Citadel's Shadow II, Session 80

Citadel's Shadow II, Session 80 was a session of the Citadel's Shadow II campaign, played on 14 June 2020 (UTC) (13 June 2020 for some participants). It also includes a bit from a follow-up discussion.
== Personnel ==
===Game Master===
*GM: played by Michael Lee Viviano
===Player Characters===
*Fern the Siegemaster: inventive fox-person student played by Rail Runner
*Juan Silvio-Vagle: sword-wielding human alchemist played by Alden Loveshade
=== Prominent Non-Player Characters ===
*Audrea Daleos: non-certified mage
*Docylynn: a mysterious traveler
*Eri Snow: fox-person entertainer for Madame Maude Lynn's Theater of Thrills
*Jinxi: androgynous jester
*Kyrie Kelevan: priestess of Damira
== Events ==
=== 1742 ===
Heris 40 (Hammering) (continued): Audrea Daleos, Eri Snow, Fern the Siegemaster, Juan Silvio-Vagle, Kyrie Kelevan had found Jinxi in Delternas, the city of dolphins, right before Jinxi was hit in the chest by a dart.  Juan said, "Fern, Kyrie, help Jinxi! I'm going to see where that dart came from! Who's with me?"  Fern and Kyrie then began helping Jinxi.
Juan saw the mysterious stranger who had ridden with the group on the stagecoach to Delternas.  The man was on the edge of a crowd, and seemed to be casting some sort of magic.  Juan moved toward him, and the man started running off like a rocket!  Juan called on Meleshar for speed, Audrea cast a spell (lightning), and Fern began aiming her rifle at the man.  The crowd started screaming and scattering.
With Jinxi, Kyrie mentioned wondering what Bertzyl nut extract was, then collapsed.  While Juan was meditating for speed in between Fern and the fast running man, Fern fired her rifle at the man.  She shot him, doing maximum damage.
The man stumbled, still moving quickly, toward a temple with a large golden dome (later identified as the Temple of the Daylight Observer, dedicated to the sun god Raxis).  Juan, who did not draw his sword, ran toward the man and grabbed him.  . A priestess with blonde curly hair came running down from the steps of the temple. She had a staff. "Hey! What are you doing! stop!"
Juan quickly explained what had happened to Jinxi, and grew confused when the man seemed very concerned about the person who had gotten hit by the dart.  Juan introduced himself, as did the man whose name was Docylynn.  Juan offered to treat the man, but deferred to healing priests.  Juan said, :"I must go check on my friends. I will return. We may have made a terrible mistake."
Meanwhile, Fern dealt with Kyrie, who was unconscious.  Fern saw dark purple smears on Kyrie's hand, and believed it was a contact poison.  Audrea helped wiping it off.  Fern figured it was bertzyl nut extract.
A woman in religious vestments (Dawnbringer Lillionne Pastoni) quickly approached.  She said, "By the holy light of Raxis, who's mighty eye sees and purifies all, please grant this victim purification and salvation! I beseech thee in thy name!"  She casts something on Jinxi, and then staggered to the ground.
Meanwhile, as Juan was preparing to leave, a high priest came out and questioned Juan, who quickly explained what had happened.
Juan arrived at about the same time as a group of about eight Archducal Delternan Marines.  Juan asked about Jinxi and Kyrie, and said he needed to talk to Fern privately.  Juan said, "Damn it, Fern the Siegemaster! By Cyrusblancio, Delthon, and Photus, you cannot keep firing that blasted rifle into crowds! First, you could easily have shot me or someone else, and second, the man you did shoot may be completely innocent, and may have been running to get help! I ran after him to question him, not to attack him! And now we got the Archducal Delternan Marines investigating? You could get arrested for this, Fern the Siegemaster!"
Fern said, "... damn."
Docylynn returned with the high priest and several other priests.  Questioned by the Marines, Docylynn covered for Fern, saying the shot had missed and was apparently a warning (it actually hit Docylynn very badly, but was healed).
It was mentioned that an assassin with The Burned Claw had attacked Jinxi.  According to Audrea's description, it appeared to have been Ranthe Daviesse, the supposed fox-person plumber and carpenter, who had boarded the stagecoach for Delternas after the rest of the group had done so.  Audrea had seen him on a roof where he threw the dart, then took off.  A Marine sergeant said the group needed to go a station.
Jinxi said, "I'd already had an encounter with an assassin in Trynser City, so I switched clothes with him to make them think I was dead, got into another disguise, and then decided to lay low and hide for a while."
Juan suggested the group might be able to help the Marines with the investigation.  Officer Hanthen escorted them to to the roof.  Fern did not pick up the suspected assassin's scent; Docylynn said the assassin might have a way to cover that.  Fern did find a vial, which was suspected of containing the poison used on the dart.
Everyone was brought back to the neighborhood hall and interrogated by the marines and city investigators.  After a couple of hours, they were free to go.
Jinxi said, "I've learned a valuable lesson.  If I find myself in trouble again, it is best for me to stay close to my friends and not try to go off on my own."
Juan said, "Good lesson to learn, Jinxi."
Jinxi said, "Because you might track me down again and I don't think I would survive that."
Juan scowled.
Juan said, "Oh, yes. Fern, you need to thank Docylynn very much--for possibly saving you from getting arrested."
Fern said to Docylynn, "Also, thank you for saying that I missed, If you didn't, I think I'd be in trouble.  Do you want anything in return?"
Docylynn said, "Not at this time. In the future I very well may. I have taken note of your marksmanship.  Also the abilities of the rest of your companions."  Docylynn learned that Fern could be found at St. Bassard's School and Home for Disadvantaged Youth.  Docylynn then left.
Juan told Fern, "I think once you get back to St. Bassard's, you need to talk to your weapons' instructor about your use of that rifle."
Jack said, "Legit trouble."
Fern said, "... oh? I'm a good shooter."
Juan said, "Including shooting someone who was apparently innocent. And taking a chance of shooting me."
Juan said, "Fern--and I--can talk to an instructor at St. Bassard's. In the meantime, we need to get back--unless we want to get something to eat first."  The group got some Delternan seafood.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200614)
Heris 41 (Middleday): Audrea Daleos, Eri Snow, Fern the Siegemaster, Jinxi, Juan Silvio-Vagle, and Kyrie Kelevan returned to Trynser City.  To the delight of the first-year students who would otherwise be stuck with the job, Fern has to clean the bath and laundry until further notice for skipping school and going to Delternas.  Fern used it as an opportunity to test out ideas for some new cleaning substances.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200614)
Heris 41 (Middleday) (continued): Juan Silvio-Vagle reported Fern the Siegemaster firing the rifle into a scattering crowd that including Juan to officials at St. Bassard's School and Home for Disadvantaged Youth. This included Fern shooting and badly injuring the innocent Docylynn who covered for Fern and expected a huge favor.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200614+)