Session 23 - A Lady at Rest Amidst Uncertain Times

General Summary

Moonday, Richfest 3, 591 CY

Evening

We once again debate our next steps. We elect to bring our concerns to what is left of the leadership of this settlement. Dominique spends much of her time near Mistress Lenore, seemingly in contemplation.
Astar, Orsun, Hetman Trant, and Harmon Delevenn assemble in the manor for our meeting. I say that we are here to discuss the future of the settlement, as it seems tenuous long-term. I ask for their feelings on the matter. Harmon says they aren't sure where they go from here. They've lost a lot of people. He asks our thoughts on the matter.
I suggest our small band makes our way back across the border and requests aid for the town from the Knights of the Holy Shielding. I also say we could try bringing them all with us. We also discuss getting a letter of introduction from Harmon.
Harmon feels moving so many people safely is impossible. Orsun has no interest in leaving his home, and he feels others in the area would feel the same.
Tronus asks if they want us to try and get them help from Critwall, and if so, what would that look like?
Trant interjects and says "Of course we want to be liberated by our people."
Tronus looks at Orsun and waits for a response. Orsus says "Who does not? If the Shield Lands can be liberated it would be our choice. But is it possible? Can Iuz ever be defeated?"
Harmon says "It is only be a strange circumstance that we've survived as long as we have. The forces of Iuz don't know we are here and thus assume the area is within their control. If they realized we were here, we would be dead or in chains within days."
We debate using Ringland as the base for an insurgency rather than a military bulwark that might be discovered by the forces of Iuz and overwhelmed. The knowledge of Ringland's existence might be a morale boost for the Furyondians. Maar feels we owe a debt to these people, as we would have died if we hadn't found them. Tronus mentions that he does want to see his family again.
Harmon mentions that they've had no contact with anyone in the Shield Lands for years, so they don't know the state of affairs there. Astar asks if Fuyondy might have a means to magically evacuate people. I advise that would be powerful magic and I'm not sure if they have access to such power.
We elect to have our small band exfiltrate to Critwall.
After dinner, Norric heads to the library while Dominique seeks out Orsun. He is in Lenore's room keeping vigil.
Dominique brings me a strange necklace to cast Identify upon. I do so and find that it brings resistance to cold. I ask after the item and she says it is significant to her people, and she hopes it will help her with the reason she was sent to these lands. She is on a quest for her patron Vatun, looking for some relics holy to their religion. The medallion, with the right ritual, might lead her to them. Unfortunately, she doesn't know the ritual. The goal is not clearly defined so she feels it will not interfere with our group's plans for now.
We awake in the middle of the night to see Norric thrashing about in his sleep. He has torn his bedding and rent his clothes. Maar tries to wake him. Norric tells us he had a terrible nightmare. He says he will take a walk. Maar offers to go with him.
On their walk, Norric explains he's had nightmares ever since he was bitten by that monster while we were saving the Rhenee woman. He fears tomorrow something terrible will happen to him. He's found nothing in the library. Maar's nature lore tells him that this may be a curse of lycanthropy. It is impacted by the waxing and waning of Luna. It is at its strongest when both moons are out, and in many cases is uncontrollable, especially early in the curse. Both moons will be full tomorrow evening. Maar is aware of people controlling the curse, but it is a struggle all their lives. Maar suggests we could try to cure the curse, and failing that he could take him out to the woods tomorrow as a fellow animal, hopeful that he wouldn't strike out at him. Norric doesn't want to be in town at all if this is his fate. Maar states that tomorrow night they will go out to hunt, though it may be simply the dread of having the curse that is causing these nightmares: he may not have the curse. Norric thanks Maar.

Godsday, Richfest 3, 591 CY

Morning

Maar begins a ritual to strengthen the growing of plants for the people of the area, potentially increasing the yields of their crops. Before that, however, he tells us of what Norric told him and of their plans, so that Norric doesn't need to tell us. I approve of their plan, but I wish to find a means to remove his curse. Thormyr advises us that the power of his god does allow him to dispel curses. Thormyr casts this spell upon Norric, though it isn't immediately obvious as to its effect.
More townsfolk are laid to rest. Many families burn the corpses of their loved ones. Lenore will be interred in the family crypt later. Maar goes to a nearby farm to complete his ritual and strengthen their harvest.
The bandits seem somewhat factionalized in their ranks, and do not seem to have suffered as many casualties as the Ringlanders. The bandit still have nearly sixty fighting men, and townsfolk are maybe twenty to thirty.

Afternoon

Astar performs the ceremony for Lenore. He says thank you to the mistress for protecting our lands for all the years. He announces Orsun is the rightful heir to the manor, which catches many by surprise. There is a dour and uncertain mood amongst the townsfolk. Travius circulates amongst the bandits and hears that they seem to have a lot of scorn towards Orsun, but are undecided as to their new leader amongst themselves. They try to decide between Brakken or Steffan. Brakken has a scarred face and is missing a finger, and was a confidant of the previous leader. He and Steffan seem to have opposing factions. Norric finds that the townspeople and the soldiery of the Knights of the Holy Shielding question the legitimacy of Orsun's inheritance, given that he is just a servant. Many think Trant should be in power.

Evening

There is a quiet supper for the town in memory of Lady Lenore. Chronologically it is the longest day of the year, so it is still light in the sky for some time. When the sun does finally set, people begin to disperse. The rise of Luna brings no cursed transformation to Norric.

Waterday, Richfest 3, 591 CY

Morning

Tronus and Travius go to speak to Steffan. Snowfall goes with them. Maar goes to enhance the harvest of another farm.
Tronus and Travius find a cold reception from the bandits they encounter when looking for Steffan. They tell them Steffan is with the mother of his child. Snowfall perches in a position to watch Kael's compound. Bandits exclusively have been stationed as the watch at the walls. They are also under scrutiny by bandits as they approach Steffan's home.
They speak to Steffan in his home. He tells them his people respect power, when asked about the factionalization of their ranks. Steffan doesn't think Brakken will follow him, though he is confident there will be only one faction in the end, and it will be his. Brakken never liked that Steffan and Kael were friends. Steffan claims to have bitten Brakken's finger off at some point. They will settle the leadership of their group with a public contest of strength, though that doesn't rule out a knife in the back.
Steffan makes it clear that he loves his son and is thankful we saved him. He also respects our strength. He also doesn't want anything bad to happen to Rosa. She snorts at this, and says that he hits her.
If Brakken has his way, this will be his town soon. Steffan, however, wouldn't betray his people. Tronus says he would support Steffan if he doesn't "bring harm to anyone." If he does, Tronus will have words with him when he gets back. Steffan says he isn't scared of Tronus, but is appreciative of the way we saved his boy (including exorcising his demon.) Steffan pledges to maintain the status quo if he takes power. But he says the only reason the bloodbath hasn't started yet is because we are here right now. The first one Brakken's faction will string up is Trant (and Steffan has no love for Trant.)
Steffan tosses a small sack onto the table and says if we help him fill it he may be able to achieve his goals. He unties the bag and dumps the contents, showing three finger bones. He says there is another nine where this came from. He wants us to stick around and keep things balanced until he is able to secure leadership. Steffan agrees to make his move while we are still there, tomorrow. Travius swears a blood oath with Steffan on this. Steffan says that if we don't kill Brakken then he will take over when we're gone. Travius says he won't preemptively kill Brakken. Steffan says his family will never be safe while Brakken lives.

Report Date

23 Apr 2022