Session Forty-Five - February 17, 2007

[Matt]

Note - there are no GM comments for these notes due to time constraints.

Larane 30, 731

It was approximately two o’clock in the afternoon when the party leaves Tharda house. While the rest of the group heads home to Gray House, Ewen proceeds to Caldeth house to pay a visit to the Lady Thilisa. On the way he stops at Gallopea’s Feast for an appropriate gift, purchasing a nice bottle of brandy. As Ewen enters the courtyard, Sir Rollard appears and greets Sir Ewen. When Ewen explains that he has come to see Thilisa, Rollard invites him in and indicates that he will go ‘see if that is acceptable to the lady.’ After a few moments of Ewen cooling his heels, the Lady Thilisa appears with Sir Rollard trailing behind at a respectable distance. Ewen bows to Thilisa and hands her his present. Thilisa remarks that this is just what the day calls for, and motions to Sir Rollard to go and get some glasses. Rollard returns shortly and, after handing the glasses to Thilisa, retreats and stands unobtrusively in the corner. Ewen and Thilisa sip the brandy and talk lightly of unimportant matters. Occasionally, Ewen comes across as a trifle tongue-tied, but Thilisa seems to find his manner charming. Later, as Ewen prepares to leave, Thilisa remarks that she has a favor to ask of the knight. Ewen responds that he will do what he can for her. It seems that the Lady has been insulted by a man called Viktam Arwat. This person was boorish to Thilisa and made some inappropriate remarks within her hearing at a social gathering. Thilisa goes on to explain that Viktam is a cousin of one of the men that Ewen killed during the joust, indicating that said Viktam is not all that happy with Ewen as well. Ewen asks if Thilisa knows where the gentleman in question is staying, but she merely responds that she doesn’t know, only that he is currently in Tashal. Ewen nods, and tells the lady that he will take care of it.

Back at Gray house, Ewen informs Cekiya that he has a job for her. He wants her to find the location of this Viktam, but not to kill him. Ewen then retires to his room and begins to weigh the pros and cons of the Bishop/Morgathian situation and the information learned from the Baron of Stimos. The house is fairly quiet, with Baris sulking in his room, Imarë in the woods, and Kaelyn studying assiduously.

Cekiya waits until after dark before she heads out to do the job Ewen has requested of her. Her first stop of the night is at the Iron Bell. She hopes that a quick search of the inns in town will reveal the location of her quarry. She questions a bar maid at the Iron Bell, and then a stable boy at the Tower Inn, yet both awkward conversations yield little results. Cekiya decides that it is time to put her contacts to good use, and makes her way to the Spurs.

As she enters this den of iniquity, the conversations die to a quiet murmur as patrons nudge each other to be quiet. Halime is working behind the bar. He stops filling orders and just waits as Cekiya walks toward him. She tells him that she wants Viktam Arwat located. Halime tries to get more information that could aid in the search, but as Cekiya has very little information herself, she merely repeats what she wants and tells Halime that she’ll be back tomorrow for an answer. She gives Halime one more look, and then departs the Spurs. Outside, she notices a small man with stringy hair lounging nearby. She remembers seeing him outside the Tower earlier that evening. Not in a mood for a confrontation with a lackey, she takes a round-about way home, stopping periodically to assess whether she is being followed. As the stringy-haired man doesn’t make a move to tail her, she makes it back to Gray House without killing anyone.

Agrazhar 1, 731

At breakfast Ewen solicits everyone’s thoughts on the bishop dilemma. The general consensus is that it wouldn’t hurt to play both sides (the party obviously having faith in Ewen and his ability to get them out of any mess that might occur) and that a message should be sent to the Bishop Dariune requesting a meeting. Ewen concurs, and pens a suitable communication. He hands this to Arnys to deliver to the Bishop at the castle, with instructions that there should be a reply and he should wait for it.

Arnys returns around noon with the message that the Bishop will see Sir Ewen in some four hours time. As Arnys delivers this message, Ewen notes that something is bothering his beggar-turned-squire. When Ewen inquires as to the problem, Arnys informs him that he as been given a bed and is not being left to freeze outside anymore. This doesn’t seem like a problem to Ewen, but Arnys replies that he needs to stay in a fighting trim if he is to remain effective in Ewen’s household. Ewen replies that he’ll endeavor to think of something for Arnys to do.

Imarë offers to accompany Ewen to the meeting, as Sir Baris is still sulking, Kaelyn is still studying, Lady Afaewynn perhaps cannot be trusted, and Cekiya’s presence might raise some questions. Ewen agrees, and the two of them set off for the castle at the appropriate hour.

At the castle gates, they are stopped by two men-at-arms and are told to disarm and to deposit their weapons at the guard house. One of the men-at-arms congratulates Sir Ewen on his victory at Olokand as he takes their weaponry. The other guard leads Ewen and Imarë inside and up a set of stairs. At the top of the stairs there is a large set of double doors leading into the great hall of the castle, where they find tables and chairs set up. They turn left down a wide corridor. There is a door to the right side of the corridor and another door in front of them. The guard knocks on the door to the front of them and Ewen and Imarë are bid to enter. Inside the room, the Bishop Dariune is seated in the chair to the right of the throne, and across the room from him is the Earl of Balim. Both Dariunes look at Ewen, waiting for him to speak first. Ewen starts by thanking them for seeing him on such short notice, and then tells them that there were Morgathians at Abriel Abbey. The Bishop Dariune, brow furrowing, asks Sir Ewen to relate the entire story of his stay at the Abbey. Ewen complies, editing the tale but conveying an accurate account overall. After Sir Ewen is done the Bishop asks Ewen’s opinion of Bishop Hadan’s state of mind. Ewen replies that the Bishop Hadan is a more political animal than he lets on, and there are two possibilities in Ewen’s mind as to why Hadan has called the synod. Ewen says that he thinks perhaps the Bishop intends an attempt to depose the Archbishop. Or, he goes on, a less likely possibility is that Hadan has himself been turned, and this is an attempt by the Morgathians to gain entire control of the hierarchy of the Church of Larani in Kaldor. Both Dariunes agree that the second scenario is perhaps far-fetched, but a possibility none the less. The Earl of Balim asks Ewen if he was aware that according to as Laranians they cannot accept the testimony from an admitted Morgathian. Ewen indicates he was not aware of this fact. The Bishop Dariune then asks Ewen’s real reason for coming to them and for not telling Hadan of his intentions. Ewen replies that he merely wished to bring his concerns to light. The Earl of Balim then smiles a creepy smile and tells Ewen that he perhaps has done them a favor, but if he hasn’t it will not be forgotten and will be dealt with quickly. Ewen bows, dismissed, and he and Imarë take their leave and return to Gray house.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully until around ten in the evening when Cekiya leaves Gray house for the Spurs. It is already dead silent as she enters, with about half as many patrons tonight as there were on the previous night. Halime, once again, is waiting nervously at the bar for Cekiya. Halime has the misfortune to report to Cekiya that they haven’t found Viktam Arwat. He tells her that they have searched all the inns, brothels, and most of the homes, but he hasn’t been located. Cekiya glares at the news of failure and asks what Halime has found out. Halime reports that Viktam’s family holds a manor, Xerl, from the Baron of Ternua, but states that his people need more time to find him. Halime is obviously scared of what Cekiya might do if she is unhappy. Cekiya tells Halime that she’ll be back. As she turns to leave she says “One more thing,” and with a small snap of her wrist flicks a dagger across the room, impaling a minor flunkey in the chest. She calmly walks over to the slumped form, extracts her dagger, wipes it on the dead man’s tunic, and then walks out through the door next to the bar leading to the kitchen. Cekiya has decided that its now time to move to another source of information. She descends from the kitchen into the cellar and operates a secret door. It leads to a path down to the tunnels that Ewen had visited before. This tunnel works its way north into the sewers of Tashal. To her right there is another secret door, and she enters into a storeroom guarded by two dranatha. They are instantly alert when Cekiya walks in and but pass her through in apparent recognition. She smiles and says Hello, busy bees in her singsong voice as she heads up the stairs. At the landing she makes the proper obeisance before knocking on a certain door and announcing herself. Cekiya is bid to enter. In the room is Escalus, and seeing her says, “Welcome home Cekiya.”

Cekiya immediately reports, leaving nothing out. Escalus listens to her account, and merely states that Ewen is bold. Cekiya agrees. Escalus says nothing for a moment and then observes ‘that boy is trouble’, and then asks Cekiya why she is here. Cekiya says that she has been told to find Viktam Arwat by Sir Ewen and that Halime and his crew have produced no results. It is clear that she’s highly irritated with Halime. Escalus looks slightly concerned as he asks her if she broke Halime. Cekiya says that she has not, just bruised him a little. Escalus reiterates to Cekiya that Halime has his uses, and cautions her not to break him. She is a little sullen at this, but agrees. Escalus then tells her that he will look into her problem and will be in touch with her, as she is not to come back this way for a while. Cekiya nods and lets herself out.

Agrazhar 2, 731

In the morning Cekiya informs Sir Ewen of her lack of results, but nothing of her activities. Ewen thinks for a moment before telling Cekiya that he wishes her to inform Rahel that he wants to talk with her. Cekiya leaves and very shortly comes back saying that they are all invited to dinner that night at seven at Rahel’s house.

The day passes quietly with only the occasional sounds of muted cursing emanating from Sir Baris’ room. That evening the entire party, sans Sir Baris, heads to Rahel’s house. They walk toward the Spurs, then up to Querina gate. They turn left on Valdan way and then right into an alleyway. There are some tough looking guys hanging out in the alley and there is a tavern, the Wolf’s Head, on the left-hand side. The party walks down the alley until they reach the third house in on the right. Cekiya knocks upon the only door. A man-at-arms opens the door. The party notices that he is armed. He surveys them and says
‘Sir Ewen, you and your guests are expected. Please come in.”

The party is led into large room adorned with some large tapestries and a statue. One of the tapestries depicts a unicorn hunt. The man-at-arms instructs the party to make themselves comfortable. Soon a man comes down the spiral staircase. It is Harth of Hurlis. He greets Sir Ewen tersely. “I see you’re still alive.”

Ewen agrees evenly. “And how are you?”

“I’m not staying. The lady wished me to tell you that she will be down soon.” With those few words, Harth departs. A few moments later, Rahel descends the stairs and sweeps into the room, bestowing a few air kisses to Sir Ewen before greeting the rest of the party.

Rahel indicates that the party should sit, and as she sits at the head of the table she motions to Sir Ewen to take the chair at the other end. As the party expresses its interest in Rahel’s decor, she tells Ewen to take a closer look at the statue in the corner. She tells him that he will find it interesting. After Ewen gives up the guessing game of who exactly the statue is, Rahel tells him that it is King Chunel, an ancestor of theirs.

Dinner is served shortly. It is an excellent meal, with many succulent dishes. Rahel asks Ewen what they have been up to. Ewen tells her the story of the abbey and the subsequent run-in with the Morgathians. Rahel leans back and, like the Baron of Stimos, pauses to take a sip of her drink after Ewen has finished the tale. Rahel then begins to tell the party more of the nature of the servants of Morgath. She says that to interact with others, the amorvrus has a means of suppressing the shadow so as not to be detected. If the Bishop was an amorvrus, Sir Ewen would have been one of the first to detect this. She makes a reference to an event that happened in Golotha. Ewen says that he has not heard the full story of this event, and would like Rahel to elaborate if she is able to do so. She looks at Ewen and tells him that he should use the information she is about to give him to guard himself.
“The Baron of Quste, the previous one that is, had failed to deliver the expected tribute to Morgathians. The Morgathians in decided to snatch the perfumer and her daughter because of Slakka and take them to the temple. Morgan decided not to leave them there. He only took one person with him: Merin Sheld. They entered the temple compound. Six living guards were immediately killed. They then made their way down into the dungeon area. There were many gulmorvrin waiting for Morgan; they were aware of his presence the moment he stepped into the compound. There were too many gulmorvrin for the sword, so Morgan used Deryni magic to dispatch them. Merin Sheld, was able to free the perfumer and her daughter to take them to a safe location. Morgan then returned to my house, where you met him.”

Rahel gave the party a few moments to digest this information and to refresh their drinks before continuing.

“You’ll need more information about morvrin. The amorvrin have many lives; thirteen in fact. They obviously can die, but if they are not at the end of their lives, they merely re-form in a resting place. Sometimes they re-form instantly, but it also can take up to thirteen months to re-form. The resting place is a consecrated area they have made before hand. The only difference between the amorvrin and the living is that the amorvrin have no souls, only the shadow. The amorvrin become more powerful with each of their thirteen lives, but the trade-off for this power is that they become more obvious, as the shadow extends with each life. For the first life, the shadow only extends about one or two feet. After their final death, the amorvrin become gulmorvrin and can be killed for good. The gulmorvrin and the amorvrin both can kill with the shadow, the main difference it that the gulmorvrin must touch you.”

“Your Master of the Archives is indeed an amorvrin, as is the chief priest in the Golotha temple, but I think that you knew that already. What you didn’t know was that the whole process to turn a Morgathian into an amorvrin takes about an hour, and requires a consecrated place and a priest. The amorvrin must sacrifice souls to Morgath and the shadow in order to remain sentient beings. They usually sacrifice one or two souls a month.”

Ewen waits a decent moment before changing the subject and asking if she knew whether the death of Astarok was indeed on the up-and-up and not part some other conspiracy. Rahel laughs and indicates that he did indeed die of natural causes; not surprising as he was close to 100 years old. She tells them that the house has been sealed, although their old friend Bevan had entered it and later returned with a wagon and a couple of teamsters. Messages had been sent to Odivshe in Chyrefal, and she expects that they will send someone to collect the rest.

Ewen then asks Rahel what he should do about his pedigree and the fact that he will have to tell Thilisa something. Rahel tells Ewen that she really hasn’t thought about that, but it does indeed prove to be a conundrum. She then tells Ewen she would really like to meet Thilisa. In fact she would love to be able to host a party, but while the house is set-up for just the thing, the location and the name is absolutely unacceptable for hosting a social gathering for the higher nobles of Kaldor.

The evening draws to a close. Ewen tells the party that he will be staying. Cekiya upon hearing this says that she is staying too. Rahel merely looks indulgently at the girl and says, “Of course you are, but you will stay where I tell you.” Rahel then makes arrangements for Imarë and Kaelyn to be escorted home.

After the two ladies depart, Rahel shows Cekiya her room. She then takes Ewen up to the third floor. In the corner of the room there is a 3’ by 3’ square made of stone on the floor. Rahel leads Ewen over and takes his hand and tells him to concentrate.

“The stone is a portal. Try and attune yourself to it.” Ewen does so and Rahel smiles, “You can now use this portal. If you wish to see Sedris Meleken, we’ll use this portal, as he is no longer in Tashal.”

Rahel steps away from the portal and heads Ewen in the direction of the bedchamber, where there is a wall-hangning which is a surprisingly detailed map of Harn.

Agrazhar 3, 731

After breakfast Cekiya decides that she will visit Halime in the afternoon and get a status report. Imarë feels that this would be a good day to go outside of the city and commune with nature. Kaelyn is almost ready to attempt her spell; she just has a couple hours of studying left to do. Imarë tells Kaelyn not to blow anything up while she is gone. Kaelyn assures her that flooding is much more likely than an explosion.

After her couple hours of study, Kaelyn attempts her spell, and fails. The price of failing is that Kaelyn is tired. She does have enough energy to go upstairs and kick Baris in the shins for making so much noise (not that it was really that distracting - she just needed someone to blame).

The Spurs, when Cekiya walks in, is pretty much empty. Halime isn’t even behind the bar. A servant sees Cekiya and practically trips over himself on his way to the back room. Halime comes out a moment later wiping his hands clean. He looks at Cekiya and immediately tells her that Viktam is not in Tashal!! Cekiya assures him that the person who wants him found is certain that Viktam is in Tashal and that Halime should look harder. Cekiya then walks out without a backward glance.

Agrazhar 4, 731

At breakfast Cekiya reports to Ewen about the ongoing lack of progress on finding Viktam. Ewen looks visibly skeptical about Cekiya’s contacts and, hurt, she reassures him that her contacts are good, if a little slow sometimes. Ewen merely nods. He then informs the party that he intends today to go to the College of Heralds, the Enclave of Holy Oak, to see if Viktam and his family actually exist. Evidently, Cekiya is not the only female whose information he questions.

At the College of Heralds, Sir Ewen and company are met at the gates by a guard who asks their business within the College. Ewen informs the guard that he is Sir Ewen of Ravinargh, and that he has few questions for a herald. The guard lets him in. The party notices that above the door is the coat of arms of the acorn herald.

Once inside a herald by the name of Sir Rohn comes up to them, stating that he is very glad Ewen has stopped by as he has questions for Sir Ewen. Of course, he quickly allows, he will be happy to answer Sir Ewen’s questions first. Ewen tells Rohn that he has been told of a gentleman by the name of Viktam Arwat, and would like to find out more information about him for reasons that are his business. Rohn quickly sets off with a few pages following him after showing Sir Ewen and company a seat. A few moments later Rohn returns, trailed by a scribe, with the information Ewen has requested. It seems that Sir Denyl Arwat, late of the Royal Tournament, had just inherited. His arms were a brown field with three white horizontal stripes. The said Viktam does indeed exist; he is a cousin to Sir Denyl, the son of the Lord’s brother. He had two sisters, and one is still living.
Satisfied that he has answered Sir Ewen’s questions, Rohn produces a piece of paper and tells Sir Ewen that his arms are now properly registered in Kaldor, but there are a few details missing. Ewen nods blandly, clearing his throat and crossing one leg over the other, attending to the herald as the nearby scribe dips his quill into the ink and looks up expectantly.

“Now, Sir Ewen,” begins Sir Rohn, “who is your father?”

Ewen glances over at the scribe, whose quill is poised above a piece of unsullied parchment. “Ah. Yes. My father. That is a trifle difficult to explain. You need to talk to Coranan.”

“Coranan, Sir Ewen? It would be so much easier if you explained it to us yourself.”

Ewen shakes his head agreeably. “No, Coranan, I think. Definitely,” he repeats.

“Em, I am confused Sir Ewen. You don’t know who your father is?”

“It is difficult to explain.”

“Yes, you said that. Well then, who is your mother? Surely you had a mother.”

“Of course I had a mother.”

“Yes, but her name, Sir Ewen.”

“She is dead, you know.”

“My condolences Sir Ewen, but what was her name?”

“Pela of Jekesa.” Sir Ewen sits back to the sound of the scribe scratching furiously, as if the conversation has reached its conclusion.

“And she knew your father, Sir Ewen.”

“Yes, yes, she knew my father,” Ewen sputters, his voice rising. “Are you making some sort of implication?”

“No Sir Ewen, I am not making an implication. Your father, Sir Ewen. Surely your mother knew your father’s name?”

“By the gods man, you are making an implication.”

“But his name, Sir Ewen, surely he had a name?”

Ewen sighed, waving his hand vaguely. “Carlon of Soursi.”

“Ah.” The scribe in the corner scratched again, while the herald frowned. “Now one moment, Sir Ewen, if you please. You said Soursi? But you are ‘Ewen of Ravinargh’, are you not?”

“Yes, of course. Ewen of Ravinargh was the name King Arren II called me when he knighted me, so Ewen of Ravinargh I am.”

“Then Ravinargh is made up?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Sir Ewen, what would you say?”

Ewen sighed again. “That it is difficult to explain, and you really should speak with Tharda. I would direct your questions to Lord Graver. He should be able to make all of this perfectly clear.”

Rohn takes a deep breath and then irritably motions the scribe out of the room. He waits until the door snicks shut.

“Sir Ewen,” Rohn says in a weary tone. “I confess to being deeply confused, and perhaps I have made an error in judgment. The Earl of Vemion was here looking for information about you earlier this week, and I told him that we had some details missing, but I assured him that you were a knight of quality. Was I in error telling him this?”

“No, of course you were not. I am a knight of quality, but these details pertaining to my family are difficult.”

“I will hold you to your word, Sir Ewen. I will ask Lord Graver, as you say, but if I find out that this has all been a lie, I am afraid I shall have to disavow you.”

“I understand sir,” Sir Ewen says stiffly. “I would ask nothing less. Thank you for your information, you have been most helpful.”With that said, and Rohn making no move to impede him, Sir Ewen bows himself out of the room, and company departs from the Acorn College of Heralds.

Agrazhar 5, 731

In the morning Ewen, accompanied by Lady Afaewynn, attends the Laranian service. All of the Bishops as well as the Archbishop are present. Ewen lingers a little after the service in case Bishop Hadan wishes to speak with him, but all of the Bishops leave immediately after the service.

Later in the afternoon, Kaelyn attempts her spell again after two more days of study. She again fails, but did not kick Baris this time. The rest of the day passes quietly.

Agrazhar 6, 731

The party is aware that today is the day of the Synod called by the Bishop Hadan and, with the exception of Cekiya, all remain at Gray House.

Cekiya again returns to the Spurs. The Spurs, it being not quite noon, is rather empty, although a few chairs are occupied. Halime again regrets to inform Cekiya that he has had no luck and offers a life to make Cekiya happier as he points randomly to someone. Cekiya does not take him up on the offer, telling Halime that she can not be so cheaply bought. She walks out without breaking anyone.

Later that afternoon a small urchin comes to the door. The party assumes that the little messenger is a boy, but as he is dressed in rags and covered in filth it is a little hard to tell. The boy looks around the room and says that he has a message for Cekiya. Cekiya indicates herself. The boy looks her up and down and comments that she isn’t much bigger than he is. Cekiya merely gives the boy a look and asks for the message. The boy grins, he obviously being an urchin who likes to look on the bright side of life, and says, “I’m to tell you ‘Osel House.’” With his message delivered, he holds out his hand and waits for a tip, which Ewen is obliged to provide. Tip in hand, the boy bounces out of the house. The party has hardly digested this new piece of information when a second messenger comes to the door. This messenger is much more official, wearing the arms of the Earl of Balim. He walks in and addresses Sir Ewen “His Lordship, the Earl of Balim, requests Sir Ewen of Ravinargh to attend him at the castle.” Ewen replies that he is willing to do his lordship’s bidding. The messenger nods and tells Ewen that he is to be expected at ten on the following morning. Sir Ewen agrees and the messenger departs.

The rest of the day passes in peace, with the party puzzling out why Viktam would be at Osel House and why Thilisa did not impart that information to Ewen, saying instead that she didn’t know where he was, only that he was in Tashal.

Agrazhar 7, 731

The next morning finds Sir Ewen heading to the castle at the appointed time. He is again stopped at the gates by men-at-arms, although this time he is allowed to keep his sword. Ewen goes to the same room where he had met with the Dariunes before. This time the Archbishop is present.

“Sir Ewen, so good of you to join us this morning, please have a seat.” Ewen pays the proper respects to the three men in the room before sitting. The Archbishop then begins.

“I must tell you that regrettable measures had to be taken yesterday. Tragically, Bishop Hadan was prepared to make unfounded allegations. I hasten to assure you that you are above reproach in this matter. Due to the teachings of the Reluctant Way by Bishop Hadan, he had stripped his abbey of most of her defenses and a horde of undead came in and attacked it. You, sir, saved them.”

“Hadan has been stripped of his bishopric and sent to an abbey near Vemionshire where an eye can be kept upon him. I think that perhaps we have overlooked your worth.” The Archbishop says with a mirthless smile.

“I would like to offer you Lordship and Manor of Varane. It is near to my own abbey. In exchange for the manor I ask for ten knight’s fees, and other services we will discuss later. And of course if I need to call upon you I expect you to come at once.”

Ewen bows and accepts the offer, the Archbishop suggesting to Ewen that he should visit his new manor as soon as possible. Sir Ewen nods his head and takes his leave, returning to Gray House post haste to inform the rest of the party of the current turn of events. On his arrival he is greeted in the hall by a beaming Kaelyn, who has finally managed to learn her spell.