[Alliance] Session Ten
Gil receives a letter from Syeori, and he immediately tears the letter open and reads it. He stares, and smiles, and stares, and smiles, and is not intending on moving anytime soon. After a moment, Zaeneas waves his hand in front of Gil’s face.
After a moment, he comes back to earth, and Zaeneas and Caleron exchange a look before looking at Uther, who says they have a job to do.
Gil: “Yeah, okay, yeah, sure… what was I doing?”
Uther: “Alright… well, I am going to go work on composing a speech to convince the Convocation that an alliance with the trolls may be warranted… Gil I need you to be ready to convince your people of the tactical value of this situation.”
Gil acknowledges, but is still very clearly distracted by the contents of that letter.
Zaeneas and Caleron have other things to do, but they said they would be in the area, and would get the story of what Uther and Gil are doing after the fact. Zaeneas, of course, has a comment in regards to Gil’s reaction to the letter as they leave.
---
Gil goes to talk to Vel first, as there is the matter of the wedding ring to deal with. She was going to talk to Talath, and he caught her before she went.
He reports to her that her grave was undisturbed, but it was in fact her ring.
Vel tells him she’s going to research the enchantments are on the ring, and how they might have been able to retrieve it without disturbing the grave.
Gil asks Vel about magically enchanting chains. Vel doesn’t know anything about that, so he asks her to ask Talath. She agrees, and the two go their separate ways. Gil hugs her and scampers off.
---
Meanwhile, at the farstrider square- a young an un-assuming dwarf makes his way to the building. Everything is normal, but he hears a strange noise. A Tssss-*pop*. All of the farstriders are blowing bubblegum. Zap refuses to make the connection. He smiles, he waves, and keeps moving, like he did with the crate originally.
He finds an elf blacksmith. The smithy is clean, like it has been never been used. The smith tells him that Zap has clearance, but he tells him he better clean up the place afterward. He also tells Zap a goblin dropped off something for him. It’s a small box.
Zap holds the box to his ear. There is no ticking. He opens it, wrapped up in a small letter.
"Ya better check the gum or, you owe me the money. No refunds. You know me better than that."
As Zap unwraps the contents, there is a strange little contraption. It seems to be an absolutely tiny musical instrument. A tiny violin. However, it is some sort of gadget. Zap activates it by running the tiny bow across the tiny strings. The violin immediately starts playing the song that played during the wedding of Zap and his ex-wife.
Zap immediately throws it over his shoulder, and it hits the ground and shatters. There was one last stick of sugar-free gum lodged inside the shattered violin.
He gets to work. As the forge heats up he starts singing the Explorer’s League song. With a decent amount of time, Zap is able to smith some pretty solid chains. He melts down the silver and coats them with a smooth coating of silver.
Gil walks into the forge just as Zap is pulling the chains out of the molten silver. There is a small crunch as Gil accidentally steps on the shattered remains of the violin. He notices the wrapped stick of gum and pops it in his mouth. It’s sour apple.
Zap greets him.
They discuss the gum that all the Farstriders were chewing for a moment.
Zap: “If I wanted something clingy that would blow up on you, I’d still be married.”
The two discuss the chains, and Zap had made special care to make them comfortable and stylish just for Tess. Gil recommends adding a nice wolf for the lock, and asks if he could give him a sketch of a wolf. Gil goes to find a wolf-aboo farstrider, because there is apparently one in each lodge.
Zap asks how Gil is doing. Gil asks how far away Ironforge is. Zap mentions it would take a couple of nights by hawkstrider. Clearly Gil has an ulterior motive, as he also asks about the two explorers that Syeori mentioned in her letters.
Zap gives Gil the pamphlet on the Explorer’s League he has.
Gil explains that his “friend” mentioned them. And that she’s pretty great, and he wanted to make sure she had the best because she deserves the best.
And then romance-talk with Zap ensues, because it’s obvious Gil fancies her. He offers to make him a set of chains to keep her attached, and verbally says “wink-wink-nudge-nudge”.
Gil mentions she’s in Ironforge for the next few weeks. Zap mentions that if they weren’t up to important things, they would have made a side trip. But the Convocation still needs talking to and Arator needs rescuing from his own adventure.
Zap goes on that he hopes he hears more from the elves than just killing and murdering trolls. He didn’t want to think that all elves were simply “murderers and thugs.”
Zap gives Gil a reassuring pat. Gil gets soot and grease all over the clothes Gil is wearing. Gil doesn’t flinch. Gil then smiles and gives Zap the sketch of the wolf.
Zap: “What’s a Thalassian word for ‘Totally Rad’?”
Gil: *Blinks* “I don’t think you understand elves.
Zap: “Guilty as charged.” ---
Meanwhile, Tess goes to creep around a few bars and pubs throughout the day. She is able to hear that a lot of the talk is about the rumors of the outbreaks of troll attacks. Some people are talking about how they think the Convocation should mobilize the elven forces before it is an issue, while others are arguing that it is just trolls being trolls and they are trying to draw them away from Quel’Thalas - human and dwarf kingdoms should deal with their own problems.
In a few of the locations there were more members of the Aurum Blades. Many of the mercenaries were talking about their missions heading down south to combat the trolls. At the fifth establishment that Tess visits, she sees another small group of four Aurum Blades. A fifth one returns, and they start to talk about some of the plans that their commander had given. However, as Tess watches, the way that he is scratching the back of his ear seems to be indicative of something else (according to Thieves’ Cant). It definitely seems that he is trying to say something else, and she notices the sign for “All clear.”
His eyes dart to Tess, though he didn’t notice her watching. There is some suspicion there.Tess looks to investigate more, but she is noticed, and someone sits next to Tess and asks if he can help her with something.
Tess tries to deflect the conversation. It isn’t very effective.
Man: “Pretty girls like you shouldn’t be making eyes at dangerous men like me.”
Tess attempts to flirt with him to pass it off like she was checking him out. He looks at her for a second, and then smiles and calls for a round for himself and Tess.
Tess thanks him.
Man: “You don’t see humans around here too often. At least not spending their time on a lonely barstool. What brings you in town?”
Tess just says she is traveling with some friends and explains they had split their ways for a bit to explore. The man mentions her friends must be “colorful people.” Tess agrees with a smile.
The man smiles back. “Not surprised. Folk like you and I have a tendency to make interesting friends. I made one right now.”
The bartender brings to round to the pair of them, and he introduces himself as “Maris.” Tess also gives her name, but doesn’t take a drink yet.
Maris raises his glass to Tess: “Well Tess, to the making of interesting friends.” Tess clinks her glass with his and takes a tiny sip.
One of the other Aurum Blades comes over and tells Maris they need to leave, and that there will be time to flirt later. He gives Tess a look of “yeah, not surprised, this is his type of thing” and Tess just gives him a smile.
Maris sighs dramatically. “You know, I was just starting to have fun.” He slides his half empty glass to Tess. “You mind finishing this one?”
Tess agrees, and Maris takes his leave with a flirty good-bye. Tess winks back at him.
As the group goes to leave, the man that told Maris to leave scratches his chin in a way that asks “what’s going on?” And Maris brushes his hair in a way that indicates, “It’s nothing.”
They don’t seem to see Tess as a threat.
Other things Tess hears:
A nobleman talking about rumors of a troll captive that was brought in that was going to be interrogating. The girl the nobleman was talking to expressed she hoped they put the “barbarian out of his misery.”
She also hears tale of people speaking of a skirmish that happened in the more shady areas of western Silvermoon.Rumor has it that a strange cloaked figure was slain by a Farstrider and another individual was taken into custody. Some think he wasn’t alone. There were several rumors of shady young folk in cloaks meeting in secret. Some just thought they were kids being kids. Others assumed it was mages sneaking around and fiddling with magic that is frowned upon. Unfortunately there were no specific stories, just some rumors. Tess then returns to place where the group would be reconvening.
---
Meanwhile, with Vel and Talath.
Vel makes her way to the shop around lunch. Vel is dressed normally- this isn’t a date. Talath is loitering outside of the shop. It seems he’s wearing fresh, nice, clothes. It’s nothing superrr fancy, but he’s certainly not wearing his work clothes. He greets Vel happily, commenting that she’s always the one of the three of them to be on time for things.
He asks Vel if she wants to grab something to eat. Vel agrees, and comments “Somewhere local would be nice.” He knows of a place and he leads her a few blocks away. He keeps asking her normal questions. It’s a deli-like place that is entirely situated outside. It’s picturesque and nature, and there are birds that are harbored within the place. Very new age-y. Instead of waiters and waitresses, the elves are giving their orders to floating notepads. A hostess gives them a table.
The two are seated and order. Vel is startled by the lack of books. The two order their food-> salad and water.
Vel asks Talath for help, and asks him to look at the maker’s mark on her mother’s engagement ring. The ring was made by one of his master’s biggest competitors. They do enchantments, though it is expensives. Talath is worry for a moment that she might have run off and gotten herself engaged, but is relieved to hear that it was her mother’s ring.
They talk about certain jewelers that do enchantments. They decide to check out Biron Leafshade, a local enchanter.
He then asks where she got her mother’s engagement ring, as he figured it would have been with her body.
The two share a nice chat and then a voice interrupts them.
“Talath old buddy, old pal!”
Vel turns to see one of the dorkiest elves he’s ever seen. He wears clothes that don’t quite match. He has something to show Talath.
The dorky elf shows up a golden thing?? Talath introduces his friend as Zeen. Zeen gets embarrassed because, well, girl.
Talath tells Zeen that he’ll catch him at the shop later. Zeen then asks if he’s still gonna be in the tournament next week.
Vel asks Talath if he plays Hearthstone. He embarrassedly admits that he does. Vel gives him an competitive look. Talath is shocked that she plays Hearthstone. Vel says it’s intellectually stimulating game, and pulls out her Hearthstone deck. Talath agrees and pulls out his deck. They engage in a game while they wait for food.
Vel plays with her wizard deck, though Talath completely dominates her. He plays a paladin deck. They play again and Vel annihilates him. He tells her that she plays well, and tells her that she could win if she entered the tournament. The two finish their food and head to the game store. Vel buys a few cards, one of which happens to be a golden mana-worm card. Vel almost smiles.
The two talk more about Hearthstone as they head to the enchanters. When they get to the enchanters,he is an elderly elf. He greets Talath and ask how he can help them. She asks him to look at the enchantment on the ring.
He offers to waive the fee, and he examines the ring. When he goes to do this, the ring attacks him, firing something at him. He tells her the ring is a ring of protection, though there is a potent curse on it. It is dangerous, and he recommends turning it to the magistrate for study. He includes that if it teleports, it has some sort of sentience. Destroying it won’t be a simple task.
Additionally, Vel asks about enchanting chains. The enchanter provides a few ideas, of varying costs. Vel tells him she will get back in touch with him later.
Talath goes back to work, and wishes Vel luck. Vel says luck has nothing to do with it. He offers whatever resources he can.
Vel heads to where Zap is, and finds Gil and Zap. Gil was about to leave. Vel reports what she learned to Gil. Together they have enough money for an enchantment.
Zap and Gil ensures that the chains will be powerful enough. They show her the chain- The Lupin Loop mark II. He shows her the armored wolf on the chain, which he reports was Gil’s idea. She looks at Zap, she looks at Gil, she looks back at the chain and sighs.
The group reconvenes and pools their money for the enchantment and are able to afford it. Elissa and Zap promise to pick up the chain later that night.
Zap mentions a night on the town, and Elissa snickers cause she’d be a “knight” on the town. They snicker and Vel just rolls her eyes and collects the gold. They go and commission the chain. It should be done in four hours or so.
---
Uther, Ashwynn, and Gil go back to the Court of the Sun and await their audience with the Convocation. They have some time to plan. Uther’s speech-writing did not go well. He said he could probably get the Convocation to listen, but Gil would have to convince them of it being a good idea.
At least having both Uther and Ashwynn present is a firm show of solidarity from Lordaeron.
After what seems like an eternity, they are called in. Gil had given Uther a quick rundown of how the meeting would go. They would be given the opportunity to plead their case, and then the Convocation will ask questions. At which point, an answer is given immediately, or they deliberate for a few days.
Uther’s Silver Hand armor is polished, he is clean-shaven, and his hair is pulled back into side braids. Gil is in his Farstrider garb, and Ashwynn is equally groomed.
As they pass through the door it actually leads to an outdoor, tranquil garden. There is a half-circular table in the center of a dais at the center of an elven-made pond that a stone bridge leads to. As the three approach, they are greeted with the sight of seven of the most important elves in the world.
From left to right:
Ranger-General Sylvanas Windrunner Commander Borel Skyfire Commander Lor’themar Theron King Kael’thas - his seat is slightly higher Grand Magister Belo’vir Salonar High Priest Vandellor Magistrix Kilnar Goldensword
As they approach, the only sound is the trio’s own heartbeats and the sound of the babbling water. Kael’thas smiles and welcomes the trio by name.
Gil expresses he is honored they are willing to meet, and Sylvanas said that, given what is going on, it is an important meeting to have. There is some more formality, and then Uther gets right into it.
Uther: “Ranger-General Windrunner has the right of it. Time is a luxury we don’t have, so I won’t waste yours.”
Lor’themar nods. “Indeed. Bring in our final guest.” And he gestures to some guards, and Rai is brought in - shivering and unshackled. He staggers forward.
Vandellor: “Before we get started, I trust that none present are opposed to being under the presence of a Zone of Truth.”
No one objects, and Vandellor clacks his walking stick on the ground. There is a loud hum, and people can now sense that any fictitious statements would be difficult to speak.
Belo’vir: “If you would all not mind, bring about your case so we are all on the same page.”
Uther steps forward. “Honored and esteemed members of the Convocation, I’m sure you are all aware of the threat that this Zalazane poses. But I will repeat because it bears repeating that the threat of this troll king cannot be overstated. I come to you today not as prince of Lordaeron or a knight of the Silver Hand, but as a citizen of Azeroth because this Zalazane is not a threat to anyone kingdom or race, but a threat to all life on Azeroth. This is not the cusp of a Third Troll War, we find ourselves on the brink of a war for the very survival for our collective species. Though the soldiers we meet on the battle are trolls, trolls are not the enemy. The enemy is much more sinister, and mysterious power. Zalazane wishes to consume the world. He started with the troll’s strange gods. I will not and cannot pretend to know the strife and the heartbreak that trolls have caused your people, but I can promise you that all of that pales in comparison to what you will experience if Zalazane is not stopped. To that end, I implore you, set aside whatever hatreds you have and understand that any advantage we can gain over this enemy is of immeasurable value. And with that I hand the floor to Farstrider Gilveradin Windrunner.”
Vandellor smiles and expresses that Uther had spoken well.
Gil: “Continuing on, there is a lot to be gained here. As I’m sure you’ve already been informed, Rai has a connection back to a tribe of trolls that does not fight for Zalazane and will not fight for Zalazane. If we can broker even a temporary peace with them, the results will be long-lasting and immeasurably valuable. We know very little about how trolls function as a culture, how their magic works, or their gods, yet we’ve fought against them. We’ve all suffered losses from sheer misunderstanding of how they work.”
Lor’themar: “Misunderstanding? I believe everyone here knows how trolls operate, Farstrider.”
Gil: “Let me be more clear. We don’t understand their magic at all. Everything we know is gleaned from observation or captives, that isn’t enough. With even a temporary truce - long enough to get rid of Zalazane - what we could learn could be invaluable against future incursions. It could save a lot of lives. There is also the matter that they have kept better track of Zalazane than we are if they are avoiding him. We don’t know where he is at all.”
Lor’themar: “So we should break bread with this tribe because of a common enemy? You believe they will set aside their hatred and just offer up what their fellows are doing?”
Gil: “I don’t think it would be that easy.”
Lor’themar: “A wise assumption. Thousands and thousands of years have gone into the hatreds between our people. You ask for quite the ordeal to wash all of this away, even for just a small tribe.”
Gil: “But if it helps us win this fight, then I don’t think it’s too large a price to pay. Especially if it ensures future peace. I’m not asking for a large delegation, we only have to risk one person. And it seems to be a very, very small risk for a much larger gain.”
Kael’thas narrows his eyes. “And yet that risk implies the trolls would not follow up on your offer. Who is to say they will accept your olive branch for the time being? Do we have any way of knowing they will not turn on us when convenient?”
Gil: “We had no way of knowing if humans would wield the magic we taught them against us.”
Lor’themar: “Humans have not butchered our people and homes. Humans have not disemboweled our people and feasted on their entrails after using them for their twisted magics. I understand you have not seen the flames of war, or what they are capable of. Yes, this group is not fighting, but their lifespan is long enough that any number of them have fought in the previous war. Any number of them fought against us and butchered our people. I knew a lot of good men that died in that war, Farstrider. War means death, yes, but at the same time this is not just war. It has never just been war. This has been their entire life. There is a reason one of their sayings is ‘Vengeance for _____”. They will never forget the lives they lost, and we shouldn’t forget the lives they took from us.”
Vandellor: “Lor’Themar, I do believe you should let the Farstrider continue. I don’t think he has spoken of everything.”
Kael’thas agrees.
“With the advent of a larger threat, this is the first chance we’ve had of brokering anything with them. If it will stop them completely, it is a chance we should take. I understand people have died, but if we continue to completely dwell on what has happened we will never move forward or past. I’m not saying it will be easy or fast or anything other than incredibly difficult, but when has something being difficult ever stopped us before?”
Belo’vir: “You know, Gilveradin, your ideas here will not be popular. The hatred of the trolls runs very deep. They killed many people, not least of all our king. Anasterian was beloved by many, myself included. Not many will forget the day he died at the hands of Zul’jin. While his death is assumed, no body was recovered.”
Sylvanas: “I was wondering the same thing. Would your captive perhaps know of that? Of any of the trolls? About their status? About what happened. All of this speech of potential peace is one thing, but another is to look back towards the past. All of who sit before you fought in the Troll War. Some two. Many of us have seen firsthand what they are capable of. Many have lost family, yourself included. The trolls hit and fled. Where did Zalazane come from? Are these questions your people can answer, Rai?”
Rai looks up and swallows hard. “I can only tell ya what he did. Where he came from… the mad king…. He died during the wars. Yet he be back now. Our tribe, we were small after everything that happened. We traveled a lot. Hid where we could. Some o’ da other trolls kept fighting and raiding, but ours didn’t. The Darkspear tribe dey never wanted to be a part of the war, but we had to. M-my father was the chief of our tribe. He told me what happened. In a far off land, far far away, long before I was born we called an island home. But he told me about one of the worst people, worst members of the tribe, his name was Zalazane. The same Zalazane. He used to be friends with my father. A long time ago. Back when they was kids. Back when they were children. Way out on the Echo Isles. But something happened. I don’t know why he did it, but…. Zalazane he got jealous or greedy or something, and he took over the tribe. My father, he fled, with the rest of the people he could get out. Dey fled all the way to where the other trolls was at. He wasn’t the only one. Dats how the war started. He never told me what happened there, but he didn’t have much choice besides joining the fight. We was small. There wasn’t many left of the tribe. But Zalazane, the people he took, the people he brainwashed, the people he hexed with his bad mojo, they came too. Father was forced to fight alongside the man who killed my brother and many of our people all because the old king said so. After the king died during the war, my father he fled. He said that be the last fight that Vol’jin be fighting in. So what was left of the clan, we went into hiding. Until about a year ago, maybe at the most. A couple of trolls. They came back. They said that Zalazane, he be back, and he was gathering trolls for something big, but father knew that Zalazane was dead. He told everyone that we shouldn’t listen to any of it and we should keep moving keep hiding. The people listened to him. Zalazane he be promising lots of things. That we ain’t gotta fear death, or the elves, or the humans or dwarves. That we ain’t gotta fear anyone. And I listened to him. I went to go and find him. My mother was hurt during the war. She was hurt real bad. I didn’t want to see her suffer anymore. I didn’t want her to fear death anymore. So I thought maybe I’d talk to him. Maybe I could talk to him and he could figure things out with my father and figure out a way to bring it back together and find somewhere safe to be. He found me. And when he found me, he found my people. My father didn’t survive. A lot of our people was cut down during the fight while we was trying to flee. It was all my fault. I know that. But I seen what Zalazane can do. He no king. Kings they don’t destroy like this, mon. They don’t consume like this, mon. He ain’t a ruler. Killer. That’s all he does. He kills everything he touches. He’s gonna kill all of us if we let him. I don’t know about what happened to the other leaders. My father broke off ties to all of them. Any that was left he never knew. But if they out there…. I know that I’ve messed up. I know that I’ve hurt a lot of people. But Gil and Uther, they right. We lost just as much as you have. When they summoned Hakkar…. When they did all of it…. I can’t speak for my tribe, but I know that I… I don’t want to see anyone else be killed, mon. If there’s a chance that the Darkspear can help, if I can help the Darkspear, I gotta try. After everything I’ve done, I don’t deserve to live unless I try to do something, because all I’ve done so far is nothing.”
The Convocation grows very silent. “I see…” says Sylvanas.
Lor’themar: “So you can’t even guarantee your people’s cooperation. You are effectively an outcast, so if we don’t execute you, they might, along with whoever we send with you. Correct?”
Rai nods. “My sister is charge now, and she told me never to come back, but if I don’t come back, if we don’t find them, then I know who will. With every person he kills, the king gets another. I know I don’t want any of my people to die, but I can’t let them be used by the false king. I can’t let them be used like his puppets to be twisted against what they want to do.”
Vandellor: “And, friend, what do they want to do?”
Rai: “They just want to survive, mon.”
The group is silent again for a moment, and Kael’thas looks to Uther and Gil.
Kael’thas: “Well. You certainly brought an interesting case before us. I think we can all agree on that. Is there anything else either of you would like to add?”
Kilnar: “Curious. One among you has been rather silent. My dear, do you have any input on all of this?”
Ashwynn swallows. “I believe that both Gil and Uther bring very valid points. From a tactical standpoint, anything this Darkspear tribe can provide will be invaluable to stopping these trolls. If what Rai says is true, at the very least knowing where they are will better prepare you in protecting yourselves against them, but at the very best they could be a tool to use, so I defer to their judgement.”
Kilnar smiles.
Kael’thas: “Without any further ado… so to summarize, you are seeking leave to investigate this Darkspear tribe, to bring this troll with you, and to attempt to, at the very least, speak to them. Am I correct in assuming so?”
Gil confirms.
Kael’thas; “Very well. Then if you would be so kind, we need a moment to deliberate before we can give any sort of decision.”
Gil bows. “Of course. I did not expect an immediate answer.”
Uther, Ashwynn, Rai, and Gil are escorted out after Kael’thas thanks them. Ashwynn exhales and says that it went better than it could, though Gil mentioned he was not particularly persuasive.
Uther: “Well, I’ll say this. Rai was more persuasive than I thought he would be.”
Gil agreed. Rai said he just said everything that happened. He wasn’t sure why he said so much, he just did. He still wants to help in the end, especially because he owes Gil his life twice over.
Rai doesn’t have anywhere else to go.
After about ten minutes, the group is summoned back in. The members of the Convocation are pretty stone-faced.
Kael’thas: “After some amount of deliberation, we’ve taken a vote. If it would be safe to trust this troll with an asset that could jeopardize the future of elvenkind, to say the least… after deliberation…. We have decided that… you will be given leave to do as you asked.”
Belo’vir strokes his chin. “I’m still not certain this is a wise idea. The populace will not be pleased when it gets out. Especially if any sort of alliance will be in any sort of brokerage, but that will come to you to ensure it happens smoothly.”
Norel: “Agreed. But you are right. A single Farstrider and his entourage is a minimal asset to risk. Information is important. If we are able to learn anything how we can combat this threat, it will be good not only for Quel’Thalas but the entire realm.”
Kael’thas: “While I am loathe to hand an olive branch to the people who killed my father and so many other people, I will give my leave. But know this, any consequences that fall upon Silvermoon will fall solely on both of your shoulders. Understand? I suggest you commit that to memory.”
Kilnar: “We need young minds like yours who are willing to look beyond our tradition. For if one does not look beyond tradition, one will be blinded by what is directly in front of them. This is a golden opportunity, and the fact you seized it is a merit to your character. All four of you.”
Lor’themar: “And if this does backfire, you’ll answer to me.”
Sylvanas: “Though this is dangerous, I am quite confident that anyone would accomplish a task like this, it would be you. You tend to specialize in these peculiar sorts of missions. Just make sure you bring Arator back.”
Gil tries really hard to suppress a smile.
Vandellor: “May the Light bless all of us in this endeavor.”
Gil mentions there was one other matter. He focuses on Kael’thas. “The young warlock that killed the magister, I found her again in the city.”
There is a silence that washes over the room.
Kael’thas: “She’s in Silvermoon?”
Gil explained that they seemed to be paying people to spy on the group. Unfortunately when he tracked them down, Telina slipped away.
Kael’thas placed Lor’themar in charge of rooting out the coven of warlocks.
He then asked Kilnar to ensure any arcane sanctums are secure, and that no unauthorized personnel could enter.
The meeting is then formally adjourned, and the group is escorted out once again.
---
While that meeting was going on, Zap went to a very fancy dinner place with Tess and Elissa while Vel was at the library. When it came time to get the chain, they picked up Vel and went to fetch the chain they commissioned.
Zap was telling a bunch of crazy stories.
The group hears a sudden *fwipp* sound. Elissa shouts for everyone to get down, and she manages to block a crossbow bolt with her shield. There is some laughing as figures start to pop up - several mercenaries. One with a crossbow, another with a mace. Three other sellswords also appear, and multiple other mercenaries.
Elissa recognizes one of them as the Aurum Blades member that was harassing her previously.
Tess immediately jumps on two mercenaries that were flanking them and stabs one guy straight through his heart, then whips her rapier around and stabs the second one, Both immediately drop to the ground.
Vel gets shot twice, though Zap manages to avoid the blow fired at him. The people that shot immediately drop the crossbows and draw weapons.
Elissa attempts to interfere with a sellsword that charges forward, and another sellsword’s attack promptly misses.
Just at that moment there is an explosion from the north. Rounding around the corner is a familiar face - Theo - his hands ablaze and his eyes seemingly alight with fire. He raises his hand and three flaming feathers float into the air. They streak through the air in an arc of fire, and blast aside one of the sellswords.
Theo calls out “Are you alright?” as he joins the fray. Elissa flanks up next to Vel as a mercenary charges toward her.
Zap pulls a jagged whip from his belt and lashes out at the man in front of Vel. He promptly kills them, and then whips back and hits a second man in the chest. Then he ducks out of sight.
Tess quickly eliminates the mercenaries attack Vel. Maris, meanwhile, attempts to take out Tess.
Theo meanwhile, is on fire. It’s cool and he is hot.
Vel blinks to the roof, and ninja runs to take a shot at Maris. She takes him out in one icy blast and he tumbles off the roof as he’s defeated.
Meanwhile, Theo is still trying to fend off the mercenary he was fighting and takes a hard blow to his side.
Merrec charges at Elissa and makes a flurry of attacks on her. She manages to block one, and takes a blow before she throws a Shield of Faith on Tess. Another mercenary runs forward and attacks Elissa and manages to kick her shield away.
Tess attacks and the mercenary that attacked Elissa, but she misses. Meanwhile, Vel blasts the mercenary that was attacking Theo and he spits angrily about mages seeing she is on the roof and well out of his range.
Theo holds out his hand, and there is an eruption of fire that blasts the mercenary that was attacking him. The man gets thrown back, and then Theo moves and blasts Merrec as well.
The two remaining mercenaries both gang up on Tess, and she is sent sprawling across the ground as she is cracked hard in the chest.
Zap, seeing this, fires his discombobulation ray at the ring-leader. Merrec looks at Zap with a cry of “HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT MY MOTHER!!!” and then charges past Elissa and Tess to attack Zap. He took a hit from Elissa and Tess as he attempts to get to Zap.
Merrec swings his mace at Zap as if he was a normally-sized human. It obviously misses, and then sinks into the wall over Zap’s head. Zap ducks under Merrec’s legs, and then charges at the mercenary that was attacking Elissa. He tackles him into the wall.
Telina: “You know, I was hoping they would perform better. Some mercenary company, right?”
She appears next to Vel. Vel immediately fires a spell at her, and she ducks out of the way and comments that she had acted quickly, though she was going to count this as a win for the party’s. She starts to walk away, and Vel attempts to get her with a dagger, but Telina grabs her wrist.
Telina: “I heard you had much better form when you attacked that cute prince.”
Telina then disappeared.
Meanwhile Tess killed the man that Zap had pinned.
Theo looks around for something to help, but he can’t seem to find anything.
Vel doesn’t see any wells, but she see’s Zap. Vel quickly blasts Merrec down with Arcane Missile and shouts to Zap that, “NOW IS THE TIME TO USE GEYSER.”
Zap charges forward and shouts, “GEYSER.” As he withdraws his flask. He is pushed back.
He asks Elissa for a hand, and she obliges. Meanwhile, Vel uses Shape Water to help guide the flow.
Tess turns to see the fire, and she hears footsteps. More thugs approach.
“We got more incoming!” Tess yells out.
And then Finnall appears. The mercenaries hesitate, but then charge. One of then drive a sword through her chest, but she just smiles and the illusion shatters as Finnall - actually - appears behind them.
More continue to charge, and there is a loud clearing of throat as Thaxdorlin appears behind them as well. He is fingering a revolver on his hip and says not to try anything. The thugs immediately throw their weapons down and raise their hands.
The other two lieutenants appear, and Feerea waves her hands to materialize more water while Vel and Dereven shape it.
As Thaxdorlin approaches, he just punches a thug as he walks by.
Finnall asks what in the world happens, and Zap quickly explains while Vel blinks off the roof back to the ground. Finnall smacks one of the surrendering thugs after mentioning there will be a long talk with them behind bars.
Finnall thanks the group, and then notices Theo hobbling forward and she makes sure he is alright as he apologizes for the fire.
Vel communicates that Telina was the one that started the fire. The group is shocked to learn
Zap: “It seems that subverting men is what she’s good at.”
Vel glares at him.
Meanwhile, Zap protoplazes Theo. Theo expressed that it isn’t the first time he’s seen strange dwarvish devices, but this one was rather strange. Theo, it turns out, was tailing the group.
Elissa then proceeds to heal Zap and Tess.
Vel and Elissa go to get the chain fron Biron, and Thaxdorlin opts to go with them to ensure they are alright. The rest go to regroup with Uther, Gil, and Ashwynn.
Finnall stops some authorities and mentions there was a fire. There was an exchange with a *half-elf* talking down to a high elf guard.
The group meets up with Uther, Gil, Ashwynn, and Rai. Rai had been released into Gil’s custody. Zap gleefully greets them with a “Oh! I’m glad none of you got killed or arrested!”
There is an explanation of what happened.
Finnall calls Telina a bitch for subverting her men. She is REALLY angry.
Gil: “She wouldn’t be the first ones subverted by her red hair.”
Finnall wants to talk with her mother to sort this out. The group with the chain comes back.
Vel is agitated because she’s injured and Gil heals her himself.
Gil: “So you’re a fire mage?”
Theo: “Yeah?”
Gil “Suitable.”
The group chatter about the events of the day.
They decide to return to Magistrix Goldensword’s estate. The guards start to say that the Magistrix was something, but Finnall interrupts and correctly guesses what they were going to say. They are led in and taken to talk to Kilnar.
They discuss Telina. She must have access to some form of large coffer to pay people off, but who knows where that is coming from. Kilnar makes it clear that she is going to get the bottom of things and not allow her name to be dragged through the dirt. However, she has an idea of what to do with the party.
Kilnar asks Rai where his tribe is located. He responds it’s near the mountains. She has some leads, and recommends the group leave the city quickly. They enter a chamber that hums with arcane energy.. It’s a teleportation circle. She advises that they leave tonight, because the assassinations will continue. It is best to leave through the teleportation, to Dalanaar, though it will involve some trust.
Zap asks her if she’s really looking after their best interest, or hers. Kilnarr says they don’t need to be mutually exclusive.
The group decide to trust her and use the teleporter. And Uther steps through the portal. The Aurum Blades wish them luck.
Zap bids them goodbye, and jumps through the portal. Tess follows after. Gil asks her to inform his farstriders. She agrees and jumps through. Vel gives her a look of “I’m trusting you, don’t let me down.” She gives her a look of “I won’t” and Vel goes through the portal.
After teleporting, the group finds themselves into a different looking room. With an incredulous smile, they see Kilnar’s contact in evening clothes. He greets them, and introduced him as Aethas Sunreaver.