Episode 22: A Weapon Forged

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**October 14, 2020**

We began with the looming completion of Koko Dotharl's weapon, two days away. In the interim, we had a few important scenes. Firstly, Koko and Ridgely went on a walk around the Arcanum while Ridgely finally taught her the pirate's code. He indicated that there would be a test later on, so Koko wrote it all down.

Next, the group went to meet with Bookkeeper Volyn to try to get some information about how to get into the Towenaar Tower and what has happened with Dienaar Josephine. Ridgely's attempts at persuading her to give out some information were unsuccessful, but Koko convinced her to accept some information on the technology of her world. She told Volyn about the airships and other war machines, and in exchange Volyn revealed that Josephine is effectively quarantined due to the assumed death of Towenaar Nevarre, and is being interviewed regarding all of the events.

After this, the group set up a meeting with the Towenaar of Theology, Iamys to discuss the Fey. Upon their arrival the next morning at the Towenaar's office, he invited them in revealing an old halfing with ringed, white hair wearing a nice suit and gold bracelets with glass baubles containing glowing lights. Rhistel began the conversation asking about the Fey, at which point the Towenaar said he assumed they wanted to know more about their mission, not something unrelated like the Fey. They changed topics to discuss the Hands of the Arcanum and general theology. Finally, the conversation turned back to the Fey and Rhistel's knowledge of it. Rhistel told the story of how he had previously visited the Fey, he summoned his unicorn spirit who nuzzled against the Towenaar. Rhistel attempted to persuade Iamys to talk about the fey, and he rolled a critical success (with inspiriation). This led to a fairly large disclosure in information about the Fey including the fact that the Arcanum intends to send some hands to investigate the corruption. He offers that they could be those hands once they return from their current mission, if they are successful. This would mean the method to get there would be revealed to them, and that of course it is difficult to return but not impossible - more information would be given if they prove themselves on their current mission. Lastly, Muud asked the Towenaar about the gate that is the target of their current mission, though not too much information was revealed. Mainly that they want to know more, that their mission is reconnaissance. Muud also asked about the underwater temple that was revealed to him by his entity during the meteor storm. Iamys told the about a people who were rumored to live under the water, but no credible evidence had yet been found. Muud also asked about the Bay of Aalam, and Iamys gave him some information about its location to the north of Highgate.

We finally skipped to the morning of Koko's weapon being finished. Koko woke early and made her way to Craftmaster Ashfall's workshop, where she encountered Josephine waiting for her. They had a nice reunion, and Josephine looked alright, though exhausted. They made their way into the workshop where Ashfall brought them into his office. He then revealed the crafted soul weapon, which is a long, sleek halberd with a spear tip and a dragon whose wing tips form the edge of the blade. Ashfall spoke of the soul fragment, at which point Josephine realized that Koko had given some of her soul to craft the weapon. Koko reassured her that it was fine and that it would be worth the sacrifice. Josephine and Koko then made their way back to the dining hall to eat some breakfast where they ran into Rhistel, Muud, Ridgely, and Luberos. Koko showed off her weapon and the others and catchup conversations with Josephine. Koko wants to fight either Ridgely or Luberos to break in her new weapon, but first Ridgely gives her a pop quiz on the pirate's code. He then has her swear an oath to uphold the code and become a pirate, officially.

Finally, they made their way to Volyn to discuss the mission and Josephine departs back to her quarters. On the way, Ridgely asked Josephine about scrying magic, and she told him to ask Dienaar Nolan. Ridgely revealed their relationship is not good, and asked Josephine to try to intervene on his behalf to which she agreed. They continue on to to the library to meet with Volyn. They see she is not at her desk, but instead she is up some stairs on one of the balconies. Luberos climbs to meet her and cashes in Koko's information for his one question. He shows her the map and the sigil, and she examines them. She doesn't recognize the connection, but finds an Atlas that has a nearly identical map to the one Luberos showed her. She searches nearby pages and finds another map that is more zoomed in, and on it they see the Dark Sigil marking a small town roughly 20 miles to the southwest of Frigate with the label Stormcap's Manor. She says she will do some research about the town and the manor and will have more to tell him when they return from their mission. There we ended.