Day 145: Sunday the 10th, Calistril, 4708
Jonathan woke me up just a little while before sunrise, with the rest of the group. I got out of the hammock that I had been in and quickly helped get everyone suited up in their armor. We didn't key up the power aspect of it, as we wanted to save the battery life. We'd only used a few hours' worth, but each set only has about forty stock hours of charge. The armor was a little stiffer to operate than when powered, but we made it through to get to our positions in the plane.
Dame Rebekah were standing by the rear hatch, and Jonathan was outside where I could see him, next to the ice wall that had been made to block off the hangar. Faunra was seated in the copilot/gunner position. I, of course, was the one who was doing the piloting of the plane. Something that had come from the discussions with the two ex-mil that I had found in Kaer Maga was weighing on me. The plane was designed to operate in the best way that I could make it work, but I never took piloting classes, or even really entered into a cockpit, so of course it wouldn't be flown like a real plane. It was working damnit. It was a minor thing, but it was weighing on me a little.
When we were all ready to leave, the order was given to Faunra, who ran it back to Dame Rebekah, who passed it along to Jonathan. Jonathan hurriedly battered down the ice wall telekinetically. First with the heavy trough that he had recovered from the cabin, then using pieces of the ice wall itself to batter the rest of it. When it was all clear, he took off running back towards the drop hatch. Dame Rebekah shut the hatch behind him and they both ran forward into the passenger compartment, where Faunra saw them get seated and she came back into the cockpit to tell me that we can take off.
With our last bit of preparation done, we got on our way. We slowly exited the hangar, which was now covered with snow. About two feet worth on the sides, tapering off to none at the top. I'm guessing it is the remnants of the Wendigo's summoning of the blizzard. I spared a glance at the cabin, but it looked to be strong enough. We'd have to get word to the Dwarves of Janderhoff about it, as it needed a caretaker at the very least. They would probably be happy to get an outpost back and in operation.
I got the plane righted in the correct direction and started up the mechanical engines. I goosed up the speed to over ninety miles an hour. We zipped along the path of the river and slowly increased up the altitude. About halfway through, the air started to get a little thinner. Jonathan and Dame Rebekah both moved forward from the passenger compartment and crowded into the cockpit with Cytheria for him to activate his air bubble effect around us.
I didn't know how the engines or the rest of the plane would react to the elevation and temperature differences so I didn't opt to speed up above our cruising speed. As we flew along in this precarious condition, we made our way to the Fen that was indicated in the ledger's notes. When we got to the Fen, a frozen swamp of fungi and lichen, I stopped the mechanical engines and slowed the plane down with the magical engine. When we had stopped I had Jonathan activate the immovable rods for our hovering parking brake. It was a decent way to give us a place to stop when we didn't have a good landing surface.
The rest of the group got ready to go out to explore the Fen while I started putting the engines into stasis with the crafters doing the maintenance on the engines. I went to the drop hatch where the rest of the group was waiting. Jonathan slowly lowered Dame Rebekah down to investigate that area and she confirmed a good location for us to land. We all landed shortly thereafter, with her warning us that there were deep sections that we could fall into and that we should follow her. I asked why we were leaving the plane here, and Faunra noted that any indication that we had technological abilities might lead to our enemies having that advantage against us.
Faunra added that we were in a bit of a pickle, because the notes had said that we'd have to fast during the full moon to get in, and we didn't have the real potential to do that, what with all of our rings. I sighed and nodded. Dame Rebekah spoke up and offered that there might be someone here who has an alternative idea or way to continue. I have to admit that I didn't really enjoy the concept but to be honest, we did have a large area that we could cover and that Jonathan could explore it rather quickly on foot.
We wandered the Fen for a few hours. I was safe from the cold due to the environmental systems in my armor, and Jonathan had helped us all with the breathing. I did eventually get very annoyed by my helmet's lens getting fogged up by the cold, so after a while I had to take the helmet off to remove the condensation. I knew that my breath was a bit too humid, and that some kind of dehumidification system would be needed. The only critters we had seen in our wanderings in the Fen were otters, all at different times, although I could have sworn that it was always the same otter, and that it was following us.
A minute or so after I took my helmet off to get rid of the condensation and put it back on, I heard a faint voice. I didn't understand it but Faunra did. She said something back to it and then called over the radio in Elvish for Jonathan and Dame Rebekah to come back. While we waited, Faunra indicated something wanted to talk to us in a peaceful manner, but wanted to have us all back to do so. I nodded slightly, the motion made so much slighter for the added armor and helmet, but the silent message to Faunra got across.
Jonathan and Dame Rebekah came back fairly quickly, as Jonathan ran as quick as he could while Dame Rebekah pointed out the safe places for him to travel. When they were both back, we made our way to the plane, where the biggest patch of solid ice was, and waited there. After a few minutes of this waiting, a delicate pale purple nymph rose out of the icy water in front of us, clad in what can only be described as a gown of ice and snow. Thankfully obscuring the naughty bits. She pointed at me and said something in that same kind of language as before.
Faunra responded to her and ended her statement by telling us that the entity before us was named Svevenka, and that she had a kinship to Myriana. I immediately asked Faunra to apologize to Svevenka for us not being able to save Myriana, and to add that we were looking in to how we could bring her back. Svevenka cocked her head to the side and gave me a bit more of a onceover. Svevenka spoke to us in English, and said that she had been told by a Lyrakien that we had given Myriana a great service by putting her spirit to rest, and that she would deem to help us in whatever manner she could. I had almost been sweating bullets at this point and Svevenka noted that it was me who showed her who we were, as I had Myriana's inspiration, the bit of different colored hair that was the continual reminder of our service to the Fey.
I asked Svevenka if she would be comfortable being above her chosen terrain in our ship, if we promised not to remove her from her home. She asked us why, and Faunra told her that it was the only way to be safe from scrying that might be attempting to locate any one of us. Svevenka looked at Faunra a bit askew but asked how we would get up there. Faunra flew up on her own power while Jonathan, Dame Rebekah, Svevenka and I all crowded onto a piece of thick ice that Jonathan carefully lifted up and then carefully set back down when we had all disembarked.
Svevenka quickly paced her way around our extradimensional aircraft before coming back with Faunra, wearing one of the odd cloaks that we had ended up picking up somewhere. Svevenka announced that she had been provided it for modesty, as her snow gown was not able to be maintained in this temperature. I asked her if this would be a problem and she shook her head, smiling and saying that you can't really enjoy the cold if you don't feel the heat every once in a while. We offered her up some of the snacks and drinks that we had on board while the five of us sat around a folding table that had been brought out.
Svevenka, after carefully trying some of the chocolate that we had offered, started to talk with us without any reluctance. She warned us that the region is no longer "right", and that it is even worse up north. I replied that according to where we had to go, north is exactly where it would take us. She asked us where exactly we were heading. Jonathan offered up that we were heading to Xin-Shalast, to deal with Karzoug.
I stiffened a bit at the referenced name, but Faunra caught it and said that as long as we were in an extradimensional space, while secured by the private sanctum spell, he should not be able to scry on us. Our new ice nymph friend seemed to grow thoughtful and a little agitated. When she finally spoke, she told us that she would not be leaving her area unprotected, but that she would be willing to help us in whatever way she can. She added that this place can be a refuge for us if we desire, and that she will even cast what spells she has available to assist us in this matter. I thanked her and told her that we did not want to put her at risk, should we fail.
Svevenka said that the kind of distortion that Karzoug is contaminating the area with will eventually expand and drown out her pristine environment. She added that his presence is already awakening fell beasts that her presence had kept slumbering, so he must be dealt with, and if she can help with that in any way, she will. Dame Rebekah spoke up and asked if there is anything that she can tell us to help us get inside the area, as we did not have the time to fast for two weeks until the full moon. Svevenka told us that it is true, that the way can be seen with deprivation during the full moon. She noted that spells can also assist those who seek to get there, and she can just provide us with directions of some sort.
Faunra pulled out something that I had not noticed her keeping. It was a sister to the magic map that we had gotten for our investigations of the Council of Truth. She handed it to Svevenka and whispered something to her and the fey said it before concentrating on the soon to be map. Jonathan went and started making food while Dame Rebekah went to go check on the area outside from the plane to see if there was any indication of what we were looking for. I got up and went to go check on the engine repair crew.
I went over the notes that had been made for all of the crews. There were enough similarities that I figured out some modifications that I would be able to make when we got back to ensure longer travel. Once we get a bit more in the way of time and resources anyway. I started writing down the basics of a set of work orders and procedures for the next plane. If we make a clone of this plane anyway.
When I was done with writing the basic procedures, I went back to the meeting room and everyone was just getting back from their chosen tasks at about the same time. There was the map that Svevenka had produced from Faunra's enchanted parchment. She told us that she did not know a lot about the city of Xin-Shalast itself, but she provided us with a map to get us to the city. She also cautioned us of some of the residents of the city that she knew of. Apparently, in addition to the giants and lamias that we had previously encountered other places, there were actual abominable snowmen and that there were even descendants of the original inhabitants.
That was an interesting point. There were apparently two factions. One that was relatively peaceful and went by the title of the "Spared". They were on the ropes against the other faction, which were headed by a creature that Svevenka had fought in the past. She added that there was a magical field around the city that prevented others from getting in, that there must be something that allows them to come and go. She also added that there was some kind of focus from the Denizens of the plane of Leng. I noticed Jonathan perking up at that.
Faunra got her to answer some questions about the beast that Svevenka had fought. Through questions and answers, it was determined that the… thing… was a number of things. It was an aberration of a type known as a decapus, something like a cave octopus with ten tentacles. Very original naming structure. It was also a vampire. Great to know that those are actual things. That gave it a bunch of additional abilities. Then it was also a spellcaster of some kind. Svevenka didn't know what kind, but figured that it was arcane, based on it casting mirror image and some attack spells that Svevenka had just managed to escape from.
Faunra took all of this in and offered up that we should really try to figure out what we needed to do to prepare. Svevenka said that she recommended that we get in contact with the Spared, as they might be the only faction that was willing to work with us. I thanked her for her advice and she smiled. Svevenka asked if there was anything else that we needed from her, Faunra spoke up quietly in the tongue of sylvan creatures and said something to Svevenka. Svevenka laughed and responded back, before running her hand through Faunra's hair.
One of the strands of Faunra's hair turned black, and Svevenka stood up. She told us that we were welcome to stay here as long as we needed, but that it would be better if we left the ship here. I agreed, that we didn't need to announce where we had some of our power and technology and Svevenka nodded, saying that we could park the ship closer to the edge of the fen and that we had only need step on the ice and say her name to summon her to us if we needed her further. She walked to the back of the plane to the ramp and dove off, changing mid fall into an otter. The otter dived into the water and disappeared.
I looked at everyone else and asked what we should plan on doing next. Faunra looked over the map and noted that it was a twenty-four-mile hike to the city. I asked if we wanted to take the bikes or if that wouldn't be a good idea. Dame Rebekah said that it would definitely be a bit of a hat-tip to us having the technological advantage. Jonathan agreed, but noted that we could try to get a couple of horses or such. I looked at him and noted that it wasn't all that likely to be able to find steeds that were already acclimated to the elevation.
Faunra noted that we should probably figure out another idea, that she could probably whip up a set of "phantom steeds" tomorrow morning, if we wanted to use that. Dame Rebekah sighed and noted that she'd never get a chance to ride Bucepherous into battle. I offered up that since we are dealing with giants and wizards who like to throw out flashy damaging spells, it might be best for her to keep Bucepherous as an ace in the hole, so to speak. Dame Rebekah looked at me oddly, and I noted that there might be an instance that we need to have that steed, and it would not be useful if Bucepherous was already hurt. She nodded to that.
Faunra indicated that we had not travelled far enough to actually have problems with her setting up her magical crafting set up. Dame Rebekah said that she'd go scouting with Jonathan to get an idea up about ten miles up the road. I said that I'd get the plane over to the edge of the Fen and get us floating over there, if we can find out a good way to hide the ship. We all agreed and I went back to the cockpit while everyone else got ready to do their individual tasks. I found an area that was on the dryer portions of the fen at the northern end.
I lowered the plane to just a few feet over the ground and had Jonathan and Dame Rebekah re-activate the immovable rods. Jonathan jumped out and activated the "Lover's Baton", to create a ring of trees and brambles around the plane. Jonathan and Dame Rebekah left from the back ramp while Faunra took one of the passenger compartments over to work on updating or upgrading some magical item. I took the opportunity to check more into the various texts and tomes that we had uncovered. There was a lot of magic and secrets of technology that were in those books that I needed to keep looking in to.
After a few hours of the research combined with some calls to Savah to just check in on things and see how she was doing. I told her that we would be heading into the attacks into the city either tomorrow morning or tonight, depending on what the scouting missions come up with. After about eight hours of research and communication, Faunra came up to my room and knocked. I told her to come in and she told me that she had been thinking about our dilemma. She noted that we needed to be as "topped up" with spells and abilities as possible.
I told her that I agreed and that I had thoughts about flying low and slow after dark, with the lights that only the pilot and co-pilot can see. Faunra said that she had come to that conclusion as well, that it was a risk, but that we would get there much quicker. She added that we could use the opportunity to get in a lot closer, and that we didn't want to get any blowback on the lady of the Fen. I asked how we could make the ship hidden, and she produced a baton that was similar to the one that was currently being used to hide the ship, but carefully designed to be more in line with the current environment that we were in, with a large amount of twisted pines and scrub brush that should at least be somewhat in place. We would have to have the plane be as low as possible, possibly in a natural (or made) drop with the scrub brush set up around it, and maybe a layer of illusion over that, but it would at least help.
I asked her if we wait until Jonathan and Dame Rebekah got back, and Faunra told me that they were already back. I stiffened up and she told me that they had already discovered that there was a scout location up there that we would need to deal with. I nodded and asked how far. Faunra said that it was about twenty-four miles up the road. I nodded and noted that we could get up there in like an hour or so with the plane, after dark. She agreed and said that we should rest up and try to be ready for tonight. I told her that I would, and went to go to the passenger compartment. Faunra stopped me and suggested that I follow her.
I did so and she showed me that she had finished the "expansion" of the cockpit. There was a hatch on either side of the cockpit. She invited me to try out the Pilot's side first. I did so and found it went to a ten foot by thirty-foot extradimensional room, with shelves for books, a bed, a foot locker, a workspace, and several other amenities. This was amazing. Faunra smiled and told me that there was a similar thing for the co-pilot, but it focused more on the railgun than on the technology aspect.
Faunra spoke again, saying that since this was an extradimensional space, it would be a bit difficult for someone to scry into it. I nodded and thanked her. She said that she would have told me before but that she had wanted it to be a surprise. I asked her if there were any specifications that I needed to know about. She cautioned me about accessing the room while the vehicle was in motion, until she did some more research. I thanked her again and went to retire into the room. She told me that she'd be moving in to the co-pilot chamber with her gear until we got back. I told her that she was more than welcome to, and transferred all of my gear into the pilot's chambers.
We all went into various different rooms to get rest and ready for the start of the assault. Now I had the equivalent of a luxury suite. I quickly tried to get a message to Savah about the update, but it didn't get through. Figures that if it blocks scrying, it would block sending. I decided that I would take a nap and got myself studied up for the daring witching hour raid that we would be participating in.
There wasn't much else to study that I had not put to work earlier, so I decided that it would be the best portion of my time to get this journal as updated as I could to this point. A LOT has happened to me in the last six months. Shit it almost feels like it has been four fold as much time. A lot of different times where I have almost died. A lot of new scars, and a lack of scars from the magical healing that erases the existence of the wound on all but the memory in the mind.
I'd say I have to go through therapy after this, but I don't think that this is an option here. Maybe the Pathfinders or Father Zantus will be able to help in that regard after this is all said and done. All I know is that I do NOT want this Special K nut job ruining things here or in my old world, as had been alluded to by the old One Eyed Bastard. Shut up. I know you are reading this It's an honorific. Honestly. Any follower of you would accept that nickname. Enough about that. He's given me a task and I'll get it done. It's a good enough task that I know it needs to be done too. Special K will not trample this world and move on to the next. He will be stopped here.