"Yes, I feel Onyx will take this hardest of all... " Elavor says to Ronegan. "You're very close with the lad, I know. He's going to need someone to steer him true through this, or he'll turn... well, I'm glad you're there for him more than I am, that's all." His hand has grabbed the Halfling's shoulder in support at this point. "I'll respect wherever you'd like to go right now, but I must continue on to the Cartographer's guild... Then, we are to meet with Ran at the Blue Boar Inn" 

You know this human. The dark-haired and olive skinned human paladin is Zala Zumburto. He is rumored to be apart of a secret society the Knight of Light all embued with special powers gifted by the Lightbringer themself! They are not zealots who hunt 'witches' but some consider heretics using all magics to further the Lightbringer's reach! This secret society is headed by the high king's favorite (his supposed heir and rumored lover) another paladin of the Lightbringer Jubel Baelfire! Zala however is a menacing figure whose tactics on the battlefield are often cruel doing anything to win the day. He is also known to have strange powers you know and recognize are arcane in nature but these 'gifts' are excused as gifts of the Lightbringer! The aasimar woman aloft is known simply as Idemiah. She is a champion of the old ones often giving a voice, her aid, and her council to their causes within the council of seven. 

"Hush," the female gnome says to Petal holding up her hands her expression hard but also concerned as she moved closer. "You...will call them down on all of us," she adds shaking her head at Petal. "They...they are questioning everyone who traveled with the families. I guess you missed the faith rounding people up for the high king's council," she adds her eyes darting between Ran and Petal.

"This...is all a mess," the human man says rubbing his bearded face with a deep frown. "You say you did not attack us? Then why would they wear your colors and use your houses crafted arms," he demands as his companions who all murmur in agreement still looking slightly on edge!  

Petal relaxes as the tension seems to lift slightly. “Now, I don’t want to get anybody in trouble, but I think by intimidating people in the streets you’re doing pretty fine at that on your own!”She waves her finger at them as if telling off a child

She looks directly at the gnome as she speaks, ignoring the human“ I didn’t see the faith, we only just got in and dropped our stuff off at the palace, and are heading out to investigate who might have attacked. See, we found a note, well it was encrypted but our friends are super smart and they figured it out but anyway..... we think there’s a group trying to turn the houses against each other - the dark wanderers! Anyway, what’s happening with this high kings council? Who are they rounding up and why?”

Kiran looks over to Varen, "Well, it seems the easy part of our task is already handled for us. Though at a higher cost than any of us thought. The chancellor's magic must not have been enough. Do you wish to return to the family? Or do you have another task to accomplish?"

She looks at Kiran, sadness evident in her eyes.

"No... I suppose what we could accomplish tonight in the Cathedral, we will tomorrow when we go to report to them. I'd like to return, unless you need to speak with your fellows tonight."

She looks at the dispersing crowd, then back to Kiran, Ronegan, and Elavor.

"It seems that each house is being played against the others... and I hope with that interaction, we showed us Firstforges as the level-headed ones. I don't recognize the holy pair, though... do you?"

Ran relaxes the muscles that had tensed up. They were either safe or just about to fight and either way he needed to be relaxed for that.

Petal’s chiding of them will probably do more than anything he could say and it gives the big one over there an out. He can back down over Petal because she looks harmless. Ran knows the emphasis is on only looks harmless. He caught glimpses of what she had done during the ambush.

But he still adds one thing to her words.

“I think this is exactly what they wanted to happen. Or at least part of what they wanted to happen. They make it looks like it was us who attacked you. They make it look like you attacked us and we spend all of energy killing each other. We need to find out who benefits from that.”

He pauses and looks carefully at the swordsman.

”Petal and I are not your enemy.”

Then he pauses again to let them answer Petal.

To Ronegan, "Another time, then friend. When it's not as hectic perhaps." And then to the group, "I'll be meeting with Ran at the Blue Boar Inn, it's near the guild.  I suppose I will see most of you there or in the morning for the tournament." Elavor leads Dust onward, toward the direction of the Cartographers Guild... 

Varen considers the mainland ferry as Elavor departs.

"Ronegan, Kiran. The royal family should still be at the cathedral. I don't want to invade their privacy, but we should make sure they have no immediate need for us, or if they only wish to... mourn, in peace. Let us head there for now, there's no good we can do sitting in the palace like a bunch of court damsels. Kiran can speak with his fellows while we attend to the family. After, we will go to the inn as planned."

She looks at Ronegan. "I don't think there will be much wine and celebration tonight, Ronegan. But we can toast the departed on our own terms, and then figure out how to fix this."

Varen begins to walk to the ferry to the Cathedral Island.

"They're rounding up any minor members of the households. They always blame us," the gnomish female says frowning, "those without a name never get a fair shake," she adds with a sigh. "Dark Wanderers? Who or what are they," she asks curiously looking from Petal to Ran then back again.

Ran please give me a straight persuasion role to try to convince the human and his party of your innocence. 

The sun is now setting and there is only around an hour of daylight left. On the ferry, you can see people whispering still about the incident as what you can only assume is your involvement in it! The stories are wild in your head now. The Dark Wanderer however you recall was never mentioned, that is a curious detail you wonder to yourself! As you travel on the ferry you know you are most definitely being watched. Exiting the ferry it doesn't take long through the Cadium district to reaction the Ochre district navigating by yourself. Your trip to the guild is uneventful and you even pass the Blue Boar on the way there. It still looks like the lively place you left in your last visit to the holy city busy as usual. Tying Dust off outside the guild you pay a copper to a boy there who's watching the other horses as well. He looks a little skinny but you know he'll eat well tonight at least. Going inside the guild, an unassuming building made of dark red local stone like the palace, you find Kara Byrne the guild secretary seated at his desk in the front area. He's an older gnome but still quick-witted. He's a mascot now and no longer braves the wilds to work. He sits where he can help people making requests for records, the guild houses a copy of every map they have ever been commissioned to make, and hold court over those who inquire to hire out guild members for mapping projects big or small. He's a good man and you like him a lot. Not only did he trained you for a time and saved your neck in the field as well as within the administration of the guild.

"Hello Elavor," Kara says in his deep throaty voice far too deep for a gnome his size his accent a thick brogue that's also deceiving to the ear. He is small as those of his kin with short dark hair and fair skin that has been freckled as well as become coarse from years exposed to the Emberan elements! He however shows no sign of the wasting sickness like so many of his age often begin to show! He wears a quizzically cross expression as usual giving you a look as if he sees a naughty schoolboy more than the grown man you are! "What brings you back so soon? Done mapping the passages under Bhil Durahl already? Are the rumors true? Did they really mine so deep they reached the Underdark," he asks his tone tinged with some interest.

You all pile on the next ferry to the cathedral and reach it in no time. The sun is now setting and there is only an hour of daylight left. The passengers on the ferry disembark giving your party a wide berth as you exit. Within minutes of the ferry landing, you reach the long walk to the cathedral. This cobblestone road lined with statues of the great 'Bringers of Light' or those who helped destroy the Darkness from all backgrounds of Embera but lost their own lives in the process. So far there are twelve stone statues reaching ten feet in height, regardless of the race of the champion, along this cobblestone road about two carts wide that leads to the cathedral looming ahead. It's an intimidating structure made of red stone like the palace. The stone glints in the waning light of the setting sun that gives the cathedral a dazzling effect! There are many pilgrims on the road around your party praying with each step closer to the cathedral as well as people of varying races moving with purpose towards the open doors of the cathedral the same as you. Nearing the building however you notice an uptick of guards a mix of holy warriors and high king's guards. Their only distinction is their cloaks. The holy warriors of the Lightbringer wear white and gold while high king's guard wears crimson and gold with the crest of the Vahar house. Although these men and women do not stop anyone entering or exiting the cathedral you all feel like you know you're being watched by many not just their eyes alone...

Persuasion: 4  

They don't seem to find you wholly innocent but they do not seem as outwardly combative as before.

A group of high king's guards wanders your way but they do not stop. They seem on maneuvers and pass by noting your presence but not stopping you on your way either. The party of Turco house however looks keenly to Petal for an explanation of the Dark Wanderers...

Varen goes up to one of the High King's guard, retrieving the documentation from her satchel identifying her position in House Firstforge. She motions for Ronegan to follow, and gives Kiran a nod as she expects him to take his own path once inside the Cathedral.

"Good evening, guardsman. I am Lady Delisse, one of the retainers to House Firstforge. We understand the Firstforge royal family is still here. We would like to confirm what services, if any, that the royal family needs from us for the evening. Shall I pass a message through you, or can you direct me to the chambers in which they are staying?"

Petal, waiting for the guards to pass, tries to explain - wracking her brain to remember what Varen had told her back at the Inn.

”Well, I don’t think any of us have heard of them but long story short... they gave the order to attack us, and probably you too! We were on our way to the barracks to try and see if anyone knows anything about the attacks, we also saw a mysterious package coming from the Inn where we stayed to these here isles! I’m sure your gifts could really help it you want to join! I’d leave the muscle behind if I were you though, he doesn’t exactly encourage trust..”

The little halfling seems more nervous here than you've ever seen him and he stays very close to Kiran. His fingers dip into the canister on his hip, but dip quickly out. "Perhaps I should not have come." He murmurs, fastening the canister's leather knot and patting it. "Do they have means to..." he looks at Kiran speculatively, unwilling to finish the sentence in front of others here and now.

As Varen calls him over, Ronegan stands at her side anxiously, looking all around. As soon as Varen is finished speaking, Ronegan blurts out  "How are the children....I mean, the Prince and Princess... or, the King?" He looks at Varen helplessly. "Oh Gods....does this mean Onyx is the new King?"

Varen puts a hand on the halfling's shoulder, and speaks calmly. "We'll sort out everything in time, Ronegan..."

Ronegan:

"Heh, well... it was dark. I didn't see much." Elavor says with a small shrug and a smirk. "It was the normal for that type of job, I suppose. Got most of it mapped, I think. You could smell the age down there... hadn't been disturbed in ages. Pretty much like most mapping trips in some regards, though. Not like the trip here to Ospel with the Royal Firstforge family...  " Elavor locates and places the maps to be copied on the counter in front of Kara...

Elavor leans in close to Kara, his voice low: "We were attacked on the road, ambushed. Normal bandit types, I thought, and they got me good... but then there were gnolls, Kara. Who uses gnolls?! But we made it onwards to Grambler, and from there came up via the canal.. That town will never change, I think. Have you heard of anyone that goes by "The Dark Wanderer"?? Also, do I still have my apartment here? It's been awhile..."

Kiran nods quietly at Varen's suggested plan, shaking his head as if trying to shake some memory out of his head. He follows the others quietly to the Cathedral, lost in his own thoughts. 

When Ronegan questions him he speaks as reassuringly as he can, "Yes, the priests here are vigilant in their guard against the dark, there is no risk of that evil coming here. They have ways to see any active heretical magic and many are gifted at identifying suspicious persons and ferreting out lies and finding the truth. Even the most heretical would know not to try to cast anything here."

Upon arrival at the Cathedral doors, he moves forward and eases his way indoors. Although his original plan had been to talk with the healers, he realized that now that he was here he ought to check in with his order and perhaps see what they know about events.

"He's... cautious as you should be...I wouldn't trust a sole save my own house," the female gnome says in reply. "Mysterious packages and Wanderers...it seems a trick to hide the real enemy..." she trails off as her party begins to leave. "Watch yourself..." she offers next. "I believe we're all marked by something very much out of our control," she adds before taking her leave with the Turco retinue.

"Bandits and gnolls," Kara pauses looking perplexed. "Someone has deep pockets and low morals," he replies frowning. "Sorry to here about the Firstforges. I did a little mapping as a young lad for Malachite the first. A good man but highly superstitious," he adds with a thoughtful look. "As for this Dark Wanderer business. No, my boy I can't say I've heard of such a person or thing. As for apartment yes you do. You know where to find them..." he gestures at a staircase leading to the upper levels.

Your apartment was a smallish chamber about 13x10 in the corner of the second floor. It has a window looking out over the back alley behind the guild. 

"Yes miss..." the half-elven female cleric replies with a curt nod. "I can't say I know their exact location but a priest inside may be able to answer your questions. I am unable to leave my post," she replies. "You may enter and move about the common areas should you require further assistance ask any priest inside," she adds giving you all a curt nod and small smile her eyes flicking to Kiran for a moment before settling back on Varen.

Behind the party a figure arrives stopping outside the doors in dirty and well worn vestments of the Lightbringer overhearing Kiran's warnings to Ronegan.

"Truly do you find our faith so terrible and unforgiving as all that sir that anyone would choose to attack us here?" The cleric asks his expression hard to read beneath the shadow cast on his face by the off white hood. "Do you see no Iove in the Lightbringer's heart that shines light from this place on those who've wandered from the path to lead them back again?" He asks Kiran curiously before continuing. "Have you been so long inside these walls you've forgotten what our true purpose is? We don't seek to conquer those who use other means to bring about good things. I shall remind you we are to lead those who are lost to the Light. For each one of us in turn are capable of spreading darkness. It's truly what we choose to do when that darkness comes to understand the words of the Lightbringer. What they intend for each of us...I can't say I know. Each day we choose to do good works and each day brings us closer to understanding all things done in tbe Light are truly good," he adds. "Love and Light to you all," the hooded figure says next removing his hood to bow slightly revealing a dark skinned human man with a handsome face and graying head of short black curly hair.

Immediately upon seeing him the paladins and clerics around you seem to fill with pride as well as concern while the high king's guard go ridged almost as if being called to attention!

"May I say to each if you," the man begins again holding his hands out to each of the party in turn with a deep sincerity in his eyes and voice as he continues. "It is truly a day of mourning for the Firstforge house," he adds with a solemn expression. "I believe Malachite was a true believer and I expect those of his house to shine as brightly in our faith as he once did," he says moving into the cathedral after a soft shake of your hands if you give them to him. "Come...may I offer any of you council or aid," he adds ushering you all inside. "I...I was taken away from the vigil for a task but I return to give your queen council," he explains next.

Kiran and Ronegan you know this man. This man is Jubel Baelfire. He's a grand cleric in the Lightbringer church and the high king's defender of the Faith.

Varen might have heard of him but having never been to Ospel have only heard rumours and truths...you do believe the rumors however most of what you've heard based on your own background with magical boons.

"Quite the ferocious little badger when you want to be, aren't you?" Ran says to Petal with a smile on his face after the Turco group has left. "At least we've confirmed we weren't the only ones attacked and whoever is behind this used Firstforge insignia in the other attacks."

He continues heading towards the barracks.

"We lost some time, but hopefully we can still find someone from my past that knows more about what's going on. There must be mercenaries involved. And you keep fighting forces that large hidden for long. Someone must have seen or heard something."

As they walk, he looks back down at Petal.

"I think you were about to tell me something about how you ended up with the FIrstforges before the Turcos decided to say hello."