Session 43

**Session 43 of the Eden campaign** took place August 21 (In Erideon morning 3 September to night 3 September).

## Summary

The Suspects partake in a conversation of dubious morality at The Frostview. After JoJo leaks the story to the press, the Suspects follow clues towards Curioll Nirmarth through Roulan, eventually tracing his academic initials (NCC) to the Briarfell Pharmacy, a small alchemical boutique run by the talented alchemist, the gnome Lorilla. After some prodding, she finally recognizes the Suspects and administers a potion that transports them to the Hunting Grounds, the Chaotic good plane, where they meet Master Nirmarth and Lumiyax -- who is apparently now in possession of Iago's former draconic soul. Gwyon de Glauver and Gradius the Wanderer, friends of Nirmarth, arrive to examine Iago, while Lumiyax follows the party to Tenpenny Tavern for the contest of Barcraft. Presided by none other than the King, Laurence II Istiniac, JoJo wins the first prize, securing the suspects a spot to infiltrate the Royal Palace -- one of their best opportunities to find the phylactery that grants access to the City of Tears, that was once in the Drowned Land.

## Synopsis

### Contest of Bardcraft

#### Short-form, invective

Who lived in a fine glassy dwelling,
He fell through his bed,
Went smack on his head,

Who hadn't a clue what his wants are,
He asked for a priest,
To make his woes cease,

Who thought they could get a crowd on.
They bantered all day,
To others' dismay,

#### Long-form, serious

A silent kiss and foeman's woe,
Giants fall before his aim,

I'll tell you a tale of Huron untold!
He thinks himself a champ with a bow,
But when's the last time you saw his shots go?
A miracle thing, he made it himself,
But it's built backwards, and twists like an elf!
The man's quick of foot, foes can't land a hit
But he's blown up twice, and vanished in wit.
Quiet as the wind, he'd like you to think
But by cover of night, he broke roof with a plink!
Owlishly gazing, none escape his sight
Yet goblin and child be end of his might.
And if you would doubt a word that I say,

## Quests

### Ongoing

* **The Frequent Suspects II (Huron):** Await further instructions from Kyrie Vareauna, who will be made general on Sept 3. In the meantime, gather the resources you will require to infiltrate the Royal Palace.
* **The City of Tears (Everyone):** Find and explore the mysterious city of Aldenburgh, now known to be the ancient Serpentfolk city of Shihen Ahen, where ancient lore claims that the Great Conqueror first stepped foot on the "unknown." Now known to be a demiplane, only accessed via the phylactery in the Royal Palace. Shihen Ahen is one of the locations where many important events in history transpired, and may be critical to understanding what exactly the Vessels are.
* **The Legacy of the Great Ones (Everyone):** Find information of Neia's whereabouts from the Hellborn in the Netherworld. Two phylacteries can be used to access this plane: one in the Royal Palace, and one somewhere in Freienthal. Neia might be able to help you glean more information about your status as a vessel for a draconic soul.

### Character

* **Blood and Mead (Ulfgar):** Investigate the Frostview. Join the Iceball tourney with the Thunderbeards, possibly recruiting other Suspects to that end.
* **Hey, that's my stuff! (Iago and Huron):** Get your stuff back and confront Prospero about his relationship with the White Covenant.

### Completed

* **‘The bitterness of Life!’ (JoJo and others):** Participate in the contest of bardcraft in Tenpenny Tavern. JoJo has won the competition, and the handsome 2000 gold sum of the first prize.
* **Plaster Saints (Everyone):** Help the students of Nirmarth with their ambition to discredit the White Covenant. (a) return the stolen items to Nirmarth at his workshop by following the secret signs from the King's Plaza to get discounts on magical items, (b) find a way to publish the information you have collected about the church in the newspapers of Roulan, and (c) find a way to contact Windelarius Hann to collect your reward. With the Covenant discredited, their base of support in Roulan will be substantially eroded.