Episode Link: In With the Tide

Scene Summary:

• Maera and Shao Dun sail into port, suspect of a ship behind them
• Kai and Sanzo get flowers to meet with Maera, discussing flowers and history
• The Dragon Blooded meet and introductions are shared and tensions rise
• TO ARMS! Lintha Pirate attack on the docks!

Cast in order of Appearance:

• Captain Peleps Maera
• Cathak Shao Dun
• V’neef Kai
• Tepet Sanzo
• Lynn
• Mnemon

References:

• House Peleps
• House Cathak
• House V’neef
• House Tepet
• House Mnemon
• Jiara
• Lintha Pirates
• Cinder Isles

Episode Link: The Matriarch of Jiara

Scene Summary:

• Battle over they return to Kai’s villa
• Kai and Maera catch up and reveal a secret
• Runner summons them all to the Acropolis
• Mnemon herself speaks with the group, recruiting them to crush the rebellion

Cast in order of Appearance:

• Captain Peleps Maera
• Cathak Shao Dun
• V’neef Kai
• Tepet Sanzo
• Lynn
• Mnemon

References:

• House Peleps
• House Cathak
• House V’neef
• House Tepet
• House Mnemon
• Jiara

Episode Link: Dragons Gather

Scene Summary:

• Mnemon goes to speak to her daughter, Sarissa, at her workshop regarding her mission and companions
• Kai receives his lover Tovin as he prepares for his dinner party
• Mara and Shao Dun have a discussion in a garden
• Sanzo eventually receives Tepet Indaro for a discussion about family
• Kai and Tovin find Mara in her quarters for introductions and talks of business

Cast

• Mnemon
• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Salana Tovin
• Captain Peleps Maera
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Tepet Sanzo
• Tepet Indaro
• Lynn

References

• Jiara
• Daric
• Parapet
• Naathul
• House Mnemon
• House Tepet

Episode Link: A Dinner to Remember

At the House of Vn’eef Kai

• Mnemon Sarissa arrives with a gift for Kai in apologies for the party crash
• Everyone gets a chance to mingle – speaking about the political situation in Jiara
• Sunzo and Sarissa reconnect
• Shao Dun and Kai…talk
• Arkan Kindara makes an entrance
• Sunzo and Lynn have a refreshing conversation
• Dinner is served
• Shao Dun makes a toast
• Kai educates Arkan about the significance of the meal

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Key Characters

• Arkan Khidara
• Desai Pavrani
• Salana Tovin
• Mnemon Zuri
• Lynn

Episode Link: Dragons After Dark

Important things to remember:

• The matriarchs of House Mnemon and House V’neef are daughters of the Scarlet Empress
• Mnemon is the heir apparent
• V’neef held the Scarlet Empress’ favor in the last few decades
• With the Empress’ disappearance, Civil War looms as the great houses position for the throne, inclucing Mnemon and V’neef .
• House Peleps, ( Maera’s House ), and House V’neff are the only houses to venture extensively in the West in search of new lands and riches. No one else has ships that go west nor spies to see what they have found.

_________________________________________________________________________

Kai’s Party shifts to drinks and conversation…

• Sarissa & Shao Dun discuss crafts and friendship and being on the outside of the norm for their houses. Talks about sorcery and hobbies.
• Sanzo joins them and they toast to Misfits
• Zuri speaks with Kai and Maera about the Arkan’s departure and first impressions. Kai asks for more information about Sarissa. Zuri tries to get meaningful information about these young Dynasts.
• Sunzo, Sarissa & Shao Dun speak with Zuri and Desai Pavrani finding common ground and discussing travels and points of interest.
• As Zuri departs she speaks briefly to Sarissa reminding her of the General she will be working with.
• Kai and Maera join the others in conversation. Stories of travel and perspective are shared with Desai Pavrani and Tovin.
• They all share a recap of the battle that morning with the Lintha, previous birthday exploits, and Sarissa’s amazing fire dust experiments and creations.
• The party ends with Pavrani demonstrating Jiaran Sword Dancing much to the enjoyment of all. Shao Dun seems much impressed and Pavrani hopes he does.
• Kai invites Sarissa to stay as the night grows long and the party slowly starts to disperse.
• In private quarters Kai, Tovin, and Maera look over the documents Tovin procured. Speaking on concerns of what was gained and lost, they finally learn their gambit has not been in vein.
• Kai joins Tovin in his quarters and lets his excitement show. They test one another a little, speak of legacy, and share secrets.
• Maera tracks down Shao Dun to speak and share the evening unknowing of an eavesdropper.

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Key Characters

• Arkan Khidara
• Desai Pavrani
• Salana Tovin
• Mnemon Zuri
• Lynn
• Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai

Episode Link: Plans and Secrets

The following morning after the party…

• The Party gathers at breakfast to discuss the mission at hand and what needs to be done.
  Weighing the options of a Diplomatic vs Militaristic response to the Rebellion.
• Coordinating with Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai they plan the campaign and tasks at hand.
• Sunzo sends word to Tepet Indaro of his conscription to the Mnemon cause as the others as well prepare to leave the city.
• Fedan the Merchant visits a merchant House Ja’ada’ash in Jiara about silks and business.

Bonus: Bloopers

Locations
Daric
Naathul
Parapet

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Key Characters
Fedan the Merchant
Siamak
Daryan Ja’ada’ash
Lynn
Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai

Episode Link: A Journey a Begins

*Preamble * – Gods in Creation. Ranging from minor gods of salt or disease, to gods of Major Cities and Rivers; Creation is full of all sorts of Gods. They can be benevolent – granting bounty or blessings. They can also be dangerous – Gods of War and battlefields. Seeking a God’s favor and blessing can happen with physical offerings and prayer. Gods have been known to accept bribes or even extort mortals for prayers, growing stronger as a benefit and gaining a wider range. Most mortals also honor their ancestors and believe in the cycles of Reincarnation.

The Immaculate Order

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• The Party sets out on the road from Jiara
• Shao Dun is itching to leave the city, Uneasy about what the strategy is and how to best make use of their troops Shao Dun speaks with his second in command.
• The Party notices the region is both verdant and burnt out from battle, even the road has taken some damage. Also devoid of most of the male population and tended fields.
• Shao Dun, upon arriving in a small town, offers prayer and tribute to a local shrine and speaking with the locals.
• The party discuss plans and what is even going on and concerns about the possibility of facing Exalted Anathema. Also honesty and family.
• Sunzo makes tea and does some shopping for goods and information.
• Maera goes for a walk to speak to her soldiers and commanders
• Lynn and Sunzo have good conversations over wine

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Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Key Characters

• Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai
• Laconic Ibis
• Lynn
• Maykoy
• Ruiva, God of Roads and Travelers

Episode Link: A Road to Trouble

• Upon the road towards their target, the Princes of Earth notice something odd sprouting up everywhere. Asparagus breaks through the road and grows in all directions
• The group learns about a monk of the Immaculate Order having traveled ahead of them.
• Kai calls a stop to the column to investigate the matter.
• Shao Dun’s time in the Heptegram seems to be providing insight into the troubles along the road.
• Kai seems to flub with the locals despite his skills as a socialite as he asks a local about the growth and any news ahead.
• Continuing along the road the group comes upon Tefrenus – home of the temple of the Field God Maykoy.
• Sarissa worries that the continued growth around the road could cause problems for the road behind them and cause trouble with travel.
• Arriving in Tafernis the Temple of Maykoy seems to be the center of the verdant growth. Kai, a student of the Cloister of Wisdom, notes how very off this whole thing is.
• The party goes into the temple noting the temple itself doesn’t quite match the area around them. A crowd gathers at the steps and atop them is a young man in robes – The Immaculate Monk

• Bloopers aka TEA Talk

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Important Characters

• Lynn
• Maykoy
• Ledaal Keemin

Episode Link:

Player Preamble: The Immaculate Order

In the town of Tefernis:

• The Dragon Blooded meet the monk Brother Ledaal Keemin, an old school friend of Peleps Maera and V’neef Kai. They speak in the Temple about the troubles there.
• Cathak Shao Dun shows his skills in the Occult to interact with the Field God Maykoy
• Kai goes off to do some investigation and finds some things in the root cellar
• The Dragon Blooded speak with Maykoy and clear the air to find mutual understanding and promises made. Sarissa catches Kai up on what happened while he was ‘away’.
• Sunzo watches the town as it watches them, noting what things are offered to the temple, and sees something is missing. Then goes shopping…for information.
• Sarissa, Maera & Shao have good conversations – Gods, people, and rebellions.

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sanzo

Important Characters

• The Field God Maykoy
• Leddal Keemin
• Laconic Ibis

In the town of Tefernis:

• Offerings finished and done, the Dragons assist in counting and storing the offerings in the temple of Maykoy.
• Brother Keemin shares information Maera doesn’t want to hear.
• Sarissa speaks to seeking out the Head Priest to get more information about the rebellion. Brother Keemin suggests talking to the other Temple attendants.
• Maera and Shao have a moment
• Sarissa speaks with Sunzo about gathering intelligence. Kai shares what he found. The three do some exploration around the ‘temple’ of Maykoy.
• Alarm is raised in town – Fire! Maera, Shao, and the Marines go to help.
• Shao goes into a burning building to save anyone inside and Sunzo intends to figure out how the fire started.
• They have found Hytimal – The High Priest. He won’t be answering questions any time soon and the mystery deepens darkly.

Bloopers WARNING may include some puns

Player Characters

• Mnemon Sarissa
• V’neef Kai
• Cathak Shao Dun
• Peleps Maera
• Tepet Sunzo

Important Characters

• The Field God Maykoy
• Leddal Keemin
• Laconic Ibis
• High Priest Hytimal

Episode Link: Coming 8/19/19

In the town of Tefrenus…

Sanzo discovers information about the last days of High Priest Hytimal, notably his growing hostility toward the Realm, and a rumor about a bird that flew from the Priest’s home just before the fire began.

Sarissa carefully investigates the remains of the fire-damaged house, bringing Shao with her. Their efforts turn up the presence of an unseen spirit muttering in a local dialect. Sarissa translates it as saying “My home, what has happened to my home?”

Working together they successfully communicate with the spirit, the ghost of Hytimal. It describes a small bird that transformed into a woman, who attacked it with a blade. When they’re convinced they’ve gotten all the information they can out of the ghost, Shao cremates its remains.

The next morning, the main characters gather and share their information. Mnemon Gia’Senai arrives. Kai questions her about the wisdom of seeking battle with Lunar Anathema. As the gathering discusses how to proceed, Maera volunteers to lead her soldiers forward to Daric, scouting as they go. The possibility of the presence of a Solar Anathema is raised, and the Dragons realize they will have to proceed forward somewhat in the dark about the coming dangers.

While the other dragons sleep, Kai writes a note: “I want to talk.“ The note is slipped inside the temple ledger. He later returns to the temple any questions the god Maykoy about his intentions.

Player Characters

Mnemon Sarissa
V’neef Kai
Cathak Shao Dun
Peleps Maera
Tepet Sanzo

Important Characters

Mnemon Gia’senai
The Field God Maykoy
Leddal Keemin
High Priest Hytimal (Ghost)

On the road to Daric…

As our heroes return to the road, V’neef Kai and Tepet Sanzo discuss moving ahead from the main group on a scouting mission. Kai discovers and thoroughly inspects an abandoned campsite, quickly revealing all of its secrets. The group is perplexed by evidence of the presence of children.

Troubled by their lack of concrete information regarding the looming threat, the dragons debate the wisdom of splitting up and whether they should remain on the road or head off into the wilderness. Eventually the characters decide to follow the trail while the main body of soldiers keep to the main road.

Mnemon Sarissa prepares a number of flares.

Kai and Sanzo move ahead of the others, stealthily pursuing the trail from the campsite. They discover a small group of refugees, including a particularly imposing warrior carrying an Orichalcum Greatsword.

Sanzo adopts a disguise and approaches the refugees.

Player Characters

Mnemon Sarissa
V’neef Kai
Cathak Shao Dun
Peleps Maera
Tepet Sanzo

Important Characters

Mysterious Warrior
Lynn

In the wilderness off the road to Daric…

Tepet Sanzo, disguised as a servant child, successfully infiltrates the small group led by the Mysterious Warrior. V’neef Kai is also brought into the camp by the Warrior, who calls himself Garafono. Kai manages to convince Garafono that he is a mercenary, with no love for the Realm, who is out looking for a child separated from the caravan.

Captain Peleps Maera, Mnemon Sarissa and Cathak Shao Dun hear voices in the wilderness and debate how best to proceed. Shao wants a quick pursuit to bring the chase to an end but is overruled by Maera and Sarissa, who are concerned that hasty action could endanger Kai and Sanzo.

Still in disguise, Sanzo discreetly gathers information by conversing with an orphan from the little group. Kai does the same, ingratiating himself with one of the adult protectors

The pursuing Dragons come to a rise where they see the group of refugees, with a disarmed Kai walking among them. The leader carries a radiant blade, a sign of a Solar Exalted. Realizing it’s an Anathema Shao urges immediate pursuit but is once again overruled.

Maera sets off of flare that alerts the refugee group to the presence of the dragon blooded. Garafono ecides to investigate. Kai, not completely trusted by the refugees, is tied up. A confrontation between the anathema and the dragon blooded appears to be inevitable…

Characters

• Garafono
• Aern
• Bale
• Grend
• Haddi
• Sparrow

The Dragons are forced to deal with immediate fallout from Peleps Maera‘s decision to fire off the flare. As Garafono approaches, Mara decides to go down alone to parlay with the him. Unfortunately for her, Garafono has no interest in negotiation, and the fight suddenly begins, with Sarissa and Shao hurrying to join the endangered Maera.

As the battle is joined not far away, Kai and Sanzo hear the sounds of fighting and manage to convince the refugees to hurry away from the conflict.

Maera, now supported by Sarissa and Shao, continues to fight, slowly grinding down the Anathema. Facing off against three opponents begins to take a toll on Garafono. With a final devastating series of strikes, Maera pushes through his guard and delivers a series of killing blows. The solar anathema dies, his final words a plea that the children will make it to safety.

While the battle ends successfully, Shao swears never to obey another order that would put Maera in danger, while Maera demands he remain obedient. A marked tension seems to have grown between the two in the aftermath of the battle.

Characters

• Garafono
• Aern
• Bale
• Grend
• Haddi
• Sparrow

As the band of refugees continues toward Daric…

V’neef Kai and Tepet Sanzo begin planning for their impending entry into the city. The Dragons work to endear themselves to the refugees as they travel onward, with Sanzo becoming particularly close to a boy named Sparrow. The whole band of refugees takes a strong liking to the Dragons, allowing Kai and Sanzo to glean personal stories from the refugees, detailing why they decided to rebel. The background behind Garafono’s presence with the rebellion is also revealed.

As the refugee caravan reaches the canyon city of Daric, Kai seeks an audience with the rebel Prince and takes up residence at Geode Court. Sanzo goes for a stroll and uses his keen eye to appraise the city from a tactical standpoint. As Kai does the same, he worries about the possibility that a battle inside the city would lead to a slaughter of the inhabitants. Eventually, in typical Kai fashion, he enjoys a hot bath, washing away all the grime accumulated over the long journey.

Sanzo heads to a teahouse, intent on connecting with his contacts in the White Veil Society. He provides a meal and refreshments for Sparrow.

Finally, Kai and Sanzo meet up to discuss their plans going forward. As he looks forward to meeting the Princes advisers, Kai is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of a peaceful solution, while Sanzo considers alternative forms of conflict resolution.

Tepet Sanzo

V’neef Kai

Sparrow

Garafono

Within the city of Daric…

V’neef Kai enters the hallway of merchant clans and prepares himself for an audience with the Rebel Prince’s advisers. He is interviewed in a small meeting room by a group of three representatives, one of whom he quickly realizes is actually the Prince herself, and he addresses her as such. Both sides decide to drop all pretense, and Kai admits his own true identity as he makes his proposal for peace: A political marriage that would increase the Prince’s power in the Realm.

The Prince agrees to consider this and informs him she will let him know by the next day. Kai tells her that he will be staying in Geode Court if she needs him.

Sanzo returns to the inn to continue gathering information from his contact. As they discuss the situation in Daric in one of the back rooms the end, Sanzo learns of possible foreign influences over the Prince, and is also told that she may be hungry for glory. Not much is known about the Prince’s advisers, but one is said to come and go in the form of a bird. Sanzo considers the possibility that more Anathema After further discussion, Sanzo heads back and regroups with Kai to discuss the situation.

The next morning, one of the Prince’s advisers greets Kai with the happy news that she has agreed to his proposal. The adviser will accompany Kai as the Prince’s negotiator, and the session ends with the optimistic hope that war might be avoided.

• V’neef Kai
• Tepet Sanzo
• Ozria Khidara
• Firat
• Viyalae

Episode Link: http://thestorytold.libsyn.com/fall-of-jiara-19-dragons-divided

Fresh off their victory against Garafano, Peleps Maera, Mnemon Sarissa, and Cathak Shao Dun are reunited with V’neef Kai and Tepet Sanzo, who arrive after their time in Daric with Firat, emissary for the rebel Prince Ozria Khidara. The Dragon-Blooded gather together and Kai explains his plan for peace: Marry Ozria into one of the great houses, making her an adopted dynast. Firat insists that the Prince be allowed to approve her match for the marriage, drawing a surprised reaction from Kai.

After the emissary leaves, the Dragon-Blooded passionately debate Kai’s proposal. Sarissa insists that Mnemon will never go along with the plan, while Kai, in frustration, wonders if Mnemon is hoping for a long, drawn out siege heavy with casualties. Tensions rise and eventually Kai storms out the room. As Gen. Gia’Senai approaches, the Dragon Blooded find themselves profoundly divided.

The Dragon-Blooded greet Gia’Senai and catch her up on the recent political developments. After the general leaves, Sarissa and Kai continue their dispute. Feelings are strong on both sides, and the argument ends in a stalemate with no apparent solution to bridge the gap between them.

Sanzo seeks out Shao Dun and, finding him unusually uninhibited, gathers information from him about the fight against the Anathema, along with hints of Shao’s lingering bitterness toward Maera for restraining him before the fight.

Kai meets with Lynn and then Maera. These discussions offer insight into his thinking, especially his deep-seated dissatisfaction with the nature of the Realm’s political status quo, his worry that the Dragon-Blooded are only interested in ruling through violence, and the likelihood that this may bring about their downfall. While not as passionate as Kai, Maera is clearly sympathetic to his viewpoint. The session ends with Maera heading out into the night, lost in her own thoughts.

Mnemon Sarissa
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo

Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai
Firat
Ozria Khidara
Laconic Ibis
Lynn

Within the boundaries of the Dragon-Blooded camp…

Feeling like she’s been caught in a difficult position, Mnemon Sarissa tries to come up with a compromise between the Realm and Rebel factions that would allow a peaceful resolution while satisfying Mnemon’s political need for a glorious and highly public victory.

Tepet Sanzo seeks out Sarissa. His pointed “philosophical” questioning of the morality behind Mnemon’s motives presents a strong challenge to Sarissa’s beliefs, but she ultimately continues to support her Matriarch.

Peleps Maera and V’neef Kai meet with the Rebel adviser Firat to better understand his position. After carefully convincing the Firat to open up to them, he gives them some unsettling information: Prince Khidara’s new advisers from outside the Realm are strongly encouraging her to take an aggressive, militant posture. Firat names the Bird Woman as the advisor he considers most dangerous. Kai and Maera skillfully instill a strong feeling of doubt toward the Prince’s new advisers in Firat’s heart.

As Sarissa and Maera converse, they discover that they’re both growing weary of war and are increasingly unsure of the righteousness of the Realm’s crusade and their own past actions.

V’neef Kai and Cathak Shao Dun sit together while spectating an impromptu martial arts tournament. They have a surprisingly genuine heart-to-heart talk, bonding over the most important thing they have in common: a love for, and dedication to, Captain Peleps Maera.

Later that night, Lynn meets with Tepet Sanzo in his tent. She mentions that what Mnemon cares for above all else is the throne, and that if following Kai’s plan will bring her closer to her ultimate goal, she will most likely be willing to go along with it. Their discussion turns from political to personal matters, and the two come together and share a romantic moment.

Sarissa and Shao continue to build on the friendship. Even Shao’s drunken and thoughtless references to V’neef Kai, made in apparent ignorance of Sarissa’s conflicts with him, can’t sour the mutual respect between the two. Shao reassures Sarissa that the Dragon Blooded are all allies, although he wonders how long their alliance will last.

V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo
Mnemon Sarissa
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun

Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai
Firat
The Bird Woman
Ozria Khidara
Mnemon
Lynn

Episode Link: Shall We Spare the Ravages of War?

Determined to ensure the success of his proposed marriage alliance, V’neef Kai retires to his quarters and begins the difficult task of coming up with a list of potential mates for the Rebel Prince, Ozria Khidara. Working deep into the night, he manages to narrow the list down to three possible choices.

Kai meets with a disheveled, somewhat troubled Captain Peleps Maera and goes over the three candidates with her. He understands that it’s imperative to make a choice that will please Mnemon. The conversation moves on toward Maera’s relationship with Shao Dun and her lingering anger over his rude, insubordinate behavior. Eventually, the two reminisce about old memories of good times spent together at school.

Maera and Shao meet up for the first time in days and are able to have a civilized, if unusually formal discussion, although both are aware of the bittersweet undercurrent of emotions and unresolved issues running between them. Shao reiterates his distaste for Kai’s plan, while Maera lowers her guard and expresses her own nervousness and fear about the consequences of resolving the conflict through violence. Eventually the two share memories of simpler, happier days spent together on the ocean, and resolve to work together, at least one more time.

Maera and Shao approach Sarissa, who is still upset and aggrieved over the way V’neef Kai has treated her. Shao goes to find a Tepet Sanzo, and the Dragon-Blooded, minus V’neef Kai, gather together to prepare for their pivotal meeting with Mnemon Gia’Senai. Maera asks Sanzo to help her during the upcoming negotiation; Sanzo, playing his role as the humble teamaster, expresses nervousness and surprise at this idea. After further discussion on the people of Daric and their impressions of the conflict, our heroes proceed to the meeting.

The Dragons, along with the Rebel Adviser Firat, head to Gia’Senai’s encampment to begin the negotiations. Everything proceeds relatively well, with a few unexpected twists: critically, Firat mentions that Prince Khidara’s foreign advisers are strongly against the proposed peace-through-marriage agreement, but that the Prince herself would not be opposed to denouncing voices on the rebel side that call for further aggression and militance. Firat also concedes his belief that the foreign advisers have led his Prince astray, and that it was their influence preventing peace talks from beginning earlier.

Ultimately, the first stage of the negotiations is a success, although the session ends with the Dragon-Blooded preparing for a far more difficult and dangerous task: heading back into the city for the next phase of the peace process.

V’neef Kai
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Mnemon Sarissa
Tepet Sanzo

Mnemon Rulinsei Gia’senai
Ozria Khidara
Firat

Episode LInk

As the Dragon-Blooded enter the city of Daric…

Cathak Shao Dun thoroughly examines the defenses of the city, appraising its ability to hold out during a siege and taking note of critical points of strategic interest.

The rebel adviser Firat leads the Dragon-Blooded to an assembly chamber where they are presented to Prince Ozria Khidara. To their great surprise, the Prince decides to personally negotiate with the representatives of the Realm. After this demonstration of trust, Captain Peleps Maera introduces the Dragons to the Prince, who greet her with diplomatic courtesy.

As the hours pass and late afternoon comes, the Prince invites the Dragons to stay the night in her city.

Tepet Sanzo looks over the Prince’s advisors and is alarmed that the ones V’neef Kai spoke of are nowhere to be seen.

Mnemon Sarissa candidly tells the Prince that she fears Lunar assassins or other evildoers may attempt to disrupt the negotiations. When the Prince asks what should be done about this, Sarissa suggests that no one should be left alone overnight. The Prince declares that she is placing herself under the protection of the Dragon-Blooded, Sarissa specifically. She also mentions that her foreign advisers abandoned her when the Realm’s legions approached.

Peleps Maera catches V’neef Kai up on the day’s events. The optimistic Maera and the cynical Kai muse about what’s to come and hope that Kai can come to a lasting understanding with Sarissa.

Inside Ozria Khidara’s quarters, Sarissa conducts a security inspection, prepares additional defenses, and chats with the Prince about her missing advisers.

As night falls, Shao Dun heads out on a late-night walk with a small escort. He leads them up to a scenic bluff where he chats with Laconic Ibis about his future in House Cathak and enjoys his wine.

The session comes to an end as the Prince heads to sleep and the Dragon Blooded prepare to get what rest they can. Out in the seemingly peaceful night, the figure of a bird, alights on the balcony just outside the Prince’s quarters.

Cathak Shao Dun
Mnemon Sarissa
Peleps Meara
Tepet Sanzo
V’neef Kai

The Bird Woman
Ozria Khidara
Laconic Ibis
Firat

Episode Link

Outside the Prince’s palace in Daric…

Unseen by the Dragon-Blooded, a small bird alights upon Prince Osria Khidara’s balcony.

Mnemon Sarissa, inside the Prince’s apartment, hears light sounds of metal clinking not far away. Her suspicions aroused, she looks around and sees something small and unwelcome trying to stay hidden on the balcony just outside the curtain. On guard and expecting trouble, she raises her flame piece and opens fire without hesitation. The resulting conflagration is visible from all over the city, and the rest of the Dragon-Blooded rush to the scene.

The bird transforms into a woman. She brandishes an assassin’s dagger and prepares to go after the Prince.

Captain Peleps Maera encounters another group of assassins in the hallway, V’neef Kai and Shao Dun reach the balcony, and the Prince wakes and screams. Chaos reigns.

Tepet Sanzo, unseen for the moment, enters the fray, easily dispatching one of the assassins.

After a brief but wild period of combat, the Dragons emerge victorious. The bird woman, revealed as a lunar, is killed by Tepet Sanzo as she tries to escape. The mortal assassins are easily finished off as well.

The shocked Prince confirms that the bird woman was one of the foreign advisers who fled from her. One of the assassins survives the fight, and the Dragons are optimistic that he may provide valuable information.

Mnemon Sarissa
Cathak Shao Dun
Peleps Meara
V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo

The Bird Woman
Ozria Khidara
Laconic Ibis

Mnemon Sarissa utilizes her remarkable crafting skills and substantially upgrades her weaponry. She meets with Mnemon herself to discuss the developing political situation in Jiara. When her matriarch asks her for her opinion about V’neef Kai, she describes him as a skilled albeit hot-blooded politician. Mnemon asks Sarissa to watch Kai’s moves and report on him.

Tepet Sanzo uses his free time to gather information on Jiara, both generally, and with a focus on the city’s underworld. Sanzo learns the political situation in the city has stabilized, and there is a prevailing atmosphere of cautious optimism. Tepet Indaro arrives and beseeches Sanzo to return to the service of his house. The meeting remains civil, but the frustration among Tepet leadership for Sanzo’s independent behavior is clear. Sanzo later meets with Gauntlet, a representative from the White Veil Society . They have a discussion regarding the highly complicated and everchanging political situation in the realm. The Society does not want Mnemon’s power and influence to grow.

After a week of mandatory drinking, Cathak Shao Dun undertakes a recruitment effort among the local population, and is able to supplement his troops with another auxiliary unit. He leads them off into the wilderness to conduct training. After returning to the city, and he reconnects with and duels against Desai Pavrani, who proves to be an able sparring partner and agreeable companion.

While off on a solitary mountaineering expedition outside Naathul, Peleps Maera discovers a cave. She returns to Kai and they explore together. They head deep into the mountain where they find an ancient manse containing a wonder far beyond what they could’ve hoped to find: a warstrider. As they explore the manse together, they discuss the difficulty and remarkable potential of a possible excavation, and consider how best to enlist Sarissa’s help with such a project…

Peleps Meara
V’neef Kai
Tepet Indaro
Lynn
Tepet Sanzo
Mnemon Sarissa
Mnemon
Laconic Ibis
Cathak Shao Dun
Desai Pavrani

V’neef Kai and Captain Peleps Maera discuss their discovery of the warstrider and the impact it will have on the Dragon-Blooded. They consider proposing an oath of kinship with their comrades, hopeful this will bring the group closer together and ensure that the warstrider does not become a source of contention among them.

Cathak Shao Dun and Desai Pavrani finish up a long training match. Pavrani asks Shao to introduce her cousin to the Prince’s court as a potential suitor. Shao agrees, although he is concerned to vouch for a mortal he does not know.

Tepet Sanzo and Mnemon Sarissa share a pot of peppery Puer tea, giving Sarissa a chance to blow off steam about the administrative tasks she is doing with on behalf of Mnemon Zuri. Sanzo proposes finding her more interesting work, but Sarissa is skeptical of the need, as she considers the work to be mere annoying. After she leaves, Lynn visits Sanzo and leaves him with a letter from Gauntlet.

Kai and Maera return to the city and invite the Dragon-Blooded to a semi-formal later evening dinner.

Tepet Sanzo, disguised, meets with Gauntlet, who encourages him to do what he can to support Desai Pavrani’s cousin, Kadajin, in his bid to wed the Prince.

The Dragons gather and reacquaint at Kai’s villa in anticipation of an interesting evening…

V’neef Kai
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Tepet Sanzo
Mnemon Sarissa
Desai Pavrani
Desai Kadajin
Lynn
Gauntlet