Orc Cave
In the morning, he's very fidgety, especially when Arannis hasn't returned. He still believed there was something in the older elf...something deep inside that could reach Ilmadia...and repair both of their pains.
He asks Fluphy to help him recall the positive memories about his mother, ending any that would turn sour early. The more he could remember about the good inside his mother, the better.
Well, it's almost time. He nods at Alalla, who is probably used to his stance as being ready to give some kind of speech. "Friends! As we prepare, for the next stretch of our journey, I thank you for your vigilance and your courage, even when I have not been such. We have laughed together...or...at least smiled together...and we have mourned together. Arannis always said to plan for the worst. That's probably what gave him his lively demeanor," he says with a wink to Saki. "In all seriousness, though, we've never been closer to finishing this conflict. Whether we sway Ilmadia or...take her out...I believe we're on the right course. Be ready for an ambush. Hope for a miracle."
There are dozens of such memories, snippets of Zenithral and Ilmadia sharing warm smiles, heartfelt laughs, tender hugs. The wonder that sparkles in both their eyes as they practice simple spells together. Quiet chuckles at Arannis’ expense. Happy reunions, bittersweet farewells.
Between these snippets, however, are areas that Fluphy purposefully leaves untouched. Still, they mix so completely with the happy memories that the end result is like a painting touched by fire, with many parts of the scene destroyed by angry, gaping holes.
There is good there. There is also much that is not.
An hour later, from her outlook at the cave’s entrance Alalla notes the approach of a large black bird - one she has never seen grace Icewind Dale’s skies. The black swan descends, and just as it touches the ground it blurs and becomes Ilmadia.
A wide smile crosses her face at the sight of them. "How you've grown!" There is a tinge of sadness in her declaration, but she says it like praise. She kneels and opens her arms, urging her children to come to her. "Zenithral told me how you've been taking care of each other." She smiles at her eldest son. "I'm so proud of you."
"Well! I must admit I was regretting giving away my engagement ring, but it seems my son put it to good use. Congratulations, Zenithral." Her congratulations seem sincere, but it comes with effort through hurt and anger.
"I suppose Mother came for the wedding?" A much more bitter tone. She turns scathing eyes to Saki. "Fix your face, Mother. You have no grounds to judge my mothering of a child you helped keep away from me.
And where's Father? Off sulking and avoiding his past? I'm touched really, to have found myself placed in the same category as undead abominations. He really does care."
"Hello, Ilmadia." Zenithral says, ignoring her comments regarding Halla, Saki, and Ilmadia. He looks at the twins. "They're quite wonderful, aren't they? You taught him some tricks and her some piety." He avoids using any names in order to avoid offending her. His face then turns sorrowful. "But do you plan to hide and lock them away again? Even if you are their mother...that tower was torturous for them. Before you leave...will you consider seeing their memories?" He gestures towards Fluphy.
Rolls
Persuasion (Adv from Eagle's Splendor) - (1d20+7, 1d20+7)
1d20+7 : (16) + 7 = 23
1d20+7 : (13) + 7 = 20
Guidance - (1d4)
(3) = 3
She closes her eyes and breathes quickly from her nose. When she opens her eyes again she looks and sounds much calmer. "It was a refuge. The best I could find. I've only ever done my best to keep them as safe as possible. But yes, I'll do as you asked." She looks Zenithral over with an air of reassessment. "Especially since you worked so hard to be so charming." She gives the group before her a wary eye before submitting to the flumph.
Fluphy touches one tendril to Mona’s cheek, and then one to Ilmadia’s. The cambion girl immediately stills, eyes opening wide as dark thoughts are summoned to the surface of her mind.
Zenithral understands that the scenes playing out are from deeply frightening events: Being left alone in the Severed Hand. The ghosts and worse that wandered the place. Erestor, poised with murderous intent. The screams of terrified people. The yells of angry men. A world large and so, so awfully confusing...
Mona seems to weather the storm well enough as Zenithral’s enchantment lends her strength. Fluphy moans slightly, but maintains the connection. But Lance...
Lance cries out and topples from Ilmadia’s lap. Caught up in the vision of memories, she does not even notice as her son writhes on the ground. Halla cries out, and unable to contain herself, steps forward to comfort the young cambion... but when she touches him, he lashes out with an awful, powerful spell.
Fear. Everyone feels it, like a rabid wolf chewing at their gut. Shadows all about the cave turn solid, moving forward with unstoppable dread...
"I should have listened to Erestor." Alalla starts. Erevain is supposed to be hiding in the rope trick. "I should have, but instead I married, and sold my soul for my wife just like him. And for what? At least his wife gave him a son."
"Wh- What?" Al looks around for Erevain, hand clutching the plate above her heart.
"I did learn something from Erestor, though. One bitter elf can cause an awful lot of damage, and his orcs were not even loyal to him " Erevain steps out of the shadows, Morrugh and Keggruk flanking him. They are dressed in armour and war paint and blood.
"Where should we direct our might?" Keggruk rumbles.
"There are those in Kuldahar that fear us, and seek our destruction." Erevain smirks, looking Alalla in the eyes. "My wife thinks they do not fear us enough. Let us teach them a lesson."
"To war!" The shout of hundreds of orcs comes thundering in her ears. "For Alalla! For Belhifet!"
"No," Alalla gasps. "No, you cant! Stop!" Her words fade as she fights for breath, but her face remains gripped in terror.
Alalla loses 1 hit dice as a consequence for failing her save vs fear.
Rolls
Wis save - (1d20+1)
(5) + 1 = 6
What?! No!!
Arannis was right. These devil's children were dangerous. Horrifically dangerous.
Zenithral sees Alalla shamble out of the darkness towards him, flesh rotting, glaive in hand. Then a towering giant does the same. Reo. Then a wickedly huge spider. Halla.
Halla! No...Mona and Lance were not monsters. They were family!
"No!" Zenithral's eyes alight and the storm dissipates, his mind returning to reality. He looks around to see the effects of Lance's outburst. "Oh, no..."
Rolls
Wisdom Save - (1d20+3)
(7) + 3 = 10
Indomitable - (1d20+3)
(17) + 3 = 20
Halla’s eyes widen so far that her pupils are nearly drowned by white. "No... No! You hurt Kuldahar once. I will not let you do so again!" She plants her feet flat on the cave floor and brings her palms crashing together. The ground rumbles as half a dozen pillars of stone churn and rise, crashing against the ceiling and sending dust down on those below. One such rumble begins beneath Ilmadia...
Rolls
Ilmadia wis save DC 20 (adv) - (1d20+7, 1d20+7)
1d20+7 : (18) + 7 = 25
1d20+7 : (11) + 7 = 18
Halla wis save DC 20 - (1d20+9)
(9) + 9 = 18
Ilmadia dex save DC 17 (adv) - (1d20+2, 1d20+2)
1d20+2 : (9) + 2 = 11
1d20+2 : (19) + 2 = 21