Tales from Seasonal and Amber Eyes

The next installment of Lirael Glimmereye's journal as he progresses as a Yuan-ti Cleric of the Twilight Domain and Echo Knight. Today's installment is about going to Seasonal where the annual Kolrabi games were being held, meeting with the Princess and freeing Amber Eyes from the clutches of the Shadowed One.

Past Journal Entries:

Tales from Seasonal and Amber Eyes

Before departing the regal sanctuary of King Garland's palace, our inquisitive minds sought answers from Jeanine about the enigmatic woman we had dubbed Amber Eyes – her mother. A simple inquiry unveiled the name Scathach, a melody whispered in tandem with the shadows that enveloped her mysterious existence.

In the seamless embrace of magic, we traversed from the regal halls to the heart of Seasonal, where the lively tapestry of the Kolrabi Games unfolded. The air buzzed with festivity, weaving us into the enchanting dance of merriment and mystery. Amidst the kaleidoscope of events, the unexpected spectacle of a Tortle outpacing an Elf, Catfolk, and Harengon in a footrace became a whimsical chapter in the ongoing tale of our adventures.

As the Gnome heralded the tournaments beckoning more competitors, the gamut of competitions unfolded – a medley of monster hunts, pie-eating extravaganzas, archery duels, arm-wrestling showdowns, and other events to determine the eventual champion team. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, while the melodious notes of the bardic singing contest added a harmonious layer to the festivities, painting Seasonal with hues of revelry and competition.

Yet, our eyes were set on a deeper purpose, we weren't sure of our timeline and the true purpose of our being in Seasonal would probably take precedence over us participating in the annual games this year.

We sought out Princess Helena Garland and found that she was residing in The Red Rooster Tavern during the games. What came next were a nexus of curious encounter, from a Goliath named Jeremy being thrown out by a female Halfling, who threatened him by saying she would go tell the half-orc named Jax who serves as bouncer and waitress there how he was acting, after which the Goliath staggered, mumbling to himself words I shan't repeat here, down the road. It was just one of those memorable introductions to a town and the tavern that just stuck in my mind.

I learned later that Jax was also one of the ones guarding the Princess and our arrival eventually caused her to view us with wary curiosity for a time.

In the main chamber of the tavern, we found the princess engaged in a strategic duel of dragon chess. My knowledge of the game proved fortuitous, aiding her in a triumphant move that unraveled her opponent's defenses and caused him to resign at that point.

Later, in her sitting room, our conversations unfolded like a delicate dance, revealing the intertwining threads of fate that bound us together.

Amidst discussions about Lenore's journal, my reading of the Princess's journal and giving it to the King, visions in the Hall of Mirrors, and during the revelation of Amber Eyes as Jeanine's mother, she became rather agitated about us being sent by the King to attempt to save this long-time foe from herself on a whim, but understood why he did it when the daughter had fought for her mother to have a chance. We didn't tell her the other part of the King's orders if we couldn't. Jeanine was sitting there with us and we knew that would upset her to no end.

Jeanine gave us more information regarding the spawn named Baldur. Evidently, he has four arms and two mouths and sits in acid, while fire doesn't bother him. So we will need to figure out other methods of dealing damage that is not immediately regenerated.

After conversing for a while, we discussed the Kolrabi Games and whether we would have time for this once in a lifetime opportunity to participate as a group. The Princess offered to become a member of the team and then we decided we needed to eat and relax a bit downstairs.

Symphony of Shadows

Amidst our meal, Jeanine's senses, alerted us to the proximity of her mother, Scathach. A fleeting impulse to rush outside gripped her, yet our persuasive voices anchored her within the haven of The Red Rooster Tavern, granting us a chance to converse with the elusive Amber Eyes.

Lindros talking with Scathach, while I look on with the Shadowed One approaching in the background
Image by Microsoft Bing AI Image Creator - 2023

The ensuing encounter unfolded as a symphony, where the notes of persuasion intertwined with the steel of determination. Scathach, resolute in her pursuit of her daughter's freedom, initially resisted the allure of her own liberation from the Shadowed One's clutches, because of her belief that she owed him her life. Her eyes, a dance between Amber and Silver, mirrored the internal conflict that raged within. The werewolf within wanted to tear me apart at several due to the observations that I made regarding her and her daughter's chances for freedom. Especially, when I asked what if the Shadowed One had promised Jeanine to Baldur, which created a period of silence and increased agitations towards me. It struck home as too close to something that could have happened and scared her more than anything else I had said.

Suddenly, the Shadowed One walked up, or at least what we believed was his spectral semblance did, standing near Scathach. A verbal duel ensued, a tempest of words where he toyed with us, riposting against our arguments, when his words were deflected as trivial, he delved into the recesses of my mind to counter arguments with past things I had done. Yet, a mysterious force guided my responses, weaving a tapestry of persuasion and rhetoric that withstood the Shadowed One's tenacious grip on Scathach's psyche. As the grip became more tenuous with each passing moment, there were the hints of vulnerability on the Shadowed One's part, when both of her eyes flashed silver and stayed there, he stopped bandying words and began to cast a spell.

With prescient timing Landriss intervened, casting a timely silence spell that shrouded the scene. The ominous threat was silenced as the Shadowed One mouthed words of death for us and Jeanine to be done at the hand of Scathach. It was a Command that she could not hear. Landriss, wielding a named intelligent sword, attacked the suddenly appearing ethereal strands binding Scathach to his fingers.

I, desperately hoping to act as a mere distraction, since I was armed only with an ineffective mundane short sword, struck at the Shadowed One's outstretched hand that pointed towards Landriss, disrupting his concentration, while I stood between Scathach and the malevolent force. Then as Landriss swung his sword, he severed the ethereal ties that held Scathach to the Shadowed One, culminating in the severance of the his left ring finger. The ensuing scream of pain and anger pierced the air, dispelling any doubt – this was no mere illusion; it was the Shadowed One himself.

He looked aghast at the sword that Landriss was wielding, a strange new look appeared upon his face as he recognized the blade. As the silence spell continued to effect us, the echoes of the confrontation lingered in our minds and then just as suddenly as he had appeared, the Shadowed One disappeared. The enigmatic name "Hassan" was screamed in pain and fury, then reverberated in our minds. While the ephemeral dance of shadows had concluded, leaving us to ponder the consequences of our dual against the Shadowed One.

Needless to say, we both instinctively knew that the Shadowed One now had a personal vendetta against the two of us, that would not be slacked until we were in his possession or dead at his feet.

We caught Scathach as she fell unconscious from the psychic affects of cutting the ties that the Shadowed One had made to her. We caught her before she hit the ground.

In the aftermath of the encounter, a creeping black corruption began to form on my blade where it had touched the Shadowed One's hand, and black tendrils sought to ensnare me. In the end Landriss's sword proved the instrument of their complete destruction.

The inn became a haven as Jax assisted us in securing Scathach and calming Jeanine.

Crossroads of Destiny

I thanked Landriss for his timely actions and saving us all. He and the sword were the differences in this encounter that could have gone sideways too many times and fighting against a powerful werewolf after its daughter would have been daunting at best if we had made any mistakes. I believe that there were other forces on our side during the encounter that aided us in this verbal repartee that had freed Scathach.

Battling the Shadowed Man if he had decided to stay, would have ended badly, but I do believe this is the first time in many years that he has been confronted so sorely and was even injured. Yes, we were fortunate to have come through it as remarkably as we had. Though I'm not looking forward towards facing the Shadowed Man again anytime soon, but at the same time I will not back down from the path that has been set before me.

Before us, choices unfurled like diverging paths in a haunted wood, each bearing the weight of consequences. The option to teleport to the palace, a haven of safety, tempted us. It held the promise of refuge for Scathach and her daughter, who had been long ensnared in the webs of the Shadowed One's malevolence. We had completed that part of our mission that the King had set upon us.

Simultaneously, the safety of Princess Helena Garland loomed as a paramount concern. With Baldur and the three hags in the vicinity, they served as clear and present dangers to her, despite her obvious experience and carrying a named sword. What choices would she make going forward? It wasn't up to us to tell or even suggest to her what she needed to do, as I had recently learned. Lay out the facts to her and let the Princess make the choices that we would implement.

Amidst the tapestry of choices, another pivotal decision emerged – the need to locate Virran and bring him abreast of the unfolding events. His counsel and presence held significance in navigating the treacherous waters that surrounded us.

The allure of the Kolrabi Games persisted, a tapestry woven with threads of mirth and competition. Yet, the specter of Hassan, an assassin veiled in unparalleled mastery, cast a shadow over the festivities. The recent enmity earned from the Shadowed One added an ominous layer to the unfolding saga, a reminder of the stakes in this intricate dance of destinies, that go far beyond any festival, no matter how grand.

As the sands of time slipped away, unfinished quests lingered like apparitions, demanding our attention. The delicate balance between pursuing the allure of competition and confronting the impending shadows tipped precariously, leaving us to grapple with the weight of our choices in the waning hours of opportunity.

We will deliberate on our next course of action, these journal pages hopefully will hold the ink of untold adventures, and the gods' whispers guiding the quill on this journey of shifting destinies that lie ahead

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