57 - Unexpected guests

Previous Session: 56 - The Minero's Hunt

Waiting for Sir Tinq
...

Axel gets back suddenly, which surprises Hugh.

Hugh
AH! What the fuck is that?
Axel
Hi to you too, who are you?
Hugh
What are you? You look like something my sister would spit.
Nesvalyn
That's not nice for them you know...
Axel
That's indeed very rude. I'm a Plasmoid, what are you?
Hugh
That's pretty neat, I've never seen something like you.
Axel
But what are you?
Hugh
I'm a Centaur. You know half man, half horse.
Axel
Can't say I've heard of you.
Hugh
I never have either of you. But pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Axel
I'm Axel.
Hugh
I'm Hugh Faystus.
We rest while Sir Tinq gets back...

Persy doesn't rest to read his book.
↪ [WIS Save - Fail ❌] Persy gets one level of exhaustion, things start to look pretty weird, and is obsessed to finish reading the book.

We're all waking up, and Sir Tinq got back.

Sir Tinq
Ah, Great Heroes! I hate to interrupt your breakfast! I have news from the village elders.
Nesvalyn
What are the news?
Axel
I'm sure it's good news and nothing has gone wrong.
Sir Tinq
Well... Most of the clan elders you knew passed away, but Lady Felisia remembers who you are and wants to see you again. However it's the sixth clan who causes trouble.
Persy
That's too many clans no?
Nesvalyn
From what I recall, there weren't 5 clans?
Sir Tinq
Since you've been gone for so long, I forgot. A 6th clan joined, a very small group from outside the stars. They're much bigger than us, but they've done wonderful things to help the dome. Except they... uhm... well... they think that outsiders should be put to trial.
Nesvalyn
What kind of trial?
Axel
Like determine the innocence or being worthy to stay?
Sir Tinq
The latter?
Nesvalyn
But what kind?
Axel
Has been there fighting for power?
Sir Tinq
Oh no no, it's a peaceful place since you fought the demons.
Persy
We were been here more than them, so who's the outsider here?
Sir Tinq
That's an excellent point, and great for your tribunal.
Axel
What are they called?
Sir Tinq
They call themselves the Bright Irons.
Hugh
That's a good thing I'm a lawyer.
Axel
Are you?
Hugh
Yep!
Axel
That's wonderful!
Nesvalyn
Do you know the laws of the Bright Irons?
Hugh
If you give me a book, I will be!
Nesvalyn (sighing)
That's a no.

Hugh has heard of the Bright Irons, but pretty sure they're a cult. They're these weirdos wearing iron masks, as it enforces the power of the sun.

Axel
What does this tribunal consists of? How do we prepare?
Sir Tinq
Oh. It's just questions and answers. You know, you're interviewed by the Elders of the six clans.
Axel
What happens if we don't answer to their satisfaction?
Sir Tinq
Well, it's been a while since we've had outsiders, so I'm not sure.
Nesvalyn
Let's hope it stays peaceful in that case.
Axel
I agree, are we ready to go?
Persy
Can I read there?
Axel
Persy, what is that book?
Persy
It's a good one.
Axel
I'm sure it is, what is it?
Persy
Helping to have a good thinking.
Hugh
I can tell precisely what it is, it's a sheet of papers, bound by leather.
Persy
Precisely to help me being smarter, as listening to you make me dumber...

The party is about to leave, when Persy turns to Melody.

Persy
Oh and Melody, be mindful about Pebbles.

Pebbles is curled on Melody, who's making kind of purring crystalline sounds?

Melody
I think it will be fine.
Persy
That's not what I meant...
Nesvalyn
Come on. He's like me, don't treat Pebbles differently from me.
Persy
Guys, I'm not saying that, what if she cuts herself on him?
Hugh
She would look cute.
Persy
SHE WOULD BE DEAD!

And the party finally leaves. When we're getting out, it's an ideal weather, which is far away from the apocalyptic permanent day outside this place.
We see a few anthropomorphic animals, which upon closer inspection are humanoids wearing iron animal shaped masks.

Rediscovering The Dome
...

Iron Bright Guard
Hello.
Nesvalyn
Good day to you too.
Axel
Hello! I'm Axel it is good to meet you!
Iron Bright Guard
Are you the Unworthy ones?
Nesvalyn
That's quick to judge, but we're the new ones if you're asking.

The center one looks down at Sir Tinq.

Iron Bright Guard
Otter, why these strangers were in the sacred chamber?
Sir Tinq
Well... they they just appeared there...
Persy
And we're the Legendary Heroes.
Iron Bright Guard
I see, we will take you to the Tribunal.
Nesvalyn
Lead the way.

Persy looks and them, and shakes his head.
As we're moving, Sir Tinq explains that the clans fused their villages as one big village in the center of The Dome, being our current destination.
On our way, this paradise is for anthropomorphic animals, as we remember. As we're looking up, the sun is moving, still working with the same schedule.
However, we notice these dark spots in the sky, like if some elements were missing.
We're finally reaching this new dome city. The center of this city has this very tall sculpture (who is already above many building tops), looking like a metal tube, which is hard to miss.

Hugh (to Axel)
I bet you can fit into one.
Axel
That's tempting, maybe after the Tribunal.
Hugh
You get yourself a deal bud!

And we finally make it to the city. Gemini is popular with some townsfolks, Hugh tries to pick up a Catsfolk (and takes one point of damage).

Catsfolk citizen
You scoundrel!

Persy gets out the Cat’s Claw Brooch to the citizen.

Persy
Good job, he is a scoundrel.

One of the masked guards turns to us.

Iron Bright Guard
Centaur, this is not going to turn good in your tribunal.
Hugh
My bad.
Axel
How about we keep our hands to ourselves?
Hugh
I get you on that.

We arrive in front of that structure, near a small elevated platform, where all the elders are sit, with a very old Lady Felisia.

The Tribunal
...

Hugh
Hey, who's the old brood?
Nesvalyn
That should be Lady Felisia, the ruler of the Catsfolk, who we met back then.

The leader of the Bright Irons stands up with an elven body type, with an iron mask of a wolf. The sun is beginning to set.
The only guards present are the Bright Irons, with some attendance from the other native people of The Dome.

Wolf Leader
Hello.
Axel
Hello!
Hugh
Howdy.
Nesvalyn
Good evening.

Persy waves while still reading his book.

Wolf Leader
Tell us, how did you arrive through the dome?
Nesvalyn
Magic? And we were here 15 years ago, where we saved them if you've heard the other elders.
Lady Felisia
It's true! I remember them! They saved us from the Capybaras!
Capybara Elder
We already went after this, it was long time ago and we were manipulated by demons!
Persy
Hi Felisia.
Lady Felisia
Who are you?
Persy
I'm Persy, I haven't changed.
Lady Felisia
Ah yes, metal man. I recall that.
Wolf Leader
Elaborate.
Nesvalyn
I'll repeat, we were here before, so we could got back to this place easily.
Persy
We can teleport!
Persy (whispering to Nesvalyn)
Don't mention the Tiara.
Wolf Leader
Why have you come here?
Hugh
You see, we had a broken piece of equipment, and it's the only piece to repair it, name's Hugh by the way. And it's the best place to repair it.
Persy
Not really correct...
Nesvalyn
...but that's the big lines.
Wolf Leader
Then, what is correct?
Persy
We're trying to save the World from a virus
Axel
More from a parasite to be correct.
Wolf Leader
You know, the sun cures all diseases with time.
Persy
I doubt it.
Axel
It's also that no one has to die with it.
Persy
Have you heard of Melanoma?
Hugh
My grandpa had it.
Wolf Leader
And how exactly do you plan to use the Dome's resource to cure this virus that the Sun cannot?
Nesvalyn
Healing the places where the sun can't reach.
Persy
The Dragonborn clans are far removed of the Sun.
Wolf Leader
You said that the Dragonborns are weakened?
Axel
This is a preventive measure to heal, it's not only the Dragonborns.
Persy
And some of them are on the surface, and the Sun didn't took care of them.
Hugh
Yeah, and what he said.
Persy
And the Dragonborn Clans are fine, not thanks the Sun that protects you.
Axel
We want to stop it to spread it to everybody.
Wolf Leader
The Sun goes with me everywhere I go.
Nesvalyn (under his breath)
As long it's useful for you...
Persy
How long do you guys to plan on staying?
Wolf Leader
What do you mean?
Persy
You've been here for a while and you don't know the purpose of this place?
Nesvalyn
Tell us what's the place for.
Wolf Leader
It's for the salvation.
Persy
If you were here for the salvation, you would know the true purpose of this place!
Wolf Leader
Then please explain.
Persy
It was created to prevent this disease we're trying to stop!

The crowd and the other leaders gasps.

Persy
We're here to complete the mission of this dome, it's supposed to be a quarantine for those infected!
Duck Elder
This is non sense.
Capybara Elder
They're spreading lies!
Lady Felisia
Listen to them!

And the Elders start to argue between each other.
[Insight - Fail ❌] Persy realizes he skipped a couple of pages. Suddenly, he hears a voice in his mind, from the Wolf Mask Leader.

Wolf Leader (mentally)
You, you understand what is being a Bright Iron. And yet, I see you see me as some kind of bad guy.

The Wolf Mask raises his hand and they stop arguing.

Wolf Leader
So, outsiders, you speak of quarantine and diseases. So you're saying that the people here are infected with some sort of virus?
Persy
Do you have a better explication of your dead?
Otter Elder
We turn into crystals because we're magical creatures!
Persy
It's not what's supposed to happen.
Nesvalyn
Lady Felisia! When we met I was more a lizard person, now I'm more a crystal being, remember? That's because I'm infected too!

They all take a step back from Nesvalyn (except the party).

Persy
So you're believing that instead of your dead crystalizing? If you believe in him being infected, it's not like he's going to infect you.
Wolf Leader
Elders, the invaders have got into the sacred chambers, and spread lies of falsehood, on which they know nothing.
Nesvalyn
THEN TEACH US THE TRUTH! If you're holding that truth, disperse our falsehood and explain then!
Wolf Leader
Guards, shackle them all. We will discuss of their fate later.

None of us resist. We're lead to wooden cages into a back alley, and they leave us here with a single guard.

The Fallen Heroes
...

Nesvalyn
We're just put in jail for that? I like to believe we're right.
Persy
I wonder if they're going to discuss that subject properly...

Nesvalyn focuses on the guard if he is infected with the Minero Morphosis, but senses nothing.

Nesvalyn
Not infected.
Persy
My thoughts were right. This book is making me smarter.
Axel
Glad to hear that.
Persy
By the way guys, the Wolf guy talked into my head.
Nesvalyn
Huh?
Persy
He was cryptic, implying he was a bad guy from our point of view, knowing that I don't know anything.
Axel
It's pretty strange.

Nesvalyn walks to the guard.

Nesvalyn (to the Guard)
What's going to happen to us?
Persy
They said they would be discussing about our fate.
Nesvalyn
Do you think a Cat got his tongue for not answering us?
Axel
Maybe we are going to be executed? We can't let that happen. I'm wondering what would happen if-
Nesvalyn
Wait! You said the Leader talked into your mind?
Persy
...yeah?
Nesvalyn (trying to imitate the Wolf Mask mentally)
Let them go.

↪[Deception - Fail ❌] The guard does not move.

[Divine Sense] Gemini senses nothing.

Nesvalyn (to the guard)
I'm going to get out and go to the bathroom, are you going to stop me?

The guard doesn't react. On that note, Axel slowly starts to ooze out, and as soon one toe is out of the cell, it start to sound and the guard shakes out his head.

Prison Guard
Hey! Get back in there!
Gemini
Hey guy! I don't know much about what you're doing, I'd like to know more about it please.
Prison Guard
I don't talk to prisoners.
Gemini
How do you feel about getting a religious experience?
Prison Guard
What do you mean?
Gemini
You're the kind of guy to like to feel the heat of the sun on your face?
Prison Guard
That's my greatness pleasure?
Gemini
How does that make you feel to be in the darkness of the night?
Prison Guard
The darkness here is disgusting.
Gemini
I get what you mean, I'd like to gift you this if you open the cage. I'll promise an experience you won't forget.
Prison Guard
I cannot open the cage for you, Temptress.
Nesvalyn (whispering)
I can open it if needed.
Gemini
Would you find us if I keep my part of the deal?
Prison Guard
The order I have is to keep you locked there.
Persy
So you care more about your orders instead of the Sun?
Prison Guard
Don't you dare comparing your falsehood to the greatness of our cause.
Axel
If I worshipped the sun, I would keep it as a high priority.
Prison Guard
It appears you're assuming that the rabbit girl is the only one being able to channel the power of the Sun.
Axel
She may not be the only one, but she's the only one doing it right now.

A small ball of light grows in the palm of the guard.

Persy
I can make a better one, give me a moment.
Loyal (whispering to Nesvalyn)
Hey, he's awake now, maybe you should try your trick again.

Persy pulls out the Driftglobe.

Prison Guard
I see. I can make it bigger!

The ball is burning above us, of the size of a small Sun (but with an equal intensity).

Prison Guard
WITNESS THE POWER OF THE SUN!
Persy
Yeah, but your mom is so sunmad, she thought... uh... well... fuck.
Nesvalyn
That's ok Persy, not everybody is good at burning people.
Prison Guard
Your mama's unworthy.

Nesvalyn enables the [Psychic Whispers] for 9 hours with the party.

Nesvalyn (mentally & trying to imitate the Wolf Mask Leader)
Bring the Unworthy ones to me.
Prison Guard ([Deception - Pass ✔])
Absolutely sir, I'll do it once the reinforcements are there.
Nesvalyn (mentally and still imitating)
We need to deal with them silently before they spread more falsehood about the Sun.
Prison Guard
But Sir, I can't bring them all at once.
Nesvalyn (mentally and still imitating)
I need to gather information and know which one is the leader, so they will be disorganized.

Loyal explores the settlement with his echo in the meantime.
↪ [Investigation] When looking around, there's a couple of Bright Irons at the tavern.

[Stealth - Pass ✔] Nesvalyn doesn't bring too much attention.
[Sleight of Hand - Pass ✔] Nesvalyn removes the shackles of the whole party.

Nesvalyn (mentally and imitating the leader)
Bring the metal one, he has been desecrated from the unworthy, we need to purify him.

The Guard opens the door and asks everybody to stand back while he grabs Persy. When grabbed, Axel casts [Silence] and we down the guard directly.
Persy takes off the mask and sees a young human, seeing mostly purple and a deeply burned skin here and there.

Nesvalyn
Why do I have the feeling they have to spend many hours under the burning Sun?
Loyal
Probably because you're right on the money.
Persy
And he's not turning into a crystal!
Nesvalyn
I told you he's not infected.

Persy puts the corpse in the cage, then uses the Robe of Alter Self to pretend to be the guard, and we're moving towards... until we met a garnison of 4 guards.

Iron Bright Guard
Oh, We were just coming to get the prisonniers.
Persy
The Master has asked us to bring them.
Iron Bright Guard
Weren't one of you missing?
Persy
The metal one got disposed from private orders.
Iron Bright Guard
From who?
Persy
Ugh... From...
Nesvalyn
Who said it was the only one missing?

Nesvalyn turns invisible using [Psychic Veil].

Persy
Try to catch him! I'll try to bring them back to our chief!
Iron Bright Guard [Deception - Fail ❌]
This one is not from us, seize them all!

None of the bodies are turning into crystals. Persy collects the bodies into the Portable Hole.
Axel casts [Pass without Trace], and we're going our way silently.
↪ [Stealth] We're moving to the center of the town, joining the Elders and the Wolf leader.

We make our way to the center, and the platform has been moved, leaving only the big structure.
There is 8 Bright Irons around the sculpture. The Elders are still in the middle discussing.
↪[Perception - Pass ✔] Axel notices the circles drawn on the ground, like some ritual circles.

Nesvalyn
You know, if you want to judge people, it's better if they are here!
Wolf Leader
You! What is this meaning of this?
Nesvalyn
You dare questioning a true child of the Sun?! If you knew, you would kneel before me!

Nesvalyn let go a breath of radiant energy in the sky.
↪ [Intimidation] The crowd is impressed, and the leader falters a bit.

Wolf Leader
No, you don't scare me...
Persy
If you're one of the domefolks, why aren't you crystalizing!
Otter Elder
But if they're our kin, they should turn into a crystal...
Persy
They're lying to you!
Axel
They're the true deceivers! They're trying to take out the dome!

Everybody turns to Wolf Mask.

Wolf Leader
Now!

All the Bright Irons casts the same spell, and the radiant goes through them and they explode, which causes this structure to go into the air until it smashes into the sky of The Dome, which breaks it.
And streaming down the area is a patch of Wunderra's never ending Sunlight.

Wolf Leader
People of the dome! Let the light in!

When looking above, more Bright Irons are starting to climb down.

Next Session: 58 - Light & Darkness