Session 17
The Fated Eight immediately jumped into action to prevent Caesar Plight from vanishing as he had a few days prior. With careful aim and precision, the party managed to delay him and nearly managed to claim “The Core” for themselves, but fell short at the final moment.
However, Caesar was forced to reveal that his covered eye was in truth a pitch black void that purple Arcane energy poured out from, before vanishing into thin air once again.
As the audible click of Caesar’s fingers echoed through the room containing The Crucible, Thelnyron Dose; who hadn’t acted yet against Caesar, called out to the room with a simple command.
A blur of red and black robes appeared from the balcony above them all, before vanishing as well. The Fated Eight were too exhausted in this moment to make any further actions, taking a moment to rest and regroup.
The Dust Settles
Section titled “The Dust Settles”Thelnyron lowered his defensive stance and began to investigate the room whilst The Fated Eight collected their thoughts. Some tended to the unconscious but living body of Somnus whilst the others made sense of what had just transpired.
As Somnus eventually came too - some of The Fated Eight had questions for Thelnyron.
Questions & Answers
Section titled “Questions & Answers”Thelnyron; after making some awkward introductions, explained that he and Davison had picked up on The Monarch’s plans after receiving word that the visage of Scourge, The Crowned Conqueror had been seen in Roan’s West. SHAI recalled he had used a spell to conjure such an illusion in hopes of distracting the Monarch of Madness’s assailants a few days ago.
He elaborated that the pair of them - as individuals not officially part of the Vaena Kingdom - had the ability to investigate The Ratways further than many of their status, and found their way to The Dealt Hand. From there they found a tunnel that led from the casino to the chamber they were in now. When they caught word that the Monarch of Madness was launching multiple offensives on the city above to distract them - they followed closely behind to uncover the truth.
Thelnyron Dose also defended his lack of action against Caesar - explaining that he and Davison have run into the man before.
“I’ve encountered Caesar Plight before - he’s been a thorn in my side for a while now. He plunders top talent from poor families who The Arcane Will could nurture into fantastic mages, turning them into blackmailed thugs instead - what a waste.
It is rare I encounter somebody who makes a mage of my stature feel powerless. He has some pact with an Abyssal entity that shields him from a lot of traditional counter magic. Davison Theros is the only mage I know who can track him.”
- Thelnyron’s experience with Caesar Plight
He further elaborated that Davison is what he calls a “Blink Mage” - making him especially talented as following Mages who teleport around a lot. He reassured The Fated Eight that he’d likely hear from Davison soon with an idea of Caesar’s location/general direction depending on the former’s stamina.
Lastly, Thelnyron asked if there was much of Alexander Tryst’s corpse remaining. When it was confirmed that his head was largely intact, Thelnyron took a moment of silence to accept his former students’ fate, before calling forth a scroll of Speak with Dead from an amulet around his neck. SHAI was able to cast this spell to grant them a chance to extract any further information from Alexander Tryst about possible loot or other clues.
Speak With Dead
Section titled “Speak With Dead”SHAI; disguised in the form of the assassin that had attacked them a day or two prior, cast Speak With Dead on Alexander’s head.
SHAI asked 5 questions that revealed that:
- Alexander blamed Thelnyron for his expulsion from The Arcane Will.
- His belongings/valuables were being stored at The Dealt Hand.
- ??? (Simon didn’t hear this section clearly and I also have no memory of it - this is why we have more than one notetaker folks)
- The artifact he’d discovered on the expedition to the border with Orsana was in fact a containment device. He admitted to never having been the same since.
- He has indeed met Douglas Beck. His brother is supposedly a cunt.
Jin also had the idea to loot Alexander’s cloak and found a metallic coin that had the familiar twisted crown insignia on it. The group believed this to be a potential way to gain access to his room at The Dealt Hand and pocketed it.
The Cost Of Heroism
Section titled “The Cost Of Heroism”At the same time; Morgyn helped Somnus wake from their coma where it was quickly realized that the Human Cleric could no longer see. Opening their visor, heavy scarring was clearly apparent to those around them. Somnus was clearly upset at this loss, but was also relieved to still be alive.
They shared a small conversation with Morgyn - who admitted a sudden interest in learning the teachings of The Fate-Cloaked Maiden and requested Somnus’ help in the endeavour. Somnus was happy to help where they still could.
Rewards?
Section titled “Rewards?”Thelnyron Dose thanked The Fated Eight for their role in uncovering and repelling this dangerous plot. He revealed that this chamber - an ancient Arcane Magic forge known as The Crucible Of Fate - had been the site of Alexander Tryst’s experiments once before, and was supposed to be under the supervision of The Cloak Corps to prevent an event like this happening again. Suspecting foul play from within Roan’s government - he requested that they let him and The Arcane Will handle the clean-up from here on. He also promised to return Brannan - who was clearly happy to be free of captivity - to the surface safely.
Lastly, he asked that they visit him at Veiled Visage University to discuss a reward for their heroism. Each of them in need of a rest, they accepted and made their way to The Dealt Hand.
The Fated Eight trekked through the windy, dark tunnel that Graxious and Jin had explored earlier and found their way to The Dealt Hand - as Thelnyron had revealed earlier. Their hunch proving right as a staff member caught them and began to interrogate them before one of them flashed the gold coin in his direction. He left them alone and returned to his job in the Kitchens.
The group made their way up to the Monarch of Madness’ hideout and learned that his Exalt was nowhere to be seen - with only a set of teeth buried in the robes she had worn the other day.
Exploring the back rooms - The Fated Eight split into two groups and explored each one.
The Loot
Section titled “The Loot”In a small stone room on the right - one group found a locked chest, a broken mirror, and a pair of wall mounted restraints. The mirror reminded them of the one that they had seen in the clock room earlier on. After some effort, they managed to open the chest which revealed a half-full sack of platinum totalling 50 pieces and a small journal. SHAI realized this was a Magically bound journal that likely belonged to Alexander Tryst and pocketed it.
The Letter
Section titled “The Letter”In a messy study on the the left - the other group didn’t find much but various arcane textbooks and a loose letter that read as follows:
“Take this money and the puppets in order to produce the core.
May The Unseen Thorn Prevail…”
- The mysterious letter in the Monarch of Madness’ study…
The Fated Eight were exhausted from their journey and decided to spend the night at The Dealt Hand. They were shown to a warm room built under a spiral staircase. Each of them fell asleep relatively easily due to the physical and mental strain of the past few days.
A New Day
Section titled “A New Day”On the 16th of Vaelorn, 920 PD - The Fated Eight awoke to realize news of the Monarch of Madness’ defeat had already spread to The Dealt Hand. They departed shortly afterwards and made plans for what to do next. Morgyn & Somnus made their wishes to visit The Cloaked Cathedral relatively soon known and Aurevald decided to tag along. Scabb was tasked with carrying the Bag Of Holding and taking it back to The Crucible to find any leftover clues. The others decided they should return to the warehouse where they had left the bodies of Giselda & Mathias.
The Fated Eight split to handle both of their goals - before regrouping at Veiled Visage University for their rewards.
Morgyn, Somnus & Aurevald made their way topside and towards The Cloaked Cathedral - noting the damage to various sections of the city. Aurevald waited outside whilst the others spoke with the Handmaidens.
Morgyn was brought before Archmaiden Talis who asked some questions of the Human Alchemist before agreeing to allow her to study The Fate-Cloaked Maiden’s teachings & to allow Somnus to aid in that process where possible.
The pair were told to return as soon as possible to begin Morgyn’s training.
Retrieving The Bodies
Section titled “Retrieving The Bodies”The rest of The Fated Eight managed somewhat discreetly carry the bodies of Giselda and Mathias from the warehouse back to The Rowdy Roan where they noticed Civil Corps soldiers speaking with Grez Klimmet.
The Fated Eight vouched for the confused and anxious Half-Orc; who hadn’t been doing himself any favours, and managed to convince the Civil Corps members that he was not affiliated with the attacks. The bodies were taken by the Civil Corps soldiers to be given a funeral service in the coming days.
Grez Klimmet appreciated their kindness; as well as found solace in the fact that Brannan had survived the encounter. He offered them food and drink as best as he could provide as they waited for the others to regroup with them.
Claiming Their Reward
Section titled “Claiming Their Reward”The Fated Eight regrouped at The Rowdy Roan before heading to Veiled Visage University together. The were shown to Thelnyron Dose’s office by one of the assistants. As they approached the office door, a quite large & rotund man exited the office mumbling some words under his breath and managed to solidly bump into a number of the party members. The man apologised somewhat snobbishly whilst revealing that he was Douglas Beck, before swiftly making his way out of the tower. Graxious tried to follow after him but very quickly realised he had missed the opportunity at present.
“Oh my apologies I must be getting back to work - can’t have a Beck Family ball without Douglas Beck after all?
Pleasure doing business with you, Thel!”
- Douglas Beck’s “apology”
Thelnyron invited them all into his office; a luxurious study with a built in fireplace, multiple Arcane contraptions, loaded bookshelves with text in odd languages, and a unique device in the corner of the room that played rather soothing music from a disk shaped medium. He once again thanked them for their efforts in stopping Alexander Tryst and implored them to take a well-earned rest in the coming days. As a reward for their efforts, he would have to speak with Hellum Finsk - High Governor of Roan - for a more substantial prize, however he had a few things in his possession to give them now.
He granted them permission to purchase “protected” goods such as weapons & magical items from vendors across the city, and permanent access to Veiled Visage University’s library and campus; including free attendance to one of Davison Theros’ lectures each month. He also handed them an wax-sealed envelope and an ornate hand mirror - the latter of which proved to be magically enchanted. The aptly named Hand Mirror Of Temporal Sight allows an individual to see events from their past or a possible future, once used by an individual - they must wait a full year before they can use it again.
The wax-sealed envelope revealed an invitation to the High Quarterfest ball, hosted by the Beck Family at their estate in Roan’s wealthy district - Castletown.
Thelnyron had business to attend to but requested they come see him again in about a week-or-so and he’d have a more substantial reward from the city organized.
Downtime
Section titled “Downtime”The Fated Eight - for the first time in a number of weeks - were largely free & actively encouraged by Thelnyron Dose to spend their time as they wished. They had done the city a service and should take a well-earned rest. Each of The Fated Eight headed to various locations around Roan to take in the city at their own pace and achieve some personal goals whilst time allowed.
Bathhouse Bound
Section titled “Bathhouse Bound”Graxious spent a day or so visiting an underground bathhouse that rested him quite effectively. The naturally heated pools reminded the young Leonin male of his home whilst he pondered what he was going to do for the next few days - and what type of outfit he would wear to the Beck Family ball.
Calligraphy
Section titled “Calligraphy”Lady returned to Cynthia’s lodge where she invested time into calligraphy to help her make sense of the liminal space she had occupied whilst hanging between life & death. She spent the first few days working on a piece that came naturally to her as she pondered the bracers, her revival, and the immense power that she had channelled in that initial combat.
Voluntary Service
Section titled “Voluntary Service”Jin made his way to speak to Commander Dae’hya and offered his service to the Storm Corps in return for personal training in the ways of swordsmanship.
Dae’hya took up the Human Fighter’s offer and told him to return the following morning for a week long training camp; where he would undergo 2 day shifts, 3 days of training, and then 2 night shifts.
Training Season
Section titled “Training Season”Morgyn & Somnus returned to The Cloaked Cathedral to begin the former’s training in the ways of The Maiden. Between helping with Morgyn’s lessons - Somnus had a lot of time to ponder their actions these past few days and their own plan for what to do going forward.
Morgyn found the study to be difficult at first; due to their logical and scientific background, but after a day or so they began to embrace their own burgeoning faith in The Fate-Cloaked Maiden. The days were long but Morgyn was motivated to complete the initial study required to become a recognized Cleric of The Maiden.
Aurevald’s Irish Goodbye
Section titled “Aurevald’s Irish Goodbye”Aurevald waited outside The Cloaked Cathedral whilst Morgyn and Somnus worshiped their God inside. Many passers-by could see that Aurevald was deep in thought as he used a large stick to draw; or more accurately write, something in the dirt nearby. As Scabb returned with little information from The Crucible - the pair shared some words before quietly leaving the Bag Of Holding at Cynthia’s abode and leaving Roan without warning.
The Goliath male had been through a lot with The Fated Eight, but what he had to do on this journey had to be done alone.
Morgyn’s First Communion
Section titled “Morgyn’s First Communion”The first opportunity for The Fated Eight to realize that Aurevald & Scabb weren’t in Roan came on the 19th of Vaelorn, 920 PD - when they were all invited to The Cloaked Cathedral for Morgyn’s First Communion with The Maiden.
The Fated Eight took in the grim and gothic interior of The Cloaked Cathedral - as each of them had their attention drawn the rhythmic beat of blood dripping from the large spire hanging from the ceiling above the central stage. A number of Handmaidens, Archmaiden Talis, and The Fated Eight were in attendance as Morgyn made her way up the aisle and towards the central stage. At the same time, Archmaiden Talis began a prayer.
The Fated Eight were shocked as the blood began to drip onto Morgyn’s head - and their ally was rapidly covered from head-to-toe by the thick, red liquid - before she vanished entirely. Morgyn experienced her first out-of-body experience; communing privately with The Maiden. Those physically in the room noticed Talis begin to cough midway through the prayer; as some of them rushed to help her at the sight of blood on her face. Handmaiden Ushana Palys completed the prayer in the Archmaiden’s stead.
Morgyn’s physical form returned as the blood began to drip once more and she had a new, calmer aura about herself - having completed her First Communion with The Maiden.
Sophia’s First Miracle
Section titled “Sophia’s First Miracle”Sophia; as was her birth and true name, turned to Somnus and the pair shared a small conversation of words before those around them watched as Sophia called on the powers of The Fate-Cloaked Maiden for unclear purposes. Unbeknownst to all but the two of them, Sophia and Somnus shared a lengthy conversation whilst in the presence of The Maiden herself.
The session closed with all in the room being witnessing Sophia’s first miracle as a cleric of The Fate-Cloaked Maiden, where she managed to return Somnus’ sight, sense of touch, and sense of taste.