You feel your head swimming, floating like it did when you went on the catapult in Dragonshore. There is a soft melody in the air, and a weight on your chest... it feels like you're on a bed. Opening your eyes is a chore, but you manage to crack one of them. All the skin around them feels blistered and sunburned.
The first thing you see is a fluffy, ornery owlbear sitting on your chest. It's wide, yellow eyes stare at you, unblinking, intent. It clicks its beak noiselessly, and is heavier than you'd expect.
You see Etny moving around the room, wiping up something off the floor with a rag and a bucket of water. She's humming a soft, sorrowful sounding tune as she works.
Oredion turns seeing Etny cleaning and quickly rolls back over. He feels the sting in his eyes as tears begin to fall gently down his cheeks. He has no idea what to say about his actions, let alone to Etny. He lays there uncertain on whether to get up and speak or lay there silent until she leaves his side.
The creaking on the bed doesn't slip past her notice. You hear the noise of the bucket being set on the table and the soft step of her approach.
"Oreeee-alann?" Etny croons quietly, dabbing your head with a clean, damp towel. She turns your face gently, the cool water soothing. It really does feel like your face has been burned somewhat, although it's not really clear how.
"Oooola... it's alright, just a bad dream. You're in your bed." She looks concerned, not really aware yet why it is you're crying.
Oredion slides his blanket over his face like a child. He begins to speak in a disturbed quite voice.
"I'm... I'm not strong enough. I cant beat... it. I thought I finally came far enough... became strong enough... but it still won."
Oredions eyes start to glow into a swirling blue and green under the blanket as he feels a rush of sadness and anger overwhelm him. He starts to try and calm his breathing, himself as well, but the glow stays within his eyes. He thinks to himself trying to push the monstrosity or at least whatever it is out of his head. On a split second decision he begins to speak in a low voice to Etny.
"I had... I dont know? Maybe it was just a dream, but it felt... so different. I was on the ship, but it was night and nobody was there. We were docked on the sands of a island with a forest that had trees that turned to dust after a single touch. There was a fire that called to me. To the beast within me... there was a giant bear with antlers and creatures dancing, then... it came. First it was rock out of the flame, but it took form... many horrible forms. Goblins just kept appearing as if magic, all the while the beast, the monstrosity that took my home formed behind them... I tried Et... I could do nothing against it. Everytime I thought I hurt it... it just reformed over and over and over. I... lost I... gave up. My arms opened as I dropped to my knees ready to accept my fate and reunite with my people... but then flame and golden lights. A symbol I've never seen... I dont understand Et. I just dont know."
Oredion starts to shake as he relives the events that felt only seconds prior. His confusion builds and he covers his head with his arms as he stops shaking and lays still, mentally tired after... everything.
Etny stares at the blanket, at her close friend and now what feels to be the only family she has left in the world. Watching him suffer like this brings her to tears. Unwilling to pry him from the comfort of the blanket or try to force him to face anything right now, she climbs up beside him and lays down, wrapping him in her arms.
"Ora, Ata-Morri..." she begins in a soft, sacred prayer. She speaks in the Andrayan tongue throughout, her voice quiet and urgent. It's almost like a song, and when she's done, she hugs Oredion tighter. "Ata-Alann... My poor antrahtu... unlike your dream, you shall not face any of that alone any longer."
She plants kisses on the back of his head, hoping to calm his rage and his sorrow. "Not the flames... the lights... the goblins... the pain... or this new form of yours. It was still morning, but you did better. You weren't... aware, but somewhere in you, you controlled it. You only half changed. You were fighting its instinct."
"I-I know you long to be with your people again... you miss them. You think about them a lot. The look never leaves your eyes..." She trails off, pushing her forehead against him. There are damp tears on her cheeks.
"But the thought of you succumbing to some supposed fate and dying in battle against this great... evil being--" Etny shakes her head slightly, fending off the thought. "N-no, Ore-alann. I'd go to hell and back to make sure nothing like that ever happens to you."
Oredion slowly turns over, pushing the blanket out of his face. His eyes are still swirling with color. He wraps his arms tightly around her and pulls her in close, putting his forehead against hers.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I never thought that if I left... that you would be... hurt. I'm a very dumb dwarf. You deserve better Et... Someone with less... baggage."
Oredion unwraps his arms slowly as he moves farther away on the bed.
Etny grabs his hand and tenderly pulls him back close to her, putting her forehead once more against his. "Shiza, Ore-alann..." A tear traces her cheek and she seems to chuckle without meaning to. "You think no one else has baggage? You silly, silly dwarf."
She places a sincere kiss on Oredion's lips, letting it linger for quite a time. There is no rush in her touch. When she parts, she speaks quietly. "You carry the weight of a mountain on your shoulders. You don't have to feel so alone with it. And being under it, you don't see how strong it has made you."
Her violet eyes search his as she cradles his cheek. "Some day you won't feel burdened by your struggles... yes, you truly carry the weight, the memory of your people. The history, the love, the power..." She seems especially sincere. "But it is the weight of armor... the armor of a whole empire, standing with you. Protecting you."
Oredion smiles as he wipes his stinging eyes. He feels his eyes start to fade back to normal as he hugs Etny for what feels an eternity. He finally releases her from his embrace and sits up with his back against the wall. He looks around to his destroyed room and chuckles.
"Wow.... I sure know how to throw a party. I... did all of this? Impressive..."
Oredion let's out a loud laugh as he looks around at his destroyed room in slight shame.
"Glad they didnt give me a room in the bottom or we would be sinking uh."
Oredion continues to laugh a little more relaxed as he feels the tension in his body and mind slowly go down. He look to Etny with a concerned face.
"Where have you been staying on the ship?"
Etny scoots closer to the dwarf and wraps her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. "Well, they offered me a few places but... honestly I wanted to stay with Gaare for a while. She was so skittish--she's never been on a boat before."
She looks up at Oredion. "I really didn't mind at all, it was like the old days when I traveled with her. She's a good companion. And very warm," Etny chuckles. "Her feathers are like a blanket."
Oredion sighs as he thinks about Etny sleeping in the stables of the ship with Gaare. His cheeks turn a shade of red as he talks, but with more confidence then the past.
"Would you and Gaare like to sleep in my room? I know it's not much... currently, but it's big enough for more the me and the two idgets wondering around somewhere."
Etny smiles shyly. "S-sure. Yeah... I would love that. I'm sure the little omari wouldn't mind either...." She chuckles a little, cuddling against him.
"Except... well," she trails off quietly, thinking for a moment. "After today... well tonight is..." She glances up with concern, more for his sake than anyone elses.
Oredion flinches at her words. He forgot to take in account that she might be scared of his... other side. Oredion begins to talk slowly trying to play off that he wasn't affected by her words.
"Hmm... that is a good point. Maybe you, Gaare, Joey, and God I really need to name him something other then owlbear. I'm going to call him Newten for now I guess. Maybe you all can stay here and I sleep somewhere else?"
Oredion laughs as he starts to get off the bed. Playing leaving off coolly.
"Newten... what a funny name."
Etny looks surprised, trying to keep a hold of his hand. "N-no, that's not what I meant, I--" She tries to stand up too, to get in front of the door before he can try to leave again.
"Oredion, I want to stay. I want YOU to stay." She takes a deep breath, trying to carefully choose her words. "The animals will be okay for a night. And if you're worried we can take extra precautions. B-but..."
She tries to keep up her momentum, using what logic she can for such an illogical situation. Shiza this was hard. "Look; this room seems the safest for you. You said it yourself, probably great that you were here in the first place."
She steels herself, trying to put on the most confident face she has.
"And I want to help. Let's figure this out. Together."
Oredion nods not sure on what to say. He takes a seat in the chair by the desk and motions for Etny to sit on the bed. After shes sitting he begins to speak uncertainly.
"I understand how you feel Et. I feel the same way, but because of that I dont wish to hurt you. How can I swear to protect you if I cant even control myself? I know your strong, but on the battlefield this... thing didn't care if you were friend or foe. It just chased you with intent to... its dangerous Et."
Oredion leans forward resting his head in his hands ready to hear Etny out. He knows she will find a way to change his mind, but he dosent know how.
Etny sits as bidden, contemplating his words. She can see how this torments him, and the memory of that--she wasn't sure how much of it he remembered. But apparently enough, from what he's shared in the past.
She rubs one of her hands with the other, speaking calmly and gently. "I know, Ore-alann... You speak very plainly. Your concern is not unfounded, and I know it troubles you so. I know there is no use of my hiding it..." Etny hesitates, "Yes. That night scared me. I remember it often. I am a hunter of many things. Not often the hunted. This condition, this animal, is a different... tier, altogether. It's powerful. Like unlike you."
She smiles a little and tilts her head to the side, continuing to think. "If you wanted to find a cure, I would help you. If you wanted to tame it, and use its power, I would help you. Nothing changes, except your goal. Mine is always the same."
Etny fiddles with her hands. "To assist you, to support you... But I'm a hunter. I'm used to what I know." She looks up, intent. "I learn by studying. By watching. Neither of us really know much about it yet, do we? My hope is by walking through it, step by step with you, that we can glean something."
"But you..." She chuckles a little without meaning to. "You're a fighter. Letting something like this control you is... not something you can stand, I'm sure. Maybe there's something to working with it, instead of fighting it. Embracing the power without losing your head. There must be a way to."
Oredion chuckles as leans back in his chair.
"Yes. Its definitely something that I cant stand. I hate not being able to control it, but I feel, No, I know I need it to win, to beat it. I want to learn how to control it, but I dont know how or even where to begin. If your really ok with my situation I wont leave, but if I hurt you... even once I will leave Et."
Oredion stands up and walks over to Etny and leans down placing a long kiss on her forehead. He straightens up and begins to walk towards the door. He turns back with his normal goofy smile and holds out his hand as he takes a playful bow.
"Shall we go get your things madam. We should also round up the young ones before they are eaten or they eat something."
She chuckles and nods, following his lead. "That's a good point." Exiting the room with him, she starts to explain how she already took one of Gaare's eggs down to the chef, but you both stop as the owlbear blocks your way.
He sits in front of the door, fluffed up and angry looking as ever. He stares for a long moment at Ore and then squawks loudly, drawing attention and laughs from the sailors milling about.
Oredion laughs as he picks up the angry little owlbear.
"What's gotten into you Newten? Where you worried to? Geez there's so many sensitive creatures on this boat. Atleast I fit in now."
Oredion laughs and he begins to pet Newtens feathers down.
The owlbear fluffs up indignantly and nips at your fingers, but nothing too hard. It reacts to the name with a very dramatic head turn.
Etny laughs. "Well a lot of us care about you, ya know." She kisses Oredion on the top of his head as she moves past to gather her things. Gaare wanders over and ruffles her feathers, happily ducking inside the room. Her large head has to duck to make it under the door frame. She hops up onto the top of a bag of jerky and plants herself there like a nest of meat.
Etny brings in her blankets and her backpack which has most of her trap making gear, notebooks and adventuring supplies. As she sets it down next to Gaare she starts to think.
"Oredion? What would make you feel safer? Should we take any other precautions tonight? I would feel bad tying you up or something, regardless of if that would hold anything back..."
"I may have used a spell earlier that I can use again..." She smiles sheepishly. You can recall that distinct scent from your dream, the one of mint and snow.
Oredion coughs a little flustered.
"Well I'm not really in to being tied up soooooo, no. The spell you used does it smell? I know that probably sounds weird, but in my dream I got a sudden scent of mint and snow. It... was relaxing."
Oredion chuckles at his joke that he thinks obviously went over Etnys head.
Oredion whistles for Joey worried that he hurt the little salamander during his rage. He was in his beatd after all, but when he came to he was gone.
Etny tilts her head, wondering what Ore is laughing at. "Well I think... all my magic kind of smells like that? It always has, I'm not sure why."
She walks out of the room, looking about for Joey as well. "I used something I learned when I was younger, but it took a long time for me to get better at it. The elders used to call it Ata-Beraya. Barkskin, I think it translates to?"
Crouching on the floor, the huntress looks for any sign of where the salamander might have fled to. She did see him run out earlier, but was in too much of a rush to get in to pay attention to where. "It is like a natural armor, a protection from the Ata-Morri. All magic is said to be tied to us through her. So when you jumped, it didn't do anything more than knock the wind out of me."
She says the last part without really thinking, being as focused as she is on the task at hand. She isn't aware of whether or not you were consciously present during that pounce.
Joey finally pokes his nose out from under a crack in a barrel, twisting his head to and fro to wriggle free. You see his flashing colors as he squirms, a little stuck.
Oredion walks over to the stuck salamander and lifts the crate enough he can get out. He brings his hand down to his longest standing friend and whispers in a sincere voice to Joey.
"I'm sorry I scared you bud... Im better for the most part now."
Joey wriggles out, climbing immediately onto your hand and scurrying up your arm. He gives you a lick on the nose before diving into your beard. He seems none the worse for wear overall, but his colors keep swirling slowly along his scales.
Etny puts a hand on your shoulder. "It'll be alright, Oredion... you won't be alone this time."
Oredion pats Etnys hand lightly as he stands up. He looks down to Joey rummaging threw his beard and pokes a finger at him playfully. He looks to Etny with a bit of his former self and smiles slyly as he let's lose a barrage of jokes.
"Well darn tooting if I didnt think you were the cutest thing in the west I'd go to the east. If I was stuck with you on an island I think I'd try to swim the ocean. If only this little rascal was a dragon I'd surely take flight away!"
Oredion laughs a bit stupidly as he walks back to his room. Once there he takes a seat on his bed with a big plop. He looks to Etny a bit admiringly as he takes his time floating in her eyes.
"So what's the plan stan? What's gonna be the agenda of today."
Oredion smiles trying his hardest to reverse his mood for Ets sake.
Etny closes the door, looking at the crowded barn of a room. It's interesting with everyone in here altogether and she can't help but smile a little. "Well..." She trails off, thinking.
"I'm not quite sure... This is new for both of us. If the animals need to, I'll let them outside. Otherwise we'll all keep you company."
The owlbear fluffs up like a giant puffball, squawking grumpily. Gaare just goes back to grooming her feathers. Etny runs her hands along her arms, a shimmering light appearing on them again as the room fills with the smell of mint.
"I'll use this as a precaution." She reaches out to touch Ore, letting him feel her skin--it's rougher, harder like scales or tree trunks. "Though I think we'll be okay." She smiles comfortingly, sitting down across from him in the room.
(As the night progresses you'll be turning into a werebear again. We'll do what we did last time--take turns controlling you so you're struggling for it and not "fully" in control yet. Also I will have you roll wisdom saving throws to see how well you can stay in your right mind. The more often we do this, the easier the difficulty of the challenge will be. Does that make sense?)
The night progresses and the animals begin to nod off. But your body itches like none other. You sweat, and nothing feels comfortable except pacing. Etny watches from the chair, now placed by the door. She keeps a close eye on you as she wittles away at a piece of wood.
Every passing hour it gets worse. You can feel your head swimming. It's an intoxicating feeling, a mix of power and potential in much too small a space. You feel like a caged animal.
(Roll a Wisdom saving throw)
(8+7...)
(Not quite...)
You feel a ringing in your ears and sink to your knees. Etny sits up, attentive and watchful.
"Oredion-alann, it's alright."
Your muscles convulse painfully and you feel your bones stretching. Not having an outlet for the rage, the bear, makes the changing all the more noticeable.
"Don't be afraid. You're the bravest person I know, you'll get through this."
Etny's voice feels far away, but you can still hear her. She adds with a tender gentleness...
"You've been through so much more before."
(Make another wisdom saving throw)
(16+7...)
(Ok, that definitely clears it this round... It's a hard dc to beat. But you are becoming more used to this change.
You are in control now, though your body is still changing. You can respond as Ore or what he does here, I won't control him for this part xD)
Oredion leans against the wall as he gives Etny a painful wink and smile.
"I'm fine lass, just a little riled up is all. I'm sorry if this night gets out of hand."
With that say Oredion reseats himself on the edge of the bed and starts to hum roughly with a low pitch.
Etny relaxes in her chair, letting you have your space on the bed. She listens to your humming, leaning into the tone and resonance of it with a quiet enjoyment.
You feel your body twitch and ache, the sensation coming in waves. (Roll again for a Wisdom save, #3... one failure so far and one success. XD)
(12+7)
(...Barely XD 2 successes. You're still in control.)
Your body twists and cracks, your bones relocating. The owlbear looks up from its bed, twisting its head around as it watches you. Your body becomes more and more bearlike, but still retaining a humanoid appearance.
(You can post as yourself again)
Oredion stands a bit shakily. He looks down to his hands with wonder and looks over them top to bottom. They feel like his, but different. He turns to Etny and tries to crack a smile.
"Well I feel me... but not me. How do I look?"
Oredion chuckles in a weird growly way as he sits back down slowly not to alarm Etny.
"You look like the big, cuddly bear I know you to be." She chuckles a little. She still sounds far away, but present... Just as present as you are.
It's strange being in your head right now, this other body practically taking over your physical form. You can feel it fighting, edging into your consciousness, willing you to not only accept it but let it run wild.
The night is going to be a long one, but you're in good company.
Some time passes and another boom sounds in the distance, the volcanoes making it difficult to focus at times. They remind you of drums, which has never been preferable to you. The last time you heard that was...
(Make another wisdom saving throw... with disadvantage this time. So far 2 success 1 failure)
The pulsing drums begin to fill your head again like that night. The bear inside of you revels in the thought of slaughtering goblins, mixing with your own deep-seeded hatred for them. It almost feels like there is a kinship there, between this feral form and you.
A low growl rumbles from your throat, your eyes growing distant. Your back hunches and you grow in size, becoming slightly larger still. You're definitely not a smaller dwarf anymore, but a muscular beast of a bear.
You hear your blood pound in your ears now, just like the drums. The drums of war. The bear salivates, thirsting for the hunt.
"O-Oredion?" You see Etny mouth your name but you can't seem to hear her. Your limbs move on their own, causing you to stand and stumble against the rocking of the ship.
She continues to talk to you, but you can't hear her. Though... it is almost like you can feel her. There is a soothing aura from her presence. For the first time you start to recognize the bear craves it just as much as you. It steps closer to her, the maw of teeth open.
(for the moment we'll take turns.)
Oredion swings his hand up hitting his mouth shut as he drops to his knees in front of Etny. He feels his muscles ripple as his limbs seem to get bigger, longer. His arm hair starts to grow thicker as it turns into thick fur. He feels his eyes burn bright, out of hatred or pain, he does not know. He brings his paw/hand up in front of him and places it gently on Etnys leg, hoping her magic will sooth him a bit.
She hesitates, nervous anticipation evident on her face. It's hard for her to hide it with you so close.
Etny places her hand on the massive clawed paw. She does sense your longing for the comfort, but you see the strain on her face as she tries to focus on her magic. She's slightly pale, having used more of it than normal today. The scent of mint is still there and she smiles softly. Her other hand tentatively reaches up and caresses your furred face, blended with the tans and browns of your beard.
The bear inside growls again, an ancient, residual fear and anger at being so close to a hunter. It presses down with the paw but stops, feeling you fight it. You can sense it hates fighting for control, it wants to get out of this room which she is blocking it in. It wants to eat.
The growling continues but so does her touch. The owlbear chirps, seeming not to mind the tension in the room at all, saunters over. Her eyes dart to it for a second but it pays her no mind.
It goes between your paws and curls up on your lap, fluffing up all its feathers. You've never seen him so happy, honestly.
Oredions paw slides off Etnys lap a bit more rough then he would have liked as he reaches down towards the small creature. He feels a urge to eat it boom in the back of his head, but Oredion pushes threw the urge and tries to gently pet the small owlbear. He succeeds in what he thinks is a soft pat, but he pushes the owlbear over. He quickly tries to right the owlbear, but forgets he has no fingers and just kinda rolls him around on the floor.
Etny doesn't flinch from your paw at all, but watches mesmerized by the encounter.
The owlbear squawks but not necessarily with unhappiness. It just hops back up, almost as if you're playing with it. You've never seen it so... not angry.
It's beak nips against your fur and what you might consider a pelt now. It causes you to growl and salivate again, the small creature a mere mouthful to you... It would be so easy to snap it up in your jaws. The hunger grows immensely. But the preening, small child of an owlbear melts through the drumming in your ears. You can hear a little better, focus a little more.
(Roll one last wisdom saving throw with advantage this time--so roll 2x and take the higher number)
(First was 3+7 xd second was 19+7 yeet)
It's utterly distracting trying to focus on so much at once around you. Your mind feels torn in two as you struggle with this new form, to control it. To work with it. It is exhausting.
Etny cautiously, slowly reaches over to the corner of the room as to not spook either of you. She latches on to a sack with her fingertips and drags it over, and your nose is hit with a wave of succulent delight.
Jerky.
She lets it tip over and spill out a bit on the floor. The owlbear is absolutely delighted and ravenously digs in to a large piece. You think by the look of it this bag is venison.
Etny looks at you expectantly. "Hungry?"
(You are in control at this point, you won this skill challenge xD )
Oredion stands up to full height and looks down to Etny a little happy he is the tall one for once. He grabs the bag of vension jerky and walks over to his bed on all fours. He crawls up on to it and drags the bag up with him. He watches baby Newten waddle over so he reaches down and picks him up with his teeth. He gently opens the bag with his claws trying not to rip it as he does so. His head swims as hes hit with another round of the delicious aroma. He picks out a large piece for himself and starts to chow down as he picks our another piece for Newten. He flings the piece over with a flick of his claw and watches as the little owlbear picks it up with a squawk and curls against his fur. Oredion looks to Etny and notices how drained she looks. He starts to speak with beginning coming out as more growls and snarls, as hes not used to talking in this form yet.
"Aaaree raaaa youaaa ok? Comeuhh joinaa meahhh?"
Oredion pat's the bed with his paw gently as he looks on in worry.
She chuckles in relief, standing up with a little effort. "I'm just fine, Oredion-alann... There is no need to worry."
Making her way over to the bed, she sits down beside the massive werebear and watches Newten rip apart the jerky in his claws. "Next time you need to go through a change... perhaps we'll be on land somewhere. We can get fresh meat... Does that sound more appetizing than jerky?" Etny smiles sidelong at her loved one, a teasing tone to her voice.
"Jerky wins raaa all!"
Oredion starts to laugh in a loud roaring voice as he reaches out and pulls Etny in for a "bear hug." He makes sure to be gentle not wanting to hurt her in her weakened state. His head feels light as he feels his body begin the process of getting smaller. He feels his bones creak as he shrinks and his fur starts to disappear to reveal his normal hairy arms. He feels his face sink in and his skull get smaller. He looks back to Etny now his normal small dwarven self. He shakes his head a bit feeling dizzy as he begins to speak again.
"Well damn that kinda sucked. Thank you for helping me Et. For a sec there I thought I was gonna lose it, but you and Newten pulled me back. You know... it kinda sucks being small again. I was just getting used to being the tall one here."
Oredion chuckles as he leans forwards and pulls Etny in for a long, loving kiss. When they part lips he feels his cheeks form into a smile and three simple words that hold all of what he wants to say escape his lips.
"I love you."
Etny blushes and pushes her forehead against his, nuzzling his nose with her own. She feels the honestly and depth behind his words of affirmation, and it almost brings her to tears.
"I love you too, my tender bear."
She leans into him, exhausted, relieved and happy. Newten leaps about, helping himself to another large piece of jerky. He looks a little perturbed that you're no longer a bear, but not too bothered overall. Eventually he curls up to sleep next to Gaare.
"We'll keep at this. Together." She looks up at him with her violet eyes, searching his own. "I know you'll be able to tame this."
"I know I can do it now. As long as your here with me, I think I can handle anything."
Oredion leans in giving her another kiss and sits back against the pillows pulling her with him.
(Fade to black)
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