10 Eoh 10722
Played June 16, 2022
We rode hard for a tenday back to Fane with Bramak Blackhand and company. When we arrived at the gates, we were shepherded to one of the side entrances as Petyr Godfrey seems to have destroyed the main gates. While we were stopped initially, since Bramak was clearly bringing random living into the city, ultimately Bramak pushed onward with instructions to these guards to alert Gramthrun Firepath of our arrival. Though, the guards at the gate seemed rather unnerved not only by this but by my general relaxed nature around them too. I guess I should expect that, given how they’ve likely been treated so far.
Bramak, clearly a gentleman when he wants to be, escorted us through the city - which is destroyed, with burnout buildings and makeshift gallows everywhere - and to the Townhouse that is currently being used as more or less a Town Hall - though it is overly crowded since it is one of the few buildings that is more or less intact. We were pretty quick to follow Bramak back to the burnt-out husk of a library instead, which thankfully was much quieter.
After having released Rulf Redstream from the bag, it was revealed to me that Umar doesn’t know how to read or write. Which, I know nobles tend to be the only ones who can, but I just couldn’t seem to let it go, so I offered to teach him. While he did accept, it wasn’t exactly easygoing as he struggled with the reasons certain letters make certain sounds. After setting him up with some letters to practice, I decided to look around the rest of the library - which at one time must have been quite grand.
It was then that I spotted three ghosts reading to a woman. It’s very strange that ghosts would be here, given all that’s happened, but this woman seemed to be glad for their help - seeing as her eyes were bandaged. They told the story well, but all were surprised when I revealed that I could see them. Still, she introduces herself as Kaylin and while the conversation with her was awkward at first eventually it seems that she warmed up to me.
Played June 18, 2022
Through my conversation with Kaylin, I was politely introduced to her three ghostly companions; Olivia, Alfred, and Cliff. It seems they were all sort of attendants to Kaylin in life - seeing as she was a noble, though not in practice. Cliff is the exception, as he was a farmboy in life who used to sneak Kaylin contraband. Now he worries for his family’s farm, which I can’t exactly blame him for. Though he seems so fond of Kaylin that I can’t help but wonder if the two were also something more in secret.
Regardless, wanting to get a better understanding of the political climate - to hopefully tell me who my competition for the throne is - I asked Kaylin about it. Apparently, this was not necessarily the right thing to ask, however, as she immediately scoffed and said it was a dick-measuring contest. When I mentioned that I was considering taking the throne myself, she considered me for a long while before softly breaking the news that even in Fane’s current new undead state she doesn’t believe that they would take too kindly to an Efryn. While this was less-than-ideal news, she did fill me in on the rest of the political candidates as well, though she muses on the humor of the nobility continuing to act like they’re better than everyone still. [See Control Of Fane for more information]
When I pointed out that she too was a noble, and asked which house she hailed from, Cliff was quick to mention that she was Kaylin Godfrey - which earned him a dirty look since she has been trying to keep that under wraps. Kaylin explained that she’s keeping her lineage secret due to what Petyr, her brother, did. And while she keeps things mostly vague the gist is that he came back, murdered everyone (starting with his own family), raised them as a controlled undead army (people were still conscious in their bodies just not in control), and when Daitor stepped in to stop him he disappeared (though it is unclear how exactly) freeing the undead from his control. Though, ever the loyal sister despite everything, she emphasized that this was not the brother she knew - that it was like something was wearing his skin.
I reassured her that I knew this was true since we had met Petyr back in Antaeus before everything happened, and that I would keep her secret - especially since many of the Godfreys had been dismembered due to their lineage.
After some time I excused myself from Kaylin and her companions, to check on Umar’s progress. He had actually done quite well once he stopped overthinking the why of letters. To continue his lessons, I continue with the alphabet, but not long after we are interrupted by Treldaan Freep who has a boy with him. He introduces the boy as Julius Lightfeather and explains that he wants to recruit him as a cabin boy, should everything go pearshaped. While I don’t have a problem with the idea, I do point out that the world might not quite be ready for the undead to walk freely among them - though I do reassure Julius that he would have a place on our ships. This seems to more or less appease them both as they move on having seemingly done all they needed to. Umar, for his trouble, is given sentences to begin practicing - though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a little fun with them.
Growing tired, I find Bramak seated in a plush armchair looking out at the harbor and make myself comfortable on the couch across from him. Somehow, I feel safe knowing that he is there and that he doesn’t sleep. I can’t say the same for others in the city, but I have this feeling that Bramak wouldn’t let harm befall me. While I do try to make idle conversation with him, it doesn’t go very far. I don’t think he’s really had someone to talk to in a long while, at least not on a personal level.
When I do finally drift off, my sleep is plagued with strange dreams. [See Part 4 - Otherworldly Dreams]