Session 158 - "The Eye's Mind"

General Summary

Rozenport

The Docks

10.02p

The Fellowship drags the bodies over on the pier to a more defensible position as Neferu begins tending to their wounds. Examining the axe shows it to be a +1 Striking Great Axe which Kyrrn stows in the bag of holding. Neferu continues his efforts to heal the group as the fire spreads even further and smoke begins billowing over the streets. Afraid that trying to navigate the streets during this calamity will be too dangerous, Kyrrn begins to cast teleport, relocating them to the area of the South Gate.  

10.22p

With the surrounding crowd in its revelry, the Fellowship is unnoticed as they materialize amidst the people there. Remembering Pol's words of "Your answers are within," Neferu examines the bag the man handed over. Inside are four gold coins that are embossed with a scarab beetle, symbol for the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye. X says that he's used something like this before. He explains that used to be you would say a phrase and be able to speak with one of the superiors without having to be where they are. In the past, the following phrase worked with the coins: "Sek Ahmet Thul Khof", or "Secrets kept remain mine" in Ancient Osirian. Kyrrn handles the coins and finds seem to be completely devoid of any psychic taint... they almost feel a little weird to you because they are so... blank…  

10.32p

The group decides to make their way to the University in order to learn more about the Count and what the professors may know about the mysterious "A" and the Whispering Way. Kyrrn also mentions about the Count's interest in the Watcher in the Bay.  

Muckshins

10.42p

The Fellowship makes their way to the tavern that Pol and the Skullcaps are based. While near the fire, it has been spared by the blaze and appears sparsely populated. As they enter, the bar matron catches X's eye and indicates the door which leads down into the basement. Listening at the door there doesn't appear to be anyone there and they find it is indeed unoccupied. After settling in, each person holds one of the scarab coins as Kelath says the phrase aloud.  

Mindscape

They suddenly find themselves in a circular room with a low fog. A large central pillar dominates the room and there several hooded men chanting to the north. They greet them in Osirian,     Kyrrn translates for the group and Neferu recognizes the phrase. An older man greets them and says they have done well in helping Pol. He says they are in absolute privacy and that their bodies will not be hurt. He tells them in that his names is Dr. Henri Meirtmane. Neferu tells him that the Fellowship has information to share about the Whispering Tyrant with the "True Silvered Thrones", also mentioning Judge Embreth Deramid. He explains what has happened since the death of Professor Petros Lorrimor, all the way up to the Dark Riders. Listening to the story, X is able to make several connections in his own mind. Kyrrn attempts to assess the men's aura, but she is unable to discern who was actual speaking and the shimmer seems to distract her from concentrating on a single person. She then realizes that they are in a powerful mindscape.   Mertimane thanks X for his report and says the Judge has chosen well. He says the Eye sees into the past and recognizes the Ciphered Poem poem. He says that Professor Lorrimor first reported the poem, its connection to the Whispering Way obvious even then. He says it was Lorrimor's project to monitor its effects in the world. Mertimane emphasizes that the Fellowship needs to find out what the Way is doing and stop them. The thinning and tears in reality has spread the organization thin, trying to combat what is coming through and people taking advantage of it such as the Count. The Eye is handling him and should be resolved shortly. Mertimane says he can think of none better to continue Professor Lorrimor's task. He also comments that X is a roguish man that is completely unpredictable and typically makes a mess of things, however he can be trusted and is a savvy warrior. Neferu vouches for him and says that his mission is the same as the Fellowship's.   Finding the Dark Riders and the relics they seek are the primary focus of the group. X notices that there is a small round table by his feet upon which is a small glass vial with thick, purplish liquid. Mertimane tells him that there is a poison coursing through his body that thins his tether to the mortal plan, that he has been stricken with shantak blood. The potion will help him for about a month while the Eye researches a permanent cure. Kyrrn mentions the strange flying horse-like creature and the substance that struck him. X quaffs the liquid.   Mertimane tells them that there is a war occurring in the Dreamlands, but the nature of it is unclear to them. Possibly the Whispering Way cells that are taking advantage of the easier connection to the other dimension, but it is still a very rare occurrence. Kelath asks if the Tyrant could be trying to break out through the Dreamlands and they concur with the possibility. Kyrrn asks if they have further understanding of the Carrion Crown poem, but they admit that the Fellowship is more knowledgeable about that then they are.   When asked about the Count and the Watcher, Mertimane says that he mostly has a childlike obsession with the tales, but he also wishes to know if it is something he can harness to bring power to himself and Thrushmoor. Kyrrn mentions that the Watcher might be the long term presence of a reality altering outsider that Lorrimor wrote about.   Mertimane says they have been unable to scry the Riders' location, meaning they are actively countering, and also that they do not have any addition information about them. However, they know that the Raven's Head refers to the ancient mace and the chronicles of the Raven's tongue refers to the sayings that were written down and it was a symbol of the bishop that held it. The Pharasmines may have secreted it away as it hasn't been seen the mace was lost.   Mertimane tells Kyrrn that if they pass through Illmarsh that the place has had a close association with the Watcher in the Bay.   Before leaving, X asks, "How fairs my father?" but he is only answered with silence. Mertimane concludes the there is a man named Edrr, an alchemist, in Thrushmoor who they can contact for more information. He runs a store called "Herbs and Tinctures". He also tells Kelath there is a package at the Huntsman for him from the Judge and any response to her can be left there.    

11.12p

The mindscape fades and the Fellowship once again finds themselves in the basement of Muckshins. Since they are only about half a day's journey from Thrushmoor, the group decides to return to the Huntsman to rest.  

11.22p

The Fellowship makes it back to the inn without any problems and nothing there seems out of place. Because of the late hour, there are few people out in the common room. The innkeeper tells them that it seems like a group of three Rowers were lighting fires which burned down much of the docks without any clear motive.  

Wealday, Gozran 27, 4711 AR

8.02a

The Fellowship awakes and breaks their fast with a quick meal of cold mutton and bread. Kelath arranges to have their horses prepared. While the town is abuzz about the fire from the previous evening, no mention is made about the group themselves.   As they near the south gate, Berta waves Kyrrn over. She warmly greets them and appears very excited to speak with her again. Berta asks if she had any vivid dreams last night. Kyrrn tells her she doesn't remember her dreams, but that she thinks that Berta is actually traveling to the Dreamlands. Berta excitedly tells her that the cat actually spoke to her and told her its name. Hesper? Desper? Vesper! She also says that one of the strangest things was that Vesper wanted her to give Kyrrn a message. Her eyes are drawn down to where Berta has fidgeted pieces of rope and wood into a few words, not in Common, that say "They got Swany". Berta hugs her and Kyrrn promises to come back through the town just to see her again.   The road further south is well traveled and they are frequently joined by other people. Merchants, farmers, and all others making their way to Versex's capital. Kyrrn tells the group of Swany's predicament.   They come across one traveler called Blaggi the Wandering Bard who says Thurshmoor people are friendly and fair, jovial and joyous, but have something a little off in their eyes. It is a harbor town where most people are good with boats and catch fish. The Count's mansion is there as well. After a little ribbing, Blaggi says that some think the Watcher is a sea monster with great many tentacles while others thinks it's just a myth. Most of those on the water offer a prayer to the creature for protection.  

Thrushmoor

12.02p

Wood and stucco walled buildings with pointed, wood shingled roofs line the streets. With Swany foremost on their minds, the Fellowship makes their way to the Silver Wagon Inn, the place they were to meet up with him. A man named Denthir gives them directions to find it. To the east is Fort Hailcourse, west is Iris Hill (the area for rich folk), and to the south the inn. The inn is run by Dena Gallegos and is actually the only inn in town that caters to travelers. The neighborhood is busy and the inn itself is a three story building with a stable that looks quite busy. A general store called the Broken Compass is next door to it. The taproom inside is called the Stain, but is still well maintained and well cared for. When asked about Swany, Dena becomes quite stern saying that he was paying by night and that he hasn't paid for the second night yet. Kyrrn pays for his room for another night.