cinaed

Session 117: Day 32 of Veksdan (8/25)

The entire group sleeps like the dead. Everyone wakes up and finds that they’ve slept to almost noon. Genesis is in a robe making a late breakfast, with Counter next to Az in the bed. They all receive a perfectly serviceable breakfast.

As they’re in this sleepy state, Hava in Taion’s lap on the floor and Maeve beside her, keeping a close hand on her, Genesis says that while they don’t mind having guests, they have to go to a meeting and don’t want people in their place without them.

As Genesis straps Counter into a papoose, Taion asks Hava if she has ever thought of having kids, which makes her shriek in shock and Maeve choke on her coffee. Hava says this isn’t the time to talk about that and Maeve, gasping, unhelpfully says she thinks it is. As Hava glares back and hisses that it isn’t, Audacity helps Genesis strap Counter into the papoose.

They are all shooed out, heading towards The Silver Captain as Az says that when they get there, he learned something with Juniper. Diana asks if it’s good news and Az says no, and Diana says she’s sorry for his loss.

Yolov shyly second guesses holding Asa’s hand, but she takes his, lavender and giddy.

After the dragon attack, there was a celebration. Now it’s just quiet, the city exhausted by two attacks in the same month. Collie greets them with relief, having been worriedly cleaning, before the party goes upstairs.

Az asks Taion, Maeve, and Asa to leave for a moment so the party can talk in private.

Taion wants to stand guard at the door, but Maeve coaxes him out to guard everyone at the bottom of the stairs. Audacity watches them go, remarking that Taion is disgustingly in love with Hava.

Asa squeezes Yolov’s hand and says she’ll be downstairs when they're done. Yolov promises to come downstairs once the conversation is done. Once she leaves, he points out that Asa will learn about this conversation anyway if they’re reporting to the Archive. Az says that’s true, but he still wanted to have their conversation in private.

Az shows the journal and the notes and explains that Juniper theorized they’re speaking of the Sunken Ones. The party knows that little is known about the Sunken Ones, just that they are amorphous akin to some of the shadowfell creatures, that they appeared from seemingly nowhere and supposedly couldn’t be killed and only the end of the Spring War banished them back to where they were.

Yolov thinks this feels familiar as he looks over the notes about the Sunken Ones, the way she talks about how they were uncontrolled and wild and dangerous, with the only thing they desired that anyone knows about was conquering Astvanor. But he realizes that for them to be dangerous, something had to be leading them. People can’t fight a storm. It makes Yolov think of the magic after the Recusal as well.

Hava reaches out the Evie jar and greets her. She says that they killed Marion and Evie says she noticed. They did a remarkable job. Hava thanks her for noticing and Evie says she might have answers for her. When Hava asks about the Sunken Ones, Evie asks if that is a title of one of those mortal things, she remembers Kaspian mentioning them.

Hava says that Kaspian is one of Evie’s people, and Evie says that he was her first person and the most important person to her. Hava gets a little offended, pointing out she is devoted to her and built her the aquarium, and Evie says she is devoted but that Kaspian was her first.

Evie explains that she was summoned first by Kaspian but they weren’t alone. The Sunken Ones were what they called the Others. Hava says that’s vague and Evie agrees, saying that they were like Evie, nothing and everything. She is the emptiness between planes and they are the stuff beyond the planes where there’s nothing.

Hava asks if Evie can feel them. Evie says sometimes, when they’re called upon. One is never called upon anymore, and she thinks he is dead or at least as close to it as possible. She doesn’t believe the Sunken Ones or she can be killed.

Kaspian called her and held her. She’d never been held before.

Az asks if she can hear them all the time when they’re called and she repeats sometimes.

Yolov reiterates that Kaspian mentioned the Sunken Ones so he knows something about them, and Evie says he does, he was there when they were pulled. Evie is puzzled when they ask where he is, saying that he’s on the material plane. The party explains they want to speak with him face to face, and after a moment of conferring with Kaspian she tells them that he doesn’t know what it’s called now, but it used to be called Spiked Bones.

A few people recognize this as the fishing village called Fishbone on the edge of Avisrune, only belonging to Avisrune because of a territory dispute but is right above Dragon Spine Village. Most of the inhabitants are lizardfolk.

When the party wonders if they should go there, Yolov reminds them of their meetings with the queen and the Archive, though the Archive will be able to find them on any continent. Yolov also tells them that Princess Kalia is alive and unhappy, and Evie says that there was a brief wound as she was teleported away.

Evie adds that she is very pleased that Kaspian is safe, clearly struggling for the right words to describe her feelings. Yolov tells her that they were happy to help.

As Hava tucks Evie away, Yolov asks about Greenheart’s journals and Az explains about the warlock pacts attempts. Yolov says that they know that the Sworn Edge have warlocks among them and that it stands to reason that if they are worshiping and serving a potential Sunken One, then the Sunken One could have gained power by draining the lives of unwilling warlocks if Greenheart succeeded.

They discuss the fastest way to reach Kaspian and settle on teleporting to Upper Crescent Port City and then traveling overland to Fishbone Village, with a potential day detour to Yolov’s village and stopping in Thumbhook Village where Lady Axemight was murdered. Maeve’s ship will also be able to get them to Kastvar and Striog after that.

They all rest a little while longer. Around mid-afternoon, an official-sounding knock raps on their door. Audacity answers barefoot. This is not the Colma student of before, but an official from the palace, a drow in full regalia who bows deeply before them and says that the queen has requested their presence as soon as possible.

When Diana asks if they can say no, the messenger pauses before he says they can, they are free to do what they wish, but if they do, then he has a note for them. Hava says that they won’t say no and Yolov asks the messenger to give them just a moment. Diana asks for a bagel and the messenger says he’s at their service.

Audacity takes the note, which is a handwritten letter from the queen that she understands they are busy individuals and that they might not have time to meet with her personally but she would like to reward them for the good they have done for her and her country. She can have the rewards delivered to their house in Little Nest, but that she would like to knight them personally if possible.

Yolov stares in shock at Asa, who tells him that it’s very cool.

As Az explains to Audacity that this doesn’t make him beholden to the Avisian crown, Yolov asks Asa’s advice on what they can tell the queen since she knew a lot about Little Nest and Nestling and if he should ask Daveena.

Asa says that the queen is very smart and that while the heads of state know a little about some of the dangers, it’s mostly the Archive ambassador, also an Avisian ambassador called the Swan who is very pretty and very cool, who negotiates things within the different countries.

Yolov says that he thought they might tell the queen a bit of the truth, that the dragon had allies in the Shadowfell and while they closed access to the Shadowfell, there are still allies out there, Marion being one of them and others holding Kalia captive.

Asa nods in agreement as Diana opens up the door where the messenger offers Diana the requested bagel. The messenger escorts them down the long roads and huge gates of the palace and around it to a stone road that leads to a sizable manor that is on the palace grounds but isn’t directly connected to the palace while still being within the stone walls.

They are led to a stone walkway and enormous wooden doors, which the messenger opens.

It is an open and airy space as the messenger announces that Donnie and the Hooligans are here to speak with the queen. Az winces at the group’s name even as they can see the entryway leads into a living room.

The queen appears from around the corner in floor-length, beautiful robes, not quite as ornate as the banquet clothing but still fashionable. She greets them with a welcoming sweep of her arms and explains that her guards insisted on them visiting in more private quarters that are more easily defended than the palace itself. She says that she’s glad to see them recovered after a night’s rest.

Az says he hopes clean up is on its way and she says it is and then calls for them to sit in the living room. It’s small for a palace but there is still plenty of room for them to sit, with tea and plates of sandwiches awaiting them.

The queen sits at one of the wing-backed chairs. She says that she understands they’re very busy and don’t have much time to spend on formalities. She understands that it has been a long and difficult journey for all of them at least to the best of her knowledge. She adds she won’t take up more of their time, she wants to give them what the people of Avisrune can offer them in gratitude.

She says that they saved her life but also the life of her nobility and her people. They showed not only tremendous bravery and a generosity and a kindness that cannot be understated. For that they will always have the favor of Avisrune and the favor of her, which she supposes is the same thing.

Az says that they are honored by both.

She waves a hand, and a short, well-built dwarvish woman who is a steward, brings a chest that she sets besides the sandwiches. When it’s opened, it is a small mountain of gold, two hundred gold per Hooligan.

Diana muses aloud if that means they don’t have to pay taxes, and the queen says there are no national taxes, there are city taxes and some temple taxes for practitioners as well as some schools collecting taxes.

Queen Wrenvar explains that the city tax of Radiscune goes to the Wrenvar family which is four percent of their income. The vast majority comes from the Colma paying a lease for property for the school. The Colma itself has more money than the royal house. The only reason Segwn and Farr lease the property and don’t own the college grounds is because the first monarch originally owned the land.

Queen Wrenvar nods towards the chest and then brings out a long, smaller box. Inside there are six silver necklaces, each one with a small glowing purplish crystal in the center. These effectively permit them to speak among each other once per day, either specifically to one person or to everyone. She says that she couldn’t get them customized but hopes they are suitable.

Galowen says that he is more of a gold guy, and the queen says that she can get a replacement chain, and he says it’s fine as Hava slides her crystal onto the same chain as Taion’s gift.

The queen says there is one more thing. She brings out a ceremonial blade and says that this was brought out of the shadows of the drow kingdom to the city of Silvrafel before it fell to Previdian forces. It is what her ancestors used to fight to the docks to board a ship to reach the unknown shores of what would become Avisrune. The blade has become a more ceremonial sword, and yet still one that passed from shadow to light.

When she asks who will go first, Audacity nudges Diana forward first, with Yolov nudging Az behind her as the man who saved the queen and most of the nobility.

Wrenvar asks Diana to kneel. When she does, Wrenvar taps her lightly on the shoulders with the silver blade and dubs her Lady Diana. As Diana rises, giddy, Wrenvar touches her cheek and thanks her.

Then Wrenvar turns to Az and says that his father will hopefully not object. Az says he doesn’t think he would and Wrenvar says that if she has to call upon people she knighted in her living room, then she has bigger problems.

Wrenvar knights all of them one after another, and they all rise as lords and ladies of Avisrune.

When she asks if they have anything else they would ask of her, Audacity asks after Prince Citrine. Wrenvar explains that he is in his quarters and she is certain that he would welcome a visit before he and the other dignitaries leave tonight. She sighs and adds that she is expecting a lot of angry letters.

She tells them that there is one noble who didn’t make it to the banquet but wants to see them, the Highwriter. As the party brightens at the mention of Navier, she adds that he did have to borrow warmer clothes from the prince.

Yolov says that she asked what he would ask of her and he would ask her not to blame herself for the banquet, reminding her that she kept the crowds calm and prevented further injury from panic, like he’s seen before. She calls him kind and Audacity says that he’s not wrong.

Wrenvar thanks them for their words but says she feels as though Avisrune is in danger from a threat she cannot see or hope to understand or protect her people from. Avisrune relies on her neighbors, having no standing army. She just hopes that Avisrune can be safe from whatever is coming and that her neighbors will help.

Yolov tells her that they will help however they can, then explains that he was able to talk to Kalia and that she lives. The Hooligans will search for her as they try to learn more about the threat. She thanks him, saying she hopes Kalia is safe, and tells him to send her home.

Most of the party realizes that she is sincere in wanting Kalia to be safe, but while she’s trying to pretend that the princess would want to go back to Previdian, she also seems a little frightened of the princess.

Queen Wrenvar adds that there will also be funerals soon if they want to attend. The party realizes that she means a state funeral though they didn’t see any nobility dead after Marion’s attack. She tells them that Lord and Lady Crestiana were killed.

The party knows that they disappeared before Marion appeared and were not among the dead in the immediate aftermath of the battle.

Yolov asks after the head librarian and is told that he is the one who informed the palace of the deaths. The party decides to head there to investigate, detouring for Audacity to speak with Prince Citrine, who mentions personal problems back in Kastvar.

Prince Citrine promises Audacity a reward whenever he returns to Kastvar, Audacity says he doesn’t know what to do with all this attention. Prince Citrine says he is unsympathetic, being a prince, he cannot walk down the street without being recognized.

Audacity says that he should leave Kastvar more often, no one would recognize him. Citrine tells him dryly to tell his mother that, and Audacity remembers that Citrine is the queen’s only son.

Citrine asks after his monastery and asks if he’s one of the foundlings. Audacity says one of the originals. Citrine says his mother apparently set a trend, and Audacity admits that certainly someone left him and his sister there.

Citrine says he and his mother enjoy the monastery. Audacity says it makes good books, and Citrine says it’s a shame they lost one. Audacity asks what he means, and Citrine says he heard that someone in monastery colors stole a book and apparently fled to Striog.

They shake their heads over anyone choosing to smuggle over land rather than via sea, and over someone wearing the monastery colors while fleeing the country after a theft.

When Citrine and his mother reached out to the monastery, the monastery said they were working on it, they didn’t even want to tell them her name.

Audacity asks about the thief, and Citrine sighs heavily, clearly not interested in the monastery’s problem. He says she had dark hair and was possibly a tiefling, but he didn’t fully read the report. Audacity gives a faint okay, even as he internally reminds himself that Asalor said she could have her own adventures. Out loud he adds that he’ll keep an eye out for her.

Citrine says that he’d appreciate that and if he can catch her, tell her to stop. If not, that’s Striog’s problem.

Az pretends not to hear any of this as Audacity thanks him for his time.

Citrine ushers them out and then starts to close the door. It isn’t fully closed before the party hears Navier call out to them from further down the hall and the jingle of his clothes as he leans around the guard at his door.

Hava immediately rushes over. Navier scolds the guard and tells him to let them inside. Hava asks if he’s under house arrest and Navier explains that he is just under guard over the recent incident. He hugs Hava and tells them how he was sorry to miss the party even as Audacity commandeers some brandy from him and gives it to Citrine.

Meanwhile Navier explains how he had to dress beautifully for the banquet. He sighs over his gorgeous boots that the party didn’t get to see, and his new jewelry, and explains that he was dressing and the next thing he knew he was an hour late and being scolded by the ambassador. Then he got there and people were dead.

Galowen asks why they can’t see him dressed up now, and Navier asks for his help with the corset. Audacity kicks his feet up in a chair and watches as Galowen helps Navier with his outfit. Navier’s outfit is shirtless, with his nipple rings on display. After a struggle from Galowen with the corset, Navier’s outfit is complete.

He sighs over the lack of getting to dance with beautiful men then remarks that he heard they killed some monsters. Az says one was actually two monsters combined and Navier scolds him for not making it sound impressive.

He asks where they are going next to be adventurers, slaying dragons and killing monsters, and Az says they might go to Port Sciathan. Navier asks them to buy him some illegal red wine and anything else there that can avoid being taxed. Audacity promises the wine and says he might know people who could get other stuff.

Navier exclaims that they should go gambling at the casino boat at Port Sciathan. It is the boat, permanently docked there, called the Sapphire Diamond. Navier sighs that it’s beautiful and Audacity agrees. Navier says it’s one of the most beautiful establishments in Port Sciathan.

When Galowen says that they did just get two hundred gold from the queen, Navier suggests a card game that involves a levitating dice situation and goes into a spiel of winning and losing a copious amount of money there. He gets momentarily sidetracked by memories of a man there before he asks why they’re going to Port Sciathan.

They say it’s closest to where they need to be.

Navier thanks them as well for helping one of his friends, since he has heard that his friend who has been silent for a long time is back. Yolov, realizing that he means Kaspian, says that they were glad to be able to help him. Navier asks them to pass along the invitation for him to come visit Valnore. Archie wants to meet him too and also says that he says hello.

They realize he means the Tessvar Archfey and Yolov looks doubtful over the Archfey having money to pay for presents as Navier explains that Archie bought him these nipple rings and the boots. Az says that if Archie invites him back home, he shouldn’t take him up on it, earning a sharp look from Audacity.

Navier says he wants to hear all about their adventures, but immediately launches into a complaint about the mess of the library archives. He, like all of the council members in Valnore, juggles multiple jobs. One of his is the head librarian of the Valnorian archives.

Then he leans forward with an expectant smile and demands they tell him all about their latest adventures.