S70: Dawn of Possibilities
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The morning is cold and bleak, with a dry wind stirring up the thin layer of frost covering the grounds of Bofkasmaur- the first real sign that winter is upon the lands. Waking up in unfamiliar lodgings, the Mudwangs shift with groans and cracks, the vestiges of their battle last night under the grounds of Academy with Huon Hurrard and his infernal minions. As their memories return, they recall having escaped the mines with Rinna to her shop, though not all of the party made the return journey...
Over tea and biscuits, Rinna's caretakers thank you for returning the girl, though from where the men did not fully explain, glossing over the severity of the trouble she was in. Nevertheless, the couple understood she had once again found herself in trouble, a common reoccurence for the students amongst her classmates and her teachers. Though they'd hoped the academic setting would help the girl find discipline and control, Vax counseled that too much structure for a free spirit such as herself might be fighting who she really is. He offered to counsel and advise the girl, for which her Mum and Uncle were happy to accept.
---
The peeling of the morning bells a short while later reminded the men that the final judgement for Shakan Bake and Elder Gikandi remained to be uttered. Despite their frustration with losing Rucker of the Blacktails- yet again- the men swore to find a solution after seeing through the end of the trial.After enjoying a humble breakfast and some coffee, the morning bells toll, and the four men make their way back once more to the Conservatory of the Archives, where the final sentence will be uttered shortly. You realize you didn’t see Larrius in the pits last night, and wonder what state he'll might be this morning following his attempted abduction.
Taerus tarries a moment outside the Tower of the Archives as the others enter. Finding a familiar bench and tree where he'd counseled Shakan some days before, he summons his spiritual other, Ayeres. Using words and thoughts, they reconnect and rediscover their linkage. Ayeres had been locked away, within the soldier, perhaps by choice, perhaps as a defense, to help protect themselves from the dark magic of the Emcee's inferno. Like a scar, it had kept them sealed until Huon's cursed minion reopened the wound, and Ayeres was able to fully escape. Not much for sentimentality, both human and hylgee quietly relished their reuinifcation, and Taerus dismissed her form easily, knowing that he could summon her easily again.
Making their way through familiar halls, the warriors saw more friendly and supportive faces than they'd remember. Entering the domed Council room, the seats were filled with students, insturctor's, and townsfolk alike- the magnitude of this trial has spread across the land. Elder Gikandi is pleased to see the group return, however diminished. With Rat still recovering in the medical bay of ConsMyst, and Rucker lost in the destruction below, Taerus is dour despite Gikandi's assurances that everything happens for a reason, even if those answers are unbeknownst at the time.
The gavel bangs, the audience rises to their feet, and Vincardo Dalakas, Mid-Gothi Worowo, and a tussle-haired Larry Dennit walk out. Larry is wearing thick-set glasses, and his normally pristine robes are a bit tossled, but it seems to be him. Without much formality, the leader of the tribunal reads a preapred statement that excuses Gikandi of any culpability, and will be reinstated as acting Elder at his earliest desire.
After a brief celebration from the audience and the defense, Larry continues with the sentence that does find Shakan at least partially guilty for the aftermath of Goldsands, even though his actions were in self-defense. As punishment, the genasi's status as acolyte was terminated, and he was given a choice- to either accept complete exile from the Academy and it's resources and inhabitants, or to accept a 6 month term as temporary-instructor in residence at Bofkasmaur, under Gikandi's further guidance.
While the group celebrated at this blessing-as-punishment, Shakan nevertheless asked for a 24 hour window to decide on his fate. The Tribunal accepted, and with a final *Bang* the Trial was concluded. Amidst shoulder pats, hugs, and cries around, Shakan caught Larrius's tired eyes and the two men, former rivals, shared a brief, respectful head nod. Their previous enmities moved on, if not completely forgotten, the Mudwangs leave without much celebration to try and recover their lost ally.
However, the earthquake had not gone unnoticed, and by the time they'd returned to the mine shaft at the Conservatory of Innovation, an excavation team had already sealed off the entrance due to the instabilities of the mines. The dwarven excavation leader explained the mines were unstable and dangerous, and no one was allowed to enter. Despite their insistence, the group was denied access and they left to brainstorm how they might return to Rucker's crypt.
---
Rucker awakens in snow. Odd, considering his last memories were of a stony maw closing around him deep underground. But as he took in his surroundings, he found himself in a snow-covered vale, familiar to him as the remaining skulls around his neck- it was his tribe's ancestral home in the Blacktails. Everything was as it was before Balefroar's arrival: the village stood, the men were chopping down ironwood trees, the children were being tended to, and the Stag Mountain still watched in the distance.
Making his way towards his village, still clad in battered armor and wearing Yvram's bracelet along wit his other tokens gathered, Rucker was shocked to see his father and mother directing a logging crew in erecting a new communal yurt. Without questioning it, he quickly lent his mighty strength to the project, and for some time was lost to the chores and familiar goliath work-songs he'd grown up with.
Finally, he reunited with his parents, whom explained that he had done them and the tribe great honor by fighting for their spirits. And by dying bravely in defending others, he'd earned a spot in the goliath afterlife. However, as he considered this offer, he looked down and realized he still held the Dust of Resurrection Gikandi had gifted him the night before.
His parents offered him a set of choices- to finally rest and join them here in the mountains of the sky with his tribe, or to return to material realm. However, in returning he would make yet another decision- to return as he was with the liches curse still poisoning his soul or to return whole, albeit without the power his first death had granted him. Without a second thought, Rucker chose to return a free goliath, knowing that he would be reunited with his family someday unburdened by the curse of the lich.
---
As the sun set in the distance, silhouetting the Stag Mountain and the plains around Bofkasmaur, the Mudwangs considered their next steps- stay at the Academy to fill out Shakan's sentence? Leave as exiles and try to aid Marhsall Trest and the possible uprising at Fort Indominus? Root out the dark plots surrounding Pol and the Bloodwoods? Continue their apprenticeship as knights of the League of Terror Vigilant? Ensure the Queen of Sweets'' spores that had inhabited Rat hadn't somehow spread amongst the student body at the Academy?
All these questions rattled Vax, Shakan, and Taerus' thought-cages when suddenly a glowing portal appeared in front of them, and a man unrecognizable yet familiar passed through. Guided by a pack of flitting flower-fairies, Rucker Reborn rejoined the Mudwangs, yet again. With pristine armor and garb, the goliath took off his tortued helm to show a healthy, un-cursed face. With a great smile, he shared how he'd been able to survive the Demons jaws, and his faewild protectors had transported him to safety as his body healed.
Reunited, the darkening skies over Virpresque seemed not filled with fear and danger, but instead calm and dynamic as the faerie fire began to dance in the skies above. The Mudwangs recounted their adventures, laughter, pain, danger, and wonders shared up to this point, and that while nothing was guaranteed, their growing tribe and their allies across the land were stronger now for all the hardships and choices faced. What remained ahead the Stag would not reveal, but the storms lightly cracking atop the hallowed mountain would not yet dampen the joy of the Mudwangs celebrations that night.












