Session 15 Recap

Reynhild is recruiting more people to join her Ghosts, among them Elgrin, the archer who made a good show at the spring tourney.

Varyan readies to leave. Cathal has his suit of Rjurikan mail altered to fit the Paladin and gifts it to him with thanks. Mara gives Varyan a pair of vambraces and he is moved to tears at this. Reynhild asks Varyan how he is able to discern people’s potential. He tells her has no explanation, and advises her to trust her instincts.

Cathal receives a message from Stormpoint urging his presence at a council of the peers of Taeghas. Cathal, Reynhild, and Mara make ready to leave as Varyan rides away from the Castle. Reynhild and Mara have a conversation about Melehan; Mara reassures Reynhild that her first obligation is to the house.

On the road to Stormpoint, Cathal takes Mara fishing. He talks to her about her place in the house and re-assures her that she has his trust, and that he considers her a sister. He speaks to her of Melehan as well, saying he wants to trust the wizard but needs her to keep an eye on him.

Upon reaching Stormpoint, Mara takes the Fulcairn party to her parents’ wine shop, where they gift Cathal with a rare vintage brewed in the Chimaeron. The Fulcairns move to the palace and hold a modest feast to celebrate their safe arrival. Only Cathal and Reynhild abstain from drinking. When the party retires for the evening, Reynhild departs to seek out Leandra, her contact in the city.

Cathal wanders the Palace gardens, and spends some time watching the stars. He spies a shower of meteors passing through the Tower, a major constellation. Cathal is somewhat troubled by the ominous sign.

Reynhild speaks with Leandra, inquiring after the well-being of her people. Reynhild requests that Leandra seek the most proficient and good-hearted among her people and send them to Fort Caedmon for training. Reynhild also discovers that the agents Leandra sent to spy on the Duenes have not reported in some time. Worried, Reynhild returns to the Palace.

The next day, Cathal joins the other provincial lords of Taeghas in the council chamber, each of them attended by their closest advisors. Lorica Norvien explains that Harald Khorien will be abdicating his throne, and rule of Taeghas will not be passing down the familial line. Darien Avan is sending delegates from his court to ‘aid’ in the choosing of a new ruler of Taeghas. In the meantime, as is tradition, the peers of Taeghas have been granted the opportunity to elect their new liege lord. Being the seneschal of the realm, Norvien recuses herself from the process, and asks the other peers to consult their advisors before casting their vote, granting that none may nominate themselves.

Cathal speaks with Mara and Reynhild. Together, they discuss who would be the best candidate, both for Taeghas and for the future of the house. After intense deliberation, they all conclude that Ghaelen Isilvere is the best choice. While they are all sure this vote will never result in an actual election, who they vote for could greatly impact the future of Fulcairn.

Cathal returns to the table to partake in the vote. Isilvere votes for Branna Nentril, quoting her military experience and the potential need for such. Noelen Bhaine unwisely chooses to abstain, thinking it is the only way to keep his rivals from gaining an advantage. Branna Nentril votes for Isilvere, as does Cathal; each of them speak of his superior influence and experience. Blaede Sloere votes for Cathal, as Fulcairn is the only noble to have offered him any respect at fall court. Geoffrey Khorien, overcome with rage at being passed over for inheritance, abstains and flees the room. Vulpina Duene nominates Branna Nentril, also quoting her military prowess. No majority is reached, and Norvien exhaustedly admits that the succession in Taeghas will now be utterly under Avan’s control. She then opens the table to discussion of issues within Taeghas.

Isilvere spends his time pontificating about the virtues of the burgeoning empire. He reinforces Avan’s ultimate authority, and stresses acceptance of the Emperor’s envoys as extensions of the Emperor’s own voice.

Branna Nentril speaks of her concern over Khorien’s absence. She sees some instability fomenting in Taeghas and worries that Khorien has abandoned the realm.

Noelen Bhaine speaks of issues with trade. The expansion of Avan’s empire is putting strain on trade relationships outside its border. Bhaine is concerned about Taeghas’ mercantile future if trade keeps being disrupted.

Blaede Sloere speaks of encroachment on his lands by folk loyal to Brosengae. He says that, for the time, they are mostly traders and rabble rousers, but he fears an armed advance into his territory is not far off.

Cathal stands and addresses all present. He speaks of Khorien’s absence and, in response to Nentril, says responsibility now falls to them to protect and nourish Taeghas. He then implores his peers to listen to each other, and to offer help where they can.

Vulpina Duene offers a few choice remarks about outside envoys having anything to do with Taeghan politics. She then claims that her father’s death was no accident, but a magical assassination, and that she believes the culprit is Taeghan. This shocks many present.

The meeting adjourns, and the nobles mill a for a moment before departing. Cathal speaks with Bhaine about helping Sloere hold off Brosengae’s merchants. Bhaine dismisses the idea out of hand, and leaves. Cathal then thanks Sloere for his support and offers aid, should an opportunity come for it to be given. The Fulcairns then leave.

Reynhild, Mara, and Cathal all wish to speak with Vulpina Duene about her father’s death as it is too similar to Corrac’s to be a coincidence. Cathal sends a message to her requesting a meeting on the morrow. Cathal and Reynhild then go to see Ghaelin Isilvere in his chambers and discuss the implications of what had been discussed at the meeting.

The next day, Cathal and Reynhild find Vulpina Duene and her brother Nirian Duene. Cathal proclaims that he wishes to squash whatever grudge is between them, and that he wishes to help them with the investigation into who killed their father. Reynhild asks and is granted a moment alone with Vulpina. Reynhild opens up to Lady Duene, speaking at length of Corrac’s deterioration and death. At the end, Vulpina shows no emotion, or concern at all despite Reinhold’s obvious distress.

That evening, Cathal receives a message from Tashairah. The poet writes that Boeruine is under the control of a new Archduke, and its lords have been united once again. They are being aided by a mysterious mage who is known only as The Dragon. Cathal is troubled by this news.

The Fulcairns start the journey back to Wilder’s Gorge the next morning.

Upon their return, they are greeted with harrowing news: Melehan has been struck ill by some strange malevolence. An item had been delivered to the keep shortly after they left for Stormpoint, and it emanated an eldritch energy that struck the great mage.

Mara rushes to Melehan’s side and begins to assess the curse that afflicts him. She discovers that it is necromantic in origin, but Melehan has also cast a strong abjuration upon himself that has placed him and the sickness in stasis. Mara is left with a choice to make. She can suppress Melehan’s spell and risk his death to trace the necromantic spell back to its source, or she can use brute force to attempt to dispel both spells, with the risk that she may dispel one without dispelling the other. Mara decides that she needs to know more about the magic of the curse, and asks Reynhild to use her contacts to find a very dangerous book.