Constable Denover clears his throat to interrupt Blythe and Firien’s hushed whispers. The pair reveal that Falvalor came to Blythe in hopes she might help find his friend Naal. Blythe offers Naal’s letter to the constable but chooses to withhold the letter she took from Camren’s office. Denover strokes his chin. Could Naal be working for the Inquisition? Despite the Inquisition’s involvement, Denover seems intent on continuing his investigation. Firien glares and attempts to dissuade the constable from chasing a promotion. Denover agrees to discontinue his investigation and instead offers Blythe a sending stone to keep him apprised of her own investigations.
“You’re saying this could cost me my career.”
“I’m saying it could cost you your life.”
—Denover to Firien
Crowswood Place
The Six of Steel return to Crowswood Place and are quickly invited to share in a delicious meal prepared by Subira. Arti recounts the events of their lucid dream to Hadley and Doom. The two Crows examine Arti’s drawings. Doom recognises the monster that paralysed Arti; a chimera, deformed and driven mad by Miasma psychosis. After hearing Saint Lydia’s Song, Arti theorises that the dream visitor might be related in some way to patron saint of healers. Hadley highlights that if the dream visitor referred to Caelum’s Landing as Anfang, they would be at least 200 years older than Saint Lydia.
Hadley further proposes that Arti may have simply imagined their connection to the dream visitor, but Arti remains sceptical. The cogs now turn in Gomruss’ head as he recalls his mentor’s chronurgy lectures. He declares that time has no meaning in one’s own dreamscape. If indeed Arti had connected to the dream visitor in some way, their knowledge would not have been limited by the confines of the dream. The Crows retire to their rooms with their minds swimming in theories. Bantonio offers to help wash up, earning praise from Subira.
Arti pulls Lathraia aside to show him the more detailed drawing of the dream visitor. Lathraia confirms Arti’s suspicions. It appears the dream visitor has found a way to inhibit the long-term effects of Miasma psychosis, perhaps by containing it to one half of their body. How? The yuan-ti could not say. While Subira douses the candles, Arti sneaks off to the library to search for answers. They find several books with references to Saint Lydia, including A Brief History of Fio.
Lydia Iremia
Lydia Iremia was an earth genasi healer who lived in the third century in the waning days of Cor Sol Orbis’ exarchy. Travelling from the distant lands of Montanum, Lydia set out to aid the denizens of Madanau after its perilous arrival on Fio. There she met Cor Sol Orbis, who was trying to convince Madanau to accept aid from the Church of Caelum. Sensing Cor’s intent to be benevolent, Lydia convinced the people to accept the Church’s offer and an embassy was constructed to facilitate the healing of Madanau’s wounds.
When Cor Sol Orbis became ill, Lydia offered her services as nurse to the ailing Exarch and the pair promptly fell in love. They married just before Cor’s death in 213 PO. It is believed that Lydia would sing a particular song to Cor at his bedside. Though commonly known as Saint Lydia’s Song, the song’s true title and composer are unknown. She would not become recognised as a saint until after the exarchy of Rex Sol Orbis, conqueror of Atada and Atado.
Link to original
Unbeknownst to the warforged, Blythe is also skulking around the History section. Their startled faces meet through a bookcase and Arti shares the books they have found. According to A Brief History of Fio, the Inquisition was founded in 972 PO by Ardeat Sol Orbis who appointed Tristis Veritas as Grand Inquisitor. The door creaks. Footsteps approach. Arti and Blythe jump out of their skin when Subira’s furious, wrinkly face appears, illuminated by the lantern she carries. She demands they go to bed.
996, Roscidas 20th
Calligo Way
The next morning, the Six of Steel catch the earliest cable car to Ingenium. Bantonio is excited to find a photograph of the Six of Steel on the front page of the local newspaper. The article recounts the plays of the New Blood Tournament winners with particular emphasis on Firien’s rise to public acclaim. Guy smirks when he spies that the CSCA’s and GGC’s shares have decreased in value owing to the discovery of the resonite deposit on Tenebrae’s Refuge. Firien spots an article about the incident. Caelum’s Landing University has incurred a severe fine for allowing use of a teleportation circle reported to be malfunctioning. To Firien’s surprise, the priestess leading the squad to exorcise the will-o’-wisps is Lenna Madizos, their older sister.
The loudspeaker prompts the passengers to look out the window. A squadron of giant manta rays is flying alongside the cable car. Arti is surprised to learn that the rays can migrate through the Miasma without suffering the effects of psychosis. Though peaceful creatures, the rays have been known to defend themselves against eager researchers and greedy poachers. The cable car arrives on Ingenium. The doors open to reveal a sprawling brass metropolis interconnected by a complex network of cable cars and flying taxis. The party join hands to prevent getting lost in the crowds. Fortunately, Guy is able to use his seafaring skills to make sense of the route map.
Resonite Refinery
Exiting the cable car on the fifth floor of the refinery, Arti spots several clockwork automata amongst the workers. A whistle signals a shift change, parting the crowds in reception. The party is greeted by a gnome with red cat-eye glasses and matching acrylic nails. She seems confused by Arti’s appearance. Arti explains they are here to see Eureka Midnight and Zephan Calligo. Eureka’s excitement can be heard through the receptionist’s sending stone.
“What’s your number?”
“Err… Arti.”
“RT- what?”
“No, just Arti.”
—Receptionist to Arti
The two artificers appear at the door. Eureka immediately embraces her favourite warforged. Her voluminous midnight blue hair is decorated with silver stars and jewels. Bantonio offers her his handkerchief when she bursts into tears of joy. Eureka thanks Bantonio, realising they share an accent. She shoots him a glance when she spies the initials FS embroidered on his handkerchief. Zephan lifts his goggles and claps Arti on the back. His flawless sky blue complexion and perfect white hair bely his physically demanding occupation. He makes sure to flex his muscles for Bantonio.
The pair offer the party a tour of the foundry floor. Gomruss gazes in awe as a giant smelter pours white hot molten resonite into ceramic moulds. Two large, fire-resistant warforged must operate the equipment owing to temperatures of almost 6000℉. Once settled in Eureka’s workshop, Arti delivers their proposal. Eureka shakes her head. Nine days was not enough time to construct a resonance engine large enough to move an earthmote, but perhaps they could provide smaller thrusters to assist the monks. As for how they might enhance the Commission’s lanterns, Zephan has an idea.
“What we need is Arxian glass. You guys heard of Roshia Cralee?”
“She’s my old mentor!”
—Zephan to Gomruss
Zephan suggests that Arti travel to Arx to speak with Professor Roshia Cralee and procure Arxian glass for the lanterns. When Arti asks the pair if they know what Hadley might be hiding from them, Zephan elbows Eureka. Sensing the pair are hiding something, Firien speaks aloud.
“It’s not our place to say.”
“Then whose place is it? Glimback’s? I’d say that’s pretty unfair considering he might be dead.”
—Eureka to Firien
After a tense moment, Eureka takes a breath. Before she can speak, she is interrupted by a knock at the door.
Next: Session 21
Previous: Session 19