Fifty-Eighth Session - Succession and Salad

Session resumes in the council meeting room with Raashid, having just concluded the party's audience with Azkaresh's power players. It's roughly 9 PM.

Ishaq asks the Governor about the blood magic that empowers his position. Raashid explains that the magic ties the Governor to the vast underground reservoir of water that makes the desert city flourish, as well as the city treasury. It is the Governor who must manage both. Raashid also raises that if Roe is gone, his Ministerial position will need to be filled. WIth that, Celia takes Raashid away to his room/fate for the night.

The party plans their next moves for the transition of power. Ishaq nominates Lord Bashira (who took very detailed notes that are handed to Max) to fill Roe's position and Citizens-Elect Azaera and Salim as co-governors. Ishaq also suggests that Max approach Bashira about taking the Ministership, appeal to her on the basis of data and budget and the chance to reshape Azkaresh's policies and infrastructure.

Max points out that Raashid might think his hold on the blood magic is the only thing keeping him alive, and that they'll need to convince him he has a future after he gives up power. Ishaq suggests Markoris convince him that he has a life after letting go of the job. Markoris agrees to use his underworld connections to arrange for the Governor to be spirited away to a safe, quiet retirement.

The rest of the party will act to secure the cooperation of the rest of the High Council, and get Raashid to cooperate at dinner the next night, with salad. After Azkaresh's future is secured, they can return the sundial and move on with their other priorities. With that, it's off to bed for the Keepers, who take a Long Rest.

During the night, Alana has a DREAM: surrounded by water, she feels held in a deep embrace, floating. Flowing sand rises up from below her to swirl around her, and then she receives a stream of images. Alana sees the entirety of Raith, as though from a great height. The land dims, something appears on top of it - crackling energy connecting the Gates Alana's order protects. Some of the Gate locations are bright, others have gone dark.

In the morning, Alana shares her dream as the party prepares to depart. Out of 21 gates across the world, 13 have gone dark, their keys apparently missing. Markoris asks who would be able to do something like this. Alana says that in terms of mortals, not even the head druids of Alana's order know where all the gates are.

Ishaq points out that there are 12 gates remaining and 12 gods approved of in the Raith pantheon. Alana says the Gates are more tied to the older ways of worshipping the Gods, she is not convinced that the Empress and Soldier have Gates. Max theorizes that the Gods might be acting against each other's Gates as part of the Godwar. Ishaq believes that the current human Empress is collecting Keys to ascend to Godhood: she's the only one with the resources and knowledge and ambition.

Max asks if they are all about to die with 13 gates interfered with. Alana warns that the Keys have the power to remake or destroy the world. Anyone who enters a God's Gate can affect their entire domain in unpredictable ways

Ishaq suggests that a coalition of gods could overthrow the current Raith pantheon. Max guesses that if the Empress is collecting Keys, they're probably all being brought to Raith itself. Ishaq points out going to Raith is a great way to avoid confronting Cyrus. Ishaq wants to head East, check out the Gates there, and get Max closure with Cyrus in the process, or possibly stage a STING OPERATION with a Key that isn't currently taken.

Max suggests holding Host Radiantcon early so Ishaq can rally his flock to gather more information worldwide. Ishaq likes it in principle but warns he doesn't know how much of his sect is still intact after his arrest and Ayleen's betrayal, and doesn't know who he can trust. Max asks Alana what she wants to do, and Alana admits the sting operation sounds like the best available option.

The team splits up to handle the Governorship thing first, then they'll save the world.

ALANA: sends a message to Jaynith to tell her about the dream and the recovery of the Sundial. She hears back from Jaynith soon, who says she will meet Alana in Azkaresh in about a day. She then takes a badly-needed spa day at a place called The Salt Baths, asking about whether they can accommodate the rest of her friends at a later date. The gnomish proprietor confirms that all Alana’s friends are welcome, even the mushroom person.

MAX: sends a message to Lord Bashira requesting an urgent meeting. A runner soon arrives to escort Max to the upper-class neighbourhood South of the Palace, filled with gated estates. Bashira's place is not as gaudy as the others, looks old and well-established. The runner rings a bell, summons Bashira's manservant.

Inside the house, the walls can't be seen because *every surface* holds a bookcase filled with knowledge. The decor is kind of last-century, grandma-style for Azkaresh. Max is led to a waiting room, also filled with books. A Perception check shows no sign of danger, or of magic, which is unusual. The visible books feature many field guides of different species, many maps and atlases.

Bashira arrives, appearing considerably less formal than she did last night. Max tells her that they have follow-up points on her notes on city improvements from last night. Bashira talks about her enthusiasm for civic systems and administration while picking up a notebook and activating a Spectral Quill to take notes.

Max tells her that her proposals need a Minister to fill Roe’s position. Bashira suggests  appointing Lord Nuala, saying that she has an ability to get things done, very efficient, with a fierceness that belies her timid appearance. Max offers Bashira the job instead.

Her face falls, and she says she isn't ready for that level of responsibility, despite Max’s attempt at persuasion. She feels the position would be detrimental to her research and studies - she didn’t even want to be on the Council to begin with.

Max offers to make it a temporary appointment, to conduct 'emergency repairs' to the city's administration and then resume her supportive role with space for her studies. She agrees, and writes a signed note of her acceptance. Max asks her to keep the appointment quiet until it's announced. She asks to meet with the Governor ASAP to set things up. Max tells her the Governor's been unwell but he will relay the request and hopefully she can talk to the Governor soon.

MARKORIS: needs to arrange a discreet black market escort for a retired Raashid. An investigation check leads Markoris to an Elven Ranger type who is dressed in browns and greens, scarred, good at blending in, leaving the Bishop's Tavern. Markoris approaches him, offers to buy him a drink. The guy accepts, recognizes Markoris' face, and calls him a 'colleague.'

Markoris takes him to a different bar than the Bishop's, then tells him that he has a very delicate package requiring escort out of the city. The Ranger warns that he has a high day rate, and asks where the package is bound. Markoris admits they don't have a destination in mind yet, just establishing a connection right now, asks if the Ranger is planning a trip out soon.

Ranger confirms he's heading out in a couple days, mentions he's got another client 'escorting' someone into the city. He asks if the 'package' will be unwilling. Markoris says he'll just be clueless. The Ranger says he can be contacted via a Thieves’ Cant code chalked on to a building corner. He says he needs a response in three days or he'll assume they don't want him, and that he also requires the majority of the fee up-front.

An accord is made, and Markoris heads back to the Palace to chat with Raashid about where he would like to go after they get him out.

ISHAQ AND CELIA: Ishaq asks Celia to cast Sending for him.

First, to Ayleen: he tells Ayleen they're heading East, hopes her execution is painful, sending 'brutal hugs' from her former Incandescent.

Ayleen’s reply: *'Oh, the mushroom. Tell him I hope he burns in Hell for all eternity, and if I can I will ensure it.'*

Ishaq then uses the Sand Room to create a 3D model for his next thing: first the model of a Mediterrannean-esque coastal city, then the image of one of Ishaq's High Priests, Robel, so Celia will be familiar enough to contact him.

Celia sends him a message: *’Out of the dark day. This is a message sent through a trusted source, on behalf of Ishaq Duvainor. Scout Urn’s Harbor. Search for divine inconsistencies. I’ll contact again.’*

The repy: *’Friend, into the brighter night. glad to hear of continued work. will do as requested. please take care.’*

Messages sent, Celia and Ishaq then talk about fast travel options for getting to their rapidly-expanding objectives faster. Celia is in favour of anything that gets her out of Azkaresh sooner because she hates it. Ishaq proposes travel through the Underdark with the Warden’s aid, Celia warns that it's dangerous as shit down there. They also discuss the appropriateness of the phrase 'stick in the butt,’ at length.

Ishaq then contacts the Warden with the Nose-Stone: *'Hello, Warden. Quick Update: we’ve dispatched Roe. Secret dragon. He shouldn’t be using your kin anymore. We need to leave eastward. Can you help us?'* The Warden agrees as part of his debt

Ishaq then asks Celia what her plan is if they encounter other Myconids. Answer: 'I'm going to convince them I'm a God.'

Ishaq also discusses the possibility of forging documents to convince the High Council of a transfer of power, and how to sway Raashid to hand over the blood magic, possibly involving Alana's Geas. He then asks Celia what else she wants to do. Answer: mud bath.

Celia uses Locate Object to find Alana, and finds her at the Salt Baths spa. She hops into the mud baths, waves at Alana as she passes. Alana joins her.

One day of refreshment later, the party reunites at the Palace and compares notes. They get on the same page (Ishaq pockets a couple pillows in the Bag of Holding), then decide to have a 'polite conversation' over dinner with the Governor and get him on-side for the transfer of power.

They discuss Hepatian's fate next. It's agreed that the kid needs to be raised by someone not Raashid, and taught magic. The best option is to have him adopted by Celus and taught by Sol when he shows up.

Then Ishaq goes to talk to Hepatian.

After knocking on the lad’s door, Ishaq decides to cast a Agonizer's Scorcher spell on his own stomach to show off his new fire immunity to the kid. He accidentally damages his clothes, which do not have fire immunity, burning his midriff into exposure.

Ishaq then asks Hepatian who the cooler Dad is: Raashid or Celus. The lad immediately gets afraid that his Dad is abandoning him and starts crying about what he did wrong to be rejected. He eventually tries to leave, and Ishaq has to Grapple him.

Ishaq tells him everything, including about his mother not being his mother and his real mother being a dead zombie dragon. It does not go over well, yet a Nat 1 on a WIS check leads Ishaq to keep going. Hepatian says he wants to talk to his Dad before he is abandoned, and tells Ishaq to get out of his room.

As the party sits down for dinner with ample salad, Celia spots Hepatian fleeing the Palace. She takes off after him, followed by Max and Alana (Markoris is getting the Governor into a bath at this time). Hepatian spots them chasing him and screams for the Guard. Celia casts Hold Person on the kid.

A guard at the gate hears the commotion and comes over. Celia tells him that they thought Hepatian, who is dressed all in black, was an intruder. Celus is summoned, and Celia lies badly about why Hepatian is paralyzed.

Seeing that Celus isn’t buying it, Celia drops Hold Person. Freed, Hepatian immediately starts crying about all the stuff Ishaq told him. Celus manages to calm him down to just weeping.

Meanwhile Markoris is making sure Raashid, who hasn’t slept or washed under Celia’s unblinking gaze, is bathed and presentable for dinner. Markoris checks to make sure he understands he's being deposed. Despondent, Raashid says he's likely to be killed. Markoris assures him he'll be fine if he cooperates, but he needs to pick a place to be exiled to. He also assures the Governor that they aren't installing Professor Baron, and will tell him more about the future at dinner

Dinner begins as Max, Celia, Hepatian, and Celus arrive. Hepatian sees his father and immediately runs to him, yelling about being abandoned. Getting things back on track, Ishaq stresses to Raashid that they need his cooperation to transfer power to his successor.

Raashid warns that the high council will need to be part of the ritual. Ishaq shows him Bashira’s note accepting Roe’s position. The party gets the impression that he's disappointed, but resigned. He says that he imagines the Keepers will install themselves as governors.

Ishaq corrects him, names Salim and Azaera as co-governors. Raashid says it's unheard-of to install members of the citizens-elect as Governor, Ishaq says that's where R needs to weigh in with legislation. They then discuss the current Governor’s fate. Ishaq makes it clear the choice is between exile or death. Raashid agrees to go South and seek out his estranged wife, and imagines Hepatian wants to see his mother.

Hepatian is VERY TENSE at this point. Raashid asks what they told him, and Ishaq says he’s been told the truth. Hepatian dramatically smacks his father for lying to him about basically his entire life.

Ishaq suggests Raashid will have a chance to build a new relationship with his son. Max perceives that the soon-former Governor of Azkaresh is completely despondent and is giving up completely. Celus doesn’t look happy, and escorts the lad out.

Hepatian’s future in magic is discussed. Raashid suggests enrolling him in the Sky Spire, Ishaq offers to write a letter of recommendation as an alum. The new plan is that Hepatian will accompany his father into exile.

Max asks who will be a problem in the transfer of power. The Governor names Niara right away, who will report it back to Raith. Professor Baron will not be happy either,  since he'd assume the position would be his. The palace guard will heed Raashid, the Merchant's Guild doesn't care as long as they can do business, and Lord Jiang will be pissy in general. None of them have a veto over the transfer, and can be replaced in the ritual.

His fate decided, Raashid leaves the table, without having any salad whatsoever. Raul goes with him to mind him.

END OF SESSION