Alaznist scoffs. "A pity he could not face us himself. This could also be the work of a diviner with a broad mind. Divination and dreams are too often similar sorts of frippery."
With the incriminating evidence in hand, you leave the dawnsilver workshop and report back to Ayavah. Ayavah is glad to hear that you have found some leads but is alarmed by how far-reaching this cult’s influence and aims are. She urges you to come with her to report directly to Queen Sorshen and warn her of the incoming dangers. With her position as the city’s high priestess of Nocticula, she can arrange a meeting quickly enough but not so swiftly that the you don’t have time to do some shopping, resting, and recovering if you wish. Once you're ready, Ayavah escorts you to the Blood Moon Palace.
When he lived, Runelord Karzoug ruled his city from near the peak of Mhar Massif within the towering Pinnacle of Avarice among the spires of Xin-Shalast. To Queen Sorshen, this felt unnecessarily distant, so she’s left those buildings empty and instead chose the city’s military academy, Shahlaria, as her home, renaming it the Blood Moon Palace. Constructed (and for many centuries, occupied) by giants, the Blood Moon Palace has a sprawling, intimidating scale that Queen Sorshen’s artisans and followers are still working to renovate into something that feels more welcoming and artistic than its previous austere, severe decor.
Ayavah leads you quickly through the structure, not pausing as curious artisans (some of whom are giants) look on. She doesn’t lead you to the throne room but instead to a sprawling balcony on an upper floor that overlooks the palace courtyard and the city’s northern sprawl below. A single guard clad in elegant robes and armed with a guisarme greets the group then cants her head to the side as she receives telepathic instruction from Sorshen to grant Ayavah and you admittance.
The chamber beyond is extravagantly appointed with tapestries, marble statues, fountains, floor-to-ceiling terrariums filled with a wide range of flora and fauna and a wide bathing pool lined with crimson stone. Sorshen herself lounges in a high-backed wood and velvet throne-like chair on the far side of the pool having just concluded a discussion with an immense rime dragon. The dragon nods her head, favors you with an appraising eye, then gracefully exits the area via the open balcony to fly off into the mountains.
As the dragon recedes from view, Sorshen bids the you approach. Though her expression is soft and welcoming, there’s a carefully schooled but unmistakable arrogance in her aura, the kind only one who has held great power can exude. She greets you softly, leaning forward to meet each eye with her cool gaze.
"Welcome, heroes. I’ve heard you’re among the most accomplished of those invited to Xin-Eurythnia in anticipation of our Unveiling Ceremony for the Circle of Open hands. High Priestess Ayavah has spoken highly of you, and it’s past time, I think, I made your acquaintance. But those pleasantries, I think, must wait for another time, perhaps after the ceremony. For now, I’m told you have uncovered some unsettling news about a cult?"
Discovery: Nocticula Lore, Society, Perception
Influence Skills: Art Lore (to appeal to Sorshen’s grown adoration for beautiful artwork), Arcana (to engage with Sorshen as a fellow practitioner of magic), Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation
Torisen observes the Runelord cautiously. Waiting in her presence is like standing close to a raging bonfire. Uncomfortably close.
Alaznist can't help but flush as she approaches Sorshen. Her brand twitches with thwarted wrath as memories of failed assaults, crushed minions, sudden betrayals, a regrettable assignation, and then the oceans of blood that followed.
That time is dead. The me that I was back then is dead. The only thing still living is her...
"Greetings, sister. It has been a very long time indeed. I hope that in this strange new world we can find something more productive to make of our lives than our former divertissements, and that I am not here so I can be squashed before my return to true power. But do not fear. I recognize my prior failings; Ranek's account of your rebirth is my model, after all."
Ranek offers a bow upon arrival. "First, Queen Sorshen, I must thank you for your invitation and hospitality. I look forward to the unveiling of the Circle of Open Hands, and wish that we could have discussed magical theory under more auspicious circumstances. Regrettably, we do need to deliver ill news of cult activity. You are of course aware of the Trinity Star that passed through the sky last year. The cult seems to worship this star, and views it as a sign of the return of the Runelord Xanderghul. Whether that belief is true or not, I cannot say, but we did encounter a powerful illusion trap on a door, as well as kind of living illusion of the former Runelord of Greed, Gimmel, made of dreams and memories that likely lingered within the Dreamlands. I have some theories about this..."
Ranek proceeded to discuss his theories of how dreams and memories could be combined into a living illusion with Sorshen, if she wanted to.
The tiny bronze-colored bat-shaped Sprite saunters into Queen Sorshen's elaborate bedroom. His blue eyes roaming about making it seem as if the Champion of Mazludah is a bit crossed-eyed...
Shaking his helmeted bat-shaped head, Sir Batman approaches the Queen.
Hello, Queen Sorshen. I am Sir Batman, Champion of Mazludah. Pleasure to meet you.
Turning serious the Sprite begins confirming the doungs and goings ons of this new Asshat Cultists.
...and in conclusion, perhaps postponing the Opening until we can ferret out the rascals?