Post by alysen on Aug 19, 2007 4:00:55 GMT -5
I'm going to pick up the start of this session as our characters return from the Goblin Lands. If anyone in that scene would like me to archive the goblin land scene, please let me know and I will add it to the list here. 
Game begins in the living room of Kiernan. Many of the characters, having just returned from their interaction with Long Dark Queene Una of the Unseelie Court, are discussing the confusion they feel in regard to their personal memories.
As the moments pass, any memory they have that contradicts Queen Una and King Faelin having *always* been in charge of the courts begins to fade, much like a dream upon waking.
A few attempt to cling to those memories, but find it is like trying to hold on to running water between your fingers.
Through the course of the night, the exiles' gathering place is literally deluged with new or recently ejected fae.
First, Bailor and Gormlaith bring back a dripping wet river Selkie from their bulging rotten-looking doorways.
In addition, two shining Seelie doors reveal an obvious Satyr female and a mysterious nature creature who falls from the ceiling, violin bow still in hand.
Two Unseelie nobles, one an ex-Frumentaari, the other a prominent member of the Bean-Sidhe house actually step out of Kiernan's parlor closet.
A strange looking Pookha-like fox creature simply walks up to the front door and rings the bell, while strangest of all, an unusual Fae made entirely of clay and earth walks along them through the night.
Theories abound as to why so many Fae would have been exiled so close to one another and why they would have been thrown into the same city, much less the same house.
Everyone is wary and there is so much magic concentrated in one place that the street in front of Kiernan's apartment begins to nearly swarm with animals and children playing.
The Fae do what comes naturally, and begin to make this gathering into a party complete with take-out Chinese food and interesting conversation.
Difficulty arises as the Fae begin to mingle and recognize who exactly is within their midst. As it turns out, there are two Fae who have been with our story from the beginning, who have personal connection to two of the recently exiled. Specifically, both had a direct hand in getting them thrown from the courts in the first place.
One of these, the Satyr Eleanor, who apparently caused the Sidhe, Althea to be caught and exiled, brought with her an unusual gift.
She had a piece of chalk for Menalaus the Sphynx and she claimed it was passed to her from a Seelie oracle who told her to pass it on to him saying, "Menalaus will know what to do with it."
Carved into the side was the phrase, "Draw a door."
Having only enough chalk for the smallest of portals, nearly bigger than a breadbox, the Fae see a small cubbyhole form out of the wall where the chalk square was drawn.
Menalaus reached into the hole and pulled out a small mirror wrapped in black cloth. Standing raptured for a moment, Menalaus studied his reflection and then startled, drops the mirror to the ground and it breaks into many shards.
(Those who were at a good angle know that his reflection was not exactly as it should have been. His reflection was dressed somewhat more casually and it appears to peer back at him with fear and wonder. Off to the side, a small voice says, "Daddy?" and the reflection looks that direction, angrily waves at Menalaus and the reflection dissipates into fog.)
The Fae continue to mingle in small groups, some hearing details of the story with the mirror, others conversing about who "The Prince" might be in the Oracle's message to them.
Suddenly, they all hear a child's scream outside and it is abruptly cut short. The air is filled with stillness and as the Fae file outside, they note that the street, once so filled with playing human children, now seems devoid of any life.
The dark black sky, littered with stars, shines deep shadows over the brick street before them and they hear a shuddering howl from the alleyway along the side of Kiernan's apartment building.
Slowly, carefully, making their way toward the alley, the horrific sounds grow louder...smacking, slurping, wet noises - - the sounds of claws and teeth sinking into meat - - the occasional breaking of bones.
The Fae tiptoe toward the corner and some peer around, others use their magic to see. Jaque, our resident Pookha, takes the time to regurgitate whole, live ferrets to send as scouts.
The moon shines down in the dark alleyway and the elongated shadows line the black creatures fighting over the meat of the dead child at their feet. The overwhelming scent of blood, old and new coats the air of the alley. Three large wolf-like creatures snap slavering jaws at each other, but they are more than just wolves. Their spines are too curved, their arms too long, their posture too upright. Covered in matted black fur with elongated ears and bloodied snouts, the most disturbing thing about them is their clear, human-like eyes.
When the Fae see them, they know instinctively that these creatures are called Briarwolves. They don't know *how* they know this, and in fact have never encountered anything like them before, however...they know their name as surely as they know their own.
The Fae and Briarwolves begin to fight in the dark alleyway, struggling with claws and daggers, teeth and magic. The siren's song echoes over the group, giving them inspiration or despair. The Sidhe injures with a touch. Knives and swords come from every direction and Donal appears to split into five individuals, all equally armed.
The Briarwolves fight fiercely. At first, they seem to work together, goading the group, but eventually their true target seems clear: in spite of who is attacking, they appear to be coming directly for Menalaus.
The Fae cling to each other and use their magic to increase everyone's effectiveness. Even the earth itself rises up to help, solidifying beneath the feet of the Fae and sinking into marshy land under the Briarwolves.
Eventually, after many wounds and much blood spilled in the streets, two of the three Briarwolves are killed, their bodies falling into roiling bits of fur, blown away by the night's breeze. One Briarwolf, alone, escapes over the roof of the building. Few Fae give the creature chase, most are too busy tending wounds or shaking off the ever present fear left behind.
Going back to the safe, warm arms of Kiernan's apartment, the Fae are just beginning to calm themselves and make sense of the evening. A cold breeze rushes through the apartment and the front door swings widely open, leaving a small, crisp, white note at the feet of the fae in the living room.
It reads:
"your attention please:
ariel, teacher of Youth
althea, healer Of Us
eleanor, chef of Mixed delights
menelaus, last of the Unknown Sphinx
bright selkie, Tormented Among her kind
kiernan, Trustee of secrets
donal, voluminous among Them
muan, Evening summer childe
ilario, Negated frumentaari
jaqueline, Down-coated beauty
bailor, Accord-maker
dark siren, Liberating the senses
bean-sidhe, Lost from grace
O let it be Found that any of Your kind we may have Overlooked, or yet be Unaware of will also be invited.
“fear not,” sayeth the king, “you cannot be lost once found.”
……..
The
Honor
Of
Your
Presence
Is Requested
……..
Our Bright High King Faelin, Ruler of the Seelie, Ascendent of Air and Illusion has requested the honor of your presence at the Seelie Harvest Ball, September 14th.
If accepted, you and a guest will be allowed to mingle among the multitude in the brightness of
the Glittering Throng.
RSVP to the North winds in a whisper."
(The Fae pass the invitation around and eventually it is read aloud to the group. A few fae are able to discern that there is a compulsion spell cast upon the guest list at the top. The word spell reads, "You Must Attend, All Of You."
Worried about traps and traitors, plots and princes, the Fae go their separate ways that night and decide among themselves whether or not to accept.)
Game begins in the living room of Kiernan. Many of the characters, having just returned from their interaction with Long Dark Queene Una of the Unseelie Court, are discussing the confusion they feel in regard to their personal memories.
As the moments pass, any memory they have that contradicts Queen Una and King Faelin having *always* been in charge of the courts begins to fade, much like a dream upon waking.
A few attempt to cling to those memories, but find it is like trying to hold on to running water between your fingers.
Through the course of the night, the exiles' gathering place is literally deluged with new or recently ejected fae.
First, Bailor and Gormlaith bring back a dripping wet river Selkie from their bulging rotten-looking doorways.
In addition, two shining Seelie doors reveal an obvious Satyr female and a mysterious nature creature who falls from the ceiling, violin bow still in hand.
Two Unseelie nobles, one an ex-Frumentaari, the other a prominent member of the Bean-Sidhe house actually step out of Kiernan's parlor closet.
A strange looking Pookha-like fox creature simply walks up to the front door and rings the bell, while strangest of all, an unusual Fae made entirely of clay and earth walks along them through the night.
Theories abound as to why so many Fae would have been exiled so close to one another and why they would have been thrown into the same city, much less the same house.
Everyone is wary and there is so much magic concentrated in one place that the street in front of Kiernan's apartment begins to nearly swarm with animals and children playing.
The Fae do what comes naturally, and begin to make this gathering into a party complete with take-out Chinese food and interesting conversation.
Difficulty arises as the Fae begin to mingle and recognize who exactly is within their midst. As it turns out, there are two Fae who have been with our story from the beginning, who have personal connection to two of the recently exiled. Specifically, both had a direct hand in getting them thrown from the courts in the first place.
One of these, the Satyr Eleanor, who apparently caused the Sidhe, Althea to be caught and exiled, brought with her an unusual gift.
She had a piece of chalk for Menalaus the Sphynx and she claimed it was passed to her from a Seelie oracle who told her to pass it on to him saying, "Menalaus will know what to do with it."
Carved into the side was the phrase, "Draw a door."
Having only enough chalk for the smallest of portals, nearly bigger than a breadbox, the Fae see a small cubbyhole form out of the wall where the chalk square was drawn.
Menalaus reached into the hole and pulled out a small mirror wrapped in black cloth. Standing raptured for a moment, Menalaus studied his reflection and then startled, drops the mirror to the ground and it breaks into many shards.
(Those who were at a good angle know that his reflection was not exactly as it should have been. His reflection was dressed somewhat more casually and it appears to peer back at him with fear and wonder. Off to the side, a small voice says, "Daddy?" and the reflection looks that direction, angrily waves at Menalaus and the reflection dissipates into fog.)
The Fae continue to mingle in small groups, some hearing details of the story with the mirror, others conversing about who "The Prince" might be in the Oracle's message to them.
Suddenly, they all hear a child's scream outside and it is abruptly cut short. The air is filled with stillness and as the Fae file outside, they note that the street, once so filled with playing human children, now seems devoid of any life.
The dark black sky, littered with stars, shines deep shadows over the brick street before them and they hear a shuddering howl from the alleyway along the side of Kiernan's apartment building.
Slowly, carefully, making their way toward the alley, the horrific sounds grow louder...smacking, slurping, wet noises - - the sounds of claws and teeth sinking into meat - - the occasional breaking of bones.
The Fae tiptoe toward the corner and some peer around, others use their magic to see. Jaque, our resident Pookha, takes the time to regurgitate whole, live ferrets to send as scouts.
The moon shines down in the dark alleyway and the elongated shadows line the black creatures fighting over the meat of the dead child at their feet. The overwhelming scent of blood, old and new coats the air of the alley. Three large wolf-like creatures snap slavering jaws at each other, but they are more than just wolves. Their spines are too curved, their arms too long, their posture too upright. Covered in matted black fur with elongated ears and bloodied snouts, the most disturbing thing about them is their clear, human-like eyes.
When the Fae see them, they know instinctively that these creatures are called Briarwolves. They don't know *how* they know this, and in fact have never encountered anything like them before, however...they know their name as surely as they know their own.
The Fae and Briarwolves begin to fight in the dark alleyway, struggling with claws and daggers, teeth and magic. The siren's song echoes over the group, giving them inspiration or despair. The Sidhe injures with a touch. Knives and swords come from every direction and Donal appears to split into five individuals, all equally armed.
The Briarwolves fight fiercely. At first, they seem to work together, goading the group, but eventually their true target seems clear: in spite of who is attacking, they appear to be coming directly for Menalaus.
The Fae cling to each other and use their magic to increase everyone's effectiveness. Even the earth itself rises up to help, solidifying beneath the feet of the Fae and sinking into marshy land under the Briarwolves.
Eventually, after many wounds and much blood spilled in the streets, two of the three Briarwolves are killed, their bodies falling into roiling bits of fur, blown away by the night's breeze. One Briarwolf, alone, escapes over the roof of the building. Few Fae give the creature chase, most are too busy tending wounds or shaking off the ever present fear left behind.
Going back to the safe, warm arms of Kiernan's apartment, the Fae are just beginning to calm themselves and make sense of the evening. A cold breeze rushes through the apartment and the front door swings widely open, leaving a small, crisp, white note at the feet of the fae in the living room.
It reads:
"your attention please:
ariel, teacher of Youth
althea, healer Of Us
eleanor, chef of Mixed delights
menelaus, last of the Unknown Sphinx
bright selkie, Tormented Among her kind
kiernan, Trustee of secrets
donal, voluminous among Them
muan, Evening summer childe
ilario, Negated frumentaari
jaqueline, Down-coated beauty
bailor, Accord-maker
dark siren, Liberating the senses
bean-sidhe, Lost from grace
O let it be Found that any of Your kind we may have Overlooked, or yet be Unaware of will also be invited.
“fear not,” sayeth the king, “you cannot be lost once found.”
……..
The
Honor
Of
Your
Presence
Is Requested
……..
Our Bright High King Faelin, Ruler of the Seelie, Ascendent of Air and Illusion has requested the honor of your presence at the Seelie Harvest Ball, September 14th.
If accepted, you and a guest will be allowed to mingle among the multitude in the brightness of
the Glittering Throng.
RSVP to the North winds in a whisper."
(The Fae pass the invitation around and eventually it is read aloud to the group. A few fae are able to discern that there is a compulsion spell cast upon the guest list at the top. The word spell reads, "You Must Attend, All Of You."
Worried about traps and traitors, plots and princes, the Fae go their separate ways that night and decide among themselves whether or not to accept.)