Session 63

* The Steward's Estate
* The Citadel

**Previously...**

## And Now...

With the Lord of Bilehall dead, his Ynfernael Machine destroyed and his base of operations transformed into a Holy Site dedicated to Kellos, all our heroes want to do is rest. However, as as dawn begins to rise over the city of Archaut, they are reminded that only hours remain before the Conclave is to begin... ...

### Theological Debate for Fun and Prophet.

As our heroes go to depart, they realize that the Kellosian Paladins and their leader, Preceptor Tusid, not to mention their friend, Giana, have not come with them. They return to the Ballroom and discover a heated theological debate about the meaning of the current manifestation and the best way to follow-up on its sudden appearance. After several failed attempts to cut the debate (if only temporarily) short, Leshrac suggests Dandy attempt to communicate to the Flame, having served as the caretaker for at least a small fraction of it.

Climbing up to the balcony, Dandy tentatively asks the flame if there's anything it particularly wants, or that people should be doing. Inside her head, a great voice says, *"Banish darkness, welcome light, drive out evil..."* Dandy attempts to accede to the Flame's wishes by asking the Paladins to open up the heavy curtains and let in the natural light, but they seem caught up in the theological argument. Eventually, the flaming spirit possesses Dandy's form, lifting her up in a magical corona of flame and addressing the room directly, *"This one has always been the Flame's keeper, and will continue to do so. This place is me and I am this place."*

This sudden and unquestionable manifestation of power seems to quell the conversation, and everyone heads outside to discover a large crowd of several hundred had gathered, drawn by the strange lights and sounds coming forth from within. Confronted with this crowd and still suffused with visible traces of the Flame's energies, Dandy immediately leaps into a pantomime-style re-telling of the series of events which have led to this moment. She then tells the crowd that if they want to find out the end of the story, they should accompany the heroes to The Conclave where all accounts will be settled. This is simultaneously more and less successful than expected, and the crowd, rather than being captivated by the story, have constructed a massive Cult of Personality around Dandy, deciding that she is either some sort of Divine Prophet of Kellos, or a magnificently delusional maniac... either way, they want to see what happens next.

### Conclave Or Bust.

The jubilant crowd sweeps through the streets towards the central Citadel where the Conclave is being held, steadily growing in numbers, and acquiring an atmosphere halfway between a raucous street party and a torches and pitchforks mob.

Harper is able to contact a League Agent and send them off to contact Bea and let her know what's going on. The agent returns presently and passes on several pieces of information - news of the group heading towards the Conclave has been spreading about the city, and people are swarming in to join it, She and several other agents of the League, as well as the Steward's wife, will meet the group at the Citadel, and the League have managed to narrow down Vaelcom's location. Apparently, he's sought refuge with Baron Fredric of Kell, whom the League suspected of being one of the Conclave members allied with the Conspiracy. This may prove to be bad news for Gar, whose family has a long-standing dispute with Fredric's.

En route to the Conclave, the heroes are intercepted by a number of Kellosian Knights led by a Justicar Rudolf Stahlbrücke who seek momentarily to detain them. However, the heroes are able to convince them (especially the Justicar) that they will be needed to oversee one of the most momentous Conclaves in Citadel History, and the Knights end up joining the procession.

At the Citadel Gates, the procession is halted by a Citadel Bureaucrat. Following some tense negotiations, aided by the arrival of Bea and the reunion of the Steward and his wife. In the end, Dandy is permitted to nominate fifteen people to serve as witnesses of the events of The Conclave. She nominates fourteen and asks the Steward's wife if she will arrange for renowned bard Tomnuck Elegro to be in attendance (rounding up the fifteen).

Not all fifteen witnesses have been named, but so far, the group consists of:

* Justicar Rudolf Stahlbrücke (and two Knights attendant)
* Lady Bellia Sephone
* Bea
* Tomnuck Elegro
* The Bard from 'The Prince's Garden'
* An attendant from 'The Cat's Pyjamas'
* Tasha Ehrhardt, a high-ranking scholar from Greyhaven University
* Six Unnamed Others (to be identified)

Several high-ranking Citadel Guards are unwilling to allow Lady Sephone to enter and insist she be placed under arrest. Eventually, this issue is resolved when the Kellosian Justicar agrees to take her into his personal custody and make her his responsibility. Immediately after arguing for this, Dandy has second thoughts and covertly asks Leshrac if he'll scan the Justicar to see if he's trustworthy. It'd be just our luck to have guarded the Lady for so long only to turn her over to a member of the conspiracy. Fortunately, he comes back with the 'all-clear'; the man is diligent, trustworthy and has a tremendous sense of unwavering loyalty and duty in defense of anyone under his charge.

### Final Preparations.

After finally being permitted entrance to the Citadel, the heroes run into Vaelcom coming out of Baron Fredric's rooms. He is accompanied by two large war golems, presumably for his security. He is shocked to see the heroes and demands they be immediately arrested. His tantrum is cut short by Baron Fredric, who hustles him back into his rooms.

Eventually, the heroes are led into Baroness Harriet's rooms where they secure her sponsorship in order to address the Conclave. As this is happening, Goldie has a prescient vision of a two-dimensional image of a dagger appearing on the Baroness' back. The dagger transforms into a three-dimensional image and is withdrawn from the Baroness' back so that Goldie can see a faintly luminous green aura around the blade.

The crew get together and decide what they're going to do. They have the evidence from the League, and are awaiting Giana's return with whatever information and evidence she has, but are risking a lot on the contents of what's in the Seashell Recording left by Baroness Katrin Sephone before her murder. Dandy knows that she's got to go out and present what they have to the Council, but knows that someone should be with her. Gar volunteers to accompany her out. The others will remain with the Baroness and ensure nothing happens to her or Lady Bellia. Leshrac seems reluctant to give Dandy the recording, but says he'll be on hand to hand it over when needed.

It is slowly beginning to dawn on the heroes that, even after all they've managed to achieve, they still have very little in the way of solid evidence, but it's far, far too late to do anything about that now. There is still a lot of uncertainty, but very little that can be done besides keeping eyes open and ready for anything.

It's time to risk everything, act boldly and let the chips fall where they may.