Session 1: The Festival of High Spring and the New Year Report
General Summary
The various psions of the aristocratic families of Clan Amaranthis gathered at the festivities hosted by Kaylessa Curunis, the defacto leader of the Council Ary since the quieting of the Dragons. Ikehara Yong used most the early gathering to rail against the decandence and waste this creating by the Councilist faction. Sildaener of Clan Starlight introduced Ismaril his new head of security to the various aristocrats and made it a point to make her aware of Indalell, a spook for house Starfall. After a brief introduction and welcome Kaylessa invited all to partake in the various games and festivities set for the Holiday of High Spring and the New Year.
Upon the game fields Ayrien, Adalon, Ismaril, Indalell, and a Gnome from the Engineers Guild Zangrim set out for the barrel race. Indalell and Ismaril set out to early gains while Ayrien struggled to keep her barrel underfoot. Zangrim quickly lost his balance and was the first out. Adalon and Ayrien were in close competition for second and third place while Ismaril trailed closely to Indalell well into the last turn. Zangrim being a poor sport set a satchel of grease loose on the track to disrupt the competitors. Indalell used his athleticism to ollie the barrel over the rail and keep his balance while moving the barrel thru the rough off track terrain. Ismaril attempted to jump the grease but slipped her footing causing the barrel to shoot out from under her landing her in a puddle of grease. Adalon who had slipped earlier helped Ismaril off the course, using his magical abilities to prestiditatgion the grease away. A'lar watching the race used his illusion magic to create a pulsing sign above the gnome proclaiming him a poor sport. The gnome in a frantic attempt to hide from the giant sign indicating his poor nature was aprehended by Longwei who had been watching the races. Ayrien attempted to power thru the grease aiming for a spot Adalon had been trying to clear away with his magic to meet the same fate as Ismaril. Indalell worked his barrel over the railing again and to cross the finish line for the victory. Zangrim was brought to local festival authorities where he complained Longweis blow had struck inside his brain causing a massive headache, a few in the audience to this proclomation could be seen glancing at Ismaril the psionic moon elf but none of their gaze lingered long. A'lar winning a bet with Sildanaer instead told him to pay off his counter wager to offset any loses and spend the rest at his establishment.
The second contest here was the overgrown hedge maze. Ayrien and Indalell joined this venture with two other foresters from the Clan. While Ayrien used her woodcraft to pick the easiest path thru the growth, Indalell kept a sharp eye for the direction towards the mazes center. Tricking the elven scout who started the race on his side of the maze he ducked down a path that seemed a dead end only to find footsteps of the organizers which lead to a set of rocks that were in fact a short cut up and over a part of the hedge. Ayrien quickly broke from the racer on her side and pushed thru the brush at break neck speeds. She soon found herself at a dead end, but nothing is ever as it appears. Finding some vines made for climbing she scaled the wall with ease and lept to the mazes center moments before Indalells arrival claiming victory at the maze.
Last was the climbing test of the Totems. Ismaril was the first up, displaying her strength as she ascended the many levels of the totems, at the 3rd tier before the top she missed the next hand hold several times, but also showing her determination clung to the present grip without fail. With a final heave she pulled herself to the top, and nimbly ran along the thin outcropping to leap to the second totem. Her descent was quick, her fatigue finally beginning to show. Adalon was next and showed herculean strength as he hoisted himself from level to level, making the leap at the top with ease and lowering himself down. Adalons time proved fastest then other competitors giving him the victory at the totem.
The next festivities would occur in the Basilica of Beauty. While fine displays of art from across the clans domain were on display the primary attraction would be the debates. An exchange of ideas and a battle of intellect, all things held in high regard by clan Amaranthis. Ismaril would face A'lar in the first rounds, where they would debate the theological implications of the Dragons slumber. A'lar being a former priest of Emorath would lean heavily on fates course while Ismaril, would aggressively pressure to him to account for his points while taking the stance that free will of mortals allowed for such a thing to occur. Despite A'lars well accounted stance, Ismarils fiery rhetoric and accusations would carry the day for the debate. Adalon and Indalell would next face off, discussing the Nature of Dragons and their slumber. Adalon would argue the Dragons divine nature, highlighting his own divine abilities as evidence, while Indalell would promote the dragon nature to rule the mortal realm. Indalell would technically be mistaken in several places but was able to speak with great passion, convincing many, he also to always seem to know Adalons rebuttals before they left his lips, giving him the slightest of edge despite his factual inaccuracies. As Indalell moved to face Ismaril in the final debates, A'varia his matron would pull him aside, asking him to take a stance that would be embarrassing for the Councilst faction of the city. The topic drawn was the History of the Ary and the Great Council. While Ismaril took the stance of highlighting its success and long history, Indalell used the history as a thin bridge to a point concerning the faltering economics of the region. How the concilists have been unable to maintain and secure trade and the massive costs that maintaining the old council of Wyrms with no Wyrms drains their clan. Ismaril would use her previous bullying tactics to try and force Indalell back to the proper topic, but to no avail as Indalells harsh criticism of the economic status presently facing Clan Amaranthis resonated,
Longwei having refused to compete in the games despite his father and brothers urgings was content to keep watch over his family as was his duty. As things moved to the Clockwork Stage, he began to notice groups of festival goers who were acting oddly. Clearly meeting and passing information before moving on, not as friends bumping into each other at a festival, but with far more purpose and intent. Contests upon the clock work stage opened with a Dance contest. Indalell asked Ismaril to be his partner, while the young lovers Ayrien and Adalon paired off, and A'lar created his own dance partner from his illusions, a beautiful Sylvan elf with a costume of elaborate and colorful feathers. Indalell and Ismaril took an early lead as many other pairs were quickly eliminated. However as the contest moved on Indalell felt their lead quickly slipping so decided to incorporate a more dangerous and flashy sword dance. Ismaril spinning and dipping around his blade as it darted quickly, however her usually fair skin began to beed with a single thin line of red. A'lars illusionary companion proved an apt dancer, tho he still had two left feet. In the end Ayrien and Adalon claimed the winners podium, their connection and passion showing thru their dance.
The second contest was a musical performance where A'lar took his persona of the Path of Endless Dreams, creating a stunning stage display with his illusionary band. Despite the stunning display he could not overcome Lirien Leafwhisper, a Sylvan elf of the city, and perhaps its most accomplished performer. Her stunning voice and ability carried the winners podium of the musical contest. The final contest upon the Clockwork stage would be a story contest. Ismaril would open with a tale of freight and horror perhaps more suited for the day of the dead. Adalon told the family legend of his ancestors and the first Dragon Rider of Enre. The Path of Endless Dreams however would shine here telling the story of how the gates of the Heaven were closed and the dragons found their slumber, his illusions creating a more life like telling of the story then any stage play could.
The Final contests would be found upon the Sands of Blood where martial contests were taking place. Ayrien and Adalon would enter the grand melee. Ayrien and her companion Vaera facing off against a guard from House Yong, while Adalon faces Garek a sell sword of the City. Adalon put his opponent to the dirt and moved to help Ayrien. The Guard of House Yong was soon put tot he sand as the two moved to defeat the others on the list. While it was a free for all melee, they had decided to save each other for last. Quickly dispatching the remaining fighters, the treo faced off, technically outnumbered Adalon readied his Elven Curved Blade. Adalon claimed victory on the field. As the cheers of the fight were echoing across the Ary, Longwei had began to follow the oddly behaving groups. His interest in them had gained Indalells attention who had gone to find some food. Longwei tailed the festival goers to the center feasting area, himself being tailed by Indalell. Here the mysterious patrons made a few more contacts before pairing off to spread out around the banquet area. Longwei began to move with concern but was too late. As the fireworks began to erupt overhead signaling the end to the games, screams began to erupt not only around the feasting tables but across the festival. Festival goers began to dawn masks and draw long knives, assaulting members of prominent families across the festival grounds. In the chaos of screams and explosions of fireworks, another distinct sound could be heard, *THUD* *THUD* *THUD* and for those paying attention the faintest rumble of the ground underfoot.
Rewards Granted
Several Masterwork items improving skill rolls of related games and cash prices for 2nd/3rd place
Ayrien Enre
A'lar Starfall
Adalon Enre
Indalell
Comments