Session 19
Sessionlog
The party sets foot in the Scarlet Library, eager to learn about the world around them. For a short while, the party splits up to look for various informations for their individual needs and that of the greater good.
Delbellis heads out to learn more about any interesting mythologies in Avalon and its inhabitants. The popular mythology in this region appears to be that of a Sun God who appears once a year during the summer to bless the lush lands of the continent and, for one evening, disguise themselves as a citizen of this world and party in the Midsommer event. The Sun God would then depart from the world during the night in a fiery meteor shower show, signaling the end of the warm months.
Cerrule looks into the various tribes of Avalon, as well as any information regarding the Illumus Lux. She finds mention of certain religious tribes who worship the Goddess of the Continuum, Enoreth, who is believed to watch over the passing of time for all eternity. Certain tribes, the Illumus (as the tribes believe they are the chosen ones, i.e illuminated), would go a step further and create temples to invite Enoreth into this realm. Although it has never happened in recorded history, these portal-shaped temples would remain to be maintained by the tribes. The ruins are referred to as the Lux. These tribes are very isolated from civilization and do not seem to be interested in it. A small note reveals the Illumus members to always been Aarakocra, throughout the ages.
Aragir requested the clergy of the Library to fetch him his own research papers and any published works. As the clergy complied and began collecting it, it was soon revealed many of the works to be missing from the library. Raising a red flag, the Dragonborn clergy soon approaches a colleague of his to double check. Together, they leave for a thorough search asking Aragir to wait a little bit.
Cynic would follow quickly to ask about information regarding his own race, the Aasimar. He is pointed towards a section all about the world's known races. He gathers a couple of books on the very subject and begins reading. Here, he finds that his race is believed to be touched by a titan in the distant past, blessing them all. However, it is then believed this caused problems between the Aasimar and other races of the time who would label them as heretics, their superiority would not be accepted. The Aasimar race would begin a very troublesome period of time which would ultimately end in a dwindling populace and a nomadic lifestyle throughout. Their main regions appear to be the Wavering Isles, off the coast of Avalon.
Delbellis receives a Message from Elgdran who, while unable to reach another member of the group, tells Delbellis that the Queen is ready for an audience at the earliest convenience. In addition, Cassius Ashglade has reached his office and is also waiting. The party begins regrouping once again when a yelling is heard from a junior Scarlet student. In his process to create a new spell scroll of sorts, he fails and is surrounded by shadowy figures. The mage, as well as several members of the party become charmed by a crown of madness and begin their fierce battle to overcome it. The party succeeds, though not without casualities; Cynic not seeing the charm of the young Mage dispelled targets and kills him regardless at the tail end of the battle. With their enemies all vanquished, the party rests with Aragir and Cerrule running over to the dying mage to help as the Scarlet Library clergy return to assist as well. The young mage is taken to the infirmary outside the Library boundaries with the party soon following them. At the infirmary, the party meets an half-orc medic by the name of Ester who helps the young mage, Alan, to a swift recovery - as well as general healing of the party for the wounds they sustained in the battle moments ago.
Delbellis informs the group of Eldgran's message but they visit the Library one more time. Aragir speaks to the clergy inside about anything they found of his research. The clergy inform they were unable to recover any information, the books and papers are registered as available in the library but they are not physically present. It appears they may have been taken in some way. The Dragonborn clergy speaks his mind that this may have been a group effort and possibly a swift one in recent times. He would contact Aragir if anything turns up and profusely apologises for this situation - especially discovering that Aragir is in fact one of the very authors of the work gone missing.
The party quickly makes their way towards the portal chamber of the Academy and, after Delbellis scares a halfling Transpose Mage to near death, are allowed to travel back to the Wizard's Guild in Brassdorf. Arriving at the Grand Bookshelf library, they meet up with Eldgran, Cassius and another mysterious individual.
The individual introduces himself as Kaimos Velt, a mage from the Scarlet Academy. After Cynic asks about his appearance and begins examning him, Kaimos drops his disguise and reveals himself to be a Tiefling instead. His simple clothes are instead shown as dark Scarlet Academy clothing and is carrying a sword instead of a simple large branch. Kaimos apologises, but explains he was on a special mission up North to take a look at some cultist activity where het met Cassius. The new assignment to look into Weylin seemed more interesting, if only to disprove the theory of time travel.
The group makes their way to the Pearl Stair, the palace overlooking the city of Brassdorf. Here, they are fetched by Druindar, a Golden Garde knight and Aragir's brother, and taken to the audience chambers where they are facing the Queen and her advisor, Uldritch. The discussion does not ago completely according to plan as many of the questions are either denied or deflected, but the release of Terrance Hillbrad - the guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild - relies on whether or not the party is capable of dismantling one of the criminal organizations of the city: The Obsidian Fist and the Getaways. Kaimos seemed excited on taking the Obsidian Fist head-on and the party agreed to attempt this. The Queen would give the party some relief regarding accomodations for sleeping, eating and weaponry. They would have to come back and retrieve proof of this arrangement, however.
Filled with determination, the party departs the castle. Aragir has a private talk with his brother about the longevity and importance of friendships of those of lesser lifeyears, a concept that is yet to be fully appreciated by Aragir. Druindar remains optimistic that there is value to be found here. Aragir hopes it to be the case.
Winding down, the party follows Cassius into a bar for a few drinks. For a little while they enjoy classic ale or beer from the barkeep but soon Delbellis would step up to provide a better experience. The barkeeper allows her this as the tavern is quite empty in this early evening and Delbellis would still pay for the drinks she creates. And so, the evening begins with stronger drinks, quickly getting Aragir to his limits! When the mood was on its best, Delbellis creates a special drink for all interested; bringing everyone unrivaled happiness and contentness for the next 2 hours. But in addition, revealing a very special drink to Aragir: the Aragir Spritz. Alcoholic beverage that would soon have Aragir remember the next 2 hours vividly, perfectly, for all eternity. How uncomfortable! After a little bit of conversation, Kaimos explains his connection to the Obsidian Fist and Abador - his birth place. Cassius reveals the origins of the Fold and how the Obsidian Fist masks came to be through an individual known as Rosary Jones. But having shared that, it soon turns to a more laid back atmosphere and they share some nice drinks with eachother and have a good time going forward.
About an hour later, Cassius and Cynic check out for the evening as their stamina reaches the limits and head out for some sleep. The rest of the group devise a plan to gather some information on the Obsidian Fist. Delbellis calls for Free Drinks, much to the displeasure of the barkeep who was playing his lute happily in the crowd! Soon, the bar would fill with sea faring types and, as they meet some interestin pirates, the party would discover more information. The Obsidian Fist would regularly steal from the ships of sailors from the harbor in the night and are seen traveling on the Hoarder's Appeal carrying things while wearing masks. In particular, the Hydra Pirates hate the Obsidian Fist and are seen as a thorn in the eye. Cerrule makes an agreement: the pirates would provide the party with those Obsidian Fist masks and in return the pirate would enjoy knowing the criminals would be apprehended.
With all this information, the group decides to take a look at the harbor where they would attempt to collide with the Obsidian Fist. Kaimos is in favor though reminds the group they are not at full force. The party understands and sets out to have a nightly wander onto the edge of the sea...