RealmsToowoomba Recap # 83 [RPG]

[30 Flamerule 1372 continued]

Within the elder of two identical conjured mansions, Mellia and Cain are still in bed after their evening assignation. They discuss the timing of their next raid on Nesme and Mellia suggests targeting the soliders’ barracks. They agree to an evening raid so that they can celebrate their wedding with some literal fire work. However, the mage irks her betrothed somewhat when she reminds him to contact his ‘friend’ Felix to try to negotiate the transport of an officiant for the wedding ceremony. Cain reminds her that Felix is no friend of his. Discussing the duel, Mellia asserts her belief that the rules appear far too much in Felix’s favour for her to trust that they are completely correct. As the challenger, Felix has had the opportunity to plan this duel well ahead of time in order to load up on magical armaments. Cain is unconcerned, noting that he would expect Felix to press every advantage. They do agree to ask Jygil Zelnathra about the scroll Felix’s messenger pressed into her hands to see if there is evidence of any wrongdoing. As well, Mellia promises Cain that if something were to go horribly wrong during the duel, she would kill Felix herself. Mellia then suddenly remembers that she left Gideon in Ralkin’s custody and the couple move quickly to make themselves presentable.                 

In the other mansion, Ralkin continues to taunt Gideon, taking a particular pleasure in flaunting Cain and Mellia’s physical relationship to the obviously discomfited diviner. When the kenku suggests that it might be helpful to employ a spell of deafness to avoid hearing the couple when they’re alone together, the diviner reaches his limit and stalks out of the mansion to get some fresh air. Gideon walks through the camp, taking note of the many people and finally sits down at the edge of the water, grabbing some stones to skip. He is not pleased when Ralkin sits beside him and warns him of the many dangers that have emerged from the waters recently, including monstrous crayfish and undead. Gideon stands up and continues his lonely walk.  When he pokes his head into the tent where Markus is finalizing his party preparations, the diviner is brusquely turned away.  He soon falls into conversation with Jygil Zelnathra and Balissan Callushands, and seems quite at home speaking to fellow professionals in the magickal arts.  Ralkin soon interrupts, however, by approaching Gideon and telling him of the danger posed by the Smiling Man murderer.  The diviner reluctantly returns to the conjured mansion.

As Ralkin trails Gideon, he himself is startled by a harshly whispering voice beside his ear. “Hello, brother.” Moments later, his sister Shiro appears out of nowhere. “You should have stayed dead, brother.” Ralkin confirms to his sister that he is still making his ‘little toys’, though for the time being he keeps them to himself. He explains that currently he spends his time looking after a group of ‘pyromaniacs’. Shiro informs her brother that Karin Whitefeather knows that he is still alive and that the bounty on his head is once again active. When Ralkin asks Shiro’s purpose in sharing this news, she asks him if he would like her assistance. When he assents, she says simply, “then consider me your shadow.”  Ralkin informs Shiro of the Smiling Man and she suggests that perhaps they could draw the killer out somehow, though Ralkin declines this suggestion. For his part, Ralkin tells his sister that he will be safe inside the mansion and asks her to keep a discreet eye on his friend Cain during the bachelor party.

Once dressed and armoured as appropriate, Mellia and Cain check on El Capitan and his mephit guards. The cat-man is highly agitated after his long and lonely day of captivity. After seeing to some basic requirements, he is moved to his new yet familiar prison--the same room in the newly conjured mansion.  Cain sees to his prayers and Mellia joins him, then spends time working on her wedding vows. Afterwards, Cain gives Mellia a list of items for her to include when she conjures the mansion the next day; supplies he requires to prepare a surprise for their wedding night. Mellia, blushing furiously, agrees to make sure that the items are made available. As Cain prepares to depart for his party, Mellia apologizes again for pushing the idea with Markus, knowing the event is unlikely to be pleasant for the guest of honour. She offers to provide a fake ‘emergency’ in an hour or so, but Cain resolves to stick it out as best he can and to just depart when he has had enough. Once he is gone, the bride-to-be cannot resist trying on her wedding dress.

Once outside the mansion, Cain casts a sending spell to contact Felix, telling the Red Wizard that he’ll agree to the duel if Felix will bring priest of Kossuth with him.  Felix spits back that Cain can refuse the duel like the coward he is, but that they’ll be no bargaining.  Cain is unsurprised and finally responds to Urist’s explanations that the party is ready and heads to the tent, acknowledging Ralkin’s warning not to drink too much given the big day planned for Midsummer. When Cain enters, he finds the tent mostly in darkness with the exception of the stage. A crowd has already gathered and a cup is quickly pressed into his hand, though the cleric refrains from drinking. Markus and the halfling acrobats appear on stage. Markus enthusiastically greets his friend: “Welcome to the greatest night of your life!” The Sembian-born swordsman puts some of his basic proficiency in the arcane arts to good use, conjuring a light show and syncopated sound track while Nik, Nak, and Nok go through a choreographed routine. The party roars to life, but Cain impassively allows it to unfold around him.

In the mansion, Mellia responds to El Capitan’s calls but declines his request to attend Cain’s party. She reminds him that he is a murder suspect and likely to be immediately arrested. She offers him a book to read as entertainment, but he refuses the ones on history and spelunking that are offered.  His request for fictions of a more risque nature earn him a glare from the mage.  Moving downstairs, Mellia apologizes to Gideon for being occupied for so long with other tasks. Gideon hesitantly inquires about Cain’s party and whether he is expected to attend. Mellia says that is up to Gideon and that Cain will not be bothered either way. She suggests that she and Gideon take the opportunity to catch up, but, pleading fatigue, he retires early. Mellia settles in to continue writing her darkvision transmutation into her spellbook.

As the party thrown in his honour rages on, Cain continues to avoid drinking despite Markus and Urist’s encouragements. Finally, the dwarf and the swordsman resort to manhandling the cleric. After one failed attempt and a drink that ends up splashed in Cain’s face, they do succeed in pouring a few shots down his throat.

Mellia and Ralkin chat in the mansion, with Mellia asking out of ‘curiousity’ what it was like for Ralkin to grow up with siblings born at the same time. Ralkin explains it was interesting and that although his siblings included twins, there was little confusion for the family and all of the siblings were well able to occupy one another. He tells Mellia that his sister is in town and asks if she would be welcome in the mansion. Mellia quickly agrees, though she reminds Ralkin to be certain that Shiro carries no extra-dimensional items with her.  Ralkin proceeds to escort Shiro into the mansion and to her room (the gnome-sized room originally intended for Wrex). When Shiro asks about having her shadow companion invited into the mansion, Ralkin promises to discuss it with Mellia. However, he instead goes straight to bed.

Near midnight, the bachelor party has reached epic proportions and dancing is now in full swing. Though Markus and Urist attempt to keep Cain on the dance floor, the cleric quickly slips away at the first opportunity, igniting the alcohol that has dripped into his armour and quickly burning it away. When Cain arrives in the mansion, Mellia can tell by his face that he did not have an enjoyable evening. They head upstairs and speak with El Capitan who wants all the party details and is full of ennui at missing such an event. He pitifully requests someone to have a ‘heart to heart’ with, claiming he heard a new voice (Gideon) in the mansion earlier. Cain suggests that the cat-man speak with Markus when he returns, but El Capitan declines, instead sharing some of his poetry with Cain and Mellia.  As Cain and Mellia turn in for the night, Mellia notes that twenty four hours have passed since their last raid on Nesme, but she does not feel any relief from her sickness. When Cain notes that his own feelings of illness have passed, Mellia quickly realizes that her physical condition (pregnancy) and not a mental coercion must be causing her discomfort. Cain tells Mellia that he had no luck with Felix and they make plans to travel to Thay in the morning. They agree that if Mellia can arrange travel to Thay that Cain can provide transport back again, saving Mellia’s spells for Nesme.

In far-off Mirabar, Fagrim practices an encouraging speech in front of the mirror in his room and in front of two of his companions. Though the dwarf doubts his capacity for true leadership, his companions remind him that he is a natural leader who has demonstrated his battle-prowess time and time again.  Moreover, he has been specially chosen for this mission by Ardanac Harpell himself.

[Midsummer 1372]

In the morning, Cain and Mellia arise and start the preparations for their wedding. Outside the mansion, the camp is already preparing for the Midsummer festivities. Mellia arranges for some workers to set up the ceremony site for sunset and finds some ladies willing to help her dress for the wedding. Then, while Cain casts a spell, Mellia returns to the mansion to knock on Gideon’s door. Telling him she must attend to an errand, she advises that he remain in the mansion for the day. However, her friend resents her assertions that he would be in great danger were he to venture outside, pointing out the many refugees of New Nesme who have made it their temporary home. Reluctantly, Mellia tells her friend to at least promise her he will be careful.

On her way back downstairs, Mellia sees an unfamiliar Kenku in the common room. She and Shiro introduce themselves to each other, with Mellia noting that Ralkin has spoken of his many siblings. Mellia says that she considers Ralkin a good friend. Shiro alludes to Ralkin being in danger and Mellia tells Shiro that she would be happy to help, if she can. Shiro brings up the matter of her shadow, and Mellia promises to consider allowing it inside the mansion. On her way out the door, Mellia asks Shiro and Ralkin to keep an eye on Gideon during the day.

Outside, Cain and Mellia decide to teleport to the First Terrace of the Flaming Brazier as that is one of the few locations where such an arrival would be permitted. Two spells and seconds later, they have arrived in Thay where the weather, still controlled by the Red Wizards, remains perfect and the citizens are well into their celebration of Midsummer. Cain notes that he has someone he would like to see and he invites Mellia to come along with him. Outside, Cain quickly spots the sausage-roll cart belonging to his friend Renold but is surprised when Mellia says that she recognizes him as well--this is the man who offered to help break Cain out of the temple using less than legal means. Cain announces himself and is pleased that his old friend recognizes him despite the many changes to his appearance. Cain introduces Mellia and informs his friend that Mellia is soon to be his wife. Though Renold has not been able to secure the forks that Cain was seeking to aid him in planar travel, he is happy to see his friend and to hear of his adventures outside of Thay. Cain thanks Renold for his efforts to secure Cain’s release and discretely offers to bring his friend back with them to the Evermoors for the wedding and after that, to the Dalelands where Renold can start a new life no longer under the thumb of the Zulkirs. He quickly agrees and leaves to prepare while Cain and Mellia return to the temple.

At the mansion, Gideon responds to El Capitan’s plaintive calls and is surprised to find him in the room with the mephits though he agrees to chat with the lonely cat-man. El Capitan is quick to note that the diviner seems disconsolate and Gideon shares his frustrations that ‘someone’ doesn’t see him clearly and has been misled by flashy armour, swords and adventurous travel. He points out that he is an adult, a powerful mage in his own right, and does not need mollycoddling. El Capitan says he knows how important it is to see beneath the surface and that Gideon reminds him of his regret for his own lost first love. He tells Gideon of the beautiful Celine with the emerald eyes who had lived next door to him in his youth. He had squandered his chance to approach her and has always regretted it. Gideon says that he could assist El Capitan in trying to find Celine and the cat-man agrees to consider it. In turn, Gideon promises to mull over what El Capitan has said about speaking up. Having listened carefully to the conversation, Magnim tells Mupit that he must not hold back any longer. He must speak. “You,” he says, “are an idiot!”.

In Thay at the Flaming Brazier, Cain waits patiently for a ceremony to finish before approaching the master of the First Terrace, the portly Candlemaster. As an Archon of Kossuth, Cain is treated with great deference and a tendril is quickly procured to accompany him and Mellia back to the Evermoors. Once Renold has joined them outside, Cain utters syllables of power and transports all of them to Startop Mountain. Though the trip is quite similar to her own arcane methods of fast travel, Mellia finds herself ill from the trip. Determined to remain positive, she tells Cain her morning sickness is a sign that their twins are doing well.  She proceeds to cast the spell for her next magical mansion, making sure to include the special items that Cain requested. She also makes sure that in this version of the mansion, the room with El Capitan and the Mephits is on the second and not the third floor, to afford she and Cain some additional privacy later that evening

As mid-afternoon approaches, Markus and Urist awaken in a tangle of limbs in Markus’ bed. Urist quickly assures Markus that she was present only to guard his person from others with ill intent. Markus then realizes in a panic that he has scant hours to prepare himself for the wedding and hastens to begin working on his appearance. The results are stupendous, though Markus is careful that they fall just short of outshining the bride. For her part, Urist braids daisies into her beard for the festive occasion.

Before Mellia departs to begin her own preparations for the wedding, El Capitan takes the chance to tell her that she is a beautiful woman and that Cain is very lucky, and that love should be cherished. The suspected serial killer seems very alone and depressed to be missing so many social occasions due to his confinement.  After Mellia leaves to have several of the ladies assist her with her dress and hairstyle. Cain commandeers a group of the unseen servants and arranges the room to his satisfaction, also making sure to transfer El Capitan and the mephits to the new mansion. Outside, Ralkin oversees the workers setting up for the wedding and moves several pieces of equipment with a glowing, semi-transparent clockwork hand that has 8 talons!

At last, the sun sets and the wedding begins. The assembled guests each carry a lit candle and the Tendril of Kossuth stands with Cain in front of a moderate bonfire. A much larger unlit bonfire stands behind them. Both Mellia and Cain carry lit torches.

The Tendril welcomes those assembled to the wedding and begins the ceremony, asking the Flamelord to bless and sanctify the union of Cain and Mellia.  “It is only through purification and sacrifice that Kossuth bestows his blessings,” he says. “By starting a new life together these two must now purge themselves of who they were before.”  He asks the bride and groom to present their vows.

Cain speaks first, reading his vows from a scroll and then burning it nearby flames.  “I offer this pledge before the Flamelord that I shall cherish and protect the one I love with all my power, and support her on the True Path and her path through life. Whatever trouble may assail her I will shield her; any voice that offends her I shall silence. That she would honour me with this blessed union I shall honour her with the powers granted to me through faith. I pledge this before those present today at this holy ceremony.”

Mellia’s hands tremble when it is her turn to speak, but she reads her vows in a clear voice and then burns the scroll.  “Cain, you are, well, you’re a lot like fire, actually. Dangerous. Destructive. But, powerful and reassuring too. I just knew, the minute you disappeared back to Thay that I couldn’t continue this journey without you. And when you came back, something felt . . . different. When we met, if someone had told me that you would be the person I could count on above all others, I would not have believed it. But you are. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m where I’m meant to be. Like I’m home. And I’m so grateful for that and for the future that you make me believe in. So tonight, I promise to always stand with you, to fight beside you and to burn only for you, on the True Path for the rest of my life. And also,” she says, speaking now in Ignan, “I love you”.

As Cain and Mellia say their vows to one another, Gideon, who stands at the back of the crowd, hears a voice in his own head, one that, courtesy of Ralkin, sounds as though it is his own. Gideon hears the voice say “She looks so beautiful and happy. Perhaps this is what is best for her. I can’t get in the way of this.” His shoulder slumped, Gideon stalks away from the wedding ceremony as the Tendril asks if anyone objects to the union. Though Urist, Markus and even Cain prepare themselves for action should any hand be raised, no one steps forward to mar the occasion and the Tendril turns his attention from the crowd back to Cain and Mellia. “Together, light this torch,” he says, “and use it to set this pyre ablaze so that Kossuth may see that you are worthy of his favour, on this day and on days to come.”

At his words, Cain and Mellia use their individual torches to light a single flame that they wield together to set the great bonfire alight. In the crowd, Markus and Urist both tear up at the romance of the wedding.  The Tendril concludes the ceremony, stating that the Flamelord has smiled upon them and that they have been found worthy.  “Now claim your reward,” he says, and as the onlookers cheer, Cain sweeps Mellia up into his arms and kisses her deeply.  Markus rears back and breathes a blast of flame into the air, and a joyful wedding reception begins.

But although though love and romance reign on Startop Mountain, somewhere in the lonely Evermoors a glow appears just off the ground.  The light intensifies and then begins to turn colour, and in seconds a rapidly swirling rainbow pool hovers in mid-air.  A man falls to the ground awkwardly, but once he catches his breath and looks around, his eyes shine with excitement.  “We’re back! We finally bloody-well made it!” he shouts.  Another figure lands nearby in a battle-stance, clad in full-plate and holding a greatsword at the ready.  Her hair is long and stringy and her eyes look crazed and almost feral.  She throws her head back and a shrill, insane laugh cuts through the still night like a blade.  An old threat has returned, one intensified by a thirst for vengeance.