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Lylandra's War of the Burning Sky continued
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<blockquote data-quote="Lylandra" data-source="post: 7323293" data-attributes="member: 6816692"><p><strong>An unexpected conclusion</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Note: For the battle with Griiat, I decided to try out a pathfinder version of minions who have a bit more effective HP (called wounds) and a decent hit bonus. I felt like buffing all combatants would be over the top and using low level mobs would be completely futile. Did I mention that I really like the 4e minions?</em></p><p></p><p>Cuin, fearing for Tinuviel's life, decides to ignore the heat of the wall of fire (he had buffed resictance anyway) and dances into the room to fight the undead. Torrent and Grellfin follow his example, using their holy energies to keep Griiat's minions at bay. As soon as he realizes that gravitation is kind of subjective in the astral plane and that the undead seem to make use of that fact, Tinuviel uses his psionics to join the group of enemies at the ceiling.</p><p></p><p>While Cuin tries to keep the sergeants and the invisible hellcat at bay, Grellfin charges at Griiat and uses his holy power to make the ghost corporeal. He isn't able to do much damage though, but insists that he'll fare just fine. Meanwhile, Griiat uses his blade barrier and unholy fire against the group. As soon as Cuin sees an opportunity, he jumps at Griiat and defeats the inquisitor. Fortunately, this kills all of the other undead as well as the Dark Pyre bursts with power, unleashing a wave of energy. It also seems like they just returned to the material plane. </p><p></p><p>The group is happy for now and after they heal up their wounds, Grellfin decides to get the rest of his clan up there as well. Meanwhile, the other three examine the Dark Pyre. Now they can clearly see the shapes of three elves, one of them holding a fiery torch in one hand and a jagged scimitar in the other hand. What's unsettling Cuin however is the fact that he knows this weapon. He heard tales of Shaalguenyaver, the black, soul-eating scimitar of Rhuarc, the half-elven Knightslayer and remembers that he saw him once in the vision of the Torch's creation. And that torch-wielding hooded figure might just be the very same, deadly Rhuarc.</p><p></p><p><em>Note: Shaalguenyaver. Another one of *those* words. It becomes far easier when you cut it down into the three pieces "Shaal" (meaning obviously "bright" like in Shaaladel) "guen" and the ending "yaver" (meaning something "dark" like in Taryaver). I think someone tried to make a believeable elvish language there...</em></p><p></p><p>Tinuviel takes some time to collect some small bone fragments from Syana's skeleton as he wishes to try resurrecting her later. Torrent offers them to be able to at least talk to Syana, as she memorized a speak with dead spell. She doesn't know whether this will work on a dragon who's been dead for decades though. Cuin wants to give it a try, so the cleric prepares the corresponding ritual.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, the two elves decide to search the remaining upper floor of Korstull. They realize that time might be pressing as they can see an army approaching the castle. What's really disturbing them is the sight of elven troops among the Ragesians. Troops that can only belong to princess Shalosha. </p><p></p><p>They also find the Sky Palanquin, a magical carriage that is fueled by souls and might be used as an emergency escape mechanism. Fortunately, there are also enough soul gems to get this thing running. Finally, they get to the throne room and find... an unconscious man who seems to have written down a crude prophecy with his own bloody fingertips. They suspect that this guy might be Inquisitor Darius, the second Inquisitor Lord Gorquith spoke about. They decide to write down a copy of the prophecy, but don't know what to do with the guy. After all, he's an Inquisitor who will most likely have committed great cruelties against the Sindairese and other enemies of Ragesia.</p><p></p><p>Before they can make a decision, the rest of Clan Millorn arrive at the upper floor and Torrent calls them to join in her ritual. Fortunately the ritual works as planned and the grand skeleton moves its massive jaws to answer their call. </p><p></p><p>Syana says that she senses something familiar in Cuin'halar, and that he must be somehow related to her faithful student Eshânii. Cuin replies that he is indeed Eshânii's son who gave her life to protect the secrets of Ycengled from the Shahalesti. Syana is saddened to hear about her student's fate, and, over the course of their questions, also tells them that it wouldn't be possible to revive her as she used too much of her soul to share her magic with the Syllith. She also explains that she created her daughter Trilla via soul magic as she couldn't find a mate and wanted to seek out the secrets of life. She says that Trilla always had a unique form of psychic magic, and also strange dreams that would manifest from time to time, but she thought that her daughter would be able to control them in time. She then adds that Tinuviel also feels a bit like Trilla and the elf explains that he's somehow connected with a dream of Trilla. </p><p></p><p>Last, Cuin asks about the “ancient evil” Three Weeping Ravens mentioned that might be somehow corrupting Ycengled. Syana answers that there is indeed a spirit of pure evil in the Temple of Echoed Souls, but it is trapped there. She warns them to not go there and that this presence is among the few entities she really feared. Cuin thanks Syana for her wisdom and promises that they'll get her body out of here and give her a proper burial once they can safely return to Korstull.</p><p></p><p><em>Note: I don't follow the rules with the speak with dead spell too strictly as my party doesn't spam it to gather random information. I know that there are PCs out there who just kill opponents to get the info out of them via speak with dead (as it is easier than to subjugate or trick them), but... that's really not our approach. So I tend to be more lenient with the conversations. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p>They return to Darius and the Imperial chambers where they decide that Darius could have some valuable information as well, so it would be wise to try to save him from his delirium. Fortunately, Torrent has the required spells ready, so she heals Darius while the other two erase the written prophecy so neither Ragesians nor Shahalesti can read the text. </p><p></p><p><em>Note: And the restoration wands were conveniently placed up there as well <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></em></p><p><em></em></p><p>After they made sure that the treasure in Coaltongue's chamber is harmless even if there are dried puddles of blood everywhere (and yes, they were worried about the necromantic cheese!), they call for Clan Millorn so the gnomes may collect their fair share. Meanwhile, they drag Darius to the Inquisitor's chamber and heal him up. The trio explains the confused Inquisitor that they are part of General Magdus' troops and allies who came here to rescue the missing Inquisitor and to find out about their Emperor's fate. Darius believes them and tells them the whole story:</p><p></p><p>He stood guard at the imperial chamber when three elvish looking people attacked them. They killed the other guards and one dark elf lady kissed him with a poisonous kiss. He fell to the ground but saw that one of the elves had the bleeding body of his emperor with him. Then the three fled the scene and he lost consciousness. </p><p></p><p>Before they can question Darius any further, they all hear Jorrina Waryeye shrieking somewhere in the dancing hall. “Earnest, what are you doing!?” she screams and she sounds pretty terrified. As neither Tinu nor Cuin want any last minute casualties, they ask Torrent to care for Darius while they make a beeline to the dance hall. There they see Earnest, one of the Millorn clansmen who's holding up a strange glowing gem towards Syana's skeleton. His body starts sprouting tendrils and they immediately know that this has to be the Trillith Deception. </p><p></p><p>Tinuviel begins singing the Song of Forms and Cuin charges at the transforming gnome. “Leave her alone!” he shouts and tries to attack the Trillith, but he happens to wound Tinuviel instead. Cuin instantly recognizes this scheme from the fight with the Vrock, so he closes his eyes and asks Tinuviel to guide his strikes. Tinu forms a mental connection with Cuin and this time the coordinated attack works. </p><p></p><p>“It is too late. Grandmother will destroy you all!” he screams as he falls to the ground and finally dissolves in black mist.</p><p></p><p>It seems like they came too late indeed, as the dragon skeleton starts weeping bloody tears while flesh begins to form around her bones. Cuin who knows that they should better get the rest of them out of here runs towards Lord Gorquith, hands him his old hat of disguise and asks him to turn into a different person. Tinuviel rushes towards Torrent and Darius and dimension doors them all next to the Sky Palanquin. </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Syana is resurrected, but raging with anger. Fortunately she's still chained and needs some time to get rid of her bones, so the group has enough time to get everyone lacking fly spells into the Palanquin and depart through the glass window. </p><p></p><p>They get out of the frying pan and into the fire as there is still an army of Ragesians out there who see the glowing Palanquin and its fiery hippogriff steeds and decide that these must be the adventurers they are looking for. The party is lucky though as the first volley of arrows isn't able to reach them at all. </p><p></p><p>Next, they send wyvern knights to intercept the carriage. To their shock, they are accompanied by a group of elven soldiers who are led by none other than princess Shalosha herself. Cuin tries to fend off the Wyvern while Tinuviel flies towards Shalosha, greets her happily and even dances around her like a foal. Shalosha requests Tinuviel to take this situation seriously and demands that they land and surrender as they cannot win against an army of Ragesians. She promises them that they'll not be harmed though. </p><p></p><p>Just when she finished her demands, Syana breaks through the window with a mighty roar. Shalosha doesn't understand what this is all about, but she knows dragons and she knows that this one is angry. So she orders her Solei Palantis to leave the Palanquin and deal with the dragon instead. The she uses an invisibility spell as she doesn't want to become dragon food.</p><p></p><p>Tinuviel and Cuin do the same while Torrent stays in the Panalquin to guide it through the canyon below. Tinuviel comes too close to Syana though and gets feared by her menacing presence. Cuin intercepts Syana and tries to lure her away from the rest. Shalosha unleashes barrages of spells against the dragon and Cuin is pretty impressed by the princess' determination. </p><p></p><p>After a not so long fight, Syana is about to collapse. Cuin uses this time to turn visible again and tells the dragon that he's sorry for what he has to do now. Then he strikes her down with his scimitar, making sure that everyone is watching. Surprisingly, Syana's body doesn't fall to the ground, but rather dissolves into golden dust, forming the image of the guardian of Ycngled one last time. This aura floats right through Cuin'halar and resonates with something inside him. The two auras seem to combine, magic starts to erupt from Cuin and manifests then in the form of a big golden egg right in the elf's arms.</p><p></p><p>Both Tinu (who recovered from his fear) and Cuin are surprised by this chain of events, but they immediately turn the eye invisible and store it safely in Cuin's bag. They really don't wish to risk a Shahalesti seeing this.</p><p></p><p><em>Note: Yep, this is a real gold dragon egg, formed by the remnants of Syana and the soul shard that Eshânii sent to Cuin'halar when she sacrificed herself. Cuin's player loves dragons and Cuin always had his special connection to dragons of all kind (like Naielasza), so I decided that his “special something” could manifest itself in the form of an actual gold dragon. And he was really happy to the prospect of raising a tiny dragon. We'll see whether Syana foresaw this possibility. </em></p><p></p><p>As the Palanquin runs out of soul power, it does have to land next to the Ragesian army. The group is accompanied by Shalosha, but quickly surrounded by ragesian soldiers who all point their weapons at them.</p><p></p><p>“Careful, I just defeated that dragon” Cuin grumbles. Meanwhile, Darius is confused as he thought his new allies to be Ragesians as well. Shalosha explains that they are, unlike her, acquaintances, but not allies. She demands that the party hand over the inquisitor and “surrender” to General Magdus who only wishes to talk to them and would let them go as soon as he knows what happened to Coaltongue and the Torch.</p><p></p><p>Cuin turns sour in response. He says that Magdus had been in this area for months without making any progress and he doesn't see why they should be the ones doing the dirty work for the Ragesians. They all, including Clan Millorn, risked their lives in Korstull, so they have earned the right to question Darius. When Shalosha explains that she and Magdus are no friends of Leska and wish to find another way to get rid of her, he adds that he doesn't see Magdus or her as an enemy yet. So if they maybe want to become allies instead (as they all might have the same goal), they should maybe let them question Darius in Seaquen for one or two days and return him later. He promises that they won't do magical tricks on him. Shalosha says that this would be okay as long as they agree to talk with General Magdus about a possible alliance as well. </p><p></p><p>Tinuviel tries to convince Shalosha that they are family and that she'd be better off allying with them instead of Magdus. When Shalosha isn't convinced at all – she points out that they could have told her about their mission to Korstull as she would have supported and helped them, Tinu replies that he just had to protect her and that he's really happy to see her faring so well. He then approaches her, caresses her cheek and kisses her. </p><p></p><p>Shalosha is stunned for a moment. Then she slaps him just hard enough to non-verbally drive him off, glances over her shoulder at the just arrived Magdus, turns around and leaves. </p><p></p><p><em>Note: That took me by surprise as well. I was totally convinced that Tinu was in a happy relationship with Torrent and only worried for his cousin. His player mailed me that Tinu wasn't too happy about the prospect of Shalosha marrying Magdus (even if neither of them had officially proposed and this was until now all just based upon visions and nightmares) and that Tinu somehow thought he might be Shalosha's future match in a few decades from now. But going full Katrina on Torrent? That really wasn't on my radar. And it made their return to the promised parley even more interesting. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Also Shalosha... my vision of her is that of a politically savvy, idealistic and capable leader who has just been pampered by her father too long. I painted her as a bit more mature than Cuin and Tinu who are barely adult (both are around 50 and Shalosha is something around 100 years old). Which is why I cannot really see her falling for Rantle... sorry, my dashing scoundrel. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p>Cuin and Torrent are speechless as well. Once they recover from what they just witnessed, they decide to talk about the incident in private and part with Clan Millorn. The gnomes are happy about their joint venture and hope they'll go on adventures again someday. </p><p></p><p>Before they teleport back to Seaquen, they can see that Shalosha is busy talking to Magdus and it seems like she's trying to hold him back. They decide to leave before things escalate even further.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lylandra, post: 7323293, member: 6816692"] [b]An unexpected conclusion[/b] [I]Note: For the battle with Griiat, I decided to try out a pathfinder version of minions who have a bit more effective HP (called wounds) and a decent hit bonus. I felt like buffing all combatants would be over the top and using low level mobs would be completely futile. Did I mention that I really like the 4e minions?[/I] Cuin, fearing for Tinuviel's life, decides to ignore the heat of the wall of fire (he had buffed resictance anyway) and dances into the room to fight the undead. Torrent and Grellfin follow his example, using their holy energies to keep Griiat's minions at bay. As soon as he realizes that gravitation is kind of subjective in the astral plane and that the undead seem to make use of that fact, Tinuviel uses his psionics to join the group of enemies at the ceiling. While Cuin tries to keep the sergeants and the invisible hellcat at bay, Grellfin charges at Griiat and uses his holy power to make the ghost corporeal. He isn't able to do much damage though, but insists that he'll fare just fine. Meanwhile, Griiat uses his blade barrier and unholy fire against the group. As soon as Cuin sees an opportunity, he jumps at Griiat and defeats the inquisitor. Fortunately, this kills all of the other undead as well as the Dark Pyre bursts with power, unleashing a wave of energy. It also seems like they just returned to the material plane. The group is happy for now and after they heal up their wounds, Grellfin decides to get the rest of his clan up there as well. Meanwhile, the other three examine the Dark Pyre. Now they can clearly see the shapes of three elves, one of them holding a fiery torch in one hand and a jagged scimitar in the other hand. What's unsettling Cuin however is the fact that he knows this weapon. He heard tales of Shaalguenyaver, the black, soul-eating scimitar of Rhuarc, the half-elven Knightslayer and remembers that he saw him once in the vision of the Torch's creation. And that torch-wielding hooded figure might just be the very same, deadly Rhuarc. [I]Note: Shaalguenyaver. Another one of *those* words. It becomes far easier when you cut it down into the three pieces "Shaal" (meaning obviously "bright" like in Shaaladel) "guen" and the ending "yaver" (meaning something "dark" like in Taryaver). I think someone tried to make a believeable elvish language there...[/I] Tinuviel takes some time to collect some small bone fragments from Syana's skeleton as he wishes to try resurrecting her later. Torrent offers them to be able to at least talk to Syana, as she memorized a speak with dead spell. She doesn't know whether this will work on a dragon who's been dead for decades though. Cuin wants to give it a try, so the cleric prepares the corresponding ritual. Meanwhile, the two elves decide to search the remaining upper floor of Korstull. They realize that time might be pressing as they can see an army approaching the castle. What's really disturbing them is the sight of elven troops among the Ragesians. Troops that can only belong to princess Shalosha. They also find the Sky Palanquin, a magical carriage that is fueled by souls and might be used as an emergency escape mechanism. Fortunately, there are also enough soul gems to get this thing running. Finally, they get to the throne room and find... an unconscious man who seems to have written down a crude prophecy with his own bloody fingertips. They suspect that this guy might be Inquisitor Darius, the second Inquisitor Lord Gorquith spoke about. They decide to write down a copy of the prophecy, but don't know what to do with the guy. After all, he's an Inquisitor who will most likely have committed great cruelties against the Sindairese and other enemies of Ragesia. Before they can make a decision, the rest of Clan Millorn arrive at the upper floor and Torrent calls them to join in her ritual. Fortunately the ritual works as planned and the grand skeleton moves its massive jaws to answer their call. Syana says that she senses something familiar in Cuin'halar, and that he must be somehow related to her faithful student Eshânii. Cuin replies that he is indeed Eshânii's son who gave her life to protect the secrets of Ycengled from the Shahalesti. Syana is saddened to hear about her student's fate, and, over the course of their questions, also tells them that it wouldn't be possible to revive her as she used too much of her soul to share her magic with the Syllith. She also explains that she created her daughter Trilla via soul magic as she couldn't find a mate and wanted to seek out the secrets of life. She says that Trilla always had a unique form of psychic magic, and also strange dreams that would manifest from time to time, but she thought that her daughter would be able to control them in time. She then adds that Tinuviel also feels a bit like Trilla and the elf explains that he's somehow connected with a dream of Trilla. Last, Cuin asks about the “ancient evil” Three Weeping Ravens mentioned that might be somehow corrupting Ycengled. Syana answers that there is indeed a spirit of pure evil in the Temple of Echoed Souls, but it is trapped there. She warns them to not go there and that this presence is among the few entities she really feared. Cuin thanks Syana for her wisdom and promises that they'll get her body out of here and give her a proper burial once they can safely return to Korstull. [I]Note: I don't follow the rules with the speak with dead spell too strictly as my party doesn't spam it to gather random information. I know that there are PCs out there who just kill opponents to get the info out of them via speak with dead (as it is easier than to subjugate or trick them), but... that's really not our approach. So I tend to be more lenient with the conversations. [/I] They return to Darius and the Imperial chambers where they decide that Darius could have some valuable information as well, so it would be wise to try to save him from his delirium. Fortunately, Torrent has the required spells ready, so she heals Darius while the other two erase the written prophecy so neither Ragesians nor Shahalesti can read the text. [I]Note: And the restoration wands were conveniently placed up there as well ;) [/I] After they made sure that the treasure in Coaltongue's chamber is harmless even if there are dried puddles of blood everywhere (and yes, they were worried about the necromantic cheese!), they call for Clan Millorn so the gnomes may collect their fair share. Meanwhile, they drag Darius to the Inquisitor's chamber and heal him up. The trio explains the confused Inquisitor that they are part of General Magdus' troops and allies who came here to rescue the missing Inquisitor and to find out about their Emperor's fate. Darius believes them and tells them the whole story: He stood guard at the imperial chamber when three elvish looking people attacked them. They killed the other guards and one dark elf lady kissed him with a poisonous kiss. He fell to the ground but saw that one of the elves had the bleeding body of his emperor with him. Then the three fled the scene and he lost consciousness. Before they can question Darius any further, they all hear Jorrina Waryeye shrieking somewhere in the dancing hall. “Earnest, what are you doing!?” she screams and she sounds pretty terrified. As neither Tinu nor Cuin want any last minute casualties, they ask Torrent to care for Darius while they make a beeline to the dance hall. There they see Earnest, one of the Millorn clansmen who's holding up a strange glowing gem towards Syana's skeleton. His body starts sprouting tendrils and they immediately know that this has to be the Trillith Deception. Tinuviel begins singing the Song of Forms and Cuin charges at the transforming gnome. “Leave her alone!” he shouts and tries to attack the Trillith, but he happens to wound Tinuviel instead. Cuin instantly recognizes this scheme from the fight with the Vrock, so he closes his eyes and asks Tinuviel to guide his strikes. Tinu forms a mental connection with Cuin and this time the coordinated attack works. “It is too late. Grandmother will destroy you all!” he screams as he falls to the ground and finally dissolves in black mist. It seems like they came too late indeed, as the dragon skeleton starts weeping bloody tears while flesh begins to form around her bones. Cuin who knows that they should better get the rest of them out of here runs towards Lord Gorquith, hands him his old hat of disguise and asks him to turn into a different person. Tinuviel rushes towards Torrent and Darius and dimension doors them all next to the Sky Palanquin. Meanwhile, Syana is resurrected, but raging with anger. Fortunately she's still chained and needs some time to get rid of her bones, so the group has enough time to get everyone lacking fly spells into the Palanquin and depart through the glass window. They get out of the frying pan and into the fire as there is still an army of Ragesians out there who see the glowing Palanquin and its fiery hippogriff steeds and decide that these must be the adventurers they are looking for. The party is lucky though as the first volley of arrows isn't able to reach them at all. Next, they send wyvern knights to intercept the carriage. To their shock, they are accompanied by a group of elven soldiers who are led by none other than princess Shalosha herself. Cuin tries to fend off the Wyvern while Tinuviel flies towards Shalosha, greets her happily and even dances around her like a foal. Shalosha requests Tinuviel to take this situation seriously and demands that they land and surrender as they cannot win against an army of Ragesians. She promises them that they'll not be harmed though. Just when she finished her demands, Syana breaks through the window with a mighty roar. Shalosha doesn't understand what this is all about, but she knows dragons and she knows that this one is angry. So she orders her Solei Palantis to leave the Palanquin and deal with the dragon instead. The she uses an invisibility spell as she doesn't want to become dragon food. Tinuviel and Cuin do the same while Torrent stays in the Panalquin to guide it through the canyon below. Tinuviel comes too close to Syana though and gets feared by her menacing presence. Cuin intercepts Syana and tries to lure her away from the rest. Shalosha unleashes barrages of spells against the dragon and Cuin is pretty impressed by the princess' determination. After a not so long fight, Syana is about to collapse. Cuin uses this time to turn visible again and tells the dragon that he's sorry for what he has to do now. Then he strikes her down with his scimitar, making sure that everyone is watching. Surprisingly, Syana's body doesn't fall to the ground, but rather dissolves into golden dust, forming the image of the guardian of Ycngled one last time. This aura floats right through Cuin'halar and resonates with something inside him. The two auras seem to combine, magic starts to erupt from Cuin and manifests then in the form of a big golden egg right in the elf's arms. Both Tinu (who recovered from his fear) and Cuin are surprised by this chain of events, but they immediately turn the eye invisible and store it safely in Cuin's bag. They really don't wish to risk a Shahalesti seeing this. [I]Note: Yep, this is a real gold dragon egg, formed by the remnants of Syana and the soul shard that Eshânii sent to Cuin'halar when she sacrificed herself. Cuin's player loves dragons and Cuin always had his special connection to dragons of all kind (like Naielasza), so I decided that his “special something” could manifest itself in the form of an actual gold dragon. And he was really happy to the prospect of raising a tiny dragon. We'll see whether Syana foresaw this possibility. [/I] As the Palanquin runs out of soul power, it does have to land next to the Ragesian army. The group is accompanied by Shalosha, but quickly surrounded by ragesian soldiers who all point their weapons at them. “Careful, I just defeated that dragon” Cuin grumbles. Meanwhile, Darius is confused as he thought his new allies to be Ragesians as well. Shalosha explains that they are, unlike her, acquaintances, but not allies. She demands that the party hand over the inquisitor and “surrender” to General Magdus who only wishes to talk to them and would let them go as soon as he knows what happened to Coaltongue and the Torch. Cuin turns sour in response. He says that Magdus had been in this area for months without making any progress and he doesn't see why they should be the ones doing the dirty work for the Ragesians. They all, including Clan Millorn, risked their lives in Korstull, so they have earned the right to question Darius. When Shalosha explains that she and Magdus are no friends of Leska and wish to find another way to get rid of her, he adds that he doesn't see Magdus or her as an enemy yet. So if they maybe want to become allies instead (as they all might have the same goal), they should maybe let them question Darius in Seaquen for one or two days and return him later. He promises that they won't do magical tricks on him. Shalosha says that this would be okay as long as they agree to talk with General Magdus about a possible alliance as well. Tinuviel tries to convince Shalosha that they are family and that she'd be better off allying with them instead of Magdus. When Shalosha isn't convinced at all – she points out that they could have told her about their mission to Korstull as she would have supported and helped them, Tinu replies that he just had to protect her and that he's really happy to see her faring so well. He then approaches her, caresses her cheek and kisses her. Shalosha is stunned for a moment. Then she slaps him just hard enough to non-verbally drive him off, glances over her shoulder at the just arrived Magdus, turns around and leaves. [I]Note: That took me by surprise as well. I was totally convinced that Tinu was in a happy relationship with Torrent and only worried for his cousin. His player mailed me that Tinu wasn't too happy about the prospect of Shalosha marrying Magdus (even if neither of them had officially proposed and this was until now all just based upon visions and nightmares) and that Tinu somehow thought he might be Shalosha's future match in a few decades from now. But going full Katrina on Torrent? That really wasn't on my radar. And it made their return to the promised parley even more interesting. Also Shalosha... my vision of her is that of a politically savvy, idealistic and capable leader who has just been pampered by her father too long. I painted her as a bit more mature than Cuin and Tinu who are barely adult (both are around 50 and Shalosha is something around 100 years old). Which is why I cannot really see her falling for Rantle... sorry, my dashing scoundrel. [/I] Cuin and Torrent are speechless as well. Once they recover from what they just witnessed, they decide to talk about the incident in private and part with Clan Millorn. The gnomes are happy about their joint venture and hope they'll go on adventures again someday. Before they teleport back to Seaquen, they can see that Shalosha is busy talking to Magdus and it seems like she's trying to hold him back. They decide to leave before things escalate even further. [/QUOTE]
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