Amelia Eva Steinbeck 📚 Teacher 📚 Witch 📚 Available for pop culture consultation regarding the arts, literature, and other foreign mediums of expression.
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NAME: Amelia Eva Steinbeck BIRTHDAY: February 28th FAV CAKE FLAVOR: Mixed berries, whipped cream, and lemon curd
WHAT THEY WANT MOST FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY: For her AP Lit. class to pass their test w/ a 3 or higher.
[That meal was going to be well-earned after all they've done here today; magic itself takes a great deal of energy even among the most experienced practitioners, and while they've not seen anything they couldn't handle thus far, it's certainly more than their vacation has demanded of them up until now.
He returns the key to her as he draws back up to his full height, giving a stretch of his own and feeling the muscles in his back loosen as a result. Adventuring, it turns out, is rather fun when it's not a life or death situation. He gestures to the way ahead, deferring to her.]
Let's see exactly what was worth hiding behind undead soldiers and locked doors. Perhaps even a small piece of the puzzle that is Hotel Caelum.
[And their trek continues. There are more enemy skeletons, some in groups, others stalking the corners to make a surprise attack. Anytime Amelia sees a chest, she immediately sets it on fire which is a good way to get any sneaky mimics out of the way. Using the key's design as a reference, they're led to a spiraling staircase that goes down, down, and down...
And finally, there's an enormous set of locked doors at the bottom. Though the keyhole matches what they have on hand, there's a stone slab that sits across the handles and there's an inscription that's hard to make out.]
It looks like we have some directions to follow before we can open up. Can you light it up Gale?
[With their early encounters in this place behind them, they manage the skeletons and potential mimics they come across with aplomb. The spiral staircase seems quite promising even as they approach, and when they do reach the bottom, Gale believes they've absolutely come to the right place, should they hope to find anything of worth.
At her request, he immediately raises a hand and gives it a wave, lighting the end of his staff.]
It would be my pleasure.
[He proceeds to take the staff in both hands and angle it so that the light shines on the inscription, leaning in and squinting a bit to examine the text.]
[The script is very small and written in fine lines but the light from Gale's staff helps illuminate it. The inherent magic makes the lines glow making it easier for Amelia to read it aloud.]
"Greetings travelers You've come this far. Now you've one last foe One most bizarre.
One last thing, Before you attack..."
[Amelia pauses, not to be dramatic but to be... Dumbfounded.]
[With a roll of 17, Amelia's natural intelligence and experience with wordplay comes into full force. Now if she's actually proud of being able to figure this out... Well.]
...
...
...
Spare ribs.
[The words of the riddle light up and the stone slab disintegrates into dust.]
I've never even heard of such a thing, at least not in that context— perhaps when referring to the field of necromancy, but I don't think most of their lot are terribly concerned about the ribs.
[Rather more focused on the fleshy bits, generally. He shakes his head, muttering under his breath:]
Favorite snack... ridiculous.
[He doesn't love having been outfoxed by a door. Heaving a sigh of his own, he collects himself and dims the light on his staff, straightening up.]
[Pfffff. Well, he can puzzle that out while Amelia unlocks the doors with a 'click' and they open up automatically for the two adventurers. She looks around the new room they're in, careful and alert. It looks suspiciously sparse with bits of dry grass poking through the cracks. Further ahead, it starts to become more littered with half-melted candles that keep the arena alight.]
... Nothing yet. But the unease is... Palpable down here. More so than any parts of the corridors we've been through.
[He stays close as they cross the threshold, unwilling to let her venture too far ahead on her own. The room appears to be empty, but he can feel the tension as it rolls over them, the air itself thick with unease.]
Perfect place for an ambush.
[He doesn't need to tell Amelia to be on her guard, he knows— she's been on alert all the while, as has he.
He exhales, his voice low as he pulls from the Weave and feels energy coursing through his arm, down to the very tips of his fingers, a spell ready to take form at a moment's notice.]
Whatever comes our way, I don't fancy their chances.
[It's tempting to create a stronger light source to cast away the shadows but on the other hand, she doesn't want to attract anything that may be hiding in the darkness. So forward with caution it is and Gale is at the ready.
The tension is high but it feels balanced between them. As they move further, the candlelight reveals long structures lying on the floor at various angles. It's hard to make the color out so Amelia takes it upon herself to go up close and make a small orb of green light to take a closer look.]
[He frowns as he joins her, also suppressing the urge to summon up brighter light to aid them— best not to put a spotlight on themselves, though that's assuming that whatever is here isn't already very aware of their presence.]
There's quite a lot of them... difficult to tell what they're made of in this light, but certainly not logs.
[Given the size of them, it seems questionable, but there has been a particular theme about this place as they've progressed through.]
[He follows her gaze into the dimly lit distance; not for the first time, he curses his human eyes, knowing that even summoning a bit of light won't do much to reveal it from where they stand. Now that he has bones in mind, however, what they're seeing begins to take shape, and he exhales.]
That does seem very, very possible— and in my experience, giant bones are never a good sign.
[Is it possible that they could be lucky enough that these won't reanimate in some way?]
This place almost feels akin to a necromancer's playhouse...
[Amelia decides to throw a little caution to the wind and summon a small orb of emerald green light. It orbits around the witch to help illuminate their path even further but with a narrow enough scope to not light up the whole dungeon.
Let's just say that up ahead the curvature of some hip bones begins to emerge and even further up is the outline of a ribcage.
This is not promising. Amelia's lips are a thin grimace.]
Gale. What's the most physically gigantic monster you've ever taken down?
[You know so that they can plan accordingly. Amelia has experience, for better or for worse.]
[He assesses what Amelia's emerald light reveals and frowns further when he sees the width of those hip bones and the ribcage beyond— it's difficult to say whether or not this thing is larger than the Apostle of Myrkul, but they're certainly comparable.]
There have been a fair few, but a dragon would likely be the easiest example.
[He's not eager to relive that one, though no doubt he'll have at least a few opportunities to do so back home before all is said and done. Even compared to some of what he'd faced during his travels as Mystra's Chosen, it had proven a challenge.]
We'll want to spread out if it's something large, divide its attention. My mirror images can aid with that.
[Even as he muses aloud, he doesn't sound terribly averse to the idea— dangerous though it may be, he's certain it's nothing they can't handle, and so long as they're not in a position to be ambushed...
Their combined curiosity may well get the best of them.]
As we're on the subject, and just for curiosity's sake, hat's the largest thing you've ever found yourself up against?
[That's quite the question. It makes Amelia's lips purse but he isn't without an answer for long.]
Years ago, there was a creature that had no physical form that attached itself to my world. Slowly, silently, insidiously, it spread its influence throughout my town.
[The Hive of Thorns was unlike any other. The seeds had been sown and by the time she had settled into Blackgale, the reaping had already begun. She wouldn't have managed going up against it without Berna, Michael, Adam, and...]
Long story, short, the moment it gained a container, I confronted and destroyed it. It's easier to deal with a monster that has a shape than one with none.
Edited (sorry rewording galore ONE MORE TIME) 2023-12-29 04:10 (UTC)
[A creature that spread itself unseen like a disease— not so unlike the infected becoming a part of the Illithid hivemind. Something that could not be destroyed because it had no shape of its own, unless one were to find the source. The description she gives is familiar enough to him, and he wishes it was the sort of thing that either of them had only ever read in books, rather than experience some form of it themselves.]
That's quite a formidable foe, to say the very least.
[He can tell from the brief purse of her lips that it's not the sort of tale she shares openly— she has shown herself to be a private person more often than not, but it's yet another piece of the puzzle, another small portion of the larger picture of her life revealed.]
But you managed it— you brought an end to its spread and freed your town.
[That part doesn't surprise him all that much, to be perfectly honest.]
[He watches her for a long moment, studying her quietly as she uses her orb to light the way and survey what's ahead.
The way she had trailed off, her voice faltering— he remembers, not for the first time, the memory that she'd been made to revisit at the heart of the Vale of Tears, the way she has told him that it wasn't a bad memory at all, even through the tears. There is so much he does not yet know about her, what she's been through, but every sliver that she reveals, every bit she chooses to share, he understands why she's been so carefully guarded just a little better.
More than anything, he wants to be able to take her hand and chase that hesitation from her voice, offer comfort of some kind, for whatever good it may or may not do.
He follows her lead when she changes the subject, unwilling to press or ask her to dwell when she clearly wished to direct her focus elsewhere. With her light showing the way, he starts towards the skull at a steady pace, his mouth set into a thin line.]
Let's see what we're dealing with, shall we? If we're going to wake it, I imagine that's an excellent place to start.
[Perhaps things would be different if other people from Amelia's life could reveal those excerpts from her life. It would be easier if someone could tell her story with the empathy and care she needed. But at the end of the day, only she could be able to give the whole truth of the strain her heart and mind have been through and how existing as a magical being has been taxing.
They're not at that point yet. Maybe someday. Every little interaction, thoughtful discussion, each small adventure in this hotel, and what Gale has revealed to her is slowly unraveling her defenses.
Maybe someday.
Her emerald light floats up through the ribcage. Though she focused on the skull at first, there's something within the ribs that becomes more apparent, a fleshy lump of sorts. Lungs? No...]
[He narrows his gaze at the heart as she illuminates it, slipping between two of the ribs to join her on her side of the skeleton— because it does seem to be at least one in its entirety.]
It appears so. Jumpstarting that could be the key.
[Something he's sure they're both capable of, if they so choose.]
One has to wonder exactly what was able to bring this creature down in the first place— or rather, why it's remained here, inanimate. Everything else we came across seemed intent on keeping us out, which led me to believe they were protecting something, here at the heart of everything...
[He gestures at their discovery, his expression thoughtful.]
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no subject
[That meal was going to be well-earned after all they've done here today; magic itself takes a great deal of energy even among the most experienced practitioners, and while they've not seen anything they couldn't handle thus far, it's certainly more than their vacation has demanded of them up until now.
He returns the key to her as he draws back up to his full height, giving a stretch of his own and feeling the muscles in his back loosen as a result. Adventuring, it turns out, is rather fun when it's not a life or death situation. He gestures to the way ahead, deferring to her.]
Let's see exactly what was worth hiding behind undead soldiers and locked doors. Perhaps even a small piece of the puzzle that is Hotel Caelum.
no subject
Here's hoping. Let's go.
[And their trek continues. There are more enemy skeletons, some in groups, others stalking the corners to make a surprise attack. Anytime Amelia sees a chest, she immediately sets it on fire which is a good way to get any sneaky mimics out of the way. Using the key's design as a reference, they're led to a spiraling staircase that goes down, down, and down...
And finally, there's an enormous set of locked doors at the bottom. Though the keyhole matches what they have on hand, there's a stone slab that sits across the handles and there's an inscription that's hard to make out.]
It looks like we have some directions to follow before we can open up. Can you light it up Gale?
no subject
At her request, he immediately raises a hand and gives it a wave, lighting the end of his staff.]
It would be my pleasure.
[He proceeds to take the staff in both hands and angle it so that the light shines on the inscription, leaning in and squinting a bit to examine the text.]
It appears to be quite old. Can you make it out?
no subject
"Greetings travelers
You've come this far.
Now you've one last foe
One most bizarre.
One last thing,
Before you attack..."
[Amelia pauses, not to be dramatic but to be... Dumbfounded.]
"What is a skeleton's favorite snack...?"
What.
no subject
What sort of riddle is that?
[Frowning, he folds his arms in front of him, careful to keep the light steady regardless.]
I would expect it's aiming for some sort of clever wordplay, but skeletons don't eat.
[Something that rhymes with a body part, perhaps...?]
no subject
...
...
...
Spare ribs.
[The words of the riddle light up and the stone slab disintegrates into dust.]
no subject
What?
[This man has at least one fantasy PhD, probably more, and he is struggling to connect these dots.]
As in... rib of boar?
[That's hardly snappy or clever. Clearly, however, Amelia has solved this thing quite handily.]
no subject
Yes... It's less of a riddle and more of a joke where you have to figure out the pun.
[She sighs heavily and takes out the key to unlock the door.]
You don't call them spare ribs?
no subject
[Rather more focused on the fleshy bits, generally. He shakes his head, muttering under his breath:]
Favorite snack... ridiculous.
[He doesn't love having been outfoxed by a door. Heaving a sigh of his own, he collects himself and dims the light on his staff, straightening up.]
Shall we see what awaits us on the other side?
no subject
... Nothing yet. But the unease is... Palpable down here. More so than any parts of the corridors we've been through.
no subject
Perfect place for an ambush.
[He doesn't need to tell Amelia to be on her guard, he knows— she's been on alert all the while, as has he.
He exhales, his voice low as he pulls from the Weave and feels energy coursing through his arm, down to the very tips of his fingers, a spell ready to take form at a moment's notice.]
Whatever comes our way, I don't fancy their chances.
no subject
The tension is high but it feels balanced between them. As they move further, the candlelight reveals long structures lying on the floor at various angles. It's hard to make the color out so Amelia takes it upon herself to go up close and make a small orb of green light to take a closer look.]
... Logs? No... It's not wooden.
no subject
There's quite a lot of them... difficult to tell what they're made of in this light, but certainly not logs.
[Given the size of them, it seems questionable, but there has been a particular theme about this place as they've progressed through.]
Bones?
no subject
Are we...?
[The witch takes several steps back and looks up trying to make out something in the distance.]
Is this the skeleton of a giant??
no subject
That does seem very, very possible— and in my experience, giant bones are never a good sign.
[Is it possible that they could be lucky enough that these won't reanimate in some way?]
This place almost feels akin to a necromancer's playhouse...
no subject
Let's just say that up ahead the curvature of some hip bones begins to emerge and even further up is the outline of a ribcage.
This is not promising. Amelia's lips are a thin grimace.]
Gale. What's the most physically gigantic monster you've ever taken down?
[You know so that they can plan accordingly. Amelia has experience, for better or for worse.]
no subject
There have been a fair few, but a dragon would likely be the easiest example.
[He's not eager to relive that one, though no doubt he'll have at least a few opportunities to do so back home before all is said and done. Even compared to some of what he'd faced during his travels as Mystra's Chosen, it had proven a challenge.]
We'll want to spread out if it's something large, divide its attention. My mirror images can aid with that.
no subject
[For a world full of magic and mysteries like hers, it would seem dragons are a true rarity.]
Still, it appears inert. I wonder if we have to wake it up??
[That would be kind of worse but they have descended down and there doesn't seem to be another exit.]
no subject
[Even as he muses aloud, he doesn't sound terribly averse to the idea— dangerous though it may be, he's certain it's nothing they can't handle, and so long as they're not in a position to be ambushed...
Their combined curiosity may well get the best of them.]
As we're on the subject, and just for curiosity's sake, hat's the largest thing you've ever found yourself up against?
no subject
Years ago, there was a creature that had no physical form that attached itself to my world. Slowly, silently, insidiously, it spread its influence throughout my town.
[The Hive of Thorns was unlike any other. The seeds had been sown and by the time she had settled into Blackgale, the reaping had already begun. She wouldn't have managed going up against it without Berna, Michael, Adam, and...]
Long story, short, the moment it gained a container, I confronted and destroyed it. It's easier to deal with a monster that has a shape than one with none.
no subject
That's quite a formidable foe, to say the very least.
[He can tell from the brief purse of her lips that it's not the sort of tale she shares openly— she has shown herself to be a private person more often than not, but it's yet another piece of the puzzle, another small portion of the larger picture of her life revealed.]
But you managed it— you brought an end to its spread and freed your town.
[That part doesn't surprise him all that much, to be perfectly honest.]
no subject
[And it wasn't without cost.
She swallows down the additional detail. Looks up and makes her emerald orb of light fly a little higher.]
I think I see the skull.
[Change the subject. Focus on the present, not the past.]
no subject
The way she had trailed off, her voice faltering— he remembers, not for the first time, the memory that she'd been made to revisit at the heart of the Vale of Tears, the way she has told him that it wasn't a bad memory at all, even through the tears. There is so much he does not yet know about her, what she's been through, but every sliver that she reveals, every bit she chooses to share, he understands why she's been so carefully guarded just a little better.
More than anything, he wants to be able to take her hand and chase that hesitation from her voice, offer comfort of some kind, for whatever good it may or may not do.
He follows her lead when she changes the subject, unwilling to press or ask her to dwell when she clearly wished to direct her focus elsewhere. With her light showing the way, he starts towards the skull at a steady pace, his mouth set into a thin line.]
Let's see what we're dealing with, shall we? If we're going to wake it, I imagine that's an excellent place to start.
no subject
They're not at that point yet. Maybe someday. Every little interaction, thoughtful discussion, each small adventure in this hotel, and what Gale has revealed to her is slowly unraveling her defenses.
Maybe someday.
Her emerald light floats up through the ribcage. Though she focused on the skull at first, there's something within the ribs that becomes more apparent, a fleshy lump of sorts. Lungs? No...]
A heart...?
no subject
It appears so. Jumpstarting that could be the key.
[Something he's sure they're both capable of, if they so choose.]
One has to wonder exactly what was able to bring this creature down in the first place— or rather, why it's remained here, inanimate. Everything else we came across seemed intent on keeping us out, which led me to believe they were protecting something, here at the heart of everything...
[He gestures at their discovery, his expression thoughtful.]
How would you like to proceed, Amelia?
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