Recollections by Amon
Recollections by Cassio
TLDR: Cassio Amon Ember Ci Zanna ventured to the Pardor Range and killed a Neothelid. A legendary creature that would become an Elder Brain if given enough time.
Introduction: The Champion is born.
I wasn't always the handsome bastion of truth honor and justice you see before you. Oh no I was once a young but slightly less handsome, sexually masterful soldier in the greater service of Solace's army. Tasked with keeping the peasantry safe from bandits goblins and ne'er-do-wells my troupe was efficient and well known.
After a routine patrol, having set up camp for the night, my men and i were beset by a large beast. During the conflict I went down, and it was at that point I thought the great Cassio was done for. I awoke some time later the only one alive, but not without my scars. Clearly the world still had need of Cassio. But I could not save my men, nor would I rest till their deaths were avenged. Regretfully I had not heard tale nor whisper of that beast again.
That was until today.
Thanks to my very good friend and professional tiny person Callie Tealeaf, I've had a break in the case. I can now exact righteous justice to the beast.
Chapter 1: No Rest for the Wicked.
Cassio awoke that morning full of determination and purpose. His armor gleaming, his sword sharp, and his stomach full of a questionable meal of elven slaw and mead he set off to exact fiery vengeance and put the memory of his fallen comrades to rest. After a short conversation with the local stable master, Cassio took off eastward to his destination. For three weeks Cassio braved what could be described as a hellish landscape of sun dappled grassy fields and a terrifying onslaught of gentle winds and pretty flowers. He made way to the Pardor Range, where tale of a creature bearing the beasts description was terrorizing the villagers. Solidifying his resolve, not only will this holy quest help himself, but it will let the citizens rest easy. Their praise and adoration will be a small reward for the service he will perform this day.
Unfortunately.....
Cassioarrived to find the town abandoned. Not a soul. His senses keen like a winter fox Cassio searched the town for any signs of struggle or attack. Was he too late? Naught but a few bear tracks it was as if the peasants simply evaporated. How many towns like this must exist, peaceful one moment and then forgotten the next. Finding the abandoned stable, Cassio lets his trusty steed rest. He would be no help to where he was going. With his uncanny Owlbear-like sense of direction, Cassio takes off towards the mountain range, vengeance would be his.
Chapter 2: The Splinter Twin
The Cave beckoned. A large carved hole on the mountains side told every fiber in Cassio's steely and handsome nerves not to go. But he pressed forward. Tell tale signs of his quarry littered the cave floor. Our hero descends into darkness. With sword in one hand, shield in another, torch in another traverses the sprawling and branching caverns until he came upon the unthinkable. Laying on the floor of the cavern in a pool of his own blood was Cassio's old squad mate beckoning for him, but how could this be? His companions were slain years ago, how could he possibly still be alive!?!? Rushing to his side to render aid Cassio watches in horror as the familiar face of his old face transforms into a horrid visage. Sharp teeth and dagger in hand, Cassio's old man-at-arms lunges at our hero. And while the dagger found purchase, the physical wound was nothing compared to the emotional trauma of having to kill his old friends with his bare hands. With one slash of his mighty sword, Cassio turns his friend into a memory again. This was not the time for tears though, where his friend once stood was now a mass of purple tentacles streaming from a hole in the ground. Cassio 's mind was beset by a formless creatures vile voice screaming in his mind taunting and attempting to torture our hero with empty threats and falsehoods. And while the creature sought to terrify and intimidate our beloved hero Cassio Lista it had showed it's weakness. For if it could talk....it could bleed! Much like those trolls come to think about it. Cleaning the blood from his blade, Cassio ran deeper into the cavern. Waves upon waves of friends and foes threw themselves and the unmovable and undefeated Cassio. The beast was sending the visions of his own friends and companions in a feeble attempt dissuade Cassio from his goal, but each a shadow and pale imitation of the real thing was just fueling his rage and his resolve. regardless he said a silent prayer to each of his friends he slew that day.
Ci - I will always remember your full head of hair
Ember - If only i could tell you the finer points of changing to a dolphin
Amon - Why is your staff called J something....a name perhaps?
Zana - I will need to tell your parents about this
Bridgette - You were a female version of me. Perfect!
Fallon - Always wiped back to front
Petry - Showered once a month
Lilianna - Never knew the meaning of the word Hornswaggle
Some old couple - I'm not actually sure who you are, but your heads came off far to easily.
The work was bloody, the work was long, but it was done. And with the image of his final companion falling under his sword, the floor the cavern shook and his true foe finally showed itself.
Chapter 3: No Items, Fox Only, Final Destination
The floor erupted in a shower of stone, bile, and screams. Towering 20 foot tall and immeasurably long sat Cassio's true foe. A worm of innumerable teeth and tentacles and malice, It's twisted form spending years terrorizing and devouring innocent people for it's own sick pleasure. But for all it's power, for all it's years of survival, for all it's carefully laid plans laid to hide it's true existence it had made a fatal mistake. That mistake was he crossed paths with Cassio Lista, self proclaimed adventurer and overall amazing friend to everyone with two and sometimes one eyes. For now he had the beast cornered. With sword and shield in hand Cassio charged.
The cavern rang out with sounds of battle. Cassio's muscles rippling as he tore chunks out of the beasts chitinous hide. The monsters tentacles trying to find purchase on our hero's resplendent armor and filling the cavern with miasma's of poison. Our hero fought long into the night and with a final blow the beast let out it's death knell
"Curse you Cassio Lista! I would have taken over all of Solace if it was not for your undisputed handsomeness and talent!"
The Monstrosity collapsed with a thundering crash. It was done.
Exhausted, Cassio slumped down to the cavern floor. Despite his Adonis like strength he could not carry the beasts body back as a trophy. a scale would suffice for now as a reminder that he did well by his old squad.
Chapter 4: Glittering Prizes
Fetching his trusty steed, Cassio returned to Solace to a shower of cheers and congratulations. After meeting with Pythia with tale of his success, he found the creature to be a Neothallids. The tadpole or infant form of a Elder Brain. The leaders of the Mind Flayer creatures we are constantly vexed by. The world now safer with it's death, Cassio can now devote himself fully to the Eternal order and their cause.
Written and dictated by non other CASSIO LISTA.
Also Amon Ember Ci Zanna were there.
THE END.