Session 10

The party learns from the real Catherine Lynn that all they have been told by the Catherine Lynn Imposter was true - celestial bodies are changing their trajectory and complex star patterns are behaving out of the ordinary. Leo Suvalis meets with the party in a common room that has been allocated to them and is debriefed on all of the party's actions. The common room stands empty, but has spaces for plaques and adventuring trophies.

Leo admits the Seekers did a poor job in communicating with the new recruits and offers them a gift as an apology. The gift is a magical carrier pigeon named Mogi. As Leo is annotating the exploits of the party in a logbook, he asks what he should call the party. After some discussion, the party decides they will be called the Shining Compass.

Leo mentions a contract that has been offered by a squire, George Rickert, of a knight from Alvland. George has lost his knight in the Grand Wild, and has been waiting for two days in the grand hall of the Vyckeros Seekers Academy.

Prior to the party departing to ask George some questions. Thomas Aberrich speaks up and casually mentions that he has been able to broker a deal where he can get into contact with the employer of the Catherine Lynn imposter. Rhea Aves and Marallis "Lissie" Ophiuc ask how he has been able to do this. Thomas responds that he has certain contacts. Piper Aves scoffs and says "like your girlfriend?" Thomas sighs and restates that he and Eveleth are not romantically involved. Thomas says there is only one catch, the cost of the arrangement will be 500 gold. Leo nearly chokes at the sum. Thomas tries to convince Leo that this is a matter of not only national security, but possibly the fate of existence as they know it. Leo says they don't have that kind of money just laying around - they aren't an organization with unlimited coffers. Leo says he will call in a few favors and can give the Compass 300 gold. Leo takes his leave. Caelestus Nishant and Lissie both give Thomas some gold to make this transaction happen. Thomas tells Piper if Piper likes Eveleth so much, Thomas could set Piper up with her. Piper says that his heart already belongs to another. Rhea exasperatedly retorts, "Alicia?!" Piper states that Alicia had the right to kill the people in Salt Landing, believing the victims were deviants and criminals. Thomas decides this is a good time to go talk to the squire in the hall and Cael agrees. Rhea confronts Lissie about the look she was giving Thomas when Piper was speaking of Eveleth. Lissie says she had always believed that Thomas liked her sister Olivianne Ophiuc in that way and awkwardly exits from the conversation. Rhea has doubts.

The Shining Compass finds George Rickert sitting on a varnished oak bench in the Grand Hall of the academy. He is a young man who is clean cut and carries himself well. He is happy to speak with the party and asks if they shouldn't go somewhere to talk about the details. Thomas agrees that George can buy them some ales and dinner while they speak, but lets George know that there expertise does not come cheaply. George passively mentions he has 400 gold, and asks if that should cover it. The party gleefully agrees to speak about the details and Thomas leads them to a seedy tavern, called The Hiltless Dagger. On the way Piper asks George the difference between a squire and a servant. George, uncertain how to answer this, admits they are very similar but that it is a badge of great honor to be a squire and it is the first step in becoming a Knight Errant.

George explains that his knight, Sir Devris Wyncroft and he were first in Bolstanar preparing for their adventure. They journeyed into the forest, but at their first campsite something must have spooked Wyncroft because he brought them back to Bolstanar the next day. George says there are stories that druids enchanted the forest many many years ago, and now it is able to defend itself, trees able to speak and flora that can move. Wyncroft told George that he was not willing to risk George's life. He instructed George to wait for him to return and not venture out into the Grand Wild alone. Wyncoft was gone for about 2 weeks before George made his way to Northgate to seek assistance.

Cael asks George if he has a map and George concedes that he does not. The party believes that George is not telling them everything. He says that he is treated well by Wyncroft, and explains more about squiredom and the Knights of the Errant Vow. George explains that he is stuck because he cannot return to Alvland without knowing the fate of Wyncroft, as it would bring great dishonor, but he cannot break his vow to Wyncroft that he would not go into the forest alone to find him. George emphasizes that breaking vows is looked upon very disfavorably by The Ayornas. George finally admits that they were looking for an artifact of great importance to Alvlandians, not for the riches, but to return it to its rightful place. George again offers 400 gold for the fulfilment of the contract - whether Wyncroft is found dead or alive. The Compass tells George they must discuss this before agreeing, and George goes over to a dark corner of the bar and stands waiting for their decision.

The party immediately agrees that they will take on this contract, discussing details about research, travel time, and how long they are willing to look for the missing Wyncroft. They called George back over and accept. George states that he can pay upfront. Thomas agrees that is best and asks for 395 gold, with the remaining 5 to be collected when they find Wyncroft or four weeks worth of searching, whichever comes first. Lissie protests, not wanting to leave George broke, but Thomas happily takes the coin off George. George doesn't seem worried, he mentions that he could always sell his sword and armor which should net him over 1000 gold if he needed. George says that he can be found in the great hall and to let him know when they are ready to leave. Lissie asks if wants to come and stay with them in their rooms. He declines and says "knights are defined by their struggles and how to deal them." Lissie tells him that he will make a fine knight one day, and this brings a smile to his face. Cael and Lissie decide to escort George back to the Seekers Academy and to research the Grand Wild in the library. Thomas says that he is going to The Hillock, to meet with his contact about setting up a meeting with the employer of the Cathering Lynn imposter. He asks Piper if Piper would like to come with. Piper agrees. Rhea asks if they will be okay. Thomas says he doesn't think he'll get a knife in the back carrying all the money he received from George, but you never know. Rhea tells them she is coming with.

Thomas, Piper, and Rhea travel to the Fig and Apple where they greeted by Eveleth. They access an underground stone tunnel which leads them to a secured common area used by Cormac "The Colonel" Vale. Vale is painting a picture on a large canvas that is completely red. Vale remarks that he will hang it above his bed, as its the first thing he wants to see when he wakes up in the morning. Thomas attempts to flatter Vale and pay him the asking price for setting up a meeting with the Catherine Lynn imposter. Vale questions Thomas where Vale's cut of the pit fights are. Thomas shoots Eveleth a menacing glance, and apologizes, assuming that the tribute had already been paid. Thomas says this will leave them a little short. Vale has some less than kind things to say about Thomas which prompts Rhea and Piper to stick up for him. Thomas tries to stare them down and then quiet them, but the damage is already done and they pique Vale's curiosity. Vale threatens them and then takes offense to the veiled threats that Rhea, and less than veiled threats Piper returns. Vale says the asking price is now 1000 gold for their insolence. Thomas tries to apologize, stating they don't know who they are speaking to, but Vale dismisses them. Thomas begs Eveleth to try to smooth things over.

Cael and Lissie return to the library at the Seekers Academy where Ollesin Eresh assists them with finding information on the Knights of the Errant Vow. Cael looks into the theology of the knights, and finds that