Session 52 - The Ball Awaits
General Summary
8th Harvest
The day of the masquerade ball dawned and the party gathered over breakfast to discuss what else needed to be prepared. Vellikar and Ranunkel were still very uncertain about what to expect but were quite keen to go. The rest of the group seemed to have mixed attitueds as well with Janroa grumpling, "At least I'll be able to go home when this thing is done." Ell happened to join just in time to hear the comment and chuckled, "I promise it won't be that bad. From what I know of Guildmaster Faelran, there will be a mix of the upper crust there, not just the nobility." Turning to Denye, he pulled a folded piece of parchment out a pocket and added, "I keep forgetting to show you this note. I got from the Queen's Senseschal, but it's just a pretty poem. You're good with puzzles, maybe youll find something I missed." As the wizard took the note and began examining it, Ranunkel asked, "Who exactly is all going to be there?" Ell shurgged, "Beyond the Faelran family, I'm honestly not sure. Linira was the one who suggested it, but I'm not even sure that she is attending. Guildmaster Panelen has been head of the Silversmith guild for 35-40 years and seems likely to keep it for another 30 years. His wife, Frowyn, is fairly typical for the wives of that level of power. She tends to rely on the housekeeper and staff to keep the estate in order and generally amuses herself as she can...rumors are that one of the pleasures is a case of light skirts." The last was said in a bit of an embarrassed rush as Ell colored at the statement. Clearing his throat, he went on, "There are two boys, Barrich and Xoni. Supposed this party is to celebrate Barrich making first-level master within the silversmiths guild, but beyond that he's fairly boring. Xoni, on the other hand, used to run around with Gorscha. Now that I think about it, that may be why Linira suggested this party. Beyond that, I'm not sure who will be there, likely several other members of the Silversmiths guild, along with masters from other guilds. Probably some other nobles, maybe even a few of the clerics...basically the movers and shakers of Haven." Janora groaned, "So does that mean we'll have to spend the entire party bowing and scrapping?" "No, no," replied Ell, "not at all, especially with it being a masked ball. Anyway, that sort of protocol is really only expected in court." Denye, who had been examining the note while the others were talking, had realized that the spacing of the lines was odd. Bringing a candle over, the wizard ran the paper slowly over the flame and as the paper heated a secret message appeared. It was cyphered but it only took Denye a few minutes to translate the hidden message to read, "RUMORS OF A NEW DEATH CULT GAINING A FOOTHOLD IN DREFORD. LITTLE IS KNOWN OTHER THAN THAT THE GROUP CALLS THEMSLEVES THE TAKEN." Shaken a little by the message, she wrote it out and handed both back to Ell with a nervous chirp. Ell read the note, "Well, that's more than I knew before. I wonder if this was for me or for us as a group? Well, Jilken did want to go to Dreford to look for that Evenoak fellow. But who knows, we might be able to put out a few feelers this evening." "Speaking of this evening," said Janora, leaning forward, "what exactly is our plan for this party?" With that question, the group turned their attention to firming up plans and elaborating on what kind of information they were looking for.That evening as Ell was putting the finishing touches on his costume, one of the inn boys knocked on the door, "Master Ell, sir, your carriage is downstairs. Shall I tell him that you'll be down directly?" Ell looked confused and muttered, "I don't think I ordered a carriage, did I?" Opening the door, he smiled at the boy and said, "Thank you for the message, please let the driver know that we will be down in a few moments." As the boy scampered away, Ell knocked on his teammates doors and let them know that their ride was here and it was time to go to the ball. Still curious about who may have sent the coach, Ell headed downstairs to speak with the driver. That worthy fellow, a balding, portly fellow couldn't give Ell a name, only that it was a servant in livery that sounded very like House Darnet. That suspicion was confirmed when the young man looked inside and found the note that had been left on the seat. It seemed Linira had expected Ell to forget this practical aspect and so had arranged it herself. She had also received word that Count Longdew, the halfling noble she had asked Ell to look into, would be wearing a mask of a ram's face and horns. It wasn't long before the rest of the party joined Ell in the courtyard and while it was a bit of a tight fit, they got everyone inside and on their way. As they rode through the city streets, Ell shared the last minute intel he had received and everyone reviewed their parts of the plan. Within the hour, the party was pulling up at a wrought iron fence, behind which the high gray façade of a large three story mansion rose. The gate in the outer wall displays a heraldic crest of a black crane in front of crossed pikes on a yellow field. The front doors of the manse are thrown wide and the light of lamps and the sound of revelry spill out onto the front courtyard. A paved path leads around to the side of the house and several outbuilding including a stable and a greenhouse. Jilken was the first to emerge from the coach, wearing a costume highlighting her somewhat bestial nature. Knee-high boots of a dark-gray suede, the toes of which were covered in fur and crystal to look like claws. Likewise she had gloves for the hands that sported similar claws and the hood of her hellhound cloak had been refashioned to add a wolf skull, including a detachable lower jaw that hid her face well. Under the cloak, she had a dark leather corset inlaid with bone, that contained several surprises, should they be necessary. The outfit was finished off by a black leather skirt that was split to mid-thigh on both sides. Ell, adjusting his goblin mask, was the next to step out. His outfit was a white blouse under an ice-blue brocade doublet that flares out just a little over the hips and indigo linen trousers speckled with white/silver/bronze embroidery suggesting constellations in the night sky. A white leather belt with a small pouch and a silk high-collared cape matching the trousers, and stiff black short boots with a low heel completed the outfit. Tear of Midnight Sorrow was right behind him, very excited to be going to such an important party. His costume was that of a gnome, with a red, pointed cap and travelers cloak. Janora followed the others, pulling their own mask down. The witch had chosen to dress in all black with loose linen shirt and baggy pants that gathered at the ankles. Overtop this they wore a shin-length black leather vest covered in black and deep purple embroidery to show a forest scene. Dark amethyst gems glittered among black lace at the cuffs and neck of the shirt. Janora's mask was that of a large wolf skull, cleaned except for the dark pointed ears and painted with a decorative sigil in a deep purple paint with her hair teased up and out into a wild mane. Vellikar and Ranunkel were the next to exit the carriage, one on the heels of the other. Vellikar had chosen an emerald green chiffon split skirt over a pair of tan colored calfskin trousers and belt of golden twining vines. Shirtless, he completed the outfit by Druidcrafting vines around his legs and biceps as well as giving himself a lovely flower crown. The druid's mask was one that he had carved himself to resemble an owl. Ranunkel on the other hand had chosen to go with an amber honeycomb mask The rest of his costume consited of a tri-corner hat and a long black cape affixed to the hat, almost the reverse of a ghost in a white sheet. Denye, who thus far was still wearing her normal clothes, was the last to emerge. Just before she did so, the wizard tapped the small crystal at her throat and triggered the Disguise Self spell that she had implanted earlier. No longer the dark, winged Corvum, she was now a tall Cervan with cream colored fur and large amber eyes. Already almost 6ft tall, her graceful 8-point antlers curve upwards giving her almost another foot of height. From each antler tip hung a small sparkling bauble and a lovely golden ribbon was woven in between the antlers. She wore a light green top with a darker green felt vest covered in golden stitching that looked almost as they were arcane sigils as well as a skirt of matching deep green felt with embroidery around the base. To complete the outfit, Denye had a bandolier of small pouches strung across her chest and an emerald green domino mask affixed to the end of her muzzle with a bit of spirit gum. As the others gaped in surprise, Denye smiled and said, "If I've done it right, this should last for about 4 hours." Jilken grunted, "I can't imagine that we'd be here that long." "It won't come to that," replied Denye, "I'd walk out first and head back to the inn." "Well," said Ell with a grin, "shall we head inside? Sooner started, sooner finished as they say." The others agreed and Ell let the group up to the door where a valet was waiting to check invitations. It only took a moment or two for the servant to check the name against his list and the party was ushered inside with a bow and a "Welcome to Faelran Manor, please enjoy yourselves." The foyer of the manor house was relatively empty, with only a few servants standing or rushing around. The sound of conversation drifted out the nearby library and the sounds of music and dancing could be heard coming from the ballroom beyond. A large staircase let up to the second floor where the sounds of laughter and the smell of pipesmoke could be found. As soon as the party entered, Janora approached the nearest servant and asked, "Where are the drinks?" "Beverages are available in the ballroom, the courtyard, the library..." began the servant before trailing off as Janora stalked off toward the ballroom. Taking that as their cue to spill up and mingle, Denye and Jilken headed up to the second floor landing while Ell, Tear, and Vellikar decided to check out the library. Not wanting to leave Janora alone, Ranunkel followed the witch towards the back of the house. As Jilken and Denye climbed the stairs, the Aiel slowed a bit to allow Denye time to get ahead. She quickly began circulating through the gathered guests, asking names and making pleasant small talk. Every once in a while she would perform a small illusion or other magic trick that would garner applause. While Denye was being social, Jilken took the opposite approach, hanging back and waiting for any who were daring enough to approach. A group of five were seated around a card table in the back and shortly after Jilken and Denye came upstairs, one of the figures, an older balding gentleman with a molded leather mask that resembled an otter pushed his chair back with a laugh and stood up. "Well, that will be all for me," he said, "unlike your august personages I am but a humble secretary." One of the other card players, an older human woman dressed all in black and with a crow's mask, snorted, "Only a humble secretary, my left toe, Master Pisiti, but be off with ye. I'm sure Master Panelen has something for you to handle." The other players ignored the comment and as the man laughed weakly and headed downstairs, one of the others, a halfling with bright red hair and a broken and mended pottery mask called out, "Anyone interested in a hand or two of Three-Dragon Ante?" Over the party radio, Denye asked, "Jilken, what do you say? I know you tend to enjoy a good game of chance." "Well, I generally prefer dice games," protested Jilken, "but I do actually know how to play Three-Dragon. Learned it on the boat ride up here last winter." With that Jilken threaded her way over to the table and asked, "You might have to explain the rules to me, but I'm always game for a few hands." "Capital," replied the halfling clapped his hands, "please have a seat. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kasfire Jeewsti and this is Lady Esrina Haverlocke, Guildmaster Reyfalen Vallynn, and Grand Tinker Limjaz Gormraith." The old woman in the crow mask, now identified as Esme Haverlocke, cackled again. "You did it again...giving everyone else's titles but leaving off your own...isn't that right Mr. Earl of Rubresh." The Earl laughed heartily, "What can I say, Esrina? You know how I feel about the title. More a responsibility than an honor." As the halfling picked up the cards and began to shuffle them. "Speaking of which, your cloak reminded me, did any of you hear about the wolf attacks in the forest north of Mosshall and west of the Basin this past spring?" When no one claimed knowledge he went on, "It was the strangest thing, usually you'll get more attacks in Kindling as the food runs out and everything is covered in snow. But these attacks all happened last Planting. Never did find out exactly what it was that was killing folk. I had just about made up my mind to put together a force and go hunt the beasts when the attacks all stopped, almost overnight. I've sent a few groups of scouts and there is no sign of those monsters anywhere." Satisfied that Jilken was well occupied, Denye headed downstairs to see how the others were getting on.
Meanwhile, down in the ballroom, Janora used a bit of thaumaturgy as they entered to causing the wind to whip up a bit and candles to darken. As the witch approached the drinks table, a pair of figures, one human and other gnomish turned and watched their progress. The gnome, had golden blond hair sticking up every which way, and wore a mask featuring a weaving with a large pair of scissors framing the face. As Janora neared he spoke up asking, "Janora, Janora Crowcaller, is that you?" Janora looked at him closely, but only said, "I beg your pardon, do I know you?" "It is rather hard to tell who is who with these masks," said the gnome with a laugh. Pushing his mask up on his face he went on, "It's me, Erky Timbers. You and your friends helped me get out the situation with the goblins and the kobolds last Planting." "Of course," replied Janora with a nod, "Please forgive me, we have been doing quite a bit of traveling and it's difficult to keep track of names." Turning to the table, the witch picked up one of the glasses and slammed the drink in a single gulp, before picking up a second glass and turning back to the conversation. "Sorry about that, I just really hate these kinds of parties." The other figure, a human woman wearing rich looking robes and a mask that looked like a nightengale laughed, "I know what you mean. It does get quite stuffy in here at times." Erky nodded and said, "Janora, may I introduce you to my friend, Esme Silvertongue. She is High Chantress of the temple to Milil here in Haven." "Ahh, a fellow musician," offered Janora, "well I do have my pipes with me if you are planning a performance and would like some accompaniment." Ms. Silvertongue laughed, "Oh I do apprciate the offer, but I am merely a guest tonight. The group of students that Master Panelen has hired are quite good and I wouldn't want to take away their spotlight." Changing the subject, Esme asked, "Is this your first time in Haven? No, I'm sorry, that's a silly question, Erky here just said that you have been traveling all around Paxtopa." Janora nodded, "Yes, the group I've been traveling with has certainly gotten around as of late. I've been to Haven a few times. It's quite nice...for a city. I really prefer the quite of the deep forest." Quaffing the second drink, the witch belched and sat the empty glass down before picking up a third beverage. While Janora and the two clerics were talking, Ranunkel spent a moment or two watching Janora interreact before decided that they were likely okay by their self and began to circulate through the room, watching the dancefloor in trepidation. He was quickly distracted by the tables of snacks, both sweet and savory that had been laid out for the party and quickly began filling several plates for himself.
Over in the library, Ell found the lady of the house, Lady Frowyn organizing a party game. He quickly agreed to join once he learned it was to be a trivia game, assuming of course that he could use the earrings to ask the others for answers. Vellikar considered joining in as well, but decided it was better to stand back and watch as Tear was doing. Ell proved to be correct and managed to win the contest by answering eight of the ten questions correctly. For his trouble, the mistress of the house presented him with a small coinpurse. She also slipped a key into his hand along with a whispered invitation for him to join her in the guest bedroom in a few hours to "show her if his tongue was as quick as his mind." Embarrassed and a little uncertain, Ell pocketed the key and gathering up his friends wandered back toward the ballroom as Vellikar asked what that was all about. Ell gave him the basics, but kept it vague. He was quite relieved a moment later when through the earring, Janora suggested they come out to the garden. He and Tear headed outside while Vellikar went over to speak with Ranunkel who was still working his way through several overloaded plates.
Back upstairs at the card game, Jilken laughed and displaying her hand before reached once more for the pot of coins strewn on the table. As she was doing so, Lady Haverlocke leaned over to Guildmaster Vallynn, a half-elf with shoulder length amber hair, dressed in elaborately woven robes depicting a forest a twilight and a mask of a bronze and emerald silk moth. The older woman asked, "So Reyfalen, are you going to be having any trouble sourcing wool and flax this year? I've heard the market is quite volatile at the moment." "No, no, no" replied Reyfalen Vallynn, "it is all in hand. At Weavers we like plan ahead and already have several long-term contracts. In fact, I was just able to arrange to purchase several farms worth of next Blossoming's chirra fleeces for two-thirds of what they will likely go for next year." "What difficulties would those be," asked Jilken, "if I may ask? The wolves that Earl Jeewsti had mentioned?" "Not at all, dear boy," replied Esrina Haverlocke, "I simply work in shipping and transport and so tend to pick up on a lot of the conditions around Ellebore. No, it was that plague that ripped through Caisia last season, seems it was took quite a bit of the livestock as well as a good number of the people. Thank Istus that it didn't cross the Summerburgs, whatever that was...it was a nasty bug." Jilken grimaced, "I see, my people do not do much in the way of farming or herding so this has all been new to me." The last member of the table, a gnome in a robotic face mask that even mimicked facial gestures, asked, "May I presume that you are from the desert of Umberfell?" "I am," replied Jilken, before adding, "I'm sorry, I don't think I got your name." The gnome grinned madly and said, "Not a worry, my dear, I am Limjaz Gormraith, Grand Tinker of Nebulan, here in Haven." "Nebulan," mused Jilken, tilting her head to the side in thought, "I can't say that I've heard of that one." "Not that unusual," said the cleric, loosing only a little of his enthusiasm, "Nebulan is the gnomish god of dreamers, inventors, and engineers. We explore the physical world and seek to push forward the boundaries of our understanding and our science." "It can be good to push back boundaries sometimes," agreed Jilken, "but sometimes those boundaries are there for a reason. The real problem is that you can't always tell until you've tried." "Exactly," pronounced Limjaz, "there is always information to be gained, even if sometimes the information comes with consequences, it is still important to know! The knowing is the important thing." In a mercurial flash, the cleric, pointing at Kasfire and asked, "Speaking of strange stories, have you heard the one about the ghost castle?" At the nobles denial, Limjaz began telling them all of the strange, floating glass castle that would appear several times a year in the mountains near his childhood home in Bricolor Falls. It only appeared when both Rilar and Arini were full in the sky and always in the same spot. He had even been up to see the half span of bridge that jutted out into the open air when the castle was not there. No one knew what lay inside however as no one who entered was ever seen again. This was fascinating to Jilken and she quickly relayed it all to Denye through the earrings so she could write it all down. But after winning the third hand in a row, the Aiel elf, thanked the party for the game and headed downstairs to find a drink and her companions.
Downstairs in the ballroom, Janora was still in engaged in conversation with the pair of clerics. Taking the measure of this priestess of Milil, Janora asked, "I would be curious to here your take on the strange happenings that seem to have been plaguing Ellebore this year?" "Indeed," replied Esme Silvertongue, "it does seem as if there have been quite a few problems cropping up. There was of course the plague that decimated the Cassian population and the other problems they have had since. I've also heard reports of other strange magical creatures and demons appearing once more. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you and your friends have taken care of several of those. No one has been able to find any connections that I've heard of, the current theory at the temple is that it has to do with the reenergized Weave raising the ambient magical levels of the continent." With a laugh she added, "If Milil knows the tale, he has yet to share it with us." Janora snorted, "That's the problem with gods, they never share the important information." Erky started to protest, but Janora contiued over him, "You said Caisia has been having other problems? I had heard about the plague, but not that they had further ills visited on them." "Well," began Esme, "you know how it is? The Caisians are so insular and that priesthood keeps a tight control on information...but I have heard that there have been earthquakes along the Wall recently. None yet strong enough to threaten the structure, but no one really knows what would happen if the Wall were to fall. What's honestly more troubling is that I've heard there have been an increase in the numbers of undead that have been daring the Fire Gates...and getting through. The Lightwardens have it under control for the moment, but there have also been a few whispers of unrest among the populace at large, and if it becomes an issue, the Sunpriests may pull on the troops for domestic control." Janora nodded, their mouth gone dry at the thought of 10% of a nation of freshly dead corpses. To cover for it, the witch slammed the drink in their hand and picked up a fourth, Turning back to Esme, Janora said, "That's quite disturbing, have you heard anything else." "Not really," replied the cleric, "I only know that much because I have an old friend in Keep Vigil, who writes a few times a year. My temple as well as several others are gathering some humanitarian caravans of grain. While I have little love or respect from the ruling class, but with that much population loss, the people will likely struggle to bring in crops...assuming they were even able to be planted." "That is quite good of you," said Janora, "and thank you for the information. It has been lovely to chat with you, but I think I could use some air." Downing the fourth drink, the witch made their way out into onto the garden patio. It was quite a lovely garden. The large tiled patio sported a number of wrought iron tables and chairs as well as a large roaring firepit at the center and was bordered by planters filled with a variety of flowers. While not quite as packed as the ballroom, there were probably at least 40-50 individuals conversing and laughing together in small groups. Even above the laughter, the ring of steel on steel could be heard coming from a small dueling circle that had been set up to one side of the garden. On the other side of the patio was another tent, this one a red and pink stripped tent with a sign proclaiming, "Mistress Vera Starspeare knows all...step inside and learn your future." Seeing the fortune-teller's tent, Janora shook her and muttered a curse about frauds. Reconsidering, they spoke through the earrings, "Hey Ell, there is a fortune-teller out here. Seems like it might be a good place for Tear to loiter, people tend to spill secrets to those kind of folk." Ell responded in kind, "That is a great idea...especially now that people are starting to loosen up and get drunk." Over the link, Janora chuckled, "Give me a moment and they will be getting even drunker." Making their way over to another table set with cups and a large punch bowl and half a dozen wine carafes, Janora grinned. Glancing quickly around to make sure there was no one close, the witch quietly cast Destroy Water on the various drinks. Cups and bowl were now only about half-full, but they were twice as strong as before. Picking up a cup, Janora threw it back. The taste of alcohol was strong, but just like the drinks before it had no effect on the witch. They were just refilling the cup when a voice behind them spoke, "That's not'a bad trick. Should make the party a bit more lively, at any rate." Janora turned, pulling their self up to full height as they did so, before asking, "And pray tell, what trick would that be ma'am?" The speaker, an tallish orc woman with deep blue skin, thick black hair done up in braids, with a number of gold bands and blue/green gemstones, with a mask of some sort of water elemental laughed and said, "That was a Destroy Water spell if I've ever seen one, I can taste it on the air." Spotting Jilken coming outside and heading over to the dueling ring, Janora shrugged, "You may be right. Either way, I love this whole look you have going on far. Please excuse me for a moment, but don't go far, I would love to chat. I just need to tell my friend something first." Leaving the orc woman, Janora caught Ell near the center of the patio and the pair caught up with the Aiel warrior.
Back in the ballroom, Denye had finished taking down notes on the various information passed along by the others, and began to circulate among those standing around the periphery of the dancing, doing small magic tricks and making small talk. Ranunkel and Vellikar were mingling as well, but Ranunkel's lack of height was working against him here and he only got occasional glances of anyone not within 20-30 ft. Vellikar on the other hand, could see a little bit better over the crowds and so spotted a halfling wearing a ram's head mask on the dance floor near the three musicians. As the next song began to strike up, Vellikar, wanting to be helpful, made his way over and took up a spot next to Count Longdew. It was a simple line dance with two lines on either side and pairs coming together to dance down the middle. The firbolg druid picked up the steps easily enough and even managed to take the lead as he and a young human woman in a flowing sapphire gown and a mask of a cat, danced down the aisle. As the dance ended, Vellikar followed Count Longdew over to the refreshment table. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, he reached a hand out to shake, intending to say, "Count Quinras Longdew, I presume." What actually happened was that Vellikar hit the wine glass and spilled the red all over the halfling, while blurting out, "I'm rich!" The Count looked Vellikar up and down in amazement, "My good sir, how dare you! Do you see what you have done to my robe?" "I am terribly, terribly sorry," said Vellikar, taking the towel a servant was offering and trying to dab at the growing stain, "I will pay for it to be cleaned...or replaced, whatever would make up for this tragedy. I...I was just so nervous to meet you, I have heard great things about your businesses and how your nose and business skills are just amazing. This was all just a terrible accident, I was so excited to speak to you. I'm a potential investor, I wanted to speak to you about a potential partnership of sorts." The halfling grabbed the towel and with the glass of seltzer began scrubbing a bit harder. Gruffly he said, "Well I am always on the look out for a profitable deal. What sort of business are you in? I can't say as I've ever seen anyone quite like you, if I am honest." "Oh you know, trading," replied Vellikar, trying to think fast, "I am from a long line of traders, that's traders not traitors, people who trade, tradesmen. My family is in the textile business, we represent several villages in the Pelagris and I've been sent to explore expanding our network into Haven and I heard you were just the man I had to speak to. I had thought perhaps you might be interested in some wholesale pricing that would perhaps lower your profit margins." Taking an involuntary step backwards at the name of the western forest, Count Longdew nodded, "I've heard that forest was a strange place, never been myself. But yes, my business interests are varied around the continent. What kind of textiles are you speaking of? Woven rugs and blankets, yarns, wool?" "Oh ah," began Vellikar, "Some woven work, but we already produce more wool than we can spin, that's why we're looking for new buyers...oh and dyes as well...oh and furs too. We also do some business in foodstuffs, particularly wheat and other grains." "Well those both sound promising," said the Count, "I have several large grain orders at the moment that I was looking to fill. As I'm sure you know Paxtopa produces much of the grain for the rest of the continent. Demand has been high of late, what with the late rains in Blooming in the southlands that stunted crops. Even the Sunpriests of Caisia are looking to buy and they almost never look outside their own borders." Vellikar nodded vigorously, "Excellent, excellent. If I may ask a question, as you say I am not from around here, who or what are these Sunpriests? I've heard of Caisia recently, rumors of some sort about a sickness or other recent trouble, but I don't know anything else about the place." Count Longdew stiffened ever so slightly before replying in a measured tone, "Well, it's a theocracy run by the Sunpriests who worship a god called Kandis, Lord of Light. They are generally an insular people and all look fairly similar with dark hair and eyes. Oh yes magic, well it's a new thing for us all but other than the priests it is outlawed without clerical decree." Thinking for a moment, he added, "And of course you know of the Wall and the Lost Kingdom in the first Great War." Vellikar shook his head, "As I said, while my family has a number of business contacts, I am not nearly as traveled as you. Would you perhaps share the story of this wall?" Count Quinras accepted another glass of wine from the servant and took a sip, "Let me see, it's quite ancient history, but I have been to the Wall and see the Gates of Flame myself. I don't recall many of the details but the short version is that when Ellebore was first settled, it was on a peninsula of land south of what is now Caisia that humans and elves first landed. Some time later when modern Caisia was mostly settled and the frontier was pushing west past the Summerburgs, that nation was taken over by a powerful necromancer and he began raising armies of undead to attack these Tamed Lands. In the end the necromancer was defeated, but the taint of death couldn't be cleansed from the land and so the entire penisula was moved out of our reality...don't ask me how, I don't know much about magic, but I don't think anything like that is possible now." He paused to take another drink before contiuing, "Because there were still people, alive and trying to survive in that land, that piece of reality was anchored to ours at the Wall. It's got to be 1000 years old, but it's still standing and not a brick has fallen out. There are even gates, three of them, that are called Gates of Flame. Each burns with a sheet of fire that only harms the undead. And then of course there are the Lightwardens who guard the gates and deal with anything that is powerful enough to push through the fire." "And who are the Lightwardens?" asked Vellikar, "I'm truly sorry for all the questions, but your tale is fascinating." "Caisia's army," replied the Count, "Supposedly founded to guard the Wall long ago, they are now under the command of the Sunpriests and have expanded their remit to help maintain control." "I see, I see," enthused Vellikar, "And do you know if they have made any changes there recently. You said they were ordering grain, perhaps they are building up this army." The Count laughed, "I honestly have no idea friend, as I said they generally keep to themselves. Now if you will excuse me, I must find the necessary." Producing a white square of thick paper, the halfling pressed it into Vellikar's hand and added, "Come by my office in the next couple of days and we can discuss contracts and terms."
Back outside, Janora and Ell had left Jilken to sneer at the duelist and after picking up drinks made their way over to the table where the orc woman sat, chatting with a bulky leonine Tabaxi and a younger human man with his mask pushed up and a dour look on his face. Tilting their head slightly, Janora said, "Sorry about that, now what's your whole deal? I'm Janora, by the way and this is Ell." The orc woman laughed, "What a question, well, to begin with, I am Aquamagus Angelika Reefspeaker and my friend here is Stalker of the Low Steppe." Looking to the young man she added, "I'm sorry, I don't think I ever caught your name?" The young man, who had been staring at Ell suspiciously, pulled his gaze away and mutter, "Engnas." Angelika cocked her head but went on, "Stalker is from Umberfell and I am from the sea...or rather one of the orcish isles nearby if I am not on a boat." "Umberfell!," exclaimed Janora, exaggerating and taking care to slur their words, "One of our friends is from Umberfell...but from the desert I think. Doesn't like water." Stalker laughed, somewhere between a purr and a growl, "Sounds like an Aiel. All that sand makes them crazy...makes them fight crazy too!" "She does carry a lot of weapons," offered Janora before turning to Angelika and asked, "And what it is you do?" The orc wizard waved her hand over the table and all of the glasses on the table stuck up a hand and waved at the witch. "I am what you might call an aquamagus. I spend most of my time on the seas with the fleets, steering storms or guiding the boats to the proper fishing grounds." Janora took a moment, blinking at the hand that waved, "That's a good trick, but I like this one better." Janora waved at the punchbowl and casting their own Control Water caused a large phallus of punch to rise up and float over to the witch. "We...we don't meet a lot of people who use magic, how did you find it?" Aquamagus Angelika shrugged, "I have always had an affinity for water, me ma always said I was half-fish as a child, but as for the wizardry, most of it came from other wizards in the fleet, but I also spent a good chunk of time with Karobark Waverider." At Ell's shocked look she laughed, "The Weave in this part of the world was shredded it is true, but you didn't think that the entire world lost magic, did you? Even here, clerics still retained most of their powers as did some warlocks if the stories I've heard are correct." Ell froze for a moment, but Janora spoke, "We've met a few clerics, yes. Druids and hedge witches were also able to reconnect with their power within a few decades of the original blast...at least from my reading...and training." This last was said tapping their crow claw on the side of their nose and punctuated by a cackle or two. Ell spoke up and asked, "And what brings you to our humble city?" "Stalker wanted to come," replied Angelika, "and it has been some time since I have been north and we stopped in to see Karobark. Besides, I can get here much faster from Katmaden than he." Stalker drained his mug and muttered into the empty cup, "For all the good it's done us." Sensing a thread, Ell waved over a servant to bring another round of drinks. Turning back around he asked, "And why do you feel it has been a waste?" The Tabaxi growled, "Well we came hoping to speak to your Queen, I have an urgent matter to discuss but it seems she is not holding audiences at the moment." "That is unusual," acknowledged Ell, "she usually has at least one open court a week. What is your message? Perhaps it is something that I or my friends could help with and if not I should at least be able to suggest others that you could try to reach." Stalker of the Low Steppes gave Ell a measuring look, "Earthquakes. There have always been some small localized quakes, but over the last half-year they have increased to such intensity that it's as if the entire seafloor below the Great Dragon were shaking at least once a week. In the beginning the quakes were only really felt on the Great Plain, but in the last moon have been felt as far south as Arborlisle Harbor and Queenspire." Pausing to take a drink, Angelika added, "The quakes seem to be coming from the ocean floor and while we can't feel such on top of the water, many of the peoples and creatures are being effected. I'm told that one of the major Triton settlements was destroyed when the canyon it was in slammed shut, killing thousands. There have also been problems with the larger predators of the deep. The cannadragoons and the kraken especially have become...highly aggressive." Stalker picked up the tale once more, "Our diviners and seers have looked for a cause or even better a solution for some time but thus far have been unable to find anything. What may be even more worrying is that even when looking for other future events, none can see anything past a year from now. So, a fortnight ago, the clan mothers met with the Thri-Kreen High Queen Lirekus, since as everyone knows they have very different ways of thinking and doing." In a mutter he added, "even if they are murderous bastards" as he finished the drink. The comment earned a look from Angelika but he went on. "I am told that the High Queen consulted the Helix of Memory and pronounced that the quakes were caused by a great evil being returned into the world in the near future. If stopping this great evil is the only thing that will save my homeland, then that is what I must do. If only I had any idea who or what it is that I must stop. I had hoped " Janora, who had sometime ago swallowed their phallus of wine, picked up one of the half-full glasses and quaffed it. As they did, the witch cast Thaumaturgy to make the ground shake. There were cries of alarm both around them, but also inside in the ballroom where the musicians had screeched to a halt. This also earned a stern look from Angelika and a shrug from Ell. Things calmed when the quake didn't repeat and Ell summoned another round of drinks. "If an evil is coming," said Ell, "I'm not sure I have heard of it, but there have been strange happenings of late. Perhaps you should try talking to the Wayfinders upon the Hill. Majorus Brightfinger would surely have an interest in your tale." As the drinks arrived, Ell slid one over to the human, "Engnas was it? How about you, been on any interesting adventures of late." The young man, mask pushed up on his head, accepted the drink and raised his gaze from the table. "No adventures like that," he said, "but I did manage to...our family horses are doing quite well. We have several promising colts and fillies from this years births. A few of our racehorses are doing quite well in the races down in Dreford." "I see," said Ell, "that sounds wonderful I suppose..." Angelika leaned forward and asked, "And what about yourself good sir, what line of work are you in?" "Oh," replied Ell in a practiced manner, "my name is Drat, I come from the north, hence my ice blue robe. Beyond that my business is travel and making opportunities where I can find them." The aquamagus gave Ell a studied look, "You don't really have the look of the northerners, and you are a bit short, but I suppose you might have an outlander parent a generation or two ago...it does happen." "Indeed it does," replied Ell with a chuckle, "they often said that I was a changeling, but here I am." Angelika nodded, "I suppose you left your vart'alar at home, quite wise, even the most intelligent beast would be overwhelmed by this party. Which clan are you from? I have had dealing with a few of the Reaches tribes, perhaps I know your elders?" Ell looked panicked for a moment and used Mage Hand to shake the table and grabbed for one of the glasses that started to tip. Janroa dove forward saying, "I've got them." The witch picked up three glasses and downed them one after the other. Pushing themself up from the table, the witch made their way back into the ballroom and using Thaumaturgy to enhance their voice, Janora called, "Who wants to join me in a drink?" The echoing sound of their voice caused the musicians to stop once more and while there were stares and muttering there was also several cheers. Janora led the way over to the drinks table and picking up two glasses of sparkling wine and downed both. As the alcohol hit their system, a wave of dizziness and nausea washed over the witch.
Report Date
29 Jul 2022
