A Tower's Secret, and the Enigmatic Path Ahead

This session was not what was expected, doing storm cleanup in the morning, then finding out that one player got whatever bug is now floating around and called out sick. Then our other player initially thought he would be there and unforeseen circumstances arose that didn’t let him. However, the good news was that we got a new player to add to the mix. Since the entire party wasn’t in place we decided to deal with one of the side quests that needed to be done. Which allowed the DM to integrate the new player. It was still a lot of fun and we got a few things out of the way that had been shunted off to the side. We are role play heavy and battle lite so hopefully we didn’t scare him off after his initial session. We’ll find out.

If you are interested reading the previous journal entries of Lirael, please click here

A Tower's Secret, and the Enigmatic Path Ahead

As the evening continued Sid, along with his enigmatic students, had just withdrawn to their chambers, when a sudden disruption befell the tranquilness of the room. The Princess hurriedly came to our side of the suite and went over to Landriss. Her urgent words commanding his swift return to the King’s palace under the mandate of King Garland himself. An air of enigma clung to this abrupt summons, devoid of any detailed explanation. Landriss, ever a servant of the King, bid us a hasty farewell, vanishing with the Princess into the night.

From our vantage point, we observed the Princess lingering in quiet conversation on the street below, a murmur of words exchanged with Landriss before she retraced her steps back to the Inn and he hurried towards the teleportation portal. Yet, she did not return to the room, leaving us to wonder what was happening and asking one another far too many unanswered questions that flew through our minds.

Varrin, animated by a restless energy, paced the room, his gaze flickering towards the door. A desire to find out what happened with Landriss and what the Princess was up to. Then to also to partake in the revelry of the common room that we could hear going on below seized him. "I'm heading downstairs to glean what’s going on and perhaps to tip an ale or two. Would you mind keeping watch over Scathach and Jeanine?" he queried me. Fatigue clung to my limbs, rendering me indifferent to the festivities below. With a nod and a wave, I urged him to indulge in the revelry. Varrin slipped away, his departure swift, before I would have an opportunity to change my mind.

In the wake of his exit, the three of us—Scathach, Jeanine, and I—engaged in subdued conversation getting to know one another better. Telling stories of our pasts. However, the allure of rest soon overpowered us, and a unanimous decision was reached to surrender to its embrace. Scathach, wrestling with a mind besieged by all the events that had occurred during this day, and how her life had abruptly changed so much, volunteered for the initial watch.

My request to be roused when she got tired was met with a sly smile and a simple nod. She looked over at me and in an odd way, said "You trust me to keep watch, after knowing what I am and that I was an ally of Gantz, until you and Landriss freed me this afternoon. I looked back at her, held her gaze and simply said "You have made a difficult choice today and if I don't trust you, I diminish your choice, so to answer your question. Yes, I trust you." Scathach just looked at me for a moment and then went back to looking out the window. "Sleep well snake man, I have a feeling tomorrow will be an interesting day."

With the arrival of dawn's gentle touch through the window, I stirred from my slumber, discovering that even the return of the Princess to her chambers had failed to rouse my usually vigilant senses. Thankfully, a silent night had unfolded, and, regrettably, my role as protector had been blunted by my exhaustion, oblivious to the ebb and flow of the hours.

Yet, I must confess, the respite of that night was truly splendid. I jokingly chided Scathach for neglecting to rouse me, to which she responded with laughter, saying it had given her time to process what had happened and that she wouldn’t have slept anyway as an elf. That she had rested in her own way. Then she advised me that neither Varrin nor Landriss had returned yet. We mused again on Landriss' enigmatic summons and she told us that the Princess had refused to say anything more about it to her when she returned for the night. Then we speculated with a shared chuckle that Varrin might find himself awakening in unfamiliar quarters, accompanied by a new acquaintance and with shared throbbing headaches. At that comment an "ewwww" escaped Jeanine's lips, prompting collective laughter that reverberated through the room.

Then as we stopped to look out the window at the sunrise, I thought about how it was a marvel to consider that a mere five days had elapsed since my arrival at Minwa's venerable Temple. In this brief span, the tapestry of our journey has woven itself with threads of grandeur and more changes than I would have thought possible for me. We had beheld the visage of Minwa herself, received the solemn charge to safeguard the twin realms of Crannog and so much more. And so, with a heart now lightened by rest, I pondered what wonders this fifth day of our odyssey shall unveil.

As Scathach gazed out the window, she discerned the departure of Fu Hua from the Inn. Sensing an opportunity to unravel some of the mystery of one of Sid's students, I proposed that I accompany Fu to learn more about her intentions and ensure her safety. Which Scathach quickly agreed to, while Jeanine looked longingly out the window.

Upon joining her outside by using my echo knight ability, Fu Hua reluctantly disclosed her plan to rendezvous with a friend that I would recognize for she had a monkey tail, for sparring and a subsequent sojourn for shopping in the environs of Seasonal. When I inquired whether Sid was aware of her escapade, Fu Hua, lowering her head, admitted, "No." With the streets still cloaked in the early morning hush, I insisted on accompanying her to ensure her safety. Though met with the exasperated demeanor typical of youth, my laughter and comments softened her resistance, and we embarked down the quiet street.

En route to her meeting place, an unexpected spectacle unfolded before us—an imposing dragonborn astride an even more colossal steed. We stood transfixed, pondering aloud how a dragonborn of such stature found a horse of sufficient size to carry him. Peering down at us, he proclaimed, "I've been dispatched by a Prophet of Minwa to locate a party of adventurers bearing the names Landriss, Varrin, and Lirael."

Inquisitively, I queried, "And for what purpose are you seeking them?"

Without hesitation, he responded, "To join their fellowship and avert the impending doom that haunts my dreams." Swiftly dismounting, while still towering above us, he turned his gaze to the horse. Which, once it had delivered the dragonborn, bolted down the street with a cry that echoed, "Free at last." Instinctively activating my echo again, I readied myself to see the dragonborn’s next actions.

Opting to extend a proper introduction, I carefully approached him and identified myself as Lirael. After talking for a moment, I quickly proposed a private conversation in a less public place. Turning to Fu Hua, I sought reassurance regarding her safety. She met my inquiry with a look that conveyed, "Of course, I don't need your protection," producing her sword hilt. A green force emanated from the handle as she stepped on it, propelling her swiftly away, leaving us behind.

Observing her departure, the dragonborn remarked, "Well, that's different."

With a chuckle, I responded, "If you choose to walk the path with us, 'different' will become your familiar companion. Let us return to the Inn, make our introductions, and see where our paths lead."

The dragonborn introduced himself as Darkvane, a golden dragonborn and a Moon Circle druid, confessing to limited experience of being in the company of others and a lack of familiarity with the world of men, or of adventuring. He claimed to be raised by wolves in a distant forest, one where he had intended to remain in solitude with the pack for the rest of his life. At least, that was his plan until his pack fell to assault by shadowy figures about a week ago, leaving him as the sole survivor.

As we prepared to enter the Inn, Kenzo emerged, and I apprised him of Fu Hua's journey down the road to meet a companion for sparring—a girl with a monkey tail or so she said—and subsequent shopping and that she had chosen not to inform Sid about her impromptu expedition. Kenzo, shaking his head, conveyed that the master would be displeased, and now that he was privy to the information, he was obligated to inform him, promising a potentially challenging morning and being branded as a tattle tale-again. Wishing him luck, we entered the Inn.

Leading Darkvane through the common room, where he loomed over everyone, even drawing curious looks from Jax, I exchanged a shrug and a smile with her. My intention was to guide Darkvane upstairs to continue his narrative, though he certainly did call attention to himself. Upon reaching the room, I introduced him to Scathach and Jeanine. Reacting to his distinct aroma of wolf and horse, both women wrinkled their noses and suggested a dire need for a bath—critiques that, admittedly, held merit once I stopped and got a fresh whiff myself.

Darkvane repeated his story to them, seeking to substantiate his account. He demonstrated his druidic abilities, shifting into the form of a wolf. In response, Scathach promptly transformed into her werewolf shape, causing Darkvane to instinctively retreat, while preparing for potential combat. Jeanine commenced her own transformation, prompting me to draw my sword in readiness for any unforeseen developments. Tensions subsided when Darkvane showed submissiveness to Scathach and then he resumed his original form, Scathach reverted as well. She then informed him that she would reveal other animal shapes that he could use in the future. She summoned a kangaroo and another exotic creature—beings not native to this land but potentially beneficial in unforeseen circumstances.

As Scathach guided Darkvane through the exploration of various animal shapes, my attention shifted to my Teleportation Helm. Its overnight recharge only yielded two additional charges not the full three, a fact I must bear in mind throughout the day. Breakfast was brought up to the room, providing an opportunity for us to further familiarize ourselves with Darkvane's tale. He recounted a life spent among wolves after being adopted by the pack as a small child. He was devoid of knowledge about his birth parents. His story delved into the harrowing attack on his pack and how he managed to endure repeated assaults by the shadowy assailants.

After surviving the attack, a short time later, while he was mourning for his pack members, a mysterious figure in a cowled robe materialized before him. Darkvane found himself unable to move, compelled to heed the person's words. The stranger identified himself as a Prophet of Minwa, and revealed that Darkvane was chosen by the goddess to aid a group of heroes in averting the impending doom that he had seen in his nightmares. He was told that the assault on Darkvane's pack was a deliberate act to eliminate him and to thwart his destined role. 

Reluctantly acknowledging his role as one of Minwa's chosen, Darkvane agrees to embrace his duty to prevent the impending catastrophe despite his lack of knowledge about life beyond his forest. The prophet summoned the horse that bore him to Seasonal, providing Darkvane with his first experience of riding a horse, albeit with limited control. He had all he could to hang on for dear life. He complained that he had now had aches and pains in places he didn’t know existed on his body. We all chuckled at that.

After hearing Darkvane’s story and finishing eat, we patiently waited for a time, to see if Virran or Landriss would show up. During that time of quiet conversation and contemplation, we observed the return of Fu Hua and another girl walking down the road toward the inn. Despite bearing a few obvious bruises and dusty clothing, their playful antics and carefree behavior painted them as typical teenagers. They stopped at the Halfling's pie shop, indulging in a moment of leisure. I found a sense of relief in Fu Hua's safe return, mindful of the lurking danger faced by Sid's students, who as he advised us last night, were being hunted by others.

The Rose Gate
Image by Bing AI Image Creator - 2024

At this juncture, the idea of idle waiting weighed heavily on our shoulders. Seeking to break free from the clutches of inactivity, I proposed a modest adventure, revealing that the rose embellishment on my armor was also a portal to a realm known as the Tower of Babylon. In the cryptic words of Professor Lark, it was suggested that within this tower, Merlin might be found, potentially held captive by a deity for some grand transgression. The perplexing revelation that my armor harbored a portal to such a place that begged exploration was born by the others as another of those things that was a part of our quest to save the world from destruction. We discussed that if Merlin indeed resided within, his wisdom and aid could be invaluable to our quest.

As I activated the gate, a vine and thorn-encrusted portal to a doorway materialized in the room, capturing the complete attention of my companions. Eager for further details that I lacked, Darkvane hesitated and looked displeased at the prospect of traversing it and I closed the portal.

However, Scathach could hardly hold herself back once her curiosity was piqued. I couldn't deny her the allure and possible adventure of unveiling the mysteries lying beyond the portal. With a chuckle, I reactivated the gate, challenging, "Well, let's see what's behind the door... are you coming, Darkvane?" He sighed, looked at the two of us, and reluctantly nodded. I don’t think he completely trusted us as yet, but decided that sitting this one out would not help him become part of what he called his new pack.

Sensing the need for Jeanine to remain safe, Scathach quietly went into the Princess’ room and quickly spoke with her. She told Jeanine to stay behind and remain with the Princess, as we embarked on our exploration.

Whether due to the Tower's enchantment or some other mystical force, the clarity of my usually impeccable memory wavered, leaving disconcerting gaps. While I endeavor to recount our experiences, dear journal, I must extend a preemptive apology to my future self, for the passage through that gate has evidently taken a toll on many of my recollections.

Upon passing through the gate, we found ourselves in a realm of serene beauty, adorned with an abundance of pink and purple flowers. As the portal gracefully closed behind us, my ability to remember began to falter, leaving me with fragmented memories of floral landscapes. Amidst the verdant meadow, we encountered a man whose eyes gleamed with a rosy tint. He revealed himself as Merlin, and with the usual exchange of introductions, we engaged him in conversation.

Merlin, however, was reticent about the circumstances of his imprisonment, as well as steering clear of divulging which deity had curtailed his antics. My memory conjures images of him bemoaning the taste of his coffee, him exacting a promise from me to treat him to the "real stuff," and an eccentric tangent about the absence of bodily functions. Truly, the peculiarities of conversation that etch themselves indelibly in one's mind.

Our dialogue took a serious turn as we laid bare the details of our quest—Gantz's perilous plot to merge the two planes of Crannog, Hassan's relentless pursuit, and the threat hanging over our party, Scathach, and Jeanine. 

Merlin, out of touch with Crannog's current affairs due to his imprisonment, expressed awareness of who Gantz was but provided little insight into his true motives that I remember. The mention of the Ender Lilly's involvement, Gantz's formidable abjuration wizardry, and the potential influence of it over Gantz became subjects of discussion, but here my memory falters, as if some force sought to obscure the finer details that Merlin provided.

Amid my haziness, I remember that we implored Merlin to aid us in thwarting Gantz's machinations to destroy Crannog. Giving us a sorrowful look, he declared that he was unable to contribute substantially from his current state, where he was imprisoned. Then he directed our attention to a shelf where a solid golden eagle was perched high on the back wall—his guardian throughout the centuries of his captivity. To set him free, he instructed us that we would need to ascend the wall and seek answers from this majestic sentinel.

Our discussion about how to reach the elevated shelf led to an unexpected transformation of Darkvane by Merlin. He was transformed into a gold dragon wyrmling, which proved insufficient in size to fly any of our group but himself up to the ledge. Harnessing the synergy of my echo abilities and the echo emanating from my sword, I ascended to the shelf, anchoring a rope for Scathach's quick ascent. While Darkvane flew up beside me.

Confronted by the majestic Guardian, a creature of awe and enigma, we stated our desire to liberate Merlin. The Guardian responded with a cynical laugh, indicating our endeavor wasn't to be easy and that one would need to be exchanged for the present occupant. I proposed myself as a substitute, only to be met with a sad smile and the Guardian's assertion that neither I nor any of my companions possessed the requisite value to be swapped for one such as Merlin.

The Guardian, seemed stop to read our minds, suggested Hassan, a figure infused with the essence of the Horned King. It decreed that in exchange for Hassan, as long as he was kept mostly intact and almost alive, give Merlin his long sought freedom. Deeming it inappropriate for one bearing the Horned King's essence to roam the mortal realms freely. Whether I inquired or the Guardian offered, my recollection falters, but the Guardian extended assistance for our quest—bestowing upon Darkvane a Staff of the Woodlands and presenting me with a blue book adorned with gold-edged leaf pages, which I was led to believe was one of Gantz’s journals.

However, the next caveat was clear—our next entrance to the Tower must include Hassan, or the Guardian would dismantle the portal we used to access this extraordinary realm and with it our own freedom as well. We would become prisoners in his world, but unable to communicate with Merlin, unless the Gods chose otherwise. The Guardian continued with an assertion that this visit was an exception, granted due to the upheavals in the world beyond by the Gods that had bound Merlin to this place. With that the Guardian dismissed us, and we descended to rejoin Merlin, Darkvane gliding down gracefully. Scathach and I the more mundane way of climbing down the rope, which the Guardian so nicely dropped on my head as I touched the ground.

Merlin greeted us warmly after our visit with the Guardian, but when we told him the condition needed for us to release him, he seemed disheartened by the prospect of our next visit hinging on us capturing Hassan as the requisite for his release. However, he was intrigued by the blinding light and script that emanated from the book when opened that I now possessed. Merlin talked of it being written in celestial, that it fostered suspicions about Gantz's lineage and potential corruption by the Ender Lily. Could Gantz be seeking companionship or yearning for someone lost whom the Ender Lily couldn't resurrect?

The looming question surfaced: was Gantz redeemable if severed from the Ender Lily's influence? 

Posing this question to Scathach since she knew Gantz better than most, yielded uncertainty in her response, though she had noted a significant change in him upon finding the Ender Lily. 

As our departure loomed, I inquired if Merlin had additional aid to offer. He proffered four golden vials of ambrosia, each promising augmented prowess for the imbiber. However, he forewarned of an impending encounter as the price for this boon. Unperturbed, I accepted the vials. Then I turned to Scathach, looking closely into her amber eyes, I saw a need to belong. Recognizing that same feeling from earlier in my life, and realizing her potential importance in our quest, after negotiating with Merlin for a moment, I obtained an additional vial for her. Merlin, gracious in his gestures, jokingly reminded me of my promise for a future cup of coffee before we bid our farewells.

Retracing our steps to the gate, I allowed my companions to precede me, when I heard a faint whisper chuckling in the recesses of my mind— "She likes you." A bit bemused and yet surprisingly a smile adorned my face as I stepped through the gate.

Upon our return to the room I shuttered the portal and suddenly Darkvane reverted to his dragonborn form. We discovered that several hours had elapsed and in a cacophony of voices, we exchanged our experiences, at least what we could remember of our time there. The Princess and Jeanine emerged from her quarters, inquisitive about the unfolding events. To which we excitedly told the story of meeting Merlin, how we could free him if we could get Hassan into the portal, and how we couldn’t go back unless we had Hassan with us. Landriss and Varrin, still absent during our Tower sojourn, will need an explanation of our time there when they arrive. 

Amid our conversations, I decided to ingest one of the ambrosial vials, though sensing disapproving looks from some. I decided that I needed to trust Merlin and see what would happen if I imbibed of the ambrosia. Immediately I sensed heightened capabilities without signs of poison. The anticipation of the impending encounter hung in the air for a minute or two, but nothing happened immediately, which allowed me to relax a bit. 

I then gave a vial of the ambrosia to Scathach and Darkvane. I watched her partake in the ambrosia without question, but she looked at me strangely. I simply said you have earned my trust. You’ve made difficult choices to protect your daughter, fought beside us, and then accompanied me into the unknown. You deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The Princess looked at me, gave a little smile, and told us we needed to go eat. I didn't see if Darkvane drank the ambrosia or not.

We got ready to go down to the common room, anticipating the noon meal and hopefully finding our missing compatriots there and be able to listen to their tales of what happened while they were gone and then sharing our own. Although I surmised that Varrin's adventures might veer toward the more lurid side and we’d need to stop him rather quickly with Jeanine sitting there with us.

One thing we did ask if a bath could be made available for our new comrade after eating. Darkvan looked at us askance, but the ladies at the table simply laughed and the Princess told him that while among people, it would be best if he did bathe at least occasionally. That the aroma he was emanating was almost enough to stop her from eating lunch now that she had a longer opportunity to be around him. If a golden dragonborn could turn red, I do believe that Darkvane would have done so at that moment. He quickly agreed that after lunch he would bathe to spare the rest of us.

Amidst the lively commotion of the common room, while awaiting our repast, an unbidden rede surged into my consciousness—a revelation with an elusive origin. Its words echoed:

"Gantz the Immortal... heir to an empty throne built by the fears of one's lonely existence…why do you continue this act, 'King Nothing'? The Ender Lily chose your solitude, she has chosen you to host her. For what purpose does our dear Lily have for you? Do you truly understand your own wish and are you prepared for its consequences? Until your part in this is done, I shall stay by your side, as the Ender desires."

Who sent me this enigmatic rede remains to be seen, but it certainly is someone who is close to Gantz. I do wonder if the time in the Dreamveil when we were shown the death of Lenore, if she has any part to play in this rede that I received?