and you're on speaking terms with us, and I'm sure we can be on speaking terms with Luvia. Callow: That'd be nice.... but I'd really prefer if you didn't go around telling people I'm on speaking terms with Caveson. It could get me killed in some places. Tank: Well... I think we could strike up some kind of bargain. You're the one able to talk to... I think we should come up with a code name. Jeb: Big Spider. Everyone's trapped in her web. Tank: It's brilliant! Callow: What kind of bargain are you trying to consider here? Tank: We do a bit of flower pickin' for her, and she gives us what we want. Callow: I'll ask.   If, in the ASTRONOMICALLY slim chance, we could supply you with some of these Luvian flowers, would you be open to granting us free travel access, unbidden, through Galia? No. There are still places I would rather you not go to. For how long? I mean, I know you don't want us messing with your void mines in the caves south of Manaki, but I don't know when we'd have this flower for you if we were to obtain it. Until we are done with our work, of course. Maybe a year?   Callow: She says no. She doesn't want us to go to certain parts of Galia. Tank: Well. Guess she's not getting her flowers then.   The group starts their journey to Manaki, but is stopped by a Neox warship and boarded.   Soldier: Why are you flying through this territory? Tank: We're just passing through. Is that a crime? Soldier: Technically, yes. This is Neox-controlled airspace. Do you realize that? Tank: Oh, no, I'm sorry. We're just trying to get home. We'll settle down when we get ot Manaki. Soldier: You claim you're peaceful, but your ship is armed. Tank: Well, there are pirates out there! Soldier: We'll direct you to Manaki.... Come aboard our ship. Tank: Oh, well... we would love an escort, but-- Callow: We have sick people with us; you wouldn't want us boarding your ship and getting near your soldiers. Soldier: None of you looks sick. Go ahead and land.   Callow lands the ship, but the soldiers open fire when the party refuses to disembark. Jeb grapples the two closest soldiers. Callow kills one with her sword, but misses the second one, who fails to disarm her. The ship above them gets into position. Tank grabs the controls and tries to speed away. Jeb throws the two grappled soldiers out of the door and uses a glider to fly in front of the opposing ship's charged laser cannon to take the brunt of the damage. The soldiers wrestle the controls away from Tank, but Tank charms them into helping fly the ship away. U.R.M.O.M. escapes, and they drop the two charmed soldiers off the ship.

Intermission
24th of Mizu, 2224

Before the party leaves Wigdala to Manaki... You all notice Callow heading towards the infirmary with the briefcase in Wigdala fortress before leaving. Tank looks around. "Should we... follow her?" “Follow who?” Jeb says while picking the dirt out of one of his horseshoes "Callow. She just took them Neox thingies and went downstairs." "Oh, absolutely, someone needs to make sure we don't kill anyone who doesn't need to die." Callow arrives at Gavlin's bedside. He is sound asleep. Tank runs fast enough to keep up but not to catch up. Knowing she’s being followed, Callow is opening the case and removing a syringe as she steps into the infirmary, so she’s able to be ready by the time she actually gets to Gavlin’s bedside. Tank talks softly enough not to wake him up. "Callow, just wait. Think about this. This fella is innocent, helpin us in fact. Do you really wanna risk hurting him?" “Oh, that fellas Gavlin, c'mon Callow, you punked him hard enough in that other timeline, let the fella rest.” “We don’t even know if it’ll kill him,” Callow retorts as she arrives at Gavlin’s bedside and (maybe) sticks his arm with the syringe. Corrin drops her invisibility spell she was using to follow Callow. "And you don't know that it won't. So until we know what it does, no injecting people. And if you can't handle that, I can always disintegrate it." Tank gives Corrin a pointed look before saying gently, "That ain't how the dragons raised you, is it? Using a man for science while he's down? All I'm saying is, let's ask him first." Callow seems to consider Tank’s words more than Corrin’s - she just kind of scowls at Corrin - before stepping back and gesturing to the man. “Go on. Be my guest.” Tank walks up and gives Gavlin a gentle shake. "Hey there, bucko. It's us. Listen, we ain't making progress on this disease fast enough. But Callow's got somethin' here that might help. Maybe it won't help you right away, but it could give us answers that'll save a lot of people. Your people, people in this here building. Will you let us try it?" "Did Rao send this?" He asks, obviously extremely tired, not just from being woken up but from the disease draining his life. “Yes,” Callow said, looking at Tank pointedly. “He had them sent to the Lighthouse. We picked them up while we were there earlier today.” “No, it absolutely was not," Corrin snaps. "The drug is from Neox.” “I didn’t say it wasn’t from Neox. I said Rao sent it to us," Callow argues. "Whoa there, let's all keep it real with the man here. The point is they were made by someone with a vested interest in seeing this thing cured. Rao would take one for the team himself if he were here right now." Gavlin seems concerned at the mention of Neox tech. "If there is any Neox involved, even if it were just on the shipping, I'd rather not. No. Nothing good will come from this." Callow turns to punch Corrin and makes contact with Corrin’s nose. “God, no wonder you’ve gotten nowhere with the disease! You have no understanding of germ theory, just barely enough understanding of the Void to justify calling yourself a ‘teacher’, and no willingness to take the risks necessary for this kind of advancement! How long are you going to sit by and run around in circles before you actually do something about it?! At least Caveson is trying! At least she hasn’t been stuck in a time loop of the same month like I have!” “You are asking me to trust a psychotic woman with a history of violent and terrifying human experimentation to create something that won't just make things worse?” While they're duking it out, Tank says, "I understand, and we don't know all it'll do. But I assure you of one thing, Gavlin. We're gonna find a cure to this disease, but it'll take all of us. It don't have to be you, but we have to work with 'em." “If she wants to save the world so she can destroy it, fine, that’s her prerogative, but she’s not going to have any people to experiment on if they all die of this disease. I was brought to Hitorik to help save people— at least, that’s what you made me think. But we haven’t done a whole lot of that as of late. This could finally be a step in the right direction, but you all—“ She gestures to Corrin and Gavlin. “— are too much of a coward to see the world get better!” Tank fully ignores them and keeps talking to Gavlin, "and to be honest, I would too, except I'm scared. Scared of gettin' the disease, scared of trustin' these jackasses with the fate of a world I seen destroyed one time already. I don't know who in their right mind would take this thing." "Callow, have you ever failed before? Have you ever had to try literally anything more than once, or have you always been completely perfect? Literally even once." Gavlin shakes his head. "Can you all just leave, please. If this is your idea of helping, I'd rather die to the disease." "We're sorry for disturbing you, sir. And thanks for all you did for your land." Callow scoffs at Gavlin and yanks the syringe from his arm, turning to get in Corrin’s face. “My existence was handcrafted by gods to be perfect. I’m not designed to fail. But I guess if failure is more your style, I should be throwing my lot in with Neox instead.” She shoulders past Corrin sharply and storms out. And if Jeb, who I think is in the doorway and between her and the exit, tries to stop her, she points the syringe at him threateningly. “Yous don’t need to go around makin' a threat pardner, and if you do maybe bring the right tools for the job, that rinky dink lil thang is like usin a can opener on a silo.” Jeb steps out of the way, gesturing her forward while pulling his hat off his head Specifically after leaving the room Gavlin's in: "If you were designed to be perfect, why are you acting like a child?" “Because I was abandoned at birth by my Human parents and raised by beings much older than me so I was never properly socialized to meet mortal expectations!” "If you know about it, then why the hell aren't you choosing to learn then!?" "Now look here, you two," Tank interjects. "Fightin' ain't gonna get us a willin' test subject." Jeb nods. “Tank's right, we can make some adjustments without putting all our eggs in one basket. Let’s get creative, try something new, but without taking on everything that makes Caveson the monster she is. We can take the best aspects from her approach and make it our own without goin' over that edge." Callow stops and turns to stare at them, still visibly angry. “Because it wouldn’t change anything, Corrin. I could be more diplomatic about it, but the truth of the matter is, everyone here is too scared of Neox to willingly test these. I’d have to behave slyly in order to get what I want. I could change my approach in a million and one ways, but I’m still just some foreigner sticking her nose in someone else’s business.” She turns away. “But the others are right. Besides, there’ll be more sick civilians at Manaki. Ones that might be more willing to put stake into the vague promise of a cure.” "So we're just going to run the risk of killing anyone who volunteers?" Tank casts cure wounds on Corrin's nose. "I would've been fine... You really didn't need to do that, Tank." "Now, if I can trust y'all not to break any more body parts, I'll go 'round and ask the other sick folk if anyone is willin to try their luck. But I need something from you, Callow. We need you to be honest with us about what this lady is tellin' ya. If this stuff is safe, why don't she just test it on her own sick 'n dyin'?" Callow pauses. "… when I asked, all she told me was it’ll send her data. Which she claims you destroyed when you blew up her labs.” "Have any of us even ever been to Neox?" Corrin huffs. "My son has sorta..." Tank mutters. "You have a son??" "It's a great story. I'll tell it over grits." “I’d like to," Callow insists. "I’m interested in seeing what medical technology they have ready access to. I’m sure I could reverse-engineer some of it for our personal research uses.” “I’ve grown accustomed to teary goodbyes while someone heads off to the unknown, but if I recall correctly, last time you was with Caveson in a physical capacity, she tortured ya?” Jeb inquires. “A little. Nothing too serious. Nothing worse than the electric river, at least..." Callow mutters. “Is that a dance move?” Jeb asks. “Sure, if you think people being electrocuted looks like dancing.” "Oh, yes, just light torture, because that's the important part there," Corrin scoffs. "Now I'm betting you didn't have a slick tongue on yer side. Maybe we're gettin' somewhere here. What if some of us took a trip on out to Neox? A parlay, if ya will." "I...Might be a little out of my element here, emotions running high and all...-" Kali cuts off, her tail flicking and wings 'fluffing' up. There is laughing coming from one of the rooms. Before Callow can respond in ascension to Tank’s proposal, she goes to see who was laughing at what. It's Isafni. She looks at Callow and smiles. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. Keep on arguing if you want." “I’m just curious as to what part of our conversation was amusing to you.” "All of it." She laughs again. Callow squints. “…. Aren’t you sick?” "Oh, sorry. I forgot sick people can't laugh." “Callooooow…" Jeb laments. "We just had this talk." “At least this one’s already awake!” "I have a name, you know." "I thought we were going to Manaki now?" Corrin attempts to insist. Tank pokes her head in, "But do you have a moment to talk about our potential savior, Neox?" Callow sighed heavily and, rather dejectedly, held out the syringe to Isafni. “Do you want to try it?” "Huh. I thought this group was fighting against Neox. Seems the smart ones if your team leave and the stupid ones come out." Tank sighs. "Fightin' Neox ain't gotten 'em much except a headache. If you ain't interested, we'll leave you be. But there's no need to condescend to someone trying to save your tail." Jeb nods along. “Sometimes they make some nifty stuff. If water was invented by some asshat, I wouldn’t just dry out. They even made ol' Jimmy boy, and he’s the sunshine behind a rainbow.” Callow straightens stiffly. “I just prefer Caveson’s approach to problem solving. Unlike the Circle, she actually gets results. That’s all I’m responding to.” Tank goes around and sees if anyone can be persuaded to be a guinea pig. A small firbolg sighs. "What was your name again?" "I'm Tank. And what might I call you?" "Millie. Tell me about this... Shot of yours. How sure are you that it will work?" "Well we're confident that it'll work--most everything I've seen come outta Neox does. It's how much it'll help we're less sure of. It's intended to gather data on the disease, not cure it." "Ok. Look, I owe Rao a lot. He somehow managed the impossible and saved my loved ones in Luvia. I know he's out there working hard to find a cure. So I at least owe it to him to try this." "Well, thank you, Millie. I'll let 'em know." Tank goes and finds Callow and Corrin and gives them the news. "I'm still not too sure about this, though--I mean, what if this thing lets Caveson control her mind? I'd feel better if we could get in touch with her and work out some sorta agreement..." Callow rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, staring at a point at the wall. What kind of data are you gathering? Genetic data? Particle data? And why did you need me to do that extra step with the orbs, which I didn't get, by the way, if the syringe is effective? Vitals and magical counts. The orb transfers the data back to me. How else do you think I'll get it? Unless you're willing to bring the sick to Neox. I think Corrin would have my head if I even suggested that. We don't want that. So this is the only way, without exposing myself to danger, that I can get that data. She looked back at the group. "It's just tracking data points, like I said. Like a heart rate monitor, or a blood pressure cuff." She pauses. "A thermometer...? You guys have these things, right?" "Are you talking to her right now?" Callow tapped her temple. "She speaks to me in my head. Stella thinks it has something to do with the glove she gave me, but it was her instructions in my head that led me to the glove. I think it's some residual effect from the parasite I got." She rubbed the back of her neck. Jeb raised a brow. “You been drinkin' puddle water? One sec, I’ll rustle up Uncle Clem’s 6-star dewormer in a jiffy. You’re probably gonna wanna stay away from any maternity wards or particularly dry hay for a minute afterwards though." Callow looks bewildered and mildly disturbed. "Look, all I'm after is collaboration. If we're going to share these data points with her, I want her to share information with us. Or at least let us into Manaki." “She said if I can get her data from two other people- though she’s angling that one of them be Kali-“ Callow points to the Tiefling. “-she’ll tell the Neox forces occupying Manaki to let us through.” "And she's...Guaranteed this? I'm willing to do this on one condition. She lets us through first, unharmed. I think we could all do with some...Certainty." “It’s why I have the syringe labeled ‘For Katherine’.” Callow pulls out the case and shows the syringe label. “Caveson claims if I can inject one other person, and Kali, she’ll let at least me into Manaki, close enough to Lady Katherine to give her a dose.” Callow snapped the case shut. “Of course, I’ve considered the notion she’s going to try to frame me for Katherine’s assassination if I do do that. On the other hand, I doubt she’d let me try the other two and find out they would kill the person, and then trust I’d publicly do the same with Katherine. The only way she could accomplish that is if the serum in Katherine’s syringe is different than the others.” Tank rubs her head. "Not much of a bargain for us. But I did what I said, and Millie is willing." Callow clenches her fist around the handle of the case, appearing to show her first signs of uncertainty about the situation, but steeling herself rather quickly. “Take Millie and Kali to the ship. If something does go wrong, I want it to be contained in a vessel that can be moved away from Wigdala, so no one else but us has to get hurt. I need to get one of those orbs from Stella, and if my hunch is right, it’ll transmit area data back to Caveson. I’d rather it be data of a room in the ship, like the sleeping quarters or an empty cargo bay, than one of the rooms here in the fort.” Tank nods dutifully and goes to help Millie to the crew quarters. As Callow places her finger on the plunger to inject Millie, a jolt of electricity shoots out and hits your hand. Callow’s finger twitches in response to the shock, but it doesn’t stop her from giving Millie the injection. Despite a dagger being tossed at Callow's hand from seemingly nowhere, you manage to inject Millie. After a second, Millie lets out an ear-piercing scream. Her body jerks violently as she begins coughing up black bile. Her eyes become bloodshot as they roll back in her head. Corrin is hurriedly taking notes. Tank cringes at the scream and does her best to keep her from hurting herself. Kali simply watches, her arms crossed, heavy cloak draped over her arms as she holds it close to her. Tank is busy lying through her teeth that, "it'll only be a second, sweetheart. Corrin, you're a smart person, right? That's basically a doctor, help!" "I'll see what I can do." Millie stabilizes but is knocked out. "I swear to whatever gods care to listen, Callow, if this goes poorly, if this is playing directly into Caveson's hands, I will make sure you never live this down." Callow shakes out her hand, eyeing the dagger that had grazed her, and frowns at where it hit the floor, obviously distracted. “Duly noted…” "Well, that was... somethin'," Tank says nervously. “It went better than I expected,” Callow murmured as she went to investigate the vent. "I'll cut 'em off." Tank rushes outside to try to catch the attacker if they flee. Tank rushes up and on the roof of the ship Astra pops up from the vents. She looks at you before putting a finger up to her lips and motioning Tank to follow quietly. Tank hesitates, but clip clops as quietly as she can. Astra continues running to the edge of the cliff where a glider has just taken off, carrying its passenger away from the fort. "Who was that? It weren't you who threw that knife, was it now?" Astra seems confused. "What knife? And I was hoping to catch the person to find out who they are." Tank sighs, gives Astra a hat tip, and goes back to the ship. As much as Corrin probably hates to see it, upon getting the verdict that there was no conclusion, Callow set about making Millie as comfortable as possible. Blankets, water, cleaning the bile from her face, and whatnot. Tank comes back as the cleaning up is happening and says quietly, "someone was gliding away from the ship. couldn't see who. but Astra--that's the Neox gal's name right? she was in the vents."

11/2 Session
24th of Mizu, 2224

WIND STONE POEM: Where grass bows low before the gale's might, Seek not by day, but under silver's light. When the moon is full and the earth stands still, The spirit of the shield guides those of pure will.   Feel the breath of the shield’s spirit; it leads only those who listen. Do not grasp the air or seek to steer, For the path reveals itself only to those who hear. Trust the breeze to shape your way, And walk where soft winds gently sway.   When the currents fall silent, fear not, For in the stillness, your guide is not forgot. The canyon's birth—earth torn asunder, Hides the shield beyond stone and thunder.   Step with faith where others hid, And find the power the first king did.   When gods unbound their final breath,   It wove the winds, defying death.   In walls of stone their whispers hide,   Where cliffs embrace the city’s side.   When calm devours the roaring deep,   The breathless storm lies still, asleep.   But those who wake it, lose their way—   Their names like echoes, blown away.   The party returns with Adala to Wigdla and attempts to use one of the Neox ship upgrades, but fails to do so, so they lose the upgrade. After the failure, Callow approaches Stella.   Callow: I was informed that you would have something to give me when I returned to Wigdala. Stella: By who? Callow: A b... bird. Stella: A bird? What? Callow: Yeah. A little birdy told me. Stella: I mean... no one's given me anything. Do you want a stack of paperwork or something? Callow, flexing her glove: I might've inadvertently made a warlock pact with Caveson... accidentally... maybe intentionally... I haven't decided yet. Stella. Hold on a sec. A few questions- what do you mean you haven't decided yet? Callow: She gave me this glove to help me deal with some people in Manaki that I don't like and said that I can have it in exchange for doing favors for her, like... helping cure the void disease. So if you maybe had some stuff that could help me with that... that'd be cool. Stella: Okay.... what do you mean a warlock pact then? Callow: She gave me this cool glove, and now she speaks to me in my head Stella: If you take the glove off, does she still speak to you? Callow: I don't know. I haven't tried that yet. Stella: Okay, well, maybe you didn't make a warlock pact with her, and it's just the glove. But I'll see if I have something for you. Callow: Yeah, but it sounds cooler if I say that I made a warlock pact to get magic. Stella: Fair enough. Can't argue with that.   Stella reluctantly hands over a case of syringes to Callow, with one appropriately labeled "Katherine."   Callow: Thanks. Stella: Now, before you do anything, I want you to know what is going to happen when you use those. Callow: If I use them on Lady Katherine first, I'm sure it'll be fine. Stella: Not likely. With Caveson, things like this usually go down in a 'fuck you, you're dead', or a 'fuck you, become a monstrosity and now everyone's dead'. Callow: I'd considered that second possibility, but Caveson claims to be working on helping cure the disease, so I have to assume that that second product is an accident. Stella: Is it an accident if a psychopath helps take over and then becomes an oppressive government? Callow: I wouldn't know. I've never done that before. Stella: Alright. Fair enough.   After a moment of silence, Callow turns to Stella.   Callow: What do the orbs do? Stella: Can I check your neck real quck? Callow: Yeah, but it's just the parasite pinprick. Want to check my wrist instead? Stella: I'd like to, yeah.   Callow removes her glove and hands it to Stella, who investigates it but finds nothing atypical with it. Sighing, Stella hands the glove back to Callow.   Stella: I don't trust any of this, and I recommend chucking all this shit in the ocean. Or burning it in a fire. But you're an adult, you can do whatever you want. Just be careful. Callow: I'll try. Stella: And if it leaves behind a body, make sure you hide it well. Callow: If that happens, I'll ask Corrin to turn them into void stuff.   Callow leaves the room and goes over to Corrin, presenting her the briefcase of five syringes, each with a liquid.   Callow: Can you just check these haven't been tampered with? Corrin: What the fuck are these? Callow: A gift.   Corrin does some magic.   Callow: So, like, scale of one to ten, how bad would it be if I injected someone with this? Corrin: I don't know exactly what it is, so I can't tell you that it's safe. Callow: Well, I knew that much. Corrin: And I really don't trust it Callow: I also could've guessed that as well. Corrin: But, I mean... there's nothing on an inspection that's like, obviously wrong with it. Jeb: Why don't you inject yourself with it? See what it does? Callow: I'm not sick, though. It wouldn't work on me. Jeb: Oh, that's what this is for? Tank: I don't get what all the fuss is about. They look like they're basters for people to me. Callow: All I know is they're supposed to help cure the disease. Tank: Here's the thing, though. People who are dying from the disease are already dying. What's the worst that could happen? Just giving it a shot and seeing if Caveson is on the up and up. Corrin: Well. Who would we inject with it? Tank: Willing participants? Callow: Wait, we still have the work, right? We could use that. Corrin: I have concerns. Jeb: I mean, it's Callow's worm. Callow's mysterious liquid, Callow's mysterious worm. I feel like it's up to Callow.   The party discusses, for a while, how to proceed regarding balancing the war, the people of Wigdala, the Wind Stone, and the disease. Tank breaks away to talk to Karmichael about Galia's history and the poems.   Tank: We have an accompaniment to that poem you gave us, and it keeps mentioning places people hid. Carmichel: Yeah, in the legends, when people were afraid their enemies were going to destroy them, they fled and hid in the caves around them, while the bearer of the shield stood out in the open. So it's just most likely referring to caves in the area. Tank: And were there any caves or people in particular that stood out? Carmichel: Well, you need to understand this is all legend and not many consider this truth. Galia is frankly riddled with caves; I don't think any legend mentions one in particular. Tank: What about this bit about a god unbounding their final breath? Are there any legends of a god dying in the area? Carmichel: I've never heard of that.... no, there are no legends in the area of gods dying. Tank: The earth torn asunder, the birthplace of the canyon, maybe? Carmichel: Yes, that's the same legend of the shield. Supposedly, what was defended against was a giant blast that rendered the whole world in half, which created the canyon. Whether any of that is true, though, is most likely not. If anything, it was just the winds, along with water and erosion. Tank: Of course, of course... science. Carmichel: Yes. Tank: Alright.   The group, along with Musa and Adala, flies to Manaki. As they fly, they pass over what appears to be a skirmish between Neox, Galia, and some unknown third party. After investigating, the group descends and manages to salvage a solar cannon from the wreckage. The cargo bays are full, so the party leaves behind the carpet bombs they had been storing and loads the solar cannon into the cargo bay for when they can get it installed (Adala can't do it on the go).

10/26 Session
24th of Mizu, 2224

The party prepares to take Professor Karmichael and the sick people at Wigdala to Solaria. They call forward to the city to let them know that they are arriving, and load up U.R.M.O.M. and additional ships to travel there. Corrin, Callow, Tank, and Jeb go to the Lighthouse to get Adala so that she can do upgrades on the ship. Tank and Jeb visit the Beast Brigade, but the place seems to be in disarray. Callow goes with them since Tank and Jeb have an odd habit of getting time-travelled whenever they're on their own, and Corrin and Callow agree they shouldn't be left unattended.   Tank: What happened here? NPC: You're back... sorry, but right now we don't have any missions for you Tank: Oh, that's alright. We were actually looking to start out on a mission of our own and see if anyone here needed some work. NPC: So at the moment, no. I'm not sure if you know, but we've suffered a lot of people getting sick--most importantly, our Commander Marzak fell ill. Tank: Oh no, he did? NPC: Yes, so uh, we're kind of running on a skeleton crew. Tank: Well, the last thing we can do is let this last bastion against the darkness fall down. NPC: Uh... yeah, I appreciate the sentiment. Besides personnel, though, is there anything we can help with? Tank: Listen, we're... trying our best to hunt down the source of the sickness and find a weapon against it out in Galia. We have a ship, but it ain't too fast. If there is anything you could maybe find a way to help us out where we ain't got our magic, that'd be fantastic, NPC: Well... I have someone, but they're a bit on the mad scientist side. Tank: With the way things are going, someone mad might be just what we need. NPC: I'll give them a call, just don't... look her in the eye.   Lieutenant Celai Novil arrives at the Beast Brigade. Tank pretends to be blind so as not to look her in the eye.   Celai: You got one jacked-up eye. Tank: Oh, really? Well, I can't see them well, but you must have some nice ones, and judging by your voice, a lovely figure as well. Celai, blushing; Ah, uh... um.... ahem... who are you, and what do you want? Tank: Oh, well, I'm Tank, and this is my brother, Jeb, and we've been working here for a while and could really use some help from someone with some mechanical skills. Does that sound like you? Celai: Honestly? That sounds more like Lieutenant Bazoni, but I don't know if you knew she croaked. Like, badly. Someone assassinated her Tank: Oh dear. That's terrible. Celai: It's fine, it happens in this line of work. so, uh... I guess you want me to do something mechanical for you?   Celai tugs at Tank's arm.   Celai: I mean, I guess I could replace it for you Tank: Oh, uh, not that. Celai: Oh, your brother, you mean! Which leg were you thinking? Tank: Oh, it wasn't really anything about him or me. Or a him, or her, or even a they, really... Celai: Oh, so not your leg, but... oh, your eyes! Since you can't see! I haven't really done eyes for anyone, but- Tank: Do you work on non-living things at all? Celai: Oh, you want to bring someone back to life the non-clerical way? I can do that. You have the brain still? Callow: I mean, we have Pip's brain at the lightouse Tank: You're telling me that person's body at the Lighthouse is dead? Callow: Yeah, I guess they're in some kind of decay suspension because of the lighthouse, so yeah, we do just have a dead body at the lighthouse Celai: I can work with that Tank: Let me explain what our situation is to see if it's in your wheelhouse. We have a ship and- Celai: Oh, so you want to put a brain in a ship. I've never done that before. Tank: I mean, if you think it would work.... Celai: I'd need more than one brain. Tank: How many brains have you got, Callow? Callow: I think that's more of a Corrin question. What's the brain-to-square-footage ratio? Celai: We're gonna find that out. Tank: Oh, wow, we're really doing this Celai: So you want to put a brain in a ship? Tank: Are there other parts that could be useful to it? Celai: I mean, I'm assuming your ship has wings and wheels, right? So it has other useful ship parts. I can do this, but it might make the ship crazy. Callow: I mean, we can just mind control the brains to get them to cooperate, right? Celai: No, there's no such thing as a "control ship" spell. Callow: We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Celai: Take me to the ship and bring the brains.   Celai, Tank, Jeb, and Callow return to the Lighthouse.   Callow: Hey, Corrin. We're gonna revive Pip. Or, the brain at least. Do you have any more brains? Corrin: Slow down a little bit. Why are we reviving Pip? Can you revive Pip? Tank: Did you know this person? Corrin: No. Tank: So you're telling me no one knows this person?!? Corrin: I'm not allowing this. Celai: You want your ship to be better, right? I can make it better. I just need brains. Corrin: Have you done ship upgrades before? Because that's what we're looking for. Celai: No, but there's a person for everything.   Corrin recalls that she had Celai in her class before, but when she looked into Celai's eyes, Celai flipped out and had to be escorted out.   Corrin: I think it may not be the best idea, given what we need right now. Celai: Alright, well, if you guys don't tell me what you want me to do, I'm still gonna charge you the consultation fee. Corrin: The what? Celai: The consultation fee? You guys came and consulted me. Callow: I thought I remembered you saying you'd waive the fee. Celai: I said I'd consider it. Maybe like a 60% discount.... 70%.... Wow, you drive a hard bargain. 80%.... Okay, 90%... 100... 110%! Final offer! Corrin: So we're going to get paid ten percent of her final fee. Celai: 120%. Corrin: Can we get to 200%? Can we get her to pay us the full consultation fee? Tank: Now listen. Aren't we desperate? Are we not gonna accept this help? Corrin: Well, I don't know how anyone would put a brain in a ship, first of all. And second of all, I'm not sure how it would be beneficial. Tank: What if it wasn't the ship the brain was getting put into? What if we could make an army of loyal soldiers that could help us? Ones that wouldn't get sick? Callow: Isn't that what Neox was doing? Corrin: Yeah, Neox really are the ones that do the construct things. Tank: Well... it seems that the powers that be don't accept your kind offer, m'lady.   Celai looks devastated. Callow looks at Corrin pointedly.   Tank: Maybe, you can prove the worth of your work to Corrin by making us a little, uh, somethin'-somethin', while we're gone, and that'll show you how necessary your work is to our mission. Not for free, of course. But uh, it could be under the table.   Celai is beet red at this point and runs out of the Lighthouse.   Corrin: What on earth just happened? Tank: Did I say something wrong? Callow: We went to the Beast Brigade to see if we could find someone who could help with the ship, but the only person who could was assassinated. We wanted to see what she could offer, but it seems she's only really worked in biotech.   Celai returns, struggling to carry a giant weapon.   Tank: Oh my! What's this?! Celai: You said to prove my worth, and, um-- Corrin: What kind of weapon is this? Celai: It's one I made. Have you ever played Abyssinian Adventures? Corrin: Yes. Celai: You know those laser cats that are in the game? Corrin: I do. Celai: Think of that as a gun. Corrin: That is insane. You built that on your own? How long did that take you? Celai: Like, six years? Corrin: Dang. Celai: So, uh, yes... It's supposed to be used on a carriage, but you could probably meld it to a ship. Though it might not work as well since it's so much bigger. Corrin: What's it do? Celai: It makes it look like you're in another location when you're not there. Tank: That kind of deception could be good for us right now... Celai: You said if I prove my worth, we could do it under the table, so... Callow, elbowing Tank's ribs: Looks like you have your night cut out for you. Tank: What do you think, Corirn? It might be worth giving them a chance.

10/5 Session (By Corrin)

The party lengthily discusses what to do after the orcus "fight," during which Jeb explains that he can breakdance, and asks that his hat be taken special care of.   Jeb was sent back in time minus all magic items, and with a book from Corrin explaining a few key things, mainly the dangers and significant time waste in Storm Valley, as well as the fact that "heal metal" works as an effective, albeit makeshift, repair method for the ship.   Before leaving for Wigdala to go back in time, Tank offered to go onto the Neox general class ship and try to figure out why they were in the area. After being teleported to the top of the ship, the tank began to slide off, *narrowly* managing to make it into a hatch through pure luck (and a nat 20). With a smooth "take me to your leader" from the tank, the random Neox guard requests that the general make an appearance at the roof hatch.   During their talks, Tank and the general (Mitra) discussed the dangers of Storm Valley, and suggested that if we want to learn more about time travel, we should consider talking to Nox-1. The general did advise that no report would be filed about Tank appearing on the ship, and ensured that there were no witnesses to them ever being there (brutally murdered a guard). After gliding away, Tank noticed that a portion of the ship had disappeared, almost as if it had been disintegrated.   After landing, Tank wandered for 4 days, during which they traveled vaguely in the direction of Wigdala. During the travels back to Wiggdala Fortress, Corrin manages to shave 9 days off the travel roll, arriving at the fortress in only 19 days.   Jeb goes back in time approximately 2 months, 4 days after the party had initially left from Wiggdala to go to Storm Valley. Jeb comes across Astra, who, after being informed that Orcus was laying a trap for the party in Storm Valley, ensured that Jeb was able to contact the party through the ship's radio room. After learning what happens in the future if they continue towards Storm Valley, the party decides to turn around and head back towards Wigdala to look at the book that Corrin sent back, explaining what happened.   Upon reuniting with past and future Jeb, he managed to retain all of his memories and double any non-magical items that he was carrying. Astra mentioned that we should avoid getting on Mitra's bad side, as she can be quite violent. The party realized that we can probably use any information that any of the high-ranking neox defecters may have to turn the tide of the war in our favor. (And Chip promised to get us the important war-related information found from Stella and Astra's hack of the AES database.)

9/21 Session
2nd of Gongi, 2224

Jeb and Callow were able to teach each other Kaiju Force and Rage Beyond Death, respectively. Jeb taught Tank how to rage.   Corrin: Can we just pretend neither of us were here? Algard: I'll make you a deal. You leave, but you leave any Neox stuff with me. Callow: Why? Algard: I don't need to explain myself to either of you Jen: What about to me? Algard: I don't need to explain to myself to you. Tank: Aint no way I'm getting shaken down by a guy in a trenchcoat! Jeb: Do you own any Neox stuff? Tank: Well, no, but it's about my pride! Algard: Well, if you can't leave the Neox stuff, then I'll take that pretty little lantern. Corrin: I know you know we can't do that. Algard, frustrated: Well, I'll just take the little cleric girl then. Corrin: fuck this   Algard disintegrates the ship. Corrin casts feeble mind. Losing control over his power, Algard lets out a massive wave of the disease, before his body warps and   Algard: Thank you for letting me out of my prison. Corrin: Oh no. Algard: You can call me Orcus. Corrin: We've been calling you that . Orcus: That's what you were calling the doctor. Corrin: So what's the plan now? Orcus: Same plan I've been telling him this whole time. Corrin: he hasn't been exactly forthcoming about that . Orcus: Why would I tell you? The more you know, the harder it'll be for me. Corrin: Is it though? Orcus: Look. I don't really care to answer any questions.   Orcus casts disintegrate on the ship. Corrin casts counterspell. Orcus forwns.   Corrin: I'm not going to let you destroy our only mode of transportation. Jeb: You guys are saying a lot of things, and not a lot is happening, so I'm going to assume there's a wizard battle happening right now. Callow: Look, I know you just said you don't want to answer any questions, but I have two. One, is Orcus your real name or an alias, and number two, is Neox part of your plan or just not relevant at all? Corrin: And number three, what are your pronouns? Tank: And number four, are you ready for a KNUCKLE SANDWICH???   CAllow attacks Orcus. Orcus casts tether on Callow and Corrin. Orcus tries to attack Jeb but fails. Kali casts Eldritch Blast and Shroud(?). Corrin uses a void shard to restrict Algard's tie to the void, but it doesn't seem to do anything. Corrin and her familiar cast Eldritch Blast. Tank jumps onto Jeb's back. Tank crushes Orcus's jaw with her cowbell, breaking it and disabling his ability to cast verbal spells. Tank also smashes his right wrist. Jeb grapples him and dunks his head into the river. Jeb then punches off Orcus's arm and then rips him in half. Tank then explodes his dick. Callow takes a tactical retreat. Orcus holds his turn. Kali casts Eldritch Blast. Melody gets his body parts out of the river and casts Eldritch Blast.   Callow, turning to Corrin: Are we sure we want to be doing this? Corrin: I don't know.   While the party is deliberating what to do with Orcus, he rips his own arm off to float down the river. Corrin fishes him out of the river.   Corrin: Where the fuck do you think you're going?!   But Orcus is now a dead body. Jeb and Tank summon Gyubi and dig a grave for Orcus. They throw his body parts into the pit. Tank csats heal metal on the ship to repair it and board the ship. Corrin casts Legend Lore on the Wind Stone, but only gets information we already have. As the party is flying out of Storm Valley, a Neox ship flies in.

8/31 Session
27th of Mizu, 2224

The monster starts to flee. Jeb attempts to take an opportunity attack but fails. The creature has fled far enough into the cave that Tank, Corrin, and Kali are unable to see it and give chase. Jeb shrinks back down to regular size. Jeb manages to track it down, but his attempt to attack misses, as the creature blends into the shadows. Tank, as the Mummy Lord, sits next to the altar to the Old Gods and asks, "Where can we find the Wind Stone?" Currently, Infinity is the only one able to see the creature, so it attacks. Infinity then floats above it so that other people are able to see it. Kali casts Eldritch Blast. Jeb attacks and kills the creature.   ???: Who's asking? Tank: My name is Tank [last name] of the Old World. ???: Old world... interesting. What are you doing here in this world? Tank: Trying to save it. ???: You will need to prove that you are worthy of the stone. If you deem yourself worthy and want to know its true location, head over to Storm Valley. Tank: Thank you kindly, old one   The connection is lost.   Tank: I have gathered. information. We must go to Storm Valley. callow, down the cavern: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!! Tank: You know, a place like Storm Valley seems pretty obvious. Jeb: It IS called Storm Valley. Tank: I'm surprised they haven't tried it before. Jeb: They have maps, don't they? Corrin: The last time we went to Storm Valley, we died. Several times. Olier died, the ship blew up-- Callow: --all my skin melted off. Jeb: Oh...   The party leaves the cave. Corrin teleports the party to the ship. They travel to Storm Valley, which will take 23 days. Corrin travels to a demi-plane to try and recreate the enchantment on the Lantern. The compass in the baggage directs the ship away from a bad storm. The ship flies over a crashed, abandoned ship. Corrin finds a True Ressurrection diamond in the wreckage. Corrin gives Tank a Ring of Grammarian, so that Tank can cast the cantrip "Message" as "Massage". She gives Corrin a mildly uncomfortable massage. The storm they had dodged the first time comes back and they lose 5 days' of travel time and 50% of their rations. Tank and Jeb leap out of the ship to go fishing. Time stops, and Laurel appears.   Laurel: I've upheled my end of the bargain... You'll have to deal with at least 4,000 less Neox troops. Corrin: That is extremely useful, thank you. Laurel: Didn't you have two other idiots here?   Tank and Jeb are outside of the time pocket, and are frozen falling mid-air.   Corrin: Oh, yeah, they're here.   Laurel leaves. The party goes fishing. Corrin catches a fish and Tank slices it up into some sushi, which aids in their travel rolls. During their travel, they run into the Exchanger. Callow gives the Exchanger her rotten Zephyr darter, and gets a plate of sushi in return. The sign on the Exchanger's cart says "You are going to your doom". The party arrives at Storm Valley before the full moon, so they land the ship to wait. Tank can sense that the old god she had spoken to in the cave is in Storm Valley. Corrin and Kali see Orcus.

8/25 Session
Allhaya 28th, 2224

Once they had gone back a few days to the day of the full moon in modern time, Jeb and Tank, in their disguises, go to the top of the cliff. As a group, we're trying to glide across the wind to get to the Wind Stone. There are caves surrounding the garden that Kali, Corrin, and Callow remain in, but one of the caves is sealed off via rockfall. Pre-Neox, the cave was opened up and available. Jeb and Tank jump from the top of the cliff, but the wind doesn't seem to be going in any particular direction. They get dumped into a cave. Callow starts to try and un-earth the cave entrance. Corrin and Kali leap up to glide along the air currents. They also get dumped into a cave. The cave is strangely foggy, lit by candles. The howling wind sounds different inside the cave, like labored breathing. There is a pentagram surrounded by human remains. Callow vaporizes the rocks and enters the cave, which is just an extension to the garden. There are no cats.   Jeb: It's mighty convenient that the wind led us to this same cave, even though we came from both the bottom and the top.   Tank investigates the pentagram and knows it's related to an ancient god of darkness and the night, though heavily altered. Corrin determines the pentagram was used for summoning magic. Tank feels a sudden, sharp jab from behind. Jeb sees that there's a nickel-sized patch of rot on her shoulder. Corrin's familiar, Infinity, was able to detect that something small was moving around, but lost track of it. Infinity tries to follow the entity, but stops at the wall and can't go further. Tank summons their wind elemental brother, Tornado, who only speaks in Primordial. Corrin walks into the pentagram, but nothing happens. They continue down the path. Corrin takes some damage similar to Tank. The fog is still bad, but the breathing noises from the wind have stopped. Tank takes another round of damage. They go further into the caves. Everyone takes another round of damage, except Jeb, because he's dodging every six seconds. It becomes evident to the party that what is attacking them is the shadows that are being cast. Tank orders Tornado to blow away the fog, which allows the lantern to shine brighter without casting as many shadows. Corrin goes further north in the cave to discover the ruins and dead bodies at the part of the cave furthest away from the entrance. It is a ritual location, unlike the one in the front, but it hasn't been used in a long time, at least since Year Zero. Tank knows that this is one of many spawnpoints for the Year Zero void creatures.   Tank: Whatever you do, do not put those rocks together. Corrin: Do you know what they are? Tank: This is one of the places that those creatures came from. Corrin: Which creatures? Tank: You know, the void creatures.   Corrin begins to scrawl down the symbols. The team takes another round of damage, exposing the void monster. Callow glides up to the cave entrance.   Callow: The Wind Stone isn't here, get out! Corrin: What do you mean? Callow: I mean, the Wind Stone isn't in there, so there's no point in us being in there! Corrin: How do you know that? Callow: Does it look like the Wind Stone is in there? No! It's evil shadows! Now get out! Corrin: How do you know THAT?! Callow: Don't worry about it! Corrin: I'm going to worry about it! Callow: You don't need to be in here! Corrin: This is kind of the point of all of my research, Callow!   Callow steps into the cave. The cave entrance closes off behind them. The monster attacks and downs Tank. Corrin casts Sunburst on the interior of the shadow monster. The monster retaliates and attacks Corrin back. It seems perturbed by the Tallhalone ring Corrin uses.   Corrin: Get the hell over here!   Kali attacks with Eldritch Blast. Jeb loads a railspike. Callow dashes into the cave. When it tries to move, Corrin punches it backwards and Tank attempts to trip it with her horns, with little success.   Tank: You know what, I'm so sick and tired of dying all the damn time!   Tank, standing up, polymorphs into a mummy lord. Corrin tries to speak to the creature, but it doesn't listen, so she casts Sunbeam. Kali attacks. Jeb, still grown, squeezes through the caves to attack with an explosive railspike. Callow casts Fire Bolt.

8/18 Session
1st-6th of Mizu, 2224

Retroactively, Corrin has now completed the Year 0 stuff required, and Year 0 Corrin and Current Corrin are both at the Ligthouse. Laurel appears, and the two merge.   Corrin: I located the Lagryinth from year 0. Jeb: I hate that place. Corrin: The void there is insanely strong. I've never felt it be that oppressive. Tank: When you say down there-- Corrin: Underground. I don't exactly know how far underground, but I do have a teleportation circle to the ruins.   Corrin said that she saw the skeleton of a demon at the ruins, chained by four chains that have the rune of the Stone stone on them.   Tank: If Tyren encountered the stone in the past, it seems like following his tracks would be the best course of action. Milrac and Salen are the Neox ambassadors currently planted in Manaki.   Poem for the location of the Wind Stone for future reference: Where grass bows low before the gale's might, Seek not by day, but under silver's light. When the moon is full and the earth stands still, The spirit of the shield guides those of pure will.   Feel the breath of the shield’s spirit; it leads only those who listen. Do not grasp the air or seek to steer, For the path reveals itself only to those who hear. Trust the breeze to shape your way, And walk where soft winds gently sway. When the currents fall silent, fear not, For in the stillness, your guide is not forgot. The canyon's birth—earth torn asunder, Hides the shield beyond stone and thunder. Step with faith where others hid, And find the power the first king did.   Samuel teaches them how to use the bullsey lantern. It focuses the energy into one point and continually damages an enemy as long as the light is shining on them. It takes a minute to change the lenses, and everyone loses the group effect when it's active.   Tank and Jeb get disguises. The group teleports one hundred feet above the top of the cliff, but Neox has stationed several turrets at the top of the cliff. Callow plummets from the sky and dents one of the turrets with a rage-induced punch. Corrin spots a Tyren shimmer, and the party goes to the past, but Callow stays behind.   The group sees Lady Carmela, Lanticle, and Madame Res searching the cliff with a group of Manaki people.   Carmela: Do you know anything about this? Corrin: About Tyren missing? Carmela: Mhm. Corrin: All we know is that he went missing. We were kind of hoping he'd be here when we got here. Carmela: No, he uh.... he hasn't come back from his gliding. Carmela: There's an awful lot of new people here, but no Rao. Corrin: Yeah, Rao's away on business. Tank: Can you give us a description of where he was when he disappeared? Carmela: Yeah, he was somewhere down there [points to the cliff face where Manaki is] Tank: When did he leave on this gliding trip? Carmela: It's been two days Tank: And was he lookin' for something? Carmela: To experience Galian culture? And... who are you? Tank: Oh I'm Tank, and this is my brother Jeb   Jeb is currently disguised as a dryder   Jeb: And I'm a dryder. Tank, coughing, sputtering: Oh, you're right, I'm uh, Teddy Teddsbear, and this is... Jeb: My name's dryder. Carmela: Okay... well... thanks, Teddy Teddsbear and Jeb Dryder.... did someone.... make love with a spider to make that? Jeb: Yes, but not my mama, I'm afraid. Tank: You know what'd be useful is if we could see the currents. Maybe we could kick up a bunch of dust to see where the wind's blowing.   Upon doing so, the winds are blowing southeast, so Tank starts to go in that direction, but it's the direction the aforementioned party was coming from. [The poem we were referring to emphasizes that the way is revealed during the full moon, and they appeared in Tyren Time two days after the full moon, when Tyren went missing.] They use one of Corrin's time shimmers to travel back to the present. Callow takes a brief trip to Manaki, then back up to the cliff. After deactivating a turret, she goes into the time shimmer, then returns, and starts to go towards Wigdala before the party reunites with her. The winds are strong, but Neox soldiers from the outposts are starting to approach. The party hides behind a turret to avoid the guard.   Jeb and Tank, wearing their disguises, go to Manaki to get gliders to take back to Tyren time to follow Tyren, but the shop is boarded up because the shop owner had died in the initial Neox attack on Manaki. Jeb and Tank break in but there's no gliders left. jeb grabs some spiders from the abandoned shop. they leave. Some guards approach them.   Tank, dressed as a bear: Can we get some gliders? Guard: What are you. Tank: We are some tourists to this lovely city. Guard: You realize there's a war going on? Jeb: What? There's a war going on? Tank: That's crazy talk. Jeb: Are we winning? Guard: I thought you said you were tourists. Jeb: Well, it all depends on perspective... Tank: You have a lovely face, by the way. Guard: You obviously aren't from here... you look ugly enough to be from Undric. Tank: Sure. Guard: Just... stay away from the kids and don't do anything Jeb: But could you perchance tell us where to find a glider in this fine city? Guardf: Ohh, uh... You would have to talk to the lady about that. I guess the glider shop closed down. Tank: There's a lot of ladies around here. Most of them scream. Jeb: I hear it burns plenty of calories. Guard: If you head up to the casino up there, you'll find her. Tank: Alright, well, I will just point out that the sooner we get gliders, the sooner we can be on our way. Guard: Then go to the casino as soon as you can. It's not like I have one in my back pocket. Tank: Thank you, fine officer.   Jeb and Tank go towards the casino. Kali, Corrin, and Callow are watching from the top of the cliff. Corrin tries to cast Sending but due to the strong winds it doesn't conenct, so Tank and Jeb are left to their own devices.   Tank: Okay, when you go in, don't go in too hot, okay? Jeb: So should I lead with the spiders or the gliders. Tank: No, no, ladies don't like spiders! Jeb: Lady spiders like spiders Tank: Well, she's a lady person, so.... Jeb: Oh. Tank: A lady person likes flowers and being respected, and... Jeb: I mean, everyone likes that. Tank: Well. Some people.   Tank and Jeb approach the singer, believing her to be 'the lady', but she tells them to wait until the end of her set to talk with her. Tank begins to perform with the singer in the casino. The crowd applauds at the end of the set, and the singer invites them to a table.   Singer: You were wanting something from me? Tank: We were told to ask you for gliders. Singer: You were sent to ask... me for gliders? Tank: Well, we were told to ask a lady. Singer: Do you mean... a lady or the lady? You're very sweet. Tank: Not as sweet as your face. Singer: I appreciate the compliments, but I think you have me confused with someone else. Jeb: Yeah. Your voice is better than spiders. Singer: Thank you, that's very sweet. Tank: You think that's sweet? Singer: Well, yes. I'm sure in his.... culture, spiders have very beautiful singing voices. But I believe who you're looking for is Lady Katherine. Tank: Thank ya kindly.   The singer returns to her stage after gesturing Tank and Jeb in the direction of Lady Katherine.   Lady Katherine: How can I help you? Tank: We were hopin' to get some gliders from you. Katherine: I'm not handing gliders out right now.   She coughs up black bile.   Tank: That's quite a gnarly ailment you've got there. Katherine: Yes, it's thanks to... some people. Tank: I think I know who you're talkin' about. That uh, Orcus fella, right? Katherine: I don't know anything about any Orkus. Tank: Well, listen. What if I told you that we reeeaaally really needed these gliders and we would be willing to make it worth your trouble? Katherine, laughing: I don't think there's anything you can give me that I need. Tank: A reason to smile, perhaps? Katherine, laughing again: That is the worst pickup line I've ever heard. Jeb: I bet I can do you one more. Katherine: What's yours?   Jeb holds up his hand with the spiders that he had obtained from the glider's shop. Katherine jumps back.   Katherine: Get out of here, both of you. Tank: We really need those gliders. If we go back empty-handed, we won't get paid. Katherine: I'm not going to ask again. Tank: Alright. Katherine: Take your spiders with you. Jeb: They go where they please.   Tank and Jeb leave the casino.   Tank: Well... we're going back empty-handed. Jeb: It might be a bit morally dubious, but we could figure out where she would go and get the gliders if she were going to give us one.   Tank and Jeb look to see if anyone is flying around so they can scare them into dropping it, but no one is flying about due to Neox's control over the city. Corrin, Kali, and Callow continue to watch. They can see Milrac and Salen are trailing the two of them. Corrin begins to set up a balloon to descend the cliff. Tank and Jeb attempt to break into a house to get a glider, but the house is empty. Tank uses speak with animals to try and convince the spiders to weave a glider for them, but they do not do it. Corrin, Kali, and Callow manage to get to the house.   Corrin: Where did you get the spiders. Jeb: The spider store! Corrin: The what? Tank: This was all that was at the glider store Corrin: Did you see any broken ones? Callow: Actually, I have a broken one, from when I crashed into the cliff. Corrin: I can use a spell to duplicate a repaired version, but we did come down here to let you know there's a general following you. Milrac, standing behind them in the doorway: Not anymore. Corrin: Heyyyy, buddyyyyy, I swear we're not here to do anything, we just came here to get some gliders. Milrac: Well, it seems you have a broken one. Corrin: We're not having very good luck. Milrac: You know I can't let you stay around. Tank: You could help us get on outta here. milrac: By getting a glider? You could ask the Lady. Tank: Ah... yeah. Milrac: If you need glliders, this is all I'll say. People that fall to the ground dont need them anymore. And we don't clean that up. Corrin: Yeah, alright Milrac: Now, I'm trying to be kind. But could you leave before nightfall? Corrin: Yeah. I have a question if you don't mind me asking. You seem very kind and level-headed.... Callow: That's not a question Corrin: I'm getting there! Does that not... clash with what Caveson has you do? Milrac, shrugging: Look. Only person I really care about is Salen here, so as long as we're both okay, that's all that matters. If you guys treat them well, we're okay. If you have beef with Caveson, that's between you and her. Callow: I got two quick questions. Are you immune to the disease? milrac: No, our abilities are just not really akin to magic, so we're not affected. Callow: Is Blackroot under control? Milrac: As far as I'm aware. Now, if that's everything, please put the door back. Corrin: Yeah, did you guys break into some random's house to get a glider? Tank: Well, yeah, people gotta get to work! Callow: They can walk. Milrac: Yeah, if anyone was in here, you'd be arrested right now. Callow: Wouldn't be the first time. Corrin: Don't say that. Milrac: Just make sure you're out of here after dark. If I see you here, I will draw a weapon. Corrin: Fair enough.   Milrac leaves. The group gets some broken gliders from the bottom of the cliff and repairs them. Corrin uses 11 time shimmer charges to go back to the day of the full moon, 3 hours before nightfall. The weather is still strong winds.

7/28 Session
1st of Mizu, 2224

(Retcon) A medium-sized ship emerges from a portal. Milrac and Salen emerge from the ship and begin to approach the group. Jeb and Tank buck Marzak off and knock him prone. Jeb grows one size and knocks Blackroot prone. Tank uses a reaction to attack Blackroot with her cowbell. Jeb shoots a railroad spike through Blackroot and triple crits. Tank jumps down from Jeb's back, using her cowbell as a lasso to hit Blackroot on the head. Her head splits apart and void begins pouring out. The destruction of her head disables her telepathy, causing her to lose her ability to control people. Marzak is freed from mind control, but Adala, Olier, and Raine are still corrupted. Tank swings back up onto Jeb's back. Jeb shoots another train spike, and pushes her back 20 feet. Tank swings back up onto Jeb's back and they step away from Blackroot. Kali tries to hit Blackroot with 3 eldritch blasts, but Milrac looks at Kali and one of them blows up in her face. Tank breaks concentration on Raine, and Raine un-polymorphs from a beer bottle into her corrupted form. Raine comes out of Tank's pocket. A swarm of locusts swarms and attacks Tank and Jeb. Corrin tosses Callow a Neox Core. All familiars stop functioning and are permanently debuffed by Salen. Corrin tries to dismiss her familiar but can't. Corrin unsheaths a shortsword and casts Dimension Doom on Milrac, sending him flying upwards. Corrin attempts to speak to Salen in Abyssal, but Salen doesn't understand or respond. Blackroot teleports away. Milrac teleports back down to stand next to Salen, tells Kali and Corirn that the familiars will be back in the morning, and begins to walk back towards where Blackroot had been formerly. Corrin: Why are you attacking Big City? Milrac: We're trying to stop her from attacking the Big City. Corrin: Who's 'her'? Callow: Blackroot? Milrac says nothing. Corrin: As much as I don't want to work with a Neox general, I want to avoid killing students as much as possible. Jeb: Oops. Callow, Kali, and Corrin can tell that Blackroot is blipping in and out of reality as she teleports away. Callow loads four of the five Neox Cores into the volatile launcher. Corrupted Olier, Raine, and Adala are now missing. The group takes a long rest. The Headmaster of the school comes to speak with the party in the school library. Headmaster: Were you there for last night's incident? Corrin: I was there for part of it. There was an actively transforming demon thing and a Neox general who appeared to be tracking it down. Headmaster: A Neox general? Callow: Yes, sir. Headmaster: Who are these people? Corrin: We're the Circle of Stones. Headmaster: Let me ask you this. Who knocked out the students last night? Tank: Well, you see, sir. There was this miles large demon that punched all the students into a hole in the ground. And that's what knocked them out. Headmaster: I'm going to get to the bottom of this magically. He starts using Detect Thoughts on the party. Tank: Well, okay, I might've told a little fib. They were being mind controlled by the previously mentioned demon, though, so we were just putting them down for a little sleep so we could deal with bigger issues. Headmaster: Were all three of you there for that? Callow: Well, I was in the infirmary- Headmaster: I need all three of you to follow me then. Tank: We did our best to keep the kids safe. Headmaster: That's not what we're worried about. We just want to check if you have the disease. Callow: Oh, well I don't. I was in the building. Headmaster: It's just a precaution. The Headmaster takes vials of blood from Jeb, Tank, and Callow. Callow: Not to overstep my bounds, but I believe it would be worthy to quarantine the students that were under the demon's control in case it comes back and resumes control. Headmaster: You're not overstepping your bounds. Necessary precautions have been taken. Callow: Thank you. That's all I ask. The Headmaster returns the three of them back to the library. All three of them tested negative for the disease. Headmaster: Do you know if you've come in contact with the disease? Corrin: not that I know of. Headmaster: It's getting bad out there. Corrin: That's an understatement. Headmaster: The school is getting a lot of pushback these days. I hope you're not doing anything to sully the school's name. Corrin: Just trying to end the war and cure the disease. Headmaster: You and your volunteers? Corrin: I'm more the one volunteering. I'm just trying to fix things. Headmaster: It's just my job to protect the school. And people are jumping at the chance to rally against us. Corrin: Do you have any suggestions or things that might help? Headmaster: Right now the archmages and I are doing our best to quell concerns in the Big City, but if you suspect someone you know is infected, quarantine them. We just don't want dissemination of the disease tracked through you back to the school.   [Corrin's research has gleaned that the Void is an entity within the location of the void, and everything that leaks into this plane of existence is void energy from the entity leaking into this world. Void + something = disease, but Corrin doesn't know what the "something" is.] Tank: You know, it's worth questioning how Blackroot got here so quick, and was able to find exactly where we were. I mean, what if she teleported with us? Valenzia did disappear directly after we teleported, after all, and then Blackroot just happened to appear after that...   Headmaster: You ought to check in on Karmichael Corrin: He's at Wigdala, though that might not be super safe at this juncture. Where would you want him sent? Headmaster: Well, if you're able to smuggle him and anyone else out, Northern Galia towards the Stalic border would be best at the very least. Corrin: Get them away from the front lines. Right. Headmaster: Take them to Osolaria. Corrin: How quickly would you like Karmichael to be in Big City? Headmaster: The sooner the better, unless he's in the middle of something important.   Corrin casts sending to Karmichael to let him know she's coming to Wigdala to pick him up, but magic doesn't work in Galia currently because of strong winds. Tank goes fishing in the pond of the school courtyard. The party goes to the Beast Brigade to see if they have some lead on tracking Blackroot. Because Tank and Jeb are with us, we are let in easily.   Employee: What can we help you with? Callow: We need help tracking the demon that we fought on the campus grounds last night. Employee: I'll get Mr. Marzak since I know nothing about that. Tank: Now, word has it y'all sent a lieutenant to Galia on a tracking mission? Employee: No? We don't do anything in Galia. What are you referring to? Tank: Well, we met a girl, Valenzia, claiming to have been with the beast brigade with one of the lieutenants. Employee: No, we don't go that far. Didn't you know that? We went over it in training. Tank: Ah. Must've slipped my mind.   Captain Marzak enters the room.   Marzak: Do you know where it went? Callow: We were hoping you might know. Jeb: We know that wherever this creature goes, it transforms people. Callow: We also have strong reason to suspect it could be connected to the void so- Marzak: We don't have anyone that would know about that... well... except Freebird. We've worked with them before... I'll talk to them. I know they've recently got some associates in Neox. Tank: Well, I ain't a fan of Neox, but this does seem to be connected to them. Callow: Blackroot used to be connected to Neox. I think she's defected, or become an uncontrollable monstrosity. Marzak: I heard they do some strange things with creatures and monstrosities and whatnot. Callow: Yeah, they do biological experiments. Marzak: Anyway, I can get in contact with them and see what they know. By the way, were you missing someone? Jeb: Huh? Marzak: Yeah, there's a little girl outside asking about a Jeb and Tank and Corrin and Rao...   Marzak goes and gets Raine from another room.   Jeb: Wow, you're looking a lot better today! Raine: Was I worse yesterday? Tank: let's not talk about yesterday Raine: I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. Olier and Adala are still knocked out in the back. Jeb: You only got up a little while ago? Raine: Yeah. I think I lost my staff.   Corrin gives her her staff back. Callow takes two big steps back.   Corrin: What's that for? Callow: The last time she had her staff, she tried to infect me with the void. Corrin: I think that was the void more than her. Raine: I'm gonna go get Olier and Adala. Corrin: And don't cast any magic.   Raine uses magic to wake up Adala and Olier. She returns   Raine: Why are we in Big City? Jeb: What's the last thing you remember? Raine: We were in a cave, and then there was that thing taking over people's brains, and next thing I know, I'm asleep in here. Tank: So you don't remember being a beer bottle? Raine: So I did have the alcohols? Tank: You were the alcohols. Raine: No, I don't remember that. Tank: Well, that's probably for the best. We teleported. Raine: Did we win? Tank: We didn't lose. Raine: Then we won. Corrin: Yep. That's how that works. Jeb: Always do. Raine: Are we going back, or did we win the war too? Jeb: Still working on the war. Raine: We could go talk to Samuel. Tank: Yeah, we could go talk to him. Raine: You'll like him, he's nice.   Corrin calls Samuel to let him know that people are going to the Lighthouse, and the party goes to the Lighthouse. Corrin gives Tank and Jeb each a time shimmer to get them back to the present day if something happens. Samuel smacks Callow in the head with a broom.   Tank: assailants! Corrin: No! No more cowbell! Samuel: Oh. Hi Tank. Hi Jeb. Jeb: Ah. Our reputation precedes us. Callow: Sorry. These are the Tank and Jeb from the past.   Corrin gives Tank and Jeb each 1 million gold so they'll stop asking after Rao. Tank gets a burger. Samuel warns Jeb and Tank about putting stones into the pedestal. They use the Observatory to scout for Blackroot. Blackroot is currently in a containment cell in Neox's possession. However, they can't use the Observatory to see the Wind Stone, so they ask Samuel. Samuel says that Tyren disappeared for a while somewhere on top of what is now present-day Manaki. Corrin casts sending to Karmichael successfully this time. Samuel helps Jeb and Tank scry on their past-future selves that are eating lunch in Big City. Callow purchases 5 Superior Healing Potions. Corrin brings 1 Disease Suppressant with her.   [The Disease Suppressant replenishes slowly because the flower it's created from is in high demand.]   Tank and Jeb go to meet Tank Prime and Jeb Prime (the ones that went to the Lighthouse, back in time, and then had to reunited and lived their lives in Big City as members of the Beast Brigade for 2 years). When they meet, time stops, and Laurel appears. Suffering from the disease, she calls them "mistakes" and vaporizes Tank and Jeb, as does the 2 million gold. Tank Prime and Jeb Prime both retain the memories of the vaporized Tank and Jeb. An NPC named Jim is with them. Tank, Jeb, and Jim go to the Lighthouse.

7/21 Session

Jeb grapples and gags four of the students. Callow breaks the window and throws a fire grenade at two students. Tank casts Counterspell on the students and Callow, and dispells Blackroot's control temporarily. Commander Marzak moves closer to engage in conversation and provide us buffs. Tank mounts Jeb, and the two grab and tie up the chrono-urgy professor. A psychic screech happens, stunning Tank and Callow. Corrupted Adala attacks Callow. Commander Morzak identifies that Loitsu and a caster are the ones that the psychic waves are emanating from. Jeb gags and hgoties the aforementioned Loitsu and muttering caster. Jeb grabs Adala through the open window and ties her up, before tossing her back into the building. Callow and Tank recover from their stun. Jeb knocks out six students. Callow jumps out the window and dashes to where she senses Blackroot. Jeb and Tank grab Commander Marzak and follow Callow. The bridge they run across comes to life and attacks them. The Broken One is summoned. Jeb and Tank know the Broken One's true name, and use it to command the Broken One to blast Blackroot. Blackroot takes control of Commander Marzak. A Neox pod lands on the other side of campus.

Entry for WorldEmber 2024

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Character
World
Hitorik
Category
Other Worlds in Regions
Author
NyanBacon
Publication Date
29 Dec, 2024
Creation Date
29 Dec, 2024
Last Update Date
29 Dec, 2024
Visibility
Public
Views
81
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