The Fifth Eclipse - Session 19: Post-wedding haze

Party: Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain

As the party winds down, our heroes seem to be among the last ones standing.
Jim and Adele have departed to enjoy their matrimonial state and with them most of the other guests have vanished, while Wenceslas also seems to have taken his newest elven friend off on an adventure. A few younger nobles, a pair of the waiting staff and a very intoxicated goblin close the "venue" as the group discusses the events of last night. The final conclusion is that people seem to want Daisy dead, based on notes found on assassins and the direct attacks made upon her person while the other elves were also present.

Walking back to their manor, a general feeling of "we need a plan" forms. 
Daisy wishes to investigate Julia De La Quinne, partially because the lady has been footing her bills, but also because there is a potential point of entry for Claudia to return to high society if the rivalry within the De La Quinne sub-families holds true to its roots.

Claudia wants to scout out her half-brother, Jean-Jacomo. Not having seen him for the longest time, it may be that he holds the key to removing the trouble that has been strewn on path by Nonna Rosa.
Vholanthus wishes to return to the library and discover more about both the druidic order and the Silver Arm of Nechtan he carries with him.
The Captain, not wanting to be embroiled in the schemes of nobles (or to spend ages looking through books), instead wishes to go into the city and assist with the recovery of potential clues at the site of the Opera House Fire. 

As the Captain heads to the exit to do just that, he notices two letters of importance and a bunch of congratulational missives on 'a party well hosted' in the letterbox. He brings in the important letters to be read. One addressed to himself by Richard Talbert L'Equichant, one from Paul Jones Junior for the party.
Richard's letter informs the Captain that the Baron may have found the shapeshifter. He urges the Captain to meet him.
The letter from Paul Jones Jr. is a more flowery affaire, giving accolades to the party for their hard work and requesting their assistance in securing a foothold in Vertange for his Four Roses Consortium. 
After these are read, the Captain heads for the former Opera House and coordinates the salvage, falling back into a position of leadership with the practiced ease of a veteran. As the day progresses more and more of the foremen come to see him for instructions and a gaggle of onlookers is roped into the service simply by the efficiency on display.

Vholanthus researches the Silver Arm of Nechtan, noting vivid runes pushing through it at irregular intervals. The arm is anatomically correct in so far as Vhol can make out and extremely old. Further investigation in the library (comparing it to transcriptions of runes that have not been smithed for ages) show the appearing runes to be lesser copies of the ones cast by the Runelords of old.
Even within the memory of the elven folk, the Runelords are little more than legend, though the upstart Byrric had managed to gather some of their works during his short rise to power. As far as the notes in the library can guide Vholanthus, it seems that the arm is a corruptive agent when used too often, but a magical focus that may cause benefits to the wielder if used sparingly.
Walking past the shelves to do his research, Vholanthus does note that there are a number of books missing from the lower levels, an unlikely thing, as few would check these books out. When queries are brought to the clerks on duty, they say that the Sumquaes family sometimes checks books out for private use. Whom these went to, they do not know.

Daisy, having a moment to care for what she has, rigs up a rotating system of servants to keep the recently captured eggs warm. Her knowledge of the wild places them at mature enough to hatch in fortnight if they are cared for properly.
With her aim to visit Dame Julia, she is delighted to note that the noblewoman has issued an invitation for high tea on the day or the morrow, whichever would be more convenient for the young ward of her house. 
After all, an eligible bachelorette in the hands of the De La Quinne, she should be offered all chances to meet potential suitors. 
One such, a youth by the name of Jean-Jacomo De La Quinne would be an ideal match ~ one Julia would be most happy to introduce to the Marquisette in Exile. He is of noble blood and the son of the widow Isodora, and in blood connected to Dame Rosa De La Quinne, a powerful head of the family in her own right.     

Claudia, recovering from the past day's events and a bout of fatigue that came with them, hears a voice that promises her redemption if she would cast aside the Usurper's creed and rejoins the Family, like a good child should. After all, there is no bond so broken that it cannot be mended by blood and submission.
As a token of the power that blood can hold, the Night Queen lays a Gaes over the bond Claudia shares with Scorchwyn. When it takes hold, the world is a little colder to the halfling and the connection with Scorchwyn a little more distant than before.

The Fifth Eclipse - Session 18: Fireside Wedding

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain

Upon being confronted by the Captain and Vholanthus, the imposter Umbregon signals his men, causing widespread chaos in the opera. Massive animated statues break from the stage columns and strike at the rest of the group that remained near the bridal couple on stage. Flocks of ravenous bats descend on the fleeing guests while bladed assassins cut their way to their leader and crossbowmen angle their weapons at ... Daisy?
In an attempt to balance the numbers of foes the party is facing, Vholanthus transforms into a horse-sized sphinx, allowing the Captain to ride him into battle while Wenceslas brings forth a powerful chain lightning that shocks the momentum from the villains but also causes the massive chandelier to crash into the area ~causing a fire to break out. All non-combatants try to reach the exit as things turn chaotic and several known faces begin engaging the animals to prevent them from further riling up the panic-stricken guests. 
Strong blade to blade and claw clashes happen all over, not least between the Captain, the Sphinx and the Imposter. 
As a statue reaches the stage and heads for the bride, Jim interposes but gets flung off the stage, injured and bruised, landing at the feet of one of the assassins. The dastardly duelist does not even consider not slaying the dwarf and pins him to the ground by impaling Jim with his sword through the shoulder.
Claudia engages the statues in close combat as Daisy keeps drawing crossbow fire while saving the bride (who, at the sight of her Jim being yeeted into the viewing area, drew a knife and ineffectively scratched at the attacking thing). As Claudia reduces a statue to rubble and begins battering down the second, the fire suddenly accelerates. 
Seeing this renewed threat, the Captain and Vholanthus redouble their efforts and take out the fake Umbregon, casting his body (twisted and broken) to the other side of the room. As it skids to a halt at the feet of the assassin who is toying with Jim, the assassin takes his eyes off of Jim for a moment to heal his leader. As a surge of power rushes through the body, it rises again and plunges into the fleeing mass to escape.
This moment of inattention does leave the attacker open to Wenceslas and the others to not only free Jim, but coordinate an escape. 
The blaze, intense, begins to superheat the structure and cracks appear in the walls and pillars. Vholanthus ferries people out through shattered windows, while the others book it to the outside, including Wenceslas taking his partner in hallucinogens with him in a burst of magic. After all, Heremine had been one of those fighting so the others could make a safe retreat and it seemed ill form to not help her away.       
Dropping off the bride and groom, Vholanthus gives chase and spies the imposter outside. Landing, he confronts... Iulius Sumquaes? The stern-faced judge gets a scolding from Vholanthus, and a warning that they will talk about this at length once the day's activities are done. As Vholanthus lets the man walk, he notices that a clay mask falls to the ground and the individual changes shapes again while disappearing into a side alley. 

After all of the party make it out, the building collapses due to structural failure. Clouds of hot ash blast through the streets and the wedding guests seek safety in the nearby canals and fountained areas. Eventually, the mass of folks, excited by still being alive and buoyed by the adrenaline that follows dire events, finds each other again at an Ile Enchantée (the Parterre d'Eau) where a druid, a seraph and a former army officer perform the rites of marriage for the couple. Wenceslas grasps the cold iron fencing with his cindered grasp to reshape them into hearts for the pair.
It may not have been the day Jim and Adéle had wanted, but it is an event that shows the resilience of their alliance and the enduring bond they wish to establish for the future. It will be talked about by all the attending guests, though some casualties will be mourned, those just leave more space for social growth...  

The Fifth Eclipse - Session 17: Cake or death

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain

Returning from the fight, the heroes are accosted by Lady Deonne De La Quinn, who seems to have her matchmaker sights set on the nobles of the group (clearly meaning Daisy and the Captain, scoffing at Wenceslas and Vholanthus while offending Claudia). Those that are not needed in the conversation wisely choose to not be there while Deonne sizes up the eligible two.

Claudia notes one of the bars is currently being staffed by a disaster waiting to goblin (or Doxie, for her friend) and gets help to restore order, while getting her friend back into the mix to gather more information. A quick check with the goblin stops Claudia in her tracks, as Doxie explains she's seen some people poisoning the wedding cake.

Wenceslas takes Heremine backstage so she cannot get into more trouble and helps the elf girl sober up again, while Paul Jones Jr. corners Vholanthus and tries to talk business with him. The older elf leaves the human a little baffled, but Paul does pass his business card for the scion of the Sumquaes to remember him by.

Claudia gathers the group after learning of the assassins in the building and they intercept the assassins before they can make it to the stage, the Captain taking one of the men hostage while the others die in an avalanche of poisoned cake, as the multi-tiered monstrosity gets toppled down towards the kitchens.

The Captain and Vholanthus head into the crowd in front of the stage as they spot a suspicious individual. The leader of the Varangian guard, Beozrik Umbregon, behaves in an unusual way and threatens the pair and the stand-off seems to escalate to violence...

Group 3: A stroll in Vertange

Party: Puck, Sunna Zenobia, Enchantelle Devin, Sage, Carter

We find our heroes as they approach Conto Abbeva di Porta Valletta at the Abbeverato, a place when lower classes and the Fleurs Nobles sometimes intermingle.
They are confronted by a group of eager galetto, noble youth seeking to make a name for themselves. As the youths push for payment, Sunna takes offense at their behaviour and a brawl breaks out. The party stands tall at the end of the fight, with both Enchantelle and Sage causing the death of an opponent.
Disheartened by the loss of their allies, the remaining two noble youngsters seek to run away, with Puck and Sunna eliminating the slowest one. The party then meets with their contact, a man introducing himself as Don Inconnue (but known to Enchantelle as Louix de Pleurs de Nicheries).
Louix explains he is to testify in court and that he worries for his safety as there are many parties interested in him not standing as a witness. The party, once convinced that coin will be provided (half up front and half upon delivering Louix to the Court of the Lady of Scales at noon), set out to safeguard their new patron. Puck knows of a place, the Rusted Cartwheel, where they can stash the noble until the next day. In the background, the maids take care of the noble corpses, though the party does take some clothes from them in order to fashion a disguise. Heading out into the streets, the group spots the remaining noble returning with a contingent of the city guard, so they decide to hop into an ox-cart and hide. Sadly enough, as the group (with mixed success) jumps into the cart, the extra weight proves too much for the axles - which snap. A horrible chaos ensues, with oxen stampeding and other animals panicking all over the street. At least one building gets demolished as the group makes their getaway.
Arriving at the Rusted Cartwheel, the party (in mild disrepair) retires to whatever hole in the wall passes for a room here, in full privacy and anonymity, preparing themselves for what is sure to be an interesting day on the morrow.

Somewhere late in the evening, Carter makes his way down to the Rusted Cartwheel as he finally makes his big escape from his family's estate. He greets Sunna and Enchantelle who have the common room to themselves at the late hour, with Sunna mending Enchantelle's dress for the next day's events, so they catch Carter up to the events of the day and insinuate the reward may well help him along to his financial independence away from home. Warming to the idea of having money to buy things, Carter decides to stick around and offer his services.
With the morning rolling around, the early birds head off to the bathhouse, where they meet Gaultier Sans-Culottes, halfling wonder of the world and eater of pocket bacon. They make polite conversation but leave quickly after bathing, so they notice the ambush that was set outside of the Rusted Cartwheel and Enchantelle uses her magic to GREAT effect in order to lay low many of the assailants, while both Carter and Sunna eliminate their fair share of the issue.
Having little heart for the day's toils, both Puck and Sage offer to stay behind and guard the valuables, while the others escort Louix to court. Before it comes to that, Cassian provides the (newly bloodstained) trio with new clothes.
The group rides an ox-cart to the gates of the Jardin, where they leave off and continue on in a quick step.

With enough time to spare, the party delivers Louix to the Court and the man goes in to have a hearing. As the ornate door closes, the group hears a beam fall into place and suspects something to have gone wrong. Using skills perfected in many an evening's work, the group manages to undo the blockade and hears it fall while Louix whimpers against the other side of the door.
A gaggle of assassins is attempting to do more harm to the nobleman, but as Carter transforms into a staff-wielding whirling dervish, Sunna brandishes her weapons and Enchantelle literally dive-bombs the opposition, they stand little chance. A brief appearance by Gaultier (who recognizes the party from earlier) sees some wounds mitigated as sticky poultices get thrown to ease the pain.
The final stroke falls and so does silence. Louix, injured with a broken leg due to a falling beam, is still incredibly grateful for the life-saving work the party has done for him, leaving him to make good on his promise of wealth for the assisting heroes.

Whatever secret the assassins wanted to keep secret is now known to the higher echelons of the Fleurs Nobles and the victorious party can rest with the knowledge that no good deed ever goes punished...

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 15 - Stags and apples

Party: Wenceslas, Vholanthus Sumquaes, The Captain, Robrigo Sombri, Rusko Rohtzhane
(And eventually, Daisy and Claudia make an appearance too)

As the group follows the stag through the forest, Jim expresses his worries about the party's safety. The Captain and Wenceslas reassure him all will be good, pointing to the resounding success in defeating the ambushing bandits.
With Vholanthus in the lead, the stag gets cornered on a cliff that highlights Vertange in the distance among golden fields of grain. As the group approaches it, a loud squack and a massive parrot spell trouble for Wenceslas, who (together with the others) defeats the avian menace and discovers an embedded runestone.
With the knowledge gained in recent adventures, he recognizes the rune as one of 'Growth'.

The bachelor gets to shoot the cornered stag, which sets off a forest guardian to strike out at the party for spilling blood on his 'sacred ground'. As he does so, a massive bone lion emerges and triggers a quake that collapses the ground underneath most of the group, so the creature can focus solely on combat with the wild-shaped druid Vholanthus.
The rest of the group falls through the broken crust of the hill, revealing a ruined complex starting with an almost caldera-like paved structure containing various dryadic individuals composed of all sorts of rotting or poisonous plants that seem quite bent on striking mortal blows and. The forest guardian lays into the party and draws blood from many of the heroes, before their concerted efforts eliminate it.

The lodestone compass Wenceslas carries with him points down and with a certainty that was not there before, he realizes that the Elfhame of Mag Meli lies underneath the ruins that he stands on, a revelation and accompanying clarity of mind also connects him to the very essence of the corrupted growth that seems to have brought it to the brink of ruin.

Finishing the stag hunt by collecting the head of the stag, the men head to meet up with the ladies.
As Wenceslas has arranged for 'reliably fake bandits', the groups meet up when these attempt to 'kidnap' Abdelaide.
The bandits are run off by Jim before a ball masqué closes out the evening, with people putting keys in a bowl in order to discover whom they will be spending the evening with, all the while trying to guess whom they will get paired with and making subtle hints as to what their key looks like to those they seem to be drawn to...

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 14 - A Proper Lady's Afternoon

Party: Claudia De La Quinne, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, Sibille Benotti, Cynis Avantarei

The party starts by checking out the remains of the spider, which slowly shrinks down to reveal a druidic corpse, from which Daisy lifts a bracer made out of flowers.
Surveying the scene, and with the bride back on her feet, the group quickly notices that the tunnel from which the spider-druid emerged is still a direct point of entry, so they try to block it off best they can. As Abdelaide slowly realizes the horror that almost came to pass, the small Heremine pours her another drink... of the sleepweed-dosed wine, knocking the bride right back out. A quick understanding is reached and most of the attending ladies help carry Abdelaide to the basement, which apart from MANY wines also contains a door that can be barred from the inside. Considering the situation to be appropriate for it, a roll-call occurs and many a bladed implement is removed from seams and boots. 
In the end, Sibille and Cynis decide to join Claudia and Daisy in discovering what is going on.

With Cornpone out chasing the last remaining assassin, the young Deveraux heir sends out her other pigeon, Roel, to scout. Sadly enough, whomever was waiting for the group to emerge from the villa spots this messenger pigeon and decides not to let the party call for reinforcements. A pair of crossbow bolts takes down the feathered friend of the party.

As the party does not know this, Daisy and Claudia go to the roof to check things out, spotting the ambushers on the grounds, while Cynis and Sibille keep guard at the front door. Now spotted, the ambushers forgo their plan and lay down a rain of crossbow fire on the porch of the house, while return fire ensues from those within with the ability to do so. Before long though, close combat ensues, with one assailant rappelling onto the roof to go toe to toe with Daisy in a rooftop melee that sees both wounded, but Daisy coming out on top (by kicking the opponent off) and Claudia firmly ending someone's life after making a daring swing to the ground from the rooftop.
Sibille and Cynis both also notch their own impressive kills, as Sibille bisects the leader of the ambush while standing as a central pillar of defense and Cynis kills a sneaky intruder right at the threshold of the house.

Searching through the corpses after making sure the immediate threats were eliminated, the party finds a note:
"Kill the Elf, she knows too much. Secondary target: halfling".

This gives the present members of the Fifth Eclipse a moment of pause, as they come to the conclusion that this may well have something to do with the disappearance of Claudia's father... and the death of Daisy's dad.

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 13 - They are in the trees

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain

The (mainly) male friends of Jim and a couple of hand-picked bodyguards attending the stag hunt (Eugene Priati, Salvadore Dorée, Lucius Tesodi, Calpar, Malin, Rusko Rohtzhane, Tangjostr, Blandus, Gerard Gustafson and Tobrokus) get introduced to the concept of stag hunting by an enthousiastic Wenceslas. Sadly enough, the nobles do seem to take it upon themselves to interrupt the elf as he explains things, their hunting dogs baying and tugging at their leashes to go.
The group sets out without too much of an issue and the Captain takes great pains explaining the benefits of delegation to Jim and those of proper teamwork to the nobles, while Vholanthus checks the surroundings.
What Vholanthus did not account for was a net-based trap that snaps him up into the trees, while a group of hidden ambushers strike out at the group.

The Captain (fully thinking this was entertainment set up by Wenceslas) rallies the defense to make sure Jim gets a moment in the sun, while Wenceslas (knowing that this is not the case) sets to defend his life dearly after hearing them say 'Get the Elf'. A rain of arrows strikes some in the group, but Jim manages to evade most danger, drawing a jewel-encrusted battle axe and heading into the fracas. The party gives a good accounting of themselves and Vholanthus transforms into a bear to break out of the net, thundering to the ground and beginning to maul the back-line of ranged assassins.
Tobrokus, Tangjostr and Gerard do what their instincts tell them to and get some nobles out of the line of fire, while Blandus makes an extremely good case for throwing knives. Rusko, aware that his new friends are in danger, brandishes a massive broadsword and lays into the foes, leaving many on the floor of the forest to become fertilizer.
As the tide of battle seems to turn into the party's favour, a concealed juvenile flickerfly boosts up from the floor, tossing the Captain into the air and making a general issue out of itself. When the creature perishes under the Captain's blade, the party notices all the assassins are dead as well.
The Captain, now seeing the expression on the face of Wenceslas and the carnage that the party inflicted, realizes that this was not as planned, but he takes it in stride.
They cleave the head off of the creature only for it to shrink down to a humanoid form, implicating druidic interference. 

Meanwhile the girls are at a peaceful mansion located at the heart of the vineyards of the family du Pleur de Nicheries, renowned for their excellent white wines. Daisy, talking with the Du Trêve girls, feels someone tugging on her sleeve. Heremine Durée, a petite elf girl with white hair, asks her to come look at a suspicious bottle near the foot of the wine table in the veranda. Investigating this, Daisy realises the draught that was inside to be a sleeping potion, but she fails to shake off the effects as it takes effect. Claudia, used to this sort of tomfoolery, sees the other ladies also dropping off and she understands that foul play is afoot. Four servants advance on her, leaving the sleeping bride and her friends out of the picture for now. As combat breaks out, it seems Claudia is outnumbered, but from the sleeves of Daisy's country gown come forth Cornpone and Roel, ready to tango with the villains that laid down their mistress. The three manage to eliminate the bulk of the assassins while Daisy and Cynis Avantarei get woken up when a massive spider bursts through the floor and proceeds to web the entire building with a mixture of silks and sharp stones. The creature did not account for the expertise of Claudia, Daisy and Cornpone at monster slaying and is soon on the receiving end of a point blank crossbow headshot, with Daisy holding a fang that gets dislodged by the impact.
Seeing the ploy failed, the last assassin throws a smoke bomb and runs off, with Roel in pursuit.

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 12 - Stags at the Opera

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain

The party, having spoken to Jim and sent him on his way, is approached by a guard who asks them if the dungeon below was fully cleared and if it is ready to be sealed up. 
Due to their standing as adventuring party, the Fifth Eclipse gets the rights to the dungeon for as long as it does not become active again. It is sealed up and a mark indicating their ownership is painstakingly placed upon the former entrance.
A long overdue refreshing takes place, much to the general olfactory benefit of the surrounding.

A lot is discussed on how to tackle the bachelorette party and the stag night for the happy couple. The men will be hunting an actual stag outside of the city, while the women get to enjoy the comforts of an idyllic lodge nearby while sampling of some of the local vineyard products.
Nefarious minds as they have, they actually seek to set up a small 'kidnapping' of the bride to let the groom heroically save the day.
The group uses some of their local knowledge and a bit of 'speaking with Roel' to get a bead on the friends of Daisy. 
The list given by Jim was rather male-forward, after all.
Invites are made and sent out by winged messenger.
As the group is busy with this, Robert Sumquaes stumbles upon his uncle and requests he look in to the Iles Enchantés, as strange creatures have been spotted coming out at a recently purchased plot.
Considering all he has learned thus far, Vholanthus concludes that there may be druids behind this, and potentially corrupted ones at that.
When out and about in the Jardin, the group also meets a female guard named 'Isolde' who is interested in their actions until they seem harmless enough to let pass.

At the opera, with the ceremony opening, the social gathering is rife with opportunities for casual meetings and formal introductions. 
Daisy finds herself chatting with Paul Jones Junior, while the Captain is seen rubbing shoulders with Honora Du Calle. Seeing the elf out of sorts, a local courtier sets up a dig at Wenceslas, but fails to land any devastating jape as none of the strewn bait is taken. 

In a flashback to the pre-wedding festivities, we see Claudia seeking out one of the two De La Quinne's in attendance, accidentally bumping in to her while holding glassware. No glint of recognition passes behind the eyes of the young lady known as Seraphine.  
Vholanthus starts setting up for the stag hunt, creating paths for the hunters to follow while in beast form.

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 11 - On to new adventures!

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

In the dwarven camp, Vholanthus reveals that he spent some time scavenging bones from the fallen foes (as directed by the dwarves themselves). From these bones, the ones from the Hounds slowly have been reverting into humanoid equivalents, though the magic in the others is enough to have one of the craftsmen create a bone bracer that will add more oomf to the attacks Vholanthus can make when taking animal form.
While the craftsman is rigging this up for Vholanthus, Wenceslas takes the elf aside to look at the compass-stone in the hopes of figuring out where the other Elfhames might be.

Claudia gets some mead, some fancy mead and a new dagger from Snorri to compliment her current gear, before the group gets back together and talks about the Lady of Shadows (or the Night Queen), as they suspect this is the strange voice they hear once in a while.
In these conversations, Vholanthus comes to realise he has been subject to amnesia whenever he came close to finding Elfhames, but that this has not come to pass this time as he was out of the Sumquaes holdings and working with friends instead of alone.
A number of theories is bandied about and discussed, from magical means (which Wenceslas deems unlikely due to the obvious need of reapplication) to potential mushroom-spiked meals (which Daisy ponders as that would be easy to administer and reapply without too much trouble if the subject is not suspicious). Vholanthus then touches upon the potential of a larger conspiracy from the Houses to keep the information about the Curse and the Elfhames down. More so if the Lady of Shadows is indeed the being known as the Night Queen, a deity worshipped by some in the De La Quinne family ranks.

When the party re-emerges in the streets of Vertange, they are met with an extremely anxious Jim of the House of Three Beams, who has seen his wedding day (and preceding stag/bachelorettes night) mildly in disarray as his wedding planner (the lovely miss Daisy) had gone missing with little formal information as to what was going on. He is immediately reassured by the Captain who promises to not let Jim down and that the stag night will be organised by him personally, while Daisy learns that the wedding venue would be the city's opera building.
She proceeds to get an entire list of important guests that should be invited and accommodated, which seems to go on forever.

The game plan for the party is laid out, with Vholanthus setting his sights on diving back in to the library, the Captain having two nights to figure out a good stag night, Daisy having three to fix the wedding party, with Wenceslas and Claudia available to assist where the urgency requires them to.  

[Party levels to 4]

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 10 - The Return

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

Having a moment of calm after defeating the Lord of Life, the group inspects what is left: the silver arm.
As they observe it, they note runes pushing through into visibility and then vanishing but, Wenceslas and Vholanthus working together and pooling their knowledge, they also see that the runes do not follow any known shapes.
Deducing that something has corrupted the arm, the party gingerly bags it and avoids physical contact at all costs.

Walking out of the Nexus of the Elfhame, Wenceslas pours some of his magic into the surroundings, allowing it to flourish a little bit more. 
Then the party comes face to face with the amphibian guardians of the Elfhame and Daisy attempts to understand who the three are (or at least what the heck is going on). The trio warns for the Queen of Shadows, whom they see as responsible for the downfall of their protector and as a great threat for which their power will not suffice to shield the party outside of the Elfhame's walls. 

Heading out further after this interaction, the group notices things taking shape again. Ruins returning to being buildings. Establishments regaining names. Slowly, whatever wisps of presence observe the party resolving into the shape of faint hints of memory. 
Claudia stops by an old smithy, where near the forge the gleam of a fire is emerging. She whittles a small dragon to feed to the flame and the party notices that the longer they stay in one place, the stronger the memory-echo effect seems to become. Choosing not to overstay their welcome, Vholanthus offers his ox-form to carry his friends swiftly beyond the walls, where the killing ground in front of the city is molding over into a more verdant field, with iridescently glowing crystals indicating the way to the city overhead.

Resolving not to return without a clear map of the labyrinth or word of potential surviving members of the scouting party, the group treks through the honeycomb of underground tunnels and picks up the location of the missing dwarves. They do seem to not be the only ones to have found them, as a group of dwellers has also set their gaze on the scouts. Battle is joined and the foe once again seems to have a pack of the strange hounds whose cries Daisy associates with the death of her father, so she turns to Claudia and receives Scorchwyn's blessing. By the grace of the Captain's defensive skills and the sheer power put on display by Wenceslas, Daisy, Claudia and 'bull'anthus means only three of the scouts will never walk the tunnels again.

Wenceslas takes the time to honour the fallen, which includes the betrothed of Brunhilde, but the quartermaster's daughter has survived the ordeal and the party decides to guide the scouts back to the Encampment.
A joyful reunion takes place as Captain Bartuz receives the newly made map and thanks the party for their efforts.

When Daisy lays down to rest, a struggle ensues between two voices, which seem to be the cold tones of the Night Queen and the warm rage of Scorchwyn. While the Night Queen tries to gain the advantage, a spiral of flames (seemingly tattooed) on the forearm of the heir of the Deveraux estate blazes to life and forces the favour to Scorchwyn's side.

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 9 - The Fortress of Shadows

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

The group approaches the broken gate of the Elfhame. The Captain, ever the first into the breach, puts his hand through the gate, triggering a reaction from the undead dwellers on the streets. With an amount of horror, the party witnesses the undead falling apart into limbs, heads and torsos... right before these become a tidal wave of flesh and bone that seeks to crush all living things in and around the Elfhame.
Thinking on his feet, the Captain spies a spiral staircase on the outside of a traveler's inn and dashes for it, calling his friends to follow. Vholantus turns into an owl and frees Daisy who was grabbed by a massive bat. Daisy and Wenceslas chase after the Captain and together the group sees the undead deluge smash through the gate and spill out onto the killing grounds in front of the gate. 
Knowing discretion to be the better part of valor, the group sticks to the rooftops and avoids the streets entirely up to the point where the buildings give way to an open marketplace.

Three massive toads are seated in front of two cauldrons, one gold and one silver. They ask for tribute.
Wenceslas puts his fae flowers into the golden cauldron. Vholanthus imparts the same with his familiar.
The Captain puts the name of a fallen friend into the silver cauldron, while Claudia parts with a dagger and Daisy throws in a ritually blessed crossbow bolt. This seems to appease the toads and with a flash of insight the party realizes a fundamental truth about the Elfhame. It is built around a story.
For Dunscaith, this lay is as follows:
"Three arbiters judge those who worship the mortal and immortal world, where balance is kept in Golden and Silver Cauldrons."

Passing the test, the group moves on to a spiral staircase that brings them into the heart of the Elfhame. A space in the realm between where magic flows unhampered. A single individual awaits them, silver arm gleaming with runes that shift in and out of the top layer. 
As the group approaches, the being known as the Lord of Life reveals himself and brandishes his wicked scythe at the intruders in his deathless realm. 
Using the flowing streams of power all around them, Wenceslas and Vholanthus restrain the spellcasting of Nechtan, allowing Daisy, Claudia and the Captain to eliminate the undead knights summoned to protect the Lord of Life, whittling away at his defenses until Wenceslas manages to blast the soul out of the corrupted guardian and binds it into a gold and silver lily at the heart of Dunscaith.

Now, standing in a nexus of power, the party is left without foes, only a single rune-encrusted silver arm remaining on the floor...   and the voice of Scorchwyn echoing approval in the mind of his believers.

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 8 - The Dwarven Encampment

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

As the group unwinds from their journey through the darkness, they get a visit from the camp's quartermaster Snorri. Each in turn gets offered some bit of kit to assist on their journey. 
Better armour, a personalized upgrade to their weapon or even health potions, the older dwarf does not seem to mind parting with the supplies... almost suspiciously so. Miss Daisy ventures a few inquiries and discovers his daughter, 'Little Moon' Brimhilde, ventured out with a crew of 11 other scouts into the area closer to the Elfhame and has not returned yet. Daisy promises to look out for traces of Brimhilde when the Eclipse ventures there as well.

Afterwards, Claudia starts witling dragon statues as a way to offer her respect and prayers to Scorchwyn. The voice of the Lord of Vengeance comes to her, offering advise and comforting, before the conversation gets cut off by the Night Queen. Though the words of the Night Queen cause a ripple of worry, the thought that Scorchwyn does favour her current plans strengthens Claudia's resolve.

Wenceslas, on the other hand, finds himself alternatively chilled and warmed, the spike of ice that was removed through the power of the healing magic still leaving a hole in his self... which Emiel seeks to fill. Drawing on his internal unbalance, a small bit of Wenceslas's innate magic is stolen and woven into the blade's handguard, which now carries a beautiful purple chain of flowers ending in a sharp point.
Whispering to the elf, Emiel promises power in a time of need, if exchange for some blood...

Daisy takes some time trying to understand more by talking to the flowers, checking if the Shadows ever come into this area. The flowers are angry and not really informative, but it seems this area is safe. 
Hoping to get more information through another channel, Claudia tries to talk to the moss. It is not her forte.

The next morning, the party meets captain Bartuz over breakfast. Using the knowledge of the missing scouts, the group gets more information on the downward trek and renew their promise to report back with information on the scouts and rescue them if at all possible.

They set out and using their skills to advance through the dark maze that approaches the Elfhame. Wenceslas's compass, Daisy's tracking skills, Vholanthus's arcane knowledge, the Captain's guidance and Claudia's moxie lead the party to an ancient crypt filled with small treasures and through a spectral storm that was generated by arcane runes.
And thus they arrive at the outer wall of Dun Scaith. The ancient elven structure clearly breached, the petaled gate broken, the streets beyond littered with undead guardians.

Praying to Scorchwyn for guidance, Claudia hears the Fortress of Shadows will have four trials awaiting them: first swarms of odious serpents, then beaked toads, then a silver and a golden cauldron before the true test of their power: the Lord of Life, necromancer Nechtan. 
As though on cue the party hears a voice that welcomes them to their upcoming doom or into his army...

  

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 7 - White as Snow

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

As the party reaches the end of the second layer of the Delve of Dun Scaith, they face off against a force of skeletal foes, led by a pair of ice-wielding monstrosities and a human necromancer, that seem to have broken off an assault on some sort of fortification.
Upon the walls, the party spy the glint of flame on steel but little time is afforded to them as the skeletons sense the approach of easier prey and turn about to rush at the party.

Making use of the initiative, Vholanthus manages to penetrate deep into the enemy force, but finds the backline beset by exploding spheres of bone and ice.
The Captain, doing his best to follow Vholanthus into breaking the enemy formation and drawing the aggression away from his friends, hears a cry behind him as Wenceslas suffers a near-fatal blow, being impaled on a jagged spike of ice. Claudia, near to her elven companion, wills the power of Scorchwyn to undo the injury and rescues Wenceslas from a cold grave.
Fury and indignation now grasping the former Elfhame inhabitant tight, sorcery crackles from his hands and rips through the enemies. Seeking to not suffer a similar icy fate, Vholanthus retreats and begins a series of attacks that leave him more protected, while the Captain and Daisy lay waste to the remaining skeletal foes and capture their leader.

Thus having defeated their foes, the group hails the guards of the fortification and are met by Captain Bartuz, a dwarven veteran who leads about 30 fighting men and 50 assorted followers (smiths, cooks, a few surgeons and a medic as well as the families of those who need to stay for a longer period of time). The group gets permission to stay the night at the encampment, noting the far side is a lot better guarded and fortified in comparison to the side they approached from.

Taking the chance to interrogate their prisoner, they learn his name is "Tim" and he was ordered to take this fortification for the Queen of Shadows. As Claudia asks him if he has any last words for his mother, Tim's right eye turns black and he replies in an unnatural voice, threatening the halfling. The group puts more pressure, but that only serves to activate a mimic, hidden behind the man's darkened eye and eliminating him in a gory manner. It is likely this entity would have sought to harm the halfling, but Wenceslas is vigilant and lances it through with Emiel.

A little disturbed by the encounter, Bartuz asks the party to join him for ale and explains how the dwarves are involved in the defense of the Elfhames under Vertange. The group also learns the name of the dwarven adventuring party that sometimes travels 'top-side' in order to claim bounties: "the Coin of Skulls".

The Fifth Eclipse - Session 6: Onward and counter-birdwards

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

Retreating to her abode with her friends, Daisy walks around in a daze, remembering the fateful day that her father left the mortal world behind. Snippets of conversation with Paul Jones Jr, her father's pride in her woodsmanship and the strange cry of the most likely culprit take the fore as she reaches her bed and uneasy dreams follow.

The next morning, Wenceslas is attacked by an angry ostrich as he sits outside Daisy's mansion, dispatching it with some expenditure of magics. The rest of the group, startled, comes to investigate and spot a dig-out containing a scuffed arcane circle. The remains of the aggressive bipedal bird seem to rot away at an alarming rate, implying either the De La Quinne having planted this as a trap or a necromancer's involvement.
Wenceslas and Vholanthus spend some time exchanging knowledge on the Elfhames in Vertange, pushing ever closer to their likely locations and inhabitants. More so, Wenceslas reveals that the Elfhames do trade with both the Sunlands and the Dark, establishing them as 'neutral' rather than dedicated to either side. Whatever reason the denizens of the Dark would have to strike at these neutral havens remains to be determined.  

Claudia and Wenceslas, being banned from the Library decide to head to the market as the other three (the Captain, Vholanthus and Daisy) dive deep into the basement stacks in order to discover even more on the Elfhames and the potential dangers that they may encounter upon re-entering the Delve of Dun Scaith.

Claudia speaks with Madame Tousaud, a soothsayer and fortuneteller that offers her a "Peable of Fortune", but she is disinclined to part with her money for that trinket. Wenceslas, meanwhile, discovers that his magical disk is an instrument that guides him to the nearest Elfhame.

The entrance to the library is kept by Selandrine Tesodi, and the name of the Elfhame below the street is offered as payment for entry. Into the stacks, Vholanthus pulls out a protected book from the frame just in front of where the spiral staircase breaks through the lower levels of the library. 
The book itself speaks of the Silver-armed Runelord known as "Nechtan" and his two closest allies: the "False Flame" and the "Last Defender". It is hard to determine when or how the book was written, but as Vholanthus places it back into the protective scripts, a strong tug on his life force leaves him wheezing for air.

Having dealt with these matters, the group reunites, gathers supplies and sets out to discover what the Delve has to offer. They make peace with the fact that they will likely need to spend the night inside after discussing potential strategies, and make for the lower levels of the Delve, dodging some traps and ignoring whatever glowing eyes stare at the from side-tunnels.

A short while after passing the part where they previously fought the Mortal Hunter, the bioluminescent fungi that were scattered through the higher levels finally run out and torches are brought out for illumination. Then, the group hears the tell-tale sound of bones clacking and face off against a skeletal patrol.

Group 2 Session 5: The Fifth Eclipse

Party: The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne

As the guards usher Wenceslas and Claudia out of the Library, the Captain is pulled aside into a shadowy alcove by a former companion of his army days, the chronicler and historian Malin. The elderly dwarven lady has received word that the Captain should not spend too much time on defending Vholanthus if trouble strikes and may walk away a richer person if he then visits the Three Cups Down Salon. Additionally, she passes on to him a map containing the information also received by Wenceslas about the basement level of the Library, which she happened to see the desk clerk draw up.
When pressed for the source of her information as the pair makes their way out of the Library through some highly unused passages, she can only give vague answers, implying that saying too much could cost her relatives.

Vholanthus, meanwhile, has been out in owl-form traversing the city, eventually settling on going to miss Daisy's house. As he approaches the location, a massive migraine builds up and eventually forces him to crash into the roof of the estate, where he spends a lot of time in stupor, until waking up from a dark sensation. Upon waking, a pull from the direction of the Library serves as a marker for where to go next.
Approaching over the back-alleys, Vholantus spies the Captain and Malin walking out of the Library and makes to meet up with them.
The Captain, not one to keep a secret such as he has just been told, takes Vholanthus into his confidence, aligning the pair of them in the purpose of not getting the elf killed. Malin looks unhappy about this turn and makes her way back into the Library after bidding farewell.

When the Captain and Vholanthus get to the main street, they are halted by the captain of the guard (Florian Lejeun), who engages in some rules-lawyering in order to keep the newcomers away from the rift in the street where one of his men is gathering him some treasure... a party of brave adventurers under the guidance of his handpicked escort is exploring the newfound ruins. The Captain eventually convinces Florian to let him pass, while Vholanthus simply shapeshifts back into an owl and gains entry that way.
Following the other group down into the labyrinthian structure underground, using the clever markings from Wenceslas and common sense to navigate away from most of the dangers, the pair meets up with the rest of the party outside of the grounds where the battle has just taken place against the Mortal Hunter.
Quite around the same time, Cornpone flies in to warn of noon and the group decides to regroup and rest up topside, all the while sharing information as they walk. 
Knowing that only an adventuring party enlisted at the Adventuring Guild can claim a mysterious ruin for exploration and exploitation, Vholanthus shifts again into his owlish form and heads to the Jardin's Adventuring Guild to register his 5-strong party as 'the Fifth Eclipse', which allowed the group to properly leave the dungeon and have it safeguarded against other intruders. 

Based on pooled knowledge, the party now knows the name of five Vertangian Elfhames:
Tir Tairngire, Tir fo Thuinn, Mag Meli, Emain Ablach and Dun Scaith.
A letter, once received from a wounded elf, is produced by Claudia and offered to Wenceslas reading:
"They are loose. The Haven has fallen. It is off the Leash."
After reading the letter aloud, Wenceslas confesses to the party that he used to be a member of an elven raiding party, which sought to alleviate the suffering of his people (due to bad harvests, a lack of offerings for the protection of the lands and a constant war against the denizens of the Dark), but which saw the leader of their band become corrupted by bloodlust. As this proved to be strongly against Wenceslas's own moral code of conduct, he left to seek out other Elfhames, arriving in Vertange as he heard that one of the lost ones could be found here.

In a shadowed hall, a kneeling individual asks a man with a silver arm for the right to exact revenge on the Captain. The request is denied ... for now.

Group 2 Session 4: From the top

Party: Wenceslas, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, Claudia De La Quinne, Tangjostr

Miss Daisy returns home after an exciting night and decides to rest up.
After she does, guardsman Tangjostr, on duty in the noble area, is notified by the sergeant of his branch that a disturbance has broken out near the library. In order to repress the issue, Tangjostr is sent to protect Daisy at first, but then requested to attend to the issue at the library. Having heard the same and puzzled out the location of her friends, Daisy joins up to find out what went wrong.

Meanwhile, Wenceslas and Claudia are bundled out of the library by some very adamant guards, hear that some of the mages in the building suffered nosebleeds and told they have been banned from the area for a span of seven days. Lady Amelia Sumquaes (the bursar at the entrance) does return the specimen given into her care, with some reluctance, as the pair leaves her presence. The street turns out to have been broken through with a winding staircase-like structure, a shaft that leads through the sewers into a deeper underground layer of the city, giving off a purple glow.
They meet up with Daisy and her guard as other guardsmen are fighting off undead beings that rose from the crack in the ground. The creatures seem to fall still as the sunlight breaks over the city and the four brave souls decide (eventually) to check out this location, mainly to claim it in case another adventuring group would want to delve in first and establish right of ownership.
This is helped along a little when Florian Lejeun (acting captain for this area of the Jardin) decides to question the abilities of Tangjostr, who as a recently Peregini member of the city and a faun has had a chip on his shoulder the size of a small house. And the promise of a bag of gold per person in case the quartet can turn up something valuable for the city.

The group decides to run reconnaissance mainly and tries to get as deep as they can, ignoring some spots as they descend down the slanted and broken spiral staircase into a layer of ruins that appear to have been of elven make. Their trek takes them past ruined campsites (varying is size from humanoid to ogre-like in size) and many eyes glancing at them from a distance until they reach a different set of ruins, styled more like the organic dwarven architecture.
The deeper the party goes, the more Wenceslas starts feeling and hearing unusual things, including whispers that question why he "brought the child" as "the child was not to come here".
Ancient beyond knowing, this area seems to host more sacred sites, some of which are desecrated by foul undead beings. The party, entering one such pockets, encounters a creature wearing De La Quinne colours that tries to maim and possess Claudia. 
Thankfully, the group managed to beat it and its followers so no ill befalls the halfling. They smash up the ritual implements they can find, with Claudia taking the pieces of an Ever-burning candle that has now been distinctly snuffed. 
Then, the cooing of Cornpone notifies the group that the time has come to return to the surface, which they reach with some treasures in their pockets from the exploration as the afternoon makes way for the evening again. 

Group 1: Interlude Session: Of Marshmallows and Blades

Party: Fir, Detho, Rachel and Gryven

During the months following the rescue of Louix, the group meets on a semi-regular basis, swapping tales and generally warming to each other as familiar and trustworthy faces within Vertange.
Beyond that, they encounter some of the more prominent locals and take on jobs to maintain a certain level of survivable wealth, now that tales of bandits in the countryside drive up prices within the city proper.

Feeling the need to establish a fixed income, Rachel befriends Amelia, a young elven barmaid in the Jardin (she works in the Verdant Grove - a winery) and spends some time talking about the brewing process.
She thinks up a new concept (magical marshmallow flavouring), but due to the raw magical power she wields to get the tastes in the confection, the results are unpredictable. As this new dubious delicacy comes into the hands of Beiro Benotti, head of the Imperial Duelists, the man sees a commercial avenue in which these mystery mellows can work to great effect. He immediately forms a working understanding where Rachel's invention is marketed by the Benotti and she receives a small cut from the sales to upkeep her.

As she heads to tell her friends of this, during a classic midweek meeting/bender at the "The City of Perlis presents: Drinks" tavern, the group spots a lady being stalked by a band of shadowy figures and Detho decides to intervene.
Unbeknownst to any party involves, the figures had been overheard at the Skull and Crossbones pub down at the wharves by the rogue Gryven. Not one to stand idle while talk of kidnapping is uttered, Gryven followed the ambushers to the plaza where Fir, Detho and Rachel are enjoying the evening.
Detho, kicking hostilities off, rushes towards the suspected miscreants and Rachel launches a molten blob of marshmallow experimentation at the band, triggering Gryven to also strike.
Within moments of the fight kicking off, the group is standing over the bodies of the fallen. They get invited by the lady they saved, Honora Du Calle and spend the evening socializing. At the end of that evening, a new companion is found and onwards Gryven attends the meetings, happy to have found other foreigners in this city that mean well by him.

Detho, a few days later, draws the ire of the master of the L'Equichant kennels, Tangui L'Equichant, as a reaction to a loudly barking mastiff (aka 'punch it on the nose') is seen as an offense. Detho gets away, but feels like the man has had a bad impression of him. Getting back down to the Area Vulgaris, Detho lays low for a while and becomes fast friends with a halfling brawler named Aetius, in spite of the later's tendency to snip a purse or two while trouble goes down. 

Gryven, after a slightly more ... busy ... evening, gets into a spot of bother at a local pottery, where he smashes into a shelf, causing massive financial issues for himself. Luckily enough, Marco De Bouchee is nearby to assist him, in return for a favour at some point in the future. The deep pockets of the De Bouchee family provide and Gryven finds himself free from issues... for now.

Fir, in his pursuit of justice and proper behaviour around town, comes across evidence that the assistant of Trebatius Sumquaes has forged evidence for a trial. Presenting what he knows, he does not only free an innocent from the capital punishment, but also gets the real culprit executed. 
Fir is unsure if he is happy with this, but the glow of Scorchwyn's approval does ease the burden he has shouldered.

Spending some time with Detho to clear his head, Fir strolls the streets of the Jardin and takes in the breath-taking architectural marvels before being set upon by Lucius Tesodi. The expert tailor drags the pair into his store and offers them some of the finer couture available in the city, asking them to model these throughout the city when fancy takes them that way. A little bewildered, Fir manages to make his escape, while Detho seems happy to have a free set of clothes.

Rachel, wandering through the streets, gets challenged by a bunch of bullies, led by Brescia Du Calle. They steal her hat and try to force her into a fistfight. When this is going down, Fir hears the cries of his ally and decides to even the odds. As he arrives on the scene, the pair of heroes band together to create a memorable 'exploding donkey poop attack', which seems sufficient to no longer have to worry about the young Du Calle and they manage to get away, hat in hand.
Afterwards, Fir gets accosted by Appius, a local tour guide, with whom he bonds in his pursuit of making Vertange a little nicer for everyone who comes there. 

When Gryven is heading down to the Area Vulgaris, he meets a goblin named Eudoxius. The little sewer cleaner discovers Gryven does not mean her ill and offers him the comfort of her house (a standing wall and some creative tarp. They agree that she'll shelter him in exchange for food or weapons, whichever are easiest to come by for him. 

Detho, finally, gets round to meeting with Francois Du Treve and questions him about his sister.
Francois relates that, on charges brought by the De La Quinne family, Detho's sister is in the city prison under lock and key.

Group 2 Session 3: Once upon a Bone Lion

 Party: Wenceslas, the Captain, Claudia De La Quinne

As Wenceslas gathers his bearing upon leaving the party, he spends a little time considering where he would be able to find the best source of information about the mysterious stone and happening around town. He settles on the University Library in the Noble District and heads there post-haste.
Offering one of his Faerie Flowers (trademark dubious) as a research specimen for the duration of his stay in the hallowed halls of learning, he quickly crosses the granite floors in search of knowledge.
As the Library contains a labyrinthine inner structure, he promptly spends half an hour trying to get a feel for the place, but winds up seeking aid at the reception counter after that.
The man behind the counter is helpful, if a little slow, and armed with a hand-drawn map of the basement (indicating "Elfhomes", "Myths and Legends" and a skull) Wenceslas quests on.
He gets to the location marked Myths and Legends, where an iron-bound tome titled "Erichtias, the rise and fall of the Cherscoi Aoroi" catches his eye. The book, removed from spell-warded shelves, proves an interesting read until a group of phantoms set upon the researching elf and force him to abandon his study, as a skeletal lion guardian also animates and strikes out at Wenceslas. Thinking discretion the better part of valor, the elf decides to leg it after slamming the book back in its place.

The Captain and Claudia, after taking a dip to wash off the guano they had been faced with, examine the obsidian stone they had claimed from the bats, but apart from a very clean cut, find that it is unremarkable.
They also proceed to the Library, but ere they reach, they are hailed by an elf with obvious battle-scars that proffers them a letter for Wenceslas. Claudia tucks it away and the elf melts back into a shadowy alley. Before long, Claudia and the Captain stand before the Library, where the Captain offers up some of his history with the mercenary group known as 'The Second Sons' and their doings during the Siege of Remis (specifically the Battle of No Leaders) to gain the approval of a distracted bursar that was standing watch for the night.
They meet up with Wenceslas there (who is in a bit of a state) and decided to head to the Archive of Jewels to learn more about their obsidian piece and maybe the flint shard bearing the rune that was absorbed into Emiel.
Their search is in vain, as little of interest turns up so the group lays down to rest.
Ill and warped dreams about her time at the Furnace (of the Order of the Scorched Oath) plague Claudia and Wenceslas rests uneasy as well. As they come to full wakefulness abruptly, the party sees a black wave move through the entire Library before hearing the clatter of skeletal feet and bones disturb the peace of the place.
They face off against a small group of undead that accompany the Guardian Lion and successfully dispatch of them, in spite of the Lion reforming into a skeletal giant while fighting Wenceslas. 
The elf gives an extremely good accounting with his new-found arcane strength, beating down the giant with a grasp of fire that leaves little room for other magics.

The party reasons that the emergence of these creatures and the uneasy knowledge that a Darktide is approaching are linked, and thus try to figure out where the nearest Elfhame may be...  

Group 2 Session 2: Bats all the way down

 Party: Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

Shocked at the revelations of an upcoming Darktide (and some members of the party wondering what exactly that might be), the party decides to send Wenceslas to the Great Library in order to find out more.
As Wenceslas heads off, the corpse of the dryad is investigated and a small stone shard etched with an elven rune is found. When Vholanthus is asked about it, he explains how two millennia ago a powerful mage was defeated at the site of present-day Vertange by the druids after a titanic struggle. This mage used the power of an Ancestral Elven Runestone to drain the life of his surroundings and shape the husks that remained into his servants, thereby blighting the land in a way that lingers to this day. 
Vholanthus has done what he can to realign the geomantic energies ever since he learned of this.

Claudia uses her power to ask questions of those who departed to gain more knowledge about the situation, but only discovers that the creatures twisted by the dark energies of the Runestone follow the Hunger.  
The Captain tries to flick the shard of runestone embedded in the dead dryad with his blade, but Emiel absorbs the thing and gains a spectral runic inscription reading:
"Pierce with me the Veil of Night
Draw ever more to my side."
The inscription glows shortly and then fades from sight, unless one very closely examines the blade.

Keying off of the concept of hunger and considering the changes Vholanthus noted in the wildlife, the group starts thinking about mysterious disappearances around town. Claudia and Daisy note that they caught Sandre Benotti slipping 'something' to an orphan boy, and that this boy seemed dazed but glad to have been saved by their arrival as Sandre ran off when they showed up. Ever since, rumours have started that several other orphans had disappeared and children have started avoiding the candy shops that are run by Sandre.
The Captain wants to confront Sandre without delay, but Roberto Sumquaes arrives on the scene to proffer his assistance to his uncle, having heard that strange wildlife may endanger the man who graciously saved him from an ignoble canal-side death at the hands of some cutpurse.
Vholanthus and friends seem less than warm to the idea and suggest that Roberto stays behind and watches the area for further disturbances. 

Daisy takes the time to query the local nightlife (in this case, a large bat) upon the situation, leading to a long chat where the bat reveals that one of his brood has been acting strange since finding an odd stone.
As Daisy is startled by this revelation, the bat also understands it has said too much and wings it.
Cornpone (Daisy's excellently trained animal companion) gives chase and comes back to report having found the bat's lair.
The party goes there (gently shoeing off two guardsmen who were sent to accompany 'Uncle Vholanthus') and get into a fight with the denizens of the Bat Building, a place dripping in guano. A large mutated bat arrives on the scene and causes havoc, so the party heads off after picking up a small black stone from the ground as the building catches fire.

They all get away safely, though Vholanthus (in owl form) still has a brief encounter with the large bat as it flees from the flames.

Group 2 Session 1: Downtime and Dryadic Dangers

Party: Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Wenceslas, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

During the period of time after the group managed to save Jim of the House of the Three Beams from certain judicial disaster at the hands of an impulsive young lawyer, the adventurers spent some time discovering the city and its surroundings, each to their own ability.

Claudia started digging around with her connections, seeing which nobles would find her return to the position she once held to be an affront for the higher society and which would actively join up to disrupt the current landscape.

Vholanthus starts deep investigations into strange on-goings with the wildlife, as he stumbles upon various sites where the local fauna has gone rogue, with sometimes the flora also following suit. Puzzling together what information he can find, he deduces there are six active locations that twist the animals and plants in their vicinity to a dark parody of their normal state.

Wenceslas takes a liking to the tidal fortresses outside of the city. As only three are in current use, two in renovation and three others fully abandoned to all but the Sea's grace, they provide a great point of relaxation for the elf, beyond the busy lives of the mortals that dwell in the city proper.
He does face off against an unusual creature, a fanged albatross. Both survive the encounter.

The Captain finds that, with a bandit lord rallying to himself a small army, the peasants outside and commoners in the city are having a hard time for it. Raids on the farmlands have decreased the output of food from what is traditionally the bread-basket for the Crescent Coast. 
Life is getting more expensive, and so the farmers that can pool together their resources and hire mercenary aides to defend their farmsteads and hovels. The Captain spends a goodly amount of time in assisting these efforts, if and when he is not helping his friends inside of the city walls.

Miss Daisy makes the most of the recent popularity increase of Perlis, as she becomes a highlight on most social gatherings, a well-loved face at tea parties and a wellspring of information on the fashions in the Sultanate. Under the auspices of Lady Julia De La Quinne, she even gets a 'small pied-a-terre' in the form of a coach-house near the Plaza Equorum. 

The group meets up at regular intervals, at whichever location is most convenient, and one such meetings happens in the new dwelling of miss Daisy. After Vholanthus elfs at the Captain for a while and Wencelas provides a visual account of his encounter with the Albatross (through his innate magical prowess), the group decides to check out some concerning rumours in line with the information Vholanthus has been able to gleam from his research.

Heading down to Claudia's friend Doxie (Eudoxius), the group learns of the current location of some unusual animals and heads down to take care of them.
As they descend into the sewers, they are met with stiff resistance in the form of a Dryad and her pack of twisted rats and vine-people. The group finishes this resistance off, but one of the creatures manages to scurry off as the fighting dies down. 
They do their best to interrogate the last surviving foe on the scene, but little of value is noted, beyond the stark realisation that there might be up to six Elfhames underneath Vertange... and a Darktide is coming.