Session 37 The Shielded Forest
Below deck, the crew lick their wounds. Firien visits Bantonio in his quarters and offers him a sandwich. The hopeless romantic had fallen from his bunk when the Verity pitched up suddenly. Though well rested, Bantonio admits that his faith now wavers. Firien reassures Bantonio by sharing what their faith means to them. Though angered by hindsight in light of recent events, Bantonio seemingly remains in high spirits. The two friends succeed in cheering each other up.
“If Caelum’s plan is ineffable, I can’t just… eff it, you know?”
“I think you could eff it.”
“Perhaps… if I put in the eff-ort!”
Bantonio to Firien.
Before the night crew take their stations, Guy and Arti check the Verity’s course. As Arti concentrates, a long-absent sound suddenly returns to him. He could hear his heart beating! They were on the right track. Meanwhile, Gomruss attempts to contact Roshia and inform her about his discovery. Despite concentrating intensely, he receives no reply. Though he can’t help but feel he made some connection with his mentor. The mirror in his quarters remains unoccupied. It seemed even divine emissaries could not defy the stifling Miasma.
On deck, Firien approaches Spiro with a private question. However, sensing the Grand Paladin’s unrest, they decide not to voice their concerns. Instead, they confide in Spiro, questioning Bahamut’s decision to make them his champion. To Firien’s surprise, Spiro grips their shoulder and expresses his faith in them. With renewed confidence, Firien retires to their quarters to read a romantic novel.
“I’ve been so fucking angry all day. I can feel it stoking the lightning under my skin. Someone with such destructive power should be measured; composed. I don’t know if I’m capable of dispensing Bahamut’s mercy as well as his justice.”
“Firien, Bahamut chose you for a reason. I have no doubt you are capable of mercy and wrath in equal quantity. When the time comes, you’ll know which is which.”
Firien to Spiro.
996, Inceptum 3rd
The Six of Steel are woken early by the pitter-patter of rain on deck. The night crew scramble to hoist the canopies. Brazen falls from the rigging, pulling down one of the canopies! Though he lands safely, the poisoned rain stains his skin. With reckless abandon, Bantonio volunteers to climb the rigging and secure the canopy. He welcomes the rain on his bare chest as he successfully fastens the loose ropes. Firien and Stoutmann examine Brazen and Bantonio and prescribe a potion of cure psychosis for each of them.
The Shielded Forest
Tuperk crows as the Shielded Forest comes into view. The bubble of unspoiled air surrounding the forest is beginning to diffuse, allowing the Miasma to seep in. Peering through Guy’s spyglass, Blythe identifies the source of the decaying shield. Magical runes have been carved into the bark of several trees, forming an incomplete perimeter around the forest. A flash of white catches Bantonio’s eye and Captain Brush calls for a low-altitude all stop. Bantonio winces at the sight of a wounded horse gasping for breath.
Bantonio insists they help the beast, but Guy remains wary of the diarist’s warning. The shadow creature could strike at any moment. After some debate, Firien volunteers to descend via rope ladder and heal the beast from a safe distance. Bahamut’s healing word stirs the beast and Firien spies the stump on its forehead. It was a unicorn! The unicorn begs Firien for help, explaining that desperate settlers had come to harvest the horns of its family. The settlers steal the horns to draw their own protective runes.
Hesitating only for a moment, Firien jumps down to deliver a cure wounds spell. Gomruss realises too late the fate of a unicorn deprived of its celestial magic, as impenetrable shadows consume the trees and surround Firien. Bahamut’s champion pays them no mind, focusing on healing the unicorn. Dark, equine snouts emerge from the shadows and watch Firien’s healing light envelop their friend. The unicorn staggers to its hooves and implores its family to show mercy. The dark unicorns chatter when Firien reveals themself as a proponent of justice.
“Had the humans asked, we would have helped. Leave here. Deliver your justice unto those that wronged us.”
“When someone is driven by their most extreme survival instinct, when they’ve knowingly committed atrocities just to stay alive… asking for help can be painful. Penance is not the same as retribution. Justice must be balanced with mercy.”
Dark unicorns to Firien.
Firien reaches out to cast calm emotions. A wave of tranquillity washes over the shadows. One by one, the lustrous white coats of the dark unicorns are restored. The unicorns bow in thanks and encircle their friend to complete the healing ritual. Firien exhales in relief and climbs back up the rope ladder. On deck, they are greeted by a very thankful Bantonio, who wraps his arms around them, and Spiro offers a knowing nod of confidence. The Verity sets sail once again, in search of the horn thieves’ settlement.