Spring was a wonderful thing, Fetch thought. He only experienced it the past 3 years, each time he was unsure if it would come. The fact he grew up in the far north , in literally eternal winter, made Spring a strange and great thing. The previous winter was both a disappointing and a wondrous time for the young cleric. His tenure as the most popular man in the arena was over, he was replaced by the mysterious Mr Fancy Pants. The prancing , dancing, pirouetting gladiator . Fetch didn't mind, he really didn't like fighting in the arena. He made enough for Surry and Henrietta to build the circlets and a little left over for his expenses.
Captain Malik had required less of Fetch for patrol duty. He expected a rash of baboon , wolf , and penguin attacks over the fierce winter, but something was killing them off before his patrol got to them. Incidentally, Trip's collection of stuffed penguins and baboons grew quite a bit . He had so many trophies he even mounted some on the manor. Due to the frightening nature of the decoration, the locals began calling Fetch's house Penguin Manor. Besides putting down the odd demon baboon incursion, Fetch took the extra time and concentrated on reviewing old war plans for General Olive. All the while he awaited news from his friends or the completion of the circlets.
Besides keeping his family together, Fetch thought his biggest accomplishment over the winter was getting knighted. He was never officially made a knight in the north. He didn't belong to any order, although he felt closest to the Mammoth and the Boar. He met a knight in a bar during the winter, who claimed he was a Knight of the Husky. Fetch distinctly remembered them. They fought bravely with the interim silver champion Oswald at the center of the line. Fetch recalled they suffered heavy causalities and was surprised any were still alive. Sir Vasa claimed to be a knight commander of the Order of the Husky , and the cleric guessed the Champion of the Husky by default. He offered to make Fetch a knight for the one time fee of 25 gold. Fetch wondered about the legitimacy of this Order, but it was only 25 gold . He got a battle worn sword , a tabard, and a beaten shield for his fee. Fetch examined the items and knew they were the genuine articles , they were probably used to hold off the horde during their great push. Fetch was undecided if the old Knight was just making a few bucks, or was seriously trying to reform his order. Before he could make more inquires to Sir Vasa, the old knight was gone. The innkeeper told he left for Grom City to continue his quest or something.
Fetch still continued to fight in the arena, but his appearances were few and far between. The grand champion Ulla went missing as soon as winter started. Fetch fought and was briefly grand champion, but he stepped down when his military and family duties conflicted with his arena schedule. Despite Hoaglie's urgings, Fetch only fought to secure free tickets and giant leaf fingers for the orphanage. The cleric didn't mind though, the interest in his fights outside the tiefling community and his immediate friends and family dropped significantly. Nobody liked to watch a guy who always won. Interest spiked briefly when the dwarf made him fight in strange environments like a bog, a battlefield, antimagic zone, even in a fiery pit, but Fetch easily trounced his opponents in all settings. Surry took delight in constantly reminding Fetch of the low point in his arena career, fighting a Troglodyte in mud.
Surry's grove had thrived over the winter. Fetch wasn't sure if it was her magic or the tree's magic, but the land they bought around the grove grew into a small forest. It was the only place in the city where the animals didn't go berserk. Many people , elf , half elf and even non elves flocked there to enjoy the serenity of the new grove. The forest was generally peaceful despite the high volume of visitors, rumors of devil guardians kept the people in line.
Tyris and Trip had no luck finding the pool of Hanali Celanil. They explored a few ruins though and plundered them thoroughly in their search. Fetch went with them a few times , hoping to find the pool , but all attempts turned out negative.
Dietrch had done pretty well for himself over the winter. The Walrus knight had earned a tidy sum engaged in undisclosed activities for Hoaglie . He bought a house for himself in the city. The once dedicated knight had seemed to abandon his quest to find the princess of his tribe. He told Fetch that he was out of leads, but the cleric knew it was something else. He often spotted Dietrch retiring at his aide Yasmina's house. Fetch didn't want to know what those 2 men were up to in their private residence.
Baalphzon had accumulated quite a large sum betting on the gladiator fights and "other" sources of income. Fetch wasn't sure but he thought the imp even had a stake in the arena , as well as other businesses. Baalphzon didn't seem to think it was that big of an accomplishment. "What's running a small business empire compared to leading 1/8 of the armies of hell", he shrugged.
Hush had grown over a foot through the winter. She was still a quiet girl but she seemed to age almost 3 years over the last few months. She seemed closer to 11 then her original 8 when she was first adopted. Lady Wayland explained to Fetch and Tyris that tieflings age at different rates. Some aged rapidly some not all.
No word of the couriers or the sending spells were received. Fetch wasn't worried for his friends, he thought the most likely case was the message did not arrive. Grom was still a dangerous land with many magic dead zones. Despite his familiarity with magic, Fetch still didn't fully trust it.
"Its arrived ! Its arrived ! ", beamed Henrietta as she jumped and skipped around Vanna. The golem carried a wood and metal case. Fetch thought it was similar to the ones the knights of the north used to carry their heirlooms. Upon inspection , he was correct, it bore the seal of the Narwhal ,
"What's so important that you came here with your package instead of your own house?", asked Fetch.
Henrietta's fear of Fetch had gradually subsided in the last few months. She was once terrified of his raw power , but over time she realized he was just a big buffoon . "The unfinished circlets, Surry keeps them here. The last material components finally arrived from the north. Rare snow pearls from the sea elves. Unlike Lower Lueders, Baltar's port and Narwhal hold's ports freeze over in the winter. We had to wait awhile till they could make their delivery. "
Even though he lived in a coastal city, Fetch still disliked the sea. He made it his business to avoid all things nautical. He remembered the journey he took coming down . The sea sickness , the crowded hold, and the general misery he was in was the key things he recalled. He remembered something about sea trolls, but that unfortunately was just a minor distraction to the long trip he suffered through.
Fetch offered Henrietta a drink, but the little gnome/elf already ordered Vanna to make her something in Fetch's kitchen, while she begun assembling the circlets . The golem stomped off and disappeared into the pantry. Fetch should have been annoyed, but Henrietta stayed in his residence almost as much as he did. The fact that Vanna had restocked his larder on a few occasions made it easy to bear, even though she filled it with gnomish fare.
Fetch summoned Yasmina, and the young man appeared in a flash of smoke and fire. Fetch over the last few months determined the man had access to powerful magics, but they were limited in variety. Most of his magic was fire or illusion based, but he could also fly and planar travel if needed. Fetch wasn't sure what the man studied , sorcery or wizardry, but was just glad he was an efficient aide.
"Yasmina, I need you to summon the troops. Send word to Surry, Trip, Tyris, and Dietrch to return back to Penguin Manor as soon as possible. ", Fetch commanded. Surry was most likely in her grove. Trip and Tyris attempted to retrace their search. They suspected the winter snow might have obscured the ruins they sought. Dietrch was either practicing at the arena or working on his house.
"Do you wish it?", asked Yasmina in his high feminine voice.
Fetch sighed,"Ok...I'll bite. I wish that Surry , Trip , Tyris, and Dietrch was back in Penguin Manor as soon as possible." .
Yasmina's eyes briefly glowed, "Your wish is my command!". He outstretched his arms, and shook his head once, but nothing seemed to happen. The man seemed disappointed at the lack of results , and instead placed a rug on the ground and flew out the window on his errand. Fetch wasn't surprised , nothing ever happened . Yasmina seemed to demand requests be worded in the form of a wish, but was always disappointed when nothing spectacular happened.
"Aunty Yasmina, Aunty Henrietta, Aunty Vanna! ", screeched Hush as she ran down the stairs.
Fetch laughed as his young daughter burst into the room. She was bright eyed and sported long silky light blue hair. She wore a long dark dress and would have looked like a regular little girl except her short spiral horns . He knew her vestigial bat wings and her long tail she normally kept hidden, but he still marveled at how normal she looked and acted. "You just missed UNCLE Yasmina...but Aunt Henrietta and Aunt Vanna is still here. "
Hush frowned when she realized she missed Yasmina, but smiled as Vanna returned with tea and cookies. She hugged the golem's massive legs then ran and hugged the small gnome. Henrietta smiled, a few months ago they were the same size, now she towered over her. She would have been annoyed but the girls cheer was infectious. "Here, give me a minute, Aunty Henrietta is making some crowns for everyone. I'll let you have the first one!"
Hush clapped in response, but Fetch was curious, "You made a circlet for Hush? You don't expect her to go down there do you?"
Henrietta gave him a "are you stupid?", look. "Of course not, it was Surry's idea anyways. She's a young girl , and quite literally can become a young woman anytime now. One of these circlets can help anyone out , makes it easier to interact and deal with people. Of all the attribute increasing items, this one probably has the most uses outside of a dungeon. Even more then the intelligence raising ones. "
Henrietta clasped the pearl into the circlet , and intoned an enchantment. It glowed brightly for a few seconds before returning to normal. Hush reached up to grab it, but the gnome just smiled, and waved her to sit down. She then placed the circlet on the patient girls head, and a miraculous transformation occurred.
Fetch blinked, he couldn't believe his eyes. His pretty daughter seemed transformed into a beautiful young woman. He shook his head and focused his sight. She still seemed the same height and size, but her youthful features were replaced by a comely teenagers. Complete with a gazelle like frame and youthful breasts. Fetch reached for the circlet and yanked it off her head.
"WAAHHHHH!", cried Hush as she returned to normal and clutched her head as strands of hair was pulled off by Fetch's sudden action. "DADDY MEAN!"
"That's obscene! ", exclaimed Fetch ." She's only 8! errr I think she's 8ish."
Henrietta jumped up onto Vanna's arms so she could stare level at Fetch at an equal level. "What do you expect! We aren't making minor wondrous items here, these are major creations here. Its not called the headband of alluring charisma for nothing! "
"Well, keep it off my daughter ! She's too young to wear that ! She's still a baby !", protested Fetch.
"WAAAHHHH! DADDYY SAYS IM TOO YOUNG ! I'M NOT A BABY! ", Hush continued to cry, while clutching her head.
"Look what you did!", Fetch and Henrietta both yelled at once to each other.
"AUNTY AND DADDY ARE FIGHTING! WAAAHHHHH! ",Hush cried before running up the stairs.
Baalphzon flew down as young Hush ran up the stairs clutching her head sobbing. " Up to your parental wizardry once again are you?"
Trip , Tyris and Freiki were the last to arrive. Hush was not the only one to grow rapidly in the last months. The young dire wolf was the size of a small pony now and easily carried the bard and the warforged , on his back. The two were already on their way back when Yasmina appeared before them and whisked them back on his magical carpet. The young man was dubious if Freiki would panic on the flying rug or not, but Tyris seemed to have complete control over the wolf, she dismounted and pointed at Frieki to sit, and it did so without a whimper as the device flew them back to Penguin Manor.
When they arrived, they found Fetch in his Insector mask waving a sword menacingly at Dietrch . He mockingly waved his sword over his head, as Henrietta pranced and skipped away from him. They could tell the gnome and cleric were not enjoying this, but Hush was squealing and clapping at the show. Surry and Dietrch both sat back and watched with detached amusement. When Hush noticed Tyris had returned, she rushed out to hug her, Tyris easily caught her and swung her around effortlessly. Hush began babbling about her hair getting pulled, and being called a baby, but promptly tired out and fell asleep. Tyris took her to her room and returned puzzled. "What was that all about ? "
"Don't ask!", exclaimed Henrietta and Fetch.
Henrietta had already expended her magic to enchant Hush's circlet. She assured Surry it was working correctly . Although less of an alchemist then the elf/gnome, Surry possessed more raw power at her disposal . She enchanted 2 circlets , took a rest and then finished the others. There were 7 in total , including Hush's .
Henrietta tried hers first, and the plain gnome was transformed into a waifish miniature elven beauty. "Success !" , she cried as she strutted alluringly around the room.
Trip put the next one on, and his rough wooden features were transformed as thought he was carved by the finest craftsman. The warforge could not help but stare at himself in the mirror.
Henrietta motioned Vanna to pick her up and placed a circlet on her head. Her rough elven features transformed and she suddenly appeared to be a freckled version of Brita in a maid's outfit. Fetch was shocked that the circlet worked on golems. Even more shocked at the way Vanna was transformed. He had to take a deep breath as he suddenly found himself strangely attracted to Henrietta's metal creation.
Surry offered the next one to Tyris. The bard took the circlet and stared at it. She seemed nervous to put it on. Surry smiled and urged her to try it. Reluctantly she placed it on her head, and she was instantly transformed. Before she appeared more like a bandit or a sell sword in her dark leathers . With the circlet she appeared to be a stunning red headed warrior maiden straight in the vein of Red Sally, or Yeoywen from a swashbuckling tale. Even her armor seemed transformed as it struggled to contain her breasts. Fetch could have swore in was a full cured leather breastplate, but now it seemed more like a low cut leather dress.
Tyris's amber eyes almost sparkled at her transformation . She held out her hand before the crowd congratulated her. She uttered a few arcane words and a door seemingly appeared behind her, she stepped through it and she appeared across the room. She uttered the phrase again and the door appeared again and she stepped back to her original position.
"How'd you do that ? I didn't know bards can do magic!", exclaimed Fetch in surprise.
Tyris shook her head, "Wait, you've seen me do minor illusions before haven't you?".
Fetch was still stunned, "That's nothing compared to what you've just done! It's like a completely different scale!"
Surry viewed her step mother nervously. Although she trusted her completely she wasn't aware of how accomplished a bard she truly was. She always thought she was a rogue, that struggled as a bard. She knew her singing had improved but didn't realize her latent magic was waiting for an outlet such as this. She didn't even want to think of the power she wielded with the circlet.
Surry stopped and laughed softly at herself. She realized she just had a "Fetch" moment. She blamed it on her poor lineage.
She remembered a conversation she had with Clovis a long time ago, he said something about Tyris putting self limitations on herself to keep herself sane. He wondered if it was just simulacrum babble or did she just unleash something terrible on them.
Fetch couldn't wait for his turn . He put the circlet on his head and ran to the mirror.
"Hey guys? When you look in the mirror with your circlet on ...do you look the same to yourself or do you look transformed?", asked the cleric as he stared intently in the mirror.
"Different.", said Trip.
"I look like one of those princesses that never eat !", exclaimed Henrietta happily.
"I can confirm that my appearance is not an illusion. Even the dimensions of my body are different.", claimed Vanna.
"Not only do I look different, my armor looks different too!", responded Tyris.
Fetch looked at the mirror some more, "I think this circlet is broken then. I look the same. "
Dietrch laughed, "Nonsense ! Charisma is not measured in just appearance. Sometimes its measured in personality or will power. Obviously Trip, Henrietta, and Tyris had their appearance improved, I detect no change in your personality so I'm guessing your will power has greatly improved."
"WHAT? Are you sure? How do you even measure will power? ", Fetch said in a disappointed voice.
Surry giggled, "Now, now Fetch. For most people its hard to measure, but since you're a cleric its easy to measure. I know you have the ability to directly channel your god's power, do you feel you can channel more of it?"
Fetch stood up straight and examined his inner reserves, "...Yes...", he said in a defeated voice.
"Oh well, magic works in mysterious ways.", Surry chuckled as she put on the last metal headband . She smiled and spun for her waiting audience but nothing seemed to happen. "What the fuck! Gimmie bigger breasts you piece of junk!"
"Now, now Surry... I know you have the ability to directly channel your Tree's power, do you feel you can channel more of it?", laughed Fetch in return.
Surry's eyes blazed in anger and power. All the furniture suddenly rose a few feet from the ground. Dietrch and Yasmina were the first to vacate the room. Trip and Henrietta scrambled behind Vanna , while the golem braced for impact. Tyris and Baalphzon swiftly spun and evaded the projectiles as they flew across the room and smashed into the cleric.
"That was totally worth it.", smiled the cleric as a chair flew into his face.
While the group was picking up the broken furniture, Tyris interrupted them with news of her findings.
"Before, we venture into the ruins beneath the city again, I would like to report what Trip and I discovered in the forest.", she began confidently.
"We were correct about the snow and ice obscuring our search efforts. We rechecked the lakes we examined during the winter . We found an elven ruin that might match what we are looking for , but it was beneath a lake in the forest. The ice and snow stopped our efforts before , but the spring thaw has finally revealed it to us .", the bard said before waving for Trip to continue.
Trip looked at bard and was glad. Despite her altered appearance, she was still the same Tyris. As a warforged he cared little for concepts such as beauty, but found utility and efficiency more desired traits.
"Tyris lowered me into the water, since I do not require air to breath. The pool was remarkably clear, and the ruins we discovered were indeed a shrine to Hanali Celanil, the elven goddess of beauty. However before I ventured further in , I detected a dark presence around me. It battered me underwater, but fortunately Tyris pulled me out before I was destroyed. Although I was trained in marine and underwater warfare, it is not my specialty. The creature was large, and chitinous in nature. I felt it try to use toxins on me, but fortunately due to my nature I was immune to its attack. Its claws however were a different matter.", the warforge said before revealing areas on his back that were punctured and ripped.
Henrietta gasped and quickly repaired the damage with a simple spell. Trip wordlessly thanked her , before continuing his story. " Tyris and I were both going to enter the water and deal with the creature or creatures, but Yasmina appeared and ferried us here instead. There's something else I must warn you , especially Fetch since he's a member of the army and the guard. Last year, we had to deal with mainly baboons, dire wolves, and penguins. I'm afraid whatever is summoning these angry beasts has increased in power . We noticed stranger deadlier creatures in our last foray. We found traces of owlbears, Displacer beasts, rock baboons, even demon insanity chickens. "
"Ahh...Demon insanity chickens. ", nodded Fetch knowingly, He pretended to know what he was talking about but obviously he didn't. Everyone knew Fetch's defensive mechanism when he was faced with things he had no knowledge about. They all found it very amusing.
"Achaierai..", said Surry with a shiver.
"Achaierai. ", said Dietrch also with fear. As a knight of the north he battled many monstrosities from the frozen wastes and the Scar. The feared Achaierai, were known not only for their blinding speed and hit and run tactics, but their ability to drive men insane, causing them to attack their own comrades.
"Hey, this is all nice, but we don't actually need to go to the shrine now that we have these headband, circlet thingies. If we take care of the bad guys, the monsters should go away right?", asked Fetch as he tried to change the subject and draw attention away from his ignorance. He didn't want to have to pronounce At-Cherry-Ryes, thought it did sound like a tasty drink.
Everyone looked to Surry, who was deep in thought. "I would normally agree with you, but we know little of this dungeon and the foe we face. Except for the fact its called the Temple of the Baboon , and a divine power resides in it, we have no clue what to expect. I think we should be on the safe side and explore the shrine, and see if it will offer us any aid. I would hate to think that even with these circlets a few of us would be left behind. Our element of surprise might be compromised. Also I would like to warn you all, that regardless of whatever we find in the shrine, we will be facing our greatest challenge soon. From all accounts its a monster that has the power of a god. I know some of you have battled Demon Lords and Archdukes before, but most of us haven't. If anyone wishes to turn back, now is the time to do so."
The group sat uncomfortably in silence, absorbing Surry's warning. Adventuring fighting goblins and giants was one thing, but battling gods was another.
Fetch spoke first, "I kind of like it in this city, the people for the most part are friendly, the streets are clean. No snakemen have burned my place of buisness down , or devils busted into my party. I think its a good place to raise my daughter, so count me in ."
Tyris walked next to Fetch and stood at his side, to show she would support her husband. Fetch always marveled at how the bard moved. He thought that saying she walked didn't do her movements justice, she traveled more with a stalking motion, like a snow lion or a ravenous squirrel. With the circlet on her, even her motions seemed to have changed . All he could focus on her was her alluring swaying hips as she sashayed to his side.
Trip shrugged,"I thought I've fought everything imaginable during the Great War. Since I met you guys , I was proven wrong. I missed out on confronting Monte Nabisco/Bel last time. I'm not going let this opportunity slip away. Win or lose, I think it would be quite interesting to battle a god. "
Dietrch stood next, "I am not sure, but I suspect that my quest has something to do with the evil underneath this town. Even if it wasn't , it is my duty as a knight to stand against evil and vanquish it . "
Henrietta cleared her throat, "I've lived here longer then all of you, a few years ago it was a collection of shacks, now its a bustling city . Watching it grow has been a pleasure, and the thought of a growing evil under my city repulses me. Also its my duty as an elf to defend the tree of life . I'm not combat orientated as the rest of you, but I'll do whatever I can to help."
Vanna simply nodded,"I do not fear death. I will travel wherever my mistress commands ."
Surry smiled , even though they fought off the demons at the grove , besides Fetch and Tyris they were all second rate adventurers at best. She knew her own powers had grown considerably , but she lacked confidence in her ability to fight an actual god. "We're all gonna die.", she whispered to herself.