That Athory Update

[lathany]

Slightly late, but never mind.

The day began on Leonides' Island. Following the discussions at the end of the previous session, Taronus (chrisvenus) and Heleth (venta) sailed to Haven and walked from the Port to the Court of the Keeper, the Duke-Heir Herris. Following the pre-sailing debate, the duo failed to mention the demise of the Duke-Mage Leonides and instead indicated that he was battling against the Lirrisorn in his own way.

Taronus gained Herris' agreement that mages from Leonides island would be able to travel to and from Haven without fear of arrest and a plan to share empathy magic and thus protect the remaining Snake Isles was accepted. The nobility of Haven gave their support and the Lathanians left the city feeling that a fragile agreement had been reached.

Back on the island, much research was in progress. The empathy mages were planning their spells of fortification and researching the words of Lady Morna (of Star Castle). Lady Morna had theorised that the source of magic in Athory had originated in or under the land. Meanwhile, the dance mage plowed through history books to discover that a treaty had been agreed between the last King of Athory and the Lirrisorn. The place of signing was Star Castle and the Lathanians decided that any written record would, most likely, be found there.

PC-wise, Lady Bryanna (quisalan) spent the morning researching strategy magic in the Book of Fortune, Lord Roland (ao_lai) perused the Book of Dance, Gref (bateleur) wandered the island and Tengath (chrestomancy) retreated to the cave of Letizia and began to magically investigate the strands of the gemstone and the paths it followed. As he did so, a daring, dangerous and GM-unanticipated plan occurred to him.

Tengath waited for Taronus' return, then gathered all the mages into the little Letizia room. With their agreement he took over their abilities with the aim of re-establishing the link between the gemstone trail and the island of Teriaja. After a truely magnificent effort, he succeeded! Admittedly it left him unconscious, the other mages exhausted and most without power; but Teriaja once again rose from beneath the waves.

The party celebrated. Taronus tried (but failed) to contact the Court of the Keeper to warn him of their success or the resulting tidal wave. Tengath slept. And slept.

Lady Bryanna, Taronus and Gref returned to Chir Shrine. There they spoke with the Duchess Louise and discovered that King Imharn's army were marching from Orbassa Spires to Varitor Stones. Consequently Duchess Louise had given orders for her own army to march on Orbassa Spires looking to retake the city or, at least, persuade the King's army back from Yarrow's territory.

The three Lathanians also visited Irika's Tower. There they saw the newly-raised island with their own eyes. There were no signs of people, which was not unexpected, and no signs of Lirrisorn either. However many of the dwellings now showed additional, odd, work. Lady Bryanna also visited the estate, stopping to take reports from the household and to collect food for the island.

Meanwhile, back in the Snake, the Ordiriss reporting a disturbing sight to Heleth. It seemed that a number of Lirrisorn had been placed on the island beach, each neatly laid out with a bag of stones on its stomach. Heleth interpreted this as a declaration that the island would be attacked and the mages sent out a defensive force whilst Roland travelled back to Chir Shrine for help.

Back in the Dry Duchy he asked for the assistance of the Duchess. The result was ten Blades lead by Lord Ordacory. They travelled through the portal and began their patrol of the beaches. Roland also collected Lady Bryanna, Taronus and Gref and brought all three back.

The Blades and mages formed a successful alliance, repulsing several attacks throughout the evening and night. By morning, only the Lirrisorn had experienced losses and the group hoped to have put them off a second wave of attacks.

Meanwhile Lady Bryanna, Lord Roland, Taronus, Gref and the now-awake Tengath used the throne map to teleport to Carnival. There they walked to the Lonely Office and spoke with the Priestess Raetrin. She told them that Elias had disappeared whilst attempting to capture the royal jewels. His attempt had been timed to intercept Imharn's thieves, after they had taken the jewels from the Masked Duchy mages. Whilst he had not returned, neither of the other groups seemed to hold the jewels. Consequently the party decided that Elias had involuntarily disappeared and began to search the underground passages for him - the last place he had been seen.

They found a portal near the Lonely Office, they all stepped through it and it closed behind them. On the other side was an odd sight. A boys' dormitory, a line of beds on each side holding children between the ages of four and twelve. Things scuttered between the beds, and around the feet of the party. Large rats, spiders and other... creatures. Keen to move on, Gref headed out into the corridor only to discover a giant creature resembling a ten-legged spider.

The entire party quickly moved to help whilst Gref shot under the nearest bed, looking for an opportunity to sneak past it. Tengath proved an impressive staff-fighter whilst Lord Roland wielded Jiri Dhan to good effect. Then Gref saw his chance and dashed past to promptly back-stab the creature.

Soon the party had triumphed and the creature lay dead on the floor. However, there was no way back and they had no idea what else might await them as they travelled onward...



As ever, comments and additions welcomed.

Comments

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

However many of the dwellings now showed additional, odd, work.

Not all that odd - it was fairly clear to us that they had been adapted by the Lirrisorn for habitation.

[chrisvenus]

Lady Bryanna, Taronus and Gref returned to Chir Shrine.

I odn't think I ever went to Chir Shrine apart form when we finally left leonides island. I remember being the one staying on the island worrying about if they were going to come back to help with the attack that I felt sure was coming... :)

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, I just had this idea that three people went. Maybe Tengath was the other one.

[chrisvenus]

I think that may be right. In fact as I think about it it definitely was because I remember the comedy scenes of kids chasing him down the street and him passing his statue. :)