IV - The Meeting With The Mentor - Part Two

Various stories on the disappearance of the High King have spread out in Concordia.  Everything from masked marauders assaulting the party, to King Meilge pacifying the panicking people by not speaking of the disappearance immediately.  Caliburn's disappearance and reemergence in the hands of the Eshu, however, remains the unifying truth.


Lady Songbird finds herself recalled to the Kingdom of Apples where she is formally stripped of her Fiona title and, to her surprise, holdings.  She instead gains the position of Goblin Town's Advocate and discovers that Cadmium Redd has met an unexpected fatal accidental death.

The Parliament of Dreams struggles through the months to work together in the absence of the High King, but soon infighting and politicking lead to the Parliament of Dreams breaks down and pretty much dissolves.  Prior to its destruction, however, a panel is made to investigate the disappearance of David, and culminates with King Meilge himself being called to the stand for questioning, and all Gwydion present find no lies from him, even after he temporarily revokes his status as Eiluned during the proceedings with the High Lord's permission.  Given the horror that his face suffers from, however, he was permitted to wear his mask during the proceedings.


Morwen meets with Lenore in time and the two find a common ground in their concern for Kithain society.  After much discussion, Morwen declares she is willing to support Lenore's rule so long as she is permitted to be her direct Regent and have input on her decision-making.  Lenore considers.


Sir Felix learns of the Red Branch knights fragmenting from opposing sides as well, and inadvertently uncovers the existence of another secret faction growing, who identify their fellow members by grabbing the wrist with one hand.   He tries to learn more about the factions without risking too much danger.


Lady Songbird soon finds herself kidnapped by a group of commoner rebels and gets introduced to the wily and charismatic Fenarius, a Pooka who seems to be intent in destroying the Sidhe rule.  She eventually learns Fenarius is more than meets the eye, for rather than a Pooka, he actually happens to be one of the Thallain known as a Beastie.


Flynn Wordweaver and Sir Felix encounter as well ghosts wandering lost in the Dreaming.  They begin to worry what greater events are unfolding that the lack of a unified Concordia will have to contend with.  While Felix and Lenore learn from Duke Dray his convictions that he lives, due to the fact his oath to kill David remains unbroken ("Therefore, he must be still alive.")  Flynn visits the Patrician and first hand witnesses the frighteningly powerful presence of Danwyn.  Danwyn nearly forces Flynn to reveal the whereabouts of Caliburn, but is saved by a sudden twist of fate:  the dark twin Duke and Duchess Kali and Siva attempt to kill the self-proclaimed new King.


Escaping the assault, Flynn finds himself pulled by Caliburn away to a new location.  There, confused, he finds his two friends, Sir Felix and Lady Songbird drawn to the location as well.  Uncertain to what happened, Sir Felix suddenly noticed a billboard that seemingly intones, "The Return of the King" and before the three could decide what to do, the street light nearby shifts to green.  


The High King may just be in one of the nearby cars!  Acting quickly to try to locate him, Lady Songbird gets run-over by the van which she suspects contains him.  Flynn Wordweaver shoves the doors of the van open only to get shot at point blank range by a shotgun.  And Sir Felix closes in on the van, worried that he would have to face the vehicle that radiates an immense field of Banality all on his own.

[npc] Duchess Kali

Duchess Kali
Kasmeara
Unseelie Court, Wilder
Sidhe of Ailil
Member of the Shadow Court

One of twins born who has been constantly quarreling through-out their reincarnations, Kasmeara once found herself captured by her rival, Sarinius after years of  fighting against one another into stalemates.   Rather than submit to his victory, Kasmeara slew herself as a final bid to escape. Little did she know, Sarinius would kill himself as well, choosing to die til the Dreaming allowed them to challenge one another again.

With black hair that reaches down to almost to her knees, Duchess Kali has changed her choice of clothing to a darker shade as well.  While retaining a tight-fitting preference to fashion, her approach to the darker tones mimics the Duke Siva so much that it may be intended to cause confusion in others.

Her love of intrigue is matched only by his passion for lies.  But be warned, they both revel in destruction above all pursuits.

[npc] Duke Siva

Duke Siva
Sarinius
Unseelie Court, Wilder
Sidhe of House Balor
Member of the Shadow Court

One of twins born who has been constantly quarreling through-out their reincarnations, Sarinius once captured his rival Kasmeara who then slew herself than be his prisoner.  Playing along with her, Sarinius fell upon his own sword as well, choosing to die til the Dreaming allowed them to challenge one another again.

With pale skin and black eyes, Duke Siva is said to have six fingers on each hand.  His clothes vary from the deepest shades of wine red to black.  In the past, he used to wear his hair silvery white, but something has inspired him to change his look to a darker motif, similar to that of Duchess Kali.  Some whisper it is a portend of things to come.

[item] Caliburn

Caliburn is the sword of High King David and is said to have been the sword of all High Kings that have ever ruled.  Blessed with incredible powers, few are truly aware of the range of abilities the magical blade is capable of.  Of what is known is the ability of the blade to deliver itself from threats when the High King is no longer able to protect the blade.

The blade is believed to now be searching for the (new) High King.  Back during the Accordance War, the young David found the blade somewhere in the depths of Goblin Town, and it was his emergence from its tunnels with the sword in hand, and the majestic Griffon chimerical image that brought the beginnings of the end of the war.

Now, in the hands of Flynn Wordweaver, the search for the High King continues.  Will he find the High King before the kingdoms of Concordia tear the land apart?

IV - The Meeting With The Mentor - Part One

9 months have passed since the disappearance of the High King David.


The Oathcircle had exhausted all attempts to find more information in the Kingdom of Willows and have decided to consider searching in other locations.  With Lady Songbird being elevated to the leader of the Oath Circle known as the Seekers of the High King, she finds herself having to make a decision on two destinations.  Flynn Wordweaver wants to go to Disney World in Florida and many seem to agree his urge to go may be a magical intuition granted by the sword, Caliburn.  On the other hand, much suspicion also lies towards the Duke Kali and the Duchess Siva.  In the end, they choose to investigate in Florida.


As fate would have it, the group would find themselves encountering the Duchess Siva, who mistakes one of the Oathcircle as her contact.  The group acquires a vial of darkness which Flynn's Soothsay determines to be Banality itself made chimerical.  The poison consumes itself in time, leaving no trace of its existence.  Sir Felix Southpaw attempts to find more information and simply uncovers that the real contact, the restaurant clerk, knew only to hand deliver the vial to another contact in return for the safety of her children.


When Lady Songbird's attempt to gain more information posing at the contact fails, the enemy (believed by the group to be the villainous Shadow Court) unleashes a veritable army of nineteen goons after them, all dressed up in sentai outfits to disguise the threat from the public present.


To elude them, the Oathcircle breaks into a run through the nearest Trod they can find, and the Silver Path leads them to a Keep that sadly holds frightening horrific memories for the Lady Songbird.


*


In the past, Lady Songbird and her husband Danwyn first met when the young Sidhe came to the Fiona's rescue against a multi-limbed horror called Iblis.  


*


The Keep seemed empty.  Huge and empty.  And when the ancient being called Iblis was seen, she was practically human.  Her powers, however, remained deadly.  When confronted, the thing breathes out fire and tries to defeat them with the use of strange Arts to create chimerical duplicates of herself.   Sir Felix was forced to call upon powerful Primal forces to take her down.  And Lady Songbird banishes her to what is called the Autumn Realms.  


When the group decided to head back through the Trod instead of risk traversing it, they find themselves bathed in spotlights and targeted by laser point systems.  Sir Felix quickly dons his invisibility cloak and discovers it was all a ruse by the Queen of the White Sands,  Queen Morgana of House Gwydion.  When Lady Songbird's outbursts are nearly taken as "a declaration of war" the Oathcircle becomes exceedingly aware of how strained the relationships between the Houses and the Commoners have become.


The Commoners, under the guise of a revolutionary step, attack the Castle and numerous explosives erupt here as well as all over Concordia!   Tired, weak and injured, the Oathcircle is forced to find ways to survive as well as struggle to save the former Princess Lenore's life.  None would foresee the sudden coming of two possible saviors:  Rowena the Just emerges to assist in the battle, and through her a strange and uncanny fighting style is reflected by Sir Felix.  One practiced back in the Deep parts of the Dreaming by a Sir James.  The second unlikely savior, the bumbling fool Duke Dray, whosed martial skills prove to be quite formidable.


*


Princess Lenore is checked into a hospital.  It is only here Lady Songbird catches the news of how widespread the attacks are.  She calls home to check on her beloved ones only to learn of the man called Danwyn who has emerged from the body of Miles and has possibly taken over the loyalties of all her followers.  

III - The Refusal of the Call - Season Ender

The wedding is moved to an earlier date.
And the rest of Concordia finds itself rushing to make changes.


Lady Songbird, Flynn Wordweaver, Sir Felix Southpaw, and the rest of the Oathcircle find themselves once more crossing paths in the Kingdom of Willows as High King David Ardry and Faerilyth ap Eiluned celebrate before numerous witnesses their marriage.


While there, the group as individuals are introduced to a host of new characters:  From the lovespat between the unacknowledged duchess Igrania, and the contesting duke, Firedrake, to the disturbing siblings Duke Siva and Duchess Kali, the sultry Sabrina Lennin-Corvald, and the tinkering Duke Murdoch.  They learn of how the Kingdom of Willows still hold much to slavery and racism, and eventually meet the charismatic King Meilge.

As the wedding progresses, Lady Songbird and Flynn Wordweaver work their magic once more to help keep the night productive, even with Princess Lenore acting emotionally distraught over her father's choice of actions.  But when the wedding takes a turn for the worse, the oathcircle finds itself at the center of a Kingdom without a High King, of warring sides declaring loyalties to varying leaders, to a Princess disavowing her right to rule, and of an Oathcircle embracing a new name.  Caliburn, the High King's most potent Treasure and the symbol of the Dreaming's favor in his rule had suddenly departed from the missing High King and had transported itself into the hands of the eshu storyteller, Flynn.  The sword, through words Flynn alone can hear, tells him that it will remain with him until the rightful bearer is found.


The Seekers of the High King is united by oath and by promise.

*

However, in the Kingdom of Apples, the young ward of Lady Songbird awakes from his feverish dreams and a new face comes to the fore.  His chimerical mein becomes fully apparent as he declares out loud, "I am Danwyn ap Gwydion, the rightful King of this realm.  Where is my Queen?"

II - The Call to Adventure - Part Three

An Oathcircle is formed.

With the goal being to rescue Sir Thortal, Princess Lenore forges an Oathcircle with Sir Felix, Lady Songbird, and Flynn Wordweaver.  The four then make their preparations for the quest.
Lady Songbird decides to offer the Trod in the Patrician as the point of entry to the Dreaming.  She realizes the other oath of secrecy that she had promised and asks for the Oathcircle to be mindful of it as well.  She notices her knights having a rivalry of sorts, and eventually agrees to rename Sir Finn into Sir Awll.

Flynn Wordweaver visits Duke Dray in hopes of having weapons and learns the Duke insists on joining him in the quest.  The Duke wears a hideous armor that blocks out his senses (in order to maintain the secrecy of the oath) which allows Flynn to leave the Duke behind.  He takes with him a set of magical throwing knives, blades which could be retargeted at the last second to strike a different target with but one's mind.

Sir Felix Southpaw gathers up the Glamour he can, including Dross which he successfully takes from Lady Songbird's knights through verbal wordplay.

The three gather at the Patrician, witness a brief outburst from the young man, Miles, and attempt to open the Trod.  It is only later that Lady Songbird and Sir Real realize that the Trod can only be opened while feeling the grip of lust.

In the Dreaming, the heroes encounter a myriad of things:  an information broker in the form of a bird who sells them information which leads them off the Silver Path, a set of statues that seem to speak of a woman and her children running away from someone, a silver river that eventually reveals itself to be a dragon now freed from its geas, and even a pirate in a sea of stars where desires are granted without a second-thought.

In each encounter, the heroes find a way to work together, or to confuse their opponents, using every skill or knowledge they have to their disposal.   Their greatest threats however, were to come from two other places:  their past.  And their future.

Upon finding the Silver Path, Lady Songbird sees the wreckage of a carriage that once belonged to her and her husband, a man named Danwyn.  Against the other's words, she tries to recover the contents of the carriage.  But when they find the tree ahead of them, she decides to bury the cask for now and to return to it some other time. The tree happens to be another one of the Ghulle Dhu, and the old one questions them for not choosing to return to the Dreaming instead.  It warns them that great threats are coming.  And leaves.

The group then finds a Ruined Arch to take home, but learn it is watched by a massive Spider chimera.  Lenore is snared into its web, and Sir Felix and Flynn struggle to find a way to best it, even as it attacks from the shadows.   Lady Songbird, on the other hand, discovers the Huntsman on the path, stalking them, and thankfully succeeds in an Ordeal against his dogs.  The Huntsman allows them to leave for now.

The Oathcircle find themselves emerging in the Kingdom of Pacifica, all the way in the other side of America.  There, amidst Justin Beiber songs and stilleto heels, the group discover they had been gone for barely a minute.

[freehold] The Seven

The Seven
With such an unassuming physical appearance, most would overlook this tiny shack in the middle of nowhere close to the Catskill Mountains.  However, if one were to step inside, one would discover six curtained walls with each curtain concealing a massive mirror.

The Seven is the freehold once owned by the Crystal Circle.  Each mirrored wall is a trod, a doorway to another place.  At least one of the doors leads deep into the depths of the Dreaming.

The freehold is currently under the watchful eye of Sir Felix, after Master Seamus handed to him ownership of the freehold.

(Holding: 1)
(Trod: 4)

[freehold] The Orphanage Activity Room

The Orphanage Activity Room
Although the rest of the freehold's physical manifestation has been burned away, the glamour within the site continues to shine.  Currently under the watch of Flynn Wordweaver, this freehold is a small, but reliable source of Glamour.

One has to wonder how such a place, deep in the heart of banality, exists.  Was it forged by the presence of the two Dreamers who used to live here?  Or was it instead the very source that transformed Sam and Aldwin into the dreamers they are now?

Holding (1)

II - The Call to Adventure - Part Two

Months have passed.

Lady Songbird discovers her dear Miles continues to suffer lapses in his memory.  From his strange state of being somewhat Enchanted and his moments where he seems to have some other personality.  She is uncertain if he is approaching a Chrysalis.  Or worse, if something else is happening to the young man.   Adding even more complication into her colorful life, the Duke Kelodin then calls for the baroness for a meeting.  There, she finds herself meeting more than just the Duke.   The Queen of the Kingdom of Apples joins them and informs her she is aware of her bid for a seat in the Parliament of Dreams.  To her surprise both he and the Queen Mab give their approval for her to become the Advocate of Goblin Town.  The Queen however stresses that Cadmium Redd must live.  Doctor Coma is not happy to hear that Lady Songbird's rise to power will not result in the Nocker's death and now raises questions to his support in the endeavor.   And just when Lady Songbird thought things could not get worse...




Flynn Wordweaver begins to have clearer dreams in the passing weeks.  More and more he begins to unearth the events that transpired that infamous Beltaine night.  He notices that Faerylith has not been present during the many interviews.    A quick trip to the Trod Away From Home exposes him to the many rumors of the High King and his upcoming wedding.  He decides to visit Queen Mab and is surprised to be welcomed inside.   To his surprise, Queen Mab knows nothing of his dreams.  Duke Dray joins the meeting and the two uncover that Flynn's visions are likely real.  To protect him, the Queen declares him a Treasure of the Apples and any acts done directly to him are actions the Kingdom of Apples will retaliate against when necessary.    With Duke Dray assigned to protect him, the Duke steals Flynn away to induct him into a secret order:  The Beltaine Blade.   And after surviving the frightening induction, Flynn learns fate has something in addition in store.


Sir Felix Southpaw is lost in the Dreaming.  His journeys bring him to strange horizons and transforming landscapes.   Strangely, the things in the Dreaming seem to recognize him in some manner one way or another.    Eventually, Felix realizes some of the landscapes he travels through are dreams, and in a savannah dream he grabs hold of the waking Dreamer and pulls himself into the world. He discovers he is all the way in Australia and there befriends a young troll child, Amelie, and her Ghillie Dhu friend Simon.    Simon admits to Felix that he recognizes him, and shares with him his failed romantic life with a woman named Helena.  Felix agrees to escort Simon to the borders of the Deep Dreaming in exchange for a trod back to the Kingdom of Apples.  Secrets and answers he learns, sadly fade away as he reemerges in New York city.  Back there, he finds Master Seamus who shares the troubles of his quest for the Lost Ones, and later Thortal who opts to accompany him in searching for Lenore.  Who would have anticipated the strange portents and search would lead them to the events Dan had mapped out for the group.


All three find their paths converging at the street corner where a particular movie theater stands.  A freak accident leads to Thortal being pinned by a car against a brick wall.  In the panic, Felix attempts to heal him with the goblin fruit he had found in his pocket.  The fruit causes Thortal to fade away, pulled into the Dreaming itself.   Flynn and Lady Songbird clumsily attempt to distract the numerous unenchanted witnesses from the events and instead make things even far more complicated.  Lenore uses a quick illusion to weave herself into a splitting image of Thortal's mortal seeming to proclaim the event as a reality tv stunt.  Flynn and Songbird realize among the crowd is Joseph van Noceti III, who at first relishes at the Escheat being possibly broken.  But when the Princess' Cantrip succeeds, the Dauntain realizes the four Changelings may be strong enough to overpower him, and departs.


Lenore demands the others assist her and the group regathers at Coffee, Biscuit, Tea to swear as a group an Oath to rescue Thortal from the Dreaming.  The beginnings of an OathCircle are born.

[npc] Samuel Arvel A. Chun

Sam Arvel A. Chun
Dreamer

The other dreamer of the Orphanage, Sam is also now under the protective watch of Duke Dray and Flynn Wordweaver ever since their rescue from their Autumn Person headmistress.  Sam loves to create images of colors and fantasy.  His vision tends to incorporate incredible mythical beasts with the harsh realities of life, merging rainbows with illustrations of death and murder.

[npc] Aldwin G. Ennis

Aldwin G. Ennis
Dreamer

The young boy named Aldwin is one of the Dreamers of the Orphanage which Flynn Wordweaver used to watch over.  But after being rescued from the Autumn People by Duke Dray, he has been under the Duke's watchful eyes.    Recently, however, a secret alliance has been established between the Duke and the Eshu, granting the storyteller free access to the two dreamers whenever he desires it.

Aldwin's creative impulses tend to toy on imagery that depict blood and violence.  His touches seem to stand in good contrast against Sam's own images of rainbows and colorful creatures.

[npc] Sir Awll

Sir Awll
Finn Montieh
Troll Knight, Wilder
Unseelie of House Fiona

This young man was a troll who was carousing in Goblin Town when the Lady Songbird called out for assistance.  She offered a title in exchange for help in traversing Goblin Town; an exchange which Finn felt to be well worth the effort.

Finnegan, however, lost one of his arms and now has to content with being a one-armed knight.  He has no family of any sort to return home to, however, which suits him just fine.

He finds himself jealous of Lady Songbird's attentions towards the young man, Miles, however, and wonders if there will come a time he should... remove such distractions before they endanger the Baroness he loves.

[npc] Cadmium Redd

Cadmium Redd
Nocker, Grump
Unseelie

Once a populist commoner leader, Cadmium has become a dangerous, frightening leader who has no fear of the insidious nature of Cold Iron and Banality.    As the leader of Goblin Town,  Cadmium commands with intimidation and power, much like the Red Queen from Through the Looking Glass.  Her favourite weapon is a large, imposing black iron rod, the handle of which is wrapped in leather, and topped by a ram's head.  The ram's ruby eyes grow in battle.  She also wears a suit of red gold armor, with spider-like legs giving her the maneuverability her actual figure lacks.

Cadmium has lost the favor of Doctor Coma, who now hopes to somehow remove her from power, and eliminate her before she becomes a threat to all Kithain.  Her recent project involves the creation of a Cold Iron cage, but as to for whom, it remains to be seen.

[npc] Vlad Rogvodov

Vlad Rogvodov
Redcap Advocate, Grump
Unseelie of House Ailil

Vlad Rogvodov is one of the few openly-acknowledged Advocates in the Parliament of Dreams who is clearly not of the known Seelie Houses.  He vocally calls for the importance of change and adaptability in the Autumn world and tends to be a charismatic speaker when discussing the need to prepare for the coming Winter.  Some have mistaken him to be part of the Shadow Court, when deep down, Vlad has no cares for revenge or domination.  He merely seeks to bring back the balance that once existed, with the Seelie and Unseelie Court sharing the rule over the Autumn World.

While he actively campaigns in the Parliament of Dreaming, hoping to be the 5% Unseelie membership up to an even 50%, he is disgusted with the Parliament's existence and feels its very practice removes the need to return to the balance of the old ways.

[npc] Rowena the Just

Rowena the Just
Sidhe Knight, Wilder
Seelie of House Scathach

Rowena is one of the Riders of the Midnight Trods.  The Riders are a worldwide organization of knights and squires who travel through the many Kingdoms using trods to deliver messages without transmitting them through unenchanted means.  Typically reserved for personal messages, important letters, and precious packages that would not survive the banal-rich postage and delivery systems, the Riders serve as a communications backbone for a collection of Kingdoms that would probably never be willing to cooperate in mapping out policy.

If push comes to shove, however, the Riders are still skilled knights who are more than capable of defending themselves.  They also have use of rare Arts that allows them to traverse the Dreaming with some greater level of safety.   Rowena particularly likes to use The Art of Metamorphosis to shrink her parcels (or passengers) for an easier journey.

II - The Call to Adventure - Part One

Lady Songbird learns from Sir Real that the trod in The Patrician does not seem to work. They know it leads to the Huntsman's Game in the Dreaming, to an exit point close to Tara Nar, and to somewhere in the Kingdom of Willows, but they are uncertain if there are other locations nor why it cannot be controlled.  They consider locking it closed in cold iron.   She also receives an open-invitation from the Kingdom of Willows to visit, good for a year.   The Lady then meets with Doctor Coma and Thortal, both of whom seem unwilling to be in the presence of each other.  While Thortal searches for Miles and investigates on Marcus, Coma introduces Lady Songbird to the existence of the Unseelie Houses and to the infamous Vlad Rogvodov, Unseelie member of the Parliament of Dreams.  They discuss making Songbird part of the Parliament as well, as the Advocate of Goblin Town.  That, however, means finding a way to dispose of Cadmium Redd, whose grip on the Freehold and her own sanity seems tight yet slipping.  Perhaps it has to do with her dabbling with banality and her creation of an iron cage.  Just when things were to be quieter, the missing Miles resurfaces, arriving at the Freehold with little memory of what has happened and the ability to see Kithain seemings!


Flynn Wordweaver has been with Sir Lleu Ardwyad and Faerylith, struggling to make sense of his strange memories of having survived... or rather, been reincarnated from the infamous Night of the Iron Knives.  Helping them is a Sir Ashley of House Eiluned, a psychologist among the fae.  The memories refuse to surface clearly after weeks of trying.  Taking a breather, Flynn heads to the Trod Away From Home and there re-encounters Duke Dray.  However, far from the bumbling fool he was in their first meeting, the Duke reveals to him how he had rescued the orphans, especially the two Dreamers, from the Autumn people that managed the Orphanage.    The Duke reminds him of his duties to the Escheat.  Flustered, Flynn visits the children and finds them under the care of a Dr. van Noceti.  However, when the real doctor emerges, the strange one seemingly vanishes.  Arriving home, Flynn finds no respite as Lleu returns with Thortal and the two use their combined Arts and skills to pull from Flynn a "passive Dictum" that was lying in wait.  The command was given by one of the Shadow Court, and to Thortal's horror, that person who cast it was Faerylith herself.    Finding sleep, Flynn dreams and sees the Night of the Iron Knives unfold.  He sees his friends murdered in the mist-filled room that Beltine night and realizes in this dream, he had seen the faces of Duke Dray and Queen Mab herself.  He also witnesses himself die, stabbed once in the stomach and another time through the throat.  How could he have returned from a death dealt by cold iron?

Sir Felix Southpaw sadly was also to be denied a quiet night.  His dreams speak of a massive wall that stretches from horizon to horizon.  Here, where green fires illuminate the night and vast armies camp beyond the wall, waiting for the call to war, Felix sees a goat-legged queen of ice asking him to reconsider.  However Felix bids her farewell and tells her their love is over.  He awakens in The Seven, the freehold once owned by the Crystal Circle, now under his care from Master Seamus, and has a short chat with Lenore (Sparrow).  Morwen, the High King's sister, comes to visit, offering him resources, trod access and a treasure in exchange for swearing an Oath to be Lenore's guardian.  He considers.  He meets Rowena the Just, Leader of the Riders of the Midnight Trods, and learns they function as a messenger system through the many Kingdoms.  After a near encounter with a strange man that seemed to be obsessed with scissors, Felix and Lenore make their way back to The Seven after her heartfelt admission of her jealousy towards her father's attentions towards Faerylith.  In the Freehold, Felix once more dreams of his former life in the Deep Dreaming, of a time when Joseph van Noceti III was his friend, the Gray sword was his weapon, and Thortal was but a squire.  He learns he is of a Noble House:  Scathach and wakes up confusing an open trod as the door leading out of the freehold.  He steps through and the Trod closes behind him, leaving him somewhere in the Dreaming.  Alone.

[npc] Morwen

Morwen ap Gwydion
Kylie Ann Minogue
Sister of High King David
Sidhe, Grump
Seelie of House Gwydion

Influential in her own ways, the sister of the High King is one of the most potent sorcerers of this age.  Not as vocal a supporter of the High King as most expect, Morwen loves to play the "over-shadowed sister" to lure her brother's more vocal rivals to her - then later deal with them summarily.

Morwen lives her mortal life as a celebrity, relishing in inspiring millions of dreamers worldwide.  She travels frequently through numerous trods that she has gained access to through ties with the many Kithain Kingdoms in the world.

[npc] King Meilge ap Eiluned

King Meilge ap Eiluned
Sidhe King of the Kindom of Willows, Grump
Seelie of House Eiluned

The always masked King of the Kingdom of Willows is known to have a strong Unseelie streak.  One of the most charismatic leaders among the sidhe, it is sad that the King has a reputation of being a mad and violent despot outside his Kingdom.  As dictatorial as he can get, he maintains a strong level of support among many commoners and considered something of an enigma by others based on how he straddles the breadth of the political spectrum.  Many attribute this duality of his being Traditionalist and Modernist to his strong Unseelie tendencies.

The Kingdom of Willows, sadly, is known throughout Concordia for its high-level of corruption, with numerous criminal elements setting up their base of operations in his domain.  His freehold, Willow's Heart, is a palace that overlaps an opulent high-rise in the heart of Atlanta's business district.  Some whisper him to be the "godfather" of this element and as a consequence is extremely wealthy... and dangerous.

His views of his adoptive daughter having stolen the High King's eye have yet to reach public record.  Some wonder if it was skillful tactical political maneuvering, Eiluned witchery, or mere proof of the blind loyalty of true love.

If the King himself has answers, he has yet to say anything.

[npc] Doctor Coma

Doctor Coma
Sluagh, Grump
Unseelie
Supervisor of Goblin Town

The extremely gaunt beatnik of indeterminate age, Doctor Coma wears the typical beat uniform of basic black, sometimes with a tween jacket, and perpetually wears a pair of dark round sunglasses.  There is often a raven perched on his shoulder.  For those who can see his faerie self, they see a rail-thin patch of midnight like a human black hole.  Exceptionally tall with straight black shoulder-length hair, his skin is bone white and his eyes are black, trimmed with silver.  He tends to wear clothes in the style worn in France during the Age of Reason.

He considers Goblin Town too important to be allowed to fall apart, and does what he must to keep it functioning and alive.

[freehold] The Patrician

The Patrician
Currently under the ownership of Lady Songbird, the Patrician was a simple freehold that the Sidhe baroness was looking into transforming into a working theater.

Much to her surprise, Countess Vena and quite possibly certain characters in the Kingdom of Willows may have a different agenda in mind.  The freehold, as it turns out, has a powerful secret.  It houses a Trod deep in the dressing room (and that in itself would have been a powerful secret already), but more than just an ordinary trod, the doorway leads to numerous locations, with one of them actually being a place in the Near Dreaming where the Huntsman hunts and the other, beneath the shadows of Tara Nar itself.

Holding (1)
Trod (4)

[freehold] Coffee Biscuit Tea

Coffee Biscuit Tea
This simple freehold is located near Grand Central Station in the Kingdom of Apples.   The cafe is large enough to accommodate around ten customers (plus six more who would be seated at chairs outside the cafe) with a spacious display for all the offered pastries and sandwiches.  Behind the counter, the door leads to the hearth of the freehold, which appears as a beautiful oven that is always somewhat warm.  (Seamus had the oven built at the same place where the Hearth is, so the Hearth burns where the oven bakes.)

There is a magical shelf in the freehold as well which is able to conjure up any required ingredients for the unique pastries that Seamus makes.  The shelf is tied to the Freehold, however, and cannot be used by those who are not the "owner" of the place.

Holding rating: 2
Shelf (treasure): Legerdemain 3

[item] The Gray Sword

The Gray sword has no personality or defining marks.  It simply appears as a gray blade with no adornments or decoration.  It was reportedly crafted by a powerful Sidhe of the Unseelie Court who intended to destroy a rival.  The legend of this Noble and the tale behind the said to be lost in time.

Rumor has it, it now is in the hands of one of the Dauntain.  Each strike brings its Kithain target closer to being Undone.  High King David has indicated that he would grant a boon to any individual or Oathcircle who succeeds in locating and destroying the Gray Sword.

[npc] Lady Alexandria

Lady Alexandria
Daughter of the late High King Dafyll
Sidhe Baroness, Wilder
Unseelie of House Fiona

Once a Childing during the Accordance Wars, Alexandria was only five when the High King met his death.  She now resides in Goblin Town save for those days when she chooses to stay at Tara Nar.  She is the epitome of a gentle and passionate member of the Sidhe court.  There are those, however, who have seen her other side.  A side that knows what must be done to get what one wants.  Forever the "innocent bystander", few realize that things tend to "fall into place in the way she wants."

[npc] The Old Woman

The Old Woman
Forgotten Lost One

Sir Felix Southpaw first encountered The Old Woman when he left Sparrow's side to help a burning building during one of their crime-fighting nights.   She was found to be under the care of a young man and bereft of all Glamour.

Before Sir Felix could help her further, however, a self-proclaimed doctor named Joseph van Noceti III stepped forward and took her from him.  At that time, Sir Felix though he had the responsibility of taking care of her, even if his touch seems to cause him numbness.

A second encounter had Sir Felix finding her in a hospital, under watchful guard of two Trolls.  The suspected Dauntain once again resurfaced and took her from his grasp, having used a strange power to force Sir Felix to repeatedly get a glass of water.  The Old Woman is currently missing.

Master Seamus has shared that The Old Woman is one of the fallen members of the Crystal Circle, a group of elite changelings who had mastered at least two Arts during their lifetime.

I - The Ordinary World - Part Three

Lady Songbird meets Sir Thortal who comes to bring her an invitation.  She is invited to a closed event to be held in Homefires, the Winter Court freehold of the High King himself. The invite turns out to be as a proxy since Countess Vena is unable to attend.  She realizes he lacks a proper gown to wear and opts to visit Goblin Town, despite Sir Real's concerns, to find Nockers and Boggans who can craft a magnificent chimerical voile for her to wear.  There she meets Doctor Coma and Lady Alexandria, who passes to her, through a kiss, a small note that contains two letters:  S and C.   At the event, her destiny is then tied to that of a young storyteller as her actions to fulfill directions from the Unseelie Court inadvertently cause a faux pass towards Queen Mab; the Queen had plans on congratulating the couple before anyone else did.  Songbird does notice that the Countess was still present in the event, however disguised in the Boggan form she has an ability of wearing.


Flynn Wordweaver was excited at the prospect of performing before the High King and his retinue.  His excitement however quickly turned to fear when he found himself being scrutinized by the Red Branch knight, Sir Lleu Ardwyad, and the silent but intimidating Sir Thortal.  He recognized Sir Thortal as being one of the rare Sidhe of House Scathach.  He was then warned that his "truth" may bring about much bloodshed in Concordia, and that events that transpired in the Beltaine Night of Iron Knives may best be left forgotten.  He is reminded all that died that night perished of Cold Iron.  His claim to have resurrected from that event is impossible, and yet Ardwyad does not proclaim his words to be false.  Later he meets Duke Dray, who he finds to be a tremendously funny fellow, much to the Duke's dismay.   Soon, he meets Faerylith and is touched by her friendly personality.  When the High King arrives and proclaims his feelings for the Eiluned woman, it is Flynn who follows Lady Songbird in supporting the union of the two.  Flynn is asked to come to the Kingdom of Willows to perform for the High King when he meets with the King of Willows, Faerylith's adoptive father.  Destiny has him take from Sief Raushan a place he felt was already his.


Sir Felix Southpaw was expecting a quiet night, with two freeholds now under his protection.  Having declined the offer to be knighted and to take part in Master Seamus' quest, he watched over the Coffee Biscuit Tea freehold and was wondering about the supposed second freehold near Tara Nar when he realized that Stacey had not come to work.  A call leads him to learning she had been taken to the hospital and a visit brings him to once again cross lines with the strange unfolding plans of a Joseph van Noceti III.  From a hospital confrontation that leads to the disappearance of the old woman he had rescued before, to a chase accompanied by Sir Thortal and seemingly guided by chance unfolding events, the two eventually rescue Sparrow from the Dauntain's attempts to feed, and uncover Sparrow's true identity: She is Princess Lenore, heir to Concordia and daughter of the High King, long run away but actually under the guardianship and guidance of Master Seamus of the Crystal Circle.  They share worries of the Dauntain's weapon, an ancient treasure known as The Gray Sword, and Felix silently ponders on his vague remembrances of having once owned the sword to fight against a living mountain of ice.  After escorting her back to Tara Nar, Felix visits the Freehold and learns it has 7 curtained gateways, the same number as that of the members of the Crystal Circle which Seamus was part of.

[npc] Peggy Routh

Peggy Routh
Autumn Person

Peggy handles the orphanage where two of Noah Wylder's wards are staying.  For Flynn Wordweaver, the two children are powerful Dreamers who are currently trapped in the web of an unwitting Autumn person.  Her hatred towards so many "impure things" and her lack of understanding over the power of dreams can make her a possible threat to Kithain society in due time.

Died in a fire created by Duke Dray, who wanted to rescue the dreamer children from the Autumn People.

[npc] Magmagore

Magmagore
Chimerical monster

Born from the creative dreams of Rendsever the Steel Gnasher, the Magmagore is possibly one of the greater threats the Redcap will have to overcome if he wants to recover control of his changeling life.  Having died multiple chimerical deaths from its fangs, the Magmagore is now relentless in its hunt to slay him again and again.

Surely, there must be a way to defeat such a chimerical monstrosity.  However there are doubts any of them will not cost him an exposure to additional banality, a bane among Grumps whose balance teeters too close to the edge.

Inside its massive fanged maw, a golden hue glints inside.  Vague memories remind the Redcap of having stabbed Oro into its gullet long ago.  Could the weapon still be inside of it?

[npc] Duke Dray

Duke Dray
Mark Drayfuss of Dray Enterprises
Sidhe Duke, Grump
Seelie of House Gwydion

To most Kithain, Duke Dray is a twopenny joke; a comic-opera villain who twirls his mustache and vainly curses as yet another scheme of his is foiled.   Widely thought to be Unseelie, and perhaps a member of the Shadow Court, few realize how he is actually fanatically Seelie, so much that he has even less in common with most Seelie fae.

 The blood of the High Kings runs in his veins (he was High King Dyfell's cousin) and he is quite old, even by Kithain standards.  He is a supremely powerful sorcerer, possessing many of the common Arts as well as a few rare ones.  Some claim he possesses a freehold in the Far Dreaming.

To Duke Dray, any means justify the ends.  However, the conniving Duke finds himself usually misunderstood by the masses, with his words seemingly bringing laughter more often than spite.  If only they knew he has a head for intrigue that the lords of the Eiluned would envy.

[npc] Riel

Riel
Meilge's Spymaster
Sluagh, Wilder
Unseelie

A master spy with skills in both Legerdemain and Chicanery, the young man handles any duties that the King of the Kingdom of Willows requires and knows the value of secrecy and silence.   As a mortal, Riel also handles most of his energy into learning about various kinds of extortion rackets and the world of high finance.

He also has acquired a slim stiletto treasure which, when allowed to taste the blood of a supernatural being, grants him the ability to weave illusions.   This treasure, his Slander, as he calls it, is a secret he keeps from everyone, including the King.

[ncp] Sir Thortal

Sir Thortal
Detective Ewan Kyle Abner
Sidhe Knight, Wilder
Seelie of an House Scathach

Ewan Kyle Abner walks a fine line between the two worlds he is part of.  In one, he is a detective working for the New York Police Department, handling any investigations that seem to be too strange for a typical detective to handle.  In the other, he is a knight of an unspoken House, loyal to Duke Kelodin and while not one of the Red Branch knights, seems to be given much leeway and authority by the High King as well.

Recognized by Flynn Wordweaver to be one of the rare Sidhe Knights of House Scathach; the Sidhe House that opted to stay among the humans and commoners when the Sidhe first abandoned the changelings to the Autumn World.


Sir Thortal has many secrets, and seems to practice strange unfamiliar Arts.
What is his story?

[ncp] Seif Raushan

Seifrizarien
"Sief Raushan" (Islamic name)
Philip "Flip" Larson
Eshu, Wilder
Seelie

The young storyteller from southeast Atlanta first learned of his Changeling life when he Chrysalised in the Kingdom of Willows.  While most boys of his age were involved with drugs or guns or sex, Sief found himself drawn to the stories and tales of changeling heroes.

He is a master in the art of storytelling and is quite knowledgeable in Legerdemain and Wayfare.  He knows the basics of sword fighting and has become a passable archer.    He believes in living a righteous life and hopes that his way of living inspires others to find a balance between the strength of Faith and the marvels of fae magic.  He takes all debts seriously and is never hasty when swearing an oath to anyone.

[npc] Faerilyth

Faerilyth ap Eiluned
Sidhe Lady, Wilder
Unseelie of House Eiluned

Beautiful, kind and mysterious, the Lady Faerilyth exemplifies the dark attractiveness associated with House Eiluned.  Waist-length black hair and dark eyes (that seem violet when happy) produce an unforgettable first impression on her subjects.  Slender sas a willow and as graceful as a deer, Faerilyth dresses in deep blues and violets.

Once the pampered ward of King Meilge, who had groomed the young lady for greatness, she has blossomed into a charismatic and notable personage, having won the High King's notice in secret.  The two kept their mutual feelings hidden from others, until an unexpected event while she toured the Kingdom of Apples resulted in their eventual admission of feelings.

There are many now who wonder what lies ahead for Concordia.  Will it be ready for an Unseelie High Queen?  What of Morwen, David's sister who stands as his advisor and seneschal? What of Princess Lenore, whom had already been once clearly referred to as his heir?

The future is uncertain.

[npc] High King David Ardry

David Ardry ap Gwydion
Sidhe High King, Grump
Seelie of House Gwydion

Often known as the "commoners' king," David Ardry is still widely popular with both commoners and nobles.  He does, however, have enemies with numerous groups.   The tale of how he acquired Caliburn while just a boy himself, and barely past his Wilder years, and used it to end the Accordance War is a legendary told many times.  He is still a great diplomat and perhaps may have only been the one who could have ended the war as amicably as he did.

He has announced feelings for the Lady Faerylith during her visit to the Kingdom of Willows and time will tell how his announcement shall shape  Concordia.

Queen Mab, Queen Mary Elizabeth, Queen Laurel are all strong supporters of David.  Queen Aeron and Queen Morganna show deference, but are generally cool toward him.  King Meilge shows some antipathy towards him.

[npc] Sir Lleu Ardwyad

Sir Lleu Ardwyad
Sidhe Knight, Wilder
Seelie of House Gwydion
The King's Champion

The cousin of David Ardry has faithfully served the High King since his arrival in Tara-Nar from the Kingdom of Grass.  A stalwart member of the Red Branch, Lleu dedicated himself to the protection of the High King, receiving the well-deserved title of King's Champion.

However, there is some speculation of his dislike of the attraction existing between the Lady Faerylith and the High King Ardry.    He is said to have once referred to her as "that Eiluned Witch."

[npc] Vasily

Vasily Livanov
Enchanted Mortal

Vasily's history is harder to read, although his accent clearly reflects he is from Russia.  Emotionally and physically stronger than Shingko, Vasily understands the strangeness that surrounds him more than most expect.  His focus and almost supernatural dedication towards his goals makes him a far more useful retinue than most.

However, Vasily suffers from lapses.  A few times, Lady Songbird has found his servant intoxicated beyond belief, mumbling about "Solomin" and "Demons."  He has yet to explain what swirls in his alcohol-induced thoughts during such events.

Vasily seems to have knowledge of the finer things in life, suggesting he holds a past where his life once was lived among those of higher prestige.

Retinue rating: 2

[npc] Shingko

Shingko Maru
Enchanted Human

Prior to being lost in the Dreaming, Shingko's last memory was that of a bomb falling down towards her and her family from the sky.  It was only after Lady Songbird rescued her from the deeper parts of the Dreaming that they realized her last memory was that of the bombing of Hiroshima.

Shingko was a doctor working at Shima Surgical Clinic with her two children waiting in her office while she was doing rounds.  A strange desire to rush back to them struck her at around 8a.m. and as she forced her way through the crowds of patients and other personnel, she saw their faces just before a sudden blast of light bathed everything golden.

She now serves Lady Songbird as one of her retinue, handling matters that require a woman's touch.  She has learned how to speak in English, though has difficulty at times pronouncing words correctly.

Retinue rating: 2

[ncp] The Wyld Huntsman

Tha huntes waeron swarte and micele and lardlice, and here hondes ealle swarte and bradegede and lardlice, and hi ridone on swarte hors and on swarte bucces....

("Then the hunters were black and large and terrifying, and their hounds were all black and broad-eyed and terrifying, and they rode on black horses and black goats....")

This is the Lord of the Wild hunt atop his fearsome mount. He has led countless chases to and through the Hedge in pursuit of those lost to their Keepers. 'Tis a pity those that are run to ground by the Hounds of this fearsome Hunt--and pity the Hounds as well, as lost as the prey they chase. Those who run from the sound of his bugle and the baying of his dogs rarely survive the chase and are better served to hide.

Encountered by chance by Lady Songbird, one can only wonder when their paths shall cross again.