Session 32

The Return

After a perilous trial, the four feathers finally arrived back at Brassdorf, where they were hailed as heroes. A memorial was raised for the fallen refugees, and as the group passed through the plaza they found the people referred to them as “truth seekers” and “lightbringers”.

Vaeri filled them in on some last things: The Resistance League had grown and gained a lot more power within Brassdorf, and the Obsidian Fist had become a common sight as well. Former Guildmaster Terrance Hillsbrad had been taken by this Resistance League, and a new person had taken over the lead of the Adventurer's Guild.

They decided to spend the night at the ‘Quick Halberd’, a luxurious and expensive inn. But to them it was free. After all, they were the lightbringers, in possession of the Queen’s seal. Art, the inn’s host, subtly let them know that in their current, still bruised and battered state, they would be unfit to dine in their halls, and so the group decided to freshen up first. Cynic hired a maidservant to entertain him, while Cerrule visited the nearby tailor of ‘The Silver Lining’ to fix some evening wear for her and Delbellis.

Some time later, after Cynic had made a toast to their victory and fame, the group sat down for dinner. They were joined by a dwarven man, who introduced himself as Duscan Axebringer, the chancellor and mayor of Brassdorf. He quickly tried to get them to meet the queen, supposedly to strike a deal.
The group was wary, however, and Delbellis masterfully slipped him a potion of endless thirst to get him drunk so she could hand him a truth potion when he was sufficiently intoxicated.

Under the influence of the potion, Duscan admitted that he aimed for absolute power, and was willing to manipulate or hide history to gain the masses’ favour. To achieve this goal, he expressed that he wished for the Four Feathers to acquire three scrolls of origin from Elderwalk. In return he would give them riches and citizenship, and he admitted that he was on friendly terms with Uldritch as well. He also spoke of his suspicion that the Adventurer’s guild now had an alliance with the Obsidian Fist.

After the party parted with Duscan they continued their way to the Sea Swallows Tavern, where Delbellis was keen to get behind the bar and hand out her brews again. The bar’s owner, Jacob, let them the group in on some of the things that were going on in and around Brassdorf, which was getting increasingly divided; The west of the city was increasingly overtaken by the Obsidian fist, while those who were still loyal to the royal family remained in the east. In the south, the Resistance League was growing in numbers. In the north of the Eastern Kingdoms, there were increasing signs of dark activity. Jacob hypothesized that perhaps Weylin’s beacon had stirred things up over there, signaling it was time to plunge the land into darkness.

In the meantime Aragir, with some alcohol-induced courage, had gotten more friendly with a group of sailors whilst playing card games and taking bets. Jacob continued to tell Cynic about pirates with a familiar name abiding near the old lighthouse in the North.

Delbellis eventually wandered around the bar, and came across an old woman who seemed to be some kind of fortune-teller. Delbellis had her draw some cards, to which she was shown the ‘lover’s’ card which would boost her persuasion and performance. When she got up, however, something, perhaps an old wound, burned in her side.

Before she could return to the bar-counter, a mysterious man begged her attention; He looked like a Fold member, but claimed to be a messenger. With him he carried a confidential letter from Cassius. The group swiftly retreated to a back room, and Cerrule, the most sober of the lot, read it aloud;

My friends, I apologize for my unceremonious departure after our great battle at the Eye of Calamity. Though I was pleased with our success, I was equally tired. And a feeling of defeat I could not shake.

I am currently on leave. Reminded of my mortality, though my loyalty to the Fold unwavering, I am in need of a familiar space to find solace. Something I hope for each of you to find, as well.

With this letter you will find an invitation I was given by my boss. I do not intend to follow up on it as I am visiting family but perhaps it finds use in your care. Perhaps, if you do board, you may find yourself in better company than you've been with so far.

The world felt really small these last few days. Go out there, go see its true size and maybe don't come back. Nothing but gray skies and dead-ends await you in this land. The world is bigger than this.

Spread your wings and fly high.

Cassius Ashglade.

PS. If you see Kaimos, be sure to give him some reassurance. He needs it.

After reading the letter, Delbellis expressed that she wanted to have some more fun before they would return to their beds, upon which Aragir suggested they had a duel. The group went outside, followed by an ever-growing crowd, where they had a duel of swords. Cynic, in the meantime, took this opportunity to take bets.

Delbellis’ victory seemed to be causing a commotion among those who had lost their bet. Cynic quickly took his portion of the spoils, and left the crowd to fend for themselves. In the chaos, Delbellis spotted a few Resistance League members stabbing the Golden Garde soldiers who tried to contain the crowd and making off, and she quickly gave chase. The rest of the group reluctantly followed her, off into the dark alleys of the city...

October 29th, 2022

⟵ Previous | Next ⟶