Grimm's Crossing: Ever After

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Idlethorp:

"I guess that's true. Pinocchio can't lie very well," says Jack nodding his head slowly in response to Kallisto's response. When she says she doesn't eat kids he seems to grow a bit relaxed at the statement. "Well that's good then. Maybe you can be the Big Good Wolf."

"That sounds weird," says Jill giggling at Jack's new made up title. "I hope you get little read to her grandma's. She must really be missing her. Old adults are like that for no reason." Jill puts both her hands behind her back seemingly thinking about something and then is struck by an idea. "Can we come with you to Little Red's Grandma's house?!"
 
When Yelcan sees this crowd of witch hunters, he immediately steered clear of them to avoid becoming a part of something while Bernard was out there alone. He had really pushed the limits of his new form on the way here, still surprised at the speed of it as well as the endurance.

Yelcan spotted a small inn called the Fairy Puff down the road a ways and off to the side, and he immediately went towards it. He looked over his shoulder to address Heizan, “I agree with you on that friend, better not to get involved right now. I am going to buy you two a room at this inn, and I want you both to wait there for me until I return with Ber — um, the Prince. You can come down to get food and whatnot but please remain safe, for your daughters sake Heizan.” Yelcan then looked to Ludwig, who had been silent for quite some time now. “I know we don’t know each other very well yet Doc, but I’m gonna need to to help me look after him, alright?”

Once he reached the inn, Yelcan knelt slightly to allow the others to dismount, then he ducked inside the front door to approach the innkeeper. “Good day, I would like to rent a room for two people, if you please?”
 
The Fairy Puff:

The Innkeeper turns out to be a very small old man wearing a red hat on top of his head. He looks from his high chair up still at Yelcan and while peering over his glasses, seems to contemplate a response. "Wouldn't you be more comfortable in the stables perhaps? I assure you, we do keep it clean," says the Garden Gnome before seeing the other two. "Or is this more for your companions?"

"Regardless it will be a few Winks, and a Giggle," says the Garden Gnome as the information of coinage rushes to Yelcan's mind. Letting him know the Winks were copper, and a Giggle was a Silver piece. The Gold piece if thought about would be revealed to be Laughter, and Platinum Happiness. "Do not worry about paying for me," says Heizen as he places a few pieces onto the counter which the Garden Gnome quickly swipes up and produces from his sleeve a light blue key.

"There you go, only door on the second floor," he says with a nod before going back to looking over a large ledger.
 
Yelcan looked down on the little garden gnome curiously as he was offered the stables. He had only truly been a centaur for a few hours, but he was pretty sure he should have been slightly offended by that suggestion. Shrugging it off, he turned to Ludwig and Heizan each and gave them a nod “I should not be gone long, depending on whether the Prince has found your daughter yet. Just, sit tight and stick together please you two?” Once he was sure they understood, he ducked back outside and set off, back on the same path he took to get to starlight to recover Bernard.
 
Arissa raised an eyebrow to Jill, somewhat suspicious of the young girl. "Why is it that you would wish to see Grandma? Do you know her? It seems to be a dangerous journey to Starlight, even to me. It's hardly something I would suggest that someone would do on a whim? Speaking of adults, where are your parents?"

Arissa's eyes are drawn to a strange four legged human looking creature walking the streets of Idlethorp. Something about it's face nagged at her, however, and after staring for several moments, she realized that she recognized him. "Yelcan! Is that you?" Arissa waved and smiled to the man despite his strange appearance.
 
Idlethorp:

Jill shakes her head when asked if she knows Grandma at all. Then shifts on her feet back and forth at Arissa's last question. "They're gone. The words finally unraveled themselves," says Jill as Jack begins to tear up next to her. She looks at Jack and hugs him for a second as the attention is drawn away from them towards a distant horseman. "We don't really have anyone to protect us anyways so it can't be much dangerous than us wandering around town." Jack sniffles for a second but then his attention is drawn towards the horseman and instead he seems to be filled with awe once more.
 
Yelcan rode into town, thinking he would need to find the woman he spoke to earlier, or perhaps an innkeeper of some sort that might know where this cottage was that Heizan sent Arissa to. He checked the road periodically to see if he saw Bernard's bootprints anywhere, but he was still nowhere to be found.

As he slowed to a walk, Yelcan heard a small female voice from off to his left call his name, and he looked at the girl intently. After a few moments, he realized it was Arissa, and his heart sank as he looked around and still did not see Bernard anywhere, and his hopes of finding Bernard seemed to be rapidly diminishing. Yelcan walked over towards Arissa and the group of people surrounding her, and looking at each of them but did not recognize anyone, although the wolf would be hard to tell either way. "Arissa! I am glad to see you, how have you been? Have you found any of the others?"
 
Arissa looked to Kallisto for a moment, unsure of what she wanted to do with the two children before she was distracted once again by her concern for her friends. She stared up at Yelcan eagerly. "Despite my current state and appearance which we shall not discuss any further, things have been going rather smoothly on my end so far. That is of course other than a brief encounter with the dreaded Nothing. Kallisto is with me here, still as strong of an ally and fearsome an opponent as ever." Arissa gestured behind her to her large, furry companion before turning back to Yelcan. "Oh, and my sword is off buying me a drink. He's a human again. These two are Jack and Jill, two lovely friends that I have just made the acquaintance of." Arissa then stopped and went silent for a moment, not so subtly checking around behind Yelcan for any signs of the others. "Have you met anyone else yet on your adventure? Perhaps... might you know where Bernard is?" Arissa looked up at Yelcan hopefully.
 
Yelcan grins cheekily as Arissa forbids her from mentioning her childish form, and he says "Alright, I promise I won't kid around at all." His grin widens when he hears Kallisto has become this large wolf figure that flanks Arissa, and he says "Ah, I should have known that was you Kallisto, looking fierce as ever. And hello Jack and Jill, my name is Yelcan, good to meet you." Yelcan does not really know what to think of a sword becoming a man, so he decides that he will just ignore that for the time being. His grin quickly fades as Arissa asks of Bernard, and Yelcan hangs his head, refusing to meet her eyes. "I actually came to consciousness with Bernard, he is the Prince Charming of this land, and we also encountered Doctor Ludwig. On our travels to Starlight, we encountered a man named Heizan..."

At this point Yelcan looks up to meet Arissa's eyes, allowing his confusion and disappointment in himself show "He told us of his daughter, you, who he had sent towards your grandmother's house for safety, and Bernard knew he had to keep Heizan safe for you. So instead of listening to my suggestion, he ordered me to take Ludwig and Heizan to safety, while he would search alone for you. I told him it was a bad idea, that we should stick together in this unknown land, but he would not listen. By the time I got back and found his trail, he was gone...I did not lose the trail, the trail just stopped, and I have no idea what that means. I am so sorry Arissa, I know I should have fought harder for him to listen to me, but I am pretty sure I am functioning as Durendal, so I could not really disobey." Yelcan actually perks up for a moment. "Although on the other hand, since I am still here, that should mean that he is still okay, right?"
 
As Yelcan began to tell her about how he came with Bernard, Arissa briefly interrupted excitedly. "You did? That's fantastic! Where is he? Of course he would end up a prince while I am stuck as a child..." She then immediately went silent as Yelcan mentioned her father's name, her body going stiff as a board. How could he be here? No... no. no. no. She started to shake her head to herself slightly, not paying much attention to what Yelcan was saying until he said that Bernard had gone missing and Arissa dropped to her knees and began to break down crying. Everyone is going to disappear... it will be just like before...
 
Her own thoughts elsewhere, Kallisto's attention was brought back as she heard the voice of Yelcan, having to look up as he was apparently a ... horse-person? As he continued speaking she grew concerned at his mention of Bernard apparently disappearing, and heard Arissa start to cry.

Without realizing it her form shifted back to it's more humanoid shape as she reached out for the small form of Arissa and held her close, attempting to be soothing even with her low rough voice. "Arissa ... we will find him. As Yelcan said, if he's truly bound to Bernard, then he's likely still alive. Who knows how things work here -- maybe he was offered a ride on something that flew? Or something 'evil' grabbed him." Wrapping her furred arms around Arissa she continued, "We all know Bernard will manage -- trust in him. You still have the rest of us right here to help."
 
Yelcan looked gratefully at Kallisto as she comforted Arissa, feeling terribly uncomfortable himself because of his own role in Bernard’s disappearance. He did his best to lower himself towards Arissa’s small form, but his large lower half only allowed him to get so far down. “Kallisto is right, Bernard is a very strong capable man, he will be alright. I think the best thing we can do is try and find the rest of our friends and go back to Starlight where I left Ludwig and Heizan, Bernard will know where to find us.” I really hope he is okay...but he brought this on himself. I need to find Perian and make sure she is safe. “Everything is going to be alright Arissa. What say you and Kallisto join me back to Starlight to meet back up with your father, eh? Unless you had something you needed to do here with your new friends?” He looked over at Jack and Jill.
 
Arissa’s bawling slowed to a snivel as Kallisto wrapped her arms around her to comfort her. Despite her harsh voice, Arissa found Kallisto’s words to be soothing. Yes... our story cannot end like this. I will not allow it, and neither would Bernard. Whatever his current fate may be, I shall not allow him to slip away. I need to pull myself together. I am not a mere whimpering child. I am better than this.

Arissa wipes at her eyes and pushed herself to her feet, still wrapped in Kallisto’s large furry arms. She looked up at Yelcan with a forced look of icy determination. “Yes. Starlight sounds like our best move. Let us go meet my family, and then I suppose we must rescue a prince.” Arissa turned back to Jack and Jill, her expression still cold. “Come with us or not. It is your decision.” She then said to no one in particular. “Where de duivel is Yorgi with that drink?”
 
Idlethorp:

Jack and Jill watch the exchange between the gathered people with curiosity, though when Arissa begins to cry they seem uncomfortable and unsure as to what to do. When given the cold invitation they seem hesitant. "We would like to go... but if it would be too much trouble," says Jill looking between the people gathered. Yorgi comes out of the tavern finally striding up looking briefly at the children with a disapproving look which makes Jack flinch back behind Jill. Then over to Yelcan before looking at Arissa.

"Well sounds like Nothing has been eating away at this place for awhile, and people are disappearing at an extended rate though, the Wicked Witch seems to be offering a way to stay whole. Something about rewriting people or something, anyways seems you found another one of your companions," says Yorgi looking Yelcan up and down. He pulls out a bottle of Carmanthian Wine handing it over to Arissa before shrugging. "There was a guy in there with a painted skull face who said you might like this one. What's with the kids?"
 
Arissa stared at the bottle in Yorgi’s hand, half wanting to go into the bar and smash it on Legba’s head, but sighed and took it from him, storing it in her basket. “I am certain that you recall Yelcan, ja? Anyways, these are Jack and Jill, and we are to escort them with us to Starlight. If a hair on either of their heads is harmed, I will be taking that other hand. Duidelijk?” Arissa stared at Yorgi, waiting for his affirmation.
 
City of Starlight:

”I’m beginning to suspect this is a cruel joke. I always knew I never wanted children and now I have three brats running around,” says Yorgi shaking his head after peering at the two children. “I guess the more the merrier.”
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The group gets to the bustling city of Starlight, where people are checked momentarily on the way in, and lines have formed. It seems lots of different people, and creatures of all sizes have decided to flock to the city. There are rumors there was an attack recently on a few outspoken gossips. The account says they attempted to burn one of the Wicked Witches servants, and upon attempting to burn her, instead of harming her it did nothing! What happened afterward seems the subject of debate as you finally press on into the city.

The city is pristine, with white walking pathways, similar material for houses that are arranged neatly in rows. A bright light on top of one of the central towers seems to glow outwards, with the intensitity of its namesake. Starlight at first gives off the impression of a well ordered town, but now with the sudden influx of people it is starting to get over crowded. You can see some of the guards actually trying to manage the large amount of people lingering about to certain sector’s of the city as they yell up to a giant that Mayor Thomas McDoogle has granted a spot towards the north side of the city where they are less likely to wreck anything.

Many of the inn’s and forms of entertainment seem busy as you walk through the streets. Jack and Jill keep close to the group staying towards the middle. Wandering about, you run into two familiar people who had been looking around the city evaluating the conditions of living. Leone a small pixie which at first is unrecognizable as Peri but a momentary glance reveals the blue Pixie to be none other.

Nearby it looks like someone has taken the liberty of setting up a ‘test your strength’ display where an elven looking man rolls up his sleeves in front of a red haired girl as he takes the hammer. Atanase prepares himself for a downward swing, and manages to get it all the way to the bell. The small Halfling running the stand gives out a prize to Atanase who gives the small stuffed animal to Tara who wraps it in her arms.
 
Peri continues to buzz and flit about worrying on her lip and fingernails. “Leone what is we can find them. Bear Yelcan Arissa and Kallisto. Ohhh” she yelled frustrated in the crowd settling into Leone’s should with a huff. “I barely can keep my own memories straight, how do I deal with someone elses.”

Her shoulders slump and wings sag as she pouts looking out over the crowd. “I will buzz about and check for anyone that looks like a dark man. I promise to stay in sight.” Leaping back off Leone’s shoulder she let herself snuggle and rub her eyes as she buzzed through the crowd seeking anything that sparked her memories new or old.
 
Starlight: ???

Somewhere after reconciliation, a blow was struck with the rainbow candy sword against the wicked witch. A sudden rocking shifted through the land making everyone stumble on their feet. Even Peri the pixie felt a wave of force while flying causing her to bump into Yelcan accidentally. The bright star above Starlight began to shine brightly growing in intensity until it engulfed the city in a light so bright that if one did not close their eyes they would be blind. Upon opening them, everyone stood in their normal forms in a vast landscape of white trees on a black background. Their roots seemingly sunk in but still able to be seen.

Everyone in the book appeared looking at each other for a moment while a clapping sound happened from behind them. Merris walking over to hug Peri, and Bernard for a second. Turning to look, there was a well dressed gentlemen who appeared to be about in his forties. He had a quill set down on his desk and a stack of papers before him. "Well done Bernard, it seems you managed to finish this story up and normally you'd be placed back outside with everyone but I have something to offer you all before sending you on your way."

"You've seen that here I've the power to create nearly any sort of landscape or person. You spoke with your father once more, and many of you have seen familiar faces. The world outside is filled with many horrible happenings, I've seen them through the lens of your minds, and offer an alternative," says Grimm his hand lifting up and motioning to the side. The landscape suddenly shifts and your in Blackburn's Crossing once again the town going about it's business not noticing anyone the wiser for you standing in the middle of town and a random desk in the middle of the street. Jonathan and Annabelle go by laughing at Jonathan's unicorn horn. Ferrin walks out from the door calling for Peri, Bernard, and Merris that Dinner had completed. Marcus is walking Ocer returning an item to someone he has stolen from apologizing for his daughter's dog. James seems to be buying supplies and having Grimdosh carry a multitude of bags on his shopping trip.

"I can make it to where you'd never notice the difference, and make changes you'd like in your life. I offer this new life free of the pains you have endured, but I will not keep you here. If you are so inclined to leave those that do I require one simple act upon leaving. You will exit with another Grimm's Fairytales. Place it in a new library so that I may spread my stories far and wide," says Grimm laying a hand upon a hard cover looking exactly like the one you all had originally entered.
 
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Arissa looked around wildly for a moment as the world shifted around her. She looked over to her companions, relieved to realize that she was now finally standing at eye level with them once more. Suddenly, her eyes fell on Bernard, and she immediately rushed over to him, embracing him tightly as she buried her face in his chest. "I was so worried about you! Yelcan told me that he had lost you and I feared for the worst... I am so glad that you are okay..." She calmed at Bernard's touch, and turned as the older gentleman began to address them, still remaining in contact with Bernard as if she was still worried she might lose him. She listened to this Grimm as he spoke, and looked around at the better world of the Crossing around them before turning to Bernard and speaking to him quietly in Celestial. The two of them spoke for a while, Arissa's expression conflicted while Bernard smiled patiently to her as he place her hands over his heart. Arissa then went quiet for a long moment, deep in thought before finally nodding to Bernard, speaking to him again in Celestial, and then giving him a long kiss.

Arissa turned to Grimm, maintaining a practiced composure despite her inner conflict. "As tempting as your offer is, I am afraid I cannot accept it. As lovely as the world you can create may be, somewhere out there my friends may be in danger, and that is not a risk I am willing to accept for this lang en gelukkig... no matter how much I wish I could." Her eyes drifted back to Bernard for a moment before she looked to the older man. "Besides, I am done allowing others to write my own destiny. My life is my own, and I shall live it how I choose. I choose my friends... all of them."

Arissa then walked over to Yorgi and smiled to him sweetly. "My apologies, Yorgi, but I am afraid you shall have to be returning back to your prior state. Still... there is something that I have been meaning to do ever since I saw you in this form... but it did not feel very... appropriate in my previous form." Arissa met Yorgi's eyes as she slowly moved closer to him, putting a hand on his chest before yanking on his shirt and kneeing him in the groin as hard as she could. She gave him a cold look before walking back over to Bernard. "Gods, I have wanted to do that for weeks..." She then turned back to Grimm and nodded. "I am ready to return with my family."
 
Glad to be in her normal form again she clung to what she had run into. Upon tipping her view upwards her heart leapt at the sight of Yelcan. Wrapping her arms about him she squeezed tightly and took splice in Seeing he was alive and well.

As her mother approached after giving Bernard a hug Peri openly wept holding onto her for a few extra moments as Grim revealed his offer. Conflicted she saw the world she had wanted, and upon hearing her name called by the familiar voice she nearly ran to Ferrin. But she knew it was not real she had promisses to keep and people to protect.

“Thankyou but no matter how much pain I face, I know it is real and the swamp is my duty. A Marsh will always be there.”
 
Nowhere:

Grimm watched with a keen interest, and as Arissa moved towards Yorgi and kneed him in the groin he disappeared. Grimm's smile spoke of amusement as he nodded. He then chose to respond to Arissa's comment about friends being in danger. "Aren't we all?" asked Grimm as he took forth a pen, beginning to scribble a bit on paper. "I do pity the fates you walk back to but in the end it is your choice. Remember my request well, do not forget it."

Merris stepped forward towards Grimm and he looked up to her. "Thank you for letting me see him one last time..." says Merris her breathe catching as she pried her eyes from the Marsh home. Grimm smiles once more. "Anything for my original Pixie Princess. Until we meet again Merris, in whatever story may come next."

With a few more lines, Grimm's writing came to an end, and he set his pen down waving. At first nothing happened and then there was a sudden shattering of the world as you all feel that rush of falling deep within your stomach.
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Blackburn Manor:

Everyone lands on the ground in the library of Blackburn Manor. Everything looks in order in the room except that there is an additional person in the room. A woman with blonde hair, dual hand crossbow's at her side, and dressed in a duster. "It worked," she says in a bit of surprise looking at her hands as if expecting to see something. Recovering from her wonder rather quickly she sees the pile of books on the table, each one a copy of Grimm's Fairytales. She grabs one waving as she starts for the door. "Thank you for the piggy back, I was rather hoping he wouldn't notice."
 
Blackburn's Crossing:

Over the course of the next few weeks the fate of Blackburn’s Crossing is forever changed as multiple events come to pass. James Blackburn informs Leone of the messy nature of his mind, and his belief that his ancestor has been body hoping through the noble families’ children with the machine. James determines that something must have gone wrong and the attempt to switch with him had gone wrong. Believing the machine to be evil he lays out a plan to fake his death, destroy his mansion and the machines within, before leaving the fortune to the remaining families. Hathoway, Marsh, and Von Brekkers.

Leone shares this with the group before going forward, and Violette suggests a few people for James to get into contact with in Richemulot. A rather short red headed man also named Jared Firecat who knows his way around a few political circles. She warns James privately not to harm Ludovico or her family otherwise it could have far reaching consequences. He assures her it will not come to that, and they part amicably.

On the night of his death James visit’s Leone one last time after setting up the mansion the best he can to assure its ultimate destruction. There she gives him her ring, and James promises to write and meet up after the ‘Maria’ business is over. Setting the chain of events to go off on a timer, he and Grimdosh get on a boat in the middle of the night and Grimdosh begins to slowly row up stream.

The steady methodical rhythm of Grimdosh’s strong strokes takes them further up the Musarde River. He watches the house suddenly begin to catch in a catastrophic fire. James fidgets with the ring he was given in his fingers as he watches what was left of his life go up in smoke.
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Blackburn's Crossing River:

“They’ll say I messed with evil dark forces beyond my control, and died for it.” James looks back to Grimdosh who gives another smooth stroke looking dully at James. He looks down for a moment to the wood of the boat, and then out to the growing fire that blazes in defiance of the dark night. “And they’d be right. Whatever comes next, I plan to see it through to the end, no matter where that takes me… At least she didn’t try to come with me. I’m not entirely sure this won’t still blow up in my face. At least I won’t be completely alone.”

Grimdosh for a moment stops rowing and James looks back to him. His expression is different, almost contemplative for a second. “You loved her?” There is a long silence for a moment as he looks back, words hanging in the moment. “Yes, and she’s safer far away from what I am undertaking.”

There is a sudden firmness to Grimdosh’s expression as his jaw is set into place. A sort of determination, James muses. “Then I won’t let you die.”
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Blackburn Crossing:

The following days come and go with rumors about what happened, as word comes to the group of a large massing group of smiling men, brought on wings by Aluc. The town prepares to defend against another dangerous onslaught, as Toben tries many tricks to infect, kill, and claim all those that he can. The group also is able to get aid from the Children of Blood in order to even the odds against the Tobens. The aftermath leaves the town with fresh scars, some of which will never trust a smile again.

A few rumors surface about a man in the swamps who can bring back the loved ones for a price, and the legend of Papa Legba grows, as a few people are indeed resurrected. The tribe continues to revere him, and thanks him and the group for what they did for their tribe to be able to survive and find this place of paradise. Over the years new members are born and are curious about their neighbors and a sort of trade functions between the town and the natives. Occasionally there are rumors of Father Bernard, or Violette being seen out in the swamps but most believe these are just trickster spirits trying to lure people away with the appearance of trusted individuals from town.

Godefroy returns a few times to town over the years to check the progress of things, or sends a messenger. He seems content on the way the town is progressing as the group has tried to set a more strict form of self-government that had been lacking in the past. This council comprised of people elected from specific parts of town to represent them and have a voice on the council. The church itself begins to reach out to some of the smaller villages in the area that sometimes struggle in the area, as well as the tribe to foster beliefs. Things are rocky on a few subjects such as the Shadowman but they manage to introduce the idea of Ezra to a lot of the natives, on varying levels of success.

Dr. Ludwig, and Dr. Markovia continue to work a clinic in town, with many new discoveries being made. Eventually there are odd noises heard from the building at night, including animal sounds late into the night. Eventually it gets to the point where an official inquiry is made by Simon, and on the day of the inspection both Doctor's have mysteriously vanished. What is found below the clinic is a vast working of underground storage for bodies, and a few spliced creatures that are put down. Records are gone through about the experiments down there that push the line of ethical. The Council at the time sees no choice but to put a bounty out on the two doctor's despite the good they had provided for the town.

News from Richemulot is frequent at first from Jonathan and James who are working on tracking Maria down, but during one month all communication halts as they grow close to their goal. Jonathan’s last letter mentions a funeral for Derek, but is scant on the details.

The group tries to get on with their lives, running the church, or helping at the docks, making sure the swamp is under control, or even just meeting up for dinner. Arissa becomes the talk of the town for a good while, after having revealed her nature to the town, after having built up a reputation for preforming and assisting the town in many of it's affairs. She spoke of how back in her home land she was considered to have the blood of gods and that she had suffered for it. Going forward she did not wish to hide any secrets, and some never trust her again while others understand, sympathize while the tribe speaks of her always as the Angel of Shadow which catches on with some of the people in town. Some people believe that Papa Legba has blessed her, and speak of him almost as if in reverence. Bernard helps in this regard sanctifying her claims, for most of the religious people in town. Despite the difficulties both of them face in the short term due to the native bias within the town and country as a whole they make one of the most memorable power couples. They are often talked about being the kind of people the Blackburn's should have been. They're marriage is often lauded for being one of the most touching stories the town has ever seen.

Leone herself eventually returns to Dementlieu her home, which happens to create a good opertunity to create a few more trade lines between Port-A-Lucine, and Blackburn’s Crossing up the river, and expanding deeper into the core. Leone’s family is at first disappointed at the loss of the potential political head and fortune in Blackburn’s Crossing but is ultimately happy that Leone survived the accident. They quickly put a bit of pressure on her to help the family, and while she attempts to stay out of the shadier parts of business it occasionally interferes with her life causing her to attempt to keep a finger to the ‘pulse’ of her family’s activity. Lord Balfour greets her back as a student of Dementlieu University, seemingly glad to have her back and asks her to teach a few of the rudimentary classes.

Tara stops in to visit Kallisto occasionally throughout the years, and she helps facilitate some communication between the tribes, and the town’s folk. Marcus eventually meets Ahretakan and gets to know a bit of Kallisto’s family history, as well as shares tales of Kallisto growing up. He still frequently goes to the Roaring Rapids but he gave up gambling when Annabelle came back without her father.

Annabelle’s return found her once more on the wealthier side of things, but it was clear she had been changed by her adventure that had led to the death of her father. The lack of a dueling partner of Jonathan she began to spar with Violette, seeking familiarity upon her return. Eventually one night she woke up from a dead sleep, pulling out her mother’s Tarokka cards and laid down a reading. At first she was unsure as to what for but as the reading went on she knew she had to act once more to save a girl that was important to the future. The Vistani girl Arabelle who had been telling fortunes at the ball. Her visions swam with unknown terms such as Malocchio and Dukkar but despite the lack of understanding she went and eventually saved two Vistani of the Dizaverni tribe down on the boarder of Invidia.

Violette remains in town after events and has a long chat with Arissa about her past. She reveals that she is Half Falkovnian though not by her mother's choice, and that she one day hopes to pay her father a visit. One that involves a sharp pointed piece of iron, and ends with a pool of blood. Though she never divulges exactly who her father is, Arissa gets the sense that if she hasn't been able to track him down, or attempt an attack before he must either be very obscure or very important. For a few years she works for Arissa escorting her on trips up to Dementlieu where they meet up briefly with Leone and hunt for fashionable clothing.

Brian Wescote writes to a particular Marsh about his life, and extends an invitation to his next birthday party. Peri ends up attending and bringing along another uncomfortable Kallisto to yet another ball. This one luckily does not end up in such a mess as the last one she attended to. Brian the next few days shows them around the Forest of Ancients as it is more akin to an actual forest. Large tree's the size of which Peri and Kallisto had never seen with lush green branches that at some points completely blot out the sun making it seem as if they are in perpetual night. Over the course of Peri's visits after a particular event years later Brian expresses his interest in pursuing her. Despite their eventual union of which was held back in Blackburn's Crossing so Bernard could be the priest to tie them together, Peri continued to use the Marsh name in years to come.

Other people also occasionally write the Marsh family inquiring about them or sending greetings from afar. Many are solicitations, that Merris fends off with the help of Arissa. Finally one day a knock comes at the door, but instead of the usual suspects at the door, it is Jonathan’s grand smile there to greet her instead.

He tells the tale of them tracking down Maria who had changed her name and altered her appearance significantly. They managed to track her down by rumors of a weapon that could change shape. She had made another one, and the person had paid handsomely for it. Her funds were well enough that the first attempt cost Derek his life, but him and James were determined. It was at this point that Jonathan says he knew for sure he had come to put whoever was in Heather’s body down. They went quiet in case there was anyone intercepting the mail between Richemulot and Dementlieu. They got the help of a few of the Reiners including Ludovico who had been used by Heather to start the construction of a second machine.

Eventually they worked their way into the vast sewer system beneath Richemulot where work was going on to finish the second machine with the help of Heather. There was a struggle, and Jonathan relies that him and James were impressive with their blades, against Heather’s hired goons. James excessively so pressing his way forward towards Heather who triggered an explosion caving in a good portion of the sewer system. Jonathan barely made it out with the help of Ludovico, who cast a spell to turn into a rat to get help. He relays that he almost thought he was going to be forgotten down in the rubble before Ludovico returned with Gaspard and some others to help dig him out. James however… he, heather and the machine were lost.
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Richemulot: Sewers

Dust covered every surface as it slowly began to settle after the cacophony of noise. James lifted his bloodied arm to the side of his head to make sure it was still attached and found more blood from the side of it. He started to move to get up but felt a sharp stab in his side, and upon looking down he saw there was shrapnel sticking into his stomach. He groaned at the sight of her looking around, and then up. The blast had sent him falling into an underground cavern below even the sublevels of the sewer. Pieces of the machine were scattered about, and his eyes scanned around frantically until at last he saw what he sought.

There ahead of him, a body twisted and broken from the fall laid Heather in a growing puddle of her own blood. Her desperate attempt to survive the chaos had failed, and now she would rest. His lover was at rest… or no it was his ancestor. His mind jumbled against itself as it reoriented to the new information it was processing. The sound of footstep drew his attention. The cloak of a tall man, black on the outside with red on the inside strode over to Heather. As he bent down, James noted his black hair, and it was familiar to him somehow. Had he met this man before? He coughed as the man was checking Heather. This drew his attention and James could see that red ruby pendant and knew he had indeed met this man before. Or part of him had met him.

“Wh—who are you?” asked James staring up at the man as he strode over to his position on the ground. James forced himself up against a rock not wanting to look at the man from his laid down position.

“I’m afraid you both know who I am, and yet still have no idea who I am,” said the man observing James sound curiously as if it were an academic affair instead of a matter that needed tending.

“Atanase… the Alchemist according to my parents notes…. According to my notes,” says James forcing his mind to work. He couldn’t afford the fuzziness in this moment, not when he hadn’t seen this man in forever.

“Yes, that is a name that I use but not the one I was born with. Or at least the original one of me,” said Atanase as he stood up looking at the scattered papers and with a spell he set the paper work on fire. Pulling a book from Heather’s pouch titled “The A-------- Grimoire” he set that aflame and tossed it into the rubble as well.

James grunted as he twisted slightly to get comfortable and his hand closer to his sword unsure of this elf’s intentions. “I destroyed the other copy, and the original machine. Stopped her from making this one,” started James unsure of exactly why he was saying this.

“You did indeed, I have been watching. I had been sure at the party, that you were going to replace that girl, Leone.” His tone was flat as he drew up he poured a vial of liquid that began to eat away at heather’s body rapidly. James swallowed at this before Atanase spoke up once more. “What made you change your mind?” A hint of curiosity peppers his voice.

‘He doesn’t understand the transformation was faulty. ‘Heather’ purposefully pulled one of the levers down during the process causing instead of our minds to switch but to combine,’ thought James as he struggled to find the words. His brain was half processing how he was going to die to that second vial of acid that Atanase had on him, but he would be alive to feel it.

“Something went wrong with this body switch, I’m not Jamis but nor am I James the II,” said James looking at Atanase who had squatted down and studied James carefully as if attempting to absorb every detail. “And I fell for her.”

It was silent as Atanase continued to search for something that James wasn’t sure he’d find. After what felt like an eternity Atanase stood up. “I see, unfortunately I am well acquainted with such feelings, but I must ask you a question to a wrong that you committed against me so long ago. Do you know what I speak of?”

James nodded, as the information kicked itself to the forefront of his brain. So long ago he had split the Alchemist’s being one more time in an attempt to gain more knowledge that Atanase had been unwilling to share.

“You were there with the ones who destroyed the Creature. Why would you seek to create another one?” asked Atanase as he ran his hand along the inside of his cloak, where Jamis knew he kept many alchemical compounds. He held out a small unmarked vial. “Drink it, and then I will have the truth and ask my final questions. It will be relatively painless.”

James’ stomach dropped as all hope of possibly surviving this faded. He took the vial and downed it before he could give it another thought. “I think that he… I… wanted to gain more of the knowledge you were hiding. Jamis thought he could control it, and get it to tell him how you got your immortality. The mists though… it has a mind of its own and took him home to Barovia. He took his old name. I’ve heard that he’s been slain.”

Atanase smirks a grim expression shaking his head down at James. “No, I would have felt it like last time. It is a game he plays I am sure of it, allowing the prey to believe he is dead as they draw closer to feast upon him. It was hard enough to smuggle the girl out of Barovia without him noticing. Thank you for your candor. You have indeed changed at least somewhat, I don’t know if I can believe your story fully but it is good to know that people can still change.”

James closed his eyes as he felt something taking affect, and then opened them again as he heard footsteps walking away. “Wait! Tell me one last thing before you go… is it worth it, Strahd? Immortality?” asked the broken man.

The figure looked back over his shoulder and uttered one final word and then he was gone.

“No.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Swamplands:

Yelcan gets increasingly home sick and curious about the rocks of great magical power as time goes on. He sets out for them based on a rumor that they had been spotted in the swamps after five years, of keeping his ears open. He manages to find the place, and uses it multiple times feeling empowered by it and acquiring a different world view. From here he seeks out Papa Legba and speaks with him.

In town he seeks out a specific person, walking over to Perian, Yelcan pulls forth an envelope handing it to Peri without a word. He sets a bag down on the ground, before he smiles an odd sort of smile before walking off as he begins to whistle a peculiar tune…
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Blackburn's Crossing:

With his parents gone Jonathan takes up smithing underneath Bjorn who is glad to have him once more. Often times, he visits the old Blackburn house swimming out to the small dock to fish, or watch the sunset. He thinks back to how much the town has changed, some of it for the better, and some of it for the worse. It is during these days he wonders if there was anything he could have done differently. If he had made all the right choices, and if all the choices had brought less suffering to the world. Many of his old friends were gone or forever changed.

Annabelle would not sit still in town for very long before wandering off to some far off country. He wished she could just find peace but they had talked and this place just reminded her of her father and seeing the other kids just reminded her of James, and the others who had lost their lives. She followed where ever those weird cards took her, and sometimes... under the right light... he'd catch a dark glimpse in her eye. Something darker that had always been there bubbling just beneath the surface. Despite this he'd almost decided to propose to her a few times over the years but a part of him could not. He knew there was a piece of him missing somewhere, and whatever it was held him back. He'd been told he could once see ghosts, and each time he thought about that there was this strange missing longing. Like he was mourning for some lost love one, but how could you mourn something already lost?

Then there was James, they'd had a great few months hunting together on the road for clues to this mysterious immortal of his family. He had changed in the years he had been gone to Darkon, but there was still a spark in him that just needed the right sort of light. Fortunately, he knew his smile was just the right kind of light. When James had been lost he had mourned for awhile, for both him and his father. The trip hope had his head in a dark place, but he knew what people expected of Jonathan Einhorn. That is what he always gave people, even at the worst of times.

Sometimes an Elf would join him out there on the docks. He knew it the face of the elf but the man underneath was not the same. He made small conversation as if they were old friends, and Jonathan always indulged the Elf who would sometimes whistle to the wind. They always spoke of non consequential things, and Jonathan never figured out just why he of all people could choose to keep him company unless it was to eventually make a deal. In the end such a thing never came, and Jonathan's smile seemed to infect even the Elf's mood throughout these days.
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Dementlieu:

In Dementlieu school classes are about to start up once more in the University of Dementlieu, and most are preparing for analysis’ on the war between Darkon, and Falkovnia or the Shroud that surrounds the city of Necropolis. Others are more interested in the studies of magic, the thing that never changes no matter how much the world does. As Leone finishes one of her lectures she erases the chalk board, as students filter out. Once everyone has left a voice speaks from one of the front row seats. One of the students had remained behind. “Excuse me… I’m one of the first year students at the academy but I was wondering if you had time to answer a few questions I had about the class.” As Leone turns she sees a man with glasses and a ruffled up nobleman’s shirt staring back at her. She takes a moment to observe his cane before the familiar features begin to override the unfamiliar. As realization dawns, James then gives her a warm grin.

Fin...?


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The House on Gryphon Hill
​
Two brothers toil scrubbing away on ground floor of a mansion. Their back, and knee's sore from working on scrubbing nearly endlessly in this house. Other's go about their business keeping busy to avoid catching the attention of the Lord of the Manor. His tempers often are quick to flare if anything grows out of places, so most people attempt to keep him appeased. This meant that an extreme effort to keep the mansion spotless happened near constantly. Anyone who spoke, whispered quietly not to disturb the Lord. Any who spoke up or out of place would soon realize the wrath of the Lord's cane. A cane that could beat anyone into submission and leave them hollow inside. Even they had learned to keep their discontent to a minimum.

One of the brothers stopped leaning up against the wall taking a small respite for a moment, as the doors on the second story grand staircase opened up. A group of six adventurer's passed on by out the door without noticing them. They always did that, no amount of shouting or attempting to stop them in their tracks could get them to so much as flinch, and would only incur the wrath of the Lord.

Watching them leave out the front door to... freedom he found himself envious.

"Both of you up here, NOW!"

The brother's shakily climbed to their feet and ascended the stairs towards the Lord's office at the top of the stairs. They expected punishment for their brief lapse of cleaning, or perhaps they would have even more chores added onto their shoulders.

"Both of you sit."

The brother's complied silently sitting down in the uncomfortable silence. Lord Godefroy picked up a large circular object just a bit wider in diameter than an average man was wide. He observed it carefully before setting it down onto the table.

"I recall you both arriving here around the same time from Blackburn's Crossing, and I had questioned you then, and then added you to my work force. It seems you might have more value to me than I had originally thought," stated Lord Godefroy. The brother's looked at one another for a moment wondering if this was intended to be a trap to get them to speak. Since it was not in the form of a question they remained silent.

"I have come into possession of a unique artifact that allows me to restore the dead back to life, though with some side effects. Some Monks had tried to hide it but they are of no import. Instead I recall one of you mentioning a particular book that you believed could solve my nightly issue. I may have been... hasty in my punishment of speaking out of turn when it was only to help me..." said Lord Godefroy as he paced around the front of his desk. He picks up the circular object once more, as he turns to look at the brother's who have grown suddenly more present minded than they had been in the last few years. Still they did not speak. "I will return you both to life with the condition that you must obtain that book and help me. Do you accept?"

For a moment the brother's shared another long glance between each other, and then one nodded. "Very well. We accept," said the brother as he stepped forward. Lord Godefroy grunted seemingly amused by the sudden determination. "I know exactly what must be done."

As Lord Godefroy brought the loop straight down over Isaiah he screamed, at first with what sounded like pain but slowly clarified into hysterical laughter....
 
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