Session 33 - New friends

Day 13 (morning)

Braith escapes from the temple, watching the boat with her friends drift swiftly down river. Seeing them attacked by members of the Eventide from the shore, she fires a brace of arrows at the guards. Half a dozen peel off to pursue her. They corner her in an alleyway and as they surround her to finish her off, an iron drake bursts through a nearby wall. The iron drake, seemingly defending Braith, breaks the resolve of the Eventide guards, who flee whilst she had taken the opportunity to slide between two houses.

As she makes her way towards the Almshouse, she's approach by Amidir Min'alth, a local Shadar-Kai with seeming altruistic goals. He had caused the image that had distracted the guards with the iron drake being nothing more than an illusion. He helps tend her wounds and heals her using his magic. His intelligence placed Arinet and Bankanir in the market so, with some help from a hidden colleague (Natan) they make their way safely to the market. During this time they trade stories and information.

Before they enter the market place, Amidir passes Braith his heavy cloak. Whilst it hides her from the prying eyes of the public, Bankanir sees her. Arinet has been convinced to buy a pig and the pair agree to follow their new ally to a safe place. Braith and Bankanir share a conversation in clipped bits of language they've learned from each other.

Natan arrives at the safe house first and warns Codruta, the head of their group, that they are expecting guests. The group arrives and Codruta gives some assurances that both parties goals are aligned. Currently a stallo raid prevents easy egress from the town, therefore they should lie low. Amidir, Natan and Codruta seemed unconvinced by Ashok's apparent death. They also spoke of rumours that, for years, a powerful prisoner was being held in the Quod as the personal 'guest' of Ashok. They also spoke of Vedora, the architect whose magics had raised the walls and the Fortress of Memories. Legends told that she was taught by Syndrid 'the mad' (or the Wise, as he was known locally).

Following a rest, Amidir is passed a message. It was left near their hideout, a white/silver ribbon draped over a dagger driving into a wall. Through a raven's wing. It was seemingly from Zahar, a lieutenant of Ashok, was goading them into the open. The message, once decoded, outlined an idea of the Almshouse ablaze.

The group planned and reconnoitred the area before settling on a plan. Natan warned Doru of what was about to happen. She slowly trickled the slowest members of the house to a safe place. She also provided a list of where people worked. Bankanir, disguised as a local vagrant, warned them of what was to happen. The group reunited at the hideout to cover the final plan. 

Amidir used his enchantments to intercept a messenger being used between the trap at the Almshouse and Zahar. They gave fake orders to the Eventide to return, which they did. They used this distraction to sneak the remaining people from the Almshouse. Unknown to most of them the warlock, whom had embarrassed himself with the party, was disguised and watching. He briefly skirmished with Braith, nearly killing her, but was brought low by her arrow.

Six hours after the battle in the temple Braith had accomplished her mission, saved the residents of the Almshouse and found a new ally.