[ME, D4] Dragon Quest II

[Akh Uur Hoon]

Akh nodded. "This is only fair. First of all, I'd like to thank you for keeping us safe in there, Illia'miira. Without your inspired song it might have turned out far nastier."

She considered. "I don't know if you heard about a demiplane called Barovia, one of the Domains of Dread. It was once ruled by an evil vampire count, Strahd von Zarovich. Life of many innocent creatures was a plaything to him..." The pause was longer than required. "He killed a silver dragon by the name Argynvost. That dragon sought to save his child, likely by moving it through a portal. Alas, the child seemed to have ended in a cold, dark place where it met its obscure, defenceless death on some fiendish whim, counting to their very last moment that they would be saved... This bone, however, belongs to that child, and tracing it back to this place gives me an indication that the Layer of Indifference in the Abyss may be where the dragonling died."

She looked at Cyprian. "Cyprian and I are resolved to undo as much evil Strahd has been responsible for as possible. I would like to retrieve the remains of the dragonling and give them a proper final rest. This is likely a mission with no material boon at the end, only a meagre attempt to right the wrong. If this is something you don't feel any moral calling to commit to, I understand, and am still grateful for your help."

She paused again. "I intend to research the problem of the portal and the plane beyond tomorrow and return here as soon as possible."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

Cyprian nods, "I had hoped that the dragonling's murder was related to these Kadyx murders. But as there's no indication of that I can't use that to entice you. But I would be grateful if you stuck with us miss Illi, Sir Quev." Cyprian turns to Ikkit. "And who knows, perhaps beyond the pale is treasure worthy of a master scavenger?" He shrugs easily. A friendly smile with soft eyes beams at you all.

"But as Akh said, this is a thread that binds us alone and we are committed to it." He takes her hand in his.

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"I'greed t'guide where th'bone was found. Done that. Past now, I bring nothin' t'th' table y'can't get somewhere else."

He eyeballed the building.

"A jaunt t'th'Byss sounds right barmy. Those eyewings in there're th'least o'what th'place has on offer. You wanna go 'round the whole o' the Great Wheel makin' up for what some arsehole vampire's done, well, good on ya, but..."

He shrugged.

The evils of Strahd von Zarovich had about as much bearing on the life of Ikkit the Bastard as the evils of Manshoon, or Lord Soth, or the Gorgon, or Borys of Ebe (none of whom he'd ever heard of, and most of whom he likely never would).

[Akh Uur Hoon]

"I understand, Master Ikkit." Akh smiled. "This is a quest of conviction, and you have your own, which I respect. But while I can't guarantee any treasures, I would reimburse you from them if I acquired any out there and you made the gamble to come with us. Such layers are usually ruled by nalfeshnees, gluttonous demons who have tendencies to accumulate to self-aggrandise because they have inferiority complex toward the balors. They also stay away from the Blood War if they can, not too confident in their martial skills. They are cunning and insidious though."

[Illiam'iira]

"He killed a silver dragon by the name Argynvost. That dragon sought to save his child, likely by moving it through a portal. Alas, the child seemed to have ended in a cold, dark place where it met its obscure, defenceless death on some fiendish whim, counting to their very last moment that they would be saved... This bone, however, belongs to that child, and tracing it back to this place gives me an indication that the Layer of Indifference in the Abyss may be where the dragonling died."

Oh.

Well, if anything could sway her, it's that. Illiam'iira squeezes her brooch in her hands until her knuckles turn white, burying it as close to her heart as she can, metal digging into her flesh until it stings. It hurts. She blinks back a few tears.

"But as Akh said, this is a thread that binds us alone and we are committed to it." He takes her hand in his.

So this is the one. Good for Cyprian.

"I've only heard a little of Barovia --" She looks like she wants to say something more, but decides against it. "So I understand. A little. I will help you as much as I am able." You can't save every child. But for those you couldn't save, you can bury lovingly. For those whose bones are scattered, you can find them, and lovingly bury them. This is one way to heal a wounded world.

"A jaunt t'th'Byss sounds right barmy. Those eyewings in there're th'least o'what th'place has on offer. You wanna go 'round the whole o' the Great Wheel makin' up for what some arsehole vampire's done, well, good on ya, but..."

"It is pretty barmy. But people don't always do things that make sense..."

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"But while I can't guarantee any treasures, I would reimburse you from them if I acquired any out there and you made the gamble to come with us. Such layers are usually ruled by nalfeshnees, gluttonous demons who have tendencies to accumulate to self-aggrandise because they have inferiority complex toward the balors. They also stay away from the Blood War if they can, not too confident in their martial skills. They are cunning and insidious though."

"Cunn'n an' insidious is plenty dangerous, Blood War or no..."

"It is pretty barmy. But people don't always do things that make sense..."

Oh no.

He really didn't want to get mixed up in this. But he didn't have enough friends he could just let them go wandering into the fucking Abyss to get eaten.

[Akh Uur Hoon]

"Either way, this is a matter for after I have researched the destination more. Once again, I thank you all for helping in this endeavour."

With that, the evening escapade could adjourn.

/Scene