Sapphire:Sessions:20141122

Since Tracy Upchurch (the lone survivor of those in the farmhouse) is a mage and has a rosebud tattooed on her left ankle, Trace checks her for runic tattoos (like his own) but finds none.

Chalker walks off a short ways, examining the 'gun' that had belonged to Donald. He immediately figures out its workings and fires four shots into the woods.

Striker leads Rory to a hastily-filled trench. Rory locates a shovel and opens the grave, finding five dead humans: a middle-aged man and woman and three teenage children, two boys and a girl.

Chalker tells Shawna that the Black Amulets could not have come to Erethel without the help of at least one of the First Chosen.

Trace checks for non-Venettian gates, then informs Shawna and Chalker that there is a gate 'on standby' in Dethome.

Returning to the group, Rory notices that Tracy has managed to loosen the ropes binding her.

Chalker resumes questioning Tracy. She came here via Gateway. She doesn't know how she traveled. "We were 'just there.'"

Leaving Striker to guard Tracy, the group discusses what to do about her. Shawna hopes that killing her will send a message to the Black Amulets that they should never return to this world. Rory wants her dead because of the five bodies he had dug up.

Shawna communes briefly with Delsa, who implies that the First Chosen allowed the Black Amulets access to this world. "It is necessary for growth." Shawna mutters angrily, "We are idiots."

They pull Tracy to her feet. Saying "*I* am not going to kill her," Rory strikes the top of her head with one of the special arrows he had prepared. The thin glass vial breaks easily. Tracy screams as 'holy water' from the Temple of Damarot begins eating through her scalp and melting her skull. The four watch grimly as the woman collapses and dies in agony. They sense that Dar is satisfied. Trace turns a sickly color, but he begins digging a grave.

The group arrives back at Dethome about a half-hour past sundown. They follow Trace to the more affluent side of town, which is well-lit (to ward off spirits). He indicates a certain house and says the gate is belowground. Chalker knocks and tells the servant who answers the door, "We represent the Count and would like to speak to the owner." The servant leads the way to the library and goes off to fetch Mr. Mount.

Darren Mount is an obviously well-to-do merchant. He is middle-aged, with thin brown hair graying at the temples. Chalker asks, "Why do you have an active gate?" Mount blinks in surprise, then goes pale. Trace explains, "We're interested in its origin. I just need to see it." Mount leads them downstairs and pulls a hidden lever. A wall swings open, revealing an archway about six feet high; it had been built elsewhere, then brought here in one piece and installed. It is definitely not Venettian. "Can you open it?" asks Trace. Mount utters two words in Dwarven and touches the gateway. Trace can tell that it is drawing a lot of power from a local source.

Mount explains, "The gate connects to Helm's Deep. After the Empire took over, one of my sons found a pair of gates and brought one of them here. It gives me access to goods from the northeastern part of the Calventine Empire." Handing him a couple of Copper King flyers, Rory says, "If you get a chance..."

The group rides to the grove on Count Bastress's land. Rory sets up some torches, then goes down to the stream to check on the horses. At midnight, which ends the Days of the Spirits, the spirit of 'Captain' Jason Branvold tells Rory "It's been a pleasure" and leaves his body. Trace pulls up the earthen plug. The guard on duty reports that all has been quiet, then goes to get the Count. Trace tells Bastress, "You're going to need a new doctor and a new steward." The household is rounded up and by 3:30am is back at the keep.

Around noon the group meets for lunch with Count Bastress, his wife, and his daughter Thana. Bastress thanks them for their assistance; "I will go to Dethome and begin inquiries." Chalker explains that Gwee Balin was taking revenge on the Count, and Thane Nicely (the doctor) was his inside man. They were involved in a convoluted plot to gain control of the dukedom, using Thana's betrothal to Duke Ledary's third son as a wedge. "'Accidents' would happen so that the third son became the heir." Bastress promises to listen more closely to Thana in the future. At Rory's request, he will ask Duke Ledary to write the group an introduction to the Emperor. Bastress reiterates his gratitude, and invites the group to celebrate with him in Dethome.

Shawna attaches a missive (addressed to the elven rangers) to Alovon, thanks the falcon for her service, and wistfully releases her to return to the Temple of Yasseph.

On Change Time 18, Rory visits the Temple of Damarot. An armed and armored priest greets him. "Dar thanks you and wishes to present you with a token of appreciation." The priest brings out four beautifully crafted arrows, showing Rory how the arrowheads twist open to reveal a hollow into which 'blessed water' can be poured.

Once again the group leaves Dethome. Rain slows their travel, but by sundown they reach a small town called Barrow Brown [but not the Barrow Brown that the orc leader Oak Thief hailed from]. Trace checks his box and confirms the presence of gates he had previously detected.

The skies are clear on the 19th, and when they stop for the night at Tristone Meadow, the group is only a half day from Sapphire.

At noon on the 20th they come within view of Sapphire's southern walls. A half-dozen Winged Folk guards soar overhead. The road leads to a caravan ground with thousands of people milling about. There are caravans from many places, even from the Troubled Lands. A few wagons bear Tardartin's mark. Chalker's attention is drawn to a particular merchant nervously talking to the tax collectors; another man who could be the merchant's brother tries to calm him down. Chalker observes that the merchant is trying to slip something past the guards and taxmen. "It must be big." Behind the nervous merchant Trace notices a tall, disguised mage looking over the grounds and subtly casting spells.

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