02-17-963 - A Horse, a Prophecy, and Luci's Sister walk into a Manor
General Summary
As the rest of the assembled nobility flocked around the Seer, the party regrouped to go over the night's events. Dendra didn't notice Cedric approach until he started a conversation. He complimented her on the exquisite sword she wore, and asked about it. She gave polite answers, but remained cagey about details. Cedric said he was interested in swords historically, but didn't have much talent with them. Eventually they got around to the subject of him being a Cavalry officer. Dendra expressed interest in this and told him that she is also a cavalier of sorts. Hearing this, he told her about his Lieutenant who had fallen to some bandits recently. He left Cedric his warhorse to take care of and eventually find a new rider for, but he hadn't been able to find anyone. He explained that the horse was rather difficult to handle, and that most of the others hadn't been able to get her to calm down. If Dendra wanted, she could have a try. Dendra was excited at the possibility, and Chedvah decided to go with her as a third.
Meanwhile, Luci and Nexus continued to eavesdrop on conversations to see what the rumors were. Luci heard several different accounts of trouble in the Port District. It seems fires, or robberies, or both had been occurring every few nights and the guards haven't found who's responsible. Nexus overheard that the mage the Company hired to create a Teleportation Circle in the Westerlands had completed their work, allowing quick access for small groups. There was also speculation on what the Crown Princess would think of the colony and talk about the Abbot of some monastery going over with the Visitation. He also managed to steer clear of the propositioning nobles, who had seemed to find each other and were leaving together for whatever the Afterparty meant.
At the stables, Dendra saw that Cedric seemed to know what he was about when it came to horses. They saddled the mare, named Quicksilver, and Dendra spent time getting the horse comfortable with her presence. She gave her some treats, patted her on the left side (specifically), and generally got the horse used to her. Then she took Quicksilver out into the paddock and walked her for a bit. Finally, she got into the saddle and let the horse decide where they went. Throughout this, the horse seemed to be fairly calm, but was definitely eyeing Dendra suspiciously. Despite some aggression while Dendra was feeding her an apple, she didn't manage to catch any fingers. Sensing the horse was accepting Dendra in the saddle, she tried to do a few simple maneuvers around the paddock. As soon as Dendra touched the reins, Quicksilver sprung the trap. She started bucking and rearing, running wildly around the arena, side swiping fences, anything she could do to get Dendra off. Dendra managed to keep an expert hold on the horse, and let her get it out of her system. After several minutes of this, Quicksilver finally calmed down and accepted that Dendra would be staying in the saddle. Dendra took her up to speed for a little to get some pent-up-energy out, and the horse seemed to be much more content. Cedric was thoroughly impressed by this and applauded Dendra as she returned, exclaiming that no one had managed to stay even 30 seconds in the saddle after Quicksilver started up her routine. He formally gave Quicksilver into Dendra's care, and said that she could be kept there until Dendra made arrangements.
Having gotten Quicksilver situated again, Dendra, Chedvah, and Cedric chatted in the stables for some time. Dendra drew Rasen and showed it off a bit, but had to put it away after it started speaking into Cedric's mind. They got onto the topic of the sword Cedric was looking for, the Sword of King Emon, lost by King Luthair in an ill-fated war against Canglir tribesmen to the north at the Battle of the Talbur. Dendra had heard of the sword but only knew what it was supposed to have looked like. After a lull in the conversation, Chedvah asked about Cedric's military career. Had he been to the Gate of St. Sigismund recently? She was looking for a captain that she knew and was wondering if his former Captain was the one. Cedric gave the name of his previous Captain as Cpt. Cartoso. After some more conversation, Cedric excused himself and returned to the Manor via another entrance.
Once they were back, Sinata met up with Chedvah and they discussed the night. Chedvah opened up about her past, revealing that while she was at the Gold Tower, she had developed a concoction with possible military applications. She was showing these to some Officers at the Gate of St. Sigismund, but the plans for them were stolen. Chedvah's clan was sometimes warlike and wanted to attack the Gate to gain better access to Gantrick beyond it. The concoction proved very effective and wiped out all of the clan that attacked the gate. When she returned to the clan, they branded her and refused to have anything to do with her. Sinata thanked her for sharing, but expressed sadness that she didn't feel more comfortable earlier. Chedvah explained that that was the past, and that when she heard what was happening to Sinata's and Nexus's villages she wanted to help and make sure that something like that didn't happen again.
By this time, most of the guests had left and Cedric returned to show them around. The halls were covered in old portraits, tapestries, statues, busts, and heirlooms of all kinds, to a degree that only comes after generations of accumulation. Eventually Cedric stopped in front of a painting of a old, bent man with a cloth over his eyes handing a golden key with a large ruby in the handle to a refined looking man. He explained that this depicts an old family tale:
He then summoned a servant and sent for Mr. Challender, their Chief Butler. While they waited, he explained that over the years, the key had been entrusted to their chief servant as a symbol of their office. Mr. Challender had recently come to the Manor, which he almost never does this time of year, because he felt he had to make sure his duties were being performed here as well and that the staff were adequate.
The servant appeared and Cedric explained the situation. After a little blustering that they couldn't know that these were really the ones to take the key he gave it up when Cedric insisted. Finally, Cedric handed the key to Sinata who took it gladly.
Haith and Ginsman approached from the other end of the hallway, greeting Lord Cedric and explaining that Kelren would pull through after some rest. Then, approaching from behind, someone took Luci's arm in their own as they stepped up beside him and whispered "Lucien, it's incredibly impolite to try and rob your hosts at something like this." Looking to his side, Luci saw the red hair and green eyes of his sister, Allison. Dumbfounded by the different dots connecting all at once, Luci stared for a moment. Cedric saw Allison and said "Oh hello darling, I see that you've greeted your brother finally"
"Yes," she said, "I've spoken to Lucien."
To the rest of the group, a gorgeous looking woman stood beside Luci, with striking red hair and a toned, athletic physique. "That's odd," thought Nexus, "She's human, and Luci's Half-Elven...Hmm."
Meanwhile, Luci and Nexus continued to eavesdrop on conversations to see what the rumors were. Luci heard several different accounts of trouble in the Port District. It seems fires, or robberies, or both had been occurring every few nights and the guards haven't found who's responsible. Nexus overheard that the mage the Company hired to create a Teleportation Circle in the Westerlands had completed their work, allowing quick access for small groups. There was also speculation on what the Crown Princess would think of the colony and talk about the Abbot of some monastery going over with the Visitation. He also managed to steer clear of the propositioning nobles, who had seemed to find each other and were leaving together for whatever the Afterparty meant.
At the stables, Dendra saw that Cedric seemed to know what he was about when it came to horses. They saddled the mare, named Quicksilver, and Dendra spent time getting the horse comfortable with her presence. She gave her some treats, patted her on the left side (specifically), and generally got the horse used to her. Then she took Quicksilver out into the paddock and walked her for a bit. Finally, she got into the saddle and let the horse decide where they went. Throughout this, the horse seemed to be fairly calm, but was definitely eyeing Dendra suspiciously. Despite some aggression while Dendra was feeding her an apple, she didn't manage to catch any fingers. Sensing the horse was accepting Dendra in the saddle, she tried to do a few simple maneuvers around the paddock. As soon as Dendra touched the reins, Quicksilver sprung the trap. She started bucking and rearing, running wildly around the arena, side swiping fences, anything she could do to get Dendra off. Dendra managed to keep an expert hold on the horse, and let her get it out of her system. After several minutes of this, Quicksilver finally calmed down and accepted that Dendra would be staying in the saddle. Dendra took her up to speed for a little to get some pent-up-energy out, and the horse seemed to be much more content. Cedric was thoroughly impressed by this and applauded Dendra as she returned, exclaiming that no one had managed to stay even 30 seconds in the saddle after Quicksilver started up her routine. He formally gave Quicksilver into Dendra's care, and said that she could be kept there until Dendra made arrangements.
Having gotten Quicksilver situated again, Dendra, Chedvah, and Cedric chatted in the stables for some time. Dendra drew Rasen and showed it off a bit, but had to put it away after it started speaking into Cedric's mind. They got onto the topic of the sword Cedric was looking for, the Sword of King Emon, lost by King Luthair in an ill-fated war against Canglir tribesmen to the north at the Battle of the Talbur. Dendra had heard of the sword but only knew what it was supposed to have looked like. After a lull in the conversation, Chedvah asked about Cedric's military career. Had he been to the Gate of St. Sigismund recently? She was looking for a captain that she knew and was wondering if his former Captain was the one. Cedric gave the name of his previous Captain as Cpt. Cartoso. After some more conversation, Cedric excused himself and returned to the Manor via another entrance.
Once they were back, Sinata met up with Chedvah and they discussed the night. Chedvah opened up about her past, revealing that while she was at the Gold Tower, she had developed a concoction with possible military applications. She was showing these to some Officers at the Gate of St. Sigismund, but the plans for them were stolen. Chedvah's clan was sometimes warlike and wanted to attack the Gate to gain better access to Gantrick beyond it. The concoction proved very effective and wiped out all of the clan that attacked the gate. When she returned to the clan, they branded her and refused to have anything to do with her. Sinata thanked her for sharing, but expressed sadness that she didn't feel more comfortable earlier. Chedvah explained that that was the past, and that when she heard what was happening to Sinata's and Nexus's villages she wanted to help and make sure that something like that didn't happen again.
By this time, most of the guests had left and Cedric returned to show them around. The halls were covered in old portraits, tapestries, statues, busts, and heirlooms of all kinds, to a degree that only comes after generations of accumulation. Eventually Cedric stopped in front of a painting of a old, bent man with a cloth over his eyes handing a golden key with a large ruby in the handle to a refined looking man. He explained that this depicts an old family tale:
After the First Duke Ullman had mostly pacified the region after the war, he returned to the Capital to settle some business then returned to his new Ducal Palace in Baran'tar. He arrived back late on a stormy night, and soon after he settled in a knock came at the door. Outside was the old blind man of the painting, who asked for a place to stay for the night, as all of the inns in the city wouldn't take him. Duke Merris, being a man of nobility, welcomed the man in and saw that he was given whatever he needed. The two stayed up late into the night, the old man telling tales of his life. In the morning, the Duke went to the room the man had been given to invite him to stay as long as he liked. When he entered, the man was nowhere to be found. The only thing remaining in the room was the key and a letter. The letter thanked the Duke for his kindness, and in thanks he left the Duke this key. The letter claimed that the Ullmans must keep the key, which would open no lock, but would reveal secrets beyond the seeker’s need. The one to whom the key would be bestowed would have many faces and none, and would weave threads of a life with their own hands. With them would be a seer of many times and places and a son of no father. Also in the letter was a way to recognize the one to whom the key should be given.Cedric said with a smile that this part of the tour was where they asked the question to see if the one to whom the key would be given was among the guests. He recited in it in a light-hearted manner, clearly not expecting anything of it. "A city is lost to time, and know's the tread of no feet but their own. One will come to tread within and bring a time of great change. Who was the one to step foot within the ancient halls and bring forth the spreading doom?" Sinata thought back for a moment, then gave the name of the name who first entered Aerdi and first came down with The Stagnation. The smile fell from Cedric's face and he struggled to compose himself. "Well, yes, that's it" he stammered.
He then summoned a servant and sent for Mr. Challender, their Chief Butler. While they waited, he explained that over the years, the key had been entrusted to their chief servant as a symbol of their office. Mr. Challender had recently come to the Manor, which he almost never does this time of year, because he felt he had to make sure his duties were being performed here as well and that the staff were adequate.
The servant appeared and Cedric explained the situation. After a little blustering that they couldn't know that these were really the ones to take the key he gave it up when Cedric insisted. Finally, Cedric handed the key to Sinata who took it gladly.
Haith and Ginsman approached from the other end of the hallway, greeting Lord Cedric and explaining that Kelren would pull through after some rest. Then, approaching from behind, someone took Luci's arm in their own as they stepped up beside him and whispered "Lucien, it's incredibly impolite to try and rob your hosts at something like this." Looking to his side, Luci saw the red hair and green eyes of his sister, Allison. Dumbfounded by the different dots connecting all at once, Luci stared for a moment. Cedric saw Allison and said "Oh hello darling, I see that you've greeted your brother finally"
"Yes," she said, "I've spoken to Lucien."
To the rest of the group, a gorgeous looking woman stood beside Luci, with striking red hair and a toned, athletic physique. "That's odd," thought Nexus, "She's human, and Luci's Half-Elven...Hmm."
Rewards Granted
- A Waykey of Otiluke?
- A Sealed Letter for Sinata
- Quicksilver the irritable Warhorse
Missions/Quests Completed
- Find a Waykey of Otiluke?
- Figure out what the hell Allison is up to?
Character(s) interacted with
- Cedric Ullman
- Mr. Challender, the Chief Butler to House Ullman
- Ginsman Ottlesby
- Haith Ilthex
- Allison Bellestair
Report Date
29 Mar 2022
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