Mini 16: The Council of Sonnelind Report
General Summary
14th of Keltier 1524 In the morning Galanith and Nobu are the first up. Nobu goes about his morning exercises while Galanith does some morning prayers. Isabelle is up next and heads down to get breakfast. Nobu and Galanith join her in this. While eating, the group carefully listens for local gossip. Menu:
- Bacon & Egg Sandwich 1 sp
- Omelet "Your Way" 2 sp
- Bloodhawk Eggs 3 sp
- Bacon Stuffed Bread 4 sp
Meanwhile Balthazar wakes up and sees everyone but Brienda was gone. He takes the time to read his book. At 7:30am Isabelle and Nobu returns. Balthazar tries to get to be quiet as Brienda is still sleeping however, Nobu ignores this and goes to wake Brienda. She's not overly happy with being woken up. The promise of Bacon bread is enough to remedy this though. She, Isabelle and Balthazar goes down and has breakfast with Galanith. While eating, Balthazar tells Galanith all about the book he is currently reading. At 8am, a messenger arrives and gives the group a scroll. It is an invitation to the council at 4pm. There are some terms and conditions about arrival, but overall it is good news for the party. They head upstairs after this.
The group discusses the meeting when they re-join Nobu. Isabelle goes over once again how they should speak and how much they should say. They want to appear willing and helpful in exchange for use of the Noble Libraries. The excuse they will give for wanting to research will be directed away from Brienda, but also not to mention the Umbraconti. Isabelle warns them about Mheallie and Larra. They are no good. Günther is an ally but shouldn't be open about this in front of the court. The Baroness is a magical practiser, so won't be easily fooled by lies about magic. Brienda asks that they not get imprisoned again. She doesn't want to have to break them out again. Though at least she doesn't have to baby sit anyone this time. They spend the day relaxing. Before the party leaves, she finds a mouse and strikes a bargin with it. It will go in Nobu's pocket to the meeting and allow her to magically look through the senses of the creature. She casts this spell at 3:20pm when the group arrives at the gate and is forced to watch them go into the castle without her.
The group arrives in the waiting room. There is a group that will go ahead of them, already there. They look around at the paintings while they wait. Nobu notices there is a very slight point to the Baroness's ears in the painting. Not as much as a half elf. At 4pm, they are invited into the council chambers. The group that went ahead of them for their own meeting did not come back this way. They introduce themselves. Galanith is quick to bring up the ring of the Fallen Knight that they found so it may be returned to the family. The Baroness asks why the group has submitted the letters of the good deeds and what they want. Balthazar mentions the library and the Baroness says it is a priviledge not lightly granted. The group has many good skills, but trust needs to be established first. Given who wrote the letters for the party, the Baroness is willing to give them the chance to prove themselves to the council. The members will formally introduce themselves and give them a quest. They should only select one.
The group is asked to decide before they leave and they do discuss it at length and in the end decide to help the Paladin. Father James Ardannt invites the group to his house at 8pm to discuss this further. They are asked to leave an a door at the far end of the hall opens for them to leave by.Centre
Fhiele Dhoesone - Baroness of Dhoesone (No quest offered) A black haired woman with intricate braids sits in the centre of council. Looks to be late 30s. Her ears have a slight point to them, but not as pronounced as a half elf. Her features have some elven traits to them but it's subtle. She wears a beautiful dress of blue and gold.Right Side of the Council
Clumine Dhoesone - Countess of Romiene, Wizard of Silver House, Court Astrologer of Dhoesone To the right of the baroness is another noble woman. She has some of the same features as the baroness in the shape of her face, but that is the only features they share. Her body is scrawny at 109 lbs. Her size is only 5 ft. 9 in. Her skin is fine with a florid cast to her white skin, with freckles. Her hair is a fine honey blonde. She styles her waist-length hair with lots of braids. A barn owl sits on the back of her chair, the brown on it's wings have a sparkling appearance to them. Quest: A blade for the baroness Clumine is seeking the favor of elementals found in the Crystal Grotto in order to forge a magical sword for the baroness. She has found a number of rare gems that they will like but still needs a flawless ruby and sapphire (representing fire and water) to match her emerald and diamond (earth and air). Helaene Dosiere - Chancellor of Dhoesone (No Quest Offered) Continuing to the right is a red head with hazel eyes in her late 40s or early 50s. She wears an elegant and modest dress with minimal jewellery. She is taking notes as she observes the group. She has strong features. Rhuimach Taeline - Captain General of Dhoesone, Lord of Taeline Like the Baroness, Rhuimach has a slight point to his ears and subtle elven features. His hair is a light brown and he has elven and forest symbols engraved into his armour. He looks each member of the group up and down as if assessing them. Quest: To your own kind return Some of the woodsmen have been going missing from the Warrens in the surrounding areas. Rhuimach would like the group to look into this. As much as Rhuimach isn't fond of loggers or hunters, he understands they are an important part of what supports the Capital. While this is not currently effecting the Capital, he is concerned that it might if it continues. Günther Brandt - Archdruid of Oaken Grove A Brecht man is his late 40's with a bit of white creeping into his brown beard and long hair. He wears fine clothing that has feathers and dried plants woven into it. Quest: Lar's Tor There have been strange siting at the circle and reports of strange magical occurrences. Günther would like the group to try and figure out what the issue is and resolve it or at least be able to report back more accurately what this issue is if they require more resources to resolve it. Thjobald Bjondrig - Count of Bjondrig (visitor) A man in his 50s with sandy hair and beard sits at the end of the right to the Baroness. He wears darker clothes and seems to be a mixture of fine and traveller clothes. Quest: The lost treasure of Hjalsone When the duke of Boeruine invaded Hjalsone, the jarls and tribes rose against the invaders and a great battle occurred in Bjondrig. Knowing the battle lost it is said that the jarls hid the treasures of the tribes beyond the reach of the Anuireans, swearing to recover them once the invasion was repulsed. Legend says that the jarls were slain by a band of roving knights leaving the treasure lost with only a riddle left by one of the jarls as clue to its location. He will only supply the clue if they take his quest.Left side of the Council
Daeric Dhoesone - Count of Soniele, Wizard of Heliomanse, Court Academician of Dhoesone Daeric is in his 40s and dressed in mage robes. His height is only 5 ft. 7 in. He has oily, pink cast skin. He also happens to be shaved. His hair is cropped to neck length, and looks like it's honey blond. He has blue green eyes. He favors his Anuirean heritage. A golden Eagle sits on the back of his chair. Quest: Goblin Trouble While there had long been rumors that the Red Fist goblins worshiped some strange beast it was only recently that a half mad survivor of one of their rituals described the Stone God to the court. Ever since he learned of the idol Daeric has tried to scry the Stone God and searched old texts for mention of similar statues. Daeric has found out another such statue was apparently buried in a landslide in Dharelein and one in Nolien was destroyed by the Sceptre of Vorynn, though he has yet to discover why, how, or what the Sceptre of Vorynn might be. Other legends he found warned of great danger that could be unleashed if ancient wards related to the statues were gathered and broken before it; Daeric is becoming increasingly desperate to find out more in case the stone god is a threat to the realm. He wants the group to go, find and destroy the one buried in the landslide since they have been able to do so apparently without the Sceptre of Vorynn which the texts say are necessary. Adaere Doneim - Guilder of Northern Imports and Exports, Collector of Tolls in Dhoesone A tall man in his 30s with brown hair. His clothes have a merchant quality to them but much finer. Quest: The elixir of madness Someone has stolen something from Adaere and would like the item found and brought to justice. More details about the item would be given if and only if the party accepts in private. Mheallie Bireon - Guildmaster of Northlands Exhange, stone crown Coster and Source of the Maesil A cooper haired woman in her late 30's or early 40s. Outside of the Baroness, she is the most nicely dressed person here with all the fineries. She wears the most makeup and favours orange, reds and browns. Quest: Caravan of Courage Most Sacred Mistress Larra will be heading back to Cariele at the end of the week and Mhaellie is worried about bandits. There has been a lot of goblins, orcs and other riff raff on the road. She is worried about her friend's safety on the road. Hopefully by the time Larra next visits their Mighty Captain and Knights will have dealt with the problem. Larra Nielems - Most Sacred Minister of the Northern Reformed Church of Sera (Visitor) Long dark hair pulled up into a partial bun, sit a woman in her early 30s. Her clothes are a cross between priestly vestments and a fine gown of green and silver. A pair of silver scales is on a necklace as her holy symbol. Quest: The Blackstone In Tradebhein, there have been sightings of a black plinth being raised. It is sacred to the goblin god Kartathok. Long overgrown by vines and other weeds the influx of goblins into the province has left it cleaned and the grass about it flattened from use - the local priests of Sera fear that it has been re-consecrated to the goblin god, and will becoming the focus of a church if swift action is not taken. James Ardannt - Supreme Hierarch of Haelyn's Bastion of Truth Clearly the oldest member of the council to the far left. His hair was white and his face was full of wrinkles. He worse red and gold priestly vestments and Haelyn's holy symbol was very prominent against his chest. He held himself like a solider but also confidence in this world of politics. Quest: Broken Wings Talinie, a staunch ally of Dhoesone, could not afford to send troops when Fhiele appealed for aid. Instead the thane sent Ruimiele of Haelyn, a young paladin who wears the legendary armor Haelyn's Panoply. Ruimele's faith was such that the Panoply would glow with blinding light and even grow wings on her command allowing her to soar above the battlefield. Ruimele fought against ogres, trolls and even giants over the last year winning much praise for the faith. In a recent battle with raiders from the Red Fist clan she was struck by a poisoned dart and the poison has resisted all curative magic, the church is desperate to find an antidote, for Ruimele weakens daily despite their best efforts.
At 5pm, the party returns to their suit to meet up with Isabelle and Brienda. Isabelle makes good on her promise for the mouse who is very grateful before taking the food and leaving. The party gets some dinner before relaxing and heading off to meet with the noble.
At 8pm they arrive at Father James Ardannt's estate. It seems they were only expecting three people, so there is a bit of organising of chairs and such in the smoking room to ensure everyone is accommodated for. Father James is very grateful for the group's aid. He had requested help from the council but they did not believe they could offer any help if the Paladin herself couldn't fight off the poison. He shares what he knows, but explains they will need to go to the provenience of Dharilien to the fortification of Dharilton. Due to illness in the Northern sections of the region, many of the settlements are lower in then numbers then they would like and the goblins are taking advantage of that. They even have a giant working with them. The area sometimes have giant issues, but it's not malicious. Just big vs small perspective problems.
Isabelle looks for Günther, but he is not here. Instead they have just their acolytes minding the temple. She leaves a message that they will help him with the druid grove once they have helped the paladin. The acolyte reassures her that he would understand and these things happen in their own time. Afterwards, Isabelle heads back to the inn.
The party relaxes and heads to bed at 10pm. 15th of Keltier 1524 The whole party is up at 6, much to Brienda's displeasure. They get breakfast after preparing for the day. When they head out to the stable, they see the stable boys struggling with Allag. Isabelle rushes in to help them as she removes the bridle and bit they accidently put on him. It gives Isabelle his trophy of sleeves that he has torn off of the stable boys. Understanding, she puts them with the ears. With the drama dealt with, they saddle their horses and head out. While walking, Isabelle uses her magic to speak with Allag to learn more about him becoming a horse. His clan's home is in The Blood Skull Baron region to the Rjurik side near Stjordviker's region. His directions are hard to follow as they seem to be Dwarven metaphors. Isabelle says to him they might be able to take a look around that area. Allag loves this idea. If the witch is still there, he'd love to give her a piece of his mind. After all, what was she going to do? Kill him a second time? It takes them 8 hours, but they arrive in the village of Happenstance by 3pm. There are two inns opposite one another. The Blue Tulip and the Red Rose inn. The group heads into the red rose and arranges for stables and rooms for the night. Isabelle quickly goes out to the stable to makes sure the stable workers know how to work with Allag without losing their ears. Afterwards Isabelle and Galanith go for a walk together, Balthazar will go for a solo walk while Nobu hangs out with Brienda.
Balthazar looks for libraries or institutions of learning or culture. He finds a fancy building called "The Restorative Hall". He finds someone to ask about the hall instead of going inside. The water nearby is a spring and they piped the water to the building so the town can offer targeted services. He goes in and looks over the services. Afterwards he heads back to the inn and tells Brienda and Nobu about the spa. They immediately leave to go to the spa. He reads while they are gone.
Isabelle and Galanith head out to see the lake which they discover is a spring. There are people sitting and meditating along the beach. Some people are soaking in the spring before running into the snow and back again while they are naked. There are drink vendors wandering around. This commercialisation of nature concerns Galanith. Though she seems to not be alone as there are other people nearby looking equally concerned.
Brienda and Nobu get a simple sauna to sit in the steam. They discuss the fact Nobu doesn't spend money on himself very much. She suggests he buy some nice paints or canvas to treat himself. She suggests they get a place when they return to the capital so he has a place to leave nice things so he doesn't have to worry about nice things getting damaged on the road. The pair bond with a punchy version of patty cake.
At 5pm the group meets up for dinner. Menu:
- Baked Dragon (chicken but dragon shaped) and Poached Eggs, Glass of Whisky (1 sp)
- Braised Carp and Soft Cheese, Glass of Brandy (2 sp)
- Braised Oxen with Cardamom and Lemon Pie, Glass of Brandy (1 sp)
- Baked Lamprey and Cranberry Tart, Glass of Cider (1 sp)
- Steamed Dragon (chicken but dragon shaped) and Rye Biscuits, Glass of Rum (2 sp)
