Astvanor Session 133 (2/2)

[cinaed]

Session 133: Day 9 and 10 of Saedan (2/2)

Galowen brings out the fresh fried fish for everyone as they settle in for the meal. They all fit at the table. Kaspian asks between pieces of fish what else they need from him before they leave.

Yolov pulls out his notebook and asks about the entities within the blades. If they don’t wish for revenge upon Astvanor and simply wish to return home, does Kaspian believe that they could free them from the blades and Banish them back to beyond the planes?

Kaspian says that’s exactly what he was hoping. He calls Yolov clever, and Yolov says that they wouldn’t be the first creatures that they helped to get home, they returned someone back to the Shadowfell recently. Kaspian asks if he means the little shadow creature and Yolov says he did, it was nice to get them home.

Yolov also tells him about Princess Kalia, who was kidnapped by the Sworn Edge. When Kaspian seems amused at the term kidnapping, Yolov elaborates that she had been working with the Sworn Edge but seems to have been betrayed. If she’s been turned into a thrall and wishes to break that control, he wanted to check and see if being born a sorceress complicates breaking the pact.

Kaspian says it won’t, and adds that if she wishes to break any pact, he made a solemn vow to assist anyone who wants to break their pact as long as they are willing. If Kalia has made a pact or been turned into a thrall and wishes to be freed, he will help her.

Yolov says he wanted to clarify because he doesn’t know much about sorcery. In fact, he realizes that he promised to assist his uncle in helping one of his students, a young minotaur sorceress trying to learn how to control her powers. Kaspian says if Yolov can get him a name and an address, then he can ensure she gets some advice. Yolov promises he can get that from his uncle.

Yolov asks about the Hilt of the Shadow. If he understood correctly, Kaspian said that when the wielder dies, then their soul is trapped until the next person attunes to it and chooses to let them pass on or become trapped as a ghost. Does that mean someone’s soul might be trapped in it right now?

Kaspian says he didn’t think of it, but it’s certainly possible.

Yolov asks if now that they know it’s cursed, someone could attune to it, check on if there’s a soul trapped inside, and then break the curse and put the sword back into the bag. Kaspian says he doesn’t see why not.

Az tells Kaspian about the notes he and Juniper studied from Margo and also about Movia, which interests Kaspian greatly. He asks to look over it, thanking Az for doing the important legwork. Az asks if someone like Movia was resurrected, would she still be a thrall, and Kaspian says it depends on the pact.

Az asks what patrons would want out of a soul, and Kaspian launches into a bunch of descriptions of what the various patrons want: liches want souls, genies want deepest wishes, fathomless generally want to be fed. Kaspian pauses and adds if Az ever wants to break his pact, Kaspian is happy to help.

Az says he’s happy with his bargain. Kaspian looks doubtful but promises that if he ever changes his mind, Kaspian will be here. He adds that he will research Margo’s notebooks in depth and tell him what he’s learned. Az deserves to know.

Az looks closely at him, and sees in Kaspian’s face a tremendous understanding and realizes that he knows why Az is interested in this information. He’s saying without speaking it out loud that Az deserves to know what happened to his mother. Az quietly eats the rest of his meal.

Yolov thinks of the logistics of the prisoners and tells the group that he spoke with Asa about breaking into the prison and her advice was to deal with the guards to ensure that none of the prisoners are harmed in the escape.

Az says that he doesn’t have any mass teleportation. Yolov says he could potentially send people to the house via the teleportation circle spell but they don’t know how many people there will be or what state they’re in.

Kaspian says the people are more than welcome to come to recuperate here. Audacity says he doesn’t mean to be rude, but he wants to point out that would be painting a target on his back. Kaspian says this place is under his protection. When Audacity reminds him that he got kidnapped, Kaspian says that he was kidnapped after he had left the village to visit a personal friend.

As they all prepare to leave, Yolov hands the potions of invulnerability to Hava and Galowen, explaining the uses and saying that he thought they should take these now since he doesn’t know how quickly Elathias will figure out the amulet and be furious over it.

Hava and Galowen exchange a look and Galowen asks Yolov if he doesn’t think he should have it instead. Yolov blinks and asks if he hasn’t explained the Contingency spell. Hava says she loves him very much but sometimes he talks about magic and she can’t focus on what he’s saying or remember what spell does what thing.

Yolov explains that Contingency essentially puts a spell within it to occur during certain parameters. If he’s going to be knocked unconscious or killed, Contingency will cast Wither and Bloom on him and heal him and hopefully keep him conscious during a fight.

Hava tells him that’s really cool.

They all get their things as Yolov gets the sorceress’ name from his uncle and passes that along to Kaspian. Once they’re ready, Kaspian leads them to Kasi’s stables and then to the edge of his village, giving most of them hugs.

They have one night on the road before they reach Thumbhook. Along the way, Audacity checks in on Galowen, asking if they can start sparring regularly. Galowen asks why and Audacity says that Hava almost died and he couldn’t do shit. Then Audacity asks how he’s doing. Galowen says he’s fine, obviously lying, but Audacity doesn’t press him on it.

Hava also finds Audacity during their night’s rest, saying they never get to talk one on one and asking how he’s doing. He says it’s been weird. She says as a fellow twin, she was thinking of him and his sister and wanted to check in.

Audacity says he doesn’t know what she’s doing. He doesn’t know why she’s doing it. Mikos said everything was fine or that it would be and they’ve never lied to him before.

Hava says they might not know better and Audacity acknowledges that before he sighs.

He says if Ambition just met relatives, which is a weird fucking idea, then he gets her going with them. Butif she doesn’t know what’s going on, that’s one thing. If she does, then he’s going to have to kick the shit out of his maybe big, maybe little sister. He admits that she was really good at monk shit when he left the monastery. He assumes she still is but he doesn’t know what she’s gotten up to in the last six months.

Hava says she wasn’t imagining him having to fight her, and Audacity says he doesn’t know what to expect. She’s with Endure and Mastery and working for Elathias.

Hava tells him that finding out Maeve left was really painful. Nothing was the way she thought it was and it still isn’t. She has to go home and make things right. What she means is that he won’t know what’s going on until he can see her and talk to her and figure out what she’s doing. It took Hava a while, but she’s mostly at peace now.

Audacity laughingly says he wasn’t sure if they’d have to beat Maeve’s ass, she was kind of bitch at first, and Hava says she was always a bitch, but she’s her sister, and until she does something unforgivable, Hava will always forgive her.

Audacity says he can forgive Ambition, but if she’s working for Elathias willingly, then he’ll have to stop her. Hava tells him to say the word and she won’t lay a hand on Ambition. She’ll heal her if Audacity asks her to. She just needs him to know, they’re all in this now. She told Galowen too, but they helped her find her sister. She’ll do whatever they need her to do.

Audacity is quiet for a second before he asks for a hug. Hava immediately hugs him. Very quietly, so that only she can hear, Audacity whispers, “I am so fucking scared.”

She holds him close and says she knows and that it’s okay. Just be scared. She was fucking terrified. She has to believe for him that they can walk his sister back from anything. She wasn’t blessed with brothers, but now she has a whole lot.

Audacity laughs and agrees. It’s a weird collection of them.

Hava says a little bit. She adds that if he gets too scared, to tell her. She pulls out a seashell from her hair and takes an hour to cast a lightning Glyph of Warding on it before she hands it to him. She tells him to use it if he ever needs to light anything up but it also makes for a great hair piece.

Audacity takes it and tucks the seashell into his hair.

The next morning, they reach Thumbhook.

It is much bigger than Fishbone. It’s not large by any means, but it’s an established trading route. It houses one of the large mining companies and mines. Az knows this causes a lot of problems because the mines begin in what is considered by governments as Avisrune but its people much like Upper Crescent consider themselves Striogian. It’s very messy politics. A treaty for these mines generally lasts for three years before there’s an upheaval and the treaty has to be rewritten.

It is populated by miners and people who run and operate the mines. There are wealthy families who are jewelers and jewel crafters who have made a name for themselves as craftspeople.

As they begin approaching the village, Galowen discusses disguising themselves, although some of the party doesn’t have the ability to do that magically.

Az knows from his father that the wealthy people of the town are stuffy and can be very cutthroat. There is a thriving community of mercenary groups, even more so than the usual amount that flock to wealthy and important locations. He remembers that one of the mercenary companies that had been hired for security for the mines was called Hellfire Thorns. They were notoriously good at what they did, no matter what it was.

He also knows from previous conversations that Lady Axemight was killed in Thumbhook Village, though not exactly where within town. She had been stabbed to death. The Axemight family does have a townhouse there, though her son and her widower are unlikely to be here instead of Barova.

They decide to talk to people within town and try to find out about old and unused mines that might hold the prison. As they approach, they are struck by the disparity of the town. On one side there are the tall, wealthy towers and affluent homes, on the other ragged hills and clusters of small buildings where the mines begin and the workers live.

They discuss taverns near the mines but decide to hold off in case Elathias’ people also spend time there. They debate the library briefly though Az points out to Yolov that the maps won’t be up to date, before they settle on going to the Axemight estate for Az to pay his respects and see if they can learn more about Lady Axemight’s death.

The estate is the largest in the town, although the Axemights also have estates in Barova and Cantor. They don’t spend much time in Fort Axemight, which is named after them for their wealth. The estate has a wrought iron gate and a perpetual clockwork bird that asks them to state their business as they approach.

Az says that’s fancy and says that he is Azeldonne Turen and on a social call. There’s a beat as the bird repeats his name. Then the gate clicks open and swings open. There’s a desert landscape and a red stone path leading through the cactus and ornamental spaces to the arching doorway.

As they approach the door, it is opened by a young woman, a short drow with short, cropped hair. Az recognizes her as a young servant of the Axemight’s named Leandra. She exclaims at the sight of him and says she thought it was a mistake when she heard his name.

Az says not a mistake, he and his friends are traveling through, and while he didn’t know Larashk would be here, he wanted to pay his respects. Leandra says that Larashk is in fact in and has been here since Lady Axemight’s death. She’s certain he’ll be glad to see Az.

She opens the door wider and welcomes them all inside. She leads them into a comfortable-looking sitting room, surrounded by stones set in frames and labeled for their type. It is almost a geological library of sorts.

Leandra asks if they would like some tea as she lets Larashk know that they’re here. Az thanks her, and they all have tea before a young orcish man steps quietly into the room, soft footed despite his size.

Larashk is more built than Az remembers him, as though he’s been working out. He’s dressed nicely in a nice shirt and trousers, though he looks as though he hasn’t been sleeping well.

Hava and Audacity immediately notice something is off about him, there’s an underlying strangeness that Audacity recognizes in the way he moves. The way his muscles move under his skin is as though he’s uncomfortable in his body.

He’s looking only at Az, who immediately goes over and grabs his hands and says that he’s so sorry. He’s probably heard that from so many people, but Az still needs to say it. Larashk gives him a quick hug and says he has, it’s all everyone has to say about it. He misses her, but it has begun to sound like white noise.

Az says he understands, and Larashk squeezes his hand and says he’s sure he does.

Az turns and introduces the rest of the Hooligans. Diana immediately shakes Larashk’s hand and receives a firm handshake. Larashk introduces himself as the current owner of the Axemight Mining Company and potentially the next member of the Senate though he dislikes the idea of the latter.

Az says that his father was never interested in politics and Larashk says it is all politics but he’s sure that they didn’t come to hear him complain about getting a well paying and powerful position. He asks Az about his adventures and says that it feels like Az has been gone for years.

Az says it has been quite an adventure so far. When Larashk comments on his dashing facial scars, Az says they’ve been in some dangerous scrapes, but they’ve managed to get out of them. Larashk says it seems he can handle himself, and Az snorts and says he wishes his sister could believe that.

Larashka asks which sister and is unsurprised when Az says Mhulra. He asks after Mhulra.

Az tells him about her ship and then explains that he also came on business. They’d heard about strange things going on around Thumbhook and are here to investigate.

Larashk sighs and says there have been. Roshka guide their ships, but he and his parents had heard rumors and problems of a cave-in of a certain mine that needed to be written off as a loss. It wouldn’t be fiscally responsible to bring back that part of the mine. That’s happened before, but his mother thought something was off about this particular incident. After hearing of disappearances in town, including some of their own workers who Lady Axemight thought had simply left, Lady Axemight received a report that the people who had told her the mine was unsalvageable had lied.

She came to investigate, and it was during this tour of the mines that she was attacked and killed. They had planned to go to the closed mine the next day and investigate. She was traveling ahead in a carriage with the foreman of one of the mines for a private conversation.

Audacity asks if the foreman was also killed, and Larashk says he was. His name was Leon, if that matters at all, and Audacity says of course it does. Larashk saw to it that his family was compensated, but also all of the mines have been closed until this is resolved.

Az asks what they’re waiting for to reopen.

Larahsk says that they’re waiting to see who killed his mother. The current theory is that it was a worker, and if they all return to work, who knows what will happen. Az searches his face and knows that Larahsk doesn’t believe that.

Az asks what he believes and who he thinks is responsible, suggesting one of the mercenary bands.

Larahsk says it might have been. The attack was like a wash of darkness that no one could see through. Leon was a half-elf and could see through regular darkness. Larashk could hear screaming and when the darkness was gone, the carriage was tipped over and Leon and his mother were dead. If a miner had wanted her dead, that’s not the way they would do it.

He doesn’t believe the miners would assassinate her like that, and it was very much an assassination. The tabaxi carriage driver survived but he’s on a leave to recover from the mental toll. His name is Stars over Sand, Sand for short. They live on the other end of town.

When he offers Az Sand’s address, Az accepts it.

Galowen asks about the people who lied about the cave-in and the message that told them that it was a lie. Larahsk says his mother was the one who received the message and he didn’t know anything more than that.

Audacity asks about the people who lied about the cave-in. Larahsk says that she no longer works for the company, but she was a young woman named Quickfire, a fire genasi, and he can offer her last known address. Audacity remarks that Quickfire would be an interesting name for a short-tempered tiefling.

Galowen glances between Az and Larahsk and realizes there’s a history there.

Yolov asks about the location of the closed mine that never got a chance to be investigated after Lady Axemight’s death. Larahsk fetches a map that shows them to the entrance of that particular cave system and warns them that if there was a cave-in then it would be dangerous.

Diana says they’re used to danger. Az asks if there’s someone who could guide them. Larahsk hesitates, and Az says that he wouldn’t want to put anyone in danger and certainly wouldn’t ask Larahsk.

Larahsk says he’s more worried about putting Az in danger. If anything happened to him in this cursed place, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. Az has always been a good friend to him. After Yolov asks if he means a literal or metaphorical curse and Larashk clarifies he meant metaphorical though he wouldn’t be surprised if it was actually cursed,

Diana whispers to Audacity and asks if it would be rude to ask if Larashk and Az dated. Audacity says that’s a question for later.

Yolov asks about the mercenary groups, if they’re still here or if they’ve moved on while the mines are closed. Larashk says that most of them did move on but there’s a few still hired to guard the mines and ensure no one goes there. Most left when the investigators from Avisrune and Striog came to investigate. All the Avisian investigators went home, but three of Admiral Zorax’s fleet are still here, doing what seems very little work.

Az asks their names and is given the names Voren, a dragonborn, Krystal Levish, a human, and Lezkta, a lizardfolk.

Audacity pulls out the picture of Elathias and asks if Larashk has ever seen this man before or after his mother’s death. Larask says no and asks if he should have. Audacity asks if he’s seen a tiefling that looks like him, and Larashk says his mother met with one that looked a bit like him, a bit older than Audacity. He was a point of contact in the very early stages for the Hellfire Thorns’ security team.

Audacity asks about the Hellfire Thorns and Larashk says they were hired as the security for the mines. He last met with a vaguely elvish man. Yolov says they should probably have something to show they have permission to investigate the mines.

Larashk writes them a short note and apologizes that he does have work to attend to, with the mines being closed. Az says that they’ll try to visit again before they leave, earning a light squeeze of his shoulder by Larahsk.

Galowen asks about the rooms and Larashk says Leandra will be able to show them some rooms. As Larashk departs, Leandra studies the picture of Elathias and doesn’t recognize it but says that she did see a tiefling that looks like Audacity who frequents the Cracked Obsidian. One of the former employees of the mines also used to work there as well, but she doesn’t work there any more, though Leandra doesn’t know why.

She admits she doesn’t know much about the mining staff but confirms she was speaking of Quickfire when Galowen asks.

They debate on what to do first, settling on speaking with Admiral Zorax’s people first and learning what they’ve discovered or been doing for the last few months. Following Larashk’s directions, they approach a small ranch house, with a bathtub filled with a cactus, as well as several chairs around a fire pit.

The door is shut. They can hear shouting, making their ears perk up before they realize it’s just an argument between Krystal and Lezkta over Lezkta leaving dead things on the kitchen table. When Az knocks on the door, there’s a beat of silence before the two yell for Voren.

A lovely white dragonborn greets them all and asks their business. As Hava giggles, Az explains that they’re here about the mines. Voren tells them one moment before they close the door and the group can hear them whisper frantically with the others before Voren opens the door and ushers them inside.

It’s obvious that there’s been no ongoing investigation. Instead there are empty wine glasses and bottles strewn around. There’s clutter and debris, making the Hooligans worry about stepping on something wherever they step.

A human woman with shaggy hair and a lizardfolk watch them all enter, Krystal telling them to be careful with the weapons near the door. When Galowen asks about the investigation, they are told that they believe it was Leon, the foreman, who killed Axemight.

Hava studies them and realizes that they are not professional investigators and are terrified of returning to Admiral Zorax without answers. She starts to do dishes as Voren says that she doesn’t have to do that. Hava says that they’re clearly doing a good job and asks about the evidence.

They say that they currently have a working theory as Audacity begins to dry the dishes. Hava keeps working on the dishes while she says that they were hand picked by the admiral to do this job, they must have experience.

Voren immediately cracks and says they don’t before Krystal shushes them. She claims that they’re very good at what they do. Hava says that they must have solved many murders before. She’s sure that Lady Axemight’s family would be happy to have answers, and Az is a close personal friend of the Axemights.

Voren cracks again and admits that they have never solved a murder. As Hava says she knows, Voren explains they were hired to check logs and notices discrepancies, Krystal worked on another ship, and no one knows what Lezkta does. Lezkta shrugs in agreement.

Audacity asks about the admiral bringing in unqualified investigators.

Voren explains there were originally professionals there, but after a month and a half they’d gotten nowhere and the three of them were the ones who had to stay.

The party examines the thin folder from the former investigators and realizes there was a thorough investigation of magical testing and questioning of the witnesses. But the investigators didn’t know to ask about why Lady Axemight was there in town.

Hava tells them that they were set up to fail, and Voren says yes because they’re idiots. Hava says no, it was probably just that they were useless on the boats. Voren admits that they get seasick. Hava says why not use the skills they actually have to help solve the case.

The three look at each other and Leztka says she’ll eat anything. Krystal raises her hand and says she’s a very good cook.

Az says that Voren was balancing the logs and asks if they got to look at the mine reports. Voren says that they never received that information but they can ask. Audacity says Azeldonne Turen’s name will speed things up.

Voren immediately panics and says they are absolutely fucked. Hava comforts them as Audacity says he meant that they might get information faster since he is close with Lady Axemight’s son.

Yolov asks about where they’ve been within the town and if they’ve been drinking with people. They learn that the three have frequented the Cracked Obsidian and met Quickfire who lives above the tavern and as far as they know still lives there.

As the three begin to freshen themselves up and prepare to go speak with Larashk and ask about the mining logs, the party heads to the Cracked Obsidian. It’s a crowded two story tavern. There’s a pool table in the corner, tables filled with chatting customers.

There’s a dart board. As Audacity looks over, he watches a half-orc throw a dart at it. Another dart hits it dead center and an achingly familiar voice says that she wins. As the half-orc grumbles and says that she’s cheating, he moves just enough for Audacity to see his sister still in her monk robes.

She laughs and tells him not to be a sore loser unless he wants to talk to her big brother. For a second Audacity is confused before the half-orc’s gaze flicks to the back corner and he leaves. A thin tiefling gets up and approaches, slinging an arm around Ambition’s shoulders and asking if she stole his wallet.

She says of course, she learned from the best.

He smiles and ruffles her hair.