#babbydunjun

"How would you describe the drow race and your relationship with them?”:  "The most fearsome creature of them all; especially the females. They are cruel, oppressive, and hateful. The only respect they have is for themselves; and I find this extremely debatable, considering the treatment of males. All of my life among them I felt like I lived within a double standard; there was a demand to be strong of body and mind, yet also an expectation to appear submissive and weak so that I would appeal to a potential (female) mate. I pity both men and women drow for their service to Lolth. She is a cruel malignant god, whom in youth I accepted blindly. In later years, however, I found my faith slowly collapsing. I was never honest to others with my feelings on the Queen after they changed, as such would mean my death, but there were some I assume that saw through the facade... I was always an outcast within the drow, ever since birth. I had little friends as I was perceived by many to be too weak, too stupid, too trustworthy. And I didn't help my case by involving myself with other men. Considering how children must be born to continue the lineage, and the status of men as subservient to women, it is both taboo and exceedingly frowned upon to have any sort of romantic or sexual relationship with another man. Women engaging with women is more or less accepted, but these relationships are generally sexual, not to mention rare considering the drow's competitive nature.

On top of everything else, as I grew up there was a strange magic that was developing within me - magic I could not control. There were times when - what I now understand to be "magic surges"- would trigger and cause chaos at unintended times. This didn't help with a variety of my social relationships. And although magic is not unfamiliar to drow, there was a fear of my powers because they were not learned from books, as they usually are. Rather, they were innate and utterly untamed. For these reasons, I didn't particularly mesh well within the community. And so I suppose you could say I don’t connect with them rather well -- both back then and now, obviously."

"What is your sexuality? How has your understanding of it changed over time?”: "I suppose now I identify completely with having an interest in men, women, and whatever between... but this was not always the case. During my days in the Underdark, I rarely found myself connecting with or being interested in those of the “fairer” sex. There were many who were beautiful, of course, and in the back of my mind I had always felt as though there was a desire to copulate with one of them, however I could hardly ever bring myself to look past their cold, callous demeanors. While perhaps there are outliers, the social norms of the drow are strictly upheld, and so it seemed to me that every woman I encountered had always had that same heartless, prickly demeanor. And so underground my relationships were almost entirely with men. There were a rare couple relationships that brought me happiness, but they never lasted long. Many of these relationships or advances upon myself led to more ridicule and rumors about me. But regardless of my upstanding, I could only bring myself to engage with the same sex at the time. It wasn't until after I had escaped the Underdark, introduced myself to society on the surface, and learned how different women are above than they are below that I accepted that I was not exclusively homosexual. Sune as well has allowed me to accept and appreciate the beauty of women. Though what beauty drow women (or even the men, to be fair) may have - if any - I have yet to see." "How do you understand the idea of “love?” What does the concept mean to you?”:  “Love? Perhaps before this recent adventure of ours through Gedrith Hold I would have asked if I had ever experienced such a thing. No... “Love” which I have known for so long had always come with... attachments.

Do you love your friends? Then stop causing trouble with your magic. Do you love your sister? Then stop getting in her way so she can succeed. Do you love your father? Then be a man and help spy on our enemies. Do you love your fiance? Then listen to everything she says. Do you love your mother? Then stop being who you are. Always, this notion of “love” seemed to come with some demand or another. But I had known for many years it to be wrong -- this feeling of poison in my veins when I think upon the word “love” in relation to my life in the Underdark. No, it wasn’t until I had read many forbidden texts stolen away from the surface and used as tools of manipulation that I realized how wonderful and divine love can be... In fact, I spent much of my time reading what famous texts I could on love and romance. Some tragic, some heroic, but all inspiring. What a wonderful thing love can be, I thought... But as time carried on I started to wonder if love was only a fairytale - an unrealistic concept which my soul would never know. And I had almost completely given up on it. ...Well, I think until I’d met Lady Igrene. Until I’d met Miss Eurwen and Sir Cameron, my two other dearest friends. Our time together has been so short thus far... but yet I can feel it -- the absence of attachments. Love for me for myself, in spite of what I may or may not offer or how much of an inconvenience I may be... No, I may not yet understand completely what “love” feels like... but I believe I have a better idea now than I have in decades.

"Were you once actually arranged to be married? Who was your fiancé? How did it get broken off?”: "Yes, I was actually engaged at the time I fled the Underdark. To everyone's surprise, especially my own, there was a woman who desired to court me. Though I recall that during the time leading up to her introduction I had been trying my absolute hardest to blend in, so perhaps that explains it. Anyways, after numerous rumors of my relations with men had spread I was under even more pressure by my family to adhere to societal standards. I think this is what finally allowed an engagement to happen... Her name was Nenne. She was not as cruel as my mother, but she had her moments. I had little choice in my mate regardless; this was the first woman to have shown serious interest in me in all of my life, and my family - even I - was desperate. At that point I had wanted so badly to forget everything I'd ever read about the surface... everything I'd ever dreamed in vain of doing, and finally, finally have a normal life among my brethren. More than anything I wanted to feel accepted. I wanted to belong - and I was ready to give anything and everything up to do so. 

But then, my father died. The day after, I returned to Nenne. I hoped she would comfort me - even side with me against my mother - but in the depths of my heart I knew to expect nothing. What a received was far worse. She did not need to speak. The moment I brought the subject up, I saw it. The look in her eyes... in her face, I saw the reflection of my mother in that moment - the moment she told me she had "rid herself" of my "worthless" father. I remembered that chilling moment as I looked into the eyes of my betrothed. And I realized that I could be subject to that very same fate -- the very same betrayal. In Nenne's visage I remembered that I was disposable... And so, I fled."

"How has living on the surface been? What was it first like to set foot above ground?”: "Life on the surface has been a blessing. It has not always been easy... It still isn't. But I would take my worst day above ground over my best day in the Underdark without hesitation. Of course, there are those who discriminate against me for my heritage -  and I do not blame them - but after getting to know me a little, most seem to ease up. Or at least laugh a little. I think being an entertainer helps in this, haha. Regardless, I really do enjoy life under the sun. I feel like I can truly be myself. Initial integration, however, was an alien process. My first interaction with surface-dwellers was the caravan that caught me on the road. I only asked for directions to the nearest town, but I could see the weariness in the eyes of the passengers as they looked up and down my twilight-colored body. I offered the driver one of my family trinkets in return for the information, but then he told me to simply board the wagon for passage. Perhaps he realized how tired and lost I was. And so I traveled to Redwater where I spent the night at the local inn. I bought myself a new outfit and cut from my head my long locks of hair... Then, I had thought that it may hide me from any pursuers, but looking back on it now... Well, I realize how foolish such a thought was, for not many drow exist above the earth, haha. Still... perhaps this was something I felt appropriate for the start of my new life. Regardless, I rested that night and left by foot as the sun broke the next morning. Those were the days when I was first teaching myself to rise and set with the sun. -- And of course it was difficult, for in the Underdark, it was always night... but I can be stubborn - and it was something I convinced myself I wanted to do... But anyways, that morning I traveled further north, putting as much distance as I could between myself and the mine from which I stumbled out of. Eventually I reached the city of Cressela, where I live now."

"What was it like witnessing the Festival of Turnfyre for the first time? How did it inspire you to become a performer?”: "Without match, it was beautiful.  As I made my way through the gates of Cressela for the very first time - as I pushed myself through the sea of people - I did not expect the sight that my eyes would meet. There was a parade. Costumes upon costumes composed of vibrantly-colored cloths. Men on stilts. Jugglers, jesters, tumblers... Long, twirling banners and confetti that showered like rain. And in the markets and spilling out into the nearby streets were booths lined with richly glazed pots and delicately crafted jewelry. It was absolutely wondrous, and its merriment was like nothing I had ever glanced upon before. There were smiles everywhere. And I had seen smiles in the Underdark, yes -- but they were sick, warped, malicious... Every single one, always tainted. These were smiles of pure content. Joy. It was the height of the Festival of Turnfyre, Cressela's weeklong celebration in honor of the arts. As merry men, women, and children danced past me, so too did I feel my anxiety - my fears - sweep away with them. There was poetry and song, as well as a play that very evening. With rapture I took all of it in. I don't remember if I even stopped to eat that night, I was so entranced, haha. And at the end of the play, as sets were taken down and actors ushered away to their homes, I with fluster asked a straggling performer where - and if - I could join them. He explained to me that the festival was put on by the local performer's guild, and that those who paid their dues may join and learn the craft. I had come to Cressela with little thought as to what I would do, but then, all of a sudden, I had found my direction. I begged the guildmaster for my acceptance. She was curious... yet cautious. She knew I had no money nor inheritance with which to pay my admission. And, again, my drow ancestry caused another to look on with fear. ...And yet she accepted me. Of course, it was not in charity; I was given many errand tasks and cleaning duties to pay my dues, but this was of no detriment to my spirit. I had a new bed, a new room, a new home, and - for the first time - an ambition: to become an entertainer, so that I may live within a world where others always smile."

"When did you decide to leave the Underdark for good? What was that journey like for you?: "It was the moment I greeted Nenne post my father's death that I knew I had to leave. To an extent I could reason with myself my father’s fate.. To an extent. But rather, his death was something that I wanted to rationalize -- wanted to accept. Because as I have said before, at this time I had been trying to blend in -- let go of myself to become more like my fellow drow.  ...But my eyes awoke when they met Nenne's that day, and they could no longer stay closed. And so I quickly made an excuse and hurried to my room to separate myself and devise a plan. By then I had been aware of an expanse of caves, though we were not to travel into them. It was fairly obvious to me by then that these caves likely were the way to the surface; and even then, if they weren't, they would at least lead me far from my home. After gathering supplies (water, rations, rope, weapons, and the like that would support me in my escape), I stole into the night. I traveled as fast as I could, for as long as I could. I had hardly the courage to stop once I had left, for fear that others may find me and try to bring me back, if they decided not to simply kill me on the spot for my abandonment. Luckily, I was met with little opposition outside of bugs and rats. The journey lasted a small number of days - though after a while it had become hard to tell. Eventually, I stumbled into a small, decommissioned mine. And on tired feet I eventually stepped out of the rocks and onto grass... and it was then that I saw the sun for the first time, just as it was setting on the horizon. It was bright - almost unbearably so - but to my fortune it soon set. I wandered in the night, and then long into the next day, virtually blind as the sun rose higher and higher. Now and again I would trip and fall, but each time I picked myself back up. I had been traveling along a country road when a caravan rolled up from behind me. After talking with the driver he let me aboard, and later I found myself in the town of Redwater... There were times, I admit, as I gathered supplies, snuck away into the darkness, traversed among the caves, even riding down the caravan road, that I wondered if what I was doing was right. To be honest, I was scared -- almost enough to give up everything and turn back. I didn't know who or what I would meet on the surface. There could be many dangers - both of beast and of men - that might be unbeknownst to me. I thought that I very well could be running to my own death. But each time I reminded myself that certain death was what I was already running from -- that is, if not death of the body, then surely death of the soul."

“What is the name Valdrin Calmyrak? Does it mean anything?”: "The name I first gave to that caravan driver, and the name I continue to live by. I hadn't given it any thought about it then when I gave it to him; it wasn't until later had I realized how silly and perhaps revealing the name was or is. 'Val' means 'dark' or 'darkness.' 'Drin' means 'rogue/stealer.' To me, it brings thoughts of stealing the darkness away for cover as I made my escape; or perhaps how I "stole" myself from the Underdark...  'Cal' as well means 'noble' or 'lord,' and 'myr,' 'bones'; though 'myr' also can mean 'lost' among females, so... 'Lord of Bones?' 'Lost Lord?' -- I suppose that one isn't as contrived as first name. The '-ak' was more or less just a lilt on the end. 'Calmyr' doesn’t sound quite right to me -- to me, it sounds incomplete. But to my knowledge 'ak' doesn't mean anything... But yes, 'Valdrin Calmyrak' is the alias that I have lived by for years, and luckily I respond to it just as I would a real name now. As far as I'm concerned, it is my real name. I shall admit though... 'Valdrin' is not without his problems, I’ve come to realize. As I continued my work among the Performer's Guild, I grew a greater and greater lust for attention and admiration. So yes, 'Valdrin' can be haughty, stubborn, and attention-seeking, but he is also passionate, honest, and - somewhat - confident; and that can be seen as - at the very least - an improvement over the person I once was."

"So if you are Valdrin Calmyrak now, who was Elend'il Ven'arluth? What does that name now mean to you?”: "A remnant of a sordid past, and a name I would rather forget. ...The mere thought of it brings clouds over my bright skies. It is a sea of isolation and misery that washes over me in my remembrance... Elend'il was a man born into a foreign world. He was a son brought up in an ill-fitting family. He was a lover with no other half. When I think about Elend'il I see no future, no happiness... nothing except for wasted tears and promises of a short life on countless pairs of lips. Elend'il was always clutching at something; only to return his hand with nothing. Elend'il fought, surrendered, wept, let go, pretended... but never did he get anywhere. He followed long-forgotten trails that he believed would lead him home, only to find that he was still endlessly, hopelessly lost. To me to be Elend'il was to be absent."

"How do you feel about Eurwen Honeyscroll?”: "There are feelings for her that I can't quite admit. She is, of course, beautiful; it would be a slight upon Sune not to admit so... However, there is something, some part of her that sometimes finds it way to the surface that I find equally tantalizing. I don't want to believe it is just lust. But whatever the case, for now we remain only friends. There have been moments during her visits where I've tried to divulge with her my deeper feelings, but always it ends misconstrued... Perhaps I can't phrase myself correctly under such stress... More likely is it that though that she does not return my feelings. She must be simply content with making suggestive jokes and letting the moment pass."

"How do you feel about Lucius Cameron?”: "It's a small disappointment that he didn't return my interest, but it's to be expected, haha. I have had my fair share of rejection. I hold no ill-will for Cameron because of what he does or does not like. He is an admirable friend; warm, kind, and actually quite humorous at times as well. His strength reminds of me some I coupled with in the Underdark -- however his is a strength to protect and do good; not to manipulate or threaten. Anyways, I hope that we can be friends for many years to come."

"How do you feel about Igrene Gedrith?”: "I would say she is the most important woman in my life. She is a wealth of beauty and serenity, but also sadness and despair... I hope to relieve her of such ailments through our new life together. Now that I think of it, though, there are many ways we are similar... Suffering under the cruel punishment of selfish women... Family taken from us by those we trusted... Left alone to endure in silence for years upon years... Oddities that make us hard to fit within modern society... And yet we both must also share that same hope for a better tomorrow. ...Yes, that is what I believe binds us the most. Sure, there are many that think we are an item, but I love her as friend and mentor first and only. Through her I may shed the selfish nature 'Valdrin' has adopted... And through her I hope to learn better how to make others smile." “How do you feel about Takako Taiki?”: “...Must I be asked such a question? Ah... what even is there to say? I feel deeply for what happened to her -- it was an awful, retched curse that that axe put upon her... But even so, was it entirely the axe...? I suppose we might never know. But really, I... I do feel awful for that whole affair. But what was I to do?? It was obvious to me that if she didn’t... you know... that she would come back and try to kill me. There was something awfully wrong and vicious about her. And for all the destruction she caused in such a short time span... Well, I felt as though there was no going back for her. It was either then, or the gallows... And to me, it seemed like a mercy, then... ... I do wonder from time to time though about how else that situation could have resolved... All I can say is that as I knew her - before that incident - she seemed to be a loyal person and a strong fighter... perhaps even a friend. Perhaps. But it’s obvious my feelings are quite mixed on the matter. I should say though that wherever her soul is, I do hope it is resting peacefully. ...For her sake, and for mine, admittedly.”

"How do you feel about Tomas Eldrydyn?”: "Tomas Eldrydyn.... A name only amongst a few others that chills me to the bone. Never had I thought that I would be met with such opposition in my entertainment career. I mean, certainly I have encountered many an irritated audience member -- not to mention those in the Guild who still meet me with apprehensive gazes...  But a thoroughly-trained and well-renowned assassin with nothing less than a deathwish for myself? Even now it is still impossible to fathom. Perhaps only I could garner the attention of such an erratic individual. Regardless of the case, I cannot deny the immense effect the man has had on me. When I... 'dream' at night... When I close my eyes for just a moment too long... When my illusory fingers rest on the delicate strings of my harp just before I begin a performance... the ghostly image of him is there, plaguing me. -- Glaring down upon my lonesome figure from the far back of an enshrouded theatre. Each time is a reminder of that singular moment: the moment that I believe I could have saved him. The moment where I failed him, myself, and Lady Igrene. For - as I can understand it - there was no reason for him to die. -- No reason other than I was simply not good enough to motivate him to continue to live. ...And that, to me, is failing as an entertainer. 

After forming their collective Eurwen, Cameron, and Takako depart for the Bacchant Bastard, one of Laus’ few inns, where they spend the evening socializing. Coincidentally, Valdrin was also to be found at the tavern, and he makes a rather lackluster performance on his trusty harp. After finishing, the drow is given a tip by a rather vacuous but friendly harpy by the name of Hiori. The tip itself is a platinum piece - a considerable amount - with which seems to aggravate the previous performer: a jester by the name of Tomas. As Valdrin rejoins the group and the night progresses, the jester disappears, and eventually the team all settle into their respective inn rooms for the night.

The next morning the group awake uneventfully, spare for the note scribbled “HACK” that Valdrin finds daggered to his door. The drow puts it in his pocket and rejoins the group, where-then they travel to Gedrith Hold.

The Hold itself is a sprawling maze strewn with corpses of previous adventurers who had attempted to plunder its depths. Takako, Cameron, Eurwen, and Valdrin all make their way into the Hold’s sparring room which sits at the very front of the ruins’ long opening hallway. There, they find a shield that can be turned to raise a narrow wall and reveal a locked wooden door, which is promptly broken open by the half-oni.

Beyond the door is the dungeons of Gedrith Hold, and the group is immediately met with the fearsome sight of a giant, undead gaoler. With little help from Valdrin, the adventurers manage to fell the beast in satisfactory time. After a short investigation of the prison, the wanderers find a blind woman who quickly reveals herself to be the lady of the hold.

The woman, Lady Igrene Gedrith, discusses a short few things with the group. She discloses that she had in-fact locked herself within the prison and that her husband was suffering an “illness” with which she hoped the adventurers (or others who entered the Hold) may alleviate. In addition to this, she offers her healing magic for if the group should later come into dire straights. After this discussion and some bonding between the borderline flirtatious (much to Eurwen and Cameron’s exasperation) Valdrin and the peculiar Lady Igrene, the group departs from the prison to explore the rest of the Hold.

From there they move to investigate a pitfall along the main hallway. Takako secures a rope and descends into the shaft with the rest quickly following behind. In the midst of the impenetrable darkness, Cameron is attacked. After a brief scuffle, lights are made to reveal two identical Camerons. The group then commences a comically-cliched interrogation of the clones in order to determine which is the real one. After one of the knights fails to recall the tip that Valdrin was given by Hiori, the group singles out the doppelgänger and defeats him, although this leaves Valdrin and Cameron gravely wounded. With a quick trip back to Lady Igrene the party is healed completely, and they continue on their expedition.

The adventurers travel along a path that leads them to a blood-stained door. With a swift use of Mage Hand, the door’s guillotine trap is activated without causing any harm. Thereafter, the group hears the faint whispers of a disappointed woman.

Beyond the guillotine door is a large storage room, already pillaged save for three chests that sit against its far wall. In them, the group finds a set of jester’s clothes, a bloodied katana hidden beneath a pile of severed heads, and an ivory plaque engraved with a sword-and-aquila emblem that rests upon a pillow. The group collects everything and makes its way to a large gallery.

Within the gallery are numerous, beautifully aged paintings of various people, including which is Lady Igrene. With little else to discover, the group breaks down yet another door and finds themselves in the Hold’s shrine room.

As the adventurers take in the sights and smells of the lavish shrine, they notice a small book sitting near the altar. Nosy, Valdrin retrieves it. As he begins to leaf through its pages a key falls out from between them, which the drow secures in his pocket.

Valdrin returns to reading the book, only to discover it is a diary written by who appears to be Lady Igrene. The diary details the growing relationship between its owner and Dulam Gedrith, the Lord of the Hold. More grimly does it also detail the owner’s gratification in carrying out the prison’s executions. On the very last of the pages is the entry “It looks like I won’t be needing this anymore,” with the outline of the dark onyx key that fell from the journal's pages. Valdrin shares all of this information with the rest of the group, much to everyone’s dismay. They decide to carry on exploring the rest of the ruins before returning to Igrene to confront her.

Traveling down yet another hall, a body of a mauled woman rests not far from a scavenger who lays dying. He warns the group of a gathering of undead in the room at the other end of the hall. Aware that the man will die without further aid, the group carries him reluctantly back to Lady Igrene, who heals him. The man thanks the adventurers before heading out of the Hold.

Just as the wanderers are about to leave Lady Igrene once again, Valdrin notices an abnormality: as he bows his head silently to her, the blind woman in return bows back. The drow begins to dismiss this when the Lady asks for the key to the prison - something she absolutely should not know that he possesses. Immensely suspicious, Valdrin lies to her, claiming he has no idea what she is talking about. The woman does not prod any further and the group leaves the prison once again, troubled by this odd series of events.

The adventurers return to the hallway where they discovered the battered scavenger. Continuing further down, they once again hear the echoes of a woman - this time laughing - as they approach the door at the end of the hall. Behind the door, the group is greeted by a large band of undead skeletons.

After a long and arduous battle, the adventurers come out victorious. What remains afterward is one skeleton, Clab, who was charmed by Valdrin during the middle of the fight. The drow determined that the skeleton is sentient in some capacity and proceeds to drill him with questions using telepathy. From this he is able to reveal a few things: 1) Clab had also previously seen a jester within the Hold, carrying something rather large, 2) there was a betrayal of some sort involving Lady Igrene and the Hold, and 3) Clab and his fallen comrades are being held by a curse put on by “the Lady of the Hold.” Following this discussion, Clab leaves to join Lady Igrene, telling Valdrin that she may be able to help.

The group, wounded by the fight, settles down to rest, and Valdrin explains everything for the others. Going back to the diary, the drow further discovers that its owner managed to charm Dulam away from his lover at the time. The group at this point determines that Lady Igrene is absolutely not to be trusted. After a short discussion on the jester’s possible presence, the adventurers get ready to carry on with their journey.

A large banquet hall is where the group next finds themselves wandering into. There they find the company of Sir Maxime, a butler, who is also able to corroborate that a jester has indeed been slipping around the Hold. From there he points the group in two directions: the throne room to the north and the ballroom to the south. Just before the team heads in any particular direction, Sir Maxime discloses that the Lady of the Hold is also in the throne room, along with Dulam. Worried, Valdrin then asks how long ago Lady Igrene went to join him; to which Sir Maxime gives a confused non-answer before dissipating. This causes a realization to strike Valdrin: Lady Igrene may no longer actually be the recognized Lady of Gredrith Hold, and instead may have had her throne usurped or taken by an imposter. After discussing this with the others, however, the drow realizes that there is still a possibility of Lady Igrene being the owner of the diary. Addled and anxious, the adventurers give in to Valdrin’s requests to return to the prison once again in the hopes of confronting Lady Igrene… Should she still be there.

And indeed, the woman still is. Valdrin shows her the diary, to which Lady Igrene reacts with latent despondency. After an emotional conversation, the drow finally gives the dungeon key to Lady Igrene, believing that he can trust her - and that she is, in fact, the victim in all of this. The woman responds gives her heartfelt gratitude, giving the drow a blessing and shedding a few stray tears. Valdrin offers for her to join them on their journey to the throne room, but learns she is tethered to the confines of the dungeons until her husband is freed. With everything settled, the group leaves once more, the drow promising Lady Igrene he will meet her again.

Deciding to save the throne room for last, the adventurers make their way to the ballroom. Upon opening the doors, they find the room to be pitch black. — That is, until the room illuminates itself to reveal a giant beholder staring them down. Valdrin can do little more than wet himself before the monster fires a death ray into his chest.

Before the drow can be vaporized into oblivion however, the beholder disappears, proving to be a mere illusion. The adventurers hear echoes of the seemingly omnipresent woman again - cackling this time.

The moment passes and the group continues onwards into the barracks of Gedrith Hold. There they find three men who immediately appear defensive. Tensions rise as Takako intimidates the group and Valdrin takes it upon himself to try and charm the group in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. The drow manages to charm two of the men, Raleigh and Murdock, which alarms their commander, Roartz. As Roartz begins to become hostile, Valdrin makes the split-second decision to attempt to charm Roartz once again, which aggravates him further. He shoots Valdrin in the chest with a firearm, causing Takako and Eurwen to retaliate. Far from a fair match, Roartz is killed almost instantly. Immediately following this, Valdrin is overwhelmed by a vision of dark eyes piercing into his mind, and a feeling of immense disappointment - Lady Igrene’s disappointment, he realizes - washes over him. Distressed and listless, Valdrin orders the still-charmed Raleigh and Murdock to leave the Hold, not wishing for them to be present when the spell wears off.

The group spends the night within the barracks. When Valdrin awakes from a restless trance, he finds he still cannot shake his despondency. Forced to carry on, the adventurers travel through the ruins’ supply room.

In the supply room is a large amount of barrels filled with alcohol - one of them labeled with the sign “Has a bit of a kick.” Feeling adventurous, the team’s alcoholic, Eurwen, goes to fill her flask with the drink. Upon flipping the nozzle, the barrel immediately explodes on her and Takako. Both gravely wounded but still alive, the two manage to be revived by Valdrin and Cameron. After some groaning and complaining on the half-elf’s end, they pick themselves up and continue their ransacking. One item that Valdrin discovers is a translucent jade bottle labeled “Poison.” The rest of the group pockets their own found items and with the supply room spent, they move to the next area.

Upon opening the large, wooden double-doors, the adventurers are met with a spacious library, filled to the brim with various tomes. Any promise of a peaceful moment is dashed by the dark figure that stands atop a statue at the center of the room.

The figure quickly reveals himself to be Jester Tomas, the very same performer from the Bacchant Bastard only a couple nights before. He indeed carries a large something - a sack almost as large as his body - as the others had foretold. Straight to the point, Jester Tomas gives an extensive and maniacal monologue explaining his historied distaste for Valdrin and his infuriation at the substantial and undeserved tip he received from Hiori. Jester Tomas then reveals a massive lance, and an intense battle begins.

Vowing to redeem himself in Lady Igrene’s eyes for the tragedy in the barracks, Valdrin makes several attempts to persuade Jester Tomas to end the fight - all of which fail. After a near-fatal blow to the drow’s chest, he realizes that the man cannot be persuaded, and Valdrin joins his friends in an attempt to render the jester unconscious. As the tides of battle begin to turn in the enemy’s favor, an enigmatic woman joins the fight, helping the adventurers to defeat Jester Tomas who falls incapacitated, but alive.

Valdrin, still determined to end the battle without any casualties, restrains Jester Tomas until he is certain that the man will cause no further harm to himself or others. As soon as the drow releases him however, Jester Tomas pulls a knife on himself, threatening to end his life if Valdrin doesn’t play a song that “drives him to tears.” Having no other choice, Valdrin takes out his harp and gives the best performance his nerves can muster. Upon completion, Jester Tomas mutters, “Beautiful. Absolutely,” and falls back, collapsing onto the floor with a beaming yet tearful smile on his face. Valdrin scrambles to him and discovers a small, incision on his wrist where toxin has been self-inflicted. Unable to reverse the damage, Valdrin can only watch as Jester Tomas’ breathing slows until it eventually stops. Completely devastated, the drow can only manage to sob for several minutes afterward.

As the dust begins to finally settle, the mysterious woman who had intervened mid-fight steps back in to clear the air. She explains that the jester, Tomas Eldrydyn, had lived a double-life as a prolific killer within the Orllewin Assassin’s Conclave, but had disappeared from the role a number of months ago - the reason for which was rumored to be a mental breakdown. Beyond that, however, the woman offers little more explanation.

Valdrin, realizing that there is nothing more that can be done, picks himself and rejoins his comrades in exploring the library. There they find a collection of interesting books and rare items. Minor shenanigans ensue, most notably including when Valdrin, attempting to make an emotional rebound, makes a disastrous and rather embarrassing effort at wooing Cameron. Needless to say it spectacularly backfires, and the group returns to its investigation of the library. Eurwen discovers a number of knowledgable tomes, including a demon bestiary with a page curiously ripped out. Valdrin coincidentally finds a note that reveals his bottle of “poison” to be a temporary invulnerability potion.

Meanwhile the unknown woman, after performing her own comb-over of the area, is about to leave when she mentions the book she’s taking is of the Gedrith family history. Valdrin stops her and begs to see it, to which she reluctantly obliges. From the tome, the group learns that Lady Igrene was indeed replaced by another woman - though by who is indiscernible. Valdrin returns the book to the woman, who then parts ways with the group - but not before revealing her surname: Damlas. With that, she then disappears into the depths of Gedrith Hold.

Deciding it’s time to move on, the group makes way for the far side of the library where a locked door is found. Eurwen opens it without a hint of trouble and parts the large doors to reveal a vast treasure room. Here, they find a spread of valuables including a beautiful saber, a gruesome greataxe, a pike with a forked tip, and a majestic greatsword with a snaking blade. In the corner they find a large sack overflowing with coin and precious jewelry. As Eurwen opens one of the large chests however, it reveals itself to be a mimic and attacks her. A fight breaks out and the monster is quickly defeated. Upon opening the remaining chests, Eurwen discovers an onyx plaque, similar to the ivory one she found earlier in the storage room. Takako, entranced by the unique appearance of the greataxe, claims it for her own.

With the treasure room exhausted, the adventurers make their way back to the banquet hall, where Sir Maxime is once again present. He informs the group that Lady Igrene is in the audience hall just ahead. Not sparing any time, Valdrin dashes forward, the rest of the group rushing behind after him.

Passing quickly through a command room, the drow and company reaches the audience hall, where Lady Igrene can be seen amidst a pile of bodies, her robes stained with blood. Bewildered and overwrought, Valdrin unsheathes his rapier and demands that she show him the item he “gave her earlier” to prove her identity. Lady Igrene pulls out the very same key Valdrin gave her, which only causes further confusion. The Lady then explains that the bodies are a result of both failed attempts to gain entry into the throne room and from acts of “dissent.” She points the group to the other end of the hall where a set of doors lie - one obsidian, the other alabaster white. Finally making the connection, Eurwen realizes that the plaques are the keys to the final area. She sets them inside the recesses of the doors and its mechanism unlocks. Knowing what will come, Lady Igrene casts yet another healing wave over the group and sits down to rest. With a final plea, she begs the group to free Dulam once and for all.

Resolute, the adventurers open the doors to the Hold’s final area.

On the far side of the throne room is a small mob of undead soldiers, two more fearsome guards, a shambling knight, and a woman who sits on the throne beside him, impeccably beautiful but unbecomingly dressed. She cackles with derision as she taunts the group. When the adventurer’s fail to believe the woman’s lies, she resolves to flinging her small army of undead onto them.

Valdrin, bolstered by a fervent wish for justice, fearlessly downs the bottle of “poison” to start off the battle. With his new invulnerability, he makes a beeline for the throne, blasting out various shockwaves along the way. His in the meantime his comrades are forced to tackle the undead mobs head-to-head.

As the drow nearing ever closer to his target, the woman sends forth her guards in defense. Realizing Valdrin is invincible, one of them opts to grapple him, which is successful. With the rest of the party still held up by the horde, Valdrin is helpless as he is dragged forcefully towards the throne. When they reach the steps, however, the drow is able to pull off one final thunderwave which frees him from his restrainer.

In the meantime, the rest of the group manages to slay the undead army. No longer preoccupied, they join Valdrin in his fight against the two elite guards. Unfortunately, just as soon as the drow is freed he is quickly grappled once again. With the help of Eurwen, Valdrin is released for a final time and the two guards are defeated.

With one last body to shield her, the woman, who calls herself Daemevera, sends her last guard forth: Dulam Gedrith, undead. As he steps forward, Daemevera shifts into her true form: a fearsome succubus.

Dulam moves to engage Cameron in a duel as Daemevera ascends. With a wave of her hand she charms the half-oni, Takako. In the midst of swords clashing and arrows flying, a familiar voice calls out.

“DULAM! COME BACK!” Lady Igrene cries from the entrance of the throne room. The succubus, amused by her vain efforts, taunts her before bearing down on her with vicious claws. Lady Igrene, virtually defenseless, falls to the ground, unconscious and bleeding out. Upon seeing this Valdrin panics and howls at Dulam, berating him for his alliance with Daemevera and for his inability to see that Lady Igrene still loves him.

Finally coming to his senses, Dulam charges over and attacks the vile succubus. Following behind him is Valdrin, Cameron, and Eurwen, who manages to blind Takako while she is still charmed. Together, they inflict enough damage to cause Daemevera to retreat back into the air. Trying to regain control of the fight, she releases Takako from her charmed state and forces Dulam to bend to her will instead.

Under the influence of Daemevera, Dulam then strikes down upon Cameron and Eurwen while Valdrin makes his best effort to drag a resuscitated Igrene to safety. With the Lady as safe as she can be, Valdrin rushes back into the fight and manages to pierce the succubus with two thrown silver daggers. With a final shot from Eurwen, Daemevera plummets to the ground.

Alive but only barely, she commands Dulam to kill. Only able to obey, he strikes a furious blow to Cameron who falls unconscious. At the end of her rope, Daemevera makes one desperate, final move.

Rushing in, she grabs Valdrin and forces him in a single, devastating kiss. It drains at his very life force and threatens to take every last ounce of his soul. — But by the grace of some god or another - or just sheer luck or pure willpower - Valdrin Calmyrak survives and delivers the final, killing blow.

Daemevera collapses, and Dulam Gedrith falls to his knees, only managing to hold himself up by his shield.

Lady Igrene crawls to his side and murmurs something to him, and he pulls her into a long embrace. The two sit like that for a very long time.

“I. Am. Sorry.” Dulam manages to force out before he fades away, his body crumbling into dust.

Igrene holds his sword in her lap as Valdrin, fatigued but still standing, sits down next to her and comforts the woman. The deed finally done, Lady Igrene explains that she had kept Daemevera and her husband imprisoned within the throne room for over two millennia. Frustrated by years and years of torture, Lady Igrene treads over to the body of the succubus and proceeds to stab into her corpse again and again, cursing Daemevera’s name as she does. When the woman finally exhausts herself she pierces the demon’s head with the sword and falls to her knees, sobbing. After a long moment passes she manages to stand once again.

Lady Igrene, ready to leave the Hold once and for all, is stopped momentarily by Valdrin, who asks her to accompany them. The Lady accepts and he takes her hand in his as they make their way out of the harrowing ruins.

After the injured Eurwen is both dropped by a well-meaning Cameron and thrown into the ceiling by an overcompensating Takako, the group finally reaches the entrance of Gedrith Hold. The group basks in the morning sunlight for a brief period before gearing up and heading back to Laus.

In a day’s time, the adventurers return to Laus and opt to head straight back to the Bacchant Bastard, still plenty worn from their battle with Daemevera. Not daring to push themselves any further, they retire to their inn rooms for a night to recuperate.

The next morning arrives and Cameron, Takeo, and Valdrin regroup in the main hall of the inn. As they reflect on everything that happened, discussion comes up about Takako’s bizarre behavior during the fight with the succubus. Valdrin reminds her of a particular moment where she had hit Cameron - a moment long before she was charmed by Daemevera - but Takako cannot seem to remember doing so. The two men drop the topic when it fails to lead anywhere.

Lady Igrene then joins the rest as they discuss what next to do. The woman offhandedly mentions the sun, which reminds Valdrin to finally ask her if she can actually see, regardless of the fact that her “eyes” are merely empty sockets. Igrene then explains that she has the ability to see all things around her within half of a mile, which resolves many issues the drow was still confused on. Realizing the implications of this fact, however, Valdrin realizes that she witnessed a number of things, including the catastrophe that occurred in the barracks with Raleigh, Murdock, and Roartz. Ashamed, he finally apologizes to her properly for disappointing her. It is then that Igrene points Valdrin to a pair of hooded individuals sat near the entrance of the inn.

Realizing who it is, Valdrin begins to panic. After taking a moment to get some guidance and reassurance from Igrene, he realizes that the best thing he can do is apologize to the two as earnestly as he can. Swallowing hard, the drow gets up and makes his way to the pair’s table.

As Valdrin approaches, one of them kicks his chair out and swipes at the drow with a halberd - stopping only just before hitting his head. It then becomes obvious that it is indeed Raleigh and Murdock as they pull back their hoods. Tensions begin to rise as Takako, eager for a fight, begins to intervene in Valdrin’s attempts to make amends. After a difficult intervention from Cameron, Eurwen, and the inn’s own bouncer, Takako finally steps outside. As Valdrin turns back to face Raleigh and Murdock, Eurwen and Cameron make their way out of the bar to check on the half-oni.

A semblance of peace restored, Valdrin returns back to the matters at hand. He takes off his signet ring - his personal arcane focus - and sets it on the table near him before prostrating himself on the floor. The drow gives the most heartfelt apology that he can, which ultimately seems to satisfy the two men.

Raleigh and Murdock leave the Bacchant Bastard peacefully but only find further trouble outside. Takako, not ready to let insults go unpunished, taunts the two men, insulting their dead companion. Unable to accept this berating, a fight between Raleigh, Murdock, and Takako breaks out.

The oni cleaves into Raleigh with a mighty swing of her greataxe. The voice of a small elven girl seen flittering around the inn a handful of times cries out in alarm, and in the next instant, a black blur dives into the mix, slashing at Takako. As she regains her stance, the rest realize the blur is none other than Damlas, the woman from the library. She gives Takako one last chance to surrender, a chance she does not take.

Valdrin bursts from the inn and, as a last-ditch effort to stop the violence, attempts to charm Takako - an attempt that is successful. Suspecting a curse of some sort at work, Valdrin commands Takako to drop her greataxe, which she does reluctantly.

Guards arrive at the scene and get to work shackling Takako. A cleric and more guards arrive in order to deal with the assumedly-cursed axe, though they are not able to purify it then and there. As the restrained oni is being led off, she exits the axe’s field of influence, which causes her to go into a blind rage, breaking Valdrin’s charm. In a frenzy Takako tears herself from her shackles and vows revenge on the drow she now vehemently despises for his cowardliness.

Valdrin tries to put as much distance between the oni and himself as she comes barreling towards him, killing both the cleric and Raleigh in her wake. As a number of guards deal blow after blow to the Takako she staggers, finding Eurwen between herself and her target. Eurwen, not willing to let her reign of cruelty continue, strikes the final blow that renders Takako incapacitated. As the oni lays unconscious and bleeding the adventurers gather around her, wary of what to do next. When Murdock refuses to kill her, Valdrin is left unwilling to stand around idly as she lays dying and in a moment of mercy, or perhaps reserved anger, makes a decision. He unsheathes one of his daggers and slits Takako’s throat, ensuring her death.

Following the untimely passing of the oni, Valdrin and Eurwen see to it personally that the cursed greataxe is destroyed. Exercising every caution so that such a disaster will not happen again, they take the greataxe safely to Laus’ cathedral where it is purified, and then the local blacksmith where it is melted down beyond recognition. As the sun begins to set in Laus, the two return to the Bacchant Bastard to check on Lady Igrene and Cameron.

As they arrive they find Cameron finishing a round of questioning with another local guard who leaves, satisfied. They enter the Bacchant Bastard, opting to start a night of well-needed drinking, only to find Igrene missing. Valdrin panics, but Cameron convinces the drow to let him search for the Lady on his own while he and Eurwen relax.

The two discuss things over drinks, heavily at first but then lighter as the alcohol starts to set in. Soon enough Cameron returns, though Lady Igrene is not with him. He informs the two that he couldn’t find the woman, but had run into someone who had: Hiori. The harpy settles at the group’s table, much to the dismay of everyone. The bird girl recites a message from Lady Igrene, saying that she will be back tomorrow morning. Satisfied, the group decides to let Igrene be as she digests things on her own.

Not willing to let the night fade away, the group gets back to their drinking, though not before Hiori requests Valdrin to play his harp for the inn once again. Still traumatized from his encounter with Jester Tomas, the drow is reluctant to do so. With a bit of reassurance from his new friends, however, Valdrin is able to muster the courage to take up the stage again. What follows is a masterful performance which spurs tears in the eyes of some, and joy in others. As Valdrin finishes, the inn, which has now filled with even more people than when he started, erupts in applause.

The group converses late into the night and eventually turn in for bed.

The morning comes and the group finds Igrene, safe and sound in her inn bedroom. As Valdrin, Eurwen, and Igrene discuss things idly, Cameron heads to the Adventurer’s Guild on his own to warn other adventurers. A while later the three head there themselves in order to meet up with the knight one final time.

The four (and Hiori, who idly stood by) discuss their plans as it becomes time to part ways. Eurwen shrugs, having no real plan, and Cameron is not much different besides making sure his brother doesn’t “drink himself to death.” Valdrin explains that he’ll be traveling back to Cressela, his hometown not far from Laus. Upon mentioning it, the drow gets the idea to offer Lady Igrene to accompany him and settle there, to which she surprisingly agrees. With loose ends finally tied, the three adventurers part ways, vowing to visit each other in the future - and their journey, for now, comes to a close.