Four Fates Under the Southern Sun, 3.5, Session 23

Start: 5 pm, Foreautumn 14, 401 GA

The party spoke with Malthuzar, and it was revealed he and Sahil have a history. He did not seem to want to criticize the man's competence, but he mentioned he 'lacks the mind to make difficult decisions', and how it would be most unfortunate if he were to become the next Adjudicator, if such a thing could happen. Malthuzar stopped himself from fully elaborating, which it seemed as if he could, as it would be improper.

Alasdair speaks with a man named Hernan, a specialized transmuter, and furniture makers in the Rhane district to renovate the upper level of the guildhall. Specifically, he requests rooms to be fabricated for the Archons' bedrooms, bunk holes for recruits, and space to be tastefully divided upstairs. He requested six grand master bedrooms in total. He requisitioned furniture including beds, cabinets and wardrobes for the rooms, and lamps for each room and the dormitory area. He requested a hall to the communal toiletry and a dormitory area for the recruits to share with appropriate furnishings. Red was the preferred color, when appropriate. Furthermore, he requested rooms for Jucika and Malthuzar to be fabricated. He paid 3,500 gold for these services.

During this time, Emilia wards the ship for their upcoming journey.

Pan and Ryardynin present the meditations to Sahil. He seems unusually keen on obtaining the tome. Perhaps because of this, they abstained from leaving the meditations with Sahil. Later, they would determine it is likely he was as keen on it as he was because the meditations of Balvir are an item of great prestige among the shamans, and it is an object of irreplaceable value. If they were to give the meditations to Sahil, it would increase his eligibility to become the Adjudicator and his respect and power among his peers. Whether or not this would ultimately expedite his death or grant him great power as the Adjudicator would be left for fate to decide.

Pan and Ryardynin return to the Archons' Guildhall. There, they meet back up with Alasdair and speak briefly again with Malthuzar, who informs them the recruits are paid a wage out of his own pocket. He stoically shrugs this expense off, reasserting the importance and urgency of their work. Ryardynin has a brief but meaningful conversation with Calvin, where they catch up in their adventures and lay seeds to sprout later on. It is revealed Calvin prefers to use a ranseur. With this in mind, Pan, Ryardynin, Alasdair, and Winter, taking a humanoid form in Emilia's stead, venture to the marketplace.

There, Winter purchases bilberry seeds and emotionally scars an Orasid child. They move on to a book, potion, and scroll shop in the Rhane district called Melisandre's. Melisandre seemed to recognize Ryardynin, and implied she had some relation to Calvin. Nevertheless, she remained professional and sold them potions. She lent Ryardynin a spellbook, presumably a copy of a shaman's, to copy from on his journey.

Winter engaged with an ascended Illuminated named Jorûbath. The spectral creature seemed to despise the frost giants, and asked Winter to leave after expressing sympathy for them. It specified Ilishlu sealed them away 'after a great battle, using the last of her life force', and seemed to venerate this sacrifice greatly.

Returning to the guildhall, the party spoke with Jucika. She once again thanked them for the rescue, and described her intention to propagate the Ashig. She enquired about any suitable candidates in the Viszudar to be paired with her prized Ashig, Aria. She was told to ask around the Thal district, and seemed satisfied enough with this answer. At this time, she revealed albinism is not a drawback to the Ashig, and she simply prefers the aesthetic. Furthermore, this specific Ashig is capable of regenerating in a similar fashion to Alasdair. Jucika found this trait to be quite valuable.

Jucika criticized Calvin's technique and discipline and offers to drill and train the recruits. She offered to train them during the party's absence. Malthuzar observed this as a fortuitous circumstance agreed observe her. At this time, Ryardynin went to purchase armor and weapons for Calvin, who was quite grateful. They spent some time together, and Ryardynin left the man with another spectral rose in parting.

Preparing to depart for their journey, the party rejoined Emilia at the ship. They noticed immediately she had carved 'Archo' onto the ship.

They got introduced to the crew, notable Captain Ramos, who seemed to be a rough-n-tumble sort of seafarer. He expressed his concerns with the southlands, but seemed to come prepared. Him and each of his men brought a silvered heavy mace and longsword for the journey, presumably to fight the undead. He described Emilia as a 'varmint whisperer' and described the constant life or death struggle of the perilous southlands as 'fun', to his crew's chagrin. He detailed the non elven inhabitants of the southlands to be skeletons and wights.

They commenced on their journey, and stopped at a natural harbor. They noticed a suspicious looking hill, which appeared to be a barrow of some kind. Utilizing better judgement, they decided not to tamper with it. During the rest, they noticed an elven ship swiftly approaching from the west. They took measures to conceal their vessel and planned how to deal with the elves.

XP: 1200
End: 3 am, Foreautumn 18, 401 GA