This is a very long story I wrote from a roll play that was done on Discord. It is from a D&D campaign called The Hunt for the Axe (which is still in process and still being written). The names below are the character names, not the names of the players.\u00a0 I am not the creator of The Hunt, just merely a player.<\/p>\n
The background: our adventurers are in a town called Hollowtown. They’ve been there for a little while, and have decided that, while convenient, the tavern isn’t where they need to be long term, as it looks as if they are here to stay. They want some place more secure and a little more private. They have heard of a manor house on the hill that is for sale … cheap … and decide to go take a look.\u00a0 As they get to the house, a mist rolls in.\u00a0 This is what happens.<\/p>\n
Who is who:<\/p>\n
Miracan – Drow Gloom Stalker Ranger, doesn’t speak common, has Blaze translate for him. Is relatively new to the surface.
\nGalruin – Aarakocra Monk (Tinker, Linguist, Calligrapher), likes inventions and making things
\nWrenn – Rock Gnome Wizard, is very inquisitive almost to the point of not realizing danger
\nNimbus – Wrenn’s familiar, An Elf Owl.
\nMeriel – Variant Human Sorcerer (wild magic), is coming into her own, was told by her family she was a cleric.
\nChapel – Warforged Cleric, was thrown her by a sorcerer from his home world.
\nBlaze – Fire Genasi Rogue, translates for Miracan, and a bit more<\/p>\n
Role Played by Miracan, Galruin, Wrenn, Meriel, Chapel and Blaze Section 1: Pre-Dream RP Starting in the common room of the Crossroads Tavern<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDo you have any plans for the day Chapel?\u201d Blaze asks.<\/p>\n \u201cToday I am checking on our team to ensure everyone healed up and their equipment is mission ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome walk with me.\u00a0 There is a manor house that is up for sale.\u201d \u00a0point vaguely up the hill<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cI want to go look at.\u00a0 We have occupied Doruzin rooms for too long.\u00a0 You are very methodical in your inspections.\u00a0 It would be nice to have that eye.\u00a0 Maybe you could join us Galruin and fly over the property and let us know what you see.<\/p>\n \u201cSure. We could use a “birds” eye view,\u201d Galruin chuckles at own joke.<\/p>\n Blaze chuckles and gets up and exits.<\/p>\n Chapel nods and follows Blaze. \u201cYou think we may have overstayed our welcome?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan watches as everybody is gets up to leave and quietly follows.<\/p>\n Knowing the Drow is silently following, \u201cno Chapel,\u201d Blaze says \u201cI don’t think we’ve overstayed.\u00a0 We are helping Doruzin.\u00a0 We just need a place that is,\u201d pauses<\/em> \u201ca little more private and a little more secure.\u00a0 I’m hoping that this manor has a smithy on the property. Galruin, you were talking to Doruzin about it last night.\u00a0 Are you familiar with where this house is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really sure,\u201d Galruin states. \u201cHe was extremely vague about it’s location. And it’s current residents As if he didn’t have all the information or couldn’t tell me anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you scout for us?\u201d Blaze asks pointing to the sky.\u00a0 \u201cWe can follow from down here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI’ll give it a shot.\u201d\u00a0 Galruin takes to the sky.<\/p>\n Blaze says to Chapel, \u201cI have a feeling that this place will need considerable work.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin begins circling as mist rolls over the hills.<\/p>\n Chapel points to Galruin, \u201cThere.\u201d Blaze and Chapel begin heading toward where Galruin is circling.<\/p>\n Galruin lands gracefully.\u00a0 \u201cIt’s strange.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d Blaze encourages.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn’t able to see much before the mist rolled in. But I could’ve sworn there was a house up this hill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe mist just rolled in?\u201d Blaze asks.<\/p>\n \u201cI fear a storm is coming in.\u201d Galruin says.\u201dWe have a day, 2 at most. We could go up the hill and check for this house. But I fear I won’t be much help from the sky.\u201d He looks up as if watching for something.<\/p>\n Blaze turns around looking at the sky, \u201cWhat do you sense?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm? Nothing. Just watching for the storm.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze stops turning in the direction of the Drow and gives a questioning look to the shadows.\u00a0 She turns back to Galruin, \u201cDo you think we can see anything from the ground?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPossibly. But the mist would make it harder from a distance.\u201d He turns and looks up the hill. \u201cThis way I believe,\u201d and begins walking up the hill disappearing into the mist.<\/p>\n Miracan begins to slowly creep up the hill to scout, although he doesn’t know what for.\u00a0 He is just looking.<\/p>\n Blaze begins to follow Galruin. \u201cWhat do you make of this mist?\u00a0 It doesn’t seem natural.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin reappears behind group. \u201cWow that’s odd? How’d you get in front of me so fast?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze looks startled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, this is not good. We didn\u2019t get in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I got turned around. Let’s try again.\u201d Galruin walks into mist and reappears behind group.<\/p>\n Blaze turns looking for Miracan.<\/p>\n Miracan has a feeling as he comes up behind the group.<\/p>\n \u201cOdd, \u201c Galruin states. \u201cI never forget what direction to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze agrees, \u201cVery, very odd.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will stay close and watch this mist,\u201d Miracan says. \u201cGo and find out what this might be. Somebody must know something if we just question the right person.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze tilts head her head to the side and looks at Miracan questioningly.\u00a0 She nods to Galruin, eyes not leaving the Drow.<\/p>\n Miracan moves away to find a good spot to watch the mist.<\/p>\n The mist thickens around the hill becoming almost solid looking.<\/p>\n Blaze follows Miracan.\u00a0 \u201cBe careful.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan looks at Blaze.\u00a0 \u201cI will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is different.\u201d She looks over her shoulder at the mist.<\/p>\n \u201cI can get away if I need to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn’t stop me from being concerned.\u00a0 I’ve gotten used to having you around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hate this you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did do this so\u2026.\u201d shrugs<\/em> \u201cI stabbed the funny looking rock. I cut off the spiders legs. I tried to give my opponents life. I watch the mist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get it, \u2018mostly indestructible\u2019\u201d.\u00a0 Blaze has a has a feeling of almost unbearable dread.<\/p>\n Reading her mood, Miracan says, \u201cThe only thing you should dread is if \u2018she\u2019 finds me again.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze closes eyes, sighs, and nods.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all bound. When our time comes, we cannot fight that. Whether I bind or you bind or even our metallic friend binds… We are all bound.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles sadly and nods, \u201cI don’t want to lose,\u201d hesitates<\/em> \u201cyou to lose your freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan shrugs. \u201cWhat is will be. We all have our duties. We are all bound in one way or another.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t you dare make me cry Drow,\u201d Blaze whispers. \u201cBe safe Miracan,\u201d and walks back to join the others.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think we should be here,\u201d Galruin says somewhat urgently.<\/p>\n Blaze watches the Drow a bit longer.\u00a0 \u201cAgreed. Shall we go gentlemen?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan nods towards Blaze and the others watching them as they walk away.<\/p>\n Galruin turns head towards Drow, \u201cCome. I don’t believe there is anything we can do right now. When the mists clear we can come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze touches Galruin on the arm. \u201cLet him stay for now.\u00a0 Maybe he can get us some insight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will be safe birdman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf that I have no doubt.\u201d Galruin begins walking back to tavern, pondering mist.<\/p>\n Blaze gives Miracan one last look, wondering if she will see him alive again, and nods to Galruin.<\/p>\n \u201cToday wasn’t a good day for this I see,\u201d Galruin says. \u201cDamn storms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaving our own building would be more secure than a common area like the tavern,\u201d Chapel notes.\u00a0 We can plan and resupply without worry about the other patrons. I like this plan. Too bad this weather came in. Is this common?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Blaze replies.\u00a0 \u201cIt’s very … not natural.\u201d<\/p>\n They walk back to the tavern each lost in their own thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like a storms a brewing out there,\u201d Doruzin notes. \u201cGonna be a long night. Wouldn’t want to be caught out there in those mists.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze shivers and practically stands the fire.\u00a0 Galruin sits quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is wrong with mist? Chapel asks. \u201cBesides limited visibility, I mean. Should we bring Miracan back in?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze shivers. \u201cThat mist came up as soon as we got near the house.\u00a0 It is not natural.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure the Drow will be ok.\u201d\u00a0 Blaze tries to shake a foreboding feeling.\u00a0 \u201cIt would give us quite the advantage being on top of the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis location Galruin took us to is remote too, which is good. I’m liking this plan,\u201d Chapel says.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wonder how big it is. We need quite a bit of space,\u201d Blaze says. \u201cAnd a forge or a blacksmith shop.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can build a forge Ma’am. It will take time but I can do it,\u201d Chapel says. \u201cHas anyone seen Meriel and Wrenn? I need to check on them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles fondly at Chapel. \u201cI have no doubt of that. I am hoping that it\u2019s already available. I haven\u2019t seen either of them yet today. But they were both of last night. Meriel was making delicious drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWere they better than what the tavern provides?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my yes!\u00a0 She is quite the mixologist.\u201d Blaze changes the subject before Doruzin hears. \u201cI’m wondering what shape this house is in.\u00a0 I hope it in good shape.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd defensible,\u201d Chapel adds.<\/p>\n Blaze nods in agreement. \u201cChapel … how much do you know about masonry & carpentry?\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin stays quiet but looks slightly disturbed.<\/p>\n Blaze looks a Galruin. \u201cWhat’s up?\u201d she asks.<\/p>\n Galruin stays silent, as if far away.<\/p>\n Chapel looks at Blaze and stands.\u00a0 \u201cNot as much as we may need Miss Blaze. I will start studying now.\u201d\u00a0 Chapel walks outside.<\/p>\n A large than normal Goliath pushes Chapel back into the tavern. \u201cNo one leaves while storm here.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze stands and loosen the daggers at her back.<\/p>\n Galruin places hand on Blaze’s arm and shakes head.\u00a0 He stares blankly stare at the Goliath.<\/p>\n Blaze looks at Galruin and nods.<\/p>\n Chapel’s eyes glow red, his hands glow and a magic shield faintly glows around him.<\/p>\n \u201cChapel?\u201d Blaze asks to get his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cMa’am?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease be careful.\u201d\u00a0 To the newcomer, \u201cWho are you and what do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n The Goliath looks at Blaze. \u201cHere to protect. No one allowed out during storm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u00a0 Who are you? Do you have a name, or shall I just call you Rocky?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRocky fine. Me protector of town. No go out in storm. Or no come back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChapel, I think we will be ok,\u201d Blaze says.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn’t this just a storm? Blaze asks.\u00a0 \u201cWe have friends out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo out in storm. No come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze snorts, \u201cHe’s already out there. And\u201d smiling wryly, \u201ca storm won’t stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe be lucky if he come back. Hope he find somewhere inside.\u201d The goliath turns and goes to stand guard at door.<\/p>\n Blaze looks at Chapel with concern. \u201cIf Miracan doesn’t show up….\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen we go get him Ma’am.\u201d<\/p>\n Nods appreciatively.\u00a0 \u201cNot yet.\u00a0 But thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Blaze, we need to prepare. We may need to act soon. I am going to get my equipment ready.\u201d Chapel walks upstairs to get his equipment.<\/p>\n Blaze nods to the retreating Warforged and sighs. She whispers to no one, \u201cI will kill you myself Drow.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel checks his weapon and tower shield then places them against the wall. He checks the loadout in his pack and looks at the extra blanket on his bed for a moment, then rolls it up and straps it to the top of his pack.\u00a0 Satisfied he comes back down to the common room.<\/p>\n Meriel walks downstairs and into the common room. \u201cWoah, where’s Chapel going in a hurry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo where yet.\u00a0 Miracan is out in the storm. We are being held in here be some rock heads,\u201d Blaze grates.<\/p>\n Meriel looks at the door, \u201cthose guys?\u201d She whispers, \u201cis that even legal?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles at Meriel.\u00a0 \u201cThey are trying to protect us.\u201d\u00a0 sighs<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cHow about a cup of tea?\u201d Blaze gets up and opens the tavern door.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh\u201d Meriel huffs. Under her breath she says with a frown, \u201cif we wanna go out and die in a storm that lump isn’t gonna stop us.\u201d She gets up and gets a mug of tea.<\/p>\n Chapel comes downstairs and walks up to Meriel. \u201cMiss Meriel, are you feeling ok? Any injuries from yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n The door slams shut and locks from outside. Galruin looks up. \u201cI’d take their advice.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze sighs and goes to her favorite chair and curls up and watches the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cStay indoors.\u201d Galruin falls silent again.<\/p>\n Blaze mutters, \u201clike a locked door has ever stopped me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey Chapel! No, no injuries from yesterday I’m just peachy. What about you? How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles at Meriel but then gets up abruptly and goes upstairs to her room.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Meriel, I am fine. Thank you. How is your gear? Is any of it damaged? I can repair it if it is.\u201d Chapel speaks quietly to her, \u201cwe may need to leave quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, nothing of mine was damaged last night.\u201d Meriel thinks and exclaims, \u201cOh! Wait right here. Don’t move!\u201d\u00a0 She runs off upstairs.<\/p>\n Chapel stands in the same spot and stares in the direction in which she ran off.<\/p>\n Meriel comes back with Chapels blanket folded neatly in her arms \u201cHere!\u201d she whispers. \u201cif we have to leave soon I don’t want to forget it.\u00a0 And I\u2019m very, very sorry for throwing a rock at your head yesterday. It was not very kind.\u201d The blanket has been embroidered with gold silver and orange thread in cogs wheels, flames, and miscellaneous weaponry. At the center of the blanket there is a large mechanical heart embroidered in red stitching.<\/p>\n Chapel takes the blanket and sits. He opens it and holds it open wide to see the pattern.\u00a0 \u201cThis is different than it was before. Did you do this work?\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel fidgeting a bit and answers, \u201cyes, I mean it doesn’t lose any of its functionality as a blanket, it’s just as warm as before, perhaps even more with the added thread. And I washed it after using it so it’s nice and clean, but if you don’t like it, I can always take it out, no harm done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is…unexpected…Thank you. The extra work you did to it is impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze comes back into the common room and looks at the blanket. \u201cThat is lovely Meriel.\u201d She goes and curls up in favorite chair to watch the fire.<\/p>\n Chapel stands walks over to Meriel and gives her a hug. \u201cI appreciate this very much. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze watches from the fire. She closes eyes, the ends of hair squirming agitatedly.<\/p>\n Meriel smiles with relief. \u201cYou’re very welcome, Chapel. I enjoyed making it!\u00a0 She pats Chapel\u2019s hand happily and settles in on the chair next to Blaze.<\/p>\n Blaze gets up and grabs a bottle of bourbon and drinks directly from the bottle as she sits back down.<\/p>\n Chapel walks back up to his room. He takes the blanket off his pack and replaces it with the one Meriel gave him. He looks at it and nods to himself, then walks back downstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cUm… Blaze? Are you okay?\u201d Meriel asks.<\/p>\n Blaze nods at Meriel and takes a long pull on the bottle. \u201cI\u2019m fine. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel, completely unconvinced, asks, \u201cAre you worried about Miracan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. He\u2019s on his own like he wants.\u201d\u00a0 Blaze takes another swig from the bottle.<\/p>\n Meriel say disbelieving, \u201cAh, right, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze shrugs and smiles at Meriel. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d She holds up hand with flame burning slightly hotter and higher than normal and hold up the bottle. \u201cNot to worry. It burns off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Well, you know what they say about day drinking.\u201d A tall glass of water flies across the tavern spraying water at a couple customers as it moves. \u201cYou’ve got to stay hydrated, or you’ll feel terrible tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles as the glass land half empty on the table beside her. \u201cHydration is important.\u201d She puts bottle of bourbon on the floor. Blaze watches the flames and picks up the bottle and continues to drink.\u00a0 Blaze sigh again and sighs and puts bottle back on the floor. She curls up and drifts off.<\/p>\n Chapel positions himself with his back to the wall so he can see are and the as much of the room as possible, then settles into a long rest, his eyes and consciousness never closing.<\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n Chapel\u2019s Prayer<\/p>\n Chapel starts chanting, \u201cFor all we ought to have thought, and have not thought, All we ought to have said, and have not said. All we ought to have done and have not done. I pray thee Onatar for forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n The Dreams<\/p>\n Galruin<\/p>\n Galruin opens his eyes in his old workshop.\u00a0 He looks around confused.\u00a0 He reaches out and fondly touches some of the inventions.\u00a0 Galruin walks over to his most recent invention and begins working.\u00a0 \u201cI just need to attach this here. Use some of this powder in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n As Galruin tinkers his invention makes a loud click and creates an explosion. \u201cOof! I guess that was a little too much,\u201d he chuckles. \u201cRight you are. Let’s go again.\u201d<\/p>\n As he tinkers, Galruin begins to hear whispers, but doesn\u2019t pay any attention to them.\u00a0 He is completely focused on his invention knowing it will change the world.\u00a0 Galruin catches a moving shadow out of the corner of his eye and looks up.\u00a0 \u201cWho is there?\u201d he calls out knowing his friends have left to go home.<\/p>\n Receiving no response Galruin goes back to tinkering but finds his focus slipping, even though he is close to finishing his crowning jewel.\u00a0 He starts to get an uneasy feeling, as if someone or something is watching him.\u00a0 He looks around and doesn\u2019t see anything that is out of place.\u00a0 Out of the corner of his eye he sees a shadow move.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is there? What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n Realizing the shadows are encircling him, Galruin does the only thing he can do, he uses his invention.\u00a0 As the invention explodes, Galruin hears the screams of his friends as the workshop collapse on top of them.\u00a0 \u201cNo! You aren\u2019t supposed to be here!\u201d he shouts.<\/p>\n Visions of his now dead friends begin to swirl around him.\u00a0 \u201cYou betrayed us Galruin,\u201d they whisper.\u00a0 \u201cYou told them of your invention.\u00a0 You knew we were still here.\u00a0 You killed us!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No! I would never betray you!\u201d Galruin cries out.\u00a0 \u201cYou are my friends. I would never hurt you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou killed us! You betrayed us!\u201d\u00a0 The visions of the broken and mangled bodies swim before his eyes and the voices get louder and louder.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I would never betray you!\u201d Galruin sobs and he falls to his knees. \u201cI would never hurt you!\u201d<\/p>\n Cold, mirthless laughter erupts around Galruin as visions and voices continue to bombard him as he fades into black.<\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Chapel<\/p>\n Chapel awakes to a nearby sound. It is an old warforged. He seems injured.<\/p>\n Chapel looks around confused. \u201cAm I still in the tavern?\u201d<\/p>\n Listening, Chapel hears battle in the distance. \u201cHelp me,\u201d the warforged says weakly.<\/p>\n Chapel rushes to him looking worried, \u201cIt\u2019s ok. I\u2019m here to help. Where are you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n As he points. Chapel notices a hole in his chest.<\/p>\n Kneeling, Chapel cradles the old warforged\u2019s head, and lays his hands over the wound, casting healing words. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be ok. I\u2019m going to take care of you.\u201d\u00a0 As the spell is cast Chapels hands glow with an intense red healing light but the light fades as the spell fails. The old warforged stares at Chapel with horror, as he sees you have failed him.\u00a0 The old warforged eyes slowly fade as dies.<\/p>\n Chapel lays the old warforged\u2019s head down slowly and puts his hand over the dead eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOnatar, please welcome another warrior home. Welcome him into your hallowed halls for he has served his time in hell. Rest easy brother, we have the watch.\u201d A tremendous feeling of sadness and failure sweeps over Chapel, \u201cNot another one. If I had only been faster or studied more, I could have saved him. This is my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n A voice calls out, \u201cYes, it is your fault.\u201d\u00a0 Chapel looks down at the fallen solider, only to see that it is now gnome.<\/p>\n Looking at the gnome confused, Chapel asks, \u201cWhat has happened?\u201d He looks around to see who has spoken.\u00a0 \u201cWhere did that voice come from?\u201d<\/p>\n Visions begin to swirl around Chapel. He sees his newfound friends, but they look peculiar. There is no fire in Blaze\u2019s eyes. Meriel is cradling a lifeless owl. The voice calls again \u201cWe trusted you. Why have you done this? Why? You didn\u2019t save poor Wrenn.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel looks back down at Wrenn, \u201cNo! No! I tried!\u201d He looks at the rest of his friends. \u201cI tried! I tried so hard! I wasn\u2019t good enough! I have failed you!\u201d\u00a0 Chapel falls to his knees in despair.<\/p>\n Cold, mirthless laughter erupts around Chapel as visions and voices continue to bombard him as he fades into black.<\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Wrenn<\/p>\n Wrenn awakens in his rooms back home, his books and scrolls in a pile next him. Nimbus comes tapping urgently at the window.\u00a0 Getting up, Wrenn looks around the room and walks over to open the window.\u00a0 \u201cWhat has you so worked up?\u201d<\/p>\n As Wrenn opens the window, Nimbus hops in, pecks at him, and then flies back out.<\/p>\n Wrenn recoils a bit from Nimbus peck. He looks out the window and tries to see where Nimbus has flown off to. \u201cNow what was that about?\u201d Wrenn muses.<\/p>\n Wrenn walks outside to follow Nimbus. He sees the Nimbus is flying up towards a sprawling white tower. \u201cThis is quite a curious sight.\u201d Wrenn pulls out one of his journals and starts drawing the tower as he proceeds to make his way towards the tower.<\/p>\n As Wrenn approaches the tower he watches Nimbus disappear inside. Before Wrenn is a vast staircase leading up into the tower.\u00a0 As Wrenn proceeds up the stairs, he gets a feeling of unease.\u00a0 The staircase is decorated with elaborate designs and arcane carvings. Statues of great wizards from old, resting on raised platforms, line the staircase.<\/p>\n Wrenn immediately start drawing and taking notes of what he sees as he proceeds at a slower pace.\u00a0 His feeling of unease grows as he continues up the stairs, the statues seeming to watch. As Wrenn ascends, the staircase begins buzzing with energy.<\/p>\n Studying his surrounding, Wrenn decides to move faster up the stairs.\u00a0 As he climbs, he notices that he does not seem to get any further up the staircase. Wrenn begins to hear a maniacal laughter as the statues begin to twist and darken.<\/p>\n Wrenn knowing now there is something wrong, decides to cast mage armor on himself and proceed up the stairs keeping a close eye on his surroundings.<\/p>\n As he casts, his spell it fizzles out. The laughter continues to get louder as the staircase stops abruptly. Before Wrenn is an ornately carved white door.<\/p>\n Wrenn looks with fascination, and with a bit of worry, as he looks over the door. He proceeds to slowly open the ornate door.<\/p>\n The door swings open at the slight touch to a grand hall. At the end of the hall is Nimbus. He’s standing at the foot of a statue looking sad.<\/p>\n Wrenn observing Nimbus, asks \u201cNimbus what happened?\u201d\u00a0 Wrenn moves closer to the statue get a better look at it.\u00a0 He notices a plaque at on the base of the statue. When Wrenn looks at the plaque he reads in Gnomish, \u201cHere is the final resting place of Wrenn the Magnificent. Betrayer of Trust. Killer of Friends. May he rot eternally in this forsaken chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking up, Wrenn notices it’s a statue of himself. It seems a darkness has overtaken its features, they look gnarled and twisted, a cruel grin upon its face<\/p>\n Wrenn stumbles back a few steps, \u201cWhat is the meaning of this? I would never harm my friends!\u201d<\/p>\n A voice booms through the hall, \u201cBut you have!\u201d it exclaims. Shadows begin to swirl around Wrenn, forming images of your friends, burned, and blasted by magic. Meriel is missing her left side. Blaze\u2019s fire has gone out, and Nimbus lays broken and bloodied at your feet.<\/p>\n Wrenn looks shocked and horrified. \u201cThis isn’t right! This can’t be real this! This isn’t real!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll too real.\u201d says a familiar voice behind you.<\/p>\n Wrenn turns to look in the direction of the voice.\u00a0 He turns to stare at himself.<\/p>\n Wrenn stares silently at first, but then yells at this supposed visage of himself, \u201cWho are you? What is your goal by showing me these lies!?\u201d<\/p>\n It smiles back calmly, \u201cThis is no lie. You did this. Your search for knowledge driven you mad!\u201d\u00a0 Visions begin to flash as Wrenn sees himself, a menacing glare in his eyes, casting spells. He hears screams of pain.<\/p>\n Wrenn flinches at the visions. \u201cI won’t be swayed by your words. This is not who I will become! This is just a twisted version of who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n The visions begin to flash faster and faster. The screams get louder and louder. \u201cWhy Wrenn?!\u201d they scream. \u201cWhy have you betrayed us?!\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn touches his head as the visions run faster through his head. Wrenn casts Hold Person on the twisted version of himself.<\/p>\n As the spell succeeds, Wrenn notices he cannot move, a cold, mirthless laughter erupting all around him.<\/p>\n Wrenn struggles to break free from the spell, unable to say anything to break it\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n Laughter continues swirling around you as the visions and voices grow stronger and stronger. Overwhelmed, Wrenn fades into blackness.<\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Meriel<\/p>\n Meriel awakens in the tavern. With no one in sight she assumes they went to their rooms.\u00a0 As the storm rages on outside, the winds howl, signs, metal, and other objects all clatter and bang around outside.<\/p>\n Blinking sleep out of her eyes Meriel sits up a little in her chair and reaches into her bag to pull out a notebook when a voice calls out, \u201cMeriel\u2026 help\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlaze? Chapel?\u201d<\/p>\n She turns, looking for the voice only to hear it come again like a whisper down the hall.\u00a0\u201cHelp\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel stands and walks to the hallway with growing apprehension.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s there? What’s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n As she walks down the hallway, the hall gets narrower and narrower, and claustrophobia mounts as Meriel begins to run towards the voice. She pauses to cast a spell of protection, but it fizzles and sputters out before her eyes. As she finally reaches the light, Meriel enters a large, high-ceilinged room. It appears empty, even as Meriel searches for the owner of the voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you?\u201d Meriel calls out.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. Behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel\u2019s head whips around as she turns to see Blaze, bloody and mangled, standing before her with rage and fear burning in her eyes.<\/p>\n Meriel reaches towards her friend, wanting nothing more than to stop the bleeding and heal whatever hurt had befallen her.<\/p>\n \u201cBLAZE! Oh, what happened to you??\u201d<\/p>\n She looks broken as a cry wrests itself from her throat. \u201cYOU!” she screams. “You did this!\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel steps back as if struck and the words come tumbling out of her.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, no, no, Blaze please! I didn\u2019t! Please, let me help you!\u201d<\/p>\n As Meriel reaches her hand out, Blaze cringes away from the gesture and screams, begs the empty space around them, \u201chelp me\u2026 help me! She\u2019s going to kill me! She\u2019s going to kill us all!\u201d<\/p>\n With a shove Blaze pushes Meriel back, forcing her to trip over\u2026 bodies.<\/p>\n Bodies are strewn across the floor: a small owl, a large man wrought of metal, a dark skinned elf clutching a longbow, a pair of twisted black wings, and a small gnomish hand reaching towards a leather bound book. They look broken and burned staring up at Meriel with betrayal and hatred burning in their unseeing eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Blaze screams, her voice raw and unrelenting. “Why did you do this?”<\/p>\n These are her friends. The first people to ever accept her for who she is, to give her a place to be herself, no tricks, no twisted words or manipulation.<\/p>\n Her every fear now realized, Meriel’s thoughts race. How dare you try to be something you are not? Your power is a plague on everything you touch! You thought to be more than that curse?<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>The tears that had begun the moment she set eyes on Blaze, continue without stopping, pouring down her cheeks in hot streams of anger and disbelief.<\/p>\n “No, no, you’re lying! I’m getting better! I’ve been practicing!”<\/p>\n No sooner do the words leave her mouth, than memories slam into her mind, one after another, over and over until Meriel is breathless and shaking.<\/p>\n She sees her magic surges – wild, yet, in control – slam into her friends over and over, breaking them and mangling their bodies.<\/p>\n “NO!” Meriel screams and crumples to the ground, trying to wake up her fallen party members, begging them to come back. She didn’t mean to, didn’t want to hurt them. “You did this. You have killed us,” the voices boom and overlap as the visions continue to swirl.<\/p>\n As her vision fades to black, Meriel sees a cold, twisted smile from her own reflection.<\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Miracan<\/p>\n As everyone walks away, leaving Miracan at the foot of the hill, he sees a quick flicker of a shadow in the mist.\u00a0 He watches intently while knocking an arrow, but nothing is there.<\/p>\n Miracan kneels and watches the mist with his bow ready, listening for any sounds. As he waits motionless, he sees another shadow appear in the mists. It’s as if the shadow is watching him.<\/p>\n With arrow nocked, Miracan stares back at the shadow, still listening for anything around.\u00a0 The unmoving shadow is seemingly facing Miracan.\u00a0 Still as death, Miracan doesn’t move, keeping his eyes on the shadow in the mist.<\/p>\n As quickly as it appeared the shadow disappears, seemingly with no movement, only to reappear seconds later. This time it is slightly closer and to the left, but still veiled by the mist.\u00a0 Miracan slowly turns his head to watch the new shadow.<\/p>\n The shadow seems to disappear and reappear in random places within the unmoving mist. Miracan seeing no aggression from the mist, holds his ground and continues to watch, motionless. Seeing that there is an obvious “life” inside the mist, Miracan keeps his bow ready, but not drawn. He is only there to scout.<\/p>\n Studying the mist, Miracan notes that it does not fluctuate or move when the shadow appears and disappears. Pondering while intently watching the mist, Miracan mumbles in Undercommon, \u201cthat might work.\u201d He begins to slowly move back towards the tavern, always keeping his eyes on the shadow within the mist.<\/p>\n As Miracan moves step by step towards the tavern, the mist crawls over the land following him.\u00a0 As he is backing away you hear a soft chuckle emanating from the mist.\u00a0 After hours of slowly moving towards the tavern, never taking his eyes off the shadows in the mist, Miracan formulas a plan to fight it.\u00a0 The mist is protecting something.<\/p>\n As Miracan continues to move toward the tavern the chuckling from within the mist begin showing him vision of his past.\u00a0 His mind begins filling with images from his past; the killing of your kin, the invasion of his homeland invasion, and the dragonborn that lead the invasion. The visions are twisted and dark, as if some force is bringing them forth.\u00a0 The visions leave Miracan a little chilled, but he is able to shrug them off as nothing more than mirages.<\/p>\n Hearing the voices and seeing the vision, Miracan knows that the mist is dangerous, and he can\u2019t turn his back on it. This isn’t something he can fight alone.<\/p>\n As Miracan keeps backing away towards the tavern he hears cold, mirthless laughter coming from the mist.\u00a0 The visions turn into voices stating, “it\u2019s your fault,” and “it should’ve been you.”\u00a0 They sound weak and faraway.\u00a0 Miracan ignores the voices and focuses on the dance, his eyes locked wherever the shadow shows up.\u00a0 Stepping slowly towards the tavern not knowing who is alive or who is dead as all contact to the party has been lost.<\/p>\n The mist and the shadow continue to follow Miracan, the visions receding and the voices becoming faint. But the mocking laughter continues, undisturbed.<\/p>\n As Miracan back up to the tavern, he bumps into something solid on the ground.\u00a0 Stepping to the right, never taking his eyes off the mist, he discovers the dead body of a goliath outside the tavern door.\u00a0 As the laughter continues, Miracan steps around the body and opens the tavern doors.<\/p>\n Miracan backs to the bar and watches the door not making a sound. He just keeps backing up, watching the mist and waiting.\u00a0 The mist stops at the door to the tavern, as the laughing ceases and the door slams shut. The night goes quiet.<\/p>\n Miracan looks around the common room and sees his companions sleeping, looking like they are having bad dreams.\u00a0 In the silence of the common room Miracan lowers his bow and standing straight, back against the wall so he can see the whole of the common room. He says quietly in Undercommon, \u201cIf you want me, take me, I am here.\u201d<\/p>\n He pulls his swords as he stands and waiting for what comes.\u00a0 Miracan waits yet nothing comes as the winds die down and his companions look pained in their dream.\u00a0 As Miracan begins to walk towards the doors with his swords against the back of his arms, as his companions begin to wake.<\/p>\n Blaze wakes with a start and pulls her rapier and rushes towards Miracan pointing the rapier at his throat.<\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Blaze<\/p>\n The mist thickens around the hill becoming almost solid looking.<\/p>\n Blaze has a has a feeling of almost unbearable dread.<\/p>\n Reading her mood, Miracan says, \u201cThe only thing you should dread is if \u2018she\u2019 finds me again.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze closes eyes, sighs, and nods.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all bound. When our time comes, we cannot fight that.\u201d Miracan shrugs. \u201cWhat is, will be. We all have our duties. We are all bound in one way or another.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t you dare make me cry Drow,\u201d Blaze whispers. \u201cBe safe Miracan,\u201d and walks back to join the others.<\/p>\n Blaze gives Miracan one last look, wondering if she will see him alive again….<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Blaze awakens in the empty common room tavern with a start. She notices the door to the tavern open and the mist has cleared.\u00a0 In the doorway stands Miracan with 2 bloody swords in his hands. He gestures for her to follow.<\/p>\n Blaze looks at the Drow and sighs. \u201cYou\u2019re not dead,\u201d she says with a hint of anger.\u00a0 Miracan just nods and gestures for her to follow. Blaze sighs and gets up, \u201cfine,\u201d and follows the Drow reluctantly.<\/p>\n Miracan leads Blaze through town following an unseen trail.\u00a0 She continues follows him reluctantly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you up to Elf?\u201d she snaps. He continues to lead you silently through town. As the wind picks up you notice an odor and breath in the smell of blood.<\/p>\n Blaze begin seeing bodies from the corner of her eye. She turns to looks and sees big, small, different races, wealthy, and poor. Yet, Miracan continues.<\/p>\n Blaze stops walking, \u201cWhat have you done Elf?\u201d\u00a0 Miracan turns and without a word he urgently gestures for her to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cFine! Lead on,\u201d she says frustrated.<\/p>\n Miracan leads her to a hill. Along the of the hill base is a pile of bodies. He stops and looks down. Refusing to look down Blaze shrugs.\u00a0 \u201cPeople die. Isn\u2019t that what you told me?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan nods and continues to stare and gestures to the pile of bodies at his feet.<\/p>\n Blaze, still refusing to look, shrugs. \u201cThey\u2019re dead.\u201d\u00a0 He nods and continues looking the pile over. Blaze watches without really seeing.\u00a0 Miracan stops and gestures for her to follow further.<\/p>\n As Blaze and Miracan ascend the hill, she notices the smell of blood getting stronger and the faces of the dead are becoming clearer.\u00a0 Feeling more and more uneasy, Blaze loosen her blades, but continues to follow the Drow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you up to Elf?\u201d<\/p>\n When they reach the top of the hill and Blaze sees a manor house. Miracan points. Outside the door is what looks like a green flag waving in the wind.\u00a0 As Blaze approaches the flag, she sees red streaks of blood on what is really a cloak.<\/p>\n Blaze turns to Miracan in horror. \u201cWhat did you do? Where is Meriel?\u201d Blaze pulls her rapier and points it at Miracan. He just looks at her, gestures towards the door, and steps aside indicating Blaze should go in.\u00a0 She enters cautiously and looks around.\u00a0 A feeling of dread comes over her as she smells blood but hears nothing.<\/p>\n Blaze turns to look at Miracan, but he is nowhere to be seen.\u00a0 Blaze\u2019s hair begins to show her agitation as she moves further into the building.\u00a0 She notices a table in the room at the end of the hallway.\u00a0 There is someone sitting in each chair at the table.<\/p>\n Blaze walks slowly towards the table. As she approaches the table, she can see her friends. They look hollow and lifeless.\u00a0 Blaze raises her rapier and walks a bit closer.\u00a0 As she gets closer, she sees Meriel and staring at her with cold, accusing eyes. She is lifeless and helpless. Cradled gently in Meriel\u2019s arms is a tiny owl. The rest of the group stares at Blaze with the same cold, dead, accusing eyes.<\/p>\n Blaze takes a step back in horror as a voice calls out, \u201cyou… you did this.\u201d\u00a0 The voice sounds small and almost shy. Blaze looks around for the voice, \u201cwhat did I do?\u201d\u00a0 As Blaze look around, she sees Miracan kneeling on the floor. The voice calls again, \u201cthis was all your fault. You could have stopped it. Could’ve helped us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop what? Who are you?\u201d\u00a0 Blaze takes a hesitant step towards the Drow.\u00a0 She sees blood dripping onto a large pool on the floor in front of him. \u201cThis is because of you,\u201d says the voice. \u201cYou care for nothing but money. You care for nothing but wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d yells Blaze. \u201cI care for my friends.\u201d Cold, mirthless laughter erupts around Blaze as she takes a step back towards the door.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did I do?\u201d<\/p>\n The voices call out, \u201cyou killed us.\u201d Blaze hears a shift behind her, and she turns toward the noise, putting the wall at her back. \u201cI didn\u2019t kill you.\u201d\u00a0 She watches as one of the bodies rise calling out, \u201cit was<\/em> you! You never cared.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not true!\u201d Blaze screams.\u00a0 As the body rises, Blaze watches as its cloak falls off and underneath is her holding a bloody dagger. A cruel smile on her face it says, \u201cbut it was you.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze repeats, \u201cI didn\u2019t do this.\u201d<\/p>\n It smiles cruelly back, \u201cthis is what I’ve always wanted, money and power. All of this is mine.\u201d It laughs maniacally as visions of Blaze\u2019s friend\u2019s deaths begin to show at the end of her blade and their screams fill her ears. \u201cNo!\u201d Blaze screams. \u201cI didn\u2019t do this!\u201d<\/p>\n The laughing continues as the visions bombard Blaze, and the voices shrieking \u201cyou failed us\u201d echo in her ears. As the visions and voices continue Blaze is overwhelmed and fades to black.<\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n Backing through the doors of the tavern Miracan mumbles, \u201cTorches and fire be ready.\u201d While backing away, he never takes his eyes from the door, holding his bow ready, arrow nocked but not drawn.\u00a0 In the silence of the common room Miracan lowers his bow and pulls his swords, waiting.<\/p>\n Blaze wakes with a start and pulls her rapier and rushes towards Miracan pointing the rapier at his throat, \u201cWho are you? What have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan looks at Blaze puzzled. He can feel the mist leaving and he starts to relax.<\/p>\n Chapel’s eyes slowly light up and he looks around, confused.<\/p>\n Blaze continues to point rapier at Miracan\u2019s throat, hair waving agitatedly, eyes burning, \u201cWhat have you done Elf!\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan says in Undercommon, \u201cIf it must be.\u201d And starts to tense into a fighting stance. In Draconic he says \u201cBlaze… do not.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze closes her eyes and takes a breath, opens her eyes, and looks in the Drow\u2019s eyes. She lowers her rapier a bit, takes half a step closer, and says softly so only the Drow can hear, \u201ctell me about the wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze drops her blade to the ground and stares at Miracan.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened? Onatar NO! WRENN!!!!\u201d Chapel screams.<\/p>\n Miracan starts and stares towards the metal man looking for danger.<\/p>\n Blaze reaches out and grabs Miracan\u2019s arm. \u201cIt\u2019s ok. Something is messing with us. It gave me,\u201d pauses<\/em> \u201cvisions.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan starts to relax and nods. \u201cThe mist is alive and probably the cause.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze nods and reaches down and squeezes Miracan hand, \u201cthey were horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs some dreams may be. A life that was before might be again.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze shakes her head.\u00a0 \u201cPlease don\u2019t say that.\u00a0 They were only dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze steps over to Chapel and puts a hand on his arm, \u201cit wasn\u2019t real.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO!! YOU’RE WRONG!! I WATCHED HIM DIE!! WHERE IS WRENN? I WILL SHOW YOU!\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan steps closer to Chapel in case…<\/p>\n Blaze grabs Chapels arm with both hands \u201cChapel. Listen to me!\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel pulls it away. \u201cI am sorry Miss Blaze. I have failed you.\u201d Chapel looks down. \u201cHe was my duty.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze grabs his arm again, \u201cChapel! You haven\u2019t failed.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan sheaths his swords.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a dream Chapel. The mist \u2026 it\u2019s not what it seems.\u00a0 It has given us all different visions.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn walk into the common room. \u201cWhat with all this yelling?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles at Wrenn. \u201cOh, thank god.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel runs to Wrenn, grabs him by the shoulders, and picks him up roughly.\u00a0 \u201cHow can this be? What is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze turns back to the Drow. \u201cHow do fight this?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan shrugs. \u201cIt is a mist. It is alive. Fire burns away fog… torches.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn looks surprise and shocked. \u201cUmmm, can you please put me down Chapel?\u201d\u00a0 Wrenn also looks pale and very shaken.<\/p>\n Galruin jumps down from the rafters. \u201cI think it’s more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze steps over to Chapel. \u201cIt was a dream. Wrenn is fine.\u00a0 You can put him down.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan starts to look for any visible wounds in the party.<\/p>\n Chapel looks closely at Wrenn’s face, too close for Wrenn\u2019s comfort. \u201cIt IS you isn’t it? What is happening?\u201d Chapel sets Wrenn down carefully and fixes his clothing.\u00a0 \u201cI’m sorry Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn jolts back and attempts a smile at Chapel. \u201cYou don’t have anything to be sorry for.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin states, \u201cIt’s got to be about that house.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel jerks awake, tears begin streaming down her face as she looks up and sees Blaze. She shakes her head with a vengeance, \u201cNo! No! Blaze, I didn’t do it! I swear! I SWEAR!\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin revisiting his vision, \u201cand that birdlike creature.\u201d\u00a0 He ponders what he saw.<\/p>\n Chapel turns and rushes to Meriel. \u201cAre you hurt? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel swings to face him her eyes red and swollen from crying, \u201cCHAPEL! Chapel I didn’t mean to I didn’t mean to I swear!\u201d She grabs Chapel around the waist and keeps repeating the same thing.<\/p>\n It seems we all may have shared something in common,\u201d Galruin says.<\/p>\n Blaze goes to Meriel, pulls her from Chapel, and hugs her tight, \u201cI know you didn\u2019t\u2019 do anything. It was only a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No!\u201d Meriel sees Wrenn and cries harder. She frantically pushes away from Blaze, \u201cWhere\u2019s Miracan?\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan, seeing no visible wounds, stands and watches the main door again.<\/p>\n Blaze grabs Meriel\u2019s hand and holds on, \u201cHe\u2019s over there,\u201d she points towards the door. \u201cHe\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn looks at Meriel and quickly walks over to her. \u201cEverything okay. Everyone is okay. You are okay.\u201d Wrenn struggles to put on his best to smile for Meriel.<\/p>\n Meriel runs over to Miracan and touches his arm as if reassuring herself he’s okay.<\/p>\n The Drow looks at Meriel and nods.<\/p>\n Meriel looks to Wrenn and Nimbus. Nimbus is on Wrenn’s shoulder rubbing his head gently on Wrenn, trying to comfort him.<\/p>\n Meriel looks around for Galruin and rushes over to him and gives him a hug. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn steps back and sits down, getting lost in his own thoughts.<\/p>\n Blaze walks over and stands next to the Drow.<\/p>\n Chapel begins making his rounds, checking on each teammate a little too closely, as if needing reassurance that they are alright.<\/p>\n Wrenn tries to smile to Chapel. \u201cI am fine Chapel.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin ruffles his feather back into place after Meriel\u2019s hug. He looks at the few feather that have fallen out, chuckles, \u201clooks like some more feathers for Miracan.\u201d Galruin looks at Wrenn, \u201care you thinking what I am?\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel stands up fully and looks at Galruin, eyes glowing bright red, \u201cThis house is a pestilence that must be destroyed. There is evil there that threatens us AND this town.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan walks to the door and checks to see if there is any lingering danger.<\/p>\n Wrenn perks up. \u201cWhat is this about a House?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze walks over to Meriel and hugs her again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been looking for a more permanent base,\u201d Galruin states.<\/p>\n Meriel still crying, not listening at all to what is going on, hugs Blaze back as tight as she can.<\/p>\n \u201cWe caught wind of a cheap noble’s house for sale. But when we went to go see it the mist and storm rolled in,\u201d Galruin says.<\/p>\n Miracan looking at Blaze, \u201cIf there is no danger, I’ll just say there are dead and wait right outside the door.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze holding onto Meriel says softly, \u201cwe will be ok.\u201d She looks up at Miracan and nods.<\/p>\n Galruin says to Miracan, \u201cthe danger is gone. There are just dead guards.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan nods to Galruin, \u201cjust saw one.\u201d<\/p>\n Doruzin walks over to the table, \u201cglad to see my merry bunch of misfits survived.\u201d He places a keg of strong whiskey for you. \u201cWelcome to Hollowtown,\u201d and walks away.<\/p>\n Galruin pours drinks and passes them around.<\/p>\n Chapel picks up the glass and looks to the others.<\/p>\n Blaze takes drink a downs it in one gulp not waiting.<\/p>\n Miracan, hearing the glasses, comes back inside leaving the dead goliath right outside the door.<\/p>\n Blaze puts her glass on table for refill.<\/p>\n Galruin pushes drink to the side without a sip.<\/p>\n Meriel takes the cup and holds it in front of her staring at it with her head down.<\/p>\n Wrenn grabs his glass and pushes it to the side.<\/p>\n Chapel looks at the liquid in the glass and turns slightly.\u00a0 \u201cThis hardly brings me solace…is this a custom? Like kavfae?\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin pulls out wrapped bundle and lights it with a flick of his flint<\/p>\n Blaze says softly to Meriel, \u201cit will be ok.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel, without looking up says in a dead voice, \u201cyes, it was just a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin lets the bundle burn out filling room with the aroma of sandalwood and cherry.<\/p>\n Chapel looks to Galruin and then at the smoke. \u201cThat is,\u201d he hesitates \u201c<\/em>pleasant. Is it a spell?\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin says, \u201cNo it\u2019s not a spell. It\u2019s not magic at all, actually. Just some herbs to ward off evil and set a relaxing atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn, looking through his journal, quickly writes something and puts it away in his bag. \u201cI will not become anything like that\u201d he says very quietly to himself.<\/p>\n Galruin looks at Wrenn and in Gnomish says, \u201cYou ok friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn looks up at Galruin. \u201cI am fine it just…\u201d he trails off not finishing he sentence. \u201cIt’s nothing of importance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. You just seemed a little more on edge is all.\u201d Galruin looks around. \u201cI’m sure we have all had an struggle.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan walks over to Blaze and asks quietly, \u201cThe danger is gone, should I go back?\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin pulls out bundle and burns it, adding vanilla to the air.<\/p>\n Blaze looks up at Miracan and shakes head no. \u201cI don\u2019t think you need to. Actually\u2026 could you stay here for a bit,\u201d she pauses<\/em> \u201cplease. I\u2019m \u2026 we\u2019re all a little freaked out still.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan nods, walking towards his “designated” corner, and watches the room.<\/p>\n Blaze watches the Drow and nods thank you. Blaze hugs Meriel a little closer and says softly, \u201cI killed everyone. Just for money.\u201d She looks at the Drow and says, \u201cI never want to go through that again.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel finally looks up, That’s not you at all Blaze. Not you at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel walks over to Wrenn, glass still in his hand, \u201cI am sorry I failed you Wrenn, Sir….it will NEVER happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles wryly. \u201cNot now. But at one time there was very little I wouldn\u2019t do for money.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn looks at Chapel. \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry about Chapel.\u201d He gives a small smile.<\/p>\n Blaze looks at Chapel. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t real.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin watches in silence.<\/p>\n In a very small voice Meriel asks, \u201cwhat if … it was premonition?\u201d<\/p>\n pBlaze answers immediately, \u201cIt\u2019s not. It showed me something that has yet to come to pass and it showed Chapel his past.\u201d<\/p>\n Galruin nods with blank stare.<\/p>\n Blaze looking at Miracan. \u201cThere is no way I would harm anyone of you \u2026 ever.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn looks at Meriel. \u201cFrom the sounds of it we all saw very different things, so I highly doubt it is a premonition.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking her head, Meriel persists, \u201cBut… If it was… Even for one or two of us… How could we know?\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze squeezes Meriel tight. \u201cIt isn\u2019t real child. It wasn\u2019t real, and it won\u2019t come to pass.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrenn get a worried look on his face as he listens to Blaze, then quickly returns to his standard smile. \u201cWe will be fine. We just have to figure out what’s going on outside. But not for now I think we need to rest for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Meriel looks down at her hands and goes quiet.<\/p>\n Blaze nods at Wrenn. \u201cI think you are right \u2026 but, honestly I not sure I want to be alone or go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drow sits in the corner motionless, watching the door, taking in all that is being said.<\/p>\n Blaze watches the Drow and sighs softly.<\/p>\n Wrenn is sits quietly lost in thought.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Blaze, I can keep watch. I…I want to.\u201d Chapel amber eyes glow.<\/p>\n Miracan goes over to the bar and holds up his tea bag waiting for a cup of hot water.<\/p>\n Blaze smiles softly, eyes never leaving the Drow, and nods to Chapel. \u201cWe all need a protector tonight. Please keep us safe.\u201d\u00a0 Blaze catches the Drow\u2019s eye and nods towards Meriel.<\/p>\n Miracan nods in response.<\/p>\n Hot water appears in front of Miracan.<\/p>\n Blaze nods thank you to Miracan.<\/p>\n Meriel stands, \u201cI think it’s time for me to turn in. Um, good night I suppose.\u201d She walks around the corner to the stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze says, \u201cGood night Meriel.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan nods to Doruzin, takes the water, returns to the corner, and begins to make tea.<\/p>\n Once around the corner, Meriel casts invisibility on herself, does a 180, and walks out through the tavern, out the main door.<\/p>\n Doruzin grumbles, \u201coh bloody door. Damn hinges are broken again. He storms over forcing door into place you would think we’d have better doors for these storms.\u201d He grumbles about low rate scum workers and bloody cheap hinges.<\/p>\n Miracan notices the door and begins walking out looking for what moved the hinges.<\/p>\n \u201cI should go to my room.\u201d Wrenn gets up and walks to his room.<\/p>\n \u201cNight Wrenn,\u201d Blaze says.<\/p>\n Wrenn gives a weak smile. \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n Miracan begins to follow Meriel\u2019s tracks. \u201cI will keep her safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze touches the Drow\u2019s arm before he can leave \u201cLet me come with you. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n Doruzin shouts from a distance, \u201csomeone get me the bloody contractor and get him here to fix my door. I don’t give a Dickens just do it. He storms back into main bar mumbling about lazy no gooders.<\/p>\n Miracan shrugs, \u201cI am only watching.\u201d\u00a0 He walks out of the Inn.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u00a0 I just can\u2019t be alone.\u201d\u00a0 Blaze gets up and begins following the Drow.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have us,\u201d Galruin says. \u201cHe’ll be fine. Seems he’s the only one unphased.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze stops and looks at Galruin. \u201cIt\u2019s not him I\u2019m worried about right now. It\u2019s me.\u201d She continues after the Drow.<\/p>\n Chapel walks to the door and examines it. His hands glow red, like heated metal, as he mutters something.\u00a0 The door hinges are repaired and as good as new.<\/p>\n Blaze enters common room sometime later and sees Chapel. She walks over and sits in the chair next to fire.<\/p>\n Chapel walks over and stands next to Blaze’s chair and watches the room…ever vigilant.<\/p>\n Blaze nods to chair next to hers, \u201cwill you sit?\u201d<\/p>\n Chapel looks down slowly. \u201cOf course, Miss Blaze.\u201d He sits down next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Chapel. I\u2019m not quite ready to be alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re not alone Miss Blaze.\u201d\u00a0 He turns his gaze from the door to look at her.\u00a0 \u201cI’m here.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze smiles and curls up in the chair. \u201cThank you. Are you ok Chapel? Those visions were so real.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not. My visions told of my past. Brothers that I lost in battle. Brothers who looked to me and trusted me with their lives. I have lost many and I shouldn’t have.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze nods. \u201cIt gave Miracan similar visions. It took who I used to be and made it ugly. Nothing mattered but money and the power having coin brought me.\u201d looks disgusted \u201cI gave that up long ago. In my vision I killed everyone. You. Wrenn. Nimbus. Meriel. Galruin. Miracan. I slaughtered everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have lost many in my past. I have seen the horrors of war. What people can do to each other is atrocious. What has happened to my brothers was terrible. But they trusted me, relied on me. If I was better, I could have saved more. That vision reminded me of my past failures and showed me that it can happen again\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all have failures and success in life. You are defined by, but not controlled by them. Blaze holds up arm letting sleeve drop slowing faint old scars. \u201cWhat do you see?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPain\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze looks at her wrist. \u201cI used to see that too. It was long ago. We were captured by orcs. Mom was too old to be of use, so they killed her. And they took me to,\u201d hesitates,<\/em> \u201cbe of service. When they found I wasn\u2019t as compliant as they wanted, I was to be sold. I\u2019m not sure why they never killed me outright. When I look at these I see a past I learned from. Don\u2019t let your mistakes define you. Learn from them and grow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never saw such things Miss Blaze…no one should.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one should. But it defined me for a while. I wanted money so I could have control over my life. It didn\u2019t make me happy or give me control. I had to come to terms with it. And that damned mist brought it all back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have seen what people can do to each other but I’m always there, after, to fix it or to make it right. I treated my fellow soldiers who had been struck with arrows or blown out of their boots by a catapult and buried in the ground right outside our forward operating base, had their legs snapped, and their faces slashed open by hot shrapnel. I have heard their screams for help and their desperate pleas for me to help them. And if I fail to repair what war has done to them then I wear that guilt like you wear skin.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze reaches out and hold Chapels hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI failed them because I wasn’t good enough. That won’t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO! That is not true.\u201d Then softer and more compassionate. \u201cNo Chapel. That\u2019s just not true. I\u2019ve seen you work. You are a good man. Do you think your god would continue to answer your prayers if he thought you failed? I think you are just haunted by the same thing that haunts me. \u201cI should have been able to\u201d. I should have been able to save my mother. I still feel that loss. You should have been able to save your bothers in arms. You still feel that loss. You are<\/em> good enough. It\u2019s just sometimes the choice isn\u2019t ours. We think it is, but it really isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I was better, they would still be here, with their families. They trusted me and I let them down. It won’t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n Blaze squeezes Chapels hand and says softly. \u201cI trust you. I know you won\u2019t let me down.\u201d Blaze lets the silence take over and slowly drifts to sleep.<\/p>\n Chapel closes his hand on hers and watches the door.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is a very long story I wrote from a roll play that was done on Discord. It is from a D&D campaign called The Hunt for the Axe (which is still in process and still being written). The names below are the character names, not the names of the players.\u00a0 I am not the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[519,517],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6170","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-dungeons-dragons","7":"category-my-stories","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6170"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6177,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6170\/revisions\/6177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taciej.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nNarrative form by \u2026 Blaze
\nAssumption: When speaking to Miracan (or he is speaking) unless otherwise noted, it is in Draconic<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nSection 2: Chapel\u2019s Prayer
\nSection 3: The Dream\u2019s RP
\nSection 4: Post-Dream RP<\/p>\n