07-03-2025: Shopping and the first meeting

The tale of our adventures continued as Aerith left Aegelion's sleeping quarters within Lady Aenysiel's mansion. She descended the stairs to join the others by the fireplace, where she shared the Lady’s request for her to attend meetings and represent House Celebren. The group saw potential in this opportunity, believing it could help them locate Zharrus. Aerith also asked Mae to accompany her as a bodyguard, hoping it might aid Mae in gathering clues about her missing sister. Though surprised to be chosen, Mae agreed. Mind, ever the pragmatist, immediately began considering logistics, recognizing that their search might lead them to restricted areas. As he voiced his concerns, Gaele and Cole arrived. Cole, leaning against the wall, lit a cigarette after opening a window, while Gaele took a seat by the fire, staring into the flames, not minding the rest. Aerith speculated that Zharrus might be in the Dawn Ward, where Warforged reside and undergo maintenance. She asked Gaele for his opinion, and in a calm voice, he acknowledged the possibility but warned that access to the Dawn Ward was highly restricted—limited to House members, military officials, and Warforged themselves. Mind's eyes lit up with the idea of using illusion magic, his favorite, to gain entry. However, Gaele shook his head and dismissed the notion, explaining that the entrance was heavily guarded, and the ward was fortified against magic beyond comprehension. Disheartened, the group realized that their usual methods of sneaking in and using spells wouldn’t suffice this time.   Gaele then mentioned an underground network rife with criminals and black-market dealings, suggesting it as a potential lead and a good place to start. The older members of the Order of Adamant lamented the absence of Ιερέα, who had vast knowledge of such worlds.   Turning to Aegelion, Aerith inquired about what he knew of Zharrus. He could only recount what the Lady had told him: Zharrus, a Tiefling and Aerith’s adoptive brother, was alive but being tortured as part of an attempt to bind his soul to a soul gem with the goal to turn him into a Warforged. Aerith then asked how Aegelion had met the Lady. Aegelion revealed that he was originally from Arnotar and had met Lady Aenysiel there. However, he hesitated to elaborate, as the story was deeply personal. Aerith reassured him that he need not share it if he wasn’t ready. She also asked him what it's like downthere. He liked Arnotar because people could be free there, Illumé is much, much different in that regard.   Wanting to prepare for the upcoming meeting, Aerith asked Selene for a book from the library. She borrowed one on the history of Illumé’s noble houses and while Selene was searching for it, Mind sent her a Message asking for a book about transmutation.   Nearby, Gotrick sat comfortably by the fireplace, sketching out his idea for a weapon. He shared the design with Mae, who sat next to him, enjoying a drink. She was impressed by the well-drawn image. They decided to visit either an enchanter or a smithy the next day. They and the rest of the Order fantasized about wandering the Velvet Promenade and exploring its exotic wares. When Selene returned with the books, she also recommended a gun shop, piquing Gotrick’s curiosity. He got excited by the idea of one while the others questioned the necessity of guns. Why use guns if you have arrows and magic? Meanwhile, Mind, inspired, asked Hugin to pose while he sketched his anatomy.   The next day the Order enjoyed an excellent breakfast prepared by their chef, Ramsay. Once finished, they set out into the city, passes at the ready as they reached the gates. The Velvet Promenade was unlike anything they had ever seen—immensely crowded, yet notably lacking in diversity. Certain races seemed absent or scarce. Mind, being a Dragonborn, drew considerable attention.   Their first stop was Luminous Arms, the gun shop Selene had mentioned the day before. Upon entering, a gunshot rang out, startling some members of the Order with its sheer volume and unexpectedness. The shopkeeper, a Gnome missing one eyebrow—likely singed off—greeted them. He was greedy yet enthusiastic about guns, speaking in clipped, direct sentences. Gotrick, curious about the hype surrounding guns, listened as the shopkeeper introduced various models, though the group remained unimpressed. To them, a gun was just a piece of metal and wood, incapable of functioning and doing damage without magic. Determined to prove its effectiveness, Gotrick crossed his arms and challenged the shopkeeper to shoot him. A little too eager, the Gnome fired at Gotrick’s arm. Grimacing, Gotrick admitted the weapon’s power. Mae, intrigued after checking Gotrick's arm, requested the same treatment, though the shopkeeper’s enthusiasm caused his shot to graze her arm instead. She jumped into the air and confirmed it was painful as well.   Seeing everyones reactions, the shopkeeper led them to a shooting range. There, Gotrick tried his hand at a pistol and proved to be quite skilled. Meanwhile, Mind inquired about the source of the shop’s guns and whether they could be acquired elsewhere, perhaps from underground dealings. The shopkeeper immediately grew defensive and evasive. Mind proposed a wager: if he hit a target with one of the shop’s guns, the shopkeeper would divulge more information; if he missed, they would purchase a gun. Unfortunately, Mind missed, and the shopkeeper ushered them back to the front, where Gotrick purchased an ornate pistol adorned with gold details.   Their next stop was Script and Sigil, a scroll shop. Mind was completely in his element, eagerly perusing scrolls, though most were exorbitantly priced. The rest of the group idly wandered, uninterested in scrolls. Mind eventually settled for a more affordable Fly scroll.   They then visited Phoenix Temperer, a blacksmith run by another Gnome. Gotrick admired the variety of weapons, particularly a beautifully enchanted two-handed sword imbued with flame magic. When he discussed his custom weapon idea, the shopkeeper informed him that such enchantments were not done there but at the Shimmerforge District. According to the shopkeeper the magic Gotrick was talking has some similarities with how Warforged assimilate with their equipment. Slightly disappointed, the group departed, but told the shopkeeper they would probably come back another time.   Overwhelmed by the bustling marketplace and still without leads on the underground network, Leo observed his surroundings, seeking anything suspicious like pickpockets and shady figures. He suspected such activities were more common in alleyways than in the crowded square. Aerith speculated they might find more in the Golden Archway district, where access from the outside world was less restricted.   Upon their return to the Celebren mansion, Mind started transcribing his newly acquired scroll into his spellbook, unable to be bothered by anyone. Gotrick inquired about practicing with his pistol, which Selene quickly arranged. Meanwhile, Mae and Aerith prepared for their meeting. Aerith put on a fitted dress, accessorizing tastefully without overdoing it. Mae put her hair up to accentuate her elven ears. Downstairs, Cole and Gaele awaited them, and together, they departed for the Luminary Veil. A very fitting name, Aerith and Mae said to each other.   The district was breathtaking, its buildings the grandest they had seen, and Warforged patrolled in overwhelming numbers. Aerith asked Gaele how many people would attend the meeting. He explained that each house was usually represented by a man and a woman, typically family members, accompanied by two bodyguards. Feeling a twinge of nervousness, Aerith stepped into the meeting room.   House Varynthiel represented by Caladris and Selene took the lead during the meeting, proposing a new grand exhibition hall in the Velvet Promenade to showcase artisans, smiths, and laborers. House Myralithe represented by Seylin and Dorian passionately opposed the idea, citing cost concerns. Introducing herself as House Celebren’s new representative, Aerith countered, arguing that such an exhibition would attract visitors from across the world. These people won't only be here for the exhibition, they will be interested in Illumé's shops, restaurants and might even stay at an Inn. However, House Myralithe was still not convinced, they reminded everyone that lots of money is already going to other matters and also matters that doesn't concern Illumé. Seeking to involve House Lytharion who hadn't shared their opinions yet, Aerith inquired about their stance. House Lytharion, represented by Vaelis and Lyanna enjoyed the debate but remained noncommittal. Vaelis was nonchalant about how he was just enjoying the show, while Lyanna mentioned how they are interested in the exhibition depending on how it is organized. Meanwhile, Mae and Cole quietly bonded over how tedious this meeting was. Eventually, House Myralithe proposed a compromise: using an existing building for the exhibition rather than constructing a new one. Aerith, not knowing what building they were talking about asked Gaele about his stance. He believed that a building like that wouldn't make a big enough of an impact, rendering the exhibition useless. He was convinced that an exhibition on the scale that House Varynthiel proposed needs to be able to use a big building. In the end, only House Myralithe opposed the project, leaving the plan unresolved.   After the meeting, House Varynthiel expressed keen interest in Aerith, asking about her background and House Celebren’s absence from past meetings. Aerith introduced herself as Aerith Chireadan and that she came from Thalaniel. The attack by the Mind flayer caused Aerith to speak up and share her ideas on how to prevent an event like that happening again. This is where Lady Aenysiel noticed Aerith and gave her the oppertunity to represent House Celebren. Impressed, House Varynthiel invited her and Aegelion and their plus ones to a party the following evening, themed ‘Wild.’ As House Varynthiel left, Vaelis of House Lytharion approached Aerith flirtatiously. He was all up in her face, complimenting her looks. Aerith played it cool by answering in a neutral way and try to spin the conversation on him. He told them about how he doesn't like attending these meetings at all and rather be busy on his father's ship. When he started getting closer to Aerith Mae intervened. Vaelis instantly turned on her, as if he hadn't noticed her before, complimenting her as well and asking her really intimate questions. Gaele, who had watched his every move during this conversation took a firm insistence and they managed to extricate themselves from the situation. Mae and Aerith asked Gaele about Vaelis and he confirmed that he is incredibly unpredicatable. Aerith asked Gaele how she did and he thought that she had left a good impression on everybody and handled herself well. They headed back to the mansion again, longing for that comfortable sofa by the fireplace.