Session 46
General Summary
Exploring the New District of Caliban
After eating a hearty breakfast of various items Moira gathered from Kaili's "Day-Old Baked Goods" rack, the Deep End discussed their plans, departing for the opulent Temple at one end of Porcelain Avenue.
The New District seems to operate on a slightly different schedule. Instead of the hustle and bustle of people beginning their work for the day, there are only a small smattering of tourists and pairs of guards dressed in plate - member of the Moon Guard - who patrol Porcelain Avenue. Although Widow found time to admire the sakura blossoms and the paper lanterns blowing in the faint mountain breeze, the other three noted a handful of places: A large resort (Fortune's Favor), a small corner shop (Coopa's Copper Curiosities), and a obscure sign poisoned in an alley way (Drunken Dragon).
The Temple to the High Oracle appears to be closed to most visitors when the sun is up... but the guard at the front did inform Rani that the Temple doors to open under the moonlight. Some scaleless are generally permitted entrance.
Given that it was only the late morning and the moon wouldn't rise for many hours, the Deep End decided to travel to the Old District – Moira's home. White in the tunnel that cut through the massive mountain separating the Old and the New district, another group of travelers approached: 3 robed individuals and 6 individuals wearing armor. After greeting them and offering to escort them to the Old District, they were promptly backstabbed as the armored individuals drew their weapons and aimed for the closes member of the party. Although Ghilani and Moira were hit quite hard, the three robed individuals quickly retreated when Newt closed in.
After killing one mercnary, knocking two out, and trapping one of the remaining 3 in a wall of force, the armored figures surrendered. The leader of the mercenaries – Ara – asked that only he be taken captive and the others be released. They agreed to burn their Temple garb that they had acquired. When questioned, Ara knew very little about what the robed figures were after. He was hired to do a job and that was to knock each of them unconscious. He only received descriptions prior to Moira's introduction. Despite the lack of information, the offer was too good to pass up. They paid much better than the Dragon Clans often pay scaleless mercenaries. How could he say no to a job, even if from outsiders?
Uncertain what to do, but certain that they needed to prioritize watching their own backs first, Newt reached out to Cali about how to handle the situation. Cali returned with two very big options: Sell him into slavery for the crime or perhaps turn him over to the Moon Guard.
The Deep End elected to turn him into the Moon Guard complex. As they approached, Ara seemed to begin hastily praying under his breath. The green dragonborn that met them at the gates didn't seem particularly concerned, but listened to Rani's report nonetheless. When Rani had finished, he took Ara into custody and thanked the party for their "diligence" before he vanished into the complex. It seems that problem is taken care of.
Rani immediately went to Fortune's Favor – a marvelously opulent resort that seems to cater particularly to the wealthier tourists that are expected to arrive for the Festival of Fates and other festivals held throughout the year. The blue dragonborn at the front desk was nice enough, though she wasn't afraid to point out any flaws in Rani's current skincare or beauty regimen. While choosing from the list of services, the doors burst open to reveal a Brass dragonborn with the regal bearing of a queen: Fahari of the Brass Dragon Clan. The Brass dragonborn made a bee line to Rani upon noticing her at the counter, offering her a discount on a specific massage when Rani mentioned she was from Lark'Hal. Although she spoke enthusiastically with Rani, there was a fire in her voice when she addressed the blue dragonborn employee. And then, she was gone, mentioning that she had a Festival of Fates fo prepare for and a meeting with Guarava the Red at the tea house.
The other four members – electing to stick to the buddy system today – followed the maze-like side streets to the Drunken Dragon. The sake-specialty shop is run by Hope, a tiefling woman, and Elidi, a red dragonborn. Hope offered Newt some house sake and served the other three grape fizzy juice. In the middle of their conversation, they were interrupted by the sound of drums. Hope ushered them to take a seat. From the window, a liter supported by 4 scaleless humanoids arrived, supporting a gold dragonborn – hand sculpted by the gods. Parvathian the Gold purchased 5 ornate bottles of sake (that Hope later said cost 2,000 gold... each). As the Gold dragonborn scanned the room, Ghilani and Moira waved, earning them a wink in response. Prior to exiting, Parvathian stopped for a moment and, after receiving a compliment on his abs from Ghilani, Parvathian invited Ghilani back to the Gold Dragon Clan Estate.
Widow, Moira, and Newt understood the implication, but Ghilani CLEARLY understood that Parvathian just wants to hang out. No, Ghilani... he wants to unvirgin you. Hope seemed very intrigued by the developing gossip.
After reuniting with Rani, the Deep End went to Coopa's Copper Curiosities. The young dragonborn has not yet reached adulthood, but seems to already know his calling in life: creating obscure and off-the-wall, potentially useful copper trinkets. Rani obtained a bag with a copper dragon on it that sighs dramatically when she puts anything in it. Widow was given comically large copper glasses that offer 10 feet of darkvision. Newt bought a whistle that only allies can hear and a key that seems to unlock any door it locks with... a 50% chance of success. Moira is enamored by a fork that... when tapped on a surface becomes... a SPOON! The ultimate spork! Ghilani immediately purchased a broach when Coopa revealed it could assume the form of any flower the wearer desired. He'll have to get back to work on making more trinkets! Do come back!
Emerging from Coopa's shop, drums echoed through Porcelain Avenue as two litters progressed towards the tea house. The first bore a viscously scarred, middle aged black dragonborn who seems more than content to show off his scars as he wears no shirt. From atop his litter, Tetsuya the Black seems to have a permanent scowl, revealing sharp teeth. He is followed by a retinue of guards, but two individuals stand out from the rest. A black dragonborn follows with an arm covered in white veins or perhaps scars and a massive black dragonborn covered in a heavy robe. The White litter followed bearing an older looking white dragonborn: Jahdiel the White. He travels with a Kalashtar woman seated next to him on his litter. Although her eyes are downcast, she seems well-dressed and keeps a hand rests on Jahdiel's arm.
When the roads were clear again, the Deep End progressed to the Porcelain Tea House where they sat for tea and small sandwiches. Their waitress, Lily (named after her adopted mother, the silver dragonborn hostess, Liliana) is very much not a slave. There are no slaves in the Porcelain Tea House... well, except the ones that are brought here. She informed the group that the tea cups in the Bay window indicate which Clan leaders are in house, if you want to be extra certain you aren't going to step on any toes. Lily also mind linked with Widow and warned him of Tetsuya the Black. He can be vicious and cruel, enjoying pain solely to inflict pain.
PLOT TWIST: MOIRA ISN'T AN ORPHAN! Newt was surrendered! While nursing his tea, Ghilani wallows in being an orphan silently in the corner. Apparently, Moira may have family... are they enslaved? She's never really thought about it before. Moira stopped Lily before she gave a full answer about whether or not she had seen anyone familiar to Moira before. As the waitress left, she mind linked with Ghilani... she did see a vaguely familiar Kalashtar enslaved by Vetulátos of the Green Dragon Clan. He was here a couple of days ago, but she is uncertain when he will return.
The Deep end overheard the black dragonborn with the white marks placing an order and issuing a complaint about some of the employees as they made their way out of the Porcelain Tea House. He mentioned that he was quite busy and that he was working on something.
After having spent so much time looking for gossip, Ghilani loudly declared that "Parvathian wants to unvrigin me"... As you search for gossip, it's only a matter of time before you become the gossip... or at least start some.
The Deep End visited Ikaris' tent and asked additional questions to the tiefling man. He suspects Newt's dead sibling was of the Black Dragon Clan. Regretfully, he doesn't know much about Sage's mother other than she's dead, but he does know that the Kalshtar woman frequently with Jahdiel is his favored slave. Supposedly, she connected to a quori that Jahdiel values greatly. Regarding the Dragon Clans, Gold and Red have a deep respect for one another. Fahari and Suyin the Green are on good terms. Blue and Green are at each other's throats, though secretly. And Red and Gold tend to discredit the word of the more childish Copper. White and Black are allies who tend to value strength. Bronze and White may not see eye to eye, but they both do not tolerate cowardice.
Using the Valdove papers, the Deep End entered into the Temple of the High Oracle. After waiting 30 minutes, they were guided down gilded halls where Newt stared down and pissed off a black dragonborn.
Xanthe Caliban is the current High Oracle. He took mild offense to some of Rani's comments about the current affairs of Caliban and his role in them - perhaps the High Lord Valdove is overstepping his bounds. He cautioned Moira - should she be lying - about blasphemy. He could have her imprisoned, beaten, enslaved, killed... or worse. However, Moira isn't lying... she has spoken to Caliban, and relatively recently at that.
While Moira spoke, Xanthe interrupted her to ask if they had met before. After a moment of buffering, Moira remembered seeing a gold dragonborn as a child where her parents begged the High Oracle's wisdom when they caught him in the Temple Courtyard so many years ago. Suddenly angered, he stormed up to Moira and lifted her in the air. Widow was immediately on edge, though Xanthe seemed unconcerned by the Widow's demands. The High Oracle seems to believe that Moira is responsible for stealing his prophetic abilities. Caliban has spoken to you and what have you done with it? You took it away from me. I am the High Oracle.
Releasing Moira, Xanthe seems tired and concerned... for he cannot keep up this farce. If the Deep End is sincere in their promise to help... he will speak to his brother, Parvathian. Perhaps the Gold Dragon Clan can assist in facilitating the party's stay here, assuming they continue to act as ambassadors of the High Lord. If you can speak to Caliban, you must do so on behalf of the region, of the Dragon Clans, and of the people of Caliban.
Moira stayed behind for a moment. She's truly sorry for what happened, but it very well may have saved her life. Xanthe hopes that now, she might very well save his.
As the Deep End retires to the sanctity and safety of megmat, they each purchased a Midnight Fortune Cookie (Doomsday Cookie) - crafted lovingly and with care by Two and Kaili in her shop. The fortunes are:
Rani: "Nature knows no morality." Widow: "Beware the viridian, in color and emotion." Newt: "Rocks fall. You die." Ghilani: "Vainglorious you stumble, entranced by your own reflection." Moira: "Getting ahead of yourself may separate you both."
As Rani fell asleep, she found herself dreaming of a parlor that smelled faintly of incense. A single tea cup sat on a table between two purple and gold couches. A feminine voice spoke to her. It seems Rani has something that the voice desires - the diary. It holds the key to understanding the voice's ancestry and saving someone she cares deeply for. Although feeling that Rani has not earned the luxury of knowing her name, the voice did remark that Tatya is such a lovely boy. We'll have to have tea again soon.
Report Date
01 Jul 2022
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