Session 29

## Location

Takes place in Moraxellan Proper and in the surrounding countryside

## Key Points

* Tantorians learn about the death of Riis, the Lady Reumacia, and the other druids
	+ A funeral is held
* Kivi Andova joins the party
* Ozera is found to have dragon ancestry
* The party fights a demon in the forest outside Moraxellan Proper

## Session Summary

A carriage approaches the Tamsulodin temple in Moraxellon. Melian, Betheros, Fyri, and Ozera wait outside, watching with bated breath. Members of the temple walk up to the carriage and help Astrid out into a waiting wheelchair. Prince Xela is the second person out of the carriage, but there is no sign of Physto, Riis, or Tadashi. Melian asks after Physto, and Astrid tells her that Physto will be returning with Tadashi. Melian then asks after Riis and Astrid is hesitant to answer. "It is not my place to say." Melian asks her to tell her something, and Astrid concedes that Physto has bad news. Suspecting that this means Riis is dead, Melian turns to Xela and greets him. He nods and wanders off. Astrid joins the group as they wait for Physto and Tadashi to arrive.

When Physto and Tadashi arrive, Tadashi announces they're back. "Yes, you are," says Melian. She asks Physto about what happened to Riis, and Physto concurs with Astrid that he has some bad news. He declares that he could not stop the new King Kiri and that Riis is dead, executed at the king's orders. He describes how she gave a valiant defense despite all expectations and how she burned down the gallows, and he could not retrieve a remnant that would permit them to reincarnate her. They state that because of the unfairness of the trial, a war against Catarrahalia has been declared by all of the other nations. At that note, Tadashi leaves as he has to assemble a war council. Before he goes, he tells Fyri that she is welcome to stay in his mansion. She thanks him, and he flies away, sending a driver to take her to his home whenever she so desires.

Later that evening, Physto searches for Xela and finds him sitting under a tree in the Tamsulodin temple. Physto, knowing Xela is likely not taking the death of his mother well, tries to check in on the young prince, asking him how he's doing. Xela becomes immediately frustrated at this line of questioning, exploding at Physto and asking him what kind of question that is. Physto attempts to calm the prince, telling him that the Tantorians have suffered as well under the Catarrahalian government. He acknowledges that there is a place for mourning but that they must be prepared to focus on the fights at hand. He says that they can make the world a better place, but that Xela is needed in the fight as well. Xela appreciates these words and tells Physto that he will call upon him when he requires assistance to assume his rightful throne. Physto agrees to help him. He cements this agreement by referring to the young prince as "my King."

That evening, Melian has also decided to seek out Fyri. "This is a bad time to ask this," she states after she finds the wood elf. But she goes on to explain that she needs blood to drink as she can feel herself devolving into a more primal nature and fears what will happen if she does not act on this now. Fyri wonders how she can be of assistance to Melian. The older elf explains that if Fyri wildshapes, perhaps she could then drink the blood of the animal. Fyri agrees, seeing no harm in this, and they find Betheros and ask him to take them to a more secluded place. Ozera joins them. The four of them get in the carriage Tadashi left for Fyri and leave the Tamsulodin temple.

They arrive at the Ritarian temple and are surprised to see the honor with which Betheros is treated by the people living there. Betheros, annoyed at their antics, tells the high priestess that these are his acquaintances and not his friends, to which the three women become offended. Realizing that this is probably more trouble than he wants for the evening, Betheros changes the subject and asks if they have had any luck fixing the giant hole in his bedroom wall while he was gone. He is told that Edgar Contre, a sorcerer of Ritaria, was working on it but threw out his back again. Betheros suggests that it might be best if they hire a contractor rather than letting the 85-year-old try to fix it all. The high priestess, Lady Orlaina, says that she attempted to convince Edgar of that, but he was too stubborn to listen. Betheros goes to find the man, leaving his "acquaintances" to their own devices. Betheros finds the older man and heals his back. "Thank you, champion," the old man responds. Betheros says that of course, it is all for the service of Ritaria. He asks the elderly man to please stop trying to rebuild the temple to which Edgar responds that he has the strength of ten men! Betheros agrees with the statement, but reminds him that he does have the back of an 85-year-old.

While Betheros is healing Edgar, the girls have gone off in search of a more private place. They find a room in the basement of the temple and Ozera blocks the entry door with ice. Fyri wildshapes into a tiger, after being told that she could not, in fact, turn into a toad. Melian begins to drink. Even though Fyri has wildshaped into another form, elven blood still runs through her veins, and Melian finds it *delicious*. She finds it so good that she drains the tiger, and Fyri has to pull away to avoid damage to her non-animal self. The younger elf notices that she is really light-headed and that there is still a bite mark on her neck. Betheros then finds the three of them and asks what is going on. Fyri quickly heals the vampire bite. Betheros, noticing this, is mildly concerned that Melian is trying to kill Fyri, but Fyri waves him off, saying that she offered.

As the night draws closer, Fyri rides the rest of the way to Tadashi's house while Melian and Ozera return to the Tamsulodin temple. Upon Fyri's arrival at the Mikimana Manor, servants leap to her aid and assist her out of the carriage. A section of the master's wing has been prepared for her and a bath has been drawn. After falling asleep in the tub, she is kindly roused by some of the servants, who offer her a robe and lead her to her sleeping quarters. There she finds the softest bed in which she has ever lain.

Back at the Ritarian temple, there is a knock on the door as Betheros is preparing for bed. Lady Orlaina answers it, and Betheros can hear the joyful voice of Fremia wafting up through both the temple and the giant hole in his bedroom wall. He goes to meet her, and Fremia asks him if he would like to have a slumber party. He says he would love to but that his room doesn't have a wall. Fremia tells him that he seems sad, and she wanted to give him company. She suggests that they could go back to the Doxos temple, as there is plenty of room there. He agrees because Edgar is a loud snorer. They make their way to the Doxos temple.

(Edgar Contre, Tulia Francsi, Constance Bont, Donald Grismere)

* + They go to the Doxos temple (opposite north of Tamsulodin temple)
		- She has a penthouse-style room (bc she's the Primogen) - very stylish
		- "I lost another friend today" She hugs him and gives him a kiss "I think you just need to sleep"

Following day

* Kivi speaking with diplomats
	+ arrives at elemental temple - sent up with refugees to fire & earth genasi housing (fairly hectic)
	+ Plufan and Palo arrive and Palo is sent upstairs to find his mother
	+ Kivi gets closer to Plufan as he begins to speak to someone "you aren't going to find his mother here, I thought this was the right temple but its clearly not"
		- he produces a sheet of paper (messaging paper) - she tells him it's the Tamsulodin temple
		- "That makes so much sense! I know the Physostenes"
		- Kivi talks to Plufon and tells him she is Riis's aunt
		- Kivi asks where her aunt is - Plufan leaves
	+ Kivi asks as to the location of the temple and she and Palo leave

* Palo and Kivi arrive at the Tamsulodin Temple
	+ Melian greets them "Lady Melian" Just Melian Lady
	+ Plufandelaroseequa brought and then fled
* She brings them inside the temple to a conference room (Physto and Ozera accompany)
	+ Palo is shocked that people have last names and refuses to call them by their first names only
		- Plufan told Palo they needed to go after he heard about Riis's trial
	+ They explain that Riis is dead
		- Palo tries to cut his hair and give a piece because he's his mom
		- Kivi gives Palo a hug and begins to cry
* Physto takes them into the main room
	+ They join the people in prayer but Physto is not good at it
	+ He asks Astrid for help but she sends Mars bc she is leading the prayer
	+ Mars forms a circle with Kivi, Palo, and Physto
		- Pray for the strength to move forward that those who have passed will not be forgotten that in them we will find the strength to move forward
		- Prayer circle is overcome with feeling of strength and her chestplate glows
	+ Mars states she hopes to see Physto in training today
* Cero goes to find Ozera
	+ Melian states that she notices he has no training and she wants to train him a little
		- Ozera thinks its a good idea
	+ They go outside and Betheros finds them and takes Cero aside, he suggests taht Cero is not good at self defense
		- He states that he'd be happy to have the wizards train him in magic
		- Astrid has let him into the archives
	+ Melian is training in the morning and Betheros gets afternoon
		- He declares that he isn't entirely useless
		- Ozera says she could train him in charisma in the evenings
	+ Cero picks a shortsword
		- He and Melian go through basic forms
		- Has a tattoo of a bear and "Andon" written on it
			* full name Cero Einjuul Zameg, Einjuul (uncle) beloved by all because he was kind and he realized he wouldn't amount to the strengths of his siblings. Andon = in generosity and kindness
			* He casts find familiar and a little brown bear appears "Teddy"
		- Ozera holds Teddy while the Melian continues training
			* She asks about whether his sister agrees with her eldest brother
			* Melian asks whether they should help free her
				+ Cero says don't because she will be accused of treason
			* Mina is magical - not the most intelligent, but smart enough to know that she can't do that around anyone
				+ Kiri would be a fool to kill her
	+ Fyri
		- Finds a maid and asks to be brought to Tadashi who is having a late breakfast
			* Fyri asks if he's willing to have a conversation with her later this day
			* He agrees to listen to her this evening and bids her ado
	+ Tamsulodin temple
		- Tadashi arrives and speaks with Astrid
			* Physto strides up and Tadashi dismisses Betheros who is trying to be sneaky
			* "I've asked for Tamsulodin armies to march on Catarrahalia"
			* Astrid doesn't want to fight in the "war of men" when they have a war with the 9 hells
				+ she is willing to help with evacuations but wants to turn her eyes to the real enemy
			* Catarrahalia may march on them, Physto states that both are an existential threat
				+ Astrid doesn't want to fight in Catarrahalia
			* Tadashi only wants a small group of people
				+ Astrid tells him to be a leader, not a pushover
				+ Tadashi orders Astrid to organize and secure armies of Tamsulodin to aid in the Moraxellan/Catarrahalian war
					- She turns and leaves
				+ Tadashi apologizes to Physto for dragging him in
		- Melian approaches to talk to TAdashi but she is met first by Fyri (Tadashi then leaves)
		- Kivi introduces herself to Fyri
		- Physto tells Cero he's not particularly strong and that he'd be happy to work out with him
			* Cero says he's booked, Physto takes his evenings before meeting with Ozera
			* He also tells him not to talk to Xela
	+ Ozera and Betheros leave to wait for Cero
		- Xela stops Tadashi to have a conversation with him
			* He tells Tadashi that he is in need of druids
				+ Tadashi says that he cannot have the druids, they also have an extraction plan
				+ Xela is angered by the extraction plan and that his people are not going to be initially removed
			* Tadashi leaves and Xela stomps off into the forest
		- Betheros tells them that Xela has done this
	+ Melian and Kivi follow
		- They see Xela standing in the forest
		- Melian can tell that he's speaking to nature and that it's not the good nature, it's the corruption nature
			* She shoots an arrow into a tree
		- He turns and says "What the hell"
			* She tells him that he is communing with darker voice of nature
			* He's angry sad, and she validates that - but he's annoyed that she's belittling him
				+ Gaslighting (you don't know anything about)
			* Melian doesn't want to leave him to talk to evil nature, he's annoyed that she won't leave him alone
			* Xela wild shapes into a hawk with demon wings
				+ Melian tells Kivi to get her friends and Kivi flees
				+ She brings Fyri, Physto, and Ozera to the area
		- Kivi gives messaging paper to Melian who gives it to Fyri
			* She writes a letter to Tadashi to tell him that Xela shaped into a demon-thing
			* He replies "Looks like we will have to move our talk up"
			* Fyri is on her way
* Betheros is teaching Cero well
	+ Edgar is helping
	+ Betheros suggests opening the temple to the refugees
		- Donald laughs at Betheros being willing to open the temple
		- Orlaina states that she doesn't think the refugees will want to come
	+ Donald has a large burn on the back of his hand and Constance has a burn behind her ear
		- Betheros asks where they got them, and they say that they did them to themselves
		- They burned off their inheritance markings
	+ Orlaina says she notices Ozera's magic
		- Ozera says she does and shows her her birthmark
		- Orlaina brings Betheros back in the room
			* She's not of Ritarian inheritance - there are two ways to gain magic -> draconic and Ritarian inheritance
			* She has a draconic inheritance of sorcery magic
		- Betheros asks why that's a bad thing
			* Orlaina says that no one liked the dragons which united the kingdoms
			* She has an old blood dragon
			* "Dragons are sly creatures" Betheros doesn't like that
				+ she says that Betheros is not aware of the time before
				+ She asks him to let Ozera out
		- Betheros says that Ritaria wouldn't have chosen him as champion if she didn't trust his judgement
	+ Ozera thinks about this
		- contacts a memory that is of her when she is not in the body
			* birth mother talking to her (toddler) crying and apologizing
			* "Your inheritance is not a curse, it is bad or good whatever you make of it. You are of the Khal Freja line, you are pure water and ice and you are as good as anybody"
			* Raca materializes in front of her
		- Betheros notices she's stopped
			* Raca didn't know how to tell her about this
			* Ozera feels betrayed by this
			* Raca tells her that she inherited only the magic trait but her brother inherited more (perhaps dragon walking)
				+ She is dragonborn without the dragonborn appearance
			* "This doesn't change who you are...Everything about you is pure. Don't let this change how you behave because you are good. It's the world that's wrong."
		- She asks Betheros not to tell anyone, esp. their friends
			* Betheros tells her that Ritaria is weak so she's not sure they can do much to keep her out of the temple
* Fyri's talk with Tadashi
	+ She sends Melian to the next room
	+ Tadashi gives her new clothes (3 boxes of armor) - he gives her anti-mage armor
	+ She tells him everything (except that Melian is a vampire and Steve)
		- He pauses her and he asks about the keystone that she destroyed
		- He looks at the brand on her arm and understands why she wouldn't want to share
			* She states that she also thought it was very personal to Melian and Betheros
	+ Tadashi tells her that he has no clue how she feels in regard to him; he is over the moon for her
		- She is happy to be in the manor with the man she loves and she continues talking really fast
		- He stops here and they're both kinda shocked
	+ Fyri's presence may be sensed better than others because of the mark
		- Tadashi tells her that he will need to talk to the whole party
	+ Melian talks to Tadashi about the warlock pact
		- Tadashi says that it seems like an unfair trade
		- Melian receives a letter from her father addressed to Betheros and Melian
			* Mitric's contract is not completed, he acts them to stay away from him
			* The demon tells Melian to tell her brother that his body fits just right in a different script
		- Tadashi says there's no telling how much the demon can blip in and out of existence
			* asks Melian what the demon is looking for because it doesn't make much sense
			* He says he'll consult with others to better determine what's going on
	+ What are we doing about Xela being a demon - Melian asks
		- Tadashi says that he's likely become a corrupted druid
	+ She also asks after Nitzki
		- Tadashi gave him one of the pins and sent him back to Catarrahalia
		- Melian tells Tadashi about the entirety of Tachibana's unfortunate events against us
	+ Tadashi gives Melian pins for his council
		- It has the zone of truth on it
		- Tadashi tells her that Nitzki can't lie to her
* They go to the Tamsulodin Temple
	+ They decide to adopt Kivi
		- She spars with Physto and in three rounds comes up on top on the third
	+ Tadashi offers two options for them to complete
		- Moraxellan does not have laws and there is more difficulty with the influx of the refugees
			* No religious person is to be leader
			* With refugee influx, there has been an increase in crime
				+ a member of his council would permit them to quash dissention
		- Astrid and co have found a demonic presence right outside Moraxellan
	+ They decide to do the rebellion one
		- A druid teleports to them: man with dreadlocks and moss growing in his hair, he has tribal clothing,
		- He gives Tadashi a hug and Tadashi whispers something in his ear and he walks away
		- Krak is the new guy and he has two quests
			* Elementalism: practice in which people who are elementalists (worship elemental beings) can achieve piety through creating a family of elementals (Ozera lived through this with her adoptive family)
			* Turban: darkness and despair - his drow worshippers are trying to spread this throughout the city
			* Killing is not allowed in the city, but you can defend yourself
	+ Ozera tells everyone that she is dragon born
		- Kivi is a little freaked out
		- Jr. pops out of Melian's hood to talk to her
* Fyri finds the maid again (Cathilda)
	+ She wants to give Tadashi a gift for the war
	+ She gives him a compass that she enchants to point to her
* Fremia has been helping put up walls and has been painting
	+ They go to his room
* Physto is chastising the Tamsulodin bros when Plufan comes up
	+ He's looking for Melian
	+ Physto invites him to work out with him sometime and takes him to the roof
	+ Physto leaves
	+ Plufan explains what happened in the elemental temple
		- Then he reminds her that they said they would talk the last time they saw each other
		- Melian is gonna tell Plufan a story about the Clidore dancing
			* "So when we met, no lets go back a little further, so when I was a lady of the Rosenrim estate we threw a ball, at teh end of the ball I was kidnapped by....uh...my father. I didn't know he was alive, technically and then he just grabbed me. And i found out the half-elf I had been travelling with was my brother and that my father had had an affair." and she continues telling the story of her kidnapping
			* Then Betheros didn't talk to her and so she danced with Clidore because Betheros didn't like him
			* Plufan felt like he was being made a fool of when she brought him to the party
		- Melian tells him that she is "sick" in a way - not contagious
			* takes more whiskey
			* She tells him she's a vampire
				+ He is confused & feels her wrist for a pulse
				+ He is mostly ok - he "firmly believes in the right of all things to live"
			* Plufan is going to find work in Moraxellon
		- Physto comes back out and tells them they have wrestling downstairs, he leaves again
		- Plufan bids her ado and goes downstairs for wrestling
	+ He wrestles Kivi
		- She asks him if he feels better and tells him his face is red
		- He becomes awkward and leaves

Next day

* Riis's funeral: some Tamsulodin worshippers, druids, party, Cero, Fremya
	+ Little memoriums for the people who were killed
	+ Tadashi has organized it - a life worth living is one where people are free to be their true selves
		- Riis Socorro, Lady Reumacia, Horatio, Cinder, Prospero and the thousands who have fallen before
		- I'm sorry it took us so long to act, but I promise your sacrifices will not be in vain
	+ Palo approaches Riis's, Kivi stands next to him and rubs his back
	+ Melian puts the pistol they shared in the fire
		- "Well, Riis, um... I'm sorry that I left you behind and that I couldn't save you and that they didn't give you a fair trial, I wish I could have seen their faces because you went out in a way that only you could, truly. I promise I will kill those responsible or see that they're dead."
		- States that she'll take care of Palo
		- She says that she loves her and that the party loves her and that she hopes she finds the peace she was looking for.
		- Jr. gives some lightning
		- She leans on Plufan and Plufan puts his head on her head
	+ Ozera approaches
		- attempts to put out the big fire a little, but continues crying
		- Cero joins her after and tells her good luck on her adventure, and he tells her that she inspired him to leave and he says thank you for that
			* He cares for her, but they haven't actually spent that much together and he doesn't want to come on in a creepy way
			* She gives him a hug and tells him she'll "hit him up when she hits him up"
	+ Betheros
		- She was a friend and easiest to understand especially when they were mindlinked. I've lost a lot of friends, but I think this is one of the worst
		- Fremia joins him after and offers him a silent picnic on a gondola
			* She is here for him, and it is not his fault - you'll get to avenge her and all of them, she won't give up on him
			* Betheros expresses gratitude
	+ Fyri
		- Makes some flowers "I'm sure you don't really want flowers, your'e getting them"
		- She says they'll take care of Palo and that she will make a garden of herbs wherever they end up next
		- She goes to stand behind Tadashi
			* he is sad that he did not act sooner, and he won't stop until he's sure it won't happen again
	+ Physto
		- pulls out his flaming great sword and buries it - word of the day is "Revolutionary"
		- Mars and Astrid join him after he leaves - He voices regret that he couldn't do much
			* Astrid tells him that she thinks he should go find the demons and that she thinks he is ignoring his destiny if he doesn't
			* Mars suggests that Astrid let the Phystostones make his own decisions to which Physto replies that of course he is going to
	+ Kivi
		- Promises to care for Palo
		- Make sure he knows you as I knew you
	+ Palo
		- Doesn't know how to write and read
		- Will follow in her footsteps and light stuff on fire
		- Sorry he didn't fulfill his promise to protect her but Plufandelaroseequa didn't let me
			* Can't give parts of him to get her back
		- He thinks he'll be okay at some point
* We're going to fight the demon!
	+ Astrid is relieved - we're going to fight the demon!!!
	+ It is the demon (Pact demon) they fought previously in the woods, he has two dogs with him
		- He looks at Fyri, "You have yet to give over. Your power is strong."
	+ He does not move forward but calls the hellhounds to move forward
		- Casts inflict wounds - Fyri blocks 35 damage with her armor
	+ Fyri gets dog blood poured all over her open wounds and corruption begins to seep into her hair and from the mark on her arm up her neck
* "Take this John!" Physto says as he flies thru the air and stabs the demon in the throat.
* Getting rid of the hellhounds and demon is the best first step
* They cut the black corruption out of Fyri's hair
* Betheros prays to Ritaria
	+ Ritaria is clutching to her twin sister, the goddess of tricks and childlike wonder
	+ She states that another of the 13 is destroyed
		- The demon lord has 13 working for him. One is dead (the boar) and now the other
* Melian eats a deer
	+ Kivi panics a little and does not walk next to Melian the entire way back
* Go back to Moraxellon
	+ Tamsuloden temple full of lots of people
	+ Fremia, Astrid, and Tadashi are there
		- They send Tamsuloden worshippers to help fix the Ritarian temple
	+ Tadashi notices the corruption on Fyri's body
		- Everyone tells Tadashi that the demon tried to force corruption onto her
		- Fyri tells him that all she did was run away during the fight
		- We tell him that they need to send druids to fix the corruption - Krak and co appear
			* Tadashi directs them to clear the corruption from the forest and they wildshape into animals and disappear
	+ Melian is frustrated that Astrid directed them to the demon
		- Krak was able to subdue the uprising with help from the TamsuBros
		- They lost a considerable amount of the force sent
	+ Astrid says that the extraction plans are proceeding as desired - they have lost 15% of forces during active extraction
	+ Melian goes up to Plufan
		- Physto tells them to "hug it out"
			* and he hugs Melian - he asks her if anything is wrong
		- She lies to him
			* Kivi tells him that she died but that they were able to revive her
		- Melian asks to stay with him because she doesn't want to live on the roof
			* Plufan agrees
	+ The TamsuBros + Physto + Kivi attempt to help lift the temple
		- Plufan is invited by Physto to have a room in the temple
	+ Kivi asks if her father is still in town
		- He has left the city - the northern countries want to fight the war on their own
		- He gives them messaging paper
	+ Betheros gets tackled by Fremia
		- He goes to the Ritarian temple with her
		- Some TamsuBros follow to help work on the temple
	+ Kivi and Melian talk
		- Melian tells her that she is a vampire and gives her a cinnamon roll
		- Kivi is okay with it, mostly because Palo is okay with it
* Fyri gives Tadashi her compass
	+ She shows him that it follows her
	+ He hugs him but then is worried that it's not proper
		- They decide to drop formalities
* Mars tells Physto to bring her next time because she has holy armor and weapons
* Betheros asks Melian for help learning to sneak