Session 11

## Notable Events

* Justice returned to the cart, Nova tried for a king hit
* Justice told the party about the dust storms and his dead friend
* Met Z
* We learned about Pearl’s parents
* Joined resistance
* Justice got confirmation of Augustine’s part in the dust storms

## Details

Justice and Dimitri both sit at the table with the nobles. Soon, Justice informs them he must leave.

> Justice: "I'm afraid I must take my leave. My apologies. My arguments remain with Augustine."
> Portsin: "Well, we could hardly expect anything else from you!"
> Justice: "......Of course... My lord, could I have a moment of your time?"
>
>

He taps Augustine on the shoulder, and requests some of his time. He gestures to Dimitri, telling him to 'come along'. Once in a private room, he quickly says that they are being tracked by a shapeshifting man with salt and pepper hair. He shows Augustine the keystone. Augustine says he does not know such a man, nor the purpose of the artifact. Augustine requests time with Dimitri in private, so Justice leaves and waits outside. Augustine prompts Dimitri for information on the man who turned him and the turning itself.

> "I don't know. Was hard to get a good look at him when he was actively killing me, yknow?"
>
>

Augustine seems somewhat dissatisfied. Dimitri downs the glass of blood and nervously takes his leave. Quickly, Justice hands Augustine a note and tells him to only read it if they do not meet again in Irode.

Dimitri and Justice leave. Justice fetches the key from the guards. Dimitri wants to help the Dragon Knight and almost makes a scene. Justice attempts to calm him down, but he is understandably upset at him. Dimitri storms ahead, back to the cart. Justice struggles to keep up, but follows at a distance.

> Justice: "Dimitri. This is dangerous. Listen - I can do something."
> Dimitri: "Haven't you done enough?"
>
>

On the way back to the cart Meadow sends Dimitri a message through their recently acquired sending stones to warn him about what Meadow had overheard said between Justice and Augustine. Pearl is distracted by a local stand, where he eyes some beer. He pays way more than necessary for it, and is bullied for it :<. He carries a large keg all the way back to the cart and drinks it all.

> Justice and Augustine bribing and using you for loyalty. Please don't trust them. Come back to the cart will give whole story. Please trust me Dimi
>
>

At the cart, Meadow attempts to get the manacles off Nova, but is ultimately unsuccessful. Nova wakes up and angrily swings her club. When Justice approaches, the rest of the party is silent. When he comes close enough, she swings at him, but he dodges out of the way. He holds up the key.

> Justice: "I have the key. I'm not going to hold it over you, but I'd like-"
>
> Pearl: "Aren't you?"
>
>

Meadow manages to convince Nova not to attack him. Meadow explains that Justice deserves a chance to explain himself. But before he starts, the party is approached by three strangers. They proposition them, saying they're looking for recruits for their rebellion. Nova immediately follows one of them, and the rest are left at the cart.

> "I'd rather you suffer an insult than the axe." - Justice
>
>

Justice breathes deeply and starts his justification. He says that people in Norne have to maintain a mask. Cruelty is the norm. And people who divert from the norm disappear. He reveals that his first meaningful partner disappeared for speaking against it. He painfully recounts that he had three children, all who disappeared. The power nornish nobles hold over the populace is complete. He says he was trying to protect Nova, and that the guards could have easily killed her with no consequence. He was trying to gain control over the situation. Things get heated, Meadow goes off at Justice, but Justice seems to defend Augustine more than he defends himself. He is strangely desperate not to criticize Augustine. She points out that he has never seemed to protect Justice and that Justice put Dimitri's family at risk. When Meadow goes to walk away, Justice stops her.

> "Wait. I've told you why I acted that way around the guards. But I haven't explained why I acted that way while talking with Augustine." - Justice
>
>

He reveals he made a promise to his kids that he can't fulfill it without Augustine. This is a hint of his intentions for and conflict surrounding Augustine, but again, he does not elaborate. When they ask about Augustine, he hides that he knows little, and simply says that he doesn't want to talk about it.

> "At every turn, you all expect me to sabotage a 12 year friendship in favour of your impulsions. Forgive me if I decline." - Justice
>
>

They reach an agreement not to expect Justice not to sabotage his relationship with Augustine. Then they go follow Nova.

Meanwhile, Nova has been led down to an underground area. She introduces herself to Z, who praises her attitude and abilities. When the party presents themselves to Z, Justice slinks to the corner and sits at a bench. They all introduce themselves. When they notice he is not next to them, and his noble status is mentioned, Z approaches him with drawn weapons. The situation is diffused temporarily and Z reveals her plans to free the Dragon Knight. She offers the party alcohol stolen from a caravan delivering to Barrowbough from the North. She talks to Pearl about his parents, the Mosstar trio, who she had a few run-ins with. They were a famous group of pirates in Jaindall.

> "I was trying to make sure you didn't turn into a pin cushion"
> "He's got a point, you know." - Justice and Z
>
>

The topic of nobles arise again when Z discusses her golden metal tongue. Nova scoffs at Justice's relationship with Augustine, who Z recognises. She finds Nova's comments amusing. Justice asks about the dust-storms. Z puts two and two together and asks.

> "So you think you know your Lord? Do you \*really\* know him? Do you want to know what's he's really like?" - Z, to Justice
>
>

She offers the knowledge but warns that once he knows he can't go back. Justice wearily responds that he "just wants to know." Z smiles and tells Justice that he put the order through to have the district levelled. She discovered papers in his office but admits they *could* have been planted when Justice desperately asks if she is certain. She says she will kill him next time she sees him. But Justice cuts her off.

> "No. If anyone kills him, it's me. And my decision to make." - Justice, to Z
>
>

The party agrees to join the resistance. Dimitri accepts on the condition that his family is ensured protection, to which Z suggests they may be relocated to Jaindall. They briefly discuss possibilities then agree to gather more information.