It is the fourth evening in Uzec and the last banquet, the great formal banquet held by Baron Roland d\u2019Uzec has begun. It has been a great three-day festival and the people are in a great mood – many are quite drunk. Emmeline, the Queen of Love and Beauty, takes her place at the Baron\u2019s left side, with the List Champion (Lance Lieutenant Mikaela Brun\u00e9t) on one side of the couple near Emmeline, and the Mel\u00e9e Champion Sir Kentigern d\u2019Adera of House Auvrey at the other side near the Baron.<\/p>\n
Despite (or because) of Emmeline\u2019s status both as the central hero of the Song of Calder Falls<\/em> the people join her in singing that and other tales of valor, tales of love, and tales of adventure. It is a fun time, but both Emmeline, who is in the thick of the fun, and Tiffanie, who reservedly hangs back look for opportunities to learn from the guests and to leave at the right time to investigate the Old Cairns, supposedly left haunted by the actions of the adventurer Rurrick.<\/p>\n Baron Roland d\u2019Uzec (at party):<\/strong> Lady Rivanon d\u2019Uzec, Journeyman of the College of Bards (on Thalassa):<\/strong> Sir Kentigern d\u2019Adera of House Auvrey (at party):<\/strong> Lance Lieutenant Mikaela Brun\u00e9t (at party):<\/strong> Sister Joss (at party):<\/strong> Rurrick the Hunter (in jail):<\/strong> Dead Thug (soon to be in pauper\u2019s grave):<\/strong> Rahthain, Cole, and Druud (just now realizing their mistake up in Calder Falls)<\/strong> Raphael d\u2019Argent (at party):<\/strong> Esmerelda and Kylie (at festival, if not the larger party):<\/strong> Morgan (in town, perhaps at the Mocking Nymph)<\/strong> Overview It is the fourth evening in Uzec and the last banquet, the great formal banquet held by Baron Roland d\u2019Uzec has begun. It has been a great three-day festival and the people are in a great mood – many<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[4,5],"class_list":["post-1921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-thalassa","tag-emmeline","tag-tiffanie"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8aqU2-uZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1951,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/03\/28\/epilogue-session-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":0},"title":"Epilogue Session 3","author":"Edward","date":"March 28, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview Tiffanie was the key player in convincing her recently discovered great uncle Aurryn Silverleaf, a grim scout first hired by the group to bear witness to her and Emmeline's actions at the Cairns, to make an agreement with the Baron d'Uzec. It also turns out the 'Sister' Jos likes\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1939,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/03\/26\/last-night-of-the-festival\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":1},"title":"Last Night of the Festival","author":"Illuminatus","date":"March 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Emmeline again proved her zest for life in her carefree dances, exuberant songs, and willingness to join in any song with her treasured violin at any request. Her energy and enjoyment of celebration with common and noble person alike set her a little apart from many of the partiers. Baron\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2303,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/07\/04\/epilogue-sessions-9-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":2},"title":"Epilogue: Sessions 9 and 10","author":"Edward","date":"July 4, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview Over the course of a week on Thalassa... Elemix found his pseudo-dragon familiar, Sang. Elemix & Emmeline (with Bella) took on and ended the threat of the Tyaanite assassin (with Sang's help) Elemix learned that his mother has always had a familiar, the family feline Isabeau. Emmeline & Elemix\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2183,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/05\/16\/epilogue-session-7-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":3},"title":"Epilogue: Session 7","author":"Edward","date":"May 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview To confuse the Assassin, the party split up with each group taking a part of the Aquila. Tiffanie took ship with Jocelyn on the Grey Gull out of Breven bound for Thalassa, while Elemix and Emmeline went overland to Camaret to consult an acquaintance\u00a0of El's about the Obsidian Aquila\u00a0and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2585,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/09\/27\/epilogue-session-14\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":4},"title":"Epilogue: Sessions 14-16","author":"Edward","date":"September 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview The party splits in three, with Sister Jocelyn remaining in Uzec, Magus Elemix journeying to a conclave in Derrien, and the others going overland quickly to Portreaux after passing thru Derrien shortly after Elemix arrives. Before that, Emmeline, Tiffanie and Rivanon were ambushed in the high pass near Arissey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1991,"url":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/2015\/04\/04\/epilogue-session-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":1921,"position":5},"title":"Epilogue Session 4","author":"Edward","date":"April 4, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview Emmeline and Elemix asked the weapons merchant Simon to seek out a person of means to buy the Tyaanite Broach. After the word went out, 2 names came in by the next day, one - the Magus Alix (whom they met the night before), and another Morgan, who had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Thalassa"","block_context":{"text":"Thalassa","link":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/category\/thalassa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1921\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countlessworlds.org\/thalassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}NPCs<\/h2>\n
\nA 50 year old gentleman and soldier, the Baron has sent the bulk of his men north to secure the upper valley and root out any remaining goblins. A widower, he is quite taken by Emmeline, and the people know it. Most suspect she is his new mistress, others think she is just there to make him look good. He merely answers – if he chooses to say anything: \u201cNo there is not much to that, just an old man\u2019s fantasy, nothing more. She is an honorable young woman. There is a fondness and chemistry between them; however, that people can\u2019t help but notice.<\/p>\n
\nThe Baron\u2019s daughter, a soon-to-be graduate of the Bardic College on Thalassa. How a non-Thalassan got admitted to the College is a mystery, though the Baron\u2019s rank and her deceased mother might have something to do with it. Little else is known about her, save that for the next few months, Emmeline has agreed to be her mentor for at least part of her Bardic \u2018adventuring year\u2019.<\/p>\n
\nA chevalier from one of the noble houses of Adera, Kentigern is on his errancy journey, going from tournament to tournament to win renown and some prize money. He won 510 gp from the Grand Melee. During last nights dinner, he wooed Tiffanie by stating how great his family was, he was, what battles he had fought, who his trainers were, etc. Came off as a conceited boor. Suffice to say, Tiffanie was not swept off her feet, though she appreciated his tall stories of valor. Despite his seeming arrogance, his skill on the field was demonstratively made evident. He carries the favor of the Queen of Love and Beauty of Uzec for this tournament. He has the attention of many of the ladies.<\/p>\n
\nA Thalassan Legionnaire, the Lieutenant entered the tournament late and defeated Kentigern during the final list. She was awarded a similar cash prize and the grand prize of a Charger which is awarded at the beginning of the party. Little to nothing is known of her, save that she is Thalassan. Why she is all the way up here is a mystery. She seems a bit shy and introverted, yet confident and resolute.<\/p>\n
\nSeemingly a new priestess who has recently arrived, Sister Joss shares a name with a Brother Jos, also of the Temple of Aarith and one of the senior priests. She is sitting in back with a junior priestess, Sister Luoiza of the Arian Sect of Aarith. Emmeline and Tiffanie recognize them both from yesterday morning\u2019s unsuccessful remove curse ceremony.<\/p>\n
\nAn adventurer fighter who has pretty much decided Tiffanie is an enemy and will make her rue the day she messed with him. He is being held by the Town Watch\u2019s Chief Constable Gauthier Brosseau for the second time in as many days. Suffice to say, 500 gp might not be enough to calm him down. His friends could not be held but are being watched.<\/p>\n
\nSent to capture Emmeline by person\u2019s unknown. Killed by a combination of Tiffanie\u2019s dagger to the leg, a stupidly complicated method of attack, and the power of gravity. Had three friends who likely have left town.<\/p>\n
\nA group of bounty hunters going after the 20000 gp bounty on the head – and just the head – of Typhon Kn\u00e9. They seem to be able to outclass the party just on their tough appearance alone. At this moment, it is likely that they are learning about Tiffanie\u2019s curse and kicking themselves for glossing past what is in retrospect obvious. They also feel stupid, especially Cole, who is the smartest of the bunch, if not the wisest. Druud mentioned the old dwarf city of Azenkuul once ruled this valley, but it is long gone.<\/p>\n
\nLocal minstrel and organizer of the Summer Festival. His cachet has gone way up based on its success, especially as the mood in town is much brighter.<\/p>\n
\nA dress maker and cobbler. Made new clothes, recut old clothes, and made riding boots for Tiffanie.<\/p>\n
\nA mysterious woman, in her early 30s, wearling black. Ivory skin, cropped black hair, and amethyst eyes. She noticed something strange about Emmeline and Tiffanie. She is direct, if sometimes cryptic. Confident, but not arrogant. Twice she has spoken to Tiffanie, warning her of the growing problem in the Eastern Cairns. Emmeline has never met her, though Mara seems to have known her, will know her, and\/or may know her soon. She could be a wizard. At least the Constable has seen her and is looking to question her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"