Session X - Emperor's Court

The party is now stranded on the top of the Tower of Wizardry. After being escorted to a nearby office via an air ship, the party is questioned about who they are and how they arrived at the top of the tower. Though it's not said outright, a member of the Wizard's Guild determines that the party has come from some point in the future, as he is aware of the "time machine" currently under construction. In general, the wizards are unhappy with the party's description of the ruined Western Ward in the future.

* Bird-Noises discovers that she can now speak normally, perhaps because the curse on her family has not yet manifested. She assumes the name Brook.
* Norman feels as if the channel between himself and his deity has been blocked. He will later find that spellcasting has been hindered, requiring a physical investment to successfully manifest the spell.
* Solo Crux complains that her face mask does not seem to fit any longer. She seems genuinely surprised to find that she has a normal Solomani face. At this point, she eschews wearing her mask.

News of the party's arrival quickly spreads among the upper levels of the imperial court. The wizards notify Grand Marshal Faxalis, who arrives to accompany the party to the empire's capital city of Zenith, where they are to meet Emperor Skarsizek.

* Strangely, Grand Marshal Faxalis appears to be in his late thirties, even though the party knows that they are in an age a century before. (In their age, he appears to be in his late sixties/early seventies.)

The party travels by railway, a magical tram car floating along tracks to it's destination.

After arrival in Zenith, the party is flown via an air ship to the Imperial Palace, where a session is currently taking place. Grand General Amarth is briefing Emperor Skarsizek on the recent deployments of troops to the north. The general then suggests that they make a surprise attack against the orcish fort beyond the northern border. The emperor dismisses the general's suggestion and rules that the troops should remain in a defensive position. Grand General Amarth declares that the troops are eager for battle. The emperor suggests that the general's lust for battle is not universally shared among the troops and again declares that the empire will not make any preemptive strikes against the orc legions. The general then takes his leave.

The following dialogue takes place between Emperor Skarsizek and Minister Illian:

Illian: *Your Majesty, regarding the decree from the last session...The portal is a gateway to unlimited potential. Our engineers have found a new source of the hell crystals within the mountains surrounding the citadel. We anticipate that there will be enough crystal to keep the mine running at full operational capacity for at least six years.*

Emperor: ***That's a shame, because the portal will be closed within a year.***

Illian: *Your Majesty...the income from the crystal mines is never ending. If we maintain the portal, we stand to gain wealth far beyond our wildest ambitions...*

Emperor: ***But at a price paid in blood. This foul landscape we invaded cannot be occupied forever. The devil army will regenerate and strike at us from the unyielding shadows. We cannot risk another invasion.***

Illian: *But...to close the portal at this juncture...it would surely appear to be a sign of weakness.*

(The emperor appears to be irritated by this comment.)

Illian: *From the perspective our enemies, of course.*

Emperor: ***This discussion is pointless. The empire has enough wealth to operate for decades to come. To leave our capital open to invasion is to risk all of it. And I will not subject the people to this peril.***

Illian: *Your Majesty, we can foresee the...*

Emperor: ***That will be all, Minister Illian.***

Illian: *Yes...your Majesty.*

* Guards bring forward two prisoners, a Solomani and a Dwarf. They inform the emperor that these two were caught vandalizing a banner. A guard unfurls a banner depicting the emperor with the words "Death to the emperor" painted across it. The prisoners look terrified. The Solomani falls to his knees and lowers his head, while the dwarf remains frozen in fear.

Illian: Y*our Majesty, the Ministry of Intelligence recommends that these insurgents be punished via public execution. As a warning to others who threaten your life.*

Emperor: ***Strange. I don't feel threatened.***

Illian: *Letting this rebellion go unpunished would send the wrong message to the people.*

Emperor: ***And executing people for vandalism would not?***

Illian: *Your Majesty...threats to your life must be taken seriously.*

* The emperor rises from his throne and slowly limps forward. It is clear that the emperor is injured to some extent. He pulls a flask from his belt and quaffs it, which seems to restore some of his mobility.

Emperor: ***Stand up. STAND. UP.***

* The Solomani prisoner rises and the emperor addresses him.

Emperor**: *So...you wish to kill me then?***

Prisoner:(nervously): *No...no your majesty. It's more of a...death to the office...of emperor. Not specifically you, of course.*

Emperor:(nods) ***I couldn't agree more.***

* The emperor inquires with Grand Marshal Faxalis as to the typical punishment for vandalism, which is a fine for the first offense. The emperor suggests that both vandals should be released. He is then subject to a coughing fit, which ends as the emperor spits blood. The court appears concerned, but acts as if this is a common occurrence. The emperor returns to his throne and starts to quaff another potion.

Illian: *Your Majesty, the station of Emperor is eternal. Though we have not discussed it in a while...*

Emperor: ***Oh no, not this again...***

Illian: *Without an heir, it's unclear to the people who will rule them in your place. Your days are, unfortunately, numbered.*

Emperor: ***And I don't know this?***

Illian: *The time to discuss this is running short.*

Emperor: ***And as I've said before...I am the last emperor that will sit in this throne. A decade from now, this empire will be ruled by a leader chosen by the people.***

Illian: *Not this again!*

Emperor: ***I've read of these theories. A functional governing body chosen by the citizens. Democracy.***

Illian: *It even sounds demonic.*

Emperor: ***We live in an era of education and new technology. The will of the people will drive us forward.***

Illian: *Laborers. Simpletons. The fishmongers choosing a king. Madness!*

Emperor: ***There will be no more discussion of this today.***

Illian: *Your Majesty, this idea...*

Emperor: ***That is all, Minister.***

The party and Faxalis then gain a private audience with Emperor Skarsizek.

Faxalis wants to discuss the emperor's desire to obtain the Liber Hereticus Malfectorum and cautions against it, saying that no good can come from using evil magic. The emperor retorts that there is no such thing as "good" or "evil" magic, only the intent. Faxalis agrees to disagree and takes his leave.

* It is clear from their tone that they are friends, referring to each other as Skar and Fax.

The emperor leads the party to a private flower garden in the rear of the palace, where they discuss the apparent future and the Liber Hereticus Malfectorum. The emperor does seem very concerned about a future with a fallen empire in ruins, but this seems to only make his desire to obtain the tome stronger, as he believes that the power within can be used to save the people of the empire.

The party is given free room and board in the comfortable foreign dignitaries section of the imperial palace for as long as needed.

Later that evening, Grand Marshal Faxalis visits the party and implores with them to seek out the Liber Hereticus Malfectorum and then throw it in the ocean so that the emperor can never find it. He warns them that this could be considered treason and asks that this be done discretely. He offers them 4000 gold crowns as a reward. Faxalis suggests that they visit the Imperial Museum after hours and speak to the curator.

The party visits the Imperial Museum and speaks to the weird curator. He tells them that he's heard rumors that black marketeers have found the artifact and refer to it as the "creepy book". He suggests that throwing it into a volcano will not damage it in the least and they might want to take it to Hell, since the great portal is set to be closed in the near future.

The party returns to their quarters for the night.