The party, exhausted, gather together in a circle and once more use the Amulet of the Planes. They wish to teleport to Anlyth, specifically into Folas Carna's quarters in Lunas Orberus, and desperately hope they are not shunted into another plane of the Cosmos.
To their relief, they successfully use the amulet. As bright light fades from their vision, they find themselves safely within Anlyth, and all let loose a deep sigh. Folas' study is empty, but they spy the orb of listening still in place within the room. Left to scry on his actions following the sharing of deep elven history that had occurred in recent days. They loudly announce themselves knowing that The Tide can likely hear them.
Gilded palace guards arrive at the door to Folas' study, they state that the party are to be escorted to the Dome Chamber immediately. The party refuse and ask instead that Folas come join them. After some apprehension, the request is met and Folas is called for. While they wait the party take a cursory look around Folas' quarters. They see a protruding book from the shelf on "The Study of Magical Ley Lines", they also find letters on his desk that suggest there are other groups of individuals under Folas' command that are tasked with finding intel across Usta. After some time passes the Master of Arcana arrives, entering the study without any guards joining him, and he closes the door behind him.
The party verbally go on the offence, demanding to know why Folas cast them to the Emerald Peaks without warning. With clearly raised tempers, and wavering trust, Folas comes clean, but looks reluctant to do so, glancing over at the scrying orb. He admits that he was wrong to throw them into such a place without being able to prepare them properly. The fact that Edward's Patron was brought to the forefront of a meeting with Ulahice was not conducive to his plans. The Trials of Halamar were sentenced and he knew that if it did not go well, it could be the end of Folas' contributions to the party's progress.
Yes, it was a betrayal of trust to the adventurers he sought to help, but it has also been a heinous act to his people by keeping the Tide in the dark. His intel of the Dargean Empire structure found by Alloria Mialeth during exile had not been discussed. A strong hunch, rather than hard evidence of another Element Stone, Folas wished to keep this information close to his chest in case it carried to the wrong ears. And further, his discoveries with the Order of Arcanum had progressed to a point where his fellow council members would deliberate over the findings for too long, rather than taking imminent action in an ever changing world.
Mornington, being one of the more vocal party members, had pressed his feelings upon Folas regarding his actions, but now softened after seeing that he may have acted in haste, but it was due to the restraints of the great council. Folas insists they all move up to the Dome Chamber, to involve the other members of the council as he must smooth over such revelations with them also. Agreeing, the party are led by Folas and the guards up into the chamber, and very brief reintroductions are made to the stony faces of the council.
Ulahice has taken ill once more, enough to become bed bound, and there has been a reaction felt among the elves of Anlyth this day, despite this news being kept bound to the palace. A spiritual hit has echoed its people and the Tide are interested in the actions of the party, what occurred at the Element Stone. They retell the tale of their encounter, the great Primordial spirit, Unknown they were forced to destroy defending themselves. This is shocking to the council, the prime religion in the Shimmer Isles worships Eloranos, known as the mother of the primordials. This is a devastating loss for all of elvenkind. The party reinforce that they had little choice, but they were able to extract the earth glyphs, taking them a step closer to the Dargean Inner Sanctum and securing a solution to the encroaching threat of the outer planes.
A loud knock sounds at the door as eyes dart around the room, the Tide and the Watch glancing at each other. A guard enters and loudly proclaims that Eparch Jandar Bijor wishes to speak to the members of the Tide. Amarion visibly reacts to this name and clearly knows it well, while the others look onward confused as the doors open to allow the individual in. A tall elf enters wearing bright flowing religious robes with a high collar. On his head he wears a thorned mithril circlet, small monocle, and has short auburn hair and beard. He strides across the Dome Chamber and walks straight up to Amarion, and embraces him. Releasing him a few short moments later, he holds his shoulders at arms length and states how good it is to see Amarion. He had heard of the recent exploits with the Trials of Halamar, and came at once. Jandar has only just returned to Anlyth and felt in his heart that he would see Amarion again soon, and is glad the moment has presented itself.
Jandar addresses all present and explains that many of his followers in the Order of the Ancients felt a great loss this morning, many brought to tears in morning prayer, as there has been a great shift in energy. The party look at one another, knowing exactly what this relates to, the topic discussed barely a few moments prior. Jandar continues, his chest broad and head tipped back slightly, an impassioned weight to his words, that reverberate through the chamber. He states that while he felt this spiritual shift, he could see through to the truth of it, and has seen the light, the greater order of the primordials. Eloranos is pleased and a great spirit has been returned to the source, to its rightful home. He feels that whatever has happened, knowing the men around him are involved, has been a good thing for the natural order, and that the people's spirits will lift high once the grief has passed.
The Tide clearly have a great respect for Eparch Bijor, and his words soothe their concerns. The gathering continue to discuss the outcome of the recent events, with Jandar Bijor folded into the proceedings. With Ulahice ill, the Tide are going to continue with guiding the nation to the best of their abilities. Elauthin Rohorn reinforces his previous offer, a ship and crew will be at the party's command, ready to sail the Hourglass Sea. The city of Anlyth is also a safe haven for the party as they prepare for the next leg of their journey. Gathering supplies, knowledge, training, and spiritual connection are in order. For the party have come so far, and have further still to travel.
They have three days and three nights, before they are to depart with the full support of the Shimmer Isles, and its people.
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