Session+36


 * 12-28-13 **
 * Return to the House of Tomes, Sanctuary, and Our Arrival at Waterdeep! **

We gather in the embassy to decide our next step. Destiny has returned. Raven and the Mindbreaker. The Barbarians vs Melar. The Red Fungus and The Unicorn. Loch's Rescue. Esme's Rescue. The antidote for Crucible and the isle of storms. Wren and Kale tell everyone about their meeting with the council of dragons, the quest to return chromatic dragons to the council by talking with Midori and Glacierwind, and the primal dragons' suspicious activity near Myth Coramanth. Mali and Wren are concerned about the passing of time happening again and everything we have to do to put this world on the right track vs rescuing Loch and Esme. Erevin suggests that the barbarians have been helping us without asking for anything for so long... so we plan to head to their lands.

Erevin, Wren, and Kale head to the Medici estate to speak with Bishop about the duel between Annaisuru and Renata to gain his aid in preventing it. Bishop has a similar appearance to Dominic, though a slightly bigger build... and his eyes are strange with slightly elongated pupils and his canine teeth a little longer than normal. He seems surprised that the two would duel, "Their relationship was a bit strained in the past, but they seem to have made up. When I see them together, it's nothing but smiles." Erevin smiles, "They play their parts well." Erevin goes on to mention that there is likely some manipulation in play that pushes them into their duel. Possible link to the cult of Ghaunaudar. Bishop agrees to do what he can to be watchful over the situation and assures Erevin that should a fight come to Lyrabar, they'll be ready. "You seem to have made quite the impression on Lady Dulsaer. She talks about you often and seems to think you'll make a good... partner," Bishop nods to Erevin, "Just be careful when dealing with her." "She's unusual." Erevin nods his thanks, "I appreciate your time, Lord Bishop." "You're welcome. Give Dominic my regards." "I'll let Dom know you said so."

Speaking with Uthgart and the barbarians about the prophecy of the littlest bear and Melar, they tell us that there are three tribes. They used to get together for a yearly Moot.The Black Elk was the first to fall and then The Blue Wolf... They drove the Clan of the Red Bear out of their lands. Blood lust and savagery... hunting for the sake of killing instead of for food, etc. The prophecy says that the littlest bear would be able to free them all of Melar's influence. They mention seeing elves near their lands like ghosts in the snow, though not really much contact with them. Uther hears Melar's whispers. He tells us that after entering the rages... it grows harder and harder to come back, especially during the time of the full moon when the rage comes over him without his willing it. He can hear a dark voice beckoning him to join the hunt, "to spill blood, crunch bone, and smell the fear of prey as it leaves." The voice started several years ago after he and a close friend from The Black Elk came across a strange beast that looked like a black lion with bat wings. "I'd never seen anything like it and neither had she." Mali looked over at him in surprise, "She?" Posy gave him a little kick in the ankle. "Yes... my companion was a woman. Last I saw of her she was putting an arrow into one of my tribesman." Uthgart points out their lands on a map far up north... near the area where Tyrian had settled his new city 100 years ago.

Prince Tyrian is ever gracious and welcoming, "Erevin, it is good to see you again. Thank you for the entertaining of Winter's solstice... though I lack calling it winter since you have not really seen snow until you have visited my kingdom." Erevin tells him that we are traveling far north to the barbarian lands and Tyrian tells us that they live on the southern outskirts of his kingdom. "You are traveling there? Will Lady Yuki be traveling there as well?" "Most assuredly." "Well then if you are traveling to the north then you must stop in to see the Crystal Palace," Tyrian nodded. "We would be honored," Erevin smiled. "I will travel with you and bid you welcome to my kingdom personally." "We would be greatly honored to have you with us. If you don't mind a layover in the barbarian lands and possibly a duel with the chosen of Melar." Tyrian raised an eyebrow, "As long as it is nothing dangerous... subject of a god... lightwork." Erevin nods, "Nothing for you to worry about. Glad to have you along. Dress warm. I hear it's cold." Erevin asks about the elven ghosts the barbarians mentioned and Tyrian tells him it's likely the elven scouts who dress in all white.

Erevin leaves word of Destiny's return with Anna to pass the news on to Horitsu and tells Shri to pack. Saben and Thirteen pack to go with us, though most of the others have gone off to do other things..

Yuki returns to the temple and begins "borrowing" furs from Amynta, Rue, and Ori's things until they catch her and she claims it's for "Top Secret business!" They torture her with tickling and a feather duster until she spills the news that she's leaving on the ship.The three of them volunteer to go with her and steal back their furs. She fears the punishment that could be waiting if she goes north without telling Axton, so she finally goes to his room and knocks on his door, waking him up with tousled hair and a disheveled silk robe, "I'm sorry, Yuki... the high priest kept me up late writing reports..." She blinks at him as fantasies play through her mind, "Writing reports... right." He invites her in and has her sit with him on the still warm bed and she quickly hops back up, "I should um sit over there..." she sits across the room on a chair and Axton fluffs up his pillows and leans back as she stares at him for a moment muttering something about leaning and a bed and virtue... "So Erevin said Destiny has returned, so I'll be leaving in the morning..." "That's great! I should get packed then." "Didn't Alain call you back here for temple business?" "Yes, and we seen how well that went..." "It really wasn't your best moment." Axton pulls a pillow over his face, "No... it really wasn't..." Yuki stared at his body while his face was covered with his pillow, "but now I'm free to go with you." He pulled the pillow away and her eyes meandered back up to his face. Yuki blushed, "Aww! You don't want to let me out of your sight... I think that's kind of ... Archer-ish. Well then great, you can come. We can have a date on the ship. I'm sure it will be just fine... you and me... and..." Axton nodded to her, "And everyone else." "Yeah... and everyone else... no Mr Harbinger, No Tyrian... just you and me... and everyone else. It'll be nice... We're going north. You can't have any of my furs, but can I borrow some of yours?" "Sure," Axton opened up his very grand closet with a lot of outfits... a lot of non-sunite outfits. Yuki gasped and pushed him out of the way, "I knew it! You really are a spy!" "Out of my closet!" He nudges her over as she sing-songs to herself, "I'm dating a spy!" He hands her a long sleeved, extra long fur tunic and mittens. She tried it all on and pretend-growled with the mittens and he raised an eyebrow at her, "Very fierce..." he softly kicked the closet door closed, leaving them alone inside. Yuki looked around, her breathing heavier, "This isn't a good idea... not a good idea at all... I should be getting back. I haven't even seen Destiny yet..." her words were cut short as he walked with her backing up in front of him until her back was against the door and she gasped, "Right... I'm alone with you ... in your closet in your room..." He smiled at her charmingly, "Wearing my fur." "I ... I have my robes on." He leaned closer, putting his hand on the door beside her, "Isn't it a little warm?" She swallowed with wide eyes, "Um hot... yes, hot... I mean the temperature... um." "Well here, then you don't need the fur then, do you," he reached out softly toying with the opening of the fur. Yuki gasped and pulled it close to her, "No I need the fur! I need the fur! ... When did you become such a dangerous man? I mean you were always dangerous... my personal tyrant... but now you're my dangerous man?" "And a spy..." He grinned at her. "And a spy..." she echoed nodding, "That's sexy... not that i would know anything about sexy... but..." "And a great kisser," He whispered into her ear and kissed her lips. Yuki melted against the door and Axton opened it, letting her fall out onto the floor! "H-Hey! That's not nice! You're not even a gentleman!" Yuki stood up and threw a pillow at him, sticking out her tongue, "Go bald, Axton!" He laughed, "I'll meet you at the embassy in the morning..." "You wish!" She dashed off, "We're meeting at the barbarian bar!" "Enjoy the fur! and the kiss!"

In the morning, we all meet in the elven embassy... Yuki looks up at Tyrian dressed dashingly with a curved blade on his back. She greets him warmly and he nods to her, "I look forward to showing you around The Crystal Palace in my homelands." Yuki looks at him confused, unaware that he was traveling with us, "Ere-Erevin... um... just one second." She excuses herself from Tyrian and heads for Erevin who seems oblivious to her problem. Her hand twists around in Erevin's cloak, "R-right... it'll be fine." She looks back at Tyrian who is smiling charmingly at her with his face framed by his indigo-black hair. 20 minutes later, Axton arrives to a giggling Yuki, "I'm sorry I'm late... I had to pick up a few extra cleaning supplies."

We slip out of the city in small groups to not draw attention and the winged figure of Destiny greets us back on the ship, "Welcome back, my chosen." We all greet her warmly. She tells us that the strange figure with the starry cloak was Lord Ao. Yuki recalls something during the time of trouble when the gods fell. Something about stealing the tablets of fate angering a being called Ao... the over-being of gods. The one who created this sphere and all of its gods. When people worshiped him, there was no response so the worship eventually died out. Destiny tells us that he was most upset about the tampering of time in his sphere. "He has forbidden me from traveling in time in his sphere again... so the next time this ship travels to another sphere, it will return at the exact moment we left." "Oh!" Mali exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful!" Wren stood next to her nodding, relieved that they may yet get their friends without destroying the world they love. Yuki cheered excitedly, "We can get Loch! And Esme! Wren! We can go get Loch!... Oh... Kale... we can go get Loch." She trails off a little awkwardly. Destiny continued, "It does change some things... as I can now only travel through this world's time like anyone else, so with my being in any one world for very long being dangerous.... it is unlikely that I will be able to fulfill my function here in this world while that restriction is in place." Erevin looked at her, "So what you're saying is when we have rescued our two friends... you will be leaving?" "I believe it will be best... I am in your debt for restoring my power and crew... if you have need of me for a time afterward, I will stay as long as I am able. I understand that there are forces in this world that may not want me to put this world at risk, but you are my chosen and I trust your judgement." Everyone seems disappointed and sad that she will eventually be leaving... She smiles cheerfully at us, "You are welcome to come with us." Yuki blinked at her, "Come with you?" Destiny nodded, "You can travel as much as you want and when you come back... it will have only been an instant." Yuki was nodding and then paused, "Wait a second! but... time doesn't stop for us on the ship outside, right?" Destiny nodded, "You may come back as an old woman..." Yuki gasped, "That's horrible!" Erevin nodded, "Interesting." Destiny smiled, "But you have time to make that decision..."

Erevin offered up the suggestion of going to rescue our companions since we will not lose time, but Mali quickly shakes her head saying that we already told the barbarians we would go to their lands to help them... Wren leans against Kale and sedately agrees to wait.

Kale and Falco head down with the companions across the light bridge to the scary library in the woods as we stop to see if Raven left anything behind here. The 20 ft long stone sarcophagus still stands open and Mali and Wren go up to check it out. Mali jumped up and down, "Lift me up! Lift me up!" Wren hugged onto her and floated up slightly to peek in with Yuki standing back quietly talking almost to herself, "Uh guys... maybe you shouldn't be... umm... undead... maybe..." As the girls peer into the sarcophagus, they notice runes written inside that weren't there before and they start to light up! "Oh no..." Wren paled thinking that the runes seemed to be written in Raven's style, and she set Mali down beside her quickly. One look on her face and Kale stepped in front of her, drawing his blade. Earth elementals tear up the floor of the library as they emerge into the room around us!

(*Player Note for Jac and anyone else interested in elemental languages... you can take a skill in linguistics to learn another language... Auran = air, Terran = earth, Ignan = fire, Aquan = water*)

Mali looked around at all of the elementals emerging into the room, rumbling with voices that no one could understand, "Wait! Wait! Maybe I can talk to them!" Looking over their red eyes and aggressive stance moving closer to him, Erevin decided not to wait for conversation and drew both of his blades, taking a huge hunk of earth out of an elemental's side with Mari attacking the one going after Yuki. Falco grabs onto the clothing on Yuki's butt, "We're going to die!" "H-hey! A little higher there, Mister!" Yuki scolded the halfling behind her. An enormous elemental leaped forward and power hit Kale, sending him flying off his feet 40 feet back! Wren's eyes went wide, glancing over to see him alive but rattled and getting up. She turned back angrily whipping out her empowerment rod, and sent a powerful lightning bolt into it's chest! The enormous elemental growled out something else and looked dejectedly at Wren.

Two medium elementals moved in on the fierce gnome who slips on her new fingerless gloves and nods eagerly to take them both on at once. They slam into her and she claws into the one, acid dripping off of her hands as she tears out pieces of earth! A large elemental moved in behind Yuki and Falco, slamming both of his fists at her, but he only manages to glance off of her as Yuki was already stepping to the side, fending off Falco's hands. Yuki turned around and batted her eyelashes at the large elemental that hit her, speaking sweetly to it, "Don't you want to protect me? Protect the pretty girl?" she sent out a charm spell. It doesn't seem to understand her words, but little hearts show in his eyes as he looks at her adoringly. Mali struck the enormous elemental with a bolt as she threw her hands up into the air calling down a powerful lightning storm. Yuki glanced over her shoulder at the lightning flashing on the other side of the room and stayed close to her new earthy protector.

Erevin struck out with his dual blades in an epic display, dropping one of the elementals and moving to help Mari who was still actively keeping the other busy and away from Yuki. The enormous earth elemental turned toward Mali and Wren peered at him quizzically in surprise that he didn't come for her. He smashed Mali with a giant fist into the ground! The two medium elementals continue to throw blows with Posy who continues to claw into them, unwavering to the bruises and wounds they knocked into her! One of them drops to her fierce attacks. The large elemental with hearts in his eyes, gently nudged Yuki behind him, "Stay back!" and he smashed into Falco, breaking his cane and laying him on the ground!

Kale charges back into battle, going to Melleron's aid behind Mali. Wren looked over the enormous elemental curiously again... it seemed to be ignoring her completely... after such a powerful lightning bolt. Wren yelled at it, "Stop!" but it still ignored her, so she slid over in front of Maliumpkin and raised her hands up to the elemental, palms open and flat, "Stop!" Kale glanced over his shoulder to see her move in the way of the elemental just knowing she was about to be smashed, and yelled at her with shock and concern, "What are you doing?!" She called back over her shoulder, shaking her head, "I think that it's not going to hurt me..." "You think?!" he yelled back agitated, "You THINK?!" "Did you see the lightning bolt I cast at him? ... and he didn't even think about attacking me," she kept her hands up, staying in front of Mali as Kale battled the other elemental behind them with Melleron, keeping a close watch on her.

Yuki took her befriended elemental's hand, leading him toward the center of the room, chatting to it gently, "Come along, Rocky dear, let's go this way." He looked a little longingly at Falco, but followed her. His confused face brightened when he seen that she was leading him closer to Posy... this must be the one he's supposed to hit! Yuki sent out a powerful wave of warm life over everyone, including her new friend. Posy, renewed with life, and the two medium elementals continue to battle on as her acid burns into their earthy bodies and hunks of rocks and dirt are torn out by her claws. Mali stands behind Wren, watching as the enormous elemental still didn't touch the witch. She cast a spell allowing her to commune with earth elementals and his rumbly speech became clear to her ears as he was yelling at Wren, "Why you standing in front of intruder! Move out of way!" "No, no!" Mali called out to him, "We're Dreamspinner's friends! She loves us! She would be sad if you hurt us!" He looked down at Mali, "She say to hurt everyone but daughter. You not daughter. You have her move out of the way and get squashed like good little halfling." "No," Mali protested, shaking her head, "She will not let you squash me!" He shook his head disappointedly at her, "You not very good friend." Mali shook her finger at him, "You are not a good listener of Dreamspinner. Dreamspinner is going to be very angry!" He shook his head, "You not Dreamspinner." "You don't want to make Raven angry..." "You not Dreamspinner." "Dreamspinner is in front of me," Mali pointed at Wren, still standing with her hands up watching their conversation, but not understanding a word of it. "I'm not squashing Dreamspinner," he shook his head, "I'm squashing you." Mali mocked him slightly with sing-song voice, "You can't squash me without squashing Dreamspinner..." He growled out agitated with her, "I squash someone else then!" Other rumbly voices came from behind her, most of them saying "Smash intruders!", but she glanced back to the dream-like voice of another who was holding Yuki's hand and saying, "She's so pretty..." "Yuki is pretty," Mali nodded her agreement, "Don't let the other elementals hurt Yuki." "I think we should stop this..." He looked around the room, still following the priestess holding his hand. Mali nodded again, "I think you're right!" He walked with Yuki, "Don't hurt this one. She's my friend." Mali looked around the room, taking in the different aspect of combat as Erevin pierced his two blades into the elemental and together with Mari brought down another small one.

Battles continued to rage around the room and Mali's storm sends down another bolt of lightning into the enormous elemental who seems enraged that she would attack him and stay behind Wren! She sing-songs out, "That's what happens when you don't listen..." He reaches down and grabs Wren in one hand and then Mali in the other, pulling them apart and laughs triumphantly, "Ha! Ha! Ha!" Mali struggled in his fist as he squeezed her, "You put me down right now! All your friends are dying! You'll be next!" "We don't die. Just go back to elemental plane," He continued to squeeze her. Kale and Melleron finish off an elemental behind them, and he glances up at Wren yelling at the elemental holding her in his hand, "Put me DOWN!" She pointed at the ground angrily. He set her down gently and she patted him, nodding, "Good! Good!" She leapt up to hold onto Mali's dangling feet, "Put her Down! Down!"

Yuki walked again through the room, holding the large elemental's hand, "Rocky, sweetie... Come this way." He shook his head, "I don't know what she's saying... but she's so pretty." She sent out another powerful wave of healing over everyone, keeping Mali kicking and squirming against the enormous hand crushing her. Mali breathed out her words as she struggled for breath, "She called you Rocky sweetie and said to come this way. Tell your friend to stop hurting the pretty lady's friend." As Yuki lead him across the room, he swung out a fist and hit Kale on the way. Yuki took his other hand in hers, holding both of them, "No, no... no hitting. Don't you just want to look into my eyes?" She fluttered her lashes. Mali squeezed out her words as she struggled, "She said look in her eyes..." The large elemental lifted Yuki with both of his hands clasping around her and brought her up really close to his face to look into her blue eyes. Yuki nodded to him, caressing his face and appraised his green emerald eyes. Posy lashed into the last medium elemental on the floor, dissolving him into a puddle of acid mud. Melleron tries to bite onto the enormous elemental's ankle trying to crush Mali as she bolts him again from her storm and sends out a flaming strike, setting his earthy bits on fire as he growls out at her, "Make me angry! Will rip you to bits!" He reared his arm back and threw her with a mighty force into the wall across the room with a thump! Wren growled at him, "Back to your plane!" She sent out another bolt of empowered lightning through his chest, finishing him off.

Rocky, the last elemental standing, continued to hold Yuki up adoringly and sang to her, "And I will always love you..." Mali rolled on the ground, despite her wounds, and laughed uncontrollably! Erevin glanced down to see his blade glowing blue... but a few minutes later it faded. Having trained the new runed blade to recognize Shri... Another drow must have been close. A few minutes later, the spell finishes and Rocky disappears back to his plane... and Raven's voice came in a message to Wren, "I told you I would take care of it! Leave me to my business!" Wren frowns as she hears the anger in her mother's voice... unusually too angry... an overreaction. She ponders it for a moment, recalling Raven's overreaction when she first told her about the library's empty sarcophagus back when she seen her in Lyrabar.

"Anything else missing or amiss?" Erevin looked around. "Nope, I checked it out... and it all seems fine," Thorn walked into the room having come down from the ship when no one had returned yet. He glanced over to see his grandfather lying on the ground with his broken cane. Falco was motioning for him to come closer and Thorn walked over, concerned, "What are you doing on the ground?" "I was protecting Yuki with my very life and I was struck down by one of these horrible rock elementals." "Did she give you a kiss for your noble sacrifice?" "No... but that would be nice." Yuki ignored them and consecrated the area. Falco walked around the area, sharing some stories from his memories of Raven and Esme and the others. Yuki interrupted him, "Mr Falco... you never saw my dad wearing women's underwear or anything, did you? Mr Falco? Grandpa?" "Well... that's hard to recall..." Falco looked around innocently and pointed to his cheek, "Maybe if something were to help jog my memory..." "Ohhh... here!" Yuki walked over and kissed him on the top of the head. "Nope... I never saw him wearing any women's clothing..." he shook his head at her. He took Thorn into his room, showing him the hole in the wall through to Raven's room and telling him more stories of bygone days. "I wish I could help more... but the only place I can think of that she might have gone is back to where we imprisoned the mindbreaker in the first place," he took everyone to the big map on the wall and pointed out a mountain range in Narfel. "Mr Falco, sir... how did my dad get this lingerie?" Yuki showed him the mantle she was wearing. He looked it over, "You know... I think i recall seeing Raven with this." "Great... so it actually belongs to the witch who casts really bad lightning bolts..." she sighed, "I'll have to give it back." "Well I never actually saw her wearing it.... though I would've liked to," Falco pondered. "So why did my dad have it if it was Raven's?" "Well I don't think they were like that... if that's what you're implying..." "What?" Yuki stared at him. "That your dad was putting it to Miss Dreamspinner..." he continued. "What?!" Yuki blinked at him, "My daddy..." "A little more tact there, Grandpa," Thorn nodded to him. "Uh... had relations with," Falco nodded. "No relations!" Yuki shook her head protesting, "Nuh uh! NO relations... none!" Falco nodded to her, "I don't think so... They both had sharp tongues, so they didn't really get along a lot... although you know, they say sometimes that..." "Not listening! Not LISTENING! Eww! Nooo!" Yuki insisted, covering her ears. "Well you'd have been half-elf then, so..." Falco nodded, observing her round ears. "You're kind of getting off track, Grandpa, sir... Mantle... the mantle," Yuki pointed at it again. "I don't know..." Falco shrugged, "You'd have to ask Raven... or your father... don't you ever talk?!... just like my grandson... never talks, never writes..." "Hey! I write! All the time!" Yuki protested again, "It's just awkward... what if my mom read the letter?! Respecter of hearts, remember? He was older... My mom was just a little girl when she met him... and she loved him all of her life." "How much older?" Erevin asked, intrigued. "I don't know," Yuki shook her head, "He was an adventurer. She was just a girl at her father's shop... and he would come in and drop off stories of his adventures and she would read them and then she pretty much pursued it, i guess..." "But your father is not elven?" Erevin asked, looking her over again. For elves it was nothing to be a century apart in age, but the age difference sounded unusual in a human relationship... Yuki shook her head again, "Human. All human. No pointy ears. Short life... so... anyway... it hasn't come up yet." Falco nodded, "I'll write a letter to him. I'll ask him." "No..." Yuki squeaked out, "She reads everything... well... I mean eventually... anyway... let's go." "So, this is why you need to go to Waterdeep? Well... that and to see family, etc..." Erevin asked her as we walked back out of the library. She nodded, "And to speak with the high priestess there... and some other things... but it's not all that important." Her voice sort of trailed off... Erevin nodded and looked around the grounds, still uneasy about the momentary glowing blue sword. We find single elven booted tracks outside a window that lead to a dead end, as though magically traveled from there.

We board the ship and head off to Sanctuary to speak with Silvermane and visit with Venchelay on our way through. The once high walled up city appeared back to normal and almost sleepy in the morning light as we descend to land in the lake. Mostly human here, though there are a few people about who are elven and maybe a dwarf or two. Silvermane greets us along with Lauzoril, "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon... you practically just left." Erevin goes to one knee to bow before him, "It is good to see you!" The others bow and nod their greetings behind him. Silvermane raised an eyebrow at Erevin, "It's good to see you too... there's no need for a knee... It's good to see all of you. I'm sure you remember Lauzoril... and his wife, Gracie... and of course, my wife, Magda." Magda, standing beside him, was nodding and muttering her approval of Erevin down on one knee. Erevin nodded, standing up, "And she looks lovely as always." A young boy with silvery hair was hiding shyly behind Magda, "Who is that? Is Daddy forcing him to bow?" We step aside with Silvermane into a private room, but Yuki stays behind to talk to the little boy with a bright, happy smile, knowing the man he would become and the great love lying in his future, "Aren't you a handsome one?" "That's what my mom says," he nodded up to her, looking around at all of the pretty girls in the room, "But she's a mom and supposed to say things like that... so it's nice to hear it from some other people." He smiled up at her.

Students rush by through the halls, busy with their lives as we go with Silvermane into a private study room. Erevin fills him in on everything we witnessed in the future, including the walls around Sanctuary against the fungus and the barbarians and how we are on our way to deal with some of it. Silvermane nodded and listened, "I have heard of Melar and these type of cults... They are frequent and seductive. It is not just these tribes you speak of, but others have fallen to him before. It is a constant lust of his to bring in more worshipers and as the world grows with civilization, his lands become smaller and that is not to his liking... so he fights civilization." Erevin nodded, "I will prevent him from consuming these tribes." "Usually the spirit of his creatures will inhabit those with the most sway... like the chieftans and shamans, so from there the word spreads. I would look to them to see what holds them." "Would they listen to reason? ...or would I have to play the part of the assassin?" "Depending on how skilled your casters are... you may be able to break their enchantment and cast that spirit out of their bodies." Erevin nodded, "So they do have hope. Good." "Yes," Silvermane nodded, "In most cases the spirit can be driven out... though they will fight you and it will not be easy for whomever tries to cast them out... as to the other matter, I believe you." Erevin nodded, "Thank you." "I was warned by a seeress that I know ...that a great and terrible fate was averted when you returned." Wren smiled, but remained quiet. Erevin nodded, "Your seeress is very adept." Silvermane nodded, "And annoying." Wren placed a hand over her mouth, covering her smile and suppressing a laugh. Erevin continued, "Your boy handled it admirably." Silvermane nodded, "Well let's hope that future doesn't come to pass and he grows up surrounded by young ladies like..." he glanced down the hall at Yuki and a couple of the priestesses oooing and ahhing over him, "And they're feeding him cookies... that's my boy." Wren giggled and glanced out down the hall with him. Erevin nodded, "May he grow up as a spoiled young noble." Silvermane smiled, "That is any father's wish." "Indeed." Erevin smiled. Silvermane continued, "Oh, and I must thank you for rescuing Lord Lauzoril and Gracie. He's become a fine teacher here at the school." "So he has found a place... this is good. It was not an easy decision for me," Erevin nodded. Silvermane nodded, "For now. He still longs for home, but his wife keeps him grounded." Erevin smiled, "That sounds familiar." "We shall see what the future holds. With your magic flying ship, there seems little that I can do to help speed you on your way..." "Simply your council is appreciated." "One thing that I can offer... though you'll have to leave your ship behind... My wife has some contacts in Waterdeep and we have a standing gate there... I seem to recall one of your number mentioning a need to travel to Waterdeep." "Young Miss Yuki Ashdown..." Erevin nodded. "The one feeding your son cookies," Wren nodded, pointing down the hall. Erevin continued, also glancing down the hall, "The one with all of her... heart... hanging out." "I'm noticing," Silvermane nodded, "I'm not ready for that kind of education yet." Magda only laughed, nodding her approval, "Good job, son."

Erevin thanked him for his generous offer and Silvermane agreed to look after the ship til our return. We go out to tell Yuki about the surprise and find her still chatting away to the young Kai, "And in the future you're going to meet a very pretty young girl..." "As pretty as you?" He looked up at her cheerfully. "No...no... not as pretty as me," she shook her head. He pointed at one of the pretty young students walking by, "As her?" Yuki smiled, "Prettier." "As pretty as her?" He glanced at Wren coming down the hall with the others. Yuki chatted on, "She has dark hair with pretty pink highlights." "We have to go," Erevin interrupted her. "What? No! I was just getting to the kissing part!" Yuki protested. Erevin raised an eyebrow at her, "C'mon." She glanced back to Kai quickly, "It's really important that you kiss her! A lot! ...it's really fun!" "Ewww!" Kai made a face and ran off down the hall. Erevin shook his head at her, "We're making a slight detour... something that Lord Silvermane has offered. Gather your things. You wont need the furs." Wren chimed in beside him, "But you might want to bring Axton. Probably Rue, Amynta, and Ori too." Erevin took Tyrian to the side and the prince of Evermeet said that he would go as well if Yuki was going. Yuki babbled on our way up the tower, "Why does it feel like everyone else knows where we're going and I don't?!" "We're going home, Yuki," Erevin turned to her. "Myth Coramanth?" She tilted her head at him. He shook his head, "YOU'RE going home." About that time, we reached the top of the tower where a magnificent portal stood showing the city of Waterdeep. The distant sound of seagulls could be heard and the smell of the ocean lingered into the room. Yuki burst into tears, sobbing! She had been so homesick...for so long. Erevin glanced over to the red-haired priest, "Axton..." Mali nodded to Axton, "This is all you." Axton nodded and put an arm around Yuki, consoling her tears. "B-but we have to save the world!" Yuki sobbed. "We are saving the world," Erevin nodded, "There's a book there we need." This seemed to calm her fear of not being able to go and she went into a chatter of how her mom makes the best cakes until Axton guided her through the portal, cutting off her words. Everyone followed them through, with Wren waiting until last.She turned around and hugged Silvermane warmly, "Thank you! She's really going to love this... and your mother is well." She pulled back from the hug and smiled at him. He smiled and nodded to her, "You're welcome, daughter of Glacierwind." She bowed before him, "I hope to find her."

We come through the portal to an open area with seagulls calling as we overlook the vast city that's 8 times the size of Lyrabar. A railing lined stairway leads down overlooking the ocean as we head down toward the city. Yuki swept her hands left and right chatting about various exciting places to visit as Axton adjusted her hands to point more specifically to wherever she was talking about. A massive 80ft tall wall stretched around it and an enormous harbor had 10 times the amount of boats that Lyrabar has. Pairs of 100ft stone warrior statues mark four gates to go through to get to the city. As we walk down the stairway, Erevin turns to our halfling companion, "Thorn... things are more organized here in Waterdeep if you catch my meaning... Be careful." "It seems like that everywhere we go..." Thorn sighed. "Moreso here. Competition-wise I mean..." Erevin looked directly at him. Understanding crossed Thorn's face, "Oh... Oh my!" Erevin nodded, "The rivers run deep here."

The famed gryphon riders patrolled the skies above us... and on the western side of the city was a mountain that gave the city it's name, Mount Waterdeep... on the cliffside of the mountain a spiring fortress was carved in where the paladin lord ruled from. The Blackstaff Tower... where we would likely find the book. Wren nodded happily beside Yuki as she pointed out a section of the city still miles away, "That's my neighborhood where I grew up!" "I can't wait to see it! The temple where you studied. The book shop you're always talking about. Your parents!" Yuki glanced in the distance at the glimmer of water... she could barely see it... The pond... ...but that's where it all happened...