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LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub looked at Monroe and placed his hand on his shoulder in return "You're absolutely right. The Crones are of Fey ancestory, and Fey are fickle about human affairs at best. You can only trust them to watch over their own interests, which are foreign to mortals." Lorzub sighed "I know it's an ugly proposition to drag children off as tribute. I understand it doesn't settle well with the conscience. I appreciate and accept your offer of sharing that burden if it's deemed necessary. I also understand if it becomes too much. Please feel free to question my motives, but I don't believe it's useful to fight about it; we have plenty of enemies out there, we don't need to harbor them amongst ourselves. Thank you, Monroe."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew "Sir you misunderstand me. I don't want to risk anyone's life, including children. That creature the other night insisted it was a better life than the streets, but I can risk that being on any of our consciences. I will offer myself up as tribute in place. All I have to do is offer an ear, right? It can't be that bad, really. I'm half deaf in my left ear anyway, so I won't be loosing much." Monroe gave a little chuckle as he gave Lorzub a pat on the back. " I know this may be a  risky choice....as well as a messy one, but I'm willing to do this not only for the party, but for the fate of the world."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew As Monroe walked away, Lorzub stood dumbfounded for a moment before he replied "I fear it's not really that easy, or PLEASANT when the Fey are involved."   Lorzub smiled and shook his head "I thank you, though Monroe, I truly do."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Kane steadied Ambrosia and the woman looked up, her dark eyes focused on him. "You are always blunt." Ambrosia stated as Kane asked permission to be blunt "And I would be offended if you were anything but" she said and tried not to cough, failed. “We do not know that you are fine. We have no idea what’s going on with you. Maybe two people for every watch is a bit much, but there should at least be one person who can heal awake for each shift," He insisted "and someone with you on watch with you in case something bizarre happens."  "There is someone awake who can heal." She stated, tried to wear her calm and serious expression as Kane released Ambrosia. The woman, the soldier, she pulled away and could not mask her expression. News of Zenon near by had set her off, from the time the battle had started Ambrosia had been antagonising Isadorn and was far less patient than she usually was! “You may be stubborn, but you will find that I am more stubborn than the densest mule. We will keep an eye on your condition whether you look it or not. If you don’t like that, then too bad.” Ambrosia, stood very still for all of a second before her fingers snapped to the woven leather ring that she wore on one hand, looking extremely frustrated as she once more tried and failed to control her compulsions, failed to mask her emotions. She scowled at Kane and looked like she might react, but Lorzub moved in her path before she had the chance. She stood patiently as Lorzub cast his magic, trusting him completely, though she was unable to reign in the chaos which she was exposed to Lorzub spoke to her, "That will not help you, I'm sorry" He looked at Ambrosia as her worried dark eyes were cast back on him, "You are under the power of Ancient Magic. I am going to have to find someone who has knowledge of Old Magic. The Crones of the Marches probably have an answer, I may be able to find another way. I may have to speak to some Nobility about it." That, well that was worrying. Ambri always knew that she could die, she was more aware of it than most, but the healer and the warrior had hoped that it would be something that she could fight against, not some ancient curse to which there may be no cure. Lorzub switched his attention to Kane "I agree with you. We should double our watch and make sure someone on watch can heal Ambrosia if necessary." "Wait, no." She coughed "I do not agree, you do not have the authority-" she started off but it was likely the meekness of her tongue was not to be heard. Not over the bold statement Lorzub had made, not when she was coughing blood and vile black slime. She heard Zephi sing, and Monroe apologise, Ambrosia feeling like this was all wrong! "Wait!"  She called out, wanting to catch of Monroe and Lorzub before they moved on to their other tasks, speaking loudly enough that Kane, Unia and Zephy who sat close by might hear her, hoping that their "leader" Asher would listen to her too.  It sent her into a coughing fit, the abrupt outburst, but it was fine if it meant she could speak her mind to the whole group. "Are you actually considering this, making some heinous deal with these witches?" Ambrosia looked straight into Lorzub's eyes, making sure he was aware of her refusal for this "No, Monroe, we will not  be giving them your ear ." Am stated. "No I will not  be the source of more exhaustion to my allies," she coughed "I know very little, but enough that I can call on you if I get worse. And Lorzub? You yourself say that fey will not be reasonable or pleasant to deal with, thus I will not  be willing to trade with them. Do any of you think Zenon would have if he was here?" Ambrosia asked them. Zenon... Ambrosia had not stopped counting the twists in her leather ring, Asher saying that he'd seen Zenon near by had made it very hard for the woman to focus. She had unfinished business with Kane, feeling weary and shaky though she was she would march to him, one hand pressed to her abdomen as her muscles were already sore and tired from the violent bursts of coughing, her other hand counting the twists in the leather ring the other wore.  "I want a word ." She didn't ask, she demanded. There was more colour to her dark features and more overall expression to Ambrosia than there usually ever was, this being the first time that the whole group would have seen her have such a emotional response. The fact was that Am didn't like showing the way she felt most usually wearing a rather calm expression, able to keep herself serious; this was not a case such as those. The irritation and anger and displeasure the warrior felt was plain for anyone around her, it would not be hard to read those feelings on her right then, not at all. 

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub spoke softly to Ambrosia "I'm not going to argue about this. I've said my piece. This is not a matter of conscience for me in this context. I understand it is for you. I know what Zenon would say about this. None of that is relevant at this moment, or in this place." Lorzub sighed "I will do what is necessary, even carrying a hundred children off to their doom at the hand of the Crones, if it serves the greater good. Right now, the greater good includes finding a way to make you better. As I said, I will not expect anyone uncomfortable with these acts to engage in them. I am prepared to do these things, not because I am callous, but because my teaching tells me sacrifice is sometimes necessary. Understand, if the time comes that requires me to give my life, I will do it without hesitation for this cause." Lorzub looked around and smiled "I will not be taking Monroe's ear, though it was nice of him to offer. I don't want you thinking about this too much. This is my burden, and I've been trained to carry it."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Kane listened as Lorzub, Monroe, and Ambrosia discussed the possibility of meeting with the crones. Ambrosia, refusing to barter with fey entities with an unknown agenda for fear of how it might proceed. Monroe, understanding of the power the fey might have and offering himself as a sacrificial lamb – at least his ear – in the hopes that a transaction would be that straightforward. Lorzub, with fear and anger towards what might come upon this world, willing to follow his calling at any cost – a zealot of his calling. Fear, hope, resignation, frustration, discomfort all swirled at various times in their emotions as they made their cases. It was at this point that Kane final entered the discussion of the current topic. “There’s a lot of things I am willing to do, but we are not offering up a bunch of children. And even if we did, there is no guarantee of what we would receive in return. They are fey – not generally regarded as straightforward.” Kane did not at all like the idea of bringing offerings with no idea of what the crones might even do for them in return, if anything. Kane would rather take his chances fighting the Order himself, then leave his fate to uncaring fey. “And I think we’re forgetting why we came here. We didn’t even know these old hags existed until recently, yet here we trekked. We came because we have that weird map we found when all of this started.” Kane beckoned Asher over in the hopes he might draw forth the map in question. “The goal was to come this way, find the Gatekeeper hideout or capital or whatever it is, and hopefully figure out something to help us with the portals that the long dead Gatekeepers had jotted down. I’ll take my chances on a lucky find over the mercy of an apparently very powerful fey creature.” “We know the Order people are here, but we don’t know exactly where they are seeking – or whether they know either. Now with one fewer cronies. If they are anything like this sod, I think we can take ‘em!” Kane puffed his chest and hit one first against it, as if challenging the members of the Order to come get him even though they were not there. “We should make sure we keep an eye out as we go forward, especially if we have the chance to pick one of ‘em off. As of now, I’m with Ambrosia in not wanting to deal with the crones.” As Kane said this he moved beside her facing Monroe and Lorzub, intending to physically match the solidarity of opinion by his positioning.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub leaned close to Kane "You realize we cannot make her better, she's suffering from some from of Ancient Magic.  We will require the assistance of SOMEONE ".

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Still, the soldier tried her best to still herself. Quiet the emotions which rule you , she thought, put them in line and use calm thinking to combat the situation ; it was how she faced combat and how she dealt with the burden of holding a life in her hands. Unfortunately the more her recent allies spoke the more infuriated she became, news of Zenon being near but still  out of reach having set Ambrosia on edge! What she wanted was to pick up his shield and blindly walk into the forest in search of her love, and it was her learned understanding which told her that that would only put her and those who would look for her in danger, Ambrosia feeling like she was failing him - not because the woman was unable to find him right then; Ambrosia knew for a fact that she would find him, dead or alive, she would spend each breath locating Zenon if it was the last thing she did. But Ambrosia had been one to help the paladin to keep his anger in check, how much was she failing him then if she was not able to do the same for herself? Lorzub's words angered her, Kane took his stance beside her, but the corpsman feared that he had been misguided. She watched as her family and fellow fighter beat his fist against a lily patterned chest, declaring his stance against serving up the young as a sacrifice, Ambrosia counting to four over and over under her breath, continually stroking her left arm. Kane had declared that the group could destroy individual members of the order and if they proved to be like the one they had defeated, Ambrosia silently agreeing with her future cousin of sorts, as the last battle had been disorganised and lacking a tactical focus; she had hoped that their commander  would have given the order not to fight the owlbears and focus instead on the main enemy, but perhaps Asher still needed time to fall into his role... Ambrosia thought on the fight and how she would have run the team if she had the chance, the mental exercise being used as a tool to gradually squash her emotions while physically she worked to still her coughing. But all the effort of calming herself was nearly unravelled as Lorzub lent in close to Kane, an action Am had seen among other comrades before when disagreements became great and strenuous, yet it irked her just as it always had to see her allies argue.  "You realize we cannot make her better, she's suffering from some from of Ancient Magic. We will require the assistance of SOMEONE " Frustration burned in the healer who attempted to shove her shield between Lorzub and Kane, pushing Lorzub back. Instantly she regretted it, not because her attempt was pathetic and weak, not enough to make Lorzub even flinch if he stood his ground, but rather because behaving in such a way was beneath the ideals she fought to uphold. She was more disappointed in herself than anyone else might have been, but she was not about to be vague on what she thought of this matter: "Allow me to be clear!" She all but shouted. It drew out another fit of coughs, blood and venom springing forth as she tried to cover her lips and go on. "I would gladly sacrifice a hundred children if it meant bringing my beloved Zenon back to the way he was," She said in complete honesty, as even the most insightful beings among them would know "But such a thing would not be what he wanted, even if the crones we speak over had this power, Zenon himself would not want to be returned for such a bargain. So whether or not I am willing to burn a village in his name and throw my own purity away, what good would it do me?"  Ambrosia was furious, her dark gaze locked with Lorzub's eyes "Who do you think you are, supposing to make this decision on my part? Did you ask the world if it wants your saving? I do not deign assume on the part of others, and I would never dare to decide to abandon this mission when I have only the faintest idea of what hangs in the balance; but do not assume that while you are willing to make great sacrifice for the good of others, that they are willing to accept you!" Ambrosia had to stop again to cough, curse  this plague and frailty whatever it was! It could not have come at a worse time, as far as she was concerned. At least it forced her to stop, to grit her teeth and close her eyes for just a brief moment, the short reprieve all that was needed for Ambrosia to go on with something that was a little closer to her normal tone. "You do not understand my context, I fear not for my conscience. I am a soldier and have no illusions as to the fact that I must kill to go on. Do you think that the life of a child is more precious than that of a grown man or woman? I do not." She knew what it meant to choose who to save, she had made questionable decisions many times when in battle and some of them were even with this troupe; who was to say when to heal an ally, and what a acceptable risk was, guidelines could only take you so far. Ambrosia realised that sometimes her choices and her tactics in healing were wrong, mistakes she was not happy to make but hoping to learn from, was Lorzub thinking forward in a similar way that she was? "Because of this I think what Zenon would say, is very  relevant now for this matter in particular. You are willing to give your life for this cause and that is something I can understand," She said this still angry, but more calmly than she had previously, "I think on this matter as I do on most things (too much), I pay more mind to this than I would other topics, and remind you that while we are part of this fight together, what one person does affects us all." Dark stains were merging on the sleeve of her left arm, Ambrosia continually making the same motion though it appeared as though her hand was bleeding. "Please assure me that you realise, your burden is one that we all bear now, which is why we are in this forest and why I have whatever old magic is causing me cough. You haven't been carrying this burden of yours alone, not for a while." Ambrosia spoke then, only to Lorzub "I will not be trading with the crones, not for my well-being; I say that completely aware that we each support and burden each-other. Your greater good is what we are going towards, and wanting to stop and trade only to heal me? Is selfish of you. How dare you risk your whole platoon and a world full of people, just to heal one person?" She coughed again, breaking eye contact as she was forced to and covered her lips again, wiping them miserably. Really she hated it, a feeling of vulnerability was something that she was familiar with, but would never accept or be used to.  "We shall not be trading with the crones, not for my sake, you do not have the authority to demand otherwise and so my want is final." Ambrosia said, Lorzub himself having said he would not be arguing over this so perhaps the soldier had been clear on her stance. They might find a way to heal her as they moved to their main goal, then again they might not, but Ambrosia would not budge on this matter. She planned on fighting on and healing the others the same as before despite whatever plagued her!

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated.  WHO: Kane, Ambrosia "Two people per watch, one of them to keep an eye on me, are you ill ?!" Ambrosia wasn't being caring, she was implying that Kane had had one too many blows to his cranium.   The instant that her ally had made the suggestion Ambrosia wanted to react, violently. She had somehow managed to wait until the angry discussion with the whole group had died down.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia “Hey, I already agreed that it was a little excessive, but the sentiment still stands. We need to keep an eye on you because we don’t know what that is ,” Kane said as he gestured towards one of the larger dark patches that had gathered from whatever Ambrosia was coughing up. “Two people on watch was to avoid compromising the lookout, but I guess checking on you intermittently during the watch could probably do.” Kane looked at Ambrosia, not sure why she was so against the aid of her compatriots. It wasn’t special treatment, it was what would be expected if anyone had gotten a mysterious ailment as well. “I also don’t want you on watch on your own. If you are on watch someone else will be, even if it has to be me personally each time. Sure, you might feel yourself just getting worse and be able to alert someone, but what if you just pass out?” Kane couldn’t be more serious if he tried his voice elevated during the first part, but then he reeled it back slightly. “Since you seem too stubborn to worry about your health, let me change it to something that does matter to you. If you were to pass out while on guard, you compromise the safety of every single one of us. So yes, my main reason is to keep an eye on you in case this sickness takes a turn for the worse, but you refusing even minor courtesy has the potential to harm us all. I don’t care if you disagree at this point. Unless you have some magic you’ve been hiding this whole time to put me to sleep, you can’t stop me from watchin’ your back.” He hoped that the point would get through to her, but at this point it really didn’t matter. He had made up his own mind at least and there wasn’t much she could do to prevent him from seeing if she was getting better or worse.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia Kane pointed to Ambrosia's left sleeve, Am seeing that she was bleeding through it... continued to run her fingers from half way down her arm all the way down to her wrist, back again. Kane thought it was stains from the intermittent coughing, which was good since she was unable to stop her compulsion. "I will NOT be the cause of our group's exhaustion, twice as many people on watch means twice as many watches, it's completely irresponsible as well as unnecessary." the woman insisted. "I am not so unwise that I will be taking watches alone. So I will just not be taking any watches. If someone needs to stay awake along side me to coddle  me then there would be no point." Ambrosia admitted, begrudgingly. She didn't realise why Kane was being so insistent, and he didn't realise why Ambrosia took the suggestion as a personal slight; so the two fighters struggled to reach an agreement.  "Thus there is no fear of me abandoning my post, if I wake up intermittently I will take note of it, and do whatever is possible to keep this old magic as Lorzub called it, at bay." Ambrosia coughed, the motion to cover her lips being the only time her compulsive action would even pause. But Kane said " Unless you have some magic you’ve been hiding this whole time to put me to sleep, you can’t stop me from watchin’ your back.” , Ambrosia wincing like she'd been slapped again and her gaze turned troubled for a moment, before she was able to recover. Once more Am tried to make her expression neutral, though she was unable to stop her compulsive ritual.  "You have no right." she said in response "No authority. You stick to keeping your sword sharp and your eyes peeled and I shall make sure everyone is healthy. And I of course mean everyone." She announced with dignity, actually thinking that her words would be enough to convince Kane to back down from his proposal.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia "You know what?" Kane said, louder than before, and visibly irritated by Ambrosia's stubbornness. "Fine." Kane sheathed his sword that he had been wandering around with since the fight. "You're right, it was wrong of me to give a shit about someone who clearly doesn't give a shit about their own well-being. I'll make sure not to make that mistake again." With that Kane began to take a few steps away, paused and then pivoted back. "You know what else? You and Zenon must've been perfect for one another, but at least when he an idiot it was for someone else. You aren't protecting anything except your own ego. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go sharpen my sword as you recommend." Kane turned back around, and began to walk over to a log that seemed slightly in tact to take a seat on and be on his own for a bit. 

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub looked coldly at Ambrosia "Who am I?! I am THE LAST GATEKEEPER, IN A FAMILY LINE THAT STRETCHES BACK OVER 300 GENERATIONS! I didn't ASK to serve, I was called to it. MY service wasn't REVERED, it was MOCKED! NO ONE knows who The Gatekeepers are, NO ONE CARES! Yet, I served the tradition of my ancestors. When my father died my brothers left. MY BROTHERS LAUGHED at me for staying in my Grove! Did the world ask to be saved? No, because the world has forgotten the horrors that await it. Here I am though, willing to sacrifice for that cause, willing to DIE for that cause." Lorzub's voice quieted "What I will NOT do again, sacrifice one of my own to that cause. Fuck the world, they can't have any of you. I lost Zenon, I will not lose another. It's one thing to have heard the stories of great sacrifice of Heroes of Old, it's another to actually sacrifice one of your friends."   His voice became a low growl "I have found no comfort in losing Zenon to 'the greater good'. I yearn for cold vengeance. I want nothing more than to save Zenon and burn those that took him from me."   Lorzub paused for a moment, his eyes filled with tears "I carry the weight of his loss everyday, and it is so heavy. I cannot bear the burden of another. Do not make me act against your wishes."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew "Who am I?! I am THE LAST GATEKEEPER, IN A FAMILY LINE THAT STRETCHES BACK OVER 300 GENERATIONS! I didn't ASK to serve, I was called to it. MY service wasn't REVERED, it was MOCKED! NO ONE knows who The Gatekeepers are, NO ONE CARES!" Lorzub shouted in utter frustration "And did you serve for recognition!? Do you serve now for the glory and the renown!? NO! You are a soldier, and you are doing it because it is a cause you believe in! Do not now scoff at your calling, one that is righteous, and worthy of a sacrifice." Ambrosia said with passion. "Here I am though, willing to sacrifice for that cause, willing to DIE for that cause." Ambrosia straightened up, hoped she would not have to cough half way through the confrontation "I know what it means to serve, I'm sorry you had no one beside you," Ambri tried to say between Lorzub's words, but he was intent on his words. Lorzub's voice quieted "What I will NOT do again, sacrifice one of my own to that cause. Fuck the world, they can't have any of you." At that, those words in particular, they actually surprised Ambrosia. She was quiet for the next words that Lorzub spoke "I lost Zenon, I will not lose another. It's one thing to have heard the stories of great sacrifice of Heroes of Old, it's another to actually sacrifice one of your friends." His voice became a low growl "I have found no comfort in losing Zenon to 'the greater good'. I yearn for cold vengeance. I want nothing more than to save Zenon and burn those that took him from me. I carry the weight of his loss everyday, and it is so heavy. I cannot bear the burden of another. Do not make me act against your wishes." ... When Lorzub had paused his eyes had filled with tears, Ambrosia wearing an uncharacteristic look of sorrow, then stepping forward. She couldn't help running the fingers of her right hand down the other arm, but her left hand which bore Zenon's shield, that was lifted up and placed on Lorzub's shoulder. "Lorzub," She began more gently, her throat sore from the abated coughing fits, but her tone was somehow soft. With her heavy accent Ambri spoke as honestly as she ever did "You do not have to burden it alone." It was a quiet offer, the soldier's hand squeezing her taller comrade's shoulder "I am not asking you to sacrifice, anyone. Though it may seem odd, I am not, eager to die." She promised him, smiled slightly. It was a surprising expression on someone so serious. "Do not go against my desire, leave this course of action, I can tell you that there are many solutions to just one problem and we might find one which sacrifices nothing: neither your mission, or your ally." She tried her best to give Lorzub an encouraging pat, the weight of Zenon's shield on her hand, even while she continued stroking her forearm. "I shall grin and bear the illness in the meantime. Please, have faith in me, in that I know my own body and can let you know if things get worse?" It was possible that, had he been paying attention, Lorzub would be able to read that Ambri was now asking Lorzub for this, rather than making a demand of him. Something in his demeanour had softened the woman's more harsh refusal. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia Once Ambrosia had pulled Kane to talk things over, their discussion had become predictably heated. "You know what? Fine." Kane sheathed his sword with force "You're right, it was wrong of me to give a shit about someone who clearly doesn't give a shit about their own well-being. I'll make sure not to make that mistake again. You know what else? You and Zenon must've been perfect for one another, but at least when he an idiot it was for someone else. You aren't protecting anything except your own ego. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go sharpen my sword as you recommend." Kane would attempt to walk away from Ambrosia, but before he'd have the chance to turn away again, he might feel a familiar smart, because Ambrosia wiped the back of her hand across Kane's cheek with all the strength that she had. She was rather more feeble right then than she usually was, but those hammered steel rings she wore likely didn't feel all too comfortable. "Zenon was a great paladin! Someone who truly cared for others, and though he may have made mistakes like any living man he did his best . So don't you dare tell me we were perfect for each other when I am perfectly aware of how above me he is!" Ambrosia shouted, FURIOUS.  By now there was no hiding it. Ambrosia had been dragging her fingers against her left forearm so long that she had damaged her hand. She coughed desperately after having shouted so abruptly, Kane's cheek likely bearing a spot of her blood from the hand that repeatedly ran down her left arm. Again, and again, and again,  unlike other occasions Ambrosia now seemed completely incapable of ceasing this obsessive ritual. "Now I owed you that," She said once she could get the coughing fit under some form of control, black and blood being coughed up. "and I am willing to do far  worse when it comes to Zenon. How can you, when the commander has told me that he's seen Zenon near by-" Her voice broke and it seemed like she might cough again for a moment, but Ambri just went straight back to dragging her fingers from the middle of her arm down to her wrist, then back, all of the leather armour she wore at her forearm stained and dark.  "You think I don't care about my own survival? I do. But I put YOUR lives first, it's what I do . So don't tell me I need a healer, don't tell me you will waste man power on watching me sleep! " She was furious. In every facet of her voice and her stance and the look in her eyes, there was the telling that Ambrosia was furious. 

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub looked at Ambrosia with tear filled eyes "I am not a soldier. I am not a warrior, though I tried to emulate Kane's example. I am a priest, at best a purveyor of forgotten fairy tales".    He breathed deeply and looked around at the others "In theory this was always an easy thing, when the sacrifices were theoretical, and being performed happily and willingly. The truth is ugly, and it weighs so. I grow tired of it."   Lorzub looked back at Ambrosia "I have faith in you, I have faith in all of you.  That is not the faith I lack."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub was struggling with his words and emotions, Ambrosia could see that, but while she herself struggled with flaws and errs of her own, she was not the kind of being who could be pleased with the way things were going.  "I am not a soldier."  He admitted  "I am not a warrior, though I tried to emulate Kane's example. I am a priest, at best a purveyor of forgotten fairy tales". While Lorsub looked to the others Ambrosia stood straight and looked only at him. He would have his chance to speak before she would respond to him.  "Whether  you were or were not, now you  are a soldier; in the sense that you are  fighting for what you feel is right, that is how I see myself."  She tried to explain, Ambrosia speaking with forced calm though by that point it would sound more than just a little convincing. "But that doesn't mean, you need to emulate someone else... Lorzub, you have been fighting this for a long time, I see that. You know you are doing a good job." She assured him. Still stroking her arm and unable to resist a fit of coughs, Ambrosia would breathe deeply once she was able to and turn back to Lorzub. "It is... Always easier, to learn something in theory." The soldier and the healer would slowly look back up, back to the gatekeeper. He had been doing a good job of shouldering his burdens, Ambri had not realised just how heavy they'd felt as they weighed down on the druid. That was something which made her feel stupid, she must be more observant from then on.  She won't tell Lorzub about her own fresh experiences, Ambri did not need to tell him how people had died due to her own stupid mistakes. "When I read about a herb or technique in a book, I read it over and over again, I can't help it." Ambrosia decided she would say instead, sighed as she continued to run her fingers down her forearm which was turning bloodied. "I just, feel as though if I don't learn the material, if I am not certain  of what I have read, that others will be harmed simply for my own lack of understanding." She was focused on the gatekeeper as she spoke, ensuring that he was willing to keep looking back "Still, trying out a new technique is always difficult no matter how well read I had been, once I have held a medicinal herb for the first time in my hands it always feel new and different. Lorzub the fact that you are finding the gruesome reality of sacrifice distasteful- it is not a failure. It is evidence that you now truly understand the cost." Her eyes narrowed momentarily on the gatekeeper, the human woman's dark eyes uncertain as to how deep Lorzub's understanding of her words had been.     "I have faith in you, I have faith in all of you. That is not the faith I lack."  He said "And I shall not willingly betray your faith" Ambrosia responded "I'm not asking you to sacrifice me, I wouldn't accept that of my own allies, what I am asking is that we don't put two lives at stake for the sake of saving one, possibly. Like I said;" Am who had been dragging her fingers down her forearm for quite some time, paused then. Just for a second, "There are more than one solution to the same one problem, I am confident that we might find a way to banish this 'old magic' without sacrificing the mission." she said, putting her perspective as simply as she could in her attempt to change Lorzub's decision. 

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Lorzub listened intently to Ambrosia.  Two phrases stuck "now you are a soldier" and "it is not a failure. It is evidence that you now truly understand the cost".    He slowly realized everyone here was carrying sorrow with them.  Lorzub cleared his throat "I...I..."  he stopped and tried again after a moment "You are right."   Lorzub straightened up, stood tall and looked directly at Ambrosia "I am the last Gatekeeper of my line.  I know my duty, though I may not know the easiest way to perform it, I shall do it.  That's all my ancestors can ask of me, that's all I can ask of myself.  I cannot do this alone." Lorzub's voice grew louder to reach everyone  "I require the help of others, the help of friends.  I will not betray you, or your beliefs.  If you will fight next to me, I will fight for you, and die for you.  I will protect you as best I can til my last breath.  I am here to destroy the Order of the Hallowed Future, seal the open Portals to Xoriat, retrieve Zenon, and burn Korth to the ground!"   Lorzub paused for a moment and looked around to everyone with a smile on his face  "Anyone need to add anything to that list?"   He looked at Ambrosia and quietly said "Thank you".

LOCATION: Fairhaven Date/Time:  7th of Aryth, when the party was training in Fairhaven WHO: Zephi, other Bards Zephi had been working on a song for some time. She played it in the taverns of Fairhaven to help bring more attention to Kenpachi's Fine Cuisine. She also was willing to share it with other bards with the hope that it will spread the news of KFC far and wide. **These lyrics were written to the melody of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band, if you want to try listening to it while reading the lyrics below.** //Kenpachi went to Thaliost Looking to sell some chicken He was gonna make gold from the food he sold But he wanted to do some ass kicking An armored man came to the cart looking hungry “Verzano wants a meal”, as he began to vaunt The half-oni leapt up from his bunk and asked, “What the hell do you want?” “I know that you’re new, so I won’t hold it against you I heard about the “Fighter’s special” And I’d fancy some good chew I’ll only warn you once son If you try to collect on my due I’m the best damn fighter in Thaliost And I’m not afraid of you.” The chef said, “My name’s Kenpachi and so far I’m unbeaten I’ll cook you a meal, you ready your steel Cause shit’s going down once you’ve eaten Kenpachi grease up your pan and spice the chicken well Cause Verzano’s sharpening his sword and he looks tough as hell But if you win you’ll be able to boast That you’re the champion of Thaliost Kenpachi slid a plate to Verzano, hot off the grill The warden took his time and ate till he had his fill He knocked the table over and started the melee With his sword he attacked and Kenpachi joined the fray Verzano had skill and his magic armor helped Kenpachi said, “This has been a good brawl. But I’ve got other patrons waiting so let’s go.” Then Kenpachi raged and grew sixteen feet tall. Fury of the oni, hope your armor repels The blows that will break bones and shatter shells Holding back an onslaught like a raging flood When Kenpachi is looking for blood Verzano knelt down to surrender the fight He didn’t want to continue and risk his life Verzano said, “I gotta say you’re toughest bastard I ever did meet. And that chicken I reckon was the best damn food I ever did eat. He raged Fury of the oni, hope your armor repels The blows that will break bones and shatter shells Holding back an onslaught like a raging flood When Kenpachi is looking for blood//

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Zephi was paying attention to the loud conversations unfolding around her. It seemed to the bard that her companions had a lot of emotions to process.Since arriving in the Shadow Marches Lor’zub and the two fighters seemed to be on edge. After Lor’zub’s oration Zephi spoke up: “Well said, well said. Now perhaps we can all calm down a bit? I’m not sure if all of you are aware but we just defeated a very experienced magician. It’s not really the kind of thing you do everyday. If we keep it up, we’ll deal with the Order in no time. Don’t get me wrong, as a bard I enjoy the drama. When I write the story of how we saved the world having flawed characters will just make the tale all the juicier. However if you want to enjoy this adventure I suggest we all relax and get ready for our next challenge. Now, who wants to hear a song?” ------------------------------------------------------- LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Yuni and Zenon Zenon was enjoying the walk with Yuni. He really enjoyed seeing how happy she got around her creations. He was able to slay a few goblinoids that didn’t get the two lovers a wide enough berth so Zenon was in a jovial mood. However something was gnawing at the back of his head. The paladin walked closer to Yuni and stroked her soft cheek as he asked: “Mistress, who was that gnome with the white bear cloak that I saw earlier? He seemed so…familiar. But I don’t remember where I knew him from.”

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew While looking at his companions Lorzub noticed dark stains on Kane's pants. He looked down at his own. Small dark circles were forming, similar to burn holes. Upon careful inspection he could barely perceive their expansion, but they were most definitely spreading. Lorzub spoke up "We seem to have a problem" he directed everyone's attention to his and Kane's clothing "this corruption is attached to some of us" . Lorzub looked toward the gnome "Asher, start a fire" . He then directed his attention back to the group "I think we need to check our clothes and burn them if they're contaminated".   Lorzub destroyed his old traveling clothes, and feeling full of fire from his previous conversation, donned his Gatekeeper Vestments.  He would not hide his identity or intentions.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Confused by the speeches and long words, Unia curiously watched Lorzub destroy his clothes. "Why burn clothes? Ez good clothes." She complained. "Ef Lorzub ruin all clothes Lorzub will need make clothes from plant." She looked around all the corrupted ground. "But ez nu trees here. Ez all dead. Ef friends go forward all friends dead too."

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia Before Kane could turn around the second time, the back of Ambrosia's hand swung rapidly across his face. Impact marks appeared where her rings were placed on her fingers, and one rougher cut ring managed to lightly break the skin on Kane's cheek. He couldn't say the hit was unexpected given what he had said. "Now I owed you that."   Ambrosia continued on stating how she could take care of herself and didn't need to burden the others. Kane stood there, but wasn't truly listening. Kane wasn't mad, or frustrated, not reacting much to the slap across his face. Ambrosia's stubbornness, for lack of a better word, broke him. He wouldn't actively prevent her from doing what she needed to do, but there was no urge to protect beyond an expected amount, no desire to help her on Zenon's behalf. Ambrosia was just another person he was working with at the moment. Like when he and Pepper came to the group initially pursuing the same bounty together. A business arrangement until the present "job" was completed. Kane looked at Ambrosia as she finished her piece. "Just let me know when we're heading out,"  he said coldly. "My sword will be sharpened by then."  Kane once again pivoted and strode over to a log that wasn't entirely decayed. Lorzub called out his concern about the tarnished clothing. After a quick inspection of himself, Kane used a handaxe to gut out the exposed leather and place it in a pile to be thrown into the fire once Asher prepared it. Sitting down, Kane took out his greataxe and looked upon the inscribed initials of his targets. Using the handaxe carefully, Kane etched away the letter "I" from the handle. Only four letters remaining: Y, G, U, and Z. Once that small task was handled, he took out the Pride of ir'Torgarn and got underway with sharpening his blade in silence.

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew Ambrosia could watch as Lorzub slowly realised how his allies were standing beside him, truly beside him, willing and ready to carry the burdens he felt along with the Gatekeeper. His next words stuck in his throat but like with all things, he tried again, his voice coming through more clearly.  "I am the last Gatekeeper of my line. I know my duty, though I may not know the easiest way to perform it, I shall do it. That's all my ancestors can ask of me, that's all I can ask of myself. I cannot do this alone." Ambrosia would nod, because Lorzub wouldn't need to try alone. The druid and gatekeeper then spoke words that Ambrosia knew, not because she'd heard Lorzub speak them before, but because she knew the meaning inside and out. You can't fight battles alone, and you cannot betray the trust of your allies. She understood that, so hearing Lorzub say " If you will fight next to me, I will fight for you, and die for you. I will protect you as best I can til my last breath."  Ambrosia understood that, it was a simple truth by that point to her. Lorzub spoke of his goals before he turned to Ambrosia, a smile on the menacing person's face when his voice came through quietly with a word of  "Thank you" . It actually surprised the soldier who allowed the emotion to be betrayed by her dark features, a brief moment of honesty shining forth through the expression on her face as she in turn smiled. The handsome woman gave just one solemn nod, not one for unnecessary words - Lorzub had already put everything forward so clearly, she didn't need to say anything else.  It was the bard among them who had appropriately spoken up after Lorzub, in her own fabulous way Zephi warned against letting individual emotions cloud their judgement, reminding the troupe just how significant the victory they had just snatched up was. She recommended a song, but Lorzub had made a discovery that would shatter the meek sense of safety that Ambrosia had allowed herself to feel.  "This corruption is attached to some of us. Asher, start a fire"  Lorzub ordered and Ambrosia stopped and looked down at the arm she had been coughing into... Her forearm was bloodied and it was disturbing to watch as she continued to force the fingers of her right hand down her arm again and again, but it was not blood or pain that made the woman most angry but rather the state of her leather ring. With a gasp she tried to take her ring off, but could not, Ambrosia could not pause in her obsessive ritual right then. Her armour was likely also damaged but all the woman could think about was her ring, how it was the one reminder of Zenon that she had kept through the years they were separated, then all the other thoughts she tried to keep at bay flooded her mind.  Self doubt and obsessive fears she was all too familiar with wore Am down, Ambrosia looking around in a panicked state which was uncharacteristic of her for a moment, trying to get herself calmed down and once again failing . Unia spoke in fear of going forward, confused at the sight of Lorzub burning his stained clothes, Ambrosia not recognising the significance of Lorzub donning his Gatekeeper Vestments in her state of panic.  "Monroe," She breathed, her eyes falling on the person who had been rather quiet all along "Help me, please!" Her tone was barely kept below the point of shouting as she extended her left hand out to the fellow alchemist. "I have empty potion vials in my pack, please, without touching this vile black, take my ring from me." Monroe would be able to see the one braided leather ring which was mixed in among the hammered metal ones on her fingers, with black circles forming upon it, the leather being eaten away. All the while the woman would not stop running her fingers down her left forearm though the sleeve was becoming stained darkly, her palm stained in black and in blood, and very clearly she was still bleeding as dark drops fell from the back of her hand which was extended to Monroe. "I cannot do it myself!" ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, Once the arguing abated. WHO: Kane, Ambrosia Standing soberly Kane stated  "Just let me know when we're heading out, m y sword will be sharpened by then."  The words washed over Ambri coldly. Once again the soldier pivoted on his heels and this time was left to walk away, ensuring that he cut away any fabric from his clothing that showed signs of decay and disposing of them before sitting to do as he said, sharpening his sword. ... Ambrosia watched, kept her thoughts to herself. She too would take a bit of space off on her own as she managed to draw out a blank journal with her left hand, though she realised she would be incapable of writing in it while her right hand was occupied. So she sat there, staring at the blank pages and coughed intermittently, thinking about how she might get her allies hurt if she wasn't careful enough, fearing their deaths for lack of healing on her part, feeling guilty over her actions so deeply that not only was her brow furrowed but her obsessive compulsion got worse. It was just a scratch  was not a thought that she could stomach, someone else might have thought of her actions lightly but to Ambrosia it was a confirmation of the demons which plagued her.  She tried to focus her mind, thought of a puzzle, made herself a numerical riddle which was impossible to solve. Ambrosia sat down and breathed evenly while she counted the times she ran her hand down her arm; one two three four, One two three four, One two three four, One two three four, One two three four, One two three four, One two three four...

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, After the clothes are burned WHO: Kane, Lorzub Lorzub approached Kane and sat down next to him.  He briefly glanced over to see Kane removing the letter "I" from it's handle.  Lorzub nodded his approval, retrieved his knife, and began carving "Isadorn" into his quarterstaff in Orcish.  Lorzub grumbled to Kane "Too bad there was nothing left of the son of a bitch to make a trophy of".

LOCATION: Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, straight after the fight with Isadorn WHO: Whole Crew The members of TRAP run around him freaking out, excluding Zephi and Monroe.  Monroe sighed as pulled out a flask and a bar of soap. He went over to Ambrosia as she freaks out. "Stand still for a moment." Monroe grabbed her hand, making sure to avoid any black goop. He poured some alcohol out of the flask, onto her ring. He took out a bar of soap, broke a bit off, and began scrubbing away some of the black goo on her hand. Once her ring and hand were clean, he threw the bit of soap into the fire. He tore off another piece of soap and began rubbing it around he ring. "Alright, Miss, you might feel a slight sting as I pull this off. Just tell me if it hurts too much and I'll stop pulling." Monroe got a grip on the ring, "Alright, on the count of three. One..." Monroe paused for a moment, letting the anticipation hang in the air, "Three!" Monroe yanked off the ring, "There we go." He went to Ambrosia's bag and took out a vial.  He placed the ring inside and corked it. "Now then, make sure you keep this close to you. You don't want to stolen by a certain person, after all." he said, as he slowly turned to Unia, and then back towards Ambrosia.  Monroe then turned away, taking out 6 flasks from his bag. He went around to each member of the group, besides Ambrosia who already received her's,  and forced it into their hand, making sure to keep one for himself. "Guys, you all need to calm down. Just take a drink and relax."

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Kane and Zenon spent dug and dug and dug, using whatever tools could somewhat constitute a shovel. It did not take long for Kane to deem that the greataxe didn’t have a remotely decent scooping volume to it. He looked around for something better and caught a glimpse of Zenon using his helmet. It was almost like he was using it like a bucket. Wait… a bucket! It clicked in Kane’s mind. He turned to the fallen Monroe for whom he was currently preparing a final resting place, and briefly a smirk came across Kane’s face as he walked over to him. Kane reached into Monroe’s pack and pulled out the bucket. “You never know when you’ll need a bucket!” Kane couldn’t think of a darker time for it to come in handy, but to him it almost seemed as one final ‘I told you so’ from their fallen comrade. With the bucket in hand, Kane more effectively dug a plot for Monroe, laid him into it, and begun to fill it in. After a long time of manual labor, Kane and Zenon had finished with the help of some of their friends. Asher went to the head of both a planted one apple seed for each of the interred. Kane shook out the bucket and placed it into his pack. It somehow felt like the right thing to do, and given what they were up against, who knows when he might need to do this again unfortunately. Kane knelt by Monroe’s grave and began to speak some final words aloud. “I’m sorry you did not live to see this battle through, but know that we couldn’t have found victory here without you. I know you did not get the chance to find peace in avenging your family, and for this I am sorry. Especially since you gave your life for me to achieve it for myself. You’ve allowed my cousin to come back and I couldn’t thank you enough.” Kane paused for a moment and thought on the task that Monroe had confided in him after the horrible battle with the Leshen. “If I hear word of the shadowy man you sought, know that I will do anything I can to send him to you in the next life. Get some rest, Monroe… you will be missed.” As he said this, Kane stood up and took a large swig out of the alcohol Monroe had given him before the battle, having not drank it earlier. He then poured the other half over Monroe’s grave, which due to Monroe’s size had a slightly higher pile of dirt on top compared to Ambrosia’s resting place. Kane walked over to where Ambrosia had been laid into the ground. It took far longer for Zenon to complete because he seemed to have an incredibly hard time accepting it, which Kane certainly couldn’t judge him for. Kane placed his hand upon Zenon’s shoulder, then pulled him into a hug. “I am so sorry, Zen… I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you sooner…” his voice trailed off and he released Zenon, turning now to Ambrosia. He once again crouched down, wanting to speak more directly to the buried individual, but not trying to speak softly. “Ambrosia… we got Zenon back. The real Zenon. We wish you didn’t have to leave us, but you were given the choice of yourself or Zenon, I think I know this is how it would’ve gone. I know, because I would’ve done exactly the same. I’m… I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t accept your apology, and I’m sorry that…“ tears welled up as he spoke and the larger droplets began falling down his face, “… I’m sorry that you were still an idiot.” Kane began to choke up on his words as he continued, the tears now actively falling, washing the dirt and blood in streaks off of his face. “You shouldn’t have been as dumb as me, but thank you for bringing back my baby cousin. And I’m sorry.” With those words, Kane stood once more and took a step back, only haphazardly trying to remove and hide his crying, but knowing he wasn’t doing a good job of it.

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Lorzub approached the graves of his fallen comrades after Kane had finished speaking. He looked at the ground where Monroe was placed "I didn't get a chance to know you except through your fantastic mead. That is my loss and regret. I'm sorry I could not save you. I thank you for your selfless sacrifice." Lorzub moved to Ambrosia's grave "I'm sorry I could not save you. You clarified who I am, when I lost my identity. You solidified my purpose, when it had started to slip from me. You were a rock. You died because rocks cannot bend, they can only crack. You lived and died by your principles. We should all learn from your example." Lorzub left the grave sites and began searching through the battlefield, lost in thought

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Kane had already started digging the hole with his great axe. Zenon stood on weak knees next to Kane and next to the body of the woman he had loved. She was the first and only love of his life. Before her there was only his faith, his duty, and his rage. The strength in the Oathbreaker’s legs gave out again and he fell to his knees. He remembered the first time he saw her; when he was first introduced to the Marvelous Bastards she was one of the members who greeted him. The paladin was so aloof then. A new team, new allies, but same old war. For years he fought with her, perplexed by her quirks. Whenever they set up camp she had to perform every task the exact same way in the precise order every time. When she crafted her bandages she always sat 6 feet away from the camp fire. She always woke up two hours before sunlight and studied her books under candlelight until daybreak. He remembered how panicked she got when Zenon hid one of her books or needles. He remembered how the look of worry gave way to anger as the paladin eventually handed the book back to her. Her eyebrows would furrow dramatically and her nose would crinkle. She would complain to him about how by hindering her efficiency he was hurting the combat effectiveness of the group. He just smiled back at her, hoping that would suffice for an apology. Now she lay motionless in front of him. He was the one to strike her down and the woman who he was forced to protect executed her. What can remorse do for the dead? What atonement will restore her to life? The helplessness was driving Zenon mad. He ripped off his helmet and he began violently digging at the dirt. Each time he slammed the helmet down into the dirt he pictured bashing the face of Isadorn or Yuni or Gin. As he kept excavating the earth tears began to fall down his face. Through the tears the faces that he saw himself bashing reformed into the face of a sweet potato farmer outside Askelios. Then a shepherd who had the misfortune to cross the Order’s pass heading west from Wroat. And then a homemaker north of Fairhaven. The Oathbreaker recoiled in horror and threw his helm away to the side. Crying loudly, he clawed his way back to Ambrosia. Looking at her face he recalled the many things she taught him. How to be a leader of men, beyond leading by example; how to make preparations and plan ahead; how to be calm when events are spiraling out of control and all you want to do is yell and lash out. Zenon didn’t stop crying, but he stood up, walked over to his helmet, picked it up, and went back to digging the grave. The Oathbreaker didn’t give in to the anger and hate. Tears continued to well up in his eyes and fall onto the earth. His stomach felt like it was twisting up into a knot. He dug the grave, as precisely as he could, six feet deep, 8 feet long, and two and a half feet across (the dimensions prescribed in the Aundairan military manual). By the time he finished Kane had already dug and buried Monroe. Zenon was sorry for the loss of a good man; although he never knew him he was thankful for the man’s sacrifice to rescue himself and aid the greater cause. Zenon walked to the body of Ambrosia and grabbed her hand one last time. Her hands weren’t the hands of some noble lady whose greatest worry is a stray needle pricking her finger. No, her hands were calloused from swinging a sword and bruised from blows she sustained. Zenon removed the leather ring on her finger and put it in his pocket. He ran his fingers through her hair one last time. Kane came over and helped his cousin lift the body and then place it into the grave. Zenon climbed out of the hole and brushed himself off. Kane was the first to offer some words. Zenon was still surprised that Kane was able to show emotions other than anger. Lor’zub was next. Zenon was again startled by how much of an impact his betrothed was able to have on these men what could’ve only been a couple months. Then again, maybe she helped them the way she helped Zenon. Some wounds cannot be cured by magic. Some can only be mended with diligence, hard work, patience, understanding, and love. Zenon’s wounds were patched up by her a long time ago, but the Order afflicted him with some new, deep gashes. To make sure her efforts do not go to waste the Oathbreaker will need to fight against the anger that is burning hot below the surface.

'LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Asher stands over the freshly dug grave, he kicks a few rocks away from the fresh, making sure the land is completely flat and perfect. Finally happy with job, he thinks to himself  his OCD fallen comrade would be happy with his extra effort.  Asher falls to his knees and pulls out a single appleseed from his side pouch. He thumbs one into the ground and then carefully pats the earth around it. He makes his way over to Monroe's grave and does the same, he takes out the flask that Monroe gave him and pour a little of it on the grave for his fallen friend.  "This never gets easier....We have all been through so much but this is always so hard..." Asher turns around and makes his way for his old buddy Zenon. "Zenon, My friend, I am glad to have you back. I knew we would get you back, I just knew it! I know this might not be the right time, but she seemed like an amazing women, she loved you truly. We will get revenge, by taking down the rest of the order, one by one. "

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Lorzub left the gravesites and began scavenging through the remnants of the battle. He had already set Yuni's body aside. His intention was to display her skull on his staff, but it seemed Zenon had squashed that idea with his rage. As he contemplated how to use her broken skull, he discovered a large sack among the minion bodies. Lorzub opened the sack and was greeted by a horrific sight. The dead and partially mutilated body of his brother Bizga. He stood dumbfounded, frozen in place. These bastards have attacked my family . He looked across the battlefield and noticed two more bags. Lorzub ran to the next sack, fell to his knees and opened it. His heart sank, the body of his brother Lurzrig was inside. He felt the rage build inside him. He stood, and slowly trudged toward the final sack. They are going to pay Thoughts of vengeance filled his head as he reached the final bag. He knew what he would find inside, the body of his last brother Throgul. He opened the bag and was astounded to discover it was not the body of his brother. Lorzub grabbed his head as tears fell from his eyes. He was staring at the body of his father, Mizzigar Lo'Zar. The Order of the Hallowed Future had desecrated his father's grave and removed his body from it's resting place. "I will kill them. I will find them and kill them all" Lorzub sat on the ground next to his father, crying.

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Lorzub gathered himself and collected his thoughts. Maybe Zenon knows something about this . He stood up and began dragging the sacks to a clearing. When he had finished he looked to his companions, his voice was raw "Friends, I require your help". As the remaining men gathered closer Lorzub motioned to the sacks explaining "These sacks contain the remains of two of my brothers, and the defiled corpse of my father." He paused, choking on his words as he continued "The Order of the Hallowed Future decided to kill my family and desecrate my father's grave." Lorzub cleared his throat and took a moment to collect himself before continuing "I need some help collecting enough wood for a funeral pyre. If you could help me with that when you're able, I would really appreciate it". Lorzub gave a half-hearted smile to the group. The work acted as a good distraction from the current grief, and it wasn't long before a proper pyre was constructed. The three physical forms of the Lo'Zar family departed Khorvaire in fire in smoke. Lorzub turned to his companions "Thank you". He looked at Zenon "Friend, I understand you were under the control of powerful magic. I understand how that power works. I know you will need some time coming to terms with the violation you experienced. I have to ask you a question, though." Lorzub paused, offered an empathetic expression "Were you at my Grove, where my father's remains were taken? Is The Portal there still closed?" He took a breath "Were you at any other Portals that were open?"

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two After the others had said their last words over the grave of Ambrosia, Zenon would step forward. He had stopped crying for a time but he was breathing deeply. He spoke: “What do soldiers fight for?” Zenon paused. “I fought for ten years in the war and I don’t know the fucking answer. You and I fought together for four years. You battled Aundair’s enemies to protect and provide for your family. You waged war for the soldiers who fought around you, so they could one day return to their homes and families. You fought because you believed in life, and you were willing to be surrounded by death in order to preserve it. The day you left was the hardest day of my military career. I thought that I had lost another friend, as I lost so many before, and the woman that I loved as well. Although you weren’t with me on the battlefield anymore, you were there in my heart; and the lessons you taught me didn’t leave. You may have stopped saving combatants on the fields of battle, but what you taught me about leadership and courage continued to prevent deaths after you went home.” Zenon’s speech pattern began to slow down. “I always knew I would come find you. I didn’t know when but I knew I would eventually.” Zenon started sobbing, as fresh tears began falling down a face already stained by them that day. “You were the only woman I ever loved. You were my happy ending after all the fighting, and blood, and death were finally over. I longed to see you unencumbered by the burdens placed on us by this world but that was not meant to be.” The paladin paused again to catch his breath. Zenon’s crying intensified. “You came for me. You protected my friends and family. You rescued me from darkness. You died to save me.” A slight laugh cracks through the devastated man. “Why am I not surprised? That is what you always did: save people. I loved you since I learned what love is in that cave. I thought of you everyday in my quiet moments and when my anger was getting the better of me. I wish we had more time…” Zenon sniffled and wiped his face on the dirt-encrusted black plate mail. His voice was more steady. “I don’t know where my path will take me from here. Whatever I do will be because of the gifts you have given me: my life, your love, and your sacrifice. You brought my shield to me so I can protect myself, my friends, and bring justice to the lands. You carried the Hope of ir’Torgarn to me and you carried it with honor. From this day forth, I hope to do the same.” Before walking away from the grave Zenon whispers, “I will love and miss you forever. Goodbye, my love.”

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Walking away from the grave of his betrothed, Zenon sees Asher walking toward him. The oathbreaker listed to Asher’s words before replying. “Thanks Asher. I’m glad to finally be in control of myself again. The worst mistake those bastards made was enthralling me instead of killing me outright. How have your all fared since…that day? Nice fucking bow by the way.” Zenon and Asher spoke for a time. Eventually they were interrupted by Lor’zub who made a gruesome discovery. Zenon borrowed one of Kane’s handaxes and helped to forage for kindling in the surrounding area. As Zenon was tossing the wood he gathered on the pyre some elvish woman in an ornate dress would remove some of the branches that looked pretty. Zenon observed this for a couple minutes and then said to her, “Excuse me, who the fuck are you?” After the pyre was built and the bodies burned, Lor’zub approached Zenon with some questions. Zenon replied: “That vile sorceress and I never went to your grove. Gin brought the bodies to us one day. It’s his form of humor. I can tell you that we passed by several open portals on our way here. Our mission to close these gateways to Xoriat is as vital as ever. Have you found anyways to seal the gates in your journey here? Did the gatekeeper tomes contain any lost knowledge?” ———————————— Some time later Zenon approaches his cousin. “So you changed a lot since I last saw you. You can finally fight for one thing. I take it you got these blades we have from our home? How are they doing? Was Garron happy to see you?”

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Lorzub's face clearly showed his disappointment as he answered Zenon "The knowledge to seal The Portals is not known outside The Shadow Marches. We find ourselves traveling there hoping to find some assistance." Lorzub paused, seemingly uncomfortable "I am of single minded purpose at this moment. Your news of open Portals concerns me and that will take precedence, however, I will destroy The Order. I intend to harm them every way I can for the violence they have brought on us. I don't know where your conscience stands, and I don't want to cause further disruption to you, but you should know I am seeking vengeance."

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO:  Lorzub, Zephi Lorzub approached Zephi "I wish to ask a favor of you. I ask you put your talent to use and spread the word far and wide. I am coming for The Order of the Hallowed Future. They underestimated my resolve when they attacked my family, and killed the only two people who could have tempered my rage against them. I'm coming for them, and I'm going to purge them from existence." Lorzub's eyes were cold "Sing of my intention. I want them to know, without a doubt, they are already dead."

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two “Excuse me, who the fuck are you?”  Confused by Zenon's question, Unia walked over to him, still weaving the sticks together with druidcraft, each branch entwining with the next in a hypnotic pattern. "Ez Unia. Zenon know who Unia ez. Meet Unia in tavern, give Unia massage. Maybe ef Zenon massage, Zenon nu be angry." She sighs, and goes back to weaving, before looking back to him. "Ez ok, Unia know what ez like to lose friends, to hurt friends. Need move on, or will hurt others." She places one of the objects on a grave the others have assembled, before beginning to weave a second object. "Zenon need think, friends help save Zenon, Zenon can still save friends. Zenon knows this, why pretend nu know?" Giving him a pastry, she continues on. "When hero journey begin? Ez moment when step outside safety of home? Or when realize fight has begun? Ez when comprehend how small ez are, when compare to vastness that threaten to destroy you? When did know that journey ez not lonely road, that didn't have face darkness alone? Lesser soul lose heart and lay down sword, but hero risk everything for greater good. Take comfort Zenon, true hero never die. Sun rises, sun sets, but all have sleep someday, even if seem too early." Finished with the second object, she places it next the first one the other grave, appearing to be two rabbits playing, almost like the banter between Monroe and Ambrosia.

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Zenon asked Kane for one of his handaxes in order to assist Lorzub with chopping down wood for a funeral pyre. Kane obliged and pulled out his greataxe to use himself. It seemed fitting enough that his axe named "Death" from his arena days would be used to honor the dead rather than create them for once. As they had finished preparing what appeared to be more than enough wood - they both cut more than needed since the repetitive chopping motion was rather cathartic - Zenon returned the handaxe. As he did, he began to really speak to Zenon for the first time since returning to himself. "So you changed a lot since I last saw you. You can finally fight for one thing. I take it you got these blades we have from our home? How are they doing? Was Garron happy to see you?" "I'm shocked that traveling with the musty whore somehow made you an even worse fighter. Was... was that my soul you were trying to pull out? Can you still do that?!"  Kane asked, his interest building as his sentence progressed. He was pretty sure the weird magic came from Zenon's puppet master, but he just wanted to check whether it was still an option to use against the other members of the Order. "Yeah, dad gave me these,"  Kane said referencing the Hope and Pride of ir'Torgarn. "How did it not occur to you to tell me that my dad had been so injured when you found me? He was in one piece when I left, and it didn't sound like the dismemberment was super recent."  Thinking on what Zenon might've known that he failed to share with Kane when they had first met up in Valenar, Kane began to realize the things that Zenon may not actually know about. "So you know,"  Kane said, lowering his voice a bit to a more serious tone, "news of you mutilating the countryside has impacted the family. My current change of looks was to try to limit how recognizable I was while passing through Aundair. The rest of the family are on house arrest, though thankfully they appear to be well-off enough in the homestead. The vineyard, sadly, does not share the same fate. Between barely allowing the family to tend to it, and guards abusing and taking parts of the property for their own, this year's harvest hasn't got a chance, let alone any possible long term damage." "Basically what I am trying to say is that everyone with the last name ir'Torgarn is having an especially close eye kept on them. We told who we could that your actions weren't your own, but you know how the political types are. Please do whatever you can to not draw undue attention. And if you ever wanted to try out a new look - no time like the present. I'd certainly be willing to help out."

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Lorzub sat down and began carving the events into his quarterstaff. The fall of Ambrosia and Monroe. The retrieval of Zenon. The killing of Yuni. The blasphemy against his family. Korthar, he couldn't forget the Hobgoblin Warlord. He wondered, for a moment, how much weight Korthar's name carried in The Marches. When he had finished his task he walked to Yuni's corpse and stuffed inside one of the sacks. Lorzub then quietly set the bag to the side, out of the way, where he would not forget it.

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Lorzub, Zephi Zephi had mostly been watching from afar with the events occurring with the other members of her party. She was having trouble dealing with the anxiety she was feeling. She had told these fools that it was unwise to go rushing off after a formidable foe unprepared and without the element of surprise. Unlike many of her compatriots she was not accustomed to seeing her friends die. Especially when that death was preventable with forethought. After some time the druid approached her. He asked her to gossip about his intentions toward the Order; asking Zephi to gossip is like asking a fish to swim. “Sure thing darling. You can trust in my loose tongue. I can see it now already. The Felons of Fairhaven are coming for the Order of the Hallowed Future.” LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus two Zenon scratched his head and responded to Lor’zub. “I have only been in control of my own thoughts for a few hours. I cannot give you many assurances on how I will act in the coming days, but I want the Order destroyed. They took my freedom, my honor, and my fiancee. They will pay.” Zenon paused for a second in thought. “I don’t want any innocents to be hurt though. I have already killed so many. ———————— The elf gave Zenon his name and his mind was then assaulted by confusing thoughts. Had Zenon ever met her in a tavern? Had he ever given her a massage? How does she know he is capable of giving massages? No one else in the party knows that Zenon can. As the oathbreaker was bewildered the elf started to offer him compassion and sage advice. She gave Zenon much food for thought, and he tried to remember as much of what she said as possible. After she placed the wooden rabbit on the grave Zenon responded to her. “I’m sorry I was rude earlier. Thank you for your kind words and wisdom. I will think on what you have said.” Walking away Zenon thought to himself, thats a great druid. ————————— In the conversation with Kane: “Can you still do that?!” “Whoever decided to give me the power to become a paladin empowered the oaths that I take. Yuni forced me to swear an oath to her, and in doing so it gave me the ability to tear out people’s souls. I wouldn’t try to do that now, but I doubt I am still able since my oath has been broken with her death and with me defiling her corpse.” "How did it not occur to you to tell me that my dad had been so injured when you found me? He was in one piece when I left, and it didn't sound like the dismemberment was super recent." “What does it matter? With his artificial leg he was as deadly as ever and the men he commanded would die following his orders. He was the same uncle I always knew.” Zenon was troubled by the news of his family’s poor fortune. Zenon felt sorry for bringing so much hardship to his name when it began again. In his mind’s eye he was the face of a cabbage merchant on the road south of Passage, a blacksmith in a small town near Lake Galifar, a fisherman near Rekkenmark; the visages of those he killed assaulted his consciousness again. Zenon gasped and rubbed his eyes until he could see clearly again. The oathbreaker said, “I don’t think anyone out here will much care for who we are. If we live past our business with the order I must go face judgment in Aundair. Many have suffered at my hand, and I don’t wish for my family to suffer for my sins any longer.”

LOCATION: Swamp outside of Watching Wood Date/Time: 1st of Zarantyr 910k, after fight with Yuni WHO: Whole Crew minus Two "If we live past our business with the order, I must go face judgement in Aundair. Many have suffered at my hand, and I don't wish for my family to suffer for my sins any longer."  Kane listened in a mild shock as Zenon spoke. "You didn't kill those people, the Order did. I'll be damned if you are gonna take the fall because of those assholes!" Kane said sternly to Zenon. Why Zenon wanted to be tried because of the actions that were done with his body but out of his control was beyond him. It was past being honorable, and moved straight into irrationality. "I don't know how we prove that it wasn't you, but literally no one who has ever known you would think 'that seems like the kinda guy who'd go killin' people'. You just don't have it in ya - not without good reason at least."  Kane wanted to slap Zenon across the back of the head, his reflex to hearing things more idiotic than what Kane though of, which he figured was a solid bar for a statement to be absolutely moronic, but he restrained himself. His little cousin had been through a lot, and maybe he should give it at least a day before being harsh on him. "First things first, we're gonna quickly save the world, tie up some loose ends, bash in a few more skulls - great technique with Yuni back there by the way. You can hardly tell she ever had anything above her shoulders. I'm gettin' off track. What I'm tryin' to say is we're gonna figure this shit out first, and then all of us will figure out a way to show that it wasn't you. Don't go throwin' yourself in jail because you're bein' mopey or some shit, got it? At least give us a chance to think of something." Kane shared this with Zenon. Obviously, Kane had not the slightest plan of how to prove Zenon's innocence. He also didn't have a plan for dealing with the Order, the portals to Xoriat, or even what he was gonna eat for dinner. Plans were not Kane's forte. But he knew that the group needed time to come up with something, and Zenon turning himself in to the first guard they bump into wasn't going to make that process easy. Hopefully Zenon would at least be willing to give the others a chance to think on his behalf. "Anyway, it's good to have you back cus."  Kane clapped his hand forcefully against Zenon's back, bearing the biggest smile he could given the circumstances, and excused himself. "If you need anything else, I'll just be sittin' down for a bit. Being knocked unconscious multiple times in a single afternoon tends to take the bit out of a man, even one as magnificent as myself!" With that, Kane made his way over to a rock that didn't seem as damp as the squishy land of the marsh around them. It was still damp, but certianly better than the ground itself or some of the rotten, toppled logs nearby. As he sat, Kane once again took out his greataxe and handaxe, and began chipping away. The letter 'Y' was removed from the handle of the greataxe, joining the poorly removed fragment where the initial for Isadorn used to be as well. Kane looked at the letter 'Z' for a long time, stealing the occasional glance at Zenon as he thought. Mentally he may be a tad rough, but overall I think he'll be alright,  Kane thought to himself. After a while of pondering, Kane took decided it was safe to etch out the 'Z' from the handle as well. Hopefully he wouldn't have reason to second guess this decision later, but he couldn't think of a scenario where he would have to now. He completed the work, did an extremely shoddy job of sanding down the chipped portions, and put his weapons away. I have never needed a night's rest so badly in my life.

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO:  Unia, Flare and "Briez"  After the brutal party had managed to recover their fallen allies, and had taken them to be resurrected in their varying methods, Flare who was already feeling uncertain got pulled to the side with Brieze. Using their cryptophasia the two can talk "Bro, I'm not so sure about these people." Flare said, the normally friendly and cheerful fire genasi having doubts about the people that had rescued them initially "Like, I don't wana be y'know, harsh. But like they're killing dudes, and torturing em, and like, there was a lady in the dirt?" He crossed his jet-black arms, little flames licking at his wrists "That's not cool... I'm not so sure about this "Anything to defeat the order" junk. Maybe... Maybe we should just go?"  At first he looked upset, but in a moment he raised his flaming red eyebrows and smiled impishly. "What do ya say? Puff of smoke?" Flare rapidly cast produce flame  and then dismissed it again, just to make smoke form. "Disappearing act? It worked the first time!" Flare lied "Well I mean, it worked out  the first time, and these dudes are TOTALLY  not as smart as the Professor, I don't think that any of these dudes will catch us." That said, Flare prepared invisibility, very ready to ditch responsibility (if there was any) and leave with his genasi twin.  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Ambrosia - resurrected, Zenon - unthralled. The last thing Ambrosia remembered was being downed. She was fighting at Kane's side, had used her healer's knowledge to ensure that he did not die at the hands of Zenon, and fought against her betrothed while his mind was being clouded. But Ambrosia had fallen, so when she came to it was with a loud gasp as the fighter reached for her shield and sword instinctively .  The soldier was fully prepared to keep up with the fight, but at the realisation that her wounds were gone and that at her side was, was- "Zenon" the woman spoke with a gasp, uncertain what state his mind was in. 

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Unia, Flare and Brieze "I agree." Brieze responds in the cryptophasia language they share. "I'm not sure what's worse, the torturing or the guy the with the rotting corpse puppet." Brieze notices the spell Flare was ready to prepare his invisibility spell. "I'd hold off on that for now. We should talk to the elf girl. She seemed just as abused and neglected as the corpse the orc carries around. I'd like to talk to her, see if she needs help." Brieze turned to leave towards the party and then stopped. "and if she doesn't need help, we'll part ways without saying a word. I don't want to hang around with these psychopaths a moment longer than needed....although," He put his hand to his chin and began to think, "It's such a shame I couldn't get closer to that Kenpachi fellow.  He seemed nice. Perhaps I shall go warn him to keep an eye out on the others, just in case they get tired of him."

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Unia, Flare and Brieze Unia sleepily made her way to the twins. Losing the warmth of the fire genasi next door, she woke up to find them conversing in a strange language. Speaking in a quiet voice through squinted and tired eyes, "Why ez talking? Need sleep." Watching Flare prepare his Invisibility spell, she reached out to hug him. "Ez warm, why cast spell? Should be cast sleep spell. Flare can cast spell en morning. She dosed off slightly, tired from the recent traveling, before waking up again from her own snoring.

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Ambrosia - resurrected, Zenon - unthralled The group was gathered in a boathouse in Zarash’ak with Kenpachi as the half-oni closed the deal that would procure the adventuring party some rowboats to journey North. Zenon had set Ambrosia down on his bedroll in a secluded corner of the building that was more quiet; away from the boasts and jests of Kenpachi. Ambrosia had been breathing softly for a couple hours now but still had not yet stirred from her slumber. Zenon didn’t know what to make of the “Old Magic” that was affecting his fiancee and was greatly saddened by the death of the priest of Boldrei. He was another victim of coming into contact with the fallen paladin. He had been putting his restorative magic into Ambrosia hoping it would bring her to consciousness or drive out whatever the “Old Magic” was. It seemed to be having no effect until he heard “ Zenon ” come from her lips. Zenon grabbed her hand and moved quickly toward her head. “Ambrosia! Are you ok? How are you feeling?”

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Unia, Flare and "Briez" (in character cheekiness, heheheh) "I agree." Brieze responds in the cryptophasia language they share. "I'm not sure what's worse, the torturing or the guy the with the rotting corpse puppet." Brieze said and Flare cringed. Yeahhh, Flare was the last one to judge others, but he didn't want his brother stuck with people who carried around dead things for pleasure, that was a whole journey the two barely-adults weren't ready for - he figured. The fire genasi twin agreed to check on the Unia woman, and silently disagreed about Kempachi seeming nice; how could he be nice when he didn't like Flare? Like cheese, who doesn't like Flare!? But the dude would nod to the commands of his twin, always had found it easier to just go along with whatever Brieze said anyway, his brother being so cool and admirable. But before Flare could go find Unia the elf had come to him, giving Flare a hug so that his prepared spell was dissipated. "Ouf! Whu- Unia!" Flare declared happily, not shouting since he was hoping to sneak away still. "Ez warm, why cast spell? Should be cast sleep spell. Flare can cast spell en morning." Unia said before dozing off, waking herself with her own snoring. It made Flare chuckle as he thought that was hilarious, but then he looked almost serious as he reached a pitch-black hand out to the flowery crown Unia wore " Hey man, we gotta get outta here! " Flare said, now speaking in Sylvan " These dudes... Ah, I'm sure they're cool, probably. But I can't stick around and worry that they'll do some stuff like that to my bro, y'know?" Flare pouted and looked pretty sad, shrugging his shoulders somewhat and gazing at Unia with his gently glowing red eyes " You can come with us, me and my bro, we'd keep you safe dude! I swear we are like, totally cool. " The sadness had passed as quickly as it had come to the twin with a temperament befitting an air genasi, Flare once more grinning as he'd entered his normal emotional state. Still being hugged, he would remove the hand he'd placed on the head of Unia and gave her a thumbs up. " If you wana stay, then that's cool. But I would like totally be chill if you would come. What'd ya say? " _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Ambrosia - resurrected, Zenon - unthralled Zenon had reacted with care and worry at the sound of her voice, Ambrosia knowing only from the sound of his words that this was the Zenon she had fallen in love with. While Zenon grabbed Ambrosia's hand Ambrosia had pulled her hand from his - throwing her arms around the male who she'd been fighting against, not feeling one increment of fear, knowing the eyes of the man she had fought with and served with. "Zenon."  She spoke the word through a sigh, feeling like it'd been far too long a time since she could say the name with confidence.  Zenon of course asked if she was well, and though whatever magic had been causing her fearsome cough was always bubbling just beneath the surface the sovereign host was merciful, allowing it to be abated -  at least for the moment. She didn't have the strength to hug Zenon tightly but the fighter put all her weight against him, knowing that he could support her; he always did.  "It is rather incredible." Ambrosia cleared her throat "After all this time, and I can still put my arms around you." It took her longer than it usually did to pull away from his embrace, Ambrosia not really willing to put a distance between them after they had miraculously been reunited, but the paladin had asked a question and the very serious medic would have to give herself a quick look-over in order to answer if she was well or not.  ... Tiredly, Ambri realised that she had no wounds though she was certain she'd been struck down in the last battle, becoming aware of the fact that she'd been cleaned up and currently wore the fancy clothing bearing marks of the ir'Torgarn, a tan hand being ran through her dark hair revealing that it was left loose and had the thinnest sprinkle of dust near her roots. "I am in a far better condition than I expected I would be." Ambrosia stated honestly. "I remember battling, had someone healed me?" Dark eyes would turn and look up at Zenon, no accusation found anywhere in that gaze as deep as nighttime darkness that somehow was coloured with sorrow. Weakly, Ambrosia drew one hand from Zenon's back only for it to stop at his ear; she pinched a tuft of the shortened hair, looking almost angry though as always, Ambrosia manged to look more serious than she did anything else.  "Even this?!" Ambrosia said in a voice that could not completely mask her emotion of anger. With her hand still in his hair and in a half lying position, the soldier turned and asked Zenon "And you? Are you okay? If you are hurt, you need to let me heal you..." She looked Zenon over once more, looking more carefully for any signs of injury that may have been badly mended or concealed by the paladin's armour. What kind of woman or healer would she be if she lay in his bedroll while Zenon himself may have been enduring pain?

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Lorzub, Monroe Lorzub stood silently while Gatekeeper Urag Yambul performed the reincarnation ceremony on Monroe's corpse. When Gatekeeper Yambul had finished he looked at Lorzub "It is done, now we wait" . Lorzub responded "Thank you, he had willingly become part of my Tribe. I feel responsible for his death, I will have to apologize when he awakes". Lorzub thought for a moment and continued "While I have you here, Gatekeeper Yambul, I wish to ask you a question about another Tribe member that fell. This one, however, seems to have been corrupted by Isadorn before she died. I attempted to dispel the foul magic, but discovered it to be of a powerful ancient nature. Can you help with this matter?" Gatekeeper Yambul thought for a moment, lowered his gaze and shook his head "No, the corruption you speak of is Old Magic and is beyond our capabilities. The Crones of the Marches will have the answers you seek, if you're willing to deal with them" . Gatekeeper Yambul stood silently for a moment "I shall leave you with your friend, remember his form may be different, but you will find him inside".

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Lorzub, Monroe, Gatekeeper Yambul Lorzub approached Gatekeeper Yambul "I have a question. Why are you down here? If the Daelkyr have returned because Gatekeepers left their Portals, what was your plan?"

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Lorzub, Monroe, Gatekeeper Yambul Yambul looked from Lorzub to the body lying on the table and then back to Lorzub, "We are here cause this is all that is left. our order used to be great and vast but the armies of the Daelkyr and their minions have decimated what is left of us." A great sigh left the lips of the old Gatekeeper as he turn and motioned Lorzub to take a seat with him at the end of the table, "In my youth I would have responded like many of our order did, like I fear you would, and charged into battle trying to cut down as many of them as I could before the end came and enveloped me. But with age does come some wisdom, and with it my anger has been tempered so that I can focus on whats more important, protecting those that cant protect themselves." Yambul produces an old bottle and two mugs from a small end table and begins pouring the two of them a drink of a thick brown and red liquid, "Some of the others that have gathered here believe we should go out there and fight and die if we must to do what we can to stop this army, but I know that it would be folly. An army that grows bigger by the day, lead by creatures that can always supplement their dead with monstrosities can not be defeated with blade or spell. We must use the greatest weapon the Gatekeepers bear, knowledge, if we hope to win this war of the worlds."

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Kane Kane looked over at Zenon sitting beside Ambrosia, waiting for her to hopefully awake. It was the most unsettling type of surreal as he looked towards them. Both of them had flung themselves into harm's way for the purpose of aiding him, only to trade their lives for his. The images surged into the forefront of Kane's thoughts. Kane stood before the Gorebull, both creatures with anger flaring in their eyes, the fearsome creature faring far better in the moment, when Zenon ran in and tossed Kane to relative safety. Kane got on his feet and ran back into the fight, onto the creatures back and eventually managed to blind and subsequently deal the final blow to the beast. However, it was not quick enough - Zenon laid across the cold, stained floor of the train car beside the fallen Gorebull, both completely still. Kane and the zombified Zenon bashed each one another with otherworldly force, the living ir'Torgarn managing to get an upperhand and striking down the bastardized Zenon. Unfortunately, the thrall rose and shortly brought Kane to the ground. Ambrosia, knowing that Kane needed help and not willing to allow the shell of her former loved one to destroy his own cousin, acrobatically made her way into the magical arena. She aided Kane and the two fought against Zenon to the best of their ability, but he kept rising over and over. When Yuni joined her pet, she would have killed Kane, but her jealousy of Ambrosia over Zenon tipped the scales of judgement against her. She perished, and it bought just enough time for the others to slay Yuni and once again bring back Kane. Across the room for Kane were living reminders of the times he failed, the times he wasn't strong enough on his own, and the times he was powerless to help those who had given everything to help him. He began to feel something that he hated more than anything else... weakness. Weakness to help. Weakness to keep himself well enough so others can't put themselves in position to sacrifice themselves. Weakness against whatever other planar entities they still needed to face. Kane did everything he could to try and force it down, but it wasn't working. He couldn't look at the pair of reminders before him, not at the moment anyway. Kane found a secluded section of the boathouse separated from where Zenon and Ambrosia were, found a sealed barrel and took a seat on it. Just pushing it down inside.

LOCATION: City of Zarash'ak, Boathouse Date/Time: 7th of Zarantyr 910k, WHO: Lorzub, Monroe, Gatekeeper Yambul Lorzub looked coldly at Yambul "Gatekeeper Yambul, you didn't answer my question. I'm beginning to believe your only plan was to hide in a hole. I don't care. I'm going to go do what needs to be done. If you have something more to tell me you better do so now. I doubt you'll survive contact with the enemy, and they're on your doorstep, my friend.  Don't think for a moment I'm as stupid as you believe.  I know the Daelkyr cannot be defeated without cutting off access to Xoriat, I came here to discover how to do that.  Killing members of The Order of the Hallowed Future is therapeutic, but not the highest priority to me."