Session 45 - A Snake Named Nyoodel, RIP

Preparing to depart the Moonlit Tower, the group finds the surrounding town of Arra'Silana in ruin, many of its buildings little more than their foundation. Where it was once filled with Moonstones, the chamber has fallen darkness... and no Moonstones can be found. Arkyn presents a silver-like rock to Sayah who notes she'd prefer to leave things as they are. This place now seems more like a graveyard that she'd prefer to not rob. The group gathers on Vendetta and sets out down the Moonlit Rise.

Safely aboard the Vendetta Express, Yenush fiddles with his new arm attachment. The remnants of the Warden's arm have integrated itself seemlessly with the rest of Yenush's arm. With a bit of focus, Yenush is able to streamline and "compress" his arm down to a carbon copy of his other arm (keeping the tenets of Nacheevi intact). Yenush then contemplates whether or not he can convert the arm into the same cannon he saw the Warden wield. It is, in theory, possible.

Teagan decides to try on the Warden's mask (after Aiaoue cleans the interior). Once the mask is on, it perfectly mirrors Teagan's facial features, even the peach fuzz and facial hair. Teagan's expressions now also only seem to change when an observer's view of the mask is block, giving it a stuttering and glitchy effect. With the mask in place, Teagan can see CLEARLY nowwww in true sight. There are vague spectral figures on the edges of his vision throughout Eight's abode, but none he can focus on. Satisfied, he goes to remove the mask... and finds that there are no longer seams. The mask blends perfectly into flesh.

Aiaoue takes a look and can't quite find a place to get her Cook's Utensils in there. Arkyn also takes a look and the group concludes that Cadence will have to Remove Curse in the morning. Meanwhile, though, Teagan that whole looks is really giving mier vibes. (miner with an "E"). Teagan is suddenly quite conscious of his getup. Is he hip with the kids? Is he skippidi on Ragna for real? Arkyn tears Teagan's sense of style down. Arkyn believes Teagan desperately needs new clothes.

After the hour of his attunement is up, Arkyn "snuck" up on Sayah to hug her and then suppress her curse. She is grateful for the suppression. Arkyn very excitedly notes that he wants to drink, eat, feast, dance, and maybe do other things when they're back in Grand Aetheria. Well, you have 5 days. Sayah can't wait to see the plan. Later that night, Arkyn dreams.

You stand in a Void. A darkened expanse with seemingly no end. Ahead of you, the shadowy Void peels away to reveal a blurry figure, restrained, bound… weak. Silver light creates a shimmering outline on the Void Tendril that binds and constrains the broad-shouldered figure. Your hands itch and burn. Magic flows to your fingertips. And as piercing spectral feathers and bursts of magic impale themselves into the figure, the silhouette slumps andthe silver light fades.   The sounds of the forest replace the cold embrace of The Void and you squint at the sun’s rays that pierce the canopy. The sounds of conversation rise above the singing of birds. Familiar conversation. A familiar face. Nefeli embraces you and you return her embrace with no consequence. She is unharmed; returned to normal. Perhaps even better than before.You have never seen her so happy.

Upon waking, Arkyn immediately sends to Nefeli, but finds the spell fizzles and fails. Meanwhile, Milo gets a response from his newspaper contact regarding the Warrior Elite. Teagan is mildly concerned that the Warrior Elite are just showing up in mining towns. Milo also notes that he's learned a neat trick (Mending) and Arkyn turns to smut as a reference for planning a romantic time.

The Hall of Sprawling Roots has been slightly modified to better accommodate the Iron Arrow, though the levitating metal box is currently absent. The next Root Gate – to the lands of order and ideas – is now open. The group plans to send the body of Otsana, various item requests and trades, and various letters and gifts back to Legacy with the next round of the Iron Arrow. Aiaoue writes a letter to Viren with a general update and also a summary of how good and bright Yenush was (also there was a cool snake named Nyoodel). Milo followed up with a compelling story of Yenush's heroism... and there was a snake named Nyoodel. Yenush also sends a note to Viren alongside the bouquet of flowers he requested prior to deparing. After giving her mother a heart attack via sending, Cadence sends a much more tame letter to her father.

Aiaoue confirms with Yelkin and Yenush that they can make her an obsidian mirror to spy on people with. Yelkin seems a bit shocked that Yenush would agree to that, but says he'll make the mirror for Aiaoue (not for Yenush). Yenush notes that Yelkin should come join them for a party tonight, the group will be "banding". Yelkin is hesistant and notes he'd prefer not to "poke the bear" to so speak. Yenush mentions that he'd really like his older brother to be there when he "bands". Yelkin says he'll think about it. Somewhere, Arkyn genuinely begins to wonder if Yelkin is actually lonely.

The group throws a party in the Watering Grove. Milo leads a bunch of drunken people through a drinking game. Arkyn and Sayah lead people through a Shadow Dance. Teagan wakes Jin up. Milo manages to partake in a Joy drink (the joy of your child's laughter specifically) and then feel sad after that (Can I get a shot of cope?). Arkyn starts fishing for ways to justify Auntie's decision to not let him send to his parents. And Yenush does catch sight of Yelkin in his periphery.

As everyone heads to sleep, Yenush is brutally reminded that he sent a letter to his boss... as he appears in High Judge Isocrates Courtroom. There was a matter of importance you wished to discuss. Yenush noted that Isocrates neglected to say that Yelkin was possessed by a divine antagonist. Isocrates notes that it was not information that needed to be shared; to know of her is to open yourself to her influence. Still, Yenush insists that he is unable to do his job perfectly with missing pieces. Isocrates counters that mortals can never achieve perfection, no matter the information provided. Yenush clarifies: strive for perfection. Yenush asserts that Yelkin did not commit a crime, not entirely of his own doing, a divide of the mind and body with a divine antagonist involved. If a murderer claims to have committed the crime in body but not in mind, should they be acquitted? You alone, do not make a jury, Yenush. Your task is to return Yelkin to trial... and the evidence will speak for itself. Is that clear? Yes sir (said angrily). Channel your rage into something productive. I will outlive your anger. Yenush wakes up not satisfied with the mix of questions and answers he received. 

Meanwhile, Arkyn wakes up pretty happy and tells Sayah that he thinks he loves her. He's still sorting it out, but he thinks Eight's response about love is the most fitting. Arkyn feels he'd be in great pain if Sayah was ripped away from him. And he's starting to think about a future and he sees her in it. And he's questioning Auntie and defaulting to Sayah on some things. Sayah notes that it seems Arkyn is caught in a moment of self-reflection that does not entirely hinge upon "us" and that, while she appreciates that he values her opinion, he should learn to stand upon his own two feet, else the world will continue to take from him. Breakfast?