Session 017: Betrayer and Betrayed

We pick up in front of a doorway, half of the North Wind preparing to follow Prach the Betrayer into the basement room of the Den of Sanguinity, the other half attempting to maintain normalcy above. Jack and Swallow inform Lady Vongvilay of the disturbance below. Jack remains in the ballroom to replace the entire missing orchestra with his charm and piano playing. Lady V darts below to urge the hesitating party to chase Prach into her chambers. They find Prach and his fire genasi companion hunting through the belongings of the Lord and Lady Vongvilay. The ensuing battle sees vampire fight vampire, a genasi determinedly looking through bottles rather than fighting back, and a discordant symphony of ghostly musicians battering at the focus of our heroes.   For a moment, the genasi gets ahold of a simple jar of dirt, and when she sets fire to it, Lady V screams. Prach finds another jar on the opposite side of the chamber and begins a desperate flight from the room. Jack abandons the piano, coming to flank the fleeing opponent as the others chase him up through the manor. Prach attempts to pull a dramatic disappearance, murmuring “Until next time, Lady Vongvilay”, but Tal’s keen sight and the party’s quick action locate a small dark shape fluttering away into the darkness. And not even the darkness stops them as eldritch magic and radiant fire fly after him. A guiding bolt of twilight and stars, bolstered by a touch of the sea, brings Prach to his final end.   And the night moves on.   Zenith securely locks the lone survivor of the attacking group in a cupboard for the Vongvilays to deal with later. The music gets back in swing, though Jack receives many compliments and requests throughout the remainder of the night. Somphone puts an end to any and all under the table blood selling or sapphire theft. Lady Vongvilay performs what she calls "The Song of Ages" and notes that while it is the same as previous years, it is still a comfort to hear... And at the end of the event, each member of the party is presented with a bag containing 250 gold pieces, which is totally what they were always going to earn, for sure. Lady Vongvilay says goodbye and advises Talasea that fortune favors the bold…   The North Wind returns to their inn as morning begins to fade into place. A slightly calmer day stretches out ahead of them. Plans are made to trek to the Ember Tower for some errands. The crew heads downstairs for breakfast. Aphid inquires about visitors responding to his cat ad.    Aphid is directed to a visitor that turns out to be Leopold, an important member of his grandmother’s company sent to find Aphid. The North Wind is introduced to Leopold, in varying degrees of muscle. And Leopold announces that good ol’ grams has yet to decide what Leopold is to do next, but that he has been directed to wait nearby for the time being.   And just in time, Lae Khanthavong, the mage from the Ember Tower, arrives to tell them that the masters have summoned them…