Session Journal - Defending the tower

The viceroy has some information about an elven artifact that is being transported through his lands that is meant to seal an alliance between the forest elves and the deep elves that would then stand stronger against Dusk. He has asked Lady Seraphina if she is willing to track and sabotage this emissary.
 
Seraphina is selling the idea as an opportunity - the viceroy has a mission. He sees it as an attempt to keep 2 elven nations from joining forces against Dusk. The deep elves are allied with an enemy of Dusk. By intercepting the gift (a very rare and powerful ancient eleven artifact) we keep them from sealing the alliance. It looks like there is not much appetite for the mission, especially since the biggest problem citizens see is the dragon that had been terrorizing the land. Perhaps we can convince the forest elves to help us fight the dragon, instead of possibly causing a war between the two peoples. Seraphina takes this to heart and is actively looking at other options, and decides to go back to Swanport (maybe she just prefers her family's accommodations to the Phoenix here) to discuss other options with her fiancee.
 
A large flying ship of the Blue Sky Flyers guild docks at the spire. Not only is it novel for River's End, this one is interested because it features a cannon. A man and woman deboard. They are heading to Rathmonk, with one more stop along the way. Jak and Lani go check out the ship and get a tour and explanation about the ship and the excitement about exploring the air. Turns out that there are 3 more designs for canons that even the emperor is interested in. Maybe this could help with the dragon issue.
 
2 elves were here looking for Rithari. Turns out she may be the new master of the order, and she would be the one between the forest elves and the Wolf King. In Rithari's absence, Seraphina is doing her best to find some common ground between Dusk and the forest elves, like the green dragon, since they are not really interested in River's End as a place. They want a shared history. These elves have also heard rumours of an emissary that came to help forge an alliance. But they will not talk more about it here - some other realm or a private room.
 
We arrange a private room, and Finneden is the only one of the two to show up and share the story with us. Long ago, in the age when the forest elves were allied to the deep elves, there was difficulty. There was an empire that lasted a long time. The empire was built by those of manikin descent - light eyes and fair skinned. They built this empire with dragons. They tamed the lands and built cities. His people were moved, and there was a war. The alliance between the Mankind and the metallic dragons was the hardest part, since they thought that was the source of the menari power. When an offer of an alliance came from the deep elves, the forest elves did not hesitate. The alliance was unseen by the menari since the deep elves live underground. Their mutual gods were called, and the elves ripped apart the lands of the menari. The menari believed the land itself was angry, and that their hubris was what caused the destruction. And now, the elves believe the menari's descendents are much better because they now live in harmony with nature. This is how Finneden fears that the leaders will try to deal with enemies again.
 
The deep elves have sent an emissary once before. The problem is that the Duskhan civilization is not seen as a threat yet. The best way to stop this alliance is to stop the embassador from returning. At this point, Finn is interested in doing this, but he also wants the artifact. He also knows about deep elves. They have a lot of experience with conflict, and they will push for conflict. He will join us to go meet with viceroy in Swanport.
 
As we head to Swanport, we chance upon a guard bleeding from a stomach wound. Lizards are attacking the towers. Or whatever they are because they are awful and very sharp. Turns out they were cruthicks, and we can try to find their spawned off nests. Their tunnels use premade other tunnels, including lava tunnels, deep elves, etc. We decide to go back to the road, pick up the other survivor, and then camp in the tower. Seraphina had sent Esylt a message about this, so we received some help in the morning. We will leave early the next morning. And we make it into Swanport in 2 days.