Session 4: Island in the Stone Sea Report

How does on escape from a siege, the party pondered? They could attempt a breakout, yet that may be quite costly and deadly. Perhaps surrendering to Syrgus and walking free? No, the Empress and those inside the palace would be abandoned. Every person seemed to formulate their own plan without a consideration for unity. Ballisar and some military folk entertained a breakout, but other disagreed, while some argued for a covert operation. They argued and bickered, allowing precious time to pass while the soldiers of Syrgus tightened the noose. Amidst this, Ballisar was named temporary leader of the Dramana until Tehres could be saved. Eventually, after a few hours, a plan was formulated. The party would sneak out with Empress Cesstecia, using the amnesty of Syrgus as a ploy to pose as innocent citizens. In the meantime, they would find somebody to impersonate the empress at a distance. Once free, the party would ferry Cesstecia to some safe haven, where an effort could be organized to crush Syrgus and reclaim Pyrgoros. In practice, things became more difficult. They could not find anybody who looked outstandingly close to Cesstecia in such short order, save for a petite, male servant named Tarbus. In desperation, they chose him and placed him in the empress’s clothing to keep appearances.

Amidst all this, a piece remained unchecked- the Wayfarer. He had remained in the home of Gython Mitras during the proceedings due to his illness. At around 10:30 or so, once Syrgus had arrived, one of the dynastic servants rushed into the manor in a panic. He rushed up the stairs to find the Wayfarer stirring out of sleep. The servant introduced himself as Duras, the chief servant of Gython Mitras. He explained that some terrible occurrence had overtaken the city- an army of invaders breaking apart the coronation! Gython was yet unaccounted for, and he wanted help from a renowned knight of coin to save his master. The Wayfarer reluctantly agreed, as even his servant Aragos was missing. Duras rallied a group of six or so servants and the lot of them travelled toward the Taras Astoria. They found the place packed with people, yet ranks and ranks of foreign warriors dominated the central avenue. This must have been it. They dodged around and made for the Prantrason Onar Lysandron, as the Mitras nobility were nowhere to be found. Along the route, they encountered a company of Astorian troops hiding in a remote courtyard under the command of Iochas Oroles. There were about 15 men present there, and they were awaiting orders for an opportunity to strike, since all command structure had broken down. He informed the servants and Wayfarer that the soldiers of this usurper were dominant in the streets of central Pyrgoros, and that the palace was surrounded. He create a crude map and allowed them to continue forward.

Reaching the outskirts, they found the place surrounded by the same breed of warriors. They were using furniture and every other object in reach to create great barricades blocking the roads. The Wayfarer crept in for a closer look, along which the slaves followed. However, the vigilant warriors of the barricades saw them moving about nearby, and called out to them in some strange language. In panic, the slaves broke and ran, and were pursued. The Wayfarer himself escaped into a neighboring building, creeping in the darkness to avoid capture. Clambering to the highest level of the stone building, he peered over the palace grounds and saw hundreds of men surrounding it, and he attempted to could them. Once his mind had counted to bursting, he returned down the stairs. He emerged, and in his boldness approached a group of the soldiers to ask them their cause. By chance, Barrqeyel was there to inspect the lines, and thus spoke with the Wayfarer in a tongue which he understood. They spoke a time about identity and purpose, and the Wayfarer wished to speak with this Syrgus. Barrqeyel obliged.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party was preparing to depart from the palace, Cesstecia placed in regular closes and removed from all makeup. Everything was in order- almost. The plan, the will to execute it. All that remained was the final leap. They waited until evening to defy the usurper, the son of Lysander. That night, they would depart and move toward Ballisar’s house in the west of Pyrgoros.

The Wayfarer arrived in the Taras Astoria to see Syrgus mingling and worshipping with those who remained awed and gathered around him. They touched the hems of his clothing and bows before his great visage- a king older than all kings, the returned lord of an ancient time, a last call and reminiscence to days of glory now lost. The knight of coins approached Syrgus and they spoke at length. In particular, they spoke of the circumstances for those within the palace and their potential fate. Syrgus explained that he did not wish to kill them, but wished them to submit and surrender so he may once again call Pyrgoros home. He wrote a message to be delivered to Gython Mitras and the empress, expressing his desires and intentions. In the end, the Wayfarer became a messenger. Barrqeyel and the Tarphry escorted him back to the palace.

All the party but Ballisar escaped the palace excluding Ballsiar, who waited behind to ensure operations proceeded smoothly. He was there when the guards called out that some folk were approaching the gate through the siege lines. In curiosity, Ballisar looked over to see the Wayfarer approaching with some strange warrior in tow. They opened the gate enough for the Wayfarer to enter, but shut it right after. He explained to Ballisar the meeting between him and Syrgus and the terms attached. They brought the letter to Gython in the palace and spoke on their plans. They decided that Gython would remain to delay Syrgus while Ballisar joined the party and the Wayfarer delivered Gython’s response to Syrgus.

The Wayfarer delivers the message and departs. The rest of the party travels west as the sun begins to sink. They get caught in a violent battle in the streets that is one of many conflicts erupting that evening. Astorian loyalists burst from the woodwork to fight and oust the followers of Syrgus all across Pyrgoros. Blood is shed, Auron tears three of the Tarphry apart in a blind rage fueled by his breather heritage. The conflict convinced them to avoid Ballisar’s house and continue directly westward to escape Pyrgoros and reach safety with the empress. Wayfarer joined them during the battle on horseback. The whole party arrives at the western gates by nightfall, and manage to talk through the guards, convincing them that they are simply innocent people attempting to escape the fighting. They additionally use the wounds of Azidael and others to prove their dire circumstance.

They step through the great oaken gate and see the camp of the Abat Artayin stretch out for miles around the city, and out for around half a mile distant. It was a great expanse of canvas, populated by many figures speaking odd languages and carrying themselves in odd manners.