Deep underground as a figure fell towards their doom, they ripped a spell scroll from their blood stained armor, speaking through smashed ribs the barely got the speel to activate in time as they slammed into the ground.
Their broken body smashed on stnes as the magic activated as a dull blue glow eveloped them. As the dull silver eyes looked up at the distant stone ceiling of the cave. Struggling to speak the words they used what magic the had left to heal their wounds.
The half drow girl shed her shattered armor as she gripped her flail. "Must... make it... to Moonrise..." She groaned as the tadpole in her head steered her towards her goddess.
Chapter 24 The Party Before the Dark
Ilia looked up at Ruby, the young huntress's awkward smile. "Your the other person from Remnant? Your smaller then I expected. To be honest, I was hoping it would be another member of the White Fang." Ilia said trying to gauge the human girls reaction. "Given where I was kidnapped from you were in that same area, and your too young to be a full fledged huntress. You are a student of one of the Academies, on a mission in mountain glen."
"Well... yes, I'm from Beacon Academy, I was sent on a mission to clear out a increase of grimm in the area." Ruby said, and while not technically a lie, her team also had the goal of tracking down Roman Torchwick and the Whitefang in the area as well.
"Listen, I'll work with you for now, but once we get back, we go our separate ways." The Chameleon faunas said.
Ruby beamed with happiness. As everyone got to their feet they set about salvaging what they could, loading weapons, food and crates into two wagon the goblins had by the gate. Karlach found a spear that would magically return to her when thrown, which she kept, Shadow heart grabbed one of Minthara's maces to use should her spear be disarmed. Ilia took Minthara's leather armor and in a side chamber found a amulet that would let her cast a spell to teleport a short range. On one of the corpses of goblins Ruby found a ring around the toe of a goblin. suppressing the urge to gag she took the ring from the corpse and washed it off.
"I'd boil that before you wear it." Gale offered his advice.
As they cleared the temple they found more crates of food and alcohol and weapons and a room full of explosive barrels filled with smoke powder. In a locked chamber was a large amount of gold and and a magic necklace Gale took and another chunk of infernal Iron.
Durge and Alfira loaded the carts with the crates while Thalia and Halsin sorted the food for what was edible and... not from humanoids as Halsin put it. Volo sat on what used to be his stage as the crows started to land and peck at the corpses. The flag stones soaked in blood hardened and stuck to everyone's boots. Ilia while rummaging through the goblins weapon stores managed to find a rapier that was more her style. "With all of this we should be able to push towards Moonrise without needing to restock for a while." Wyll said as he took a break wiping the sweat from his brow. "We're coming father." He whispered to himself.
Once everything was loaded into the two carts Thalia and Halsin took the shapes of massive draft horses to drag them behind the group. It was slow tedious work, the roads were old and over grown as they battle weary group made their way back to the grove. Reaching the grove they were met with jubilation, from the Tieflings and the druids alike. The grove was a flurry of commotion as Ruby made her way through the crowd to the back of the cave where a lone blade smith leaned over a small anvil with his plans.
"Ah you did it. Looks like we will get to Baldur's Gate. Look for me in the city alright kid." He ruffled her hair. "What can I do for you?"
"I wouldn't have been able to do this without you. I've been studying the infernal iron, and I drew up some plans, for the next time we meet and we have more then enough to help Karlach." Ruby handed a sheet of papers and the infernal iron to Dammon. "Hold onto that for when we meet again alright. Let you get a head start on the next upgrade." She smiled.
Dammon laughed. "Alright kid. Let's do it.
Ruby then left to rejoin the others as Halsin spoke with Rath before heading into the deep sanctuary of the grove. A Blue skinned Tiefling woman ran up and hugged Alfira, she had the same horns as Alfira but instead of Alfira.s large voluminous hair, her's was pulled back in a pony tail. Thalia spoke with Zevlore with Wyll as the cart full of extra weapons and armor were given to the Tiefling guards. Soon Ruby found a quiet place as she held a ice round to her cheek.
"You alright?' Shadowheart asked as the older woman sat next to her. "That paladin really got you good. Cryso was stronger then she looked."
"My ears are still ringing from that attack." Ruby said. "In two hits she nearly depleted my aura. Still... I don't know... something about her was... familiar... like i had seen her eyes before."
As they spoke Halsin approached them, a a gorgeous glaive in his hand. "Your one of the ones that brought Kagha down?" He asked as he knelt in front of Ruby., his kind eyes examining her's. "As arch Druid I must thank you. I have spoken with the others, I'll be accompanying all of you to Moonrise."
"Yes, I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose." Ruby held out her hand to the elf.
"Ruby... Rose. That's curious..." He said as he look a closer look at her. "And you have Silver eyes as well.."
"Uh-umm... yes?" Ruby asked.
"As I understand you fought the Half drow Euol'gui Cryso. Well, it's that her name when translated from drow... well, It's Ruby Rose."
'I'm sorry but... What?" Ruby asked.
"It's strange, and in this world of gods... there is no such thing as coincidence. I suggest you be cautious." He said as he stood. "The refugees are planning a party to celebrate their heroes."
As the druid left Ruby looked down at her hands, now more confused then before. "Follow me." Shadowheart took Ruby's hand and brought her out of the cave towards the the river so that they stood apart from all. "Ruby... focus. You are not Cryso. I do agree it is unusual to share a name, but the Drow hardly are the kindest of the mortal races. You fought well today. I hope to see that in the future."
Ruby let out a small smile before hugging the Sharran. "Thank you."
Shadowheart gently hugged her back, "You would make a good follower of Shar, before i couldn't tell you of my faith but now that you know who I worship... I follow Shar, the dark maiden, the lady of night, through us we manifest her will. We bring down the corrupt and hunt from the shadows. My cloister is hidden within Baldur's Gate. There are many who would seek the destruction of my faith. The worshippers of the moon witch Seluna foremost among them. The Dark Lady protects her followers."
"Shadowheart... what of how the other's reacted?" Ruby asked.
"Their faithful to their own faiths. But despite the politics of the divine the Dark lady will not turn those that seek her away. Silvanus seeks druids, Mystra the magic gifted, Helm seeks the selfless like Wyll, Ruby... for your soul, do consider it."
As Shadowheart left Ruby looked over the river she sat down and waited for some time. Till the sun started to fall low over the horizon. The sound of shoes kicking up dirt caught Ruby's ear. Turning her head she saw Thalia in simple brown pants and a woolen green shirt. "The party is to start soon, we should bathe before the festivities." The pale Tiefling had a bucket with a few brushes as well as her's and Ruby's camp clothes. "There is a secluded riverbank where the women of the grove bathe."
Ruby stood up and smiled as she followed the Tiefling girl to the secluded river bank, a woven wall of living trees and vines cut it off from the rest of the grove, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, the soft white sand beach led into a pool off the curve of the river, stone carved pillars marking the bounds of the water and laaid on the ground to make rough tables, Thalia smiled to Ruby as she sat down the bucket.
Ruby removed her blood caked armor and clothes as the two of them removed settled into the water, the warm water of the water soothing aching muscles as the settles in the water. Ruby let out as sigh as the water soaked into her skin. Blood washing off her hands and dirt from her skin. She had almost forgotten how it felt to relax, ever since she had arrived in Faerun she hadn't stopped to breath, to take a moment. As Ruby closed her eyes a splash of water took her out of her relaxation.
Blinking the water out of her eyes she heard Thalia laughing as she swam into the deeper end of the pool. Ruby pushed off the bank laughing as she splashed the water back before the two of the were splashing back and forth before they could only laugh The pale teifling pushed her white and green hair out of her face as she looked into Ruby's silver eyes. "You look better when you smile..." Thalia reached over to brush the wet hair out of Ruby's face, cupping her cheek as she did so.
Ruby blushed as the teifling girl seemed to move ever closer, the two of the sat on a under water pillar soo the just from their shoulders up was outside of the water, Thalia's tail wrapped around Ruby's waist in a gesture akin to an embrace.
Ruby look at her friend, someone who she had just met a few short days ago, seen her dedication, her faith and how kind she was. As her heart skipped a beat, she leaned in closer to Thalia till the two girls shared a tender kiss that brushed across their lips. "I... that was my first..."
"Mine too..." Thalia responded
Later at the party Thalia and Ruby were a lively pair, dancing to song and drink, much to the jubilation around, Gale and Karlach Dragged Wyll to the celebration proper so that he would stop sulking in the corner of camp worried for the future as Halsin laughed celebrated with Zevlore.
Shadowheart watched from the side as she enjoyed a deep rich wine while Alfira sang loud and proud, a hero to her piers. Her sister holding a cheer to every song. Durge Had gone hunting and had brought back a mighty boar to cook over the fire for the festivities while Ilia settled into her new tent as she watched a the teifling wizard Rolan set of magical fireworks.
Ruby drank from her dented bronze goblet as they danced laughing heartedly as Thalia twiled around her, the druid girl far more graceful then one would expect. A Pure happiness to both their smiles.
Ruby Rose stats, class, and racial abilities
Class Fighter lv 6
Subclass Champion
Great weapon fighting style (rerolls one's and twos on damage)
Hp: 65 (6 d12 plus 0 plus tough 12)
Strength: 18 (base 17)
Dexterity: 16 (base 15)
Constitution: 10
Wisdom: 8
Intelligence:12
Charisma: 10
Race Human Variant (Remnant)
Feats:
Ability score improvement: plus 1 str plus 1 Dex
Savage Attacker : Reroll damage once take highest
Tough: Gain 2 hp per lvl
Base Speed: 45 ft Total speed: 65 ft
Aura: 10 temp hit points per level (50 Thp) (resets on long rest)
Semblance: Petal Dash; Dash action is now a bonus action
Improved Critical: reduces critical requirements by 1 (18-20)
Action Surge: Gain an extra action
Extra attack x1
Gear:
Infernal Crescent Rose: plus 2 to damage and rolls to hit, 2 d 12 slashing an fire damage plus strength. 2 d 8 Piercing plus Dex when firing.
Infernal Critical, Reduces critical by 1, and on a critical hit target auto fails save against burn condition.
Searing Petal Smite: While Dashing from at least 60 ft away, auto cast searing smite at lv 2. 2d6 fire damage. Once per short rest.
All but Ruby Rose have disadvantage with this weapon.
Elemental bullets: 2d4 elemental damage added to ranged attacks.
Two-handed, heavy, extra reach
Cleave lacerate trip enemies, piercing shot
1 Half plate armor: Ac 18 (16 plus 2 dex) Medium armor. Reduces piercing damage by 1.
Haste Helm: Plus 10 ft to movement first three turns of combat (Effectively just 10 ft because I'm not drawing out combat for more then 3 rounds except for major bosses) plus one dex save
Speedy Light Feet: Gain three lightning charges when Dashing. Lightning charges deal additional damage on weapon and spell attacks.
Crushers ring: Add ten feet to movement speed.
Gale's coin of Language, Money Talks to all.
Ruby's Explosives bag:
7 Alchemist fire bottles
5 smoke powder bombs
2 smoke powder bags
5 Smoke Powder Barrels