Post by Charlie on Aug 30, 2021 20:43:57 GMT
The great hall is quiet. As the first rays of sunlight creep across the horizon, most adventurers are still sleeping soundly in their bunks, some only having gone to bed a couple of hours ago.
One particular adventurer hadn’t gone to bed at all. Veridian had been up working on bringing Paracelsus V to life and only noticed the passing of time as his stomach growled loudly in protest. Now he wanders sleepily into the quiet hall in search of breakfast, or possibly more caffeine - he hasn’t made up his mind yet.
A solitary figure sits at one of the large tables, a steaming cup in front of him and a stack of parchment in his hand. Veridian blinks a couple of times to clear his blurry vision and Father Cai slowly comes into focus. The grey haired cleric looks up from the text he’s perusing and gives a small smile.
“Good morning, young master wizard.”
He takes in the disheveled appearance of the other man and the smile turns into a very small grin.
“Or is this good night?”
“Oh yes, erm I’m not 100% sure at this moment in time, all depends if inspiration strikes I guess.” Veridian hastily tries to make himself seem more presentable and returns the grin.
“Would you mind if I join you for a little while? Being in the one place most here in the fort don’t visit means a lack of company. The alchemical lab can get pretty lonely.”
Father Cai gathers up some of his reading to make space and gestures for Veridian to sit down. An invisible tabard floats over and sets down a fresh pot of tea before stopping for a moment, seemingly turning its attention to Veridian. For a being without a face it conveys judgment very well, before floating off and fetching toast.
“By all means, sit, my friend. So what has been keeping you up all night? A new project making you burn the midnight oil?”
“I’m currently attempting to work out these higher level spells in my fathers spellbook. I’m close but something is missing, something I just don’t understand yet. For one of my practices it is frustrating to say the least.”
The tabard returns and sets a jar of jam down with a certain passive aggression that doesn’t seem entirely necessary. Father Cai raises an amused eyebrow at him over his cup.
“When that happens to me I usually just pray until it works. Have you considered appealing to a higher power?” He’s clearly enjoying both himself and the memory of Veridian trying and failing to understand the inner workings of Cai’s signature spellwork.
“Unfortunately I find asking for the help of higher beings almost useless.” Father Cai’s demeanor changes and he sets his cup down, listening carefully.
“I’ve tried many times in my youth to no avail. Hence one of the reasons I decided to learn magic on my own terms.”
Veridian stares briefly into his cup, seemingly remembering times past he might not want to.
“I am sorry you have experienced this.” Father Cai doesn’t seem offended or angered by the other man’s words. Instead his eyes are sympathetic to Veridian’s obvious pain and frustration.
“The gods, they are beyond our understanding. Their whims and intentions unpredictable like the sea. Their reasons for doing… we cannot ever know. At least not in this life. Reaching out for help and not receiving it, that is a hard thing to heal from.”
By Veridian’s elbow, a tabard slides a bowl of porridge covered in honey pointedly onto the table, completely oblivious to the topic of conversation.
Veridian absentmindedly begins to eat the porridge. “I’m sorry to darken your morning with all this. But yes time heals wounds - just some take a lot longer than one would like.”
Father Cai doesn’t bother with empty words, he simply nods in understanding. A shaker of cinnamon and sugar lands on the table and Veridian mutters under his breath about regretting locking a tabard in his room to use as a personal butler, before shaking his head and changing the topic.
“But I must ask, how have you been since our last meeting?”
Father Cai lets the topic change.
“I have been.. Alright. You were there, you know.. Who he was, to me, before he became what he became. Yet another wound that would not heal. But now, I think I have a chance to start over. Let the infection become a scar, paler and paler with each day.”
He takes another drink of tea and nods to the parchment on the table; letters, dozens of them.
“I’m ready to look forward. So is Cassima. Well, she’s always looking forward. Divination is her chosen school. She seems to think I am needed here longer. In fact, she’s coming to help me. So I’m going to lay down some roots in the Dawnlands and do my work here for the foreseeable future.”
“Well I am certainly glad that things are looking up for you. I have a feeling you are going to be very needed and appreciated in these parts, I for one I’m very happy you’ll be sticking around.”
The other man smiles and nods in agreement.
“This does make me wonder though, if in essence you’d be turning over a new leaf - would you be willing to accept my help? I will confess to feeling bad about not being able to help with your spell and I feel like I still need to help you in some way.”
Father Cai looks taken aback for a moment before smiling a little and shaking his head.
“There is no need for a guilty conscience, my friend. You and your friends helped me more than I can say. I do not want for anything. I have a roof over my head and water always ready to be poured for tea.”
His eyes narrow ever so slightly as Veridian’s words sink in.
“Yet you sound like you already hold the solution to a problem I haven’t even discovered. Of what do you speak, Veridian?”
Veridian carefully takes out the amber transmuter stone on his belt and gently places it on the table.
“Do you remember our conversation about taking on someone’s suffering? Well, I do believe that with this I can take some of yours. If you would permit it.”
The older man’s eyes widen.
“I’m confident I can reverse the burden your body has taken over the years, fully or at least somewhat.”
There is a long moment of silence. Veridian can almost hear his own heartbeat as his pulse races. A tabard sets a basket of bread down between them, next to the transmuter stone.
“That- Veridian, that is not possible. I have tried, myself. Other clerics have tried. Restorative magic will not work.”
But even as he objects, he meets the younger man’s eyes and the undeniable fact rings out between them; Veridian isn’t a cleric, and he’s not talking about Greater Restoration.
His face hardens almost imperceptibly as he tries to control his emotions but his eyes betray him. Grief, shame, pride. Longing. Hope.
He clears his throat and tears his eyes away from Veridian’s. His hand trembles ever so slightly as he carefully reaches out and plucks the amber gem from the table.
“This is what I know, what I have spent years studying, practicing, perfecting. Please trust me, this is no ordinary or simple restoration, this will work.”
Veridian allows the other man to pick up the stone and waits for a reply, letting him process and think. Another long moment passes in silence. The tabard seems to have learnt tact and doesn't supply any more food.
“Veridian, this… this would change everything.”
Father Cai meets Veridian’s gaze but his eyes are miles away.
“I must think on this. On what it would mean. If I- if I could allow myself to do it. Your offer has been more than generous. Could I be so bold as to ask for some time to decide?”
“Of course. I’m not going to force you into a decision, I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need, the offer will never be off the table.”
Veridian begins to organise his things and rises to stand.
“You know where to find me once you have made your decision. But for now I wish you the best of luck in these lands, they are beautiful but danger-”
A firm hand on his arm cuts him off mid-sentence and freezes him in place where he was getting up from the table. Father Cai squeezes tightly and looks at Veridian pleadingly, emphatically.
“Thank you, Veridian.”
After a moment of shock Veridain gently grins at Father Cai.
“It is my pleasure to help. After all you have been through, I reckon it’s about time someone did something for you.”
Veridian waits for the other man to let go, and is almost getting ready to sit back down when Father Cai gives a small, incredulous laugh and lets his hand fall back down on the table. The 39-year-old man sighs with a weariness more suited for his 68-year-old body before nodding towards the doors of the Great Hall.
“Go get some sleep. I will find you this evening with an answer.”
“Very well then, I shall meet you in the lab when you have your answer. Until then I hope you have a pleasant day.”
Veridian bows his head and walks away.
Once out of earshot he takes a moment to deeply regret saying that knowing what is on Father Cai’s mind.
In the Great Hall, a man seemingly well past his prime sighs into his cold tea and a tabard slides a slice of apple pie onto the table.
Massive thank you to the amazing Lykksie for doing with me
One particular adventurer hadn’t gone to bed at all. Veridian had been up working on bringing Paracelsus V to life and only noticed the passing of time as his stomach growled loudly in protest. Now he wanders sleepily into the quiet hall in search of breakfast, or possibly more caffeine - he hasn’t made up his mind yet.
A solitary figure sits at one of the large tables, a steaming cup in front of him and a stack of parchment in his hand. Veridian blinks a couple of times to clear his blurry vision and Father Cai slowly comes into focus. The grey haired cleric looks up from the text he’s perusing and gives a small smile.
“Good morning, young master wizard.”
He takes in the disheveled appearance of the other man and the smile turns into a very small grin.
“Or is this good night?”
“Oh yes, erm I’m not 100% sure at this moment in time, all depends if inspiration strikes I guess.” Veridian hastily tries to make himself seem more presentable and returns the grin.
“Would you mind if I join you for a little while? Being in the one place most here in the fort don’t visit means a lack of company. The alchemical lab can get pretty lonely.”
Father Cai gathers up some of his reading to make space and gestures for Veridian to sit down. An invisible tabard floats over and sets down a fresh pot of tea before stopping for a moment, seemingly turning its attention to Veridian. For a being without a face it conveys judgment very well, before floating off and fetching toast.
“By all means, sit, my friend. So what has been keeping you up all night? A new project making you burn the midnight oil?”
“I’m currently attempting to work out these higher level spells in my fathers spellbook. I’m close but something is missing, something I just don’t understand yet. For one of my practices it is frustrating to say the least.”
The tabard returns and sets a jar of jam down with a certain passive aggression that doesn’t seem entirely necessary. Father Cai raises an amused eyebrow at him over his cup.
“When that happens to me I usually just pray until it works. Have you considered appealing to a higher power?” He’s clearly enjoying both himself and the memory of Veridian trying and failing to understand the inner workings of Cai’s signature spellwork.
“Unfortunately I find asking for the help of higher beings almost useless.” Father Cai’s demeanor changes and he sets his cup down, listening carefully.
“I’ve tried many times in my youth to no avail. Hence one of the reasons I decided to learn magic on my own terms.”
Veridian stares briefly into his cup, seemingly remembering times past he might not want to.
“I am sorry you have experienced this.” Father Cai doesn’t seem offended or angered by the other man’s words. Instead his eyes are sympathetic to Veridian’s obvious pain and frustration.
“The gods, they are beyond our understanding. Their whims and intentions unpredictable like the sea. Their reasons for doing… we cannot ever know. At least not in this life. Reaching out for help and not receiving it, that is a hard thing to heal from.”
By Veridian’s elbow, a tabard slides a bowl of porridge covered in honey pointedly onto the table, completely oblivious to the topic of conversation.
Veridian absentmindedly begins to eat the porridge. “I’m sorry to darken your morning with all this. But yes time heals wounds - just some take a lot longer than one would like.”
Father Cai doesn’t bother with empty words, he simply nods in understanding. A shaker of cinnamon and sugar lands on the table and Veridian mutters under his breath about regretting locking a tabard in his room to use as a personal butler, before shaking his head and changing the topic.
“But I must ask, how have you been since our last meeting?”
Father Cai lets the topic change.
“I have been.. Alright. You were there, you know.. Who he was, to me, before he became what he became. Yet another wound that would not heal. But now, I think I have a chance to start over. Let the infection become a scar, paler and paler with each day.”
He takes another drink of tea and nods to the parchment on the table; letters, dozens of them.
“I’m ready to look forward. So is Cassima. Well, she’s always looking forward. Divination is her chosen school. She seems to think I am needed here longer. In fact, she’s coming to help me. So I’m going to lay down some roots in the Dawnlands and do my work here for the foreseeable future.”
“Well I am certainly glad that things are looking up for you. I have a feeling you are going to be very needed and appreciated in these parts, I for one I’m very happy you’ll be sticking around.”
The other man smiles and nods in agreement.
“This does make me wonder though, if in essence you’d be turning over a new leaf - would you be willing to accept my help? I will confess to feeling bad about not being able to help with your spell and I feel like I still need to help you in some way.”
Father Cai looks taken aback for a moment before smiling a little and shaking his head.
“There is no need for a guilty conscience, my friend. You and your friends helped me more than I can say. I do not want for anything. I have a roof over my head and water always ready to be poured for tea.”
His eyes narrow ever so slightly as Veridian’s words sink in.
“Yet you sound like you already hold the solution to a problem I haven’t even discovered. Of what do you speak, Veridian?”
Veridian carefully takes out the amber transmuter stone on his belt and gently places it on the table.
“Do you remember our conversation about taking on someone’s suffering? Well, I do believe that with this I can take some of yours. If you would permit it.”
The older man’s eyes widen.
“I’m confident I can reverse the burden your body has taken over the years, fully or at least somewhat.”
There is a long moment of silence. Veridian can almost hear his own heartbeat as his pulse races. A tabard sets a basket of bread down between them, next to the transmuter stone.
“That- Veridian, that is not possible. I have tried, myself. Other clerics have tried. Restorative magic will not work.”
But even as he objects, he meets the younger man’s eyes and the undeniable fact rings out between them; Veridian isn’t a cleric, and he’s not talking about Greater Restoration.
His face hardens almost imperceptibly as he tries to control his emotions but his eyes betray him. Grief, shame, pride. Longing. Hope.
He clears his throat and tears his eyes away from Veridian’s. His hand trembles ever so slightly as he carefully reaches out and plucks the amber gem from the table.
“This is what I know, what I have spent years studying, practicing, perfecting. Please trust me, this is no ordinary or simple restoration, this will work.”
Veridian allows the other man to pick up the stone and waits for a reply, letting him process and think. Another long moment passes in silence. The tabard seems to have learnt tact and doesn't supply any more food.
“Veridian, this… this would change everything.”
Father Cai meets Veridian’s gaze but his eyes are miles away.
“I must think on this. On what it would mean. If I- if I could allow myself to do it. Your offer has been more than generous. Could I be so bold as to ask for some time to decide?”
“Of course. I’m not going to force you into a decision, I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need, the offer will never be off the table.”
Veridian begins to organise his things and rises to stand.
“You know where to find me once you have made your decision. But for now I wish you the best of luck in these lands, they are beautiful but danger-”
A firm hand on his arm cuts him off mid-sentence and freezes him in place where he was getting up from the table. Father Cai squeezes tightly and looks at Veridian pleadingly, emphatically.
“Thank you, Veridian.”
After a moment of shock Veridain gently grins at Father Cai.
“It is my pleasure to help. After all you have been through, I reckon it’s about time someone did something for you.”
Veridian waits for the other man to let go, and is almost getting ready to sit back down when Father Cai gives a small, incredulous laugh and lets his hand fall back down on the table. The 39-year-old man sighs with a weariness more suited for his 68-year-old body before nodding towards the doors of the Great Hall.
“Go get some sleep. I will find you this evening with an answer.”
“Very well then, I shall meet you in the lab when you have your answer. Until then I hope you have a pleasant day.”
Veridian bows his head and walks away.
Once out of earshot he takes a moment to deeply regret saying that knowing what is on Father Cai’s mind.
In the Great Hall, a man seemingly well past his prime sighs into his cold tea and a tabard slides a slice of apple pie onto the table.
Massive thank you to the amazing Lykksie for doing with me