9 - Of bishops and knights
General Summary
A potentially earned arrest
The group find themselves arrested by Thordan and his officers, they initially refuse to comply with orders and Thordan unleashes a strange power from his blade, reducing them all to a fraction of life. They are shortly bound and chain ganged.
Kupo blatantly disregards lawful orders by singing loudly at the top of his voice, putting the security of the restoration crystal at risk, and a slight tap is enough to knock the unruly child out.
The group are, strangely, brought to a jail cell within the Holy Palace, not the public cells in the guards quarters. There they are made to remove all their armour and weapons, and are provided with basic clothing and bedding. The guards seem to notice the crystals within their chests. Arrex Nairin refuses the commands so vehemently, they have to be forcibly knocked out, revealing the form that lies underneath the armour to the others, seemingly a withering Drow. Zephyr Highwind soon joins them in time out, refusing to remove his armour.
The guards provide the party with cards, food, and a basic reason as to their arrest - for potentially interfering with a crystal, which is a high crime.
Arrex is amiss
Kupo begins to ramble, spurting out things the group would rather not be made public such as that he was indeed interfering with the crystal, and also name dropping Hamas Lyoney. Arrex Nairin responds by knocking him out, for the second time this night.
Kupo is then taken away for medical attention, and later that night, Arrex is also taken away for a midnight meeting, that he initially doesn't tell the others about.
A humble meeting
The next day, at 10am, a lone scholar approaches the group and questions them about the events as they see it. Kupo claims to have cleansed the restoration crystal, drew out the bad magic. He announces that they have crystals in their chests, and also admits to Zar'ral Helvimtor using an alchemical dust to knock out the guards earlier. He then details the full story.
A while later, the group are led to a small office, in a side room of the Holy Palace. Therein they meet Pope Braska Guado who unties them, staying silent whilst waiting to see what the party have to say. He seems quite down to earth and humble, finding it unnecessary to lord his grand titles around over the party. He even lets Kupo sit in his chair. A zone of truth spell is used with consent.
After confirming the groups story, the pope reveals he has knowledge kept hidden from the public, that might shed some light on their situation. The group all discuss for a while their theories about the crystals in their chests and the events that have taken place. They even demonstrate some of their crystalline abilities. The pope then reveals he has reason to believe the crystal mother herself may have chosen the party for some grand task, as per the will of the crystal. He is unable to offer official support in the matter, as if the groups interference with the crystals becomes public knowledge, The Olidian Nation and the Gridal Empire may become involved.
The group casts suspicion upon Thordan, detailing their reasons for believing he may be the one who caused the restoration crystal to become corrupt. The pope trusts in the party, and decides to allow them to investigate. However - they may not leave Crysteria without permission. He assigns them a formal escort named Lin. Their gear is returned to them.
The greedy Greebi
Just outside, Kupo spots a Moogle hiding behind a tree. An excessively chubby little Moogle is eating some snacks. He is introduced to Kupo as Greebi and asks for food. Kupo provides him with all he is able, but the Moogle then requests Gil. Kupo naturally gives him 33,000 Gil. Greebi then flies off happily, swearing to return.
Quietly, perceptively, sneakily
The group head to Thordan's office, sneaking about to avoid guards and other dangers, whilst also having sent Lin to find out if Thordan has any living parents, learning he has no other family. They notice all of Thordan's activity reports state he has been spending a lot of time at the Crystal Lake lately, more than usual, supposedly on routine clearance missions. They also learn Thordan has served True Crysteria well, for over 20 years without fault.
It's at this point Arrex reveals he was taken to meet Thordan during their night of capture. He was given an offer to join Thordan, as Arrex' powers seemed to be of a familiar source to Thordan's. Zephyr punches Arrex firmly in the face for his earlier assault on Kupo.
The group then manage to find a secret compartment within Thordan's office, finding a rare book, kept hidden in the secret sections. Titled "Crystalsong" it seemed to mostly be nonsensical ramblings of a lunatic, however some pages were torn out.
The group head back to pope Braska, now in his own grand head office, who reveals the book likely had some information on how to extract crystal power within it's ramblings, which is why it was declared top rank confidential out of risk to public safety.
You sirs, are harshing my buzz
Lest we forget.. Gilgamesh hopped down from the walls surrounding the palace to meet the party, having heard of their fame and strength at the festival, he challenges the party, however they have to ask him to meet them the next day at the crystal lake, as they are not allowed to leave right now.
The group decide to rest up, then head to the Crystallized Lake the next day, to duel Gilgamesh in the hopes of attaining a magical item, and then to head to The Crystal Spire to investigate why Thordan has been heading in that direction so often.
Session end date - 9/2/279Rewards Granted
10% exp.
Missions/Quests Completed
Struck a deal with the Pope (10% exp.)
