Session 15 - Sigisar Is Knighted, Narcissa Presents Her Credentials
General Summary
In the chapel, Sigisar examined a group of stained glass windows he had not examined previously. In order, they were: a dwarf with river maidens, with shiny treasure in the water; a dwarf holding his hand with a ring on it, lording over toiling creatures; a dwarf surrounded by taller people reaching for the ringed hand and for treasure; bearded people from the previous panel delivering treasure to two giants, and near them a scale with a chalice and a beautiful woman; a dragon, wearing a ring, with a goat’s head and a beard, sitting on a pile of treasure; a divided scene of the heavens and earth, a musician carrying a lyre below and leading people out of a city. Sigisar found it unusual that these scenes did not depict any religious content. Still, this did not reveal a path outward to him. Failing to think of anything else, he returned the chalice and hammer to the places he found them, and then began to pray. He prayed using typical Gaalite prayers, but also beseeched Gaal for help during his trial.
Meanwhile, Narcissa began to leave the city. As she went, she saw scenes of chaos. Some ratmen were selling grain - she considered having Baeleb steal from them, but Baeleb cautioned against it. Other ratmen were abusing guards, while still others seemed friendly with them. She arrived at the gate out of the city, to find a very long line. After speaking further with Baeleb, the pair resolve to go and find Matilda - a potential ally. Narcissa begins to look around for a ratman of some authority. After a bit she found one, and after flashing a medallion of Matilda, was able to have a private audience with him. The ratman seemed wary, and produces a dagger during the conversation. Narcissa demanded an audience with Matilda. The ratman said she may not come right away to Brillig. Narcissa asked where she can find Matilda, and the ratman directed her to Hegenburg. He said it is about a day’s travel there. He warns Narcissa that Matilda is not someone to be trifled with, but Narcissa was enticed by the possibility of becoming a more powerful person regardless. Narcissa demanded an escort out of the city, a basic map, and a place to rest for an hour. The ratman acquiesced, but suggests she leave soon, as she is wanted in the city.
As Narcissa was leaving, the group of four (Edmon, Manfred, Kaleb, and Fox Winifred) reentered the city from the north. As they passed through the streets, they also saw scenes of chaos involving ratmen. They return to the citadel to find the gate has been jammed open by Narcissa. A wall of guardsmen protected the citadel with halberds, and behind them, servitors ran around in a panic. As they approached the citadel, Edmon was carrying Fox Winifred because of her bad leg. Edmon carefully approached the line first, and eventually the guards recognize Edmon. A guard told Edmon that Sigisar had not returned to the citadel, and that Narcissa killed the priest and the acolytes before presumably fleeing. Edmon was incredulous, but then he (and Winfred) are shown the gory scene of the massacre by the guard. Taken aback, Edmon asked the guard what he should do, and the man suggested he either go look for Sigisar, perhaps at the chapter of the Tungrisch Knights, or else help protect the citadel. While waiting for his return, Manfred and Kaleb chit-chatted about Kaleb’s time with Boss Reinhard and about the magical piece of bark he gave Kaleb. After Edmon returned to Manfred and Kaleb and told them what he had learned, the group resolved to go find Sigisar instead of helping to protect the citadel.
As the four prepared to set off in the direction of the Tungrisch Knights chapter, Edmon found himself being compelled by an otherworldly force, which caused him to walk back towards the chapel. Fearing more interference from Narcissa, Manfred tried to magically command Edmon to turn around, but failed. Edmon continued into the chapel, finding a trapdoor and going down, Fox Winifred still in his arms. Manfred and Kaleb followed. Kaleb temporarily put Edmon to sleep to rescue Fox Winifred, as Edmon’s intentions in his charmed state were unknown. Once he roused, Edmon continued deeper into the tunnels. Manfred and Kaleb followed. The group eventually ran into masked knights in the tunnels. Edmon explained his predicament, and Manfred suggested divine intervention might be the cause. Seeming impressed, one of the knights, likely (Heinrich, opened a wall to reveal the chapel where Sigisar was. The group tells Sigisar of what has happened in his absence, including Narcissa’s betrayal. The group of four is asked to wait outside by the knights, and they close the chapel once again.
Inside, Sigisar was questioned by the knights after this about his experiences in the chapel. The knights suggested to Sigisar that due to the extraordinary circumstances, Edmon might not be not the Chalice, but perhaps the Wine - someone that needs to be protected. He is told to kneel, and then is draped in a white cloak. Sigisar pledges several oaths to the Knights of the Tomb, which include not disclosing the order to outsiders, searching for the Holy The Grail, and not giving one’s real name to a potential spouse. He is knighted. The knights question Sigisar about what his next actions are - he says he will handle the crisis in Brillig, then go look for Ingrid in Einhorn. His cloak is then taken and burned in a flash of light on the altar. A knight takes the hammer and plays three notes on the chimes, opening the wall again. Outside, Edmon tells Sigisar he was in this hidden chapel previously, while it was still under construction. While there, he recalls, he drank from a golden goblet. The group, now joined by Sigisar, headed back topside to the citadel.
Up top at the citadel, the gate has finally been lowered. Sigisar went to find the majordomo. He interrogated him about Narcissa. The majordomo tells Sigisar she was apparently looking for some books. When Sigisar asked the majordomo what the books were, the majordomo replies, “ Father Confessor was a blessed soul, but not blessed with the talents of inventory”. Manfred suggested one of the books might be a heretical anatomy book that he had looked over previously, and that the priest had confiscated. The majordomo also informed Sigisar that a delegation has come requesting the town be re-granted its autonomy. Sigisar agrees to meet with three representatives of the delegation in the courtyard of the citadel. Franz, Winifred’s “friend”, is one of the three that arrive. Sigisar agrees to give control back to the town council with three stipulations: 1) Johann, the man who told the truth, must be a prominent member, 2) the city's dwarfs must be allowed free trade and travel and 3) justice will be meted out equally to all people. The representatives enthusiastically agree, and a charter is signed. Before leaving, Franz coos at Winifred. Exhausted from the events, the group retires for the night.
* * *
At the city gate, Narcissa received her escort out of the city and a rudimentary map. After getting clear of the city and entering the woods, she summoned her infernal carriage. While her familiar steered it, she read her new books inside. The book on demonology contained demonic contracts and sample invocations. While traveling through the woods at night, she began to see figures in the trees, likely bandits. She abandoned her carriage and avoided an ambush, sneaking off into the woods and bedding down for the night. Waking the next morning “cold and pissed off”, she resummoned her carriage and eventually arrived at the gates of another city. After an argument with Baeleb, he confirmed for her it is indeed Hagenburg. Narcissa approached the gate, once again announcing her intentions and flashing her medallion. The guards at the gate told her she needs a proper introduction, as they go to summon the welcoming committee.
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