Session 36

Rainier
The more I learn here, it seems the less I know. At least it seems the rest of my group is not faring much better. Though they are by far my superiors in age and have seen the changing of the world many times over, I was astonished by the hubris some showed in their interactions with both the steward and the queen- sorry- princess. Perhaps they were more familiar with the workings of the city, but I could never imagine myself taking such an authoritative tone with someone I had just met, let alone one of noble birth. I actually respect the princess’ decision. The assumption of power by one who does not deserve it allows rulers like Ardour to run civilizations into the ground. I suppose the raids of the Swords Coast may have done that for him, though. After my explorations in the town, I am frightened to return home- not of Ardour or of my parents’ disappointment, but of the very real possibility that there is no longer a home to which I can return. These thoughts have kept me awake at night, so for now, I will focus on what is in front of me. After our meeting with the queen, Lady Verna, who apparently does not get along well with the queen, summoned us for a sentencing hearing. I don’t know if it was my lack of experience with the structure of laws in the city or my general sense of disorientation amidst all this chaos, but I didn’t realize until the Steward proclaimed all charges were cleared that the hearing was actually for us. I understand that we were a bit forceful in our questioning, but we did save the man’s life, after all. It seems as though the Steward has forgiven our transgressions, though, either out of the kindness of his heart or of the urgency in his handlings of the looming Northmen threat (or the fact that we really didn’t do anything that wrong). We returned to our original plan of finding the refugees of the Northmen’s raids and made our way to the portal to lessen our travel time. After a brief temper tantrum featuring little-seen hippie-Cormag toward wizards studying the portal, we made our way through. I don’t think I will ever get used to portal travel. The sky warped around us in brilliant colors, and I found myself getting lost in the swirlings of my own mind. It has been hard to shake the despair I fell into but hope some time traveling by foot and sleeping under the stars will help. Our portaling took us back to the courtyard with which I have become begrudgingly familiar, only this time, a soft blanket of snow covered the ground. Oh, there was also a deer carcass displayed grotesquely by a vengeful spirit- Melergerarrrr was her name I believe- but what else is new. I only hope our visit is much shorter-lived than last time so that we may get to the refugees in time.