Death by Z [Session 91]

Current Situation

This session takes place 12 Mirtul, 1494
Having spent some time with Father Evencrest getting caught up on the events that have occurred over the past eighteen months, the Maybesitters are pulled outside into the night by a scream from below. When they realize Ely is not with them, they head into the streets for the trek north toward the scream, and, at the same time, toward their beloved Trollskull.

Session Summary

The group finishes speaking with Evencrest and in the meantime, both Barrett and Dhann have their constitutions restored, thanks to the availability of some acolytes with enough energy to cast Greater Restorations.
Evencrest gives Dhann permission to make a Waymarker within the Hall, saying that the location outside of the room that originally held Bran Blackwood's body is an appropriate place. It feels more like a temple in that area to make a shrine in, rather than one of the more common areas.
The door is still slightly open, and so it's easy to hear the sudden scream, even if faint, that carries up from the street outside. It's then noted that Ely has been gone for more than a couple of minutes. Dhann and Barrett immediately leave the room to look out into the hallway window, to the street, but can't see anything. Another scream, the same voice, and the sounds of a scuffle have everyone heading to investigate. Dhann thinks Ely is making her way, alone, to Trollskull to find Aiden and something may have happened.
Barrett tries to contact her with the iBone but there is no reply, concerning everyone greatly. The sounds of the confrontation are north of the group, coincidentally in the direction of Trollskull.
The state of the streets, now that they're seeing them firsthand, are functional, but there's a good amount of wreckage and refuse on the sides and in the gutters. It's clear Waterdeep is suffering. It even looks like there may be one or two bodies in the mess.
Barrett and Z take the high ground on the rooftops while Dhann stays in the street below, and they make their way north, with haste.
About a block north, the three come upon robed figures attacking an elderly woman, and with that, combat begins.
While Dhann focuses on attempting to deter the attackers, hitting but not working to wound, Z leaps for an archer for a tussle and Barrett, uncharacteristically uncommunicative, becomes immediately violent. An old woman and a young teenage boy are the two defending themselves from several of these robed thugs. Barrett causes massive damage, even taking Dhann by surprise with how lethally he's aiming his attacks.
One of the thugs, strangely, blurts out with surprise, "Who are you?!" and Dhann can tell from his accent that this man is a Waterdhavian. The Cleric snaps back, "Who are you? Attacking innocents." This confuses the thug and he repeats himself.
As the battle continues, an elderly man approaches from the north, joining up with the old woman and the boy, but the three don't flee. Something is off. Z is still grappling with an apprehended archer while Barrett is obliterating thugs left and right. Confused by this, and the fact the people they've helped aren't leaving, Dhann casts Spare the Dying on what people he can reach that Barrett has slain.
At this point, Z calls out that the archer he's grappled has told him the victims are actually demons, and it's at this time the fight takes a turn. At a momentary standstill, the three victims take advantage of everyone's impasse and begin attacking everyone. Barrett seems terribly confused and frustration and anger are stark on his face. Dhann is swarmed by the creatures, disguised as people, and Z leaps to help, tackling the older man and utilizing the Couatl whip. The thugs, now tentative allies, leap back into the fray, some of them healed by Dhann channeling divinity to save those downed already, and also himself as he takes significant damage from all sides. Furious, Barrett turns on those the group was originally trying to help.
As the "innocents" are taken down, their forms swirl into a black, hazy mist to reveal the bodies of Unknown, rather than normal people. Once this threat is gone, the roguish figures immediately stand to attention against Z, Barrett, and Dhann, demanding they identify themselves. Seeing an opportunity, Dhann ignores their demands and points to one of the rogues, who is very much dead, and asks if they want him to help the person. A woman, the one seemingly in charge, immediately says, "Yes!" and Dhann - although the magic is sluggish and hard to access - is able to cast Revivify, helped by Guidance from Barrett. The man is brought back to life and the woman is clearly emotional, embracing him and kissing his forehead. Whoever they are, the two are close.
One of them asks where Renaer is, and it happens that at this time, Barrett sees and Ki-heals another rogue that was badly wounded in the fray. Upon waking, the man's hood falls back and with the full head of red hair, Barrett recognizes Renaer Neverember. The noble has clearly been through much in the past year and a half, a new scar gracing his right cheek and he's definitely lost weight. Barrett drops Seeming on himself and Renaer expresses stunned joy at seeing the Monk, then the Seemed Z and Dhann, and quickly clarifies the situation.
The rogues are his people, and they work to clear the streets of Waterdeep at night to try and keep the city as safe as possible. They haven't seen anything of Elyana.
Renaer says they should meet at his place, Ember House, later to swap information and catch up. Durnan is supposed to be there the next day, and potentially Mirt.
He recommends using the rooftops as much as possible to travel by, as the monsters don't often go up there, seeming to prefer to stick to the streets. Only once every tenday or so do any sort of flying creatures make an appearance, and they seem easier to avoid.
Dhann tries Ely on the iBone again, but there's still no response.
Dhann asks Renaer if there's anything about Trollskull Alley they should know, as that's where they're headed. Renaer then reveals that Erky is still in the Tavern and has been there for some time. Renaer teaches the group a secret knock to use on the front door to signal that they can be let in, or the door at least answered. Dhann also tells Renaer that Evencrest knows they're back, but that Durnan and Mirt still need to know. Renaer is supposed to see those two tonight, so will inform them of the Trollmates' return to Waterdeep.
It's decided that Dhann and Z will ride on Magic "Pet" Carpet while Barrett sprints across the rooftops. Dhann is looking pretty rough, so Barrett passes over a Superior healing potion, and downing it, Dhann looks and feels significantly better. The three part ways with Renaer and his crew, and set off towards Trollskull.
Along the way, Barrett sees one more of Renaer's group of people, but no interaction is had. In the streets, every four or five blocks are monsters. It even seems that the old woman and child are copied through the streets. Ghosts are visible amongst other dark creatures. The group on the rooftops are about to engage with another monster on the roofs.
As they approach Trollskull Alley, the three of them see that the top two stories of their tavern are utterly gone. The amount of destruction in the alley is terrible. The entire alley is trashed, except for a roughly cleaned place in the center of the once-clean shops.
In the very center of the alley is a statue of Ander Blackwood, roughly carved from stone. In one upraised hand he holds his sword aloft, while in the other, Ghost is taking flight from the hand of the Planeskeeper.
As soon as they're low enough to the ground, Dhann hops off of Pet, hastens to the front door of the Tavern and raps out the knock Renaer just showed them. After a small amount of time, the door cracks open, and a singular eye peeks out. Recognizing Erky, Dhann drops Seeming and says, "Well met, head of house." It takes a moment but then Erky slams the door shut, the sounds of multiple locks being thrown before he goes to open the door wide, but then pauses, instead reaching out to pull Dhann through the door. Barrett and Z follow and Erky is throwing embraces, overjoyed to see the three of them.
The foyer is incredibly dark, but upon leading them through another door, Z, Barrett and Dhann are welcomed home into the first floor of their Tavern, candles lit, fire in the hearth, and while the place is a bit messy, it's home. Compared to the outside, this is a wholeheartedly welcome improvement. It's extremely similar if not handled in the same way the defenses of Mirt's Hunting Lodge are organized.
Erky hasn't seen Ely, and Z uses Locate Object on Ely's pearl, catching a ping down and most likely in the sewers. The ping is strong, so she's likely very close. Erky gives them a small, golden key to a grate nearby, telling the group it's often used by them and to be careful.
Heading back out, they pass the statue of Ander again. It's a sobering sight. A small plaque at the base of it reads:
- "Highharvesttide 1493 - In Memory of the Hero of Waterdeep"
The Blackwood family crest is present on the plaque, but Ander is not named directly as the "Hero of Waterdeep." There are tiny offerings around the statue that have gathered overtime.
Heading into the sewer, the three of them find that the tunnels are quite clean of monsters as compared to the last time they were down here. It's as if the people have learned to use these as a safer mode of travel than the streets above and so work to keep the system clean, or cleaner, of what would otherwise be standard dangers.
Z lets the other two know that Ely's location remains unchanged. Barrett tries once again to reach Ely on the iBone, and she finally responds. "Wait where you are, I found him. Don't come in." Barrett, still high strung, punches the wall while Z is content to wait for Ely to meet them, respecting her request, and Dhann prays quietly to himself.
After a little while, Ely turns the corner down the tunnel and in one hand, has a hold of Aiden, and in the other, Squiddly is in her grasp. Both boys look relatively well, if not a bit muddied from frequenting the sewers. Both are chatting excitedly, updating the group on how they've been. Z suggests talking in the Tavern, but Squiddly grows immediately nervous at the idea of leaving the sewers.
It's revealed that Nat is suspected to be ensnared in the cult, while Jenks died in the battle that took place in Trollskull Alley. Hearing Aiden recounting this, Squiddly bursts into tears. Dhann comforts him as best he can with a hug, and Barrett helps recenter both boys by handing them confections from the Witchlight Carnival. It's clear now to everyone that Squiddly feels safer in the sewers. Aiden, meanwhile, often goes between the tunnels and the Tavern - almost every day.
Aiden and Squiddly have constructed a fort within a room in the sewers and it's clear they've lived here for quite some time. Squiddly avoids Trollskyll Alley entirely. Ely casts Protection from Evil and Good on him before they head back to the surface.
Aiden proudly leads the group back through the sewers to the grate, enthusiastically taking the role of leader. He points out a particularly dark corner in the wreckage of the Steam and Steel "That you have to really look at! You might miss something." Tonight, the corner holds no monsters.
In the short amount of time between leaving Trollskull and coming back, Erky's stoked up the hearth and the place is full of delicious smells from the kitchen. It's clear he's thrilled with having them back, alive, and being able to serve them again in their home.
Dhann asks if Maran is there, and if he can see him, and Erky says yes, but "You should know, he's not well." Maran sits in front of the fire, clutching The Blackstaff in a twohanded, iron grip and staring into the hearth. He makes no move to greet the group and is utterly silent. Even from his seated position, it's clear he's gotten even taller, clearing six feet in height. Erky tells them all he really does anymore is sit, and that he hasn't spoken since Ander died. On his right wrist, is Ander's Beaded Bracelet.
Erky says that Ander had become seen as the savior of Waterdeep, even having fans and a following as people placed more and more of their hope (and pressure) on him. The battle with Drezlin lasted two hours. The people had rallied behind him, and when he was struck down, the rage of the people was so great that it seemed they would even tear Drezlin to pieces if he hadn't fled.
It even seemed that Drezlin was dead at some point, but upon Ander turning his back, Drezlin seemed to come back to life, and a "massive, black sphere of some kind, like a fireball" descended from the sky, striking Ander and obliterating him into shadow, nothingness. "He was just...gone." All that remains is his sword hilt, a scrap of his sleeve, and his bracelet.
Erky recounts that when Ander turned, the Gnome saw Drezlin sit up, and he called out to Ander to warn him but wasn't fast enough. Drezlin straightened, and seem to "throw" the fireball. It seemed to almost pass through Ander, turning everything to black, even his skin. It almost looked like he teleported, but in pieces. His sword was flung from one hand, his bracelet, from the other. The ball seemed to come from the clouds, which were thick at that point. Drezlin was wearing gloves, or gauntlets, one on each hand and neither matched the other. Dhann asks if it looks like his Glove, but Erky was too far to see much detail. The group would learn more from talking to others who were there.
Erky explains that Mirt is responsible for the defenses of the Tavern, making it look ruined from the outside while the first two floors are maintained quite well. He points out a device of Mirt's, an innocuous vase which is what makes the Tavern look as badly as it does when viewed from the street. It's one vase from a set, the other still at the Lodge. The foyer is to keep anyone seeing inside the Tavern properly when the front door is open.
Barrett asks Dhann if he can sense any Shadow on Maran, and a quick check with the Eye shows Maran to be "clean" as far as Dhann can tell. The buzz in his hand from the Shadow over the city is uncomfortable but other than that, Dhann senses no Shadow in the near vicinity.
Conversation winding down, Dhann kneels in front of Maran and places his right hand on the boy's shoulder. Maran doesn't react at all. Dhann then bows his head and entreats Helm for a potential intervention. "Can you fix him? Please fix him," Dhann asks silently. Recognizing Dhann's posture and silence as similar to how he prayed during the approach of Lythis and the swarm, Barrett touches Dhann's shoulder for some Guidance from Valkur while Z strums his lute for potential aid and inspiration.
More time passes, to the point where the Guidance would fade and the pleasant music from Z becomes more the center of attention when Dhann suddenly feels Maran go lax under his hand, dropping into sleep as if a spell had been cast. Erky jumps forward to grab the Blackstaff before it falls, remarking that the only time Maran lets go of it is when he's asleep - and even then, Maran rarely sleeps normally anymore. He's often up late into the night and resting during the day.
While at first Dhann senses nothing, more worried that the prayer did nothing or if it was actually answered, but then slowly he feels that blue, protective warmth around him, that he felt before upon waking up buried in the crate. Dhann can feel, whatever that comfort is, extending through him to Maran. At this time, Maran just seems to be peacefully and deeply asleep.
Z wishes for a bath and a bed, and Barrett thinks they should bed down for the night in the Tavern. Everyone could use some rest.
Dhann speaks up then, saying that while he hates making the conversation about him, he had told Barrett that if anything odd were to happen again with his prayers, that he would tell the group. He goes on to describe the "unknown presence, that's just a feeling, but a good feeling." It doesn't seem to have a mind, but it feels safe. But it's not Helm. At all. The concern that something else answered is balanced with how comforting and safe this unknown thing is.
Barrett, serious but with a singular tear of joy and acceptance, places a hand on Dhann's shoulder and expresses how grateful he is that Dhann has shared this with the group, trusting them enough to do so, especially given how confusing these other deities answering Dhann must be. He then steps quietly back, nodding.
Everyone settles down for the night in the common room. Erky brings out home cooking for everyone and it's the first meal back at home, making it one of the best meals they've had. Dhann makes a space for himself next to Maran's couch so that as soon as he wakes up, Dhann will know. No watch is set, as Erky has the place well fortified and everyone is exhausted. Trollskull feels safe while the darkness of everything is heavy on everyone's minds, the group is able to unwind somewhat.
Erky had been able to keep Trollksull open for a bit, but as time wound on, let most of the staff go when it seemed none of the Trollmates were able to return. He still has ways to get in touch with the ones still employed. All of the neighbors in the Alley are gone, whether the folk are dead, in the cult, or have left the city. Erky has no more details on any of them. The emptiness of the Alley helps as it keeps those within the Tavern, safer. "I'm...I'm so glad to have you home. Let's not do that again. It's too long to be apart from friends."
Erky has been to Mirt's once, but "early on." He and Maran were there for a while and haven't told anyone they're back in the Tavern. Not even Evencrest knows the Tavern can house anyone. As far as the Father knows, Erky and Maran aren't in Waterdeep.
Erky piled up the teleportation circle in the basement as it felt better, safer, to keep it covered. Dhann mentions he can try to make a Waymarker in the Tavern. The fact, though, that Dhann could scry the basement has Erky comment that scrying into the Tavern is possible.
The group lets Erky know that if he sees a snowy owl around Mirt's, specifically with a vest, to keep an eye on him as the group needs him alive.
The group lets Erky know, too, that Renaer, Mirt, Durnan, and Evencrest would be the only ones knowing they're back in Waterdeep and Erky thinks that group should be the only group to know.
Erky doesn't know where Ander, Maran, Elminster, and Blackstaff went but Ander left some information behind that didn't need consulting because Ander and Maran were back so quickly. Erky knows Elminster is trapped and Blackstaff is dead.
Erky comments that he hasn't seen Maran sleep so peacefully since he saw Ander killed. His sleep since then had been fitful, interrupted by nightmares, or nonstop tossing and turning. It looks like Maran is either in an extremely deep sleep or something bordering on a trance. The group will have to wait for him to wake up before seeing what the results of the Divine Intervention are, but hopefully they're good.
Dhann explains the time discrepancy to Erky through their plane travels, which Erky nods at, now having a better understanding of what transpired from the Trollmates' side of events.

Barrett rises from floor after speaking with Dhann. He's still in complete amazement that the young cleric shared that much detail with them. He hopes his response, clumsy as it was, conveys his sincere gratitude at the trust it must have taken to be that open.

As he rises, he notices that Maran's death grip on the Blackstaff has indeed loosened and that the boy seems to have found some peace. He's about to turn away when he suddenly stops and looks at the staff again. He moves a bit closer and raises a hand to touch it...but thinks better of it and gently pulls back. His eyes meet Dhann's for a moment, and then he turns and crosses the room to Ely. Keeping his voice soft so as not to disturb Maran, he asks, "I assume you still have the Per Historia Arcandor Materia. Let's take a look at what it has to say about that staff. I'll help you find it."

Ely is standing quietly, her hand still holding Aiden's tightly while he talks her ear off, and his hand still gesturing as he does. Elyana barely makes eye contact with Barrett when he approaches. The look of relief that adorned her face changes to something like a child about to be scolded. She nods slowly at his suggestion. After a moments hesitation, and a look around the room, she lets go of Aiden's hand. The boy bounds off towards Erky without a care, it seems. Ely pulls the Bag of Holding off her shoulder and summons the book from it. The Arcandor feels heavier than she remembers but she manages to hold it in one arm and crack it open.

Barrett watches her flip through the pages. Despite the dark news they've absorbed in the last few hours, he's surprised that Ely isn't more joyous over Aiden being safe and, by all evidence, thriving in this environment. He attempts to lighten the mood by commenting, "We really need to give this book to Mrs. Rengar for a few weeks and let her create a proper index. It would make looking things up sooo much easier."

"Yes, that would." It's a quiet response, distracted while looking through the many pages. Ely pauses and then continues back through the pages she's already passed.

Dhann, still seated on the floor next to the divan where Maran has fallen asleep, is silent. He stares into the fire, his countenance slightly darkened with thoughtfulness. It's a face the others are quite familiar with now, especially after Dhann speaks up about himself, or about his faith. And with the addition of all of the information and experiences of the past few hours, the thinking is especially heavy. Even for all of the scrapes, dirt, blood, soreness and information, sorrow, loss...being seated in their common room - that just a little while ago, wasn't supposed to exist anymore - is a comfort. Like the blue presence that Dhann doesn't understand, flowing through him for a second time, and extending to Maran...seeing Elyana and Aiden, safe...the look on Barrett's face. Ander-

The Cleric stands abruptly but quietly, the need for even a small amount of movement amidst the thoughts and theories pressing on Dhann's mind. He scrounges up some blankets, carefully draping one over Z, one over Maran, and leaving a couple more within reach of Elyana and Barrett as they look through the Historia. He sits again on the floor, by the middle Blackwood, and lays his gauntlets in his upturned shield next to him. Dhann looks over at Maran's relaxed face, and doesn't see anything new to worry him...But his plea to Helm, answered again, by something else entirely...not knowing just what Maran's state will be when he wakes up...Dhann doesn't plan on moving from this spot.

I have so many questions.

Dhann leans back a bit against the divan, wincing slightly as he bumps what's probably a spectacular bruise along his side, but is able to get comfortable enough. He slips his right hand into one of Maran's. The direct contact feels important. Another comfort. Another way of seeing someone. If Maran so much as twitches, Dhann wants to know immediately.

The thinking commences again with Dhann's eyes returning to the fire. He has some theories to pitch to the others, but will wait until they're finished finding what they can. Dhann can't believe Ander is gone. He can't believe this is all chance. That they're not all here for a reason, or many. And he can't help but send another heart delivered thanks to Helm...and whatever, whoever, answered this time.

Two more flips of a page and Ely, with Barrett's assistance, finds what they are looking for: The Blackstaff. As she stands there, it occurs to her, vaguely, that she's seen this entry before, what feels like years ago. Her fingers trail the rough scratches of the writing etched into the page and then with some effort she holds up the Historia higher so Barrett can have a better look. "Mrs. Rengar would love this book."

There's a long pause before she makes an effort to take in the terrible state of her friends. Soaked in blood, covered in wounds, while she looks fine for the most part. Her eye catches the Monk's red stained gi, and she reaches her free hand to touch the cloth of his arm. "This would be easier if you were angry with me. I'm always expecting you to be upset with me," She whispers quietly. The grime and blood around her hand dissipates with a soft blue glow. It's a wider area than she been able to cleanse before. "I deserve that much at least, maybe more." With a few more casts most of blood is cleansed away. "I'm sorry but I can't take the stains away." She pulls her fingers back. "I'm sorry." A part of her doesn't know where her apology will land with Barrett. This Barrett. A part wishes she understood more of what happened so she could give him a better one. "Yeah... I... This is it." She falters and points at the passage in the book.

At first, Barrett is so focused on the book that he almost misses the apology. “Don’t worry about it,” He replies, still scanning the page, “A little blood and grime will probably help us blend in around here now that--” The full weight and meaning of her words sink in. It’s not her apology which brings him up short, nor her expectation that he would always be upset with her. Rather, it is the fact that he truly isn’t upset with her. Why? He instantly knows why. It sparked coldly inside him when Evencrest said that Ander was dead. It turned hot in the street when it had a target, an outlet. Now, after Erky’s firsthand account of the events…well, there’s no mistaking the icy flames of despair. His finger slides off the page as he contemplates this new reality…a reality without Ander. How to put it into words that she might understand?

“First, absolutely no apology is necessary, Ely.” A good start, he hopes. And if it is not good, at least it is honest.

“I understand your bond with Aiden - I really do. Even so, I probably can’t fully grasp the panic you felt, not knowing exactly where he was when we awoke. I thought we made it clear that finding him was the top priority and that as soon as it was light, we were coming here to do just that." He takes some of the weight of the Historia off Ely, holding half of it himself. “But if I didn’t communicate that strongly enough, then I’m the one who should be sorry.”

He’s still speaking low but he knows Dhann can easily read his lips. He hopes the cleric is doing just that. “And in the past, when my mission was Ander, I would have been upset had you impulsively run off, jeopardizing yourself and dividing the team and endangering the mission. But now, if there’s no Ander…” His eyes drop to the page of the book, but the words seem to swirl out of focus for him. He pauses for a long moment, swallowing hard a few times. “And I’m not saying I totally believe he’s gone yet. I still want to see his artifacts and visit the spot where he died. I want you to use your connection to him to see what you can learn. Maybe have Aiden try to contact him, or contact Ghost. And we need to check out those journals and talk to everyone, but…”

He lifts his eyes again to meet Ely’s. Although the elf has always been the oldest member of the party, his eyes now seem to reveal a lot of years and lot of miles which weren’t visible before. “But if Ander really is gone, then where’s the hope?” He glances down again and pauses. But this time when he looks up, his eyes reveal a little of the passion they once held. “And if that’s the case, Elyana, then you keep Aiden as close as you can. You continue to be reckless and impulsive and whatever else you need to be to keep him safe. I will only be upset at you if you don’t.”

Ely's brow twitches at his words. They hurt. Like someone taking a mirror to the very thing she's pained herself over for years. Did he think she didn't care? Did he think she hadn't believed that they were there for her, for Aiden. Of course he would. Look at what she did.

There was a time when she did think that way, but now the idea rings out like alarm bells. She can't help but feel dejected by the thought, responding desperately. "No. You're-- you're wrong. Yes, I love him and yes, I will protect him no matter what but... there was something else. It wasn't impulse." She relinquishes all responsibility of holding the book to Barrett now looking at her hands, seeing black feathers in her mind's eye. How could she explain what she didn't fully understand?

"It felt like something deep inside had taken over and I didn't really know what was happening until I was absolutely sure he was safe. And I'm relieved he's okay, but I can't protect him and sacrifice what I have with you. I can't and I don't want to. You all are all I have and," Golden eyes connect with green. "I don't want to endanger, or jeopardize, or compromise any of that. I am sorry." She glances briefly at Aiden and then down to her feet. Hands clasp in front, whispering still.

"If Aiden had died...I would give up too and I would make sure everything hurt as much as I was. But I'd still have you all to help me find hope again, eventually. Ander, dead or alive, would want the same for you. He was not the mission, but he was the hope. And if he's gone, then we have to step up. I have to be better. So again, for what happened... and what it made you think of me and how I feel about this group, I am truly sorry." There's a moment when her boots shift on the floor like she's going to leave, escape from the oversharing of this moment, but she doesn't. She holds her head low and bows. It's the only thing she can think to do, to show that she's serious, however way he may take it.

Dhann's pale gaze, for once, doesn't avert from the words being exchanged. There seems to be a sort of understanding in the air, somehow, that what's being said is for everyone. It feels like a lifetime ago that he asked Lady Blackwood a question, when she'd lost her hope.

"What is hope, if it's not shared?"

Hope is lost, if you don't show it to others. And hope is abandoned, if you don't pick it up after someone might leave it behind. You give it a home, and warmth, until it is ready to be shared. And when it’s shared, hope is alive. The Cleric's mouth ticks up in a small, one-sided smile. A little foolish, a little wise. It's a hopeful expression.

Barrett inhales, then sighs deeply. It's not the discussion with Ely that has worn him down, and he needs her to know that. But first things first. "Ely, if you feel you need to apologize, then I accept your apology. Even if I don't think I - we - are owed one, it would be wrong for me not to acknowledge and accept it." He says this, gesturing towards Dhann and the curled up Z.

"I'm just...I'm just tired, you know? Maybe it's because these old bones have been immobile for over a year and I'm feeling that inactivity. Maybe it's because we've had to absorb so much information - most of it bad - in the last few hours. Maybe it was that skirmish in the street. I know we haven't given you the details yet, but we made it tougher - well, I made it tougher - than it needed to be. Maybe it's finding out that we've lost so many friends and are probably going to find out, in the days to come, that we've lost many more." After a glance at Aiden and Maran, he adds, "The only two bright spots have been finding Aiden and maybe this thing with Maran, although time will tell exactly what happened and what the cost might be."

"So, both of you," He says, making eye contact with Dhann for a moment, "Please forgive my mood at the moment. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

Ely straightens up from the bow, slowly. The faint blue light of her pearl peeks out through her bangs. There's a softness in her gaze as she watches Barrett. She nods. It's clear Ely has yet to process anything outside of what's happened in the last half hour or so. The gruesome details of endless tragedy were heard and not yet felt. Nonetheless, she's familiar with that look in the Monk's eyes. Her arms come up, but hesitation stops her short and she wraps them around herself. She takes a step back and nods at his words again, "I understand and thank you."

"I'll help in whatever way you need." Moving away, the sudden memory of her last real conversation with Ander flashes across Ely's mind. When he took her to find Cerionis and he opened up about being afraid to die. She didn't have the words to help him either and regrets not doing more for him then. It's with that familial desire to protect someone from the pain within that Ely allows herself to step forward again, duck under the huge tome in Barrett's hands and hug him.

Barrett isn't completely surprised by Ely's embrace, as they shared an honest, tender moment once before in the dojo above their heads, despite the friction that always seemed to exist between them. That morning seems like years ago...and in one way, it probably was. This time-jump thing, and the implications of it, makes Barrett's head hurt. Looking over her head at Dhann, he motions for the cleric to come take the book from his hands. When Dhann responds, he returns Ely's platonic embrace, using one hand to smooth her tangled hair.

He'll let her stay there as long as she needs, but his eyes lock with Dhann's and silently say, "We've got to keep an eye on this one."

Dhann doesn't say anything as he hefts the Historia into his own arms, and silently takes his place back at Maran's side. He settles the book in his lap, and glances at Ely, to meet Barrett's look with one of his own, his eyes reflecting, "Yes, we do."

The Cleric’s eyes linger, for just a moment, before Dhann turns his attention away from his two friends, to provide them privacy from at least himself, and he opens the Historia to the place Ely indicated. He refreshes his memory on what they’ve already learned, but then his gaze lands attentively on the messier entries…no, not messy - intentionally jumbled. Almost unthinkingly, Dhann’s pulling a bit of parchment and a charcoal pencil from one of his belt pouches. He gives Maran another checking look, then, hunkers studiously over the giant tome. After only a few moments, he’s clearly lost in the task at hand, much like he was over Nihiloor’s journal all those months ago.

As Dhann dives deep into the book, Erky busy's himself quietly picking up dishes, refilling mugs with fresh drinks, and begins quietly preparing for a larger feast in the morning. He rummages through cabinets and cupboards, many of which seem pretty well stocked, and begins gathering larger pans. Within a few moments, everyone smells the familiar smell of yeast as Erky's bread begins to rise.

Standing in that embrace, thoughts collide as other concerns now fight to settle into the void left by one that feels somewhat resolved; this divide between her and Barrett. It felt closer, not fixed or back to the way it had once been, but not as far apart as she worried they'd continue to grow. Their relationship was the product of contrasting ages and experiences, mixed with an obvious need to protect what was theirs. Or so Ely imagined from her side of the coin, what was hers. She'd never believe that this time six months a- no almost two years ago, would she have embraced the idea that she could find, connect with, and come to love a group of people the way she did the Trollmates. It was a dream that didn't exist because she didn't dream for the impossible, like ever seeing Aiden as a boy or being able to carve her own path. And while the imminent heartache of Ander's death and the loss of all of their friends will inevitably settle into that available void, Elyana can not let it stop her from enjoying the few good things she has left. She will cry for them later. Tonight she needs to prepare, for tomorrow she has something to celebrate.

Ely steps away from Barrett, appreciative that he accepted her hug instead of dismissing it. A gesture that means more to her than she thinks Barrett could ever know. "I have something I need to do, so I'll leave the book up to you all for now." She starts walking towards the kitchen and then stops, clarifying, "I'm not going anywhere, I just need to see a Gnome about a pie." The smell of Erky's bread has given her an idea.

Next Time On...

Everyone safe and as sound as possible within the comforts of home, the group waits to see what the morning brings. Whether good news, or bad, they brace themselves for whatever might greet them. Everything is worse at night, true, but everything is also better with good food, a roaring hearth, and friends.

Death by Z [Session 91]

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