Arcade’s Journal -- The Faerie Circles, Finale

...that night the party slept on the raft under the full moon. We awoke to find ourselves floating in a pool of liquid moonlight. Slowly, we began to realize that we had returned to Faerie.

We were all very excited, and very happy to have completed our latest quest. Most of us doffed our clothes, and danced and swam in the warm, liquid moonlight. Sadly, Cadrienne, the only female party member present, declined to join us, although I think she wanted to. I collected some of the liquid moonlight in sealed vials, in case it might be useful later (for spell components and such.) We refreshed ourselves by washing off the moonlight in a nearby stream, and dressed. The King and Queen of Faerie themselves came to welcome us, well pleased with our deeds. A great, formal celebration began....

...I discovered that Nolin’s true surname, Maradine, is only to be used in Faerie. It is apparently forbidden elsewhere, but I was unable to learn why.

The rulers of this land met with each of us in private to give us proper rewards. Some of these gifts were made public by their recipients.

Nolin received a magical instrument called a "violin." He had seen it being played by the satyr, Friedrich, and had much admired it. It sounds absolutely terrible when Nolin plays it unless he invokes the enchantment. Then, it is nearly too beautiful to comprehend. With it, one can invoke Otto’s Irresistible Dance.

Tom-Tom was given the ability, at some time interval, to conjure a key that would open any lock. This will most likely prove to be a mighty boon.

During Velendo’s visit with the Faerie monarchs, they noted that, when last he returned home from Faerie, the cleric had not believed his own experiences to be real. They were amused, and wryly commented that it was odd for one with such strong faith in an unseen diety to disbelieve the Faerie Queen herself when he was standing in her very presence. Velendo hastened to apologize for his error. Sistamula gave him an ironic gift, the power to disbelieve in something so strongly that it would cease to exist for him.

Cadrienne, always aware of the alignment of the stars and their mathematical portents, had drawn a picture for the Queen. She had noted that Faerie has an extra moon, and she had made an astrology chart that featured that moon. The Queen was pleased, and gave Cadrienne the ability to occasionally add something to reality’s equation. With mental calculation, she may will a simple object into being.

I went to my meeting with the fay pair with some trepidation, as their reputation is well known. Sistamula offered me a place at her side if I wished to remain. I did not want to insult her, but I knew that my friends would have need of me, and that my place was in the world of men.

"My Queen," I said, "though my heart would wish for nothing more, my mind does council differently, and I must respectfully decline." She accepted this without rancor.

She noted that I am becoming known for seeing to the heart of a problem. She said she would give me a gift, that I might see the truth in all things when I desire. [Ed. Faerie Sight, once/week, works partly as True Seeing but has other peculiarities as well.] For her pleasure, I invoked this power. Rays of silver light streamed from my eyes, and all about me became clear to the point of transparency. Truly an awesome gift. I bowed low, and thanked them with all the eloquence at my command....

...after the celebration we bade the rulers of Faerie farewell, and lay down to sleep in magnificent chambers. In the morning, we awoke in a clearing in the forest, far to the northwest of Rampart. We had been transported by rainbow, and stood at its end. Knowing the legends, we promptly searched the area for treasure.

We discovered a huge pot of gold, stamped on four sides with a clover symbol. We also found a cage, constructed of gold filigree. It contained a simple rock, which became a gem when it was removed. Alix and Tom-Tom believe that the gem may increase the value of other gems stored with it. For some reason, most of the party refused to take any gold from the pot. Only Tom-Tom and I took any. It seemed to me that Sistamula would not have arranged for us to arrive in this spot by accident, and must have meant for us to find these things, but no one else was convinced....

...we navigated southeast for a few days, but it was rough going. One morning we met a wood-elf, one Beridan. He somehow sensed that the party had the favor of someone important, and treated us with deference. Nolin was very amused by this, of course....

...over a few weeks the elves escorted us back to territory that we could recognize. We made our way back to Rampart, and arrived at the Manticore. We met the bouncer as he was storming out, having quit moments before. It seems that Grundo has returned! Unfortunately, he had beaten the poor bouncer severely. Still, it is very good to see the crusty, dwarf again....