An Unexpected Journey
General Summary
The Morning Dawns
The morning dawned bright and clear in Beyonder’s Blades. Just the day before, Mo made the decision to tell her friends about her true identity as an heir to the throne of Ivannia. She also gained their support as they agreed to accompany her on her journey back to her floating city. Tidran, however, was totally ignorant of Mo’s choice. After Cassandra got up and found him working on a project outside, she hastily informed him of all that had transpired and begged him to come with everyone on the journey. Tidran carefully considered it and agreed after Cassandra’s pleading (and her agreement to help him finish the woodworking project he was currently doing). Mo left the inn to meet Grazelle, the Ivannian diplomat, near Bane’s Tree in the center of town. But as she walked through the door, a familiar face slipped in behind her. Sih’Teel had returned with no explanation but many legendary stories. He began to regale an unfortunate group of travelers with grand tales of adventure. After a few minutes, he carefully followed Mo to the tree without her noticing. “Ah, Lady Morganna. It is time to begin our journey,” Grazelle said pleasantly. “Do you have any companions that you wish to bring with you?” “Yes,” Mo replied. As her companions began to arrive, she introduced them one by one. Soon Tidran, Cassandra, Farren, Dante, and Breaker gained Grazelle’s acquaintance. Sirkel, too busy cooking a new mushroom soup recipe, could be depended on to join later. But no party could be complete without Sih’Teel’s grand gestures and personality. The dapper Jack walked smoothly into the center of the group and introduced himself with a bow to Grazelle. He took her hand and kissed it graciously. Grazelle looked at Mo with a raised eyebrow. “Is he to come with us?” She asked, politely extricating her hand from Sih’Teel’s oily grip. At once, tensions rose between Breaker and Sih’Teel while Mo sought to give Sih’Teel the benefit of the doubt. Mo’s words overcame Breaker’s disagreement although Sih’Teel couldn’t avoid all of Breaker’s dirty looks. After all, Sih’Teel did seem to have it out for Breaker for an odd reason. The group just couldn’t understand why. Before the group departed, everyone received a cypher or two from the cypher box that Grazelle carried! They visited Chelvin, the Aeon priest living in the nearby clearing, to understand how to use all their new devices. As the group gathered once more, Grazelle reviewed the travel path with Mo and her companions. They were to travel from Beyonder’s Blades to Ephremon, pass to the pirate town of Ingwald, and then take the Welbyway through the canals to Nebalich. From there, they could take a ship across the Sere Marica and travel through a few more stops on their way to Ivannia and the Amorphous Fields. The group debated for a time on which path to take to Nebalich. After all, pirates were dangerous! But so were the uncharted deserts on the more direct route. The group decided to face the pirates over the unknown. And so the group was off! In two days, they reached the city of Ephremon.The Lady Falgreen
After two days of traveling south through the cool, dry woods of the Ba’Adenu Forest, they came within sight of Ephremon! The beautiful city was surrounded by a ring of protective trees with thick trunks and vibrant leaves. Inside the gates, the original builders had created a five tiered structure that allowed house and shops to be built anywhere from inside the roots to the high trunks of the tremendous trees. Grazelle quickly procured shelter for the night on the first tier. The system of ladders, platforms, and swings that connected all the levels looked incredibly intimidating to the travelers. However, the green-clad natives of Ephremon traveled everywhere with ease. Once the travelers were secure in their snug tree cabin for the day, Grazelle mentioned the Lady Falgreen and also introduced Kaya, an Ephremon scout who agreed to be their guide during their stay. “The Lady Falgreen always gives a blessing to pious travelers,” Grazelle explained. “I often visit her when I stop here.” Mo and company agreed to ascend to the top tier to visit the “lady.” After some near slips, everyone eventually navigated to the fifth level. Mo and Grazelle gracefully floated instead. Kaya climbed and navigated with the greatest of ease. The view from the top tier was worth the climb. A splendid mansion stood under the drapings of emerald foliage. The travelers, led by Grazelle and Kaya, walked softly on the wooden platform to the door of the mansion. However, the beauty ended there. A shrill scream broke the peaceful mood. At once, everyone covered their ears at the dreadful sound! A tall and beautiful sprite, with a green gown, light skin, and twisted hair made of roots, drifted out from the mansion doors and wailed. Kaya squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and quickly explained the situation. “Lady Falgreen has been like this for a few weeks. No one has gotten any sleep. Perhaps you could help her?” She managed to choke out before another siren-like noise sounded from the Falgreen. Lady Falgreen turned to the travelers, her face contorted with agony. “Bring me the child with the third eye!” She said. Kaya took the group aside and summed up the situation. “A Mlox village between here and Curtaris was recently destroyed by Angulan Knights. They hate mutants, you know. The Falgreen is convinced that there is a survivor, a child, left in the ruins. Could you help us recover it? The Falgreen, I’m sure, will be glad to give you a blessing if you help her.” Mo felt pulled two ways. On one hand, a child was in trouble. On the other hand, angering the Angulan Knights in the midst of an already tense diplomatic situation could be the worst decision she could make as an Ivannian representative. She asked Grazelle for advice. “The Angulan Knights have an uneasy alliance with us,” Grazelle explained. “We don’t bother them and they don’t bother us.” “But what is our connection to Ephremon? Are we allies?” Mo asked. “We have given them some help with their technology. If we help the child, we do run the risk of encountering the Angulan Knights. But if we are secretive, we may be able to accomplish both of our goals.” Grazelle replied. Mo talked it over with the group, still unable to make a decision. Sih’Teel, after finding out that they could get handsomely rewarded for their efforts, tried to broker an agreement on his own. Finally the group decided to assist after Breaker discovered that the town ruins were only a day’s travel from Ephremon. Grazelle stayed quietly to the side for most of the discussion, only offering background information. After all, she told Mo, she would be required to make decisions like this as a royal someday. It was best to start early. Kaya, the Ephremon scout, agreed to guide the travelers to the town the following morning. Before the nightfall, Tidran asked Kaya who had expertly wood crafted the houses he saw. Kaya pointed him toward Merrick Tameron in the second level. Tidran received a pleasant reception from the middle-aged carpenter. Merrick sat in a chair in front of a desk while working on a project. Tidran politely inquired about the wood crafting and received three plans for various level houses. Merrick also invited Tidran to visit again next time he was in Ephremon.Under the Watchful Eye of a Xi-Drake
Dariyana and Cassandra stayed behind at Ephremon. They were so weary from their journey that neither of them could barely keep their eyes open! Grazelle also stayed behind at Ephremon. Kaya led Mo, Tidran, Breaker, Farren, Dante, and Sih’Teel to the town ruins. They arrived around dusk and hid behind the tree line while formulating a plan. First, Mo decided, they needed more information. Farren and Sih’Teel hid behind the tree line while Kaya, Dante, Mo, Tidran, and Breaker climbed a nearby hill to get a bird’s eye view. Kaya warned them that Angulan Knights and their dragon-like mounts, the xi-drakes, were very perceptive and to be careful about sneaking around. So the group tried to climb. As they ascended the hill, Dante tripped on a jutting root, resulting in a sore ankle! Mo was not to be deterred. She quickly picked up Dante and slung him over her shoulder, bridal style. Dante moaned a bit in embarrassment. The group reached the top of the hill and looked over the town. To the west, they saw Sih’Teel and Farren behind the tree line. It looked like Sih’Teel was trying to interest Farren in a story while waving a spoon from his pack. To the center of the town ruins, they saw an armored and alert Angulan Knight sitting on a wooden crate while his resplendent xi-drake mount sat beside him. But to the east, they saw a small, moving object close to the trees. Having collected that information, the four people clambered down the hill and rejoined Farren, saving her from the epic spoon saga as told by Sih’Teel. “There’s a twenty minute gap when the knight switches with another guard. I think they’ve gotten lazy. They’ve been looking for any survivors but haven’t found any yet.” Kaya said breathlessly on their return. The group debated on their plan of action. Sih’Teel offered to distract the guard with a story while others suggested that they wait for the changing of the guards. Finally, the second plan won. After the Angulan Knight mounted his xi-drake and left the town, Breaker quickly snuck to the east treeline to find out what the moving object was. To his surprise, he found a baby! It was unhappy but nonetheless appeared healthy and safe in its basket. Mo, Farren, Dante, Tidran, and Sih’Teel arrived quickly. Farren disabled the perception field that had hid the baby from the watching gaze of the xi-drake. Apparently it had muffled noise, too, because the baby’s cries were evident once it was free from the field. “Take this baby and run!” Mo commanded. The group flew off into the night just in time for another guard and xi-drake to land in the center of town! Everyone, including Dante who had tripped yet again, eventually made it far away. The moon’s gentle light filtered through the treetops and shown on their way to Ephremon. Exhausted, the group reached the city and climbed up the ladders and platforms to the top of the city. The Lady Falgreen awaited them. The Lady, now calm, gently took the baby from Mo. She crooned to it and rocked it back in forth in her arms. Then she floated back inside her mansion while Kaya followed her to help with the infant. After about ten minutes, the Lady Falgreen re-emerged. By this time, Grazelle had joined the party as well. “Thank you for restoring him,” Lady Falgreen said soothingly, “The baby will be well looked after and kept safe in our sanctuary. Now, I must give you a blessing each.” At first people were reluctant to step forward. But gradually everyone did. The Lady Falgreen gave gifts of speed, ease of effort, and extra might to the travelers. They would need all the help they could get as they faced the pirates of Ingwald at their next stop.Rewards Granted
Blessings for Each Traveler
Cyphers for Each Traveler
Missions/Quests Completed
Rescued the Mlox survivor
Strengthened diplomatic relations between Ephremon and Ivannia
Traveled further to Ivannia