[Open Adventure] A Gift for the Queen

[Poison]

Vorador looked a little confused as Erasmus guided him to a chair and handed him yet another bucket. For a moment the man looked as if he was about to use it, but then he just positioned it on his lap and looked at Erasmus.

„Be careful“, he advised Erasmus as he heard his words. „He poisoned an innocent girl. He might have few issues with violence.“ With that he turned to watch Duvalyon and Selaria again. As he noticed that Duvalyon tasted her blood, he held his breath. As Selaria’s mother began to panic again, his heart began to beat a little faster, and he sent a prayer to Viratas that he protect the girl.

As Duvalyon snapped at him, Vorador looked confused and shocked for a moment, and then he replied, „A veil. A veil was in it. Do you think the veil was poisoned?“ That would at least explain why both of them had gotten sick and why Selaria was so much worse off. Although it still didn’t explain why they had been poisoned.

As Duvalyon said that he needed them at the Purging, a few Symenestra stepped forward to help Duvalyon carry his patients if it was necessary. Meanwhile the crowd slowly began to disperse. There was no reason for them to stay anymore.

„I’ll come with you. If you are looking for the man who poisoned her, you might want to have somebody that knows how to use a weapon by your side“, Erasmus could hear somebody behind him say. If he turned around, he would find himself facing a member of the Ochya, a young man with black hair and golden eyes. „The name’s Valdys, of the Rose Web.“

[Erasmus]

Watching them part through the crowed to the purging, Erasmus bid Vorador farewell and sincerely found himself hoping the man would make it through unharmed. Someone beside him prayed aloud to Viratas, but most seemed to have had enough excitement in this particular area of the suspended city, leaving the place like a sea recedes back at a time of low tide… he’d have to visit a sea on day… just to see it.

A voice nearly made him jump, and Erasmus did indeed look back with a half-dazed expression as if he’d been woken from a dream. He listened to Valdys and nodded respectively. It was true that Erasmus didn’t even have a weapon on him… though, in his defense, he had not planned to use one in his own city… and still at that moment he’d hoped to only find that there was no criminal after all. This new face held him accountable to his words, therefore there would be no turning back as if he’d never promised such an outrageous thing as to track down a murderer through the streets of Kalinor. Without further ado, he gratefully accepted the help. “I’m Erasmus. Much obliged.”

Time to pretend you know where you’re going, Erasmus. He remembered they key of navigating Kalinor, the red cord, and started the journey to the Weft and Warp. He wasn’t half bad at balancing on the hanging streets like all the others; he wasn’t afraid of heights, though luckily he was surly afraid of falling off of one of the roads in Kalinor… seeing that below the city was a not-so-pleasant grave kept him focused. He could feel the footsteps of his aid behind him but he didn’t look back until they were at the entrance of the weaving school.

“I don’t suppose you know who or what we should be looking for?” He gave a short laugh, pushing the door of silk and cloth aside to enter. The silver walls made the atmosphere warm and inviting; Erasmus had not visited this place during his stay and found it hard to stay on task what with all the sights awaiting him as he slipped down the narrow stairs so steep to anyone other than the spider race. Taking in the sights of brightly colored fabric, he stood at the bottom of the steps and peered into a round room where looms dotted the floor. Erasmus found it surprising that the place was not entirely empty; beings that he had thought most everyone had been busy merrily obsessing over the festivities. The walls were brilliantly made of curtains… one could hide behind them and act as if they belonged without much effort.

He planned this as a short trip. The Weft and Warp was along the way to the Rose Caverns, which was a place of obvious suspicion. Still, Erasmus kept his eyes peeled for any sign of nervousness. He turned to his partner, “I’m open to suggestions…”

[Poison]

The walk to the Weft and Warp took Erasmus and Vadys much longer than it would have taken under normal circumstances. After the near murder of the Moth Queen and the ominous happenings in the Rose Cavern Kalinor was in an uproar. Everywhere people were talking. By now the Ochya was aware of what was going on as well. Erasmus could see several of their members patrol the city.

„I don’t know any more than you do“, Vadys admitted as they approached the Weft and Warp. „I know that we are looking for a Symenesta who has possibly come outside and that something has happened in the Rose Cavern. I think that talking to the weavers might actually give us a few clues.“

He followed Erasmus into the building. The Weft and Warp looked especially beautifu today. Precious carpets decorated the floor. They depicted scenes of Kalinor life and had been created especially for that event, and opalogems illuminated everything.

Most of the weavers had come to see the Moth Queen, just like the rest of Kalinor. After Selaria had been taken to the Purging, they hadn’t returned to their work, but had either gone home or stopped to talk to others about it. Only three Symenestra were in the main room of the Weft and Warp: Avarys Anthurium and his cousin Alessa and an old woman that sat at the back of the room at a loom, seemingly oblivious to everything that was going on around her.

Alessa was leaning against Avarys, her head on his chest. He stroke her, to comfort her. As Erasmus and Vadys entered, they looked up. Under normal circumstances Avarys of the Anthurium Web was arrogant and mean, but now the weaver just looked shocked.

[Poison]

THREAD AWARD!

Duvalyon:

Skills: Observation 3, Leadership 3, Medicine 3, Interrogation 2, Persuasion 1

Lores: Selaria Anice: Moth Queen, Symptoms of Poison, Poison doesn't always have to be ingested

Notes: Erasmus stopped posting, so Duvalyon asked me to grade his posts. If any of the other PCs return, let me know, and I'll award you XP and Lores as well!

Duvalyon, if there are any issues with the XP and lores I awarded, let me know. I gave you XP in Leadership for telling people what to do and taking charge, the rest should be obvious.