27 Cuersaar 837
Heroes of the Netherdeep | Emon (Tal’Dorei) | 11/16/2023 Session
- Paige is confronted by Dione on the beach at the stroke of midnight obnoxiously glowing halo and all, and Paige tells Dione that everything has fallen apart, and she doesn’t understand why she is here, as everyone else has a connection to this mission besides her, and the only connection she has is that the world is ending. She ends up breaking down in his arms, a sobbing mess. She asks Dione if she’s mean, and Dione says he views her as curmudgeon that cares. She asks why he selected her for this mission, and if it was just because he knows her, and he says that they know each other better than that statement implies.
“So, time is a poor measure of effort or success, because time runs differently for someone who can memorize everything that they see.”
“Yeah. You know, like, I understand that I am super impressive, or whatever. Like, on some…
Dione chuckles.
“Fucking shut up. But, you know, like, I…It’s literally just looking at it practically, right? I have…I have had an insane amount of growth, right? Like, just, it is impractical what my growth was. But I managed to get it…I managed to get to where I am. I can, like… I’m working on traveling to a completely different dimension. Like, I think…I’m pretty sure elsewhere is somewhere like, isn’t even on the planes, right? Unless it’s somewhere…”
“No.”
“Like, a specific place on a plane, but…”
“Well, sort of.”
- Paige explains to Dione that she’s been looking into Dream of the Blue Veil, and Dione shifts the conversation to questioning the wisdom of chasing Rumis and traveling to Elsewhere.
“Have you considered not…not chasing Rumis to elsewhere?”
“I…Is Rumis safe, and will he be safe?”
“I can’t promise that any more than I can promise that you or Aida will be safe.”
“Let me… Okay. Let me rephrase that. Will…will Rumis more likely than not be in over his head?”
“Are you in over your head? I mean…Rumis is in no more or less danger than you are in this moment.”
- Paige tells Dione that the spell probably isn’t the best option and it is going to take her awhile to figure it out. Dione remarks that she doesn’t seem to understand what Elsewhere is, to which Paige says that the Raven Queen seems to think Squawk is a good source of answers, and he isn’t. Dione says he’ll try and have Squawk be more helpful. Dione finally tells Paige about Elsewhere.
“Elsewhere is the place of collective consciousness. Does that make sense to you? It’s the place that some people go when they dream, but when that dream is shared. Rumis is there facing his own demons. Presumably succeeding. I honestly could not tell you if you could help him even if you could get there. I cannot recommend that you try to get there.”
“Okay.”
“You- if you, uh, feel the lack of your friend, and I sympathize, you might try to search out Erevan. Last I knew he was on the Matron’s business in-“
“Wait. Hold on.”
“-defiance.”
“I- I assumed that Rumis was just, like, Rumis and Erevan were the same person, and Rumis was-“
“Yes.”
“Well, okay, but, like, Rumis is the same consciousness as Erevan, but Erevan is his real name, he- it is…”
“No.”
AK Note: Lord of Light? More like Lord of Enlightening Details (heavy sarcasm)
“No? Okay. That’s- that’s different.”
“It is- it is murky.”
“Okay.”
“There is, um… Crossover.”
“Okay. Uh, okay, I think I get it.”
“Also, I do- I do not have all those answers.”
“Yeah. Okay. So- so, okay, so Rumis is elsewhere.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Erevan is… where’s he?”
“The- the far place. The- the dark.”
“The… Shadowfell?”
“It touches the Shadowfell. Um… The… If you… How to explain this to a mortal? If you go through the Shadowfell, um, and keep going for, uh…About madness, you will hit the far place, the…The realm of the dark things. It doesn’t translate well.”
“Okay.”
“It is where you would find worshippers of your dear friend, Torog.”
“Oh, okay. And Erevan isn’t working with…Torog he is working with the Raven Queen.”
“Yes. He is her champion.”
“Okay. I… Rad. Alright.”
“Presumably, Erevan resists whatever schemes Torog has set in place. That was his task. You might go help, if you feel qualified. But… Honestly, Vasselheim could use you most.”
“Yeah. I’m just…I don’t know. Our friend disappeared one day. You know.”
“That’s a less invisible threat, I guess. But I…I once disappeared on you as well. Didn’t I? It happens. It is a mark of your loyalty that you looked so closely.”
“Kinda feels like a mark of my paranoia.”
- Dione remarks that we can be “many things”, which leads Paige to confide that she’s stressed trying to keep everything in the air. Dione says she should try being a god, which prompts disgust. Paige returns the conversation to her original question of why Dione chose her, remarking that she answered for him. He responds that he works in “mysterious ways” and she somehow manages not to punch him.
“Hmm there are - again there are many reasons - but I will give you the two that I think you want. The first is that ‘you are stronger than you think you are, you are worth more than you think you are’. You have a very low opinion of yourself blah blah blah blah blah blah, I know.”
Paige goes to start mocking you like as you start saying that but then like it starts to kind of hit her. Like, “Oh god.”
“Yes I understand. I get it. You won’t listen to me, but maybe someday you will hear. The second, which I hope will stick, is that your chain is only as strong as your weakest link but even so, even with weak links, you are still a chain which is far far more useful than a single link. Separated, you are worth less than you are together. That is is as close to Paige terms as I can make it sound. You are an important element of a bigger thing that is sorely needed right now.”
- Dione tells Paige - when Paige tries a chess analogy - that she needs to think of this more as warfare than chess. Paige says she tries to think of it like warfare, but doesn’t understand Pandora’s angle, because they’ll agree on a strategy and she’ll fly off the handle. Dione remarks Paige should remember what she knows, and forget what she thinks.
“You know Pandora is reckless and rash. Sometimes strategic, oftentimes vengeful. You know these things, you’ve seen the evidence. Rather than expect her to be different, plan for what she is. Perhaps it was my mistake to infer when I was sent to recruit you all that Pandora was in charge. I thought that was the uneasy kind of arrangement that we had all fallen into because she has applicable skills, but more than skills a quality group of combatants requires heart. Perhaps I should have set you in charge.”
“I don’t…I don’t think I would be a good leader because, like you know, I…I’ve been really shitty to a lot of those people, to a lot of the friends I’ve got, and especially Pandora. And like… I-I think way too much, right? I can’t make a quick call, and I mean, I can but you know. I think it’s better for me to focus on keeping all this shit in my head, than trying to do that and also make quick calls. I think the thing that’s frustrating me the most is that I can see Pandora being able to do it, and she just won’t, or she can’t, or something is stopping her, and I tried to… I pushed myself so fucking hard to try to get that quality out of her, and it just didn’t fucking work and she completely backhanded me and spat in my face.”
“Perseverance means carrying on in the face of adversity. If it doesn’t work out the way you want it to the first time, try it a different way. Try a different tactic or give up and let it all end. I cannot force you to save this world, I can only do my part. I would love if you had faith enough to do your part.”
- Paige tells Dione she’s trying, and doesn’t appreciate the allusion to having faith in the gods. Dione asks if she can at least have faith in a friend, in him.
Paige is gonna stare at you. “I guess. I mean…look, I gotta really treasure and keep these fucking moments locked up in my head real tight, because one of these days we’re not gonna have these talks anymore.”
“It will be sooner than you think.” He looks very sad at that.
Paige is holding her face in a way that is trying to not show sadness as well, but is trying not to burst into tears again and it’s very clear that she’s really flexing those muscles. She kind of just like, takes a deep breath… “I don’t know. I know exactly what it’s going to be like when you ascend, right?”
“You don’t. You can’t.”
“I mean like right afterwards right like you’re gonna the way you’re gonna reach out to me to try to communicate is gonna be you know, like ‘oh through the sun beams in my morning window’, or ‘the way the moon hits my eye like a big piece of pie’ or whatever.”
“I could send a messenger, if you prefer.”
“You know exactly which one I prefer. The point is it’s not going to make it any less painful to see you like- to finally realize that it happened, and I think I hate myself for that because really… I know what I want, and what I want is selfish, and… I feel like a worse person because I want to be selfish.”
“Would it help you to know that sometimes even the gods are selfish?”
Paige laughs tearfully. “I mean, I’ve known that for a while.”
“I know it’s one of those things that is kind of obvious when you think about it, right? Would you deny yourself the same latitude you would give the gods? That seems silly.”
“I mean I kind of don’t want the gods to be like that. I want them to be… I don’t know.”
“Do you think that that right there is why you have trouble connecting with the gods? It’s because you cannot love something and control it at the same time. The gods - most of the ones who are worthy - want your love, your attention, your faith. Those are things those are things that you keep very close to yourself. You don’t give those out very easily, otherwise you would already be my cleric.”
- Paige expresses annoyance at Dione’s sales-pitch to be a cleric, and Paige tells Dione that if anyone tries to use his name for capitalism she’ll shut that shit down. He offers to name her his Priestess, and Paige declines.
“No if you’re gonna give me a title, make it personal. I don’t want to be a priest, I don’t want to be a priestess, and I don’t want to be like a paladin. I just want to be… a friend, I guess.”
“Oh, you were always that.”
“Yeah but the point is I don’t think I need a title to do that for you. I wouldn’t need a title to do that for you if you weren’t a god.
“I don’t think that you need a title to do anything. I have yet to see a problem that you haven’t been able to solve. That’s probably why you make such a good team, or at least part of it. But uh my my time is running short, and I will only get two, maybe three, more of these visits before the gate locks. So I was hoping to spend some time with Aida, maybe say goodbye to everyone.”
“I think a goodbye would be nice.”
- Dione asks Paige to pass on a note to Aida, and tells Paige he will be there for her if she needs him.
“And don’t be afraid to call. if you need me, I might not have many visits left but I always have some time for you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Now ask me your top three burning questions before I go. I know you’ve got them rattling around in there and make them good.”
“Should I rip the crown off of Pandora’s head next time I see her or do you think that Loth is… do you think I should exploit Loth’s help?”
“That’s two questions. Very clever. And I’m going to answer them and not charge you because I’m such a nice guy (you should really be my cleric). I would not rip the crown off of Pandora’s head and beat her to death with it the next time you see her, though maybe sometime wouldn’t be so bad.”
“I’m getting your permission to kill Pandora. Cool.”
“You can try. As for the Spider, I am of two minds. One, you need every advantage you can take, you can get. You should take every advantage you can seize and that being said, it is very concerning. Clearly.”
“Yeah, oh god. I think… I don’t know how much that crown is affecting Pandora but it worries me so fucking much.”
“I would say more than not. More than zero, but maybe not as much as you think.”
“Let me explain that to you. I am going to rip that crown off one way or the other, I do not… I do not trust Lolth. I can tell what She’s doing and I… I just need to know do we… do I do that first chance I get or do I do that when-“
“Choose your moment. Choose your moment. You’ll know when the best time is.”
- Dione remarks she should keep a Remove Curse in her pocket, and slap Pandora with it real hard. Paige says she doesn’t really want to hit Pandora again, and Dione says it will be her choice.
“I would also add, free of charge, that Pandora gave the Matron the run around, so to speak. And I would pit the Matron against the Spider any day, so maybe… maybe Pandora is playing a deeper game. I don’t know. I can’t say. But… worth thinking about before you beat her to death. Do you have any other burning questions? My time is nearly up.”
Paige is going to look down at that lamp, and stare at it for a second. “Is she… is she okay?”
“She could be better.”
“Is she safe?”
“For now.”
- Dione warns Paige not to ask questions she doesn’t want the answer to, and tells her to make this visit worth his while. As he departs, leaving a gift, she screams at the ocean, wading out into it knowing it isn’t late enough for there to be a risk of pulling her out from shore. She spends the remainder of the morning playing, before returning to the ship (after a Sending) with Dione’s gift tucked in her Bag of Holding and his letter in a pocket to hand to Aida.
- Aida grabs pastries before returning to the ship, arriving just before Paige.
- Rodreck, aware of the group’s tumultuous head space, suffers his mother’s ghost in a solo Spirit Session to gain the spell Gift of Alacrity. He then sends Paige the poem with two uses of the spell, prompting Paige’s return.
- Pandora spends the morning reading Purvan Suul’s journal on his time as Champion of the Raven Queen, and grounding herself in her winter season rather than resisting it. She buys a Bag of Holding for Adrian, and walks through the Promenade thinking of Stilben and everything she’d built being decimated. On that happy thought, she returns to the ship after the others have arrived.
- When Paige enters the ship with apology donuts, Rodreck casts Gift of Alacrity on her, and she offers Aida a bag with an eclair in it. Aida’s eclair looks like her, with the same color scheme she dresses in. Aida hugs Paige as a thank you, and Paige hugs her back.
- Paige approaches Pandora next, offering her a bag that she takes but does not open. She expresses that she should trust Pandora more, but she’s not sure what Pandora’s whole plan is with all the Clasp they’ve been killing - who are Tully’s allies. She also says she can’t be going into things blind, and she has to question things. Pandora tells Paige that Paige isn’t questioning her thoughts, she’s questioning her expertise and skills. She states that she doesn’t need Paige’s trust in her character, only her skillset. Paige expresses further confusion with Pandora’s actions, and Pandora explains that it was a bad call based on her experiences with people like the Clasp (and the Clasp itself). She believed the threat genuine, and acted first, but regrets not going for the leader of the two first. Pandora also expresses that Paige’s assessments, while intelligent, lack practicality and context that Pandora has from living as a member of the Myriad for her whole life. Rodreck buts in and tells her not to be so modest, and that she was protecting Paige. Pandora says it was strategic.
- As the conversation progresses, Pandora learns of a survivor from their most recent clash with the Clasp - a Vicky who Paige let live and sent to Tully to speak on their behalf. Pandora’s icy neutrality cracks for a moment, angered by the admission, before she stifles it. When Paige starts speculating on Alina, Pandora informs her that Alina is dead, and no longer an issue. They begin to discuss getting close with Tully, and Adrian debriefs the group on what intel he obtained the day prior.
- Before they are able to discuss many details, Zook informs them that there is a group outside calling for Aida Leafil: a group of six mage slayers and a man - Lord Armand Zilloa, the Arbiter of the Tal’Dorei Council and a member of the Clasp that Pandora picks up on immediately. She sticks to the shadows to observe, and sends a Message to Paige as a warning.
“Miss Leafil, the charges brought against you are tax evasion on smuggled produce, assault on an esteemed member of the clergy, malfeasance and sedition. Surrender your arms and armor at once.”
- Aida asks for a moment to speak with the group, seeing as Zilloa wants to resolve this peacefully (presumably), and Zilloa sarcastically replies that he “has all day”. Pandora uses Message to communicate with the group silently, asking Aida if there is any truth to any of the charges. Aida tells Pandora she went to the Temple of the Raven Queen, and there was an incident with Dione’s letter, but she did not assault any member of the clergy. Zilloa expresses that the clergy certainly had a great deal to say about Aida, and Pandora comes out of hiding.
“Well the clergy certainly had things to say about that assault.”
“I’m sure they do and they befoul themselves on all manner of stupidity, so I don’t take their opinion in high regard.”
“Says the small fish in my very large pond but unlike Stilben your head is barely above water. The sharks under circling under your feet are mine.”
“Does it make you feel powerful to have those more powerful than you under your control? I assume you must need it.”
“Hey Aida, are you coming? I’m done with the jesters dancing around.”
- Pandora can’t tell whether or not Lord Armand outranks Tully, and Rodreck argues that they need information on where she is being taken to mount a legal defense. Lord Armand tells him that there are no visitors where she’s going, which Rodreck and Paige both find to be questionable. Lord Armand expresses that he has all the legal paperwork, and Paige asks for his name using her Onomancy abilities. Lord Armand resists, and Paige continutes to argue that this entire thing is bullshit, they know he’s Clasp, and he should drop the act and tell them what is really going on. Lord Armand says that Aida is going to jail, and he’s already been clear on that. Pandora asks about witnesses beyond the clergy, and he says that there are several, one of which is rather close to him. Pandora remarks that she can see the resemblance, and he tells her that the Myriad does have a smart person. Pandora asks what exactly he requires to drop this, as they both play this game and know the rules, and he tells her to take it up with the Tal’Dorei council. She tells him that is what she is doing, and he tells her he “doesn’t care that much” and has far better things to do than listen to birds squabbling.
- Pandora asks Paige if she has necromantic abilities prepared, and Paige says she doesn’t, but might be able to get them out of here. Pandora tells her to make the call, as she’s unwilling to take the blame this time. Rodreck suggests disguising himself as Aida, and Armand watches them mutter amongst each other impatiently. Pandora subtly casts Sending to ask for Tully’s intervention, offering an unspecified favor if she can remedy this situation. Tully, smug as ever, agrees that she can remedy the situation. She tries to speak with Lord Armand via Sending but he rebuffs her request, telling her that it wasn’t her niece that was killed (this Pandora hears).
- Paige asks Pandora what she’s doing, and Pandora tells her she called in the big guns. As Aida watches the group continue to discuss, she casts Wall of Force to prevent them from starting a fight with the mage slayers and Lord Armand. Pandora uses Fey Step to escape the magical barrier with Dione’s letter to Aida, that Paige was unable to give her. Pandora tells Aida this is temporary, and she will speak to the Matron and her priestess about this, before telling Lord Armand she’ll take this issue up with his superiors - the Council. Paige makes a jerk off motion to Lord Armand when they make eye contact, and Lord Armand departs - Aida in tow - and tells them they are welcome to leave, with the insinuation there could be consequences if they don’t. The Dauntless is unchained, and the party is now able to leave for Vasselheim, should they choose.
- Jon goes ballistic inside the Wall of Force, only calming down when Paige and Pandora explain that they can’t immediately break Aida out of jail or they’ll be in serious danger from the mage slayer golems and probably die in the attempt to save her.
- Orpheus follows the procession to the detention center in the Cloudtop District, but finds that Lord Armand melts into the sea of aristocracy after dropping Aida off.
- The remainder of the party discusses what they know on the ship, and Pandora makes the unpopular suggestion that they leave for Vasselheim and come back for Aida after Tully has dealt with the situation. No one agrees, and the party resolves to find a way to free Aida - by any route available.
- Paige finds a quiet corner to open a gift Dione left for her when he vanished - a book full of teleportation circles to locations across Exandria. Her book absorbs the other book, and they are placed in her spellbook with a quick thanks to Dione.
- Aida asks to keep the locket around her neck, but all magical items are taken, and Lord Armand suggests she draw a picture of it in the dirt to remember it.
Rumis (Erevan) | Elsewhere (Unknown)
As the veil of sleep claims your consciousness, a different veil, one of shadows and whispers, parts to reveal a throne room wrought from onyx and silver. It is a place where light fears to tread, and silence is the loudest sound. The Raven Queen, her visage both beautiful and terrible, sits upon her throne, her eyes reflecting a starless sky.
[The Raven Queen’s presence is commanding, her aura chilling the very air around her. A figure kneels before her, armored in shadow, a warrior of formidable presence.]
Raven Queen: “Rise, my champion. The time has come for the next phase of our grand design.”
[The warrior stands, and as he lifts his head, the light catches his face, revealing features that are achingly familiar to the party. It’s Rumis—or who Rumis once was—his gaze clear, his posture assured, and his expression, one of unwavering purpose.]
Raven Queen, addressing the warrior: “Erevan, you have been cleansed of the mortal taint, your memories of their world stripped away. Now, you are pure, unburdened by false bonds and errant sentiment. You are ready to be my instrument once more.”
Rodreck cheers Jon up with stage magic and card tricks, which sends Jon into hysterical delight, while Pandora realizes Lolth wants her to kill people close to her to further her favor (murderous flirtation, in other words). The thought of killing Rodreck comes to her mind unprompted (likely from her sword), but she resists, and pays Adrian the sum she promised with another threat. As she contemplates her options, her mind drifts to her old companion that everyone hates - Alyxian the aboleth.
Rodreck strums up a countercharm, but it is not enough for him and Adrian to resist. Pandora insists (despite an entire year of the opposite being demonstrated) that this is a reasonable idea.
“This might be a bad idea, but it’s an alternative source of intel and we can’t exactly trust our sources right now.”
- Alyxian and Pandora stand off, with Alyxian hungry and demanding to be fed and Pandora disapproving of his current attempts at sourcing food. Rodreck and Adrian are both enslaved, and move towards Alyxian’s mouth as he tests the boundaries. Pandora raises her sword, and threatens Alyxian into compliance. Alyxian releases Adrian and Rodreck, who both are displeased by having been taken hold of by an aboleth. Pandora uses Alyxian to prod Adrian’s intentions, and discovers that he is selfish and worries over his soul.
- Adrian notices Pandora prodding at his intentions via the aboleth, and is alerted to the danger of her assessment. He reveals to the party that he sold his soul to a dark entity that he tells the party is named Orthax - a shadow demon.
- Alyxian proves unhelpful regarding Elsewhere and Rumis, so Pandora unsummons him.
- Pandora speaks with Tully via Sending and secures her cooperation further, telling the others that she has now placed herself in Tully’s debt. She suggests leaving, but the party insists on staying. Paige discusses killing Tully, which Pandora plants herself as firmly against. Paige tells her not to throw out the possibility, and that it’s important to her. Pandora tells Paige that’s what she thought when Rumis picked up her armor, and heads off to her tent alone.
Aida Leafil | Emon (Tal’Dorei)
- Aida offers to bring Armand’s niece back to life, and Armand is indifferent.
“…what’s done is done. No reason to dig up corpses.”
“I mean, she is family. Do you not want her back?”
“Not if she’s going to fail me that much. She can’t take over for me if that’s how she’s going to be. I miss her dearly but there’s no point in crying over spilled milk.”
“How can you be so heartless?”
“It’s a cruel world out there. You’re either eaten or you eat others.”
Paige’s Playlist
Adrian’s Cold Open | 11/30/2023 Session
“It was a scene right out of a dime-store novel. The midnight beach, the glow of a halo, tears in the surf – Paige breaking down in Dione’s arms, questioning their place in a world on the brink. Dione, Lord of Light, played it coy, his words a dance around Paige’s doubts. Then there’s Rumis, or Erevan, facing demons in ‘Elsewhere’, a realm of collective consciousness, a shared dream turned nightmare.
Back at the airship, Aida, wrongfully accused, is shackled and led away, her stoic silence a stark contrast to the chaos around her. John watches helplessly, his heart torn between duty and devotion.
Pandora, deep in thought, clings to Purvan Suul’s legacy, wrestling with her own darkness. In her solitude, she finds a quiet strength, a resolve to face the coming storm.
Rodreck, haunted by spectral whispers, seeks solace in solitude, his quest for understanding a lonely path. In the silence, he finds uneasy answers, and questions he hadn’t dared to ask.
And me? I got a bag to hold my troubles, a gift from Pandora, heavy with unspoken words.
We’re a chain, each link holding its own weight, a team barely holding together, yet unbreakable. This story is etched in shadows and starlight, a tale of heroes fighting not just for the world, but for the essence of who they are.”
[Zooming out from Adrian’s seeming monologue, the scene shifts. He’s not alone. Across from him, shrouded in the dim light of a clandestine meeting spot, sits an unknown figure, listening intently.]
Unknown Figure: “Impressive recount, Adrian. Your words paint a vivid picture. But tell me, how do you come by such intimate details?”
Adrian, leaning back, a hint of a smirk playing at the edge of his lips: “Let’s just say, I’ve got an eye for detail.” [He taps the side of his face, drawing attention to the Eye of the Mistress, glinting unnaturally.]
Unknown Figure, with a tone of intrigue: “The Eye of the Mistress… A powerful tool. And what does it reveal about the loyalties of your… companions?”
Adrian, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper: “Loyalties are like shadows on a cloudy night, ever shifting. But this eye, it sees more than just loyalties. It sees fears, desires, secrets. It’s not just what they say; it’s what they don’t.”
Unknown Figure: “Intriguing. And your loyalty, where does it lie? With your… friends, or with those who can reward your… insights more… substantially?”
Adrian: [His gaze hardens, a flicker of conflict passing through his eyes.] “You know the answer. Everyone has a price, and my loyalty’s bought for now. They’re good folks, but in this game, we’re all pawns. I just chose to play on the winning side.”
Unknown Figure: “Wise choice. Your information is invaluable. Keep feeding me what you learn. Remember, Adrian, your… ‘gift’ comes with expectations. I’ll be in touch.”
[The figure stands, leaving Adrian alone. A smirk plays on Adrian’s lips, but his eyes betray a hint of regret, a flicker of doubt about the path he’s chosen.]
Heroes of the Netherdeep | Emon (Tal’Dorei)
- Despite Aida’s recent imprisonment, the party is greeted to the sight of Aida’s face at the ship’s entrance. She looks a bite older, and is adorned in purples more than blues. She addresses the party with a friendly greeting, and tells them she is Fennec Leafil, Aida’s sister, and is here at Aida’s request. This is definitely the truth, and for sure not an elaborate hoax, and the party is ever so suspicious because none of them have gone to therapy (except for Jon ofc). Pandora contemplates torture, but starts at a Zone of Truth Fennec resists. Paige and Pandora both agree - for once - that something is up, with Paige thinking of the fact that Aida’s family doesn’t have any pictures of a sibling and that Aida’s never mentioned a sister. Pandora knows that Aida’s been secretive lately, but does not believe she’d call for help from an outside source without discussing it with the party.
- Jon, being an idiot, is more welcoming than the rest of the party. Fennec remarks that the Aida told her the party was “welcoming” and comments, with a hint of resentment, that the rules are always different for Aida. Pandora ritually casts Detect Evil and Good, but minds nothing of note beyond her alignment being more gray than Aida’s. As the party continues the interrogation, Fennec asks where Aida is, and it is revealed she is in jail. Pandora berates Paige for offering extraneous details, and Fennec tries to ask the party for more details. Pandora asks her why Aida thought she’d be useful, and it is revealed that Fennec is also a wizard, because there aren’t enough wizards in the party.
- With a failed Zone of Truth, Paige casts Sending to the Leafils, asking if they have another child. They forget the limits of sending, reply in a big ramble with yes as the final word before the cut off. Paige interprets this as a yes to her question, but there is some ambiguity. With this reveal, Paige entrusts Fennec with the basics of what they are trying to do in Emon, and why Aida is in jail despite Pandora’s disapproval. Paige attempts to reveal Tully’s existence, but Pandora tells her to keep her mouth shut on the Myriad and speak only relevant details for an outsider. Fennec is tentatively welcomed aboard with Jon’s approval, and Pandora’s hostility. Adrian and Rodreck accept this change, and Paige is still suspicious but friendlier about it.
- The party splits to investigate different things. Pandora goes to speak with Tully, Rodreck and Jon go to the Temple of the Raven Queen, Paige and Fennec head to the Alabaster Lyceum and library nearby, and Adrian returns to the farm they first encountered the Clasp at.
- Adrian revisits the farm that the party first fought Clasp members at, noticing that Aida did not leave any footprints (as a result of being on her broom for the fight) and finding an eyewitness from a neighboring farm that testifies to the loud booms and bright lights that match with Adrian’s account of the fight. An important detail Adrian obtain is that a dark and mysterious women also came looking for that information, though it is unclear whether she is from the Myriad or the Clasp.
- Pandora heads out to speak with Tully, trying to repress her frustrations and emotions around everything that has happened over the last week in Emon (fighting with Paige, Orpheus’ possession, and Aida’s secrets).
And it is probably right at that point of frustration when you’re about to cast sending and being like, ‘where the fuck are you?’ That you hear that smug little full attitude clearing of the throat from a cafe that you literally just walked past. And there’s Tully just sitting in a chair out on the patio with a cup of espresso decked out in what must be some kind of fucking designer dress robe combo that’s half this kind of teal blue and half this very deep, seductive red. Her belt is of pearl. She’s got a fat ass diamond on her right hand, a gem ring on each of her left fingers, a gorgeous bejeweled and clearly well masterwork tooled amulet across her around her throat. Each of her horns like dangles gold in kind of this cosmic theme. She wears a hairnet that has to be either pearl or platinum. It’s kind of hard to tell, especially since like it all glints off of her golden scales like it’s all very purposeful, right? She’s wearing like deep eye shadow so that her yellow slitted eyes are extra menacing. And she just kind of lounges there and pushes the opposite seat out to you as she says, “Can I get you anything?”
- Tully reveals her desire to have Armand under her thumb, revealing that she plans to utilize Pandora’s help to place him where she wants him because of how disagreeable he is. Pandora notices that Tully’s mask is slipping, and reveals that the Millionaire absconded to one-up Tully and show that Tully does not know everything. She also reveals her gifts from Lolth, catching a glance at Tully’s intimate defenses (piercings, magic robes, and magic jewelry) and forcing Tully to reassess Pandora with the knowledge of her history as a worshipper of the Raven Queen. Pandora successfully manipulates Tully under her thumb, and finds that it can be done with ease now, so long as Tully’s ego is properly stroked.
- Fennec and Paige head to the Cobalt Soul library to do some research into Emon law and examine routes for a defense to be constructed for Aida. Paige asks Fennec some basic questions, and Fennec is open - to an extent - before stating that since Paige has the right to keep secrets from her, she also has the right to keep some secrets to herself. Fennec states that she sits in a room and stares at a wall, and is a wizard of rituals and cantrips. They discuss Aida briefly, and how and why Fennec found herself coming to help Aida, before they run into Prism - Paige’s Big Gay Crush. Fennec tells Paige to go off with Prism while she gets started, and Paige enjoys a date with Prism (awkward as it is) while Fennec begins taking notes on some of the laws concerning the crimes for which Aida is accused of.
- Rodreck and Jon head to the temple of the Raven Queen, and Rodreck pauses to make an offering an offer a respectful prayer to the Raven Queen. He receives a blessing for his efforts, and speaks to a priest of the Raven Queen that reveals there have been no violent incidents at the church in some time, and that Kolpelgeh has not been seen in a few days as she is cloistered. Rodreck secures a written record of this, signed by the priest, and leaves with Jon in tow. He also tells Jon about his view of the gods, on the way back to the others.
“You see the gods they’re like gears in a big machine. They all have their purpose, they all keep everything working together. Without them the whole machine breaks down. They’re kind of limit it in a way. They’re limited to their job. You can’t ask a god of death to start bringing people back to life. Oh they’re more enslaved than us mortals in a way.”
Resolve Emon’s Civil War Information Known | 12/07 Session
- The rebellion is being fueled by the alliance between the Clasp and the Myriad, and if that falls apart, a lot of the push for the rebellion will fall apart. This alliance is being pushed most by Tully Dezzeram, who wants Lord Armand Zilloa and the Clasp under her thumb.
- Tully did not build the rebellion out of lies, she found anger that was there and stirred it up in order to profit off of both sides and the war in general. It has started quite strong, but it is not a focused rebellion, so it could drift apart quite easily.
- There is an information breakdown, with the rebellion not being aware of what value the council offers and how their taxes are being utilized, and the council not being aware of the rebellion’s main gripes and how things can be fixed.
- Tully is the equivalent of a silent partner in the Clasp, and Armand has put her in the dog house so to speak.
Heroes of the Netherdeep | Emon (Tal’Dorei) | 12/07/23 Session
- Pandora extracts information from Tully on the “chessboard” of Emon - the council, the rebellion, important figures. Tully is suitably terrified, and offers information without too much push back. Pandora learns that Tully has actively been watching the party, and it is reasonable to assume Armand would be doing the same. She also suggests Pandora stop murdering Clasp members, and reveals she doesn’t have a ton of power over the Clasp and Armand. Tully tells Pandora the entirety of the Tal’Dorei Council, including a secret member:
- Master of Development: Hearthmaker Edelbern Cleareyes
- Master of Arcana: Arcanist Allura Vysoren
- Master of Law: Arbiter Brom Goldhand
- Master of Commerce: Coinmistress Vex’ahlia de Rolo
- Master of Information: Seeker Odessa Tal’Dorei
- Master of Defense: Guardian Tofor Brotoras
- Master of War: Vacant
- Ambassador of Syngorn: Syldor Vessar
- Ambassador of Kraghammer: Deirdrik Greyspine
- Ambassador of the Ashari: Keyleth
- Delegate of Syngorn: Kel’jaia Uleoh
- Secret Member: Sean Gilmore
- Tully also freely reveals that there are rumblings of Armand taking the seat of Master of War, but it is not for certain yet. Tully is uncertain on if Armand can wield magics, or has someone do it for him. She’s also been leaning on Gilmore so hard because of his relationship to the Council.
- Paige and Fennec study law
