Valdyra’s story (before and after the Crystalline City):
Valdyra was a child of the Green River tribe, growing up in a land of tall mountains, deep forests, and swift rivers. She was a good student and a good teacher, fast to learn new things and eager to share them with others. Even at a young age, she loved to take care of the tribe’s children. When she was 16, she was chosen as a ritual observer (an honour usually bestowed upon older and more seasoned hunters). Far from the tribe’s camp she secretly watched over a group of younger kids who were undergoing a test of skills. All went well until the fourth morning when a group of orc warriors suddenly attacked. Valdyra rushed in to protect her charges, calling on the Spirit of the Bear to lend her strength. But even so she was struck down and left for dead. When she finally awoke, she found a dozen dead orcs and one dead boy. She took the child back to the tribe and vowed that she would find and return the others as well. It was a long and frustrating search. Eventually, she found one of the girls dead, and the other boy alive, but imprisoned and forced to fight beasts for the amusement of a decadent city. She freed him and sent him back to their homeland and took up the search again. After hunting down and killing a part of the orc band, she finally found a trail that led her to the sprawling metropolis of a tyrant king where the last girl was kept like a pet in a golden cage. Unable to free her alone, Valdyra went to look for aid, but realized that she would need money. The expedition to the Crystalline City should have been a quick adventure with a big reward. Instead she got stuck there.
The events that led to the final destruction of the city and her escape left her bewildered and reeling. She bade goodbye to the other survivors and returned to the tyrant’s metropolis. But she found only overgrown and forgotten ruins. A local historian finally told her that the cruel king had been killed 500 years ago in a revolution. The city had been burned down and abandoned. Shocked by this revelation, Valdyra returned to her homeland. But her tribe was gone, the only trace that remained were the Caves of the Ancients, their sacred burial grounds. For a while, she wandered through the forests alone, meditating on all that had happened, mourning the loss of her family and the children. Then one evening the Spirit of the Bear appeared before her, leading her to a clearing with a small hut where an old woman with a crown of holly awaited her…
So this took me way too long. Here’s a rough sketch of her https://sta.sh/013yxh3ul3z, for those who are interested ;).
When Hepta had entered the Crystalline City she had come here for adventure, knowledge and riches. Something one would tell tales about and brag to one’s siblings at family reunions. The type of tales that would impress others, and make her stand out amongst her numerous successful siblings. At least that was the plan in the beginning. She didn’t account for traps fuelled by time magic, the crazed inhabitants, an undead mage and the conscious heart of the city itself.
After escaping she emerged a different person that she was before, both mentally and physically. The events that had transpired, such as seeing multiple of their comrades die in gruesome ways, would have mentally scarred anyone. For Hepta there was another problem she realized days later, or rather allowed herself it realize it. She felt different, removed from herself as if she was floating five feet above her own head, she lost most of her basic needs, and the spots where the necrotic magic of the second had hit her wouldn’t heal no matter what magic she used.
As much as she disliked to acknowledged it, she was undead. First the second had brought her back, then the city attempted to take her soul, and then something else had raised her. What exactly she didn’t know. But considering the fact that she still possessed her powers it must have been something good or at least connected to the divine light she served and at least she had some free will, or at least she hoped she did.
It made returning home impossible, however. She had been gone for centuries, her older siblings were probably dead or grandparents. Returning in this state, still being around the age she left and any explanations she would be able to give sounding like crazy dreams, were some some problems she had to face. Feeling a deep restlessness she decided instead to continue travelling, trying to find a new sense of identity in a world that had moved on without her.
@BufoBufo Hey, probable follow-up adventure: Hepta’s deity sends her on a mission. If she succeeds, she will be alive again 