Session 12: The Hungry

Daily Wrap Up

Winter 32, 6840 CA

The group pick up with some talk about the day's events and set the agenda for tomorrow. Ursa is spooked about what happened to Yuri and hides in the kitchen furiously washing dishes. She and Wally have a heart to heart where she talks about her fears of being forgotten. Wally does his best to reassure her. Zed spies on them and later spills everything at dinner. Friends shouldn't keep secrets. They ponder why Abanus and Lt. Booth are able to remember Yuri, but no one else can. Wally is vague on the details. Valia suggests that Yuri can get away with any crimes now, but Wally cautious them that the Forgotten tend to keep their own in line.

A Dead Man's Request

Winter 33, 6840 CA

The next day, Valia assigns Percy with the job of finding good lumber prices to work on the house. Percy volunteers to help, but first Valia decides to do some knight training! Percy and Ursa are sent to go run circles around the blocks, as well as some basic combat. Ursa mostly trounces Percy, but he does hit her with a Magic Missile.

They stop off at the bakery. Ursa talks to her dad and assures him she's not going anywhere. He thinks it's a WINK WINK thing, but eventually catches on she's staying in town which is a big relief for him. Ursa tries to give her father some money, but he gives her even more money instead. Zed sneaks some money into his money till and makes off with some bread. Roph assures Ursa that he'd never forget his only daughter.

Afterwards, they head to the bridge and to the home of Lana Thenn, caretaker of Isabela Bracemark. When she hears Valia's family name, she is immediately on guard. When it becomes clear that Valia's interest seems to be on behalf of Abanus Bracemark, she cools somewhat. Valia is allowed to see Isabala alone, but this does not stop Wally and Zed from snooping anyway. Isabela tries to speak to Valia's mind, but Valia is warned to speak only audibly. Valia tries to speak calmly about what became of Abanus and Lilietta. Isabela begins speaking of her visions of seeing Abanus dangling and how she tried to remake Lilietta, but that she wasn’t allowed to be. She senses something in Valia. Dead thing. She speaks into Valia's mind. "I see it inside you. I name it Ephemera."

Isaballa tries to will Valia to lock them inside the room, but Valia is able to resist. She instead lunges at Valia and bites. Lana pulls her sister off and suggests Valia leaves. Valia is rattled by the experience. Zed tries to snoop in Lana's room, but isn't able to find anything of note. Only a vague notion of Lana communing with a spirit. Yuri takes a bath and Ursa ruins Lana's dinner. Yuri tries to talk to Lana, but his presence startles her and she insists he leaves. Yuri is flummoxed by the experience and departs with the others. Zed and Wally see that Valia got bit and inquire. Valia tries to brush it off as being just something that runs in the family, but Zed can tell something is up and is suspicious. Wally gives Valia some goodberries to heal up with.

Worse Than The Bite

They head to the Maralys estate to speak with Cora about Yuri's condition, though Valia is extremely reluctant to do so. They are greeted by the house steward, Nicholas. He offers them some lemon water and tells them they can find Cora behind the house in the training yard. They find her training against Arturis Maralys and trouncing him.

Valia begins to speak about why she's there, but Cora closes the distance and demands to know why Valia has returned. Valia is immediately on the back foot and becomes unusually quiet and submissive around her mother. Ursa and Zed speak up in her defense, but Cora is having none of it. She thinks Valia is over her head, especially after hearing about her dealing with ghosts and fey.

The others try to explain Yuri's condition and try to coax Cora into trying to remember Yuri. With some effort, Cora is able to see Yuri clearly. She demands to know who and what his Lady Leana is. She seems to relax somewhat upon being told that Leana is a Naiad. She presents her holy symbol and suddenly Yuri goes running, which confirms Cora's suspicions that Yuri is now a fey creature. Valia is sharply rebuked and told to stick to fighting criminals and to leave extraplanar threats to those who know what they are doing. When asked if there was any way to help Ava recover her memories, Cora offers no solutions other than for Ava to suffer the same fate as Wally and Yuri.

Ursa Has a Brilliant Idea

On the way home, Zed slips off on her own and ends up at the Wanderlust where she briefly chats with Ava. Valia talks with Percy and secures the lumber they'll need. With Wally and Yuri's help, they start to get things ready. Ursa has an incredible epiphany! If Warforged are able to recall Yuri, then the Warforged at the gala might remember what really happened at the gala. Valia humors her, but Ursa rushes off to the Watch Hall alone to speak with Lt. Booth. Zed spots her and decides to tail her.

Ursa marches up to Captain Merle Skullstinger to declare she knows what happened. Merle is not at all impressed by this and directs her to the front of the Watch Hall where she can speak to one of the officers at the front gate. Ursa realizes that Merle's connection to Yuri is lost, which means he doesn't recall much about the group. He only knows her because of the crude poster of her for the ongoing investigation.

Ursa tries to place a message, but is told to take a ticket. She and Zed end up waiting an hour. Zed helps Ursa set reasonable expectations and even draws a nice picture of Ursa to cheer her up. Ursa places her message with Lt. Booth, with some generous editing from Zed…. With a bonus heart drawn in for Sgt. Angelica.

Valia Tells All

That night, Valia receives a series of visitors. Abanus inquires about her visit with Isabella and learns of his wife's delirious state. The news troubles him and he seems confused over his persistent presence in the house. Both Wally and Zed drop in to ask about what exactly happened with Valia with Isabella and with her mother. Valia decides its time to come clean, but that it makes more sense to do it with the group. She promises to reveal all in the morning.

Winter 34, 6840 CA

The next morning, Valia shares with the group about her past and her condition. Her people are bonded to spirits from another plane. Something happened with her joining that left her with an affliction that leaves her with a constant hunger. Isabella and her daughter had the same condition which has led to Isabella's current state. Valia herself seems to have it under control. The group are understanding... but the room suddenly grows deadly cold as a furious Abanus learns that Valia is the same sort of monster that his wife had become. He suddenly takes control of the house and Valia is forced out.

Valia sits on the opposite side of the house while the others try to talk Abanus down. Zed is able to get Abanus to eventually calm by promising that they'll find some way to help both Valia and Isabella. Abanus's anger seems sated and he releases his control over the house and vanishes.

Outside, Valia considers that she may have to go and find a new apartment to live in. It's about this time that Percy shows up and thinks Valia is just sizing up the house from a distance. He has payment from the sailors that they rescued at the lighthouse. There's also a letter from Donnel Gideon about a potential job. Afterwards, Valia is able to return to the house. It seems she's not evicted just yet.

The group plan to work on the house, but Valia goes to pick up her new plate armor. It's very fancy!

Renovations Again!

Winter 33-36, 6840 CA

The group work together and complete the renovations on the second floor!