Session 45 - First to Fall

23/06/5-10

After walking outside, Valeyo started asking why Thalia had left so suddenly. She said that her mother Eva, who was an I.C.M member, had been captured and executed by the government. She was wanted to see her before the execution, but couldn't get there in time. On the way she met Vasil, who told her the details of what had happened, claiming to have been a friend of her mother. When arriving at her home, she found it ransacked. She managed to secure some correspondence between her mother and Vasil and thinks she can trust him.

She asked about Valeyo's arm and he told her of a town in the south, where he managed to make a difference, convincing them that there is another way to govern. Eventually, however, his stubbornness lead him to making a mistake, which cost him his arm. It is what had him rethink his prior stance on adventurers, which is why he has found himself in his current situation. Thalia mentioned hearing news of a town in the south running elections and ignoring their local lord. The I.C.M keeps an ear out for such movements and Bronka was intending to go south and recruit whoever was behind it. Valeyo told her that he was still hurt that she left like that, but understood her reasons and he was happy to see her. He said they would speak more later as they needed to sort the current situation out and she agreed.

After reentering the room, Valeyo asked what the plan was now. Vasil sat down and the other members of the committee followed. He asked for an explanation of what was happening in Stendolin. Valeyo gave them the run down and asked Bronka about the Dragotaina. She said she was not rich enough to be involved, but it was a high-end social club for rich people who want to rule the Kingdom. Vasil thanked them for their help and proposed using the elections to put someone favourable to the I.C.M in power. Shiek asked if there were any attacks on the I.C.M that could have been done by the Dragotaina and he said it was almost a certainty. Valeyo asked if they knew of Vincent and Thalia said that after the explosion in the capital, they decided to lay low. Ignacy was shadowing him. Otto told them that the professor was alive and had given the Dragotaina some information. Valeyo brought up Vincent again, but Vasil seemed ignorant to his importance, so Valeyo decided not to share more.

Vasil thanked them for their information. On their end he said they had struggled to gather more members. When doing demonstrations or meetings, they were interrupted violently, by thugs, the Sila and even a giant in Topinal. The interruption seemed random at first, but looking at them as a whole, it was very likely that someone is leaking information. They said they had used magic to determine the truth, but Valeyo told them not to consider such means absolute. He then asked Shirok what the mood in the clans was. He said that while most of the clans wish for independence, it is hard to get them on the same course.

Valeyo told the of their plan of going to Otusta and then Skalenvru. Vasil mentioned having a friend there whose help he had been trying to get unsuccessfully. If they were headed that way, he could use their help with that, especially since their friend often responded well to strength. Valeyo asked who they were, but all Vasil could say is that she often visited a tavern called The Drop, right at the edge of the cliff. The group mentioned the demons and told them of the incursions.

They then asked about what was happening with the hill giant activity. Bronka said that a power vacuum has emerged in the Barony of Reds, the clan living near Dragomir. Usually they keep their subjects in line and while she doesn't know the details, it seem that they are focused on something else and other responsibilities have fallen through. The groups chatted some more, before deciding to call it for the day. Valeyo and Thalia went out to talk late into the night, about what they had been doing. Soon after everyone had gone to bed.

In the night, Shiek found himself awake in a field of tall grass. Standing next to him was a large feline creature looking out into the distance. The scent of fire and iron flowed into his nostrils and a surge of heat blasted him in the face. This feeling was broken, by the distant, but unmistakable sound of an anvil being struck repeatedly. The displacer beast was gazing into the direction of the sound, unmoving. Inspecting the fey closer, Shiek felt a connection to the Gift that Malakagata had given him, this being the creature he could summon. Shiek began walking towards the source of the sound and heard a soft chuckle come from behind him.

24/06/5-10

The party awoke in the morning. Shiek told them of his dream, confused by its meaning. Valeyo and Otto theorized it could be related to the Solar Forge, perhaps he will be guided there. Valeyo suggested they pack, while he speak to the I.C.M. Shiek asked if it was wise to leave them there with the demon about. Sapphira and Otto went to check for any tracks left by the final demon in the night, but found nothing. Inside Valeyo found everyone, but Vasil and Obrand asleep. He spoke to them of the demon and Vasil said they had perimeter guard, who are still hopefully alive. Valeyo told them that the party might go after the creature, since it is going north, apologizing to Obrand, who was to come with them. The man said he isn't completely useless in a fight, but his magic can be unpredictable. Valeyo spoke to the party and told them of the plan of hunting the creature and they agreed.

A few minutes later, Thalia arose and she and Valeyo spoke. She said she would likely stay in Stendolin or go look for Ignacy, having heard that he was going south. Valeyo told her that he would find her once he is done with this group and she agreed to let herself be able to receive messages at dawn. She also mentioned that the I.C.M has people in most cities, though less so in Dragomir nowadays. Valeyo told her he is off to slay a demon and she asked him when he is joining the Order, to which he responded that it will be once she works for the King. As they said their goodbyes, Thalia reminded him that if they win so do the people. Valeyo responded saying that if they lose, they lose only themselves.

The party, together with Obrand began their journey and soon reached the point where the creature turned north. As they entered the tall grass, they noticed another corpse, seemingly cut in half. Upon inspection, it appeared that the man hadn't simply been killed, but had had his lifeforce drained. Following the culprit wasn't hard, as it had left a track in the field for them to travel.

A few hours into the trip, Sapphira smelled blood and began looking for the source. As she did, the group heard a loud chuckling and from the road, a 16ft tall creature stood up, with 4 arms, two wielding swords and one a spear, while the last held a person. Its shape was almost humanoid, but with a long tail and armour on its arms and shins. On its head was a large covering and had blue skin. It's mouth opened and it drained the life out of the man it was holding, before looking at the group and shouting in common "More souls to eat.". In the midst of combat, while the party was wailing on the being, it became enraged with Cassini's healing, turning to Otto and shouting "Your healer is dead", before performing a Soul Leap behind Cassini and slaughtering him in a whirlwind of strikes. As the life left Cassini, he found himself in a plane of endless water, beneath the silver moon. Before him were 3 telescopes, the one he has and two others. He saw their forms fit together into something grander and heard the sounds of cheering and the strikes of a hammer. Then he opened his eyes and returned to the living world, having been brought back by Otto.

They all fussed over Cassini, making sure he is okay. Soon after Otto and Valeyo looked over the dead caravan. All but one of the people were drained and all of the horses had been killed. Otto suggested informing Dr Stanov and Valeyo agreed. Looking over the caravans, they carried, silk, spices and grain - part of the Dragomir traders guild. Turning to the party, Veleyo was surprised to see a displacer beast. Shiek explained it was a gift and Valeyo asked if he had tried asking it about the vision. Shiek was doubtful, but tried it and the creature turned to the north-west, towards Otusta. Otto remembered that the woman of the drow twins mentioned training there with a master smith. They decided to collect the silk, in the hope of bringing it to Otusta and prepared to continue.