Session 3 - Bee—ware
General Summary
Staggering back to the tourney grounds after combat is an arduous experience. The party is hurt, their injuries weighing down weary bones. Suspicious of Lord Hemlocke and even more suspicious of the mysterious Brass Loreflower who sent them away from the scene of the fight, it has become clear to all involved that a political game is afoot and that they might be the unwilling pawns.
When Violet walks down the beaten path, watching her injured companions with uneasy eyes, she becomes shifty. Her posture trooping and hands becoming clammy as she grabs onto Asha. Despite Celeste’s reassurances, Violet continues to look wary throughout the rest of the day.
By the time the party reaches the tourney grounds, they see Lady Wynifred Bumbleford already waiting for them. She’s in her 30s, dressed in fine noble garb and silks. She is the epitome of nobility, she speaks well with elegant manners and addresses the party with indifferent respect. The one crack in her noble image is the look of interest she gives Celeste, her eyes clearly focused on Celeste’s mechanical arm. Lady Bumbleford asks who each of them are, and Alastor, taking the lead in the conversation, calls Calum and Celeste bastards, names himself Alastor Blackwood, and refers to Asha and Violet as commoners. Needless to say, no one is exactly amused. Let alone Lady Bumbleford who eyes Alastor suspiciously at his chosen name “Blackwood.”
Lord Hemlocke interrupts her curt phrases of gratitude with the insistence that the party should stay in her guest quarters as part of his stead as a further sign of her thanks for saving the archery competition from unforeseen accidents. Lady Bumbleford looks unimpressed but agrees, leading the party to her castle. While walking, she makes light conversation with Celeste, praising Celeste’s artificer skills and invites her to the small feast gathering she’s hosting later that night.
When the party reaches the guest quarters, Hemlocke invites them to speak when they have time, but encourages them to get some rest before they attend any events. Hemlocke extends an invitation to the feast to all of the party, requesting they come with him as the nobles have little regard for him anyways. It’s agreed that this will be kept low-profile as the rest of the group splits to take care of their needs. Asha, Violet and Calum find themselves in the south room while Alastor and Celeste find themselves in the north room.
Calum briefly speaks to Alastor, threatening him to cut the shit about calling Calum a bastard. Alastor is coy, and instantly starts to tell the rest of the party throughout the day of Calum’s threats towards his person.
It’s quickly spotted that small, bee-like creatures have made themselves home throughout the castle. While they give the appearance of a regular bee to the untrained eye, Celeste is quick to spot that they are certainly anything but normal. Asha is able to sense with Detect Magic that they hold some magical energy but there’s no distinct school of magic. Alastor is able to sense that while they are not a fiend, celestial or undead, they are certainly ringing some bells in his Divine Sense.
Calum and Violet, however, are preoccupied with hunting and clearing their minds. They’re not able to find much, however, as they notice the forest has become overrun with guards securing the area. The guards there are quick to shoo them away after they make one catch, but Calum’s quick words allow them to wander without too much trouble. He’s also able to learn that the search has produced some samples that will be given to Lady Bumbleford to research as she is the “scientist.”
Celeste finds herself drawn to the little insect-like critters and takes one as her pet, but, in an act of sympathy, she finds the other which she had expelled from her and Alastor’s room and brings him inside to reunite with his brethren. She spends some time researching them before returning to help Alastor clean his armor. It’s here that Alastor tells Celeste about Calum’s earlier threats.
Alastor does not want to change into the noble clothing they have been given to attend the feast. Celeste tries to help him clean his current armor as it is filthy and finds that what she once thought was a flesh arm is nothing but a makeshift metal hand which is flimsy and of poor quality. It’s just enough to hold a shield for protection. They speak about Celeste’s artificer talents and, as luck has it, the potential of Lady Bumbleford’s patronage may just make it possible for Celeste to make him an arm. Alastor immediately starts being a lot nicer to Celeste.
Hemlocke gathers the party for the feast shortly after. All of them, aside from Alastor, have dressed up in nice enough clothing where they will not look entirely out of place at a noble feast. When they walk in they’re greeted with a few familiar faces including Bond Borsmount, Brass Loreflower, Lady Bumbleford, Rhook Sorrowine and a handful of other nobility from throughout the tournament. Sorrowine and Calum instantly begin to share their promised wine with one another.
Celeste goes to get her promised conversation with Lady Bumbleford while Brass Loreflower grills Alastor about his identity. He tells Alastor that he looks familiar, but can’t put the face to a name. Eventually Brass leaves the party alone, leaving Alastor and Asha to speak about their joint concerns over the mysterious bee-like creatures who seem to flock to Lady Bumbleford, “their queen” as Asha put it.
Lady Bumbleford would introduce Celeste to her company when she sees Celeste approach. Lady Arnarra Woodhollow, the ruling house who controls the territory of the Hollowgrove School of the Arcane Arts; and Lord Nievan Vendrel, the head of the Silverquil Institute, one of the five dominant “clubs” within all of the arcane academies. Before Celeste leaves to follow Lady Bumbleford, Brass Loreflower would walk up and whisper in Bumbleford's ear.
It's a hushed conversation, not meant to be overheard, but Celeste has a keen eye for conversations that might involve her. She's able to hear, and remember the entire thing. And needless to say it's a little concerning.
“My lady, I hate to interrupt your scholarly fancy but we must converse. Your letter was less than detailed, pray tell why do you expect me to ride to the Everwinter after this tourney’s conclusion?” “Keep quiet, we cannot speak in detail. All you need to know is Victarion may have told. I received a missive from Edelweiss Gadiel requesting Ambrosia. A signed letter and all. I have no idea how she would have learned of this outside of Hemlocke’s demise. Regardless, I have to make a brew for her quickly. You’re the only one I trust to ferry it.” “Baby Hemlocke’s been poking his nose with your little pet project, the bastard boys, the blind, and the witch.” “I’ll ensure he will be kept in his rooms for the night, no one will leave the guest wing.” “Fine. Once you shake the girl, we gather everyone to speak.”
