Session 96: Brunch of Champions

Ilbryen heads to the Court of Yestermorrow, having accepted Minet Reed's invitation. He meets them there, giving them a brief tour of the villa, pointing out that it exists in several points in time all at once. Ultimately he leads them to the Chronotheca, the Library of Emone. Ilbryen gets the sense that this area, at least, is not within the villa Chronotheca is a library of books and histories that may or may not have been written--the nature of the library allows glimpses into potential histories as well.   There Ilbryen is introduced to Elora Tiandra, an Elf and fellow priest of Emone. Elora is happy to see Ilbryen's Metatext, though she does not have one of her own, she is very familiar with them. She talks to Ilbryen about the subject of truth and facts. She says that the reason why the Fey speak in truth rather than fact is because fact is verifiable, but truth encompasses beliefs, interpretations, and personal understanding. Murder is wrong, for example, is a truth and not a fact. It allows the fey to be able to bargain with more leeway. She then speaks about the records of history. She says that language is imprecise and a horrible way to record information. She describes the reason why the Weavers of Weft and Wane record history as a tapestry is because then you can follow individual threads to see what it touches and how much it influences a picture. She believes that history should be passed through oral tradition--it will still be biased, but you can question a speaker about their views more than you can question a book. Elora says that she wants the elves to become passers of the oral tradition because they are so long lived.   Minet tells Ilbryen that they had promised them a gift, but Ilbryen states that they consider the tour of the library to be gift enough and declines anything further. He says that he was also asked by True Thomas to ask Ilbryen if they would represent the Court of Yestermorrow as their champion during the Festival. Ilbryen agrees and takes the Oath of Thread and Echo:   “I stand upon the thread between what was and what may yet be.
I name myself not ruler, not seer, but champion—
for this span of fourteen nights less one, and no more.

I offer no certainty, only intention.
No destiny, only decision.
In the name of the Court of Yestermorrow,
I vow to bear its banner through contest, through conflict, through ceremony,
and to honor its truths as they were,
as they are,
and as they might have been.

Let memory guide my left hand,
and possibility guide my right.
Let no moment slip unmeasured,
no choice pass without weight.

I bind myself for the span of this festival,
not to the eternal loom,
but to the rhythm of the now–
woven between the echoes and the yet-to-come.

When the final thread is cut and the last bell of festival fades,
I shall step back from this path,
but I will not forget it–

For I am the echo of a promise,
the choice that was made,
and the blade that strikes between yesterday and tomorrow."

He then gives Ilbryen the Sceptre of the Final Thread as the mantle of champion--stating that it is not a gift, but rather a part of the position. Ilbryen accepts the sceptre and, with Minet and Elora's assistance, researches in the library. Ilbryen looks at the histories to see if another clan member of Bolvaic's clan survived, however, because they library contains histories that could have happened, but didn't, it is difficult to determine who might be alive--in some of the accountings, Bolvaic was not a survivor, so it is too difficult to narrow down specifics, but they do discover that the White Dragon That Breathes Fire was most likely controlled by the Oleander Throne.   Ilbryen also researched how to get rid of giant flies and, other than the option to introduce giant spiders into the ecosystem, the larvae needs to be destroyed.   Illevaere went to the Court of Carrion and Decomposition to meet with Psilofyr, who was fully formed. Squamulose was present, instructing their Court's champion, Doctor Caligast Murk--a human doctor who seemed overwhelmed at being the Court's Champion and stated that he had never been deer hunting in his life, but Squamulose insisted that he was still the perfect Champion--one from their Court shouldn't be expected to win a deer hunt, but instead he represents them in timber. He is a human doctor whose medicines and remedies come from his dissection of cadavers. He is familiar with rot and decomposition and understands it well enough to work backwards from the cadaver to discover how the body lived and died. She gave him the Writhegrub Circlet, the mantle of the Court's Champion. The circlet was host to larvae who, once it was attuned, crawled into his body, moving through any orifice to survive within him. The grubs would devour any poison or disease, making him immune to each, and he could vomit up a swarm of grubs to command and control. Murk was very disturbed by this and Squamulose asked Illevaere if they would help keep an eye on the doctor to help him grow accustomed to his position.   Illevaere met with Psilofyr, who was fully formed. The eyeless mushroom had a slit that opened on their stalk and they spoke through it. Psilofyr discussed his attachment to the Great Fungal Network and his many consciousnesses. He told Illevaere that he appreciated the assistance in growing him, stating that this form of his had more clarity than many of his others. Illevaere told Psilofyr of the Court of Cinder and Ash's attempt to steal his spores and Psilofyr told Illevaere that they were aware of their desires. They said that the Court of Cinder and Ash, while a member of the Autumn Court, feels a bit excluded. Their part of the cycle is rapid and contrary, if not anathema to some of the other Courts. Fire burns the dead, not giving them a chance to decompose. Diseased bodies are burned so that their blight ends without spreading. They seek to be a greater part of the Autumn cabal, and Psilofyr knows that there are mushrooms that bloom after a forest fire, needing the ash to grow in. He believes that their Court wishes to grow a version of Psilofyr that is sympathetic to their fire to guide the Autumn to their favor.   Psilofyr allowed Illevaere to keep charge of the spores that they had accidentally collected in growing Psilofyr. Psilofyr said that he is uncertain if his spores grown unconnected to the Great Network are sentient or not--since they are not connected, he does not sense them to know. He stated that he would allow Illevaere to grow them upon their cloak, but also to spread his spores throughout their travels.   As Aisling changed her outfit for her next visit, she noticed that a letter had been tucked away in her dress, and that it must have been secreted to her while at the Court of Thorn and Brambles. The letter read:   Sir Bolvaic Boradrak,
Here I was believing that I would find no friend here.
Ever full of surprises, it would seem.
Really, I fear that I must decline your generous offer.
Everyone in your villa does seem nice and it is a tempting offer.
And perhaps it is simply a matter of timing–there is much to attend to.
Dresses to prepare.
Scandals to address.
Matters are unfortunately overwhelming for a serving lady.
You must understand that my refusal is not a stain on your hospitality.
My schedule simply leaves me never unattended with duty.
And I fear that my dutiful bindings keep me too occupied.
I thank you again for the invitation, though I must decline.
Ladies are simply too busy.

I am sorry that I am no wordsmith, Mr. Boradrak. My words are plain and blunt, and lack the flair of sonnet or acrostic poetry. Were I a poet, my words could reach you with many layers of meaning.

But, alas, I am no poet.

Thora Asta.   Aisling gave the letter to Bolvaic and Bolvaic mentioned that he wanted to help the girl, and asked if Aisling were to spend time again in the Court, if she could spend some time with her. Aisling agreed and asked the same of Bolvaic in regards to Blue.   It was not until later that they discovered that the letter was written to be an acrostic and the first letters of every line gives a warning: SHE READS MY MAIL.   Levi, Bolvaic, and Aisling went to the Court of Storm and Surge and found it more turbulent of late, with lightning striking Bolvaic and Levi. They were met by Thunder's Echo, who told the group that they were expected earlier, that the competition to determine who would be their champion had already begun. They passed Eryndor Haraldsson, who was being healed and was the current choice for champion.   Seeing their arrival, Caelum Thunderstrike approached the group, obviously very agitated. He stated that he had heard that the Barbed Countess had called his Court weak and meant to humiliate them during the competitions, so his search for a champion became more urgent and the battles to see who would be champion were to the death. Caelum realized that Bolvaic was wearing the mantle of the Court of Cinder and Ash and that he must have accepted their offer to Champion. While annoyed, he did understand why Bolvaic was a desirable choice. Levi admitted that he too had taken the mantle of Champion from the Court of Hoof and Claw. Caelum asked why then they were here, as he had no time to waste. Bolvaic tried to get Caelum to step in as his own champion in disguise, but Caelum refused to hide his glory. Since they would not fight, Caelum drank with Levi and Bolvaic instead.   Aisling met with Eldring Thunderstrike. Even though she still spoke in "hypotheticals", it was obvious what her intention was. She means to claim her father's throne during the Trial of Strength. She wants it to be in the open, so that everyone would have to acknowledge it. She is looking for as many allies as she can have. Once the crown changes hands, she will be vulnerable with no coalition formed. The more allies she has once she takes the crown, the more respected her position will be and that is enough to limit the number of people who might try to take advantage of the turmoil to claim the crown for themselves. As they speak, Eldring says that she had wanted to make allies, but did not expect to make a friend as well. Aisling realizes that her father's view of strength comes from a very masculine perspective and she is overlooked and underestimated, but it also means that she does not have many close friends. Aisling invites Eldring to her upcoming slumber party and she agrees to go.   As noon approaches, everyone gathers together for the Hunt for the Hart. All three Emissaries of Stag King are present. The event begins with Elen of the Ways asking each Court who they send to be their champion.   The Swan Queen of the Court of Brook and Bawn introduces Myohn Leerick as champion, and he steps forward with a feathered cloak.   Eldrasveil of the Court of Mist and Petrichor names Mira of the Shallow Pool, a young sorcerer as their champion. She wears a damp cloak that appears to be her mantle.   The Starborn Lady of the Court of Wind and Stars says that a spectacle of mortal competing against mortal interests her not, so she is sending no one as her champion.   Milo Quills answers for True Thomas and the Court of Yestermorrow, announcing Ilbryen Dorydark as their court's champion.   Narahm of the Seafoam Court names Zadock Marlin as their champion, and he gives Zadock his spear, Gáe Bulg, to use as his symbol.   The Queen of Elphame of Álfheimr names Black Bill as her Court's Champion. And though the Corvid wears no armor, his squire Oisin brings him out a silvered rapier with gold filigree.   General-Headquarters-Hindquarters-Gives-Orders-Front-and-Rear-Sergeant-Billygoat-Legs of the Court of Heat and Rapture introduces Sir Hearts Aflame as their champion, though immediately chides him for using his cloak's mirror image to primp his appearance.   Mac Tíre of the Court of Hoof and Claw names Levi Kilgore as their court's champion and Levi steps forward, transforming into his werebear hybrid form.   Acacia of the Court of Rampant Green introduces Crepe Myrtle, an Arborean ranger, as her court's champion.   Caelum Thunderstrike of the Court of Storm and Surge throws thinly veiled insults at the Barbed Countess as he names Eryndor Haraldsson as his court's champion.   Gossamer of the Court of Blight introduces Eirwen the Still-Breathing, a noblewoman who was thought dead of plague, who crawled from her grave still-breathing, but also still diseased, as their champion.   Squamulose of the Court of Carrion and Decomposition introduces Doctor Caligast Murk as their champion.   The Ashen Lady of the Court of Cinder and Ash name Bolvaic Boradrak as their Court's Champion, but also calls him "her champion" as she names him.   Shadow Regent Umbra introduces Marlow Clyst, a playwright who reveals noble secrets in his plays, as Champion of the Court of Long Shadows.   Elen of the Ways asks her own Court who shall be their Champion. The Scary Crush Emissary cuts off the Bratty Bottom Emissary's snark to formally name Illevaere Solandra as their champion.   Prince Cyrix of the Court of Winter states that they have not yet named a champion and will observe, but not participate.   Sneachda names Feydral Dahl as the champion of the Court of Ice and Snow, also stating that she would champion "All Winter" as well. There is a nervousness about her in regards to Prince Cyrix's presence, and it also seemed to pertain to the Frost Prince's current absence. She has no mantle for her champion so she cuts off a braid and gives it to Feydral to be their symbol.   The Barbed Countess of the Court of Thorns and Brambles throws her own barbs back to Caelum Thunderstrike as she introduces the Thorned Knight as her Court's Champion.   The Fractured Princess of the Court of Shattered Mirrors introduces Aisling Hollowthorne, Almost Aisling, as her Court's champion.   The Goblin King of the Goblin Court hands Ilbryen a speech he wrote for their Court's herald to announce their champion. The written speech simple said, "(blow trumpet) (improvise something grandiose) (introduce Mitch). Ilbryen introduced Mitch, who just seemed to be a vanilla Goblin, as the Goblin Court's champion. Mitch nervously asked Ilbryen, "I'm going to die, aren't I?"   Queen Aibel of Svartálfheim introduced Aralmeni Caskhood as their Court's champion, taking a few mocking shots toward the Court of Cinder and Ash in the process.   Vasilisa the Beautiful of the Thrice-Nine Kingdom introduced Yegor Sokolov as the champion of her Court.   Prince Hyrsam provoked the Emissary to ask him if the Court of Fools had a champion, and when asked, he replied that he had Mynki as his champion. As the Tiefling strode out she smirked and waved her fingers at Ephudol who was observing and said "Hi Daddy." Ephudol did not seem amused and a tension was suddenly felt in the ArchFey gathered.   The Emissary of the Stag King then asked if there were any without Court who would champion themselves.   Violet Feyhart introduced Aisling Hawthorne, who then spoke up to announce that she was fighting for herself.   Tertius Greyhall more meekly announced that he would champion himself, stating:   "I am Terius Greyhall.
Born of noble blood and a hag’s wish.
I do not Champion for the name of Greyhall, because I am more a man than my father.
I do not Champion for the name Tertius, because I am not simply my parents’ third attempt or the result of three hags.
I champion for me. Who I am beyond my names and titles.
Just… me."   With the Champions for the Hunt for the Hart announced, the Emissary stated that it would not be proper for their Court's champion to join the hunt. Instead, it would be Illevaere's role to try to hinder everyone else.