Mornhaven!

Having passed through the midway point of the year, the evening that finds us winding our way down the road into Mornhaven is a warm one. Twilight shows that while there's a lot of people in the city, there's a lot less people on the road beyond a few traders and the farmers who've shared the path with us most of the day.
 
The gates themselves are left open, with a fair amount of guards loosely clustered in front of it. Giant banners sporting the purples and whites that Sidna wears hang from the gates, and as we approach we can overhear a shouting match between guards and one of the farmers. Sidna turns and says that this is where she comes from, so we ought to be on our best behaviour. Vorach asks if we have to wear her colours, but she shakes her head and Zeal says that we should avoid being nude or otherwise rambunctious. Serafina shifts into her purple dragonborn, but then Zeal comments and asks how come she doesn't use her powers to look like her original self.
 
She gives it a try, and then swaps back to one of her purple dragonborn form, saying that it feels weird to be herself compared to the others. Vorach asks Sidna if the shouting match between the farmers and the guards are common, and she shrugs, saying that she's not a gate guard - though both she and Zeal remember previously seeing things like this, especially with farmers from the southern lands. Serafina pales and apparently has farmer baggage, Vorach assures her that he can talk to farmers and keep her safe.
 
A guard approaches and asks what our business is, but Sidna flashes her badge and the man begins to bug out, asking if she wants them to handle the situation, but she waves it off and tells them to practise patience, and to let things go as otherwise - she doesn't want to raise a fuss. After a little bit, the sheep that had been the issues are finally herded through the gates and Sidna starts the cart again, taking us through the Gap, which is a region of the city that is a bunch of poorly built shanty-towns.
 
Connie passes out fruit, including to people he recognises from his village. He calls back to the man to meet him here this evening, at the border of the Gap. We feed as many as we can, but the road continues, and Sidna pulls us into the Central Square, where it's very Norman (French) in architecture and bustling with restaurants, people, shoppes, musicians, and more. We also note that on the south side of the city, which is higher up and across the river, Redmark Keep is visible on a clifftop overlooking the harbors.
 
Connie is blown away by the castle in the distance, and after a little conversation (Serafina finds out Connie has two names, asks for his orcish name, Connie is flustered and tells her Constantine) Connie splits off to go get rooms in Norbank before the rest of the party continues across the river to Fairbank.
 
Turning into the walk, a guard recognises Sidna and as we are stopped, addresses her by the name of Lady Sidna. He asks who the rest of the company is, and Sidna responds that they're her adventuring party. He begs her to keep them out of trouble, and she responds that he doesn't need to worry about it. It's gorgeous here, full of separated, high-standing manors and the sweet scents of a tailored society.
 
Within Inner Farbank, rather than turning towards Redmark Keep, the party begins taking a side road to a manor: a place where people care. Zeal asks if this is her place, and she responds that it is, and the party notices a crest adorning the threshold that matches Sidna's armour. As she circles around to the back, she notices the stable is empty of horses and staff both. Despite this, she parks the cart and tidies herself up after stepping off the cart and turns to tell Zeal and Serafina that unless they're staying in the cart, they need to understand a few things.
 
She directly serves under Lady Camellia, daughter of the Redmark family. Zeal roughly recalls a rumour of "a Redmark princess, locked away in a castle". Some say it's because she's cursed, others say it's because she's secretly a dragon. Zeal comments about this and Sidna states that every rumour has a grain of truth, and asks that people behave again.
 
Zeal attempts to posture himself well, but considering his immortal beauty is gone, it's kinda...unsettling. Serafina meanwhile asks who the Redmarks are and if she can get filled in, and Zeal explains that the lady Camellia is the grand-niece of the current king, who is a Redmark himself. Names are linked in the campaign, go do some research!
 
Sidna quietly confesses that she holds little loyalty to the king, her loyalty is to Camellia itself. This is not something that she wants advertised, of course, but is something she offers to give them some context. Serafina begins to remark, "Oooohhhhhh," but Sidna assures her it's not *that* type of situation, but Serafina only repeats the remark, getting Sidna to quip, "Shaddup," before turning to flip her hair and walk to the door.
 
She knocks on the door, her signature volume carrying some acknowledgement of her person, and is met by a slightly older, and chiselled (if pudgy) elfen man with grey hair, a goatee, and moustache. He graciously welcomes Sidna, and she remarks that they're her companions. Zeal bows and introduces himself as Zeal Hawke, priest of the cult of Rante. Serafina bows as well in the form of a hot mediterranean man with curly hair, introducing herself as Anatoly.
 
Wasting no time after they are let in, Sidna asks how 'she' is, and the butler remarks that she's...well enough. She has received the package, but is waiting for Sidna to use its contents. The parents, as well, are apparently out. He introduces himself as Siegfried Schwartz, the butler, while Sidna ruminates. Zeal refers to him as Mr. Schwartz, to remain polite.
 
Sigfried tells Sidna she knows where to go, and that he would take care of the guests in the sitting room. Sidna seems appreciative, and shoots Sera/Zeal one more warning look before turning and heading further into the manor. While Zeal asks if the Duke and his wife are out, and if they were struggling with Camellia's condition, Siegfried answers first yes and then that he can say very little due to his station, but that yes - they struggled. In a smaller, more private parlour off to the side, Siegfried Zeal and Serafina with glasses of red wine before moving to the kitchen to prepare refreshments.
 
Sidna climbs in a rush up several flights of stairs, huffing slightly at the top before composing herself. She washes her hands in a small fountain at the side of Camellia's door, and the moment she finishes the door opens, with a quiet, yet eager, voice on the other side saying, "I knew I could hear you!" This is the ONLY warning she gets before she is pounced, and Sidna carries her as well she can without using her wet hands; waddling the two into the room before kicking the door shut and greeting her properly with an embrace.
 
It's a room with orange light, full of carpets and gentle, warm, softness that only feels like home because of Camellia. After drying her hands on her pants, she pulls Camellia in and places a big ol' SMOOCH on her. She says how much she missed Camellia, and she responds that she missed her too before devolving into a fit of coughs.
 
She orders Sidna to sit and stop fussing over her before moving to get her present, drinking the healing potion which has near immediate effects. She says that her father is still searching for new cures, and listens as Sidna fills her in on what's going on in the countryside. She says she has bad news: her father wants to take the family to "the island" to be safe. And worse: She's feeling as good as she always is, apparently. Wisteria has to go off to war, though, and has to remain with her unit to keep people in top condition in preparation of anticipated battles. She expresses her worry and sorrow that Sidna may be drafted to the war effort as well, and while her father is attempting to keep the deal she's struck honoured, the king is apparently mustering forces. This may mean that the promise Sidna was given may be overruled????
 
Still, though, Sidna crosses her arms and she says, "Well, if I must I must, and if I don't I don't. But I promised to come back to you." Camellia reaches out to grasp her hands, and says, "And I do, too. I won't allow it. You're not going with the army." This also means, though, that Sidna won't be able to go with Camellia - if she tries, they'll grab her and toss her into the barracks. 'Not again' is Sidna's joking response, though it falls a bit flat in the somber mood.
 
Hearing that Sidna has guests, Camellia REALLY wants to meet them, but Sidna wants some alone time for now. Sidna admits they're her friends, but makes Camellia swear to never tell anyone. As Sidna recounts more of her journeys, the two confess to each other that they've read their correspondence every night. Sidna admits that as she was travelling, in desperation she turned to prayer, despite not really caring much about religion. Camellia admits that Almighty Frei must have hard her if Sidna heard her words on the wind. Camellia now demands to meet her friends, and sends Sidna down to collect the party.
 
Downstairs, Siegfried enters carrying food. Tonight, he has prepared: traditional pheasant in the Tiberian style, covered in a red wine sauce, and served with carefully prepared potatoes (french fries). However, when he looks around, Anatoly isn't here, and as he asks where he might be Serafina enters as a tall dark skinned ginger with curly hair enters: Rhyeim (Deception 16). Siegfried apologises for his error, and Rhyeim pats his cheek before sitting and joining the feast.
 
Sidna enters and seeing Serafina in a different form, she loses the happy expression on hers and instead deadpans, a furrow in her brow and a sigh in her throat as she expresses her disappointment. She tells the others to grab their food and follow, they're eating upstairs.
 
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Meanwhile, across town, Connie has entered into Norbank - an industrial marvel despite its lack of machinery, with workhouses ranging from smithies to arcane laboratories. As he travels, Connie keeps an eye out for passersby, and eventually approaches an elderly man smoking a pipe outside of a workshop, calling out, "Excuse me, grandfather!".
 
The man turns, and reveals himself to have only a single eye, and he gives Connie an intense searching look before appearing a bit befuddled. He asks what Connie's there for and is told that he's gotten turned around and been recommended an inn, hoping to get some directions. Inbetween laughs, the man asks which inn, and Connie answers the Prancing Pony, which makes the man laugh harder. When he recovered his sense of self, he explained that Connie should only go there if he was looking to get mugged or killed, then insinuated that it was only good for a person like Connie if he was after illicit goods, and asked if he was there to catch birds. Connie, confused, answered that he preferred to use bows to handle birds, returning an equally confused squint. Now understanding, the elderly man kindly directs Connie towards the eastern side of the city, Twinham and Ferryside, if he's looking for a comfortable place to rest his head. He also refuses when Connie attempts to thank him with a silver coin, saying he works an honest job and recommends Connie keep an eye on his coin.
 
Following the old man's directions, Connie passes through the Central District again before approaching Twinham, which is a very quaint one that instantly is nostalgic for Connie and reminds him of his home town of Riverside. As he ventures in, he quickly finds an inn called the Old Stick, whose hanging sign is that of an aged, big tree. Connie gives it a few seconds and then chuckles before entering, quickly renting two rooms (4 silver total) from the man before using his desk to write a note giving instructions from the bridge in the Central District to the Old Stick.
 
Heading back to the Central District, he approaches a massive, wide stone bridge that rises from a wall erected to keep people from falling into the river - stretching across to the other side of the river to the southern side of the city. Hailing a group of local guards, he catches the attention of one and asks her if she wouldn't mind holding a note at this post until Sidna passes through, giving her description as "Lady Sidna, a knight of the city? She's a large orcish woman, a bit withdrawn but as long as you're polite she's quite kind." The woman assures him that while she doesn't have much previous interaction with Sidna, she's looking forward to seeing her, and will make sure the note is delivered. After a sheepish ask from Connie, she also happily directs him to a nearby restaurant that's perfect (and decently priced!) for an evening out with lots of soup and bread meals to choose from.
 
Glancing at the sky, Connie heads across the bridge to the central square on the southern side of the Central Distrcit, buying a bag of candied oranges dipped in semisweet chocolate (1 gold) and waits half an hour in the central square before turning and heading back towards the Gap, beginning to make his way there to meet his rendezvous.
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: Jess pointed out that Sidna forgot to tell anyone she would be staying at Camellia's the entire evening and would not be going back. Nico then pointed out this means that despite Connie being responsible, Serafina will probably still end up going to the wrong inn. xD
 
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As Sidna, Serafina, and Zeal approach Camellia's door, the latter two see an oddity: a strange basin off to the side of the chamber entrance. Sidna takes their plates and nods to the basin, instructing, "Wash up properly. To the elbow." Zeal enthusiastically begins while Serafina, now standing in Elysion form, chimes, "Yes, ma'am!" After they do so, Sidna carefully opens the door and announces, "Guests are here."
 
Entering, the two new faces notice that this room is the size of a banquet hall, with skylights that are currently showing the stars in a high ceiling. Down below, the room is divided with what appears to be a mixture of standing panels and bookcases, sectioning the room into different purposes. Trinkets, desks, and more are scattered throughout the room and are from throughout the world. It's super cozy, tonnes of thick fabrics alongside the aforementioned carpetting, and it's comfortably warm in the room. As they follow Sidna further into the room, Camellia comes into view: she's frail looking, and it's difficult to tell, but she's probably half-elven, with more of her elfen features showing (though it's not clear if that's because of how sallow she is or the elfen nature). The party notices as she rises regally that she winces slightly, hiding the pain she's in.
 
Zeal bows and introduces himself as he did with Siegfried, adding that it's an utter pleasure to meet her. She curtsies in response, "Lady Camellia Arakhoren of Redmark." Sidna shoots Serafina a glare before she can do anything, and Serafina asks if Camellia can avert her gaze for just a moment, and she reluctantly does so, allowing her to change into her purple dragonborn form. Camellia is delighted and asks if she can change again, and before Serafina can acquiesce, Sidna interjects it might be better for dinner. Slightly flustered, Camellia apologises for her overeager behaviour, and as Sidna moves to get the dinner table, Serafina explains how she got her powers to Camellia, Zeal remarking a similar deal cost him his beauty, and he then shows off his shapeshifting as well - turning into a dog and causing Camellia to stare with delight. Serafina returns to her default shape after Camellia gives permission for Sidna, as she is (after all) the boss lady.
 
Serafina's transformations continue on to Sidna and then to Camellia herself, but Camellia's delight (and untoward thoughts) is cut short when she's overcome by a raucous coughing fit. Camellia apologises for her poor constitution and though Zeal offers a cure, Sidna shoots him a glare and Camellia shakes her head. Instead of eating inside, Camellia offers for dinner to be taken in the garden. The party is thrilled by this and Sidna even gets a peck on the cheek as she passes, causing the others to see her happy beyond her stony exterior.
 
Zeal summons Echo out on the balcony and speaks with Camellia more franky, saying that he needs help and that their journey isn't done yet - though Camellia remarks that Sidna hadn't mentioned that at all. Slightly concerned, Camellia reminds Sidna of her promise, which acknowledges. Camellia says she's fine with the plan to venture south, but only if they promise to keep her knight safe, which causes Serafina to remark that she's likely keeping everyone else safe with her good hands.
 
Zeal explains the glass orbs to Camellia, and his theories regarding his connection to the Queens of Summer and Ice. When Camellia queries the second, he remarks his belief that resolving the problem in the south might resolve the problem in the north. Camellia reticently explains her middle name: Morrigann, explaining it means either Great Queen or Queen of Darkness. Discussing further, they realise they may need to spend a few days in the city and Zeal encourages Sidna to not rush on his behalf, he's got things to attend to and respite is in good need. Camellia, when hearing that Zeal needs to attend to his cat, asks with a tone of heartbreak that he hug it extra firm for her, as she loves them but she gets very sick around them.
 
Sidna states that we should save all business talk for the next day, and just enjoy the night. Camellia stares up at the moon and asks if Serafina would go to the temple with her in four days, if she's still in town. Sidna asks if it's that soon, and she responds that the moon is almost full. Serafina notices (Perception 21) that Camellia looks a bit nervous, and has stealthily taken Sidna's hand. Deciding to ease her tension, Serafina vanishes for but a moment before returning with her viol, sadly underperforming as she's unused to playing without her claws.
 
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Nathanael owned a butcher shop next to Connie's dad's store, he was a young dad then. Keeping an eye out for this man, Connie has taken his gold and put it in his shoes (probably unnecessarily). Chewing on a toffee, Connie waits for a while before seeing the man approach, now scruffy and unkempt, having been through a rough time. He and Connie catch up - this is the first time he's seen Connie since he was well, and after explaining that he's been gone about 11 months, Connie asks after his dad, Sebastian, and Nathanael suggests he sit. Connie does, and he's told that when the ice came, Riverside evacuated and Sebastian was among them, safe. They were turned away at a few cities before arriving at Mornhaven as well, but unfortunately, illness got to him.
 
Connie feels ice in his stomach as Nathanael describes how the very night that Connie died and was brought back, Sebastian called out in his sleep and was found dead the next morning. Connie immediately understands the implications of his statement: his dad died because of him, as a consequence of Connie choosing the curse to be ended the way it was. The man offers condolences perfectly suited to lift the spirits of any human, and offers Connie his inheritance, which Connie immediately returns a portion of with an earnest plea that Nathanael use it to help the other survivors from the village, and remember his dad as a good man who loved his family and his home. He agrees, and Connie sets off to the Old Stick, leaving the waxed paper bag of chocolate dunked candied oranges on Serafina's pillow before laying in his room in total darkness: staring at the ceiling. Kinslayer. Kinslayer. Kinslayer. Crying in the dark, he would eventually pass out, silent as the grave.