Wax On Wax Off

*Hired by*: Polonia

*Mission Request*: Retrieve Horvendile's Diabolicon stolen by Morlan

*Rewards/Loot*: (Pending)

*Discovered Places*: Platinum Spires (Argent district)

*Caravan Allies*: Gromlo (antiquarian), Caliban (cook), "Bob" (alarm gnome)

*Monsters Encountered*: N/A

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## Summary

We began our session in the Argent bloc, featuring Cedric, Aster, and Arco. These three engaged with Scipio Feloni, our host, and his family. During the dinner, without getting too far away from the proper pleasantries, these three member of the DNC asked the Feloni family about the Steel Vigil in hopes of finding clues about Morlan, a paladin of that order implicated in the stolen books trade by Cyrene.

The Feloni family, upon Cedric’s inquiry, offered up some information about he Steel Vigil. The Vigil guard the walls of the city, and the Arbiter (who the DNC met at the bridge on the way into the city) is probably affiliated with the Vigil. The Steel Vigil are Argent, strong-willed, and concrete in their beliefs. The Felonis did not know their ethos or cause. The Felonis also told the assembled party members about the relational politics of the city. Each bloc has its own Archon to rule over them, though the specific forms of government differ from each other. The city has little contact with the outside world—there is enough going on within the walls. The blocs are engaged in a delicate game of balance of power politics, with no party able to assert control for long.

Aster told the present party members about her people and culture. Aster comes from Ferrum Village, a matriarchal tribe located near Shiasin’s Folly. Led by the Talonness, the royal court has specifically gendered roles (e.g. the healer must be female, the treasurer male). Most guards are female Aarakocra, as they are bigger and stronger. The Talonness is bound principally by one rule: upon winning their trial, she may never produce offspring. Her loyalty must be to the tribe and the tribe alone. The tribe follow the teachings of Cereneach [spelling possibly off there].

The next morning, the party set off to the market, before going to seek the Steel Vigil. Cedric and the party acquired magical weapons, armor, and weapons before proceeding on their task.

Scipio led the three party members to the headquarters of the Steel Vigil to find clues about Cyrene’s thief: Morlan. Eschewing an approach centered around subterfuge, Cedric led Aster and Arco to the door, and declared his intentions to join the Vigil, declaring “I am Cedric Locke, and I seek a degree of order in this world.” The members of the Vigil claimed to be for this, and granted the party admittance.

In the building, the party observed members of the Vigil training against simulated roots or tentacles, as well as preparing to face mirror world combatants in what appeared to have once been a great hall. At the end of this hall, the party were introduced to Captain Bain, the apparent leader of the Steel Vigil. Bain is a Merai man, whose features had been weathered to the point of appearing like worn metal. He stated that the Steel Vigil prize the tenets of loyalty, vigilance, and discipline, and that they take it on themselves to defend the city. Cedric showed Captain Bain his runed wrists, and the runes down the fuller of his sword, when seeking to ascertain the intentions and allegiances of the Steel Vigil, which caught Captain Bain’s attention. Captain Bain confirmed that the Steel Vigil stand in opposition to the Cabal of the Blind Eye; the Dark Moon grows closer.

When Cedric requested that he be allowed to swear to the Steel Vigil, Captain Bain requested that Cedric duel him with all that Cedric could bring. The hits Cedric could score on Captain Bain didn’t seem as if they were striking flesh, but more as if his blades were cutting across a statue. At Bain’s request, and after taking some serious blows from the captain’s radiant greatsword, Cedric erupted into a rage, but nothing could turn the tide of this fight. In a matter of seconds, Captain Bain disarmed Cedric of his handaxe, and then plunged his greatsword into Cedric’s chest, killing him with a burst of radiant energy through his gaping wound.

Before Aster or Arco could help, Captain Bain reached down, and resurrected Cedric, telling him that he had the makings of a powerful Watcher. Captain Bain prepared to have Cedric inducted into the Steel Vigil, once he had demonstrated the requisite loyalty, vigilance, and discipline.

As Cedric sat on the floor, gasping at the chance for life, Aster offered our knowledge about Morlan, and requested that our capture of Morlan stand in for some of Cedric’s training. Captain Bain agreed that fulfilling this task would count for some of Cedric’s training, but that there is much more for him to learn. Furthermore, Captain Bain personally requested to come on the mission to find Morlan, who may be turning on the Steel Vigil.