Session 8: The wind and the willows - the passing of time Report
General Summary
The months of Reaping, Goodmonth, and Harvester pass quickly as most of the party studies under Sauriv while learning Draconic. Meanwhile, Mina works closely with Ihrtos learning the properties of various herbs and transforming them to wondrous salves and potions. Dunwater lair and Saltmarsh town appear tranquil in stark contrast to the past few weeks as time marches onward. The people of the town are slowly warming up towards the party.
During the final two weeks of Harvester month, the party sees signs posted around town declaring that Gellan Primewater will have his Brewfest Spectacular Parade starting by his mansion on the docks. Each day brings new decorations as the party returns back to the Snapping Line. Finally, Brewfest week arrives. In some parts of the Flanaess the festivities of Brewfest last the entire week. Here in Saltmarsh though, the festivities are more restrained, but Waterday has been set aside from normal activities to celebrate the transition from summer to fall. It is on this day that Councilor Primewater treats the village to a parade and a feast for assorted guests and dignitaries.
Exiting The Snapping Line, the party sees a large crowd gathered in the town's square. A large pathway heading north splits the crowd and it's easy to see that this path has been marked for the parade. As the party moves closer to Primewater Mansion, they can see that the area southeast of it has been hidden from view with temporary walls and curtains. As the sun reaches it's zenith, a barrage of horns blare from the hidden area and a group of musicians march forth commanding attention of all as their horns blare while marching forward. Following them a small crowd of children hop and jump out from behind the curtain. The party recognizes that these children are dressed like Bullywogs as they slowly hop and skip past. Then Following these trumpeters, a wagon rolls forward. This particular wagon has sheets of wood added and painted so it looks like a barge moving across land. Atop painted goods like furniture, wheat reeds, and piles of fish sits a gnome that quietly scans the crowd. The gnome waves and her smile seems genuine if a bit shy. Trailing behind her float, a troupe of acrobats sporting Greyhawk livery dazzle with tumbles and other acrobatic displays, including quickly building a humanoid pyramid as the wagon stalls ahead of them. As the acrobats move past the party, a new float appears from the curtain. Aboard this new float painted like a large sailing ship sits Wellgar Brinehand who's clearly having the time of his life as he boisterously sings a shanty. The most interesting aspect of this float is the ship's name painted on the prow of "Emperor". Following the "Emperor" a retinue of Gorillas and Lions parade forward directed by trainers. Behind the animals, a new float rolls forward that resembles a Keoland frigate commanded by a tall thin bureaucrat who clearly thinks he is the star of the parade. Trailing immediately behind him, rolls another wagon that's been painted to resemble the skyline of a village with flames coming out of the buildings. Atop this wagon sits Queen Othokent, Ihrtov, and Sauriv who are clearly unsure of how to behave. Following this brazen display, one final float rolls past. This float depicts thousands of people in ecstasy bowing before Iuz, the leader of Iuz. Sitting on a throne atop this float is a lady wearing a cowl and tossing red gold coins into the crowd. Each of the party, except Kyra, eagerly scoops up a glittering coin and pocket it. As Kyra studies the float going past, she notices that the person riding it is a tiefling and the image of people bowing in ecstasy might actually be people crying out in pain. With the last of the floats passing onward, a small crowd of workers stream behind sweeping and gathering the trash that accumulated while the crowd disperses.
The party heads back into the bar of the Snapping Line to pass a few hours before heading over to Primewater mansion. As they relax, they strike up conversations with the other patrons surrounding them. Mina engages with a group of farmers who relate concern that the weather hold out until crops are harvested. She asks if they know anything about Iuz, but their knowledge is limited to rumors and generalities like they have to import food to feed the large population there and that it's north of Furyondy. Karia converses with a few fisherfolk who talk about needing to provide for their family but the news of sea devils in the area worries them. After a few drinks, the entire party heads to their rooms to get ready for the evening's festivities.
An attendant stops them at the entrance to Gellan's abode as he sends a runner to alert the lord that the party has arrived. A few minutes pass before a resplendent Gellan Primewater appears and greets everyone warmly, remarking how splendid each of you looks. He then ushers you through the foyer and into his main hall where he silences a stringed quartet and proclaims your deeds and friendship to all the guests gathered. Looking around, you quickly identify the other council members (except Captain Fireborn who is noticeably absent), the lady from the goods barge float, the bureaucrat from the frigate float, Queen Othokent and her entourage, as well as the mysterious lady from the Iuz float.
Gellan escorts the party over to the lady from the barge float and introduces the party to Donnarella Grackle Copperback. Just three feet tall, she wears a long dark skirt with a yellow lilies pattern, a pale yellow shirt, covered by a grey vest that's filled with pencils, notepads, and even a length of knotted string. She radiates compassion and kindness toward the party as she lightly curtsies before addressing Karia, "I've heard your name before. Where have I heard Tahltril?" Her face pinches in concentration as she speaks again, "Oh! I know. It was Stormwind Tahltril. Is that your mother? I remember legends of her when I was still in Menawyk. She was a courageous ranger that tracked her bounties into the underdark until... until she fell in with some...some dark company. I heard there was a mysterious daughter that rode with this group of outlaws. There were several notorious persons there, let's see Crowalker, Drake Weaver, and Crab Sneaker...well something close to that anyhow. How is your mom doing these days as I've not heard anything for awhile." Karia and Donnarella converse for a few moments regarding details of Karia's birth and the unknown whereabouts of her mother.
Kyra then asks Donnarella about the yellow lily skirt and if it has significance as it was the symbol of Kyra's mentor. Donnarella brightens as she states that it's actually the Sunlight Calla flower that's very rare and therefore precious these days. Once it was plentiful, but as the nations of the Flanaess rose the flower lost dominance. She also reveals that it's an emblem for a group of people whose slogan states 'As one blade of grass grows, so grows the meadow. If the meadow burns, then all blades turn to ash. So too for the civilizations of the Flanaess.' Donnarella states that she can't confide much information as everyone has obligations to others, but it's a confederation not limited to a religion or government, but instead tries to improve the lot for all of the continent.
As Kyra and Donnarella converse, another lady with an emblem of a golden spindle on her collar approaches Mina and introduces herself as Adjunct Priestess of the Glory of Celestial Fates Monastery Seeress Reginald. Seeress Reginald explains that Gellan invited her down for the festival and highlighted that Mina was a follower of Istus as well and how they might enjoy getting to know each other. She then discusses theology with Mina sharing that personal choice is critical to the determination of fate within Istus. She uses a river as a metaphor in that the broad concept of fate will lead to the destination which is the ocean, but each of the river's particles swirl, eddy, or race toward the fate. If a pebble fell into such a river, then the choices of each droplet of water would affect how the pebble moves within the river even though it wouldn't stop the ultimate fate of that pebble flowing into the ocean at some point. Mina struggles to contain her emotions and asks what to do if she ever needs a shoulder to cry upon. Seeress responds, "I am here to help release the tension whenever it is needed." and that she is welcome to visit as often as Mina chooses.
Finally, the party moves over to the mysterious lady from Istus and realizes that she's a tielfing. The lady introduces herself as Captain Chiandra Xendros, the leader of the Faithful Quartermasters of Iuz. She explains that she's here to help negotiate salted fish shipments to Iuz and as a liaison to the lands of Iuz. Chiandra describes Iuz as a land full of promise and a rising tide. She explains that the growing season for Iuz is too short and therefore many countries are used to feed the ever growing population. As the party begins to mingle with Queen Othokent, Kyra questions Xendros about the nature of Iuz. Xendros lets her sister of darkness know that Iuz was once just a man in a century past, but that due to his supernatural heritage was able to rise above the restrictions of this world and has now become their king and god in one.
Gellan's party lasts well into the night before guests begin to filter out toward their beds.
Rewards Granted
Roleplay Xp:
xp/person: 150
xp/person: 150
Missions/Quests Completed
Downtime activities achieved:
