Session 41: Winter Solstice Ball Report

General Summary

Preparations had been made, the castle was decorated for the longest night, a grand feast was roasting in the kitchens, gifts were wrapped with care and dignitaries from the other elven domains were arriving. The Archon of Eglasil Aranel and her entourage were first. They were polite and eager to see Aria's progress. Next was Authanar the Speaker of Summer, the only speaker to have responded to her invite, he was some how complementary and insulting at the same time, as each piece of praise came as a backhanded compliment. The Spring elf diplomat Sylwen would arrive last, she seemed to have known Zaelith and dropped in upon him and his future wife first. Forcing Zaelith to show her around town and make introductions with Aria. The first day of the festival was filled with games, drink, song and the early exchanges of gifts, but the second day, the Winter Solstice marked the zenith of the Festival and a grand ball hosted at the castle.  

The Ballroom appeared to be made of ice and dark glass, the glow of candles the only light against the darkness that was the longest night. Everyone would be in their finest and hidden behind elaborate masques. Aelorna would be conducting the music and playing the majority of the night. All of the cities nobility had also turned up along with dozens and dozens of guests, the ballroom was filled with risque evening gowns and fine tunics all carrying subtle hints of costuming to match their masques. Bahzel was moving on the perimeter watching as much a guard as a guest. Malakar was socializing with his future bride and making nice as the Dryad of Winters dream arrived. Isenara was close to Zhyrissa while Talindra relaxed until it was time for Aria to address the gathering. Zaelith arrived with both the Spring Ambassador and his wife to be, turning many a head with quiet talk and rumor. Daereth was staying near Aria as the last guests were arriving. An announcement of Eirandis Nytraven would turn Arias attention and narrow her eyes. As her step father approached her dias she would rise in her splendor and scowl slightly, "You are not the father I invited." Eirandis would feign hurt, "It is true...but when I intercepted such an invitation I could not help but keep it for myself...allow me to introduce Caelthar Quynna...an associate of mine. His brother was murdered some years ago and a family acquaintance kidnaped. He is hoping to spend a few days and see if any among your people may know anything of the older crime." The elf by Eirandis side would bow. Aria would seem annoyed but would not make a scene and invite them to enjoy the festivities.  

The Speaker of Summer would call for attention next as he proclaimed a gift for they Archon and presented a great statue that would be unloaded from his ship and prepared to be erected as a monument to her and the people of Hithfaers achievements. Aranel the Archon of Eglasil would offer her gift, an empowered crystal to allow them to use the table within the standing stones anytime not just during the full moon. The Spring ambassador a bit flushed would approach next with her gift, she would mutter to Aria, "Maybe I shouldn't have gone last..." as he presented an empty bottle with a cork. "While it does not appear much, any message you place within the bottle will reach the desk of the Sea Elves Ambassador in their new city beneath the shattered sea." Aria would beam at this gift and speak back softly, "This is assuredly my most favorite of the night, thank you." Aria would then give a speech reinforcing a new Edict where male children could inherit where no female direct heir was present, a stark change to Snow Elven tradition. She would then also elevate two houses, one for Malakar as a formal spirit turned mortal needing a seat for his now mortal coil, and House Morvashkur, rewarding Daereth by granting his sister a household in Hithfaer. This would also be coupled with her announcement of taking Daereth as her first husband. With business settled the music and dancing would resume. A late arrival would be a Human, baring no invitation but wishing to introduce himself. Ser Rhalyn would introduce himself in pasasble elvish, as a Member of the Custodea Aterna, an Imperial order interested in relics and antiquities. He had come to offer his orders service and begged pardon for interupting her party. Aria with only slight suspicious allowed him to stay and enjoy the festivities and they would talk after the holiday.  

As the night was growing on, Nythara, dancing close with Zaelith would lean in and whisper, "The Alarm in the Treasurers office has gone off..." Zaelith would frown and move towards Aria, informing her of the alarm. She would dispatch Selestiel to investigate, Zaelith would follow, rounding up Malakar and Bahzel as well to head down to the offices on the first floor of the castle grounds. As they made their towards the main gates, they would hear shouts and screams behind them. In the ball room several masqued guests suddenly drew swords and rushed the Speaker of Summer. His own bodyguards lept into action the skilled duelists of the Telimbechtar cutting thru the assailants. Malakar and Zaelith would turn to rush back. Selestiel and Bahzel continued on. The Imperial dignitary Ser Rhalyn staggered past Malakar, "Swordsmen attack everyone" he would gasp pointing towards the ballroom. As the two rushed past, the Imperial would straiten up and quietly follow after Selestiel and Bahzel. In the throne room Aelorna would throw magical darts from around the Piano as others wielded magic and drew what weapons they could to defend the Speaker and their Archon. The Assassins would instead turn out to be thieves as they swarmed the speaker and knocked the crown of the Elven Federation from his head. As they passed the crown from one to another attempting to leap thru shadows to vanish, the guest Astarlan would plunge his Rapier into the thieves chest, forcing him to drop the crown as he perished. The fight was over as quickly as it had begun as Astarlan scooped up the crown and offered it back to the speaker. As quiet fell over the ball room a single individual would clap slowly, "Well Done....", the masque figure would say pulling his mask free. Long blond hair would spill out, tipped deep red, "My apologies for disrupting your festival Archon Nytraven....our goal was my dear Friend Authanar, unworthy of the crown of his....sadly the Lady of Nyxthranis insisted a knife or two be sent your way, I hope you understand. In any case, Authanar has escaped me once more, until next time...." and in a burst of light Luthias would vanish.  

Selestiel with Bahzel behind would creep across the courtyard, all the guards leading to the offices seemed to be asleep, bound so with some magical or alchemical means. Reaching the Isenaras office, Selest would creep inside as Bahzel attempted to wake the guards. 3 Figures speaking a language she did not know would be in the vault, "Finally....this shouldn't have been this hard..." one would say. "We have company," another would say motioning out of the vault towards the door were Selestiel crept. The two men would push out and draw blades rushing her. Both thin Rapier blades woudl pierce Selestiels armor before she could retaliate, staggering back her magical daggers appearing in her hand as she threw them imbedding into the men. Bahzel would step in his armor crashing down as the third man tumbled thru his legs and began to make his way into the courtyard. Ser Rhalyn was making his way over a light war hammer in hand as Daereth and Malakar had shadow stepped down from the Ballroom. Annoyed at their sunned presence he would tip his hat to them as he passed, "Gentlemen." Zaelith was rushing down the steps and rounding the courtyard as Rhalyn reached the thief that had slipped passed Bahzel. A handoff was made and with unusually swift magic Ser Rhalyn blinked thru a teleportation spell. Zaelith seeing this would wheel and rush to the stables, taking a horse he would tear out of the castle, hastening the beasts movement as he rushed for the docks. Malakar, Daereth and Bahzel in their masquerade finery would also take horses and chase after Zaelith.  

Back in the ballroom Aria would order what prisoners could to be taken and then stormed from the hall in a furry. As things settled, Aelorna cleared her throat and sat back down at the piano and began to play. Her melody soothing the guests who remained, as Talindra invited those wishing to welcome the dawn to join her and other party goers in the upper courtyard where the stars could be watched and Aelornas music could still entertain till dawn broke.  

Hooves thundred down the streets of Hithfaer as festival goers dove and rushed out of their way. Pushing their mounts faster and harder Zaelith was in the lead his magics having faded but given his mount a good headstart over the other three. Down the cobble streets they raced. Upon the streets in the harbor district a single figure would be seen hustling towards the pier. Zaelith would draw his blade and urge his beast on. The figure of Ser Rhalyin would grow closer and closer. Cursing some to himself he would turn a scroll coming to his hands as he dispersed its magic. Zaeliths horse would thunder after him then shriek in its panic as hooves slid out from under the creature. Zaelith would be thrown 10 feet as the horse crashed to the pavement losing its footing on the grease that had appeared. Ser Rhalyn pushed on next imbuing himself with haste as he tried to make distance but Zaelith was on his feet and chasing after the slower human. Blade and hammer would clash as the Imperial would keep trying to gain distance and defend himself. Malakars horse would be the first to arrive. Pushing hard down the street he would shadowstep from his mount just before the grease, his horse having a similar fate to Zaeliths who had now risen and run off. Daereth was right behind him and found he had to drive his horse off the street to avoid colliding with Malakars fallen mount. Bahzel doing the same and darting to the other side.  

Malakar rushing forward on foot would summon an ice javelin to his hand and hurl it at the Knight, the icey spike finding home in his side and leaving a gushing wound. Cursing Ser Rhalyn would find Daereth had materialized behind him and he was now surrounded by the Magus and Guardian. He would attempt to slip past Zaelith before him, but his movement was clumsy from the Javelin wound, Zaelith and Daereth both would strike the man putting him down. From the harbor however 4 of his compatriots would emerge rushing to his aide. Zaelith would attempt to stabilize the Imperial wishing him for questioning while the others rushed forward. Zaelith was unable to stop the bleeding as Ser Rhalyn expired, retrieving the chisel he would stand and join the others in fighting the remaining agents. Despite fighting in their finest dress they made short work of the Custodea Aeterna agents cutting them down. Bahzel would go to work healing these so they would have prisoners to interrogate. By now several citizens had arrived to see what the commotion was, the city watch was ordered to confiscate the pinnace . Before the Stormwraiths crew could be gathered from the festival the Imperial Galleon had decided to abandon its landing party and craft and make for open waters.  

With all the prisoners gathered, Aria would find the shadow elf assassins unwilling to talk so ordered their execution immediatly. Aelorna would translate for Aria to the Imperials, who offered their order would pay well for their return. They had little else to offer beyond it was not personal and simply business of their order to collect and safeguard ancient relics. Aria ordered their executions as well however Nymeria asked to continue further interrogations and to drag it out, of which Isenara would also ask to assist upon. Not caring much for torture aria would reluctantly agree. The following 48 hours prove an excrutiating experience for the Imperials all while Nymeria clutched the chisel and whispered in the strange language the entity within it spoke, "Dont worry they wont hurt you...."  

The last day of the festival would be quiet and relaxing as most slept in from staying awake till the end of the longest night was marked by dawns first light. Aria however spent the morning in the Arcane tower employing its magi to scry upon the lady of Nyxthranis using an item provided by her daughter Nyvressa. The spell working they would watching the Lady Zyvara lounging on this morning in a lavish bedroom filled with ancient elven furnishings of the highest quality. In the afternoon Aria gifted her guests with fine gifts and a final feast was held. In the evening she would call her council to discuss the findings of the Scrying and decide that they should begin to investigate the Magic School nearby as it was their last lead for Luthias and he now seems to be in league with Zyvara. They decided to investigate several sites along the way and dispatch Seleste to investigate one of the ruins upon the lake, incase Zyvara was there.