Session 34 - Center Cannot Hold

***"It's hard to speak on since the world itself breeds so much chaos that I sometimes get myself wrapped up in it." - Dumont***

This is the 34th session of the game Ashes.

## Summary

The party arrives in Kronstrad in the Skyport of the Sunhold. The party discusses what they're going to do now that they're back in the city. Nightdane requests the materials used for evidence in helping secure the release of Vanden, and the party gives the materials over, save for the spells Acaelus took, and the papers hidden on Themus's body. We go back in time for a moment to discuss whether or not to trust Nightdane with the information found, and the party agrees its a bad idea since he blabbed about the party being in Rust Port causing the interrogations. Nightdane then asks if the party would like to go public, and take responsibility for saving Delphine, or staying under the radar. The party decides to hold off their decision until they talk about it. He also informs the party that they're not being held, that they can pick up a reward at the National Bank seeing a Coinmaster named Escal tomorrow, and finally that Van Horn wanted to speak with Acaelus directly. Rook reminds the party that they're going to Brunstock in a week to track the Face and Hands, and that they'll be waiting at a pub called Sots and Suds.

Van Horn speaks with Acaelus about potentially joining the Junagauge Arcanis. He notes Acaelus's talent, and how he related it to his previous pupil Delphine. He also mentions how he wants to turn around the opinion of the JA in the public's view and give it a more noble reputation. He leaves it at that, with Acaelus taking time to think about his decision. The party takes a train from the center of the city and are dropped off at the edge of the Riff.

The party decides to pay a visit to Dumont first, with Themus going to talk to him alone. Dumont and Sir Oswald seem battered and bruised, but their usual selves. Dumont explains that he has had daily clashes with the Carposi family, and has an upcoming mission to do something against them if Themus and company were interested in joining. Themus mentions that Elias was killed along the road, with Dumont announcing "No great loss" before Themus could say he was brought back to life. Dumont also let Themus know that his uncle Enos started working with the Seven Suns as opposed to working for Dumont. The rest of the party is let in, and Elias swiftly leaves after Dumont tells him to see a priest about whatever happened to him in death. Dumont then explains the job, hitting a Carposi safehouse, taking the weapons, disseminating some to the rioters of the city. The Patrons pin it on a quest board. He also explains that after the Carposi family they intend to take on The Suits. Emeran then questions what Dumont's ultimate motivation is after taking over the city. Emeran also asks him if he can look into the location of three members of the Pharmacopeia, Unity, Guest, and Lillin.

The Patrons then made their way to the Statue District and the home of Acaelus's grandfather where his entire family is waiting for him. The group has a shared meal, and afterward, Acaelus tells his family what happened on the road. His mother Virdiana says she'll remain focused on ensuring Vanden's release and keep Acaelus up to date. Acaelus asks his grandpa Nilan about the Magicka gem and if it has something to do with the people turned to stone in Rust Port. After doing some testing in his Private Sanctum, Nilan was able to determine that the gem contains someone's soul. He says the most ethical thing to do would be to crush the gem and allow the soul's release, but that it could be used since breaking the gem doesn't kill the soul but releases its hold on the material plane. One thing inferred by this discovery is that Strauss may be in the city since the gems were given to Nightdane at a party and that there may be more. Nilan says that they can begin to work more on this after Vanden is freed. The group decides to crush the gem.

The group picks up Kirhin and Grant at On the Rocs and goes back to the Gullies and The Jaunt. Joy greets the group with great joy and begins to inform them of the changes since they've been gone. The Suits have started doing regular games at the Jaunt. The curfew has put a damper on business in the Jaunt. Matron Olivia passed away while they were gone. There was a funeral procession where there was a clash between the guards and the vets, and it was broken up by Builder Brightwood. She says that there are a lot of guards around Forutante Road and that the tensions between the vets and guards keep building, with the vets building forts of snow to keep the guards out of certain areas.

The party enjoys some more drinking, and after Kirhin and Grant rent rooms to sleep off their states, they discuss the pros and cons of going public. Ultimately they decide that it's best to go public, even though it will be difficult. Acaelus sends a message to Nightdane, who after hearing their decision tells them to grab a newspaper tomorrow.

The next day the party lays out the most important things to look into now back home:

1. The Face and Hands in Brunstock. Working with Rook and the Society
2. Dumont's Job
3. The Vets and the Guards
4. Acaelus's grandfathers upcoming trial
5. The demonic incursion in the sunken island Goldsand (relates to Face and Hands)
6. The sect of Matron followers who may have murdered Matron Olivia
7. The followers of the Teacher who have been putting people in books
8. Grant joining up with Delpara the Daring

The party then goes to the National Bank to pick up their money where they are met by Coinmaster Escal. However, Emeran recognizes Escal as being Erhard Frey, a member of the Pharmacopeia. And we ended on that cliffhanger.