Session 43: Moments of Interlude Report
General Summary
It had been 3 weeks since the attack on the Enre Estate. Reconstruction was well under way, a good portion of the mountain collapsed, however the Enre Estate is in a lower region causing the least amount of mayhem, perhaps a reason they were the first attempt. Adalon put himself to the work, when not helping clear the debris he was working with the Drakes, determined to fill the vacuum left in the absence of his Mother A dragon Rider and his Father the Patron of the family, the Ancient Dragon Tyvesdos. Ayrien was by his side, spending much of her time aiding with the drakes and assisting in the reconstruction/ The other members of the Scales would go about their days seeking more leads of the Anti Dragonists, but it became quickly apparent, they were gone. Known entities, researches, citizens, seemed to vanish almost over night.
A'lar would take a special moment to inquire with both the University and the Amarantine Museum for anyone that could identify the curious candle found in the Giants Ruins, both suggesting he seek the guidance of the Chronarch, at the Temple of Times End. A'lar would mutter something about frauds and sigh, going to call upon Adalon to come with him to the temple. The pair of Drakania would enter the great Dragon Shaped temple where the Moon Elf Niniel in her flowing shimmering robes of amethyst would greet them, "Adalon, champion of the faithful, welcome," she would give a nod to A'lar of recognition. "Chronarch, we were hoping you could identify this relic, we believe to be a divine implement of Illmaren." Adalon would ask as A'lar produced the candle, which even unlit seemed to radiate warmth. Ninieal would take the item examining it carefully, setting it upon the altar and examining it with her divine magic. "This is a mighty artifact...it will banish the undead with its light and if you offer the proper prayer should grant incredible healing magic," she would offer it back to A'lar. A'lar would nod with some reverence, "Thank you, I shall take great care of it." Not wishing to remain for long he would look to Adalon to leave. "I will be remaining for prayer," Adalon would offer to his comrade, to which A'lar would nod again turning to leave, waiting outside for Adalon.
Within 15 minutes Adalon would emerge, A'lar falling into step beside him, "Why do you do that? Pray I mean, it is not like Chronakara will answer." Adalon would give a small smile, "No deity will answer at present." A'lar would wave his hand at the pedantic response, given the gods were locked away from mortals now for several decades. "Even if she COULD, you know she would not so why offer prayer for guidance?" A'lar would press. Adalon would shrug, "It is a time to focus, to consider ones path, to try and see the correct path forward. She has seen all of time, and while perhaps she will not change the action of mortals, it is in that reflection to her, I pray to find the correct path, and to leave the rest to fate." A'lar would shake his head, "A goddess who will not act, and to then just attribute the result to fate...that does not seem an answer and your devotion is better spent elsewhere." Adalon would shrug to this letting the two views linger in their minds for the remainder of the journey home.
As the three weeks came to an end the Scales of Fate would assemble, looking to the challenges ahead of them. Ismaril would sit her fine heeled boots propped up upon the table, "We need to get more information on these "Imperial" interlopers to the West." Longwei would nod with a frown, "We also need to find a way to halt the Frostblood Raids to the east of Aureate if we are to bring them into the fold." Adalon would lean forward, "If we wish to bring Aureate forward we need to end their civil war, and it seems Aelindon is connected to Clan Vermillion who appears to be the puppet masters behind the anti dragonists, he could be two birds with a single stone." Indalell would clear his throat, "Well let us dispatch our Lieutenants perhaps to these smaller tasks so that we can focus on Aelindon?" To this there would be nods of agreement. Orders would be drafted to dispatch two teams of Junior Scales to Clan Frostblood and Clan Radiance. A'lar would look to Indalell, "Could your mentor relocate to Vermillion perhaps? Start laying some ground work for us there?" Indalell would shrug, "I do not presume to give him orders but since we are going to Aureate we can ask.
The following day the Scales returned to Aureate. Going first to the tailor Elim, Ismaril would inquire about a wedding dress then Indalell would discuss moving to Vermillion. Elim would say his works here were growing less valuable and could ask their mutual benefactor if that would be amicable. He would also impart some of the happenings with Aelindon, commanding 2-3000 men and half the Drake Riders of Aureate he had been performing hit and run raids across the frontier, burning food stores and fields before the harvest, creating a future famine or economic crisis in the region. Frostbloods raids had also increased seeing the need to secure food stuffs before winter. Going next to meet with Queen Thalindra, Idalell would inquire to deeper strategy and why they have not been able to force a battle. She would explain Aelindon has been avoiding open conflict, moving with great speed striking in the north, then south east, then north again, and south, they could not explain the pace at which he was maneuvering. Ayrien and Adalon would investigate the map finding a central gap between the various raids, assuming there must be some central command operation some where in the forests. The Queen would be pleased to have the Scales support again after their dreadful suggestions to turn over the port city she had spent the last year building. Offered rooms at the Palace, Idalell, Ayrien, Longwei and Adalon would remain, Ismaril however skipped the castle not wishing to see the Queen again after last time and found A'lar at the Blue Falcon Inn where they had stayed before. After some failed attempts to flirt, Ismaril would agree to take in a cabaret with A'lar while the others were busy. Following the show they pair would visit the Fate Scribe in Aureate, Serendipities Cartogropher. Asking about Aelindon and a path forward, or even an explanation for the unexplainable, Gaelira would rise, her slender form, even by elven standards would lead them back to her private sitting room.
"Do you read the cards A'lar?" she would offer as she began to shuffle a deck of cards bearing a variety of symbols of Emorath and other deities of Vaes Kadra. A'lar would shake his head, "Not since my days as a priest." Ismaril would watch with skepticism. Gaelira would place 9 cards then turn them over, the first three, the Tyrant, the Lost, and the Trumpet. The second row would be the Owl, and Eclipse, and the Mountain Man. The Final row would be the Fool, a Hidden Truth, and the Silent Hag. She would study the cards, "Aelindon could be the Tyrant, supported by a Wise Owl and a fool..The Lost, waiting for an Eclipse, to find the Hidden truth....A trumpet, Heralding the Mountain Man, that seeks the Silent Hag...does any of this sound of familiarity to you?" Ismaril would frown, "Are you just making up anything that fits these cards?" A'lar would shift, "Well no, but it is a bit of a process, seeing a single thread makes it challenging to see the whole tapestry." Gaelindra would pour herself some tea, then add a tincture of a fungal extract, "I shall contemplate the cards with the goddess assistance and have a better idea for you tomorrow." Ismaril would frown deeper, "Drugs?" A'lar would chuckle offering her his hand as he rose, "it is all part of a process." They would show themselves out as Gaelindra settled upon many a plush pillow to see into the edges of reality. A'lar would see Ismaril to her room then retire for the eve, the Scales all consumed with what exactly to do about Aelindon.