Rebirth and Rejuvination

The message had gone out a couple of days after Cor'lana in a fit of mournful rage had reduced one Marsward Seraquoix to a pile of fine dust, and left him in the Nightmare he'd arranged. It takes him a little longer to find some of the group than others, but in the end, everyone receives a letter penned in Dolan's mostly-neat hand that reads -

There is one more matter regarding the werewolves that we need to address, a loose end if you will, but ignoring it could spell disaster. Please meet me at Verna and Auranar's house on the afternoon of Aestry 9 to learn more. -Brydion

Verna and Auranar, of course, had been given the heads-up on this ahead of time, and their permission secured before the notes went out. Dolan waits now in the aforementioned residence, in simple shirt and trousers with his usual rolled-up sleeves, boots, and his accouterments limited to the stylized dragon pendant around his neck and the pair of rings on his left hand. The golden topaz rests where his right eye should be in its steel and bronze ring, and he taps a rolled-up scroll against his knee expectantly as he leans into the cushions of the well-stuffed sofa.

"You seem nervous Dolan." Auranar states as she sits yet another pan of biscuits on the counter and begins to plate the piping-hot pastries onto a plate. There's a dozen choices of scone already, but then, Auranar wasn't sure how many to expect so! There was plain, cranberry, blueberry, and blackberry. As well as assorted jams to go with them. Some ham and other meats that were sliced thin for adding to the bread made yesterday also sit on the stuffed-full table that's in the center of the living space. Which has a few stools added to the plush sofa and chairs.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive: (12)+16: 28

Andelena Donnelly, the other half to Dolan's everything, has her hand on Dolan's lap close to his knee as she sits with him, matching rings on her left hand. She seems happy about something, even as the Sunguard has her red hair tied up into a small bun on account of the fact it's summer, and long hair is far too warm on a day where the house has been occupied with the baking of hot pastries. Andelena's eyes go wide as dinner plates as she watches Auranar come in with the food.

"Fuck me sideways, that looks like a proper spread," she says. Before she realizes what she's said, looks at Dolan with a wicked grin, and cracks up laughing. "Not that kind of spread. Shit. Here I am fucking up the meeting already."

Dirk comes riding up to Verna and Auranar's home astride his pony Thistle. The message didn't call for battle dress, so he's wearing a simple shirt with the sleeves rolled up his hairy forearms, a bright blue waistcoat, and trousers. Buckled shoes on his feet, and his tricorne atop his head. Lulu rides on the back of Thistle's saddle, her head twisting this way and that as she takes in the surroundings.

Riding up to the door, Dirk gently tugs back on the reins. "Woah, laddie." With a grunt, he swings out of the saddle and ties the reins off to a conveniently-placed hitching post. "Lulu, come an' sit by the window, lassie," he says. The owl gives a soft hoo-hoot, taking wing and settling herself down upon the ledge outside the window. So it is that she'll probably be the first sign of Dirk's presence that the others see. The little white-faced owl flutters her wings, bobbing her head side to side as she hoots happily at the sight of all her master's friends.

Once he has Thistle's feed bag strapped in place, Dirk fetches out a cloth-wrapped package from his saddlebags. He doffs his tricorne and lumbers up to the door. Once allowed inside, he offers a warm smile to all his friends. "Hello everyone, hello!" he booms cheerfully. "It's good tae see ye all in good health." Dwarf Hugs and hand-clasps are dispensed where appropriate. It's about that time that he spies the spread Auranar has set out. "Ohh, -that- looks wonderful, dunnit!" But before he goes diving beard-first into the table, he offers out the package he brought to Dolan and Andalena. "Here ye are, you two. I hope ye like it. May the gods bless yer home an' keep ye safe always."

It's the longest walk Telamon's taken in a while, but it's good for him. The stiffness and aches have faded, and he feels himself again. And he's dressed to match, in a ruffled white silk shirt, deep gray trousers, and his well-worn walking boots, with the circlet on his brow. His step is steady, assured, confident, as he walks up the stairs and into the house.

Of course, Tel can't do -anything- by half measures. First, the golden dragon Tanith is riding on his shoulders, like a visible benediction. And secondly, there's a floating disk following behind him, carrying some fresh fish as well as a couple bottles of wine, the label only displaying a simple sunburst and a moon-and-raven symbol on the wax seal.

Seeing his friends, he pauses, his starry eyes full of warmth -- even glistening a bit. But he smiles, and says, "And here we are once again."

With the notice and arrangement, The Residence is prepared for guests. Chairs and couches are arranged; tea is freshly steeped; an assortment of snacks are present, to include various small baked goods. Verna emerges from the kitchens to delivery the tea tray. Her attire is a casual pink and white sundress which is currently accessorized with an apron bearing the directive 'Kiss the Cook.' It is very likely borrowed.

"All is well, Andelena," she addresses the woman's concerns. "Your intended connotation was conferred." A pause. "Possibly? In any case, I expect that none took any offense." Her eyes then shift to her wife. "I presumed our home was a common venue for discussions due to its convenience and security... yet I suspect that those may be the lesser motivations." She adds a slender, genuine smile before inquiring. "Is there anything else to bring out for our guests, Dearest?"

Since the fight with Marsward, Rune had only briefly been seen during a visit to the temple in which she'd had some healing from Zeke. Since then, she has largely been absent. In fact, she had been spending time seeking the aid of local fisherman in order to acquire her own payment to the small dragon who had pulled their asses out of the fire. So, perhaps, it is not surprising, to see her arrive with a long rope onto which a number of fish have been attached that is slung over her shoulder.

Healing and sleep have done her good, as the bags beneath her eyes are distant shadows and she no longer has those lingering signs of of her first death that Marsward had somehow caused to remain with her. Zeke had done a fine job with his healing, it seems.

"This the right place?" There is curious look, her lip quirking at the familiar faces. "I'm not very good at fishing, so this took a bit longer than I'd have liked."

There is a warmer smile for Telamon, though, glad to see him well once again, despite being very, very dead not a few days ago. "Looks like most of us have recovered."

Harkashan is a bit late on the arrival, after having heard of this message through a Sending spell. While Rune had remained behind in Alexandria, the Sith-makar had traveled back to The Vast in order to check on the Werewolves. He has news to bring in that regards, as he gets off of his Swiftclaw and gets to the ground.

Adjusting the straps on his armor for a moment, and grabbing a bag filled with a rather curious aroma, he steps onwards.

Ducking his horns as he steps through the doors, making sure his horns do not get stuck on the door's opening, he lets out a rumble as he spots just who all has gathered. A worried look on his face. "From what Rune passed on to me, it seems there's something troublesome." He remarks, looking at Dolan's expression for a moment. "And rather post-haste." He then adds with a deep rumble, bowing his head to the man, as he moves to the side and remains standing.

A glance towards Telamon. He's looking healthy once more. He's glad to see it.

Tanith has her tail a-wagging with distinct pleasure as she is carried proudly by Telamon to the meeting. She has her place of honor and it seems she finds it well deserved. Curiously the fish on Telamon's floating disk seem to have a habit of vanishing from time to time. Subtly of course.

Tanith greets everyone from her place on-shoulder. "Hello peoples!" She declares joyfully and then her eyes light upon Rune with her burden. "Fish!" She says happily, wiggling a little like a cat that's spotted a bug. Harkashan isn't far behind her and his strange package gets her eyes too. "MORE FISH!"

Well that solves one mystery.

Dolan's warm, easy chuckle is not, for once, filled with wickedness. "Later, baby," he tells Andelena, swapping the hand that holds the small scroll as necessary to place his hand over hers, on his knee. "Auranar and Verna never disappoint, though mostly I wanted the magic protections for this. Dirk, Rune - Deathsinger Harkashan, good to see you. Tel - damn if you ain't a sight for sore eyes. Glad to see you up and around. Lana minding the bottomless pit?" This is asked with a wide, affectionate grin, clearly intended to refer to Pothy.

Then, Tanith flutters in, and as always, he's awestruck by her, a dumb grin taking over the amusement as he watches her. "Went fishing for her all of yesterday," he remarks. "Reckon all the fish in the world ain't enough for that one. She's worth it, though."

Then, Dirk brings his present over. "For us?" His hand lifts off of Andelena's to accept it.

Auranar seems pleased that her cooking efforts have been approved and appreciated by so many. She offers warm smiles to everyone entering and directs them to seats where necessary. Then she heads back to the kitchen. "Did you get the F, I, S, H?" She spells out the word to Verna and tilts her head at the woman. Indicating her head toward Tanith. Of course she didn't forget a gift for the individual who'd brought her brother-in-law to life! ...So long as Verna hadn't forgotten that is.

Dirk nods his head, puffing up his burly chest with a beaming smile. "Aye, it's yer weddin' present," he says. "Ye dinnae have tae open it right now. I know we've got business tae be attendin'. But... I hope ye like it. I made it meself." Once that's taken care of, he goes to find himself a plate and starts loading it up with a properly Dwarf Sized heap of delicious treats. He can't seem to decide on which kind of scone he wants, so he just grabs one of each, along with sliced meats and bread for a sammich. He avails himself of fresh pastry as well, and yet another scone that he sets upon the window ledge for Lulu to peck at. He plumps his hefty rump down upon one of the stools and picks up one of the scones. "SHOMF!" Half of it is immediately obliterated, fed through his bearded maw. He rumbles happily as he relishes the delectable treat. Although he does remember to finish chewing and swallowing before he looks to Dolan. "What is it ye have, fer us, laddie?"

Andelena cheerfully waves at everyone who comes in, although Dirk and his package get an awed look. "Aww, Dirk, you're terrific," she says, going to offer the snowbeard a hug. "We're gonna open that bad boy up later when we're not surrounded by a bunch of food that could get on it. Hate to ruin whatever's inside with some flying cream or some flying fis--"

She almost said it, clamping her mouth shut. "Uhh. Sea... swimming... fucker." At any rate, Andelena finds a safe spot for it that Tanith can't perch on nor food can get on it, perhaps taking the opportunity to run away from the fact she couldn't improvise another word for fish right away.

She returns to Dolan's side and sits down. "Thank you all for coming," she says to the crowd.

"Of course," Vern assures Auranar quietly before she moves into the lounge where others have entered or were already seated. "Welcome, everyone, and certainly not least, Tanithariairisixchel." She stops at a crate in the corner of the lounge, where a chair might have stood instead. The top is opened to reveal, unsurprisingly, more fish. Given the rim of the crate, it might also serve as a roost for any small fish-connoisseurs inclined.

The enthusiastic response from the little dragon leaves Rune offering out the string of fish, laying them out for Tanith's inspection, "They may be a bit smaller than most. I'm not much of a fisher, but I remember these little ones being quite flavorful."

Turning towards Harkashan, there is a look of relief at his return, the half-sil raising a hand to him before looking away. The two haven't talked since that strange nightmare, so perhaps there is a bit of something lingering between them. The nightmare had clearly been a revisit of one of the worst days of their lives. Yet, preferring not to dwell on it, Rune snatches up a pastry and takes a bite.

There is a nod towards Andelena, "Friends call, we answer. So... I assume this is about our recent escapades?" Rune asks, before taking another bite of pastry and raising a brow, looking curious.

Harkashan watches Tanith show herself, and bows his head to her. "That is correct. Though they are somewhat... unusual." He answers her, as he opens the pack just a little bit. Showing off just the inside, without removing the items. A strange fish that looks partially translucent, like it is made of the stars itself. Another that looks like it's fading in and out of existence.

He keeps the pack open, but at his hip. Tanith will have to come to him if she wants his fish. After all, he doesn't want to draw too much attention away from the purpose of this meeting, and the man who's helped organize it.

"Warrior Dolan." He answers him, on himself being named. Noticing Rune motioning at him, he takes it as a welcome and as an invitation, so he moves to her side. Heavy armor jingling with each step, before laying his hand onto her shoulder and leaning in - touching a horn to the side of her head.

Telamon didn't even try to keep Tanith from pilfering. Might as well ask water to run uphill. Instead, his expression is welcoming, as he moves into the circle of friends, lightly touching shoulders, greeting everyone. It seems that Tel is back, the light in his eyes shining like distant stars.

Taking a seat, he nods to Dolan. "Lana's actually home with a cold -- I think the stresses of the last week or so finally caught up to her. So she's being tended by Pothy, the pixies, and Jyndei." He shakes his head. "Happens to all of us. As I was telling someone today, at some point you have to -rest- -- and we've had little enough of that the past few weeks."

Steepling his fingers, he regards Dolan. "Dolan, why don't you bring us up to speed? I think I'm aware of everything you've got, but I'm pretty sure not everyone here is, and I wouldn't mind a quick refresher."

So many fish to choose from! Telemon's freshly port-caught fish! Rune's extra-tasty efforts! The crate of fish! Exotic fish from the Vast! Which is a poor dragon to eat first?!? Tanith is a dragon who appreciates all fish, regardless of their kind and number however. "Fish! Good peoples! Very good peoples!"

She hops off of Telamon's shoulder and begins to happily nom on Rune's fish first. Because everyone likes dessert first! Besides, they *are* right in front of her!

Andelena's handling of their present seems to work just fine for Dolan, and while she's finding a safe place to put it, he reaches forward with a laugh for his wife's verbal flailing to collect his own plate of goodies - meats, cheeses, and a couple of scones. "I doubt she heard you, Andie. I think you're safe."

Rather than sandwiching meat and cheese between breads, he layers them on top of the scone and takes a bite of the composite meal, flesh eye closing in appreciation. He at least remembers to chew and swallow before opening his mouth. "I swear you're the best baker in Alexandria, Aura. You should go into business for yourself."

Once the bite is fully consumed, though, he sits back, resting the plate on his other knee. He has yet to pour himself tea, but doesn't seem to have noticed yet. "Yeah, Tel. You know most of it, though I got something that'll help us." He nods to the scroll that is now resting against his left leg. "Some of you might know that I've been chasing down some of V's minions that have been harassing my family, and threatening Andie's. Seraquoix worked for V, but he wasn't the only player. Jal'goroth hasn't shown himself lately, but there's one more. Aza Chidea, a Charneth noblewoman who "befriended" Andie's lady mother-" The sneer quotes in his tone are real. "Tel and I cornered her and forced the truth out of her right before the totems vanished."

"The Selentian funding for Blue Moon was none other than Andelena's mother, Lady Calogref of Selentia. That woman's a slavering, rabid bitch who's mistreated Andie for years, and there's some evidence that the lady's been in league with demons, through her head cook, since Andie was a kid living in her mother's house. With Aza's confession, I was able to contact the Temple of the Knight in Selentia and get her and the head cook arrested. They're still in custody, but we forced something else out of Aza."

"V had two goals on Ea, not one," he goes on. "The Red Maw, and one other. The other was a half-fiend vessel strong enough to host this V on Ea. Aza had allowed herself to be possessed by a fiend and be impregnated by another one, thus bearing a half-fiend child named Rida - yeah, the same one that Andie's brother Gale was supposedly enchanted by. How in all the green garden hells he got out from under that, I'll never know, but - my s'posing is that he was supposed to be sacrificed to her. He gave me a portrait of her, but we've got to track this Rida down and make sure she ain't usable as a host."

Auranar flushes at the complements to her food, and doesn't seem to mind that Rune's gift to Tanith has taken precedence. She has no doubt that the little dragon will get to the rest given time. "If I had any inclination toward opening one, I'd certainly have a proper base of clients I'm sure." She says with some amusement in her voice. Indeed, nearly everyone here has professed their appreciation of her baked goods.

Then she goes silent as Dolan explains the situation. "Me and Magpie are keeping our eyes open for Jal'gorath, so don't worry about him. We'll let you know if he shows his ugly face."

"In other words, there's a whole storm of demonic bullshit and it revolves somewhat around my mother, her associate, and the half-fiend child that my older brother--the one who showed up at the wedding party, I add," Andelena tacks on, "was compelled to believe he was in love with when the man wouldn't know love from a hole in the wall."

She shakes her head. "This is a loose end I'm happy to take care of, especially now that V's other big objective here on this plane's been taken out. And while Dolan and I are pretty great at swinging swords around--and he's real damn good at the investigative stuff--we'd appreciate some of you coming over to this side of dealing with the threat now."

Dirk leans over to pour himself a mug of tea, before chomping down the rest of his pastry. He lifts the mug to tip back a swallow, his shaggy white brows furrowing as he listens to Dolan's tale. "Blessed Dana's flowery teats," he grumbles. "It never ends, does it? There's always another link in the filthy chain." He harrumphs, picking up his finger sammich to chomp a bite. "Right, then. So... we need tae find this Rida, then? An' I suppose that means a trip tae Charn?"

His beard bristles, as though he'd -dearly- love to spit, but is forcing himself to be polite. It's probably certain that neither Verna nor Auranar would appreciate him spitting on their nicely clean floor. "Well. If it's demons what need huntin', I'm yer dwarf fer that. I'm gettin' pretty good at trackin' down the hell-fuckers. An' I'm close tae bein' finished wi' a few little touches tae me thunderbelcher's enchantment matrix. Should pack a good bit more of a punch once I've got the last o' the inlays done."

He looks up and around, cramming the last of his sammich into his mouth and licking his fingers clean. "So when are we leavin' out?"

Telamon coughs. "Well, Dolan, Andie, the deal with Gale was... well, that was on me. Sir Seldan, Lana, and I hit the Calogref estate -again- -- Lady Calogref really should've invested in better security -- and stole Gale away." He runs a hand through his hair. "Once we'd gotten back to Alexandria, Sir Seldan stashed him at the Temple of Eluna to break the enchantments and check him over, and I had devoutly hoped they'd sit on him till -after- your wedding." His lips quirk. "You know, at least give you -one day- before having to deal with more stupid crap."

"Lana and I found out later, though, that a fiend had hitched a ride with us when we jumped back to Alexandria. Sir Seldan had detected it, but to protect Gale, he... kind of kicked him out of the Temple while he and Zeke disposed of it." Tel's expression is that of a little boy having to confess to an emptied cookie jar. "So of course, Gale goes looking for you and Andie."

He sighs. "So that's how he managed to crash your reception. For which you have my utmost apologies. When your anniversary comes up, pick a spot and I'll take you there and bring you home again." Tel reaches over to snag a pastry, munching on it as he turns his mind back to business. "Magpie and Aura have a plan for Jal'goroth. One that I approve of. The moment he pops his head up, he's in for a real surprise. So that leaves Rida -- we'll have to track her down, yes."

Verna leaves Tanith to her smogrfishbord and focuses her full attention to Dolan's information as she moves to stand near Auranar for the discussion. Well, nearly full, as she offers a quiet comment to her wife, "You excel at any and all you put your heart and mind to, Love." Then back to the other matter at hand.

"If there is need to locate this Rida, there are means available," she notes. "I would eagerly assist to halt any fiend's plans, especially one to give them full access to our realm. Is Rida a willing accomplice in this, or is she to be secured and sequestered from their influence?"

Harkashan makes a long rumbling concerned sound as Dolan explains what's going on, on the other side of things. He remembers the various rumblings and investigations that had been going on in regards to the nobility, but he's stayed out of that for the most part.

"That's most concerning. Do you have any idea where to begin this search?" He wonders if this has anything to do with that Charnite that had gone missing.

"When there's time, I also have something to report on the matters of what I've found at The Vast, now that Marsward is gone."

At the hand on her shoulder, Rune leans in slightly, the side of her cheek pressing against one horn as she reaches up and lightly touches along one side of Harkashan's muzzle before releasing him. Then, she offers him a brief smile before turning her attention back towards Dolan, since it seems that he is the source of the information they've been gathered here to address.

As usual, there are some portions that Rune knows, and others that are a new to her. For now, Rune toys with one of her daggers as a nervous gesture. "I figured there were still loose ends that needed dealing with. Marsward was only part of the problem."

The connection between Andelena and the demonic activity is met with a tilt of her head, and a slight scowl at the comment about just how this individual known as 'Rida' had come to be. "Well, we probably sabotaged her finances as well right along with Blue Moon, at least."

Looking to Andie, she asks with a expression of uncertainty, "I don't have to play babysitter to him again, do I? Once was about all I could take."

Tanith is effectively distracted for the moment from the conversation at hand. Half the fish that Rune brought are already gone and she's still powering through them. How? It's magic. That much is clear, and really, who's going to question it at this point?

Dolan had fallen silent, finishing his ersatz scone sandwich as he listened raptly. "Is that what happened-" he breathes. "Damn, Tel, I owe you yet again. I think we're at the point where it's no good keeping score," he laughs warmly, a thing that peters out when he turns to Rune. "I owe _you_ a nice dinner out for handling that for us," he says seriously. "I ain't get to say thank you, but I'll say it now. Thank you."

Oh, she's probably willing, all right," he replies with a snort. "If her mother's anything to go by, she probably don't know no different and is probably evil herself. I ain't gonna assume that, though, which is why I ain't saying just kill her out of hand. She could be as much a victim as Gale was. As for Jal'gorath, he pops up, you just call me and Andie. Magpie gave me her answer for that one, I'm keen to try it."

He picks up the scroll that had been leaning against his leg and kept close, and with the hand that hasn't been eating scones, proffers it to Telamon and Verna. "Gale had a portrait of her. That's it. Can you two use that to help us find her?"

Auranar looks at Telamon in surprise. "Is that who that was?" She offers an apologetic look at Rune. "I followed you out to make sure that... man didn't do anything he ought not. He seemed like a real piece of work. Now that I think about it, I think someone did mention that he was Andelena's brother but at the time it didn't really register."

"No, my brother'll be fine going forward," Andelena says to Rune. "He's an idiot and he'll probably pester the local unattached lady population, and he'll get the hard knocks he deserves for it. But he's been briefed of what's going on and that he needs to stay as far the fuck away from everything going on as he can. _Thank you_ for doing that, by the way."

She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "My idiot of a brother aside, thank you, starman, for rescuing him. All things considered, it means... he didn't become what Dolan feared my mother and her 'friend' were preparing him to become. He's an idiot, my older brother--and he was a downright menace to me when we were younger, until I got big and strong enough to punch back at him--but he didn't deserve that fate. Nobody does."

Verna brows lift at Dolan's proferring. "A portrait would be of great aid to locate her and possibly view her current activities. I could readily do so if you wished." That said, her expression contorts some in no small commiseration as she looks to Andelena. "It is good that he is well, out of danger, and your mother faces proper judgment."

"Consider it a wedding gift, my friend." Rune replies, offering a soft shake of her head, "You two deserved a night without those kind of interruption." Another quirk of the lip follows, "I know how... uncomfortable family can be sometimes." She inclines her head to them both.

Then, with a nod to Auranar, "It's appreciated. I could have handled him, myself, but having back-up is good." Her nose scrunches, "Though I may have inadvertently introduced him to his new favorite place." By that, she likely means the brothels.

"So, we have to be on the watch for Jal'goroth, and try to track down this 'Rida' person." She taps her dagger along her side, thoughtful. "Any details you've got about her would go a long way, I imagine."

Telamon chuckles softly. "It was a near thing. I'll leave it at that. And I was damned glad Lana and Sir Seldan had come along." He gives Rune a sympathetic glance, and nods. "If we need to put the arm on Gale, I'll arrange for something. I don't think you need to deal with him again -- if only to avoid the prospect of Harkashan punting the man into the harbor." His eyes flick to Hark's, and he grins.

Pouring himself a cup of tea, Telamon grins at Dirk. "First order of business is to find her. Charn is a big place, and I'd prefer not to have to search ALL of it." He rubs his chin, thinking, as Dolan produces the scroll. "Maybe. If she wore a false seeming -- a disguise -- it might not work. Although..." His eyes glint. "I may shake Gale down, see if he's got anything she gave to him. That would form a tangible link. We'll just have to see." He nods to Verna, deferring to her greater skills in this matter.

Harkashan watches the scroll change hands, and then turns back to the group as a whole. When Telamon mentions the harbor, and gives him that look, he slowly crosses his arms.

"Rune can handle herself." He simply answers without adding any more context to this. No doubt, Rune would do far worse than just punting the man into a harbor. She's got a far more inventive mind than him.

"Let's try the portrait first. If you'd give that a go when you've got a spare minute, I'd be grateful." Dolan readily lets Verna take the scroll, and turns instead to Harkashan. "You said you'd been back to the Vast?" he asks, picking up his next scone but not yet biting into it. "What'd you see? Is the Red Maw still there?"

Dirk munches another of his scones, his honey-brown gaze flicking between the faces of his friends. That gaze gets drawn to the portrait Dolan provides, and he grumbles softly. "Och, wouldn't it be nice if -I- could track prey wi' just a pretty picture?" he mutters into his beard. "Maybe I should've studied wizardry as a beardling." When Dolan asks Harkashan about the Vast, however, that has the old snowbeard's undivided attention. "Still there? But I thought we locked the door on that!" he says. "Beards o' me fathers, we dinnae have the totems anymore. How do we lock Caracoroth down if it -is- still there?!"

Auranar falls silent as her part in the efforts is smaller than others has been. She watches the little gold dragon sneakily crawl into Harkashan's bag and smiles to herself. "Do you need any help with preparations for your spell Verna?"

"I did. A lot of the Werewolves have dispersed. But the ones that remain... I am not of their culture." Harkashan explains to Dolan. "There's a good two-thousand that remain, forming into what almost seems like a bandit group if we do not act soon."

He then quiets again, furrowing his brow a bit, leaning down to one knee so Tanith can more easily get into the bag and fish out the fish.

"I would appreciate some assistance in learning more about their culture, and ways to help them. I would rather not see a group of two-thousand ravage the Vast and turn into an enemy faction."

The prospect of what Harkashan has found in the wake of their activities in the Vast leaves Rune biting at her lower lip in thought. "If there's that many, it might be worth seeing if maybe some representatives from the Sky-singer might be willing to take a missionary trip to the Vast. I've heard that her power can help people turn away from that sort of thing."

Folding her arms across her chest, Rune presses her lips together. "I imagine the Red Maw has to be somewhere... Things like that don't tend to disappear. They are either dealt with, or buy their time to strike when people least expect."

Her eyes flick to Tanith, then to the pastries, and her hand sneaks out to snatch a second pastry and chew, thoughtfully.

Telamon looks at Harkashan, and makes a face. "Damn. I... should've expected that. Werewolves are pack creatures at heart, just like normal wolves; kill their alpha, they'll eventually shake themselves down into a new pecking order with a new alpha at the head." He rubs his temples. "Hmmm. Alright, so, two thousand or so cranky werewolves. Harkashan, did you see any sign of the Red Maw? We didn't see it when we hit Seraquoix."

At Dirk's mention of the totems, Telamon's eyes flicker to Tanith, and he starts to open his mouth, then stops again. As if unwilling to disturb the little dragon's feast by asking her about something so serious. Instead, he shifts back to the prospect of that many werewolves in the Vast. "Maybe. Ni'essa can redeem and heal the souls of even those who are permanently transformed by lycanthropy. I... hmm. I might have an idea, but I need to do some research first."

"I'm concerned with what the Red Maw--and its god--can do now that the totems are gone. Bindings on Caracoroth and all," Andelena notes sourly. "I imagine Eluna's followers can do a lot for all of those poor bastards taken in by the werewolves. Something a lot of those people probably need. I can't imagine all of them know fully what was going on." There's the compassion in the Sunguard's voice, something that comes to her easily when she isn't cursing up a storm.

"Huh," Dolan answers Harkashan and Telamon, munching thoughtfully on his scone and leaning back into the couch cushions. "Yeah, like Andie said. We need to know if we got the Red Maw or not. Anyone know how we can find out?"

"Give it a try, if you can. I don't know much about their culture myself. Don't risk people's lives to try to save them, though. If they're hell-bent on banditry, fine words won't do very much, no matter how fine they are."

He, too, looks over to Tanith. "I'd like to see what she knows," he remarks slowly. "Dunno if she'll hear us until the fish are gone, though."

Verna looks to Auranar, echoing back some of the other woman's smile (even if it was due to Tanith). "There no preparations of note for the scrying I intend. I would welcome your presence, of course, though the casting process is not terribly eventful for others. If desired, I can attempt such now, while all are gathered?"

That stated, she looks between the others concerning the Red Maw. "I do not for a moment believe that The Red Maw is banished, that the portal simply closed permanently, or that the totems cease to exist." There is heavy concern in her tone before she moves on. "Not all lycanthropes automatically serve The Nightmare, despite Its influence upon them. With the loss of their prior leader, some would likely go elsewhere to find their own path, but others might simply gravitate to the next powerful leader to present themselves." She gestures to Telamon as she concurs with him. "I am not a true authority on lycanthropes, though I have experienced far more of them than some."

Harkashan shakes his head. "No sign of the Red Maw." He answers him, before taking note of Rune's comment. "Oh? They can?" He asks. "That's rather wonderful. If it's something they still desire. They may have found their comfort in a pack structure."

When Dolan remarks on not spending lives, Harkashan notes; "I will take care. But two-thousand bandits means a lot of lives will be lost - if that path is not avoided." He huffs a bit at this. "I wish I had the Silver Empress' Silver Tongue."

Auranar nods to Verna, always willing to assist even if her presence is the only thing required. "I think it might be best to get it done quickly." She says to Verna, then adds more quietly. "Dolan came all this way for that purpose more than anything I think."

Tanith is busily digging away at a sack full of fish, but she seems to sense that she's being talked about and pokes her head up, slurping down the last of her current bite. "Help?" She inquires curiously.

Telamon leans back in his chair, and offers Hark a grin. "Oh, I don't know. I thought you were doing a pretty good job telling the werewolves to head off so we didn't have to kill more of them." He sighs. "I suspect Dace Zinskas is dead, and with any luck he took out whatever device was powering the portal to keep the Red Maw there. But we don't know for certain, and so we have to proceed as if he did not."

His brow furrows. "I... don't think the totems are -gone- exactly. I have some ideas on that as well, but I'd need to, again, do some homework. But..." He looks to Tanith and her devastation of the bounty of fish. "Yes, Tanith. We... have questions. Can you help us with them? Hopefully we can ask the right ones."

Tanith perks up, as if she could be even more pleased than she already is to be eating her bounty. "I can help!" She says, still half-in and half-out of the bag of fish. She even offers some comforting or at least encouraging words to Telamon. "Peoples are smart peoples."

"Two-thousand is a lot of people to support, even by banditry." Rune murmurs. "I imagine they won't be able to maintain such a large group. Not without the outside support they had."

"So, sounds like we have more things to follow up on, then. Dace, the portal, the Red Maw, the Werewoles, Rida, Totems." It's starting to become a long list. With a look of concern, she takes a bite out of the pastry. With a look to Harkashan, she asks, "What do you think, big-guy? I'll lend a hand where I can."

When Tanith makes herself available for questions, Andelena straightens up and looks at the little dragon. "I'll go first--where's the Red Maw right now?" she asks. It seems to be the question on everyone's minds.

Dirk nods his head, munching thoughtfully at a scone. "Two thousand people... aye, that's an entire village, there," he says. "A good sized village tae boot." He considers, his expression turning thoughtful. "I wonder... we've got all these wee little villages an' townships left bare by the Dragonier wights. Wonder how hard it'd be tae convince 'em tae take 'em over? Till the fields, work the land, lead good, honest lives." He considers, then shakes his head. "Naw. That's a terrible idea," he grumbles. "Nobody would ever go fer -that-." He looks back over to the others. "If Rida's part demon, then I should be able tae track 'er easy," he says. "All I have tae do is clap me eyes on 'er, an' she cannae get away from me, nae matter where she goes." As Tanith acquiesces to questioning, he lapses into silence. He has to consider his query quite carefully.

"With Caracoroth." Tanith says succinctly, licking one claw delicately and thoroughly.

"There's some as are bent on leading a life of tormenting others," Dolan remarks, leaning forward again and filling his plate full of meat, cheeses, and scones again. "I suspect that the ones that would be interested in leading honest lives probably have already left. Not saying it ain't worth the trying-" he holds out a hand to Harkashan to forestall him. "Just be ready to do what's needed if they don't."

He sits back again with his prizes, leaving the scroll to Verna. "If you two think you can find her from that, I'd have you give it a try. We'll worry about what to do if it doesn't work when we get to that. Tanith - is Dace dead, do you think?" he asks slowly.

"Of course," Verna nods to Auranar. "I was merely concerned our guests would be-" then Tanith volunteers to, and begins to answer questions. "I suppose they shall be informed, instead. Let us proceed, then." She steps to the edge of the kitchen to be out of others' way and begins to initiate her spell. While she may have questions, potentially for Tanith, she expects others hold some of the same curiosities.

"I will defend myself if I must. But they were drawn by Hope. I wish to give them the real thing." Harkashan rumbles to Dolan with a nod of his head.

Harkashan bows his head deeper then in response to Rune's remark. There's a small flick of his tail at Telamon's words. But Harkashan is quick to retort with; "I wish I could have saved more of them." With a deep rumble to his voice.

He then looks at Dirk; "I am unable to tell if you are joking or not. But if there is such an opportunity, I am quite certain I could make a far better bid at them than if I came to them empty-handed and with empty promises." A pause. "Please, I would appreciate more details."

The Sith-makar then turns to Tanith and looks at her with a very serious look. Like he's about to ask the most important question she's ever heard in her life.

"Which..." He thinks about this for a moment, letting that moment hang in the air. "... is your favorite fish?"

Tanith looks at Dolan, then nods solemnly. "Yes." She doesn't seem particularly pleased with the answer, but there it is. Then! The IMPORTANT question. She looks at Harkashan. He looks at her. The two lock eyes. "FISH." She says, but then clarifies. "BIG fish." She nods.

Harkashan gives a big nod of his head, understanding Tanith of a deep draconic level. "Big Fish." He repeats after her. These two, they understand.

Dirk looks to Harkashan and shrugs his broad shoulders. "It was just a thought I had," he says. "A lot o' bandits turn tae banditry because they're desperate. They're hungry an' poor, an' have tried everything else. If we could offer 'em a home, an' an honest livin'... might they abandon the bandit's ways?" He shakes his head. "We'd have tae talk tae Alexandria's nobility, obviously. I surely dinnae have the authority tae sign over an entire village. But... it might put a stop tae at least -some- o' their shenanigans."

He turns his attention to Tanith, then, reaching up to tug his beard thoughtfully. "Is Caracoroth still imprisoned?" he asks. "Do we still -need- the totems tae keep 'im locked down?"

Tearing her eyes from Harkashan - now that she's certain he understands - Tanith turns her golden gaze on Dirk. "No." She replies unconcernedly. "And no." Not terribly explanatory these answers, but certainly clear.

Answers. Some useful, some... well, it's nice to know. But if the totems are no longer an issue... a memory bubbles back up. And Telamon's starry eyes look thoughtful. "Tanith, I know I said it before, but I'll say it again. Thank you. For bringing me back."

That said, he regards the dragon calmly. "Before the totems disappeared, they spoke to us. We heard the voice, that said 'The Black Moon is rising.' Who is the Black Moon? Is it Caracoroth?" He suspects it, but he needs to know -- to clear away any ambiguities, any doubts.

"Fuck." Dolan swears at Tanith's answer to Dirk. He reaches for Andelena's hand again, balancing the plate on his other leg. "Maybe. Some no doubt will if you offer them an honest option. Too many, though, ain't interested in honest work. It's easier living off of the backs of others. Fact is that some people are plain lazy sods. I'm all for offering the honest ones an out, but be ready for the ones as ain't so. That's all I'm saying."

"Thought maybe." He turns his attention onto the glittering golden dragon, and falls silent to listen to Telamon's question, nodding. It's a good one, and he waits to hear the answer before asking any more questions of his own.

Tanith's golden eyes seem to glow as Telamon regards her - and offers her words of gratitude for her assistance. "You are good peoples." She says as if this is an explanation. But he has a question and this one seems to take her a moment to consider before she replies. "Black moon is Caracoroth. A time. A freedom."

Her little brow furrows as she tries to think of good words to explain. Finally she perks up and nods. "He is being born!"

At the revelations that an evil god is loose in the realm of the dreams, Harkashan's blood runs cold for a moment. He looks to Tanith as she answers more questions, before joining in with the /proper/ questions.

"Is Eluna okay still, with Caracoroth released? Or is she having to fight?" But at the answer that they're still being born... "How do we stop its birth?"

As questions start being thrown towards the little dragon, Rune crosses her arms and leans a bit against Harkashan. The others likely have a better idea of the right questions to ask, so mostly she just seems to be listening, trying to take things in. "So, Caracoroth is free, and there's no real need for the totems anymore."

Then, blue eyes turn to Dolan and the rogue nods, "I expect a fair number will go on to be trouble, but we can hope that at least some were made to live this life against their will and maybe would prefer another option."

Then, she quiets again, obviously concerned about what the release of Caracoroth might mean for the Sky-singer. She does, afterall, owe quite a lot to Eluna.

"Sky-singer pleased!" Tanith says, all but radiating good will. "No fighting. Cages are bad! They make peoples sad! They make them mad! They make them do not-nice things. Cages are the *worst*."

This makes Tanith look at the peoples in the room imploringly. "Things are not always what they seem to be. Things may look small, but be big! Things may look bad, but be sad. Or angry." She lays her head on her claws. "Imagine a world with no fish. Imagine a world all caught up in a cage. No peoples to talk to. No freedom. No sky. Only dreams that go by and no one understands. You will understand if you have ever been caught, if you have ever been very, very alone."

GAME: Dolan rolls will: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL)

At first, Telamon's thoughts race in fear. If Caracoroth was free, then... wait. No. He's missing something. He replays what Tanith said in his head, and something clicks there. "Wait," he says -- not to Tanith, but to the others.

"I don't know how much all of you understand about magic, and those who dwell outside of Ea. But there's a truism: they are bound by their nature. They cannot change that nature without fundamentally changing themselves. If a fiend redeemed itself, it would cease to be a fiend. What it would turn into is anyone's guess, but it would not be what it was."

Tel takes a pull of his tea. "Caracoroth. Bound, trapped, helpless. But if he somehow changed his nature, to transform himself... he might slip free. Like a druid in shackles that transforms into a snake, the shackles would no longer bind him. But in this case, he would no longer be a druid, but a snake. Born -- or reborn, if you like." Tel looks at Tanith. "He... I can't say if Caracoroth is something -good- in the world. But if he's not hell bent on wrecking it... he's changed his very nature." A pause. "Just as the werewolves who submit to Ni'essa subvert their own natures."

Suddenly- in that moment, the dreams, the nightmares, crystallize for Dolan. His gaze, which has been sharp on the others, focused and present as information flies back and forth, abruptly drifts into a corner of the room, a thousand miles away thing that does not see the here and now. The flesh and blood brown eye goes wide in his face, the other one expressionless as the skin drains of all color.

The answer puts a look of _oh shit_ into Andelena's eyes. She looks at Tanith now, but Harkashan jumps in with the question that she had before she can voice it. And then there's Telamon with his question. And then...

Tanith speaks, and Andelena's expression transforms. She thinks back onto someone. A little boy with feet that...

Then there's Dolan. How she notices him. And she goes to Dolan's hand, taking it in her own. "Babe, Brydion--it's me, Andelena, your wife. You're in Verna and Auranar's house. It's the ninth day of Aestry in 1025. There's some fucking delicious food in the house and lots of fish. Tanith's here, too."

Tanith beams at Telamon. "Told you; smart peoples." Her words trail off in the sudden silence that comes from Dolan, and she lets out a little meep. She's glad to pipe up it seems when Andelena mentions her. "I am here!" She says loudly.

Harkashan does not understand what Tanith is saying. It seems almost happy about the fact that this formerly-reportedly-evil-God is free. Telamon gives a possible explanation that at least seems to sate Harkashan's concerns a little bit. But it still sounds like something worrisome.

"I... think I get what you are saying." He rumbles, though he doesn't want to say he truly /understands/ what this means. That's when, from the corner of his eyes, he spots Dolan kind of start giving a thousand-yard stare.

A glance up to Andelena. Who is quick to root him in place...

It reminds him of what Rune used to do when he lost his spot during Thirku's memories bubbling up.

Dirk considers, tugging at his beard. Telamon's explanation seems to strike a chord in the old snowbeard. "It's like... the seasons, innit?" he muses. "Spring becomes summer. Summer becomes fall, an' fall the winter. An' yet it's still -time-, aye? The passage o' moments. They're different... yet they're the same." He looks up and around. "So if Caracoroth has become summat else... what exactly -is- he? I mean, the gods keep a balance amongst 'emselves, don't they?" He pauses, then looks at Tanith. "Is Caracoroth still one o' the Dark Gods?" he asks. Maybe the answer is more simple than he thinks it might be. But then, Dolan has faded out. The old dwarf sets his plate aside and leans forward, wringing his hands worriedly. He looks ready to jump in with some proper papa bear-ing, but Andie has things well in hand.

Confusion is writ on Rune's features, the expression of someone who doesn't quite always form the same connections as others quite so quickly. It's not a lack of intelligence, just a lack of context to piece some things together. "So... Tanith makes it sound like a good thing, but..."

Dolan's thousand-yard stare is familiar to Rune. It's something she's fought with more often than she'd like. Not just when Harkashan is lost in memories of some other life, but when she is lost in her own past. "By the look of things, I'd guess it bodes for dark tidings, at least as far as Dolan is concerned."

She takes a step away from Harkashan then, moving closer to Dolan, though it seems that Andelena has it well in hand. Even so, she seems to want to show her support in that. "Will he be okay?" She asks softly.

Telamon flinches, seeing Dolan go into that state. But Andelena is there, and so he leaves the task to her. "I won't pretend to be an expert on this. But... imagine you had to train yourself not to breathe. To not have to take in air, and somehow avoid, you know, passing out. That's kind of what it's like."

He rocks his hand back and forth at Dirk. "I don't know, Dirk. The balance -- seven, by seven, by seven -- would need to be upheld. But a Caracoroth that isn't trying to eat the world and the moon is a step in the right direction. Remember, all six of the other Dark Gods were involved in his binding as well. Pretty sure they'd have to agree to let him out too."

The hand in Andelena's is limp, and Dolan doesn't seem to have heard a thing she said. He does understand, all too clearly, the nightmares that had taken him when first he'd asked the totems of their natures, and how this was to be done, mingling with dreams of a very, very different place, though. They're still chains, though. All of them. All of the ten thousand chains that had assaulted his dreams. Understanding may bring wisdom, but it does not always bring comfort, and that sudden understanding has left him trapped in his own mind, with no outward sign of what it is that holds him.

Dirk's question to Tanith goes unanswered. The little dragon is busy dragging her overly-stuffed tummy skyward. After a few beats of her little wings she floats to his non-injured shoulder and murmurs something softly into his ear. It's impossible to hear what she says. Even Andelena who's right there doesn't hear it. She rubs her cheek along his face. "Come have fish." She says more loudly.

"He will be," Andelena answers the onlookers, compassion burning in her voice as she remains fixated onto her husband. He's locked away in his head and all she can do is to knock on the door, try to turn the knob, and try to shine the light into the room if she succeeds in getting into the room. Fortunately, she's never given up.

"Come have food," Andelena tags onto Tanith's request, and it's easy to see, from the way that she looks at him, that she loves this man utterly and wholly. "Almost all your friends are here, baby."

Dirk grumbles softly. "Well shit. 'course it couldnae be so easy," he mutters. "I'm just a simple woodsman. All this talk o' gods an' their doings is way -way- beyond my pay grade. All's I know is... my friends need my help. I'm nae entirely sure -why-. Don't rightly know what I can do that they cannot. But friendship is the rock upon which our lives are built. I'll always be here tae lend my aid, whenever ye all need me." He lifts his chin and squares his shoulders. "I'm the last Stormgrip. I've nae other family but the lot o' ye."

Verna reenters the room, her expression displeased. She still holds the item that Dolan gave her. "The scrying failed." She announces, but continues. "I noticed she's wearing a locket however so we might be able to- What's going on?" She asks, noticing the quiet in the room and the attention paid to Dolan.

Though Rune can only imagine what might be going on in Dolan's head. "Your friends are all here, waiting for you." That is all that she adds, voice quiet.

Lips pressed together briefly, she shakes her head, "The world is changing, I guess we just have to wait to see if it's for the better or the worse." She takes in a breath and sighs.

She might have said more, but then Verna appears and her attention turns towards her, curious.

It takes Dolan a minute, but whatever it was that was whispered into his ear, spoken to him - little claws digging into his shoulder, a warm weight - it's hard to say what exactly brings him back to the here and now. Gradually, though, the look in hi eye shifts, and then *snaps* back into the present with a visible *thud* and an indrawn breath that is damn near a gasp. "Fuck!" he lets out. "Now I know what those dreams from the Knight meant. Fuck." He buries his face in his free hand, still breathing hard. "Tanith, this mean we ain't got to worry about the Red Maw anymore and we can focus on those wolves, and on V?"

He doesn't answer, or even look at Verna, but Andie's hand in his suddenly gets a hard squeeze. "Fuck. I'm sorry. That was bad."

"Yes!" She says as Dolan comes back to himself, cheerfully nudging him on the cheek again. She seems satisfied to stay there for the moment, but the way she's bedding down suggests that she might be done answering questions soon.

Telamon smiles at Dirk. "And we're glad to have you, Dirk. Gods know, we need all the help we can muster." His eyes shift back to Dolan, his expression worried. Then as Dolan resurfaces from the waking nightmare, he relaxes. "Yes, it was. It's good to have you back though." He grabs one of the bottles off his disk, and opens the seal, pouring -- it looks like glossy, liquid gold, or sunlight -- into the tumbler. "Daeus's Embrace," he says, offering the glass to Dolan. "First of a new batch. Figured we'd need at least a shot or two to make it through the discussion."

Tel offers Rune a reassuring smile. "We all change, and so does the world, every day. That's what sets us apart, I think. It's... hard for immortals to change their ways. Almost impossible really. There's a few, of course, but not often." "It's okay, baby," Andelena says lovingly, squeezing back. In her other hand, she picks up one of the many tasty treats that Auranar has made and brings it up to Dolan if he wants to eat it.

"We know what we know now, and I'm fucking ready for a bottle of that stuff, starman. That scrying didn't work, so, sounds to me like the hypo--the guess," she says, knowing she'll mess up the word, "was correct."

Dolan squeezes Andelena's hand one more time, then releases it to take the tumbler in one hand and the scone in the other, careful not to dislodge the tiny weight on his shoulder. "Yeah, uh." He turns a look on Rune and Harkashan. "Sorry you had to see that. Thanks, all of you. Verna, you said that the scry didn't work? Something about a locket? Maybe we should talk to Gale." The Corona is clearly still trying to pull himself together after that episode, and takes a careful, experimental sip from the tumbler. "I'm always up for trying your new batches, Tel."

Once Dolan starts drinking Tanith goes back to her fish. Getting herself lost in various species of freshly caught food. She leaves one on for him. A promise is a promise. She leaves it in one of his pockets. Magically.

Everyone who wants to takes part in the bounty of food and drink, and the conversation winds away from the things that are dire in the moment. It turns into something of a celebratory party really. They've defeated Marsward, and they deserve to relax after everything they've gone through.

Tanith falls asleep on the edge of an empty crate that once held fish. Listening to the peoples talk.

That night, each in their own way, those in this small room have a dream. A dream of a small black wolf pup running into the distance, a little golden dragon riding on it's head. They dream of peace, and nothing more. Maybe tomorrow will bring another enemy, but today sees only allies; however unlikely they might be.

-End