Back on Cydra
It is the first day of Rainmonth when the party steps through a rainbow back into Var.*
Having returned to Cydra, our heroes are faced with a dilemma: Marius' warning- a warning from a one-time enemy that they negotiated their way out of direct conflict with, one that now seems to need their aid, according to Sybele. She, for one, knows that she must respond to his need- but she has no idea how to get ahold of him.
He'll get ahold of me when he's ready, she figures- quite correctly, in fact.
The party discusses their recent low-magic experience and Orbius'
legend lore, which seems to imply a way to return Arba to a more normal (to them, anyway) magical condition. In the end, though, they decide that it's none of their business and probably more trouble than it's worth.
Almost immediately after their return they check in on the
simulacra of King Malford and Orbius. Though the group is more than a little paranoid, everything seems fine at first glance. The L tries to instill doubts in the
simulacra about their ability to function as individuals by pointing out that "everywhere you go there are more of you," but Orbius intervenes and sends his duplicate off on an errand.
"You should give me more respect," Malford's
simulacrum gripes, "I'm a King."
Finally, as the afternoon shadows lengthen and the western sky turns red as the sun sinks in the sea for the second half of its daily journey, the party settles in to sleep a restful sleep for the first time in what seems like forever. Zonzor is fascinated and a little frightened by the wonders around him, especially the many non-human creatures like those he's fallen in with. Elves, dwarves, gnomes, half-bloods of various kinds- he spirals into dreams of strange demons and weird lands.
When morning rises on the next day the party sets out on a number of individual errands. Zonzor sticks with Angelfire. He doesn't know the language, law or customs, and he seems unlikely to stay out of trouble on his own, so the Coilite gladly accepts his company and they go to a weaponsmith, Angel looking for a scythe. After a long search, he finds one, but it's well out of his price range. Sensing the problem and understanding that a local guide is very important, Zonzor plunks down almost 20,000 gp to help the purchase along! Meanwhile, at the L's direction, Orbius scries out one of Lester's old apprentices- a man named Anvar, brought to mind by a casual comment of Horbin's. After locating him, the Eye issues a
sending to him, asking him to come speak to Lester about
his experiences with the clockwork horrors aboard the steelships. Anvar seems reluctant- he appears to have retired to a simple life in the mountains, farming a small plot and spending much of his time in meditation, but with a snort, Lester determines to go to him as soon as is viable.
Lester also announces an official adventurers' meeting at sundown.
"Who the f*ck are you to call an 'official' meeting?" Sybele demands.
"I don't recall an election making you party leader," Horbin retorts when the L tries to open his mouth.
"Well, look, I just want to get everyone together and talk about things-"
There's another general outpouring of anti-authoritarianism from the party, until Drelvin says, "You can make this a lot easier by promising us all beer," and Lester seizes the idea with both hands (now that his arm's been restored) and enthusiastically agrees.
As the afternoon draws on, Sybele challenges Drelvin to an archery contest. He declines with a sardonic grin and escorts her to his regiment of crack archers drilling on the fields. Although Thrush and Horbin both give him a little ribbing, Drelvin snorts and replies, "I don't need to prove anything." Sybele takes the opportunity to wow the troops with her skill, but several of them are roughly as good with a bow as she is, and so the afternoon slips by. Thrush stays with his woman- increasingly showing her pregnancy- and watches her muscles admiringly, never admitting even to himself that her newly increased size makes him doubt his ability to satisfy her.
Drelvin keeps a sly eye on the ice-born
simulacra. He's a guardian, and he definitely doesn't want any trouble from a false Malford.
Horbin, deep in contemplation in his temple, prays for guidance. He wonders whether it's appropriate to aid Lester, an agent of elemental good. After all, conservative Galadorians would say that all faiths other than the worship of the Light (Galador, his son Dexter and the Emperor Prayzose) are deceived and are, in truth, the worship of Bleak, the Black Sun. But somehow, Horbin can't accept that point of view- he thinks back to
the raving of a madman on a Peshan street long ago. It's all about the good, he thinks, and comes to the rather startling realization that, as priests of Dexter go, he's a liberal progressive. He's willing to aid other faiths of good nature- by the Abyss, even evil faiths, if it's for a good cause! He can't help but wonder what Sheva is doing... how her life is going on Tirchond. He recalls other clerics he's aided in the past, such as his old friend Clambake... and Anvar, an elementalist and magma paraelementalist that he dealt with years ago. Another old friend.
And, of course, when the L's meeting comes, it's to talk about Anvar. "I propose we go to visit him," Lester says, and Horbin gladly agrees, though the rest of the group neither knows him nor sees the point.
Orbius agrees to teleport himself, the L and Horbin to Anvar, but first he offers a suggestion that piques the interest of the group. "We could send our
simulacra out to infiltrate the bad
simulacra," he offers. Between Marius' ominous message and the fact that
Malford's sim was already approached once, some time ago, by a subversive simulacrum, the party's a little concerned. In the end, however, they decide that the risks are at least as great as the potential rewards and decide to hold off.
As Lester's meeting dissolves, Horbin, Orbius and he prepare to go visit Anvar...
*This is the same date that the other group's tale will begin (the political thread, yet to be titled and a little while yet before I write it up- we need to play out the second session before I can start, lest things be revealed prematurely!). Note that said tale will feature the return of Captain Clambake!
Another note about the political adventure- it will relate, albeit not super directly (at least at first) to this one. I'll keep 'em seperate, though.
Next Time: A visit with Anvar! Dinner with the Queen! And a definite sign that Felenga hasn't forgotten our heroes!
