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Refrain 49:
After ressing their ally, Vela asked Lithonian to the Verzix the next night, an interactive mental experience. Lithonian agreed,
forgetting for the moment that this was apparently against his Mormon tendencies or something.
Later that day, Rigby, Charlotte, Alenka, and Morgrim head back to Zem Tower. Gaining entrance easily this time, they discover that their alignments are visible as a glowing mote- the more lawful, the more yellow, the more good, the more blue, with lawful good being a polite white and chaotic evil being a black miasma. This effect is only visible inside the tower- it seems that the ability to pin down whether someone is an asshole or not is considered beneficial. While discussing the "silver dragon box" with Octessa, Lady Sarah Ann barges in, interrupting and demanding an update on behalf of Grand Duke Sen Ravelis. Octessa is clearly not amused with her, but does give her a brief rundown, the same as she had shared with crew CRAM- the box is an incomplete construction, by an unknown and powerful wizard. The group speculates on why, exactly, such an incomplete item would be out and about, visiting the world, and also on likely thieves. However, no answers are forthcoming, largely because I nerfed the higher level divination spells.
Keichi and Ash spend the remainder of the evening (and night) with their chosen companions from the Church of Zem. And thus passes the first day in Emerald. Every day is great in Emerald!
Refrain 50:
The next day, the group decides to gather information. Rigby, knowing that flying above the world and looking down on the ants that populate it is substantially more than half the battle, chances on what appears to be an entirely coincidental attempt at theft by a common rogue. Baroness Wendy Astarran is grateful for the aid. Keichi hears of a small green metal door- one of the items stolen from his house- in the possession of Margraive Brock Exxe. The rumors are that he believes this door can somehow be used to aquire weapons. Since Margraive Exxe is regarded as eccentric among the nobles (he is rather warlike, to the extent of martial training and experience himself), this is a point of interest for the troop, who quickly learn about the hotel he is staying at, and plan a possible heist.
The troop also hears people talking of Biggs Bank's warehouse exploiding, likely as part of a heist. No one attempts to dig any further on this lead, instead focussing on the other activities and clues.
It is obvious that fashion among the nobles is split at the moment, with some of the odd trailers, lace, and other ornamentation from voriph clothing becoming suddenly popular. Meanwhile, the normal Arcatan wear has taken a turn for the historic- the garnishments on these are detailed embroidery, small gems, and other patterns. Alenka learns that this is generally related to those who are pressing for Zemnian action against Voriph, and those who believe that what happens in Dulal should probably stay there.
On their way around town, they also encounter two druids, friends from previous times, meeting. The first is Falwellan Lolisonna, a young elven druid, who is both gay and entirely flamboyant. He greets a substantially more subdued druid named Lohverim, and is apparently happy to be back in town after spending years gathering plants in the Teryeal Expanse, and discusses a spreading blight in Pallia near the Kuroshiran line that he has heard about. Lohverim dismisses any important conversation while in town, and implies that he is seeking something in town. Rigby listens in apparently because he likes watching gay elves, and not at all because he knows that these were characters from the previous campaign.
Them Fomemmem, whose hypercognitive talents identified the incoming Voriphan airships in time to evacuate Balthras, and who had interacted with the players long enough for them to identify and route those who would destroy him, is announced to be coming to town- as a prisoner of Duke Brodish. This is almost assuredly a xenophobic injustice, but there is nothing to be done, as troops moving overland are like electrons- you can't really predict their location, especially if their path is known as is their daily speed. Presumably he will eventually arrive in town, and then security will be much more lax, as it is easy to move about undetected in a mageocracy.
Once the Day of Rumors is winding down, Lithonian and Vela head to the Verzix, where experiencing the projected mental illusions requires submitting to them willfully (or being extremely unlucky- 5% of the time, no one can avoid it!). Lithonian does no such thing, and is addressed by guards, who, once they are made to understand that he is not experiencing the meandering of the other well-paying guests out of some elfiness, offer him a chair.
The chair?
It is comfortable.
After the Verzix experience, Vela tells him all about it- that it's about being clouds, being eternal, manic freedom... and that she's pretty sure that the high class won't like it, because the emotions are so clearly expressed. No guesswork, or ambiguity. Sure enough, the other guests seem to not share high opinions of it. Meanwhile, Rigby and Charlotte flit and flirt about the capital. Charlotte has told Rigby that Octessa has offered her a way to return to Queris- and, while eager to go home, is somewhat conflicted- she shares so much in common with Rigby- similar goals, similar attitudes toward life, a burning distrust of all humans, and the desire to shoot arrows at bad things. She mentions that she has found an "enchanted forest" that they should go to and "gather arrow making materials". They become distracted near the one burning tree she set up, and she is only, uh, successful in making one arrow, however.
Consonance 1:
The first day of summer is Diamond, a day of meditation and rest. It is not a commonly celebrated holidy in Zemnia, but it is favored by Latukefu. Lithonian spends the day portion in meditation. Alenka and Keichi try to find if anything of interest is happening, and find a bit more than previously. Keichi also goes to meet Marchaive Exxe, after hearing that he is seeking mercenaries to defeat ogres in the south of his territory- he is worried enough about the Voriphans, and needs not worry about an Ogre mound. The group discusses earnestly taking the job, but decides against it for the moment. After all, it would take Rigby like TWO HOURS to roll all those attack rolls, and obviously they would just send him in because, you know, ogres cannot fly, nor see invisible... Alenka (I think) learns of a body that was dragged out of a fountain a few days previous in Riverward. No other information about the body is forthcoming, but it seemed odd, and out of place with the rest of the news.
There is some shopping at Foldermart, the large set of dealers in magical wares in Riverward (the central city). They find the area with the statue of the Mysterious Elven Assassin over the body of General Miiznamok, from the failed seige that the Umbrans led on Emerald: water flows from the holes in his body. The group quickly gets to business, dealing in tura gems and rings, and trading their items for ones that will help them in their primary role of murderous hobos.
In the evening, the group goes to the Great House. The formal meal is pleasant, and the minor nobles there talk about current events and also are interested in hearing the tales of great adventure! However, having none of those, the heroes instead talk about the tales of medium-decent adventure! At the end of the night, Lady Sarah Ann, Grand Duke Sen Ravelis and Duchess Maia Ravelis discuss their concerns in a somewhat more direct manner than usual. Sen Ravelis is charged with protecting Trinith, an area in central Tantaset: it includes the old capitol of Tanta. They are eager to defend Arcatan Independance, which is quickly learned to be code for "We want to punch the Voriphans in the butt". Lady Sarah Ann also mentions that she saw a very unusual "shooting star" to the well-fed and well-watered crew, as they made their way out.
Consonance 2:
Investigating the "shooting star" the next morning finds a group of likely thieves, surrounding a Vailix (a flying Voriphan vessel of short dimensions, normally able to hold two people, with front mounted Turals). The pilot of the Vailix is also there, captured. Upon discovery, the locals attack! Rigby, because he hates me, drinks a potion of see invsibility. Just on the off chance that I had:
1)- Invented a specific magic item that granted passive invisibility upon someone holding still.
2)- Also placed that item on Vilmars Discanto, the assassin that had attacked Marzo back when everyone was in Mellior
3)- Placed Vilmars Discanto in this group for some reason.
Since of course all that was accurate, he wasn't so much an "assassin" as much as a "bitch ass fuck-nugget punching bag". Then everyone cast entangle and blind, and the group of enemies spent the fight blindfolded and in bondage, because apparently D&D battles that take place outside are just gonna go all Pulp Fiction on us until like level 10.
However, all was not fun and games! The PCs did prevail against much larger numbers, but luck was not with Keichi, and his fate was not at all Peachy. Bleth Ergonom, an enemy fighter/rogue, Slew him, in what was likely his only moment of relief that day.
Shortly thereafter, the battle was down to Adim Zrex (dwarven cleric of Virin) and Vilmars, versus the entire party except Keichi. Vilmars, who, along with the rest of the crew, had been ignoring Adim's instructions the entire fight, suddenly needed his services for healing. Adim instead Cause Serious Wounds, ending the combat, and negotiating his escape and surrender.
Victorious (mostly), the heroes bring their fallen comrade, captured Voriphan prisoner (Parhep Miitos), and of course, the Vailix. They are greeted by guards and mages, and thus, the second day of summer continues auspiciously....
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