Session 9 Recap

* Earl Castigan's Estate

* The Nizam & entourage - ‘Arabic’ Noble and diplomat, interested in the jeweled egg.
* The Primus and wife- ‘Mediteranian’ Noble and Diplomat, also interested in Egg.
* Larth, Reven and Elidyr. - 3 suitors and their families.

**Previously...**

## And Now...

Goldie, who had gone 'cat' in the previous session, snuck into the staff areas looking for Lady Castigan's nanny's cat, hoping to get some inside information. Unfortunately, while they were able to find and speak to the house-cat, it was hostile and unco-operative.

   In the wake of the perceived threat to the Jeweled Egg, we discover an additional security measure. Earl Castigan has employed a number of hireling guards to bolster his security forces, including a young halfling named 'Peanut' Posey. When the Egg is moved, Posey is sent with it with orders to keep it in sight. Alone with the Egg in in Earl Castigan's private museum of historical and cultural artefacts, Posey glances about, spotting an Elven Longbow the double of her own short bow. Curious, she uses a step-ladder so she can reach the bow and examine it. She's right - the carvings are identical! But before she can do anything about it, an alarm is triggered!
In the ballroom, an already flustered Earl is being besieged on two fronts by the diplomats from Al-Kalim and Tor Albes, both of whom believe that the Earl is lying about moving the Egg and has, instead, given it to the other. The Earl is attempting to remain calm in the face of this, but it's obvious to everyone that his resolve is slipping and all attempts to placate them are falling on deaf ears.

   While circulating, Dandy recalls a story about the Tor Albes. In the story, there's a civil war, with one side trying to rally supporters with a lost (and possibly magical) artefact. At the last minute, however, the ship carrying the artefact is lost at sea in a storm. The leaders who lost the artefact are the same family as the Primus' wife. She becomes convinced that this is a matter of personal pride. That he is trying to acquire this artefact in order to partially redeem his wife's family name.

Looking around, she spies Tivram and mentions this story. Agreeing, Tivram mentions 'the shame of losing the egg *again'* just loud enough for people to overhear. She does overhear and, turning an interesting shade of red, she has a minor outburst before storming off. Shamed by her reaction, the Primus breaks off badgering the Earl to see to his wife.

On the far side of the room, Taffney is taking brief, formal meetings with her prospective suitors. Goldie insinuates their way into the line with a view to passing on the message, but is spotted by the keen eye of Taffney's chaperone before they can utter more than a word or two. Taffney does indicate that she'll try and meet up later.

    All of this intrigue goes completely off the rails, however, when the alarm sounds. There is an immediate rush of guards led by the seneschal (with Dandy close at heel). While Peanut is questioned (it is eventually resolved that it was an honest error of judgement), Dandy takes her chance to look around the room. She recognizes three items among the Earl's substantial collection:

* A set of Platinum and Amethyst jewels. Belonged to the last Daqan Queen. They may be the original decoys made along with the set, or the real set. The real set is considered cursed.
* A Ship's Merman King figurehead. Well-known to have belonged to a legendary explorer/sailor’s (Sinbad or ‘Jason and the argonauts’ type figure) ship. Believed to have been destroyed in a cataclysmic ocean event. The figurehead is in less than pristine condition.
* A Tapestry which details the defeat and defection of the Uthuk by Timmoran’s army. Was originally a tribute from the Defecting orcs given to King Pennacor during the 1st Darkness. Was long thought lost.

Dandy is fascinated by the Earl's collection and desperately tries to keep looking, but the Seneschal insists that the room is "not part of this event". The egg is returned to the main room.

During the kerfuffle after the alarm, Arik asks the Nanny to dance and makes an excellent first impression, completely winning her over. While she is distracted, Goldie approaches Taffney and palms off the Conch containing the message from her Lover, Darem. Unfortunately, the transfer is noticed by the Earl who moves to intercept, but is intercepted in turn by Dandy who chatters excitedly about his wondrous collection.

Sensing duplicity, the Earl becomes agitated and distrustful of Dandy and says as much *(Rude!)*. Desperate to avoid him intercepting the message, Dandy ‘"confesses" that she was here as an agent of the Primus, to try and steal the Egg. The Earl does not believe her (although some seeds of doubt are planted), but takes offence at the effrontery of accusing someone of the Primus’s status. Dandy is kicked out of the Ball *(RUDE!)*.

On the way out, she is able to speak briefly to Selfia (The Nasam’s Aide), and tells her to exploit the Primus’ weakness of Pride.

Justicar Benifold then announces a 30-minute warning that the final Ritual to close out the Festival of Cleansing is about to begin. Many last-minute penance rites are performed. After this is completed, The Justicar performs the ritual and blesses## all present. Those blessed are strengthened morally, so they can avoid the same pitfalls in the following year.

As the bells of the cathedral ring out the final seconds of the Festival, several things happen at once:

* The Ritual reignites the visions Goldie and Arik had already had. Arik now realises that his vision points to a road or a river, and Goldie senses that she has seen the noblewoman's image before in some other context.
* Dandy also receives a vision. This vision is of the unique hat she associates with her father, She sees it at a castle flying a boar flag. She then sees it rolling away down the hill in moonlight, sinking into the ground, which changes perspective and becomes dark water swallowing the hat.
* As the ritual is being cast, Peanut notices that the egg shimmers. She looks around to see if anyone notices and sees the Primus’ wife gazing at it and clutching something.

She confronts the diplomat (with some back-up from the Baroness) and notices the lady was holding a glowing Dragon Shard. Suspicious, she inspects the Egg only to discover that the Egg has been stolen and a replica has been hastily placed in its place!

### Continued in Session 10...

*15xp*

*(140xp)*

*(# - Some minor PC actions were taken in the players absence, but we felt they were totally in character.)*

*(## - All PCs who performed the penance ritual during the 3 days now have the following buff.*
‘Free upgrade of 1 die on a Discipline roll 1/day. Lasts until next Cleansing festival OR until they break an oath or a promise. )