Once the Freaks have assumed their positions, Harald steps forward from the rear of the stage holding a wooden case. Lord Gyr steps up behind the Pathfinder team, spreading his arms over them.
"Thank you, everyone. It has been said that, "where there are brave men, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of honor." Today we pay tribute to fellow Absalomites who placed themselves in the thick of the fight - again and again and again. In so doing, they have earned our great city's highest decoration, the Aegis of Aroden. We the Grand Council are extrodinarily proud of them." He pauses as he is interrupted by wild cheering.
"On the night of the recent attack on our city by demons and forces of the shadow plane, these heroes stood up for everything this city represents. As mere audience memebers at the Irorium they rushed to put their own lives on the line to protect strangers against unimaginable evil, rather than seeing to their own family and friends first. They did not stop there! Indeed, they did not stop at all, fighting their way through the streets of the city towards the nexus of the evil which was assaulting our home."
"Because of their valor, hundreds are alive today that would otherwise lie cold and dead. Because of their courage, mothers and fathers made it home to their families. Because of their commitment in the thick of the fight, the other brave defenders of our city had role models to keep them going through the fear. Because of their humble example, our children, from the Puddles to the palaces, know that no matter who they are, or where they came from they can do great things as citizens of Absalom!" The crowd erupts in another round of applause, screaming the names of the Freaks.
"It is in recognition of these deeds, that I Lord Gyr of House Gixx, Primarch of Absalom, First Spell Lord and fellow citizen take supreme pleasure in presenting the Aegis of Aroden in the name of the Grand Council to Argor Blakros, Cladissa Velorryan, Gianluca the Honeyed, Grommesson Blakros and Sabrina Henderson, for conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty!"
As the applause crashes over the Freaks, Lord Gyr opens the case in Harald's hands and lays a large golden medal hanging from a blue silk ribbon over the neck of each of the Freaks. The medals are of beautiful craftsmanship, worked in an ornate version of the crest of Absalom Once he has placed the medals, he motions for the Freaks to rise. "Would any of you like to address your fellow citizens?"
A sudden thought strikes Cladissa while their deeds are recounted. She didn't want to address the crowd, but realizes that she must, if she was to continue her life as a servant of Iomedae. She rises at the invitation, fingering the heavy medal sitting between her breasts. Stepping forward, she almost quails at the sight of the masses arrayed in front of her, but she clears her throat and forces aside her fear.
"Thank you, Lord Gyr, for this honor and recognition. But you left someone out. In the middle of the fighting, we were beset by an undead creature of immeasurable power, that was far beyond our ability to withstand. Iomedae herself opened a portal, bringing reinforcements from the forces of Mendev to vanquish the nightshade. We were able to continue the fight, and perform our deeds, because of her blessings. Iomedae continues to watch over and protect Absalom."
She swallows, glancing back to her companions, and then back to the crowd. "I just wanted to say that. Thank you." She returns to her spot with the others.
The crowd falls into hushed whispers at this revelation, before deciding it makes the Freaks even more awesome. They applaud Cladissa, and she even hears some shouts of "I love you, Cladissa!"
Blushing hotly from the accolades and applause, Cladissa smiles and tugs at her hair flowing down past her shoulders. She waves politely with her other hand. This, this is unreal. She wants desperately to check over her shoulder, wondering if there is someone else much more famous just behind her, but she keeps hearing her own name shouted in the cheers.
Once none of the others seem to wish to speak, Argor stands from his kneeling position and steps forward.
”Lord Gyr. Honored Councilmen,” he begins with a bow in the direction of Lord Gyr and the gathered High Council, before turning back to the gathered masses and raising his voice, ”Revered guests and citizens of this great city. Thank you one and all for the accolades you have bestowed upon us. My companions and I are both humbled and elated to receive such high honors and praise. But as Cladissa said, we were not alone in our fight against this Onyx Alliance. Men and women of every walk of life rose up in this cities hour of need. Guardsmen. Adventurers. Pathfinders. Ordinary citizens of every walk of life fighting for their lives, their city, their freedom.”
He hangs his head a moment, ”Obviously, this was not a battle without losses. The toll of this assault is still being determined, but there are those of us...those of us who have lost people to whom we were close. Brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Friends. Comrades. Husbands...and wives.”
After a moment of silence he continues, ”This is not the first strike the Onyx Alliance has made against Absalom. They have tried and tried again to tear this city apart, but together, we” he holds open his arms in a gesture to include everyone present, from the gathered rulers to the crowds all the way in the bleachers, and begins to float above the crowd as he continues to speak, ”have proven them incapable of undoing all that this city has accomplished. Under the proven leadership of our most capable Primarch and the High Council, and with the might we have in our common cause of defending all this city stands for, we will continue to foil them at every turn. Defeat them in every battle, and ultimately tear their demonic alliance asunder!”
Some people moved by Argor's words, start crying. Others whip their breasts out. Girls (and a few boys) swoon, and the chant of "Argor! Argor!" echoes off the sky. The applause is just as thunderous as it is for the most revered bards of the Inner Sea, perhaps more so. People are blowing horns and throwing confetti as spellcasters in the audience send colorful bursts of light and illusory placards declaring their adoration into the air . For those looking, a brief flash of irritation crosses Lord Gyr's face as the length of the cheering exceeds what even he received.
Cladissa can't help a tear fall from her eye while Argor speaks, knowing that their task was not yet complete and the Alliance not yet defeated. But even through the pain of loss, be spoke of hope and unity. She smiles, even despite the tumult of accolades for the wizard -- she no longer felt concerned about the power he wields.
When Argor floats back to them, she takes his hand to give it a squeeze.
Gianluca steps forward and smiles with genuine love for the people before him.
He gives the crowd a rousing speech about the importance of freedom and pleasure and joy, especially when things are bleak, and vows to see this to the end.
Grommesson Blakros shadows Argor. Too nervous and too new to the Freaks to attempt a public address. It took all his willpower to not think of the throngs of people as a threat which would trigger an eruption of the beast within. He breathed deeply and stared over the crowds to center himself.
With the speeches finished, the Freaks assume their place on the yellow carpet at the side of the stage. Lord Gyr again takes center stage and motions off to an open area designated for the monument. There are several people standing around it who appear to be arcane spell casters.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my friends and fellow citizens. Please turn your attention to the Memorial of Remembrance, revealed now for the first time!"
The casters begin chanting and soon a massive animated 'statue' springs into existence. The illusion is a very flattering rendition of the Freaks as they appeared on the night of the attack, standing between a humongous hovering black dragon and a family of four humans - a father, a mother, a boy and a girl. The Freaks spring into action, striking the dragon down with blade, spell and claw in a scene which definitely did not occur that night. The battle is accompanied by loud sounds and smells, which send the crowd into shrieks of excitement and terror. The fifty foot tall animated battle scene eventually freezes with the victorious Freaks posing over the decapitated head of the dragon, each with a foot (or other appropriate limb) planted on its skull. The family is preserved in a pose of tearful thankfulness beside them. The whole thing appears to sit on a huge marble pedestal, thirty foot on a side and ten feet tall, engraved with hundreds of names of those who fell that night.
Gyr waits for the crowd to quiet. "And now, a minute of silence for those that have fallen." Everyone (except for a few uncooperative children) fall to silence, their hats doffed in respect. When the time comes, Lord Gyr claps his hands once to break the mood. "We the Grand Council thank you all for coming to remember the sacrifices this great city has made, and the heroes who keep us safe. We bid you now adieu, for in the words of Lord Blakros, 'we will continue to foil them at every turn'. The Freaks must resume their work in rooting out any evil haunting our streets, and we Councilors that of rebuilding all that we hold dear. Go now under the watchful eyes of our district guards, return to your own parts in making this the City at the Center of the World!" He bows, and is followed by the other Councilors. Another fanfare blares across the field, this time signaling the end of the ceremony. The Grand Councilors wait for the Freaks to clear the stage, and then follow them off to the backstage area.
Once everyone is backstage, Lord Gyr turns again to the Freaks. "Thank you all again, you are free to go as you please. I appreciate you making time for this little show. The optics were astoundingly good, if I do say so myself." He smiles at each of the Freaks, inclines his head, and then strides off snapping his fingers for Harald to follow as he goes.
Drendhet Salhar stands awkwardly, sweating in his kaftan.
The masked Councilors stand in a tight ring, leaning in close to whisper to one another. After a few moments they begin to leave, teleporting away with spell or item. One Councilor remains, and approaches the Freaks. The Councilor bows silently and surreptitiously presents a thin scroll to Argor, sealed with gold-colored wax and the crest of the Society. They whisper in a gravely voice, "Open it later, in private." The Councilor then steps back and leaves the tent.
Harald returns and bows to the Freaks. "My lord wishes me to inquire whether you will be returning to the city on the elephant carriage? If so I will have the drovers prepare to depart at your convenience."
Argor takes the offered a roll with a bow, and tucks it safely away in his robes. He turns to the others and says ”Normally, I wouldn’t suggest splitting up, but a missive such as this demands a certain urgency. Adrenia and I shall fly on ahead to Verde Heights.”
The pair fly back to the manor, and upon arriving Argor wards the entire area around his private office from divination . He then opens and reads the scroll in a way so that even an invisible intruder couldn’t peek over his shoulder.
Argor opens the missive, and quickly realizes it was meant for the whole team.
Dear Pathfinders,
The Decemvirate is well aware of everything that you have gone through in service of our great Society, and the losses you have suffered. The Decemvirate has dedicated all its resources to finding the specific location where Imrizade Blakros is being held. So far we have not had success, but our efforts continue. In the meantime, we must ensure that the wider Society is free of any remaining Shadow Lodge converts to the Onyx Order.
We have recently come into information regarding the whereabouts of V.C. Adril Hestram. Thanks to the careful work of Drendle Dreng, we believe he is as yet unaware that we suspect him of being a member of the Onyx Order. It is also quite possible that Auronee Farwynd is with him. We need you to become our eyes and ears, for we have no more trusted agents. It pains us to request your services so soon after the terrible events of the Onyx Offensive, but you are our best hope.
We can not afford to spook Hestram and any allies he may have before we have learned everything possible from them. Therefore, this mission will require the utmost care and discretion. Please conclude any immediate business you have in the city as soon as possible, and prepare as you see fit. We will send Osprey with further instructions within forty eight hours.
With gratitude,
The Decemvirate
"Cole, follow him," Cladissa tells her familiar, making sure no one was truly on their own. She then rides back to Verde Heights with the others in the elephant and tries to take a moment to enjoy the occasion. The medal around her neck reminds her of Preston's brooch, which sent her thoughts in uncomfortable directions full of regret and uncertainty.
She leaves Sabrina alone, as she is seemingly engaged in a series of sendings, and it is a huge shock to her when she announces she is leaving to help support her little sister, who continues to exhibit strange powers.
Her abrupt departure leaves a gaping hole in her chest, and it's the best she can do to trudge to Argor's study when she returned to his estate and received his summons.
Argor relays the message to the others in private once they all arrive.
Cladissa pinches her brow when she reads the name of her step sister in the missive. Whether she was a doppelganger, mind controlled, or had actually gone bad, she did not relish the prospect of fighting Auronee. Her mind cycles through her available magics, thinking of the best nonlethal means to subdue her. "All right. Remember, if we have to fight Auronee, don't kill her. Let me see if I can subdue her first. We still don't know if she's doing this on her own or is controlled somehow."
Argor nods. ”Agreed.”
The departure of Sabrina troubled Argor, but he made no mention of it.
He then stood in silence, wringing his hands anxiously as he glared out the window into the Absalom night sky.
Grommesson looks at his master and states the obvious, "this is seriously awful news about the Pathfinder being compromised. Hopefully, Imrizade can be found."
"Do you think Sabrina's departure is related?" He asks.
”Yes. Yes it is, Grommesson,” Argor replies as he continues to stare out the window. At the young orc’s second point, Argor shakes his head, ”No, I do not believe that is the case. They had nothing to offer her she couldn’t have achieved in another fashion. Sabrina was a touch eccentric, so she likely found a new flight of fantasy to pursue that struck her interest.”
He turns and floats over to his desk and takes a seat. ”Though, I must say, in regards to your first point, that I’ve long thought the Society a poorly structured and managed organization. It doesn’t surprise me they were so easily infiltrated. We, however, must take efforts to rectify their failures.”
"It was a family matter," Cladissa chimes in regarding Sabrina's departure. "Hopefully, she'll remain safe where she is, outside the Order's reach."
She becomes silent in thought for a moment, then speaks, "We must be diligent in our own security. We've been attacked before and infiltrated. Though they've taken a severe blow in their failed attempt to open the rift to the shadow plane, they may resort back to the tactics that worked in the past."
Her spider legs unfold from behind her. She reaches up with her normal hand and touches a finger to the spinnerette. A silvery strand stretches from it as she withdraws her hand, which she plucks with her other, causing a slight thrum of vibration. "Argor, you might find this a distasteful aesthetic for Verde Heights, but I've found that I can sense if a creature is touching my web, even if it's invisible or otherwise well-hidden. What's more, I know precisely where it is. With your permission, I'd like to run my webbing throughout the estate."
Gianluca chuckles at the thought of webbing running throughout the estate. "I think it's an excellent idea. And your staff can always decorate to make it look as though you're just a touch early in preparing for Lamashtuween.
"Let me know if you want me to help make some spooky paper cutouts to hang about. Otherwise, I'll go enjoy an amorous romp to get myself loosened up for the inevitable trouble we face, stalking Hestram.
"Oh! And are we trying to approach Hestram in disguise? I don't honestly know if that'll make sense, as if he detects it he's sure to know we suspect him...but if we think that would be wise I can pick up a Hat of Disguise while I'm out."
"Cladissa, as your friend, I will do my best to keep Lady Farwynd alive even if she has turned to the Onyx Side, as the Decemvirate fear. So long, that is, as I can do so while honoring our mission and protecting the lives of Absolom."
Cladissa giggles a bit over Gianluca's enthusiasm for the manor's revised decor. When he mentions buying a hat of disguise to investigate Hestram, she thinks, concentrates, and suddenly brings up the image of her old catlike self.
"Huh. I can still do this. Well, this should make things easier going incognito."
Cladissa shudders once. "Ugh, don't call Auronee 'Lady Farwynd,' please. That's my mom's title. And of course, if it means saving lives, I understand the necessity. It's just that... I'd like to know. You know?"
The evening after the day of the ceremony Osprey arrives at Verde Heights in his bird form. He shifts back to his human form and has the staff gather everyone in the dining room. "Hey there, 'great heroes'! How's it goin'?"
”As good as can be expected,” a weary looking Argor says as he sits and uncharacteristically slumps into a soft chair. ”Has...has anyone had luck finding Imrizade? I would try, but...but I fear my mind is still not stable...”
Cladissa subconsciously pulls her sleeve down over a small silver bracelet she had picked up earlier that day, being concerned about her stepsister's skill with enchantment magics.
She smiles at Osprey as he arrives, then spares a concerned glance at Argor. "I hadn't attempted to contact her since my first try, for fear of further distressing her and eliciting reprisals. But we'll find her. I'm sure of it."
Cladissa will report to everyone about her contact with Imrizade. She'll want to make preparations for an excursion to the Plane of Shadow, but will put that on hold when she learns of the devastation that the invasion caused.
Cladissa then volunteers her time helping the wounded, preferably using medicines and bandages supplied by donors and hospitals, but when in a pinch she uses her own webbing.
Osprey shrugs before responding. "Decemvirate have their best people on it...well except for us, I guess. Anyway, so far they've confirmed she's on the shadow plane, they are pretty sure in Shadow Absalom somewhere. Whoever is guarding her keeps a close watch, and they've been blocking divinations. Don't worry, we won't give up."
”You have to understand, Osprey. This is my betrothed. The one person on this world who understood me for who I am...was...and I’ve let her be held captive by those who seek to undo us for months. MONTHS!” he slams his fist down into the arm of his chair. Raw arcane power crackles along his fingertips, from his eyes, and ripples up his staff from his hand clenched tight around it.
His breathing becomes labored, ”I...I can’t...I can’t...”
"I don't believe that I've ever met the real Imrizade then..." Grommesson drifts that last statement not wanting to injure Argor anymore.
"Master Osprey, do you have a lead that we can pursue? Something evil that Master Argor can kill to get his mind off things." He suggests.
Surprised that it is Argor of all people she is comforting, Cladissa steps over to the wizard and takes his hand. Pulling him close into an embrace, she whispers into his ear, "We'll get her back. We will."
She separates and turns back to Osprey. "Grommesson is right. We were told you would have a lead on Hestram?"
Cladissa can feel Argor’s entire body trembling when she initiates the embrace, and it only lessens some before she lets him go. He nods to her and Grommesson before looking back to Osprey. ”Y-yes. What news of the traitor?” he asks through clenched teeth.
"They've got work for you all right. They want you to escort the longsword called Pale Maiden to the new Pathfinder Lodge in the city of Woodsedge, up in Galt. It's the blade of a legendary early Pathfinder called Durvin Gest. The Decemvirate wish to entrust the sword to the Lady of the Lodge, Venture-Captain Eliza Petulengro. You are to ensure that the weapon arrives safely."
"As you say, Hestram is in the Lodge in Woodsedge. While the escort of the blade is important in its own right, taking it there will be your cover story to get near him. Hestram believes his cover as a loyal Pathfinder is intact. Do whatever you can to ingratiate yourselves with him. Our agents have fed him a story with a bit of a bait too juicy for him to resist."
"I will also be there. But you've got to act like you don't know me. Hestram only knows me as the hand of the Ten. If we come in all chummy he'll be suspicious for sure."
"Anyway, just play along with him as if you were loyal agents. We've got to learn everything we can before we take him down. Understood?"
Cladissa gasps and takes a step back. "Galt?!? Galt!?! I'm not ready to go to Galt! It's-- I'm the-- I mean, I haven't even had time, I..." She looks at everyone staring at her."Well, it's my home. Or was. It's... complicated."
She frets a bit more, running her hands through her hair and pacing back and forth. Shebslowly pulls herself back together, focusing on the mission. "Hestram, Hestram. Right. Focus."
Argor thinks on the task at hand, wishing it was more directly linked to finding Imrizade. He takes note of Cladissa’s distress before commenting, ”Very well. But those of us unable to maintain a false story should avoid the man. Perhaps we could claim those individuals are watching out for Onyx threats while the rest of us deal with him directly?”
"You don't have to maintain a false story. You just have to be yourselves and not let on that you suspect anything. Even a few new agents could manage that much. Just play along and everything should go fine. If some of you try to stay separate from the rest that would be very suspicious."
Cladissa tries to settle down, but it's clear she is nervous. "All right. Is the Pale Maiden the 'juicy bait' for Hestram, or is it something else?"
"It's something else. I don't want to spoil anything, but he's under some false impressions about his worth to the Ten."
"So, we need to get ready to travel as an escort. Are we taking a ship and then overland, or are we teleporting somewhere closer?" Grommesson asks feeling like a child in an adult conversation.
"I can teleport us to Champs du Lange, my childhood home. It's been almost two decades since I've been there, so there may be some risk of going astray. But it will get us at least a large part of the way there should I be successful."
I made up Champs du Lange when I was coming up with a place for Cladissa to be from. I don't recall consulting a map, but just coming up with something that sounded Gallic. If we go the teleport route, it can be anywhere you want it to be, or it can be so changed that teleport won't be an option if you've got other plans.
”I too am capable of teleportation magics. With a small bit of divination, we should be able to reach our destination reliably.”
"There's no need for that. We've arranged passage by ship. Though I guess if you can get yourselves to Woodsedge and prefer to teleport I can't really stop you. Unless you teleport me as well, I'll need a few days head start to get in place before you arrive."
Cladissa taps her chin thinking, but shakes her head. "No, if Argor and myself scry upon the old Velorryan estate, the two of us should be able to teleport us all there. Osprey, you can then fly on ahead and we'll walk. That should give you plenty of time to sequester yourself in Woodsedge."
"That sounds alright, yeah. You'll have to bring the sword too, of course."
"That won't be a problem as long as it's the same size as a normal sword. If it's some massive object, we may need to get creative."