Season 2: A War Begins

General Summary

1st of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party arrives in Varcrast. Lioth immediately begins making plans for the Mote and arranging whatever political play she has planned. Emeleth briefly confronts Niven, demanding answers, but is subdued by Balasar who vouches for the party.
Balasar shows them to the Copper Suites and advises them to get some rest.

2nd of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

Balasar joins the party for breakfast in their suite and agrees to show them around the city in order to keep his mind off the Copper election.
He shows them around the various clans of the city: the extravagant Inik whose wares are exotic and expensive, the exclusive dragonborn Strix, the typical merchants of the Vorn, the magically inclined Pabetah, the Siksta mercenaries, and the Winida who hold the only permanent residences in the city.
Just outside the city, he shows them the basics of Siegeball and a small scrimmage ensues, with Balasar and Niven winning.
The party regroups at the palace in preparation for dinner with the Shivi Captains.
It seems to be a revelation to the other Shivi that Sturvick has been working for Lioth, not Gavyrad and he endures a bit of teasing on the matter. Vigni, Shivi to the Green, seems particularly interested in Tuisan, who spends the dinner doing a lot of drinking. She approaches him as the dinner comes to a close and requests he meet her on the rooftop at midnight.
The rest of the party retires to their rooms to relax when Tuisan goes to the rooftop. There VIgni reveals that she too is an avariel, though her wings have been hopelessly broken by none other than Tuisan's mother. She exacts her revenge on Tuisan, crippling him with pain until he is able to escape to join the rest of the party. They elect to spend the night at the local Inn rather than the palace and insist that Sturvick join them to report the issue.
Sturvick refuses to take any action until morning.
That night Vigni visits Tuisan in a dream.

3rd of Brightfire, 406 P.A

Sturvick and Balasar arrive at the inn in the morning to hear Tuisan's tale. Sturvick informs him that, as he is not sworn to any dragon, and VIgni's dragon master is particularly strong, there is not much that can be done to reconcile the matter and Tuisan should be grateful that he is still alive. Sturvick leaves them to return to his own busy day.
Mivalya and Vang arrive and Tuisan relates to her what has passed.
Tuisan and Niven gather some information regarding Vigni from Tuisan's mother.
After communicating with Tuisan's mother, the party returns to their suite to prepare for the upcoming Dragon Mote. They ride by carriage a ways outside the city to the massive coliseum-like structure of the Visehaism, a place Balasar explains is a sacred place where only true forms are to be presented and honesty is upheld to the highest standard.
Sturvick attempts to quell Tuisan's concerns by telling him that he spoke to both Lioth and Vigni about "the altercation" and is under the impression that no further transgressions should occur.
Eccaia and Tuisan help Awon to rediscover his true form and the changelings reveal their nature to the dragons.
Before the mote, Vigni confronts Tuisan once again, taunting his boldness to stay and to tattle to Sturvick. She invites him to visit her that night as well.
Lioth and Emeleth reveal themselves, now as a human and elf, to the dragons and tell them what little they know of what happened during the peace talks. The party (and Sturvick) are called forward to explain what they witnessed. The dragons question them about who could perform such a thing (Nuzduld), if it could be repeated (unknown), and if it can be reversed (Sturvick's working on it).
The dragons then consider the fact that new Kings must be elected. The red dargons nominate Arikarn El'Drok, The Burning Knife, and Zaril En'Nutagg, The Mad Mother. The gold dragons nominate Silket Luada. As theri final act as kings, Emeleth and Lioth propose that Kavyre Al'Tath-El'Drok, their child, be considered as a candidate for both the reds and the golds. A proposition which is accepted.
The candidates speak to why they should be king, Arikarn supports an extermination of the Rouyennese who dared to defy them. Zaril takes a more cautious and defensive stance. Silket agrees with Arikarn though she seems much more level-headed about it. Kavyre suggests that falling back on old patterns will bring about the same results and states that in order to survive they must change.
Sturvick speaks to the parrty on the way back to the city, imploring them to speak to whatever allies they have, whatever Shivi might listen and persuade them to support Kavyre as a Hybrid King separate from the Red and Gold Lord-Rulers. The party reluctantly agrees.
Tuisan speaks to Vang who agrees to do his best to persuade his grandparent, the White, and adoptive mother, the Silver.
Niven has a delightful conversation with Coavun and his Shivi, Maisie. Coavun agrees to support them only if Shina can be convinced to support the movement as well.
Eccaia, Awon, and Balasar speak with Vumma and Cynrie, who has been made Lord-Ruler of Grenzlinie. Balasar presents the case as best he can but gets no confirmation of support from either dragon.
That night, Tuisan goes to the rooftop once again to speak with Vigni. She expresses her surprise that he came. He questions her about her exile and she reveals that she grew up believing she was entirely avariel as her mother died giving birth to triplets, where Vigni was the only survivor. And so when she discovered the truth, she tried to save her dying human father, an act that the Council disproved of and that her "father" pushed for the most extreme punishment. She reveals that she has acquired the letters he sent to the Shivi that morning and asks if his fondness for the written word is why he was sent away.
They continue to talk, eventually coming to the topic of the dragon election. Vigni admits that total annihilation is not the future she would like to see, but also doubts that the dragons would push beyond Rouyenne. She is not sure what help she can be in the matter either as Shina will listen to her but not necessarily heed her advice. Tuisan convinces her to speak with Shina, but she makes no promises about the outcome of the conversation.
The pair part on fairly neutral terms.
The rest of the party is eating chicken and mac & cheese in the stairwell.

4th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The day begins with bloody marys.
The party (Tuisan) is visited by Shina, who disguises herself as Mivalya in an attempt to learn more about his relationship with Vigni. She tells him not to interfere with her plans ever again… or else.
Mivalya joins the group for drinks.
Balasar keeps them updated about the status of the election. First Kavyre is elected by the Golds. Then Kavyre and Arikarn tie for the Reds and a revote is forced.
Cynrie arrives and after a shouting match with Balasar demotes him and selects Eccaia to be her Shivi.
The Reds elect Arikarn, making Silket the Lord Ruler for the gold.
The party must find sponsors to attend the War Mote. Niven goes with Balasar, Awon with Eccaia, and Tuisan with Vigni.
At the Mote, Vumma presents the movement to elect a hybrid king in addition to the Red and Gold Lord-Rulers. Coavun seconds the motion and after a few moments of discussion, the decision passes unanimously.
Kavyre takes the stand and lays out her plans for a strategic war. She also announces a celebration that evening.
The party attends the Draconic celebration in the desert. There is dancing, drinking, cake, and magic.
Sturvick invites Niven to work with him in Ostra and also mentions that he is worried that he hasn't heard from Vennah or Snakerattle since before the peace talks.
Balasar warns Awon that he recommended the Platinum Banner's service to Kavyre.
Ciavy offers the changelings a place in her collection.
Vang confronts Tuisan on whether or not he intends to take Mivalya to bed some day.
Lioth rewards the group for their aid in arranging Kavyre's election to King with an item from her hoard. Awon takes an instant fortress, Eccaia takes a Ring of Shooting Stars, Niven takes a Cloak of Arachnida, Tuisan takes the Anstruth Harp.
Torak approaches Eccaia and invites her to spend the night with him.
Tuisan nearly passes out at VIgni's feet and she helps him home.

5th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

Tuisan awakens to find sleeping guests in his room, Mivalya and Vang. He sneaks out to read a book.
Eccaia awakens with Torak and upon going to get breakfast with him, encounters Noxis. Noxis confronts Torak about their son and mate bond, which Torak dismisses. Noxis leaves and Torak and Eccaia enjoy the breakfast he left behind.
Upon awakening, Mivalya checks on Tuisan. He reassures her that he is alright and begins to question her evasive behavior. After much prodding, she confesses that she may have overreacted and attacked Vigni. Tuisan immediately leaves to check on Vigni.
She is in rough shape and once again distrustful of him. He manages to convince her that he did not intend for her to be attacked and even heals her wounds. She reluctantly thanks him.
The party heads to the outskirts of town at Awon's prompting and begins to decorate and furnish the fortress, adding swings. Niven and Toast eat the honey. Late in the afternoon, the Platinum Banner is summoned to meet the king.
They party is officially introduced to Kavyre Al'Tath-El'Drok, The Fire Hybrid and Tarnished King, and her Shivi, the very attractive Vei'Slan. She inquires as to whether or not the party is interested in continuing to serve Berg and if they do, what task they believe they might be able to perform. The party agrees that they do want to continue to work for Berg and decides that they could serve best as infiltrators and spies in The Order of Seven Stars. Kavyre tells them that they will be sent to Sturvick for a debriefing before being sent to Westemell, where the Order is located. The King also recommends the party find a draconic sponsor if they intend to continue to involve themselves in draconic politics. Cynrie, Vumma, Bryvyris, Coavun, and Shina have all expressed interest in being The Platinum Banner's sponsor.
After much consideration, the party goes to Bryvyris and explains what they are looking for. Bryvyris is interested in sponsoring the group, but confesses that her hoard of knowledge is more historical than arcane. She offers the party some advice on who might suit them better (Teigan or Lioth if they were still around).
The party goes to Coavun, who is happy to meet them all and very interested in Skai. He agress to sponsor The Platinum Banner, as long as they can reassure him that Shina won't take offense to it (given her history with Tuisan).
The party goes to Shina and Tuisan speaks directly with the dragon. Not pleased with his tone and line of questioning, she says Coavun is welcome to sponsor the group, but she reserves the right to seek retribution for the slight. Even Vigni follows him into the hall and questions his sanity.
The party discusses the matter further, and decides to seek individual sponsorship: Awon and Eccaia convince Vumma to take them on, Niven returns to Coavun, and Tuisan (after consulting with Vigni on the matter) gains Bryvyris' sponsorship.
Tuisan "destroys himself" before going to sleep that evening.

6th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

There is a knock on the door as the party gathers around for breakfast. A messenger gives a letter ot Awon, with the instructions to read it aloud. He reads: "Very clever, young Tuisan. I like to reward intelligence, even in those who don't serve me. So here is my gift, a token to remember her by. Take Care, Shina O'Monno, The Venomous Tongue, Lord Ruler of the Storm Forest and all Its Inhabitants. " The messenger proceeds to reveal a bird cage containing an owl that resembles the one that accompanies Vigni.
Niven confiirms his suspicions by detecting magic upon the owl, transmutation. Tuisan releases the unhappy owl and Niven dispels the magic upon her, returning Vigni to her form.
The others quickly clear the room as Tuisan and Vigni say their goodbyes.
Tuisan also visits Mivalya to say goodbye. She explains that she and Vang have volunteered to participate in Kavyre's proposed "Dragon Sightings" in Rouyenne and thus may be difficult to contact.
The party is teleported to Ostra where Sturvick is waiting for them with a dossier of information on The Order. He instructs the party to read it, memorize it, and destroy it before their arrival in Rouyenne. Lioth is observed struggling to master the basics of wizardry. Sturvick sends the party to Nihashi, where Nara meets them.
She invites the party to stay for dinner.
The party discusses their future plans over dinner at Nara's home. Nara informs them that she has arranged for smugglers to transport them to the southern coast of Rouyenne and that they leave tomorrow afternoon.

7th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party enjoys their last day of peace in Nihashi. Eccaia visits the temple and buys souvenirs. Niven relaxes in the water. Awon does some last minute shopping.
In the afternoon, Nara introduces the party to Captain Avery of The Flying Fox. Avery shows them to the cargo hold and instructs them to stay hidden.
The party passes the rest of the day in the cargo hold as the Fox sets sail.

8th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The day on the sea passes in the cargo hold. As what little light penetrates into the hold fades, the signal to hide in the crates is given.
The party climbs inside their crates and someone comes into the hold and seals them. The party is jostled in their boxes as they are lifted out of the hold, into a smaller boat, and rowed to shore. Only Niven's crate remains watertight.
Awon uses his new fidget spinner to open the crates and the party spends their first night in the Platinum Fortress.

9th of Brightfire 406 P.A.

Tuisan gets a better lay of the land now that his feathers have dried and the party heads northward through the forest toward the small town of Bendhallow.
They encounter a rotting troll, a small herd of meenlocks who attempt to drag Niven back to their den, and are pursued by iron-booted redcaps. The party puches through the night, arriving in Bendhallow early in the morning.
They find The Sleeping Stag where the cheerful halfling innkeeper, Xenlan, sets them up with rooms and food. The party passes out, exhausted after the long journey through the forest.

10th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party awakens. Tuisan patrols the town, looking for and finding nothing of interest except an armored red-skinned tiefling. The rest of the party joins him and discusses their next steps.
Eccaia, Tuisan, and Awon go to the blacksmith and apothecary. At the apothecary they encounter the tiefling again. There they purchase 2 healing potions, 2 "love" potions, and 2 antidepressants. The overhear the tiefling attempting to purchase truth serum, which the shop does not have. Tuisan volunteers his magic to help Guthor get the truth.
Guthor rejoins the party at the tavern that evening and Tuisan, Niven, and Skai follow him to a nearby alley. There he reveals the man he has captured, a half-orc named Nogak.
Between Nogak and Guthor, the party learns that he is serving the goddess Selune by eradicating a group, the Firebrands, that he used to be a part of.
Tuisan helps Guthor to discover that the next bandits he's looking for, twins Qiro and Caira, are hiding in The Order of Seven Stars. Upon completion of the interrogation, Guthor calls upon his goddess and the bandit is immolated in a beam of moonlight.
The party informs Guthor they are also headed for The Order and the tiefling eagerly agrees to travel with them.
In the meantime Awon and Eccaia, still in the tavern, meet Tavari the elven guardian of the town. She tells them she has not seen any centaur carrying a kobold when they ask. She also informs that their journey through the forest has riled up some of the fey and should they need to travel through again, she could escort them.
After some confusing discussion about how to travel to Westemell, the party goes to sleep.

11th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party, now including Guthor, sets off for Westemell in the morning. The party spends the trip getting to know their new companion. Attempts to acquire horses from passing farms go poorly and the party is forced to walk.
They spend the evening in the fortress, with Guthor staying up all night to keep guard.

12th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party continues their journey, arriving late in Westemell.
Tuisan asks around for an Inn and the party eventually settles at The Crossed Shield in the Starside district, just a few blocks from The Mystrarium.

13th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party awakens and is informed that the Mystrarium is hosting a festival that evening in honor of the passage of Mystra's Comet.
The party runs errands in the morning, Guthor polishing his armor in the stream, Niven visiting the Scarlet Light. Tuisan disguises himself and bluffs his way onto the Mystrarium campus. Awon and Eccaia attempt to assist. Tuisan breaks into General Tubalt's office, Sergeant Weaver, and Weaver West's office. He acquires some correspondance between Tubalt and Ashheart, a telescope, and some students' homework.
Guthor and Niven travel to the ruins of Theramore Manor. The landscape surrounding the manor is affected by illusory magic. The interior of the manor is empty with the exception of a blanket and half-burnt candle. Guthor helps to force the door to Nuzduld's office open. The inside is still fairly intect, with a single book "On the Origin of Dragons" stuck on the shelf. Guthor manages to remove the book, breaking the mechanism to open the bookcase/door. Fortunately, he is strong enough to force the door open.
The room beyond is a small circular room with a nearly completed teleportation circle. After searching the house once more, Niven places the green dragon scale from the book cover into the circle and the pair are teleported to a teleportation puzzle that eventually leads them to a lab of sorts. They find a room of herbs and potions and one of gems and metals where Niven takes rods of darksteel.
At the end of the hall, behind bars of darksteel, something glows and fades. Niven unlocks the door and the pair are struck with hellfire as the prisoner pushes past them to escape. Guthor pursues, and they endure another Hellfireball. Guthor tackles the prisoner to the ground, an emaciated female tiefling with filed horns. Niven recognizes Ariameia.
Guthor attempts to heal the tiefling, who immediately begins to burn with hellfire. He commands her to sleep, gaining them enough time to plan how to handle things. When the tiefling awakens, Niven cautiously greets her. The tiefling responds with "Oh, you know her" The pair converse and learn that Ariameia is now host to a greater devil, one who serves Mephistopheles after a deal was struck. She refuses to leave with them, and allows them to leave immediately. Awon purchases a shield while Eccaia and Tuisan drink.
The party regroups and Niven and Guthor share what they discovered.
The party heads to the festival. Headmistress Ashheart welcomes the public to the festival and announces their special guests: the NEWWT team. Awon heads to the armory to speak with them. Eccaia and Guthor take a tour of the campus. Niven and Tuisan go to speak with Edward Bomorsk. They schedule a meeting with him the following evening at The Dueler's Spirits. They all observe some of the magical demonstrations at the main stage. Awon attempts to speak with Headmistress Ashheart who is too busy to acknowledge him. Guthor and Eccaia go to the Astrology show and learn a bit about what the stars might mean.
Shortly before midnight, all the lights go out to better see the sky. Cai speaks to Awon, warning him against remaining in town and sharing a bit with him about his past: that they killed him because he knew soemthign he shouldn't and that there was another person with him (collateral damage).
At midnight, the comet passes overhead accompanied by a surge of magical energy.
The festival comes to an end, and the party follows the crowd to the Hallowed Rum for an after party.

14th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party awakens after a night of bar crawling. Eccaia has a fantastic sandwich. Awon awakens in the Mystrarium dorms with a sore bottom wearing feathers and lace.
They contemplate how to spend their day eventually settling on revisiting Theramore. The area surrounding the manor is still affected by illusory weather. Niven and Guthor lead the party into what they believe is Nuzduld's laboratory. They explore the other hall, discovering a storage room of monster parts and Nuzduld's office. The party ransacks the space, burning everything in their wake.
As they exit, they hear a female voice calling out for Niven, but ignore it and leave.
The party copies their stolen papers and sends the originals via air elemental to Bryvyris.
Niven contacts Sturvick and updates him about their activities.
Tuisan and Niven meet with Edward Bomorsk at the Dueler's Spirits. He shares with them that Nuzduld spends little time at the Mystrarium. He tells them the specifics of the campus' security. Buildings have anti-divination and anti-telepathy wards, which can only be lifted with a permit from the Headmistress and the perimeter of the campus is protected by an alarm spell. He shares that Vennah is alive, she actually taught his students that day (sent 4 to the infirmary). She does not leave her rooms often and is typically under surveillance. Edward asks about what his brother was like and Niven answers honestly as he is affected by the Zone of Truth.
The party returns to the inn for the night.

15th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party awakens to hammering in the Inn and Guthor goes to the common room to aid the Innkeeper in hanging a crystal embedded plaque.
After discussin their plans for the day, Guthor inquires what the plaque is and is told that it is a dragon detecting crystal that the Mystrarium are distributing throughout the kingdom in response to multiple dragon sightings. Tuisan casts identify on the plaque (after charming the innkeeper) and learns that it will also indicate the hidden dragons color. The Innkeeper sets the guards after the party but they manage to escape.
Awon then buys a bakery out of most of their goods, giving them to Guthor and Eccaia as an excuse to infiltrate the Mystrarium.
Guthor and Eccaia are unsuccessful though they do learn that Caira is definitely within the campus.
Tuisan flies into campus and is quickly located by a pair of students on patrol. He asks them to take him to Weaver West as he needs to return his telescope. West accepts the telescope, but dismisses Tuisan.
Tuisan sneaks back onto campus, hiding and watching the twins. He reports to the party
In the meantime, Vennah reaches out to Niven and tells him she will be at "The Tea Cup" for an hour that evening.
Tuisan informs the party when the twins leave for their own patrol shift and the party ambushes them, capturing both Caira and Quiro.
Nivne enjoys his tea at the Tea Cup and speaks, telepathically with Vennah. He shares the information that he learned with her and she tells him that her treason is suspected and Snake Rattle has been detained.
The party regroups and takes the twins out toward Theramore, where Guthor offers them to his goddess. They disappear in a beam of moonlight.
Awon is softly reassured that Selune is a friend and he has nothing to fear.
The party heads to Theramore to get a night's rest.
Niven dreams of Vennah.

16th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

Niven awakens with two potions in hand and a screaming raven. he carefully takes the antidote and waits for it to take effect while Eccaia becomes acquainted with Crotalus.
Awon airs his concerns about the bird accompanying the party and upon their return to the group find that the bird has multiplied. Awon kills all but the original, who imparts dragon's breath to Eccaia.
The party heads down to Nuzduld's laboratory and find themselves teleported into total darkness. Awon as the only one who can see, banishes one of the two dragon demons. The party fights and kills the second.
Crotalus casts feign death on Vennah and Awon kills him, leaving Eccaia functionally dead for an hour.
The group continues forward, finding Aria waiting in her cell. She reprimands Niven for his foolishness in returning, twice, and Awon turns her into a caterpillar and slips her thorugh the bars. The party escapes the laboratory.
Eccaia awakens after an hour and the party kind of explains what happened to her. Awon squishes the caterpillar, returning Aria to her tiefling form. She berates Niven once again (and threatens to burn Awon). She tells Niven that Vennah has visited her in the past, working for Nuzduld, but her memories seemed to have been altered after each time. She takes the devil potion and a scimitar from the group. She agrees to teleport them as close to Berg as she can. She orders Niven to assist her in the process.
As they work, Aria explains that she has spent the past years trying to kill the devil inside her, by killing herself and she is alive only by the power of the devil bound to her. Niven has a breakdown. She does her best to reassure him and set him on course, eventually convincing him that she was going to stay behind. She finishes the teleportation circle and sends the party to Easthorn.
The party arrive in the Easthorn manor where they find Thava and Dadalan now residing. The dragons offer a wagon to the party and they travel through the night to Grenzlinie, spending the night at an Inn.

17th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party is located by a messenger and they are led to Balasar who shows them to Awon and Eccaia's new residence.
Awon, Eccaia, and Tuisan go to speak with Vumma and update her about their time away. She is pleased with all their recovered monster bits.
Guthor explores the city.
Niven goes to speak with Zalith.

17th-19th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

Awon arranges affairs at the new house.
Guthor departs to persue another person to send to the moon.
Eccaia aids the workers in the refugee camps.
Tuisan catches up on his reading.
Niven throws himself into arcane studies in Teigan's study.
20th of Brightfire, 406 P.A. Tuisan joins Niven in the study and helps him advance his studies faster.
The pair have a brief conversation with Cynrie.
Niven receives word that Vennah has arrived in Ostra. And that she has slain Nuzduld. Sturvick requests they join them as soon as possible.
The party decides they should perhaps go report to the King and travel to Varcrast. Guthor is still absent and Awon elects to stay behind to finish arranging care for the manor.
Niven finally sleeps. Tuisan seeks out Vigni and spends the evening with her in Shina's manor.
21st of Brightfire, 406 P.A. Eccaia and Niven enjoy breakfast. Tuisan enjoys Vigni's company.
The party regathers at the palace and reports to the King, Shina, and Vei, the king's very enthusiastic and unprofessional Shivi. They receount all that they learned in their time away. The party is chastised for sending potentially sensitive information to Bryvyris. Tuisan is told that Mivalya and Vang's location has to remain confidential. The party is dismissed.
Vei gives the party their payment and awkwardly sniffs Tuisan.
The party travels to Ostra. They find Sturvick, Vennah, Nara, and Lioth gathers in Sturvick's atrium. Vennah gives Niven a lock of Aria's hair and suggests that a druid might be able to bring her back, should her soul be willing.
Sturvick and Vennah brief the party on what they have discovered since Vennah recovered the Anchor and the options moving forward. Vennah has limited time without her antidote: 10 days at most she estimates (1st of Redsun). The following solutions are discussed:

• Locating a disintegration spell for Vennah to learn to destroy the Anchor. Either by finding the Librarian (theoretically near Marosta) or by finding a powerful necromancer's spellbook
• Locating the ingredients to Vennah's antidote (Chroma Vitae)
• Destroying whatever is the Anchor is tethered to that is feeding the antimagic enchantment (In the secret room in Nuzduld's lab)
• Completing Niven's darksteel chimneys to alleviate side effects (requires ~2 weeks more of training and research)
• Replicating the antimagic Anchor to end the runes' function (requires time to study the anchor and Nuzduld's notes)
• Crafting a new rune and applying it using the recovered instructions (Chroma Blood, Silverleaf, Couatl egg)

Nara tells Niven that she is staying in Ostra for the time being to aid in the research. Niven tells Tuisan and Eccaia that they need to get in touch with Wrell.

21st to 30th of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

The party returns to Grenzlinie and set about their various research tasks.
Niven resumes his study of the art of enchanting with Tuisan's aid.
Awon and Eccaia look for any possible sources of necromantic spells. The find information about a long dead necromancer named Striouxius Crane, who's lair is located somewhere in the Bones and accessible via a "Bloodgate" which requires human blood to open. Eccaia finds rumors that the Lady of New Drage is purported to have some dark magical texts. They provide tea and snacks to Niven while he studies.
Guthor continues his hunt for another of Selune's offenders.

31st of Brightfire, 406 P.A.

Niven finalizes his studies and heads to the forge to begin crafting his apparatus. After four failed attempts, he produces a fully functional Siphon.
The party immediately heads to Ostra, where they find an exhausted looking collection of wizards. Sturvick tests the apparatus and finds his side effects relieved. He tells the party to get some rest and leaves to give it to Vennah.
The party rests and relaxes for the rest of the day.

1st of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party awakens late, gathering for breakfast.
Niven heads to the Atrium and finds Vennah alive, awake, and arguing with Sturvick about the magical mechanics of the Anchor. She thanks Niven for his help. Sturvick still suggests they find a disintegration spell to free the dragons. Niven shows Sturvick how to make the Siphon and they craft another functional piece.
Niven calls Coavun and asks for his aid. Coavun says he can meet Niven at "a large tree outside Varcrast the next morning".
The party relaxes and spends the evening in Ostra.
Guthor arrives very late and is given a room.

2nd of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party catches Guthor up on the events of the past days over breakfast (scones). Tuisan demonstrates his new control over fire by burning scones.
The party heads to Varcrast. Niven, Eccaia, and Awon go ahead to meet with Coavun.
Guthor explores the tent city.
Tuisan goes to Shina's manor and where Vigni refuses to see him.
Coavun gathers information on the party as they arrive and sends them (via tree) to the forest outside New Drage.
The party orients themselves and begins to travel to New Drage. They encounter a crying child in a fairy ring and are stopped from entering by a half-elf who introduces herself as Rowena. She sends the creature (not a child) away and agrees to guide them through the forest. She learns they are headed to New Drage and offers them horses to aid their journey.
The party arrives in New Drage and gets rooms at The Blue Kraken Inn.

3rd of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party heads to the manor where they are told Master Rolmo is taking supplicants. They wait in line only briefly before they are escorted to a sitting room. Master Rolmo joins them shortly. They ask for texts on healing and he attempts to direct them to the local druids. A large dog bursts into the room briefly. The conversation continues. Rolmo agrees to inquire to Lady Wildsinger.
"Rowena" and the hound enter the room. Rolmo bows and excuses himself. She addresses everyone in the room by name and asks why they have travelled all the way from Berg to see her. She grows impatient with their vague half-truths and asks for honesty.
Eccaia tells her everything.
Lady Naeris Wildsinger says she has two dragons in her basement right now. And she doesn't particularly care for the war though she is technically sworn to serve the Frons. She also says that she doesn't have the books they're looking for, she gave them to the God of Secrets for safe keeping. She gives them a key to her dungeon and sends them on their way.
The party occupies themselves until evening.
The party regathers in the evening and sends Tuisan to the manor to examine the access to the dungeon. He finds that the door to the dungeon is unguarded, the back gate unlocked, and the guards patrolling the wall leave the gate unwatched for five minutes. He spies two Vumma and Cynrie's children, Iallu and Syphein, chained in a cell. The party decides to go about their prison break that evening. Eccaia and Awon sneak into the dungeon wearing the faces of guards. They enter the cell and undo the dragon's chains when the cell door slams shut behind them. Naeris steps into the room and her shade hound emerges. She asks where the rest of their party is and Awon banishes her and calls for help. The rest of the party arrives, Naeris reappears, a fight ensues where the party escapes with the dragons.
They hijack a ship (poorly) and manage to escape long enough for Niven to rest and teleport them to Grenzlinie. The young dragons, now formlocked, are returned to their family and the party returns to the Magnolia house to sleep.

4th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party discusses which path they think would be best to pursue next. Bartholemew updates them on the war. Nykkan has led Rouyennese forces to Siota where he destroyed part of a hybrid clutch. The draconic parents subsequently killed him and destroyed the troops and thoughtlessly much of the city.
Guthor and Awon look into the God of Secrets and find a small shrine to the Helping Hand near the local thieves' hideout.
Niven, Tuisan, and Eccaia head to Varcrast to speak with Parma's children. Vei greets them. She speaks about the incoming ambassadors from the Elemental Isles and Tuisan requests that she send him a message immediately when she knows who the Galelandic ambassador will be. She shows them to her office, where she is working with Vigni, now wingless.
Tuisan and Vigni speak . She's fine.
The party discovers dragon daycare. They speak with Parma's young children who can only relate that they remember lots of trees and have a half-elf sibling. The party regathers in Varcrast and discusses how to get to the Raava who they believe know the location of Parma. They elect to speak to Coavun. Coavun agrees to transport them via the trees. Tuisan corresponds with Atan Tanyl to arrange their arrival in Marosta.
Vigni and Tuisan speak on the roof. She tells him that Jurien is likely to be the Galelandic ambassador, arriving the next day, and that Mivalya and Vang were attacked and formlocked in Rouyenne. They spend the night together.

5th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party meets with Coavun and he sends them to Praiwind. They are greeted by Atan Tanyl and his guard Lenna. He gives them a tour of the city, feeds them dinner and gives them a place to spend the evening.

6th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party awakens and is passed off to Laian, the artificer who takes them to his workshop so he can work. They are doused in glitter. A half-hag named Loralei reveals that Awon is Soewn and that she used to know him or at least know of him. She and Laian suggest they go to the Library to read his book.
Loralei escorts the party to The Library where they meet Banagher Fron, the book, and Parma, the librarian. They fail to convince Parma to aid them in assisting the dragons, but she is interested in figuring out who Awon used to be. By using some sort of ritual, she locates the book of Soewn Rakee, a Priwindish Hawk who died on a mission in Rouyenne. The party pokes around the library while Parma strolls and speaks with Awon about the potential of his future. She slips him a disintegrate spell in a book "How to Waste Good Paper".
The party leaves. Loralei's father locates her and takes her home, leaving the party to be escorted by two octopi.
They make their way back to Marosta, speak briefly with Frymyrn who is there as an ambassador from Berg. He inquires about Mivalya and Tuisan avoids the question.
The party spends the evening making political niceties and small talk with Atan Tanyl. They spend the evening in Marosta.
The party teleports to Ostra in the morning, arriving in the evening, and gives the disintegrate spell to Sturvick. They spend the night discussing their next steps and decide to go to Varcrast to speak with the King.

7th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party heads to Varcrast. Vei'slan does not greet them, but they tell the man that does that they wish to speak with the king. They are left to their own devices for the morning. Eccaia, Awon, and Guthor attempt some rogue training. Niven has tea and catches up with Coavun. Tuisan speaks with Vigni, who informs him on some of the goings on in Berg and with the ambassadors.
In the afternoon, they are summoned to speak with The King and meet with Kavyre, Shina, and Vigni. Kavyre says she has no work they can handle at the moment, but gives them permission to go after Nuzduld. She does warn them that they are wanted throughout Rouyenne after their time in New Drage. Tuisan requests some protection from divination. Kavyre says she will look into it. She also insists that the party join her and the Elemental Ambassadors for dinner that evening.
The party prepares for dinner. Guthor and Awon decide to attempt to avoid the dinner by heading into to town to learn about Kelemvor, the god that resurrected Awon. They manage to find a skeletal hand and steal a set of scales to make a holy symbol.
The rest of the party joins Kavyre, Shina, her daughter Mishann, and the Elemental Ambassadors: two dwarves, Officer Reynva Darkfury and Captain Galliggs Fourmantle, one sea elf, Lieutenant Commander Dalee Saussai, and Initiate Jurien Verrier, Tuisan's cooler twin brother.
Kavyre is upset that the full party is not present and she was not warned.
The party debriefs the ambassadors, stating that they made no claims of allegiance during the peace talks. Jurien backhandedly compliments Tuisan.
Shina invites the group back to her manor for a nightcap. Jurien joins them.
Upon arrival, she sends Jurien to fetch Erlinara and insists Tuisan aid her in selecting the wine. She offers some mild threats, but also promises that as long as Vigni favors Tuisan, he need not fear her. She then offers him three poisoned and one cured glasses of wine and asks him to serve them to herself, Vigni, Jurien, and himself.
Tuisan panics, gives Vigni the antidote wine, and "sneaks" away.
Niven convinces Tuisan to return as the party is wrapping up. A very very drunk Jurien confesses to Tuisan that Galeland has already made an agreement to sell weapons (airships) to Rouyenne. Tuisan kicks him out onto the streets and spends the night with Vigni.

8th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

Mephistopheles visits noth Niven and Tuisan, calling in their final favor. Tuisan is tasked with ensuring the dragons honor their Ascension Day oaths. Niven with performing a ritual at the Visehaism that evening.
Eccaia and Awon spend the day scouring the city for drugs before finally encountering The Lotus Dealer and purchasing five violet lotuses.
Tuisan broods in Vigni's room. Niven and Guthor go to fetch him. Guthor has a moment as he admires Vigni's paitings of Reticence. Niven has a moment as he looks up Aria's field notes in Vigni's Library Book.
Tuisan, Niven, and Guthor decide to speak with Kavyre regarding the new information they acquired from Jurien. They encounter Sturvick and Vennah waiting outside a large room where Kavyre, Lioth, and Shina argue. Tuisan eavesdrops. There seems to be some diagreement about whether or not Lioth should be reinstated as King, what the next move in the war should be, and whether or not to leave on Ascension Day (with Kavyre in favor of staying, Lioth in favor of going, and Shina compromising by going but returning should they be needed).
Tuisan makes a plea for Kavyre to honor the Ascension Oath which she seems to take to.
The party regroups and Tuisan and Niven depart. They discuss their individual contractual tasks as the rest of the party works on improving their dexterity and stealth. They manage to identify the ritual as a delayed Gate, triggered to open at dawn on Ascension Day. They contemplate many many ways to fulfill the contract without unleashing hell upon Berg.
Niven finally makes the decision not to go through with it, when Mephistopheles appears and offers to improve the deal. He claims to have Ariameia's soul and says he will free her soul to return should he cast the spell. Niven consumes a potion that grants him a single high powered spell and begins to perform the ritual. Tuisan attempts to stop or dissuade him, but Niven shrugs him off. Tuisan leaves and sends letter to the party, King Kavyre, Coavun, Bryvyris, and Vigni. Vigni responds asking for further details and then says she will be there soon. The rest of the party leaves for the Visehaism.
Meanwhile, Niven questions Mephistopheles as to how he came to have Aria's soul and what his involvement with Rouyenne has been. Mephistopheles is dodgy as always, only saying that Hellfire marks a soul and Aria held it for many years.
Niven rejects the deal, expending the arcane power he received from the potion in a massive fireball. Just as Vigni and the rest of the party arrive. Mephistopheles and Aria are not visible to the rest of the party though Guthor is able to detect his fiendish presence. Mephistopheles laments to Aria that she was wrong about her corrupted innocent; He sold his soul to save others. Aria offers to make a deal, Mephistopheles smiles, and the pair vanish.
Vigni performs a ritual to prevent any arrival by teleportation or gate before questioning the party about what exactly their involvement was with Mephistopheles and why the devil was in her room that morning. Unhappy with the answers, she leaves.
The party has a heart-to-heart about honesty and secrets before returning to town.

9th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

Niven receives his and Tuisan's signed and closed contracts along with a note from Mephistopheles reading "She drives a hard bargain". Niven ritually summons Aria to get some information about what happened.
Vei summons them in the afternoon. She says that a small battalion of devils had emerged in Stathford and, leaving the town untouched, was marching on Varcrast. She had asked Vigni about it and she had redirected her to the party. The group agreed to go face the devils as they had sworn to be the "first responders" while the dragons were away for The Ascension.
The party leaves to intercept the devils.

10th of Redsun, 406 P.A

The party travels to the remains of Siota where they plan to ambush the devils.

11th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party arrives in Siota and sees four dragons fly overheard toward an army of devils on the horizon.
They abandon their ambush plan and charge in behind the dragons. They eliminate many of the devils and speak to the unfamiliar dragons. They congratulate the party on their survival and explain that the king requested they come and end the threat as no one else had done so yet.
The party teleports back to Varcrast. Vei greets them, seemingly ignorant of the potential trouble the group is in. She does tell them that their sponsors were interested in speaking to them.

12th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party is met by their sponsors in the morning and receive various levels of chastisement.
Vumma tells Eccaia and Awon not to do it again.
Coavun and Niven have a long heart to heart, but Coavun ultimately decides to trust Niven.
Tuisan is reprimanded and Bryvyris says she just can't in good conscious sponsor someone she can't trust. But she does tell him he has friends waiting to see him.
Mivalya and Vang greet Tuisan outside and take him for drinks as they catch up. Niven joins them once his conversation with Coavun is finished.
The remainder of the party joins Tuisan, Niven, Mivalya, and Vang at the beer garden. They note that the oasis is frozen as they pass by but no one seems concerned. Guthor meets Mivalya and Vang and bonds with Vang. Awon interrogates Mivalya about her love life. Mivalya and Vang say they have to leave to a ceremony, something about honoring some Shivi. The party insists on going with them, except Niven who goes to find information about getting to Rouyenne.
During the ceremony Sturvick is honored for his efforts in removing the curse from Lioth and given a wish. Vigni is named a hero of the realm for closing the hell gates and is given her wings. To close the ceremony, Kavyre declares that the war will be ended by The Day of Heroes Fallen (Redsun 24th).
When questioned about what THAT might mean, Sturvick shares that the dragons are preparing a Descent on Fronhold.
Tuisan goes to Shina's manor to check on Vigni. While she didn't particularly enjoy the spectacle, she is grateful to have her wings back and to have struck a solid blow to Jurien's ego. She informs Tuisan that negotiations with Galeland have progressed, Jurien was suspended indefinitely and Tuisan was promoted to official Ambassador status.
Tuisan questions her about what the dragons are planning and after much prompting she reveals that they intend to destroy Rouyennese cities until they surrender. Tuisan suggests another option, destroying Nuzduld's source of power and thus the magical advantage that Rouyenne has in order to force their hand in surrender, and asks for Vigni's (and even perhaps Shina's) aid.
In the meantime, The rest of the party drinks and enjoys themselves. Vang beats Guthor in an arm wrestling contest, though Guthor beats both him and Awon in a drinking contest. Vennah joins the party briefly to ask Niven whether or not he wants to be included in the wish and its potential side effects. He is interested but requests that they wait or at least tell him when Sturvick intends to make the wish. Awon buys a cake and calls a team meeting.
The party regroups at Shina's manor in Vigni's room. She provides them with wine and leaves them to plot. They celebrate with cake and discuss future steps before returning to their rooms for the night.
Awon receives a letter on his return to the manor, a request to speak with him in his dreams that night from Skai. With Eccaia's aid he manages to fall asleep and tells Skai what he knows about how he and Soewn are related. Skai reveals that he has family somewhere outside Sussex and says her farewells to the man who is no longer Soewn. Awon awakens and calls Tuisan for a drink, seeking some life advice about family.

13th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

Awon relates to Eccaia what passed in the night.
Vigni borrows Tuisan's earring and he helps her remember how to fly.
Jurien knocks on Niven and Guthor's door in the mornign looking for Tuisan and is told that his brother likely spent the night with Vigni. The rest of the party gathers, Jurien and Tuisan exchange a few words before Jurien finally leaves.
Jurien and Vigni confront each other in the hall and the party intervenes, briefly banishing Jurien. Tuisan makes it clear where Jurien stands in Galeland and Niven scares him away.
Coavun greets the party and says his farewells before being asked if he could send them to Bendhallow. He agrees as long as he can be home in the Storm Forest in time to see the sunset. The party agrees to meet up with him after their meeting with Shina.
The party purchases a few potions from the local alchemist.
The party meets with Shina. Tuisan convinces the green dragon to aid them "to her utmost ability" on two conditions. First, the party passes all discoveries and information to her without notifying anyone else (especially other dragons). Second, Tuisan, now the Lord Ambassador of Galeland, signs off on her proposed marriage to solidify the alliance between their nations: that of Jurien Verrier and Vigni Nindigo. After much contemplation and consultation, the party agrees and signs the paperwork. Vigni reveals afterward that Shina was testing Tuisan once again.
The party is given charms of vitality for each party member (One time, as an action you can remove any exhaustion you are suffering and cure any disease or poison affecting you. For the next 24 hours, you regain the maximum number of hit points for any Hit Die you spend), a stone of sending (to Vigni), a gem of anti-divination (no divination within a 20 ft radius), dust of blanks faces (10 doses, for 4 hours no one can recognize or remember your face), and iron flask containing a djinn, and a sapphire that can be crushed to summon the Wand of Orcus (FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY). And Tuisan's message earring is returned along with another linked earring for Guthor. Vigni also sends her familiar, Owl, with Tuisan. Shina offers to teleport the party to Temell but they turn her down.
The party meets up with Coavun who sends them via tree to the Southern Forest. The party avoids any trouble with fairies and enteres town only to find their faces on wanted posters all around town and no one willing to speak with them. They hurry out of town, heading North toward Theramore Manor.
They settle in the open fields to rest for the night, Guthor attempting to camouflage their camp and Awon keeping watch.
While Awon and Tuisan are keeping watch, an old man approaches the camp and inquires if they are "The Seeker". Awon says he is and the old man tells him to follow. They walk for about twenty minutes before they arrive at a small cabin with a graveyard full of nameless stones. There is a single charred corpse laid out on the ground. The old man asks if Awon knew them, saying her found the body a few miles south of there. He gives Awon a Blod Stone saying he thinks he was meant to have it. He plants the shovel in the ground and tells Awon that this is his task and he'll see him in the morning. Awon takes a couple hours to bury the body with the help of his unseen servant.
Awon returns to camping, taking the shovel. He spots three people led by a hell drake moving through the nearby fields, but manages to hide the party from them.

14th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party moves stealthily through the fields to Theramore Manor. They arrive late in the evening and sneak in through the kitchen cellar tunnel. The manor appears to be empty. The party sleeps in the tunnel.

15th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party enters the manor, traverses the teleportation puzzle and arrives in Nuzduld's lab. They find the hidden door Aria referred to and manage to Knock it open. They evade a number of arcane traps and Eccaia and Awon fall down a slide into a pit.
Finally they arrive at the end of the tunnel to find a tall stone room containing a chained dragon seemingly blue. Chroma is excited to "play" with the party. It shifts colors as it "plays" unleashing, fire and acid on the party. Awon nearly falls, but they manage to beat the dragon to death with some gravel.
Tuisan immediately calls Vigni who sends Shina, though she is unable to teleport to their location. Awon begins to remove scales from the dragon. Niven collects a vial of blood.
Niven sends the teleportation runes to Vigni and Shina arrives. He gives her a brief summary of what they found: a dragon that could change colors.
Shina enters the dragon's chamber to find Awon removing scales and summons a glowing sword offering him one chance to give her an honest reason to spare him. He lies to her instead and she smites him. She forbids the others from healing him without her permission as she begins to inspect the fallen dragon.
Chroma was a young adult white dragon, malnourished and beaten during his developing years. His wings are malformed from lack of space and the runes are old arcana, like Niven's. She has Tuisan copy them down and allows Guthor to heal Awon. Shina removes Chroma's "Fundamentum" (breath sac). She opens it up an finds pure condensed arcane essence, like that found in the legendary Arcane Pool.
Shina advises the party not to tell the other dragons as it might only reinforce their desire to Descend on Rouyenne and has them burn Chroma's body so he cannot be used any longer. She suggests that if the group still intends to go after Nuzduld, they find the remaining 3 anchors to remove the last of Rouyenne's bargaining chips. Niven returns Shina to Varcrast.
The party follows the traumatized Awon to the point where his blod stone was indicating and it leads them to the surface side opening of Chroma's dungeon. The party rests and contemplates what to do next, they settle on baiting Twoscar out and using her to get to Nuzduld.
Awon sends a letter to Cai. She writes back and gives him a gem.
The party sets up the fortress and spends the rest of the day planning and testing some theories.
That evening Awon writes to Cai, telling her the party's location and inviting NEWWT to ambush them.

16th of Redsun, 406 P.A.

The party awakens and sends their bait letter to Twoscar. They leave, shrink the fortress, and are ambushed by NEWWT.
The party and NEWWT battle. Tuisan and Eccaia manage to escape.

17th of Redsun - 10th of Treefall

Eccaia and Tuisan carefully flee through Rouyenne to Berg.

11th of Treefall

Tuisan and Eccaia arrive in Grenzlinie just in time to assist Wrell in the resurrection of Guthor and Niven.
The party is debriefed:

• Shina assisted in regaining the party's lost bodies and paid for Guthor's resurrection as per her contract.
• Coavun paid for Niven's resurrection.
• When Chroma died the anchors became inert and the CURSED students now require arcane focuses or materials.
• The dragons arranged a meeting in Fronhold, the Frons attempted to form-lock them, and were then face to face with 11 angry dragons
• Rouyenne ceded the Easthorn Peninsula, dissolved The Order of Seven Stars, surrendered the wall, returned Guthor and Niven's body, and are allowing dragons to live in the kingdom under their laws.
• Rouyenne was supposed to hand over Nuzduld but he vanished.

Report Date

24 Apr 2020