RealmsToowoomba Recap # 84 [RPG]

[Midsummer 1372 Continued]

When the ceremony ends, music and dancing begin.  Mellia pulls Cain aside for a romantic moment alone, pleased to be able to greet him as her husband. She notes that he seemed tense when the Tendril asked if there was anyone present who objected to the wedding. Cain tells her that he would have been upset if anyone had ruined the occasion for her.  Mellia tells him the wedding was perfect, but she becomes saddened at the thought of her absent daughter. Cain kisses her and promises that they will get Allia back and reminds her that the little girl will have new siblings to be excited about. He also tells her that he is certain she will like the surprise he has planned for later that evening. As Cain leads Mellia back to the party, Markus emerges from the crowd and asks Mellia for a dance.  She replies that she would like to dance with her husband first, but Cain points out that his armor makes dancing difficult.  Mellia feels terrible for putting Cain on the spot and begins to babble until he gently leads her into the revelers and begins dancing as best he can. Mellia is touched by the gesture and guides him into a waltz.

Markus happily observes the bride and groom, laughing to himself at the sight of Cain on the dance floor. Determined to keep the party going, he sets out to lead more cheers and draws upon his slight magickal powers to create an entertaining light and sound show.  When the newly-married couple stop for refreshments provided by Tunak, Markus takes the opportunity to claim his dance with the bride. While they are dancing, Mellia thanks Markus for all of his assistance with Cain’s party and the wedding reception, and the swordsman acknowledges his skill at event planning.  He startles her, however, when he asks if he can be the Uncle to the children that she and Cain will be having, promising to spoil them outrageously.  Mellia is so surprised that she misses a step in the waltz and babbles, until she realizes that the swordsman is speaking of hypothetical children and does not know she is already pregnant with twins

While the reception continues, Ralkin decides to track down Gideon, since the diviner had slipped away during the ceremony.  The kenku finds that Gideon has once again sought solace at the water’s edge. Ralkin observes him from a distance and attempts to use his message spell on Jygil Zelnathra to spark an encounter between she and the diviner, but Jygil merely looks annoyed at the auditory intrusion.

When her dance with Markus is finished, Mellia tells Cain that she fears she almost gave away their secret, but thankfully Markus remains oblivious.  The newlyweds decide they should ask Jygil some questions about the rules for tomorrow’s duel with Felix Ruul. As they walk around the camp looking for her, they discuss their plans for Nesme and discuss whether the package that Cain was given in Silverymoon to deliver to Markus could be a trap. They determine that it only makes sense to ask Ralkin to examine it before saying anything to Markus.

Eventually, Jygil is spotted assisting a group of refugees who have just arrived. Speaking to one of the newcomers, Mellia determines that these are more former residents of Nesme who have made their way here hoping to make a new start after staying in recent weeks at refugee camps on the north bank of the Surbrin. They mention the many dangers of the trip across the Evermoors and the hordes of undead.  Cain and Mellia quickly realize that Jygil is too busy to talk to them about tomorrow’s duel.  Returning to the party, Mellia and Cain run into Ralkin and confirm that he will be joining them on their upcoming Nesme raid, though he is disappointed that the duration will be too short (only some few seconds) to allow him to range far afield from the others.

Ralkin goes to fetch Gideon to let him know that the more formal elements of the reception will be taking place shortly. Shiro, who has also been watching Gideon at her brother’s request, alerts her brother to her presence and asks if Gideon, who is very dull, should be permanently silenced. Ralkin declines the offer and tells his sister that he will merely be escorting the diviner back to the party. Gideon willingly heads back to the wedding reception when advised that Mellia is expecting his presence

Markus acts as Master of Ceremonies for the wedding reception and is the first to offer a toast to the bride and groom. He notes their shared love of fire and wishes them all happiness. Gideon, put on the spot and asked to offer the next toast, visibly hesitates, then offers a toast that wishes the couple happiness and love, but also his hope that the choices they make reflect what is best for them. Ralkin speaks next, offering a crowd-pleasing toast that advises Mellia to follow her heart over her head and that alludes to Daisy’s misconception that Cain hatched from an egg. Finally, Urist offers a brief toast that consists mainly of one word “Drink!”.  Mellia then tosses her bouquet and though she makes an effort to get the flowers to Urist, a particularly agile young woman makes the catch instead. Fortunately, Urist does not appear angry.

Back at the reception, Mellia and Cain prepare to depart for the evening. Telling Markus they will discuss their long-term strategies tomorrow, Mellia kisses his cheek and Urist’s before asking them to look after Gideon for her. She notes her concern that her friend does not seem like himself and doesn’t appear to be enjoying the party. While Cain helps to restore Urist’s hearing temporarily lost in a recent battle, Mellia seeks out Gideon and asks him to dance.  Mellia tells Gideon she worries that he isn’t having a good time but she is very glad that he came to her wedding. She promises that once Allia is rescued that her family will come by the Oracle’s Circle for a time. Gideon nods his head and obliquely informs her about his ‘deal’ with her new husband--that Cain will be set up as a blacksmith while Mellia is given a teaching post at the divination academy. Mellia is taken aback but before she can probe further, Urist cuts in, keeping her promise to look after Gideon.

Having witnessed his wife’s conversation with her mentor and understanding her body language, Cain appears apprehensive as she approaches him. When Mellia questions him about this deal he calmly explains that he merely said he would not object to the plan if that were something that she wanted. He saw it as the only way to get Gideon to attend the wedding. Mellia is again overcome by emotion: gratitude, not anger. She thanks Cain for his thoughtfulness and tearfully tells him she understands why he spoke to Gideon that way, but she doesnot want to be a divination teacher.

Nearby, Ralkin has been concisely explaining the intended raid on Nesme to Shiro. When they are joined by Cain and Mellia, Shiro quickly agrees to come along. Though Shiro offers to stay and use her talents to expedite the goal of destroying Nesme, when reminded that her presence is needed to protect Ralkin she quickly agrees that she should return with the others. However, she obviously feels that a hurried attack is less than ideal for exercising her abilities to the fullest.

Elsewhere, in the conjured mansion, El Capitan exercises in an attempt to alleviate his boredom. Hearing the mephits talk about the wedding, he tells them he is certain they have already missed it. They stubbornly refuse to believe their Master would have left them out of the event.  When Cain and Mellia arrive, El Capitan calls them upstairs. He says he has had enough of their ‘hospitality’ and has decided to take his chances with the authorities of New Nesme. Cain and Mellia don’t stop him, but Cain does task Muppit with trailing the cat-man.  El Capitan makes his way directly to the Keep and turns himself in.  The guards escort him to Sir Triandial Truehammer’s office, where the stressed-looking knight is poring over several maps.  Truehammer tells his men that he doesn’t have time to deal with El Capitan now, and that the suspected murderer should be taken to a cell.  Muppit, having followed El Capitan, sneaks into Truehammer’s office while the man’s back is turn and incinerates the maps!  Guards see the flaming mephit streak away, however.

When preparations are complete, the adventurers undertake their next planned raid on Nesme.  Mellia teleports herself, Cain, Ralkin, and Shiro just outside a militia barracks in the eastern end of Nesme.  The overmatched citizen-soldiers are dispatched brutally and efficiently by blade and flame, and in seconds all inside the barracks are dead.  The adventurers quickly return to Startop Mountain before reinforcements can arrive.  Shiro is disappointed by the experience, calling it noisy, unprofitable, and unsatisfying.

With the reception and the raid on Nesme behind them, Cain and Mellia turn their attention back to one another. As they begin to head upstairs, Mellia is surprised when Cain picks her up and carries her to their room which she finds transformed into a romantic honeymoon retreat. The room is lit by torches and scented candles and the bed is now adorned with red and gold silk sheets that match the silk curtains draped across a full-length mirror and over the windows. A large iron bath tub stands waiting, filled with heated water. The fiery heritage of the mephits has also been put to good use to transform plain sand into lovely glass sculptures that resemble crystal flames.

Mellia slowly takes in the beautiful room before smiling at Cain and thanking him for going to so much effort just for her. She tells him that she also purchased something special for the evening and she won’t be long getting ready. First though, she needs his help undoing the corset on the back of her dress. Despite some initial fumbling, Cain manages to disentangle the complicated array of ribbons and while Mellia slips into something more comfortable in the adjoining room, he removes his armour.

When Mellia returns she puts her arms around his neck. “Thank you for marrying me.”  Cain replies seriously: “Thank you for accepting.” Mellia raises an eyebrow and waits for Cain to take the lead. He does so, though the formality of the occasion has him a bit nervous. Mellia takes Cain’s hand and smiles, remembering their first night together in Longsaddle, and the words Cain said to her when she first approached him. “What precisely is it you would like me to do?” This time, however, there is no confusion regarding her intentions and the newly wedded couple spend the night making sure that their marriage is thoroughly consummated.

Outside the mansion, as the party winds down, Markus and Urist do their best to show Gideon a good time, but he won’t take them up on their offer to find female companionship for the night. Markus makes an effort to limit his own alcohol consumption in the hopes that he will actually remember this event. Eventually, the three retire to their various rooms in the mansion.

[Shieldmeet 1372]

As the new day dawns, the late nights have caught up with the adventurers and all are slow to rise. When Markus awakes, he is pleased to find his memory intact. He sets about fixing his bent elven courtblade and engraving his name upon it. When Ralkin and Shiro arrive for breakfast, Markus is very confused, especially when Shiro makes her voice and appearance as similar to Ralkin’s as possible. However, Markus is quick to deduce that this must be Ralkin’s sister.

El Capitan receives an early morning visitor to his cell in the form of Jygil Zelnathra. She advises him of the evidence against him, including the broken claw found under the victim’s body and the bloody knife found hidden in his tent. He denies being the Smiling Man killer and claims he has been framed. She uses her magical arts to cast a truth spell to probe the validity of his words. Given the circumstances and what happened last time, she advises he will likely be paroled though he will be watched carefully. As she departs, still under the influence of the truth spell, El Capitan blurts out his attraction to her, which she resolutely ignores. However, several hours later, the cat-man does find himself freed from his cell and he eagerly seeks out his young ward Pietro.

Ralkin steps outside and finds a group of Truehammer’s guards waiting with a message for Cain that the war leader of the camp would like to see him. Ralkin advises that Cain is indisposed and it may be a bit of a wait, but agrees to pass on the message and returns to the mansion. Not wishing to disturb Cain and Mellia, Ralkin instead knocks on the mephits’ door and gives them the message to pass along. The mephits are currently constrained by Cain’s very strict orders not to disturb him, particularly Muppit, who is anxious to report on what happened with El Capitan.

Mellia wakes some time before Cain but does not rouse him. She is increasingly nervous about the upcoming duel, fearing for his safety but reluctant to say anything lest Cain think that she does not believe in him. When he does wake up, Cain can tell his wife has been awake for some time and immediately realizes the reason for her anxiety. He promises her she won’t become a widow the day after becoming a bride. Mellia accepts his assurances, though she still stalls as much as possible as they prepare for the day.

The mephits pass along their messages to Cain as he and Mellia descend the stairs for breakfast. Mellia is unable to stand the myriad smells in the dining room and settles for tea and crackers in the hallway. Shiro speaks to Mellia again about allowing her shadow companion to enter the mansion. Mellia suggests that later in the day, when the new mansion has been conjured, they can use the current mansion to test the safety of that plan and Shiro agrees to this.

Ralkin advises Cain that Truehammer’s guards seemed in a hurry. With Mellia in tow, Cain heads outside and is escorted to the meeting with Truehammer who angrily gestures to his empty desk and states that Cain’s mephit burned some very important maps. Truehammer explains that a large army of undead with siege weapons is headed toward Nesme, but that a splinter group, is headed for Startop Mountain.  The only conclusion is that the intelligence which controls the unliving hordes of the Evermoors has noticed their presence and plans to remove them.  Although fellow knights of his Order are on their way, having cleansed the Tomb of Arden Brightheart (legendary Paladin of Try and founder of Startop Castle) and retrieved his holy weapon (the Sword of Conviction), they may not arrive in time to help.  Truehammer says that the adventurers must commit to being part of New Nesme or leaving, as their staying elsewhere and frequent departures makes everyone unsure of their commitment and whether they can be counted on.  Mellia is quick to point out that the adventurers have defended the refugees against several recent attacks, but Truehammer repeats his suspicions that those attacks wouldn’t have happened in the first place if the adventurers hadn’t alerted the undead to their presence by having a flaming mephit flying at night through the Evermoors to their precise location.  The fact that they’ve been harboring a known fugitive (El Capitan) adds to their questionable loyalties.  Truehammer and Mellia are annoyed by one another’s attitudes.  Cain notes that the people who fled the control of the Aurilites are worth defending and Mellia agrees with that sentiment, but both tell Truehammer that they intend to keep a conjured mansion as their domicile.  Truehammer remains displeased, but doesn’t press the issue further at the moment.

Meanwhile, Ralkin and Shiro head to Jygil Zelnathra’s tent. She is exhausted from her night assisting the refugees and consulting with Truehammer about the camp’s defenses, and is attempting to get some well-earned rest. Annoyed, she tells them that she is the one who will be setting up the dueling ground, Ralkin’s assistance is not needed, and that if Cain thinks the terms of the duel are unfair, he can always refuse to go through with it. She is further irked when Cain and Mellia also arrive, though she does agree to loan Mellia some books which explain ancient Thayan dueling rites.   Cain and Ralin discuss strategy and tactics in front of the mansion, as Ralkin attempts to affix a bear trap to Cain’s shield. Unfortunately, the end result is far too heavy to wield easily in a duel. Meanwhile, Mellia reviews the books Zelnathra loaned her but finds nothing of use. In frustration she drops the book on the ground gives it a sharp kick. The adventurers decide it’s nearing time to teleport Gideon and Renold to the Dalelands.

El Capitan comes by with Pietro in tow. He greets Cain and Mellia and brings them up to speed on the terms of his release. After a tense moment or two, he admits the real reason he has approached them: He is incredibly bored and wishes to join their ventures which must be more exciting than the options presently available to him. They agree and, realizing that Pietro is orphaned and with more undead on the way to Startop, Mellia offers to take the boy to the Dalelands to see if he can be enrolled at the Oracle’s Circle or at least offered a place to stay. El Capitan agrees and takes the boy aside to explain the situation, offering to visit him if and when he is able. The boy is obviously saddened by the loss of another parental figure in his life, but finally determines to take the opportunity, bolstered by El Capitan’s description of how exciting his life in the Dalelands will be.

Gideon emerges from the mansion, ready to return to the Oracle’s Circle. Cain departs to track down Renold, and discovers that his old friend has set up an impromptu sausage-roll stall. Though Renold believes he could make a go of it here in New Nesme, he readily agrees to head to the Dalelands when advised about the nightmarish army on its way.

While waiting for Cain to return, Mellia thanks Gideon again for coming and says she is sorry if it appears she’s anxious, explaining about Cain’s duel later that day. Gideon offers vague assurances that Cain will be alright, but does not show much emotion. Mellia also secures Gideon’s agreement to assist Pietro and to test his aptitude for magic. While on the subject, Mellia says she must be honest with her former teacher: teaching and divination do not appear to be the right path for her. She feels her future may lie elsewhere. Again, Gideon has no visible reaction. He does, however, respond to her enquiries about Hestia, who remains in place for an unnamed ‘contingency plan’ to rescue Allia.

Ralkin takes Gideon aside, explaining that his rude behaviour was about protecting his friends and trying to discourage Gideon from doing anything foolish. However, Gideon says he took no offense. Due to his unfamiliarity with kenku, he had assumed that Ralkin’s actions (demonic appearance, rude table manners, blunt talk) were merely how his species typically behaved.

When Pietro returns with his few possessions, El Capitan adds one more: his magickal rapier, which he makes the boy promise to train with every day. El Capitan seeks a word with Gideon also to tell him to stop moping around because he is bringing everybody down. Gideon finally opens up to the one friendly adventurer he met among Mellia’s friends. He is incensed that Cain would marry Mellia and fight a duel to the death the next day, risking her happiness over his own inflated sense of honour. Referring to the cleric as a “gallivanting swashbuckler,” Gideon expresses his disgust that Cain is already failing to put Mellia first. El Capitan says whatever his opinion of Cain, Gideon needs to do three things: thank Mellia for inviting him, wish the couple all happiness, and bow. Gideon sighs and thanks him for the advice, exhorting El Capitan to visit the Oracle’s Circle any time that he wishes.

Finally, with the travellers assembled, Mellia teleports herself, Cain, Gideon, Renold and Pietro to the Oracle’s Circle. Cain and Renold say their goodbyes, as do Gideon and Mellia. Recalling El Capitan’s words, Gideon thanks Mellia and Cain for including him in their wedding and wishes them well. Mellia embraces her old friend before returning to her husband’s side and teleporting back to Startop Mountain where the newlyweds find the rest of the group waiting, eagerly discussing the day of tournaments and duels ahead.