Session 57

* Cathedral of Kellos Underground Area
* Sewers
* Abandoned Secret Lair of a Dwarven Alchemist
* Secret Daqanite League Safehouse

**Previously...**

## And Now...

With Nyarduke having claimed his sword from the mysterious Ironbound, Seraphim, the crew prepare to return. On their way, they stop off and spend half an hour ransacking the Alchemist's lair, collecting a large number of potions, ingredients, alchemical supplies and equipment before returning to the League safehouse.

### Attack by Night.

While the others were out, Leshrac took the opportunity to see of Bellia Sephone had any more information on what Torvic's plan was. Still somewhat groggy and unfocussed, she said that at one point, she overheard Torvic saying to his gnome artificer second that they would "attack by night." Unfortunately, she couldn't recall anything else of significance.

At this point, Bea reappeared and informed Leshrac that the Shadow Conclave had decided on a course of action should the heroes fail to prevent Torvic's scheme though, she confessed, she hoped it wouldn't come to that. At that point, she went back to preparing tea and food as she suspected the others would be back soon. Leshrac briefly chatted to her about Trev the ghost, but she seemed oddly cagey on the subject.

Before he could press her further, the others did indeed return, everyone was filled in on what the other group had done and they sat down to discuss their next course of action. Leshrac shared Lady Bellia's warning and they considered what it could mean. With extremely rare exceptions, the Conclave never convenes at night.

Looking over the various books Dandy captured from the Silver Crescent, as well as the League's own library, the heroes try to find exceptions and, as it turns out, the only times the Conclave as met at night was **(a)** when new, but pressing business was introduced late in the day and debate extended into the night, or **(b)** when it was decreed by the King.

Without a king, the second option seems unlikely, however, if an incident re-occurs when, historically, the King did call a late meeting, a Baron may invoke precedent. The crew checked the circumstances under which the King called emergency meetings and it came down either to emergency War Councils during times of Darkness or, on one occasion when the King's son was accused of treason (rightly, as it turned out).

Gar briefly suggested that it was possible Torvic may have said, "Attack by *Knight*". If he has the Steward under his thumb, he may be able to use the Citadel for a military coup. The likelihood was low, especially given the degree to which he had been influencing things towards a political coup. But not impossible, given vampires' traditional love both of wordplay and contingencies.

### An Accounting of Assets.

The team decide that their next priority should be getting Giana and Dondras out of captivity. Before they do, however, they should take a full accounting of the resources they have to do so. Dandy presents the group with the Master Key and Rough Map she got off Leshrac's contact, and informs the group of what she's managed to learn. They then turned to Harper, who'd been brought in specifically for his talents at infiltration. While quite complete, his information was somewhat less heartening than Dandy's, and it was quite obvious that the Citadel's anti-magic defenses were quite potent. At this point, there was also some discussion about ghost armies and spirit dragons and it was discovered that Harper has "less than sanguine" feelings about dragons in general.

They also decided to investigate the items they had received from Seraphim. Until this point, they really hadn't slowed down long enough to do so. Drawing them all out, they arrayed them on the table.

* **Leshrac's Plate.** When food (above a certain amount and quality) is placed on the plate. All those who wish to dine are compelled to contribute something of themselves to the meal. All those who eat the food are then able to draw on those aspects of their fellows for a time.
* **Goldie's Amulet.** Charging the amulet imparts a supernatural aura of authority and influence on the wearer. Those affected must already be inclined towards at least listening to the wearer.
* **Gar's Censer.** The bowl has a runebound shard within it. When lit, the smoke billows forth and causes the effects of the shard to be scattered across a large area. The shard in it initially is one which causes fear in those affected.
* **Dandy's Book.** If asked a question, and then opened, the book will fall open to a page which gives information on the question posed. Described as 'knowing a little about almost everything', the more complex or difficult the question, the more the answer will be cryptic and/or incomplete (Unfortunately, the book is also entirely written in Olde Elvish, a language few of the party reads fluently).
* **Nyarduke's Sword.** *(Was not identified, as Jonathan was unable to play).*

Harper offers up a runebound shard - the shadow shard - for Gar to use in the censer. The security, he explains, will prevent most magic from being cast, but won't necessarily affect existing magical effects. If Gar can use the censer to transform the crew into living shadows, they may be able to easily enter without being seen, which makes the only problem getting back out with Giana and Dondras. Gar uses the Censer, and it works. He then uses it to transform everyone back.

Dandy then consults the book to see if it can give further information. The book presents a cryptic warning - that using the shadow-censer will enable the team to rescue one of their friends. While at first seeming ominous, Dandy offers that the warning isn't necessarily set in stone. The rest of the team concurs. They can't afford to be constantly second-guessing themselves.

### A Regal Revelation.

Before the group leaves, Leshrac decides to consult Trev, the ghost. Bea seems to have been acting cagey when the topic comes up and, if nothing else, we know nothing about him. He may be able to provide essential information, and just leaving without it seems foolish. Initially, Trev seems a little petulant, "Oh, so *now* you want to talk to me?" but it soon becomes obvious that he's starved for stimulus and craves almost any interaction. He and Leshrac exchange pleasantries, and he keeps seemingly like he wants to say something, but Bea keeps cutting him short.

Tiring of this, Leshrac asks her point blank and she sighs and acquiesces. She grants Trev the leave to say what he's been trying to hint at.

'Trev' is the ghost of Trevnor Soulstone, the last King of Terrinoth, killed by the dragon Margath the Unkind when he attacked seeking a cache of Stars of Timmoran. For over eight hundred years, he has been advising the Daqanate League. He is not without power of his own. He was able to recognize LeSchrac's gemstone eye, and even knew of its double, though the other stone was beyond his ability to detect it.

Leschrac asked him if he wished to be released from his earthly bonds, but Trev indicated he needed time to think on it. Bea seemed somewhat disapproving of this, and the impression would appear to be that the members of the League would not be happy to not have a say in this decision. At the very least, they consider Trev's presence here an invaluable resource; one they may not be willing to give up easily.

One thing's for certain, while the introduction of the ghost of the last King of Terrinoth definitely complicates many matters, the need to get Gianna and Dondras rescued isn't one of them...