Session 4 - Mortuus Vulpes Corvum

12/4 - The party discussed their situation with both Rabbie and Barrett, learning from the former that the latter was a member of an organisation called the Cat's Eyes and revealing that this was the organisation that The Harper ran. They discussed Rabbie as a rallying point but the old priest felt his position too undermined by his recent failures to be a point of strength. Barrett suggested they rest and move just before dawn when the search will likely have calmed down. Rabbie gave Braith a small, carved idol of Findabair.

13/4 - The party made their way across town before dawn but were interrupted by The Stag Lord, who was searching for the fugitives. With The Stag Lord was a Coin Tír na nÓg that gave chase when it spotted the party. The Stag Lord loosed an arrow that injured Elnorin. Through the backstreets the chase spread but as the hound caught up to Heskan, who was protecting the rear, it was hit by sunlight and banished until nightfall. With Heskan bleeding, they made their way to the safe house.

The safehouse of the Carnspor rebels was an old storage house. It contained around two dozen rescued villagers. Here they met Wynne and Hazel. Wynne suggested they turn themselves in and stormed off, Barrett went to follow her and Hazel apologised for the outburst.

After some discussion they decided to meet with local businessman Paullus Accius Arius whilst Heskan (who was conspicuous during the rescue the night before) stayed behind and started persuading the rebels that the party were here to help.

Ruric, Braith and Elnorin (shape-changed into a dog) met with Paullus and persuaded him that he could help by rallying the people. After a conversation he saw he could help but he was silent and thoughtful as the party left.

The party stopped by the safehouse and realised that it would be around three and a half days before Aine arrived so they needed to move quickly.

Braith, Ruric and Elnorin (now a cat) headed out to scout the temple grounds. Here they found the children playing around the temple. Ruric sent his raven in to scout and, whilst looking through its eyes, found a book marked with a stylised 'eye' design (Heskan would later confirm this is a mark of Asmodea). The raven then overturned the room and left. The bird also noted a passage underground.

The party took a brief break, in which Barrett confirmed Garbhan had been made the town 'magistrate' and was planning executions tonight, before heading back out to infiltrate the temple's underground (now with a cloaked Heskan in tow). They found the children sat around in a lesson. The raven scouted the area but was met by one of the older children whom is now an acolyte. Using the power he'd been gifted, he killed the raven with an 'Inflict Wounds' spell. Shocked Ruric ordered a retreat.

Elnorin, again a cat, decided to poke round. He slipped into the underground and found a large chamber with a carved 'eye' design on the floor. Over the pupil was a sacrificial alter. The area was rigged to channel blood into the eye design. At the far side was a more rough-hewn tunnel which led to the castle (seemingly the end of a bolt hole). Elnorin, now in elf form, explored the following 700ish feet and found the base of a castle tower. From above came soft singing but there was also a closed doorway with an inscription-

“A warning fairly given that this way lies a path of blades and that any who pass shall face the trials of time. If beyond even this you travel know that one doth not returneth from the depths. Forever thou shalt abide there”

Not as silent as he'd hoped, Elnorin caused a noise which caused the voice to call out 'Hello?' before the elf retreated and left in cat form.

Back at the safe house the party made a plan to discuss the problems with Prima Claudius "Ursa" and help rally the citizens against Ban Lior that night.