Chronicles of the Realm Walkers: Session 56

The Realm Walkers were spread all across Snowbright. Theren was still at Strahd's and used sending to notify Lee that Strahd was throwing a party, and Lord Varse was there. After that, Theren left the sitting room to follow Lord Varse, who was looking around the house, and questioned him to see what they could learn about Strahd . Lord Varse was surprised to learn William Strahd had taken to introducing himself as Bill. Theren informed Varse how the Realm Walkers had come to know Strahd.   Varse eventually moved through the entrance hall and into the large main room, which was normally furnished with an assortment of seating, sculptures, and hand woven rugs. The spaced a had been cleared with limited seating moved to the walls, exposing the hardwood floor, with the focal point of the room being the large organ on the north wall, which functionally turned the space into a ballroom. Varse approached the organ and strangely gestured at the bench before sitting down. Varse played for a few minutes before he spoke to Theren about the party. Varse knew nothing about the purpose of the party or the other attendees, he simply knew it was not a dinner party. Theren noted the formerly large glass windows in this room had been replaced by red and white stain glass windows in which the white sections loosely took the shape of humanoid. Lord Varse’s interest was piqued at the mention of the library and Theren showed him to it. Varse was intrigued by one book, noting he was surprised Strahd still had it, mentioning Strahd had had it since Varse met him.   The book was heavy with fancy metal adornment and a large lock binding it. The title, written in gold on its spine, was "The History of Barovia".   Theren questioned Lord Varse more directly and Varse told them that he met Strahd in his ballroomin Dark Mound and that Strahd lived with him for several years. Varse seemed surprised Strahd had not mentioned any of this to Theren. Theren also reminded/suggested that Varse visit the House of the Realm to visit Danny Trune.   Back at the arena, the crowd was filing out after another entertaining bout of fights. Lee informed Rhy and Ysir about the party and Varse’s presence. After a brief discussion about attire and Varses parties, the three decided to attend after getting changed and collecting Ranrus.   Ysir and Rhy headed back to the mansion and on the way Ysir realized Rhy's intent to dress to the nines and after a brief discussion he decide not to wear his entire set of armor, instead "finding a balance". He put on a more formal outfit made from what Danny had on hand, adding his bracers to the outfit, to match his torque and had one of his swords resting on his hip.   Rhy ran through the house calling out to Ranrus about the party and Varses attendance. Ranrus took his time, but did agree to join them.   Meanwhile Lee waited near the fighters exitat the arena. The "Champion" came out and was greeted by a large group of fans, whom she was much more cordial with then her arena performance. The figure calling themselves Sarasoul also came out and spotted Lee and quickly made their way over to him. It was easy enough for Lee to tell this was indeed Cinder/Sarasoul despite the different appearance. Sarasoul explained the circlet was causing issues since everyone saw him differently( what they perceived as human perfection), so he had a ring enchanted to give him an appearance of his preference.   Lee invited Sarasoul to the party and let Sarasoul know that Lord Varse would be in attendance. Sarasoul clearly recognized the name and a sense purpose and focus washed over him.   At this point, no one but Theren had actually been to Strahd's. Lee eventually found it and upon arriving, made sure to send directions to his sister.   Lee, after a quick back and forth with the hired doorman, was let in after mentioning he and Sarasoul were friends of Theren Rowen. Soon after entering the two ran into Strahd. They had a brief conversation about how Varse raised Strahd during his formative years.   Ysir, Rhy, and Ranrus had to pass a variety of houses along the way including one of which they would of expected to see abandoned, but Roberts Manor looked well kept and had light illuminating several rooms. The three arrived at Strahd's soon after. Upon being let in, Strahd greeted them and asked if any other members of Realm Walker house would be coming. Rhy was a bit confused by this, but even more confused when Strahd specifically mentioned inviting Anthony. Strahd explained he had met Anthony at a bar one night when Anthony was very drunk and Strahd helped him get home. Strahd had been surprised to discover that home was the House of the Realm. The next day he checked up on Anthony who didn't remember him, but Strahd had made a point of checking in on Anthony when he could, because he felt like Anthony must be quite lonely.   As all of the Realm Walkers had arrive and entered the ball room of Strahd's home their were many guest, but several who stood out amongst the crowd, some they recognized, as well as several new faces. Illia Ellia from the Merchant Council, Angus Broughtwin the Risen archaeoligist, a dark brown skinned woman with strange gouges in her skin talking to Angus, the purple skinned Tiefling woman who had answered the door at Roberts Manor. Lastly their were two individuals dancing in the middle of the ballroom, one very androgynous and one feminine, both stunningly beautiful. Ranrus became a bit of a wall flower. Rhy quickly approached Angus and the unknown woman. The two caught up quickly before Angus introduced the woman he was standing with as Felicity. She was from Iter and and had at some point proctored at Grey Tusk Academy. She and Angus had been talking about his secret project and Felicity suggested she would love to hear about it without all the "secretness".   Angus explained in broad, non-specific terms, that he had been looking into the Underdark Dragon Gate for Gump. They had found it and it was very bad, ”someone should of closed that gate because all the the animals got out and caused a bunch of trouble on the farm”. When Rhy asked if he knew how to close gate he responded with a resounding, “Nope”.   Angus asked about Rhy’s studies, and she gave him a brief history of the Titans. Felicity also listened intently.   Lee approached Illia Ellia and Lord Varse, followed by Sarasoul. Lord Varse during his first interaction with Sarasoul implied that he had heard very interesting things about Phoenix Arcania House in response to which Sarasoul assured him that all the Gladiatorial Houses were interesting. Lord Varse mentioned traversing the city was surprisingly inconvenient but that it was likely a reason some might choose to live there.   Sarasoul told Lord Varse that his house was looking for a person of interest, a red skinned Dragonborn, potentially mute, named Delphis. Lee could tell by Lord Varse’s face that he recognized the individual Sarasoul mentioned and responded with “An assassin? I could certainly look into that, should I follow up with the head of Phoenix Arcania House, to arrange a proper payment for services rendered?” with this Sarasoul began panicking as he tried to explain why Varse shouldn’t reach out to Arthur Phoenix-Heart. Sarasoul stepped away while he thought on what he could use to pay for the information.   Lord Varse and Lee caught up. Lee mentioned the fire in the Library of Kemmera to which Varse admitted, he’d considered doing in his many years, and that a section on necromancy being destroyed was not a bad thing to or for him, but that he had no part in the fire. Lee mentioned the Realm Walkers were still hunting Eragis and Varse offered to trade information on Delphis, the individual Sarasoul was interested in, for the elimination of Eragis. Varse was also honest that Sarasoul would not survive the encounter with his target. “There is only one reason for someone to know that name… I don’t envy him”   Lee mentioned that he been sent to the 6th level of Hell. Lord Varse was also told indirectly, that like Ranrus, Rhy had become afflicted by the same “condition”.   Ranrus caught the smell of mechanical grease in the ballroom, which upon closer inspection, appeared to be coming from Felicity. As Ranrus got a closer look, he realized the gouges in her arms were not gouges, but gaps. Inside he could see gears and pulleys spinning, and what appeared to be skin were pieces of polished wood. Ranrus's gut feeling was to assume she was a Warforged, but after all his research he knew this was not the nature of the internals of a Warforged. Felicity recognized Ranrus's symbol of Onatar. This surprised both Ranrus and Rhy. Rhy quickly asked where she had seen it, and Felicity explained she had seen it in book in the Tower of Eg. Rhy was surprised she’d been in the tower, and Felicity specified she was born in the tower. Sadly she would not be able to get them access, as she was not welcome by the current head mistresses.   As the discussion continued it became clear Rhy knew someone who had access to the tower. Upon hearing Rhy avoidance in talking about who that someone was, Felicity assumed it was romantic drama and showed and great interest.   Felicity refocused on Ranrus and was happy to hear Onatar was being worshipped again. She claimed there was historical references to his worship 500-600 years ago. When Ranrus mentioned being from another plane she was excited to see that others at the party were open minded, as there was no one seeming to react around them to the statement. Ranrus and Felicity moved off to a sitting room to continue the discussion in private.   As the two continued it became clear to Ranrus these worshippers were either worshiping outside the tenant Ranrus did or were worshipping another entity all together. These Ithican worshipers were rivals or revivers of Giant artifcy and they primarily focused on the creation of weapons of war. The worship seemed to die off do the prevailing culture in the region moving towards peace, knowledge sharing, and cooperation. Felicity mentioned her father wore a talisman of Onatar though he was not a worshipper, but was intrigued by the notion of Onatar, specifically ideas around creation which is how Felicity came to be. Her father was Winter Zorgel. Felicity informed Ranrus her creation predated the presence of Warforged on Ithica. Felicity let Ranrus inspect the inner working of her fore arm. While it was mostly mechanical in nature, there were two notable nonmechanical elements. There were free floating gears which should fall out of place as they had no rod or pins, and there was no power source. The free floating gears were enchanted, but so subtlety it would be impossible to see by anyone without some knowledge of enchanting and an incredibly acute perception. There was a short and awkward interaction as they discussed further inspection, but Felicity did offered to give Ranrus an opportunity for a closer look at a later point. Felicity showed a great deal of interest in Ranrus as well, she was intrigued by his physicality and function. Felicity left and Ranrus started to sketch and make note to try and make sense of what he just saw.   Meanwhile, Rhy explained the nature and enchantment of Bolo’s v3 and how the pages showed as having smutty stories to Angus.   As the party continued on and the performers ended their current song, clapping came from the small set of stairs that led into the ballroom. Standing there were Anthony Wilson and Alison Wilson, Anthony in armor with sword on his hip looking very put out, and Alison who was incredibly excited.   Date: Evening of the 4th of Kirit, 1437 DC