Session 20: A Time for Travel Report

General Summary

With the new arrivals settled, Aria and company set sail for Forna Vasar. Isenara checked in with her contacts that she sent back nearly a year ago, tho it seems those contacts were not interested in the arrangement. Talindra would visit her family and catch up with not much news to report. Zaelith would visit his family and mentor hoping to gain insight to the psionic resonance in the trinket he found. Bahzel would people watch upon the dock and meet a trio of sea elves. After a pleasant evening of drinking Bahzel would leave them with a laugh making sure to arrive at the Nytraven estate in time for dinner. Aelorna would visit a pastry shop she missed and would purchase her favorite treat that unfortunately Thalen just didn't get quite like this place did. Savoring the first bight she would slowly open her eyes with a contended sigh, only to notice someone across the way staring at her. With a frown she would start down the street, carefully glancing behind her to see this individual following her. At the first alley she would turn and sprint into the alley ducking behind some crates and other debris. She would hear hurried footsteps, a curse then retreating steps. Peeking out nibbling on her pastry she would move to the end of the alley and look out seeing no signs of the stalker, with a shrug she would continue about her day. Malakar would strike out on his own to explore a city that is only decades old, a novel concept to the once ancient spirit. His aimless travel first brought him to the Stonechain quarter. The industrial heart of the city and residents to many of the enslaved dwarven population. The ringing of hammer and belching of furnace made a curious chorus, but Malakar found it too loud. Deciding he would see what he could on his way back to the Nytraven Citadel he would have his attention drawn to a curious street vender, "Come one and all, get your charms and trinkets from Tir Argental! Charms of the Fae World!" Malakar would tilt his head, "How do you have things from Tir Argental?" The street vendor would smile broadly, "Ah good sir I am quite skilled at procurement of rare items lost in this world form others...can I interest you in this branch of a Drayd!?" He would hold up something resembling a stick of holly. "You need only dangle it above one you hold great affection for and see her mood soften to you! Only 5 gold!" Malakar would seem bewildered, "5 gold? Good man a dryads blessing is worth at least 10 times that! Surely sure you should keep such a rare gift." The merchant would consider and tuck the branch away as Malakar looked over other items and the near impossibly low prices, he just could not understand this man, "Sir you are cheating yourself, such rare and exquisite items from Tir Argentel are nearly priceless." Malakars commanding voice was starting to draw the attention of other shoppers. In minutes Malakar found himself in a press as the cart was swarmed by people, bidding and almost fighting over these relics of the spirit realm. Im moments the cart was picked clean and the merchant was hefting a heavy sack of coin, "My friend...I can not thank you enough! Your testimony was invaluable!" Malakar would grin, "You could share half that bag of gold." The merchant would consider, "I will do you one better," pulling for the holly branch he would gift it to Malakar, who seemed quite pleased.  

Aria would ambush her mothers dinner invitation with a fully company of her retinue, forcing a small intimate dinner to become a state affair. Cavatina's hospitality was without question, but the pointed barbs and verbal sparring between mother and daughter began almost instantly as Cavatina attempted to turn Talindra to her side. Aelorna would share an impressive composition telling the tale of the Nytraven expedition to date, which actually seemed to impress the Matron Cavatina. Malakar would share his treasure from the markets, to most folks skepticism, believing he had been taken by a charlatan. Isenara however would look on curiously, "It certainly has some power, but definitely not what the man described." As the dinner concluded and folks filtered away Aelorna would share her brief encounter with Aria, not really knowing what it was about. Aria would assign Bahzel to keep an eye on her till they departed, much to Aelornas protest. In returning to the sweets shop to stock up for the voyage east however, Aelorna would see the same elf waiting nearby and watching. As her and Bahzel started to leave she would see the man start to follow again, this time however she turned to confront him. The man would jump slightly and then turn to rush away. Aelorna would start to chase after him, leaving a confused Bahzel to turn and chase as well. Tearing thru a shop, down an alley and into another street Aelorna would soon be winded and come to a halt as Bahzel sprinted past, "Get em buddy..." she would gasp. Catching the stalker with ease Bahzel would shoulder check the man into the wall causing him to thud and sprawl across the street. Aelorna would catch up still breathing heavy as Bahzel put hands upon the man to restrain him. Holding a finger up for a moment of pause as she finished catching her breath, "Why are you following me?" The man would protest in Bahzels iron grips, "Yo...your Ysarissa," the man would struggle to answer. Aelorna would stare at him bewildered, "Who?" The man would struggle some more, "Ysarissa, wanted murderess....you changed your hair but its you." Aelorna would just stare dumbfounded, "I dont even know who that is and I have no idea what you are talking about?" The man now would seem to falter, "Yo...you aren't her? But...I" The sounds of a guard patrol coming closer and people shouting would draw Bahzel attention, "I think its time to go..." Aelorna would agree and they would make a hasty withdrawal leaving the man a bit bruised in the streets.  

With a procurement from the new treasurer, Aria found her Storm Wraith was making better time upon the open sea and they soon arrived at the Lothithil Estate north of Eglasil. Meeting the Lady Gwyr with an introduction from Lorelei, the expedition was given permission to scour the estate to see if they could find what no others could, Luthias interest in the estate. After an exhaustive search across the large estate and discussing with the staff, Isenara and Talindra would discover a long forgotten secret passage in the cellar which lead to an ancient familial crypt. Beyond the crypt an even older shrine to Ilmaren was found, and a secret treasure chamber. Within the vault were two Dragon Skulls, presumably of the first two patrons of the Lothithil house when Dragons resided on Velthanor, the families ancient sword, and an empty case that seemed to contain ancient relics of Ilmaren. Bahzel investigated the altar of Ilmaren more closely feeling a disturbance in its sanctification as the others inspected the empty case. Disappointed at first that all this proved was Luthias interest in ancient religious sites, Bahzel would produce a small token tucked beneath the altar. A coin like disk displaying the symbol of the Sol Variar cult from the Whispers in Winter text, the source of the altars disruption. Luthias was linked to the ancient cult somehow....