Some Kind of Closure

Foghorn, Horse of Orion Brightward

Some Kind of Closure is the twenty-second session of Campaign 1 and the final session of "So, the War". In the session, Arine, Darcy and Orion attend the memorial service for those lost in The Battle of Brannagh's Bridge, say goodbye to old friends, and have an encounter to the West.

The following contains spoilers for the Tale of Locksmith's Bane.

## Plot

Moon Day 3 Ilmoro 1021 TE

"We're glad you did to," Orion responds to Edhron the Mighty, "You weren't badly hurt?"

"I cut my finger," Fentos the Cruel replies, dropping the weighty table. "Oh shit."

"Fentos!" Edhron yells at his brother, before returning to Locksmith's Bane. They agree to meet with them as soon as the memorial service ends, to go home, not wishing to catch themselves in anymore fights for the time being. The evening fast approaching, the adventurers return to the Mansion of the Silver Knight, where they find Yremi has cooked up a delightful meal for Miriam, Helena, and Céline. The trio join them. Although Miriam is expectedly quite, the group enjoy their first meal together since the war, Darcy casts some prestidigitation spells with Céline, making her laugh. Before sleeping, Darcy unwinds by writing to his brother; Arine reads about the city of Saqaris and the road ahead; Orion helps Yremi with the dishes.

Sun Day 4 Ilmoro 1021 TE

The next day, Locksmith's Bane run some errands, spending the majority of the day stocking up with what little supplies remained in the city. Darcy purchased some healing potions and crossbow bolts, Arine purchases some arrows, and Orion left his armour to be repaired at the busy blacksmith's. Darcy also posts the letter to his brother, and makes a stop at Tyler's Tailors. He walks in. Sandra is fixing ripped clothes of warriors, drentched in blood.

"Darcy?" she calls to him, rushing over to see the Lord.

"Hi," he sheepishly replies, echoing the tones of Arine.

"How are you?"

"I'm good," Darcy lies. He displays to her his shirt. "There's a few rips, I was wondering if you could fix it up for old time's sake?"

"Of course," Sandra eagerly snatches the material from him. Her demeanor changes, more reserved. "No blood."

"Prestidigitation is a wonderful cantrip," Darcy assures her. She chuckles, "I can fix this right now if you want, it'll only take a second." She looks up to Darcy, "Would that be alright?" Darcy smiles, melancholy. "I'll just wait over there."

Darcy waits for what feels like only a minute. Sandra had an immense talent for sowing, able to intricately stitch up his fine shirt in no time. He wishes he could sit, engulfed in the fine linen of a fine tailor a little longer. But his minute is up. Sandra wanders to her would-be suitor, handing back his precious cloth. "Thank you, for looking after my grandmother and me," Sandra shares his melancholy smirk. Delicately, she gestures to the front pocket of Darcy's shirt. There, she had placed an embroided pocket square with the initials 'D.H.'.

"Thank *you*," Darcy returns to his tailor. "I'll see you at the memorial service tomorrow. But then we're on our way."

"Well, there'll be many people there." Sandra explains, "So, if not, this is goodbye." She leans towards Darcy, lifting her lips to his forehead. He happily accepts her friendly kiss. "Farewell then, Sandra."

"Farewell."

Gold Day 5 Ilmoro 1021 TE

Morning arrives on the Memorial Day of Pontoporea. Locksmith's Bane prepare themselves for the service. Darcy shaves; Orion prays; Arine see visions of the future. They reconvene in the hallway with Miriam, Helena, Céline, and Yremi. Cygnus had left at the crack of dawn. The party progress to the Cathedral of Sune in The Castle's Keep. Guards remain around the perimiter of the cathedral. Protests continue, now silent, respectful of the dead, with banners waving: "And what of Wolbeth?" Locksmith's Bane and their friends are guided towards the front of the cathedral. Helena and Miriam are ask to follow the guards to a special area of the church. As the surivors of the war pack themselves together. Darcy sweats, "there's so many people, what if they strike again?" he whispers to Arine. "Shhh" Orion proclaims to the warlock, resuming his prayers. Arine shrugs her shoulders.

Cygnus walks up to the altar, surrounded by healing clerics of each of the Typhrenian gods. He introduces the day with a morning prayer to Ilmater on the sacrifices made for war. Followed by an extensive reading of members of the city who had fallen victim to the empire's attack. Theodore Humble, The Mayor of Pontoporea, is confirmed to all as having perished in the battle; alongside two members of The Eagles, Hennon Ashwood and Kylic Brewster. Orion lsitens out for the Clocksmith and Wool merchant, knowing they are among the names he does not recognise. The numerous guards of the city who gave their lives are named. The adventurers learn the fates of Kristopher and Charlie against the Giant Vultures. After the extensive list, Cygnus introduces to the stage thirty two fighters who are to be named 'Knights of Pontoporea', including Miriam, Helena, and Turatyl. Notably, Elvina, the Unnatural does not appear to join her. Choirs sing hymns, silences are had, and Cygnus ends the ceremony with a nod to Locksmith's Bane:

"And finally, I would like to thank the courageous group known as Locksmith's Bane, not only for their service to this city, but for their service to this world. Please speak to Uthank at the end of the ceremony."

The crowds slowly trickle out of the cathedral and mourners ajourn to the joining cemetary. Inside, the confused band of misfits waddle towards the professor behind the podium, ignoring the Archmage on their way. Uthank greets the adventurers and professes to them that the city couldn't let them go without some kind of reward. He begins with Arine, fighter of sea creatures, saviour from fire, to which he grants a Bookmark of Riverstream, a light blue, wavy ribbon to be tied to one's wrist. Uthank asks Arine to stroke the wrist in a memorable pattern. To which she does, activating its powers. She summons a light blue bookshelf before her, powered by the ribbon. On the bookshelf, 24 books can be stored.

For Darcy, Noble gentleman of the Kingdom of Thorn, a Scholar's Quill and Notebook is offered. The set consists of a gold-tipped feather and an ornate, gold-decorated white book. Uthank explains that the gold tip is enchanted in such a way that no matter where the user writes, it will write in the book instead. For Orion, Holy Paladin of Ilmater, Cygnus wished for him to have some Ribbons of Ilmater, from his personal collection. Once a day, wearer may use the ribbon's healing properties to take their own health and gift it to another (restoring HP up to 5x their class level). WIth their gifts, the group thank Uthank, who also offers a scholarship to Arine should she return, and should the college recollect enough books. She declines for now, choosing, instead to return to the quest at hand.

Locksmith's Bane leave the cathedral. "Do we have-" Orion's mothering question is interupted by Darcy swiftly moving away from the party. "What's he doing?" The paladin turns to the wizard. Arine shrugs her shoulders. Through the crowd, Darcy runs up to Jimothy, untying his horse from a cemetary's oak. The Lords embrace in a hug. "Is this farewell?" Jimothy asks of Darcy.

"Take this!" Darcy interjects, handing him his gold-tipped feather quill, and eagerly holding up his ornate book, "you can write with this anywhere and it will appear in this book. If you need any help, just write to me. I'll check it."

"Um... okay..." Jimothy takes his gift, and reassures Darcy once more that he will try to learn as much as he can about the shadows in Xan. "Stay safe," Darcy reminds his noble friend. Jimothy hops upon his steed. "Thank you, for coming," says Darcy. "Thank you, for surviving," says Jimothy. He trots away.

Meanwhile, the newly knighted Helena and Miriam meet with Orion and Arine once again.

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO A LACK OF TIME, THIS SESSION HAS YET BEEN WRITTEN UP.

Pray Day 6 Ilmoro 1021 TE