Session 48 - Coming home to Roost

24/06/300 (evening) - The party arrive at he unfamiliar North gate of Baile. Here they part ways with Cana, giving er 500gp worth of gems as recompense. She doesn't believe she'll ever voyage on the River beast again but she's grateful in spite of her heartache at the loss of her crew.

The guards recognise Heskan and Braith. they allow Namhias to pass once Ruric Iron foot identifies himself as a member of The Hall of Knowledge. 

They party travel to the Hall, stow their things in their quarters and Ruric sets off to find Emrys. Once located they meet Elnorin in the infirmary, who briefs Emrys on their condition and their overdose of Summer's Draught. Emrys agrees to look after them and uses hi knowledge of elven alchemy to begin treating them. 

The group heads to the docks and then the Mason to find Ultana Fairweather. They also nump into Brottor as the pair play cards with some locals. There are plenty of refugees still living/working there from the island. Jean seems content with the current situation. Captain Fairweather reports that the Wind Runner is ready to leave first thing. She also, oddly, states that the Brennus wants to see them.

The group head to Aethelwyn's estate to find that the guards are willing to admit them (once they fetch Hrothbrand). Inside Aethelwyn reveals that, due to the presence of an ambassador from Crossaire, Baile will also be sending an envoy. Eseld will travel across Loch Carn with the party. Aethelwyn seems frustrated that these talks with the Queen of the Vannin were happening without Baile but Eseld seems farmor sanguin. 

Back at the Hall of Knowledge raith can't sleep. She spends hours with Ruric stuying books and furthering her understanding of magic.

25/06/300 and 26/06/300 - Travel. Ruric trains with Heskn. Elnorin studies Heskan's frost breath and Braith talks politics with Eseld.

27/06/300 - The party arrive to find Paullus Accius Arius waiting for them with Devin. Elnorin also spies Barrett skulking nearby. They are informed that Tiberia Cassius Pulcheria is the envoy from Crossaire and tha she has brought slaves with her, much to the chagrin of the Vannin. Queen Caitriona Ingen Ailis is still in attendance. 

The group find the feast in full swing. As the group approach the Queen's table for gift exchange, Heskan is distracted by Jock "Shortshanks" MacLaren who greeted his friend. The others approached and were offered hospitality. They also saw a grumpy Aine Stormsword who was apparently made Tiarna of the settlement.

During the feast Ruric became melancholy and excused himself. The other three drank for a bit. Elnorin watched the two ain trbes present (the Darini and the Morini) vie for pre-eminence amongst their number, seeing a disturbing parallel with the fae. Braith gained social status wit the Morini given her killing of Ban Lior and her adventures. Heskan got a bit drunk before regaining composure. Braith expressed her surprise to her tribe that the Lugi had been trading with the Frost Giants only to find this wasn't a known activity. Padraeg Bane, Champion of the Morini, was in earshot. He grabbed the senior member of the Lugi clan from the Northern expedition and dragged them outside.

Ruric sat atop one of the towers of the castle, speaking with Door, when he overheard a commotion. Bane was threatening a member of the expedition. He made his way down to see the attempt at intimidation. The woman looked scared and admitted the trade arrangement between the giants and the Lugi. Ruric told Bane to put the Lugi down, which drew his ire. Eventually he told Ruric to take a shot with his fists. This lead to a fist fight that Bane won fairly handily but not before Ruric bloodied his sides with his scaled gauntlets. Elnorin exited he great hall to see the last of the bout and, after putting Ruric on hs backside, the dwarf calmed from his rage. Bane left without comment as Ruric's undead constitution healed him from most of the damage.