|
"Move calmly and purposefully," Ahto says firmly to the passing throng. "Do not panic. When people panic in a crowd, people get trampled. Remember your fellow Citizens, especially the elderly and very young. If you feel the need to get to safety, do so, but not at the expense of others."
He then turns to the rest of the group. "Our first Head of State has arrived for a visit. We will comport ourselves with dignity and decorum befitting our offices." He turns to the newcomers, Stayven and Warren, "I was going to approach you with an offer of positions on Tamlyn's Ruling Council over dinner. You have earned the honor, considering you stopped the magical storm without resorting to violence. Despite the informality of the circumstances, will you now accept? I realize it places a burden on your shoulders that you were not perhaps expecting when you came here. You are free to decline, if you wish, but I would be grateful to have your skills in an official capacity before we come face to face with this Fey Queen. Do you accept your appointments to the Ruling Council?"
Pelipe drains of color once more when she hears the queen has arrived and the chaos surrounds them. She just can't catch a break. At least the journey across the water was far less taxing than she had thought it would be. Now, with the people clamoring for safety, she seeks to help them by directing those who wish to do so as safely as possible.
In her sweetest voice, she will try to reassure people trampling for an exit that everything will be alright, to stand strong without fear.
When she returns to Crack-jawed's side, she sees that he is appointing others. Now she had seen and heard their discussion a bit, and they had a desire to resort to no violence, but she knows nothing of them. They could be mass murderers from their own lands. She wants at least to vote, and her vote would be a temporary yes on trial basis only.
”Expecting? Far from it. But hoping? Absolutely. I would be honored to accept. Assuming we survive this encounter with the fey queen, I shall begin compiling a full report on the state of the kingdom’s infrastructure.”
The Nymph Queen is here already? Gods, they haven't even had a chance to wash the giant slug slime off! Katrine sighs, then gets to work helping direct the crowd. "No pushing! Yeah, you in the red hat, I saw you shove that lady. Try it again and you're getting an arrow where the sun don't shine. Keep it moving, people." Ahto is the dignified ruler, Pelipe obviously prefers playing Good Guard, so Katrine gets the role of Bad Guard. Works for her, she's not the most diplomatic person anyway.
Eventually there's a lull in the crowd, where nobody is causing problems. Katrine turns to Pelipe, keeping one mismatched eye on the situation. "Hey Pelipe, think you can work some of your magic to clean us up a little before we meet the Nymph Queen? Only if it won't strain you too much, of course. I know it's been a long day. No queen is worth hurting yourself for."
"I rather doubt she is actually here. More like her minions..." she considers as she casts some spells to clean up their party, style their hair, and make them look presentable. Even Hoot's feathers can get a good preening if he wishes with her spell.
"I will more accurately picture the Strouds or something similar marching through the city before we ever see a queen." Her breathing becomes a bit labored before she finishes, but then seeks a relaxing stance on a nearby wall and awaits this person.
|
|
"Let us settle ourselves comfortably in the Council Chambers," Ahto suggests. He offers his arm to Pelipe for support, if she wishes.
"If this Fey Queen has any sense of decorum, she will seek us out there. If she arrives as a despot, she will call us out or else drop a challenge by some act of violence or destruction. Either way, we will have a sense of her intentions. In the meantime, we will not be chasing shadows or following wisps for her amusement."
"All those poor people..." she looks at them fleeing briefly before reaching up and taking Ahto's arm. Pelipe shakes her head in disgust at the evil this woman has caused just by the rumors of her coming. As she walks with him inside and takes a seat, she asks him, "Now that the storm has abated, perhaps it can be that our prayers can be directed to finding where this Fey Queen will enter our realm, if she is not already here? Perhaps greet her instead of the other way around and endangering the city?"
|
|
"Remember when we learned of her name after the fight with her insurgents? I swear I could sense her presence when I spoke her name that first time. Weren't there legends of being able to call the fey folk by uttering their names, or did it require a specific magical formula?"
Ahto tries to recall what he can about summoning magic and the denizens of the First World.
With a solid breadth of knowledge as far as magic and the fey goes, Stayven also ponders what he knows. As it turns out, it's quite a bit.
"Thank you, Pelipe." Katrine isn't the type to fuss about ordinary dirt and blood, but being covered in giant slug slime? Even professional hunters have their limits. Storm shakes himself vigorously, his previously slime-matted fur fluffing up again. She follows Ahto and Pelipe to the Council Chambers, wolfdog at her heels. If Katrine is going to be part of this council (which still doesn't feel quite real, but she's rolling with it), they'll have to get used to Storm attending meetings.
"It would be convenient if that was true. Scary, but convenient in this situation."
Retiring to the council chambers, you put your heads together and cooperate to puzzle out the strange new phenomenon that may be about to hatch out upon Tamlyn.
You know that fey place great importance upon names. There are tales about powerful fey being able to even steal a person's name, either gaining control over them or even robbing them of their memories, but these may just be common superstition.
Much like a powerful wizard, though, this Nymph Queen may have potent magics or artifacts that alert her when someone is talking about her.
Nevertheless, breaching the barriers and distance between the Material Plane and the First World requires either utilizing an existing gateway - of which, none are known to be nearby - or employing especially powerful conjuration magic to create a temporary portal or rift between the planes.
Ahto also remembers something he heard nestled among Wonky's rambling expositions about the planes. There are two ways to enhance such teleportation magic or make their casting easier. The first is to make use of a locus that resonates strongly with such schools of magic or where the barriers between planes are already thin. The second method is to create such a locus, creating a resonance that can be exploited.
It dawns upon you that all these fey that have descended upon Horace are unwittingly acting as veritable heralds for Nyrissa. She likely seeded news about her visit and announcement to serve as a self-fulfilling prophecy. All the excitement among the fey and their enthusiasm to curry favor with the Nymph Queen is creating such an exploitable resonance, likely giving Nyrissa an avenue to cast a spell to travel from her realm to Tamlyn.
|
|
"I think it would be best to go about restoring the general peace and begin repairs on what damage has been done," Ahto suggests. "Furthermore, there is a matter of our spy, whose sentence should be carried out in view of the citizenry. If Nyrissa Thousandbreaths is going to show up, we will deal with her when she does. If she does not show herself, there is little point wasting valuable time."
Pelipe seems to relish the fact she can sit down for a moment and discuss affairs of state.
"Let us deal with the spy then. It weighs on my mind having her not dealt with, as such a sneaky person may have a greater chance to escape the dungeons than others might, and I'd rather not give her the opportunity after what she has done to you all. Plus, the message of treason and justice will send a message to all fey causing disruptions. Perhaps during this time, a general bit of education will help them understand they are subject to the laws of this plane just as she is, and they are just as likely to meet jail time or greater calamity if their raucous behaviors continue. In doing so, we should negate any support for Nyrissa here in this location."
"Should I recall some militia members to retrieve and escort the tanner? Where should we...carry out the sentence? Right now, almost all of the visiting fey are gathered in the fields east of Miss Tremaine's dance hall and Madame Vika's inn."
|
|
"Sentence should be carried out on the gallows," Ahto replies. "Send criers to call a gathering of the populace there. Encourage our First Citizens especially to attend, as their presence will likely draw the visiting fey into the throng. Ask our mortal citizens to attend, but their presence is not as essential to this moment. If they are too uneasy to attend, do not compel them to do so, but let them know their courage in attending will be noted, and appreciated."
”A show of force. Bold, but I suppose times are trying.”
Once the council is adjourned, you march out of the castle to find that Jocelyn Stroud has already been escorted out from her cell and stands upon the gallows platform previously erected between the castle's curtain walls and the adjacent barracks. You also find a crowd of citizens gathered for the spectacle, although the number is smaller than expected. Furthermore, the only fey in attendance that you can spot is Melianse.
Pelipe had seen numerous public gatherings. She had seen numerous public hangings and executions. This seemed a little light to her. Pelipe had compiled a list of the words written in Giant, formulated a listing of Jocelyn's known crimes, and handed the list to Ash to read aloud in an authoritative voice--or to pass on to Ahto to read. At the moment, she had not the lung capacity to call out over the crowd.
"I am sure it will be a surprise to them all of the deeds this woman did. Betrayal, lies, spying, sabotage, murders, thievery, fraud, framing others, and terrorism. The Strouds certainly know how to raise them..."
She then prays a prayer to Abadar to rekindle the sense of community in their land. That by it, the land can rest and people can grow in their faith, love of righteous law, and monetary success.
|
|
Ahto gives a small sigh and frustration. The fey needed to witness the execution, but dragging the condemned around like a prop would undermine the seriousness of the proceedings.
He turns to the others and says softly, ”Execution for treason cannot be quick and clean. The severity of punishment must fit the crime. It will require at least one of you to assist. Whoever it is will need to have a strong stomach and unshakable resolve.”
Katrine hates public executions. If it was up to her, she would just hang the traitor behind the jail and be done with the whole grisly business. But apparently the tenets of Abadar call for something a bit more extreme in the case of treason.
Well, she bows before no god. Katrine shakes her head at Ahto's request, lips pressed tight into a grim line. She'll fight for Tamlyn, but last she heard, her job description as Marshal did not include executing the condemned. Ahto can do that himself.
"If another here will not step up, I will help." It is clear that Pelipe has not considered taking part in a public execution herself by the way she shyly answers, but she will do what needs to be done. While things are still being set up and the spectacle being prepared, she asks him, "What are you going to do, so I can mentally prepare?"
|
|
"I will bind her hands and hoist her until she hangs upright from the wrists. I will then require you to hold her there until I indicate to let go of the rope. I will do the bloody work. I sentenced her to die a traitors death, and I will see to its completion, Ahto replies, looking into Pelipe's eyes. His expression is a mixture of concern for her and cold, resigned sense of purpose for what must be done to the condemned.
"I will hold it." Pelipe will do what must be done for the country. She stands there firm and with strength (as much as she can currently muster). For a magician, she is actually fairly strong and holds the rope firm as instructed. In her mind, she runs through the brutality this woman has caused instead of how gross or violent the punishment is. She knows that her mother would not want to see her up here doing this, but her granduncle, being the ruler he is, would respect it.
|
|
"Thank you," Ahto replies to pelipe in a soft, sympathetic tone. He then turns to the onlookers, and his face and tone resume their using stern and stoic demeanor.
Ahto pauses a moment, then proceeds to bind Jocelyn's hands at the wrists, and fastens that binding to a length of rope, which the throws over the gallows beam. He then binds her legs at the ankles and fastens them to another length of rope, which he fastens around the headsman's block, with only a little over a foot of slack.
Once Jocelyn has been secured, he pulls the main line tight until her body hangs taut in the air from her wrists, and the line securing her feet to the block is taut as well.
He nods for Pelipe to come over and take the line from him.
Ahto unsheathes and lays three weapons out, his morningstar, his dagger, and finally, Burden.
Ahto picks up his morningstar, and swings with all his might at Jocelyn's knee-caps.
He then replaces the morningstar and picks up the dagger. With two precise thrusts he punctures each of her lungs in the precise spots that blood will begin to fill them, causing the sensation of drowning.
He sets down the dagger, and will then wait patiently as panic sets in and the traitor gasps desperately for breath.
When she is just a few moments away from losing consciousness, Ahto signals Pelipe to release the rope dropping Jocelyn to the gallows platform.
Ahto hauls her up and sets her face down over the block. He then hefts Burden, and says in a cold, precise tone, With that, he swings downward and severs her head, ending the proceedings.
, Fort DC 37 to Save.
Warren and Hoot ensure the problematic fae creature Hoot grabbed attends. As the blow descends:
”No biggie right—you guys just come back again right??”
Pelipe most definitely will do her duty, with as strong-willed face as she can, however, her insides turn at seeing the execution up close. She just has to remind herself that she has seen it before dozens of times...just from a great distance and up on a balcony. However, knowing of the crimes, and reading the missives in giant, and hearing Jocelyn's words herself, there is a sense of divine peace for their community that washes over her as the deed is done. Her eyes look longingly to Ahto despite the situation as she thinks on the subject of him.
As Warren intimidates the fae who he brought, she can't help but look over at it and what his perception is of see a fae actually die.
The Stroud daughter dies by Ahto's hand, brought to justice beneath the weighty blade of Burden.
A tense silence seizes the crowd, having expected a simple hanging when the criminal was marched to the gallows. A complicated sea of emotions played across the assembled faces as they watched the stages of the execution, but now they stand and quietly digest the message being sent by the spectacle. At the very least, the citizens of Tamlyn are reminded of - and visitors to Horace are introduced to - the fact that Lord Ahto is dauntless against threats to law and order in the land under his governance.
The silence suddenly shatters, however, as a new dramatic spectacle unfolds an arrow's flight away.
Cries rise up from the crowd as they point with rigid fingers and frightened faces towards the fields east of the castle. A riot of color erupts from the ground with a force as though a massive, burrowing beast was emerging from below. Sharp, angular spires that catch the light like prisms rise up and fan outward.
The Tamlyn residents - both mortal and First Citizens - who had assembled for the execution now flee for their homes or whatever safety is to be readily found. Meanwhile, the visiting fey form a wide circle around the emergence and raise their voices to sing and chant in Sylvan.
When the dust settles, you see that a crystalline flower bud - tall as a three-story building - has sprouted from the soil. Its puckered petals, akin to angular panes of stained glass, shimmer in unnatural reds, purples, and oranges.
"If so, we should thank her for tilling all the land east of here. I see it as a boon..." she idly mocks while moving over to a couple of guards. "Perhaps you could help by carrying away the Stroud's daughter's body a small distance so it is out of the way of whatever happens next and then quickly come back?" At best, it would be a diplomatic situation. At worst, a fight. The last thing she needs is to fall on her bloody corpse or to have it distract while proceedings are undergoing.
Pelipe will seal herself with the armored mask effect on herself at the sight of this new potential towering threat. She scoots cutely up near to Ahto on his left and mutters quietly, "I am with you..."
He knows she has had a rough day, but still, she bravely stands looking outward, ready for action. Her pain is significant, but still, she plays like it is nothing for his sake and his country's.
Katrine faces away from the gallows while Ahto carries out Jocelyn Stroud's sentence, bow in hand. If anyone asks, she's making sure none of the hags' other minions attempt a last minute rescue. Which is certainly true. But honestly? She doesn't want to watch a death made into a gory public spectacle.
"Well, there's an entrance for you." The ranger puts away her steel-headed arrows in favor of cold iron. Just in case. "Right behind you both."
Based upon the way this crystalline flower interacts with nearby elements - causing suddenly blooms in grass and wildflowers among the soil, causing visual phenomena and distortions with the light refracted by its sharp petals - you suspect that this is a manifestation of a planar breach. Your knowledge of spellcraft confirms that this seems likely to be the work of magic that bridges two planes, although you cannot glean any more specific details.
It seems impossible to dismiss the conclusion that Nyrissa has traveled from the First World to the Material Plane, and this massive crystal flower is her vessel.
|
|
”That flower is a gateway between here and the First World,” Ahto says matter of factly, even though he feels he is stating the obvious. ”The fey folk have already assembled for a Grand Entrance. She could be passing through it as we speak, or she might leave her adoring throng to pine for her another fortnight.”
He turns to the group, taking in all of them, including the newcomers. ”Your thoughts? Should we approach and stand with the others, or wait here, and let her come to us?”
"Why wait? From all we have learned, she is a hostile force, right? She seeks to destroy your kingdom, or why else send such agents and beings against it? Even this marriage is an affront as she is demanding it of you. Look at what she did to your land. I say we go over there and kick her rump if possible!"
Perhaps some of this anger is fueled by the fact Nyrissa is threatening Ahto and his people, but some may be because she has laid claim to the throne and him, and Pelipe may be just a bit protective of that even in these early days of Ahto and her coming closer. She looks to the fey and then also adds:
"They will not think it possible to defy their queen. But if we do so, and provide a show of force here, nothing will stop them from doubting again, I'd wager."
Stayven’s eyes widen as he nods towards Katrine, ”By the gods, I’ll say. That’s an interesting question Ahto asks. On one hand we may need the information we can glean watching her arrival. The fey being how they are though, failing to make a first impression could be disastrous.”
As you approach the scene of the nymph queen's arrival, a new wave of excitement passes through the fey crowd.
The crystalline flower blooms, its stained-glass petals parting like curtains to reveal the inner blossom. A green woman with citrine wings emerges and descends from the crystal blossom as though it were a regal sedan chair. A cloud of blue butterflies wreathes around her like a living cape.
Nyrissa the Nymph Queen has arrived in Tamlyn.
Crystalline flower is an impressive device. It is a planar vehicle far more advanced than anything she's seen or heard posited in theory. Upon the exit of the Nymph Queen, Pelipe thinks to herself that she stands corrected. Nyrissa actually truly did come. To the king, however, she mutters:
"You know I was kidding about just going over there and kicking her butt her outright, right? We should at least stand here in strength and try to resolve the 'why' she's conspired to make war with you...oh and to then marry you. Important information..." Pelipe coyly looks up at Ahto with a little chuckle as she cutely moves forward a little to be part of those who greet the queen as she approaches where the assembly stands.
Pelipe begins to wonder what a relationship between her, Ahto, and Nyrissa would look like, but then her eyes traverse to the fey who had caused VV to join her mad party and thinks anything that can support that, cannot get along with her.
|
|
"We do not know for certain if she intends to propose marriage to me," Ahto replies. "The evidence certainly suggests that she intends to lay claim to Tamlyn in some fashion. She may propose a marriage of political convenience, or she may announce her engagement to some other being, delcare her rulership, and then command that non-fey are to be violently expunged from her lands. How she behaves in the next few minutes will determine whether we are dealing with a skilled politician or a murderous despot. Either way, I know enough of diplomatic protocol that as the visitor, it is incumbent on her to present herself to us. That is, if her intentions are not hostile."
A fantastic procession marches forth from the crystal blossom, with the throngs of visiting fey flanking at a distance. A figure in dark, heavy robes marches at the head of the procession, a few paces ahead of Nyrissa. His entire body is obscured by his clothes, and he marches with a disjointed gait.
Next marches the Nymph Queen herself, attended by a half-dozen fey ladies-in-waiting. These attendants are clothed in gossamer robes and walk with their heads bowed, their faces obscured by thick veils of red silk.
A dozen ghostly soldiers guard the Nymph Queen's coterie. They look like gaunt elves clad in ebony armor, their hair and bodies glowing a sickly green that casts the entire troupe in an ethereal light.
They come to a stop about thirteen yards from the castle and the gallows.
"Where is the lord of this land?" calls the hooded man in a voice that leaves you feeling inexplicably queasy.
Katrine returned her bow to its sling on her back once the crystalline flower showed up. Now she's standing a little behind Ahto and to his left, eyeing the new arrivals warily. This will probably turn into a fight, but who knows? Maybe Ahto can convince the Nymph Queen that Tamlyn isn't worth the trouble to conquer. Hopefully Nyrissa isn't planning to marry him. If so, maybe he can claim to be engaged to Pelipe.
Ahto finds it quite difficult to gauge the herald's meaning. First, there is the fact that his face - indeed, his entire body - is swaddled in robes and coverings, thus concealing any facial expressions and obscuring his physical mannerisms. Then there is also his voice, which sounds quite unnatural.
In the end, Ahto judges that the herald is not being intentionally provocative. It is likely a combination of some unseen physical peculiarity and the culture of the First World creating this miscommunication.
Pelipe steadies herself. Likely any moment the queen will begin her ascent to the stair. Her eyes are fixed on the procession approaching, but also from time to time, she notes the area around them to ensure danger isn't nearby and unseen. If Ahto doesn't step forward, she will announce him.
She will back away regardless and give a little look to Ahto to see what he wishes to do.
|
|
Ahto gives a small nod to Pelipe as she acts as the spokesperson for the Council.
He turns and whispers, ”I am not certain of the customs and protocols of these fey. However, I suspect political gamesmanship is universal. As long as she speaks through her herald, I will speak through you. If you are unsure of how to answer, turn to me, and I will whisper my answer to you. We will see what transpires.”
Simply in awe of the grand procession, Stayven watches quietly. With the slightly deranged respect many fey pay towards honor and ceremony, he stays silent, letting Ahto take point on this.
Warren politely waited for an answer to his question, and when none was forthcoming, he went to see the herald.
”Had you come earlier you would have seen an execution. I am hoping we can keep fae deaths to a minimum. Seems some fail to obey the rule of law.”
In a quiet way, she replies with a somewhat flirty grin, "You should probably consider hiring one of these who have helped us recently here as a herald..."
Being a herald is an honorable role, but it is still a servant's role. And she is not a servant. Though in heart, her position is one of the council and at least in her experience, the speaking of the king should be done by one who knows his will before meetings for every eventuality. She knows he is less ceremonial, but in times like this, when presenting a good image, it might help to have someone in the role. She can't be both magister and herald.
”Had you come earlier you would have seen an execution. I am hoping we can keep fae deaths to a minimum. Seems some fail to obey the rule of law.”
"Nyrissa of Thousandbreaths - She Who Straddles Two Worlds, Mistress of the Fable, Queen of Forgotten Time - forgives the tardiness of your offering," the strange, shrouded herald replies.
The herald launches into a long, rambling monologue. Through the oblique, convoluted descriptions, you believe he haphazardly dips between recounting his mistress' accomplishments and trophies, referencing events that either you've never heard of or that seem to contradict what you know of history, and other nonsensical verses.
Finally, he gets to the purpose of the disruptive visitation and confirms what many of you have come to suspect: Nyrissa has arrived to announce her engagement to Lord Ahto. Notably, the herald distinctly states that she is announcing the engagement as though it is already agreed upon, not merely proposing the marriage.
|
|
Ahto looks to Pelipe and mutters softly in an irritated tone, "she has about as much tact as as a drunken owlbear at Crystalhue."
"On behalf of the citizens of Tamlyn, both mortal and fey, I welcome our guest, Nyrissa of Thousandbreaths. We will be happy to discuss her offer of marriage, and see if such a union would be of benefit to all of Tamlyn's people! Please, enter honored guest, and let us dine together and speak. My fellow councilors and I will doubtless have many questions about your generous offer," and will wish to consider the matter carefully before anything is decided."
Ahto makes a point of looking past the herald directly towards Nyrissa, emphasizing his words to make it abundantly clear to even the thickest person listening that nothing has been decided regarding this marriage.
"I would also have it known to all present that the execution of the traitor, Jocelyn Stroud, was a matter of law. She received just punishment for her crimes against Tamlyn and her people. Her blood was not a sacrifice. Such is not our custom here."
He turns to Warren and Stayven and whispers, "Congratulations to you both on your appointments to the Ruling Council of Tamlyn. Be sure to join us when we convene in the Council Chambers."
Pelipe pinches her lips tightly together at Ahto's joke. There is an audible whining groan as she struggles with all of her might to not smile and definitely not laugh.
Despite the long rambling monologue, Pelipe is uniquely interested. She is a lore hound, and so these ancient claims fascinate her. They seem mostly to be located around this region, so she wonders if Nyrissa considers herself already to be owner of these lands? The title, "she who straddles two worlds" and "queen of forgotten time" makes Pelipe wonder at this theory.
Ahto's consideration of the others who now are on the ruling council of Tamilyn makes her almost feel like her appointment was just as randomized. She was a person with loyalty to the crown and so put in this position. The others had shown their worth, but for all Ahto knew of them, they could be mass murderers. She and Katrine at least had spend weeks upon weeks spending every day with Ahto. This is one decision by Ahto she disagrees with, but will keep her peace. She understands the "why" at least.
If and when it is agreeable to head inside, Pelipe will whisper to Ahto and the others over the sounds of the fey in the crowd:
"My Lord, I believe she believes she already rules these lands from the feywild and put you in this position for the purpose of rulership and marriage. Her titles are purposeful. Thousandbreaths...1000 lives she's lived through or extinguished? She who straddles two worlds...rules in both feydom and here? Mistress of Fable...few know of her and she rules behind the scenes? And Queen of forgotten time...the tardiness means that you were expected to pay homage to the rightful queen of this land. She is a ruler of a forgotten time, and it has to tie into this land here, as all her accomplishments listed are here. Denying her might have disastrous consequences from a perspective such as hers."
Stayven nods to Ahto as he says softly, ”My thanks. Hell of a first day, so far.”