Chapter 34: Reunions
Session Date: 2/28/19
Summary:
An alliance between old foes and friends from across the Kingdom forms to protect Azurea.spoilers
- The party meets Varkol, Varis' friend from the syndicate and secret agent of the Raven Queen.
- The Syndicate joins in an alliance to find the Shadow Web.
- Rachel, Merle, Hlin, Barkley, Kathra, and Gardevra arrive on an indigo dragonship to help prepare the city.
Plot points/Scenes
Caerulean Markets - Azurea
Towards the northernmost streets of the market center, there stands a stall with a red banner and golden trident. Following Tragedy’s instructions Varis turns right and before he can knock, Moana kicks three times on the door. There is a hushed voice from the other side, one Varis recognizes. ???: “... Yes, who is it?” Varis: “An old friend.” There is a series of taps and knocks on the door. The party looks confused, but Varis steps up and performs a different set of taps and knocks in return. The door slowly opens and an elven man opens the door inspecting the party. Varis: “Inside, quickly. Excuse us, Varkol.” The party quickly enters a small apartment with a few couches and chairs arranged in a circular fashion. A door lies on the opposite wall, an a small window only 2 feet tall is towards the top of the right hand wall out onto another alleyway. At first glance, Varis did only glimpsed the other figure in the room. Varis: “Ah! Elen-” His voice falters as he realizes, this is not in fact Elenor. His eyes widen and a chill runs down his spine. Sitting across the room in a standalone chair, arms and legs crossed, a woman with dark brown hair with a few streaks of grey loose around her shoulders narrows her eyes at Varis. This is an enforcer for the Scarlet Sun Syndicate only known to syndicate members as “Law”. Law: “Been a long time, Varis. Take a seat.” Varis: “Varkol?” Varkol: “I know it’s confusing Varis. There is a reason Law is here. Please just trust me.” The other door opens, and in strides Tragedy, presumably entering from a different entrance, as she walks forward and lounges across one of the couches.The party slowly find seats in the room as an awkward silence permeates the air. Varis: “Welcome to the fun Tragedy. Did you know this… surprise... would be here?” Tragedy: “Varii, I know this is confusing. But please, here us out-” Varis: “You just talked to me about lies.” Tragedy: “I haven’t lied. I would never lie to you, Varii. But there have been changes you-” Moana: “Wait are we talking about lies, or is Lie a person too?” Varkol: “Well, speaking of lies.” he walks over and his appearance changes. The once vibrant and colorful skin and hair loses its luster and his eyes grow more sombre. What appeared to be a normal elf now stands revealed as a Shadar-Kai, an agent of the Raven Queen. “It is time I must confess one.” Law’s eyes widen in shock but she quickly hides any other emotion. Tragedy lets out a gasp Tragedy: “Varkol! What is the meaning of this?!” Varis: “Well, have you always been like this? Is Varkol real? Or just some persona you created?” Varkol: “I am Varkol. What you know of me is true. However, I had to keep my true nature a secret from you.” Varis: “This is just a day full of surprises isn’t it old friend.” Varkol: “Once again, I apologize, but there is much to discuss.” Varis: “Yes there is.” Law: “I agree. What is the meaning of this?” Varis: “Well I can’t speak for Varkol here because I am just as surprised as everyone else in the room-” Law: “Yes I was surprised to learn you would have the audacity to show your face here again Varis.” Varis: “I assure you I only do so because the situation is dire. A great evil has come to the city, and I needed information on where she might be. What better place to get that information?” Law: “Who is this ‘she’?” Varis: “Zelena, of the Shadow Web?” Law raises an eyebrow and a quick look of shock… and perhaps… disappointment crosses her face before returning to her steely expression. Law: “Interesting. I thought you would be here for… someone else.” Varis: “No! I mean... No, just here to track down Zelena.” Law: “Really? You care nothing for her?” Varis: “She cares nothing for me.” Law: “Hmm. You,” addressing Varkol, “are another matter. Explain yourself.” A sudden tapping at the window grabs everyone's attention. A raven has landed outside the window tapping on it. Khadgar sends a Mage hand over to open it. As it flies in, it transforms into Myriam. Myriam: “I figured now was the time to make my entrance.” and she strides over to another open chair and sits down with a side glance to Varkol. Varkol: “Yes, you’ve already met one ally.” though the way he says ally hints there is definitely some tension. Varis: “We have quite the party going on here.” Myriam: “Indeed. I had no idea you had such an interesting past. You do know how to surprise people.” Law: “Will someone explain what the hell is going on?!” Gavin: “I think you’re outnumbered here, Law. Might as well sit and wait to hear what they say.” 26-Lobsters: “Wait! Were you the raven sitting on my shoulder as we walked here or was that a different one?” Myriam: “Well I did fly all that way, and I didnt want to lose track of you.” 26-Lobsters: “Happy to help, just checking.” Myriam: “To business. Zelena found a means of getting here faster than you. She has had 4 days to prepare whatever plans the Shadow Web has. I sent messages hoping to rally what forces we could around the area in such short time, and it seems you know a few of them.” Gavin OOC: ”Oh! The gangs all here!” Myriam: “I have been trying to gather or make as many allies as possible within the city and attempt to identify where Zelena could be hiding. Who better to find the secret spots than the ones who exploit them every day? However,” and she glances back to Varkol, “I have not had nearly as much success as I would like.” Varkol: with a glance to Varis, “First, please know I have not deceived you in any way other than my blood. What else you know of me is true.” Varis: “That is the boldest lie I have ever heard from you, which is saying something.” Varkol: “It is necessary for agents like myself to conceal our nature while we are on the material plane. Only in times when we are strictly called from our duties do we break that protocol as I do now. The Raven Mother has deemed it necessary to reveal the truth as well as aid you in this endeavor.” Varis: “I guess that’s how you’re so good at what you do.” Varkol: “Yes my natural talents offer a convenient cover during my time on this plane. She informs me you have seen my home plane as well. Seems you’ve picked up a few tricks of Shadow of your own.” Gavin: “What is it exactly that you do for the syndicate?” Varkol: “I move… goods through areas that it is difficult to get things through.” Gavin: “And where do these ‘goods’ come from?” Varkol: “I just move things. You want to know more, talk to her.” and he gestures to Law. Varis: “And what role do you really play here?” Varkol: “There are many agents like me. Shadar-Kai who for a time leave the ShadowFell to gather information of the material plane, and carry out the wishes of the Raven Mother should she require it of us. We are her fist choice before resulting to,” with a side glance to Myriam, “other means.” Myriam: “and yet, here we are.” Varkol: “Yes. It would seem whatever information we gather today seems of the utmost importance to her. We cannot fail.” Varis: “That’s why we are here.” Khadgar: “Myriam, how long have you been in the city?” Myriam: “2 days. It has taken this long to rally all necessary parties without arousing suspicion. We can’t very well lean on the support of the syndicate if we get them all captured no can we? Though I never imagined it would be this difficult to get their cooperation. I have only managed to locate and scout out a few possible locations where they could breach the city’s defenses.” Khadgar: “Any news on things coming out of these Dreamlands?” Myriam: “Only as much as you told me. You were the one to overhear that after all.” Gavin: “Wait… Dreamlands… that sounds familiar for some reason....” Gavin recalls how the region of the realmspace known as the Dream Lands is a portion where the Material, Shadow, and Fey planes intersect in a violent clash at the very edge of the Ethereal plane as it opens to the Astral Sea, a realm of thought on one side, and the Elemental Chaos on the other. This violent area of the Ethereal is where thought and substance collide. Where dreams take shape and crumble away before forming into something new. Where vibrant vistas of absolute wonder reside. Where the darkest nightmares of the material realm’s fears are made real. Legends say the darkest portions reside on the ShadowFell side, whereas the more chaotic and wild aspects towards the Feywild. Passage directly from the Material plane to the Dream Lands is impossible, and one must first enter the ethereal to access the plane. Alternatively, there are direct gateways from the ShadowFell and Feywild. The FeyWild passage goes over a giant mountain, eternally covered in fog but with on of the most breathtaking vistas. A guardian sits atop and judges who may pass in and out. The ShadowFell’s passage was long ago destroyed, according to myth. A bridge of woven strands spanning a bottomless cavern was the work of some of the darkest powers that were sealed away where not even the ShadowFell would house them. Only when the bridge spanned the chasm could anything cross. Otherwise it was sent plummeting into the darkness into the void. But legends say the Raven Queen's forces fought back the monsters to sever the bridge and trap the nightmarish monsters in the Dreamlands. Varis OOC: “Yup. Yup….” 26-Lobsters OOC: “So your gear is somewhere in the dreamlands.” Myriam: “We will eventually have to figure out how they are moving things through, but in the meantime, we must deal with the current threat.” Everyone turns to Law, as now the realization of her purpose in this meeting, and the fact she is vastly outnumbered has finally dawned on her. Law: “Fine. You have the Scarlet Suns Syndicate’s assistance.” as she deflates and concedes defeat. “Varkol, you know the best spots. I will arrange for agents to follow your orders. I suggest we keep the shadow nature, a secret between us.” Varkol: “A wise precaution. I will signal you when the time is right. Myriam, you will be updated on any information we gather for you to relay to any other sources that require it.” Myriam: “Excellent. This is to my liking.” Tragedy: “Well, I’ve done my part assembling everyone, and shall take my leave. This has gone beyond my expertise and I have things I can accomplish in my own way.” Myriam: “That is fine. Our other allies have just arrived, I believe we should go meet them.” Tragedy gives a wink to Varis and strides out the door she came in through. Varkol and Law get up and make to leave. Varis: “Law… will you remember who you saw here?” Law: an expression he can’t quite grasp crosses her face, before returning to her usual stoic demeanor, “Well, I’m not taking the fall for letting you slip through our fingers. I have no idea you’re here.” She and Varkol exit, following after Tragedy. Alone in the room with Myriam the party asks what the next steps are. Khadgar: “Wait so let me get this straight: this is a serious problem and we are down here with the slum of the city? Why haven’t we gone to the king? If everyone has known this was happening for a while why are we sitting here in a dark room planning with thieves?” Myriam: “Oh yes. Why in the world haven’t I thought of such an obvious ally in this time of crisis? A crisis we only learned about 5 days ago and have come here with no proof.” Gavin: “You’ve already told him haven’t you?” Varis: “Besides, who do you think has more power in the city? The underbelly has more power than rich folk in fancy clothes.” Gavin stifles a cough. Myriam: “Messages have been sent, yes. But to get their attention requires certain connections.” She eyes Gavin. “Luckily, our new arrivals should help with that. They have just arrived at the docks.”Bayshore District - Azurea
The party makes there way out the alley door they came in and leave the Caerulean Markets, towards Bayshore and Castle Vereanor. This is where all of the Lords and Ladies of the Court reside and do business. A port is reserved here for diplomats, dignitaries, and the wealthiest of the wealthy. The party enters the harbor and leads the party all the way to its end, where a lone ship is moored. A ship predominantly indigo in color with a large neck and head of a dragon as the figurehead. Crew are shouting orders, and a few of the passengers are out on the main deck as the gangplank is lowered. Myriam signals the group and and party watches as Merle the Indigo and Rachel Winslow from Mepsirita, Barkley, Hlin, Kathra and Gardevra from Uxena, and an unfamiliar woman with braided blonde hair with small streaks of turquoise throughout. Seeing Rachel, Moana stands at the base of the gangplank smiling up at her. She locks eyes with him, running down the gangplank. Moana OOC: “I wanna do like the guy in How to Train Your Dragons 2. Just be all stoic and wait for her to come up, and I’ll say:”now in character, “You’re as beautiful as the day I met you.” Rachel looks up to him. SMACK! Moana is slapped hard across the face. Rachel: “2 months! I haven’t heard from you in 2 months! I have been worried sick! You didn’t tell me you were leaving. You didn’t say when you would return! Attempts to scry resulted in nothing! I thought you were dead!” Moana OOC: “Would this be bad time to pull out that red necklace I got her in Avalon?” Everyone else on the dock has fallen utterly silent. Rachel: “Say something!” Gavin: “What he means to say is, he tried to write to you, truly. But when ended up on another plane of existence for a while, and every time he sat down to write, we were attacked and he saved us all a bunch of times. There were these lobster things at one point-” DM: “That’s insensitive.” Gavin: “then we were on our own. We had to find a way to get back. It was a lot.” Merle strides down and places a hand on her shoulder to reinforce calming her down, which Gavin had succeeded mostly in doing. Moana: “I know you’re upset. There’s this thing we gotta do first. We have to stop Zelena from hurting more people. The city is in danger, but after that...” he goes and pulls the necklace with 3 red gems in it out. “I was going to give this to you after, but in case I don’t make it, I want you to have it now.” Rachel: she puts the necklace on, “Well, it's a start, but we’re definitely going to have a talk later though.” Gavin: “Hi, Gavin here. We met briefly. What are you doing here? This is super dangerous and we are going to meet the king to try and protect the city. You’re in danger here!” Rachel: “Well the way I heard it, you need someone with political connections to even get close to the king.” Gavin: “Oh… right. Yeah, glad you’re here then.” Rachel: “Gavin… what did you say you’re last name was?” Gavin: “oh, my uh… last name.. Uh” glances around quickly, “... Nautor. Yeah. Gavin Nautor.” Rachel: “Interesting name.” At the top of the gang plank, a tiny coil of rope hops into view, waita there a few moments, and begins hopping again, this time onto the gangplank. 2 little eyes peek out before closing quickly again. Moana: “Monty!”
OOC: “Good thing I didn’t see him before Rachel.” Monty hops along down the gangplank where Merle scoops him up and places him on his shoulder. Merle explains that they received work Zelena was organizing something in Azuria, so he rallied what forces he could. Governor Winslow, Usila, and Esmeralda were making preparations to protect the Isles and Mespirita should anything come their way. The dwarves bustle their own way down the gangplank and catch up with the party. Varis: “What are y’all doing here?” Barkley: “Well when we heard Merle was gathering up people to come take a fight in Azuria I jumped at the opportunity!” Hlin: jabbing him with her elbow, “You only came because I told you so.” She re-adjusts her mace over her shoulder. “Nice to be fighting alongside you again.” Varis: “Likewise.” Kathra is meanwhile babbling and scribbling in her notebook; goggles on and tongue stuck out in concentration. She bumps into Hlin before looking up. Kathra: “Oh. Oh!” Her eyes go wide, which in the goggles looks pretty wide, before taking them off and looking at the party. “Have we met? You look familiar...” Varis: “Yes, outside the governor’s mansion. Our friend helped you overthrow your government.” Kathra: “Ah yes! An excellent test. I’ve been revising several of my creations.” she starts pulling random bits and bobs out of her back as metal parts and a few devices bounce on the dock, into the water, etc. Varis and Khadgar manage to catch and pocket one each. Barkley: “Not here, Kathra!” Kathra: “Oh, right. Nice to see all of you again.” and in a lower hushed voice, “and if you need specialized devices, you know who to go to.” Gardevra follows behind with a soft smile and nod to the party. The other woman follows behind her; hands running over her braid as she glances around. Gardevra: “A pleasure to see you all again.” Khadgar: “Nice to see you again.” Gardevra: “This is Anya. She worked with Usila before coming with us.” Anya: “Yes. I have some gifts for you, but we should probably wait until we are in a more secure location.”
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