Homecoming

Homecoming Cast Hugh – Inrisor Margo – Raymond Kevin – Albus Kris – Francois Tony – Gael Season/Year: Fall 794 Date: 4/21/2007 Act I: Conquest Scene I: Albus falls in pain. He has been mystically attacked by the Hedge Wizards. The conversation on what to do is had. They note one of the grogs slipping back in. They question him and determine he is a spy. Under interrogation, he reveals that he has stolen many of the arcane connections for the Tiger and the Hedge Wizard Alliance, and has kept the HWA apprised of the covenant's plans. They destroy the arcane connections that they learn about. The spy is backtracked, and found to have met with Barkskin Boots. Raymond indicates he needs a nearby place to pray and fast, and he needs uninterrupted time. They need to re-take the covenant. Preparations for entering the covenant occur here as well (going to the Phoenix, preparing the weasel). Scene II: Entry to the covenant. Albus has recovered a little (for now). They send Inrisor, Gael and Francois off to get the Phoenix. Albus, Raymond and a grog go to the covenant. Albus feels no tingle from the Aegis (it is down). From their vantage on the wall, they note the weather is cloudy and somewhat dark, the covenant has many burned buildings, there are bodies in the courtyard, the far wall is broken (which is why the Aegis is down), and the earth looks churned and torn. They release the rue prepared weasel into the courtyard. It is attacked by undead (coming up from the churned earth). Albus fires on them. The basilisk shows and gazes at Albus. Miraculously, he survives. The group drops to the outside of the wall and run to the far side of the covenant. From there, they climb the wall again. They see the Phoenix show up, and the weasel and Phoenix go at the basilisk. As undead try to interfere, Albus fires on them. The group enters the courtyard. As they explore, it looks like a pitched battle occurred between some undead and the basilisk (another clue to enemy problems). Inside the covenant buildings they find some ghouls and such eating dead bodies (some Basques). The creatures are covered in blood and gore, there is a strong stench about them, and some are trailing entrails, tendons, or sinews from their mouths, others are eating brains. Looks like a charnal house in one of the artisan buildings. In the main building, particularly the bedrooms and labs, there are zillions of spiders, scorpions and the like. The basement is filled with snakes. Exploring the main building uncovers some arrow/bolt/dart traps. The projectiles are poisoned. They find none of the people left behind nor do they find the books. They begin the process of cleaning. Meanwhile, the troupe visiting the Phoenix make contact. They have some difficulties since Jon Lane is leading them. They are tracked by some “hobgoblins”. Gael botches a cast roll and does many light wounds to Inrisor. Damage occurs to the tree and the Phoenix eggs. They do Heat of the Searing Forge to correct the problem. This causes the eggs to begin to hatch. Inrisor flies Gael over the “hobgoblins”, and they are pretty good bowmen. It looks like the end of Gael, but a little fiery creature shows up and offers help if Gael will deliver a document to the Abbot at Prades. Gael agrees and survives. Inrisor flies over and finishes the “hobgoblins”. When the two magi return, the eggs have hatched and the little birds have imprinted on Francois. The Fire King shows up and is not pleased. He is upset they have led another king's people here and slaughtered them (the “hobgoblins”), and that the young phoenix chicks are now messed up for life. Inrisor agrees to take responsibility, and the Fire King tasks him with telling the other king that the Fire King was not involved in the dispute. He indicates there will be a fee charged to the covenant depending on how hard it is to retrain the phoenix chicks. The Phoenix returns with the basilisk in its beak, still squirming. The group heads back to the covenant. Act II: Vigil Scene I: The covenant begins to be put in order. The Aegis is re-raised. Raymond selects his place to observe his rites. The room is fitted appropriately (a cot, a cross, etc.). Raymond begins his act of faith. He must fast and pray for 7 days. Scene II: Raymond has visions and suffers temptations based off the seven deadly sins (he is trying to purify himself of sin). Temptations come in 3 categories: offers, accusations, subtle temptations. Offers are very direct, little confusion about them. Raymond does well against the offers, citing scripture and relying on his faith. (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Envy). While he is praying, an assassin slips into the covenant and tries to kill him. The assassin is apprehended by Albus and a grog. The grog is killed, Albus is injured, but Raymond survives. Raymond's trials become harder, and he is struggling with the lack of sleep and hunger from his fast. He holds steadfast as the enemy accuses him of other sins. He is nearly adjudged guilty, but makes his case in the end. People get an insight to Raymond's view of the world, particularly the world involving the covenant. (Sloth, Wrath) During his tribulations, 3 large undead and one shadow break into the covenant. They make it all the way to the floor Raymond is on, but the magi, backed by the grogs, defeat them. At the very end, the final temptation comes. Raymond is told that unless he acts, his friends will die. He succumbs to Pride and goes to help even though his vigil is incomplete. He has, however, purified himself sufficiently to cause all the non-believers in the area to go blind. He also goes blind. Act III: Pogrom The instant Raymond finishes his prayer, Inrisor takes off and attacks the enemy camp. The blindness and Inrisor's sudden attack is sufficient to cause chaos in the enemy camp. Many of the hedge wizards are killed, as are many footsoldiers (mostly Basques and Moors). The Necromancer is driven to the walls of the covenant and Albus and Gael finish him. Inrisor sees Tiger and fires on him. Tiger has a parma. Tiger escapes over a “rainbow bridge”. Due to the suddeness of the attack, the books are recovered, and all but 3 of the people/craftsmen are as well (the Philosopher, a mason's apprentice, and a cook's apprentice?). At the end, the “Mage Whisperer” is not found, though Inrisor believes he killed one hedge wizard that is unaccounted for.

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