Session 10

Fact Sheet: Friends of the Weave

Date: 23-11-22

Date in-universe: an unspecified Saturday, from dawn till dusk

Players present: Ecchima, Marty, Meinhart, Tuur and Vinnie. Dins was our GM.

Major Developments:

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Notes

Early in the morning on the first Saturday we remember, Eldrin wakes up in a single room in the Moon Flower, planning to follow up on their poster. They notice Frei has left the room.

Though it's early, there are already several people about, checking out, running errands, cleaning up the inn... When they step outside, they see Frei talking to some guards. Frei and the guards are wearing a black sash around their waist.

She explains Akram invited her to attend a small gathering in remembrance of Jahadi, her former employer. The gathering is planned in Old Town, the same direction Eldrin is headed for their errand. Frei looks a little worried, so Eldrin tries to be as cheerful as possible.

As they walk, they notice people are worried... many of them are lugging huge containers of water, the others are busy with rumours : is Nasser dead, a fish monster came out of the well, will Akram overthrow all the kings, did he start with Jahadi, what's with the water...?

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They notice there's a tent around the well in the market and some guards blocking the access to the well. More guards are positioned in front of the guard HQ.

The temple is also busy, Sabor is presiding over a funeral ceremony for 5 fresh graves: Jahadi's grave is very fancy, a bit more sober for the coroner, one grave for Marduk and 1 grave for Nasser's guard, a simple small white stone with only one attendant.

Frei tries to hold back Eldrin from heading over to Saatia's grave. After their reassurances, she lets them go over to the grave. In passing, Akram invites our group to come over to the guards HQ, for information & our reward.

Eldrin starts talking with the attendant at Saatia's grave : it's an older woman with dusky skin and brown eyes. A pigeon flying overhead might notice it’s Simeon’s alter ego, but Eldrin hasn’t ever seen her. She wonders how Eldrin knew Saatia: Eldrin looks like a good person, how did they fit into Saatia’s life?

In response to Eldrin’s questions, the woman sighs she met Saatia a very long time ago and doesn't want to say more. She points out there's an envelope for Eldrin on the grave, marked with an E. Eldrin takes it to a quiet place, while crying, to read it:

Eldrin, sorry things had to go this way, she deserved better; I can understand if you don’t want to let it go. Just know there are bigger players than you and I, so if you can't take revenge, I will try. Simeon

The envelope also contains Saatia’s second earring. Though inexpensive, it’s a statement piece, that’s easily recognizable. Deeply moved by this gift and its inherent possibility of closure, Eldrin’s head snaps up to seek out the woman… they stare after her on her galloping horse till she disappears from view. Rather than pursue their suspicion about it being Simeon, Eldrin decides to get their ear pierced with Saatia’s earring before continuing on their errand. They notice people are allowed to use the gates again, it's possible to leave the city again.

Staring up at the scribe guild, in the end Eldrin thinks better of ordering their poster... they return to the Moon Flower without ordering anything.

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In the Moon Flower we're awoken by a knock on the door. A young halfling girl brings the clothes we ordered the night before. Ezra perks up at the mention of clothes & with Enza's help they get Aqeel dressed: it’s not couture but a functional disguise...

Fyllion and Hali start vibing over it being Saturday! Fyllion wants to get some more instruments & meet with Skourja to plan the performance (in Tommy Lutish' shape). We plan to pick up our reward & have a shopping trip.

When Eldrin returns, we notice they’re quiet. Storm asks about Frei, but beyond mentioning the funeral, Eldrin doesn't want to talk a lot.

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We head down to the breakfast room. Of course, we spot Mondregen. He’s enjoying a vegetarian egg white omelette with juicy pomegranate seeds… Though hampered by his own lost memories and Mondregen’s self-importance, we learn:

• the Reinsinger Finnilash is bound to be invited for the coronation as performers and cultural elites
• a few months ago, Mondregen wanted to travel to Kharkhorin, but their ship was stopped in the Breheiman sea because there were rumours about a polecat (from the south) smuggling a spy to the north… Ezra remembers we met Santiago, the polecat who left us a Saree handkerchief with pemmican. They gulp in apprehension, but decide to not mention anything
• Mondregen is under the impression Storm and his buddies were following some firebird, what was up with that & why did you give it up?
• Mondregen feels the reputation of The Vale is rather overrated, but then again, what does measure up to Mondregen’s expectations? It does have good mushrooms. There’s a myth of mysterious tall people living along the peaks of The Spine but Mondregen couldn't find any, so he figures that’s just an urban legend
• Mondregen is willing to carry a letter home for Storm

The others all roll their eyes & Eldrin goes as far as to whisper "pompous ass", which as a polecat, Mondregen can hear without any trouble. He ignores it completely. Why encourage the rabble, after all? It’s to no avail: encouraged by Fyllion’s sniggers and Eldrin’s eye rolls, Hali creates a splash of water to wet Mondregen’s trousers as he’s walking away.

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Hali and Fyllion-as-Tommy head over to Skourja's office. The guard lets them in. Fyllion-as-Tommy wishes her a good morning, and proposes to make her day even better... Saturday is a great day for an amazing performance with bagpipes! Have you heard of Fyllion Springcrest? She knows this Elvish bard, with an impressive resume! Fyllion reveals himself with a flash - the guard rushes in, but Skourja waves him away.

She's delighted (partly the lingering beguiling magic from before, partly Fyllion’s reputation and partly the memory of the night before, when the performance was a success), Fyllion's music would be a lovely diversion from the social unrest in the city. As a dazzling fey creature, Fyllion establishes we're not sorcerers, so Skourja shouldn’t worry about anything beyond the performance.

She agrees to a show this evening & the necessary promotion. Skourja offers them the run of the bar, even though the water isn't welling like before.

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As we finish breakfast after Mondregen’s departure,

• Eldrin mentions Akram promised us a reward
• Sotto voce, Storm wonders if Hali and Aqeel should create a buffer of water to help out the city, but we decide not to
• Whenever the light glints off Eldrin's new earring, Fyllion grabs the tiny luggage a little tighter, like a purse dog, to keep from fiddling with Simeon's first letter, and Saatia's bloody earring, both burning in his pocket…

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As we walk to Akram's office, we see the canals don’t run anymore, the fountains are dry... people are getting rowdy and the guards have to keep them in line. Aqeel seems to pick up on what's happening and appears troubled by the realisation how important his work for Nasser was, so Fyllion hands him the tiny luggage. It’s like a wooden chihuahua with a better temper.

We hear our own names mentioned in the rumours, so Storm wonders if we can still trust Akram - who knows how many details Nasser gave away… what if we’re walking into a trap? We decide to leave Enza and Aqeel outside, with the shell phone to contact Hali if necessary.

Bashir and Yusuf let us in, we cross Sabor who's just leaving. Sabor gives us a blessing & nods recognition to Eldrin.

Akram, looking very tired, takes us into his office. He explains Sabor spoke to the dead, in order to find evidence and proof against Nasser, since people think the trouble started with Nasser's arrest so they might disagree & the other kings and queens are in Nasser's pocket... we’re strangers in the city, so there’s always a possibility our evidence and testimony will be discredited.

From Nasser’s personal resources, the group gets a total reward of

• 1600 gold in coin
• 400 gold worth of gemstones, trinkets and art objects (including one diamond).

Fyllion handles the pouch of trinkets, hoping he'll be able to slip Saatia's earring into it.

To assuage Akram’s worry and suspicions, Fyllion explains Nasser was a powerful water mage. Is it any wonder the canals ran dry? He’s probably trying to hold the city hostage to cover up his crimes. Any evidence we found, we've already handed over: the papers and the dead bandits.

Akram has some more remarks and questions:

• Akram found correspondence about Marduk’s purchase of hell hounds, proving Frei was innocent. Her banishment is revoked & she's reinstated in the guard
• Nasser's guards were golden Gahari, hired from Thalmiria & they ran off with a lot of Nasser's riches. Their absence may appear damning, but who knows how a trial would play out?
• Nasser drew a map of the tunnels, Akram found the blocked passage we created
• Akram also found a trail of blood leading to Nasser's work room, where someone probably took a lot of money and important documents.

At the last remark, Storm subtly squeezes Fyllion's shoulder till Fyllion ‘fesses up it was probably Simeon. He expands: Simeon’s mission for the Sable Serpent was a total disaster, so now the Sable Serpent wants him dead. Eventually we agree he's probably in hiding now. Eldrin confirms they chased him & Simeon has left the city.

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Ezra asks a word in private with Akram. They learn that Ezra's sisters are also missing, which is a shame since Ezra thinks they're decent people. Ezra doesn't think it's by choice their sisters joined their mother.

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In the toilet, Fyllion puts Saatia's earring in the pouch. He convinces us he used prestidigitation to clean his hands, like always, but Aqeel’s keen sense of smell reveals that's a spell Fyllion doesn't actually have... he’s just been using minor illusion to make everyone believe his hands are clean! Aqeel splashes some water on his hands.

We discuss selling the gemstones - Storm checks out Aqeel's hair & the pearls growing from it, but they look like they're actually part of his head & everyone objects most strenuously to harvesting Aqeel’s hair and pearls.

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Eldrin spots a posh antiques store. It’s even got 2 guards at the door. Upon entering, Eldrin starts negotiating by showing off the diamond. The merchant looks it over, and its quality convinces him to hear Eldrin's terms. Eventually they empty the pouch to appraise everything… we notice Saatia's earring!

Eldrin grabs it and walks away, snivelling.

Fyllion, Storm and Ezra work together to take over the negotiations. Ezra rolled a NATURAL ONE but luckily they also have inspiration. Namedropping Akram and Nasser, we manage to get 540 gold for it.

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Eldrin manages to pull themselves together for the bookkeeping. They sort out the bank’s portion and each of our shares. We figure Frei is again gainfully employed and won’t need a share, so we just divide the gold between Eldrin, Enza, Ezra, Fyllion, Hali and Storm. Whatever Aqeel needs, can be provided by the bank. With our new riches, we decide to split up:

• Hali will go find some books for Aqeel, so Hali and Ezra can teach Aqeel Common. Right now the others can only talk with him while within Laithe's hallowed ground where the runes of communion are active. The runes are magic on a level Hali isn’t capable of yet, plus there’s the hallowed aspect of the spell… Hali can’t replicate that, and buying a scroll of languages or something would only work for an hour at a time, not very practical
• Ezra discretely writes a letter for the cheese merchant, with the remaining 20 gold & a plea to keep silent about the Saree family. While they drop off the letter in the shop’s letterbox, Ezra notices Mi’Kal leaving the cheese store. He's a bit surprised to see Ezra and Enza, but he covers his surprise. He insists on inviting Ezra to his store, with a peculiar stress on the words "the day is long". As soon as Mi’Kal leaves their sight, Ezra uses the magic earring to warn Storm and Fyllion
• Next, Ezra goes out with Enza to shop for their new desert gear
• Eldrin heads out to buy a small chest, a shovel, some flowers and a few candles. At Saatia's grave, they bury the earring they got of the merchant in the chest next to her grave... and they spend a while in quiet contemplation with the candles and the flowers. Eventually, their headache flares up again. Their new sunglasses, inherited from Ghorann by way of Fyllion help a little, but their eyes remain sensitive to all the sunlight gleaming off the desert sands everywhere. They return to our rooms
• Storm and Fyllion-as-Tommy head to Mi’Kal’s store for some magical shopping

At first, they see the store is closed with a message "out for errands". Luckily Ezra warns them Mi’Kal is on his way back. They also mention the weird phrase “the day is long”. When Mi’Kal arrives to open his store for them, Storm makes it a point to use the phrase "the day is long". We notice Mi’Kal is surprised that this time we do know the pass phrase. He appears to wonder why Ezra didn’t respond…

While we wait for Ezra to show up, we browse a bit:

• he has no magical violin or flute, such instruments are too niche for a store like his
• he's improved the pan'demonium. Now you can set the temperature from lukewarm to infernally hot
• out of a chest, he pulls a beautiful cloak embroidered with celestial feathers. They are pure white like swan feathers, shimmering with a preternatural grace… Once a day, the wearer can activate featherfall, on themselves and their companions near them
• he’s still got the papers of message
• he shows off a little black crossbow without prongs, he calls it the "hand gun". If you pull the trigger, a mage hand comes out
• he presents us with a thick thermos, hiding an ever-burning torch that never goes out. It gives light without heat and can only be doused in magical water. The thermos allows the user to dim or hide the light.

While we’re looking at the wares, we learn there's a firebird in the area, appearing to head north. The fire in its name is quite literal: whatever it touches and whatever feathers it leaves, are consumed by its fire. Firebirds are wondrous, magical creatures. Could this firebird be the one Mondregen mentioned we were looking for?

Storm picks up two sets of the necessary herbs and charcoal for the spell find familiar and an arcane focus, which’ll be useful for spells like unseen servant.

When Fyllion-as-Tommy makes a low-ball offer on the cloak of featherfall, Storm attempts to help him out by offering a backstage pass for Fyllion and Hali’s show tonight to sweeten the deal. Unfortunately, that spills the beans about Fyllion’s true identity.

Fyllion prattles on about bringing Mi’Kal in the circle of trust… and it works!

• Mi’Kal reveals he’s an Eladrin Elf, just like Fyllion. Here in Koh’Shar he keeps his ears hidden to remain a bit incognito, though his freckles and general coloring still indicate he’s not of southern ethnicity  
• in The Vale, there’s a sizeable enclave of Eladrin Elves, living there for the luscious trees and its  portal leading directly to the Fey Wild (where Fyllion is from). Mi’Kal has never seen the Fey Wild, because the portal is guarded and he couldn’t get past them… other portals exist, but they’re generally too far for Mi’Kal to reach easily

When it becomes apparent Ezra is not coming after all, Fyllion keeps up the bluff about the pass phrase “the day is long”… this inspires Mi’Kal to mention the friends of the weave. Still looking at the magnificent embroidery on the cloak of featherfall, Storm misunderstands and asks if that’s the weavers' guild who made this cloak?

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Meanwhile, Enza and Ezra are shopping for more equipment:

• something to carry the sand snake Baaloo
• water flasks and other desert gear like scarves
• rations

In the market, Ezra notices a highborn high elf woman. She's sunburnt, and sweating, and very irritated. She's young looking, though clearly an adult. Her white hound borzoi tends to bite strangers.

Ezra rolls a NATURAL TWENTY and recognises her brooch as the sigil of the Faraday family, and the Elf as Gladiola Faraday, the eldest daughter of an influential miners' family. They are known throughout Breheima as diamond traders, and Gladiola herself is probably known to anyone involved in fashion and luxury.

An aside from Dins reveals:

• Eldrin would be surprised to learn Gladiola is still alive
• Gladiola knows Anushka Saree, Ezra’s youngest sibling.

When their eyes lock in mutual recognition, Ezra accepts the inevitable, so they head over to have a conversation with Gladiola. They mention they broke off from the Saree family. They no longer use the name Zoya and go by Ezra now.

Ezra attempts to stress the importance of discretion, but Gladiola blows right past that to focus on her own troubles: she wants to travel north, but no one is willing to take her, given the unrest in the city. Could we help her out? She's offering the use of her cart, diverting conversation of a level befitting Gladiola and Ezra, surely a rarity in these areas and payment for the protection of her wares and for trouble solving since apparently, the roads in the north are rumoured to be blocked, and have been for some time already.

Ezra explains our services are otherwise engaged. Gladiola offers her card for her stay at the Emerald of the Sand (an inn almost as fancy as the Moon Flower, though Gladiola doesn’t care for it), should change our minds.

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As the day proceeds, Enza is getting antsy. She confesses to Ezra she’s feeling guilty: here she is shopping, while she doesn't know what happened to her city. She’s not married, but she does have family and friends and neighbours she worries about. She plans to rent a horse to check on Nawa. That way she could get there in half a day, rather than the day and a half it would take her on foot.

They talk about possible plans the crew might be making… Ezra assures her they remember their promise of help, but Enza isn’t sure she can lay further claim to our time and help. We’ve already saved her, and given her more gold than she could imagine, esp. since she allowed Simeon to escape… Ezra reminds her she’s also helped us out, she’s earned her place in the group. When their conversation turns to Eldrin, they both nod in agreement: Eldrin still needs to mature a bit. Being young, they deserve the time to figure themselves out.

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Speechless, Fyllion stares at Storm: a weavers’ guild, are you serious? Before he can scold Storm we’ll never get Mi’Kal to divulge more information this way, Storm starts a complicated bluff (with a NATURAL TWENTY) about

• the friends of the weave… recovering amazingly fast, Fyllion jumps in with “in the north we know them as the friends of the spinning, that’s why we didn’t respond immediately”
• the friends of the scissors who are our secret enemies, cutting the threads they create so secretively… we don't want to say more, since that would expose Mi'Kal to untold dangers!

Together we encourage Mi’Kal to explain what he knows:

• due to the recent political evolutions, sorcerers are confronted with a horrendous choice:
  • live in fear, hiding their abilities, like Mi’Kal who has to pretend he’s a dumb intern, incapable of impressive magic and obliged to import any magic items, while in fact he’s 78 (still young for an Elf, but altogether older than Fyllion) and the creative genius behind the shop’s items
  • flee from Breheima and/or Rosaria to either Kharkhorin or Thalmiria, and get branded a traitor in the process
• the friends of the weave is a coalition of wizards, working together to help the magic users who choose to flee
• Aashvi Saree works with the friends of the weave
• It appears Aashvi Saree is refusing to leave the continent, endangering herself and her network. Rumour has it that she’s looking to meet up with her child, but no one knows any details
• Given the previous point, imagine Mi’Kal’s surprise when he learnt from Akram there’s a Saree family member parading their name around the cheese merchants of Koh’Shar…

Mi’Kal works himself into a panic: could it be true that Rosaria merely wants to keep an eye on any magic, understandable after the mysterious attack on Lharsam…? Or are sorcerers like Samson who joined voluntarily bloodthirsty monsters…?

To help calm him down & because Storm already dropped massive clues without really meaning to, Fyllion reveals himself as an Eladrin Elf, the fantabulous and famous bard Fyllion Springcrest, prince of the Spring Court! Mi’Kal is distracted from his panic, and wonders about the Fey Wild… he mentions The Grove, a little to the north of Koh’Shar and on the way to The Vale was overtaken. Something weird has been growing there, for quite a while. He thinks it might be linked to another circle event.

Though he’s a little starstruck, he doesn’t get entirely side-tracked. One of the weird rumours he heard about us, mentioned a fish monster climbing out of the well in the market… and he caught a glimpse of a tiny mairid with us. He knows they’re a lot more powerful with water magic than Nasser could ever hope to be, even more powerful than a water genasi! He doesn’t think it’s a co-incidence the canals ran dry at the same time… Koh’Shar can’t return to their previous situation : there are 25 000 more citizens than before, who’re at risk of dying of thirst if the canals remain dry.

In the end we make sure child slavery isn’t up for debate, so he shifts tracks. Though we neither confirm nor deny Ezra’s link to House Saree, he pleads with us to pass on a message. That was the point of the pass phrase, after all. The message is:

what Aashvi has done, to stand up to tyranny, means a lot to people like Mi’Kal. If reuniting with you means your mother will finally leave for safety, please please help out.

Episode guide

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