Umber

Psydney’s exchange of skulls with the erudite demon Klavicus unearths a surprise. (sab)

With one last look at the hellish landscape, Bane closes the trapdoor. The sights and sounds of the Abyss are shut out, but the odors linger, and someone mutters something about deserving a mansion to rest in, not a shoebox to hide in.

You discuss plans for the coming day and eventually settle in for the night. Psydney pulls the skull obtained from the demon Klavicus out, and holds it out to Crusader, asking “Can you?” Crusader nods, remarking that it will give her something to think about other than the plight of Gabriel.

The Planetar holds the skull in the palm of her emerald hand. “Speak, spirit,” she commands. The skull slowly rises into the air; as you watch, it grows flesh and a spectral body fills the space beneath it forming the figure of a tall man, still straight-backed and muscular despite his clearly advanced age. He is clad in plate mail from head to toe, and the armor – breastplate and shield and helm each boldly adorned with a mailed hand grasping a silver lightning bolt – gleams as if illuminated by an unseen source.

You study his eyes through his open visor. There is a moment of confusion, but even as he struggles to focus on his surroundings, his hand moves automatically to his sword belt – and closes on empty air. The acute observers among you can tell that he is both disoriented and disconcerted, but still his outward composure is never lost.

He pauses, studies you, and gives a brief bow. Seeing Crusader, he deepens it. “Your kind is known to me through legend, though I never thought I would be so honored as to be in such company. I am at your service.”  “However,” he states, “you have me at somewhat of a disadvantage. I do not know why I am here, how I came to be here, or who you are. This is a strange place, and your band is stranger still. I am Caldni Vir, Hand of the Invincible, Lord of the Bone March. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?”