Session Seventeen: Desperation and Dancing
General Summary
Books Fall, Malak Cries Malak stands in the Heart of the Spire: an empty, cavernous chamber. He asks Wrogar if there is a specific way in which information will be presented once a question is asked and perhaps some guidance on how a question should be asked. Wrogar says the Heart will provide copies of the documentation that would contain information based on how the question is phrased. He suggests questions to be specific. The moment Malak leaves the room, the documentation disappears. Malak, desperate, summons his patron, Tula. At the utterance of Tula’s name, a breeze passes through Malak with a whispering “hahhhhhh” Malak then asks: “Tula, will I find what I’m looking for here or will I still need Mia?” The breeze turns into a swirling tornado around Malak. As it swirls faster the “hahhhhhhh” turns into “Malak-hahhhhh”. And although the sound remains a whisper, it gets increasingly louder. The wind swirls upwards and in a flash of silver light, a giant, winged, silver serpent appears. It is coiled above him in the form of the tornado, looking down at Malak. In another flash of light, the wind dies down, the serpent disappears and a person stands in front of Malak. Snake-like eyes, dark hair and a billowing feathered cloak. Wrogar screams. Tula waves their hand and Wrogar is seemingly knocked out. Malak, horrified andchecks if Wrogar is still breathing. He seems fine. Just out of commission for a bit. He then turns to Tula who replies to his question. They explain that Malak will receive information in the Heart. But not all the answers. So Malak asks his first question: “Information on the origin of the sickness.” As he breathes, he suddenly feels like he inhaled something in the air. He feels that inhaled substance move through his lungs, into his blood stream moving through his entire body, as if its searching for something. He starts to glow purple. When he exhales, the substance and the glow leave his body as a type of purple vapour. The vapour creates a projection of himself, with a chain around his neck. In the projection’s expression, Malak sees the pain, trials and fears he experienced over the past 10 years. Around the projection then makes the chain disappear. Books start falling from the ceiling. Thousand upon thousands of books. It rains thousands of scrolls and letters. A sea of documentation and information. Malak is in despair as he’d never get through all this information. A lot might not be completely relevant to his cause. After some trial and error, he found an old book (about 200 years old) with information on a map. After casting “detect magic”, he finds another map of what seems to be a colourful cave system and a letter from Jossac d’Valadis where she simply says “I’m sorry…” As the information is too overwhelming, Malak decides to move to his next question. He realises that using the term “the sickness” can apply to any sickness so most of the information there would not be relevant and therefore this search is a waste of time. So he asks his second question, taking his time to word it as specifically as he possibly can: “The ship log of the ship that flew over Cyre round the time of the Mourning that carried the Elven Bard.” The vapour entered his system, but when he exhales, the projection of Malak smiles back at him. And then it smiles at Tula. A few pieces of paper flutter down from the ceiling (while the other documents completely disappear). He also received a Ships Log.The papers showed the below: The Gust: originally belonging to Chellon d’Lyrandar, temporarily handed over to Merel d’Lyrandar (later renamed Silver Bird once inherited by Chellon’s daughter, Tatalla d’Lyrandar about 10 years ago). Notably present during the Flight of the Silverbird. Last ship to leave Cyre safely before the Mourning struck. The Tempest: (captain Illyria d’Lyrandar) last known airship to travel to Metrol safely after the Mourning. The Prospero: (captain Dinon d’Lyrandar) The airship that followed a few days after the Tempest. No records of it ever being sighted again. A mention of an Airship called the Tempest transporting some House members. A letter from Luscinia to Illyria, requesting urgent passage to Metrol as she needs to see the Heart. Malak struggled with the third question. He thought he failed to find what he was looking for and was desperate. So he asks: “Could I take her place?” At that moment, Tula puts their hand on Malak’s shoulder and asks: “Is that what you want?” Meanwhile, Wrogar was coming to again behind Malak. Malak was conflicted. But, with a heavy heart, eventually decided against it. He tries to ask one last question (in case the Heart did not pick up on the third one that Tula answered)… but nothing. Wrogar takes the scene in and starts to panic. Malak dismisses Tula who dissolves in a breeze and a “hahhhhhhhh”. Wrogar demands an explanation, thinking Malak is a demon worshiper or something. Malak tells him EVERYTHING. Including the origins of Tula (that they were somehow involved in the Lighting of the Torch). Wrogar is at a loss of words. He warns Malak that a crown prince was struck down. If it wasn’t that he had respected Malak…. They leave the Heart in silence and Wrogar leaves the Spire without Malak. Closing the Loop Meanwhile, Vence and Cissa head to the Glasshouse to speak with Conrad. Vence wants to close the loop on a loose thread that he had with Conrad and Kleris. So, on the way, Vence gives Cissa a very high level explanation: Kleris Godfried was arrested in the sewers. Conrad brought Vence in to help with an interrogation (mind reading and questions) but implies that the outcome of the interrogation was in Kleris’ favour. Things were getting stolen by Warforged living in the sewers. Kleris was trying to help them. Conrad wasn’t exactly agreeable to it but Vence talked him into a peaceful approach to work with Kleris to get them out safely. It seems things have progressed and Elijah is now involved. Cissa was, of course, surprised to hear the words “Warforged” and “Elijah” in the same sentence. Vence explained that he wished to simply “close the loop” and ensure there wasn’t anything he still needed to do. At the Glasshouse, Conrad greets Vence warmly and Cissa very formally (bows and calls her “Ms. Cissa”). He explains that Wrogar is aware of the mission but that the crown can’t be involved with House Cannith (Cissa is a little alarmed by the mention of that House). And that Elijah has already left with the Warforged. This disappointed Vence a bit. They verify who all are involved and agree that it is necessary for Tatalla to be involved too. Vence also asks if Conrad has any contacts in Thrane that would help them but Conrad explains that his family isn’t really welcome in Thrane so he doesn’t. Outside of the Glasshouse, Vence fills Cissa in on the blanks. About George. About Goliaths being a component to creating Warforged. Cissa is ill at the implications. About House Orien and Lyrandar working together (which is weird) against House Cannith to protect the Warforged and George. He wanted to stop by Kleris Godfried to ensure that everything is arranged on his side and hand in April’s forged license/Warforged names. Unfortunately, Kleris isn’t home. Juliona opens the door and practically drags Cissa in. She explains to Vence that Kleris is at work but she’ll pass on the message that he was there (and she’ll also give the documents that Vence returned). Vence then asks if she knows anything about the eye sigil they saw in Windshire. He makes a projection of it with Minor Illusion and Juliona sketches it. She says that eye symbolism often is associated with arcana, observation and knowledge. But she’s not sure if it counts for this too. She’ll look into it as Vence has been so helpful to them. Vence and Cissa also emphasise that the ones bearing this sigil were from Valenar, if that would help with the research. Juliona explains that she has yet to figure out the other story that he left with her. She then starts to gush at Cissa, who is REALLY trying to escape. Vence manages to make an excuse for them to leave and they depart from Juliona’s. The two of them head to the Gold Dragon Inn. On the way, Cissa explains that Juliona really wants to write a book about Birds. And because they both wear feathers, Juliona assumes they are besties. Cissa is not keen on her life being written in some boring book. In the Gold Dragon Inn, the two tune the three viols and one lute, ready for the concert that evening. Aaaand Back at the Godfried’s Again Meanwhile, April and Silmer freshen up. Silmer decides to meditate in their room for the day. April heads out wit Nesza to see her grandparents. She arrives at the Godfrieds but Juliona is the only one home. She welcomes them in and explains to April that she’s not angry with the license situation. She feels a bit responsible considering that she forged the document. She actually didn’t understand why April ran. Juliona explained that Vence dropped by earlier with the documents so all will be fine. But she did wonder why April took the list of names (which she holds up and Nesza could read them). April said she panicked. She thought that her grandfather had burnt the last thing she got from her mother. But she will be back in the evening to speak with her grandfather. April then also explains that she has asked Corvus to be her tutor. This brightens Juliona up as he is a Bird and she hopes that April will ask him lots of BIRD QUESTIONS (April does not know what a Bird is…). She tells Juliona that she will be leaving the next day for Thaliost. The group had really helped her in Windshire and she feels she should do something in return. Juliona is not very happy with this but knows that it is important so does not resist April’s choice. Nesza also speaks with Juliona shortly, just inquiring generically about Aasimar. Juliona asks about his parents and where his Aasimar linage is from. Nesza gushes about his mother and how she’s so good that she even has a halo. This surprises Juliona as she only knows of two Aasimar that have halos. One was Hawk. The other is his sister. While she talks animatedly on the subject, Nesza says that he wishes that her books reflected how enthusiastic she was and not so stuffy. This insults Juliona and she politely has them leave again. Make Overs, Shopping and Hush Hush Conversations Nesza decides to go to the library to look into Aasimar. April goes to the palace to go for drinks with Mia. Meanwhile, Corvus is doing Mia’s hair with two hands and his mage hand. He tells Mia that he’ll be taking her to a dress maker for Emir’s Concert that evening. He braids a strip of glamour weave into Mia’s hair, showing her that her hair can now have special illusionary effects like crackling lightning or seeming on fire. Corvus also takes the red ribbon off of his father’s flute and puts it in Jurian’s hair. They head downstairs where April is being held back by the palace guards. She’s surprised by Corvus and Jurian joining the “ladies day” but Corvus tells her that they’ll all go shopping together, and he wants April to help him create a new type of armour. This piques her interest. Corvus takes the group to the dress maker and helps the seamstress, Geanie, create a Glamour Weave dress for Mia. She happily makes her dress and hair crackle like lightning. He also purchases a LOT more Shift Weave material and gifts for the group. Mia then takes the group to a low key restaurant called “Hush Hush”. Corvus and Jurian sit a bit secluded so Mia and April have a bit of a heart to heart. April explains to Mia that she always see conversations as formulas (“If I say this + this it should = this”) and therefore struggles to interact with people naturally. Mia decides to use wine-making as an example of conversations. She explains that everyone is taught the same “mechanics” on how conversation works. Just as in wine, one is taught the basics on how to make it. However, things that you say or do, influence the message. Just like with wine, impurities, the type of barrels, bottles or spices can influence the taste and quality. April goes into the fact that she does not want to make mistakes. Corvus (who was obviously eaves dropping) explains to April that he makes mistakes in conversations all the time (he refers to the “half-elf sex” and “what’s wrong with Silmer” conversations). The point is that one should learn from the mistakes. And move on. Mia orders “the Code Word” for the table. She and Corvus get hit hard by the alcohol. April, being a wine-maker’s daughter, can really hold her own and Jurian actually didn’t drink anything. So Jurian and April drag Mia and Corvus back to the palace. Along the way, Corvus starts getting a little too affectionate with Jurian (they are in public, which can cause a problem) so he takes Mia instead. April tells Jurian “Best. Day. Ever!” while Jurian is trying to overcome an anxiety attack. In the palace, while Jurian and April tend to to the two, Mia and Corvus talk about Luscinia. Mia tells him that she was amazing. April notices that Jurian tends to Corvus very affectionately but does not mention anything. Before the Concert Nesza returns to the Inn from the library. He and Silmer then head to the palace. In Vence’s room, Vence shifts into Emir and gets dressed for the performance (Cissa puts on some mascara and calls it a day). They take the three viols and the lute and head out. On the way out, however, Malak (who was sitting at the bar) notices Cissa (he just missed Emir walking out). Cissa waves and tells him to hurry up or he’ll miss the concert. He tells her that he’s not coming. Cissa calls out to Emir that she’ll be with him in a moment and goes to sit with Malak. She asks him if there is anything she can help him with and he says that he had a hard day and was simply not up for it. Cissa decides not pry further but does tell Malak to talk to her later because she wants to sing a song to him. She meets Emir outside and explains what happened. At the palace, Corvus, still a little tipsy, greets all the guests with a gift. A new Efficient Quiver for Nesza and a top hat (of disguise) with a little fish on it for Silmer. Nesza is delighted. Silmer has no idea what to do with his gift so he puts the hat on his shell. Nesza comments how strange it is for Vence not to be there. He also notices that Corvus isn’t completely stable on his feet and Corvus admits to having had one too many drinks. So Nesza gives him a Goodberry. It’s doesn’t completely sober Corvus up but he does feel better. When Emir arrives with Cissa, Corvus slips something (drunkenly and conspicuously) into Emir’s pocket. Cissa tells Corvus that she’s concerned about Malak. That he’s not coming. Corvus is alarmed. Malak went to the library. He should be happy! Something serious must have happened. So Corvus apologises to Emir and Cissa, saying he’ll have to skip it because Malak needs him. Cissa, seeing that Corvus is slightly too tipsy to go by himself, has a guard escort him to the Inn. Emir’s Group Debut So Cissa and Emir head into the auditorium. Cissa gives Emir a kiss for inspiration (he’ll need it during their duel). He gives her a peck on the cheek for inspiration too, but tells her she won’t need it. The two enter the room and rearrange the group in a way so that they can enjoy the performance best. (Jurian wonders where Corvus and Malak are). The performance starts (playlist of concert is here) Throughout the performance, Emir and Cissa cast Major Image to create effects of sights sounds and smells. It is as follows: 1) Counting Stars – Moving through a star scape where there are some stars colorfully pulse with the beat (Emir + Cissa backing). She is surprised to see Emir using her viol for this. 2) Shut up and Dance – the stars remain stagnant between the audience as glowing orbs. People can dance through or around them, some of them pulse to the beat and worble at the edges. As Emir plays, Cissa dances through the group, encouraging them all to join. Mia doesn’t need to be told twice and is already on her feet as the song starts. April really cut the rug as she is encouraged to dance and Nesza just enjoys swaying to the music. Silmer is being a stubborn teenager and remains seated. 3) Stargazing – The star field pulls back a great distance and shows it to be the night’s sky moving above the audience. As it has pulled back far enough a Kalashtari bard comes into view and sings. Her hair and appearance change showing the passage of time and how she always found the stars to be a comfort to her As Emir plays the lute, Cissa eventually starts singing along with the other bard 4) Roundtable Rival – No illusions, but Cissa and Emir have a cheeky “duel” playing against one another, mostly playing up the rivalry that they are known for 5) Shadows – Emir only, uses his own viol to cast a shadowy illusion of himself that is delayed by 2-3 seconds, it follows all of his movements and grows larger as the song continues. As the song ends the illusion dissipates 6) Upside – Three glowing cubes of different colours are cast. Inside there are different effects depending on the cube. If they overlap it turns out the effects are complementary and you see a stacked effect. There are red, green, blue cubes. Red has warm colors and these odd moving lights and odd flower shapes. Green has these looping green vine swirling effects and odd little wisps. Blue has these odd moving lights that time with the beat and odd hazes. When they all stack you get the full picture, you’re in a fey forest complete with vines, wild flowers, and odd hazes and blue wisps fluttering around. Once the main performance is over, Emir casts for more music to play via Major Image and dances with Cissa, along with the rest of the audience. But She’ll Be Alive! Meanwhile, Corvus dismisses the guard at the Inn and finds Malak at the bar. Corvus asks what’s wrong. Malak simply asks if Corvus thinks that Mia was right. That he uses beautiful words but, when it comes to taking action, he falls short. The question confuses Corvus. Malak explains that he had the chance to actually switch places with Myri. He had the chance to save his daughter. And he didn’t do it. Corvus, having at least some idea of the pact that Malak made, is alarmed by this information. He starts explaining that switching places with Myranna won’t effectively change anything. Knowing how stubborn Malak is, and knowing how famously stubborn Myri was, he would basically be passing the burden of curing the Sickness onto her. Malak’s reply is simply: But she’ll be alive. Corvus then goes on to explain that that is still not always the solution. He explains that he had only recently found out who his father was and that he died protecting Corvus as a child (in his despair, Malak doesn’t really respond to this revelation). And Corvus’ mother, Luscinia, seems to be up to something in relation to his father. And now Corvus feels the pressure of solving whatever mess his parents have created. And doesn’t find it fair as he did not ask for it and has not been given a choice in the matter. He feels that Malak will be doing the same thing to Myri if they swapped places. Malak flares up, slams his whiskey on the bar and releases his “Radiant Consumption” to get Corvus to back off. And he yells: “I’m her father! I know what’s best for her, Corvus! She’d be ALIVE!” Corvus, becoming more radiant within the searing light, doesn’t back away. He takes damage as he puts his hand on Malak’s shoulder. (Meanwhile, Almentash is having a mild freak out behind the bar, which goes completely ignored). Corvus gently asks Malak if this action would make Myri happy. And if that would make Kiasuh happy. Malak calms down, says no and adds that Kiasuh would kill him. He stops glowing but Almetash still pours a glass of water over his head, worried that his “fire” had caused damage to the bar. Malak dries himself off and explains that there’s no damage done and apologises. Malak then explains to Corvus what happened in the Spire. The concept of the Heart. And that he might have wasted his questions. The first one gave too much information. The second one, too little. He mentions the three airships, House Jorrasco being on the Tempest and Luscinia going to Metrol’s Heart. And the third question… well… he got an answer. But not from the Heart. He attempted to ask one more question but it was to no avail. Corvus tells Malak that Malak still has three questions. Corvus would have asked Malak’s questions anyway had he gone instead of Malak. Malak explains that one has three questions in an entire lifetime. Considering that Corvus’ lifespan is longer, it’s even more unfair to ask Corvus to give up his questions for Malak. He would never ask that of him. Corvus then explains that his lifespan also allows him to collect more information over time. And, as a result, many of his questions will eventually be answered. Even if it’s not immediately. He will be more than happy to gift his questions to Malak. This has Malak feel a bit better and he suggests to go to the concert. On the way to the palace, Corvus has an idea to make sure that Malak will be completely ok (because he really doesn’t look it). He first hands Malak the gift he got him: A Periapt of Wound Closure to ensure that he won’t die so quickly. Corvus then cast Sending to Luscinia. He asks her why she headed to Heart (For Svecica’s Last Stand), whether he could find her (follow the trail) and what was her impression of Myri (She was the best in all of us… and the most stubborn). He shares this last bit with Malak, who beams with pride and tears in his eyes. Corvus also tells Luscinia that he has had seen Svecica in a trance and how he acts similar to Cissa. Luscinia tells Corvus to asks Cissa to sing to him sometime. He might learn even more. With that, the two head to the concert. The After Party At the concert, everyone is dancing (except Silmer who is being “the stubborn teenager who refuses to get up”). Jurian greets Corvus and Malak and immediately notices something is off. But Malak explains that Corvus has helped him feel better. Nesza, Cissa and Emir come over to chat too, happy to see Malak had joined. Nesza asks Malak, in Celestial, if they can talk in private the next morning. After some friendly banter, and Malak picking up on Emir referring to Cissa as “Magpie” in Dwarven, Cissa decides that she wants to play one last big piece for the group. She plays the instrumental version of Flight of the SilverBird. She emphasizes a flute to represent a bird. Most people didn’t realise that there were more than one verse. Corvus, Mia and Emir aren’t surprised but the sound of the new verses is very different to the first two. They are more bombastic. The different verses seem to show different scenes. Flamekeep is recognised by a few. Cyre, specifically Metrol and the Silver Bird’s shadow, are recognised by Nesza. And, at first, Nesa takes a few steps back. But when Cissa finishes, Nesza thanks her. The portrayal is very accurate and she was able to capture the moment well. Cissa is glad to hear that and explains to Nesza that it’s the job of bards to ensure the story is told accurately. Corvus then picks up the viol that Cissa had given Emir. He asks if Cissa was using it for the concert and she explains that she had gifted it to Emir, so no. Corvus is a bit… confused. It’s a very valuable instrument. Cissa explains that that’s exactly why she gave it to Emir. Corvus plays on the viol and Emir and Cissa join in. Emir also adds a fourth string sound to create a quartet. Most of the group slowly make their way back. April goes to her grandparents, Nesza and Malak to the Inn and Silmer heads to the Silver Bird to talk with Tatalla. Corvus then dances with Mia while Cissa and Emir dance together. They then partner swap at Emir’s request. As he dances with Mia, he apologises for not saying goodbye the other day. Mia waves it away, saying that she had errands to run anyway. But she had fun. While they are still dancing, Cissa and Corvus first have a comfortable conversation where he asks her to come visit him after her trance. There’s a song that Luscinia wants him to hear and she might know it. Cissa, of course, agrees to come by. The two then have a more heated conversation about the viol. He’s not happy that she just gave it away. It’s practically priceless and could basically fund Emir’s retirement. He doesn’t know what he has. Certain other Birds, like Asir, will be VERY upset if they are to find out. Cissa really doesn’t care. It’s hers to give away if she so chooses. The evening winds down and Cissa drags Emir away from Mia, blowing Mia a good night kiss. Corvus and Cissa have another short exchange are still talking about how Asir would respond to the viol. Emir, who also knows Asir (much to Corvus’ surprise), is delighted at the thought of messing with him by playing on this viol. The small group also reflect on the success of the evening and how this could be fun to do on a bigger scale sometime. A new vision. Perhaps involving the whole of Eberron. Cissa and Emir then fly back to the Spire of Inspiration while Corvus, Mia and Jurian head to their quarters. Oops I Did it Again…. On the way Corvus decides to try (once again) to have Mia talk to Malak, forgetting that the night before she said that she wanted NOTHING to do with him. He tells Mia that Malak used a question to help her and mentions the three airships. Mia is very annoyed and Corvus tries to instantly back peddle but it’s too late. Mia heads to bed. And Corvus goes to Jurian, reflecting on his actions.
