Category: RPG

An Unexpected Gift

Dennis December 19, 2023 No Comments

Previously, the heroes were confronted by several custodians who wanted to arrest Neamhan in charges of heresy after she had expressed herself indelicately about the gods. Emrys managed to convince the custodians that conflict could be avoided and that Neamhan would turn herself in at the Tomb of St. Catherine.

First Day, Second Ride, Autumn Twilight, 1262

(Silvermoon is in high sanction, Bloodmoon is waning, Darkmoon is waning)

After the near-violent standoff with the custodians, rest returned to the Careless Wanderer. It was just past fourth bell, and dusk was falling outside. The afternoon would soon be over, and Neamhan was keen on finding the powdered diamond she needed to attempt to lift the curse that Quentin was under which caused him to forget his betrothed.

Quentin and Luca accompanied her to see Eustace, a gnarled jeweller who was working out of a small, cramped workshop in the Southside ward of Kingsport. The jeweller had once taken possession of a lyrium crystal and had promised to find out what kind of crystal it was. This had been just before the heroes travelled to Pinefall and disappeared to Old Llygad. They had only returned months later and at that point the jeweller had sold the crystal to the Circle of Magi, unaware of its value.

Emrys, Astrid and Falka remained in the Careless Wanderer, having no interest in venturing out into the cold. Shortly after the others departed, an older gentleman stepped in the door of the Careless Wanderer, asking after Emrys. He was dressed in fine clothing, complete with a top hat and a walking cane. He approached the table Emrys and the others were sitting at and introduced himself.

Bernhard Brenninkmeyer was a Daerlan crafter of instruments and accessories operating out of a shop in Sevenoaks. He had been commissioned on the Fourth Day, First Ride, Autumn Twilight, 1262 by the Lady of Evenshade Hall to create a beautiful lute case for Emrys. It was made of black leather stretched over a case of steel and wood, with gleaming clasps that held the lid of the case against a gasket, making it waterproof. The inside was inlaid in firm padding lined with burgundy velvet, capable of accommodating many different types of lutes.

After presenting Emrys with the gift, master Brenninkmeyer departed, leaving Emrys to marvel at the craftsmanship.

Étiquette de Beauclair

Dennis December 19, 2023 No Comments

Overview

Despite the fact that the Queendom of Lyria and Le Royaume de Beauclair share a lot of cultural idiosyncrasies and rules of behaviour and etiquette — due to a shared history, a shared economic market, and plenty of intermarrying of prominent families — Beauclair society has developed into its own, distinct direction.

The biggest difference between Beauclair and Lyria is that Beauclair has much stricter rules of etiquette and engagement. Their rules are much more granular, and as a result the subtlety of many significant gestures and behaviour is lost on all but the most well-groomed Lyrians.

Étiquette de Beauclair

Informal Greeting

When friends and family meet each other they greet each other with three kisses on the cheeks, starting with the right cheek. The first kiss represents the affection for the person, the second kiss represents the affection for their family, while the last kiss represents something different from region to region. Some will say it is to display their affection for their monarch, some will say it is for their lord, and others say it is for their god.

This greeting has always been an informal one, but even informal greetings can be performed in subtle variations which can convey meaning. For instance, the more one touches their mouth to the cheek of the other, the more sincere the greeting. A casual greeting is where the corner of one’s mouth touches the cheek, while during a cold greeting only the cheek touches the other’s cheek, and the kiss is mimicked.

Couleurs du Paon

Mirroring the natural world, Beauclairois men wear a much more colourful attires than Beauclairois women. Among the nobility, it is used in a way to assert one’s place in the peerage. This can become a complex game of bluff which is played out in front of the entire peerage; dress too boldly and you might be considered conceited, dress too modestly and you might be considered weak. Women have, wisely, kept themselves away from this posturing.

Flying Banners, Bearing Standards

When banners are flown or standards are borne while in the territory governed by another, it is customary to fly the banner of the governing faction (usually a noble house), above one’s own banner, or bear the standard of the governing faction higher than one’s own standard. It shows deference and subservience, and is meant say “we come and peace and abide by your governance.”

It closely resembles the Right of Hospitality, which is considered sacrosanct in all of the Verdant Kingdoms with a fair amount of superstition connected to it. Because of this it has some interesting consequences on where one sits in the peerage. It is not always as simple as comparing ranks. At first glance, a baron ranks above a baronet. But sometimes young money is worth more than old blood. Sometimes control of a river or mountain pass is more important than how many soldiers you can put to field.

Equestrian Reverence

While the Beauclairois cuisine is known for its daring and sophistication, where banquet tables are often laden with all manner of exotic dishes made with strange and to strangers often repulsive-sounding ingredients, the Beauclairois do not eat horse meat, under no circumstance! They take the offer of horse meat as great offence. The Beauclairois do not share many customs with the Silesians, but this is one that the people of both kingdoms passionately embrace.

A Subtle Language

The Beauclairois language has a complex honourific system baked into its grammar, style, pronouns and verbs. Like so many things in Beauclair, there are subtleties in the language that are incredibly hard for non-native speakers to learn. Because even native speakers struggle with it sometimes, a strong command of the language and its form is considered a sign of great intellect and wit, and as such, subtle word plays and puns are admired and applauded. At court, this skill is especially useful to convey deference and respect, as well as disdain and insult.

The Gifting of Rings

Another custom in which the importance of social rank is reflected is the use of rings when exchanging formal messages or making appointments. A gold ring is sent to a person who outranks the sender, a silver ring to a person of equal or undetermined rank, and an iron ring to someone who ranks below the sender. Choosing the correct ring is a delicate matter, because rank is not just determined by title, but also by influence, wealth, and favour.

The receiver of the ring is allowed to keep the ring and display it to show off their connections. Rejecting a ring is a grave offense, and returning a ring to its sender, while not expected, is considered a kindness, provided it is subtly done. One who is higher in rank can permit a recipient to wear their ring, usually temporarily, or for a special occasion, as a sign of servitude.

The rings themselves are often fashioned as signet rings, engraved with the personal banner of the person, or if they have none, with their name. This is so that others may recognise who a person has received rings from and what quality they are. Collections of rings are often put up on display in places where someone would receive guests. Rings that someone is especially proud of are neatly arranged in display cases, while others are loosely displayed together on a tray, often lined with velvet.

The custom is very old, and has existed among the common folk, the gentry and the nobility for generations. Rings of other materials have also been used, often with very specific meanings; green grass for courtship, leather for a promise of service, horn to convey enmity, and wood to show disdain. There are many others.

A powerful ring is one carved from the bones of a deceased family member. This signifies a profound and lasting debt.

Heresy and Zealotry

Dennis December 11, 2023 No Comments

Previously, the heroes spent the morning talking to Kasia, the young Silesian girl who witnessed the incursion of Epidemius on Steward’s Square and learned what they could about the event. Afterwards, they spoke to Caius of Lynnecombe about possibly buying a acquiring a property for the heroes to stay at during the winter. Afterwards, they returned to the Careless Wanderer where Neamhan’s loose lips threatened to sink ships…

First Day, Second Ride, Autumn Twilight, 1262

(Silvermoon is in high sanction, Bloodmoon is waning, Darkmoon is waning)

Emrys had subtly and suddenly turned Neamhan invisible and an audible gasp went through the Careless Wanderer, including a litany of protection against witchcraft coming from one of the justices. In that shock, Emrys whispered for Neamhan to make her way to safety. She quietly darted upstairs but stops halfway up the stairs to look at what happens in the tavern.

Quentin and Astrid took up position between the Custodian strongmen and the rest of the group, preventing them from coming closer and possibly going in pursuit of Neamhan. Quentin stood steadfast, while Astrid menacingly brandished her new greatsword. Erlus, the male justice, began muttering a devotion to Paladine, but before it could take effect, Luca abjured it with a swift counterspell, driving the justice to even greater outrage. For good measure, Emrys conjured up a flash of hypnotising colours which left some of the Custodians temporarily dazed, including Erlus. It did not last long since Birna, the female justice, her eyes filled with zeal, moved to blanket part of the tavern in a veil of silence with a devotion of her own. She then quickly moved to wake the other custodians from their stupor.

It was enough to give the custodians pause. This allowed Emrys to start working his persuasive magic. At the top of the stairs, Neamhan saw the silhouette of a tiny figure standing down the hallway, who drew a tiny rapier made from an odd, dark metal and exclaimed in a short burst of words that “the realm” was under attack. Thinking quickly, Neamhan asked Wynn the Quickling whether he was in need of a steed, and when he nodded fiercely, she shifted her form into that of a timber wolf. Eager to charge forth, Wynn jumped onto her back and held onto her mane with one hand, brandishing his sword, while they charged down the stairs to take up position with Quentin and Astrid. This evoked another curse from Birna declaring the Careless Wanderer to be a fey-infested warren.

Emrys continued to appeal to the justices, especially Erlus, suggesting that with the impending arrival of Epidemius there were more important things to be concerned with than Neamhan’s ill-chosen words. The justice seemed susceptible to the notion, but Birna whispered zealous words into his ear. Erlus suggested a compromise; the heroes would turn Neamhan over to the custodians at the Tomb of St. Catherine in Eastminster for judgment, and further escalation could be avoided.

When the custodians had left the Careless Wanderer, Wynn seemed slightly disappointed that a fight had been avoided. There was a wicked look in his golden eyes that thirsted for some satisfaction. Sensing this, Neamhan, still in the form of the timber wolf, started bucking and thrashing giving Wynn a chance to tire out with a rodeo. Eventually, the wolf started spinning so fast that the quickling was ripped off its back. He flew through the air, made a deft backflip before gracefully landing. With a flourish, he sheathed his blade and then ran off, leaving behind a jingle of windchimes.

The ruckus roused Falka from her nap upstairs, and she came downstairs to join the heroes, who were discussing how to handle this situation. Falka learned about the situation with the custodians in Kingsport, and the heroes learned that Bournemouth did not have the same problem, but that the custodians had attempted to get a foothold in Eastray.

The heroes agree that they want to find Jan, the custodian they liberated from the aberrant lords and fought alongside the heroes to defeat Xarrombus. It was thought that perhaps he could mediate between the custodians and the heroes in an attempt to save Neamhan from persecution. Falka had a relationship with Prementhine Shakeslock, the defacto leader of the custodians, as he was once a lecturer at the Bournemouth Academy. She volunteered to visit the Tomb of St. Catherine on the heroes behalf.

Eventually, the conversation lead where it often lead; what to do next. The heroes considered leaving Kingsport, but Quentin felt that they had made a binding commitment to Emma to deal with Muirgheal. The heroes wondered whether the Newport Vault would be a suitable place for Muirgheal, since this was where most of the Arms of the Senhadrim in their possession had originated from. The vaults were made to hold such items, and it felt worth considering storing Muirgheal there.

A Draconic Journal Page

Dennis November 22, 2023 No Comments

Overview

During the closing ceremony of the fishing competition James asked the heroes to escort Luciana, a young girl, from the orphanage in Grimsdown to the docks, where Ramona, Lady of the Raft, had docked her ship, the Calypso’s Song. In return, Ramona would give them a piece of writing which mentioned a vault. The page turned out to be ripped from a journal, and written in draconic.

Journal Page

Falka’s Translation

One of our own has been taken. Kalauranthalasis, the Feywalker, is no more. As is customary, a call to conclave went out. Some woke from their slumber. Some emerged from their lairs. And some, like myself, left their positions among mortals to make their way to the Feywalker’s lair. We danced in mourning, waiting for late arrivals. Wrathion, Berazus, Morphaz, Sindragosa, Grakkarond… they were all there.

We were all surprised that his mate did not show, but we knew that the call would not reach everyone in time. Then the catastrophe. The noxious brood had been taken from the vault. The most prized of all the Feywalker’s riches had been taken.

The mourning dance ended, the cries of our brethren rang far, the ground trembled and the sky shook. This will not go unpunished. We must inform Azsharastrasza of this defilement, this insolence, this heresy.

The Draconic Journal Page

Dennis November 21, 2023 No Comments

Previously, the heroes visited Father Devon in order to ask Kasia some questions about Epidemius, only to find that the young girl had been reunited with House Brightmantle, to whom she was a servant. The kindly priest gave them directions to the Brightmantle manse in Kingsport and they went to meet the young and traumatised girl.

First Day, Second Ride, Autumn Twilight, 1262

(Silvermoon is in high sanction, Bloodmoon is waning, Darkmoon is waning)

The heroes spent the morning talking with Kasia, the Silesian handmaid to Lady Grace Brightmantle. She had been the only known witness to the Epidemius incursion from start to finish. She described where the portal formed on the square, the skaven that emerged and how Epidemius rode out on a grotesque mount, the way the custodians and crownsguard had engaged, how Lord Jerod Brightmantle had emerged from the cathedral flanked by houseguards and clerics, and how they had fallen too. She spoke of an incessant buzzing noise in her head as Epidemius spoke his demands and of his departure through a newly formed portal he had created by reading from a scroll. She also admitted having heard the voice of her mother in her head encouraging to help Epidemius, and that she had been too frightened to act.

Picking up on something Kasia had said, Emrys asked her to elaborate more on why she had urged Lady Grace to bury the dead deep and put heavy rocks on their graves. She explained that she and her father, along with many other Silesians, had recently fled across the border to escape “the blood rain,” which made the dead rise from their graves. When asked whether she had seen any of the skaven in Silesia, she said she had not, but that she heard there were “goat men”, rather than “rat men.” Something wicked was rising in the east…

When it seemed that the young girl had no more information to give, Lady Grace concluded the audience, but promised that should new information come to light, or if Kasia would remember new information, a page would be sent to inform the heroes. The heroes departed while Kasia readied herself for a lesson in swordsmanship with Ser William the Crippled in the courtyard.

The heroes said goodbye to Emma after she reiterated that a promise had been made thrice, referring to their promise to help rid her of Muirgheal by the ride’s end, and they headed to the docks to visit Caius of Lynnecombe, the trading representative for House Sheridan that operated from a small office at the docks. When they arrived the neatly groomed, modestly dressed, middle-aged man welcomed the heroes in after reluctantly accepting that Quentin had taken to carrying stray cats around like a common pellar. Little did he know that this was Neamhan, who had shifted into the form of a tabby cat for the better part of the morning.

The conversation with Caius was a short and pleasant one, before going into the reason why the heroes had come; possibly investing some of their hard earned wealth in an establishment which could serve as a more permanent base of operations. Several options on several locations were discussed, as well as a brief overview of the available assets to finance the acquisition. Caius promised to look into some options.

After Caius gave a brief update on the members of House Sheridan, the heroes returned to the Careless Wanderer. They found Lauryn sitting at the table the heroes often occupied, eating breakfast. They joined her and Lauryn explained that Falka had finished the translation of the draconic letter before taking Luca up on his offer and was taking a nap on his bed. Neamhan shifted back to her elven form and joined the company at the table.

The heroes read the translation Falka had left for them:

One of our own has been taken. Kalauranthalasis, the Feywalker, is no more. As is customary, a call to conclave went out. Some woke from their slumber. Some emerged from their lairs. And some, like myself, left their positions among mortals to make their way to the Feywalker’s lair. We danced in mourning, waiting for late arrivals. Wrathion, Berazus, Morphaz, Sindragosa, Grakkarond… they were all there.

We were all surprised that his mate did not show, but we knew that the call would not reach everyone in time. Then the catastrophe. The noxious brood had been taken from the vault. The most prized of all the Feywalker’s riches had been taken.

The mourning dance ended, the cries of our brethren rang far, the ground trembled and the sky shook. This will not go unpunished. We must inform Azsharastrasza of this defilement, this insolence, this heresy.

The heroes were confused; this spoke about events they were direct contributors to, and they knew for a fact that Azsharastrasza had died in their encounter with Kalauranthalasis and Xamael at the Sunken Vault. By this letter it appeared as if her body was never discovered at the vault, and moreover, the eggs they had found and left untouched had been taken. The heroes pondered who might have been responsible for that, and quickly arrived at the Sisters of the Grove.

The conversation sparked some questions in Neamhan; she asked how many vaults there were, and how many the heroes knew about, and what it was that made them special. When the heroes explained more about them, Neamhan had a thought; there was an underground structure which was part of a holy site that Oisín emerged from. Could that have been a vault, too?

When the heroes queried Neamhan about Oisín, she explained that his return was prophesised. During that conversation she made some indelicate comments about the gods; she acknowledged that the gods existed, but found them to be less than helpful. It was at that point a man who was seated at another table said; “I have heard enough. I believe we have all heard enough.”

The man turned out to be a custodian, accompanied by three others; a female custodian and two armed men. They all wore red robes beneath their cloaks, and the armed men wore chainmail.

“Under Paladine’s watchful eye, I charge you with heresy,” the custodian said. “Witnessed,” the other custodian said sharply. “Bind her,” the man said and the two armed men approached, one clearing manacles from his belt. Before they reached the table, Emrys stealthily let a veil of invisibility fall over Neamhan.