When last we left our heroes, they had begun a shopping spree after connecting with Zezu’s mother and Wander’s brother and her best friend. Wander was able to procure a collection of Amulets of Protection against Location and Divination while Havayla observed Kain walking through the city streets.
We start off with the crew gathering in the rooms Nahtan purchased at the Fiddler’s Bar. As they walk up the stairs to their rooms, they see preparations for a concert by Milil’s Magnificent Musicians advertised for this evening. Wander hands out the amulets as everyone discusses their options. Ryker would like to visit the airbase, he likely still has rank here. Yevin is curious about his standing with the Silvershields and what he could find out about his past. Havayla nervously adds that she would like to visit her family home and the library therein. Zezu remained with his mother at her school, catching up, while Daisy and Stump are taking time to process and discuss their options. Dorza wants to take a nap and Donkey wants waffles.
It is decided that Wander will return to the magic shop with a little more gold to purchase some sending stones. Havayla and Ryker hand her a list of what items of theirs to sell from the bag of holding. Yevin and Nahtan join, supposedly to keep an eye on the one member that does not fully understand modern currency as she is given the responsibility to make financial decisions for the group. Dragon parts are sold, sending stones are purchased. The shopkeeper mentions that there is a dragon slayer in town, with all these dragon parts, maybe we should talk to him? He came by for supplies not to long ago and is apparently setting up for a time in Hearthollow.
Yevin takes this opportunity to pull out an electrified javelin, recently procured from an army of orcs outfitted by said dragon slayer, to ask how much the shopkeeper would like for it. Upon being given a price, he proceeds to pull out 73 of them. To cover, Nahtan spins a story about our group being down-on-their-luck weapon smiths looking to sell of some product. In the distance, Ryker feels a rage building towards Yevin, for no particular reason. Wander quickly leaves as the deal is struck and Yevin takes his time perusing items for trade, the shopkeeper grumbling about how long it will take him to sell his newly purchased wares.
Returning to the rooms, Wander explains what happened at the shop, handing out sending stones. As Nahtan and Yevin return, Ryker blows up on Yevin over the risk of selling basically contraband armaments in the very city Kain is in. Yevin defends his choices, suggests that since Kain already purchased supplies he likely wouldn’t be going back to the shop, and claims he doesn’t think well when he has resources to burn. Reiterating the need to keep a low profile, the team splits up to their different tasks.
Ryker, Yevin, Nahtan, and Arunak head to the airbase seeking the Ebony Wings, Ryker’s former airship battalion. They pass by a large swath of school grounds with the title Destiny University and through a cathedral district. When they get to the base it appears abandoned, no airships docked, parts of broken ships strewn about. There are two people there who greet Ryker with the surprise of seeing someone you thought was dead walk through your gates 50 years later. The highlights of the interaction:
- The Wings were disbanded after the war, since they were mostly in aid of Haven, not Hearthollow
- The inventor that created the airships (or whatever made them fly) asked for all his inventions back
- A former crewmate named Syrin is now in charge. There are hints of a sort of relationship between her and Ryker. Arunak files that away for later.
- There certainly isn’t anything interesting or useful left here, especially not in docking bay 11, and they really shouldn’t come back around 9pm to see what definitely isn’t in it.
- Don’t talk about the orc incursion. It doesn’t exist. Nothing outside Hearthollow matters to the higher ups, but maybe Ryker could change that, if he’s willing to talk to Syrin, who spends most of her time at the castle now.
After a few more jovial back-slaps and military camaraderie, the group heads to the castle gates to seek out the Silvershields.
Meanwhile, Havayla, Aurora, and Wander walk through town to the House of Gresta. Havayla talks about her siblings, recognizing a name on a flowershop and remembering how her sister always wanted to be a teacher as they passed a kindergarten. Wander, hood up and trying to be inconspicuous, keeps an eye out as they travel. They come to the gates and are stopped by guardian automatons, seemingly awaiting a passcode for entry. After some trial and error, Havayla shows them her father’s ring, and they allow her to pass. They are greeted by Havayla’s sister and brought inside as she explains where all the other siblings are and the absences of their mother. The home is magnificent, but in a sorry state of disarray. Havayla and Wander soon learn:
- While Havayla’s father had his eyes on the stars and celestial matters, her mother is much more factual and material. After Havayla left, their mother dove even further into research, spending more time at the castle and less at home. The little that was spent at home was tense and terse.
- Havayla’s mother knows something about the orc incursion, but they are told the same thing: don’t talk about it.
- Her sister gives Havayla a letter from her father that was found in one of his books.
- There is an update on all of Havayla’s 11 siblings. One owns a flowershop, another is a teacher at the school they passed; Leomund is a professor at the university, another brother is a player with the band performing at Fiddler’s Bar where many of them are gathering tonight in support. A handful purchased a ship a set off to adventure in the Osmet sea. (There was likely more, but Wander was distracted looking through books as the sisters caught up)
- It is recommended that they speak with Leomund about memory reclamation. Maybe he has some ideas to alter his hut spell as well?
- While Havayla takes time to read her letter and her sister goes to clean up, Wander spends a bit searching through the books looking for anything to help in her search for Knowledge’s identity. After asking some questions of Knowledge, she comes up with nothing more than she did before.
- When her sister returns, the three dig into the books looking for answers about Sehanine, the festival, and the Feeble mind stone. Havayla reveals what she learned from communing with Moonbow and from her letter: that Sehanine is coming to the end of her power, Havayla is a chosen instrument in the process, and the festival in two months is very important.
- They learn that the feeble mind stone was made by 3 giants in the fireplane out of the remains of a crazed god. It was hidden there for hundreds of years until it was stolen away by elementals and brought to and hidden in Orn (the material plane) somewhere in the Tillmar summit. The son of the elemental king was the last known holder.
Wander stumbles a little over comment of “well it must still be lost in the Tillmar summit.” Yep, that’s exactly where it is, still lost, absolutely not in possession of anyone we might know about. Yes.
Back with Nahtan and the Stealthy Bois, they make their way to the castle gates and are met by automaton guards and a messenger bot. After some confusion about Yevin’s status as KIA and Ryker’s official MIA status, the robot asks them to wait and leaves. They wait.
And wait…
there is discussion over the merits of sneaking in.
Yevin radios Wander and asks her to look into Dragons at the library. They all agree to meet back at the bar later.
They wait… ideas are considered over how difficult the guards might be to fight.
Nahtan attempts walking by the guardian automatons and is promptly electrocuted and pushed back onto the street.
4 hours pass… Yevin is about to cast invisibility on everyone when there is movement at the gate. A pack of Silvershields, led by a familiar face, Aymon Gragwyn, the captain they met with Dorza in Riverband months ago, and an ebony garbed elf woman who is all business. After introductions are made, the crew is ordered inside. Ryker attempts small talk with Syrin and is tersely shushed.
They are taken underground to the brig and lined up against the wall. Another robot, this one with a glowing orb, stands before them shining a ray of light. Nahtan’s mace loses its glow as one by one they are interrogated:
- Ryker briefly explains how he attempted to rescue Duranian (Havayla’s dad and his commanding officer) and was sworn to protect Havayla. How he managed to get back to the mainland, found and followed her, fell through to the feywild, reappeared 50 years later with no memory of what happened, and joined up with the Derailers. He touches a bit on their recent exploits and is quickly shut down.
- Yevin tells what he remembers of his military time, how he lost his memory, where he’s been since, and his quest for answers. Syrin sends a soldier to begin a background check on Buck Willingham and the gnome town near Deerlight to verify his story. He is asked about his connection with “The Golden Bear” a man named Ryder who was a traitor to the Silvershields in the Kobold war. Yevin only remembers one dream where Ryder called him Victor.
- Arunak doesn’t reveal much, he’s a member of the group and that’s about it.
- Nahtan is recognized by the Captain from Riverband, but his identity is not revealed. He calls himself Nat, says he’s an adventurer, and just wants to help people. Syrin presses him about where he got the maul and he finally states he got it through combat with Azuke Sure. She doesn’t send anyone to double check that name or information.
They are told that they will remain in holding while their stories are checked out. Yevin convinces Syrin that they will stay in town, there’s no need to detain them. Aymon asks Yevin to come with him to meet with Ryder, maybe that will trigger some memories. Yevin is told which jail cell to visit and that he only has a few minutes. He sends Ryker, Nahtan, and Arunak up to wait while he has a discussion.
Ryker, Nahtan, and Arunak wait outside. Arunak pries a little at Ryker’s connection to Syrin. Ryker reveals that they had a relationship, of sorts, at least, she thought they did; he was focused on his job. That left a bit of tension between them that has obviously not gone away. Yevin returns, obviously shaken from his conversation. The boys decide to head back to the Fiddler’s Bar
Back with the girls, Havayla and Wander travel across town to the Discovery University and find Leomund’s office. Leomund is ecstatic to see his sister again and Havayla does her best to fill him in. Again, the orc incursion is discussed and again they are told, don’t talk about the orcs. Leomund is concerned, but he could lose his position if he goes around asking the wrong questions. He encourages them to look into disrupting Skulldrinker’s ability to travel across Cinlandro and offers secret access to the teleportation circle at the school (and begins to regret it as they start listing off how many people they would have to transport). He gives Havayla some pointers on her casting of his trademarked tiny hut spell that allow her to make it a little larger. Not entirely involved in the conversation, Wander spends most of the time curiously poking around his office. They all leave to the Fiddler’s Bar to see Havayla’s brother perform with his band. Wander messages Daisy and Stump on the way and they make plans to meet up there as well.
Everyone gets back to the bar about the same time. It is decided that they will wait to discuss discoveries until they can meet in private. Dorza has made some space for them in the busy tavern and everyone takes a seat as the Milil’s Magnificent Musicians are in full swing. The stage is full of performers and two fiddlers dance about the floor. A flirty female violinist dances around patrons while another male elf, Havayla’s brother, does his best to keep up the rhythm. Wander notices that the black haired half-elf woman playing the lute on stage hasn’t stopped staring at Yevin since they came in. Ryker and Arunak see a cloaked Silvershield guard at the window keeping an eye on them as well. But for now, it is time to drink and be merry as Havayla gathers her siblings and everyone else feels like they can breathe without fear of an ominous presence peeking in, at least for tonight.
What is in warehouse 11? Who is watching Yevin? Why is everyone singing “We don’t talk about orcs-oh!” all across Hearthollow??? We’ll find out next week