Returns and departures
Most honored Matriarch,
I’m writing from the confines of Kor Volcas again. The last few days have been momentous and interesting. As you know from my last letter, the companions defeated the giant I’ve taken to call the Dreamer, from its ability to assault the mind with dreams. Amongst the standing stones the giants had collected a large black metallic sky rock. Nicolos seems to be very interested in it, remarking on its features, and pondering on its material nature. Most of the rest of us, excepting perhaps Ouroboros just think it’s a nifty black rock from the sky. Silenos is seeking out clues or details from the Dreamer’s belongings. He’s already set aside a nice-looking saddle which was in the giant’s possession.
As Ouroboros becomes his normally massive size instead of his extra massive one, we all begin to discuss the various dreams we were assaulted by. Both Ouroboros and myself attempt apologies, I think Ouroboros does a much better job than I do. As you know I’m far to blunt most times and at the best of times that’s off putting. Apologizing for stabbing a compatriot in the between her shoulder blades, isn’t the best of times. I’m hopeful I will be forgiven, time will tell. Ouroboros and lady Alexandra spend some time looking over the standing stones noting the primitive writing, picture stories, and lists of names etched onto these ancient rocks. Ouroboros kneels for a bit in silent revere as lady Alexandra casts a spell of detection upon the standing stones. She indicates the stones faintly harbor some divination magic and that the sky stone has some undefined arcane potential that she can’t precisely define. After looking over the Dreamer, Silenos collects the left ears from the giants as part of the bounty from Sparta. The massive things get rolled, tied, and added to a crude travoy for transport.
Many of us are a little worse for wear after the encounter and take a moment to catch our breath. Silenos wanders around the hilltop and disappears for a bit. When he returns his former bow has been replaced with one of shimmering white and clear divine artifice. He indicates its just something from his patroness, Artemis. Which gives truth to Ouroboros’s statement that he should expect such a visit after the slaying of the second giant. Finally packed and rested the companions begin the hike back to Kor Vulcas. Silenos spends a few moments talking with lady Alexandra, I wasn’t close enough to hear what it was about, but its not long before Silenos is back in the vanguard with Thisbe. Our scouts report a bit after mid-day that they have found some rather large feathers along our path. Silenos recognizes then as harpy feathers. Apparently, the Spartan mountains are home to marauding bird-women who waylay travelers. Ouroboros feels that it would be a boon to Sparta and the mountain tribes if this scourge were to be removed, and everyone seems to agree. For myself, what cat doesn’t love hunting birds?
Silenos and Thisbe discuss the best way to scout for the harpies, with Silenos proposing that Perseus goes, looks, and reports back. Thisbe points out he would be vulnerable and easy prey to the harpies as they also fly and come in flocks. To which point I clear my throat and lift a few feet into the air, thanks to father’s gift of boots, and wink out of sight by my own craft. With that I slide upward through the trees and forward along out path. I see more and more signs of habitation, but no actual harpies themselves. Just as I was turning to report back, I spy a large nest of branches and twigs. Close observation details several long bones and a couple of skulls in the nest. I fly back, still under cover of invisibility to let the companions know. Lady Thalia indicates an interest in locating the nest itself. While there is some debate, it occurs to me I have a simple method. With that I fly up as the companions make their way forward at ground level. Once I can see them start to break out of the tree line for the pass, I swoop down and turn my little pillar into a real pillar.
While I am nice, silent, and very much beyond sight, a 20 foot marble pillar is much less so; causing much distress in the harpy colony.
Lady Alexandra spies a harpy that is more richly plumed and maybe a third again as large as the others. Assuming that might be the matriarch of the colony, she casts bolts of arcane energy which strike the flying monster repeatedly. I should describe the landscape for you. Behind the companions is a forested tree line. The mountain pass is steeply sloped on the left headed upward several hundred feet, that is where the nest is located. To the left of the companions a broad shelf of scrub extends ending at the north side in a sheer cliff face. Ahead of the companions the pass narrows, with the rock wall on one side and the vertical drop on the other. Moments after Alexandra lets loose her barrage, Thisbe rushes forward several paces, turns and let’s fly with a flask before knocking arrows to let fly. The flask strikes one of the lesser harpies and a skilled bow shot send that creature down into the canyon below. Knocking another arrow, Thisbe also strikes the matriarch before reaching for more arrows.
Taking advantage of all the attention paid elsewhere, I surprise one of the harpies, striking her from the air with some sudden violence. Looking up from my attack, I’m in time to see Ouroboros once again assume his truly gigantic form, he strides to the lip of the sheer drop, and grabs the matriarch pulling her closer. She is slippers and writhes free, just as Silenos steps into the clear and loudly pronounces an oath to slay the creature. He then let’s fly with a pair of arrows, striking one after another. Then he seems to surge with extra energy and loses more arrows, when the shafts stop the matriarch has fallen laying dead. Following Silenos’s example, lady Thalia steps into the clear a divine radiance stretches out from her touching several other companions, Alexandra, Ouroboros, and Silenos. Then with an outstretched finger, she directs a small bright red orb out into the air between several of the harpies, where it detonates, scorching three severely.
Its then that the harpies begin to sing in lament. The song is captivating, and I must say more than a little mesmerizing. I lose track of events for a few moments. Next thing I realize I’m being struck by Thisbe. Not in a retributive sort of way, more like she was flung by an errant god and struck me in a mass of fists and feet. The strike however, did serve to break the entrainment and my mind cleared. I look to the left and see Ouroboros move over to Silenos, striking a harpy a stunning blow with a bare fist. Silenos seemingly oblivious to the nearest harpy walks several steps to the cliff’s edge and pauses. After a brief shake of his head, he fires once each at two of the singed birds, killing both with arrows through the neck. Lady Thalia must have seen something in that action that struck her fancy. She too steps right up to the cliff’s edge and then spins quickly hurling another erupting ball of fire at a cluster of 3 harpies. A harpy dips low and strikes out at Lady Alexandra, scoring hits with wounding claws. Several of the scorched harpies find valor in living to fight another day and flee. Lady Alexandra grapples briefly with the harpy that wounded her, her fist clad in pitch and bile green motes, transferring much of her recent wounds to the creature. Thisbe lets loose a tirade of curses and is clearly suffused with rage. She charges the remaining harpy stabbing it well past the point of dead, and close to soup.
Silenos eventually calms Thisbe and they examine the surroundings. They find a few more feathers and talons that might be valuable. We decide to talk a pause and once again catch out breaths. After setting back out, we arrive near sunset at the entrance to the tunnels leading to Kor Vulcas. Lady Alexandra and the rest of us, intently watch the setting sun. As the other day a ball of flame streaks toward the setting sun, only today a bolt of lightning streaks froth and strikes the orb from the sky. After seeing the spectacle Alexandra takes a few private moments to say something to her father. About an hour later we arrive back in Kor Volcas and report to the palace.
We’re met by the court’s Steward, Baccus and he offers us quarters in the visitor’s section, as last time. In fact, I think it’s the same place as last time. Baccus indicates prince Heberous will be along shortly to talk with us. It’s a couple hours later that the prince comes to see us. He’s debriefed on the events with the titan, dragon, and giants. The longer the story goes on the less he believes. Lady Thalia conjures an image from her perspective of the fight. I think the prince is amazed, but not entirely convinced we’re not liars telling a good story. Discussions of compensation come up and the prince indicates there will be some gold, and he would plan for us to see some rare treasures on the morrow. A few moments later four burley dwarven lads come in with a large chest on wooden poles. Inside is a bounty of coin which makes us each very wealthy. Lady Alexandra discusses the teleportation network, and indeed there is a station here in Kor Volcas and the sigil is shared with her against future need. The prince mentions a special reward that one of us can make use of and it’s a uniquely dwarven belt, oddly its sized large enough to fit even Nicolos. Which is handy as I don’t think Nicolos is ever going to let that belt out of his sight. Nicolos is also granted use of the forge complex. With that the prince bids us a good night, with a promise to come by in the morning.
Ladies Thalia and Alexandra take a moment and speak privately, ending with lady Alexandra passing a small grey bead to Thalia. Thalia moves off for some additional privacy and is back a few moments later, which seems to generate another discussion between the ladies. While they’re talking Silenos gets some of the guest house ale for Thisbe. Discussions abound as happens with good companions, in comfort and safety. We discuss arcane craft, prophecy, the gods and other topics, everyone is involved except the noteworthy absence of lady Alexandra. After a bit talk turns more personal and teasing between Ouroboros and Thalia. Seems Ouroboros has promised to wed Thalia’s sister. The topic is somewhat uncomfortable for the rest of us, so we go in different directions. Thisbe heads home, Nicolos heads off to find Forgemaster Ina. Its not long before Nicolos is back, and as I’m watching Silenos stalk off toward Alexandra’s room, I just manage to catch Nicolos and Ouroboros settling on the idea for a night of revel to celebrate our successful return. I recall all to well the last drinking night and go try and find a wheelbarrow for later in the night. I find out, but it takes some feline persistence to acquire it.
Nicolos of all people challenges Ouroboros to a drinking contest. I’m so very glad I got a wheelbarrow. The boys go looking for a barkeep to talk about the challenge, which is met with raucous approval. As the barkeep is getting this keg nearly his own size into place; a crowd gathers, and lady Thalia asks if I could slip a vial into Nicolos’s drink. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. Just as they are about to start, I take the opportunity to introduce both Nicolos and Ouroboros. Using that attention as cover I slip the vial’s contents into Nicolos’s tankard. Surprisingly this contest goes on for quite some time. Both contestants seeming on the verge of passing out or worse. Eventually in a slow-motion tumble Ouroboros slides to the floor as Nicolos declares “jokes on you, my ancestors were raised on oats and barley.” A few moments later Nicolos was set on a winner’s chair with a paper crown just as his muzzle drooped and a faint snore could be heard. I find myself thinking about how to get both companions on the wheelbarrow when I see Ladies Thalia and Alexandra again deep in conversation. I can make out Thalia say something about “warm bed”, but then her hair obscures her face, and I couldn’t make out the rest. Just as I settle on a plan, I turn to find the ladies gone, Ouroboros and Nicolos snoring, leaving just Silenos and me to load the sleepers and haul them across town. Then it occurs to me we’re recently rich and I hire a couple of sturdy dwarven lads to help me get the boys on the wheelbarrow. Silenos and I heft on the wheelbarrow, and three things occur to me. One, I hate lugging drunken giants and minotaurs more than I hate hauling rocks. Two, I should have gotten a cart instead of a wheelbarrow. Three, Silenos is an excellent ranger, but total crap at drunken companion wrangling. Eventually we get them and us back to the guest house. Silenos is nearly stooped from the exertion and spends several minutes stretching, while I drag first Nicolos into a room. Before wrangling Ouroboros inside next, I knock on lady Alexandra’s door as I can hear some light commotion inside. She answers the door and I ask to borrow some ink. I explain the boys should get tattoo’s to commemorate todays outing. She agrees giving me a pot before returning to the somewhat wry eyed Thalia hiding under some sheets and pillows. Eventually I get Ouroboros hauled into bed and set about my task, I give each a simple heart with the other’s name proudly displayed, as friends might have.
Eventually everyone sleeps, well I assume Alexandra and Thalia sleep, I didn’t check. Silenos was passed out on the sofa and I pulled some pillows onto the floor to sleep. I might have been better served by being awake. Who knew meeting Hades would lead to bad dreams, I know, I should have. I came to in the dream like you often do, in an inky black darkness. Now lately darkness hasn’t been much of a problem for me, as I can see in the dark. As the darkness falls away, its replaced with the red-orange fog of a mist being set alight by fires or lava. The fogged lights pulse and I can feel a stone path under my feet, before me a massive pair of double doors loom larger than life. They are at once impressive an ornate, but also tarnished and unfathomably old; made of gold, rusted wrought iron, cared with images, languages, all in depicting dark scenes. Behind me I can begin to hear the ragged rumble of a chest deep growl. Peering over my shoulder I can see a dog easily the size of an ox, with three heads. All three rumble with the basso growl, lava like foam drips constantly from the snarling maws. Two heads have eyes of balefire, while the third are just a simple brown.
I’m too scared to move, but I edge my head back facing front looking for a path to evade. Now standing between me and the door is the tall lean form of Hades that we saw on the mountain top. He strides toward me, walking in an arc. He speaks of payment for favors, how the underworld is busy with both the punished and rewarded flocking to Hade’s Hall. He speaks of seeing in the darkness, and I know why his hound’s eyes are brown. He is blind so that I might see. In his cold cool voice, he says payment will come due. I tell him so long as I’m alive I’m happy to do so. He smiles, its unnerving. He’s now standing next to his hound, a touch of his hand quiets the growl to something only as threatening as a roiling storm. Hades lifts his bident into the air, I wince expecting to crash on the pavement, but he doesn’t. It barely touches the walkway. I can feel power lash out none the less, it passes through me leaving me cold. I can hear the great doors creak open behind me. A growing din of soul sucking sound comes tearing from beyond them, the pressure of that sound builds greater and greater by the moment. I’m forced to cover my ears for my own sanity, and just as that seems to fail, I bolt upright, wide awake.
If I’m going to have dreams like that I really should have drunk more. I stumble out to the main room looking for something to drink and some water for my face. After a little bit, I can hear Ouroboros and Nicolos coming back to life. Ouroboros seems much worse for wear than Nicolos. When Nicolos stumbles out, he scratches an inch along his wide jaw, only to discover a bear has grown overnight. Wondering at that, he gets something to drink and can overhear a conversation in the street, in dwarvish, and can understand it fluently. Nicolos is very excited about these details. Ladies Thalia and Alexandra join the rest of us, a very content look upon Thalia’s countenance, surpassed only by the one on lady Alexandra’s. Moments later the court Steward knocks on the door. Needing to get my mind off dreams I coax him into knocking again only harder. Watching Ouroboros wince at the noise is enough of a distraction. I open the door and the Steward announces the prince is ready for us at the Temple of Vulcan. A place Ouroboros and Nicolos know well enough. After a brief breakfast, we make our way to the temple and the prince. Heberous gives us a brief tour of the main temple space, it’s a cluster of forge workshops around a larger central one that has a flu adorned with a statue of Vulcan.
Heberous gestures to Nicolos and they have a long private chat, not sure what’s said but it leaves Nicolos very pensive by the looks. When they return, the prince ushers in several merchants who display their wares. We take up most of the precious good’s trading back the coin we so recently earned. Lady Thalia has a significant gaffe with her mind probing and a wine vendor. She’s caught out by the prince himself. Thalia seems chastened, but shops on. Each of us pick up some items, or commission others to be made. Myself I acquire, from a neophyte artisan, an impressive set of goat figurines. They are reported to change size at a word and serve as mounts or combat companions. As the shopping winds down Lady Alexandra quickly leaves, followed by a concerned Ouroboros. They discuss something as we all head back to the guest house, except Nicolos. He explains he has something to discuss with Forgemaster Ina. We don’t see Nicolos until late that evening. Nicolos sets a wrapped bundle on the main table and unfurls it. Inside are 5 jet black blades of varied design. He explains he’s been offered the opportunity to serve in King Agamemnon’s court as an advisor. It will also allow him to practice his god granted craft, learning from Ina and others. It is too rich an opportunity for him to miss, so he is staying. Nicolos hands out the blades to each of us. Alex’s blade is narrow and tapered, with a silver embossed book at the pommel and a curled scroll as the cross guard. Silenos’s hilt is a quiver with several blunted arrow points as the pommel, the cross guard is a black and silver bow, reminiscent of his new pure white bow. Ouroboros’s is a wider blade, with two gauntleted fists fingers entwined as the hilt and cross guard, flaring out to creating the pommel. Thalia’s is another narrow blade with a pair of splayed wings as the cross guard and a crowned orb as the pommel. Mine is a sturdy blade, with a narrow pair of boots backed heel to heel. A set of winds extend from the near the top of each to form the cross guard. He goes on to explain the enchantment forge wrought within them as a group, how they will serve to let us help one another, as he has helped us. They are a kingly gift indeed. We have another day or so to wait for the commissions to get completed, then we will be off, back to Sparta proper to see lady Thalia’s labor put to rest. I know not when next I’ll write or where I will be. Please be safe my darling mother, know that I do all of this so that you and many others can remain free, prosperous, and most importantly alive.
Yours Gyasi