Session 26: Xhaldarius Report

Orin and Blackwolf talk about the situation at large, allies, etc. They decide to seek guidance and maintain their faith. Yet, they want to speak with this ‘leader’ and discern the details for security. 

Calista seeks and speaks to Barchan Gazaret, an old acquaintance from years past. Calista sends letters to Kleeruch and Rorid Elmore in Tharsis.

The next day, the party emerges from their dwellings and prepares to depart Anomyr. However, their attention is robbed away by a solemn procession of strange individuals. They were garbed in white, gold, and black- six of them in all. They were accompanied by curiously Astorian looking warriors. The party approached, and learned their story. Those men were indeed Astorians, men from the Viods along the border who were ousted and later rallied.

Blackwolf and Orin seek guidance from ‘Corgastor’ in an isolated nook of an abandoned house. “Old watchers are slain; Wanderers come over the water; Enemies suffice when friends are few, lest it all be lost in the Second Feud”

Morning comes, and the party prepares to depart. Orin and Ballisar share heated words. Calista and Blackwolf talk about why Calista has returned in such a sorrowful mood. Calista explains that the person she went to speak to was her ex-fiancé. She tells the whole story, and Blackwolf tries to calm her. They speak a bit about matters at large.

Blackwolf speaks to Cravinyol. It is a brief discussion, but touches upon Cravin’s opinions of the situation. He is certainly unnerved, but not afraid. The Odyrzid possessed a surprisingly amiable history with Ácolitus. It was the Creator who occasionally offered them succor from the terrors of annihilation by other Eshanic races.

Calista speaks with Orin along the route. They talk about how Ácolitus is now involved. This is a dangerous thing, perhaps, but also an interesting development.

Calista speaks to Ballisar. She tells him about the letters. Blackwolf asks about Rorid, and both Ballisar and Orin describe their utter disdain for him. They want to betray/kill him after the war. Blackwolf is rather disturbed by this news.

Party arrives in Viod Amerus, find numerous soldiers there. The Sekras’kolura leads them through the gaggles of men toward the proper residence. It is a broad edifice built into the western corner of the viod, originally an area reserved for officers and other notables.

Xhaldarius offers Blackwolf respite for her people. Give the Corgastorians land rights and coexistence in the area of Xhalas, take them out from the Golbesh. This, however, would require Emelia to offer herself and her people to Xhaldarius’ purposes. She was uncertain of the choice, and simply explained that she must think upon it at length.

Xhaldarius and Ballisar speak. Ballisar is granted an advisory role within military operations forthwith, which allows him some significant authority. However, the Judges will be the primary military commanders for the time being.

Calista shows Ballisar a letter she intends to send to the Kleeruch Atamani. Ballisar approves the message and thanks her for showing it to him. Ballisar desires to offer Atamani same generous terms.

Blackwolf and Orin speak about Xhaldarius’s offer. She still mistrusts it, and must consider it further and discover the real motives of Ácolitus. Blackwolf dislikes the idea of relocation. They speak about how fortuitous it is, however, that agents are moving to assist Cesstecia. A Mitras Astoria and peaceful Othos could be beneficial for the Corgastorians in the region and abroad.

Calista gathers Blackwolf, Orin, and Cravinyol to tell them about the letter and plan she has for the Atamani. They speak at length on the matter, and each offer suggestions. Questions come up regarding what the Atamani would desire in this war. What would make them fight?

Ballisar goes to the armory and gathers new equipment. He offers new gear to his pentast and Dramana members, such as blades and scaled armor. He repairs whatever is broken. Afterward, they decide who will travel to Vallisia with Ballisar and the party.

Blackwolf and Xhaldarius speak. They discuss the deal wherein Xhaldarius can offer Blackwolf’s people some respite in Xhalas. He can protect the Corgastorians from his own people. However, Blackwolf cannot expect miracles regarding relations with the native Demhezzar. Moreover, they speak about the role of the Judges and the machinations of Ácolitus the Creator in Qadal.

Cravinyol and Xhaldarius speak. Cravin asks Xhaldarius about the purpose of the Judges and the true machinations of Ácolitus. He answers how the Eshan dictate their matters and interact with mortals. They also touch on the abandonment of the Odyrzid by the Ezontach.

Calista and Xhaldarius speak. She asks why defeating Syrgus would help against such powerful enemies as Nith’eshan. He responds by saying that they are certainly operating together and consciously as such. Both must be defeated for the threat to be entirely annihilated. They talk about the origins of Vallisia and Astoria’s division. Calista ponders about the place of the Atamani in this.

The next day, Orin seeks out Ballisar and speaks with him. Orin tells him that he intends to remain with the party and head into Vallisia. He wants to continue helping now that some hope appears to be restored with the arrival of Xhaldarius.

The party prepares to depart the Viod and thus gathers supplies. While on the walls, Calista spies an enigmatic figure of grey amidst the misty pall of winter storm. She informs Blackwolf and Cravin on the matter. They see it, and Blackwolf notices two additional figures of the same description on the eastern edge of the Viod, perhaps 200 yards away. Word of the figures is rushed to Xhaldarius. The party devises a plan wherein Calista and Xhaldarius chase the pair while Cravin and Blackwolf pursued the singular figure. Out they charged, rushing over the snow-bound field. Ballisar and Orin remained back on the walls.

Calista and Xhaldarius were stymied in their efforts by a particularly vicious gale of snow which blinded them for a time. Afterward, only a minor trail in the snow remained. Xhaldarius continued after it while Calista was sent back to inform the party about the potential escapees. Cravin and Blackwolf were more fortunate. They closed the distant, and Blackwolf barraged the fleeing enemy with crossbow bolts. Two of them hit their mark, then suddenly the target disappeared from sight. Cravin and Blackwolf continued, and came upon a sharp ravine which tumbled some 15 feet downward. At the bottom was a dead horse and the man, yet he was alive and attempted to flee. Blackwolf intimidated him with the crossbow and he surrendered forthwith. Cravin moved down and captured him, dragging him back up the ravine wall and onto the horses. They proceeded the question him.

The man’s name was Merrisar, and he was a young fellow of 20 years. Cravin and Blackwolf questioned him regarding what was seen at the Viod. He told them honestly, and also divulged information regarding his immediate background. He was originally from Ibannus region, though that area was now lost to the Odyrzid. His family then moved into a village close to Pyrgoros. He joined the Astorian military around a year ago for the sake of glory and stable payment, but was bitterly disappointed in these pursuits. Once the war against Syrgus began, he was a lucky survivor of Illidost. He surrendered and accepted terms from Syrgus to serve loyally. Now he operated as a scout for the Third Son. Now, it appeared, he was again a prisoner of war. His luck was terrible and the youth was despondent over the humiliating fact.

The successful pair arrived in the viod along with their captive around the time when Calista returned from Xhaldarius. Ballisar and Orin are introduced to the captive, and they all gather within a common room to question him. Before the interrogation, Merrisar was given warm food and drink to enjoy. After the succor, they all spoke. He explained many of the times illuminated to Cravin and Blackwolf aloud. Additionally, he offers other facts: Syrgus yet remained in Illidost since he had departed; Syrgus had departed for some number of days previously, but now returned to Illidost to wreak vengeance upon his enemies; over 1,000 Tarphry warriors were present in Illidost, maybe more; and recently the Dretlaeus of the Vessatar gathered in a large delegation to offer gifts to Syrgus and proclaim their support to him. After all this was said, Ballisar had guards take Merrisar to a prison beneath the viod grounds.

Following the meal, the party went upstairs and spoke with Xhaley and Nenas regarding their opinions on Merrisar and what actions should be taken next. Nenas expressed concerns about the proximity to Illidost, and whether Syrgus would come after them with a large host. Ballisar designs a plan for deceiving Syrgus by creating dummies from straw and surplus armor. Other matters are discussed as well, but nothing worthy of particular note or mention.

Carvin followed the guards bearing Merrisar into confinement and thus spoke with him. He asked him a few additional questions, then asked for any last requests. Merrisar attempted to sell himself with information in exchange for mercy. It appeared to be a successful endeavor, for Cravin offered him further food, wine, begging, and a good word in exchange for further information.

Xhaldarius chased the two remaining scouts, but failed to catch them. He returned a day thereafter.