The Story

Session XIII (RL: 11/16/02)

• September 11th, 183 2C. Shortly before dawn, the Redwing, containing Captain Jen, Firstmate Dale, Creyton Grey, Anastasia Zakharov, Thurton Gromst, Sperin Tramil, Aliana Moonsong, Kira Achado, Celene Shadowwren and Morinskar lands near a small barn not too far from Flagaton Pol. Dale and Jen get the skyship secured inside the barn. Morinskar stands at a window, staring toward the city anxiously. Everyone else unloads their gear from the ship, then crashes in the barn. Jen and Kira share a private conversation before they prepare for sleep, mentioning that the Guild is divided in its loyalties. As people drift off, Dale can be seen sitting on the Redwing and thoughtfully watching Morinskar. People wake around midday to a rainy day, as if the Empire were crying over the blood spilled the night before. Ana, Thurton, Sperin, Aliana, Kira and Celene discuss what they want to do. According to Morinskar, he needed to get to the Imperial Tower. What was the best way to get into the city? Kira explains that there are secret tunnels that can get them into the city. Jen, overhearing this, mentions she can take them that way, where they will be able to stay at a safehouse for a little while. They decide this is best and will leave once Dale takes care of some other business. Creyton mentions the city is filled with bad memories for him. Ana mentions that she predicts much political turmoil ahead. Jen drools over Morinskar. Thurton plays a bit with Fuzz. Creyton points out to others the Imperial Tower in the distance. Dale returns and he asks Celene a few questions about her uncle before he leads them to a trap door, disguised on a nearby hill. Dale leads everyone down through some tunnels which eventually opens up to some sewers. Aliana gets a bit dirty in the crossing. Then, it is more tunnels before they are in a safehouse and, basically, arrested by the Guild. Jen and Dale leave them locked in a room until further notice. People start freaking out a bit. Morinskar is very agitated. Kira picks the lock. They wait a bit longer when Dale returns. He talks to them a bit, then some other men come. It is explained that they will each be questioned. They are lead off in groups or alone. Some wait for awhile to be questioned. Others are questioned right away. While in the room, Kira mentions that she trusts Jen and her uncle Max, but no one else. She gives Sperin a book about Cold Fury. Eventually, everyone is questioned by either Max, Jen, Dale, or another gentleman. Jen flirts a bit with Sperin. Max then says they are free to go and the group asks him to take them to Senator Evan King. Max leads them through more tunnels and out into the southern part of the huge city of Flagaton Pol. The city is huge and amazing. Max leads Creyton, Ana, Thurton, Sperin, Aliana, Kira, Celene and Morinskar by some gypsies, a gnome, some parks, and mansions until they finally reach Evan King's estate. Celene gets them in and, after a brief audience with her uncle, food and lodging. Mr. Smith is there. Thurton tells the Senator they are there because of the Senate seat for Akia. Mistyn, bodyguard for the Senator, is also present. He seems very fond of Celene. Celene makes it clear to her uncle that she doesn't trust everyone in the group and later makes it clear she doesn't like the group lying to her uncle. The Senator mentions that there is a good chance that one or more of them will be asked to speak before the Senate in the near future. Much needed baths are provided to everyone. Morinskar states that his time to awaken is very soon. Celene talks a bit more with her uncle after everyone else goes to bed. Aliana and Celene both have notable dreams.
• September 12th. It is a quiet day at the Senator's estate. People finally have some time to relax. Creyton does just that. Sperin spends the morning training. Thurton inspects the stables and rides a horse within the grounds. Celene catches up with her uncles servants, some of whom she seems close with. Ana and Aliana go shopping. They get quite lovely outfits to appear before the Senate in, in addition to spending some time bonding with the gypsies. It seems that Ana has some sort of kinship with them. Kira reads the book on Cold Fury, then heads into the city herself. Celene explains to Creyton, Sperin and Thurton, and eventually everyone else, that they will be having dinner with her uncle and another Senator. The rest of the day passes. People prepare for dinner and, eventually, they are called down. They meet Senator Marone from Rickfield South. During dinner, they learn that Lord Elis is a Senator from Bandit Keep in northeastern Threforfar with a claim to be a direct descendant of the kings of old and that his army now camps just outside the walls of the city. Politics are discussed and dinner seems to be pleasant enough until Morinskar bluntly states at one point that Marone is lying. This, of course, leads to a quick deterioration of dinner. Marone storms off. King tries to console him. Creyton is amused. Right or wrong, the group comes to the conclusion that Marone is in league with Lord Elis and is providing the Bandit King with information. They convene in Creyton's room to discuss this and other things. They don't feel safe. Keeping watch out the window, Kira spots a pair of figures talking on the grounds. She uses her Dragon Sight to identify Marone and Dale parting ways. Sperin races down, but they're gone by the time he gets there. When Sperin returns, the group decides they'll leave since they don't feel safe. Everyone gathers their things and they're almost ready to go when suddenly Ana warns that the Senator is in danger RIGHT NOW! They race downstairs, fully armed, where the Senator is skulking and drinking wine. Scared, the Senator calls to Mistyn to protect him. Shouting ensues, everyone highly strung with everyone else. Out of the darkness, something strikes Senator King and he drops. An assassin drops in to finish the job, dressed from head to toe in black. The group leaps to action. Aliana rushes to the Senator. Everyone else moves to engage the assassin, who is a badass, taking on everyone at once. Creyton prepares an arrow. Thurton is knocked out cold, his nose shattered. Mistyn is avoided. Aliana's magic seems to have no effect on the assassin. Sperin's nose is broken as well and he takes quite a number of other bruises with little to show for it. Kira throws knives. Having the assassin somewhat surrounded, Ana and Celene manage to each wound him with their swords. The assassin, realizing these people might actually be skilled besides Mistyn, goes into a defensive mode, jumping, flipping, ducking and dodging. Creyton shouts, "Duck!" and launches an arrow that bursts into a barrage! Leaping up, the assassin grabs a tree branch, dodging the entire bunch. He then decides to retreat entirely, vanishing over the wall and out into the city. Kira warns not to follow. Performing another miracle, Aliana heals the wounded and poisoned Senator. This seems to distress the man. Quick conversation is had, revealing much more of the truth than had been before. The Senator decides the send the group to a secret, safe place. The Petunia Club. He will contact them when it is time for them to go before the Senate. Mistyn asks Celene to be careful. They are led to the secretive, underground club by one of the house guards. After the guard passes a note from the Senator to a madam of the house, the group is shown to a private room within the club, clearly designed to provide rather naughty pleasures to wealthy patrons. Sperin decides to drink to kill the pain. Creyton goes out to get Sperin a drink and he also hooks himself up with some devil powder. Creyton talks briefly with Ana and others about being the leader. Aliana performs yet another miracle, healing Thurton's shattered nose, but this leaves her near exhausted. Celene curls up in the corner, trying to deal with everything she has witnessed, including the fact that her uncle belongs to such a club. Morinskar is still agitated by everything, pacing like a caged tiger. Ana tries to figure out what to do next. Aliana prays to Morinskar for help and he grants it, rejuvenating her somehow. Morinskar and Thurton briefly discuss the Dragon Staff. Kira and Ana watch Creyton put himself quite under the influence of the powder. Ana points out to him as the two lay platonically in the bed together that he shouldn't do that; that the group is counting on him for protection and he can't protect them in this state. Kira checks to see he didn't take a lethal amount or anything. She also confiscates the rest of his supply. Creyton's stoned state spurs a heated argument. Ana and Aliana call him weak. Sperin tells them to leave him alone. Creyton rambles on about random things, but there are some barbs to his words. It is learned that drugs had something to do with his dismissal from the Rangers. He eventually passes out, but the argument goes on, heating up between Sperin and Aliana. Aliana is about to try to "heal" the high from him, but Sperin argues vehemently against this. Celene and Kira think that Aliana should leave Creyton alone as well; that she shouldn't play Highlord, deciding what he can and can't do to himself. Aliana concedes not to heal him and people go to bed angry.
• September 13th. One of the working girls delivers breakfast as well as a note for Kira. The note says that Morinskar isn't safe. It is from Jen. After much debate, the group decides that even the Petunia Club isn't safe. If someone gets to the Senator, they'll know where they are. They compose a note for the Senator, telling him they'll meet him on the stairs of the Senate the day the Senate convenes and they leave the club. They head across the southern part of the town, as Ana suggests, to stay with the gypsies. During the trip, they spot a few of Lord Elis' men inside the city. Again, by vouching for them, it seems Ana can get them refuge with these wandering people. They meet Sven, who is the young caravan master. He can't be more than 18 years old. He invites them into his wagon and offers some vodka and spicy food. Sperin accepts the offer for the food and, surprisingly, handles it. People rest, as most are exhausted, in the wagon until music that evening awakens them. It seems the gypsies, within their circle of wagon, are having a dance around a bonfire. Morinskar goes off, staring up at the Tower in the moonlight, looking between two of the wagons. Celene, sound asleep, stays in the wagon. Creyton and Sperin chat for a bit in the wagons before Sperin heads outside to join the party. Thurton and his Dragon Staff stand near the edge of things. He politely declines several attempts to get him to dance. He seems more interested in observing things, including Morinskar. Kira, Aliana, Ana and Sperin join in the party. Ana becomes the target for Sven's knife throwing antics. Sven's sister tries to pick up Morinskar, but can't even get him to look at her. The evening winds down. Sven tries, without success, to sleep with Anastasia. Sven's sister has better luck with Sperin and the pair disappear behind a wagon, leaving how far things go to some speculation. Eventually, everyone returns to Sven's wagon and sleeps.
• September 14th. Finally some sightseeing. The group gathers their things and head to the Imperial Tower after thanking Sven for his hospitality. They wait on the steps of the Senate and observe the arrivals of several Senators. They see people from all over the Empire, including one who arrives on an elephant. Some of the Senators seem like weathy, powerful nobles, others seem like they could be from Akia. Some have entire entourages. Some arrive alone. Marone arrives, giving the group a look, but no comments. Eventually, Senator Evan King arrives with Mistyn. They climb the steps and, as Senator King's entourage, are allowed into the Senate Hall. The vast chamber has seating for the Senators down front and for everyone else high in the back. They see a dark elf, which is something none have ever seen before, observing things. They spot Captain Clifford of the Imperial Guard as they keep the room safe. Once everyone is settled, the proceedings begin. Just over half (25/47) of the Senators are present. Dale is there. Several items of business are discussed and debated. Senators give speeches. After about two hours, Aliana and Thurton are asked to come forward. They do so and address the governing body, for the moment at least, of the Empire of Threforfar. Aliana declines, on behalf of her uncle, a hereditary seat on the Senate. Thurton speaks on behalf of the people of Akia and that they would be honored by a seat on the Senate, which sparks the debate, after they are done speaking, of the future of the Senate. Some want a true republic, others to elect an Emperor, still others to divide into the old kingdoms. There is much grandstanding and debate. Then, Lord Elis, Senator of Bandit Keep, arrives. He is wearing full platemail and carrying a sword, dressed in black and grey, the colors of his house. This causes more chaos. Six of his guards arrive with him. Lord Elis debates with Senator King and others. Things get heated. Senators begin shouting at each other. Elis declares that the Kingdom of Joymont is independent of the Empire of Threforfar! Further arguments erupt and things get even more intense. Elis wishes to be declared Emperor of Threforfar. The Senators form three camps, those who support Lord Elis, those against him, led by Senator King, and then those who stay out of it. More shouting and things fall completely out of order. At the front of the room, Elis declares himself Emperor of Threforfar and disbands the Senate. Sounds of combat can be heard outside the room. Those who speak against Elis are declared guilty of treason. The doors to the room explode open and the combat spills in. Captain Clifford is fighting three men wearing black and grey. Fighting and chaos burst out all over. The Imperial Guards and the rest of Elis' men launch into combat. Senators begin to flee. Their bodyguards move to help them. Sperin keeps an eye on Dale. Senators try to avoid the fighting and some head back down. Creyton mentions that he has a shot and can take Elis out right now. Aliana pleads with him to take it. Ana, and most of the others, are the hand of caution and advise against it. Thurton mentions that they should help Clifford. Ana says the group should stay focused on what they're hear for, and that is getting Morinskar to the top of the tower. Elis, going bezerk, draws his sword and advances toward the Senators, who panic. Mistyn starts running down the stares toward the Senators and the group follows. Under Ana's direction, they select a door near the bottom, leading deeper into the base of the Imperial Tower. With a few issues navigating the steep steps, the group manages to get to the floor. Elis has killed a couple of Senators. King, still shouting at Elis, is being dragged away by Mistyn. Kira gets the door opened and in goes the group. They begin to wander the halls, searching for a way into the Tower proper. Morinskar takes the lead. He is hardly looking or acting human. They wind their way in. Encountering two men with hand crossbows, the group has an around the corner shootout and gets the worst of it. Creyton is hit and poisoned. Aliana tries to heal him. Morinskar advances on the two men and, after getting hit several times, destroys them with great savagry, crushing one's skull in his bear hand. Kira lends him support as he does so. She gets wounded as well, dizzied from the poisoned arrows. Thurton carries Creyton. Ana says they are being followed. Morinskar keeps pressing ahead. Dale comes running up behind them. Celene and Sperin take rearguard. Dale takes them on, intent of stopping them for some reason. He wounds Sperin but Celene is quicker and avoids him. Thurton sets Creyton down. Vines begin to suddenly grow in the stone hallway. Ana, Celene and Sperin team up on Dale, who is baffled by the vines. Several huge hacks are made. Dale is dropped, but his broken body keeps fighting. Daggers spin magically, protecting him. Morinskar has already moved on with Kira and Aliana. He begins opening a door with light in a large column in the center or a round room. Thurton picks up Creyton and moves to follow. After a bit more hacking, Celene and Ana leave Dale for dead and move to follow Morinskar. Sperin stays a bit longer, but eventually runs, leaving Dale to die as well. Morinskar has opened up some sort of secret room. Everyone gets in and, like an elevator, they begin to rise as light swirls about the small chamber. Creyton comes to. Soon, they reach the top and enter the Emperor's Throne Room! The glass chamber is on the top of the world. They see the city below. The early evening enshrouded Empire stretches out to the horizon. There is a throne on a dais. After Aliana asks, Morinskar explains that it is the Emperor's throne and he walks up to it, standing on it. He faces everyone and claims, again, that he is the Dragon. He charges Aliana with finding the Man, reminding her of a conversation they had earlier. She agrees to do it. Morinskar then looks to each member of the party, giving them a role in this which they all accept. Thurton will be the Dragon's Staff. Sperin will be the Dragon's Sword. Anastasia will be their guide. Celene is to make sure none forget. Kira and Creyton are to protect them. The transformation begins. Morinskar begins to grow. As the moon rises, he becomes the Dragon. As he spreads his metallic wings, they shatter through the room, sending glass and the top of the tower plummeting to the city below. Wind whips across the now exposed throne room. The Dragon takes flight and makes for the east. Creyton notes that the way down is closing. Everyone rushes, then heads back down. Ana says they must now get back to the old man's island. They work their way out of the Tower. For some reason, Sperin hacks the head off of Dale's body as they pass. Working their way out the rest of the way, they pass some Imperial Guards and head down into the crazy city. Glass is all over the ground outside of the Tower. Bodies, shredded by the glass, are strewn across the park. They debate trying to get out via the tunnels. They run into some kid and Kira waterspeaks with Max. That is decided against. Ana then says maybe the gypsies can help. They find Sven and company leaving their park, preparing to move to a less noticable part of the city where they can lie low until things calm down. The gates are closed and no one can get out. They head to Senator Evan King's. There are some troops moving through town, Rangers, Knights, etc. The Senator's home is empty. They decide to climb the wall. Thurton causes a tree to help them. Aliana has some trouble with the climbing. They spot other people up on the wall in the distance. They get over without too much difficulty. Using water, Kira contacts Jen who brings the Redwing down to them. They climb on board and head east. Eventually, they land on a hidden bit of beach of the Blue Sea. There, they sleep.