Assault on Briarbrush

Begin writing your story here...Disclaimer: DM is on drugs, be kind!
 
Party A is heading to Mornhaven, but party B is still a day out from Sandgate. We should be hitting Moonspring roughly about the same time.
 
On the first day of Autumn in 1621, on Tir o Talos, Fuyu's coterie readies for departure. Alongside the twins and their crew, Sidna and Allix join, with Garna readying to depart eastward rather than northward. Sidna and Allix get snogged to hell and back by their lovers, and are also given some caltrops, healing potions, and a magical scroll they looted from the pirates. While they all also receive a waterproof leather pouch, with one extra, Allix receives his very first spear from his husband and warchief.
 
And they depart.
 
The ship moves much faster than it should be, without sails, too, thanks to the centipede legs! As dark falls, we even see that it's been kintsugi patched with fireflies, giving everyone a fair amount of dim light to see by. As they travel, Fuyu discusses with those on board what they want to do with their casketed ice heart. It's been steadily growing ice since we entombed it, after all.
 
Fuyu clarifies she shared this information with Vorach and Garna, to make sure the Golden Horde is well informed again.
 
The ship gets close to Mornhaven, and Kori suddenly experiences the first proper fight from the ship as they're getting close to the dock. They struggle for control (rock paper scissors minigame!!!) but Kori comes out on top and is able to wrest control to dock in Norbank. "Fuck's all this then?!" greets her from the harbourmaster, but with a gold paid for their docking fee, the party is quickly able to make their way towards Redmark Keep.
 
Note: Sidna is not in her normal gear, but is in a set of blue-clothed guard outfits similar to what the others are wearing.
 
As they proceed further into the city, they note that the doomspeaker of the dark sun cult has begun to gather a larger and larger following. Finally, they are recognised at the inner gates leading to Redmark Keep; the captain of the guard approaching Sidna to tell her how poorly things are going, including that war had been recently declared. Though they were confused as to the party, since Sidna appears to be the most...sane member, Sidna's testimony to their competence and sanity comforts the captain (who nevertheless offers that Sidna only need say the word to receive help with her...companions). At Sidna's inquiry, the captain shares that the refugees have been more restless, though they are assured that they are safe here.
 
Sadly the doomspeaker is protected by the same religious freedom that caused the Roveric departure from Tibur, and as such the King himself is between us and shutting him up. As the party mentions they'll be heading to Moonspring, the guard questions it - as Moonspring seems to be doing well - and hurriedly warns Fuyu of the dangers of dropping the disgraced house name in the court; as they still have allies, even when disgraced.
 
Near the entrance to the court, the guards stop the party, and they introduce themselves by their full names. Sidna, though her name is unknown, is proven by her badge. Fuyu is recognised by her name of House Magpie, though it's been chanted by drunkards. Allix has no recognition beyond that his name is southern, and the guard thinks he must be some hoity toity sort.
 
One of the King's advisors is shortly returned, Lady Prada, and leads the party into more secluded quarters to a private salon with less than regal decorating. Lady Prada offers wine and water, and Fuyu chooses the latter. Fuyu asks if the King trusts her implicitly, and Prada returns that her duty is to assure that he is well informed and that his time is not wasted. To get the discussion started, Fuyu asks which House currently holds dominion over the fishing hamlet near Clearwater, but is answered that it seems to not be under jurisdiction because it's part of the Norderlands.
 
Fuyu asks if she would be interested in claiming it, but Prada responds that the Norderlands are their *allies*. Fuyu attempts to convince her that just on the other side of Hesjing's Grace is a mounting army of dark forces and conspirators, but wishes to talk of Moonspring {persuasion: 24}. Prada seems to be open, but annoyed, and doesn't really want to be spending time with Fuyu.
 
Fuyu attempts to convince Prada of Moonspring's control by House K , and that she desperately wants to reclaim it for the Redmarks, to allow her to serve as the vassal overseer of it instead. However, Lady Prada seems to doubt the veracity of Fuyu's claim, as Moonspring continues to pay taxes and potions, and does not seem to show any of these signs of revolt to the Crown. Lady Prada doesn't seem to think that giving up the land would be better than it being in control of potentially shady people who appear to be fully loyal - especially when it could mean the destruction of the potion supply during an ongoing war effort.
 
Lady Prada asks for the nobility responsible for the raising of her House, and when Fuyu answers that she is a Count, Prada challenges her for where. Fuyu says that at the conclusion of the war, she will be the Count of Draugrheim. Prada says that perhaps she should start *there* then, but Fuyu doubles down that the potions being supplied are of subpar quality, and that they can do better. Sidna backs this up by pulling out one of the potions she'd been gifted just on their departure.
 
When Prada voices doubts again, Fuyu says she can test it on her [F], to help prove her loyalty and that she can be trusted to the same degree that she trusts the King. Prada takes some time, but agrees to this, and Fuyu disarms herself of her magical accoutrement before calling in a guard with a spear and a much thinner, almost translucent looking potion with some congealing.
 
Fuyu takes three nasty hits, and the guard looks a little uncomfortable at this, but Prada steps forward and offers her the worse potion first. It tastes like nasty alcohol, full of chunks, and Fuyu takes a point of poison damage before healing back four. Fuyu states this, and explains that administered to a patient on death's door, you could kill them instead. Then, she takes the regular potion, healing to max.
 
Despite her pleas, the woman is unmoved even by the explanation that the potions are made of salient beings that are treated as livestock, and Fuyu is dismissed with only the (stretched thin) assurances that it will reach the King's ears.
 
On the way out, they talk to the guard and ask if he's okay with what's going on, and he's grown more uncomfortable but admits that having vile potions is better than no potions. He's *really* uncomfortable with the fact that people are being used for this, and Sidna manages to get him to spill that he doesn't full trust Lady Prada. Despite being in the castle, the soldier feels *unsafe* at times, and Sidna manages to get him to casually mention that Liam is in the castle! After some casual conversation, Sidna is able to convince the guard (Lancer) to tell Liam to meet with Sidna just outside the gate, hoping they'll be able to convince him to lobby the King directly.
 
While they wait outside the gate for Lancer, Fuyu admits to her that she is somewhat fearful that the scope of her mission this evening -- reclaiming Norbank from Briarbrush -- may push her to strain. Sidna assures her that she will be up for it, and Fuyu admits her admiration of Sidna for being willing to give up her healing and yet being so brave despite this. They hope that once this business is over, they'll be able to have friendly visits to Moonspring with Camellia before Sidna asks if Fuyu recalls Poppy through Zeal. She assures her that it is the case, even remembering that Poppy was given some money to store away in case her family should come to harm or extort again.
 
As they discuss the campaign ahead of them, Sidna admits that her concern is primarily for the people, and Fuyu assures her that she will be doing everything in her power to keep them hale and hearty, mentioning that Axel's sister now has an apprenticeship within the walls. She then attempts to repair Sidna's opinion of Four, and even to explain who Blizzy is, accrediting both for helping dramatically help her progression of becoming a good person. Sidna also tells Fuyu that it's none of her [S] business what Fuyu does or doesn't "borrow" from Mystras, but she should be prepared for what happens when she [M] returns.
 
But moments later, Liam arrives, and quickly assures Sidna that that is what he should be called. He is *very* happy to get a chance to meet Sidna, and immediately asks if the stories he hears from his sister are true; is she an adventurer? She abashedly admits it, and Fuyu excitedly adds that not only is she, but she also healed Liam's sister! Liam is shocked, and when Sidna confirms this, he's overjoyed and asks if this is the tremendous news they wanted to give or not.
 
They get down to business, and explain the situation in Moonspring to Liam and that Lady Prada had seemed to disregard the warnings that she'd given. He admits that she seems to dislike him, and really *any* poor person, but he attempts to oppose this where he can. Fuyu compliments his ability to do so at such a young age, and he blushes before saying that while he can't guarantee full vassal-hood, but maybe Moonspring *could* use new leadership. A lady? Fuyu says higher. Liam admits that it may be difficult to get the king's attention, but he will assuredly press as the potion situation is in dire straits. It may be difficult, but he will get to work. Fuyu invites him to tea when work ends, but he abashedly waves it off before making his departure. Sidna noted that he looked *relieved* that Fuyu said she'd be dealing with the Prancing Pony this evening, as it would probably take work off of his plate.
 
Reviewing the plan, the ship's crew is to lock down the perimeter with Kori helping keep people from escaping. We rest at the Hudson House. Fuyu implores Kori to use the handaxe to finish off any enemies that seem wounded. Sidna, meanwhile heads off to the manor to water the garden at long last. While she's there, she fortunately discovers the Cavern Vine that had been planted has sprouted! She harvested some for use in later potions, and returned to the party
 
A heated disagreement arose between the party as Allix stated his intent to stay behind and continue practising, not fully believing himself ready to not be a hindrance on the front lines next to his allies. Though they attempted to appeal, he could not be swayed, and Fuyu, Kori, and Sidna set off alongside the crew of the ship to begin their raid.
 
As the party approaches the Prancing Pony, the street is already sparse of people, with only the bouncer Peter Peterson visible outside sitting on the side of a cart, counting his fingers. Kori and Fuyu make short work of him, Dishonour stealth killing from behind before entering the tavern. Not even moments later, there's a shout: "That's her, get her!" Combat begins.