"The Blackcurrant Pie" (Session Summary)

"The Blackcurrant Pie" details the events of the November 1, 2020 session where the party has dinner with the Queen of Veitium and meet two new friends.

## Session Notes

* A servant arrives to ask whether Sorni, Victoria, and Aedryan will be attending that evening’s dinner (they are). Eli helps Simon out of bed while Anastasios looks for clothes to help him get ready for the evening. Cecily insists that Talos stay behind to continue investigating but invites Eli to join them.
* Meanwhile, Queen Lilla and Lord Rastaban are busy entertaining guests while waiting for Eneuli and the group to show up. In attendance are Lord Jeyte and his daughter, Lady Idilo; his attendant, Lucius of Cabaeum; and Chae of Cabaeum.
* Eli, in a grand gesture of Fae magic, appears by Chae and expresses his dismay with the boring state of the party. Though initially quick to agree with Eli, Chae quickly catches themselves and apologizes.
* Eli dismisses the apology and asks what brings everyone together. Lucius notes that he’s attending in service of Lord Jetye, and to learn more of local cultures.
* As the conversation continues, the Trafarnese group makes their grand entrance. Although Eli and Victoria openly flirt and kiss, it’s Simon’s injuries that quickly catch the eye — and concern — of Queen Lilla.
* The growing tension and awkward silence is cut through by sharp clicks throughout the room as all the doors to the room are suddenly locked, to Eli’s delight and the chagrin of everyone else.
* Cecily pointedly asks about the elephant in the room and Sorni asks for clarification on which elephant she means: Simon’s injury or the missing princess.
* Simon insists that he’ll be fine and that it’s expected that a man take a knife to the throat for his fiancée. Sorni interjects, saying that we don’t know for certain whether the injury was intended for him or for Aedryan. Aedryan muses that it an assassination attempt at a family affair is indeed curious — a prospect that excites Lucius, who offers both to find them and to work in Simon’s service.
* Lord Jeyte says he isn’t surprised at an assassination attempt against King Simon, given his *heresy*. Queen Lilla interrupts to ask Simon if he knows where Eneuli is. Simon directs Lilla to Aedryan, who says that Eneuli is praying. Sorni backs up Aedryan’s claims.
* Although Rastaban seems satisfied with the explanation, Queen Lilla is not and asks Aedryan about what has happened to her daughter. Aedryan, lying, insists that she’s telling the truth.
* Before the Queen can respond, Sorni loudly asks for water place of her wine, noting that she’s been sick since that morning — implying pregnancy.
* Cecily asks if the sudden confinement is Eli’s fault, but Lucius insists that he’ll be able to get through the doors through sheer force of strength and gets up to shoulder tackle it. Upon doing so, the door opens and he finds that he is staring through a large tunnel. The doors close on him, leaving him back in the dining hall, and he announces that, though he was successful in getting through the door, he’s unable to fix the problem.
* At this, Eli reminds everyone that they are there for his entertainment. Lucius offers to juggle but Eli says he’d rather see the man kill the queen. Lucius counters by asking if Eli will give him an audience with Mbeni, but Eli defers to Jeyte — Mbeni’s father — who says he disowned her some fifteen years earlier.
* Sorni and Aedryan ask Lucius why he’s so eager to meet the general, and he says that he would be honored to meet a skilled warrior such as her — but hints that he may have something to offer her.
* Eli announces that whoever presents him with the queen’s heart will be granted a single wish. Chae, who has up to this point been thoroughly enjoying the carbs on the table, says that they wish to be freed from the nightmare that is the dinner — Eli reminds them that they’ll earn their freedom through killing the queen.
* Lucius draws his sword and rises to kill the queen, acknowledging that he’s providing the entertainment, but asserts that the path he walks seems to go through Queen Lilla. Rastaban, drawing his sword, stands from his seat in defense of the queen while Jeyte stands and protects his child. Chae, likewise, stands to move in front of Jeyte and stands calmly with their arms out.
* Sorni attempts to draw her weapon to fight, but Anastasios steps in front of her, insisting he’ll kill anyone she names if it means she won’t fight in her *condition*.
* Lucius charges Rastaban and Eli asks Victoria if he should let Rastaban die or make him wait for the wedding to endure the torture of public shame (when Eneuli doesn’t show up). Victoria readies her bow, answers that the suspense would be more rewarding, and looses an arrow toward Queen Lilla which strikes her squarely in the chest.
* Throughout the fight, Simon and Cecily discuss when the group will realize the reality of the situation and surmise that Eli will tell them once he’s had enough entertainment.
* Rastaban attacks Lucius, who attempts to parry and return the attack but Eli stops him, reminding everyone that both Rastaban and Lilla are Fated. Lucius asserts that he might be their fate but Eli reminds him that Fateless are not included in the plans of the Gods. He promises Lucius an audience with Mbeni after the wedding.
* Looming over Lilla, Eli informs her of King Simon’s bargain with the Fae and warns her against attempting to assassinate any of Simon’s people or she’ll incur his wrath. After his threat, he cheerfully takes his leave.

## Additional Information

* This marks the introduction of Chae and Lucius to the party.
* The title, "The Blackcurrant Pie" refers to the Heda painting of the same name depicting a still life painting of an interrupted meal; such works are often referred to as *vanitas* paintings as they depict the transience of life.