Yes, but It's an Assault [Session 61]

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Current Situation 

• Day 3 the Feywild: (1 long rest at Skabatha's house, 1 long rest in Downfall) 
• The whole gang back together again - with a bit more blood and mayhem than originally planned - they pull themselves together and locate Lorna, as well as her hourglass. A chat, a snag, and a kidnapping later, they seem to have pulled off the heist.

Session Summary

• Ander appears out of seemingly nowhere, above the butcher block table, before landing atop of it with a crash, arm clamped across his abdomen and covered in blood. Moments later, Barrett appears in a burst of magic, managing to land on his feet on the table, looking terribly roughed up and as if he may keel over. The little Gnomish lady, seeing and hearing the two of them, screeches at them to help her retrieve whatever it is the two vultures with her are fighting over. 
• Ely, on the roof, uses her iBone to ask if everything is alright. Back inside the house, Dhann punches out the top of the barrel he and Z are inside and scrambles to his feet, hastening to the table where Ander and Barrett are. Z also extricates himself from the cask wreckage. Dhann replies to Ely that the two of their friends are alive, and then casts healing on both of them. He uses Channel Divinity on Ander, and using Healing Word on Barrett, asks the Monk if they're being pursued by the Rasa - as that's what attacked them - and Barrett responds that he doesn't know. The Rasa seemed to know where they were, and it was Ander that teleported them out of there.
• Dhann is able to see that while the wounds on both his friends are healing with the magic, something is still very wrong with Ander. He's flitting in and out of consciousness and Barrett sees that whatever is wrong with the boy, Lesser Restoration doesn't have an impact (he'd managed to heal and cast that on Ander right before the teleportation, but only the healing seems to have worked). Dhann works to get Ander's attention but the kid doesn't seem able, or aware enough, to respond. Dhann tells Barrett to inform Ely as to what's going on because he's now focused wholly on Ander. Dhann recognizes the symptoms as extremely similar to other times when Ander has overexerted himself with his use of magic.
• Barrett uses the iBone to tell Ely that they're all in a slaughterhouse kitchen, there's a woman and two vultures, and that Ander and he have both been injured. Ely responds asking what the heck is going on, and that she's on the roof and both herself and Rascal need to get in. Barrett lets her know he sees a balcony and a dutch door he can get open for her if she wants. Barrett looses a lighting up arrow out the window and Ely sees it, downs the Potion of Flying, and is able to find the window and join the rest of her companions in the kitchen. She catches sight of gibbets hanging by the balcony as she makes her way inside. She meets Z at the window as she enters.
• In one of the gibbets is an unclothed Satyr who greets Ely cheerily and she dismisses him with, "Now's not the time!" Back with her group, she takes in the chaos and wonders aloud, "Are we still doing this? Seriously, what's going on?"
• While Ely is caught up - at least visually - on the current situation, Dhann retrieves a vial of diamond dust from his healer's components and takes off his gauntlets, thinking to cast Greater Restoration on Ander with the intent of focusing the spell to lessen exhaustion, as this seems to be the closest condition that Ander's unique symptoms align with in terms of potential treatment. Pouring the dust into Ander's palm, Dhann then clasps his hands over Ander's and casts the spell, praying to Helm that his magic will have some sort of effect on whatever is hurting Ander. 
• While the healing magic has done as much as it can on the wounds, Dhann gets the sense that Ander's vitality has been significantly lessened and while he can heal, he's much weaker in terms of overall life force. However, the Greater Restoration seems to negate some of his exhaustion as the boy's eyes flutter a bit and then he is able to better rally to awareness. He focuses on Dhann for a moment, steadying himself, before snagging Dhann's arms and crying, "Barrett!" Dhann hastily reassures him that Barrett's alright, and that Ander got him out, helping Ander to sit up so that he can see the Monk for himself. Ander's clearly relieved, and Barrett thanks him for getting them out, to which Ander responds, "Maybe we shouldn't have gone in the first place."
• Barrett wonders if the Gnomish woman should be helped, and Ely casts Mage Hand to grab one of the vultures, grabbing it out of the air and in the process of that, the meat stretches between the two birds, with the second one ending up with the bulk of the prize (which might have been a cat). The lady pick the vulture out of Mage Hand and wrings its neck, saying, "This'll do!" 
• Ely asks for her name, and she replies that her name is Bloody Toes and that this is her kitchen, and she's trying to make dinner. She asks what the group is doing there, and Ely says they're in the kitchen by accident, and looking for Lorna. Bloody Toes looks irritated at the mention of the hag, spits on the floor, and says that yes, this is Lorna's house, and to get out of her kitchen.
• Barrett asks Z if Ander can ride on the carpet, and Z readily agrees to this plan, and Pet is also amiable with the arrangement. Ander, while mobile, is clearly still exhausted and can't move very quickly. 
• Dhann casts Greater Restoration a second time on Ander, and because this is under less intense circumstances, the Cleric is able to cast the spell a bit more slowly. Due to this, he's able to have a moment of faith-inspired realization and his spell cures Ander of more of his lethargy than the spell normally is able to. It seems that while within the Fey, Greater Restoration, when applied to Ander's specific condition, can reduce Ander's symptoms more than the spell traditionally can. Dhann puts this information aside for future further consideration. Ander is still tired, but looking much better than a few minutes ago. He's much less pale and his breathing is easier. Barrett shifts Ander's ki to boost his vitality and the boy also drinks a healing potion Dhann plies him with. Barrett also drinks a health potion.
• Bloody Toes has commenced plucking the vulture while all this is happening. When asked what's up with the guy in the cage, she replies that the Satyr is for dinner tomorrow.
• Z casts Locate Object on the hourglass and alerts the group to the fact that it's pinging to the northwest, and there is, in fact, a door in that corner of the kitchen, leading due north. Ely flies a couple of inches off the disgusting floor. She uses the Gem of Seeing again and while some previously unseen splatters do show up, everything lights up the same as it has been for her. 
• Barrett doesn't find any traps on the northern door, and he also hears hushed conversation from the other side. He knocks, hears a croaky, "Enter!" and the group goes in. 
• It's a parlor of some sort, set up for an afternoon tea. On one chair is a tall, lean, greyish figure with all in black with a wide brimmed hat. On another is a toadlike creature with bulging eyes, and folds and folds of gross, grimy rags. She is surrounded by flies and two smaller creatures that resemble her, like little pets. The furniture in here is stained and patched. 
• Everyone moves through the doorway. Dhann drinks a constitution-boosting shot of Ely's Bright Moon's Blessing. Z alerts the group that the Locate Object is pinging in the due direction of the froglike hag. 
• "What act of desperation would lead you into my den, little darling?" The hag, Lorna, asks Barrett. She introduces herself with her full name, Bavlorna Brightstraw. She also introduces the other figure as simply an acquaintance.
• Ely sees that something is very odd with this so called acquaintance. She has bags with her and tries to hide her face from Ely, ducking under her hat but trying not to be obvious about it. She also doesn't seem to be casting a shadow, which is something the Gem of Seeing reveals to Ely.
• Z plays some music and Lorna enjoys it, sipping her tea and watching the performance. The darker figure doesn't seem to care. 
• Dhann and Z step a bit forward and say that they're there with the gift of a return, and Lorna is curious as to what they mean. Z opens his astral locker and Dhann shows Lorna her old book of transgressions. Ely sees the shadowy woman track the book and she seems surprised to see it in the first place. 
• Lorna says the book was stolen some time ago and asks how they came to have it, and Dhann asks if that's relevant information. Lorna says no and it's clear that while she seems a bit miffed at not being given more of an answer, she sees that information is being withheld, and as a Fey creature, respects the withholding and understands it. 
• Lorna agrees that a favor will be returned to the group for giving her her book back, and Dhann hands the book over. She immediately flips about three quarters in and scribbles something down. Dhann is able to mentally mark where in the book it is and plans to reference that with Ely's notes that she copied. 
• In the meantime, Rascal, now invisible, flies further into the room but neither Lorna nor the other figure seem to notice him. If they do, they pay him no mind. He doesn't see an hourglass.
• Lorna asks what the group would like in return and Dhann says they've heard a rumor that she has an hourglass her sisters fancy, and he was wondering if Lorna could confirm that rumor for them as they're interested in seeing if it's true or not. She thinks this is a paltry thing to ask for, but does indeed shift an hourglass in a little metal cage out from the folds of her robes, affixed in her clothing somewhere at the end of a rope. 
• Ely asks what she uses it for and Lorna replies that when things might go one way, she might need the hourglass to make things go another way. She then says if the group would like to leave, they can exit through the kitchen and she's clearly hoping they go that way for reasons other than just exiting her house.
• Barrett asks her if she's ever heard of Rimpkin. Ely casts Protection from Evil and Good on Rascal and telepathically tells him, "When the hand flies, go for the hourglass." 
• All at once, moves are made. Ely swipes at the shadowy woman with mage hand, knocking her flat and Lorna cackles uproariously seeing her acquaintance fall like this, while invisible Rascal makes an unbelievably accurate dive for the hourglass within Lorna's robes. Barrett starts spinning counter clockwise, and Lorna immediately sneezes and snarfs and can't seem to breath quite right, even puking up a half digested seagull. Rascal's paws snag the hourglass and with a quick break of the rope holding it to Lorna's person, he's off like a shot, alerting Ely to his success. He bamphs into the kitchen, away from the sitting room. 
• With, "I say we go - meet you on the balcony!" Elyana snags the clothing of the mysterious woman, and uses Dimension Door for an instantaneous getaway, and abducting this stranger. Dhann sprints to the door to hold it open in case Lorna can magically shut it or lock it. Z and Ander on the carpet make for the door and make it to the window in a straight dash. Barrett gets to Dhann and shoves the Cleric through the door with, "We'll talk about this later, Dhann!" and successfully pushes the human into the kitchen, and Barrett then shuts the door and sprints up the kitchen wall, where Bloody Toes can't reach. Dhann disengages and runs past, also avoiding the cleaver, and making his way to the balcony where everyone is getting ready to make their respective escapes. Ander casts Water Walk on himself and his friends, being mindful of the lake below everyone. He then soars out the window on Pet. 
• "Where is everyone going?" Dhann hears Lorna call, still laughing. Neither Ely nor the stranger recognize each other, Rascal flies to meet up with Ander, and Z prepares Feather Fall just in case. Barrett, running to the balcony, stunning strikes the already bewildered stranger and Ely, bolstered with adrenaline, gets a surer grip on this stranger's clothing before taking flight out the window. He then breaks the lock on the Satyr's gibbet, and Barrett yells out to him he's free to go, but to not follow the group. 
• Seeing the Satyr leap and begin to fall, and the rest of his companions well on their way to getting away from the balcony, Dhann jumps after the Satyr to make sure he - if possible - also gets away safely. Z casts Feather Fall on those still within range. Now on the surface of the lake, Dhann is able to grab a hold of the Satyr so the guy doesn't sink and potentially drown upon landing. From above, Bloody Toes screeches in rage at having to change tomorrow's dinner plans overall. 
• Everyone meets near a large tree on one of the small islands, alighting from their various forms of flight or sprinting while Dhann hauls the Satyr, who he sees is very emaciated and really needs food, onto a lily pad. As a thanks for saving him, the Satyr pulls a reed from the water and flowers sprout from both ends of it, and with a farewell, he hops back into the lake and swims away - having taken to heart Barrett's suggesting order to not follow them. Dhann meets up with the rest of the group, as well as the stranger Ely kidnapped. 
• Ely apologizes to the stranger for snatching her, and says she wants answers as to why the woman is acting so weird. The stranger is absolutely furious, yelling at Ely, "Do you know how long it took me to get in there?!" and is just fuming. She turns to stomp off, but Ely grabs her sleeve, apologizing again and saying everyone should calm down, and that she really is sorry for ruining whatever this person's plans were. Frustrated, this person explains she's spent years befriending Lorna so that she could finally get into the house, and while she visited with the hag, her shadow was off scouting the place to rob it. This is why Ely saw, through the Gem, the woman had no shadow. Turns out the woman was hiding from Ely because she could sense Ely was able to see some of her magic, and she didn't want to be outed as a robber. The shadowless stranger finally turns and stomps away, making a profane Fey gesture as she leaves. 
• A scream from the kitchen window, "I'VE BEEN ROBBED! CATCH THEM!"
• Ander puts his hand on the trunk of the tree everyone is hiding by and suddenly the branches move to cover everyone just a bit more than before. Z identifies the flowers Dhann was given as a Reed of Luck that will last for about 24 hours. Ely suggests Dhann affix it to his shield, and Dhann gives her a look of "hard no." 
• He sends to Skabatha Nightshade to make sure they stole the right hourglass:
  • "Question: Lorna's hourglass - it's in a metal cage affixed to a rope on her waist, correct? Kinda gross, hasn't been cleaned in a while? Thank you-"
  • Skabatha responds: "Yes, it's disgusting! And if you have it, you should make haste. If she makes it to her lily pad, she'll catch you."
• Dhann lets the group know it's the right item, and they need to go. It's then they see Lorna slowly making her way down the rickety stairs of her house. While they ready themselves to run, Lorna makes it to the bottom of the stairs and is jumping onto something in the water. Barrett shoots an Arrow of Entanglement at her and makes a bullseye, ensnaring the hag in vines, buying the gang some time. With Ander's Water Walk, they're able to make a mad dash on the surface of the river, south, heading for the exit of Downfall. As they run, they see some Bullywugs up ahead that hail them, asking where they're going. Ely yells as they run past, "We did what we needed to do, don't worry about it!" and the froglike people seem satisfied enough with this answer, going to find someone higher ranking than them to inform them of the success of the mission.
• The Trollmates make it downriver and back to the dollhouse, and from this side, it's disgusting. It's very much an old house that's been left and fallen to ruin in a swamp, but they make it through the door and into the safety of the house. Barrett does a quick sweep of the place while everyone gets their breath back, and he doesn't sense anything amiss. Barrett locks the door to the swamp.
• Everyone settles in the lower middle room to rest and listen for any potential hags or Rasas. Barrett relays to the group that being in the dollhouse seemed to throw the Rasa "off the scent" of the group, as it seems to be a place that's "nowhere" on a plane, like a weird multidimensional crossroads. When not in the dollhouse, though, the Rasa was tracking Barrett and Ander from the Ethereal plane, parallel to the two of them the entire time. Ander was able to sense it and it attacked by choice, not because they caught up to it. 
• Ander was hit so badly by using his magic because he was out of proper energy for teleportation, and exerted himself to the extreme to planeshift himself, and Barrett, to where the rest of the group was. 
• While they rest, Dhann activates the Sanctum's properties (except for the fog, and sound blocking). 
• Ander feels that resting in the house is probably the safest place to be at present. Barrett also says that right before he teleported, is that he saw the Rasa seemingly splitting, or tearing down the middle. He was brought to Ander, though, before he could see any more than that. 
• Dhann asks Ander if he has any other way that he knows of treating his unique exhaustion, and Ander says no. Besides the Greater Restoration, Ander just has to rest enough to regain his proper strength and energy. It does seem, though, that with the more training he has, the more he's able to stave off the exhaustion that comes from haphazard use of the magic. Training in the Feywild gives him easier access to all the planes and schools of magic rather than visiting more specific planes for the same access. He's been training with Engle as well as other familiars, and Rascal. 
• He further explains that Engle is a sort of mentor or guide for those who might find themselves lost in the Fey in a figurative sense. 
• Some of Ander's magic, while in the Fey and on Fey creatures, is amplified, while on other planes, it's more mundane, and vice versa. He then tells Ely and Barrett, as an example, that his Fey healing magic would be stronger when applied to them (while within the Feywild), as the two of them are now carriers of Fey magic due to Ely's pearl and Barrett's scar. 
• He has learned nothing more about Cyric and those future plans. Ander's only really been focusing on training as his first task. 
• Ander also explains that Ghost is an unusual familiar and he's not sure anything could really happen to the owl. It's not even known if he can die or be killed. And he's very, very old. Elminster even knew him as an owlet. But for Rascal, while in the Fey, "I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. I don't really know what would happen, but I don't think it would be good."
• Rascal, a human again, sits and listens and examines the hourglass. Ely and Barrett start lightly bickering over whether or not he's a responsible kid and can be trusted with such items. 
• Dhann checks on Ander and can tell that Ander is tired, with the warrior side of him being drained while he's still determined. Dhann gets the sense that while Ghost is Ander's familiar, it's more of a relationship founded on necessity and circumstance than on choice or a more instinctive connection. Both Ander and Ghost know it's a short-term partnership. There's definitely a sense of loneliness and the training, while Ander enjoys some of it, has clearly taken a toll. While checking on Ander's wound, Dhann quietly mentions to Ander that he's among friends, and if he ever wants or needs to talk, he can. Ander is appreciative of that, even if it doesn't truly sink in in the moment. 
• Ander also has a little silver locket that contains a tendril of shadow magic, and when Dhann demands to know where he got it, Ander says it came from Elminster's eye and Dhann thinks about hitting Elminster again. The tendril seems much more sentient and wraps around Ander's fingers. Dhann uses his Shadow Sense to see how one tendril feels when sensing it, and he explains to Ander what he's doing, as at first, Ander seems to think Dhann is trying to take the tendril from him. Dhann reassures him he's not trying to take it at all (even though he does consider charring it). 
• Barrett asks if Dindrin and Ander are a thing, but Ander says no. Dindrin wanted it to be a thing, but Ander's too busy. And also that Dindrin thinks she can win fights, but Ander knows he would.

-

With the reed and its blossoms identified, Dhann gives the flowers in his hand a glance, before holding the item out once more to the Warlock. "Rascal should take it," He says to Ely. "We don't know where the Rasa is, and this might help keep him a bit further from harm."

Elyana stops her pacing as Dhann offers her the flowers. "I don't..." She sighs, looking first at Rascal, then at Barrett and finally an exhausted Ander. "Yeah, you're right. Feys, I already used my protection spell, so he can use all the help we can offer. Especially if this thing is as bad as I saw in Ander's message." She accepts the reed of flowers from Dhann.

Ely turns towards her brother. Now in human form, she can see the boyish wonder on his face as he inspects the hourglass he successfully pilfered off the old Hag. She walks over to him and squats, "Hey buddy, you wanna trade? This for that?"

"What is it?" The redhead looks between the colorful flowers and the shiny hourglass, a little disappointed. 

"Don't give me that look. You may be tougher and faster now, what with your training. But Z says these flowers will also give whoever's carrying them a little luck, if you keep them safe." She holds the flowers out to him, other hand gesturing for him to give her the hourglass.

Barrett watches the exchange as he applies a bandage to his upper arm.  He's got a few questions of his own, but he is curious if Aiden will make the trade.  He's still trying to figure this kid out.

Having checked Ander, Dhann concernedly glances over the rest of the party, stopping at the Monk. “May I help?” He gestures at the bandaging as it’s wound across the injury, implying to assist in securing the wrapping. “Might as well give me those words you had in mind earlier, while we have a bit of a break.” His tone is more accepting than anything, and Dhann gives Barrett a little one sided grin, waiting to see if Barrett accedes to one or both offers.

"I guess." Aiden makes a pouty face as he begrudgingly relinquishes his not so shiny, actually quite old and rusty treasure, to Ely and accepts the flowers.

Barrett gladly hands the end of the bandage to Dhann to complete the job.  Bandaging one's own arm is always difficult.

He sighs. He's trying to decide if it's worth having this conversation - again - or if his words will just be used against him - again. He decides to try one more time, in the most calm and logical voice he can muster. "Dhann, with all due respect, we all have things we are good at. You," he says, nodding to the end of bandage he is holding, "Are the most talented healer I've ever known, with the exception of Friar Stardust and possibly Father Evencrest. I mean the way you figured out how to pull Ander back from such utter exhaustion...well, that was simply inspired."

"But you have to admit that there are others, specifically Z and myself, who are much more mobile and who have the tricks and skills to avoid being caught.  So, when we are in a general retreat situation and you have the chance, would you please just go through the open doors as soon as you can?  No one is going to judge you for not being the last one out."

Meanwhile, Aiden's voice is bright in the background, "I was pretty good without the luck though! I was so quiet stealing that thing! She didn't even know I was there."

Ely gives him a quick smirk and playful toss of his hair as she stands up. "You did a great job, but trust me, you'll be changing your tune later. I bet they'll come in handy. Fix your face." She glances at the two Clerics and wonders what Barrett's saying before she looks down to take in the dinginess of the hourglass.

Dhann kneels next to Barrett and slips off his gauntlets, clipping them to his belt before taking the offered end of the bandage. He listens, silent, eyes darkening slightly at the high and humbling praise that begins to be given, but he doesn’t attempt to brush it off. He doesn’t want to interrupt, Barrett having accepted his help. It doesn’t take much for the Monk to sense that the second name mentioned causes an almost…tense, grave expression. Extremely high praise. 

“Please don’t take my…need to not leave someone by themselves as belittlement of their abilities - or aggrandizement of my own,” Dhann says quietly, gently pulling the bandage into a secure, tidy repetition. “It would be quite the joke if I boasted myself as a dexterous one. Never really have been.” Eyes on his work, he huffs a slight laugh before growing sober again. “It’s not for fear of judgement.” The Cleric pauses a moment, before continuing, voice dropping further. “It’s the fear I can’t see someone. That I can’t help, if I’m not looking. That I can’t see you.” Dhann carefully ties the bandage off and folds the loose end under one of the bands, before he finally looks directly, earnestly, at Barrett. “I understand. I hope you do, too. But - I hear you.” 

It doesn't take any insight to see the emotions flash across Barrett's face in sequence: frustration, disappointment, resignation. After a moment he pats the cleric's hand and nods again, moving on from this discussion.  His gesture acknowledges that he heard his companion's words, but his eyes say he doesn't agree. He looks down at his arm, patting the well-positioned bandage and nods to Dhann. "Thank you. Excellent work, as always." Raising his voice to include everyone, he asks, "So can someone give me the short version of how you got from the Bullywug village to Lorna's kitchen, and why some of you were in a smashed barrel?" 

Ely snaps up from her own thoughts when Barrett's voice reaches her ears. "Oh... well." She clears her throat. "It's like I said to Ander last we spoke. We made a deal with the Bullies. We agreed to return Lorna's book and they agreed to give us a ride to her home. And a way in."

"The plan was for Z and Dhann to go in with the  supplies, down the chimney, as it was the most certain way the Bullywugs knew how to get us in." She pauses, remembering the scene of her friends' barrel being dropped from the air balloon. "Hence the barrel. Anyways. They'd find Lorna, chat her up and then signal to Rascal and I where she was, so we could sneak in and grab the hourglass. And then everything kind of went lopsided when you two arrived."

There’s a flutter of surprise across Dhann’s brow before it’s replaced by a solemn acceptance, or recognition of something. His eyes look away as he nods in answer to Barrett’s thanks, and then he moves quietly to sit where he can keep an eye on everyone as the conversation expands to encompass the group.

Ely takes in the demeanor of the two Clerics. Her amber eyes trail from Barrett to Dhann and then they shift away from them to settle on Ander. The boy looks exhausted and a twinge of regret hits her before she continues talking the Barrett. "Confusing as things got for a moment, we successfully snatched what we needed." She waves the hourglass in the air. "What I'm more concerned about now is what happened between you two and the Rasa. What I saw when Ander reached out to me was... well it was terrifying actually."

Barrett nods in agreement. "It was even more terrifying being there. Ander told you about Ghost discovering the Rasa shadowing us in the ethereal plane. The doll house transport through the Rasa off a bit, but he was still there. After some debate, we decided to plane shift there to see what we could learn about it. The scent was easy enough to follow but we sort of stumbled upon it quicker than anticipated. We were trying to decide to run or fight when it just roared and attacked.  Ander took the first blow and went down with that belly wound. The thing was easily three times my size, but I stepped between them to shield Ander and took my best swings. My blows hurt it, but I didn't make a whole lot of progress towards bringing it down. If we have to face it at some point, it's going to be a challenge. 

"At that point, I heard Ander yell something. I thought he was talking to me and I got a little distracted....and that's when the creature's tail slammed into me. It was a solid hit and I really think, if it weren't for that Heroes Feast, I might have gone out. Maybe not, but it felt like it. Regardless, I was able to land on my feet and that's when Ander plane shifted us to Lorna's kitchen.

"One strange thing that I noticed just before the plane shift:  the creature started splitting down the middle with one head on each side of its body. I assume it was willingly doing this, because I don't think Ander or I caused it, but maybe Ander knows something different. I suppose the only good note was that when I hit it, I was able to Extract Aspects on two of my hits, and I learned that it is immune to poison and to non-magical physical attacks.  Also, it is resistant to cold, fire and lightning. So that's something to keep in mind for the next time, if there is a next time. But I strongly recommend we try not to have a next time." 

Arms folded across her chest, Ely frowns at the description. "I'm worried we won't have a choice of when next time will be." Her eyebrows furrow deeper. "That part about it... splitting in half. Does it mean two of them will be coming after Rascal now? And why Rascal? Of all the Feys, why him?"

"The only thing I remember learning at the Monastery that is vaguely applicable is that devils want to rule all worlds, uniting them under the banner of Asmodeus.  Demons simply love chaos and want to burn all worlds to the ground," Barrett says, shrugging to indicate that's all he's got.

Dhann runs a thumb along the rim of his shield, gauging the amount of swamp-muck spattered across the item as a whole. "Dindrin cautioned us that its gaze 'brings madness' so we'll have to be cautious of that, should confrontation occur. As for Rascal," Dhann's words turn specifically to Ely here, "These things hunt quarry to raise their status among their kind, it seems. We know Rascal's situation is highly unusual. Unique. I think that may have something to do with it. He's also the most strongly bound to the Fey, and we know, too, Rasa target such folk."

"Very interesting points, Dhann." Barrett considers this, then asks, "Does anyone have any magic items or spare armor they can give Rascal that might improve his survivability? I've got these Eyes of the Eagle goggles he could borrow, but they won't help him stay any safer and I don't have any armor. I thought Z created some wrist bands that absorbed physical damage - those might help. Anyone have a magic ring or cloak for the kid?"

An idea flashes into his mind, but he looks at Ely before he voices it, choosing his words very carefully. "I am not implying that we use him as bait...but knowing that the Rasa will probably target him first could be used as a tactical advantage for us. Can anyone make duplicates of Rascal to confuse the thing? Or do you think that Seeming all of us to look like Rascal is possibly a good tactic?"

"Z's going to use the crystals I had and infuse them into a vest for Rascal to were as magical armor." As Barrett voices her second suggestion, Ely goes quiet as she thinks. Her arms uncross and her fists clench as the rest on her hips. Aiden immediately jumps up at this idea. "Ooh! That sounds fun! Let's do that!" He bounces up and down with excitement.

Amber eyes swiftly send him a disapproving glance. "Let's not." The Half-elf lets out a deep sigh. "If the Rasa is sensing him just through his feyness or whatever, making us look like him won't be enough." Her lips form a scowl, distorting her face into a sort of pained grimace. "I don't like it." Is all she can say.

Unless...After several moments of thinking. Eyes flitting back and forth in thought, Ely's arms drop and looks up. "Use me as bait."

"And me," Barrett says. "I'm not trying to be chivalrous here, but we now know that both you and I have some sort of strong Fey juice coursing through us...that might be enough to register as "fey" to the Rasa and confuse it, especially if we change our appearance as well."

"It seems to be able to track Ander, too," Dhann says quietly. "So it can sense two of you at the very least, potentially the four of you, at a theoretical most."

"If we all do it, Rascal has to be completely off the board. He'll have to stay here so he's not detected. But if the Rasa can see beyond illusions...It might just show up to kill us all anyways, like it tried to do with you two." Ely mutters, thinking.

The thief's roguish grin drops instantly. "Hey! What?! No. Come on! Don't leave me in here!"

"All I know is that the Rasa is way bigger than I expected. It honestly thought Barrett and I could take it or at least give it a good challenge. But we were both almost bested with one hit. It was more than I expected. I really don't know what all the details are but I feel like we need to talk to Engle to be sure." At this point, Ander glances to Ely and Aiden. "I really don't know why the Rasa is tracking us but I feel like knowing would give us some kind of tactical advantage. Ely, you should probably reach out to your patron, too. Maybe they can help us."

"Ander, do you really think the Rasa is after me?"

"I don't know Bud, I really don't."

"Can we kill him... it?"

"I don't know that either." Ander turns sullen and thoughtful.

"Do we even need to?"

"Yeah, one more thing I don't know, buddy."

Barrett, who was actively participating in the conversation until a few moments ago, seems to be staring blankly through one of the walls.  However, a closer look reveals that his eyes are darting back and forth occasionally.

As the Maybesitters sit in the relative comfort and presumed safety of the doll house, Z begins to notice a change in the weather outside. He checks all the windows and doors and confirms, there is a massive storm brewing outside. The skies in each window have darkened and the sound of thunder can be heard rumbling in the distance.

At Ander's words, Ely's expression drops and her face goes a little pale. "I... guess I could. Do that." She lets out another deep sigh and the pained grimace is back again. "I don't like this at all." But then with a quick notice of Barrett's swimming eyes, she calls out to him. "Barrett, what's wrong with your face? You have thoughts you'd like to share?" 

Barrett reacts immediately to the sound of his name, looking in Ely's direction. "What?" he says quickly, "is something wrong?" His hand absently reaches to touch his cheek, then moves back to his scar which seems to be lit up a little more than before. Shortly, his eyes leave Ely and flick back to the unseen spot somewhere past the wall and begin "searching" again. After a few moments, he stands and moves to a new location in the room, but his eyes remain searching through the same section of wall. It is as if he's moving to get a better look at, or maybe a better angle on...something. If he's aware of the rumbling thunder outside, he's not indicating it.

"This is going to sound strange...but do you guys feel that...that presence coming from somewhere way out there?" He asks this without looking at them, then quickly moves up the first few stairs to get yet a different angle, as if he's triangulating on something. "It's...aggh! I can't tell what is happening here. I'm not sure if I'm really feeling this or not." He doesn't sound possessed or charmed or panicked in any way, just genuinely confused.

Dhann slowly rises to his feet, slipping his arm back through the straps of his holy symbol. "I only hear the thunder." He doesn't like it. The storm seems to have come upon them too quickly, and in this...odd fold in which this house exists. He feels the hair stand up on the back of his neck. Seeing Barrett's scar, the Cleric's eyes dart to Ely's brow, to see if there's any change in the illumination of the gem. He moves to stand between both Ander and Rascal...just in case.

Ely's head tilts thinking of the last time she felt a presence of any kind. Like a familiar feeling. She looks over at Rascal and back to Barrett. "You feel a presence, and there's also a storm brewing outside. Is it Valkur?"

At the mention of Valkur's name, Barrett looks back to Ely.  For the first time in last few minutes, he really sees her face and her expression of concern. He looks to Dhann and Z as well, noting their subtle tension. "Whoa," he says, raising his open hands in a gesture that is meant to indicate all is well. "I didn't mean to alarm anyone. Sorry if I seemed distracted there for a moment."

"Valkur...no, I don't think it's Valkur," he says with a half-grin. "Valkur has never appeared to me that way, although he has to others in our order. But, you know,  that does make me think of a time on the island with Hans when...I wonder if it's like..." His head tilts for a moment as he recalls a memory, then nods to himself as if he's reached a conclusion.

"Okay, I have no way of knowing if this is true, but I think I'm experiencing something new because of the Fey and my scar," he says, absently brushing it again.  "Let me see if I can explain. During the fight with the Rasa, when I made my initial attacks, I was obviously really focused on it. Even when I turned to help Ander, in the back of my mind I was trying to keep it's location marked in case it tried to flank me or something. Anyway, ever since that moment - even during the shenanigans at Lorna's - I kinda' still feel like I have this creature marked somehow. So just now, as we've been talking about it, that feeling of connectedness has become more...well, not stronger, exactly...but I've become more aware of it. Like if I actively searched for it, I might be able to find it.

"Anyway, when you mentioned Valkur, that made me think of a time I went on an assignment for a few weeks with Cultivator Hans. As Cultivator, she was our head "games keeper" on the island, and it was her job to check on the health of the animals and dinosaurs, tending to them if they needed anything. She knew a spell that marked a creature she could see and then, if we lost sight of it, she had a pretty good sense of where it was so that we could track it down. All of that is to say that I think my scar, and being in the Fey, might have given me something like that ability as well. And I think I might have unknowingly cast it on the Rasa."

Clarity hits Elyana like a bucket of cold water. She gasps. "I... I recognize that ability. You are tracking it. How did you...?" She looks at the monk, mouth agape in surprise. "I knew someone who could...", but then she shakes her head to distract from memories trying to find their way back and a dark concern takes over. "Where is it? Can you tell how close it is?" 

"I...um...I don't know, exactly. I guess I need to completely concentrate on it and see what happens." Barrett begins moving towards a rug, intending to sit down in his familiar meditative position, but stops before doing so. "But what about this storm? Should we check that out first? Do you think it's a reaction - natural or otherwise - to us having stolen one of the hourglasses?"

"I have no idea. It could be. Lorna said the hourglass helped her do some kinds of magic, but not all of it, right?" Looking down the hall, Ely moves towards the two Clerics. "I need to step away for a moment. I'll be just around the corner." She slides off the Bag of Holding of her shoulder and over her head, handing the bag to Dhann and the Hourglass to Barrett.

Barrett looks the arcane device over, feeling a little soiled from having to hold it.  He looks out the "back" door of the house to check the gathering storm clouds that Z pointed out, then steps to the open side of the room and looks out.  He's examining the weather with a seasoned sailor's eye.

Dhann stops himself from predictably telling Ely to be careful, or asking if someone should go with her, as much as he wants her to not be out of sight. Too many weird occurrences are happening while they wait in this house for either their next move, or something else to move first. It’s the handing of the Bag that has him struggling to not start in blatant apprehension, but - Ely makes decisions for Ely. She’s not stupid. She has her reasons. Dhann takes the broad strap of the Bag held out to him and as he does, makes sure to brush his hand against the Warlock’s to transfer a glow of Resistance, unable to help himself as he says softly, anyway, “Careful.” He then slings the Bag over his head and across his chest, securing it under his shield arm.

She feels the warmth of assistance and nods. "Yeah. Sure. I'm just gonna... just need to talk to..." Ely swears under her breath in Elvish, irritation evident as she turns away from Dhann. As she exits the range of the Sanctum's effects, the Half-elf locks eyes with Aiden, winks at him and disappears around the corner.

Sitting down near to Ander and Rascal should they need anything, Dhann holds the Bag of Holding on his lap while he takes stock of what energy he has remaining, for what spells. Most will be used towards healing, if it's needed...the more he thinks about it, the more it sounds like the Rasa is going to be relentless in its pursuit of one of them, or all of them. It's only a matter of time, really. And if they pursue it, instead. Magic, magic...

It occurs to him, then, that he hasn't used the Radiant Sphere since the Roa- in a while. But technically, even if it was in some other space - wherever that place may have been, he did use it, Helm then pulling the thrown light into his own hand, making it brighter, before tossing it back. I did summon that same light back to my palm, Dhann muses...maybe it...? Holding his right palm up, he crooks his fingers slightly to manifest one of the three glowing spheres he knows the Glove bolsters.

Barrett returns to the room they've huddled in, noting that Ely is still somewhere outside the Sanctum's influence.  He's about to announce that the storm looks natural but very large - it's covering at least four separate biomes within the Feywild at the same time - but sees that Dhann is concentrating on something else at the moment. The others look occupied as well, and he decides to hold his observation for later.  Besides, he doesn't really know what "normal" is for the Feywild; maybe a storm like this is a common occurrence. "Probably not," he thinks. He moves to the rug and sits in his meditation pose facing the open-side of the house.  He can feel the temperature in the room has dropped a little with a slight breeze blowing through, but at least the rain isn't coming in. As he returns to collecting his ki and recovering his strength for whatever is next, he reaches out again to find the feymagic connection between himself and the Rasa. Whether the next move is to pursue it or evade it, knowing where it is will certainly be helpful.

Watching a ball of light suddenly illuminate from Dhann's palm, Aiden's eyes grow wide. "How are you doing that?"

Dhann’s eyes flick over to see Rascal’s own glowing bright with curiosity as they watch the humming ball of light. “Neat, huh?” Dhann says, moving his hand in a small, slow circle, so the hovering orb follows along. “I’m able to do this because of the energy my deity blesses me with.” He stills his hand; the hum of the Radiant light is gentle in the space and helps to distract from the thunder rumbling outside of the house. “This is special spell, so I try not to use it too often. But to do it, I think about what spell I want to use, and I trust that the energy I have knows what I want it to do.” He smirks a little, thinking, I also pray a lot, but not everyone gets their energy that way.

"That's pretty cool! I can make light too! Ah, but not when I'm like this." He wiggles his own gloved human hands. "But I'm good at other things. Ander knows." He looks at Ander and then turns back to Dhann, not waiting for a reply. "Yep, I am. So. What are you gonna do with the light? Right now?"

“You’re good at being quick, that’s certain. It’s thanks to you and Ely we got that hourglass so quickly.” Dhann frowns a little at the light. “Well…I haven’t used this spell in some time, so I wanted to see if it might have changed at all. The spell is meant to be thrown, but I won’t be doing that indoors.” He bounces the hovering light slightly, and then gives a little toss into the air before dropping his hand and recalling the light back to shimmer in its original position a little above his palm. “So to answer your question, I first wanted to see if it looked any…brighter than it used to. You can prestidigitate color, yeah? That’s a useful spell! And a quick one. So it fits you, if that’s the spell you’ve got.”

"Yeah I can do that, presti-- presti-- what you said. It's bright already. Is it hot? Can I touch it?"

Dhann shakes his head, but not in a scolding way. "No, it might burn you if you do. See how I can hold it, but it doesn't touch my hand?" He splays his fingers to give full visible access of the light. "Magic is clever and most of the time, knows how to behave. It's as if this light, here, knows it will hurt me if it gets closer, even if I asked it to be here." He then holds his hand over the light, as if the orb is suspended rather than floating. "But if I throw it at a target, it'll do its best to hit where I want it to. We work together that way."

"Oh. Like Ander's daggers."

"Just like that."

Despite the Cleric's warnings, Aiden reaches out toward the ball. He doesn't get close enough to touch it, but does reach toward it. "Whoaaa..." As Aiden's hand nears the ball, the light glows slightly brighter and hovers higher in Dhann's hand. It is almost as if it has grown. As the two watch, it seems to continue to grow and rise. Soon, the ball of radiance leaves Dhann's hand and floats idly toward Aiden and changes hues slowly.

“Ah-“ Dhann flexes his fingers and mentally calls out as he’s done before, to try and bring the orb closer to him, away from Rascal. “Don’t touch it, okay?” If Rascal gets hurt, it won’t be a Rasa that the Cleric is worried about.

Watching the orb intently, Aiden clearly WANTS to touch it. But, for now, he heeds the cleric's warnings. "What is it doing?"

“I don’t know…” Dhann answers as he shifts a little closer to both Rascal and the light, to both a better view of the radiance as well as get in between, if…well, if he needs to. “It certainly seems interested in you, though.” The Cleric slowly reaches out his finger to see if the magic moves away from him.

The orb and the boy move further into the center of the room. It seems to be leading and Aiden seems to be following in some sort of circle in the middle of the room.

What- Dhann flips to Sylvan without really realizing, sensing that this light is absolutely not what he has summoned before - he doesn’t know if it’s the place they’re in, something he did, or something else, but it’s not a Radiant Sphere. [“Hey, Rascal, careful-“] And then, at the orb: [“Hello? I, ah - don’t think we’ve…met.”] He stands, shifting the Bag of Holding to hang a bit behind him so that both his hands are free, and takes a step or two towards the light.

The orb suddenly glows a bright green color and then moves terribly fast toward Aiden, striking him in the chest. Aiden calls out in shock but, instead of feeling pain, begins to glow bright green light, as if he absorbed the orb and is now emitting the light, himself. Aiden blinks and light beams from his eyes, his arms and legs are simply glowing in a bright green light. Seeing the light emanating from his hands, Aiden reaches up and holds out his palm and a blast of green light leaves his hand and strikes the wall, leaving a mark of destruction. Then another and another. None are very dangerous blasts but all do SOME damage to the walls. Aiden throws his head back in laughter. Ander, seeing his younger friend's laughter also begins to cackle.

Oh fuck. 

[“Woah-“] Dhann’s thoughts are both screaming and blank as he approaches the boy, hand outstretched to try, once again, to recall the light. [“Why don’t we wait for Ely to get back before we try that again, huh?”] And to Ander, a little urgently, [“Do you recognize this?”]

On turning to face and question Ander, Dhann notices the boys fingers outstretched just a little. He pulls them in and places his hands in his lap with a chuckle and the light in Aiden fades immediately. Seeing the obvious anger on the Cleric's face, Ander blushes a little. "What? I was just having a little fun!"

"Besides, I had a theory I needed to test out so it was perfect! As it turns out, I can enhance other magic here. Make it stronger. Well, radiant magic anyway. That's what we just tested, wasn't it?"

“Yes.” Falling back into Common, Dhann’s voice is a little clipped. “A projectile spell, pure Radiance.”

Still chuckling sheepishly, "Yeah and I gave it to Aiden. Well, first I made it bigger and changed the color and moved it around, but that was just for fun. THEN I gave it to Aiden."

Sensing Dhann's mood doesn't seem to be improving rapidly, Ander apologizes. "Sorry. Ok, I'm sorry. I just get bored sometimes and sitting around this house in the rain is boring. I know we have to rest up in case the Rasa comes again or in case we have to attack it but... well, I was just having fun. I'm sorry I interrupted you." The boy does indeed look remorseful which he is surprisingly good at.

Rascal’s fine. Ander’s fine. Kids and their tricks, that’s all it was. “I understand boredom, Ander. I really do. But sometimes it’s necessary to sit for a while, in it, to get to the next part of whatever happens.” Dhann holds a serious expression for a moment more before his brow softens ever so slightly. He really does understand boredom, but still…

Meanwhile, the younger boy is ecstatic at the damage he just caused to the wall and is busily shooting his palm out in front of himself to try it again. "Oh, man! That was soo cool!" 

Looking down sheepishly, Ander absent-mindedly pulls on the locket around his neck. "I know, I know. But still, it is kinda cool that I can use other people's magic, right!? Well, at least, I can give it to Aiden. We've done it a few times with lightning. But now with radiance. That's kinda cool."

"I knew it was you! But why green?"

"I don't know, why not?"

Dhann moves to sit back against the wall he was at, where he has eyes on both of the boys, running a hand down his face. “It’s valuable knowledge. And an incredible skill. But I do wish you would tell us, sometimes, if you need to test something that might involve someone else.” Dhann eyes the locket, then looks back at Ander. “…does it have to be a spell that’s thrown, or any Radiance manifested?”

"I guess I don't really know. Engle has never let us just play around with it. He always makes us focus on tactics and skill. He doesn't really like...well, he's kinda like you...he doesn't really like surprises. And when I told Elminster about it, he said I was probably just seeing magic crossing or something. He didn't believe it could be done. But, basically, when somebody starts using magic, I can move it to another person to use. And I can usually make it stronger."

Dhann sighs. “I don’t really like surprises, no. But what you’re talking about, that could…it could be useful, truly, and it would be good if you knew how to control it. Maybe next time, we can use a source magic that doesn’t have a daily limit.” The Cleric raises a brow at Ander, knowing that while he might disregard them from time to time, the youngest Blackwood is familiar with limits.

"Yeah! Oh, sorry," Ander says. "Is there anything we could practice with right now? So far the only thing I know won't work is healing magic because I tried it."

Hmm… “Only Radiant magic and lightning seem to work?” 

"Well, healing magic doesn't. That's all I know for sure."

“I only have spells right now that would be Radiant, unless you’ve not tried to pass Guidance or Resistance to someone else. Z or Barrett would have other kinds of magic for you to experiment with. Ely, too, when she’s not busy.”

"Yeah, we'll see. Might be fun to try!"

“Yes, it might be.” Now if only Dhann's heart would stop pounding.

Barrett thinks for a moment, and then makes a decision on spells. “Okay, Ander, see what you can do with this.” In rapid succession, he casts Thaumaturgy three times, causing harmless tremors in the ground, a breeze that blows down the stairs and counters the one from the storm for a moment, and the sounds of a flock of seagulls wheeling overhead.

Focusing quickly on Barrett and recognizing the spell cast, Ander is able to turn the breeze into a gust that knocks pictures off the window and turns over a bench in the foyer. There are no noticeable changes to the tremors or the seagulls. “I’m not very fast. I think if I knew what was coming, it might be easier, like if you held the spell or told me ahead of time. It is really hard to tune into it AND then do something with it.”

“Then try this one. I can hold it for a minute or so.” Barrett concentrates for a moment then creates a Minor Illusion of Lorna next to Dhann. It’s not lifelike, but the still, silent image is certainly recognizable. 

Aiden chucks a dagger at the illusion next to Dhann, but it lands flat, bouncing a bit and skidding towards Ander. "Rats!"

Soft footsteps round the corner as the Warlock returns to the main space of the dollhouse where everyone has gathered. She scans the room, eyebrows twitching as she observes what she can only describe as mild chaos. Barrett concentrating on an illusory form of Lorna, Ander staring at it intently and then her brother thrusting a dagger at it, poorly. 

Ignoring the moment, Ely steps closer before taking a resolute breath in and out. "Ah. So... plans have changed slightly. I can't go to Skabatha's. Right now. My patrons want me and Aiden to meet them in a grove half a day away. South. They say there's a weapon, a staff, that can help defeat the Rasa. And they're going to help me find it. And I'd..." She pauses, thinking, the recognizable scrunch of the eyebrows. "I don't know what we'll do about Skabs and Lorna's hourglass. And I don't remember what the timeline is on getting it to her and then the directions to Miridia and then finding the mythal seed. And I understand if that takes precedence over, uh, this issue with the Rasa coming after Rascal, so I'd understand if... what I'm trying to ask is... despite all that I'd appreciate if you all could come with us."

Focusing on the image and transforming it briefly into a mammoth, Ander drops his focus as soon as he here’s Elyana’s news. He stands and his posture, facial expression, and body language all change in an instant. “Elyana, I have so much respect for you and your powers. It is unsafe for us to leave this place until we know what we are doing about the Rasa. I know it is not my place, but I will not let Aiden out there without me at his side. I mean no disrespect but the Rasa is far more dangerous than I anticipated. And, to be honest, it scared me.” Ander’s height and face bear very little resemblance to the boy he once was.

Ander's demeanor changes so drastically, his words and actions sharpening instantly with a clear devotion to her brother's safety. The visual hits her in a way she hasn't felt in a very long time. It's enough to immediately quell the fleeting irritation she felt at his general outburst. It's moving actually. Looking up at him, she gives him a soft smile. "Then..." And she takes a step towards the much taller boy in front of her. "I'd like you to stay there. Don't think I'm not aware that Aiden spends a considerable amount of time away from me and someone else has been keeping an eye on him. But also," And her expression hardens to match Ander's warrior gaze, "Don't ever think for a second that I wouldn't consider his safety over anyone's, even my own."

"I asked my patrons and they described an ordered path that should help us avoid getting tangled with the Rasa again. This staff they suggested is what's supposed to help us defeat it. And they would guide us to that as well." 

"Half a day south? Barrett, I think that's almost exactly where we were, isn't it?"

Barrett thinks for a minute, then replies, “I think so.  You’re the ranger, so navigating on land is your gig, but yes, that’s what my internal sextant is telling me.” Then he adds, “But I also don’t have a feel yet for how close the ethereal plane and the Feywild align when it comes to geography and time.”

"Yeah, that's still weird for me. But," Ander turns to Elyana. "But, Elyana, thanks for trusting me. I know I'm not as trained and wise as all of you," he looks at Elyana, then Z, then Dhann, then Barrett, and back to Elyana, "But this thing is big and bad. And did we mention it has two heads? I don't know what advantages that gives it but, well, I don't trust anything with more than one head." He chuckles softly, clearly trying to lighten the mood somewhat.

Dhann stands and adjusts his holy symbol so that it's slung behind him, freeing his hands. "If this is what you need to do, Ely, then this is what we should do," He says, coming forward. It can't have been...simple for the Warlock to ask for help, in her own way. "As for the hourglass, the time taken in getting it to Skabatha wasn't specified as a part of the deal, and neither -" The Cleric pulls the strap of the Bag of Holding over his head, and holds the satchel out Ely. " - Was the route we should take back." He gives her a serious nod, before his face splits in a grin and he gives her a wink, before that stoicism comes back, but not quite so harshly.

Hearing Ander's description of the monster, Ely nods her head slowly. "Oh I know it does. You gave me a very detailed view with the message you sent earlier." And to Dhann's wink, she returns it with an exaggerated eye roll as she accepts the bag from him, but smiles nonetheless. "Ander? Do you have a way to see into the Ethereal Plane?" 

"I do, kind of. It is not as good as some other methods. I can kind of, lean into a plane but there is no real way to be sure of where I am or what I'm looking at without concentrating. It costs me if I lean in hard and gather details. Sometimes though, especially here, the ethereal plane shows itself to me when we're around a large source of magic. When that happens, I can see pretty clearly and pretty far."

Dhann turns to Ander, and says, "Is it a similar strain, like when you teleported? I want you to know I don't have the energy tonight to bring that strain to a lesser degree should you exhaust yourself. I'll need to rest longer to recover that spell." The Cleric crosses his arms, thinking. "I have enough diamond dust for two more restorations...And diamonds, if we have a way to crush them finely enough." And to Ely, "Your patrons told you of an "ordered" path? That's...a bit of an odd way to describe a path. I've learned True Seeing, as well, and can cast it on myself or anyone who's fine with having this, ah, rather nasty ointment smeared over their eyelids. I'd have to pray before a night's sleep for the proper manifestation of the magic, but I do have that in my repertoire of known spells.”

To Dhann's question, "I'm sorry. Maybe that was a bad choice of words. They said that if we follow the path, that it was an orderly thing to do. The Rasa seeks chaos and since following the path is orderly, we should avoid it. At least that's what they told me." Ely moves, venturing towards a spare piece of wall, where she can sit and figure out what the twinge of doubt in the back of her mind, means. "'Travel a half-day south and then follow the river east. You'll see a small grove. In the center of the grove, you will find us.' That's what they said."

Responding to Dhann, "Well if that's the case. Gross as it sounds, I'm willing to do so, when you have the energy. I'm asking because I want to know if we're being followed by the Rasa, even now, while we're in this house." 

After a very long pause, Elyana finds Ander's gaze, "I'm scared too. Terrified actually." Her eyes shift around to each of the others, filled with the resignation of someone who's chosen the uncertain but hopeful path. "My patrons...I've been having doubts, worries about their objectives. Despite those reservations, I still want to believe there was genuine concern in our talk because the alternative is...Well I asked you to come with us because, if I'm wrong, if my doubts are...then I'm hoping we won't have to face that alternative alone." 

Barrett is a bit confused by all the talk of patrons…he’s not had any experience with warlocks and how they operate. However, he does know allies. “Well, let’s not forget to gather Din, if she willing to fight with us.  Ander or Aiden, do either of you have more allies around the Fey who could join us?”

"Do you mean join us to fight the Rasa? Or to go to my patrons? Or to to find the staff?"

“Yes, that’s your call, and I thought the patrons were giving you the staff…or at least leading you to it.”

"They said they would lead me to it. But I don't know if it's near or far...And there might be more about the staff that I think my patrons haven't told me or maybe they don't know. I don't think I want people I don't know going with us for that. I asked you all because I trust you. I don't know Dindrin."

"Oh, Ely-" Dhann pulls out his Guardian Emblem from his healing components and walks it over to where the Warlock is sitting. "Would Rascal be interested in attuning to this? It might help." He holds out the little silver representation of Helm's Eye to Ely, tilting the item slightly as he regards it. "Lord Helm can be quite protective of children, too, so...it's got three uses a day. Rascal can keep it as long as he likes, or you think he should."

"I... That sounds great. If you'd like to give it to him." Ely looks across the way to Rascal. "I don't know if you've ever attuned to anything before buddy, but just need to spend some time with this."

"Sure." Dhann gives Ely a thoughtful glance before turning and holding the Emblem out to Rascal. "You know how you just have to think, to get your magic to do what you want? This works the same way, after you've gotten to know it. If you think you're about to be hit by something, and you want to feel a boost against it, you can do that three times with this. It only works against hits that are very strong, so be wise with your choices. You'll know what I mean, if you need to use it. And it can help keep others safer, too."

"I think Din would be willing to help if we need it. I think she'd love to fight the Rasa but, honestly, I'm not sure that's enough." Ander's face grows serious. "This thing is big."

-

Next Time On...

Rasa lot of information!