Session 16

October 30th

The party awkwardly met up with Iban as they were both leaving to...meet up at the North gate. They continued to the cave system where they had been previously, and Della first thing turns into a crocadile to retrieve the chains from the night prior. As they do, Iban pulls out a journal with visibly handmade journal paper. When they resurface they see Iban approaching, seeming to study them and their form. Della blinks at him. When he asks how they're going to get to the other side, Della splashes in answer, which Iban is incredibly skeptical of. Eden disregards his concerns and hops across the water using Della's back. Basil, Ophelia, and a reluctant Iban follow behind.

Before chaining Della, Eden asks if they would expend the rest of their magic, thinking that the were-creature they turn into is able to draw from their well of magic. They oblige and turn into a deer. They walk around a little before strange shudders overtake their form. Feline eyes replace the deer ones, and their jaw twists into a strange shape that allows them to speak. The group is both awed and a little offput by the display.

They pick a less distant corner to chain Della up in, one where it'll be easier to see them from across the river. Once Ophelia is finished, Iban comes over to the entrance of their alcove and with his magic plants slowly grow. Around the area, a thick layer of plants grow. While Iban and Ophelia retreat from the thicket, Eden lingers to set up a stick of incense. After pausing, he puts out the teddy bear he's kept from Respite.

Iban offers to let one of them stay on the other side of the river with him and Eden stays, while Ophelia and Basil cross back over. Iban, for his part, has gotten out a different notebook and seems to be sketching in it. In this notebook he draws the various forms Della has taken so far. As time draws on Ophelia grows more concerned about Eden staying across the river. Iban is also there. But mostly Eden.

When the moon rises into the sky Della feels the transformation begin, but for once they feel relaxed and at ease. The plants are like home and the inscense is comforting. And after a while, the corruption receeds. Eden and Iban notice this and confirm with them that they resisted turning. Eden is eager to free them, but Della seems hesitant, noting that this may be the only time they could get some answers about their other form. Eden and Ophelia don't love this idea, but, they insist.

With a bit of effort, they allow themselves to shift. As they they do, Iban casts a mage hand that plucks a couple hairs from the creature Della turns into. Then, Iban begins taunting the creature, trying to get it to respond in full words. The creature struggles in its chains and, after failing to do more than rattle the chains, their strange growls turn into a voice. Iban tries to ask them for a name, but they laugh at him in return. He tries to offer a trade, but all it wants is to be let go. Iban asks if it knows what happens when it isn't here, but it remains uncooperative. He tries prompting further what it would do if free and it claims it only wants to run and eat, no bloodshed. Eden points out that it tried to attack them last night and it laughs.

Ophelia is clearly doubtful but the creature insists it has useful information. She tries to ask for a snippet of information from them, and they say they want the same thing as Della, and they've known them a long time. They claim they know why Della can't remember their time as them. Ultimately they agree they can't let the creature free, if only because it's Della's choice.

After more arguing the creature tries to transform into something bigger to help them escape. They succeed in breaking free of the wall—only to be more tightly bound in the chains. They try to escape but Iban quickly dispatches the creature, leaving an unconscious Della behind.