You think the answer to escape is to defeat the Augur?
[ An interesting thought. One Shaun hadn't had, actually. He had mostly thought of modifying a teleport spell when he got that power back. ]
I suppose it must be different knowing him as long as you have. [ He can tell that from the way Fjord smiles about him. He wonders if there's anything else there as well. ] But we had a very pleasant game of dominos and conversations about magic. As magical sorts are want to do when they gather together.
[ Very calmly, without missing a sip of his drink, he says, ]
I want the Augur dead for what it's done to us. To me.
[ But that's lost to the wayside as he rolls onto the topic of Essek, a far lighter one. ]
We haven't known Essek very long in the grand scheme of things but he's probably in trouble back home because of us now, just by association. Letting us crack some of his walls may not have been wise, even if it was good for him. [ Closing his eyes for a long moment, he thinks of all the things they have to do when they go home, and especially if they take newcomers. ] I'm thinking of my bed in Rosohna and how badly I want to take a nap there.
Well, Vax killed a God once. I'm sure with everyone here it can be done again.
[ That's the best way Shaun can think of the power that controls this place. It's a God or a demi-God. Hence why he thought teleportation would be more practical.
Shaun's expression softens. Fjord is hardened, sure, but not cruel. There's a real softness to him and Shaun imagines he doesn't show it to everyone. ]
In the back of my shop... I have a teleportation circle. It takes me home to my parents. For the same reasons you want a nap in your home. I love Emon but it will never be the same.
[ What a thing to leave out! Although, Fjord hasn't brought up some of the weirder shit the Nein have defeated, and he knows being almost-pals with Artagan is not at all impressive. Who gives a fuck about archfey.
It's nice to know Shaun has parents, a whole family to return to. Somewhere safe. ]
What are your parents like? They must be proud of your business.
Vax will rarely brag about himself. If you want to hear about his adventures ask about his sister. He'll brag about Vex all day long but never himself.
[ Perhaps Fjord has noticed that Vax does not think of himself as anything special. Shaun's noticed for years. None of the humility is an act. ]
They are proud and happy where they are. I've helped them a little but they don't like to take my gold. Kind. Welcoming. The warmest people you'll ever meet. Generous to a fault.
[ Oh, he misses them. He hopes they don't worry too much when he doesn't visit for a long time. ]
I could show up at their door with absolutely no warning with everyone in these two houses and they would open the door like it was a planned event.
[ And sad, even when in Fjord's lap, he gets a look in his eye and there's a distance. the best Fjord can do is reel him back into warm awaiting arms. ]
They sound wonderful. [ The description makes him smile, only having experienced the same kind of welcome in one place before. ] Jester's mother is like that. Marion lets us stay at the Lavish Chateau whenever we turn up and she drops everything to be with her daughter, she never lets us pay for the rooms.
The Chateau is in Nicodranas, if you ever drop by. Hearing the Ruby of the Sea sing is a special experience.
He has lived a very hard life. Which I will not tell you about. Vax'ildan has told me many things in trust and I won't betray that confidence.
[ Fjord is one who clearly cares about Vax a bit more than others. Shaun understands it perfectly and he's only a tiny bit jealous. It's a feeling he can ignore. ]
Jester is another friend of yours? [ He smokes a little. The names will stick with him. Ruby of the Sea sounds delightful. ]
[ A nod agrees he doesn't expect to hear a thing about the sordid details of Vax's life from another, particularly not Shaun. There's a push-and-pull between him and Vax that Fjord doesn't want to get in the firing line of.
His eyes crinkle with a smile. ]
Yes, she's the youngest of the Nein. I met her a couple of weeks before the others, she's a blue tiefling Cleric. I ... I'm glad she isn't on this island, it would be difficult for her.
[ For a wide variety of reasons, he thinks. Molly's and Aphrodite's faces swim before his mind's eye. ]
She likes to read the dumb porn books our group collects, but ...
[ Thinking of Jester on sex island makes his insides twist uncomfortably, there's a lot to unpack. ]
[ There's a history deeper and more complex than anyone knows. Only Caduceus has gotten Shaun to open up about it. Things are smoother now. They've talked but there will always be something. ]
A blue tiefling? They can come in blue? [ They really don't get many of the diverse races in Emon. Which is strange considering it's a port city. ] The only one I ever worked with is red. Beautiful white hair. A warlock. I should see how she is when I get back.
[ He's noticed Fjord's rising discomfort so he imagines a change of subject is in order. ] I was surprised to meet Molly. He's the loviest shade of lavender I've ever seen.
[ He's grateful for the new direction the topic takes, sighing out a laugh and swigging his drink. ]
Yes, he's a beautiful bastard alright, and he knows it. He always has.
[ Lucien hadn't cared about his looks, one of the top ten weird things about the son of a bitch. With Molly flouncing around so obviously it's a comfort, mainly because Fjord isn't sure he could switch his emotions off if Lucien took over. ]
You know, when we first saw each other on the beach after we arrived, we didn't believe either of us was real, not until he had to stop me passing out from poison with his Blood Hunter abilities. [ "Passing out" being a watered down version of "rock hard and humiliated", but that's buried in the past. ] That's when we stumbled up the road to this house and collapsed in the derelict shithole that it was, back then. We were so shaken up.
[ Shaun thought he would get along with someone who read bad porn novels for fun. He loves a good laugh. ]
I know. That's why I liked him right away. We have the same ego.
[ Of course they flirted. It was their way. Shaun liked the tiefling and would absolutely sleep with him if presented the chance but that's neither here nor there right now. ]
I thought I was dead when I saw Vax. It was the only logical explanation for everything.
[ Shaun and Molly do have the same hedonistic vibe. Fjord wonders if he should warn him about Lucien and the dormant threat there, but ultimately that's Molly's story to tell. ]
He doesn't have a pulse.
[ It blurts out before he can think of the implications and he clears his throat a moment later. ]
But he's not ... well, undead. I wonder how the Augur does it.
From what I understand when the Raven Queen claimed Vax as her champion and took him she essentially made him a wraith or a lich but not corrupted. This is all I've been able to piece together reading. I don't know if any of it is actually what Vax is.
[ He's very aware of Vax's lack of pulse but his heart and soul are just as Shaun remembers.
He is everything Shaun loves. As he always has been. ]
It's not really that unusual of a trait. There are certain sorcerer imbued with the Shadowfell itself and their hearts rarely beat. I think it can happen with some warlocks as well but don't quote me on that.
[ He's going to deal with the Raven Queen ... somehow. There has to be a way.
His frown eases as they go on. ]
I'm a Hexadin! [ Brightly tossing that out as if it's a real word, he elaborates his own nonsense for Shaun's sake. ] A Warlock-Paladin. I was a Warlock originally with my first patron, then when I left him the Wildmother took me on.
[ Even Shaun, for all he loves Vax, knows better than to mess with that deal. It was freely made. He won't cheapen Vax's sacrifice for his own selfish desires. ]
An interesting way to put it. [ That actually makes him smile. It's a very silly way to say it but he likes the humor. ] So you and Caduceus share a... well, I don't want to say patron. The support of a Goddess. I've never had the faith for such things. Good for you.
Patron's alright, that's what she is. Caduceus is the reason I found her, he's got a stronger connection through the earth and ... all that. [ Plants fucking hate Fjord. ] I respect her, so I serve her. If she could reach us here, she would never have let the Augur block her out.
[ He pauses, then decides to reveal, ]
... My old patron punished me repeatedly by taking away my powers the way the Augur has. He would only give them back if I did what he wanted, and sometimes I would wake up helpless.
[ Which sheds more light on how personally Fjord has taken the Augur meddling in his goddess-bestowed boons and why he wants to destroy it. ]
He does have a very strong connection with nature. I've only seen one like it before in my life.
[ Keyleth for all her awkwardness was good with plants and nature. She grew into her power which he could easily see Fjord doing as well. Especially under Caduceus's guidance. ]
This is the first time I've ever been disconnected from my magic since it awakened in me. There's a part of me that wants to fuck my way through all the assignments just to get it back. I understand your anger.
[ The Augur had effectively taken his soul from him and Shaun was pissed. ]
But... well... without that I'd probably be fairly lazy about completing them. I enjoy casual sex but not when it's so often coerced.
[ It's hard to imagine anyone can understand his anger, the humiliation he feels in being useless that roots all over again in his bones. Four months of scraping to survive have left him with a depowered sword and a fear of losing the people he has come to love more, relegated to being weak again. It may be ego, perhaps only Caleb understands how Fjord works these days; Molly is his heart but he can't relate to this one specific wound.
He's beyond feeling foolish for needing to affect greater change with his abilities. ]
[ Shaun's smile is genuine. He's been asked this question before but he imagines Fjord might appreciate the answer more than Essek did. ]
It's like being a Cleric or a Paladin, comforted by the power of your God. I know it is with me. Always. I am never without. While a wizard needs a spellbook and years of study, I don't. I was born like this. Magical.
[ And until the Augur blocked him Shaun could always count on it. It's like this island has taken a part of himself away and he hates it. He's also scared but only Vax knows that. ]
[ His soft smile is back. What if he had been born like that, with powers? Would he have been treated differently growing up? Would they have still set him to work with the other children making paltry trinkets for the asylum? ]
Yes. I can imagine it. Do you feel ... less, without it?
[ Fjord's lovely and very kind but there's only so much vulnerability Shaun is willing to show. ]
It's like there's a wall between me and the well of power sitting in my blood. It's an... uncomfortable sensation. Frustrating. Makes me angry. It's certainly motivated me to find ways to fuck with this island in return.
[ The short answers say just enough and no more. No longer lulled by the mild line he senses at last drawn in the sand, he sits up and necks the rest of his whiskey as he takes what he feels is a hint. He resolves not to ask too much in the future.
I don't want to harm anyone. But if I can create that magical way to check food I reduce the islands chances of feeding. Of tricking people. A small victory but a victory none the less.
[ If Fjord mentions the heaviness of the smoke Shaun can clear a bit of it away with a cantrip. He doesn't mind the smell. ]
If I can take my dominos and Heroes' Feast and open a cafe where people can purchase safe food, same idea. Circumvent what is expected and hopefully frustrate things just a little.
And Gods knows if I get teleport back and can make it work I'm sending everyone home.
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[ An interesting thought. One Shaun hadn't had, actually. He had mostly thought of modifying a teleport spell when he got that power back. ]
I suppose it must be different knowing him as long as you have. [ He can tell that from the way Fjord smiles about him. He wonders if there's anything else there as well. ] But we had a very pleasant game of dominos and conversations about magic. As magical sorts are want to do when they gather together.
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I want the Augur dead for what it's done to us. To me.
[ But that's lost to the wayside as he rolls onto the topic of Essek, a far lighter one. ]
We haven't known Essek very long in the grand scheme of things but he's probably in trouble back home because of us now, just by association. Letting us crack some of his walls may not have been wise, even if it was good for him. [ Closing his eyes for a long moment, he thinks of all the things they have to do when they go home, and especially if they take newcomers. ] I'm thinking of my bed in Rosohna and how badly I want to take a nap there.
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[ That's the best way Shaun can think of the power that controls this place. It's a God or a demi-God. Hence why he thought teleportation would be more practical.
Shaun's expression softens. Fjord is hardened, sure, but not cruel. There's a real softness to him and Shaun imagines he doesn't show it to everyone. ]
In the back of my shop... I have a teleportation circle. It takes me home to my parents. For the same reasons you want a nap in your home. I love Emon but it will never be the same.
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[ What a thing to leave out! Although, Fjord hasn't brought up some of the weirder shit the Nein have defeated, and he knows being almost-pals with Artagan is not at all impressive. Who gives a fuck about archfey.
It's nice to know Shaun has parents, a whole family to return to. Somewhere safe. ]
What are your parents like? They must be proud of your business.
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[ Perhaps Fjord has noticed that Vax does not think of himself as anything special. Shaun's noticed for years. None of the humility is an act. ]
They are proud and happy where they are. I've helped them a little but they don't like to take my gold. Kind. Welcoming. The warmest people you'll ever meet. Generous to a fault.
[ Oh, he misses them. He hopes they don't worry too much when he doesn't visit for a long time. ]
I could show up at their door with absolutely no warning with everyone in these two houses and they would open the door like it was a planned event.
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[ And sad, even when in Fjord's lap, he gets a look in his eye and there's a distance. the best Fjord can do is reel him back into warm awaiting arms. ]
They sound wonderful. [ The description makes him smile, only having experienced the same kind of welcome in one place before. ] Jester's mother is like that. Marion lets us stay at the Lavish Chateau whenever we turn up and she drops everything to be with her daughter, she never lets us pay for the rooms.
The Chateau is in Nicodranas, if you ever drop by. Hearing the Ruby of the Sea sing is a special experience.
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[ Fjord is one who clearly cares about Vax a bit more than others. Shaun understands it perfectly and he's only a tiny bit jealous. It's a feeling he can ignore. ]
Jester is another friend of yours? [ He smokes a little. The names will stick with him. Ruby of the Sea sounds delightful. ]
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His eyes crinkle with a smile. ]
Yes, she's the youngest of the Nein. I met her a couple of weeks before the others, she's a blue tiefling Cleric. I ... I'm glad she isn't on this island, it would be difficult for her.
[ For a wide variety of reasons, he thinks. Molly's and Aphrodite's faces swim before his mind's eye. ]
She likes to read the dumb porn books our group collects, but ...
[ Thinking of Jester on sex island makes his insides twist uncomfortably, there's a lot to unpack. ]
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A blue tiefling? They can come in blue? [ They really don't get many of the diverse races in Emon. Which is strange considering it's a port city. ] The only one I ever worked with is red. Beautiful white hair. A warlock. I should see how she is when I get back.
[ He's noticed Fjord's rising discomfort so he imagines a change of subject is in order. ] I was surprised to meet Molly. He's the loviest shade of lavender I've ever seen.
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[ He's grateful for the new direction the topic takes, sighing out a laugh and swigging his drink. ]
Yes, he's a beautiful bastard alright, and he knows it. He always has.
[ Lucien hadn't cared about his looks, one of the top ten weird things about the son of a bitch. With Molly flouncing around so obviously it's a comfort, mainly because Fjord isn't sure he could switch his emotions off if Lucien took over. ]
You know, when we first saw each other on the beach after we arrived, we didn't believe either of us was real, not until he had to stop me passing out from poison with his Blood Hunter abilities. [ "Passing out" being a watered down version of "rock hard and humiliated", but that's buried in the past. ] That's when we stumbled up the road to this house and collapsed in the derelict shithole that it was, back then. We were so shaken up.
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[ Shaun thought he would get along with someone who read bad porn novels for fun. He loves a good laugh. ]
I know. That's why I liked him right away. We have the same ego.
[ Of course they flirted. It was their way. Shaun liked the tiefling and would absolutely sleep with him if presented the chance but that's neither here nor there right now. ]
I thought I was dead when I saw Vax. It was the only logical explanation for everything.
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He doesn't have a pulse.
[ It blurts out before he can think of the implications and he clears his throat a moment later. ]
But he's not ... well, undead. I wonder how the Augur does it.
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[ He's very aware of Vax's lack of pulse but his heart and soul are just as Shaun remembers.
He is everything Shaun loves. As he always has been. ]
It's not really that unusual of a trait. There are certain sorcerer imbued with the Shadowfell itself and their hearts rarely beat. I think it can happen with some warlocks as well but don't quote me on that.
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[ A wraith or a lich. He isn't sure he knows what a lich is but it sounds evil as hell. Vax can't be one, he reasons. That's insane. ]
Warlocks who die, yes. We can be brought back and forced into eternal service if we renege on a pact.
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He's the champion of the Goddess of Death and Fate. Did you think it would be a gentle job? She's not a merciful one, the Raven Queen.
[ There's nothing evil about Vax. Whatever he's been made into hasn't changed him fundamentally. Anyone should be able to see that. ]
You don't strike me as a warlock type but I shouldn't assume. I would've thought Caduceus was a druid if I did.
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His frown eases as they go on. ]
I'm a Hexadin! [ Brightly tossing that out as if it's a real word, he elaborates his own nonsense for Shaun's sake. ] A Warlock-Paladin. I was a Warlock originally with my first patron, then when I left him the Wildmother took me on.
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An interesting way to put it. [ That actually makes him smile. It's a very silly way to say it but he likes the humor. ] So you and Caduceus share a... well, I don't want to say patron. The support of a Goddess. I've never had the faith for such things. Good for you.
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[ He pauses, then decides to reveal, ]
... My old patron punished me repeatedly by taking away my powers the way the Augur has. He would only give them back if I did what he wanted, and sometimes I would wake up helpless.
[ Which sheds more light on how personally Fjord has taken the Augur meddling in his goddess-bestowed boons and why he wants to destroy it. ]
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[ Keyleth for all her awkwardness was good with plants and nature. She grew into her power which he could easily see Fjord doing as well. Especially under Caduceus's guidance. ]
This is the first time I've ever been disconnected from my magic since it awakened in me. There's a part of me that wants to fuck my way through all the assignments just to get it back. I understand your anger.
[ The Augur had effectively taken his soul from him and Shaun was pissed. ]
But... well... without that I'd probably be fairly lazy about completing them. I enjoy casual sex but not when it's so often coerced.
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more, relegated to being weak again. It may be ego, perhaps only Caleb understands how Fjord works these days; Molly is his heart but he can't relate to this one specific wound.He's beyond feeling foolish for needing to affect greater change with his abilities. ]
What's it like, being born with magic?
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It's like being a Cleric or a Paladin, comforted by the power of your God. I know it is with me. Always. I am never without. While a wizard needs a spellbook and years of study, I don't. I was born like this. Magical.
[ And until the Augur blocked him Shaun could always count on it. It's like this island has taken a part of himself away and he hates it. He's also scared but only Vax knows that. ]
Does that make sense?
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Yes. I can imagine it. Do you feel ... less, without it?
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[ Fjord's lovely and very kind but there's only so much vulnerability Shaun is willing to show. ]
It's like there's a wall between me and the well of power sitting in my blood. It's an... uncomfortable sensation. Frustrating. Makes me angry. It's certainly motivated me to find ways to fuck with this island in return.
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All the smoke is a bit heady ... ]
How so? You can't harm the automatons.
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[ If Fjord mentions the heaviness of the smoke Shaun can clear a bit of it away with a cantrip. He doesn't mind the smell. ]
If I can take my dominos and Heroes' Feast and open a cafe where people can purchase safe food, same idea. Circumvent what is expected and hopefully frustrate things just a little.
And Gods knows if I get teleport back and can make it work I'm sending everyone home.
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