Campaign1/session-4
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Lines of Convergence
Session Date: October 8,1999
Assynt 19, 1022 - Continued
As the ranks of the elven militia march past, Mazériyan, Rheanon, Max and Charlis marvel at the soldier's appearance and manner. The group notices that the advancing column stirs up no appreciable dust, an impressive magical feat that might assist such a large force to advance undetected on a unsuspecting enemy.
After the passage of at least 3 score ranks of soldiers (each rank composed of 8 elven footmen), seven figures are observed riding on horseback in the middle of the column, replacing the inner 6 soldiers in occupied ranks. The riders are configured in a group to surround a central rider, an black haired elven female in priestly garb. Rheanon, Max and Mazeriyan notice that the guarded rider has 6 digits, a trait usually associated with the Dargai. The characters discuss the possible connection to the 4 statues recovered from the "Ring of Fire" expedition, which also appeared to be elves, with the exception of an extra digit on each hand.
The column continues to advance, and eventually is followed by supply wagons and finally the curious onlookers who have decided to follow the army to see where it is going. Rheanon flies high above the rooftops and observes the column entering the castle unimpeded.
Despite great concern from Charlis, who would like to follow the army to see what is going on, the rest are set on returning to Islay manor to see if they can learn more about Dahlia Exton, through the guise of recovering stage equipment, props and costumes from the previous night's performance of "Magerfontein".
Finally, Kyle arrives with the wagon to haul the materials back from Islay manor. Before they can depart, Kyle manages to insult Rheanon's size, and true to her race's legendary temper regarding such affronts, she barbs him with a tiny poison laden arrow. The ensuing hallucinations and splitting headache render Kyle useless for moving and he is left behind to recover and direct the other stage hand to meet them at Islay Manor.
Upon arriving at Faegan's, the group (Niven, Mazeriyan, Rheanon, Max and Charlis) are greeted by the other stagehand, who thought he was supposed to meet them here rather than at the Whitehall Playhouse. After a few moments waiting for someone to answer Niven's insistent knocks, the head manservant lets them in and observes as they begin removing the troupes materials from the main hall.
Faegan Islay makes an appearance, and pays Niven for the evening's performance, with a bonus for the inconvenience of returning the next day for the sets. Faegan is a bit surprised to see Charlis and Mazeriyan, since neither are usually involved in setup or tear-down of the troupe's stage. Charlis indicates that the troupe was short handed so he decided to pitch in. Mazeriyan explains that he has an interest in the use of magic in the theater, and was here to see some of the logistics of the operation. Faegan seems quite taken with the idea of magical effects put to use in plays and dramatic arts, but noting Charlis's dismay he quickly adds that such flourishes appeal only to those who do need help appreciating the true art.
Once business is concluded, Faegan departs and the remainder of the stage is loaded on to the wagon. Mazeriyan catches a brief glimpse of Dahlia as they are preparing the last of the cargo, and the group pauses in the doorway to bid Dahlia and Faegan goodbye. Max makes a special effort to say goodbye to Dahlia, which seems to be met with cool politeness and an undercurrent of disgust from being spoken to by a "commoner". Mazeriyan asks Faegan how he might contact Selmoc, and receives an address (29 Idon Street) and sketchy directions on how to get there.
Finally bidding Islay Manor goodbye, the group climbs back into the wagon. A fellow Ellylon from the Royal court hails Rheanon and provides a small note, indicating that Max, Mazeriyan, Charlis and herself are invited at dinner with the King and Regent at 7pm, and are expected to present a report on their progress finding the linking stone, and who is responsible for the theft. Rheanon fills in the rest of the group once the wagon is unloaded at the playhouse and Niven has paid Max and Charlis for services rendered.
While Mazeriyan goes off to seek Selmoc, Charlis and Rheanon accompany Max while he attempts to find something suitable to wear at dinner. After Max balks at spending some money to purchase new clothes, Rheanon consults with the Regent and returns with a credit chit to be used at one of the more reputable tailors on High Street. With the money situation taken care of, Max reluctantly submits to being measured for a new shirt and pants. After some hasty alterations to a pre-made shirt and pants (no doubt previously ordered by another customer), and some quick magic to refurbish Max's shoes, everyone is impressed with the improvement in Max's appearance. The tailor, dissatisfied with such rush-work and concerned for his reputation, concludes the transaction by forcing each of them to swear an oath that they will tell no one where they got the clothes. He even makes the suggestion that they use one of his competitor's names instead!
With Max's clothing situation under control, everyone goes their separate ways to attend to pressing matters prior to dinner. At the appointed time, Mazeriyan, Max, Rheanon and Charlis arrive at the castle gates and await admittance. While waiting outside in the cold night air, they are surprised to notice Brohma Te Selmoc approaching. Selmoc is equally shocked, but explains that he also received an invitation to dine with the King, perhaps to provide information on the recent expedition that he was hired for. He asks why the group thinks they were invited, but before they can respond, a guard arrives to escort them to the Banquet Hall.
As the party passes through the gates, and up the road to the central portion of the royal complex, there is the uneasy sense that they have passed from one realm into another. Within the castle walls (the enclosed space is almost 800 yards across... a city within a city), every face (except their own, and the guard) is elven. On the sprawling lawns that dominate the central region of the complex, the elven garrison is neatly encamped, though judging from the activity, they are not yet finished.
The group approaches the Banquet Hall, and after yielding their weapons and submitting to a magical examination for weapons, they are shown to a table within the main dining room. Within the dining room are 3 tables arranged in a U shape, with the King's table centrally located. At the table opposite the party, three elves are gathered, one of whom is the black haired elf seen earlier in the day riding with the elven column. The other two elves are talking quietly to each other, one of them is clearly a military leader, the other possibly an advisor. Rheanon flies over and greets the elves, but the conversation is short and she returns to the other side of the room.
As Rheanon flies back, she catches a glimpse of two more guests being escorted into the room. The party is surprised to see Faegan Islay and Dahlia Exton guided to the table on the opposite side of the room! Apparently the shock is mutual, and while trying to put on a pleasant appearance, Dahlia appears to be very disturbed and begins badgering Faegan about the situation.
A few moments pass, then the sound of horns announces the King's approach, and everyone moves to stand by their assigned places. The King and his entourage, including the Regent, a young female elf and two high ranking royal guardsmen, enter the room and take their places at the center table. The King assumes his place at the center, with his elven consort on his left and the Regent on his right, and once the King is seated, everyone else sits down.
A flurry of servants passes through the room, loading the tables with savory foods brought forth from the kitchen, including roast lamb and beef, hot breads and several elven delicacies, including an elegant sugar-spun side dish. Once the servants have finished delivering the first course, they vanish as quickly as they came. For a moment, it is quiet while everyone waits for the King to begin eating. After looking about the room at his guests, the King starts in on the food before him, and the rest of the dinner group feasts.
At the conclusion of the meal, the King pushes his plate away and sits back to look upon his guests once again. The King introduces the Elven Seeress Melosia, nodding to the black haired elven female seated with the other elves. The elf sitting close beside her returns the greeting, and indicates that the seeress is honored to be in the King's presence.
The other two elves sitting at the table to the King's left are identified as Captain Ralph, the leader of the elven garrison camped within the castle walls, and his associate named Telovien. The King also indicates his pleasure to have Faegan Islay and Dahlia Exton as guests, and expresses an interest to hear more of his affairs, especially regarding a recent expedition to the Ring of Fire.
Turning to the righthand table, he pauses and then asks the Regent to make the remaining introductions. The Regent, carefully choosing his words, explains that Max, Rheanon, Charlis and Mazeriyan are involved in the "recovery" of a linking stone stolen from the elves. Details explicitly defining the Royal court's or Mage Corps involvement is distinctly lacking. Selmoc is oddly left out of the introductions.
The Regent indicates that Rheanon may present her report on the group's progress. Rheanon reluctantly reports that the stone has not yet been recovered, but that the group is currently following several leads. The elven captain interrupts, "I see now evidence that your methods will produce results in a timely manner. Tell me your leads and we will deal with it ourselves."
Rheanon balks at revealing their suspicions, and Captain Ralph prods "You are safe here, surely everyone here is safe to hear your theories... unless someone here is involved?". Rheanon's eyes involuntarily dart towards Dahlia and Faegan, and Ralph looks down at the end of the table.
Before anyone can act, Dahlia kicks back her chair, pulling a small glowing orb from within her cloak, and vaults over the table, rushing toward the King. Max, already wary of the situation, leaps across the table before him to catch up to her, while Faegan skirts his table and falls in line beside Dahlia. Selmoc follows Max's lead and tries to jump the table, but falls flat on his face, disrupting the magical disguise which conceals the elaborate writing which covers all of his visible flesh. Recovering, Selmoc begins gesturing with his hands, the runes on his hands and face glowing red. The movement of his hands in the air seems to leave a trailing streak of red, giving the illusion of writing in the air.
While the melee ensues, the King and his guests remain calm and watch the action, unphased even when a swirling bubble appears encapsulating much of the hall. As Max, Ralph, Telovien, Charlis and several guards take turns battering Dahlia, her eyes are fixed on the King. Her voice shrilling "You shall not escape banishment from Neist!". At first, the bubble appears as a swirling pattern of color and light, much like a soap bubble. As Selmoc furiously gestures, the pattern becomes disrupted, partly coupled to his movement.
Noting the bubble's growing opacity despite the efforts of his defenders and the fall of Faegan by a guard' blade, the King responds "I think not." while clutching at something beneath his robes. A moment later the King, the Kings consort and the Regent disappear, and at the same time the bubble begins to visibly contract.
Selmoc yells "Get under the tables!" as he dives for cover. Everyone does so with the exception of the Elven captain and the two guards, who seem intent on cutting down Dahlia. A moment later, Selmoc shouts "Cover your eyes!". As hands clamp down, a blinding flash of light cuts through the flesh, but does no permanent damage. It is followed by the sound of crashing of rock upon the floor and tabletops, and the sickening thud of flesh being crushed. Then there is silence.
Time seems to hang for a moment, then Selmoc breaks the quiet. "You can open your eyes now." As the group looks around, the sole light in the darkened room comes from an ball floating above the Nilhen. The surroundings have changed radically: the floor is strewn with rubble and the crushed remains of Ralph, Faegan, Dahlia and the two royal guard. The larger space appears to be a circular room with 4 orthogonal extensions receding into the darkness. At the center of the room is a pedestal or altar.
Melosia's assistant asks the question on everyone's mind. "Are we in Neist?". Selmoc shakes his head, "No, we are not in Neist."
"We are in the Ring of Fire."
Previously: Dancing Partners
Followed by: Waiting for Selmoc
Campaign 1 Index
