dnd

[pris-art]

@lyricpersonarts this was supposed to be the stupid "i just think they're neat" meme but instead i went crazy with it.

[papier-ciseaux]

It’s also just a nice gift. What did you think it was for?

Or, Mallori put a ring on a lady and teases her for reading into it.

Mallori by @deedoesdnd and fem!Caradoc by @lyricpersonarts

[deedoesdnd]

We had a nice little moment with Caradoc in our campaign recently, where one of our party members gave him a ring as a present. With no ulterior motives whatsoever, of course! :^)

A pretty ring, specifically custom ordered, that can mechanically change size and fit any finger. Perfect for a ghost who tends to switch the bodies he takes control of.

I decided to have some fun and write a little fanfic about what he might be thinking of it afterwards.

Notes:

Caradoc is currently in the City of Lost Names

He is possessing the body of a woman

Our Caradoc has some unresolved feelings regarding gender that he is avoiding to think about

He has been sort of helping the party, mostly due to being bullied into it, but his loyalties are unclear

The Ring

He stared at it. The gold was glinting even in the low light of the sunset, the metal still shiny and polished and new. Caradoc rolled it around her… his… her finger. The finger of the body he possessed. It fit perfectly. He toyed around with it, loosening and tightening it. The mechanism worked smoothly. It was a bit addicting, he had found himself doing it during the day several times already. Something about it was calming. He often found himself fidgeting, especially when he felt anxious, and this was a way to redirect his restless energy.

Tight. Loose. Tight. Loose. Tight…

What a strange gift.

It would always fit him, she said, with such confidence. That tiny kender was always so full of herself, brimming with unchecked hubris. He laughed at her when she said she could take his lord in a fight. He would have also laughed if she tried and failed. Fuck around and find out. But so far she managed to escape death every time. Slippery little thing.

She said it would fit him, and it did.

When was the last time someone gave him a gift that was so perfectly tailored to his person? Something made just for him…

He can't remember.

All the finer things he possessed in life were things he ordered to be made, draining the little bit of inheritance and wage he called his own. Instinctively, Caradoc’s hand wandered up to his chest, hand searching for the pendant that was not there. Not while he was wearing her body. Her fingers clenched into a fist, clawing at the fabric. That had been the last precious gift Caradoc received in life. A symbol of devotion and trust and… He grit his teeth. Why didn’t Loren call for him? Why didn't he have any need for him anymore? Those brats were constantly seeking him out, even when they clearly were able to navigate their way without him. They just kept coming back, to hear from him, to share gossip, to hear his thoughts…

He lifted his other hand, staring at the ring again. In his agitation, he had pulled and twisted and twirled it around, until it had come loose.

Caradoc had half a mind to shake until it slipped off his finger, to send it flying into nowhere, where he would never have to look at it again.

He didn't. 

Moments passed. A few gentle hand movements, and the ring sat snug against his skin once more.

Clearly, he was overthinking things. It was just a gift.

[pridnd]

We need a moment to breath, so we head back to the temple of paladine to rest, bringing the writers with as a safe place. before resting, Nimako brings up the idea of taunting Kansaldi so she's distracted from Kalaman, since she's on that front.

"You know you're on the losing side, right? Takhisis lost before, and we are backed by the same divine that guaranteed that." The return is slow, methodical, and flaming with passion. "The Will of the Dragon Queen will not know defeat. Submit, or suffer eternal torture."

Using the sending stone, "Kansaldi is apparently outside kalaman walls, be alert if not already aware" Eirma is tired. "The army has taken the majority of the lands. I am the new council leader. I need to speak to erei."

Nimako's face drops, and she starts planning what to say for that.

Kay asks Sirrion to send a letter to Levin. it starts to burn, but it stops, as a hand grasps it from the flames, and a tiny voice asking "who's it going to?"

Kay describes levin and where he's probably at.

"the new champion of sargonnas? You really want me to send it to him? Yeah, I cna just, put it out from, any fire that's close to him. I just. don't relay like. Sargonnas. Ok. Fine. I'll do it. Bye Bye."

There's some shenanigans getting up, with Nimako teleporting her and Mallori up, Kay trying to be athletic before just mistystepping after failure, Jace kind of flying over more or less, and Deepcurrent becoming a gas.

Nimako manages to decieve the way in, everyone in disguise, her looking draconic and Deepcurrent giving her the draconian tongue. they only get so far before even their excuse and disguise doesn't let them pass... and violence becomes the only option.

Upstairs, as the fight rages on, the damaged Deepcurrent slips into the room, Lohexet is busy. it's an obserational room, with many projections, including a tortured becklin surrounded by enemy troops... but Lohezet has not noticed that he has company, at least.

"Deepcurrent. I recognize you, I recognize you, and most of the others. what are you here for?" Lohezet is monologuing.

"I think you know what I'm here for."

"please. enlighten me."

"Which of my objectives do you want to hear? the personal, or the grand?"

"Both, if you'd be so kind."

"You know the city should not rise again, But i still have something to find here: my own name."

"ah, tha tlittle thing. I wonder how you lost it. hm. And ah, I assume you want to get through here. Up, through the final floor..."

"That would be welcome, yes, But I assume you won't let us pass that easily."

Lohezet shrugs, then shrinks in on himself. "I don't want to be hurt. I'm not with the Dragon Army."

"We heard you were one of their commanders."

"They have forced me. they heard of my research. My Research. MY RESEARCH. And I chose this, over certain death. You would understand, for the sake."

"I do. I was once a captive of teh Dragon Army, and these good people saved me. So-"

"Well, perhaps they can save me too.Can't you?"

"Well, if you're not going ot get in our way, There's no point utilizing resources to make things harder then this."

"Thank you. what is your name?"

"You can call me Monika." Nimako answers, cautiously.

"A fellow mage. must be addressed as such."

--

"Draconian. don't get much closer."

"What does it do?" Jace asks, curiously.

"Many things."

"What is it they want you to do with it?"

"I am awaiting orders I do not wish to obey. Orders to raise it into the sky."

"So you already know how to do it."

"Perhaps. But if I know it, someone else does too."

"Do you know how to sabotage it?" Jace.

"Belephaion, a fanatical worshipper of the dragon queen. and though it hurts to betray the weakness of such a beautiful artifact."

--

"Have you ever known me to go back on a promise without reason?

"why are you asking."

"We won't turn on you if you don't turn on us."

"Hm. And if you don't wish for anything else?"

"Is this place safe to rest?"

"It is if i say so."

"We'd just need an hour to take care of ourselves to prepare to do this fight, then." Nimako adds, levelly. tension is still there- she knows he's not saying everything.

"Then just an hour, and no touching things, and no casting weird spells..."

And then the rains begin. Lohezet looks up, listening to the sound, "Well, I do wish for the best for you to defeat belephaion. There's no point in your silly disguises anymore, I can see right through them, right through them. Waste magic if you wish to, I suppose. While you're resting, I'd love to speak to you, Deep current."

"I expected as much."

"There is so much to catch up on."

"It's been fifty long years."

[papier-ciseaux]

Some yuri for the soul...

A comic about @pris-art 's character Nimako dealing with the shift in perspective caused by her patron (@lyricpersonarts ) and how Mallori (@deedoesdnd ) has become an anchor for her <3

[pris-art]

What started as just a comparison of parrellels turned into something so much more... another artfight attack, of the dnd squad!

Inkling, the eldritch entity in the back, belongs to @lyricpersonarts

Elymas and Adie on the left belong to @kkmcshouty

on the right, Kay, and xeir god Sirrion Designed by @papier-ciseaux

And Nimako is my own! she's not important, despite being central.

Attack Me?

[pridnd]

battle over, Nimako manages to talk the cowering writers away from the ledge of the roof and back inside. they're trepidatious, but her concern about the roof's structural integrity talks inside where they divulge the writings.

Kansaldi's not in the city. She's at Kalaman.

we free the dragonnel, with hopes of catching Medea in an ambush... but she flies overhead rather then coming here.

[lyricpersonarts]

when the evil ghost your party adopted has to leave (surely won't betray you), and the party showers her with gifts

[lyricpersonarts]

Sprinkling in a nice (?) prompt:

28. "your dress/tunic is ripped. i'll mend it for you." Caradoc & Mal? :3

for the challenge

*note: this did not actually happen in the campaign, but it might have. tbh, something similar might still happen, that is up to you. Set during session 43.

this is another lengthy one!

Another scorching-hot day in the Wastes had finally ended. The group was now finishing up the tents and setting up their nightly watches, still slightly disturbed by the purple worm carcass they'd found while escaping from Wakenreth.

Kay was preparing for rest, still keeping an eye out for possible dangers. Though tonight it didn't look like much more than small animals were going to disturb them, they still remained weary. Sitting at the far edge of the camp their nerves were frazzled ever since leaving the elven tower. Danger could reach them from anywhere. Even their teammates.

Nimako was heating up some tea with a few of the wild berries she'd found days earlier. It wasn't exactly the best she ever had, but the sweet flavour helped a lot in raising her spirits, it reminded her of a simpler time before the war reacher her... a time she could not quite remember. But thinking of back then, however long it had been, gave her a sense of security, despite the lack of faces and names.

She was starting to get used to it.

Nevertheless! She was planning on sharing the wild berry tea with the others... but she would do it tomorrow. First drink, then go to sleep.

Mallori would join her soon.

The kender in question had just approached Erei. "I want to talk to Caradoc."

She could see that the two were having some kind of mental conversation, with Erei often saying words out loud instead of in their mind. But quickly enough, Mal saw Erei's posture change.

It was easy to notice: usually playful, it now gained a certain tenseness and rigidity; they held their head higher with a look of superiority, much more noble than Erei had ever tried to look. He crossed his arms. "So, did you think about my offer?"

She did, and today added the straw that broke the camel's back, so she accepted the offer. Perhaps the ghost could help her contact her dead friends and in exchange she would do...whatever he wanted.

It didn't matter what the cost was.

Mal almost lost track of the conversation. "—once I find a body of someone not part of the group, I'd have more freedom of movement. Just food for thought." At least they caught the end of that conversation.

Thinking about her companions, most of them good—great people, dutiful in and out of the monastery, broken apart and lifeless, it made her feel just a bit dead too. That darkness consuming her soul became every day something more real.

How were they supposed to get out of this?

...

Mallori's thoughts were interrupted by a shake of her shoulder—she immediately slipped her smile back on, assuming that Erei had exchanged back with Caradoc, and were now in control of their own body. She didn't want the young noble to meddle in her thoughts.

She didn't want anyone inside her mind, actually, especially when some nights she wished that she wasn't there either. "Yes?"

But her assumption stood corrected when she still saw that serious, vaguely judgemental expression still on Erei.The intonation was all Caradoc too, distinctly dated in his accent and wording. "I don't mean to presume," presuming was all he did, but he did not need her to know, "but you look quite exhausted."

"So? With the day we've had..."

"So I can see how you completely missed it, and I live to help, so." He tugged at her tunic, the outer layer very well ripped and torn. "That disgusting beast you fought ripped your clothes. I'll mend them for you."

Mal blinked. Why was he offering...?

The large eyeroll was, once again, very uncharacteristic on Lord Endryss' face.

Had she said it out loud? Was she so tired?

"I find that clothes last longer when they are well-cared for, and although the rags you are wearing could surely need a vast improvement, I struggle to believe that you wish for these to fall apart in the midst of combat." After a second, he added. "Consider it a show of good will, and an apology for the chaos if it matters to you."

Then she saw Caradoc make a very funny scrunched-up expression and just barely heard him whisper under his breath, "It's not, you romance-obsessed boy—"

It made her snort, typical Erei. "Sure. You can mend it for me." She smiled sweetly while handing him the fabric, and maybe part of it was real. Maybe. "I trust you with it." Then she left, only calling out 'goodnight Caradoc' as she did.

Caradoc huffed in annoyance, telling the excitable Ereicros in his mind to shut up, it wasn't cute. But to no avail.

He sighed, a little amused despite his complaints, and got permission from them to work throughout the night (even though he wouldn't have needed to). He didn't like to leave projects incomplete.

Luckily for him, it didn't take Erei a long time to fall into a slumber.

Caradoc was left with his own thoughts. Until the ambush happened.

[pri-rp]

The stranger in the room says something about an assesment, and summons a wind dragon. Deepcurrent steps to the side, Kay comes in a bit out of it from the recent loss still, and shock... but gets the vibes this is a test, not a direct threat. So, Kay takes the challenge and strikes.

Mal, equally confused, helps xer out.

Nimako, tired, worn, and annoyed by all of this, just wants this over with. Even though the dragon does nothing, she's not having it and voices that "she's not doing this" and just like that, the wind dragon is gone.

The masked mage takes off the mask, revealing an elf beneath. Her home is remembered, but not it's lessons. the army has invaded for their own purposes, and she wanted to make sure we were different. She offers information, and Kay asks about the ghost's sister immediately

"Are you one of us then?" "Yes I am, though I haven't eben with the order for a while now." deepcurrent "It has it's problems. I have not been in contact with the order for a few centuries now. I have a feeling you are here for a more specific reason, no?" "I am." "What is it? I could try to help you." "It's not easy to talk about this. My companions only learned about it before we were making our way here." "I understand. you do not have to do it. Well there is something else i wanted to ask you, the entire group, about." Approach. "Youv'e been very resiliant, and you've- your companion was holding onto the dragon lance. You'll need to take that back at the very least. It's the only way to save this place." "During the conflict of the third dragon war, the hero (name) used it to defeat takhisis and her dragon servants followed her."

"Ahh, if you had a paladin blessed by the father of good, but he has not been interacting world ever since the cataclysm. He was the one who stipulated the neutrality of the gods, thus I'm surprised there was a paladin at all." "About that, do you think it's still in effect?" Kay says, showing off their blessing. "I do not speak for the gods, but they may have realized the truce is over. They've abandoned me too, but I do not blame them as i was at fault. As the high priest of (name) I helped the king priest to ... We created a great flying island, and we named the city inyardy, the city without sin. [...] We did not reveal how we created this paradise. It was constructed on an ancient sacred sight where the dragons of the queen come to die. we had harnessed the energy of their deaths to bring the island to the sky, and when teh dragons learned of it, we fought back. they were furious, and in the end a knight of solomnia was sent to end the conflict peacefully, but he killed their leader. that is what lead to thecataclysm, [...] I deeply regret what I did, If i hadn't helped him build that abomination, this wouldnt' have happened. I'm trying to find a way to repay for what I did. I cannot let the dragon army take control of this once again and lift it into the skies." "I thought the army was workign for the dragons, so why would the army do this?" Kay asks. "Not all the dragons," Nimako answers.

[...]

"We've heard from an 'offshoot' of a weapon on a throne?" Nimako "The threshhold of the heavens had the shape of a marble throne." "You sit on it to control it?"Mallori. "Yes- actually, you, kender. What's your name?" "Mallori, why?" "There's something you are carrying that, well, I already know your (kay's) tracker, but are you carrying any sort of book?" Mallori protective grasps her pocket, "I- That's a neat trick." squint. She pulls out her book. "Sure, I have a book, but..." The elf runs her fingers through the book, doing a magic. "Do you know what this is- who gave it to you" "Noone gave it to me- I took it from the body of a dear friend. I lost them and I went through their things later just to find this." "This is a very dangerous item." "It is?" "It's something we mages call a book of souls. And you said someone close to you was killed?" "Yes- Yes, my Mentor. They were all called, everyone in that place. they were killed." "I am not familiar with necromancy, I tried to avoid it. it's why i was chosen by the king priest, i have studied it in my ancient past. there is, I've heard at least, anything strange, anything that happened before your friend was killed? That differed from before. Something that changed." "Oh- Yes, I changed. I'm not the same as I was before. It's like a part of me is missing. I don't feel the same as before, i don't care the same way as before." "I don't doubt it. Part of you is Dead, along with your friend, and probably with these other people. There is a way to get it back, I don't know about the people who are dead inside it, but I cannot do anything about it. It has to be the person who used that book." "So we're all trapped inside this book?" "Part of you- your friends souls certainly are. You somehow were spared- you still have a chance. Your friends? I don't know." Mallori's holding the book much more carefully, with this new information. "I know someone who could have potentially used it. The dragon army has a dragonell rider, their best one, they come from kendermor." "My home." "A human woman named Medea Erolydon." this information brings back memories for Mallori. This human is someone Mallori had trained with for ages in the monastery. That is the monastery head. Nimako tries to reach out, but the hands are occupied, so she holds her shoulder. "this person- what did you say? she's in the army?" "As far as I know, I've seen her fly. It would be difficult to create a fake corpse." "Why would she do that? she cared for us, taught us everything." "Is she here in the city?" "It's likely. I see her come and go. I apologize for the abruptness of this." "No- I have to thank you. I have to thank you- I finally have something for the first time in years. This is very helpful."

and to kay. "If you want to survive teh city, you'll need to stop being tracked. I can destroy the earing-" "I'd rather leave it with ereicros. That way I can find them." 'If you bring them back to me, I can help keep them safe. I don't want to be found either." "So this earring can also be tracked by the dragon army?" "This set of rules is quite special. Imagine having a lock and key. You have your location, which can only be accessed by one key, but the key can be copied. I couldn't know how many people have the key to your location." "i just don't' know if it was on purpose." "It is difficult to put a spell on someone by accident." Nimako grimaces. "Did she sell me out?" "It would not be your fault. You are young, you wouldn't know."

[pridnd]

There was opportunity to take the mages of sorcery test, but it was interrupted by our discovery, and an expeditious retreat. we emerge, with Soth staring right at us... from the center of the city. Mallori and Nimako lose sight of Kay and deepcurrent, Mallori is nearly killed, erei's shambling corpse is trying to follow... but is being beckoned by soth to obey.

The girls run, after Nimako manages to take Erei's bag. but it's not enough- Soth is always right behind. So, Mallori confesses to stealing an escape scroll from the mage, something that could get them out. It would leave them behind, and leave the city...

Nimako takes it, but doesn't use it, instead taking the brushing of hands to heal the nearly dead Mallori, and they keep going. Finally, it all fades, as Inkling's voice comes through.

"Very Interesting, we had fun."

And then we're back in the study. It was all a fiction, the test was finished. Nimako is now officially a red mage, and reeling from everything just experienced. Using the test as a guide, Nimako crops up the idea of gently guiding the zombie with her unseen servant. it's being summoned worked well, as she was able to use it to stop kay from shattering the sending stone... but neither answered it.

Upon reaching the city after a rest, to NImako's relief, Soth is seen taking the skeletal dragon and flying off, and they get confirmation he's in pursuit of our distraction. that's not a threat we need worry about.

That aside, discussing their path, Nimako hears some scuttling claws, and turns abruptly, pointing her staff in the direction. Its' a golden draconian who seems less then enthused with the army. Being alone, and having an insider being a boone, They will get one chance to prove sincerity of aid... otherwise, Kay and Nimako are both ready to take this draconian down too.

[pridnd]

Our party starts their journey in the tunnels, and... immediately, kay, drifter, deepcurrent, and nimako are filled with a rage. Nimako knocks Deepcurrent out, just to snap out of it and apologize as Kay heals. oops.

Erei wanders into one cavern as we stay in a water cavern; he finds magic hats, that were ontop of a stone golemn. Thus, a fight begins once more. Kay is knocked out. Deep Current is Knocked out. Nimako calls to them both, "We're not dying here!" Deepcurrent stands right back up, rejuvenated, as Kay's breathing steadies. Mallori comes in with a vengeance, and the golemn crumples. It's confirmed we definitely need to rest, and we find a secure enough section of the cavern to catch our breath in.

we continue on, and now draconic skeletons griping about mistreatment attack! we can't get a break!!

WE CAN NOT GET A BREAK THERE'S A SLAAD IN THE WATER ON THE WAY OUT

Kay why did you touch the skull in the office now there's an undead dragon pissed at us KAY THE DRAGON JUST ZOMBIED EREI- Atleast deepcurrent was able to undo the magic that was locking our way through but Erei is gone. with the eyes of the catacombed becklin, Erei is gone.

There's a second of processing. doors closed, the room stays safe, even as a thud hits against it. Nimako is spaced, and grounds herself with Mallori's hand. Kay disassociates for a bit, and Deepcurrent speaks up with the plan of the fact they have to move forward. Nimako with a task to focus on, can move forward. She, with Mallori loosely in hand, moves forward, and as Deepcurrent approaches the door to the next room she offers Kay her other hand.

"He had the eyes of Becklin in the Catacombs. There may still be a chance."

Kay takes her hand, the selfishness to survive being atoned for in healing as they take a hold. time to move forward... with deepcurrent having the stability to move forward.

[pris-art]

Some DND art! with some alts below. Nimako (mine, one the one looking back) and Mallori, @deedoesdnd

[pridnd]

Welp, with a bit of salt collection, the party and the dwarves head back to hearts hollow. Nadir just made it back while we were gone, as found out by teh fargrab, and we meet up with him at the entrance. Pike is reunited with his family, and gives Mallori the package of pearl trinkets for free due to the favor she's done him. The group splits off to do a few different things, Kay wants to reforge Levin's chestplate to fit, Erei wants some time alone, and Nimako and Mallori do a bit more mental dives into eachother.

On the surface, Nimako's thoughts are just hopes of this helping out, and anxiety about if she's actually ready to let Mallori in...

Diving deeper, the first thing is Mallori gets a glimpse of the way Nimako is seeing- how flat and drawn everything is, indistinct. what's detailed is only Mallori and herself, and even then, that is simple and lacking. It's just a glimpse, but it shows even Mallori's perspective holds more depth then hers. In that glimpse though, Nimako's thoughts can be heard, though they almost sound scripted, despite being current. "I can't stop thinking about how that void the first time reminded me of my meetings with Inkling… even if her disconnect seems different then my own. That's not something they- you did, is it?wait- shoot- sorry Mallori, Obvious not asking you! It's just been on my mind, ahaha… Uh, I guess this counts as a success?"

Soon after, as they discuss the differences, Mallori examining Nimako's hands since she was an Egg icon that had no arms or hands in the moment Mallori saw through her eyes. moments before the magic ends though, Mallori gets the sense of unease as Nimako says "I think I may have just made a mistake..." as the dice shaped amulet under her shirt exudes the disgruntlement of a 'god' scorned...

Immediately after, Mallori has a gift for Nimako! A hair clip, and a ring. Nimako is... caught off guard, flustered pink, before thinking. She's been in Mallori's mind before. Upon asking that this Ring probably doesn't mean what it could... She laughs under her breath, and puts it on her pointer finger, not her ring finger. However, she's still tickled a bit pink, heading off to jsut examine her new gifts while Mallori goes on a delivery mission.

Nadir sees her sitting with her legs dangling off the edge, looking happy, and Nimako carefully shows him ONLY the hair clip, saying simply she was touched that Mallori thought of her and gave her this. even if she figured there was a gift for everyone in that parcel, Nimako was touched! Then, indulging a bit of nadir lead espionage to see what everyone else got reminds her to... check on her journal.

After all, she may have just messed up. best try and find out how, right?

Later, they set off to feed teh dragonels, and Sentinel is there! Erei is eager to talk with with them. Sentinel is cautious, and had joined the random dragonels. He didn't want to fight his rider, so even ostracized, the wild dragonels are nicer then the army ones. as Erei gives sentinel scritches, most fly off suspicious, but a few are curious of this display.

Mallori and Nimako successfully give one scritches! It ends up pinning Mallori who had to stand under it to reach the chin. Glisterin is gushing over our success, and Nimako says it's likely only due to their trust in him first that let us reach that point.

Kay tries to make Soup! Drifter Does not Approve!

during the night, Deepcurrent decides to have a silenced conversation with her book? the book is baffled at the new 'friends' made, asking what happened... but the answer is war. the war that caught her, which explains many things to the book. it wants to know the plans, aside from aiding this ragtag group. (hoping someone else was able to keep up with the dialogue here better.)

Seeing the insane encampment at the city... Well, best we can do is try and get infor or insider knowledge. Nimako after a bit of discussion, sends "Jenny" a message.

"Do you know anything or are you at the City of Lost Names campsight? We're looking to get through..." Response "Not there, but one leader is Belephaion. If you get in, the soldiers there may know more."

Well, from there, Nimako, Mallori, and Kay do a perimeter check, just examinign the scene. Nimako disguised as a soldier, her ring still visible, Kay cloak up, mallori hair changed.

they over hear along the perimeter some gossip:

The canyon leads to the City of Lost Names.,

There, the army's leaders—the mage Lohezet and the priest Belephaion—seek an ancient weapon.,

They are accompanied by the terrifying knight Lord Soth and hundreds of other troops.,

The canyon to the city is blocked by a simple stone fortification—a remnant of a long-vanished people.,

The walls surrounding the ruined city are riddled with passages. One leads from the city to Wind's End, a landing point for Dragon Army dragonnels.

once regrouped, Nimako asks Erei to translate a message to Sentinel: he may be able to help. That quickly turns into finding out teh dragonel can understand common, so she jsut asks for permission to use erei's name so as to not. make it a lie of sorts.

"Calling for Erei, can you meet us near the big army camp up north? the city of lost names if that means anything to you." "they don't like me any more."

Nadir asks if we can use the army for a distraction, and has Nimako reach out to Cudgel.

"Found headquarters, need big distraction, location at giant spine, can you arrange something?" "Can Arrange.

and while waiting, time to check in on Caradoc.

"Have you gained anything to help or pass on? Any ideas or Plans for when we get close to a meet up?" "soth is here, dont fight him. there's a weapon, could be useful. good luck getting here, there's troops everywhere. probably hide. find me for more."

[pridnd]

Kay is hunting for food for drifter! But, the soup drifter wants comes at a hard bargain: Tell something funny for some food! Kay ends up just throwing shade at Elymas failing without names. Specifically, when kay carried the injured becklin to induce forced conversation. it works, kay gets a sample for Drifter, and the recipe!

Maple goes for an explore and meets the talking cat! by being bapped by it! "Tasty?" "NO!" "Ah. Pigeon." "No! I'm not pigeon i have 6 limbs!" "Mm. More food." "No, i think i'm smaller then a pigeon... Pigeons don't have swords!" And it turns into a play fight. Maple tries to ride the cat, but they cannot control the cat. That's fine, they're having fun anyways.

Mallori goes for an explore before Nimako wakes! she disturbs one of the dwarves at the forge by poking him out his focus, and ruining his smithing. But, her being a traveller means she could maybe do a favor since she ruined his sword.

Part of his clan got sepperated- they're likely alive, but can't move due to the dragon army threat. they were last seen and heard from wormgut. Mallori wants to turn her pearls into jewelry!

Nimako has. a week. she wakes up ill, and lavender says she was on death's door. waiting much longer would be lethal, so they're going to have to go to Lillia Tonight

Maple finds Mallori! Mallori is having fun exploring doing nothing in particular. Maple is credulous regarding The Hole being interesting.

Kay is too concerned about the traps! Erei just wants to go!! Nimako Is too bleck to think right now. But, Erei does actually remember the way, so they begin to actually arrive at LIllia's. There, Lillia mentions her store of diamonds is now... depleted. Mallori does give her mushrooms and pearl to try and repay her!

next up: wormgut

erei and Mallori fall into a spikepit. slowly. bc Kay fastly slowfalls them. but! teh dwarves are safe! we can help clear out the draconians of the cave for them! maybe get diamonds? the worm things we were warned about do attack though. Seven of them, though Nimako convinces one to buzz off for it's own safety.

no others flee, however, so, they are eviscerated. While planning how to approach the draconians below, Nimako taps Kay to share what they see, sneaking ahead. Deepcurent surprises them with an iceball, and the fight begins... with Mallori jumping into the pit and EVISCERATING everything in her path. More of the worms come up too, but that's hardly an issue when the draconians are dead.

Nimako upon sliding down to the final level slips, and gets a flash of where this slip knocks her out... but Deepcurrent acts quickly, and she floats gently, though awkwardly, instead. no matter: she can still shoot from the ground before she gets up. once the space is cleared, with the help of some of the dwarves, we loot the entire cave. most importantly is some boots of levitation that kay gives Nimako, and an insane amount of money.

[pridnd]

after some debate, and many lore drops, the group decides to head back to the elven camp to make a military report. once there, Alicia is immediately under reprimand for disppearing, and Kay, in disguise, asks about a 'Jentilda" using the ALias Jen. The topic they bring up is one the elder does not want to talk about. Erei brings up the fact we fixed a shadowfell portal. The elder is scrupulous, but says that that would be helpful if true.

While info digging,

'Jen' also gets us access to the portal! sorta. By pretending Nimako is a servant. Nimako after giving a look is quick to go along with it- they do need to check it out, after all.

Going through to the other side, Nimako sees what she and Mallori found. deciding to play a bit on expectations, she rips the druids head off and brings it over, saying she took care of it (technically true, even if it was with help prior). may as well bring it back all the way to tatina though!

"thing is i do want to help you in your objective, however, we cannot do it from here. I kind of need to reach the city of lost names... by myself." "you want to leave?" "I wouldn't leave if i could your company is quite pleasant but, i am trusted with in the dragon army and in my lords entourage, and if i say, reach that place, they would immediately let me in. I could be an insider for you..." Erei gets ahead about intel and espionage "I wouldn't be that type of insider. I'd be there for you to get there, and help you once you arrive. I imagine you'd cause quite a ruckus." "I don't think i'm keeping you captive or anything? But don't you need a body or something?" "Of course." hearing this, Kay want sto talk to caradoc hearin erei's side of the conversation., "what are you discussinon with Ereicross? what are you trying to do?" "we were making a plan. "what kind of plan?" "I am ready to help you, but the information to get is in the city of lost names to give you upon reaching it." "Do you promise? to not betray us and do as you say?" 'Of course." BINDING PLEDGE, YOU FOOL OF A GHOST. "Well, this is my most friendly goodbye before we see eachother again. I sincerely hope you'll reach the place before you see me again :)"

We turn in the iron and construct head and info to tatina, and tatina meets the new party members!

Cudgel is storming to us! "well met, it's been quite a while." "yeah sorry, we got caught up in a lot of side quests... Levin's taking over the MInotaurs!" E "So he's dead." "Noo!" "is he still aligned with Kalaman?" 'Yes." "then I don't care." "Is anyone open to being a ghost host?" "I said I could do it-" "I don't fully trust you to not take control of someone against their will." Erei "This scary dwarf maybe not be the person to ask-" Caradoc "She has soldiers! Under her so if one of her employees wants to-" "what are you talking about." "we have a spy to send. but he needs a host." "I don't want to take a chance being betrayed again." Cudgel "Any spare prisoners?" Erei "well we have found someone we've interrogated that had been accompanied by some draconians that exploded upon being taken out..." Cudgel

We finally make it to hearts hollow after fighting the clay golemn and saving glistern from spiders... and erei is super eager to imake proper introductions to Nezra, for, reasons. Erei wastes no time saying that we have something for her, the orb of dragon kind shard!

[lyricpersonarts]

Happy Birthday @kkmcshouty

there is nothing quite like sending your PC of with a duel! Rip Kirtus the minotaur

[papier-ciseaux]

Happy Birthday to @kkmcshouty ! Its an animatic of the party's warlock patron reveal~

It is 1 minute of Adie looking cool.