Session 287 - Holy Rituals
General Summary
2nd to 16th of Kelen (Spring) 726TR
The Story So Far
The heroes have a few weeks of downtime for research, rest, relaxation, and spiritual enlightenment.
This is the continuation of Session 286 - Shadow Hunters.
Location - City of Tashal, in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 1 - The Mysterious Book
Transcribing pieces of the writing onto a scrap of paper, she asks the arcanists at the local Wizards Guild to identify it. No one has a clue; however, one of the alchemists suggests she consult with Rowanti Evenon of Cadall at the church of Save K’Nor. The elderly Loremaster is a renowned expert in languages speaking at least sixteen with the familiarity of a dozen more.
Rowanti Evenon immediately identifies the source of the script, and it is a variant of Old Elbythian, a language that uses centuries ago along the eastern shore of the distant Venarian Sea. He is aware of a more modern version being used locally by the enigmatic gypsy folk called the Night People. These notorious travelers journey the kingdoms in black wagons or river barges, which are adorned with colorful ribbons and banners. They are often accused of using the dark arts and trickery.
Part 2 - An Extravagant Ceremony
The Queen Mistress Silena, assisted by priestesses of various ranks, leads the ceremony and, after a prayer, briefly confers with each member of the congregation, who, after donating coins or valuable goods, receives flattery and tailored advice. The party donates an excellently crafted small statue of one of Halea's handmaidens, Thalia, the Princess of Fortune. The Queen Mistress proves to be extremely well-informed.
- Dryueh is praised for his skill and medicine, and charitable acts. She advises him that he needs to get to know Seperlyne of Kail, the head of the Physicians Guild in for Kaldor and one of the best Human healers alive.
- Valeria is given makeup advice and points out the merchant Loran of Virun among the gathering. He wants to sell an item of the mystical arts she might find of interest.
- Rycon is praised for his martial skill and his open-mindedness. The Queen Mistress recommends that he may want to learn more about one of Halea's handmaidens, Sardura, the Princess of Golden Wrath.
Rycon
Dryueh
Valeria
After the acolytes pass about the Holy Spiced Wine, the Queen Mistress delivers a sermon on the famous seven coins or how to handle your finances. Next, she addresses the congregation on more serious matters. The King is very ill and sadly may well pass on to the afterlife in the near future. She advises the congregation to make plans for what is likely to be a period of chaos. She suggests temporarily cutting back on extravagant expenses and makes a series of practical recommendations.
Finally, the official ceremony concludes with a Banquet of Blessed Food, and selected worshipers are invited to the bathing pool to take part in more risqué entertainment. Rycon sees his opportunity and volunteers to escort the Queen Mistress, arm in arm. With a knowing smile and some comments from the other worshippers, she accepts, and all had a fabulous time at the subsequent orgy.
Part 3 - A More Humble Ceremony
The following week Dryueh takes part in the Lesser Sapeleh Ceremony, a somewhat more dour and humble religious ceremony at the local Church of Peoni. At the confessional, events become rather more interesting. After the priest hears Dryueh's confession, he hears the priest say, “Of course, my lady,” and a feminine, cultured voice asks Dryueh, “How did your trip down the sewer last month go. I watched with great interest when you and your friends entered” the woman says with some amusement. “If you go far enough, you might have discovered the various experiments the Wizard's Guild has flushed down the drain.” Dryueh unconvincingly pleads innocence.
The woman knows that Valeria has been researching in the Wizard's Guild Library for books on Lothirm and his minions. “She will not find anything; the books are gone.” "Where are they?” Dryueh asks, “Many were stolen, and the others have been more safely secured.”
“But that was not what I want to chat about. I fear something unfortunate has happed to the Arcane Guildhall at Zeniris. Can you and your skilled companions please investigate for me and after which I would be happy to meet in person to discuss the missing books and your research? Speak with Seneschal Jarvis Rancson at Guildhall (of Arcane Lore) for more details. Please investigate this with some urgency.” When Dryueh leaves the confessional, he finds the booth empty.
The party hires a river fisherman to transport them by boat as fast to this destination as possible by the river. Valeria can’t help but notice the half a dozen black river barges used by the Night People on her journey.
Location - Outside Zeniris Manor, near Nerda Castle, in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 4 - Looters
After landing near the Zeniris, the party spot smoke and evade a patrol. They find the Guildhall or what is left of it. A wrecked two-story building with signs of explosions and fire. Parts of the roof and walls have been blown out. Suddenly elemental creatures attack from above, compressed air shaped like birds and charged with a lightning swoop and cause Havoc. The Zephyr Hawks are dangerous and eventually are destroyed. However, the characters need some time to recover from the shocking assault.
Scouting the building, the characters find it is occupied. Three people are at a broken table having a meal, and from parts of the conversation overhead, they appear like looters. One is a tattooed female wizard, one looks like a rough rogue type, and the last is a well-armored warrior. Rycon notes his shield is exceptionally sturdy and reinforced.
The rogues and wizards have various potions, elixirs, and alchemical bombs on their corpses. Additionally the party note, the wizard has a familiar tattoo on her arm. The strange L-shaped symbol is associated with Lothrim the Foulspawner.
To be continued.NPC Interactions
Rowanti Evenon of Cadall, Loremaster of the The Vault of Kelapyn-Anuz.
Queen-Mistress Silena Ekiar of the Church of the Bygone Dream.
A mysterious noblewoman.
Seneschal Jarvis Rancson of the Guildhall of Arcane Lore - Chambers of the Lost Meyvinel.
Challenges
Valeria learned information about the mysterious book.
2 x Zephyr Hawks.
3 x Looters.
Rewards
Nothing this week.
Created Content
Related Reports
Guildhall of Arcane Lore - Chambers of the Lost Meyvinel.
Temple of Save K'nor - The Vault of Kelapyn-Anuz - updated.
Temple of Halea - Church of the Bygone Dream.
Player Characters
Valeria - Human Magical Experiment - L3 Shadow Sorcerer - Beastmaster.
Rycon - Human Rebel Knight - L3 Fighter - Liberator Champion.
Dryueh - 1/2 Elf Scout - L3 Thief Rogue - Medic.
Comments