Session 58

“So I think there are two versions of Fungar. Fun guy Fungar and not so fun. Let’s call him Gar, this second one.” … Dax
“Kai is real.” … Orianna
“I will be your champion, Jaz. Anything you will me to do, I will do you… Save my friend Ember.” … Aydriann

The familiar face of Cassara sharpens into focus as you peer into the crimson crystal once more. She converses with a hooded individual, his features obscured by shadows. Cassara’s voice, low and conspiratorial, reaches your ears:
“Five hundred gold pieces to whoever robs the train and retrieves the book.”
The hooded figure glances around cautiously.
“The dead one’s book that Vossler is transporting? You could simply ask him for it. It’d be cheaper.”
His words carry the weight of knowing Cassara’s true intentions, seeking validation in his assumptions.
The room trembles, the disturbance emanating from Cassara herself. The very fabric of the chamber seems to unravel, halting as Cassara speaks in a wary tone.
“No one must know of my involvement. Edmeera’s wrath be upon us if we fail, Narza. It must look like an outsider did this. For the sake of my…”
She pauses, as if a phantom sound causes her caution.
Narza responds with a hint of resignation.
“Right…”
He pulls his hood further over his face, hiding himself even more.
“…Right. I’ll move quickly to find a mercenary.”
Cassara surveys the room one last time before exiting into a cavernous tunnel. Lanterns along the walls cast light into the pitch-black passage, hooked to a gas line, the source of the natural flame flickering shadows.
This tunnel, you realize, is in the mountain district where you once scouted with Enoki. As you gather your bearings, you see Cassara reach a crossroad in the tunnel. A quick recollection to where you and Enoki were that day … hiding behind some crates … comes to mind as you watched her come into view and look your way. Curiously, she didn’t notice you; instead, Muvara stands in her vision, creating a veil that conceals your presence.
Cassara moves on, and you and Enoki take flight to escape the close encounter. Xanthos appears beside Muvara, murmuring,
“That was close.”
Muvara turns to stare at Ember walking away. Facing away from where Xanthos stands, Muvara says softly,
“This isn’t right, Xanthos.”
Xanthos replies with resolve,
“The mortals have made their choice, Muvara. You haven’t seen beyond their veil. I’ve been to Eden, seen their atrocities, their vile acts. They defile her by drinking her essence, bastardizing life.”
He pauses, restraining his emotion.
“Edmeera has made her choice as well, and so we must make ours. She’ll never stop, Muvara. You must understand this. We do these things so that others may live.”
He stops to see Muvara still staring at Ember as she fades from view.
“I die so you may live, you who are without domain.”
Xanthos pauses, a truth about to be revealed.
“You are a demigod, Muvara.”
Muvara turns to Xanthos, a sad truth dawning on her.
“It’s the reason I have these feelings for mortals… feelings for Ember?”
Xanthos, nodding reluctantly, says,
“But it’s also part of your essence. You have incorporated my being and Yllena’s. Yllena’s infatuation with life. My infatuation with the ‘nothing.’”
His voice is melancholy.
Muvara’s face comes into view, illuminated by the spirit realm’s endless lake, Xanthos nearby … a plain human-like creature, fair skin and white hair with milky eyes devoid of pupils, no makeup.
“Disappointment in the mortals’ choice to trap Yllena for everlasting life can lead to vengeful spite. If we are to proceed, we must look at the grand landscape of your foretelling and realize that this is the only way to save the life ribbons. Only then can this all make sense. Only then can I look her in the eye. And even then, I fear for my own eternal spirit. What good will this be if I were to lose her spirit…”
Muvara’s emotion takes control with the last few words.
Xanthos softens.
“Memory stones are unblemished records of truth. Ember will come to hate me for the truth, but she deserves more than that. She deserves you. So let it be known, I am doing whatever it takes to sever the serpent’s head. Keep a record of all I do. Let it be known that it is I who steer this deathly ship bound for damnation. It is I who, for the sake of the mortals’ continued existence and for Yllena, divert from my being and force you onto a path you wish to avoid.”
The crystal fades.

Awaken to a New Day

The air pierces the skin with an unforgiving cold. A thick icy mist has threatened to weigh the ship down as crew members start to scrape and shovel ice and snow off the Valiant.
The rest of the occupants of the ship have found themselves huddled around a red dragonborn, entertained to pass the morning’s duration as the Valiant sails toward Icesyn. Drakar plays a satirical song of Velleyanna’s betrayal. Aemon, the Veil Binder, sits near him staring off into the distance. Melina seems to be up on the deck as well but not with the rest. She is off near the edge of the ship, it seems.
Aydriann heads up to the crow’s nest of the ship where he meets Jaz along with Ember and Peach. Orianna, Mack, and Dax head to Aemon, the Veil Binder. Dax, transformed into a dignified gentleman with a top hat, listens to Aemon and Drakar talk about Aemon having to perform the Tenebrous Crucible and how it has messed with his head. He now hallucinates about his wife, who tells him to help the vampire. He admits he will kill the vampire if he sees it and warns the group not to let him down into the engine room of the ship where Venoxy lies. A blood vial is given.
Aydriann and crew talk with Jaz, who says the blood will eventually kill him. Ember is upset. Peach gets teleported down to Melina and Ozana. Aydriann makes a deal shortly after finding out Ember’s quest comes to a lethal end for her. Aydriann is relieved of his pain and the visible deterioration is healed by Jazouhr. Peach tries to talk to Tavina after being fixed by Ozana.

Fungar and Gar
Dax talks about what he is going through with Fungar and this new Fungar.
Mack’s vision with Char.
Mack has another vision of the past with Char
Kai and Poe transform
They are red feathered birds