Zoom 2022-10-25 21:00

The author will not describe the joyous scenes as the party re-unites, the tears of joy that flowed and the reaffirmations of everlasting friendship that ensued because not even artistic licence could stretch that far.
Anyway, after Caradoc reports on the beheading of the crater, the party decides to go back to Stormhaven (yup, just where all those big plumes of smoke are coming from) to try to rescue Quercuis and reclaim the daggers. We do notice a kestrel flying above us in a most un-kestrel-like totem-observing-us manner, and which disappears within about 30 seconds. It could well have been Khurak, but we don't know. (Spoiler alert: It was Khurak)
As we start off towards Stormhaven, we see two riders approaching us from the city - who turn out to be Vinmira (riding very well) and Quercuis (who is .... staying on her horse.) We are pleased to see Quercuis and even more pleased to see she has the daggers with her. Some of us are pleased to see Vinmira. Apparently he has been dealing with the supposed rebellion being fomented in the University, which was slightly more real than most people believed.
Quercuis tells us that it is important that we go to Northlake, and with nothing else to do in Stormhaven (other than to die horribly) we set off north with Vinmira joining us for the first 15 miles of the journey - along with many refugees fleeing the city. Along the way we brief Q. and V. on the events at the Royal Palace, and we have a long chat with V.
During the journey, first Wyldwood worshippers, and later on Universal and Shanah worshippers feel bad effects akin to heartburn/reflux - with the priests (Wun, Bazin and also Brokev) feeling it the worst, though the effects do pass. We surmise this is due to their respective temples being destroyed/desecrated. (Vinmira doesn't appear to show any ill effects, but we have always assumed he is either Perceval or Barossa.)
Info from Vinmira:
* Best reports are that about 200,000 Lizardmen are attacking Stormhaven. The Elves had spread themselves a bit too thin, and had sent too many people to help out at the Mana storm near Torgan.
* V. has no information on 'the man in the porcelain mask'. (Correction: The 'humanoid in the porcelain mask')
* He doesn't know much about Chlono - he is a high ranking Barosan priest, but not as high-up as those in the Golden Pagoda.
* The Elven Empress was due to arrive in Stormhaven by boat. No doubt a new destination is being hastily arranged.
* Morac (the name on the encrypted document from the 'fake' Vinmira) is designated as a 'person of interest' and is being watched.
* The encrypted document has been handed over to the relevant people.
* In FarHaven, the clans are still there - and there is an ongoing discussion on how high the walls should be.
* Regarding Eliezure:
** Eliezure was in Stormhaven, but though his current whereabouts are not known, he was last heard of going to the Cracks of Doom.
** He is a non-descript Dark Elf - a natural spy so no outstanding features.
** He hasn't been known to take on different forms (as V. does)
** He hates Rasten, loves Solor and is extremely loyal to the Empire and the Empress.
** He is probably a mage/thief - and certainly not a cleric.
** V. thinks of him as a martinet with limited imagination - though maybe he is developing to something more now.
** The best way to contact him would probably be through the Dark Elf network.
Info from Q. and G. about daggers (following a 'conversation' they had with Perceval priests): The prophecy on them is changing. They are tied somehow to another item. Caradoc believes that they powered Saratak's prophetic powers rather than his visit to the Cracks of Doom. Also, Q. emphasises that we are supposedly carrying a 'very important item' with us, though we don't what what it is (and Groundtall wouldn't tell us.)
Vinmira leaves us with a parting gift of a bottle of Hightower brandy - and we part ways, only to walk straight into a combat before having a chance to ready our weapons, let alone have a kip.