Ael'Tas Liberated

Luckily, we had an ace in the hole: Perdix. So, reluctantly, the council summoned Perdix, who appeared on the terrace looking in at the council, telling the rest of the wonders of his traps to catch giants when the war will re-enkindWith their final resources and power the group banished another bunch of demons while Arthur tended to a mortally wounded woman. After a final gruesome battle they couldn’t find Arthur anymore, so they pushed on, cleaning some small groups of fleeing drow. When the night had already set on (though who could say for certain, with an unnatural darkness hanging over Ael’Tas) they finally managed to meet up with Hubert, who had already spoken to Arthur and told the group they needed more time.

After that the group was allowed quarters in the Council District, with the understanding that around midday they’d appear before the Council of Ten. Taking a nice, refreshing long rest (apart from Tara, who’s been tinkering with her staff) their worries left them for a blissful couple of hours.

For the Council of Ten, we refer to our warlock present there: Tara.

That morning, afternoon? I’m not entirely sure. Regardless, I dressed myself into an illusory formal dress over my tunic, and Alruna mended her own robes, making sure all of us were somewhat personable. The previous day stood as a stark warning, both to the dangers of the drow as our own limitations.

When we entered the Council chambers we noticed there were five seats in the middle, and a bit later James entered with the first captain. After we were seated and Hubert and the first captain took their guard, the council entered.

I had forgotten the headmistress of the Academy was part of the council. Further obviously the Bloodmonarch and Queen, a representative of the nobles (with the second representative, the Valyrians suspended until the trial is concluded), a representation of the churches, a representative of the mages, the representatives of the trade guild and the representatives of the people. There was a bardic representative with an amazing sense of style, so I made a mental note to ask her where she got that outfit once things quiet down. Outside a storm seemed abrewing.

Alruna decided to take the word first, detailing the more practical affairs of their encounters with the drow. This went relatively easy. Unfortunately, then it was up to me to detail the time travel and giant war. When I started going in detail, the council devolved into unbelief, and worse, the headmistress recognised me, telling the rest that whilst we may believe what we say, it was likely our mind were addled. As if. We brought forward evidence (the malfunctioning Sending spell, the existence of magic items that shouldn’t exist, the Listrids written accounts.) but they were dismissed (the Headmistress needed a lot less evidence to kick me out!) Even when Meicoril spoke up, the first thing that came to their mind was ‘why didn’t you ask us for help after your parents were killed.’ rather than trusting us.

le. I noted to run from every white crystalline patch of ground we were to come across from now on.

Additional evidence then came down from the clouds and I can happily present the fact that a cloud giant went to appear before the council chamber (leaving Perdix hissing and blowing up like a cat meeting an foe. She offered a truce and perhaps trade agreements between

the cloud giants and the Dragonlands (though only for the cloud giants, not other giantkin.)

With a lot on their plates, the council dismissed us. I did make certain to pepper it into the headmistress that even unfairly expelled I still am a damn good mage, and even managed not to cry while doing it! Though it wouldn’t have taken much more…

With their still being undead creatures forcing an evacuation of the Temple and Academic district, we girded ourselves up to bring deliverance to those districts as well. And when all this has died down a little, and the trial is brought to conclusion there will be some sort of tournament. That should be a fun and earned distraction, with a bit of luck there may be a ball as well! Oh and I really need to get Alruna and myself to study one of those blue potions.Together we should certainly be able to learn how to make more of those!

Note: this last sentence, starting from ‘with a bit of luck’ seems to be more of a hope of Tara, rather than an accurate portrayal of events.