Session Three: Exploring Brackenmill

General Summary

- The 20 of Alta -

After his manipulations of Reyny Wright Aldous returned to the Temple of Hanera The Provider under the cloak of night. Once there he went over to a central hearth and planned his next moves.

- The 21 of Alta -

Yarrow, having been raised on a farm, woke with the sun and began helping the priests of the temple do their work. Yarrow took over in the kitchen and made breakfast for himself, his companions, and the priests and goers of the temple. Soon after Alabaster and Cyrus woke up and ate with everyone.
The party convened and Yarrow shared what information he had gathered from the priests the night before. The main bit of information being that Serra Hyne was a captain of the local Perch Guard and was hired on to help bridge the gap between the humblefolk and the birdfolk. Aldous let the party know of his information regarding Reyny and her 'enthusiasm' to see Serra Hyne, and the rest of the humblefolk, taken off of the Perch Guard. Aldous also pressed that he was to meet again with Reyny at the Skymall this morning to bring her 'proof' of Serra Hyne's involvement. Alabaster gave Aldous the letter from Burga and the group started to make their way to the Skymall.
On the way to the ascension bridge to the Skymall Aldous saw Emma Brackshaw wearing a Perch Guard uniform with strange colours doing rounds on the humble level of Brackenmill. Aldous, panicking, hid himself from view and pushed the party forward. The group made their way to the Overhang and then up again to the Skymall.
The party got to Skymall early in the morning. Shops were opening up, vendors were setting up their carts, and messengers ran from building to building delivering goods and letters. Yarrow stopped one such messenger, a small luma boy, and asked him about the local news. The boy was quickly taken aback and asked Yarrow if he was with the Tenders. Yarrow rebuffed this and continued to ask for information. The boy told him about the town, the farmers of North and South tree, the crafters in the Overhang, and the businesses in the Skymall. Noticing Cyrus the boy, in a hushed tone, also told the group of a secretive dancer named Kathon who puts on performances late at night. The group thanked the boy and Cyrus gave him a gold piece as a tip which made him happily run away.
The group then split up and went to different parts of the perch. Alabaster Quilcy made his way to the different vendors looking for a shield to purchase. The first vendor to catch his eye, and ear, was a young Hedge by the name of Elres Barney. Elres had a large cart laden with masterwork weapons and armor advertised, in Mapach, as 'The great and wonderful works of Flandal Steelskin Master of Metal.' Elres saw Alabaster and quickly pulled him into conversation about Flandal and his masterful works and craftsmanship. He then shared the prices for the shields he was carrying, 12gp, which Alabaster quickly turned his nose up to and left. The other vendors didn't fair much better for Alabaster as the general going rate for a shield in this area seemed to be 10gp on average, frustrating the hedge as he walked around the perch.
Aldous made his way over to a local scribe, Thilde Cresmoon, who greeted him warmly. Here he hurriedly bought 70gp of lead based ink and picked up some paper and scribe supplies.
Yarrow Fermata and Cyrus Danceyboi made their way around looking for a shop or vendor that sold magical goods. They stumbled upon Algas' Apothecary, a large sprawling shop covered in ivy and leaves. Potions and bottles decorated the windows and inside the shop was full of different items. Potions, plants, vials, pouches, dice, stones, this store was not just an apothecary but also almost a gift shop.
There weren't many people in the shop. A tall dusk Corvum wearing bright robes and a large hat, obviously someone who worked here, was talking with two tall Luma over some potions on the counter. A Vulpin was also poking around the shop in between some of the bookcases, two small white birds flying around them. Yarrow made his way to the component pouches and looked at the different kinds. Cyrus stayed in front of the doorway and scanned the establishment.
As Yarrow was going to ask about purchasing one of the pouches he looked over and noticed one of the Luma slyly pocket one of the potions on the counter. Yarrow quickly made his way over and began to ask the Luma about alchemy, saying that he didn't recognize the potion that the man had just stolen. The Luma quickly returned the potion and left in a huff with the other Luma. The owner, Algas Boticario, thanked the Tola and asked him if he was with the Tenders as he looked to be a disciple of Gifu Dustclaw. Yarrow told Algas that he was just a traveling druid.
Yarrow began asking about the wares and asked if Algas had any sleeping potions. Algas became nervous but said that he did have some that he made for a noble in town. Algas would part with it for 25gp but Yarrow would have to keep it secret. Yarrow also asked about the component pouches, an item Algas offered to him for free for stopping the theft, and offered to sell Algas his Philter of Love. Algas again became a little uneasy and told Yarrow that it was worth a good sum of money. Cyrus seeing the philter made his way over. With a twist and a turn the young Vulpin made his way to Yarrow and cast Charm Person. Algas saw this clearly but with a vicious glare Cyrus intimidated him into keeping quiet. Charmed by his party member Yarrow gave the philter to Cyrus who paid him a small amount of gold for it.
Algas wrapped up some things for Yarrow; Alchemist equipment, a component pouch, and a small pouch filled with dust that said 'Throw this if you are attacked'. The two left and Yarrow waved goodbye at Algas who waved back a bit concerned.
Yarrow and Cyrus found Alabaster still looking for a shield. Yarrow looked around and found Audreyn , a traveling Mapach saleswoman who carries her goods with her at all times. After mistaking Yarrow for a Tender the two exchanged pleasantries. Alabaster asked her how much for one of her shields and she responded with 5gp, severely undercutting the local market. She claimed that while it wasn't as pretty as the others it was still robust and should work just fine. Alabaster, happy with this, took the shield and the group began their way to Aldous.
Aldous Brackshaw was losing his mind with worry over Emma but quickly regained focus. He knew that Reyny would be on patrol near the industrial buildings in the Skymall and made his way over. She was standing, alone, in front of an alley in between two buildings. Many people were coming and going from all directions, the Skymall being in full morning swing. Aldous made his way through the crowd and used message to talk with Reyny. He instructed her to look in the alleyway for a letter, which he dropped as he passed by, for the proof she needed to get Serra Hyne.
After looking at it for a few moments it became clear that she couldn't read the letter, it being written in Mapach. She messaged with Aldous saying that she would have a trusted ally translate it for her and until then she wouldn't give away too much. She did, however, tell him a few things;

• Serra Hyne has started a youth initiative bringing in young people who want to enter the Perch Guard later on or want to travel/get an education. The youth will help with patrols and guard duties and in exchange will get training, structure, and the chance to enter the Perch Guard even if they are not birdfolk or from a wealthy or well-known family.
• Serra Hyne is clearly addicted to Dream Flakes, a local illegal drug made primarily in South Tree.
• That Serra Hyne is impatient and fool hardy at times.

After a bit of conversation Aldous dropped the message and snuck around the back of a warehouse along the perch wall to make his way back to the group.
The group convened in a public space in the Skymall. Yarrow took Dapple (Elk) out of his Bag of Bones so that they could travel and stretch their legs. This immediately drew the attention of those around him who started avoiding the group and treating Yarrow with a sense of awe and reverence.
Yarrow gave the small bag filled with dust to Aldous to inspect. Aldous inspected it and found it to be Dust of the Desert Winds (Inhaled), a rare poison that is inhaled. Alabaster, Cyrus, and Yarrow talked about the Skymall and about finding Kathon. Aldous shared his information regarding Reyny and the plan so far regarding Serra Hyne.
While the group was talking an outfit of Perch Guard started to approach the group. The group was led by a smiling Mapach and a tired looking Dusk Corvum both in captain colours. Behind them were a group of six youth guards trying their best to stay in formation and keep pace with the captains.
The Mapach captain introduced themselves as Captain Alvert Selwe and the Corvum as Captain Wolne Forradare. Captain Alvert happily exclaimed that he didn't know such a high druid of the Tenders was coming. Yarrow rebuffed this as usual and stated that him and his group were merely traveling and were looking for a dancer like Cyrus.
Aldous quickly cast Detect Thoughts and began to read the surface thoughts of the captains. Captain Alvert was worried about the presence of such a high level druid wondering if something was wrong. Captain Wolne was also worried but less so and just as his surface thoughts were focusing on reporting to Serra Hyne Aldous turned away. Realizing what he had done he once again focused on the captain to find his thoughts elsewhere.
Captain Alvert turned to Cyrus and began to speak with him about his travels. Cyrus was still pretending to not speak birdfolk trying to hide behind his foreign status. Captain Alvert smiled and quickly switched over to Vulpin to make communications easier. Captain Wolne also joined in the conversation. The two captains and Cyrus spoke for a bit about Kagi and the desert. Captain Alvert then suggested that they travel to The Gleam and Glitter a small trinket shop run by Eliza Pennygleam who is also from the same area.
Yarrow noticed a young Gallus guard focused on Aldous. He secretly tapped in Tola to Alabaster that someone was staring at Aldous. Alabaster nudged Aldous who looked over to the Gallus and caught his thoughts. The Gallus knew that Aldous was casting a spell but didn't know what and was trying to figure it out by reading his body language. Aldous instantly dropped Detect Thoughts and tried to cut the conversation with the guards short. Yarrow thanked the Captains and made some flowers from seeds he had gathered and gave one to each of the youth guards. The group then made their way hurriedly to the Gleam and Glitter.
The Gleam and Glitter was a small house in the alley between two larger buildings. The alley painted with murals and graffiti, the ground lined with stones and sand, and bright colured fabrics hung from above the doorway. Inside the space was cluttered from ceiling to floor with knick knacks and trinkets of all kinds. Clothes from different regions on chairs and racks. Several display cases had singular items in them with plaques naming them. The group was quickly approached by Eliza Pennygleam who slid into view of the players.
Eliza instantly recognizes Cyrus's garb and greets him in Vulpin asking where he is from. When Cyrus says he is from Marcilim her tone instantly changes. She consoles him and goes to her backroom to get some Rose tea. They talk about the desert and the dancers.
Eliza tells Cyrus that she is from Luburg and before she left for Humblewood - The Country of Perches she heard rumors of one of the elders of Marcilim entering Luburg. Elder Meson apparently was traveling and had not heard of Marcilim's fate. Once he did though he quickly traveled there and never returned to Luburg. Cyrus asked about Kathon and if Eliza knew were to find her. Eliza said that she did not, Kathon thinks her a thief and will not talk to her much if at all.
The rest of the party looked around the shop. Yarrow and Alabaster quickly realized that most things in the shop were not magical nor functional save for a few items.
Yarrow ended up purchasing;

• A griffon's claw withered by magic. 5gp (It has a lot of dangerous energy contained in it)
• A glass spindle filled with silvery liquid. 25gp (It seems to move on its own at times and a belonging of Eliza's late sister.)
• Dried and pressed flowers from outside Humblewood. 2gp

Alabaster purchased;

• A jagged spindle of black crystal on a leather cord. 6gp (Worn by sailors according to tales and seems to use life energy to provide some benefit related to water)

Aldous pressed the group to move on as the time to contact Reyny was quickly approaching. Yarrow waved and told the owner that he would tell people about her business to help her make some sales. The party made their way to Reyny's patrol spot. Across the street a tavern had opened and music and tomfoolery could be heard. Aldous made his way to a spot were he could secretly talk with Reyny via message while the rest of the party went to the tavern.
Reyny seemed buzzing with excitement. She rung her hands and talked openly with the voice in her head. She had gone to her friend and the note had been translated. Reyny asked Aldous if she should just report to the higher Perch Guard now. Aldous stressed that the higher Perch Guard were not to be trusted and that they would plan to ambush Serra Hyne and catch her, promising this would help Reyny get the recognition she deserves. Reyny agreed to help and told Aldous of the Perch Guards routines, of the youth guard getting more defense duties soon, and of Serra Hyne's battle tutor Alcimus Kurtcull in North Tree.
Meanwhile Yarrow and Alabaster were talking to some Tola at the tavern when a server brought them drinks. Aldous contacted Alabaster and asked him about the plans going forward. Aldous wanted to write a letter pretending to be Burga urging Serra Hyne to meet outside of town later tonight. Alabaster retorted that they should delay a day so they have more time to prepare. Yarrow and Alabaster began to drink as this argument persisted.
Aldous told Reyny that he would write a fake letter to draw Serra Hyne out. All Reyny needed to do was to deliver it tomorrow in secret so that tomorrow night Aldous and his group could apprehend her and hand her over to Reyny. Reyny gleefully agreed and thanked Aldous for his help.
Back in the tavern a young Gallus girl came over and asked Cyrus if he was a dancer like Kathon. Cyrus said that he was and that he was looking for her. The girl asked if Cyrus would dance for everyone. Her loudness caused others to take notice and the crowd asked if Alabaster would play music as the last bard left a weeks ago and no one has been playing since. Alabaster, unable to hold his liquor, agreed and began to play. Cyrus joined in with a dance while a tipsy Yarrow began to sing one of his grandfathers tunes.
The three were very surprisingly in sync with one another and the whole bar erupted into song following them. Yarrow drew Peat Moss (Salamander) from his Bag of Bones and gave him a cooking pot to carry. The reptile walked around the bar collected change and tips from the patrons gathering 7gp and a sock.
Aldous saw the tavern erupting with cheers and noise. The crowd started chanting for an encore and Cyrus looked around for the young girl who asked him to dance in the first place. As he looked he just barely caught her leaving the tavern turning right down the street. Cyrus pushed his way out of the crowd suddenly and started to follow her. Alabaster and Yarrow in tow as Aldous watched from a distance.

Report Date

26 Jan 2020

Primary Location

Brackenmill

Secondary Location

The Skymall