Session 35 - Group Chat Unlocked

Once everyone is aboard, Vendetta dashes out of the shaking Temple of Malachor. The inner obsidian door reforms rapidly, sealing the inner chamber and sending a wave of dust into the air. As the group rests and recuperates, Vendetta carefully climbs out from the depths of Mal Korvian and finds a suitable location to rest near the city's outskirts. Once he's been healed, Yenush gives Yelkin the run down on the Obsidian Forge. Yelkin seems to grasp the concepts relatively quickly and notes that building such a forge would be feasible, though he's never done anything like that before. Arkyn, Yenush, and Aiaoue pass around some obsidian until ultimately Aiaoue and Yenush seem to hold the bulk of it.

Cadence checks in with Teagan about his arm. Is that alright? She gives the arm a close inspection... there are no seams on the armor. Where buckles or straps should be, there is only a seamless expanse of obsidian. While Teagan's arm is clearly underneath, Cadence cannot find a way to get past the obsidian and, when she pushes a bit too hard, there's a crack and something definitely stabbed Teagan a little bit. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to impact the arm's functionality. As the obsidian wounds fade, Teagan's arm and the piece of obsidian in his sternum remain. He definitely doesn't want to become any more "of obsidian".

The following day, Milo pulls Teagan aside with a half drank bottle of wine. He doesn't want to ignore the fact that Teagan saw his son. Teagan describes what he saw; how he spoke to Connor about his magic and how Liam had appeared at the end. Was that a real memory? It could have been. Milo hopes that he can be a good father to Marcus like Teagan was to Connor. Teagan assures Milo that it's not as hard as it may seem; you'll make mistakes but you grow from them. Milo asks about the accident that took Connor and Liam, were there bodies found? Teagan notes that they never were. He's hoping, when he goes back, he'll get a better team and find something. And the Book of the Dead might be a solution, but Teagan wants to explore its use with caution.

As Milo opens the Book, the pages begin to fly, showing flashes of images: A warrior slain near their mount full of arrows, a warrior drowning in a pool of blood, and a marked warrior that rises from death only to be shot down again. When the images fade, the book isn't written in a language Milo immediately understands, but he promises to look further into it.

Arkyn debuts the psychic group chat (Telepathic Bond) and Aiaoue is immediately reminded of her brief telepathic connection with Alcide. Later, Arkyn is able to include Alcide in the telepathic bond. Alcide's presence fully manifests as he cries: YOU ALMOST DIED. But I didn't! After composing himself, Alcide praises Aiaoue for her kebab skills and they both decide that they enjoy Grand Aetheria. Alcide thinks the Buzzburs would really help with fishing efforts and Aiaoue notes that their honey would make for some good honey-glazed fish dishes. And Alcide doesn't blame Aiaoue for what happened; she had something taken from her too then. And he'll always be behind her nose.

With the group chat up and running, Yenush notes that Yelkin should not be included in that... ever. WHY? Yenush notes that Yelkin seems to have an affliction. Nacheevi's Antagonist is occupying his mind and Yenush doesn't want that getting released (and neither does Yelkin). Aiaoue immediately clarifies: Is this the girl trapped beneath the lake? Yes, though she's not just a little girl. Yenush notes that she's threatened to break the wheel, which is nothing to scoff at - it's a potentially heinous crime. Aiaoue is unconvinced. Are you saying this girl is more powerful than Omen? And not all Antagonists are bad. What about the Greatwyrms? Ismera? Why don't you talk to her to get more information? Yenush is vehemently opposed to that idea. Teagan thinks this is an opportunity for Yenush to uncover answers (also Yelkin, but mostly Yenush). Yenush eventually is convinced to talk to Yelkin about it.

The group has a brief discussion about laws. Is there a time where it's okay to break the Law? Didn't Yenush steal? No, he didn't steal. After a certain amount of time, it's fair game to take trinkets from an abandoned estate. The Temple of Nacheevi won't mind. Teagan pipes up: "I'll do you one better than, I'll tell your dad." Yenush responds with: "My dad is dead." Yenush didn't always want to be an enforcer, but after his parents death, he was lost and the Temple took him in. He's heard there are bad enforcers, but he's only seen the good ones, including Query (his immediate "boss").

Arkyn discusses that he's from a "School" and he was taught by "Auntie". Apparently she has no other names besides Auntie and Arkyn's been at the school his whole life (essentially). Arkyn hasn't even talked to his family in a decade. Teagan is taken aback by that. Last he checked, you don't go off to school and cut contact with your family. Arkyn notes that if Teagan sends a message to his family, Arkyn will send a message to his parents. Later, when Teagan gives him a sending and a name, Arkyn realizes his bluff was called... how convenient he forgot that he was going to send to his father.

Cadence spends some time praying to Caliban, though she struggles to get a firm connection. The miasma seems to be an issue, though a wave of reassurance settles over her after she prays each time.

Teagan wakes up one day and strolls right up to Yenush, whipping out Hadúr's head. We should ask this guy. And low and behold, Hadúr does have a vaguely unhelpful, cryptic response! Oh, this iteration of her is locked up? That wasn't always the case. Ignorance is bliss and perhaps needed. Hadúr enjoyed how she used to frolic about. Meanwhile, Aiaoue presents Arkyn with a harness, so she can move him easier and without fear of touching him.

Yenush awkwardly sits down with Yelkin. So, although its a bad idea, how do you feel about a telepathic conversation with the girl in your mind? Wow, you're making a real compelling argument here. Yelkin is starchly opposed to provoking her, but his resolve wavers when Yenush mentions that he trusts the group enough to talk about their parents' death. Yelkin agrees to the telepathic conversation, but notes that she is charming and the person who should attempt this should be strong of mind. After some thought, Yenush eventually decides to ask Cadence to speak to the girl. Cadence agrees, though circles back later to clarify what exactly she should be asking.

Teagan pulls Arkyn aside. He needs Arkyn to understand the importance and serious nature surrounding the Book and what it's capable of. Teagan notes that his concern stems from Arkyn's previous poor judgement. Arkyn assures Teagan that he's good at reading books and that he just wants to use the book to help Teagan get his family back (and maybe even help Alcide). Teagan gives the Book to Arkyn who, upon opening it, sees images: people with their throats torn out, lycanthropes slain, and an entire campsite turned into a bloodbath beneath the silver light of the full moon. Although he can't read the book, per se, he gets the sense that the book is not whole; all of its abilities are not on the table currently. Milo, taking a look, notes that the Book can be read, but it doesn't read like a traditional book. Perhaps there was a reason it took the Drow centuries to unlock much of the Book's powers... or perhaps the Book's power source is a bit... blobby at the moment.

Milo wakes feeling anxious after an unsettling dream and that's when Aiaoue decides to have a nice chat. How does the law work in Eredet? It can't ALL be like in Nacheevi, right? Hey, are you okay? Milo is fine, nothing is wrong. In Eredet, you can see trial before a jury and sometimes people can be found not guilty of crimes depending on the circumstances. Why do you ask? Aiaoue has to go craft now, good bye!

Yenush takes a second to fiddle with his arm and finds that it seems... perfectly normal. Taking Diamond's Charm and pressing it to the arm, however, makes the arm very displeased. The metal arm wrenches itself towards the charm of its own volition, grabs it, and shoves it into Yenush's chest - temporarily knocking the wind out of him. And then the prosthetic is back under Yenush's control.

When Milo is feeling a bit less anxious and on end, he follows up with Aiaoue. Why were you asking so much about the laws in Eredet? And across the continent? Aiaoue pulls Milo into the baths to talk in private. When they go back to Dremora, Aiaoue is worried she will do things beyond her control. The people who harmed Alcide may make her do things she doesn't want to do. In the past, when she broke a law somewhere on the continent, she would just... run into the ocean and all would be fine... but she can't do that anymore. Milo promises to keep this between them and assures her that... best to not be seen doing anything bad then. Just don't tell Yenush I said that.