8 Nighthal
A mist surrounded the travelers from nowhere, the world of the cavern fading. Their bodies felt the strong tugging and pulling. Everything was a brilliant glare of color then a shimmering distortion spread around. The companions were disoriented as they traveled the path of the portal. Jinx was shaking, her mind still stuck falling into water, so her body tumbled as if she was underwater. Panic flooded her as she tried to swim for the surface yet unable to get there. Zarae's experience gave her theoretical knowledge, but she too couldn't orient herself, couldn't catch ahold of anything to stop the freefall sensation. Then, the lighting changed growing into a brighter white. The sting of the light brung tears to the drowess' eyes. Freefalling was abruptly stopped, jerking bodies all which way. Feet hit solid ground. Both Zarae and Jinx pitched over falling to land in a thin white blanket of wet and cold. The fog in their minds began to clear while the sensation of travel was slow to dissipate even as the world stopped falling away. The most recent meal threatened to escape as the first wave of nausea came on. Zyne's trip through the portal was totally relaxed. having done this hundreds of times he still couldnt deny the sensations that tugged at him. He crossed his arms and let the travel play out. Practice kept him up upright. As the girls fell into the snow, he was laughing. "best way to travel, aint it!" followed by more laughter.
Snow-dusted evergreen trees stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction. Thick underbrush caged them in a glade, highlighted with beams of moonlight. the moon hung above the tree-tops was half hidden by clouds. Above, velvet of midnight blue was speckled with dots of sparkling light. They were in a small clearing in the center of a dense forest.
The tabaxi held a soft growl as she rose to a knee brushing the white powder from her soaking wet fur. Clawed hands behind her back, eyes narrowed at the dwarf as she remembered being pushed into the water. Still laughing, the dwarf was interrupted by a ball of snow to the face.
"don't ye be a sour puss," exaggerated annoyance on his face that didn't reach his eyes. A quick motion of his fingers, a simple spell left each of them completely dried. Zyne walked over to offer a hand to the tabaxi, "truce?"
The drowess was still sitting upon the cold ground, mouth agape, eyes tinted a violet hue, amazed at the scene all around her. Reading about it and listening to tales about it did not prepare her for her first experience of the surface. She had understood the concept of an open sky and the pinpricks of light overhead, even the stinging light of what had to be the moon, but to sit out in the open beneath such a sight and gaze upon the surface with her own eyes, there were no words. The sensation of no ceiling above her left her with a sense of exposure and how small she was in the world. The air was full of new scents and sounds. Fingerless gloves allowed her to brush across the top of the white dusting, elven senses feeling the soft powder with the admiration of a surface child's first snow. Her eyes watered from the brightness. How bright would it be when the sun came out? On her feet, the young drowess headed twords the tall green, white, and brown objects surrounding them. so similar to the giant mushrooms used as wood, she was able to guess that these plants had to be trees. Then suddenly the realization hit of just how cold it was; so different from the seasonless environment of the Underdark cities far below. A breeze of bitter wind found its way to cut through the leather armor and her piwafwi that was wrapped tight around her.
The dwarf was in the midst of another spell, when the faintest sound was heard from the trees. A bow was out and cocked with an arrow as Jinx aimed for the trees. Zarae readied a dagger to throw but she had difficulty interpreting how to read the sounds of the crunch in the undergrowth. A short drow female dressed in black leathers stepped out of the underbrush, hands up to signal she was not a danger. On her chain shirt was embossed with the symbol of a sword, across a full moon. She introduced herself as Feliane when a male dressed similar with the addition of a mask stepped from the shadows to introduce himself as Balok.
"Al'doer. Welcome to the Mir Glade shrine. Come let us get yall out of this cold."
Zarae still in amazement at the sheer amount of colors of the natural environment, the overwhelming scents and aromas. The moonlight was starting to bring water to her eyes, but she didn't want to look away from its light. She wanted to explore, ask questions, wanted to play. What was all these things overwhelming her senses? The uncontrollable shivering alerted her to the reality she was facing and she was quickly falling in line.
Meanwhile, from a distance, pair of golden lupine eyes was watching.
The two drow lead the party on a small game trail that followed a stream until it ended at a pile of boulders. The male drow whispered a spell and the boulders' illusion revealed an opening of a cave. Inside was a room with three corridors branching off. The walls of the room were smooth down purposefully. Shimmering waves of light danced across the ceiling in constantly changing hues: blue-white, pale green, moon-white and silver. A smell of roasting meat, the roar of a fire, and soft voices came from one specific tunnel that was curtained off.
"why not teleport to Lady Aunrae's ally directly, Jinx whispered to Zyne.
"there's been a lot of war and devastation in Calisham and non-humans are looked at suspiciously. Doubt any of yall here will be easily welcomed," Balok answered for the dwarf.
Eyeing the male drow, then turned twords Jinx, "This was the safest means that was closest to the city we need," Zyne answered for himself as he crossed his arms.
Balok held his hands up in a semi-apology then led the companions into one of the rooms. inside a tan-skinned elven male sat, feet up on the table, as he peeked over a tome to the four entering. His clothing was more fitting for a palace or elaborate temple, the purple fabric finely woven with gold highlights in runic like patterns. His coppery brown hair was pulled into a tight braid and not a piece out of place. No mud or earth was found on his fine leather boots. He set the tome he'd been studying on the table. His feet fell to the floor with no sound, thanks to the magic of his elven boots. The sun elf stood up, straightened his clothes and greeted the party.
Balok began, "Tahlethar has offered to help with navigating Almraiven and…"
"I owe a favor I wish to pay off," he interrupted eyes scanning the three more closely, "and I have skills you might be lacking a bit in. Namely the clerical powers and as adventurers call it, a 'meat shield'."
"why your skinny arse?" the dwarf staring up and down the elf, equally evaluating the warrior.
"are we to have the stereotypical tiffs well known between our races? Or be grateful I can help?"
Zarae eyes narrowed in thought at the sun elf , "translation, you think we are going to have trouble with 'drow demon, die' rather frequently and citizens will be more willing to deal with a fellow surface elf."
Tahlethar clicked his tongue, winked and pointed in agreement. Balok hiding a chuckle departed the room. Tahlethar's pack was set on the table, a symbol of an elven deity embroidered into the leather. He was already packed and ready to be off.
"a darthiir willing to work with a "dhaerrow"?" Zarae asked skeptically. Raised to believe her people were superior to their surface cousins and that they were the greatest enemy of the drow. There was a tinge of that drow condescension twords the faerie elves that lined her words.
Looking to the drowess directly, "and yes. I am willing to work with a dark cousin who has been among the Dark Ladies and vetted by them. I have worked through my prejudice and hatred for your people's actions and am willing to judge you on your own merit. Tho I sense you may need to work on your own prejudice twords us "darthiir"."
Zarae remained silent, unable to come up with a clever remark when he'd been right about her attitude. The drowess gave a subtle nod in acknowledgment of the elven clerics words.
The three looked at each other to read the others' opinions. Jinx gave a thumbs up, Zarae shrugged a 'I don't know'. Zyne was resigned that the warrior was coming along.
"ye sure ye're willin' to get dirty? I hate to see a pretty boy suffer so"
Tahlethar just grinned.
Zyne shrugged before continuing, "what we looking at in the city?"
"the ravages of the war has left Suldolphor a blasted ruin. the fortress of Almraiven is the last bastion of order in the region. There are the genasi uprising and rebellion of human slaves across the country. Almraiven, I can lead the group well enough and better than you can hire."
"He's free. Might as well take the help," Jinx agreed. "if he does something bad, we take him out of the group."
That got a laugh from Tahlethar but nodded in agreement at the bluntness. "agreed on master dwarf?"
A grumble was the closest to yes he was going to give.
"Now can I have you two ladies' names? Balok forgot his manors," a little louder for the drow to hear in the next room.
Speaking in third person, "Balok thought the elf would like the chance to speak for himself," came from the other room, "he so fancies himself a gentleman."
"Zarae Kilanatlar."
"Hijinks in the Shadows. Call me Jinx."
"Zyne," not wanting to be left out.
He bowed, "as our gracious host said, I am Tahlethar. Tahlethar Rilynnundlin priest of the Lady Goldheart."
"explains the symbol," Jinx indicating the gold embroidery of a heart, Hanali Celanil's symbol.
"You have knowledge of the Seldarine?" a copper brow raised, "I do not find that many n'Tel-quess care."
"More a rational guess. That or you are a rather strange fellow with unusual shapes on his bags and clothes."
The sun elf grinned again.
Barely pausing before jumping topic, "how aware are you of our…mission-quest-thing?" the tabaxi asked.
"Aunrae asked if I'd be up for an adventure, you know, figure out the puzzles, travel the country, stop the evil guy, save-the-world type thing."
"good summary."
After about 15 minutes of discussion, the newly formed party of four was heading southeast along a small stream through the underbrush and snow of the forest. The tabaxi and elves walked with light, precise footsteps, as if moving through the steps of a dance; contrasting the progression of their less than graceful dwarvan companion. Tahlethar calculated from their current location, it would be a two-to-two-and-a-half-day trip to reach Almraiven, slowed considerably by the newest member to the surface world. There they would find a place to rest before hunting down the elven woman Lyra. They also agreed that entering the city in the daytime was best to keep from arousing suspicion against them.
As they walked, midnight blue had been growing lighter, as the stars faded in the gradually color-shifting sky. Keen hearing could hear scurrying of small creatures across snow dusted branches. Jinx pointed out a few of the early morning birds to her drow companion; bird were not unknown in Lith My'Athar thanks to the fifth house that kept exotic and foreign (to the city inhabitants) creatures. Anyone with enough money could purchase these animals and show off their wealth and connections. Most prized were the very colorful and intelligent species. The drowess stopped to listen to the birds sing, mesmerized by them. Zyne was quick to remind the dark elf they need to keep moving, pointing to the changing sky.
Jinx skipped freely, unable to hide her happiness at returning to the light above. She made it to see another sunrise; something she did not expect to see again since fleeing from her captors. The tabaxi spun a few times, arms out to embrace the rising light, laughing with joy. Her paws kicked up the powdery snow into the air to fall all around her. the sun elf looked over to the dwarf to explain the behavior, Zyne just shrugging.
When Jinx caught onto the two questioning them, she stopped, hand on hips in an exaggerated pose, "don't be such a sour-puss!" she couldn't maintain a serious face and she cracked a smile at the dwarf rolling his eyes.
They exited the forest to a vast open grassland. Rolling hills for miles, cut through by well-worn paths and dark jagged mountains in far distance. the upper rim of the flaming orb crested those eastern mountains, exploding across the land, and blinding eyes that had known only the darkness of the Underdark. The young drowess pulled her cowl low over her face to shade her sensitive eyes. The searing light was like white hot dagger to her eyes. As the sun climbed tears rolled from her bluish-tinted eyes. Having to be lead by her companions was a strike at her noble pride as she could see nothing beyond the blinding glare of the ball of fire in the light blue sky.
They stopped halfway through the journey. It was strange that the dawn was approaching and they were going to be resting. But with the sun's ascent, they would need to stop for their drow companion. Off the road was clearing in the tall grass, purposely cleared for allowing travelers to camp. the firepits marked three campsites. A group of five adventurers were packing up their gear preparing to travel the rest of the trip south twords the city. The adventurers offered their still lit firepit for the four companions as they loaded up into their covered wagon. There was already a stack of wood next to it to keep it going for their rest.
"South to Almraiven?" a half orc paladin asked the group.
"yep. And yourselves? North or south?" the cleric asked.
"definitely north," a female halfling hopping up onto the wagon. She looked at the companions, suspiciously at the one whose face was covered, before continuing, "be wary down there. Non-human visitors might have more trouble than it is worth," she warned.
"same as always then?"
A nod, then the half orc motion for the last three of their party into a wagon to depart.
The fire was roaring while bedrolls were laid out. Zyne remarked how surprised he was at how easy it seamed to be going. Other than having to help poor Zarae and traveling mostly through the dark hours. Jinx took to hunting for a meal, coming back with a couple rabbits for everyone to enjoy over the magically conjured fire. Waited for the meat to cook, Zyne and Tahlethar seemed to enjoy a bit of bickering, the tabaxi partially egging on the debates between them. Zarae sat huddled in the shadow of a large pile of boulders, a bit more miserable than she expected. Tahlethar reminded her she'd have to take her time and adjust to the light.
"My ancient ancestors lived in the sun-covered world without fear or the pain of the Light.," the drowess commented, only heard by the scout who came and sat beside the uncomfortable drow.
"This really is your first time?" as the tabaxi got comfortable. "What are you thinking about all this," hand waved out in front of her over the land.
" I knew it from reading books and hearing stories from the Ladies the vastness of the Light Above. Yet this all feels so ... open. So… " trying to think of a word in her tongue to express the feeling.
"vulnerable?" Jinx asked.
A nod from the rogue as she was staring down at her feet, "Forced to rely on lesser races," realizing what she said, "I mean…" still trying to put the right words. The rogue sensed her words hurt her cat friend, but she didn't know what to say to fix it. "vulnerable," switching to the elvish word and confirming the thought. Being disadvantaged and weakened grated at her pride; most her life, to be weak was to be die. Vulnerability was dangerous and a weapon against you. Even in the rebel house of Eilistraee followers, innate drow nature didn't just disappear. Their way of life was deep into their psyche. Zarae was thankful to be interrupted with Zyne heading over to offer the ladies a bowl of the roasted rabbit.
"Curtesy of our Cat and cook by me self," beaming with pride. He had every reason to; the dwarf was a surprisingly good cook; the rabbit had the right seasons and been perfectly roasted.
The companions took turns at watch and the day passed uneventfully. Several carts traveling by the campground gave puzzled looks at their decision to stop in the full daylight. One offered to heal any injuries, thinking they needed help. Any passerby gave no scrutinizing attention to them. A couple hours past high sun, they broke camp to finish the last of the trip to Almraiven. It was slow going, having to stop frequently as the sun was nearly unbearable for the drowess; forced to squint so much, she could see little more than bright, painful spots as she attempted to navigate.
On the horizon was the City of Spells, an important citadel that sat on the shores of the Shining Sea. The sounds of the city soon could be heard mingling with the waves of the nearby sea. The highway became paved flagstone of reddish brown the closer they got to the city walls. The companions had purposely timed their arrival to join in with returning caravans hoping to be considered apart of their groups. Carts were stopped at the gate briefly, inspected, and notes recorded, before being allowed into the walls. the next cart too followed the same procedure. Zyne held up a hand to his group, stopped the party a few hundred feet from the gates and was pulling out a scroll. Before anyone could ask, he was reading the words and the magical energy was at work. The drowess' skin took on a dusky copper tint; the silvery strands blended into the natural red highlights of hair, and eyes took on a solid blue. Despite the magic, her elven build and graceful air would not fool anyone that she was a human. But at least she could pass as one of her surface cousins well enough. The tabaxi was too under the effect of the disguise spell; her appearance lost the fur and took on smooth tanned skin; cat ears became like ponytails of long black wavy hair, clawed hands rounded into shapely fingers, feet shod in boots. Her slitted pupils rounded and a face became more human looking, exotic, but at least human. When the spell's work finished, the girls were looking to the dwarf for an explanation.
"trying to keep as much attention off ye. Expect our Cat would draw as much attention as our dark elf."
Jinx was too distracted by the appearance of smooth skin. Hands, rather than paws, rubbing her arm, she could still feel her fur. There would be obvious inconsistencies under hard scrutiny. But quick glances, this would serve its purposes. Tahlethar agreed with the forethought of disguising the controversial companions, though he could sense the scout and rogue were slightly uncomfortable about the change without being asked.
"and yall?" Zarae asked about the other two, non-human also. Several times they had been warned about the prejudice of the people of Calimshan.
"I have been around a few times. I know one of the guards enough," Tahlethar answered. "but you are correct we should expect potential trouble in relation to our lack of humanness."
"aye. A dwarf's less likely to keep sustained attention. and it will be harder to pass off as human as yall," Zyne looking to Jinx then, "Just keep anyone from touching ye, Cat. Act like you got a fear."
The Almraiven adobe-colored walls stood tall before the group, 20 foot, with a wrought iron gate able to drop at a moment's notice. Three guards stood on the outside of the gate, one waving the previous cart and occupants into the city walls. the female half elven guard, more human looking than elf, carrying a two headed spear stopped the four companions. Tahlethar stepped up to the woman. Her body language spoke to her recognition of the cleric. With exaggerated greeting to the woman, Tahlethar introduced first his elderly 'aunt', explaining her sensitivity to the light from age, and his two friends who were 'refugees' from Suldolphor. The half elven guard narrowed her eyes at the cloaked companions, a look of distrust to the elf's words, but the clinking pouch handed over eased the suspicion as she pocketed it. Tahlethar leaned over to whisper in her ear, her lightly tanned face blushing, before playfully hitting the elf. It was an ongoing game they had. The guard then returned her focus to the three behind Tahlethar, demanding the 'elderly aunt' to at least pull her hood back so she could get a good look, which Zarae did painfully.
Then pulling out a small notepad and pen, "you know the deal Tahl, still need names, visit purpose, and your intended place to stay."
Tahlethar walked over to his 'aunt', a side hug to trying to hide the drowess' tensing, "you haven't met my Korinatria."
Zarae's did not miss the meaning of the 'name' the elf had given her- dark sister dancer. Leaning over whispering in his ear in elvish, "a little on the nose, you think?"
Tahlethar held a wide grin, his arms still on Zarae's shoulder and gave a squeeze, "she's a little grumpy from the sun. So, if my shack is unsold, I will head to the Villa. Else we plan to stay at Lilac Loft Inn. I hope to get them," waving to the other two, "a rest for a few nights before taking them further."
"their names?"
"Almugr Battlemug," Zyne answered, his companions not knowing that was his actual birthname.
"and Luna," the scout attempting to spit out a reasonable name off the top of head that a humanoid might have.
The guard eyed Jinx a moment then recorded the information. The half elf then gave the cleric a visitor pass for his friends. Waving the companions in, Tahlethar gave the guard a kiss on her cheek before leading them inside the walls.
A city known for its shipbuilding facilities and magical study was seen in the port city's design. Adobe stone buildings, centuries old, rose high over the streets and were decorated with elaborate materials giving them shining vibrant colors. Spaced between the buildings were impressive towers with high pointed spirals atop glazed brick domed roofs. The ground level was cramped and stifling, even in winter. The city was organized into 13 sabbans, each with 5 drudachs. Each individual sabban or 'district ward' was enclosed by mud brick walls accessed by double set of hinged metal gates. Each gateway had a set of stairs that lead to the top of the dividing walls. Arched overhead, connecting upper stories, were walkways where the wealthy traveled, avoiding the cramped people filled streets. Top of the walls also acted as byways of the 'worthies' so they never needed to touch the ground streets even when passing through to another district. The sea encroached into the city creating a bay with large warehouse holding ships in various stages of being built. The four companions passed through the gate and three more guards stood on the other side. A strange combination of odors wafted by: perfumes and exotic spices mixed with the smell of close quartered bodies, sweat, cooking foods all mingling with salty sea air. Magical energies surrounded the towers as it filled the air. The subban they headed to wasn't the cleanest part of Almraiven but thankfully it wasn't the worst part either. Shacks were thrown up, the streets themselves served as homes for many refugees. People flocked everywhere. Most wore sandy brown or yellow loose tunics and pantaloons, but others were in brightly dressed cloths that spoke of their status; what was common among the rich and poor, everyone native to Calimshan had on some sort of head covering: a turban or a veiled hat. Refugees were distinguished mostly by their clothing styles, the latest fashions, only they were worn and dirty looking.
Tahlethar decided it best to stick to the ground level as they traversed the maze of streets. Shadows passed overhead as one wealthy merchant stopped yelling down to his slave. Continuing their passage through the crowds, dirty looks were thrown in the elf's direction, especially those in wizardly robes. It was explained that human wizards were typically envious of elven natural facility with magic.
"if it wasn't for the spell, I'd think the stares were at me," Jinx whispered, use to her entrance into many foreign cities drawing a bit of a crowd.
"'ight elf. where we heading to?"
Tahlethar took them down several alleys and narrower streets avoiding the main bazaars and marketplaces. They came to a smaller gate, the guards paying them no heed. Their journey ended at a two-story building with a view to a distant cluster of arcane towers, the mage schools the elf had told them of. The numerous doors marked the building as a set of apartments. The door on the second floor was locked and the sign marking its availability was long torn away. Tahlethar's key however still worked, the door sliding open with a creak.
The apartment looked like it had been lived in at some point though there was a lack of any current residents. A single table in the center, its two chairs laying on the floor. Dishes on the counter covered with light coating of dust. Sunlight peeked through the ragged curtains highlighting the two-seater couch.
The elf guessed the tenets recently departed in a hurry. The landlord hadn't tidied up the apartment or set it up for new renters. "either they have no belongings or left recently," he commented offhandedly as he entered the room first.
The darkness of the room was a relief to the drowess, able to let down her cowl. Rubbing her eyes, she was quick to suggest heading to Lyra's at night. Jinx moved twords the back, down the short hall into a bedroom with a privy, and past what was likely an office. The kitchen connected to the living room was being investigated by Zyne. Tahlethar secured the single window while Zarae was setting an alarm and trap on the door.
Coming from the bedroom, "and if they still live here?" Jinx rejoining the other in the living room.
"the residents had to have departed within the last tenday," while Zyne was opening cabinets, "no food or eatery."
The four decided a short rest was desirable. Zyne took the short couch, Tahlethar took his old office, and the girls took the bedroom. No warm bed to plop into, so bedrolls were set out and promptly filled. It wasn't long before snoring came from the living room.
At around dusk, all four were heading to the one of the elf's favorite taverns, at least that was what he implied. the disguised spell having expired, they relied on non-magical means of covering. Jinx made no other efforts to hide her race this time; she shouldn't have to hide who she was. The tabaxi ignored the looks directed her way, giving a smile and wave to everyone who gave a glare. Zarae took more effort to cover any exposed skin, pulling her cowl low to shadow her face; the warnings rang fresh in her mind how dark elves were viewed. And how inhibiting it might get for them. She needed to stuff her pride and do what was best for the party and mission. The bright sunlight helped ease the humility as it was practical to shield her sensitive eyes.
"this tavern is known to be one of the better one for non-natives of the city. And if one of my old friends is still around, should be able to find out where Lyra resides."
"shouldn't you already know?" the tabaxi paused in her step a moment, under the impression this was his home and already knew.
"I am not from this city; my role was to navigate yall in the city. But, I have been here several times and have contacts we should find helpful," motioning her to come along.
"Clergy?" the dwarf inquired as he walked beside the elf. "Clergy don't usually have the right information," then mumbled under his breath, "think themself above it."
"Not many worship the elven gods down here. My friends maybe a little less…prestigious."
Zarae nodded in understanding, "I am surprised you would consort with my type?" she jested.
"huh?" the dwarf's eyes flickering between the two elves.
"the less reputable. Skulking around the shadows. Maybe a little stabby-stabby. seedier types," she clarified.
"not quite that low," Tahlethar returning the jest.