The group spent the 7th staying around the Guild Grounds, knowing that The Festival of Love, Aphrodisia Day, was tomorrow and the day after that, the Viscount’s person should be in town. So we made sure our gear was in repair, joked and laughed with the staff and students, and gave whatever help we could to Saleyn O’Hare for tomorrow’s festivities.
And what a day it was. Most of the town at least made an effort to decorate and participate in the morning prayers. Saleyn spoke about the need for love for all creatures and that it is one of the unifying forces that lends strength to both parties in any relationship. Not all love is carnal, some is friendly, some is familiar, some is merely quiet respect – but all love in all forms should be celebrated. We danced around the maypole and shared crowns of flowers and garlands around necks.
There was a queue of people heading back to the Guild Grounds of Nulb, a procession at least 300 people strong. Once there, there were some dancing and prayers, some suggestive tones and Saleyn going over the rules for anyone who wanted to participate in the Festival’s more…adult themes.
Furd and Aredhel did notice a person here that was obviously from out of town. She was an older woman, late 30’s? Older? Her clothing was of the latest cut and style and she had a bemused expression on her face. She made her way over and introduced herself as Imeri, from further downriver maybe near Dyvers. She was engaging, funny, and knew a bit of the party’s exploits as they were locally famous.
Hallucinogenic incense had been introduced and everyone was getting a bit of a high off of it. Rowan found himself entrenched with a number of local girls who wanted to see what things were like with an elven personage, and Pestle ended up spending time with the groundskeeper, Ringine, the half-orc, sharing a picnic meal and eventually coming up to the belfry to laugh and ring the bells whenever the interest struck them.
Opehlia wanted to spend some time with Saleyn, the attractive priestess gave the Athenian the attention she wanted. Albert ended up getting a contact high and had to be transferred to an unused room to sleep it off. Furd spent time with Imeri, with Opehlia, and eventually when they showed up, the ogres and other member from the Order of the Gnarley Woods. Aredhel had private time with the Master of Swords, Boris Silversword. Overall, the Festival was a rousing success and the day passed exhaustedly for everyone.
The next day we awoke, got dressed and cleaned up, and eventually went to the Main Hall and auditorium where the Guildmaster, Shev Jackson, was waiting for us. Besides the 5 masters of Nulb’s college, we did also see the 4 count from the Order of the Gnarley Wood as well as Imeri and another persons who was doting near her, identified as Eela.
We learned that Imeri was actually the Viscountess Imeri Blackstaff and she had come directly to meet with the group. A progressive firebrand, she holds massive sway with the council of Greyhawk and was looking to support and patron the endeavor.
There was lots of concern about the Temple of Elemental Evil. Its origin, its rise, and eventually its downfall and overrun a century earlier. They detailed the three demonic entities: Zuggtomy, Lloth, and Lareth. We learned of their rise and assault and how the original Order of the Gnarley Woods gave up their life and souls to contain the possible corruption. The Temple grounds have been well contained for decades but now with Iuz conquest across all the Flanaess, the thought was to close this back door to Gehenna once and for all.
It was mentioned that the 3 gods of Olympus, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, had a vested interest in the original Temple and that leant some credence to the newfound deity interest with Furd and Aredhel.
A large force would be met with an overwhelming response from within and shatter the barrier that was in place. But a small group would not cause anything more than a ripple and the group was given the green light to make the trip there.
We had a few things to work out. We had a group name at last: The Revenants. We also elected a face or speaker for the group: Pestle. We then elected a leader for the group: Albert. In order to give our party more sway with the local lords and powers that be, and in response to our efforts so far to date in freeing Hommlet, the Viscountess Imeri knighted Albert as Sir Albert of Blackstaff and all were happy.
We talked about what we would need going in and we voted on hiring two possible hirelings: a Thief with some skills in locks and traps, and a Shieldbearer to stand before the mages and sorcerers of the party. We would interview possible applicants tomorrow and then we were ready to head off to the Temple shortly afterwards.
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