Session 10: Calm after the Storm Report
General Summary
Interrogations of the prisoners taken the night before would yield the Unicorn cell was attempting to create a joint operation with Basilisk cell to steal something of great power from the Amaranthine Museum. Wasting little time in the following morning A'lar was up and about early in the day, an unusual thing for him. Meeting with his sister A'varia he would discuss the task forces future and would be pressing the groups interest seeking compensation from the city for their efforts and at the very least to cover the costly alchemical expenses of hunting the rebels. A'lar would secure these funds so long as the taskforce were to take a proper name, for the ledgers. Also getting a letter of introduction for the Curator of the Amaranthine museum so they could look into what the Unicorn had in mind on that front. Using his extensive warddrobe and illusionary magics, he would next pose as a traveling scholar looking for information concerning the creation of Humans in the Age of Wonder. The Amaranthine University anthropology head, Druindar, a very over worked and grumpy dwarf would not be pleased with the interruption. Posing as "Ulrich" a half dragon from the Holy Empire of Celdora, A'lar would inquire to the topic at hand. Druindar would look up and over his glasses that sat upon his large nose at "Ulrich and grumble, "Duronds braided ass hairs....as if I don't hear it enough from the halfling....do us all a service and discuss this with Anisca...somewhere dangerous preferably." With this shuffling Ulrich out of his office.
A'lar as Ulrich would make his way to another room, an open research hall for the department, housing many books like a library, but closed to the greater university so those researching here would not be disturbed. A timid Ulrich would zero in on a halfling woman studying and approach asking if she was Anisca. Bright aqua eyes would regard him, tho obviously skeptically. As Ulrich explained, Anisca immediately grew furious, accusing Ulrich of playing another trick on her, to make a mockery of her research. A'lar was caught off-guard by the Halfling researchers anger and suspicious. Thinking quickly A'lar would apologize quickly and profess his sincere interest, offering to discuss it over lunch somewhere private. Anisca being pacified but suspicious would agree and lead him to a halfling run restaurant across campus. Sweet meats, cooked over open fire and the smell fresh breads filled the air as she lead him to a table clearly sized for halflings, watching as A'lar squeezed into a halfling sized chair to be polite. Giggling now uncontrollably Anisca, would get up and take him to a proper table. Order enough food for 4 people Anisca would begin to share her research. She theorized that Humans were made from the soul energy of dragons when they perished. An extremely controversial theory, equating lowly humans to dragons in anyway, however, she used the lack of any dragon spirts in the afterlife beyond a handful of deities, the humans curious capability to be genetically compatible with other species, another trait that is only shared with dragons. A'lar would also mention that the humans desire to conquer and dominate also mirrored the dragons. The conversation would continue over lunch as they both posed theories before A'lar excused himself to head into town and restock and return home for the group to meet at the First steps just after dinner.
The task force would meet, A'lar sharing the news of receiving a salary, however they needed an official name. Several would be offered between A'lar, Adalon, and Ismaril, the group settling on Ismarils suggestion of the "Scales of Fate". With the paperwork aside they would all share what information was found from the interrogations and days activity. It was decided that they should focus here at home a bit longer before pursuing the attacker of the hatchery from the previous week. The unstable nature of the cities politics did not bode well. Adalon, Ayrien and Indalell would agree to head over to the Museum with A'varias introduction to investigate what Unicorn could be after while A'lar, Ismaril, and Longwei would make the rounds to most the major Clannist faction houses in an attempt to broker a meeting between the Cockatrice and the families to discuss a truce.
Arriving in the evening close to their closing time, the trio would spend an hour walking the museum and observing the many treasures as well as their security. Ayrien would take special note of several exhibits, including one concerning the second dragon war and the histories of an unnamed Silver Dragon Councilors stirring speech against the vile action of Clan Vermillion which ignited the second great war. As time was winding down, Adalon would present their letter to the curator, on Elarae Whisperwind. The two would discuss the threat discovered but not really knowing in great detail. Elarae would thank them and do a detailed inventory to see what possible relic they could be after. Indalell would spend most of his time assessing security as guards began moving items from display to the vaults within the mountain the museum was built into. As they left Indalell would speak to the others "The vault is to secure, they would have to try something while on display on those magical traps are lethal...if the Basilisk cells were helping, they were trap fodder id wager, or the Unicorn have an extremely talented thief among them" Ayrien would nod and also comment "I didnt get the vibe the curator was with them either, seemed general concerned." they would make their way back to the First Steps.
A'lar, Ismaril, and Longwei would travel to the Starlight Embassy first, securing Ambassador Sildenaers attendance and relaying the plan to keep the dragons in slumber indefinitely vs destroying them as the rebels wish. Sildenaer had no issue, and after a few drinks they were off to see A'varia, again for A'lar. Surprised at the second visit, she too would agree to the meeting with a bit of skepticism to the likelihood of this plans success. As the treo went to leave A'varia would stop A'lar and ask if he would please deliver a message to Indalell and offered a sealed letter to be delivered. Slightly suspicious A'lar would tuck it away and they would visit the Enre estate. Asking for Tyrael, Adalons other aunt at his suggestion, they would meet with the venerable elf in the gardens of the estate and enjoy some wine. Being an arbiter and negotiator she welcomed the peaceful talks, desiring justice to be sought against the Basilisk that attacked on the festival, and also cautioning that genocide will be a difficult bargaining point. With these two secured, they next went to the Yong Family, to speak with Longweis father. Turning into nearly a pub-crawl as sake was served, Ikehara would be the least interested in speaking to the rebels, feeling the beheading of the Basilisk was the best course for the other cells. Being swayed by the trios plan and case, Ikehara would relent, to the dismay of his son Kamori. Kamori would excuse himself and leave with haste, A'lar and Ismaril exchanged concerned looks that as a Stasist he might reveal their plans, Longwei however assured them and took a quick step after his elder brother. A brief but heartfelt exchange as Longwei asked for his brothers patience. "And if you succeed! The king or whatever we make will likely be father, and he the scapegoat for all the ire of the dragons if they are displeased." Seeing that Kamoris resistance to his fathers ambition was fear of the dragons wrath, Longwei would assure him, and Kamori would agree to take no action against their father.
Everyone would return to the first steps by around 9pm, and for one of the first nights since this all began a week ago, the Scales of Fate would not be fighting terrorists into the wee hours of the morning. Sharing what they had all found they would depart to enjoy a quiet evening in their own ways. In the morning a letter would arrive at the Scales HQ and another at the First steps. The letter at the HQ would be from Curator Elarae, explaining he suspects the Time Anchor, a device allowing one to plane travel, anchoring their temporal signature to the mortal plane so as not to be affected by the Spirit and Celestial planes time dilation. At the first steps A'lar would be woken up earlier then he would like. Taking the bifold card of a letter rubbing the sleep from his eyes he would open the fold to read what was inside. "I accept your invitation to the meeting" with the picture of a cockatrice drawn at the bottom. "Mother fucker...how?" A'lar would shake his head, someone had leaked the plan to the cockatrice.