To the Gilded Gargoyle

Session 87

We walk from the Shimmer Ward to the Court of Colors. Rexxentrum is a hilly city, well placed in a large valley. The Court of Colors isn’t the most pristine part of the city. There are colorful flags hanging from windows, paintings, revelry and merriment. A chill vibe too. Most of the statues here have been painted or modified in some way. We arrive at the Gilded Gargoyle. The name is familiar to Devon, but he doesn’t frequent this part of town so he’s not sure why. The symbol of the gargoyle though is something that may have been passed around in school; it’s the place where the “bad students” go.

We realize that the “straight A student” brought us to where the dropouts and derelicts go. Inside are kegs and barrel lining a long bar. A handsome half-orc named Celery tends it, wearing rolled up sleeves with an apron. There is a set of stairs to the second floor on the right of the bar and other patrons are here: a group of 3 near Devon’s age. At the bar are two others dressed in black wizarding garb. And a few others at a pool table in the corner.

Æsheryn realizes everyone notices him (and the group) walk into the bar. The bartender goes slightly alert and reaches under the counter. Devon sees a shimmery red-gold aura around the bartender and the entire corner where the pool table is shimmering like a pocket of hot air; there’s a door behind them. His goggles seem to be able to detect these sorts of things.

Devon and Celery chat. He admits he can see through the illusion. Celery wants to know who sent him and tries to get a read on Devon’s mind but doesn’t get much more than surface thoughts. He warns us that Assembly members aren’t often welcome here. We can go through the door, but whomever sent us should know not to give away the location without asking first.

We go through the illusion; it’s extremely well done magic.

Beyond the door, we find the speakeasy. The entire back of the tavern is much better lit; purple velvet curtains draped everywhere. Devon, Lotus, and Cass are relieved at the new look. Dark wooden floors. Nice central table. All along the walls are half-moon shaped alcove upholstered booths with curtains to keep things quiet. Stained glass lamps hang from the ceiling. A halfling woman is playing a large harp for ambience. Hanging also from the ceiling are half-bat/half-earth-elemental gargoyles. They’re invisible and we get the immediate sense that they’re acting as security.

Æsheryn sees half-closed and fully-closed booths; others are open. Privacy is in mind, as it is difficult to tell who is where and doing what. But in a curved booth sitting by herself is a hooded woman wearing a midnight-blue scarf, so her the braids are hard to see. She’s Dwarven and in her mid-30s with black and tan skin. Clear eyes. She’s playing with a full glass of red wine. At the same, time Prophet recognizes Isabelle. She helped kill Kra’naelen, and we saw her aligned with Raokan, but still don’t know why.

Briya immediately telepathically warns Devon to stop approaching her, and that we all need to talk. We sit and order drinks, close the curtain, and discuss her, and the deaths of Kra’naelen, Mint, and Maltheo.

Devin says to her as some of us approach, “To the health of Desirat!”

“You don’t waste time.”

“I hate wasting time.”

He talks about the pickle we’re in, and introduces Æsheryn and Lotus. She’s looking to hire a party and has been meeting people for a week trying to find anyone to fit the requirements. We tell her we were told she may be able to help us with our “friend trapped in a dagger”.

She fires quick rapid questions at us.

• Yes we have the body
• Yes it’s fresh
• Blade of Broken Mirrors

She knows exactly what we’re talking about and what’s involved. She doesn’t remember having seen the weapon, but is writing notes all the same on parchment to keep track of different things. She knows of the rites and where they may be performed but getting to the right location is a problem. “Coincidentally, this is why I was looking for a party… the best I can offer is the Sanguine Severance. It’s a complex blood curse not without risk. It does allow a person such as me to curse someone into breaking attunements they may have. With the proper location, I could perform this and break your deceased friend’s attunement to the blade.”

She mentions the Claret Order, living in a region of Zadash, which is the ex-capital of the Julous Dominion. They are monster hunters specializing in hunting with different kinds of magic. War with Dwendalian Kingdom at the time; the Julous Dominion had to give up the crown and be absorbed by them. Outside Zadash is the last remaining stronghold of the Dominion Royal Line. Within the walls of the castle there is the Crimson Ziggurat; but the Claret Order has claimed it as their own and is where they train new recruits. “They’ve been a thorn in my side. I want to retake that stronghold. It’s my ancestral home.”

Æsheryn insightfully sees that she is desperate.

Briya casts Gaes at 7th level for a 1-year effect on Isabelle, but she avoids it, and is then silvery barbs-ed by Cass, whose gift of gab pearl that Briya uses makes her forgets she’s been Gaes-ed. Isabelle still recognizes Briya, though. “I guess we have agreed to not hurt each other. Let’s get it done.”

First, we must get to Zadash. Assuming it’s the blood nether, it will be unpleasant. “We’ll meet again in two days, since you may have other business here. I like to avoid killing, if possible. But they may need convincing by force.”

We split ways. Lotus looks for a dueling piano bar. Devon wants to set up a meeting with Taversky for Lotus (via Orius). Cass spies on Popofsky. Æsheryn can’t find a temple to Corellon so goes and has a pint and prays. Briya looks for a Lawbearer shrine.

Æsheryn - “Psst. You wanna buy a potion?” a tall, skinny man with wide-brimmed hat and weird beard makes crazy innuendo with him. But, has a skull potion container that Æsheryn buys for 40 gold.

Lotus - dueling piano fight where he loses against a raging barbarian, but “the Song of Creation” is recognized by an old man.

Devon - meets with Orius. Says he can get a meeting with Taversky. Explains the whole thing with Isabelle to him, including Julous Dominion and Dwendalian Empire and Zadash. Assume she’s planning something not good for the Empire.

Cass - in her caped hoodie, flies toward Popofsky’s tower. Spies on her and her laboratory. It’s been converted into a gym and martial arts area. Most traces of Astoria’s materials are gone.

Briya - Walking back to the temple of the Lawbearer. She hears “Briya Greenleaf, well I’ll be damned.” It’s Uncle Greenleaf, Briya’s greatfather’s brother. Briya explains about adventures, traveling with the Librarians, being on the quest for the new key for the Thicket. Then how she got sidetracked into fixing portals to the Feywild. Now Zadash is next for some ancient feud between blood wizards of some such ilk. “That’s wild!”

He sits and explains that one week ago he came here to petition the King for help, but got his dates wrong; “It’s a week from now, but I’m doing my best to spread the word until then. People became interested in our forest when the protections fell. But that they’re not for sale and super duper ours! Disagreements followed, and they’ve ended up taking a part of it against our wishes. Harvesting the fruit! But doing it with no natural regard. It’s bad for the ecosystem and I’m worried what’s going to happen if they continue. And they might figure out the thing about gaining telepathy after consuming it for years. I’m trying to get a petition by proving the natural stuff is better than the Empire’s version…”

Briya says the signatures might not mean much. But offers to sign it anyway, though fails an investigation check. She offers to help him next week because perhaps we have pull with higher-ups now. She also gives him the Fire Ashari trinkets we found on their dead members in Mount Mentiri.

Late at night in the temple, with almost no one around. Briya sits there and doesn’t know what to do. Her family is in trouble from the Empire’s pressure; the Thicket is threatened. She’s the envoy of Harmony’s Embrace, but doesn’t feel like it. She falls asleep in the temple where an acolyte wakes her the next morning and says the day is about to start. He even compliments her armor’s impressiveness, recognizing the designs on it. Briya wonders if someone higher up might know more, and intones that she’ll be back later.

We discover that Taversky is away on business, so we’ll have to wait to see her in a few days. Instead, we meet with Isabelle and prepare to Tree Walk to Zadash and the stronghold of the Crimson Ziggurat.