Appearing Characters: Allari Elburn, Altruis Shadowsong, Arthak Saurfang, Faelin Sirenfall, Feorias Dawnrunner, Ly'leth Lunastre, Nyxxa Murkthorn, Rak'Symma, Reydan Duskmere, Riema Dawnrunner, Runas, Ruven Duskmere, Selora, Sol'chi, Stalriss Dawnrunner, Thalyssra Dusklily, Zar'Kaa
December 17th - December 20th
Arthak and Ly’leth got some coffee so he could have a discussion with her. He explained that he had needed to work with the Legion in the past as a means to accomplish his goals, but ultimately bonds were formed as well as he was a sentimental creature to a point. Ly’leth assured him that he would find no judgement from her on the matter, given her own goals.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: The difference between war and politics is merely the shape the weapons take. I’ve learned this quickly. I simply don’t see a point in wasting my own mental energy. We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all done things that would invite critique. But we are what we are. And that is what is important.
Arthak Saurfang says: Indeed. That does bring me to something. I asked to be invited to see your museums not just to see them, but there was something I wished to speak to you about. You’re ruthless. I say that as the exact opposite of a critique.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: What leads you to that conclusion?
Arthak Saurfang says: Your sibling for one. And I have a sense. I observe. I make note. And I am good at recognizing certain qualities. You have conviction, Ly’leth. I suspect that would your city be freed at the cost of your life, there wouldn’t be much hesitation.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: Could you imagine if it was that easy? But no, a grand sacrifice is far from what needs to be done.
Arthak Saurfang says: Many small ones instead.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: And that’s what makes it complicated. But I do take that as a complement.
Arthak Saurfang says: I thought it best to preface it. I point this out because your people’s path is not the same as mine. You have a different history. A different culture. It will wind in a different way. But there are commonalities I can observe. I have spoken to Thalyssra about war and what it demands. She has conviction, and she has stated a willingness to indulge in ruthlessness.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: But she is, at her heart, anything but.
Arthak Saurfang says: indeed.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: Well, it’s a good thing she has people she can rely on. It takes all kinds, as they say.
Arthak Saurfang says: It does. And even if she discovers she has the stomach for it, it will not be the best choice if her hands get bloody.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: Precisely. And at the end of the day, while I could imagine a world where my death could magically solve all problems, I don’t think that’s the case for her. Her survival… I don’t say it’s the only reason we have a shot, but it would be significantly harder without her.
Arthak Saurfang says: Symbols are important. As are leaders.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: We are lucky she is both.
Arthak Saurfang says: indeed. And sometimes we need leaders who can do what we can do, and we need leaders who can’t. I simply wished, especially given what happened… the risks for you have gone up substantially.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: We’ve only just gotten started. If we’re to be honest, Arthak, I don’t suspect I’m going to survive, and I’ve already come to terms with that. I’m just hoping if this rebellion comes at the cost of my life, I can make sure my own affairs are in order, and that Anarys will be alright. I would be pleasantly surprised if I got to the other side alive, but…
Arthak Saurfang says: And if you do, say the things you’ve done mean you don’t have a place in that future even alive?
Ly'leth Lunastre says: ‘Tis a big world, and I’ve spent a long time in this city. I would like to see the city prosper, but if something were to happen, I would do what needed to be done. And you can save your remorse for those that need it. I can only imagine the weight your mind carries. You needn’t expend more energy on me.
Arthak Saurfang says: Needn’t, but I think I will anyway.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: I think I like you, Arthak.
Arthak Saurfang says: And I you.
Ly’leth mused that the coffee shop they had stopped at was rather charming, and Arthak agreed. He said the last time he had gone to a museum it had been with Shaspira, and they had similarly had coffee–or something equivalent– after. Ly’leth said she hoped she could compare, and Arthak confirmed she was, in her own way, and that was one of the highest compliments he could give.
Later that day, Sol reached out to Stalriss and Riema Dawnrunner with a [Dream] spell. He conjured a patio on the edge of a cliff, and Riema was the first to appear. She asked if he was using somnomancy, and he confirmed it was. To emphasize the point he had a whale fall from the sky and crash into the sea at a distance, and Riema looked on in amazement as she had only actually heard about such magics. Sol offered some star-shaped cookies. She took one and asked how long before they saw her dad, and he said they simply had to wait until he fell asleep.
Sol conjured random things that Riema could think of in the meanwhile, but all of a sudden there was an arm around his neck and a stone came to the side of his head.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: No sudden moves.
Riema Dawnrunner says: Dad!
Stalriss looked at Riema in surprise and demanded to know what was going on, but Sol disappeared from his grip as he turned into jelly and reappeared in another chair.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: I know you’re one of them! Every time I kill one of you you turn into that jelly!
Sol'chi says: I… that was just jam. This is a dream.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: I know you’re the hat man! I know that! I just need to find one of those things…
Riema Dawnrunner says: Dad! It’s me.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Listen, honey, I know you think you’re real, but this is a dream. I just need to find a lever and when I pull it the hat man will disappear.
Riema rushed forward and hugged Stalriss, who looked completely confused and baffled.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: …Riema?
Riema Dawnrunner says: It’s me, dad. I don’t know what the Hat Man is… but it’s me.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: You won’t dissolve?
Riema Dawnrunner says: No. Dad… what have you been doing?
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Hiding. Surviving. Trying to make sure I’m strong enough so that… so that no one can get me and I can come and save you. I can save you. You and your mother to make sure they can’t hurt you! The jelly monsters. They’re strong!
Sol'chi says: He… might be talking about demons. They turn into… ichor when they die.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Yes! I figured it out! They only turn to jelly when you kill them. If you don’t kill them, they don’t turn into jelly. But the Hat Man took my weapons!
Sol'chi says: Sir, you won’t need weapons. I’m trying to reunite you with your daughter.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: The jelly monsters are in the city!
Sol'chi says: We’re trying to get them out.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: So you’ll need weapons! I know how to use their weapons! I took them from them. I know how to keep them from turning to jelly.
Sol'chi says: Very good. Yes, um… the monsters need to go, and I have someone outside the city that can help you. They have arcwine to help stabilize you so you can collect your thoughts. Then you can make more weapons.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Oh no, I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to get me to leave. To go! You always do. But I know what happens. If I follow you, I forget. I can’t forget! If I forget…
Riema Dawnrunner says: Dad… what… okay, the Hat Man. He wasn’t trying to trick you. He was trying to help you the entire time.
She looked at Sol.
Riema Dawnrunner says: He’s trying to bring you to the others. The other… Hat Men? They’ve been trying to figure out how to stop the jelly monsters from falling apart, and they need your help.
Sol'chi says: Your daughter has been a big help. We’ve been looking for you for some time, and my friends can get you stuff you need to ensure they… don’t fall apart before you can kill them properly.
Stalriss seemed to be fully enraptured.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: …Really? The whole time I thought you were the one who framed me… but… if it…
Sol'chi says: No, we’ve been trying to figure that out.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: If it wasn’t you… then who…? Who got me thrown out? Was it… it was the jelly monsters! I knew it! This whole time. That’s why they came to the city. I’m… I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize… honey, if you try the Hat Man, then I’m willing to give it a shot. If you’ve been trying to take back the city… if you can help me save them… I’m willing to trust you.
Riema sighed in relief.
Riema Dawnrunner says: Good. I think that they will really benefit from your help, dad. I know you’ll be able to save us.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: What… do I do?
Sol'chi says: We need your location. I know you’re in a cave. But if you tell me where you are, I can get my friends to find you.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: I had to run from the city. I found the first of them. When I started to kill them and learn more about how to make them not to dissolve. I found a wall of rainbows where they emerge from the rainbows. I’ve been hunting them down and turning them into weapons!
It sounded like he was near the Felsoul Hold near the prismatic wall generator. At that moment, Thalyssra tentatively walked into the dream as Sol had also connected to her. She greeted them and Stalriss spun on his heel to point his rock at her.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Who are you?
Riema Dawnrunner says: Dad, she’s another one of the Hat Men.
Sol'chi says: She’s the leader.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: Um… yes. That’s me. It’s good to meet you, master Stalriss. I heard a great deal about you. I believe you’ll be an asset to our… organization?
She looked at Sol, who gave a thumbs up and a nod.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: But we need to find you. Describe where you are so I can direct my scouts.
Sol'chi says: I can give you an image of where I saw him.
He threw up an image of his cave, and Stalriss laughed nervously as he confirmed that’s where he was. Thalyssra said she was sure Farodin could help find him. Sol showed images of their allies and Thalyssra said that they were their best hat men and they shouldn’t be attacked.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: They don’t look like they’ll turn to jelly if I kill them.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: Yes… that’s… right. We’ll find you. Just be safe until then.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Alright, but if this is a trick!
Thalyssra Dusklily says: It’s not. Or my name is not… Thalyssra Dusklily. The… First… Hat Man.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: Thalyssra… I know that name… aren’t you…?
Thalyssra smiled and put a finger to her lips.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: I’ve secretly been a Hat Man the entire time.
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: It makes so much sense… alright! I’ll wait for your people!
Thalyssra Dusklily says: Stalriss… before I go and make sure our people can find you… tell me. These other visions… Could you tell me about them? Have you been losing your senses?
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: I’ve had trouble smelling. I think it’s the smell of the sulfur. The jelly… it smells…
Thalyssra Dusklily says: But your vision?
Stalriss Dawnrunner says: It’s been perfect. Why do you ask?
Thalyssra Dusklily says: No reason. Just try to conserve your energy. We need to ensure you’re in tip-top shape.
Stalriss said he would look out for her people. Sol offered to teleport a flask of arcwine to him, and Stalriss was cautious, but agreed. Riema hugged her father and told him to be safe. Stalriss exited the dream, and Thalyssra said they didn’t have much time, but the fact his vision was still okay was a good sign.
Sol asked Riema to keep the meeting secret, and Reima said she would, but asked Thalyssra if she was really who she said she was. She confirmed she was, and she was trying to ensure people like her father were safe.
Riema thanked them for their help, even if she didn’t understand why they were doing so much for them. Sol explained that the jelly monsters, while not all bad, were part of a bad organization and they wanted to help those affected by them. Riema was baffled the jelly monsters were real, and Sol clarified he was talking about demons.
Riema Dawnrunner says: Wait, so my dad’s been killing demons!?
Sol'chi says: Yes.
Riema Dawnrunner says: Wow. He’s kind of a badass…
Sol'chi says: But if you can find any information about who framed him, that may be useful.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: About that… I don’t think he was framed. He was helping me… but it was for the good of Suramar. It’s less about who framed him, and more about who took that information to where it needed to go. So if you look into it, please be careful, okay dear?
Riema Dawnrunner says: Okay. But if I see anything I’ll try to let you know.
Thalyssra Dusklily says: Thank you, dear. I appreciate it.
Sol'chi says: It’s been a pleasure to meet you. If you need anything, leave a message for me at the Waning Crescent, and I’ll do what I can to get back to you.
Riema Dawnrunner says: Alright. I will.
The dream faded, and within a day later, Sol was invited to the merchant district where he was able to meet Feorias, who was a very no-nonsense businessman that wished to discuss the contract his fiance had established. Sol was directed into the goldsmithing shop so he could show workers how to make the sol shades.
Riema also showed up to learn a bit herself.
Meanwhile, Arthak was assessing Suramar and making several sketches of various points. He heard footsteps behind him, and at least two sets seemed to be fairly heavy. He turned, and shrouded beneath a willow tree were two large figures flanking a much smaller figure. He heard a familiar voice.
Gul'dan says: You must have thought yourself pretty clever, Armagh Thronebiter.
From the shadows stepped Gul’dan flanked by two doomguards.
Gul'dan says: I’ve noticed what you and your friends have been doing. Scurrying through the streets.
Arthak Saurfang says: Oh?
Gul'dan says: Do you take me for a fool, Arthak?
Arthak Saurfang says: You, elder? Never. Hmph.
Gul’dan walked up next to Arthak.
Gul'dan says: This is a magnificent city, isn’t it?
Arthak Saurfang says: It is. Strange, but beautiful in its own way.
Gul'dan says: What do you hope to accomplish here, Arthak? To thwart my schemes? To stop me from reaching my goal?
Arthak Saurfang says: Your goal, or the Legion’s?
Gul’dan laughed.
Gul'dan says: I will have what I seek, Arthak. You can fight and struggle all you want, but this city is already mine. And nothing that you or any of your little friends do can stop me from finally becoming what I was always meant to become.
Arthak Saurfang says: That is… something I have always admired about you, elder. They still underestimate you.
Gul'dan says: We will see how much they underestimate me… when I am on the big stage. When I take center stage all eyes will be upon me! And they will finally seeee me for all that I am!!!
Gul’dan broke into song and started to dance.
Arthak Saurfang says: Am I… in a dream? Did Sol do this?
Gul’dan then started to laugh and started to transform out of his Gul’dan disguise. The two doomguards were also laughing.
Sol'chi says: I’ve been waiting far too long to do that!
Arthak Saurfang says: I did think he was in Stormheim…
Sol'chi says: I was going to do this back at the hold, but you were busy. So I decided to do it when I could, and this seemed like we weren’t going to be doing anything strenuous. Thank you lads for doing what you can! I’m unfortunately have to let you go again. Be the rocks you were meant to be!
One of the doomguards looked at his legs.
Doomguard says: Aww, I’m gonna miss you buddies.
Sol dispelled the magic and the two doomguards turned into rocks.
Sol'chi says: What do you think of my disguise? I made it myself.
Arthak Saurfang says: Well done. Very well done.
The entire display had been very convincing.
Arthak Saurfang says: I sincerely thought I might be dead. Thanks, Sol.
Sol'chi says: I’m glad you liked it.
Arthak Saurfang says: So, other than showing off your costuming skills… were you just trying to trick me?
Sol'chi says: Yes. I wanted to see how thorough I could be. And I’d say it worked.
Arthak Saurfang says: I would agree.
He sighed.
Arthak Saurfang says: It is a good thing for us both that I am an even-tempered orc.
Sol'chi says: Yes! This is something I would not do with Zar’Kaa. He’d fly off the handle if he had a certain demoness in front of him.
Arthak Saurfang says: Probably, yes. I was the optimal choice.
Sol'chi says: Yes. Fingers crossed I can mess with Gul’dan in the future. Because this is fun.
Arthak Saurfang says: There is one thing… one of a few things I am certain of, Sol, is that you are capable of messing with anybody.
Sol'chi says: Thank you. I won’t do that again. But it seems like everything is going well in town?
Arthak Saurfang says: About that…
Sol'chi says: Oh no.
Arthak Saurfang says: I saw the White Tyrant.
Sol'chi says: Oh! Seeing her from a distance shouldn’t matter too much.
Arthak Saurfang says: Not from a distance. She saw me.
Sol'chi says: Well. Just on your own shouldn’t be–
Arthak Saurfang says: With Ly’leth.
Sol'chi says: Ah fuck. Right up the Titan’s ass, isn’t it?
Arthak Saurfang says: We’ve handled worse disruptions. No one needs to cut their eye out or modify their memory or be resurrected under emergency circumstances.
Sol'chi says: …Yeah. She must be planning something because…
Arthak Saurfang says: I’m still alive.
Sol'chi says: Yes, and this compound isn’t burning.
Arthak Saurfang says: We need to talk to the others, but I have thoughts.
Sol'chi says: I’d like to hear them. I’m happy to have given you your second heart attack but… I’m going to think. Take care.
Arthak Saurfang says: Take care, Sol.
Nyxxa went to deliver the full debt repayment of the Willowy Wisp personally in the Midnight Court to House Duskmere. They had an immaculate estate, and the gates to the estate bordered the waters. A small stream swept through the complex, and the house appeared to have a private gondola dock.
As Nyxxa arrived, the first thing she noticed was an abundance of sayaad that were disguised. House Duskmere had clearly gleefully joined hands with the new regime.
A young nightborne with long dark hair came to greet her, and Nyxxa recognized him as the young nightborne that Zar’Kaa had dueled with at Ly’leth’s party. He led her into the estate, and she came to a beautiful, warm pool. A handsome nightborne with a chiseled form and long dark hair with dusky skin similar to the nightborne that had brought her there was at the top of a diving board. A small gaggle of sayaad and nightborne as well as a singular eredar were watching him.
Ruven Duskmere says: This one is for you.
He polished off a glass of arcwine and flung it to the side where it shattered on the ground. He launched himself off the diving board and did a triple flip before he landed perfectly in the water. The group giggled and clapped.
He resurfaced facing the group and promptly began to flirt with them. The nightborne that had shown Nyxxa in tried to get his attention, but he was ignored until the nightborne shouted his name without his title.
Ruven Duskmere says: What did you call me?
Duskmere Nightborne says: I said lord Ruven.
Ruven Duskmere says: I don’t think you did. What did I tell you about disrespecting me in front of our guests?
Duskmere Nightborne says: A thousand pardons. The agent from the Willowy Wisp is here. She has the repayment for the vase.
Ruven Duskmere says: Ah, well hello there. My apologies for my curtness.
He leaped out of the pool and flicked his hand. A towel that had been covering one of the sayaad lept to his hands, and she cheekily laughed and tried to cover herself like she cared. He wrapped his body in the towel.
Ruven Duskmere says: So, you’re from the Willowy Wisp. I don’t believe I saw you there.
Nyxxa explained that she was a new hire and he commented he was surprised that the establishment had gotten enough money to pay it back, but then he cupped her face and said he was perhaps not as surprised as he thought.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: If this is a bad time, I can come back later.
Ruven Duskmere says: No no, not at all. Please, join us. Dear brother, please take the good lady’s payment.
The other nightborne nodded and took the coins as Ruven invited her to make herself comfortable as he returned to the pool. He asked her a lot about her story, and she explained she was from the city before she became a demon, and she had wanted to see what happened to it.
Ruven Duskmere says: It’s become quite magnificent! The sun takes some getting used to, but we have ways to fight against the cold, don’t we?
He groped one of the other women, and they giggled.
Ruven Duskmere says: The arcwine flows to good times. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not just me that’s surrounded by beauty, but this whole damn city.
It was not long before Nyxxa had him wrapped around her finger. However, some of the other girls had started to become visibly jealous. He offered for Nyxxa to stay at his estate, including in his own chamber. Nyxxa demurely responded with “If you’d have me” and he immediately pulled her in.
Ruven Duskmere says: I’d have all of you.
Nyxxa did opt to stay, but later on, she did go to find the brother to apologize for the treatment he had received. The man waved it off as Ruven being under a lot of pressure.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: Is he not always like this?
Duskmere Nightborne says: No… he likes to… he’s always liked to be the center of attention, but since everything has changed and my father fell ill, he’s had a lot of pressure to carry on my father’s business. I’ve been trying to help, but I’m not really that good at that aspect of it all. Doesn’t help not having much in magical talent, but you make do.
House Duskmere was a large mercantile family and had a reliable source of income, but they had never had anyone in the political sphere.
Duskmere Nightborne says: He’s been working to be one of the Grand Magistrix’s advisors… so he’s been working a lot toward that. But thanks. I appreciate it. I have to admit I wouldn’t have expected someone like you to apologize to me… you’re a satyr, aren’t you?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I am. And as a satyr, it is in my nature to do as I please.
Duskmere Nightborne says: Guess that makes sense. Don’t let me stop you then. I’m just hoping once this calms down, things will get better. Once he’s under less stress and my father gets better.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: How long has your father been sick?
Duskmere Nightborne says: Shortly after the barrier went down. Chirurgeons think it’s something with his exposure to the world outside the dome. But we’re hoping once it gets warmer…
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I hope your father gets better soon.
The nightborne asked if everything had been alright before, and Nyxxa said it seemed that he took to the new residents well. He started to say something else, but he cut himself off as he didn’t think it was his place to say anything about it. Nyxxa assured him he had her ear.
Duskmere Nightborne says: Alright… I just feel like this is all happening pretty fast, you know? These demons… you included… I mean, we grew up believing they destroyed the world, and then suddenly the dome comes down and we invited them in. It… I don’t know. I like a bit of excitement, but something about this feels off.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I imagine you’d be more concerned if you saw the city they come from. I worry for Suramar. But… not anything little me can do much about.
Duskmere Nightborne says: But aren’t you… you’re a demon, right?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: And I was once mortal. As it so happens, I might know a thing or two about regrets regarding getting into bed with demons too quickly. But we have to live with our choices. But it’s not too late for you.
Duskmere Nightborne says: What do you mean?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: You still have your critical eye.
Duskmere Nightborne says: Yeah… I guess you’re right.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: That will serve you well.
Nyxxa smiled.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: Don’t let someone else’s choices dictate your life.
She put a finger over her lips.
Duskmere Nightborne says: You know, most girls around here aren’t too interested in talking to me… but I don’t think they’d be as interesting as you.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: They’d have different things to say. But it suits them to appeal to a man like that. But if you need to talk, I can lend an ear. You have a lot of interesting things to say too.
Duskmere Nightborne says: Thanks. Reydan, by the way.
A few days later, Symma, disguised as Anarys, visited the estate to pay her respects to the patriarch of the house given he was ill so that Symma could try to get a read on the situation. He looked like he had seen far better days, as he was visibly sickly.
He admitted he was surprised to see Anarys there, though he would have been more surprised to see their lord father in their stead. Symma asked how long he had been feeling ill, and he admitted it had been a few weeks, since the Grand Magistrix lowered the dome. He said that was a shame, as he had recalled watching the snowfall when he was a young boy.
They reminisced a bit, as the patriarch mused how nice it had been to have Anarys over for dinner before, but he understood how things went. Reydan gave Symma an awkward look, as they had priorly dated.
But Symma was invited to eat with him for supper, and Symma slipped into the wash room to cast [Detect Poison and Disease] before returning. She picked up nothing notable aside from alcohol in the arcwine. She also did not note any specific magic on the patriarch himself.
Seeing nothing suspicious, Symma took her leave, and Reydan thanked her, as his father had always liked them, and he invited Anarys back to see his father again, though he advised they don’t bring their sister along.
Nyxxa, meanwhile, continued to snoop around while she was at the estate, and one day she did see one of the sayaad slip into the patriarch’s room via the ethereal plane. She left a few minutes lately, having not seen Nyxxa.
Later one, when a servant was bringing food to the patriarch, she crept into the room after them and managed to find a shadowed place in the room to hide. The patriarch went to sleep, and sure enough, Nyxxa saw the same sayaad appear in the room. She was thorough in her sweep, and she even stuck her head into the very armoire Nyxxa was hiding, but she was unable to detect her.
She had light pink skin and dark scaled wings. She looked to be from the Coven of Pain. She very carefully knelt down next to the sleeping lord, and she brought her hand up to run her long nails through his hair. She talked quietly, lulling her presence into his dreams, and then Nyxxa saw her press her lips to the lord’s as she started to feed on him.
Sol was lurking behind Nyxxa’s perceptions, and as Nyxxa threw open the armoire, he wished for [Power Word Stun]. Her body seized, and Nyxxa descended upon her with holy poison that knocked her completely unconscious.
Sol used [Teleport] to extract them from the room. Ly’leth, Altruis, and Allari were waiting in the basement of the Lunastre estate, and the sayaad was set in a chair that Ly’leth then sealed with a [Magic Circle].
Ly'leth Lunastre says: Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful! This is such a great windfall. And I trust you’ll be there when master Ruven finds out?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: Yes, I’m intending on it.
Ly'leth Lunastre says: Wonderful.
When Nyxxa returned, she could tell that, for some reason, Ruven was in a terrible mood as no one knew where that particular sayaad went. He was sent into a situation where he was running around the city planning for most of the day, but he did make an effort to try and appear like he wasn’t out of sorts. However, the lord of the house appeared to be in the best condition he had been in for a while.
Meanwhile, Rak’Symma had managed to convince the herons around the Lunastre estate to get some of the other birds to spy for her.
The group joined up again and Arthak informed them that there was something that needed to be discussed. He explained a few days prior he had gone out to some of the museums with Ly’leth, but the White Tyrant was there and had both seen and recognized him.
Rak'Symma says: …who?
Arthak Saurfang says: One of the leaders of the Legion forces here in the Broken Isles. A mastermind of the invasion.
Rak'Symma says: Ah.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: What did she do?
Arthak Saurfang says: Nothing. We shared a tour. Exchanged some words, and went our separate ways.
Zar'Kaa says: How did she know?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: There’s a good chance she has the same abilities Sol and I have. Demons of such strength are able to see through illusions.
Sol nodded and confirmed she was very perceptive.
Arthak Saurfang says: And she knows me. There are not many orcs prone to visiting museums.
Zar'Kaa says: Okay, so…
He rubbed his temple.
Zar'Kaa says: So. What’s our next move then? She knows you’re here, thus likely knows we are here.
Arthak Saurfang says: Armagh Thronebiter has been compromised, and given I was in Ly’leth’s company, she knows Ly’leth is in our corner. So.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: Or you could have been deceiving her. She knows Ly’leth is in our orbit and will be keeping an eye on her.
Arthak Saurfang says: It could be much worse. The fact she didn’t immediately attempt to apprehend or kill me is… interesting.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: It is.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: My thoughts are thus. The rest of you should diversify your identities. Also might be best to steer clear of Ly’leth as much as possible. We’ve established connections outside of her. We can lean more on them. It was inevitable we would need to diversify our interests here.
Sol'chi says: My alias has been staying at the inn and hasn’t been seen around here since the masquerade.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I have a closer association with her rival than her at this point.
Arthak Saurfang says: You two likely are safe. But any of us who have been around the manor should be wary. It’s going to be watched. Even if the Tyrant isn’t making a move, she’ll be investigating. As for myself… I want to see what she does. I think it’s best I stay very close to Ly’leth for the time being. There is something more going on. She’s patient.
Zar'Kaa says: I… she has eyes in many places, but not everywhere. I think what I can do is, well… given I’ve already kicked up my share of fuss, I can keep that up. Make more distractions.
Arthak Saurfang says: The attention will be on me regardless. She knows who I am.
Zar'Kaa says: I know. But all the same.
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: What about the vineyards?
Arthak Saurfang says: I’ll stay with Ly’leth. We’ll be public, see who bites, and that can serve as a distraction for the rest of you. But she is our means of getting in there. It may be advantageous for everyone to get us alternate invitations, but… in truth no one has had much direct connection to Ly’leth. We can likely proceed as prior.
Nyxxa said she was interested to see her next move, and Arthak agreed.
They met up with Runas and they headed out to speak with Faelin. His estate was beautiful and ostentatious, but it looked fairly… generic. There was a garden, but it wasn’t too big. There were statues, but they weren’t too garish. But there were also things that were explorations in quirkiness.
When they knocked on the door, they were greeted by the most generic-looking kaldorei-esque night elf man they had ever seen, but Sol was able to determine they appeared to be made up of magic.
The servant asked if they had an appointment, and Nyxxa said she had a delivery. The servant mentioned they would check to see if master Faelin Sirenfall was free, as he was a very busy individual… but then it immediately cut itself off as it said that Faelin was in fact free.
The servant asked who it should announce, and Runas gave his true name.
The other servants offered refreshments, and Zar’Kaa took a scone, but it too was very generic. A moment later, a door swung open with a boisterous voice.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Did I hear my old friend Runas was in town!?
They looked up and at the top of the staircase they saw a huge, heavy-set nightborne man that was also seemingly quite muscular. He had fluffy, blonde-white hair that draped over his shoulders and curled eyebrows with a strong chin. He was wearing a bathrobe and didn’t look to have been expecting guests. He didn’t look disheveled, but he also didn’t look particularly put together.
Runas says: Faelin my old friend!
Faelin hurried down.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Runas you old scoundrel!
He caught Runas up in a hug.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Last i heard you got kicked out of the city!
Runas says: You know me, you can’t ever get rid of me!
Faelin Sirenfall says: That’s what I love about you!
He put Runas in a headlock and tried to ruffle his hair.
Faelin Sirenfall says: …What happened to your hair?
Runas says: I… well…
Runas dropped the disguise.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Egads, my man, what happened, you look terrible!
Runas says: Well, you don’t need to rub it in. Faelin, I’ve been out of the city.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Yeah, and?
Runas says: Out of the city. Faelin, it’s been years. The arcwine?
Faelin Sirenfall says: Oh. Right! Well you look great!
Runas says: You just said–
Faelin Sirenfall says: Who are your friends?!
Runas turned to the rest of the group and Sol introduced himself as Runas’s nephew. Faelin blinked and mentioned he didn’t know Runas had siblings. Nyxxa spoke up and explained they had been raised in the same orphanage. Faelin clapped their hands in big two-handed handshakes and continued around the group.
He correctly assessed Arthak was an orc and he said he had been trying to learn everything about the orc culture he could since he found out they existed. Sol asked if he had met the first one that had arrived, and Faelin said that he didn’t as he hadn’t even been informed he was there until after he was released.
Faelin Sirenfall says: What brings you to my humble abode?
Nyxxa explained they had met Reshad, and Faelin interrupted to say he was a wonderful old buzzard with a story for every star in the sky. Nyxxa continued he had said he’d be interested in the arakkoa glaives.
She withdrew them and Faelin gasped as he took them.
Faelin Sirenfall says: These look exactly like the armblades of the Adherents of Ruhkmar… how did you get your hands on these?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I’ve been to that world.
Faelin Sirenfall says: You don’t say!
He launched into an explanation that he once wanted to open up a museum of his own but when the dome dropped and he realized the world outside still existed he decided he wanted to travel around and visit all the places the artifacts came from.
But the Grand Magistrix had told them it wasn’t safe. Nyxxa pointed out the reliance on arcwine as well, and he waved off the statement after admitting it was an issue, though he admitted he probably wouldn’t still be alive after 10,000 years without it. He had dabbled in science for a bit and he had realized that the arcwine had something about it that extended their life spans, but he had then gotten bored.
Runas says: Faelin… do you know what’s been going on?
Faelin Sirenfall says: Well, I know the dome went down. There’s been some commotion at the Nighthold, but they don’t have me go there much anymore. Turns out there’s no need for an ambassador to a place that doesn’t exist…
Rak'Symma says: Who were you representing?
Faelin Sirenfall says: The beautiful city of Zin-Azshari! I was the ambassador for her Radiance Queen Azshara, who I assume… likely died in the destruction of the world.
Arthak Saurfang says: Probably, yes.
Nyxxa looked at Arthak.
Arthak Saurfang says: But, Runas.
Runas says: So they haven’t told you anything?
Faelin Sirenfall says: Not… anything… but I did meet Reshad! He told me a few things!
Runas says: Faelin… the city is falling apart.
Faelin Sirenfall says: What do you mean?
Runas says: How often do you leave the house?
Faelin Sirenfall says: Well, I… I’ve already seen just about everything the city has to offer, and most people… I don’t get invited out much anymore. And well… without… I don’t want to invite myself to places. It seems like it would be presumptuous.
Runas says: Faelin, you oblivious old coot. Tell me you’ve at least heard the rumors of the First Arcanist?
Faelin Sirenfall says: What happened to the First Arcanist?
Sol'chi says: Oh no…
Arthak Saurfang says: There should be a brief primer on events.
Runas launched into an explanation of everything that had happened.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Demons? Like the War of the Ancients?
Runas says: Yes.
Nyxxa waved.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Oh, so you’re a demon! The horns! It makes sense, I… AHHHH!
Runas says: No no, she’s okay. Let me continue–
He launched into a further explanation and Faelin listened with rapt attention.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Runas, the way you’re saying… it sounds like the Grand Magistrix doesn’t have the city’s best interests at heart? Why would she let the demons into our home? When they destroyed the world, or well, we thought they destroyed the world…
Runas says: That’s because she doesn’t, Faelin.
Faelin gasped.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Egads! What are we to do!?
Runas says: At the moment, I need you to help us.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Of course! Anything! The First Arcanist was quite kind to me when we ran into each other at the market. Her estate isn’t far, you know. I don’t see what the Grand Magistrix would have to gain… is it just for power? For personal gain?
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: I recall she refused to involve Suramar in the war before.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Yes!
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: It could be that the Legion had its attention on Suramar and she didn’t think they could win.
Faelin Sirenfall says: So you think she’s been had!? Do you think she needs rescued!? A daring prison break from the heart of the Nighthold–
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: No. But I think she’s doing what she thinks is best.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Ah, so a misguided villainess! I’ve read many stories of such things! But I can scarcely believe it…
Nyxxa Murkthorn says: Look at Runas, he was cast out of the city.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Well yes, because he was… what were you doing, Runas?
Runas says: I was helping people, Faelin. I broke some rules, but–
Faelin Sirenfall says: You were breaking rules!?
Runas says: Faelin how do you think I got half the things in your treasury?
Faelin Sirenfall says: I was complicit in crimes! Oh no! But it’s kind of exhilarating…
Arthak Saurfang says: Do you want to be complicit in more?
Faelin Sirenfall says: I don’t know, I haven’t done it before, but that seems…
Zar’Kaa pointed out tales of dashing, rogue-like heroes and talked up the idea of them. Faelin gasped and asked if that was what Runas was. Runas got bashful and Faelin agreed that the world needed more. He asked what they needed and started to ramble on asking if they needed a hideout or arcwine–
Runas interrupted him and said they absolutely needed arcwine.
Faelin said he had a surplus of the stuff because, he had a confession, he didn’t drink it much as he didn’t like the taste of alcohol, and he understood people said you couldn’t taste it, but he always could. He started to ramble, and they refocused him again and said they needed a steady supply of arcwine.
He wasn’t sure if he could set up a steady supply unless they got something going at the vineyards, but he then asked if they had seen the vineyards, and he suggested he could get them a tour.
The group said that they already had a tour, but Sol suggested that he could get them his own tour if he wanted to go and he could go with him instead. Though he wasn’t sure how quickly he could get a tour… but he could march up there right away and see.
Sol then asked if he had heard about sol shades and quickly made another sale.
Faelin happily showed them around his estate, including a workshop with countless started hobbies and his expansive collection of relics which appeared to be meticulously well-maintained. Zar’Kaa examined one of the spears, and as he ran his hand on it, he suddenly got the sensation of drowning and he dropped to his knees.
Faelin hastily checked on him as Sol identified the spear, but he saw it as just a slightly enchanted spear. Zar’Kaa explained he had felt drowning, and Faelin said he had found the spear washed up on the shore.
They also saw an amulet, and Sol asked about it. Faelin said it was a personal artifact, and Arthak offered to look at it, but Faelin hastily stopped him and expressed it wasn’t that he didn’t trust him…
Arthak Saurfang says: But it’s precious.
Faelin got a somber look.
Faelin Sirenfall says: Something from back home.
Sol'chi says: Something from a loved one or a piece of station?
Faelin Sirenfall says: Anyway, you came to speak to Reshad! We can come back here later, perhaps.
Arthak Saurfang says: …Or just none of our business.
Faelin led him to a beautiful room, and the first thing they saw was an orrery of immaculate design. It was slowly rotating around the room. They saw Reshad scrawling on a bunch of scrolls, and Faelin called to him. He squawked in surprise, but then apologized as he had been engrossed in his work. He introduced himself as Reshad, Scroll-keeper of Skettis. He asked Faelin for some privacy, and Runas went off to chat with his old friend while Reshad went into topics that Faelin did not need to be privy to.
