(S14) See the Truth and Despair

The few remaining cultists wavered seeing most of their number cut down. However, bravery, be it born from the worship of Talos or whatever life they had lived, won through and they charged forward. Blow after blow the bosun paled as it saw there no effect upon the Tabaxi priest who was busy looking upward in the sky, where a maniacal gnome, Gol Badwind, had just finished arranging the clouds to summon backup. Pine, still ignoring the cultist, grasped his medallion and attempted to shift the weather, the sudden wind slowly blowing the cloudy letters away.

Meanwhile Idris, Effie, Idris and Arya all attacked Gol. Ferocious phase arrows flew across from the lighthouse, beams of divine light from the paladins’ hands, lighting bolts from the druid’s storm and enchantment magic attempting to target the gnomes mind assaulted him from all corners. Somehow, they did not do nearly enough. The lighting singed Gol but the gnome was quick, evading the other attacks with ease, his magic assisting. Effies attempt to enchant him was resisted too, betraying the incredible strength of mind their foe had. As the assault ended Gol flew farther up and created an orb of magic that surrounded him. Idris knew that this spell could not be broken save with powerful magic that they did not possess. It seemed that for a minute the battle calmed. With some time to spare Idris convinced a cultist to surrender and then let them go. They promptly ran into one of Gol’s many traps in the beach and died horribly. Similarly, Pine threw another into the sea where the giant eels devoured him.

Arya turned into a giant eagle and flew around, keeping an eye out for Cult of Talos reinforcements. She also knocked the sphere Gol was in down to the deck so the others could reach it. Trying to think of a way to disable Gol the party tried a few ideas including rolling the sphere into the water, hoping the eels would devour their enemy. 

Meanwhile Pine rushed into the ship, hoping to find something to calm the ship that housed Emberlost's soul. However the more he descended into the ship the darker and stranger the ship became, an overwhelming stench of death almost overpowering his senses. Rushing due to time running out he stopped when he heard a voice humming in ancient elven "A tolan ghoul dah, merdelain dah". Trying the door he found it locked but using his expertise in communing with the dead he attempted to make the spirits within it to rest. The doors opened - a resonating voice saying "Misery loves company" from the darkness ahead of him. Moving forward and shinning his torch he found Emberlost. The knight was in his ornate armor, a greatsword of elven make by his side. However in the flickering torchlight Pine could see that there was no flesh under that steel, only bones. Notably, Emberlost's lower half was missing, replaced by a too long spine and ribs that flowed down and into the ship itself. It seemed Emberlost was part of the ship, no, he was the ship itself.

As this occurred Gol broke out of his sphere having hasted himself. However the mass of eels that had surrounded him were enough to land a blow, the eels teeth taking a mouthful of the gnomes flesh, stunning him momentarily. Wasting no time Arya flew over and grabbed him, dropping him where Idris could grab him. The gnome shook his head and seemed to be aware, if grievously injured. Held aloft by Idris he seemed to surrender, for now.

Back down Pine addressed Emberlost, telling him that Cult of Talos had causes him to be shipwrecked and that he was there to help . Or at least he tried to do so as the skeletal figure rose, the place where it's eyes should be glowing read. As it rose so did things in the ship, the bones stirring, hammocks swaying and banging on doors to locked rooms. "THUS BEGINS THE SLAUGHTER" the dark figure intoned, it's gauntleted hand reaching for it's greatsword. 

Struggling to maintain their footing the party was aware something was amiss. Effie leveled her rapier to Gol for answers and he seemed to think that they would all die since someone had woke Emberlost. He said that Fheralai Stormsworn would arrive to only find their bones. Pressed further he told them that they should work together. Idris attempted to extract information from his physically but the gnomes mind was vicious and resisted it. Finally, the gnome told them that Fheralai Stormsworn had found a way to calm him and that she had left to fetch it. He did think that closing the door where Emberlost's body lay could possibly calm him. However this information, truthful or not, was a mere distraction as Gol had been planning an attack, firing out a wave of force. When he saw Idris not only stood his ground but aided Effie to do the same he could only say one thing. "Oh no". In a swift move Idris removed his flying boot and threw him overboard, where the eels tore him to pieces. As Gol died Idris mumbled something and headed downstairs.

Arya changed to a giant eagle and flew to the lighthouse in seconds. Without stopping she banked around, Siax landing on her back as she began to speed away. They were almost back when whatever remained of Gol went up in a massive green explosion, killing all the eels around him. The gnome was no more. But they could not rest as the uncrewed ballista's turned to face them, firing two bolts, destroying Arya's wild shape. It seemed Emberlost was controlling the ship more and more as he woke. The ballista's then turned and begun preparing to fire at the chains holding the tarp down.

The rest of the party rushed down, only to find Pine on the brink of death, resisting Emberlost's commands to come forth and face his blade. Idris tried to reason with the undead revenant and it seemed to work to calm the knight who addressed him as Karthus. He even tried to teleport Idris away, seemingly to safety. Idris, ever honest told him he was not him but instead was Idris Doruy which seemed to infuriate the knight who prepared to lift his sword. It was then Siax asked him why he had betrayed his people, Thalivar and attack the Planar Beacon which seemed to snap what little sanity Emberlost had left. 

Sword was picked up and the ship launched itself off from the rocks, quickly gaining speed and leaving land behind. The ship was not only going forward however as it's hull was still cracked. The dreadnought was rapidly sinking and would take all aboard with it to the depths bellow. Pine, wounded but healed up slightly, rushed downstairs to somehow repair the hole that was letting in the ocean. On his way what appeared as normal hammocks came to life and attempted to strange him but the cleric powered through, finding himself in the dark and waterlogged brig, face to face with Elaira who thought he was an ally of Ularan Mortus, her captor and instantly attacked him. A deck up Emberlost had almost killed Idris in three fell blows, only the teleportation magic of Arya saving him. Arya healed Idris and stood by Siax who had his swords out awaiting the end. All seemed lost.

Until...Effie said something quite strange. "I really wish you would be my friend". Her rapier, recently given a mysterious power by Ularan Mortus shone, the golden filigree on it illuminating everything around. But no one but her noticed as time had frozen for all except her. A voice startled her, the voice of Baron Zorfus, someone she had known a long while ago. He explained that he was simply a manifestation of her mind, a way for the sword to speak to her and assist her to make a wish that was truly selfish. The Baron, or whatever this creature was, pushed Effie until she exclaimed that she wanted the ship for herself. When she said that the Tiefling before her looked ever so slightly more demonic. 

Explaining that he could not click his fingers' and make things true he proposed a plan. First Emberlost would have to be calmed down, songs from his homeland and a trained bard to recite them would be provided. Then, when the spirits guard was down he would help Effie bind it to her. Speaking fast and forceful it seemed Effie would disagree...but that would leave her and her new companions to surely perish. She accepted the terms. Before the Baron disappeared he told her one last thing, that the real Zorfus was near. With a flash she appeared in the captains cabin alongside a confused Tarbin Tul. Traps and locks were automatically neutralized, revealing a secret compartment with two books inside. One, seemingly Ularan Mortus's journal, another a book of poems written in Ancient Elven. Effie used her considerable abilities of persuasion to placate the still confused Tarbin and instead have him recite the first poem - saying that this would make him a part of a heroic tale. Tarbin Tul sung and the ship resisted - but a third of the song was finished. Would the rest be finished in time?

Seeing as Leilon had slowly gone back to a more humdrum reality consisting of building and sleeping then waking to build yet again I made the choice to travel north to spread word of my upcoming tale (Heroes of Leilon: A working title). The Wayside Inn, though humble, was a fine place for a first stop or so I thought! For in the night the Cult of Talos appeared and ransacked the place, lightening flashing everywhere. A hulking Half-Orc strode in and told me her name was Fheralai Stormsworn and that I was chosen! I tell you my dear reader, I am first among all to speak high of my talents but I did not imagine that I was a favorite among cultists! She has seized me but none of my writing implements which I always keep safe upon my person. However dear reader I am unsure how I will escape their vile clutches beyond a miracle from the Go.... 

Why, it seems I am in a ship.  

- Tarbin Tul