Mizugami/SessionTwentyFour

24th Day of Ascending Fire, RY 770

Visited Yorake this morning. While considering Tegraat's assassination, I recalled that Elana once told me she didn't fully trust Tegraat because of his close association with Yorake. It turns out that Tegraat was definitely investigating a conspiracy and his Deliberative address was likely going to include a variety of accusations. As backup, he sent copies of his investigation notes to Margard Krees in Wallport. According to Yorake, Krees received the information and set out for Cherak directly. He should have arrived more than a week ago. Best information says that he did leave Wallport on an overland trip to Cherak. Yorake should have a Dragon Blooded associate in Wallport soon who might be able to learn more. In the meantime, I asked Ranka to contact Elana, who is still out of the city. Disturbingly, there was no response.

In the wake of Sapphire Hammer's death, I've decided to address my burgeoning organization. I need to make it clear to all of them that this is what we're up against. Sapphire Hammer may have been the first, but he most certainly will not be the last.

Later this evening is the Brewer's Festival. It will be nice to blow off some steam.

25th Day of Ascending Fire, RY 770

Thank the gods for alchemical hangover cures. Someone's trying to cause trouble this week. Yorake, of all people, has been on top of it. Unrepentent Jade has uncovered what likely got Tegraat murdered and might now get him killed, too. The Cult of the Illuminated is likely behind the spread of Dreams of Heaven and has infiltrated the satrapy government at the highest levels. Jade, Kira, Kazuki, and J'hana have agreed to my plan. Judas and Ranka needed to go off to 'check some things out' before catching up with us again. I'm really growing tired of that, but at least it gives me some time to update this.

We're going to collect Crow, Yorake, Abbot Takgana, Ragara Takar, and the Satrap, then visit the Roseblack. That should sufficiently safeguard Jade and fully inform everyone who matters as to what he's found.

Well, Jade should be safe enough for now. Abbot Takgana and his monks will be guarding him while they investigate the conspiracy. They started with the Satrap, just to eliminate her as a suspect and prove a lack of bias in the investigation. On my suggestion, the Guild and indeed the entire satrapy are to be informed that dealing in Dreams of Heaven would be a very poor life choice. Further, the smoke houses where it's known to be smoked are all being shut down directly.

26th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

The Wondrous Auction was nice. Even a year ago I would never have believed that I'd reach a point where I could simply afford to pay jade for a daiklave. But that's precisely what I did yesterday. I thought it would be a useful gift if I ever come across the right Terrestrial. I also bought a silver brush; I don't really need it, but it helps my image. Ranka came away with the prime piece, a First Age automaton. Though from the description of it, I'm not sure I'd ever turn it on. I just hope that when she powers it up, she's the only one who suffers by it.

The Black Pool Illuminations are tonight. I hope nothing disrupts them.

27th Day of Ascending Fire, RY 770

Not a very merry party. Almost half of the Deliberative is now under investigation. Losayu Peocho tried to flee the city but was snapped up by Admiral Helkar. A number of others ran; a few even got away.

The Guild's Ice Palace is this evening, should be fun. Wish I could really cut loose, but I don't relish the thought of waking up with a corpse and the threat of Guild blackmail. It'll be a good time anyway.

28th Day of Ascending Fire, RY 770

Still no word from Elana or Krees. I asked the Roseblack to have her troops keep their eyes open for them, but I don't even know where Elana went. The Satrap's Ball is tonight and Graduation is tomorrow. Then we leave for the tournament. When we return from that, all of my possessions should be relocated to my estate. It's weird to think that in just a few weeks, I'll have some measure of privacy.

1st day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

Are we the first graduating class of the Colleges of the Fivefold Path and the North Wind to have more retainers and employees at graduation than family or friends, I wonder? At least Elana is alright. She and Krees came to see the satrap last night during the ball. From their look, I think they were fresh from the road. I wish I had time to find out what she and Krees ran into; the Cult of the Illuminated, I'm sure, but I desperately would like to know what resources the cult has. Perhaps that's where Glory is? I wish I could cancel my participation in the tournament, but it's too late for that. Mother and father will be there and I need to speak with the Terrestrials from Chiaroscuro and Pasiap's Stair.

We're off in Ranka's airship tomorrow. At least it makes up for being cramped by being fast. If anyone besides Ranka and me had much of a staff, all of us trying to travel on it would be an absolute disaster. I need to finish my contingency planning.

I talked to Reflections today. She's not going to spend another year at school and I wanted to know if she still wanted to stay with us. Lucky for me, she does and she's going to let the League know. It'd be nice if I could get Miyako and Moro reassigned as easily.

3rd Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

Ranya is making an amazing passage. If the wind holds, we should reach the tournament grounds by the 7th. With any luck some of the other schools will arrive early, too.

7th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

One more experience with dorms, it seems. As soon as we arrived, Judas ran off to the Imperial City to deliver a message for Ejava. He had wanted to see the city and I explained to him that without some good justification, it would be awful dangerous, what with him being officially at war with the Realm and all.

The Spiral Academy team is here already. The former Speaker and Vice-Speaker are just the sort of people I came here hoping to meet. It's also apparent that they've done their homework. Peleps Jun, the former Vice-Speaker, was remarkably well-versed in my accomplishments of the past few years. I am not nearly so egotistical to think that my exploits in the North are widely known in the Realm outside of the business with Ejava. Their number three is a real piece of work from House Ledaal; he won't be much fun for whoever he targets at the ball.

8th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

Busy day today. The team from the House of Bells arrived and promptly scattered into House groupings. The squad from Pasiap's Stair arrived and I introduced myself and offered to present them to the Vermillion Legion's recruiting officer at the ball. And lastly the Chiaroscurans arrived.

They are actually four in number, though the fourth was not a student and is a few years older than the rest. They were happy to finally meet me and were keenly interested in my offer of backing. Before they commit to anything, though, they want to get to know me. Since they also wanted to see the Imperial City, I suggested we go together and spend a few days being tourists. Ranka has come, too. Between their sorcer, Azure Dust, and the girl, Chot, with the flame rifle, I expect she'll have a lot to talk about.

Shortly before we headed for the capital, Chead and his circle from the Cloister arrived. They look well-prepared. As soon as the tournament is over Chead is taking them North to finish recruiting his hunt and to check in with Peleps Deled and get to work. I must speak with him before the tournament is over.

11th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

I must admit, it was nice to explore the Imperial City. I don't expect I'll have many opportunities to wander its thoroughfares. Things progress apace with the Chiaroscurans; they are all good people and worthy of support. I am sure we will have an arrangement by the time the tournament ends.

The ringer from out West just arrived. He'll probably do some damage in the final before he's eliminated.

Charming. The Heptagram's team arrived before nightfall, delivered on the wings of bound demons. All four of them are Ragara and they call themselves the new Ragara chantry. I admit, for a moment, I was concerned. But then I realized why there was a new Ragara chantry and why it consisted of 4 teenagers. Still, I'll have to be careful in the 1 on 1 contest and then in the final, if I make it there.

Tomorrow is the welcome banquet and then the ball.

12th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

That Ledaal from the Spiral Academy is worse than I thought. He was tasked with getting Kazuki disqualified and his gambit was to simply kill a child if Kazuki didn't withdraw or get disqualified. Miraculously, Kazuki kept his head. He filled me in on what was said after the ball ended. I've asked Danic to find out where the sadistic bastard has been stationed. Once I know that I can decide how to proceed. For my part, I had a pleasant evening with Peleps Jun. She was tasked with neutralizing me but I convinced her it would be altogether more pleasurable if we simply acknowledged each other's skills and enjoyed the evening's entertainment.

Tomorrow the tests start. The written exams, riding, and archery challenges are all scheduled.

13th Day of Resplendent Fire, RY 770

It was easier than expected to see the influence of the major schools on the tournament. Our 'written' exams were conducted interview style in a stadium before the assembled contestants and spectators. After the first few contestants it was obvious that playing to the crowd was being rewarded, too. I feel guilty resorting to a performance when it was supposed to be about knowledge, but the judges didn't seem to mind. Only 2 members of the Spiral Academy and 3 from the House of Bells were eliminated.

Despite my concerns, I'm in pretty good shape after day 1. My ride was good and I passed the archery test with my first shot. Kira is doing better than me overall, but we're both near the top of the competition.

Only the swim test, the 1 on 1 fights, and the final remain.