Welcome to Rexxentrum
Session 86
Welcome to Rexxentrum. We arrive via Devon’s teleportation circle, right on the Soltrice Academy grounds in the north west corner of the Shimmer Ward, which is large and features the eight towering candles of Rexxentrum. Bubbling magic everywhere, even in the air. There’s power, wealth, and unmatched hustle and bustle. It’s late morning, and classes seem to have started. Statues, commissioned from King Dwendal I back when the Kingdom became the Empire, line the streets in honor of past soldiers and high ranking citizens. Cass describes the tower of her mistress, and Popofsky’s current residence: lots of stained glass and pointy roofs. There are many rooms and vertical movement goes through holes in each of the floors. Who needs stairs when you can fly?
Visible in the near distance is Castle Ungebroch, the royal home of King Bertrand Dwendal, has a grand terrace that includes several military outposts, and is a building of dark-colored stone, multiple towers, and large stained glass windows. Devon recommends that we take time to explore the city with him as an opportunity to get to know him a bit. We take rooms at Camarouth Cottage, a well appointed 3 story yellow stone inn. Nearby are The Tangles, which is a very “old city” with marketplaces, shops, and industry. There is also Thaydeen’s Endless Emporium of Enchanted Eccentricities, one of the only places in the city authorized to sell magical scrolls to non-Assembly members.
(Insert 8 assembly members here?) Picture from discord?
As we’re walking around, Cass splits off to go and meet with a confidante. His name is Agreik, a half-orc, who is very intelligent with big glasses. A secret knock and a gruff voice welcome her in. She doesn’t have much time and gives him the harpy egg, and will fill him in later about her new title and recent goings on. He ensures its safety by giving it to his large blue ruby-eyed croc named Gummi. No teeth, but great storage. He then pulls out two sending stones for Cass so they can keep updated about the egg. Confirms the “plan” is still moving forward. “Rumors on the street are she isn’t doing to well.” (Popofsky)
Devon brings us to a very nice little restaurant. The architecture is different from its surroundings and we see the sign Talanni’s Table as Devon says, “Mom, I have guests!” as we walk in. Carmilla is a very beautiful vibrant human woman with graying blonde hair. She welcomes us warmly and seats us at a table for guests. Devon says his father works at the castle as a magistrate. We have servings of the curry here, known for being warming and filling. Sweet and hot. There are some other patrons, but no one seems out of place; they appear to be high-class regulars.
Vivena Von Verdalock is one of the archmages, wearing the colors of the Silver Quill. She’s here with a faculty member.
Devon chats with Cass, who he thinks doesn’t seem as enamored with the place as she should be. Lotus talks about how he thought they ate rats here; but secretly enjoys the food. Devon and the gang toss out ideas about what to do with the dagger, while also discussing the history of releasing Raokan before. Cass remembers that what captured him and was able to allow him to be released is very different from that which might be required to destroy an actual Arm of the Betrayers.
As we are leaving to go see Orius, Briya gives Carmilla a jar of Dyolet jam; “Oh, that’s the second time this week that someone has made an offer of special jam; he said he had a cart in the marketplace.”
Devon messages ahead to Orius to let him know we’re on our way with the blade and… the body. He replies to bring us up to his office and to take the long way because he’ll need to get ready.
There’s a shopping montage, while learning more about the city. We see lots more statues everywhere. Some are colorful, some are painted and dressed; a big part of the “vibe” of the city. Some places in the city have little demarcated carve-outs that hold spheres. Quandrixx school students, seen by Æsheryn, put their hands on the spheres and they have a “moment”. Devon says they’re new devices in town, and instructs us on what Orius has done for the city these decades. Magical innovations galore, including these that feed the Arcane Repository. They’re “giving away” their magical resources (spell slots). Obviously in time of war, it’s preserved for emergencies. But the long-term hope is more useful for mundane things as well. The potential is endless. Æsheryn wonders how and where they store all this magical power. Cass wonders how safe it is. We don’t know these answers.
We reach the tower, and Devon knows how to “call the door” which can appear anywhere you are on the ground level. A sort of pre-programmed stoneshape that makes the door for you. Inside are stairs, art pieces, tapestries, paintings, history; Empire. Some are as old as the Founding. Orius is a lover of the arts and it shows. Æsheryn is in awe of it all.
Orius is sitting in his office in an armchair with the door open. He has a glass of cognac sitting by the fire, and is surprised Devon is back already. We sit and have a conversation. He conjures a floating disc for us to “display” Maltheo. He’s quite skilled at telekinesis and other mental magic. He inspects the blade for quite some time and congratulates Devon on finding it so quickly. He confirms that, dead or alive, Maltheo is still attuned to it. Until that connection is broken, it cannot be removed and he can’t be resurrected. Around the windows and double-doors, yellow glyphs light up in abjuration magic. Even some illusion. Runes have been triggered to make the Private Sanctum spell.
“As leader of the Assembly representing the voice of our King, it is my duty to inform you: your goal of setting this person free aligns with ours to destroy the weapon. It is simply too dangerous to be in anyone’s hands. One good way to destroy it is to bring it back to where it was forged. And… that place is extremely close, here, in Rexxentrum,” as he points to the Chantry of the Dawn. It’s a large temple dedicated to the Dawnfather. “Rexxentrum was built around it actually. The Chained Oblivion had a nexus under this cathedral. It would make sense it was built underground there. It also marks a nexus of ley lines. It’s only a theory of course, but going back there may lead you to the location of its forging”.
“But to save the item, too, the means of entering this blade without destroying it, isn’t the same. They’re unknown to me and would be down darker paths. There are those who would know; outside the academy, outside the confines of the safety of the Assembly”.
He’s not being deceitful. We can plainly see that his love of art, and being a connoiseur of magic and niceties — of course he doesn’t want it destroyed.
Orius has multiple arcane focuses; he truly wants to cast something to speak with Maltheo, or at last try. He goes to his platinum white staff and in an unbroken walk around the body is making complex somatic motions that have obviously taken many, many attempts to perfect. He cases Speak with Dead.
Maltheo’s face contorts in torture, agony, tears. Orius is sweating with exertion.
We ask if we could bring him back with or without the dagger, what does he want? Maltheo’s spirit replies, in full agony, “I cannot finish my work without it. Do anything to bring me back with the dagger.
The spell ends, and we’re sent out of the room as he hands Devon a folded piece of parchment with the information we need. Though, unbeknownst to us, Devon knows there’s additional writing only he can read with his special goggles. Orius wrote the name of a bar in the Court of Colors. The Assembly should not be seen there, so we’ll need to dress accordingly. The private part reveals in high arcanum that, “They’re a friend to Devon’s patron and we can trust them”.
Devon changes outfits, and then we’re off to “the bar”.
