Episode 7 - Lost in the Ashes

General Summary

24 Godsnight, 1440

On a cold winter's night, Toran Antyre rides to the mighty mountain fortress of Echen Crag, the home of Emelyn Tahn Echen. Emelyn receives Toran politely... he was a former consort of theirs and remains the father of their son Torcal Echen, who has gone to join the Church of the Six Saints as a fervent adherent. But Toran isn't there to revisit the past or discuss family matters; he bears an official message from King Eadvard III, calling Emelyn to attend him at Redehall Castle. His son Erick Eadvard Dillestone perished at sea some months past, and Eadvard's grief clouds his mind and saps his health. As a druid of the old god Carrion, it is rumoured that Emelyn possesses the ability to commune with the dead... a talent that Emelyn neither confirms nor denies. Toran is jealous of Emelyn's new position of power as an advisor to the king, but cautions them about Redehall... it's a dangerous city, full of vipers, thieves and spies.

28 Skyfall, 1442

Scrambling to escape the brutish Drosta and her company of thugs, Jarvin Cadwalader races across rooftops and through crowded pubs. He can't seem to shake his pursuers until he ducks into a passing parade, making an ass of himself but drawing enough of the crowd around him to throw his assailants off the scent. Having gotten clear of the danger, Jarvin seeks out a local bathhouse to soak his bruises and count his blessings. As the bells ring out from The Abbey of Painted Glass to signal the earliest hours of dawn, Jarvin makes his way back up to his room at Redehall Castle.
Those same bells awaken Emelyn, who awakens in a comfortable chair in the King's study. She'd gone into a trance while conducting a taxing ritual on the King's behalf, attempting to commune with his long-lost son, and the effort was so great that she remained in the trance until the early hours of morning. As she cleaned up her ritual implements to keep them hidden from the prying eyes of the Church, she finds the ashes she scattered last night while in her trance fell in a peculiar pattern; that of a burning house, which is not a rune normally associated with Carrion.
Descending down from the king's study with her ritual implements, Emelyn crosses paths with Jarvin as he returned from his time in the city. The two exchange brief word with one another, each familiar with the others reputation; Emelyn has become a close advisor and confidant to the King, and it's only through him that they remain protected from the attentions of the Church for their heretical practices. Jarvin, as the courts would tell it, was seemingly everywhere and nowhere during The Tambar Rebellion , and some even questioned whose side he was on at times. After they part ways, Emelyn goes to consult their grimoires about the nature of the omen of the burning house... but their efforts bear little fruit, leading only to a disquieted mind.
Jarvin, having refreshed his outfit and gone down for breakfast in the great hall, finds that Markham Dillestone is spreading lies about Sarischa Ravana, accusing them of invading their party uninvited last night and stupefying his guests with their terrible, illegal narcotics. When the nobles and their courtiers descend down to the tournament grounds, Jarvin finds himself stuck in a carriage with Roan Cordelaine, who is more than happy to talk his ear off about all the latest court gossip.
In another carriage, Emelyn accompanies the king down to the tournament grounds... though they are not alone. They are also joined in the carriage by Artigan Dillestone and Beltran Dillestone, the king's brothers, neither of whom hold any love for Emelyn. Artigan, in particular, sees them as a canny manipulator playing off the king's grief for their own benefit, and the conversation between them is curt and cold. King Eadvard, however, is primarily concerned about Annabeth of Risevar and their daughter Mair Dillestone; the two of them were supposed to arrive a few days ago, but have yet to make their presence known. The King is distraught and agitated, but his brothers shrug it off... perhaps she simply declined his invitation?
At the tournament grounds, Ruskin Ventro and his new squire Ishan Luneste are preparing for the day's bout. While they will not be jousting, Ruskin will be entering the circle to duel against none other than Toran Antyre. Ruskin and Halren Ildrafn each prepare for their bouts, offering each other words of counsel before Halren rides out to joust against Titania Highmont.
Up in the stands, Jarvin makes his way over to House Ildrafn's private booth, where he checks in with Pendros Ildrafn. Pendros is glad to see Jarvin made it back safely and remarks that other factions are likely maneuvering against them in the great game of intrigues that they play in the city. They watch as Halren and Titania tilt at one another three times until both are unhorsed simultaneously, leading to a bitter draw. Emelyn catches Iseabail McCloughhaven staring at her from across the tournament grounds and stares right back, but then becomes aware of an unexpected presence in the royal booth... Liaseppa Ventro, who snuck away from her quarters at Redehall Castle to watch her father fight and, on a lark, steal cheese from the king's private feasting table. Emelyn takes a shine to her, and together they watch another pair of knights tilt on the jousting lists... though this next bout turns unexpectedly lethal, leaving a poor hedge knight bleeding to death in the dirt.
Departing the Ildrafn private booth, Jarvin makes his way over to the seats held for House Sandoreale, hoping to speak with Sophira Sandoreale. However, he is called over by the family patriarch, Gethin Sandoreale, who wants to thank him for saving Sophira from the Tambarists several years ago. He offers Jarvin a boon; a special silver coin minted with the Sandoreale crest, denoting a favour to be repaid by the House. "Sandoreale Silver spends better than you'd think," Gethin says, pressing the coin into Jarvin's palm as they watch Ruskin take to the field for his duel against Toran.
After the duelling circle is drawn with chalk, Ruskin walks the circumference barefoot before stepping in to face Toran in hand-to-hand combat. As the duel commences and both Toran and Ruskin score strikes on the other, Emelyn spies an unexpected face watching the combat from the commoners box... that of their son, Torcal Echen. They haven't seen him in person in many years, but they recognize him instantly. Bedecked in the cowl and rosaries of an acolyte of The Six Saints, Torcal watches his father fight for a few moments more before abruptly turning to depart. Emelyn abandons her seat and races to intercept him, managing to cross paths with their son behind the stands before he can depart. The two face one another down for an impossibly long moment... and then Torcal turns away from his mother and storms away, unable to reconcile his faith with theirs. Wracked with emotion, Emelyn returns to the tournament grounds, where Toran and Ruskin are still locked in combat, and speaks a spiteful curse upon Toran. The curse distracts Toran... but it's not enough to stop him from claiming victory over Ruskin in the duel, though it does allow Ruskin a brief window to drop Toran to the ground even as Ruskin is thrown from the circle. Enraged, Toran sucker-punches Ruskin as he storms out of the arena.
That night, as the grand feast commences, Jarvin quietly notes Drosta's presence at the table of Gethin Sandoreale, reporting in to her liege before departing quietly, pursued by Kain. Jarvin's attentions, however, have been primarily fixed on Markham Dillestone since the end of the tournament, having used the subtle powers granted to him by Pyx to tilt Markham's affections away from Sophira and toward her lady-in-waiting, Amerine. At another table, Liaseppa brings her father Ruskin to meet her new friend Emelyn, who suggests that someday Liaseppa might make for a fine student. Ruskin recognizes Emelyn as a druid of Carrion and subtly makes the appropriate gestures in deference of their station. After having been taken aside for a brief conversation by Sarischa, Markham returns to his table and asks Jarvin to take Sophira away from the castle for awhile after the feast concludes so he can have "an urgent discussion" with her lady-in-waiting, Amerine.
After the feast, Emelyn is summoned to attend the king as Pendros Ildrafn and Khinar Antyre bring their dispute before him. Though they advise the King to side with Khinar to prevent potential bloodshed, the king agrees with Iseabail's statements and reaffirms her claim on the Reach. But the King is deeply distraught and distressed, having still not heard from Annabeth, and in his chambers demands that Emelyn consult Carrion to confirm if Maire is dead and his worst fears have come to pass. Emelyn agrees and begins to conduct a ritual to commune with their god, falling into a deep trance in the process as they cast the ashes.
Outside the castle, Ruskin returns with his husband Martoth Ventro to their chambers. Martoth is proud of Ruskin, even if he lost the duel. He firmly believes that they have a future here, even if it's not one that Ruskin would have chosen for himself, and reaffirms that he will be at Ruskin's side handling as much of the court politicking as he can so Ruskin can spend his time where he's most comfortable... in the woods. In another part of the gardens, Jarvin walks with Sophira, reminiscing on their shared history. Sophira thanks him personally for his bravery back in Risevar during the Rebellion, but urges him not to get involved with House Sandoreale. Gethin, she warns him, is a very, very dangerous man, and those that spend Sandoreale Silver often find themselves owing even more. She suggests he come call upon her if he ever finds himself in the Lowlands, since she is due to depart tomorrow. Jarvin queries about her feelings and commitment to Markham, and while she reveals that their shared childhoods have left them with a close bond... she has yet to make any proper commitments to anyone. Lit by moonlight in the royal gardens, Jarvin takes the opportunity to embrace Sophira for the first time, an act she quickly reciprocates.
Up in Eadvard's chambers, Emelyn's ritual is a success, calling forth the avatar of Carrion in their mind... though their knowledge will come with a price, one that Emelyn is all-too-ready to pay. Their query about Maire's wellbeing is answered by Carrion with a rune in ash... the rune of the burning house. "The price is death, death for life. Maire is alive, Maire is of the wind." But her absence, Carrion croons, will lead to a great feast of souls for Carrion and their adherents, and the God of Death tells Emelyn to prepare accordingly. Emelyn emerges from their trance and races to tell King Eadvard that his daughter is alive... only to find him slumped over in his seat, having breathed his last during Emelyn's ritual. Realizing the implications, Emelyn quickly cleans up their ritual, places the King in his bed under the blankets so that he appears to have died in his sleep, then leaves to summon the guards to relay the news.

1 Skyfall, 1442

Hours later, Emelyn finds themselves caught up in the whirlwind discussion between Artigan, Beltran and Ragonde Luneste over who shall next wear the Banteavan crown. With no viable heir and Maire missing, each of the three siblings put forth their own candidate, only to be rapidly shot down by the others. Katrin Dillestone is an alleged Tambarist sympathizer, Markham Dillestone is a gluttonous libertine, and Roseline Luneste is mostly Dunefalli and a practicing member of The Cult of Resshe, which would never stand with the Banteavan people or the Church. Accusations fly wildly as Beltran accuses Artigan of having something to do with Maire's disappearance or possible murder, and departs the castle under his own colours, telling any who will listen that Artigan had Maire killed.
As news of the king's death and the lack of a clear successor spread through the keep, House Ildrafn quickly makes to depart. Jarvin opts to remain behind to act as Pendros' eyes and ears alongside Kain, and Ruskin boards the board with his family to return to Rhythavn Castle. Emelyn, however, seeks the protection of Ragonde and House Luneste to get her safely out of Redehall now that the king can no longer protect her from his siblings or the Church. As the mighty galley flying Lunesten colours leaves Redehall behind, Liaseppa quietly emerges from Emelyn's travelling trunk, having stowed away to follow The Strange Crow Person with her father's blessing.
The bells of the Abbey continue to ring out. The King is Dead. Civil war is certain.

Missions/Quests Completed

The Midsummer Festival has abruptly ended. House Ildrafn sails homeward.

Notes

• The Cult of Carrion's ritual implements are the bones of birds and vermin, large feathers and burnt offerings that are used to foretell futures.
• Emelyn Tahn Echen, close advisor to the king, quietly favours Roseline Luneste as heir, a stance that angers both Artigan and Beltran Dillestone.
• Liaseppa has stowed away in Emelyn trunk. Emelyn has fled the capital and joined House Luneste under the protection of Ragonde.
• Jarvin is staying behind with Kain in Redehall to search for Mair Dillestone

Campaign

The Burning Isle

Protagonists

Jarvin Cadwalader

Ruskin Ventro

Emelyn Tahn Echen

Report Date

07 Jan 2023

Primary Location

Redehall Castle

Secondary Location

Redehall City

Related Characters

• Artigan Dillestone
• Beltran Dillestone
• Drosta
• Eadvard III
• Emelyn Tahn Echen
• Gethin Sandoreale
• Halren Ildrafn
• Iseabail McCloughhaven
• Ishan Luneste
• Jarvin Cadwalader
• Kain Unknown
• Liaseppa Ventro
• Markham Dillestone
• Martoth Ventro
• Pendros Ildrafn
• Ragonde Luneste
• Roan Cordelaine
• Ruskin Ventro
• Sophira Sandoreale
• Titania Highmont
• Toran Antyre
• Torcal Echen