Edward Fogbluff stands at the table, the enchanter tasked with questioning him lays the magical haversack upon the table between them. Crom can see them talking from across the room, but can't make out the words. He sees the wizard pull a knife from his robes so immediately gets to his feet moving for the table. The blade's not pointed at Edward, rather it looms threateningly over the haversack. Crom intervenes, putting his hand on the haversack, inserting himself into the conversation. The wizard explains it's the last opportunity to come clean and remove any remaining items from the haversack before he tears it, rendering it useless, sending any remaining contents into the Astral Plane. The pair argue that it's not fair, that's their item and he has no right to destroy it. The enchanter deems this necessary as proof that they are being honest to the Servants of the Weave, the haversack will be replaced in due course. Edward comes clean and says there is one thing left that he didn't mention. The wizard allows him the bag and Edward carefully takes out the metallic head of Gantrovius, although the light in the being's eyes has gone, much to Edward's concern.
Why did he lie? Both the wizard and Crom are shocked to see this item, the wizard asks if this is one of The Tarnished he's heard about from the attack? Edward confirms and manages to convince the enchanter that it's a trophy from their encounters with the fallen Dargean. His lie gone undetected, Crom backs him up, confirming how they like to take trophies, it helps them know their enemies better, prove to naysayers that such creatures exist, and of course, the honour rights of their victory. The wizard accepts this and asks if there is anything else? Edward shakes his head. The wizard confirms he will destroy the item now and the two are thrown back into arguing over why that needs to be done, he says it proves there is nothing more to hide, and this arguing just doubles his suspicions. Edward argues that the item has sentimental value to them, they don't want it replaced with another. The wizard looks like he is contemplating their plea, then plunges the dagger into the item, ripping a hole right through. There is a gasp as the aura of magic slips from the item. Crom threatens that he is done with these fucking wizards and will take his sword back, interrupting the ritual of identification taking place. The enchanter apologises to them, saying its the only way, and they are understandably annoyed asking for him to replace it immediately. He turns to leave the room, but a figure looms in the door's threshold.
Deep blue robes adorned with swirling patterns shroud the hunched wizard that approaches them, he is clearly one of the Grand Masters based on his age, presence of being, and the reaction by others in the room. Grand Master Enchanter Risga enters the conversation, the lowly enchanter that had been dealing with them clearly nervous now that the leader of his order is present. Introductions are made and there is posturing from both sides before some kind of understanding and respect is given. Risga too apologises for the destruction of their item and promises to replace it with an improved Bag of Holding, that can hold at least double what the Haversack could hold. Crom agrees that they can finish the ritual but then they will be leaving. Risga agrees, perfectly acceptable, he says. They have learnt a sufficient amount to ease their worries, he only wishes that next time they can meet on more favourable terms.
Amarion and Mornington Lormanston leave the Gura Palace, they had been given the suggestion to visit Admiral Lemuel Fulton to discuss foreign aid, and perhaps to visit their Anlyth allies. But neither of them want to do that, not yet anyway, as they don't know what has befallen their fellow adventurers back at the The Woven Pillars. They rush back to the interconnected wizard towers and by sheer chance are reunited just as Crom and Edward leave, the two finally returning to ground level. They fill each other in on what has just happened and Mornington informs the others that the King offered a temporary residence for them. They can either stay in the Lord's Place district, an area of noble houses and great manors, or in Wanderers Rest, a district of mercantile interest and of travellers with lined pockets. They opt for Wanderer's Rest, and at the mere mentioning of the comforts on offer, they all feel the fatigue of their travels set in. They leave for the residence immediately, and for the first time in well over a week, they enjoy the comforts of an actual bed. A luxurious one at that.
Edward dreams of a landscape before him, where great pointed teeth rise before him to form a mountain range, hot fire swelling behind them. He wonders if Xarturas is reaching out to him, but he wakes from the dream sweating without so much as a whispered voice from his patron. Mornington, already caught up in the excitement of the plan forming in his head, takes ink and quill to parchment, and drafts out a great tale of their travels, of their victories. He later wakes in the fourposter bed of his lodgings, papers scattered around him. Crom holds his sending shell as he turns it over in his hand, wishing it's magic would return so that he can once again find out what has happened to his long lost tribe. Amarion looks out the window, towards the docks, towards the sea. He knows the Lanalith is here, and knows that he must reconvene with his people that have dedicated themselves to their cause. He then thinks of The Tide, and his promise to bring balance back to Demoras. Is it possible? Are things now in motion that cannot be undone? So much to consider, and it feels like time is running out, like sand slipping through the cracks of his fingers.
----
The next day the party wake and get to task. They have many things they want to achieve, and one such task is to reflect on their adventures, channel their experiences, and realise their new found abilities. Then, once their business in Spearpoint concludes, they will move on to the next chapter of their grand adventures.
Crom partakes in training, getting to grips with the Sword of Baphomet. After concerning locals by hacking down a tree in one of the city's green spaces, he is taken to a barracks to finish his drills in their training yard, out of the public eye. Amarion seeks the worst affected areas from the dragon attack and helps in the rebuilding efforts, putting his strength and will to do good to great effect. Mornington seeks a playwright, and does so in the affluent areas in and around the district of their lodgings, before long he is pointed in the direction of one of Spearpoint's prestigious playwrights, Winifer Waggledagger, and strikes a deal. Edward decides to commune with his patron, to see where he stands, and possibly get a read on any plots he is developing. Xarturas praises the young Warlock, letting him know that he has done well in bringing the great Karna-Kar to his final resting place. He informs Edward that he is exactly where he needs to be, and that he will be called to action when the time is right. Edward finds himself confused, and a little concerned, not obtaining a clear idea of the fiend's ambitions.
Mornington and Amarion attend the first of the daily council meetings as requested by the King. The Spear's Head Council tell them that the unrest in the city has caused further disturbances, theft has risen considerably! Many businesses in the Labourer's District have been hit and they want boots on the ground to find out what's happening, and to deter further theft. Amarion volunteers himself and is given city guard to attend him in patrolling the affected areas. That day, despite his efforts, he encounters no further disturbances or any evidence to link suspects to the crimes already committed. However, he does hear of a chandler who's shop was ransacked, odd for the needy to be stealing candles, but perhaps it has value to some in such trying times. Mornington visits Admiral Lemuel Fulton, after being asked again by the King if his family could send aid he speaks with the Admiral adding to his correspondence for foreign aid. Mornington writes a letter addressed to his Uncle, Ailward Lormanston, about the current challenges and the need for allies. Crom continues to train his combat prowess, his shouts of rage heard echoing from the barracks where he resides. Edward also partakes in training his skills, he travels outside of the city, far past the towering walls and out into farmland. Far from onlookers, he channels the new power gifted to him by Xartarus for his accomplishments. He rises from the ground, levitating in place as he summons forth his eldritch magic. He feels the surge of arcane energy as all around him burns with hellfire.
The party eventually reconvene at their temporary dwellings, they catch up on the day's business before resting once more. The next day they continue to take on various tasks, furthering their connections, advancing their powers, and attempting to heal the city and the outlook of its citizens.
---
Crom continues his training in the barracks of East Spearpoint, his blade now feeling balanced in his hand. A well placed strike could rip reality and imprison the barbarian's enemies to the shadows, back where they belong. Mornington continues working with playwright Winifer Waggledagger, getting a script together that contains the impressive details of the party's trials and discovered lore, especially focusing on saving the city from the mighty Karna-Kar. Amarion visits the Faith District and helps in one of the largest Churches to the Attuned. The church is overflowing with those who lost their homes, he discovers that many children are going missing or are being tempted away from the sanctuary of the churches. He stays on for a prolonged amount of time, healing the injured and bolstering the abilities of other healers in the church. All praise his acts of kindness and the people rejoice in the aid they receive that day, a holy knight shedding the light of hope in dark times. Edward returns to The Woven Pillars and seeks Ichris for help. The Warlock asks the Grand Master Diviner if he can aid him with powerful magic outside of his abilities, and Ichris complies. Edward realises that since the heated argument he had with Brogmim, one concerning the imp tempting desperate villagers into Xarturas' service, he hasn't seen or heard of the snivelling fiend. Ichiris attempts to cast Scrying and gleam a view of Brogmim, but alas, due to his unfamiliarity with the imp, he is unsuccessful. He can make a further attempt each day, but Edward will have to return and give any details he can of the imp to help Ichris in his casting.
Mornington attends the day's council meeting and is pleasantly surprised when he's presented with a chest that arrived that morning from Anlyth. He does not look through the chest just yet, and instead asks for it to be sent to their temporary residence in Wanderer's Rest. King Dras Gura informs him that he is allocating city resources to the Stormbreakers Party, giving each Mornington and his companions an assigned notary and a sum total of two thousand gold to spend in the city. This can be on general goods and services as well as with the Servants of the Weave on magical items. The Noble Bard can't help but see this reactionary measure in the face of the gift received from over seas. The meeting continues and Mornington learns from Spymaster Hiram Barnest that there have been whispers of magic users spotted in West Spearpoint. Of course they are not sanctioned by the Servants of the Weave, and may be working in underground crime circles related to the wide scale theft. After leaving the meeting, Mornington greases some palms. He makes promises of coin, fame, and accolades to several actors from the theatres of the city. He hires them to be part of his grand performance to take part this very Feastday. He acquires this cast to not only entertain the people, but answer their questions, and quell their worries. He then spreads the news, using town criers to spread the word of the performance that will take place in the city's square.
Crom takes up the task of patrolling, showing visible law enforcement on the streets of the city. While he looked for anything suspicious, especially the use of magic, he unfortunately had some unfavourable interactions. Between his gruff demeanour, bestial appearance, and intimidating reputation, the people of the districts he walked were quietly fearful of the hulking warrior, who is rumoured to have ridden the dragon Karna-Kar.
Amarion and Edward begin to hatch a plan together, they believe that the various reports could have a strange connection to individuals they know already. By now the remaining survivors from the Village of Kites must have arrived. The boat with Saluna, Glanduil Trisbalar, and Morthil Ulawen would have gotten here before the other group. Alloria Mialeth, Saeval Petecran, and the other villagers were on foot, but they had that poor girl with them that Brogmim had tempted into adopting eldritch powers. Perhaps she is one of the magic users spotted in the city, and does this mean Brogmim has tagged along undetected and is swaying others? Maybe he could be behind the criminal disturbances, the missing children, the missing... candles! Of course, Edward was gifted strange black-wax candles by his patron for summoning, candles are often used in rituals of the occult. Something sinister may well be stirring in the underbelly of the city.
Amarion goes to check on the Anlyth Elves, and finds that they are all accounted for and return the magical Folding Boat to him. They ask if he's seen the chest that arrived this morning, they found out it was sent by Folas Carna after they spoke to the elven sailors that arrived with it. Amarion finds this crew and gives them a written message to take back to The Tide. With the others returned, the young warlock girl must be in the city!
Edward returns to Ichris for another attempt at Scrying Brogmim's whereabouts, but their second attempt is unsuccessful. Returning to Wanderer's Rest, the party finally go through the chest sent to them by Folas, and it contains many treasures for each of them. Mornington is gifted a Magical Crossbow, inlaid with silver and emeralds. To accompany it, he has a set of five bolts with strange tooth like heads. A note accompanying the chest points out each item and these are Kraken Tooth Bolts that Folas helped create using the teeth Crom harvested from The Mother of Worms. Crom is gifted some Bracers of Armour and an Amulet of the Divided Spirit, from the newly ascended Ulahice, formerly called Zaos Aeron. The note mentions how the leader of the elven people saw the human's connection with the divided spirit, and wishes for him to wear this as a reminder of his holy connection. For Edward, a Cloak of Displacement, made from the hide of a Displacer Beast hunted in the jungles of the Shimmer Isles. And for Amarion, a Full Plate of the Lunas Orberus Guard, an incredible suit of armour, details of the highest beauty etched across it's surface. A rather glorious set of gifts received before they draw a close to the day.
Another rest in luxury, contrasting heavily from the conditions they have seen patrolling in the daytime. They are ready to tackle the next set of challenges, as plans are starting to bare fruit.
---
MORE TO FOLLOW....
The next day Mornington meets with his playwright, and his acting troupe, and they begin rehearsals of the performance that's to be performed the very next day! Once in the throws of practice, Mornington leaves to meet with nobles to discuss if their lands can be used as refugee camps for those affected by the dragon attacks. There is resistance to the idea of allowing the commoners into their property, but Mornington's charm, and promise of recompense should anything go wrong, wins them over.
Crom reaches the end of his training and his weaponry and body are now one. He sees no future where he parts with this sword, it's an extension of himself, and of his enemies downfall.
Amarion and Edward's plan now comes into sharp focus, Edward will lose his fine clothing and blend with the other urchins of the city. He's had plenty of hard times on the streets, so it won't be difficult to convince others. Amarion will make a show of going to arrest him, but ultimately let him go as if Edward managed to escape. Then, being credible to the other children that have been leaving the churches, or any magic users, find out where they have been sneaking off to. They implement the plan and find an area with plenty of footfall and public attention, Edward even throws an eldritch blast at Amarion as he runs from his grip. Once the panic clears, Amarion notices the reactions of those who witnessed their stunt. Sadly, it seems to have greatly distressed those who saw it, especially with the blatant use of magic in public, the already unstable attitude of the people of Spearpoint seems to be worsening. After fleeing into the alleyways of the Farmer's District, one of the more affected areas from the attack, Edward is approached by some orphans that had followed him, and they ask if he's been gifted by the Generous Masked One. He says yes and they want to go to his hiding place together, tonight. They are expecting food, shelter, and other gifts. Edward has found an in, he just has to wait.
Crom attends the Spear's Head Council meeting and is informed of rioting close to the castle. The guards are starting to struggle and are hesitant to show force and escalate the situation. Suddenly in the middle of the meeting Malsuvius teleports into the council meeting, shocking everyone. Crom immediately rises, sword bared, thinking this could be an attack against the King. Arms are raised in panic as he's asked to stand down. The Master Diviner looks tired, he looks terrible in fact. He informs the others that Arch Mage Omanor will be attending tomorrow's council meeting, and all exchange glances. Malsuvius then states he must go and that they should prepare for tomorrows tidings, then he disappears, assumingly teleported back to the Woven Pillars. When Crom leaves, he decides to help in the rebuilding efforts. There he finds many Transmutation Wizards working their magic to clear wreckage, reform land, and build anew at a rate conventional means could not achieve. He lends his strength to the cause and while doing so overhears the wizard's talking about Grand Master Risga, and how he has been reported missing by his Enchanters. Crom connects the dots as the disputes of the Woven Pillars become more apparent, and perhaps the Arch Mage is now making moves.
With Edward undercover, Mornington and Amarion go to the site of the riots in hope of calming the tension and dispersing the crowds. A large gathering are pressed up against a barrier that has been created to block the bridge to Spearhead Isle. The guards look distressed as the barrier seems to be buckling under the force. Mornington climbs a nearby cart for elevation and addresses the people before him. Amarion slips into the crowd, hoping an armoured figure will discourage violence. Mornington's speech certainly quietens the shouting and jeering from the crowd, he speaks of the bad times that have fallen on them, that it's a time to band together and look out for one another, not to accost those that are trying to help. They must weather this storm together and usher their fine city into better times. A voice picks up from the crowd, confident and accusatory, and begins a speech of his own. He points out Mornington's noble clothing and how easy it must be for someone from a position of privilege. Mornington looks down and realises he had dressed well that day for his meetings with the actors and nobles. It seems now this may have been a fatal error for his current situation. The individual continues to rile up the crowd, saying how dare they condescend them, and that the King owes them for their suffering. Amarion makes it to the barrier and signals for the guards to let him through, they do so with the crowd clambering just behind the elf. Things turn for the worst as the crowd are thrown in to a full blown riot and Mornington realises just how bad things have got these last few days, this being his first time on patrol.
Violence ensues as the crowd push at the makeshift barrier. Both Mornington and Amarion notice the assumed leader of the rabble turn towards the barrier, an alarming ear to ear grin on his face. He strides through the crowd, up to the barrier and with the strength of ten men breaks through the barrier, sending guards flying. Something is wrong, as rioting commoners flood through the gap in the barrier and clash with the guards, Amarion recognises that their leader might be possessed! Guards fight back, doing their best not to kill anyone, Mornington and Amarion move for the leader, casting spells to eventually subdue the individual despite his imbued strength. Tied in magical vines, as well as with rope, the two begin questioning him while the crowd disperses, their fight lost. He seems scared, and clueless as to how he got there, all signs of a possession slipping away. They question him if he has any association with an underground crime circle, if anything strange has occured to him in the last few days. He tells them enough that lines up with the Generous Mask and that he had discovered it's hideout.
Edward, now integrated with the downtrodden children of the farmer's district, is being guided to the Generous Masked One. It is getting late in the evening and they pass through many winding alleyways before making their way into the cities sewer systems, and then finally into an abandoned basement of an old granary, the hideout. Edward is alarmed at the number of children here and the place is lit with many, many candles, some of which are carried by the children. Edward becomes tense over what has been taking part here and before long the children's excited whispers quieten as the Masked One enters. A plain wooden mask is worn by a humanoid figure shrouded in robe and rag, Edward can see that something is amiss as the entity seems to float somewhat, no distinct footsteps, and it's shape is off, only trying to resemble a human. The Masked one moves from child to child handing out silver and food and pats the children's heads.
Crom hears of the rioting that had occurred and manages to convene with Mornington and Amarion who are now using the previously possessed man as a guide. Bewildered, he manages to remember overhearing children talking about meeting the Generous Mask, curiosity led him to follow them to the secret location. There, he saw the mask and then a flash of colour, and the next thing he knows he is bound by Amarion and Mornington. The three adventurers and the vacant minded commoner all attempt to find the hideout in hopes of stopping whatever plans this mask has. Amarion casts Locate Object on Edwards Horn of Silent Alarm, an item used by the elves to set up ambushes, one they picked up back in Anlyth. They are now close enough to detect it, and the race begins.
Edward is next in the queue to receive the gifts of food and coin, and he is surprised when he is not recognised. After all the children have been gifted, the Generous Mask gestures for them to part from the centre of the room. Revealed on the floor are fresh carvings and painted markings, a circle of forbidden geometry and Diabolic language. Edward feels the urge to blow the horn he carries, yet he has no clue if his allies know where he is, let alone be close enough to get the signal. Children place candles at the circles perimeter after being instructed to by the Masked One, and the imminence of a ritual is palpable. Then Edward sees her, the girl from the Village of Kites, led to the circle's centre by the Masked One. Edward ducks into his rags and silently sounds the horn.
Amarion hears the alarm and through his spell senses just how close they are. Then they see the hidden entrance! They burst into the hideout with force and shout for all to get down. The Masked one draws a knife, immediately holding it to the girls throat. Edward runs forward in a panic to stop him, but it's too late. Blood runs from the line drawn upon her neck and Edward screams out as the others force themselves through the crowd of children. The girl hits the floor and Edward fires forth eldritch magic as his agonising blasts both collide with the Generous Masked One. The robes dissolve away as a petulant voice screams in pain as he is revealed for his true form. An imp shrivels before them as the magic consumes his body, devil ash scatters across the circle from the blue skinned imp. Blue, not red, blue! It's not even Brogmim! The daunting realisation hits that there are other fiends stirring chaos in the capital, bringing the people of Spearpoint into the evils of the underworlds.
Next Session. 112
Previous Session. 110