Session 5 Part 2 - The Warning

As Sumayya navigated the quieting streets, she spun the ring around her finger, reflecting on the events that had unfolded over the past few weeks. The warmth of the small inn greeted her as she entered, finding the tables now mostly full with workers drinking and dining. Loanna gave her a brief nod as she passed by. Sumayya scanned the room before continuing up the stairs. The quiet room beckoned her, and she slumped onto the bed as the door clicked shut. Lazily, she reached beneath the bed frame and pulled out the package.

It was a small bundle containing basic worker's clothing, identification papers for Sarah Leonna from Riversidetown, a work order for ship delivery in Kings Run, scheduled three days before Lauthrian’s Night, and a small sum of gold. She rolled over onto her back. I still have some time, she thought. Might as well get some work while I wait. With a sigh, she sat up and returned downstairs.

Loanna and Jona bustled between tables and the bar as patrons came and went throughout the evening. Sumayya took a seat in a corner of the bar and watched them for a few minutes before Loanna approached her.

“Need anything?” she asked with a hurried smile.

“I was wondering if you knew anywhere I could pick up an extra job or two,” Sumayya leaned in, lowering her voice. “Under the table, if needed.”

Loanna’s eyes narrowed. “If you’re sure. Head to the Old Stone Tavern, it backs up to our inn on the neighboring street. Ask them for a pint of the High King’s Ale.” She slipped a note into Sumayya’s hand. “Tell them you’ll take the blade.” she whispered.

Sumayya nodded, lingering for a few moments as Loanna returned to her work. She left gold on the counter before heading toward the Old Stone Tavern. The tavern was a large, open space, now bustling with dockworkers and merchants. Sumayya weaved through the crowd, finding a seat at the end of the bar. The dwarven barkeep, a broad man with a face weathered by time, approached.

“Get ya something?” he asked in a low, grumbling voice.

Sumayya leaned casually onto the bar. “How about a pint of the High King’s Ale?” she said quietly.

His eyes narrowed as he scanned her. “All out,” he responded.

“Well, then I guess I’ll take the blade,” she said, her eyes darkening.

He appraised her for a moment. “Hjulmond’s the name.”

She nodded but did not offer her own.

“Go into the back,” he nodded toward the kitchen. “Ask for Rens.”

Sumayya stood, her gaze still locked on his as she slid a gold coin across the counter before making her way toward the kitchen. The chefs paid her no mind as a halfling man stepped out from the pantry.

“Rens?” she asked. He nodded curtly, turning back into the pantry. As she entered, he closed the door and kicked a gear behind the left shelf. The back wall slid away, revealing a narrow staircase upwards. Sumayya glanced back at the man, who leaned casually against the door, then nodded and began climbing the stairs.

The room at the top was small, the left wall lined with tools, weapons, scrolls, and potions, while the right wall was piled high with paperwork and boxes. In the center of the room sat a table, around which three figures lounged.

“Well, aren't you just the prettiest little thing? A high-elf gracing my quarters? To what do I owe the displeasure?” the central figure growled, her voice low and raspy with age. She stood, her orcish skin darkened by candlelight.

“I believe we've gotten off on the wrong foot,” Sumayya responded with cold certainty. “I’m not from here, you see, so hold no such judgment. I’m just looking for work.”

The woman assessed Sumayya before looking down at her allies, a thin, hooded figure and a larger man with powder blue skin. The man stood and walked over to Sumayya, leaning down over her. He was easily a foot taller, his muscles rippling, his algae-green hair pulled neatly back behind his ears. Sumayya met his gaze with unwavering confidence. He leaned in closer, eyes locked on hers. She didn't flinch. With a smirk, he stood up straight.

“I think we can give you a job,” he said.

The hooded figure slowly turned to face Sumayya, revealing their face. Sumayya’s eyes widened but she held firm. Their eyes had a faint greenish glow, and their skin seemed to shift impossibly, alternating between smoky charcoal and snowy white. They sat casually, waiting for a reaction from Sumayya, but she only stared back with the same confidence she had shown the Triton.

“I suppose she will do,” the figure finally spoke, their voice a melodic, breathy whisper.

The Triton let out a small chuckle. “She approves,” he said, turning to grab a scroll before handing it to Sumayya. “Consider this an interview; she’ll be keeping a close eye on you.” He nodded toward the hooded figure, who responded with a short nod.

“Don’t disappoint us,” the orc woman bellowed, waving Sumayya away.

Sumayya nodded, returning down the stairs. She gave a quiet nod to Rens and Hjullmond before stepping out into the brisk night. When she returned to the inn, it was quieter than before. Loanna was still bustling about, cleaning up from a fruitful evening. Sumayya gave her a nod as she passed, and Loanna responded with a warm smile. Sumayya threw herself onto her bed as the door swung shut, slowly opening the scroll.

Relic Recovery

Recover and deliver any relics from the age before within the Old Town Abbey Crypts. It is believed they have not been fully explored, so take what you can before that happens.

Reward: 450gp

Sumayya smirked. Easy enough, she thought, tossing the scroll aside and blowing out her candle to rest.

“I don’t think we should do something like that,” Coada argued. “You’re asking me to steal from the church.”

“Well, technically, it’s not theirs if it’s from a time before,” Sethie pointed out.

“And,” Sumayya added, stressing her point, “It’s not even something they’re looking for. It’s not anything they’d miss.”

Coada hesitated. “How’d you even get this job in the first place?”

“I asked the right people,” Sumayya responded coldly.

Coada met her gaze, clenching her jaw. “Fine,” she relented. “But we’re going in on my terms.”

Sumayya softened slightly, a faint smile curling her lips. “I can agree to that.”

“It's settled then,” Sethie interjected, “Let’s get this research started now!”

Coada and Sumayya nodded, and the group continued through the Ten Spires and into the healing house. The entry was slate gray, adorned with cerulean banners that hung along the walls. A gentle fountain bubbled in the center of the room, overflowing into small groves that spiraled across the stone floor. The space was cool and quiet as they waited. After a moment, a young elven woman stepped out from the left hallway. She wore neatly pressed blue and gray robes, tied tightly back, with her dark hair pulled into a low bun beneath a matching nurse’s cap—the uniform of the healing church.

She approached quietly, nodding to them with a motherly smile. “Welcome,” she began in a quiet, whispered voice. “How can I assist you today?”

“We’re doing research on the Wasting and would like access to your records,” Coada responded with authority.

The woman surveyed them for a moment, her eyes lingering on Coada’s Arcean insignias. “Of course,” she said, smiling. “Follow me.” She turned and led them down the left hallway, passing wards with various patients and priests and priestesses bustling about. Towards the end of the hall, she turned right, guiding them up a small staircase into a records room. At the entrance sat an ancient dwarven man, who nodded as they entered.

“Help ya?” he asked.

“Yes,” the woman began, cutting Coada off. “House Arcea is conducting research on the Wasting and will need access to our records. Please make sure they get what they need.”

The man nodded, giving the party a reassuring wink before the woman turned and left, heading back down the stairs.

“Alright… Laia!” he called.

“Yes?” A small voice chirped from behind the shelves. A young human woman with bright green eyes and wavy golden hair peeked out.

“See to these folks. Get them the records they need.”

Laia nodded and weaved around the counter. “If you’ll please,” she said with a low bow, her hand extended toward a small table to the right of the desk.

Coada nodded to Laia as the trio took seats around the small table. “We’re looking into the Wasting,” Coada commanded.

“Certainly, one moment,” Laia responded politely, stepping away. After a few moments, she returned with a cart full of documents. Coada nodded in thanks.

“Thank you,” Sethie said as she began unloading the documents.

Laia nodded and took a seat nearby as the party began sifting through years of records: patient documents, death ledgers, research notes, and witness accounts. Sumayya took charge, sorting the documents chronologically, while Coada and Sethie pulled aside the research notes.

“Laia,” Coada called softly, “Did an older couple come in a few weeks ago, Martin and Luella? She was afflicted.”

Laia paused to think before hopping to her feet and hurrying behind one of the shelves. After a moment, she returned with a small file. “They arrived 13 days ago,” she began. “Luella is in our Wasting ward currently.”

Coada nodded. “I’d like to see her.”

“Certainly. Follow me.”

Coada turned to Sethie and Sumayya. “I’ll be back.”

“We’ve got this handled,” Sumayya assured, her face buried in notes. “Do what you need.”

Sethie nodded from behind an old book. Coada turned to Laia, who waited expectantly in the stairwell, and followed her down. Laia led them back into the main hall, passing various wards and offices before turning into a small room. Eight patients lay sleeping, with two priestesses attending to them. Coada caught sight of Luella, looking frailer than before, asleep in her bunk. Across from her, a patient, an elven woman, mumbled a string of pained gibberish. Laia gave a quiet nod to the priestesses, then stepped aside, gesturing for Coada to enter.

Coada cautiously approached Luella’s bunk. The woman’s face was sunken and pale, dark circles framed her eyes, and her wrinkled skin was noticeably frail.

Coada lowered her head, gently placing her hand on Luella’s. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, gazing at the sleeping woman. She hesitated for a moment before leaning in, trying to sense any arcane energy within her, any force tied to this sickness.

A sudden dizziness swept over Coada, and she felt vertigo pulling her forward. The edges of her vision darkened, and a coldness crept along her neck. She could feel herself falling, but just as quickly, a celestial force flooded through her, pulling her back to the present. Her breath quickened. No one seemed to have noticed. She turned back to Luella and tried again to probe for energy, but instead, she felt something celestial holding her back.

Coada stood abruptly, gesturing to Laia with a nod as she passed. Laia stood and followed her back through the building to her allies. They looked up from their notes as Coada entered, visibly paler than before. Sumayya raised a brow, setting aside the stack of papers as she turned to Coada.

“Coada?” Sethie asked, concern in her voice.

Coada slumped into her chair, staring blankly ahead with restrained panic. Laia sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I think…” Coada began shakily, “I think I did something very bad.”

They sat in silence, waiting for Coada to continue as she gathered her thoughts.

“I tried to look at Luella, to really look at her,” Coada said, looking down at her hands. “I tried to use my magic to see into the sickness.”

“And how much did you lose?” Laia asked curtly.

Sumayya placed her hand on some notes beside her and looked at Coada with a hard gaze. “While not communicable,” she said, “Doing that has triggered the Wasting in some.”

Coada paled. “I felt myself being pulled in, losing myself. But I was pulled back by some celestial force. I think…” She hesitated, meeting her companions’ eyes. “I think Arcea pulled me back out.”

Sumayya leaned back quietly, while Sethie nodded at her with warm reassurance. “Give thanks to your patron,” Laia whispered. “There are many who haven’t been so fortunate.”

Coada nodded, pushing the notes aimlessly around the table.

“I think we’ve gotten enough information for now,” Sethie said, nudging Sumayya as she stood. “Thank you again for your time.”

She walked over to Coada and gently took her hand. Coada looked up, meeting Sethie’s calm smile. “Let’s get some fresh air,” Sethie whispered softly.

Coada nodded. Laia stood alongside her, giving them each a quiet nod and lingering her gaze on Coada before returning to her work. Sethie linked her arm through Coada’s and led her out into the city, with Sumayya following close behind. The sharp winter air greeted them with a bitter bite, snapping Coada out of her stupor.

“Let’s get some dinner,” Sethie said as they stepped from the Spires into the bustling city street. Sumayya and Coada nodded, and Sethie led the pair back into the North Corner to a small inn, heavily weathered and dusted by the northern city streets. The three took seats along the back wall at a darkened table.

“Sethie!” a man called as he weaved through the patrons. His russet-colored skin was carved like stone, and his earthen brown eyes held a fatherly kindness. “Haven’t seen you in a while! How’ve you been?”

“Very good!” Sethie beamed. “Mac, this is Sumayya and Coada. And this is Mac. We’ve come here for a long time.”

Mac smiled, nodding to each of them. “I’ve known this one since she was crawling around,” he laughed. “If you need anything or are ready to order, just give me a holler.”

“Can we get a round of ale, house’s fine?” Sumayya requested.

“And let’s do a chef’s platter to share, so we can get a bit of everything,” Sethie added. Mac nodded and disappeared, returning shortly with a round of ales and a pitcher.

Sethie nodded in thanks as Coada inhaled the first ale, taking a long breath before refilling her pint. “So,” she began, her familiar steadiness returning to her voice. “What did you learn?”

“Well,” Sethie started, “The first recorded case of this in the city was 168 years ago—a young elven nobleman. Since then, the frequency has been growing.”

“It’s hard to know much, though, because those records were limited to patients who attended the healing house,” Sumayya added.

“But we see there’s no clear pattern to who gets it. It seems almost like luck of the draw,” Sethie continued.

Sumayya nodded. “We’ll need to research further. I’m sure you have a TomeKeepers library here; they’ll have much more thorough records.”

Coada leaned back in her seat. “We do. In the Shelves. They’re an annex of the university.”

“We should go there next,” Sumayya concluded. Sethie nodded as a large platter was placed on their table. An assortment of warm shredded meats, vegetables, and dried fruits filled their senses. Coada’s mouth began to water. Sethie pulled off a piece of bread, using it to scoop the meat. “Dive in!” she said with a smile. Coada and Sumayya leaned in, joining Sethie in a quiet, hearty meal.

“I don’t want to press,” Sumayya began as they stepped out into the night, “But I’d like to finish that job tomorrow. Could we gain access to those Crypts?”

Coada looked toward the castle, peeking over the rooftops. “Sure. Let’s meet at the town center tomorrow, around the main fountain. We’ll go first thing in the morning.” She sighed.

“Thank you,” Sumayya smiled softly. “Rest well.”

“You as well.”

“Travel safe!” Sethie smiled toward Sumayya. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Sumayya parted ways, traveling back through the city toward the Harbingers Rest Inn. Sethie and Coada continued together, parting ways at Orianna’s. Coada stood at the crossroad, looking down the main path toward the Spires, then towards the smaller alley leading to the orphanage. She sighed, turning down the alley and finding herself standing at the door.

She quietly opened the old door, peeking inside. A comfortable silence greeted her. From the study, she could see Ovar seated on the couch, reading a book by the crackling fire. She closed the door quietly as she slid into the study and plopped down next to him. He looked up with brief surprise, mouth open to speak, but she dropped her head onto his shoulder. He nodded gently before returning to his book as Coada drifted off to sleep.

At first, she could smell it: iron and smoke, blood and viscera. Then, like an approaching storm, the sounds of clashing blades and the cries of war flooded her mind. Coada’s eyes snapped open as she found herself atop a hill. She looked around, trying to gather her bearings. The sky was a sickly, phthalo green. Behind her the city of Ysora spread south and west towards a darkened horizon, and before her stretched a vast battlefield, two sides locked in combat, neither able to overtake the other—pure, uncontrolled slaughter. One side wore silver armor adorned with hints of red and gold, symbols of Arcea emblazoned on their shields and paldrons. In the thickest onslaught, Captain Alfera stood, locked in combat, calling out commands to her army. Creatures of twisted darkness—beings that had once been man—monsters of shadow, clad in darkened steel continued to pour forward. Beyond them stood a figure in dark armor silently watching the battle and haloed by a massive scarlet planet glowing with a low pulse.

Coada’s chest tightened. Is that a moon? she thought to herself. She had heard of other planets having moons, but she never imagined one could look so... formidable. The moon seemed to hum beneath the thunderous noise of the war, and from the horizon, black tendrils of clouds stretched forward like tentacles, reaching out towards the city. She had to act—it was her duty as a warrior of the Holy Blade. But each movement felt like wading through mud. The world began to spin, and her body grew heavy. She reached for her weapon and found nothing. Panic surged as she looked down and saw only common clothing. What happened to my armor? she wondered. She pushed forward again, but once more, she was stopped. The weight of the world seemed to press upon her as she called out in a voice of holy command, “Move!”

And move she did—further and heavier—until she was frozen again. Maybe I need a shock, a jolt, to move forward, she thought. She placed her hand on her side and released a blast of necrotic energy, but nothing happened. The spell dissipated uselessly. Defeated, she sank to the ground, watching helplessly as the war raged before her eyes. Then, a strange sensation washed over her: the feeling of being watched with unnerving intensity. The sensation drew her gaze back to the eastern horizon, but it wasn’t a soldier observing her, nor the dark figure in the distance. Her chest twisted as she looked to the sky. It was the moon.