Mizugami/SessionSixteen

1st Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

Ranka has been summoned home to Gem by her father. Apparently something has come up requiring the attention of a trusted Terrestrial. She was incredibly disappointed not to be visiting Whitewall, but she did her duty. I think she asked Soosilus to do some research for her.

5th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

I get so few opportunities for open water sailing. The last few days have been an undeniable pleasure. J'hana has been taking advantage of the opportunity to learn more practical sailing. If we can overcome her inherent cruelty, she might make a fitting captain yet. Not that it's really my problem.

11th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

I'm so glad I decided to leave Mnemon Nepel in charge of Wallport. He and his sister Tamoro are both incredibly charming and honorable people. I believe they will do much to blunt the worst excesses of the Vermillion Legion when it arrives.

Nepel was kind enough to send an Infallible Messenger to Whitewall so I could arrange permission to bring Morning Frost Willow into the city. Judas has sworn to be responsible for her behavior, so I didn't mind negotiating the permission.

16th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

We are safely through Marama's Fell. Kazuki was sorely tempted to step off the road, but we talked him out of it. Not long after, we spotted an immense behemoth, towering over the treetops. I believe everyone save Kazuki was glad that we stopped him.

Once out of the Fell, we paused so that the Terrestrials among us could venture off the road to pray at the closest Resplendent Chrysanthemum shrine. Whatever qualms I have about the Syndics, I can applaud their work to reduce Marama's Fell.

17th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

It's well and good to say we won't be tempted off the road by raksha, but I don't envy Esley and the rest. Last night he, J'hana, Judas, and Kira all heard and caught glimpses of what looked like a toddler being tormented and killed.

Esley told me and Elana about it this morning and after a short conference we all agreed that to act if a mortal was again threatened.

18th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

We saved an 8 year old boy. It was likely his baby brother the Count of Fog killed on the night before. I don't have the heart to tell him that we could have saved his kin. His family were merchants, traveling south to Wallport a few weeks ago when their wagon lost a wheel and veered off the road. They gathered their possessions without incident but were ensorcelled by the raksha that night. He hasn't seen anyone from his family since. I gave him the offer of returning to Whitewall or staying with us and he chose to remain with me. When I return to Cherak, I'll have him enrolled in the Colleges.

Everyone agreed that his family was gone, so the risk of searching for them was deemed unacceptable. I'm not sure any of us like walking away, but we're responsible for all of the mortals traveling with us now, so we moved on.

21st Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

Whitewall has even more First Age wonders remaining than Cherak. We are spending the night in an inn 8 stories tall. A bound djinn raises and lowers a platform on command, providing service between the floors. I've arranged an audience with the Syndics in the morning.

22nd Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

The meeting went well. I delivered Elin's introduction and they Syndics willingly granted us access to the city's libraries. They were also willing to let us negotiate for the purchase of any artifacts we might find. Afterward, I made a substantial donation to the city's charitable works.

Everyone else has since scattered to begin their research. I wasn't happy to see Kazuki's friends going with them. I'm afraid it's going to take one of them being utterly ruined by something supernatural before Kazuki and my classmates will learn.

I've leased us a large villa for the month. The inn was quite the marvel, but I'd rather have some privacy. I intend to spend my time negotiating business concessions and, with any luck, hiring an enchanter.

24th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 769

The mineral resources of Whitewall are a tight market. After a few days' research, I've decided to avoid making enemies trying to carve out a share and focus on other things. This city's orchards are famous, but their distance from the Realm means they don't see a lot of exports. I think I can fix that and turn a tidy profit on cider, cherry wine, and preserves.

1st Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

I've recruited a skilled young enchanter to my cause. For a city beset on all sides by supernatural threats, its citizens are surprisingly uninterested in living anywhere else. I'm going to try and recruit another before we leave, but I'm not hopeful.

12th Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

I think I've now met all of the Dragon-Blooded in Whitewall. Judas has been assisting a mercenary guild run by a half-dozen Terrestrials. They're an interesting group that specializes in monster hunting-- even more necessary in Whitewall than in Cherak.

13th Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

The city baths are truly delightful, a relaxing place for a diverting assignation or quiet contemplation. I wouldn't have expected a military society like Lookshy to be so prudish, but I think I've offended Judas.

14th Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

Elin arrived today. After her official meeting with the Syndics, I brought her up to speed on our weeks here. I've offered to show her around and help her settle in.

My various negotiations are proceeding apace. I should have things wrapped up nicely by the time we're ready to depart.

20th Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

I've got an in for a minor source of magical materials. I might be able to add her to my portfolio.

21st Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

Judas has asked if we can remain for another week. Those monster hunters he's been helping are close to nailing a shadow serpent that's been killing people for weeks and he'd like to see the hunt through. I explained to the group that we could stay another week, but it would mean traveling through Calibration and not having time for any adventures or diversions on the trip back to Cherak. Everyone agreed to stay and forego any distractions on the return journey.

23rd Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

I'm now invested with one of the smaller suppliers of magical materials. It's nothing to make me rich, but it could prove useful and at worst, it provides diversity.

27th Day of Descending Fire, RY 769

The shadow serpent is dead and Judas has his reward. We leave tomorrow to begin the journey back to Cherak.