Session #40: I hate water
Jan. 14th, 2024 06:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
istainion Day: 9, Time of day: Morning-Night
Location: Lake von Zarovich, North of Vallaki
Side Note: Flower obtained, potion made, Lord of the lake is a guardian
(Remarks marked by *are written in abyssal, remarks marked by - are written in celestial, the rest of the entry is written in common)
Our attention was aimed at the large underwater building that resembles a temple, its architecture differs a lot from the world outside the lake almost as if it was here before the Lord ruled the land. Not much, us travelers from a different region can tell. We caught our breath from the fight, preparing ourselves to enter the yet to be explored surroundings. Shevat moved to the large beast and placed his hand on its head, thinking something to himself and closing his eyes with a bittersweet expression. It was difficult to see what he was doing, even when I came closer to assist Arvirin to close the creature's eyes in an attempt to make it rest better, like the boy said. Those two really seem very close to nature ...
We turned toward the underwater temple (Step pyramid) again and swam closer to enter the unknown . . . Some of us are a little more enthusiastic ... (Arvirin) Together, we enter. Just fish everywhere, no clear dangers visible at the entrance.
We follow the path past some stairs until we reach a place where the water is separated from the rest of the space deeper inside. It was like a wall of water from which we swam through. It was a strange sight. Arvirin was amazed by it as we entered through it, his eyes were wide open and he was staring and playing with the water ... I couldn't resist giving him a splash of water directed at his face on my way out ... Heh ...
A wide hallway is where we landed. On the sides, torches with a dim, blue light were positioned that lit up upon our arrival. Sources that appear similar to the flame on my amulet. It felt odd to be in this environment. I assumed I would deal with a lot of traps here. This isn't a regular space, that much, I could tell. I was hoping that defeating the Lord of the lake would take everything out of our path, that wasn't the case. As soon as we had our objective's position confirmed, the way ahead had pressure plates, waiting for us to step on them.
Ten of them in a row, with only a little bit of space in between, too small to avoid. We have been standing on the spot, doing our best to come up with a plan and even needing to hold Arvirin on the spot from making an attempt to jump past them. After discussing it even more, Pyre let herself drop to the ground with the tools (I so hate) in her hands. With some help from Shevat, she actually managed to disarm the trap, take out its mechanism. I was quite impressed with her skill ... She repeated the same for the remaining plates until we had a safe path to follow.
The path continued, to a stairway that would lead us deeper below. The dim light disallowed me and Pyre from seeing the dangers ahead, but she decided to walk at the front. Is she thinking of herself as a shield or something? Step by step, we followed down but with the second step. I heard a strange sound when she did. And as soon as it became a little louder, Pyre quickly ducked and avoided an arrow from hitting her head. It startled me for a moment there. It became clear that the genasi stepped down onto a wire that is barely visible from sight. With her instructions, we all managed to get past them safely and climb down the stairs.
We entered a new room where, once again, blue flames lit up from the torches. In the middle of the room, there is an iron box standing on top of a stone pillar. Each of its sides is decorated with a different animal, combined with a keyhole. Four in total. The animals that are on it are a bat, spider, snake and a wolf. The front has the bat decorated on it, the right side has the spider, the back is decorated with the wolf and the left side of the box has the snake.
The other side of the room is secured with a stone door, our only way through. On the side of the wall right next to the door, I saw rings hanging with keys attached, four of them in total. Each of them had a mild difference in dimensions. Above the keys, a message was written in a language but only Pyre was able to read the primordial writing.
"The spells on these locks are all the same. Though each possesses a unique name. Count on your answer to lock the way, but use the wrong key to your dismay."
Count on your answer, like the message suggests, gives away most of the riddle we are struggling with. It is almost too simple for anyone to solve. Bat (3), wolf (4), Snake (5), Spider (6) align with the shape of the keys. It was a tricky one but when the door opened up after inserting the keys that match the characters in the common language, it was difficult to believe my eyes. Pyre was still glaring at the iron box, eager to find more to it until she discovered that its only service was to block the path that would lead deeper inside.
We continued through the iron door and walked down the stairs that almost seemed endless, following the path deeper and deeper inside until we found ourselves in a new, large room with two platforms. One, surrounded by water, that covers a part of the second platform as well. The door behind us began to shut. Likely another puzzle, if not a trap. I noticed the panicking expression on Arvirin, who immediately tried to escape through the opening but failed to. I, too, felt nervous about being here but ... Then again, what is left for me out there, anyway ...
I hear a voice in my head, reaching out to me and the others. "Why have you come here?" We looked around but nothing was visible. Shevat stepped forth to speak to the unknown voice. "We are here to help a cursed child." he responds but the voice repeats itself, questioning our arrival. Shevat clarified that we seek for the flower which turns out to be the treasure of the unknown voice. We must take it by force or our arrival here is pointless. The voice tells us that it grows only once in a few hundred years even after Shevat's suggestion to speed up the growth, the voice refuses to give in. There is no other way ... I regret not having taken a break from our previous battle ...
<Battle start>
Strange movement is visible in the water, a shadow of a creature is shown and it didn't take long before a tentacle came in our direction for an attack. It was directly aimed at Tibirin. I took a defensive stance. The platform below us is rumbling from the impact before the tentacle disappears into the water again. Hopefully, I thought to myself, we don't have to dive down to attack it. I'm sick of seeing all this water ... I called forth my spiritual weapon, hoping for the creature to make its appearance before we would be urged to seek for it.
Tibirin did his best to lure the creature out by standing on the second platform and provoking it. Another tentacle was aimed at us, reaching to hit Pyre instead when the creature made its appearance. Arvirin was quick to hold onto the tentacle for us to allow it to attack as well. Clouds were appearing above us, striking down onto the creature. Another tentacle went for me, leaving me with this strange sensation, an odd taste in my mouth ...
After countless hits coming from both Pyre and Arvirin, I noticed the impact of the attacks that were returned to them. Arvirin even managed to stun it. This battle, it's not going well if the creature won't be taken care of soon. I focused my necrotic energies and aimed for the creature. An intense, black lightning (from my hand) struck it, mercilessly (42 necrotic damage). The skin of the creature started to age where I hit it, causing it to suffer from massive damage. I felt mildly more confident about the state of battle but then Tibirin moved toward Arvirin to attack him. It was hard to tell what was going on but I assume that he has been caught by some mind controlling spell. Not too pretty ... It was pure luck that he missed to hit Arvirin who is rather quick on his feet.
Lightning struck at the tabaxi, trying to push him away from Arvirin to keep him safe and I was already preparing myself to regain control over his body but before I could interfere, we managed to kill the creature and have Tibirin regain his control.
<Battle end>
Tired from all the fighting, I placed my back against the wall to rest up until my breathing felt strange. My skin started to look odd and I wasn't alone with this. Arvirin and Pyre, they both suffered from the same. Each of us was gasping for oxygen which we could not. In a failed attempt, I did my best to cure Arvirin but it caused no change. I thought that ... It was the end, my time here is over ... I did my best to calm my nerves and to accept it but the stress was too much.
I heard Pyre stand up and run toward Arvirin to push him and herself in the water. Not being able to think well, I got up and jumped after them ... (Elvish: After all, what do I have to lose ...) All of a sudden ... I was able to breathe again. Our skin, all three of our skin was translucent. Almost ... Like we're fish ... Both Pyre and Arvirin started to panic. I was already imagining spending a lifetime in this environment. Maybe suicide isn't a terrible idea if this continues?
Shevat and Tibirin were standing at the edge of the water, looking at both of them. I heard their conversation. Tibirin might be able to cure us but it will take time for him to recover his strength after each attempt. The first, it has failed. Pyre couldn't be cured by his touch. Strange to imagine a violent man like him, cure the wounds or disease or someone else. I have seen it before in the catacomb ... Is there hope? I held onto my amulet for a bit, watching the flame continue to burn, even in water. Still, I really hate water ... We're at least not in immediate danger ... Well, I do fear for my sanity if this keeps up.
Shevat obtained the flower we're been looking for, it turned out that there are even two of them. That damned fish could have shared at least ... As time passed, all of us were forced to rest up for Shevat and Pyre to brew the potion to cure Stella. I moved toward the other platform to make an attempt to rest there. It was difficult, really difficult to rest while being soaked. Hated it, every moment of it.
Day: 10, Time of day: Morning
Location: Lake von Zarovich, North of Vallaki
Side Note: Stasia and Bluto await us at the shed
That morning, Shevat handed Pyre one of the two potions he managed to make with success. I didn't understand, are they not for Stella's cause? I heard them say that it is meant to cure them ... Hopefully, it will be enough, I thought, to relieve both of the two. Arvirin tried to force the potion on me when he got it in his hands, intending to cure me with it instead. I refused, - from the bottom of my heart. I needed him to be healthy, I saw how he freaked out about it, even yelled at my attempt to get him to rest on the platform. I am better off than him in this state ...
He backed away with an unsatisfied look on his face, drinking from the potion instead. Just as planned. I smiled at the sight when he ran out of the room we were trapped in. Yes, be free ... Fool ...
But then Shevat approached me, holding the other bottle in his hand. "Isn't this for Stella?" I asked him with a firm expression. He answered me. "Yes, half of it is for Stella." A brief pause followed. "But the other half, is for you." I frowned at that moment asking if he was certain. I have seen the potion take effect on Arvirin before he dashed out of the room. It has even cured Pyre.
- How is it possible for a potion that this man brews, to be so effective against a condition this severe? ... Who is this man, anyway?
"I am." Shevat returned with a confident expression. "Go ahead." A noise left me, but I took it from him, at this rate, I will just slow down their pace after all. "Fine ..."
The taste started off bitter ... But then ... This delicious salty flavor followed ... Almost feeling my mood lift, I got back up my feet, returned him the bottle and thanked him. Then I turned away and tried to wring out the water from my clothes. It's terrible ... This is probably going to smell if I don't wash it soon ...
We went back, back up the surface, hopefully getting rid of this whole water spectacle and returning to cuddle the land. We made our way back to the island, got inside the boat and I rowed us back to the shore where our enemy awaited us.
That shadow woman again ... This Stasia ... Behind her a creation of a man stood that she referred to as Bluto. The name sounds familiar ... I do believe I have read about it. I wasn't eager for the fight and tried to talk her interests down. She wanted the potion, the last dose. To do her dearest count a favor? ... I'm not up for this, I want to wash my clothes and stay inside a building for a full day.
I was hoping we would never meet again ... She is the evidence of my failure. Can she not disappear? ...
Location: Lake von Zarovich, North of Vallaki
Side Note: Flower obtained, potion made, Lord of the lake is a guardian
(Remarks marked by *
Our attention was aimed at the large underwater building that resembles a temple, its architecture differs a lot from the world outside the lake almost as if it was here before the Lord ruled the land. Not much, us travelers from a different region can tell. We caught our breath from the fight, preparing ourselves to enter the yet to be explored surroundings. Shevat moved to the large beast and placed his hand on its head, thinking something to himself and closing his eyes with a bittersweet expression. It was difficult to see what he was doing, even when I came closer to assist Arvirin to close the creature's eyes in an attempt to make it rest better, like the boy said. Those two really seem very close to nature ...
We turned toward the underwater temple (Step pyramid) again and swam closer to enter the unknown . . . Some of us are a little more enthusiastic ... (Arvirin) Together, we enter. Just fish everywhere, no clear dangers visible at the entrance.
We follow the path past some stairs until we reach a place where the water is separated from the rest of the space deeper inside. It was like a wall of water from which we swam through. It was a strange sight. Arvirin was amazed by it as we entered through it, his eyes were wide open and he was staring and playing with the water ... I couldn't resist giving him a splash of water directed at his face on my way out ... Heh ...
A wide hallway is where we landed. On the sides, torches with a dim, blue light were positioned that lit up upon our arrival. Sources that appear similar to the flame on my amulet. It felt odd to be in this environment. I assumed I would deal with a lot of traps here. This isn't a regular space, that much, I could tell. I was hoping that defeating the Lord of the lake would take everything out of our path, that wasn't the case. As soon as we had our objective's position confirmed, the way ahead had pressure plates, waiting for us to step on them.
Ten of them in a row, with only a little bit of space in between, too small to avoid. We have been standing on the spot, doing our best to come up with a plan and even needing to hold Arvirin on the spot from making an attempt to jump past them. After discussing it even more, Pyre let herself drop to the ground with the tools (I so hate) in her hands. With some help from Shevat, she actually managed to disarm the trap, take out its mechanism. I was quite impressed with her skill ... She repeated the same for the remaining plates until we had a safe path to follow.
The path continued, to a stairway that would lead us deeper below. The dim light disallowed me and Pyre from seeing the dangers ahead, but she decided to walk at the front. Is she thinking of herself as a shield or something? Step by step, we followed down but with the second step. I heard a strange sound when she did. And as soon as it became a little louder, Pyre quickly ducked and avoided an arrow from hitting her head. It startled me for a moment there. It became clear that the genasi stepped down onto a wire that is barely visible from sight. With her instructions, we all managed to get past them safely and climb down the stairs.
We entered a new room where, once again, blue flames lit up from the torches. In the middle of the room, there is an iron box standing on top of a stone pillar. Each of its sides is decorated with a different animal, combined with a keyhole. Four in total. The animals that are on it are a bat, spider, snake and a wolf. The front has the bat decorated on it, the right side has the spider, the back is decorated with the wolf and the left side of the box has the snake.
The other side of the room is secured with a stone door, our only way through. On the side of the wall right next to the door, I saw rings hanging with keys attached, four of them in total. Each of them had a mild difference in dimensions. Above the keys, a message was written in a language but only Pyre was able to read the primordial writing.
"The spells on these locks are all the same. Though each possesses a unique name. Count on your answer to lock the way, but use the wrong key to your dismay."
Count on your answer, like the message suggests, gives away most of the riddle we are struggling with. It is almost too simple for anyone to solve. Bat (3), wolf (4), Snake (5), Spider (6) align with the shape of the keys. It was a tricky one but when the door opened up after inserting the keys that match the characters in the common language, it was difficult to believe my eyes. Pyre was still glaring at the iron box, eager to find more to it until she discovered that its only service was to block the path that would lead deeper inside.
We continued through the iron door and walked down the stairs that almost seemed endless, following the path deeper and deeper inside until we found ourselves in a new, large room with two platforms. One, surrounded by water, that covers a part of the second platform as well. The door behind us began to shut. Likely another puzzle, if not a trap. I noticed the panicking expression on Arvirin, who immediately tried to escape through the opening but failed to. I, too, felt nervous about being here but ... Then again, what is left for me out there, anyway ...
I hear a voice in my head, reaching out to me and the others. "Why have you come here?" We looked around but nothing was visible. Shevat stepped forth to speak to the unknown voice. "We are here to help a cursed child." he responds but the voice repeats itself, questioning our arrival. Shevat clarified that we seek for the flower which turns out to be the treasure of the unknown voice. We must take it by force or our arrival here is pointless. The voice tells us that it grows only once in a few hundred years even after Shevat's suggestion to speed up the growth, the voice refuses to give in. There is no other way ... I regret not having taken a break from our previous battle ...
<Battle start>
Strange movement is visible in the water, a shadow of a creature is shown and it didn't take long before a tentacle came in our direction for an attack. It was directly aimed at Tibirin. I took a defensive stance. The platform below us is rumbling from the impact before the tentacle disappears into the water again. Hopefully, I thought to myself, we don't have to dive down to attack it. I'm sick of seeing all this water ... I called forth my spiritual weapon, hoping for the creature to make its appearance before we would be urged to seek for it.
Tibirin did his best to lure the creature out by standing on the second platform and provoking it. Another tentacle was aimed at us, reaching to hit Pyre instead when the creature made its appearance. Arvirin was quick to hold onto the tentacle for us to allow it to attack as well. Clouds were appearing above us, striking down onto the creature. Another tentacle went for me, leaving me with this strange sensation, an odd taste in my mouth ...
After countless hits coming from both Pyre and Arvirin, I noticed the impact of the attacks that were returned to them. Arvirin even managed to stun it. This battle, it's not going well if the creature won't be taken care of soon. I focused my necrotic energies and aimed for the creature. An intense, black lightning (from my hand) struck it, mercilessly (42 necrotic damage). The skin of the creature started to age where I hit it, causing it to suffer from massive damage. I felt mildly more confident about the state of battle but then Tibirin moved toward Arvirin to attack him. It was hard to tell what was going on but I assume that he has been caught by some mind controlling spell. Not too pretty ... It was pure luck that he missed to hit Arvirin who is rather quick on his feet.
Lightning struck at the tabaxi, trying to push him away from Arvirin to keep him safe and I was already preparing myself to regain control over his body but before I could interfere, we managed to kill the creature and have Tibirin regain his control.
<Battle end>
Tired from all the fighting, I placed my back against the wall to rest up until my breathing felt strange. My skin started to look odd and I wasn't alone with this. Arvirin and Pyre, they both suffered from the same. Each of us was gasping for oxygen which we could not. In a failed attempt, I did my best to cure Arvirin but it caused no change. I thought that ... It was the end, my time here is over ... I did my best to calm my nerves and to accept it but the stress was too much.
I heard Pyre stand up and run toward Arvirin to push him and herself in the water. Not being able to think well, I got up and jumped after them ... (Elvish: After all, what do I have to lose ...) All of a sudden ... I was able to breathe again. Our skin, all three of our skin was translucent. Almost ... Like we're fish ... Both Pyre and Arvirin started to panic. I was already imagining spending a lifetime in this environment. Maybe suicide isn't a terrible idea if this continues?
Shevat and Tibirin were standing at the edge of the water, looking at both of them. I heard their conversation. Tibirin might be able to cure us but it will take time for him to recover his strength after each attempt. The first, it has failed. Pyre couldn't be cured by his touch. Strange to imagine a violent man like him, cure the wounds or disease or someone else. I have seen it before in the catacomb ... Is there hope? I held onto my amulet for a bit, watching the flame continue to burn, even in water. Still, I really hate water ... We're at least not in immediate danger ... Well, I do fear for my sanity if this keeps up.
Shevat obtained the flower we're been looking for, it turned out that there are even two of them. That damned fish could have shared at least ... As time passed, all of us were forced to rest up for Shevat and Pyre to brew the potion to cure Stella. I moved toward the other platform to make an attempt to rest there. It was difficult, really difficult to rest while being soaked. Hated it, every moment of it.
Day: 10, Time of day: Morning
Location: Lake von Zarovich, North of Vallaki
Side Note: Stasia and Bluto await us at the shed
That morning, Shevat handed Pyre one of the two potions he managed to make with success. I didn't understand, are they not for Stella's cause? I heard them say that it is meant to cure them ... Hopefully, it will be enough, I thought, to relieve both of the two. Arvirin tried to force the potion on me when he got it in his hands, intending to cure me with it instead. I refused, - from the bottom of my heart. I needed him to be healthy, I saw how he freaked out about it, even yelled at my attempt to get him to rest on the platform. I am better off than him in this state ...
He backed away with an unsatisfied look on his face, drinking from the potion instead. Just as planned. I smiled at the sight when he ran out of the room we were trapped in. Yes, be free ... Fool ...
But then Shevat approached me, holding the other bottle in his hand. "Isn't this for Stella?" I asked him with a firm expression. He answered me. "Yes, half of it is for Stella." A brief pause followed. "But the other half, is for you." I frowned at that moment asking if he was certain. I have seen the potion take effect on Arvirin before he dashed out of the room. It has even cured Pyre.
- How is it possible for a potion that this man brews, to be so effective against a condition this severe? ... Who is this man, anyway?
"I am." Shevat returned with a confident expression. "Go ahead." A noise left me, but I took it from him, at this rate, I will just slow down their pace after all. "Fine ..."
The taste started off bitter ... But then ... This delicious salty flavor followed ... Almost feeling my mood lift, I got back up my feet, returned him the bottle and thanked him. Then I turned away and tried to wring out the water from my clothes. It's terrible ... This is probably going to smell if I don't wash it soon ...
We went back, back up the surface, hopefully getting rid of this whole water spectacle and returning to cuddle the land. We made our way back to the island, got inside the boat and I rowed us back to the shore where our enemy awaited us.
That shadow woman again ... This Stasia ... Behind her a creation of a man stood that she referred to as Bluto. The name sounds familiar ... I do believe I have read about it. I wasn't eager for the fight and tried to talk her interests down. She wanted the potion, the last dose. To do her dearest count a favor? ... I'm not up for this, I want to wash my clothes and stay inside a building for a full day.
I was hoping we would never meet again ... She is the evidence of my failure. Can she not disappear? ...
