Beyond the Sky - Session 30

-12th Autumn's Third-
As the sun is setting, the party once again reconvene back at the Morning Calm inn to plan their next move.
Valaire: "So it would seem we will now be providing an escort."
Adrian: "Arkune. We're leaving first thing in the morning. If you want souvenirs, now's the time."
Valaire: "I have everything I need right here."
Arkune: "The grand minister? I'm somewhat surprised he's not afraid of the raiders..."
Valaire pats her covered right arm, smirking.
Kylisae: "Geez, that tattoo thing is kinda creepy, you know?"
Arkune: "You got another tattoo, Valaire?"
Valaire: "She's referring to the one you saw at the mist town already."
Night Eyes: "Oh, that one is interesting."
Adrian: "As Valaire said, we're playing escort. He has no reason to be afraid of the raiders."
Arkune: "Maybe this will help us prove they aren't allies of Zeltria?"
Valaire: "And rest assured, milord. As per your instructions, I have thought to bring a gift for you-know-who as well."
Kylisae: "I have no idea how she fit it. Wasn't it larger than her arm...?"
Arkune: "Maybe it's in the wagon?"
Night Eyes: "Marvellous, isn't it?"
"I could use something like that."
Valaire stares at Night Eyes with a studious glance, in thought.
Adrian: "It's a clever little trick. How much can you store that way?"
Valaire: "Hmm... quite a lot, so long as I can actually hold it in one hand. Dimensions are far less of a concern."
Mikolotov comes over to the table, carrying a tall beverage.
Arkune: "Trying out a local drink before you leave, Mikolotov?"
Mikolotov: "...not really. It's just water (eheh...). Can't be drunk while 'on duty'."
Kylisae: "Didja at least bring me something?"
Valaire: "After the last time? No. You're being cut off."
Adrian: "I have to agree with Valaire here."
Mikolotov offers Kylisae a sweet roll, taking a seat at the table.
Kylisae: "Skye, help! They're repressing my freedom!"
"Ooh, food."
Kylisae seems completely distracted from the deprivation of alcohol, content to engorge herself on the bread offering.
Arkune: "She was sort of cute like that..."
Adrian: "It can't be good for her."
Night Eyes: "Worried it will make her hyperactive?"
Valaire: "There is a certain matter of body mass. And lack thereof."
Arkune: "But she's a fairy. Maybe they're different than humans."
Adrian shrugs, glancing toward the common room of the inn nervously.
Mikolotov: "Something wrong, Milord?"
Night Eyes: "A lot of wrong things happened yesterday."
Adrian: "Precisely so."
Valaire: "She is one sixth our size. She weighs less than a pound. I do not think giving her alcohol is a good plan."
Arkune: "I... can't think of much I'd want to finish before we leave... aside from perhaps try some local food? Do Ashdalites have any specialties?"
Mikolotov: "How many wrong things happened? You negotiated the peace treaty successfully, didn't you?"
Night Eyes: "I severely blundered."
Mikolotov: "(I think there's some sort of special candied fruit here, and there's these things called crabs that are only on the east coast.)"
Arkune: "(We have crabs on the Lunar Isle too... maybe it'll be a taste of home...)"
Night Eyes: "It is likely that Azzanadra is being tracked in some manner."
Arkune: "(We could try them together.)"
Mikolotov: "(I suppose there's still the rest of the evening...)"
Adrian: "He had some kind of illusion aura on him, something powerful enough to knock me senseless and that he does not know the cause of."
Valaire: "Illusion magic? To track him?"
Night Eyes: "The illusion seemed more to disguise other auras."
Valaire: "I would think if illusions were in play, they would be engineered to hide what was really influencing him."
Adrian: "It sounds as if you have an alternate theory."
"In any case, it is ominous."
Arkune: "So... he might be being controlled?"
Night Eyes: "I think he is being observed. He seemed amiable, and not in agreement with the Emperor's plans."
Adrian: "Any direct control over him is prohibitive rather than active, at least."
Valaire: "A powerful magic that has a backlash even against my lord... there are few that could be responsible."
Night Eyes: "Exactly. It is my worst fear, as I did ask him for help about my mask."
Valaire: "Which means, the person tracking him may have overheard you discuss that."
Night Eyes nods.
Valaire: "...They may, in fact, be the one you donned the mask for in the first place."
"...You need not confirm or deny that. I know you can't answer honestly."
Night Eyes: "Well, to keep my mind busy, I had myself work on something."
Night Eyes reaches into her bag, withdrawing a silver rod engraved with Zeltrian insignia.
Night Eyes: "Adrian, a gift for you."
Adrian accepts the rod, looking over the engravings.
Adrian: "I... thank you. This is splendid. So that's what you've been working on all this time, is it?"
Valaire shrugs uncaringly, dispelling enough of her illusory sleeve to expose a tattooed wrist, and tracing lines on it with a dry quill.
Arkune: "Is it a cane? A pipe?"
Night Eyes: "It will add a little more kick to your magic. Anyone who defies you will feel a sting of regret."
Adrian: "I should have expected something that insightful from you. It's perfect."
Night Eyes flushes gently.
Night Eyes: "I'm glad. I need to work on something about my identity though."
Arkune: "Do you need another new name?"
Kylisae: "You know, as boring as that library was, I still wouldn't mind helping out."
Night Eyes: "You gave me a good idea, Kylisae."
"Another name probably won't cut it. This mask has a specific name to it."
Valaire: "Which means if you shed it, you are no longer 'Night Eyes'."
Adrian: "Good timing for a flash of insight."
Valaire: "Not that we don't already have a name we can use as an alias, but as that was based generally on the mask as well, I imagine something entirely new would be required..."
Kylisae: "See! I'm helpful!"
Night Eyes: "Exactly. Now more than ever, I need to replace this mask."
Adrian: "Hm. What if it were to be a new mask and a new name, repeating the ritual wholly? It would still only be a stopgap, but..."
Arkune: "Would it be time to get rid of the mask?"
"If people are tracking you down even with it..."
Night Eyes: "Removing it as-is would have other consequences. I'm considering it, though..."
Kylisae: "Well, they're still tracking down 'Night Eyes'. They don't have any proof you're 'you'."
Night Eyes: "They have reason to connect the dots, but I see your point."
"In any case, we leave tomorrow, yes?"
Valaire: "Indeed, even a small amount of similarities will be enough."
Adrian: "As soon as Fitcher is able. The sooner we get out of here, the better."
Night Eyes: "Damn straight."
Valaire: "If they are missing a dark-haired Eriban woman who hid her identity, and found a dark-haired Eriban woman who is currently hiding her identity, there isn't going to be much to the imagination..."
Kylisae: "Farewell, Ashdale! I knew you for, what, one day?"
Mikolotov: "Two days?"
Adrian: "It'll take a while to leave Ashdale fully. You can see Ashdale backwater towns, too."
"Farewell to Kyaro, at least."
Valaire: "Trust me. Zeltria is much better."
Mikolotov: "Is it really?"
Night Eyes chuckles.
Arkune: "I like both~"
Valaire: "Well, it's not third-rate boondocks, in any event."
Night Eyes: "Well I confess I will feel more comfortable when we are there."
The party go about their evening business, before retiring for the night, prepared for tomorrow.
Morning breaks, and the party assemble at the edge of the city at dawn, meeting with the Grand Minister in his own carriage, and set out on their journey, prepared to see Zeltria once more.
The journey is surprisingly uneventful as they pass over the border, unfortunately not encountering any soldiers, or even Eldritch Beasts.
Arkune: "Much quieter this time..."
Night Eyes remains huddled in the corner of the wagon, trying to distract herself with magic.
Adrian: "I suppose it's just as well to make good time, but I did want a chance to prove our disassociation with the traitors."
Arkune keeps watch for anything that does try to approach, sitting near Mikolotov.
After little more than a week or so of travel, the party and their escort see Verseris in the distance, fast approaching.
The party disembark from their wagon, and meet the Minister at the palace, heading into the entrance hall together. Mikolotov, wishing to go to the barracks and deliver a report, splits from the party before they enter.
Night Eyes: "Adrian, I will need to request use of the library and ideally the prince's aid quite rapidly."
Valaire: "Ah, Prince Kallian. It truly has been some time since my last visit with him."
Clerk notes the party as they come in.
Clerk: "Lord Adrian, sir?"
"And... Grand Minister, sir?"
Arkune: "I wouldn't mind reading more on Zeltria's history, if we have time before any meetings."
Adrian: "Yes. Please inform Her Majesty of the Grand Minister's arrival."
Clerk: "Of course, immediately."
Adrian: "(You still have the key to the library? Anyone who questions your presence there can bring their complaints to me. I'll speak to Kallian about it as soon as I'm able.)"
Clerk motions towards a guard, quickly talking to him in elven, before he hurries off.
Clerk: "I also seem to have a few messages and parcels for you, Lord."
Night Eyes: "(R-right... I can't seem to escape it.)"
Adrian: "Ah, yes?"
"(Cannot escape what?)"
Night Eyes: "(His voice. It haunts me in my sleep.)"
Clerk: "One, a message from Lord Hector Ivandis, a request for dinner, it seems... And another message from Head Researcher Kharsha Tir. It seems she wishes to meet with you in... let's see... four days from now."
Arkune: "(Whose?)"
Adrian winces, looking at Night Eyes with concern.
Valaire: "(One whom she cannot speak the name of, I would assume.)"
Night Eyes: "(Well, it could be two people. But it makes no difference.)"
"(In any case we will need to do something about this Guile.)"
Adrian: "...Thank you. I'll speak to Lord Ivandis as soon as I have the opportunity."
Arkune: "(I could try seeing if anyone has heard about him here, if you'd like.)"
Clerk: "Not only that, but I seem to have a gift from one of your... admirers, I believe. The item was dropped off a day after you left, unfortunately."
Adrian: "One of my admirers...? Any name given?"
Clerk: "I don't believe so. It was given by a courier, so I imagine it was someone notable who wanted to keep their identity a mystery. It came with a message of the item. It seems to be a warding ring, to protect people."
Clerk pulls out a gold and ruby ring.
Arkune: "(Is it safe, Adrian?)"
Night Eyes: "Hmmm."
"We should probably check it over, shouldn't we?"
Clerk hands the ring over to Adrian.
Clerk: "I believe that is everything."
Adrian glances at Arkune, accepting the ring and tucking it into a belt pouch.
Adrian: "Thank you. Perhaps I do have an idea who sent this, after all."
Night Eyes: "Do you mind if I check it for trappings, Adrian?"
Valaire: "That certainly seems to be a prudent venture. Especially considering how our last gift was poisoned..."
Adrian: "Quite justified. Whenever you have time, then."
Adrian retrieves the ring again, handing it over to Night Eyes.
Night Eyes holds in front of her eyes, and begins to read its auras. [Spellcraft: 17+7]
Kylisae: "It is pretty, though."
Kylisae: "Why would someone trap such a pretty ring?"
Adrian: "Because one wouldn't wear an ugly one."
Kylisae: "Oh. I guess that's a good point."
Valaire: "Do you ever think before speaking? I would have thought you would have gotten more used to things during the trip."
Night Eyes passes it back to Adrian.
Night Eyes: "It creates a shield of force. Very useful in combat."
Valaire: "A shield for those who lack combat training. Quite convenient."
Night Eyes: "Burdenless, too."
Arkune: "So it's not a trap?"
Kylisae hums to herself while investigating the nobles wandering the court, occasionally tugging at the sleeves of her outfit every now and them to cause them to illusorily shift to her latest curiosity.
Night Eyes: "Can't say for certain, but it's well hidden if it is."
Adrian: "Very convenient indeed. (I've really no idea who would be sending anonymous gifts, though.)"
Valaire: "If one is worried, a second opinion always helps. A defect may be overlooked by one but noticed by another."
Adrian passes the ring over to Valaire.
Adrian: "I think it's something you've more talent at than I."
Valaire turns the ring over in her clawed fingers, scrutinizing it.
[Investigative Mind, Spellcraft: 22]
[Night Eyes : Spellcraft: 30 to copy the spell]
Adrian: "(Night Eyes, I admit to some curiosity over what it is you plan to research.)"
Valaire shrugs, passing it back.
Adrian accepts the ring back, examining it himself. [Spellcraft: 26]
Night Eyes: "(Two things. Straight up scry-proofing, and a way to remove the mask without consequences.)"
Adrian: "(Understood. You need both?)"
"Hm, it does look helpful. I suppose I have an anonymous fan."
Valaire: "I... suppose in this case it is safe to look the gift horse in the mouth."
Night Eyes: "True, true."
Night Eyes nods to Adrian.
Night Eyes: "(Splitting away the identity I have been bonded to... it will hurt me.)"
Arkune: "(What if we just hunt down the one who's after you?)"
Adrian: "(I see... It certainly seems the kind of magical puzzle to catch Kallian's interest, at any rate.)"
Adrian slips the ring onto one finger hesitantly, admiring it. [Will Save: 30]
Valaire gives up on eavesdropping on her lord's conversation this time, going to see if she can consult the clerk for a request.
Clerk: "Yes, Ma'am?"
Valaire: "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Valaire, under the employ of Lord Kelton of Black Hills. If you would be so kind, could you notify Prince Kallian that we have returned to our fair city of Verseris?"
Clerk: "Ah, Valaire Kirinal?"
Valaire: "Indeed."
Clerk: "I was informed by the Prince to notify him of your return, for whatever reason."
Valaire: "Is that so?"
Night Eyes: "Ah, excuse me, may I add a further request to that?"
Clerk: "Indeed, Ma'am."
"And, indeed, ma'am."
Night Eyes: "If you could let him know that Night Eyes has a quandary with an old magic that would greatly be aided by his talents, I would appreciate it."
"I will be in the library to research it."
Valaire: "The library... ah, yes."
Valaire looks up to her corner at the very distracted sprite, and sighs.
Valaire: "I may require an additional card for entry."
Adrian: "I suppose even familiars would be counted separately. Hm."
Clerk: "I see, is she a citizen of Zeltria?"
Valaire: "So it would seem."
"She states her birthplace as Priffdinas Forest. Which is within Zeltrian borders."
"Therefore, she is a natural-born citizen of Zeltria."
Clerk: "...I see she is a sprite. I guess that counts..."
Clerk produces a small black card, holding it out to the fey.
Kylisae: "(At least someone can tell the difference?)"
Kylisae accepts the card, balking under its weight.
Arkune: "(It's not that different from a fairy...)"
Adrian: "She's a citizen of Zeltria as much as of anywhere else. Furthermore, she's bonded to Valaire. The legal intricacies might be interesting to research, though."
Night Eyes: "I guess Valaire will need to keep it when you are not passing through the doors, huh?"
Kylisae: "Uh... yeah. I don't think I can stow this anywhere on my person, so... yeah."
Valaire: "I guess, if I must."
Valaire accepts the card from the sprite, slipping it into a pocket concealed by the illusory dress.
Night Eyes: "Thank you for the help."
Clerk: "She does need to have it on her person when she enters the doorway, at the very least."
Valaire: "But not once she is inside?"
Clerk: "I do not believe so."
Valaire: "Noted."
Night Eyes: "It is significantly cheaper to enchant a doorway than an entire library."
Clerk: "Anyway, his highness Prince Kallian should be in the library by now."
Adrian: "Night Eyes. I'll make what time I can to assist you myself, as well. Once I tend to a few matters in my absence."
Night Eyes: "Thank you, Adrian."
Night Eyes: "I shall make my way to the library immediately, sir. Thank you for the help."
Night Eyes gives the clerk a small curtsy, before wandering towards the library.
Valaire: "I should visit my home to ensure it is in order, first. Plus there is something I must drop off."
Valaire: "Unless milord Adrian would prefer to deliver the gift personally?"
Arkune: "That Red Lily place? I wonder how it's faring..."
Adrian: "(And if company would ever help drown out the voices... Well, take care, in any case.)"
"Hm. Perhaps it's best you handle it for now, Valaire. Do tell her I can make time to visit soon, but not just now."
Valaire: "As you wish, milord."
Night Eyes waves to Adrian as she departs, forcing a smile.
Valaire bows politely, departing the hall and returning to the slums.
The party split up and go about the tasks they wish to perform, as the sun continues to rise over Verseris.