RealmsToowoomba Recap # 94 [RPG]

[8 Eleasis 1372 continued]

Markus eagerly enters the Font of Knowledge to meet his hired researcher, Illighast, who finally has news for him regarding the mysterious blade that has attached itself to Urist. Unfortunately, the result of her research is ominous. Illighast has discovered that the sword originates from another plane of existence inhabited by a race called the Morituri, which in Common translates as “We who are about to die.” The Morituri have been engaged in a civil war for centuries, and their most devout battle-ragers are given a sword that somehow fuses a living being within an artificial shell.  These “bio-mechanical” weapons, Illighast explains to a somewhat confused Markus, are not magickal per se, yet their effects are truly wondrous: with each strike, the being inside the sword may drain the life from the target and transfer it into the wielder.  But although Morituri battle-ragers become nearly invincible on the battlefield, in time they absorb so much strength from their foes that they cannot contain it and literally explode from the strain!  Illighast goes on to say that, from the materials she’s been able to examine, there are only two ways to remove the blade: one is the death of the wielder and the severing of his arm; the second is for another sentient to freely and knowingly accept the advantage and burden of the blade. To his surprise, Markus also recognizes one the portraits in an ancient tome that Illighast is consulting: the man appears to be the very likeness of the strange arms merchant Mortimont, though the drawing is captioned “Draven.” Although unhappy with the news, Markus is more than satisifed with Illighast’s work and pays her the fee they agreed to.

Just outside the library, Mellia teleports in along with her companions, fresh from their failed battle at the Oven and Shaker. The frustrated mage quickly tells the halfling Tedric that his master will have to look after his own insect problems from now on and Tedric takes his leave. El Capitan remarks that he is sad to see the fellow go, before handing over Mellia and Cain’s share of the coins given for attempting the task. Moving inside the library they quickly find Markus and bring him up to speed on what transpired. He shares the news from Illighast, and Mellia again offers to contact Mortimont. The adventurers hope the man will know someone willing to take on the blade and free Urist. Despite not fighting with the group, Markus manages to charm a share of the coins out of El Capitan.  Talk turns to the banquet at the Temple of Sune planned for that evening.

Suddenly, the library hushes and all eyes turn to the grand staircase leading to the upper levels of the Font of Knowledge, where the devotees of Oghma have their chapels and living quarters. Two very different but very charismatic figures have begun their descents. The first is a man in his early sixties with white hair and a beard, dressed in simple clothing but projecting an almost tangible aura of knowledge and wisdom. The second is a very serious, but incredibly handsome and virile-looking man in a toga. To the surprise of the adventurers, the older man speaks to a nearby acolyte and the acolyte points in their direction!  They are even more surprised when he tells them, with a sonorous voice and affable tone, that he has been sent by Oghma, Lord of Knowledge, to record their deeds as legendary figures in the making. Markus is delighted at the thought that someone else will be able to take over recording his great deeds. Mellia is more cautious and asks what the fellow knows about them. He tells her that she is a ‘diviner without foresight’ and that Cain is a ‘servant of the Flamelord who may yet choose family over faith’. Hearing his words, Mellia questions the accuracy of his visions, calling herself an evoker while attempting to soothe Cain’s temper by caressing his neck.

The group politely excuse themselves from the newcomers to converse. They discuss ways to find out whether the strangers’ claims are true or not and decide they won’t be able to do so until tomorrow. Markus and El Capitan decide to ask the newcomers to accompany them to the Temple of Sune and Cain agrees to prepare a spell for the next day which will allow him to detect lies. Returning, the group finally introduces themselves and ask for the newcomers’ names in return. The older gentleman says that his name is Londo Morden while his companion is known as Daarion Valantis. Seeing that Cain still bears the marks of Markus’ claws across his face, Londo offers to heal the wounds but is refused. After Mellia and Cain take their leave, Daarion tells Londo that they do not appear to have made a positive impression on ‘the female’.

Londo and Daarion happily agree to accompany Markus and El Capitan to the Temple of Sune, with Londo sharing his belief that the only thing better than knowledge is knowledge of beautiful women. On their way to the temple, Markus talks about his early childhood in Saerloon, Sembia.  Londo notices another of his kind a little ways down the street, but the fellow quickly ducks out of sight and Londo elects not to follow him. When they arrive at the temple, they find it to be a building in an elegant, classical style with courtyards full of beautifully-sculpted gardens and sparkling fountains.  The adventurers introduce themselves to an acolyte as “Janakath’s  special guests” and there is some momentary confusion, but they are quickly welcomed inside and escorted to the paladin’s private bungalow and dining room. When Markus sees that the table is hastily being reset by a retainer from an intimate dinner for two to a table that will accommodate a larger group, he realizes his faux pas and suggests to El Capitan that he and the others should introduce themselves and then make themselves scarce. However, when Janakath appears, casually but beautifully attired, he gives the entire group a sincere welcome and insists that they stay for dinner. He makes them welcome and tells them that the Grand Revel will commence in a few hours. He and Londo take turns reciting beautiful romantic poetry for the enjoyment of those present.

When Cain and Mellia exit the Font of Knowledge they are surprised to find two soldiers of Thay waiting for Cain, kneeling in his presence and addressing him respectfully as Archon. They inform him that the Consul of Thay in Waterdeep requests his presence. Mellia waits to see what her husband will do and is somewhat frustrated when he quickly agrees to accompany the soldiers. Before departing, she briefly returns to the library to borrow another of Janakath’s novels (aptly titled Blazing Love in Bezantur) which she proceeds to read while they travel to the Thayan embassy in an elegant carriage. Cain and his wife soon arrive at an opulent but fortress-like mansion. Inside, they are escorted to a bedroom where they find the imposing Consul of Thay (a Thayan Knight in spiked full-plate) waiting for them, standing vigil over Thay’s Ambassador, Ethur Anazim, who is alive but feverish and raving in his bed.

The Consul, Thazar Arkanak, states brusquely that the Ambassador was the victim of an attempt on his life recently, and that although he still lives, the best healers have been unable to restore the man’s damaged mind.  The assassination attempt took place in broad daylight, Arkanak explains, and though he himself managed to drive the would-be assassin away, the attacker has yet to face his rightful punishment.  Arkanak says that the identity of the villain is now known: Hagar Hlutwigsson, so-called “Chief” of a barbarian tribe, the Blue Bears, that have taken up the life of mercenaries and paid assassins.  Hlutwigsson fled Waterdeep after the attack, but a captured member of his tribe revealed that the “Chief” and his lieutenants are most likely hiding at their hunting lodge in the hills northwest of the city.

Arkanak goes on to explain that attempts to capture or kill Hlutwigsson have been stymied by the fact that the landscape where the barbarian is hiding was torn asunder during the Time of Troubles.  Because the Weave itself was damaged in those areas, magick is unreliable: in places it fails altogether, but perhaps worse are the areas of so-called “wild magick” where the simplest spell can have the most far-reaching and unpredictable effects.  Because the Red Wizards have been unable to operate effectively in such an area, Arkanak says it has fallen to Cain to do his duty to Thay and bring him Hlutwigsson’s head within twenty-four hours.  Arkanak snidely tells Cain to enlist his fellow adventurers in the task.  When Cain protests that he is already engaged in a sacred quest, the Consul sneeringly says that he is aware of how little progress Cain has made in Nesme and also of his failure in the duel against Felix Ruul. The Consul threatens that if Cain does not take up this task with alacrity and complete it successfully, he will regret it: in Thay, Arkanak says, State outranks Church and ‘what was given can be taken away.’  Cain is obviously displeased but accepts the commission. He persuades the Consul to give him more information on the assassin and hears that there are rumours the Blue Bears have the literal ability to transform themselves into their namesake. Cain and Mellia leave the embassy and return to the Font of Knowledge.  Mellia conjures her mansion, though in a new location than previous, and they go inside.

Meanwhile, having finished his spell research for the day, Ralkin begins to head to his lodgings. However, his stroll is interrupted by a Watch patrol who state that he is accused of having stolen a silver comb. They demand to search him and the kenku acquiesces. The patrol’s Civilar is rather racist in telling Ralkin that all kenku are thieves and scoundrels, even if he’s yet managed to convict one of a crime. When he finds Ralkin’s thieves tools, he holds them forth in triumph. Ralkin though, calmly explains that he is an engineer and a locksmith and these are merely tools of his trade. With no silver comb and no proof of criminal activity, the Civilar eventually allow him to go on his way, but with a warning that he will be watched. For his part, Ralkin takes special note of the Civilar’s face and voice.

At the Temple of Sune, dinner has finished and the group moves into the courtyard to enjoy the Grand Revel, a monthly celebration of love and beauty that also serves as a convenient means of recruiting newcomers into the faith.  Janakath and El Capitan discuss the latter’s life as an adventurer and the former’s duties as a Paladin of Sune. Janakath explains that his role is often quite different to that of paladins of other deities.  For example, Janakath says, he attempts to bring love to those who haven’t yet experienced it, or to reunite lovers who have been torn apart.  Janakath says that his current quest is to find love for an elderly woman in the Dock Ward who is oft-reviled by her neighbours for her lack of beauty.  El Capitan says this is an admirable goal, and the two continue talking.  Meanwhile, Markus enjoys the festivities and finds himself drawn to one of the roving troubadours while Londo gathers new songs and poetry from the participants.

Inside her conjured mansion, Mellia and Cain enter their bedroom in an awkward silence. Mellia goes and sits by the fire and Cain realizes that his wife is quietly crying and won’t look at him. He sits by her and tells her that he isn’t happy about this new task either, but he has no choice. If he were to refuse, it would create great difficulties for him within the Church. Mellia protests that she does not know how they can handle their current quests and notes that he has not yet even brought up Nesme. At that moment, Cain doubles over in pain with guilt from failing to adhere to his magickal oath to kill the priestesses of Auril and raze Nesme to the ground. When Mellia suggests that he heal himself, Cain does so, but he is obviously still far from well. Mellia sighs and asks why he did not allow Londo to heal him earlier and Cain gruffly replies that he does not need the assistance of those of a lesser faith. Mellia reminds him that they will need the assistance of those others if they are to be successful in their quests. She then hesitantly suggests that perhaps the time has come to consider using magickal means to remove the strictures of their oath, if not their intention to complete it. Cain though says that there is no need for that, as another twenty four hours won’t kill him. Mellia says “fine”, in a tone that makes it clear that it is not.  Cain suggests that they contact Markus, hoping that his swordsmanship will be an asset against Hlutwigsson and that perhaps he’ll be able to convince the others to join in. As they head outside for her to cast a sending to Markus, Cain asks if Mellia minds if he absents himself for a few moments and she responds only with an angry retort.

Mellia’s sending states that there is a new opportunity for glory in the morning and that she needs Markus’ help because her husband is being a complete idiot.  Markus’ reply is that he will attempt to stay sober and that he wonders what Cain has done now. The moment her spell is complete, Mellia returns to the mansion and the bedroom where her anger gives way to overwhelming despair. The pressures and worries about their quests, about her children, and about her husband finally overwhelm her and she is wracked with hysterical sobs. Cain, who returns a few moments later, having had no success in tracking down a romantic restaurant or flowers for his wife, hears her desperate crying and hastens up the stairs. Mellia hears his armour clanking as he comes up the stairs and she attempts to pull herself together, pretending to be reading when he enters the room. Cain calmly removes his armour and dons his cloak, taking her hand and escorting her outside for a walk.

At the banquet, Janakath offers to show El Capitan something normally reserved for those devoted to his faith.  He leads El Capitan into the temple proper and up a winding series of staircases  The pair eventually emerge at the top of the temple’s highest tower for a beautiful view of starlit Waterdeep just as fireworks light up the night’s sky.  The romantic moment culminates in a kiss.  Meanwhile, down below, Londo tells Markus a little about himself, stating that he grew up in Chessenta and was sent by his father to the Domes of Knowledge to be initiated into Oghma’s priesthood.  Afterwards, Londo says, he journeyed to another plane and met Daarion. Markus mentions that his own trip to a different plane resulted in his death and eventual resurrection, which Londo finds fascinating. The three then begin to discuss a drinking game and as they talk, Daarion notes that he has never before experienced any frivolity of this sort, as his purpose is to serve Oghma and protect his friend Londo, who in turn notes his hopes of showing all that the material plane has to offer to his friend.

When Janakath and El Capitan return to the others, Markus quickly fills his friend in on their opportunity for glory the next day. Janakath escorts the group to the gates, bidding them adieu with wishes that they (and especially El Capitan) will return soon.  On their way out, Markus asks El Capitan how his date went.  The cat-man tells him that, like a whisper on the wind, a true gentleman does not kiss and tell.  The adventurers head back to the Font of Knowledge where Londo arranges for them to stay in guest quarters for the night. 

Elsewhere in the city, the impressive fireworks display is failing to lighten the mood for Cain and Mellia. Though the couple strolls about for the best part of an hour the tension is thick and Mellia is clearly still despairing.  Cain remains quiet.  When the two  return to the mansion, Mellia tells her husband that she is unsure how much more of this she can take. He has no response and she finally suggests that he head upstairs and complete his nightly prayers to Kossuth. Once he is thus engaged, Mellia steps outside and makes another, more franticsending to Markus, tearfully pleading with him to meet her outside the Font of Knowledge immediately, pleading that his presence there would mean the world to her. Markus, his words slurred with drink, nonetheless promises to meet her there and begins to head out, though he is intercepted by El Capitan. Seeing his friend is not in the ideal condition to wander about unescorted, the cat-man walks Markus to the meeting point.

Mella is crying and distraught when she sees Markus, telling him that Cain is going to die because they have not made enough progress against Nesme and it is killing him.  Mellia says she cannot bear the thought of losing her husband and that she does not want to have to raise the twins alone as she did Allia. She concludes by saying that she needs money so she can obtain a scroll. Markus, who does not appear to realize the pregnancy news he just heard, awkwardly pats Mellia on the head and generously offers her his coin purse, noting that he trusts her to repay him. Mellia gratefully takes a small fortune in diamonds and coins before thanking him again and hurrying back to the mansion. Markus and El Capitan return to their beds.

Returning to the mansion, Mellia finds that Cain has finished his prayers and is sitting in the common room writing something at a table. She hides the coins and goes upstairs to prepare for bed. When she comes back downstairs, she puts her arms around his neck and asks Cain if he is going to join her upstairs. Cain, who swiftly tucked away his writing the moment she entered the room, is surprised at her change in attitude but acknowledges that he is coming to bed. As they prepare to go upstairs hand in hand, Mellia stops to tell Cain that she loves him, receiving his declaration of love in return.

[9 Eleasis 1372]

Several hours later dawn approaches and, believing her husband to be deeply asleep, Mellia slips out of the mansion. Cain is not unaware of her departure, but chooses to let her go, though he immediately rises and heads downstairs to continue writing. For her part, Mellia spends some time outside the mansion studying the location before teleporting to a familiar point outside of Silverymoon. Moving as quickly as she can she enters the city and heads to the Lady’s College. A sympathetic teacher on chaperone-duty opens the doors early for her and provides her with answers and directions to the material she needs. At a nearby shop, she purchases an expensive scroll and leaves the city, waiting until she can no longer see the walls of Silverymoon before teleporting back to the mansion.

Meanwhile, several other members of the party have also risen early. Ralkin, having not seen his sister in a day or more, and not knowing that she perished in the sewers while seeking adventure, briefly stops by her safehouse but finds so sign of Shiro. He then goes to speak with Peshbeck Honetalon, the kenku elder he had asked several days ago to investigate whether a wand of fabricate could be found in the city.  Honetalon explains that his inquiries reveal that such items are extremely rare. The many guilds in the city have forbidden them on the basis that magickal items of fabricate will destroy their livelihoods and make them obsolete. They also enforce that ban with extreme prejudice, and he cites an example. However, Honetalon says, he does know of one such item extant in Waterdeep:  a dwarven master-smith who was blinded and maimed during the liberation of Mithral Hall years ago was rewarded for his sacrifice with a circlet of fabricate upon his return to the city.  This dwarf, Hero Hrothgar, and his sons run a very successful forge using the circlet.  Ralkin says he’s not interested in taking the risk of stealing the circlet himself, and asks Honetalon to make inquiries for those who will do it for him.  As Ralkin prepares to leave, Honetalon reminds Ralkin that to those whom much is given, much is expected.  The younger kenku explains that once in possession of the circlet, he plans to manufacture special mechanical manacles designed to dismember spellcasters!  He promises to give several of the manacles to the Murder for free.  Ralkin then heads to the Font of Knowledge, waiting outside for Cain to present himself.

When Mellia enters the mansion she sees her husband seated at the writing desk. Without hesitation, she takes the scroll and begins to recite a powerful and rare spell. Cain suspects nothing untoward as Mellia finishes the spell with a fervent kiss on her husband’s lips. Instants later, as his quest-driven sickness passes, Cain’s eyes widen in shock as he realizes what she has done. Mellia, though pale and shaking, says defiantly that she is not sorry for her actions but that she does request forgiveness. Seconds later, she is overcome with morning sickness and must flee to a nearby basin, leaving her shocked husband to stare after her.

Markus and El Capitan rise and head downstairs from the private quarters of the Temple of Oghma to the public library area of the Font of Knowledge where they find Londo and Daarion waiting. Through a nearby window, Londo notices Ralkin waiting and points him out to Markus, supposing that the adventurers are waiting to be reunited. To everyone’s surprise, the swordsman suddenly becomes enraged and dashes outside to stab the startled kenku with his blade!  The injured kenku runs away, calling for the Watch, while Londo and El Capitan rush out to intervene.  Daarion dramatically sprouts wings from his back and crashes through a window to swoop down on the mad swordsman.  Markus continues to rave about “doppelgangers” while chasing Ralkin through the early-morning and largely-deserted streets.  Daarion manages to grab hold and restrain Markus long enough for Londo to use his divine gifts to confirm that the adventurer is under some sort of mental compulsion.  As Ralkin dashes back into the Font of Knowledge and locks himself in a storeroom, Daarion channels his own divinely-granted powers to remove the enchantment on Markus.  The confused swordsman suddenly stops struggling, having no memory of what he’d done.  When questioned about his ravings, Markus says that Ralkin is certainly no doppelganger, just a “filthy kenku.”  Seeing a Watch patrol approaching, Markus realizes he might be in trouble and decides to slip away.  Londo has no difficulty finding where Ralkin has hidden himself, and his offer to heal the kenku’s wound is eventually accepted.

When Mellia’s morning sickness passes, she freshens up and returns, pale and trembling, to face what she is certain will be a very wrathful husband. Cain, who had returned to his writing, tucks it away as she enters and turns to face her. She babbles excessively, attempting to plead her case until he places a finger on her lips. He tells her that while he is not happy about what she did, he does understand why she did it. He tells her that he is unsure how to feel about the situation, and that it is likely to create awkwardness for him within the Church. He also notes that his desire to complete the quest in Nesme has not changed, despite the lack of magickal bonds. Further, she remains magickally bound to the quest even if he is not. Mellia is so grateful that he has not disavowed her that she quickly agrees when he changes the topic to the need to get a second opinion on her medical condition. He also points out that they must seek out Markus and make plans for their attempt to find the Thayan Ambassador’s attacker. He does, however, refuse to heal himself further, at least for the present.

Cain and Mellia head upstairs so he can don his armour, which she timidly helps with. Despite her anxiety over Cain’s reaction, Mellia is visibly calmer than the night before and her despair seems to have passed. As they prepare to head out, Mellia pauses to ask Cain if this can be true--can he really forgive her? The cleric again says that he understands the motivation for her actions and that though it may take time, he believes that she can be forgiven. She embraces him and they continue to descend the stairs. Attempting to change the subject, Mellia notes that she has observed her husband engaged in writing quite a bit over the past day or so. Cain tells her it is a letter “of sorts” but does not elaborate. Mellia confides that she too has been writing, in her case letters to Allia. Cain brings the subject back around to the day’s events and they head to the door of the mansion to seek out Markus and the others to inform them of the new task that awaits them.