Emergence Game Thread

"Elereth, I apologize for Harper, I am sure he meant no offense by his abrupt departure, but he has had a rough past and sometimes forgets his civility. I thank you greatly for this glance into the history of what must surely be the same dragon that destroyed my people. Dinja Razarac......Bloodbane...... it will be a name I will not soon forget." I pull out my small vial of dragonblood, given to me by my father before I left to sea for the first time. I spin it carefully in my fingers and try to sense the magnitude of the being from which it came... "My father told me of the greater dragons and the power of both good and evil, but until this moment it was hard to believe they were not merely figments of our collective imagination..... Can you tell me more about the Drakonis Severin? Where is this place that I have never heard of? Are dragons of any sort still known to exist in the area?"

From the interest and energy in Rhiv's eyes I can tell he may yet be some time. Many humans and elf-kin think dragonborn are difficult to read, that their faces are cacographic. As a race one might describe them as reserved, so much so that some small-minded folk may think they feel no emotion at all but cold calculation and the rage of an energy that burns in their belly. But those who've guested at the hearth, or shared an honest conversation with a member of the ancient race know the secret: it's in the eyes. The pupils dilate almost constantly, and the color changes nearly as often. Their multiple sets of eyelids, some perfectly transparent - some more opaque, flutter in response to temperature and pressure changes, as well as emotional state. These signs bely deep-seated feeling and strong conviction.

My personal guess is their fearsome appearance makes most turn their faces before really seeing one full in the face. Still, knowing all this, Rhiv likely wears his heart on his sleeve more than most, and even those who'd never seen a dragonborn would know he was fully engrossed in this moment.

I flex my fingers and rub my wrists, and light my second cigarette of the night. I mark the growing cost of this habit since traveling further from the tabac fields of the south, my home. The cold seems unseasonably sharp, and I can't be certain if it's the wind off the mountain or something else. I sense something, a presence I've not felt sense...

*Time Jump Forward about 3 days*

(Read the Session 4 Recap for an account of what happened)

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Rhiv, Therrien, & To'ot find themselves standing a bit in shock at such an abrupt end to a battle that seemed to be going their way. After quickly discovering a chink in the Cold Woman's magical shield, the party landed a couple attacks that dealt significant damage. Our heroes steeled themselves against her magic blade and icy spells, as she had cut off their retreat. By coordinating their efforts, they struck her with fiery swords, bolts, and javelins. With an unexpected suddenness, however, the threat was over and the enemy was gone. The Cold Woman had grabbed Harper by the throat and forearm, lifted him into the air, and walked straight through the snowy stone wall on the north side of the passage, disappearing from view.

How will our three remaining adventurers respond? Will they try to figure out a way to pursue their captive comrade? Will they travel to the city below to find help? Will they abandon Harper to his fate? Will they set up camp in this harsh environ?

Let's find out!

Therrien let's out a primal howl which is echoed in the wind. He rushes the rock wall where Harp disappeared, sword drawn. He hacks at the wall in his rage, shouting "Stand and fight, you ice bitch! Fight ME!" He is nearly incoherent in his fury, howling like the wolves he heard the night before.

Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.

May the Spirits give me sight. The ice is everywhere, and this setting closes me off from the insight I normally feel in a forest. There is so little life in the ice, or life that is held suspended. I have never seen magic like the ice woman, and in her element here, I fear she may already have taken Harper to a place we can never access.

(Wisdom roll)

To'ot walks up to the section of wall where the Cold Woman and Harper disappeared, and extends his arms out, placing his bare palms on the snowy stone. The baby twists and whimpers, working his way around to face the rock wall, and reaches out his tiny chubby little arms toward the mountain, just like To'ot. As he reaches out with his spirit, he is able to connect with some wildlife in the area (a family of mountain goats, and an owl, and he draws on their life force. Just then, he sees a blinding flash. After recoiling and rubbing his eyes, he reopens them to see that the rock wall has taken on a translucence. About 10 feet behind the snowy stone there's a large door.

To Rhiv and Therrien, nothing appears to have changed. There's still a seemingly impenetrable mountain wall.

And, though neither Harper nor Rhiv have any indication, Adonai hears the prayer and grants the request.