Session 15: Finding the Way Report

The party deliberated on their next move for quite some time, while Getas rallied his troops and supplies for a suspected march against the beasts. Oradyol sharpened weapons while Rhomod attempted to teach Arelastod and others certain motions to improve their skill. Once these things were done, Xeyesh called for Yaza, Rhomod, Oradyol, and Arelastod to gather around him. He withdrew a bag from his supplies and set it before them. Inside were grey ashes mixed with white fragments. Xeyesh explained that these were the burned corpses of Elivas enemies- all made to naught, representing the continued tenacity and struggle of their race. These ashes could therefore be applied to the face alike war-paint to strike fear into enemies who might themselves be reduced to ash to be worn. Yaza, Oradyol, and Rhomod accepted the gift while Arelastod hated the idea of dead people sprinkled onto his face. A short time after, the party was assembled and ready to march toward potential sites of the Nith’eshan.

Arriving at the clearing of the old camp, Oradyol, Thelastor, and Yaza came close. They peered through the trees and saw but a single beast resting there upon a fallen swamp tree, spear beside him and crude victuals in his mouth. Thelastor wasted no time, he knelt low into the grasses and crept forward to the beast, making near no noise at all. When he was sufficiently close, he rushed the Duyor, knocking it from the log with a yelp. He rose up the Noyedzar weapon and brought it down once upon the beast’s chest with a hideous crunch, then again to the head, ruining the skull. It died immediately. Silence fell over the place- no enemies rushed toward nor away from the scene. Nothing but small bugs chirped in the gloom. Strange. Thelastor return to the other two, then the trio returned back to the party to explain the place was basically deserted. No sign of Kastayos thereabout.

The party continued north to the other location where Kastayos and his ilk might be hiding away- the village, same where Arelastod, Xeyesh, and Rhomod had their harrowing encounter. On arriving, Thelastor, Yaza, and Oradyol crept forward through the woods until a clearing broke before them. Where was once a village was nothing now. All the buildings were razed to their foundations. Nothing of value appeared to have been dropped in a hurry. Indeed, no additional dead were present either. Only the bones of those devoured by the Eyti were yet scattered on the dirt. The party searched for a short while, and found two individuals at the center of the village- the same adult male and female who were accompanying Eziha. They were sitting upon a broad stone, watching the party in their wandering. Thelastor, Yaza, and Oradyol approached them and asked their purpose in this place. They explained that they were there to guide the way to Kastayos, since it was obvious that they were heading to meet him. The trio apprehended them, without resistance mind you, and brought them back to the others.

The two were brought back to the party- where Getas, Orellos, Xeyesh, and others were waiting with the warriors. The party deliberated on what to do with them. Orellos explained that they, like Eziha were probably eyes for Kastayos reporting everything in real time. Orellos suggested to kill them, even if they offered to escort the party to Kastayos’ dwelling. It was too dangerous a measure through them. Regarding who was to kill the pair, Xeyesh suggested that Arelastod swing a fatal blow, to become better acquainted with what was to come, yet he was apprehensive. Yaza offered to set an example. She drew her blade and slit the throat of the female, who dropped dead without uttering a sound. Arelastod attempted to follow suit on the male, but in an awkward, oafish swoop cracked his skull open with a heavy blow. He died in silence. Now what? They still needed to reach Kastayos, but without the guidance of spies. The party deliberated back and forth, and the choice was made to reach out to Kastayos to arrange a final meeting between the parties.

Arelastod was thus chosen for the task of speaking with this Nith’eshan. He did not know the method, so Xeyesh sat beside him in the dirt, amdist the bones and burnt ruins, to guide Arelastod’s mind toward those distant realms of Vussalas and then down again to Kastayos’ Esseythu. It was simple- focus deeply, count numbers if you wish, say the name of the Eshan. Hone one’s thoughts to that singular place, destinted from one clear mind to another, and think the words in one’s inner monologue. Speak it until your inner voice disappears and another takes its place. Arelastod did these things, and within short time a new voice occupied his Esseythu.

It was Kastayos, just as they wanted. The two spoke back and forth- Arelastod explained that he was tasked to arrange some meeting between the parties, wherever it was Kastayos kept court. Kastayos explained that such an arrangement would be delightful. Furthermore, if Arelastod conducted his end properly, he could make it out unscathed. The fight would happen, but Arelastod could be sheltered in Kastayos’ domain. If he wanted to protect any others, simply say the name. Arelastod mentioned Rhomod. They thus agreed that Arelastod would lead the party to a location chosen by Kastayos while he and Rhomod would be safe if they chose not to fight.