Session 133

General Summary

• The party split up a little bit to finish some final preparations for when Dazki's father arrives.
• Dazki and Blurdrake figured out when and where he would arrive and hired a carriage driver to pick him up when he did.
• Theran stayed back to cast some spells to help clean the house.
• Dwardazik got caught up by the charms of Barbara Seville, their next door neighbor.
• Kesmet was going to help Jim cook, but Jim shooed him away, so he practiced voices instead.
• When they reconvened, they found that Jim had prepared an exquisite meal for them with the help of a ghost he summoned named Jacques le Bleu.
• They decided that Jim can stay in their basement for the time being.
• The next morning, Theran apologized to Alice, and then they all met up at the library for research. Editor's note: it's already nicely summarized in bullet-point form below, so I won't repeat it here. This link should take you right down there.
• That took until late afternoon, and Dazki's father had arrived.
• He is disappointed that Dazki appears to be making the same mistakes that he always does and requesting for his son to come back home.

Full Recap

Dazki realizes that his father never actually told him which boat he would be on, or when it would arrive, so he needs to run to the docks to figure that out. (Kesmet: "Peasant can't even teleport!") His plan is to arrange for a carriage to pick up his father.   There's some discussion about trying to get out of having to deal with his father (Theran: "What's the worst that could happen? You're an adult."), but ultimately Dazki feels that he needs to do this. Dwardazik suggests probing their contacts to borrow some waitresses / cooks for a short while; Dazki believes that Gilda Lily is the only viable contact.

Jim: I can try to help out, the best I can. I just need some time to speak to my deity first.   Dazki: Of course. Probably wouldn't be appropriate for you, but Grogery did set up a shrine upstairs.   Jim: I am incredibly uninterested in touching a shrine to Pelor.   Dazki: I figured, but I wanted to make sure the offer was open.   Jim: All I need is a flame-retardant dishware of some sort.   Dazki: Well, we have plenty of those. You can help yourself in the kitchen.   Dwardazik: Kesmet, he needs your help.   Kesmet: All right, I can help cook.

• Jim leaves to the kitchen to begin prep.
• Theran offers to use his "Imaginary Fil'Amon" to help with the cleaning.
• Dazki points out that the next day, they need to be busy: if they're just sitting around, then "why didn't you come down to the docks to pick me up yourself?", and if he goes himself, then "what, you have all this time you can waste waiting here for me at the docks all day? why weren't you doing what you said you were going to do when you left?".

Marvin is curious about Dazki's parents, and why his mother isn't coming with. Dazki says it was an arranged marriage, but they're happy together; they just have things that they each like to do separately. Theran confirms that this is normal.

Dazki: My mom has always been very hands-on with the household staff and everything like that. Remember when we saw the party being held at my fiancée's family's manor, right? Didn't you think it was odd that there were grills to cook your own food and things like that?   Dwardazik: I... didn't actually notice —   Marvin: There was a lot going on at the time —   Theran: That's weird!   Dazki: That's something that would've been there at my mother's insistence, because she doesn't trust anyone else to cook her food. She is very particular, very specific. She will be in the kitchen all day telling the servants what to do for important events and things like that. She brings her own spices to dinner parties!   Kesmet: I mean, what's wrong with that?   Dazki: It's incredibly rude.   Dwardazik: Exactly.   Kesmet: Hey!   Dazki: She'll bring her own spices, she'll bring her own tea, she'll bring things like that. Especially if it's someone she doesn't know, or someone she doesn't trust to be able to meet her standards.   Theran: I wonder if she was also afraid of things being poisoned?   Kesmet: Just drink an antidote beforehand!   Dazki: Probably started off that way, but, you know.   Dwardazik: Paranoid mother aside...

Dazki says that the rest of the day will mostly be cleaning up the house and arranging for a carriage for the next day, since that will take a bit of asking around. Marvin raises an interesting point: they don't quite know what the father's sleeping arrangements will be (or even how long he will stay).   Kesmet gives one last attempt to get out of it ("we could rent a ship, hide out on a ship, and no one will know!"), which Dazki again dismisses. Marvin agrees to let Dazki bunk with him so that the Lord can have the guest room downstairs. Plans made, Dazki is about to head out to the docks, but Blurdrake stops him on his way out.

Blurdrake: You'll want to use the northernmost docks for incoming passengers. That's usually where the continentals dock.   Dazki: Thank you! I appreciate the information. Have you been remembering more about yourself?   Barry: ...what?   Dazki: Nothing, never mind. I appreciate the advice, thank you. You gonna be all right?   Barry: ...yeah. Yeah, definitely.   Dazki: OK. Tomorrow, I am also going to write a letter to my friend back home who would know more about you. Is there anything specific you would like me to learn?   Barry: About me? Uhhhhhhhhhhhh... I'm not sure what they would know?   Dazki: Well, you tried to assassinate one of her friends, and she is a powerful information broker in the city, so I have a feeling she would know quite a bit.   Barry: OK, fine. I'm not really as concerned about myself right now as I am about Silvertongue.   Dazki: I can certainly ask about her as well. She may have come across some information about her in association with you and with Redsky.   Blurdrake: OK. Just remember, your family prefers to use the continentals, so you should use the northern dock.   Dazki: Got it.   Dwardazik: Hey, Blurdrake, are you using that Hat of Disguise recently?   Barry, motioning to his everything: ...yes! I would very much not like to be murdered as a fish person!   Dwardazik: Ah. I see. OK.

Theran is torn about whether or not he should disguise himself as an animal, feeling that it would be much better if Lord Sylroris did not recognize him. Barry suggests changing his name by rearranging all the letters(...). Regardless, Theran needs a couple of other people to go with him to apologize to Alice the next morning. All but Dazki will go when it's time.

---

Dwardazik heads next door to Barbara Seville's house, hoping to get a recommendation for a place to get his clothes cleaned. (Charisma 2) He winds up spending way too much time over there as she rambles from non-sequitur to non-sequitur. At one point, he even finds himself repairing her stone oven for some reason.

---

Kesmet goes to the kitchen to help Jim cook. Jim is performing some sort of ritual, and it freaks Kesmet out because at one point he stops breathing. Kesmet interrupts him, which annoys Jim.

Kesmet: Yo, dude. You weren't performing Cauterizing Wounds correctly. You were just kinda holding it close. You gotta put it in the fire. Also. Weren't you gonna, like, cook something?   Jim: I need time.   Kesmet: To what? We have, like, recipe books and shit somewhere around the house. You don't need to commune with spirits for that.   Jim: I believe the spirits know more than you do.   Kesmet: About cooking? Maybe, I'm more, like, you know... into baking. It's a whole different world. But seriously, the spirits, I don't think a lot of them eat? We don't need to prepare a five-star meal or anything. Three and a half stars are probably good.   Jim: I can handle it. Go do anything else. I'm sure you have a variety of talents.   Kesmet: All right, just don't burn down the house without me, OK? Careful with that open flame. Also, you were, like, really cold and not breathing. Was that normal? Because if it's not normal, I'm gonna kick you in the thigh again.   Jim: Leave.   Kesmet: You didn't answer my question of if it's normal or not!   Jim: Go away!   Kesmet: I will come back.   Jim: Shoo!   Kesmet: I will come back, and if you're in the same state, I will assume it's bad and kick you in the thigh.   Jim: Your abuse will not dissuade me from what has to be done.   Kesmet: I'm kicking you in both thighs if you're cold and look dead, OK?   Jim: I don't see how kicking the dead is meant to do anything?   Kesmet: You know, that would be a good point, except my counterpoint is that it seemed to revive you a little bit. And though I may not be a """healer""" — according to someone who has since passed — I can still try my hand at it. And you know what? One out of two ain't bad!   Jim, holding out his hand for a shake: Deal.

Kesmet shakes it, then leaves to practice some more voices, mainly the voice of Lizardtamer.

---

Blurdrake and Dazki head to the northern docks touching The Pearl District to pick out some information about Lord Sylroris's arrival the next day. Blurdrake proves to be almost too competent at navigating this; he stays back for the actual chit-chat, but everything he says checks out. Persuasion 26 reveals:

The ship will indeed be arriving at the northern docks tomorrow.

The name of the ship is the "Shelf Continental".

It arrives just before noon, earlier than what may normally be expected for a ship. They're making good time.

Dazki hires a cab driver to pick his father up the next day, giving instructions to drop him off at the estate, and leaves.

Jacques le Bleu!

They regroup back at the mansion. Immediately, there's the smell of something delicious cooking. A very lively Jim is bouncing around from station to station as he cooks. Dwardazik heads into the kitchen and begins complimenting the cooking. Jim spins around, startled.

Jim: JACQUES LE BLEU!!

Jim immediately starts coughing and hacking, almost going prone, but not quite. Dwardazik checks up on him.

Jim: Do you seriously still shout your name whenever you're startled? It's really awkward!   Dwardazik: Um... guys? Jim just summoned a specter... (He crosses his arms.)   Jim, still coughing somewhat: Bon... (cough)... bon appétit!   Dazki: Thank you, Jim, we appreciate your assistance. And the assistance of your, uh... friend.   Jim: Jacques. Jacques le Bleu. Poisoner of Nobles... (he corrects himself as Kesmet slowly puts his food down) FORMER Poisoner of Nobles. Now a chef.   Dazki: So, the food is not poisoned?   Jim: I trust that it is not. Jacques promised me that he wouldn't.   Dwardazik: Isn't it strange how this does not feel like one of the strangest things that's happened today?   Dazki: Yes.   Marvin: So... can I ask... why you felt this was necessary, Jim?   Jim: I have spent many a life trying to help restless souls redeem themselves. In Overlook, they used their own bodies. But I could be that body. I could help them achieve their redemption. And I was a bit curious what it was like to be controlled. I wanted to better empathize.   Dwardazik: Uh... can't really relate, but... as long as you're happy, and the specter is happy, and the food is not poisoned, and it tastes good, then you know what? It's fine. OK. (He stuffs his face.) This is fine. Everything's fine.

Dwardazik bugs Rosalin to find someone to properly clean his fine clothes, which she promises to do.   They work out a living arrangement for Jim, since they're running low on rooms in the house: Jim doesn't mind living in the basement as long as he's not interrupted, and there's an understanding that an open door means it's fine to head into the basement to get stuff from the larder (or whatever).

Jim: I am concerned.   Dazki: About what?   Jim: I am a liability.   Dwardazik: Keep making food, stay out of the way, and allow us to ensure your safety while Alice tries to hunt you down, and I think this will be mutually beneficial. Right? Assuming you don't decide to start summoning zombies and have 'em walking right out in front!   Jim: I cannot willingly resurrect a body without permission. And unless you have any bodies whose souls wish for them to be reanimated, I think I'm going to stick to deals with ghosts. I'll have plenty of free time to fulfill their needs.   Dazki: OK.   Jim: But I am a liability.   Dazki: I'm not disagreeing there.   Jim, holding his hands out in front of him: I think you should bind me.   Kesmet: We're not, like, super into that...   Jim: If it is found that I am here, it will seem as if I am a captive, leaving your reputations less tarnished.   Dwardazik: Uh. Hmm.   Jim: No sane person would willingly agree to this. It's a good alibi.   Kesmet: We're not the sanest people, either.   Dazki: Is this really what... are you really OK with this, Jim?   Jim: I do not get much rest anyway. I will be fine. I think it is a good plan.

Dazki mentions that nobody else really knows what he's done, so there's no need to have the shackles during the day, but if Jim wants to do this at night, it's his choice. There's general agreement that this will be the arrangement for a while.

Jim: ...also, I'm not going to unsummon my ghost. He doesn't want that.   Dazki: All right. I guess our house is haunted now.

---

The next morning, Theran goes to the church to apologize to Alice, accompanied by Dwardazik, Marvin, and Kesmet. He originally wants to have Alice come out and meet him, but Dwardazik shoves him into the church. Isaiah is not around, but Alice is. The group approaches her, Theran behind the short ones. She approaches angrily, pushing Dwardazik (and his shield) out of the way (with her shield), and she lifts Theran up, but (Persuasion 28) she puts him down after seeing the terrified look in his eyes and hearing the excited murmurs of the others in the church.   Theran stammers through an apology, claiming something along the lines of what he was planning to: he was so excited to hunt for a necromancer that he cast a spell that he shouldn't, and he's sorry. (Deception 17) Alice's only response was to ask the party where Dazki is, complaining at the party members that "it's gotten to the point where your terrible decisions are now affecting the youth, the only only future this damn country has".   They don't answer her, and she """kindly""" asks them to leave. Dwardazik makes a 5-platinum donation to Pelor on the altar and leaves. Alice advises Theran not to "listen to a thing these hooligans have to say". On the way out, Theran thanks her for the support that she gave Grogery when he was here, and (Insight 24) her nonverbal reaction says it all: she was out of the city when the remembrance was held, and so she's really sore whenever someone mentions Grogery.

"So, let's go to a library!"

They meet up with Dazki at the library of the House of Crystal.

Primary Research Results: Annu and The Serpent War

Editor's note: all of this was mentioned during the session. Some of it was already known (or new information that was repeated multiple times), but it's repeated here for various reasons. I'll try to prefix the entirely new information with "(!)" so that it stands out, but there will probably be new bits sprinkled throughout the old bits.

• Research confirms what Jim had claimed about the three control rods constraining Annu, and his phylactery being inside his body.
• Hestia was Firelord between the years (!) 1 thru 520, where she died fighting the Great Serpent.
• Scaldor, Hestia's younger brother whose full form is that of a large dragon-like serpent, became Firelord in the year 520 (the current year is 602), as a direct consequence of Hestia dying at the end of the Serpent War.
• The final battle of the Serpent War involved the World Sunder being thrust into the Great Serpent's head.
• (!) Hestia had found the World Sunder with help from Annu, who had given her information.
• If Annu's mind had been completely locked down, then he would not have been able to give her this information. Because (!) Hestia owned one of the control rods, she was able to free his mind enough to gather this information.
• (!) This information was given as part of a secret deal with Hestia, in exchange for her to let him have certain additional freedoms.
• (!) In order to keep up her end of the deal, Hestia must have had some access to at least two of the control rods at some point; now, one is missing.
• (!) There is a brief period of time during Hestia's reign, never mentioned directly but inferred through secondary sources, before Annu was originally captured, where Hestia was missing. Scaldor would have been acting as Firelord at the time, but nobody ever mentions this. A grand cover-up, for some reason.
• (!) Annu was captured in the year 180, very near the time when Hestia was missing.
• And then hundreds of years later, Hestia is speaking to the supposedly "controlled" lich, getting information as to the location (!) and usage of the World Sunder (!) so it can be used to end the Serpent War.
• Because Annu is (relatively) free to continue carrying out his governmental duties, this means that Scaldor is allowing this deal to continue, even though Hestia — the one who had originally struck the deal — has died.
• (!) Most recently, the three control rods had been owned by Hestia (Mind), Scaldor (Soul), and the keepers of The Albatross (Body).
• Despite Hestia's death, Annu's mind had remained relatively benign and subservient until recently.
• (!) Annu had been kept in the Albatross for hundreds of years.
• (!) Hestia's final resting place would most likely be within the volcano that Phoenix Landing was built around.

Secondary Research Results: Red Desert

• The Red Desert is a sentient plane, "like an herbivore, in a way", in that it eats up bits from spare and disconnected pocket dimensions, like the bits that get thrown around when a Bag of Holding breaks.
• After Theran's explanation goes over Dwardazik's head, Dazki explains it differently: he likens it more to a janitor (the specific analogy being "a broom that sweeps up what gets left behind"). The danger, by that same analogy, is that the janitor may be able to clean up things that aren't trash... like entire rooms.
• As it eats up different pocket dimensions and the things inside of them, the plane has been learning and growing more intelligent.
• The last time the party was in the Red Desert and "saw all the tethers dragging it to the material plane", ...Theran is worried about what would happen if it got here. He doesn't think it wants to, as it's trying to get the party to stop this from happening after all.
• This seems to explain why the planeshifting isn't obeying "the normal rules": it's not part of the normal planar structure, as in order to do its job, it needs to be able to move around.

On their way back home, Theran "Consults the Stars" to see if it would be a good idea to conceal his appearance from Dakzi's father, shapeshifting to appear like Kesmet's owl. The stars give him mixed messages, so he cautiously decides to try it anyway.

Dad A-Entry

Dazki enters.

Dazki: Ah, good, I'm glad to see the valet got you here.   Lord Sylroris, without turning to look, motions to a small box he has placed on one of the desks.   Lord: Your mother insisted I bring you some local tea.   Dazki: Thank you very much, I appreciate that. That definitely sounds like mom. So, you were a bit vague in your letter — are you going to be staying with us for long?   Lord: I was hoping to grab reasonable estate here, but I am equally capable of finding it elsewhere. I leave the decision up to you.   Dazki: Well, we have a guest room ready downstairs. It's open to you, should you like. So, what actually brings you to Ashport?   Lord: My concerns are twofold. Though primarily, I am acting as a business ambassador for the Yenchester businesses — particularly, (he goes into apparently unimportant specifics about his business). But more importantly, — and the only thing that concerns you directly — knowing how often you shirk learning responsibility or discipline, I am concerned about what troubles you may have gotten yourself into.   Dazki: None that I haven't been able to get myself out of as well. So your concern is noted and appreciated.   Lord: Is that so?   Dazki: I am concerned of your arrival, but I understand your need to check in. So I am trying to treat this as positively as I can.   Lord: It is rude to speak with me personally, here, while there are others in the house. Perhaps you will introduce me to them?   Dazki: Of course. Would you like me to bring them here, or should we gather in the conservatory, the den, the main hall? Have you had time to check and see which one would be most to your liking?   Lord: I believe you are lord of this house. Do you not have a suitable location for such meetings?   Dazki: We do, I was just wondering if you had any preferences. It would be rude for me not to cater to my guests.   Lord: A barrage of questions can also seem very rude. Please, do take control of some situations.   Dazki: Very well, come, let's down to the main hall.

They head down. Dwardazik and Blurdrake are in the main hall; Marvin, Kesmet, and Theran (shapeshifted into an owl) are in the dining room. Dazki introduces Dwardazik and Blurdrake and excuses himself to find the others.

---

Dwardazik closes up his journal and walks over to meet him.

Dwardazik: Ah, you are the esteemed father I've heard of. My name is Dwardazik Stoneturner-Boulderhearth.   Lord, bowing formally in return: And I am Lord Sylroris of Yenchester. It is a pleasure to greet you. I have already met your companion, Aathu.   Dwardazik: Uh, yes, Aathu Blurdrake is perhaps not the most... refined... why don't you come over here, and we can discuss how our businesses fare?

---

Dazki informs the others (Marvin, Kesmet, Theran) that his father is in the main hall and then excuses himself again to check out the guest room, as "something has come up".

---

Dwardazik explains the purpose of his business to Lord Sylroris, and the two of them discuss business for a while. (Insight 15) It's not clear if he's actually interested in the discussion, or if he's just being polite. Regardless, he seems to carry himself with quite an air of power and importance, for someone who has just said that he actually owns not that much land.   When Marvin and Kesmet enter, Dwardazik acknowledges them. Lord Sylroris stands up, and they exchange pleasantries. Dwardazik offers food and drink, which the Lord accepts, so Dwardazik goes towards the exit, but stops and uses his new earring to secretly signal to Owl Theran asking him to get food and drink.   Marvin tries to prod the Lord for juicy stories from Dazki's childhood, but the Lord refuses to "sully [Marvin's] relationship with [his] son... not so early in the evening, anyway."

---

The Lord asks Kesmet where he acquired an owl. Dazki returns as Kesmet responds that the party "ran into him on [their] last misadventure and picked him up" (Deception 16). The Lord responds with a very Dazki-like, "Huh... is that so...", and Kesmet looks at him knowingly (and knowing-that-you-knowingly (and knowing-that-you-know-that-I-know-that-you-know-that-this-is-the-game-you-elven-nobles-like-to-play...ingly)).

---

Suddenly, Rosalin screams from the kitchen. Dazki quickly excuses himself to check up on her.

Dazki: Rosalin! Are you OK?   Rosalin, clearly very shaken up: It's... fine...? Everything's fine!   Theran (telepathically, to Dazki only): I think she freaked out when I talked with her brain. I have learned something today.   Dazki's face: I am too tired to deal with this disappointment right now.

Theran flies back, and Dazki brings the platter of refreshments to the main room, setting them out on the bar. Dwardazik tries to bring the conversation back around to small talk, but the Lord insists that they talk about something else.

Dwardazik: Uh, very well. Any topics that fancy you?   Lord, looking directly at Dazki: My son.   Dazki: Yes?   Lord: I wish for you to return home.   Dazki: Why?   Lord: Your... for the most polite word I can think of in Common... shenanigans have been spread further than any of us would have wished. They have put you in great danger. You look like you have aged severely.   Dazki: That one is entirely not my fault! It was a ghost, or a wraith, or something of that nature, some type of undead spirit that did so!   Lord: ...huh.   Kesmet: Kinda proving his point there, aren't you, Dazki?   Lord: And I know you love to deal in shady places with shady folk. No doubt you lack the discipline to continue this adventure further. People might get hurt. You might get hurt.   Dazki: I thought, as someone who will have power, I had the responsibility to use it for the betterment of others, or so you have taught me. And what I am doing right now, for this city and for the House of Crystal, I am helping to prevent a great many things which I am not at liberty to speak of. So yes, it is dangerous. It is sanctioned by the government of Ashport, and I have made a commitment. I will not fall back on that. A man is only as good as his word, and I will not allow my word to be taken poorly. So no, I cannot return.   Lord: That's it? The same old story, over and over again.   Dazki: I'm sure you will find it tales of fancy, but would you like to hear what we have been doing? What I can tell you, at least? I have been places and done things you would not imagine. And yes, they have been dangerous, but they have helped a great many people. I'm not going to stop helping people. You taught me to be a good man.   Dwardazik: Milord, I have something to add. The places he's been have been extremely dangerous. And he has saved my life multiple times. I've told him to take better care of his life, and to make sure that what he's doing is what he really wants to do. I feel it would be a dishonor for us not to emphasize the risk that we are taking on our mission.   Dazki looks at Dwardazik, smirks a bit, then turns back to his father.   Dazki: Besides, father, I think your "company" in the guest room is probably waiting for you over there. You wouldn't want to keep her, would you?   Lord: What do you mean? Are you deflecting from this conversation? You are much too young to be out here, all these grand plans without the proper discipline. You may think you are helping people, but you are only hurting yourself and others. I believe that I know you well enough to know that, for every person you help, another one is left in the dust. Poor planning. Sometimes bad companionship.   Kesmet: Hey!!!   Dazki: And yet, I have certainly accomplished things. Yes, I have inadvertently caused problems. I'm not saying your words are incorrect — I have not planned as well as I could have in some situations, and yes, there have been consequences. But, no matter what, there are consequences to any actions that are taken. It's impossible to account for all things. I am doing the best I am able to, and it is a good learning experience that may help me when I have to take responsibility for what I am expected to become. Surely, you wouldn't deprive me of that experience?   Lord: There is a question of experience, but there are many things I would wish no one to experience. I think you believe the same.   Dwardazik: Hmmph. I wish I could forget some of the shit I've seen...   Lord: And, once again, you take your righteousness and you tear down the street with it, bashing others over the head with these so-called "freedoms" from terror, claiming that their lives will be better for having hit the tornado that is my son.   Dazki: Comparing me to a natural disaster! I've gone up in the world.   Owl Theran: Hoo.   Lord, standing up: Companions of my son. I have heard a great many and terrible things that have come from this amalgamation of talents. And I am willing to seek legal action to protect my son, if I have to.   Marvin:

  Lord: However, one is only as good as the company he keeps. So I want to hear from you.   Dwardazik: What's the question?   Lord: Why should my son stay here?