Session 045: the Verdant Elders
General Summary
We begin as North Wind is brought to the quarters of Elder Alvia. The woman wears a dark green headscarf and a pale green cloak over an elegant pink gown. She asks them, "Well?"
Talasea explains the predicament with their family. Zenith provides the letter entrusted to the group by Master Mauli of the Circle of Embers. Alvia verifies the magical seal upon the letter, then speed reads its contents, commenting that while it doesn't mention the situation with the missing ship, it does ask that the group be allowed to undertake a trial to be permitted entry into the Verdant Quarter. Talasea confirms that they're hoping to speed things along for the sake of their family.
Alvia informs the group that while it is good that they talked to her as one of the less traditional elders, it is unfortunate that they talked to her as one of the elders with the least pull. She will call for a convening of the elders as soon as possible. It will, however, take until the next day at least for them to gather.
Fenton the satyr guides them to a guest room to snatch some much-needed rest.
The next day, the group forgoes more rest in favor of going before the elders still slightly exhausted. They note that Alvia sits at the front of the amphitheater with two other elders, her long pink hair now flowing free, a circlet of crystals and gleaming breastplate taking the place of soft headscarf and gown. The sharpest of the group notice how the rest of the elders seem to ignore her.
The council begins. Alvia gives a rundown of the situation and the request. She mentions the verified letter and the message it contained: it has begun. Talasea is allowed to give a further rundown of the request. (He naturally does so with a Dramatic Entrance spell). The elders begin to debate the situation, some arguing in favor of tradition, against the perceived interference of Primrose Elder Alvia. The question of what the trial would be were it to happen immediately is raised. One of the senior elders, Alban, proposes that the group be given a chance to approach the roots. When asked what would happen if they don't survive the attempt, Alban says merely that they'd be back at square one as they are now.
Eventually, an elder stands and puts forth the motion for North Wind to be allowed an immediate trial and for the trial to be clearing the roots of the Motherheart of the sluagh blight. The motion is seconded. The motion is voted upon. The motion is passed.
North Wind will, with some small amount of guidance, approach the roots of the Motherheart the next day.
Dismissed from the elder gathering, Fenton decides to take the group to see Mathilda, to see if she has any advice for them. They meet a giant primordial plant creature that may just be a dinosaur made of vines. Speaking through Fenton, Mathilda tells the group to be careful and when they are desperate, to ask the earth for help. How exactly they're supposed to do that is their problem, not Mathilda's. Also, Mathilda would totally never gossip about Fenton's crush, wink.
Fenton takes the group back to their quarters but informs them that Alvia would like to speak to them this evening, same time, same place. They get some more rest, attempt to discuss some strategy despite not knowing what the hell they're up against, and grill Mohr about her backstory.
In the wee hours, Fenton comes to fetch them once again. She leads them back to Elder Alvia's quarters as stealthily as possible. The elders decided to provide only bare-bones information, Alvia says. So it is not in my capacity as an elder, but rather in my capacity as a monarch that I tell you what I am about to tell you. As I think you have a good shot at actually saving this kingdom. What I am about to say does not leave this room.
Of course, *your majesty*, Talasea replies, as several things click.
They learn a number of things about the weaknesses and strengths of the blight creatures and of the root guardians. They also learn they are to be given an amulet for use in closing the fissures, which requires divine connection in order to utilize.
Alvia tells them she will be returning to Vivaria the next day and so will no longer be able to advocate for them. When asked, she says that the best way to find her is typically to walk up to the castle. She wishes them luck and sends them on their way.
Back at their quarters, Tal invites Fenton inside for some hot goss. Fenton explains that the tension between Alvia and the rest of the elders is in part due to the history of the Quarter. The druids who founded it were pretty anti-establishment, but the original Primrose Monarch of the Spring Kingdom was one of them. Ever since, the Primrose Monarch has traditionally held a position amongst the elders as the Primrose Elders, but the rest of the elders have had Feelings about it. Alvia in particular has not been satisfied to simply sit by passively and accept the position as a formality, which has caused further tension.
Fenton also says, when asked, that her greatest dream would be to take down the system from the inside, or maybe just be an elder. Aphid points out that the latter would be a great first step toward the former. Fenton shrugs and admits it could be possible, watch this space.
North Wind takes their final rest, preparing for the morning, when they shall attempt to save a slice of the world...
Talasea explains the predicament with their family. Zenith provides the letter entrusted to the group by Master Mauli of the Circle of Embers. Alvia verifies the magical seal upon the letter, then speed reads its contents, commenting that while it doesn't mention the situation with the missing ship, it does ask that the group be allowed to undertake a trial to be permitted entry into the Verdant Quarter. Talasea confirms that they're hoping to speed things along for the sake of their family.
Alvia informs the group that while it is good that they talked to her as one of the less traditional elders, it is unfortunate that they talked to her as one of the elders with the least pull. She will call for a convening of the elders as soon as possible. It will, however, take until the next day at least for them to gather.
Fenton the satyr guides them to a guest room to snatch some much-needed rest.
The next day, the group forgoes more rest in favor of going before the elders still slightly exhausted. They note that Alvia sits at the front of the amphitheater with two other elders, her long pink hair now flowing free, a circlet of crystals and gleaming breastplate taking the place of soft headscarf and gown. The sharpest of the group notice how the rest of the elders seem to ignore her.
The council begins. Alvia gives a rundown of the situation and the request. She mentions the verified letter and the message it contained: it has begun. Talasea is allowed to give a further rundown of the request. (He naturally does so with a Dramatic Entrance spell). The elders begin to debate the situation, some arguing in favor of tradition, against the perceived interference of Primrose Elder Alvia. The question of what the trial would be were it to happen immediately is raised. One of the senior elders, Alban, proposes that the group be given a chance to approach the roots. When asked what would happen if they don't survive the attempt, Alban says merely that they'd be back at square one as they are now.
Eventually, an elder stands and puts forth the motion for North Wind to be allowed an immediate trial and for the trial to be clearing the roots of the Motherheart of the sluagh blight. The motion is seconded. The motion is voted upon. The motion is passed.
North Wind will, with some small amount of guidance, approach the roots of the Motherheart the next day.
Dismissed from the elder gathering, Fenton decides to take the group to see Mathilda, to see if she has any advice for them. They meet a giant primordial plant creature that may just be a dinosaur made of vines. Speaking through Fenton, Mathilda tells the group to be careful and when they are desperate, to ask the earth for help. How exactly they're supposed to do that is their problem, not Mathilda's. Also, Mathilda would totally never gossip about Fenton's crush, wink.
Fenton takes the group back to their quarters but informs them that Alvia would like to speak to them this evening, same time, same place. They get some more rest, attempt to discuss some strategy despite not knowing what the hell they're up against, and grill Mohr about her backstory.
In the wee hours, Fenton comes to fetch them once again. She leads them back to Elder Alvia's quarters as stealthily as possible. The elders decided to provide only bare-bones information, Alvia says. So it is not in my capacity as an elder, but rather in my capacity as a monarch that I tell you what I am about to tell you. As I think you have a good shot at actually saving this kingdom. What I am about to say does not leave this room.
Of course, *your majesty*, Talasea replies, as several things click.
They learn a number of things about the weaknesses and strengths of the blight creatures and of the root guardians. They also learn they are to be given an amulet for use in closing the fissures, which requires divine connection in order to utilize.
Alvia tells them she will be returning to Vivaria the next day and so will no longer be able to advocate for them. When asked, she says that the best way to find her is typically to walk up to the castle. She wishes them luck and sends them on their way.
Back at their quarters, Tal invites Fenton inside for some hot goss. Fenton explains that the tension between Alvia and the rest of the elders is in part due to the history of the Quarter. The druids who founded it were pretty anti-establishment, but the original Primrose Monarch of the Spring Kingdom was one of them. Ever since, the Primrose Monarch has traditionally held a position amongst the elders as the Primrose Elders, but the rest of the elders have had Feelings about it. Alvia in particular has not been satisfied to simply sit by passively and accept the position as a formality, which has caused further tension.
Fenton also says, when asked, that her greatest dream would be to take down the system from the inside, or maybe just be an elder. Aphid points out that the latter would be a great first step toward the former. Fenton shrugs and admits it could be possible, watch this space.
North Wind takes their final rest, preparing for the morning, when they shall attempt to save a slice of the world...
Report Date
08 Jul 2023
Comments