# 35. Session Thirty Five — Together We Grow **In-game start:** Summer 8 | **Played:** 11 February 2026 [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 34 - Zuri, Hand of Q'ruhm|← Session 34]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 36 - To Ol' Hill|Session 36 →]] ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Locations & Shared Scenes/Riftgate.jpeg|780]] > [!abstract]+ TL;DR > - **Loot, Contracts, and a Name That Makes the Blade Stir:** The “soulbound” language echoed everything they’re learning about oaths, seals, and god-level bargains. > - **Escape from the Mine:** They backtracked through the tunnels, following markers and arrows they’d left behind. > - **Cleansing Tescalian: Shrine to Ithis:** She explained her rites: she can offer souls the door, guide them toward [[Nyxthys]]—but she cannot force the choice. > - **Talador and Raphius: Back in Command, Back in Pain:** There was also a quieter check-in: Talador asked [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] how it felt to be possessed earlier (by “Nina”). > - **Funeral for Jefferson and Hodges:** “Brave souls, you marched where shadows fell.” “We honour you, we remember you, we carry your light, in the battles yet to come.” > - **Elena and Mealla: Scrubbing at the Memory:** She found her in the bath, scrubbing herself raw, trying to erase the feeling of being worn by something else—“Nina’s” possession. > - **Elena Visits Pipé’s Room:** [[Elena]] offers to help him right now, if he wants to try a ritual before bed. > - **Memorable Lines:** You’ve honoured me here today.” — [[Nyxthys]] “Brave souls, you marched where shadows fell.” — [[Talador Devell]] “We honour you, we remember you, we carry your light, in the battles yet to come.” — [[Talador Devell]] “You are aptly named, protector of the sun. > [!star]- Memorable Moments > - 💔 **Raw — Mealla:** After being possessed, Mealla is found in the bath scrubbing herself hard enough to hurt, trying to get the feeling of someone else wearing her body off her skin. > - 😔 **Emotional — Raphius:** Asked what sort of legacy he thinks he is building, an exhausted Raphius answers with the thing he cannot stop thinking about: **losing people**. > - 😱 **Premonition — Persephone:** Persephone admits she saw an attack before it happened — knew it was coming — and still could not stop it. > - ❤️ **Promise — Raphius / Elena:** Raphius asks Elena for the promise neither of them wants to need: if the blade changes him and he loses control, she must end him. > - ☠️ **Revelation — Party:** The “Band of Loyalty” turns out to be a truly vicious curse: if the wearer reaches 0 HP, they simply die. No death saves. No second chance. ## Session Notes ### Aftermath in the Mine The party had tracked the abducted townsfolk into the mine and caught Zuri Kulumu—but while they killed her, she still managed to send the captives through a conjured portal before dying. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Locations & Shared Scenes/Tescalian Mine.jpeg|780]] As the dust settled, [[Elena]] remained kneeling over Zuri’s body, her dagger still sunk into the renegade’s chest. She tried to understand the impossible: how does a Hand betray the goddess they’ve soul-sworn to? [[Elena]] reached out, feeling for Zuri’s soul—relieved (and grimly satisfied) to sense it had departed rather than lingering. A whisper touched Elena’s mind—[[Nyxthys]] herself: “The veil has been lifted. Seven remain. You’ve honoured me here today.” The implication hit hard: Zuri wasn’t an isolated traitor. There are seven more. Nearby, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] moved immediately to stabilise [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]], casting healing magic after the brutal fighting. But the spell felt… wrong. Some of the healing seemed to siphon away mid-cast, as if something else was drinking it. Still holding [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]], [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] glanced down at it, uneasy, and finally sheathed it with a look that said: I’m not sure I can trust myself holding you. And [[Elena]], in the corner of her vision, clocked something else: Persephone’s eyes, which had glowed gold during the fight, were fading back to their normal colour. [[Elena]] noted it silently—for now. ### Loot, Contracts, and a Name That Makes the Blade Stir [[Elena]] searched Zuri and recovered: - 130 gold - Five green-gold tribal rings (Amarli rainforest origin; sentimental, not magical) - One plain gold band (magical) - Incense and rations - Zuri’s greataxe, named “Dark Magic” - A blackened parchment (contract-like) - A strange device (unidentified) [[Pipe|Pipé]] checked the rings for magic. Only the plain band “pinged.” He identified it as a Band of Loyalty—a cursed ring: if worn, the wearer dies instantly at 0 HP, no death saves, no second chance. [[Elena]] unfurled the blackened parchment and read aloud: “As sworn, to each shall our pact be fulfilled or deemed forfeit. Soulbound and unbreakable under His light; Q’ruhm.” The moment the name Q’ruhm was spoken, [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]] reacted—a cold, yearning pull, like recognition. Not hunger exactly. More like… homecoming. The group immediately started connecting threads: - Zuri’s strength felt unnatural—like a new patron or power source. - The “soulbound” language echoed everything they’re learning about oaths, seals, and god-level bargains. - [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]] reacting to Q’ruhm suggested a shared corruption… or shared origin. [[Elena]], furious and shaken, admitted she couldn’t imagine breaking a soul-oath. In her service to [[Nyxthys]], she gave her soul—betrayal should have consequences. Yet Zuri seemed empowered, not punished. ### [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]]: “My Legacy Seems to Be Losing People.” As the mine trembled around them, [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] checked on [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]]. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] answered bluntly, exhausted: his legacy seems to be losing people. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] pleaded with him not to lose himself to [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]]. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], half trying to reassure her and half stating a hard truth, said that if he ever did… [[Elena]] would put him down swiftly. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] hoped it would never come to that. Realising Talador and his men could still be dealing with a threat within the town, the group agreed: get out. Now. ### Escape from the Mine They backtracked through the tunnels, following markers and arrows they’d left behind. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]], battered and still rattled, tended her injuries as they moved—mixing herbs and honey into a makeshift poultice. Twice, deep tremors rolled through the mine—low, unsettling rumbling like the earth itself shifting its weight. Whether it was collapse, something deeper moving, or a ripple from whatever power Zuri used, no one could say. They quickened their pace, the mine feeling less like a place and more like a mouth deciding whether to close. ### Shadows at the Entrance — [[Vosandra]] Arrives Like a Thunderclap As they reached daylight, they saw them: at least ten Shadows swarming toward the entrance. The party barely had time to brace— A massive shock of lightning tore down from the sky. A deafening explosion followed. Out of the blast stepped [[Vosandra]] Umbra, [[Talador Devell]], and guards—arriving with such force it felt like reality had been punched open. The Shadows faltered and scattered toward the woods. [[Vosandra]] stepped forward and unleashed crackling lightning in a straight line, disintegrating several Shadows into smoke. The party delivered the news: - Zuri is dead. - The captives are gone—sent through her portal before she fell. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Characters/Zuri Dead.jpeg|780]] Talador’s face tightened at the outcome. He’d wanted the town left intact for people to return to… but if the people themselves had been taken… Then Talador added the cost: Guard Hodges had died in the chaos. ### Cleansing [[Tescalian]]: Shrine to Ithis [[Elena]] insisted they couldn’t just leave [[Tescalian]] crawling with wrongness. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 35/Tescalian Gates Reverse.jpeg|780]] She explained her rites: she can offer souls the door, guide them toward [[Nyxthys]]—but she cannot force the choice. Some cling to rage, fear, unfinished business. Others take rest. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] suggested amplifying the rite at a holy site. Talador led them to an old stone Shrine to Ithis, still standing. [[Elena]] performed a tightened, battle-ready version of her ceremony—no hour-long reading this time. She plunged [[Spada]] into the ground, chanted brief words from [[The Final Journey]], and the obsidian blade lit with runes, humming as it pulsed an aura outward. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], using Divine Sense, watched the effect: - multiple Shadows fled - at least one didn’t flee— it faded out, as if released entirely [[Elena]] repeated the truth of it: she isn’t judge or executioner. She shows the way. The soul decides whether it walks through. ### Talador and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]]: Back in Command, Back in Pain [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] spoke with Talador quietly after the rite. It was Raphius’ first time in command in years—and men had died under it. Talador didn’t let him spiral. He reminded [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] the odds were brutal and they’d all paid blood today. Talador had lost men too. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] wasn’t alone in carrying it. There was also a quieter check-in: Talador asked [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] how it felt to be possessed earlier (by “Nina”). She struggled to put it into words—only that it was strange, violating, and that she felt… okay, but weary. ### Return to the Mansion — and Elena’s Cough They left [[Tescalian]] as cleansed as it could be and returned to the town entrance. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 35/Mansion Bedroom.jpeg|780]] [[Vosandra]] looked exhausted: a droop in her shoulders, a faint stagger before casting. Still, she opened the doorway back to the conjured mansion. [[Elena]] lingered outside for a breath—using her senses, expecting dread. For the first time in what felt like forever, she detected nothing unnatural. Just night sky, fresh air, and the stark beauty of [[Solland]]. She inhaled— And immediately broke into a coughing fit. It wasn’t just her, either. Later, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] would raise that Talador and others were coughing too. Something is spreading. Something persistent. Something not fixed by simply “being strong.” ### Elena’s Reflection: Natalya Staring Back Inside the mansion, under proper light, [[Pipe|Pipé]] finally got a clear look at [[Elena]]. He told her plainly: something has happened to you. Cursed, altered, wrong. [[Elena]] resisted at first, but finally relented—she went to a mirror. Dust and blood, yes. But beneath it: - grey streaks in her hair - fine lines under her eyes - looser skin where she’d been firm muscle - the sickening sense that she looked… like Natalya Her father had always said [[Elena]] looked like her mother. [[Elena]] swore she would never become her. [[Pipe|Pipé]] tried to reassure her—awkwardly calling it “wise”—but [[Elena]] looked mortified. In that moment, the ghost’s earlier attack wasn’t just damage. It was identity-violence. It made her body echo the woman she hates most. ### Funeral for Jefferson and Hodges They were too far from [[Bastion]] to transport bodies safely. Talador called for a proper sending-off. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 35/Tescalian Funeral.jpeg|780]] [[Elena]] sat this one out—she isn’t of [[Solland]] and sensed her presence might not be welcome in this particular rite. The others joined Talador and the soldiers at a bonfire they constructed. Talador spoke over the flames: “Brave souls, you marched where shadows fell.” “We honour you, we remember you, we carry your light, in the battles yet to come.” In soldier tradition, they drew blades, cut thumbs, and pressed blood to lips—then stood in silence, staring into the fire. Eventually the soldiers drifted away back into the mansion. Only Talador and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] remained. Talador told him: “This has been a dark day. I’m glad to have you here with us, brother.” [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] said it was good to be back… just not like this. Talador answered with something that landed like a vow: “You are aptly named, protector of the sun. I truly believe the sun will rise again… but it will take brave men, men such as yourself, to claim back [[Solland]].” ### Private Nights: Trauma Has Nowhere to Hide [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] took a long bath, thoughts racing—visions, prophecy, and the growing fear that she’s seeing things she can’t stop. [[Pipe|Pipé]], alone in his room, had his magical quill sketch him and his tattoos—exaggerating his height in the drawing—while his frustration boiled. It had been weeks since he’d spoken to [[Fink]] about urgency. Their path keeps being dragged sideways by disasters. His grandfather, the map, the bigger thread—everything feels delayed. At last, fed up, he stormed to [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] and demanded he stand guard while [[Pipe|Pipé]] performed a ritual outside. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] sympathised and agreed. He has been thinking the same. Zuri was a difficult opponent, we could have died. We need allies, we need strength, and this map on [[Pipe]] will lead us to an enemy of [[Lucius Neeve|Lucius]], someone who could help us. An ally? They encountered [[Vosandra]]—mask off at first, then replaced. She opened a doorway so they could step outside safely. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] suggested that [[Vosandra]] might want to join them. She sigh but agreed to join them. ### [[Pipe|Pipé]] Opens the Astral: The Silver Glass Outside, [[Pipe|Pipé]] prepared the ritual from [[Vanthar's Sanctarium|Vanthar’s Sanctarium]]. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Items & Artifacts/2 Silver glass.jpeg|780]] He spoke to [[Vosandra]] explaining what is happening (whilst [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] serrubticiously tied a rope arou He placed a small mirror on the ground, set 50 gold atop it, then began reading—incantations, gestures, focused intent. The air changed. Wind picked up. An orange arc formed, perfectly circular, expanding into a portal. An icy blast burst forth—revealing a purple cosmic landscape beyond. A small translucent creature emerged: gill-like wings, pink-glitter shimmer, confused little movements. [[Pipe|Pipé]] identified it: a Silver Glass. It demonstrated the ability to create duplicates of itself—splitting and reforming like living reflection. When [[Pipe|Pipé]] offered his hand and it touched him, he dropped to his knees—overwhelmed by joy and pain as his chest markings burned. The result: [[Pipe|Pipé]] gained the ability to cast Mirror Image—forming duplicates of himself, like the creature. Vosandra’s interest sharpened immediately. She cared less about the creature than the portal and the scarring on Pipé’s chest. She ran multiple diagnostics—impressed, but unfamiliar. [[Vosandra]] also revealed something massive: she is of The Heralds, from another world—Aaorsea—and travelled via the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/03 - Planes & Realms/Astral Sea|Astral Sea]], a rift-like connective tissue between worlds and realms. She clarified something important: - The [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/03 - Planes & Realms/Astral Sea|Astral Sea]] and the Astral Plane are related fabric, but not the same thing. And the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/03 - Planes & Realms/Astral Sea|Astral Sea]] may be a growing threat, not merely a road. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] looked on, daunted, and taken back by the revelation that there were actually more worlds beyond [[Tarin]]. “Mind-blown” moment. ### [[Elena]] and [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]]: Scrubbing at the Memory Later, [[Elena]] went to check on [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]]. She found her in the bath, scrubbing herself raw, trying to erase the feeling of being worn by something else—“Nina’s” possession. They shared a quiet, knowing look—two people trying to stay composed while cracked. [[Elena]] apologised for not stopping the possession sooner, and asked if [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] felt lasting effects. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] said no… but the violation still clung to her. The conversation drifted to the blight and the deeper wrongness in the world. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] described her connection plainly: It feels hungry. And it feels like it knows she’s there. She also confirmed her bees are recovering—queen alive, enough workers survived. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]], unexpectedly, also became Elena’s anchor in the mirror aftermath—taking her hands, telling her she could redefine what those features mean. That she doesn’t have to become Natalya just because the world tried to paint her with the same brush. ### [[Elena]] and [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]: Apology, Fear, and the Gold Eyes [[Elena]] later checked on [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]—who sat gloomily after her bath. [[Elena]] apologised for being harsh in the past and acknowledged Persephone’s courage. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] admitted her fear about seeing her parents again—whether they truly meant to sacrifice her, whether anything in her past can be trusted, and how overwhelming it is to experience the world for the first time under apocalyptic conditions. [[Elena]] reassured her that the cult of [[Ko]] seems separate from Q’ruhm and the traitor Hands. The conversation turned to prophecy and helplessness. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] confessed something chilling: during the fight, she saw an attack coming before it happened—and still couldn’t stop it. She fears her larger visions—like [[Lucius Neeve|Lucius]] destroying everything—might be the same: inevitable, unstoppable. [[Elena]] admitted she saw Persephone’s eyes turn gold during the battle. She suspects it’s part of Persephone’s time-touched awakening. They agreed to talk more later, when they’re ready. ### [[Elena]] Visits Pipé’s Room She expects to find him deep in study, buried in texts and tomes — but instead she finds [[Pipe|Pipé]] tucked up in bed, covers pulled tight up to his neck. [[Elena]] apologises for disturbing him. She explains she simply wanted to check in before she retired for the evening. [[Pipe|Pipé]] agrees to talk, but admits he’s exhausted. [[Elena]] brings up the promise she made to [[Pipe|Pipé]] — that she would help him with his rituals. [[Pipe|Pipé]] becomes a little flustered, but thanks her and says he would appreciate her help. [[Elena]] offers to help him right now, if he wants to try a ritual before bed. [[Pipe|Pipé]] stammers and pulls the covers up even tighter, then says he’s too spent and needs to recover his energy before attempting one — but perhaps tomorrow. [[Elena]] nods, understanding, and reassures him she recognises how important and time-critical it is, and that she wants to help. [[Pipe|Pipé]] does not tell [[Elena]] that he and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] have already conducted a ritual this evening — without asking [[Elena]] first. Before leaving, [[Elena]] mentions one more thing: the device found on Zuri Kulumu. She asks if [[Pipe|Pipé]] can look at it tomorrow, as she suspects it could be linked to the veil blocking divine vision. [[Pipe|Pipé]] assures her he will. [[Elena]] takes her leave, while [[Pipe|Pipé]] nervously glances around the room for the Silverglass, worried it might give him away. ### [[Elena]] and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]]: The Blade’s Hook Finally, [[Elena]] found [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] kneeling by [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]], quietly reciting names of the dead. She confronted him about using it—reminding him of his promise. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] said he felt forced into a hard decision to protect [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] and the others. [[Elena]] accepted the logic… but warned about the cost. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] admitted the most dangerous truth: He enjoyed using it. [[Elena]] told him that enjoyment might be the hook—the blade isn’t just power; it’s temptation disguised as relief. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] told her about the blade reacting to Q’ruhm. They agreed: - [[Pipe|Pipé]] must examine Zuri’s axe and the strange device - They need to learn what Q’ruhm is—and assume the remaining traitor Hands may be sworn to the same entity [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] asked [[Elena]] for the final promise: if he changes, if he loses control—end him. [[Elena]] agreed. ### Key Developments / Cross-References - [[Nyxthys]]: “The veil has been lifted. Seven remain.” → There are seven more traitor Hands (or equivalent sworn defectors) active. - Q’ruhm: Named in Zuri’s pact; [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]] reacts strongly → likely shared corruption/source; major campaign-level entity. - The sickness: Elena’s coughing fit + [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] noting others (Talador, friends) coughing → illness \spreading; not solved by simple rest or wards. - Persephone’s awakening: gold eyes + precognitive “saw it before it happened” moment → time-touched powers escalating. - Astral thread: Pipé’s ritual + Vosandra’s revelation (Heralds, Aaorsea, [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/03 - Planes & Realms/Astral Sea|Astral Sea]] vs Astral Plane) → bigger cosmology and travel threat emerging. - Elena’s transformation: ghost aftermath appears permanent; triggers identity crisis tied to Natalya; [[Spada]] remains [[Nyxthys]]-empowered. ### Memorable Lines “The veil has been lifted. Seven remain. You’ve honoured me here today.” — [[Nyxthys]] “Brave souls, you marched where shadows fell.” — [[Talador Devell]] “We honour you, we remember you, we carry your light, in the battles yet to come.” — [[Talador Devell]] “You are aptly named, protector of the sun. I truly believe the sun will rise again.” — [[Talador Devell]] ## Session End State > [!success]- Where Things Stand > - They shared a quiet, knowing look—two people trying to stay composed while cracked. > - [[Elena]] apologised for being harsh in the past and acknowledged Persephone’s courage. > - [[Pipe|Pipé]] agrees to talk, but admits he’s exhausted. > - Finally, [[Elena]] found [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] kneeling by [[Vhail's Blade|Vhail’s Blade]], quietly reciting names of the dead. > - Seven remain.” → There are seven more traitor Hands (or equivalent sworn defectors) active. [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 34 - Zuri, Hand of Q'ruhm|← Session 34]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 36 - To Ol' Hill|Session 36 →]]