Session 3: Blue Calendula

"**Blue Calendula**" (1x03) is the third session of the first Boiling Sea campaign. The party explores various leads within Khatinaro to try and gain more knowledge of the recent attacks.

### Fanning the flames

The party head out to find Morti's Smithy in order to follow a lead regarding blades sold by Kaitin Osaira. Thistle sniffs out the scent of the forge, and leads them toward it. As the party approaches, they hear voices, but only make out the last few words in the familiar voice of Kaitin: *"I know what you've done. You don't want all these people you like so much finding out, right? Don't forget that."*

Kaitin exits, and they have a short conversation. Sirius mentions they spoke to a halfling trader who came in from the east and was attacked on the road. Kaitin recommends sending them off to Angela Barrowthorn, the herbalist. After saying goodbye, the party enter the forge, and see Gryffin Dross standing with his back turned, looking up at a battleaxe mounted on the wall. It's noted that there are golden runes on the haft - a few of the party members recognise this as silkdust.

A conversation begins with the genasi, and it's clear he is nervous, hiding something. The party investigates the swords that Kaitin dropped off. They appear to be of all different makes, not from any particular district. However, there are flowers stuck in the nooks of some of the blades. Vaita and Rhys recognise these as blue calendulas, flowers with healing properties that can only be found to the northeast of Khatinaro.

### Spilled secrets

After talking some more with Gryffin, it doesn't take long for him to slip up. Vaita notices he uses "impersonators" instead of "bandits", which as far as the party are aware, no one else in town realises this. It takes a bit more pressure, and some down-to-earth advice on Sirius's part to convince Gryffin to impart more knowledge.

He admits that himself and Kaitin are part of a group known as The Brotherhood of Embers, who seem to be behind the attacks. Recently Kaitin has been distancing Gryffin from some of her plans, so he doesn't know a whole lot. He learned that there is some kind of base to the northeast, deep in the Bloomfields, where impersonators were seen retreating to.

Before the conversation can progress, Thistle notifies Rhys that Kaitin is returning. They quickly wrap up the conversation before Kaitin comes back inside, and the tension is palpable. Kaitin seems at ease, and says she sent the halfling trader off to the herbalist, Angela. The group invite her and Gryffin out to drinks later on.

### Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card

The group leave Gryffin with Kaitin and head out into town to find a library. They run into Roan who has set up his stall overflowing with trinkets, and after a brief conversation, Roan points them in the direction of the Unbound Archive, a library and book store dedicated to the god Kithian. On the way there, the group overhears a couple of children talking. One of them has to leave town because there is no work, and with the road to the west potentially cleared, they're heading off without delay. They don't understand exactly what is happening.

The party enters the Unbound Archive and meets Marigold Synbor, a dignified-looking elf who runs the library. In the back, Angela is having tea. Each person looks for something in particular. Rhys looks for information on magic and spells, Vaita looks for local histories. Sirius searches out local mercantile law, and Heka tries to find information on Giltgraven. The party have various levels of success - Heka buys a book on silkdust tattoos, Sirius buys a small booklet on local lawmaking, and Vaita purchases The Hidden History of the Fahisi.

After their purchases, the group splits off. Sirius goes to speak with Angela, and the rest head back to the smithy.

### Duel of the gays

The party sans Sirius reach Morti's Smithy. Rhys and Heka listen in at the door to see if Kaitin is still in, but only Heka hears Gryffin crying. Rhys decides to step back and join V in the yard, while Heka goes inside. They have a short conversation with Gryffin, asking if he's alright. He seems distraught, and alludes to Kaitin threatening him with the blackmail the group spoke of before. He says they ought to stay away from each other, lest Kaitin catch on to his betrayal. Heka reassures Gryffin, and together they head into the yard to watch the duel.

Vaita takes off her travelling cloak for the first time, revealing very good quality splint mail and an impressive physique. Rhys takes off his furs to reveal the same, and after a short round of scoping the other out, the fight begins, first to three points. The pair exchange blows, each taking one point after the other. Finally, for the last point, it ends in a draw. Vaita feints, dropping her zweihander and reaching for her shortsword. Rhys nearly falls for the feint, but quickly reacts, drawing a dagger, meeting V in the middle. They commend each other on their prowess and promise to spar again.

### Healer, helper, hinder

Meanwhile, across town, Sirius enters the herbalists' shop. They start a conversation with Angela, and Sirius asks if she has seen a doctor come through town. Initially reluctant to speak, Sirius convinces her to divulge some information. She remarks that Sirius' father, Alexander Braun, came through town looking to help people. He did a great service helping Angela, as she is the only herbalist in town - the closest to a doctor they have. After some time, however, Alexander heard rumours of a new silkdust vein discovered in the northeast. He tried to warn the townsfolk that it could be dangerous, but his concerns were brushed off. Eventually his protests became too loud, and he was too new to the town - he left to investigate on his own, while the town breathed a sigh of relief at his absence, despite the help he gave.

Sirius thanked Angela for her information, but before they left, Angela requested a favour. If Sirius could return with a bunch of blue calendula, she would be most grateful. They have remarkable healing properties, and with the danger on the roads, Angela hasn't been able to harvest any alone. Sirius agrees, then heads to the Guttering Candle to meet up with the rest of the party.