27/07/5-10

Shiek and Sapphira stood in the Broken Chain, surrounded by drinking people enjoying their night. Despite this, Shiek was focused on the tall man on the mezzanine, who was looking straight at him. Sapphira noticed that the clientele was of higher status that she would have expected, being in rather fancy dress for the third layer. Behind the bar was a half-orc woman in a similar garb to the tall man and at the end of the room was a staircase. Sat in a position hard to spot from the entrance was an familiar, if unexpected face - Simona Valova. She was discretely reading something underneath her table, with an unhappy expression on her face. Sapphira asked Shiek if he wished to take point, which he agreed would be wise. He suggested speaking to the Baron first, to avoid revealing their connection with Simona immediately and Sapphira agreed. They made their way to the stairs in the back, which lead to the mezzanine as well as rooms for hire upstairs. There was a guard at the stairs, who stepped out of the way for Shiek and soon they were in the middle of the VIP area of the pub. There were many booths and more private tables for the guests of importance, but was currently empty, the only man stood there overlooking the rest of the floor, was the Baron. He didn't turn around on their approach, but did once Shiek addressed him. He gave them a look and moved to a side table, where a smoking pipe was set up. He looked both of them up and down, seemingly confused by Sapphira's presence. When he lit his pipe, a shiver went up Shiek's back, as he realized that the bouncer who had guarded the stairs was now stood right behind him. After about a minute of uncomfortable silence, he let out a puff and looked at Shiek, before asking why he had only come over now. Shiek asked if he was supposed to do it easier and the Baron said they were friends, he could have paid him an early visit. He then asked "Omar" what was going on, something was wrong. He would always visit the Baron first, as was polite, instead he is travelling with a weird group and staying at the Storm's Scion. Shiek revealed to the Baron that he had lost a chunk of his memories and had spent the majority of the day, figuring out his standing in the city. The Baron raised an eyebrow, asking how much of his memory was intact. Shiek estimated a few years were lost, at the very least. The topic turned to the way he lost his memories and Shiek was asked to reveal the dagger in his chest, which he refused. The Baron snapped at him saying it was not a question, Shiek was becoming nervous and asked why he should do that to which the Baron grinned, saying they were friends and he was concerned for his well-being. He reluctantly raised his shirt and after a quick inspection, the Baron asked him who he really was. Shiek let out a groan and said he knew that Omar wasn't working alone in acquiring the dagger. The Baron said he was aware of Omar's plan, but wasn't aware he had found it. He wasn't under the dagger personally. Shiek told him that Omar was dead now, but he wanted to pick up where he had left off. Leaning back in his chair, the Baron looked at Sapphira and asked if he knew her from somewhere. She denied it, saying she was aware of him, but they had never met. He leaned forwards and asked where she was from. She said she had lived in the forest near Konkraimor, but before she was from Metua. He took a long look at her and asked if she was Mariel. Sapphira denied it, but asked who she was to him. The Baron said it was someone from his old life, that Sapphira appears to know as well. He guessed they were sisters, but Sapphira said they were not sisters, but she knew her - Mariel Mae. She asked if a businessman like him would like to exchange information about how they know her. The Baron told her that she used to live a few doors down from where he lived. Sapphira revealed that Mariel was her mother and the Baron barely reacted. After a moment, he asked to hold her hand and Sapphira agreed. As he did, she felt a sharp pain as a spike from one of his rings drew a crimson line on her palm. He said it was interesting that they were meeting, before turning to Shiek and saying that his circumstances are interesting, but his meeting with Sapphira was almost … divine. Shiek called him a weird man and the Baron said he was a cursed soul, much like Sapphira. He asked if she was aware of her condition and she said she preferred not to call it a curse. He told her it very much was and that he had the unfortunate displeasure of knowing Tilda, thanking the gods she was dead. He said they were cursed souls tortured by the monstrous experiments she performed. Sapphira asked when he escaped and he said it was after her death, likely as did she, but Sapphira told him there was a delay for her - her cage didn't open immediately. Sapphira spoke of how the "curse" makes it hard to adapt back to society, but he appeared to have picked it up quickly. The Baron told her he had been in Skalenvru for a long time, asking how long she had been travelling. After getting his answer, he asked her if she was able to walk in the sun, which she confirmed. He himself was not able to do it, so he lived here. Sapphira theorized that the cause was the fact that Tilda hadn't been "done" with her when she died. He looked at her still bleeding arm and pointed out that was likely the reason she didn't have fast regeneration either. Finally, the Baron turned to the two of them and said he understood why Omar had taken a while to get to him. He asked if they were aware of the rules in the city about their type of work and told them that crime was forbidden on the top two layers, if you partake your head is gone. As for Sapphira, he wished she would visit again, so he could get to know her and reminisce about the old country. Before they left, Sapphira asked how he was related to Emisar Danil. The Baron said that he didn't know what Danil was doing, he just needed a vampire to butcher, so he gave him one. Sapphira told him that all he did was enable someone to try and recreate the Countess' experiments. The Baron just shrugged saying that as far as he knew, the Emisar died a tragic death, so it was gone. Shiek asked the extend of what the Baron knew of Omar's plan. He didn't know much more that the Baron planned regicide, there were a few others who knew, but he would only give Shiek the names after doing some more research into his trustworthiness. Right as she descended the stairs, Sapphira called out to the Baron, asking that if he was in touch with Mariel, he avoid mentioning her. It would be better for her to think Sapphira was dead. The two of them went to the bar and grabbed some drinks, before deciding to approach Simona's table and sitting down. The looked up at then and nodded, asking how she could help them. Shiek said they were curious about why she was there, but she simply said the was working. Shiek asked if she was planning on doing anything during the auction, but she said she wasn't there to steal anything. He nodded at the paper she was holding and asked if that was her rehearsal notes. He then asked on whose behalf she was there but she insisted her goal was the same as always - bring down the crown. They kept pestering her as to the reason for her nervousness, pointing out that it might be related to Milivoj's father or the Emisar. She told them that she wanted to be alone, so if there was nothing else, they should leave. On the way out Shiek tried to get a glimpse of the parchment she was holding under the table, but it was written in a language he didn't understand - infernal. On the way out, they saw her go up the stairs in the back. Shiek pulled out the Sending Stone and told the others of what had happened.

On the way back from the temple, Cassini told Valeyo and Milivoj of what happened explaining the attack in more detail. Otto pointed out the symbol they all bore and Milivoj theorized that they could be working for a third force, which wishes to keep the gods together. Valeyo told them they had done well to avoid any civilian casualties.

The groups met back up in the Storm's Scion and they shared their stories. Sapphira told them of the Baron's connection to her past and the fact that he was further down the vampirism scale than her. Shiek mentioned his failure to fool the Baron and his knowledge of Omar. Milivoj and Valeyo and told them of the encounter with Mr Novak and soon after Axi flew in and told them of the conversation she had spied on between Mr Novak and the Khert. The Khert seemed angry at Milivoj and convinced that he was there to prevent him from buying the Spirit Board. Milivoj then decided to do just that. Cassini brought up the fact that he is familiar with the surnames of the sellers of the Elven Chain and the Telescope. Philippe Carysil might be a member of the Carysil family in Itacey. As for professor Foy, the dwarf that helped him recover after his accident at the temple was called Osrin Foy. Sapphira shared that the Baron seemed to hate vampires so he might have set up Rune, just to see a vampire die, instead of to help the Emisar. Either way, it seemed unlikely that the Baron could help her cure her condition, as he hated the affliction himself, yet was still under it. Right before everyone went to bed, Otto pulled out the two poison vials and handed them to Shiek. As for the bomb, he chose to keep it on him, as it could prove useful.

28/07/5-10

In the morning, Valeyo had Otto send the following message to Thalia:"Need info on Nika Kavka. Would have been final year at uni when you joined. Don't trust Vasil, he used to rule Stendolin.". Her response was: "Will prepare info. Thanks for heads up. Won't tell anyone".

The party members made their plans. Cassini and Otto to the temple, Milivoj and Valeyo to the palace. Caleyo coached Milivoj in saying half-truths and told him to put his helmet's visor down when talking with the Emisar, so she doesn't find out when Valeyo is lying. Sapphira and Shiek would look for jobs to get some money before the auction.

Upon approaching the palace, Valeyo and Milivoj were faced with a large regal building with the portcullises down. Over a dozen guards stood watch over the entrance, and upon getting withing 20ft, one of the guards held out a hand for them to halt and approached. He appeared to be in charge, wearing a better decorated plate. He stopped before them and asked why they were there. Valeyo explained that they were there to meet Emisar Kavka, on behalf of Dr Stanov and handed him their papers. After looking over then, the guard asked if this was related to the breakfast being hosted by the Khert of Novograd. Milivoj and Valeyo were both shocked to hear that, which the guard noticed. Valeyo told him that the conversation was to be had between the Emisar and the royal investigator, not the Khert so they required a private meeting. The guard leaned closer and asked what discretion is required. Milivoj told him to simply introduce him as a bodyguard and avoid revealing his identity to the Khert. Eventually they were lead to a waiting room, where they were told it could be a 30 minute wait, as the Palace of the Sun was quite large.

In the temple, Sapphira, Shiek, Otto and Cassini found out that the Priestess was not in, as she was recovering from last night at her home. In thanks for their help the previous night, they were given her address on the Nivo Bogat and began making their way there. The house was a large building with two stories. The front door to the building was flanked by windows into two side rooms, with curtains drawn. A prominent window with symbols of Sehanine was seen at on the second floor at the front. In the front garden, it was mostly the yellow low-light grass seen around the rest of the city. The approached the front door and gave it a knock. It took a few minutes, but eventually the door was opened by the priestess, somewhat startled by their being there. She asked what they were doing there and after Otto explained, invited them in. The entry room had nice fully carpet and a pair of suits of armour decorating the sides. Next was a large hall, leading to a set of stairs heading to the second floor. The whole place was well decorated with expensive looking paintings and sculptures. On the second floor, she them to a small reading room. She took a seat on one of the chairs and invited them to do so as well. She then asked how she could help. Cassini told her he understood if this was traumatic for her, as it was for him, but he was getting irritated by being in constant danger and not knowing anything of what is going on. He wanted her to be frank with what she knows of Arvandor, the assassins and this heresy business. The woman seemed a bit scared, by his sudden harsh questioning and was at a loss for words for a bit. After collecting herself, she told him she doesn’t know who those people who almost killed both of them were, but she was told they called him a heretic. She asked if Cassini thought them related to this Arvandor he mentioned. Cassini told her that her it could be related , they clearly don't want him to associate with Arvandor to which she suggested that he maybe stop doing it. He got up, frustrated and began sarcastically saying he should just pack up and give up, they will surely leave him be. She waited for him to finish and asked if this Arvandor is in other scripture that she hadn't heard of. She clearly knew nothing of the name and wanted Cassini to give her some details. He asked if she knew of any entities related to Sehanine, or enemies or opposite. She sighed, saying he clearly didn't read the book she had given him. Her explanation began with the fact that the Moon Maiden is a living entity, who exists and has had enemies in the other gods, most notably Lolth and Torog. He told her of his vision of the moon crashing and the fact that he has a telescope. She asked if it was the same as the one in the auction and Cassini pulled out the telescope from his suitcase, before presenting it to her. He told her what little he knew of their purpose and she asked if he was intent on buying the one that was on sale in the city. He confirmed and she asked if he had the middle of bottom one. Cassini was surprised she knew so much of them and asked what else she knew. She told him that it was an old relic of the Moon Maiden, which was separated long ago and one she wishes to reassemble. He asked about the others and she said she knew there were 3 pierce that form a tube allowing Sehanine to walk on the mortal plane. She told him to leave it with her and she could lock it up and keep it safe. Cassini said that will not be happening and packed up his suitcase. He wondered how she knew of the telescope, but not Arvandor. She told him to stop delving with that other entity, he had already lost his eye, what else was he willing to lose, what was his plan. Shiek asked what her plan was, how she would protect the telescope next time. She told him not to concern themselves, as she had the means. Shiek told her, they had proven capable, even with just a couple of them present. Otto told her that Cassini was the one chosen and sent visions to collect them. Shiek could tell she was getting distressed by everything going on and her eyes were darting around the room, almost as if looking for something. She then said that if what they were saying was true and they were sent to assemble the telescope by this entity opposed to Sehenine, a good god, would be a betrayal. They argued for a while, with her saying that releasing strife by using this artifact improperly is not worth it. She asked when Cassini had his vision and he told her it was last full moon. She told him he was being deceived, as she only communicated in the waxing/waning moon, so he is not speaking to Sehanine. If he is speaking to something, it is not good, it is so old and forgotten that some of their church are chasing him calling him heretic. He asked what he should do and she once again told him to give her the telescope, which he declined again. He told her that the best that would happen is her helping them acquire the one in the auction, but she interrupted him saying she would not let them be together. She told him that assembling them together to help this heretic entity is foolish. Cassini pointed out that the assassins had symbols of the full moon, so the people who want her dead, wish the telescopes apart too. Shiek asked if she will be attempting to buy it at the auction then and she said there is no "attempt", it will be hers. Seeing that they are at an impasse, they all left. Once they were outside, Otto cast Clairvoyance and choose hearing from a spot behind where she stood. He heard her sigh and then another voice, which he didn't recognize. It went "What is the plan?", she responded "I will not let them contact the Lord of Strife again, it won't happen", the male voice responded "I will see to it" then the door opened and closed.

Back to the waiting room of the Palace of the Sun, the guard reentered and told them they could go see the Emisar.