Session 2

Cael, Esmerelda, Lissie, and Thomas decide to leave the Tulassi Farmyard and return home before anyone notices they are gone from the party at Morafi Manor. They evade the farmyard watchdog without raising alarm. As they are making their way back to the city wall, Cael spots someone following them. The figure passes behind a tree and disappears. The group sees that there is a gathering of people at the north entrance to Salt Landing and decides to find another way in. As the others avoid the entrance, Thomas approaches the scene and sees the Ogonek Trading Company is holding the gate and the portcullis is closed. There are numerous travelers and merchants waiting at the entrance, along with two guards that are escorting a carriage that holds two imprisoned Dyssians. The prisoners are thieves that stole property and goods from Berg Ellan. Thomas asks the guard what's happening and the guard says that the gatekeepers won't let them in. The Dyssians get Thomas's attention as he is about the leave. They ask him to steal the key from the prison guard and free them while the guard is busy arguing with the gatekeeper. Thomas lies and says he'll be right back, and instead heads back to the group.

The group decides to find another way into the city. As they plan their next steps and walk towards the Ishtari encampment, Lissie bumps into an invisible object. She realizes immediately that the stone sphere is gone. A figure appears as if out of nowhere. The figure is masculine with a lithe build and wears a white mask and black leathers. The Masked Man holds out the stone sphere and begins to pontificate to the group. While the Masked Man speaks, Cael kicks him in the gut to little effect and Thomas tries to come at the figure from behind to swipe the stone sphere away. Thomas's attempt misses and he sprawls to the ground. The Masked Man claims that he is glad that Lissie has such loyal friends and claims he has come to help. He does not reveal his name but admits that he is part of the Ogonek Trading Company and is a part of Anatoli Ogonek's inner circle adventuring party, called the Black Quills. Ogonek has sent him to look for the sphere that Olivianna has stolen, but the Masked Man has no intention of bringing it to him. While the Masked Man did not know of Olivianna's plans, he agrees with her that Ogonek's use of the artifacts may endanger many. He asks the party to meet him in a secluded spot in the woods to further discuss.

Rhea is incredibly shaken by the seizure of Salt Landing and the execution of a townsperson. She begs her siblings to not do anything to anger the trading company, and to lie low in hopes it will pass over. Piper wants to look for whatever it is the Ogonek Trading Company has lost. Rhea vehemently disagrees and Piper relents. They set off looking for their father and find him coming out of Morafi Manor. They witness the Ophiuc family being herded out of the manor and towards the town square. They follow the procession and witness the execution of another townsperson, a local unscrupulous blacksmith at the hands of Alicia. Piper again wants to interject and ask what Ogonek is looking for. Rhea again puts Piper in his place and he defers. A masked figure appears and whispers into Anatoli's ear. Anatoli straightens, rises, and motions for his company to head towards the docks, with the Ophiuc family still in tow. As the Aves family approaches the docks a finely dressed woman with a white silk fan is directing the mobilization of the ships. Anatoli addresses the crowd. He states, "Soleil shines mercy, allowing her people to live. I hope we do not depart on bad terms, what has been taken from me is worth more than two lives. Remember me fondly." He smiles and waves to the crowd as he departs. The trading company appears to be leaving in haste.

Piper runs out to Alicia as she is loading a skiff, with Rhea screaming at him as he does, to stay put. Piper tells Alicia that he wants to prove himself. Alicia asks if Piper wants to come with them. Piper is delighted but says he must return to ask Rhea. Rhea tells Piper that there is no way she is letting him go, regardless of what he desires. They begin a heated argument and in the midst neither realizes that their brother Gale has boarded the skiff and is heading towards the longboats. Rhea sprints down the dock and tries to jump onto the skiff, missing and crashing into the water. Rhea casts Mage Hand to try to knock Alicia into the water, but is unsuccessful. She treads water as she watches them sail off. Gale never looks back. Rhea swims back yo shore and as she reaches the docks her hands transform into bird-like talons as she climbs out of the water. People steer clear of her as children gasp. Rhea and Piper argue, with Piper claiming that Rhea let Gale leave, so why can't he go. The Masked Man approaches and tells Rhea, "if she can control her emotions"..... Rhea fills with rage and directs it towards the Masked Man. He doesn't react, merely finishing his sentence, that he will keep her abreast of Gale's situation. Rhea tells the man that if she ever sees Alicia again, she will kill her. The scene ends with all of Ogonek's company leaving except for the Masked Man.

The Masked Man returns to the designated meeting place and tells the group that Ogonek has entrusted him to locating the Orb of Echlune, the stone sphere that Lissie received from Olivianna. The Masked Man claims that Ogonek only needs one of the orbs to accomplish his goal, and Ogonek is still in possesion of the Orb of Soleil. The Masked Man tells the party that Elias Ophiuc sold out his family, and the remaining Ophiuc's are captive aboard Ogonek's ship, presumably heading to Dyssia. The Masked Man asks Lissie if she has held the orb up to the moonlight. She indicates that she hasn't and then raises it up to see what effect it has. As she does, the shape of the moon reflects on the orb, showing new patterns that were unseen. The Masked Man notes that when the moon is full, the orb will reveal the entire pattern. Lissie asks what is so bad about the orb. The Masked Man is guarded in his answer and states Olivianna may know more than he, but he knows that it holds a dormant power.

The Masked Man states that they are still in grave danger. He confides that he is a member of an organization called The Seekers, whom concern themselves with seeking knowledge and truth of all things past or lost. He reveals that the Black Quills are members of The Seeker Academy, but he has been tasked with keeping tabs on Ogonek. The Masked Man insists the party leaves Salt Landing and find refuge at The Seeker Academy he attended in Northgate. He would speak with his former mentor and the party would granted access. The group agrees - they must keep the orb and Lissie safe.

Some of the group disperses to take care of their affairs prior to leaving the city. Cael writes his father a note that he must travel his own path and cites a parable of Nessad's journeys. Esmeralda and Lissie head to the Ishtari encampment to pack up. Thomas takes all the money that he can find in his father's house, near 40 gold, and writes him an IOU.

Thomas decides to stop by the Aves household to thank them for all of their help. He lets slip that they are leaving to Northgate. Piper jumps at the opportunity, and asks if he can come with. Thomas thinks this is a great idea, so they can add a bit of muscle to their ranks. Rhea is despondent, and is too tired to argue. Thomas reassures her that everything will be fine and they will send money back to help. Rhea sees them off and after, slinks into a chair where she stares off into the distance.

Continue to Session 3