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Sorry, nothing fancy.... just an actual recap.
After patiently waiting for the day of the meeting between parties unknown on the 20th of Spring’s Breadth, they set a trap in the catacombs under Monksdown. After some time, two liches appeared with their cohorts, which were more undead monks and the wraiths. A battle commenced in the darkness, among the dead, and with the dead. Soon, only the living and the properly dead remained.
Going through the possessions of the liches, they found a letter addressed to “Brother Falteran Onganis AM, Eternal Sea Temple, Borden.” Inside it simply read “AM, Albirro was able to capture some dragons in the wild lands. After thorough testing, it appears there is some truth in the concerns regarding the dragons, but it is of no consequence. The smaller dragons are ineffective, and for the larger dragons, dead is dead. We suggest no changes to the plans.”
Though not recognizing the name, this gave them a location. Borden, the Silver City, the capital of the world, was far to the south. Conveniently, their horses were fast. They passed through Highspire, Tayend, and Hovingham. Hovingham seemed to be the city of chivalry and courtly love, but only for those who have wealth and fashion, and a dirty group of adventurers do not fit in. Still, they took the opportunity to update Brother Trosk in Whitestone. A return message came from Brother Halens Fergang indicating that Brother Tosk had gone on a quest of some kind to Fey Isle and had not returned, but Halens was pleased they were well. He would let them know more in Borden. Meanwhile, Livid managed to turn flavor text into gold by selling the old stories of courtly love they found in the lair of Rumen Lel.
They continued on through Tayne before arriving in Seafield. For most, this was the largest city they had ever seen. This was the city of gold, and it was clear it is from the yellow stone used to build much of it. This old, powerful city clearly ruled over the river. Renee took this opportunity to meet with an old colleague named Bedric Maegenfrith at the Spotted Owl Inn. He asked about his old ship, the Arabella, but it was not due in for some time. Instead, they were directed towards the Flailing Fox, commanded by Captain Navid Strongfarm. They boarded their horses and set sail.
On the 35th of Spring’s Breadth, they arrived in Borden, and those who were not Renee were shocked by its size and grandeur. The lower city sits around the harbor, but most of the city is high above the sea on the cliffs. The front of the cliffs that face the harbor are carved in the images of gods and heroes. The white stone sparkles silver in the sunlight, giving the city its very literal name.
Borden is broken into walled wards, though they are called cities, which makes sense because they are the size of most of the cities in the world. The Lower City is around the harbor. The Upper City is the core of Borden at the highest point of the peaks, and there one would find the emperor, senators, the high court, and other such upper levels of government. The Second City forms a quarter ring around the Upper City, on its west side. If the Upper City is the ward of power, the Second City is the ward of wealth. The East City is the largest ward, and to many this is the social heart of the city. It includes a wide range of wealth, but neither the poorest nor the wealthiest live here. The War City is not a proper ward, but it is considered one since it contains the housing and training grounds for the army. The gates of the War City are actually guarded, and they are limited to military personnel. The Outer City is what people have done outside the walls. It wraps around the city, and is generally more suited to the poor, merchant caravans, and those whose work disturbs others.
They were directed to an inn called Tides of Empire in the Lower City, and then they made their way to the Eternal Sea Temple. They looked for Brother Falteran Onganis, and easily found him. He was a rotund, older priest working in the temple.
Renee went shopping up in the Second City at a shop called Cashmere and Silk. He noticed boot feathers seemed to be a new trend here, and he certainly enjoyed he offerings of the shop… but he seemed to have a problem with the owner, Gerarld. Gerarld seemed to recognize him in some way, but he was disappointed at hearing the name “Sommes Foresight.” The awkwardness was tangible, and Renee/Sommes left.
In the inn that evening, Renee met Gregor, a sailor. Gregor was impressed that Renee had managed to dress up just like that guy, Francois, that did the boot feathers. Apparently many people have heard of this Francois. Most people believe he is just a fun story, because it is ridiculous to think that such color and brilliance could exist in the savage lands to the north. Still, others like to think of this Barbarian Parrot and his boot feathers. When Gregor said that everybody knows about this Francois Villion, Fraldis the bartender said he didn’t know who the fuck he was or why anyone would wear boot feathers.
The next day, Branaed purchased a license to practice magic within Borden. Of course, it’s important to understand that using magic to commit a crime carries stiffer penalties than the crime would otherwise. Though of questionable morality, it is unlikely any laws were broken when he disguised himself and entered the Eternal Sea Temple to speak with Brother Falteran. Calling himself Galen, Branaed told Falteran his family had lost the farm and he was considering a life as a sailor. Falteran told him that the sea is a calling, not simply a job, and it is certainly not something to jump into without due consideration. The priest gave Galen some silvers and told him they could speak again. This was clearly a very nice guy, which presented a problem with the plan to stab him in the throat that Livid had hatched.
The paladin was spit upon many times those first two days. It seems that no one likes paladins here, or for that matter anyone who believes there is just one god. Instead of noting that paladins hold their honor and integrity above all other things and finding respect in that, these people have concluded paladins are idiots, and no one cares what idiots do with honor.
It is about noon on the first day of Spring’s Reach. Summer looms. I wonder what day the world will end.
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Do the asparagus look threatening?
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