Session 6, Part 3 - The Prisoner

Dawn came quickly for the party. Coada grunted as she sat up, rolling her left shoulder. Sumayya sat in her bed, already awake, journaling in the dim morning light.

“Morning,” Sumayya whispered.

“Morning,” Coada groaned.

Sumayya snapped her book shut and leaned forward. “Are you sure about this? It’s one thing to investigate a magical sickness, but going face-to-face with a crazed mage?”

Coada nodded. “It’s worth the risk.”

Sethie rolled over sleepily. “G’morning,” she whispered.

Sumayya smiled at her as she stood to dress for the day. Sethie lazily sat up and followed suit. Soon, the trio was out in the cold streets, a fresh dusting of snow covering the city, falling slowly through the quiet air.

The smell of winter was strong, and the snow seemed to dampen all sound, casting an eerie silence over the streets. Coada led the group toward Torch Side. Sethie’s breath caught as they approached the complex—a small hooded group waiting outside. Six figures: five in white robes accented with silver and gold, and one in pale blue and gray—the colors of the House of Healing.

The last figure lowered her hood. Her gray, curly hair was pulled loosely behind her ears, and her dark skin contrasted with the light colors around her.

“Mother Warren,” Coada said, bowing her head.

Warren bowed in response. “Good morning, Coada. I’ve heard much about you.”

The other figures lowered their hoods, revealing their elven features. Beside Mother Warren stood an elven man with long golden-blond hair and sharp blue eyes.

“You must be Coada,” he said, his tone cold.

Coada bowed her head. Sethie and Sumayya followed suit.

“And they are?” he continued, looking at the pair behind Coada.

“They’re assisting me with my investigation,” Coada replied firmly, then turned to the group of elves. “And you are?”

The man surveyed her with suspicion. “Insurance,” he said. “Ruen Fioras.”

“Coada Alba,” she responded.

Ruen nodded and turned toward the gate where a dwarven guard stood patiently. The dwarf unlocked the gate, leading the group inwards. They passed through the large stone walls, the same place where Sethie had come to collect her sister days earlier. The prison building stretched south along the wall, through an even heavier gate lined with guards. Beyond it lay a barren courtyard, with a tall cylindrical stone building towering at the center.

“They call this the Panopticon,” Sethie whispered to Sumayya.

The large tower was lined with guards, and heavy doors groaned open as the group approached. The hall was narrow, forcing them to file in two-by-two. Cells stretched upward along the outer walls, surrounding a central guard tower. The party followed into the center tower and were funneled into a tight spiral stairwell leading downwards. The air was cold, and the space seemed to amplify every sound, a tense electricity charging the atmosphere.

At the base of the stairs, the mages positioned themselves around a small room with only four cells. Ruen led the party and Warren to one of the cells, wordlessly gesturing for them to approach.

A small figure sat motionless in the shadowed cell, her elven features starkly defined against the dark ink of tattoos coiling around her body. Her shaved head emphasized the harsh angles of her face. After a moment of feigned disinterest, she shifted her gaze lazily from the cell door to the wall, then back again. Her eyes narrowed, and a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. Rising, she turned toward the cell door, revealing a fresh bandage on her right arm where her hand had once been, still stained with blood. With a deliberate gesture, she tapped her bloodied wrist to her throat, her gaze flicking past the party to the mages. Ruen nodded, tracing a symbol in the air. The runes surrounding her cell dimmed, and an oppressive silence seemed to lift.

“Well, well, well…” Danyell’s smirk widened. “It seems the cursed gods have blessed me today. Little seedlings… Come to chat?”

A heavy silence filled the room as Danyell leaned casually against the cell bars. “Tell me, seedlings, what are we when we are stripped of all that the gods have bestowed upon us?”

The three tensed, their faces etched with unease. Danyell leaned casually on the bars. “Surely you remember,” she said, nodding at Coada. “You—child of Arceous—surely you recall your teachings.”

“We’re here to ask about the Wasting,” Coada said firmly. A strange wave of energy rippled through them. Coada maintained her composure, gazing unwaveringly at the figure before her. Sethie and Sumayya, however, were overwhelmed by an unsettling sense of being seen. Before they could process it, the sensation quickly dissipated.

Danyell’s expression darkened, her tone growing cold. “Come now. I will not answer your questions until you have answered mine. Let me assist you. Lauthrir, the King of the Heavens, bestowed upon us our minds to perceive the world. Your holy avenger, Arceous, the mother of Aasimar, crafted our bodies to experience it. Eagin gifted us with the knowledge to learn and evolve. Firgen imbued us with spirit, the will to survive and explore. Olfjar, the wooden wolf, gave us art—to create from this world something of our own. And the Three Queens cursed us with mortality to ensure we remain forever lesser than the gods.”

“And, lest we forget, Ornalli, the god of the sun, endowed us with a hunger for all things.” Danyell’s gaze shifted to Sumayya. “Isn’t it ironic that the god of the sun would bless you with hunger?”

Sumayya stiffened as Danyell’s gaze flicked back to Coada.

“So what remains?” Danyell asked, her voice growing ominous. “What of us endures, despite the gods' efforts?”

Silence hung heavy in the room. “Our souls?” Sethie whispered.

Danyell laughed with a cold sharpness. “Very good, Sethie. Now, what was your question?”

Coada pressed on. “What do you know about the Wasting?”

“Lots,” Danyell replied with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But surely that wasn’t your question.”

“What can you tell me about the Wasting, then?” Coada’s frustration was evident.

“Very many things, but you’ll need to be more specific to get an answer from me.”

Coada’s jaw clenched. Sumayya interjected, “What is the Wasting?”

Danyell’s face darkened once more. “Consequences.”

Coada persisted. “What causes it?”

Danyell’s reply was curt. “No.”

Sumayya tried again. “Is there a source or pattern?”

Danyell’s expression was unmoving. “No.”

Coada pressed further. “So there’s no source or pattern?”

Danyell leaned into the bars. “No…”

“No, what?” Coada growled.

“These questions bore me,” Danyell said. “And you are too young and inexperienced for such answers. My turn.” She fixed her gaze on Coada, her smile widening. “How does it feel to be the first mortal in over two thousand years to receive a message from the gods?”

The three stiffened, their eyes darting around the cell. Danyell’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Don’t worry,” she said. “It’s just us talking.”

Time around them froze. They hadn’t noticed it at first, no visible spell had been cast. The room’s occupants appeared in stasis, the only present being the three of them and Danyell. The tension was deafening. Coada’s stomach churned. “How do you know about that?”

“Oh, I know many things, my little seedling. Perhaps you should be more specific with your questions.”

Frustrated, Coada pulled out the etchings they’d found in the cabin. “What about these? What are they?”

Danyell glanced at the paper, her disinterest evident. “A small-minded question… Next?”

Coada’s frustration boiled over. “Do you know of a cure?”

“…Small-minded question…”

Sumayya interjected. “What about the moon? What is it?”

Danyell’s eyes lit up. “Bigger-minded question.”

Sethie pressed. “So, will you answer?”

“No.”

Silence fell again, frustration boiling from the trio. “Come now, we’re nearly out of time,” Danyell announced. “Do you have anything else, or will you continue to bore me?”

Coada took a deep breath and began to channel her boon, focusing intently on Danyell. The elven figure’s smile grew again. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Don’t use my powers against me, seedling.” The wave of energy reflected back toward Coada.

Their eyes widened in shock. Coada gasped. “What did you—”

“Now, that’s quite enough. You’ve had your fun.” Danyell waved her hand, and the room seemed to come back to life. The trio refocused, understanding the game. They pressed her with questions about the Wasting, but Danyell’s responses remained dismissive, always a cold “No,” until they exhausted their queries.

Throughout the exchange, Ruen’s gaze never wavered from the three, scrutinizing every word, every movement. As the conversation ended, he traced the same symbol as before, reigniting the runes. A heavy silence fell over the room.

“Well, I suppose we should be going,” Mother Warren said, squeezing Coada’s arm and leading them toward the stairs.

Ruen added, “I’ve been interrogating her relentlessly, and not a word. But you lot—” he nodded at them, “—piqued her interest. She engaged with you… she finally spoke.”

“She didn’t really say much,” Coada responded.

Ruen’s eyes narrowed. “So it seems. Yet you still gleaned something from this encounter. Or am I mistaken?”

Mother Warren stepped between the party and the archmage. “I must insist that is enough. If you wish to interrogate Coada or her associates further, you’ll need to speak with Umeran and follow the proper channels. Until then, we are leaving.” She turned and ushered the group up the stairs and into the bright fall day.

“You’ll have to forgive me for cutting in like that,” Warren whispered to Coada as they passed the guard gates. “Ruen is a dangerous man, and suspicious of everyone. The last thing you want is to be under his gaze.”

Coada nodded, looking at Sethie and Sumayya. A sinking feeling filled her stomach. “We got what we came for, I suppose. It was worth the risk.” She hesitated. “I need to speak with Umeran as soon as possible. Immediately, if possible.”

Warren’s eyes widened slightly. “I will see what I can do. One moment.” She paused, casting a spell beneath her breath. After a moment, she nodded to herself. “Very well,” Warren continued. “Follow me.”

Sumayya and Sethie exchanged glances, concern on their faces. “It’s okay,” Coada assured them. “Let’s go.”

They followed quietly as Mother Warren led them from the Panopticon and through the narrow city streets. Warren paused again, hesitating at the temple of Ornalli within the Ten Spires before turning to Coada. “He will be in his office on the second floor. I trust you know the way from here?”

Coada nodded. “I wish you luck in your work,” Warren sighed. “For now, I must return to mine.”

“Thank you,” Coada whispered as she took Warren's hand before turning forward and entering the temple.

“Till next time,” Warren said, with a curt nod to Sumayya and Sethie, before heading back into the narrow streets of Ysora.

They watched her round the corner before turning back to Coada, who waited patiently in the doorway.

“What are you doing?” Sumayya asked.

“I’m doing what Wora recommended,” Coada said. “I’m telling them about the vision.” She looked away, toward the grand temple adorned in golds and reds. Great fires burned in braziers lining the walls, emanating summer heat even in the cold winter air.

“We’re with you,” Sethie affirmed as she stepped to Coada’s side, gesturing forward.

Coada looked at Sethie, then to Sumayya, who nodded quietly.

Together, they traveled up to the second floor, where Coada led them to a grand doorway. She took a deep breath before knocking.

“Come in!” a warm voice bellowed from within.

Coada opened the door, revealing a large room lined with bookshelves. A stained-glass depiction of the blazing sun stretched from floor to ceiling behind a large oak desk. Seated at the desk was Umeran. He greeted them with a kind smile, nodding to his halfling assistant, who bowed and left the room, closing the door behind her as the trio took their seats before the desk. Umeran had a warm, fatherly face, his dark skin almost glowing. His features were sharp and distinctly elvish, yet softened with age. His dark hair was cut short, and he wore an extravagant set of red robes, lined with gold and rubies.

“I’m told you have something urgent, Coada,” he began.

“Yes,” Coada replied, straightening in her seat. “I received a vision from Arcea.”

Umeran’s smile faded, and he muttered a spell under his breath. A subtle compulsion of truthfulness began to scratch at the back of their minds. Coada willingly allowed the energy to press through, while Sethie held strong. Sumayya, however, failed to resist the compulsion. She shrunk into her seat, assuming a more demure posture, and squeezed Sethie’s arm. Sethie glanced over, recognizing the unspoken request.

“I hope you’ll understand,” Umeran continued, his tone calm but firm. “That’s a significant claim, and I need to be sure you’re telling the truth.”

Coada nodded. “I understand.”

Umeran turned to Sethie and Sumayya. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your names.”

“I’m Sethie,” Sethie replied, “and this is Sarah.”

Umeran’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Sumayya. “I see.”

Coada quickly refocused his attention. “I was sent a warning,” she said. “I saw a great army of darkness approaching the city, our warriors barely holding them back.”

“And do you know when this army is coming?” Umeran asked, his voice steady but probing.

“N-no.” Coada hesitated, lowering her head. “It feels urgent, though.”

“I see. Was there anything else?”

“A moon,” Coada whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I don’t follow.”

“Lauthrious,” Coada murmured. “It had a moon—blood-red and looming over the battlefield. It felt like it was somehow connected to the creatures.”

“Hm.” Umeran leaned back, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “Not sure what that means. I would advise you to visit the Ysoran Grand Archives. The tomekeepers may have some records on that. In the meantime, I’ll see what we can find. And Coada…”

“Yes?”

“Expect me to call on you soon. You are ordered to remain within the city until further notice.”

Coada nodded.

“Good. You’re excused.” Umeran waved them off.

Coada stood and bowed once more. Sumayya and Sethie followed suit before they all left the room.

As they stepped back into the streets, Coada gasped, seeing how low the sun had sunk in the sky. Somehow, they had already spent most of the day. “We might be late!” she called out to Sumayya and Sethie, rushing toward the bustling city center.