Session 16 Lazy Recap

The dwarven tradesman Dvorak Iron-Tongue arrives at Fulcairn Keep, transporting the tome of necromancy Leandra obtained through her criminal underground connections. He cautions the Fulcairns to take great care with it.

The Fulcairns receive a message from the Duenes, stating that they need the Fulcairns' offered help against orogs in the east. Sensing a trap, Cathal replies trying to stall them.

Mara begins to study the book, at a great and terrible cost to both her mind and body.

Cathal and Reynhild deal with the rumours that have been circulating among the townsfolk, that the House is cursed. Reynhild's Ghosts attempt to ascertain that the rumours are planned and deliberate, but are unable to do so. They locate a merchant who has been uttering such; Cathal reassures him that all is well, and he seems put at ease.

The Fulcairns receive a summons from the capital-- that criminal charges have been laid against Mara. Cathal, outraged, demands to know specifically what the charges are, and from whom, and states they will not leave Wilder's Gorge until he knows.

Mara races desperately against time to save Melehan, even as studying the book begins to consume her strength and sanity. Finally she is ready to begin the ritual. She conducts it in the woods, away from the Keep. First a Fulcairn hawk is sacrificed, then their horses, but she manages to turn aside the necromantic spell on Melehan. She does not manage to uncover its source, other than it is not Anuirean in origin. Cathal, horrified by the necromantic ritual, demands Mara destroy the book. A fierce argument ensues, but in the end, Mara destroys it herself with magical fire. Cathal's trust in Mara is affirmed. Melehan is saved, though not yet conscious.

Back at Fulcairn Keep, the message arrives-- House Duene is accusing Mara of slaying Richard Duene with necromancy. Reynhild is quietly enraged-- both her attempt to connect with Vulpina, and her attempt to take the high road by sparing Nyrion from the House of Wind's assassins-- were evidently for naught. With no other choice, the Fulcairns leave Melehan in Elena's care and ride for Stormpoint.

At Stormpoint, there is chaos, as the Taeghan interim government envoys attempt vainly to maintain order. Cathal furiously refuses to relinquish Mara to the court's custody. Reynhild tries to secure Leandra's help against the Duenes, but nothing can be done. The trial begins the following day. An old servant claims he witnessed Mara casting dark magics, but rather suspiciously, he dies on the stand. Vulpina insists Mara is responsible, and calls for her execution. Uproar fills the court. In the midst of it, the Fulcairns receive a magical message from Melehan-- he tells them it was the Khinasi wizard, Faysal, who enspelled him.

Reynhild, desperate to save Mara's life, addresses the court, speaking of her love for Corrac, her agony at his illness and death at the hands of the same necromancy, and her complete certainty that Mara was not responsible. The court appears to relent somewhat; furious at having lost control of the situation, the Duenes storm out. The Fulcairns, sensing something is awry, leave for Wilder's Gorge immediately.

Upon returning home, they discover villagers fleeing Firstcairn-- the Duenes are attacking Wilder's Gorge.