Session 20

In the bathhouse, Kendell orders some more sandwiches and champagne for everyone. They discuss wishing they could find some pineapples. Kendell asks Salix why she's wearing a towel into the bath, which is unusual for her. She says that her scars from the dragon fight are really fresh, and she didn't want to remind Kendell. Kendell and Sentinel gently encourage her not to worry about it, and she takes the towel off.

They talk about the dragon fight and how old Xytharia, which leads Sentinel to admit that he doesn't know exactly how old he is, because he doesn't know his birthday. Dev points out excitedly that their birthday is coming up, but they haven't accomplished anything this year that their mom would care about. Their friends help them brainstorm some things they could write home about, including saving Gert, who is very important in Grassgrave.

Dev excuses themself and leaves the bath, just in time to run into Gert, who is just arriving. Dev gets back in and Gert joins them all. She tells the group that her sister-in-law is there in Azmarin, and has a shop, which she can help with. Gert also asks Vesper what he's going to do, and he says that he's not sure.

Salix and Gert work on Kendell's hair, cutting and braiding it. They discuss what they're going to do next, possibly getting some armor, and eventually getting a room that's less ostentatious. They also talk about throwing a surprise birthday party for Sentinel. Eventually, they wrap up their bath.

Kendell receives a message from Sura, checking in. He very nervously tells her that he's in Azmarin, and the others encourage him to talk to her, and define their relationship. He bumblingly manages to eventually give her the name of where they are. Gert, Salix, Kyrie and Dev head for the castle to do some research in the library, and Sura arrives. She asks him about the sword on his back, and they head up to the room to discuss it in private.

Sura asks Kendall how he get the sword, and he tells her about killing the dragon. They talk about Atlas, and how he and Sura grew up together. Kendell tells her that he's never really been in a relationship before. She tells him she didn't expect anything from him, but she's willing to negotiate seeing him romantically. During their conversation, he mentions pineapples, and she pulls some out of her bag and shares it with him.

In the library, Salix does some research about groves like hers, and about the Feywild in general. One tome that she finds is a brief history of the Feywild, by Alexei Romanov. The most recent entry is about the Mad Lich King killing an archfey named Eachthighearn. She finds an entry on the war, but finds it really vague, so she asks Kyrie what really happened.

Kyrie tells her that hags are really important among the Unseely Fey, incredibly ancient and powerful. The summer court made a deal with a coven of hags, but didn't live up to it, leading to the death of the coven - an incredible loss. This is what ultimately led to the war. The Seelie and Unseelie courts have been at each other's throats for as long as anyone can remember, though. Kyrie says that the Seelie court prioritizes beauty above all else, even the truth, and bloodlines are also extremely important to them. Life among the Unseelie society was much more ugly, but more real. They explain that the Fey are fundamentally different from non-Fey.

Salix learns that there is an elven society in the frigid north of Easthaven that lives alone, speaking only Sylvan, believing that they are a superior race to others. She finds a history of how elves came to Senmarria through Feybreach, and learns that different archfey created different groves in different parts of Senmarria - one near Val-Zara, and one north of Lenoria on Easthaven. It is believed that there is some kind of link between the groves and the archfey that created them. Salix slips the book into her bag.

Kyrie tells Salix that they read in the Godfall book that the power from her grove is siphoned to the archfey through their druids' bonds to their trees. She says that the tattoos made it that they were always connected to the tree, and amplified their magic. She says that it was expected of either her or Kendell, and so she went along with it.

Kendell and Sura talk about Salix' recent death, and Kendell says that he wants to buy her something. He asks For Sura's help in getting a dress for her. They head to the the royal tailor, where they work together to give them a custom order description. He asks them for a gift box and makes a little card for her.

Kyrie goes and finds Vesper, asking him what he is going to do next. He says he's not sure - part of him wants to be an adventurer, and part of him wants to set up shop there in Azmarin. Kyrie invites him to come along with the group to Rai'Sharr.

Dev and Gert are in the library, chatting. They tell her that they'd really like to go to dinner with her, which she is happy about. They also tell her that they might be able to help her find a home in their hometown of Featherton, if she is interested. Dev asks what she's looking for in the library, and she says she's curious about the black powder used in Azmarin's weapons, and how to make it.