Sapphire:Sessions:20190420

On Wind Time 2 the "hit squad" heads north.

Alastor learns that Andronius had died from "choking."

On the evening of the 5th the "hit squad" returns with the corpse of Marcus Mays.

Wind Time 6: The "stronghold army" is reported to be moving southward.

Alastor convinces General Bellington to swear allegiance to the king-to-be.

Alastor autopsies a dark halfling. One of its extra organs, he finds, generates adrenaline, and another creates a hormone that toughens the bones and skin. Alastor learns the dark halfling's body structure so well that he gains a bonus to attacks against their vitals, knowledge he will later share with others.

Wind Time 7: At noon there is a great gathering outside the palace. Banners fly and trumpets sound. Chalker announces the ascension to the Malprin throne of the new king, Lamont Kolton. Lamont delivers an eloquent and forceful speech that leaves many citizens "crying with joy." He also announces his betrothal to Sharon Neely.

Alastor carefully notes among the happy crowd a dozen people who are distinctly not happy. Seven of them are merchants (not slavers, but their businesses were ancillary to the slave trade).

While out carousing, Intrinsius "takes the pulse of the city."

Chalker names his new ship (confiscated from PDG) Three's a Charm.

Wind Time 8: A delegation is sent to the "five mile camp." Four barons and two Protectors are with the camp. Discussion is cordial, and two of the barons are leaning strongly toward supporting Lamont. However, the barons also claim that Mays is on his way south. An invitation is extended to come and view Mays' corpse.

Wind Time 9: Mid-morning, the barons from "five mile camp", one Protector, an advisor, and eight guards are escorted to the palace. Lamont invites them to inspect Marcus Mays' corpse. One of the guards, a mage, verifies that the corpse is indeed that of Mays; there are no illusions on it, and he locates a particular birthmark on Mays' neck.

Each of the barons has a private audience with King Lamont. Later, Lamont tells the group that two of the barons have "come over" and the other two are strongly inclined to do so.

Chalker sends Kimtri and Wade to follow the barons back to "five mile camp". Kimtri reports back that at 1:00pm the "stronghold army" had arrived, and subsequently there was a "big blowup" in camp. Five barons "stomped out" and three Protectors stepped in to allow the barons to depart without violence.

At sundown the five barons and their armies (350 strong) arrive at the city gates. Lamont goes to meet them and demands that the barons swear fealty to him; they all comply. They related that the person in charge of the combined "five mile" and "stronghold" armies is Dora Book, former counsellor to the late King Kolton, who has with her the three mages Cole Wingless, Nolbert, and Hala. They had with them a person who looked like Marcus Mays but that may have been an illusion cast by Nolbert. The five barons think the remaining barons will "come over" within days.

Alastor learns that Dora Book's son and daughter-in-law still live in Colvin. They have freed their slaves, recompensed them, and rehired them. Alastor has them brought into the palace for their protection.

At midnight, an army of "infiltrators" from the camps attempt to enter the city through a little-used gate. Molina intercepts them. Intrinsius throws a Fireball to impress them. From the walls Chalker announces, "Give up, put your weapons down, turn around and walk backward slowly." Eventually all of them comply, the last ones being their commander and sub-commander.

Intrinsius spots two camouflaged scouts in the bushes. "Come out or you get this Fireball." One of them surrenders, but the other one runs. Intrinsius' Fireball engulfs the runner in flames.

Shawna casts Faerie Fire to reveal a blurred mage hovering in the air. Chalker 'hooks' a metal object on the mage's waist and pokes him with it. The mage moves away at Hawk Flight speed. Chalker pulls back the metal object, a bloodied dagger; Shawna determines the blood belonged to the mage Hala.

Wind Time 10: The combined "five mile" and "stronghold army" camp has dissolved and the troops scattered. The remaining barons enter the city under a flag of surrender. Dora Book, the three mages, and 200 troops have fled to the north.

Alastor is waiting at the dock when Dinah's ship arrives. She is quite happy to see him. She and Sonya are among the last of the liberation force to arrive.

Intrinsius is introduced to Sharon Neely's younger sister. Over the next several days Intrinsius forms a partnership with Baron Neely to market and distribute Neely's Ale.

Chalker returns to Sapphire and speaks with the king about Malprin.