Session: Feb. 26th, 2024

Last night was an incredibly frustrating evening. I had so many good plans, so many ideas that could have given us some kind of edge...and nothing. Not a single one worked.
 
When we learned of Lodern's involvement, Zun contacted Garrin immediately. But all Garrin really had for us was that we were probably all going to die, and he was sending a team to us as fast as he could. That was it. For someone who sent us on this quest, with an awful lot riding on it, he seemed a little less urgent than I think should have been required. Then Mud suggested contacting Corvath, which was also a good idea. I realized very quickly though I had severely overestimated how much he knew about the happenings on that island. I had to use all three of my spell slots just to be able to explain to him who my mother was and how to get to us through Dan'or'avil's. I guess I just assumed someone who wanted Dan'or'avil dead so badly would have known his enemy's living situation a little better, seeing as they were on the same island. Would also have known who his enemy was now running with. But, I suppose not. He also said he would "do what he could" which was the statement of the evening. One interesting thing though - when I mentioned G'Vath'Haz, he said he used to know him as a small fiend. Which would imply that G'Vath'Haz has gotten significantly stronger over the years. Food for thought, anyway. When things calm down I'll want to ask Corvath some more about that.
 
Then Saanes and I shared a brilliant brain wave where we proposed the idea of stealing a guard to figure out what their special weapons are, and what Lodern's planning. Honestly, I was quite impressed with us. But that also amounted to nothing. We sent Lycos out to try to spot a guard stationed near us, and strangely, there wasn't one. The nearest guard was at Mother's quarters, and that would have been a poor choice. We got a small look at his weapons that way, and it was interesting that they seemed to have a close quarters short bow, and only five arrows. The five arrows are what caught my attention, because that number is so under the typical. What can those bows do that they don't need arrows to keep shooting??
 
When going over the plan with Mortalis, he actually brought up some new and intriguing information - he can read someone's thoughts via possession if I stab them with him. I have absolutely no idea why he didn't mention that before, as that could have potentially helped us out many times. If you combine that ability with Elegant's healing and Saanes' Modify Memory? We could be on to something! I'm actually very excited about this possibility, and I wish we'd been able to try it out. I finally thought I was going to be able to give Mortalis the blood/life energy I'd promised, but that wasn't meant to be either.
 
Since the guard plan didn't work, everyone else headed off to bed (though not without Mother sending her maid to try and seduce Elegant - barf) and I decided to try a couple other things, also to no avail. I sent Father a Message, which just got blocked. Obviously my Message from dinner flagged something for Mother, and she's being frustratingly cautious. I then tried to cast a Nightmare on her, which she saved. Instead of being this terrifying thing to start her day off poorly, after one satisfying moment of fear, she looked straight at me and just went "Oh well DONE, darling". Ugh. So infuriating. And then, in her typical style, she immediately turned around and cast a Nightmare on Elegant. That is SO like her. I try to do something, and she immediately punishes those around me for it. It was a nightmare about Ny'ell dying too, which really got Elegant spooked, but luckily I was able to send him in a Dream to talk with Cor'nan, who assured him that Ny'ell was safe and currently with him.
 
The morning, unsurprisingly, brought Mud doing his morning workout in hopes of getting invited to train with the guards, which worked amazingly well. He took Zun along, and from what I heard, the guards are impressive. Impressive enough that Zun couldn't keep up with their workout. Which means it's worth noting that they're going to be a tough bunch to beat, and I'm grateful that we've got magic on our side. But when they came back, Mud said they were invited to attend weapons training, so that bodes well. If we can't steal a guard, we'll befriend them instead.
 
Past that, Elegant and I (as his executive assistant) got invited to breakfast with Mother, and Saanes, Mud, and Zun left to check on some fabric meant for Elegant's new clothes. I'm equal parts nervous and excited for this breakfast. Will she show her hand? Will I get to see Father? And how well will I be able to keep my face calm?