UP ON MOONVALE CITY

***UP ON MOONVALE CITY*** is the eighteenth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## **Synopsis**

As the party ready for another day out, Hira heads downstairs to meet with Bran. Asking to speak on the last few days, Hira brings up Bran's death, how whilst everyone surrounded him in relief, she stood aside in shock. She attempts to convey how much she cares for him, to which Bran admits he never saw her in a negative light. Hira admits many things have occurred in a short span of time and Bran cuts her off stating she didn't have to force any conversation and to take their time with everything.

Hira says it felt like she needed to say something. She brings up Lord Ambrose, asking why Bran had gotten standoffish at the mention of him, she asks what made Bran dislike him. Bran trembles, reminding her how Ambrose wished to continue experimenting on her, feeling as if she was mad at him getting involved. Hira is aware of Ambrose's faults, not blaming Bran for the quick decision to escape. Bran then asks why she doesn't blame Ambrose for this and Hira reminds him she was the one to request for him to conduct the spell. Bran questions if she'd ask him to use the spell again and is met with an unsure response, Hira states that if a powerful Wizard like Ambrose wasn't able to remove it, then she'll look into other things.

Hira returns to the conversation, asking what else had happened after the spell. Bran speaks of Monsoon buying the party time to escape and begins to cry, remembering how they left him behind. Hira moves to wipe his tears away but Bran pushes back, asking why she hadn't asked about Monsoon. Hira refutes, stating she had asked and told them in the morning what she had learned, but Ambrose refuses to disclose anything unless in person. Reminded they can't relay the news of Vilya to Monsoon, Hira adds that's even more of a reason to head to Glenwell. Apologizing for the past few days, Hira and Bran stand in waiting.

The voice of The Monarch creeps into Hira's mind,

> *"Such a naive child that your friend is, to think the world is so simply black and white is so entertaining to watch, Hira... Did I catch you by surprise? You haven't noticed? So, so naive still but I can fix that! I can fix that, we can make it work you and I Hira to be more perceptive."*
>
>

Bran is turned away wiping his tears, not noticing Hira’s sudden hundred yard stare. In her head Hira responds, stating they didn't get to use her nickname. The Monarch laughs, taunting her asking if it made her angry. She admits it does, perhaps they could feel it as well. They chuckle, telling her to stay angry as they need it, need her to stay angry. Taking a deep breath, Hira gives a deep sigh, telling Bran she's fine.

Eventually the party stand in the Harbours Cove ready to leave, but wait for Mio. Bran asks if he and Anthir were spending the day together, to which Anthir vaguely admits yes. Bran takes their hand and draws a four leaf clover on their palm for good luck. Mio arrives after speaking with another worker, who is met by knowing glances by Hira and Bran. Hira stares intently at Mio trying to gauge him, but is nudged by Bran to be less obvious in her staring. The two whisper realizing it was a date. Mio asks if it's alright to tag along until they part ways at Saint Vanya's Park. Agreeing to walk together, the six of them leave the inn.

Oriza and Hira move towards the Lunar Knights Adventuring Guild, a circular building with ornate crystal lances as pillars and large, decorative roses adorn the building. Guild members move to and fro in uniforms of white and violet. Hira is intimidated, unsure if they could walk in despite their lack of uniform. Oriza strives forward confidentially and Hira swiftly follows. Stepping indoors is a familiar sight, similar to the Golden Phoenix Guild. At the front desk, the accepting and returning of quest goers is sparse, however there's a long line of Moonvale citizens at the requesting desk. The two of them move towards the billboard covered in request papers.

Scourging through, there is a large amount of missing peoples posters. Oriza scours for any mention of Rune, but finds none. Hira brings up the amount going missing is similar to Duncaster and Hunter's Pass, the two of them fearing it being the doing of Arel. Just then a gnomish woman excuses herself in front of them, prying a few posters off the boards. Oriza asks what happened, to which the woman reveals their bodies were found. With persuasion by Oriza, she reveals some shrivelled bodies were found near the Merchants Post, and another stabbed in the Cathedral. The two thank her before searching for a newspaper for future news on Esmos and Rune.

The newspaper speaks of the public awaiting actions from the crown, as disappearances and monster sightings have grown more rampant in the past few days. In the Political sections, Rune reveals to be tightening up their borders in the next six months, the reason why is unknown but affects all mages and spellcasters. Oriza rips this portion of the newspaper out for safe keeping. Before leaving the guild, Hira rushes to the Gnome woman asking which merchants post were the bodies found, learning it to be the Twilight Merchant Post. Thanking her, the two head towards The Maker's Devout Order, where Bran and Riya had headed to.

The guard recognizes Riya, allowing the two to enter. Nanna Deladevi greets the two of them, giving Bran the name Professor Dalton Alba to help answer his potential questions. Bran politely leaves, heading to the third floor to Professor Alba's office. Bran introduces himself, then asks of the Blight, specifically in search for a myth or whispers about a man claiming to have single handedly ended the Blight himself. Alba states any veteran of the Blight are seemingly dead, it's been centuries. Owlins are regarded as ones with powerful magic that ended the Blight, its one of the big claims to political power. Alba asks if Bran was in search of a champion or legendary hero, which falls under literature or cultural field rather then the hard facts of history.

Off the cuff Alba remembers hearing of a member on the Grand Council of Rune, who claims to be a descendant of one of the members of the Great Blight. Bran asks more about the Council, they like to rotate their members, there are five of them, and each head of state has something else their focused on such as technology, military, etc. They make unanimous decisions when Rune is at stake, to be more specific the Head Chairman, Voss Talbot, is said to be a descendant. Bran wonders if he can find anything on the Talbot family, but Alba states not here in Esmos, but in Rune perhaps. Alba jests he'd have to make the pilgrimage into Rune, but Bran admits to being a sorcerer, making it a difficult task. Alba suggests going through Glenwell or Port Antiva, head there by boat. In his visits, he's seen them restrict magic casters quite heavily, putting a magic suppression bracelet and take your arcane focus, replacing it with a component pouch. A spellcaster will have to list all their spells and components, and receive a refill by the officials themself.

The hope leaves Bran's eyes as Alba speaks on, stating Rune is truly a lovely place for sight seeing, and the technology is a marvel for an academic like himself. Bran thanks him for his time, offering to pay him, to which the Professor refuses, stating it was a nice chat. Bran rejoins Nanna and Riya, asking Nanna how wild magic is viewed in Esmos. She states it's still magic,people with it seem to be a bit more conscious and understanding of their gift. Bran asks if she's heard of a person without any arcane power suddenly getting magic, to which she says no, unless they are warlocks or wizards. Bran apologizes for asking so many questions recently, then offers to split up to head to the post office by himself. Riya accompanies him, reassuring that she and her Nanna will spend more time together later.

Meanwhile Anthir and Mio find themselves in Saint Vanya's Park. A grand fountain in the middle with two tall looking statues on either side an array of flowering trees scattered around the parks. Mio carries a basket under his arm, watching as Anthir had gone completely silent in mental preparation. The two settles on a shaded off corner, laying down a picnic cloth and plates.

[THERE WAS A DATE]

ANYWAYS WERE IN THE SEWERS AND GOT AMBUSHED BY SKELETONS (THUMBS UP)

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### **Mentioned**

* Vilya
* Ambrose
* Mio Griwald
* Monsoon