[CENTER][h1][color=brown]Brutrumukk[/color][/h1][/CENTER]

[color=brown]"What the fuck?"[/color] Brutrumukk said as a gust of wind blew past them, bring with it echoes of a deep voice chuckling mirthfully.

[CENTER]"[b]Perhaps this [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5534874]'Windy nob'[/url] can be of assistance,[/b]"[/CENTER]

[color=brown]"What the FUCK?"[/color] Brutrumukk couldn't help but say once more with feeling as he recognized his own words being turned back on him.

"Wah! He's back already?!" The macaw exclaimed with a tone reminiscent of someone who has been delivered salvation and damnation in equal measure.

The laughter grew louder and louder as the wind swirled around Brutrumukk and Jub like miniature tornadoes, and everything was shrouded in bright white light!

[color=brown]"Gah! Me eyes! I can't see."[/color] Brutrumukk exclaimed in response while trying to block out the light with his hands.

When the light finally cleared, they were in the Main Hall again, kneeling before the throne. Aaliyah and her Macaw familiar stood beside the throne, which was now occupied by a handsome man who towered over everyone else. And then Brutrumukk noticed to his great enjoyment that the cat ogres were now suspended in the air, each of them trapped in a transparent orb much like Aaliyah was in the past! Both of the creatures were clawing and desperately trying to get out to no avail. Brutrumukk couldn't help but allow a cruel chuckle to escape him at the sight.

The man smiled as he looked down at Brutrumukk and Jub. He boomed happily, "[b]Visitors Brutrumukk and Jub! I thank ye for thine efforts to assist mine student, and protect mine palace while I was away! As repayment, I shall set thee back onto thine destined path, and grant thee a gift![/b]"

An eager grin split Brutrumukk's face at the mention of a gift. [color=brown]"I like the sound o' that."[/color] The [s]bugbear[/s] gnome said as the imagined what fabulous treasures they would receive for pleasing the master of this palace.

Aaliyah spoke up to the both of them, "Thank you both for trying to save me! It means a lot! I wish you luck on your journey, Heroes!"

[color=brown]"Always 'appy to 'elp."[/color] Brutrumukk said.

The Macaw squawked at them, "For what it's worth, it was fun hanging out with the both of ya! Smell ya both later!"

[color=brown]"...I s'pose there's things what annoy me more than you 'ave."[/color] Brutrumukk conceded. [color=brown]"See ya round, parrot."[/color]

"[b]Now! Go forth Adventurers and free Prismeer![/b]" The djinni boomed then.

[color=brown]"Wait. 'Ang on. What about that gift?"[/color] Brutrumukk asked

Ishaan only laughed in response and clapped his hands together. Everything was shrouded in white light once more. A moment later, Brutrumukk felt himself being thrown a great distance, much like how he had been when this whole misadventure started.

[CENTER][h1][color=brown]"[url=https://youtu.be/MUL5w91dzbo?si=qzZFLZeOqzWka_h1]YAAHOOHOOHOOHOOEY![/url]"[/color][/h1][/CENTER]

But as he fell this time, Brutrumukk felt all the excitement he'd been through finally take a toll on him. Soon enough, sleep claimed him.

As he slept, Brutrumukk dreamed that he was in the dark place he had gone to during his brief stint with death. But instead of hearing the voices of his gods, Brutrumukk heard the voice of the man who had sent him on his way.

"[b]I see thine desire.[/b]" The voice spoke, causing a vision of the bugbear Brutrumukk used to be appear.

For a moment, Brutrumukk allowed himself to hope. Could this be the gift he was promised. He reached out towards the vision.

"[b]But art thou still that bugbear? Or art thou someone new?[/b]"

Only to recoil in horror as the voice's words dashed that hope, turning the vision of the bugbear he once was into the gnome he had become.

"[b]I only ask thee to ponder upon this.[/b]" The voice requested. "[b]After all, people are always changing in the chaotic winds of life.[/b]"

There was nothing to ponder though. Things changed. Brutrumukk knew that better than most. But being a gnome? Being so small? So weak? Cut off from the brother gods' blessings? That wasn't change. That was a fate worse than death.

"[b]People can choose who they wish to become and will themselves to manifest it.[/b]" The voice concluded as an especially cold wind brushed against Brutrumukk's cheek. "[b]Perhaps the bugbear you were is not the person you wish to be...[/b]"

[color=brown]"Yes it bloody well is!"[/color] Brutrumukk exclaimed as he jolted awake back in the Feywild, feeling like he'd just experienced a full night's rest and that he had in fact received a gift from the master of the palace after all. After a moment, Brutrumukk realized the feeling of an especially cold wind brushing against his cheek was there. He turned to see a cold, dead hand rubbing against his face. [color=brown]"GAH! FUCK OFF!"[/color] Brutrumukk shouted as he punched the hand away. The [s]bugbear[/s] gnome took a moment to breathe then, before looking about him and taking in his surrounding. [color=brown]"Where are we then?"[/color] He asked himself. A moment later, Brutrumukk saw Sshizna examining the wanted poster. [color=brown]"An' who the 'Ells is that?"[/color] He added. Brutrumukk noticed movement in the corner of his eye then and turned to see the rest of the party approaching. [color=brown]"Ah! There you are!"[/color] Brutrumukk greeted them. [color=brown]"I was wonderin' where you lot 'ad run off to. You get up to anythin' interestin'? We certainly did!"[/color] Brutrumukk then pointed a thumb over at Sshizna before continuing. [color=brown]"I'm guessin' this one is with... with... w-w-with..."[/color] Brutrumukk trailed off, eyes wide and jaw dropping slightly.

Another bugbear was trailing behind the rest of the party. He looked to be about nine years older than Brutrumukk. He wore scale mail armor and wielded a warhammer and light crossbow. And he bore the holy symbol of Grankhul for all to see. [color=brown]"Did the brothers send you?"[/color] Brutrumukk called out to the bugbear in goblin. [color=brown]"Are you 'ere to taunt me? To remind me what I've lost? I ain't gonna take back what I said if that's why you've come. They're wrong about Jub. An' we're gonna show 'em good and proper before all's said an' done!"[/color]