The Griever's Next Move
Log Info
- Title: The Griever's Next Move
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Seldan, Halani, Zeke, Jinks, Stjepan
- Place: A16: Castellum Alexandrae
- Time: Friday, June 10, 2022, 9:54 PM
- Summary: Several adventurers who have been involved with Akoniril Belvade's machinations are summoned by private invite to the Castellum Alexandrae. Seldan and Jinks arrive in formal attire, Cryo, Halani, Zeke and Stjepan simply show up. They are taken to a warded room where a diplomat, Eldbe, involved in the negotiations with Charn reveals that Akoniril has vanished six weeks ago, and left a letter. The letter holds several clues, specifically the Crimson pen and momentos, and the group comes to the decision to search for Akoniril's safe houses, starting at the one known to Eldbe.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A16: Castellum Alexandrae *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The reconstructed and restored Castellum Alexandrae looks precious little like it once did. Previously little more then a fairy-tale castle in tone, the current castle grows out of the mountains itself with carved towering walls hundreds of feet in height and adorned with towering sculptures of mythological figures from Alexandria's ancient history and towers manned by cannons and domed in reds and golds and the symbols of Alexandros' Rising Phoenix. Great bridges lead towards enormous doors of mithril, adamant and iron, forged of khazadi craftmanship and large enough to welcome the wingspan of the great dragons while sturdy enough to withstand their impact as well.
Multi-tiered like the end-all, be-alls of wedding cakes, the castle sports at least three visible walls but is likely dozens of storeys in height with it's pinnacle tower level no less then a half a mile above the ground. Emblazoned upon the second tier itself is an enormous red and gold plate depicting the fiery Phoenix of Alexandria in stylized glory. Cannons line the southern walls of the castle which merge seamlessly with the outer southern walls of the city.
All roads converge before the great bridge spans of granite that lead to the castle. A great square where stands carved likenesses of the former kings and queens of the Old Alexandria Kingdom and from this square the main road diverges north along other enormous bridge spans that eventually touch down upon streets known as The Mountain Roads.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Halani 5'4" 120 Lb Human/Xian Female Shortish, dusky skinned woman with almond shaped eyes. Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. Zeke 6'8" 239 Lb Sith-Makar Male A blue-scaled sith-makar in white Daeus vestments. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Eldbe Male A diplomat involved with Charn, beloved of Akoniril -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool 5'0" Otyugh I am stinky! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Certain related matters now being deal with, it is perhaps time to prepare for the next move with the Griever, and what HIS next moves are. Typically, Akorinil Belvade might have something to say on the matter ...
... but she's missing. In fact, asking after her leads to the understanding no one has seen her for weeks.
Worrisome, perhaps, but Taarams do come and go to their own dictates.
Still, worrying, given the risks. Each of you in turn received a missive from one of the agents of the city council inviting you to meet and 'discuss the threat from Charn as part of a strategic pairing'. The handwriting is formal, and then invitation carefully constructed and worded. Genuine, certainly, as invitation to the Castellum as you can get.
Cryosanthia arrives at the Castellum, her invitation was received. She comes in by air, flying low once she crests the city walls and following the streets up the mountain. She lands, looks around, her nostrils flaring as she takes in familiar, yet long un-sniffed, scents. Her scales look immaculate, bright white and glacial blues and she is wearing her swashbuckler's ensemble.
Her clothes fit perfectly, but she seems uncomfortable in them. Her tail hangs low and controlled behind her. A moment of concentration and her wings vanish, there is a flicker of fabric as her blouse adjusts and seals the gaps. She takes out the invitation, examines it further, and looks for someone relevant to receive it.
Fortunately, Seldan had been warned to prepare for this eventuality, although maybe this was not exactly the reason for which he had prepared. Still, his mother would have his hide for a rug if he did not know what needed to be done, and so, he has taken the time. Cut his hair back to a reasonable facsimile of what would be considered respectable in Bryn Myridorn, and after some consideration, opted to replace the usual armor with a crisp shirt and doublet in his usual deep blue and silver, with a double row of silver buttons up the breast, and matching velvet midnight blue trousers, loose enough to move in, tucked into new, low boots appropriate to noble halls. He bears jewelry to match and more, the crescent and sphere of Eluna hanging openly, and multiple rings on his fingers.
He is just a little behind Cryosanthia, although he maintains a respectful distance as he, too, prepares to offer his invitation.
Halani is perhaps the opposite of prepared for this. In fact, she looks flat out confused as she arrives. Neither is she really dressed for the occasion; formal niceties have always seemed beyond her, so she remains in her training and fighting garb. Though, at least it's not as shabby as the cleaning clothes she wears when mopping out the temple.
When she gets close to Seldan and Cryosanthia, she waves the still sealed invitation at them. "Hey, heya! I think someone made a mistake, yeah? Sent this to the wrong person."
Not even two steps behind Seldan is Zeke. The blue-scaled sith blinks once, surprised to note that he and Seldan are not the only to recieve invitation to this meeting. He stands tall and without a sign of shirking, his crystal limbs glittering in the light that surrounds them. They alone make for a remarkable sight, and Zeke seems to feel that he needs no further accoutrements. Though there is a long staff in one hand, which the sith uses to aid him in moving about. Not that he truly seems to need it, but nor would it be polite to indicate that he doesn't. "Peasssce on your nessst." He offers to everyone, his green eyes nictating once.
Off to one side and earning the third-degree, Jinks smiles innocently and holds both hands up and out wide with the invitation in plain view. How was he supposed to know attempting to walk in while invisible would he frowned upon? He has an invitation! Surely, this is some cultural bugaboo unique to tallmen.
As fancy as ever, the gnome looks slim in his smart, dark green longcoat trimmed in orange. He looks askance at the familiar faces and waves his invitation in hello. A wink punctuates the askance glance before returning attentions to the put-upon troop. He may need a moment to sort this out.
The invitations in hand, you're soon let into the Castellum proper and shown to one of the many rooms of its interior. It's beautiful in here, in an austere and commanding way. The signs of Altima's occupation have long since been repaired and wiped away, and the ever growing culture of Alexandria has replaced it. Proud testaments to its history adorn the walls, to the battles fought in its name.
Soon, you're greeted by an officious looking man in a tailed jacket. Formal wear, yes, and his bespectacled face is gazing at each of you in turn.
"I'm sorry to say that Lady Belvade has gone to ground. We've been unable to locate her. She did, however, leave a letter in the eventuality of her disappearance to me that asked me to gather you together. The letter is, of course, older than her disappearance, so bear in mind that it is perhaps six weeks out of date."
He folds his hands together.
"I'm Eldbe. I know Lady Belvade by having been a diplomat attached to the negotiations with Charn."
Seldan merely inclines his head, seeming not entirely surprised by this. Since he has not been offered a seat, he opts for a military parade-rest stance, hands tucked neatly behind him. "It may yet contain important information, Master Eldbe, and you are gracious to inform us."
"No, no. Yours is warranted, Halani." Cryosanthia says, oddly formal and turning towards the Islander's voice, "You were the one that secured the breakthrough with the Ravenlords, at best this one facilitated."
The subsequent greeting is heard. Her eyes widen a little as she examines Seldan's attire, then Jinks'. It's clear that the realization she should have dressed up, strikes now. Oh well. She nods, to the silverguard and the bluescale. "This one's nest is peaceful. Thanks."
It's all she's able to say before the group is shown in. The proud history holds her attention, though it's largely unrecognized. She returns Eldbe's bow, her hands clasped together. "This one is Cryosanthia. The undertaking I was involved in was several months ago, so this one is not sure how relevant is now."
She nods, "Yes, thank you for the invitation."
Zeke blinks at the news that this personage is missing, standing at Seldan's side comfortably. "What doesss thisss have to do with ussss? Did ssshe sstate ssspecifically that thissss one ssshould be gathered? Or merely sssome who have worked with the guild?" He has not actually, worked very much if at all with the guild, but he doesn't say this.
Halani smiles a bit at the memory Cryosanthia reminds her of. "Oh yeah. That fight was glorious." Her smile disappears quickly, though, and she's back to flapping the invitation like it's some kind of floppy toy. And yes, she noticed Jinks too, and the eye she's giving him suggests she feels he might have somehow been responsible. But her complaints do desist; even her attitude is quelled by the esteemed personage that seems to be gathered for this, and the solemnity of the event which triggered it. And no, she's not going to ask who Akornil is.
"So, for future reference: invited or no, they frown upon skullduggery on the way in." Jinks does a poor job of hiding his amusement as he futzes with his coat and joins the others. "Coyote laughs," he offers in a combination of mild annoyance and casual greeting. Then he fixes the coyote's-head pendant freshly retrieved from a certain Tsura sorceress.
One arm sweeps wide and the black-eyed gnome offers a formal bow to their attending host. Then he stands and smooths at his goatee thoughtfully while listening.
"Any chance the Lady is acquainted with a strange seer boy lost to time fond of chanting 'you have to save her..?'" The ridiculous question is posed deadpan.
"You'd have to ask Lady Belvade, but yes, you were included or you wouldn't have gotten the letter," remarks Eldbe, "Please, have a seat, all of you." He gestures around, peering at Seldan a moment like it's the first time he's noticing him gain.
Then he places his hands together on the tabletop and nods towards the letter.
"If I may..." He picks it up, unfurls it. Jinks' words get a careful nod. "We've heard that before. Something to do with Animus and the shards. It's been an occasional omen of some kind."
"Zeke, Lady Belvade is the one who informed me of this individual's activities," Seldan explains, offering a ghost of a smile and a small bow to Eldbe at the man's curious stare. It is a gesture of silent apology, of sorts. "It is relevant to our most recent journey." An oblique explanation, to be sure. "I would hear her words." The looks he casts at Zeke is intended to be reassuring.
Zeke nods then, accepting that he is necessary for this venture. He peers at the man who is unfurling the scroll then, waiting patiently for the man to reveal why they are all here.
Cryosanthia gives Jinks a very sudden and sharp glance, her ear frills rising. They slowly fold back while her stare remains. Eldbe's observation gets a nod, she moves towards the table and rests her hands on it.
Her mouth opens, then closes again. She says, "As the Silverguard described. The details should only be discussed in a Mage's Private Sanctum, or very oblique ways."
She exhales. "Events have clearly progressed. This one is out of the loop."
"They only frown if you get caught, Jinks," Halani says, close enough now give him a nudge and keep her voice low as she squats to listen to the diplomat. "You need more training." She looks doubtful when Eldbe insists that her receiving the invitation was deliberate.. but she lets it go. She's here, now, after all.
"The Castellum's rooms are warded against scrying and all forms of detection," replies Eldbe, "but if you'd prefer to weave any of your own into those defenses, you're more than welcome to do so. I'm fine with it, so long as it won't disrupt anything else." He's going to hold off a moment to let people take their precautions.
The gnome gives a click of the tongue and nods at Eldbe only to shake his head at Halani. One gnimble hand is lifted and his jeweled rings glitter as he signs 'silent as the grave' to Halani. Finally, he sidles up to the table, drops his hands into his pockets, and prepares to listen.
GAME: Seldan used a Scroll of Mage's Private Sanctum.
Although Seldan had left much of his gear behind, he did bring a beaten leather satchel of the sort a student might carry, and had allowed it to be searched at the Castellum gate. Now, he pulls from it a tube, and sorts through the tube's contents, until he finds the one that he wants. "Another of the scrolls that I had purchased as part of preparing to face Salina," he murmurs mildly to Zeke. "Mercifully, such has not for some time been required of me, until now."
He lays the scroll on the table and reads it over, then chants several arcane phrases. The scroll crumbles into a fine dust, and a gold-silver-blue glow that had formed around its edges scatters to the edges of the room, and vanishes.
"I am reminded to inform Lady Cor'lana that that spell was a component of the wards, but it is no matter, now." He turns to the others. "Speak freely."
Zeke seems to relax a pace with the spell in place, but he still offers nothing further to the conversation for the moment. Instead he remains looking at the man whom holds the scroll expectantly.
Halani rolls her eyes... just a little bit... at the gnome, but nods, popping back up to her feet so she can step over and pull out one of the chairs and drop herself into it instead. Then she waits somewhat patiently as Seldan reads aloud his magical script. Her hands going together and her thumbs rolling around each other is the only sign of her fidgeting as she finally waits to hear what the meeting is about.
Some of the stiffness leaves the whitescale as the spell is cast, her weight sinking more on her palms as she supports herself on the table.
"As this one recalls, there was a power struggle in Charn, the followers of Taara descendant, the followers of one, named Grauthis the Grievor, ascendant."
"He has a Shard of Animus, that has been formed into a guantlet that allows him to see through illusions and deceptions. He was using this to secure power, uncover traitors, see connections."
She looks around the table, locking eyes briefly, "This one is uncertain of the extent, but it would allow him to know how we were related, and if we were discussing him, that it was occuring."
"I think." Cryo rubs her forehead with the back of her hand, "I've had trouble keeping that straight and many distractions. Anyhow."
"Halani, Braelnoir, Thyrson and I went to the Ravenlord's lands, neighbouring Charn, to find out what they knew about the Greivor, and their plans. We offered assistance and secured their ... cooperation."
"This one knows that Rune's protections: the Watchwood, and Llranost's: The Greatwood with the Veil, were relevant." She glances at Seldan, "This one will guess you had some involvement there. We had other avenues we were going to explore, the mercenaries being hired, dealings in Veyshan."
"Some other adventurers were sent, not by this one. Information has not been shared much."
The Watchwood is thought to have stemmed from the Veil. So, a good and great wood.
"This one thinks Mikilos went to Rune. We did not discuss it." The whitescale finishes.
Halani's eyeroll earns her a grin before Jinks makes some effort to smother his amusement and listen to the dire matters at hand. He whistles low at Cryosanthia's recitation and then offers a quirk brow in prompt to their host.
"Dear beloved," begins Eldbe as he reads from the letter, "If you're reading this, then I have been summoned back to Charn. Our time together, however brief it has been, will be cherished forever and in my heart. I will keep our time together close to my heart, remembering our readings of the Crimson Pen's latest together. The mementos I have left for you will I hope help you brave these difficult times ahead. AS always, your beloved servant, Akorinil."
"Obviously, she's left you something, somewhere, and we need to find it before the Griever learns everything there is to know by her having been recalled to Charn."
Seldan's expression and demeanor go entirely impassive at mention of the protections on Rune and the Veil. "Mithralla is unlikely to wish to discuss the topic with anyone," he replies curtly to Cryosanthia. "He did not stay to learn the truth of the matter, although it is in my mind that he would have found it of great interest. No matter. What matters is that I have at least part of what is required. Still, we must locate these items, these mementos. Know you where she might have chosen to leave such?" he asks of Eldbe.
Cryo makes a small squeak and then sinks down, sitting on her heels, elbows on the table, hands on her face and her tail stretched out behind for balance. "I... am not ready for this level of reading between the lines."
With her palms still pressed over her eyes, she asks, "Eldbe, how much is misdirection? Did you and she cherish time together, read the Crimson Pen? Was she your servant or you the subordinate?"
"Who could possibly recall the High Priestess of Taara to Charn. There was the disturbance in the stars, how does that match the timing?"
There is another long exhale of breath, misty and visible in the room. "She enjoyed the Crimson Pen, this I know, she read of us in it. She... she had a special edition? Or if not, her personal one might be a place to start. Unless you recall a story that was a favourite, Eldbe."
"Right, right, there was a delegation looking for him and you Seldan, at one point, from somewhere, saying he was a bad elf. Miki explained... something about the Veil being a person and choosing you." The whitescale's head shakes slowly, "so that's how that piece fits."
Halani narrows one eye, while raising the opposing eyebrow. She opens her mouth, then closes it as she looks around a the others. Seldan, for example, not seeming to indicate that the letter seems rather... not relevant at all. So she raises a hand. Then lowers it again. "Not so obvious to me," she mumbles. "I thought reading the Crimson Pen with someone was secret talk for.. well.. you know.." She makes a quick smoochy gesture with her mouth. "But if you say so! She said the latest.. so maybe the newest?
These words mean nothing to Zeke. He shared no times reading the Crimson Pen with _anyone_. Has never in fact touched one of the editions. His eyes flicker and then he shakes his head. "Thisss one has no ssuch knowledge to offer." He looks at Seldan.
Seldan regards Cryosanthia for a few moments, levelly. "The disturbance in Eluna is another matter, but a High Priestess of Taara being recalled to Charn - Taara's faith is in considerable difficulty at this time." The admission brings something of a wolfish grin to his lips, but he doesn't answer the rest of the sith-makar's comments. The Crimson Pen is another matter, and he colors quite nicely, falling silent and scuffing his boots on the floor. "Might they be, um, hidden within her collection?"
Stjepan is holding up a wall and listening, staying quiet as is his wont. "Does anyone have a complete Crimson Pen collection?" he asks, only slightly mischievously, "So that we can read it closely.. for intelligence purposes of course."
"They still are," is what Eldbe tells Cryosanthia, "So let's be circumspect." He glances towards Seldan for a moment, then says, "Obviously," he begins, "whatever's going on has something to do with the Crimson Pen's books. I don't know where to start with that, but it's possible she hid something in one of them somewhere for you?" He places a hand to the back of his head. A nod towards Halani. "I know she had several safe rooms she prepared across the city, but I don't actually know where any of them are, personally. It is likely finding those is a good place to start." He holds his hand up.
"...but there is other news I must share."
He lets out a breath, "Charn is preparing some kind of ... purge. Whispers of mass arrests are filtering to us from our agents, only for them to go silent afterwards. He's going to dispose of any political enemies he has left, and soon, and then nothing will be able to stop him from exercising his authority through whoever's left in power at that point, assuming he doesn't parley it into a full civil war."
Zeke hisses at this latest development. It doesn't surprise him, but it's an ill tiding. "Ssshe saysss 'where we read'. Asss if ssshe read thessse thingsss with sssome-one. If not one of ussss, then whom?" He shakes his head. "Thissss one hass no ansswersss. Only more quesstionsss to add to the onesss already asssked." Which does them little good.
Cryosanthia is rubbing her foreridge with her fingertips, hands still covering her eyes. She hears Seldan's answer, the scuffing of his shoes, but does not notice his colouring. "Yes. The other mothers and this one were taking turns reading aloud. Mikilos received a delux edition from Lady Sandy, which she most definitely didn't want. There are chapter pamphlets sold in the streets. The Crimson Pen is not hard to get."
"Narrowing what to read is the challenge, like Halani suggested. The latest, or a certain edition..."
Her head jerks up suddenly, "Am I overthinking this? Is there a Secret Script magic, or Sepia Snake Sigil or somesuch on that letter, like. There's some spell instead?"
At which point her ears get around to relaying what Eldbe just said, and she stares as she processes it. "Scales." She frowns, a calculus occurring, "This one has no love for Charn, but presumably the purge will catch the least deserving and make it a far worse place. Once he's consolidated power, he will move on other locations with a solidified force."
Halani's expression is that of one trying to put together a puzzle. Or maybe trying to see what the puzzle is. She holds up one of her hands, then starts tapping each finger.. sometimes once, sometimes twice. "Okay. So. She specifically invites us, yeah? And she liked to read stories of us, yeah? Well, big problem there. I'm not in them, right?" She looks at Eldbe, as if to say 'told you I got it by mistake'. "So maybe look at the latest stories of each of you, yeah? Maybe find the clues there?"
"Even so," Seldan agrees, from where he had remained quiet, standing and listening. A reserve has crept over him as he listens, and there is still some color in his cheeks. "Let us begin the hunt, and swiftly."
Cryo places her hands and pushes up, standing, nodding once. "She had guards, maybe some remember her frequenting certain areas, implying a potential safehouse. I doubt she kept receipts."
The table, that note, is very interesting to her, "maybe places we met her, were significant, the gardens, the market. Something in a tin of tea she favoured..."
The whitescale shrugs, "I'm at a loss, we can't knock on every door, look for unexpected magical protections on random buildings." Cryo focuses on Eldbe, "have you searched her room, residences? This one is ready to go. The where...?"
Another shrug.
Stjepan leans back -- the wall seems like a safer place now. "Subtle. ...shit. That's going to be hard."
"The one we know of, yes, but if there's anything there, I missed it. I'll give you the directions to it," says Eldbe, quietly, nodding.
