Session 26 - Pre-Session Report

Between session 25 and 26 the group has continued to play at a slower pace due to the large gap between games. This record is to help track this and act as a refresher for those who are not sure what is happening. It is continually being updated.
24th of Rolier 1524 Continued
As the dust started to settle from the fight with Daffodil, the party started to fall apart. Reign was outraged at the behaviour of some of the party members, Fargrim withdraw from the party while Simone tried her own little ways to reach him, Karl attempted to smooth the situation over, Lily took off in search Xeldarix who had been told to continue up the trail, and Lyra closed off as well opting to follow Lily.
Lily and Lyra focused their attention in trying to get the collar off of Xeldarix, and with some advice from Karl they decide that Lily will attune to the Ring that controls three collars. One is on Xeldarix.
Reign focuses her attention on Simone and tending to her needs. Simone had tried to help Fargrim, but he was not in the mood for her childish antics and instead he started to dig Daffodil a grave.
Simone starts to talk to the ghost of the departed. Daffodil's ghost was nearby and Karl pulls out the gem and tries to attack the ghost with magic missile. But since the ghost is still on the ethereal plane, the spell had no affect. This instantly has the whole party on alert.
Reign looks through the gem to see all the children that Karl saw dead that seemed to be linked to Daffodil. It is then revealed to the party that Daffodil had been collected children of blooded parents, waiting for them to have their blood manifest before stealing it for himself via blood theft. One child was still alive from a near miss attempt on her life by Daffodil, but badly hurt. Lila, who was the agent Lyra had used in Saarmen to get her information.
Simone hears from the spirits that Lila is far away and if they travelled the normal way, they might be too late due to her injuries. Lyra makes a plea to Xeldarix to save Lila but Xeldarix hesitates due to the affects of the collar is unsure if she would be able to do as she truly wanted. Karl takes a gentle approach, telling Xeldarix he will not order her as she is hurt and needs time to recover, but so does Lila. Leaving the choice in Xeldarix hand, which she uses to say she will do it. Karl tells her to 'come back safely'. Moving a little away from the group, she disappears with a pop.
In that moment when the rift opens, creatures crawl out. Ghouls and ghasts tear their way out of the opening before it closes and begin to attack the party. The party works together to deal with the problem. However as they defeat the creatures, Simone reveals that Alexis is now the one in control and will be returning with Lila at any moment.
When Alexis arrives with a pop, more creatures use the chance to make their way out of the Shadow World. This time Spector and the unseen Skulks. Throughout the fight Alexis uses her own body to protect Lila, taking any of the blows coming her way. Through the use of mirrors and Good's sense of smell the group is able to track their invisible attackers and eventually defeat them.
As the battle ends, Alexis pulls back her wings to reveal Lila, who had been healed mid battle by Fargrun, just waking up with a splinted leg. Lila upon realising who she is with, tries to warn them about Daffodil coming after them only to find out she is too late.
Lily's attunement to the ring was interrupted by the fight, so has to go back to that starting again. Alexis speaks Brecht for the first time in trying to calm Lila and making her displeasure known for those who harm children. Lila meanwhile is furious at Lyra for leaving her in Saarmen, she takes advantage of Alexis being collared to order her to let go and escapes the clutches of the immortal.
Karl does his best to try and keep everyone calm, explaining where he can to those who need it to fill them in on the situation, thanking Alexis for finding Lila. Lyra apologises to Lila, saying she tried to do what she thought was best. Lila is a little spit fire, who is ready to try and kill Daffodil all over again. She explains that he tried to stab her in the heart but missed and she ran.
The party removes Daffodil's items for some members of the group to search as they bury Daffodil. One of the collars is discovered to be missing. However, he does have his Crown of Deflection, Acacia Staff, and one of the collars. While the party busies themselves with the items, Fargrim talks to Alexis who has a bad reaction to some of his questions. He is quick to comfort and reassure her. Lila yells at Lyra some more about being a cry baby and eventually the two come to an understanding with one another. Karl identifies the items from Daffodil.
Lila reveals the missing collar is on a cockroach demon that Daffodil got in Saarmen.
Alexis, Reign and Lila retire to the tent for some rest and the group and eventually the attunement is complete and Lily is able to remove the collar. At 9:30 am the group is back on the road again, having picked up their extra companion.
At 4pm the group arrives at another abandoned outpost, but there seem to be no creatures waiting for them this time.
Xeldarix and Karl sit quietly and either read or write in their own books while Lily attunes to items near them. Then Xeldarix continues to teach Karl and Lyra infernal. Xeldarix braids her own and Lyra's hair in this time.
Meanwhile Reign and Fargrim spar before Fargrim settles down for a peaceful evening. Reign however gets Alphonso to help her train Slash so he comes when called. Overnight Lily, Reign and Lyra take watch.
25th of Rolier 1524
In the morning Simone tries, and fails, to sneak away from the group to be sick. Karl is quick to be at her side, where she explains she hasn't been sleeping well and reveals they are nearly at the temple that will be her new home. Karl is adamant about the fact that they will not be leaving Simone here alone.
It's at this stage, Simone's new powers make themselves known as she starts to challenge the thoughts and emotions of the people she touches, going into a rage at the idea of everyone leaving her. Xeldarix explains the power and Karl helps her focus, so she realises what she is feeling and what she is feeling from others are different. She is able to admit that the feelings she was expressing were not her own and in the end went for a nap.
Meanwhile, Reign and Lila search the ruins and find:

• 24 gold
• 5 silver
• a Barrel of Ale (6 gp, 240 lb)
• Riding Saddle (10 gp, 25 lb)
• Spade (2 gp, 8 lb)
• Vial of Ink (8 gp)
• Wooden Drum (5 gp, 3 lb)
• 1 Aquamarine (400g)

At 7 am the group starts to talk about Saarmen where Reign suggests bringing in Anuire forces to take Saarmen. The end goal being to free the city and get rid of Morningsteel. Reign says she does not want it to go to war but to free the people by bringing in an outside force. Reign calls into question the morality of the group's current quest and puts forward her bold action. The group does not seem to warm to the idea.
In the end the group continues with a reminder that there is a demon bug around somewhere.
At 12pm they arrive at the next obelisk, getting very close to the top of the mountain when the group is surrounded by smoky figures that fly above their heads. The group quickly deals with these foes and investigate the obelisk. Though one does get away.
They learn the obelisk has more to the story at the top. After discussing it a little, the group continues onwards.
At 5pm they approach the city gates.