Session S.5-W-13

1629, Fire Season, Stasis Week, Freezeday

Dramatis Personae

Events

(Notes are by Finarvi’s player. Thank you very much!)

Inpira (absent) is working on turning the myths she has gathered into tests. Xenofos recalls that in the histories, Whitewall has always been a low hill fort except when Broyan was in charge. But the myths have it as towering. The mythical/spirit part of the city does not match the physical part. When Broyan was king, he was heroquesting being a close descendant of Orlanth and the city was the city of the myths.

Some magic is or was involved in the change.

The day after we get back is Storm Bull’s seasonal holy day.

We approach Whitewall. Guards and scouts are in evidence, keyed up, but not on edge. It is raining lightly from a cloudless sky. We enter Whitewall in the afternoon, having discussed ideas for crown tests. Rajar suggests a test – outdrinking him. Serala wants a test involving piling monsters on top of one another to bring the city’s cliffs back. Varanis will go talk to Haralast. 

Options:

– Orlanth vs suitors of Ernalda – needs a strong Ernaldan. Pros: will end up with someone in charge. Con: could be a Yelmalian.

– Everyone competes for Ernalda’s hand. Cons – may not have one king. Pros: Won’t end up with wrong king.

Heortland doesn’t do Orlanth Rex – their kings tend to be Orlanth Adventurous. Whoever wins here will be agreeing to be Orlanth Rex. We could choose an Orlanth Rex.

It looks like a crowd of people will be competing. The ideal candidate will be: Magically powerful, good at leadership, and ideally do something really amazing. 

Rajar organises worship for Stormbull’s holy day – beer, meat, fire on top of a mountain. Uses Orlanth’s holy high place as associated cult. His Zebra-chum Storm Bull associate donates a pig. There is a pat on his shoulder…

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Varanis meets with Haralast about the contest. The others tag along. Varanis is still hung over and a little green. Haralast says if no winner is found, the tribes will have to join Sartar individually.

If Bacofi arrive – there will be an argument. Malkonwal have turned up. Expects just about every tribe will put someone forward for honour’s sake – a king or champion. 

Bacofi king isn’t a bad choice – king isn’t insane – but he thinks a Volsaxi candidate would be better as it’s a larger confederation and central, historical, and not hated. Also, they can agree on things. So it’s a politically feasible option. NOT Kultain or Sylangi. That would be disastrous.

Raldina, his wife, is the chief Ernaldan here and so we seek her opinion on the wives. 

Haralast asks us what proof will be required to prove suitability?

Broyan proved himself to be Vingot. Haralast says there is no wyter of Whitewall, and the cliffs of High Whitewall we saw was the god time version of the city. 

Sing to us how they would unite the tribe and raise the spirit – the best song gets to try first?

Haralast mentions “there is a great warrior here who could initiate to Orlanth. Do you think Rajar would do it?” Looking at Serala, who pretends not to notice.

Haralast likes Serala’s idea – he wants to see the restoration of the Godtime version of the city. We agree everyone should have the chance to quest for the  Godtime city. We need a good thinker and talker, so the candidates must convince us they should try, and those that fail must vow to defend the city of any heroquesting dangers.This way, all will be part of the effort to restore the ancient city. 

The city ring does not have a lawspeaker with gravitas, so Varanis offers Xenofos. He will take cues from Jaldis.

Haralast takes a messages and apologises but has to leave to deal with a touch of pig stealing.

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Rajar turns at a tap on his shoulder. It is Haralast, who imposes a religious tax on the stolen pig and offers some additional pigs plus leaving a gate open so they can roll out of there afterwards. And more beer, as it’s going to be a big party, since last time Rajar’s invitations involved Rajar and a large axe. So nobody’s waiting for an invite this time. Rajar gives him 20L, to which Haralast reminds him he is a king, you know, and accepts the money anyway.

Rajar searches the town for the finest alcohol, and Haralast provides plenty of food and beer for the feast. He ends up on a roof waving a flaming brand, half naked and singing praises to Stormbull while dancing. He manages not to set fire to the roof or fall through it. 

Later, there is a rolling down hill competition, which Jagdal organises, and makes sure everyone does it wearing their pouches and then goes along behind, picking up the broken belts and pouches. Smart boy.

Next day none of us are feeling too poorly.

Xenofos does not attend, instead spending the night at the temple of Uleria, far away from the rowdiness. 

Next morning over breakfast he gets some gossip from Grignos the Ulerian. Turgan and Haralast had an argument. Turgan invited in contingent from Malkonwal when Haralast was out. Where Haralast would invite a few in and split them up in houses around the city, Turgan invited whole contingent to camp in a place of honour which will upset the Bacofi. 

Serala is met by Light Son Goluder who checks whether he will be needed to play Orlanth’s opponent in the coming ceremonies. She assures him he will not be. He fetches her a cup of water for her hangover and goes back to being polite background Yelmalian.

After completing her morning Yelm-slaying, Varanis is approached by a rich-looking Malkonwalian – Silstom of Malkonwal, and tells her he will compete in the trials. He gifts her a casket made of olive wood. She gives an arm ring in return worth 30L – he looks a touch disappointed, and gives his leave.

In the box are gold thumb rings – one for each of Varanis’s crew. Worth about 70 lunars. 

Later, Xenofos finds Varanis and communicates the scuttlebutt he got from Grignos. The StormVoice welcomed in the Malkonwal and gave them the best spot, and the welcome for the Bacofi is suspiciously influenced. She goes and finds Serala to help her look for the Bacofi’s arrival. Serala sends Mouse up, and sees many groups that will arrive by the afternoon. At least half a dozen. 

Curtali – headed by a rich woman, not dressed as a vingan.

Bacofi – definitely there

Kultain, Sylangi there too. 

Finarvi points out some people must have camped out on the road to arrive this early. They’re trying to arrive first. This doesn’t include the Bacofi, but they are riding quite quickly like they’re also in a hurry. And Serala didn’t mention seeing any wasps. 

Nobody incoming from the Sun Dome currently. Finarvi thinks it a little unusual everyone else is trying to arrive today, but the Malkonwal delegation is already here. Trouble brewing.

Varanis finds Haralast and mentions the meeting with the Malkonwal and that they have been placed in a place of honour. Haralast is annoyed by this. Varanis asks if she can ease any tensions. Haralast will have to invite all leaders in to stay with him, and asks Varanis if she can find another place to stay. He doesn’t want to know who is coming in advance of their arrival.

Haralast is looking green.