Notes, meeting of the “Masters of Haven”
Earthday, 6 Harvester

Report: High Priest, First Paladin, and Head Monk returned from their trip to Gorna (acknowledgement to Arcane Mistress of the transport-mirror). They presented His Grace with verbal and written reports of our business in the Underdark. He suggested he would try to verify the condition of the Spider Queen by independent sources, and we said Yes Please.

(HP also mentioned he and Aliana had many frantic letters from the king’s agent in Sterich waiting in their room when we got back the other day. Said a cloud of darkness and thunder was traveling across the Uleks from the Pomarj, and then across Keoland, and finally up the Duchy to Crystalmyst Mountains. Then last letter said King’s Agent had dispelled the sphere, and all was resolved.)

They also visited HP’s sister. Long story about her fighting ghouls with a company of paladins, who valiantly fell to seal up this stone of ghoul-summoning under the city or something. Salute to paladins. Racy comment from Agnar struck from record.

HP et alia also visited His Serenity High Priest Hazen, and handed over the four amulets (THOSE amulets). Watched a ceremony where seven of his clerics made one of the necklaces glow red. Trusting him to seal it up securely. (Hopefully more securely than the four elemental stones…though that might be unfair, since the EEG was involved, trying to free himself, and now hopefully his fingers have been shoved back through the keyhole.)

Question: what to do about the orcs? Someone not me suggested orbital bombardment (not me). Discarded because someone said the Ranger Lord was too bloodthirsty.

Arch Druid offered services of his grove to increase crops. HP makes himself note to multiply rations, and send to Fort Gellsblood for supplies.

Parts of loot from Lolth’s treasure chamber have “dissolved.” Probably the coins from the giant pile, probably illusory. Other treasure still there. Suggestion: hire an accountant. Head Monk suggests grunt work for under-monks builds character. HP says under-monks are already doing so much.

[Humerous doodle of Agnar]

Long discussion by some parties about using the wishes on the rings – help restore Leah’s party? Help restore Dame DonDragon’s party? Feed valley of Haven? No conclusion reached at this time.

Note: Dame DonDragon safely transported to Gorna and given resources to get home (and gifts for the families of her companions). Also carrying a report of our doings, should she see fit to report it. (Mikael asks Ranger Lord privately for help writing her a letter. Agnar overhears and volunteers his services. Politely dissuaded.)

****

The weather is lovely. Not just because it’s not the Underdark! The gang and I have headed into the mountains for a few days, tracking a herd of deer. Sirion and I realized that you can tell the difference between horse hoofprints and centaur hoofprints, although I think the shoes make them closer. I couldn’t figure out how to explain it to Andari, though.

He’s blooming well. His bowmanship is especially good…good for his age, that is. I keep having to remember he’s still a kid in lot of ways, although he talks more than Keiran does.

Keiran does seem to growl at Glottis quite a bit. Glottis doesn’t seem to mind.

I have realized that when Madam Whiney wiggles her neck and shoulders, she doesn’t mean what a human would mean if she did that. Instead, she means a centaur thing…which I’m still not sure I understand, of course. She did tell us a story last night that she used to tell her children (she says most of her children are now warriors, so she’s giving Andari tips about archery. I’m not sure he’s at a stage to process them, though).

Sirion says they haven’t seen signs of bandits to the west, but they try to keep an ear to the ground south and east, since with the increased traffic from here to the fort and back, it might tempt someone to waylay a caravan.

****

Meeting notes,
Starday, 15 Harvester

Mail arrived from Keoland. Official thanks from the King for services rendered. All now Fellows of Keoland (with badges!)! (No word on if that requires military service on demand.) Will tell Arch Druid when he returns, since he’s currently somewhere up the mountain with the disciples, doing “rituals.”
Also received letter from Master Uthien and Sir Fredrick. They’ve adjusted to modern era, I guess, and hope to join us here to resume research. We do, after all, have a deep mountain lake. High Priest to draft friendly and positive response. (Probably also very long.)

Discussion about what to do with the wishes quickly derailed when Agnar asked if a wish could make him more attractive to ladies (emphasis on *more*).
Learned the settlement right by the gates of the fortress now has a tavern: “Here Be Flagons” – and Head Monk suggested naming the settlement now, since it’s basically a village. “Rodger” and “Archibald” both rejected.

First Paladin says drilling with “new recruits” going well; men and “not-men” forming a cohesive unit for defense of Haven.

****

Meeting notes
Earthday, 27 Harvester

Mail arrived from Gorna. Favorable commendations from His Grace the Grand Duke, accompanied by gold chains with the seal of Gorna. Very official!
Report from His Grace says the Earl of Sterich and all inhabitants of Istivin safely restored (except ones killed by giants) so best case scenario all around.
After a week of prayer and fasting, Dame Clatriel is now paladin of Knights of the Bramble (God of gods).

High Priest reports that Warchief Torgar Redhand is now also an acolyte of the God of gods. Long involved story: HP insisted on learning rites of Grumpsh, the better to sort out what is “beyond the limit” of tolerance. Grumpsh refused. Redhand despondent, decided his desire to save his people from slaughter under a war-mongering chief in Pomarj was unworthy before Grumpsh. Ez told him, he’s smarter than Grumpsh at this point, and took his people under Ezekiel’s protection.

Much discussion among the Three. [Sounds like power moves of people above my pay grade.]

HP reminded all of the wedding in a few days, and urged us to be ready. Insisted the Arch Druid and Ranger Lord must wear something “nice.” Definition of “nice” incomplete.

****

Waterday, 2 Brewfest
Mitrik, United Kingdom of Furiundy and Veluna!

Dear Mother and Father,

Hope you are well. His Majesty Thrommel and Princess Jolene are finally actually married! Father Hazen did the ceremony in the cathedral in Mitrik. Ezekiel had tabards sewed up with what’s supposed to be the symbol of Haven on them, so I could wear it over my chainmail and still look “nice” (although I think this chainmail has a very comforting look to it). I guess this way most of us matched (though Ez’s gate captain wore his helmet the whole time, to prevent a scene), and we had a place to pin all our badges – because I now have a badge as a Fellow of Keoland and a chain of commendation from His Grace the Grand Duke, as well as the knighthood ones from Furiundy and Veluna.

I promised to tell Miss Dree about the Princess’ dress, so I’ll tell you, too – it was all white satin underneath, I think, with a big ling train, but that was hidden by layers of lace and embroidery, with little beads that made it glimmer when she moved her arms. It almost looked like she was wearing snow, or like the satin had frosted like a window.

After the marriage, the king handed over his authority to his son, and the Provost of Veluna handed over his authority, and they joined the two kingdoms under one head, and His Serenity Father Hazen crowned Thrommel as the High King. (They had some trouble with would-be assassins, I hear, but the guards caught them before any trouble happened, and they’re already on pikes outside the city. I hope that means we don’t need to worry any more; that any evil scheme will be derailed before it gets started.)

After the coronation, everyone went up to swear fealty to His Majesty. [A list of nobles’ names and titles] Those are the ones I remember, at least.

His Majesty King Belvor made time to come greet us and introduce us to His Majesty of Keoland, King Scottie, which was very nice of him.

Andari says that was probably his favorite part (although he was also very impressed by Madam Lydia transporting us all here by magic). You will be proud of him – his bows were perfect and he remembered everyone’s titles very well (in fact he helped me keep track of who was who a little bit).

Although at first he thought it strange that I brought Tressarian along, I explained that a warrior must be ready for anything at all times, even if everyone around him also seems ready. After all, Rule One of winning a fight is “bring friends,” and you might have to be someone else’s friend at times. And after all, the whole thing sort of started when Tressarian detected a room radiating magical Evil behind a shrine in the Temple of Elemental Evil, so you could almost say he’s the one who rescued King Thrommel (and he certainly doesn’t mind saying so).

It was very comforting to see all the paladins and royal mages pledging loyalty to their new High King. When he kissed his new queen I dare say every throat choked up, even ones that aren’t used to strong emotion (then, of course, we all gave a cheer – like the whole city shouting together in celebration).

They both just looked so happy. It was like…watching the first tulip bloom in spring, or…finding a tree in the woods that you remembered as a sapling, and now suddenly it’s taller than you are, and as thick as your arm, and stronger than bone. It’s beautiful…and you know it’s only going to get better. (Andari says he understands what I’m saying, but it’s not how he would think to describe it. But he was sniffling like a baby during the ceremony, so I know he’s got a real, feeling heart in him.)

Neil Dra in Keoland is currently holding its Royal Games, so we’ll be buying horses and heading there shortly. It’s very nice to have time to just relax and do different things, not always be off killing monsters or rescuing people, although I’m sure it won’t stay that way for too long.

Sincerely, Elwyn

---

Find the previous entry here.