Session 14

October 29th

The creature lunges out of the water, but Eden and Ophelia are ready. In a few moments the creatures is knocked out and reverts back to Della before they collpase into the water. Ophelia and Basil fish Della out of the water, with Eden casting spare the dying to stabalize them. Unsure of what else to do, Eden and Ophelia wait nervously nearby.

Though Della isn't able to say one way or the other if they'll turn again, Eden opts to heal them, insisting he doesn't want them to be in pain. After a bit of stilted discussion, Eden offers for Della to sit with them by the fire. He seems convinced they won't be a threat to them anymore. Della focuses on the feeling, where the urge to transform normally comes from, and gets the sense...it is sated for the night. They try to apologize, but Eden assures it's fine. He also notes, however, that V hasn't met them there yet. The group agrees it's concerning, but that there isn't any use worrying about it until morning.

October 30th

Della drifts off, but Eden and Ophelia remain awake until dawn filters through the cave. They intended not to bring Della but once they're awake they insist on coming. Three people wait for them outside—the male dwarf with a scraggly beard, Artem, and a gnome. Artem admits he didn't think they would live through the night. He asks how they will spend the night and Eden says they will repeat the same routine tonight. Artem accepts this, but the gnome clearly has a Comment to make. Artem gives him a look. Ophelia scoffs. Eden gives her a look.

At this point Della steps out from behind Eden to address Artem directly. They explain they'd like to talk more to him, to the pack, maybe after the full moon. They have never met any people like them. Artem agrees to this, but says that it's a talk for a later time.

Back to the main topic of their meeting. He explains that he thinks they know where 'she', it, brings people but they want more certainty. Feli asks where, and especially what is she. They don't know what exactly she is, or if she's been effected by the beast, but she poses a threat to the city regardless. She is intelligent, chosing victims very purposfully. They have seen it in the form of a human woman, and other times in a grotesque form. It leaves no trace. It can change shape at will, though they are unsure if it is limited to these two guises. It stuffs its victims into a leather bag and from there, its unclear exactly where they're taken, but the pack has a general idea of an area east of the city. It seems to be able to enter homes without breaking windows nor locks.

Della asks about the scent the creature, to which Artem asks if they know the scent of fairfolk. Aside from half-elves, they're not entirely sure. Begrudgingly the gnome speaks up and explains how fae tend to have a strong scent of spice, with this particular creature being of mint, peppermint, and cardamom.

As the conversation winds down, Della asks if they could uh get their stuff back, to which Artem says yes, and Eden asks if they've seen V around at all last night. The answer is no, and also, everyone is unhappy by the description of V as something possibly undead. They exchange a few more terse words, before Artem suggests they speak with Durz further about the creature. After a bit more conversation, they agree to meet once they have more information, and part ways.

They return to the Black Stag mid-morning to find V's vague, concerning note. But without any way to act on it they settle on getting some rest until the afternoon. They awake and try to ask the barkeep about V but she knows as little as they do. After waking, getting settled, and eating, Eden prompts them to go visit Durz. Ophelia describes him to Della as a freak.

When they arrive, Durz isn't anywhere to be seen. They carry on inside where Eden asks if they may visit with Durz, and the dwarven receptionist seems a little skeptical of their appearance. But, she does go and retrieve him. Upon seeing Della, Durz gives pause, and asks what kind of creature he dragged in this time. Eden responds likewise in elvish that they are his friend and of no harm, and Della sheepishly says hi. Durz seems a little offput by Della, but invites them on a walk around the building. He addresses Eden first, commenting on Eden bringing such strange companions to meet him, and asking what they are to discuss. Eden is direct and says they met Artem last night. That makes him stop. For a moment his expression reveals anger, maybe frustration, before it smoothes over again. He asks Eden to elaborate and he does, surmmizing the encounter.

Satisfied with this knowlwedge, they carry on walking. Eden tells Durz what they know about the bag lady, and Durz confirms them to be true. He carries on, saying that the woman seems to know how to lie in wait for her prey. People have noticed footsteps on the roof and tapping on the windows, and he comments that many homes have hearths. He also tells them that she tends to target people along the east wall.

In the following silence, Durz addresses Eden, asking about V. Eden explains how V disappeared in the night, and Durz muses that Eden seems to trust too easily. He keeps the company of a wanted man and friends who smell like beasts and death. Eden responds he isn't normal either, but his oddities aren't quite as scent based, to which Durz agrees they are more alike than the rest of the party. Eden asks then, in that case, what gods are Durz beholden to? Durz tells Eden how he lived through the gods death, and he does believe them to be dead. Eden understands this and explains, briefly, his own circumstances, and how he believes himself to be just as strange as everyone else in the party. Knowing that Eden's family is human, though, Durz asks if Eden was taught any braids. He confirms he wasn't, and in fact is used to having someone else braid his hair. This seems to really surprise Durz, and he presses a little, and offers after a bit to show eden some braids if his 'friend' won't mind.

The conversation draws near to an end, and Durz suggests they go see Iban as well for more information about the bag lady, considering he himself isn't able to leave the grounds. He begins to leave after that, but Ophelia takes the opportunity to ask bluntly what Durz is. He replies earnestly that he is currently an elf, nothing more. Eden voices the implication that he wasn't always just an elf, which Durz seems to conceed, but he doesn't elaborate any more.

After leaving the House of Aphelion, Della brings up Durz's offer to braid Eden's hair once more, and tells him that, as far as they're aware, braiding hair is seen as an intimate act in their culture. This is probably also why Durz had an odd reaction to hearing that Eden's 'friend' used to do his hair.

The revelation leaves Eden gobsmacked. Baffled. He sputters out that surely Durz hadn't meant the invitation like that, and he and his friend were just that! Friends! To which Ophelia begins to make fun of his flustered reaction. Eager to leave the subject behind, Eden insists they hurry back to speak to Iban before they run out of time for the day.