The party finished cleaning out the infested tunnels, and hung around in Guilds Town for a couple more days finishing up their business. In the loot in the tunnels, Rurrick took the (broach?) belonging to the Archduke’s ex-wife, while Urd took the hairpin with the Sahiva emblem on it. The next morning, early, the party was preparing to go and talking with Elder Elissa, Gravy Cakes, and Sid before leaving. Rurrick asked them to make sure they weren’t followed after leaving Guilds Town, Gravy Cakes said he’d send some of his people to escort them out. To the west they could see Big Mug and his crew preparing to leave. The party went over to say goodbye. They managed to convince Froonsnyr not to leave with Bigmug’s group. When asked, Twigg said she wasn’t just going to find Jebb’s body, but also to report on the general state of things over in Dree. Cassius gave Twigg gold, and someone gave her a healing potion. She gave Cassius a coin she prayed (or did something to). She said “In times you find it hard to see, place this coin over one of your eyes and it will help.” (Cassius received a Charm of True Seeing, 1 use. The player uses an action to place the coin over his/her eye and has the spell True Seeing cast upon him/her.) After a discussion they parted ways. Urd said a farewell remark to Twigg and she responded to them with “May fate by cruel to your enemies.” On the road to Dravensport, the party learned quite a few things. They hear tales of hobgoblins about, and other foreigners in their lands. As they approach Dravens Port, they hear that Archduke Richter Ironholm is throwing a ball in honor of Anna (once only known as Mistress Cotte’s) help for the people of Dravens Port. They hear that, even with additional support the siblings had to lead charges themselves. Breschka herself led the charge on the docks. She was wounded quite badly, and is still recovering. In her stead, her brother Oron has begun helping clean out the city of remaining undead and unsavory elements. The people say he can summon a blade from thin air to his hand. They also say he can disappear into shadows and walk among them unseen. However, instead of being feared, people boast of his power and talents. They say he must have learned some skills from some ancient orc witch-warrior (such a thing doesn’t exist). Thuguru The slaver-killer with a giant blade has been locked up, she is currently in the castle prison. The gambling hall in the castle was shut down. Even 10 days after arriving, Ma Thornberry has already begun to receive recruits for the new Royal Magic academy. Most of the sewer has been cleaned out. They are beginning to receive word of undead and hobgoblin attacks on less guarded villages across the province. Some of the volunteer militia are being let go to attend their homes. Some are not. Queen Lightcrown has yet to send an envoy to meet with the siblings, but green dragon visits from Dree have been commonplace. The part was approached by a woman in leather armor named Arata Teruo (Kaaska’s partner). She introduced herself as Kaaska’s partner and said both her and Kaaska were being sent north to the Battle of Kiernard to investigate. She also warned of a party of Dree not far to the south. To the south the party encountered a group of Dree including 12 thugs with scimitars, 2 knights in full plate, 2 mages in decadent velvet robes, and 2 minotaur bodyguards with collars. The party approached cautiously and met two of the Dree, Sir Zaros and Magister Wizard of 4th Order, Floris. After some banter, they offered to escort the party to Dravens Port. Along the way, Rurrick told the Dree about the events at Dravens Port, as well as the death of Jebb, how the Nards were upset over the whole affair, and the 3 evil beings they’d learned of. [David was not present due to ISP issues, but has retconned that Cassius would have repeatedly his Rurrick over the head for spilling the beans.] At some point Urd encouraged them to put such conversations on hold. The party arrived in Dravens’ Port, where activity was still high even in the early evening. They arrive in Dravens Port, some have already begun re-erecting the old wall that once stood around the city. People are busy, rebuilding houses, disposing/burning corpses, the city is as active as it has been in many, many years. When the players arrive in town, a crowd begins to assemble around them. In the Royal Market, there is a half-finished statue of Cassius being built, along with ones for Rurrick, Urd, Ailekk, and Swell. One person in the crowd yells “You killed Prince Raffolk you sons of bitches.” He is immediately swarmed upon by the crowd. People start yelling, “Breschka for Queen!”, one or two random people yell “Oron for King!”. A random peasant throws their undergarments (maybe male, maybe female) at the party. Froonsnyr (if she is with the party), claps and dances merrily. “Oh my god, this is awesome. You guys are celebrities!!!” She bounces up and down happily. Dorilys, the gnome thief, comes from out of the crowd and begins hugging everone’s legs in order. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see any of you again. I love you all.” People come up and ask for autographs, blessings for their children, and whatnot. In the militia coming from the castle, they spot, a few other of those who Urd, Rurrick, & Cassius all recognize. They are amid the militia/troops, but don’t seem to be leading. In the militia, are races and people from all over the province, in various garbs but they are marching in a rag-tag wearied formation. Dranburn, Urd’s lazy cousin is in the lot. Arieth, Carric the elf warrior of the wilds, Short Shimm (first mate of the Corrive ship), Feng the Orc, Vudigs (nard), and even Kaleem are in their numbers. At the front of the group is Oron. He looks like he’s seen better days. His bear hands are clenched. He sees the party and they notice a lot of sideways glances from the troops, trying to gauge his upcoming reaction. He walks stoically up to Rurrick and embraces him, kissing him on the cheek. He says in his ear only loudly enough that those standing nearby can hear “I’m glad you didn’t die my friend. Only I should have that pleasure.” Another crowd is approaching, breaking through the main crowd, it is Anna, just dressed as herself. A couple of noble guards are following her through the crowd although she desperately seems to be trying to get away. As the crowd surrounds her she shifts into an eagle then lands next to the party and reassumes her shape. She embraces Ailekk. Brescka has been telling her servants, that if the PCs return, they are to be escorted to her directly under any circumstance. As Rurrick the bear walks into her room attendants are fleeing. Apparently Breschka is a difficult patient. When they walk in Breschka is half-naked and covered in bandages, but not in the sexy Fifth Element kind of way. More in a gross, covered in dry blood kind of way. She hugged Rurrick and greeted the party, saying “So how was Guilds Town? I hear… things are better but complicated?” The party catch her up on everything, including the fact there is a Dree detachment outside waiting to be talked to. She says she will do that and begins putting on her armor. They tell her everything, and when Oron comes in they catch him up as well. Breschka’s Goals: Defend our people. Organize the Nards to help us. Send out emissaries to other potentially allied realms (diplomatic) We need to recruit talent people (adventurer’s guild) Send a group to confront the Queen Oron has a few things on his mind. He seems happy to see the party, but also concerned. This is the first time they’ve seen him non-cocky. Oron’s Goals: Kill our internal enemies (root out spies) Kill our external enemies (kill the 3 agent who caused this) Unite the other provinces/kingdoms with us. Gain allies. It’s about 8:00pm when the game ends. Urd still has yet to speak with Behyla and goes off to talk to him.