Van Pyn Onder

Ivoorstrandnt- Vol.001:Iss#009

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Story

With an almost deafening hum, the Stuitlaai Crystal threshold opened, its once opaque surface now shimmering like water under the midday sun. As if we'd been thrown, Aq, Vhowin, and I tumbled through the threshold and landed in a graceless heap onto the unforgiving cobble floors of the FlintGarde Keep.

🎲 CLATTER OF DICE 🎲

New Area Charted

FlintGarde Dungeon: The Garde Keep.

Initiate Floor: 01

The stark contrast from the chitinous hive to this familiar setting was jarring. The scent of burning torches and old books filled my nostrils, replacing the metallic, sterile stench of the hive.

My mind whirled with a torrent of thoughts and fears. All our lives were entwined with this mission, but Aq's, in particular, held an essential thread. If that thread were to snap...

Before us, two figures stood in startled silence. I recognized one immediately—Konyel, the Coblyn bodyguard of Seldah, my old friend. The other was unfamiliar, a woman swathed in beautifully intricate tribal garb, save for a blood-soaked and tattered scarf wrapped around her neck. I'd never seen her before, but I recognized the gleam of focused determination in her eyes.

"Healer!" I croaked out, my voice thick with desperation. Both my companions needed immediate attention, but Vhowin's state wasn't as critical as Aq's, yet.

The woman—Xhiya, I later learned—responded swiftly, her eyes scanning over our disheveled group. "He's in a precarious way," she warned, nodding at Aq. "I'll do my best." Her voice filled with an odd mixture of compassion and cold professionalism, her eyes sparking with an intelligence that made my heart pound with renewed hope. This was a woman who thrived on challenges.

🎲CLATTER OF DICE🎲

As we moved to lift Vhowin, someone gasped. The glint of metal around his neck—his prisoners collar-gave her aides a start. They dropped him as if burnt, glancing at each other. This wasn't good. As a Garde detail arrived to take over, I felt a surge of anxiety. Things were spiraling out of control, and Aq's life hung in the balance.

I watched as Xhiya, with a commanding presence, led the team carrying Aq and Vhowin to her infirmary, sternly warning us to stay clear. I protested, of course. I wanted to make sure he survived. But her gaze was like iron. "The best thing you can do for him right now is to stay out of my way." she said. A wave of powerlessness washed over me as I clenched my fists. I was sidelined, and my fate now lay in Xhiya's hands.

Konyel moved to my side, silent as ever, but I barely noticed. A knot of fear tightened in my gut. The plans I'd carefully laid out were in jeopardy. If Aq didn't survive this, what would that mean with Fievhos? And even worse if Vhowin died too. There was too much left to chance for my liking.

"I need him, Konyel," I murmured, a frantic whisper. His stony gaze was unreadable, as he motioned for me to follow him.

---

Konyel's words hung in the air, sending a chill down my spine. Two Months? I still hadn't quite wrapped my own head around my revival, but two months...

“Not uncommon for explorers to come stumbling into the Garde's Keep, tail between their legs. Demoralized and shattered souls that once sought glory. That that be an everyday occurrence here. But the dead… the dead come stumbling through? That's a new one to me,Kes.” Konyel let his words sit.

I'd trailed behind him to a quieter wing of The Keep, away from the commotion. My mind raced as I tried to keep up with his revelation.

"What are you talking about, Konyel?" I demanded, my voice edged with a mixture of confusion and frustration. His mention of how long it had been sent my heart into my throat. Ayetha could be long gone by now

He turned to face me, his stony expression inscrutable. "Two months, Kes. Two months without a word from you. Turkhan coming in all beat to hell..." he hesitated, swallowing hard. “Seldah is gonna want to know how you did it.”

Time had never felt like such an enemy. So much had transpired, yet so little time had passed. I nodded as I ruminated over my options. I needed to to find a way to control the situation. Seldah... Like he said would want to know how I did it, but I had to tread carefully. It's not like I knew how I ended up like this. Besides Turkhan had already told her I was dead, and my last recollection was she wasn't exactly happy with him. Doubt she'd be happy with me.

"I survive, Konyel, it's what I do" I said, forcing a weak smile onto my face. Knowing better than to try and explain anything further. Konyel was Seldah's right hand as was his want.

He raised a brow at that, intrigued and worried. "We need to get you back to Seldah, then."

I nodded, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders. It was just another twist in the knot of our predicament. Aq's life was still on the line, Vhowin was wounded and recollared, and now this. Two months. It might as well have been a lifetime. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized the extent of the mess I was in. I was alive, yes, but for how long? The decisions I made were a gamble, and it felt like I was walking a thin line.

🎲 CLATTER OF DICE 🎲

Quest Failed

As I stared at the notification,one of Xhiya's aides - a young man, no older than eighteen. Scanned the keep until he laid eyes on me. His face was pale, drained of color, and his eyes bore the weight of the news he carried.

His gaze met mine, and I saw it before he even had the chance to mouth the words. The slump of his shoulders, the dip of his head - a silent, mournful ballet. A quiet death announcement, performed without uttering a single syllable. Aq was gone.

I found myself stumbling backwards, my hand reaching for the nearest pillar for support. The pit of my stomach churned in sudden turmoil, but it wasn't grief that consumed me. No, this was fear. Fear for the fragility of my plans, now teetering precariously on the edge. With Aq gone, I had lost a critical piece in my intricate game of chess. How would Fievhos react to this news? Could this break the delicate alliance I had worked so hard to construct?

My mind raced, the cogs turning in overdrive as I tried to envisage a new path forward. This wasn't just the death of a comrade; it was a potential catastrophe for my carefully crafted plans. I had to find a way to save this situation. What of Vhowin? A glimmer of hope sparked in the back of my mind. If there was a slim chance to secure my favor Vhowin would probably be my best shot.

Next week

Things are spiraling out of control yet again. But answers will come to me either way and a choice must be made.

Bones and Mechanics

The dice were not in my overall favor but that's what makes this game/story so much fun. A ton has happened pretty fast for Kes-qa and we can get some answers hopefully in the next session no matter what we decide to do. We have run into an old contact in the form of Konyel. Why is he here and why was he speaking to Xhiya? Konyel also dropped the bomb that we have been ‘dead' for over two months. Which begs the question if Kes-qa dies again how long might it take for her to return?

Then there is Vhowin, our wounded silent comrade who has been taken into custody by the Garde. We have no idea why he is a prisoner or what circumstances left him in the hands of Fievhos. So we are left with a few options about where we can take things. We could head off to speak with Seldah and possibly gather information on Turkhan and Ayetha's relationship.

Or we could head to Vhowin and the Infirmary possibly have Vhowin released into our custody and gain more information on Fievhos and the current circumstances.

If you have some other creative ideas or happened to be rolling dice along side me why not roll up a random event focus and submit your own scene option in the comments below!

Thank you as always for reading!

Fellowship

Jesse Lee over at Epic Solo makes minis fun. His knack for clear rule explanation is a master class for DM's and Solo players alike.

DC over at GFA! Is a savant of storytelling and immersion. Don't forget to check out his Frontier and Space Idiots Campaigns.

The Master Rogue Campaign over at P&D has just gone Multiplayer! Make sure you get in on the action and watch the Director bring your character to life!