Session One Hundred and Fifty-Four (Graveyard of Empires Summary)
Session 154 – Interlude
12:30PM 18th Maz-Relden, Clock readsL 00:00:00:03:27
After meeting with Jardin and making our demands, we head to our estate to wait for his answer.
On our way we stop by the Mapmakers to pick up the key, Cutty hands us the key and returns to his mourning.
At the estate we settle-in and discover that progress was made, yet there’s more to do. As we take a look around Ronin grabs a couple of bottle of wine and Thorfus’ monkey goes to the “burial” tree and whistles for a while (keans).
Four hours later, Jardin arrives with news. He agrees to provide us with the blood and tries to discover whom we’re trying to revive (he consulted with empire sages and found out). We didn’t tell him. He also brings a mini steam engine for Ronin and more power cells.
We try negotiating for the skiff plans, but Jardin wants more than we’re willing to give.
We also get our stipend of 250 gp each – or 1250 gp – which we place in the house fund.
We go to the Ark Temple – to see our friends that were affected by Sarathos’ shenanigans. We find them in the dungeon. The militia gave us trouble until a Grey Cloak (Larens), who works with the clerics attending the afflicted, cleared it all up once he recognized us.
When we ask about the afflicted he explains that despite treatments (magical & non-magical) there have been no improvements… he finds it odd.
The clerics look tired and worn, but one, Iscipio (a jr. acolyte), agrees to take us to see our friends. He explains that they take care the physical needs of the afflicted and read to them.
We see Em first – she’s restrained for her own and the baby’s safety.
She speaks of magic flying fish (Dreys?) – says the fish wants the girl dead (looks down to belly) – Magic Fish keeps his promises. Mentions the Frogs that abducted her, and then some other parts of her past veiled in metaphors and lunacy. Chuck and the others believe the she’s referring to Sarathos – Edan, not so much, but he never liked the devilfish anyways. She mumbles : 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Seems that she’s aware of her history.
Admiral Dykenson – believes everyone is Grel in disguise.
Admiral Duffeld – naming fishes and dishes – recipes.
Aardman – gives his aliases, says he’s been everyone – rather everyone is an alias of him.
Aleric Winterberg – stories about tunnels – tiny little elves with dark skin live in them (drow?).
Shartaine (Merindor’s Librarian) – talks about people poisoning him, believes we’re here to poison him.
The other afflicted we less interesting or no one we know directly.
We return to the clerics, they tell us that they’re discussing moving them to more comfortable accomodations in the palace – Thorton seems to be agreeable to that but hasn’t given his go-ahead. (What about our estate?)
We go to the ruined cathedral – still barely together – services are suspended and the statue of our former henchman still together – surprisingly.
We go in regardless of the signs telling us to stay away and we find Chuck’s order’s master is using the Patriarch’s old room. He recognizes Chuck who introduces Ronan and Thorfus and Edan (still invisible) after he noticed Edan despite it. (Should have moved silently)
He knows about the coming invasion – he knows that we know.
He explains how he was abducted, and how he was convinced by their evidence, some that we provided.
Chuck explains our experience – and he counters that he plans to try to retake Lonely Island . Chuck maintains that it would not be wise.
Not many dragons in the empire apparently – especially those from the beginning, and the younger generation are few likely from a low birthrate.
Chuck explains shadow stepping, DBLs and deamons. His master has already observed shadow stepping and is ready to experiment with it, though more cautiously after having been told about DBLs and deamons.
Chuck tell his master that he’s left the order to become a fighter. He’s disappointed and hopes that he’ll continue working towards the same goals.
Chuck reminds him not to trust the Devilfish – they may be gone, but they’re still around.
We leave to go to the “gambling House” where Ronin has some contacts.
We’re followed by Owayne – Wants to know what we’re up to so that he can report back to Dreys – we tell him that we’re looking for the sub. Tells us they carried it out – but not sure where – likely the main temple or the smaller one on the floating shipyard. He tells us they’re heading south towards the Serpent’s Tooth, where exactly or why he doesn’t know. He’s following Drey’s orders.
At the G.House – Ronin speaks with his buddy and we find out the Sub is next to the small temple of Merendor in a warehouse.
Edan followed Ronin invisibly and noticed references to Scarnwode Camp – lots of expensive mercs and “food for the plants” – likely where they’re making Dog Froth.
Next step? Druid compound – find out where Canis is.