Session 30: Respite in the destroyed town
General Summary
The party begins resting from the battles they faced during the war. Shei is recovering in a tent and he is approached by Sage Larrador. The wizard extends an invitation to join him during the celebration of the town's win. Shei accepts and he goes off to search for Tak. He finds the paladin walking through the streets; contemplating what they have been going through. They speak about the victory and what it means. While Shei goes off, Tak finds a quiet place to meditate and Sirnai comes to him in that state.
Tak talks to her about the darkness that they are discovering and it never seems to be ending. No matter what they do there always seems to be evil in the world; something new is being released or found. Sirnai says that unfortunately, it is a journey and a cycle. That, yes, it seems hopeless but if one person stands up to the evil and is the light then it will inspire others. If Tak continues fighting then he could inspire the next hero a decade down the line to fight against evil. That will help others stand up for the light.
Shei goes off and hears a commotion. Sirathian soldiers have engaged a rogue who was hidden in one of the houses. He flies down to them; asking everyone to drop their weapons while he asks the rogue some questions. He talks to the rogue about what the man wants out of life; why he joined Crook Crag in the attack. The man did it to provide his family with a better life; in the City of Rogues it was tough to eek out a living.
Dinner Party
Tak and Shei arrive at the castle for the celebration. There is a larger chamber where the nobles and commoners mix in celebration. WIne and food are served aplenty as the jovial mood overtakes the celebrations. Lord Orlian holds a private celebration for his supporters where he starts off by thanking Tak and Shei for their aid.
During the dinner Tak speaks with the Lady Torreal Fealrik; a woman from Fathalom who came to Sirather just before the war started. She told him she is a merchant who deals with gems and crystals. When Shei mentions Shurrani to her she tenses up and Tak notices this. Unnerved she excuses herself and Tak follows; noticing the hint of cinnamon in her wake.
Outside the hall she says that Shurrani has set envoys to Fathalom looking for trade and alliance. He is apparently in the Passage of Caverns . Lady Torreal tells Tak that she is staying at the Dancing Bear Tavern and she wants to work out a deal for her trade caravans to be led by his family. She leaves for the night and kisses Tak on the cheek.
Shei is at the table and he brings up the Cobalt Watch and he notices that they were not there to aid in the efforts. Baron Harrow, who is thankful to Shei, says that they are in Rapidfalls and believes that they are goodly people, they do worship Probrita after all. Shei talks about the fact that they are offering little freedom of choice to the people they sermonize too. Baron Harrow is swayed by Shei's words and promises to look into it.
As dinner winds down, Shei and Tak ask to speak privately to Larrador, Baron Harrow, and Lord Orlian. They begin to tell them about the ogres but Larrador already knows, he is a member of the Council of Magi. Shei offers his dagger to them but his book burns his hand. THey show the wizard the note from the Ogre Duke and that is when some Satyr creatures attack. They burst into the room with their pipes playing a haunting melody, charming Larrador and the lord. The fight ensues and more of these Satyrs join in. Tak notices that the Satyrs while attacking Shei, take his dagger from him and begin to run away. He pursues them but they manage to set enchanted party goers on him. He manages to grapple the Satyr but the Spirit throws it to his friends who managed to gallop out of the castle. Killing the Satyr Tak peers into the Ethereal plane and sees the Satyr's Essence disappparating . The creature has a sigil emblazoned on its chest of a skull covered in ooze, melting. Tak knows that this appears when a creature owes their Essence to a more powerful being.
