Sapphire:Sessions:20170729

General Burns and the merchant Felicia Strada are to help Chalker coordinate the transfer of the rest of the Idrians from the Lone Mountain to Dolyena. In order to conceal the gate's usage from Rinaldo Canana, Branamin hires a Mage Guild member to cast Scryfool on the gate.

Ahn-Lee goes looking for Delta Blue (aka MollyPollyDoodle). He is told that when the Thieves Guild splintered into rival factions, Delta Blue took over one faction, another is led by someone named Kevin Sable, and a third by Slimy Sam.

Navar Ironwood spends his day in the university library, reading about the Venettian and Xanthypian empires that destroyed each other centuries ago. Rapt in his studies though he may be, he cannot but notice the grey-haired man hovering around him. Navar explains to the man, Tass Alon, that he is looking for clues to where his parents have gone; they disappeared twelve years ago, when Navar was sixteen. They had hinted at a "significant important find." Navar talks about his Venettian studies, and mentions that he is staying at an inn called the Prancing Pony.

Toward suppertime, Navar overhears a group of people talking about the excellent food at the Lazy Lamb, and he feels inspired to try it. The waitress welcomes him to experience their "good food and prophecy... er, I mean, conversation!" She seems very flustered at her slip of the tongue. Navar orders the house special, remarking to another patron, "You can't go wrong by ordering the house special!" The other patron seems taken aback at being addressed so familiarly by a stranger, so Navar adds with a slight bow, "Navar Ironwood, at your service!" "What service?" "Why, adventure! Long-lost lore! I'd heard this city was the place to find stuff. Clues to be found!" When Navar offers to buy him ale, Ahn-Lee unbends somewhat and sits with Navar as he expounds on Venettian artifacts and such.

Shawna, who has been away in the countryside working with her falcon, Berenel, begins to sense "spiritual disturbances" via her goddess Delsa. She feels the need to head into the city, to a particular tavern called the Lazy Lamb.

Ahn-Lee and Navar suddenly notice a Wizard Eye in the corner. They don't know how long it's been there, and they didn't notice anyone casting it, but they both feel that it's watching them. After a brief discussion, Ahn-Lee suddenly hurls a dagger which strikes the Eye in its exact center. As other patrons turn to stare, he nonchalantly retrieves his weapon.

Shawna strolls up to their table, acknowledges Navar with a glance, and tells Ahn-Lee that the Eye had been cast within the past hour or two by a fairly skilled mage who had probably been paid to do so. Navar recalls that as he was walking between the library and this tavern, he thought he'd seen someone duck furtively into an alley. Also, there was that grey-haired man hovering near him at the library. "The merchant city lusts after things of lore," Navar declares.

While Chalker dreams of Sapphire harbor, specifically the repair docks, something tries to grab him and he startles into wakefulness. Thaumatology tells him that someone had attempted to cast Seeker on him. He writes in his journey book that someone had cast a "speeker sell" on him.

While Shawna walks Navar to the Prancing Pony Inn, Ahn-Lee follows a person of average height, clad in dark clothing, down a trashy alley toward the docks, and into the Anchors Aweigh Inn. A few moments later Ahn-Lee observes a lamp being lit on the second floor, and waits until it goes out again. He easily climbs the side of the building, raises the latch on the shutters, and lets himself into the room. After insuring the room's inhabitant cannot raise an alarm, Ahn-Lee questions him. The man identifies himself as Wayne Bell, a merchant from Lavinia, sailing on the ship Near Stars under Chief Merchant Julie Rose. He admits to having cast the Wizard Eye; he is interested in the ironwood 'sword' Navar carries. Ahn-Lee uses one of his needles to put Bell to sleep.

Well before dawn Ahn-Lee goes to the Prancing Pony and lets himself into Navar's room. Navar is asleep, hugging his sword. "Navar, wake up!"

Ahn-Lee takes Navar to meet Chalker, Branamin, and Shawna. Chalker sizes Navar up as a +4 mage, strong willed, but having a memory gap due to some trauma from his youth. Navar says that his mother was a mage, his father a rogue, and they both had a keen interest in archaeology.

Ahn-Lee describes Near Stars as "a ship full of mages." Chief Merchant Julie Rose, he has learned, is a very tall woman with waist-length red hair who bears a staff. She is currently staying at the Silver Swan, an expensive hotel located near the palace. She is always accompanied by combat mage Sylvia Quiz and the ship's captain Ford Dawson (reputed to be a former pirate).

The group goes to the Silver Swan. They are shown into the dining room, where Julie Rose and her coterie are seated. Chalker observes that Julie Rose's aura is hidden. Sylvia Quiz has magery +4 and minor psi ability; she has controlled demons; she is strong-willed, avaricious, and "not nice." Captain Ford Dawson is strong-willed, disciplined, chaotic, and has been possessed by demons in the past. (Upon learning this, Branamin charges up a Sunbolt, concealing it under the illusion of a wine goblet.) Ahn-Lee makes note of a particular armed man (AM) seated at a separate table nearby.

Chalker introduces himself to Julie Rose and strikes up a conversation. She claims their ship is under repair because it had been damaged by a sea creature. One of the passengers is an envoy from Lavinia. Navar asks Julie Rose a leading question to test her knowledge; she doesn't register his deliberate mistake. Chalker mentions Venettian gates, then asks bluntly, "Are you working for Rinaldo Canana?" The name elicits a strong reaction.

Shawna, who had turned her back and walked away from Julie Rose (JR), suddenly reaches under a table, picks up a small furry creature, and abruptly breaks its neck. Immediately Julie Rose jumps to her feet, emitting an ear-piercing scream.

Ahn-Lee throws a knife at AM, who dives for cover; Ahn-Lee rushes toward him. AM somersaults to his feet, wielding a shortsword and knife, facing Ahn-Lee. (Ahn-Lee recognizes AM as a merc who accepts murder contracts -- the Assassins Guild considers this 'poaching.') Sylvia Queen (SQ) stands, kicking her chair backward, a Fireball appearing in her hand. Ford Dawson (FD) stands, fast-drawing a longsword and a sword-breaker. Navar fast-draws his bastard sword, feints, then chops at FD's neck; FD doesn't buy the feint but fails to parry, and his head is nearly cut off. Branamin Sunbolts JR in the eyes, but she Phases and is unhurt. Chalker grabs JR's hair and slams her face into the table. Shawna leaps at SQ who Phases (and drops her Fireball).

Chalker, still gripping JR's hair, leans back and throws her on her back on the floor behind him. He feels a twinge that he ignores. Shawna punches SQ in the jaw; SQ sags limply to the floor. An amulet around FD's neck surrounds him with an eerie green glow, reanimating him as a zombie. Fast-drawing two knives, Ahn-Lee rushes up to AM and swings twice. Navar cuts FD's head off and the green glow fades out. Branamin throws another Sunbolt, this time frying JR's eyes and face.

Navar starts casting a spell. Chalker rolls over, hooks onto AM's dagger, and AM looks horrified as he appears to stab himself in the chest. "Dammit, Chalker!" Ahn-Lee growls as he drives his knife into AM's vitals.

Ahn-Lee smacks the sword out of AM's hand and kills the merc. Chalker searches Julie Rose, finding a dark ring that "feels very evil." Navar comments, "Asking would have been easier than spying," then points out FD's amulet and takes the captain's weapons. Shawna explains that when she had turned her back, Julie Rose had cast a spell at her through her familiar (the small furry creature). Chalker sits on Julie Rose's chest until her ribs crack. Ahn-Lee takes a small collapsible crossbow that he had admired earlier. Branamin examines SQ, taking some spell components and a wand, and apporting a large ring off her finger into a pouch that Chalker holds out. Branamin comments favorably on the quality of the house wine and buys a large quantity.

Navar returns to the university library.

Shawna quietly tells Chalker that for various reasons it may be time for her to leave Sapphire.

Branamin changes into Captain Dawson and he and Ahn-Lee go to the docks. Ahn-Lee goes to Wayne Bell's room, says "Sorry, we can't abide demons," and slashes his throat. He takes another of the demonic rings from beneath Bell's bed.

Branamin inspects Near Stars, finding it very well-constructed. It is a large ship, requiring a crew of 100. Ahn-Lee locates the quartermaster's strongbox, Julie Rose's private strongbox, and a jewel case filled with emeralds, rubies, and diamonds.

Chalker escorts General Burns and Felicia Strada to their respective places of observance on Temple Row. He himself walks into the Temple of Asseraah.

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