Session 31
Date: 5 November 2020
Prev: Session 30
Next: Session 32
The party takes a moment to recover from their interaction with Tahm Kench and reflect on what they've learned. Raen confronts Mino about his provocations toward Kench just a moment ago. Mino expresses some regret, but acknowledges he did in fact "try it". He remains resolved to kill Kench.
Corrin also brings up that Raen is "from a hole". Raen isn’t sure what that means either. Mino floats the idea that Raen's home has no rivers, a notion which Raen flatly relieves him of - there are rivers in Tymill (sorry, Mino’s theory). Corrin thinks maybe it’s like an anti-magic field, since Raen doesn’t have magic at home. Quill suggests more research, of course. Raen is confused by all this, since he still doesn’t know much about magic.
The group talks about Etheon Symol. Astrid hasn’t heard of him, but the group wonders if she could write to Iphigenia to ask about him? If they decide to write this letter, they need to word it so it’s not interesting to her. They talk about ways to phrase it: Mino suggests Quill found this academic name, and perhaps she’s heard of it? Astrid points out that this could work, but it might be just boring enough to make her disinterested, so it might depend on how much competes for her attention. Corrin suggests giving Iphigenia an incentive, like an exclusive scoop, which Astrid confirms might work – depending on how news travels about the marilith.
The group also talks about other people they could write: Pavashal? No, he could blab. Mathur in Fishmouth? Sure. Gildha and Talanatha? Yeah. Gart and Revash? Yes, and maybe information about the plane Mino is from!
Mino asks Nergil if his dad could him advice on how to kill a demon. Quill also proposes asking Nergil's dad about Symol. Mino wonders if they want to try flushing Symol out? So far they're just playing cleanup after him – after the world breaking, Nergil corrects him – but Quill cautions against forcing a confrontation before they're ready, given the power they saw him display.
Mino then wonders how to get to Mount Celestia. Quill surprises him with the answer: "We could open a portal right away, I know how, but we need an object that could act as a beacon". This probably not Mino himself, or his hairs, because he’s “attuned” to the Material Plane. There's also the issue that once the party gets there, they have no way to navigate.
Dreli is literally hugging a tree when they got back. Mino asks if she could keep an eye out for Symol, and Corrin asks her to keep an eye on the standing stones.
The group looks for Elaim and he is working in the office. Kenzie is in their small study. They have the money, but all but ask outright if they might stick around longer. Nergil really tries to pretend he doesn’t know what Kenzie is talking about. Mino wants a shield, and Kenzie requests one from the town guard for Mino's use. Does Kenzie know anyone in the merchant god's temple who they could caravan with? Sure, they will write a letter of introduction on behalf of the party. The Inspektorz ask about Symol, but Kenzie doesn’t know him. Kenzie does ask if they found the shrine alright - yes, the Raen replies, and absolutely nothing happened. Kenzie doesn’t totally believe Raen but doesn’t press further.
A guardsman brings the shield, a standard wooden shield painted with the town arms, and Mino blurts out "what the fuck is this? Sorry, that was rude". He is visibly disappointed, but Kenzie accepts the apology gracefully. Kenzie remits the party's reward to them, and offers Astrid’s portion to the reconstruction effort on her behalf - she is faintly embarrassed. Nergil gives Pasky the last portion of gold, and Mino gives him another 20 gold. The letter of introduction is ready, and Kenzie explains that the temple organizes caravans, while the town just handles goods and sales.
The merchant's guild is one and the same with the temple, so the head cleric is also the guildmaster. His name is Kevin. The party is surprised to find that the temple acts as a marketplace of sorts and an informal mutual aid center. Kevin is happy to receive their letter and provide assistance to the count's friends. They ask about the city, and Kevin explains that Swansing is built around the central castle, like a nautilus shell. Quill wants to know about any magical districts, and Kevin mentions the mages' guild can be found in the Yenshir district, although he mostly spent time at the temple to Bifelgan, which is in a different district. After reviewing the schedules, Kevin sees there is a cart that wants to leave tonight looking for guards and gives orders to an acolyte who leads them to an inn at the northern edge of town.
When the party arrives, they see Moon-sik and Panit arguing about when to leave, although they don't seem truly argumentative - the pregnant Panit seems more exasperated with Moon-sik's overcaution. The innkeeper flags the couple down to introduce the Inspektorz and they stop arguing long enough to introduce themselves. Raen checks for rings on their fingers. Panit sends Moon-sik off to prepare the cart and she remarks that she's happy to have them along and she's looking forward to getting to know them. She explains that Moon-sik wants to wait another night to head out, to make sure she's comfortable travelling, although she is used to this trip and one extra night on the road won't hurt her.
Corrin uses a little deception to convince Moon-sik to leave that day instead, and after the cart is ready, they set off for Swansing.
