Session 49 - Solstice

27/06/300 (late evening) - Heskan and Braith see Padraig Bane re-enter the hall. He speaks with a fellow Morini who sets off into town. He then speaks with Eithne O'Dain quietly before heading out of the hall.

Outside Elnorin and Ruric Ironfoot exchange words about the fight with Padraig. The druid also mentions that Aine Stormsword wishes to speak with them about the options.

The group gather and watch the feat wind down before Aine leads them off to a private area to talk. She mentions that Tiberia Cassius Pulcheria wants to see the party, or at least Heskan and Ruric, handed over to Crossaire for justice. She sees the fight in the slave market (during Session 12 - The fall of Ban Lior) as a crime and is putting Queen Caitriona Ingen Ailis under pressure. It turns out that, with the more recent expansion of Crossaire following a significant number of Regni settling after the Unification of Vannin, Crossaire imports part of it's food from Baile. In order to meet the request of the Vannin for increased trade, Crossaire's demand would have to be lower. Whilst Eseld is sympathetic, she's unsure of the disposition of Vannin and it's intentions. Crossaire will negotiate but Tiberia will not begin this until Ruric and Heskan are handed over or dealt with by the Vannin. She infers that if the party do not go along with the Queen's desires then she will not be able to protect them. Eseld has offered sanctuary to the group in Baile. Aine also mentions that more land could be farmed if Vannin forces were moved into the north to protect Northland farmland. Eseld's idea dictated that Vannin made no claim on Northern settlements but protected them in exchange for increased crop trade. Aine left the party to discuss, which they did.

After a long discussion about the various foes and threats they faced, it was decided that they would go with the Queen's request and head south to Regni lands. Ruric was the only one who wasn't fully on board with this, displaying a healthy paranoia that not running now would leave them sold into slavery for grain.

The group retired for the night.

28/06/300 - Braith trains with Aine before briefly talking with her. Padraig Bane later fetches them for council with Queens Caitriona and Siobhan (with Aine also present). The party explain much of what they experienced (leaving out Ruric's death). They emphasise the threats of Kartash and Asmodea's cult. The Queen asks them to go south, which they agree to, but ask that they have some authority. Caitriona appoints Braith Champion of Carnspor (after the party form that as a vague consensus), now a fledgling tribe of it's own (though one with no monarchs). They are to investigate Odhran and his connection to Asmodea, bringing back any proof they have to confirm their suspicions. Should they be able to persuade any Regni monarchs to overthrow Odhran then that's all the better for the Queen.

Braith briefly speaks with Siobhan, handing her the Bow of Ban Lior, and Padraig Bane.  Ruric asks Prima Cassius "Ursa" to fix his hammer, which she agrees to in exchange for a price to be named later.

The group also meet with Rabbie

Solstice - Solstice is quiet. Ursa's price turns out to be companionship round the evening of Solstice where she shares that a previous despot had her parents killed for being dwarves. Rabbie conducted ceremonies through the day.