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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lylandra" data-source="post: 9811774" data-attributes="member: 6816692">Shadows risingFollowing Gabriel's will, the others take on their tasks. The lifeless bodies of the cultists are gathered, while King Vardanis, unconscious and stripped of his blood-stained regalia, is bound and carried to the surface. The last of the shaken prisoners are freed from their cells; Auryn reassures them gently, while Margit double-checks their injuries and Asrabey and Betronga keep a sharp eye out for any lingering threats.When the group emerges into the open air, Vardanis’ troops are already gathering in tense lines. Their expressions shift instantly when they see their king captured and dragged along our team. Auryn raises her voice, clear and unwavering.“Your king is defeated and awaits trial. The horrors he conjured are ended. The devils he conspired with are dead. Stand down if you wish to live.”There is a long silence, then weapons slowly lower. Several soldiers step back from their ranks, heads bowed, unwilling to defend the man they once served.We retreat to Sawyer, where Vardanis is handed over to the Council of Elfaivar, who accept to take their foe to custody. Asrabey and Betronga watch the exchange closely and ever watchful, and Margit exhales in quiet relief once the chains are transferred. Some of Vardanis’ troops, newly “freed” from their ruler’s command officially renounce their allegiance. Others flee into the wilds, and we hope to never see them again.That evening, when the night falls, Teraklir approaches Auryn alone to have a word with the only one who knows her true identity.“I… relocated the blue dragon,” she says, keeping her voice low. “She’s in Slate now. Harkover Lee will see to her. Safely. Discreetly. I guess he'll know how to treat one of his own.”Auryn nods, grateful, thanking Teraklir for her help.As she almost returns back to her room, Harkover Lee himself appears. He seems to be both tired and concerned.“Baroness Auryn, two dragons now know of the power in the Eternal City. That source must not become an object of draconic ambition.”Auryn inclines her head, grinning faintly. “Three dragons“, she corrects. „I understand your concern. The King and I will speak with the blue dragon together. As for Teraklir…” She takes a deep breath. “I assure you that she will not betray this knowledge to her father. Also, Gradiax is no longer a threat to us. We don't need to fear him and there is nothing for him to covet.”Lee studies her for a long moment, then nods. “Very well. I trust your judgment.”(I love Lee and his utter suspiciousness regarding other dragons. Especially Gradiax. I'd so love to see more of them interacting. I guess I already wrote it down once, but from my perception, Lee is pretty much unnerved by the old Steel Tyrant, as he is way older and much more powerful. Meanwhile, Gradiax most likely doesn't even think of Inatch at all.)Auryn then hands Lee the plans for a peace conference, which have now been drawn up and are to be scheduled once the first reactions to Risur's official announcements have been received.(I don't think that I've actually written down too much of the planning in the recaps. I'll read up what I got in the regular docs in the near future and provide more info about this if the write-ups are missing details. We got a separate „plans“ thread in our Campaign forum, so there is quite some info out there...)Auryn, Asrabey, and Margit remain in Sawyer for the following week. The settlement becomes a hub of tension and transition as Eladrin who once followed Vardanis now petition for refuge or wait for judgment.When the day of judgment comes, King Vardanis is publicly executed. His fate sends a ripple through the fractured empire. The Council soon announces their readiness to negotiate peace with the remnants of his empire.A week later, Gabriel returns quiet, composed, a faint exhaustion beneath his usual serenity.“The corruption is cleansed,” he reports. “And the golem is stationed there as a guardian. Nothing will disturb the chamber.”He takes a quick look at Asrabey, indicating that it will take quite some unearthly force to actually get past the golem. Auryn then tells him of her discussion with Lee. Gabriel’s expression darkens thoughtfully and he agrees that the chamber containing the pool of power should probably remain a secret.Together, Auryn and Gabriel travel to meet Auryn’s family, who have built a temporary refuge near Sawyer: Bright tents woven with Eladrin patterns, songs drifting in the air, the first touches of hope returning to their voices.Auryn embraces them tightly. “As much as I want to... I cannot stay,” she tells her mother and kin with fated sorrow. “The path I have to take will lead me down some dangerous roads. Roads I have to travel still before our world may see a new sunrise. But I am confident that Gabriel and I will be successful in the end”Galadin nods before clasping her daughter's hands bright but steady. Auryn swallows, then adds:“If something were to happen to me… treat my Sahomi Gabriel as family. He deserves a home here, even if I cannot stand beside him.”(That... is about as open as she'll get right now regarding her thoughts and fears. Seen from an outside perspective, nothing too remarkable in this kind of situation though.)Galadin smiles, reassuring Auryn with her unshakable resolute.“My child, Gabriel is already part of this family. And families embrace their own.She then turns to the King Gabriel himself, placing two carved wooden boxes into his hands.“Veteran’s elixirs. One for you, and one for... you now call him Duke Aodhan? May they serve you as well as you have served us.”Gabriel accepts the gift with a knowing smile, stating that he'll make sure the elixir will make its way to Aodhan.(Aodhan being Aodhan actually enjoyed the elixirs for their taste, not necessarily their effects) Then we return to Slate via teleportation. The moment we arrive, Harkover Lee approaches us instantly, as he has already been waiting for us. He wastes no time, and shoves King Gabriel into a cramped chamber stacked high with scrolls, reports, and newly drafted decrees. For nearly an hour, Gabriel is beset by an unending tide of paperwork: Matters of security, foreign correspondence, revisions to the public announcements, and a dozen governmental tasks that desperately needed a signature yesterday. Only once Lee is satisfied he ushers both Gabriel and Auryn into the lower levels of the palace: the dungeon reserved for “special guests.”There, behind reinforced bars and guarded by wards, stands a young woman with cobalt hair and unmistakable golden eyes. Lee introduces her as Adala, the blue dragon who had been rescued by „Shealis“, who has now taken on a more human form.Gabriel looks at Adala and gets straight to the point:“I sent out the call to renew the Pact of Boyle, but you refused to come, so... may I have an explanation for your absence? Also... you're welcome regarding those crazy cultists who were coming for your blood...”Adala snorts proudly, a sound that is distinctly draconic, even in human form.“Once the world changed, I could fly again. For the first time in centuries. Why would I waste a moment of that? I saw no reason in hiding like this. Even if my freedom was merely momentarily it seems”She pulls at her too-human sleeves in distaste, making sure that she'd want nothing more than to be her true self again.Auryn softens her voice.“We understand your desire for freedom. Truly. But your recklessness endangered not only yourself, but all of dragonkind. Should it be known that dragons surived, the mortal races will come after your kind. Mortals who managed to overpower you. Especially now that they, too can fly freely. ”Adala winces, pride pricked while Gabriel steps closer.“We aren’t your jailors. If you wish to soar again, we will help you find a safe refuge - someplace where dragons need not hide, and without mortal interference. But until then, you should really consider renewing the pact with the King of Risur.”There is a long, tense silence. Adala’s golden eyes flick between them before she finally exhales.„Very well then. I will renew the pact.”, she states, before going through the proper incantation with King Gabriel, citing Inatch the Hex-Eater as her witness.We spend half a day in Slate taking care of more paperwork, though there has been no news regarding the announcements yet. Then, just before dinner the next evening, a messenger bursts into the room.“Your Majesty, two guests arrived without prior notice. Strange accents. Insist the matter is urgent and they need to talk to the King.”Gabriel exchanges a weary glance with Auryn.Of course it is exactly who he expected, as the guests turn out to be Morgan Cippiano and Ottavia Sacredotte, who both seem to be in a hurry. Cippiano bows. while Ottavia kneels.“Your Majesty,” she begins in sign language, while Cippiano translates "Crisillyir is in chaos. The loss of Cardinal Tito has left a void, and Vitus Sigismund has rallied a faction of disillusioned clergy. They claim the gods abandoned them during Nightfall. Problem is that they mean the term 'accusation' quite literally: They actually started summoning the gods, only to find them 'guilty' and cast them into the lava of Enzyo Mons."The air in the chamber chills.Gabriel appears to be alarmed by the news, but stays quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time. Then he folds his arms, expression darkening.“And what makes you think I am the right person to appeal to? If I recall correctly, the Clergy can be currently divided into four distinct groups: Fanatics, who do everything their 'faith' or higher-ups dictate without mercy; Obs and their collaborators; Cowards who hide behind scripture while serving their own end; And a few honest souls... very few. And I'd better not start reciting what the Clergy has done during their 'Victories'. Atrocities that drove me from the nation, my nation of birth, long ago...”Gabriel pauses, before he concludes.“And, to me, there are no indicators that anything has changed since those days.”Ottavia flinches at the notion of her homeland’s sins.“We want to do better now,” she gestures softly, desperately. “We are trying, truly. But we need the chance to prove that we can change”Gabriel’s voice is turning cold now, his grim face showing only a faint hint of his usual calm.“And what does this ‘better’ Crisillyir look like? What do you want it to become? Wouldn't it be better for all if the Clergy now found a quick, sharp, albeit terrible end?”(is he beginning to share some Drakran philosophy here? I guess this is the first time he'd talk about a "quick end" being the best alternative.Besides that, this was just perfect. I suppose that the arrival of Ottavia and Cippiano is just your usual adventure hook for most people, but they really approached the wrong person with King Gabriel, who despises the Clergy, and who had seen centuries of them not learning anything from their past. At this moment, he was really prepared to let Crisillyir meet its end.)At that, Cippiano finally starts speaking for himself, his face lined with worry.“Because the consequences of Vitus Sigismund’s ‘divine tribunals’ aren’t stopping at the broders of Crisillyir. It affetcs all faithful, at least that's what I believe” he says. “My godchildren in Flint are in danger as well. One is already gone. Collapsed and withered away. Ultimately, it is once again the common people, many innocent believers in the gods, who will pay with their lives. Not just the Clergy.”That hits home. Gabriel closes his eyes for a moment. Finally he lets out a weary breath.“I remember what you and your people did for us during the battle for Flint. And I won’t let innocents die because fanatics grasped a ritual they cannot comprehend.”Ottavia bows her head, relief shaking her shoulders.“But I need two days, so be my guests” Gabriel continues.He then asks his staff to prepare a accomodations for Ottavia and Cippiano until then.Afterwards, he consults with Auryn, and both agree that it is not a good sign that Vitus seems to have gotten his hands on the ritual of ascension. On the other hand, Vitus was an honest man who had nothing to do with the Obs and might therefore be open to reason.„I'd never have thought that Cippiano would ignore me that blatantly“, Auryn states, sounding somewhat offended. „or that he'd fumble around that foolishly just because Ottavia knows so little...“She then shakes her head, brushing off the matter.„Still the common people of Crisillyir do not deserve to suffer for the sins of the past. They shall have a chance to prove that they, too, can change“So we ultimately agree to go to Alais Primos in due course to look for the source of the ritual, that might perhaps have once resided in the Jenevah Grand Librarium.Evening settles over Slate, with the dimming of the Gyre, like a soft gray mantle. Right before nighttime, servants apporach Auryn to escort her down a quiet corridor to show her her newly prepared study and adjoining bedroom, which is spacious, beautifully furnished, and painfully pristine. When Gabriel arrives moments later, intending simply to check on her comfort, he finds her standing rigidly in the center of the room, arms folded tightly against herself.She does not look at the bed, or the desk, or the wide windows overlooking the city. She looks straight at him.“Is this it?” she asks, voice surprisingly thin and trembling beneath the controlled tone. “Is this your way of… sending me away completely?”Gabriel blinks, utterly taken aback.“What? No! Absolutely not. Why would you think-”“You had a room made for me,” she cuts in. “Separate. Bed and all. I mean, I understand... after everything that has happened... that will happen... you need your distance.”He takes a slow step toward her. “Auryn, I really don't understand. I don’t want distance from you. Not now. Not ever. And no one forces you to sleep here“At that, something inside her cracks. The words spill out—quiet at first, then unstoppable.“I heard She-Who-Writhes,” she whispers. “Her whispers when she touched me... when she showed me the truth... you must have heard it too. She was too clear: This mission is a journey without return. At least for me.“Her voice wavers.“I mean... this is the price we have to pay. That I will bring Dawn, but not see the light of this new day. That our time together was limited. And that you....That you were preparing yourself to lose me.”Gabriel feels the floor shift beneath him, feeling shaken and stunned at the same time.“Auryn, by all the gods, no. How could I ever believe that?” He reaches out, takes her hands gently but firmly between his. “That is not the price. The darkness we’ve faced, the deaths, the horrors, all who we have lost… that is the price we’ve already paid. That we are still paying. Not you.” He lifts her chin so she must meet his gaze. “I believe in you. I trust in the light you carry, that you will bring this world a new dawn. And I believe we will both see the end of this and live to build something bright beyond it.”Her breath leaves her in a shaky exhale.“And as for my role as King,” he continues, “you are my equal. That is why I named you Dawn Knight. Not as ornament, or symbol, or courtesy,but because your presence, your judgment, and your strength are my equal. So please... don't stop to openly take your own position, and oppose me if necessary. As I said before, I don't want that to change”At that, she nods, half embarrassed, half relieved.He steps closer, lowering his voice, allowing himself a slight grin.“And if someone dismisses you as 'merely my lover', then show them who you are. Prove them wrong. You’ll enjoy it more than I ever could.”Now that earns him an earnest laugh.“And Auryn,” he adds, “I have no intention of being King of Risur for all eternity. Neither of us can be truly free while I am carrying this crown. When this is done… when the world is safe again… when Risur's future is set on a secure foundation... I mean to step down. And live.”„You are a wonderful King still...“, she insists„...but a terrible partner, apparently.“, he adds„That's not what I meant... and I thought you were ever the traditionalist,” she murmurs. “A man who would cling to duty no matter the personal cost.”Gabriel chuckles softly.“I am many things. Traditionalist? That's what I've been in the past. Persistent? Certainly. But there is one rule, one single decree, I will enforce without compromise.”Auryn raises her eyebrows in anticipation while he leans in close, eyes gleaming with mischief.“You are absolutely forbidden from sleeping in this new bed.”(There you have it, beans are spilled. I guess that finally concludes the "test" of She-Who-Writhes. As I interjected Auryn's thoughts regarding her fate before the Episode in Ber, and as this point marks the end of session 66, I might take the gap to show the changes to her "after cutting the knot" statealso... did I mention that Gabriel Carlyle can be utterly hilarious with his dry humor? That last sentence was a 1:1 quote <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> )</blockquote>

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