Centrum Glacies Session 108: The Aftermath
Week 108 of the Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies continues as the party deals with the aftermath of their last adventure.
Like my other campaign, I’m turning this one into a book series. You can check out the first one here.
Anyway, just like my other campaign, there is a whole lot going on and I don’t want to elaborate on every moving piece in the story. You can see the whole thing in the book series.
!!!Trigger Warning!!!
This story deals with a cruel world with some horrific twists. So far, this campaign has featured: Animals getting killed, Genocide, lots of body horror, evil cults, brainwashing, torture, psychological warfare, child abuse, and slavery.
Most recently, the party helped cause a complete planetary genocide. Save a few survivors, no one remains from that world. They are still grappling with this unfathomable loss of life and their role in making it happen. It is clear that their suffering is far from over. They can only hope they don’t cause untold pain to an even more untold more.
!!!Final Trigger Warning!!!
Trent went to bed alone. He didn’t wait for the rest of the party to speak to him. And they respected his wishes. He was still grappling with the atrocity he had assisted in. And no matter how much he spent the rest of his life atoning, too many innocent people were gone forever.
Jyona broke out of her own depression induced stupor long enough to speak to the Archfey. If anyone it was the three of them. Their home was gone along with their friends and family. For that reason, the Half Elf asked for them to be her friends. She even extended a hand out to Midnight as a sign of that friendship.
She stared at Jyona not understanding the gesture at all. That was until Puck explained the half-elf’s actions. Once Midnight understood, she blushed, slightly embarrassed and accepted her hand.
Obrom approached Gor-Venal. He made a poor choice of words. Mostly enhanced by the alcohol he had consumed. “I see we came to your rescue by chance. You’re welcome”. The monk looked at him a bit flabbergasted at the statement.
Restful Sleep
If he was insulted though, he didn’t state it. Instead Gor-Venal told him he was going to reach out to his contacts. If Klevor was alive and hiding somewhere on their world, he needed to be found and destroyed. Drunk as he was, Obrom understood the urgency and watched the Monk leave the inn.
Teztcal meanwhile was off in his own little world. He did not feel remorse for his actions. In his mind, his incredible power had destroyed the Feywild. It was not worth pointing out to him that this was not true. And none of his companions cared to try and correct his other thoughts.
Instead, the party slept. Thanks to Midnight, using the little power she was still capable of, she allowed the party to get proper and nightmare free sleep. For all but Obrom it had been a long time since they slept properly.
The Next Morning
When the party woke up, they noticed that two of their number were gone. Obrom explained what had happened to Gor-Venal, but that didn’t explain Puck. The two remaining Fey simply told the party that he had left and had requested to not tell where he was going or why.
Teztcal redirected the conversation to his own needs. He was glad to have slept. And now that he was rested he wanted to finish his quest. And what was this quest? To find a lair of course.
Midnight wanted to know more about the party. She had learned small things from reading Jyona’s mind, but she knew little of them otherwise. Violet remained quiet as if deep in thought. Teztcal didn’t say anything else. He just wanted to have a lair.
When no one was willing to volunteer an answer, Violet finally spoke up. She asked Obrom if he still intended to remove the brand from his hand. Something he was adamant about, even though there was a clear risk.
Friendship
Teztcal continued to murmur about his lair. Something the others cared little about. Which in turn prompted Violet to ask an important question. Did the rest of the party actually consider Teztcal a friend. The dragon laughed of course making it clear that he thought the question absurd. Trent pointed out that he, Obrom, and Jyona were friends. Things were more questionable when Teztcal was involved.
Teztcal asked the Fey if “ants friends with a boot?! Although number 1 is cool.” Naturally as the Archfey did not wear shoes and especially in Violet’s case, interacted with nature in a way where she saw even ants as equal, it was not understood. Other attempts to explain were met with scowls. Midnight and Violet liked Teztcal less and less as they traveled together.
Still, there was one person in the group that the Dragon did respect. He explained that Jyona was Number 1 and then listed off the other names he had for the group. Midnight and Violet decided to keep away from Teztcal as much as possible. Instead they attached themselves to Jyona and Trent respectively. This way they would not slowly fade away. Their essence was weak already.
Even though Obrom was a trusted ally, both Archfey feared him because of the brand. And after what had happened to their world, they worried about what malefic power might be contained within.
Obrom asked Teztcal if he would like to give the pixies a number. As usual, He ignored the bard.
Puck Gone
As their conversation winded down, The barkeep and innkeeper, Celenwe informed the party that Rotha was waiting on them. They couldn’t skip out on meeting her today now that she knew they were awake.
Meanwhile Teztcal finally noticed Puck was missing. Even though the others had already pointed this out. Midnight commended “his ability to count”. The Dragon did not realize this was an insult as he started bragging about counting and many other skills that the Fey was certain he also lacked.
To reiterate what they had explained earlier, Puck left off on his own. Meanwhile Midnight and Violet had both promised that they wouldn’t share his intentions. On top of that Midnight added that she wouldn’t trust a Seelie like that anyway.
Violet slapped her hard enough that her head snapped back. She pointed out to her friend that such distinctions didn’t matter anymore. Teztcal added rather inappropriately that “The fey are gone!” He was right. But it was not the time or place to point it out.
Not wanting to continue this conversation at all, Midnight suggested that they leave the inn. They might as well go speak to Ratha.
Back to Ratha
The party made it back to Ratha. Naturally, she was waiting for them. Ignorant of the situation and the fact that she had already met them, Teztcal introduced Midnight and Violet by their numbers. Obrom’s number had changed. And so he was still dead last.
The dragon bragged about being so strong that the Fey could not withstand him. Naturally everyone else glared at his grossly exaggerated version of the events.
Ratha understanding that the group didn’t want to deal with his antics at the moment, shifted the conversation. She brought up the unicorn horn and asked about what actually happened to the Feywild. The three talked over Teztcal as they recounted the carnage and horrors that had engulfed the world. Midnight and Violet remained silent.
That was until Midnight turned towards Obrom. She asked again about the brand and he mentioned the one who had put it on him. A name the other three were very familiar with: Jak-Rath. Midnight asked about him. Jyona had intense memories filled with hate when that one was brought up. And it was clear that the others, Teztcal included had their own reasons for hating him.
First Obrom tried to explain, but he wasn’t making sense to the Archfey. So Trent tried using different words and descriptors for him. But this only was slightly more effective. After all, Midnight and Violet didn’t know the meanings of the words Drow or Cult. And so the Druid explained those words. He also mentioned how the Drow tended to cause problems and debauchery wherever they went. Words the two did understand.
Teen Dragon
Ratha asked them once again to give the horn to Zinbella. She had other matters to attend to and needed to cut this conversation short.
Unfortunately, the Dragon wanted the last word as usual. Ratha looks at Teztcal. “What do you want?”
“WHERE IS MINI ME? He asked
“Something strange happened with your child” Ratha explained. She then asked how old Teztcal was. He struggled to count. Ironic considering he bragged about it earlier. After a few moments the Dragon came to an answer: 13. Ratha informed him his child was now the same age.
Teztcal connected the dots between Jorōgumo’s words and this outcome. And there was more. She then informed him that the child no longer went by Mini-Me. She, yes she, went by Kisara now. Teztcal had wrongfully assumed his own child’s gender. Then again, Dragons were capable of changing it and perhaps she just hadn’t been old enough to know yet.
Kisara
The party headed to Olend’s shop with Teztcal leading the way. He was eager to see his daughter and make sure she was safe. He was in for a shock when he was reintroduced to her. The girl was hard at work at the forge alongside the blacksmith. And she really was much bigger. And in a teenage Humanoid body.
Teztcal tried to explain to the party what had happened to his child. He kept referring to Jorōgumo as the spiderman and explains “he” is at fault. The group exchanged looks. It was obvious that Teztcal was the one responsible for what had happened.
Kisara wanted to know about “the fee”. Yep, certainly his child. Teztcal referred to them as number 5 and number 6. He was eager to please his daughter and show her what he had found.
Olend also had praise for the child. The Elf commended Kisara for being a quick study at the forge. Words that made Jyona’s eye light up. It was not every day that she got to meet another smith. And one that would be traveling with them for quite a while.
Obrom introduced Kisara as Teztcal’s daughter to the two fey. Then again, it was fairly obvious what was going on already. Certainly to the two wise fairies. They immediately concluded correctly, that she’s like that now because Teztcal made a deal with Jorōgumo.
“Yes, the spiderman” He echoed.
Both proclaimed that it would be offended had it heard those descriptors. Teztcal pointed out it didn’t matter since “he” doesn’t exist. At least not anymore. He still remained ignorant of how heartless his statements were.
Recovering Items
Jyona moved their conversation to another topic. One that with everything that had happened, she hadn’t thought about. She asked Obrom and Trent about her golem , armor, and cart. The party actually had her armor. As for the cart and Golem, they were here, and Kisara had ensured that the piece would not break or rust. That was how the shopkeeper had spotted her talent.
Teztcal showing once more that he was not paying to the rest of the conversation, introduced everyone else to his daughter in number order. introduces each party member in order. Kisara seemed pleased when her dad said that Obrom was number 7.
Spy or Dad?
Trent still after all this time suspcious of Teztcal accuses him of being an Obsidian spy. This all spat in the face of the fact that the Cult of Obsidian Members had repeatedly made it clear that it would be an insult to have that Dragon be a spy.
Violet stated that he’s too arrogant and crazy to be a spy. Only an idiot and one beneath notice would task this Dragon with that job. However, she did seem to take issue with the fact that the baby White Dragon was clearly cradle robbed. The druid tried to explain the complexities of the situation as well as the behaviors of White Dragons in general. But she was right of course.
Trent went on to explain to Violet that Teztcal is total chaos. Everything he does just seems to spread more chaos and disorder into the world. Quite frankly, the Druid wished he had never encountered him. Also, he was considering getting Kisara away from him. He seemed like a bad example for a father.
Violet pointed out that Kisara doesn’t seem to be in danger. They should probably leave this whole bizarre situation alone. Midnight chimed in too. Having looked through Jyona’s memories, she mentioned that child was making Teztcal better and forcing him to care about someone other than himself.
To the Druid Circle
Olend stepped in as they discussed Teztcal and Kisara. He asked them to continue this talk outside his shop instead of it. The Shopkeeper needed them out so he could talk to other customers. He shooed them out rather quickly, though not before mentioning that the armor for his daughter and his own would be ready soon.
The party had no reason to remain outside the shop. So they decided to head to the grove. It took them about half a day’s walk to get out there.
Zinbella was there of course as this was her grove. But her sisters Xilbella and Yinbella were also present as was Bodrick, the middle sister’s “assistant”. Also waiting nearby was Adriel. Which also made sense since she was the one who had asked them to come here.
The Druids collectively asked Jyona to hand over the Unicorn Horn. Something that she was hesitant to do given how dangerous the Psychic Vampire was even without such a powerful item. Trent however suprised her and said that he thought that she should give Zinbella the item.
Teztcal surprisingly stopped this from happening. He wanted to know why they wanted the horn. Last time he had accepted a deal without knowing ahead of time, his daughter had gotten “cursed”. Jyona was fully ready to hand it over, but Teztcal insisted again on knowing why. Kisara herself even attempted to ask.
The Deal
Trent asked Zinbella to read Teztcal’s mind. He wanted to know for sure whether the Dragon was hiding something from them all. She was shocked to find out she can’t. She demanded to know how of all people he had a ring of mind shielding? Then she realized that Kisara had one too.
After a lot of frustration, Zinbella caved. To pursade them to hand her the horn, she decided to tell them that she intended to use the horn to track down Jak’Rath. Obrom butts in to try and give her the horn immediately but Teztcal shuts him down too.
Teztcal demanded that he be granted a full fledged Dragon Lair in exchange for the horn. The Psychic Vampire was stunned as was everyone else present. “You come to my grove, knowing the power difference between us, and then make demands of me?” she asked fighting back anger. But she relented and made the deal.
In fact she had a cave in mind. Zinbella offered him the cave with the Sphinx in it. The one where the copper dragon was driven mad and still at large. She telepathically told Jyona that the transformed dragon needed to be dealt with anyway. Hence this was an easy way to appease Teztcal.
Suspicous
Teztcal had another question once the deal was finished. “Who is that lady!?” He asked and pointed towards Adriel. “She seems suspicious.”
Adriel was pleased that he thought so. That was exactly the sort of image she wanted to portray. Easier for her to get what she wanted when others didn’t find her trustworthy.
Teztcal whispered to Kisara “I think she’s crazy”. And his daughter nodded, agreeing with his assessment.
Trent wanted to know if Adriel knew Teztcal. A surprise given that he had not been with them during the dinner party. She mentioned that there wasn’t a member of either of the Guilds that didn’t know of him at this point between the Golden Hands or the Underwheel.
Trent also asked Adriel about Zrin. But she didn’t know if anything important had happened there since the party had left. She had been here waiting for them all since there.
The Spell
The conversation ended, Jyona finally handed Zinbella the Unicorn Horn. Immediately the spore Druid demonstrated exactly what she intended to do with the Horn. And she explained what she was doing as she cast her spell. Jak-Rath had corrupted trees all around the Abyssal Jungle. With this spell, ehanced by the horn, she could find him by using traces of the magic.
The spell caused a reaction immediately. The tree melted and bugs emerged. The creatures fled immediately and it didn’t seem like Zinbella was concerned with chasing them. And she explained why. The magic left residue that would return to its source. When Trent asked what stopped Jak-Rath from just hiding in several locations, she made it clear that someone like him had one massive lab where he gathered all his important projects.
Additionally, Zinbella pointed out that the Shapeshifting Book was most likely in this same lab. Trent was still obligated to retrieve it and as a Druid the Psychic Vampire had no problem reminding him of the urgency of this task and why she was willing to help him with it.
With their truce upheld, the party left the Druid Circle. Teztcal said farewell to Xilbella, calling her a “Lizard Person” as he passed. The rest said nothing as they departed. They did not return to the Elf Village. Instead the party returned to Zrin on a 3 day hike that was fairly uneventful.
Back to Zrin
First they went right to the Guildhall. Trent wanted to check on his Tiger allies which were almost as precious to him as Kisara is to Teztcal. There were other people in the Guild Hall too. And two of the party recognized them. After all they had traveled together and even fought against each other in the past.
It was Addek the Dwarf Pirate with the mysterious Cia. She was once again dressed as a man. And the party didn’t get to talk long before they noticed something is wrong with her. She screamed about something in her head.
Addick told the party that something got in her head in the forest. She has been having nightmares while sleeping and awake ever since. Such as right now.
Teztcal made a bold assumption and claimed that she must have eaten some poisonous mushrooms out in the forest. Something that even in her pain, Cia scoffed at. She pointed out that since she was from the Southen Continent she was essentially immune to mushroom toxins. They were a common dish given all the caves under her nation.
As Teztcal had never left the Abyssal Continent before, he didn’t know much about the Southern Continent. Naturally he asked Cia to tell him about it. She didn’t say much, but Trent had some words to say on the subject. Specifically that he had no intention of ever going back there.
Harassing the Cats
Teztcal lost interest and focused his chaotic attention elsewhere. Instead he cast speak with animals to speak to the Tigers He called them cats. The Tigers didn’t know what he was talking about.
He commanded Dashing Claw to sit and instead she started circling around him. She was confused by his statements not understanding his intent. And when he grew frustrated with her, Hidden Fang was next.
But he couldn’t get the other Sabertooth tiger to listen. In fact Hidden Fang seemed scared of the Dragon, calling him a lizard and running away. Teztcal was convinced that the cats were stupid.
Wrap Up
Teztcal chased them around the room for a while accomplishing nothing all the while. The rest of the party took the time to rest. But they won’t be able to sit aorund forever. The world will not wait.