13 April 2003
The party has entered the Great Hall of Castle Amber and encountered a pair of men locked in furious if somewhat haphazard combat. The encounter is a surprise to both and the men pause long enough to stare amazedly at the companions for a moment. After the initial shock wears off one of the combatants asks the group "How did you get in?" and without waiting for an answer gives a meaningful glance at his companion and they both dash off down the hall. They return almost immediately, obviously unable to leave themselves, a problem one rapidly gets the feeling has been an issue for some time. Returning to their former position they continue to converse casually about the companions, "Should be kill them now?"
The threats, always spoken as if the companions were not there, begin to test the patients of the group and Meridian responds with a sarcastic "Excuse me, am I part of this conversation?" Further insults are traded and some attempts are made at containing the two-some, but they prove to be exceptionally gifted militarily. The final consensus is that the men are insane at worse, simply assholes at best and the party turns around and leaves, much to the surprise and annoyance of the two men. They make some attempts to lure the party back into the Hall but are ignored. Some research on Laurent's part reveals that they appear to be Finndo and Osric, relatives from much earlier on the family tree; however, even this information is incapable of rendering them interesting and the party leaves to find an alternate entrance.
Daigoro queries Tracker on the issue and the great wolf indicates that he knows of a different entrance. They follow him down through the town to a series of caves at the foot of Kolvier. It is at this point that the party notes that Sil Rana is no longer with them. Meridian spys him with the glass and find that he is deep in conversation with a ghostly figure in a throne room of some sort. The party is concerned but knows Sil Rana would not go off on his own without urgent person need and is willing to leave it at that for the time being.
After following the wolf through many caves and passages, the party emerges in what appear to be a series of empty basement rooms. They are led past many entrances to a heavy set door, locked but with the key on the outside. This, indicates Tracker, is where they wish to be. Not one to question the wolf's judgement, the party enters and sees what appears to be the Chamber of the Pattern as described in their readings from the Library. But the Pattern itself is composed of a mosaic and glows a sickly grey/green, it's very essence projecting weakness and failing strength. Around the Pattern are a series of extremely realistic statues, each resembling one of the Elder Amberites as viewed in the Library and Laurent's cards. The party enters and locks the door, still wary of the strange two-some from upstairs.
The group has just begun exploring the room when a ghostly figure emerges and expounds "Welcome my Children, you are Home!" When questioned by the surprised group he responds "I am your Patriarch! Do you not know me?" "No" responds the group, looking vaguely apologetic. "I am Oberon!" This fails to elicite much response either, much to the ghosts annoyance, until Susan recalls his name from a geneology chart and points out that he was the father of the Elder Amberites. Being properly identified seems to hearten the spirit and it becomes more forthcoming with information as the group attempts to discover what may have brought the Pattern to it's present sad shape. Oberon has little to offer despite best intentions, he reveals he was attempting to repair the Pattern and apparently failed, dying in the attempt. He doesn't know what happened at that point, but the Pattern before the group now is in far worse shape then the one he was attempting to repair.
During the conversation Susan has been examining the statues and has come up with a theory on what is happening. It seems the Elder Amberites have created a closed loop with the Pattern, their reality bolstering it's failing strength while it continues to support them. It is a desperation tactic, as it leaves no one able to take further actions and only slows the Patterns decline, not entirely stopping it. Susan feels that we could remove one of the elders without breaking the loop sustaining the Pattern, but only one. Most have little preference, Fiona is suggested from the reading as being the most knowledgeable on mystic matters and for lack of a better candidate she is chosen.
Waking here proves easy, as a number of the group touches her attempting to figure out the process she begins to awaken on her own, fading from stone to full life in a matter of moments. Introductions are made and she confirms much of what the group has already discovered. She claims that the fall of the Pattern came from the Jewel of Judgement being lost in the Abyss, the resulting wave of entropy collapsing the Patterns Chaos counterpart the Logrus and severely damaging the Pattern. Her primary interest is in the Items of Power, she feels that with all of them in one place the Logrus can be restarted, which would in turn kick start the Pattern back to normal strength and operation.
She accompanies the group upstairs and is as surprised as they were by the presense of Osric and Finndo, but a simple holding spell is enough to render them unimportant for the nuance. She mentions that they appear to be created of "compressed shadow" but does not elaborate.
After a long discussion in Fiona's sitting room, it is decided to go after the last three items of power in hopes that they can be used to restart the Logrus. Meridian contacts Nuin via his crystal in hopes of gaining information on where the final three artifacts may physically be located. She is pleased they have progressed as far as they have but warns Meridian about Fiona. "She is not evil as such, but she has her own agenda; always she has her own agenda." Meridian acknowledges the risk but points out to her that they are short of other options at this point, they really must trust her to some extent. On the plus side, it's as much to her advantage as theirs to restore the Pattern. If they can not trust her, they can at least trust her common interests. Before closing the connection Nuin gives a series of directions to Meridian to be passed to Laurent.
Meridian does this and they all follow the artist to what appears to be Nuin's chambers in the castle. There, hidden behind a brick in the fireplace, they find a small talisman shaped like an oak tree. It turns out to be a power source that will allow Laurent to use his Trumps even in the absence of Pattern.
The party decides to spend some time resting and restocking, exploring their various new abilities under Fiona's tutalege.
Several days later the party heads down the side of Kolvier and finds their horses where they left them. They are once again joined by Sil Rana who says only that he was speaking with the ghost of Eric, his mood does not encourage a request for details.
Now that the Trumps are active, travel is greatly expedited and the group is able to Trump directly to Dekos, the province next to Tanoth where Nuin claimed the Trident could be found. A quick boat rental and refreshingly problem free trip later, the party arrives in Tanoth. They travel down the coast for some distance until they arrive in a small fishing village, where they ask for Lilith as directed by Nuin. The folk are friendly and they quickly find their way to her door.
Unfortunately the easy path ends here and the party discovers Lilith to be a elderly woman, nursing a bitter anger over the death of the City of Rebma, lost when Fiona decided that it would cost too much power to include it in the protection provided by her spell. She calls in her daughter Minnuette and proposes her deal. As her people were abandoned they she wishes to insure their properity in the new world to come. If the party wishes the trident, one of them must marry Minnuette. Lilith is willing to help them create this new future, but only if her line's future in it is guaranteed.
The group is shocked and takes their leave to discuss the matter. The woman's mercenary tactics are disturbing but not without an understandable caution. After much discussion Sil Rana agrees to partake of the "opportunity" and with the contract carefully constructed by Meridian the ceremony takes place the following day. The wedding consummated (and Lilith checking to make sure the coupling was fertile) the party is sent on their way the next day with the Trident in Sil Rana's hands. Minnuette stays in the village, Lilith seems uninterested in any sort of relation between her and Sil Rana, but makes clear that she will be there to press her claim and position when the time arrives.
Once again Laurent's trumps are employed and the party arrives in Dunsen on their way to K'aren. The terrain is sparse hills, covered with a tough scrub but nothing menaces the party and Susan uses the opportunity to enhance his Wayfinding ability, bringing all safely to K'aren.
The city itself is something of a shock, almost unnatural in it's workmanship and beauty. It continues to shimmer on the horizon as the companions approach, each step revealing more of it's intricate architecture and delicate fortifications. While it possesses the walls and gates of a fortified city, this is clearly not a place that has seen battle or ever expects to; the blatant display of wealth continues to awe even the most jaded as they finish their approach.
Zandrene has some information on the otherwise reclusive culture. It is dominated primarily by women, and the few men allowed to dwell in the city are largely castrates. This cultivates several nervous looks on the part of the men until she assures them that such treatments are reserved for those living in the city, visitors are left intactin most cases.
Approaching the gates, Meridian requests an audience with the Queen as the Monitor of Adzgar and it is granted, at least after they have been taken to a side room, cleaned up and dressed appropriately. The Queen herself is a fitting representation of her city; young, virile and almost unnaturally beautiful. She listens patiently while Meridian presents once more the tale of their adventures and reasons for their visit. Then answers simply, "We know the histories well here."
She goes on to explain that when the children were sent out into the preserved lands so many years ago her forebearers were forced to engage in a pact with the people who would eventually become Heerat. Alone and unable to defend themselves, they did what was necessary to survive and now must send all of their men to the Heerat, a tribute and price for the protection they provide. The Queen continues, telling the companions that she tires of this bargin and the virtual slavery that it represents. She is willing to part with the mirror, but first the party must confront the party from Heerat that arrives in the morning, tell them that the pact is now considered over and insure that they depart K'aren or die. Once that is finished, each man must impregnate 5 women, to insure the next generation. Then and only then will the mirror be surrendered.
The group is somewhat agast but realizes their options are limited, they have no capability to storm the city and however unsettling her solution, the Queens plight is real and they would like to help her. Only Peter is unable to justify the actions, feeling that it will bring only more bloodshed and he has seen more of that than he can stomach already. The words between the Queen and he are hot and they are caustic, "There are other ways" he continues to insist, but is unable to provide a realistic option. The Queen does not attempt to justify, acknowledging the bloodshed to come, but pointing out that it is a small price to pay for 10,000 years of slavery. Frustrated, but unable to contend with the Queen who freely admits her sin, calling it justified, Peter retreats and refuses to participate in the required breeding. Unwilling to force him, the group asks if the shapeshifting Zandrene can do so in his stead, and the Queen, anxious for shifting children she can use for her defense, agrees.
After an ... eventful evening. The group waits atop the sealed gates. Soon enough the party from Heerat arrives and as they approach the gate Meridian calls out to them. "The Queen has declared the agreement between K'aran and Heerat at and end. I have witnessed this as Monitor. You are no longer welcome in these lands, depart now in peace." The Heerat are initially disbelieving, but a number of warning shots from the walls confirm the Monitor's declaration. Unwilling to believe that the women have learned courage after so many years they attack the city. Their 20 are no match for the Queen's guards backed by the companions and soon there are but two remaining, galloping on the one horse left to them back to Heerat.
The Queen honors her agreement and the mirror is given to the companions. The illusion of her beauty fades with it's loss and she is revealed to be a stately, but elderly woman. In an attempt to return some of the magic they are forced to take, Meridian uses his abilities to enhance her beauty and physical form. She is once more beautiful, and if it is not the flawless perfection of the mirror; perhaps that is balanced by it being hers now in truth and not in image alone.
Tired but boyed by their successes, the group now Trumps to Susan's home village in Parad, from there to head North to the Circlet. Their initial flush of success is quickly lost as the reality of their situation is thrust once more upon them. Susan's home has been almost completely take by the slowing, only his direct relations are capable of movement and even they are visibly drained.
Susan sends them to Amber, where Fiona promises to take care of them. The reasons for their mission once more vivid in their memories, the party heads north.
