Post by ruthcd on Aug 26, 2024 13:18:42 GMT
Dee'arna is waiting on a comfortable chair in the observatory at Fort Ettin. It is her favourite spot to be - she can sleep in the mid afternoon and allow her scales to soak up the sun before it is gone, giving her the evening for studying. But today she is alert and waiting calmly.
She has left a few cryptic notes on the boards, trying to reach out to Yinmaris, the name the One and Many had offered up as its previous host who had disappointingly rejected it.
She had referenced, "a house guest who was fairly distracting but helped you see more and through. Well he's moved into my home, and I have questions," thrown in a mention of crows, and given a date and time to meet here. And then hoped that someone who had been chosen by a secret-loving sentience, would still be curious enough to show up.
Yinmaris, having seen a note that caught his eye a few days ago in Daring Heights, arrives at the Fort Ettin observatory at the requested date and time. He knocks on the door, waiting for a response before opening it out of curiosity and a hint of apprehension. "Hello? I believe you have been expecting me."
Dee'arna stands up and goes to greet him, with an inviting smile, taking a long examining look at him before speaking.
"Hello, Yinmaris, yess? You answered my note! I am so pleased. My name is Dee'arna. And I think you may have some knowledge about this."
And she just turns her palm over slowly to show the crow figure marked on it. "If... you are one to share?" she says, gesturing to a pair of cosy armchairs under the glass roof.
Yinmaris looks at the brand before looking up at Dee'arna, trying to get a measure of the person in front of him before giving a warm smile, "Indeed, yes I am Yinmaris Iathrana. It is a pleasure to meet you Dee'arna. I did do some research into Him a while back, I can share what I know."
He moves over to the armchairs and sits down after taking off his jacket and gloves. There are no signs of the brand on either of his hands, not even a slight scar.
"Well then. I understand you must have gone to some lengths to let Him go, and I would hear that story too. But I shall sstart with the most important things, for my own considerations,” Dee’arna begins.
“Do you know what it wants, when it sspeaks of rewriting the world anew? Did it ever command you or control you away from your own desires? I am ssure it is listening by the way, as it often does, but it seemed keen for us to converse."
Dee'arna's tone is very calm and curious. She has a notebook by her side ready to capture what she learns from the conversation. Yinmaris contemplates for a moment, taking out his own journal, flicking through the pages before answering.
"That's about right with Him, I'm certain he is listening. Well I do know He is a corrupting influence that can darken one's soul. I wear many hats, I'm a warlock, a bard of lore and knowledge, and more recently learning the paladin trade. He tapped into my curiosity for knowledge and turned it into a darker obsession that blinded me from the bigger picture.
Also He did influence me towards potentially breaking my pact but I was able to resist to some degree, partially because I was distracted by bigger issues. I do not know exactly what He wants other than to devour knowledge, each of the Ones has an apocalyptic ending line but I don't know if any of them can especially if they each have a different end of the world.
He never commanded me as such but the curse did influence in His own way. There are also the Watchers to consider as well. Has He ever commanded you to do anything? Also how'd you get branded? With us it was to do with books in the House of Infinity."
Her black eyes glimmer a little taking in all of this information, and she becomes a little more animated in her reply, leaning towards him, “A warlock, a bard and a paladin? You keep your options open when it comes to power I see. You say the One and Many encouraged you to break your pact… was that something you wished to do? I hear for some… the terms are not always agreeable for such things?
And in my mind… changing the world, and destroying the world… the ssemantics are ssignificant. Isn’t the world always changing? Do we not all wish to be part of change in some style? If it has not forced you to great destruction, I will take some sssatisfaction in that.”
And then she waves a hand to dismiss this point and move on, “But my turn for answers. I was in a bookshop in Sigil. Strange - I had never even left this plane before but found a book there containing a blank story that called to me. And then I discover that back in this one small slice of Toril, there are others cursed in a similar manner. Like all Their thirteen eyes remain focused on the Dawnlands.” it has not commanded anything… yet. In fact, at the moments I have been most focused on my own work I have felt it step back. … Who are the Watchers?”
Yinmaris leans in as he focuses on Dee'arna's words, he seems to radiate some more heat than others thanks to his seasonal lineage, his eyes seem to glow with an almost solar hue out of curiosity.
"It's not something I would have wished to do at all but He can distract or rather cause you to focus on the wrong things at the wrong time I found. It was more I could have broken my pact if I kept going, even though I had originally planned to keep the brand to imprison him in a way. The pact's terms are something I agreed to as I see them as ideals to strive for, technically it would involve changing the world in part by trying to leave each place better than one left it.
I say it in more of a negative manner because of the dark influence that He is, change caused by Him is unlikely to be good in my opinion. So it would conflict with my personal goals and also with the pact. He also liked to step back and just listen, but only gave His gift when satisfied. Although satisfaction never came to me while I was His host, possibly as part of the curse.
Ah, The Watchers.The Watchers are His cultists or cults, I haven't yet determined if each 'Watcher' is an individual or a cell, but I have some information on them. Also have you met any other brand bearers?"
“Perhaps in one respect we have differed… I have satisfied it on the secrets uncovered in my latest adventures. And the gift in return… to see through walls is one most useful to someone in my line of work - uncovering the hidden past.” There’s just a hint of playful boasting in her tone as Dee’arna responds, but then she looks serious,
“But I have promised that if it steers me away from my purpose, and my god, then I will rip it out of my flesh. I keep my eyes open, whilst it whispers.
And yes - I have met one other. I won’t say his name because his secrets are his own story to tell. But the two of us together… became rapidly dangerous. The two curses interacting like a trap set off in a collapsing tunnel, as we poked at what they were capable of. And I have promisssed to sshare back what I find, so the science continues. Please tell me more about these Watchers? It sounds like you have discovered knowledge, but not yet encountered them in person?”
"Well I'm glad you've set those boundaries although I think a remove curse spell may do the job, it did in my case at least, so there may not be any need for ripping out ones flesh."
Yin shows Dee'arna his right palm, allowing to get close enough to physically inspect, if required, "I was there to see the others get their curses and I only know one other who had theirs removed. Although he has been cagey since getting the Rat removed about how he did it..."
Yin seems to smirk as though thinking on some inside joke or irony before getting serious, "So I know each Watcher has a certain function. I have a general idea of what some of them do, I think. Let me find the writings, I jotted them down in my journal somewhere. If you wish you can copy them down as well if you wish."
He flicks through the pages and it is clear that the pages start to have odd scrawlings along the margins across the page. He shows her three pieces of information.
The first is a parable of the golden thief
Once upon a time there was a thief by the name of Marys. Born on the streets of Waterdeep he learnt quickly the ways of the street. He learnt the ways of the rats, learnt their tunnels and learnt their crafts. He fed himself with stolen food, and grew strong but lazy. He spent three years this way, until the rats whispered again. They told him of his plight, they listened to his hunger, they watched his iron begin to rust. Silver bought him freedom and the coppers in his beggar’s tin bought him steel. He thought himself complete, full, satisfied.
But there was one joy that had never graced his hand. He craved the purity of gold, its weight and lustre. He stole from the rich, and stole from the poor. He plundered all, but it was never complete. His iron was heavy and rusting, his silver overflowing and his brass complete, but gold is the metal that never rests. But gold is the metal that one day must end, and soon his time had come, and he was locked in chains of steel, his fate sealed in ink. For his crimes his finger was cut, lost. It festered, dripping with pus, his first finger lost. But gold cannot ever be full, and he soon stole again.
His second finger he dipped in acid, watched it melt like ink. The third grew rotten, poisoning his hand and the fourth bled forth torrents of blood. But gold cannot ever be full. He chased gold once more and once again his fate was sealed. He would forever remember the fifth finger, and it would always remember him. No longer with fingers the sixth crime was paid for with his hand, his control was sorely missed. His tongue came seventh and without it he became a shadow, unheard and disregarded.
Eighth and Ninth came the ears, together cut, together lost with his hearing. At ten they ripped his heart from his chest, and watched his body twitch and flail, unsure of what to do. But gold is never full. He stole again and again they sealed his fate in ink. At the eleventh day they took his eyes, and he became blind to what was to come. On the twelfth they hanged him, and he whispered secrets to the dead. But gold desires. In ink his fate was sealed, but there was no more of him to take, nothing remained save what was truly his.
The second is Twelve Golden Rings, a folk song of the Sword Coast.
Come now child, come rest your head
For twelve golden rings surround your bed
The first, the second, the third the fourth
All will sing you older songs
The fifth will sing you songs of yore
The sixth will protect against all wrongs
The seventh will keep the jealous quiet The eighth and ninth will hear all ills The tenth will guide you, light your path
The next will show you future thrills
The final ring is best of all
For it will know a forgotten truth
Twelve rings surround your bed
And thirteen you, my darling youth.
The third is a song
Round and round the fools do dance
A common dance, an oft sung song
Up comes one, no longer many
They sing a song as if in trance
A song to bless the king of kings
Round and round the fools do dance
Once did share but now is healthy
Red and white, the fool’s delight
Up comes one, no longer many.
The third one doesn't feel linked to the Watchers but more how one can counter His more harmful aspects of the curse."
Dee'arna spends a while devouring his notes and copying them down, "So, each of these writings you have find contain some clue to the Thirteen Watchers? Well, the One and Many does like ssecrets... it seems to follow it also would wrap itself within them. I sshall give these more study when I am ready. What would you have done next, had the you stayed on this journey? And you said in the end, only a Remove Curse was needed. No death and resurrection?"
"I believe so, I think the first five Watchers look into or spy on the other four Ones. And yes after a bit of time it only took a Remove Curse to remove the curse. With regards to death or resurrection I am not sure, Mittens did look rather banged up when I saw him after his brand was gone." Yinmaris pauses with a splash of frustrated realisation.
"And yes the One and Many does like to obfuscate himself. I will say if you need any help I will lend it, after all if not for me getting the brand removed you wouldn't be cursed by Him. I would have tried to find ways to suppress His negative aspects of the curse, then delved further into the Watchers. Also I personally would have looked for a more permanent solution to imprison the Ones frankly as they all had rather dire goals to bring upon the world it seemed. I will warn you however, the One and Many may seem like the least destructive in His goals but He is known for his secrets so his declaration is likely just a half truth."
Dee'arna leans back as she listens to Yinmaris and pulls a hip flask out of her boot. She takes a long swig of it, "Sorry, I should have offered you a drink sooner. You must be thirsty after all this conversation."
She then grabs a brass cup out of her bag and puts them both on the table, gesturing to him to help himself.
As she pauses, Dee’arna quietly feels out for the voice of the One and Many in her mind, wondering how it feels about having its past holder and its present speak like this, would there be resentment or anger at Yinmaris? But all she feels back is a quiet sense of boredom, so she draws her full attention back to the conversation.
"I deeply appreciate the openness with which you have shared what was no doubt, hard-won information. And the offer of aid. Imprisoning all these Ones... sounds like quite the task you set yourself. How much did you see the world unravel when those of you who held these cursses stood together? With just two, it was... unpleasant.
I don't necessarily wish to be pulled too far away from my own goals in either the destruction or aid of these Ones. Either way, could be a distraction. But it seems wise to continue to learn as much as I can before making any rash decisions. May Lasseega give us the steadiness we need to strike forth on our paths.
Oh and you were right - it is the rat whose hunger is in another. I still aim to seek out the rest of them - we should all be informed of this connection. Would you sshare their names with me, if you feel safe to do so?"
"Well thank you very much Dee'arna," Yinmaris takes a sip before continuing.
"I know the burden the brand can be, and I feel responsible for you being branded. It's either we do nothing which could work, I don't know, or actually try figuring a solution out. I can, if you wish, continue to assist. And I share your sentiments, that was why I removed mine, my responsibility to the queen I serve was being affected, she is my patron and my soul darkening from the curse would have harmed her with everything going on with Her currently I have to make sure I do not jeopardise that."
"If it's the Rat, I did find myself having some odd reactions to rats in Sigil but not to the Wolf brand bearer, however when a friend wanted me to meet some wolves I had a visceral reaction. So maybe the rat is how you suppress the Crow's painful stuff. When we were all together was when we literally were just branded so the curses were barely taking hold and haven't all been together since."
"Although I am living with Ronkk, the Unchanged One's or ox bearer and Mittens, the former Rat bearer and we didn't notice much except for a bunch more rats in the apartment. There's also Sterling, the One of the Woods or the Wolf's bearer and Yearu who has the Bloody Handed One's brand which is a boar symbol. I feel safe telling you as frankly you’ve been great company to chat with and He already knows all of this." Yinmaris points to the brand.
She smiles widely at the compliment.
"Well cast that sense of responsibility aside, I certainly have no ill will to you on account of it. I haven't heard of warlocks bearing such relationships to their patrons where it is your soul that could affect hers, not the other way. Hmmmm fascinating."
"So, this other curse-bearer and I we did push... at the rat and crow together. Bait them out of their nests as were, and the rat enjoyed a little... spooky showmanship. And you yet lived together and faced none of that unravelling. Interesssting"
She grins to herself a moment, "Well it's good to know for next time. Keep the curses quiet."
"Sterling, Ronkk, and Yearu." She counts them on her fingers, and rolls her eyes. "Of course it knew all along. And yet it seemed happy to have me ask you the questions. Well as they are already your companions, do pass my name along. I am happy to meet, at some point - but it should be in a crowded place, jusssst to be sure."
Yinmaris smiles after taking a sip of the drink. "Well from what I understand about him, he wants the bearer to work to discover the information. Since you sent out missives and it paid off I assume that satisfied His wishes. I shall pass your name to the others if I see them, and a crowded place is a smart move. Also maybe chat with Pyrin, he has some knowledge on The Deepest One, which is the most mysterious, I don't even think it has a bearer. By the way I've not heard of Lasseega before, are they the god or goddess you worship? I'm a worshipper of Corellon myself."
"Hah. That Pyrin, I knew he was a good source of knowledge. Well I will have to send him a formal invitation to the curse convention. And yes, I am a cleric of Lasseega. A yuan-ti deity, the serpent god of patience. I do not expect you to have heard of them - they are not one for proselytising after all, for the right followers will find them.
Patience has no gender, so god or goddess is fine. They teach us to choose our moments and plan carefully, but they certainly have a playful side too. And I am an archaeologist by trade, so you can see how this divine inspiration helps in that business."
"Correllon." She lets the name roll on her forked tongue for a moment. "Hmm. Art and music, and change... right? Is that what you bring to the world as a paladin of his?"
"I would also be interested in an invitation to such a convention, as long as I don't need a brand”
“Well I hope that's what I bring and I have gifted by Corellon in that endeavour. As an archaeologist you may like the Temple of Seasons, it is a fascinating place to explore." He smiles, thinking on the past.
"Lasseega sounds fascinating, and I would ask more about them but I assume that knowledge comes with patience. As a more tactical fighter I appreciate such teachings of strategy. As someone from the Feywild I love hearing about gods with more playful sides too. What do you bring to the world as a worshipper of theirs?"
"Oh!" Her dark eyes light up with interest when he mentions the temple. "Tell me more. Where can it be found? Is this one here or in the Feywild?"
"As for your invitation - of course! I don't know when it will happen but I am sure it will benefit from your insight, if the others are happy too."
"What do I bring to the world? The dedicated curiosity to uncover important secrets of the past. The insight to stop fools or friends running into traps. And the humour to set a few of my own when needed. As for the resssst... you'll have to wait and see."
And she winks at him.
Yinmaris cheeks blush slightly at the wink, illusory flames momentarily flicker across his eyes, "It is in the Feywild, it is in the lands of the Court of Harmony. The Temple is rather fascinating as it holds many mysteries, it is ancient but there are rather charming occupants that dwell within."
"And I appreciate a healthy curiosity and insightful mind, I've seen the former can be just as rare as the latter to folk in the Material Plane. As for the rest, I can be patient when the need arises, especially for the right reason. I shall wait to see."
Yinmaris winks back at her.
"Well, if the denizens of your court are all as charming as you, and the temple full of mysteries it ssounds like I should be putting that on my map of places to sssseek out," she says warmly, taking another drink from the flask.
Pleasantly buzzed on the neat liquor in Dee’arna’s flask and ready to leave the talk of curses behind, the two of them decide to head down to the bar in Fort Ettin to keep the conversation going. With the One and Many quiet in her mind Dee’arna enjoys hearing more tales of the Feywild from Yinmaris, the people they’ve both met, and discussing the adventures of the Dawnlands, long into the night.
----
Co-written with Ed.
She has left a few cryptic notes on the boards, trying to reach out to Yinmaris, the name the One and Many had offered up as its previous host who had disappointingly rejected it.
She had referenced, "a house guest who was fairly distracting but helped you see more and through. Well he's moved into my home, and I have questions," thrown in a mention of crows, and given a date and time to meet here. And then hoped that someone who had been chosen by a secret-loving sentience, would still be curious enough to show up.
Yinmaris, having seen a note that caught his eye a few days ago in Daring Heights, arrives at the Fort Ettin observatory at the requested date and time. He knocks on the door, waiting for a response before opening it out of curiosity and a hint of apprehension. "Hello? I believe you have been expecting me."
Dee'arna stands up and goes to greet him, with an inviting smile, taking a long examining look at him before speaking.
"Hello, Yinmaris, yess? You answered my note! I am so pleased. My name is Dee'arna. And I think you may have some knowledge about this."
And she just turns her palm over slowly to show the crow figure marked on it. "If... you are one to share?" she says, gesturing to a pair of cosy armchairs under the glass roof.
Yinmaris looks at the brand before looking up at Dee'arna, trying to get a measure of the person in front of him before giving a warm smile, "Indeed, yes I am Yinmaris Iathrana. It is a pleasure to meet you Dee'arna. I did do some research into Him a while back, I can share what I know."
He moves over to the armchairs and sits down after taking off his jacket and gloves. There are no signs of the brand on either of his hands, not even a slight scar.
"Well then. I understand you must have gone to some lengths to let Him go, and I would hear that story too. But I shall sstart with the most important things, for my own considerations,” Dee’arna begins.
“Do you know what it wants, when it sspeaks of rewriting the world anew? Did it ever command you or control you away from your own desires? I am ssure it is listening by the way, as it often does, but it seemed keen for us to converse."
Dee'arna's tone is very calm and curious. She has a notebook by her side ready to capture what she learns from the conversation. Yinmaris contemplates for a moment, taking out his own journal, flicking through the pages before answering.
"That's about right with Him, I'm certain he is listening. Well I do know He is a corrupting influence that can darken one's soul. I wear many hats, I'm a warlock, a bard of lore and knowledge, and more recently learning the paladin trade. He tapped into my curiosity for knowledge and turned it into a darker obsession that blinded me from the bigger picture.
Also He did influence me towards potentially breaking my pact but I was able to resist to some degree, partially because I was distracted by bigger issues. I do not know exactly what He wants other than to devour knowledge, each of the Ones has an apocalyptic ending line but I don't know if any of them can especially if they each have a different end of the world.
He never commanded me as such but the curse did influence in His own way. There are also the Watchers to consider as well. Has He ever commanded you to do anything? Also how'd you get branded? With us it was to do with books in the House of Infinity."
Her black eyes glimmer a little taking in all of this information, and she becomes a little more animated in her reply, leaning towards him, “A warlock, a bard and a paladin? You keep your options open when it comes to power I see. You say the One and Many encouraged you to break your pact… was that something you wished to do? I hear for some… the terms are not always agreeable for such things?
And in my mind… changing the world, and destroying the world… the ssemantics are ssignificant. Isn’t the world always changing? Do we not all wish to be part of change in some style? If it has not forced you to great destruction, I will take some sssatisfaction in that.”
And then she waves a hand to dismiss this point and move on, “But my turn for answers. I was in a bookshop in Sigil. Strange - I had never even left this plane before but found a book there containing a blank story that called to me. And then I discover that back in this one small slice of Toril, there are others cursed in a similar manner. Like all Their thirteen eyes remain focused on the Dawnlands.” it has not commanded anything… yet. In fact, at the moments I have been most focused on my own work I have felt it step back. … Who are the Watchers?”
Yinmaris leans in as he focuses on Dee'arna's words, he seems to radiate some more heat than others thanks to his seasonal lineage, his eyes seem to glow with an almost solar hue out of curiosity.
"It's not something I would have wished to do at all but He can distract or rather cause you to focus on the wrong things at the wrong time I found. It was more I could have broken my pact if I kept going, even though I had originally planned to keep the brand to imprison him in a way. The pact's terms are something I agreed to as I see them as ideals to strive for, technically it would involve changing the world in part by trying to leave each place better than one left it.
I say it in more of a negative manner because of the dark influence that He is, change caused by Him is unlikely to be good in my opinion. So it would conflict with my personal goals and also with the pact. He also liked to step back and just listen, but only gave His gift when satisfied. Although satisfaction never came to me while I was His host, possibly as part of the curse.
Ah, The Watchers.The Watchers are His cultists or cults, I haven't yet determined if each 'Watcher' is an individual or a cell, but I have some information on them. Also have you met any other brand bearers?"
“Perhaps in one respect we have differed… I have satisfied it on the secrets uncovered in my latest adventures. And the gift in return… to see through walls is one most useful to someone in my line of work - uncovering the hidden past.” There’s just a hint of playful boasting in her tone as Dee’arna responds, but then she looks serious,
“But I have promised that if it steers me away from my purpose, and my god, then I will rip it out of my flesh. I keep my eyes open, whilst it whispers.
And yes - I have met one other. I won’t say his name because his secrets are his own story to tell. But the two of us together… became rapidly dangerous. The two curses interacting like a trap set off in a collapsing tunnel, as we poked at what they were capable of. And I have promisssed to sshare back what I find, so the science continues. Please tell me more about these Watchers? It sounds like you have discovered knowledge, but not yet encountered them in person?”
"Well I'm glad you've set those boundaries although I think a remove curse spell may do the job, it did in my case at least, so there may not be any need for ripping out ones flesh."
Yin shows Dee'arna his right palm, allowing to get close enough to physically inspect, if required, "I was there to see the others get their curses and I only know one other who had theirs removed. Although he has been cagey since getting the Rat removed about how he did it..."
Yin seems to smirk as though thinking on some inside joke or irony before getting serious, "So I know each Watcher has a certain function. I have a general idea of what some of them do, I think. Let me find the writings, I jotted them down in my journal somewhere. If you wish you can copy them down as well if you wish."
He flicks through the pages and it is clear that the pages start to have odd scrawlings along the margins across the page. He shows her three pieces of information.
The first is a parable of the golden thief
Once upon a time there was a thief by the name of Marys. Born on the streets of Waterdeep he learnt quickly the ways of the street. He learnt the ways of the rats, learnt their tunnels and learnt their crafts. He fed himself with stolen food, and grew strong but lazy. He spent three years this way, until the rats whispered again. They told him of his plight, they listened to his hunger, they watched his iron begin to rust. Silver bought him freedom and the coppers in his beggar’s tin bought him steel. He thought himself complete, full, satisfied.
But there was one joy that had never graced his hand. He craved the purity of gold, its weight and lustre. He stole from the rich, and stole from the poor. He plundered all, but it was never complete. His iron was heavy and rusting, his silver overflowing and his brass complete, but gold is the metal that never rests. But gold is the metal that one day must end, and soon his time had come, and he was locked in chains of steel, his fate sealed in ink. For his crimes his finger was cut, lost. It festered, dripping with pus, his first finger lost. But gold cannot ever be full, and he soon stole again.
His second finger he dipped in acid, watched it melt like ink. The third grew rotten, poisoning his hand and the fourth bled forth torrents of blood. But gold cannot ever be full. He chased gold once more and once again his fate was sealed. He would forever remember the fifth finger, and it would always remember him. No longer with fingers the sixth crime was paid for with his hand, his control was sorely missed. His tongue came seventh and without it he became a shadow, unheard and disregarded.
Eighth and Ninth came the ears, together cut, together lost with his hearing. At ten they ripped his heart from his chest, and watched his body twitch and flail, unsure of what to do. But gold is never full. He stole again and again they sealed his fate in ink. At the eleventh day they took his eyes, and he became blind to what was to come. On the twelfth they hanged him, and he whispered secrets to the dead. But gold desires. In ink his fate was sealed, but there was no more of him to take, nothing remained save what was truly his.
The second is Twelve Golden Rings, a folk song of the Sword Coast.
Come now child, come rest your head
For twelve golden rings surround your bed
The first, the second, the third the fourth
All will sing you older songs
The fifth will sing you songs of yore
The sixth will protect against all wrongs
The seventh will keep the jealous quiet The eighth and ninth will hear all ills The tenth will guide you, light your path
The next will show you future thrills
The final ring is best of all
For it will know a forgotten truth
Twelve rings surround your bed
And thirteen you, my darling youth.
The third is a song
Round and round the fools do dance
A common dance, an oft sung song
Up comes one, no longer many
They sing a song as if in trance
A song to bless the king of kings
Round and round the fools do dance
Once did share but now is healthy
Red and white, the fool’s delight
Up comes one, no longer many.
The third one doesn't feel linked to the Watchers but more how one can counter His more harmful aspects of the curse."
Dee'arna spends a while devouring his notes and copying them down, "So, each of these writings you have find contain some clue to the Thirteen Watchers? Well, the One and Many does like ssecrets... it seems to follow it also would wrap itself within them. I sshall give these more study when I am ready. What would you have done next, had the you stayed on this journey? And you said in the end, only a Remove Curse was needed. No death and resurrection?"
"I believe so, I think the first five Watchers look into or spy on the other four Ones. And yes after a bit of time it only took a Remove Curse to remove the curse. With regards to death or resurrection I am not sure, Mittens did look rather banged up when I saw him after his brand was gone." Yinmaris pauses with a splash of frustrated realisation.
"And yes the One and Many does like to obfuscate himself. I will say if you need any help I will lend it, after all if not for me getting the brand removed you wouldn't be cursed by Him. I would have tried to find ways to suppress His negative aspects of the curse, then delved further into the Watchers. Also I personally would have looked for a more permanent solution to imprison the Ones frankly as they all had rather dire goals to bring upon the world it seemed. I will warn you however, the One and Many may seem like the least destructive in His goals but He is known for his secrets so his declaration is likely just a half truth."
Dee'arna leans back as she listens to Yinmaris and pulls a hip flask out of her boot. She takes a long swig of it, "Sorry, I should have offered you a drink sooner. You must be thirsty after all this conversation."
She then grabs a brass cup out of her bag and puts them both on the table, gesturing to him to help himself.
As she pauses, Dee’arna quietly feels out for the voice of the One and Many in her mind, wondering how it feels about having its past holder and its present speak like this, would there be resentment or anger at Yinmaris? But all she feels back is a quiet sense of boredom, so she draws her full attention back to the conversation.
"I deeply appreciate the openness with which you have shared what was no doubt, hard-won information. And the offer of aid. Imprisoning all these Ones... sounds like quite the task you set yourself. How much did you see the world unravel when those of you who held these cursses stood together? With just two, it was... unpleasant.
I don't necessarily wish to be pulled too far away from my own goals in either the destruction or aid of these Ones. Either way, could be a distraction. But it seems wise to continue to learn as much as I can before making any rash decisions. May Lasseega give us the steadiness we need to strike forth on our paths.
Oh and you were right - it is the rat whose hunger is in another. I still aim to seek out the rest of them - we should all be informed of this connection. Would you sshare their names with me, if you feel safe to do so?"
"Well thank you very much Dee'arna," Yinmaris takes a sip before continuing.
"I know the burden the brand can be, and I feel responsible for you being branded. It's either we do nothing which could work, I don't know, or actually try figuring a solution out. I can, if you wish, continue to assist. And I share your sentiments, that was why I removed mine, my responsibility to the queen I serve was being affected, she is my patron and my soul darkening from the curse would have harmed her with everything going on with Her currently I have to make sure I do not jeopardise that."
"If it's the Rat, I did find myself having some odd reactions to rats in Sigil but not to the Wolf brand bearer, however when a friend wanted me to meet some wolves I had a visceral reaction. So maybe the rat is how you suppress the Crow's painful stuff. When we were all together was when we literally were just branded so the curses were barely taking hold and haven't all been together since."
"Although I am living with Ronkk, the Unchanged One's or ox bearer and Mittens, the former Rat bearer and we didn't notice much except for a bunch more rats in the apartment. There's also Sterling, the One of the Woods or the Wolf's bearer and Yearu who has the Bloody Handed One's brand which is a boar symbol. I feel safe telling you as frankly you’ve been great company to chat with and He already knows all of this." Yinmaris points to the brand.
She smiles widely at the compliment.
"Well cast that sense of responsibility aside, I certainly have no ill will to you on account of it. I haven't heard of warlocks bearing such relationships to their patrons where it is your soul that could affect hers, not the other way. Hmmmm fascinating."
"So, this other curse-bearer and I we did push... at the rat and crow together. Bait them out of their nests as were, and the rat enjoyed a little... spooky showmanship. And you yet lived together and faced none of that unravelling. Interesssting"
She grins to herself a moment, "Well it's good to know for next time. Keep the curses quiet."
"Sterling, Ronkk, and Yearu." She counts them on her fingers, and rolls her eyes. "Of course it knew all along. And yet it seemed happy to have me ask you the questions. Well as they are already your companions, do pass my name along. I am happy to meet, at some point - but it should be in a crowded place, jusssst to be sure."
Yinmaris smiles after taking a sip of the drink. "Well from what I understand about him, he wants the bearer to work to discover the information. Since you sent out missives and it paid off I assume that satisfied His wishes. I shall pass your name to the others if I see them, and a crowded place is a smart move. Also maybe chat with Pyrin, he has some knowledge on The Deepest One, which is the most mysterious, I don't even think it has a bearer. By the way I've not heard of Lasseega before, are they the god or goddess you worship? I'm a worshipper of Corellon myself."
"Hah. That Pyrin, I knew he was a good source of knowledge. Well I will have to send him a formal invitation to the curse convention. And yes, I am a cleric of Lasseega. A yuan-ti deity, the serpent god of patience. I do not expect you to have heard of them - they are not one for proselytising after all, for the right followers will find them.
Patience has no gender, so god or goddess is fine. They teach us to choose our moments and plan carefully, but they certainly have a playful side too. And I am an archaeologist by trade, so you can see how this divine inspiration helps in that business."
"Correllon." She lets the name roll on her forked tongue for a moment. "Hmm. Art and music, and change... right? Is that what you bring to the world as a paladin of his?"
"I would also be interested in an invitation to such a convention, as long as I don't need a brand”
“Well I hope that's what I bring and I have gifted by Corellon in that endeavour. As an archaeologist you may like the Temple of Seasons, it is a fascinating place to explore." He smiles, thinking on the past.
"Lasseega sounds fascinating, and I would ask more about them but I assume that knowledge comes with patience. As a more tactical fighter I appreciate such teachings of strategy. As someone from the Feywild I love hearing about gods with more playful sides too. What do you bring to the world as a worshipper of theirs?"
"Oh!" Her dark eyes light up with interest when he mentions the temple. "Tell me more. Where can it be found? Is this one here or in the Feywild?"
"As for your invitation - of course! I don't know when it will happen but I am sure it will benefit from your insight, if the others are happy too."
"What do I bring to the world? The dedicated curiosity to uncover important secrets of the past. The insight to stop fools or friends running into traps. And the humour to set a few of my own when needed. As for the resssst... you'll have to wait and see."
And she winks at him.
Yinmaris cheeks blush slightly at the wink, illusory flames momentarily flicker across his eyes, "It is in the Feywild, it is in the lands of the Court of Harmony. The Temple is rather fascinating as it holds many mysteries, it is ancient but there are rather charming occupants that dwell within."
"And I appreciate a healthy curiosity and insightful mind, I've seen the former can be just as rare as the latter to folk in the Material Plane. As for the rest, I can be patient when the need arises, especially for the right reason. I shall wait to see."
Yinmaris winks back at her.
"Well, if the denizens of your court are all as charming as you, and the temple full of mysteries it ssounds like I should be putting that on my map of places to sssseek out," she says warmly, taking another drink from the flask.
Pleasantly buzzed on the neat liquor in Dee’arna’s flask and ready to leave the talk of curses behind, the two of them decide to head down to the bar in Fort Ettin to keep the conversation going. With the One and Many quiet in her mind Dee’arna enjoys hearing more tales of the Feywild from Yinmaris, the people they’ve both met, and discussing the adventures of the Dawnlands, long into the night.
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Co-written with Ed.