from the
ship's log of the Snapdragon:
Aug. 28
Winds out of the West at 16 knots; clear skies; swells at 2 feet
The sun dawns on yet another interesting day here in the Barony. Upon arriving at Caer August, I was greeted by an overwhelming burst of glamour. It seems Halfdan, Gustav, and Lilliana were engaged in the biggest cantrip in recent memory. After the glamour rushed out, Gustav tossed aside his iron sword. I would wager silver against gold that they?ve managed to lift or circumvent his curse. Note to self, do find out how this was done.
Shortly thereafter a party was gathered to relieve Tokkentaker of his Sub-Oceanic Vessel, or submarine in the vulgar. Halfdan, his page, Gustav, my trollish Bosun Mr. Steel, the Selkie Adrianna, the Knight errant Trueblade, and myself set out. I was not particularly eager to seize said vessel but I figured I might as well put on a good show of helping the Barony out. Setting sail from Caer August, we spied Tokkentaker?s slipping his moorings near the Dartmouth Slipway. Upon setting sail, the shield hiding his ship from mortals failed, alerting the Coast Guard. By the time Tokkentaker fixed it, a ship had been dispatched from the nearby fleet anchorage. Mr. Steel managed to harpoon the Sub-Oceanic Vessel before it dived which allowed the boarding party to haul themselves aboard. The other fae dived over the side as soon as we drew near; I grabbed a set of scuba gear before going over myself. By the time I swam to the vessel, the others had already boarded and sealed the hatch. If the Seelie ?heroes? really wanted to go down with the ship, far be it from me to stand in
their way. I returned to the Snapdragon and was ordered off the scene by the Coast Guard Vessel. With a little cunning I was able to confuse the offending Captain into letting me stay on site long enough to recover the other Kithain when they returned to the surface. The humans had sent down divers and the other returned without Tokkentaker so I gathered things had not gone well. Halfdan
made it known that the humans had taken Tokkentaker into custody, a possible breach of the Escheat if I ever heard one.
After returning to the freehold Halfdan was beset by Petalwing. With the demise of the Circus, it seems she was out for a bit of revenge. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful in doing anything more then wounding the prat. Halfdan put Lillianna in charge of meting out punishment and left. With a small furor erupting over her fate, a little calm can go a long way. Lillianna was convinced to leave Petalwing?s security in my hands until she rendered judgment. I have since removed her to a more suitable location.
Perhaps triggered by the massive cantrip earlier, a newly awakened fae wandered into the freehold. A Sidhe by the name of Lady Dido. With a dearth of worthy fae, the Baroness?s Chancellor, Herr Q.E.D Fyne, M.D, saw fit to entrust the Lady?s mentoring to my hands. Remarkably little was said over this but that is fine. I will do my utmost to ensure the Lady receives a comprehensive training.
Ever the surprise, is this Barony.
September 16
Winds at 45 knots out of the SW; patchy fog & squalls; swells at 12 feet
How quickly the weather deteriorates here up north. Mind you the Frost Giant had something to do with this most likely. He had made his way from the Ice Palace to the Citadel. The humans had dumped an obscene amount of snow on it?s hills in order to have a Festival of Snow or something. Like a moth to the flame, the Giant had made his way there to watch the proceedings. The Seelie ?heroes? decided it was high time he made his way back to Caer Frost. They feared a harsh winter with him about. Fools! Ever do they shy from the truth and the necessary. Rather then allowing him to remain and toughen them to the inevitable Winter to come, they deny the facts and pretend that Spring will last forever. This is why we must prevail for if these lilly-livered, milksops are the ones to lead us through the Winter, then we are all doomed.
A ?cunning? plan was hatched. They would impersonate the Frost Dragon, bring the Giant and Dragon together on an island under Sovereign, and then convince them to fight elsewhere. Aye, a brilliant plan indeed. Not having really an idea of the history between the two, upon arriving at the island they found that the Dragon had on several occasion attempted to combat the Giant and failed every time. He was... irritated at the idea that the local fae were going to force him into combat with the Giant. He made mention that maybe with help he could prevail and while debating how to aid the Dragon against the Giant, the Seelie fritted away the time they had until the Giant made its way to the island. Halfdan attempted to convince the Giant to return to his post with words but I?m afraid you need more then words to penetrate a Giant?s skull. As Sidhe are wont to do when pressed, he resorted to using his Sovereign glamours to aid him. Although successful, the Dragon exacted a price of his own. I do so love seeing Sidhe get their comeuppance, having it administered by a Dragon even more so. Altogether a good afternoon?s entertainment as well a good object lesson for my ward.
The Chancellor, Dr. Fyne, also presented me with a Letter of Marque and Reprisal from the Barony. This certainly puts my expedition to the fore in priority. I fear I may have to set sail without an ideal crew since who knows how long my warrant will last. I have half a crew as it stands and there were a few promising prospects but I may have to make do with a couple of less-then-satisfactory warm bodies.
The rewards will be worth it though.
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September 30
Winds SE at 16 knots; swells at 4 feet; clear sailing
How disappointing. There were no Dragons to best, Giants to outwit or even ships to capture these past days. I suppose everyone needs some time for rest and revel.
The Baroness has returned to Caer August. She?s finally got it into her head to organize a court. I overheard her ask a satyr his name, describe the position of Reeve and ask if he wanted it. Obviously she put a great deal of thought into this. She is looking for a few more Thanes, a Forester or two, a Scribe, and a Reeve. I should mention this to the others, I?m sure people can be found to fill these for her.
Gustav also returned looking for a friend, any friend. It seems that the lifting of his Curse which was only a temporary reprieve. With Halfdan and his lackey absent, Gustav found himself short of friends. The Baroness inquired of those present, who possessed the more common art of Chicanery. Other than myself, there was only a satyr and the Herald. I certainly wasn?t about to volunteer and after I mentioned that whoever volunteered would be expected to swear Oath of friendship with the Sidhe, the satyr?s enthusiasm also waned. In the end, Archimedes stepped to the fore and accepted. He then bought passage on my ship in order to find a suitable gift for his newfound friend. There is more to that pooka then meets the eye, for his gift to Gustav was none other then Gustav?s iron sword, which had found a watery resting, place. In exchange for this gift, Gustav gave stewardship of Darkingvale to Archimedes. Despite it being hers to give, the Baroness had no qualms with this since it caused her no grief. A refreshingly non-traditional outlook.
There was a little excitement towards the end of the day. A wyldstorm tore through the Barony. Although I experienced this once before in Port Blacksands, this was nothing like it. The balefire erupted in a sheet of Glamour that flowed upwards and then crashed to the floor. In its passing it left an image of Halfdan and Lillianna caught in what appeared to be a sandstorm. Making haste to rescue, the forces of the Barony crossed into the Dreaming and were stymied by the local conditions. Here the wyldstorm was more familiar with the very fabric of the Dreaming caught in an ever-changing loop. The Baroness decided that we should wait for the storm to pass before proceeding. Gustav sent a message to Halfdan telling that they would rescues them as soon as they could. Such a terrible tragedy.
The Baroness also met Lady Dido for the first time and proclaimed that a feast would be held in her honor in the coming days. Presumably this will be some time after the rescue attempt but we shall see where the cards fall. In the course of this conversation, I was shocked to learn that Aldrich Orrin Morrisey is as of yet Unsained. Despite having endured her Chrysalis over two years ago, she has never been Sained. As well, her training and early years were under the care of mundane humans! That they know so much is a blatant breach of the Eschet. This is something I will have to bring to Halfdan?s attention at good time.
It should keep him occupied for a spell.
The Mists have devoured the events of Samhain Night...
The following letter was delivered to Caer Frost in early November:
My lord, my sir,
I do not compose this letter by my own hand for I am too still weak. My
wounds are still deep from the battle fought this week passed, and it will
be some time yet before I am able to write for myself. Instead, Lily the
Sluagh, thane to the Baroness, has kindly offered to assist me.
I hope that your time at Caer Frost has been well spent. I know that the
lights of the north call you away, and I hope that someday I might be able
to join you someday on that journey. Until then, I pray that everything is
well with you Lady, our most noble Queen, and that you are well.
I received your missive and I have begun the deeds that you have requested
of me. As soon as my health is restored, I will be furthering my efforts.
It will only be a short time before I will have information to report back
to you. However, in an attempt to carry out justice, as I was told, I have
learned that the fiend who took my youth from me has escaped from his hold
and he has slipped into the dreaming. I have told the Barony that he must
be recovered at any cost, for to let him escape unpunished is opening the
door to any who feels that they are above the law. I tracked the criminal
to his trail and have arranged for a party to travel to the Dreaming to the
Court under the sea, where I believe that this Boggan is hiding. My wounds
prevent me from traveling, but I will assure that he will be caught.
I delivered your message to the Baroness before the court and she said that
she is anticipating your return to perform the saining of those who have
yet to learn of themselves. She said nothing of their education or
mentoring.
I grow weaker so I must adieu. Please know that you are in my thoughts, my
lord, my knight, and I pray for your swift return.
Ever Faithful,
Your servant,
~ Lilliana
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