Caelesti's notes

Date

5/11/2006

Log

With Caelesti trussed up in the net, her captors took flight again. They flew over a large forest for 30 minutes or so, and Caelesti couldn't help but ooh and ah over the views of the fey lands (and the flying itself). The fey landed in an area where the trees appeared to be very old. The fey dragged Caelesti out of the net, holding her arms tight.

The fey escorted Caelesti to a large mound. A guard, Murdocki, lowered a spear toward Caelesti. Caelesti's captors told the guard that they had brought "prey" for the Hunt of the Bloodmoon. Murdocki did not seem pleased, but produced a doorway into the mound. He then led the group inward.

The mound seemed much larger on the inside. Caelesti continued to ooh and ah at the sites as they continued. Murdocki led the group to the queen. The group's leader, Ardonoth, presented Caelesti as interesting prey for the Hunt. The queen asked her what her talents were. Caelesti appeared confused as she was not sure which talents might make a hunt interesting. The queen asked Ardonoth, who seemed unsure herself. Ardonoth said they saw Caelesti dancing and performing magic.

The queen seemed more interested in the dancing and asked Caelesti to dance for her. Caelesti was still naked from being captured during the night in her normal sleepwear, but nobody, including herself, seemed to care. The queen's bard played the most beautiful music Caelesti had ever heard, and, so inspired, Caelesti gave her best performance ever. The queen was impressed and asked Caelesti to return to dance at the celebration that evening. Caelesti was then escorted out of the hall to stay with Ardonoth at House Fardiq until evening. Ardonoth sourly commented that she could no longer use the pit for Caelesti to stay in, as was her original intention.

Meanwhile, Carric, Talon, Siobhan, and the tied-up Darkwing stood in the land of the fey. Carric found tracks from Caelesti's group on the other side of the portal, but they quickly disappeared. Once again, though, Darkwing was happy to lead the way. Eventually the second group reached the mound.

Murdocki questioned the party as to why they had a fey tied up in their possession. Talon responded that the fey's group captured one of her party members, and she was bringing one of the fey's members for an exchange. Talon went on to belittle Darkwing, being so easy to capture and all, which seemed to amuse Murdocki. Murdocki also mocked the lowly House Fardiq, praising his own House Kilran.

The party worked out a deal with Murdocki. He said he could probably have Caelesti set free in exchange for a favor. Carric asked what sort of favor. Murdocki said they would need to retrieve something. The party agreed, assuming it was within their capability. Murdocki wanted to seal the agreement with a spell. Talon initially objected saying they were trustworthy, but Carric convinced her that the fey had no way to know how honorable the party was. Murdocki was satisfied to have the Lesser Geas placed on Carric only.

Murdocki stated that his plan was to free Caelesti and humiliate House Fardiq. He fed the bards information about House Fardiq so they could weave the information into a humiliating song. He said he would work on freeing Caelesti while the party rested and composed their song for the evening celebration in honor of the hunt.

Meanwhile, Caelesti was given poor quarters in House Fardiq, though Caelesti found them quite lovely. She was also allowed to choose an outfit. Though she was perfectly comfortable naked, she was quite happy to have some lovely new clothes. She picked out a beautiful outfit that was both comfortable and would not interfere with her dancing. As it was the middle of the night in her world, she slept until the celebration, with her new outfit beside her.

Talon and Siobhan composed a song. Talon was going to sing while Siobhan player her harp. Carric was to avoid the celebration altogether since he had no talent or gift and could easily become substitute prey for the Hunt. Once they were prepared, the party also rested until the celebration.

Murdocki from House Kilran escorted Talon and Siobhan to the hall. Ardonoth from House Fardiq escorted Caelesti. Murdocki suggested to the queen that Caelesti could dance to his bards' music. All three performed wonderfully, and the song was particularly embarrassing to House Fardiq. Ardonoth stormed out of the room. The queen called Murdocki clever and presented him with a gem.

The celebrating continued until it was time for the Hunt. The queen led the way outside. Caelesti, with Ardonoth gone, joined House Kilran and her party, falling in behind the queen. As they walked, Caelesti quietly asked Murdocki if she was still the prey. Murdocki said she was safe.

The prey for the Hunt was a unicorn. Shortly after it was released, a dozen or more fey started tracking it. Talon commented that it was good that Carric was not at the Hunt. Murdocki said it would be several hours before the warriors returned with the unicorn, so led the party back to his quarters so they could discuss "the favor".

Talon's augmentation of Caelesti's notes

Date

5/11/2006

Log

Caelesti continued to protest as her captors took her through the portal. On the other side, she saw it was light and there were strange trees all around. "Wow! Beautiful!" she said, taking in the sights and forgeting to argue for a while.

With Caelesti trussed up in the net, her captors took flight again. They flew over a large forest for 30 minutes or so, and Caelesti continued to ooh and ah over the views of the fey lands (and the flying itself). The fey landed in an area where the trees appeared to be very old. The fey dragged Caelesti out of the net, holding her arms tight.

The female leader told Caelesti, "Our family has been outcast from court until now. Wait until they see you! You'll be perfect prey for the Blood Moon Hunt."

Caelesti, "Am I the Hunter or the Huntee?"

Male underling, "Perhaps you didn't hear, fey? You are to be the *prey.*"

Caelesti, "What makes you think I'd make a good prey?"

Female Leader, "You're unusual. They like exotic prey at court."

Caelesti, "Where's the castle?"

Male underling, "You have liked too long among mortals, fey! Your mind has diminished among them! What need have fey of castles?"

Caelesti, "Castles are for courts."

Male underling, "Arh" He shakes his head hopelessly at Caelesti.

The fey escorted Caelesti to a large mound. A guard lowered a spear toward Caelesti.

Caelesti gave the guard a friendly smile, "And what is your name, big fellow?"

Guard, "Murdocki, as if it's any business of yours. And who might you be?"

Female Leader, "That's none of your business, Murdocki. Just take us to the Queen."

Murdocki, "Surprised you'd show your face here, Ardonoth of Fardiq."

Ardonoth, "We have prey for the hunt."

Murdocki looks skeptically at Caelesti.

Ardonoth becomes petulant at the delay, "It is our right to present our gift to the Queen!"

Murdocki, "I don't recommend it. But as you have brought an offering, I can't keep you outside."

Murdocki did not seem pleased, but produced a doorway into the mound. He then led the group inward.

The mound seemed much larger on the inside. Caelesti continued to ooh and ah at the sites as they continued.

Caelesti, "I'd enjoy this a lot more if I weren't so afraid of you all."

Ardonoth, "You aren't here for your own enjoyment. You are here for *ours.* And quite fortunitious too. The Blood Moon Hunt begins tonight. This will return our family to the circle."

Caelesti, "How does hunting me get you into a circle?"

Ardonoth rolls her eyes and gives Caelestic a shove forward.

They enter a large hall and see a riot of grotesque plant life - blood worts, night shade etc, from walls and ceiling. All manner of fey are milling about in court dress - some are beautifyl, others quite frightening. They notice Ardonoth and Caelesti's group and look at them with curiosity.

There is a large dias at one end of the hall, with an enormous throne in the shape of a Shadow Dragon. One claw forms a chair. The Queen is seated there. She is a tall fey dressed an elaborate black silky gown, very gothic-looking, with silver jewelry with black and red glittering gems.

On the Queen's left, sitting on the dias, is a dark-haired, female, human Bard, with a lute. On the Queen's right is a grey-eyed, male, warrior elf.

Murdocki led the group to the Queen and bowed before her.

Murdocki, "My Queen, Ardonoth of Fariq is here, as you see. She says she has brought prey for your Hunt of the Blood Moon. As such, according to law and custom, I have escorted her here."

The Queen nods and looks curiously at the group.

Queen to Ardonoth, "What is going to make this one interesting as prey?"

Ardonoth stutters.

Queen to Caelsti, "What are your talents?"

Caelesti, "As far as being eaten on a hunt?"

Queen looks over the naked Caelesti with a critical eye, "Are you just some stupid peasant they have picked up?"

The naked Caelesti, "No... I... I..."

Ardonoth, "We report of her casting spells and I have seen her dancing to music of her friends."

Queen to Caelesti, "So, you are a dancer?"

Calesti, "Yes, but I'm not sure how that's going to help on a hunt."

Queen, "Exactly!" Queen looks pointedly at Ardonoth, who withers a bit.

Queen to Caelesti, "Let's see you dance!" Queen motions to her Bard. Bard strikes up a fetching tune. Caelesti listens a while and then starts swaying and works her way into a very captivating free-form, naked dance. It the most inspired dance Caelesti has ever done!

The Bard appreciates Caelesti's dance. She plays a long time and they develop a delightful synergy - admired by the entire court. Finally the dance and music ends.

Queen stares at Ardonoth and says, "You think this is prey to hunt? Ha! This person could be a Bard at our court!"

Ardonoth visibly shrivels at these words.

The Queen smiles, "But you did bring a good performer to our court. Very well. You may wait upon us. Your House may attend the rest of the Blood Moon celebrations at our court."

Ardonoth looks relieved.

Queen to Caelesti, "You have pleased me. Come back with your patron tonight and perform for me again."

Murdocki escorts Ardonoth and her party out of the court to the mound entrance. Along the way, Ardonoth frowns at Caelesti, "I don't like this. We had a nice pit selected for you. I supposed now we will have to treat you as a guest." Ardonoth grits her teeth. "But we don't have to like it." To her underling's, "Find a small room for her. Not nicer than you need to."