Session 52 - Entangled

27/07/5-10

Valeyo entered the large central room of the Drop Tavern, looking at the sign depicting a man falling off a cliff as he did so. It was still early in the morning, so many of the patrons were having breakfast. A halfling was serving the customers, and behind the bar was comically large greatsword. Valeyo approached the bar and while waiting looked at the sword, it seemed too big for a halfling or even a goliath. The halfling soon returned to the bar and asked how he could help. Valeyo told him he was looking for a woman called Raya. The man eyed him suspiciously, asking if she knew he was coming. Valeyo said it was unlikely and the barman asked who he was. He introduced himself and said Raya and him had friends in common, if he was allowed to speak to her, she could determine for herself. The man told him he would send message to her workspace and she would decide if they would meet. Valeyo took a seat to wait for the message, while waiting he took in the sights of the tavern, keeping an eye out for members of the Novosel Clan or the Order of the Brown Dragon.

The rest of the party, came out of the Bank and headed to the Pravya Level to find a blacksmith. Exiting the lift, they saw a large tavern, called the Master Maker. Looking around, they were surrounded by buildings arranged in a semi-circle, each associated with a different guild. Singling out the Smith's guild in the east, they walked past the crafter's market, called the Crafters' Collection. Past the guild, in the east was also a small temple.

In the blacksmith's Milivoj sought out someone able to work the elemental glass. His gold pass enabled him to find a large goliath man, who asked how he could help. Milivoj presented him with the elemental gem and the goliath was impressed, saying he had not seen one quite as potent before. Milivoj told him he was looking to upgrade his flair and the man asked how much he was willing to spend. Milivoj was unsure what he wanted and Otto suggested spending around 1k gold. The goliath shook his head, insisting that a gem of this quality shouldn't be wasted on anything worth less than 10k gold. Milivoj was outraged at the price and said going there was a waste of time, before leaving.

While moving towards the blacksmith, Sapphira's mind was on something else. She had noticed that despite its enclosed nature and weird geography, the levels had a surprising amount of wildlife. Birds, bars, critters and bugs could be spotted everywhere, but what caught her eye, was a raven. Initially not paying it much heed, she noticed it follow their group from the bank, down to the level before and to the guilds.

Cassini Tir'ithil had just arrived before the large entrance of the grounds of temple to Sehanine. He was allowed inside and made his way through the garden to the central building, which reminded him if the Solar Dome in Stendolin, with its large central chamber surrounded by smaller rooms. The grounds seemed largely empty, this early in the morning and he took the opportunity to have a look around for any references to Arvandor. Predictably, none could be found or they were simply too subtle for him to notice. Some moments later, he was approached by an elven woman coming out from one of the side rooms. Outwardly she appeared to be in her 50s for a human and had long well-kept blonde hair. She greeted him asking what she could do for him, but remarking that the temple is mostly active at night. Cassini said he was a new follower of Sehanine and wondered if he could ask a few questions. She smiled saying she is more than willing to help. He began explaining how through his master, he became involved with the worship of Sehanine and after travelling with some friends had heard tales that conflict with the tale of Sehanine, naming another god called Arvandor. She looked confused, saying that the only lunar related deity she had heard of was the Ruby Dragon. Cassini told her that he had tried to research Arvandor on his own, but had a hard time finding information. She asked if he was sure of his existence, saying that she herself, the High priestess of Sehanine, had not heard of him. He switched his questions, to asking if she knew tales of the moon falling from the sky. She laughed, saying that Sehanine is a trickster, if she had taken notice of his joining, she might be having fun with him, or just having plain old bad dreams. She continued saying that Sehanine is the moon, so long as people worship her, she is safe. Killing a god is beyond what he needs to worry about, and likely this change in his life is just stirring his anxiety. He thanked her for the reassurance and asked if there were sermons every night, or if it depended on the phase of the moon. She told him that they are every night, but the largest is during the full moon. On his way out, Cassini rummaged in his pouch and produced a few gold pieces as a small donation, saying he would see her at the sermon. She waved him goodbye saying "Until we meet again, Moontouched."

Valeyo had finished his breakfast, when the runner sent by the barkeep returned. The halfling approached him, saying that Raya had agreed to meet. He would need to head to the Dulbok level. As he entered, if he walked towards the pulley, down the stairs on the second left, one of the buildings there is her base of operations. Valeyo thanked him and paid his bill. On the way down, he used the Sending stone to inform the rest of the party where he was going. Following the directions, he found himself before a building with a sign saying "Raya's Loading" with 30-40 men waiting outside. Valeyo asked what the queue was for and one man told him they were waiting for work. Soon a group of men emerged from the building and headed to the lift. A voice called out from the inside "Next". The man next to Valeyo asked how he would work there when his arm was missing. Valeyo acted surprised and joked around with the men for a bit, before heading in. It became clear, that this office was just the reception room of someone's house. Behind a desk was a woman in her early 20s with golden strands in her hair - Raya. She lifted her eyes towards him and he found them the same brilliant gold. She looked him up and down and asked if he was from the Drop, which he confirmed. After a bit, she closed the door announcing a short break. Introductions were made and she asked what he wanted. He told her that Vasil sent him, which made her wary.

When asked if she was a friend of his, she went to say something before quickly stopping herself. She confirmed that she knew him when she was younger via family connections. Next, she asked Valeyo if knew what Vasil used to called, which Valeyo did not. She revealed his name to have been Ver-nik, which mean nothing to Valeyo. Valeyo asked for a summary and she told him to go look it up, not wanting to prevent him from learning about the great history of Stendolin. She asked why he was there exactly and he said he was just sent to help. She thought for a bit and asked if he was one of those involved with the Temple collapse which he confirmed. He did say that they weren't there to do it to the Emisar in Skalenvru, joking it was not a pattern, but she said not to be hasty. According to her, the Emisar was there in her role of overseeing the construction of the docks and the station. She said that he could try to help negotiating with her. She said that the Dragomir people were really slow, refusing to use magic, refusing to hire non-Dragomir workers and if they do they are paid a quarter of price. There were many skilled people without work, gesturing outside, who could help finish this faster. Valeyo agreed to help, saying it falls right in his skillset. He did clear-up that he is not friend's with Vasil, but rather just working with him for a friend's sake. He asked her if she had anything to do with the Raya from the temple of Pelor and she confirmed being named after her. She also said she was much older that she looked. Before leaving he asked if she had heard any rumors about an angel of Ioun, but she seemed unfamiliar. He thanked her and said he would do his best to help.

Soon after, the group gathered at the Pravya layer. Shiek summarized what they had done in the Bank and the guilds and Cassini told them of his experience in the University. Valeyo suggested that this looked unrelated to the one in Dragomir and more like a zealot at work, proposing to go to the temple of Sehanine. Cassini said that he had already been there and after explaining that he had asked the High Priestess if she knew of Arvandor she denied it. Otto told him that that was not much of indicator, as she would readily lie if she was involved. Milivoj asked Valeyo about his task, but Valeyo said they were better off going back to the Storm's Scion for that.

Arriving there, they arranged for a conference room and were told it had the ability to make itself soundproof, by the press of a button for a fee of 15gp per hour. Shiek investigated the room for any spy holes, but the only thing he found were magic runes inscribed in a pattern on the room's perimeter. Valeyo explained how he assumed the room worked with Silience gapping the room, a technique figured out by one Quiggly Cartwright. To his surprise, when he flicked the switch, the room was filled with an area of antimagic. Valeyo marveled at them going for the most expensive solution. Now safe, Sapphira revealed that she had seen a raven following them. Shiek proposed it is the same person as the Giant Eagle following them before, but Valeyo pointed out it was likely a vampire familiar sent by the Baron, who now knew Omar was there. He suggested Sapphira be careful, in case he tries something.

Milivoj turned to Valeyo asking to continue his story. He told them of Raya and her mentioning the name Ver-nik that Vasil used to have. It didn't mean anything to him, so Valey continued telling him of the Emisar and their refusal to hire Skalenvru help. Milivoj said he would think about it for a bit and conversation turned to further investigating the temple and preparing for the auction. When it came to the Baron, Shiek and Valeyo argued about how to approach it, Shiek wanted to go into it in a friendly manner and Valeyo insisted that even if they did, they will inevitable end up in conflict. Eventually they agreed that they needed to find out more and Milivoj said he had a start of a plan. He said he didn't like doing it, but for the good of the group he was willing to, but he would need Valeyo's help. His father has a steward, who he brings everywhere with him, like his own Ysomir, who would know everything there is to know about this Baron, as he does research on places his father would visit. Milivoj said that his part was to dress the part and just enter where his family's party resided. He would need Valeyo to join him to help out in conversation. Valeyo agreed to the plan, saying it was much lower risk than the Baron. Shiek intended to look in to Omar's connections and any past hideouts to be able to play the persona. Otto and Cassini would visit the temple during the sermon to find out more. Shiek also proposed going to the Bank to see any past transactions he had made.

Valeyo left the room and headed to Ysomir, asking to borrow some of his clothes. As for Ver-nik, he knew some, but wished to learn more, before explaining. He did also get some tips about behaving like a member of the Novosel clan. While talking, Ysomir turned to grab his bag and handed Valeyo a catalogue that had a list of some of the items from the auction. He flicked to a page presenting a magic item referred to as the Book of Stories. In the description, it says it was a magical focus that improves spells and lets you cast new ones. It was also owned by one Ver-nik Kunchrom, one of the three founders of Stendolin. A different page he mentioned is one listing a telescope - a Telescope of Sehenine, said to be exceptionally rare for its special lenses. He thanked him and headed back.

Shiek and Sapphira left the Scion and noticed the raven following them again, as they entered the bank, where "Omar" asked about past transactions. There were numerous names of small one off payments, but some which appeared multiple times was one Janske and also a big payment from Worldwares Shipping. The last transaction happened 2.5 years ago.

Following that, Shieked returned to the inn and looked through Omar's journal, but the only names to come up were Klep and Jan, presumably Yorhaza Klepul and this Janske. While the party gathered, Valeyo shared what Ysomir had shown him in the catalogue. Looking at the it, Cassini remembered his dream which ended with the sound of a hammer, like that of an auction house. He also mentioned the book, which while not listed as super important was still valuable. Amongst those items was a Ring of Three Wishes listed at the very item which undid the High Lord of the Blood Court, which impressed Valeyo. Shiek told the people about the bank and Milivoj recognized the name Janske, as the man his father was staying with. Ysomir clarified that Janske lives on the Nebe level and was  a famous proprietor of exotic creatures - Own Bears, Wing Horses, Griffons, Displacer beasts etc. Due to this, the Khert likely has his horse master there, probably looking for an exotic mount. Otto also suggested, Sapphira joining someone else next, to see if the raven remains. Shiek also told them to drop his name when talking to Janske to check.

The plans for each group were as follows: