Session 11: The Hard Road Report

Orin, Ballisar, Calista, and Wayfarer travel to Fornladur to speak with Lyndos Onar Zenas Aidos and break the bad news. 

Azidael wanders around the upper city and sees some Etayen obelisk graves. He sees the grave of Anis’nol, a retainer of Zorius the Newcomer and Fornastus himself.

Auron travels into the lower city looking for poison. He encounters the Soresar Moluthas, or the Society of the Free Mind, which is a group of rebels against Astorian control over Vojûn. He speaks with their leader, Erylar and reveals that he plans to harm the leader of the Dramana. Erylar gives Auron a free dose of paralyzing poison in exchange for a guarantee of harming the Astorians.

Upon leaving Fornladur, party encounters a large horde of poor beggars, peasants, and soldiers under the care of Rorid who are gathered on the upper level gate.

Ballisar gets message from wounded Dramana trooper. He carries with him a letter from Empress Cesstecia, speaking about the latest news. Both Orin and Ballisar write letters to Lytheron and Cesstecia and hand them to Pentast Pydanus Thosas. The Wayfarer secretly hands Pydanus a letter from Zenas Aidos requesting the demotion of Ballisar. Ballisar gives his Timar Illidost to the young man as a final act before the party leaves.

They depart the city and debate which direction to travel. Calista and some want to visit the Atamani camp of Vestidia first. Ballisar and others want to travel straight to Andulon. The argument escalates and people begin to question the motives of others. Azidael takes Orin to terms regarding his silence during the negotiation.

When in camp, Azidael takes Ballisar aside and they speak about Azidael’s suspicions regarding Orin. The man was silent during the diplomacy, and apparently a little bird told Rorid about their arrival. They also decide upon terms that the party will head directly south for Azidael once Andulon is settled.

The night watch is relatively uneventful, but Calista falls asleep around dawn. In that time, a group of five horsemen take position along a ridge less than half a mile from the party camp. They make no motive to attack. The party stirs to face them, and Auron, Orin, and Azidael go up the hill to meet them. The Wayfarer is charged to hold the camp, Calista is asleep, and Ballisar is stricken by the night terrors.

At the top of the hill, Orin, Auron, and Azidael approached the riders and called out to them. They responded in a tongue which the trio did not understand. Turns out they were Vestidians. They struggled to communicate for a few minutes until one of the five horsemen dismounted and motioned for Eddenvas to raise his arms. He complied and the Vestidian simply grunted some word close to ‘weapons’ before plucking the ebonstone sword from the scabbard. After putting it aside, he stepped over to Auron and attempted the same. Auron allowed him to take the weapons, but attacked him the moment he stepped away toward the horses. The Vestidians immediately charged the three, barreling over Orin and Azidael who were taken completely by surprise. Once of the riders blew a horn which resounded for miles, calling all near and far to the battlefield.

The rest of the party arrived shortly afterward, once Calista and Ballisar were awoken. A fight ensued between the parties, yet the worst was past once the Dramana and Ballisar arrived on one side and 15 Vestidian warriors arrived on the other. None of the Vestidians were killed, though some were wounded. The Suutgir of the company stepped forward and demanded explanation for the fighting. Ballisar and Calista attempted to explain, pointing out the language barrier as a primary cause. The Suutgir was unimpressed, and demanded 80 kruns (100 dolns) or a blood payment for the attack upon loyal Vestidian soldiers. Auron departed from the scene and silently stalked back to camp. Unfortunately, the party lacked the funds without his contribution. They sent Azidael to go talk him into offering up the money.

In camp, Azidael and Auron spoke, but the conversation quickly shifted to more personal topics. Auron challenged Azidael regarding the party’s ability to help him save Ekess- who was, after all, slowly dying in distant Sohenas. He presented an ultimatum: join him in escaping the party and their foolishness or remain here knowing his love will die. After long deliberation Azidael made his choice. On that distant hilltop, the rest of the party spotted two riders depart the camp and make their way west.