Chapter 9
General Summary
Part 1: Hasten Neuroses
Chapter Nine: On a Deathtrap Page
Chapter 8 Recap:
Well met, reluctant adventurers! We're on our way back to Denali's to complete the second test: procuring a box of gems from a storage locker in Caedmon, Marlow on Galena.
A few or our band tried very hard to get the box open, but were unable to. After causing a bit of the scene at the storage facility, they gave up and pressed onward with their day; Rika had a magical imprint test to get to.
At the Kantuk branch where the testing was to be carried out, Thad, Rhizel, Spickle, Komi, and Imari watched Rika cast a cantrip onto a wide canvas panel designed to record her imprint, and Komi recalled her day at college when all students' imprints were taken, and to her horror and extreme embarrassment, she wasn't able to cast even the simplest light spell cantrip.
After Rika's magical imprint was reviewed, she was asked to step into a private room for an interview. She answered a few questions, apparently not to the interviewer's liking, and was asked to follow him out a door separate to where they entered.
On the other side of this door was an invisible assailant who attacked the interviewer and pulled Rika out of the room. The invisible person aided in the escape of our band of six, and on the train back to the port town Capo, the invisibility wore off and Devlin revealed themself, and told the group they were late back to the boat.
Cencor, 23 Pereundei, 253 E.W
5:19 am
While Devlin manned (themmed) the catamaran, Thad, Rika, Imari, Komi, Spickle, and Rhizel slept or tranced below. As they woke up, they looked through Devlin's things like the incredible guests they are. They found some rations, a few stray books on random topics, including something that looked like a manual for their catamaran, and some on sea creature biology. They found a few other odds and ends, but nothing of import.
Devlin was a bit disgruntled from having to be gone longer than intended, and told them they should be more careful. They asked a bit about what they were doing on Caedmon anyway, and why it was so urgent, but didn't press when the group didn't reveal anything.
Devlin also asked Rika about the conversation she had with the interviewer the day before, and told her that it would likely be dangerous for her to cast magic conspicuously in public. They said they didn't know anything about what they accused her of being—a rogue emissary—but told her that since she evaded arrest, they would definitely be looking for her now.
"It's better that they think the real you is touring," Devlin told her, completely oblivious to offending her. "They think the imposter is on the run. Your reputation is clear."
Devlin docked their catamaran in a small port outside the village, and ensured the party knew their way back to Boarwood Village before sending them on their way, while they did some boat maintenance. Before the group set out, one of them asked Devlin if they lived in Boarwood long, and Devlin said they hadn't. The returning question was whether they ever got headaches or felt nauseous since moving to the island, and Devlin said no—never.
On the walk back to the village, Thad told the rest of the party that he was feeling intense headaches and nausea, and was surprised to hear that a few of them, specifically Rhizel, Komi, and Imari, had been getting them since their first morning waking up at Denali's. They discussed possible theories.
They noted that it seemed to be happening more on missions, but also acknowedged that—importantly—they had been out on missions almost every day since their involuntary induction into The Fold.
They wondered if it could be an effect of being in the fold, but weren't certain, as it didn't seem to coincide with any rule breaking.
They thought then, that it could have something to do with what Denali cooked for them. They were all certain he was telling them the truth when he told them all his food was safe to eat, and he also ate in front of them, and he didn't seem to have any headaches. They wondered if it could be an effect of cyanide poisoning, but Thad knew just enough about cyanide to believe it wasn't the cassava. It could be something else, though, possibly.
Komi mentioned that she and Spickle found Denali's laboratory, and there was a lot of food stored inside, but the group collectively remembered what Denali told them the very first night they stayed with him.
Years ago, I worked in a Fendus sanitation warehouse. I know the exact formula and precise processes and effects of food sanitation. Between that, and my extensive chemical and alchemical studies, I'm able to ensure all the food I grow is cleaned and processed safely.
They couldn't determine for sure that it was something in the food, or any other one thing they could discern. So, in a lightbulb moment, Imari asked if there was any way one of them could spare the spell slots to revive her if she dropped, or if they could go to the drugstore for some healing potions. Imari said she had someone she wanted to see—someone who might be able to shed some light on their situation.
After asking exactly zero questions of the possibly su*c*dal girl who escaped a psych ward eight days ago asking for help to communicate with the voice in her head, Thad agreed to kill her so she could talk to her otherworldly friend, and told her that he even knew a spell that would energize him if he killed her. They went into the drugstore at Boarwood Village to buy some healing potions.
They walked up to the counter and asked the clerk if she had anything in stock cheaper than a regular healing potion—possibly one that just restores a single hit point, whatever that is. The clerk looked very concerned, but quickly surmised that this must be a sex thing. She told them she didn't have anything weaker than a standard healing potion, but told them she would sell in bulk. She insisted, however, that if they were going to do this, they should make sure they're having protected sex.
Thad and Imari very staunchly denied that it was a sex thing, but because the clerk would not relent—and because she pleaded so much she offered Thad a very good deal on a very large amount of condoms—they conceded it was indeed a sex thing, and Thad purchased a lifetime supply of condoms for a very, very fair price.
A few hundred paces into the woods, the party split off from one of their usual paths to hide behind the dense brambles, and picked their way into a clearing just large enough for Imari to get comfortable. Thad, with only a few blows, knocked Imari past the brink of unconsciousness, and she found what she was seeking—more or less.
Mostly less.
Imari stayed under for about ten minutes. In that time, she was pulled from scene to scene in Arcil's life, and saw him fall unconscious twice thanks to her presence. All of her apologies and questions, however, fell onto deaf ears.
Slowly, she realized with a sinking feeling that he could not hear her. He had never heard her.
She watched him beg and plead with her—with whatever part of her he could sense—to show herself, to speak, to do anything, and Imari tried so hard, but the more she tried, the more certain she became that she was doing nothing of value.
Thad brought her back, and she told him her friend wasn't able to help with their dilemma. They resolved to confront Denali about it.
When they arrived back at Denali's hidden home, Elliott greeted them. He said Denali was downstairs, but likely would have heard them come in.
They asked Elliott if he got headaches, or got nauseous. He shrugged, and said, "Of course. All the time. Don't you?"
He seemed genuinely confused when they asked him if it started when he met Denali, and was equally surprised when they said they started getting them after moving in and being a part of The Fold. He told them he had been getting headaches and nausea like they describe for his entire life. Usually it just meant he needed to eat, he said, but he's always had the worst appetite.
Denali met them upstairs, and they debriefed. They told him that an imposter was taking Rika's place, and he had a similar response to Devlin. "Good," he said. "As far as the world is concerned, all is well. Business as usual."
They did not tell him about the run-in with the Kantuk while in Shellette.
Denali told them he was pleased with their performance thus far, and advised that they get some sleep, as he had their next mission ready for them. He looked directly at Spickle when he said, "One that I think will be of great interest to you."
I'm going to need you to bring me the bones of a god.
Thad stood up and said enough was enough. He was done being an errand boy. He was done being kept in the dark. When his friends looked scared, he told them, "Look, he obviously needs us, or he would have done all these things himself. I'm just asking for something in return."
"What do you want?" Denali asked.
"Answers. Anything. If you want me to keep running all over the world for you, I at least need to know why."
"I told you more information would come after your third test."
"Yeah, well, now it's going to be today."
There was a long pause before Denali spoke again.
"Very well," he said to Thad. "I'll speak to you privately later tonight. But for now, I'm going to start dinner for us." He stood and turned for the kitchen.
This prompted Imari to speak. "Why are we all getting headaches?" she asked. "Are you poisoning us?"
Denali sat back down. "I was wondering when you would ask about the headaches."
"That's another great point," Thad said. "Mine started today, but some of theirs have been happening since last Opor, the first morning we woke up here."
"You got your first headache today? You must be very strong."
"I work out," Thad said. "You know about them?"
"Of course."
"What are they?" Imari asked.
"Tell me what you've figured out on your own."
"We know they didn't start until after you cursed us." Rhizel said.
"Charmed you," Denali corrected. "And apologies again for that; I assure you I wouldn't unless it was the only way."
"Fine," Thad said. "Charmed."
"And we know it mostly happens on missions," Imari added.
"Hm," Denali said, expressionless.
"And it's not cyanide," Imari said.
"That's what we know," Thad said. "So? What are they?"
"I'd like to see what else you can deduce," Denali told them, standing and moving to the kitchen. "You have almost all the pieces of the puzzle, whether or not you've identified them, and it's only a matter of time before you find the rest. And when you do," he looked at Thad, "you'll understand me and my position even more."
Go back to Chapter 8
Continue to Chapter 10
Missions/Quests Completed
Denali's Second Test
Silly Little Quotes
Thad has a lifetime supply of condoms.
It's not a sex thing, it is an assisted suicide.
So you... had a... good death?
You had your first headache today? You must be very strong.
I work out.
Details
Report Date
13 Oct 2024
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Plots
Related Characters
Previous Sessions:
Chapter 1Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Later Sessions
Chapter 10Chapter 11
Chapter 12