I think the main thing is that relations have improved over time. The work of Paranswarm in the Ecumenical Council has really pulled it towards being viewed as a lawful neutral, anti-Borsh'tro religion. But there's still lots of distrust and animosity. None of the PCs in this campaign like Paranswarm. We just think we need to work with the temple for the greater good. Also, the PCs are friendlier with Paranswarmians than we would have been because of the role of the Inquisitor General in saving their lives, sacrificing himself against the Noldar. That made a big impact. Before that point, I would say we really distrusted and disliked Paranswarm. Now we just distrust and dislike them, but need to work with them.
* * *
While Dame Brionna and Kit discussed matters with Grand Dame Sophia, Alistair responded to an urgent request from Lady Meredith the Dazzling of Northern Aurelian for a private meeting. In light of Lady Meredith’s sterling reputation, great power and influence, and close friendship with his grandmother, Alistair had immediately responded that he would be available at her convenience.
Lady Meredith was an elegant and stately half-elven woman. She was clearly very old, even for a half-elf, but she retained a graceful manner and alert, piercing eyes. In many ways, she reminded Alistair of his grandmother--not during her last days, but as she had been before he left Canberry. Lady Meredith was done up in cloth of laen, with the high glass worked to the point that it was flexible enough to be worn. Such a level of craftsmanship was so rare, even among the elves, that Alistair had never heard of laen cloth before, let alone seen it. Lady Meredith’s hair was done in long strands, with beads of laen and mithril worked in. The effect was tasteful and attractive, but Alistair knew enough to realize that she wore a large fortune as casual decoration. The Archmage stepped in and curtsied politely to Alistair, receiving a polite bow in return.
Lady Meredith began speaking without preamble. “Well, I must say, in these last few weeks you have done your grandmother proud, my dear. I come for three reasons: first, you have two orc hordes, the Horde of Fury in Caldra, plus another in Caligshire. There are nine hordes, in the west. You must defeat them quickly, to prevent the others from getting aggressive. For that reason, I offer the use of my battle disks.”
“Thank you, Lady Meredith.” The battle disks could travel faster and were more maneuverable than Canberry’s vollers. While they would not be able to evacuate many people or to carry an army into position, they would provide incomparable platforms for spell casters to rain attacks upon the hordes from a safe position. “We have already begun our response to the incursion, but your assistance will be most helpful and we gratefully accept it.”
“The second reason I have come is that I think you will need this kerchief. It is a neckpiece of the cavalier. When you are wearing it, you will gain the ability to ride most proficiently. I do not quite understand why you were not properly trained in horsemanship, but you may have need of riding skill, and this kerchief will remedy that deficiency.” [The neckpiece provides a +15 bonus to Ride checks.]
“We thank you for this gift as well. You should perhaps know of the background to that. I was, in fact, trained in horsemanship. However, the enemies of Canberry used a Thorian artifact set to erase my riding instructor from history. Along with all memories of the instructor, I lost all of the skills he taught. We have recovered the artifact and are seeking to obtain access to a Noldar crystal that would allow us to reverse its effects, but until we have done so, I will have certain deficiencies.”
Lady Meredith nodded thoughtfully. “I could not understand how Amelia could have allowed her son to neglect your education, but the use of hostile magic explains that. Have you lost other teachers?”
Alistair nodded. “My strategy instructor. And my mother.”
Lady Meredith shook her head sadly. “Great losses, indeed. This has explained much, but there is little I can do for now, beyond the neckpiece. I wish you good fortune in recovering the means to restore them.”
“Thank you.” Alistair paused. “You said that you came for three reasons, though. We have only discussed two.”
“The third reason I have already accomplished. I wanted to make it sure that you were actually you.”
“You know of the imposter, then.”
“Indeed. It was most difficult to determine without personal observation whether the Alistair that is here or the Alistair that is in the North was the true you. Had the alternate Alistair ascended to the Archducal throne… it hardly bears thinking on. I would have needed to intervene. Now, however, there is no doubt. You are Amelia’s grandson, and the one in the North is an imposter.”
