DnD Writing: James's Version

Divine Extinction Campaign (follow bdgaming4lif3 on Twitch for campaign)

Draìocht: Fire Genasi/Paladin Rogue (James)

Vixen: Centaur Bard, Leonen Wizard (J)

Kiara: Elf Cleric, Dragonborn Cleric (I)

Iron: Bronze Dragonborn Sorcerer, Changeling Barbarian (G)

Salthor: Tiefling Ranger (James)

WILL UPDATE

Edit: Hey everyone! It's been a while since I last wrote on this account, but I wanted to say that another set of characters will also be written for!

The Hunt Campaign

Bastian: Human Wizard (James)

Cloud: Humanoid Rogue/Bard (H)

Jade: Variant Human Paladin/Cleric (G)

Fray: Undead Owlfolk Warlock/Rogue (P)

Draiocht: Fire Genasi Rogue/Paladin (James)

Silvercraft: Tabaxi Cleric (James)

Misc

When the gang wake up from their slumber, they all find that their clothes have been replaced by a certain dress....

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

That was the first thing Salthor and Vixen heard as they were awakened. There haven't been many instances of swearing since Finn came along. What situation could be so bad that it warranted an F bomb? Yet, it was one of those inconveniences where Vixen didn't bother opening his eyes.

"I'm not getting up," Vixen groaned in annoyance.

"It's either you check on it or I get up myself and bring you with me," Sal grumbled with equal annoyance.

"I much prefer the second option," Vixen replied. "You get to do the heavy lifting for once!" The dig shouldn't have stung that bad, but it made Sal get up, making Vixen hold onto him with the strength of Mufasa on those rocks. However, Vixen felt something about Salthor was off.

"Salthor, what happened to your crop top?" he asked. "Does this one just have different material?" Salthor shrugged.

"I dunno, but I feel more covered than usual." The two headed to Kiara and Iron's room, peeking in the door to make sure the two were alright. There, Iron stood in a maid outfit. Seeing Salthor, Iron breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good to know I'm not the only one." Vixen opened one of his eyes.

"What are you talking about, Iron? Are you sure you aren't hallucinating?"

"Pretty sure I'm not," Iron replied, his eyes motioning up and down Salthor's body. Sal put Vixen down and looked down. He was indeed in a maid outfit as well. Vixen also was in one, but Sal hadn't noticed until now. Putting his hands on his head, he found that his horns were replaced with cat ears. He felt for his tail, only to find that it was not his usual tail: it was a cat's.

"How did we all get in one?!" Sal asked confused before looking at Vixen.

"What?" Vixen acted innocent. "You think I did this?"

"I wouldn't put it past you, Vixen." a voice said behind Vixen. Turning around, he saw Kiara also in a maid outfit.

"I may be a trickster, but I wouldn't do this!" Vixen whined.

"Would you?" Salthor raised an eyebrow. Kiara chuckled.

"I did it," Kiara confessed. Iron looked shocked.

"You? Why?" Kiara giggled.

"I thought it would be funny. Besides, I had to practice making clothes for the baby."

"So you made us maid dresses?" Salthor asked, wanting some form of clarification. "Were my cat ears and tail your idea too?"

"Nope," Vixen chimed in. "That was all me." Sal's face burned up as much as it could since Avernus is really hot. Kiara appeared to be enjoying the party wearing her creation. Upon noticing, Iron sighed.

After Finn, Kiara, and Iron go to sleep, Sal talks with Vixen by the fire. He learns a lot from his friend, even some things he didn't want to.

It had been a long day, or few days. Salthor wasn't sure anymore. He stopped keeping track of time. From the fireball that came down at the entrance, which was now partially blocked by obsidian thanks to Kiara's efforts, to Finn dying his hair completely red after learning about Ares, things were kind of smooth. Yet, Finn didn't like Vixen. He kept harming Vixen. Sure, Vixen said things that maybe shouldn't have been said, but Sal was starting to think that maybe Finn was a little overprotective.

Vixen sat by the fire with Stabby. He looked lonely over there, Sal thought as he walked over and sat down.

"What's goin' on over here?" he asked.

"I'm just sitting here since I'm not wanted," Vixen replied snarkily. Sal had begun to get used to Vixen playing with his emotions, but something about this felt a little more genuine. Like this was bothering him more than this was letting on.

"You are wanted," Sal finally said. "Kiara and I are just gonna have to work with Finn, but I promise you're wanted."

"How do you know that?!" Vixen raised his voice a little defensively. "How do I know you aren't pretending to make me feel better?!" Salthor gripped Vixen's shoulder.

"Because I want you!" Salthor exclaimed before double tracking. "Wait, that sounds wrong-" Vixen's eyes widened a little before laughing.

"I mean, we can arrange that. Just take me out first." Salthor's face turned red of embarrassment.

"I meant to say that you're wanted. By me, at least. If not by anyone else, then by me." Vixen was silent for a moment before leaning closer to Salthor.

"So that nightmare," he said. Sal sighed.

"Oh god, why was I even there? I don't even worship Athena!"

"Exactly!" Vixen exclaimed. "Don't you worship Ares?" Sal nodded as he rubbed his arms.

"That's probably why my body changed," he said. Vixen took a moment to look at Salthor closer. His skin was bright red, his hair was a mohawk that he and Kiara cut themselves. Sal and Finn had dyed their hair a matching crimson. Even his body type was different. His waist was smaller, yet a more buff figure. His style now consisted of what resembled a sleeveless cropped turtleneck and gunslinger pants, but instead of bullets, arrows remained in their place.

"You look a lot hotter this way," Vixen admitted. "Even hotter than that... guy we had in that dream."

"Okay, now you're pushing it," Sal laughed. "That Anthony guy had it goin' a lot better than I did."

"I knew you found him hot! How is it that you're still a virgin?" Vixen asked. Sal was used to these comments. They surprisingly didn't bother him as much anymore.

"Dunno, but I find it more interesting that we're worshipping siblings. You're Athena's chosen one and I've been worshipping Ares. Small world." Vixen's face suddenly turned into one of shame. Salthor looked rather confused before Vixen spoke up again.

"Can I tell you something?" Salthor nodded as Vixen continued. "Don't tell Kiara, but when I was at war, I watched my best friend get shot and I watched him die." Salthor's eyes widened a little.

"That's awful, what did you do?"

"...I ran away, Salthor. I'm no soldier. I'm just a coward." Suddenly, Vixen's eyes seemed to dull for a second, a hole present in what could be his soul. Sal looked concerned.

"Vixen? Vixen, are you alright?" He began to shake Vixen until he zoned back in.

"Huh? Oh, I'm alright. Now, about that bet we made. You never gave me your gold." Sal's eyes widened a bit more. Why was he bringing this up now? He had no more gold left to spare.

"I gave you all I had, Vixen. Who the hell's possessing you?" Vixen chuckled.

"You can keep another secret from Kiara, can't you?" Salthor hesitantly nodded as Vixen appeared satisfied. "Well, I made an... impulsive deal with Mammon."

"Mammon, as in-" Sal went to say before Vixen interrupted him.

"That's right! The sin of greed. Now, if you don't give me the rest of that gold you promised me, I'll have to take it by force." Salthor stood up, backing away. He didn't remember a lot from his past, but he remembered one thing in that moment.

"Give it back!" Salthor laid on the ground after being kicked around by his bullies. There were four of them there. They had all taken his arrows. Two in each of their hands. Little Sal had been practicing his target practice on a tree when the four older kids had jumped him.

"And why should we?" Valente, the leader, asked. He leaned down to spit in Sal's face. "There's nothing you can do about it."

"He can cry to mommy and daddy!" Trek cut in. Trek was the strongest, despite the rhetoric in Ramstead where women were meant to work in the waters. "Oh wait! He can't! His daddy hates him!"

"Stop it!" Sal cried as the four laughed. Trek kicked him hard in the ribs to shut him up. The other two bullies, Lorde and Beyn, sharpened the arrows in their hands, stealing Trek and Valente's arrows to make them sharper.

"A little word of advice," Valente said when they finished laughing. "Have our gold when we say and actually fight back if you don't, Sally!"

"Stop calling me that!" Sal tried to say but was abruptly cut off by Trek.

"We can call you what we want, devil boy! Your purple horns make you look like a bastard child! You look nothing like your mom!" Lorde handed off the other arrows and walked over to Sal, pinning him against the tree.

"That's why we're going to help you look better!" As Sal squirmed, Valente barked his orders.

"Trek, go for his stupid bow. Lorde, his ears. Beyn, his eyes. His horns are mine." As they walked up, Trek stomped on Sal's bow, snapping it in half. Sal screamed as they cut him up, distorting his ears and poking his eyes. The pain was almost unbearable to bear at such a young age. Trek forced his mouth shut as Valente attempted to stab into his horns. Nothing. The second arrow hit. Nothing but discomfort. Valente broke the arrows in half before ordering him up. They all held him as they rammed his head against the tree...

Sal's thoughts finally stopped. He clenched one fist and grabbed Vixen with the other, seemingly stopping him in his tracks.

"I gave you all of my gold," he insisted, flipping his pockets inside out. "Look, there's nothing in there. I don't know what the hell you want from me." Vixen stopped, seemingly going back to normal.

"I'm- I'm sorry, Salthor. I'll leave you alone."

"Vixen-" Salthor reached out, but Vixen shrugged him away.

"If you gave me the gold, you gave me the gold. I'm getting tired." Vixen huddled into the corner where he was working on Iron's leg. Sal sat next to him, not willing to let this end on a bad note.

"Hold on. Look at me." Sal grabbed Vixen's shoulders again. Vixen looked at Sal in the eyes as he spoke. "You know how I care about you so much, and I can't stand the thought of something happening to you. I know it sounds stupid but-" As Sal poured his heart out, Vixen grabbed Salthor himself, pulling him into a kiss. Sal was shocked, but before he could react otherwise, Vixen pulled away.

"There, will that shut you up?" Sal nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You better not tell Kiara about this," Salthor finally said. The two locked hands in what could only be described as a tension handshake.

Despite their constant bickering, Salthor and Vixen get to have some time alone with their thoughts. Vixen starts to realize that Salthor's a stark reminder of a certain friend of his.

The wooden leg on the ground felt weird to Salthor. He hadn't walked with that leg in years. In fact, the only reason he was walking with that old leg was because Vixen stole his current one to fix up for Iron. He had only been awake for a couple of minutes and now, he convinced Vixen there was a market up the mountain. He knew damn well it wasn't true, but he would do anything to trick the man that had been on his nerve for a while now.

"Damn it!" Salthor shrieked as he tripped over himself for the 5th time. "Stupid prototype!" Vixen turned to Salthor, quite amused by the tiefling's clumsiness on his leg.

"You really didn't know what you were doing with either of these legs."

"I know," Salthor grumbled. "You've said that three times now." He didn't like the limp he had or the odd gait.

"The only reason I took your 'good leg' is because it would accommodate Iron best," Vixen attempted to justify. Salthor understood the reason just fine. He just wished he had a third leg on standby.

"If I had something better, I just would have given it to you." Sal continued to walk, managing to get in front of Vixen before eating shit on the ground in front of him. He sighed, not even attempting to get up. Vixen laughed for a moment before realizing that Sal wasn't even trying to get up. He had just given up. "Yeah, yeah, keep laughing. I'm used to it anyway."

"What do you mean?" Vixen asked, cocking his fluffy head to the side.

"I was bullied!" Sal snapped at him. "Do you never pay attention when I speak?!"

"No, not really," Vixen said, unintentionally sounding like a smartass.

"Whatever," Sal grumbled, standing up and starting to limp ahead. He wanted this over with. He would've given anything to go under the mattress with Finn and hibernate with him. However, Vixen wasn't going to quit, except he decided to go with a different approach.

"You know, you've been talking about your village a lot lately. When did you leave?" Sal stopped in his tracks for a moment. Vixen actually wanted to know more. Well, if it would get him to shut up.

"I didn't leave it, per say. I simply started adventuring after my stepdad encouraged me to. I started as a teen, and I came home every night."

"And I assume that's how you lost your leg?" The memory flashed back in Salthor's mind. It felt as fresh as the day it happened, even if it was years ago.

"Yeah... I ignored my parents' warnings to come home early. I was walking through the woods during a storm. Some lightning came down and before I knew it, my leg was under a massive tree. I had to crawl to a local doctor. It was... pretty embarrassing." Sal chuckled, but Vixen could see that it haunted him.

"It's also how you died, wasn't it?" Vixen asked gently. Sal shook his head.

"I wish it was. I was drafted into the army as a young adult for an oncoming war. That's where the new leg came from. It helped a lot for active duty. I actually died mid battle. I was shooting from above in a high tree. Someone shot me, and I fell to the ground. I must've broken my neck or cracked my head because when I woke up in hell, my head and neck were in so much pain." For once, Vixen listened in to Salthor's little stories. As much as his limp and odd gait was hilarious, it made him feel a little pity. He was just a man trying to survive.

"So... if you had this experience with survival and all, why did you choose that cave out of anywhere else?" Vixen knew there wasn't much he could say about the places of Avernus. He hadn't been anywhere really. Salthor stopped in his tracks, sighing as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"I- I was scared," he managed to say. "I was so scared of what hell had to offer that I never bothered to go far. I never got caught by Tiamot or her dragons, so I just made the most of it." Vixen was shocked. Salthor? Scared of hell?

"And yet you seemed so brave when you met us."

"Because I felt like I could be apart of a group again. I felt like I could adapt and fit in. Why do you think I didn't refuse being in the army? Besides, I feel that even if we have different side goals, we all have the same goal to get out of this dump. I want to survive, you want to save... whatever your friend's name is."

"Draiocht?" The name bounced off Vixen's tongue bittersweetly. His best friend. His brother. He was nowhere to be found. Yet, when he looked at Salthor, there was an odd presence. Like he never died. "You remind me of him in an odd, comforting way."

"I do?-" Salthor was slightly taken aback. From what he knew, he didn't think that he was anything like this guy. However, if it comforted Vixen, that was a win in his book. "Well- thank you." Vixen nodded. The tension in the air had subsided with a more awkward, but positive feeling. He suddenly didn't want to prank Vixen with this "market" anymore. However, they were somewhere new. It was farther than Salthor had ever climbed before. Unlike hell, it was full of green and, best of all, it had water. Vixen's jaw dropped.

"GOD DAMMIT!" he yelled. "I THOUGHT I COULD MAKE A PROFIT SELLING YOUR TIEFLING MILK, BUT NOOOO! OF COURSE THERE HAD TO BE WATER HERE!" As Vixen continued with his obscenity filled rant, Salthor had stepped forward to really take things in.

"It's beautiful," he said, awestruck. "Isn't it, Vixen?" When he heard no response, he turned to see Vixen finishing up his rant while looking straight up at the sky.

"YOU'VE GIVEN ME THE KNOWLEDGE, THE POWER, AND YET I DIDN'T KNOW THIS?! Lovely... what were you saying, Salthor?" Vixen moved next to him, noticing the terrain, but something didn't feel right. "Something's off, I can feel it."

"How so?" Sal asked, also feeling a tad uneasy.

"It feels like... there's someone watching us." That statement sent Salthor off the edge. He rapidly began looking around, trying to find something that might seem off. He touched the greenery around him. The grass was dry, despite its green color. The soil moved with his hand. He then touched the bushes, which sent a shocking feeling up his arm, causing the muscles to spasm. Sal pulled his arm away quickly, watching himself quickly spasm out.

"What's wrong with your arm??" Vixen asked in shock.

"I don't know! It feels like I've been electrocuted!" Sal replied in a panic. After a bit, a cold feeling went through his arm, similar to the beginning stages of IcyHot. "Is this what being cold blooded feels like...?" Vixen shrugged, ultimately looking at the vast land with thirst.

"I need water, Sal," he finally whined.

"Well, the only way over there is through the greenery," Sal explained. "We need to be careful." The two nodded, trying to power through the greenery. Pain filled their bodies as the two collapsed halfway through. The full body spasms were enough for Sal to fear for Vixen's health more than his own. They couldn't move on their feet: they had to crawl. Muscling through, they eventually reached the water. They drank up like animals. It tasted sweet, like honey. It felt like the two had reached a high.

"Oh yeah..." Vixen sighed with relief. "That's the spot." Sal laid down on the shoreline after taking a big drink with the water he cupped in his hands.

"I feel so... peaceful. For the first time in a while, I can actually relax..." The silence felt nice with the water in his system until he heard Vixen giggle. That's odd, he thought. What was so funny? He sat up only to find a massive lizard licking Vixen's ear. He froze seeing the lizard.

"That tickles, Salthor!" Vixen giggled. Sal could only barely muster the courage to speak.

"I'm not- touching you, Vixen." Vixen opened his eyes to see the lizard, yet he seemed unphased.

"It's so nice! We should name it Tina!" After that, the lizard brought it's attention to Salthor, slowly approaching and looking like it's ready to pounce. Sal managed to move back into the water a tad bit, but the lizard was still approaching. Thankfully, Vixen had finally gained awareness of the situation. He managed to distract the lizard, but it only went to pounce on him. The situation made Sal draw his bow, missing the lizard but hitting the ground on its stomach. The lizard pounced on Vixen, trying to drown him.

"VIXEN!" Salthor screamed as Vixen struggled to fight. Sal abandoned his longbow, bringing out his shortsword and getting the lizard right through the forehead, practically giving him a lobotomy. Sal grabbed Vixen, dragging him onto shore. The lizard frilled as its head thrashed.

"I know what I need to do," Vixen motioned for Sal to watch as he cast ray of frost, causing the lizard to have crystals all over him. It scratched Vixen good, giving him a good bit of scarring on his cheek before disappearing.

"Are you alright?" Sal asked, patting Vixen's back.

After saving a child named Finn from a couple of hellboars on Tiamat's mountain, Salthor and Kiara have a heart to heart.

Slicing the hellboars, Iron, Kiara, and Salthor notice a child in the corner of the ruins. Salthor was dead set on making sure that his guests and newfound friends were safe. Kiara had other priorities.

"Guys, we need to get that child out of here!" she said, despite being pinned to a wall.

"Well, who's going to do it?" Salthor asked, looking to Iron for input. Iron shook his head.

"I don't do well with kids and Kiara's pinned to a wall. Looks like you have to." Sal was hesitant. He hadn't been around kids since he died. He had never seen any in hell, even before he found that cave. It was just goblins and dragons. Sal snuck away from the hellboars and approached the child, kneeling down to his level. The child couldn't have been more than 9 at most.

"Hey kid," Sal gently smiled as Finn looked over. "I'm here to get you out of here, okay?" Salthor extended his hand to the boy, who took it. The two ran to a safe place near the door, so Sal could see Kiara and Iron. After a bit, the boars shoved Iron and Kiara out to that supposedly safe place. Sal immediately looked concerned.

"Are you two alright?" Iron nodded as Kiara walked over.

"I'm alright, Salthor. Don't worry about me." She gently smiled before kneeling down to the boy. "What's your name, little one?"

"Finn!" the boy exclaimed. "Who are you?"

"My name's Kiara! That's Iron." Kiara points to Iron, who simply waves.

"I'm Salthor, but you can call me Sal," Sal said. Right as the introductions began, a boar swiftly bumped into Finn, making him fly towards Salthor. Sal caught Finn in his arms, making sure to take the brunt of the blow.

"Sal!" Kiara gasped, running over as Iron took care of one of the boars. Finn had some scrapes on him, mainly ones on his chest. Sal had a few cuts from his fall, some beginning to bleed. Yet, he held Finn like his life depended on it. Kiara knelt down immediately. "Are you two okay??"

"I'll-" Sal went to say before groaning in pain, yet he continued. "I'll be okay."

"I'll heal you guys," Kiara panicked as she hurriedly brought out her crystals. Sal looked down at Finn, who squeezed him in a hug.

"Thank you for saving me," he mumbled. Sal hugged back in a tighter grip, but not tight enough to hurt him. Right as Kiara finished putting her crystals down, Iron ends up falling in the circle with his leg going in all directions.

"I don't think my healing alone will be strong enough," Kiara sighed. Salthor patted Finn on the head, whispering something and going over to Kiara. He put some ores down before grabbing some aloe and another plant and water, mashing them into a paste. Sal rubbed the paste on Iron's leg and Finn's wounds before going back to Kiara.

"Ready?" he asked. When Kiara nodded, the two began their spell. Their arms moved in as good of unison as they could be, since it was their first time ever performing a group spell. As they said their healing words, Finn's wounds were just about gone, while Iron was only mostly healed. There was practically nothing holding the bones together. Kiara sighed.

"I think there's only so much our magic can do," she accepted. Sal nodded before picking up Finn and holding him.

"I should have first aid back at the cave. It's our best bet."

That's where the group now found themselves. As Vixen laid asleep in Salthor's bed, Salthor held a sleeping Finn while Kiara wrapped up Iron's injured leg. The last few days had been the least lonely, yet the most difficult. Having to teach random strangers in just a few things it took the couple of years he was here to learn was a high-pressure task. Now, he was responsible for a child's life.

"How is he holding up?" Kiara asked as she finished up with Iron's leg.

"Still asleep," Salthor answered, gently ruffling Finn's hair. His expression dropped in a moment of vulnerability. "I haven't had to take care of someone for a long time, but I've never taken care of anyone this young."

"It's terrifying, isn't it?" Kiara asked, sitting next to Sal after she had given Iron a gentle peck on the cheek. Sal couldn't help but nod.

"He reminds me of me," he mumbled, standing up to wrap Finn in a blanket he had before sitting down next to Kiara.

"How so?" The question hit Salthor hard, the memories of his life finally hitting him for the first time in years. He huffed gently, trying to find the words to describe his life.

"I wasn't always here," he began. "I lived in a poor town called Ramstead with my mother. She was dirt poor, working a janitorial job at a local tavern. We were living paycheck to paycheck. Even when she married my stepdad, we were still poor, but at least they cared about me."

"You grew up with nothing?" Kiara's head tilted a little as her expression became sympathetic. Sal was silent for a second before he nodded.

"I don't want him going through what I did," he felt himself get choked up. "If he has any family left, I don't want him to end up with nothing or no one. He deserves more than that." Kiara put her hand on Sal's shoulder, gently squeezing it as if to say that he wasn't alone.

"We're in this together, Sal. You're not alone anymore." Sal chuckled weakly.

"And this time, I'm actually not."

"What are you talking about?" Kiara asked.

"My great grandfather's demonic heritage caused me to be exiled from the other kids. Turns out, my father got executed because of that. My mom raised me like a normal boy because she didn't think looks mattered. When I found out everything, the only people that dared to look me in the eye were my parents and the blacksmith that made my leg."

"But didn't you die in a war?" Iron groggily butted in.

"I got drafted," Sal replied with a frown. "They only wanted me for my archery skills." Kiara looked towards Vixen before looking back at Salthor.

"I guess you have more than common with us than you think." Sal looked at Kiara, an actual glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"So... you're saying that we're actually together in this? Me, you, Iron, Little Shit, and Stabby?" Iron snickered at Salthor's nickname for Vixen as Kiara nodded.

"Yes Sal, we're all in this together. We'll all help protect Finn."

"You're supposed to be an angel, right?" Salthor asked.

"Yes, why? Do you have a theory?" Kiara playfully teased.

"Well, tieflings are supposed to hate aasimars and other angels, but you're great in my book." Sal smiled at Kiara. "If I ever say otherwise, slap me."

"Noted." Iron said as Kiara and Salthor shared a laugh. Sal looked towards the fire where Stabby was watching the jerky.

"You want me to ask our chef how the jerky is?"

"That'd be lovely," Kiara replied. As Salthor stood up to check on the jerky, Finn snuggled into Sal feeling the comforting warmth of the fire. Sal sat down next to Stabby to watch the jerky as he patted Finn's head.

"Stay here..." Finn mumbled in his sleep. Sal chuckled as he remained right where he was. Stabby appeared to be confused judging by his body language.

Being stuck in a limbo does something to a soul, a spirit. Seeing as he's been in limbo for a while, Draiocht starts to wonder if anybody is going to come for him.

Being in hell certainly wasn't for the weak. Nor was it for the unintelligent. Draiocht had been cursed with both in the vessel he was assigned to. The usually intelligent rogue had been stuck in the body of a bird brained aaracokra. His party were also stuck in other vessels, yet they had much more potential than him. Draiocht had fallen in lava twice and died. Now, he was stuck here: in limbo. The concept of limbo in hell was quite frankly stupid to Draiocht, that is, if he had ever grasped the concept. Draiocht was still in that vessel. His brown feathered body had been burned due to the lava. It was lonely where he was.

"This is stupid," he would mumble every day. "You would think that you would live forever in hell, but nope. I'm here in isolation." Instead of the gritty Irish accent that Draiocht was most known for, he was stuck with some posh British accent. He hated every single speck about himself. He wanted the old him back, yet in order to do that, he needed his party. However, they were nowhere in sight.

Draiocht picked up a sharp rock, engraving another tally mark into a massive boulder. Judging by the number of lines were in such a big rock, it had been a good while since he had even heard their voices. There wasn't much to do anyway. He could throw rocks, go on a walk, practice his weird flight abilities, but his favorite activity was playing pretend. As childish as it was, pretending everyone was with him kept him calm. It kept him hopeful. Despite his tricks for sanity, it could only get him so far.

"Something's got to give," he said, sitting down on the ground. "I can't be doing this." As he laid down on the ground, something in his mind made him remember some old memories.

When Iron died in the overworld, Draiocht was in such disbelief and delusion. Surely, they had the wrong person. It was tough getting him back, having to fight him. Yet, his mind fixated on the moment he saw Iron for the first time: trapped in stone. Draiocht had dropped to his knees, sobbing. There was something about Iron and the rest of his party that had given him a sense of family. He couldn't be around his own family, so they were the closest thing.

"We're going to get him back, Draiocht," Kiara assured, trying to comfort him. "I promise." At the time, Draiocht had some sort of feelings for Iron. It disoriented him seeing someone so close to him dead. Yet, through some discovery, it was never a crush. Iron was a brother, not some sort of love interest as he thought. However, it didn't hurt any less.

"How do you know that?" Draiocht asked through sobs. "What if we're too late and we've already failed him?" No one had ever seen Draiocht in such a state of disarray. Not even in a high-pressure situation. However, Kiara still managed to stay calm, despite her own worry.

"Listen to me," she said softly. "We will get Iron back, and if I'm lying, one of the gods can strike me where I stand. We're all going to be okay. Iron's going to come back to us." As Kiara wiped a tear from Draiocht's eye, his breathing started to stabilize with the occasional shaky breath.

The thought of this memory caused a tear to fall from Draiocht's feathery face. As he sat up against the boulder, he put his stick legs to his chest, wrapping his wings around himself. He closed his eyes and began to silently weep.

"Are they ever coming back for me?" he asked himself. "Or was this vessel too much of a burden to spare?" Draiocht would understand if they gave up on him. He was cursed with a terrible IQ, wings that can't even fly, and a voice nothing like his own. In addition, with the lava burning his body, he was practically a shell. A shell waiting for someone to pick them up out of the sandy beach and admire them. He just had to accept that his party were either trying their best or they forgot him. As much as he didn't want to think of that second option, it was all that was on his mind. Let's just hope it wouldn't end up this way...

TO BE CONTINUED

Being stuck in Avernus with a new set of pals has been eye opening for Draiocht. However, he manages to find his old pals there after a long while.

Defeating demons is a difficult job. From having been practically lobotomized, Draiocht still felt the pain in his head. Despite having been healed some, he felt a lot of pain. Bastian's party had stopped to rest. In that time, the crew decided to make and give out Christmas presents, which ranged from flower crowns to DIY projects to items the others just had in their inventories. Draiocht had given everyone their presents and opened his. He excused himself to take a walk

However, he remembered how familiar these paths looked to him. He noticed familiar footprints on the ground: changeling footprints. He had seen a lot of footprints before when he was in hell the first time, but these ones were familiar to him. He knelt down to confirm his suspicions. Yep, those were changeling footprints, as well as some humanoid, dragonborn, and Leonin footprints. He got up, going to follow them, but Cloud noticed him.

"Where are you going?" he asked, putting a hand on his hip. Cloud had decided to follow Draiocht along with Jade.

"I found these footprints," he answered. "I think someone I know might be nearby..." Cloud scoffed.

"Oh, stop going on side quests! I thought your old party was back in Taleryn!"

"When did I ever say that?" Draiocht asked, his three eyes relaxing in an impatient look. Cloud stammered trying to answer.

"I- well- your mom!" Draiocht facepalmed, a signature move when he's around idiots. He immediately followed the footprints to the edge of the River Styx. He heard a familiar set of voices.

"Now look what's happened!" a British voice exasperated. "The whole landscape has changed!"

"I didn't think that was possible..." a Scottish woman muttered in response. Another voice let out a loud "HA!"

"I think you're hallucinating, Vixen. It looks the exact same to me." Vixen? He recognized that name anywhere. He slowly approached the three people who had spoken before, only to find there was a... fourth?

"It can't be that hard to cross," it said. The Scottish woman spoke again.

"Last time we said that Draiocht died. I don't really want a repeat of that again." Right as Draiocht went to say hi to his party, a couple people shuffled up behind him.

"What're you doing?" Cloud asked. Draiocht screeched loudly, almost grabbing his dagger from his side pocket before realizing who that was.

"OH GRANNUS- oh, it's just you, Cloud. Why are you behind me??"

"Because Bastian told Jade and me to accompany you. Do you think we want to be here?" Jade, who had been next to Cloud, thwapped him on the head.

"Be nice!" she demanded with a sigh. "Sorry about that, Draiocht. We didn't want to leave you alone." The fire genasi shrugged.

"I'm fine. I know my way around this place, remember?" Before Draiocht could keep going, he turned around to see a dragonborn right in front of him.

"Draiocht?" It took him a second to realize, but he was standing right in front of Kiara.

"Oh my gods-" Draiocht said in shock. "What are you doin' here, Kiara?" Kiara laughed a little.

"I'm not the only one here, silly! The others are here too!" Eventually, Kiara notices Jade and Cloud and kneels down to meet their level. "And who are these two?" Jade spoke up first.

"Um- hello ma'am!- I'm Jade and this is my brother Cloud. Nice to meet you!" Cloud simply gave a polite wave. Kiara warmly smiled at them.

"Nice to meet you too!" She looked at Draiocht. "New party?"

"Nah," he said shaking his head. "I'm helpin' a friend of mine get these two back to their own universe." Kiara's eyes widened hearing that.

"Come," she beckoned them forward. "I know someone who would love hearing about that." Draiocht followed Kiara to the edge of the river to find his old party members standing there. They all turned around hearing Kiara and the fire genasi walking towards them. The first to react was Vixen.

"Draiocht?!" he yelled in surprise. "I thought you died in that war!"

"What kind of news have you been listening to?" Cloud asked rather snarky. Vixen dramatically gasped, sensing some bard in this young Canadian.

"Well, I'll have you know that I listen to all of the news! Including Salthor!" Vixen motioned over to the blue skinned tiefling who awkwardly stood there. Seeing a new guy with the party made him hesitant due to what has happened to previous new people. Iron noticed Draiocht after a moment, going over to him and offering out his hand.

"I'm glad you're alive, Draiocht." The genasi smiled, shaking Iron's hand. "You got your hands full?"

"Of course I do. When have I never, Iron?" he laughed as Jade and Cloud watched the reunion.

"Aren't they all adorable?" Jade asked. Cloud scoffed.

"I want to have another party." It wasn't before long until Draiocht pulled out a set of tiny boxes and handed them all to his former party members.

"Here, I got these for you guys," Draiocht said. "I hope you like it."

"A gift for me?" Vixen smirked. "You're too kind, Lettuce Head!" Iron, Vixen, and Kiara opened their boxes to reveal rings carved out of wood with each of their initials carved into it. Kiara was the first to comment on the ring, hugging Draiocht.

"It's beautiful! Thank you, Draiocht!" she said with a huge smile.

"It's the least I could do after vanishing for a while," Draiocht assured. "Besides, you guys are my family, and no amount of time away can ever change that."

"Aww..." Jade beamed. "Isn't this nice, Cloud?" Cloud shrugged, not appearing to be all too phased.

"I've seen better reunions in our family." That statement resulted in an elbow to the side from Jade to shut Cloud up. The sound was audible enough for Vixen to take note.

"Hey! Are either of those two bards?" Draiocht nodded, motioning to Cloud.

"He's a rogue and a bard. At his young age, I'm kind of suprised he could kill two birds in one stone."

"Didn't you kill two birds in one stone, Draiocht?" Iron asked, his head tilting to the side.

"There's a difference between a rogue paladin and a rogue bard, Iron," Draiocht sighed. "Anyway, what are you guys doing back in hell? I thought you would've gone to stop that god war going on."

"God war?" Jade asked, stepping forward. "What kind of god war?" Draiocht did not think he would have to reveal his adventuring history so soon. He looked to his former party as if asking for approval, but Vixen cut in.

"We've killed gods before!" he said, way too excitedly for a man in hell looking like a lion. "Lettuce Head here is pretty good at what he does, even if he is insufferable." Cloud and Jade's mouths practically hung open for a second before Draiocht spoke again.

"You're the insufferable one, Vixen." Draiocht shook his head. "But you do have a great vicious mockery in your arsenal." Vixen dramatically acted all flattered before Cloud butted in.

"Are we just gonna ignore the fact that Draiocht has killed literal GODS?!" he asked surprised. Salthor, who had been listening in pretty much the whole time, also gave his piece.

"Gods can die! I knew it was true!" Cloud looked over at Sal.

"Aren't you quite the conspiracy theorist? How about I make one about the date and time of your death?" You would think Sal would be affected by this, but he wasn't. He simply stared down Cloud.

"Your hollow threats don't scare me, twink." That statement was enough to shut Cloud up. Someone who wasn't even a bard outbarded him. Draiocht laughed at this, mainly because he couldn't help it.

"I told you, Cloud. You're just a blonde Vixen." At the mention of his name, Vixen walked over carefully observing Cloud.

"That's odd, I don't ever remember having children." Jade stifled a laugh as Draiocht turned his attention to her.

"You aren't gettin' out of this one, Jade. You're just like Kiara." Kiara looked over in surprise, as did Jade.

"I do?-" Jade asked. "But how?"

"You're a healer, kind-hearted, and genuinely cares about others, even when they do you wrong," Draiocht answered, listing the reasons from his fingers. Jade and Kiara looked at each other, smiling as a sign of respect.

"What about my lookalike?" Iron asked.

"He's asleep," Draiocht, Cloud, and Jade all said in unison. Iron sighed and jokingly shook his head.

"I guess we'll never know then." The others laughed at him as they exchanged words. Eventually, they had to go. As Draiocht exchanged one last hug with his family, he felt tears form. Joyful tears. He finally got what he wanted for Christmas: to see his loved ones for just a little while.

"Merry Christmas, you guys," Draiocht smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Draiocht," Kiara replied with a smile, eventually looking to Jade and Cloud. "Merry Christmas, you two! It was nice meeting you!"

"Merry Christmas!" Jade replied.

"Yeah, yeah, Merry Christmas," Cloud rolled his eyes jokingly. Saying goodbye to his friends again was hard, but at least he got to see them all, even if they were different races again. As Draiocht stood and watched his friends cross the river, Jade walked over.

"They were nice," she complimented. "I can see the resemblances now." Draiocht nodded before turning to Jade and Cloud who was behind her.

"Merry Christmas, you two. I'm sorry you couldn't spend it with your family."

"It's fine I guess," Cloud said. "I've been needing a break from them anyway." Jade bonked Cloud on the head as the three shared a laugh as they realized they made the most out of Christmas in hell, even if it wasn't ideal.

A little gift for my party since I'm going away for Christmas. Iron becomes a bard and a barbarian. That's the premise. That's literally it.

After crashing in Salthor's cave for a little and had a run in with goblins in the night, Iron had slept for a while. It took Salthor pouring cold water on his head to actually wake him up.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty," Sal remarked both sarcastically and amused. "We're going out onto the town, you wanna come? Also, I think you should look in the mirror because you look different." Iron looked confused. One, he did not really want to move from the comfy floor spot he was using as a bed. Two, what did he mean he looked different? Sal handed Iron a glass bottle that showed Iron's reflection. In appearance, there wasn't much difference.

"I don't know what you mean," Iron said as he shrugged, standing up and stretching as he did so. "I look the exact same."

"Okay," Salthor sighed as he grabbed his backpack. "Let me rephrase: there's something different about you and I think the government got to you." Something about that conspiracy theory irked Iron. He knew the guy was capable of coming up with stupid, otherworldly conspiracy theories, but something about that struck him.

"If it's so bad, prove it!" Iron exclaimed defensively. Salthor, Vixen, and Kiara looked at each other.

"Salthor, do you have an instrument we can use?" Kiara asked. Sal opened his chest and took out a rather flimsy homemade banjo. It appeared to be made out of wood and string. Sal threw it to Iron.

"I don't know how to play the thing, but I don't expect you t-" Sal went to say before Iron began to play it. It was like he had picked up the thing before. Vixen's jaw practically dropped in shock, with Kiara sporting an equally shocked look. Sal, however, looked impressed. Iron looked among the party, confused.

"What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Iron, I didn't know you could play a banjo!" Kiara exclaimed.

"None of us did," grumbled Vixen as he crossed his arms and pouted. Iron snickered, looking down at the lionen.

"Didn't think I could out bard you, Vixen?" Sal snickered at that comment, only to realize how tall Iron really was.

"Hey uh changeling, I was right. You're so much taller." Iron was not all that impressed with that comment.

"Then why didn't you say that before?!" he asked, slightly enraged. Sal looked the least bit phased by Iron's fit of rage, while the other two looked rather concerned. Iron grabbed Sal by the collar. "Did you use thaumaturgy on me?!" Sal put his hands up innocently.

"'ey, I did nothing wrong," he insisted. "Thaumaturgy doesn't work that way. It's only with certain things. It only alters the eye's appearance for a little and that's only if you choose to do that." Iron dropped Sal, taking a breath. Kiara tried to deescalate the situation.

"It's alright, Iron," she said. "I think you look very nice, no matter what." Iron sighed.

"Thanks, I guess." Kiara nodded. Vixen decided to butt in after he stopped pouting.

"Not to ruin such a wholesome moment, but can we go already? I'm dying of anticipation!"

When Bastian goes to his old friend Draiocht for help, the fire genasi finds similarities between Bastian's party and some old friends of his...

Draiocht had been dealing with the consequences of the now ended war in Calinsham. Having helped people evacuate, he had taken refuge in the church. The last he heard of his old friend Bastian, he had been building some sort of portal to bring those from other dimensions. Whether or not it had been successful is unknown. However, his questions were about to be answered when he heard people enter the church.

"Hello?" he heard an unfamiliar voice's echo. "Is anyone here?" Figuring it was just a random explorer, he made his footsteps prominent as he snuck between each pillar, hoping to scare the person off. When he looked out to peek, he noticed his old friend Bastian and a couple of unsettled looking humans. One of them seemed to be carrying an undead bird. He felt bad for unsettling strangers that were accompanying his friend, so he stepped out, trying not to look intimidating. Bastian simply smiled.

"Hello there, Draiocht." The fire genasi chuckled as his cyan mask covered his face.

"Long time no see, eh Bastian?" he said, shaking hands with the old man. "What can I do for you?"

"Well," Bastian said as he switched hands to hold his cane and rub the back of his neck. "My portal worked a little... too well." Draiocht's eyes widened upon realizing those people accompanying Bastian were not from Taleryn at all.

"Bastian!" Draiocht exclaimed. "How many times do I have to tell you to not mess with planar travel?" Bastian put his hands up.

"I know! I know! That's why I'm here. We found something in Skulltrod that you might want to see." Bastian holds out a chest to Draiocht, to which the genasi opens it. Inside he finds a gold dragon comb with garnet stones that seem to resemble eyes, a jade chess board with gold playing pieces, a black mask stitched with silver, and a handkerchief. Out of everything, Draiocht took the handkerchief out, observing the letters embroidered onto it: S.C. His expression turns to one of worry and curiosity.

"How did this get here?" Draiocht asked. "Last I saw of Silver, he had that handkerchief..."

"I'm not sure," Bastian shrugs. "There should also be a crown in there." Draiocht stuck his hand back in, trying to feel for a crown to no avail.

"There's not a single crown in there." Bastian began to panic for a moment before turning to Cloud with a cold stare.

"Did you steal it again?" Cloud began to sweat a little.

"Nuh uh!-"

"Take off your hat." Defeated, Cloud takes off his hat to reveal a golden crown. Draiocht walks over to Cloud, taking the crown off his head.

"A fellow rogue," he chuckles. "Word of advice next time, get a satchel. I've stolen plenty of artifacts in my time and trust me, it does wonders for such a small bag!" Cloud nods at Draiocht as the genasi looks at the crown, using his hair to light up the room a little more.

"So?" Bastian cuts in. "Is it what I think it is?"

"It's Ralph's crown alright," Draiocht nods. "Silver's probably going to be looking for these things."

"You know where he is?" Jade asks, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I don't," Draiocht sighs. "But I have an idea of where he could be. I'm 90% sure he's at Silverwind's kingdom."

"Well, how do we get there?" Jade looks at Bastian and Draiocht. Bastian went to answer, but the genasi answered first.

"If you all really want to reach Silver... into the woods, you will find a crossroads. Go to the left. When you get to a harbor, you will find two ships: choose the left ship. Trust me, I've been on both, the left is a smoother ride. Once you land in the frigid cold harbor, continue into the woods across the wooden bridge. When you get to the city, stock up on supplies. Then, head straight to the kingdom. There, you'll find the new king and Silver." Everyone took a mental note of the directions before Cloud speaks up.

"This is cool and all, but how do we get home?" Draiocht looks at Bastian. The two walk closer.

"Don't tell me they have to go through-" Bastian says worriedly.

"Unfortunately... I don't see another option." Draiocht solemnly nods.

"Go through where?" Jade cuts in. Draiocht points down at the ground.

"As much as I hate to say this, you may end up in the Underworld at some point or another. Some of the items Bastian needs comes from there. I'd recommend reading up on what goes on down there just in case."

"How would you know?" Cloud asks, stepping closer, dropping Fray in the corner. He approached Draiocht, trying to intimidate him, which did not work in the slightest.

"I've been there before," Draiocht says deadpan. "It's not for the weak. Not many humans end up in hell, so creatures may want to kill you. The place is mainly demons, dragons, and goblins. Well, at least Avernus is."

"Avernus?" Cloud says.

"The first level of hell," Bastian chimes in. "Draiocht has died there before."

"I wasn't even me," Draiocht grumbled. "I was in the vessel of a stupid bird brain-" Before he could finish, Cloud narrows his eyes.

"Are you insulting Fray?" Draiocht paused, looking at Fray still asleep in the corner.

"...why would I insult a sleeping bird? Besides, I was an aaracokra, not an owl." Cloud backed off. Bastian walked over to Draiocht, seemingly holding out his hand for something. The genasi pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, just in case you guys get into a situation in hell." Jade walked over to look at the paper. Bastian opened the paper to find the goblin language written down.

"How did you know about this?" Jade asked. Draiocht cleared his throat, speaking fluent goblin. The party's eyes widened, Bastian's especially. Draiocht laughed at their shock before calming down.

"I've had a few encounters with goblins, so I decided to learn their language. You'll definitely need it in hell."

"Why can't you come with us?" Jade asked. "I mean, you know your way around hell, don't you?"

"I- um-" Draiocht stammered in surprise. "I mean I do, but I don't know how much good it will do you all, especially since I'm more prone to dying in there." Jade shrugged that statement off.

"If we're going to a place, I don't know about you, but I'd like to go with someone who has a good idea of where we're going." There was something about that sentence that set some memory off in Draiocht. Something familiar...

When his party had finally escaped hell and went back to their bodies, they all rejoiced, Draiocht specifically. The fact he was back to normal and not a stupid birdbrain was something he cherished.

"About time!" he sighed, hugging himself happily. "I feel like me again!"

"Speak for yourself, lettuce head!" Vixen said, back as his deertaur self. "At least you didn't change races a thousand times!"

"Well at least you were alive for most of it, Vixen." That sentence caused Vixen to shut up. Draiocht turned around to see his dragonborn friend Iron looking somewhat content as he hugged Kiara. The two had been inseparable in hell. The fact they were back to normal now made Draiocht feel happy for them. After a bit, Kiara turned around to notice Draiocht alive and okay.

"Draiocht!" she called out, running to him and hugging him tightly. Draiocht's happiness took over his thoughts, hugging Kiara back with the same familial love she was giving to him.

"Kiara! Thank gods you're alright!"

"I should be saying that to you, silly!" she laughed. "I mean, you're here and alive!" Kiara eventually let go and turned to the others with a smile. Draiocht stood up straight, looking ahead.

"So what's next?"

"We continue stopping this god war, duh!" Vixen chimed in, making Draiocht's stomach drop.

"Do we have to keep on with this?" Iron complained. "We've been doing this for how long at this point? It's like this will never end!"

"I'm with Iron," Draiocht said. "After what went down in hell, I'm not sure I want to keep doing this." Kiara frowned, grabbing Draiocht's shoulders.

"Hey, we're family. We're going to do this together in hell or high water. Plus, what will Athena think if we just gave up now? You have us, Draiocht. I promise."

As Draiocht snapped out of his memory, he saw Jade looking at him concerned. It was as if she was calling him for a while now.

"Draiocht? Are you alright?" she asked him. All Draiocht could hear was Kiara, his old party member. The one he always saw eye to eye with. There was something about Jade's kindness that just reminded me of her. The genasi smiled gently at Jade.

"I'm alright," he said softly. "You just remind me so much of an old friend of mine. Your whole party does. That hotshot blonde over there reminds me a lot of my pal Vixen, while the sleepy bird reminds me a lot of my friend Iron. You all just have so much in common with people I know. It's like I'm with them again." Jade nodded understandably.

"Well, I'm glad we can provide you with some sort of comfort. Um- do you think me and Cloud can talk in private?" Draiocht and Bastian both nodded, walking out of the church with the box. Bastian leaned against the church's exterior with a sigh.

"They're something special, aren't they?"

"Oh yes," Draiocht smiled. "I'd say keep them close, dear friend. You struck gold like I did. With the party you have, they may get into mischief, but I believe that you will make good memories as I did with mine." Draiocht took out a picture of his old party. They appeared to be in a nice grassy area when they took the picture. He rubbed his thumb across the picture reminiscently. Bastian patted his back.

"I'll protect them as best as I can, I promise." Draiocht nodded as he looked in the church's window, noticing Cloud and Jade talking to an orange butterfly.

"I never thought I'd ever see a butterfly again. Nature doesn't come through here often."

"I think that's just Jade's patron," Bastian said, looking with him.

"Still," Draiocht smiled. "Still a precious sight."

"I agree," Bastian added before looking at Draiocht. "I see what you mean when you said Cloud reminded you of Vixen. You could have sworn he's a bard, but he's not. As for Fray, he's just like Iron. He mainly stays off to the side and he's quiet, but I can tell he has quite the potential."

"We'll have to see in the future, but I believe in them, Bastian. You harnessed a fine party. I know I've said it multiple times, but I mean it."

"I appreciate it, young man." Bastian chuckled at calling Draiocht a young man. He wasn't wrong. Their age gap was insane. While Bastian was 84, Draiocht had lots of life ahead of him at just 27 years old. The two had shared plenty of laughs in the 6 years they knew each other. They shared ambitions, inventions, even tears. The bond the two had were close to what Draiocht would considered as strong as his previous party.

Eventually, Cloud and Jade would walk out of the church, Fray over Cloud's shoulder.

"Welcome back, you two!" Bastian greeted them with a warm smile.

"Yeah, yeah, we're still here," Cloud said dramatically. "Let's just go."

"Cloud!-" Jade elbowed Cloud gently. Draiocht chuckled.

Thanks to my lovely boyfriend and party member of The Hunt @scratchyemporium, I decided to make the origins of one of our campaign's towns and why it strikes fear in the voices of the people that speak its name.

Long ago, Taleryn divided up its land into 5 different settlements. There was Ravenmore, a small but peaceful city. It became the hotspot for many in search of a normal life with multiple places to socialize. Next was Silverwind, a small village with its own sense of community. Even though it was snowy, the people adapted to life there seemingly well. Third was Mistwood, a big city and the center of all trade. It was known for its military and mass tourism. Fourth and the final of the most known settlements is Skulltrod, a lesser version of Mistwood. Skulltrod was always living in the shadows due to its eerie location. However, the people made it work, despite the creatures that would crawl at night. Finally, the short living Calinsham, an even smaller village than Silverwind. It housed mostly mythical beings and less humanoid creatures.

For a while, everything was fine. Each settlement found their own ways of life. They created justice systems, planted crops for food, and found people to live there. However, one day, Silverwind was starting to get overcrowded. Desperate for solutions, King Ralph, who was Silverwind's monarch at the time, turned to the self-governed Calinsham for help. However, Calinsham's government declined because they quote "were also reaching max capacity." Silverwind could not afford the materials for more housing, so they begged and pleaded. However, the smaller village simply refused. Eventually, King Ralph sent its militia to observe Calinsham because he had a sneaky suspicion that they may be lying. The government of the smaller village refused to give straight answers to just a small militia, so Silverwind got the help of Skulltrod, who eventually confirmed Ralph's suspicion. Therefore, Skulltrod and Silverwind formed an allyship, declaring war against Calinsham.

The first 3 months of the war saw wins for Calinsham across the board with barely any casualties. Of the 3 settlements, Skulltrod saw the most casualties, while Silverwind did little to help. Ralph claimed that his militia could do so little to handle Calinsham's "professionally trained" army. In reality, Calinsham's militia was about as talented as his own. There were 2 trained soldiers from Mistwood that were helping the militiamen, but that was all of the professionalism they had. This would go on for another 2 months before Calinsham had enough. One day, the richest of Calinshams citizens invited King Ralph to dinner. When Ralph attended, the citizens of Mistwood and Calinsham staged a coup and killed Ralph. Crow, the next in line, was very angry at this. When he became king, he spent the next 3 years of the war burning Calinsham's houses and buildings. He turned Skulltrod into a military base. He even got a cleric to put a curse on the land, in which at night, terrible creatures would roam and kill those who disagreed, thus betraying the peace agreement the two settlements had. Eventually, Calinsham surrendered, and the remaining citizens evacuated to other lands. The place was a ghost town and remained that way.

As for Silverwind, King Crow would marry Queen Lara, who calmed his tendencies for a while. He would settle down with Lara and try for a child. However, they lost the child due to an unknown illness at the age of 10. This anger would boil up inside Crow, returning him to his nihilistic and sadistic tendencies toward the other settlements.

However, one day, a tabaxi showed up to the kingdom. He told Crow that he could revive this child for he was a healer. Upon hearing that, Crow was giddy, begging the unknown tabaxi to revive this stillborn child that he had buried in the garden of his kingdom. However, there was something Crow had to give in return. While the tabaxi would not tell, he promised Crow that someone he knows will tell him.

In his sleep, Crow has a vision: he sees his father Ralph, reaching out his hand. Crow takes his father's hand, only to wake up in Nessus, the 9th level of hell. Ralph leads Crow to Satan, who agrees to let the child be revived, on the condition that Crow takes the child's spot. Reluctantly, Crow agrees, and the child is soon revived. However, Crow is physically dead. The tabaxi agrees to help Queen Lara care for this child, who is named Crow II. The 10 year old boy learns to become king and takes the throne when he reaches adulthood. However, he soon finds out what happens to his father and becomes paranoid.

After being comatose for a long time, Draiocht wakes up to find that his supposedly dead best friend has been nursing him back to health.

Ever since going to hell, Draiocht's physical body remained on the ground. Through all kinds of weather, his and his party's original bodies lay limp as they navigated through hell. Unfortunately for him, his hell vessel was rather... unintelligent for a lack of better wording. A clumsy, practically braindead British aaracokra was not a good fit for an intelligent rogue who spent his free time fighting to stop a war between the Gods.

Despite that, Draiocht hadn't had a conscious thought in a long time. However, something changed. He struggled a little but managed to start to open his eyes. The light was blinding to him. It reminded him of home, so that's where he thought he was. He groaned as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Mum?-" he asked groggily. There was a familiar giggle as he opened his eyes fully. Although, it was a little blurry at first, he recognized that crimson silhouette anywhere.

"Do you really think that high of me, Draiocht?" Draiocht rubbed his eyes to see Pincko, his best friend. The sight itself was enough to make Draiocht freeze up.

"Pincko? There's- there's no way- you died!" The fire genasi backed up, only to realize he was no longer the feathery bird brain. In fact, he was back to normal. But how? His soul was in hell. Was Pincko secretly some sort of miracle worker?

"Well, I may or may not have lied," Pincko chuckled, rubbing the back of their neck. "Sorry..." Draiocht motioned for them to come closer, to which they did. The genasi could only stiffly hug Pincko, his bandaged arms wrapping around his friend's back.

"I've missed you; you know that right?" Draiocht asked. Pincko could only squeeze back.

"I know," they mumbled. "I've missed you too, Draiocht."

"Where have you been this whole time?"

"I've been fending for myself, hoping to find you," Pincko replied with a smile. Draiocht could only chuckle.

"Well, you found me. What do you wanna know?" Pincko took a deep breath.

"How's the party been?"

"We've been in hell. I was some bird-brained loser's vessel, but I died twice in hell because I sold my soul to some guy named Alastor." Pincko showed a look of concern on their face before Draiocht smiled. "But it's okay now because I'm here with you after... what felt like so long." Pincko grabbed Draiocht's hand and smiled.

The party find themselves in Draìocht's hometown, and they find themselves indulging in an ecstatic Draìocht's past.

As the party wandered around an unknown island, Draìocht sensed something familiar about the place. The way the breeze blew throughout the jungle terrain that the group walked in. It was all too familiar.

"It's humid as hell out here," Iron groaned.

"At least the breeze lessens the humidity," Kiara chimed in before turning to her fire genasi friend. "Draìocht, do you know where we are by any chance?" Draìocht pulled out a notebook and flipped to the first page. He looked around at his surroundings as his eyes widened.

"Are we just going to ignore Draìocht just has a random notebook lying around??" Vixen asked, flabbergasted.

"I've had this for a while, just never found a use for it until now," Draìocht remarked, silencing Vixen for the time being.

"Did you find where we are?" Kiara asked as Draìocht turned to everyone.

"Everyone, welcome to Chult, the place I call home."

"You live in the jungle like a nerd?" Iron asked. Draìocht went to speak when he heard a noise. It wasn't like the wind against the trees. It was as if something was moving through the trees. Draìocht drew his rapier toward the noise, and Vixen stepped forward.

"Reveal yourself!" Vixen exclaimed. Suddenly, the entire group, except for Draìocht, was tied up in rope and on the ground. A silhouette landed on their feet behind them. Draìocht recognized the head of the creature, pointing his rapier towards them.

"I don't want any harm," Draìocht's voice shook. "Just let my friends go. The creature chuckled under their breath before speaking.

"So you finally took my advice?"

"No, I took an oa-" Before Draìocht could finish his sentence, the creature stepped forward to reveal his best friend. However, he did not look the same as before. He looked bigger, stronger, and a lot more at peace.

"Khos?-"

"Hello there, Draìocht. Welcome home." Draìocht hugged his lizardfolk friend tightly as he hugged back. The two hugged each other for a good minute. When they were through with their hug, Draìocht had tears in his eyes.

"God, I've missed you so much..."

"I've missed you as well. Everyone thought you were dead!"

"How could he be dead when he has lettuce branded into his head?" Vixen asked. "Also, I demand you get us out of here!" Khos looked at Draìocht for a moment.

"Are these your friends?"

"Yeah, most of them are idiots, but I still love them."

"I am not an idiot!" Vixen pouted.

"You were scared of numbers, Vixen. If I hadn't found that out, I would have thought you were either faking it or you were schizophrenic."

"...is that possible?" Khos asked, rather confused.

"Anything is possible with these idiots," Draìocht nodded. "Now, please get them out of this rope. It kills me to see them tied up." Khos nodded and got the rope off. Kiara was the first to get up.

"Thank you, sir," she said. "It means a lot."

"It's really no problem," Khos assured. "Any friend of Draìocht's is a friend of mine. My name is Khos, the lizardfolk monk of the Khefli tribe."

"It's nice to meet you!" Kiara exclaimed. "I'm Kiara, and this is Vixen, Iron, Papyrus, and well, you know Draìocht." She pointed to each party member, including the skeleton who was currently pulling popcorn out of its mouth and eating it again. Khos bowed towards them respectfully.

"It is nice to meet you all." He turned to Draìocht. "Your parents have been worried sick. They would like to see you."

"Mum and dad? Of course I'm going to see them! C'mon, guys!" Draìocht grabbed Khos's hand and ran towards his home as the party followed close behind. The jungle seemed very much long and neverending. However, they reached a mountain range after what seemed like forever.

"You live there?!" Vixen shrieked. "Are we going to climb all the way up there??"

"It's only a short hike up, Vixen," Draìocht sighed. "For the love of Grannus, stop complaining."

"You're one to talk with your head lettuce!"

"Don't insult him." A stern look appeared on Khos's face. "His head has a few leaves, but it does not look like lettuce. Clearly, you have your plants wrong." Vixen went to speak, but Draìocht did a 'I'm watching you' hand gesture as him and Khos began to walk up a trail, grabbing hiking sticks. The party followed, grabbing or finding their own as they indeed hiked a short distance up the mountain. There, they found a comfy cabin. Draìocht walked up to the door and knocked. A woman with olive skin opened the door.

"Mrs. Edan," Khos spoke. "He's home." The woman went over to Draìocht.

"My boy..." she cusped her hand on Draìocht's cheek. "You're home...!" Draìocht smiled widely. For the first time, Draìocht was seen by the party as genuinely happy as he embraced this woman that looked to be his mother. As this was happening, Vixen went over to Khos.

"You know, I dabble a bit myself in the art of monks."

"Really?" Khos asked. "How so?"

"I can make you so zen that you won't be able to walk properly~" Khos did not react to that statement much.

"...you're either a fool or a liar. Scratch that. You must be both if you think I will even believe you will carry out your word." Vixen looked stunned at what Khos had said.

"What are you talking about??-"

"The art of monks should not be mocked for flirtatious purposes." Vixen nodded before whispering to him.

"So are Draìocht's parents having marriage problems?" As Draìocht let go of the hug, he turned to Vixen.

"No, they don't." He turned back to everyone. "Anyways, everyone, meet my mum." Kiara was the first to step forward to offer her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Edan, was it?" His mother shook her hand.

"Yes dear," she replied.

"My name is Kiara, I'm honored to meet the woman who raised such a wonderful friend." Mrs. Edan smiled as the rest of the party followed suit, introducing themselves.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy to find that my boy has made some friends." She nudged her son as Draìocht's face heated up a little.

"Aw mum..." he mumbled in happiness before remembering something. "Oh! Is dad home?"

"Yes! You folks made it just in time! Come on in!" The parry and Khos filed into the cabin. It had a welcoming interior. It wasn't a rich house, but it was comfortable nonetheless. There was another fire genasi organizing a case filled with memorabilia from some familiar places.

"Honey! Our boy is home!" The older genasi turned to the party, taking particular notice to Draìocht.

"Draìocht? Is that you?" Draìocht smiled wide.

"Yes, dad, I'm home." The man, presumably to be Mr. Edan walked over to Draìocht and put a hand on his son's shoulder.

"You've got a little third eye there." His Irish accent was prominent, quite similar to Draìocht's.

"Oh!" Draìocht laughed a little. "Yeah, blame the potion for that." Mrs. Edan looked confused.

"Potion? What potion? Did it hurt??"

"No, mum! It didn't hurt at all! Draìocht was quick to assure his parents that he was okay as Vixen got the potion and showed it to them.

"It's a very weird one," he said. "Like, one minute, you'll not know how to read, and the next, you'll become like me." Mr. Edan went over to investigate Vixen.

"A deertaur!" he exclaimed. "I've never seen such a creature before!" Vixen smirked for a moment.

"You wanna see more?~" Draìocht immediately shut down his friend's advances.

"You're not fu- banging my dad, Vixen." Vixen looked at Draìocht disapprovingly as Mr. Edan continued to gawk over the discovery that was Vixen.

"Can I get you lot anything?" Mrs. Edan asked. "A few drinks or anything?"

"You guys got any alcohol?" Iron asked, prompting Draìocht to give him a look.

"Of course we do!" Mrs. Edan exclaimed. "Anyone else want a drink?"

"Water will be just fine for me," Kiara said. "And Papyrus, if that works." Mr. Edan immediately started to investigate Papyrus now. Draìocht chuckled.

"Be careful, dad," Draìocht advised. "Don't overwhelm him." Papyrus seemed content with this. Draìocht turned to his mom. "And I'll take a water too."

"I'll take the finest liquid you have~" Vixen flirted, winking at Draìocht's mom.

"sTOP TRYING TO FLIRT WITH MY PARENTS MAN-" Draìocht's voice cracked in embrassment. "I'm so sorry about him, mum." Mrs. Edan laughed it off.

"Oh, it's alright, dear!" She grabbed a couple of drinks from the counter and handed them to each member and finally her son. She also had a book in her hand, which Kiara noticed.

"What's that book, ma'am?" she asked.

"Why, Draìocht's baby photos, of course!" Draìocht's face heated up, but he did not stop his mother from showing his friends all of the photos. Some were adorable, and others were mildly embarrassing. Vixen took the opportunity to bully Draìocht a little.

"You look like a tomato!" Vixen exclaimed. "You embarrassed?"

"N-No.." Draìocht replied shyly.

"Admit it, hon," Mrs. Edan said. "You were adorable!"

The gang gain a genderbend effect from drinking the randomized potion, but Draìocht is hiding something.

(TW! Panic attack, gender dysphoria, mentions of bodily mutilation/self harm)

We decided to get out the potion again. I know I like to say these guys are a bunch of idiots, but I decided to join in and let loose, y'know? The only problem is, I trusted Vixen to hold the thing. Knowing how shitty Vixen's luck is under Iron's, things can get weird.

"I wonder what would happen if we all got an effect at once!" Vixen exclaimed. The others seemed invested as they nodded.

"I wouldn't be too opposed to finding out," I said. "Just be careful."

"When am I never?" Vixen asked as he poured the potion on us. However, some of us got more than others. Once Vixen finished, he capped off the potion. We all waited for an effect, and for a bit, there was none.

"So much for experiencing an effect together," Iron scoffed. Before we knew it, we all began to feel our bodies change. I watched as Kiara's chest got flatter, her facial structure change, as well as her voice. The others? Well, their chests got bigger, their facial structures rounded out. As for me, well, my chest got bigger than I remember it. By the time we all finished transforming, we all looked... different.

"Is everyone okay??" Kiara asked, covering her mouth upon realizing her voice had deepened. Lucky bastard.

"Hey!" Vixen exclaimed, his voice very slightly higher (as if his voice wasn't squeaky enough). "I'm a woman!"

"I am too-" Iron looked down at his chest and grabbed his crotch. "Oh god- MY BALLS ARE GONE!!" As for me, I was very scared to speak. I knew my voice had to have gotten higher as well. Kiara must have noticed my hesitation because she looked over at me.

"Draìocht? Are you alright?" I felt my throat close and my chest begin to tighten as I backed up against the wall of the room we were in. I crossed my arms, noticing just how much my chest had grown. I didn't have the privates of a man, but I sure as hell felt even worse realizing what I was experiencing was real. I closed my eyes and felt my breathing increase. I could hear the faint speech of my party a few feet away from me.

"Is Draìocht alright-" I made out Vixen's squeaky but concerned voice.

"Hes clearly having a panic attack, no he's not alright!" Iron said as I heard his footsteps get closer. I also heard Kiara's footsteps get closer as I felt a hand on my arm.

"Draìocht, can you open your eyes for us?" I heard Kiara's deepened voice ask. I felt tears build up in my eyes as I opened them to see the blurred image of Iron and Kiara looking at me.

"Guys?-" I managed to muster out as I felt myself begin to get light-headed.

"Yeah, it's us, dude," Iron said. "You think you can calm down?"

"But I'm- I'm not Bridget- I'm a-" I couldn't find the words to say as I broke down. I hated the way I looked, the way I sounded. If I hadn't left my rapier on the other side of the room, I would have sliced open my chest and ripped out my vocal chords. I hated everything. I wanted it to end so badly. It was like I was in my own personal hell.

"Bridget? What are you talking about?" Iron asked. "You aren't Bridget, you're Draìocht. Are you feeling alright-" Iron went silent, seemingly being signaled to shut up by Kiara. I guess she found out. Shit.

"Alright Draìocht, here's what we're going to do. I need you to take some breaths with me, okay?" I nodded as Kiara did some deep breathing with me. With each breath, I felt myself being pulled back into reality. Iron eventually got the hint and joined in, sitting next to me to make sure I didn't do anything self destructive, I think. Once I was somewhat calm, Kiara sat in front of me, holding my hands.

"Now, who is Bridget, Draìocht?" Kiara asked. "Are you-"

"Yeah..." I interrupted, figuring it was best to get everything out as I began to tear up. "My birth name was Bridget... Draìocht was the name my mum chose for me when I told her I wasn't a lass..." As my vision cleared, I saw a shocked Iron next to me, while Kiara nodded in understanding.

"And you began to panic because you were reminded of that time of being lost?" I nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes. Iron handed me a handkerchief, which I used to blow my nose.

"Don't worry, man," Iron cut in. "No matter how big of tits you have, you're still Draìocht to us." Kiara smacked Iron's arm as I chuckled from Iron's remark. Vixen walked over to us and sat down.

"You look like hell," Vixen said. "Even though you haven't really changed much, aside from..."

"Vixen!" Kiara stopped him.

"No, no," I sighed. "He's not wrong. My face is rounder than you lot. My voice was never as deep. Most importantly, I don't stand like a man!"

"That doesn't mean you aren't one." Kiara said, squeezing my hand tighter. "We love you, man or not, Draìocht."

"Well, I love you idiots too," I chuckled. "Man, woman, or... horse."

"I'm a centaur-reindeer...thing, thank you very much!" Vixen dramatically gasped. We all laughed at Vixen's clear dramatics before Kiara snapped me back into reality.

"See? I'm confused about being...male, yet I embrace who I am. I'm just trying to tell myself this is temporary. Any discomfort will be gone soon. Oh, by the way Vixen, do you know how long this will last?" Vixen shrugged.

"No clue, but I hate this so much." Iron snickered a little before turning to me.

"Just think of Vixen's suffering. It'll take your mind off your own." While I always said that Iron's bad luck was unmatched, that didn't mean his advice was always bad. Those words alone made me feel a lot better. Although, there was one more problem.

"It works, but Kiara is giving me gender envy." I motioned to Kiara, who seemed to get slightly flustered from the remark.

"Oh- thank you!" she smiled before turning to the rest of us. "I guess you guys will get to feel my pain, and I'll feel yours!"

The party finds a puzzle that is essentially a word search, and Iron is tasked to solve it. However, his solution isn't the one everyone thought.

The party found themselves in a room with a set of letters. It looked a lot like a word search.

"Looks easy enough," Vixen said. "I think Iron should solve it. Maybe he'll get his wings back!" Iron glared at Vixen for a moment.

"Why do I have to do this?" Iron asked.

"I would do it, but I think one of you who haven't tried should have a go," Draìocht said. "Sorry Iron, but I'm with Vixen on this one."

"Fine," Iron grumbled. He attempted the puzzle for a while as the rest of the party looked around for other ways out of there. After a few minutes, Draìocht was called over by Iron to assess what other words there could be. What Draìocht was greeted by, however, were four elaborately found words: hail Satan, consume flesh.

"Are you serious-" Draìocht began to stifle some laughter. "That's what you found?"

"Yeah!" Iron sounded proud of himself and his work. "This has got to work!"

"Iron, with all due respect, I highly doubt this is going to work." Right as Draìocht finished talking, the door opened. Vixen keeled onto the ground laughing as Iron smirked at Draìocht.

"You were saying?" Draìocht rubbed the bridge of his nose, also restraining laughter. Kiara looked slightly disappointed, doing a better job of hiding any feelings of approval of the situation than Draìocht.