Last we left our heroes, they were all either heading towards or already talking with Octavius, the red Tiefling traveler and purveyor of “Outrageous Oddities.” This session stretched into two evenings, thanks to the holiday, so some truncation has been made in the retelling.
Yevin plies Octavius for information about changing forms, revealing that he does not believe that his current half-elf physicality is his natural state. Octavius doesn’t really have any answers for him, but will keep an eye out.
On the way from Daton’s Wander asks Ryker about his background. He was raised in Deepbell, a village in Cilandro. His father was in the Aerial Navy, he didn’t know his mother, and he mostly grew up on the streets until he was old enough to fully join his father on the airships. It was then that Havayla’s father took him under his wing and the rest has already been spoken of. He doesn’t know anything of the elemental planes or genasi beyond his own capabilities. Ryker also feels badly for letting his anger and frustration take him back to wartime ways when he dealt with the orc prisoner a day ago under the mountain. He’d like to find a way to make amends. Wander points out that he did just recently cause the Duke’s tongue to grow back with a potion of regeneration. Maybe finding and sending a potion would be better than orchestrated a prosthetic. But he also has to find the fellow.
Everyone arrives at the shop, greetings are made, and shopping commences. Forgotten items are brought out from the depths of bags of holding and bartering is attempted. Wander asks after a tuning fork tuned to the Feywild. Due to the nature of extra-planar travel since the Rift, this is a harder object to come by and will cost a pretty gold piece. A fancy longbow is also up for sale, prompting pairs of pleading eyes towards Havayla as the chief payroll officer.
Wander hands over the Orb of Dragonkind to Octavius, who looks shocked to see it again. Dismissing questions about his history with the item, Octavius gives over a 500 gp finders fee and whisks it away for safekeeping.
Private shopping hours done, Octavius opens up the shop, which has been closed since the initial invasion of Preymonger. As a crowd fills the shop, Ryker, Yevin, and Arunak noticed a shadowy figure watching the team. They follow it out into the streets where it promptly disappears.
On the way back to the Castle, Havayla lets Wander know the results of her research: Therizdun and Grumpsh are not the same but they agree that it’s a little weird that there are two angry gods with missing eyes.
Nathan cooks up dinner and Arunak is questioned about what he saw when he was struck with hallucinations by Skulldrinker. He gives a little detail, enough to link what he saw to what is known of the fire plane, the City of Brass, and the Crimson Eyes. Wander pulls out books and notes, showing a link she made between the destruction on Claremont, home of the Dragonborn, and the calling card of the Crimson Eyes. Following threads, Wander sends a message to check in on Zezu. His sight has been returned! Arunak asks who took his sight and the name Mavicus is recalled. There is a jolt of recognition from Dorza; that is their father’s name.
Processing these revelations, everyone tucks in for a nights rest. Wander and Arunak both find secret a secret door in their rooms and quickly discover that they’re looking at the same secret door. Wander then take some time to make some calls. Reaching out to her family, she is told that they’re safe and at the Direplanes, which she knows is the land of the Grasswalker clan. She then attempts to reach Yonder in the Feywild. While hard to convey in a combined span of 50 seconds, she finds that Yonder does not remember her, but is aware that there had been danger and a reason the Firbolgs fled from Zandoria. It sounds like everyone is well. Wander let’s her know that she will come to them as soon as she is able.
Ryker patrols the halls and Nathan falls off (and breaks) a kitchen cabinet in his sleep.
The morning begins with a breakfast of waffles and pancakes. Everyone prepares for the council meeting at noon.
The council meeting is attended by:
- Mr. Turder Glask, a banker from the upper districts.
- Lady Zay, owner of embroidery shops in the upper and middle districts.
- Duchess Noillif, the formidable and pregnant wife of Duke Noillif.
- Dorza, in her guise as a priestess of Sehanine.
- Madame Diana, proprietor of the local orphanage (where Arunak was raised) in the lower district.
- Daton, owner of woodworks and carpentry shops, representing the middle and lower districts.
- Octavius, member of the middle district and wondering why he allowed himself to be convinced to participate in these shenanigans.
- Grimclaw, manager of the Haidar’s Arena, formerly the temple of Sehanine. It is noticed that he is the same figure that stalked the group outside Octavius’ the day before.
As these members file in, Ryker and Nathan (in his Ebony Wings guise) act as check point guards, collecting weapons. Wander and Havayla flank the King, Arunak standing in the shadows nearby. Yevin is playing a counter-charming tune. Nathan takes advantage of his disguise through the meeting to cause small amounts of light chaos.
During the Duchess’ introduction, she demands to know who killed her son. It is reported that Kane, and tangentially Skulldrinker, were to blame, but she digs deeper. Ryker steps forward and claims as Captain, he is responsible for any death under his watch. She requests justice; whatever sentence is carried out on the remaining members of Preymonger and the Duke be carried out in Ryker as well. This statement is met with resistance from the other gathered individuals, but she has a single-minded focus.
After introductions, Zay quickly lays out the agenda. Baldus again apologizes for his previous actions and inaction, before presenting the documents needed to convert the government from monarchy to council rule. Turder then takes charge and there is back and forth as council members are chosen and approved. The final roster is Turder for the upper district, Zay for the upper and middle, Daton for the middle and lower, Lady Diana (after some encouragement) for the lower, and Dorza (after realizing that Grimclaw was the alternative), for the middle. Octavius excuses himself from any semblance of responsibility and the Dutchess makes it clear that she will be leaving the area soon. Members picked, the documents are signed, and the Council of Riverband is official.
Conversation turns to what to do with the Silvershields. There is argument over the merits of letting them in verses keeping them out for fear of a takeover. Wander realizes that the bigger concern is that the city has no protection without the King’s elemental powers. She quietly reaches out to Knowledge, asking if there is a way to bring those powers back. A spark forms in the middle of the room, drawing in the elements and compressing them into a multicolored mote of elemental chaos. Capturing the spark in a jar, she explains that this would give the power of the elements to whomever touches it. The city would have defenses again, but it will be up to one person to manage it, as it was before. It is quickly decided that Daton is the best suited for the job. After giving him both her amulet of divination and her ring of mind shielding for protection, Daton absorbs the energy, gaining control over the elementals. The city is protected once again.
Returning to the discussion of the Silvershields, the council decides that Yevin and Havayla should be the first contacts and a peace treaty will be encouraged.
What to do with the prisoners from Preymonger? Put them behind bars, for now. Baldus coaches Daton on how to command the elementals to take care of that business.
Next on the list is the Noillif Silver mine; a primary source of revenue for Riverband, but also used by the Duke as a front for his illicit activities. The Dutchess states that she desires to cancel all debts members of the city have to her husband’s company. Turder suggests, as a part owner in the mine, maybe he should take control, but that quickly shot down. And employee owned situation is introduced before Daton throws his idea in the ring: offer the Dwarves of Winterstall a partnership. This idea quickly gains steam, culminating in Zay planning an expedition to lead trade talks.
Then the room stills as discussion turns to what to do with the Duke himself. The Derailers remind the council that the Knaves demanded their right to serve justice and lay out the Knave’s solid cause to that claim. As distasteful as a death is, it is also fitting for the crime. The sentence is agreed upon, for the Duke and the remaining orcs.
With that decided, the Dutchess again states her desire for her own justice. If her husband is deserving death, so is the one responsible for her son’s death. Struggling to understand her microscopic focus on revenge, the Derailers all attempt to reason and dissuade her, but she is unmoved. Finally, Yevin snaps, upset at her posture of righteousness and formidability, while she stands there pregnant again with a child that was likely not her husband’s and appears to have enough power and knowledge to have stopped him if she wanted to. Yevin makes accusations against her and demands to know who Nahtan’s father was. She informs them all that she wholly loathes both the Duke and Nahtan’s father, again demands justice, and storms out.
Stunned, the council returns to the talk of justice, finalizes the sentences, and then declare the Derailers free of any wrongdoing in their quest to defeat Skulldrinker.
Next order of business: the Ebony Wings. Potentially even more dangerous politically then the incoming Silvershields, the crashed Ebony Wings represent entanglement with a whole other country. The Council is encouraged by Ryker to present a display of hospitality and thanks to the marooned soldiers while they wait for repairs in the coming weeks. Kindness will go far in disarming any possible hostilities and will provide an opening to talks between Haven and Riverband. Plans are made to provide food and shelter to the crashed soldiers, as well as aid in repairs.
The last order of business; what to do with Haidar’s arena. Dorza has long called for it to be removed, but It is the second largest source of revenue for the city. Havayla, Wander, and Ryker tag team a pitch to move the arena outside the city. More room for expansion, less danger of escaping animals (how a recent dragon and griffin escaped are quickly glossed over), easier for tourists to access. Not to mention the potential for visitors to stay in the city, shop, and dine at local businesses. Furthermore, a restored temple to Sehanine would also be an attraction, bringing more visitors and revenue. Fully persuaded, the council votes to move the arena, much to Dorza’s delight. Grimclaw is less thrilled, but makes no move against the Council decision. There’s something potentially sketchy about that one. Sidenote: the Derailers who had infiltrated the Arena previously (Arunak, Yevin, and Wander) are surprised to hear that the “prized” Beholder they’ve been concerned about is currently expressing it’s free will and not interested in fighting.
Council discussion over, the meeting is adjourned. Pleasantries are shared as members leave. Daton talks with the Baldus about the elemental powers and invites the former king to his wood shop. Baldus agrees and the two leave the hall (achievement unlocked: gain father figure).
Once the door shuts, Wander marches over to Yevin and attempts to slap him. Incensed over his treatment of the Dutchess, both Wander and Havayla berate him about his words. Any hope of peace with her is likely gone, along with any further understanding of who Nahtan was or intended to be. Yevin defends his actions and leaves to cool down. The rest of the crew meander off to their own business.
Later, Yevin finds Havayla in the library and shares his struggle with the uncovered draconian anger welling up inside him. Elsewhere, Arunak and Dorza share a conversation about their history and plan to head down into the dungeon to talk with Viz, the blue Tiefling that first mentioned the Crimson Eyes to Arunak all those months ago. Ryker walks down to the Windwalker to commune with Sehanine.
Wander joins Nathan in the kitchen, discovers that he has no idea how to clean, and begins instruction while taking the opportunity to dig into his past. He adds a little more detail on to what was already shared: he was raised by the Falchion, tree/wooden robot people, has no memory of parents beyond the Falchion, and has always been a shifter. Kane destroyed his home and people when he was about 12, after which Octavius found and saved him. Octavius has never encountered another person like him either, which is surprising with the amount of travel he does. Wander asks to look at the Simulacrum again, this time taking a moment to cast legend lore. She comes out of the trance with a poem and a feeling that she saw something should should not have. Nothing of the poem’s words mean anything to Nathan, so she tucks it away for further research and they continue cleaning up and making dinner (and repairing the cabinet Nathan broke overnight).
Meanwhile, word comes that the Silvershields are outside the city. Arunak, Dorza, Yevin, and Aurora are collected by Havayla and they all rush to the Windwalker. Yevin and Havayla walk out to meet Captain Orion. They notice that there are captured orcs and a few riderless horses. Orion reports that they clashed with a battalion of orcs on the way. Reports are given of the death of Skulldrinker and safety of Riverband. Satisfied that their help is unnecessary, Orion rallies his troops to begin the march back to Hearthollow. Mention is made of a peace treaty, but Orion implies that those sorts of talks should be spoke directly to the Queen’s ears from an advisor, not through him.
Returning to the castle, dinner is shared. Nathan makes waffles again, at Havayla’s request. Ryker asks Wander to check in with Donkey, so she sends a message. The message finds its target, but there is no reply.
After dinner, everyone once again goes about their business. Arunak and Dorza go to the cells to interrogate Viz. Wander finds and secures a room for the night and takes time to commune. Ryker patrols the halls. Nathan is convinced to sleep on the kitchen counter this time (he still falls off). Havayla returns to the library.
Yevin decides to take a walk to the wizard’s tower, where Skulldrinker had set up shop. He examines the remains of a shrine to Tiamat but finds nothing of value in Skulldrinker’s rooms. As he walks back across the bridge, Yevin notices a shift of airy movement. He calls out in airyan thinking it may be an elemental. Then he sees a glimmer of wings and calls out to Mordromoth. The glass dragon lands in front of Yevin and states “you are going to come with me.”
And that is where we left off. What is Mordromoth up to? Is there a trip to Winterstall in the Derailers’ future? WHEN WILL AURNAK TELL THE TEAM WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT THE CRIMSON EYES!? We’ll find out next time…