IN THE SHADOW OF THE SPIRE

SESSION 12B: A PARTY AT CASTLE SHARD

December 2nd, 2007
Harvesttime in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

HANDSHAKES – ELVES & OGRES

Agnarr glanced around, looking for the biggest guy in the room. He spotted a stocky man with black hair pulled back into a pony-tail and piercing blue-grey eyes – not tall, but with a muscular build and a weathered face. He headed in his direction.

Tor, with one eye on Agnarr, also noticed the man. Tor recognized him as Sir Kabel Dathim, one of the knights of the Order of the Dawn who had ridden at the Harvest Tournament that afternoon. He noticed that Sir Kabel was headed directly towards where Rehobath and the Commissar were standing.

Agnarr interposed himself in Sir Kabel’s path and vigorously shook his hand. Kabel clearly wasn’t quite sure what to do about the massive barbarian’s enthusiastic greeting, but Tor slid calmly to their side, offered his own introductions, and congratulated Kabel on his performance during the tournament.

Sir Kabel thanked him for his compliments, and apologized for his brevity, but said that he had business to attend to. Making his excuses he brushed by them and continued on his path towards the Commissar and Rehobath. Agnarr made to follow him, but Tor caught him by the arm and shook his head.

Tee, meanwhile, had seen another elf among those assembled – a tall, slim, and exceptionally beautiful elven maid. Both her hair and her eyes were a captivating, shimmering silver. She wore a dress of dark blue silk and silver-embroidery. Around her neck, on a golden chain, she wore a golden cross of Athor upon a field of crimson. (Tor, noticing her from across the room, recognized it as the heraldic emblem of the Knights of the Golden Cross.)

As Tee approached, the elf introduced herself as Kaira Swanwing. “It’s an honor to make you acquaintance, Mistress Tithenmamiwen,” she said. “Master Doraedian has spoken well of you.”

Tee wasn’t quite sure what to make of Leytha Doraedian speaking of her, but she thanked Kaira for the kind words.

“And what brings you to a party at Castle Shard?” Kaira asked.

Tee smiled demurely. “The same thing that brings us all – an invitation from Lord Zavere.”

“Ah,” Kaira said. “But what brings such an invitation?”

“We performed some small service for him.”

“What type of services?”

“Discrete ones.” (more…)

IN THE SHADOW OF THE SPIRE

SESSION 12A: AWKWARD INTRODUCTIONS

December 2nd, 2007
Harvesttime in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

IN THE SHADOW OF THE SPIRE

HARVESTTIME – PART 1: TOR AT THE TOURNEY FIELDS

PBeM – November 12th through December 1st, 2007
Harvesttime in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

The next day, despite the weariness with which they had collapsed, they all awoke bright and early – looking forward to the festivals of Harvesttime and a day of rest and relaxation before attending the party at Castle Shard that evening.

Agnarr went looking (unsuccessfully) for a dog. And Elestra took simple joy in wandering the streets of the city. But for many of the others, the day held new wonders and discoveries…

TEE AND TOR – BREAKFAST CONFESSIONALS

Tor, knowing that Tee was always the first among them to rise, made a point of waking particularly early and heading down to breakfast. He wanted a chance to speak to her without the others around.

He went to the kitchen first, grabbing a salad of the seasoning grasses that had been steeped in the juices of last night’s roast; a dollop of fresh cream; and a cup of black coffee. He wasn’t sure what he thought of these Arathian meals, yet, but he had never been one to be choosy.

Heading into the dining room, he found Tee sitting alone. He joined her, eating his breakfast in silence for a minute or two.

Then, without pausing or looking up at Tee, he said, “Did you mean what you said, about going back to help those goblins?”

Tee thought about it for awhile, picking at her food. Then she sighed lightly and said, “I don’t know. While I think that they could use our help, and would not mind providing assistance necessarily, I am not sure if that is the best course of action for us to take at this time.  I suppose it depends on how much more exploration we choose to do of the underground area – it might be useful to have the goblins as allies if we plan on being down there more.”

She fell into silence for a moment, before hestitantly asking, “Do you have something against helping the goblins in general, or was there something else that made you walk away?  I do not like to pry, Tor, as I myself am a very private person, but we find ourselves in a situation where I think it would do us good to be more forthright with our intentions.” (more…)