War for the Crown #4 - The City in the Lion's Eye

Game Master Kittenmancer

”Be better if ‘is face were a dog. Noblest and most majestic of creatures, we are.”

Shendra cocks her head and puffs out a little ring of purple smoke. I've never met a dog with the personality of a cat before. I wonder if that's what you truly are and this is just YOUR mask? Shendra wonders mentally aloud.

"The personality of a whot now?!? 'Ow dare you call me one of them...things."

The disgust is clear in the hound's voice.

The psychopomp, now clad in the form of a burly middle-aged Taldan man, ignores the commentary and bickering, instead striding purposefully down the road.

It takes roughly two weeks to return to the Palace of Birdsong, unless you have the means to expedite this travel. Xan can cast Tireless Pursuers, so that Xan and 4 more people can at least hustle - but since you have horses and carriages this should not be needed.

The next morning, Xan approaches Marius, their posture stiff and expression unreadable behind the red leather mask. "You said that you would submit to any oaths or spells I think necessary. It is a wise precaution, but it is not you who is my target. I wish to cast a mark on the boy and forbid him from trying to flee from me. To be clear, I am not asking you for permission, merely informing you of what will happen."

Unless stopped, Xan will cast Mark of Justice on maybe-Carrius.

Elmar can't help but overhear. He nods with a small grimace. "Please understand that due to the nature of what was done to him, he may not be...fully mentally present. He may inadvertently trigger your spell without meaning to, or may not even fully understand the repercussions of it to begin with. I suppose it's not lethal though...so shouldn't be an issue. We'll need to do our best to explain it to the poor kid." Elmar rolls the idea around in his head for a moment, then reaches for one of the pastries he had picked out for breakfast. "Scone?" He asks, offering to Xan.

Marius nods slowly, already thinking about ways to try and slow or thwart Xan should they decide to kill the boy after all. "I understand."

It doesn’t take very long before Kela has started to say goodbye to everyone in Marius’ and Rose’s troupe. She especially pays care and thanks to the service people who guarded their prisoners, through this process, though, she watches the new “companion” carefully for any signs of aggression towards Carrius. Within a few days, Kela augmenting herself with glibness, rides north on a horse, if possible, also glamered, using spell kenning away from the group, with strength of purpose.

The next day, Faenia appears again, just before they return to the palace. She greets Marius, Rose, and Barcos merrily, and then sizes up Elmar, ”who is this you picked up in Yanmass?” and with an even more surprised reaction, says ”and is that the… Prince? Please - tell me everything.” She smiles cheerfully, and though she is on edge a little, she seems eager for someone to tell her a story.

1d20 ⇒ 3
1d20 ⇒ 7
1d20 ⇒ 19

During the trip...
"Xan," Marius says suddenly, half-turning to face the disguised psychopomp. "Your explanation before inspiring many more quesions, and I need help to understand. You said before that the boy's soul had been judged, but fled and 'mutilated' other souls. Were these souls awaiting judgement as well, or already sent on to their rewards as well? Were these...victims, did they seem random or specific and targeted?" He glances at the carriage where maybe-Carrius is riding and drops his voice lower. "Were those poor souls eaten or merely destroyed? I need to know better what we're dealing with before I put him in a room with Princess Eutropia."

When Kela & Faenia pull a Superman...
"Unknown, though Kela seemed convinced," Marius answers wryly. "Ride with us, Faenia, we can fill you in at the same time we inform Lady Lotheed and the Crown Princess." He maneuvers to walk beside the Ulfen woman as she falls in with their group. "How have things been here, in our absence? Yanmass was a tangled knot of intrigues and sabotages, but we seem to have cut through the worst of it--literally in a few cases. Keep a close eye on the boy, for anything unusual. He may not be what he appears."

With Xan

The psychopomp's thick eyebrows gather together in an expressive gesture. "I found these frayed shadows in what you call the Astral Plane. They might have been souls on their way to receive Pharasma's judgment, but the remaining shreds did feel... old. So perhaps they were something else." Xan rubs their jaw under the mask. "I did not stop to investigate them very closely, being in pursuit of the perpetrator, so I do not know if they were attacked at random or not. They were neither eaten nor destroyed, but badly damaged."

Faenia spurs her horse on, and falls inline beside Marius. She cracks open one of her many ledgers, and asks... "yes, I am curious for what happened." She hesitates, and says, "I had matters to attend to for my father." Glancing towards Elmar and the prisoner, quite obviously so Marius can see she adds, "he's always fighting giants or something, I mean, I guess you don't know him very well, but he is." She waves her hand, "it's sort of... adjacent to the ... Princess' matters." She taps her books, "I've collected all sorts of useful information, and he needed some of it, that's all."

I assume the warning from Marius about Carrius (lol) is telepathic or quiet.

Barcos gives a wave and a friendly nod to Faenia, "What ho, friend! Good to see you again."

Faenia waves at Barcos and nods quietly, "indeed. It's been a little while. I hope you have fared well."

Feel free to continue conversations, either with Kela or with Faenia.

As the group enters the county of Meratt, the Dalaston Highway takes them towards Lotheedar and the Palace of Birdsong. They pass Lake Pensaris on their left, the home of "the General", supposedly a catfish of enormous size and over a hundred years old. Then they pass Lauchlein Lake, where they had met the fey swan Atratus and helped preserve the wild beauty of the lake.

Where the highway forks, one branch continuing north and west and the other south towards Lotheedar, Martella awaits, accompanied by her trusted bodyguard. She hails them as they approach on horses and in carriages, raising an eyebrow at their considerably larger group.

"I see you made some friends along the way. Welcome, new faces, I am Martella Lotheed, chief advisor to Princess Eutropia." Taking Rose, Marius, Faenia and Barcos aside, she whispers. "I came to meet you here because I got word about who you are bringing with you, and I don't want Eutropia to get her hopes up before we can establish the identity. So, I rented some rooms in Lotheedar where we can have some privacy. Come along, now."

As they meet with Martella, Elmar inclines his head respectfully. He also looks to the bodyguard and give a smell nod of acknowledgement. Otherwise he keeps his peace while the others decide to talk to the side.

After a moment he steps over to the bodyguard, making idle conversation as he looks out at the landscape. "How have your travels gone?"

Barcos smiles to Faenia, "Quite well, I'd say! Found a...person of no small amount of interest in Yanmass. You'll meet him soon, I expect."

When they meet with Martella he nods, "Discretion's a fine plan. Let's be off."

Marius' instinct is to hover near Possibly Carrius--or more specifically, Xan, since he feels the psychopomp would need only seconds to kill the boy if it decided it should. It takes an effort of will to resist that urge, and he thinks he does a passable job of behaving normally during the return trip. Insofar as anything can be 'normal' when you're traveling with one of Pharasma's soul shepherds and possibly the prince of the realm reborn after so many years, in a country teetering on the brink of open civil war.

During the trip he mulls over Earl Merkondus' actions in Yanmass--arranging for fiends to stalk its streets and inducing treason in its Horse garrison were shocking tactics, but also perhaps a sign of desperation? Or at least hurry; Marius didn't know if Merkondus would have gone for such destructive tactics if he though he'd have time to work the Council around to his way of thinking. What, then, was putting such pressure on the High Strategos camp? Perhaps matters on the Qadiran border were more tense than he knew...or perhaps Pythareus had his own schemes in play and was on a time table.

He shares these thoughts with Martella and his companions once their little caravan reaches Lotheedar and the rooms Martella rented for them.

Faenia listens to the others as they recount their adventures, writing down notes all the while. She asks few questions and nods along quietly.

When introduced to Carrius, she confidently approaches the young man, though she bows deeply, and says, ”good day to you, young man. My name is Faenia. I am a storyteller and bodyguard - of a sort.” She hesitantly asks, ”I was made to understand that you believe, that all of you believe this to be Prince Carrius, returned?” She asks the questions to the group, and then turns to Martella.

”While I understand your inclination towards caution, it sounds to me like he’s been er, ‘vetted’ as much as one can be in the circumstances.” She seems apologetic to Carrius. ”In whatever capacity I can, I serve Queen Eutropia. Grabd Princess Eutropia.” The honorific is deliberate, for other PCs benefit and to signal whatever to the NPCs.

She clears her throat, and while she does not quite appear strident, she does seem to deeply believe what she says next, ”the Queen should be informed immediately when we get to the Birdsong. She can make the decision about what to do with the information - you don’t need to protect her feelings. Unless we for some reason our collective estimation of her wisdom has for some reason dropped?” She looks around questioningly, then turns back to Martella, ”explain the situation; explain the risks, explain that he has a … guardian of a sort. Let her decide. She deserves to know.”

Martella shakes her head. "What people believe and what the reality may be are two separate things." She scrutinizes the teenager as well. "He does look like Carrius, but that doesn't prove anything." Addressing the boy directly, she asks "Do you believe you are Prince Carrius, resurrected?"

He hesitates. "I'm... not sure? Mister Vaddrigan kept telling me I was... I am. But I don't remember much of my life before..."

Martella turns back to Faenia, head cocked and eyebrow raised in the universal expression of 'See?'. "I asked Lady Paril to bring additional genealogy notes, and she can also cast some divinations to help us settle the matter. At this point, I do not believe it is necessary to involve Her Highness."

"To involve me in what?" A familiar voice calls from a few dozen paces within the forest bordering the road, and Taldogis bursts forth from the underbrush wagging his tail madly.

Princess Eutropia, astride a roan mare, emerges into the road, dressed in a hunting outfit. "Genealogy notes? Divinations? Why w-" At that point, her searching gaze comes to rest on the boy, and her voice catches in her throat.

The lad's eyes are also captured by the princess, and he begins to speak hesitantly "Mo- ?" but then shakes his head. Eutropia dismounts in a flurry of skirts and half-stumbles, half-runs towards the boy, catching him by the shoulders and staring at his face as tears stream down hers. "How- how is it possible...?" she asks huskily between suppressed sobs. "C-Carrius, is it you? Is it really you?"

Martella winces, reaching out to pat Eutropia on the shoulder. "We don't know for sure yet. Come, let's not linger in the road. We'll go back to Birdsong and talk, yes?"

Faenia looks like she’s about to argue in the way she does, and in some ways her dulcet voice’s velveteen cadence, while not soporific, would be a welcome sound in the forest trail for the weary travelers. Finally an opinion that made sense, her erstwhile companions brains start telling them as she opens her mouth to try to convince Martella that, of course, Martella’s very own opinion is that the Grand Princess should meet her brother, and that what she said moments ago was mistaken.

But the moment never comes. Eutropia appears and Faenia is surprised for a moment, reflexively bowing to her mistress.

Faenia definitely does not look, for the barest of moments, like she was smirking at Martella. For if they did see the smirk, they realize quickly that they must have been imagining the large woman being smug. Her earnest demeanor would be spoiled by such an expression, and despite her underbite and physicality, her handsomeness would be marred as well. So any such undignified expressions would obviously be unbecoming. So it must not have happened.

The woman moves to Eutropia’s side and scans the forest, alert and attentive. She is at rest, but wary, and seems immediately ready to protect the Grand Princess with her life. She reaches down to the dog and scratches it behind its ears, but it’s clear that the woman takes her charge seriously.

Baron Barksley approaches Taldogis, sniffing the other hound and saying in the language of dogs, "Oi, chap. You on the level? Proper bloke, ready to fight for your pack?"

He thinks to himself, "Doubtful he's smart as me, but hopefully he's got the minerals."

Barcos eyes his dog's meeting with Taldogis briefly before turning to the reunion between siblings. Earnestly happy to see a family reunited, his normally crooked half-smile spreads to cover his whole face.

He stays quiet, not wanting to disrupt the clearly powerfully emotional moment. There would be time for words, assuredly many of them, but that time would be later. For now, he is simply happy for a sister reunited with a brother she thought long lost.

Elmar's face sharpens with a complex mix of emotions as the princess bursts forth. He bites his tongue, noticeably, and simply nods to the suggestion to go and talk in a more secure place.

Taldogis interposes himself between Baron Barksley and Eutropia, lowering his muzzle in a warning.

"Got no pack, only this two-paws here, but if you even think about messing with her I'll rip you to shreds."

"You... Eutie?" A slowly dawning realization shifts across the boy's face. "But- don't you hate dogs?" He shakes his head. "No, not hate, you're scared of them!"

Eutropia grins as she wipes her tears with one hand and reaches for Taldogis's scruff with the other, giving the hound an affectionate pat. "Oh, you'll find that quite a lot has changed since... well." She clears her throat. "Come. Let's not stand in the road like this." Once she is satisfied that her younger brother is safely ensconced in the carriage, the princess mounts on her horse again and spurs it towards Lotheedar, Taldogis running at her heel.

As soon as they arrive at the Palace of Birdsong, Eutropia and Martella usher everyone into the upstairs parlour; Carrius walks around with his usual dazed expression, a slight frown on his face as he takes in the surroundings. With cups of tea and trays of finger food promptly served by the palace staff, they all settle on the sofas and armchairs overlooking the driveway.

"I am so sorry that I cannot let you rest after your long journey, my friends," Eutropia begins, her gaze fixed on her brother as he stuffs a biscuit into his mouth. "But I need to know everything, everything that has happened in Yanmass, and how you came back with my brother. How he came back, after..." She breaks off, reaching for a cup of tea.

"Pff, how uncivilized." Shendra touts from her high perch on Elmar's shoulder, turning her nose up at the snarling dogs, knowing full well they can't retaliate due to the height and the obstacle of Elmar in the way.

Once at the Palace of the Birdsong, Shendra happily starts working on a sweet that she swoops up from the tray of food. As the others begin recounting the story Elmar stays uncharacteristically quiet, even during the talks about magic, prompting Shendra to turn and look at him with a frown of concern as she nibbles away. After an obvious pause she chimes in. "And he was using memory erasing magic, even hit Elm with some of it!" She gives an annoyed flick of her tail at Elmar being targeted. "Normally it's short term and used to unravel the magical connections made during study, nasty little trick! But we have a theory that long term exposure could possibly lead to what the maybe maybe not prince is going through. Maybe." She shrugs, eyeballing another sweet. "Certainly possible, but would take time, much more time. Or maybe one of those old wizards that knows everything and likes to sit around reading all day, they take forever but tend to know things."

Baron Barksley gives a hearty wag of his tail to Taldogis before saying, "Wouldn't dream of it, mate. 'Fact, that was just the answer I was 'oping for. Good on ya."

Marius assists in recounting the tale of maybe-Carrius' discovery, politely and euphemistically explaining Xan's presence and their agreement with the single-minded psychopomp.

"Your Grace," he says haltlingly, expression pained. "I cannot imagine what you must be feeling right now, the gods know that if I found myself in your shoes regarding one of my sisters I'd be a wreck--but I must advise extreme caution here. The threat of this 'Circle' is unknown but should be assumed to be enormous. Duke Panivar Lotheed's reputation is...considerable. Alone he would be a lethal threat, but as part of a cabal of like-minded immortal mages, I shudder to think what they're capable of."

He hesitates, then takes a deep breath and plunges ahead. "I've been mulling over what Vaddrigan told us, and what he couldn't. I'm sure he hasn't told us everything but I don't doubt that he's been kept in the dark about the Circle." He squares his shoulders and looks Eutropia in the eye. "I think they set him up, specifically so that Carrius would be found. He's perfect, irresistible bait--to what end, I don't know, but there's far to much strangeness and power swirling in his wake, and it's my gut tells him this is no happy coincidence. Please, I urge you to be extremely careful."

Eutropia does not immediately respond, although her nostrils flare in anger at the mention of memory-erasing magic and the alchemical drugs that the Cult of the Twilight Child have been using on her brother. She keeps hold of one of Carrius's hands, as if afraid he might disappear from in front of their eyes.

Instead, Martella speaks up as she moves aside some of the tea cups and pastry trays to lay out a map of Taldor, different coloured patches overlaying the familiar geography of mountains, plains, rivers and cities.

"Hopefully Lady Paril can help His Highness regain some of his memories, she should be here presently. And I will send word to Viscountess Octavia Nicodemus, her Endless Repository might have some information about all this. There is also the matter of my- well, my great-great-great-something uncle, I suppose. I am surprised he hasn't paid us a visit here yet, although if he does we are no match for him." A frown of concern creases her forehead.

"You are likely correct, Lord Erallan. The prince was bait for both Pythareus and us - and now we shall have to wait and see what the Circle's next move is. But that doesn't mean that we will sit idly by."

She runs her palm over the map, smoothing out the creases. "When this entire mess started, everyone and their cousin rushed to claim a piece of the pie. Now, many of the smaller factions have been swallowed up, or banded together, as you can see. Our main concern is Pythareus, of course, but we cannot ignore the others." Martella points to a red patch in the northern reaches of Taldor, south of Yanmass. "Count Merkander has lost some ground to Duke Nazezi - who seems to have allied with Grand Duke Heskillar - but they're both still holding on to their claims as cousins of the Stavians. We might be able to negotiate with one, or both." Her finger moves over the Verduran Forest. "Countess Starborne is emphatically not making a claim on the throne, and we know she supports us already, but the gnomes of Wispil are using the current situation to push for more representation in the Senate. I don't see a problem with that, so for now we are not concerned about them."

Tap-tap-tap of an index finger on the southern part of the map, where a spreading yellow area threatens to engulf a much smaller red one. "Pythareus has all but claimed the south; he strong-armed houses Cyris, Phaeben and Tarq into swearing allegiance to him. House Kiu was conquered outright. Grand Duchess Destelita Solari, the ruler of Ligos Prefecture is a ruthless, cold-hearted schemer - she has formally declared an alliance with Pythareus. I even hear rumours of a future marriage, which would be a smart move that would benefit both of them. That only leaves Grand Duke Thestro Briarsmith, who has been using the chaos to try and expand his brutal tyranny beyond the Porthmos prefecture; as you can see, Pythareus is NOT inclined to let him do that, but I do fear that eventually they will become allies."

Martella points to the western part of Taldor next. "Now, for the good news. We have been making inroads with House Lawsus and I think they are close to formally declaring allegiance to the princess. And while the main branch of House Vort stubbornly maintains their claim, we have a friendly ambassador in their midst - if you remember Baronet Caphridius Vort. His family doesn't hold him in particularly high regard, given his... proclivities, but he's one of them nonetheless. And with Yanmass formally declaring for us, we will be controlling Avin prefecture as well."

Sorry not sorry for the politics lore dump. For reference, this was the faction split after the Senate Mssacre, and this was the faction situation throughout most of Book 2.

Martella gazes at the map for another long moment before taking a deep breath and looking around the assembled group. "But these are matters for the princess and myself to work on. For now, I want all of you to know that you have done extraordinary work, even if we don't fully understand the consequences just yet. If nothing else, we know that Pythareus isn't just playing dirty; it sounds like he's trying to fan the old flames of hatred with Qadira and maybe even drag us into a new war, which would certainly benefit him. You have earned some rest while I work out the details of your next assignment."

You have some downtime if you wish, around a week or so.

Feel free to post in spoilers any downtime activities you want to undertake before this meeting.

Once everyone has rested from their long travels, they receive a summons to meet with Princess Eutropia at the Palace of Birdsong. The princess is waiting in her office - formerly Count Bartelby's office - studying some papers as Taldogis snores at her feet.

She smiles as everyone files in, gesturing for them to sit and pulling on the chord of a bell used to summon staff. "I want to thank you again," she begins, "both for your loyal service and more personally for returning Carrius to me. I don't understand what kind of resources the Immaculate Circle can possess to raise him from the dead after so many years, but it seems obvious their plan is to disrupt both Pythareus's and my own claims to the throne. For now, he's safe and recovering. He seems to be the same boy, but... haunted by this unfortunate transition. Hopefully Carrius can provide us with additional details once the cultists' drugs wear off and he feels more comfortable returned to his skin. In the meantime, it is an infinite kindness to see my brother again."

A knock at the door heralds the arrival of the tea service, and Eutropia pauses as two servants come in with loaded trays. Once the tea cups and snacks are placed on side tables and the staff have left the room, she continues. "I know normally Martella would be offering you assignments, but she is presently in Qadira trying to prevent a war. After your encounter in Yanmass, you returned with evidence that Maxillar is conducting false attacks on Taldan border communities, disguising his soldiers as Qadirans. My follow‑up investigations have revealed he has also conducted 'retaliatory' attacks against Qadiran targets in response. He seems to believe that a nation at war will select a general as its emperor, and he's probably right. But I don't need to remind you that the last time we went to war with Qadira, it lasted five hundred years and cost millions of lives, not to mention half our empire."

She sips from her tea cup, inhaling the fragrant steam. "There is some good news: we're not alone in wanting to prevent this. Up until now, the Lion Blades have been reluctant to take a side in the succession debate, but with Maxillar risking the nation's safety, they have reached out to me for assistance. It seems all their resources in Zimar have suddenly gone dark, and they need new eyes in the city. You've proven yourselves my most loyal and reliable agents; I'd like you to proceed to the Kitharodian Academy in Oppara to meet a woman named Kathann Zalar. She'll provide you additional information, training, and resources for this joint venture. She also asked that you return an ocarina constructed by a master artisan of the Kitharodian Academy that has been housed here at the palace for the last few centuries, as a sign of good faith." Eutropia takes another sip. "I want to make it clear that this will be a mission of infiltration, not outright attack. I make no secret of my displeasure with Pythareus, and he's certainly overextended his internal defenses as he maneuvers forces to the border, but it's not in my nature to settle disputes with assassination. Taldor is a nation of laws, and to stop Pythareus we need iron‑clad evidence of his crimes against the nation, not violence."

She pushes forward a package and a folder. "Martella left these behind for you. In the folder you will find some basic information about Zimar, although I expect that the Lion Blades can share far more detailed intelligence than myself and Martella could gather in a hurry. In the package is one of her clockwork bugs; it's been modified to be able to climb, as well as record sound, and it will obey your commands. You can use it for surveillance, or to prevent others from overhearing you."

Loot: A clockwork spy built in the shape of a large beetle with a single, jeweled eye. The unique construct has a 10‑foot climb speed in addition to its other abilities, and has been built to obey the PCs' commands, offering them the ability to surveil targets and record short audio clips.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

After the group returns to Birdsong--when not stealing away some time with Rose--Marius devotes himself to practicing his bladework, in particular focusing on teleportation to enable a sudden surprise attack. The peculiarities of dimension door magic make it a difficult lift, however, and he engages Elmar in several highly technical discussions of the planar principles involved to try and figure out what he's doing wrong.

He also (with Eutropia's permission) visits the returned Carrius several times for meals or chess, or training in the yard so that the young man perhaps feels a little less lost and isolated. During these excursions he always finds an excuse to ask questions of Xan as well--its history, past missions, the most interesting or dangerous places its been, historical figures it might have interacted with...anything it's willing to discuss with him, really. Marius has few illusions about softening the demeanor of an immortal emissary of the Lady of Fate, but his own curiosity drives him to the attempt anyway.

+ + +

Marius listens intently as Martella and the Crown Princess lay out the political and military developments in the nation. Accepting the clockwork grasshopper and tucking it away in a pocket, Marius taps the map on the table thoughtfully. "An assassination would likely cause more problems than it would solve, I agree, but what is our objective? Investigation? Abduction? Sabotage? What would you have of us, my queen? I am gratified to have the Lion Blades' support, but I do not serve them."

Princess Eutropia raises an eyebrow at the manner in which Marius addresses her, but lets it pass without comment. "Investigation, to begin with. We are in dire need of fresh intelligence regarding what Pythareus is up to in Zimar. Then, depending on what you uncover, I trust you to take whatever action you deem necessary to stop a war with Qadira and safeguard our country."

Faenia has spent her time largely speaking to Grand Princess Eutropia and Carrius about certain things. She takes her meals with other people from time to time, but has been keeping to herself for the most part. It's not clear exactly what precipitates this behavior, but she doesn't appear to have any ill intent - simply a wish for privacy. She never openly speaks about support for Eutropia or the schism, seemingly acting as a chronicler of the surroundings more than anything, and a guardian to the royal family.

Let's all make sure we have hats of disguise, except Elmar, who gets the mask.

After some time, Faenia announces that she's returning to her father, and bids everyone a gracious goodbye, noting that she has other matters to attend to.

Marius bows deeply at Eutropia's answer, chastened by her gently disapproving acknowledgement of his brashness. "We will see it done, Your Grace."

Hope everyone's having a happy holiday season, I'm ready to move on when y'all are.

Starday, 5 of Arodus 4718

Once all preparations are made, the group and their entourage sets off for Oppara, the glinting jewel of Taldor. The capital has not changed much - the same well-dressed crowds mingle on its streets and among its stately buildings, and the conversations overheard in passing are mostly gossip and mundanities. Still, a few people in the crowd wear pins or ribbons marking their allegiance to one faction or another, and when such people pass each other in the street the atmosphere is tense and charged.

The meeting spot is in the Kitharodian Academy's gardens at sundown. The location is easy to find; the administrators' windows are a stained glass affair, propped slightly open in the warm evening, with a large stone bench below. The campus is mostly empty, as the academic year has not started yet.

As they wait, a man and woman wearing the blue and green uniform of the city guard approach them at a brisk walk. The man clears his throat. "Halt! Who goes there? Why are you loitering on academy grounds?"

The short-haired, olive-skinned woman tsks. "No. What did I tell you? You're overdoing it, which might work with country bumpkins, but if you come across the wrong people they won't fall for it." She winks at the group. "Apologies, I was using this opportunity to train a new pupil. If you are as skilled as Her Highness said, you probably spotted his mistakes right away." The man reddens in embarrassment, clears his throat and looks away - which earns him a vicious pinch from the woman. "You really need to lose that tic." She turns to the group again, speaking in a sing-song voice like a rehearsed speech. "My name is Kathann Zalar, and I will be your guide for the duration of your stay at the academy. We welcome the distinguished visiting scholars." She smiles, a hint of thin fangs behind her full lips.

Vishkanya, not vampire. :P

She dismisses her pupil before starting the tour and begins showing everyone around the premises. "I only recognize one of you, the rest are new faces. I hear that Lady Talbot has decided to spend the rest of the summer in the countryside. A pity, I was looking forward to meeting her again." As the tour concludes, she escorts everyone to the faculty lounge, where a familiar face awaits - the baby-faced woman they had found locked up in the cult of the Twilight Child's premises. Cassaranda Florint greets them warmly as Kathann pours and serves tea. "I have arranged for you to receive some training from our specialists, and lodgings in our faculty building - although of course you are free to stay elsewhere in the city. But first, please allow me a personal curiosity: what is your purpose in working for the princess?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Marius eyes the nervous guard curiously until the woman--Kathan Zalar, apparently--resolves the mystery. "We meed again," he acknowledges, inclining his head in greeting. "Yes, unfortunately Lady Talbot's services are required elsewhere. How's Mirann? I've not seen her in months."

"...But first, please allow me a personal curiosity: what is your purpose in working for the princess?"

The nobleman's gaze sharpens on their guide, wondering if this was some sort of test from the Lion Blades. "Speaking only for myself--in part, this is my way of supporting my mother and sister, who have been firm allies of Princess Eutropia for many years. Only in part, mind you, the rest is for myself. Taldor is stagnating...morally, culturally, politically. I'm no Andoran liberal, but I do see in the Crown Princess a chance to reform and revitalize my country. Taldor can be a tremendous force for justice and a beacon of good governance if we're willing to shrug off the weight of traditions more concerned with noble self-indulgence than with the well-being of the nation and its people. It won't be more than a dream unless someone does something to make it happen, though--and wouldn't you know it, I'm 'someone'."

A somber air shadows the Lion Blade's features for a moment. "Mirann... I am to convey her apologies for her abrupt and unexpected departure. Our dear dadi back in Jalmeray is approaching the end of her days. Mirann is her favourite granddaughter and will be caring for her until she passes."

Kathann nods once at Marius's answer - more to show that she has heard and understood, rather than as any sign of approval for his words.

If anyone else wishes to answer her question, feel free to do so.

Once everyone is settled in, the next week is spent undergoing intense training under the tutelage of Lion Blades, focused not on combat but on stealth, deflection, observation, and disguise. While true Lion Blade training requires months or years, these teachings focus solely on useful minutiae about Zimar and its people.

Everyone gets +2 on Bluff, Diplomacy and Disguise while in Zimar or its immediate environs.

Once the training is complete, Kathann Zalar invites everyone into her office for drinks and their final briefing. "You've shown great promise, and I see why Eutropia relies on you. I'm sorry that the question of succession has soured the relationship between the princess and the Lion Blades, but ultimately our loyalty must always be to the nation and the Taldan people. To take sides in a political conflict is to dilute our power and purpose. But now it seems that political conflict is spilling over into national security." She pours fragrant tea from a delicate porcelain teapot. "Lady Lotheed brought us the documents you recovered in Yanmass, and they corroborate similar reports we've gathered from Sardis Township, Pol, and Demgazi. Maxillar Pythareus is rattling his saber for war, and he appears to be spilling Taldan blood to get it. For a time we shared the same uneasy peace with Maxillar Pythareus's Imperialist faction that we share with Eutropia's Loyalists. But all at once, as we began to receive reports of these "Qadiran" attacks, our agents in Zimar were set upon and eliminated in a single, coordinated attack." A barely perceptible twitch in her jaw muscle indicates that she is making a tremendous effort to mask her feelings on the matter. "I barely made it out of the city alive, and I appear to be the only one. Now I'm too well known in the area to keep a low profile, so you'll be the ones to continue the investigation in Zimar on behalf of the Lion Blades."

She picks up a teacup and takes a sip, pausing for a moment to let her words sink in. "This is not an easy task laid out before you. Many believe Pythareus is the Grand Prince of Taldor, and he is defended accordingly, not to mention that you will be attempting to prove him guilty of high crimes. Furthermore, he is obviously operating his own intelligence network, one run by Milon Jeroth, a former associate of the Lion Blades and one of the most ruthless and underhanded operatives I have ever encountered. We believe one of our agents, Gannaius, may have escaped the purge, and locating him will be your top priority for now. We can provide you with false identities, and I can accompany you as far south as Panemona to act as an advisor, but you will be alone in the lion's den. I cannot enter the city to protect you without alerting Pythareus's diviner and bringing far more pain down upon you. Are you clear on what you need to do?"

Awaiting on a side table are a few folders containing the identification papers of several cover identities, as well as a bag of equipment.

Loot: Everyone can select one from the following items: belt of giant strength +4, belt of incredible dexterity +4, belt of mighty constitution +4, headband of alluring charisma +4, headband of inspired wisdom +4, headband of vast intelligence +4, headband of mental prowess +2.

"Zenobius Baccar would suit me, I think. I don't think I'm terribly persuasive as blacksmith or a farmer."

I will choose the Headband of Mental Prowess, boosting Wis & Cha

"I shall be Karl. Can't say I've farmed before, but I know the land enough to fake it."

I'll take a dex belt as well.

Shuffling through the stack of cover identities and dossiers, Marius' gaze flickers back to Kathann. "I'm sorry to hear that so many patriots were lost. What can you tell us of this Milon Jeroth? You say he's a former associate, does that mean he was never a member himself? I don't mean to impugn the honor of your organization, but such a clean and precise elimination of Lion Blade agents in the city could point to divided loyalties among your ranks--or perhaps that Jeroth has build his own highly capable parallel organization instead."

He glances back down at the cover identity in his hands, committing details to memory. "Any details you can provide us about Gannius would be welcome, too. If he's alive, you have my word that we'll do our best to liberate him if it doesn't compromise the primary mission."

What do we know about Pythareus' inner circle? It might be easier to start with some of his lieutenants who are unlikely to be as heavily guarded.

Kathann looks a little pained at the question from Marius and the implications. "Sir Jeroth has never formally been a member of the Lion Blades, but he and his family have worked with us on and off for decades, infiltrating Qadira throughout the Grand Campaign. He's a master of disguise, an adept sorcerer, and an expert barehanded combatant who studied with the monks at the Monastery of Seven Forms - not to mention a stone‑cold killer. He's difficult to find or track, so if you have even the slightest chance, hit him fast and hard. And, well... I will not dismiss the possibility that we were betrayed by one of our own. Most of our safe houses were raided simultaneously, and many of our agents and informants were killed before we knew we were under attack. However, while inside information would have helped, it cannot be the whole picture - this knowledge was compartmentalized and no-one knew all of it, not even me." She starts pouring fresh cups of tea to whomever has been sipping theirs. "Milon Jeroth is Pythareus's spymaster and part of his personal support circle, together with a few others. There's a powerful diviner named Avenna who studied at the Magaambyan and his majordomo Baron Astor Roderus, from what we were able to gather. Zimar is also home to a sect of Abadar worshipers called the Vault and Chain - law‑and‑order types who are almost certainly loyal to him."

She sets down the teapot soundlessly. "As for Gannaius, he's a paranoid but very talented Lion Blade who prefers to work alone. Our divinations haven't confirmed his death yet, so we're hoping he survived. One of his favorite drops is a warehouse for Sunrise Spice Importers in the Adobe District, so you can start your search there."

"You should set out soon. In southern Taldor, Maxillar Pythareus’s soldiers patrol all major roads, so it's absolutely necessary to avoid them. I have a route planned that uses farm roads and old hunters' trails." Kathann unfolds a map of the area bearing many handwritten annotations.

"The fastest way to get to Zimar from Oppara is to travel about 90 miles up the River Porthmos to the city of Elsekulp, then follow old trade roads to the artisan town of Ortalaca, and finally either press south on the main highway or go the longer route on the back roads to reach Zimar. The old trade route sees little use nowadays, mostly by local woodcutters, farmers, and artisans. Not only has it fallen into disrepair due to centuries of disuse, but the many abandoned villages along the road have a reputation of being haunted. This will serve us well, as there are far less patrols on this road than on the Zimar Highway."

She taps on the southern city on the map. As for Zimar itself, it is a fortified military city, more paranoid than most after centuries on the front line between Taldor and Qadira. Almost every citizen drills with the militia until becoming a parent, and almost everyone is fanatically patriotic. However, Zimar is also the heart of Taldor's spice trade, and its people are happy to put their xenophobia on hold to make money. There are lots of suspicious eyes watching, but also lots of people coming and going. Be very careful, and try not to stand out in any way."

She goes further to explain that the entire trip should take 6 days on horseback, and the rest of the meeting is spent brainstorming how best to present their motley caravan and drilling a consistent story of how they came to travel together, in the event of any questioning.

Elmar looks forward to their meeting with Princess Eutropia. The more time spent with their chosen future head of state, the better. At her words about her brother's condition Elmar can't help but chime in. "Yes, it's beyond what I've seen out of normal memory meddling magic...has to be from some kind of long term exposure, perhaps combined with other mundane tactics. Unfortunately my perspective is that his condition is unique and any sort of magical or healing journey of his will be a novel one."

Elmar openly sneers at the false war operation that Maxillar is doing. "Vile, throwing away lives just to boost your chances at power. The worst kind of politician."

He raises an eyebrow at the Lion Blades. He had always hoped they would get involved, but eventually grew frustrated with their caution. He keeps his mouth shut for the moment, waiting to see what kind of help they actually get.

Elmar toys with the clockwork device with a curious expression, but quickly stows it for future study.

Whatever action you deem necessary. Oh good, they have carte blanche to act. Elmar suppresses his mouth from curling into a smile and sips his tea.

Later

At the new city guard's bumbling nature Elmar can't help but smile. As they pass by he quickly offers a small bit of advice. "Be firm but polite, and don't show your hand. Let others react to your questions and see what you learn." He moves on quickly without a look back.

"Elmar Tarathiel, a pleasure Lady Zalar." Elmar says with a small incline of his head. As she cuts straight to the quick he can't help but have a small force of air out of his nose in quiet amusement. "Just doing my part to prevent the collapse of the country." He muses somewhat absentmindedly.

After a few weeks of training Elmar has an increased appreciation for Zimar, as well as some of the particulars of the Lion Blades.

At their later meeting with Kathann, the Lion Blades sudden interest in them shows itself clear. They're weakened and need new blood to take up the cause. Ha. He raises his brow at mention of Milon Jeroth. With a turncoat too? Tsk tsk, what a sloppy operation. Shendra, sharing his thoughts, spares him a disapproving glance.

Elmar shuffles through the offered cover identities and openly frowns. "I'm going to either have to pass as a woman or a human?" He shakes his head and lets the others go over the details, not seeming thrilled with either prospect. After a few pointed looks he rolls his eyes and returns to them. "Perhaps I can pull off Cadonia if the gender would be swapped, I can fake a merchant well enough." He offers half-heartedly.

"Very well, then. It sounds like you are mostly decided. You can practice your new identities during our trip - but be mindful that the identification papers are from real people, not fakes; anything that doesn't match with the documents will instantly raise suspicion ." Kathann rises from her seat, signaling the end of the meeting, although if anyone has questions she is of course happy to answer.

"As I mentioned, I will accompany you as far as the Panemona, which is close enough to Zimar, but not too close. We will meet a... contact of mine there, who will accompany you into the city." Faenia

--===========================--

Panemona, South Taldor - Fireday, 18 Arodus 4718 AR

The tiny farming hamlet of Panemona lies 15 miles northeast of Zimar and produces a great deal of the grain and herbs the city uses. It's important enough to have a large inn but otherwise far enough out of the way to be easily forgotten. The inn stands at the crossroads of four roads, easily spotted thanks to its red tile roof and small windmill, which operates a pump to supply water to the guests and stables. In addition to two dozen cozy rooms, it offers stables and a large tavern for locals and visitors alike. A sign over the entrance reads, "Windmill Inn," and the four signs on a nearby signpost read, "Zimar 15 miles," "Landarr 9 miles," "Zimar Highway," and "Old Trade Road."

Kathann Zalar, in her disguise as a grain merchant, nods towards the inn once she makes sure you are all out of earshot of the sparse passers-by. "This is the place, my contact should be already here. I'll push on to meet another contact east of town, and I should be back here in a few days. You should head to Zimar as soon as possible. And remember that this is not about any political agenda; it's about the security of Taldor. We need evidence of Maxillar Pythareus's wrongdoing. Gannaius should be able to get you started."

"Not footwork, placement." Marius mutters half to himself, eyes darting to track Elmar's mini-teleportations with undisguised envy. "Placement. Got it." The practice goes on, though it's not clear to any onlookers that Marius is getting any better. "What do I do about the damned vertigo?!" He snarls after the fifth or sixth time he exits the portal with a dazed stumble.

+ + + + +

Keeping his own thoughts about this mission's political agenda to himself, Marius gives Zalar a nod. "We'll meet you here, then, or get in touch magically if plans need to change. Good hunting."

Barcos gives Zalar a smile, "Off to Zimar it is then."

He takes a deep breath and murmurs a Druidic incantation. His features shift and change, like clay shaping itself, and he appears as an old man, eyes cloudy with near-blindness, craggy lines on his face from a life spent outdoors and the stooped posture of a lifelong turnip-puller.

His wry smile is the same as he says in a very different voice, "How do I look? Not bad, as far as old farmers go." He ruffles Baron Barksley's head, "And my trusty seeing eye dog, ready to do some infiltration."

When the small group enters the Windmill Inn, they notice a slender, young half-elven woman and height, wearing a smart hodgepodge standing on a crate nearby, her hands clasped in front of her as she sings to the small assembled crowd of onlookers, seated with the ales and beers. Her hair is dark brown, and tumbles down her shoulders in waves, with the tips of her slightly pointed ears peeking out. Startlingly beautiful, with large dark brown eyes and high cheeks against olive skin, she has a powerful voice as she sings to the assembled, a small sack placed in front of her. The song is a contemporary tune, one which is fresh from Oppara, and those who pay attention to such things know that the song was written by a student at the Kith specifically as a praise of Eutropia, though largely via allegory. She seems to be finishing up, and one of the assembled tosses a copper into her sack. The woman smiles, winking at him, as she finishes, chanting a bridge and she stamps with fine, black leather boots, and claps her manicured hands.

… No more drums, no more fear
No more kings that disappear
No more blood for borrowed pride
No more boys sent off to die

She then seems to finish it with what must be a chorus,
So… a breathy pause sing for the morning, not the thunder
Sing for the light that stays
Sing for the one who builds tomorrow
Not the one who lives in yesterday
Sing for the dawn, not the warning
Sing for the brave, not the cruel
Sing for the crown that’s becoming
Not the man who thinks war is rule

As she finishes the chorus, her head drops and she looks down, and she seems sad, but she snaps her head up, and eyes blazing, finishes her song,

If the sun’s gotta rise on something
Let it rise on a kinder sound
Let it rise on a better promise
Let it rise on a quieter crown

Perform: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Despite the final lyrics, she finishes, almost shouting, seemingly full of energy, and almost out of breath. Her lips, dark purple from her lipstick, part and she grins, taking a bow, as she catches her breath, and various onlookers clap and toss more coins in, a few of the younger ones seemingly hollering in a more rowdy way. Some of the older folks elsewhere in the tavern who aren’t watching seemingly scoff at her and her performance altogether, muttering under their breaths as they nurse their alcoholic drinks.

Elmar's attention is caught by "Argentea", and he gets caught up in the performance. Frankly if he didn't know it was one of his companions in disguise he would likely be quite taken with the passionate young half-elf. As it stands he gives a smile to his own whimsical folly at the notion and takes a hearty drink, quieting his taste bud's response to the bitter beer that he normally avoids.

Zadim al-Hadir, a blacksmith. He decided to put a high-end spin on it, making himself seem more like the artisanal type that makes fancy pieces for people who tend to show off their weapons more than use them. While the notion itself wrinkled his nose a little, he knew it would sit better with the elbows he was expected to rub, and he knew his thin frame is already a bit of a stretch for a profession that tends to make people with biceps the size of kegs. He has made himself more muscular to be sure, but most of his costume was in the subtleties. Obviously his face and hair had to change, and he went with softer features and a large nose along with short buzzed jet black hair, but the high-end leather pieces of his outfit that he painfully made sure to look used and worn in the right places, as well as the stains and calluses on his hands and forearms, were the real telltale signs of his work.

For the occasion he had studied a great deal about blacksmithing so he could answer questions, and he bought a few interesting looking smaller weapons to act as conversation starters to help locate the contact.

The innkeeper is more than happy to host everyone for the night, especially the troubadour who has done such a fantastic job of entertaining his guests. With most of the traffic diverted to the Zimar Highway, business has been slow in these parts.

The next morning, the eclectic group sets off towards Zimar - a knight, a blacksmith, a farmer and a traveling singer.

I will need everyone's disguise checks for their assumed identity, a mention of what you do with your magic items, weapons etc., as well as your means of travel - horseback, cart/carriage, on foot.