THE LIGHTS THAT SHINE IN MOONVALE CITY

***THE LIGHT THAT SHINE IN MOONVALE CITY*** is the fifteenth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* Finding themselves in the center of cultural and historical study, the adventurers find themselves in Moonvale city just on the very edge of Eastern Esmos. Riya parts ways to find her grandmother and perhaps even seek help from her.

While they spend time away what will become of those remaining? Will any revelations come about their time looking around this city? Will any memories be made in this place where no one knows them?

## **Synopsis**

Within Ambrose's study in the Eastern Roost Library, our party find themselves in Moonvale City surrounded by books meant to be stowed away from public knowledge forever. Before making an escape, they begin investigating the tomes around them. Hira searches for books regarding curses and The Blight, whilst Oriza searches for books on Rune, specifically of their fallen kingdom. Oriza finds a manuscript, banned from publishing to international relations with Rune. The synopsis talks about several accounts of how Rune allegedly dealt with the dragons.

Hira finds one of a series of tomes, an encyclopedia for dark magic with a warning to not engage with blood magic. Hira is familiar with the schools of magic in Orion, but things like the usage of human components or raising the dead humanoids are strictly forbidden. Bran knows from his hometown of Corna, home to very religious followers of the Chorus, that allegedly the blood mages started The Blight, and is the reason the Maker doesn't talk to them anymore is because humans attempted to play God. Casting Detect Magic, Hira finds another tome of the series, but sees the teleportation circle within the study begin to glow. Gathering what they could, they make an escape through the study window and make way towards the streets of Moonvale.

Riya breaks off from the group in search of her Grandma mentioning to meet at The Harbours Cove, an inn to the south of the city. Moving through the city, the four of them arrive to the Harbours Cove. Bran and Anthir head inside the inn, seeing a tall half orc man with slicked back hair, well groomed with a nice beard, who greets them with a smile. Anthir asks for a room for 5, obtaining a room with two bunkbeds and an extra mattress. Anthir writes his name as well as duration for stay, with Bran peaking over his shoulder to see his last name but only gets the first two letters, Ma. Anthir obtains the key to the room before heading back out.

The four discuss what to do, Anthir goes back inside the inn to ask for a map of the city. The bartender pulls out a pamphlet of the tourist spots of Moonvale, making note of The Chorus Cathedral and marketplaces. Returning to the group, Hira expresses wanting to go back to the library, while Oriza wants to head to the markets. Bran suggests going in pairs, with Anthir tagging along with Oriza, and Bran joining Hira to the library. Before leaving Bran asks Anthir to keep the sending stone of Monsoon's just in case, which he complies too. Hira warns them both to keep their things safe if there going somewhere busy. Bidding farewell, Bran and Hira head towards the Eastern Roost Library.

Arriving at the library, the two see the librarian, a white Aarakokra with a plume of red feathers on their chest. They follow for a moment before leaving. The library system layout is familiar to Hira, and they to the history section. Bran looks for books on The Blight, curses, and anything about Basilisks. He finds himself in the Esmodian cultural section. Hira looks for more about the Fade.

* Bran finds a tome, *The Rumours and Shadows of the Covens of Orion.*
* Bran finds a codex, *Dissecting Esmodian Folklore.*
* Hira finds a light novella, *A Brief Synopsis to The Fade.*
* Hira finds a tome, *The Fade Folklore and Other Bedtimes Stories.*
* Hira finds a big academic tome with a faded title, but contains a indepth study of this thing called the fade, being present in all culture but its different in appearance.

Bran reads the *Dissecting Esmodian Folklore,* finding a section on Basilisks. They are serpent like beasts with multiple rows of teeth going inwards, said to be a fictional demonic beast meant to frighten young children during bedtime as a threat to lose their magic. Bran flips to the sections on Dragons, but finds it incredibly brie and vague which baffles him. Nothing new is learned about them. Hira reads the light novella first, but finds it hard to read as she's frustrated and conflicted within herself, unease that shes not the only person in her head now. Her eyes pause at a section of the Elvhenanian Elves, generally the elves refer to the fade as a holy place, calling it the home of their Gods and now they find it to be sacred.

Frustrated she puts the novella down before looking at the other tome, *The Fade Folklore and Other Bedtimes Stories*. She sees The Chorus's teaching of The Fade being the Maker’s first world, but grew unsatisfied with how it was made. The beings dwelling in there didn't match his intentions, and he locked up the fade with a veil and created the material plane. Bran he looks through *The Rumours and Shadows of the Covens of Orion,* learning all of the covens and the witches in Orion have come from a central group back in Oris. The women all diverged from Oris, just as the Chorus calls the Maker’s wife, the book refers to the witches and hags of the covens as the many mistresses of the Archdemon of The Blight who seclude themselves from society to practice their craft for the next Blight. Talk about these women revolve around the practice of the dark arts, curses and hexes towards all sorts of people, the opening part of the book says the original convent dabbles in blood magic, as was common place back then.

Hira finds herself frustrated, not getting far into her studies. The two put away their books before Bran asks to visit the Cathedral, which Hira accompanies him. As they leave, Hira notices the librarian follows them with their gaze, having a suspicious look on their face, with her remembering the books they had taken. Once leaving the library doors she warns Bran of their suspicion, but not to do anything strange as they don't seem intent on following.

Meanwhile Anhir and Oriza find themselves in the Moonvale Trading Block. Anthir catches Oriza with a list in hand of different produce, moving through the marketplace in search of different stalls. They approach a Gnome woman's stall, who claims to have the best prices as she sells by weight. Oriza isn't convinced, but Anthir checks the produce and finds it to be rather fresh. Approving this, Oriza buys the ingredients needed before heading to a butcher's stall. A Goliath serves them, and they tip them an extra silver for helping them with directions to other stalls.

Oriza stops to buy birdseed for Mint before the two of them head to a bakery. Oriza calls Anthir a bread connoisseur, asking them to pick out some bread to go with a spicy stew. Anthir picks out a few loaves of bread along with a few desserts. Leaving the bakery, Oriza asks to use the Bag of Holding to hide their things, leaving Anthir to only hold the desserts and bread. As they walk through the streets they spot Hira and Bran walking towards the Cathedral. Upon asking what they bought, Oriza lies saying just the breads. The four of them head to the Cathedral together, seeing the statue of a hooded figure of the Maker in the altar space. Along the ceiling there is a woman with flaming red hair on a horseback, sword up high with the Maker's visage behind her, known to be Vhanya, the Maker's wife.

Vhanya appears in multiple murals in the Cathedral, seemingly deeply integrated to The Chorus' religious practices as the Grand Priestess. Offerings of fruit an flowers are settled by the statues. Bran searches to find someone praying, spotting a rugged man in prayer. Casting Detect Thoughts, Bran looks into the mans mind listening to his prayer. He hears the man begging to Vhanya for his wife's health, as the Maker has abandoned them he hopes she hadn't as well. Pulling back from his thoughts feeling as he's intruded, he and Hira exit the Cathedral. Meanwhile Oriza converses with Anthir outside, asking him to distract the others as he goes ahead towards the inn with the Bag of Holding. Anthir agrees, and Oriza heads off on their own.

Arriving back at the Harbour's Cove, Oriza requests to use their kitchen. After clarifying that they were with Anthir, the bartender and owner, Mio, agrees to let them use the kitchen before the dinner rush arrives. Thanking him, Oriza heads to the kitchen to preps a stew using Calypso's recipe cards, and meets Mio's father, Resan. Whilst conversing with him, Anthir, Hira, and Bran arrive back to the inn to greet Mio, who mentioned their friend is currently busy in the kitchen. Mio motions to the group a reserved booth he set aside for them. Bran stares at Mio, with his insight he can tell his attraction towards Anthir. Mio winks to Bran, before excusing himself to continue working.

Bran talks about Mio to Anthir, who deems the half-orc to be rather cool. Bran agrees saying he could be a good friend, but Anthir thinks they won't be here long enough for anything to happen. Bran wonders what the two were talking about a kitchen deal. Anthir, unable to keep the secret, reveals to them both of Oriza's plan to cook one of Calypso's meals for them. Hira doesn't acknowledge this as she's too in her own head staring at the table. Feeling her frustration sink in, she dwells in her own discomfort.

Oriza returns to the table with a clay pot filled to the brim with a rich red stew. They set a bowl in front of Hira, gaining her attention with the familiar scent. As she takes a sip she begins to cry, to which Oriza offers her bread to go with her meal. As the four of them eat, Mint tries to drink some but can't handle the spice, diving into Oriza's water glass. Bran grabs Mint from his glass, chiding him for his lack of manners. Oriza sets out birdseed for Mint, saying it's not the first time they've drank bird bathwater. They elaborate saying in the palace they grew up in, royal children often gave them dares.

Afar Mio witnesses these shenanigans, bringing Oriza a new water glass, and asks if there's anything he can do. Hira asks for an strong ale. Bran sends Anthir to the bar to retrieve the drink and another pamphlet for himself. Anthir complies, heading to the bar waiting for Mio to finish serving another customer. Completely forgetting to ask for the map, Anthir asks for a drink instead. Mio begins to show off trying to impress them, with a critical success Anthir is aware of this. Mio offers to walk him back and walks behind him to ensure Anthir doesn't bump into anyone. Arriving back to the table, Bran asks if he can order wine, to which Mio offers alternatives before agreeing. He comes back with a wine filled glass, but is clear to Bran its grape juice.

Hira finishes her first ale, passing a constitution save. She flags down another server requesting another. As everyone is having conversation, eating well, few glances exchanged between the table and the bar, Bran asks from Anthir for the key and goes up to the rooms. As the dinner rush begins to calm down, the door opens once more. Mio greets them, saying it's nice to see her again, as Riya walks in with her Grandma.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### **New**

* Mio Griwald
* Resan Griwald
* Unnamed Gnome Woman
* Unnamed Goliath Man